50 Shades of Hay

Kiss me! I scream at her, but I can’t move, I’m frozen and entranced by her gaze. I’m staring at Rainbow Dash, the most successful young Pegasus in Equestrian history. And she’s holding me in her hoofs. I want to kiss her so badly, please, kiss me. She closes her eyes and shakes her head slowly, almost as if she’s answering my silent pleas. When she refocuses her gaze on me, her eyes are with filled a steely resolve.

“Applejack, you should stay away from me. It’s for your own good.” She whispers.

Wait, What?! Where the hay is this coming from? Shouldn’t I be the judge of that? She gently steps back and guides me down onto my hoofs; keeping one of her own hoofs on my shoulder.

“Breathe Applejack, breathe,” She instructs calmly, but I’m far too wired from the adrenaline coursing through my veins. I can’t believe I’ve been so foalish, how could I have misinterpreted her intentions so badly?

“Ah’m fine,” I push her hoof away and square myself up, keeping my head low, “But thanks,” I murmur. I’m so angry at myself, I need to get away from here.

“For what?” She frowns.

“Fer saving me.” I reply flatly.

“I’m glad I was here, I prefer not to think about what might have happened. Would you like to come and sit in the hotel for a minute?”

I shake my head, to clear my thoughts and answer her question, I just want go home. What were you thinking? What would Rainbow Dash want with you? My subconscious torments me. I glance over at the pony crossing, and when I notice the green walk sign I hurry across the road, I’m blatantly aware that Dash is following close behind me.

Outside the hotel, true to her word, Soarin is patently waiting. Dash hurries up to him and states something I can’t quite make out, she turns back to face me.

“Soarin will take you back to Sweet Apple Acres.” She states.

“Thanks for the smoothie, and doing the photo shoot,” I mutter, still keeping my head down.

“Applejack… I…” She stops, the anguish in her voice is apparent, I peer up at her. Her crimson eyes are bleak and she looks frustrated.

“What?” I snap, raising my head fully and staring her straight in the eye, she blinks but steadily holds my gaze.

“Good luck with you first sales.” She mumbles and takes off towards the hotel.

“Thanks,” I state sarcastically, “Goodbye, Ms Dash” I call out to her as I climb into her carriage and slam the door.

Dash’s carriage is quite impressive, it’s a large single, oval shaped room that could easily fit eight ponies comfortably; the seats are made from some the softest velvet I’ve ever felt. The entire inside of the carriage is a dark, royal purple color. I would feel spoilt, were it not for the bitter anger and rejection I feel. I could understand why she wouldn’t be interested in a nopony like me; I mean a common Earth pony and the richest Pegasus in all of Equestria? Could you imagine the scandal?

No, that’s not why I’m angry, I’m angry because… why? Why would she lead me on like this only to cut me down at the last minute? I throw my hat on the small round table top in the center of the carriage, and rest my face in my left hoof. I don’t want to think about her anymore, I just want to go home and forget this ever happened.

I look down at my left hoof and notice too small damp patches of fur, I immediately reach up and touch my face, why am I crying? No seriously, Why? It’s not like we broke up, hay! I never even dated her! Celestia, I’m crying over something I never even had, who does that?

I rest my head against the window and gaze out at the passing country side, it doesn’t matter, you need to focus on selling your harvest. Forget about her, you don’t need her anyway. I close my eyes and try to forget what happened, but I end up drifting into a dreamless sleep as I speed on my way back to Ponyville.

Rare is sitting at the dining table on her laptop when I arrive. Her welcoming smile quickly fades when she sees me.

“AJ, what’s wrong?”

Oh nothing, just all the hopes I had were suddenly and violently crushed right before my very eyes.

“You’ve been crying.”

No, really? You don’t say? I know I shouldn’t take it out on Rare, she just trying to help but… Celestia damn it! I’m so pissed off right now!

“What did that bitch do to you?” She growls, I’m momentarily taken back by the sudden change in her demeanor.

I shake my head, “Nothing, Rare.” That's kinda the problem...

“Then why have you been crying? You never cry,” she says, her voice softening and her brilliant blue eyes brimming with concern. She hugs me and I sigh.

“Ah was nearly run down by a runaway carriage.” It’s the truth, and it helps to distract me from… her.

“Oh, my. AJ – Are you alright? Were you hurt?” She holds me at arm’s length as she checks over my body for any injuries.

“No, Rainbow saved me,” I whisper. “But Ah’m still a bit shaken.”

“I’m not surprised, how was coffee? I know you hate coffee.”

“Ah had a smoothie. It was fine, nothing happened. Ah don’t really know why she asked me.”

“She likes you, AJ.” She releases her hold on me and smiles.

“Not anymore. Ah won’t be seeing her again.” I state matter-of-factly.

“Oh?” Rare raises an eyebrow.

I head into the kitchen, keeping my head low so she can’t see my face.

“Yeah… she’s a little out of my league, Rare,” I say as dryly as I can.

“Whatever do you mean, darling?”

“Oh, ain’t it obvious?” I turn to face her as she stands in the doorway.

“Not to me,” she shakes her head. “Okay, she’s has more money than you, but she has more money than most of Equestria! Well, save for the Princesses of course.” She muses.

“Rare, she’s-” I shake my head.

“AJ! For heaven’s sake - how many times do I need to tell you? You’re a total babe,” she closes the gap between us and bumps her flank against mine, smiling reassuringly as she does so.

I frown and lower my head, trying to hide the light blush that has appeared across my cheeks. “Rare, please. Ah’m tired.”

She sighs, “Would you like to see the article? It’s finished. Caramel took some great pictures.”

Yeah sure, I need a visual reminder of Rainbow ‘I-Don’t-Want-You’ Dash.

“Sure.” I manage a smile as we trot over to her laptop on the dining table. There she is, staring dramatically off camera. I pretend to read the article, but I’m too immersed in her pose. She looks so strong, with her chest puffed out and a proud look on her face. Suddenly, I recognize the moment this picture was taken, this was the moment when our eyes locked; as I focus more intensely on her neutral facial expression I can see the slightest hint of a smile on her lips. There’s something in her eyes too, something primitive yet refined, almost like a desire or… hunger?

I shake my head, I must be tired if I’m reading so far into nothing.

“It’s very good Rare, Ah’m gonna hit the hay.” I yawn as I trot towards the staircase that leads to my room. I’m done thinking about her, I tell myself, I’m gonna move on with my life.

It’s only when I’m in bed, trying to sleep that I allow my thoughts to drift and wonder through the strange morning I experienced. I keep coming back to the 'I don’t do the special somepony thing' quote, and I’m angry that I didn’t press her further on it. Does this mean that she really is gay? Or she simply doesn’t believe in companionship. I guess that would explain why Rare mentioned that she’s never been seen with a partner in the public eye. Maybe she’s celibate and she’s just saving herself for the right pony. Well, not for you! My subconscious takes a final swipe at me before exhaustion finally allows me to sleep.

That night I have the strangest dream, I can feel burning crimson eyes staring at me while I run through town, I’m running through Ponyville, everypony is frozen as they go about their daily lives, and I don’t know if I’m running towards something or away from it…

I wipe the sweat from my brow as I smile to myself, all around me in the market place, ponies are closing down their stalls for the day. I scrap a few loose bits of the counter of my stall and into my coin purse, tightening the draw string I tuck the bag under my hat. We couldn’t have asked for a better first day sale, Mac and I pack up our stall and make our way back to the farm.

Along the way we pass the Equestrian Insider office just as Rarity is leaving, as the three of us make our way back to the Sweet Apple Acres, Rarity suggest that we celebrate by going to a bar, I don’t drink that much; I don’t think I’ve even been drunk before, but I could use a break, and this would definitely be a welcome distraction.

We trot up to the farm house, and I immediately notice a small brown package on the front steps. Before I can voice my thoughts, Rarity grabs it with her magic and examines it as she continues inside to the kitchen.

“AJ, it’s for you,” she states as she drops it on the kitchen table. Strange. I don’t remember ordering anything. I open it as Big Mac stands silently to my left. Inside I find three books wrapped in some old looking cloth, I read the note attached to the parcel.

Why didn’t you tell me there was danger? Why didn’t you warn me? Ladies know what to guard against, because they read novels that tell them of these tricks…

The mouthwriting is extremely well refined, I’m taken aback with the entire gesture. I peel back the cloth to reveal three volumes of Tess of the d’Urbervilles, opening the front cover of the first book I find a metal plate the reads:

Equestria: Jack R. Osgood, Mcblaine and co. 268

Holy Moly - they’re first editions, I don’t know that much about antiques but I know that these books must be worth be worth at least a small fortune, at this point it’s not secret who sent these books. Rare trots over to my right side.

“There first editions,” I say as I turn to her.

“Really?” Her eyes widen in disbelief, “Dash?”

I nod, “You know any other pony with that kind of coin?”

“Point taken, what does it mean?”

“Ah’m not sure entirely sure,” I muse as I re-read the quote.

“It’s a warning, the quote – Tess says it to her mother after Alec d’Urberville has had his way with her.” Big Mac states with an air of superiority.

Rare and I gaze at each other, then to Mac, both our faces carry a look of confusion and surprise, Mac rolls his eyes at us and smiles.

“Ya know little sis, just ‘cause I talk like this, doesn’t mean I’m stupid.”

I smirk at him, “Touché big brother, touché,” I gaze down at the small piece of parchment, “But what does it mean?”

“Well, it’s a warning, I don’t know much about this ‘Rainbow Dash’ but she’s clearly trying to protect you from something,” he informs me.

“That is so romantic, in a creepy stalkerish kind of way,” Rare gushes.

“Well, warning or no Ah’m sending 'em back. Ah can’t accept these from her, Mac is there an equally baffling quote I can use?”

He thinks for a minute “You could use the part where Clare Angel says fuck off.” He says with a completely straight face.

“Sure, that’ll do.” I giggle, it’s not often that I hear Mac swear, being the reclusive silent type and all. I turn back to Rarity, or at least where I thought Rarity was; while Mac and I were talking she's scooted back over the kitchen counter poured three glasses of champagne, she levitates a glass towards Mac and I as a Cheshire cat grin spread across her face “Now, about those drinks...”

We decided to travel to Canterlot to a bar called ‘The Fooling Filly’, I thinks it’s supposed to be a satirical parody of ‘The Filly Fooler’ bar back in Ponyville. The entire inside is a giant square, with a smaller square bar in the center of the room, there is a small dance floor in the left hoof corner from the entrance and the restrooms are in the furthermost right hoof corner. The bar is loud and cram-packed with ponies looking to get “off your horn drunk” as Rarity so elegantly put it, Caramel joins us and we’re all sitting around a table somewhere near the dance floor.

“So AJ, what now?” Mel shouts at me over the noise.

“Now Ah can relax for a week or two, then we prepare for winter.”

“So you’ll have time to swing by Appleloosa?”

“Sure, Ah’d like that,” I smile at him, and he scoots closer to me, he drapes his arm across my shoulders.

“It means a lot to me that you will, AJ,” he whispers in my ear, “Another cider?”

“Caramel – are you trying ta get me drunk? Cause Ah think it’s working.” I giggle “Ah think Ah’d better get us another pitcher.”

“More drinks, AJ!” Rare bellows. Rare has the constitution of an ox. She’s got her arm around some random stallion she just met; she does look amazing in her tight white and gold lace dress, which hugs the curves of her slender body. While I’m just wearing a simple red, strapless dress that covers my flank and tail, and my Stetson of course. I move out of Caramels grip and get up from the table, I fight the sudden dizziness I feel as I make my way over to the bar. On second thought I should use the restroom while I’m on my feet. Good thinking, AJ. I stagger off through the crowd. Of course there’s a line, but at least it’s quite and cool in the corridor. I pull out my mobile phone to check the time, and relieve my boredom. Hmm… who did I last call? I don’t recognize the number. Oh right. Dash, I think this is her number, maybe she can tell me why she sent those books, and that cryptic message. Honestly, if she wants me to stay away from her she should just leave me alone.

I grin to myself as I dial the ‘call’ button. She answers on the second ring.

“Applejack?” She’s surprised to hear from me. But then again, how did she know it was me?

“Why did you send me those books?” I slur at her.

“Applejack, are you okay? You sound. Different.” Her voice is filled with concern.

“That doesn’t matter, why did you send those books?”

“Applejack, have you been drinking?”

“What’s it ta you?”

“Color me curious… where are you?”

“In a bar.”

“Which bar?” she sounds exasperated.

“A bar in Canterlot.”

“How are you getting home?

“What? That’s not-“

“Applejack, where are you? Tell me now.” Her tone is so… dictatorial, I can’t help but laugh at her.

“You’re so… Dominating.” I giggle.

“AJ, so help me, where. The fuck. Are you?” Rainbow Dash is swearing at me. I giggle again.

“I’m in Canterlot, ‘s a ways off form Manehatten.”

“Where in Canterlot?”

“Goodnight, Rainbow.”

“AJ!”

I hang up. I feel slightly better, but she still didn’t tell me about the books. I frown I shuffle along with the line and enter the restroom, I stare at the poster promoting safe sex on the back of the toilet door. My phone rings, breaking me out of my stupor and causing me to jump.

“Howdy.” I bleat over enthusiastically into the phone.

“I’m coming to get you,” she says and hangs up. Only Rainbow Dash could sound to calm and threatening at the same time. I wash my hoofs and splash some water over my face. She’s just trying to mess with me, besides, I didn’t tell her where I was. By the time she gets here we’ll be long gone.

I stumble back out to the bar and order a pitcher of cider; it takes what feels like an eternity for the barkeep to fill my order, once he does I return to our table.

“You’ve been gone so long darling, I was starting to worry,” there’s a playful tone to Rarity’s voice.

“There was a line for the restroom.”

Caramel and the other stallion are in a heated debate about something I can’t quite make out. Mel pauses his conversation and pours us all fresh drinks, I down mine in one swig.

“Rare, Ah think Ah’m gonna step outside for some fresh air.”

“AJ, try not to get lost this time, okay?” She laughs.

“Ah’ll be five minutes,” I smirk.

I make my way through the crowd. I’m beginning to feel slightly nauseous and I feel unsteady on my hooves, emerging out the front door, I make my way down the three cobblestone steps and into a small cut away on the left side of the entrance, I rear up on my hind legs and lean against the brickwork of the building, left of me are two garbage cans against the wall of the stairs, and to my right is a small raised flower bed with wooden ledges around it for sitting; I close my eyes and tilt my head backwards, enjoying the cool night air.

“AJ.” Mel has joined me and is standing just to my left, three feet away “You okay?”

I peek at him through half-lidded eyes, before returning to my previous position, “Ah’m fine, Ah just needed some air, Ah think I had a bit too much.” I smile through closed eyes.

“Yeah? Me too,” he murmurs, and shifts uncomfortably. “Do you need any help?”

I shake my head “Nah, Ah’m good,” apparently my reply was too vague, as I soon feel a pair of hoofs round my waist and warm breath on my face. My eyes fly open immediately and I’m standing face to face with Mel, his eyes are half lidded and he’s regarding my mouth intently.

“AJ,” he whispers.

“Caramel, what are you doing?” my brow furrows with confusion.

“You know I like you AJ, please.” He pushes me against further against the wall, as his right hoof strokes my left cheek.

“NO Caramel, stop it.” I place my hoofs on his chest and push him, but he refuses to budge, physically he’s well-built and strong. I shove him harder and she stumbles backwards coughing as he does so. I drop down onto all fours and furrow my brow at him.

“AJ! What-“

“Don’t you even start. What the hay were you thinking?” I hiss at him.

“I-“

“Ah don’t wanna hear it! Ah’m so disappointed in you Mel, you should go back inside, now.

He looks at me for a second, and I can see the confusion and pain in his face. He turns and slowly walks away, I can’t stand to look at him anymore, I turn my body towards the garden and I lower my head, I sigh, how could he even consider trying something like that? I thought I made it pretty clear that I don’t see him like that.

OOMPH

My thoughts are derailed as I’m pushed head first into the flower bed, my front hooves are thrown forward and land either side of my head, while my lower half is hanging over the outside edge of the bed. I try to get up, but I feel a hoof on the back of head holding me down, I manage to turn my head to the left to catch a glimpse of Caramel, the anger in his eyes terrifies me, my own eyes widened.

“Caramel?!”

“Shhh,” he coos through a wicked grin, “Just relax AJ.”

I feel him sweep my hind legs apart, and lift up my dress. He places his free hoof on my flank and pulls me closer to him, I can feel his erection against the inside of my left thigh I panic and try bucking my legs, but he’s pressing his legs against mine and I can’t move. I can feel tears welling up in my eyes.

“Caramel please, don’t,” I plead with him, I don’t want this!

THWACK!

Suddenly all the force that was holding my in place was gone, I fell onto my haunches and turned my head… I can't believe it, between me and Caramel, standing in the small cut away is Rainbow Dash.

“The lady said no.” Her voice is firm.

I only just noticed now, that Caramel was lying on an over turned garbage can along the opposite wall to where I was, he has a busted lip and the makings of a fresh bruise on the left side of his face, He slowly got his hooves and held Rainbow’s intense gaze

“Leave. Now.” she commands, without giving it a second though, he timidly backs around the corner and up the stairs into the bar. Once he’s gone Dash turns her attention towards me, her expression softens significantly when she sees me.

“Are you alright, Applejack?”

I don’t get a chance to respond, my stomach heaves and I lean over the flower bed, I violently empty the contents of my stomach, Dash wastes no time and pulls back my golden mane, she outstretches her wing over my back and uses it to steady my body. I heave again, sweet Celestia, can this get any worse?

I continue to vomit relentlessly into the flower bed, while Dash holds me close to her body. Finally it stops, even with my stomach empty I still feel like I’m about to be sick all over again. Dash hoofs me a grey handkerchief, as I wipe my mouth with it I can’t bring myself to look at her. I feel so embarrassed and ashamed of myself; and to make matter worse I’m alone with Rainbow Dash. What should I say to her? Apologize for the phone call.

“Ah’m sorry,” I mutter, still looking down at the handkerchief in my hooves.

“What are you sorry for, Applejack?”

“The phone call, mainly. And being sick,” I murmur, I risk a peek up at her; her entire face is consumed with a look of genuine concern and disappointment, he expression softens when our eyes meet.

“We’ve all been here, perhaps not a dramatically as you,” she says dryly “It’s all about knowing your limits, Applejack. I’m all for pushing limits, but this is a bit much, don’t you think? Do you make a habit of this kind of behavior?”

She sounds like a school teacher, scolding me like a filly, I want to tell her to mind her own bucking business. But I can’t do that to her, she did save me and she’s been very patient with me so far.

“No,” I relent. “Ah’m usually pretty good when it comes to holding mah liquor, Ah guess Ah got a little out of control.”

I slowly climb to my hoofs begin to sway, she steadies me.

“Come on, I’ll take you home,” she murmurs as she helps me to my hooves.

“Ah need ta tell Rare.”

“My brother can tell her.”

“Huh?”

“My brother Elliot is taking to Miss Rarity.”

“Oh?” I steadily myself and she releases her hold on me, as she retracts her wing over my body I can feel the tips of her feathers brush along my cutie mark. I shiver at the ticklish feeling.

“He was with me when you phoned.”

“In Canterlot?”

“No, I’m staying at the Royal Equestrian.”

Still? Why?

I turn to face her fully, “How did you find me?”

A smirk crosses her mouth as she flexes her wings, “I’m still the fastest Pegasus in all of Equestria.”

I furrow my brow, “That doesn’t-”

“I tracked your phone,” she deadpans.

“Oh, of course you did, stupid question right?” I roll my eyes. She simply smiles.

“Shall we?” she gestures for me to follow her, I take a few steps out of the cut-away before I begin to feel uncomfortably queasy, my head spins and it feels like the ground is rushing to meet my face, the last thing I hear before the world fades to blackness is “AJ!”