Splitting aMid the Night

The Princess wakes!

Fresh and fully motivated. I'll take on the world, whatever it may throw at me, and...

Midnight climbed out of her bed, lost balance while doing so due to getting caught in the covers, and landed flat on her face.

That's a new perspective on things. I hate this clumsy hull. Coming to think of it, shouldn't you be giving me superb reflexes or something like that?

Well, first, would you kindly pick ourselves up? I'd love to help, but since I am but you, there's little possiblewhen the husk is unable to react by herself. Besides, I don't want to risk a traffic jam on our nerves. Also, watching you faceplant is simply delicious... would you kindly stop munching on the floor?

Dust is surprisingly tasty when you think about it. I love it.

Keep that up and I'll take us over. Speaking of love, this is the day.

Midnight got up and went into the kitchen, surprised to find that neither of her roommates was up yet and thus the duty of breakfast was hers. She sat down at the table and began to work her magic, staring out through the window into Ponyville which was just being kissed awake by the Sun's blessed warmth.

Right. The world isn't ready for me, yet here I am. I'm gonna bring the entire system down on their heads, and with your help, they'll never see me coming. How do ponies fall in love? First sight? That's kinda the case for me, but she doesn't look like it. So it's prolly down to dating. 'Cause that went so well last time. Dates need money. How much? About two-hundred bits should do it. Can I spare that much? Paycheck isn't due for another three weeks. I can't wait that long and I'd prefer not to have to explain this to Dad. Check the Nightional Treasury later. More importantly though, I'll have to ask her out. Given that I get the necessary guts and she agrees, which sounds likely, actually, I'll need the proper situation. Perhaps I could start out by asking her if she's ever had a relationship, that way I can also confirm that she needs a partner and save myself the embarassmentif she doesn't. But that's nothing with which to intentionally come to her. It has to be a random encounter. But how can I set that up? I guess I'm best off being friends with her. For now. Until the perfect opportunity arises. Patience...

We... are patient.

In that moment, Octavia and Vinyl Scratch came into the kitchen surprisingly simultaneously, like they had started to come down at the same time from the same previously tightly locked room.

"So, kissed a filly in the meantime?" teased Vinyl.

"Did you?" Midnight shot back.

"As a matter of fact, I did. Right on both of her lips, too." To that, Octavia responded by giving out an audible 'Hmph' and glaring daggers at Vinyl for being so direct. After only a second or two, however, she instead turned to caressing her lover's neck.

"Taaacky!" called Midnight.

"We'll see how you and Twilight will behave, yes?" Vinyl responded while Octavia was nibbling on the ends of her mane.

After breakfast, Midnight went up again to secretly inspect her super secret money stash - located in a bag below everything else in a drawer.

That isn't nearly enough to pay for dinner if I still want to eat. Well, actually it is. Just nearly, though. I'll have to get more, I guess. Just how did I use it up so quickly? More importantly, where can I earn moneys?

Plenty of ways for a pretty filly to sell herself.

Which I'm not. Also, I'm not in Canterlot any more. It'd be hard.

We know what that means...

Teenager part time jobs! Oh how I dreaded this day. Although, it can't be worse than what I did last time.

I was hoping for something different. Like your last job. Wasn't that fun, if perhaps a bit saucy?

You weren't present. It was horrible, ponies kept asking for more than I could keep up with.

Silly filly, I'm always where the action is. And I remember one time when you came back all drenched in their stickiness. Ha, Dad's face. Who would've guessed Canterlot had a tomato factory, anyway?

What else? One where they grind up useless foals and make, I don't know, rainbows? I guess I could stand here and stare at my lacking money all day or work out a way to mutiply them.

Ask Octavinyl, perhaps? Their kind always has spare money for the cause of love.

It's a just cause, methinks. I won't, though. Want to know why? Juust 'cause! Besides, I hate debt. One shudders to imagine what they might make me do to repay it.

Like, giving the money back when you can?

Exactly! Or maybe they'll have me work it off at one of their performances. And we know that everypony claiming to enjoy either's works is a liar. Or perhaps they'll just nullify it, but I'll have to endure their teasing when it works out. Can't let that happen. Maybe I can sell more of my drawings. Ha, exploiting friends for money is fun. Under the light of d- upon closer inspection, though, I don't expect them to be worth anything. But maybe practiving will help me think less of Sparkle and more of how I can make her think higher of me. Why, being creative never gets old. Maybe some day I'll be able to draw something that isn't present.

Don't forget to pack plenty of red.

I dare you.

Midnight packed her supplies for the day and headed out in search of new inspiration. It was still early, few ponies were out since it was Sunday. A cool breeze played with the ends of her mane as she surveyed her surroundings. Sweet Apple Acres in the distance caught her eye. Surely, there weren't enough pictures of fruit already. She could make something work with the trees. She just had to figure out what. Midnight wasn't all that much for apples, except if they were compressed into the divine state of cider, that is, but she figured they might be worth drawing, even if she didn't intend to eat one.

Technically, the Acres probably were private property. However, since she and Applejack already were friends, at least according to the earth pony, Midnight allowed herself in. Nopony would argue anyway.

She laid down in the grass. It was surprisingly dry, the Sun had been warming it just long enough. She turned her head, looking for a subject while her bag spilled its contents onto the ground. Mostly, she had to decide on the scale she wanted to go for. A single apple hanging in the tree would work, but so would focusing on an entire tree or perhaps even the orchard as a whole. If she moved to the right place, the Sun was still low enough to create a great picture. Midnight had already found the perfect spot she'd have to be in, but she then saw something far better. Up in a tree not too far away from her a certain pegasus laid on a branch curled up like a cat, seemingly trying to blend in with the juicy fruit around her. Being mostly bright blue didn't help Rainbow Dash accomplish this, though.

For a moment, Midnight wondered how there could even be fruit, not to mention pony-sized rainbow colored ones, hanging in the trees at that time of the year. Then however, she remembered what Sparkle had said when she had asked. Apparently, chosen farmers were granted enchanted trees that could bear fruit all around the year to help end the hunger crisis of umpteen twenty something. Taking into consideration what they had told Midnight about the relationship between the pegasus and the tree's owner, Applejack was in for a rich harvest. Not only she could profit from that, though. An idea struck Midnight and her face took on a devious grin as she went to execute it.

Perfect. Sloth shall be fittingly chastised.

Rainbow Dash, who turned out to be quite a deep sleeper, was adorned with apples delivered by the tree she slept in, the fruit being placed in various locations on and around her, one particular one slightly pushed into her muzzle. Midnight hadn't expected to get away with something like that, but seeing as she had, she shrugged and got to work.

Smart words do not make smart.

Aye, 's long as dem ponies unnerstand us, us all kin talk like we wanna. Pass me the red... wow, I'm getting a bit more attached than I'd like to. Not to mention asking you to use my magic is renundant anyway. I'm in full control... still.

The subject was easy to draw. Midnight had decided to have the picture zoom in to show just Rainbow Dash with a bit of leaves in the background. Consequently, she was quick to get it done, even working with two crayons simultaneously with a little help from her better part. She still found the direct use of magic unnecessary, of course. If she already had a box of material, she might as well use it.

Upon approaching the final bits to add in, like coloring the rainbow, Midnight felt a little tingle deep within her. That in addition to rhythmical clopping told her that somepony was approaching. She looked around, her neck cracking in the process, and spotted whom she had been expecting to show up all the time.

"Howdy! How nice of..." Applejack began, but she was quickly shushed by Midnight, who pointed upwards to the sleeping pegasus. Applejack looked and continued with a lower voice such as not to disturb Dash, "Might Ah ask what yer doin' with mah wife soon-to-be?"

"Art!" replied Midnight, taking the paper off of the pad and floating it before Applejack so that she could have a good look at it.

"Tha' looks a mite unsafe, ta be honest. Ya sure she's still breathin'?"

"Sure. Look at her chest. I guess I can finish this on my own, so let's make sure." With a few cunning levitation points, Midnight destabilised Rainbow Dash on the branch, using magic and her own body to break Dash's fall and gently set her down in the grass. "Sleeping deeper than I thought. I think she's coming, though."

Rainbow squirmed a little, trying to escape the sunlight that was now shining into her eyes, also licking and nibbling the apple in her mouth in the process. "Please, AJ... you know I'm more into toys. Well, if you insist... mmmh..."

Midnight cocked a very critical eyebrow while Applejack avoided her gaze, kicking into her friend far more powerful than what would be expected between lovers to help her wake up faster and avoid further embarassment.

"Leeet's just pretend that didn't happen. I think 'Jack's right, by the way. Welcome back among the conscious. With a bit of training, you might be able to make it into the circle of the self-conscious. Ha, I made a funny! Speaking of which, wanna see what I made of your sleepiness?"

Rainbow Dash rubbed her eyes before spitting out the fruit and adjusting her position on the ground into a more comfortable one. "Sure, I guess. If it means you'll explain why I woke up with an apple in my mouth. I mean, not that I'd mind that, if it's the right Apple," she said without shame.

"Overhearing a lot of things today. I must be going deaf. Anyway, it looks something like this. Exactly like this, actually." Midnight picked up the drawing and showed it to the last one who hadn't seen it. "What do you think?"

"Different thoughts running through my head right now. Ranging from 'You just made ME look cute, which is unacceptable' across 'Needs more of the best pony in the world' all the way to 'Darn it, that's cute'."

"Want me to draw an orange flank around some of the apples? Celestia knows it'd be big enough... hey, what's that on the backside?" Somehow, a message had appeared on the back of the paper, written in pink wax crayon, it seemed. "'Twilight is celebrating her birthday and you're invited. 7 PM at the library. Cake and the good stuff will be provided. Gifts welcome, but not required'," Midnight read aloud. "Of course. Because breaking about every law of nature I know is cooler than just giving out invitations. What does Pinkie mean by 'good stuff', though?"

"Cider," Rainbow Dash instantly replied. "Good thinking of her to remind me. I'd have forgotten otherwise."

"Reminds me wha' Ah was doin' 'fore the lot of you showed up. Gotta get a nice supply of tha'... stuff to hers. If y'all would excuse me." Applejack then departed back towards the farmhouse.

"She's one of your best friends, you saved the world together twice, and you still don't know her birthday?" Midnight asked.

"Been around for less than you'd think. Besides, I gotta stay awesome twenty-four seven, little time to remember stuff like that. Erm, you wouldn't want to part with that, would you?" Rainbow Dash asked, gesticulating towards the drawing that laid unused on the pad, the breeze Midnight had already felt earlier playing with its edges and corners.

"Once it's done, sure, if you want it. I'll get it your way. Probably tonight."

"Awesome, thanks. See ya!"

It's like the annual groundhog week all over again. Perhaps I'll get the courage this time around. Maybe I'll be able to squeeze the information I need out of Sparkle. Gah, I'm a pony of practice. Whatever I do, I have done a hundred times at home. Why do I have to deal with such situations which you can't practice for? I guess I can prepare the best I can. Do I have to wash my hair? Mh, maybe. Brushing probably wouldn't be a bad idea. A gift? A proper first kiss, perhaps. Ha, as if, once again. There's still the problem concerning money, though... I don't wanna!

Would you kindly stop worrying? It'll be fun, I'm sure.

You sound like my roommates.

Unicorns of pure blood think as one.