Alternate Beginnings: Year One

Chapters

2 Dinner Conversation
3 After Dinner*
4 Morning
6 Meeting Rainbow
7 The Carousel Boutique
8 Innovation
9 Running*
10 Digger
11 Request*
12 Permission*
13 Practice
14 Recognition
15 The News
16 Deliberation
18 Dinner With Rarity
19 The Interview
20 Weather Blues*
21 Time Management*
22 Administration
23 Fluttershy*
24 Games
25 Preparations
26 Delivery
27 Epilogue - Six Years Later
1 Introductions
5 Market
17 Depression*

2 Dinner Conversation

Toiling in the fields all day built up quite the layer of sweat and grime on Doug’s body. So much so that a quick dip in the pond wasn’t enough to remove it, and his skin is still a little raw from the rough bristles he used to scrub himself off. A light sheen of water glistens on his chest, remnants of a second rinse outside the farmhouse. The towel finds a peg near the door, right next to the one used earlier by Applejack. He walks into the dining room and then the kitchen, spotting Applejack busily preparing dinner. Doug grabs three sets of dishes from the cupboards, placing them on the dining room table.

Doug returns to the kitchen, fingers finding Applejack’s head. She quietly moans as she pushes her head into his hand, trying to get his ear scratching just a little deeper. She winks at him as she pulls away, returning to the nearly finished task of cooking dinner. He says, "I wanted to thank you again, for taking a chance on me, giving me a job and a place to stay."

Applejack smiles as she nods, "Oh, shucks, ain't nothing nopony else would do. Besides, after what you said about not being from around here? Ain’t like you have anywhere else to go. 'Sides, you'll earn your keep around here."

Doug stretches his sore legs, “I believe that. Shame Granny Smith won’t be joining us for dinner. I was looking forward to saying more than a few words with her.”

Applejack nods as she opens the oven, removing the covered dish inside. She places it on the counter to cool, “Yeah, some days she nods off a little early. Best not to wake her when she does.” She smiles as she glances over, giving his side a quick nuzzle. She grins as she turns, her tail flicking his flank as she starts placing apples in a bowl. She pauses; is she really doing what she thinks she is doing?

Doug moves over, inspecting the dishes on the counter. Doug chuckles, “I reckon she’s as sharp as her namesake, huh?”

Applejack’s muzzle sours as she replies, “Nah, it ain’t like that; she’s a real honeycrisp once you get to know her. It’s just, after my parents… well, Ah don’t really want to talk about that.” She flicks her head to the dining room, “Go and see Big Mac, Ah’m sure he’s champing at the bit to spend some time with ya.”

Doug smiles, another quick rub to Applejack’s head getting a second tail flick to his thigh. He grabs another bottle of apple juice and heads back to the dining room. The three pony style chairs around the table, little more than benches, are too low for Doug to comfortably sit on. Instead, he sits cross legged on the floor opposite Big Mac. Doug remarks, “Evening, Mac. Beautiful day to work outside, yup?

The red earth pony stares at Doug, slightly nodding his head. “Eeyup.”

Doug smiles at the taste of juice, “You all do a great job around here. But, ain’t it a lot of land for just three ponies? Even if y’all are some of the hardest workers I’ve ever seen.”

“Eeyup.” This one contains a hint of pride.

“Saw some wheat and flowers, but it seems like you mostly grow apples.” At Big Mac’s nod, Doug continues, “You mostly export them, or just sell them here in Ponyville?”

Big Mac nods again.

Doug gives Big Mac a questioning gaze, but soldiers on. “Applejack was pretty keen on me working here.” Another sip of juice. “I’m really looking forward to working the fields with you all.” He smirks, “Though, I don’t know that I’ll ever get as good at the plow as you. Or apple bucking, for that matter.”

“Ee..nope?”

Doug swishes the juice in his mouth, swallowing and shrugging, “Hey it don’t bother me none.” His face relaxes as he smiles, “Applejack though, she sure is something, ain’t she?”

Big Mac’s eyes narrow. “Eeyup.”

“Oh, I don’t mean to imply anything. Just had a great time working with her in the orchards and all.”

Big Mac’s eyes narrow further. “Eeyup.”

Applejack steps through the doorway, balancing several plates on her back. Her mouth reaches back, deftly grabbing one dish as Doug gets up to help. She waves him off, saying, “Couple more dishes on the counter, go on and grab those. Ah got this.”

Doug nods, heading into the kitchen. Applejack looks at Big Mac, “Lively conversation, you must like him.”

Big Mac shrugs noncommittally as Doug walks back into the room. He places the larger serving dish on the table and asking, “So, what did you make? It all smells delicious.”

“Ah just made a selection of what we normally take to market. Ain’t nothing special.” Applejack motions with a hoof, pointing at each dish in turn, "We’ve got apple pie, apple fritters, apple tarts, and apple dumplings. Oh, and apples.”

Doug nods, taking the dish of apple dumplings and spooning some of the contents onto his plate. He passes the dish to Big Mac, grabbing one of the apples and the next dish. Soon, his plate is piled high with apple products, and he notices Applejack has more on her plate than Big Mac. He remarks, “Got quite the appetite there, dontcha?”

Applejack looks between the three plates, “Well, Ah am more’n twice your weight, even if you are a bit taller.” She starts digging into her food, tongue licking the sauce off the plate. She notices that Doug has taken a knife and is cutting his dumplings into more manageable pieces. She shrugs and goes back to her meal, quickly finishing off her plate and going for seconds. The three ravenously dig into their meals, the only sounds chewing and the scratch of knife on plate.

Soon, the food has all disappeared. Applejack stares forlornly at the last apple dumpling that Doug is swirling around his plate, gathering the last remnants of sauce. She frowns as he bites into it, still feeling a little hungry. Seeing her expression, Doug takes another bite, leaving around half. He slowly points the knife with the dumpling towards Applejack. She jumps at the chance, quickly devouring the dumpling. Her tongue licks the sauce still remaining on the knife, her eyes peering up at Doug. He cocks his head to the side as he looks back, pulling the knife away and gathering the dishes.

Applejack glances at Big Mac, who is eyeing her curiously. She looks back towards Doug again, swallowing nervously. Doug stops at her stare, holding the stack of dishes in one hand. Applejack stammers, dreading the conversation she has been putting off. “Um, Doug, there’s something that’s been eating at me most of the day.”

“Oh? What’s that, Applejack?”

“Well… to be completely honest, the farm hasn’t been doing so well, since last year. My parents… well, they ain’t around any more, and it hit Granny particularly hard. She hasn’t been able to help around the farm as much as she used to, so we haven’t been able to make as much…”

Applejack trails off, gulping as she tries to break the news. “What Ah'm trying to say is, it’s been great working with you and all, but Ah'm afraid we won’t be able to pay you much of anything. Ah’ve got some bits saved up, so Ah can pay you a little extra for today, but after that...” She trails off again, her muzzle falling to the floor, unsure of how best to continue.

Doug shakes his head, his free hand rubbing Applejack’s mane. His hand travels down to her chin, turning her muzzle up to look at him and saying, “Oh, you don’t have to worry about that, Applejack. After today, I would love to stay here with you. I’d be happy working here for meals like this and a warm bed.”

He smiles at Applejack, lightly rubbing her chin. He returns to the kitchen, oblivious to the stunned expressions on Applejack and Big Mac.

3 After Dinner*

‘A warm bed…’

The words echo in Applejack’s mind. She stares blankly at the dining room table for several long seconds before she glances to her bedroom, thinking about the novel on her nightstand she had recently finished. 'Just a little something to take the edge off' Rarity said when she lent it to her. Could he really be thinking about that? She looks at Big Mac; he slowly recovers as well, glancing at the door to the kitchen Doug just walked through. The sounds of the sink starting and dishes washing echoes from the kitchen. Applejack barely notices as she thinks back to the day they had spent together.

It is infrequent, to say the least, for them to have visitors at the farm. Most ponies prefer to do their shopping at the market, and even the business contracts for other towns and cities generally gets handled at Ponyville. Despite the town being primarily earth ponies, there is a dearth of ponies who are interested in working for hire at the farm; they hadn’t needed it when her parents were around, and her Apple pride has kept her from reaching out to any pony now that they could use the help. Well, other than during Winter Wrap Up, but that just goes to show why they don’t pursue hiring ponies without a strong recommendation. Why, last winter that colt Caramel misplaced their spare snow plow!

Applejack has very high standards for any pony that wants to work with her. They have to be able to follow her instructions, performing tasks how she wants. They also have to be able to work independently, since she doesn’t like having to hold somepony’s hoof while they work, or even to have to double check their work once they say it is done. The work is from sunup to sundown, with a brief break for lunch that the Apple family provides. It is grueling work for an earth pony, and those few that are up for it generally have farms of their own. But work those grueling hours Doug did; while he might not have the rugged endurance she or Big Mac possessed, he had kept at it. Applejack always felt more tired learning than working, and he spent almost the whole time learning new things, how Applejack likes things done, and assisting wherever he could.

“Nnope.”

The hard statement startles Applejack out of her thoughts. Big Mac is giving her a stone-faced glare, and she returns a look no less stubborn, “What did you say?”

Big Mac shakes his head, “Nnope.”

“You want to know why Ah was considering his proposal?”

Big Mac continues his hard glare at Applejack; he knows she has to get this off her chest, if nothing else.

Her tone gets harsher as her rant builds up, “Ah can count on one hoof how many mares have come to this farm interested in you, Big Mac. And Ah can use that same hoof to count how many ponies have come here interested in me. You know why that is?”

Big Mac stares back at her for a few seconds before saying, “Ah know where you’re going with this, Sis, and my answer is still Nnope.”

Applejack continues unabated, “It’s because no pony wants to put up with the work we do around here. Ah know Ah'm not the easiest mare to get along with or work under. Most ponies chafe at getting bossed around for so long, having to do things a certain way, especially if it ain’t got to do with their talent. But, you should have seen him, Mac.” Her tone becomes more wistful, almost hopeful, “He didn’t complain once, the entire time we were working. Even after he hurt his leg bucking a tree, and failing miserably.”

“But Applejack, it’s too soon, too quick. Ah ain’t even gonna mention that he ain’t a pony and it would break Granny’s heart to not have foals playing around the farm again. Or how the townsponies will react to him. Ah can see you’ve made up your mind, but that ain’t gonna make me happy about this, no ma’am. He ain’t got my blessing, and ya should forget this whole proposal business and treat it like a misunderstanding.”

Applejack takes in his words, a tear forming in her eye, “But what if it ain’t a misunderstanding, Mac? Ah know he ain’t a pony, but Ah feel differently about Doug. Maybe it’s love, maybe Ah'm just being a foal, but Ah had one of the best days of my life out there with him. Ah want to spend the rest of those days with him too, teaching him how to be an Apple, how to farm even though he ain’t an earth pony. And maybe Celestia will hear my wish, and we’ll have the clip-clop of little hooves around here soon enough. But if Ah say no to him, and he decides to leave?”

The tears are coming unhindered now, and Big Mac moves over to Applejack, laying a comforting hoof over her. She nuzzles up to him, sobbing into his coat. In a low voice, Big Mac says, “He really means that much to ya?”

Tear-streaked eyes look up, meeting Big Mac’s, “He does, Celestia knows why, but he does.”

The moment is broken when Doug’s footfalls signal his return to the dining room. He gives a friendly smile to the two ponies, and Applejack motions with a hoof. She manages to make out without her voice breaking, “Last doorway on the left.”

Doug looks oddly at her before nodding, saying, “Well, it’s been a long day, and I’m going to turn in. See ya later, Big Mac, Applejack. Good night!”

The two ponies nod at Doug as he walks out of the room. Applejack looks up at Big Mac, giving him another squeeze. “Ah know ya still ain’t happy about this, but give him a chance. Ah know Ah took up most of his time today, try to spend some time with him tomorrow. Ah gotta go freshen up; good night.”

“Night, sis.” The two ponies split up, Big Mac to his room while Applejack heads to the bathroom.

Doug groans as he lowers himself onto the bed in the guest room. He suppresses a shiver as he lays down, the cold sheets slowly absorbing the last remnant of water on his bare skin. The bed barely fits his full height, and there isn’t a lot of space on either side of him. His body aches as he pulls the sheet aside and slips under, closing his eyes. He will be sore tomorrow, and doesn’t think Applejack will let up.

It has been a long first day, here in Equestria. Doug still has no idea how or why he woke up with nothing in the middle of a field next to a road on another world, but it sure could have turned out worse. Some of the stories Applejack has told him make him happy he woke up here instead of the nearby forest or the griffon lands. And for the ponies giving him the benefit of the doubt, taking him in, feeding him. Way better than he would have expected to be treated, and definitely not how he could imagine it turning out if the situation was reversed.

His skills from his previous job are useless, unfortunately. He has no idea how the equipment he used before works, at least as far as building one from scratch. He hasn’t seen a powered vehicle, them relying on literal pony power to get things done. At least his hands and tall stature make a lot of tasks comparatively easy for him, but a lot of their stuff is designed for ponies. He doesn’t quite grasp exactly how the ponies can pick things up, but his mind mostly shuffles that enigma into ‘It’s magic!’ and leaves it at that. His experience playing Dungeons and Dragons has really helped with the transition, making the whole concept of ‘poof! Strange things happen! Deal with it!’ a little easier. Or with the existence of magic at all. Still feels strange, but at least he hadn’t panicked too much when he first met Applejack. Or found out she could talk.

Applejack is attractive, at least for a pony, but he doesn’t know how to take a lot of her banter. She hasn’t mentioned a boyfriend (coltfriend? stallion?), but that doesn’t mean there isn’t one in the nearby town. He generally flirted right back, or at least what he hopes is flirting, what with it being another culture and all. It doesn’t seem like she took offence, but who knows how she actually took half the stuff he has said to her, or if what she has said to him has a different meaning. "Oh, jeez," he mutters to himself, "I made a wildly inappropriate joke about her brother. I'm lucky she didn't buck me in the head." Aside from that, though, she sure is something else. He certainly feels more comfortable around her than any of his previous relationships, short lived as they were. Maybe that's why it slipped out.

He is quickly picking up how things are supposed to go around the farm. Applejack has been a patient, if strict, taskmaster. She certainly likes things done her way and nearly bucked him a couple times he had suggestions for how he could help out or do things differently. She was slowly coming around as the day wore on. Maybe she realized he was being honest in his attempts to help, or she noticed his limitations. How these ponies keep working for hours still amazes him. He will definitely need to get into better shape, starting with cardio. Maybe a jog tomorrow morning. And every morning after that.

After several minutes he hears the door creak open, and Applejack walk inside. He rolls over on the bed to get a better look; her eyes are a little red, and it seems like she hastily tried to make herself more presentable. Doug sits up as Applejack moves to the side of the bed. He tilts his head, raising an eyebrow at her. “Did I pick the wrong room? Sorry if I did.”

Applejack shakes her head before looking him in the eyes and saying, “It ain’t that. Did ya mean what ya said earlier, at dinner?”

Doug nods, saying, “Applejack, today turned from what could have been the worst into one of the best days of my life. I really enjoyed working with you, learning about the farm, and especially eating your cooking. I don’t know how it could have gone any better.”

Applejack smiles at him, “Doug, Ah feel the same way, Ah just had to be sure.” She pulls the sheet off his body, carefully climbing onto the bed. He automatically moves his arms to the sides of her barrel as she moves on top of him. She looks him in the eye and says, “Doug, Ah accept your proposal.”

Doug smiles back at her and says, “I’m glad to hear that.” She gently pushes him down on his back as he tentatively asks, “Applejack? What are you doing?”

“Shhh,” she replies in a soft voice, “Ah'm helping warm up the bed. Just like you asked.” She closes her eyes before moving down, kissing him full on the lips. Doug's trepidation dissipates as the mare slowly moves a hoof down his body, closing his eyes and kissing back.

4 Morning

February 18th, 993

The first thing Doug notices as he slowly wakes up is that he is considerably warmer than he normally likes. He feels the sweat on his body working its way into the blanket on top of him and his arms ache as he goes to push the blanket off.

The blanket doesn’t budge, though it does begin to stir from the movement underneath it.

Grumpily, Doug opens his eyes, and slowly comes to the realization of what happened and who is laying on top of him.

Applejack opens her eyes, looking into Doug’s. “Morning, Sugarcube.” She gives him a light kiss on the lips before snuggling back into his chest. She opens one eye as she feels him shift underneath her. “Well, somepony’s looking to start their day early. Ah like that. You sleep well?”

Doug smiles, rubbing his eyes, “Yup, slept like a foal. Feeling much better. Although, Jackie, I have to ask about last night. What happened? Where do we stand?”

Applejack nuzzles into his arm again. “That’s sweet of ya, implying Ah was that good.” She pauses her snuggling into him as she notices his confused expression. “We’re married. Ah'm your special somepony. Ah’ll be there, waking up with you in the morning, work with ya on the farm, and help keep the bed warm at night.” She strokes his chest with a hoof before continuing, “Though you might find you’ll be cooking most of the meals. What with that attempt at apple bucking.” She gives him another kiss and winks at him. “Why?” Her smile turns to a small frown at his lack of enthusiasm during the last kiss.

“Well, it just seems a little rushed to me.” Doug leans forward and gives Applejack a kiss. At Applejack’s stare he stammers, “I mean, I can’t have imagined ending up in a happier place.” She smiles again as they break apart. Doug continues, “I may have to treat you to a couple more dates though, get to you know you and your family. How did they take the news? Or how will they?”

“Well, to be honest, Big Mac thought you were way too forward. Ah'm hoping he comes around and doesn’t get too angry at ya. Haven’t told Granny Smith yet… not sure how that is going to go.”

“You think Big Mac thought I was too forward?” Doug raises an eyebrow at Applejack before slipping his fingers into her mane and pulling her close for a kiss; he continues, “Well, I know I love you and that’s enough for me.”

Applejack nuzzles Doug again and starts to get up. “Well, work calls and we need to get an early start. Ah’ll make a list for what ya need to take care of around the farm. Quite a bit has fallen into disrepair, what with only the two of us working and spending most of our time on bucking trees and selling apples. For the most part, try to get used to how things work around here. You see something that needs fixing, do it, and don’t be afraid to ask myself or Big Mac if you have any questions.”

Applejack takes a pencil in her mouth and writes down a list of chores for Doug. He gets up, slowly stroking Applejack’s back as she finishes the list. She smiles up at him and heads to the bathroom. “If you want to start breakfast Ah think Mac and Granny will appreciate that. Ah'm gonna get freshened up before Ah head in to town and set up in the market. Ask Mac if he can get the wagon ready for me.”

“Sure thing, honey. Any requests for breakfast?”

“Whatever sounds good, oats, apples, hay, maybe some juice. Nothing hard.”

“Got it. Love ya!”

“Love ya too.”

Doug heads downstairs to start preparing breakfast while Applejack takes a quick shower. By the time she comes downstairs, Big Mac and Granny Smith are sitting at the table. Big Mac gives her a neutral look while Granny Smith eyes her questioningly. Granny Smith speaks up, looking at Applejack and saying, “Ah noticed the guest room got used last night. Ah can only assume that Doug was sleeping there.”

Doug goes to respond, but Granny Smith shushes him before looking at Applejack. Granny Smith continues, “Ah’ll be asking the questions, colt, and she’ll be answering them.” She points a hoof at Applejack, who continues to stand in the doorway. Doug raises his arms in surrender, though he quickly goes back to setting the table. Applejack gulps and slowly makes her way to her seat.

Granny Smith isn’t having any of that, though. “Ah asked you a question, missy.”

Applejack thinks back, and answers, “Yes, Doug was sleeping in the guest room.”

“And Ah assume that you was the one who invited him there.”

“Yes, Doug agreed to work on the farm, and will be staying here.”

Granny Smith eyes Doug before turning back to Applejack. “Ah also noticed that your room didn’t get much use last night, either.”

Applejack looks at Doug, who shrugs before giving her an encouraging smile. She looks back at Granny Smith, steeling herself and responding, “Yes. Ah was going to tell you this morning; Big Macintosh knew last night and Ah didn’t want to wake you. Doug and Ah agreed to get married, and we sealed that agreement last night.”

Granny Smith stares at Applejack. Nopony moves for a full minute as Granny Smith chews over how she will respond. Applejack gives a nervous glance to Doug; he is still standing at the counter, holding a looped knife and a plate of toast. He had been buttering the toast but stopped when the room had gone quiet. Big Macintosh seems to have stopped mid chew, his mouth trying its best to not draw Granny Smith’s attention.

Granny Smith’s voice breaks the silence, “Ah knew that stubborn streak of yours would get you into trouble, missy. Never thought it would be… this.” She motions at Doug; he finishes buttering the toast with a grimace on his face.

Applejack opens her mouth but Granny Smith immediately interrupts her, saying, “Ah'm not finished. Ah knew you were headstrong, always thinking that your way of things was the best way, not considering other options you have. Ah'm sure Doug here is a strong, respectable stallion, and will treat you right. He’s been nothing but considerate in the twenty four hours that we’ve known him.” Granny Smith stops for a moment to let that barb sink in.

“But did ya think about how the rest of Ponyville will think of ya? Did ya think about how it will affect your brother, when he tries to go out, meet some mares, start his own herd and bring along the next generation of Apples? It was hard enough before, ya know how your brother is, but now they’ll know they’re marrying into him?”

Applejack has just about had enough, her need to defend her stallion pushing past her respect for her grandmother. “Well, we’ll just have to show them that Doug isn’t some monster that needs to be hidden away!”

Granny Smith rises up from the table, voice increasing, “Don’t raise your voice to me, missy! Ah will not be talked to with such disrespect!”

Applejack continues unabated, “Maybe Ah’ll start now, go to town and present him to everypony!”

Granny Smith gasps, “No kin of mine will parade herself around town like that!”

Applejack closes her eyes in frustration. Seeing her about to explode, Doug walks over, plate of toast in hand. “Honey, come outside with me. You need to calm down.”

Applejack hits his hand away, glaring at Granny Smith. She says icily, “Ah am calm. Now, if you will excuse me, Ah need some help preparing the cart. Good day.”

Applejack storms outside, Doug following behind and remarking, “I’m pretty sure Big Mac got the cart ready before breakfast.”

Applejack looks back to Doug, still fuming, “Ah know, Ah just needed to get out of there. Ah don’t know why, but Ah got so mad at Granny, with her talk of how things aren’t going to work out.”

As the two stop at the cart, laden with goods, Doug crouches down and embraces Applejack. “I don’t think it’s that bad, Jackie. I think she loves you and wants the best for you, she’s just worried about the potential pitfalls.”

Applejack lets out a quiet sob, her anger dissipating as she returns the hug. “You don’t think Ah messed up too bad, do ya? That she’ll forgive me for this decision.”

“I don’t think there’s anything there to worry about. Just give her some time, maybe see her when you get back from the market, and let her know how serious you are about this, about us. If I get a chance I’ll talk to her about it, but she really needs to hear it from you.”

Applejack chuckles at the thought of Granny looking up at the big human and berating him like she had been berated earlier. “Ah hope she goes easy on you if you do decide to talk to her.”

She leans up and gives Doug a kiss. She tucks a foreleg behind his head, and when he tries to break away she pushes him over, rolling him onto his back. “Helping me with the cart wasn’t the only reason Ah wanted you to come with me,” she says, smirking as she starts moving her hoof down his chest. “Ah’ll need quite a bit of your scent to present to the townponies.” Doug grins up at her and quickly went for another kiss, rubbing his hands along her back.

6 Meeting Rainbow

“Just what the hay do you think you are doing!” Rainbow exclaims, glaring at the strange creature leaning over the fence. At least, she hopes this is who AJ had been talking about, the odd creature's barely tanned chest and legs visible through the thin hair on his body. She hovers close to him, not yet getting into his face, but ready to charge if he makes a threatening move.

The human looks up from where he is working, “Hello to you too. I was just repairing the fence here. Jackie gave me a list of what needed to be done; you here to help out? I mean-”

“No, I was… grrr!” Rainbow cuts him off, facehoofing. “What are you doing with Applejack! Where do you get off, calling her Jackie!”

“Hey, woah there, girl. Let’s slow down a little, alright?” Doug says, putting the hammer and nails he is holding on the ground before hopping onto one of the fence posts and taking a seat. He motions for Rainbow to move closer before continuing, “I know what happened with AJ seems a little rushed, and I tried to tell her as much last night, but boy howdy that girl can be stubborn when she gets something in her mind. Maybe it didn’t go the way I expected, but I’m happy, I think she is happy, and we will work on making this work. Now, how can I help you?”

Rainbow cocks her head at him, mind whirring over what he said. She looks to the ground sheepishly, rubbing the back of her head with a hoof. “Hey, sorry for how I came at you. That was pretty uncool, huh?”

“It’s fine, water under the bridge. Plus, you were just looking out for your friend, right?”

“Yeah… she’ll probably be looking frantically for us, trying to break up whatever fight she assumes we’ll get into.”

Doug smirks, “That you’d get us into?”

An insulted look comes over Rainbow's face, “Hey! I already said I was sorry. Although… how good are you at fighting?”

A worried look spreads across Doug's face, “Um, never really got into much of anything, just a bit of play wrestling with my dad when I was younger. Avoided most fights that I could.”

“Huh. What’s wrestling like, anyway? I mean, I know how ponies wrestle, we mostly lock forelegs and try to shove each other over. With those spindly limbs of yours I can’t see that working well at all.”

“Give humans some credit, we didn’t get where we are by just letting anything bowl us over. I could give you a run for your money.”

“Oh, it is on!” Rainbow exclaims, launching herself at the human precariously balanced on top of the fence post. She crashes into Doug, knocking him off his perch. His posture allows him to wrap both of his legs around her barrel while his long arms push past her hooves and grip painfully onto her wings. Wrapped together, they smash into the ground, rolling several times before coming to a stop with Rainbow on top.

“Hah!” she yells, raising her forelegs into the air before Doug rolls her onto her back. “Hey, what gives!” she cries out, his body pushing her back onto the ground. Doug grips his legs around her barrel, trying to maneuver his arms past Rainbow’s flailing forehooves. She manages to clock him on the head and chest a couple times before he gets his arms between her forelegs and head, pushing his head into her neck. Rainbow is able to weakly hit the back of his head with her forehooves, but her wings are immobilized underneath them and her hind legs can’t find any purchase.

Doug groans, “Ow, it really hurts when you hit me like that. Plus, you aren’t supposed to strike the other person while wrestling.”

“Oh, quiet you foal. Just because you can’t take a hit or two doesn’t mean I have to give up!”

The *Whack! Whack!* continues, echoing among the trees. Doug looks more and more enraged while Rainbow repeatedly hits him, staring at the side of his head.

“Grrr… I told you...“

“What? Just surrender and-”

As Rainbow speaks, Doug pushes off the ground while maintaining a hold on her neck. They both flip over, with Doug trying to get on top of Rainbow’s back while her legs push her off the ground, trying to backpedal and create some space between them. This mostly drags Doug backwards a bit before Rainbow loses her footing, collapsing to the side with her back on top of him but his arm still around her neck.

She feels her airflow cut off as his arm tightens around her, his other arm moving to lock it in place. She tries buffeting him with her wings and while it feels painful he holds on. Rainbow starts panicking, looking back with fearful eyes expecting to see rage written all over his face, her life fading at the hands of an ignoble monster...

And instead, his hard eyes soften, the grip around her neck loosens and she draws in a few quick, haggard breaths. Doug releases her, gently rolling her onto her barrel. “Sorry Rainbow, I got a little carried away at the end there. You doing okay?” he asks, breathing deeply as he recovers.

“Are you kidding me? That… was… AWESOME!” Rainbow shouts as she gets her breath back. “I mean, I never thought you would handle me closing in like that. I thought you would be better staying at range, but you are way more flexible than I gave you credit for. A lot stronger than you look too, I mean, not as strong as me, but I expected those… paws of yours to fold like AJ during a poker game.”

“Thanks, I guess. Called hands, by the way.”

“Ya, whatever. Oh pony, you want to give this another shot? I’ve been looking for a sparring partner, or at least somepony to train with me. Although-” Rainbow looks up from her excited prancing, her body starting to sway as she tries standing straight, but her legs give out and she collapses on top of Doug.

Doug chuckles, “Hey, careful there. You alright?” Rainbow nods, trying again to get on her shaky hooves. “By the way, I think you know, but my name’s Doug. What’s yours?”

Rainbow Dash pulls back, looking at him inquisitively. She shakes her rainbow patterned mane and tail, adding, “Uh, Rainbow Dash! How do you not know about me? I mean, I am the fastest pegasus in Equestria! How could you not know anything about Applejack’s friends?”

Doug sighs, “Sorry, got here yesterday and all that. And about your offer, would Applejack be okay with this? I mean, I assume she told you a little bit about what happened between us, but if she didn’t…”

Rainbow’s eyes screw up in concentration, “Uh, she said you basically propositioned her last night, uh… consummated... and then you were married.”

“Wow, that’s a surprisingly accurate and concise summation of what happened.”

“Yeah, I am pretty awesome! Now, where were we?” Rainbow smirks as she moves in closer, dropping to a ready stance to begin wrestling again.

Doug’s eyes widen, not wanting to tangle with the pegasus again. “I think I was asking if Applejack would be okay with this? She might need me around the farm, there is a lot of work that needs to be done. She might also be worried you or I would get hurt.”

“Oh, right.” Rainbow says as she sits back a little. “I mean, I haven’t actually… asked her but I think she would be. She isn’t the kind of mare who would keep a stallion locked away all to herself. Why are you so hung up on this anyway? I thought we were having fun and that you… you know… wouldn’t mind hanging out with me…”

Rainbow begins to tear up, withdrawing a little and giving a soft whimper. Doug quickly gets up, wrapping her in a hug. She buries her head into his chest giving a loud sigh. “I know,” she says in a low voice, “totally uncool of me.”

“Hey now, none of that. I think you are the most awesome pegasus I’ve met, and I’m totally on board with… this. But, I just want to wait for Applejack and make sure she is okay with it as well.”

“You mean that? Oh that’s awesome!” Rainbow says with glee, pushing her head past Doug’s chin and nuzzling his face.

“RAINBOW DASH!!”

Doug and Rainbow turn to see Applejack coming down the road, her canter turning into a gallop as she spots the two nuzzling. They can make out another pony further in the distance, a chair following behind her, but their attention turns back to Applejack as she comes closer. Rainbow squirms in Doug’s arms, struggling to break away, but he doesn’t let her escape.

”Shh,” he says, “running away will just confirm her suspicions. We’ve done nothing wrong. Besides that kiss? I suppose. Better to just explain ourselves and hope she comes around to our side, right?”

Rainbow moves side to side, “I don’t know, I’m liking my odds of escaping and hiding out in the clouds for a few days.”

“Weren’t you calling me a foal earlier? Mare up, we’ll get through this.”

“We? A little forward, don’t you think?”

Applejack has gotten close enough to hear them, an angry glare in her eyes. “Rainbow, I expected this sort of nonsense from you, but Doug? I’m disappointed in you. Was everything we shared last night a lie?”

Doug's voice takes an apologetic, almost conciliatory tone. “Applejack, I care deeply for you. I never wanted to hurt you, and I’m sorry if what you saw here caused you pain. I assure you, there is a reasonable explanation for this; Rainbow wanted me to join her for training, she just went about thanking me a little too enthusiastically. How about you catch your breath, wait for your other friend to get here, then we can start from the beginning.”

Applejack looks at Doug, the anger in her eyes still apparent but slowly fading. “Doug, I want to trust you. If you say there is a reasonable explanation for why Rainbow would be going behind my back to try to steal you away from me, then I’m sure we’ll hear it. If not, then let me assure you,” - she says with a wicked gleam in her eye - “there is a perfectly good punishment for stallions who think to wander outside their herd.” She makes a cutting motion with her forehoof between her hind legs, and Doug gulps as he looks down.

Doug realizes that both he and Rainbow are filthy; the wrestling has caked dirt all over his body and hair. Rainbow’s coat hasn’t fared any better, and he starts to brush off the worst of it as Rarity comes closer.

“Well, Applejack, when you said we would be chasing all over your farm looking for them I didn’t think it would quite so literal. After all-” Rarity finally gets a good look at the two dirt covered creatures in front of her and gives a loud scream. “Oh no, this just won’t do! You are filthy! Applejack, where is the nearest lake! Or bucket! Or-”

“Hold on, I got this,” Rainbow says with a depressed sigh, “You will have to let me go. I promise I’ll be back.”

Doug releases his hold on Rainbow; she moves away from him and shakes herself, tossing a clump of dirt towards Rarity who quickly dodges back with a huff. Rainbow flies up, quickly finding a cloud and pushing it back towards Doug. Doug watches her intently, wondering what other abilities these ponies possessed.

Rainbow gives the cloud a whack with her hooves and flies underneath, quickly showering off in the rain. Doug gives himself a quick rinse before moving away from the rapidly growing mud pile. He pats his body, trying to flick away the moisture, as Rainbow gives the cloud a kick, dispersing it; she then flaps her wings at him to dry them both off.

Applejack gives Rarity an exasperated look before looking back to Doug and saying, “Now, Ah believe Ah was promised an explanation of what happened here.”

Doug recounts the tale, how Rainbow came to be on top at the end of the wrestling match, and how he wanted to wait on starting anything without consulting Applejack. She gives a sigh at that, looking between Doug and Rainbow. “Well, Ah'm sorry for jumping to conclusions earlier. It honestly seems a little fast to me, but if all you are doing is training then Ah don’t see a problem,” she says, looking at Rainbow who has the biggest grin imaginable, “Ah suspect somepony would claim that nothing is too fast for her. Ah just don’t want to see you get hurt, Sugarcube, neither of you.”

Doug moves over, giving Applejack a hug, saying, “I know it seems fast. This whole thing between us seems to be going fast for me, too. At the same time, I feel like Rainbow and I get along well, so I’m on board with this happening.”

Rainbow gives them both a smile as she flies over. “Well, Applejack, I’m sorry I tried to rush things earlier. With your permission, I’d like to kiss the stallion now.” she says with a wink. Applejack gives a snort, putting her hoof over her eyes before motioning for Rainbow to go on. Doug moves closer and Rainbow gives him a quick kiss on the lips; Doug looks at Rainbow in surprise before they both look over to Rarity, who is giving off an adorable squeal.

“It’s just like the romance novels!” Rarity exclaims. Doug rolls his eyes, looking over to Rainbow to see her doing the same thing. Applejack jabs Doug lightly in the side as Rarity continues, “Young love overcoming obstacles, blooming, coming forth. Oh, it is so dreadfully romantic!” Her horn lights up blue and she swoons, falling onto a red chair she must have dragged the entire way just for this purpose. She looks over, puzzled at their confused expressions, "What?"

“Well, Rarity,” Applejack quips, “if you are interested in being next, just come to me beforehoof. Anyhow, we best be moving along. Somepony has to get back to the stall and sell the rest of our produce, and I’m sure somepony else has a job that needs doing.” Applejack looks between Doug and Rainbow while Rarity seems to consider her options. Applejack starts back on the road towards town, dragging Rainbow along with her. Rainbow gives Doug an apologetic wave as she disappears into the rows of apple trees.

Rarity's horn glows blue as she lifts her chair in her magic. “Well, darling, I must say it was nice meeting you, and I hope we are able to get together soon! If you can, stop by the Carousel Boutique in Ponyville, I would love to talk shop, maybe fashion, or maybe I can fashion you some attire.”

“That sounds lovely, Madame Rarity. I might need to requisition a satchel or backpack. If you ever need assistance at the Boutique, don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll see about finishing my tasks here, but most likely I won’t be able to stop by till late tomorrow.”

“It’s a date!” Rarity exclaims as she turns around and marches off, the chair glowing the same blue as her horn. Doug squints at her as he rubs the back of his head where Rainbow had been hitting him with her horseshoes, wiping away a bit of blood that is still clinging to his wet hair.

7 The Carousel Boutique

February 19th, 993

Late in the afternoon, Doug slowly walks along the road leading into Ponyville. His muscles still ache from the cardio with Rainbow in the morning. It's obvious the pegasus is more comfortable in the air, but neither of them put forth a very good showing. Doug was happy for the frequent breaks and slower pace that they settled on for the several mile jog around the farm. Rainbow grumbled both about the slow pace and lack of flying but her bravado couldn’t cover how exhausted they both had gotten.

That was followed by a long day of moving baskets filled with apples, loading the cart before walking with Applejack and unloading the baskets in one of the barns. Doug helped Granny Smith sort the apples, which was a thankful break from hard labor. Granny Smith instructed him on all the different kinds of apples they grew and the uses for the different varieties. When they were finished sorting Doug helped crate some of the apples and loaded those crates onto a different cart, which Applejack delivered to town.

Doug spent some time with Big Mac, though there was little for the two of them to do together. Big Mac was working on plowing fields that day and didn’t seem particularly inclined to talk, so Doug spent more time with Granny Smith in the house. Her earlier displeasure with him and Applejack had somewhat dissipated after Applejack came back in the house yesterday and apologized, cleaning herself up and going back to town. Doug and Granny talked about how to prepare the various apple products, though she warned him against testing too much of the apple cider that made their farm famous.

His previous cooking experience had mostly been trying recipes from a cookbook, but it seems like the Apple family doesn’t care much for writing down their trade secrets. While he has prepared a lot of different meals in the past he hadn’t done much with baking or anything at all with apples. At least Granny Smith was treating him like family now, trusting him with this information. He laughs to himself, thinking how Applejack will like it if he tries variations on some of the dishes he remembers, but done with apples instead.

Doug is roused from his thoughts as he walks into town, spotting a pink earth pony with a poofy mane. She gives a loud gasp and takes off; Doug shrugs and continues walking, starting to take in the various sights. He has directions from Applejack, and makes his way through the curiously deserted streets. He sees some ponies from further away but can’t make out any specifics. He can hear excited sounds off in the distance, but mostly sees shuttered windows and closed doors. He walks up to the Boutique, going to the door and knocking. Soon after, Rarity opens the door, looking behind him with curiosity.

“Oh, Doug, what a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Do come in, I was just closing up the store here.”

“Good to see you too, Rarity. How was work today?”

“Oh, busy as usual, I’m sure you can understand. I mostly spent today preparing attire for the upcoming Summer Sun festival; you can never go wrong with having too much inventory for that. Though I am starting to run a little low on gemstones.”

“Yup, yup.” Doug nods. He notices that Rarity is eyeing his body, mentally sizing him up. “So. Did you want help with anything? I was hoping to commission some sort of backpack, I took the liberty of drawing out how it would look. It might be a bit different than your normal saddlebags.”

Rarity grabs the piece of paper with her magic, quickly glancing at it before placing it on a nearby desk. “Yes, I believe that will be no issue at all. Though-“ she grabs several measuring tapes, a pad of paper and a pencil with her magic before turning to Doug. He has a somewhat frightened expression on his face, slowly backing away from the array of tools. He sees a pair of scissors in the background as well, before looking at the mare.

“Uh, Rarity? What’s going on?”

“Idea~!” Rarity moves to cut Doug off from the store exit, giving him a determined look. “Now, I just need you to stand still while I take a few measurements. And possibly samples…”

Doug stands still, eyeing the tools, though he flinches a little at the word samples. “Um… I think I’m okay with measurements. What will this be for?”

“Why, for my upcoming fall line of course! It will be something nopony else has thought of, I can just feel it!’

Doug closes his eyes as the pad of paper flies around his head and shifts uncomfortably as one of the measuring tapes makes it way around his upper thigh. He looks at Rarity; she has buried her head inside a closet, pulling out various colors of fabric. She glances over at the bolts as they line themselves up against Doug, comparing them to the hair on his head and chest. As the fabrics drift lower, Doug tries to distract himself by asking, “So, what was that you were saying about gemstones? You have a supplier or something?”

“Oh, heavens no. One of my many talents is a spell that locates deposits of gemstones. Why, I was planning a trip down to the Ghastly Gorge, or possibly the Badlands if I wanted to do a longer trip, sometime next week. Would you like to accompany me? I think that would be a sufficient trade, for the backpack you are thinking about. Though I could throw in some other accessories if you would like. Also, would you mind if I took a lock of your mane? For color comparisons, of course.”

“I think that will work; I’ll need to talk to Applejack about clearing my schedule for that day. I was also thinking about some work gloves or boots, I just didn’t know if you carried those kinds of materials here. As far as the hair, fine, you can have an inch off the back.”

“Ah, I think you would want something comfortable, yet sturdy. Rugged, even; yes, that will go quite well with your… image. I might need to special order some materials.”

Doug watches as the measuring tape wraps his hand in an inexplicable pattern. When it does the same for his foot he jumps up, laughing as the tape tickles him. At Rarity’s disapproving frown he settles down, lifting one foot and then the other for the measuring tape. She nods at the measurements, before going back to her closets. Doug walks over, peering inside at the clutter of materials.

A tap at the window surprises Rarity; she turns and spots a certain pink pony motioning to her from outside. She looks back; Doug is distracted by the contents of the closet. She walks over to the window, asking in a low voice, “Pinkie Pie, what is it?”

Pinkie Pie says in an excited tone, “Rarity! You have to come quick, while it’s distracted! I’ll cover for you!” Pinkie pulls out a large noisemaker but stops as Rarity shushes her. Pinkie asks in a loud whisper, “What?”

Rarity rolls her eyes, “Pinkie, Doug here isn’t trying to hurt me or anything. He came over to discuss some items he would like made, and offered some work as payment.” Rarity raises an eyebrow as she looks at Pinkie, whose eyes are now focusing on something above and behind her. Turning, she sees Doug standing there and staring at Pinkie. Rarity coughs, saying, “Doug, this is my friend Pinkie Pie. She was just telling me how surprised she was to see you, as you are new in Ponyville.”

Pinkie Pie’s eyes widen in surprise and see gives out a quick gasp. “OhIdidn’trealizeyouwerenewinPonyville Ineedtogogetafewthingsbye!”

Doug looks confused as Pinkie disappears in a cloud of smoke and balloons. He glances at Rarity who just shrugs and says, “It’s Pinkie Pie, just leave it at that. I should be able to get all your materials by next week when we go on our little expedition. If you can, bring a shovel along or something to dig with.” A muffled scuffling behind Rarity causes her ear to flick back, and she turns to see Pinkie Pie with a sheepish grin standing in front of a full blown party set up in the rest of the Boutique.

Rarity facehooves, saying, “Pinkie…”

Pinkie looks at Rarity and Doug, shouting, “Surprise! I wasn’t able to get as many ponies here on such short notice, but I did manage to convince a few that you weren’t a monster!” A thoroughly disoriented Applejack and Rainbow stumble out from under one of the tables, both looking around with confused looks on their faces.

Rainbow starts, “Ugh, Pinkie, I was having the most wonderful nap, just before I’d go to sleep for the night.” She notices one of the banners above, which says in hastily scribbled lines, ‘Welcome to Ponyville, Doug!’. There are tables covered in treats behind her, which she moves towards. “Well, you don’t mind if I get an early start, do ya?” She turns to start gobbling down some of the tasty looking treats before Pinkie rounds on her.

“No Rainbow, you have to at least let Doug try some of them first, or how will we know which is his favorite and which ones he ate just because you ate them?”

Rainbow rolls her eyes as Applejack perks up. “Well, Ah already know which is Doug’s favorite, right?” Applejack moves over to a table that contains a large number of apple themed treats, but gives a small frown as Doug moves to a different table, trying out one of the cherry pastries.

Rarity moves over to Applejack, consoling her, “I’m sure he is just trying to appear unbiased, darling. It would look a little off to come straight to your flanks again.” She winks at Applejack who just rolls her eyes. Rainbow laughs, carrying a plate of food over to the three of them before chowing down. None of them notice Fluttershy as the butter yellow pegasus continues to cower under one of the nearby tables.

Applejack remarks, “Well, at least this party is quieter than most of Pinkie’s get togethers.”

Rarity nods, grabbing a few items in her magic. “Yes, it is much more subdued than normal. Do you think it’s because she wasn’t able to get as many ponies?”

Pinkie Pie appears between the two, answering, “Nope! I knew Doug would prefer a party that’s slightly less rambunctious than my normal fare. Ooh, I think he’s found his favorite!”

Doug is currently holding onto a chocolate brick, studded with nuts and covered in caramel. He grins as he walks over to Applejack. “This might be my favorite candy, but none of them compare to my Apple.” Rainbow groans as Applejack blushes, kissing Doug as he leans down.

Rarity clops her hooves as Pinkie shouts, “Now let’s get this party started!”

As Pinkie goes to turn the music up, Rainbow notices Fluttershy hiding under the table. Fluttershy gives Rainbow a pleading look, hoping she doesn’t reveal her position. Rainbow winks at Fluttershy, turning to see Doug looking right at her with a raised eyebrow. Rainbow tries to hide what she was looking at with an awkward smile and raising her eyebrows.

Doug follows her previous gaze and spots Fluttershy under the table. The petrified mare has her face almost completely hidden behind her pink mane, one unblinking eye watching Doug. He neatly folds his body, shrinking down until his eyes are level with Fluttershy, his hands on his knees. He sits there, eyes slowly blinking, and watches the mare as she draws short, quick breaths.

Rainbow floats over to Rarity while Pinkie Pie starts narrating in a deep voice, “A pegasus mare, named Fluttershy, is one of the more skittish creatures located in Ponyville. One must be very careful never to disturb a Fluttershy, as it will panic and hide for at least three days before even thinking about venturing forth again. You can see Doug has chosen a very passive approach, a good choice, as he does not want to startle her.”

Fluttershy slowly moves her head past her mane, continuing to stare at Doug but with two eyes while Rainbow silently circles behind her.

Pinkie continues, “Ooh, it appears that Doug’s technique is working. We can now observe the Fluttershy’s slow, almost sloth-like approach to anything she perceives as remotely novel or exciting.”

Rainbow exclaims, “I’ll show you exciting!”

Fluttershy’s ears dart up and the mare looks behind herself frantically, only for Rainbow to collide into her. Rainbow pushes the struggling mare all the way to Doug, who reaches out with his hands to catch Fluttershy. She collides into him, bowling him over. Rainbow pumps a hoof as she flies higher while Rarity and Applejack glare at her. Pinkie starts laughing, having appeared near the sound system, and turns the music up.

Pinkie Pie starts dancing, raising her hooves back and forth and moving her body to the beat. Fluttershy quakes as she lays atop Doug, holding him tightly with all four hooves. Doug tries to console the frightened mare, though any attempts he makes to ask questions are met with silence or very hushed answers, too quiet to hear with the music. Even attempts to rearrange her clutching limbs end in failure as the mare continues clinging to her new teddy bear. Doug sighs and lays down on the ground, resigned to his new role as the music blares.

A few hours later, Doug and Applejack are walking back to Sweet Apple Acres, having just said goodbye to Rainbow, Fluttershy, and Rarity. Pinkie had cleaned everything as quickly as she had set it up and bid them both a good night.

Doug looks up at the night sky, trying to find a constellation he recognizes. He says, “Well, that was certainly an enjoyable experience. You know how she managed to get a citizenship form, signed by Mayor Mare no less, on such short notice?”

Applejack laughs, “Sugarcube, best not to delve too deep into that mare. She’ll hurt your head worse than Mister Smokeless hurt your leg. Did ya have fun at least?”

Doug nods, “But, did so many of the games have to be, how shall I say, made for foals?”

Applejack shrugs, “Well, Pinkie does get a lot of requests for those kinds of parties; she’s really good with foals and all that. It could have just been the materials she had on hand. Although, Ah’ve never thought to ask her about a more… adult… themed party. Who knows what that mare would think you were asking for; she’d probably throw you a cute-ceañera party.”

Doug looks over to Applejack, “A what now?”

“Cute-ceañera - it’s like a coming of age party, for when you get your cutie mark!” Applejack motions towards her flank, the three red apples shining in the moonlight.

“Huh. You know, I thought those were just a fashion statement, telling others about your career or something. They are more than that?”

“Oh, they are way more than that! A cutie mark lets a pony know what they are good at, what their role in life is! Why, I knew that farming was going to be for me when I got my cutie mark…”

Applejack finishes her story about going to Manehatten and discovering her true calling back at the farm. Doug says, “There was something else I wanted to ask about. Your Grandma mentioned something called a ‘herd’, and you said the same thing about me straying outside of one. What does that mean?”

Applejack thinks for a moment before responding, “A herd is just another name for a family. You know, stallion and mares. Sometimes it will also refer to the foals those mares have with their stallion. Or from a previous herd, if something happened.” She looks up to the sky, "Sometimes a group of mares will form a herd, without a stallion, but that's not as common."

Doug looks inquisitively at Applejack, “Multiple mares?”

“Yup. Stallions end up with around four mares, on average. Why, how many mares do human stallions end up with?”

“Where I came from? One. Some other areas in the world men could have multiple wives but relationships were more balanced in my country. There are about the same number of men and women overall, but I suppose that isn’t the case here?”

“Nope. Close to four mares to one stallion, but Ponyville is skewed with more mares than that.”

“Huh.”

Applejack looks closely at Doug, smiling mischievously, “Why? You interested in anypony?”

Doug shakes his head. “Your friends are cute, but I think I’ll hold off on that.”

Applejack sighs to herself as they continue walking home.

8 Innovation

February 22nd, 993

The clatter of tools bouncing against each other echoes through the rows of apple trees as Applejack returns home. She had gone to the town blacksmith after running her stand in the morning, inquiring about tools that might be more suited for Doug’s use. The apprentice mare she talked to first had been unable to locate anything that he might use. Fortunately the journeymare who worked there had made some progress. She was able to repurpose several shovels and rakes, equipping them with longer handles. Applejack might have to come back with some of Doug’s designs for what he can use to help out.

Applejack hopes Doug will be able to use the tools; he had been trying his best not to show how sore he was the previous day, but she is afraid it will only worsen. A few of the precious bits her family has saved will be a small price if it lets him continue working as much as he does. He has been pushing himself hard, trying to make do, but the differences in their bodies makes things difficult for him.

The cart gets dropped off outside the main house and Applejack grabs one of the shovels. She brings it inside, hoping to catch Doug on his lunch break and test how the new tools work for him. He should have been working on the west field, but when she doesn’t see him there she assumes he has finished and gone inside.

Applejack finds Doug sitting in the dining room. He has finished some of the chores, if the checked off list next to him is anything to go by, and is sketching what looks like schematics for some sort of machine. Applejack moves next to him, nuzzling him before grabbing one of the plates piled high with salad. “So, what are ya working on over there?” Applejack says, mouth full of salad.

Doug moves one of the drawings closer to her, “It’s a seed drill. It basically places the seeds where you are plowing, and then pushes the dirt back over the seeds. Might save a bit of work when you are planting.”

Applejack looks at the drawing, then back at him, slowly chewing her salad. “Did you skip out on finishing that list to work on this?”

Doug shrugs, “Well, I finished planting about half of the west field. I was thinking that this might help both of us with the planting. Started working on it in my head, and came back here when I thought I had a pretty good design ready.”

Applejack shakes her head, “Did ya at least not cover the seeds back up like I asked? You should have left them uncovered.”

Doug rolls his eyes, “Yes, I followed those instructions like you asked, but there were quite a few birds hovering around. Might have lost a bit of the seeds to them.”

Applejack gives a loud sigh, “Well, if you were still out there working then that wouldn’t be an issue, now would it?”

“No, but if we used this seed drill then it wouldn’t be an issue either.”

Applejack tries to keep her voice light-hearted as she finishes her salad, “We don’t need a new-fangled machine to help us do our work. Now, stop wasting your time on that and get back out there. Gotta make sure those birds don’t devour your hard work.” She takes the plate to the counter, moving to the front door.

Doug’s voice raises slightly, “But, Applejack, this could help you save a lot of time! I know you spend a lot of your time working on the apple trees, but this could help with all the other types of planting that you do.”

Applejack’s voice raises as she responds, bits of salad flying from her mouth, “And Ah'm saying that it won’t help. Now, put those papers away and grab that shovel, and we’ll do the work how it’s supposed to be done!”

Doug still hasn’t moved from the table and responds loudly, “I still don’t get why this doesn’t work, and you aren’t explaining that! I thought we were supposed to be partners in this!”

Applejack stops at the door and turns, staring at Doug. “What, do Ah have to explain everything to you?”

“Well, it would probably help, yes. I don’t see why you wouldn’t want something that makes your job easier!”

“Well, fine then, partner.” Applejack glares at Doug as she moves back to the table. She taps the top of the drawing with her hoof, “First off, the pony to seed contact is limited to placing the seeds in the hopper you have drawn at the top.”

“Yes? And?”

Applejack rolls her eyes, “Well, how the hay do you expect the magic to… to persist? You don’t want the seeds sprouting before they get into the ground!”

Doug’s voice quiets down some, “Wait, the magic? What magic are you talking about?”

Applejack sighs as she realizes the crux of the issue. She tries to keep her voice normal, but occasionally lets slip and talks like she is lecturing a foal. “Look. Earth ponies like myself, we have a special connection to the earth and the plants we grow. We need to physically touch those plants, these seeds to transfer our magic. It works best if we touch the seeds just before we put them in the ground; this helps stabilize the root system that will develop. Using our earth pony magic then also makes a stronger connection with the magic in the ground, helping the plants grow stronger and faster.”

Doug nods, making sure he understands her, “So, touching the seeds and imbuing them with magic is a vital component of the planting process. And it has to be done as close to when the seeds are planted into the ground.”

“That’s right, sugarcube. Ah'm sorry Ah didn’t realize you didn’t know that,” Applejack says in a biting tone.

Doug sighs, looking at the papers scattered around. “No, that’s my fault. I should have known there was a reason that you do things here the way you do. Guess I’ll just throw all this out and get back to work, huh?”

Applejack quiets down, moving back to the table and nuzzling Doug. “Well, it’s still a good idea. If ya finished the design, you might be able to sell it to some of the other races, like the minotaurs. They like working with machines more than just about any other race.”

“I… didn’t know there were other races. Thought it was just ponies. You mentioned griffons before, but I thought they were like manticores, or lions back home.”

Doug hugs Applejack before gathering the papers, placing them off to the side. He grabs the shovel Applejack brought in and tests the length and sturdiness.

Applejack continues as they head outside, “Yup! Let’s see… Ah know there are ponies, griffons, minotaurs, and dragons. At least, they live close enough to Equestria to occasionally visit, but that’s really more of a Canterlot thing. Less common would be the buffalo, zebras, and yaks. There are probably others, but Ah spend my time working on the farm, not studying geography.”

“Well, I do want to help out more around the farm, but there seem to be a lot of things that I just can’t do. I hate feeling useless around here, you know?”

“Ah can understand that, Sugarcube. Just… how about, when you get these ideas, we talk about them later that night. Ah’ll tell ya what could work, and we can schedule some time for you to design.”

Doug smiles at Applejack, “That sounds good. So, any other weird magical things that go on that I should know about?”

Applejack lets out a laugh, “Oh, I should probably have Granny Smith explain, she knows better than anypony, but there are some very specific steps you have to take to get our world famous Zap Apples to grow...”

9 Running*

February 26th, 993

Rainbow Dash wakes up to the annoying beep of her alarm clock. Her legs are still stiff from the exertion she put them through yesterday. She tries stretching them out but can’t seem to really get the kinks out. Her wings rarely get this sore, even when she does long distance cloud runs. She knows how to stretch them out before and after a hard workout. Her legs, on the other hoof, are a bit of a mystery.

When Doug had mentioned running as a way for him to get in shape she had laughed it off. The biped sure didn’t look like he would be able to keep up with her. Though, she is reminded of their wrestling match. She hadn’t expected his lanky build to be as strong, or for him to have the fortitude to keep fighting after she had bull rushed him initially. The muscles on his thighs and arms are certainly more defined than her own, but he has less of them. Although, neither of them have much body fat at all, so it's mostly that her coat hid her rippling muscles.

The same muscles that no other stallion seems to care for. Well, maybe after she finishes her Wonderbolt interview she will have time to date somepony, but even then most, if not all, stallions want a mare that will stick around. When she makes it into the Wonderbolts she will be traveling all the time, either for shows or for training at the Academy.

Last week had been the first run with Doug and the two had done a lap around Sweet Apple Acres. Doug was winded from the several mile run but Rainbow had been absolutely exhausted. She didn’t want to look weak in front of Applejack’s stallion, not that she thinks that Doug would gossip about her. It would just be uncool, you know?

Doug had unfortunately noticed how hard she was pushing herself. While she was grateful for the breaks that he made them take, surreptitiously to check some of the fencing for needed repairs, Rainbow hates that she needed them. She isn’t sure how much she will be able to devote getting her body to the point where she is beating him in these long distance runs but she can definitely get her body to where she can keep up. Doug had mentioned how horses back home would literally run themselves to death. Rainbow had tried to laugh that off, but his cavalier attitude towards the subject still frightens her a little. Well, she certainly doesn’t want him worrying about her.

She enjoyed the run but was a little sad she had to leave so soon after to get started on her weather work. Rainbow wanted to blow it off, but she is rapidly rising in the ranks and doesn’t want a black mark on her record. She wasn’t able to get back to talk with him more that day, but today is her day off from weather duties. She is looking forward to meeting him again, challenging both herself and him.

It hopefully won’t mess with her Wonderbolt training. Rainbow prides herself on being the fastest pegasus in Equestria, and a large portion of that comes from her dedicated training. She has to refrain from pigging out at a lot of Pinkie’s parties. She gets up early every day to train, then gets a head start on her weather duties, then takes a quick nap while her body rests. She hopes the amount of effort getting her legs in shape won’t add too much weight, or detract from keeping her wings in top condition.

Rainbow slowly flutters into her kitchen, not wanting to walk on her overworked legs. She grabs one of the apples she keeps in a bowl, brushing past the bottle of estrus pills she keeps just in case her upcoming heat gets too bad. She had felt whispers yesterday, tiny shudders that coursed through her body when she had gotten close to some of the stallions on the weather patrol. She knows it will only get worse, and the pills are very much a last resort. They totally sap her energy, make it harder to wake up from her naps, and screw with her timing.

One of the tricks she is working on, her Filly Flash, requires absolutely precise timing. Rainbow finishes her apple and flies up to the door, landing on the edge of the cloud she has built her house on. The rainbow fall nearby cascades down, slowly dissipating as the wind blows. Rainbow notes the air pressure around her and takes a hard look at the ground below. Sixteen hundred foot drop, wind from the southwest at three knots, slight hint of an updraft. The way the rainbow fall is blowing suggests that the speed drops to nothing below twelve hundred feet.

Rainbow moves to the edge of the cloud and leaps off, counting the hundredths of a second in her mind. She chances a look to the ground to double check her height, noting she is exactly on time. She readies her wings and flares out as she gets close to the ground, a rainbow contrail behind her. ‘Perfect!’ she smirks to herself. Alright, one trick down. Now, what to do for the next one?

Rainbow performs a couple of loops and spirals as she flies towards Sweet Apple Acres. None of them are flashy enough for a second trick, but might work as filler. She flies until she spots Doug. The human is sitting down, watching the sun rise over the Everfree Forest. She softly lands next to him, wincing in pain as her sore muscles impact the ground. It must have shown on her face because Doug looks at her, concern in his eyes.

“You okay there, Rainbow?”

“Pff, I’m fine. Nothing wrong here!” Rainbow bends her legs and bounces up but grimaces as her left front leg seizes, nearly buckling underneath her.

Doug taps his thigh, “Alright, you. Put your leg here.”

Rainbow looks at him, one eyebrow raised, “What do you plan on doing?”

“Helping. Were you able to stretch out the soreness in your legs? I got Applejack to help me a little on my back, but I was able to get my legs and arms myself.”

“Nah, dude, it’s cool. I’ll be fine!” Rainbow starts walking around but can’t help but wince every time her leg comes down. She sighs, “Fine. Whatever. Do your thing, then let’s get a move on!” She walks over to Doug and lays down, putting her hoof into his open hands.

Doug begins by lightly pressing his hands on her cannon, slowly moving his way up to her elbows. He then starts pressing harder and Rainbow breathes a huge sigh of relief. She feels the soreness leave her leg as he alternates pressing his left and right hands on her powerful muscles. He works his way back down to her hoof before releasing her leg, leaving Rainbow gasping.

“Wow. Did you do this for a living before?”

Doug smiles, “No, not quite.”

Rainbow extends her right foreleg. Doug goes through the same process; while the pain isn’t as bad the contact feels amazing.

“Did you practice on Applejack or something? You are really good at this.”

Doug laughs. “Nope. My main customer was my mom, she really liked it when I dug into her shoulders.”

Rainbow pulls her right leg back when Doug finishes with it. She moves her head into his lap so he can easily reach her shoulders and withers. “Alright, then, can you do me?”

Rainbow can feel him shudder next to her. She waits somewhat impatiently for him, finally pushing her head against his stomach.

Doug replies, somewhat hesitantly, “Alright Rainbow, let me know if there are any areas I should focus on.” He moves his arms to her sides and begins pressing his hands into her. His long strokes probe out which muscles need more work and Rainbow can feel the last of her soreness in her front legs pass away. She moans, pressing her head against him again, trying to get him as far back as she can.

As Doug finishes on both sides she feels him lightly pushing her away, prompting her to look up at him. He makes a circular motion with one finger. Rainbow gulps before slowly turning around. Her brain feels like it is on autopilot, still recovering from the endorphins released from his massage. Her hind legs push up while her front legs collapse, tail flicking wildly to the side.

As Doug’s hands firmly grasp her hips she realizes that she is, in no uncertain terms, inviting him to mount her. Even worse, her body refuses her half-hearted commands to stop. Her wings flare out; she wants him to mount her. His hands move up and down the sides of her body, firmly gripping her flanks.

She shudders again as he devotes his attention to her left side, working his way down the muscles on her leg. She tries to back up slightly but finds the muscles in her legs unresponsive, merely holding her in position as Doug makes his way all the way to her hoof. She holds her breath as he moves behind her, shaking at the air flowing from the movement. Her tail whips out again, trying to find purchase. Instead, his hands move to her right hip and work their way down, finding each kink in her muscles.

As Doug finishes her right leg Rainbow finds herself gasping again, her body finally remembering to breathe. She manages to force out, “You about ready back there, big guy?”

Doug’s voice shakes as he replies, “Yup. You feeling better?”

Rainbow finally regains full control of her body as he backs up. She slowly gets to her hooves as her wings fold to her sides, testing out her leg muscles. Whatever massage Doug performed has done the job and then some; she feels ready to race the whole course! She turns to face Doug, smirking a little at the embarrassed look on his face.

She briefly takes flight, hovering over to Doug and kissing him on the cheek. “Hey, thanks. You’re a really good friend, you know that, right?”

At Doug’s unsure nod Rainbow wraps him in a hug. She stammers, “Uh, look, I’m no good with this mushy stuff, alright? It’s just… I mean, you’re cute and all, but I really gotta focus on the Wonderbolts and training and weather stuff. You get that, right?”

Doug squeezes Rainbow in return, “I understand, Rainbow. It’s okay. You ready to go?”

Rainbow releases Doug from the hug, nodding. The two begin their slow jog along the edge of the trees. To Rainbow’s delight, it doesn’t look like she will need to stop for breaks this time, though their pace is a little slower than before. That massage gave her a bunch of pent up energy she really wants to burn off but she still has to focus on breathing. She sure wouldn’t mind another massage at the end of this run, though.

As they finish the last bend Rainbow’s exhaustion begins to catch up to her. Doug seems to notice and begins to slow down, but at her head shake he speeds back up, jogging beside her. She smiles, realizing that he is breathing hard as well. Maybe it won’t be too far a stretch to beat him in endurance runs!

They finish the run together, Rainbow falling to her side on a shady patch of grass. Doug retrieves a basket and brings it over, sitting down close to her in the shade. Rainbow gratefully accepts one of the apples Doug brought, trying to pace her hungry stomach. Maybe she should eat more at night, some hay pasta, to keep her energy up for these runs. Doug passes her the gallon of apple juice he was drinking from and she takes it, tilting it up and drinking greedily.

“Did ya bring any cider?” she asks hopefully as she finishes her drink.

Doug grins, “I might have a bottle stashed around here somewhere.” He pulls it out of the basket he has stored the rest of the food in and places it next to him. Rainbow rolls over and smiles, her body next to him. She takes the bottle in one hoof and sets the other in his lap, looking up at Doug expectantly. He sighs, taking her hoof in his hand and starts massaging it. Rainbow shudders again at the contact; she says in a shaky voice, “Hey, big guy, I know this might sound weird, but… can you use, like, twenty percent less pressure with this massage? I don’t want to lose control again.”

Doug smiles, slowing down and taking longer strokes. “Maybe. So, what are you doing all that training for? It doesn’t seem the weather around here gets that bad.”

Rainbow smiles; for once, talking will be the perfect distraction! “Well, I’m training to be a Wonderbolt! They’re only the most awesome flight performers in Equestria! They travel all around to do their shows, showing off their moves.”

Doug finishes up with Rainbow’s left front hoof and scoots back, working his way down her back. He ignores her wings, rubbing along her barrel to get to her hips. “Sounds pretty impressive. Do they perform a lot around here?”

“Well, they do shows up in Canterlot. Not so much in Ponyville. Though, the Wonderbolt Academy is pretty close to here. Might be able to catch some practices if you were nearby. Closer than Cloudsdale, at least right now. That’s where I grew up, me and Fluttershy. Where did you grow up?”

Doug continues down her leg, a slight frown on his face as he thinks about his answer. Rainbow realizes what she asked, and looks a little dejected, “Hey, sorry about that. I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories or anything.”

Doug smiles at her, “Oh, it’s not that, just trying to think of a good comparison. I haven’t really experienced much of Equestria besides Ponyville. I would say, when I was growing up, I lived with a lot of people like Applejack, in a community like Ponyville. Little more suburban though? Kind of a split between a city and a town like this.”

“Oh, so Appleloosa? There’s a lot of earth ponies like Applejack there. Ponyville is pretty mixed, just about every kind of background. You’ve got ponies like me, and ponies like Rarity, who like to act like they are in Canterlot.”

“Yup. I’ve lived in an area like Canterlot, or at least very close to it. I hated having to go into the city though. Mostly it was the crowds; I don’t like having to deal with a lot of people or noise. I also disliked having to drive through traffic; I’m really glad that isn’t an issue here. Why did you decide to move to Ponyville?”

Doug moves around to Rainbow’s other side, continuing his massage. She responds, “Well, a couple reasons, I guess. When my friend Fluttershy got her cutie mark working with animals, well, she didn’t really want to stay in Cloudsdale. She wanted to move somewhere lower. Closer to the ground. Ponyville was close to Cloudsdale at the time, and it borders the Everfree. Lots of animals in the Everfree Forest, plus they get injured a lot. She loves taking care of injured critters.”

Rainbow feels her tail flip to the side and sighs again, “The Everfree is the other reason. Most ponies don’t really want to work the weather here, on account of the random storms it spits out. So, it tends to be a pretty junior place, lots of ponies transfer out as soon as they can. But that means quick advancement if you can hack it, and nopony handles weather better than me!”

Doug nods as he finishes on her leg and moves to her back and sides. He starts at the top of her tail and works his way forwards, still avoiding her wings. “I’ve been in quite a number of storms, but I’ve always been inside. I can’t imagine flying through them. In fact, I helped a lot of people avoid doing just that, I helped them fly around the the storms.”

Rainbow beams, “Ya, a thunderstorm is a piece of cake! Sometimes a good ‘nado is enough to send them packing, or at least break them up enough to make the rest of the work easier.”

Doug looks at her in amazement, “But, a tornado is… like, a hundred knot winds! Or more. How do you do that?”

Rainbow smirks, “With these!” Her wings flare out, showing off her plumage. She closes her eyes, looking up haughtily, “Yes, yes, I know, I’m awesome.”

Doug slaps Rainbow on the haunch, causing the pegasus to yelp. She looks back with a half-hearted smile while rubbing her head, “Heh, guess I got a little carried away there. Although, if you want to massage them, I wouldn’t mind.”

Doug shrugs, moving his hands to the base of Rainbow’s wings, lightly pressing on the muscles. As his hands slowly move along their length Rainbow scoffs, “Come on, dude, you can be a little rougher than that.”

Doug responds, “Let me know if it’s too rough, then, it’s my first time handling wings.” He begins to move his hands a little faster, pushing harder into her muscles. He slowly makes his way down the edge, kneading her wing, trying to find areas that need work.

Rainbow sighs contently but frowns as the pressure lets up. She turns her head back to see Doug straddling her, knees on the ground. She smiles and lowers her head to the ground. He resumes the massage, stretching her wing closer to his body. There wasn’t nearly as much tension in her wings as there was in her legs, but the contact still feels good.

Rainbow moans as Doug moves to her other wing. Her estrus is going to be a long, miserable two weeks if this keeps up. Her thoughts are interrupted as her wing twinges in pain; Doug apparently tweaked one of her feathers.

“Sorry,” Doug says as he pushes the feather back, rubbing the end of that wing. As he finishes the massage he says, “Hey, I need to head back. You want to join us for breakfast?”

Rainbow shrugs, “Eh, sure, why not. Been awhile since I’ve been able to chat with AJ, let’s see what she’s up to.” She thinks to herself, ‘Maybe I can get AJ to help with a cooler, these massages really got me pent up. Wouldn’t want Doug to get the wrong idea if I asked him, I was acting like a filly during her first heat.’

10 Digger

March 2nd, 993

Doug stands on the southwest outskirts of Ponyville, near the road along the train tracks towards the Badlands. He has two shovels balanced on his shoulder and a large duffel bag over his back.

The various ponies that walk nearby do their best to not draw his attention; most walk slower, some cross to the opposite side of the road, and a few upon noticing him turn around to go a different way. Some of them seem more curious, but are content to watch from a distance. News must have spread by now of his and Applejack’s relationship but not one pony has come up to him or said anything.

Doug sighs, thinking that he should have picked a further spot from town to wait for Rarity. Soon enough, the white mare strolls down the road, dragging a small red cart behind her with her magic. She smiles upon seeing him, dropping the cart at his feet and looking at him expectantly. He looks down at the cart; the handle is far too low for him to grab easily, and the walls of the cart barely come six inches from the base. Though, he supposes, it really depends on how many gems they will find. Rarity seems to use a lot of them on the costumes she designs, so perhaps they were more common than back home.

As Rarity continues looking at Doug he shakes his head. “Unless you have a longer handle for this, I think it would be too difficult to drag around. I did bring these bags like you asked; hopefully they will be enough to handle the gems we find.”

Rarity inspects the bags; they look to be repurposed grain bags with straps crudely sewn on, reinforced with multiple layers. “Well. I suppose those will have to do. Though I might need to…”

Rarity lifts the backpack off Doug’s back, taking a look at the stitching. She shakes her head, taking a needle and thread from one of her saddlebags while levitating over to Doug a set of thick gloves, socks, and boots. “I do hope the gloves fit; it was difficult to figure out how they will ride on your hands. Let me know if anywhere needs reinforcing or padding.”

The pair begins to walk down the road, much to the relief of the ponies who were standing around watching them. Rarity’s magic plays in the air, restitching the straps and reinforcing the various seams.

Doug takes the boots and stuffs the socks inside before tying the laces in a knot and looping them around his neck. He puts the gloves on, flexing his hands before making fists and punching his hands together. “The gloves fit very well, thank you. Maybe a little too much insulation for work this time of year, but it will be great when it gets cold.”

“Oh, it was no trouble at all. Thank you for coming with me on this expedition of ours.”

“Of course, it sounds like fun. So, is that what your cutie mark represents? Finding gems?”

“Oh, it is so much more than that! My cutie mark represents how I am able to find the beauty in, well, just about anything and bring it to light! Why, I knew I was going to be a fashion designer when I was a filly, and I was asked to create the costumes for a play…”

After several hours of walking Doug and Rarity are about to leave the comfortable shade of the forest. They have stuck to the train tracks leading southwest out of Ponyville. They set up a small picnic near the path to the desert around Ghastly Gorge. Doug pulls out a wrapped sandwich and hands it to Rarity, who takes it with a smile. He takes out a jug as well, though Rarity declines the water. They finish the meal quickly, and Rarity gives a short burst of magic from her horn. She shakes her head as Doug turns his head at her, so he continues packing up the picnic. He asks, “So, how far do you generally go to find the gem deposits?”

Rarity looks to the sky, then around the forest. “Well, the better gems, the larger and more elusive ones, tend to be in the Badlands proper. However, that is a bit more than a day trip away, and the ones I can find here near Ghastly Gorge are… sufficient for the work that I will be doing. Though I will have to go to the Badlands when I create some of my higher-end work. Speaking of, did you know the Summer Sun Festival will be held in Ponyville seven years from now?”

“Don’t they hold that celebration every year? You told me you were designing dresses for it before.”

“Well, yes, of course Ponyville and just about every town will hold their own celebration, but this will be the main event! Why, Princess Celestia herself will make an appearance, raising the sun before all! I should get started on some of those outfits now!”

Doug puts a comforting hand on Rarity’s back as she gets a frantic look in her eye. “I wouldn’t worry about that just yet. We should definitely plan a trip to the Badlands, though.”

This snaps Rarity out of her frenzy; she replies, “That will be your first trip outside of Ponyville, would it not? Well, besides this one, of course.”

Doug shrugs as he finishes packing up, “I guess it will be. Though I did a fair amount of travelling before I wound up in Equestria.”

Rarity exclaims, “Oh darling, we must go somewhere more luxurious than the Badlands. It will be your first trip after all; we should go somewhere where you can see the sights! Have you ever seen Canterlot?” Her face takes on a dreamy expression as she imagines herself going there.

Doug shrugs again, a slight frown on his face. “Outside of a picture? No; it looks beautiful, I’ll grant you that. I don’t think I’d enjoy it that much, though.”

Rarity shakes her head, “Oh, you must! Why, the sights alone would be worth it! The designer stores!”

Doug laughs, “Yeah, you can keep all those. You’re the only designer pony I need to know.”

“Oh, you’re just saying that.” Rarity gives a small blush as she looks around.

Doug shrugs, lacing his boots before the pair walk away from the tracks. After a few minutes of silence, Rarity’s horn lights up again and she gives a squeal. “Oh, I found some! Over this way, I’ll make a mark on the ground and you dig.”

They make their way over to a nondescript section of dirt and Rarity draws a ‘2’. Doug sets his pack down, taking a few smaller bags from his main pack and setting them next to the ‘2’. He asks Rarity, “So, what kind of gems are you hoping to find here? Any special ones?” as he begins to dig.

“Well, my spell lets me know the kind of gems as well as their location. It’s mostly rubies, sapphires, amethysts, a topaz or two, and some emeralds. A nice mix of gems, but nothing extraordinary.”

Doug shakes his head at the casual mention of the gems. The soil is compact and dry, but the fist sized rocks move out of the way quickly enough. After digging two feet down he unearths several gems, making a small pile near the bags.

“Is this all of them?” Doug stares, incredulous at the size of the gemstones. At Rarity’s nod, he asks, “Do you sort them beforehand, or once you get home? Any system I should know of?”

“Oh, don’t worry about it. I’ll be going over them with a careful hoof once we get back home regardless, so whatever works for you. If we find any special ones you can bag those separately, I’ll let you know if we do find any.”

Doug peers closely at one of the gems before dropping them inside one of the smaller bags. He places the empty bags back inside his pack before grabbing his shovel and the half-full bag. He stands, following Rarity to the ‘1’ she has drawn on the ground. “So, how do these gems come to be scattered around like this?”

“Hmm. Well, Pinkie Pie might know more of the specifics; she did grow up on a rock farm and all. I believe it has to do with how the different ley lines on Equus interact with the magic field; the pockets tend to fluctuate, and that change makes these pockets of gemstones. Why they form in the manner they do, I’m not entirely sure. They tend to need some polishing and minor cuts, but I try to use them in their more natural state.”

The pair makes their way to their fourth ‘2’ as Rarity continues describing how she crafts her various dresses, how her different color choices complement each other, and what the different style choices mean. As she starts to describe the various fashion trends in Ponyville, many of which she is creating herself, she notices they have run out of gems in the nearby area. She looks over to Doug, who is leaning on a shovel looking at her expectantly, and then at the sky. She thinks about how long they have been digging, plus how long it took them to get there. Glancing at the pack Doug is carrying gives her little idea as to how many gems they have found, though she is able to make a quick count by thinking over the piles they have dug through.

“I hope you don’t mind staying out too late; there shouldn’t be any trouble as long as we make it back to the tracks by moonrise. I was hoping to get to at least one more area, preferably two, before heading home.”

“That’s fine with me. Hopefully none of the predators want to mess with the big bad human.” Rarity gives a nervous laugh at that as the pair makes their way to the next area.

Night falls as the pair make their way back to the train tracks. The expedition has been a success; while Rarity was unable to find any of the more lucrative deposits, the pack around Doug’s back holds many more gemstones than her cart would have. Plus, by not exposing the semi-precious gems to anypony who looks, they are able to keep a lower profile. Not that Rarity thought anypony will mess with the six foot biped, but it doesn’t hurt to not attract attention.

Rarity’s imagination starts running as she imagines timber wolves leaping from the forest, branches cracking as they bound closer and closer! Doug would… what would Doug do? Would he valiantly defend her from the wolves? Or would he hobble her to give the wolves an easier target as he ran away?

Rarity glances over to Doug to see him munching on a sandwich while scanning the forest, keeping a vigilant watch as they walk along the tracks. She lets out a quiet sigh as she turns her attention back towards the trees. She briefly notices the glimmer of eyes staring back at her from the woods, but when she blinks and looks again they are gone.

Feeling a little more fearful, Rarity walks closer to Doug as she continues watching the forest. When something unexpected brushes against her flank she gives a yelp and spins around, horn flaring. Upon seeing a slightly amused Doug staring back at her, she lets out the breath she was holding and lets her horn power down.

“Oh, I am sorry, Doug, I’m just not used to walking around this late at night.”

“Heh, maybe next time we’ll have to leave a little earlier. That will let us- what is that!”

At Doug’s horrified expression Rarity spins around, horn flaring again. She doesn’t see anything along the forest edge, and a rapid scan leaves her more frantic as she can’t make out anything in the dark. She turns around to see Doug continuing to walk along the tracks, laughing. Rarity gives out a huff and trots up to him.

“That was not funny, you, you… ruffian! Playing with a mare’s fears like that!”

“Just admit, I got you good. There wasn’t anything out there.”

Doug saying this does nothing to calm Rarity’s fears, as she knows that Murpony has heard him. She continues frantically scanning the forest edge, again coming dangerously close to bumping into him.

“Would you feel better staying close to me?”

Rarity can hear the apologetic tone in Doug’s voice as she turns to look at him. He has his arm raised in an inviting manner, and Rarity happily trots next to him, almost rubbing her flank along his. His arm comes down and she gives a slight shudder as his hand starts rubbing her withers.

Doug breaks the silence, "Do you do a lot of the cutting of the gems yourself?" Rarity nods; Doug scratches his chin with his free hand while Rarity looks up, feeling a little more nervous without the contact. Doug puts his hand back on her as he asks, "Do you think you could cut me a set of dice from the gems? I mean, I'm assuming the gems we found aren't incredibly valuable or anything."

Rarity laughs, "Oh dear, no, I would not mind that at all. What kind of dice are you talking? Six sided?"

Doug gives Rarity an admiring look, "Oh, you know of the different dice? I didn't know I had a connoisseur of the fine art of gaming on my hands."

"Oh, I wouldn't go that far, darling, I just happen to... know a pony or two who may have asked me to dabble in their depravity."

Doug clutches his chest, "You sure know how wound a man, Rarity. I don't know if we have enough extra gems from this trip, but I was hoping to get a set of dice in at least six colors. A set as in a four, six, eight, twelve, twenty, and two ten sided dice. The clarity wouldn't matter that much, and in fact I would probably prefer ones with more imperfections."

Rarity thinks to herself before responding, "Well, I'll have to take a close look at the gems we found tonight. If you don't mind waiting, then I'm sure we will be able to find enough on our later expeditions. How soon do you want these dice?"

"Oh, no rush. Just something I've been thinking about preparing, but Applejack keeps me quite busy at the farm."

Rarity nods and the pair continue the rest of the journey home in relative silence, Rarity feeling much better with her proximity to the towering biped.

As they near Rarity’s house she looks up to him as he adjusts the straps on his backpack. She finds herself missing the contact already as she opens the door to the Boutique. She walks in, though Doug hesitates a little as he follows her inside.

“Where would you like these gems?”

Rarity ponders the question. Something doesn’t feel quite right… she feels herself get a little flustered at the thought of ordering Doug around. “Oh. My bedroom will be perfect.”

Doug gives a shrug as he walks through the entryway. “Which rooms is yours?”

“Up the stairs. Just give me a moment to freshen up.”

“Alright. By the way, how did you keep your mane and tail looking like that the entire time?”

“Oh, you like it? I’m afraid a mare can’t give away all of her secrets.” Rarity walks out of the room with a coy smile on her lips. Doug shrugs again as he heads upstairs, peering into the various rooms until he comes to one that he guesses is Rarity’s room. He puts the heavy pack down in the least used corner, but doesn’t dump it out just yet. He sits down, stretching his legs out ahead of him.

Moments later Rarity comes in, a smile on her face. “Oh. Let’s get the gems over… here, shall we?” She points with her horn to the opposite corner by her sewing machine, and Doug stands up, grabbing the backpack.

“Right here?”

“Yes, that will be marvelous. Now, let’s take a look at our haul, shall we?”

“As you wish, Cap’n!” Doug replies with a mischievous grin. He takes the pack and upends it, a cascade of gems flowing out. Rarity estimates the pack contained over sixty pounds of gems, a sufficient number for her upcoming line; not bad for a day’s work.

Rarity pushes herself up against Doug as they watch the gems fall and bounce around on the carpeted floor. She looks up at him, asking, “So, see anything that you like?”

Doug drops the pack off to the side, one arm coming down on the mare’s side while the other idly scratches his chin. “Well, I’ve always liked reds and blues, but none of these gems really catch my eye.”

“Oh? Are you looking for something more… purple?” A sultry look comes over Rarity’s face as Doug continues to scan the pile of gems.

“Hmm…” Doug scratches Rarity’s side, the look on her face disappearing into a contented moan, which she attempts to stifle. “I think it would be more like a cobalt, or dark blue.”

This snaps Rarity out of her stupor. This stallion was either completely oblivious to her advances, or he… wait, her advances? She stops pushing against his hand, which is rubbing deeper into her side. While it feels really good, and she wants to feel those hands rubbing all over her, she won’t go behind her friend’s back like that. So, maybe he is resisting her advances because he doesn’t want to disappoint her or make her feel bad? Well, it isn’t working very well, because she feels just awful now.

Doug voice rouses Rarity, “Hey, everything all right? You went quiet there.”

Rarity does her best to smile up at him, “I assure you, everything is fine. I just… I think it would be better if you were to leave. It is late, and I am sorry for the suddenness, but you know how mares are with their beauty sleep.” Rarity tries to give Doug a winning smile, but she feels it comes out hollow.

Doug seems to notice, a hint of sadness on his face. “Hey, it’s okay, Applejack likes to get to bed early too. I guess I’ll see myself out. Have a good night!” He tries to end on a cheery note, some disappointment briefly appearing on his face.

Rarity tries to go for a goodnight kiss but reconsiders halfway through, planting the kiss on his shoulder instead. Doug laughs as he gets up, ruffling the top of Rarity’s mane.

“Hey! Watch the mane, mister, I spend hours on this style!”

Doug just chuckles and waves as he walks out of the room, leaving a slightly fuming Rarity to grab a mirror and check her mane. “Stallions,” she mutters to herself before taking another glance at the pile of gemstones. She decides to leave the sorting for tomorrow during one of the unfortunately frequent slow periods at her store. She will also need to ask Applejack more formally about courting him, if she still feels that way in the morning.

11 Request*

March 4th, 993

Applejack hums a tune to herself as she drags her cart, laden with product, towards the marketplace. It is still early in the morning, and she isn’t feeling the effects of her heat at all. She had woken up yesterday with thoughts of Doug racing through her mind, and he had been more than happy to help her out. It had been bad, nearly enough to make her want to go to one of her friends and get help with a cooler, but that doesn’t last more than a few hours and one can still feel the effects, even if they are subdued. Even so, that is still a lot better than the medication that is available, which makes her feel groggy and more prone to injuring herself or somepony else while working.

She doesn’t particularly want to chance having a foal at this time, the attempt of which being the more permanent method of getting rid of a heat. Doug had asked about that before they had begun; he is sure that humans normally can’t impregnate other species, even the apes and monkeys he is distantly related to, and there is absolutely no chance of him getting a pony pregnant. But, as he was quick to admit, he has no clue if magic makes things work differently here.

Come to think of it, Applejack isn’t sure how magic works with him, either. She isn’t sure who to ask, or where in the town library she would start hunting down that kind of information. Maybe she should have had Doug look into it, he likes researching and finding out things, but it is a little late for that now. Lately, he has been thinking about a different style of wagon covering that she can use, one that will provide a little more shade at the market. She told him to work on that after his workout with Rainbow. He deserved a break from hard labor after this morning, she chuckles to herself.

Applejack pulls up to her stall and begins moving baskets to locations more accessible for her coming customers. Rarity is one of them, walking up and grabbing two apples while levitating over two bit pieces. Applejack beams a smile at her friend, “Nice to see you here bright and early. Beautiful day, ain’t it?”

Rarity gives her a slight frown, trying to turn it to a smile. “Yes, it sure is a nice day. Rainbow must have been up early to clear away the fog. Somepony, or should I say, someone must be a good influence on her.”

“Oh, Ah don’t know nothing about that, you should see the antics the two of them get into back at the farm. At least Doug doesn’t care for cider, or who knows where Ah would have to drag them back from.”

“He doesn’t? That has to be the one thing about you he doesn’t like then.” Rarity smiles at Applejack, who gives a small blush as she helps another customer. “Well, speak of Nightmare.”

Applejack looks at Rarity, then turns her head to see Rainbow flying over the crowd of morning ponies. Her normally wind-swept mane looks particularly unkempt, and her eyes are bloodshot. She flutters down, landing next to Rarity, and drops a bit onto the table. “An apple and a half glass of cider, quick, please.”

Applejack turns back, grabbing one of the bottles of cider she has stashed in the back. “Sorry it ain’t the good stuff you’re used to Rainbow, still a couple weeks before we’ll be able to restock. Also, ain’t it a little early to start drinking?”

Rainbow grabs the half full glass, downing it before grabbing the apple and chewing loudly. “I know, I know, I just needed that so badly. My heat has been killing me for a week now, I don’t know how much longer I can hold out. Rarity, you don’t mind helping again, do you?”

“Of course not Rainbow, I was about to ask Applejack to assist with a cooler myself, though I was waiting until the foals had at least moved further away from the stand.” Rarity responds, looking at a nearby mare who is leading a small pack of foals. Applejack smiles at the mare while pouring Rainbow a quarter glass of cider before putting the bottle away.

Rainbow responds with a slight frown on her face, “Oh. Right.”

“I don’t suppose you know of Theodore Kerabatsos?” Rarity's eyes start to brighten as she looks at Rainbow.

Rainbow gives Rarity a blank look as Applejack interjects, “That one of them fancy ponies you always hoping to get a commission from?”

“Well, a lady would never show how excited she is when a certain fashion pony deigns to notice her latest design, but yes! Yes!” Rarity gives an excited, if subdued, squeal before resuming her normal posture.

“Donny,” - Rainbow gives Rarity an unamused look, which Rarity ignores - “will be coming over to the boutique after lunch, and he certainly would not appreciate me, ahem, being too forward with him. I cannot permit any distractions from exhibiting my wares, I mean, my latest fashion line to him. Oh, I’m so heated right now, I can’t stand it! Applejack, how are you holding up? You don’t seem fazed at all.”

“Well, Ah do have Doug helping me, you know, with the urges. Ah’ll admit, he’s quenched the heat better than any cooler Ah’ve heard of before. Barely even felt the urges this morning, but Ah think he appreciated me using him anyway. Well, not using, he’s more than that to me, but… where was Ah going again?”

Rarity raises an eyebrow, "Really? But, I thought you weren't looking to have a foal just yet. Did something change?"

Applejack shakes her head, "Ah still ain't." Her gaze lowers, a slightly downcast, "We ain't sure if it will work between us, without needing some sort of assistance, ya know?" She sighs, "He don't think so, But, regardless, he's been great so far, helping out with everything." Applejack coughs, looking around at the ponies coming up to her stall, saying in a low voice, "Was there something, um, else you wanted?"

Rainbow gives Applejack a sarcastic smile, “I think you were about to, I dunno, offer the use of your tool to Rarity. Although,” - Rainbow’s expression turns submissive, almost pleading - “Applejack? Bestest, favorite friend in the whole world, I have a teensy, tiny favor. You wouldn’t even have to do anything, just hear me out.”

“Rainbow, if it’s okay with Doug, it’s okay with me. Ah know how you two are.”

“Applejack, I’m begging you, please, just-” Rainbow stops as she realizes what Applejack said. Her expression seems to brighten, already looking a little better, as she finishes the remainder of her cider. She takes a large bite of one of the apples, looking at her hoof, before dropping another two bit pieces on the counter and taking two more apples. She flies up, giving Applejack a quick peck on the cheek. Applejack returns the kiss, waving to her as she lifts into the air. Rainbow waves to Rarity, flying off towards Sweet Apple Acres.

Applejack smiles and shakes her head, looking over at Rarity who looks back at her with a questioning expression on her face. Rarity asks, “Aren't you worried about the two of them? I mean, I hear most stallions always seem to be in the mood for a quickie, but Doug doesn’t seem like that, at least when he was interacting with me. He barely returned any of my banter, but didn’t have any trouble styling whatever silly thing I put him in.”

Applejack gives Rarity a short glare before turning to the next customer with a smile. Rarity continues, “Although, if you think that he would be okay with it… you said you haven’t felt the effects at all so far? I must admit, it is certainly an intriguing idea,” Rarity stammers, dancing nervously on her hooves, “I hate the idea of just, ugh, studding him out. Though if he is alright with it...“

Applejack moves over to Rarity, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Well, if you want to get back to work before ole ‘Donny’ gets here you might want to hurry, before Rainbow tires him out too much. Though how you’ll convince her to wait until later Ah have no idea. You know how she is, she'll probably see it like a competition, who Doug would rather take first.” She frowns at the thought, spitting at the ground and grinding her hoof.

“Well then, I must bid you adieu. Take care darling, we’ll see each other soon!” Rarity gives Applejack a quick kiss before walking towards Sweet Apple Acres. Her attempt at appearing unhurried quickly disappears as she makes her way to the edge of the town. Applejack shakes her head, going back to her stores and placing more apples into the baskets for sale. She hopes things work out between Doug and her friends; he can be a little… voracious with only her around. But if that is how he wants things, well, there are worse fates.

12 Permission*

Rainbow spots Doug near the spare cart taking measurements, going back and forth between a small pile of papers he has spread out and weighed down. “Hey Doug!” she calls, landing close to him but far enough from the papers that her wake won’t jostle them too much.

He turns, greeting her with a wave, before gathering the loose papers he is working on and placing a rock on top. “Howdy Rainbow, didn’t expect to see you back here so quickly. Things all right?”

Rainbow slowly saunters up to him, “Better than all right, stud.”

Doug raises an eyebrow at that. Normally, Rainbow doesn’t express any sort of affection for him, saying that while she does find him somewhat attractive, if in an exotic way, she has other priorities and doesn’t have the time to pursue anything. He knows she spends an abnormal amount of time training for the Wonderbolts while working her way up the weather patrol. Either activity would consume most of a mare’s day, and Rainbow is working hard towards both.

He replies, “So then, what’s the occasion? Also, you can cut the goo-goo eyes, they’re cute but so not you.”

Rainbow’s failed attempt at a sultry expression is quickly replaced by a frown, then a glare as she shakes her mane back and forth. “Hey, I can totally do a sexy look.”

Doug gives her a sad smile, messing with her mane as she walks next to him. “Okay, yes, that was dead sexy. Mrow.”

Rainbow’s glare fails to soften at that comment, and she pushes him onto his back. “Quiet you. Now, me and Applejack got to talking, something about how you helped her out with her heat?”

Doug’s hands move to Rainbow’s barrel as she continues pushing him down. “Well, I assume you mean we had sex, which isn’t exactly a secret. Did,” he trails off, looking over Rainbow’s body, “Is that why you seemed more out of it lately?”

Rainbow snorts, “Ya, this heat has been brutal. I can barely think straight, being around any stallions keeps triggering my tail, and I almost crashed twice cleaning up the fog this morning. I can’t take the pills, what with the training I need to keep up plus doing my job.”

Doug’s eyebrows furrow, “So, you want me to help with a cooler? Thought you mostly got other mares to help with that…" At seeing her wide grin Doug loudly sighs, "Oh, very funny Rainbow. I’m busy here, though it was a good one, nearly had me going.”

Rainbow shakes her head, “No, dude, it’s… ah, coolers wear off too quickly. But, I was hoping you could do for me what you did for Applejack.”

Doug gives Rainbow a blank stare, before raising an eyebrow and looking at her quizzically, “I can only assume you already talked to Applejack about it, and you are talking about sex, right?”

Rainbow stops pushing Doug down, sitting back slightly. “Yup. Applejack seemed okay with it if you were, she knows how we are. I’m more worried about this ruining our friendship than she is.“

Doug slowly strokes Rainbow's side, “This seems like a pretty big step though. Don’t you kind of equate sex with love and the desire to be together?”

“Ya, it’s nothing like that! At least, not during heat season anyway, you'd just be a friend helping out another friend with her problem. As long as you don’t get pregnant. You can’t get us pregnant, right? You aren’t, like, a pony or anything?”

Doug shakes his head slowly, “Well, it shouldn’t work with me and a pony back home. We would need some sort of love Princess to really make that determination.”

“Ya, fat chance we could get her to come down here. So, you ready for this?”

“Uh-”

Doug and Rainbow pause as the sounds of galloping get closer. Rarity crests the nearby hill, galloping closer and looking frantically between Doug and Rainbow.

“Oh, I’m not too late, am I? You’ve already done the deed, and now I’m going to be stuck waiting until tomorrow! Oh, what shall I do?” Rarity plops onto the nearby cart, holding a hoof to her forehead and looking forlornly up at the sky.

Doug sits up, pushing Rainbow into a seated position next to him. “No, Rarity, we haven’t done anything yet. Haven’t even agreed to what anything is, either.”

“Oh, well, in that case, Rainbow, I know how important this is for you, but it will have to wait until tomorrow. If things go well with Donny later today, we might go to Canterlot and display my works to Sassy Saddles, Pursy Pink, maybe even Hoity Toity!” Rarity swoons at the thought, though Doug and Rainbow’s blank looks bring her back quickly. “Ugh, at least try to pretend to be impressed. Well then. Doug, if I may be so bold?”

Rarity walks up to Doug, leaning over Rainbow and placing a kiss on his lips before turning around and flicking her tail to the side.

Rainbow shouts, “Hey, no fair! I was totally here first, I’ve been dealing with this longer than you, and he was totally persuaded by me!” Rainbow gets up and swats Rarity’s tail back in place with her wing. Rarity turns around, an enraged look on her face.

“My tail! Oh, that is it!” Rarity telekinetically lifts a clump of dirt while Rainbow paws the ground, getting ready to charge.

Doug moves between them, putting his hand on Rainbow’s head and waving his arm at Rarity. “Now hold on you two. Before you do something you’ll regret, what seems to be the issue?”

Rarity drops the dirt she would have pelted Rainbow with before answering, “Why, who will be able to, ahem, use you today and who will need to wait until later once you have, well, recharged.”

“Ya, and it’s going to be me who gets him today!” Rainbow exclaims, giving Rarity a dirty look from behind Doug.

Doug shakes his head at their antics, saying, “Ladies, ladies… I take it Applejack hasn’t talked much about me?”

Rainbow pipes up, “I don’t know what she has told Rarity, but she never told me about multiple times. More like you ask her once every couple days, we thought that was how long it takes you to, you know, get ready again.”

“No, I only ask because I don’t think she… ugh, anyway, humans only need an hour or so, maybe less, before we are ready to go again. So…”

At this, both mares pounce on him, a nodding smile being traded between then. “All right then, stud,” Rainbow starts, and Rarity continues with a smirk, “I’ll get the first one, then Rainbow can have you all to herself. Now, if you will be so kind as to follow us to the barn over there…”

Doug looks between the two mares; he slowly gets up, muttering about bringing this on himself, though he doesn’t look all that disappointed. Rainbow pulls him aside before they get to the barn, her reddened eyes looking at him with determination. She puts a hoof on his leg and says in a low voice, “Look. I don’t want this to change anything between us, alright? Just, be quick, do your thing, and then it’s back to normal. No kissing, no mushy stuff, in and out. Okay?”

Doug sighs, “Alright Rainbow, I can do that.”

Rarity moves next to him, pushing her body against his side. “You can get all that romance out of your system on me, I’ve been looking forward to this for two days now.” She eyes him hungrily as the three make their way inside the barn.

13 Practice

March 20th, 993

Celestia’s dawn breaks through Rainbow Dash’s window, creating a twinkling pattern on her cloud wall. The pegasus rolls over, her wing moving to block the sun’s rays from her eyes. She tries to snuggle back into her pillow, grumbling at being woken up.

A minute later, having not fallen back into her dream, Rainbow slowly rises from her bed. She flies to her bathroom, tapping the WeatherCraft showerhead and quickly rinsing herself off. She looks around her kitchen for any loose food, opening the pantry, and sighing disappointedly. Rainbow supposes Applejack will be happy to have her business again, but she is hungry now! She makes her way to the doorway, grabbing a small bag of bits and her weather schedule for the day.

Rainbow lands outside and moves to the side of the cloud, peering over the edge at the ground below. She looks at the sky and takes a deep breath, preparing herself. She closes her eyes and leaps off, plummeting towards the earth like a rock. She slowly turns her body so she is facing the sky, eyes still closed, and readies her wings.

A split second before she impacts the ground Rainbow spreads her wings, quickly making the transition from falling to skimming the tops of the trees. She frowns, looking at her cloud house and back to the ground. She knows she has the height right, but she rolled out of her turn two hundredths of a second late. Granted, she has a tenth of a second window before she would have actually hit the ground, but she has to be exact. A lot of the Wonderbolt maneuvers are very carefully timed and spaced and being even a little off can end in disaster. Or the show looking slightly less spectacular.

Rainbow continues flying towards Sweet Apple Acres until she spots Doug. The human is doing some stretches on the boundary of the farm, warming himself up in the cool morning air. She lands next to him, admiring his toned body. It has come a long way in the month she has known him. It isn’t like he was bad before but the daily exercise and labor around the farm is having quite the impact. She does a few quick stretches as well; she had to develop a bit of her own warm up routine for the jog ahead. Rainbow has some trouble with endurance in the air (she is a sprinter after all) and it is more pronounced on the ground. She is getting a lot better, with their daily jogs, but she would be disappointed with herself had she been training for anything really competitive.

She notices Doug watching her as she warms up, his eyes drifting towards her flanks. She smiles, turning slightly and posing, her wings flaring out, “You like the view there, big guy?”

Doug chuckles as he stands up, moving to the path. He starts jogging as Rainbow moves up next to him, saying, “I’d be lying if I said you weren’t great to look at, Rainbow.”

Rainbow smirks, “Well, you better not slow down just to stare at them. That’ll have to wait for when I show you the routine I’m working on!”

“Oh, you figured out what you want to do for the practical part of your interview?”

“Yup. Though,” Rainbow slows down slightly, having difficulty talking and taking enough breaths, “My timing. Was a little. Off. This morning. Hoping it’s. Nothing. But. Can’t be. Too. Sure.”

The two pass the halfway point as Doug says, “Well, I definitely look forward to seeing it, your practices are always so intense to watch.”

Rainbow merely smiles at Doug, unable to respond as she becomes more winded. The pair continue along to the sounds of their steps, Rainbow focusing on keeping going. Doug had told her how humans were built for endurance, not speed, and it certainly shows. She could have blazed through the course in ten seconds flat if she was flying, but forcing herself to jog the miles on her hooves did a number on her. Nowadays he barely seems winded, like he can go on that pace for hours. She has gotten better, able to go around the whole farm without slowing down too much, but it is still rough. She hopes she doesn’t need to change shoes, she likes the ultralightweight Flier X2’s she wears.

As they reach their starting point Doug asks, “So, what kind of tricks do you do in your routine?”

Rainbow shrugs, recovering. “Well. I’ve been working on a couple. First up will be my Filly Flash. I freefall, going really fast, and then pull out as close to the ground as I can. I’m working on a variation where I’m facing the sky and can’t see the ground, but that’s a little unsafe if I’m not starting from a stationary position. Next up will be my super speed strut. After I’m close to the ground, I mimic strutting across the ground, still going super fast. I’ll probably do some more speed tricks, loops, that kind of thing. Still debating on the finale though.”

Doug ruffles her mane, “That sounds awesome. Did you want to come inside for some breakfast?”

Rainbow shakes her head, trying to dislodge his hand. They had wrestled some before and while Rainbow generally beat him, it was really tough to get him off once those hands got a hold of her. At least, without being too rough. “Nah, I gotta get started on clearing the weather. I’ll just grab an apple or two before I head out.” Doug releases his hold on her and she flies up. She pauses, then moves over and gives Doug a quick peck on the cheek before flying off.

She eyes the clouds that have moved in from the Everfree over the night. They'll have to be dispersed, as the weather today won’t need more clouds. Sometimes they could save a bit or two by using Everfree clouds, but the extra hassle isn’t worth it a lot of the time. It will be good practice though, making sure her body was balanced towards flying instead of running. She could work on slow flight instead… well, that would exercise the wrong muscle groups too much. Maybe Doug would be up for some different kind of endurance training…

‘No, bad Rainbow Dash!’ She chides herself, trying to stay focused. She has her interview coming up in five weeks, she has to finalize her routine, and she needs to be sure of herself. She will have to double check her timing on the Filly Flash, the scare she had that morning is still bothering her. She might need to put a hold on their jogs together, that must be what is messing with her performance.

14 Recognition

April 3rd, 993

Applejack wakes up, sweating into the sheets. She’s been feeling off the last couple of days: getting tired more quickly when working, feeling sore in her legs and flanks, and feeling a little queasy in her stomach. She thinks back to the last couple of days; Doug has picked up quite a bit more of the cooking around the house, leaving Granny Smith to concentrate on cooking the goods they sold at market and continuing the apple sorting with her keen eye.

Doug’s attempts at innovating new meals, or at least trying out meals that he remembers, are… generally unsuccessful. She shudders at the thought of his explanations; apparently a lot, and she means a lot, of the meals he remembers include meat. It makes substituting plants or spices difficult, especially to his untrained taste buds.

She feels Doug stir next to her and almost facehooves; her stirring has woken him up. He likes to go back to sleep after training with Rainbow if there isn’t anything to do in the morning. She feels him turn over and put an arm around her, gently scratching her belly as he wakes up. She nuzzles into the pillow, but shudders again as she feels his hand go a little lower. While normally she would be in the mood, this morning she doesn’t feel up for it. She puts her hoof onto his hand, stopping his movement, and leans back to give him a kiss.

After the kiss ends, Doug looks at Applejack, concern in his eyes, “Still feeling off?”

“Yeah. Ah don’t know what it is. Stomach still bothering me.”

“Well, I hope you feel better soon, you haven’t been feeling well a couple days now. I didn’t think I cooked anything too exotic last night, or before that.”

“Ah know, Ah don’t think it’s that, at least not again. It’s almost like,” Applejack trails off, a horrified look coming over her face.

Doug looks at her in concern, asking, “What is it, Applejack? Is everything all right?”

“Ah… Ah'm not sure. Ah… Ah need to check something.” Applejack slowly pushes her way out of the bed and moves to the bathroom. She rummages around under the counter until she finds a certain box.

It was originally a gag gift from Rainbow Dash, at the time marking the anniversary of her last attempt at getting a date. The stallion had balked when he learned that Applejack expected him to work on the farm nearly as much as she did, especially while she brings along a little grove of Apples. She thinks, with a hint of gloating in her mind, ‘serves her right, look at me now’. She pulls one of the tests out of the box and notices Doug standing in the doorway, a worried look in his eyes. She hoofs the box over to him and says, “Uh… It might be this,” as she closes the door in front of him.

Doug takes the box back to the bed, sitting down and looking at it. It is a box of pregnancy tests, previously unopened. Doug sits there, stunned, until Applejack puts a hoof on his leg and nuzzles his chin. “Y’all right there, Sugarcube?”

“Well… I have no idea. I mean it, I have no idea what I’m going to do. I-”

Applejack shushes him, hopping onto the bed. “Don’t worry, hun. We’ll be able to handle this. Celestia knows thousands of other mares have been in this same position.”

“Well, that’s just it. I wake up here, don’t even have clothes on my back. How am I going to raise a kid here? Or a foal? I mean, I can barely get your terminology down sometimes, how am I going to teach him? Or her?”

Applejack kisses him on the lips, silencing Doug’s rambling. He initially resists, pushing against her. Eventually he relents, falling back onto the bed and dragging Applejack along with him. He lets out his breath in a loud ‘whoof’ as her weight collapses on him, but quickly recovers and continues kissing her, rubbing his hands over her back. Applejack pulls back slightly, looking over to the pregnancy test. Doug tries turning his head as well, but is unable to see the test. Applejack turns back, kissing him on the lips again, “Congratulations, Dad!”

Doug kisses Applejack again, though his smile fades, “You still think I’ll be able to handle this?”

Applejack smiles at him, kissing him again while nodding. “Of course Ah think so. You’ll make a great sire, even if the foals have to walk into town on their own. You know they are all still scared of ya?”

“I know, I can barely walk over to Rarity’s or Sugarcube Corner without getting stares, glares, or mares running away.”

“You still doing odd jobs with Rarity? Wait, Rarity… you don’t think?”

“Think what?”

“Well, how should Ah say this… if you got me pregnant…”

“That… I might have… Oh.”

“Oh yes. Well, Ah suppose Ah’ll have to go break the news to them. You think they figured it out yet?

“Rarity might have. Rainbow, absolutely not. She hasn’t said anything at our practices, but she was looking a tiny bit off. I thought that was just nerves about her upcoming interview. She’ll probably panic when you tell her and try to bolt or something.”

“Heh, Ah’ll watch out for that. By the way, Ah think the others are getting up and might get hungry soon.”

“Alright, I’ll start breakfast while you break the news to them. Oh, and can you go to the library for me? They didn’t care for me last time I tried to go there. I’ll make a list of the kinds of books to look for, not sure of the specific titles or anything.”

“Sure thing, hun. Ah should be able to do that before Ah get my stand set up, though Ah suppose Ah might be a little late getting home.”

“Thanks, love, you’re the best.”

Applejack gets up, moving downstairs while Doug puts his hands on his head, staring at the ceiling.

15 The News

“Alright Applejack, what’s so important you interrupted my nap?” Rainbow says, looking at Applejack with a slight frown.

“Yes, dear, while I don’t mind going to lunch to discuss things, surely it could have waited? I’ve been having a busy day at the store, for once,” Rarity adds.

“Well, Ah have good news, and what might be bad news,” Applejack says, “Ah don’t know how best to put this but… Ah'm pregnant!”

Rainbow looks at Applejack suspiciously while Rarity says, “Well, congratulations! Wait. Who is the lucky, or in this case, unlucky stallion? I thought-”

“Ya!” Rainbow interrupts, racing up to Applejack, waving a hoof threateningly at her, “I thought you and Doug were married or something! How could you cheat on him like that?”

“Well, that’s the thing… Ah didn’t,” Applejack says with a downward look and embarrassed expression, “That leads me to the bad news…”

Rainbow gives Applejack another mean look; slowly, her expression softens as realization comes over her face. “Oh no! Oh no oh no oh no, that can’t be true, you know what this means, right?!”

Applejack gives a small nod to the hysterical pegasus.

“What if? I gotta go, bye!” Rainbow turns and makes to fly away but is stopped by Applejack putting a hoof on her back. Rainbow looks at her, seeing Applejack holding two pregnancy tests. Rainbow gives her a sheepish look before turning around, taking one of the tests and looking at Rarity. Rarity still has a stunned expression on her mouth, but glances over at the two of them when she notices them looking at her. She walks over, grabs one of the tests and slowly makes her way to the bathroom.

Rainbow looks at the floor, then back at Applejack. “You know what this means, right?”

“Ah do, Rainbow. Ah do.” Applejack gives Rainbow a hug, wrapping the cyan pegasus with her forelegs. “Just remember, we’ll be here for you. Both of us for both of ya, if’n need be.”

Rainbow returns the hug with a quiet sob. The Wonderbolts were a very strict, very traditional organization with a strict code of conduct. For trainees and aspiring cadets that meant no activities that would be potentially scandalous, and having a foal out of herd would definitely qualify. Even being in a relationship with Doug might be potentially disqualifying, as a lot of the older pegasi looked down on pegasus-non pegasi relationships. Sometimes even having a non-pegasi in a herd, much less the stallion, was enough of a black mark to disqualify one from the more visible sections of the Wonderbolts, not that any of them would ever put those words to paper. It will also be difficult to get her body back into shape after the pregnancy, not to mention the time taken away from training that will be spent taking care of a foal.

Rarity walks out of the bathroom and places the test on the table, face down so the results can’t be seen. “Your turn, Rainbow.”

Rainbow looks down at the test, then her hooves, then back at Applejack and Rarity. “Whatever happens,” she says with a small smile, “I’m glad I still have my friends.” She takes the test and slowly heads to the bathroom.

“I don’t think I’ve seen Rainbow move so slowly before. Even to a written exam,” Rarity remarks with a sad smile.

“Well?” Applejack motions to the test, still lying on the table, “Did ya look?”

“No, I wanted to see the same time Rainbow did. Do you think I should be happy or sad at the outcome?”

“Well, Ah know Ah'm happy. Doug is happy too. Ah talked to him about this, what the potential ram-i-fi-cations were, his word, of the potential outcomes. Ah think he’s rubbing off on me,” Applejack says with a smile.

Rarity returns the smile, looking back at the test, “While I certainly would prefer the test to be negative, as that means I would go back to my life at the Boutique, I can’t help but think of the other possibility. I have been feeling a little off these last few days. I imagine that was what prompted you to check.” Applejack gives a small nod before Rarity continues, “Poor Rainbow Dash. She probably wouldn’t even have noticed until she came back from the Wonderbolts exam with a slower speed than she expected. Probably would have started a diet and stricter workout regime,” Rarity says with a grimace.

Applejack puts a hoof around her, saying, “Well, at least this way she won’t put a foal through that. Well, she might put it through a lot more strenuous activity than is reasonably healthy. Though Ah'm one to talk, Ah probably won’t be able to slow down at the farm until Ah'm eight months in, once the harvest season stops. Hopefully Doug and Mac will be able to pick up the slack.”

“Just know you have your friends here to help as well,” Rarity says with a smile. They both turn as Rainbow walks back up to the table, placing her test face down next to Rarity’s.

“Well, here goes nothing,” Rainbow says, looking at the test. Her hoof hovers over it, unsure of whether she wants the outcome known. She dreads turning the test over, having her worst fears realized.

Applejack moves over, giving her back a reassuring tap. “We’re here for you Rainbow, Rarity, no matter what. You can get through this.”

Rainbow looks at Applejack, the expression on Rainbow’s face going slowly from dread, to neutral, to a smile. “Well, here goes.”

Rainbow and Rarity both take their tests and turn them over, looking at the results.

16 Deliberation

Both are positive. Including Applejack, all three are positive. Rarity has a hard time believing it. She knows magic is capable of many things but Doug does not have any magic, as far as she knows. She had discreetly checked before, when he came over to the boutique to help her design and build two free-standing closets for her works-in-progress.

She had been apprehensive at first about allowing the strange alien access to her store while she was alone, but his light-hearted personality had quickly won her over. He is unfailingly polite, at least with her, though she can see how he tailors his actions based on who is around him. She thinks back to how he interacts with Rainbow, joking around more often than not. Rarity sighs, looking forward at Rainbow and Applejack.

The sun brightly shines down as the three walk towards Sweet Apple Acres, and from Rainbow’s posture it is like they are heading to the gallows. Not that the death penalty has been in place for a thousand years, since before Princess Celestia took over following her sister’s banishment, but Rarity likes to read novels set in some of the older eras.

Applejack looks back to Rarity, seeing her friend lost in thought. She glances over to Rainbow and gives her a light nudge on the shoulder. “Head up, Rainbow, almost there. Don’t want our first impression to be too sour, huh?”

Rainbow gives Applejack a small smile before pausing. She starts shaking her head, then continues with her whole body and ending with her wings. After this display she starts walking with a bit more spring in her step though her eyes still betray her true feelings. “Applejack, you think he’ll be happy about this? About us?”

“Sugarcube, while Ah want to say yes, Ah really do, he can be a strange one. Ah think he’ll be happy, but he won’t act too enthusiastically. If that makes sense. He knows what this means for you especially, but also for Rarity. He’ll probably try to make the best of it, he always does.”

Rainbow nods knowingly; Doug always tries to find that silver lining, even with his bad eyesight. Rainbow glances back to Rarity, and they all pause outside the main house. She mumbles to herself, “Moment of truth, huh?” Applejack and Rarity both nod along before moving through the door.

Doug sits at the kitchen table, several books arranged around him, some open and others with multiple bookmarks. He is twirling a pencil in one hand while reading through what looks to be a book on common marriage law. He glances up, nodding at them, and places a piece of paper inside the book. He motions to the seats arranged around the table before asking, “Well, seeing all three of you here, I can only guess what happened.”

Each of the mares sit down, looking at the glasses of water arranged around the table. Rainbow grabs an apple from the bowl and starts munching while looking around.

“Want something stronger?” At Rainbow’s nod, Doug reaches under the table and brings out a bottle of cider and several empty glasses. He pours half the bottle into the glass before setting both before Rainbow. At Applejack’s questioning look he says, “I made sure it was the non-alcoholic ones. Just in case. Hope you don’t mind.” She gives a small smile before motioning for a glass herself. Doug pulls out another two bottles, looking at Rarity who declines, nursing her water. He shrugs, pouring a glass for Applejack and sliding it over.

Applejack starts, “Well, you guessed correctly. Managed to get all three of us. So we’re here to talk about what happens next.”

Doug nods glumly, looking over to Rainbow before patting her forehoof. She gives him a small smile before he looks to Rarity, who also returns a smile. He turns back to Applejack, saying, “Alright. So how do we figure that out?”

Applejack looks to Rainbow, then to Rarity. “Well, Ah figure we can talk over our options. Ah don’t particularly know much about herds or herding, never really thought Ah'd get into that just yet, but it looks like you’ve done some research.”

“Glad somepony is enough of an egghead to do that,” Rainbow remarks with a smirk.

Rarity shakes her head, saying, “At least somepony is putting forth some effort into this.” Ignoring Rainbow’s glare, Rarity continues, “As far as the social stigmas associated with an unintended pregnancy outside a herd, that is easy: it would cripple a mare’s social standing, making it hard to aspire to any position where the paparazzi and tabloids might want to dig. Obviously, that means no Wonderbolts for Rainbow and my fashion business would never leave Ponyville. For Applejack, were she not already in a relationship, she might have trouble expanding her network outside of, hmm, probably here, Appleloosa, and her existing contacts in Canterlot.”

Rarity pauses, taking a drink of her water. She continues, “Not to mention the potential damage it would do to the foal. With working dams and no sire in the equation,” she pauses, looking at Doug’s hurt expression and forestalling his response, “Or, at least, minimal contact between sire and foal, restricted to times without the mare? It would be, maybe not be crippling, but somewhat damaging and the foal would experience similar stigma to what the mare experienced. Not to say there aren't ponies that make good single mares, but there are generally extenuating circumstances, or bad blood between the stallion's lead mare and the potential dam that makes studding a necessity.”

Doug is taking notes, long lines on one sheet while another has short bullet points. “It sounds like staying single and going our separate ways is the first option, then.”

Rainbow looks over at the notes Doug is writing, “I don’t like that option, I feel it’s unfair to the foal, and probably the worst of the ‘solutions’ long term.”

Doug responds, as non-forcefully as he can manage, “While I appreciate the input, let’s get all the options on the table before discussing how we feel about each of them and which our favorites are.” He puts some finishing touches on the longer sheet of paper.

Rainbow remarks to Applejack, “He takes charge, don’t he? No wonder you like him.” Applejack nods at this.

Doug turns to the short list and then back to Rarity. “All right, so that’s one option. What about adoption, or… um… abortion.”

Rarity gives him a questioning look, “You mean… intentionally terminating the pregnancy?”

“HAY NO!” Rainbow slams her hooves on the table, leaving two divots in the wood. “There is no way we are considering that! Don’t even think about it!”

Doug holds up his arms in surrender, “I would be against it as well, just didn’t know how acceptable it was. Sorry I brought it up.”

Rainbow snorts, looking angrily around the room. “I need a break.” With that, she finishes the last of her cider and storms out of the room.

Doug looks to Applejack, “Should I go after her and talk to her, calm her down?”

“No, Sugarcube, she’ll be alright. Just let her unwind a little, this whole situation is hitting her harder than the rest of us.”

Doug nods, refills Rainbow’s cider glass, then opens the book he was reading. Rarity and Applejack make small chat about how the Boutique is doing before going silent.

A few minutes later Rainbow comes back into the room, looking noticeably calmer. She walks over to the table, sitting down again and taking her glass. “Now, we were talking about adoption?”

“Indeed we were,” Rarity says, “There would be two routes we can take with adoption. Option one: we, and by we I mean myself and Rainbow, give the foals up to an adoption agency. This can be done anonymously, the names of the parents being protected if they wish. Option two, Applejack and Doug adopt either or both of the foals. Either option is less stigmatized as single marehood; myself and my business would likely not be affected, while for Rainbow it would be a black mark but not disqualifying.”

Applejack adds, “If you are thinking about choosing adoption, Doug and Ah would be more than happy to take either or both foals. I know it would be a lot of work for Doug, especially, not being used to foals and all.”

Doug nods, adding, “It would be an adjustment, that’s for sure. What other options are there, Rarity?”

Rarity looks upwards in thought while Doug’s pencil continues scraping along the paper. Rainbow looks from Rarity to Applejack before saying, “Isn’t it obvious? We start a herd, or rather, me and Rarity join Applejack’s herd.”

“Wouldn’t it be my herd?” Doug says with a grin, writing on the shorter paper.

“Generally, no,” returns Rarity, “The herd titling and acknowledgment goes to the lead mare, who is almost always the first mare to join with the stallion. Though rare, occasionally a more… qualified candidate will be accepted in the herd and titles will be adjusted accordingly. Almost always the lead mare would be highest in the pecking order, with the best organizational skills and leadership. More outgoing, able to give orders, and it shows in how early and aggressive she is at choosing a stallion. For the stallion, it is something similar; since later mares that join his herd are going to be, how shall I say, less capable? Sometimes less attractive or with skills that are less desirable or marketable. Not that I think any of us think this about you, Doug.”

Rainbow and Applejack both have a glum look on their face, but Doug is quick to reassure them, “Oh girls, I don’t think less of you that you chose a stallion so low on the totem pole.” The two mares both shake their heads as he continues, “I’ll just have to do my best to prove you wrong.” He winks at Applejack who waves a hoof a him.

He turns to Rarity, asking, “Would there be any stigma about you joining at this time? I would think because we are adding you, how shall I say, late, or after the deed is done, that there would be some negativity associated with that.”

“Well, there is, but it would be fairly low. It would be seen as doing the right thing. That you are not a pony would be much more of an ostracizing factor.” At Rainbow’s quiet cough Rarity adds, “More likely to make us outcasts, or shunned. Very, very few ponies are involved in relationships outside of other ponies, and for some even going outside of your subset can be scandalous. Pegasi are especially prone to being more, how shall I say, old-fashioned or segregationist about that. Depending on how well Rainbow can spin it, you being in a herd with her could very well be a de-facto disqualifying factor when she tries to join the Wonderbolts.”

Rainbow nods, adding, “Ya, a lot of the older pegasi can be like that, though Spitfire seems pretty cool. I have an interview coming up in a month or so, and while I dread trying to explain this,” she motions to her belly, “I don’t know what I would say about us.” She points her hoof at Doug, who continues writing furiously, trying to keep up.

He nods, saying, “I have a couple ideas for that, but they can wait. So, Rarity, any other options we have?”

Rarity shakes her head, “Well, Rainbow and I could herd, but that would be just as bad as single marehood, with how busy we both are. So, not that I can think of. We just have the, hmm, three or four, depending on how you split adoption, choices available. Staying separate, adoption, either with Applejack or not, or herd. All the choices would be available to either or each of us as we choose.” She looks to Applejack, asking, “Do we discuss what we want now or do you have anything to add?”

Applejack looks at Doug before saying, “While we can certainly live with any of the options, Ah want you to know that we would be happy to adopt your foals, should you choose that option. Ah think it’s better than trying to take care of them on your own, and of course you will be free to visit them, take them out any time for as long as you wanted, and that we will care for them like they were our own.”

Doug follows, “My preference would be for herding,” - Applejack raises an eyebrow at that as Doug continues - “It will be quite the adjustment for me, but I think it will be the best long-term for the foals. Rainbow, I’ve been reading up a bit on the Wonderbolts’ policies, and there are two things I think you can use in that interview. One, they can’t legally discriminate, or not accept you, based on either the fact that you are pregnant or that you are in a herd with a non-pegasi. Apparently, in fact, herding with non-ponies is so rare that there are no regulations against it in any of the law books I’ve read through, but I concede my search was not exhaustive; I am not a lawyer.”

Doug grins at this, but seeing no smiles in return he quickly continues, looking at Rainbow, “I think if you try to play me off as something exotic as opposed to something alien you will have a better time convincing your interviewer that this was purposeful, or intended. Also, if they do try to bring it up in a disqualifying way, make sure to hit them with the book. Not literally of course,” he adds as he notices Rainbow’s hoof slowly moving toward the thickest law book in front of her. She gives a exaggerated pout, but quickly smiles back at him.

Rainbow starts to talk, “Uh… you girls know I’m not the best with words, but I am awesome.” Rarity looks at her disapprovingly, but as Rainbow continues to stammer her gaze softens. “I don’t know what I want. I hate being so unsure of myself! I mean, I’m Rainbow Dash! Fastest flyer in Equestria, future Wonderbolt, only pony who can perform the Sonic Rainboom, and I can’t make a hard choice about this.”

Doug moves over and gives Rainbow a hug around her barrel as her two friends nuzzle closer, placing their forelegs over and around her. Rainbow sighs as they comfort her, holding the position for several long seconds.

“Okay girls, enough mushy stuff, lemme talk again.” They back off to their seats, compassion showing in their eyes. “Doug, I know this is tough, but I want you to be honest with me. Do you love me?”

Doug gives Rainbow a long, hard look before glancing to Applejack. He looks back to Rainbow, giving a slow shake of his head. “Rainbow, to be honest, I don’t love you, at least not the same way that I love Applejack. I enjoy spending time with you, I do, and I think you are a wonderful mare who will make an excellent Wonderbolt, if not the earliest captain ever. At the same time, I do find you attractive, I like you a lot, and I can see myself growing to like you more, maybe even loving you the same way I love Applejack.”

Rainbow ponders what he said while Rarity asks, “And what about me? Are you able to be as honest with me as you are with Rainbow?”

Doug looks over to Rarity, saying, “Rarity, unfortunately, I know you a lot less than I would like. I think you are also a wonderful mare, always willing to help out a friend despite the cost to yourself. I would like to get to know you better, but I can accept you having a difficult time being with me, or with Applejack as your lead.”

Rarity gives him a hard look, then turns to Applejack, “Well, I’ve made my decision. Applejack, with your permission, I would like to join herd Apple, sire Doug. Actually, that isn’t quite right. Doug, what is your last name, if you have one?”

Doug looks sheepishly at the ground, “It’s Graves.”

“Doug Graves.” Rarity ponders the name a split second before her face turns sour, “A little macabre, isn’t it?”

Doug shrugs as this, “Well, it’s the name I was born with, so there you have it. Though I don’t mind the sound of Doug Apple.”

“Well, I suppose that is marginally better. Might have to stick with Doug when making the announcements, since your full name would be Doug Graves Apple, which doesn’t sound much better.” Rarity smiles at Doug and Applejack, the pair now sitting close together.

Rainbow makes a disgusted face, “Eww, grave apples. Sounds worse than those fruit bats.”

Doug continues writing while Applejack responds formally, “Rarity, Doug and Ah are glad to welcome you into herd Apple.”

Rainbow sighs, still not sure of herself. She looks to Applejack; she starts to say something but stops, giving a frown, before turning to Doug, “Hey, big guy, go for a walk with me?” She slowly gets up from her seat, walking to the door.

Doug looks to Applejack who nods at him. He gets up, following Rainbow Dash outside.

18 Dinner With Rarity

April 14th, 993

Rarity looks outside the window of the Carousel Boutique, sighing at another slow day. She is barely able to make it in the black sometimes. Most of the ponies here in Ponyville prefer to do their own repairs of the little clothing they wear. Though she does get a good number of custom dresses from them, but their tastes range a little more pedestrian than she likes. Her inspiration often leads her to make the attire stand out from the crowd, which unfortunately not a lot of the earth pony customers appreciate.

Her recent venture with Donny has helped considerably, as far as keeping her sanity. Sure, it helps keep her business afloat as well, but she loves having the opportunity to design, create, and then have her work show the true beauty that lies underneath. She loves taking the more modest gems and fabrics and creating something that really shines and helps others shine through it.

Rarity pages through the various fabrics she has stored in one of the closets. Everything is in order, as it has been for the last several weeks. It has been quite a while since she has not had the time to keep her shop in order; having Doug over twice a week certainly helps with that. She could give the human a task with minimal instruction, and he would dutifully work at it until he finished or something more pressing came up. Something like her pressing into him, for instance.

Rarity smiles, reminiscing at how a couple of their more personal encounters had started. She looks at the clock as a knock echoes from the side door. He would be a little early, probably to start dinner. That, or he hustled here to try to avoid some of the more obnoxious ponies.

A few of them, after hearing the news of Rarity and Rainbow joining with Applejack, had taken it upon themselves to try to ‘fortify’ the town. So far they seem content to give him dirty looks when he walks through the town or starting petty rumors. While some of the rumors about him are foalish and trivial, the ones about his scent are the most pernicious. Rarity shudders as she moves to open the door; she finds the rumors that he eats ponies particularly hilarious, after a few of their nights together, but the ones that expand that to include any moving, breathing animal hit a little too close for comfort.

Fortunately, the fallout from her joining the herd hasn’t been too bad. Many of the ponies that don’t care for him don’t shop at her store anyway. A hooffull of the others even came to the store asking about him and what it was like. She deflected the more intimate questions, as it is none of their business, but many of the ponies she talks to seem more apprehensive than fearful. There might be hope, if more of the ponies get to know him, but she isn’t sure the best way to convince the other ponies there is nothing to fear.

As she guessed, Doug is standing close to the door, holding a package in his hands. Rarity smiles at him as she lifts the package with her magic, the two moving towards the kitchen. The paper wrapping quickly comes off, revealing a pot full of some sort of liquid.

“The soup is already cooked, just need to warm it. I made, or, well, I embroidered the pot holders for you; I thought you might like the design.”

Rarity places the pot on the stove, turning on one of the burners before inspecting the pot holders. While, as a unicorn, she does not really need any extra padding while lifting something hot, she will be able to place the hot pot on top of them after she is done moving it.

“Well, thank you, darling, they look lovely.” The adequately stitched design first looks to be lines roughly scattered around, but Rarity gasps upon closer inspection. He has taken her cutie mark and expanded each diamond, breaking the solid lines to hide the pattern. He then layered the three diamonds almost over each other, as if he took the same starting position as her mark for the center of each expanded diamond. While chaotic, it certainly fit him, and she finds herself staring at it for long enough for Doug to finish setting the table.

Doug walks up behind Rarity, putting a hand on her withers and startling her out of her reverie. “So, I take it you like it?”

“No, I don’t like it,” Rarity says with a smirk.

“You love it, I get it, I might have made that joke before.” Doug’s smirk gets bigger as Rarity pouts at him, moving down to kiss her.

As they break apart Rarity remarks, “Well, be that as it may, yes, I do love it. I may have to use this pattern, or at least a similar one for one of my upcoming lines. It is such an intriguing concept. You don’t mind if I sketch some during dinner, do you?”

“Oh, not at all. Speaking of, it’s just a hearty stew. Extra vegetables of AJ’s latest crop, so I just took a lot of the leftover shavings and whatnot and threw it all in. Figured you would know what kind of spices you want, so it’s a little plain right now.”

Rarity levitates several spices and places them in front of the pot before going to her workstation and grabbing several pieces of paper and some pencils. She begins doodling as Doug takes the spices and starts adding them, tasting occasionally. Satisfied, he ladles out enough for both of them and turns the stove off.

Doug remarks, “Still fascinated by that design, huh?”

Rarity looks at her drawings, “Well, it is similar to the designs of a certain noble in Canterlot, a Prince Blueblood. He does a remarkable job with just lines, very minimalist.”

“Sounds like somepony has a bit of a crush to me,” Doug says, giving Rarity a wink.

Rarity moves over, giving Doug a quick peck on the cheek. “Well, I would be lying if I said I don’t have some feelings for him. I would like to meet him, but he is so very busy, what with his work and noble duties. Maybe I can catch his interest with this design? Though, he might wonder where I got the inspiration for it.” Rarity trails off, one hoof on her chin as she looks at the ceiling.

“Think he will want to meet me?” Doug looks at Rarity; he knows how the ponies in Ponyville saw him and figures the Canterlot nobles would like to see even less of him.

Rarity tries to suppress her laugh, “Oh, heavens no. I’ve heard he is a bit of a fop, scared of his own shadow, which is part of the reason it is so hard to meet him. Besides, you are the only ‘Prince’ for me.” Rarity smiles at Doug, giving him another peck on the cheek before going back to her drawings.

The conversation having come to a pause, Doug picks up one of Rarity’s fashion magazines and begins flipping through the pages. Doug finishes his dinner before Rarity, an uncommon occurrence, and begins cleaning up around the kitchen.

“Did you have a lot of ‘crushes’ before me?” Doug asks, sitting back down at the table.

Rarity looks away from her drawings, hiding her face for a moment. “Well, I hope you aren’t mad at me.”

At the pause, Doug replies, “Rarity, why would I be mad at you for that?”

“Well… Understand that early in my career I was desperate to get ahead. I may have feigned interest in a stallion or two in order to seal the deal.” Rarity looks sadly at Doug, who eyes her with a neutral expression. He motions with a hand for her to continue.

Rarity looks at him with a puzzled expression, “You aren’t mad at that? Or disappointed?”

Doug shrugs, “Well, it doesn’t make me happy, but it’s no worse than what anyone back home would do. Guys included. Is it different here?”

“Well, no proper mare would go around sleeping with anypony who asks, and I wouldn’t and didn’t stoop to that even if it would close the sale. Though I was… oh, how shall I say, in a couple cases I would have been sorely tempted to go that far, but fortunately it wasn’t necessary. How about you? You have any crushes back home?”

“Well, I suppose I had my share. Three or four girls in high school, managed to ask one out, didn’t go very far. In college I had one crush, but after that fizzled out after two dates I kind of gave up, spent a lot of time alone in my dorm room. ‘Focusing on my studies’ I would say, not that anyone asked, but really spending a lot of time gaming.”

“When you say ‘not very far’, what does that mean? Here, I would say it implies the stallion declined the date, or after a first date does not want a second one.”

“That’s about right. Got to kissing with the high school crush, didn’t get that far in college. After college I had one girl, thought she would be the one, but after three months of dating she got spooked about going past kissing and ended the relationship. After that, I wound up here.”

“If that is all your, ahem, ‘experience’, then how did you wind up with Applejack so quickly?”

“You know, I have been wondering that myself for a long time. Does the phrase ‘a warm bed’ mean something special to you?”

Rarity looks at him, raising an eyebrow, “Well, besides being the title of a popular romance novel by John Preane? I may or may not have loaned that book to Applejack months ago. But, how else would you warm up a bed?”

Doug merely puts his head in his hands and drops his head to the table.

Rarity looks up in thought, “Though, in the story it is the mare who uses the line on the stallion. They have been going back and forth for a while now, neither able to express their love for the other. Finally, on a stormy winter night, the stallion is debating where he wants to sleep. Will it be the cold floor? Or the equally cold and lumpy couch? The mare asks if he wouldn’t prefer a warm bed, and the realization of what she is proposing finally gets the two to confess their love for each other, and they end up happily together.”

Doug murmurs something unintelligible, head still on the table.

Rarity laughs, “You didn’t know?” Doug merely shakes his head. “Oh dear, that is precious. At least everything worked out despite that misunderstanding.”

Doug smiles at that, getting up from the table. “Yes, I suppose it did.” He moves over, giving Rarity a kiss before gathering the dishes from the table. Rarity has just about finished her meal, so he leaves Rarity and her bowl of soup and moves to the main store area where he does some tidying up.

The dining room is vacant when he returns, so he heads upstairs to find Rarity lounging on her bed, the magazine he was reading on the pillow next to her. She is still engrossed in her sketching, so he merely lays down next to her and continues where he left off.

Thirty minutes later, Rarity puts the finishing touches on her latest design and looks around the room. Doug has fallen asleep next to her, the finished magazine folded on the other side. His arm, which had been lightly petting her, is still draped over her. She snuggles next to him, sighing lightly; it would seem today she has been the one to avoid anything happening in the bedroom.

Rarity looks down to her belly, which is starting to look full, and not just from the soup. She sighs, wondering how Pinkie manages to stay so trim despite eating nothing but sweets. It probably helps to not have a foal growing inside. Rarity grimaces a little at the thought of Pinkie joining their little troupe. The mare had expressed some interest in courting Doug before, but had held off. Some of the other Ponyvillians did not want any more earth ponies getting drawn into Doug’s web, and Pinkie was afraid of the fallout for her boss Ms. Swirl.

Rarity can’t help but smile at how some of the earth ponies think; apparently it is too late for Applejack, and they want to protect the other earth ponies from Doug, but they couldn’t care less if another unicorn or pegasus happen to be ensnared. Maybe Rainbow’s friend Fluttershy would be interested, or another pony on the weather patrol. Or, just to spite the town, she could convince Pinkie Pie to give it a shot.

Although… Pinkie Pie is liked by the whole town. Well, so is Applejack, but Pinkie makes the effort to know just about everypony in town, and might be able to turn their opinion of him like she turns frowns upside down. Rarity smiles as she imagines their date:

Pinkie Pie, busy pronking: “Hey Doug! I have a question for you!”

Doug, looking exasperated: “If I say yes, will you leave me alone?”

Pinkie Pie, smile growing larger: “Yup! Well, I won’t leave you alone, because you’ll be with me, but I guess I could leave you alone after I don’t leave you alone, and then later when we are done being alone separately we can be alone together!”

Doug, scratching head: “Yes?”

Pinkie Pie: “Okay!” *kisses*

Rarity laughs to herself as she snuggles next to Doug, quickly falling asleep.

19 The Interview

May 1st, 993

The atrium to the Wonderbolt Academy is normally not a very crowded area, but the mare pacing back and forth has drawn a number of spectators. None have dared to ask the rainbow maned pegasus what exactly she is waiting for, but the rumors quietly whispered back and forth are doing very little for her nerves. She knows more than a few have left the area, supposedly on errands, only to return a few minutes later for another look.

Rainbow Dash stops pacing for a moment to look outside. She sees that she still has ten minutes before her interview is slated to begin. She gulps, trying not to let her nervousness show. She glances around before making her way to the bathroom, turning the tap on and washing her hooves. She pats her muzzle, careful not to smear the makeup Rarity insisted she wear to the interview.

She has to admit it makes her look good, but no amount of makeup can distract from the bulge in her belly. It wouldn’t be noticeable if she wore a sundress, but Rainbow is less concerned with hiding her pregnancy than what some froo-froo dress would do to her reputation. Plus everypony in Ponyville already knows, and judging by the glances she is getting here it isn’t much of a secret.

She performed worse than she knows she is able on the practical portion, but she still got a passing grade. She had deliberately gone slow to keep from over exerting herself and potentially miscarrying. Even so, she pushed herself hard, and the training she had been doing before has paid off. Maybe not the highest score in the history of the academy, but there will be a next time. She hopes.

The door to the bathroom opens and one of the higher-up Wonderbolts walks in. Rainbow recognizes her as Fleetfoot and tries to keep her inner fanfilly quiet. Being too excited around the Wonderbolts, even as awesome as they are, won’t help her get her place among them. Rainbow nods in greeting as she dries the last of the water off her hooves.

Fleetfoot stops behind her, saying in a low voice, “Takes a lot of nerve to show up here looking like that.”

Rainbow turns her head, glaring at Fleetfoot. She isn’t the first mare to notice or take a long second look, but it is the first time somepony said something to her muzzle. At least, here at the Wonderbolt Academy; she had certainly heard enough of the gossip at home in Ponyville.

Rainbow continues glaring at Fleetfoot as the mare starts moving around her but manages to keep her temper in check. She had practiced this with Doug over and over, trying to keep her cool in the face of whatever somepony might say. She even got him to roleplay as a bigot, insulting her to her muzzle, but his acting skills had taken a nosedive, like he was afraid of truly making her feel insulted. Which, she supposes, she is glad he did; she doesn’t like the idea of her stallion being able to lie to her so casually, even if it is pretend or to help with her anxieties.

Fleetfoot paces back and forth, continuing to stare Rainbow down, unfazed by her glare. “I mean, I know we value a large repertoire, but did you need to try every trick in the book?” She smirks at Rainbow, before heading to the door, not having used the facilities. “Maybe next time you come crawling back you’ll have some better instruction!”

Fleetfoot leaves the room, leaving Rainbow shaking with rage, barely managing to contain herself. As Rainbow slowly calms down, she turns to the mirror and sees a tear start to ruin the mascara. She gives a quiet 'oh ponyfeathers', grabbing a paper towel and trying to contain the damage. She mostly manages to smear it around a little but at least stops the worst of her tears from ruining the rest.

Rainbow gives a long sigh as she turns to the door. The encounter has probably taken long enough that she won’t seem too eager if she shows up this early. She wishes Doug was here, he can help her take the edge off, but he has been a little distant lately. Like he isn’t trying to distract her, but he does anyway. A quick glance outside confirms that she will be just a minute or two early, and Rainbow makes her way to the office.

Rainbow glances from the number on the paper in her hoof to the door leading to the office. She looks up at the placard:

-Captain Spitfire, Administrator-

She steels herself before knocking, entering when she hears a muffled, “Come in,” from inside.

Spitfire sits behind her desk, an impressively large one with several stacks of paper on the side and a folder in the middle. Spitfire places her forehooves together, eyes absently scanning what Rainbow recognizes as her resume. She barely gives Rainbow a glance before motioning at the seat in front of the desk. Rainbow pauses; she would have preferred to stand, but if she is being instructed to sit, she will. She carefully walks to the seat and sits down, keeping her eyes on Spitfire. The captain continues to scan through the resume, leaving Rainbow to fidget in silence. After a minute the captain’s eyes snap to Rainbow, causing her to flinch.

“What are the components of an inverted spiral?” The question comes out as a harsh bark.

Rainbow pauses a split second, eyes screwed up in concentration. “Start in the basic inverted position, back parallel to the ground. Tilt the wings to a forty five degree bank, should be two wing lengths radius minimum, hold position until minimum safe height or maneuver end. Either roll out to basic inverted or reverse roll to standard flight.”

“What is the Wonderbolts slogan?”

“Altius volantis!” Rainbow almost snorts as she belts out the slogan, it being prominently displayed at the main gates.

“How many Wonderbolts have had a foal before joining the Wonderbolts, or had foals while in active duty?”

Rainbow pauses at the question, barely quenching a glare at Captain Spitfire. She takes a deep breath, answering, “No Wonderbolt has foaled prior to joining, or had a foal and returned to active service. I know of two mares that have gotten pregnant and subsequently retired or moved to administrative, non-competition positions. I have not heard of any stallions siring during their tenure.”

Spitfire gets up from her desk, slowly walking around to the other side. Rainbow keeps in place, head locked forward, her eyes continuing to follow Spitfire until she walks out of her field of view.

Spitfire slowly paces around Rainbow, taking a hard look at her wings, flanks, and belly. Rainbow’s steady breathing and clenched muscles makes the protrusion from her barrel even more noticeable to Spitfire’s trained eye. She walks back into Rainbow’s field of vision before a wing snaps out, blowing open the folder to reveal a series of photographs. Rainbow’s head briefly glances at the top photo before returning to attention; it is a picture of her during the Junior Speedsters, around the time she performed a Sonic Rainboom.

“What makes you think that you will be the first mare to ever foal and make it to be more than a benchwarmer? I saw promise in you, Dash!” Captain Spitfire flicks her wing, blowing the top photo to show one of Rainbow training with Doug.

Rainbow looks down at the photo, a startled gasp escaping her lips. “That was one of our early training sessions! How did you-”

Spitfire waves a wing, silencing Rainbow’s question and blowing to the next photo, one of Rainbow and Doug following a particularly strenuous workout. The next photo, partially hidden, appears to show Rainbow and Doug in a compromising position, though it is hard to tell if it is explicit.

“And you couldn’t just become the first pegasus to ever do that, no, you had to pile even more on! Whatever you want to call it, monster, human, Doug, you couldn’t have chosen a more scandalous stallion. That it was even possible to happen, well, let me tell you.”

Spitfire finishes her lap around Rainbow, coming back to her seat at the desk. She looks hard into Rainbow’s eyes; Rainbow stares back, displaying confidence though inwardly she fears the rejection she knows is coming. She thinks through some of the lines Doug had rehearsed with her, about how to turn speciesism or herding to her advantage, but none of them seem like they will matter. Spitfire and the Wonderbolts want the best, laws or no, and trying to force her way in through an underhoofed maneuver like that will just build resentment and ultimately never accomplish anything.

“I’m impressed.”

Rainbow’s stony expression breaks, looking quizzically at the Captain, who is beaming at her with a smile. Spitfire continues, “You come in here, despite the stares, the comments behind your back, knowing that it has never been done before and likely will never be done again. You manage to hold your temper around Fleetfoot, something I never imagined you of all ponies would able to do. Obviously that stallion of yours has had some good influence on you, and I hope he continues to do so. However, I cannot allow you to join the Wonderbolts in your current state. Don’t get me wrong, I was impressed by those brass teats of yours, and pretty soon you’ll have the biggest pair of any mare here.”

Rainbow can’t help but grin at that comment, and Spitfire smiles back at her. “Rainbow Dash, do you want to prove your dedication to the Wonderbolts, show that you are capable of hoofing anything and everything that gets thrown at you?”

Rainbow gives a quick nod, nearly yelling, “Yes Ma’am, I will, Ma’am!”

"Good. The head weathermare at Ponyville is due to transfer soon. You will be taking over for him, starting immediately. He will continue to work with you, ostensibly to show you the ropes.”

“Um, ostensibly?”

Spitfire continues without acknowledging Rainbow, “In actuality, he will take a six month vacation, starting whenever you feel comfortable on the job. At the end of those six months, he will return to Ponyville where you will take as much time off as you require, plus one month of maternity leave once your filly is born.”

“Wait. It’s going to be a filly? I didn’t even know that!”

“Well, I can’t reveal all my sources,” Spitfire gives Rainbow a sly smile, “After that, you will continue as head weathermare in Ponyville until you feel adequate to return here. Is that acceptable?”

Rainbow considers the situation. She is already two months along, and it will probably take a month before she has enough knowledge on weather management to both create a weather schedule and keep to it. Once she is nine months along she will still be able to keep up with the weather, barring any unforeseen calamities, but she’ll need to take it slow. Tough, but doable. The last two months of her pregnancy, after she stops working, she will need that time to rest, let her body recover from the strain she put it through as well as actually having the foal. Applejack and Rarity can help with the foal when she has to return to work a month later.

“Ma’am, I accept those conditions. I look forward to applying here in the future.”

“Rainbow Dash, if you manage to hold out in Ponyville that long, and return here with the same scores? You’ll be a shoo-in, but I’m not one to guarantee a spot like that. You’ll earn it like everypony else, and I know you can.”

Rainbow gives a smile to Spitfire before squealing in joy. While she won’t be flying with the Wonderbolts yet, or even in the next several years as she retrained her body to the pinnacle she currently held, she knows she can do it.

“Oh, and Rainbow? Please forgive Fleetfoot for the way she acted in the bathroom. I put her up to that, to gauge how you would react in a less formal setting.”

The door opens, Fleetfoot slowly walking in with a sheepish grin on her muzzle. “You did great Rainbow, both with me and in the interview. I look forward to working with you in the future.”

Rainbow gives Fleetfoot a hug, murmuring, “It’s cool, don’t worry about it,” before nodding to Spitfire and walking out of the office.

Fleetfoot watches her leave, and after the door closes behind her she looks to Spitfire. “Still a shame what happened, she would have been such a good addition. I can't believe she would have made it in despite being pregnant. Though it is nice to see that cocky attitude tempered to something more workable.”

Spitfire glances over the photographs before looking over to Fleetfoot, "You think it was the right call? Should we have let her fly with us?"

Fleetfoot shakes her head, "No, I think this is the right call. Saves all of us a lot of embarrassment, but especially for Rainbow when she is unable to keep up."

Spitfire nods before returning the photographs to the folder and tidying up her desk.

20 Weather Blues*

May 2nd, 993

Rainbow slowly flutters down to a stop, landing next to Doug. She shrugs the saddlebags off her back, lowering them onto the ground. She opens each compartment, taking the thick manuals inside and passing them to Doug, who glances at the titles and arranges them off to the side.

“Are you sure you’re up for this, Doug? These were some of my least favorite courses in flight school, and while I know this stuff because I’m awesome, I don’t know how much you’ll enjoy it.”

Doug gives Rainbow a reassuring pat on the head. She trembles a little at the contact and smiles at him before grabbing one of the books. She lays down next to him, draping a wing over his back. Rainbow opens the book, scanning the table of contents, while snuggling a little closer.

Doug asks, “How many other students do you think enjoyed the material?”

Rainbow scoffs, “Probably none of them in my class. Even the teacher had to act interested. There were, I dunno, two stallions in the whole school that enjoyed the class. Eggheads. Even so, they didn’t get their cutie marks there, so I don’t think they kept up with it later on.”

Doug looks mildly disappointed at the egghead comment, but soldiers on, “Well, even so. I think the best method to learn, or in this case, to relearn all this material is to teach it to somepony else.” He gives Rainbow a big smile, which she smirks at, rolling her eyes. Doug takes this chance to move in and gives her a kiss on the lips, surprising her. When she tries to plant a kiss on him, he chides her, saying, “Hey, no getting distracted.”

“What? It’s you trying to distract me!”

“Hey, I’m not the one pointing fingers here.”

Rainbow sputters as she looks at Doug incredulously. “Oh come on! You’re the only one with fingers here! Therefore, it has to be you pointing fingers!”

“Semantics, my dear Rainbow. Now, where were we?”

“I think I was about to blow this off and go take a nap,” Rainbow says in a low voice. Clearing her throat, she says, “Alright, so as you know, most clouds are white.” She looks at him with an exasperated look in her eye, waiting for an offhand comment. When he looks back at her expectantly she asks, “What? No smart remark on that?”

“No, I expected you to continue about how it being white means it reflects a lot of the heat and light that would otherwise go to the ground. We are being serious now, right? Or should I start tickling you?”

“No tickling!” Rainbow flinches away from Doug, but at the lack of incoming tickles she settles back next to him. Though a part of her desperately wants more contact with him, even if it isn’t that intimate. She sighs as she presses her body against his, hoping again he gets the message.

“Ahem. Actually, that’s basically exactly where I was going with that. You see, managing the weather is all a giant balancing act. You need water to make clouds; it’s easier to get water to make clouds when it’s hot, but clouds decrease the temperature. They also lower the humidity in the surrounding air when you create clouds, but can increase it afterwards. You can release this water onto the ground, and each cloud holds somewhere around one to ten inches of water, depending on the height. To keep from flooding an area, you need pegasi teams to either dump water beforehoof or release water while in transit. There are a bunch of other factors, and these books give us the actual numbers as to how each factor impacts the others.”

Doug replies, an intrigued expression on his face, “Wow, this is way different than how weather works where I came from. There, nopony controlled anything, so it was more a matter of predicting how different areas of weather would interact with each other. Lots of guesswork and models, but very little actual implementation of ‘what you want the weather to do’, more like, ‘how do we react to it’.”

Rainbow gives Doug a perplexed look, “Wow, your weather is weird. That’s… nothing like this. This is more like a construction job, but in the sky.” She raises two hooves to the sky, her wings beating to keep her front end off the ground.

“Guess I have a lot to learn then.”

Doug and Rainbow say at the same time, “Good thing I/you have the best teacher.”

They both look at each other, yelling “Jinx!” before an impromptu wrestling session breaks out.

Minutes later, a grinning Rainbow Dash is holding a textbook, sitting on top of a defeated Doug. She props the book up on the back of his head, reading aloud, “Alright, chapter one. The different kinds of clouds.”

Doug groans and Rainbow thumps him lightly on the back of the head, shifting her hips around. “Quiet you! Now, where were we? Oh yeah, chapter one, the different kinds of clouds.”

After a few minutes of reading to him Rainbow tries to show Doug one of the illustrations depicting the different clouds, but his face is still planted on the ground. She sighs as she lets him up; at least he hasn’t fallen asleep or anything. They move to a more comfortable position: Doug sitting against a tree and Rainbow spooning in his lap, wings folded against her sides. Rainbow happily snuggles closer to him, wondering how long it will be before they get distracted again. Aside from when she joined the herd and a couple times where she had nearly begged him they hadn’t gotten physical together and it is really starting to bother her. Maybe now that the interview has passed and she doesn’t have to worry about it any more?

Maybe it is more like what he said when she had joined the herd. If he doesn’t love her… or maybe, this was closer to how he dated? She never really asked him how dating works with humans. He could just be trying to get to know her better before they move to the more intimate aspects of a relationship. But, they are already at that stage! Past it, even! And she really wants to get back to more of it, she loves how he feels.

Is he not really interested in her any more? Rainbow feels a tear forming in her eye as they continue on to the effects of different clouds on their environment. The pages have a lot of tables and charts, maybe she can let him read those on his own and he won’t be able to tell she is on the verge of breaking down.

She should talk to Applejack about this, tell her how she is feeling and if she has noticed the same things. Applejack had mentioned in passing that Doug seemed more distant, but Rainbow hadn’t made anything of it at the time. If the same thing was happening with Applejack, then it might not be anything wrong with her specifically. Maybe he has some sort of aversion to pregnancy?

Rainbow shudders at the thought as they move to the next chapter. She lets Doug take over reading, still staring blankly ahead of her. If Doug isn’t interested in pregnant mares, then he will need to find his release somewhere. As the junior mare she would be the one to bite that bolt, though she will miss getting to the parts she really enjoys. Better than him straying outside the herd, right?

Though, speaking of mares outside the herd, her best friend Fluttershy has expressed more interest in him than she has of any stallion in the past. Rainbow has known the shy pegasus from when they lived in Cloudsdale. They spent a lot of time in flight school together before they moved to Ponyville. Maybe she can convince Fluttershy to date Doug? Then Doug will have a mare that isn’t pregnant in the herd, and her friend will have a stallion in her life!

Rainbow smiles at the thought; she will need to talk to Applejack for approval but she can’t see her lead mare saying no. Applejack can probably talk to Doug as well, prompt him to consider the option. Or to find out if there is something else going on, something else that's causing this rift between Doug and his mares.

Rainbow looks back to the book; apparently Doug is a faster reader than she thought and she might have to reread those chapters later. Just as a refresher, of course. She looks backwards towards Doug, who looks back at her. “You getting all this, Little D?”

Doug scratches her mane with his free hand, “Pretty sure I am. Everything seems to be coming together really well, though I do have a knack for this sort of thing. I was always the one, when my gaming group got a new game, to read through the rules and then explain them to the rest of the group. And sometimes the strategy as well, for a game we had never played. Speaking of, I noticed a lot of the numbers in this are for a full day of coverage, whether it’s clouds or rain or sunshine.”

“Yup, that’s right, at least for a basics textbook. You might find some other ones that have more detailed information for partial days, but for the most part you have your weather for the day, you set it up, and then it’s just maintaining that weather until moonrise. Clear up any excess rain clouds or things you don’t want going on during the night. Why?”

“Oh, was just wondering. Sometimes it seems a little wasteful, or inefficient, but I’ll hold off on the deep strategy discussions until we get to the end. Speaking of, do you have to decide the upcoming weather or does that come from higher up?”

Rainbow shrugs, “Well, the weather is generally determined and scheduled locally. Ponies that live around here submit their requests; for instance, Apple Acres wants a couple inches of rain a week for their apple trees and double that for the new sprouts. They’ll submit a topographic map of their land, shaded to show how much rainfall they want in each area. They try to get that submitted a month in advance, though sometimes things need to change last minute. The head weathermare will craft a two week schedule then, so somewhere between two and four weeks of weather is known beforehoof. They publish that schedule at the town hall, though some ponies get a copy mailed to them.”

Rainbow flips ahead a couple chapters, motioning with a hoof, “If rainfall isn’t needed most ponies prefer clear skies, but partially cloudy is tolerable if we need the cover to keep the temperature down. Most ponies want an absolute minimum of rain over Ponyville itself, at least during the day, but other ponies want some rain for the gardens they grow. Bit of a balancing act there, and generally it’s handled with an evening sprinkling with leftover rain clouds. It’s kind of hard to keep what you are doing accurate during the night, and most ponies want to sleep regardless, so not a lot of night activity.”

Doug nods at this, having made some notes of his own while pulling another manual out, this one talking about crafting weather schedules. He asks, “How do you feel about some experimenting?”

Rainbow raises an eyebrow, “Experimenting? How?”

Doug motions to one of the charts on the textbook depicting rain clouds and their water storage, “Well, for instance, these rain clouds. It says here they hold ten inches of rain when delivered. If Sweet Apple Acres wants only three tenths of an inch of rain that day, what happens to the rest?”

“Oh, generally the excess rain in dumped in one of the lakes or the aquifer. Those need a certain amount of water too, but it’s pretty small, and that’s all calculated by some eggheads in Cloudsdale that determine how many clouds to send to each town. They have to do all their calculations quite early in this process, plus it takes time to deliver the clouds. So it’s hard to get more rain clouds if you need them on short notice, but sometimes the Everfree provides. Or you shortchange the aquifer and build it up extra next time. Sometimes, for various reasons, Cloudsdale will need a bunch of extra water and we’ll make a waterspout to replenish their water tanks. Kinda sucks to have to do, but where else is that water going to come from? Besides, I was glad when I finished the cloud delivery part of my weather training. I could do it, but I hated those long distance flights.”

“Wow, this is really fascinating stuff,” Doug remarks as he makes a few more notes on his paper.

Rainbow looks over to read his notes and scratches her head. “What’s up with that? Why will you need to know how long it takes to empty the clouds or to get them down from ten to three inches remaining?”

“Well, I was thinking about what you were saying with Apple Acres. Normally, you cover the entire farm with clouds that rain for three tenths and then sit there for the rest of the day. What if, instead, you move around a certain size of cloud that holds the entirety of the water the farm needs. After a section of farm has enough rain you move the cloud to the next part, etcetera, until the entire farm has enough water. That would let the whole farm have more light overall, you wouldn’t need to lose a day of sunlight in order to get enough water. Might mess with the temperature calculation though, so we might need some more overcast clouds nearby that don’t impact the farm’s light but cool it off enough.”

Rainbow glances at Doug, a look of awe on her muzzle. “You got this after less than one day of reading a textbook? I can’t wait until you really know what you are doing. How about, once we finish this stuff, you make a mock weather schedule. Use these techniques and whatever else you come up with, I really want to see if this can work. I’ll make a more traditional schedule, just to get the practice and if we need a backup, but I really want to see this plan in action.”

Rainbow gives Doug a kiss on the lips and looks at him seductively, “I think somepony needs a reward too, all this weather talk is getting me a little heated.” She kisses him on the chin and moves down, the next kiss planted on his chest.

21 Time Management*

May 4th, 993

Applejack glances outside, a long sigh at another finished day. The evening sun is about to set, and yet she still has yet to see much of the stallion of the herd. True, Doug has been hard at work at the farm for most of the day, but she still misses working with him. Part of the reason she hasn't seen much of him was the appointment she, Rarity, and Rainbow had just finished with Doctor Horse. The unicorn is one of the more talented doctors in Equestria and made the temporary move to Ponyville in order to deal with their highly unusual case. Some of the Ponyvillian doctors are unfortunately apprehensive about working so close with Doug, practically begging the controversial doctor to make the move. Doctor Horse, however, sees the case as a true test of his brilliance, or possibly because nopony else really wants to work with him. He also mentioned something about getting out of ‘clinic hours’ but hadn’t elaborated.

The appointment had gone well. After all, Doctor Horse is an excellent doctor. Just as long as you don’t tweak him the wrong way, which both Rarity and Rainbow have a tendency to do: Rarity because she keeps on focusing on his attire, or the lack of attention to the aforementioned, and Rainbow because the mare just can not pay attention when he is trying to explain what he thinks are basic concepts and instead fly right over her head. Then later with trying to get good images of Rainbow who just would not sit still! Even she was getting a little tired of the mare’s antics.

At least the foals are developing, well, like foals. There don’t seem to be many, if any, human physical characteristics like hands instead of hooves. There was only so much the doctor could tell this early in the pregnancy, and they have several follow up appointments scheduled. Doctor Horse also recommended that Applejack either bring Doug to the hospital for him to donate blood or take one of the enchanted storage units if he felt comfortable doing it at home. That way if something unfortunate happens to him they would have a store of his blood ready to use. Since it is unlikely pony blood would be compatible, and highly unethical taking that risk, Applejack agreed, and Doug seems comfortable with doing the procedure at home.

Applejack thinks back to how many of their days go as she wanders around the house. They start off early, before the sun rises. Doug goes for a quick jog around the farm, more often than not with a sleepy Rainbow following behind, before taking a shower and preparing breakfast. He makes a mix of pancakes with nuts for himself and pieces of apples for everypony else. Juice, oats, and maybe some leftovers from dinner round the meal out. He scrambles a couple eggs for himself, often with a pinch of salt. He doesn’t care for making hay, so their food expenses are a little higher, but the mares still munch on it when they remembered to pull it out.

He had told Applejack about his meat requirement. He could get enough protein from eggs, nuts, and assorted other products, but his request on how else to use the chickens had frightened her. She thought about asking Fluttershy her opinion on this, but was unsure on how to broach the subject without making Doug appear like a complete monster.

Applejack glances towards the bedroom door. They had moved into the master bedroom shortly after Rainbow and Rarity joined the herd, but only Rainbow spends the nights here. Doug alternates, two nights of the week at Rarity’s and the other five here. Applejack sighs as she recalls memories of what they did together before the whole herd incident. Doug is happy enough to make out or get somewhat physical now, but tries to refrain from doing anything to them more intimate than heavy petting. And it isn’t because there are two mares in the room; the same happens if it is only her. When she asks Rarity it is the same story.

Currently, Rainbow Dash is fast asleep on the bed, lightly snoring. The mare looks completely bushed; she is keeping up with her weather patrol and attempting to keep her body in shape. Applejack shakes her head; after Rainbow introduced Doug to weather scheduling he spends most of his free time studying with her. Applejack misses spending the free time together, just swapping stories and learning more about each other. She still has a hard time believing some of them, especially the ones about the sheer size of their cities and farms.

Applejack walks over to the office area Doug has commandeered; he is sitting down in a chair he built for his tall frame, reading a weather textbook. Papers are scattered around the desk and several reference manuals are propped open. She can see evidence of the weather schedule he is working on and notes about experiments he wants Rainbow to perform.

Seeing Applejack, Doug smiles and stands up, still holding the book. He moves over to a more comfortable couch for the two of them to recline in and lays down, leaving an obvious hole for Applejack to spoon. The couch creaks as she obliges, slowly letting her body lean against him. One of Doug’s hands moves to her head, scratching behind her ears as his other hand holds the book out in front of him. They lay together for several long minutes before Applejack brings up what she, Rarity, and Rainbow have been discussing.

“Hey, Doug, the girls brought up something, well, two somethings, that I thought we should talk about.”

Doug closes his book, continuing to scratch at Applejack’s neck. “Oh? You know you can tell me anything.”

“Well, it’s not that Ah think you’ll get mad at us or anything, it’s just… Doug, are you happy working here at the farm?”

Doug ponders the question for several long seconds, causing Applejack to pivot her head to face him. Seeing him deep in thought, she turns back away, a small frown on her muzzle.

He finally answers, “Well, I do enjoy working on the farm, and I enjoy working with you. But, I don’t think that’s what you are getting at, is it?”

Applejack motions to the book Doug is holding. “It’s just, Ah see how much you pour yourself into studying that weather material, and Ah wonder if that ain’t your true calling instead. What you were meant to do, ya know?”

Doug looks at the book before placing it on the floor and using both arms to squeeze Applejack around the barrel. “Well, two things about that. Maybe three. First, I think I told you, is that humans don’t really have a true calling or cutie mark, not like you do. Maybe I enjoy one activity more than another, at least temporarily, but that doesn’t mean I have to stop doing the first one. I do enjoy working with you on the farm and I don’t want to stop doing that just because I found another interest.”

Applejack’s smile returns as his hug loosens, and she swings her head around to kiss him.

After the kiss finishes Doug continues, “Second, I tend to throw myself into new things, sometimes to the detriment of the things I was working on before. I do this with games I play, books I read, and, apparently, the different jobs I have available. I don’t mean to, and I certainly don’t want to miss any obligations or such that I might have made. I do hope my lead mare can keep me in line in regards to that, help make sure I don’t forget.”

Applejack turns her body so they are muzzle to face, “And you know Ah don’t like having to remind you. What’s the third thing?”

Doug looks back to the book he had put down. “Well, I guess I see this whole weather scheduling as a challenge. A game, if you will, that I want to learn the ins and outs of. That was the other thing that, if I had a cutie mark, it would probably be of. I love deep, complex games, and figuring out the best strategies, ways to optimize and eek out every little efficiency there is. It’s like my old job; I had to figure out what was the most efficient way to get lots of different people to where they wanted to go without them getting in each other’s way. This is way more hands on, where I’m the one coming up with the strategies and plans that others will implement. I’ll be able to see what works, what needs tweaking, and what other factors matter that I might not have considered. Like-”

Applejack puts a hoof on his chest, “Ah get it, though you might want to gush about this with Rainbow instead of me. Although your second point relates to my second question, Ah suppose,” Applejack turns her head, as if she was afraid of his answer, “Doug," Applejack pauses, her voice catching in her throat, "Ah want you to be honest with me.”

“Of course, Applejack, I would never lie to you.”

Applejack smiles, but her muzzle turns more serious as she tries to read his expression. “Doug… are you happy with the mares in your life?”

Doug looks blankly at Applejack. “Um… I don’t know if that is an accusation or an opportunity.”

Applejack snorts, “Trust me, if it was an accusation, all three of us would be here, and Rainbow would be a lot angrier. It’s just, us girls each noticed that you seem a bit more withdrawn from us than when we first got together, and Ah don’t want to believe the honeymoon is over already. Ah don’t know if Ah should blame the studying, the work on the farm, or just the fact that we are getting bigger and less attractive to you.”

Doug gives Applejack’s belly a reassuring squeeze, “Oh, you don’t need to worry about that. I still love each of you, no matter how big you get, and I don’t find you all any less attractive. I think it’s, and I might be wrong here, but shouldn’t you avoid, you know, contact like that while you’re pregnant?”

Applejack peers at him, “Where in tarnation would you get an idea like that?”

Doug looks away sheepishly, “Um, it might be something that’s true with ponies back where I come from.”

Applejack gives him a deadpan stare, “And just when are you going to stop comparing us to those animals?”

Doug gives a halfhearted shrug, “I guess it’s harder to get rid of that connection than I thought. Please don’t be mad at me.”

Applejack sighs, nuzzling Doug in the chest, “Ah'm not mad, though Ah think Rainbow misses the contact the most. She ain’t gonna break in your hands, you know?”

Doug nods, holding Applejack close. “Was there anything else with that you wanted to ask?”

“Well,” Applejack looks at her hooves, “Ah suppose it might not be an issue any more, but Rainbow was worried that with your lack of interest in us-” Applejack shushes Doug’s attempt at reassuring her, “Ah know you are, quiet. She was thinking that you might be interested in adding other mares to the herd. Specifically, she was thinking about her friend Fluttershy.”

“Hmm. Are we talking about the same Fluttershy? I think I met her once, but she seemed so afraid of me at the time. Hiding behind her mane, though she did seem a little better once Rainbow pushed her into me, but she was still so skittish. Next you’ll tell me Pinkie Pie is interested as well.” Doug shakes his head, as if worried it might be the case.

“Eeyup, that’s the one. Rarity mentioned something about Pinkie; she might be down for a double date. If you’re looking for somepony with more energy, or is really good with foals, you couldn’t go wrong with her.”

Doug’s face is covered by his hands, somewhat dreading the thought of dealing with the hyperactive mare. He did have a good time interacting with her when she isn’t too crazy, and she seems to be catching on to that. “Great. Sign me up.”

Applejack catches a hint of the sarcasm and nuzzles him, “Hey, we don’t want to force you into doing anything you don’t want to. Rainbow just thought Fluttershy would enjoy being with you. You’re both very quiet, introspective types a lot of the time, and she is so shy she has trouble even thinking about dating a stallion, much less actually getting the courage up to ask one.”

Doug nods, but adds, “Well, I do feel like I’m already stretched a little thin; I don’t see Rarity as much as I would like, what with her Boutique, and I know how much you and Rainbow like to spend time with me.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that. Ah think it was mostly the lack of physical contact that was bothering us; we’re actually quite independent, and don’t need a stallion holding our hoof all the time. Just another thing to get through that skull of yours.”

Doug catches Applejack’s hoof before it can tap him on the head, bringing it to his mouth and giving her a kiss. “Well, if you think it’s a good idea, I’ll give it a shot.”

Applejack gives him a smile, “Ah’ll talk to Fluttershy about it, and Pinkie Pie as well, see if she’s interested. Now, how about we go give that new bed a test run? We haven’t broken it in proper-like.”

“Won’t that wake Rainbow up, make her jealous?”

Applejack snickers, “Well, she’ll just have to deal with it.”

22 Administration

July 20th, 993

By the time Rainbow Dash lands at the Wonderbolt Academy the tears in her eyes have dried. The saddlebags on her sides are starting to get uncomfortable, and not from their weight. Inside sits the reason she is back here at the Academy.

One side of her saddlebags contains the weather schedules that she has drawn up over the course of her short time as head weathermare. Rainbow dutifully reviewed them and thought through how they would have been implemented, which mares would get which positions, and how she would be able to work her portion both before she had gotten pregnant versus now. Then, they had each sat unused in the desk Doug keeps in his office.

The other side contains the reason she is called in to see Captain Spitfire. Normally she would be elated to meet with her idol, especially after her last visit, but Rainbow dreads the dressing down she knows she will receive. And so soon since her last buck up, too!

Rainbow gives another heavy sigh, again trying to suppress her desire to break down crying. Doug was curious why she received a letter with the meeting time, but Rainbow knows. She doesn’t know how they know, or figured it out so quickly, but she knows what is coming. Hopefully they let her stay on as a weathermare, even a junior one doing cloud runs. With no hope of advancement, ever.

Rainbow steels herself as she walks up to the door to Spitfire’s office. After a curt "Come in," she opens the door. Spitfire is sitting at her desk, reviewing various files, and looks at her, a long stare inspecting, analyzing the mare in the doorway.

Rainbow Dash is noticeably pregnant this time, devoid of the makeup she wore at the last meeting. She sets the saddlebags she is carrying on the floor and follows Spitfire’s commanding hoof, taking a seat across the desk. Spitfire flips through a couple of the folders on her desk before selecting one and pushing the others away. Spitfire looks at Rainbow Dash, who is sitting with a nervous smile on her face.

Spitfire folds her hooves under her chin, giving her a small smile, “So, Rainbow Dash, how have you been holding up?”

Rainbow tries to put on a good face and smiles, “It’s been going well, Ma’am. Clouds has been on vacation for nearly two months now, and the weather schedule I’ve been implementing has been going well. There have been some snags, but overall, it’s been good.”

“Yes, Dash, we’ll get to the weather schedule later. I know that’s what you were called in here to discuss, but I’m interested in you. How have you been doing?”

Rainbow looks down for a second, considering what she wants to say. “Oh. Well, pregnancy sucks. I feel tired a lot more easily, kind of like I’m flying around in a flight suit that doesn’t fit. I go for morning runs with Doug and that helps, but I find myself looking forward to taking naps more than I did before, which is saying a lot.” Rainbow gives a sheepish grin before frowning. “I’m a lot more… difficult to deal with after the naps. Like they aren’t having the intended effect, you know? And I can’t do my normal Wonderbolt workout for stress relief. Doug’s been, well, definitely better than when I started the weather work, but still holding back a little.”

“Yes, I suppose. Though it makes me wonder, and it’s part of the reason we are having this meeting. Do you feel like you’ve been able to keep up with the weather?”

“Oh, that hasn’t been a problem. Not yet anyway. Though the schedule we built…. Um…”

Rainbow scratches the back of her head as Spitfire gives her a questioning look. After a brief pause Spitfire continues, “Well, it’s good to hear that you are able to continue with your new responsibilities. Though, those hay counters over in Cloudsdale noticed a few… discrepancies with the schedule you built. A few things that seemed out of place.” Spitfire notices Rainbow’s worried look and reassures her, “Not that it’s a bad thing, necessarily. I think the results speak for themselves.”

“Oh, well, I mean the schedules been good but by no means perfect, there have been some days that-”

Spitfire interrupts her, derisively waving a hoof, “Yes, I read that in the report too. Almost all of the poor days were early on, and for a first time head weathermare you are now on a fairly impressive streak as far as keeping the weather to what it should be. Do you do a lot of modifications to the schedule, or to your routine?”

Rainbow scratches the back of her head with a hoof while looking at the floor. There is no chance she will lie, and she will have a hard time deflecting that question. “Well, I, myself, don’t modify the schedule...”

At Spitfire’s harsh glare, Rainbow continues, “I didn't think it was a bad idea, and, well, after I took a look at what he had made, I really wanted to give it a shot, you know? I didn’t think he’d get in trouble, or that I would… I mean, I made my own weather schedule, too!” Rainbow reaches in her saddlebags and pulls out a stack of papers, placing them on the desk. “I thought that you would want to be sure that I could manage every aspect of the job, and I did, I just…”

Spitfire gives Rainbow a reassuring smile, “Rainbow, don’t worry, you aren’t in trouble. Though I am happy you made a schedule of your own. It shows you aren’t trying to skirt the responsibility I gave you, that you are capable of hoofing this on your own.” At Rainbow’s smile she continues, “I was curious, myself, when the head weather manager in Cloudsdale came to me asking who had drawn this schedule up. She had, no offense, seen your work back when you were in school and didn’t think you were the one who came up with it. So, who’s the stallion you partnered with? It’s not Clouds, or he would have done something like this long ago.”

“Um, it’s not a stallion…”

Spitfire rolls her eyes. “Well, I doubt its a mare, you called it ‘he’ a couple of times,” Spitfire trails off as she looks at Rainbow, tilting her head to the side. “You don’t mean... “ Spitfire looks back at the two schedules. She points her hoof at the schedule Rainbow had been holding. “How long did it take you to come up with your latest schedule? The one you made?”

“Um, I think it was over the course of two days, so maybe eight hours of work? I did it on my breaks and instead of naps, and a little bit after work.”

“Okay, sounds about right for a two week schedule. How long did it take Doug to make his?”

A frantic looks comes over Rainbow's face, “Oh, please, I don’t want to get Doug in trouble for this. I was the one who decided to implement it, blame me!”

“Rainbow, your loyalty is admirable, and I promise you there will be no punishment for this. Now how long?”

Rainbow stares at the floor dejectedly, “Uh, I think the first two weeks took about eight. The next month, plus revisions, he did in about six. Hours, that is.”

Spitfire looks at Rainbow in shock, then back at the schedule. “Did he get a cutie mark in weather scheduling? He must have.”

Rainbow looks up at Spitfire, raising an eyebrow, “Uh, not that I’ve seen. Unless it shows up in a really weird spot. But I’ve seen most of his. Not like he covers them up, anyway.”

Spitfire shakes her head, unable to keep the smirk off her muzzle. “In any case. No, the reason the head weather manager wanted to find out was to offer him a job. This might not surprise you, but not a lot of ponies either enjoy or are particularly good at crafting weather schedules. The higher ups saw his work and said to themselves, ‘If we can get our hooves on that pony, and free up those other weather ponies to do what they really love? That would be a salt mine, for sure.’ Needless to say, they got me to liaison with you, figure out who it was, and get them on board officially.”

Rainbow continues to stare blankly at Spitfire; when she got the letter requesting (ordering?) her to meet with Spitfire about ‘her’ weather schedule, she was sure she had blown the opportunity given to her. Now, to hear they are offering Doug a job? Although, it will get her out of crafting weather schedules, and if there is something Rainbow hates more than getting woken out of a nap, it's having to make a schedule afterwards-

Spitfire interrupts Rainbow’s train of thought, “So, do you think Doug could come here, and discuss terms?”

Rainbow looks at Spitfire, then looks pointedly at the cloud surface they are standing on. Spitfire facehooves. “Right. I guess we might have to go to him. I suppose we can always mail him the topography information. He lives at Apple Acres?”

Rainbow nods, adding “Yes, but, do you think most pegasi will want to work a schedule built by a non-pegasi? Even if it works better?”

Spitfire looks up thoughtfully, “Hmm. You might be right. Got a good pen name for him?”

Rainbow nods with a smirk, “How about… Cold Digger?”

Spitfire nods, saying, “Alright, I’ll just,” before trailing off and staring at Rainbow. Rainbow returns an apple eating grin while Spitfire covers her face with her hoof again. “Well. Do you think he will be available for an interview now?”

Rainbow looks around, unsure. “I don’t think he had anything special planned until later today, just normal work. I think he could take the time off now.”

Spitfire nods, opening her desk and pulling a folder out. Rainbow gives it a sidelong look, trying to peek inside, but Spitfire merely puts the folder in a saddlebag before donning it and heading to the door. Spitfire sticks her head into a nearby office, telling Fleetfoot she is heading to Ponyville, before leaving with Rainbow.

Rainbow can barely contain her excitement; here she is, flying with the Wonderbolts! Well, more like the head of the Wonderbolts is following her, but she can’t help but throw in a few loops and twirls as the two make their way to Sweet Apple Acres. Rainbow looks back to Spitfire as she performs and can’t help but notice the smirk under Spitfire's otherwise neutral muzzle. Rainbow even gets a wingtip roll out of Spitfire as they land near the farmhouse, eliciting a squeal a she prances around.

As Rainbow finishes celebrating by the main house, the door opens and Doug greets them. “Welcome home, Rainbow; didn’t know you would be bringing a guest.” Doug exits the doorway, leaving it open for the two mares to enter. “Would you like anything to drink?”

Rainbow nuzzles Doug as she walks past, "Cider for me. I hope you don’t mind too much, but they found out about the weather schedule stuff.”

Doug nods glumly, looking over to Spitfire. She coughs gently, saying, “I’ll have water, or apple juice, thank you.” Doug walks into the kitchen, followed by Rainbow, while Spitfire stays in the dining room where she unloads her saddlebags onto the table.

Doug looks to Rainbow as he fills several glasses, “Anything I should be worried about?”

Rainbow shakes her head, “No. She said something about offering you a job, but was short on specifics. They could tell that I wasn’t the one who made the schedule, something about it not being my style.”

Doug ruffles Rainbow’s mane before grabbing the glasses and heading to the dining room. They sit down next to Spitfire, who takes her glass with a nod.

Spitfire starts, “Thank you for the drink. I don’t know how much Rainbow has told you, but I am Captain Spitfire. Normally, I wouldn’t be the one handling weather work like this. However, since I jockeyed to have Rainbow put in her current position the bill came to me when this… opportunity was found. It also saved needing a weather manager to come all the way here. As well, since they knew Rainbow had a great deal of respect for myself and the Wonderbolts in general, it was felt that she would be more likely to open up and for you to accept the position.”

Doug nods at this, asking, “I can understand that. Why are you telling me, though?”

Spitfire continues, “Mostly in the interest of full disclosure. I don’t want you to feel pressured with a captain asking you, or wondering why things seemed out of place. Moving on, one of the reasons I am here is to ascertain how competent you are as far as crafting a weather schedule and in dealing with unexpected obstacles in carrying out your plan. In addition, I wanted to get some insight as to how you come up with your plans. Also, to see if you were willing to work more widespread, or to see if you would be willing to train other ponies in your technique if not.”

Doug nods. “Well, I can’t see anything I disagree with yet. You just want to talk or do you have some sort of exam planned?”

Rainbow snickers at that, interrupting the two. She still isn’t able to believe her luck, that this is real. She quails a little at Spitfire’s glare, but when the captain answers Doug with, “Yes, I think an oral exam would be fine,” she bursts out laughing again. She keeps going for a good ten seconds before Doug, who was unable to keep from chuckling himself, says, “Alright Rainbow, that’s enough.”

Spitfire looks at Doug as Rainbow stops laughing. “Alright, first I would like you to explain your method and how you developed it, as well as what adaptations you made for Rainbow specifically.”

Doug looks at Spitfire, pondering her question for a few seconds before getting up and grabbing a pencil and a few sheets of paper. He writes some bullet points as he explains, “Well, there are a few longer subtleties mixed in, but the main improvement I saw was what I call micromanaging. It’s a technique I learned from some games I played before, and it boils down to fine control of a situation giving better results than trying to, how shall I say, get better ‘macro’, or focusing on the large picture.

“Take a simple problem: you need more rain over a farm, but want to keep a certain temperature in the surrounding area. The ‘macro’ method commonly used would have the weather ponies gather a few rain clouds, leave them over the farm, and move on to the next area. The clouds would give the proper amount of rain, but leave the farm colder than it should be; this coldness would then spread to the other areas, which might also be impacted by the spreading cloud cover. They could then compensate for this in other ways, but I’m getting ahead of myself for this example.

“I originally developed my method to make things things easier on Rainbow as she got more and more pregnant; she would have a bit more difficulty moving the amount of clouds that this ‘macro’ method required, both initially and then when the clouds were no longer needed. Instead, my method has her constantly repositioning the clouds, keeping a rotation of the rain over portions of the farm. This allows the farm to stay warmer overall, still have adequate rainfall, and limits the spread of the clouds. The down side to the method is it is more time intensive, and also timing sensitive. You can’t just move a cloud at any time; instead, at very specific times to very specific places. Getting the interactions down took a little while, which you might have noticed from how the weather schedule performed initially. It also requires fairly specific knowledge of the area that is going to be worked, perhaps more so than a mere topography chart would give.”

Later, as the interview concludes, Spitfire stands from the table. “Well, thank you Doug for the detailed explanations. I look forward to seeing how well it is implemented; the city of Fillydelphia expressed interest in being a test case of your system. Should it work there, we can continue adding cities as you are able.”

Doug looks to Rainbow, who smiles back at him, saying, “I know you enjoy doing this, and I feel comfortable speaking for Applejack in saying go for it.”

Doug nods as Spitfire pulls a contract out of her saddlebag. Doug gets a quill and ink pot before reading through the contract. When he gets to the end and makes to sign it Spitfire stops him. “Wait. Rainbow thought that the other pegasi might have issue with a human designed weather system, so we are going with a pen name. You will be known as Cold Digger.”

Doug gives Rainbow a deadpan look, while she returns a large smile. “What? I thought it fit you really well!”

Spitfire nods, “I doubt many ponies will figure it out, though the resemblance to your name is pretty uncanny. I mean, graves are cold, and dug is a lot like digger, right?”

Doug rolls his eyes, “Ya, and that it sounds like I’m only interested in my mares for their wealth.”

Rainbow smirks, looking at the contract. “Well, once you add a fourth city you’ll be making more than me on the weather patrol. Probably working similar hours too. What will you do with the money?”

Doug shrugs as he signs the contract. “I dunno. Start off paying off some of the bills here. If there is extra? Fluttershy loves working with the animals out near the Everfree, she could probably use a couple extra bits for feed and whatnot. Maybe save the rest? We’ll see.”

Rainbow winks at him, “D, you do that and you’ll have every mare in Ponyville vying for your affection.”

Doug scratches Rainbow’s head as he turns to Spitfire. “Anything else you need?”

Spitfire blows on the contract before rolling it up and returning the materials to her saddlebags. “No, I think that was it. I look forward to working with you, Doug.” Doug opens the door for her and gives her a hoof bump before she takes off.

Rainbow excitedly walks up to Doug as Spitfire flies off. She remarks with a smirk, “She totally would have banged you for that contract.”

Doug ruffles Rainbow’s mane again, which she pouts at. “Probably. But I wouldn’t do that, you know.”

Rainbow’s smirk grows larger, “You could have written in the contract, that she has to come down here once a week and bang you.”

Doug smirks back at her, humoring the mare further, “Yup, and right by it would be the line where you get to watch or join in. Also, what’s with you and banging? You feeling up for something?”

Rainbow scoffs, “Oh come on, seriously? It’s these pregnancy hormones, I can’t stop thinking about it. Also, Spitfire is totally awesome!”

“Not as awesome as the pegasi I’ve already got.”

Rainbow pouts in Doug’s arms. “Awww…”

23 Fluttershy*

July 27th, 993

Fluttershy gives her living room another look around, making sure everything is in place. This will be her third date with the human Doug, and she is hoping it will go well. He will bring another one of his experiments, as he calls them, that try to recreate what he remembers of human cooking.

Their first date had been… well, not a disaster. Definitely an eye opening experience. Doug had asked her what kind of flowers she liked. So they went back and forth, talking about deserts, appetizers, and snacks until Doug mentioned deep fat frying. The revelation of where the fat came from, and what kind of things that would get deep fried, had been briefly terrifying for the yellow pegasus. That had prompted a discussion of what animals were like where Doug came from and how they compared to animals on Equus. By the time that was finished, it was getting late, but Fluttershy was intrigued enough to schedule another date the next week.

Date number two had gone well, with both of them reminiscing on the various pets they had and the antics they got into. Fluttershy had left that date feeling much better about things, and looking forward to this one.

There comes a knock on the door, and Fluttershy takes a last glance around before trotting over to the door and opening it. Doug is standing there with a bouquet of daisies in his hand. He smiles at her as he steps inside, offering the bouquet. Fluttershy accepts with a smile, taking a bite of one of the flowers as they make their way to the table.

Doug unloads his pack, placing several serving dishes on the table while Fluttershy gets the plates and utensils. Fluttershy looks at the main course; it appears to be a mix of vegetables and spices, sliced and tossed into one large mess.

Fluttershy points a hoof at it, “What is this one? It looks delicious.”

“Well, I took the concept from a movie, actually. It has eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, and some peppers. I just kind of grabbed spices randomly, I couldn’t remember which ones it was supposed to have.”

Fluttershy’s face blanches a little at the mention of peppers. “Is… it… spicy?”

“Oh. It shouldn’t be that spicy. It’s just yellow peppers, and I didn’t add that much spice to it.”

“Okay. Well, I’m sure it will be very good.”

Doug takes Fluttershy’s plate and heaps on a generous portion, following with some of the salad and a piece of garlic bread. It is still a little jarring to him how much the ponies eat, but the pegasi are at least fifty pounds heavier than him. Unicorns are a bit heavier than that, especially the ones that don't do a lot of physical activity. Most of the earth ponies are easily double his weight. The work on the farm has built quite a bit more muscle on him and burns a lot more calories than his previous job. It gives him an appetite to match, but with the weather scheduling he has started to get closer to his previous portion sizes.

The two eat in silence before Fluttershy asks, “So, what was the movie that inspired this dish?”

“Oh, you would have loved it. It starred a rat that tries to make its way in the human world of fine cooking.”

“That sounds fun. Did the rat make it?”

“Eventually, yes. There were twists and turns, of course, and eventually the rat’s genius pays off. Though in the end, when the rest of the cooks find out, they all leave in disgust, leaving the main character and love interest to make up, save the day with the help of the rat’s family, and live happily ever after as chefs at their own restaurant.”

Fluttershy smiles, “Oh, that sounds like a wonderful movie. Maybe you can help me recreate it, and perform it for my animal friends? Maybe some of them would be inspired to find their own calling. Well, I mean, if you were okay with it.”

Doug finishes his meal, making a pile of his dirty dishes and looking to Fluttershy. “That sounds like fun, though we might need to improv a little on the dialogue.”

Fluttershy pauses, a little embarrassed, “So, um, how does it work between a rat and a human? I mean, I can understand how a pony and a human can, you know, but I would think a rat would just be too small.”

Doug stares at Fluttershy blankly. “Uhh. Oh! The love interest is a human, and she falls for the human cook that had taken the rat in. The rat basically was able to tell him how and what to cook; everyone else believed it was the human coming up with the dishes on his own. He had to pretend because no one would want to eat a dish conceived and prepared by a rat.”

Fluttershy nods, a look of relief on her face. “Oh. Well, I know some ponies have difficulty with trying out new things, especially from something weird and different.”

“Ya, I know the feeling.” Doug glumly looks down at the table.

Fluttershy realizes how Doug has taken it, and quickly moves closer to him. “Oh, I’m sorry, please don’t think that I think that about you.” She snuggles up nxt to him and nuzzles his arm, her wide smile beaming up.

Doug laughs, petting her mane. “I know, Fluttershy, it’s okay. I know you don’t think of me like that. How long do you think it would take to train the animals to do those tasks, anyway? I know you’ve talked a little bit about bird choirs and such.”

Fluttershy smiles, glad Doug has forgiven her hurtful comment, “Oh, getting them to sing is quite easy. Birds naturally sing. Getting them to sing in tune with each other can take some persuasion and careful suggestions.”

Doug continues running his hand through her mane, going further each time. “You must be very gifted to get birds to stay together, much less sing together.”

Fluttershy blushes behind her mane, “Well, it’s not that impressive. Not like what you are doing with the weather scheduling. That must be very hard.”

“Oh, did Rainbow tell you some about that? I find it very enjoyable. Turns out Fillydelphia was happy with the plan I sent them a week ago, so a couple of the smaller towns outside of Manehatten wrote the head weather manager, asking if this ‘Cold Digger’ pony could write them a schedule as well. They aren’t able to pay as much as some of the larger cities, but I was happy to take them on. The work won’t be too bad. Heh, anywhere that doesn’t border the Everfree forest isn’t too bad.”

Fluttershy nods, happy that Doug has started taking over the conversation. She knows a lot of mares just love to talk about themselves, and doesn’t want to come across as one of them. Plus, getting a stallion to talk about work almost never happens.

Doug continues, “Most of the difficulty with this scheduling seems to come from trying to cycle in vacations and injuries. I have to make most of the schedules work with something like half the workforce, and then find some place to put the extras, like random odd jobs, minor efficiency bonuses, or just longer breaks if they have the extra hooves. In fact, one of the other major benefits with my scheduling is a lot less of the water is dumped into the aquifers. Cloudsdale normally has to constantly schedule waterspouts to recollect the 'wasted' water. With my technique you get the same amount of water to the ground where it is wanted, but with fewer rain clouds. So you have less clouds delivered, less wasted water, and less waterspouts needed to reclaim the excess.”

She grins up at him, “Well, I’m glad you were able to find something that you enjoy doing.”

Doug smiles, “Well, thank you, Fluttershy. That reminds me; I would have a bit of extra income from this, especially if more areas want me to work for them. Or after Cloudsdale sees the results and assigns me a lot more. If you had extra bits, or could do anything that you wanted, what would that be?” He looks up, then puts one hand on his chin, scratching himself with three fingers.

“Oh, that’s easy. I would spend as much time as I could with my animal friends. I mean, I wouldn’t want to stop seeing my pony friends, not at all, but I love taking care of injured animals.”

Doug glances at Fluttershy, “I thought that was what you already do?”

Fluttershy looks at the ground, “Well, I do that in my free time, but it doesn’t really pay the bills. I work as a therapist, well, whenever somepony needs one. Or I do odd jobs around town, or pet sitting, but I think most of those jobs are just given to me out of pity. Or because somepony likes how I look and just wants to stare at my flanks.” Fluttershy hangs her head in shame at that last one.

Doug moves over and puts a comforting arm around Fluttershy, “Well, I’m not going to say anything silly like ‘you don’t have beautiful flanks’, but you have so much more to offer. You have such a warm, caring personality, always thinking about others and how they are feeling, and then wanting to make things better. Not in a cheery way like Pinkie Pie, but in a way where they know they are loved and thought about.”

Fluttershy smiles and plants a small kiss on Doug’s cheek. He smiles back at her, going back to petting her mane. “Do you like being a therapist? Or the other jobs?”

Fluttershy thinks back a bit. Before Doug came along, there wasn’t a lot of demand for her services. After he had come into town a few times she did have a couple ponies come over, but they mostly were scared of him and needed reassurance more than an actual counselor. Fluttershy certainly doesn’t feel traumatized just from being around him, even after Rainbow had pushed the two together. And now with him being in her house… she wonders if ponies will get the wrong impression. Like she won’t be able to give good advice on Doug because she is his friend.

Doug continues to watch Fluttershy as she thinks, muttering to himself, “I didn’t think the question was that hard.”

That seems to break Fluttershy out of her trance, and she slowly shakes her head. “Um. Well, there are parts I like about being a therapist. It’s nice helping ponies with their problems, but I don’t like having to charge them for advice, or for being a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on.”

“Well, would you like it if I helped out with some of your living expenses here? Help you to pursue your dream of helping animals and ponies wherever help is needed? It might not be much, but maybe pet food?”

Fluttershy’s eyes grow wide as Doug’s offer goes across her mind. She quickly hides her frantic expression as thoughts race by in a jumbled mess. It is definitely tempting; not having to perform odd jobs around Ponyville would be worth it. But worth what? Fluttershy thinks through the different things she can offer to Doug in exchange for his assistance.

Therapy sessions? He doesn’t seem like he needs them, though how the other ponies in town treated him might be taking its toll. But you don’t really suggest therapy to a stallion unless he is obviously in need of it. Better to wait for them to come to you, and Doug hasn’t given any hints that he is looking for therapy. Applejack had mentioned something about coming herself, but she doesn’t think that is a good swap.

Maybe Doug wants her to perform odd jobs? She knows he doesn’t care for going into town, and most Ponyvillians are perfectly happy with that arrangement. Maybe she can act as a courier for him, getting things he needs or going places for him? But he already has Rainbow or Applejack for that, and Rarity is probably happy to order and ship anything else he needs.

Pet lessons or grooming? Care? Maybe a pet at all? Fluttershy steals a look a Doug, who has closed his eyes and seems to be dozing while he rests his arm around her. There are lots of animal friends who won’t mind staying with the human, though she would have to caution him to never eat a pet or it would be the last one he had.

Does he… does he want her to provide him with meat? Or be happy that he is a meat eater? She steals another look at him; his mouth is open enough for her to see his sharp canines and incisors. She shudders at the thought; though she had and would provide animals with whatever nutrition they needed it seems different when she would be so directly involved. Well, maybe she can ask Mr. Buzzard if there is any carrion around. Though, then Mr. Buzzard won’t have the meal for himself. Also, because it would be a recurring thing, not something she does only because the animal is injured and can’t provide for itself. She certainly can’t see herself helping butcher a chicken, or cook the meat, but maybe she can talk to the chickens and find which ones are old or sick?

Fluttershy awakens from her thoughts when Doug’s hand scratches behind her ear. She sighs in contentment before freezing. What if… what if he wants her? Well, she already knows that he is interested in her, otherwise why would he be on this date?

What if… what if this is his way of asking if she wants to go to the next level? Another quake echoes through the mare’s body; she never thought of herself as the kind of pony who would do those kinds of acts for bits. She had spurned the offers she got when she was doing odd jobs, and she has half a mind to do the same to Doug right now, put him in his place. What kind of gentlestallion pressures a mare like this?

Fluttershy gives a quiet sob as her resolve fails, the act of standing up to Doug becoming too much for her. The thought of her animal friends comes back into her mind; how much she enjoys being there for them, helping them in their time of need. Before, she would have said that she will do anything for them; now, she is being given that opportunity. Will she really sacrifice her body for her animals?

Fluttershy chances another look at Doug, who is now looking at her with curiosity. It has been a while since either of them has said or done anything. She takes the moment to peer into his eyes. They aren’t like a pony’s; so small, yet they can show the same expressions if one looks closely. She… she supposes she can love those eyes. With a heavy sigh, Fluttershy gently pushes off Doug. “Um. Please don't move. If that’s okay with you. I… I’ll be right back.”

Doug gives Fluttershy a questioning look while releasing his arm around her. She gives him a small smile before turning and walking to the door, flying away. Doug shrugs, picks up a nearby magazine and starts to read about cockatrice eating habits.

A few minutes later Fluttershy lands outside of Applejack’s house, moving up to the door and knocking. Soon the heavy clop of hooves is heard as Applejack makes her way to the door, grumbling something about ungrateful pegasi. The door opens and Applejack is momentarily startled, causing Fluttershy to shrink down, hiding herself behind her mane.

Applejack speaks first, “Fluttershy? Ah didn’t expect to see you here. Is everything alright? Ah thought Doug would be at your place. Tonight. For the date.”

The mare continues looking at the ground, stammering, “Oh... um… yes, he is okay. I came here to ask you if…”

Applejack moves a little closer to Fluttershy, “Um, didn’t quite catch that, Sugarcube. Might need to speak up.”

Fluttershy is quieter than before, “I wanted to ask…”

“Little bit louder than that.”

“...”

Applejack sighs, motioning with a hoof. “Would you like to come inside? We finished dinner already but there might be some leftovers.”

“Oh, no, I don’t mean to intrude. I just came here to,” Fluttershy pauses again, steeling herself while Applejack does her best to be patient, “I came here to ask if I could join your herd.”

Applejack’s smile brightens. “Well, Ah sure didn’t think that that would be coming along so quickly. You two really hit it off or something?”

Fluttershy’s smile fades, “Um. Yes. Something like that.”

Applejack grins, “Ya, he sure can be forward. A lot like Rainbow Dash in that regard. He knows what he wants and he goes for it. Do you think he’ll spend the night at your place?”

Fluttershy’s face turns to a slight frown as the reality of what Applejack is implying hits her. “Oh. Um… I don’t know, I haven’t asked him yet. You don’t mind, do you? I would hate to impose.”

“Don’t worry about a thing; Rainbow might miss him some, but we’ll be okay. You go give him a night to remember, ya hear?”

Fluttershy tries to disappear behind her mane as Applejack gives a quiet laugh. “Good night, ‘Shy. Have fun!”

Fluttershy slowly slinks backwards before turning around and heading towards home, anxious thoughts about her first time going through her mind. What if he doesn’t like her? Would he still help with her animals? What if she doesn’t like it, and it hurt a lot? Would he care? Would he want to do… it… the normal way, or was he some kind of… deviant?

Sooner than she likes, Fluttershy lands at the door to her house. Drawing in a deep breath, she opens the door to see Doug still sitting on the couch, now on a section about cockatrice plumes and how to style them. Doug puts down the magazine as she walks in, giving her a smile.

Fluttershy smiles back before starting off in a commanding voice, “Doug, I just got back from Applejack. She said,” Fluttershy trails off as Doug had given her a querying look, not the smile she had been expecting, “Um. Is something wrong? Is everything alright?”

Doug gives her a reassuring smile, “Oh, Fluttershy, everything is fine. Did you... did you go to Applejack to ask about joining the herd?” At Fluttershy’s delayed nod Doug continues, “Oh, Fluttershy. You know the money wasn’t contingent on you joining the herd, right?”

Fluttershy shakes her head, tears forming in her eyes, “Are you… are you saying you don’t want me in the herd?”

Doug gets off the couch, moving so he is eye level with Fluttershy. “Fluttershy, I’m saying nothing of the sort. I would be happy for you to join the herd, I just don’t want you feeling pressured, or that you have to join for the money. I want you to be happy; I thought giving you a way to do what you love and are so good at would be a perfect use for the money.”

Fluttershy lunges forwards, pressing her lips against Doug’s. One arm catches himself while the other slips around to Fluttershy’s back, quickly stroking up and down. Slowly, the first arm gives up as Fluttershy pushes against him, the two of them falling to the floor.

Fluttershy continues trying to bury her lips on his, messily kissing anywhere she can. “Oh, you silly stallion,” she says between kisses, “Don’t you know, when you say things like that, I want you even more?” Doug attempts to nod between kisses, but is repeatedly foiled. Eventually Fluttershy slows down, looking at Doug. “So, um, is that a yes?”

Doug nods, “Of course it is, Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy thinks of what is coming next, shaking slightly, “Oh, um, it’s my first time… please be gentle with me…. if that’s okay with you.”

24 Games

December 10th, 993

It is the end of the day. Her last day of weather work this year. Rainbow smiles as she looks over the progress report Open Skies has given her. It looks like winter this year will be a particularly cold one, which means less snow and more ice. Doug has tried modifying his schedule as he always does, but she is worried for his first winter. She glances at the weather for the upcoming weeks; it looks like he made it easier to follow, but the cold will be more noticeable in the town. Well, at least she won’t have to deal with the complaints this year.

Rainbow had gotten the okay from Cloudsdale to have two of her assistant managers take over instead of having Fluffy Clouds return. It was conditional on Clouds signing off, but while the stallion had a little reluctance initially he had been pleased at their performance. So, he will be heading back on the evening train while the two Ponyville natives took over.

Open Skies and Clear Skies stand at attention, glad their boss is happy. Rainbow has a tendency to push others as hard as she pushes herself. With her pregnancy progressing they had tried to get her to pull back but the mare would have none of it. She often loosed the frustration she felt about herself out on the other mares around her, but they know she doesn’t really mean it. However, with her pregnancy reaching its tenth month Rainbow is finally starting to show the exhaustion they all feel.

Rainbow smiles as she waves goodbye before beginning the long flight home. She takes it slower than normal but keeps her wings moving, trying to fight the cold off. Hopefully the snow they set up for tonight holds off just a little longer.

Rainbow tucks her wings as she lands at her cloud house. She has it anchored just outside of Sweet Apple Acres and hopefully it won’t drift too much closer in the coming months. She insisted to Applejack that the rainbow falls are high enough to not impact anything on the ground, but Applejack had dug in her stubborn hooves. Well, at least there isn’t much inside that she needs to grab, just a bit of her winter garb. And Fluttershy can fly up there if she really needs something, but she isn’t looking forward to convincing the mare it is necessary. Rainbow finishes packing her saddlebags before looking outside. She sighs; the snow has started early. Again. Well, Doug doesn’t have much practice scheduling snow, and it shows.

Rainbow pulls a scarf out before strapping her bags to her sides. She takes off and begins her slow glide down. Out of the corner of her eye she notices Clear Skies is also making a beeline for the front door at Sweet Apple Acres. She frowns, adjusting her flight path to intercept and shouting, “Hey Skies, what’s up?”

Clear Skies gives a wave, slowing her speed as Rainbow pulls up next to her. They continue gliding down as she pulls a folder out, “Hey Rainbow! Doug had asked us to time when the snow started, temperatures, that kind of thing. What’s he going to do with all this?”

Rainbow shrugs, taking the folder and cramming it into one of the bags. “Oh, he thinks there might be some sort of pattern or formula or something as to why the snow releases early. He likes these things being really precise, you know?”

Clear Skies laughs, “Oh, and I thought it was just you. Well, take care Rainbow! Thunderlane’s waiting on me for our next date!”

Rainbow winks, “Good hunting!” Clear Skies turns and flies back towards Ponyville while Rainbow glides the rest of the way to Apple Acres. She opens the door to more commotion than normally is present in the farmhouse. She rounds the corner to the living room and sees Doug and Pinkie Pie sitting on the floor surrounded by colored paper. Sitting on one couch is Applejack and she appears to be in a spirited argument with Rarity.

Doug says in a somewhat exasperated voice, “Ladies, what have I told you about arguing while I was around?”

Applejack sighs, “Just to keep it superficial things like Rarity’s insistence on perfection on first drafts that we are going to redo anyway.”

Rarity responds, “Or how Applejack would be fine if these games showed as little style as her preferred attire!”

Applejack gasps, “You did not just insult my hat! Ah'll have you know, that this hat is a traditional earth pony style that has been passed down for generations!”

Doug sighs again, looking to Rainbow who is still standing in the doorway. “Rainbow! Glad to see you; how was your last day?”

Rainbow walks into the room, dropping the saddlebags by the wall. “It went well; both Skies were able to keep up and handled the schedule. Speaking of, the snow started a little early again. Clear Skies dropped off a timetable or something, it’s in the bag. So, what’s all this?” Rainbow motions to the scraps of paper scattered around.

Pinkie Pie raises a hoof in the air, waving it excitedly. “Oh! Ohh! Pick me! I can explain! Please, I can explain!”

Doug sighs at the exuberant mare and nods. Pinkie leaps into the air, pronking around while pointing her hooves at the various piles. “So Doug was thinking about what kind of games the foals would play and that got me thinking about what kind of games that we had that the foals would enjoy and so I asked Doug what kind of games he enjoyed as a foal and he responded that he was never a foal but as a child that there were a couple of games he enjoyed and so we collaborated and decided to make a couple of games that he enjoyed both as a child and then later when he was older and so I got Rarity to come over as well because she likes making things and thought that it would be a fun exercise and then she started mentioning what kind of games that she enjoyed as a foal and so we all got together to make games that we enjoyed as a foal or as a child and then Applejack came in-”

Rainbow finally manages to shush Pinkie Pie by putting her hoof in her mouth, “Okay, Pinkie, I get it, thanks.”

Pinkie Pie has continued talking while Rainbow’s hoof is in her mouth. Rainbow pulls her hoof away experimentally and Pinkie continues, “Galaxy and he’s nearly done so we can all play it together!”

Rainbow looks at Pinkie, “What was that?”

Pinkie takes a deep breath, “So Doug was thinking about what kind of games-”

Rainbow sticks her hoof in Pinkie’s mouth again, shaking her head. She starts counting the seconds, mouthing along to what Pinkie had been saying before. Both Doug and Applejack cover their faces to keep from laughing while Rarity looks on with a grin. Rainbow releases her hoof and Pinkie continues, “Doug was working on Roll for the Galaxy and he’s nearly done so we can all play it together!”

Doug manages to get himself under control and says, “Yup. The rules are pretty simple. Rarity, if you want to make a bunch of dice, they need to be like this.” He sketches out the designs that go on the different faces of the dice while continuing to write on the different cards.

Once he is done constructing the game and explaining the rules the ponies begin their first round. Doug doesn’t play, instead helping each of them with the various strategies they can take. Applejack and Rarity are set on making each other’s lives miserable and Doug is having a hard time corralling them. While at first Rainbow thinks this is a silly game for eggheads she starts to get into it when she manages to win the first game.

The next several rounds get more and more intense as the players get more and more into the game. Applejack and Rarity even manage to set aside their feud in order to keep Doug from winning the last game. They all acknowledge their growing hunger and take a break for dinner. Doug prepares a feast of the remaining fresh fruits they have; after this it will be lots of dry meal, vegetables, and preserves.

The snow starts falling in earnest, the roads outside soon covered with the rapidly accumulating snow. After dinner, Pinkie Pie goes to the guest room to sleep while Rainbow and Applejack, both yawning to themselves, head to the master bedroom, Granny Smith and Big Mac retiring to their own rooms.

Rarity, meanwhile, snuggles next to Doug on one of the couches. He is wearing one of the pajama sets she made; it is the first time she has seen him wear it, and she slowly moves her hooves over his body. The low grunts and groans of pleasure are more than enough to tell her that Doug is appreciating the massage as she checks the robe for tight spots or chafing.

It would be an understatement to say Rarity was surprised when Doug had shown up, a week before the Running of the Leaves, and asked Rarity to create for him a winter ensemble. Well, that wasn’t the surprise. The surprise was that the human had a full sketched outfit that, as far as she could tell, would cover the entirety of his body with very little exposed or extra. His explanation, that humans normally wore clothing, had hit her like a train. Here was a creature who, back in his world, would regularly wear clothes, every day, even to bed, and the most he had asked her for before this was a pair of work gloves and boots!

Well, she says to herself as Doug rolls over and she begins massaging his back, she supposes he is just trying to fit in, wearing just as much as the ponies around him. As much as she likes designing clothing it isn’t very often that she gets a chance to wear much herself. Even Applejack, for as much she likes to needle the mare, wears more clothing than she does, donning her trademark hat all the time. She had tried a few of the concepts, like his jacket that had a zipper, on other articles she made. Most ponies prefer buttons to lessen the chance of snagged fur, but when you wear multiple layers or take care to build in a little extra fabric a zipper is certainly easier to manipulate than the button snaps.

Rarity finishes Doug’s back and he sighs contentedly. He gets up and maneuvers around to start massaging her back and sides. She sighs to herself as Doug begins the conversation she knew was coming.

“So, Rarity, you and Applejack were certainly going at it tonight. Something bothering you?”

“What, besides the fact that the mare, much as I love her, has absolutely no fashion sense? She would go to Canterlot and visit Princess Celestia in her work duds if she wore any.” Doug sighs as he continues rubbing, feeling the tension slowly start to leave Rarity’s body. “Or is it the foals you have growing in each of us? My dam told me stories of what she was like with me, and I assure you, this is me being nice.”

Doug begins to dig a little deeper, pushing harder on his massage. Rarity closes her eyes, horn briefly lighting up as she pulls him closer. “I hope you didn’t forget whose turn it is tonight, love.” She opens her eyes, looking back at Doug with a sultry smile.

“Are you tired already? I was hoping to stay up a little later, get your advice on something.”

“Of course, darling, you have only to ask. What is it?”

Doug stands up, moving to gather a few pieces of papers from his office before returning to Rarity. He spreads the sheets of paper out in front of her while setting a few books off to the side.

Rarity looks at the stack of papers that Doug has pulled out. She eyes him suspiciously, “Those aren’t weather related. In fact, I think I recognize some of them. You aren’t trying to trick us into anything tomorrow, are you?”

Doug laughs, “No, it wasn’t going to be a trick. It’s just another game from my world, similar to Ogres and Oubliettes.”

Rarity rolls her eyes, “Of course you would play that. I assume that in the game you role play as various adventurers and solve friendship crises?”

Doug’s lips purse as he considers his answer. “Well, you know my world is, how shall I say, considerably more violent than your world?”

Rarity nods, “Yes, your, as you put it, ‘gallows humor’ is evidence enough of that.”

“So, I was hoping you could help me with a bit of the adventure, then. I don’t want to put you all up against anything that would be too weird or horrifying, but I also don’t want to give away too much before you start the game.”

“Well, dear, as long as things don’t get too violent it shouldn’t matter too much. Just make sure to have a peaceful resolution planned, if not several. Other than that, well, let your imagination take you!”

“Aww, but I love using your inspiration, you are always so insightful.” Doug ruffles Rarity’s mane and she gasps. She leaps off the couch and flicks her mane to the side, glaring at Doug.

“If you plan on messing my coiffure, then you better plan on messing it up all the way and helping me redo it in the morning. Otherwise, I insist you keep your hands to yourself, you ruffian!”

“So, normal rules then?”

Rarity nods, a smirk coming across her face. “Normal rules.”

25 Preparations

December 11th, 993

Rainbow Dash gives an annoyed moan as she wakes up next to Applejack. Her lead mare often got cuddly when Doug isn’t with them and she finds herself playing little spoon. Rainbow tries to move one of Applejack’s hooves off of her, but this only prompts the earth pony to hug her tighter. Rainbow sighs; there is little to do now but wait for AJ to wake up.

Soon enough, Rainbow hears Applejack yawn behind her. She feels the mare’s forelegs tighten around her briefly before slowly receding back to her side. She hears an awkward, “Morning RD,” from behind her. It is followed shortly by, “Do you think they are that loud every night or just because they knew we were listening?”

Rainbow moans again, pulling her pillow over her head. She hears Applejack whine again, “Or do you think they kept at it for as long as they did just to annoy us?”

Rainbow’s reply is muffled by her pillow, but is still enough to be understood, “Careful there, Rares, your whining is contagious.”

Applejack snorts but opens her eyes wide as the door opens. Rarity’s voice can be heard, “Oh, don’t worry dear, you’ll be able to roleplay as me all you want after breakfast.”

Applejack looks over with an expression of befuddlement, “What in the hay are you talking about?”

Rarity merely smiles before shuffling back out the door, her heavy hoofsteps echoing through the cold house. Applejack sighs, looking over at Rainbow, “You know what she is talking about?”

Rainbow shrugs, “I dunno, you girls were with him longer than I was, talking about games and whatnot. Maybe it’s another game from his world?” She kicks the blanket off her body and onto Applejack before darting off the bed and making a run for the door. Applejack pulls the blanket off her head but too late; Rainbow has already shut the door to the bathroom.

Applejack moves over to the door looking thoroughly annoyed. She clops her hooves impatiently outside the door, moving side to side, “Rainbow! Consarn it, that’s the last time you pull one over me! Now hurry up in there, some other mares need to go too!”

The door opens and Applejack’s face turns to a smile, only to be covered again by a towel. A snickering Rainbow moves past her, giggling to herself. “Guess I got one more in me, huh?” As Rainbow heads towards the kitchen Applejack pulls the towel off her head, rolling her eyes as she moves into the bathroom.

Rainbow moves into the dining room to see several plates already placed on the table, piled high with pancakes and oats. She moves over to start eating as a knock is heard at the door. Rainbow ignores it, continuing to devour her meal. Rarity’s head appears in the kitchen doorway, a scowl quickly developing on her face. Doug’s voice can be heard soon after, “Don’t worry, Rarity, I’ll get it.”

Rarity’s head disappears back into the kitchen as Doug steps out, heading to the front door.
His voice gets louder as he walks back into the dining room, “Welcome Fluttershy! We weren’t sure if you would be making it for breakfast. Was it chilly outside?”

“Oh, no, I was fine. I had one of Rarity’s scarves with me, so I was nice and warm. Is she up yet?”

“Haven’t seen Pinkie but the rest of the gang is up and about. Sit down and I’ll get you a plate.”

Fluttershy sits down at an empty spot at the table while Applejack comes in. Her mane glistens from the shower she has just exited, her hair done up in a ponytail and air drying. Applejack greets the two while Doug places a stack of pancakes in front of Fluttershy and glasses of juice for each of them. Applejack sits down to her own stack and asks, “So, Doug, what is this I hear about a roleplaying game?”

Doug puts a hand to his chin, “Well, I was waiting for Pinkie Pie to show up before explaining, but since she has probably appeared behind me, I guess I can start now.”

Pinkie Pie gives an exaggerated pout, waving her arms around, having just appeared from between the cushions on one of the dining chairs. “Oh come on! I can’t be that predictable to you already!”

Doug grins, turning towards the kitchen. “Well, you’ll just have to work on your-”

“TIMING!” Pinkie Pie shouts as Doug looks down in shock, the mare having somehow teleported in front of him. She leaps forward, tackling Doug, who continues looking at her with a stunned expression.

Rainbow Dash rolls her eyes, “Come on, that one wasn’t that hard. Inflatable Pinkie doll in the cushion, throws her voice a bit, tackles when you least expect it.”

Doug looks over to the inflatable doll which continues to wave back and forth. “But… but… it was so life like! It captured her movements and facial expression perfectly!”

Pinkie Pie laughs, “Oh, don’t be silly, it’s just my Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Pinkie Tube! They’re gonna be all the rage soon enough!”

Doug slowly recovers, getting back to his feet. “Wow. Well, you really got me there, Pinkie. You hungry yet?”

Pinkie Pie nods, her tongue lolling out of her mouth. Doug comes back into the room holding a stack of pancakes. He places the pancakes in front of her and before he can turn around her jaw unhinges, consuming the entire stack in one gulp. Doug pulls another stack of pancakes and places it in front of Pinkie Pie. He places a milkshake in front of Rarity while Pinkie gulps the second plate down just as quickly. He gives her an amused glare, saying, “Don’t make me get the big plate!”

Pinkie Pie gives a half smile, shrinking down in her seat. “Uh… that’s okay, I don’t need to do that again.”

“Good.”

Breakfast finished, Doug makes a quick trip out of the room, returning with several sheets of paper. He places one in front of each mare. “So, in front of you is the character you will be playing. The game is a roleplaying one. The most popular one known here is Ogres and Oubliettes, but this one will use different rules. You will each be roleplaying as a different pony.”

26 Delivery

February 5th, 994 Domina Solaria

Doug lounges next to Applejack and Rainbow Dash, their private hospital room beginning to get cramped with five members. Applejack and Rainbow both have foals nursing: Applejack’s foal is olive with a bright red mane while Rainbow’s foal is orange with a purple mane. The two mares look up with tired expressions as the door to their hospital room opens. Nurse Redheart wheels Rarity and a light gray unicorn foal with a purple and pink mane into the room. Rarity grunts as she slides off the gurney to the waiting empty bed, careful not to disrupt the foal as she nurses.

Nurse Redheart speaks up, saying, “Everything went smoothly, no complications. Rarity will be a little tired, as I’m sure you all know. Make sure to get your rest, keep up the fluid intake, and let me know if you need anything.” She smiles, and seeing that nothing is needed, makes her exit out the door.

“Ah'm sure glad everything went smoothly for each of us,” Applejack says, looking from Rarity to Doug, “Doug just came back to tell us that things had gone well. Have ya decided on a name yet?”

Rarity looks up, eyes beaming. “I would like to introduce you to Sweetie Belle. Isn’t she just adorable?” She looks back down at the filly, who is still happily nuzzling her teats. “Have either of you decided on names?”

Rainbow grins as she speaks up first, “Well, Applejack has decided to break with tradition, and chose to name her Apple Bloom,” She gives Applejack a wink, slightly sticking her tongue out at her lead.

Applejack returns a sour look, “Ain’t nothing wrong with tradition, RD. Actually, Rares, you gave me the inspiration all those months ago when you first met Doug, talking about love blooming and whatnot. Ah sure didn’t think all that time ago Ah'd be using it this soon.” She gently pets the mane in front of her, softly cooing at the sleepy foal.

“Oh, how delightful. And Rainbow, have you chosen?”

“Rainbow chose the name Scootaloo,” Doug says, as Rainbow has chosen the moment after Applejack’s interlude to feign napping. Rainbow opens one eye to wink at Doug, the smirk on her muzzle growing as she closes her eyes again. Doug groans, stretching his arms out, “I think everypony is pretty tired right now, I know I could go for a nap.”

Doug gets up, moving over to Rarity to give her a quick hug and tussle Sweetie’s mane. He stays there for a minute, looking over to see both Rainbow and Applejack asleep with their foals nestled next to them, dozing quietly. “How are you holding up?” Doug asks, starting to pet Rarity as well.

She leans into his hand, cooing softly. “As well as expected, I suppose. Glad it’s over with, though I will be even happier once we are all out of here and back to our homes. Have you given much thought to how you’ll juggle three foals? One of which could have unpredictable magic and random flights through windows, not to mention what happens with my and Rainbow’s foals!”

“Hey, I know I didn’t look that closely, but I’m pretty sure Apple Bloom isn’t an alicorn.”

Rarity gives a tired smile, “Well, just be prepared for all sorts of antics. Young foals will get into all kinds of situations, often making you wonder how it happened at all. And with three of them, each trying to imitate the other’s abilities? You certainly will see Apple Bloom try to perform magic like Sweetie Belle and trying to jump off roofs and fly like her sister Scootaloo.”

Doug chuckles at this, thinking of some of the stories his parents told him about his younger years. The door opens again, with Nurse Redheart pushing a machine he saw in the delivery room but has no idea to its purpose. Nurse Redheart looks around the room, seeing Rarity and Doug quietly talking and the other five sleeping ponies. She hooks the machine up, turning it on before moving closer to Doug.

Nurse Redheart picks up a small metal box attached to the machine, quietly asking, “Do you know what a thaumometer is?” Doug shakes his head, though Rarity gives a knowing nod, with a frown developing on her muzzle. Nurse Redheart continues, “Essentially, it measures the amount of magic that a being possesses, giving an indication as to how magical something is. Most ponies give off a similar amount, though the expression of the magic in them can take different forms. As you know, earth ponies are stronger, and Applejack is the quintessential earth pony, possessing a larger than average thaum quantity.”

Nurse Redheart moves over to Applejack, placing the thaumometer close to her head and recording the red reading it gives off. She then places the thaumometer close to Apple Bloom, giving a small shake when it comes up with a blue reading. Doug gives a questioning head shake, but she ignores it, moving over to Rainbow Dash.

Nurse Redheart continues, “Rainbow Dash also has a high thaum number, possibly one of the highest out there for a pegasus. It is what helps her to fly so fast, and if what happened before,” she gives a quick shake, “No matter. As you can see, Rainbow also has a red reading, almost going infra,” She moves the thaumometer to Scootaloo which again shows a blue reading.

“What does the blue reading mean?” Doug asks.

Nurse Redheart gives him a sad look before explaining, “Well, it is possible it is just a fluke. I don’t want to get your hopes up or, pardon the term, dash them preemptively. Doctor Horse will be back and explain everything, once I get the rest of the readings.” She takes a reading of Rarity, which comes up a light red, and then of Sweetie Belle, which comes as a dull blue, almost black. She also takes a reading of Doug, and frowns as the reading comes back completely black.

“That’s odd. If you were a pony, you would be dead. Or at the very least, extremely lethargic or comatose. Well, no matter. The doctor will be here, most likely in two or three hours, to explain the readings and the projected outcomes. If there is anything else I can help with?”

Doug shakes his head, looking to Rarity. Her eyes sink down, an unhappy sigh as she strokes Sweetie Belle's mane. His eyes wander to Rainbow and Applejack; the four of them all dozing quietly, smiles plastered on their muzzles. Doug gives Rarity a hug before dozing off himself, two frowns over a happy foal.

Several hours later a knock at the door rouses the four adults. Slowly waking up, Doug spots Doctor Horse, a unicorn pony wearing a rumpled white lab coat. Nurse Redheart follows behind him, pulling several charts into the room. Fluttershy has apparently entered the room at some point and has scrunched herself between two of the beds. Fluttershy brightens upon seeing the three foals waking up and moves to each in turn, nuzzling them as she whispers to each.

The doctor clears his throat as he looks around the room, seeing everypony slowly waking up from their slumber. The foals also stir as Fluttershy draws near, each looking around for their respective dam before starting nursing again. The nurse starts, “Before we begin, do any of you need to use the restroom or need something to eat or drink?”

Doug gets up from the bed, careful not to disturb Sweetie as she nurses. He fills a glass of water for himself before seeing each of his mares giving him a slightly pleading expression. He sighs, then fills four more glasses of water before passing them out, filling a carafe and bringing it back to Applejack, sitting between all his mares.

Doctor Horse begins in his contemptuous tone, “Afternoon. I have quite a bit of information about pony physiology, Doug, concerning your mares and foals. First, a little background information. Normally this topic is covered in school, but seeing as you don’t have your degree ‘here’, you might not know. Also,” he says, looking at Rainbow Dash, the mare impassively staring back, “Some of you could use a refresher.”

He motions to Nurse Redheart, who brings up the first of the charts. It shows a rainbow colored graph, with red on the far right and black on the far left. Nurse Redheart continues, “As I started explaining when I was measuring you, every life here has a certain amount of magic in it. Generally, the more magic, the more intelligence, awareness, or abilities those things possess. As you get further along,” she motions towards the black section of the chart, “Different qualities present themselves. At black, you have rocks and other inanimate objects. Doug, for whatever reason, most likely your not originating from here, you fall into this category. If I hadn’t just used the machine to test the others in the room I would have assumed it was broken.” Doctor Horse gives a small cough, popping a pill in his mouth.

Nurse Redheart continues, “Be that as it may, your lack of magic might have been a factor for your foals, but we’ll get to that later. Plants and lesser creatures, such as insects, will display in the blue range. As you saw, your three foals fall into this category, and we will get into the implications at the end. Most lesser animals, as well as fish, those that do not talk but still display some sentient behavior, fall closer to the green spectrum. Greater animals, specifically the intelligent and more aggressive ones found in the Everfree forest, might fall closer to yellow.”

She moves close to the red section, which has been elongated to show extra categories. “The least magical ponies will show somewhere between yellow and orange. Most ponies fall solidly into the orange category. As you get into the red area, where Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow fall, abilities will present more strongly, as well as being more capable overall, less prone to falling sick or injured, etcetera."

“Where do most foals fall into this list?” Doug asks, looking at Nurse Redheart. She glances at Doctor Horse, who takes over.

“The thaum of a foal does not change during development. No, the reading stays fairly consistent, fluctuating a small amount after a cutie mark is discovered, but generally staying around the level that was there at birth.”

“So,“ Doug starts, looking at the foals. Applejack, Rarity and Rainbow have tensed up at the coming bad news, and the foals have noticed and start whimpering softly, “They have readings that shouldn’t exist. What does that mean?”

“Well, “Doctor Horse pauses, considering his words, “Understand that we have never seen this phenomenon before. With your permission, I would like to conduct a series of experiments and observations on their development, as well as author a research paper. We will also schedule some follow up appointments, to track the development of the foals, both physically and magically.”

Doctor Horse pauses again, looking back at the charts. “But, I’m getting ahead of myself. As I said, we don’t know exactly how this will manifest as they grow older. If you asked me before, I would have said a foal born with blue thaums would be brain dead. As you can, obviously, see, this isn’t the case. The foals are acting normally, no hint of retardation or other developmental issues. The issue, I believe, will be in terms of magic. Doug, you have said that your race is not a magic using one. I think that the foals have inherited their body type from their dams, but their magic seems to be a mix between you and each of your mares. Which, unfortunately, involved averaging an admittedly high number with a zero.”

“Well, what does this mean for them? How do you see that developing later in life?” Doug motions to the three foals, who have quieted down and gone back to nuzzling their dams.

“This is all conjecture and speculation; there is the possibility that they will develop normally, and have the full range of magical abilities that other foals their age possess. However, I fear that instead their magical growth will be forever stunted. Specifically, Apple Bloom will never be able to tend to crops as well as her dam, and may not be as strong. Sweetie Belle will most likely be able to develop telekinesis, but will never reach the multitasking and fine control her dam has." Doctor Horse pauses, waving circles with his hoof in the air, "Depending on her cutie mark, and in fact if she ever gets a cutie mark-”

Four gasps come from each mare, dismayed looks on each.

“No cutie mark?” Rainbow says in a quiet but fast voice, “That’s… that’s... What would happen to them? How would they know what they are good at, their calling in life, what will make them happy?”

Doctor Horse replies, “Unfortunately we don’t know, and in fact will never know until it happens. Rainbow, I have the worst news for you." He pauses as Rainbow inches closer, her eyes boring into him; he sighs, a faint quiver in his voice as he quietly says, "Scootaloo’s wings are undersized to begin with, and this combined with her low magic means that she may never fly.”

Rainbow bursts into tears, her forelegs covering her eyes as her body shakes. Scootaloo startles, crying out as she senses her dam's distress, her wide eyes peering upwards. Doug slides over to Rainbow, gripping her around the barrel and squeezing, holding her as tightly as he can. Rainbow turns her head to him, sobbing into his chest as tears form in Doug’s eyes.

Applejack and Rarity hop off of their beds, leaving Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle and laying comforting hooves onto Rainbow and Doug. Their own bodies quiver with restrained tears, gradually letting them out as they all settle into each other. Doctor Horse and Nurse Redheart approach the herd; Nurse Redheart puts a consoling hoof on Rainbow while Doctor Horse tentatively moves to Doug and awkwardly taps his back.

A few minutes pass as the pile of mares bolster each other, eventually pulling apart. The foals either recovered first or never noticed things were wrong, as they have started to stare at the new arrivals. Nurse Redheart glances over, observing the curious behavior, as the foals struggle to move to the edges of the beds.

Doctor Horse notices as well, commenting, “Well, isn’t this fascinating. Normally foals are only interested in sleeping and their bellies. And, by extension, their dams. Normally this inquisitiveness wouldn’t start until they are a week old.”

Nurse Redheart moves to Rainbow Dash, nuzzling her while watching the foals. “Just think of all the things you’ll be able to do together. While they might not be exactly like you, each will have their own special qualities you can find together.”

Rainbow smiles, wiping the tears from her eyes with a wing. She watches intently as the three foals move to the sides of their beds. She has to block Scootaloo from leaping off the bed, trying to contain the evasive foal with her hooves. Doug gets up but, instead of stopping the foal, pushes the three beds together. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom, after reassurance from their dams, both move over to Scootaloo’s bed where they nuzzle each other before collapsing and falling asleep.

27 Epilogue - Six Years Later

June 30th, 1000 Domina Solaria

Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie are sitting around the kitchen table at Sweet Apple Acres. Doug is cooking breakfast, instructing Apple Bloom while Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle watch over the younger foals as they scamper around. The counter is piled high with plates of pancakes as well as dishes of oatmeal and slices of buttered bread. A tray is piled with glasses and several containers of juice sit nearby.

Doug looks over his family, his herd. His oldest, Apple Bloom, is doing a fine job with cooking breakfast; she has picked the skill up quickly and is good at taking charge. She helps him out with cooking now and then, and occasionally he lets her plan and run the whole kitchen. She enjoys bossing him around when he does, much to everypony’s chagrin. She has more trouble in the fields, but Applejack hopes things will improve as she gets older and works with her every day.

Scootaloo, much like her dam, loves to be on the move and likes playing with the other foals, chasing them around. Rainbow had gotten her a scooter as an alternative to flying and the filly has taken to it like a fish to water. Doug has to constantly remind her to not use it indoors, but she finds it easier to ride than to carry. Her wings, sadly, are much as the doctor had feared. Rainbow trains with her as much as her schedule allows but they have seen little progress. Scootaloo makes up for it with her enthusiasm for her scooter and loves challenging anypony to a race.

Sweetie Belle has much less tolerance for the messes the younger foals commonly make but still puts up a good face, not wanting to be outdone by her sisters. She also diligently keeps at her magic lessons. While she isn’t the only unicorn in Equestria to take extra lessons she is one of the few that needs them in order to keep up with her classmates. Her mixed heritage also makes her magic unpredictable, and she has to keep her magic use to a bare minimum when they are cooking, sometimes even foregoing her telekinesis. She enjoys working with her dam at the Carousel Boutique and they would sing together when the work gets slow. They sometimes form a quartet with Big Mac singing base, Doug tenor and Rarity alto.

Pinkie Pie helped him take care of the foals after the trio was born and had loved it. It wasn’t much of a surprise when Pinkie Pie joined the herd shortly thereafter, wanting a foal of her own. But, since she had just missed her estrus window, they had to wait until the next year. Applejack saw how his oldest three developed much like any other foals; it made her comfortable with having another. At the time, Rainbow and Rarity worried constantly about their two and the magic difficulties they had and would have. Neither wanted to have another until the foals were more comfortable and they had a better idea of what to expect.

Applebaum and Lemon try hard to keep up with their older sisters, but the age gap is just enough to make following them around a little difficult, especially with the trio starting school. The two fillies often get into trouble, things a bit old for them, and their older siblings do nothing but help encourage this. They, like all of his foals, are insatiably curious, always looking to try new things. Doug recreated some of the board and card games he remembered, and while the trio like games for their age, the two can’t stand them. They want to play games for ‘big fillies’ and often rub it in the muzzles of their older sisters that they can handle games their elders can’t.

Fluttershy wanted a foal of her own; she had decided to wait both to see how Scootaloo developed and to give Doug and Pinkie Pie, the main caretakers, a break in how many newborns they dealt with at a time. Scootaloo’s difficulties were limited to flight and weather magic but otherwise the filly had been doing very well. The next year Hedge was born; while she has the same difficulties as her pegasus sister she compensates in a much different way. She is easily the most patient of the foals yet, while slightly more outgoing than her dam, still prefers to let others come to her.

Hedge takes after her dam in other ways, always looking out for those around her. She, as early as she could manage, had taken over caring for the chickens, getting up with the older mares early in the morning to do her chores of gathering the eggs and making sure the feed is in place. She is also the first to notice if a chicken ever goes missing, though a couple times Doug had to explain what happened as chickens, really all creatures, got older.

Applejack and Pinkie Pie both wanted another, so next year Pomarbo and Meringue were born. Meringue often tries to follow in her sister’s hoofsteps but can’t handle the games, at least not yet. Instead, she tries her best to organize all the pieces by color or shape, to her older siblings’ chagrin. They do their best to be patient with her but, like many foals, their patience wears thin very quickly. Pinkie Pie had gotten her started on decorating things, and it isn’t uncommon to pull a board game out and find that the board and all the pieces have been Meringue’d.

Pomarbo, being the only colt, tries to join in with his sisters but often has trouble enjoying the rough and tumble atmosphere. Pomarbo prefers staying with Doug when he is working on the weather, just watching as his sire draws up charts and schedules. He is still too young to assist, but Doug knows he will have a little apprentice soon enough.

The mares thought that eight foals was a good number for the six of them, though Rarity and Fluttershy are on the fence as to having a second. Applejack is somewhat worried that only Applebloom seems to really enjoy farming, and is debating a fourth. There has been a lot of speculation as to when Big Mac will start up a herd of his own, but the stallion seems perfectly happy where he is. Instead, the talk turns to if they will add another mare to Applejack’s herd. Rainbow thinks they are fine, though the betting pool currently favors the unicorn Lyra. The mare had moved to town a few months ago and seems fascinated at just the mention of him. Doug chuckles as memories of the subtle and sometimes not-so-subtle hints come back to him.

The food finishes as Big Mac and Granny Smith walk into the room. Doug whistles and the foals stop playing and neatly line up. He watches as Sweetie Belle scoops oats, apples, and a piece of buttered toast onto a plate held by Apple Bloom; she then holds the plate to Scootaloo. The young filly takes a look at who will be getting the plate, consults her list, and places a stack of apple pancakes on the plate. Apple Bloom places the plate onto Applebaum’s back, telling her, “This is for Mama.”

Applebaum nods, walking over to Applejack before returning to the end of the line.

Apple Bloom passes the next plate, saying, “Lemon, this is for your mama.” Lemon dutifully takes the plate, walking over to Pinkie Pie before returning.

“Hedge, your mama.” The small filly takes the plate onto her back, wobbling some. She manages to get to Fluttershy without the plate falling off, though she does have to use her wings to steady it.

“Meringue, are you big enough to hold a plate?” At the filly’s unsure nod, Apple Bloom sighs and makes sure the broom is at its normal spot in the corner. “Alright, just don’t cry if it gets dropped, okay? Just get the dustpan like we practiced.” The filly eagerly jumps up, nearly knocking the plate out of Apple Bloom’s hooves, but manages to make the trip to Pinkie Pie. The mare redirects her to Rainbow Dash before the excited filly takes a seat at the smaller table.

“Pomarbo, you up for a plate as well?” Pomarbo looks glumly at his hooves and shakes his head no. Apple Bloom breathes out a sigh of relief. “It’s okay, maybe next time. Just help Daddy with the glasses, okay?” Pomarbo nods and heads to the foal’s table where he takes the glasses off the tray Doug set down. He carefully places each glass in front of the eight seats. He then fills each from the carafe of apple juice before taking his own seat.

Apple Bloom continues passing plates until Rarity, Big Mac, and Granny Smith each have a plate in front of them. The older foals continue preparing smaller plates for each of their siblings before taking a plate for themselves and heading over to the foal’s table. Doug places a drink in front of everypony, but when he looks for his own plate he comes up short.

Apple Bloom facehooves when she notices his confusion, “Sorry Daddy! Ah guess Ah forgot again...” resulting in a chorus of laughs as Doug chuckles and serves himself, grabbing an extra helping of eggs from the fridge.

“Alright, alright, get this,” Rainbow says, doing her best to suppress a laugh, “Okay. So, we make a bunch of masks of a couple of ponies from town. Say, Lyra and Bon Bon.”

Pinkie Pie scribbles notes onto a piece of paper, nodding furiously.

“Okay, and then…” Rainbow can’t keep the laughter in, bursting out in a loud guffaw.

“And then?” Pinkie asks, her eyes lighting up.

Rainbow continues struggling to rein in her laughter, “Okay, I’m okay. Alright, so I got some paint as well, mane style stuff. Then, when Mayor Mare is doing her big proclamation tomorrow to kick off the events of the celebration… there will be, like, ten Bon Bons and Lyras in the audience!”

Pinkie Pie and Rainbow both beat their hooves against the table, laughing in eerie synchronization.

Applejack rolls her eyes while Rarity responds, “I don’t see the humor in it. Mayor Mare’s eyesight isn’t all that great, even with the glasses, and the whole audience would have to be in on the joke.”

“Not the whole audience, just those from Ponyville,” Rainbow retorts, “We might have to get everything set up at the party beforehoof. But, I mean, how close attention do you think everypony is going to be paying during the proclamation anyway? All eyes are going to be on Princess Celestia as she walks in, and she’s going to look over the audience and see-” Rainbow bursts out laughing again, but settles down as food is placed in front of her.

The other mares have gone back to discussing their duties for the upcoming festival. Doug sits down and Applejack remarks, “Did ya hear? Apparently they are sending somepony from Canterlot to help Ponyville with the preparations. Some sort of, ‘Summer Sun Celebration Organizer’.”

Pinkie Pie chimes in, “Oh! Maybe she’ll have all sorts of ideas to make this celebration totally amazing! Like, more streamers! And balloons shaped like the sun! Balloons that get bigger as the day goes longer!”

Rarity remarks in a slightly disgruntled tone, “Or maybe she’ll just be there to make sure the celebration actually starts when the sun rises. The mayor can never get Winter Wrap Up done on time, they probably just don’t want a fiasco like that happening in front of all the out-of-towners there to watch Princess Celestia raise the sun. Or in front of Princess Celestia, for that matter.”

“Pff, Ponyville would never disappoint Princess Celestia like that! By the way, you got our weather worked out like normal, right Doug?” Rainbow asks as she starts shoveling food into her mouth.

“Yup, somepony in Canterlot even asked for an advance copy. Probably wanted to double check, but it’s kind of hard to mess up clear skies,” Doug answers as he takes a bite of his eggs before reaching for some jam.

Rainbow responds, “Well, ya, duh, but that’s only for the last, what, six hours of today? Before that we have to get everything cold enough so it doesn’t get too hot halfway through tomorrow.”

“Enough work talk, folks, some of us just want to rest their ears before everypony starts clamoring about making sure the food is done.” Applejack rests her elbows on the table, hooves covering her ears as the din from the foal’s table grows louder.

Doug shrugs, “You think the Wonderbolts will be there? I know how much you enjoy showing off your new tricks to them whenever you can. Thought about reapplying?”

Rainbow shrugs noncommittally, “I’m not sure. I still don’t feel like I’m back at the top of my game, you know? And I don’t want to give them anything but my very best! But ya, they will be at the celebration tomorrow, so I might show off just a little.”

Rarity remarks, “Doug, will you be watching the foals, or did you get another assignment for today?”

Doug thinks for a moment before responding, “Nope, just foalsitting and working on weather scheduling. Do you think Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle will be old enough to attend the events tonight?”

At hearing their names, the three fillies come bounding up to the table. “Of course we are, Daddy!” they each chime in.

Rainbow looks at the three, “Well, I think they are old enough! We’ll be able to stay up all night celebrating the sun and Princess Celestia’s totally awesome rule!”

Rarity huffs, “Well, I don’t know about that. What if they get sleepy? It would be far better for them to go to bed and then get up early for the raising.” At seeing the three foal’s downcast faces she relents a little, “Okay, maybe staying up an extra hour. But, as you know, you need your sleep if you want to get up bright and early.”

The fillies look to Applejack, a pleading look on their three little faces. Applejack is used to being the tiebreaker for these kinds of things, easily resisting the look, “Well, Ah don’t see the harm in them staying up just this once. But you three need to be careful not to fall asleep during the raising when Princess Celestia is there! Just, be sure to warn one of us and we’ll see about finding a nice side room where you can take a nap. If you don’t let us know in time and we catch you dozing we’ll have to send you back home, where you can celebrate with Daddy and your siblings.”

A chorus of, “Thanks Mama!” rings out from the excited fillies, who immediately go back to the foal’s table to inform the others and formulate their plans for the next day.

Rarity gives a small frown at being outvoted, but coos softly as Doug runs his hand down her back, scratching as he goes. He remarks, “I’m glad somepony hasn’t given up on their role as Bad Cop to Rainbow’s Overly Excitable Let Anything Go Cop.”

Both Rainbow and Rarity laugh as the mares continue their planning of the upcoming events.

1 Introductions

February 17th, 993 Domina Solaria

Applejack hums to herself as she stops outside Barnyard Bargains, a jaunty rendition of the Winter Wrap Up theme. She drops off her small cart, the apple wood ready to be loaded with seeds for the coming planting. The large store looms eerily dark in the pre-dawn light, the door creaking open as she enters the otherwise deserted store. She knocks on one of the walls, a hesitant, "Howdy?" as she walks down to the flower aisle. She strains her eyes, not wanting to believe the prices of the seeds that she wants to buy. She does a quick calculation in her head, a heavy sigh as she realizes the profit on these wouldn't be nearly as much as she hoped. But, still worth the risk, and maybe it'll be enough to tide them over next winter.

The light from the back office flicks on, a bright glare forcing Applejack to squint as she looks again at the seeds. Shadows dance back and forth as a figure slowly walks through the doorway. He rustles around behind one of the counters, the clatter of bits bouncing against each other as he sets up the register. Applejack sighs, grabbing a large assortment of the flower seeds and making her way to the counter.

Filthy Rich grins as he turns on the light behind the counter, growing a little wider at the lack of clinking as Applejack pulls out her bag of bits. "Good morning, Applejack. How are things going down at Sweet Apple Acres?"

"Oh, things are going all right, Ah suppose." Applejack sighs, "Ugh. Even Ah don't believe mah self when Ah say that. Things... things ain't going so well, Filthy."

"Please, Applejack, call me Rich, I don't know how many times I need to remind you." Applejack gives a soft smile, quickly fading as she places the packets of seeds on the counter. "This all you'll be needing, then?"

"Eeyup. Twenty five bits for the lot, right?"

Filthy Rich's face purses into a frown, "Well, unfortunately, Applejack, the discount doesn't apply to the chrysanthemums, what with the increased demand." Applejack's face falls, the orange earth pony looking back at the sign in disbelief. But, there it is in black and white, right at the bottom, that the seeds she is hoping to make a quick bit off of aren't included in the sale. She glances back at her bag of bits, knowing that she doesn't have enough to cover the extra cost. Filthy Rich continues, an obvious look back at his office, "I'm sorry, Applejack, but you know, I'm always willing to make an exception under certain circumstances."

Applejack follows his gaze to the office, her face frowning, her eyes turning to a glare, "Ah know you are, Rich, but Ah ain't that broke." She gives another hard sigh, looking down at the bags. "Ah guess Ah'll just put a few of these back. Shame Ah won't have enough to cover the field, though."

Filthy Rich's face falls, "Now, Applejack, none of that." His voice lowers to a whisper, despite a lack of ponies in the store, "Look, I hate to see a pretty face like yours upset. I know it's been hard on you and your family, with what happened to your parents. Just, don't tell anypony else, and I'll cut you that discount on these. Deal?"

Applejack's face brightens, "You got yourself a deal, partner." She gives another glance to the papers on the table in the back office, "And Ah'm sorry that Ah can't take your offer. Granny would tan mah hide if Ah tried sellin' Sweet Apple Acres cider against her wishes, again."

Filthy Rich smiles, "Just keep in mind who your partners are, Applejack." He takes her bits, quickly counting them out and sliding her two back. Applejack stares at the two bits, her hoof going to push them back to him. He stops her with a shake of his head, "And I know Spoiled can be a little rough at times, but give it another thought, okay?"

Applejack gives Filthy Rich a small smile, her hoof shakily taking the two bits back. "Ah will, Rich. Thanks again, for everything." She gathers up the seed packets, closing her eyes and sighing to herself as she feels the stallion's eyes on her flanks. She puts a bit of a spring in her step as she walks out of the store, listening for his sigh as the lights around the counter click off, the slow hoofsteps as Filthy Rich returns to his office.

Applejack makes her way out of Barnyard Bargains, filling her small cart with the bags of seeds ready to be planted. These seeds, along with many of the other varieties waiting at the farm, will hopefully give the family enough of a buffer to keep going during next winter. She'll have to work extra hard, but if there is one thing that Applejack is good at, it's working hard.

Applejack rubs her growling stomach; she must be hungry, given that she is now standing outside of Sugarcube Corner. And the farm doesn't have much, not this early in the year. And what they did have would be better off sold at market, sadly enough. She sighs, unhitching herself from the cart and walking inside. The bell jingles as she walks in; fortunately, there is only one other pony in line this early in the morning. One less pony that might notice. She glances nervously at the prices, and when it is her turn she says, "Morning Ms. Swirl. Just two donuts please, um, whichever are the cheapest."

Chiffon Swirl gives her a knowing nod, turning to the kitchen and saying, "Pinkie? Two of the donut bags from the back!"

Pinkie salutes Ms. Swirl from the kitchen, disappearing and quickly returning with two small bags. She puts them on the counter, smiling at Applejack and saying, "Hey Applejack! Is your back itchy?" Applejack shakes her head, Pinkie exclaiming, "Oh, well, it should be! Good luck!" Pinkie Pie winks at Applejack before returning to the kitchen.

Ms. Swirl takes Applejack's bit pieces, smiling at her as Applejack looks at the bags and saying, "Don't worry, Applejack, they're just the day old donuts we don't have displayed. Don't worry about it!"

Applejack sighs, her objection to the baker's generosity overruled by her hungry stomach. She smiles, "Thanks, Ms. Swirl. Ah appreciate it. Ah'll see you around!" before scarfing down a few of the donuts in quick succession. She walks back outside, tossing the empty bags into the trash, and hitching herself back to her cart before heading back to Sweet Apple Acres.

Walking down the road is a pony Applejack has been hoping to see; she was too busy during the winter trying to get all the repairs that needed doing, and should have been done during the fall. She waves a hoof, saying "Hey Time Turner!" as she walks closer.

The tan earth pony turns, smiling and waving back, "Hey Applejack! How's the farm?"

Applejack smiles, "Oh, it's going very well, lots of new ground to be broken in! Ah was wondering, Time, are you busy Friday night?" She beams at him, her smile growing larger.

Time Turner's smile fades, "Oh, um, I'm sorry Applejack, but I'm going to be busy that night."

Applejack's keeps her expression positive, asking hopefully, "Oh. Would, uh, any other night work better for you?"

He shakes his head, "I'm sorry, Applejack, it's just that... well, you know..."

Applejack frowns, nodding her head, "Ah understand, Time, it's okay. Anyway, have a nice day." She waves, Time Turner returning an awkward wave back. Well, that was it. The last eligible earth pony bachelor in Ponyville. Well, except for Hayseed, but Applejack would rather ask one of her cousins to move to Ponyville than ask that particular stallion out. Maybe Apple Core would be interested in her; he had seemed at least moderately taken back at the last reunion. Or she could ask one of the single unicorns out, but Applejack shudders at just the thought of that; they have a tendency to solve anything with magic instead of hard work. The pegasi are out as well; none of them work on the fields during Winter Wrap Up, much less during the hot summer months when they could be making their own breeze.

And there is no way she is playing second fiddle, or especially third fiddle, to somepony like Spoiled Rich, even if Filthy is a bit of a catch. Most of the other stallions already in a herd that she might have considered have their own farms to worry about, and Applejack doesn't like the idea of working both on her farm and on her lead mare's farm. There is already too much to do on her own farm! Applejack sighs to herself; maybe some stallion will move to Ponyville, and she'll be able to snatch him up before Ms. Swirl. Though the baker will be able to spot him much earlier, given that Applejack will be working the fields and Ms. Swirl will be in the middle of Ponyville, at the best place to get snacks and baked goods. And if they didn't like Ms. Swirl, then the younger and more spry Pinkie Pie would have a shot before Applejack even knows there is somepony to ask.

She continues walking, lost in her thoughts as she makes her way down the road, her mane and tail styled in her characteristic ponytail and wearing a tan Stetson on her head. She barely notices as her tail occasionally bumps into the cart, shaking the cloth bags of seeds that are piled precariously high. Applejack takes a deep breath of the cool spring air. No need to dwell on what isn't going to be. Better to focus on the farm, and what still needs to be done. This soon after Winter Wrap Up traces of snow can still be seen dotting the landscape, but the full bloom of spring will be here very soon. The various critters have been woken up, the southern birds are back, and Applejack is again ready to get the farm running again.

As Applejack walks down the road, she notices the squelch of the wheels on the slightly muddy road, and the soft clop of her horseshoes along the ground. Normally, this close to the Everfree Forest, that shouldn't happen; she should at least hear the birds. Or rather, she should not be able to hear those sounds if everything is fine. The weather ponies that normally scout the area hadn’t mentioned anything weird going on, but as Applejack makes a quick glance to the skies she can’t see any pegasi in the air. Her ear pricks as she starts scanning the forest edge, looking for danger, when a strange creature sits up a short distance from her.

Applejack quickly comes to a halt, a few of the bags behind her toppling off the cart. One of her ears flicks back as she looks at the creature with a curious expression, cocking her head one way and then another. It had been laying on the ground, not quite hidden from view behind some of the foliage. It’s obviously... well, she hopes that means it's a he. Standing, at least a foot taller than her, probably two, but lanky, with four limbs and differently shaped hooves. Hopefully he is friendly, since he hasn’t pounced or made any sudden movements towards her; however, the lack of natural weapons makes her even more cautious. It's easy to figure out how a manticore is going to come after you, yet a cockatrice is worse to stumble upon. Her body is gearing up to turn and gallop away just in case; being strapped to the cart will make things difficult. Hopefully, this… scaleless dragon will just walk away, or-

The creature slowly moves one limb upwards, scratching the hair that covers the top of its head. “Hello?” he says in a baritone, deeper than any pony she knows besides Big Mac.

“Well, hello back at'cha!” the earth pony mare replies in a southern accent, relieved that it at least can speak. Her eyes quickly dart down to the fallen bags, then back to the creature. “Well, shoot. Ah sure didn’t expect a creature like ya to talk. Mah name’s Applejack.”

The creature shivers, glancing down at his bare chest and muttering, 'We speak the same language?' before looking between Applejack and her cart. He says in a louder voice, “I could say the same thing. My name’s Doug. Could, um, could you use a hand there?”

Applejack looks at Doug quizzically. “A hand? What’d ya mean by that?”

Doug slowly gets up from where he is sitting and cautiously walks over to her, picking up the bags of seeds and placing them back on the cart. “Just a little help. I’m… not from around here. Where is this?” Applejack shudders a little at the proximity to the strange creature, but so far everything doesn't seem too bad.

Applejack looks down the road she had been travelling along, trying to keep her voice steady, “Why, this here’s Sweet Apple Acres, home of the best apples in Equestria! Me and my brother Big Mac work here along with Granny Smith, and we’re always looking to make new friends. What do you do?”

He nods his head, a smile forcing its way across his face, “That sounds like a lot of fun, and hard work too. I work with planes. Or at least, I used to. I would tell them what to do or where to go.”

Applejack looks at him a little quizzically, “With plains, huh? Ah imagine they can be pretty stubborn to get to do what you want! Lot of hard work?” She starts walking along the road again, a quick head motion getting him to follow. At least he seems nice so far.

Doug shrugs, his pace quickly matching hers, “Well, knowing how to talk to them helps a lot. Sometimes they just need a little persuasion, you know?”

“Oh, don’t Ah know! There was this one time, the weather team let one of them storms get a little out of hoof, it ended up blowing half the southeast orchard over! Mac and Ah spent two days hauling stumps out of the ground. In fact, Ah had to help the poor colt take his yoke off when the day was done, give him a little rest, and he never takes that off!”

The pair enter one of the gates that leads to a newly plowed field. Doug can’t help but look around at the various trees, fields, and barns that dot the landscape. They continue walking back to one of the barns where Applejack gets herself out of the harness. Applejack takes bags of seeds out of the cart and lines them up along the field next to the plowed lines.

Applejack looks at Doug, a neutral expression on her face, “If'n you don’t mind me asking, what are you?”

Doug continues looking around, still fascinated by his surroundings, “I’m a human. Heard of them before?”

Applejack shakes her head as she continues getting the field ready. “Nope, can’t say that Ah have. You ever worked on a farm before?”

Doug stops looking around, shaking his head. “Never worked on a farm, but I’ve done a fair amount of gardening. I’d sure be grateful if I could help around here, though. What are you working on?”

Applejack gets the last bag in place before moving back to the barn and grabbing a second harness with her teeth. She deftly swings the strap around her barrel, locking it in place around her neck. She moves back to the field, picking up one of the bags and placing it in the sack on the harness. “Well, talk around town was how some of them Canterlot nobles were saying that chrysanthemums were going to be ‘in’ this year.” Applejack sits back to make air quotes with her hooves before grabbing some seeds and tossing them into a furrow. “So, Ah figured Ah’d give it a shot, see if we can’t make a couple extra bits on the side.”

Doug ponders the different words Applejack has been using, though her intent is obvious. “So, need any help then?" A hint of worry in his voice, "Can’t promise much, but I’ll give it my best.”

Applejack stops knocking the plowed dirt into the furrow. She takes a hard look at Doug, pursing her lips in a look of trepidation. “Well… for starters, how about you knock the dirt into the furrow after Ah’ve put the seeds in. Just follow me and we’ll see how it goes.”

“Sounds easy enough. You have a shovel or something?”

“A shovel? Just use your hoof, easy enough.” She demonstrates by continuing to work, knocking the dirt in as she goes. She quickly develops a pattern, swaying side to side as she alternates grabbing seeds, dropping them into the furrow, then bashing the plowed dirt into place and moving along. She looks over at Doug, who is walking over to the barn where he grabs a long, flat piece of wood. “What are you going to use that for?”

Doug walks back over, testing the broken piece of fence in his hand. “Well, I think I might get sore from bending over like that and working the whole field. We humans generally prefer to stay as upright as we can, makes things easier on our backs.”

Applejack snorts, going back to work. She has left a decent amount of dirt off to the side for Doug to get to work on. “Well, some folks might call it being afraid to get your hooves dirty.” She looks back to see Doug keeping up, though the exertion is showing on his face.

He remarks, “I might need to make some special tools for me to use. It’s working, but I could use a rake or special kind of plow, do this a little easier.”

The pair finish the field, chatting about the work that generally gets done on the farm. By the end Doug is slowing down, Applejack helping out with the dirt he has left behind. Doug takes several deep breaths as he makes his way to one of the many apple trees, sitting down in the shade, and wiping the sweat off his forehead with his hand. Applejack heads back to the main farmhouse; she returns a few minutes later, carrying several bottles of orange liquid. She hoofs one to Doug, who takes it, peering at the contents. He shrugs, opening the top and tests the liquid within. He quickly smiles, tilting the bottle back and draining the rest in one go.

Applejack stares at him incredulously, “Wow, nopony’s ever taken a liking to plain ole apple juice that quickly. You must've been mighty thirsty.” She smiles and slides him another bottle, which he takes, opening and drinking half the bottle before slowing down and starting to sip.

“All Ah can say is, you make one mighty fine apple-” he burps, then smirks at Applejack as she blushes. “Juice. I mean, you make some delicious juice here and I would love to sample every product you have.”

Applejack rolls her eyes at that and replies, “Well, you’ll just have to wait for dinner then." She sticks her head up, closing her eyes and smiling, "Ah’ll see about fixin' up a nice selection of what we here at Sweet Apple Acres have to offer.”

“You should market that; you know, pretty picture of your face smiling and saying, ‘It’s Applejack Approved!’ or something equally as corny.” Doug pauses, moving his hand to his chin. “Or would you say as apply? Ow!”

Doug’s hand massages his shoulder where Applejack slugged him. She gives him a mock glare, eyes twinkling, “Oh shucks, nopony would want to buy an apple just cause my face is on it. My friend Fluttershy, though, or maybe Big Mac if we really wanted to stoop for some eye candy.”

“Your brother? I can see the poster now,” - Doug raises his hands, making a rectangle with his fingers - “He’s standing up on a crate of apples, looking back at the camera. He’s holding himself up strongly, muscles bulging, saying, ‘Apple trees aren’t the only things with hard wood around here!’” Doug grins at his joke before giving a yelp, rubbing the same spot where Applejack has slugged him again. “Ow, you-”

Doug is cut off as Applejack wrestles him to the ground, both of them laughing. Applejack groans, “That’s mah brother you’re talking about!”

“Well, you brought him up first!”

Applejack pins Doug to the ground, glaring at him. “Well, be that as it may, Ah still don’t need images like that clopping around in my head next time Ah'm trying to sleep.” Doug gives up struggling, laboring to breath underneath Applejack. Applejack slowly gets up, brushing herself off, “Although, speaking of hard wood… how would you like to give apple buckin' a try?”

Doug looks at her like she’s lost her mind, “Mind explaining just a little more? I don’t think I heard you right.”

Applejack looks up at the apple tree they are sitting under. “Well, the apples on this tree are still a little immature, but they’ll work nicely for a demonstration. First, we’ll need some baskets. There should be some back behind the barn there.”

Doug looks at the barn, then at Applejack who continues waiting patiently at the tree. He gets up, muttering to himself, "This better not be going where I think it’s going," as he walks behind the barn. He sees stacks of baskets; he looks behind himself, half expecting to see Applejack there. When nothing happens, he grabs twelve baskets, as many as he can carry, and stumbles back to the tree where Applejack is waiting.

“Good, you brought enough of them. We’ll end up needing all of them, but you can wait till we pull the wagon around. Alright, we’ll need four baskets for this tree, arranged under the branches.”

Doug places the baskets he is carrying on the ground, grabbing four and laying them under the tree. Applejack shakes her head as she rearranges where the baskets are placed. She nods approvingly as she looks back at Doug. “Now that the baskets are placed you just rear up like somepony called your brother a no-good whorse and just…”

She lets loose a grunt as her front hooves dig into the ground, pushing back and bucking the tree. Apples cascade down, neatly landing into each of the arranged baskets. Doug stares at her with a look of wonder on his face. Applejack giggles at his stunned expression, “See, easy enough. Now, you give it try. First, we arrange the baskets where the apples are concentrated.”

“Uhm… I don’t think my legs work like that.”

“Well, you never know until you try.”

“Uh… alright. You think I need to get my hands on the ground or you think a kick like this will work?”

Doug demonstrates a side kick, aiming the heel of his foot at the tree. Applejack shrugs and says, “Ah never seen a pony buck a tree like that, but Ah ain’t seen many ponies like you, so give it a shot?”

Doug shrugs back to Applejack as he arranges the baskets under the next tree. “Well, can’t hurt to try, can it?”

Five seconds later, Doug is on the ground, eyes squeezed shut in pain as he holds his foot. One apple manages to shake itself loose, though it misses the basket and lands next to Doug’s head. Applejack walks over to him, trying her best to hold in her laughter. “Well, partner, it could have been worse.”

Doug groans in pain as he rolls over, looking at Applejack. “Oh ya?”

“Eeyup. That apple could have landed on your head.”

Doug merely groans again, rolling onto his back and closing his eyes. Applejack nuzzles him on the arm, a more serious look on her face. “Think y'all be alright?”

Doug smiles at the contact, but winces as he lightly squeezes his foot. “Ya, I’ll live. Don’t think I broke anything, just need to walk it off.”

“Alright then, Sugarcube. Don’t need nopony injuring themselves. How about, when you feel up to it, head back to the barn and get the rest of those baskets. Start arranging them, four per tree, while I go get the wagon.” She points with a hoof, a few rows of apple trees already laden with fruit, "You should be able to tell which ones are ready." She gives him another nuzzle before making her way to the main barn.

Doug slowly gets to his feet, gradually putting more weight on his injured foot. He gingerly walks to the back of the barn, looking over the stacks of baskets. He pauses, frowning at the labor ahead of him; he glances back to the front of the barn, spotting the one axle cart Applejack was using earlier. He walks over, grabs it and tests to see if he can drag it around. Happy with the result, he drags it behind the barn, loading the cart with about half of the baskets. Deciding against pushing himself with his hurt foot he drags his improvised rickshaw along the row of apple trees, stopping every other tree to unload baskets.

His first payload complete, he returns with his cart, seeing Applejack with her considerably larger two axle wagon. She whistles appreciably as she sees him returning, though blushes as she realizes how her wolf whistle might have been taken. Doug just smiles back at her and quickly waves, going back to dragging the cart. Applejack shakes her head and releases the wagon. She begins bucking the trees, reminding herself to show Doug how best to place the baskets.

Doug walks by again, dragging the other half of the baskets. He smiles at Applejack, then looks back to his destination. Applejack smiles back at him, her eyes drifting towards his flanks as he continues past her. Her smile grows a little wider as she bucks the next tree, thinking, ‘Ah finally found another pony Ah enjoy working alongside. Never thought that would happen.’

Applejack moves from tree to tree, showing Doug how best to place the baskets before bucking the tree. After a few more examples Doug moves ahead, re-positioning the baskets he had placed earlier. Applejack gives an approving nod as she continues working while Doug begins placing full baskets on the cart. She notes, his arms do make it a lot easier for him to get the full baskets onto the wagon, especially as they starts stacking up; same with picking up the dropped apples. They continue for nearly an hour before the wagon becomes too heavy for Doug to comfortably pull.

Applejack stops him as he starts making increasingly long trips from tree to wagon. “Woah there, partner. Ah’ll handle the wagon, you head back to the farmhouse. Ask Granny Smith about putting some lunch together. Oh, and say hello to Big Mac as well, let them both know you’ll be staying for dinner.”

Applejack bucks the next couple trees before moving the wagon closer and collecting the full baskets. She drags the wagon to one of the nearby barns before spotting Doug returning to their earlier spot, a basket full of food in his hand. She waves at him and he changes course, removing the makings of a picnic lunch. He spreads a cloth on the ground and places a hay sandwich, several carrots and compact oat bars in front of Applejack. For himself he pulls out a dried fruit salad, a hunk of bread and some slices of cheese. He places two bottles of juice in front of each of them before leaning up against one of the nearby trees.

Applejack takes her portion and moves it so she is able to lay next to him, brushing her side against his leg. They smile at each other before starting on their meals. Doug’s hand absentmindedly moves to Applejack’s side and begins scratching. Her breathing becomes a little heavier as Doug’s hand begins moving more purposefully, tracing the muscles under her coat.

Applejack moves her front hoof to Doug’s leg, tracing the calf muscle. She moves lower, getting to his ankle. She turns, looking at Doug and asks, “So, what do ya call these hooves here?” She motions to his feet, the soles looking a bit red and irritated, especially where he had kicked the tree.

“Those would be my feet." He motions at each part, "Toes on the end, then the foot, then ankle, then the shin bone and calf muscle. I think we’re pretty similar as you get higher than that.”

Applejack moves her hoof down to the foot, scooching forward to get in reach. Doug laughs as she moves her hoof up the front and down the back side. Applejack grins, “Ohh, looks like somepony is a mite ticklish.” She starts moving her hoof on the underside of his foot again, slower this time, enjoying the grin he is trying to suppress.

Doug’s knee jerks up as he tries to keep from bursting out laughing. Applejack pushes herself up and over his legs; she props herself up on her elbows and brings both hooves to bear against his feet, trying to tickle both of them.

Doug goes on the offensive, knowing he won’t be able to hold out for long. He starts scratching Applejack’s sides before moving towards her flanks. Following a particularly good tickle on Applejack’s part he bends his knees, pulling his body forward. He grimaces as he starts tickling Applejack’s forelegs and her barrel before moving to her head. He tries behind her ears and moves down her mane but is still unable to find a weak point. He bursts out laughing as he gives up, laying down and holding his arms tightly to his sides.

Applejack relents after a moment, turning and smirking at Doug. “Looks like Ah win again, partner.” She moves up and nuzzles his chest, eyes closing in contentment.

“So, what do you win, then?” Doug’s hand moves to Applejack’s mane and starts slowly stroking back and forth.

“Hmm. Might need to try some more of those ear scratches. After that we need to get back to work, can’t spend all our time foaling around.”

One of Doug’s hands moves to scratch Applejack’s ears while he finishes his lunch with the other. She coos softly, rubbing her head into his stomach. Doug gives a crestfallen sigh, keeping up the ear scratching as Applejack moans louder.

She takes a deep breath of the sweat from his exertion, beginning to glisten on his skin. Her nose crinkles as she tries to place the scent. It smells like a mix between the perfume that fancy stallions up in Manehatten wore and a hint of… she shudders as she comes to the realization; the stench of death. Or at least, the smell of blood and charred flesh. She isn’t sure why but she finds it oddly titillating, like a hint of danger. But, he just ate the bread, cheese, and apples. Can it really be that?

After a few minutes Applejack stops breathing as hard and Doug stops scratching. He gathers the leftover bottles and they both rise, moving to the barn where Doug helps unload the apples. They sort the apples in piles for sale in town, some to be crated, and others to be used in cooking. Applejack hauls the cooking apples back to the main house while Doug fills the cart with the empty baskets and the process begins anew.

5 Market

Applejack slowly trundles down the road, dragging her cart of Apple products behind her. The town of Ponyville looms ahead, still too early for much activity. The sounds of other merchants echoes in the quiet town as Applejack pulls up to her stall. She begins unloading her goods, setting up baskets of apples in easy reach for customers and displaying some of her other wares behind her.

She looks up at the sky; while there are still some remnants of clouds, it looks like at least one of the weather patrollers has gotten an early start. She looks nervously at the rest of the market; she is beginning to doubt her earlier decision to present Doug to the town. He certainly doesn’t smell like most stallions from Ponyville. She doesn’t want anypony to get the wrong idea. She also doesn’t like the idea of, as her Granny put it, ‘parading around town’, and regrets the rash words she had spoken earlier. Even if the other ponies expect it from her, to show that she is in a relationship and with whom.

Her thoughts are interrupted as her friend Rainbow Dash lands next to the stall. The cyan pegasus blows her rainbow colored mane out of her eyes before she drops a bit on the counter, grabbing an apple while waiting somewhat impatiently for Applejack to finish unpacking the drinks. She looks around at the bottles, saying, “Morning AJ. You got any cider back there?”

“Good morning to you too, Rainbow. Unfortunately we’re all out of the ciders you like, just a bit of the reserve packed for my lunch and no, you can’t have any.” Rainbow gives Applejack a pleading look, bits of the apple she had been biting falling from her mouth.

“Please, Applejack! It’s been so long since I’ve had any! You’ve been so busy at the farm, I haven’t seen you at the stall. It’s just been the secondhoof apples that Roseluck would sell for you, after she’s picked out all the good ones!”

Rainbow starts to scoot around the counter as another voice pops up, “Good morning, Applejack. Oh, and Rainbow Dash, good morning to you as well. I didn’t expect to see either of you awake at this hour, or at least in town.” An alabaster unicorn with a styled purple mane and tail walks up to the stall.

Applejack gives Rarity a nod in return as she grabs a few items from underneath the counter. She body checks Rainbow to keep the pegasus from getting to her lunch, Rainbow yelping in frustration. Rarity drops a couple of bits on the counter, grabbing a breakfast apple and a wrapped lunch Applejack has prepared. She sniffs as she goes to take a bite from her apple, mouth slightly turning to a smirk.

“Hmm, Applejack? What is that smell?” Rarity sniffs behind herself, then over at Rainbow Dash. She shakes her head in frustration before looking to Applejack. “It smells like perfume, but I can’t quite put my hoof on it. Rainbow, you weren’t with anypony last night, were you?”

Rainbow scoffs, “Ya, as if I have the time to be seeing somepony. I have that Wonderbolt interview coming up and I can’t afford any distractions! I thought the smell was from you, I know how much you like to imitate those Canterlot nobles.”

Rarity raises her head in indignation, “Why, I never! I-”

Rarity is interrupted by Applejack’s loud cough, “Um, girls, Ah think the smell might be me.”

“You?” Rainbow lets out a loud laugh, taking off from the ground and rolling around in midair. “Oh jeez, you get so lonely back at the farm you have to borrow some of Big Mac’s supply?”

Applejack gives Rainbow a quick glare, saying, “No, Ah met somepony yesterday… Well, not really somepony, but-”

Rarity gasps, looking closely at Applejack. “That quickly?”

Rainbow stops her aerial gymnastics, looking at Applejack. “What, you borrow some of his cologne?”

Rarity gives Rainbow a sideways look, shaking her head. “No, Rainbow, I think she’s presenting his scent. But it is awfully quick, for us to have no inkling that anything was going on. You are presenting, correct?”

Applejack gives a sheepish smile, walking over to Rarity and letting the mare get a better smell. “Ah thought Ah’d be more eager, but Ah'm having some serious second thoughts about it. Ah mean, here you are, my two best friends, and Ah can barely tell you!”

Rainbow Dash moves close to Applejack and takes a long sniff, wrinkling her nose at the smell. She backs off a little, sniffing again. “So, what’s the stallion like? We met him before? Doesn’t smell like somepony I’ve met before. Not that I’ve been going around smelling the stallions around here, you know.”

“Well, no, Ah don’t think you’ve met him before. He showed up at the farm yesterday morning, out of the Everfree. His name is Doug, and he’s a human.”

“A human? I don’t believe I’ve heard of a human before. You met him yesterday, and you are presenting his scent already? What happened between you two?” Rarity eyes Applejack suspiciously, taking another bite of her apple.

“Well, he’s tall, stands on two legs, arms with these weird claws on the end he calls hands. We really hit it off yesterday, but he might have pushed a little harder than Ah was originally comfortable with…”

Sensing Applejack’s hesitation at continuing, Rainbow pulls her hooves out of Applejack’s lunch and leaps up, “You mean he forced himself on you?! Well, I’ll show him what happens when you mess with my friend!” Rainbow shoots off from the ground, rainbow contrails following her blurred body.

The two stand there, speechless before Applejack manages to call out, “No, Rainbow Dash! Stop, get back here!”

Rarity pats Applejack with a comforting hoof, “Well, I suppose we should hurry after her. Maybe you can tell me more on the way. I do hope we’re not traipsing around your farm too long, I must get back to the Boutique soon.”

Applejack nods her head, saying, “Ah suppose so.” She moves over to the adjacent stall, saying, “Hey, Roseluck? Mind watching my cart until Ah get back? Thanks!”

The two head out at a brisk trot before reaching the edge of the town and breaking into a canter. Applejack starts explaining, “Well, Ah was walking back home last morning with my cart, full of seeds…”

17 Depression*

Rainbow Dash and Doug walk slowly down the road, apple trees lining either side of their path. A few stray clouds from the Everfree Forest are making their way over the orchards, and the dots of pegasi either wrangling them back into place or dispersing them can be seen. A cool breeze helps with the otherwise warm day, a portent of the upcoming summer.

Rainbow sighs, thinking to herself that she should be up there, working the weather with the other ponies. She doesn’t want to be here, down on the ground, walking along the path with Doug. She knows she has to figure something out but her thoughts just keep going in circles. She would have liked a few days to digest what she is going through. Even after Rarity laid out the potential solutions she still doesn’t like any of them. She wishes it hadn’t happened at all, that she had been stronger during her heat.

The pair comes to the edge of one of the orchards, leading out into a grassy field. Rainbow plops down in the shade of one of the apple trees, dropping her head onto her front hooves. She sobs, finally unable to control the tears she has been holding back in front of Rarity and Applejack.

Doug sits down next to her, putting one arm lightly on her withers. Rainbow doesn’t react to the touch, and after a minute Doug lays down in a more comfortable position, his arm resting on her left foreleg. He lays there, watching the small colorful blurs moving around slightly larger white blurs, one occasionally twinkling.

After several minutes of them lying together, Rainbow’s sobs slowly fade. Doug looks over at her, but she still has her face buried in her hooves. He scratches her foreleg with his fingernails, digging into the cyan fur, just letting the pegasus know he is there for her.

A quiet voice escapes, “My life is over.”

Doug ponders a moment, thinking of the various ways he can take this, what is going through Rainbow’s mind. “You had such dreams.”

Tear filled eyes look up at the pegasi that continue pushing the brewing storm back over the Everfree. “I was going to be a Wonderbolt. The best of the best. I was the fastest pegasus out there! I was-”

Rainbow breaks down again, letting out another sob. They sit in silence, broken only by an occasional whimper from the mare. Doug continues to lay next to her, moving his arm to a more comforting position on her shoulder. The mare continues, “And now those dreams are gone. I’m never going to be a Wonderbolt, not after this. I might as well blow off that interview, quit trying, and go live here in the dirt with you.”

Doug rubs Rainbow’s shoulder a little more roughly, responding, “I’ve been there, Rainbow. I know just what you are going through.”

Rainbow shakes her head, looking at Doug. “Oh ya? You were going to be a hot shot captain?”

“It was during college. I was one of the better engineering students, not the best, but up there. I had a full ride to college, my life planned out. I would sail through college, graduate, meet someone, settle down. Work a nice office job.”

“I thought you said you worked, like, in the field or something.”

“Oh, my previous job? No, I worked with planes.”

“Same difference, fields, plains.”

“Oh. A plane, ‘p’ ‘l’ ‘a’ ‘n’ ‘e’, is… it’s like one of the chariots you pegasi pull around in the sky. It's a machine humans build that replaces the pegasi portion of a chariot. Except, they are gigantic, with the larger ones able to carry hundreds of ponies and their cargo.”

Rainbow looks at Doug in disbelief. “I thought you said humans didn’t have magic, and couldn’t fly.”

“Well, we make do with machines instead, engines that burn gasoline or other oils. Humans have dreamed of flying for a long time, but I’m getting off track. So, I was going to get a job designing those planes, maybe the airports those planes landed at, maybe something different. But, I was careless. I let my enjoyment of gaming and entertainment push my obligations with studying to the side. I ended up losing my scholarship despite having some of the best scores.”

Doug shakes his head, holding onto Rainbow a little harder. “After that, I got depressed. I thought my dreams were over. The life I planned was about to get a lot harder. Without the scholarship I would need to take out loans, or work multiple jobs to stay in school. I ended up transferring to a different school, and a different curriculum, working with planes instead of designing them. That led me to the job I had before I came here, and you know what? I loved that job. I liked doing that job more than I would have liked working on the engineering side of things.”

Rainbow seems to perk up a little at this, “So, you think this will all work out, huh? Well, I’m glad it worked out for you, but I don’t see how this will get any better.” She motions to her barrel, pushing Doug’s arm away with the motion.

Doug moves back into position, continuing to rub her shoulder, “Well, I’m not going to pretend that I know how things will work out. I know that wallowing in your depression won’t make anything better, even if things look hopeless. I think it’s part of why I adjusted so readily to living here in Equestria. I try not to let these things get me down; I know that there is always hope, even when it might not seem like it. That was one of the ways I dealt with my depression.”

“Well, what good is feeling good about this going to do? I mean, it’s not like we have anything going between us.”

Doug moves his body closer to Rainbow, pressing his side against hers, “Tell me more about that, how you are feeling.”

Rainbow sighs, rolling over and re-positioning herself so they are both looking at the sky. “Well, for starters, we kinda rushed what got us into this position.”

Doug nods, holding Rainbow’s foreleg in his arms and slowly massaging her, “I seem to remember somepony who was worried about the opposite happening. We certainly did rush things then. I think that is part of the problem now; you see a lack of intimacy because we performed an act that should have been full of love. Instead, we performed it mechanically, just to scratch an itch. Now that something happened, and maybe even if nothing happened, you have these feelings towards me, feelings of attachment and loyalty, but they feel hollow. Like they are built on the lack of feelings we had for each other instead of the love these acts should represent.”

Rainbow looks over to Doug, tears in her eyes. She rolls over, putting her muzzle on his chest; she lets out a sob, saying, “We bucked up pretty bad, didn’t we?”

Doug holds Rainbow tightly against his chest, “Only if you want to look at it like that. I choose to think that we created something wonderful together, and it took a bit more elbow grease to get there.”

Rainbow laughs into Doug’s chest, “You really believe those horse apples?”

Doug shrugs, “If I had the choice of that or depression? You bet. The world can be what you make of it, Rainbow; if all you see is broken dreams and crushed possibilities, then that’s all there is. But if instead, you see the windows that get opened, and the concrete you can make from the dust? You might find that everything works out, just maybe not the way you thought it would.”

“So, big guy, how do you think this gets better? What route takes me back to being a Wonderbolt, to living those dreams?”

Doug holds Rainbow close, nearly pulling her on top of himself. “I would say it starts off by picking yourself up, stop wallowing here in the dirt. You’re Rainbow Dash, and you’re not going to let something like this hold you back, are you?”

A smile flickers across Rainbow’s muzzle, “Yeah! I’m totally awesome!” She nuzzles into his chest again. “So, what happens with us?”

“Well, I think introductions are in order. I’m Little D.”

Rainbow looks at Doug, raising an eyebrow. “Huh? You’re bigger than me, or at least taller.”

Doug nods, saying with a straight face, “Yup. But there’s no way I’m holding a candle to that ego you’ve got over there.”

Rainbow snickers, “Okay, fine. Hi, I’m Big D.” She winks at him, “So, met any cute mares today?”

“I might have. Pretty sure we’re a good fit for each other, too.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t know about that. Some mares might have a hard time seeing themselves with a big lug like you.”

“That might be true, but I think we’re pretty compatible. One might say I have some ‘insider knowledge’ about it.”

Rainbow laughs at his pronunciation of insider, trying to keep a straight face, “What makes you say that?”

Doug leans in close, tickling her belly. Rainbow giggles as Doug whispers in her ear, “I hear they’re having a foal together.”

Rainbow smiles at Doug, giving him a light kiss, “Thanks for that, Little D. I needed it. I mean, you tell anypony what happened out here and I’ll deny it. But thanks.”

Doug rubs Rainbow’s mane as he sits up, “Rainbow, I want you to be happy, and with this,” he rubs her belly, “I want you to be happy with me.”

Rainbow sits up, grinning; she shakes a few pieces of grass off her coat before saying, “Race you back to the house!” She disappears, leaving a rainbow trail towards the farmhouse.

Doug takes off at a fast jog, only for Rainbow to come up from behind him. She flies upside down past him, saying, “Jeez, I knew you were slow, but come on! At least give me a challenge here!” She proceeds to do a few loops around Doug, narrowly avoiding some of the apple trees.

Doug says between breaths, “Looks like somepony finally perked up. You know what you are going to say to the others?”

Rainbow screws her head in concentration, “Um, can you remind me what Rarity said? It sounded pretty formal and-” Rainbow is cut off as she absentmindedly crashes into one of the nearby apple trees.

Knowing Rainbow has recovered from far worse crashes with no injuries, Doug takes off, a mad dash for the farmhouse. Rainbow recovers, looking around before noticing his absence. “Oh no you don’t!” she exclaims, bursting forth from the tree. She zooms past Doug again, stopping just in front of him. “Hey!” She tries to keep the smirk off her face, but her mouth opens and she ducks down as he jumps over her, still trying to beat her to the farmhouse.

Rainbow shakes her head before leaping into the air, zooming past him a third time and tapping the side of the house. “Looks like I win again!” she smirks, laughing as he slowly jogs the rest of the way to the door, breathing heavily. “Why’d ya keep trying, anyway? You know I’m faster than you.”

“Because, Dash,” Doug says between breaths as he ruffles her mane again, “Neither one of us likes a quitter.”

A smile breaks out over Rainbow’s face as the two walk inside. Applejack and Rarity are still sitting at the table, a calendar in front of them. The spirited discussion between them stops and Applejack smiles as the two enter, asking, “Everything all right, Sugarcube?”

Doug nods as Rainbow Dash takes a deep breath, steadying herself. She walks up to the table, smile plastered on her face, and states in a formal tone, “Applejack, with your permission, I would like to join herd Apple, sire Doug.”

Applejack gives Rainbow a smile as she responds in the same tone she used with Rarity, “Rainbow Dash, Doug and Ah are glad to welcome you into herd Apple.”

Doug moves to the table and looks at the three mares. “Well, I’m glad we’ve decided that. Rainbow, later today we should continue to discuss and practice how you can handle that interview you have coming up. We can also talk about where you will live, since I can’t exactly stay in your cloud house. Before we break for lunch, is there anything else that needs to be done?”

“Well,” Applejack gives Doug a sultry grin. She gets up slowly and is joined by Rainbow and Rarity, “Ah think you might need to make this official… with each of us.” She gives an exaggerated wink at Doug as she walks away, swaying her hips and flicking her tail as the other two mares follow suit, giggling among themselves.