A Revolution [ In Love ]

--- Act Six ---

--- Chapter Eighteen - Time to go Home ---

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The Dining Hall was an array of gold and silver. The table itself was the only exception, being made of an ingenious infusion of marble stone and oak wood.

Tapestries lined the sides of the high-standing room, each embodied it's own array of small, intricate weaves, forming seals of the year; A small tradition that at the end of every year, a new tapestry was made, representing the success of the civilization.

A guard had made the suggestion roughly twenty years ago, and as such, the tradition was in respect of both the kingdom and he himself.

The guard, as he stands now, was General Battleheart, the February runner, and the tradition well got him recognized for the promotion a year later, when one of the few generals fell ill and was unable to continue service.

Celestia sat, as to be expected, at the head of the table, to her left sat Luna, and her right, the General. Applejack sat to Luna's left, and it seemed the two were chatting with the waiter about some subject of unknown interest.

Causally strolling into the room, she admired the Hall, even though she had seen it once before, when she made a bit more of a...Flashy entrance, skydiving into her chair.

This time, she approached the task of sitting in a chair more civilly, instead pulling the chair out, sitting on the padding, and using the table as a counter-weight to pull herself in.

Now she could hear the two talk more clearly. She returned Celestia's greeting, saluted the general, and attempted to shove herself in the conversation.

" ...Thirteenth time in a row, oh, could you imagine a better way to end the century? " Luna said, nodding in approving reminiscence.

" If I may, was there not a film made about that particular event? " The waiter asked. Apparently a waiter was another double job of a guard, as he was wearing the standard-issue gold-plated armour.

Dash seized the momentary thought to intrude.

"What are you guys talking about? " She asked blatantly.

It seemed the first time they had seen her, ignoring the greeting given by Celestia and Battleheart.

" Oh, Miss Dash, a pleasure to see both of you out of that room, we thought you had grown roots! " The waiter said. Dash vaugely remembered him, the pegasus had delivered them a tray of food the day before, when they chose to stay stationed in their room.

Luna looked at him with a glare, making it clear the comment was not welcome.

He took the hint, asking, " Er, shall I be dismissed then? "

Luna nodded lightly.

Dash hadn't found it really that insulting, but apparently he was being disrespectful some way of another. Then she noticed everypony was staring at Luna.

" Is there a problem? The comment was not needed, and I believe more respect is due to our guests. "

Celestia nodded wordlessly, and resumed eating a tossed salad of sorts.

Dash was shortly thereafter brought a plate with a dandelion sandwich, and an apple by a silent waiter.

' Geez, harsh. ' She thought.

He quickly scuttled back to the kitchen.

There was silence as those who still had food quickly consumed it. When all dishes were cleared, and glasses drained, the silence was broken.

Hesitantly, Celestia rose to full height in the chair. "Ms. applejack and Rainbow Dash, " She addressed them. " I have discussed it with Luna, and we have agreed that all data being gathered that we deem necessary, it should be said. We have been studying you; Watching you, as it were. "

They turned to each other, uncertain of it's meaning.

Luna clarified, " Your nightly activities. "

"Oh." They spoke in unison.

The silence fell again, and Celestia spoke once more.

" As it were, we believe it best for the two of you to return home at your earliest convenience. "

They looked to each other, and with a nod from Applejack, Dash said, " When can we get a lift? "

--

The two loaded themselves, the only things they had brought, into the train awaiting the short ride.

Several by-passers gave them various looks as they passed the station, including the one with the pink-and-yellow mane, who sneered hostilely.

The action was taken as a threat to the two guards, (a unicorn and pegasi, who still accompanied them for the ride) who detained the mare.

There was one major difference they noticed in some of the looks they were given, approval. There were several pairs of mares walking as they had been, and it was obviously trending. They were an icon now.

" Do ya' reckon' we... " Applejack began, turning to Dash.

She continued looking out the window, and showed no signs of hearing her.

" Rainbow...? " She addressed her..

Dash shook her head, closing her eyes with a sigh.

" I dunno AJ, It's cool that everypony seems to be allright with it, or at least we got a few allies on this, but... I thought this was kidn of our thing... "

" Ya' suggesting tha' other mares ain't entitled to their hap'ness? " She questioned, tilting her head lightly.

Dash had no response, and it reflected on her features.

The subject was dropped, and two other mares joined them in the room, due to the lack of two guards that were busy with the pink-and-yellow mare up front.

Applejack and Dash looked at each other quickly, but said nothing.

" ... And Lyra, it was just amazing, dear, you should have been there! " One said.

" Oh, I should assume so, seeing as it only happens once a year! Perhaps I shall attend next year. I do apologize, you know my hectic schedule. "

The two laughed over whatever it was, and quieted to a more tolerable level. They were undeniable upper-class Mares. They were not clothed, but the accent told the two they had never missed a meal.

One looked to the duo adjacent of them, who were pretending not to notice them, and recognized Dash.

" Oh, you were the two at the festival, weren't you? Yes, I remember now, Shimmer-Gloss tripped you, and there was a quarrel! " She called the attention of her partner, recalling the memory.

" Oh, yeah! I gotta say, it's trending well with many mares and colts alike. Even Bon and I have... Practiced it. " The one on the left giggled lightly after she had said it.

The one one the left was a Light cyan coat, and seemed more bubbly, whilst the one on the right seeed a deeper blue purple mixture, and had a higher degree of formality.

Dash and Applejack again looked to each other, questioning the strange company.

" We're like you. " 'Bon', as she was called, said.

That seemed to be all she needed to say, as the realization washed over them.

The sound of the train's whistle startled the shell-shocked duo, as the train began to move.

They assumed they were alone, to be undisturbed, seeing as the guards did not return, despite the anticipation of Dash and Applejack.

It was, in every aspect of the word, awkward. 'Bon' and 'Lyra' occasionally whispered to each other, nudging the other from time to time, while Dash and Applejack found it improper to be doing the same in front of them. Neither pair spoke to the other, and ten minutes into the train ride, they were staring each other down.

Dash, closest to the door on the right, stared at Bon, whilst Applejack was staring at Lyra.

" So, where are you guys headed? " Lyra asked.

The lack of noise in the cabin had left them startled by the question, though Applejack was the first to say "Ponyville."

It was a silly question, really, for the train only went to Ponyville, and back. Non-stop ride.

"Us too. " Bon said. "We've figured it was time we take another... 'vacation' of sorts.

" Call it a honeymoon; Before the wedding " Lyra said, giggling as she nuzzled her partner once more.

"Y'all're pretty, erm, open with yer relationship, ain't ya'? " Applejack asked, as Lyra began to kiss Bon's neck before them.

She seemed to come out of her trance, re-noticing where she was.

" Oh, sorry, yes. we're pretty open about it all. Most mares aren't, though. Most can't afford the bad public image. Businesses and such. places like Ponyville have been booming, though. " She added, thinking of the destination.

" Do you know if any place in Ponyville rents out, per chance? " Bon asked. " This was a most... spontaneous trip. "

Dash looked to Applejack, and back to the mares before her, and shook her head.

Lyra and Bon looked to each other in worry. Turning back to Dash and Applejack, Lyra asked, " Would anypony rent out? "

Before Dash could respond with a 'Probably not,' Applejack responded, " Reckon y'all can stay with my folks for a whilem how long ya' stayin'? "

"Oh, a week, two if funds allow. " Lyra said, as Bon nodded in agreement. " It would be greatly appreiciated. Does eighty bits sound fair? "

Applejack had to force her eyes to not widen. " Ah' reckon that's a mighty kind offer, why the price? "

"Oh, we have plenty to our names, and between us, it'll probably be fair due to the, erm, noise factor. "

Dash tapped Applejack's shoulder. Leaning into it, Dash whispered, "What about Apple Bloom, and the others? "

Applejack laughed.

" All a' the family knows 'bout all tha', Rainbow. Ah'll talk ta' lil' Apple Bloom. " Returning to the mares before her, she extended her hoof, and it was met with a very excited shaking from both Lyra and Bon's.

A multitude of 'Thank you's were said, and sleeping arrangements made. They could sleep in the guest house, about half an acre from the main house. Heating and facilities would not be a problem, and the only thing it lacked was electricity.

Agreeing it was of no concern, the day-long ride continued.

--

Green flame erupted from Spike's mouth, and from the magical flare, appeared a letter.

Sitting up, he looked to his left, where Twilight was mixing a couple of concoctions. She turned at the sound of his, delivery system, as it were.

He unrolled it, as Twilight stepped down from the table she had been hovering over.

It read:

--

Twilight Sparkle

Your friends Applejack and Rainbow Dash will be returning as you read this, you may expect them near midnight at the train stop.

As you may have noticed, they have started a trend, as it stands, among many. The general populous has accepted or embraced the idea of similar-gender relationships, but some do oppose it, and may target the source of change; them.

There has been no conflict in Equestria due to it's own population for a long time, and as such, I wish to suppress such happenings.

They will be under the watch of royal guard every moment, without knowledge of being so. I wish for you not to speak of the guards, and resume normal life.

If at any point Ponyville proves hostile to you, I will dispatch a caravan to bring you here.

Please stay safe.

~ Mom

--

Twilight looked out a nearby window, staring at the clouds.

" What have you guys done now... " She mumbled, returning to her task of some brew of chemicals.

" You sure know how to pick your friends... " Spike replied sarcastically.

' That's my Spike... ' Twilight thought solemnly.

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