“This is a bad idea,” Rainbow grumbled, staring at the pony in the mirror with loathing. “Agh! Careful.”

“Sorry,” Gilda replied distractedly. Rather than using a comb, of which none could be found in Rainbow’s home, she was gently raking her claws through the rainbow mane and tail. “Just trying to get out all the knots.”

“Well, what if I like my knots? Ever think of that?”

“No. Because it’s stupid, and you’re stupid for saying it.”

Rainbow snorted. “You know, for a griffon who wants to be my bitch, you’re being awfully mouthy.”

Gilda froze mid-rake, her entire body seizing up.

“Wha-I… no! I didn’t mean it like that,” Rainbow asserted. “I just… ugh. What the hell is wrong with me? I thought I’d skipped the awkward teen phase.”

Gilda eventually relaxed and resumed combing, but used her free claw to hold onto Rainbow just the same. “I don’t know. I kind of like it. You’re still the same baddest bitch in town you’ve always been, but you’ve also got a soft, creamy interior. It’s sweet.”

“Rainbow Dash is not sweet!” She held up her front hooves to gesture dramatically. “Rainbow Dash is awesome, and cool, and… other words that also mean awesome and cool.”

“Synonyms?”

“Like I’d know. I’m too cool to know egg head stuff. And I’m definitely too awesome to get all fidgety over… over a stupid date with that stupid farm girl.”

“So why are you?” Gilda asked plainly. “Don’t get me wrong. I get the attraction, but why are you so anxious? Not like you haven’t fucked each other’s brains out before.”

Rainbow rolled her eyes with enough force to move mountains. “It’s all stupid Twilight’s fault. Stupid bitch thinks I need to be intimate and gentle,” she heightened her pitch to show her contempt. “But as stupid as she is, I’m even stupider for going along with it.”

Frowning, Gilda craned her neck down until she was on eye-level with Rainbow. “But… you’re like that with me.”

Rainbow huffed and looked away, only for Gilda to pursue.

“I mean it. Sure, the way she said it, it sounds super lame. It does. But when it’s just you and me, after we’ve gone at it for hours and I lose feeling in most of my body,” she explained with flushed cheeks, “you can get gentle. You hold me, and I just feel like everything’s alright. Even I can’t say it without sounding like a lameoid, but that’s how it is.”

Rainbow’s expression softened as she stopped evading Gilda’s gaze. “But you’re my bitch,” she said with uncharacteristic tenderness. “I’m supposed to look after your needs, even your need to be a sappy softy.” She laughed at the friendly jibe, and Gilda did the same.

“Which you’re awesome at because you’re Rainbow Dash.”

Rainbow puffed up, her fragile ego easily inflated.

“But maybe subs aren’t the only ones who need aftercare. Maybe… maybe doms do, too?”

Rainbow regarded the larger creature skeptically. Her beak and claws were sharp, honed from generations of natural selection to be deadly weapons. She was a predator, and a big one at that. Most ponies never saw her as anything else, but Rainbow saw her as anything but. The speedster was practically blind to those sharp implements of cutting that frightened so many. She saw the purple eyeshadow, those little gray spots in her chest feathers, that way she flipped her head feathers when she wanted to look cool, and the griffon that was more than the sum of her parts. All of this and more was communicated with just a look before Rainbow felt comfortable enough to speak.

“That’s what I have you for, isn’t it?”

Gilda was uncertain how to answer at first. “Not like we’re exclusive or anything. I like it when you hold me down so other ponies can have their way with me. It makes me feel special,” she admitted, feathers on the verge of pomfing. “But I also like seeing you with other ponies. I like watching you take them, how they resist at first, but afterward either beg for more or are so out of it they can barely speak,” she giggled. “That also makes me feel special, because as awesome as you are, you chose me to be yours. So if you’ve gotta find somepony else to get a bit more serious with, I don’t mind sharing.”

Rainbow’s formerly soft expression hardened into a pouty scowl. “When did you get so smart?”

Gilda shrugged. “Most of that was taken from stuff you’ve said to me, or at least about me.” She grinned mischievously and added, “Maybe Twilight’s not the only egg head in town.”

Rainbow gave the larger creature a forceful shove, but both still laughed. “Thanks, Gil. I owe ya.”

“Not really,” Gilda replied plainly. “Twilight invited me to hang out with her and Pinkie tonight.”

“Wait, what? What does that mean?”

“That we’ll be spying on you the whole time,” Gilda deadpanned.

Rainbow went bug-eyed before burying her face in her hoof. “Ugh, how did I not see that coming?”

“I told ya. You’ve got apples on the brain. It’s messing with your equilibrium, or whatever. Need to get it out of your system before all you can think about are apples, and you forget how to fly.”

“See. Now that right there.” Rainbow stood tall and proud, all signs of hesitation discarded like so much waste. Her gaze was focused, and her stance full of purpose. “Just lead with that next time, and we can avoid all the sappy crap.”

It was Gilda’s turn to roll her eyes. “Whatever you say, Dashie.”

***

“Should Ah wear somethin’ fancy?” AJ asked. Her eyes followed Twilight as the purple mare circled her, looking her over inside apple horse’s room. “All this fuss makes me feel like Ah oughtta be a bit more fancy.” All she wore was her usual hat and the red ribbon at the end of her tail.

“No. That would add tension to the mood. You and Rainbow are both more comfortable with casual, so that’s what we’re going for.”

“Really? Cuz all that circlin’ yer doing is makin’ me pretty tense,” AJ grumbled.

“Would it help if I said I’m just adding mental material to my spank bank?”

“… maybe. Though Ah wish ya hadn’t told me ya’ll be watchin’.”

“Why would that matter? You love having sex where ponies can watch.”

“Yeah, but they ain’t judgin’ me. Ah’m jus’ doin’ mah usual thing ta make ponies happy.”

“That’s exactly the kind of casual atmosphere we’re shooting for. Just, uh, pretend that it’s us going out on a date. Make some friendly conversation, do a little flirting, but when it comes time to have sex, I think you ought to take the lead with your more tender style.”

AJ didn’t ask why Twilight expected there to be sex, just like she didn’t ask why Twilight expected there to be air. Some things went without saying. However, she did have some concerns. “Ya’ll sure ‘bout that? Rainbow likes it purty rough. Even if Ah end up on top, it’s only after some hard-fought wrestlin’.”

“Except that’s the hypothesis we’re working off of. You and Rainbow are craving deeper intimacy; love-making instead of sex. And let’s be real, that’s more your area of expertise than hers.”

“Eh, fair.” AJ gave a long and drawn-out exhale. “Ah suppose we oughtta jus’ rip this bandage off already.”

***

AJ waited (im)patiently at the entrance to Sweet Apple Acres, just below the sign. The sun was setting, casting the sky in a lovely mix of warm colors, almost like a gumbo. She eyed the basket hanging from her saddlebags, running through her mental checklist to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything. “Hat. Check. Food. Check. Hat. Wait, Ah said that one already. Uh… Applelicious ass?” She bounced her back legs to make it jiggle enticingly. “That’s a big ol’ check.”

“You’re telling me.”

AJ tensed, almost suffering an embarrassing horse moment by bolting at the sudden noise. Thankfully she kept her cool and searched the warm sky until she spotted an incoming blue dot. She smiled and waved. “Howdy-do, Rainbow. Yer lookin’,” she looked the mare up and down, “mighty fine this evenin’.”

“Heh. Yeah. Same to you.” Her eyes crawled over AJ’s form like a fine comb, searching for any signs that the earth mare had gussied up for the night. “Did you shower? Your mane looks kind of shinier than usual.”

“Ah did, ‘n’ thank ya fer noticin’. ‘N’ you… hmm.”

“What?” Rainbow’s façade of cool calm cracked.

“If Ah didn’t know better, Ah’d swear ya combed yer mane.”

“Oh, that,” Rainbow laughed in relief. “That was Gilda. Yeah, she actually used her claws. In fact,” she flipped her mane, “I think it looks cooler this way. Rainbow Dash doesn’t settle for regular old combs, ya know. Only the most awesome will do.”

“Heh-heh. Say, maybe ya oughtta lend her ta the salon. Stuff Ah’ve heard from Rarity makes me think there’s a market fer ‘fashion explorers’ lookin’ ta try somethin’ exotic ‘n’, hehe, dangerous.”

“You know, that’s actually not a bad idea.”

“Hold on. Is that okay, though? Ya know, with the whole loanin’ thing?”

“Hmm, I think that’d be fine. She’d be working in a business on my behalf, so it’s not like I’m giving her away. Technically she’d just be part-timing there, so I don’t think there’ll be an issue.”

“Yeah. Probably. In that case.” With a gracious bow, AJ motioned down the road onto her property. “Shall we?”

“Yeah. Whatever,” Rainbow said, almost convincing in her suave delivery.

Once the two got to walking, their prior jitters were quickly forgotten. The trail split off from the main road soon enough, taking them through a section of the orchard where the trees were heavy with apples that were almost ripe enough. Some of the final warm breezes of summer blew through the air as the dimming sun slowly dropped the temperature.

“Ya know, this ain’t half bad.”

“Likewise. Beautiful scenery,” AJ gave Rainbow a suggestive look, “‘n’ the landscape ain’t half bad either.”

“Psssh, corny,” she waved dismissively. “Say, there’s something I’ve been wondering about.”

“Shoot.”

“So if you basically spend all your time around apples, does that mean you’ve gone nose blind to them?”

“Now that’s jus’ crazy talk.”

“Is it? Fluttershy’s house doesn’t stink of piss as much anymore since she got her animals to help with cleaning, but she used to have no idea just how bad it was. Spend all your time around something, and it’s basically invisible.”

“Maybe, but Ah don’t know what ta tell ya. Blindfold me ‘n’ throw a non-Apple grown apple in one ‘f our barrels, swear ta Molestia, Ah could hunt that thing down on smell alone.”

“Oh, yeah?” Rainbow asked, sporting a wry grin. “What would you do with it once you found it?”

“Well, it’s trespassin’, which is a crime. Ponyville law hasn’t been updated in some time, so Ah think Ah’d have full legal allowance ta do whatever Ah wanted. Ah could skewer it, dice it, throw it in a boilin’ pot…” She trailed off, giving a suggestive look in preparation for the lewd twist. “Or Ah could—”

“Wait, back up. Is that really the law?”

“Sure shootin’. Most ‘f our family slaves are descended from trespassers. Funny thing, though. Folks still try trespassin’ ta this day. Don’t even put up a fight when they get caught, neither,” she explained all too smugly.

“Psssh, lucky. You’ve got ponies just walking up to eat out of your hooves. I actually have to do the hard work of hunting them down.”

“Ah thought ya’ll liked the hunt.”

“Oh, I do. I really do! It’s exciting to stalk ponies through town, swoop in, and snatch them up before they even know what’s happening.” Rainbow laughed. “The looks on their faces as they cling to me for dear life are a serious turn-on.”

“Ah s’ppose so,” AJ allowed. “Me, Ah prefer the gentler way. Attract more flies with honey than vinegar, they say.”

“Do you ever hunt, though?”

“What d’ya mean?”

“Like Rarity. She’s a trap setter, but that’s still a kind of hunt. She lets ponies come to her, catches them, and has her way. As for me, I like picking out my targets instead of just accepting any rando that comes by. It’s fun sitting up in the clouds and picking out anypony I think looks cute enough to fuck. Like the other day, I saw Lyra wearing a new mane style. ‘Is that for me,’ I wonder. Well, it certainly got my attention, so here I come,” she cheered while pretending to pounce, breathing heavy and cock at half-mast. “I pin her down and let her squirm for a bit. She kicks and struggles, but I know how to keep a pony still. Or, I guess I should say still enough, cuz the whole time her body’s grinding on mine, getting us both worked up. Only after we lock eyes and she knows there’s no escape, that she’s going to be mine until I get tired of her; that’s when I. Rock. Her. World!” Rainbow came out of her fantasy, showing off her fully erect cock with a smug grin for AJ to ogle. “Haven’t you ever had somepony you thought was worth hunting?”

“What d’ya mean?”

“Like if there’s some cute filly you see in the market. She doesn’t want any apples today, so she doesn’t get in your territory, the range of your charms, but you still want her. Your eyes track her as she goes about her business, never suspecting just how much you want her. Maybe you want to hold her down and see if her little pussy tastes like her cutie mark, or maybe you just feel like sitting on a face.” Rainbow’s hips swayed seductively. “Either way, you know you’re one of the top bitches in town, so it’s only natural to claim this lesser bitch as yours.”

“Hmm, Ah guess Ah’ve never really thought ‘bout it like that,” AJ admitted. She was intrigued by such a proposition, as evident by her growing erection. “With Twilight, she came ta me. ‘N’ she kept cummin’ until, well, it jus’ became a thing.”

Rainbow giggle snorted. “Now I’ve got this image of you swagger hunting. You’re following somepony down a dark alley. They notice and get nervous, but don’t bolt. You shoot them that come-hither smile of yours. If their knees don’t buckle, the best they can do is back up slowly and… Hmm, what happens next?”

AJ thoughtfully clucked her tongue. “Well, howdy there, sugar cube,” she greeted with a husky purr, as well as a subtle underlying menace in those hungry emerald eyes. “What’s a sweet thing like you doin’ in a dull place like this? ‘N’ then Ah’d keep on swaggerin’,” she said with an exaggerated strut.

“Wh-wh-what do you want?” Rainbow asked in faux terror, struggling not to grin.

“Ah want ya’ll, sugar cube. Mighty rude of ya ta go showin’ off them sweet flanks ‘n’ not even offerin’ a free sample.” AJ tsked. “Shamefully disappointin’. Ah just might have ta teach ya a lesson.”

“Oh, yeah! You’re good at this.”

“Think so? Ah was jus’ thinkin’ what you or Rarity might do.”

“Rarity maybe, but not me. If I’m seen, I might do a bit of scaring to get the heart pumping, but I’d have definitely pounced by now. Pounce, overpower, and shove their head where it belongs. Under my Rainbowlicious ass.”

AJ bleated with a surprised laugh. “Ya’ll seriously jus’ say Rainbowlicious?”

“Yeah. Why? It’s the delicious ass of Rainbow Dash. Rainbow delicious. Rainbowlicious.”

AJ continued snickering. “Jus’ kinda seems self-indulgent, even fer you.”

“Pssht, like you don’t toot your own horn,” Rainbow remarked.

“Yer lucky Ah don’t. If an Apple gets a gas attack, we can clear a room in seconds. Be mighty rude ta do that while sittin’ on somepony’s face.”

“Some ponies are into that, you know.”

“They’re in ta bein’ gassed unconscious?”

Rainbow snickered. “Maybe. Lots of times, I catch ponies deliberately trying to get my attention cuz they think they can handle me. Naturally, it’s pretty much a civic obligation on my end to put them in their place. Ponies ought to learn what they can handle, ya know.”

“Aww. ‘N’ yer nice enough ta teach ‘em, are ya?” AJ teased.

“I wouldn’t say ‘nice’. ‘Obligation’ is better. It’s my duty to show them the error of their ways.”

“What if ya don’t?”

“If not me, they might find themselves locked in Rarity’s dungeon for a couple days.” She shivered. “Ignorance is one thing, but Rarity takes a challenge pretty much like I do.”

AJ chortled. “So yer doin’ ‘em a service by bein’ the lesser evil?”

“Gentler rape, but yeah. Ponies need to know their place. And for most of them, that’s under my hoof.”

“‘N’ me? Ya’ll wanna put me in mah place?” AJ huskily asked.

“Under normal circumstances, sure. But everypony wants me to try this touchy-feely crap today, so I’m giving it a shot.”

“‘N’ how ya likin’ it so far?”

Still walking side-by-side, Rainbow closed in until their sides were pressing. “Could be worse.”

“Heh-heh. High praise.” AJ didn’t say much more after that. She was comfortable with the silence. Walking with another mare pressed to her side was relaxing, and hopefully mutually so. The temperature was pleasant, the scenery tranquil, and the air was rich with the smell of apples… and horny mares. AJ’s ears perked when she finally noticed the periodic slapping of flesh coming from down below. The speedster was still fully erect, and apple horse was only slightly less so.

***

Elsewhere, in an undisclosed bunker, some creatures were huddled around the sneak-o-scope while the speakers kept them appraised of the dater’s conversation.

“Oh, yeah. They’re making some serious goo-goo eyes right now,” cheered Pinkie.

Gilda looked incredulous. “I really doubt that.”

“That’s not what I’m seeing,” informed Twilight. “It looks more like a couple wolves circling each other ready to fight for dominance.” Her ear flicked as playful growling came in over the speakers. “Sounds like it, too.”

Gilda pouted. “When’s it my turn to watch.”

“Sorry, Gilda. I don’t usually have more than two ponies in here at a time.”

“I can tell,” Gilda grumbled. There was hardly any breathing room down here, with the griffon unable to even stretch her wings. Not only were two ponies and a griffon cramped together, but they were also competing for space with the filing cabinets, monitoring equipment, and other miscellaneous things Pinkie had stored away in here. There was a cabinet devoted entirely to bouncy balls, holding far more than should realistically fit in such a tight space. Other cabinets were filled with other ‘party’ supplies that would explode out if not opened correctly, including balloons, streamers, and dildos. Gilda was almost sure she’d accidentally swallowed one on that last discovery.

“Don’t worry, though. Now that I’ve got more friends to invite to my own dates, I’ll make sure to make the adjustments for next time.”

“Your dates included voyeuristically spying on other ponies?” Twilight clarified, not all that surprised.

“Sometimes. I don’t go on too many traditional dates, and only my most favoritest fuck buddies get invited down to my bunkers. It’s nice to share special moments with somepony special.”

“Special moments meaning peeping on other ponies having their special moments?” Twilight clarified again.

“Yaperoony!”

“Aww. That’s really sweet. Thank you, Pinkie.”

“No problem. Oh, and it looks like we’re about to get to the good stuff.” Pinkie stepped aside from her sneak-o-scope and motioned for Gilda. “Go on.”

“Thanks, but you sure?”

“Positootly. Twilight needs to take notes and need to see how your mistress is doing. Besides,” Pinkie sat back and whipped out her cock, “I’ve got plenty back here to keep myself entertained.”

Author's Note

Given that this part was running too long, I split it here. Despite their reputations for being awesome in their own ways, RD and AJ can still be awkward and vulnerable when stepping outside their comfort zones. The canon has officially shipped these two together, so they like each other as more than friendly rivals. There’s a spark there, which I explore here.

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