A Little Sunshine & Fresh Air Never Hurt Anybody

Chapters

Fun At The Family Pond
Sipping Coffee With A Fashionista
Of Traditions And Trips To The Pet Store
One Fine Day At The Fine Arts Club
The Russian Connection
The Tasty Treat And Teenage Turmoil
White Mist Resort (I)
Fall Break Festivities (I)
White Mist Resort (II)
Fall Break Festivities (II)
Apple Bloom's Cousin Can't Be This Cute!
The Brewer & The Baker
Spa Date With Rarity
Body Paint Exposition
Ponyville Aquarium
The First Day Of Summer Vacation
Orientations, Old Friends, And Opportunities
Planting The Seeds Of A Brighter Future
An Exciting Afternoon At The Acres

Fun At The Family Pond

Chapter 2

Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville

All things considered, Apple Bloom thought her friends’ visit was going as well as could be expected, thus far. Despite Applejack’s concern, Scoots and Sweetie were not immediately accusing her of being a pervert, which was a win. That being said their reaction to Big Mac’s… dangly bits made it clear that casual nudity was well outside their comfort zone.

Apple Bloom quietly lamented that, just for once, she'd like to have some friends who whole-heartedly embraced naturism like her own family had. But sadly, the teenager knew that wasn't going to happen anytime soon. Sweetie and Scoots needed to discover that on their own terms.

Standing in front of the bathroom door, Bloom automatically reached out to open the door. As she did a pair of twin shrieks came from within.

“OCCUPIED!” Scootaloo’s voice yelled, cracking at the last moment.

Sweetie Belle’s voice was no less panicked, “I’m not decent!”

Snickering, the farm girl replied, “Girls, relax, it’s just me. Not like I haven’t seen y’all before in the locker room. Can I come in?”

There was some rustling from within as Scootaloo replied, “Fine. Just… so long as your BIG brother--uh—isn’t around.”

Pushing the door open, AB slipped in and shut it firmly behind her. Even though she'd seen her friends naked plenty of times before, Apple Bloom understood the value of privacy. Turning around she crossed her arms underneath her breasts, leaned back against the door, and took in the scene.

Scootaloo, blushing from eyes to chest, was currently standing in front of the mirror, checking herself out. True to her word, the bikini was nothing scandalous and instead looked more like a sports bra and short-shorts. The orange garments were accented with gold lightning and covered up enough to preserve her modesty, yet let her toned midriff bare. Bloom privately thought Scoots looked a lot like Rainbow Dash, a local sports super star her friend idolized.

Meanwhile, Sweetie Belle was still in the process of putting on her much girlier bikini. The pink top she'd already secured over her growing bosom was frilly like a dress. Unfortunately, she was still having trouble fitting the frilly, skirt-like bottom over her hips. Over the past few months, Apple Bloom noticed that her friend had become increasingly self-conscious about the size of her hips and bottom. The current situation wasn't doing anything to increase her confidence.

“Need a hand Sweetie?”

“Nu-uh, Bloom, almost got it- there!” Sweetie grunted as she shimmied into the bikini bottom. Slapping her thigh, she laughed. “HA HA! Don’t have to go on a diet yet…”

“Sweetie, we've been over this. Ya ain't fat. There's no need fer ya ta go on a diet.”

The other teen waved her hand dismissively. "I know. Rarity and mom are always telling me how the Belle women are blessed with 'fabulous hips' but I don't quite see the appeal. It's... kind of embarrassing 'cause the boys stare at me sometimes when they think I'm not looking."

Scootaloo looked down at the floor and shuffled her feet. "Well, at least you look like a girl. I could run around shirtless in the park and everyone'd think I was a boy," She placed her hands on her chest, "Who am I kidding? I can't pull off this bikini. Listen, I'll just--"

Sweetie shook her head, “Stop right there, Scoots, you look super cute in that! Very fit and athletic just like Dash.”

Scootaloo blushed. "Oh! Just like Rainbow Dash? You really think so?"

Bloom walked over and gave her friend a light squeeze on the arm, “Totally, at least 20 percent cooler ah would say.”

"Bah! Ya whipper snappers ain't got nothin' ta worry 'bout. Plenty o' time left fer y'all ta fill out more."

The three friends jumped slightly as they turned to find Granny Smith sticking her head through the door. The Apple Matriarch’s care lined face was crinkled in a smile as she winked at them, “Just be thankful y’all ain’t had to deal with her bits drooping yet.”

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. "Granny, yer the last person ta be talkin' 'about things droopin'!"

"Comes with gettin' old, child. I'll have ya know that I'm in great shape fer a golden gal!"

"Uhh... hi, Mrs. Smith," Scootlaoo muttered awkwardly, "How's it hanging?"

“Scootaloo! That’s rude!” Sweetie hissed elbowing her friend in the side.

Granny laughed. "Ah just wanted ta let y'all know that I'll be sunnin' mahself out back iffin ya need me. Ah think yer sister'll be joinin' ya fer a dip later on. Oh, and be a dear and take Winnona with ya. That pooch's been bouncin' off the walls all mornin'..."

“Sure thing Granny.”

"Much obliged. Y'all have fun now and feel free ta do a bit o' skinny-dippin' if ya feel so inclined. Yer only young once!" Cackling, the elder Apple left the trio of teenagers to their own devices.

"Everyone ready," Sweetie and Scootaloo nodded, "Alright then. Let's head on over ta the family pond!"

Blades of cool grass tickled Applejack's feet while she strode towards the family pond. The sensation put her at ease somehow but not in a way that she could easily articulate into words. That, combined with the cool breeze gently caressing her skin and the warmth of the sun radiating all around her, put the young farmer in a contemplative state as she approached the swimming hole.

Applejack smiled while she breathed in the scent of apple blossoms. This time of year, the entire orchard was in full bloom. It hinted at the eventual harvest that would come in the fall. Of course, fall was a relative term around Ponyville. The weather tended to be fairly mild all year around. It's what made the farm so viable over the years and allowed the Apple Family to enjoy their naturist lifestyle regardless of the season. Applejack closed her eyes and thought back to those golden days when she was younger. No schoolwork. No chores around the farm. She spent her time running, climbing, swimming, and just about whatever she pleased.

Upon turning around the bend, the blonde-haired farmer let out a heavy sigh. When her parents died, everything changed. With the farm down two vital hands, Applejack had thrown herself into keeping everything in order and had little time for daydreaming or the drama at school. In fact, considering how her onetime best friend, Golden Harvest, had reacted upon learning of her family's lifestyle, Applejack relished focusing her undivided attention into the endless chores that needed done and helping to raise her baby sister.

"Ah never did get around ta makin' proper friends after that." Applejack lamented. While it was true that the teenager wanted to avoid being hurt again, always having farm work to do gave her the perfect excuse to avoid anything that resembled a social life. Unhealthy though it may have been in hindsight, she'd preferred it that way.

Applejack paused to study the familiar waterway as she reached the top of the hill. Stream fed, the pond was about the size of three swimming pools combined, with the far bank covered in cattails. The pond was not a true beach, unlike a lake or an ocean. However, Applejack's father had dumped what remained of the white sand he'd used to build the wine cellar around the shore to create an artificial one several years prior. Bright Mac had wanted to give his children a nice place to swim and play around in, always the thoughtful father.

Applejack's breasts bounced ever so slightly while she jogged down the hill. When she reached the shore, she crouched down in the sand, scooped up a handful, and let it slip through her fingers. If she were a bit more poetic, she might have come up with some witty remark about time being finite. In a sense, she was as young as Granny said... but the blonde farmer knew that the longer she waited to spread her wings, the harder it would be to fly.

Tossing the last of it away she muttered, "Damn it. Ah hate it when those two have a point."

A familiar yipping bark and the scrabble of paws in the grass interrupted her reverie. Half turning, Applejack let out a shout of surprise as a furry brown dynamo slammed into her chest, sending the young farmer tumbling onto her ass in the sand. Applejack growled in mock anger while Winona's tongue began lapping at her face and neck.

"Lands sakes, Winnona! Where the hell did ya come from, huh?" Applejack managed with one eye closed as she stared up at her furry tormentor.

The white and brown furred border collie was middle-aged by dog standards at seven years old and retained the youthful energy of her puppy days. She'd been purchased by Granny Smith for the express purpose of cheering up Big Mac and AJ after their parents' passing. The dog's neatly trimmed paws tickled Applejack's exposed stomach inadvertently, causing her to giggle at the sensation. Grabbing the dog by her side, AJ lifted Winona, nuzzled her wet snout, and placed the dog next to her in the grass. She happily licked her mistress's face.

Apple Bloom's voice echoed from atop the hill. "Dang it, Winona! Ah told ya ta stay put!" The redheaded teen's voice held little malice but did cause the collie's fluffy, brown tail to stop wagging.

"No harm done, Bloom. She's just excited ta see me," Applejack assured as she leant over and scratched behind the dog's ear. "Who's a good gal, huh?" Winona resumed wagging her tail immediately, confirming that she did, in fact, consider herself to be a good girl.

"Wow, AB! Why didn't ya tell us about this place before?" Scootaloo asked when she joined her friend on the top of the hill. "This is totally awesome! You've even got some sand to make it look like a real beach!"

Sweetie Belle pouted. "I told Rarity that bringing along a plastic shovel and bucket wasn't a stupid idea..."

As the three teenagers descended the hill, Applejack rose to her feet after petting Winona's head. Stretching out her arms, she shot them a stern glare. "Listen up, y'all. Ah assume ya can swim but if ya don't, speak up now or look like a drownin' fool." When they shook their heads, she smiled. "Good. Otherwise, don't roughhouse too much and enjoy the family pond."

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes and placed her hands on her hips. "C'mon, Applejack! We ain't a bunch o' babies!"

Applejack gave her little sister a playful noogie. "Ah know but I'm just lookin' out for ya. It's mah job, after all."

While the trio chatted amongst themselves and laid out their towels, Applejack hung her trademark Stetson on a nearby tree branch. Undoing her red srunchie, she shook her long, blonde hair loose before breaking into a run towards the water's edge. When she splashed into the shallows, she planted her feet firmly into the sand, muscled thighs tensing. Then she launched herself into a graceful dive to the bottom of the pond.

Applejack felt a sense of calm envelop her while she swam. As she glided just underneath the surface of the water, she opened her eyes and watched sand give way to silt, then little algae-coated pebbles. A few fish darted away from her into the shadows, which caused Applejack to snort with laughter, sending a few bubbles rising to the surface.

While the crystal clear waters washed away all the sweat and grime, Applejack heard the sound of another body hitting the water. Turning around so she floated in the middle of the pond, she watched Sweetie Belle attempting to wade through the shallows. Moments later, the poor girl was shoved into the water by Scootaloo, who grinned widely at the spectacle of her friend flailing about. The two wrestled for a moment before rising to the surface once more.

Applejack followed them and broke the surface with a slight gasp. After wiping her face, she watched as Apple Bloom did a cannonball between her two friends, drenching them further. Laughing and shouting, the trio began a splash war, which put a smile on Applejack's face and warmed her heart. Winona, for her part, ran to the water's edge and started leaping in the shadows barking at all of them.

Wading over to join them, Applejack splashed her little sister playfully. As the red head shrieked in surprise, Applejack moved in and grabbed Apple Bloom around the waist and casually hoisted her into the air. The elder sister grunted and tossed the younger into the pond with a resounding splash.

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo gawked at their thoroughly soaked friend in awe as she cracked her neck and grinned like a wolf. "Alright! Who's next?"

The next half-hour was filled with shrieking, splashing, and general shenanigans as the trio of teenagers frolicked with youthful energy in abundance. The more Applejack saw her little sister having fun with them, the more she began to lament on her own lack of friends. If Apple Bloom could have this much fun with other people her own age, why couldn't she?

The blonde haired farmer let out a wistful sigh as she laid back on her towel, letting the sun dry her skin. Beside her Winona was curled up in a ball and snoring after a good deal of swimming and splashing of her own. Sweetie and Scootaloo had likewise retreated to the beach for some sunbathing. That left Apple Bloom floating on her back in the middle of the pond, watching the clouds drift by overhead. Applejack slipped on a pair of her favorite aviators and was content to watch everyone have fun. The two teens lounging across from her seemed to think that they were doing a good job of hiding their curiosity, but Applejack knew better. They were staring.

Eventually, when Applejack saw Sweetie Belle cupping her breasts and jerking her head in the general direction of where she was laying, the farmer sighed. Sitting up straight, Applejack pulled down her shades, raised her brow, and gave them a stern look. "Y'all are actin' like ya ain't never seen a pair o' boobs on a grown woman before. What's goin' on? And don't lie ta me. Ah can tell."

"Staring? HA! No, we TOTALLY weren't staring at your boobs, Applejack. Just... admiring all your freckles?" Sweetie squeaked.

Applejack shook her head. "So, ya were checkin' me out then. Ah see how it is."

Scootaloo waved her hand. "Pssht. What? Us? Checking you out? Contrary to what all the boys in our grade think, I'm not a lesbian!" When Applejack raised her brow even higher, Scootaloo sighed in defeat. "Ok, we... kind of were checking you out, Applejack. Sorry, it's just--"

"We're super jealous of that amazing bod of yours!" Sweetie blurted out.

Scootaloo bonked her friend on the head. "Ugh. Real smooth, Sweetie. But she's right. You don't look anything like those chicks online and... w-well you're just so confident about your body and being nude, in general. You and Apple Bloom." She added as Apple Bloom emerged from the water.

After adjusting one of the straps of her top, Sweetie sighed. "Sorry, Applejack. We didn't mean to gawk at you."

Water dripping from her body onto the grass, Apple Bloom stood in front of her friends and put her hands on her hips. "We've been over this. There's nothin' wrong with the way ya look. Ya hear me? It ain't healthy ta always compare yerselves ta everyone else."

Applejack held up her hand. "Hold on, 'Bloom. Girls, confidence doesn't happen overnight. Just 'cause mah sister and Ah have no trouble walkin' 'round in our birthday suits doesn't mean we don't git a little shy from time ta time." Applejack chuckled and scratched her head. "Hell, I've got more muscle on me than some fellers out there. Ain't exactly the picture of feminine grace n' charm either."

Apple Bloom snorted. "C'mon, sis! Yer just as bad as they are! Men like all kinds o' women. Same applies the other way around. If everyone looked the same, life would be a big ole boring mess. Mah point is: yer body goin' through changes can be a might scary, gross, and weird at times. But it's the only one you've got. Learn ta love it, Ah say. That's the trick when it comes ta confidence."

Applejack blushed and chuckled bashfully. "Eeyep. That's the long n' short of it. Imagine that. Mah little sister givin' a better puberty talk than I could."

Apple Bloom blushed in kind and shuffled her feet in the grass. "Aw shucks. It ain't nothin' special. Ah was just teachin' 'em what y'all taught me is all. Couldn't ask fer better role models."

Rising to her feet, Applejack embraced her younger sister which she returned happily. Nuzzling the top of Apple Bloom's head, Applejack muttered, "Ma n' Pa would be proud o' the woman you've become, 'Bloom. Ah know Ah am."

"Awww, that's so sweet!" Sweetie cooed.

While their bone-crushing hug continued, Apple Bloom whispered, "They'd be proud of ya too."

Blinking away tears that'd somehow managed to show up on the outside, Applejack released her little sister with a proud smile. "Reckon they would. It's a damn shame ya never go ta know 'em like Mac and Ah did. EHEM! We--umm--let's git back ta havin' fun, shall we?"

Apple Bloom looked down at her feet and played with a strand of her bow. "Sorry, AJ. Ah didn't mean ta git ya all worked up over Ma and Pa. Ah know dealin' with mushy stuff ain't yer strong suit."

Applejack leaned forward and kissed Apple Bloom's forehead. "Don't ya worry 'bout it none. Just me bein' sentimental is all."

"Howdy," Big Mac's familiar baritone echoed from atop the hill. Applejack did her best to hold back a snicker as Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle both gawked at him, cheeks burning red. The teenagers tried their best to act casual, but it was obvious that they were flustered. Mac walked down the hill with a slight smile of his own while carrying two instrument cases and a bottle of apple cider. "Figured y'all could use some refreshments. It's hot out today."

Applejack padded over to her brother and took the bottle from his hands. "Eeyup. Say... this ain't the hard stuff, is it?"

"Eenope. What'd ya take me fer, AJ? Servin' a bunch o' minors alcohol. It'd be mighty irresponsible o' me."

Applejack shrugged. "Ya can never be too careful. Granny's secret brew looks pretty similar. Ah seem ta recall back when we were kids, ya got yerself drunk as a skunk on a bottle, mistakin' it fer the regular stuff. Consider yerself lucky that Ah didn't bother ta take any pictures on the day in question. Ah reckon quite a few of the townsfolk would get a good chuckle outta 'em."

"Point taken. Ah made a real ass o' mahself." Mac mumbled.

Applejack patted her brother's shoulder. "I'm just teasin' ya, Mac. Go on and git the girls their cider."

"Gee, t-thanks BIG Mac," Sweetie stammered while accepting a cup of cider. Her eyes darted down towards his hairy, muscled chest and back up to his face again. "Ehehe. I was really THIRSTY for some Apple Brother--erm--I mean APPLE CIDER! Yes, that's totally what I meant to say."

After he placed the instrument cases on the ground, Applejack noted that one contained Mac's six-string steel guitar and the other her trusty banjo, the big man knelt down on one knee and ruffled Sweetie's hair. "Yer quite welcome, little lady. Any friend of Apple Bloom's is a friend o' mine."

Scootaloo awkwardly accepted her cup of cider with an uneasy smile. "I think you've gone and ruined our expectations for junior high boys..."

"Ah wouldn't worry too much 'bout 'em, Scootaloo," Mac assured, "Boys at that age seldom have anythin' interestin' ta talk 'bout anyway."

Applejack clutched her stomach and laughed. "Hey, Mac! Yer one ta talk. Bein' a motormouth lil' snot at that age. Shoot, Ah remember one time when ya were head over heels fer that Cheerliee gal--"

Big Mac's entire body flushed pink and his voice rose an octave. "Hold on, Applejack. There ain't no need for ya ta dredge up that past like that. How about we all just forget 'bout that and enjoy some nice, refreshin' apple cider, huh?"

The blonde farmer laughed a bit more, but complied with her brother's request. Together, they served the girls their cider and enjoyed a little for themselves as well. While Scootaloo and Sweetie were still stealing a few glances at Big Mac, he engaged them in some casual conversation about their plans for the summer. As time passed, the awkwardness between them faded, and eventually, they forgot he was nude in the first place. Applejack smiled when the girls became more animated. Her brother had always had a talent for knowing just when to talk and stay silent.

"Mind explainin' just what the heck LARPin' is?" Mac carefully inquired.

"Only the most fun you can have with pants on!" Sweetie squeaked enthusiastically. "Me and a couple of guys from school are going to meet up at the park later on. I get to be the kickass warrior princess rescuing my damoiseau in distress from the clutches of an evil queen!" The teenager stuck a heroic pose with her fist raised towards the sky.

"Gosh, Sweetie! You're such a dork! LARPing is so nerdy." Scootaloo said while snorting with laughter.

Sweetie Belle stomped her feet. "No, it's not! Well, ok... maybe a little. But it's still fun! That's all that matters."

Mac rubbed his chin in thought. "Hmm. Reminds me o' an Ogres n' Oubliettes campaign. Dang. Back in high school, me and the fellas used ta play campaigns durin' lunch. Had me one mean paladin. Name was Sir Crimson Shield. Eeyup. Good times."

"Wait... YOU play OnO?!!" Sweetie shouted excitedly. "But you're so... erm---well, not the type."

Big Mac shook his head. "Now, girls. It ain't proper ta judge folks based solely on their appearance. Just because Ah was blessed with good genes and worked hard ta git these here muscles, doesn't mean Ah can't enjoy OnO too.”

"I suppose that's true," Scootaloo reluctantly admitted, "Sorry for staring at you, Big Mac. Man, I feel like I'm apologizing for a lot of things today."

"No need ta fress over it. Everyone makes mistakes. Now, did Ah hear ya wanted ta join a sports team this summer?"

While Scootaloo relayed her plans to join the soccer team Rainbow Dash was coaching, Applejack slid next to her sister and gave her a gentle nudge. "I'd say that today's been a success, all things considered. Sorry that Ah doubted ya, 'Bloom."

"It's alright. Y'all were just lookin' out fer me," Apple Bloom whispered while she rested her head against Applejack's breast. "Besides, Ah hardly knew how any o' this was gonna turn out mahself. But I'm glad that Sweetie n' Scoots know about our way o' life and whatnot."

"Mhmm. They're a fun bunch. We should have 'em over more often, Ah reckon," Applejack mused. "In fact, Ah think it's high time we all got more involved with the community. Erm--more so than just supplyin' goods."

Apple Bloom raised her brow. "Really? So, does that mean Ah can invite some boys over anytime Ah want?"

"Guess Ah ought ta make a trip over ta the pharmacy 'n grab some condoms. Can't expect a bunch o' teenagers ta think straight when it comes ta protection and the like." Applejack muttered.

Apple Bloom's face matched her bow. "Applejack! Ah ain't talkin' 'bout sex! Just... invitin' some more friends over ta hang out with. Sheesh!"

Applejack snorted. "Sticks n' stones, sister. Ah know how frisky teenagers can git. Best ta be responsible n' prepared."

After finishing her cider, Apple Bloom hugged her sister briefly and got up. "Fair enough. Girls! What say we have ourselves a little contest ta see who can hold their breath the longest underwater? Winner gits some o' Granny's caramel apple pie."

Scootaloo's lips spread into a cocky grin while she jammed her thumb towards her chest. "Obviously, it's me."

"Oh, yeah? Prove it then. Race ya there!"

Sweetie Belle finished her cider and in a sedate manner, rose to her feet. After brushing herself off, she gave the remaining Apple siblings a polite curtsy. "I should probably make sure those two don't accidentally drown. Thanks for the cider!"

"Hold on, Sweetie," Applejack urged, "Is yer sister still in town this summer?"

"Yep! Rarity's working at the spa to help pay for college," Sweetie replied. "Why do you ask?"

Applejack coughed and rubbed the back of her neck. "Erm--well, would ya mind askin' her if she'd be interested in meetin' up with me at a cafe? Just thought I'd try n' catch up with her while Ah still have the chance. I'd appreciate it if ya let her know."

Sweetie Belle gave Applejack a thumbs up. "Sure thing! I'll pass along your message." A loud gasp from the pond followed by arguing caused the curly-haired teen to sigh. "Well, there's my cue. See ya later, Applejack.

Applejack turned around to see Mac flashing her an amused grin. "What the hell are ya lookin' so smug fer, huh?"

"Ah dunno. Maybe I'm just enjoyin' the fine weather today."

Applejack put her hands on her hips and huffed. "Ah call horseshit! Fine. I'll just go on 'n say it. Ya were right. Ah need ta git out more. Happy?"

“Eyup.” He replied as he unzipped his guitar case and removed his instrument.

Shaking her head, Applejack followed suit. "Well then, Ah think ya ought ta git out more too, ya big lug."

Mac strummed a few test chords and tuned his guitar. "Ah reckon that's fair. What brought this change o' heart on?"

Applejack shrugged noncommittally. "Just felt like Ah needed a change in mah life, Ah guess."

"Sounds 'bout right. Wish ya the best, sister." Mac replied as he began to play the opening bars of Country Roads.

The two siblings continued to play their respective instruments while the sounds of laughing teenagers filled the air. Change was on the horizon, and even though each of them approached the task differently and at their own pace, the Apples were content to meet it head on. Some distance away on the porch, rocking back and forth in her favorite chair, Granny Smith observed her family with a warm smile and a glass full of whiskey.

"See that Pear 'n Bright? Yer kids grew up just fine, regardless o' what happened. And I'm damned proud of 'em."

Sipping Coffee With A Fashionista

Chapter 3

Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville

A few days had passed since Sweetie Belle & Scootaloo’s visit to the acres. On this particular day, Apple Bloom had gone out with her friends on yet another excursion, except this time, it was to shop and hang out at the mall. For what, exactly, she wasn’t clear on. Most likely due to the fact that most girls at her age tended to be interested in buying pretty clothes or underwear for themselves. However, as a naturist, Apple Bloom wasn’t too keen on buying or wearing either of those things. Only when necessary, of course. Otherwise, her tastes were similar to her siblings: plain, utilitarian undergarments and clothing that wouldn’t tear during farm work.

At the very least, she could buy herself a new bow or some accessories, Applejack mused. Jewelry and piercings weren’t too high on the priority list for the Apples either because they could get caught on things while you worked, causing all sorts of mechanical injuries. Regardless of if she were to buy anything today or not, Applejack was certain that her little sister would have fun. Sometimes, the company you kept with you was more important than the activity itself.

Applejack let out a frustrated sigh while she rocked back and forth in the hammock. Under normal circumstances, she loved to take naps out in the orchard with the scent of grass and applewood all around her. She never needed a blanket because the sun provided all the warmth she needed. Given that it was just after lunch and she had a full belly, Applejack should have felt sleepier, but was instead restless. She wiggled her toes anxiously while eyeballing her phone.

While the freckled farmer didn’t consider herself a tech guru by any means, out of necessity, she bought a high-end smartphone to keep in contact with all of the family’s various clients. It was also convenient for keeping track of Apple Bloom whenever she went out. Currently, her red-colored phone (with a trio of apples on the case) sat in the grass, silent and unmoving. Absentmindedly, she slid her hand in-between her legs, scratched her silky blonde pubic hair, and wondered if she suddenly felt itchy down there just because she was anxious.

“Damn it,” Applejack huffed, “Why am Ah so bent outta shape over a stupid phone?”

Alas, it wasn’t so much the phone itself that she was worried about. Rather, a certain person she was expecting a call or maybe even just a text from. A person whom she hadn’t spoken with since high school graduation. One Rarity Belle, a former classmate and burgeoning fashionista, destined to make a name for herself. While they hadn’t been the closest of confidants, Applejack considered Rarity to be the most gregarious person out of all her former classmates and the most liable to accept an invitation to hang out. Even so, Applejack was uncertain if such a high-class lady like Rarity would want to spend her summer chatting with a simple farm girl.

Applejack nearly fell out of the hammock when her reverie was interrupted by a text notification. She carefully extracted herself from the twisted fabric and picked up her smartphone. An excited smile spread across her lips when she saw that the sender was Rarity. With her tongue sticking slightly out of the corner of her mouth, Applejack slowly, but surely began to tap out a reply on the screen.

Good afternoon, darling. Sweetie Belle informed me that you might be interested in having a chat? If so, let us meet at the Mean Bean Café around two o’clock today. ☕

Howdy, Rarity. It’s AJ. Reckon I’d be up for that.

Splendid! I’ll see you then. 😉

Even though the conversation had been brief, it sent an electric thrill down Applejack’s spine. An unexpectedly girlish giggle left the blonde farmer’s mouth while she walked back to the farmhouse. Such a dramatic shift in Applejack’s typical behavior did not go unnoticed by Big Mac. The older sibling leaned against the stairs, swigging a beer languidly and watched as his sister had a noticeable spring in her barefooted step. Without missing a beat, Mac stepped in his little sister’s way and grinned when she let out an annoyed grunt.

“Hold up fer a second, AJ. What’s gotten ya flyin’ higher than a kite today?”

While Applejack was considerably strong herself, she was nothing compared to her mountain of a brother. She knew there was no way Mac was going to move until she answered his question. Skin flushed pink with anger, she sighed. “Got invited fer coffee from an acquaintance.”

Big Mac hummed. “Yeah? Who is it?”

“Rarity Belle. The high-falutin gal that liked dresses ‘n fru-fru things.”

Mac tapped his chin. “Huh. Imagine that. Didn’t think you’d want ta hang out with her.”

Applejack blushed and twirled a strand of her hair. “Me neither… at least, initially. She’s the best chance I’ve got right now fer makin’ friends ‘n stuff. What?! Did Ah say somethin’ weird? We might not like the same things but she’s friendly enough and likes ta talk.”

Mac chuckled. “Nice ta see ya git excited over the prospect o’ makin’ friends.”

“Yeah, well… like Ah told ya the other day, mah life is do fer a change. Nothin’ is gonna happen if Ah stay holed up on the farm all the time. Gotta grab the bull by the horns.”

The ginger-haired giant stepped out of the way with a bow and a flourish. “Go on then, sister. Don’t let me stand in the way o’ progress.”

Applejack rolled her eyes while she ascended the stairs to her room. “Hmph! Ya nosy galoot. Half tempted ta call Cheerilee and have her surprise ya with a visit. Maybe Rarity would know her phone number. Ah can just imagine the stupefied look on yer face if she showed up. HA!”

A quick glance at the clock informed the blonde farmer that she had just over an hour before the anticipated café date with Rarity. She gave herself a quick sniff and decided that taking a shower beforehand wasn’t necessary. Instead, she padded over to the bathroom and applied some generic deodorant underneath her armpits and sprayed a few puffs of rose-oil perfume around her wrists, neck, and lady bits. Applejack hated wearing cosmetics just as much as she hated wearing clothes but valued skin-care and personal hygiene to a near religious degree. Like Apple Bloom has mentioned earlier, you only had one body and it needed to be taken care of properly.

“Hmm. Should I do somethin’ with mah hair? Mah usual ponytail is fine Ah guess, but Ah don’t want her ta get the impression that Ah don’t care ‘bout the way Ah look.”

It took about ten minutes in front of the bathroom mirror, but Applejack managed to arrange her hair into a cute set of pigtails that were braided on both ends and held together by a pair of red scrunchies. For a brief moment, she contemplated if wearing her trusty Stetson in a café was appropriate and decided that she’d forgo doing so. Upon slathering her tan, freckled skin (every nook and cranny) with a little more cocoa-butter cream, she sighed to herself. Getting dressed was, unfortunately, part of the deal when a naturist ventured out into the public.

With a great deal of reluctance, Applejack rummaged through her drawers and found a clean pair of undergarments. Just a pair of plain, green cotton panties and a matching sports bra. Pretty much the kind one might find at a retailer that came in plastic packs. Nothing fancy or sexy. One hundred percent practical for the sole purpose of remaining modest when she was away from Sweet Apple Acres or at other social gatherings. Then came the flannel shirt, which she rolled up the sleeves to her elbows. And finally, a pair of jean shorts and sneakers.

Applejack stood in front of the mirror and appraised herself. “Reckon this’ll have ta be good enough fer Rarity. It’s not like I’ve got fancier duds tucked away somewhere else…”

When she descended the stairs once more, Granny shot her an encouraging smile from where she was in the kitchen. The elder Apple was currently cooking some stew. “Ah know those danged things can’t be comfortable but keep yer chin up, sugarcube.”

Applejack gave her grandmother a quick kiss to the cheek. “I’ll try. Welp, here Ah go. Not sure when I’ll be back. If I’m out after supper is ready, then—”

“Hush, child,” Granny admonished while she gave her granddaughter a playful swat to the behind, “Git yer freckled fanny out the door and have fun! I’ll save ya some leftover stew n’ biscuits fer supper. Go on, now! Can’t have ya run late fer yer little date.”

Applejack blushed profusely at the implication. “It’s not—I’m—UGH! Fine. I’m goin’.”

The Mean Bean Café was Ponyville’s premier coffee shop for anyone with a discerning taste for a good ole cup of joe. A longtime fan of the caffeinated beverage herself, Applejack could appreciate a quality product when she saw one. In fact, she recognized some of the blends as having come from suppliers she’d done business with before. Rather than pay in custom, coffee bean growers tended to trade their stock for the Apple family’s famous cider or apple whiskey if it was the higher-grade stuff. Not huge amounts, but enough for a few month’s supply.

Since she was a little bit early, Applejack decided to order her drink while she waited for Rarity to show up. Most of the stuff on the menu were those fancy coffee drinks that had more in common with a milkshake than the simple beverage Applejack preferred slurp down in the morning. In the end, she decided to order a plain latte and sit over by a table next to the window.

Just as she was about to take the first sip, Rarity arrived at two o’clock on the dot. With a sheepish wave, Applejack beckoned her over to the table. A moment later, when she was good and settled, Rarity ordered an espresso with a chocolate almond biscotti. Silence stretched between the two women for what felt like an eternity. Applejack wasn’t entirely sure how to strike up a conversation with the fashionista. Yet, she awkwardly trudged forward.

“Howdy. Been a while since Ah last saw ya, Rarity.”

Rarity clapped her hands together. “Indeed, it has, darling! I must admit, I was surprised when Sweetie Belle told me that she’d visited your family’s farm. You must understand that while my little sister can be a bit rambunctious at times, she’s not a big fan of the outdoors.”

Applejack began to lose her temper. “Ah dunno what yer preconceived notions of a farm are, but it ain’t a wild jungle. We keep things tidy and the farmhouse might be a tad rustic but everythin’ is in workin’ order. Ya tryin’ ta insinuate that we’re just a bunch o’ shabby rednecks?”

Rarity looked as though she bitten into a very bitter lemon peel. “No! Of course, not! Perish the thought, dear. It’s just that swimming in a pond isn’t something I would expect her to do is all. Although, come to think of it, she did mention wanting to try out her new bathing suit…”

“Well, there ya have it. And fer the record, she looked mighty cute in that frilly little thing.”

Rarity giggled snorted. “I should certainly hope so. I was the one who designed it.”

“Uh… come again?”

“Just because I’m only eighteen, doesn’t mean that I can’t design my own apparel.”

Applejack took a swig of her latte. “It ain’t that. I’m impressed.”

Rarity waved her hand. “I appreciate the compliment but I don’t believe it’s any different than how you’ve become skilled at your own craft over the years. Am I wrong to assume so?”

“Nah, yer right. Farmin’ ain’t as easy as some folks make it out ta be.”

“Indeed,” Rarity concurred, “The Apple Family is well known for their marvelous spirits.”

Applejack didn’t respond verbally. Instead, she was content to nod.

When she didn’t say anything else, Rarity coughed loudly and twiddled her fingers. “Please pardon my frankness but there’s something else I’ve been meaning to ask you. It’s a detail that Sweetie mentioned that I had a hard time believing. Would you mind confirming it?”

Applejack shut her eyes and groaned. “Ah already know what that particular detail is. The answer is yes. The Apple family have been naturists fer generations and we tend not ta wear a stitch o’ clothin’ all year around. All day long and even when we go ta bed. The Acres is private property by the way. We are legally allowed ta do as we please.”

Rarity blushed slightly. “So, she was telling the truth, after all. My sincerest apologies, darling. I hadn’t meant to bring your… unique lifestyle choices under scrutiny. During high school, there were rumors about your family, but I never thought there was any substance to them.”

Applejack sighed. “Yeah, well… Ah tried mah damnedest ta make sure that everyone kept their traps shut about mah private life. In turn, Ah minded mah own business and didn’t say anythin’ ‘bout it either. Had a bad experience back in grade school when one o’ mah friends freaked out on account o’ me bein’ a naturist. She thought Ah was some kind o’ perverted freak.”

Rarity reached over and patted Applejack’s hand. “I’m terribly sorry to hear that, darling.”

“It’s in the past now. Ah wanna move on with mah life. Part o’ that process is comin’ ta terms with who Ah am and bein’ honest ‘bout the way Ah live. Ah also—uh—wanted ta make some more friends while Ah was at it too. That doesn’t sound too strange, does it?”

Rarity shook her head. “Not at all. I think it takes quite a bit of courage to admit that you want to change, Applejack. As for me, I don’t have anything against naturists. I mean, sure, the thought of people living in the nude is strange to me but so long as it doesn’t harm anyone, I’m all for it!”

“Yer more open-minded than most folks, Ah reckon.”

Rarity beamed with pride. “I’ll take that as a compliment~ In any case, if it’s a friend you’re looking for, I’d be more than happy to rekindle our old, high school comradery. And perhaps, deepen it too. Many of the girls left to go their separate ways. It would be nice to have another friend close-by to chat with and go out on all sorts of fun excursions.”

Applejack chuckled and rubbed the back of her neck. “Well, shucks. I’m flattered that you’re willin’ ta be mah friend on such short notice. Is there anythin’ Ah can do ta—”

Rarity waggled her finger. “Applejack, darling. Friendship should never be conditional. Furthermore, I’d hardly consider your suggestion ‘on short notice’. We’ve known each other for years. Although, in retrospect, I really should’ve made more of an attempt to become better acquainted without before now. Oh well~ Such is life, I suppose.”

“Don’t blame yerself, Rares. Heh. Do ya mind if Ah call ya that? Anyway… fer the longest time, I distanced mahself from everyone because Ah was afraid o’ bein’ shunned and ridiculed. The pain was too much fer me ta bear. That’s why Ah clammed up like a stubborn oyster durin’ harvestin’ season. I’m just glad that Apple Bloom decided not ta take the same route Ah did.”

Rarity offered a sympathetic smile. “My little sister speaks highly of her. You should be proud.”

“Darn tootin’ Ah am. Alright. Enough o’ this mushy stuff. Ya don’t want me blatherin’ on ‘bout all the sob stories in mah life. Let’s talk ‘about somethin’ more interestin’.”

Rarity placed her hand on Applejack’s arm and brushed it in a supportive gesture. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry that you had to put up with all that pain and rejection. I cannot say that I truly understand what you went through all those years, but I shall try my best to empathize.”

“That’s about all Ah could ask fer.”

After nibbling on her biscotti, Rarity leaned back in her chair. “Sweetie mentioned something else about you that sparked my interest. I’m not sure what your aspirations are concerning higher education, considering that you have a farm to run but I plan on attending Canterlot University during the fall semester. For fashion design, of course!”

“Uh huh. And yer point is?”

Rarity cleared her throat. “My point, darling, is that Canterlot University is known for having an exceptional arts program. The department is well-funded and has top of the line facilities. You see, Sweetie mentioned that you might be interested in modeling. From what I understand, the school pays its models quite handsomely. Would such an arrangement interest you?”

Applejack shifted uncomfortably in her chair. “Well, Ah was thinkin’ ‘bout attendin’ university mahself durin’ the fall. Fer business and management, most likely. Ah got most o’ the knowhow Ah need from runnin’ the farm all these years, but it wouldn’t hurt ta git a proper degree.”

“Naturally. I too gained a bit of practical experience from designing my own clothes.”

Applejack peered into her half-empty coffee cup. “Ta answer yer other question, Ah ain’t real keen on modelin’ clothes and the like. There’s plenty o’ other gals more suited ta it than me.”

Rarity chortled. “I’m not talking about being a fashion model, dear. I meant nude modeling. Since you’re already a naturist, I can’t imagine it would be much of a stretch to take your clothes off in front of a group of art students and pose, would it?”

“Well, Ah suppose not…”

Rarity frowned. “I sense that you’re not entirely comfortable with the idea. What’s wrong?”

Applejack played with one of her pigtails. “Bein’ nude around people is one thing, Rares. Ah don’t have a problem with the way mah body looks. I’m comfortable with it. It’s just that—erm—Ah dunno if folks would want a muscled-up tomboy like me ta model for ‘em.”

“Don’t sell yourself short, Applejack. You might not look like a stereotypical fashion model, but I can tell that you have a beautiful, golden-brown complexion and a healthy physique to match. Even with your—ah—rustic attire obscuring the view, so to speak.”

Applejack blushed slightly at the praise but nodded. “Ah don’t really wear make-up either.”

“I don’t believe that shall be a problem. You’re a natural, blonde-haired beauty, Applejack. People tend to appreciate that more than you know. Would you at least consider modeling? You don’t have to give me an immediate answer, but I do have a few connections in the department. I’ll make sure that you’re given the respect you deserve and compensated generously.”

Applejack bit her lip. “Alright. I’ll consider it. Just don’t git yer hopes up and then have ‘em dashed if Ah say no. Maybe we could meet up at school once the new semester starts? Uh—at the very least, Ah mean. I’d still be partial to chattin’ with ya durin’ the summer too.”

Rarity clapped her hands excitedly. “That sounds like a splendid idea~ In the meantime, I can ask around my own group of friends and see if any of them would be willing to meet you. That is one of your goals, is it not? To make more friends…”

“Sure, it is. Heh. Ya know, if it ain’t too much trouble.”

“Not at all, darling! Nothing a simple text message can’t fix. I just want to make sure that you’re comfortable with me sharing your personal phone number. Don’t worry; I shan’t share it with any nefarious characters. NOT that I would associate with such scoundrels in the first place.”

Applejack chuckled. “I’ll—um—take yer word fer it.”

The remainder of their “date” was spent catching up on the old days and all the things that had changed with their lives since graduation. Given that it was just the beginning of summer, there wasn’t much to say in that regard but Applejack had never really paid much attention to Rarity’s business in the first place, so it was enlightening to hear what she was interested in.

For her part, Applejack tried to keep the conversation interesting but she knew that the daily life of a naturist farmer wasn’t exactly the most exciting topic to broach. Even so, Rarity was polite and asked questions throughout. When the two women finally parted ways, Applejack felt a warmth blossom in her chest that she hadn’t experienced in years. She felt a little silly for laughing to herself while she walked down the dirt road towards Sweet Apple Acres but it was cathartic. Applejack had finally made a friend who’d accepted her for who she was.

When Sweetie Belle suggested that they all go out to the mall shopping, Apple Bloom hadn’t set any expectations as to what they would actually do when they got there. To say that she was unenthused about browsing around for clothing and jewelry was the understatement of the century. With the exception of school and the occasional errand in town, Apple Bloom preferred lounging around in nothing more than her birthday suit instead of being forced to wear something (no matter how comfortable) just to comply with society’s stupid rules.

Scootaloo hadn’t been very excited about window shopping either. Ever the sports-obsessed tomboy that she was, soccer balls and the newest cleats were more down her alley. Yet, they’d both silently agreed that the main reason for the trip was to appease Sweetie and try to have a good time with their friend despite their mutual dislike of girly things. The silver lining during their trip was that the mall had a decent food court to hang out in. Scootaloo & Apple Bloom took full advantage of it whenever Sweetie wanted to shop at a store they didn’t.

After about an hour, Sweetie Belle realized that her friends were bored out of their minds and decided to cut her losses and join them for some bubble tea at the food court. They stayed, chatted, and ate a snack together until Scootaloo got a text from Rainbow Dash. Apparently, the rainbow-haired soccer fanatic had just bought a new drone and wanted to test it out with her honorary little sister. Unable to pass up such an awesome opportunity, Scootaloo said goodbye to her friends and rushed out the doors like the building was on fire.

Apple Bloom understood Scootaloo’s enthusiasm, but it was still very rude to ditch Sweetie Belle like that. The disappointed look on the curly-haired teenager’s face said it all. A warm hug ensured that she didn’t burst into tears, but Apple Bloom still felt guilty for making Sweetie think that hanging out at the mall had been a bad idea. As a token of her appreciation and friendship, Sweetie gave Apple Bloom a silver bracelet with colorful farm animal charms.

Sweetie informed Apple Bloom that it’d been her intention all long to give her the bracelet as a gift at some point in the future, but decided that Apple Bloom should have it sooner rather than later. While touched by the gesture of generosity, the red-head wasn’t sure if the bracelet was safe to wear during her chores. The thing was kind of loose and had lots of little parts that could easily snag on equipment. Nonetheless, Apple Bloom thanked her friend and promised that she’d return the gift in kind someday.

Currently, Apple Bloom was back home and lying in the grass next to Winona. “Can ya understand why Ah felt so bad, girl? But at least Ah had the sense ta stay and cheer up Sweetie. Dang it! Scoots can be such a bone head sometimes. She probably doesn’t even feel guilty ‘bout the whole thing. Only cares ‘bout doin’ awesome stuff with Rainbow Dash.”

The border collie let out a soft bark and licked Apple Bloom’s cheek.

“I’ll text Sweetie later and ask her if she’s doin’ ok.”

Apple Bloom sat up when she saw a white sedan pull up the entrance of Sweet Apple Acres. As if on cue, Winona started barking and ran towards the car at full speed. A moment later, the driver of the vehicle stepped out and greeted the border collie with affection and a doggie treat. She was tall, dark-skinned, and had long, black & white striped hair. A set of gold bangles graced her wrists with matching earrings up top. The middle-aged woman wore a simple, traditional, Zebrican dress and an accompanying pair of sandals. Without a shred of hesitation, Apple Bloom ran over to her and wrapped the woman in a bone-crushing hug.

“Auntie Z! It’s been so long since Ah last saw ya. How’re ya doin’?”

Zecora gave her honorary adoptive niece an affectionate kiss on the forehead. “I am doing well, thank you. You are growing up to be a fine young woman, Apple Bloom. Eating your Wheaties as they say?”

Apple Bloom scoffed. “Honest work will do that to ya. Not that Ah ain’t grateful fer the visit, but why’d ya stop by fer a visit today?”

“I require a sample of your bumper crop for my latest experiment. That and I figured I might as well purchase some apple whiskey while I was here. If it is not too much to ask…”

Apple Bloom smiled from ear to ear. “Sure thing, Auntie Z! Say, if yer gonna be here fer a while, ya might as well loose the duds and get comfy. Ah think there’s still some leftover pie in the fridge if ya want a slice. Some lemonade too. C’mon!”

Zecora laughed while she disrobed and placed her clothing into the backseat of the sedan. “It is a nice day outside, after all. Best not to waste the opportunity. Not to mention Apple Family hospitality. Very well then. We shall discuss business matters later.”

Having been born in a remote village near the southern region of Zebrica, Zecora’s ancestral homeland was known for upholding their traditional customs and way of life. One of which was that her people wore little to no clothing most of the time because the weather was so hot and arid all year long. They did not have the same taboos against nudity as many other modern nations did simply because it wasn’t practical for them to wear clothing in the first place.

Suffice to say, Zecora felt right at home whenever she visited Sweet Apple Acres and had no issue with the Apples being naturists. As for her purpose visiting the farm, she worked as the lead botanist for Canterlot University. Her research, at times, demanded plant samples and the crops grown by the Apple Family were some of the hardiest she’d ever come across during her seventeen-year long career. Despite her professional motives, Zecora was more than happy to make friends with the family and accept young Apple Bloom as one of her own.

For a woman in her early forties, Zecora looked exceptionally hale for her age. If a bit on the curvaceous side. Ample breasts, wide hips, and a round derriere made her the subject of envy amongst the Canterlot University staff. She didn’t do anything special to maintain her figure beyond regular exercise and a reasonably healthy diet. Zecora was quite comfortable in her own skin but didn’t appreciate the jealous stares of other women simply for being who she was.

At least she didn’t have to contend with their criticism over how she chose to style her hair. And no, not the stuff growing atop her head. Another tradition that Zecora held dear to her heart was that of genital ornamentation. Not so much in the way of piercings, although some tribespeople did get those on occasion. Rather, men and women alike grew out their pubic hair into neatly groomed strands, braided, then decorated them with beads of semi-precious stones. Zecora was partial to turquoise and decorated her own with beads of that color. It was both an expression of individuality and a symbol of adulthood in her culture.

While Apple Bloom got out a slice of pie, Zecora took a seat at the kitchen table. “I’ve been thinkin’. When do ya think mah fuzz is gonna be long enough ta braid like yours?”

“Hmm. I cannot say for certain, dearest niece. Your womanly mane is growing steadily as it should but such things are not meant to be rushed, nor should the decision to braid your hair be taken lightly. However, if your mind is set upon this course of action, please let me know what kind of beads you desire to use.”

Apple Bloom blushed and glanced down below her waist. “Yer beads look real pretty, Auntie Z. Ah just figured that maybe they’d look pretty on me too. When the time is right, o’ course.”

Zecora laughed and patted her head. “Thank you, Apple Bloom. It means a lot to me that you have embraced my people’s traditions with such open-mindedness. If only others shared your enthusiasm. Forgive me if I sound fatigued. Work has been exhausting as of late.”

“How’s come?”

Zecora let out a tired sigh after taking a swig of lemonade. “The research department is pushing us to create a new breed of apples that are designed to thrive in less than ideal climates. To make matters worse, my nephew has decided to stay with me while he attends his first semester at Canterlot University. I am to oversee his major, as he is applying for a botany degree.”

Apple Bloom gasped in surprise. “Hold on a gosh-darned minute, Auntie Z! Ya have an actual nephew? When were ya plannin’ on tellin’ me that?”

Zecora frowned. “It was not my intention to mislead you, Apple Bloom. Rather, I did not believe such information was relevant to you. My brother moved to this country around fifteen years ago and married. My nephew, Hakizimana, was born here and does not appreciate the old ways as I do. Over the years, I have tried to teach him, but he does not seem interested in learning them.”

Apple Bloom placed her hand on Zecora’s shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I’m sorry ta hear that, Aunty Z. Everythin’ you’ve taught me ‘bout Zebrica always seemed so fascinatin’ and exotic. Maybe he’ll come ‘round later when he gits older or somethin’.”

The dark-skinned woman got out of her seat, gave Apple Bloom a hug, and ruffled her hair. “That remains to be seen, I am afraid. However, I have always appreciated your enthusiasm. At least I have passed on my knowledge to someone who has shown respect for the old ways.”

While they broke their embrace, Big Mac came plodding into the kitchen. Judging by the sheen of sweat covering his bronzed skin, the elder brother had been outside working for most of the day. After scratching his balls absentmindedly, Mac opened the fridge and grabbed the water pitcher so that he could pour himself a big glass. Only after he finished chugging, did he realize that Zecora was in the room, along with his little sister. Mac froze in place briefly and offered the two of them a sheepish chuckle.

“Howdy, Zecora. Didn’t realize ya came over fer a visit today. You’ll—uh—have ta forgive me fer not givin’ ya a hug. Afraid I’m all sweaty at the moment from choppin’ wood and haven’t gotten the chance ta take a shower yet. Beg yer pardon.”

Zecora offered him a polite smile. “Good Afternoon to you, Macintosh. I was just discussing a few things with Apple Bloom before we get down to business. I am in need of some apple seeds and a cask of your finest apple whiskey. Would you be willing to indulge my request?”

“Don’t see why not. We got plenty ta spare. ‘Bloom, why don’t ya take her out ta the stills and git everythin’ sorted out. I’d do it mahself but… ya know, tired n’ ripe.”

Zecora laughed melodically. “Believe me; I have smelled far worse than the likes of an honest day’s worth of sweat.”

Mac’s entire face turned beet red. “Maybe so, but Ah don’t like bein’ stinky ‘round womenfolk.”

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes and took hold of Zecora’s hand. “Don’t mind that big goofus. He’s just sensitive ‘bout his body odor. It really ain’t that bad ta be honest. Then again, I’m probably not the best person ta ask, considerin’ that I live with him all the time.”

Zecora gave her a non-committal shrug while they walked towards the still room.

“Say… ya ain’t sweet on mah brother, are ya? The way ya acted ‘round him seemed a tad—”

Zecora tapped her chin. “No, I am not. While handsome, he is a little bit too young for me. However, I have been known to be mischievous and enjoy teasing others on occasion.”

“Figures. Ya just wanted ta see him blush.” Apple Bloom intoned.

“Indeed. It was quite amusing to see him turn that lovely shade of pink~”

Apple Bloom let out a quiet sigh of relief. While she wouldn’t have voiced her objections if Zecora was genuinely interested in her brother THAT way, it could have made things so much more awkward around the farm when she came over to visit. In Apple Bloom’s humble opinion, being her honorary niece was good enough. With that out of the way, the teenager went about finding a good bottle of apple whiskey. Red Label, of course. Only the highest quality for family.

Rather than bother with a pre-packaged bag of seeds, Apple Boom decided that it was easier to just pick a few apples directly off of a tree. As an added bonus, the fruits could be enjoyed before the seeds were harvested for further experimentation.

Zecora placed the plastic bag full of liquor and fresh apples into the sedan and put her dress back on. “I wish that I did not have to wear this on the way home, but I cannot take the risk.”

“Yeah. Ah know the feelin’. In any case, I’m glad ya decided ta stop by today. It was fun catchin’ up with ya, Aunty Z. Don’t be a stranger, now. Come on by anytime ya want.”

Zecora bent down and gave Apple Bloom one final kiss to the cheek. “As always, it was a pleasure seeing you, Apple Bloom. Should you be interested in learning more about botany or Zebrican traditions, I am but a phone call away!”

Apple Bloom waved goodbye as Zecora’s care drove down the dirt road towards the expressway. An errant thought crossed her mind as she walked back to the farmhouse. Wasn’t Canterlot University the school Applejack was thinking about going to? It might very well be possible that Applejack could run into Zecora or even her nephew at some point. With a shrug, Apple Bloom decided it wasn’t worth worrying about. After all, she wasn’t the one going to college.

Of Traditions And Trips To The Pet Store

Chapter 4

Zecora’s Cabin, Outskirts of Everfree State Forest

As the lead botanist of a major university research team, Zecora made a considerable amount of money every year. She was not a materialistic woman by any means, but the Zebrican decided that owning a secluded plot of land near a major state park was the best way to get back in tune with the natural world and away from the hustle and bustle of Canterlot University’s urban sprawl. Since there were no other people around for kilometers in all directions, it allowed her to live like her ancestors did: free of clothing and the judgmental opinions of neighbors.

This summer was different, however. While large enough to comfortably accommodate the needs of an entire family, Zecora lived alone at her property. An introvert by nature, the dark-skinned botanist preferred it that way. She was not accustomed to hosting guests or even receiving visitors on a regular basis, for that matter. Most of the time, she was the one doing the visiting, if and when the need arose. She rather enjoyed visiting Sweet Apple Acres and talking with her beloved, honorary niece. There was a girl who respected tradition!

Her nephew, Hakizimana, or “Haki” as he preferred to be called, was currently residing in the guest bedroom upstairs. Zecora had been reluctant to offer the young man a place to stay during his studies due to their differing opinions on the old ways, but she relented because he was kin and it was the right thing to do. With a bittersweet smile, she remembered her own university days as a poor, foreign exchange student, struggling to find decent food and lodging. She didn’t want to burden her freshman nephew with such things if it could be helped.

After letting out a protracted yawn, Zecora slipped out of bed, padded over to the window, and stretched out her limbs with a satisfying pop. Later on, she would do some proper yoga sets but it was good enough for starting the day. She peered out into the forest and admired the beauty of dawn and listened to all the creatures who greeted it along with her. A quick glance at her phone informed Zecora that it was just a little past six o’clock. Early for anyone to be waking up during the waning days of summer break and even more so for her eighteen-year-old nephew.

Upon scratching an itchy spot just underneath her breast, Zecora decided that a shower was to take precedence over all her other morning activities. She plodded into the bathroom, turned the handle towards red, and stood underneath the jets while they sprayed her body with a cascade of steaming, hot water. She pondered what to prepare for breakfast as she scrubbed her skin with soap and various scented oils. She decided that bacon, eggs, and toast would be sufficient.

Zecora didn’t bother putting anything on after she dried herself off with a bath towel. Instead, she stood in front of the mirror and combed her silky soft, black & white striped locks until they were straight enough to be presentable. Fortunately, she had been blessed with the gene for straight-growing hair (this was also true in-between her legs to a lesser degree) instead of the frizzy kind that Zebricans were known for. If she were going out to work, Zecora would normally try to style her hair into a neat bun to make it more manageable but she let it flow naturally down past her shoulders instead.

The middle-aged woman still wasn’t quite awake yet after her shower, so she went about brewing a pot of fresh coffee before cooking breakfast. It was Zecora’s favorite blend: hazelnut and cinnamon. Coffee was one of the few things that she truly indulged in and only bought the highest quality she could afford. Which was always one-hundred percent gourmet and free-trade, every time, all the time. While the coffee continued to brew, Zecora crawled onto her hands and knees to try and find the frying pan stored underneath the kitchen sink.

“I swear that I put it in here! Where did it go?”

Stirred by the smell of fresh coffee, Hakizimana smacked his lips while he rubbed away the crust from his eyes. With an annoyed grumble, he checked his phone and realized that it wasn’t even seven o’clock in the morning yet. Once again, his aunt had woken up with the roosters even though she had the day off. On a Saturday no less! Despite the early hour, the teenager decided that it wasn’t worth trying to fall asleep again. His aunt was sure to be making breakfast anyway.

The dark-skinned college freshman resembled Zecora in many ways. Except that he wasn’t quite as tall, had an athletic, muscular build, and kept his black & white hair tied up in a series of neatly-groomed dreadlocks. Haki absolutely hated having excessive amounts of body hair, so he kept everything smooth from his face all the way down to his legs.

Haki’s personal hygiene habits had carried over from his high school swim team days. He intended to join the Canterlot University Swim Team if his schedule allowed. Otherwise, he would continue swimming just to keep in shape. Most of the time, he preferred to wear contacts but stuck with glasses while he was staying with his aunt. He was clad in an old t-shirt and a pair of grey sweatpants that served as pajamas. Haki didn’t much care about keeping up appearances around Zecora like he did around his classmates. It’s not like she did either.

Speaking of appearances, Haki was greeted by an unobstructed view of Zecora’s bare bottom (and other unmentionables) while he descended the stairs and shuffled towards the kitchen. He’d seen his aunt in the buff plenty of times before and even more so now that they’d been living together for the past few weeks, but her complete lack of modesty still got on his nerves. Her reverence of outdated traditions (which included walking around like a naked savage) was one of the many reasons why he’d been so hesitant to accept his aunt’s offer of free lodging and food.

With frying pan in hand, Zecora got back onto her feet and placed it upon the burner. She turned around and flashed her nephew a warm smile. “Good morning, Hakizimana. Breakfast shall be ready shortly. I believe the coffee is almost done brewing should you desire a cup.”

Haki poured some cream into his mug and grunted. “Morning, Aunt Z. Would it kill you to wear some panties at least? I don’t need to get flashed a brown eye this early in the morning…”

“Then you are free to live in one of the dormitories if my body causes you such disgust, mpwa. If not, then you must learn to accept my lifestyle. For better or worse, I am your land lady. I will not be lectured by a teenager on how I am supposed to appear in my own home. Understood?”

Unable to come up with a compelling argument against his aunt’s inscrutable logic, Haki sipped on his coffee instead. The conversation died immediately thereafter with the sound of sizzling bacon filling the room instead. Zecora sighed a few moments later while plating their breakfast.

“It is not my intent to be harsh. But I am concerned by your lack of gratitude. Has my hospitality meant nothing to you, Hakizimana? Am I merely a means to an end? Surely, my brother raised you better than that. What do you have to say for yourself?”

Haki played with his eggs, rather than look Zecora directly in the eyes. “It’s complicated…”

“Then explain it to me. I am willing to listen. Just give me a chance is all that I ask.”

With a heavy blush, Haki finally looked at his aunt. “I do appreciate that you’ve let me live here, Aunt Z. I just—have a hard time coming to terms with our traditions and stuff. There aren’t many of us Zebricans living around these parts. People… talk, ya know.”

Zecora reached over and placed her hand upon Haki’s, rubbing it encouragingly. “Go on. Do not be afraid to express your thoughts. I promise that I will not be angry with you.”

“Many of my classmates used to bully me at school. They only knew about Zebrican tribes from what they saw in books and documentaries. Which is to say, they thought we were primitive and backwards. Like throwing spears at elephants, banging rocks together, indiscriminately having sex all the time, and eating raw meat. Um—the archetypical tribal stereotypes, I guess.”

Zecora frowned. “Oh, mpwa…”

Haki sagged in his chair. “That’s why I had to become more like them. It was for my own survival! The rest of middle school and high school would have been miserable for me if I hadn’t! The point is: kids can be real assholes sometimes. College is supposed to be full of open-minded adults and all that shit, but I can’t—I don’t—know if I’m capable of embracing the old ways like you have. I’m sorry if I’ve been such an ungrateful little brat to you, Aunt Z.”

Even though it was VERY awkward hugging his naked aunt in the middle of the kitchen, Haki accepted her embrace without hesitation. When they finally broke apart, Zecora crossed her arms underneath her breasts, sighed, and looked out the window. “There is little I can say or do to change your mind, Hakizimana. You must be the one to do that. But now that I understand the source of your… reluctance, would you at least be willing to learn more about the old ways?”

“Maybe? I don’t know for sure, Aunt Z. I guess you can try teaching me about them. Just don’t expect me to be super enthusiastic about it like you are. That might not happen.”

Zecora nodded sagely. “Duly noted. However, it is fortunate that we are living together. It will make teaching you about the old ways much easier, I believe. Not to mention, experience them.”

“Experience them? You don’t mean—”

Zecora held up her hand. “Have you ever tried living in the nude, Hakizimana? For any amount of time? Before you discount the possibility, I want you to answer me honestly.”

The teenager twiddled his fingers. “No, not exactly. Dad never—erm—encouraged us to if that’s what you mean. He told us that you were a ‘traditionalist’ but I never stopped to consider trying it out for myself. No offense, but being naked all the time is downright weird. I-I mean, it’s not something modern people would practice, right? Even in the privacy of their own home.”

“I shall have some words with your father later. For now, let us concentrate on the present. I am not saying that you must take your clothes off right away. Give it some thought. There is no shame in considering your options. Above all else, I want you to feel comfortable in my home.”

Haki chuckled awkwardly. “You do seem pretty comfortable, I must admit…”

Zecora laughed. “Of course, I am. It is to be expected! In the meantime, are you familiar with traditional Zebrican foods? There is a delicious recipe that I would like to make for lunch today. Would you be willing to, perhaps, help prepare it with me?”

“I guess that depends on what it is exactly. We’re not going to eat boiled cow eyeballs, are we?”

Zecora stuck out her tongue. “No, those are disgusting. I am referring to Chakalaka. It is a rich vegetable relish served with meat. What of roasted goat? Have you had that before?”

“Umm… can’t say I have.”

Zecora patted her nephew’s shoulder. “Then you are in luck today! I shall compose a list and you can go shopping for the ingredients. Do not worry; they are fairly easy to come by. I promise.”

“Wait! Why do I have to go get them?”

Zecora grinned. “Well, you have to earn your keep somehow.”

Applejack hummed along to the radio while she drove into town. Next to her, in the passenger seat, sat Winona with her head stuck out the window and tongue flapping about in the wind. Seeing as how she’d been such a good dog lately, Applejack decided to take Winona out on a little shopping trip to the pet store. Chewie toys and doggie treats were in store for the beloved family border collie. When Applejack pulled the truck into the parking lot, Winona knew exactly what it meant. She’d been to the pet store plenty of times. An exuberant series of barks filled the air while Applejack fastened Winona's leash. There were a few grateful licks to her owner’s face as well.

“Yeah, Ah know. Yer jumpier than a kangaroo right now, gal. C’mon then. Let’s git yer furry keister in the store and pick out somethin’ nice. But not too expensive, ya hear? Ah don’t wanna break the piggy bank on account of ya goin’ overboard, Winona.”

Being a simple farm dog, Winona wasn’t too keen on fancy toys or treats. She preferred to keep things down to basics. One her absolute most favorite treats in the world was pig’s ears. She could spend hours happily gnawing on that porky goodness. And so, with a spring in her step, she scampered towards the rawhide aisle. Applejack chuckled when Winona pointed her snout towards a bin full of pig’s ears. It was even the four-flavor variety pack. Bacon, chicken, beef, and liver. Her tail wagged back and forth when Applejack put it into the cart.

“Heh. Should’ve known you’d go straight fer the ears. Ah imagine you’d be happy with just that but Ah think we ought ta git somethin’ else. Let’s see if we can find ya a nice toy too.”

Winona nuzzled her mistress alongside the leg. Applejack ruffled the fur in-between her ears and continued walking towards the toy section. There were a lot of toys that looked downright bizarre and some of them were way too expensive for Applejack’s budget. However, the moment she heard a horrible, banshee-like scream, the blonde farmer shook her head. In her mouth, Winona had one of the ugliest looking rubber chickens Applejack had ever seen. Yet, the dog seemed enthralled by it. With a wince, Applejack heard the banshee chicken scream again.

“Land’s sakes! That thing could give children nightmares. And yer absolutely enamored with it, ain’t ya? Fine. It’ll probably git on mah nerves mighty quick, but I’ll buy it for ya, ya silly pooch. Let’s head on up ta the register.”

Upon purchasing said pet goodies, Applejack smartly opened up the pig’s ear pack and gave Winona a beefy one to chew on while they drove home. It kept her quiet and in a state of meaty bliss instead making noises with an eldritch rubber chicken monstrosity. Applejack made a mental note to herself to warn the rest of the family about Winona’s new toy. Lest Granny come running into the living room with shotgun loaded, ready to blast whatever threatened her grandchildren.

“Guess I’m already experiencin’ buyer’s guilt with that damned thing. Oh well.”

Most days that Applejack drove back home from running errands (it was a considerably lengthy one), she concentrated on the road ahead like her brother taught her. Given how remote Sweet Apple Acres was compared to the actual city limits of Ponyville proper, there wasn’t much to see along the road except the occasional traveler and rolling grasslands. This time, however, Applejack spotted something unusual. Just about a half kilometer from King Kone’s Dairy Hut, she spotted a car pulled off to the side of the road with a frustrated man pacing back and forth.

Being the kind-hearted gearhead that she was, Applejack decided to pull up next to his car and investigate what was going on. Upon closer inspection, she realized that he was Zebrican. Highly unusual for these parts, but not completely unheard of. After all, Zecora lived near the state forest. Maybe he was just in town sight-seeing? Whatever the reason, it was clear that he was having car troubles. Once she got out of the truck, Applejack let Winona out and they walked over to the distraught man so that they could introduce themselves.

“Howdy, Mister. Reckon you’ve got a bit o’ vehicular trouble. What’s up?”

The Zebrican man paused for a moment and sighed. “Hey. Thanks for checking up on me, I wasn’t sure what to do. We’re pretty far from town, so calling a tow truck would be pretty expensive. I was driving down the road and suddenly, the car became really hard to steer and began making funny noises.”

Applejack popped open the hood and peered inside. After a cursory inspection, she rubbed her chin and started walking back to the bed of her truck. “Eeyup. Pretty sure ya got a loose power steerin’ belt. It ain’t the easiest thing ta field repair but lucky fer ya, Ah got a pretty extensive toolbox in mah truck. Might want ta git comfortable, mister. This’ll take a while.”

While Applejack got everything set up, Winona scampered over to the dark-skinned man and offered him a friendly bark. He slowly reached out his hand and began petting her head. “Hi there, pup. What’s your name? Hmm. Oh, it’s on your tag. Winona, huh? Pretty name for a pretty dog. I bet you love ear scratches, huh? Ooh there’s the spot!”

Winona whuffed happily and wagged her tail back and forth.

Applejack laughed as she watched the two of them. “She’s takin’ a likin’ ta ya, mister.”

“It would appear that way. I’m—uh—Haki by the way. Sorry for not introducing myself earlier. I was kind of wigging out over the whole car thing. What’s your name, Miss?”

The blonde farmer tipped her Stetson. “Name’s Applejack. Ya can call me AJ, if ya prefer. Nice ta meet ya, Haki. Pardon mah curiosity but are ya in town sight-seein’ or whatnot? Reason Ah ask is because there ain’t many of y’all runnin’ ‘round these parts.”

Haki shrugged. “Normally, that would be the case. However, I’m attending Canterlot University in the fall and my aunt happens to live nearby. Instead of staying in the dorms, she let me crash at her house. I was out running an errand for her but then… this happened.”

“That’s mighty nice o’ yer aunt. Lettin’ ya stay at her house free o’ charge.”

Haki blushed while he ruffled the fur on Winona’s back. “Yeah, it is. I—wasn’t exactly the most grateful nephew. But I’m trying to make it up to her now! She’s really into our people’s ancient traditions and culture. Me? Not so much. I was born in this country and naturalized.”

Applejack grunted while she loosened a bolt. “Explains why ya don’t have an accent. Trust me, Haki. I’ve been a bratty turd ta mah family on several occasions. But it’s important that ya recognize where ya went wrong and are tryin’ ta make up fer it. I’m sure she recognizes that.”

“I think she does. At least, I hope so. It’s hard to change your viewpoint when you’ve been raised to believe something else for your entire life.”

Applejack offered Haki a sympathetic smile. “Boy do Ah know that feelin’! Spent a while hangin’ ‘round mah well-ta-do cousins in Manehatten. Thought mah folks were a might backwards fer bein’ simple, salt ‘o the earth farmers. It was a real eye-openin’ experience fer me. Realized how good Ah had it back on the farm. Never looked back since.”

“For me, I think it’s the exact opposite. I’m trying to get back to my roots.”

Applejack wiped some grease from her forehead. “Nothin’ wrong with that, Haki.”

Haki wasn’t sure why he felt so comfortable talking about his troubles with a girl that he’d just met. For some reason, she seemed very honest, sincere, and forthright. Maybe that was just how country girls were? The silence that followed wasn’t nearly as awkward or uncomfortable as he would have expected, given the circumstances. Of course, it helped that he was playing with Winona while she ran around in the grass, chasing a butterfly. After another half hour or so, Applejack, covered in grease and sweat, lugged her toolkit back to the truck and clapped her hands together. Winona wagged her tail and let out several barks of approval.

“Whew! That took a while longer than Ah expected. Power steerin’ belts can be tricky sometimes. But Ah got it fixed ‘bout as good as it can be. Without bein’ new, o’ course. I’d recommend gettin’ a replacement as soon as yer able, Haki.”

“Sure thing. I’ll discuss it with my aunt. Thanks for helping me out, AJ.”

Applejack grinned. “No problem. Glad ta be o’ service.”

Before the blonde farmer could get into her truck, Haki called out to her. “WAIT! Hold up for second, Applejack. I’d like to repay you somehow. If it’s ok with you, we could walk over to that ice cream place and I could pay for your portion.”

“It’s a wee bit early fer ice cream but Ah could be convinced ta eat some. Heh. So long as ya don’t mind hangin’ ‘round a sweaty, greasy farm gal fer a while.”

Haki ordered a chocolate milkshake while Applejack got a cone of butter brickle. Now that he’d gotten a better look at her, Haki could unequivocally say that Applejack was cute. Despite being covered in grease and sweat, her down-to-earth, natural beauty managed to shine through anyway. All of the sudden, Haki felt his stomach churn with nervous anxiety. His palms became sweaty and he had difficulty swallowing. The young man was interested in getting to know Applejack better but how would he approach the situation without sounding desperate?

Applejack leaned back on the bench and looked up at the passing clouds. “Say, Haki. Ya mentioned that ya were goin’ ta Canterlot University this fall, right?”

“Um—yeah. I did say that. What of it?”

“Ah was considerin’ enrollin’ there too. Fer a business degree. We might even become classmates at some point. So—erm—Ah was wonderin’ if ya might wanna exchange numbers. Rekon we could talk more and git ta know each other better. Does that sound good?”

“YES,” Haki blurted out, “I-I mean, yeah that sounds good to me.”

With a polite smile, Applejack showed him her contact information. “Sorry if Ah sounded a bit forward there, Haki. I’m not the kind o’ gal who’s good at bein’ subtle. Plus, I’ve never been too good at makin’ friends. Tryin’ ta turn over a new leaf. Be more open ‘bout mahself with folks.”

Haki laughed awkwardly. “I totally get it! So—uh—I’ll text you soonish… maybe?”

“Sounds alright ta me. Just make sure ya don’t do it while drivin’. Ain’t safe.”

Haki rubbed the back of his neck. “Of course, not. I’ll… see you around, AJ.”

Applejack waved while she got into her truck. “Later, Haki!”

Apple Bloom was curious as to why her sister had been out so long on what was meant to be a simple errand. When the truck finally pulled into the driveway next to the barn, Applejack stepped out covered in all sorts of grime and grease. Being exposed to machines her whole life, Apple Bloom instantly recognized when someone had been working on a car. The truck itself seemed to be running fine, so she wasn’t sure if there had been a problem with it or not. With a curious expression, Apple Bloom padded over to her big sister and ruffled Winona’s fur.

“Ya look like somethin’ the cat drug in, AJ. What’s up with that?” Apple Bloom inquired.

After letting out a tired sigh, Applejack began taking off her shirt. “Met a young fella whose car was stranded alongside the road. Offered ta help him fix a loose power steerin’ belt on the way back from the pet store. Felt like the right thing ta do. Couldn’t just let him sit there, stranded.”

“Oh. Well, that was awful nice o’ ya.”

Applejack sighed with relief when she stood underneath the barn’s outdoor shower stall. “Like Ah said, it was the neighborly thing ta do. Mmm. Feels good ta git outta them grimy, sweaty duds. Oughta take a look at the heat pump later. The water comin’ out is lukewarm at best.”

“Was he from ‘round here or just visitin’?”

Applejack lathered her blonde hair with anti-dandruff shampoo. “A Zebrican fella by the name o’ Haki. Said he was goin’ ta Canterlot University fer the fall semester. Ah was a might surprised ta see him ‘round these parts but he seemed nice enough. We exchanged numbers n’ such. Figured we might end up bein’ classmates at some point in the future. Ya never know.”

Apple Bloom crossed her arms behind her back and shuffled her feet. “What’d he look like? Ya know, beyond bein’ dark-skinned… NOT that there’s anythin’ wrong with that.”

Applejack hummed. “He was handsome enough, Ah guess. Got a fair bit of muscle tone all ‘round. Must have been an athlete o’ some kind. Kept his hair in dreads.”

Apple Bloom grinned. “So… does that mean ya though he was cute?”

Applejack blushed slightly and coughed. “I don’t rightly know. Maybe…”

Apple Bloom snickered. “C’mon, sis! There’s no shame in admittin’ that yer interested in a boy. At least ya got the hard part outta the way. Y’all exchanged phone numbers. That’s progress!”

“Yer one ta talk, ‘Bloom. Last Ah checked, ya ain’t ever had a boyfriend neither. Besides, Ah never said that Haki was supposed ta be mah beau. Just a regular friend fer now.”

Unperturbed, Apple Bloom simply shrugged off her sister’s jab. “Well, I’m only thirteen. Still got plenty o’ time ta figure out the grand mystery o’ romance n’ such. All I’m sayin’ is that ya got a good opportunity handed ta ya, Applejack. Best not waste it.”

The tomboyish farmer dried off her skin with a towel and tied her hair into a ponytail using a red scrunchie. “Fair enough. Ya made yer point, ‘Bloom. Don’t expect me ta go divin’ into romance headfirst. A big part o’ any relationship is honesty n’ trust. Who knows how Haki would react ta us bein’ naturists? Ah gotta git ta know him better first before that happens.”

“Similar ta how Sweetie n’ Scoots did, Ah reckon.” Apple Bloom suggested.

“Maybe. Maybe not. Ah can only hope that he’ll learn ta accept that part o’ mah life.”

Just as the two sisters exchanged an affectionate hug, Winona found her rubber chicken toy and began shaking it around with all her furry might. The horrible screaming sounds it emitted were akin to the moans of the damned. Apple Bloom’s face paled as she looked to her sister for an explanation. Applejack sighed and pointed towards Winona, whose ears flicked upward. She paused for a moment and whimpered, unsure if her mistresses were upset with her or not.

“Shit on a shingle,” Apple Bloom cursed, “That’s terrifyin’. Why’d ya git her that stupid toy in the first place, AJ?”

“Language. But yeah, Ah might have regretted mah choice. It’s just that Winona seemed ta love it so much, Ah couldn’t rightly deny her. Sorry, ‘Bloom. I’ll make sure ta tell—”

Granny Smith came scrambling out of the farmhouse with the speed and agility of someone half her age. In her hands, was a pump-action shotgun, fully loaded and ready to fire. Her steely gaze surveyed the farm for any threats to her home or precious grandchildren. When the danger did not become immediately apparent, she slowly walked over to Applejack and stood in front of her.

“Git behind me, girls. Whatever the hell kind o’ eldritch abomination made that awful caterwaulin’, I’ll make sure that thing gits blasted into next week. SHOW YERSELF, BEASTIE! I’LL KICK YER ASS N’ THEN SOME! COME N’ GIT IT!”

Winona carefully walked towards the Apple Family matron and dropped the rubber chicken at her feet. She whuffed and rubbed her snout against Granny Smith’s leg. Upon picking up the chewy toy, Granny squeezed it and realized that it had been the source of all the commotion. Thoroughly embarrassed, Granny’s cheeks flushed pink while she knelt down and petted Winona. After an awkward bout of silence, Granny lowered the shotgun and sighed.

“Sorry everyone. Ah thought y’all were in peril. Turns out, Ah was fooled by a dang chicken toy. But why, in the name of all that is holy, does it make such a horrible noise? Ah oughta march straight ta the assholes who designed that toy n’ kick ‘em straight in the teeth!”

Applejack hugged her grandmother. “No idea. But it’s mah fault fer buyin’ it.”

Winona’s ears flattened against her skull. She offered Granny a consolatory lick.

“It’s alright. Ah just didn’t have a clue what it was. Do me a favor though, Winona. Make sure ya don’t squeak it ‘round me all the time. We got an understandin’, pooch?”

The border collie barked her affirmation and went over to Apple Bloom for more head pats.

Big Macintosh arrived from the fields with a perplexed expression on his face. “What’s goin’ on? Thought Ah heard a bunch o’ hootin’ n’ hollerin’.”

“Ah got Winona a squeaky toy at the pet store earlier. Scared the bejesus outta Granny.”

Mac picked up the rubber chicken in question and gave it a squeeze. “Holy shit! Sounds like a wailin’ banshee from the pits o’ hell itself. No wonder Granny was scared. Fer what it’s worth, I’m sorry that Ah didn’t make it here on time ta protect y’all.”

Applejack gave her big brother a playful punch to the arm. “Don’t ya worry none, Mac. We know ya were busy out there. Besides, protectin’ is a family affair. Not meant just for one o’ us ta take on the burden all at once. Have Ah made mahself clear, ya big lug?”

“Plenty. Now, if y’all will excuse me, I’m in need of a big cup o’ coffee.”

When Mac began to walk towards the farmhouse, Apple Bloom followed close behind and grabbed his arm. “Hold on, Mac! Mind if I tag along? There’s somethin’ Ah need ta talk with ya ‘bout… regardin’ school.”

“Oh, yeah? What’s that, sugarcube?” The elder brother asked while pouring coffee.

“Ah was wonderin’ if ya might come ta orientation with me? It’s mah first day o’ middle school and I’d appreciate it you’d stand in fer… umm—well, a dad.”

Mac ruffled his sister’s hair. “Alright. When is this orientation?”

“One week from now at seven o’clock. Think ya can manage ta make it?”

Mac took a sip from his mug. “Depends on if that’s AM or PM. Ya know I’m out workin’ fields ‘round five most days, ‘Bloom. Then there’s the matter o’ supper—”

Apple Bloom put her hands on her hips and huffed. “I’m bein’ serious, Mac! It’s in the evenin’.”

Mac chuckled. “No need ta git yer non-existent panties in a bunch, lil’ sister.”

“Yer fault fer teasin’ me ‘bout it in the first place…” Apple Bloom grumbled.

“How’s about Ah sweeten the deal and take ya out fer supper beforehand?”

Apple Bloom’s expression brightened instantly. “Really? Where?!”

“Ah was thinkin’ o’ somewhere on the fancier side. How’s Fig Garden sound?”

Apple Bloom squealed with joy. “Awesome! Ah haven’t been there in ages. Can’t wait ta pig out on them tasty breadsticks they got. Oh and—uh—the pasta’s good too, Ah suppose.”

“Alright. It’s a date, kiddo.”

One Fine Day At The Fine Arts Club

Chapter 6

Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville

Applejack awoke at the crack of dawn, as was her habit. This, despite the fact that her classes didn’t begin for another three hours and her daily commute was only a twenty-minute drive. She’d been attending Canterlot University for over a week now and things were going as well as could be expected. Applejack insisted on having all of her classes block-scheduled in the morning, between eight and eleven, so that her schedule would be free during the afternoon. It was a bit grueling to have to endure four courses back to back, but well worth the trouble.

The amount of homework she got each day, if one could call it that, wasn’t too hateful. At least, not for someone as intelligent and quick-witted as Applejack. Many people assumed that she wasn’t very bright simply because she was a country girl, but nothing could be further from the truth. Big Mac was a self-taught genius when it came to mathematics and logistics even though he hadn’t attended college himself. On many occasions, she’d asked him if he regretted not furthering his formal education. His answer was always a firm, yet resounding “Eenope”.

Even so, there were days when Applejack felt guilty about her parents’ death and how much it affected everyone’s lives afterwards. Not so much that she felt personally responsible for their death. That was nothing more than a tragic accident. Plain and simple. Rather, a slew of “what ifs” had she and Big Mac been able to live out the rest of their childhoods without having to worry about the responsibility of raising a younger sibling and managing a farm.

She didn’t regret her current path in life, however. Apple Bloom meant the world to the both of them. To see her enjoying the childhood they had cut short was enough reward in and of itself. With a long yawn, Applejack smiled to herself while she looked out the window, surveying the north orchard. It was shaping up to be another beautiful day in Ponyville. After a round of early morning stretches, Applejack padded into the shower and began lathering up her tanned skin with the feminine equivalent of all-purpose body wash and squirted a glob of shampoo into her hair as well. The hot water helped focus her thoughts.

Satisfied that she had washed away the previous day’s sweat and grime, Applejack toweled off and gave herself a once-over in the mirror. Her physique, lithe, muscled, and dotted with freckles was much the same as it had been ever since she’d matured into a woman. Puberty had been like a bullet train. It hit her hard and fast. By the looks of it, Apple Bloom was already well on her way to becoming a young lady. Apple Family genes at work, as Granny often liked to say.

Applejack ran her fingers through the silky blonde tuft of hair nestled in-between her legs and frowned. “Should Ah spruce up a bit? Rarity goes on fer days about keepin’ her privates prim n’ proper like but… Ah dunno. Just doesn’t seem right ta me.”

In an uncharacteristic show of self-doubt, Applejack questioned her decision to model for Canterlot University’s Fine Arts Club. A few days earlier, during their initial briefing, Sandalwood had assured Applejack that she would be shown the utmost respect by all those in attendance. She was quite comfortable being nude around her family but doing so in front of a dozen strangers, whose sole intent was to observe every nook and cranny of—well—everything for two hours and make detailed drawings? Completely different. The blonde farmer wasn’t too keen on the idea of everyone appraising her body like some thoroughbred dog.

Applejack scoffed at her reflection. “Ah ain’t there ta put on a peep show fer all o’ them artists. They’ll just have ta suck it up n’ deal with the way Ah am. Freckles n’ all. Gonna be a cold day in hell before Ah git one o’ them bikini waxes Rares was harpin’ on ‘bout. Don’t so much mind the idea o’ visitin’ the spa with her every so often but goin’ full-on smoothie ain’t fer a country gal like me. Ha! Jokes on ya, Rares. Ah don’t even own a bikini!”

The only hair she would pay any mind to was the golden locks atop her head. It was somewhat of a hassle, but Applejack decided that styling it into a bun would be the most practical thing to do. A simple ponytail worked when you were out and about, but caused problems if you were standing still or sitting for an extended period of time. Tickled and itched like the dickens. Besides, it would give Applejack the chance to wear that fancy, jeweled hair pin her Aunt Orange had given her during her “sabbatical” in Manehatten a few years prior.

Speaking of Aunt Orange, a beautiful sundress of her namesake hung, unworn, within the dark recesses of Applejack’s closet. She’d known that her niece was an ardent naturist, and by extension, the rest of the Ponyville clan but that hadn’t stopped her from commissioning it. Aunt Orange was of the (mistaken) impression that Applejack could be molded into the perfect Manehattenite. With proper training, attire, and etiquette lessons, of course.

Applejack ultimately wound up going back to Sweet Apple Acres and chose the life of a farmer instead of a cultured heiress, but Aunt Orange let her keep the dress as a gesture of goodwill. For a long time, she considered just donating the blasted thing to charity. Yet, Applejack never could bring herself to do so. It was a symbol of Aunt Orange’s misguided, but well-intentioned, affection. She genuinely cared about her niece. Almost like a surrogate daughter that she and her husband could never produce on their own…

Applejack laid out the dress on top of her bed. She took a moment to admire its craftsmanship, despite her general animosity towards wearing clothing of any kind. “If Ah intend ta gussy up mah hair, might as well put on a pretty dress ta go with it. In any case, it’s supposed ta be hot outside today. Good ta feel the breeze between mah knees if Ah can help it.”

She left the dress on her bed while she fixed her hair. Putting it on wasn’t strictly necessary for another two and a half hours. Until then, she would stick to her birthday suit. When Applejack finally finished applying the hairpin, she looked at her reflection once more and nodded. The only thing left to do was put on some skin cream, deodorant, and a few dabs of her favorite perfume. Strictly speaking, the bodywash would probably have sufficed but Applejack wanted to make damn certain that she smelled nice for everyone in the club (it was important to make a good first impression). The bodywash had a tendency to wear off after a few hours anyway.

Much to Applejack’s chagrin, the rest of her family was already sitting at the table, enjoying breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and sautéed apples when she approached the dining room. They all stopped their conversation when she went to pour herself a cup of coffee. Upon grabbing her own plate of chow, Applejack began cutting into her stack of pancakes slowly, gaging everyone else’s reaction. What felt like an eternity of awkward silence and chewing was only broken by her little sister’s voracious curiosity. The teenager grinned while nibbling on a strip of bacon.

“Ya did yer hair up all fancy today, AJ. What’s the occasion? Ya got a date or somethin’?”

Applejack shifted in her seat with a slight blush. “Fer yer information, I’m gonna be headin’ on over ta the Art Club after all mah classes are finished today. Thought I’d make a good first impression. Not that it’s any business o’ yers, ‘Bloom.”

Granny cocked her brow. “Is that so, sugarcube? Didn’t think you’d ever bother wearin’ that gaudy thing. Must’ve cost Valencia a pretty penny. It’s a wonder ya never tried to sell it.”

Applejack poked one of the pancakes with her fork. “Well—um—it’s got sentimental value.”

Mac sighed. “Granny, please don’t tease her too much ‘bout it. The Oranges are still kin.”

“Ah know that, Macky. Reckon they could try a bit harder ta visit us is all…” Granny remarked.

Applejack took a swig of her coffee. “Ah still talk with Auntie Orange from time ta time.”

“Good fer ya, then. Far as I’m concerned, they’d rather keep ta themselves in Manehatten than admit we even exist. Bunch o’ snobs. They’re embarrassed that we don’t wear clothes n’ such. Think we’re nothin’ but backwards hicks, rollin’ around in the dirt nekkid.”

Applejack grimaced. “Yeah, I’ll admit that it was a sore subject back when Ah was stayin’ with ‘em. They tried to git me ta wear all o’ them fancy duds n’ jewelry all the time. That’s when Ah realized that the high life wasn’t all it was cracked up ta be.”

Apple Bloom reached over and squeezed her sister’s hand. “I’m glad ya decided ta come back. Sweet Apple Acres just wouldn’t be the same without ya.”

Applejack laughed and kissed Apple Bloom’s cheek. “Thanks. Glad ta be here.”

Winona barked a few times and nudged Applejack’s leg underneath the table.

“Oh, alright. You’ll git some bacon, Ah promise.”

While the happy border collie munched on her meaty treat, Big Mac put down the morning paper and looked over at his younger sister. The wheels began turning in his head, as oft they did, and he wondered why Applejack hadn’t elaborated further on what she would be doing at the art club. After all, he’d never see her paint or draw anything beyond simple doodles. Why get into those hobbies now? For the time being, he decided not to press Applejack any further.

Big Mac finished his coffee and stood up. “Guess Ah ought ta git started on the newest batch o’ whiskey. C’mon, Winona. We’re goin’ out ta the stills. Later, y’all.”

After Mac closed the door, Apple Bloom scooted closer to Applejack and whispered in her ear. “Are ya sure it’s just a visit ta the Arts Club? Yer wearin’ perfume too.”

Applejack rolled her eyes. “That’s all it is, miss nosey-neighbor.”

“Whatever ya say, AJ. I’ve got some homework ta finish up, so I’ll be goin’ now.”

Granny waved to her youngest grandchild while she padded up the stairs towards her room. “Ah find yer behavior a might peculiar, sugarcube. But who am Ah ta judge? At the very least, yer puttin’ yerself out there and meetin’ folks. A step in the right direction, Ah suppose.”

“When did everyone git so dang interested in mah personal life?” Applejack grumbled.

Granny laughed. “Because ya finally have one!”

Applejack let out a tired sigh as she exited her economics class. Doing work on the farm was one kind of exhausting, but sitting through four classes in a row was on another level entirely. Her stomach growled in protest because it had been nearly six hours since she’d last filled her belly with any food. That was the farmer’s life for you: early to rise, early to bed, early to eat. Applejack checked her phone absentmindedly, waiting for a text from Rarity. It came not but a moment later. She didn’t seem to have any classes going on at the moment. Applejack grinned.

An early luncheon sounds like a splendid idea, darling~ You can’t very well model on an empty stomach! That said, I’m not a big fan of the school café but it shall have to do. We don’t have enough time to go anywhere more substantial before the session begins, I’m afraid. 😔

Not to worry, Rares. I ain’t picky when it comes to chow.

Still, I feel like we should have a girl’s night out sometime. I’d like to treat you to something special, Applejack. There’s an excellent sushi place in town called: “The Prickly Pufferfish”. 🍣 Despite the quirky name, it is a reputable establishment, I assure you.

Wasn’t worried about that. When do you want to meet up?

A quarter after eleven sounds perfect. Ta ta for now, dear~ 👋

Later.

If there was one thing that Applejack noticed differently from her typical collegiate experience, was that more people seemed to notice her. Like, substantially more. It got to the point where she had to tell a few, overly forward fellers to back off with the flirting. The blonde farmer supposed it had to do with her fancy getup. Even without lipstick, eyeshadow, or makeup, it gave her an easily recognizable air of sophistication and grace that jean shorts couldn’t provide. She paused for a moment and contemplated if the key to making more friends was just looking sexy and rich.

“Might nab me some fanboys in the short term but nothin’ substantial.” Applejack muttered.

Thankfully, her journey to the café was a short one. The econ wing was directly across from it. Rarity texted her again and apologized for taking longer than expected to arrive. Apparently, she had a makeup emergency and needed to “freshen up” in the ladies’ room. Applejack snorted. Typical frou-frou fashionista, worrying about how much lipstick she’s got on or whatever. About ten minutes later, Rarity showed up slightly out of breath and late.

Applejack raised her brow. “What took ya so damned long?”

“My apologies, dear. You wouldn’t believe what this dreadful humidity does to my hair—OH MY GOODNESS! What a fabulous dress! Who designed it?! I MUST KNOW!!”

Applejack blushed at her friend’s sudden outburst. “Quiet down, will ya? It ain’t that big o’ a deal. Just some… dress that mah Auntie Orange commissioned.”

“Wait. You can’t possibly mean THE Valencia Orange? As in the tropical fruit mogul and humanitarian?” Rarity asked excitedly.

“Yeah, she’s family all right. We ain’t super close, though. Ah stayed with her and mah uncle at their mansion in Manehatten a few years ago. Got a taste o’ the high life while Ah was there, Ah guess. Didn’t much care fer it. I’m a country gal at heart. Always have been.”

Rarity squealed. “That’s simply astounding! I had no idea you were related to them.”

Applejack rubbed the back of her neck. “Look, can we just go get somethin’ ta eat already?”

“Ah, yes. Where are my manners? You must be famished! We can chat later.”

One turkey club sandwich later, Applejack sat at the table and took a sip from her large iced tea to help wash it all down. Rarity stuck with a cranberry chicken salad, claiming that she was watching what she ate. In Applejack’s humble opinion, she was already slim and attractive. In fact, Rarity could have stood to put on a few extra pounds. But that was her business. Applejack didn’t much care for conversation while she ate, unlike Rarity. Therefore, it was a fairly one-sided conversation for about fifteen minutes. At one point, she had to shoo the Fashionista away when she tried to get a better look at the hair pin.

Rarity let out a dreamy sigh. “Those are real rubies, you know.”

“So, what if they are? Ah rarely take this thing outta the box.”

Rarity huffed. “I can’t believe you, Applejack. Your aunt bought you such a beautiful, not to mention, valuable gift and you treat it like it’s nothing. Shame! Shame, I tell you!”

Applejack rolled her eyes after making a loud slurping noise with her straw. “Ah told ya before, Rares. Fancy jewelry n’ duds ain’t fer me. I like ta keep things simple. Most o’ the time that means nothin’ but mah Stetson n’ a scrunchie. Ya should know that about me by now.”

Rarity snorted. “Au Naturale is about as simple as one can get. In any case, I think you should try to make more of a concerted effort to present yourself, Applejack. As I said before, you are quite beautiful. Even without the aid of cosmetics. All it takes is just a little enhancement here and there. Nothing terribly flashy. You’re not going to get a boyfriend by wearing flannel.”

“Ain’t mah fault that pretty dresses don’t hold when yer workin’ on the farm.”

Rarity took a sip of her blueberry-cucumber kombucha and waved her hand dismissively. “Of course, not. All I’m suggesting is that when you are away from the farm, that you dress appropriately for social outings, not slopping the hogs. Is that so much to ask?”

“That reminds me. Ah gotta git more feed fer Curly. Should Ah go with corn mush or—”

Rarity groaned in frustration. “How should I know? I’m not a farmer. Ugh! I can’t believe we’re talking about pigs of all things. What’s next? Bumper crops? Rain tables? NO! Don’t… actually answer either of those questions, Applejack. I was being facetious.”

The blonde famer blushed. “Oh—erm—right. Sorry, Rares. Guess Ah ain’t good at small talk.”

“Yes, I can see that. No matter. I am willing to bring you to speed if you so desire.”

“On what exactly?” Applejack inquired.

“Well, you know. All sorts of things. Fashion trends, popular music, avant-garde art.”

Applejack frowned. “No offence, Rares but… none o’ that sounds interestin’ ta me.”

“It’s not about whether you think they’re interesting or not.”

“Then what’s the point?”

Rarity sighed. “I admire your honesty, darling but with it comes naiveté. Hmm. Well, I suppose it’s all part of your down-to-earth, country girl charm. The point is: if you’re knowledgeable about various topics, it will make you seem more well-rounded during casual conversations.”

“Reckon that makes sense.” Applejack agreed half-heartedly.

Rarity twirled a piece of grilled chicken with a fork. “Alas, Rome was not built in a day. Perhaps later we can converse about how to make you more—ah—culturally rounded later. For now, I’d rather enjoy my lunch in peace. Does that sound fair to you?”

Applejack simply nodded and continued to munch on her sandwich. She wasn’t sure why Rarity was all bent out of shape over stuff like paintings but it must have been important to her. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted someone walking towards the table that she hadn’t seen since summer. It was Haki. He apparently had noticed Applejack at the same time and they both flashed each other a somewhat awkward grin. Smelling blood in the water, Rarity took the opportunity to wave him over to sit down with them. The aspiring botanist obliged.

Rarity fluttered her eyelashes. “Who is this handsome fellow, Applejack?”

“Haki. Heard him mention that he was attendin’ classes at CU.”

Rarity chortled and offered her hand. Haki shook it hesitantly. “A pleasure to meet your acquaintance, sir. My name is Rarity Belle, soon to be fashion mogul.”

Haki chuckled. “Same. I-I mean the acquaintance part. Not the fashion mogul. I’m studying to become a botanist like my aunt. She’s letting me stay with her while I attend college.”

“Is that so? Awfully generous of her. How, may I ask, did you two become acquainted?”

Applejack took the lead when Haki hesitated to answer. “His car broke down alongside the road. Ah fixed it fer him. We ate ice cream together, exchanged numbers, and went our separate ways. Heh. I’ve been so busy as of late that Ah forgot ta call or text ya. Sorry, Haki…”

Haki rubbed his neck. “No, it’s cool. I’ve been busy too.”

Rarity clapped her hands. “So… what are your plans for the remainder of the day, Haki?”

“Not too much. Just finished up my classes. I’m off to the Arts Club after lunch. I’ve always been decent at drawing animals and plants but I wanted to try my hand at people. That and—umm—it counts towards my elective credits. Something my aunt suggested.”

Rarity grinned like a Cheshire cat. “What a coincidence~ Applejack and I were about to do the same. I heard a rumor that today’s model was going to be someone special. Unique, shall we say. What are your thoughts on the subject, Haki?”

Applejack’s face became pale as a sheet when she realized that Haki was going to be drawing her, along with a dozen or so other strangers. Plus, Rarity. For his part, Haki seemed a little reluctant to answer her friend’s question. “I don’t know. I’ve never actually sat down and drawn a nude model before. It’ll be an… interesting experience, I imagine.”

“Indeed~ What about you, Applejack? Are you looking forward to the session?”

The blonde famer nearly choked on her iced tea. “Won’t know ‘till it happens.”

Haki looked over at her with concern. “Are you ok, Applejack? Sounded like you were choking there for a second.”

“Nah, I’m fine fer now. Just went down the wrong pipe is all. Thanks, fer askin’.”

“Is that why you’re going to the session? For extra credits, I mean.” Haki asked.

“Umm… yeah, ya could say that. I’m not much of an artist, ta be honest.”

Haki smiled. “Don’t worry about it. Like anything else, drawing takes lots of practice. I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it eventually. Oh, and you could always ask me to help. I’d be more than happy to show you a few pointers some time, if you’re interested.”

Applejack reached back to play with a strand of her hair, only to realize that it was tied up in a bun. She began tapping her foot against the floor instead. “Uh… maybe? Sounds interestin’.”

“Cool. I’ll see you girls at the Art Club. Bye!”

While Applejack waved goodbye, Rarity made sure Haki was out of sight before she scooted closer to her friend and nudged her ribs. “Oh ho~ What have we here? I must admit, Applejack. I wasn’t expecting you to be acquainted with a handsome Zebrican. Do tell me more, darling.”

Applejack blushed profusely. “There ain’t nothin’ ta tell, Rares. It happened just like Ah said.”

“I’m sure it did. However, I couldn’t help but notice some chemistry between you two.”

Applejack shuffled her feet. “Ah think yer readin’ into the situation too deep.”

Rarity laughed. “No, I don’t believe so~ You’re attracted to Haki, aren’t you?”

“So, what if Ah am? Ya got a problem with that?” Applejack responded defensively.

“I knew it! And for the record, I have no problem with it whatsoever. In fact, I’m happy for you, Applejack. You’re long past due for a date. Live it up while you’re still young and beautiful.”

Applejack bit her lip. “Well, Ah dunno—maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad thing ta git me a boyfriend. But don’t ya dare rush me! Ah wanna take this at mah own pace, ya hear.”

Rarity scoffed. “Perish the thought, darling. I simply want you to enjoy life. I must say, though, he is quite the specimen of male athleticism. Tall, dark, and handsome. You have excellent taste if I do say so myself.”

Applejack fidgeted in her seat. “Yeah, he is pretty good-lookin’. Damn it all! Ah dunno how I’m gonna make it through the session now. He’ll be there, right in the thick o’ it, drawin’ every last detail o’ mah nekkid body. It’ll be awkward as hell…”

“As a naturist, I would have assumed you were used to displaying some skin, no?”

Applejack let out a shuddering sigh. “This situation ain’t the same, Rares. Ah can’t really articulate the feelin’ properly, but it’s a helluva lot more nerve-wrackin’ ta be the subject o’ everyone’s attention. Back on the farm, I’m much more comfortable and relaxed. Bein’ nude around mah family ain’t a big deal ta me. Always been that way fer years.”

Rarity scrunched her lips in thought. “I think I understand. My apologies, Applejack. I was unaware that naturists could feel nervous about showing off their bodies. I just assumed—”

Applejack leaned back in her seat. “It’s alright, Rares. Ya ain’t a naturist. Ah don’t expect ya to understand how Ah feel. I’m nervous because Haki’s gonna be there more than anythin’ else.”

Rarity reached over and squeezed Applejack’s hand. “You have nothing be ashamed of, Applejack. I know it sounds cliché, but do try to calm down a bit. When you arrive, project that country girl confidence and poise. I know you can do it! If nothing else, this modeling session will prove, without a doubt, whether Haki’s interested in you as a woman.”

Applejack and Rarity arrived at the CUAD building about a half hour before the session was scheduled to begin. For her part, the fashionista insisted on helping her friend prepare, which in Applejack’s opinion, really didn’t amount to much. What else was there to prepare for other than to slip out of her sundress, kick off her sandals, and pose for some artists? After giving it some thought, Applejack conceded that, perhaps, it had more to do with preparing herself mentally for the session rather than physically. Sandalwood ushered them over to an adjoining room.

“I suppose it’s a bit of a misnomer to call this place a dressing room.” Rarity remarked dryly.

Sandalwood chuckled. “Nothing gets past you, eh? Irony aside, this is where we allow our models to relax and freshen up. Oh, and I should mention that it’s perfectly fine if you need to move around a bit during the session. Wouldn’t want your muscles to get sore. Over in the corner is a refreshment station. Everything is GMO-free, organic, and keto friendly.”

“Uh… beg pardon, but what the hell does all o’ that mean?”

“It means that all the food and beverages stocked within this room are healthy for you!”

Applejack scratched her head. “Right. A cup o’ coffee sounds good right now. Need a pick-me-up after lunch. If I’m gonna be sittin’ fer a while, I’d rather not be tempted ta fall asleep.”

Sandalwood laughed effeminately and clapped his hands together. “What an excellent idea! In particular, the hazelnut fair trade blend is to die for~ I made sure to stock non-dairy creamer in the fridge if you don’t drink—”

“Thanks, Sandalwood. Ah can handle all the brewin’ and whatnot.”

Sandalwood nodded. “Just remember, Applejack. I’m here for you. That means, if at any point you start to feel uncomfortable or anxious, please let me know right away. The Fine Arts Club prides itself on creating and maintaining a safe environment for our models. Nude or otherwise.”

Applejack rubbed her arm. “Appreciate it, Sandalwood. So—um—Ah reckon it’s time ta take mah clothes off and git in the zone. Heh. That sounded a lot cooler in mah head…”

“Yes, of course. I’ll be out in the classroom getting everything else setup in the meantime. Goodbye ladies, and good luck!”

Rarity waved as Sandalwood walked out the door. “Well, he’s a bit… overbearing.”

Applejack snorted. “Like you ain’t sometimes?”

Rarity rolled her eyes dramatically. “Fair point. In all seriousness, are you alright?”

Applejack undressed quickly and stowed her belongings in a nearby cubby. “Ready as I’ll ever be, Ah reckon. Won’t know fer sure until Ah sit down and everyone starts drawin’. Hmm. Is it just me or is it a might chilly in here? Guess I’m just used ta bein’ outside in the heat.”

With a slight blush, Rarity coughed and tried to politely ignore her friend’s erect nipples. “Ah… well, I suppose it is a bit brisk inside the building. Considering how hot it is outside, they probably have the AC on full blast. Perhaps, the coffee will help warm you up?”

The blonde famer sighed contentedly when she took her first sip. “Gotta say, this here hazelnut blend is pretty damn good. Looks like there’s some other goodies in the fridge, if ya care ta partake. Uh… Rares? What’s wrong? Yer starin’ into space.”

Rarity bit her lip. “My apologies, Applejack. I was just—observing your body for a moment. Up until now, I never got the chance to admire your beauty up close before. Goodness, me! What I wouldn’t give to have abs like that! Every last inch of you has been sculpted from hard work, sunshine, and what I can only assume to be a rigorous skincare routine. Simply divine~”

Applejack’s cheeks flushed while she rubbed the back of her neck. “Thanks. It means a lot ta me ta hear ya say that, Rares. Considerin’ how much o’ an expert ya are on such matters. As fer the skin care, Ah take good care o’ mine every mornin’. Little bit o’ cocoa butter n’ shea goes a long way, Ah like ta say. Heh. Rhymes, don’t it?”

“I couldn’t agree more, darling.”

Applejack traced a line along the floor with her toes. “Lord almighty. Ah feel more anxious than a rodeo bull all cooped up in his pen. Do ya really think Ah can pull this off? What if Ah make a fool o’ mahself in front o’ everyone. In front o’… Haki? What if he thinks—”

Rarity placed her hands upon Applejack’s shoulders and squeezed them gently. “Like Sandalwood said, if you want to stop at any point, the option is there. However, I will admit that it would be a shame not to put your beautiful body on display. You are the very definition of a living muse, Applejack. Even now, my creative juices are overflowing and about to burst!”

“Hold on a second, Rares. Ya don’t mean—”

Rarity shook her head vehemently and waved her hands. “I meant in an artistic sense, darling! Not that I don’t find you attractive, of course. Quite the contrary! Oh, drat! Just forget I said that last part, lest we make the situation even more awkward than it already is. MOVING ON!”

“Does that mean ya bat fer the other team?” Applejack asked hesitantly.

Rarity sighed and rubbed her forehead. “Not entirely, dear. Let’s just say that I don’t like to limit myself when it comes to appreciating beauty or… paramours and leave it at that.”

“Oh. Well—um—that’s just fine n’ dandy. Way ta keep an… open mind?”

“I meant what I said earlier, Applejack. I do find you… considerably attractive. However, I promise that it won’t get in the way of our friendship. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry for ogling you at a time when you’re at your most vulnerable. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?”

Applejack decided that a (nude) hug probably wouldn’t be the best thing for Rarity at the moment, so she settled on a friendly shoulder pat instead. “No biggie, Rares. I’m already over it. Ah guess it’s just… weird knowin’ that ya think I’m—uh—sexy. Is that the right word?”

Rarity let out a girlish giggle and twirled a strand of her hair. It made Applejack feel very uncomfortable. “Quite so~ You see, I’ve always had a bit of thing for strong women who—”

“Alrighty then,” Applejack interrupted before Rarity could continue, “Lemme finish mah coffee and then we can git this session rollin’. No time like the present, right?”

After yet another sincere apology, Rarity left the changing room and Applejack quickly followed suit. Most of the other artists had arrived and were setting up their stations. From what Applejack could tell, none of them had any paint, so they were probably going to stick with pencil sketches. In the center of the room was a plain, but comfortable looking couch. During their preliminary meeting, Sandalwood had mentioned that was where she could recline, if she so desired.

At the moment, Applejack felt far too nervous to sit down or recline. She had to close her eyes for a moment and take in a few deep breaths to try and calm down. It didn’t help much. Despite the chilly atmosphere in the room, her skin became clammy with sweat. She blew out a ragged sigh through pursed lips and smacked her cheeks a few times in order to focus. Once she was thoroughly psyched-up for the task at hand, she stood before everyone and cleared her throat.

“Howdy, y’all. Mah name’s Applejack. I’m gonna be yer nude model today.”

Much to her surprise, all Applejack received from the artists were polite greetings and a few nods. However, as she looked around the room, it didn’t escape her notice that Haki was sitting near the left-hand corner with an astonished look on his face. Applejack tried not to let his presence get to her but her tan skin flushed a noticeable, pinkish hue underneath the glow of the ceiling lights and she avoided direct eye contact with him whenever possible. Applejack hoped that her slight omission of the truth wouldn’t ruin the rapport they had going.

Sandalwood clapped his hands. “Alright, people! You know the drill. No touching the model, or requests for any lewd or excessively compromising poses. If she asks for a break, we must abide. Am I understood? Excellent! Applejack, you may pose however you prefer. Remember to relax.”

The blonde farmer crossed her arms underneath her breasts and shuffled her feet. “That’s just it, Sandalwood. Ah don’t know what y’all expect me ta do. Is there… a pose y’all want ta see in particular? Like if Ah flexed mah muscles? Pardon mah ignorance, I’ve never done this before.”

“It’s quite alright, Applejack. We host plenty of first-timers. Let me put it to you this way: it’s not about what we want, per say, it’s more important for you to do whatever feels natural.”

“None o’ this feels natural ta me.” Applejack groused.

Sandalwood rubbed his chin. “Be that as it may, try imaging that you’re in a different place. Your happy place, to be more precise. After a while, the nervousness will subside and you’ll forget that there’s other people in the room drawing you.”

“Sounds like yer speakin’ from personal experience.” Applejack remarked.

“Yes, I’ve modeled plenty of times before. That’s one of the many reasons why I was chosen by the department to lead the Fine Arts Club. Do you have any other questions or concerns? Please tell me now before we begin in earnest.”

Applejack simply shook her head and walked over to the couch, her bare feet pattering against the tiled floor. She was going to maintain a standing pose initially, but decided that flexing her muscles like some body builder was a bit strange and not to mention, forced. Instead, she took a seat near the center of the couch, spread her legs butterfly style, feet pressed together, and hands resting atop her thighs. She tended to sit this way while underneath the shade of the apple trees when she was taking a break from harvesting. Applejack closed her eyes and imagined the scent of fresh air, grass, and applewood. It brought a smile to her face.

When she opened her eyes once more, the blonde farmer noticed that everyone was busy sketching away on their pads. Including, Rarity and Haki. More so on the fashionista’s part. As she had mentioned before, her creative muse was apparently in full swing. She was having one of her infamous “IDEA” moments. Applejack was well-aware that her current pose left nothing to the imagination for her audience but she felt that being shy about revealing certain parts of her body was pointless. They’d get a peek at everything when she changed positions anyway.

About thirty minutes passed before Applejack’s muscles began to stiffen. She got up from the couch, excused herself, and decided that taking a quick bathroom break was in order. While she was sitting on the toilet, taking care of business, she heard the door open and close shut. Not expecting anyone else to intrude on her private moment, she tensed up and her heart raced.

“Who’s there?! The stall’s occupied.”

“It’s just me, darling. I came in to check on you.” Rarity responded.

“Could ya have at least waited until Ah was finished empytin’ mah bladder?”

Rarity let out an awkward chuckle. “Oh—erm—I suppose I could have. My mind is stuck in the zone, as it were. I hadn’t considered your privacy. My apologies, dear.”

Applejack finished up and wiped herself clean. She then proceeded to wash her hands with soap and hot water. “No worries. Ah was done peein’ anyway. Truth be told, Ah guess this gig ain’t so bad after all. Didn’t git a chance ta peruse everyone’s sketches yet, though.”

“From what I could tell, most of the sketches I saw managed to capture the quintessential essence of your country girl charm. In particular, Haki’s. His drawing was… quite detailed and accurate, I must say. To put it simply, darling, he was paying rapt attention to you the whole time. Oh ho~ With an adorable blush too. All good signs, in my opinion.”

Applejack splashed some water on her flushed face. “Well, that’s… good ta know. Hoowee! It’s gonna be one helluva awkward conversation the next time Ah git the chance ta speak with Haki. But… Ah reckon, it’s good fer him ta see me nekkid sooner rather than later. He won’t be so taken back when Ah tell him that I’m a naturist. What do ya think, Rares?”

Rarity tapped her chin in thought. “I’m not sure, dear. I don’t know Haki well enough to make that judgement call. We’ll just have to wait and see.”

Applejack let out a long, heavy sigh. “That’s what Ah was afraid ya were gonna say.”

“Whatever happens, I think you should be forthright about your lifestyle.”

“Yeah, Ah plan ta tell Haki as soon as Ah git the chance ta sit down and have a conversation with him. Can’t very well found a relationship based on secrets.”

Rarity nodded in agreement. “Indeed. Best of luck, darling. I’m rooting for you!”

“Thanks. I’m gonna need it.” Applejack admitted.

With her bathroom break concluded, Applejack padded back out to the main room and asked everyone how they wanted to proceed. The general consensus was that they’d all gotten plenty of time to sketch her sitting pose and would focus on adding the finishing touches to that rather than starting something new. A slew of complicated feelings raced through Applejack’s mind. On one hand, she was relieved that the session was over. On the other, it meant that she’d need to have her talk with Haki much sooner than expected. Seeing no other alternative, Applejack thanked everyone for their time and patience, then went back to the changing room to put on her clothes.

Upon exiting the door, Rarity was nowhere to be seen. Thinking fast, Applejack checked her phone to see if her friend had called or anything. Sure enough, an unread text message had been sent while she was still changing. The blonde farmer skimmed it over with an irritated scowl.

I took the liberty of heading back home, so that I could add the finishing touches to my sketch of you in a more private setting, dear. 😙 I hope you don’t mind. Furthermore, I wanted to ensure that you had an opportunity to meet up with Haki on your own. I didn’t want to be a third wheel.

TTL – Rarity

Before she had the chance to complain, Haki approached Applejack while she was walking towards the café. Completely taken off guard and unprepared, Applejack struggled to find the right way to start a conversation with him. “Howdy, Haki. Fancy meetin’ ya here.”

“Hey, AJ. Look… I’m just going to cut straight to the point: why didn’t you tell me that you were going to be the model today? It would have been nice to know that beforehand!”

Applejack’s cheeks flushed bright red. Partially out of anger but mostly from embarrassment. “Why does it matter what Ah choose ta do in mah spare time? Last Ah checked, it ain’t none o’ yer damn business ta know ahead o’ time if Ah model fer the club or not. Plain n’ simple.”

“Don’t you understand how awkward that was for me?! AJ, I really do want to get to know you better, but I hate being lied to. What you did was unfair!” Haki argued.

Applejack growled. “Ya said it yerself. We barely know each other. What was Ah supposed ta say, Haki? Just casually mention that you’d see me buck nekkid in an hour? Ah don’t think so!”

The two of them stewed in their anger for a minute, neither saying a word to each other. For her part, Applejack eventually realized that her outburst was unwarranted. She hadn’t been completely honest with Haki, even if it was simply an omission of expectations. If Applejack wanted to be more open with her friends, this definitely wasn’t the right way to go about it. Conversely, Haki took a moment to consider Applejack’s side of the equation. Had he been the one nude modeling for the Art Club instead of her, the young athlete conceded that he would have hesitated to tell AJ about it too.

Haki rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m sorry, AJ. I didn’t mean to strike a nerve. That was thoughtless of me.”

“I’m sorry too, Haki. Mah temper got the best o’ me. As fer why Ah didn’t say anythin’ before, it’s because Ah was too embarrassed n’ nervous ta tell ya. Ah was afraid of what you’d think o’ me. Sitting up there, with mah body on display, in front o’ everyone ain’t what I’d call a cakewalk. Ah didn’t want ya ta be turned off by it, is what I’m sayin’.”

Haki grimaced. “I’m not very good at understanding how women think. But I would never think any less of you for volunteering to be a model. It’s good money, from what I hear. I-I mean, so long as you don’t mind a bunch of strangers staring at you for over an hour, that is.”

Applejack chuckled and played with the end of her hairpin. “Ah gotta admit, the pay was good fer the type o’ work Ah did. Say, Haki. Would ya like ta tag along with me fer a cup o’ coffee n’ chat fer a while? Mah treat.”

“Really? I didn’t think that you would—yeah, I’d love to!”

Applejack stuck with a simple medium roast. Cream and no sugar. She didn’t want to go overboard on the caffeine considering that she’d had a cup during the session. As for Haki, he opted for a caramel macchiato. Applejack had never ordered one before but knew that Rarity loved them. It was a bit frou-frou for her tastes. For the first time all afternoon, when she sat down, Applejack didn’t feel like her stomach was going to twist itself into knots. A sense of calm determination washed over her. A one on one conversation was much less daunting than nude modeling in front of a group. She took a swig from her mug and composed herself.

“Haki, Ah ain’t a gal who likes ta mince words. Nor am Ah particularly skilled at small talk. So, I’ll just git right ta the heart o’ the matter. When we first met along the road durin’ the summer, Ah felt some chemistry between us. Like Ah… wanted ta git ta know ya better.”

Haki looked down at his cup. “Me too. Is that weird?”

Applejack shook her head. “Nah, Ah don’t think it is. Would ya mind if we tried datin’? Ah know mah request seems a bit straightforward, but Ah like ya and think yer handsome. Judgin’ by how ya were starin’ at me back in the art room, I’d say yer interested in me that way too.”

Despite being dark-skinned, Haki’s blush was intense enough to be noticeable. “You noticed, huh? Uh—damn. I didn’t mean to seem creepy about it. I just—you were so beautiful and so NAKED; I couldn’t help myself. Aw, shit. I feel like such a scumbag…”

Now, it was Applejack’s turn to blush. She began playing the hairpin again.“Ya really think I’m beautiful? Well, shucks.”

“Sure do. Haha. I mean, I did get to see A LOT more of you than most guys would before their first date so...” Haki quietly admitted while rubbing his hands together.

Applejack reached over and hesitantly placed her hand atop Haki’s. “Ah don’t think yer a creep or a scumbag, Haki. Ah chose to bare mah body. It’d be downright silly ta expect folks not ta look at me in that sort o’ situation. It’s what Ah got paid ta do. So, don’t beat yerself up over it.”

Haki breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. I’m happy that we can move forward with things instead.”

“Um… regardin’ that,” Applejack interjected after clearing her throat, “If yer serious about goin' out with me, there’s an important aspect of mah life that ya oughta know about first. See, the thing is: mah family and Ah don’t normally wear clothes around our property. We’re naturists, Haki. Have been fer generations.”

Haki’s eyes widened in understanding. “So, that’s why you looked so comfortable modeling. You’re used to people seeing you naked all the time. Makes perfect sense to me.”

Applejack chuckled. “Well, yes and no. Ah was still nervous as hell, sittin’ in front o’ so many strangers. And—uh—you too, Ah guess. Bein’ nude amongst mah family is totally different. Ah hope that doesn’t turn ya away. Ah just wanted ta make sure ya knew about mah lifestyle first.”

“I have to admit that it’s a little strange to hear that you and your family are naturists. To be honest, it’ll probably take some getting used to on my part. But! I’d still like to give dating you a try. Umm… so long as you’re ok with it, AJ. Are you still interested?” Haki asked with a hopeful smile.

Applejack giggled. “Sure am, Haki! Just text me or gimme a call whenever you’d like ta hang out or somethin’. I’m game fer whatever ya have in mind.”

“Ok, then. Sounds good to me. So… I’ve got to head back to my aunt’s house before it gets too late. You know, stuff to work on and whatnot. I’ll try to call you later when I’m not busy.”

“Catch ya later, Haki. Lookin’ forward to yer call.”

Once Haki was well on his way, Applejack allowed herself a girlish giggle of delight. She tapped out a quick text to Rarity in order to let her friend know what happened. Based on Rarity’s near bombastic reply full of emojis, Applejack assumed she was happy to hear the news. Before getting too far ahead of herself, Applejack took a moment to consider how Haki might react when he finally decided to visit Sweet Apple Acres. She hoped that he would take it in stride like Apple Bloom’s friends had, but only time would tell. For the time being, she remained cautiously optimistic. At the very least, she had a boyfriend now. That was worth celebrating.

The Russian Connection

Chapter 7

CUAC Building, Canterlot University

Much to her surprise, Applejack found out that she was quite popular amongst the burgeoning artists of Canterlot University. Everyone she’d spoken with after her nude modeling sessions, praised her for looking healthy, natural, and the confidence she exuded when she posed in front of the class. The blonde farmer took such comments in stride, owing the praise more to her naturist upbringing rather than an innate sense of self-confidence. Well, maybe just a little. Applejack had always gone to great lengths to take care of her body (since it was the only one she would ever get) and was pleased to see that other folks recognized her efforts.

One student, however, had been conspicuously absent since her first session. Applejack occasionally chatted with Haki every now and again, but for someone who was supposed to be her boyfriend, he seemed somewhat aloof. Even though they’d only been dating for a little over a week and were still trying to figure out the dynamic of their newfound relationship, it made Applejack worry that she’d done or said something to turn him away. After letting out a frustrated sigh, she said goodbye to the exiting students and padded over to the changing room in order to put her clothes back on before heading back to Sweet Apple Acres.

Applejack yelped aloud when she nearly ran into a young woman who was standing near the entrance of the changing room while she was closing the door behind her. “Lands sake! Ya nearly gave me a damned heart attack.”

“My apologies,” the pale-skinned woman replied in a soft Slavic accent, “I didn't mean to frighten you, Miss Applejack.”

Applejack accepted her apology and shook the woman’s hand. Upon closer inspection, she appeared to be decked out in all dark colors. A tight, black t-shirt with a pink skull printed on the front barely contained her ample bosom. She wore a pleated black skirt with leggings underneath that left little to the imagination as to how curvaceous the rest of her body was.

Stylish combat boots and various piercings completed her ensemble (ears, nose, and eyebrows). Even her lipstick, eyeshadow, and silky, shoulder-length hair were black as coal. Save for a single, teal streak that ran down the center. Applejack supposed that for some folks, being part of the goth subculture wasn’t just a phase that they went through during their teenage years.

“Don’t worry about it,” Applejack reassured, “Oh, and um—ya can just call me AJ if ya want. Miss makes me sound old. What can Ah do fer ya?”

“AJ it is then! I suppose I should introduce myself as well. My name is Natalia Rozmonov. But everyone around here just calls me Roz. As for my purpose, I wanted to let you know just how much I admire your work here as a model. Quite the inspiration, if I do say so myself.”

Applejack blushed and rubbed the back of her neck. “Thanks, Roz. Appreciate the kind words. Although, Ah ain’t sure that Ah deserve such high praise fer just sittin’ around in mah birthday suit fer a spell. Ta be honest, it’s not too much different from what Ah do when Ah git home.”

Roz rubbed her chin in thought. “Is that so? Are you, perhaps, a naturist? I can tell that you are very comfortable in your own skin. Such a thing does not come easily to most people. Please forgive my forwardness for assuming. I am simply curious.”

Applejack rubbed her arm. “Well, Ah reckon there ain’t much point in denyin’ it. Yer right, Roz. Ah am a naturist. Born ‘n raised. Mah family are too. Ah live with ‘em over at Sweet Apple Acres. Maybe you’ve heard of our farm?”

The goth nodded enthusiastically. “How wonderful! I cannot tell you how hard it is to find fellow naturists around these parts. I’m glad that my instincts about you were correct!”

“Uh… beg yer pardon?”

Roz blushed slightly. “Oh! I suppose I should explain. You see, my family came to live here from overseas. Back in the Motherland, my people did not treat nudity with the same taboos as people do here. Like when it comes to swimming, hiking, or bathing in a sauna. Although, my family took it a step beyond that. We never wore clothing around the house if we could help it.”

Applejack chuckled. “Sounds a lot like mah own childhood.”

Roz hugged Applejack without a shred of hesitation, which threw the farmer completely off guard. Applejack blushed when she felt the edge of Roz's nipple piercings rub up against her chest (Roz wore no bra, despite having such large breasts). “We are kindred spirits, you and I! I can already tell that we shall become the best of friends. If you’ll have me, that is.”

Applejack returned the embrace as best she could, given the awkward circumstances. “Ah could always use more friends. Especially ones who don’t mind if I’m nekkid around ‘em. So—um—Ah couldn’t help but notice that you’ve got quite a few piercings. Are they—”

“Everywhere? Yes! I bought the most adorable clit stud the other day. It has an amethyst in the center. Sterling silver. That is the best part about piercings when you are nude. Everyone can see just how cute they are! What about you, Applejack? Do you have any that I should know about?”

Applejack cringed at the thought of sticking any amount of metal through her private parts. “No, I’m afraid not. Never got mah ears pierced either. It’s a bit o’ a safety concern when yer workin’ on the farm. Jewelry tends ta get caught on equipment. Can’t have that. EENOPE!”

Roz patted her shoulder. “Mhmm. You look… better without them, I think. Yes, the all-natural look suits you quite well. Many of my fellow artists would agree that it is part of your—shall we say—country girl charm. Your freckles are adorable too! Given my own pale complexion, I don’t tan well, so I must apply plenty of sunscreen before I venture outside.”

“Oh. Well, that must be a hassle. Ah never had ta worry about sunburn too much mahself. Still take plenty ‘o precautions though. Ya can never be too careful about that sort o’ thing.”

Roz offered Applejack her phone. “We can exchange numbers!”

“Sure thing, Roz. So—uh—I’ve been thinkin’. Since it’s gettin’ close ta supper time anyway, how’d ya like ta tag along with me back ta Sweet Apple Acres? Ah promise there’ll be plenty o’ food ta go around. I’m sure everyone won’t mind if Ah bring a guest. What do ya say?”

Roz jumped up and down excitedly, causing her breasts to jiggle. “I would love to, AJ! Thank you so much for the invitation! It’s been ages since I had a hearty, home cooked meal. Hehe. I’m not a very good cook to be honest. Am I to assume that the dress code will be causal?”

Applejack rolled her eyes. “There ain’t one, ya goober.”

“That was a joke. It is funny because we are naturists and—” Roz began to explain.

Applejack groaned. “Yeah, Ah know. Just wasn’t a very good one.”

Roz’s cheeks flushed rosy pink while she bit her lip. “Forget I said anything…”

“No, I’m sorry, Roz. Ah didn’t mean ta put ya down. Mah old gal-pal Rainbow Dash used ta tell stupid jokes like that all the time back when we were in high school. Afraid it was a knee-jerk reaction on mah part. Damn it. Now, Ah feel like the biggest asshole ever.”

Roz twirled a strand of her raven hair, choosing to ignore Applejack’s obvious discomfort. “At least I won’t have to worry about what to wear in front of your family. You have to understand that many people whom I’ve met in the past tend to dislike my style of dress. When the need arises, that is. So… what shall be on the menu, if you don’t mind my asking?”

“Ah imagine ‘Bloom will be in charge o’ the cookin’ today. Hmm. Fried chicken, mashed taters with cheese sauces, ‘n green beans. Apple family classic cuisine. Sound good? Hey—um—ya ain’t one o’ them vegans are ya? If ya are, I’m afraid mah pantry ain’t properly stocked fer that.”

Roz giggle snorted. “There’s no need to worry about my dietary preferences, Applejack. I love all kinds of food! Meat, fruit, veggies, and especially deserts! But I’m sure you could already tell that I enjoy eating because of my dainty figure, no?”

Applejack laughed. “Ain’t nothin’ wrong with havin’ a healthy appetite.”

The two naturists chatted amicably on their way to the parking lot. From what Applejack could gather, Roz was majoring in fine cuisine and had aspirations to become a patisserie. It certainly explained why she loved deserts so much and why she had a bit more meat on her bones than the average girl. She reminded Applejack of Pinkie Pie, but not quite so… unbearably hyperactive. Pinkie’s heart was usually in the right place most of the time. Unfortunately, she tended to be difficult to put up with at times due to her short attention span and lack of personal boundaries.

“How long’s it been since Ah last spoke ta Pinkie? Can’t even remember…” Applejack muttered to herself while she drove down the road.

“Pardon me, but did you say something?” Roz asked.

“Nah. Ah was just thinkin’ out loud. A habit o’ mine on occasion.”

Roz looked out the window at the passing trees. “Who is Pinkie Pie, if I may ask?”

“One o’ mah girlfriends from high school. She was the outgoin’, bubbly, energetic type. Loved ta make sweets n’ eat ‘em too. Ah suppose ya could say that she was pleasantly plump. Heh. All o’ that talk about pie n’ whatnot got me thinkin’ about her. Ah wonder what she’s up to.”

Roz shrugged. “It sounds to me as though you should reconnect with her.”

Applejack gripped the steering wheel and frowned. “Maybe Ah should.”

“What’s stopping you?”

The blonde farmer sighed. “A lot o’ silly reasons. Stuff that shouldn’t even matter anymore, but I’ve been tryin’ ta come outta mah shell since the end o’ high school. Be more social with folks.”

“Curious. I hadn’t pegged you as an introvert.”

Applejack made a turn onto the dirt road that led to Sweet Apple Acres. “Only because you’ve known me fer such a short time not ta know otherwise. Let’s just say that Ah had a hard time durin’ mah grade school days with the whole bein’ a naturist bit. It was somethin’ the other kids would’ve misunderstood or made fun o’ me fer. That’s why Ah clammed up n’ shut ‘em out.”

Roz reached over and rubbed her new friend’s shoulder encouragingly. “Oh, Applejack. I’m very sorry to hear that you had a difficult childhood.”

“Mah childhood had it’s ups n’ downs. That’s fer sure. Point is: Ah can’t change what happened, but Ah can take mah life in a new direction now. Well—uh—we’re almost at the house. Feel free ta take off yer clothes as soon as Ah park the truck. We own all o’ the property ya see out there.”

Haki let out a tired sigh as he opened the front door to his aunt’s cabin. It had been a long day full of classwork and he’d decided to stay at the library for a while to get all of his assignments done instead of coming back home right away. He dropped off his backpack in his room, went back into the kitchen, and started brewing a cup of coffee. He made just enough for his aunt, as it was her habit to indulge in a late-afternoon pick me up around three o’clock. As if on cue, she padded into the kitchen, wearing only a smile, and poured herself a cup. Haki took a seat next to her at the table, shortly thereafter and stirred some creamer into his mug.

Zecora closed her eyes for a moment and took in a deep breath. “How were your classes today, nephew?”

“Not too bad, I guess. Got a lot of assignments though.”

Zecora nodded. “It was wise of you to complete them in the library. Trying to get work done at home can be… difficult, I find. Too many things to distract me. Besides, home is a place where you should go to relax, not write a twenty-page lab report.”

“For sure. Hey—um—Aunt Z, can I get your advice on something?” Haki asked hesitantly.

Zecora raised her brow while she sipped on her coffee. “Oh? What brought this on?”

“Well, there’s this girl I met on campus. We bumped into each other earlier, during the summer when my car broke down. She fixed it and I treated her to some ice cream. Follow so far?”

“Mhmm. Go on, Hakizimana. I am listening.” Zecora encouraged.

Haki stared into his half-empty coffee cup and blushed. “Long story short, we started talking, exchanged numbers, and I wound up seeing her at the art club. I-I mean… like REALLY saw her, you know. It turns out that she volunteered to be a nude model.”

“There is nothing wrong with that, as you know.”

Haki shook his head. “Of course, not. I wasn’t implying otherwise, Aunt Z. It’s what I found out about her afterwards that threw me for a loop.”

“It seems to me that you are interested in this young lady far beyond what one would consider as a casual acquaintance. Do you, perhaps, wish to go out on a date with her?”

Haki rubbed the back of his neck and chuckled. “Heh. Uh… that’s just it. We already agreed that we liked each other and started going out. But we’ve—I’ve—run into a bit of a roadblock. It turns out that the reason she was so cool about nude modeling was because she’s a naturist.”

Zecora laughed. “Ah~ So the truth is revealed!”

“Look, you’ve got experience with this sort of thing. I don’t. I want to approach her lifestyle with an open mind and not be too judgmental about how weird it is to do EVERYTHING naked all the time. What should I do, Aunt Z? I can’t very well lie to her and say that I’m comfortable with it.”

Zecora leaned back in her chair and hummed. “There is but one thing you can do, Hakizimana.”

“Oh, yeah? What’s that?”

Zecora finished her coffee, walked over to the window, and gestured outside. “Why, take off your clothes and experience the lifestyle for yourself! I am not suggesting that you do anything more drastic than try it here at the cabin where we are afforded a great deal of privacy.”

Haki felt his stomach twist into a nervous knot. “I’m not sure if I can—”

Zecora waggled her finger. “Do not be so prudish, nephew. I’ve seen plenty of naked men before, so seeing your body in the same state will not bother me. Go on. Take your clothes off.”

“It’s not you I’m worried about. Ok, fine! I’ll admit it. The thought of walking around with my junk dangling about is… embarrassing. Especially, if it’s in front of a bunch of other people. Or—erm—my new girlfriend. I know it’s only fair because I’ve already seen her naked—”

Zecora rolled her eyes. “What people are you referring to? It is just you and me here. Listen, Hakizimana. If your girlfriend is a naturist as you say, then she will not make fun of your body no matter what it looks like or if you feel any particular part of you is inadequate.”

Sensing that it was pointless to argue with his aunt about semantics, Haki began taking off his shirt. Zecora said nothing when he was finally nude, but took hold of his hand and guided him out to the greenhouse where she liked to garden from time to time. Upon stepping outside, the first thing he noticed was the sensation of the wind tickling his bare skin, and the sun warming his back. Even though the sensation was hardly what he would call unpleasant, it made Haki feel (naked obviously) vulnerable in a way that he could scarcely describe. Zecora stopped for a moment, took in a deep breath, and put her hands on her hips.

“This is what it is like to enjoy nature as nature intended, nephew. Do not be afraid to let it all hang out, as they say. Haha~ Well, I suppose in your case, that might be a bit more literal.”

A furious blush colored Haki’s cheeks. He had to resist the urge to cover up his privates. “C’mon, Aunt Z! I didn’t agree to do this just so you could tease me!”

Zecora opened the door to the greenhouse and sniffed one of the roses. “You have nothing to be ashamed of, Hakizimana. You are a healthy, fit, handsome young man. Take pride in all of the hard work you put into keeping your body conditioned. Think of this as a way to show it off.”

Haki awkwardly shuffled into the greenhouse and stood beside his aunt. “I guess so…”

“If you are worried about her scrutinizing the size of your member, you shouldn’t be. Naturists do not judge people on what their bodies look like. Neither should you, for that matter.”

Haki rubbed his arm. “I never did. That is to say… I thought she was beautiful the very moment I first laid eyes on her. Even more so when I got to see her naked at the art building. Sorry. That made me sound like a creep, didn’t it?”

Zecora watered a tomato vine. “No, I do not think so. It means that you appreciate her beauty even when everything else like clothing, jewelry, and cosmetics are stripped away. Such an attitude is to be admired in one’s partner, I believe. Hmm. Not once have you mentioned her name, Hakizimana. Why is that? Are you afraid to tell me who your mysterious beau is?”

“Oh! My bad. I thought I mentioned her name earlier. It’s Applejack. She runs a farm somewhere around here, but I’m not sure where exactly. I’ve never been there before. Apparently, her entire family are also naturists and don’t wear clothing on the property.”

Zecora froze in place. “Applejack, you say?”

“Yeah. What’s the problem, Aunt Z? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Zecora turned around with a sheepish smile. “Well, it just so happens that I am good friends with the Apple Family. I have known them for many years. Including, young Applejack.”

Haki’s jaw dropped. “WHAT?!!”

It was Zecora’s turn to blush. She took a moment to clear her throat before replying. “I swear that I was not trying to keep my relationship with the Apple Family a secret from you. It had not occurred to me that you were referring to Applejack until you mentioned her by name. This is wonderful news! She is such a lovely, hard-working, young woman. You could not have chosen a better person to be your partner. I am so happy for you both, Hakizimana!”

Haki shuffled his feet. “Yeah, she totally is. Umm… do you understand why it’s so important for me to make a good impression with AJ? I want our relationship to work. But that’s not gonna happen if I can’t accept her lifestyle for what it is. I’ve spent the last few days trying to figure everything out. She probably thinks I’m avoiding her.”

Zecora wrapped her nephew in a gentle hug. “I am certain that you shall find a way to make it work. How about this: I want you to spend the rest of the evening nude. Sleep that way too. The longer you go without clothing, the easier it becomes to forget that you’re not wearing them.”

“Are you sure? Because it still feels pretty awkward to me…”

Zecora cupped his cheeks. “Stop thinking about what society has told you. There is nothing wrong with getting back in touch with nature through your body. Take a deep breath, relax, and go about your business. Naturism is about being comfortable with yourself.”

“Ok. I’ll try… I guess.” Haki muttered.

Roz took Applejack’s advice to heart and immediately began stripping as soon as the truck was parked right next to the farmhouse. The blonde farmer noticed a few interesting things about her new friend while they made their way up the stairs to her room. Roz hadn’t been kidding when she said she had a pale complexion. Despite being a naturist for her entire life, not a single speck of her creamy-white skin was even the least bit tanned or freckled. In fact, one of the first things she did was ask where the bathroom was so that she could apply some sunscreen.

While Applejack put away her own outfit, she observed that Roz had a much fuller figure than she initially suspected. After all, that’s what clothing was supposed to do. Conceal a person’s physique from wandering eyes. Roz reminded Applejack of the nude models featured in one of those old-timey paintings from the nineteenth century. Where plump, pale-skinned women with wide hips were seen as the most desirable. A sign of healthy child-bearing, if nothing else.

Applejack looked at her own reflection in the mirror and sighed. Plenty of people had come right out and said that she was beautiful and held what they referred to as “country girl charm”. It was silly to compare her (farmer’s) physique to that of Roz’s but some tiny, subconscious part of her brain felt jealous over her friend’s ample curves. However, just as quickly as the thought appeared, it was banished from her mind when Roz turned around to say something.

“As you can clearly see, I am like a big marshmallow! I burn quite easily.” She remarked.

Applejack gave her a polite nod. “Reckon ya are. Ah got me an all over tan from workin’ on the farm all day long. The rest o’ mah family are that way too, in case yer wonderin’.”

Roz let out a wistful sigh. “Of which I am jealous. For once, I would like to enjoy frolicking outdoors without having to bathe in a gallon of sunscreen first. Oh! What lovely skin cream you have in your cabinet, Applejack. It smells like—hmm—I can’t quite put my finger on it.”

Applejack raised her brow. “Hmm? Oh, well that’s plumeria. Bought it on Rarity’s suggestion.”

Roz lifted her leg up onto the toilet seat and began lathering her inner thigh with skin cream. “She has excellent taste, I must say. Um—I hope you don’t mind that I’m being thorough. I try my best to take care of my skin since it is so sensitive and dries out easily.”

“Nah, it’s fine. Take yer time, Roz. Ah don’t have anywhere else ta be right now.”

Through pursed lips, Applejack took a gander at what lay nestled in-between Roz’s legs. The old axiom “the carpet matches the drapes” immediately came to mind. The absurdly thick, yet immaculately-trimmed inverse triangle was as black as coal with a teal streak running down the center to match the hair atop her head. And sure enough, the aforementioned clitoral stud was on display down there too. It wasn’t something Applejack would ever wear, but it did look nice.

Applejack rubbed her arm, trying to think of a polite way to phrase her question. When nothing came to mind, she decided that frankness was her best option. “Say, Roz. I’m curious. Do ya, by chance, dye yer lady fuzz? Because—uh—teal ain’t a natural color fer anybody.”

Roz was in the middle of applying cream underneath her breast when she looked up. “As a matter of fact, I do. You see, my hair is naturally blonde but I like to color it black and teal. I allow my pubic hair to grow in thick, so that I am able to dye it. However, I feel that it is worth the effort. Waxing it all off would be simpler, I suppose, but a bald coochie lacks character.”

Applejack let out an awkward chuckle. “Ya certainly got character. That’s fer sure…”

Roz bounced up and down. “Do you like my nipple piercings? They’re silver to match my stud.”

Applejack shuddered. “They kind o’ look like tiny barbels. Doesn’t it hurt? Wearin’ ‘em, Ah mean.”

“Hmm. Not really. You get used to them after a while. They only become a problem when you’re wearing a tight-fitting bra or when they get caught on something. Which rarely happens, in my experience. Were you considering getting a pair of your own? I know a good shop if—”

Applejack waved her hands. “No, thanks. I’m fine just as Ah am. Piercings ain’t mah thing.”

“You prefer to keep your body as natural as possible. I can respect that.”

Applejack nodded. “Yeah. But they do look great on ya. Fits yer sense o’ style, Ah reckon.”

Roz padded over to her friend and wrapped Applejack up in a big hug. “Aww~ Thank you, Applejack. It means a lot to me to hear you say that.”

“Tarnation, woman! Yer gonna smother me with them big ole cow udders.”

Roz blushed. “My apologies. I love giving people hugs. Did I overstep my bounds?”

“Ah don’t mind hugs. Just gimme a little bit o’ a warnin’ next time. Alright?”

When Roz finally finished her skin care routine, the pair of friends descended the stairs and headed into the kitchen for some refreshments. Neither her grandmother nor siblings were around, so Applejack assumed they must have been out doing other things. After they finished a glass of cold spiced cider, Applejack sat out on the porch and watched the clouds pass by with her friend. About a minute passed before Roz began kicking her feet back and forth in the air.

“Ah can tell yer antsy. C’mon then. Let’s head on over ta the stills. Maybe mah brother’s in there. We can chat if he is and maybe figure out where Apple Bloom went. She’s supposed ta be in charge o’ cookin’ supper tonight. Wouldn’t want mah guest ta go hungry. Eenope.”

The Apple Family distillery was only a short walk away from the farmhouse. In it, Granny and Mac experimented on, and perfected various spirits over the decades. Their most popular beverage was hard cider but whiskey came in a close second. It was aged in seasoned, oak barrels for a bare minimum of two years for each batch. The most expensive of which had been aged for twenty-five years and was considered on-par with any gold label liquor currently on the open market. Suffice to say, the blend was highly coveted by aficionados, and the Apples would only sell it to customers who passed a rigorous series of background checks (mostly financial) and put a reserve down on the quantity of bottles they wanted to purchase.

As expected, Macintosh was busy inspecting the barrels for any leaks with Winona at his side. She sat patiently while her master went about his work. That was the understanding they had. She would be a good dog, a quiet dog, and later on, he would give her treats and belly rubs. With any luck, when the youngest mistress came back home from school, Winona would get to sample some scraps from her cooking. The border collie licked her chops at the thought of thick, creamy sawmill gravy and fluffy biscuits. Those were the best! Winona’s ears perked up when she caught Applejack’s scent in the air mixed with… someone else. Another female.

Applejack knelt down and rubbed Winona’s ears. “Howdy, girl. How’s mah pup doin’?”

Winona barked happily and licked her mistress’s face a few times.

Macintosh scribbled something on his clipboard and turned around to greet his sister. “How were yer classes today?”

“Not too bad, all things considered. Just so ya know, Ah invited a friend over fer supper.”

Roz waved at Mac with a wide grin. “Hello! My name’s Roz. Who might you be?”

The muscled farmer responded with a polite nod. “Good evenin’, Miss Roz. Mah name’s Macintosh Apple, Applejack’s older brother. Everyone ‘round these parts just call me Big Mac fer short. Pleasure ta meet yer acquaintance.”

Roz giggled girlishly, nudged Applejack’s arm, and whispered into her ear. “You never told me that your brother was so charming and handsome! I can see exactly why they call him big. You could say that it’s dangling right in front of us. Meeeeeyow~”

The signs were subtle but Applejack could tell that her brother found Roz’s figure equally appealing. Being the proper gentleman that he was, Mac was far too polite to compliment Roz’s appearance directly. There was also the matter of Cheerilee to consider. Applejack sighed. “Hold yer horses, Roz. Mah brother has his eyes set on another gal. He’s off limits, ya hear?”

Roz crossed her arms underneath her breasts and huffed. “Fine. But you must understand how difficult it is to find handsome, eligible bachelors. Who share our lifestyle, I mean.”

“Believe me. Ah know all too well. I’m tryin’ mah best ta git Haki ta see things mah way but he’s been distant with me as o’ late. Reckon he just needs a little more time ta git used ta the idea o’ me bein’ a naturist. Not sure what else it would be…” Applejack admitted.

Roz bounced up and down excitedly, causing everything to jiggle. Out of the corner of her eye, Applejack saw Mac’s cheeks flush pink while he tried to focus his attention elsewhere. “Is Haki your boyfriend? Have I ever met him before? What’s he like? TELL ME!!!”

Thoroughly embarrassed by Roz’s antics, Applejack shot her brother an apologetic smile. “Maybe later. Fer now, I’d like ya ta meet the family dog. Her name’s Winona. C’mere, girl!”

Sensing an opportunity for more affection, Winona skittered across the floor and looked up at the pale-skinned female. When she didn’t respond immediately, Winona took it upon herself to nuzzle her wet snout against the woman’s leg. That seemed to do the trick because she laughed, knelt down, and started ruffling Winona’s ears. The border collie whuffed and wagged her tail.

Roz ruffled Winona’s chest fur. “Oh, my goodness; she’s so adorable! And very fluffy too! I’ll bet she’s fun to cuddle with on a cold day.”

“Eeyep. Any day fer that matter. Best dog a gal could ever ask fer.”

Mac cleared his throat. “Just got a text from ‘Bloom. Says she’s gonna be a little late from school. Somethin’ related ta helpin’ out one o’ her friends with a project. Well—um—I’d better git back ta checkin’ the rest o’ the barrels. Nice meetin’ ya, Roz. See ya later.”

With Winona in tow, the two women went back to the farmhouse and started getting the table ready for supper. Roz insisted that she help, despite Applejack’s protests that it was rude to expect a guest to do so. Winona, meanwhile, decided that it was as good a time as any to play with her favorite chewie toy. Her excited barks heralded the arrival of Apple Bloom, who rushed up the stairs and came back down to the kitchen, completely nude, in record time. Applejack took one look at her baby sister’s shabby appearance and raised her brow.

“What do ya think yer doin’, young lady?”

Slightly out of breath, Apple Bloom grinned. “Helpin’ with supper.”

“Not like that ya ain’t. We got ourselves a guest this evenin’. Now, march yer rear-end back upstairs and wash up. Yer all sweaty and covered in—what the hell? Is that tree sap?”

Apple Bloom chuckled awkwardly. “Maybe? Ah had ta help Sweetie n’ Scoots with a school project. Fer our biology class. We decided ta make a presentation on photosynthesis n’ whatnot. Like—uh—with trees n’ all the like. That’s why I’m late. Well… mostly, anyway.”

Applejack sighed. “Fine. Go wash up. And don’t rush it. Make sure ta be thorough scrub everywhere and everythin’. Ah don’t wanna have ta cut tree sap outta yer pretty red hair just because ya were careless. Then, we can make supper together.”

Roz smiled when she saw Apple Bloom kiss her older sister’s cheek. “She seems lively.”

“Takes after her grandmother. Speakin’ o’ which, Ah haven’t seen hide nor hair o’ Granny.”

The Apple Family Matriarch padded into the kitchen, yawned, and scratched her bottom. “Quit yer fussin’. I’m here. Can’t an old woman take a nap in peace?”

“Sorry, Granny. We didn’t mean ta be loud. It’s just that Apple Bloom came home covered in tree sap n’ Ah didn’t think it was proper fer her ta—”

Blatantly ignoring her granddaughter’s explanation, Granny gave Roz a once over. “Well, ain’t ya a pretty lil’ thing? Love the piercings ya got there, missy. Bet they come in handy when ya got one o’ them wild dates. Hehe.”

Roz blinked owlishly. “Oh—um—thank you. What do you mean by handy?”

Granny scoffed. “Just because I’m old, doesn’t mean Ah don’t know a thing or two when it comes ta whoopie. I’m talkin’ ‘bout when the boys like ta play n’ tease ya with ‘em. Especially the one ya got there on yer bean. Flick it a couple o’ times n’ that’ll make ya more worked up than a jackrabbit durin’—”

Face flushed with equal parts embarrassment and anger; Applejack put her hands on her hips. “Fer Pete’s sake! That ain’t the kind o’ talk fer the supper table. Shame on ya, Granny.”

Granny placed her finger on Applejack’s lips. “Hush, child. A curvy minx like her bein’ ignorant o’ such things is like a fish not knowin’ how ta swim. By the way, is she Mac’s new squeeze?”

“No. Roz is a new friend Ah met at college. She also happens ta be a naturist. Ah thought it’d be a good idea ta invite her over fer supper n’ meet everyone.”

Granny shook Roz’s hand. “Well, why didn’t ya say so earlier? Welcome ta Sweet Apple Acres, Roz. Just call me Granny. What is it that ya do in college, young lady?”

“I’m studying to become a patisserie. Applejack and I met for the first time after her most recent modeling session. I can already tell that we shall become the best of friends!”

Granny poured herself a shot of whisky and slugged it down in one gulp. “Yer still posin’ fer them nudie drawings? Ah thought it made ya uncomfortable. Especially, after what happened with that dark-skinned feller ya fancy. What’s his name? Archie? Ah can’t remember…”

Applejack rubbed the back of her neck. “His name’s Haki, by the way. And posin’ fer the art club is good money, Granny. Easy too. All Ah gotta do is sit there and change mah pose on occasion. As fer folks takin’ a gander at the goods, it ain’t that different than usual.”

“It’s yer body, child. Far be it fer me ta lecture ya on who should see it or not. Mah point is: ya best try ta iron things out with yer boyfriend while ya still got the chance. Look, I’ll admit that Ah ain’t the best persona ta ask fer advice when it comes ta matters o’ romance and whatnot. Why doncha ask Zecora? Maybe she could offer ya some o’ that mystical Zebrican wisdom.”

Applejack shrugged. “Worth a shot, Ah suppose.”

Roz patted her friend’s shoulder. “I’m always willing to listen, if nothing else.”

“Thanks, Roz. Appreciate the offer.”

Apple Bloom came bounding down the stairs once more, except this time, she was as clean as a whistle. Given that she’d just come out of the shower, her hair was still damp and she hadn’t bothered to put on her trademark bow. Instead, it was haphazardly combed straight enough to be presentable. Or, at least, what passed for presentable by a teenager’s definition. The smell of body wash wafted into Applejack’s nose when her little sister gave her a quick hug.

Apple Bloom rubbed her hands together. “Here’s mah plan fer supper: fried chicken, mashed taters, biscuits, n’ green beans with bacon. Oh, and sawmill gravy, o’ course. Any questions?”

Roz waved her hands in the air and bounced on her tippy toes. “ME! I HAVE A QUESTION!!!”

Taken aback by the goth’s enthusiasm, Apple Bloom cleared her throat. “Oh… well—um—Ah don’t think Ah got yer name earlier, miss. Mine’s Apple Bloom. AJ’s little sister, by the way.”

“You may call me Roz. My question pertains to desert. What do you have planned for that?”

Granny cackled with laughter. “Ah reckon she forgot all about it. No matter. Ah got ya covered, Apple Bloom. There’s some caramel apple dumplings in the fridge. That suit yer fancy, Roz?”

Roz let out an excited squeal. “I’ve never had an authentic country apple dumpling before!”

“Old Apple Family recipe. Made only with the finest ingredients available, o’ course. That includes lard. Them fancy cookin’ professors at the university ever teach ya about usin’ real fat in yer pastries? Makes everythin’ taste better, in mah humble opinion.”

Roz shook her head. “Not really. Would you mind teaching me your techniques sometime?”

“Sure thing, Sugarcube. But it bears sayin’ that any o’ mah grandchildren could do the same.”

Roz’s eyes widened in curiosity. “All of you can cook? That’s amazing!”

Apple Bloom chuckled bashfully while she began deep-frying the chicken cutlets. It happened to be one of the few times that she insisted on wearing an apron. “It ain’t a big deal. Ah think bein’ able ta cook is one o’ those life skills everybody should learn. Comes in handy.”

Within two shakes of Winona’s tail, supper was ready and plated. Everyone sat down at the table, said a quick blessing of thanks and dug into whatever they wanted first. But not before Roz was given a healthy portion of all the fixings. After all, it was Apple Family tradition to make sure their guest was served before anyone else. Applejack barely sunk her teeth into a chicken leg, when she stared at Roz with a mixture of embarrassment and horror. The curvaceous, pale-skinned woman hadn’t been kidding when she had a healthy appetite. She proceeded to wolf down an entire biscuit slathered in gravy like it was her last meal on earth.

Applejack grimaced when she went to take a sip of her iced tea. “Why don’t slow down a bit, Roz? Supper ain’t a contest ta see who can snarf down the most food, the quickest. Savor everythin’ first, damn it. Where’d ya learn yer table manners from, a feral hog?”

Cheeks full like a squirrel, Roz coughed a bit, then chugged some iced tea to wash down however much of the biscuit was still left in her mouth. “I’m sorry, everyone! But I just can’t help myself when it comes to delicious food. My compliments to the chef.”

Apple Bloom took a bite of her green beans and pointed her fork towards Roz’s chest. “Hey—um—ya got a big ole glob o’ gravy on yer boobs, Roz. Might wanna clean that up.”

Roz blinked, looked down at her chest, and frowned. “Oh, dear. I know! Come sit on my lap, Winona. How’d you like to lick my chest clean? I’m sure you like gravy, don’t you?”

Oblivious to her family’s irritated groans, the border collie happily complied with the dark-haired female’s request. Winona didn’t waste a second licking wherever gravy was to be found. Which, given Roz’s rambunctious laughter, meant that she was either very ticklish, sensitive, or both. Mac, in particular, had a difficult time concentrating on eating his food in peace.

Roz giggle-snorted. “OOOH! Wait—that’s not—stop licking my nipples so much!”

Mac let out a heavy sigh as he pushed his chair in. “Pardon me. I’ll go git a washcloth.”

Apple Bloom poked her mashed potatoes and shuffled her feet underneath the table. “Miss Roz, why don’t ya let Winona go about her business? She’s had enough gravy fer one night.”

“Off you go, Winona. Thank you for helping me!”

The border collie barked once, and gave Roz an affectionate nuzzle to the cheek.

Big Mac coughed awkwardly as he handed Roz the washcloth. “Ah made sure it’s warm. Feel free ta use our shower if ya need ta. Towels are in the hall closet…”

Realization struck Roz like a lightning bolt at that moment. She blushed furiously. “Oh, no. I… made a scene, didn’t I? My apologies, everyone. Please excuse me while I go take a shower.”

When Roz was finally out of sight, Granny Smith let out a loud belch and patted her stomach. “Mighty fine victuals, y’all! Ah tell ya what, Ah like that gal. She’s got spunk n’ then some! Ya should invite her over fer supper more often, Applejack. Welp, if anyone needs me, I’ll be out in the livin’ room enjoyin’ mah nightcap with a trashy novel.”

Apple Bloom was the first one to speak when Granny left. “Well, look on the bright side. At least Miss Roz didn’t git any gravy on her lady bits. That would’ve been unbearably awkward.”

“No doubt,” Applejack reluctantly agreed, “If Ah invite her over again, I’ll have ta insist that she use a napkin. Hell, we might as well make her wear a full apron, given how much o’ a mess she made. Ah can’t believe she’s such a sloppy eater.”

Mac nodded. “Eeyup. Reckon mah heart couldn’t take it if she did that again. What? Don’t y’all gimme that look. Miss Roz is a perfectly curv—errm—Ah mean healthy, attractive young woman. Hard not ta take a gander at her. Besides, Ah know fer a fact that she was sneakin’ peeks at mah manhood the whole time. Fair is fair, after all.”

Applejack sighed as she cleaned off her plate. “Sexual tension and shenanigans aside, supper wasn’t so bad. Liveliest it’s been in ages. Ah think Ah will invite her back sometime.”

The Tasty Treat And Teenage Turmoil

Chapter 8

Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville

Big Mac grunted as he hefted the two casks of whiskey onto his broad shoulders. Striding along with practised ease, he walked through the cellar and ascended the stairs two at a time, a thin film of sweat developing on his brow. Walking out into the brewery proper, the big naturist strode towards the doors and nudged them open with his foot.

The cool breeze of Sweet Apple Acres chased the sweat away as he made his way towards the idling delivery truck parked in the driveway. The logo on the side of the truck was that of a cartoonish, smiling elephant in a kaleidoscope of colors with the words The Tasty Treat printed below it. The Tasty Treat was one of the premier Indian restaurants in the area and had been doing business for the Apples for many years.

As Mac approached the truck, it’s owner emerged from the back pushing a metal dolly in front of him. Standing in the fresh air, he removed a handkerchief from his pocket and daubed his sweaty forehead. At the sight of Mac he did his usual double take and waved cheerfully.

Coriander Cumin was a portly, dark-skinned man who served as the manager and host of his family restaurant. Coriander had thick black hair carefully combed and gelled back with a thick moustache to match. His face was round and jovial while he was clad in a pair of sandals, loose brown pants and a silk orange dress shirt unbuttoned to his chest, letting his curly chest hair poke out.

“Macintosh, my friend, is that everything?” He called out in heavily-accented English as he wandered down the ramp. He whistled as Mac plodded up to him. “I see why you have all those muscles, young man! You’re practically a human ox.”

Mac smirked as he halted in front of the shorter man, “Does that make me an icon or somethin’?”

Coriander’s laughter was hearty, “Sweet Vishnu, no! You may be blessed with a body befitting a god and the modesty of yogi, but you are no sacred cow.” Shaking his head he helped Mac ease the two barrels from his shoulders.

Rubbing them Mac asked, “Ya reckon this will do?”

Coriander grunted as he shifted one of the barrels onto his dolly, “Do? You mean will this free barrel of your excellent whiskey get you a reservation at my place?”

“Eeyep?” Mac asked, shuffling his feet. The older man shot him a serious look and nodded at the other barrel. After letting out a brief grunt, he picked the cask up for Coriander and placed it carefully atop the other.

Taking the dolly Coriander grunted and shifted it onto its wheels. While the man may have looked like nothing more than a pudgy restaurant owner who liked his daughter’s cooking too much, wiry muscle lurked just beneath the flab.

Pushing his load up the ramp into his truck, he replied with a bright smile. “Of course it will! Come Macintosh, you hardly had to bribe me. How long have our families been doing business together?”

“Shucks, goin’ on a decade now. Twenty if ya count my pa’s time.”

“Which I do,” Coriander remarked as he and Mac loaded his ramp into the truck. “I have always found your lifestyle strange, but you Apples are good people. You know, Saffron recently asked me if you’d found yourself a wife yet.” He shot Mac a look with a twinkle in his eye.

“Well, Daisy-Mae and Ah haven’t seen each other fer many years but since we reconnected, we’ve really hit it off. I’m hopin’ that she’ll be open ta the idea o’ marriage one day… after a few dates, o’ course.”

Coriander slammed the truck bed shut and hopped down from it with a grunt, “Well, then it’s settled. You two shall have our finest booth this Friday!”

“Mr Cumin, come on now. Ya don’t need to give us yerr best seat…”

“Nonsense! You are a family friend and a reliable business partner. Besides, if our families’ relationship is to continue there will need to be another generation, no?”

Mac chuckled. “Reckon that’s one way o’ lookin’ at it.”

While Cumin walked towards the driver’s seat, he turned, “Did you find something to wear? I don’t need Saffron throwing herself at you as well.”

“I’m sure I’ll find something to wear, Coriander. You drive safe now, ya hear?”

“Give my salutations to your grandmother!” He called as he entered the truck and turned on the radio. Mac smirked as some classic Hindi Pop tunes began to blast from the truck’s open window as it pulled out of the driveway and down the road. Closing the gate behind him, Mac’s smile grew wider as he made his way back to the brewery.

The big man grabbed his smartphone from its place on a pallet of hard cider before locking up the building. As he walked towards the swimming hole for a refreshing dip, he opened up his text conversation with Daisy-Mae. Since their meeting at AB’s orientation, the two had been texting and chatting with one another constantly.

Good news, Mae. I got us a reservation at The Tasty Treat for Friday evening. You free? Mac texted with a smile.

Cresting the hill that led to the pond, he smiled at the sight of Apple Bloom doing a backstroke. The youngest sibling often enjoyed a good swim after school as a way to cool off. Mac waved to her as he descended the hill and his phone chimed with her response. Heart beating a little faster he opened it.

OMG! Really? I hear that place has a three week waiting list. How’d you pull that off?

A man’s got to have his secrets. 😉 You free?

Am I ever! What should I wear?

Something comfortable, I imagine. XD

For a special occasion like this? I’ll find something comfortable and cute! BRB

After placing his phone on a log, Mac waded into the pond. Unlike his sisters, Mac preferred a good wade and splash to any kind of actual swimming. As a result his method of submersion was simple. Spreading his arms out wide, Mac flopped into the pond sending up a wake that buffeted Apple Bloom in the face.

As Mac rose up, water trickling off his muscles like a Greek Hero, Apple Bloom was coughing and shot him a sour look. “Refreshed are ya?”

“Very,” Mac replied while playfully splashing his sister.

The redhead shirked and returned the favour. “Mr Cumin’s order go alright?”

“Mhmm. Got everything loaded up within an hour. Not too bad,” Mac replied, splashing some water on his chest.

“We don’t develop these muscles fer nothin’,” Bloom replied, flexing one arm as she tread water. “How about yer plans fer shackin’ up with mah social studies teacher?”

“Apple Bloom! Don’t say such things,” Mac admonished. “Mae and Ah ain’t a couple o’ frisky teenagers lookin’ fer a quick romp in the hay. We’re mature adults goin’ on a date.” Noting her barely hidden smirk and snicker, he rolled his eyes. “And yes, Ah got us a reservation. She sounded pretty excited about it.”

Apple Bloom winked at her brother. “Sweetie and Scoots certainly would be. Ah dunno how I’ll break it to them that ya might be off the market soon.”

The older Apple dunked his head underwater once more and slicked his hair back, “Say, speaking of which, how are y’all settling into junior high? Is it everythin’ ya hoped fer?”

“I’m doing alright, Ah suppose” Bloom replied, smile fading. “But I’ve noticed that there’s a bit o’ tension between Sweetie and Scoots lately. No idea what’s goin’ on.”

Mac scratched his chest, “Sounds like teenage drama ta me.”

“Ah hope not. We got a group project comin’ up fer Miss Cheerlie’s class. Maybe they’re just stressed out over the whole thing.”

The chime of a text message interrupted the two siblings. Smiling, Mac waded back to shore and shook himself off like a dog. His sister came behind him, hands digging into the pond bottom as she moved like a wily crocodile towards shore. Picking up his phone he read.

Are you still there?

Yep.

Good. What do you think of this?

Seconds later, Mac’s mouth became dry and his heart raced when he received a selfie from Mae. The school teacher had clearly just stepped out of the shower, her mulberry locks wet and hanging across her bare chest. The shot was meant to show only a tantalizing hint of cleavage. While her face, even without makeup, was joyous and playful. Mae had one eye closed, the tip of her tongue stuck out, and two fingers were raised in the shape of a V.

How’s that for a bathing beauty?

Apple Bloom's chin resting on her brother's shoulder was the only thing that broke him out of his reverie. She whistled at the picture on his phone. “Dang. Miss Cheerliee sure is a looker, Mac. Ah reckon she's interested in takin' things ta the next level.”

“Eyep,” Mac beamed. “I reckon I oughta tell her so.”

Before he could begin texting a reply, Apple Bloom grabbed his arm, “Hold on just a second! Ya can’t just tell a gal she’s hot.” At his blank look on his face, she rolled her eyes. “Well, ya tell her she’s cute but send her a selfie back! She’s flirtin’ with ya.”

Mac blushed. “Ya know Ah don’t much care fer takin’ vanity photos o’ mahself.”

Bloom shrugged, “Well, ah suppose ya could always just send her a dick pic. Guys seem ta like doin’ that, fer some reason.” At his scandalized look, she threw up her hands. “Ah ain’t sayin’ ya should do it too. That’s just what’s popular these days!”

“So, do ya really think Ah should send her a selfie?”

“Yer wet, nekkid, good lookin’, and got a gorgeous backdrop,” Bloom remarked, gesturing to the pond and orchard behind them. “If not now, when?”

Swallowing visibly Mac toggled his camera, “Well… alright then. Should Ah strike a pose or…?” At her deadpan look Mac simply ran a hand through his hair and smiled bashfully, taking the photo so it showed off his pecs but not much else. He didn’t have any problem with Cheerliee seeing him in the nude. Far from it, in fact. But he didn’t want to give her the impression that he was some vainglorious jerk obsessed with sending out “Dick Pics” as Apple Bloom had so eloquently phrased it.

Sending the photo to Mae he texted a simple message.

Can’t see how any dress in the world could possibly beat yer birthday suit. :heart:

Well, look who’s talking~ Oh, my goodness! You could pose for an entire calendar shoot and not not a single page of it would bore me. Yum 😋

Mac blushed and felt a warmth kindle in his chest, grinning goofily he replied.

Well thank you kindly.

No, thank you! Can’t wait for Friday now.

Neither could Big Mac.

Apple Bloom smiled as she entered her social studies class and spied Miss Cheerliee smiling widely as she checked her phone. Since her little nudge, it seemed like Mac was getting better at flirting. If her teacher’s reaction was anything to go by.

Apple Bloom settled into her seat between Sweetie and Scoots, then greeted the two warmly. “How’s it goin’, gals?”

“I’m alright,” Scootaloo remarked, yawning. “Coach Will put us through our paces in PE this morning.”

Sweetie wrinkled her nose. “I can tell. You smell like my dad’s old gym bag.”

Scootaloo lifted the collar of her shirt and sniffed herself with a slight blush. “Hey! I showered after class was over. Just because I used men’s body wash doesn’t mean--”

“Uh-huh. Say, what do you think has Ms Cheerliee tittering like Diamond Tiara getting a new dress?’ Sweetie asked.

Apple Bloom chuckled and rubbed her neck. “Ah reckon that’d be mah brother.” Both of her friends' heads whipped around to stare at her. “They’re seein’ each other. Well, beginnin’ ta, at least.”

Sweetie blew out her cheeks dramatically. “Seriously?!”

“A dude packing a magnum like that wouldn’t stay a bachelor for long.” Scoots replied, waggling her eyebrows. Before Apple Bloom could retort, Sweetie shot Scootaloo a glare.

“Ughh! Must you always be so crass, Scoots? Macintosh is a handsome, well-mannered gentleman. He’s not some slab of meat to slobber all over!”

“Oh yeah? Don’t act like you weren’t staring at his weiner too!”

“Whatever, Scootaloo.”

“Kiss my ass, Sweetie.” The tomboy replied while flipping her middle finger.

Before Apple Bloom could intervene, Ms Cheerliee called the class to order. When she began roll call, Apple Bloom studied her friends closely. Sweetie and Scoots always bickered but lately she’d noticed a greater amount of tension between the two than usual. The jabs were becoming more personal, and mean spirited. She stewed on this as Cheerliee booted up the projector.

“Today, we’re going to wrap up our unit on Ancient Greece.” Cheerliee beamed clicking through a series of images of Greek Ruins. “For those of you who were paying attention, we learned about the rise of Ancient Greece following the Bronze Age Collapse of Mycenaeans. We traced the evolution of the city states of Sparta and Athens and, of course, the birth of Western Philosophy and Democracy.”

She paused as her class shifted in their seats, Scoots poorly stifling a yawn, “However, the thing I find most interesting about Ancient Greece is its rich mythology.” The slides now showed a variety of images of Greek Gods and Monsters which perked the class up. “Especially the fact that, depending on the story, you could get two very different versions of the same character.”

The slide settled on a bust of a woman with snakes for hair, “Take Medusa, for example. A gorgon whose face was so terrible it turned men to stone. In early legends, she was one of three gorgon sisters slain by the hero Perseus but in other accounts, she was a beautiful woman cursed by the gods after Posiedon raped her.”

“That’s terrible,” Sweetie muttered.

Cheerliee smiled, “It is. However, thanks to recent archaeological work we’ve discovered a third version of her story.” The slides now showed a reconstructed vase that depicted a nude maiden flanked by a nude man holding aloft a sword. To either side of them was a woman with the lower body of a snake and a statuesque woman with golden, flowing locks. “The Tale of Aphrodite’s Daughter is a fascinating one. Not only is a woman the protagonist of the story, but Medusa is depicted as a jaded priestess keen on taking vengeance upon the goddess who scorned her. Yet, Medusa is no monster and instead an ally who helps Aphrodite’s daughter overcome…”

The teacher flipped to a blank side, “We don’t know the full story yet but that is the point of your group project. I want you, using what you’ve learned about Greek history, to write a reinterpretation of a classic Greek Myth. You can present it in written form, as a brief play or a visual medium of your choosing. Groups can be no more than four. If you have any questions, come ask me.” Clapping her hands together, Cheerliee beamed. “Well, my junior Muses? Get to work!”

Scoots clapped her hands, “Girls, this oughta be a home run! My parents are all about ancient stuff.”

Apple Bloom beamed, “It oughta be fun. What do ya think, Sweetie?”

“I think we need a fourth groupmate,” Sweetie muttered, rising up and waving. “Dinky! Over here!”

The cheerful blonde perked up and scrambled over to sit by them. Shorter then all three of them by about a foot with a petite build. She was wearing a pair of ragged jeans, a grey hoodie and sandals.

“Oh, wow! I’d love to. What’re we gonna write about?”

Scootaloo nudged Apple Bloom. “Why don’t we do a take on Atlantis where it’s one gigantic nudist colony?”

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. “First of all, that term is a bit dated. Second of all, not everything in my life revolves around the fact that Ah happen ta enjoy bein’ nekkid.”

“Pfft! I was just messing with ya,” Scoots replied with a wave of her hand. “How about you, new girl? Any thoughts?”

Dinky rubbed her chin. “I’ve always loved reading about the Trojan War…”

The tomboy blanched. “That might be difficult to adapt, Dinky.”

“Afraid of a little commitment Scootaloo?” Sweetie casually asked.

Missing the quick exchange of glares her two friends shot one another, the farm girl rubbed her chin. “What if we just change one part about the story? Focus on one character.”

“Ohhh! That could work,” Dinky beamed. “We could totally hone in on Achillies being gay!” The trio glanced at her. “What?”

“OR,” Apple Bloom carried on after clearing her throat. “We could reinvent one of the central figures in the story. Helen of Sparta.”

“Wasn’t it Helen of Troy?” Sweetie asked.

Scootaloo shook her head, “My mum told me about this when she and dad were excavating the real Troy in Turkey.” Dinky’s mouth made a comical O. “See, when Paris seduced or stole Helen away from her husband Menelaus, she was Helen of Sparta. She only became Helen of Troy after marrying Paris and as the war progressed.”

“Typical machismo thing to do, am I right?” Dinky giggled. “Going to war over some chick.”

Sweetie smiled. “Rarity told me she was the most beautiful woman of her age.”

“But what if she was a warrior princess?” Apple Bloom interjected, smiling widely. “A fierce, intelligent woman playing the men in the war against one another. And able to best them in combat?”

The four girls considered the concept with a growing smile. “That’d be a hell of a lot cooler than her being some damsel in distress,” Scootaloo mused aloud.

“Could add an extra layer of intrigue to the whole war,” Sweetie agreed.

Dinky clapped excitedly, “Let’s do it! Who’s doing what?”

The tomboy grinned, “I can do the historical research to back the concept up, no problem.”

Diny beamed, “I’d love to write it! Do we wanna do a play or a dramatic reading?”

“Let’s go dramatic reading, girls,” Sweetie beamed. “Miss Adagio said I need to practice my range.”

Apple Bloom smirked, “Ah rekcon that leaves me makin’ a pretty poster board ta present this all on. Does that sound good ta y’all?” The four nodded and got to work, chattering happily amongst themselves.

Big Macintosh was not the kind of man who was interested in fashion. While Applejack’s friend Rarity squealed at the sight of elaborate costumes, fine fabrics, and glitzy jewelery, he’d never seen what the fuss was all about. As a farmer, he preferred practical clothes he could move around in and, as a naturist, he didn’t feel obligated to wear them at all while he worked on the farm most of the time.

It made finding something suitable to wear for his date frustrating at best and a nightmare at worst. While he was no stranger to casual dating, this was, in all likelihood, going to develop into a serious relationship (as in potential marriage candidate) and he wanted to leave a good first impression.

His workwear was obviously out. The big man pondered while he browsed through his dresser. Likewise, his collection of collared plaid shirts was a no go. It had been more than enough for Apple Bloom’s orientation but for a date, he needed something with a little more flair. Likewise, his trusty blue jeans were abandoned, which narrowed his options considerably.

His old prom suit could work but Mac wasn’t sure if it would be suitable. He hardly wanted to imply he was still reliving his ‘high school days’. Besides, he’d put on a substantial amount of muscle weight. After trying on the suit jacket, he realized that he was in danger of tearing the garment along the shoulders.

He had a white dress shirt, black slacks, and bow tie he kept around for the rare business meetings held off the farm. While they’d certainly be fine, it was a little bland and Mae had hinted that she was picking out something special to wear. Mac sighed and decided that he couldn’t wear those either.

The only remaining option was an outfit gifted to him by Coriander Cumin. A Hindi design, the shirt was brightly colored and designed more like a tunic, coming down to Mac’s knees. The pants were loose and made of silver silk while the matching shoes were soft around his feet. The big man looked at himself in the mirror and winced.

“I sure hope she doesn’t take this as cultural appropriation…”

“Macky? What’re ya doing in here?” Granny Smith remarked from the doorway, peering in. Her eyes widened and she snickered. “The Maharaja called, said he wants his duds back fer a state dinner.”

“Granny!”

“Don’t git yer testes in twist, boy. I’m just teasin’ ya. Why’re ya wearin’ that awful outfit in the first place?”

Mac tried to adjust the shirt. “Mah date with Daisy Mae is this Friday. Ah’d like to knock her socks off.”

“Ah certainly hope ya knock off more than just her socks. It’s be a helluva borin’ way ta end yer date otherwise.”

“Granny!”

The Apple Matriarch walked up and lightly smacked her grandson on the back, “Ah know fer a fact that young folks such as yerself like gettin’ frisky as soon as the opportunity presents itself.” Biting her lip she looked him over. “Ya don’t got anything else ta wear?”

“Ah don’t exactly own as many suits as Uncle Orange…”

Granny Smith rolled her eyes, “And why should ya? Waste o’ good money ownin’ more suits than the trees in our orchard.” Nodding to herself in the mirror, she remarked. “Mac, take that damn thing off and come to mah room. I might have something more suitable. Still oughta impress yer teacher friend too.” Almost absent-mindedly she left the room.

Shrugging, Mac stripped as instructed and folded up the silky garments into a neat pile. Scratching his chest, he walked down the hall towards Granny’s room. The house’s master bedroom had been Granny’s as long as Mac could remember.

Upon entering, he smiled at the wall of pictures of various family members, living and dead, on the walls. Around half were shots of them clothed and the other half were them nude at some family reunion or another. While not all their extended family were nudists, all had dipped their toes in the water at least once.

Beyond the pictures, the room was crammed with old knick-knacks and a shelf of romance novels and vintage vinyl records. A canopy four poster bed occupied the room’s center with a solid oak coffee table. A bottle of whiskey sat, half empty, on top. When Mac approached Granny, she was busy rummaging through her small walk-in closet.

“What’s all this about?” Mac asked.

“When yer father first started seeing yer mother, Ah wasn’t too pleased.” Granny Smith said, ignoring his question. “Pear Butter was, well, a Pear and we had a silly feud going on with that family. Ah gave Bright Mac such a tongue lashin’ when Ah found he was smitten with her.” She turned with an old garment bag clasped to her chest. “But Bright Mac was a hopeless romantic. Kept seein’ her and brought me around and I’ll be damned if by the end that gal turned into a honorary daughter o’ mine.”

The older Apple coughed to dispel the thickening of her voice, “Anywho, Bright Mac liked clothes about as much as any of us but when he dressed, he knew how to do it in style. He was mighty clever that way. Combined practicality with style.”

Laying the garment bag on her bed, she slowly unzipped it. “Ah always meant tah give this to ya at some point. Applejack may well have gotten his stetson but ah always felt ya deserved his ‘lady killer’ suit.”

Mac whistled as Granny carefully laid out the outfit, smoothing it with a soft smile. A pair of dark brown slacks with apples embroidered on the pockets, a belt with a shining apple buckle and a sleek blue dress shirt with a popped collar were laid out before them. Topping them all off was a familiar worn brown leather buckskin jacket with a short fringe. Touching it, he smiled.

“Ah thought we lost this…”

“Nope,” Granny swallowed. “Ah held onto it after the accident. Sentimental Ah know but… it’s the only other suit Ah gave him besides the one he was born in.” She shared a chuckle with her grandson. “This outfit was the one that most screamed Bright Mac to me. Ah reckon it’s time fer it ta have a new owner. Try it on, Mac.”

Carefully, Mac pulled the clothing on, breathing in the faint scent of cologne and firewood that reminded him of his late father. To his surprise, the outfit fit like a glove as if it was tailored especially for him. While he donned the jacket, he heard a stifled sob.

Granny Smith’s eyes were glossy as she held her hand to her mouth. Wordlessly, Mac embraced his grandmother. She clutched him tight and muttered a phrase that sounded like ‘my boy’ before composing herself once more.

She smiled, wiping her eyes. “Any lady who doesn’t feel weak in the knees at the sight o’ ya doesn’t deserve ta have ya in the first place.”

Mac chuckled. “Shouldn’t be a problem fer Daisy-Mae.”

Granny smirked playfully, “Ah suppose it wouldn’t. Considerin’ that she sent ya a nudie pic. Awful bold o’ her, doncha think? Hehehe.”

“How’d ya know about that?!”

Granny shrugged. “Apple Bloom told me. Now, go on and gimme a look see.”

Flushing, Mac retrieved his phone and opened up his messages. Scrolling past the more fluffy stuff, he found the photo in question. He hesitantly handed it to his grandmother. He watched as she made a scene of squinting her eyes comically.

“Boy howdy! She’s a real looker, ain’t she?” Rubbing her chin she mused. “I’ll bet she’s got a shapely pair o’ hips ta match them milkers. Not bad, Macky.”

“Granny, stop! Daisy-Mae ain’t some piece o’ meat.”

“Quit yer caterwauling, boy. Hot dang! Kids nowadays are so bashful. Wouldn’t hurt ta be more honest about yer bodies.” Sobering, she placed a hand on his shoulder. “Does she know about our lifestyle?”

Mac rubbed the back of his neck, “Not that Ah know of…”

“Well, you oughta tell her sooner rather than later. Ah know yer serious about this gal but ya need to be honest with her from the start. Have Ah made mahself plain?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Good. Now then, unless I’m mistaken, that fence on the northern grove still needs fixin’. Hang up your daddy’s suit and grab the toolkit.”

Apple Bloom stuck her tongue out as she carefully pasted a drawing of their new and improved version of Helen of Troy onto the poster board. Dinky had shown quite the flair for artistic design when she sketched the princess. While Helen had the classic appearance of a fashion model, her physique and bearing were that of a calculating warrior. Over a flowing white dress she wore a bronze breastplate and greaves while half of her golden hair was shaved down one side. In her hands she held twin dirks while at her feet, the body of Achilles lay dead.

The story they’d crafted for her was that of a cunning strategist. Sent to Troy by her husband, she was supposed to infiltrate and undermine the city. Instead, she fell in love with the boyish, but kind Paris. As the war progressed, Helen played both sides against one another in an effort to bring about peace.

Apple Bloom pondered while she leant back in the library chair. Just about everything was coming together except the research. Beside her, Sweetie was pacing with their script in hand, mouthing along as she memorized the lines. Opposite of Apple Boom, Dinky was typing away on a laptop with several, handsome anime characters (mostly pretty boys) pasted on it, tongue stuck out in concentration. The chair reserved for Scootaloo sat empty.

“Any other changes ya wanna made Sweetie?” Dinky asked with a grin as she looked up from her keyboard. Sweetie and Dinky had bonded during the course of the project and having Dinky around had been a lot of fun, Apple Bloom had to admit.

Sweetiee bit her lip, “I think we should spice up the final speech. It should reflect on the futility of conflict or, perhaps, how the men admired Helen for her grace and beauty rather than her brilliant mind?”

Apple Bloom blinked, “Hold yer horses, gals. Y’all ain’t set on writin’ an entire Shakesperian production are ya?”

“Nope,” The blonde girl giggled, rubbing her head. “A one-act play, at most!”

“Ah suppose if Sweetiee is alright with performin’ it and Scoots can find the historical precedence ta back it up…”

“Where is she?” Sweetie asked, slightly annoyed. “We’ve already been here for almost an hour!” A shushing noise from deeper into the library caused her to roll her eyes and lower her voice. “She better not be blowing us off for something stupid. Like skateboarding or some other sporty-type thing. I don’t know!”

“I’m sure she just got caught up in somethin’ else.” Apple Bloom offered with a shrug. The tone of her voice suggested that she wasn’t very confident with her assessment.

Dinky giggled, “She DID joke about doing her work the night before.”

“Ha! I doubt she was joking. Why can’t Scoots be more like you? Reliable, dependable and hardworking.”

The blonde exchanged a look with the redheaded farm girl, “Ummm, not sure I follow Sweetie.”

Sweetie waved her hand dismissively. “Nevermind. Apple Bloom, be a dear and text Scootaloo, would ya?”

Apple Bloom shrugged and took out her phone, bringing up Scootaloo’s number. Typing quickly, she noticed Sweetie opening her own phone and scrolling through some social media app.

Scoots, where the hell are you? We’ve got a project to work on.

The response wasn’t long in coming.

Sorry AB. Totally got held up doing other… stuff. Can we meet tomorrow instead?

Apple Bloom sighed, “Looks like she’s busy fer the time bein’. At least we’ve still got a few more days left before-”

“I KNEW IT!” Sweetie hissed while shoving her phone in Apple Bloom’s face.

Uncrossing her eyes, the farm girl looked at Sweetie’s screen carefully. It was Rainbow Dash’s page feed. The picture consisted of her posing for a selfie on a nearby soccer field. Pressed up beside her, with a ball under one arm, was Scootaloo, grinning ear to ear. The caption read: ‘Brushing up on my mad football skills with Scoots’ while the timestamp read just over an hour ago.

“Shit,” Apple Bloom muttered. “Ya could’ve told us ya had other plans.”

“She’s blowing us off! Again!” Sweetiee fumed.

Apple Bloom frowned. “Ah know yer mad, Sweetie. Ah am too. But could ya please calm down? We’ll talk to her about this tomorrow and-”

“This is totally unacceptable! It’s a group project not a ‘I’ll screw around with Rainbow Dash while my friends pick up the slack’ project!”

“Sweetie, that’s not ok. Scoots is-” Apple Bloom found that she was talking to Sweetie’s backside as the irate girl stormed out of the library. Dinky and Apple Bloom quickly gathered their stuff up and raced after her.

They found Sweetie with her fists clenched just outside the library. The usually cheerful girl was fuming but abruptly took in a deep breath and exhaled. As the two approached her she smiled and whipped her phone out. “Selfie time!”

“What do ya-”

“Smile!” She beamed cheerfully taking a picture of herself, Bloom and Dinky and the library. Typing on her phone she began to walk away. “How would you girls like some refreshments at my place? Seems like we’re done working on the project today.”

Dinky blinked, “Sweetie, are you sure you’re ok?”

“Why wouldn’t I be? I’m working on a group project with some of my best friends!” Her smile wasn’t entirely genuine as she pressed a button on her phone. “Everyone should know that.”

Apple Bloom’s phone vibrated in her pocket. Upon opening it, she frowned at a new tag notification. She realized that Sweetie had commented on Rainbow’s post with a selfie message of her own stating: Looking good! So blessed to be working on a group project today with my friends. @Anime-Blonde @Apple-Bloom @Chicken-Scoots.

“What’ve ya done now?” Apple Bloom asked.

Her friend flashed her the same exaggerated smile, “Whatever do you mean? I enjoy sharing how blessed I am with Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo. Come along now.”

The young Apple couldn’t quite shake her sense of unease as they followed Sweetie Belle to her sister’s apartment downtown. Located in the gentrified district near the university, it was a fairly trendy building built above an old boutique. Sweetie had mentioned her sister was working there part-time and was considering buying the place once she completed her degree.

Sweetie seemed her usual bubbly self when she served Bloom and Dinky some eclairs and juice. Apple Bloom couldn’t help but notice an undercurrent of bitter frustration lurking just beneath her polite facade. The farmgirl sighed as she downed a glass of orange juice and spent her time studying her surroundings.

Rarity’s apartment was pretty much what Apple Bloom had expected a fashion-loving artist’s home would be. While tidy and clean, there was a sense of controlled chaos with rolls of fabric tucked neatly beside canvases, blank and painted. In fact, the teenager realized, with a smirk, that one of the paintings hanging on the wall was Applejack posing in all her natural splendor. Scattered across the room were mannequins with various half-finished outfits displayed upon them.

After a half-hour of chatting with Dinky and Sweetie, Apple Bloom had nearly forgotten the sense of unease she’d felt earlier. It reappeared when she heard a frantic knock on the door and the familiar voice of Scootaloo call out, “Girls? Are you in there? We need to talk.”

Sweetie adopted a neutral expression as she rose from the couch they’d all been sitting on, “Finally.” Apple Bloom got up and followed her friend. Opening the door with a fake smile, she cooed. “Well, isn’t this a surprise? I don’t ever recall inviting you over.”

Scootaloo was still clad in a pair of loose gym shorts, sneakers, and a sports bra. Her hair was a frazzled, sweaty mess. She immediately winced at Sweetie’s expression, “Sweetie, listen I’m-”

“All done working on your mad football skills?” The girl blithely replied. “Must have slipped your mind that Rainbow Dash asked you to help her practice, hmmm?”

“C’mon, Sweetie. I already feel like a douche-nozzle, ok? RD just called me up and asked for help. She’s practically my big sister. You know that I can’t say no to any of her requests. Can you please just let me in?”

Sweetie placed a hand across the doorway, “OH, NO! This is a private function. For that project, we were working on today? Like you AGREED to?”

“Hey! You don’t have to be such a massive bitch about it, Sweetie. Apple Bloom, tell her would ya?”

The farmgirl sighed and rubbed her face, “Scoots, ya promised ta work with us at the library. Sweetie has every right ta be upset with ya.”

“Mhmm. In fact, Dinky says she can do the research tonight like any good friend would.” Sweetie sneered. “You can just go back to playing with balls.”

The tomboy’s face turned dark red, “I’m still in the process of getting the research done, Sweetie.”

“Is that so? Well, don’t let me hold you up.” Sweetie replied with a high pitched laugh before slamming the door in her face.

“Hey! What the hell, Sweetie?!”

“After school hangouts are reserved for friends WHO DON’T LIE AND BLOW ME OFF TO SCREW AROUND PLAYING SOCCER INSTEAD!” Sweetie yelled back, arms crossed.

Apple Bloom grabbed Sweetie’s arm, “Hold up! That was totally uncalled fer! Scoots is our friend, even if she tends ta make mistakes sometimes. We all do.”

The girl rubbed her moisture from her eyes, “Then she should start acting like it!” Sniffing, Sweetie stomped back to Dinky who had a wide-eyed look of confusion. Cursing, Apple Bloom opened the door to see Scootaloo heading for the stairs.

“Come back!” She called out as she ran after the tomboy. Fit though she was, it took Apple Bloom a fair bit of effort to catch up with Scootaloo just outside the apartment. The young athlete was sobbing and kicking the ground angrily.

“Scootaloo…”

“What the hell is wrong with her?! She’s acting like Diamond Tiara!” Scootaloo raged, furiously rubbing her eyes. “She knows I’ll get the project done eventually! I just…”

“C’mere, you,” Apple Bloom whispered while she wrapped her friend in a hug. “Sweetie’s just a tad upset. I’m sure once she calms down, we can work this out.”

“Do you agree with her about the whole ditching thing?”

“Ah don’t think ya should’ve lied ta us and left us out ta dry. However, Ah don’t think ya meant ta hurt anyone on purpose.” Apple Bloom replied. “How about ya come upstairs with me and we can-”

“Damn it,” Scootaloo muttered, breaking the embrace. “Looks like I’ve got some research to do. Catch ya later, Bloom. Tell Sweetie to stop acting like a spoiled brat.” Scootaloo stormed away in a huff, leaving Apple Bloom on the sidewalk.

Apple Bloom buried her face in her hands and groaned. “The drama Ah gotta deal with…”

Daisy-Mae hummed happily to herself as she tidied up the classroom and organized her desk. School had just let out, but more importantly, her date with Big Macintosh was tonight. Mae resisted the impulse to spin on one heel and giggle like a teenager.

In truth, she hadn’t been entirely sure that returning home to teach at her old school was a good idea. She’d been away so long and after all her travels, she was worried that the community would feel too small. Besides, with no significant other she was worried she’d end up as some old schoolmarm.

Instead, she’d been greeted warmly by her friends, family and even her old teachers. Her students, barring a few troublemakers, were great and eager to hear about her travels. The icing on the cake was Big Mac coming back into her life.

How such a handsome hunk didn’t have a wife by now, Mae honestly didn’t know. Texting him these last few days had made her feel like a teenager again. His clever wit and gentlemanly nature made her heart flutter. In fact, she only had one cause for concern but she intended to bring that up tonight.

“Miss Cheerliee? Can Ah talk with ya fer a second?” A familiar voice asked.

Looking up, Daisy-Mae smiled at the fidgeting form of Apple Bloom warmly, “Of course, Apple Bloom. My door is always open.” She patted a chair in front of her desk as she rested against it. “What can I help you with? Any trouble with the group project?”

“Kinda,” Apple Bloom replied as she sat down, placing her bag by her feet. “It’s more than that. But um… shoot! Ah hate all o’ this silly drama nonsense. Ah shouldn’t even bother ya with it.” She began to get up but Mae gently grabbed her hand.

“Apple Bloom, I’m here for you. For all my students, in fact. If you need help just ask me, ok?” She flushed. “Besides, you might be seeing more of me soon.”

The redhead perked up, “Yer date with mah brother is tonight, ain’t it? Can’t wait ta see what dress ya picked out.”

“He told you about that?” Mae asked, surprise evident in her tone.

“I’m the one who convinced him that takin’ a selfie was the right way ta go. Mah brother must really like ya. He ain’t the most photogenic fella ‘round.”

“Well then,” Daisy-Mae coughed. “Thank you, I suppose. I’ll tell you what, I’ll make sure he takes a nice picture of us on our date, ok?”

“Thank ya, Miss Cheerliee!” Apple Bloom grinned.

“Now, what’s troubling you?”

The farm girl sighed and leaned back in her chair. “Ah don’t know if you’ve noticed but Sweetie, Scootaloo, and Ah are best friends. We’re like peas in a pod! But lately, Sweetie and Scoots have been bumpin’ heads like a couple o’ billygoats. They had a pretty nasty spat yesterday over the project.” At Cheerliee’s nod, she went on. “Scootaloo blew us off ta hang out with Rainbow Dash. They’re practically sisters. She’s been doing that… a lot lately and it’s been makin’ Sweetie downright furious.”

“I see,” Cheerliee hummed. “Sounds like teenage drama.”

“I’m worried that if this keeps festerin’, they’ll start hatin’ each other. Ah don’t know what ta do ta make those two sit down and have a heart ta heart.”

Mae tapped her desk absentmindedly, “Sweetie seems like a rather prideful girl to me. It’s unlikely that she’d tell Scootaloo what’s wrong of her own volition.” Bloom nodded sadly. “Scootaloo, although well-intentioned, is a bit socially awkward. She seems to lack self-confidence too, leading her to seek validation from others.”

“Wow. Ya got all o’ that from bein’ around us fer a month?”

“I do have a knack for teaching,” The woman admitted with an embarrassed chuckle. “Getting to know your students is part of the job description. The best thing you can do for Sweetie and Scootaloo is to get them out of their respective comfort zones.”

“Why?”

Spreading her hands, Mae explained, “They need to be on a level playing field where it’s just the three of you. Find a way to put them both on edge, so that they have to be honest. Make them think, not about themselves, but your relationship with each other.”

“Ah think Ah understand,” Bloom mumbled, her eyes brightening. “Ah could invite them ta the Acres fer snacks and whatnot, then spring mah plan! Thank ya, Miss Cheerliee, yer the best!” She squealed, wrapping her teacher in a hug.

Cheerliee returned it with a wide smile, “Don’t you forget it! Need anything else?”

Breaking the hug, Apple Bloom shook her head, “Nope! Ah should be fine. Enjoy yer date with Mac tonight!” The girl positively skipped from the classroom, leaving her teacher smiling widely. Coming home turned out to be the best decision she had ever made. She could feel it. Well, second-best, if things with Mac went the way she hoped.

Big Mac exhaled deeply as he removed the keys from his truck’s ignition. His father’s suit fit him like a glove. It also helped calm his racing heart and fluttering stomach. While Mac was far from a fresh-faced youth, he had been out of the dating game for a while. He knew that no date was ever perfect, but he sent a silent prayer that this one would be as close to perfect as possible.

Exiting the truck, he looked around the modest downtown street where Daisy-Mae made her home. One of the older parts of the community, the buildings were constructed of brick and had a dignified, turn of the century look to them.

Crossing the street, the big farmer walked up to Cheerilee’s apartment building, and rang the buzzer for her number. He then spent the next minute pacing in the main lobby, coming up with a dozen smooth and suave greetings. All of that melted right away when she stepped out of the elevator.

Mae had somehow managed to make herself look even prettier than she had been at orientation day. Her hair was tied up in a loose bun held in place with two golden hairpins, allowing her bangs to fall across one eye. Her makeup was sparse but what little eyeshadow she used brought out her green eyes. A hint of blush applied to her cheeks and some pink lipstick drew his eyes to her smile.

The dress, meanwhile, did not fail to impress. A sleek red number, the design was clearly oriental, with a golden dragon embroidered on the front. It hugged Mae’s bosom tightly, showing off her cleavage. A long slit starting just below her hips revealed pale flashes of her legs and the golden high heels adorning her feet.

“Evening Mac. Like what you see?” Mae asked, twirling in a circle. “I picked this up in Chiang Mai on a trip.”

Mac took her hand and kissed it, “Mae, you look radiant tonight. Dunno what ya spent on that dress but it was worth every penny.”

“You sure clean up well yourself. Did you have that outfit personally tailored?” Cheerilee replied with a slight blush.

“It was mah daddy’s suit, actually. Granny said she was keepin’ it stowed away fer a special occasion.”

Mae patted his chest and smoothed his jacket. Kissing his cheek she whispered, “You look fabulous. Shall we?”

“Your chariot awaits,” Mac quipped as the two-headed for his truck.

They spent the drive to the Tasty Treat chatting about nothing of real importance, catching up on gossip and discussing their favourite television programs. Mac was gratified the conversation flowed not only smoothly but naturally. In no time at all, they were pulling up to the restaurant.

The Tasty Treat was as flamboyantly Hindi in design as its owners. The exterior of the building featured a large neon sign with a kaleidoscopic elephant logo on full display. The moment Mac and Cheerliee entered its lobby, a world of colorful hanging silk tapestries, mesmerizing murals, and colored lamps greeted them. The air smelled of exotic spices and cooking food. The simple wooden tables were crowded with people of all ages. Hindi pop played softly from the speakers further enhancing the place’s ambience.

The two of them were barely in the lobby for a minute before Coriander Cumin hurried over to them, a wide smile on his face. As owner of the Tasty Treat, he joked with guests, organized the wait staff, and brought a larger than life personality to every task that he performed, no matter how big or small it was.

“Macintosh, my friend, namaste!” Cumin called out. Halting before them, he clasped his hands together and bowed. A gesture that both Mac and Mae returned automatically. “And you must be Daisy-Mae. Please, come in.”

Mac offered his arm to Mae who took it with a smile, pressing up against him. He reckoned they looked like quite the dashing couple as they followed Cumin. Mac noted more than a few men and women shot the two jealous looks, which made him blush. He wasn’t used to this type of attention. Glancing at the look Mae was giving him Mac felt his nerves melt away like snow from the sun.

“Here we are. Please, sit and order some of my daughter’s delicious food. Can I get you some drinks?” Coriander asked as he pulled the chairs out from their table.

Located right across from the open kitchen, the table gave them a full view of the dozen cooks currently preparing a wide range of food. At the center was the shapely form of Saffron Masala, her long black hair tied back in a braid as she ordered her staff around. At the sight of Mac, she waved and smiled broadly, which he returned with a grin of his own.

“She seems to like you,” Cheerilee remarked as she took her seat.

Mac laughed, “We met through our family businesses. Saff is a sweet gal.”

“I certainly should hope so! I raised her,” Cumin chortled. “Can I get you two some drinks? Some of your family’s excellent whiskey, perhaps?”

“I’ll take that with mah supper, thanks. I’ll take water for now. Mae?”

The teacher took a brief glance over the drink menu, “A water for me as well, please. I’ll also take some of that whiskey with our meal.”

“Very good. Signal me when you’re ready to order.”

For about two minutes they poured over their menus and chatted about the dishes. They were a mix of traditional Hindi dishes, western fare and fusion dishes unique to Saffron’s own culinary genius. When Coriander returned with the drinks, Daisy Mae ordered some fish curry with steamed rice while Mac chose her classic butter chicken recipe. The two also ordered a plate of naan bread to share together.

“You’re business partners with the Tasty Treat?” Mae asked, sipping her water.

Mac nodded and smiled proudly, “Apple Family Whiskey is prized throughout the area. We supply most of the restaurants and bars and make a decent profit doing it.” He coughed. “Course, it’s a family affair. Ah reckon AJ is of a mind ta expand our customer base after she gets that fancy business degree.”

Cheerliee smiled, “Higher education is its own reward. Did you ever get a degree?”

“Afraid not. When Ah graduated high school that was it for me. Granny was pullin’ her own weight but she was gettin’ old and mah sisters were still kids.” He shrugged. “If Ah wanna learn about somethin’, I’ll git a book, in case ya think I’m some uncultured bumpkin…” Mac shut his mouth as he realized he was rambling.

Mae beamed at Mac and grasped his hand, “Not at all! I know I’ve said it before but I think it’s very admirable how you took care of your family.”

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

The two were interrupted by Coriander arriving with their naan appetizer. As they munched on the fried flatbread, Mac gestured to Cheerliee’s outfit, “Chiang Mai, eh?”

“Yes.” Mae beamed as she chewed on some bread. “I was teaching English in Bangkok at the time. I made friends with some local girls and they showed me around the country. Beautiful artisans in Northern Thailand and exquisite wildlife. I even got in a cage with a tiger.”

“An actual Tiger?!” Mac chortled. “Ah didn’t realize Ah was takin’ a bonafide badass out fer dinner.”

The teacher rolled her eyes dramatically, “It wasn’t that big of a deal” She winked. “The tigers were probably drugged but it was still pretty terrifying. If one of them decided to eat me well…” Mae drew a finger across her throat and stuck her tongue out goofily.

“Did ya teach kids in Thailand?”

“Primarily, yes. I served in South Korea for a year and during the summers I’d backpack around Asia. Even visited India one time.” Mae related. “South East Asia and the Pacific are very beautiful parts of the world. Maybe not as safe as Europe but very vibrant.”

Mac shook his head, “Shoot, you’ve even been ta Europe?” When she nodded Mac whistled. “ The only time I’ve left the country was ta visit family back in Germany.”

“I take it your family is originally from there?”

“Suppose, ya could say that” Mac laughed. “Granny likes ta say that we Apples have a branch of the family tree in every country around the world.”

Mae snorted, “Your family’s seed appears to be in high demand.” As Mac flushed a bright red she chortled. “For apples, I mean.”

“Course ya do.”

For the next ten minutes, the two discussed Cheerliee’s extensive travels. Mac was in quiet awe at just how many countries the young educator had managed to visit. The stories she told of visiting bustling bazaars, free diving off coral reefs and being scammed by cabbies were exciting compared to life on the farm.

By contrast, Mac felt that discussing his own profession might bore her, but he found that Cheerliee listened with rapt attention. He danced around the subject of the family lifestyle for the most part and inwardly berated himself for it. Granny had told him to be honest, and that’s just what he was going to do.

“Sweet Apple Acres sounds like a little slice of heaven,” Cheerliee sighed. “You know, as a little girl, I dreamed about living on a farm one day. Silly, huh?”

Mac felt his heart skip a beat, “Not at all, Mae. It’s a lot o’ hard work, but a good life. Mah family is quite taken with it.” He braced himself. “There is somethin’ you should know-”

“I’ve got my special butter chicken for Macintosh and a fish curry with rice for his lady.” Saffron smiled broadly as she set the plates of steaming delicious smelling plates before them. “It’s been a while since we last spoke, Mac.”

The farmer smiled, “Saff, didn’t know you were bussing tables.”

“She is not,” Coriander fumed as he hustled to their table with a decanter of whiskey and two glasses. “That is my job unless she wants me to do all the cooking.”

“Please, pita, we want customers to return” Saffron replied with a smirk.

Her father smiled as he set his tray on their table and poured a generous amount of whiskey into each glass. “I am a competent chef! Your mother says so. Besides, you are embarrassing Macintosh and his date. Away with you!”

“It ain’t a problem, sir.”

Saffron winked, “See pita, it’s all good.” A commotion from the kitchen caused the dark-skinned woman to click her tongue. “Always something. Please, enjoy your meal.” As she left she patted Mae’s shoulder. “Quite the catch you have there.”

Coriander hurried off to another table leaving the couple alone once more. Daisy Mae smiled at the display of familial bickering and the reaction it had elicited from Mac. The big man was adorable when he blushed which, she’d noticed with satisfaction, was happening a lot in her presence. Once again, she thanked her Thai friend Aranya for insisting that she buy the dress a few years ago.

Cheerilee couldn’t help but feel nervous herself. She feared that discussing her travels around the world had made Mac feel like a country bumpkin. Thankfully, he’d seemed genuinely interested in her tales and getting to know her. But he seemed… hesitant to discuss his home life beyond basic details.

Mae raised her glass of whiskey in a toast which Mac returned, “To old friends.”

“Old friends,” He replied in his delightful rustic twang. Clinking their glasses together, they both downed a finger-worth of whiskey. Mac hadn’t been joking, Mae realized. This stuff was smooth and strong

As the pleasant warmth spread, they began to dig into their meal. Saffron’s fish curry, as expected, was delicious. Mae relished the subtle flavours and textures that the master chef had brought to the dish. Glancing over at Mac, she marvelled at how he was putting away his own meal with a boyish grin spread ear to ear.

Dabbing her lips with a napkin, Mae asked, “Were you and Saffron ever an item?”

Macintosh nodded. “We went out on a few dates just ta test the waters. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out between us. We stayed friends though. Besides, mah lifestyle wasn’t somethin’ she wanted ta git involved with.”

“You mentioned that before,” Mae seized on the opportunity to address her concerns. “Are you some type of religious fundamentalist?”

“Eenope,” Mac waved his hand, body subtly tensing, she noted. “Nothin’ like that! If Ah tell ya, can ya promise me that ya won’t freak out?”

“Why would I?”

The big farmer adjusted his collar, “May Ah be frank?” She nodded eagerly. “Ah like ya a lot. I think yer smart, capable, open-minded and beautiful. Ah’d really like us ta, well, more than reconnect. Ah’d very much like ta go steady with ya.” Rubbing his arm he sighed. “The thing is: Ah don’t want ta be dishonest with ya. Ah want ta share all the aspects of mah life. Includin’ one aspect of it that’s a bit unconventional.”

Daisy Mae tapped her foot anxiously, hoping that he didn’t notice. “You can tell me, Mac. Honesty is the foundation of any good relationship alongside love and mutual attraction.” She took another swig of whiskey. “I’m not here just to kiss and tell.”

“So long as yer sure.” Squaring his shoulder Mac sighed. “Mah family and Ah are naturists. Have been for generations. That means, more often than not, we don’t bother wearin’ anythin’ most o’ the time.” The big man braced himself.

Mae let out something between a giggle and sigh of relief. “Is that all?”

“Beg yer pardon?”

“I was rather worried that you were going to tell me your family was part of some polygamous cult.” Daisy Mae joked.

“Yer not… offended by the way we live?”

Cheerilee reached over and placed her hand atop Mac’s, using her thumb to rub it gently. “I’ve heard some of the rumours swirling around about your family. Ponyville is a small community. People talk. I remember when AJ and her friend had that falling out a few years ago.”

“Right…”

“Take a look at this.” She giggled, taking out her phone and opening up their messages. Scrolling to his selfie she enhanced it and zoomed in over his shoulder. “The family pond has a rather mirror-like quality, don’t you think?”

The flush that spread across his face delighted the teacher. It matched the one she’d had when she’d noticed the near-perfect reflection of Macintosh’s toned, bare buns in the background. “Work on the farm certainly hasn’t done you any harm.”

“Damn it! Ah knew sendin’ that selfie was a bad idea. Ya must think I’m a creep.”

Daisy Mae shushed him, “A creep would have just sent me a picture of his penis. It’s pretty clear to me that you didn’t realize you were giving me such a sexy glimpse into your life.” As the man relaxed, she smiled. “Have you ever visited one of those nudist colonies?”

“That ain’t the proper term fer... ” Mae couldn’t help but giggle again and watched as his eyes narrowed with mock malice. “Yer terrible, Daisy Mae.”

“In all seriousness, tell me about it. Do you walk around naked just for fun?” She asked, her heart beating a little faster as her mind drifted back to the feeling of the sun on her skin.

Mac took another bite of his butter chicken, “Ah ain’t some exhibitionist. Ah’d like ta make that clear. It’s about lovin’ yer body, healthy livin’, and just bein’ your most authentic self. A candy without the need fer a wrapper, ah guess you could say.” He shrugged. “There are plenty o’ benefits ta be had. Saves a ton o’ money on laundry and in this-here subtropical climate, bein’ nekkid is the most practical way ta farm.”

Mae laughed, “Well, you certainly have thought this over.”

“Ah oughta,” Mac remarked with a chuckle. “Didn’t want ta completely lose mah chance with ya.”

“Nonsense! You’ve lost nothing.” She replied. “If anything, you’ve gained my trust. I take it your entire family lives the same way you do?”

“Eeyep. It’s an intergenerational thing. Hell, one time Granny went a full year without wearing anything, just ta say she did.”

The teacher shook her head, “Is Apple Bloom ok with it?”

“Sure is. Heck, she’s the reason me and Applejack are bein’ more open about it these days. In fact, ya might have her ta blame fer our date this evenin’,” Mac said as he finished off the last of his meal.

“She’s very mature for her age, I wonder if that comes with her upbringing?”

The farmer smiled fondly, “Apple Bloom’s always been a bright gal with a good head on her shoulders. One o’ AJ’s new friends, Roz, is a naturist but she can be pretty damn childish sometimes. Winnona wound up lickin’ the gravy off o’ her breasts durin’ supper.” Cheerliee giggle-snorted and hid it by hastily drinking some more whiskey. “It’s endearing in a way, Ah suppose.”

“I have noticed that people tend to be a bit more free-spirited while in the nude,” She replied absentmindedly. When she realized what she said she began to blush.

Mac rested his chin on his hands and smiled widely, “Ah do believe there’s a story there, Miss Cheerliee.”

“There just might be, Mr. Apple,” Daisy Mae replied, taking a sip of water to balance out her buzz. “I suppose you could say I had an experience of my own…”

The man’s eyes widened, “That so? Ah didn’t think you’d be the type.” He made a face. “Or rather, Ah hoped you’d be the type but didn’t think you’d tried it yet.”

Mae giggled and placed her chin in her own hand, “I like to consider myself an open-minded individual. When you’ve seen as much of the world as I have, it changes your perspective.”

“Ah bet. If ya don’t mind telling me…”

“Of course. You’re one of the only men I could tell this to who wouldn’t have his tongue wagging like a dog.” Exhaling, she cast her mind back to that sandy beach and the feeling of freedom. “When I was teaching in Thailand I became pretty good friends with a group of teachers. There was Fleur from France, Linn from China and Aranya, who was from Thailand itself. The four of us were as thick as thieves.”

Mac nodded, “Reckon it’s good ta have a few friends in a foreign country.”

“Absolutely critical,” Cheerliee replied. “We explored most of Southeast Asia together and beyond.” She smiled as images of riding in tuk-tuks, skirting piles of trash and taking in fantastic cultural exhibitions came to her mind. “Of course, we spent most of our time in Thailand and we loved visiting the south. Tropical islands and beaches aplenty. Beyond the odd torrential rainstorm, it’s practically a paradise.”

“Sounds interestin’,” Mac interjected as he took a swig of water. “I’ve heard Thailand has a small, but dedicated naturist community.”

Mae shrugged, “I don’t know about that but I do know there are some beautiful nude beaches you can visit on Phuket Island. On one of our trips, Aranya suggested we visit one. We’d invited along a few male teachers, including a German, named Klaus. Aranya was smitten and wanted to impress him by showing how bold she could be. She wanted us to come along for moral support.” She shrugged. “I’ll admit, Linn and I were pretty freaked out by it but Fleur convinced us to give it a try.”

The teacher turned her face up and closed her eyes, remembering the heat of the tropical sun. “We decided to go to this place called Nui Beach. It’s off the beaten track and on the Southern tip of the island. Kind of like a secret cove. Anyway, that day was pretty darn hot and I was sweating like a pig underneath my dress.” She joined him in laughing. “Super sexy, I know. When we finally arrived, the water was crystal clear, the beach was picturesque and there was this sense of… anticipation.”

Opening her eyes Mae looked into Mac’s, “By that point, my stomach was doing backflips. Linn looked like she was going to faint and Aranya’s confidence slipped. But then Fleur, cool as a cucumber, took off her clothes like it was the most natural thing in the world. That girl had the figure of a supermodel, I swear. That gave Arayna, Klaus, and his buddies the push they needed. I didn’t want to be left out either!”

She rubbed her arms and giggled. “I felt like every guy on the beach was ogling me but more people were checking Linn out in her skimpy, red bikini.”

“So what happened then?” Mac asked.

“Once Klaus and his buddies got ahold of themselves, we just had a normal day at the beach. We played volleyball, swam, and got an all-over tan. Well, if you count sunburn as a tan.” Mae flushed and shifted in her seat “Some mistakes were made.”

“Eeyup. That’s why ya gotta put on plenty o’ sunscreen. Did ya enjoy yer excursion ta the beach, despite what happened?” Mac asked cautiously.

Mae bit her lip, “Yes… actually. We ended up going back several times afterward. Linn eventually decided to go topless. And let’s just say that Klaus and Arayna hooked up there. I was just sad to leave it all behind when I came back here.”

“Ah don’t suppose you’d be willin’ ta try other activities?” The big man suggested.

“I might. Depending on who’s asking.” Mae replied in a husky voice, brushing her bare foot against Mac’s leg. While she giggled at his flustered reaction, the teacher whispered. “I’m talking about you, by the way. In case it wasn’t obvious... ”

Macintosh suddenly found the tablecloth interesting, “Are ya drunk?”

“No!” Cheerliee shot back primly, “Perhaps a bit tipsy. A sure sign that the whiskey you brewed is smooth and goes down easy.” Upon taking another sip of water she asked, “Speaking of activities, I was wondering if you might give me a tour of Sweet Apple Acres sometime? I always wanted to see it when we were teenagers.”

“Sure! Uh… if you’d be interested.”

“Wonderful!” Daisy Mae exclaimed while clapping her hands together. Inwardly, she felt like she was walking on clouds. The date had gone far better than she’d dared hope. In fact, she needed a memento of it. Flagging down Coriander, she scooted her chair so that she was side by side with Mac. Passing him her phone, she asked. “Would you mind taking a picture of us together?”

“Of course,” Coriander replied, taking the phone and leaning back. “Say, Tasty Treat is Number One!”

Throwing her arm over Mac’s broad shoulder, Daisy Mae pressed her face up against his and smiled as Coriander took a picture. Mac flushed but did the same, placing his hand on Mae’s bare hip. She squealed with joy internally as the portly man lowered the phone. “How about a kiss? For good luck!”

“Ah don’t know...” He mumbled.

Cheerliee tickled the bottom of Mac’s chin, “Please? For me?” She delighted in the way his big green eyes softened as he turned to her. Chastely, the two kissed, losing one another in the moment. Mac’s lips tasted of curry and whiskey, an unorthodox combination, but one that she quite enjoyed nonetheless. They broke apart after a minute or so when Coriander returned her phone.

“Might I interest you in dessert?”

White Mist Resort (I)

Chapter 9

Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville

Applejack shuffled into the barn and placed the tree-pruning axe in its proper spot on the tool rack along the wall. Not only did this prevent the axe from getting lost, but it was much safer than letting it sit in the grass haphazardly. After all, getting your foot cut on an axe head was no laughing matter. For humans and dogs alike. Speaking of safety, Applejack removed her work gloves (a necessity for preventing painful skin blisters), placed them in the drawer below the tool rack, and used a washcloth to wipe her face. While she made her way back out to the truck, Winona took the liberty of licking Applejack’s leg. It was a lifelong habit of the border collie; she’d done so ever since she was but a tiny pup. The general consensus among the Apple Family was that Winona simply enjoyed the taste of anything that happened to be salty.

The blonde farmer ruffled her canine companion’s fur upon taking a big swig of water from a thermos. Yet another important safety rule while working on the farm was staying hydrated. Being nude all the time had the advantage of cooling down the body more efficiently while out in the heat, but that didn’t stop anyone from perspiring. One time, Granny caught Big Mac heading out to the fields without a thermos and smacked him upside the head for it, calling him a pig-headed fool. Suffice to say, the Apple Family took their wellbeing and safety quite seriously.

Apple Bloom joined her older sibling after she finished depositing scrap wood into the still furnaces. The two sisters sat next to one another on the grassy hill next to the barn, hardly uttering a word for quite some time. Sensing that something must have been wrong, Applejack reached over, wrapped her arm around Apple Bloom’s shoulder, and pulled her into a half-hug.

“What’s wrong, Sugarcube? You’ve been awfully quiet since yesterday.”

Apple Bloom sighed while she wiggled her toes in the grass. “Nothin’ that you’d be interested in hearin’ ‘bout. If Ah told ya what’s goin’ on, you’d just call me silly fer worryin’.”

“Can’t be silly if it’s got ya this worked up. Go on and tell me. Promise Ah won’t judge.”

Apple Bloom took a swig of water and cleared her throat. “There’s this group project the girls and Ah have been workin’ on at school. Ya know, the kind o’ project that everybody’s gotta do their part. Except, Scoots blew us off yesterday ta go play soccer with Rainbow Dash instead. Sweetie got real upset with her and they ended up havin’ a fight. I’ve been tryin’ ta figure out how ta git ‘em back together again and bury the hatchet, so ta speak.”

“Boy, howdy. Sounds like teenage drama ta me. Erm—no offence.” Applejack remarked.

“Everybody keeps sayin’ that! Ah suppose we’re all at the age where hormones are runnin’ amok and whatnot. In any case, Ah went ahead and asked Miss Cheerilee what Ah should do. She suggested that Ah level the playin’ field. Take ‘em both ta a place where it sets ‘em off balance. Ah figured Ah could invite ‘em over here, so they could hash things out. Sound good?”

Applejack rubbed her chin in thought. “Yer plan might work. But Ah feel like it needs somethin’ a little extra. How ‘bout ya git ‘em ta take their clothes off when they arrive? Ain’t nothin’ more honest and straightforward than skinship amongst friends. That’ll distract ‘em enough from their little hormone-fueled spat ta start thinkin’ ‘bout more important things, Ah reckon.”

Apple Bloom frowned. “Ah dunno, AJ. What yer suggestin’ sounds an awful lot like forced coercion. Believe me, I’ve tried mah best not ta be too preachy ‘bout our lifestyle with Sweetie and Scoots, no matter the circumstances. Just doesn’t sit right with me.”

“Look, Ah ain’t suggestin’ that yer friends need ta be forced into anythin’. If they don’t wanna strip, they don’t have ta. Just ask ‘em politely if they’d oblige yer request. Given the fact that Sweet Apple Acres is private property and they’re accustomed ta seein’ us walkin’ ‘roud nekkid, it might tip the scales in yer favor. Ya won’t know fer sure until ya ask.”

Apple Bloom scratched behind Winona’s ears before getting up to stretch her legs. “Fair enough. Say, Applejack. How’s yer college classes been goin’ lately? Any problems?”

“Can’t say there’s been any. Although, Ah really ought ta call Haki at some point…”

Apple Bloom cocked her head. “Y’all don’t text each other?”

Applejack blushed and rubbed the back of her neck. “Ah ain’t real big on textin’. Call me old-fashioned, but it feels kinda impersonal. Ah mean, sure we hang out at school sometimes but… we haven’t gone out on an official date yet, ta speak of. Does that make me a bad girlfriend?”

Apple Bloom ignored the question and offered a suggestion of her own instead. “The Harvest Festival break is comin’ up soon, so why don’t y’all do somethin’ special then? We’ve already got most o’ the hard work done ‘round the farm as is. Mac and Ah can take care o’ yer chores if ya decide ta go anywhere. C’mon, AJ! Say yes. Ya deserve some time off.”

“Fine. I’ll think about it. But mah decision hasn’t been set in stone yet, ya hear!”

Apple Bloom grinned from ear to ear and whistled for Winona to follow her. “I’ll give ya some time alone ta mull it over. As fer me, I’m gonna head back ta the house and take a nice, hot bubble bath. Maybe send Scoots n’ Sweetie a text. We’ll see. Later, AJ!”

While Applejack began to consider her options, unsure of what to do or where to go, her phone started ringing. She sprang to her feet, walked over to the truck, and retrieved her phone from where it sat on the passenger seat. A quick glance at the caller ID screen told Applejack that it was Roz. Knowing full-well that her friend could be a chatterbox if given the opportunity, Applejack hesitated to swipe her finger across the accept call button. In the end, Applejack realized that Roz might just be the best person to talk to regarding her date with Haki.

“Mornin’, Roz. How’re ya doin’ this fine Saturday?”

“Quite well, thank you!” The bubbly nudist responded.

Applejack shuffled her feet in the grass. “That’s good. Any particular reason ya called?”

“Do I need one to have a casual conversation with my friend?”

Applejack scratched the back of her ear. “Ah suppose not. We just finished up our chores fer the day here at the farm. So—um—Ah got some free time on mah hands now. Ya got any plans fer the remainder o’ the day or…”

“That is part of the reason why I called you today! I was wondering, if perhaps, you would like to do something fun with me during the Harvest Festival. You see, my Uncle Alyosha & Aunt Himiko have extended an invitation to stay at their onsen resort in the mountains. They told me that I could bring along a few friends if I so desired. Please, Applejack! It would make me very happy if you would come along. I get bored just hanging around my family all day…”

Sensing an opportunity, Applejack perked up. “What the heck is an onsen?”

“Oh, well it is simply the Japanese term for a hot spring. Trust me, Applejack. The resort is picturesque and there are plenty of other things to do there other than bathing. Like table tennis, hot rock massages, and hiking if that suits your tastes. The entire resort is clothing optional, as per my uncle’s specifications. You wouldn’t have to worry about packing much.”

Applejack hummed. “Ya don’t say. If Ah were so inclined, could Ah invite Haki along?”

“The more the merrier, I say! He is most welcome to come along with us.”

Applejack cleared her throat. “Welp, Ah reckon I’ll take ya up on yer offer. When should Ah tell Haki ta git ready?”

“We could leave as early as tomorrow morning, if you wish. No need to worry about transportation. My uncle will send one of his drivers to pick us up. And do not worry about expenses either! Everything is covered under my special family discount.”

“That all sounds like it’d cost a pretty penny. Are ya sure Ah can’t contribute—”

“NYET,” Roz affirmed, “I want to treat you this time around!”

“Alrighty then. If ya insist, Ah won’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”

Applejack could hear Roz clapping her hands in the background. “Prevoskhodno! You will not regret it, Applejack. Ooohhhhhh~ We’re going to have so much fun! I’M EXCITED!!!!”

“Yeah, Ah can tell. Well—umm—see ya later, Roz.”

“Don’t you mean early, Applejack? Remember: we will be leaving at six o’clock in the morning. It is a long drive to the resort, so we need to hit the road as soon as possible in order to arrive in time for lunch. I’m certain that my Aunt and Uncle have something marvelous planned.”

“Not a problem. I’m an early-riser.” Applejack affirmed.

“As expected of a farmer! I bid you farewell and a pleasant day.”

Applejack turned off her phone with a quick tap and started walking back towards the family abode. Upon entering the kitchen, the blonde nudist cracked open the fridge and grabbed a bottle of beer, causally swigging the golden weißbräu while she made her way into the living room. Applejack believed that it was still a bit too early in the day to be consuming alcohol but beer did not pack the same punch as hard liquor. Not even close. Given how Granny guzzled down shots of whiskey on the slightest whim, whenever and wherever she pleased, it was a genuine medical miracle that her liver hadn’t been turned into a giant pickle decades ago.

The three siblings had made an earnest attempt to get their grandmother to curb her nasty drinking habit, but she stubbornly refused to stop stating: “It’s mah body; I’ll embalm it however Ah damn-well please. Less effort fer the undertaker”. Her cantankerousness notwithstanding, the doctor always gave her a clean bill of health after every annual checkup. It served, at least in her mind, as irrefutable proof of her longevity. Of course, this was the same woman who worked harder than most people half her age, and was twice as strong as them too.

Dismissing the pang of guilt that remained in her conscience, Applejack plopped onto the couch and turned on the TV. An annoyed grunt and fifty channels later signaled that there simply weren't any programs worth watching at the moment. Once her beer was finished, Applejack belched loudly and laid back on the couch, crossing one leg over the other. As if summoned by magic, Winona scampered into the living room and joined her mistress for an impromptu snuggle session. The border collie smelled slightly of soap and shampoo.

“Ah reckon Apple Bloom’s takin’ her bath now.”

Winona let out a soft whuff and licked Applejack’s face.

“Ah know ya like takin’ baths but it ain’t proper fer a pooch ta git in the tub with people.”

Wagging her tail expectantly, Winona pointed her snout towards the kitchen.

“You’ll git some victuals soon enough. I’m sure Ganny’s got somethin’ nice planned fer lunch.”

With nothing better to do, Applejack’s mind drifted while she ran her fingers through Winona’s fur. She began to think of Haki and the upcoming trip to the onsen resort. A simple text would not do. She would need to call him, at the very least, perhaps even live video chat was an option. Applejack leaned over and picked up her phone, turning it on once more. Her stomach churned with a swarm of butterflies, her mouth became dry, as if stuffed full of cotton balls. She let out a sharp sigh as she enabled the video option in the call settings.

“Why am Ah actin’ like such a nervous nelly? It’s just a phone call. It ain’t like Haki hasn’t seen me nekkid before. What do ya think, gal? Should Ah go fer it or… wait until later?”

Winona barked once and nudged Applejack’s armpit in response.

“Ok, fine! I’ll git the blasted call over with.”

For what seemed like an eternity, Applejack waited for Haki to respond, unsure if she was calling him at an appropriate time of the day. She was just about to resign herself to sending a text instead, when Haki appeared on screen shirtless and soaking wet. Unused to seeing him in such a state, Applejack coughed loudly and tried her best to act casual. As was apparent by his befuddled expression, the young swimmer wasn’t expecting to see his beau naked either. A painful moment of awkward silence stretched between them, only broken by Winona’s whuff.

“Uh… howdy, Haki. Did Ah catch ya at a bad time?”

“I was just finishing up my practice routine in the pool. Need stay fit and conditioned for the team! But I’m sure you take that mantra to heart, considering that you work on a farm. It really shows! You look amazing today. Not that you don’t look amazing any other day of the week but—UGH—just forget I said anything. What’s up?” Haki asked hesitantly, wincing slightly.

“Ah was wonderin’ if we might discuss the up comin’ Harvest Festival break. Got any plans?”

Haki rubbed the back of his neck. “Not really. Do you have something in mind?”

Applejack blushed slightly and began playing with a strand of her hair. “Roz extended me an invitation this mornin’ ta visit her uncle’s hot spring resort over the break. She said Ah could bring along a plus one. All expenses paid too. So—um—would that pique yer interest, Haki?”

“Yeah. I think I’d like that. Look, Applejack I’m… sorry if it seems like I’ve been ignoring you. With everything going on at school, homework, and the swim team, I haven’t gotten the chance to spend much time with you. I promise that I’ll make it up to you during the break.”

Applejack offered him a warm smile. “Haki, ya don’t have ta apologize fer that. In fact, I’m just as guilty fer bein’ too busy ta spend time with ya as o’ late. What’s important is that we’ve got ourselves an opportunity ta do somethin’ special and we might as well take advantage of it.”

“Agreed. Is there anything in particular that I should pack?”

Applejack chuckled. “Ya shouldn’t need much. It’s a clothin’ optional resort.”

“Oh, I… see.”

Applejack frowned, hoping that she hadn’t made Haki reconsider his answer. “Goes without sayin’ that Roz & Ah won’t be wearnin’ anythin’ other than our birthday suits if we can help it. Ya don’t have ta join in but… I’d consider it a personal favor if ya gave naturism a try. After a while, ya might come ta enjoy it like Ah do. Who knows?”

Haki took in a deep breath and sighed. “I suppose it’s only fair. You’ve been honest with me about your lifestyle, so it’s high time that I put my money where my mouth is. Besides, I talked to my aunt about naturism and did a bit of experimentation of my own. Just to see what it’s like.”

Applejack cocked her brow. “Do anythin’ interestin’?”

“Just normal stuff. Like sleeping in the nude, the occasional skinny dip. Nothing too dramatic.”

Excitement bubbled up in Applejack’s chest. “How’d ya like it so far?”

“Well—erm—I suppose it’s not too bad. Not having to worry about a speedo is nice.”

Applejack nodded in agreement. “Ah reckon ya might have the same problem as mah brother. Too much banana and not enough hammock ta hold it in. Heh. Ah figure that bathin’ suits have gotta be one o’ the most pointless inventions ever. All they’re good fer is givin’ ya wedgies or weighin’ ya down in the water. Rarity seems ta fancy ‘em though. Same with sexy lingerie.”

Haki laughed nervously at the unspoken implication of Applejack’s joke, despite there being some truth behind it. “Everyone’s entitled to their own tastes and opinions.”

“It’s settled then. Ya best pack what ya need quick, considerin’ that we’re leavin’ bright and early tomorrow mornin’. Roz said her driver would pick us at the front gate of Sweet Apple Acres. If ya want, I can swing by yer aunt’s place tomorrow beforehand.”

“Sounds good. What time should I be ready by?”

Applejack tapped her chin. “Five o’clock just ta be safe. Doesn’t take long fer me ta git there but I’d rather not miss our ride ta the resort. See ya then, Haki.”

Both Haki and Applejack decided to keep it simple as far as their attire was concerned. Canterlot Valley was pleasantly warm all year around, so the young couple stuck to jeans and t-shirts. They packed lightly too, considering that the entire property was supposedly clothing optional. At the very least, Applejack reasoned, she would remain nude for the duration of the Harvest Festival once they arrived at the onsen resort. The blonde farmer looked over at her boyfriend and frowned. It was apparent that Haki didn’t seem keen on the idea of spending his entire break wearing nothing but a smile. Applejack reached over and held his hand, giving it a firm squeeze to show her support. He returned the gesture and let out a heavy sigh.

“Ah can tell yer nervous, Haki. Wanna talk ‘bout it while we wait?”

The collegiate swimmer shrugged. “Now’s as good a time as any, I guess. Like I mentioned before, I’ve been experimenting with naturism for a little while. Only at my aunt’s house, of course. She’s been very supportive of my decision and has offered me tons of advice. It’s not quite as weird to me as before but… being naked with you at the onsen is a different matter entirely.”

Applejack leaned in closer and wrapped Haki in a half-hug. “I’m a tad nervous too, ta be honest. This is the first time I’ve ever gone out on a trip with a fella Ah fancy. Doubly so since yer the first boyfriend I’ve ever had period. Look on the bright side, Haki. You’ve already seen me in mah birthday suit plenty o’ times. That there’s half the battle!”

“You’ve never seen me naked before. Well, completely at any rate…”

Applejack rubbed Haki’s back encouragingly. “Why’s that a problem? Ah don’t think you’ve got anythin’ ta be ashamed of. Ah mean, sure, we tease Mac fer havin’ a big ole mole on his family jewels but it’s all in the name o’ good-natured fun. Ah don’t want ya ta feel like ya have ta take yer clothes off fer mah sake. That ain’t what relationships are all ‘bout.”

“Aunt Z said something similar. It’s just that I haven’t had much experience with relationships either up to this point. I tended to focus most of my attention on schoolwork and swimming. The last girlfriend I dated, things—umm—didn’t work out so well between us. We didn’t separate on good terms. I don’t want what we have to end up that way if I can help it.”

Applejack kissed Haki’s cheek and smiled. “Ah don’t think that’ll happen.”

“Perhaps not. UGH! Am I just overthinking again?”

Applejack rested her head against Haki’s shoulder. “Nah. Ah reckon it’s normal fer folks ta ponder such scenarios. I’ve been known ta do it too on occasion. More importantly, Ah want ya ta understand that I’ll be as supportive as Ah can no matter what ya choose ta do, Haki.”

“I know you will. And I appreciate it, Applejack. Really, I do. But what kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn’t show the same level of commitment to understanding your lifestyle? That’s why I feel like I need to give going au naturale a try while we’re at the resort. I owe you that much.”

Before Applejack could respond, a black Aurus Senat pulled up to the entrance of Sweet Apple Acres. Even with the windows closed, the young couple could hear Russian pop music blasting at full volume within. A moment later, the rear passenger door opened, revealing a familiar face and a whole lot more. Roz waved to them both enthusiastically in all her pale-skinned glory, unconcerned that they were shooting her strange looks. In particular, Haki had a difficult time keeping his eyes above Roz’s neckline. She padded over to Applejack and gave her friend a bone-crushing hug. An embrace that Applejack hesitantly returned while Haki busied himself by loading their luggage into the luxury car’s trunk.

“Good morning, Applejack! Are you as excited as I am to visit the onsen?”

Applejack wasn’t sure if Roz was just particularly perky this morning or had decided to wear her nipple studs again. She supposed it was a combination of both. “Reckon Ah am. So—umm—any reason why yer nekkid? Ah was under the impression we’d take our clothes off once we got there, not beforehand.”

Roz jumped in place and giggled. “The funny thing is, in my excitement, I forgot to put anything on when I woke up this morning. By the time I realized that I was bereft of clothing, Boris had driven half the distance to Sweet Apple Acres already. My Aunt & Uncle will not mind, I assure you! They are used to seeing me this way. Does my nudity upset you somehow?”

Applejack rubbed the back of her neck. “It doesn’t bother me none. I’m more concerned ‘bout Haki. He’s never… seen ya nekkid before. Ah imagine it’ll be a might distractin’ for him durin’ our trip ta the resort, if ya catch mah meanin’.”

Roz looked down at her breasts, adjusted a stud, and cocked her head. “He is the handsome negry loading the luggage into the trunk, yes? I can see why you like him so much. Such strong, robust legs! I wonder if his third leg is equally so. Have you gotten the chance to test it out yet?”

Applejack’s cheeks flushed a deep shade of crimson. “ROZ!! First o’ all, ya can’t call Zebricans that word. It ain’t proper. Second, we haven’t gotten that far yet. That’s part o’ the reason Ah invited him along. We’ve both been too busy with school n’ such ta devote much time towards developin’ our relationship. A little rest n’ relaxation will do us wonders.”

Roz blushed in turn, shuffling her feet in the grass. “My apologies. Negry is what we call all dark-skinned people in my homeland. I did not mean any offence by using the term.”

“Well, alright. Just make sure ya don’t ever call him that.”

Roz clapped her hands together. “I have an idea! Why don’t you take off your clothes too! That way, Haki will be distracted by the both of us equally. We can sit together on one side, and he can sit opposite of us. What is the phrase—hmm—two for the price of one!”

“Ah think I’ll pass on that, sugarcube. We need ta git movin’ along anyway.”

Roz scampered back to the car and entered on the left-hand side, while Haki and Applejack entered on the right. Their driver, a suit-wearing, black-haired man with a bushy moustache turned down the music and acknowledged their presence with a simple grunt. Roz said something to him in her native tongue and he proceeded to drive towards their destination. A few minutes passed and no one said anything. Roz appeared to be her cheerful self with a friendly smile spread across her lips. Poor Haki, on the other hand, was tense and clearly uncomfortable at the prospect of sitting directly across from a nude Russian girl. It should also be noted that Roz was unconcerned with being modest and sat whichever way she felt was most comfortable.

“It is nice to finally meet you, Mr. Haki. My name is Roz! How are you doing?”

Haki chuckled nervously. “Just Haki is fine. I—uh—I’m ok. And you?”

“Very well, thank you. Ooooh! I’m sure that you two will love the hot springs~ They are said to have special properties. Such as making the skin smoother and more radiant. I also heard there is something in the water that increases virility in men, but I am unsure how true the claim is.”

Haki bit his lip, trying to ignore just how much Roz jiggled while she conversed. Like many of her countrymen, she loved to talk with her hands. “Sounds like an interesting theory. So… where are you from originally?”

“My family hails from Stalliongrad. That is where I was born too! I came here to study and earn my degree as a foreign exchange student. But unfortunately, I found that it is quite difficult making friends. That is why I am so happy to have met Applejack.”

Haki frowned. “Oh. Well, then I’d be remiss if I didn’t try to be your friend too.”

“Da! A most agreeable arrangement. Would you like some refreshments while we wait?”

Haki shrugged. “Sure. I could eat. What do you have?”

Roz opened the mini fridge underneath her seat and pulled out a thermos of tea, crackers, and a gold tin. “Only the finest caviar for my friends! Please, eat as much as you’d like.”

“HOLY SHIT! Is that Beluga caviar?”

Roz blinked owlishly. “Is there something wrong with your serving? Uncle Alyosha tells me that it is the very best caviar one can buy on the market.”

Upon pouring himself and Applejack a mug full of hot tea, Haki cleared his throat. “Roz, please don’t take this the wrong way but… how are you able to afford that kind of stuff? The car seems pretty swanky too. Is your family rich or something?”

Roz tapped her chin in thought. “My papa says that we make our money through a diverse distribution network. I tried asking him one time what exactly it was that we shipped around the world, but he told me not to worry about it. All that matters to me is that I get to follow my dream of becoming a famous pastry chef. It is what I’ve wanted ever since I was a little girl.”

Haki felt his butthole pucker while he nibbled on a caviar covered cracker. “Well—uh—your dad sounds like he’s a pretty busy guy. I assume your family still lives in Stalliongrad?”

“Correct. At some point, I would like to visit them. As I mentioned before, it can get very lonely living by yourself in a foreign country without any friends…” Roz answered in a soft voice.

“Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to befriend a Russian Mafia Princess?!” Haki whispered in Applejack’s ear.

Applejack jabbed her elbow into Haki’s ribs. “Ah had no idea that’s what her folks did fer a livin’. This is the first time I’ve ever heard ‘bout it! Listen, Haki. Roz ain’t a bad apple. She’s just a lonely gal whose family happens ta run a less than reputable business back home. Cut her some slack, will ya? Honest ta Pete! Ah thought ya were better than that.”

After taking a swig of tea, Haki sighed. “I’m sorry, AJ. I just don’t want us to get caught in the crossfire. Can we at least agree on that?”

“Judgin’ by her father’s attitude, seems ta me like he keeps Roz outta the family business.”

Haki rubbed his temples. “So, it would seem. Don’t make me regret trusting you on this.”

Roz gently placed her hand on Applejack’s thigh and frowned. “Have I offended you somehow? You two seem upset with me. If I have talked too much, I can be quiet for—”

“Mah apologies, Roz. Haki and Ah were just havin’ a little discussion amongst ourselves. Nothin’ ta be concerned ‘bout. Ya didn’t do anythin’ wrong, Ah promise.”

The dark-haired Russian fidgeted in her seat and wiggled her toes in the plush carpet. “Ok. But please be honest with me if I am causing any issues for either of you. People do not often say it directly to my face, but I know that I have a tendency to be a real bolvan sometimes.”

Roz looked so dejected that Haki immediately came to regret what he’d said earlier. He’d only just met the woman and was already jumping to conclusions that might not be true. With an encouraging nudge from Applejack, he placed his hand on Roz’s knee. “I think we might’ve gotten off on the wrong foot. This whole situation is just so alien to me that I’m a bit on edge.”

Roz blushed and played with one of her ear rings. “There can be no doubt that I contributed to the awkwardness of our first meeting. You’re not a… naturist like us, are you, Haki?”

“No, but my aunt is. I’ve been staying with her since she works at Canterlot University.”

Roz perked up and nibbled on a cracker. “She is the neg—plant professor, yes? I like her! Miss Zecora is a very good teacher. Kind, patient, and beautiful. I did not know she was a naturist!”

“Yeah. It ties in with our native Zebrican culture, apparently. My dad shied away from tradition and didn’t teach me much about our roots. I only recently started learning about how my ancestors lived from my aunt, including the whole ‘connecting with nature’ bit.”

“And how do you like it so far?”

Haki chuckled. “Takes a lot of getting used to, I’ll admit.”

Roz suddenly took hold of Haki’s hand. “Not to worry, my friend! You shall have ample opportunity to experience the joys of clothes-free living at my uncle’s resort. That is why he built it in the first place. Bearing that in mind, do not be surprised if he is nude when we arrive.”

“Does that mean your aunt will be too?” Haki asked hesitantly.

Roz nodded. “I believe so. My aunt and uncle have lived as naturists for nearly as long as they have been married. Aunt Himiko was initially hesitant to embrace the lifestyle because she was raised in a very strict, conservative household. But she came to appreciate it over time.”

“Like I told AJ, I’m willing to give it a try. Erm—even though I’ll be a nervous wreck at first.”

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Ah still think yer makin’ a mountain outta a molehill.”

Boris finally tapped on the window to indicate that they had arrived at the resort. Roz rubbed her hands together excitedly and squealed. “WE HAVE ARRIVED AT LAST!!!”

Everyone exited the car in an orderly fashion while Boris took care of putting away the luggage. Applejack took one look at the resort and let out an impressed whistle. It was like traveling back in time and visiting the estate of a wealthy Daimyo during the shogunate era. Sprawling Japanese Zen gardens set around the main complex gave the resort a near mystical quality, and served to enhance the natural beauty of the mountainous terrain beyond. The trio made their way over to a koi pond, observing the beautiful fish while they glided through the water with graceful ease.

Roz squatted by the edge of the pond and frowned. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Koi. We don’t have any food for you. But! I promise that I shall come back later and give you a treat!”

Applejack shook her head. “Roz, they ain’t goldfish. Ya can’t just give ‘em flakes. I’m sure yer aunt and uncle pay a pretty penny ta keep ‘em healthy n’ fed proper. Ask before ya do anythin’.”

Roz crossed her arms underneath her breasts and pouted. “I wasn’t going to throw random food in there! Uncle Alyosha let me feed them before when I was a little girl. I know what to do!”

“Alright. Ah believe ya. Just was makin’ sure ya didn’t cause any trouble.”

Haki looked around and noticed a distinct lack of guests. “This place is amazing but where is everyone? I was under the impression that there’d be more people staying here.”

Roz chuckled and offered her companions a sheepish smile. “About that. I—um—must have forgotten to mention that the entire resort has been reserved just for us during the break. Don’t worry! My uncle does so whenever there is a visitor from the family. I assure you that the resort is very popular all year round and attracts many guests.”

With a shrug, Haki took Applejack’s hand and they walked beside Roz toward the entrance. Atop the doors was a large, decorative plaque with the kana: ホワイトミスト written on it. Before Applejack could ask what the phrase meant, a bald-headed man dressed in a navy-blue kimono walked through the entrance and waved at the trio. He was exceptionally tall, built like a mountain and had a thick, bushy black beard. His stormy eyes were friendly, despite his intimidating appearance. The sound of Roz’s bare feet pattering against the wooden floor while she ran towards the man left Applejack and Haki dumbfounded. The man simply chuckled as she leapt into his arms and gave him a patented Roz-style bear hug. Setting her down he beckoned for the young couple to follow him towards the lobby.

“Uncle Alyosha! It is so nice to see you again. I have missed you!”

The big man patted his niece’s head. “As have I, zefir. These are the friends you mentioned?”

“Yes, Uncle. Their names are Applejack and Haki, respectively. They both attend the same university as I do. That is how I met Applejack. Well, sort of. It was actually during a sketching session. She volunteered to be one of the nude models. Isn’t that wonderful?!”

Alyosha stroked his beard. “Da. She has a good build for it from what I can tell. Welcome to Howaitomisuto Onsen! I am Alyosha Rozmanov, host, and co-owner of the resort. But you may call me Al, if you wish. All my friends do. Please allow me to show you to your accommodations. Roz told me that you two are a couple, is that correct?”

Applejack and Haki both blushed and nodded in agreement. “That’s right, sir. We haven’t gotten the chance ta spend any quality time with each other as o’ late. Thought this might be a good opportunity ta rest, relax, n’ soak up the scenery.”

Al laughed. “There is plenty of soaking to be had, I assure you! In case you were curious, the sign outside means ‘White Mist Hot Springs’. A very literal interpretation of what goes on around here, but it sounds much more romantic in Japanese. My wife insisted on it.”

“Reckon it’s a right proper name fer the place. So—uh—Ah was wonderin’ if we might have a room ta ourselves. If it ain’t too much trouble. Ya know, since we’ll be wantin’ some privacy.”

Al thumped Applejack’s back in a friendly manner. It caused her a noticeable amount of pain, even though she pretended that it didn’t. “Roz mentioned as much. I took the liberty of preparing the deluxe couple’s suite for you two. You can even watch the sunrise over the mountains.”

“We certainly appreciate it, Mr. Rozmanov. Thank ya, kindly.”

Al clicked his tongue. “I must insist that you call me Al. There is no need for such formality here. In fact, why are you two still dressed? Take off your clothes. Get comfortable. Relax.”

An icy knot formed in Haki’s stomach. “You mean… like right here, right now?”

As if to answer his question, Alyosha slipped out of his kimono and instructed Boris to put it away somewhere. Haki’s pupils shrank to pin pricks when he saw just how big and hairy the Russian man was. A massive tattoo depicting the dark god, Chernabog, stretched across his back and upper arms like the canvas of a medieval painting. Unsure how to approach the situation, Haki looked to his girlfriend for support. With a shred of hesitation, Applejack began taking off her clothes and stood naked as the day she was born. Roz took it upon herself to initiate yet another embrace, relishing the tactile sensation of flesh meeting bare flesh. Applejack rolled her eyes at the bubbly girl’s antics, but had to admit that Roz was a good hugger.

Alyosha placed his hand on Haki’s shoulder. “What is wrong, Mr. Haki? Are you self-conscious about showing off your body? There is no reason to be. We are all naturists. Go on. Strip.”

“I’m not—sorry, guys. This is REALLY awkward for me. Just… give me a moment.”

Like a gangly teenager in the school locker room, Haki took off his clothes slowly and hesitantly. When he finally kicked off his cotton briefs, it marked the first occasion he’d ever been naked in front of Applejack and so many other strangers, beyond swim practice. A little voice in the back of his mind assured him that there was nothing to worry about and he was, as Applejack had so eloquently put it, making a mountain out of a molehill. Haki had to resist the urge to cover up his privates, grateful at the very least that the weather was warm and hadn’t caused any shrinkage.

While Haki shuffled around awkwardly, Applejack appraised his body with keen interest. She’d been taught from an early age not to judge anyone by the color of their skin, shape of their body, or physical imperfections they might have possessed. By all accounts, Applejack should have been used to seeing the human form in all its natural splendor at this point. Yet, just because she was a naturist, did not mean she was immune to appreciating the appeal of a person’s physique.

Applejack bit her lip as she took in every contour of Haki’s body. Smooth, chocolatey skin taught with muscle lurking just beneath the surface. If it hadn’t been obvious before, Applejack could definitely tell that Haki was a professional athlete. In particular, she focused on his butt cheeks and stomach, noting how delectably firm they were. Warm, tingly butterflies fluttered around in her stomach, slowly spreading their heat towards her unmentionables. Applejack had to close her eyes for a moment, take a deep breath, and remind herself that it was just the hormones talking. A perfectly natural reaction to an attractive male specimen. Eeyup.

The blonde naturist allowed herself a quick peek at the goods, so to speak. Haki wasn’t even close to her brother’s length. A little bigger than average, Applejack mused, but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. No, what really caught her attention was the sheer girth of Haki’s member. It was thick, veiny, and the bulbous head flared out to the sides ever so slightly. He was circumcised and waxed off all of his pubic hair, unlike Alyosha. Overall, Applejack could unequivocally say that she very much liked what she saw and preferred Haki au naturale.

Applejack flashed her boyfriend a supportive smile and blushed. “See? It ain’t so bad.”

Before Haki could respond, Roz squatted onto her haunches and stared below his waist intently. She giggled after Haki took a few steps back. “I have never seen such a thing before. Your manhood is like a thick-cut Krovyanka! Are all Zebricans similarly endowed or are you—”

Knowing how air-headed his niece could be, Alyosha gently grabbed her by the arm. “Let’s not make our guest feel uncomfortable by asking too many questions, zefir. Why don’t you run along to the café and grab a snack? I’m sure you’re hungry after being on the road for so many hours. I believe Boris was making some sweetmeat pirozhki. Those are your favorite, no?”

While Roz scampered off towards the café, Alyosha bowed to Haki. “My apologies, sir. Natalia is a sweet girl but sometimes she has trouble picking up on the—what’s the word—mood of the room, I believe the phrase goes. I hope she didn’t make you feel too uncomfortable.”

Haki rubbed the back of his neck with one hand and subconsciously used the other to cover up his manhood. “I’m not going to lie, that was pretty damn awkward. But… I need to get used to this whole walking around in the buff thing sooner or later. It might as well be now.”

“I’ll just let you two get settled in then. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ring the front desk. We have a gourmet-rated café and room service is available twenty-four seven. Hah. So long as you don’t mind an eclectic blend of Japanese and Russian food, that is. You haven’t lived until you’ve eaten a bowl of my wife’s smoked eel borscht!”

Applejack returned the bow and smiled. “We’ll keep that in mind whenever we start feelin’ a might peckish. Thanks, fer yer hospitality, Al.”

With everyone else in the room gone except for his girlfriend, Haki let out an irritated huff. “I swear that woman doesn’t understand the concept of personal space. Honestly, how much of her behavior can truly be blamed on being air headed? She practically was poking her nose around my junk! You don’t think mine looks strange compared to other guy’s dicks, do you?”

Caught off guard by the question, Applejack became flustered. “How the heck should Ah know?!”

“Well, you’re the naturist. I figure you’ve seen plenty of cocks flopping around.”

Applejack blushed and narrowed her eyes. “Is that what ya think Ah do all day? Stare at everyone’s unmentionables? Land’s sakes, Haki! That ain’t nowhere near proper etiquette.”

“I don’t know! I’ve never dated a naturist before. It’s not as though my aunt ever took me to any clubs or introduced me to her naked friends. This is uncharted territory for me, Applejack!”

Applejack sighed. “Ah didn’t mean ta snap at ya, Haki. If ya want the honest truth, Ah don’t think there’s anythin’ wrong with yer twig n’ berries or any other part o’ ya fer that matter. One o’ the core values o’ naturism is that ya don’t judge folks based on their appearance. This ain’t some high school locker room size measurin’ contest. All ya gotta do here is be yerself.”

“Just to be clear: when you say twig and berries, does that mean—”

Applejack put her hands on her hips and gave Haki the stink eye. “Ah don’t mean a literal twig, ya doofus! Quit worryin’ ‘bout yer size n’ shape. Yer family jewels are perfectly fine the way they were made. Don’t let what Roz said rattle yer chains too much.”

Feeling somewhat mollified, Haki carefully wrapped his arms around Applejack’s waist and pulled her in closer for an affectionate kiss on the lips. Afterwards, she leaned into his embrace and rested her head against Haki’s chest. He ran his fingers through her silky blonde hair, took in a deep breath, and savored Applejack’s natural scent mixed with the floral skin cream she’d used after her morning shower. Earthy, feminine, and uniquely her own. The young couple stood together for a time, content to enjoy the warmth only their bare skin could provide. Applejack was the one who finally broke their embrace when she heard her stomach gurgle. One sheepish chuckle later, she suggested that they head over to the café as well to rustle up some grub.

Fall Break Festivities (I)

Chapter 10

Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville

Apple Bloom couldn’t help but let out a pleasurable sigh as she slipped her legs into the warm, fragrant water of the bathtub. Ever since she was a little girl, she delighted in taking bubble baths. There was something immensely satisfying about washing away all the fatigue built up in your muscles after a hard day’s work. Doing it just for its own sake was fine too, she reckoned.

As she lowered the rest of her body deeper into the water, a brief precious memory appeared in her mind. She couldn’t have been more than three at the time but she remembered happily splashing around in this very tub. Playing with her and gently scrubbing her skin had been a strong woman with curly orange hair and bright blue eyes. Her mama. Pear Butter.

Apple Bloom smiled at the memory and reached out a hand as if to touch her. An excited bark and the scratching of paws on tile broke her from her reverie. “Winnona, wait-!”

Tongue lolling to the side, the energetic border collie leapt into Apple Bloom’s lap, splashing water everywhere. The teenager laughed and snorted as she playfully wrestled with the family dog before hugging Winona to her chest. “Look at the mess ya made, girl! Would it kill ya ta climb in the tub gently fer once?”

Winona sensed that her young mistress was in a good mood, so she languidly licked the human’s chin. Apple Bloom giggled and nuzzled Winona’s nose back. The dog whined and wriggled from her grasp and began to paddle around the sizable bathtub.

“C’mon now, this ain’t a swimmin’ pool.” Bloom giggled.

The bathroom door creaked open and a familiar old voice chuckled. “She ain’t the one who nearly got drowned by a critter a quarter of her size,” Granny Smith remarked with a wink.

“Like none o’ yer dogs ever jumped ya while takin’ a bath.”

“Heh. Ya got me there.” The old woman shook her head as she made to leave.

Apple Bloom pulled herself half out of the tub, coating her body in a layer of bubbles that resembled a dress. “Wait! Granny, Ah gotta ask ya somethin’.”

The old woman waved her hand and sat atop the toilet seat. “Go on then, child.”

“Sweetie & Scoots have been fightin’ lately. Ah wanna fix it. AJ and Mrs. Cheerliee suggested that Ah git ‘em on even ground.” She rubbed the back of her neck. “AJ went on further ta suggest that they should both be nekkid fer the occasion. That’s the even ground part. Durin’ the Harvest Festival Break, I’d like ta invite ‘em over fer snacks and whatnot. It’ll give ‘em a chance ta hash things out amongst themselves and make their peace. Is that ok with ya?”

Granny Smith rubbed her chin in thought. “This sort o’ plan could go either way, dearie. Bear in mind, they might not agree ta yer terms.” Apple Bloom nodded. “Shoot. Ah don’t see why not. Better idea then what Ah did when me ‘n Goldie had an argument at yer age.”

“What happened?”

“Damn near didn’t talk ta her fer a decade!” Granny smacked her thigh and chortled. “We held on ta that stupid grudge way longer than we had any right ta. Best you straighten those two out.”

Apple Bloom smiled, “Is it ok if they visit fer a day?”

Granny shook her head. “Eenope. The whole weekend. Do one o’ them sleepovers. We got plenty o’ space fer ‘em.”

“Thanks, Granny. Could ya pass me mah phone? Ah’d like ta text mah friends.” The younger Apple pointed to the device resting by the sink. Picking it up, Granny passed it to her then stared at Winona.

Clicking her tongue, the old woman got up and pulled the pooch from the bath, “You leave Apple Bloom in peace now, ya hear girl?” Winona’s ears flattened at Granny’s stern look. “Go find Applejack. Git.” Hopping from her arms, the dog shook herself dry and scampered away.

Apple Bloom settled back into her bath with a sigh of contentment as Granny left the bathroom, muttering about getting a snort of whiskey. Opening up her messages, the teenager scrolled to her personal group chat with Sweetie and Scootaloo. After taking a deep breath, she exhaled and carefully typed out a message.

Hey girls. I know things are a bit tense right now. I love you two a lot and I hate seeing you fight. How about you guys come over to Sweet Apple Acres during the break and have a sleepover with me? We can clear the air and hang out again. What do you say?

Placing her phone on the bathtub’s rim, the young naturist slid back into her bubble bath. Now it was up to Scootaloo and Sweetie to make the right choice.

Sweetie Belle reloaded her rifle as she backpedalled through the mines. The snarls of the Xenos echoed in her ears as an insectoid monster crawled from the darkness of the cave into the light of her shoulder lamp. Upon smacking the clip home, she shouldered her rifle and opened up on full auto, blowing holes in her chitinous enemies.

Turning, she yelled, “Dinky! How are the repairs coming?”

A blonde diamond dog with a cybernetic eye looked up from a futuristic minecart loaded with gemstones. Waving the wrench clenched in her gloved paws she shouted, “It’s Crazy Eye, Killer Pink!”

“Roleplaying now? Are you ki-” Jumping away from an exploding bug, Sweetie sighed, “Fine. CRAZY EYE, are the repairs done?!”

“Almost my Alpha! Hold 'em off!”

Blowing the head off a crab-like enemy, Sweetie heard the telltale click of an empty mag. Cursing, she drew a compact hot pink revolver and began carefully picking off the growing horde. Backing up she yelled, “Prop Jock, where are you?”

“Coming!” A nasally but excited voice bellowed as a hulking brown-furred diamond dog dashed into view. In his paws was a minigun which promptly began to spit hot death into the horde. Prop Jock’s beefy arms were tattooed, his fangs were painted red and sunglasses covered his orange eyes. All this made the tiny striped propellor hat perched on his head even more out of place.

Crazy Eye barked with excitement as she vaulted over the mine cart to join them. Her shotgun forced back the last of the Xenos as the laden minecart’s hoverjets slowly raised it above the cave surface. As it began to float away, she threw Sweetie some ammo.

“Ready to fight our way out Killer Pink?”

Sweetie smirked, “You know it Crazy Eye. Prop Jock?”

“Let’s kill some bugs, bitches!”

Several minutes of blasting bugs later, Sweetie’s pack made it to the dropship and clambered aboard. As they rocketed away an image of the trio of miners appeared. Prop Jock was kissing both his biceps while Crazy Eye break danced. Killer Pink meanwhile simply removed a pack of cigarettes from her pink overcoat and lit one with a wink.

Leaning back from her gaming PC, Sweetie stretched and yawned, “GG guys. You get that achievement, Button?” Her friend’s voices echoed over her headset.

Button Mash was as neurotic as ever, “I sure did Sweetie! It took more platforming than I expected though.”

Dinky giggle snorted, “So you can finally turn that hat of yours golden, huh?”

“Sure can! I’m going to look so cool. You girls wanna go again?”

“Nah, my mom wants me to help make some muffins with her tonight, for her side business,” The blonde replied. “You can drop by and be our taste tester, if you want.”

“Who me? Ohh wow…”

Sweetie smirked knowingly, “Well, aren’t you two a cute couple? I should go too, Rarity says gaming is bad for my posture.” Her phone vibrated beside her. “Besides, I’m getting a text. Same time next week?”

“You got it Killer Pink!”

“Sure thing boss!”

Laughing, Sweetie quit Galactic Diamond Dogs and picked up her phone. Upon opening it, her jovial expression faded as she read the message.

Hey girls. I know things are a bit tense right now. I love you two a lot and I hate seeing you fight. So how about you guys come have a sleepover at Sweet Apple Acres during the break? We can clear the air of this drama and just hang out again. What do you say?

A whole bevvy of emotions Sweetie had been trying to ignore for the past few days bubbled up inside her. Anger, shame, fear and hope all vying for dominance as she bit her lip. On the one hand, she was still upset at Scootaloo for goofing around with Rainbow Dash instead of helping with the project. But on the other, she wasn’t proud of the way she’d treated her friend either.

“Ugh! What should I do,” Sweetie muttered feeling the familiar sting of tears in her eyes. Rubbing her eyes angrily, she stood up and dashed across her room, covered in magical girl anime and sci-fi posters, to the door. Opening it, she called out. “Rarity, where are you?”

“In the living room darling!” Her sister’s singsong voice answered her.

Gripping her phone to her chest, Sweetie trudged to the living room, her stomach a bundle of nerves. She found Rarity clad in a paint-splattered blouse and smock with her hair tied in a messy yet somehow elegant bun. She was humming along to some classical music as she put brush to canvas. Her subject seemed to be a young man with a slight build wearing thick glasses, a sweater vest and nothing else.

“W-who’s that?” Sweetie asked with a faint tremble. “And why isn’t he wearing pants?”

Rarity carefully added a curve to her subject’s hips, “This is Micro Chips, darling. Sandalwood’s beau. Micro wanted to give Sandalwood something nice for his birthday next week, you see.” Turning her older sister smiled. “It’s quite sweet, if a bit risque.” Setting aside her brush, she approached Sweetie. “Sweetie, dear, what’s wrong?”

Blubbering incoherently, Sweetie ran into her sister’s embrace. Rarity didn’t say a word and simply clutched Sweetie to her chest while she had a good cry, stroking her hair. When she calmed down, the two siblings sat down on the couch.

“I assume that the saga with Scootaloo continues?” Rarity asked gently.

Sweetie rested her head on Rarity’s shoulder, “Mhmm. Apple Bloom wants to host a sleepover over the break so we can bury the hatchet.”

“But?”

“What if Scootaloo doesn’t want to apologize?” Sweetie’s lip trembled. “Apple Bloom hasn’t noticed, or maybe she doesn’t care, but Scoots has been ditching us a lot lately. What if she doesn’t want to be our friend anymore?”

Rarity rested her chin on her sister’s head, “Why would you think that, dear?”

“Because I was rotten to her. I got so angry at her when she wasn’t being helpful with our group project. I said some really hurtful things. Would you blame her if she didn’t want to be friends with me anymore?”

The two sisters sat in silence, Rarity idly twirling a strand of her hair, “All friends fight and have disagreements, sometimes even hurt one another. You have to care about someone an awful lot to be as upset as you are now.”

“I guess, but what if that’s the problem? I don’t want to keep putting in efforts and making excuses if she’s not willing to hang out with us.”

“Of course not but, Sweetie dear, we need to be generous with our friends. Sometimes they take a little, sometimes a lot. If Scootaloo wasn’t willing to do the same, I’d say cut her out of your life.” She hugged her sister a little tighter. “But, in her own uncouth way, she is. Why else do you think she came to the apartment the other day?”

Sweetie sniffed, “Do you think I should go?”

“I believe that would be the best course of action in this situation. You girls have a special bond and I’d hate to see you lose it.” Breaking the embrace, Rarity smiled. “Go with an open heart and mind, Sweetie dear. Don’t give up on Scootaloo just yet.”

“O-ok,” The younger girl drew herself up. “You’re right, Rarity. Besides, it’ll be fun to spend some time at Sweet Apple Acres.”

Rarity smirked, “More chances to check out the Apple Family jewels, hmmmm?”

“S-shut up!” Sweetie flushed as she texted her reply.

I’m game if Scootaloo is. When are you thinking AB?

Scootaloo reread the message again and bit her lip. Her pulse pounding not just from the adrenaline of her workout but also nerves. The prospect of confronting Sweetie again terrified the young athlete. What if she hated Scootaloo and made Apple Bloom choose between them?

Her fear gave way to anger as she recalled their confrontation. Sure, she’d bailed on them but it was to hang out with Rainbow Dash. Why was that so bad? Sweetie had a big sister too.

“Yo, Scoots, you aight?” A familiar voice called out. “Where’s that power drink?”

Shaking her head, Scootaloo tossed her phone onto her gym bag and grabbed a pair of water bottles. The tomboy was clad in a loose orange t-shirt and a pair of purple shorts. Her hair was matted with sweat, while grass stains had coloured her knees green.

As she jogged towards her big sister, she pasted a smile on her face, “All good, Dash.”

Rainbow Dash placed her foot on the soccer ball they’d been playing with and raised an eyebrow, “You sure?” She was everything Scootallo aspired to be. Confident, strong and outgoing, Rainbow Dash was athletic but unquestionably feminine. Her rainbow-coloured hair was shaved on the sides and spiked up on the top, giving her an aerodynamic look. About a head and shoulders taller then Scootaloo, she wore a black sports bra with matching spats.

The thing she envied the most about Rainbow Dash’s appearance though was her breasts. They weren’t very large but they were noticeable, firm, and well-shaped. That combined with her toned body meant no one ever mistook her for a boy. A frequent occurrence in Scootaloo’s life.

“Yeah,” She replied, tossing the drink underhanded. Catching it one-handed, Dash smirked before squirting the energy drink into her mouth. Doing her best to mimic her, Scootaloo tried to shove thoughts of Sweetie and Apple Bloom away. This was her time with Rainbow, not them.

Dash swished her drink in her mouth and gargled. Swallowing, she squirted her bottle at Scootaloo splashing her in the face, “What’s bugging you, squirt?”

“Nothing,” Scootaloo protested, squirting some energy drink right back. “Forget it.”

“You’re gonna tell me one way or the other Scoots,” Rainbow Dash replied as she dodged her attack. “Tell ya what, let's play for it. First to score a goal on the other spills their guts.”

Scootaloo blanched, “Hold on! What do I get if I win the match?”

Rainbow shrugged as she tossed her water bottle back to the side of the soccer field, “I dunno, you can ask me intimate details about my love life? Come on, let’s play ball!” Laughing, the collegiate athlete began to dribble the ball towards the centre of the field. Mentally cursing, Scootaloo followed and faced off against RD, who kicked the ball up into her hand.

“Sure you don’t wanna tell me?” Rainbow asked gently.

By way of answer, Scootaloo simply rotated her torso, clapped her hands and settled into a ready posture, “Throw the ball, Dash.” She smirked crookedly. “I’m looking forward to asking if you or Lightning Dust is the dom.”

“Heh! Alright then,” Rainbow Dash laughed as she tossed the ball straight up into the air. “You asked for it!”

As the ball descended, both girls leapt up to meet it. While she was shorter than Rainbow, Scootaloo’s legs were longer which helped her jump just slightly higher than her surrogate sibling. Lashing out with her hand, she knocked the ball onto her side of the field and dashed towards it. Rainbow, for her part, landed casually and bobbed on her feet.

Reaching the ball, Scootaloo began to dribble it down the field towards Rainbow’s net. If she could just score a quick goal, she could avoid this awkward conversation. Just like she was avoiding Sweetie and Apple Bloom.

For a brief moment, her dribbling faltered and she kicked the ball off to the side. As she moved to correct it, Rainbow Dash was suddenly right by her side smirking. Scootaloo knew the rumours that Dash had supernatural speed were all made up. The truth was that she knew exactly how to push her well-trained body to the limit. It was as impressive as it was terrifying.

Yelping, Scoots booted the ball towards Rainbow Dash’s distant net. As it bounced towards the edge, Dash took off, legs eating up the distance in a bounding, cyan blur. Heart pounding in her chest, Scootaloo followed suit, urging her legs to make up the distance.

Just feet away from the goal, Rainbow outran the ball and kicked it back towards Scootaloo. Turning on her heel she sprinted back towards her as Scootaloo slid to bunt the ball back towards Rainbow’s net. Scrambling to her feet, she raced for the ball barely reaching it before her mentor.

Cackling, Rainbow got in Scootaloo’s face as she desperately dribbled the ball. The two elbowed one another as their feet fought for domination before finally, by spinning the ball backwards with the bottom of her foot, the purple-haired tomboy broke free. Crowing, she lined up the perfect shot and booted it towards Rainbow’s net.

“Not so fast!” Rainbow yelled as Scoot’s foot hit the ball. Grinning she leapt in front of her surrogate sister and headbutted the ball away with an audible smacking noise. The sporty girl collapsed to the ground unmoving.

“RAINBOW?!” Scootaloo yelled running towards the downed athlete. She skidded to a stop in relief as Dash casually leapt to her feet. Tapping her forehead, she winked.

“I’ve got a thick skull, remember?” Speeding off towards the ball, which was rolling towards Scootaloo’s net, she called. “Now, watch me no scope this shit!”

Scootaloo’s relief gave way to her competitive spirit as she raced after Rainbow. This time, however, there was no catching her. Scootaloo could only watch as Rainbow took control of the ball, hooked it with her feet and tossed it up. As it fell she performed a spin kick that caused it to hit the back of Scootaloo’s net with a swish.

“GOALLLL!”

Puffing Scootaloo drew up beside her, “That... was a dirty trick.”

“Nah, just natural skill,” Rainbow replied, flexing for an imaginary crowd. “Alright, it’s time to spill the beans. What’s bugging you, kiddo?”

Scootaloo turned away, “You cheated.” Before she could storm away, she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her chest. Squawking, Scootaloo tried to break free as Rainbow wrestled her into a headlock. Her screams of protest became one of laughter as Rainbow began to noogie her little sister’s sweaty hair affectionately.

“Come onnnnn, tell me Scoots!” The two fell to the ground as they continued to wrestle for several moments. Eventually, the two athletes lay side by side, with Rainbow’s arm still wrapped around Scoots’ shoulder. Sitting up, she pulled Scootaloo with her and ruffled her hair. “Tell me.”

Scootaloo exhaled, “Promise you won’t get mad?”

“Never.”

“Ok.” The tomboy fidgeted but remained seated in the field. “I kind of messed up. No, scratch that, I screwed up pretty bad. Ya know how I’ve had a lot more time lately to hang out with you? Well, that’s because I’ve been blowing off Sweetiee and Apple Bloom on purpose.”

Rainbow was silent and simply stared at Scootaloo thoughtfully.

“Sweetiee was not taking it well and then I kind of bailed when we were supposed to be working on a class project together for social studies. She’s really pissed at me and… I’m worried that she hates me now.” Scootaloo rubbed her eyes as she felt them begin to sting. “It’s just… I apologized, ran over to her apartment in my gym clothes, and she still treated me like chopped liver. What’s so wrong with wanting to hang out with you?”

“I take it this was the day we got tagged in that post, right?” Rainbow asked quietly, rubbing Scootaloo’s back. The tomboy nodded, rubbing her teary eyes fiercely. “Why are you ditching them, Scoots? Rarity tells me Sweetie is really torn up about this.”

“Y-you knew?”

The athlete smiled crookedly, “Hey, we might not have been BFFs, but me and Rares were close in high school. Not gonna lie, I was pretty concerned to hear that you’re leaving your friends out in the cold. Especially for me.”

“But you’re my big sister! I never get upset when Sweetie and Apple Bloom spend time with their own!” Scootaloo protested.

“Yeah, but they don’t bail when you already have plans with them, dummy,” Rainbow replied, flicking Scootaloo’s forehead with her finger. “Scoots, you will always be my little sister even if we aren’t related. I love spending time with you. Even so, you shouldn’t spend all of your time with me. You’ve gotta patch things up with Sweetie. Was she the one who texted you?”

Scootaloo groaned, “No, it was from Apple Bloom. She wants to throw a sleepover at Sweet Apple Acres during the break. Get us to play nice together and whatnot.”

“It sounds like a good idea to me,” Rainbow smirked. “Ya know, you guys could always play spin the bottle-” She laughed as Scootaloo punched her arm. “Seriously! Grow a pair and go. Not literally, but you know what I mean! If you don’t, it will only make you guys drift apart further.”

“You’re right,” The younger girl sniffed. “They see me for who I really am, ya know? Not some butch lesbo but a girl who just happens to like sports n’ isn’t into--uh--girly stuff.” She flopped on the ground and covered her eyes. “Man! I can’t believe how stupid I was!”

Rainbow softly tousled her hair. “Everyone makes mistakes, Scoots. What matters is how we handle the aftermath. What did I teach you about that?”

“Apologize and put our best foot forward?”

“Exactly. Text ‘em, kiddo.”

Rolling to her feet, Scootaloo jogged over to her phone and picked it up. Opening her messages, she smiled at Sweetie's reply but felt a pang of panic. Typing quickly she replied: Sounds fun. Let's do it.

The redhead’s response was not long in coming.

That’s awesome girls! This sleepover is gonna be so much fun! How about we shoot for the first day of break? Just come to the main gate and be sure to pack light!

Light huh? Well, I guess we could afford to lose some baggage, huh Scoots?

Yeah. See you guys then.

There was nothing quite like ending a day of work with a good book, in Big Mac’s opinion. The big man was stretched out on a hammock hung on the porch with a view of the farm spread out at his feet. On a stool beside him, his cell phone and a half-full bottle of hard cider rested.

Dinner had been both filling and interesting. It seemed that both his sisters had plans for the break. Applejack was heading off with that Russian woman and her boyfriend to some fancy hot spring resort. Apple Bloom, meanwhile, had invited Scootaloo and Sweetie over to fix some teenage spat they had going on. It made Mac wish he had something planned other than work and finishing off the third book in The Age of Madness trilogy.

Grabbing his drink, he took a quick swig, resting the book on his chest. He supposed he could call Cheerilee, but he didn’t want to seem needy. Better to let her set the terms for their next date, he decided.

One chapter later, Mac was roused from his reading by the vibrating of his phone. Sliding his bookmark into place, he set aside his book and grabbed the device. His face lit up when he saw the caller ID.

“Daisy Mae! How are ya doin’ this fine evenin’?”

Mae laughed. “Just grading some assignments. Your sister’s group did very well, despite all the personal drama for those involved.”

Mac leaned back in his hammock. “Happy ta hear that. Bloom has a plan ta fix all o’ that. Seems ta be comin’ together nicely. Is that why ya called?”

“Um... no. I just wanted to hear your voice. Say, Macintosh, do you happen to have any plans for the fall break?”

The big farmer did his best to act casual. “Enope. Ah was plannin’ on buildin’ some whiskey barrels but otherwise just taking it easy. You?”

He listened as Mae breathed nervously over the phone. “I was wondering if you’d like to give me a tour of the farm over the break?”

“Ya mean Sweet Apple Acres?”

“I’ve always wanted to see it.” Mae hummed. “Also, I’ve been doing some research on nudism since our date. I think I’d like to try it out for myself. Your farm seems the best place to do so.”

“Really?!” Mac beamed before coughing. “Ah mean--there ain’t any rush. Do whatever ya feel comfortable with.” Privately Mac thought he’d be even more head over heels for her if she did.

“Of course, you’ve been nothing but a gentleman, Mac. I feel safe around you. I dare say, it’s the main reason why I’m even considering it in the first place,” She laughed awkwardly. “Anyway, would you like to show me around this weekend?”

Mac was relieved that Cheerilee couldn’t hear the thundering beat of his heart. “Ah would love ta. Just make sure ya bring some good walkin’ shoes and a water bottle. It’s a big property.” He coughed. “Ohh, and sunscreen too. Fer yer skin, o’ course. Assumin’ ya plan on showin’ a bit more than usual.”

Mae giggled, “I suppose all I really need to wear is a smile, right? For now, I suppose these assignments won’t grade themselves. See you soon, Mac. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Me too,” Mac replied as he hung up. Putting his phone on the stool he leant back and put his hands behind his head and smiled widely. The chance to spend more time with Daisy Mae, possibly skin to skin, had him feeling like he’d just won the lottery.

“Well, don’t ya look just look as smug as Winnona in the bathtub,” Granny Smith drawled as she sauntered out of the house. Taking a seat beside her grandson, she smirked. “Was that yer woman on the phone?”

“She ain’t mah woman, Granny,” Mac protested.

Granny Smith chuckled, “Whatever ya say, sonny boy. Is she comin’ over or what?”

“Mhmm. She’s mighty keen on checkin’ out the farm.”

“Ah imagine she’ll be checkin’ other things out too,” The old woman cackled. “Does she intend ta take her clothes off while she’s here?”

Big Mac rubbed the back of his neck. “She said she’d like ta give it a whirl, but ah don’t wanna push her. Just ta be safe, I’ll meet her at the gate in jeans and a shirt. We’ll let things evolve naturally from there.” He gestured to the orchard before them. “She wants ta see the farm, so that oughta work up a good sweat. Might suggest we try goin’ fer swim ta git her toes wet and all that.”

Granny nodded sagely. “That’s fer the best. Yer Daddy courted yer Mama like that, as Ah recall.” She snapped her fingers. “Say, ya oughta show them their old meetup spot. Mighty romantic place. Hell, Ah bet that’s where ya were conceived.”

Mac laughed heartily, scratching his chest while he shrugged, “Why not? It’s a beautiful hike. Thanks fer the advice, Granny.”

“No problem young’un. What ah’m here fer,” The old woman remarked as she settled back and enjoyed the setting sun with her grandson.

White Mist Resort (II)

Chapter 11

Main Hall, White Mist (Clothing Optional) Resort

Roz scampered down the hallway towards the café while Haki and Applejack followed close behind, hand in hand. Just moments before, they’d shared their first kiss and despite the warm, fuzzy feeling that tingled throughout her body, Applejack’s grumbling stomach had rudely interrupted the mood. At least it had given her a moment to contemplate what had just happened. With a disappointed frown, the blonde farmer realized that she was still falling back on old habits. She’d prioritized work and studies over developing her relationship with Haki. Granted, the entire purpose of this trip was to do just that, but it galled her to no end that they’d been dating for weeks now, and hadn’t so much as shared a kiss together up until this point.

For a conservative, young woman like Applejack, intimacy was a difficult subject to grasp. Just because she was comfortable with her body and nudity in general, didn’t mean that she was confident about expressing her sexual desires. That was another batch of apples, as far as she was concerned. Maybe even oranges. She glanced over at Haki, admiring his athletic physique, and felt her skin become unpleasantly clammy from an outpour of nervous sweat. What was she supposed to say? What was she supposed to do? Applejack assumed that he was experienced when it came to women and wanted to avoid making herself look like a fool at all costs.

Never in her entire life had Applejack ever felt so naked. Of course, her state of undress applied in the most literal definition of the word, but to her, the sensation was more akin to approaching a situation which she was completely unprepared for. Like if one were to split logs without bringing an axe first. Thankfully, her personal ruminations were cut short when Roz led them to an ornate training room that came straight out of a kung fu movie. Applejack had to admit that she wasn’t familiar enough with Asiatic cultures to understand the writing or the motifs.

One thing she did notice right away was the nude woman practicing with a fancy spear that had a blade on the end. Despite being in her early forties (an educated guess by Applejack’s reckoning), her body was in spectacular shape. Muscle tone was evident along her legs, back, shoulders, stomach, and especially her butt. Not quite so poignant as a professional bodybuilder but enough to demonstrate her athletic prowess. It came as no surprise that her pear-shaped breasts were petite and firm; they barely moved at all while she swung around the spear.

Her raven-colored hair was silky smooth, and held in a tidy bun by several decorative pins. When Applejack glanced down towards the woman’s waist, she spotted silky raven hair adorning the stranger’s womanhood. Unlike Applejack’s thick blonde tuft, her pubes were trimmed into a precise rectangular strip. What stood out the most about the woman was her pale skin. Whiter than freshly fallen snow. It made her diminutive, dusky pink nipples stand out by contrast. Across the woman’s shoulder blades was a large, colorful tattoo of a stylized crane with its wings spread out. Applejack shuddered to herself, knowing full well it would have taken countless hours of needlework to etch something of that scale onto the woman’s back.

Upon their approach, the pale-skinned beauty twirled her spear and placed it on a nearby rack, all in a single, smooth motion. She then padded over to the only table in the room and retrieved a large, white towel. While she was in the process of wiping away the excess sweat from her face, Roz ran over to her and enveloped the woman in a bone-crushing hug. She accepted the embrace readily enough, but Applejack could tell that it was awkward for her.

“It has been far too long, Aunt Kimi! How I have missed you!” Roz exclaimed excitedly.

“Yes, a pleasure to see you again, dearest niece. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I really must clean up after my training session. I’d rather not greet our new guests in such a state.”

Roz waved her hand. “A little sweat will not bother them. I promise!”

The raven-haired woman turned her attention towards Haki and Applejack, then bowed. “Please forgive my disheveled appearance, honored guests. My name is Himiko, co-proprietor of this establishment. If you will allow me, I must take a few moments to make myself presentable once more.”

Applejack offered her friendliest grin. “No worries, Miss Himiko. Take yer time ta freshen up and whatnot. We’re still tryin’ ta take in all the sights o’ this here resort. Roz mentioned wranglin’ up some grub, so that’s where we’re headed next.”

“Indeed. It is nearly dinner time. Natalia will show you to the café in the meantime.”

Himiko bowed once more, and began walking down the hall towards the showers. Applejack couldn’t help but notice that Haki had been watching her closely the whole time with a curious expression on his face. A slight pang of jealousy began to bubble up in the pit of her stomach, but she closed her eyes and let the feeling pass with a deep breath. Haki wasn’t accustomed to interacting with other people in the nude just yet, so a bit of ogling here and there was to be expected. Especially when it came to exotic, attractive women.

Once Himiko was out of sight, Applejack twirled a strand of her hair absentmindedly. “Can’t say I’ve ever met anyone from Japan before. She’s like a porcelain doll mixed with an action figure.”

“Yeah,” Haki agreed, “I wonder if she’s part of the Yakuza.”

“What makes ya say that?”

Haki rubbed his chin in thought. “Japanese women don’t typically get tattoos like that unless they’re being inducted into the Yakuza. It’s part of their initiation. She’s got the body of a trained killer too. Did you see the way she handled that spear? I’m positive she's a Yakuza.”

Applejack raised her brow and crossed her arms underneath her breasts. “Body of a killer, huh?”

“Applejack, there’s no reason for you to act that way. It’s not like anyone here is the least bit shy about showing off some skin. Including you, I might add! I thought that was the whole point of naturism. You know, like being comfortable with your own body image? So, cut me a little slack for observing what was right in front of me!”

Applejack’s shoulders sagged after she let out a heavy sigh. “Yer right. I’m sorry fer gettin’ on yer case, Haki. Ah suppose I’m feelin’ a might jealous on account o’ the fact that I’ve never had a boyfriend up until this point. Ah know it’s irrational, but Ah can’t help feelin’ the way Ah do when ya look at other women. Especially, the nekkid ones! Damn it; I sound right foolish…”

Haki pulled her into a half-hug. “You’re not foolish, AJ, just… inexperienced. And I’m sorry too. For snapping at you like that. Sometimes, I forget how little you know when it comes to relationships. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing! Everyone experiences certain aspects of life at their own pace. From now on, I promise that I’ll try to be more conscious of your feelings.”

Applejack shuffled her feet. “Maybe this ain’t the proper time ta discuss personal matters, but Ah think ya deserve some insight into how mah mind works. If yer serious about us bein’ honest with each other. Because Ah think that’s an important part o’ any relationship…”

Haki nodded in agreement. “Of course, I am. I believe that too.”

“Mah folks taught me that everyone’s unique. That a person should never be ashamed o’ who and what ya are. Fact o’ the matter is: I’ve spent most o’ mah natural life wearin’ nothin’ but mah birthday suit. And—um—Pa’s hat on occasion, if ya wanna split hairs.

“Ah try ta take o’ mah body as best Ah can. Considerin’ it’s the only one Ah got. Eatin’ right, proper hygiene and usin’ skin cream when necessary. Ya know, the usual routine for plenty o’ women out there. But I’ve never been one fer fancy perfumes, dresses, lingerie, and cosmetics. I’ve always been a no-frills country gal, and I’ve come ta accept that ‘bout mahself.

“Even so, there are times when Ah can’t help but compare mah figure ta that o’ other women. Dainty gals like Rarity and whatnot. Look at me, Haki! I’ve got more muscle tone than some fellas out there. Mah skin’s all tan and weathered from bein’ outside so much. When it comes right down ta it, Ah feel like I’m lackin’ feminine charm and grace. It’s downright frustratin’!”

Haki placed his hands on Applejack’s shoulders, rubbing them gently. Her muscles were incredibly tense for a few moments, but then she began to relax again. “Applejack, I didn’t ask you out because I was specifically looking for a ‘dainty gal’. I wanted to get to know you better because of all the things that make you special and fun to be around! But I’d be lying if I said my interest in you was based on personality alone. When I witnessed you modeling for the art club the first time, I was—uh—captivated by your no-frills country girl charm, let’s say.”

Applejack blushed furiously, unsure how to respond to such earnest praise. She paused for a moment, rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet until she was able to come up with something to break the awkward silence. “Is that so?”

Haki chuckled nervously. “Yeah.”

Still blushing, Applejack looked into his eyes. “Which part o’ me caught yer attention first?”

Haki rubbed the back of his neck. “Please don’t hate me for saying this but… it was definitely your ass. One of the finest I’ve ever seen! So firm and toned! Then your legs are also—EHEM—sorry. Not a very polite thing to say in front of a lady, but it’s the honest truth…”

Applejack shifted her gaze downward when she felt something warm brush up against her stomach, giggled, then kissed Haki on the cheek. “Looks like yer lower half is bein’ honest with me too. Not ta worry, Haki; I’ll take that as a compliment. Most sincere a woman can git.”

Upon the realization that he was standing at full mast, Haki tried to cover up his manhood but not before Roz walked towards the young couple to see what was going on. “Is there something wrong? It looked like you two were arguing and—bozhe moy! Haki, you certainly look happy to see me. I am flattered, but Applejack is your girlfriend, no?”

Haki blushed as much as a Zebrican could, given how dark his complexion was. Applejack began to laugh out loud, making the situation that much more embarrassing. “I’m sorry that you had to see me like this, Roz. Sometimes, the guy downstairs has a mind of his own…”

Roz knelt down on her haunches and appraised Haki’s bobbling manhood with a nod of approval. “There is no need to be sorry, my friend. The shape and girth of your erect member is quite impressive to behold. I’m certain that Applejack will have plenty of fun with little Haki tonight when the opportunity arises. By that, I mean in bed.”

The blonde farmer stopped laughing and began coughing. “Roz! That ain’t none ‘o yer damn business! Matters o’ the bedroom are supposed ta be private between the couple involved.”

Roz frowned. “I do not seek to meddle in your private affairs, Applejack. I am merely saying that you are lucky to have such a well-endowed boyfriend like Haki. Admittedly, it makes me feel jealous that I do not have a handsome companion of my own during our stay here.”

“Uhh… well, don’t worry ‘bout what Ah said then.”

“Aren’t you going to do anything to make his erection go away?” Roz whispered into her ear.

“Right out in the open where everyone can see?!! LAND’S SAKES, WOMAN!!”

Roz blinked slowly, slightly confused by Applejack’s outburst. “Is that a no then? If you are not up to the task, I would be happy to pleasure him with my mouth. You have but to ask!”

Haki’s penis twitched with excitement at the prospect of Roz performing fellatio on him. Even though he was thoroughly committed to his relationship with Applejack, Roz was an attractive woman in her own right. In the end, he decided to diffuse the situation before his girlfriend got upset instead of giving into temptation. “It’s alright, girls. I’ll just walk it off.”

“Are you certain? It might take a while for you to become flaccid again. And you might accidentally bump into things! I do not know from personal experience, but I have heard that it is terribly painful for a man to injure his dangly parts. Well… not quite so dangly in your case, but you know what I mean.”

Haki closed his eyes and let out an irritated sigh. “Look, Roz, I don’t imagine that will be a serious problem unless I decide to start running around the resort like some crazed madman.”

Roz’s expression suddenly grew serious. “You could poke someone’s eye out!”

Having grown up with an oft naked older brother, Applejack became familiar with how the male reproductive organ behaved in various circumstances whether she liked it or not. While she felt guilty for leaving Haki’s erection unattended (since it was her fault for getting him excited in the first place), there was absolutely no way she was about to do anything untoward… unless it was within the privacy of their bedroom. Even then, to what extent she would go was still uncertain.

Applejack remembered what happened whenever they went swimming together in the summer. Or more precisely, how Mac’s penis shrank when exposed to cold water. Shrank being a relative term, of course. Diminutive wasn’t exactly the word she would use to describe her brother’s manhood, even under less-than-ideal circumstances. She looked around the room for a bucket of water or ice, in the hopes that the shock of its chilliness would make Haki flaccid again.

Thankfully, she didn’t have to resort to such extreme measures. After sneaking a quick peek below his waist, Applejack noticed that his penis had softened slightly, becoming semi-turgid. Apparently, the airconditioned room and arguing with Roz had provided enough of a distraction to take his mind off of arousal. When Himiko finally returned with a white towel wrapped around her neck, she shot her niece a puzzled expression. Roz responded with a sheepish grin.

“What is the meaning of this, Natalia? You were supposed to escort our guests to the café.”

Roz shrugged. “I’m sorry, Aunt Kimi. I figured it was best to wait until you returned.”

Himiko removed her hairpins, allowing her silky raven locks to rest just above her shoulders. Applejack marveled at how much younger it made her look, even though she didn’t look that old to begin with. The wonders of a healthy diet and regular exercise, she assumed. With meticulous care, she folded the towel and deposited it in a hamper. The hostess entwined her hands together, placing them just below her navel and bowed once again. She offered everyone a polite smile.

“Again, I must apologize for my tardiness. Natalia did not inform me when you two were supposed to arrive, so I was not prepared to entertain any guests. For that matter, neither did my dear husband. We shall have words about that matter later. Are you hungry?”

Applejack’s stomach grumbled in protest, causing the young farmer to chuckle awkwardly. “It’s a bit early fer dinner, but Ah reckon we wouldn’t be opposed ta fillin’ our bellies. Mind mah askin’, Miss Himiko, but what kind o’ food do ya serve ‘round these parts?”

Himiko motioned for everyone to follow her, and while they were walking down the hallway, she began to explain the menu. “My husband prefers traditional Russian dishes, while I tend to eat Japanese ones. As you might well imagine, a fusion of the two creates some interesting recipes. However, we do offer more… standard fare for our guests. What do you desire?”

Haki raised his hand. “I haven’t had sushi for a long time. Is that on the menu?”

“Most certainly,” Himiko replied with a slight nod, “I would recommend the Unagi rolls.”

Applejack nudged Haki’s side. “What in tarnation is ooo-na-gee?”

“That’s the Japanese word for eel. I know it might not sound appetizing, but it’s tasty. Assuming, of course, that the meat is prepared properly. If not, it can be fishy-tasting and greasy. Don’t worry, AJ. I’m sure the sushi chef here is competent.”

Applejack scrunched her lips together in a sour expression. “Granny’s always tellin’ me that Ah oughta try new things. Sorry, Haki. I’m a country gal used ta country fare. Like apple pie, steak, mashed potatoes, and fried chicken. Sushi doesn’t strike me as particularly appetizin’.”

“Your grandmother is right. Don’t judge a dish until you’ve tried it.”

Applejack ran her fingers through her hair and sighed. “Alright then. I’ll give it a shot. But ya can’t force me ta eat any more sushi if Ah don’t like it. Far as I’m concerned, I’d rather eat a hamburger or whatever passes fer normal Russian food ‘round here.”

Roz poked Applejack’s shoulder to get her attention. “Fret not, my friend! Aunt Kimi is a very talented chef in her own right. She prepares all of the sushi served at the resort. I may be biased, but I can tell you that all the food she has made for me has always been yummy!”

Applejack raised her brow. “Says the gal with a hearty appetite. Is there any food ya don’t like?”

Roz pondered for a moment, tapping her chin in thought. “Hmm. That is a difficult question to answer. If I had to choose, I would say beets. My countrymen seem to love them, but I never acquired a taste for them myself. Otherwise, if the food in question tastes good, I eat it!”

“Beets? Huh, what do ya know about that?”

Roz shook her behind, making everything else jiggle in response. Haki coughed and tried to divert his attention elsewhere. “Uncle Al says that is why I am pleasantly plump! I am of the opinion that most of the food I eat goes straight to my breasts and bum. Do you think so?”

Applejack laughed uneasily. “Erm—I’d say that’s an accurate assessment.”

Roz clapped her hands together. “OH! Don’t forget dessert~”

“Right. How could Ah? No supper’s complete without it, Ah reckon.”

Roz wrapped Applejack in a sudden, bone-crushing hug. She grunted at how much strength the goth put behind her embrace. It was like being smothered by a smooth, squishy grizzly bear. Not entirely unpleasant but not comfortable either. “This is why we are such great friends!”

Before Applejack had a chance to catch her breath, Roz scampered over to Haki and gave him the same treatment. “I have not forgotten about you, Haki! Hugs for all!”

With every ounce of willpower he possessed, Haki tried to ignore the curvaceous, nude Russian girl currently squeezing the stuffing out of him, and rubbing up against certain, sensitive places. It didn’t help matters that his erection from earlier hadn’t completely subsided yet. “Thank you, Roz. I—uh—appreciate the friendly hug. You can let go now…”

“Oh, yes! My apologies, Haki. I can get a little carried away sometimes.” Roz said while motioning downward, a slight blush coloring her pale cheeks.

Haki groaned when he looked down at his waist. While it wasn’t quite as hard as before, his manhood had begun to rise again, pointing forward slightly. It was enlarged enough to be noticeable by everyone around him. “Damn it. I can’t seem to calm down today.”

Himiko turned her attention towards Haki. “Is this your first-time experiencing naturism?”

“Sort of. My aunt is a diehard nudist and she introduced me to the concept. I’ve only ever practiced inside her house, and certainly not with anyone else around. I’m sorry, Miss Himiko. Not trying to be a perv or anything, my dick just reacts to certain… things. I can’t help it.”

Himiko laughed daintily. “Not to worry; your body’s reaction does not offend me. Erections occur for those new to the lifestyle and those who have embraced it for some time. The important distinction, I would say, is to distinguish whether or not it is being exhibited on purpose.”

“Really?”

Himiko nodded. “Just ask your lovely companion. I’m certain she has a few stories to tell.”

Applejack rubbed Haki’s back reassuringly. “She’s right, ya know. Can’t tell ya how many times I’ve caught mah brother in a similar situation. Although, in his case, it’s usually just mornin’ wood. Natural process that. We’ve all seen it so many times, it doesn’t even phase us anymore.”

“Even your little sister?” Haki asked hesitantly.

“Ah figure Apple Bloom’s better adjusted than her peers when it comes ta matters like that on account o’ the fact that she was born n’ raised in a naturist household. The human body and how it works ain’t some taboo mystery ta her, as it might be ta other teenagers.”

Haki subconsciously cupped his hands over his crotch. “Yeah, well… I wasn’t raised that way.”

“Haki, Ah didn’t expect ya ta git used ta all this in a heartbeat. Take yer time. I’m patient. At the very least, I’m happier than a fly in a fruit pie that ya even considered givin’ mah lifestyle a try.”

Haki slowly removed his hands and placed them at his sides. “I can’t very well pretend that it doesn’t exist. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have put so much effort into developing our relationship.”

Applejack frowned and looked down at her feet, shuffling them slightly. “Ah appreciate that. Sometimes, Ah feel like I’m not doin’ enough on mah end. It’s been years since I put any effort into makin’ friends and maintainin’ relationships with folks outside the family.”

“No one said this was going to be a smooth ride.”

Applejack nodded sagely. “Reckon not. Alright! Enough drama! Let’s git some grub.”

Himiko invited everyone to take a seat around a low-standing table with plush pillows arranged where chairs would normally be. She explained that this was the traditional way for Japanese people to dine together. Furthermore, she reasoned, pillows were much more comfortable for nude guests to sit on than wooden dining chairs. It was logic that Applejack & Haki couldn’t argue with. Roz sat with her legs tucked underneath her bottom while the young couple sat cross-legged respectively. Once they got situated, Himiko brought out a tray full of chilled green tea.

“Please enjoy some refreshments while I prepare your meals. I brewed the tea myself.”

While Applejack and Roz took a sip, Haki watched Himiko pass through the curtained doorway into what he assumed was the kitchen. “I don’t mean to sound like an asshole, but isn’t it kind of unsanitary for people to prepare meals in the buff?”

Roz cocked her head. “My aunt and uncle are very strict about the resort’s sanitation standards. Aunt Kimi always keeps the kitchen spotless, so far as I am aware. You needn’t worry about hair getting into your food, Haki. She wears an apron while preparing any kind of food or drink.”

“Oh. Makes sense, I guess. Is that something you do while cooking, AJ?”

Applejack put down her mug and leaned back. “Depends on what I’m cookin’. Fer anythin’ hot, protection is a must. Especially with bacon. If I’m makin’ a salad or the like, typically no.”

“I imagine it makes cleaning up a whole lot easier.”

“Darn tootin’ it does,” Applejack agreed, “No clothes ta stain and washin’ up is easy as pie.”

Roz leaned forward, squishing her breasts against the table unintentionally. When she directed her attention towards Haki, he tried his best to maintain eye contact with her. “Applejack told me that you are an athlete. A swimmer, yes? Is that why you are so smooth all over?”

Haki cleared his throat and took a sip of tea. “Yeah. It helps reduce drag in the water and makes wearing our suits more comfortable. Do you mind if I ask you a personal question, Roz?”

“Not at all,” Roz beamed, “We are all friends.”

“I assume you must dye your hair, right? What’s your natural color?”

“You will be surprised to know that I am actually a blonde. However, I take great care to ensure that my dye remains fresh and coats everything evenly. I only wish that it was easier to treat my pubic hair. Trimming and fussing over it can be a hassle sometimes. I wonder if waxing it all off completely would be a better option. But then I would look like a child!”

Applejack raised her mug. “Ah know what ya mean, Roz. Ah keep mine as close ta au naturale as possible before it becomes a wild mess. Apple Bloom takes after me in that regard. Heh.”

“Indeed! I noticed that she looks and acts quite mature for a girl her age.”

Applejack smiled. “Ah like ta think it’s ‘because we raised her right. The other part o’ the equation is good ‘ole fashioned genetics. Far as Ah know, all the Apple women have been early bloomers. Eeyup. Puberty hits us like a freight train! Before ya know it, yer ten goin’ on twenty.”

Roz let out a frustrated huff and flopped onto the table, nearly spilling her tea. “I love Aunt Kimi’s food but she always takes so long to prepare it. I’m soooooo hungry right now!!!”

“C’mon, Roz. There ain’t no reason ta make such a fuss. I’m sure yer aunt is doin’ the best she can. In the meantime, let’s talk ‘bout somethin’ else ta git yer mind off o’ food. How’s that sound?”

“Alright. I don’t mean to be difficult but I get cranky whenever I’m hungry. Perhaps I shall go have a look at the fish tank while we wait.”

Roz hopped to her feet and padded across the room towards a large fish tank situated in the corner right next to the kitchen doors. Swimming inside were a variety of aquatic creatures such as: urchins, eels, lionfish, and a red starfish that Roz seemed particularly amused by. She didn’t tap the glass out of respect for the creatures living inside, but watched them with wide-eyed wonder, talking to them occasionally in Russian.

Haki leaned over and whispered into Applejack’s ear. “I swear, she’s like an overgrown child.”

“Can’t say Ah disagree,” Applejack whispered in response, “Just… try ta be patient with her. Ah realize she can be a bit much at times but she’s tryin’ her best ta make friends.”

“The main reason I even agreed to this trip in the first place was to spend time with you. And by that, I mean just the two of us. Without Roz interfering. AJ, it’s taking everything I have just to keep my cool. Not only in terms of my temper, but her naked body can be VERY distracting.”

Applejack sighed. “Does that mean ya have a fetish fer curvy gals?”

Haki winced, unsure if he wanted to give his girlfriend an honest answer. “Not specifically, but she’s got cushioning in all the right places and her boobs are—uh—well, you’ve seen them. Please don’t take this the wrong way! You’re just as beautiful but in a different way, is all.”

Applejack closed her eyes and huffed in frustration. “Ah suppose Ah ain’t bein’ fair ‘bout this whole situation. Like Ah told ya before, these here feelings o’ jealousy knotted up in mah gut are impossible fer me ta ignore, Haki. When she offered ta suck ya off, Ah damn near lost mah temper. Had Ah not kept mah shit together, reckon I’d have decked Roz square in the face.”

Haki reached over and began rubbing her leg as a gesture of comfort. “I’ll do my best to make it up to you later, ok? We’ll both have to be a little more patient.”

Applejack took hold of his hand and rubbed her thumb along his palm. “I’m holdin’ ya ta that promise, mister. Otherwise, you’ll be sleepin’ by yerself on the futon tonight.”

“Sleeping with me on our first date? How scandalous! What would your grandmother think?”

Applejack rolled her eyes. “This ain’t our first date, ya goober. Besides, Granny is one of the biggest horndogs who ever lived. She’s probably wonderin’ why Ah haven’t jumped yer bones yet.”

“I’ve actually been wondering about that myself.”

Applejack blushed slightly and shifted in her seat. “Because I wanted mah first time makin’ love with someone ta be special. So, it’s gotta be under the correct set o’ circumstances. What?! Just because I’m a country gal doesn’t mean that Ah can’t appreciate the nuances of courtship.”

Haki laughed. “There’s nothing wrong with that. You don’t have to feel embarrassed.”

“Ah was worried that you’d think Ah was a stick in the mud fer bein’ so conservative.”

Haki shrugged. “Naked or clothed, you’re always fun to be around, AJ. Sex isn’t the only thing men look for in a relationship, you know. We can appreciate romantic gestures too.”

Applejack grinned sheepishly. “Ah wouldn’t really know…”

Haki nearly fell backwards and yelped in surprise when Roz suddenly invaded his personal space. “Awwww! You two are so sweet and—what is the word—adorable together. Oh! And I wish you the best of luck tonight when your love-making starts! If you need condoms ask—”

Applejack and Haki were relieved to see Himiko enter the room with a platter of freshly prepared unagi rolls, as they didn’t want to talk about contraceptives with Roz. She was wearing a plain, navy blue apron with a matching pair of slippers. At some point, she’d tied her hair back into a ponytail using a scrunchie, presumably to ensure that it wouldn’t get in the way while she prepared dinner for everyone. Once each individual plate was served, she took off her slippers and apron, then sat on her knees like Roz. She cupped her hands together and said: Itadakimasu.

Roz followed suit and encouraged her friends to do the same. “We are giving thanks for the food.”

With that out of the way, Applejack stared down at the plastic chopsticks set beside her plate with a confused expression. She poked Haki’s shoulder to get his attention. “Ah don’t mean ta sound like an uncultured country bumpkin, but where’s the cutlery?”

“AJ, chopsticks are Japanese cutlery. You eat sushi with them.”

Applejack scrunched her lips. “By stabbin’ ‘em with it? Seems kind’ o backwards ta me.”

Haki demonstrated how to use them by picking up a sushi roll. “See? It’s easy. Just give it a try.”

“If ya say so. Rather just use mah fingers than make a fool o’ mahself.”

Haki wiped his mouth with a napkin. “I can ask Himiko to get you a fork if you want.”

“Don’t bother. Ah wanna try doin’ things the Japanese way. Only fair.”

And so, Applejack did. Or at least, it was an honest attempt. What ended up happening was she couldn’t quite hold the chopsticks correctly and her unagi roll slipped from her grip and plopped onto her thigh. Not wanting to waste perfectly good food, she snatched it with her fingers and popped the entire roll into her mouth. It was a little bit too big of a bite to be considered polite and certainly not the best show of table manners, but at the very least the sushi was tasty.

Surprisingly so, by Applejack’s reckoning. She expected eel to taste like a snake that had spent too much time slithering around in the mud. Ironically enough, her cousin Braeburn had served everyone fried rattlesnake fritters once on a family trip to Appleloosa. They’d been tasty too but in her modest opinion, the snack was too much effort to make for what little meat the reptile offered. Lots of tiny bones to pick out, and you had to skin and clean the damn thing too. Beef or chicken were a better choice if one wanted to make a decent appetizer.

Applejack took a gulp of tea, swallowed hard, and offered a sheepish grin. “Sorry if it’s bad table manners, y’all. But I’m stickin’ with mah fingers fer eatin’ these here oo-nag-ee rolls.”

Roz, of course, used the chopsticks with practiced ease. She giggled while Applejack popped another roll into her mouth. “Whatever is easiest for you, my friend. We shall not judge.”

Himiko bowed slightly. “I feel as though I must apologize to you, Miss Applejack. I was not aware that you didn’t know how to use chopsticks. Shall I fetch you some silverware instead?”

Applejack blushed and rubbed the back of her neck. “Nah, it’s alright, Miss Himiko. Ah can git by with mah fingers just fine. Wouldn’t wanna interrupt yer supper on mah account.”

“On the contrary. It is my job to ensure the comfort of any guest who stays here.”

Applejack waved her hands. “No, really. I’m fit as a fiddle.”

Himiko smiled. “Very well, then. Once we’ve had some time to properly digest our meal, I shall bring out some sake with dessert. Natalia’s favorite: Adzuki Mochi.”

Roz bounced up and down excitedly. “OOOOH~ It has been so long since I’ve had those!”

Applejack drummed her fingers along the edge of the table. “Look—uh—no offence, but Ah don’t have a clue what those are either. Would ya mind fillin’ me in?”

“Of course, Miss Applejack. Mochi are a Japanese confection. Sweetened red bean paste filled inside of a rice flower dough coating. They come in a variety of flavors, but adzuki is what we have on hand at the moment. I might be able to make some matcha ones as well, given time.”

Applejack furrowed her brow in confusion. “Beans ya say? Well, baked beans are a touch sweet and they ain’t too bad, so… Ah reckon this might be ok too. Oh, and fer the record, I’ve never had sake before either. Plenty o’ cider and whiskey, but not that. What does it taste like?”

“I’m afraid the flavor is difficult to describe. It is of the highest quality, I assure you.”

Applejack unfolded her legs, stood up, and stretched out a bit. “Mah legs were gettin’ tingly from sittin’ cross-legged fer so long. Pardon me fer a moment while Ah walk around fer a bit.”

“While you do that, I shall prepare dessert. Unless, you would prefer to wait?”

Roz raised her hand. “I AM READY FOR DESSERT!!”

Himiko laughed. “You always are, Natalia. Very well then. I will return shortly.”

While Haki was finishing up the remainder of his rolls, Roz took hold of Applejack’s arm and said that they both had to use the restroom. Taken aback by the suddenness of her request, Applejack almost dug her heels in and resisted, but something about Roz’s mischievous expression told her there was something else going on. Much to Applejack’s chagrin, when they did make it to the restroom, instead of explaining why they were there, Roz entered a stall, squatted over one of the toilets, and began relieving herself without a hint of reservation.

“My apologies, Applejack. Green tea always goes right through me! While we were here anyway, I thought it would be more efficient to pee and converse with you at the same time. What is the saying—OH YES—shooting two birds with one bullet.”

Applejack tapped her foot against the tile floor impatiently and sighed. “I’ll ignore yer zany antics if ya mind tellin’ me why the hell ya dragged me ta the john in the first place.”

Once she finished wiping herself, Roz pattered over to the sink and washed her hands. “I wanted to speak to you regarding Haki. Or more specifically, what will happen after we eat dessert.”

“Go on. I’m listenin’.”

Roz crossed her arms underneath her breasts and fidgeted in place. “I may not be the most perceptive person, but I know when couples need a little private time together. You and Haki deserve just that, without my interference. I was planning on taking a dip in the hot springs with you two this evening… but I have since reconsidered. Instead, I shall pay my uncle a visit and reconnect with some of my family’s old friends who still work here.”

A wave of guilt washed over Applejack, making her feel like a selfish jerk. Roz seemed to pick up on this and wrapped her friend in a gentle hug. The blonde farmer returned it sincerely, and rubbed her friend’s back. “Ah appreciate it, Roz. Really, Ah do. With our hectic schedules, Haki and Ah just haven’t had much of an opportunity ta spend any quality time with each other.”

“That is why I invited you here in the first place, silly!” Roz affirmed.

Applejack twirled a strand of her hair in-between her fingers. “Right. But Ah mean time together as in the—erm—intimate variety, if ya catch mah meanin’. We haven’t done much beyond the occasional hug, hand holdin’, and up until today… kissin’. Land’s sake, I’m still a virgin, Roz!”

“Oh, my goodness! I had no idea! I just assumed that you were experienced when it came to matters of the bedroom. I popped my cherry when I was fifteen. Granted, it was not the greatest sex I’ve ever had, but Grigori tried his best to satisfy me. He—ah—did not possess much stamina, I’m afraid. But I’m sure your first time will be far better than mine!”

Applejack buried her face in her hands and groaned. “Ah can’t believe Ah told ya that.”

“No! Please do not be upset, my friend. There is no shame in waiting to have sex. In fact, I am happy that you decided to confide in me. Perhaps, I could even offer you some advice?”

“Advice about what?” Applejack asked hesitantly.

Roz’s eyes practically sparkled with child-like glee. “How to pleasure a man, of course!”

One unbearably awkward conversation later, Applejack discovered many nuances of sexual intercourse that she’d always been too embarrassed to ask her family and friends about. Despite looking at, and being around penises her entire life, she’d never handled one herself, personally. In hindsight, Applejack supposed that she could have asked her older brother at some point, but even amongst nudists, it was not considered anywhere near a polite question to bring up.

When they sat down at the table, cups of chilled sake and mochi cakes were already arranged at their places. Haki explained that Himiko had to excuse herself, so that she could prepare the baths for any guests who wanted to take one in the evening. Which is exactly what they planned to do after dessert was finished. Or at the very least, Applejack would suggest it to Haki.

Roz didn’t hesitate to start digging in. She wolfed down a mochi whole, stuffing it into her mouth like a squirrel. Unsure of what they tasted like, Applejack only took a small nibble from the red bean pastry, and found that it was tasty if a bit unusual, texture-wise. She continued to eat the remainder of it, taking small sips of sake in-between. As for the booze, it was cloudy white in color and tasted heavily of rice but had a hint of sweetness to it. Applejack decided that it was pretty good as well. Not as good as oak-barrel aged apple whiskey, but decent enough.

When Roz finished her last remaining mochi, she took one more swig of sake and excused herself. While she was walking away towards the hall, Roz turned around, shot Applejack a very obvious wink, and gave her a double thumbs up for good luck. Even with all the alcohol clouding her mind, the bronze-skinned naturist found the whole situation ridiculous and rolled her eyes accordingly. Haki looked over at his girlfriend with a curious expression.

“What was that all about?”

Face slightly flushed, Applejack scooched closer to her boyfriend, wrapping him in a hug from behind. She rested her head in the crook of his shoulder and sighed. “Don’t ya pay her antics no mind, Haki. We had ourselves an agreement between women. Drawin’ boundaries, as it were.”

Haki enjoyed the softness and warmth of Applejack’s naked body as she pressed up against him, but he noticed that her skin was warmer than usual. A sure sign that the sake was having an effect on her. He was not immune either; his body felt relaxed and tingly all over. “Boundaries, huh? If that means I get to spend the rest of the night like this with you, I’m not complaining.”

Applejack cupped his cheeks and planted a sloppy kiss on his lips, giggling as she did so. “Ya better not complain, mister. Man, I’ve been waitin’ a long time fer this. Can’t figure out why Ah hesitated. This is nice. Just the two of us. Alone. Say, Haki. How’d ya like ta take a dip in the hot springs with me? We’re already nekkid, all it’d take is walkin’ in, Ah reckon.”

Emboldened by the affection she was showing, Haki turned around. Now face to face with his lover, he decided to take a chance and cupped her breast. It was full enough to play with but small enough to fit comfortably in the palm of his hand. He massed it gently while tugging on her nipple in-between his fingers, coaxing an adorable moan from Applejack. “For the longest time, I wondered how sensitive your boobs were. Since there’s not a lot of fat built in them…”

Applejack giggle-snorted, knowing full well how un-sexy it sounded. She let herself enjoy the massage for another moment, then placed her hand on Haki’s chest, feeling his heartbeat. “They’ve always been that way. Ever since they first started growin’. Makes wearin’ a bra damn-near impossible, on account o’ the fabric rubbin’ up against mah nipples. S’not like Ah gotta worry about mah boobs bouncin’ ‘round like Roz’s. Plenty o’ muscle ta keep ‘em in place.”

Haki slid his hand down towards her muscled abs and rubbed them appreciatively. “C’mon, AJ. You should know by now that I love your body just the way it is. Every. Single. Inch of it.”

“Hold on there, cowpoke. Ah like where this is goin’ but we should take a bath first.”

Finally noticing his semi-turgid erection, Haki stood up and stretched out his legs languidly. “I don’t think the management would appreciate it if we fucked in the hot spring. Too messy.”

Applejack punched his arm playfully. “Not implyin’ that we will, ya horndog. Besides, I’m pretty sure there are strict rules against havin’ sex in there anyways. Don’t ya worry none, Haki. There will be plenty o’ time fer gettin’ frisky in our room afterwards.”

Haki helped her up and looped his arm with hers. Together, they started to make their way out of the café and towards the hot spring. “Is that a promise? If so, I’m definitely holding you to it.”

Applejack leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Is it. Just don’t expect me ta blow yer mind.”

While they were in the changing room, Applejack grabbed a wooden basket and filled it with all of the toiletries they might need. Natural soaps, a pair of sponges, and a little bit of scented oil to enhance the water. Haki grabbed a couple of towels and followed his girlfriend out to the main bathing complex. There was a wooden fence built around it to ensure privacy for guests, but it was completely open to the air.

The hot spring itself looked like an oval-shaped pool lined with grey stone, and the water was tinted a faint amber color. A sign posted near the door assured guests that the coloration was normal due to the high mineral content. Supposedly, it claimed, the minerals had many health benefits that ranged from skin care to relieving muscle pain. Applejack wasn’t sure about all that but she did appreciate a nice, hot soak after a long day. And so, she dipped her big toe into the water and found its temperature to be ideal. Hot but not enough to feel uncomfortable.

She waded into the water until it reached just above her breasts, and leaned up against a ledge. Haki soon followed, wrapping his arm around her shoulders while they sat together and enjoyed how good the water felt. A moment of comfortable silence stretched between them while they washed each other with a sponge, neither feeling the need to say anything, both content to be in each other’s presence. The sky above them was transitioning from evening to night, and the crescent moon was just starting to light up.

Applejack poured some oil into the water and took in a deep breath. “Pretty night, ain’t it?”

“Made all the better by who’s sharing it with me.” Haki replied lazily.

“Mhmm. Reckon so.”

Haki rubbed his fingers along Applejack’s back affectionately. “About what you said earlier. Your promise, I mean. I just want you to know that I’ll try to be gentle and take my time. It won’t be easy holding back because I haven’t slept with anyone in a while but—”

Applejack climbed on top of his lap and straddled him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Listen up, Haki. Because I’m only gonna say this once. Even with all the sake in mah system keepin’ me loosey goosey, I’m still nervous as hell about havin’ sex with ya. But Ah want ya ta know that I’m eager and willin’ ta learn, even if there’ll be some bumps along the road.”

“I don’t want you to feel nervous about it. What can I do to help ease your mind?”

“Nothin’ really,” Applejack affirmed, “What ya said before is proof enough fer me that yer serious about our relationship. Ah just gotta grab the bull by the horns and buck up.”

Haki frowned. “You’re missing the point, AJ. I want you to enjoy having sex with me, not treat it like some archaic form of obligation. If you don’t want to go through with it, then we can try—”

Applejack poked his chest and pouted. “I WANNA HAVE SEX WITH YA DAMN IT!!”

“Ok, I get it! Just keep your voice down. The whole resort probably heard you…”

Applejack giggled while she played with Haki’s hair. “Let ‘em hear. It’s high time Ah ascended the stairs of adulthood and became a woman.”

“Losing your virginity doesn’t define your womanliness—hood, or whatever. As far as I’m concerned, you’re already a mature adult. More than I am, in fact. You run a farm, go to college, help raise your little sister, and live the way you want. That’s pretty damn amazing, Applejack.”

Applejack’s cheeks flushed pink at the praise. Part of it was also the alcohol and the hot water. “Yeah, well… that’s always how it’s been fer me. Gotten used ta mah responsibilities by now.”

Haki pulled her in for a slow, sensuous kiss. Instead of hesitating, Applejack explored his mouth further by wrestling her tongue with his, in a constant battle for supremacy. When they finally pulled apart, the young couple were panting, and excited. Although the water was hot, Applejack could still feel Haki’s erection rubbing up against her thigh, its heat distinct from her surroundings. She reached down in-between her legs and grasped his penis for the first time. Applejack ran her fingers along the rigid, pulsing shaft gingerly, not wanting to cause him pain.

“So, this is what I’ve got ta work with. S’real sturdy n’ thick. Lord all mighty. Ah don’t… know if I’m gonna be able to accommodate ya when push comes ta shove. At least Ah don’t have ta worry about breakin’ mah hymen. Happened years ago. Comes with workin’ on the farm.”

Haki grunted when Applejack carefully squeezed his head in-between her finger and thumb. She marveled at how soft and spongy it was compared to the shaft of his penis. A tiny bead of precum formed on the tip, and she played with it, fascinated by the sheer stickiness even underwater. “Can you please stop doing that? The tip is super sensitive to any kind of direct stimulation. I don’t know if I’ll be able to calm down before we make it to the room.”

Applejack climbed off of his lap and scooted further away. “Ah swear Ah didn’t mean ta push any boundaries. Ah was just curious about how yer… pecker worked in the upright position and—uh—how it felt in mah hands. I’ve been ‘round nekkid men mah whole life and never thought ta touch one before. Ironic, huh? Show’s how inexperienced Ah am.”

“Not really that complicated, AJ. Peg X goes into Slot Y.” Haki dryly remarked.

Applejack crossed her arms underneath her breasts and huffed. “Don’t patronize me, Haki.”

“I’m sorry. That didn’t come out right. I just don’t appreciate getting blue-balled by a certain, sexy, blonde naturist who happens to be sitting next to me. Look, AJ, it’s been a while since I had sex proper, so I’m pretty eager to have a go. Not with just anyone! But you specifically…”

Applejack blinked owlishly. “What in tarnation does ‘blue-balled’ mean?”

Haki shifted uncomfortably. “It means that you get teased without being satisfied.”

Without warning Applejack stood up, causing the water to slosh everywhere. She knelt down, scooped up her boyfriend princess style, and began carrying him towards the exit. For his part, Haki felt too mortified and confused to put up any kind of protest. Not only was it embarrassing to be carried around by a girl (even if she happened to be a really strong one), but his erection hadn’t subsided in the least. It bobbled around while they walked, pointing proudly to the sky.

They were midway down the hallway when Haki decided to say something. “What if someone sees me like this? Us… like this? I don’t—it’s not proper. I really should cover myself up.”

“Then they’ll see us. Ya wanted ta have sex with me, so that’s what we’re gonna do!”

Thankfully, there weren’t any other guests around to notice their shenanigans. Haki breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that he didn’t have to awkwardly explain what was going on, or why he had a raging boner. Applejack was surprisingly gentle when she laid Haki down on the futon. She looked down at her lover expectantly, hoping that he would offer some advice as to what would happen next. With no answer forthcoming, Applejack got on her hands and knees and began to crawl towards Haki like a panther on the prowl, a sultry smile spread across her lips.

Haki didn’t think he could get any harder, but his penis twitched at the sight of Applejack’s assertiveness. She leaned forward and started kissing his neck. “What do ya want me ta do?”

“This is going to sound a little strange, but trust me. It’ll work out. Turn around so your ass is directly in front of my face. Uh… that way you can suck my cock while I eat you out. It’s called sixty-nine. Not sure if you’ve heard of the position before but that’s what people call it.”

Applejack assumed the position hesitantly, knowing that she was giving Haki an unobstructed eyeful of her unmentionables. She relaxed a little, and took in the sight of his stiff penis. It was close enough to her nose that she could smell the manly aroma of his scent mixed with soap. Applejack licked her lips in anticipation, wondering what it would taste like, and if she could even fit the damned thing in her mouth. A tingling warmth filled her loins. She froze in place.

Haki marveled at his lover’s toned ass cheeks. He didn’t hesitate to grab them, and pry them apart, revealing the dusky wrinkled pucker nestled inside. The rim was a shade of tan darker than her skin, but transitioned to pale pink beyond. Haki simply couldn’t resist the temptation. He buried his face in-between her cheeks and probed Applejack’s asshole with his tongue, causing her to let out an adorable whimper-like yowl. As expected, it was clean and tasted slightly salty.

“Haki…. w-what are ya doin’ back there?! That’s mah… butthole! Stop! It ain’t clean!”

Haki paused for a moment and laughed. “There’s not a single part of you that’s dirty, AJ. Besides, we just took a bath, remember? Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have stuck my tongue there. Don’t worry; it’ll only get better from here.”

Blushing, Applejack sighed. “Alright. Just warn me next time, ok?”

The blonde farmer wasn’t prepared for what happened next. Haki switched his attention to her pussy, using his fingers to spread out her salmon pink folds for easier access. Lewd slurping noises commenced almost immediately, as Haki enjoyed the flavor of Applejack’s arousal. It was both earthy and sweet at the same time. Probably because she ate so many fruits and vegetables. The smell though, was incredibly musky. He swirled his tongue inside her more aggressively while rubbing her clit at the same time with his thumb. She arched her back and moaned in response, as a fresh wave of her arousal coated his face.

Applejack could barely concentrate on Haki’s penis considering what he was doing to her. But she had to. She grasped the root of his penis, right where his balls were connected, and stretched out the skin of his circumcised shaft. She leaned forward, ever so carefully, and opened her mouth to accommodate him. Applejack tried sucking a little bit at first, just to get the hang of it. Much to her surprise, his penis didn’t taste like much of anything. While she bobbed her head up and down methodically, she made sure to take in a breath or two, lest she gag and choke.

Now accustomed to his girth, Applejack grew more confident with her ministrations. With a slick pop, she released his cock from the confines of her mouth, began using her fingers to stroke the shaft, while she fondled his smooth balls with the other hand. Haki must have been enjoying it because he wriggled underneath her, panting every so often. She smiled to herself.

It wasn’t long before Applejack was overcome by a haze of lust and the need to please her lover; she took his entire length into her mouth as deep as it could go and bobbed her head as fast as she could, swirling her tongue around his head intermittently. Given that Haki had gotten excited so many times over the course of the evening, it was inevitable that he wouldn’t last long.

Applejack was encouraged by what she heard and continued to slurp away with reckless abandon. Without so much as a warning, Haki pushed his hips upward, let out a loud grunt, and released his sticky load down Applejack’s throat, nearly making her gag in the process. She tried her best to swallow as much of it as she could, but the taste wasn’t exactly pleasant. His cum reminded her of squid and the smell was overwhelmingly pungent. Moments later, her body went limp like a wet noodle when another orgasm radiated from her belly all the way to her toes.

The young couple paused for a few moments, panting, and trying to catch their breath. Applejack finally mustered the strength to sit up and looked over at her lover. He was still lying on his back, skin glistening with sweat, and penis had begun to go limp again, leaning slightly to the side. She took the opportunity to cuddle up next to him and rest her head on top of his chest.

Haki ran his fingers through her hair while they snuggled. “Sorry about not giving you any warning earlier. I couldn’t help myself. It felt too good.”

“I’ll forgive ya this time. Reckon I’ll need another minute or two before I’m ready fer the main show. At the very least, we should drink some water first.”

Luckily, there were a few complimentary bottles of water stored in the mini fridge, which Applejack and Haki took full advantage of. While they rehydrated, Haki plodded into the bathroom and relieved himself. It gave Applejack time to reflect and prepare herself for what was coming next. They were really going to do it. To join as one; the most intimate act a couple could perform together. Applejack gathered her courage before Haki returned to bed, and got onto her hands and knees, rump pointed upward as a way of presenting Haki with his prize.

Her seductive pose did not go unnoticed. Haki stood at the foot of the bed and swallowed hard, squeezing Applejack’s firm, muscular butt cheeks. Within seconds, his penis slowly began to rise once more. “I don’t think I can possibly say this enough, AJ, but you have a dynamite bod.”

Applejack wiggled her rump, blushing at the praise. “Don’t sell yerself short, Haki. There’s plenty Ah like about yer body too. Just—erm—be gentle when ya git started…”

Haki grasped his shaft while rubbing the tip of his penis along Applejack’s glistening, pink folds. She was plenty wet from before, so he slipped right into her with very little effort. In response to being filled so thoroughly, Applejack whimpered, taking a moment to grow accustomed to his girth. Even with the passage of time, it felt as though she was being stretched out to the limit.

Haki placed one hand on his lover’s hip and the other along her lower back, stroking it gently as a gesture of comfort. If he was being honest with himself, the inside of Applejack’s pussy was far tighter than he could have possibly imagined. It felt like his entire penis was being squeezed by a hot, velvety boa-constrictor. “Are you ok? I can pull out if it hurts too much.”

“S’lot ta take in. Yer pecker’s so damn thick! I’m ok… start movin’ when the mood strikes.”

Haki gripped both sides of Applejack’s hips and started thrusting forward. For her part, she moaned softly while gripping the bed sheets, too embarrassed to let him see her face. In time, the young couple were able to find a rhythm that suited them both, as the sounds of flesh meeting flesh, and the occasional moan pervaded the air. Every so often, Applejack could feel Haki’s balls brush up against her backside. They weren’t quite as robust as her brother’s (she couldn’t recall any man’s who were), but she had to admit that she’d enjoyed their smoothness.

Haki panted heavily. Ashamed as though he was to admit it, he’d reached his limit. Fucking a fit farm girl like Applejack was a lot of hard work, and while he was no slouch when it came to physical endurance, her ridiculously tight, supremely slippery snatch was trying to milk his balls dry every second he slid into her. When she started to have another orgasm, it only became tighter. Applejack moaned aloud, far louder than she had before, showing how intense it was.

With his own impending orgasm just moments away, Haki gripped her hips, and pushed his penis into her as far as it could possibly go, until his balls were touching her lips. The world around him became nothing more than a blurry haze of immense pleasure, as he filled her womb to the brim with his seed. Once he was finished pumping, the couple collapsed on top of each other in a sweaty pile of limbs. When Haki regained some of his composure, he rolled over to the side of the bed, his slick penis sliding out of Applejack and coming to rest sideways across his stomach. Applejack rolled onto her back; legs spread apart into a V-shape.

The blonde farmer reached over and entwined her fingers with Haki’s. “Ah suppose that’s one way to lose yer virginity. Mercy… ya sure did fill me up good. There’s still some of yer baby batter leakin’ outta mah cooter. Maybe another bath is order once we rest up a bit.”

A cold knot formed in Haki’s gut. “Oh shit! I got caught up in the heat of the moment and forgot to wear a condom. Not only that but I didn’t bother pulling out…”

Applejack giggled. “Good thing Ah was the responsible one, then. Don’t sweat it, Haki. I’ve been takin’ birth control pills fer a while now. Helps ta take off the edge durin’ mah period. Not sayin’ I’d mind bearin’ yer children eventually, it’s just that… we’d have ta git married first.”

“Right. I should have known. I don’t think I’m quite ready to talk about marriage.”

Applejack rolled onto her side and stroked Haki’s abs. “We got plenty o’ time fer considerin’.”

“For what it’s worth, I think you’d make an awesome wife and mother.”

“Maybe so,” Applejack agreed, “But Ah ain’t ready fer all o’ that just yet either, sugarcube.”

“Fair enough. Would you be interested in round two at some point?”

Applejack raised her brow and snorted. “I’m game but we’re takin’ a rest first. No ifs, ands, or buts about it, mister. Surprised there’s anythin’ left ta squeeze outta those balls o’ yers.”

Haki scooted closer to Applejack, wrapped his arms around her back, and entwined their legs together. He brushed back her messy blonde hair, and kissed her forehead. “Dryer than a desert, thanks to you. But that’s ok. It’ll give us some time to snuggle and… hydrate.”

Applejack wrinkled her nose in disgust. “Don’t forget shower. We smell pretty ripe.”

“We’ll play it by ear. On the bright side, at least we don’t have to worry about clothes getting in the way while we’re here. Maybe there’s something to this whole nudism thing. It’s convenient.”

“Just when it comes ta sex, ya mean?” Applejack asked.

Haki chuckled. “Well, I can’t deny that. But I will say it has grown on me somewhat.”

Applejack yawned and scratched her pubes languidly. “Best answer Ah could expect from someone who ain’t accustomed ta the lifestyle. Fer now, let’s keep on snugglin’ and then we can shower up. After that, Ah reckon sleep will follow soon enough. Sound like a plan?”

“Sounds like one to me.”

Fall Break Festivities (II)

Chapter 12

Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville

“Remember, daring, if you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me,” Rarity reminded as Sweetie exited her sister’s fabulous purple Volkswagen Beetle. “I’ll be working with Micro to finish his gift for Sandalwood but naturally you come first. Did you bring sunscreen?”

“Yes, Rarity,” Sweetie replied, resisting the impulse to roll her eyes. Fussing over the little details very much ran in the Belle family. Grabbing her overnight bag from the back seat, she shouldered it. “I’ll be sure to apply enough.”

Rarity nodded, “Of course! Are you sure that outfit is appropriate?”

Sweetie looked down at the pastoral skirt and blouse combo she’d chosen, “I’ll change into something else if we do anything outdoors.”

“You’d better,” Her sister sniffed. “I don’t want to be mending any tears.” Smiling, she nodded. “Enjoy your sleepover, Sweetie. Remember to be patient with Scootaloo.”

“I will. Enjoy having the apartment to yourself, sis,” Sweetie teased with a wink.

“You’re terrible,” Rarity laughed as she put her car into gear. Waving, she yelled, “Love you!”

“Love you too!” Sweetie called after her sister, waving enthusiastically. As the car disappeared, Sweetie looked up at Sweet Apple Acres Gate. Apple Bloom had told her to wait for her to let them in. “Guess I’m waiting…”

Apple Bloom lowered her binoculars and beamed. The redheaded teen was crouched atop a grassy knoll, just out of Sweetie’s line of sight. Winona crouched beside her, fuzzy tail brushing up against her bare hip periodically.

“Now, we just gotta wait fer Scoots,” Apple Bloom beamed. “Then we’ll break the news while they’re off balance.”

Winona barked softly, licking her chops.

“Say girl, do ya think makin’ ‘em strip down is a good idea?” The girl asked, biting her lip. “Ah just know they’ll love the feelin’ but… what if mah request comes off as a might perverse?”

The Border Collie simply nuzzled her owner’s stomach. Apple Bloom giggled at the damp, ticklish sensation and scratched Winnona behind the ears, “Yer right girl. I’m thinkin’ too much.”

A minute later, while Sweetie aimlessly paced back and forth in front of the gate, Winona’s ears pointed upward and she looked down the road. Apple Bloom then heard the familiar sound of Scootaloo’s bike approaching. Rubbing Winona's back, she whispered, “Almost time.”

Scootaloo laughed as she coasted down the hill leading to Sweet Apple Acres. The tomboy stuck her long legs out on either side of her bicycle and let gravity do all the work. The wind from her passage ruffled the green T-shirt and orange cargo shorts she’d chosen to wear, along with her signature black biking helmet. She brought along a backpack stuffed with a spare set of clothes, some comic books, and assorted toiletries.

When her momentum finally slowed, Scootaloo began to pedal once more. As she drew closer to the gate, a familiar figure turned to face her and raised a hesitant hand. Stomach knotting up, Scootaloo skid to a halt and dismounted. Removing her helmet, she held up a hand of her own.

“Scootaloo.”

“Sweetie Belle.”

Running her hand through her spiky hair, Scoots awkwardly asked, “How’ve ya been?” Since their spat, beyond a few terse words during their presentation, the two hadn’t spoken at all.

“Ok, I guess.” Sweetie couldn’t quite meet Scootaloo’s eyes. “I think Dinky might have a crush on Button Mash.”

“No kidding?! I thought you were sweet on him?”

Sweetie blew a strand of hair from her eyes, “A little bit. But he’s denser than a slab of concrete when it comes to girls.”

“Heh, yeah. Boys, amirite?” Wincing at how they were dancing around the issue, Scootaloo cleared her throat. “Listen, Sweetie.”

“Howdy gals!” Apple Bloom called out, breaking the tension. The two turned and flushed as their friend skipped towards them wearing nothing but her signature bow and a smile. Running beside her was Winnona who greeted the girls with a friendly bark and wagging tail.

“Hey, ‘Bloom,” Sweetie replied, waving.

“Sup, AB?” Scootaloo asked, glancing down the road. “Are you sure it’s a good idea to be running around… like that so close to the gate?”

The redhead opened up the gate carelessly, “Our neighbours are used ta it.”

Scootaloo shrugged as she began to walk her bike down the dirt road that led to the farm, “Whatever you say.” She was stopped by Apple Bloom’s leg. “Hey! What’s the big idea, blocking me like that?”

“Yer right, Scoots.” Apple Bloom placed her hands on her hips, doing her best to impersonate Applejack’s authority. “There’s one simple rule y’all gotta follow for this here sleepover.”

Sweetie cocked her head. “What are you talking about?”

Apple Bloom cleared her throat. “I’m afraid that Sweet Apple Acres is a clothes-free zone.”

“WHAT?!” Scootaloo clapped her hand over her mouth as her voice cracked. “What the hell, Apple Bloom?!” Sweetie openly gaped as their naturist friend stood firm in the grass.

“Ya heard me, Scootaloo. Fer this sleepover, skin is in. The Acres is the type o’ place that has no need fer secrets, drama, or modesty.” She smiled. “Think of it as a bondin’ experience that y’all will never forget. It’ll help ta strengthen our relationship as BFFs.”

Sweetie twirled one of her curls nervously. “I thought naturism wasn’t compulsory?”

Apple Bloom sighed, “I ain’t gonna force y’all ta take yer clothes off. It’s gotta be yer choice. Ah just know that we’d be a lot more honest with each other without a stitch between us. If that arrangement don’t suit yer fancy, Ah can have mah brother drive y’all back home.”

Scootaloo scowled, “There’s no way I’d--”

“Why not?” Scootaloo’s jaw snapped shut as she turned to regard Sweetie incredulously. The pale-skinned girl blushed and shrugged, “What? We know from last time nothing weird or perverted is going on. Besides, we owe Apple Bloom after all the drama we caused.”

As she began to unbutton her blouse, Apple Bloom smiled widely, “Ya sure, Sweetie?”

Sweetie smiled, “Of course I am. I’ll admit that I was curious about what it felt like but I didn’t have the nerve to actually try it.” To no one’s surprise, it turned out that she was wearing a frilly purple bra underneath her blouse.

Scootaloo swallowed, heart pounding in her chest, “Seriously?! You of all people?” Sweetie shrugged as she unclipped her skirt and stepped out of it, revealing a matching pair of panties.

“Just because I happen to like fancy clothes doesn’t mean I’m shy about my body.” The deep, rosy blush colouring her skin suggested otherwise. “What’s the matter, Scoots? You chicken?”

“No! I, just, I don’t…” Scootaloo stammered into silence as Sweetie unhooked her bra and took in a deep breath. She then slipped out her sandals, and kicked away her panties awkwardly, nearly tripping in the process. Flustered, she hugged herself and squeaked.

“Oh! Wow… this is a lot breezier than I imagined.” She yelped as Apple Bloom slammed into her side and gave her a bear hug. Or a bare hug, Scootaloo idly observed.

“Ya did it!” Apple Bloom beamed, “I thought fer sure Scootaloo would beat ya to it.”

Sweetie returned the hug. As they broke apart, Scootaloo studied Sweetie’s body.

It was clear that Sweetie Belle was developing into a young woman. Her breasts were noticeably rounder and fuller than Apple Bloom’s, and given her family’s genetics, she still had plenty of room to grow. Her hips and backside were also curvier than Apple Bloom’s work-hardened physique, with a slight bit of paunch gathered around the center of her stomach. A wispy, curly tuft of purple-pink hair peaked from in-between her legs.

“Scoots? Ya in there?” Apple Bloom asked, snapping her fingers. Scootaloo jumped, realizing that she’d been openly gawking at her friend’s naked body. “Are you in or not?”

Scootaloo hung her head and shuffled her feet in the grass, “I-I don’t know. I’m not… like you girls. I don’t look good naked. I should probably… just go.” She turned and made to mount her bike.

“Wait!” Sweetie ran awkwardwardly towards her friend, unused to having everything jiggle around in the open so much. “You can’t just wimp out on us!”

“You don’t even want to hang out with me anymore!” Scootaloo spat. “Just let me go!”

Sweetie wrapped her arms around Scootaloo’s waist and refused to budge. “No! You might be a dummy sometimes, but I still love you! If I can get naked, then so can you!”

Scootaloo slumped, “But I’m all gangly and...”

Apple Bloom sighed. “This again? Scoots you-” She stopped as Sweetie shook her head.

“Do you know how many people would kill to have a flat tummy like yours?” Sweetie began gently. “Look at me; I’m practically turning into a marshmallow! I have to buy new underwear every month with how much these stupid things are growing.” She emphasized her point by cupping her breasts. “You’re still a girl though! Just different. Everyone is.”

Scoots rubbed her watery eyes, “No matter what I try, I still look like a boy.” She clenched her fists and got off of her bike. “Ok fine! I’ll try it!” She flashed a grin. “If Sweetie can do it, then so can I!” She grabbed the hem of her shirt and paused, gathering the courage to remove it.

Apple Bloom smiled. “Ya got this, Scoots. We’re here fer ya.” Sweetie simply nodded and crossed her arms underneath her breasts.

Scootaloo whipped off her shirt and threw it in the air. The tomboy had opted to go braless for the ride over and now her bare chest was exposed to the open air. Despite her fears, Sweetie and Apple Bloom noticed that Scootaloo did indeed have breasts above her toned stomach. Albeit they were much smaller by comparison.

Shaking, Scootaloo kicked her shoes off as she unzipped her shorts. She slid them off of her narrow hips and down her long, muscular legs. As she stood up, Apple Bloom and Sweetie couldn’t help but giggle. Rather than boxers, Scootaloo was clad in a pair of cute yellow panties with cats printed all over, not unlike something Sweetiee would wear.

“What? I like feeling cute…” Scoots muttered as she pulled on the garment. “Ok. Here I go!” Practically jumping out of her underwear, she threw it away and stood naked before her friends. Not a spec of hair was to be found below her waist. “What do you think?”

Apple Bloom carefully gave her friend a hug, marvelling at the firmness of her muscles, “Ah think Rumble would have a cow if he saw ya like this.” Scootaloo snorted as she returned the hug with equal affection. The two girls smiled as Sweetie joined them in a group hug.

Breaking apart, Scootaloo swallowed and looked around, “Never thought I’d work up the nerve to do something like this…” Bouncing on her heels she smiled hesitantly. “The wind, the sun, everything feels so much more vivid. I--um--kind of like it, I think…”

Apple Bloom beamed, “Told ya. Ah reckon we should head on over ta the house, unless y’all want ta give the next passerby a show.” Turning, she looked at Winnona who was busy ruffling Sweetie's skirt. “And before Winona chews up your clothes! Git away from ‘em, ya ornery pooch!”

Big Mac waved at the approaching red sedan, which honked its horn in greeting. The large farmer wore a simple plaid shirt, a pair of well worn jeans and hiking boots. He’d taken along a backpack filled with a light lunch, a water bottle, and sunscreen. Mac chewed on a wad of gum nervously, unsure how Daisy Mae would react, and in turn, what would happen between them.

While he was doing his best to act casual by leaning against a tree, inwardly Mac’s heart was racing like a formula one dragster. Getting the chance to spend a whole day with Daisy Mae was exciting enough but the prospect of her doing so au natural, raised the stakes considerably. Pushing himself off the tree, he walked towards the back gate and opened it as Cheerliee’s car approached. The teacher waved at him as she drove through and parked.

Mac closed the gate and locked it carefully. While crime was hardly an issue in the valley, it didn’t pay to be careless. Turning to the sound of her door opening, Mac called out, “Seems ya found the place without any trouble.”

Mae’s voice came from the car, “Of, course! I nearly got lost in the beautiful scenery though.”

“Eeup. That it is.” Mac replied as Mae exited her vehicle. The young woman was dressed in a pink t-shirt, khaki shorts and a pair of practical boots not unlike Mac’s own. Her hair was tied back in a sensible ponytail with a pair of hot pink sunglasses resting upon her forehead. “Your presence here today only enhances the experience, I’d say.”

“The same could be said for you,” She replied with a playful wink as she removed a backpack of her own. Closing the door, she walked up to him and planted a gentle kiss on his lips. Mac returned the favour, placing his hands on her hips before she broke off the embrace.

“Mighty kind of ya, Mae. Ah hope yer ready fer an excitin’ hike today. Ah packed some food fer a picnic, if yer so inclined.” He smiled. “Ah know the perfect spot up in the hills mah parents used ta frequent when they were still around.”

Mae grinned, “Sounds like a nice day to me.”

“Shall we?”

“W-wait,” Cheerliee stuttered before clearing her throat. “Why aren’t you naked?” Mac turned and blinked at the expression on her face. “This is your property, right? So, why the clothes?”

The farmer chuckled and rubbed the back of his head, “Ah didn’t want ta pressure ya ta take yours off right away. Figured we could ease into it later, dependin’ on yer mood.”

His girlfriend put her hands on her hips and smiled. “That’s very considerate of you, Macintosh but I didn’t come here to just go out on a long hike. I came here to enjoy nature as nature intended. If you don’t mind, I’d prefer to plunge right in. Otherwise, I might lose my nerve... “

A warm feeling blossomed in Mac’s chest. “Mae, what are ya-”

The teacher dropped her bag to the ground and grabbed the hem of her shirt. Winking at him, she replied. “Shh. Just live in the moment and let me do my thing.”

Truth be told, Daisy-Mae’s decision to strip was mostly bravado. The teacher had been running through several scenarios of how she’d address the pink elephant in the room during her journey to Sweet Apple Acres. She’d even considered driving completely nude but common sense had prevailed. No, the best way to go about it was to take everything off as soon as she arrived. It was a lot like jumping into the deep end of the pool.

Mac became flustered as Mae began to remove her T-Shirt, but a shy smile remained on his lips. On a sudden playful impulse, she began to shake her hips as she slowly pulled her shirt off. Mae carefully slipped it over her head and shook out her hair. She’d chosen to wear a plain, black sports bra that wasn’t exactly sexy, but did a good job of highlighting her assets. Sticking her tongue out, Cheerliee winked. “Enjoying the show so far?”

“Reckon you’d be hard-pressed ta do it wrong,” Mac chuckled.

Upon taking her bra off, Daisy Mae twirled it around and flushed as her breasts jiggled slightly and came to rest. Ever since she was a teenager, she’d been generously endowed but exercise and diet had kept her breasts nice and firm. Her perky pink nipples began to stiffen as the breeze tickled them. She stuffed the bra in her backpack and moved on to her shorts.

She undid the button and zipper, and glanced over at Mac. While he was doing his best to appear nonchalant, the blush forming on his cheeks confirmed that he was very much enjoying the show. Sliding the shorts over her boots, the only thing she wore beyond footwear were her black panties. Abruptly, a wave of nerves hit her like a wrecking ball and her smile faltered.

“Ya don’t have ta go all the way,” Mac remarked, reaching out a hand.

“This is something I must do!” Mae looped her fingers around the waistband of her panties.With a deep breath, she carefully shimmied out of them. Knowing that her bare backside was facing Mac, Mae bent over a little more than was strictly necessary. Smirking at the sudden intake of breath, she tossed her garments aside and turned to face him. She’d made sure to groom herself properly last night and hoped he liked it. “What do you think?”

Mac snuck a peek at the mulberry strip nestled in-between her toned legs and blushed. “Reckon ya rendered me speechless. Not sure if Ah can say anythin’ that would do yer beauty justice.” Shrugging he reached for his own shirt. “Suppose Ah ought ta let ya see me nekkid. Fair is fair.”

“Wait!” Mae cried as she ran forward towards Mac. “Could I do it?” She placed her hands on his chest and batted her eyes, in what she hoped was a disarming way.

The farmer stopped unbuttoning his shirt. “If that’s what ya want, don’t see no harm in it.”

Linking her arms around the back of his neck, Mae kissed his neck. Her heart was beating fast with excitement and anticipation. Breaking this kiss, she smirked as she felt his own heartbeat through the fabric of his shirt.

“Excited?” Mae whispered, grabbing the hem of his shirt. “Arms up, big boy.” Giggling, she pulled it up and over his broad, hairy chest, shoulders, then finally his head. Stepping back, Mae fidgeted in place and resisted the urge to let her jaw drop as she looked at his bare torso.

Mac scratched his chest, “What? You’ve seen me shirtless before.”

“Not in person, and certainly not this close,” Cheerliee replied, reaching out. “May I?” At his shrug, she ran her hands over his pecs and abs with a goofy grin. He was every bit as sturdy as she’d imagined, more so even. “You’re built like a superhero!”

“Honest work is all it is, m’am. No masks or tights required.”

Mae let out a half-snorting giggle while she began to unbuckle his belt. Once she was finished undoing the zipper of his pants, Mae helped him step out of them, as carefully as she could. He was now clad in only a pair of grey boxers with a rather large bulge protruding from them.

Mae glanced up at his flushed face. “Hmm~ What do we have here?”

Mac gave her a look that spoke volumes. Waving her hand, she muttered, “Oh, alright. I’ll get on with it.” Licking her lips in anticipation, she grabbed his underwear and yanked them down. When his manhood bounced free, she couldn’t help but gasp.

In high school, there had been more than a few jokes that the nickname ‘Big Mac’ referred to more than just his impressive stature. Some girls had whispered that he was hung like a horse and never failed to satisfy any woman he pleased. Mae had to admit that Mac’s member had been the subject of many speculative, late night fantasies.

The genuine article, while impressive, was not as ridiculously large as rumors had led her to believe. Macintosh was well-endowed; no doubt about that. Not only lengthwise, but in sheer girth. Upon closer inspection, she noticed that it was rather veiny too. Mae squeaked when she realized that Macintosh was reacting to her presence in the most honest way a man could.

“Someone’s happy to see me.”

Mac coughed awkwardly, face beet red, using his hands to conceal his growing erection, “Hells Bells! I’m sorry Mae. Just gimme a minute ta get things back under control.”

In a bid to make him feel better and, if Mae was honest, to tease him, she pressed her breasts up against his back and wrapped her arms around his chest. Kissing him on the back of his neck she smiled, “I’m not upset. If anything, I’m flattered. Besides, if you didn’t get hard after the show I gave you, I’d be a little worried you weren’t interested in me.”

Mac removed his hands, revealing his semi-turgid penis. “Ain’t no use in hidin’ it then…”

Mae felt his heart begin to slow down and his breathing became regular once more. Smirking, she nibbled on his ear and whispered, “If you play your cards right, I might consider getting to know him A LOT better, if you know what I mean~”

“Erm--is that so?”

Faces flushed, the couple broke their embrace and stored their discarded clothing in the backpacks. As they moved around, Mae noted Mac’s erection had begun to subside, along with his blush. Now that the initial excitement had played itself out, Mae enjoyed the feeling of the sun and wind on her bare skin. Shouldering her backpack, she donned her sunglasses.

“Ready?” Mac asked.

“Lead on!” Mae replied while taking hold of his hand.

Scootaloo stretched as she exited the farm house. While she’d be lying if she said she was completely comfortable walking around in the buff, she enjoyed the warmth of the sun and the breeze as it tickled her skin. There was something oddly satisfying about being able to be herself without having to worry about what to wear. Just a simple tomboy who loved sports.

A soft hum drew her attention to Sweetie. The curvier girl had plopped herself onto a hammock strung up on the porch and was swinging in place with a childish smile. Smirking, Scootaloo walked over and leant on the railing beside her.

“Having fun ‘creampuff?’”

Sweetie snorted, “So what if I am?” The two giggled before falling into silence. Biting her lip, Sweetie added. “Thanks for staying this time…”

The taller girl sighed, “It was only ‘cause you were so brave. Sure didn’t expect you to just take all of your clothes off so willingly.”

“Apple Bloom is right; it is rather freeing. I figured, what’s the worst that could happen?”

Scootaloo squinted dramatically off into the distance, “Someone from school taking pictures of us and posting them online?” At Sweetie’s scandalized snort she winked. “Bet THAT would get Button to pay attention to you.”

“Not in the way I want...” The two snickered as Scootaloo hopped on top of the railing beside the hammock. The old polished wood felt nice beneath her bum and was mercifully free of splinters. As she swung her legs Sweetie cleared her throat.

“Scoots, don’t take this the wrong way, but why don’t you have any hair… down there?”

The tomboy glanced down at her smooth skin and chuckled. “I have gone through puberty, despite my body type. If that’s what you’re asking...”

“No! I didn’t mean to imply--.”

“The simple answer is that I wax my pubes regularly. Rainbow says it’s more practical for athletes to be hairless. Supposed to give you an ‘edge’.” Scoots ran her fingers over her crotch briefly. “I love the feel of it, ya know? And the look’s grown on me.” She gestured towards Sweetie’s own crossed legs. “Kind of figured you’d spruce up more down there.”

Sweetie twirled a few strands of her hair in-between her fingers. “I think having at least some pubes makes you look more ladylike. My sister likes to trim her’s into shapes sometimes, like a diamond. I dunno about waxing or shaving. Sounds like it would be painful... “

“Ah see it as a mark o’ maturity. A sign o’ reachin’ womanhood.” Apple Bloom remarked as she opened the porch door with her foot. In her hands the redhead bore a tray of refreshing apple cider.

Scootaloo snagged one of the drinks and shrugged. “To each their own, I guess.”

Sweetie giggled as she accepted her own glass. “Mine’s never grown that thick before. Must be a genetic thing. Kind of like with my mom and her boobs.”

“Ah trim ‘em on occasion! Ah just don’t feel the need ta draw any extra attention ta mahself down there. Natural is best.” The naturist pouted, throwing back half her drink in one go.

“In any case, a full bush suits you.” Scootaloo remarked.

Apple Bloom smiled widely, “Thanks. Can’t say I’d ever consider goin’ smoothie, but it works for ya, Scoots. What’s the word I’m lookin’ fer? It accentuates all yer muscles and whatnot.” As her tomboyish friend hid her blush with her drink she turned and sat beside Sweetie in the hammock.

As they finished their drinks, Apple Bloom clapped her hands, “What do you girls wanna do, now that we’ve gotten past the awkward adjustment phase?”

“What does a nudist do on a day such as this?” Scootaloo asked, setting aside her glass.

“Chores, usually,” Apple Bloom responded dryly. “But it’s vacation time! How would ya girls like ta see something cool?” Her friends shared a look then nodded. “Well, follow me!”

Leaving their drinks behind, the trio of teenagers plus Winona headed out to the orchard. As they walked, the three chattered about class, their sisters and their teacher. Scootaloo and Sweetie gasped as Apple Bloom regaled them with second hand tales of Mac’s big date.

“Awww, that’s so romantic,” Sweetie gushed, clasping her hands together. “Miss Cheerilee really is lucky your brother is such a gentleman.”

Scootaloo cackled, “Just wait till she sees what he’s packing! He’s gonna plow her field REAL good.” The tomboy thrust her hips suggestively, much to Sweetie's outrage.

Growling in mock anger, Apple Bloom wrapped Scootaloo in a headlock and noogied her, “Ya take that back! Mah brother is gentle as a lamb!”

“Ok, ok, geez just a joke AB!” As she was released Scootaloo skipped out of reach. “A lamb with a monster dong, you mean.”

Laughing, the trio left the shade of the orchard and emerged into a grassy clearing. At its center was a towering old apple tree, one of the first ones planted by Granny Smith’s grandparents all those years ago. Built into its boughs were several platforms connected by bridges and ropes. At the centre of the complex was a full-on treehouse complete with windows, a door and a colourful coat of red paint.

“Yoooooo,” Scootaloo said, running ahead. “How have you NEVER brought this up?!”

“How long has this been here?” Sweetie asked, studying the treehouse. “Some parts look pretty old.”

“Granny’s parents were the ones who first worked on it, years back,” Bloom replied. “Since then, every generation has added to it. Me and Babs actually repainted it last time she was here.” The farmgirl blushed. “As for why Ah never showed ya before.” She pointed to a sign hanging above the treehouse door written in a childish hand that proudly stated: NO KLOTHES ALLOWED.

Scootaloo laughed, “Yeah, that might’ve taken some explaining. Say, is Babs a nudist too?”

“Eeyup,” Apple Bloom answered with a warm smile. “She’s the only one in her branch of the family. Unfortunately, there ain’t a whole lot o’ places ta practice the lifestyle in Manehatten. She loves visitin’ Sweet Apple Acres whenever she can though.”

Sweetiee shook her head, “And here I thought she happened to like our company.”

“Of course she likes us, ya goofball! Anyway, are we gonna stand around like a couple of worried hens or we gonna check our clubhouse out?”

“Ours?” Sweetiee and Scootaloo asked in unison.

Apple Bloom flushed, “Y’all are like sisters ta me and Ah figured maybe if ya take a shine to being naked we could hang out here more often.” She coughed. “If that ain’t weird.”

Scootaloo sighed, “While we’re confessing things… screw it, I’m sorry for being such a turd to both of you.” The tomboy blinked rapidly. “From here on out, I promise not to blow you guys off for Rainbow anymore.”

For a few seconds silence stretched between the trio before a sob broke the silence. Unlike her more stoic Tomboy friend, Sweetiee freely allowed herself to tear up as she pulled at her hair.

“S-s-scootaloo, I should be apologizing to you! I treated you like such a cold hearted b-bitch! I was so upset but that doesn’t excuse it! C-can you forgive me?” The curvy girl rubbed her eyes as tears leaked down her cheeks.

The taller girl strode over and wrapped her in a hug. Scoots sniffed and muttered, “You drama queen. There’s nothing to forgive. We were both shitty, let's leave it at that.” Any thoughts of embarrassment had long since fled her mind as she hugged her friend tight.

“Well…” Sweetiee replied, returning the hug. “I should probably also not be so clingy. Even if we don’t hang out all the time, that doesn’t mean we’re not best friends.” The two nodded and smiled before the clapping of hands caused them to look up.

“Ah love you girls!” Apple Bloom declared as she wrapped both of them in a hug as well. Scootaloo and Sweetie made sounds of mock protest at the farm girl’s intrusion. “Ah just knew you two would sort things out buck nekkid!”

Scootaloo snorted, “Yeah, yeah you got lucky, Bloom.” Clearing her throat she muttered. “But thanks for not giving up on us.”

After a good minute the trio broke the hug and wiped their eyes. Clapping her hands together Scootaloo declared, “Right now would you girls like to help me launch myself off that tire swing like a total BAMF?” Laughing, the three raced off to play, unbridled joy upon their faces.

“You got it?” Mac grunted, sweaty chest gleaming in the sun.

“Yeah,” Daisy Mae replied with a sigh. “I’m not gripping it too hard am I?”

Looking down at her Mac winked, “Those soft hands of yours? Course not. On three?”

The young teacher spread her legs and nodded, “One.”

Mac’s muscles tensed in preparation, “Two.”

“Three!” They said as one.

Mac’s bicep muscles bulged as he lifted Cheerilee up the debris pile. His date, for her part, kicked her legs out finding a toehold to aid her ascent. The sun was warm in the dry ravine bed and they both were sweating.

With a final burst of effort, the two fell back atop the boulder Mac had been standing upon. By accident or design, Cheerliee had landed half atop him, her breasts rubbing against his pecs. Smiling Mac rested a hand on her lower back and remarked, “Well ain’t this a happy accident?” With a burst of boldness, he moved his hand to her bottom and gave it a good squeeze.

Mae caressed the side of his face, “Well aren’t you the rogue. I took you for a gentleman!”
Giggling, she kissed him tenderly. “There’s your reward, you chivalrous brute.”

The two laughed as they rolled away from one another and got up. Looking down the ravine Mac scratched his chest, “Mah apologies again, Mae. Ah hadn’t realized we had a rock slide out here this spring.”

Mae unclipped her water bottle from her bag and took a swig, “It’s fine, Mac. The view makes it all worth it.”

“Eeyup.”

Spread out before them was Sweet Apple Acres in its entirety. Rows of apple trees stretched out almost as far as the eye could see; their boughs empty for the moment. The distillery, barn, root cellar, farmhouse, and even the old treehouse all blended seamlessly into the natural landscape. The swimming hole reflected sunlight playing upon the nearby trees. A soft breeze stirred the treetops creating a murmur they could hear even up the butte.

After catching their breath, Mac and Cheerliee moved on and headed further up the hill and into a thicket of trees and creeping vines. As they were now able to walk side by side, Daisy-Mae took his hand in her own tenderly. Mac marveled at how soft and dainty it felt and did his best not to crush her with his own monster paw of a hand.

“Did ya enjoy the hike?” He asked, rubbing the back of his head with his free hand. “Ah hope it wasn’t too technical…”

Mae shook her head. “I’m having plenty of fun, Mac. Sweet Apple Acres is so tranquil and flush with the bounty of nature. Almost like the Garden of Eden.” She bumped his hip with her own. “We’re even dressed for the part, huh?”

The big man chuckled, “Ah’m sure Ah could rustle up some fig leaves somewhere…”

Cheerliee grinned while glancing down towards his waist. “No need~ We’re perfectly fine as is. Besides, I don’t think there’s a fig leaf big enough to cover up a serpent like that. Where are you taking me now?”

“Just the edge o’ our property,” At her hand gripping his own tighter he smiled reassuringly. “Don’t ya worry, no one comes up this way but us Apples.”

“That’s a relief! I think I like being naked in a private setting but anything more is...”

“Ah understand” The big man pushed aside some hanging creepers and pulled Mae forward. “Looks like we’re here.”

The couple emerged into a secluded clearing atop the rocky hill. Around them the rest of the grove of trees hung back leaving the ground covered only in soft moss. In the centre of the clearing a tree grew that made Mae do a visible double take.

“That’s impossible!”

Mac smirked at her wonder as he studied the familiar old tree himself. Or rather, the two trees that had grown together into one. Half of the twisted trunk was the familiar dark brown wood of most apple trees with lush verdant green leaves. The other half was a pale grey with the light green leaves of a pear tree. By some accident of creation the crowns of the two trees mingled in such a way to form the shape of a heart.

“Enope. That there is a genuine pearple tree.”

Releasing his hand, Mae raced over to the tree in a way that made her bare buns jiggle in a very distracting way. Crouching down onto her haunches, she ran her hands along the trunk of the hybrid tree. Mac walked up beside her as she muttered, “They’ve grown together. Practically like a symbiotic organism! How did this happen?”

Mac’s fingers fondly rubbed an old carving at his eye level. It was a simple heart that had two familiar initials contained within: BM+PB. “The magic of love, that’s how.”

Mae cocked her head, “That’s not exactly an answer, Macintosh…”

“I’ll tell you about it over lunch. Apple or pear?” Unlike the trees in the orchard, this tree had yet to be harvested. While the fruit was a little ripe it was still more than edible.

“That some kind of test?” Mae quipped, taking her backpack off. “An apple, thank you.”

Picking both an apple and a pear gently, Mac walked over to Mae as she spread a blanket out on the mossy ground. The two removed their lunches, a pair of sandwiches, from their bags and sat down side by side. Giving her the apple, Mac bit into his pear and began the story.

“Mah family’s worked this land fer generations. When we came over from the old country, my great grandpappy wanted tah live as close ta nature as possible,” He paused to enjoy the tart squishy texture of the pear. “Back then, naturism wasn’t exactly mainstream, much less accepted by the masses. Over time though, folks began ta accept us fer how we lived.”

Mae nodded as she bit into the apple, juice running down her chin and onto her breasts. Coughing, he resumed the story holding up the fruit in his hand, “Except for the Pears. They used ta own the land on the other side of this Butte and always had it in fer us. Said we were immoral Canaanites, wanton exhibitionists and other such nonsense.”

“They couldn’t have been friendly neighbors then,” Mae remarked, cleaning the spilled juice with a towelette. “How do your parents fit into all this?”

“As time went on, the feud kept on gettin’ worse. Ah’m pretty sure at one point Granny and Grand Pear came tah blows,” He shook his head. “By the time my parents were born,both families weren’t even on speakin’ terms.”

The teacher grinned as she began to dig into her sandwich, “Do I sense a forbidden romance story in the works?”

Mac winked, “Maybe.” Finishing off the pear, he flicked the core away. “When mah parents were wee tots, they happened tah run into one another. Pa was running around with nothin’ but a smile and ma was quite scandalized at first. However, they got along like peanut butter n’ jelly. Before long, ma stopped feelin’ so self-conscious and went full jaybird.”

“Hmm. That can’t have gone over well with her folks.”

“Eenope. Grand Pear damn near burst a blood vessel chewing pa out. Granny was furious with Grand Pear fer oversteppin’ his bounds. After that day, the two families agreed to never let the two meet again.” He shrugged. “Course, my parents had other ideas. The two of them snuck out one night and climbed up here. They resolved to stay friends and planted an apple and pear seed on this here spot ta symbolize their bond.”

“Awwwww, that’s so sweet.”

Gently caressing the side of Mae’s face, Mac remarked, “Course, as time went on the two became sweet on one another n’ ended up engaged. The trees themselves grew together over time. An everlastin’ symbol o’ their love. Eeyup. Real romantic, Ah reckon.”

The young couple kissed chastely before returning to their meals. Nudging Mae with his arm, Mac asked, “How’d yer parents meet?”

Mae snorted, “Nothing quite as dramatic as yours, I’m sure. My dad met my mom at a singles night at the bar Berry Punch runs in town. One drink led to another and they hooked up.” She shrugged. “When I came along, my dad decided to make mum an honest woman. For a one night stand, it worked out pretty well, all things considered.”

Mac felt his face brightening with heat, “Ahh, shucks Mae ah didn’t mean-”

His girlfriend waved her hand, “It’s fine, Mac. I dare say dad will tell you himself next time they’re in town.” Mae’s expression soured. “That is, if they ever leave that damn swingers resort they retired to…”

Laughing awkwardly, the two finished their meal before lying back on the blanket together. As they stared up at the rustling leaves of the tree, Mae began to entwine her legs around Mac’s. Smiling, he slipped his arm under her neck so she could rest her face beside his own. Her gaze was wistful as her hands stroked his chest.

“Having fun?” Mac asked hesitantly.

Mae hummed and pressed her breasts against his chest, “For a second date? Absolutely.” Kissing him with passion she broke off and looked him in the eye. “Do you think we could just… lay here together for a bit? And make out like a couple of ‘forbidden lovers’?”

“Eyup.” Mac kissed her again as their hands roamed across each other’s bodies. His manhood began to stir to life atop his abs, but he ignored it. The full feeling in his heart, for now, trumped any other desire as he embraced Mae with all the love he had.

Daisy Mae realized that still had a goofy grin spread across her lips as she followed Mac back onto Sweet Apple Acres proper. The big hunk had proven to be a surprisingly good kisser. Not that Mae had expected him to be a hayseed at it but his tongue was both dexterous and firm. She could only imagine what he could do with it elsewhere...

Shaking the lewd thoughts from her mind, Mae skipped up to walk beside Mac as they passed through one of the outer orchards. Truth be told, she’d had trouble resisting the urge to jump on top of him and ride him like a cowgirl. Only the lack of condoms and their mutual desire to take things slow had kept her lustful impulses at bay. As she ducked under a bough, she dimly realized Mac had said her name.

“I’m sorry, Mac. Could you say that again?”

“Ah was asking if ya wanted to take a dip in the pond? Good way ta refresh yerself after a hike.”

Mae made a show of sniffing her armpit, “What, do you think I’m smelly?” She pulled a face. “Still, rinsing all the sweat and dust off my skin wouldn’t hurt. Lead on!”

Mac made a show of bowing, “After you.”

As they drew closer to the pool, the sound of young laughter echoed through the trees. Mae paused as she felt a wave of panic wash over her. Surely, no one but Mac’s family was here? Instinctively hiding behind him, she peered over his shoulder at the swimming hole and its occupants. To her surprise, it was three of her students.

Despite not wearing a thread between them, Scootaloo, Sweetie and Apple Bloom’s personalities shone through. The tanned farm girl and wiry tomboy were dripping wet and had the slightly chubby form of their curly-haired friend dangling from her wrists and ankles between them. Sweetie was writhing in mock protest as the two marched her to the pond.

“Girls! Stoooop!” Sweetiee pleaded.

Apple Bloom shook her head, “Enope! Ya shoved us in, Sweetie. Fair is fair.”

“Ready AB?” Scootaloo grunted as they splashed into the water’s edge. “Her big, fat marshmallow ass sure is heavy.”

The pale skinned girl glared at her friend and blushed, “It’s not… THAT big!”

“A’right, toss her in!”

With twin grunts of effort, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo dumped Sweetie into the pond. Her squeals of dismay were cut off when she belly-flopped into the water, producing a spectacular splash. Within a few moments, she broke the surface and launched herself at her friends, dragging them both in together with surprising strength.

Cheerliee backed away playing with her hair, “On second thought, I can just shower at home…”

Mac grabbed her arm gently, “Hold on now Mae, what’s wrong?”

“They’re my students! I can’t be seen naked around them, much less while they’re naked! If the school found out I could lose-”

“Eh now, hush,” The farmer replied, drawing her into an embrace. “Ah told you, yer body ain’t nothin’ ta be ashamed of. You ain’t planning on taking advantage of them, are ya?”

The teacher felt her nostril’s flare as she hissed, “Of course not!”

“Then why worry? The three of ‘em are good friends. Hell, better than I thought if they’re this comfortable already,” He smiled. “This is what naturism is all about. Bein’ yerrself ‘round others. Yer still their teacher but also a beautiful woman I’m honoured ta call mah girlfriend.”

Mae’s cheeks flushed as she played with her hair, “When you put it like that.” She sucked in a deep breath. “Right. Time to put your big girl pants on Daisy Mae!” Mac had the decency to stifle his snicker as she marched past him. “Let's go!”

Despite her heart thundering inside her chest, Mae emerged from the treeline with her head held high. Mac walked beside her, gripping her hand firmly, anchoring her. As they approached the pond, Scootaloo managed to break from the scrum and stagger onto the bank.

“Ha! Escaped ya!” She crowed, pushing her sodden bangs from her eyes. Catching sight of her teacher she gasped. “Wait a second. Is that you, Miss Cheerliee?!”

“Hello, Scootaloo. You look well today,” Mae replied with a nervous wave.

Scootaloo rubbed the back of her head, “Thanks. And you look--uh--cute, I think?”

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle waded to the shore, so that they could stand on either side of Scootaloo and stare at their teacher. The farm girl had a delighted grin on her face and clapped her hands together. Sweetie, meanwhile, paused for a moment, unsure how to greet her.

“Oh mah gosh, Mac ya did it!” Apple Bloom gushed. “How are ya likin’ yer venture here at Sweet Apple Acres, Miss Cheerilee?”

Mae’s heart calmed slightly, “It’s beautiful, Apple Bloom. Your brother is a great tour guide.”

Sweetie rubbed her hands together and decided that an honest compliment would help clear up the awkward atmosphere. “You look so pretty, Miss Cheerilee. You fit Big Mac like a glove!” She blushed. “I-I mean, not LITERALLY! I’m not implying you two are-”

Placing her finger on her student’s mouth, Mae smiled kindly, “I know what you meant, Sweetie.” She took a deep breath and stepped back, looping her arm inside Mac’s. “Yes, we’re officially dating now but I’m sure you girls already knew that.”

Scootaloo smirked, “Gee, teach, what could ever have given it away? You giggling when you texted him in class or that blush on your- Ow! Bloom!”

As the tomboy rubbed her aching forehead, Apple Bloom placed her hands on her hips, “Watch yer tone Scoots! Miss Cheerilee’s still our teacher and deserves our respect.”

“Geeze…”

“Actually, since we’re outside of the classroom, you can just call me Daisy Mae,” Mae interjected with a smile. “Being out here with all of you… like this, it seems a bit silly to insist on titles.”

“Sure thing Ms- I mean Daisy Mae!” Sweetiee beamed. “Want to go swimming with us?”

“I’d love to, so long as you promise not to shove me in!” The smile her student gave her was sugar sweet. Too sweet, Mae realized. “You… won’t shove me in, right?”

Mac chuckled as he bent down to remove his boots, “Only one way ta find out, Ah reckon.”

Granny Smith chuckled to herself as she watched Sweetie Belle drag her teacher into the pond. As the shapely young woman disappeared below the water, Mac dunked Apple Bloom and Scootaloo in with a laugh and before long the pond dissolved into a full on splash fight. Reclining back in her chair, Granny took a long sip from her silver whiskey flask and ruffled Winona’s fur, who happened to be laying down next to the folding chair.

“Ta be young again. These old bones ain’t what they used ta be.”

Winona barked in agreement as the Apple Matriarch scratched her behind the ears. She and Granny had parked themselves atop the hill overlooking the pond to play lifeguard. Watching the collie’s eagerly wagging tail Granny asked, “Ya want ta join ‘em, huh?”

The lolling tongue and happy whuff were answers enough. After patting the dog’s head, Granny ordered, “Go on an’ git.” Yipping at the top of her lungs, Winona took off like a greyhound and raced down the hill towards the pond. With a flying leap she barreled into Apple Bloom, knocking her deeper into the water.

Granny Smith picked up her smartphone and opened up her reading app. Most people thought that old folks were technologically inept. While Granny knew she was getting up there, she always figured that you were never too old to learn new things. These newfangled smartphones were a camera, phone, book, jukebox and more all in one. How could she not own one?

For the next several minutes, beyond occasionally glancing up to check on her grandchildren and their friends, Granny Smith continued reading The Killer Angels. When she’d first gotten her own Bramble account she’d been amazed at the number of e-books she’d had at her fingertips. As she completed yet another chapter, her phone shook in her hand. Glancing at the caller ID a smile spread across her wrinkled face like the rising sun.

Answering the video call, Granny waved with her free hand and said, “Johnny! How’s mah favourite grand nephew?”

The young man whose face appeared on the screen smiled wryly, “I’m alright, Auntie Smith.”

Johnny Apple-Seed was Granny Smith’s great grand-nephew and slightly older than Applejack. A slight young man by the standards of the Apples, his body was wiry and lean with sharp facial features. His wavy red hair was tied back in a short ponytail to better show off his emerald green eyes and the sea of freckles that surrounded them. He was wearing a plain blue hoodie and seemed to be sitting in a car.

“Johnny, ya best not be facetimin’ and drivin’,” Granny growled, narrowing her eyes.

“Relax, auntie, I’m parked.” Johnny replied with a half hearted laugh.

“Ya better be. Don’t think Ah can’t still whoop yer pale backside if ya lie tah me. How’s the family Johnny? Is Babs still havin’ trouble adjustin’ ta the academy?”

The young man’s face fell. Granny leaned forward with concern, “What happened?”

“Our parents… they split up. It’s over. For good, this time.” Johnny sighed, rubbing his face. “I can’t say I’m surprised but... fuck it’s a mess.” He coughed. “Mom ran off with that sleazy meth-dealing boyfriend of hers and dad threw himself into work, like he always does.”

Granny bit her lip, brows furrowing. Her brother’s son, Kingston Apple, was a construction foreman by trade and damn good at his job. Unfortunately, he was so focused on his career that his skills as a father had left much to be desired. His wife, Rya Seed had been and remained a free spirit, unsuited to perform the domestic responsibilities Kingston had expected of her when they wed. They’d almost divorced when Johnny was around ten years old, but had stayed together when Rya gave birth to his little sister, Babs.

“Johnny, I’m sorry ta hear that,” though her words and demeanor were calm, inside, Granny’s rage seethed like a boiling kettle. “How are y’all holding up?”

“Fine, I guess,” He let out a heavy sigh and rubbed his eyes. “I’ve always known that their marriage would fall apart eventually, but I hoped it would work at least until Babs graduated.”

Granny Smith cocked her head, “And how is she?”

“Terrible. She’s one failed test away from getting expelled and refuses to wear anything around the house,” Johnny’s face twisted. “Mom tolerated it for a while but dad… he doesn’t want that type of ‘hippie nonsense’ under his roof.”

“Bastard,” Granny cursed under her breath.

The young man swallowed nervously, “Auntie, could you take Babs in? I’m worried she’ll end up running away at this rate. She needs people who love her and support her, beyond me.” He blushed. “Would you mind terribly if I came too? I need to get away from this shithole city.”

“Yer parents don’t mind?”

“I don’t believe so. Dad knows he can’t give her the attention she needs and mom… well she lost her vote when she ran off with a drug peddler,” He shrugged helplessly. “I know it’s a lot to ask but I don’t know what else to do.”

“Y’all are family, boy. Course we’ll take ya in,” Granny Smith replied. “First though, ah gotta ask Mac, AJ and Bloom. Before long this place will be passed on to ‘em. They ought ta have a say.”

Johnny rubbed some tears from his eyes, “Don’t talk like that auntie, you’ll outlive us all! Thank you. Really.”

“Ah’ll call you when Ah talk ta them, Johnny. You keep yer sister safe now, ya hear?”

“Yes ma’am.”

When the video call finally ended, Granny leaned back in her chair and watched as Mac towed Cheerilee and her three students through the water. AJ was supposed to come back from her trip tomorrow. She’d break the news, good and bad, to everyone then.

Apple Bloom's Cousin Can't Be This Cute!

Chapter 14

Egremont Russet High School, Ponyville

The lunch bell rang throughout the halls of ERHS as a throng of teenagers migrated towards the cafeteria. Apple Bloom waited patiently by her locker until Babs arrived, as this was her first week attending high school in Ponyville. Thankfully, Johnny Apple Seed had thought far enough ahead to name himself as her legal guardian before they officially moved to Sweet Apple Acres. Subsequently, he’d filled out all the necessary enrollment paperwork for his little sister about three weeks prior. It made the transition a little bit smoother for Babs, but the process was not without a few bumps along the way. Life in Manehattan had already been rough enough for the aspiring martial artist, and Apple Bloom was determined to do everything in her power to help smooth things out for her elder cousin no matter the circumstances.

Whenever Babs bothered to put clothes on (the same could be said of Apple Bloom), she tended to wear comfortable sneakers, a graphic t-shirt, and a frilled, navy-blue jean skirt. Before they left the house on Babs’ first day, Apple Bloom warned her cousin against going commando, as it was considered a gross violation of the school dress code and could land her in serious trouble. Begrudgingly, Babs agreed to wear undergarments, but she still had a habit of sitting like a guy. Not that anyone called her out on it. Many of her fellow classmates felt intimidated by her.

Apple Bloom sighed to herself. It was going to take time for everyone to understand that Babs was a kind and gentle soul once you got to know her better. However, teenagers, like their adult counterparts, tended to judge people based on how they looked at first glance. With her piercings, muscled limbs, and gruff demeanor, many of the students probably assumed she was some streetwise hoodlum from Manehattan, who would beat them up for their lunch money.

Nothing could be further from the truth. At least the teachers had come to recognize her academic prowess. It also helped that she’d been polite and respectful towards them. Apple Bloom hoped that they’d try to set things right, but it was a longshot at best. School staff took a hands-off approach when it came to student interaction, unless bullying was involved. Even then, they were often slow to act on verbal complaints alone, barring hard evidence to back them up.

Babs finally arrived with a bored expression on her face. She yawned briefly and lifted her shirt in order to scratch her stomach. “No offense, Bloom but—erm—these classes ain’t exactly challenging ta me. The school counselor should consider puttin’ me in the AP courses.”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we git there. You’ve only been here fer a few days.”

Babs shrugged. “Fair enough. I’m starvin’. What’s for lunch today?”

“Meatloaf Ah think. If ya wanna call it that. I’d stick with the sammiches, personally.”

Babs held her cousin’s hand as they walked towards the cafeteria doors. “Guess I should’ve packed my lunch like you. Did ya whip that up yourself or…”

Apple Bloom chuckled. “Ah ain’t bad at cookin’, but AJ insists on packin’ mah lunch.”

“That’s awful sweet of her. My pops couldn’t be bothered to do anything like that for me. Johnny would give me money to buy food though. He’s… not a very good cook. Heh.”

Apple Bloom frowned. “Sorry, Ah didn’t mean ta bring up bad memories.”

“Don’t sweat it, cuz. I’ve already moved on. Hmm. Suppose I could try the turkey club.”

At their usual spot, Sweetie and Scootaloo were already seated, enjoying their respective lunches, chatting amongst themselves. Apple Bloom joined them while Babs went to go buy her lunch, whatever it might be that day. As soon as Apple Bloom unzipped her lunchbox, her BBFs stopped talking and focused their attention on her. While she set her thermos full of homemade ham & bean soup on the table top, the redheaded teen began to feel awkward, unsure of what to say to her friends. Before she had the chance to speak, Babs came back with a tray full of BBQ chips, a turkey club, and a carton of whole milk. She sat directly across from Scootaloo.

“Hey, Babs. How’s your first week going so far?” Sweetie asked hesitantly.

“Eh. Not too bad, I guess. The kids around here seem awfully skittish though.”

Scootaloo slurped on her juice box. “I wouldn’t worry about them too much. They don’t know you like we do. Just give it some time, Babs. They’ll find out how awesome you are!”

Babs took a single bite of her sandwich and chewed on it slowly. “If you say so. Is it ‘cause of the way I look? Should I—uh—try ta act and dress up a bit more girly… maybe? I’m not stupid, Scoots. I’ve noticed how all the kids have been avoiding me. They think I’m gonna beat the shit outta them if they so much as look at me the wrong way. It ain’t fair! I’m not like that!”

Apple Bloom reached over and rubbed her back. “We’ll figure somethin’ out. Ah promise. At the very least, we can all hang out at the Acres after school n’ have some fun. How’s that sound?”

Sweetie raised her hand. “Sorry, girls. But I already promised Dinky and Button that we’d go raiding this afternoon. I’m going to be able to hang out with you.”

Scootaloo rolled her eyes. “This again? Can’t you just do it some other time?”

“That’s not how MMOs work, Scoots. Loot drops only happen at certain times and—”

Scootaloo scoffed. “Ok, I get it. Go do your stupid dungeon raid with your nerdy boyfriend.”

Sweetie blushed. “HE’S NOT MY BOYFRIEND!! We just happen to like hanging out together and share a lot of the same interests. There’s no law saying that I can’t have platonic relationships with boys in high school. Besides, I’m not sure if he likes me that way…”

“All the more reason why y’all should start datin’. Ask him out.” Apple Bloom suggested.

Sweetie Belle grumbled, then began playing with a strand of her hair. “But I—that’s not—how things are supposed to work… are they? Rarity’s always telling me that a proper lady has to be patient and show restraint around men. I dunno if that approach would work with Button.”

Apple Bloom’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Sounds too complicated fer mah blood. Just come out and say what ya mean, Sweetie. It’ll save y’all a heap o’ time and frustration, Ah reckon.”

Sweetie nibbled on her chocolate chip cookie for a moment while she pondered. “Where’s the romance in that? No build up. No heartfelt gestures. Knowing my luck, he’d just grunt in agreement, treat me the same way he always has, and keep playing his video game. I don’t even know if he’s interested in real world girls… let alone a pudgy marshmallow like me.”

“Did you try and find Button’s porn stash? Best way to find out a dude’s kinks.” Babs asked.

Sweetie began to choke on a lump of half-chewed cookie. “I would never do that!!”

Babs shrugged. “Ya never know, Sweets. He might have a thing for curvy broads. If ya won’t do that, then try goin’ over ta his house without a bra next time. Flash him a peek of your fun bags, but not in an obvious way. Gauge his reaction and see if he gets all flustered n’ shit.”

Sensing the awkward tension in the air, Apple Bloom cleared her throat loudly. “Uh—Babs, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Ya gotta let Sweetie handle it her own way. That bein’ said, mah offer ta hang out at Sweet Apple Acres after school still stands. Care ta join us, Scoots?”

“S’not like I have anything else going on today. Sure. Why not?”

Babs grinned. “Sweet! I’ve been wantin’ ta catch up with ya but I haven’t gotten the chance, since we’ve all been so busy as of late. I was wondering if you’d like ta spar with me this afternoon. There’s plenty of room at the Acres to do that. Uh—if you ya want to, that is.”

A slight blush crept onto Scootaloo’s cheeks. “What kind of sparring exactly?”

Babs stretched her arms upwards and let out a short grunt. “Gotta keep in shape for my MMA regimen. You seem like a fit gal, so I figured you’d be my best option for a partner.”

“What about Apple Bloom? She’s in good shape.”

Apple Bloom shook her head. “Mah body got this way on account o’ workin’ on the farm. The kind o’ shape Babs is talkin’ ‘bout is from trainin’ n’ sports. Never been a fan o’ that stuff. C’mon, Scoots! This sounds right up yer alley. Don’t tell me yer afraid ta lose.”

Scootaloo rubbed the back of her neck. “That’s not how training works, AB. I’m game for tagging along, but you have to promise to go easy on me while we spar. MMA fighting isn’t exactly a passion of mine. I’d like to… avoid getting injured over something stupid.”

“Safety always comes first!” Babs exclaimed.

Scootaloo chuckled. “Good. So… I guess I’ll meet up with you guys after school then.”

Babs gave her a thumbs up. “Awesome! It’s a date! See ya later, Scoots.”

When Scootaloo was well out of ear shot of her friends, she walked over to her locker, blushed furiously and felt a peculiar sensation prickle all over her skin. “What the hell did I just agree to? Take in a deep breath, Scoots. It’s just a sparring session with an old friend. No reason to get all worked up. Damn it! After all this time, I thought I’d finally gotten over my crush on Babs, but it’s just as strong as it’s ever been.

“I never thought, in a million years, that she’d actually move to Ponyville and I’d get to see her on a regular basis. At the very least, I should pack some comfy sparring clothes. Yeah. Focus on the training, and not the gut-wrenching existential dread that threatens to consume your very being. Hehehe!”

Scootaloo swallowed a lump that had begun to form in her throat as the final bell rang and she closed her locker door shut. It took several years for her to process, but the tomboy had gradually come to realize that she was attracted to other girls. It was not an easy revelation to deal with as a teenager, seeing as how her two best friends in the entire world were not only cute, but one of them was a naturist. It took every ounce of Scootaloo’s willpower not to gawk at her friends while they were frolicking about in the nude. She was ashamed of herself for thinking about them in a lewd manner, but hormones had a funny way of messing with your mind and body.

The sole person she’d ever admitted these ‘taboo’ feelings to was Rainbow Dash. It had been a long, awkward conversation, but in the end, Scootaloo did not regret having it. So far as Scootaloo could tell, RD seemed to like men and women equally, in terms of finding them attractive. It only served to make her own feelings on the matter all the more confusing. Her older sister’s advice had been straightforward: just be yourself. As if it were that simple! Not only did she have to contend with lingering body image issues (the naked bonding time she’d shared with Sweetie & Apple Bloom had helped a little) but she was terrified that openly embracing her sexuality would only serve to strain her relationship with them.

Her thoughts eventually began to drift towards Babs again. Years had gone by since they last met in person. In that time, Scootaloo had to admit that her crush had filled out quite nicely. Her muscular physique was obvious, even when wearing a casual outfit at school. Lewd thoughts began to dance around Scootaloo’s mind as she imagined Babs wearing nothing but a cocky grin, inviting her to bed. To be embraced by those strong arms, to breathe in the scent of her raspberry locks, and held tight against her freckled, tawny skin was a fantasy that Scootaloo dared not pine for, lest it be shattered in an instant.

Scootaloo sighed to herself. “I’m not gonna get anywhere if I stay at my locker all afternoon. Alright, girl. You can do this! Just try to act cool and keep it casual. Don’t make things weird.”

As luck would have it, Apple Bloom’s brother was able to pick everyone up at the school parking lot. The three teenagers piled into the back seat of the family truck and headed down the road towards Sweet Apple Acres. Scootaloo didn’t say much on the drive over. It was a relatively short one, after all. Sitting in such close proximity to her crush had made the tomboy a nervous wreck. Intensified by the fact that she could smell lingering traces of the bodywash Babs had used earlier in the morning before school started. If she didn’t know any better, Scootaloo swore that it was the scent of men’s body wash, not the girly stuff Sweetie liked to lather herself with.

“Hey—um—you smell good today, Babs. Are you wearing perfume or something?”

The amateur fighter blew a strand of hair away from her eye. “Nah. Perfume ain’t my scene. Forgot ta grab my own body wash at the store, so I borrowed some of my brother’s. I think it’s called ‘Timberwood’ or some outdoorsy sounding shit. You like ta wear perfume, Scoots?”

Scootaloo suddenly felt self-conscious about how she smelled. She lifted the collar of her shirt and gave her chest a quick sniff just to make sure her skin didn’t stink like stale sweat. Thankfully, it didn’t. Gym class had ended hours ago. “When the occasion calls for it. Sweetie introduced me to some pretty awe—er—I mean interesting scents. Ya know… like vanilla jasmine and rose petals. Nothing too expensive though! Honeysuckle is my favorite.”

“Oh. That’s cool. Johnny likes to wear cologne. Soap and shampoo usually do it for me.”

Apple Bloom cocked her brow. “Ah didn’t know ya liked wearin’ frou-frou perfume.”

Scootaloo’s cheeks flushed. “What’s wrong with liking the finer things in life?”

“Never said there was anythin’ wrong with it, Scoots. Just surprised is all. No offence, but ya don’t strike me as the type o’ person who’d enjoy doin’ things like that.”

Scootaloo crossed her arms and pouted. “I am A GIRL; in case you’ve forgotten…”

Apple Bloom sighed. “Right. Sorry if Ah ruffled yer feathers. Wasn’t mah intention.”

“It’s ok, AB. I’m in a weird mood today.”

“Wanna talk ‘bout it?” Apple Bloom offered.

Scootaloo hesitated for a moment, considering her options. In the end, she decided it was better if Apple Bloom remained ignorant of the “I have a massive crush on your cousin” problem. “Nah, I think I just need some fresh air and exercise after being cooped up at school all day.”

Babs cracked her knuckles in anticipation. “You’ve come ta the right place, Scoots! Nothin’ beats working up a good sweat and loosening up all your muscles. Then ya can take a cold shower right after. Or go for a swim in the pond. Couldn’t do that back in Manehattan.”

“Uh… right. I’ll stick to hot showers, thank you very much.”

The girls shared a laugh as Mac pulled into the barn. As they piled out of the truck, Mac waved goodbye to them and made his way back to the stills. In the meantime, Apple Bloom beckoned Babs and Scootaloo to come with her to the second level of the farmhouse, where they could stow their backpacks and get more comfortable. Scootaloo followed Apple Bloom into her room, while Babs walked down the hall towards her own.

No sooner did her backpack hit the floor, Apple Bloom immediately began taking off her clothes. She was nude within a matter of moments. Suffice to say, it was VERY awkward standing right behind her best friend while she bent over to put a pair of shorts away in the bottom drawer of the dresser. Scootaloo kept her mind focused on changing into the extra set of workout clothes she’d packed. Unlike the last time she’d visited the farmstead, Apple Bloom hadn’t insisted that she follow the family dress code, or lack there of in this case.

In an effort to keep things simple, Scootaloo opted to wear an orange tank top with a matching pair of athletic shorts, and sneakers. The typical outfit she wore whenever training was involved. In the back of her mind, she wondered what Apple Bloom would be doing while she sparred with Babs. Probably nothing too intense, as she’d taken her shoes off. Then again, Scootaloo couldn’t recall a time when Apple Bloom wasn’t already walking around the place barefoot. In fact, none of the Apples seemed to wear shoes while they were at work or play.

“Say, AB. This is gonna sound like a weird question, but I’m curious.”

Apple Bloom was busy in the bathroom washing her face. “Go ahead. Ah don’t mind.”

“Do you guys ever wear shoes outside? Seems like a good way to hurt your feet…”

Apple Bloom stepped out of the bathroom and stretched her arms. “Most o’ the time, no. The soles o’ yer feet toughen up considerably when ya don’t wear shoes. If we’re doing heavy work, like wood chippin’ or haulin’ gravel, then yeah. Heck, we even wear clothes fer that. Personally, Ah find shoes n’ sandals ta be a might suffocatin’. Prefer ta feel the ground beneath mah feet.”

Scootaloo laughed. “You’re a naturist even when it comes to footwear!”

“What else did ya expect?”

Scootaloo performed her own set of stretches. “I dunno. Say, are you gonna join us for a sparring session? Not to be rude, but you aren’t exactly—uh—dressed for the part.”

Apple Bloom shook her head. “Ain’t mah cup o’ tea. Much prefer ta take a nap on the porch with Winona. Might go fer a swim later. Haven’t quite decided yet. Y’all should be fine without me.”

“Well, I did want to catch up with Babs. Since we don’t share that many classes together, I haven’t had the chance to hang out with her beyond lunch period. Even after school.”

Apple Bloom grinned. “There ya go! I’m gonna head out ta the porch. Holler if ya need me.”

With that, Apple Bloom took her leave and descended the stairs towards the kitchen where she could grab some lemonade. Scootaloo followed shortly thereafter, only to stop dead in her tracks. There, in the middle of the hallway, stood Babs in all her natural glory. The only thing she wore was a white towel wrapped around her neck. Scootaloo’s heart began to hammer in her chest, her palms became sweaty, and her mouth felt like it was stuffed full of cotton balls.

At no point had anyone mentioned that Babs Seed was a dedicated naturist like her cousin. In hindsight, it made perfect sense that other members of the Apple Family might be inclined towards the lifestyle, but Scootaloo had never connected the dots until the very moment she laid eyes on the tan-skinned goddess that stood before her. Without anything to cover her body, Babs’ muscular physique was a sight to behold. She was even sexier than Scootaloo had dared imagine. Not only that, she noted, but Babs had freckles everywhere you could imagine!

“Hey, Babs. Do you need a moment to get ready? I can wait…”

Babs walked towards Scootaloo and shot her a confused look. “Huh? Nah, I’m good ta go.”

As they descended the stairs together, Scootaloo had to force herself to look ahead and not stare at Babs’ perfectly chiseled buns. “I-I didn’t realize that you were a naturist like Apple Bloom.”

Babs chuckled. “Shit. I must’ve forgot ta tell everyone. Cat’s outta the bag now, I guess. Is me bein’ nude gonna make our sparring session weird? If so, I can throw somethin’ on.”

“That’s ok. I just wasn’t expecting the whole ‘Ancient Greek Athlete’ routine. Heh.”

Babs nodded in agreement. “Never thought of it that way. But you’re right, Scoots. Those guys did all of their training in the buff back then. I have ta say, it’s a helluva lot easier to move around without all those sweaty gym clothes bogging ya down. Plus, washing off is a breeze. Feel free ta take your clothes off too if ya want. Doesn’t bother me one bit.”

“I’m good, thanks.” Scootaloo squeaked.

It was a short walk to the barn from the farmhouse. Tucked away in the back corner was a punching bag and a few hand weights of various sizes. Not quite as fancy as the gym they had in town, but at least Babs didn’t have to worry about dues or following the dress code. She padded over to the wall and hung up her towel on a hook, then proceeded to do a few basic stretches. All the while, Scootaloo watched in awe as her friend flexed in ways that got the blood pumping, unsure what kind of regimen she had planned and if it would involve intimate, physical contact.

Babs turned her neck from side to side and groaned aloud. "There we go. Nice and loose. Don’t wanna pull any muscles. Ya all set, Scoots? Didn’t see ya stretchin’ over there.”

“I did before while we were changing in Apple Bloom’s room.” Scootaloo mumbled.

“Cool. We’ll start with a few simple kicks, jabs, and punches. Ya look like you’re in pretty good shape, so I imagine that shouldn’t be too difficult, yeah? We can take turns on the bag. Gettin’ kicked or punched in the face fuckin’ sucks. Even if it’s by accident. Safety first!”

Scootaloo felt like her legs were made of spaghetti. “I’ll just… lift weights until my turn.”

Babs didn’t hesitate to get started. Within seconds, the constant WHUMP WHUMP WHUMP of the punching bag being struck filled the air. Scootaloo busied herself with the moderately sized weights and did some curls with them, but kept her eye on Babs. Her strikes were powerful and precise, made all the more magnificent because Scootaloo could see every muscle in motion down to the finest detail. Before long, a thin sheen of sweat had accumulated all over her friend’s body, making her tan skin glisten underneath the rays of sunlight that filtered through the barn.

Scootaloo blinked owlishly when the noises stopped. “Oh! Is it my turn already?”

“Sure. I gotta cool off for a sec. It’s kinda embarrassing, but I sweat like a pig.”

Blushing furiously, Scootaloo approached the bag and took a fighting stance. “Hahaha! No worries, Babs. I don’t mind a little sweat. Take your time. I’ll get started… I guess.”

After a few experimental kicks, Scootaloo felt like she wasn’t putting enough power behind her strikes. Not like Babs had. Feeling frustrated, the spikey-haired tomboy switched to punching and found that she was having the same problem. After watching her friend struggle for a little while longer, Babs decided to intervene and show Scootaloo how to kickbox the proper way.

Scootaloo yelped when she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her waist. “Lemme show ya what you’re doin’ wrong. Ya gotta spread out your legs more. Huh. I never noticed before, but you’ve got some nice muscle tone going on. Track and field?”

“Soccer, actually.” She managed to blurt out.

“Ah. That would also explain your tight tummy n’ buns. Nice job on the conditioning.”

Scootaloo felt her skin flush cherry red. “Thanks, Babs. No one’s ever complimented me like that before. I was beginning to think that everyone saw me as nothing more than a scrawny tomboy. As you can see, I don’t exactly have a lot of sex appeal going for me.”

Babs cocked her head and frowned. “Really? What a shame. I don’t think that’s true at all. Every body is different. I meant that both ways. Clever, huh? So—uh—there’s nothin’ wrong with the way your body is built, Scoots. Ya just gotta… own it. Accept that you’re you and no one else.”

Scootaloo giggled girlishly. She prayed that it didn’t make her sound stupid in front of Babs. “Is that some kind of Zen-Naturist quote you picked up from a book?”

For the first time all afternoon, Babs blushed. Her smile made Scootaloo’s heart beat faster. “Nah. We naturists like ta call that common sense. Or… at least, we think it should be.”

Distracted as she was, Scootaloo tripped over Babs’ foot when they shifted position, sending both girls tumbling onto the padded floor below. When she regained her senses, Scootaloo found herself face to face with her crush, just a hair away and pinned down by her arms. In fact, Babs was pressed up against her so close that she could feel the heat radiating from her friend’s skin, and the musky-sweet aroma of her sweat mixed with body wash filled Scootaloo’s nostrils. It was enough to make her want to faint on the spot, but she tried her best to keep a clear head.

Babs blushed even harder than before, rolled off to the side of the mat, and coughed. “Sorry! I-I guess I wasn’t payin’ attention ta where my feet were. Are ya ok? Does anything hurt?”

Scootaloo rubbed the back of her neck. “I think I’m fine. Nothing but a bruised ego.”

Babs slowly rose to her feet and checked her body for injuries. Once she was satisfied that there weren’t any scrapes or bruises, she grabbed the towel from the hook and wiped her face. “Shit on a brick. I went and made things weird, didn’t I? This was a bad idea. I should’ve—”

Scootaloo hesitantly reached out and took hold of Babs’ hand. “Please don’t blame yourself for what happened. I wasn’t paying attention either. It was both our fault! Look, I’m just not used to the whole ‘hanging out with my naturist friends’ thing yet. Not sure I ever will get used to it. Plus, being around you… like this is—erm—more than a little distracting, to be honest.”

“What exactly do ya mean by that, Scoots?”

Scootaloo looked down at the floor and shuffled her feet. “Do I really have to say it out loud?”

“How else do ya expect me ta know? Just say what ya mean. I won’t get offended. Promise.”

“I think you’re super-hot.” Scootaloo replied, voice barely above a whisper.

Dumbfounded, Babs’ mouth gaped like a fish. “Hold on. Did I hear you right? You think I’m hot? As in, like, I’m a babe? Don’t fuck with me, Scoots. That’s just mean. I’m not—”

Cheeks flushed like a tomato, Scootaloo finally looked up. “I’M NOT JOKING!”

“Oh. So, this whole time…”

On the verge of tears, Scootaloo sniffed. “Yes. I’ve been ogling every nook and cranny of that stupid, sexy, muscly body of yours. There! I said it! Are you happy now, Babs?! I feel like a perverted creep who’s been taking advantage of her friend all afternoon. I can’t help it though!”

Unsure how to deal with an emotional tomboy, Babs shuffled her feet. “I suppose you’re right about that, Scoots. With me struttin’ around naked as a jaybird, you can’t help but see all the goods. I’m not upset though! In fact, I’m happy that you think my body is worth checkin’ out. A lot of hard work and effort went into sculptin’ all these muscles. I’m damn proud of them too!”

Scootaloo let out watery chuckle. “You should be. They’re awesome. I-I mean everything about you is awesome. What I’m trying to say is: I’ve… had a crush on you for a while. Even back when we were kids. I just didn’t know how to deal with my feelings. That was one of my biggest regrets up to this point. Now that I’ve confessed, I hope I didn’t make things weird between us.”

Babs plopped down on the mat and groaned out of frustration. Oblivious to her state of undress, the young fighter neglected to close the wide gap in-between her legs while she lifted her knees up towards her chest and wrapped her arms around them. Scootaloo made the mistake of directing her attention downwards at that precise moment, and wound up getting an eyeful of salmon pink—she quickly shook her head and redirected her focus on Babs’ face.

After a little awkward shuffling, Scootaloo took a seat next to her friend on the mat and carefully placed her hand on Babs’ back. It was warm, and slightly sweaty, but she could feel the powerful muscles just beneath the surface. She didn’t make any attempt to shy away from Scootaloo’s touch, so the spikey-haired tomboy kept her hand in place, hoping that she could somehow salvage the situation with her childhood crush. It took a few moments for Scootaloo to speak.

“So—erm—about my confession earlier. You’re the only other person, besides Rainbow Dash, that I’ve openly admitted to being gay. Nobody else knows about my preferences. Not even my aunts or Sweetie & Apple Bloom. Damn it! Why is this so hard to talk about?! Look, Babs… I’d totally understand if you don’t feel the same way about me. I just had to tell you. I couldn’t keep these feelings bottled up forever. I hope we can still be friends.”

Babs reached over and placed her hand on Scootaloo’s thigh. “A brave thing ya did there, Scoots. Takes some serious cajones ta confess ta your crush. Especially, in a situation like this. Here’s the thing: I like girls too. But with everything goin’ on, I ain’t sure that I’m ready ta start a relationship. I’ve just barely begun ta get my life back on track. Does that make sense?”

Scootaloo frowned. “Yeah. I get it. You’ve been through a lot.”

Cheeks rosy pink, Babs cleared her throat. “Like I said before, it made me happy when you told me that I was hot. And—well—you’re not so bad lookin’ yourself. Out of all of Apple Bloom’s friends, you were always the easiest ta get along with. Back when we were kids, I felt like there was a connection between us. I dunno if I’d call it attraction, but somethin’ was there. Guess I better stop ramblin’ and get ta the point. Gimme a little time ta think it over.”

Scootaloo’s expression brightened. “Does that mean you’d like to go out with me?”

“I’m sayin’ that I might be open ta the possibility.”

Scootaloo’s heart felt a million times lighter. “Heh. At least that’s not a rejection.”

Sensing an opportunity, Babs scooted closer to her friend and placed her head upon Scootaloo’s shoulder. “This is gonna sound like an odd request, but could ya hold me for a while?”

“Uh… sure?”

Babs motioned for Scootaloo to lay down on the mat beside her, which she did, albeit hesitantly. Before she could voice any sort of protest, Babs wrapped her arms around Scootaloo’s back and embraced her like a lover would. Her hold was a little tighter than Scootaloo preferred, but it wasn’t the worst feeling in the world. In a matter of moments, Babs began sobbing quietly into Scootaloo’s shirt. A strange mixture of sadness and arousal swirled in Scootaloo’s mind as she ran her fingers through Babs’ hair. Her aunts had done the same for her whenever she was upset. After they stayed that way for a few minutes, Babs finally lifted her head, eyes red and puffy.

“Ever since I was a kid, I had ta be tough and self-sufficient. You’ve gotta be on the mean streets of Manehattan. But even gals like me need ta be held and told that everything is gonna be ok.”

Blushing furiously, Scootaloo bit her lip. “What about your brother? Doesn’t he ever hug you?”

“Not as much as he used ta. Especially, after I decided ta start living as a naturist.”

Scootaloo tensed up when she felt Babs nuzzle her breast. “It’s probably awkward for him.”

“Johnny tries real hard ta be supportive, but I know that our way of life makes him feel uncomfortable. You should’ve seen what happened during dinner the other day. He got flustered on account of AJ flashin’ her pussy at him. Not on purpose, mind you, but… I think he had a long talk with Mac about it afterwards. I’m just glad everyone wasn’t angry with him.”

Scootaloo sighed. “To be honest, I’m not accustomed to you guys being naturists either.”

Babs frowned. “Oh. I hope us cuddling like this isn’t too—erm—weird.”

“There are worse positions I could be in right now,” Scootaloo admitted with a goofy grin, “just don’t expect me to start ripping off my clothes anytime soon.”

Babs hummed. “Even so, I’d love ta see what ya really look like underneath those gym clothes sometime. Even if I have ta rip ‘em off myself.”

“Is that your way of flirting with me?”

Scootaloo let out a girlish squeak when Babs traced her fingers along the other girl’s bare thigh. “I meant what I said before, Scoots. You’ve got a beautiful body that shouldn’t be hidden away from the world. Maybe I could teach you a thing or two about confidence.”

“Your cousin already tried to convince me of that once before. For now, the clothes stay on.”

Babs let go of Scootaloo, stretched out her limbs, and grabbed the towel. “Could I at least convince you ta take a shower with me? We’ve both worked up a pretty good sweat.”

Scootaloo stood up as well, crossing her arms underneath her breasts. “I’m sorry, Babs. I just don’t think I’d be comfortable doing that with you if we’re not a couple. Being naked around your friends might not be a big deal to you, but I wouldn’t be able to keep my composure.”

“I’ve never been good at figurin’ out people’s boundaries. Hell, I haven’t tried dating anyone before either. Too much shit goin’ on at home for me ta worry about stuff like that. I figured that since you seemed ok with snugglin’ me, a shower wouldn’t be too much ta ask for.”

Scootaloo closed her eyes for a moment. “I only did that because you looked so desperate.”

“Is that how ya see me? Pitiful and desperate?!” Babs asked, anger flaring in her voice.

Scootaloo shook her head vehemently. “I didn’t mean it like that! You looked like you needed a shoulder to lean on. Rainbow Dash is always telling me that you have to be a good friend, even if that means sacrificing your own personal comfort in the process. Yeah, cuddling with you on the mat was super awkward for me, but I did it because I thought that’s what you needed most.”

The anger drained away in an instant. Babs let out a heavy sigh. “Seriously. Thanks for that, Scoots. I’m sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable. Can we just—I dunno—try ta hang out normally for the rest of the day? I think we ought ta get ta know each other better, at least.”

“We can certainly try,” Scootaloo conceded, “but calling this normal is a bit of a stretch.”

“Fair enough. Let’s hit the showers then. Uh—not together, of course.”

Scootaloo chuckled nervously. “Someday, maybe. Just not right now.”

The two teenagers left the barn, feeling a little bit more at ease than they had before. Babs politely offered to let Scootaloo use the shower inside, while she chose to bathe using the water pump beside the farmhouse. The water was ice cold, but Babs found it refreshing and it also helped clear her mind. By the time she was finished, Babs made her way over to the porch where Apple Bloom was still fast asleep in the rope hammock with Winona curled up beneath her feet.

Grinning impishly, Babs slid her hand underneath the hammock and goosed Apple Bloom with her thumb, causing the young farmer to flail around and shout out a string of expletives that would’ve made Granny Smith proud. When Apple Bloom realized that it was just Babs messing with her, she calmed down a little but was visibly upset at having been woken up in such a rude manner. Winona yawned, licked her chops, and watched the whole affair with stoic indifference. She was accustomed to seeing her mistresses behave like a bunch of overly-energetic puppies.

“Ya could’ve just tapped mah shoulder.”

Babs snicked. “Where’s the fun in that? C’mon, Apple Bloom. I didn’t poke ya that hard.”

Still grumbling, Apple Bloom stepped onto the porch and stretched out her limbs like a cat. “Whatever. Where’s Scoots? Ah thought she was supposed ta be sparrin’ with ya this afternoon.”

“We did spar for a little while. But then… things got really fuckin’ awkward and we stopped.”

Apple Bloom raised her brow. “What do ya mean by that, exactly?”

Babs blushed slightly and rubbed the back of her neck. “She apparently has a huge crush on me. Don’t gimme that look! I had no idea until today. I guess me bein’ nude didn’t help matters…”

Apple Bloom frowned. “Probably not. Scoots was a might skittish ‘bout takin’ her clothes off when Ah invited her and Sweetie over ta make up durin’ fall break. If her barn door swings in that direction, and Ah suspect it does, ya only added fuel ta the fire by givin’ her a peep show.”

Babs shuffled her feet. “It’s my fault. I should’ve told her that I was a naturist beforehand.”

“Water under the bridge now. Makes me wonder why Scoots didn’t tell us ‘bout bein’ gay before. Sweetie and Ah love her just as much as if she were our own kin. We’d never shun her on account of who she is, what she looks like, or the people she prefers ta go out on a date with.”

“Don’t be too hard on her, cuz. She’s confused and still tryin’ ta figure things out.”

Apple Bloom nodded in agreement. “We’ll just have ta be extra careful ‘bout discussin’ the subject when she’s willin’ ta come out openly. In the meantime, I’m concerned about what yer role is in this whole situation. Do ya like girls too? And more importantly, do ya fancy Scoots?”

Babs put her hands behind her head and blew out a heavy sigh. “Yeah, I’m a lesbian too. I’ve known that I like girls for a while and have accepted that part of myself. As for your other question, that’s not somethin’ I can give you a clear answer on. I dig Scoots as a friend, and I do think she’s cute but… I dunno if I’m ready ta start a romantic relationship with anyone just yet.”

“As honest an answer as any. Ah can accept that. BUT! Don’t string her along and be wishy-washy ‘bout her feelings for ya. At some point, yer gonna have ta make a choice, Babs.”

“Don’t worry; I will. I just need some more time ta figure out where my own life is goin’.”

Scootaloo joined the rest of the Apple Family at the dinner table, being one of only two people wearing any sort of clothing. It made her feel slightly less alienated, knowing that there was someone else living at Sweet Apple Acres who wasn’t a dedicated naturist. She sat down next to the young man, and he introduced himself as Johnny Apple-Seed, Babs’ oft talked about older brother. Now that she’d had the chance to see him in real life, the resemblance between the two siblings was uncanny. The only major difference was that Johnny had more of an average physique as opposed to an athletic one. Which made sense. He didn’t train everyday like his little sister. They began to converse amongst themselves while Granny went to fetch the main course.

The menu featured her famous Apple Family fried chicken. Cooked golden brown until crispy on the outside, and juicy on the inside. It was a recipe that had been handed down generation to generation, dating all the way back to the old country. As was tradition, the oldest daughter of each generation was taught the recipe and sworn to uphold its secrets until a new female member of the Apple Family was born. Applejack knew how to make it, but Granny was an old pro.

“Go on and dig in y’all. Biscuits n’ gravy will be out shortly.” Granny Smith advised.

Scootaloo bit into a drum she’d picked up from the plate and found her mouth swimming in a sea of delicious chicken goodness. “Holy crap! This is, like, the best fried chicken I’ve ever tasted!”

“Eeyup. It’s great-great grandpappy Egremont Russet Apple’s original recipe. From before our family emigrated from Hӧckenstein-Am Mer. That used ta be a sovereign principality in the Germaneian Empire back before the country became unified. They had ta leave, so they could avoid bein’ persecuted fer their lifestyle.” Applejack affirmed with a hint of pride.

Scootaloo furrowed her brows in confusion. “Hold on a second. Isn’t that the name of our high school? Are you trying to tell me that they named it after him?!”

“Sure did. As a matter o’ fact, the Apple Family founded Ponyville over 150 years ago. Heh. Well, erm—at least this branch. We’ve got kin all over the country. When they first built the school, the mayor decided it was appropriate ta honor our great-great grandpappy’s name.”

Scootaloo dipped a warm, buttery biscuit into her gravy bowl and began to chew on it. “How come they never taught us about that in school? Come to think of it, they don’t mention our town’s history at all in the textbooks. I figured it would be important, but I guess not.”

Granny scoffed. “Yer right, young-in. The Ponyville council’s hesitant ta broach the subject, on account o’ the fact that they’d have ta admit that their precious city was founded by a bunch o’ nekkid hillbillies. Imagine the stir it’d cause if they included pictures in the history books!”

“Do such pictures exist after all this time?” Scootaloo asked.

Granny nodded enthusiastically. “Darn tootin’ there is! Ah can show ya the scrapbook.”

“That’s ok. I don’t need to see them that badly…”

Granny took a sip of iced tea and shrugged. “No skin off mah nose. Johnny, you’ve been awfully quiet over there. Somethin’ the matter?”

“Nothing in particular, Granny. I’m just enjoying the food.”

“How’ve ya been adjustin’ ta yer new job?”

Johnny wiped his mouth with a napkin. “It’s goin’ pretty good so far. With Mac’s help, I think we might be able ta produce a new tangy apple variant of cider by the end of the year.”

Babs punched her brother’s arm playfully. “That’s great, bro!”

“Yeah. For once, I feel like things are finally starting to turn around for the better.”

Babs smiled from ear to ear, voice thick with emotion. “Same goes for me.”

Not wanting to interrupt such a tender family moment, Scootaloo waited a little while to speak again. Instead, stuffing her gullet with more fried chicken. Once she was finished, she cleared her throat. “Hey, Babs. Would it be ok if I came over here every once and while to train?”

“Sure. I don’t mind. But Granny has the final say, since she’s the head of the family.”

The Apple Family matriarch smiled. “Yer always welcome here, Scootaloo. As far as I’m concerned, yer practically Apple Bloom’s sister, along with yer other gal-pal, Sweetie Belle. Y’all can come over n’ visit whenever the mood strikes. Our door will be open.”

“Thanks. I think spending more time here will help me get used to seeing everyone naked.”

Granny Smith cackled. “No harm in joinin’ us either, child.”

Scootaloo blushed and rubbed her thighs together. “We’ll see.”

Applejack belched and leaned back in her chair. “Hoo Wee! Is mah belly full! Some good grub tonight, Granny. On that note, Ah have a little announcement ta make. Seems the art club wants me ta do some more nude modelin’ for ‘em. By that, Ah mean a more involved project. Turns out, they wanted ta do some kind o’ fantasy exposé with body paintin’. Thought it might be fun.”

Apple Bloom got up and carried her dishes to the sink. “Like cosplay?”

“Ah dunno. Reckon it might be somethin’ akin ta that. All Ah know is that they offered me a significant reduction ta my semesterly tuition if Ah said yes. How could Ah possibly refuse?”

Apple Bloom shrugged. “If ya don’t mind sittin’ around fer hours on end while they paint every nook n’ cranny o’ yer body, I guess that sounds kind o’ interestin’. Ya should probably ask if yer pubes will need ta be waxed. Ain’t easy paintin’ over hair that thick, and it’ll look weird too.”

Applejack’s face paled. “Ah didn’t think ‘bout that…”

Scootaloo offered the blonde farmer a sympathetic smile. “Don’t sweat it, AJ. Waxing isn’t as bad as it sounds. In fact, there’s a special cream you can use down there instead. All you have to do is wash your pubes with warm water beforehand, then wipe it away with a damp cloth. Easy!”

“I’ll have ta ask Rarity ‘bout the process. Goin’ full smoothie doesn’t sit well with me at all.”

Mac began washing the dishes and looked back at his sister. “Sounds like a fair trade ta me.”

Applejack narrowed her eyes at Mac. “Hush, ya big galoot. Ya ain’t part o’ this deal.”

“Settle down, young-ins. There ain’t no reason ta git all bent outta shape over hair removal.”

Both siblings apologized to their grandmother simultaneously.

A half hour passed before dessert and coffee were served. Caramel Apple Cobbler topped with vanilla bean ice cream. Warmed in the oven, of course. Scootaloo only had a small helping on account of how much food she’d eaten for supper. If she had food at home like that for every meal, she’d wind up looking like a walrus before the end of the school year. Not that her aunts were bad cooks per say, but they tended to serve lighter, more nutritious dishes most evenings. They wanted to ensure that their beloved niece would grow up to be happy, healthy, and strong.

Since the next day was the beginning of the weekend, Scootaloo didn’t go home until well after seven o’clock in the evening. Before she left Sweet Apple Acres (courtesy of Applejack driving the truck), Scootaloo shared a pleasantly warm embrace with Babs, this time less awkward than before. While she was still uncomfortable with Babs being nude around her, the very idea that they might share a romantic relationship together someday made her heart feel lighter. It was a significant step towards embracing her sexuality and accepting who she was, inside and out.

Author's Note

Trav & I originally had Apple Bloom attending a junior high orientation with Mac back in chapter 5, but we have decided to change it. Given that the CMC are around 13-14, it made more sense to make them high school freshmen instead. The name of the school is now: Egremont Russet High School.

The Brewer & The Baker

Chapter 15

Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville

Johnathan Apple-Seed examined the glass mason jar carefully as he held it up to the light. The apple cider contained within had taken on a golden-brown hue. Within moments, the impurities began to settle at the bottom of the jar, forming a dark circle. Clicking his tongue, Johnny placed the jar back on top of an oak whiskey barrel that served as a temporary table.

“Ya reckon it’s ready?” Big Mac inquired as he walked over with a tray of pint glasses in hand. Mac’s nakedness no longer bothered the former Manehattanite but he wasn’t exactly eager to shed his own clothing anytime soon. Johnny’s typical work attire was a loose black t-shirt with a matching pair of track pants, and comfortable sneakers. Not exactly what one would call professional attire, but compared to the rest of his family, it was better than nothing at all.

“Only one way to find out,” Johnny replied with a shrug. “Taste test.”

Macintosh smirked as he set the tray down and grabbed the mason jar. With a twist of his burly hands, the airtight seal was broken. He gave it an experimental sniff and found that it smelled like tangy apples and a blend of assorted spices. “So far, so good.”

Outwardly, Johnny remained impassive but inwardly he felt a surge of pride in his chest. He’d leapt at the chance to join the family business a few weeks ago when Mac had suggested they focus their efforts on concocting a hard cider recipe. The young man had done plenty of research beforehand and poured his heart into the project. Now, was the moment of truth.

Carefully, Mac poured a draft into two glasses. He grunted in approval as the amber liquid fizzed and formed a head on the top. Setting the jar down, he picked the glasses up and offered one to Johnny. After licking his lips, the young man accepted the glass and raised it in a silent toast.

The alcohol content was a tad strong. Sure, he could taste the apples, but it was just… underwhelming overall. Lowering his glass, Johnny swore. “Damn it!”

“What’s eating ya?” Mac asked, lowering his now half-full glass. “Tastes fine ta me.”

“Yeah, but it’s not… phenomenal.” Johnny put his glass down. “We need to make this the signature Apple Family Cider, not some copycat brew you can find anywhere.”

Mac hummed as he gulped down the rest of his draft, “It’s yer first attempt, Johnny. Can’t expect ta craft a masterpiece right off the bat. Takes time, patience, and refinement.”

“Easy for you to say…”

“On account of me bein’ an unsophisticated redneck?” Johnny’s brief feeling of panic was quelled by the wink Mac shot him. “Frankly, Ah don’t know much ‘bout these here fruity drinks. Prefer me a good finger o’ whiskey or beer. Luckily, Ah called in a second opinion.``

“Who?” Johnny asked. Before Mac could answer the door to the cellar swung open and the patter of bare feet on wood echoed through the casks.

“Hello! I heard that a pair of big, strong men needed my help~”

“Over here Roz!” Mac called out before glancing at his cousin. “Brace yerself.”

Worries about his lackluster batch of cider fled from Johnny’s mind as Mac’s friend skipped into view. While he may have gotten used to the sight of his naked female relatives over the last few weeks, the sight of a curvaceous, pale-skinned young woman jiggling around everywhere sent the blood rushing from one head to another. The raven-haired woman’s face was split into a toothy grin as she practically leapt at Mac and gave him a hug.

“Found you!”

Mac returned the hug with a snort, “Ya hugged me five minutes ago, Roz”

“And I have done so again.” Johnny’s eyes were fixed on the woman’s generous bosom as she turned around. Her accent had a distinctively Russian tilt to it. “You must be Johnny Appleseed!”

Johnny shifted his attention to her baby blue eyes. “That’s me. I--OOF.”

In the back of his mind, Johnny supposed it wasn’t that unusual for the Apples to be friends with other naturists. Yet, the last thing he had expected today was to meet a gorgeous girl like Roz. Johnny returned the hug awkwardly as he marvelled at how sinfully soft Roz’s body was. He blushed when he felt her nipple studs rub up against his chest. Even through the fabric of his t-shirt, the sensation was quite obvious. He wondered if she was doing it on purpose.

“What a pleasure it is to meet you! Any family of Applejack’s is a friend of mine,” Pulling away, Roz slowly batted her eyelashes at Johnny. “Especially when he is so handsome.”

“Uh… thanks. Roz, was it?”

“Mhmm. My full name is Natalia Rozmanov, but most people stick with Roz.” She blew him a kiss that made his heart beat a little faster. “I’m participating in the college’s foreign exchange program in order to become a professional baker.” Idly, she plucked at Johnny’s shirt. “Aren’t you uncomfortable in that outfit? Bohze moy! It is only morning and I am already sweaty.”

Mac coughed. “Leave him be, Roz. Johnny prefers ta wear clothes.”

Roz pouted and stuck out her lip. “I am simply being friendly, Macintosh.”

The big man chuckled, “Regardless, we’re in need o’ yer tastebuds.” He waved his hand towards the half-full mason jar.

Clapping her hands together, Roz sauntered over to the keg in a way that was both innocent and distractingly sexy at the same time. Johnny felt the stirring of an erection press up against the fly of his track pants and did his best to make some discreet adjustments. Seemingly oblivious, Roz wiggled her hips as she held the mason jar up and examined the cider.

“Such a beautiful golden color. You are from Manehattan, da?”

Johnny once again, had to tear his eyes away from Roz’s voluptuous form, “Yeah.”

Roz nodded as she turned around, “Beautiful city but too busy. You were a moonshiner there?”

“Not exactly,” Johnny chuckled. “Mixologist. I know how party drinks taste, so I figured I might be able to help the family expand into them.”

“I happen to like men who are ambitious,” Roz mused as she raised the mason jar to her lips. “Na Zdorovie!” Johnny’s eyes widened as the Russian began to chug down the apple cider like it was juice. After polishing off the entire jar, she belched aloud without the slightest hesitation.

Nervous, Johnny tried to act as nonchalant as possible. “What do you think?”

“The cider is decent enough,” Roz remarked, sniffing the remaining liquid. “But a little dry for my taste. I would prefer it to be sweeter. The brew has a nice bite to it though. Which batch is this?”

“First, actually,” Johnny replied, puffing out his chest.

“Most impressive~” The pale naturist remarked as she sat down in an old recliner. While she rested her arms atop the edges, Roz lifted her leg, bent her knee, and pressed her foot against her thigh. This gave Johnny an unobstructed view of Roz’s salmon pink folds and the silver stud piercing just below her clit. “Do you enjoy making cider? Is this your passion in life?”

Johnny expected Roz to be annoyed. Instead, a sultry smile spread across her lips. “What?”

“The activity that you enjoy doing the most. Did I not use the correct word in English?”

“OH! Yeah, I like making cider. It’s hard work but satisfying nonetheless,” Roz hummed in appreciation and adjusted the position of her legs, giving Johnny another peek at what was nestled in-between them. “Sorry if I seem a bit distracted, it’s just that... ”

Roz’s grin became even wider after she licked her lips. Her eyes drifted downwards and Johnny realized, much to his horror, that the bulge in his track pants had become obvious. “I know precisely what distracts you, Johnny. After all, I would not have gotten a piercing near my nubby if I didn’t want other people to see it. Do you like the way my hair looks? I put a lot of effort into grooming and taking care of my body, I’ll have you know.”

“I think… I’ll just go get us some water. BE RIGHT BACK!” Johnny squeaked. Beating as dignified a retreat as he could, Johnny awkwardly waddled out of the room.

Roz giggled-snorted as she watched Johnny leave in a hurry, desperately trying to hide his erection. Lowering her leg, the curvy goth called out, “Make sure to put some ice in the glass for me, Johnny!” When Roz got up from the recliner, she found herself face to chest with Mac.

“Mind explainin’ what the hell all that was about, Roz?” The big man rumbled.

Patting Mac’s chest and marvelling at the firmness of his muscles, she replied, “Whatever do you mean, my burly, ginger-haired friend?”

“Yer innocent act doesn’t fool me! Ah know ya were flashin’ yer bits at him on purpose!”

“Please, calm down, Macintosh. I was merely expressing my interest in Johnny,” Roz shrugged. “Also, I wished to confirm that he was not a homosexual. There was an incident at the college during one of our art sessions with Sandalwood and his boyfriend. I had to be certain!”

Macintosh groaned. “He definitely ain’t gay.”

Roz hopped in place and clapped her hands together, causing her bountiful breasts to bounce around as she did so. “Excellent! Is he… single, by chance?”

“So far as Ah know. Why do ya ask?”

“I meant what I said before. Johnny is the type of man I like and I won’t let another Apple slip through my fingers this time!” Roz’s pale skin took on a decidedly rosy hue. She cursed her chatterbox nature as Mac’s eyebrows approached his hairline. “I was interested in dating you, but that school teacher snatched you up! In any case, I am happy for the both of you.”

The tall man sighed. “Johnny’s had a rough life up until recently. Ah don’t know if he’s interested in startin’ a relationship right now. Could ya at least try ta be a bit more subtle with yer advances? Bein’ around nekkid ladies ain’t easy fer someone who ain’t a naturist.”

Roz crossed her arms underneath her breasts and huffed. “Nyet! I cannot agree to your request. Nothing would ever happen if I let Johnny try to woo me instead. Go on, laugh at my lack of subtlety if you must. But I do not regret what I did. I will not apologize either!”

“Ah ain’t asking ya to apologize. Just be more gentle n’ understandin’ with Johnny,” Mac rubbed his face. “Reckon ya can manage that?”

“I will consider what you have said,” Roz offered in a way that she thought was quite gracious. While she’d never admit it directly to his face, Mac did have a point.

The two naturists left the distillery together. Roz stretched out her arms and arched her back, enjoying the sensation of sunlight warming her bare skin. While she would always have a soft spot for Mother Russia, Roz adored the constant, balmy weather in Ponyville. She was able to spend far more time enjoying the outdoors in her birthday suit here than at her father’s dacha, which was only warm enough during the summer months.

A few minutes later, Johnny emerged from the farmhouse with a still slightly flustered expression. While the prominent bulge in his pants had since receded, Roz was well-aware that he continued to observe her curvaceous body with rapt attention. After making a brief apology, he handed her a cup of water with a few ice cubes floating around. Roz gave a happy little moan of appreciation as the cool water chased away the spicy-sweet tang of alcohol. Mac rolled his eyes as he entered the farm house, muttering something about getting his own drink.

Roz looked directly into his eyes. “Have you ever tried Sharlotka? It is a traditional cake from my home country. Made with apples, of course! I have a feeling that you will like it.”

The young man’s embarrassment receded as he blinked in confusion, “Can’t say that I have. Why do you ask?”

“After you so graciously allowed me to taste something crafted by the sweat of your labor,” She grasped his free hand and rubbed it affectionately with her thumb. His hands had a soft suppleness that she found endearing. “I figured that I might as well return the favor.”

“I’m sure if you wanted to bring something by we could-”

“Nyet. I am asking you out on a date, Johnny Apple-Seed. Does dinner at my apartment followed by a personal baking lesson sound fun?” Roz gave Johnny her best seductive smile and fluttered her eyelashes at him.

Johnny took a deep gulp of his water. “We’ve only just met and you’re already asking me out?”

“Why not? There is no reason for me to ‘beat around the bush’ I believe the expression goes. I like you and want to get to know you better.” Roz moved in closer, making sure to squish her breast against Johnny’s arm. “I promise, my hospitality will not disappoint you in any way~”

“I’d be crazy to turn down such a cute girl, right?” Johnny admitted with a blush.

“You would,” Roz agreed with a wide smile. “Does a gathering at the end of the week sound good? I live at the Paradise Palms Luxury Living Complex downtown.”

Johnny whistled. “Hot damn! That’s where all the rich people live. Are you secretly part of the Russian Royal Family or… ?”

Giggling, Roz waved her free hand dismissively, “Don’t be ridiculous, Johnny! Papa simply likes to dote on me. I am his one and only child, you see. No big deal! I am still just a normal girl.”

“I guess it’s a date then,” Johnny replied with an awkward chuckle, raising his glass. “To new friendships!”

Roz clinked her own glass against his. “With benefits!”

Johnny’s hair was still wet from the shower as he compared shirts in front of his mirror. The end of the week had come faster than he’d expected and in an hour he’d be on his first date in a very long time. To say he was nervous was an understatement. While in front of the mirror, he switched between a plaid shirt and a silky purple shirt he’d picked up for clubbing.

“Which one, damn it?” Johnny grumbled. “Humble and rustic or sophisticated and flashy?!”

Babs looked up at him while she was reclining on his bed. The teenager was completely nude, as usual, and had been idly flipping through one of her favorite comics. Babs clicked her tongue and remarked, “Roz doesn’t care about fashion, dude. Just pick somethin’ and go with it.”

Turning around, Johnny shot his sister a glare. “First impressions matter, sis!”

“She strikes me as the kind of gal who cares more about the candybar than the wrapper it comes in,” His sister replied. “Why not show off a bit of skin? You’ve got a decent physique.”

“Ditch the plaid then?” He asked, holding it up.

Babs rolled her eyes. “Duh! Let Mac have the farmboy look. That ain’t you.”

Tossing the shirt away, Johnny slid the silky purple shirt on instead, “Do you think my hair is ok tied in a ponytail or should I put some gel in there and comb it back?”

After several minutes of what Babs called “preening like a peacock”, Johnny finally felt ready. He’d kept his hair tied back in its usual ponytail and made sure to trim his beard. He kept the shirt unbuttoned down to his pecs, and wore a pair of simple black chinos to finish the outfit, along with matching black dress shoes. As he checked himself out, AJ opened the door.

“Lookie here! Somebody's feelin’ fancy tonight,” She said by way of greeting.

“I keep telling him that Roz would rather see him outta those clothes instead,” Babs retorted.

Applejack chuckled, “She ain’t the least bit subtle, that’s fer sure.” She shot Johnny a smile as she walked up to him and straightened his collar. “Ah reckon she’ll appreciate the effort though.”

“Thanks,” Johnny let out a sigh. “I hope it’s not too weird that I’m dating one of your friends.”

“Can’t be any worse than Mac datin’ Bloom’s teacher.” The two laughed before AJ’s face turned serious. “Johnny, there’s somethin’ ya oughta know about Roz.”

Johnny grinned crookedly, “What? Is she some kind of criminal?”

“Not exactly,” Applejack bit her lip. “When Ah visited her uncle’s resort, Ah realized that her daddy is a big fish in the Russian Mafia.” Johnny felt his heart sink like a stone, but allowed Applejack to continue. “Roz is ignorant of the whole situation, but I figured ya should know.”

For several seconds Johnny processed the news before looking his cousin in the eye. “We can’t choose what our parents do, AJ. Babs and I know that all too well. I’d like to get to know Roz better, regardless of what the family business is… or her involvement in their affairs.”

The blonde farmer nodded, “Good. Roz might git on mah nerves from time ta time, but she’s a sweetheart. I’d kick yer ass into next week if ya stood her up.” Glancing at the clock she remarked, “Best be on yer way, Johnny. Wouldn’t wanna be late on yer first date.”

It took about a half hour for Johnny to reach Roz’s apartment. Little by little, the countryside faded away and was replaced by buildings and concrete. Before long, he was in the affluent part of town, pulling into the parking garage next to Paradise Palms Luxury Living Complex.

True to its namesake, the apartment building was certainly grand and luxurious. Two palm trees flanked the main entrance which mimicked the architecture of ancient Greece. As Johnny walked into the lobby, he whistled at the sight of a fountain stocked with koi fish swimming in lazy circles at its center. After giving his name to the receptionist on duty, Johnny stared into the fountain as he waited to be escorted up to Roz’s suite.

After a few minutes of nervously waiting, a gruff Russian voice cleared its throat behind him. “Mr. Apple-Seed?” Turning around, Johnny quailed at the sight of its owner. Bald, brooding and broad-shouldered, the man before him seemed like a bear stuffed into a suit. “Miss Rozanov is ready to see you.”

“Thank you, Mr…?”

“Call me Boris,” Boris replied flatly. “Come.”

What followed was the longest, most nerve-wracking elevator ride of Johnny’s life. The entire time Boris simply glowered at him and made no effort to hide the slight bulge underneath his armpit that Johnny figured was a gun. As they reached the top floor, Boris wordlessly adjusted Johnny’s collar and patted his cheek. “Penthouse, straight ahead. Treat her right or I will snap you in half like a little twig. Have fun.”

“Duly noted.” Johnny replied, rubbing his stinging cheek as he stepped from the elevator. Boris crossed his arms and nodded at him as the door to the elevator closed behind him. Exhaling heavily, Johnny began walking towards the door and muttered. “Well, that happened. I’m just glad that my underwear is still clean.”

As Johnny’s approached the penthouse, evidence of Roz’s habitation became clear. The door was decorated with stickers of cakes, cookies and other baked goods as well as a hand painted sign in Russian that he couldn’t decipher. Through the walls the pulsing beat of techno music made him begin tapping his toe as he walked up and rapped his knuckles on the door.

“Come in Johnny!” Roz’s singsong voice echoed from inside the apartment. “Make sure to take your shoes off at the door… and anything else. Whatever is most comfortable for you!”

Shaking his head, Johnny opened the door and stepped into a small foyer. Along one side of the wall was a rack containing half a dozen pairs of women’s shoes. As he removed his own, Johnny noted flip flops, combat boots, high heels and simple sneakers, almost all in black.

Walking down the hall towards the sound of music, Johnny pushed open a door into the living room. He had a brief impression of an open space furnished with leather couches, a wide screen TV, and several life sketches of nude models. To one side, he noted a gleaming kitchen while the opposite side had two sliding glass doors that led to a balcony outside.

Johnny soon forgot about the scenery when he spotted his date. Roz was on her hands and knees facing away from him, rump raised high into the air as she leaned forward and pressed her breasts against a green yoga mat with her arms stretched forward. Her provocative pose left nothing to the imagination and solicited an immediate reaction from Johnny’s lower half. He tried his best to act nonchalant while cupping his hands over the bulge that had formed in his pants.

“Johnny! You have finally arrived!” Roz exclaimed with excitement, seemingly unconcerned about exposing her backside to the young man standing directly behind her.

“Am I interrupting your yoga session?”Johnny muttered before flushing bright red.

Roz straightened out her legs behind her, while clenching her butt cheeks together. She then proceeded to arch her upper half back, hands splayed apart, while her breasts jutted forward slightly. Johnny coughed, unaware that a curvy girl like Roz could be so flexible. “Nyet! You simply caught me at the end of my routine. These Indian Yogis sure know a thing or two about flexibility.” After assuming the cobra pose, she sighed. “You were able to find my apartment?”

Johnny left the doorway and tried to walk around in order to face her. As he did, Roz nimbly rolled over and sat up with her legs crossed. “Yeah. Boris directed me here.”

Grabbing her right leg and grunting, Roz did her best to lift it behind her head. The results were somewhat mixed as she hunched over, squeezing her breasts together while the pose itself allowed Johnny to notice she’d swapped her clit stud for a silver ring with an amethyst embedded in the center. Puffing, Roz replied, “Boris is my driver and has always been very protective. He can be overbearing sometimes, but he means well. He is a good man, Johnny.”

With a girlish grunt, Roz lowered her leg and then rolled onto her feet. Sauntering over to Johnny, she placed her hand on his shirt and felt the fabric. “You dressed up for the occasion.” Johnny tensed as she leant forward and kissed his cheek, praying that she didn’t notice the semi-turgid erection pressing up against his fly. Tonight was going to be a test of self control.

Roz had to stifle a giggle as her hand ‘accidentally’ brushed up against the not-so-little bulge in Johnny’s pants. As she’d hoped, the young man had become excited by her perfectly timed yoga session. While it was a shame that he was WAY overdressed for their date, Roz had to admit that he looked handsome and cleaned up well.

Squatting down on her haunches to roll up her yoga mat, Roz asked. “Hungry yet?”

“Sure am. What’s for dinner?” Johnny adjusted his pants while he thought she wasn’t looking. “Some type of caviar or borsch maybe?”

“Why does everyone think we Russians only eat those things? I don’t even like caviar.” Leaning her mat against the wall, Roz turned and clapped her hands together. “We are having TACOS!”

Her date blinked slowly. “What?”

“I love food from all over the world.” Grabbing his hand, Roz began to lead him to her patio. “Besides, there is nothing like authentic tacos! They’re so flavorful and spicy.”

“I guess that makes sense. Why are we going outside?” Johnny dragged his heels as Roz reached for the door handle. Turning to regard her date, who was once more blushing like a russet apple, she raised an eyebrow. “Shouldn’t you at least put on a robe?”

Ignoring his concern, Roz pushed ahead. “Our food is sitting on the patio table and it’s starting to get cold. Besides, we’ll miss viewing the sunset if we wait any longer.”

Johnny bit his lip. “You really don’t mind if complete strangers see you naked?”

“You worry too much, Johnny. They’re accustomed to my lifestyle by now.” Roz assured as she playfully poked his chest. “Although, your presence here will surely make the neighbors gossip about us being together. Think of the scandal we shall cause!” Opening the door, she put on her best reassuring smile. “We’ve wasted enough time chatting! Let’s eat!”

As the cool evening air tickled her skin, Roz shivered in delight. Her father had been sure to purchase a balcony with space enough for a tiny herb garden, a table, and chairs. As an added bonus, she had a breathtaking view of downtown Ponyville and the hilly farmland beyond.

Johnny whistled as he followed her towards the edge of the balcony. “Hell of a view you’ve got here.”

“Da. I consider myself very fortunate.” Roz beamed as she skipped over to the table. It was set with a bottle of red wine, a bouquet of roses, and two silver cloches. Taking them off with a flourish, Roz breathed in the smell of tacos with a sigh. “Dinner is served!”

Heaped on both plates were two soft shell tacos loaded with lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, beef, and cheese. Beckoning Johnny over, Roz popped the cork on the wine and poured a generous amount into each glass. She giggled when Johnny dragged a chair out for her like a proper gentleman. “Why thank you, good sir.”

“No problem,” Johnny replied with a smile. Grabbing a towel from the back of the chair, Roz covered the seat with it before sitting down. Scooching her chair forward, she grabbed her glass and took a swig from it as Johnny settled down opposite of her.

Without a shred of hesitation, Roz began to devour her dinner like a starving prisoner. Johnny was much more polite about eating his own portion, but didn’t comment on his date’s lack of table manners. As one might expect, Roz’s chest was covered in bits of taco afterwards.

“You’ve got something on your... chest.” Johnny muttered. Roz opened her eyes and smirked as he tentatively nibbled on his own taco, his eyes once more failing to stay forced on his face.

“My what, Johnny?” Leaning forward, she pressed her breasts together. “Is it on my face? If so, you could always help me lick it clean.”

“No. It’s all over your--um--boobs.”

“Ohhh! That makes a lot more sense!” she replied, glancing down at herself as if she’d just noticed. “You can lick those clean too, if you wish. I don’t mind.” Roz smiled innocently, fluttering her eyelashes. Rather than respond, Johnny blushed and chose to keep eating his taco.

For several minutes the couple ate in relative silence, exchanging a few pleasantries. Roz studied Johnny’s jaw line and fantasized about what he looked like underneath all of his clothes. If his older cousin was anything to go by, Roz pondered while rubbing her bare thighs together in anticipation, Johnny must surely be hiding something impressive in those jeans.

Roz blushed when she realized that she was getting a little too carried away with her daydreaming. After taking a moment to adjust herself, the young Russian froze when she noticed Johnny wrinkle his nose with a puzzled look. Clapping her hands to distract him from the damp spot she hoped he hadn’t seen, Roz chuckled. “How is your little sister doing?”

Johnny raised an eyebrow and replied, “Babs is adjusting pretty well to life in Ponyville, all things considered. She was a nudist even before we moved here, so it’s easier for her than me.”

“Smart girl. Has she found herself a boyfriend yet?” Roz asked as she dug into her second taco.

“She’s not… into boys.” He replied with an awkward smile.

“My apologies, Johnny. I didn’t mean to assume. Has she met anyone special yet?”

Laughing, Johnny waved his hand dismissively. “Maybe. We’ll just have to wait and see how that turns out. I’m sure it’ll be fine. She’s keen on taking things one step at a time now.”

“I always wanted a younger sibling,” Roz sighed wistfully as she looked out towards the setting sun. “Father’s dacha could get so lonely…”

“I take it you’re an only child?”

“Mhmm. My parents love having sex, but for some reason, they never had any more children after me,” Roz pouted, sticking her bottom lip out. “Oh, well. It’s not like I can force them to.”

Unsure how to follow up that little tidbit of information, Johnny offered her a polite shrug.

“Tell me; is it true what they say about farmers having big families?” Roz shot back while teasing Johnny’s leg with her foot.

Johnny stiffened, all too aware of how close Roz’s foot was to his crotch. She didn’t push any further, but he still nearly choked on his wine, trying to formulate a response. “Technically, I’m not a farmer. Nor was I raised on one. Born in Manehattan, actually. Please don’t take this the wrong way, but Isn’t it a little early to be discussing kids? This is our first date, for Pete’s sake!”

Roz stuck her tongue out, “A baker is always eager to have a bun in the oven.” Johnny groaned and rolled his eyes. “What? It’s a good joke! Unless you feel your baguette isn’t up to--”

“WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SUNSET!” Johnny abruptly changed the subject.

“Even more so, now that I have someone to enjoy it with.” Roz sighed dreamily.

Scooching her chair around the table, she cuddled up beside Johnny and rested her head on his shoulder. She suppressed a childlike giggle when he took her hand in his own and they sat in comfortable silence, sipping their wine and watching the sun go down.

Even as the last of the sunlight slipped beneath the distant mountains Johnny was still feeling pleasantly warm all over. Part of that was the food and drink he’d enjoyed, part of it was the warm summer air but it was mostly due to the naked girl cuddling up against him. Despite his best efforts to calm down, he’d been in a constant state of excitement since he’d entered the apartment and her teasing did little to help matters.

The young man shuddered as Roz pressed her nose against his neck and inhaled huskily. Sighing she mused, “I expected you to smell like apples. What scent do you use?”

“Just some cologne I got at the store a while ago.” Johnny replied. “You like it?”

“Mhmm. There is very little that I don’t like about you so far,” She whispered while unbuttoning his shirt. “These pesky clothes are getting in the way...”

Grabbing her hand Johnny changed the subject, “You mentioned desert?”

A flash of irritation crossed her baby blue eyes before the familiar smile came back, “Indeed, I did! Are you prepared to learn one of my favorite recipes?”

Distracted by her jiggling breasts as she got up from the table, Johnny simply nodded.

“Good, then follow me! Our Sharlotka awaits!”

Downing the dregs of his wine, the young man followed her into the kitchen. The moment she stepped into the kitchen, something about Roz’s demeanor changed. She was still as bubbly and bouncy as ever but Johnny noted a certain focused intensity as she plucked her ingredients from a pristinely organized pantry. Before long, Roz had a neat pile of fresh apples, a bag of flour, sugar, vanilla extract, baking powder, and a carton of eggs assembled on her kitchen counter.

Roz grabbed herself a mixing bowl and a cake pan while she swished her hips from side to side, humming a wordless tune. Johnny smiled as he leaned on the countertop and appreciated the view. The wine had done wonders to get him to relax and his date had made it very clear that she didn’t mind being watched.

Rising up, she smiled sweetly. “Do you like my buns?”

“They’re something alright…” Johnny mumbled as she wiggled her rump with a giggle.

“Good,” Roz beamed as she set the mixing bowl down on the counter. “Did your mother ever teach you how to bake?”

A pang of sadness gripped Johnny’s chest. “She… wasn’t around enough for stuff like that.”

Roz bit her lip before clapping her hands. “In that case, I will show you how!”

Opening the carton of eggs, Roz dexterously plucked one and cracked it with an efficient flourish of her hands. Johnny watched as, in the span of less than a minute, a half dozen eggs were neatly poured into the mixing bowl. Grabbing a whisk, Roz beckoned him over and placed the bowl and whisk in his hands.

Her breath tickled the back of Johnny’s neck as she hugged him. Her piercings rubbed against his back. Guiding his hand in lazy circles she remarked, “What I need you to do is beat these eggs until they’re all mixed together. Then, add sugar and keep going until I tell you to stop.”

“Seems simple enough.”

“Good! I shall prepare the apples!” Roz announced as she stood beside him. Taking a deep breath, Johnny focused on mixing the eggs. As he did, Roz produced a paring knife from the drawer and set about peeling and coring the apples that were sitting atop the counter.

Roz’s every movement was graceful and efficient when it came to baking. Effortlessly, her knife glided under the skin of each apple, denuding it all in one piece. The core meanwhile was removed with a few simple cuts and discarded into a compost box. By the time Johnny was finally satisfied with the consistency of the batter, Roz had already lined the bottom of the pan with wax paper and preheated the oven.

“This look good?” Johnny asked, tilting the bowl her way.

Roz looked up from whisking the flour, baking powder and even more sugar together. “Let me see… very good Johnny! I -oops!”

Even in his slightly intoxicated state, Johnny could clearly tell Roz had intentionally slipped. The young man grunted as a substantial portion of flour splashed across his shirt and down his pants. Catching herself, Roz put her bowl down and cooed, “Oh no, what a terrible accident! Your clothes are all dirty now!” She stuck her tongue out as she began to unbutton his shirt.

A sudden flash of anger came over Johnny as he grabbed her hands. “HOLD ON A SECOND!”

Roz flinched. “It was an accident, I swear!”

“Don’t give me that crap! I know you’ve been trying to get me naked all night.” Johnny growled, stepping away from her as his frustration bubbled out. “Am I just a quick fuck for you? A means to an end? Because I sure as hell am not going to sit here and be treated like a slab of meat.”

Roz’s eyes watered as she leant back on the counter. “I-I didn’t mean to...” She swallowed. “Ok. Fine. I obviously think you are very attractive, but I like your personality too! You are sweet, kind, and considerate.”

Johnny’s anger receded as he placed his hands on her shoulders. “Roz, I like you too. I just want to take a little more time to get to know you better before taking the next step.” He looked away. “Listen, I’m not comfortable with getting naked around you or my family yet. It’s going to take some more time until I reach that point. Until then, can you back off a little?”

The curvy nudist wiped a tear from her eye, “Da, of course. I’m sorry if I tend to rush into things. When I was growing up in Russia, boys would never ask me out first. I always had to take the lead. Worse yet, they would often ignore me like I was a street urchin begging for change.” Roz smiled sadly. “That is part of the reason why I decided to become a goth. I figured it would set me apart from all of the other blonde girls, and I think dark colors are pretty too.”

The two stared at each other in awkward silence for several seconds. Lowering her eyes, Roz mumbled. “If you’d prefer to leave right now, I’d understand. I won’t stop you.”

After fully unbuttoning his shirt, Johnny removed it and shook all the flour off. “We still need to finish our cake. Do you have an apron I could borrow?”

A flush colored Roz’s cheeks as she took in Johnny’s upper body. “Let me get it for you!”

Within a few minutes, Johnny was clad in a soft red apron embroidered with an adorable cartoon bear wearing a ushanka. He and Roz both silently agreed to put their argument behind them as they mixed the dry and wet ingredients together with vanilla extract and finally the apples. After pouring it into the pan, Roz decorated the top with leftover apples and a healthy sprinkling of brown sugar.

“And now we slide it into the oven!” Roz declared, pulling on a pair of oven mitts. Johnny opened the oven for her as she deposited the cake within. Setting a timer for fifty minutes, Roz removed her oven mitts and stretched. “Would you care to watch a movie while we wait?”

“Sure,” Johnny replied as he shut the oven. “Got one in mind?”

Roz was already skipping towards the living room as she called out, “Terror at Twin Pines! It’s an absolutely cheesy exploitation flick from the late seventies! You’ll love it!”

Shaking his head Johnny followed her and plopped himself down upon her leather couch as she turned her TV on and put the movie on. As the opening credits began, she plopped herself beside him and leant back casually. Taking the hint, Johnny wrapped his arm around her shoulders as the two watched the movie in comfortable silence.

True to Roz’s promise, Johnny soon found himself laughing along with her at the film. Cheaply made and poorly written, it was clearly a D-film, or a double D-film, Roz would joke. It followed the owner of a nudist resort teaming up with an impossibly busty, buxom Sheriff sporting a bush. They had to defend everyone against a horde of hungry undead. The movie ended with the sheriff and resort owner making out on top of a pile of dead zombies just as the timer chimed.

Rising from the couch, the two returned to the kitchen and removed their cake from the oven. Both Roz and Johnny sighed as they breathed in the smell of the now golden brown pastry. It reminded Johnny of a mix of Granny Smith’s homemade apple pie and a pound cake.

Roz took a toothpick and gently pierced the cake’s steaming crust. Nodding at the result, she turned to Johnny, “Cooked all the way through! Not bad for your first time.”

“I had an exceptional teacher.” Johnny replied with a wink.

“I always enjoy a bit of flattery now and then.” The Russian giggled as grabbed a knife and began cutting into the cake. After serving them both a large slice, she dug in with her trademark gusto. Johnny followed her example and closed his eyes as the cake touched his tongue.

Sharlotka had the flavor profile of a buttery pound cake mixed with tart apples and just a hint of brown sugar. It’s texture was dense and fluffy, intermixed with the crunch tartness of the apples. Johnny thoroughly enjoyed it as he scarfed down every crumb.

While they finished eating, Roz glanced over at Johnny, “Would you like to do this again sometime?” She smiled. “Go out on another date with me, I mean.”

Taking her hand, Johnny brought it to his lips and kissed it. Roz was every bit the handful his cousins had warned him about but she was endearing in her own unique way once you got to know her. “You know what? I think I’d like that. You can come over to my place next time.”

Roz bounced up and down in her seat excitedly after she shoved her phone into Johnny’s lap. “Now that you have my phone number, we can chat more often! Just send me a text and let me know when you’d like me to come over to Sweet Apple Acres. I’ll be sure to wear my best outfit!”

Spa Date With Rarity

Chapter 16

The Mean Bean Café, Ponyville

Applejack drummed her fingers against the table impatiently while she checked her phone. The display read twelve fifty, only ten minutes prior to the art club’s pre-arranged meeting time for the day. Since she often prided herself on being punctual (religiously so some would claim), Applejack was slightly annoyed to find that no one else had shown up for the meeting yet. With a huff of frustration, she crossed her arms underneath her breasts and scowled.

Haki did his best to reassure his irate girlfriend by rubbing her back. “Try not to get too worked up about it, AJ. We got here fifteen minutes early, after all. Relax and enjoy your coffee.”

“Ah know. Sorry fer bein’ such an Antsy Nancy. Patience ain’t exactly mah highest virtue.”

Haki sipped his latte and sighed. “Did Rarity give you any indication what this was about?”

“Not really. Mentioned it was some kind o’ special project. Yer guess is as good as mine.”

Rarity and a petite woman with flowing pink hair entered through the door and waved as they placed their orders with the barista. The woman in question was a former classmate named Fluttershy that Applejack hadn’t seen nor heard from since high school graduation. To Applejack’s knowledge, she wasn’t a student at Canterlot University, thus had no direct involvement with the art club. The blonde farmer furrowed her brow in confusion as she took another sip of coffee from her mug. Something wasn’t adding up, but Applejack withheld her judgment until the fashionista had a chance to explain the situation properly.

Rarity sat down first, with Fluttershy taking a seat across from Applejack. About ten minutes later, Tree Hugger, a mellow-minded hippie with dreadlocks and a knack for painting, along with the art club president, Sandalwood, arrived after ordering drinks, taking their seats around the table respectively. After a brief round of introductions to everyone, Fluttershy went on to explain why she was present at the art club’s meeting.

“For those of you who don’t know, I’m studying to become a veterinarian. Part of my curriculum this semester involves interning at the local animal shelter here in Ponyville. It’s pretty far away from Cloudsdale Medical Institute, so I’ll be staying with Rarity for the time being.”

Applejack cleared her throat. “That’s all well n’ good, but this here is an art club meetin’ fer Canterlot University students. Not tryin’ ta sound rude, just doesn’t make a lick o’ sense ta me.”

Fluttershy blushed and fidgeted in her seat. “Oh—um—sorry. I’ll get straight to the point then. The shelter… derives its funds primarily through donations. The manager was having trouble coming up with ideas for a new donation drive. After a discussion with Rarity the other day, she mentioned that the art club could help. I was wondering if all of you would volunteer?”

Sandalwood shot a sour look at Rarity, in response to which she smiled sheepishly. “While the cause is certainly a noble one, I think we can all agree that more details are necessary before an informed decision can be reached. What would you have us do, Miss Fluttershy?”

“Painting is one of my hobbies. I’m not a professional by any means, but I was hoping that we could collaborate and create a bodypainting exposition together! Just so everyone is aware, the models are required to be… n-naked. I’m sorry if the concept offends anyone! Rarity thought that showing off a little skin would help attract more attention. Specifically, we would be using two male/female pairs to represent exotic animals. If that’s not too much to ask…”

Rarity abruptly raised her hand. “Fluttershy is one of my dearest friends, so I shall volunteer to be one of the female models, erm—despite some reservations on my part. Applejack, darling, would you mind being my counterpart? I assume that since you’ve done some nude modeling for the art club already, splashing on a bit of paint wouldn’t be that much of a stretch. Please say yes! I’d consider it a personal favor. If nothing else, think of those poor animals in need!”

Applejack rubbed the back of her neck, suddenly uncomfortable at being put on the spot. “Ah suppose there ain’t no harm in doin’ somethin’ a little different from mah usual arrangement with the club. That bein’ said, who exactly do ya have in mind fer the male models?”

“To be perfectly honest, I hadn’t quite gotten that far. That’s part of the reason why I wanted to gather everyone in one place, so that we could hash out the details, as it were.”

Sandalwood leaned over to discuss something with Tree Hugger and when they finished talking, he took in a deep breath and blew it through his lips. “I’ll be one of the male models. After all, it would be silly if the president of the art club didn’t participate in some fashion. That leaves us with two more issues: the remaining male model, and who shall be painting whom.”

Fluttershy blushed even harder than before and made an adorable squeaking sound before raising her hand. “Please pardon my interruption everyone. But I-I don’t think I’d feel comfortable painting any the male models. It would be too… embarrassing for me. If it’s alright with everyone, I’ll stick to painting the female models instead. Sorry. I’ll be quiet now.”

“Tree Hugger, are you comfortable with painting the male models?” Sandalwood asked.

“Sure dude. Makes no difference to me.” The hippie replied nonchalantly.

“Alright. That solves one problem. What about the remaining male model? Any ideas?”

“Haki, how’s ‘bout ya partner up with me?” Applejack suggested while nudging his ribs.

“You can’t be serious!”

Applejack arched her brow. “Why would Ah joke ‘bout somethin’ like this? You’ve got nothin’ ta be ashamed of and I’ll be right there beside ya. Fer moral support n’ whatnot. C’mon! It ain’t a big deal. Just think o’ how much you’ll be helpin’ out all o’ them downtrodden critters.”

Haki let out a heavy sigh while looking down at his empty cup. “AJ, this isn’t the kind of decision I can make on the spot. Give me some time to think it over, at least.”

“But who else—”

Rarity placed her hand on Applejack’s shoulder. “Let’s not push the issue, hmm? We still have a few days until the exposition. Plenty of time to work out all the details.”

“Fine,” Applejack relented, “Ah know when ta back off.”

“Splendid! Next on the agenda is scheduling a spa date for the both of us!”

“A what now?” Applejack inquired.

Rarity waved her hand and chortled. “We’re going to need to look our best before the paint is applied to its canvas, so to speak. Applejack, you are aware that your privates will need to be completely waxed to ensure the best result… right?”

“Ya mean I’ll have ta git rid of mah bush?”

“That’s the idea, darling. Pubic hair is far too thick and would ruin the aesthetic, if painted over. Not to worry! The attendants at the spa are consummate professionals. Brazilian waxes are nothing to be afraid of, I assure you! In fact, I’ve had several of them done in the past few months. You’ll be smoother than a baby’s bottom by the time they’re finished.”

Applejack frowned. “Ah dunno, Rares. Won’t it make me look childish?”

“A little tuft of hair isn’t what makes you a woman, Applejack.”

“Ah suppose not but—hell’s bells—I’ll never hear the end of it from mah family. Especially Apple Bloom. She’ll crow on fer days ‘bout how she’s more mature than her older sister.”

Rarity rolled her eyes. “If it’s that much of an issue, then we can find another model.”

Applejack shook her head. “No, Ah made a commitment and I’m stickin’ ta mah guns.”

“I’ll hold you to it, darling. Later on, I shall text our appointment details.”

Beyond who would stand in as the second male model for the exposition, the art club’s agenda was fulfilled. As such, Sandalwood announced that everyone could go their separate ways and would provide updates on the situation via a group email. Haki and Applejack were the last to linger at the table, neither able to clear the awkward tension that had begun to form between them. Hands gripping her coffee cup, Applejack grimaced and looked over at her boyfriend.

“I’m sorry, Haki. Ah shouldn’t have been so pushy ‘bout the exposition. After we had such a great time at White Mist, Ah thought ya were takin’ a shine ta hangin’ out nekkid with me.”

Haki reached over and placed his hand on her thigh, stroking it gently. “I did have fun at the resort. But you have to understand that our vacation was under very specific circumstances. Modeling in front of complete strangers just isn’t something that I feel comfortable with yet.”

“Fair enough. Promise me that you’ll at least consider bein’ mah partner. It’d make the whole experience a helluva lot more tolerable fer me if ya did. ‘S all Ah ask.”

“Tolerable? You make it sound as though you don’t want to model at all.”

Applejack let out a huff of frustration. “Ah didn’t mean it that way! Ya wanna know the truth? I’m nervous. Sittin’ in front o’ a handful o’ college students ain’t a big deal. But Ah reckon the exposition will draw a much bigger crowd. Figure mah picture’ll be plastered all over the internet once everything’s all said ‘n done. Doesn’t sit well with me one bit. Eenope.”

“Then why agree to it in the first place?”

Applejack twirled a strand of her hair and sighed. “Because I’d let all o’ mah friends down if Ah didn’t step up ta the plate. It’s the principle of the thing, Haki, not whether Ah enjoy bein’ gussied up n’ paraded around like a purebred sow at the county fair.”

Haki furrowed his brow in confusion. “Hold on a second. Do they really put makeup on pigs?”

“Hog breedin’ is serious business! That’s beside the point, sugarcube. What I’m sayin’ is that I’d feel much more at ease with ya by mah side. Ah know it’s outside yer comfort zone, but please consider takin’ Sandalwood’s offer. Ah can personally vouch that you’ll be adequately compensated fer yer time and effort.”

Applejack’s expression was so earnest that Haki found himself nodding in agreement. “Ok. I’ll talk to my aunt and see what her opinion on the matter is. Maybe she can give me some tips.”

The blonde farmer leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Good enough fer me.”

Applejack parked her pickup truck in front of the spa, unsure if she wanted to go through with whatever Rarity had planned for the day. Even if she’d wanted to back out of the exposition, considering that it was supposed to begin tomorrow morning, there’s no way the art club would be able to find a nude model to replace her with on such short notice. It’d taken longer than expected, but after discussing it with his aunt, Haki had reluctantly agreed to be her partner.

While Applejack waited for Rarity to show up (she’d arrived twenty minutes earlier than the scheduled appointment time), she pondered exactly how she would show her appreciation. A nugget of relationship advice that Granny Smith had given her granddaughters years ago came to mind: Men are most content when ya keep their bellies full n’ their balls empty. A blush formed on her freckled cheeks. Providing Haki with tasty victuals was simple enough, but she wasn’t so confident in her ability to seduce him on the spot. Regardless, Applejack firmly believed that love-making should never be conditional between partners, no matter the circumstances.

“’S not like Haki’s expectin’ a reward from me. On the other hand, I’d feel downright scummy fer rustlin’ him into this arrangement without showin’ some form o’ gratitude. Maybe Ah oughta ask Rarity fer her opinion on the matter. Assumin’, she has any decent advice ta dole out…”

The young farmer’s reverie was broken when she heard the repeated honk of a car horn. Sure enough, Rarity’s sporty little sedan with a fabulous coat of pearl squeezed into the parking spot next to Applejack’s truck. Out stepped the fashionista herself, clad in a silky black dress with a pair of matching slingbacks. All she carried with her was a white purse embroidered with a trio of diamonds. Supposedly, that was meant to be her company logo once she graduated college.

Rarity wrapped Applejack in a warm hug. “Punctual as always, I see. Shall we head inside?”

“What’s with the fancy getup, Rares? We’re goin’ ta the spa, not the Opera.”

While they headed towards the door, Rarity laughed. “I always dress in style, darling~”

“Don’t see much point in dressin’ up on account o’ the fact that we’ll be takin’ our clothes off.”

Rarity’s cheeks colored slightly after she confirmed the appointment with the receptionist. “IF YOU MUST KNOW—ehem—I fell behind on my laundry. This is all I had left to wear.”

“That so? Can’t say Ah empathize but Ah reckon it happens ta folks now n’ again.”

Rarity began unfastening the straps on her shoes after they’d entered the locker room. “I wouldn’t expect someone like you to understand. My apologies, darling. I didn’t mean to sound so condescending. It’s just that I’m a bit cranky today due to a lack of caffeine and… sleep.”

Applejack was already naked, since she’d only worn a t-shirt, gym shorts, and sneakers to the spa. She offered her friend a non-committal shrug. “No worries. What ya said was true. Although, I’m a might worried ‘bout yer lack o’ sleep. Is there somethin’ on yer mind, Rares?”

Even Rarity’s underwear was fancy. Black frilly things that wouldn’t have looked out of place in the pages of a high-end lingerie magazine from France. Compared to the plain fare she wore most of the time (if at all), Applejack had to bite back a quip, calling them expensive strips of fabric. Instead, she observed her friend’s troubled expression carefully, waiting for her to respond.

“I suppose… I’m more nervous about modeling than I’d originally anticipated. Showcasing a dress or some other article of clothing is practically second nature to me. But I won’t be wearing anything more than a layer of paint, for all intents and purposes. The thought of everyone seeing Moi au natural is both exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time! How do you deal with it?”

Applejack rubbed the back of her neck while Rarity slipped out of her panties. “Ta be honest, Ah don’t really give it much thought. Look—erm—just be yerself and don’t worry ‘bout what other folks think. If nothin’ else, take a swig o’ whiskey fer some added courage before ya go on.”

Rarity giggled. “I do hope you aren’t intoxicated while on the job, Applejack.”

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Not once have Ah drunk a drop while on campus!”

“Joking aside, your advice is sound. Still… I can’t help but feel anxious.”

Applejack hadn’t shared many classes with Rarity while they attended high school together, gym period being one of those included. That said, this was the first time she could ever recall seeing her friend in nude before. Rarity was, by all accounts, the very definition of a modern beauty. A petite figure with long legs, perfectly manicured nails, perky breasts, a neatly trimmed strip of violet hair nestled just below her waistline and cream-colored skin made her look almost like a porcelain doll. Applejack wasn’t exactly sure what perceived imperfection about her body that caused Rarity so much anxiety. She was drop-dead gorgeous!

“Don’t go invitin’ trouble where there ain’t none, ya hear.”

Rarity gently closed the locker door and placed her hands on her hips. “What, pray tell, is that supposed to mean?”

“I’m sayin’ that ya don’t have ta worry ‘bout yer figure. Yer pretty enough ta be a professional model in mah—uh—not so expert opinion. Ah know it ain’t much but that’s what Ah believe.”

Rarity smiled with a slight blush. “Thank you, darling. I appreciate the compliment.”

Feeling somewhat awkward at the momentary lapse in conversation, Applejack cleared her throat rather loudly and proceeded to gather a pair of gray bath robes to wear outside of the locker room. Rarity declined, stating that it would be pointless to get dressed as they’d need to be completely nude for the waxing session anyway. With an indifferent shrug, Applejack followed her a short distance down the hallway to where there were two padded tables set up.

The lighting was warm and muted throughout the room, creating a peaceful environment for clients. Incense sticks burned while soft classical music was being played in the background. It was similar to what Granny Smith enjoyed listening to whenever she took her afternoon nap out on the porch with Winona curled up beneath her feet. A pair of blue and pink haired twins dressed in white uniforms with the spa’s logo embroidered on the breast pocket entered the room and introduced themselves as Aloe & Lotus respectively. They encouraged the two naked women to lie down flat on their backs, offering them both an additional neck pillow for comfort.

Despite the Aloe’s best efforts to make her feel relaxed, Applejack’s muscles tensed up when she laid down on the table. A pang of unease gurgled in the pit of her stomach. “So—um—this is mah first time gettin’ a Brazilian wax. Not sure what I’m supposed ta do…”

Aloe smiled while she heated up a small plastic container full of green goo. “There’s no need to worry, Miss Applejack. We’ve performed this procedure countless times. First, I shall apply a coating of special cream. This softens the hair follicles and will ensure that the waxing is as pain-free as possible. There may be some discomfort at times, but I promise to be as gentle as possible.”

Hesitantly, Applejack spread her legs further apart to give Aloe better access to her crotch. “Under normal circumstances, I prefer ta have plenty o’ hair coverin’ mah coochie. This here is a special occasion. Need it nice n’ smooth on account o’ the up-comin’ art exposition at CU.”

“Ah~ I heard about that. Body painting is certainly an interesting art form.”

Applejack shivered when the cold cream was slathered onto her privates. She nearly jumped off the table when Aloe began spreading the cream around the outside edge of her anus as well. “WHAT IN TARNATION ARE YA DOIN’ AROUND MAH BUTTHOLE?!!”

Aloe blinked in confusion. “Miss Rarity paid for the full treatment. That includes your backside. Please don’t feel embarrassed, Miss Applejack. It is a difficult area for one to wax on their own.”

Cheeks flushed, Applejack laid down on the table once more and glared at Rarity. “Fer Pete’s sake. Ah oughta slug ya in the snoot fer not mentionin’ that particular detail.”

Rarity waved her hand nonchalantly. “There’s no need to get testy, darling. We might as well tidy up everywhere, seeing as how we may be asked to take compromising positions while modeling. Besides, when was the last time you had a decent trimming down there, hmm?”

Applejack let out an angry growl. “Ah ain’t some hairy gorilla; Ah shave regularly, ya know.”

“I never implied that you were. Smooth is sexy, darling. Trust me; Haki will like it.”

Applejack bit her lip. “Ya really think so? Even as a born naturist, Ah don’t want folks payin’ particular attention ta that part o’ mah body. Uh… we haven’t done much experimentin’ o’ the carnal nature if ya catch mah drift. Does that sort o’ thing—erm—feel good in rear end too?”

“Hmm. To some people it can. You’d best discuss the matter with Haki first.”

Applejack curled her toes while the hot wax was applied. “A sound idea.”

No warning was given when the hardened layer of wax was peeled off. Like Aloe had warned, it did cause Applejack a little bit of discomfort, but nothing she hadn’t experienced before. She actually chuckled, reminiscing about the time she’d rescued Winona from a briar patch after the dog had chased a gopher clear across the breadth of Sweet Apple Acres. From head to toe, the blonde naturist had been covered in little cuts and scrapes, prompting Big Mac to give her an impromptu bath with a washcloth soaked in antiseptic. He’d been gentle about that too, but it still stung like the dickens.

Not only did Applejack teach Winona never to go into a briar patch again (the young puppy had learned her lesson after being denied her favorite treats for a month), she recounted the cautionary tale to Apple Bloom in order to ensure that her little sister wouldn’t make the same mistake as she had that fateful summer. Much to Applejack’s chagrin, Granny Smith had also taken a picture of her grumpy, preteen granddaughter shortly after the incident, claiming that it was a memory the whole family should cherish for generations to come.

She’d reminisced a while longer than anticipated, feeling a slight tinge of embarrassment when Aloe asked her if everything was alright. Without even realizing it, Applejack’s waxing session had already reached its conclusion. Somehow, she expected her privates to be a little sore but, surprisingly, she felt little to no discomfort whatsoever.

Aloe encouraged her to get up off of the table and inspect her body in front of a large mirror to make sure she was satisfied with the procedure. Even after taking a few steps forward, Applejack immediately noticed how breezy it felt in-between her legs. Sure enough, when she gazed in the mirror, her mons was smoother than a baby’s behind. Applejack shivered for a moment, then a rosy blush crept onto her cheeks as she realized how immature it made her look.

Rarity followed suit and let out a hum of satisfaction while she watched her own reflection in the mirror. “A splendid job as always, Lotus. What’s wrong, Applejack? You look upset.”

The blonde naturist fought the urge to cover up her privates. Instead, she rubbed her arm. “Are ya sure this was the right decision? Ah feel… nekkid without any hair ta cover up mah coochie.”

Rarity placed her hand on Applejack’s shoulder. “You look fabulous, darling. And, dare I say, you’ll be even more fabulous once all of the paint is applied. Take pride in your appearance, Applejack. With a physique like that, no one can possibly deny your womanly charm.”

Applejack shuffled her feet. “If ya say so…”

“Just remember, hair eventually grows back. Far faster than I care for, but the point remains.”

Applejack began walking towards the locker room with Rarity following close behind. While she slipped into her gym shorts and t-shirt, her phone vibrated briefly, showing that Haki had sent her a text. She smiled when a picture of a cartoon dog showed up on the screen saying “Good Luck”. After searching for an equally cartoonish zebra, Applejack sent the text back, giggling.

“A word of advice, darling. You should masturbate right before the session tomorrow.”

Applejack nearly choked on her own spit. “Why the hell would Ah do that fer?”

“To avoid any awkward situations where one might become aroused on stage. I realize that you’re accustomed to being nude most of the time, but having your body painted is a unique and—how shall we say—stimulating experience. A lady must be prepared for such things.”

Applejack shook her head. “Remains ta be seen.”

“It’s merely a suggestion. I know that I feel much more relaxed after a good orgasm.”

Ignoring her friend’s comment, Applejack decided to change the topic. “How early do ya reckon we’ll have ta show up fer prep? Ah imagine it’ll take a while ta git set up fer the exposition.”

“Indeed. From what I understand, Sandalwood mentioned that we wouldn’t be ready to ‘go on stage’ until tomorrow afternoon. I’ll text you and let you know as soon as I am aware.”

Applejack sighed in frustration. “Alright. I’ll git up early tomorrow mornin’ just in case.”

“Pardon my ignorance, but isn’t it normal for farmers to—erm—rise with the chickens?”

Applejack nodded while she put on her shoes. “Eeyup. How else do ya think we can git all the chores done by the evenin’? Runnin’ a farm is hard work, but rewardin’ all the same.”

“I’ve no doubt that it is, darling. However, I can’t see myself getting involved with the agricultural scene anytime soon. To each their own, as it were.”

Applejack shrugged. “Doesn’t bother me none. We’ve all got our own unique talents.”

After exchanging a warm embrace, the two women exited the spa and went their respective ways. While driving the family truck down the road towards Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack’s mind began to wander. She gripped the steering wheel while she pondered and couldn’t quite shake the nervous roiling that churned deep within the pit of her stomach. Thankfully, when she pulled into the barn, Winona was there to greet her, tail wagging happily as she received love and attention from her mistress. Applejack ruffled Winona’s ears and sighed.

“I’m still on the fence ‘bout tomorrow, girl. Maybe I’m just overthinkin’ things. A tasty supper n’ a full night’s rest oughta clear mah mind. Or—um—Ah suppose Ah could also do what Rarity suggested. Who knows? We’ll cross that bridge when we git there.”

Applejack slept about as well as could be expected and rose before the sun crept over the horizon. She went on to complete her typical morning routine of taking a quick shower, brewing a pot of coffee, and eating breakfast. It was relatively light for a farmer, only consisting of a bacon, egg, and cheese omelet, some applesauce, and two slices of buttered toast. She consumed it with her usual efficiency and gulped down two cups of joe. When it was all said and done, she looked over at the clock and realized that it was just about fifteen minutes past six. The rest of the family would be waking up soon, so she quietly went back upstairs to her bedroom.

The blonde nudist laid back on her bed, looking up at the ceiling, wiggling her toes in nervous anticipation. Thus far, her phone had remained silent. Rarity had yet to send her a text. To be fair, it was still quite early in the morning. There was a distinct possibility that she might not even be called in until eight or even nine o’clock to start the prep-work. Full of energy with nowhere to go, Applejack hopped to her feet and began to pace around the room.

Rarity’s advice from earlier echoed in her mind. Applejack paused for a moment and looked at the lowermost drawer of her dresser and gulped. She crouched on her haunches and slid it open, revealing a nondescript cardboard box pushed to the very back. She took it out gingerly and removed the lid, revealing a thick, eighteen-centimeter-long dildo, tawny brown in color, that resembled a tree trunk. It’d been somewhat of a gag gift from Granny on her sixteenth birthday.

Or so Granny claimed. The silicone sex toy was obviously custom ordered and of high quality. Out of sheer embarrassment, Applejack had relegated it to the back of the drawer, and never spoke of it again. In fact, she’d never used it before, as evidenced by the original packaging. After a quick inspection, Applejack realized that it even had a vibrate function. She happened to have some Double-A batteries in her room, so she popped them in and tested them out, making her eyes widen in surprise when the dildo began to vibrate in her hand. Blushing, she turned it off.

“Tarnation. Am Ah really gonna do this?” Applejack whispered to herself.

She padded into the bathroom and grabbed a small container of Vaseline that she used to keep her skin moisturized, but knew full-well would provide adequate lubrication. For a moment, she considered hiding everything under her hat. However, the dildo proved to be too unwieldy, so she chose to put everything in her trusty rucksack instead.

With the grace and dexterity of a naked ninja, she crept down the stairs, trying to avoid any members of her family who had woken up. Predictably, Big Mac was in the kitchen, cooking breakfast while Apple Bloom sat at the table, drinking a mug of coffee. The very last stair, known for being squeaky, gave Applejack’s position away. The two siblings looked over and greeted their sister.

“Howdy y’all. Makin’ breakfast?”

Mac nodded. “Eeyep. Today’s the big day, huh?”

“Yeah. Ain’t sure when I’m supposed ta head over though.”

“Nervous?”

“A little.” Applejack replied.

Apple Bloom cocked her head. “Headed out somewhere?”

“Figure Ah might go out fer a walk, maybe swim, just ta clear mah head.”

Apple Bloom shrugged. “Fair Enough. We’ll be here when ya git back. Should Ah brew more coffee?”

“Nah. I’ve already had two cups. Don’t wanna git all jittery before mah performance.”

“Make sure ya keep hydrated though. I’m sure the organizers won’t mind if ya need ta take a potty break every now n’ then.”

Applejack smiled. “Reckon that’s some solid advice, sugarcube.”

“Do ya want Winona ta tag along? She’s always up fer a swim.”

“NO. Ah—mean—it’s fine. She can stay here. Prefer ta do this on mah own.” Applejack blurted.

Apple Bloom stretched out her arms above her head and groaned as she felt a pleasant popping sensation. “Might take a swim mahself later on. Seems like a good day fer it. Oh, and good luck with the exhibition today.”

“Thanks. Appreciate it.”

Surprised that no one had commented on the lack of hair covering her privates, Applejack took her leave and journeyed deep into the orchard where she hoped to gain a bit of privacy. Despite the early hour, it was pleasantly warm outside, with a steady breeze blowing in from the west. When Applejack looked around one more time to make sure there was no one else around, she sat down in the grass underneath an old apple tree they’d affectionately named Bloomberg.

She coated the shaft of the dildo with Vaseline and stared at it for a moment. “Whowee! This thing is a helluva lot thicker than Ah realized. Hope it ain’t too difficult fer me ta handle.”

Feeling very much out of her element, Applejack spread her legs apart slightly and teased the edge of her lips with the tip of the dildo. Without any hair to get in the way, it made her more sensitive than usual, sending a tingling jolt of electric pleasure through her stomach. She reached down and began to play with her clit, stroking it a few times to help get her more in the mood.

When her womanhood started to become wet, she began sliding the dildo in a little bit at a time, in order to get used to its girth. Applejack grunted slightly at the sensation of being filled to the brim. The toy was significantly thicker than Haki’s penis, after all. And so, she grabbed hold of the base and began sliding the dildo inside and out, in a slow, rhythmic motion. At first, she was mortified at the lewd suckling sounds it made, but as time went on, her embarrassment faded as pleasure replaced it. Moments later, she came all over the grass after a brief moan of ecstasy.

“Glad Ah decided ta do this outside. Would’ve made a big ole mess otherwise.”

The first orgasm had certainly felt good and released some of the tension she’d held back over the past few days, but Applejack wasn’t satisfied with stopping there. She reasoned that if she’d gone to the trouble of going all the way out here and bringing the proper equipment along, it’d be a waste not to take advantage of the situation. Without the slightest hesitation, she raised her rump in the air and inserted the dildo once more. This time, she turned on the vibrator function.

It was like night and day. The vibration made it feel so much better. Throwing caution to the wind, Applejack moaned loudly as another orgasm began to build within her. After cumming two more times, the farmgirl’s lust was satiated as she laid back in the grass, staring up at the orange-yellow sky of sunrise. She lazily rolled over and checked her phone. Much to her surprise, only an hour had passed from the time she’d left the house.

Applejack’s heart dropped when she heard barking. In the distance, she spotted her little sister, hair still wet from swimming in the pond, approaching with Winona in tow. There wasn’t enough time to hide the dildo, and even if she did, it bothered her that the toy needed to be cleaned first before being placed back inside the rucksack. Applejack didn’t need a mirror to know that she looked and smelled like a sweaty mess. With a resigned sigh, she sat up.

“How was yer—um—walk, Applejack?”

“There’s no need ta beat around the bush, Apple Bloom. It’s plain as day what Ah was doin’.”

Apple Bloom coughed. “Oh… well, just so ya know, there ain’t nothin’ wrong with masturbatin’. Perfectly healthy thing fer us gals ta do. Even helps me relax on occasion.”

“Fer Pete’s sake! I’m an adult. If anythin’, Ah should be havin’ this talk with ya instead.”

Apple Bloom chuckled. “Granny beat ya ta it by a longshot.”

Blushing, Applejack crossed her arms underneath her breasts. “Yeah, Ah remember. Look—erm—can we just forget this conversation ever happened? I’d rather focus on psyching mahself up fer the exhibition. Although, Ah do have ta admit, Ah feel more relaxed now…”

Apple Bloom nodded emphatically. “Couple o’ orgasms’ll do that.”

Applejack stood up, brushed off the grass from her bottom, and placed her hands on her hips. “Ah suspect Rarity’s gonna text me any minute now. Oughta take another shower before Ah go.”

“Ah promise I’ll swing by the college later on and see the exhibition. Might bring Sweetie, Scoots, n’ Babs if they’re up fer it. Unless… yer bothered by us bein’ there.”

Applejack smiled and ruffled her little sister’s hair. “Y’all are more than welcome ta stop on by. I’m just nervous ‘bout bein’ the center o’ attention. Modelin’ on mah own ain’t the same thing. With that, it’s more—how do Ah put it—business like. Sorry. It’s difficult fer me ta explain.”

Apple Bloom tapped her chin in thought. “Ah think Ah understand where yer comin’ from. Anywho, I’ll let ya git cleaned up before ya go. Good luck, sis.”

Like clockwork, Applejack’s phone began to vibrate just as she started toweling off. Thankfully, her little session in the orchard, combined with a hot shower had done wonders to help settle her frazzled nerves, but there was still a hint of lingering anxiety deep in the pit of her stomach. She let the feeling pass after taking in a deep breath through her nose and answered the call.

“Good morning! I hope you’re ready for today!”

After applying deodorant to her armpits, Applejack clicked her tongue. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

“I’m curious. Did you follow my advice?”

Applejack grimaced. “Not that it’s any o’ yer business, but Ah did.”

“Good. I imagine you feel so much better now hmm?” Rarity mused.

“Can’t argue with that.”

Rarity tittered. “These are modern times, darling. Modern women have nothing to be ashamed of whilst pleasuring themselves. I had a rather intense self-love session myself this morning to help calm my nerves. In any case, I shall be over in approximately twenty minutes to pick you up.”

“Alright. Sounds good. Do ya want any breakfast ta go? Ah got plenty o’ food here ta share.”

“While I appreciate the offer, I’d rather not model on a full stomach. Especially if it’s heavy farm fare. Oh! Please don’t be offended, darling. I’m sure you’re an accomplished cook.”

Applejack shrugged. “Yer loss. Ah just don’t wanna hear ya bitchin’ ‘bout bein’ hungry.”

“I’m sure the staff will provide us with a catered lunch.”

Applejack slipped into a sundress and sneakers. “Ah don’t remember that bein’ part o’ the deal, but maybe we can convince Sandalwood ta rustle up some grub fer us later on.”

“I’m hanging up now. See you soon, dear.”

Body Paint Exposition

Chapter 18

Art Department Building, Canterlot University

Applejack arrived on scene, early bird as usual, and took a moment to steady her nerves. While she’d done plenty of nude modeling in front of small groups of people before, body painting was a brand-new experience for the young woman. One that she had no expectations going in, no preconceived notions as to what exactly was involved (beyond waxing her pubic hair) as it had not been a topic of interest prior to the day of Fluttershy’s proposal. Minutes passed as she impatiently paced back and forth in the staging room, waiting for the others to arrive.

Three of the participants carpooled together because it was more efficient. Fluttershy was already staying with Rarity and Sandalwood didn’t live far away from campus. Haki showed up a few minutes afterward, giving his girlfriend a quick kiss after they hugged. Without further ado, Sandalwood clapped his hands together and asked everyone to gather round, so that he could explain how the body painting process would work and who was being paired up with whom.

“Like I mentioned before during our initial meeting, Haki & AJ will be one couple while Rarity and I will stand in as the other. It’s meant to reflect male and female pairs found in the animal kingdom. I will be painted in the likeness of a Grey Wolf, Rarity will be a White Tiger, Applejack will be a Fox, and Haki will be a Lion. Canid and Feline opposites.”

Applejack raised her hand. “How long is this supposed ta take, ya reckon?”

“Quite a while, I’m afraid. Painting every nook and cranny of a person’s body is an intricate process. Not to worry; we’ll have plenty of time for breaks and refreshments prior to the expo.”

Fluttershy cleared her throat. “I’ll be painting the girls while Tree Hugger will take care of the boys. I hope everyone doesn’t mind the lack of privacy. We figured that it would be a lot more efficient to keep our supplies in one central location. And—um—you’ll all be naked around each other for a while anyway so…”

Rarity chortled. “We’re all aware of what we signed up for darling. Shall we begin?”

“Oh! Um—if the two of you don’t mind, please remove your clothing.”

Applejack let out a nervous chuckle. “Shucks. Ya don’t have ta tell me twice!”

After taking off her sneakers, Applejack lifted the sundress she was wearing over her head and sighed. The room had always been airconditioned for everyone’s comfort, but somehow, it felt noticeably chillier today than when she’d modeled for the art club. Applejack absentmindedly reached down to scratch her crotch out of habit and realized why. Thinking back to their spa date, the blonde tomboy fidgeted in place, scrunched her toes, and tried to remain calm.

“Sorry if Ah seem a might jittery, y’all. Still ain’t accustomed ta bein’ a full-on smoothie.”

Rarity arched her brow. “Does a lack of hair between your legs really make that much of a difference? With the way you’re acting right now, you’d think the world was ending. My goodness, Applejack. You’re being more of a drama queen than I am! And I should know!”

Face flushed pink from both anger and embarrassment, Applejack glared at her friend. “Ah ain’t bein’ a drama queen! This here is… an unusual situation fer a gal like me. A fish outta water moment. Don’cha worry none, Rares. I’m committed. It’ll just take me a spell ta adjust.”

Haki had just slipped out of his briefs when he looked over at his girlfriend. “Wow, I didn’t know you had freckles down there too. Hey—uh—it’s not a bad thing! They’re cute.”

Applejack placed her hands on her hips, narrowing her eyes at Haki. “Don’t let yer gaze wander too much, buckaroo. We’re on the clock, remember? Got ourselves a job ta do this afternoon. Best ta act professional fer the sake o’ everyone involved.”

Eager to mollify Applejack’s ire, Haki decided that silence was the best answer. He nodded in agreement and waited patiently for Tree Hugger to get her palette prepared. Subconsciously, Haki cupped his hands over his genitals and rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet, not at all comfortable with the idea of letting it all hang out in a room full of people he barely knew.

Haki cleared his throat, peering over Tree Hugger’s shoulder while she mixed colors. He swallowed hard because the hippie wore a thin, green tank top that barely contained her voluminous breasts, a pair of loose-fitting gym shorts, and sandals. It was obvious to anyone in the room that she wasn’t wearing a bra underneath her top. Haki felt a stirring of excitement in his loins, but clamped down on it by taking in a deep breath through his nose, blowing it through his lips, and counting to twenty in his mind.

Oblivious to Haki’s discomfort, Tree Hugger turned around and smiled. “Chillax, dude. No need to be so uptight. I’m as professional as professional can be~ Now, I know you’re a newbie at this whole body canvas shindig but I think it’s best if we get you painted up first. Ya dig?”

“I guess so. Mind my asking but does EVERYTHING need to be painted?”

Tree Hugger nodded empathically. “Duh. It’d look weird otherwise. Keep up the positive vibes, Haki. I’ve seen plenty of bodacious baby-batter bazookas before. They come in all shapes and sizes, my dude. Some are cute n’ tiny like those mini hot dogs wrapped in crescent rolls. Man… a plate full of those would be soooooo good right now. I’ve got a serious case of the munchies.”

“Are you high right now?” Haki asked hesitantly.

The hippie giggled. “I didn’t puff on a fat doobie before coming here if that’s what you mean. Shy said that was a no-go. So, I popped a few gummies instead. No stink, no problem! Helps me with the creative process. Aligns the chakras. The colors are more vibrant, man.”

“Ok then… where do we start?”

Tree Hugger tapped her chin in thought. “Hmm. The face is always the hardest part. Takes the most time. Lots of details. No worries, dude. You can sit down and get comfy. Feel the breeze between your knees~ Just let me know when you need a potty break or a snack.”

Haki sat down on one of several plush recliners throughout the room, thankful that he had somewhere comfortable to be seated where his skin wouldn’t stick to the surface. He spread his legs apart only slightly and placed his hands on the arm rests. The feeling of awkward tension stubbornly refused to leave as Tree Hugger went to work. Haki’s stomach roiled with nervous energy while his mouth became dry. He was tempted to close his eyes altogether just to avoid gawking at Tree Hugger’s jiggling breasts that were practically shoved in front of his face.

“Uh—it’s a bit chilly in here today, huh?”

Tree hugger shrugged, unaware that her nipples had become erect and were poking through the thin fabric of her tank top. “Better than being hot n’ sweaty all day. Nobody likes getting swamp ass. Ball soup as well in your case. Hehe~ That’d be a real drag, man. The body paint we’re using for the expo is designed to be waterproof, ya know. Won’t come off unless you use a special type of soap. The brainiacs who designed this stuff sure knew what they were doing.”

“For sure. I-I’ll be quiet now, so you can concentrate on painting.”

Tree Hugger waved her hand. “I’m cool with small talk, dude. You need to relax or you’ll wind up getting some serious muscle cramps. Those’ll throw off your vibes any day. Are you worried about shrinkage? Doesn’t look like your little buddy’s gotten much smaller to me. Even if he did, I’d totally understand. It’s—like—natural, given the circumstances.”

“I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t stare at my junk.”

Tree Hugger stuck her tongue out while she concentrated on painting Haki’s forehead. “Stare? Nah, bro. I prefer me some buxom chicas most of the time, but I’ve been known to take up the bat when the mood strikes. Besides, you can’t miss what’s dangling right there in front of you.”

Her breasts happened to jiggle again as she said it, causing Haki to roll his eyes. “Dangling in plain sight. Sure. Sorry if I’ve been a jerk to you, Tree Hugger. It’s not intentional. I just—body painting isn’t exactly within my comfort zone. The main reason I’m here is to support AJ.”

The hippie smiled. “Aww that’s sweet.”

Haki found himself blushing, even though it wasn’t obvious due to his dark skin. “Sandalwood mentioned that I was going to be painted like a lion. Look, I might not be an artist, but aren’t loins supposed to be a lighter brown color? What you’ve got there is almost chocolate.”

“Normally, yeah. Darker tones compliment your skin pigment better. That’s also why we’re going with a black mane instead of a tawny one. Plus, you’ll have an awesome contrast with AJ.”

“Contrast,” Haki inquired, “I thought she was supposed to be a fox. Aren’t they reddish orange?”

Tree Hugger snickered. “Don’t you know anything about animals, dude? Foxes can have blonde fur too. Setting her up with any other coloration would be—like—a crime against art!”

“Oh! Well—erm—yeah, I can see why you’d pick that color scheme. Good choice.”

The artist sighed while twirling the end of one of her dreadlocks. “To be honest, I’m kinda jealous of Applejack. She’s got such smooth, glossy hair like cornsilk or something. C’mon, man. Just between you and me: does she taste like apples down there?”

“I beg your pardon?”

Tree Hugger pointed towards her crotch. “AJ’s pussy. Does it taste like apples? There’re all kinds of studies online that say if people eat a shit-ton of fruit, like pineapple, it makes their cum taste sweet. Mine doesn’t taste much like anything, so I’ve been told. Then again, I don’t like pineapple very much to begin with. Have you ever tried that trick out yourself, Haki?”

Haki coughed awkwardly. “Tree Hugger, I don’t mean to be rude but that’s a little too personal of a question for me. Can we—maybe—move on to a different topic, please?”

“Sorry! Didn’t mean to pry, my dude. Curiosity gets the better of me sometimes.”

Haki gripped the armrests out of sheer frustration, his fingertips turning white, trying his best not to get upset with a woman who clearly had no concept of personal boundaries. “Fair enough. Let’s try to keep the conversation PG from here on out. Hmm… hobbies! That’s a safe enough subject. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time, Tree Hugger? I enjoy swimming myself.”

“I practice yoga. Helps keep me nice and limber~ If you want, I’d be more than happy to give you a little demonstration later on. Dude, you wouldn’t believe how much the positions can—”

Haki held up his hand to stop the hippie from speaking any further. “No, I don’t want to imagine all the crazy ways people can fuck by using yoga techniques. That’s what you were just about to say, wasn’t it? Ugh! Are you even capable of having a normal conversation?”

“Far out! It’s like you read my mind!”

Haki let out a deep sigh. “We’ll stick to business then.”

Meanwhile, the girls were having a splendid time chatting with Fluttershy while she painted their bodies. Rarity’s design was relatively simple, black & white tiger stripes, so her “costume” was finished before everyone else’s save for a few extra accessories. The fashionista took her leave and said that she was off to gather the remaining supplies they’d need to complete their costumes and to take a quick break for coffee and, of course, to freshen up. While she padded towards the restrooms, Rarity was relieved that their body paint was designed to be waterproof. She didn’t need to worry about it accidentally rubbing off from sweat, a spilled drink, or other liquids that weren’t polite to mention during casual conversation.

Applejack’s design, on the other hand, was more intricate and required a greater amount of detail to simulate blonde fur. Fluttershy purposely copied the exact shade of her hair, so that it would appear as a seamless transition rather than just paint. While Applejack could appreciate fine craftsmanship under the current circumstances, it did little to put her impatient nature to rest.

Worse yet, she had to stand slightly bow-legged in order to make it easier for Fluttershy to access her privates. The sensation wasn’t unpleasant, per say, but it did tickle a bit given that she wasn’t used to that particular place being balder than a baby’s bottom. Applejack was having difficulty striking up a conversation with the person who was practically shoving their face in her crotch.

“I’m almost finished.” Fluttershy advised.

Applejack clasped her hands behind her back and looked up at the ceiling. “Take yer time, sugarcube. Ah ain’t goin’ nowhere. Might as well make it look neat n’ pretty fer everyone.”

Fluttershy stood up and smiled. “All done~ I think you’ll be pleased with the results. You can go take a look in the mirror now… um—you know, to make sure nothing needs to be touched up.”

“Hells bells. Would ya look at that,” Applejack exclaimed while checking out her body in front of the mirror, “a darn near spittin’ image of a fox. Heh. Save fer all mah human parts, that is.”

Fluttershy blushed at the praise. “I’m glad you think so.”

Rarity entered the room once more, carrying a bag with her. “I’m back, darlings~”

“What’cha got there in the bag, Rares?”

With a shit-eating grin, Rarity pulled out a few accessories. “What we need to complete our ensemble, of course! Everything you see here was custom ordered, specifically for the exposition. First of which are silicone ear tips that adhere to skin at or slightly below body temperature, and come off when anything cold is applied. Ingenious wouldn’t you say?”

“Nifty little things. Uh… are those supposed ta be our tails?”

Rarity held up a white tiger tail. It was exactly what Applejack would have expected, save for the bulb-shaped object attached to the end. She blanched at the implication. “Indeed, they are!”

“Gee, Rares. Ah dunno what to make of ‘em. They sure do look like animal tails. Mind mah askin’ but why do they got them bulbs at the end? Did Ah miss the memo or somethin’?”

“It’s quite simple really,” Rarity assured, “they’re modified anal plugs. We want to make our appearance as seamless as possible, so this is the ideal solution. I have one for you as well.”

Applejack’s face flushed a deep shade of crimson. “Now, hold on just a damned minute! Ah didn’t agree ta shove some kinky cosplay sex toy up mah poop chute. Even if it’s fer the sake o’ makin’ us look like the critters we’re painted up ta be. Can’t we just tape ‘em on instead?”

Rarity let out a dramatic sigh, placing her hand over her forehead. “I’m afraid not, dear. These are the only accessories we have on hand currently. One must make sacrifices for art! Think of those poor animals, Applejack. Do it for their sake, if not for avant-garde artistic expression.”

Overhearing Rarity’s proposal, Fluttershy fidgeted in place while blushing. “Oh my! You two are very brave for doing such a thing. I-I don’t think I’d have the courage to show off an accessory like that in front of a room full of complete strangers. They’d see EVERYTHING…”

Completely nonplussed, Applejack’s shoulders sagged in defeat as she looked at the blonde fox tail in Rarity’s hand. “Assumin’ Ah agree ta such a ridiculous notion, how do we go ‘bout gettin’ ‘em… situated properly, if ya catch mah drift. Land’s sake. Ah can’t believe Ah said that…”

Rarity reached into her bag and pulled out a small container full of Vaseline. “With a healthy application of lubricant, of course! A lady must always come prepared as I’m sure you know.”

Applejack frowned. “Scares me ta no end that ya put so much thought into it, Rares.”

“My dear, sweet Applejack, I can’t very well be involved in this project without accounting for all the little details others might very well miss. I’d be doing a disservice to everyone if I neglected to do so. Now, if you don’t mind, I need someone to rub Vaseline around the area of insertion. Be sure to coat the plug thoroughly too! We want them to slide in like butter.”

Applejack watched as her friend bent over and spread her cheeks apart without a shred of hesitation or shame, revealing the puckered pink surprise in the middle. Tiger tail in hand, the farmer hesitantly dipped her fingers into the container and scooped out a sizable blob of petroleum jelly and proceeded to coat the end of the bulb like the fashionista suggested. She heaved a heavy sigh after scooping out another glob and took a closer look at Rarity’s backside.

“This is all sorts o’ weird. Ah don’t—this ain’t right!”

Rarity looked over her shoulder and huffed. “I assure you that my rear end has been thoroughly cleaned. I made sure of it this morning. Please be gentle with me, Applejack. I’m—erm—rather sensitive back there, as it were. When it’s your turn, I’ll be sure to extend the same courtesy.”

“Ah knew it! Yer doin’ this ta git yer jollies in before the show!” Applejack growled.

Taken aback, Rarity cleared her throat. “I will admit that I enjoy pleasuring myself back there when the mood strikes. However, this is an entirely different situation. It’s our responsibility to look as authentic as possible for the guests. We need to raise a substantial amount of money today and this is the best way to achieve that goal. Tell me I’m wrong, Applejack. I dare you!”

Applejack clenched her jaw and grumbled. “Fine. Just don’t make a fuss ‘bout it.”

“Darling, you know I can’t possibly make a promise to—OH HELLOooooaaaahngh. Goodness me! What nimble fingers you have, Applejack~ Did you make sure to—mmmmm yesssss that’s the ticket. I’m quite confident the inside of my starfish is coated properly.”

Blushing profusely all the way down to the tips of her breasts, Applejack took hold of the tail and began to press it against Rarity’s glossy butthole, making sure the bulbed end fit snugly. Much to her horror, the whole thing got swallowed up in the blink of an eye, causing Rarity to let out a protracted, lewd moan that drew everyone’s undivided attention to what they were doing. To make matters worse, Applejack spotted a clear, viscous liquid that definitely wasn’t water slowly creep down Rarity’s leg while her entire body quivered like a bowl full of fruit gelatin.

For the first time all day, Rarity seemed genuinely embarrassed. Or maybe the redness coloring her cheeks was simply due to her heightened state of arousal. Whatever the reason, she excused herself for a moment and awkwardly waddled towards the restroom at full speed while cupping her hand over her crotch. Applejack seethed with anger and shame. This was too much.

“Git back ta what y’all were doin’! Ain’t nothin’ ta see here.”

After what seemed like an eternity, the pale-skinned dress designer walked back into the room with a contented swagger and a wide grin. “How refreshing! I feel so much better now. Applejack, darling, are you ready to have your tail inserted? I promise it won’t hurt.”

Applejack twirled a strand of her hair and bit her lip. “Pain ain’t exactly mah primary concern at the moment. Dang it, Rarity. Did ya have ta go and make such a commotion?”

Rarity chortled nervously. “Erm—well—that wasn’t on purpose. I couldn’t help it! The plug filled me up so suddenly, I didn’t know how else to react. It felt marvelous, darling.”

“Yeah. Ah noticed how ya were leakin’ like a rusty faucet.” Applejack intoned; brow raised.

Rarity leaned over to whisper in her ear. “Not to worry; I took care of that little problem while I was in the restroom. Nothing quite like a spine-tingling orgasm to steady one’s nerves, eh?”

“Enough o’ that nonsense. Let’s git this over with before Ah lose mah NERVE.”

It had become increasingly difficult to remain focused on the task at hand with all of the commotion being created by the exposition’s female duo who were just a few steps away across the room. Haki had only caught snippets of their conversation, but it was more than enough to pique his curiosity. In particular, when it came to his freckled beau and what she was about to do with a rather scandalous piece of cosplay kit. The fox tail itself looked authentic and complemented her body paint perfectly, as did the ear tips that Rarity had provided.

Yet, he couldn’t get over the flesh-colored silicone bulb attached to the end. Was Applejack really going to stick that thing up her rear-end for the entire exposition? Recalling their time together at the resort, Haki knew that Applejack tended to be conservative when it came to matters of the bedroom, and had not been too keen on the idea of having anal sex of any sort.

Haki admitted to himself that he wasn’t particularly fond of anal play either, but Applejack had a spectacularly sculpted gluteus maximus that could put marble statues to shame. To be fair, the rest of her tan-colored skin teemed with toned muscle, an obvious indication of a life spent working on the farm. A trait that only served to enhance her rustic, country-girl charm.

Tree Hugger remained seated while Haki stood with his hands at his sides, fixing his gaze on the pair of women carrying on before him. Currently, the hippie was at eye level with his penis, busy applying paint to the area immediately around the pubis. She’d not yet begun to paint his member proper, as by her admission, it was a difficult body part to color correctly.

“Head’s up, dude. I’m gonna start painting your dick now.”

Haki blinked, shaken from his reverie. “Alright. I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”

“I’ll have to hold it up just so you know. Unless, you’d prefer to do that yourself.”

Haki shuffled his feet. “Do whatever is necessary. I—uh—apologize in advance if I get excited.”

Tree Hugger chuckled. “Doesn’t faze me. Nothing but a natural process, man.”

The sensation of the cool brush tip tickling his shaft while Tree Hugger held up his penis by the tip of the head in-between her fingers was not as stimulating as Haki imagined it would be. It felt odd, but not entirely unpleasant. Not that he was complaining. In no time at all, she finished and moved onto his balls, cupping them slightly at times to make sure they were coated evenly. It was at this point, he overheard Applejack say that she was ready to have the tail put in.

Applejack braced herself against a chair, legs spread apart and bent over so that Rarity could have easy access to her backside. With the container full of Vaseline in hand, the nude fashionista crouched on her haunches and ran her other hand across Applejack’s firm, freckled butt cheeks giving them a squeeze for good measure. Giggling like a schoolgirl, Rarity applied a glob of petroleum jelly to her fingertips.

“Damn it, Rares! That’s downright unprofessional. Quit foolin’ ‘round back there!”

“My apologies, darling. I simply couldn’t resist giving those lovely buns a little pinch. I’ll behave from now on. I promise.”

Face flushed; Applejack glared back at her. “Ya better. Otherwise, I’ll buck ya like a mule.”

Rarity laughed nervously, certain that Applejack was more than capable of following through with her threat. Given how muscular her legs were, a kick like that would be terribly painful. “Duly noted. Just so you are aware, I shall be applying the Vaseline now. Prepare yourself~”

“Prepare fer—SWEET SUFFERIN’SASAFRASS! WHERE THE HELL DO YA THINK YER FINGERS ARE GOIN’?!!”

Rarity rolled her eyes. “We need to ensure that your ‘poop chute’, as you so aptly described it, is properly lubricated prior to insertion. That means I need to stick my fingers inside, darling. Now, if you don’t mind, my task would be far easier if you relaxed instead of clenching up tight.”

“I-I’ll try. Land’s sake! This has got ta be the most humiliatin’ thing I’ve ever done.”

Rarity began smearing the Vaseline around in slow circles. “Hardly. You’ve nothing to be ashamed of, Applejack. Everything back here is nice and clean. Not a smidge of brown to be found! Ohohoho~ I’ll be finished shortly. Then we can move on to the next part.”

Haki swallowed hard when he felt a tingle of excitement begin to stir within his lions. “Hey, Sandalwood. Are we going to have to do the same thing with our tails?”

“Hmm? Oh, not at all. We’ll just tape them on.”

Haki rubbed the back of his neck. “Then why are you allowing the girls to go forward with this?”

Sandalwood shrugged. “It’s not hurting anyone and, to be frank, the accessories are quite lovely. I say, let them have their fun. Although, if I were you, I wouldn’t tell AJ there are alternatives.”

“Hold on a second! Did Rarity know about this beforehand?”

Sandalwood grinned sheepishly. “Ah… she might have. Like I said, Haki, it’s far too late in the game to make any adjustments to our costumes. They’ll just have to wear the tails they have.”

Applejack took in a deep breath and prepared herself. “Ok, Rares. Ah reckon I’m ready fer the next step o’ the process. On the count o’ three ya can start ta—EEEEUUUUGHH!”

“It’s best to get these sorts of things done quickly, if one is nervous. Well done, Applejack! The bulb slipped right in with the barest amount of effort. I must say, it compliments your body paint and farmer’s physique quite perfectly. You truly are the embodiment of a fox girl now!”

Applejack let out a girlish squeal that Haki had never heard before. He had to admit that it was adorable. She awkwardly waddled around the room, unaccustomed to the presence of a foreign object lodged in a place where, in her humble opinion, things should only ever come out of. Applejack flexed her butt cheeks a few times, trying to figure out how in the world she could comfortably pose in front of a crowd of people like this. The paint hid her rose-hued flesh, but it was evident to all in the room that she was on the verge of dying from sheer embarrassment.

“Tarnation! Ah can’t git over how bizarre this feels. Can ya even sit down without the damned thing—erm—slippin’ out? I’d rather not have ta put it back in if that’s the case.”

Rarity chortled. “They’re specially designed to stay in place unless force is applied.”

“Just dandy. At least Ah don’t have ta worry ‘bout takin’ it out on account o’ havin’ ta number two later on in the day. Eeyep. Mah bowel movements are as regular as the sunrise.”

Rarity waved her hand. “A little too much information, dear. However, you have an entire room full of people who would be more than willing to assist you, if that were the case.”

Applejack looked over to her boyfriend for support and realized, with widened eyes, that he’d gotten an erection from watching all of the commotion. Without any clothing to impede the process, she wasn’t sure if Haki was even aware of his arousal.

Thinking fast to spare him any embarrassment, the blonde farmer grabbed the container half-full of petroleum jelly and scampered across the room over to Haki, hoping that everyone else had been too preoccupied to notice his erection.

Unfortunately, Tree Hugger felt the need to add her own commentary and gave Haki a double thumbs up. “Nice cock, dude. I can tell you’re a grower, not a shower. Not that I can blame you. AJ is lookin’ outta this world Are you guys gonna bang after this is all over? I totally would.”

Haki looked down at his waistline and cursed. “Shit! I didn’t even notice until now.”

Applejack placed herself in front of Haki to block everyone’s view. “There ain’t no need ta apologize ‘bout yer stiffy, so don’t bother. Ah reckon this is mostly mah fault, even though I’m conflicted by yer—uh—honest reaction given the circumstances. Suppose Ah should feel flattered but now ain’t the time fer such matters. Stands ta reason that Ah should be the one ta take responsibility fer mah behavior and make things right.”

“How exactly do you plan on making things right?” Haki asked hesitantly when Applejack began to lead him away from Tree Hugger so she couldn’t snoop in on their conversation.

Applejack shuffled her feet while biting her lip. “Ain’t rocket science, sugarcube. Figure we could mosey on over ta one o’ the bathroom stalls fer some privacy n’ I’ll help ya rub one out.”

Haki was both excited and uncertain at the same time. He hadn’t expected his girlfriend to ever suggest such a thing. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea…”

“What else do ya plan on doin’? Can’t imagine you’ll calm down anytime soon.”

Haki hung his head in defeat. “Probably not. Are you sure you want to… relieve me?”

“Don’t worry ‘bout me. Ah went ahead and masturbated this mornin’ in the field. It was Rarity’s suggestion. Said it would help ta calm mah nerves. Reckon it did, at least somewhat…”

Haki nearly choked on his own spit. “Outside? In the open?!!”

Applejack blushed as she played with her hair. “The Acres is private property. S’not like Ah had a crowd o’ onlookers. Figured it was more practical ta do it outside on account o’ the mess.”

Haki’s penis twitched with excitement, causing a tiny bead of precum to ooze from the tip. “Alright. You’ve made your point. Let’s… get this over with so we can focus on the expo.”

Applejack clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention. “We’re takin’ a break, y’all! Ah promise we’ll be back in a jiffy.”

“There’s no rush, darling. By all means, please take your time,” Rarity suggested with a wink, “I could use a cup of coffee myself. Sandalwood, would you be a dear and brew a pot for me?”

Not wanting to linger any longer than necessary, lest the entire room bear witness to Haki’s bobbling erection, Applejack took his hand and pattered towards the bathroom. Thankfully, the bathrooms were of the single-doored unisex variety that offered the young couple some much needed privacy. Applejack used her thumb to click the lock behind her and immediately started coating the entire length of Haki’s cock in petroleum jelly.

Applejack licked her lips while cupping Haki’s balls in the palm of her hand, gently caressing them with the utmost care. “There we go. Yer all lathered up n’ ready fer action.”

When she began sliding her hand up and down his shaft, Haki gasped in surprise. “This is fucking crazy! I’ve never done something like this before in a public bathroom.”

“Neither have Ah,” Applejack quipped, “but here we are. All ya gotta do is relax and lemme take care o’ ya. Don’t worry ‘bout makin’ a mess. Let it all out whenever ya feel like yer gonna cum.”

“It won’t be too much longer,” Haki panted, “watching Rarity play with your asshole was hot. Maybe we could try out some new techniques later? Nothing too kinky, I promise.”

Applejack chuckled despite her embarrassment. “Do ya fancy mah backdoor that much?”

Haki ran his fingers through AJ’s silky blond locks as she pumped faster, a soft squelching sound filled the tiny room only interrupted by Haki’s occasional moans of pleasure. “You should know by now that I love every part of you, AJ.”

Blushing profusely from Haki’s confession, Applejack decided to concentrate on making him feel as much pleasure as possible instead of offering her lover a verbal reply. When Haki started clenching butt cheeks together and thrusting his hips forward, Applejack let go of his penis and giggled as it twitched back and forth. He whimpered out of frustration, having been denied the satisfaction of sweet release. She paused for a few moments, then slid her hand up and down his shaft in a deliberately slow manner, milking Haki for all he was worth.

“Why are you teasing me like that? It’s not fair!”

With a smug grin, Applejack pressed her finger just underneath Haki’s balls and pumped faster, causing him to cry out from his impending orgasm. His body stiffened for a brief moment, then several thick, sticky strands of his seed spurted onto Applejack’s chest, slowly dribbling down towards her stomach. She walked over to the sink and used a paper towel to wipe off the mess, and did the same for Haki, carefully cleaning his penis to make sure there wasn’t anything left.

“Feel better?”

Since he was standing right next to the toilet, Haki took the opportunity to relieve himself. “Sure do. I just—are you sure you don’t want me to return the favor? We’ve got time before the expo.”

Applejack wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him in close for a hug, nuzzling her cheek against his back. “Nah, I’m alright. Ya can do that later when we’re alone. Fer now, I’m happy that Ah was able ta give ya hand. Uh—somewhat in the literal sense, Ah reckon. Heh.”

Once Haki finished washing his hands, he cupped Applejack’s cheeks and kissed her on the lips. While the kiss itself was brief, they remained in each other’s embrace for a time, sharing a laugh at the strange situation they found themselves in. Before joining their friends back in the prep room, the young couple made sure to hydrate and, in Applejack’s case, guzzle down some much-needed caffeine in the form of coffee. Like clockwork, Rarity stood by the pot, sipping her own cup with a knowing smile. She looked every bit the mischievous feline she was painted to be.

“I presume you took care of our intrepid lion’s ‘not so little’ problem?”

Applejack took a long swig before answering. “Ah jerked him off in the bathroom fer yer information. Assumin’ ya don’t git up ta anymore mischief, we should be right as rain.”

Rarity started choking on her coffee, not expecting such a blunt response. “A simple ‘yes’ would have sufficed, dear. Ladies shouldn’t kiss and tell. It’s improper.”

“Never been a lady; don’t plan on bein’ one.”

Rarity sighed. “Ever the tomboy. You know, if you were more fashion conscious—”

Applejack arched her brow, crossing her arms underneath her breasts. “I’ve been a naturist since the day Ah was born, Rares. Mah consciousness regardin’ fashion extends ta when Ah absolutely need ta wear clothes. Matter o’ fact, yer lucky Ah even agreed ta go along with this scheme o’ yers given how you’ve behaved so far. Next time ya feel like playin’ grab ass, I’ll slap ya silly.”

“Like I mentioned before, I simply could not help myself. However, I recognize that I violated your personal space. For that, I sincerely apologize, but I do not regret my actions.”

“Water under the bridge, Ah suppose,” Applejack admitted after scratching her stomach, “say… do these tails make yer rear end sore once they’re removed? Considerin’ that they’ll be in all day long, I don’t wanna be hobblin’ along like some bow-legged cartoon cowboy when this is over.”

Rarity scoffed, looking at her glossy black nails. “I, for one, believe that you should be able to take a break from the monotony of farm life for a single day! I’m certain your family would understand, given the circumstances. As I recall, your siblings are quite capable, no?”

Applejack shifted uncomfortably. “That ain’t the issue at hand. Ah don’t wanna inconvenience mah family fer a stupid reason. If there’s some kind o’ cream that can help, I’m game.”

“Or more accurately, you don’t want to tell them the truth.”

Applejack rubbed her arm. “S’not like Ah could lie ta ‘em. A little bit o’ teasin’ from mah folks is ta be expected, but Granny’ll try ta soothe mah sore keister with one o’ her old-timey remedies or bring up some raunchy tale from the days o’ her youth that no granddaughter in their right mind would wanna hear ‘bout. It’s a scenario Ah intend ta avoid, whenever possible.”

“Sometimes, I forget what it’s like to live with family. I’ve been on my own for a while now.”

Applejack shrugged. “Ain’t necessarily a bad thing fer the most part. There are times when a gal’s gotta have some privacy without her folks snoopin’ ‘round. I’ll figure somethin’ out.”

“Why don’t you ask Haki if you can stay over at Zecora’s house after the exposition has concluded? Certainly, there’s no harm in that. The two of you are already an established couple and you wouldn’t need to worry about bringing over a change of clothing.”

Applejack chuckled awkwardly and blushed. “Don’t imagine we’ll do much sleepin’ tonight. Uh—well—hypothetically speakin’, o’ course! Ah haven’t decided on a plan just yet.”

Rarity chortled, patting her friend’s shoulder. “I envy you, darling. What a spirited relationship you two have~ If only I could be so fortunate to find my own prince charming…”

“Ta be honest, Ah thought I’d be set after this mornin’. But when I had Haki’s—can’t afford ta be thinkin’ ‘bout hanky-panky right now! Gotta git mah head in the game. Act professional.”

Rarity nodded in agreement. “You and me both!”

“Say, Rares. Erm—mah tail ain’t gonna slip out on account o’ movin’ ‘round, is it?”

A creepy smile spread upon the fashionista’s lips. “What kind of amateur do you take me for, Applejack? Of course, not! They’re designed to fit snugly unless one pulls with effort.”

“Makes me feel a little better, Ah guess. Still embarrassin’ though…”

Rarity waived her hand dismissively. “Don’t fret about it. Focus on modeling, dear.”

And so, with their break finally finished, everyone convened in the auditorium watching as the university staff set up the stage. Unbeknownst to Applejack and Haki, part of the exhibition included elaborate background scenery for the models to pose in front of in order to create a more immersive experience for all of the guests who paid for tickets. There was even a small pit orchestra warming up. Confused, Applejack walked over to Fluttershy and tapped her shoulder.

“Beg yer pardon, Shy. Do ya mind explainin’ what this fancy setup is all ‘bout?”

Fluttershy shuffled her feet and blushed, brushing a strand of her pink hair away from her face. “Oh—well—I figured it would be more interesting if everyone moved around a bit instead of just standing still. Think of it like a nude cosplay ballet. Expect… maybe not that formal.”

“That’s—uh—not exactly what Ah was expectin’ but it’ll help keep me busy.”

Fluttershy bit her lip. “Sorry, Applejack. I didn’t mean to keep it a secret from you and Haki. With all of the excitement going on, I forgot to mention it. I hope you can forgive me…”

“S’alright. Ah ain’t mad. Any kind o’ dance moves Ah ought ta try out in particular?”

“Not really. Rarity said that nude bodies in motion are usually captivating enough on their own. It’s just a suggestion… but—you could try behaving like animals? Maybe that would help.”

Applejack shrugged. “If ya say so. Don’t expect me ta win any awards on account o’ mah performance. C’mere Haki! Let’s brainstorm fer a spell. Apparently, we gotta dance.”

The young Zebrican padded over to his girlfriend from across the stage. “Dance? What the hell? I don’t remember anyone mentioning that during the briefing.”

“Mhmm. It was all Shy’s idea. Forgot ta mention it to us, she claimed. Figure Ah don’t have an issue with movin’ ‘round in mah birthday suit while on stage. Everybody’s gonna see all the nooks n’ crannies anyway.”

Haki rubbed his hands together, blowing out a short puff through his lips. “I’d be more nervous about this but after what you did in the bathroom, it—ah—really mellowed me out. Thanks.”

Applejack blushed profusely, refusing to meet his eyes. “Don’t mention it. Seriously. I’m more worked up than an ornery mule on a hot day. Thought Ah wouldn’t be on account o’ what Ah did this mornin’ but no such luck. Once this whole exhibition thing is over, Ah might need ya ta take care o’ mah needs. The—erm—adult variety. Ah figure spendin’ some time away from mah folks is warranted, so would ya mind if stayed at yer aunt’s house fer a spell?”

“Sure. I-I mean yeah… that sounds like a plan.”

Applejack leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “Appreciate it, sugarcube.”

Holding hands, the mixed couple walked out onto the stage and joined the other pair of participants. Applejack and Haki were visibly nervous, which prompted Sandalwood to place his hands on their backs and whisper a quick word of encouragement before the curtains were lifted.

“Don’t worry about choreography. We’re not a ballet troupe. Just do whatever feels natural~”

Applejack scrunched her toes, fidgeting in place. “Ain’t never been a talented dancer. What if folks don’t like mah moves and wind up leavin’? I’d hate ta ruin this whole venture…”

Sandalwood chuckled. “Oh, I very much doubt you will. They’ll be focused on other details.”

“Those—uh—aren’t exactly the words o’ encouragement Ah needed ta hear right now.”

Sandalwood shrugged. “Perhaps not. Look, Applejack, all you really have to worry about is looking good for the audience. You’ve clearly got that part covered. People want a show. So, give it to them. Accentuate the human form. Be wild and free! The same goes for you, Haki.”

With that, nothing more was said as the curtain began to rise, revealing a packed auditorium. The stage lighting focused on the pairs, then a pleasant sonata rose from the orchestra pit. After taking in a deep breath and blowing it out through her nose, Applejack focused on the task at hand and intended to do exactly what Sandalwood suggested. If they wanted a show, she’d give them one they’d never forget. Losing herself in the music, she let her body move to its flow.

As the performance continued, Applejack barely noticed the audience anymore. She looked into Haki’s eyes, who smiled back at her. He, in turn, let the rhythm guide his feet. It was as if they were the only ones in the room. With a nod, he held out his arms and lifted her into the air, mimicking a ballet. Unbeknownst to the couple, the audience sat transfixed by their graceful routine. They danced across the stage, in complete harmony, as they let go of their inhibitions.

Apple Bloom leaned over to whisper in Granny’s ear. “Applejack sure does look pretty up there dancin’ ‘round the stage. Maybe Ah ought ta consider doin’ somethin’ like that in the future.”

“Eeyep. Showin’ folks what her mamma gave her. Handsome Apple Family genes.”

Big Mac frowned. “Don’t go puttin’ fool ideas in ‘Bloom’s head.”

“How’s that?” Granny inquired.

“She’s barely a teenager! Think o’ the trouble we’d git in if she modeled at that age.”

Apple Bloom raised her brow. “Ah ain’t that stupid, Mac. Talkin’ ‘bout when Ah come of age. Hence, why Ah said ‘future’. Tarnation! Ya got yer feathers all ruffled up fer nothin’.”

Granny cackled. “Reminds me o’ when Ah posed fer a nudie magazine durin’ mah youth. Weren’t a big deal at the time n’ got me a fat paycheck fer all the trouble. Even managed ta become poster gal of the year. Imagine that! Still got the picture if y’all are interested.”

“Cool! I’d like ta take a gander when we git back home.” Apple Bloom gushed.

Mac groaned, rubbing his forehead. “Don’t need ta see yer nudie pics. Eenope.”

“Why not, boy? Then ya can brag ta yer friends ‘bout havin’ a sexy gramma.”

Macintosh sighed. “Rather not. Let’s leave it at that.”

“Fine then, ya sourpuss. I’ll just watch mah granddaughter some more. Hmm. Can’t figure out how them tails stay in place with all o’ that movin’ ‘round. Must be some mighty strong tape.”

Apple Bloom took a closer look and realized that the tail was sticking directly out of Applejack’s rear end. She blushed at the implication. Not wanting to embarrass her older sister, she decided to try and change the subject instead of explaining. “We’ll just have ta ask AJ when she’s done.”

Before long, the performance came to an end, the crowd applauding while the curtain closed. Fluttershy stepped out from backstage thanking everyone for their generous donations and inviting the audience to come meet the models for an additional fee. A small portion of people filtered out of the auditorium, but the vast majority elected to stay for the meet and greet. An excited squeal of pure happiness escaped Fluttershy’s lips. The shelter was going to be ok.

Fluttershy gasped when she walked in on Haki and Applejack sharing a passionate kiss. “Oh, my goodness! I’m sorry. I-I didn’t mean to interrupt such a tender moment. I’ll come back later…”

“S’alright, sugarcube. We were just finishin’ up. All o’ that dancin’ got us worked up a spell. By mah reckonin’ we’ve still got ten minutes left before the meet n’ greet. Ya need somthin’?”

Fluttershy nodded. “I’m not here to rush anyone’s break time. I just wanted to say thank you and congratulations. That was a beautiful and inspiring performance. Everyone enjoyed it.”

Haki chuckled while rubbing the back of his neck. “Thanks. Going out in front of a big crowd wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Maybe we should try dancing naked more often.”

Applejack grinned ear to ear while tracing her forefinger along Haki’s bare chest. “A few nekkid dancin’ sessions most certainly can be arranged, if Ah have anythin’ ta say ‘bout it. Especially if it’s at yer aunt’s place tonight.”

“Aunt Z does enjoy calisthenics. Helps her keep in shape. I’m sure she’d be game to join us.”

Applejack rolled her eyes, placing her hands on her hips. “I’m tryin’ ta be seductive, ya dunderhead. The horizontal tango? Ever heard of it? Damn near killed the mood. Don’t worry yer braided noggin, Haki. Ah aim ta keep mah promise. We’ll need ta freshen up first—”

Fluttershy’s face flushed beet red after she raised her hand. “Um. Excuse me. I’m still here.”

“Shit,” Applejack blurted out, “just forget ya heard any o’ our banter.”

“I’ll… take my leave now. Good luck with the meet and greet.”

In truth, Applejack felt far more nervous being surrounded by a crowd of admirers than she did performing on stage. At least then, she could focus on moving her body and staying in tune with her partner. Fluttershy made it very clear to everyone that photos were allowed, but could only be taken with the express consent of the nude model involved. Any inappropriate physical contact or lewd comments were grounds for expulsion from the premises. These were the rules set by Sandalwood prior to the exhibition and so far, it seemed that people respected them.

After posing for a few photos, Applejack and Haki were greeted by their families. Without hesitation, Zecora embraced her nephew in a bone-crushing hug. “A marvelous performance, Hakizimana. You should be proud of yourself, as I am right now.”

“I wasn’t sure this was a good idea at first. But it all turned out for the best. Thanks, Aunt Z.”

Zecora offered her nephew a warm smile. “Indeed. I can sense your growing confidence.”

Haki chuckled. “Yeah. Maybe AJ’s lifestyle is starting to rub off on me…”

Apple Bloom followed suit by hugging her big sister. An embrace that Applejack was more than happy to return. After ruffling Apple Bloom’s hair, Applejack accepted a kiss from Granny and a pat on the back from Big Mac. She excused herself for a moment to fetch a glass of water and watched Haki’s backside while he talked with Zecora, admiring the firm musculature. Her reverie was broken when she spotted his tail and where it had been placed. It was faint, but she could see the outline of a strip of tape plastered upon his lower back. Her face flushed red.

Applejack pulled Haki aside, interrupting his conversation with Zecora. “Hey! What’s the big deal, AJ? I was trying to catch up with my aunt. Why did you grab my—”

“Yer tail,” Applejack growled, “it’s taped on. Was that an option THE ENTIRE TIME?!!”

Haki felt his balls shrivel as a wave of cold sweat washed over him. “Sandalwood only told me after the fact. I swear! If it’s any consolation, you really rocked the plug tail. I think it’s sexy.”

Clenching her fists, Applejack closed her eyes and counted to ten. “Semantics. Although, Ah appreciate the compliment all the same. I’m gonna tan that prissy trollop’s hide fer this! Mark mah words, this is the last time Ah git tangled up in her fetish-fueled antics. RARITY! GIT YER PASTY PALE KEISTER OVER HERE RIGHT NOW!”

The aforementioned nude fashionista broke out into a cold sweat at the thought of facing Applejack’s ire. Nonetheless, she knew exactly what her farmhand friend was angry about and decided that it would be best to salvage the situation instead of avoiding Applejack altogether. After gulping down two glasses worth of champagne, Rarity shuffled across the room to where Applejack and Haki were conversing. She let out a shuddering sigh.

Haki began massaging Applejack’s shoulders in an attempt to calm down his girlfriend. Her yelling had attracted the attention of everyone in the room, causing an awkward silence to ensue. He assured them this was nothing more than a simple misunderstanding between friends. Haki let out a sigh of relief when everyone went back to what they had been doing before Applejack threw her little tantrum. As expected, her muscles were knotted up tight with tension.

“Hold on, AJ. I know you’re upset; however, you need to ask yourself one question: was wearing a tail butt plug the whole time really all that bad? You seem pretty comfortable with it to me.”

“Suppose not,” Applejack begrudgingly admitted, “it’s the principle of the thing, Haki. She lied ta me! Ah ain’t gonna take that sittin’ down. No sir! She’s ‘bout ta git acquainted with mah knuckles. Don’t worry; Ah won’t knock any o’ her teeth out. A black eye will do just fine.”

Overhearing the commotion, Granny Smith stepped in front of her granddaughter and shot the blonde a stern look. “You’ll do no such thing, child. Ah taught ya better than that! If Ah have ta whoop yer ass mahself ta prove a point, Ah will. Go on and take some time ta calm down.”

Coming to her senses, Applejack hung her head in shame, feeling thoroughly embarrassed by her lack of composure. “Sorry, y’all. Ah let mah temper git the best o’ me.”

Rarity, who was utterly terrified, summoned enough courage to speak with her friend. “I’m sorry too, darling. You’re right. I was, perhaps, a bit too eager with the plugs. Selfish, I know, but I must agree with Haki. You seem quite comfortable wearing it. Something to consider later?”

“Ah forgive ya. And—erm—the whole experience does warrant some thinkin’.”

The two hugged and shared a brief, affectionate kiss on the lips. Applejack was surprised by the gesture but didn’t press the matter, figuring that it was just Rarity being Rarity. “Splendid! I promise that I shall do my best to make it up to you, Applejack. If for no other reason than to regain your trust in me. Again, I apologize for lying to you. That’s not what friends should do.”

“We all got flaws. How they’re dealt with is the tough part. Consider it water under the bridge.”

Rarity waved goodbye to her friend. “Very well then. We’ll stay in touch, darling.”

“Later, Rares.”

Applejack cleared her throat, trying to get her family’s attention. “Ah apologize fer mah behavior. Wasn’t neighborly of me. I’ve calmed down now. That bein’ said, I want y’all ta know that Ah plan on spendin’ some time alone with Haki at Zecora’s house after the exhibition.”

Granny Smith snickered at her granddaughter’s expense. “Yer a grown-ass woman, Applejack. How ya decide ta spend yer time is yer business. Have fun with yer sleepover at Zecora’s place. Although, Ah reckon there won’t be much o’ that goin’ on by the looks o’ it. Hehehe~”

Apple Bloom & Big Mac bit their lips, saying nothing, trying to remain nonchalant. “Yeah, well—that’s what couples do when the mood strikes. Ain’t a crime ta make love.”

“Never said it was, child.” Granny assured with a knowing grin.

Having overheard the gist of the conversation, Zecora hugged her adoptive niece as well. “You are always welcome in my abode, dear Applejack. However, I would suggest that you ‘sleep’ in the guest room instead. Otherwise, I might accidentally overhear your nocturnal activities.”

“Fer Pete’s sake! What’s a gal gotta do ta git some discretion ‘round here?!”

Zecora’s melodious laughter filled the room. “For your information, I keep a healthy supply of condoms and lubricant in the bathroom should the need arise. Why are you so surprised? I am like any woman with similar needs; bouts of casual sex can be both fun and exciting.”

Mortified, Haki looked away and grumbled. “TMI, Aunt Z.”

Ponyville Aquarium

Chapter 19

Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville

Apple Bloom held her left hand up to the light streaming through the tree house’s window in quiet admiration. Her plain, sensibly trimmed fingernails, fit for farmwork, had instead been covered with a coat of ruby red gloss that complemented her hair. Smiling softly she remarked.

“Hmm. It’s nice ta git gussied up every once n’ while.”

“I should hope so, darling” Sweetie intoned in her best Rarity impression.

Shifting in the yellow bean bag chair the tomboyish teenager glanced over at her friend wryly, “No accountin’ fer taste. Hot pink? What were ya thinkin’, Sweetie? This ain’t the 80’s!”

Sweetie stuck her tongue out as she began to file her friend’s nails. The pale-skinned girl was clad in a silky floral print kimono and had her hair tied up into a prim bun, “Pink is always in vogue. Ask any esthetician and they’ll tell you the same~”

Apple Bloom furrowed her brow in confusion, “A whut now? Never heard o’ such a thing before ya went n’ mentioned it just now. Besides, I’ve got half the mind ta ask ya why yer ramblin’ on with that high-falutin talk like yer big sister. Is that why yer wearin’ a fancy bathrobe?”

“NO!” she squeaked, cheeks flushing red. “I’m trying to simulate a luxurious spa trip for my best friend!” Glaring at Apple Bloom she muttered. “It’s called a kimono, by the way and Rarity won’t miss it… much.”

Chuckling, Apple Bloom reclined in her seat, “In any case, it looks good on ya. Real pretty.”

“Hmmm, almost as good as this color looks on you. I totally think you should make this your color if you ever do any modeling.”

“Ya reckon it’s possible fer a plain jane country gal like me ta be a model?”

Her friend shrugged as she finished shaving the redhead’s nails to shape, “Don’t sell yourself short, AB. You’ve got a fantastic figure and confidence in spades. Those are the sorts of things modeling agencies look for.” Holding the hand up, she asked. “This look good to paint?”

Apple Bloom blew a stray strand of hair away from her eye. “How’s a gal supposed ta jump start a career like that? Erm–not that I’d prioritize modelin’ over runnin’ the Acres, mind ya. Carryin’ on family tradition is what Ah intend ta do with mah life. But a little side job here n’ there won’t hurt. Do ya happen ta know any decent photographers?”

“I’m sure if you asked Featherweight, he’d be willing to set up a shoot,” Sweetie hummed as she dipped her brush into a small vial of nail polish. “Any idea what you’d wear?”

“Nothin’ at all if Ah can help it.” Apple Bloom affirmed nonchalantly.

Sweetie gave her friend a deadpan look, “Let me get this straight: you want to begin your modeling career by allowing a male classmate, who you barely know, to take photos of you completely NAKED?!!” While Apple Bloom figited in her seat uncomfortably, Sweetie Belle added. “I sincerely HOPE you realize what a stupid idea that would be, Apple Bloom.”

“No need ta git sassy with me. Ah was just spitballin’. Like Ah told ya before, Ah ain’t sensitive ‘bout folks seein’ me nekkid. Least of all a boy from our class. Ya know as well as Ah do, if Featherweight tried anythin’ sleazy, I’d give him a black eye fer his trouble n’ wallop his scrawny ass into next week.” Apple Bloom groused while Sweetie began to paint her thumbnail.

“If you must insist on nude modeling, I could be your camerawoman,” Sweetie mused thoughtfully. “I’m sure Rarity wouldn’t mind if I borrowed her camera for a little while.”

Apple Bloom snickered, “By askin’ her permission first, o’ course.”

Sweetie grinned widely, “We could even incorporate some cosplay! You’d make a great nekomimi!”

“Ah don’t want a repeat of what Rarity put mah sister through durin’ the exhibition.”

“I promise I wouldn’t do that to you,” Sweetie sighed as she finished Apple Bloom’s thumbnail. “If you ask me, Rarity seriously needs to get laid. It's been way too long since she broke up with her last boyfriend. She’s wound tighter than a cuckoo clock.”

Rubbing her chin Apple Bloom remarked, “Now that ya mention it, AJ’s been a lot more relaxed since she went n’ got herself a significant other. Johnny too. Granny said it’s on account o’ the sex mellowin’ ‘em out or somesuch. Ah wouldn’t know personally, since I’m still a virgin.”

“Your cousin adopted the family dress code awful quick,” Sweetie coughed with a slight blush. “As an outside observer of the feminine persuasion, I hereby declare that the male progeny of the Apple clan are generously endowed with manners, reputation, and reproductive organs.”

“Disappointed that Ah don’t have a spare hunky twin brother?”

“Maybe a little…”

The two friends shared a laugh before settling into a comfortable silence as Sweetie finished painting her friend's nails. After they finished drying, Apple Bloom got to her feet and admired them. Sweetie leant back and raised an eyebrow, “What do you think?”

“Ya done good. Reckon Ah could prace ‘round the stage right now. Say, do ya mind takin’ a photo with mah phone?” Apple Bloom gushed. “Think of it as yer field audition.”

Rising to her own feet, Sweetie giggled, “We should probably go outside though. The sunlight will help accentuate and illuminate my subject~” Snagging her friend’s phone from a nearby table, Sweetie followed Apple Bloom out onto the treehouse’s balcony.

Apple Bloom skipped over to the railing and perched herself upon it. Crossing her legs she flashed a peace sign with her newly manicured nails and grinned, “How’s this?”

“Super cute!” Sweetie replied honestly as she snapped a picture. Moving in closely she added. “Now put your free hand across your boobs.” As the redhead complied she snapped another shot. “Awesome! Now try giving me something… a bit more sassy and seductive. YES!”

By the time the impromptu session had finished, Sweetie had taken over twenty different photographs of her friend in various poses. As Apple Bloom poured over them, Sweetie’s attention was drawn towards the ground when she overheard Babs and Scootaloo.

Babs had insisted on setting up an MMA training area to help maintain her competitive edge. She’d chosen to hang a punching bag beside the treehouse and had cleared a ring for sparring matches. So far, the only one who’d participated in her training regimen was Scootaloo.

While Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle made their way back to the house for some refreshments, the two remaining teengers faced off for a friendly bout. After an hour of fighting, their skin glistened with sweat from their exertions. Despite this they fought with dogged determination.

Babs slipped her leg underneath Scootaloo’s and brought them both to the ground with a dusty thud. Similar to her cousins, Babs preferred to don her birthday suit while going about her business at Sweet Apple Acres, no matter what the task might be.

As a result, Sweetie Belle freely observed Babs’ taught muscles flex along her backside, arms, legs, and shoulders while she attempted to place Scootaloo into a chokehold. The purple-haired tomboy, clad in a black sports bra and spats, wriggled free and pinned her opponent’s legs to the ground with her own. With a sly smile, Sweetie noted the euphoric expression on Scootlaoo’s face. She was clearly enjoying every second of their bout.

Growling playfully, Babs propped herself up and grappled with Scootaloo. Their faces were close enough that they could feel each other’s breath while they struggled for dominance. Suddenly, Scootaloo loosened her grip for a brief moment when she became distracted, realizing which part of Babs’ anatomy was currently rubbing up against her leg. Scootaloo blushed profusely and yelped aloud in surprise.

“Got ya!’ Babs exclaimed as she overpowered the shorter girl, forcing Scootaloo flat onto her back. She pinned her opponent for several seconds before they carefully untangled themselves. When they finally stood up, she offered Scootaloo a hand. “Nearly had me there. Good form.”

Cheeks still flushed red, Scootaloo tried to regain some semblance of composure, choosing not to question what had happened during their grapple. “We can’t all be so freakishly strong. Must be a genetic thing in the Apple Family tree. Like packing some serious heat below the belt.”

Ignoring Scootloo’s crass remark, Babs pressed forward. “Strength isn’t everything, Scoots. Learn to use your speed and dexterity. Don’t be afraid to surprise me. Care for round two?”

Running a hand through her sweat matted hair, Scootaloo grinned. “Sure.”

When the two resumed fighting, Apple Bloom interrupted Sweetie’s reverie, “If Scoots really wanted ta surprise mah cousin, she might as well kiss her right on the lips. Uh… the ones on her face, not in-between her legs. That’d be a LITTLE too forward, Ah reckon, and bound ta give Scoots a black eye fer her trouble, if not worse, knowin’ Babs.”

“I KNOW RIGHT?!” Sweetie groaned. “Those two aren’t exactly being subtle. It’s so freakin’ obvious they’re into each other. I could practically cut the sexual tension with a knife!”

Shaking her head at the failure of Scootaloo’s flying tackle, Apple Bloom sighed, “Eeyep. Ah dunno what the problem is. Far as I’m concerned, if ya fancy someone, bein’ direct is the best way ta go about the situation. No sense in beatin’ ‘round the bush, figuratively speakin’.”

A smug grin spread across Sweetie’s lips, “I’ve been watching this rom-com anime where a clueless couple gets together. What if we played matchmaker for them?”

The farmgirl arched her brow. “Sounds like a hair-brained scheme ta me.”

“As much as I love her, Scoots is taking forever to get comfortable in her own skin, and by extension, come to terms with her sexuality. At this rate, we’ll be old ladies by the time she asks Babs out on a date. I think we should speed up the process. Nudge them in the right direction.”

“What do ya have in mind?”

Apple Bloom resisted the urge to roll her eyes as Sweetie tugged the front of her kimono like it was a business suit, “Just leave it to me! Any ideas on what those two tomboys enjoy doing?”

“When Ah visited Babs in Manehatten two summers back, she dragged me ta the aquarium fer a solid three hours. Didn’t our local aquarium git renovated recently?”

Sweetie clapped her hands together. “It sure did! I hear they added a new shark tunnel. Just think: holding hands, looking up at all the aquatic wonders around you, it’s soooo romantic!”

“That ain’t a bad plan, actually. How are we gonna git them ta go?”

Glancing back, Sweetie observed Scootaloo dragging Babs to the ground with her thighs and snickered. “I’m sure we can come up with something~”

Babs Seed stifled a yawn as she glanced up at the clock. In another five minutes, she’d be released from the everlasting snorefest that was math class and finally be able to grab some lunch. The fit tomboy was clad in a red crop top and a pair of loose black sweats.

“Doin’ alright there, Babs?” Apple Bloom whispered from beside her. The redheaded farmer’s hair was tied back by her usual bow and she was sporting a t-shirt and jean combo.

Babs shrugged. “Meh, just bored and hungry. I don’t understand how you stay focused.”

“Balancin’ the books is an important part of runnin’ a farm. It’s like solvin’ a puzzle!”

“Whatever ya say, cuz.” The former Manehattenite ducked her head as their teacher shot them a glare. Setting her mind to her task she muttered. “Doubt I’ll ever use this shit anyway...”

When the bell finally rang, Babs thrust her first in the air gleefully. Hastily shoving her notes into her bag, she stood up and kicked Apple Bloom’s desk, “Come on! Let’s go! I’m starving.”

“Hold yer horses. I’m comin’. No need ta git yer knickers in a twist.”

“As if we ever bother to wear those,” Babs chuckled. Hearing a soft gasp behind her, she craned her neck to glare at the lanky boy with a bowl haircut staring at her. “You heard me right, bucco. We’re going commando and you’re not gonna sneak a peek with that fancy camera of yours. Get lost!” As he scrambled away she turned back to her cousin’s unamused face. “What?”

Apple Bloom rubbed the bridge of her nose, “Ya didn’t have ta scare the bejesus out o’ Featherweight like that. He was just surprised, is all. Let's hurry before our spot’s taken.”

The cousins made their way through the throng of students shuffling through the halls and out onto the quad. As the sunlight warmed their bodies Babs smiled and turned her freckled face up to the light. Ponyville’s Mediterranean climate sure as shit beat Manehatten's icy winters.

“Over here, darlings!” Sweetie’s voice cracked with a squeak.

Sweetie Belle was sitting at a picnic table under an oak tree in a sleek purple dress. Beside her sat Dinky Doo and Button Mash, the latter sporting his signature propeller cap and the former wearing a grey hoodie. As Sweetie waved cheerfully Babs muttered.

“She’s still talking like her fancy-ass sister, huh?”

Apple Bloom pursed her lips. “Mhmm.”

Returning their friend’s greeting, the Apples settled down at the picnic table and pulled out their lunches. Babs’ mouth watered as she unwrapped a homemade meatball sub, lovelying crafted by her older brother. Jam-packed with protein, it was the perfect meal to help build her growing body. Before she could scarf it down, Sweetie clapped her hands.

“Babs, it’s rude to eat before everyone else is seated,” Sweetie tittered. “We are still waiting for Scootaloo.”

Closing her eyes the Manehattenite grunted, “Would it kill ya ta drop that annoyin’ upper crust accent? Hard for me ta take ya seriously when ya sound like you’ve got a golden stick shoved up yer ass. Hah! You’re even doin’ the nose thing.”

Cheeks slightly flushed with embarrassment, Sweetie cleared her throat. “Hey–uh–you guys like it when I talk that way, don’t you?” Dinky and Button suddenly found their food to be the most interesting thing in the world. “OH COME ON!!”

Apple Bloom coughed, “Don’t worry; Ah see Scoots comin’ now.” Babs smiled as her friend approached on a skateboard. The athletic girl was wearing a cute purple tank top and a pleated skirt that hung just above the knee. Dismounting, Scootaloo took a seat beside Babs.

“Sorry I’m late, guys. Mr Doodle droned on with his lecture that ‘could not wait’ till tomorrow.” Cracking out her lunchbox she asked. “What’d I miss?”

Without further preamble, Babs tore into her meatball sub like a starved prisoner. Beside her, Scootaloo began to eat a chicken caesar wrap while Apple Bloom bit into a good, old-fashioned russet apple. Across the table, Dinky popped open a bag of potato chips while Button chugged down an energy drink. Sweetie, meanwhile, had a tray of sushi laid out neatly in front of her.

“Before you three arrived, Button and Dinky were just telling me about their date to the Aquarium.”

Button blinked owlishly. “Our what now?”

Swallowing a mouthful of chips, Dinky swatted his nose, “The aquarium dummy.”

“Hold on a second. You two are an item?” Babs asked in between bites of her sub. “Mad props, Button, I misjudged ya. Figured you’d have one o’ those dorky anime pillows for a girlfriend, not the real thing.”

Face flushing dark red Button coughed. “Actually I have several–erm–that is to say, I appreciate the compliment, Babs. Thanks.” Swallowing some more g-fuel he added. “Like Sweetie said, we checked out the aquarium last weekend. It was pretty cool, if I do say so myself.”

Dinky rolled her eyes, “Come on! You loved it there! Didn’t you have fun seeing all the new exhibits? Especially that new shark walk?”

Babs leaned in. “Wait, you’re telling me this town has a shark walk?”

“Sure does,” Button replied. “There’s tons of exotic fish, crustaceans, and there’s even a penguin exhibit. We sure had a lot of fun.”

“More than just fun! It was a blast!” Dinky chirped, wrapping her arm around the boy’s shoulders. “We even made out in the shark tunnel!” The blonde flushed pink and clapped a hand over her mouth.

The boy started in his seat, “We did?! I mean yeah, we did ha ha ha. She tastes like… muffins.”

Several moments of silence followed this statement as Babs and Scootaloo attempted to hold back their laughter. Mastering herself Babs rasped, “Cool bro.”

“I, for one, think that was very romantic,” Sweetie managed between clenched teeth. “Dinky, you didn’t tell me you and Button had gone that… far.”

The blonde stuck out her tongue, “You don’t know everything, Sweetie.” Nuzzling Button’s shoulder, she added. “Heck, if Button plays his cards right, he might even get to second base!”

Apple Bloom tapped her water bottle on the picnic table, “You know, girls, it has been a hot minute since we went ta the aquarium. Given the recent renovation, it might be worth checkin’ out. What do ya think, Sweetie?”

Composing herself Sweetie popped a California roll into her mouth, “Sure. Scoots?”

The athletic girl rubbed the back of her head. “I’m not… like… super into fish?”

Wrapping her arm around Scoot’s neck, Babs ruffled her hair fondly, “Ahhh come on! Are you telling me that my favorite sparring partner is a chicken? Don’t worry, Scaredyloo. I’ll hold your hand so you don’t get spooked by the mean, nasty fishies. Hahaha!”

“Let go of me! I’m not a chicken!” Scoots giggled as she slipped from Bab’s grip.

Flexing Babs winked, “Keep tellin’ yourself that.”

“It’s a date then.” Sweetie hummed.

“Huh?!” The two tomboys chorused as one.

“We all seem to agree that visiting the aquarium is a good idea,” Sweetie smiled widely. “I think it would be fun! How does this Saturday work for you two?”

“If my folks don't need any help ‘round the farm, I should be free,” Babs muttered, glancing at Apple Bloom.

The redhead tossed her apple core into a nearby trash bin, “AJ ‘n Mac can spare us fer a day. It ain’ like Granny n’ yer brother are a couple o’ invalids. They’ll be fine.”

Scootaloo grinned shyly, “Cool. My aunts are having a date night this Saturday anyway.”

“Then it’s decided! Thank you for the recommendation, Dinky.” Sweetie gushed. “Onto the next portion of the agenda. I think we should all sign up for Drama Class next semester!”

Scootaloo gave a sigh of contentment as she massaged shampoo into her scalp. She had always enjoyed a nice, hot shower, especially after working up a good sweat. It was both hygienic and helped melt away all the stress that had built up over the course of the day.

Closing her eyes as suds began to drip down her face, Scootaloo let her mind wander. The image of Babs’ tanned skin gleaming with sweat, muscles flexing, intruded on her mind. The world around her faded away while she fantasized about all the naughty things she could do… WOULD DO with Babs. Scootaloo’s not-so-wholesome daydreaming session was rudely interrupted by the bottle of shampoo impacting the tub floor.

Heart hammering in her chest, Scootaloo was wrenched back to reality in an instant. With a slight blush coloring her cheeks she scolded herself. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, dummy! You’ve gotta work up the courage to ask Babs out first. Or at the very least, admit that you like her. Fuck. How do I even know she likes girls?” Dunking her head underneath the showerhead once more, Scootaloo scrubbed her scalp harder, rinsing away any remaining suds.

Anxiety soon replaced Scootaloo’s sense of shock when she thought of today’s trip to the aquarium. Sweetie and Apple Bloom were going along as well, but it didn’t make the situation any less nerve wracking. It was the perfect set for a romantic confession. Or so Dinky would have her believe. Scootaloo couldn’t help but fret over all the ways this could make things awkward for her and Babs. Could they still be friends if she wasn’t interested?

Stepping out of the shower, Scootaloo grabbed a fluffy orange towel and vigorously dried her body. She started around her torsos before moving down towards her abs and legs. Hair always came last. As expected, no matter how wet and matted down it had been before, her hair sprang right back to being a spiky mess. She made a half-hearted attempt to comb it.

Scootaloo decided that since she was home alone, forgoing the towel wasn’t a big deal. If the Apple Family could walk around the farm in their birthday suits all day long, why couldn’t she?

The young athlete hung up her towel on the rack and glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Her mouth suddenly became dry, her stomach swirling with nervous energy. “Holy Crap! I’m really going to do this, aren’t I? C’mon, Scoots! Get your shit together.”

Before she could talk herself out of it, Scootaloo opened the bathroom door and scampered out into the hall. Suppressing a giggle, she dashed into her room and leapt onto the bed with a soft plop. Blowing an errant strand of hair away from her eye, she looked up at the ceiling. “Now, I just have to figure out what to wear. Not that I’m gonna ask Sweetie. She’ll never shut up if I do.”

Scootaloo’s room was a reflection of her personality. Posters of pro skaters and BMX stars, most of them women, lined the walls alongside pictures of her friends and family. In one, she and her two BFFs drank milkshakes together, in another, she was riding on Rainbow Dash’s shoulders and in one kept above her desk she was on a dig site with her parents. Old toys and trashy romance novels crowded her bookshelf while her bed was a mess of tangled sheets.

Scootaloo’s eyes roamed over to the open closet. The inside was somewhat chaotic, but organized enough to prevent the outfits inside from becoming wrinkly. Even though this wasn’t a one on one date, she still wanted to impress Babs. The million dollar question was: how? Did nudists even care about stuff like makeup and fancy underwear or if you wore a cute dress instead of jeans? She grunted in frustration.

Hanging in the closet were four viable options. The first was a simple pair of orange shorts, a black T-Shirt and white sneakers. Beside it was her pleated skirt, a crop top and a pair of heels. In the middle was a violet suede suit her father had bought for her a year ago that still fit. Finally she has a pink frilly summer dress with gold accents that Sweetie had given her as a gift on her last birthday.

“What would Babs find cute?” Scootaloo muttered, crossing her arms. “Hmm. I just can’t picture her being into girly shit.” Pinching the bridge of her nose she sighed, pacing back and forth.

“Isn’t that your new friend from school?” A familiar raspy voice inquired.

Blushing profusely, Scootaloo used the dress to preserve her dignity. Turning around she barked, “DON’T COME IN! I’M NOT DONE CHANGING YET!”

Aunt Loftie raised an eyebrow sardonically as she closed her niece’s door behind her. A tall and willowy woman, Loftie’s pale skin and short blue hair were a contrast to her wife’s curvaceous build and ginger hair. Her severe face was offset by a pair of warm blue eyes. She was wearing a hand knit sweater and a pair of grey slacks.

“Nothing I haven’t already seen before.” Loftie tousled Scootaloo’s spiked hair fondly.

“Give me a sec and I’ll throw something on. Otherwise, this’ll get weird.”

Loftie flicked Scootaloo’s nose with a chuckle, “How you decide to present yourself in this house makes absolutely no difference to either of us, dear. In fact, your auntie and I spent our entire honeymoon frolicing around the French Riviera wearing nothing but smiles and the occasional strap-on. We barely had any time for sleeping, if you catch my drift~”

Scootaloo didn’t respond, choosing instead to clear her mind of the horrible images that her overactive imagination conjured up in excruciating detail. She had no desire to learn about her aunts’ crazy sex life. But the cat was already out of the bag, so she bit her lip and pressed on.

Studying the outfits laid out upon the bed Loftie asked. “Hoping to impress your potential beau?”

Relaxing, Scootaloo let the dress slip out of her grip and onto the floor. “You could say that…”

“Do you happen to have a picture of her? I’d like to see the ‘Apple’ of your eye,” As Scootaloo let out a groan the taller woman frowned. “What? I happen to think that was quite funny!”

“Your jokes are as corny as ever, Aunt Loftie,” Scootaloo giggled after she picked up her phone from the nightstand. Opening up Babs’ Friend-O-Verse™ profile page, she scrolled through until she found a picture of the athletic redhead flexing in a tight tank top.

Loftie snatched the phone and whistled, “Miss Seed certainly has a unique sense of style.” She flicked her finger across the screen. “A bit too–erm–rough around the edges for my taste.”

“You don’t like her?” Scootaloo asked dejectedly.

“Don’t fret, dear. Our taste in women is just… different is all. I like mine with a little bit more meat on their bones.” Loftie chuckled as she scrolled again. Showing her niece the photo, she raised an eyebrow. “I take it she shares the same proclivities as her cousin, Apple Bloom?”

In the photo, Babs was standing in Sweet Apple Acres’s pond with her back to the camera. Even though the water went up to her waistline, it was clear that the red-headed teenager wasn’t wearing a swimsuit. “I see you gave this picture a thumbs up.”

Snatching her phone back, Scootaloo buried her face in her hands, “Babs is SO FREAKIN’ HOT!!” Sniffing she sighed. “Auntie, I want to impress her! But I don’t know how! TELL ME!!”

“Calm down. There’s no need to get so worked up. I have an idea” The tall woman sighed. “Asking out your Aunt Holiday wasn’t exactly a cakewalk for me either.”

Scootalooo glanced at her, “Really? But you two are so perfect together.”

“Sure. Only after we’ve been married for two decades. However, during my youth, I was a skinny, gangly, awkward girl: fresh out of the closet and tiptoeing on broken glass. I didn’t even know if Holly shared my enthusiasm for the fairer sex, let alone if she’d fancy a beanpole like me.” Loftie ran a hand through her hair. “Regardless, I had to tell her how I felt. Otherwise, it would have eaten me up inside. Trust me; Scootaloo. Regret is a monster no one can tame.”

“What did you do?” Scootaloo asked, hooked onto every word.

Loftie smiled softly. “We have some time before your date. How’d you like to hear a story?”

Babs Seed had to admit the Ponyville Aquarium made for an impressive sight, despite not being located in a large urban center like the ones she was accustomed to. A shimmering facade of glass and steel rose up in front of her and the rest of the girls, modern architecture subtly designed to resemble ocean waves. In front of the entrance, a marble fountain of a rearing hippocampus surrounded by smaller statues of sharks, penguins, fish and other aquatic life greeted guests as they arrived.

“They sure didn’t skimp on this renovation,” Babs whistled. “This is going to be cool!”

“Cooler than a freezie pop on a hot summer day,” Apple Bloom drawled beside her.

Babs glanced over at her cousin and grimaced, “C’mon, Bloom! Spit that stupid thing out. Ya look like a country bumpkin. It’s embarrassing.”

The sunkissed teenager raised her brow while she chewed on a stalk of hay with a wry grin. Apple Bloom decided to dress simply for the outing, wearing a pink and red plaid shirt tied up into a crop top, jean shorts, and a pair of comfy sneakers. “News Flash: that’s what Ah am.”

“Well, ya don’t have ta be so obvious ‘bout it,” Babs grumbled. “Where’s your sense of style, cuz? The aquarium is the kind o’ place ya should dress up for.”

“Ya dressed up enough fer the both of us, Ah reckon.” Apple Bloom retorted.

Glancing down at herself, Babs had to admit that Apple Bloom had a point. She’d combed her hair and put on some dark eyeshadow, and glossy red lipstick that complimented her tawny complexion. She’d chosen to wear a white blouse, a burgundy leather jacket and a pleated black skirt. Normally, she would forgo undergarments all together, but Babs decided the sensible thing to do was slip on a pair of orange leggings, lest she offend any of the other guests.

“If we have ta wear clothes in public, we may as well look good.”

“Oh, I’m sure it’s the public yer worried ‘bout impressin’.” Apple Bloom teased.

Babs bit her lip as Scootaloo’s smiling face flashed in her mind. Shaking her head, she crossed her arms in an annoyed pout. “W-whatever! Let’s get moving.”

Choosing to ignore her cousin’s disingenuous dismissal, Apple Bloom removed the stalk of wheat from her mouth and flicked it away. “Looks like the girls are here.” She nodded towards a flashy white Sedan that could only belong to Rarity.

A flurry of butterflies roiled in her stomach as Babs blew a strand of hair away from her eye. “Cool.”

The Sedan came to a halt in front of them and Sweetie Belle exited the passenger side quickly. Surprisingly, the fashionista’s sister had dressed casually wearing only a frilly blue blouse and a pair of dark slacks. Hanging from her neck was a camera which bounced as she skipped to the backseat and opened up its door with a bow.

Babs’ attention was directed towards Scootaloo who stepped out of the car. The tomboyish athlete, who didn’t care for dressing up on any occasion, had clearly made the effort to do so this time around. Unruly spikes had been combed and styled into a smooth wave that curled at her neckline. Just a touch of eyeshadow had been added, highlighting her eyes and smile.

A soft purple dress hugged Scootaloo’s body like a glove, while a thin pink cardigan sweater hung over her shoulders. The orange flower hair clip tucked by her ear sparkled in the sunlight. Scootaloo’s feet were clad in a pair of white sandals that extended slightly past her ankles. In the crook of her arm was a simple, white, faux-leather purse.

Sweetie had a big smile on her face and rushed up to Apple Bloom. While the two began to chatter about her camera, Babs approached Scootaloo. The latter was blushing profusely and tugging at the hem of dress.

Babs rubbed the back of her neck. “Sup?”

Scootaloo’s voice cracked after she laughed a little too loudly, “Hey! My Auntie suggested I wear this today. I–uh–hope it doesn’t look stupid” Scootaloo looked down at the ground, avoiding eye contact. “This is so embarrassing! What was I thinking? Pretty dresses aren’t meant for girls like me…”

Babs placed her hand on Scootaloo’s shoulder, rubbing it gently. “You look drop-dead gorgeous right now, Scoots. Don’t let anyone tell ya otherwise.”

A shy smile spread across Scootaloo’s lips. “Oh gosh! Really? It’s not too much?”

“Nah. Yer the fuckin’ bees knees” Babs grinned. “Love the hair too. Cute little pin ya got there.”

A weight seemed to suddenly leave the lithe girl’s shoulders as she straightened up, “This dress used to belong to my Aunt Loftie when she was my age.” Putting a hand on the hairclip Scootaloo smiled. “The hair clip is from Aunt Holiday. It was a birthday present from a while ago. I’ve never… worn it before. Figured today was as good as any day. Heh.”

“Sweet” Babs agreed. “There’s nothin’ particularly special ‘bout what I’m wearing.”

“Regardless, you look cute,” Scootaloo replied. “I didn’t realize you liked wearing girly stuff.”

The Manehattenite shrugged, “For the most part, I’m just like you. Girly shit just winds up gettin’ in the way. BUT I do have a feminine side.” Tugging her coat flat she added. “Glad ya like it.”

“If y’all would rather stare at each other all day instead o’ the fish, be mah guest. Otherwise, we’re leavin’ ya behind.” Apple Bloom called out, interrupting their somewhat awkward exchange.

Sweetie raised the camera for a candid shot, “Not before I get a picture of them together!” The amateur photographer giggled as her shutter clicked. “You two are adorable, you know that?”

“Yeah, of course, we are,” Babs replied, striding forward and shoving the camera away. “C’mon Scoots, let's go have some fun.”

The lineup to get into the aquarium was relatively short. After only a few minutes the girls had reached the ticket booth. A young woman with bright electric blue hair and a broad smile staffed the entrance to the aquarium. She was wearing a standard-issue polo shirt with the Aquarium’s logo. Pinned to the front of her shirt was a name tag reading Sonata.

“Hiya girls!” Sonata chirped. “Welcome to the Ponyville Aquarium, home of the best fish tacos in the valley!” Her purple eyes gleamed with playfulness. “Come to see our new shark tube walkway or better yet our adorable little penguins?”

Babs fished out some cash and put it on the counter, “We’re here for the whole package.”

Sonata nodded sagely as she counted the money, “Sweet! You two on a date or something?” She placed her chin in her hand as she studied them.

Scootaloo flushed, “No–uh–we’re just hanging out… AS FRIENDS.”

“Yeah, it’s a group outing,” Babs mumbled, jerking her thumb at Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom. “All four of us.”

“Whatever you say,” The woman shrugged as she handed over the tickets. “Photography is permitted but don’t tap the glass. When you enter, proceed counterclockwise, ok?”

Babs took the tickets, “Thanks.” She grunted as Sonata grabbed her hand and leaned in closely.

“Psst. The best place to make out is in the shark tunnel,” Sonatta whispered, waggling her eyebrows. “But you didn’t hear it from me…”

Flustered, Babs pulled away, unable to come up with a good answer to the employee’s suggestions. Glancing at Scootaloo, she managed to grin. “Come on, Scoots. Let's go.”

Scootaloo did her best to act casual as she walked beside Babs through the aquarium. Aunt Loftie was right, dressing up elegantly had somehow managed to impress the girl of her dreams. Given that Babs had also dressed up was a good sign. Even though it was technically a group outing, Scootaloo felt that it could be considered a legitimate date. Deep down, she hoped that things would continue to go smoothly.

Even the aquarium itself had been tolerable so far. The underwater-themed motif continued as they walked along. Rather than a grid pattern, the interior exhibits were designed with gentle curves, almost like the current of an ocean. Dozens of children, teenagers and parents walked through them, gazing at the fish swimming beyond the glass.

“Come over here!” Babs called out from across the room. The tough-as-nails MMA fighter was gone and in her place was a bright-eyed teenager excited to see the exotic fish swimming around. Scootaloo had to admit that it was a side of Babs she hadn’t seen before. She took a moment to admire how cute Babs was and sighed to herself contentedly.

“So–uh–what am I looking at?” Scootaloo asked, genuinely curious.

“You’re telling me you don’t recognize them? They’re fuckin’ clown fish! Geez, Scoots. Get with the program.”

A riot of colorful fish of every shape and size swam in front of Scootaloo’s eyes. They danced around a large mass of rock and coral spotted with anemones, seagrass and dozens of other examples of undersea plant life. The skater stroked her chin thoughtfully.

“Oh yeah. Hehe. Wasn’t there a movie about them a few years ago?”

Babs rolled her eyes and pouted. “Finding Filburt. Do you know how freaking hard it is to relocate an entire coral growth like this, not to mention populating it with the big eight? Clownfish, giant clams, potato cod, angelfish, hell they even got some manta rays!”

Scootaloo gazed at the gliding ray. “I like that one. Kind of looks like a bat but fishy.”

Babs nodded in agreement. “This exhibit is beautiful. Breathtaking, even. I’m impressed.” The redhead turned and began to walk towards the next exhibit.

“Almost as breathtaking as you…” Scootaloo responded, voice barely above a whisper.

Enamored by the aquatic life that surrounded her, Babs blinked owlishly. “Huh? Did ya say somethin’, Scoots?”

A flood of panic washed over Scootaloo smothering the confidence that had filled her chest earlier. Now, her stomach felt like it was doing backflips. She couldn’t confess with such a corny line! A better, no, more romantic opportunity would need to present itself. Then, she would tell Babs how she felt. “I-I was just wondering where Sweetie and Bloom went!”

“Looks like they ditched us.” Babs glanced around. “I bet they aren’t even trying to enjoy the exhibits. All they care about is taking some stupid pictures. Let’s try and find ‘em.”

“Well, I like them,” Scootaloo said as they walked through a dark corridor past a tank filled with brightly coloured jellyfish. Her eyes widened as a massive luminescent jellyfish floated into view. Its body was at least the size of Big Mac’s torso and its tentacles were easily taller than Scootaloo. “What the hell is that thing??!”

Smirking Babs wrapped an arm around her, “That is one of the world’s biggest jellyfish, little chicken. A Lunar Jellyfish. That guy is so big he can pretty much eat just about anything.”

“Yay. Nature certainly likes to keep things interesting.”

Chuckling Babs guided Scootaloo towards the exit. “The beauty of life, Scoots.”

As they walked into the next room the space opened up and sunlight shone through the top of the glass enclosure. Scootaloo’s ears perked up as the sounds of squawking filled the air. Glancing towards the craggy rocks that made up the exhibit she let out a girlish squeal.

“OH MY GOSH, PENGUINS!”

Tearing away from Babs, Scootaloo raced towards the penguin habitat with a smile on her face. Taking up almost two-thirds of the room was a series of deep pools of water with little islands rising from them. Crowding the rocks and the pools were several species of penguins.

Pressing her body up against the glass Scootaloo hopped with excitement as she gazed at each bird in kind. Here was a gaggle of Chinstrap Penguins preening their feathers as they crouched atop an island. Waddling towards the water was Humboldt Penguin who pushed a grumpy-looking crested Fiordland Penguin straight into the water. Racing beneath the surface was a pair of blue fairy penguins who chased one another in circles.

“Awww, they’re so cute!” Scootaloo giggled, clapping her hands.

Bab snorted as she caught up to her errant friend, “Finally found a sea critter that suits your fancy, eh? I should have pegged you for a penguin gal.” Glancing over at a nesting pair of Emperor Penguins she sighed wistfully. “Majestic aren't they?”

Scootaloo pressed her nose against the glass as one of the fairy penguins swam up to investigate. Gazing into its beady little eyes the tomboy felt her heart melt even further. As it flapped its little flippers and turned around she glanced up at Babs, “They’re super cute but super stinky. I guess that’s to be expected, given how much fish they eat.”

“Yeah, they’re not perfect, but that doesn’t stop them from being adorable.” Babs’ expression seemed to suggest that she was referring to Scootaloo more than the birds. Before she could formulate a reply, Babs glanced over her head. “Would ya look at that.”

Following Babs’ line of sight, Scootaloo found her missing friends. Apple Bloom was posing in front of some rockhopper penguins, arms spread out against the glass. Sweetie meanwhile was crouching down in front of her, camera in hand as she sought to grab the best possible angle.

“Who’d have thought AB would be into modeling of all things” Scootaloo remarked as she returned her attention to the exhibit. The penguin handler had entered with a bucket of fish. As the feathered fowl crowded around him he started to toss them out to the waiting birds.

“Seems that way. I say more power to her. It’s great that Apple Bloom finally found a hobby to pursue outside of slopping hogs and picking apples all day. Talk about a stick in the mud,” Babs shrugged. “At least she’s not camera shy. Hell, I’d even go so far as to call her photogenic.”

Biting her lip Scootaloo shuffled her feet, “Apple Bloom is cute and all but I think you look muchbetter naked. Uh–TOTALLY didn’t mean that in a creepy perverted way–it’s just that well… you’re not exactly shy about showing off some skin. None of your family is for that matter.”

“Don’t sell yourself short, Scoots. You’ve got a great figure too,” Babs responded with a warm smile, “It’s particularly noticeable when you got some of that spunky mojo goin’ on. Remember: a little confidence goes a long way.” Glancing around she offered her hand for Scootaloo to hold, which she took without a moment’s hesitation. “Wanna check out the sharks next?”

“I’d like that. A lot.” Scootaloo replied, praying that Babs didn’t notice she was starting to sweat.

Leaving the adorable penguins behind, the two girls traveled down another corridor and past a sea lion exhibit. What looked to be most of the aquarium’s patrons were gathered around watching a show starring a wetsuited handler and several sea lions. The sight filled Scootaloo with fresh resolve. With everyone else distracted, the shark walk would be the perfect time to confess her feelings to Babs.

She hardened her resolve as they walked into the mouth of the shark tunnel which was sculpted to resemble a giant great white shark. Once they passed under its teeth the distant cheers from the show faded away. The bright overhead lights were replaced by soft blue light emanating from strips along the floor.

“Holy shit.” Babs whispered, glancing around. “Look at ‘em.”

Scootaloo clutched Babs’ hand a little tighter and pressed herself up against her companion’s side. They were surrounded by sharks. Logically, Scootaloo knew there were several feet of glass between them and the sharks, but she still felt a little unnerved by their presence.

A trio of great white sharks prowled above them like the monsters from a horror movie. Clinging to their lower bodies were several remora feeding off of their hosts' dead skin. To the girls’ right a hammerhead shark lazily brushed up against the glass, as if scratching an itch. Everywhere Scootaloo and Babs looked they saw more sharks and several types of exotic fish.

“Looks like we got the place to ourselves!” Babs beamed as they walked further.

Glancing up and down the length of the tunnel, Scootaloo realized Babs was right. They were completely alone. Scootaloo was so nervous that her voice nearly squeaked before she spoke. “Babs, there’s something important I have to–”

“We can watch them in that viewing area!” Babs interjected, pulling her along. Scootaloo frowned but followed Babs to the middle of the tunnel which bulged out into a small viewing area with a few padded seats. Babs sat down and patted the seat beside her. “Wanna join me?”

“Sure,” Scootaloo mumbled, heart thundering inside her chest. Dim lighting, all alone, sitting side by side? If this wasn’t the perfect time, there wouldn’t be another like it. She had to act. “So–uh–I just wanted to say that I really like spending time with you.”

Babs glanced at her friend. “Good. I like spending time with you too. It’s fun.”

Frustrated, Scootaloo almost lost her temper, but clamped down on the urge and tried to better articulate her feelings. “That’s not exactly–fuck–I’m not very good at these sorts of conversations. I-I mean I LIKE spending time with you… as MORE than a friend.”

The awkward silence that followed was the longest fifteen seconds of Scootaloo’s life. Every waking moment that Babs didn’t respond felt like a hot knife being driven deeper into her heart. Just as she was about to stammer it had been a joke, Babs made a noise that was something between a snort, giggle, and hiccup. Confused, Scootaloo could only gawk helplessly.

Babs rubbed her eyes, a wide grin spread across her lips. “Looks like ya beat me to the punch for once.”

“REALLY!?” Scootaloo shouted hope blossoming anew in her chest. “I wasn’t sure if you liked girls or… uhh… was looking for anything serious.”

Taking Scootaloo’s hand, Babs sighed, “Sort of. My brother and I just moved to town and I was worried about opening myself up, ya know?” Rubbing her eyes with her free hand she smirked. “In the big city, ya gotta be like one of these sharks. Always movin’, never stayin’ still. That’s how I got by despite how fuckin’ terrible life was at home.”

Scootaloo felt her cheeks flush when Babs cupped her cheek with her free hand. Leaning in close, the freckled girl grinned crookedly, “Life’s been good lately, though. My family loves me, Johnny finally has a career and I finally got a dedicated training partner.”

“More than that, I’d wager.” Scootaloo remarked with a playful pout.

“Seems only fair to reward such a wager,” Babs replied huskily, eyes filling Scootaloo’s field of vision. Her dreams were finally coming true. This was it, their first kiss!

The magical moment was spoiled ever so slightly by their noses colliding with one another. Pulling away Babs giggle-snorted and cocked her head to one side. Seizing the initiative, Scootaloo leant in and felt an electric thrill as their lips met.

For several seconds Scootaloo whooped for joy internally while they embraced. Her arms wrapped around her companion’s muscular back, holding her tight. Babs, for her part, lifted Scootaloo so she was sitting in her lap.

“Umm, not to ruin the mood, but shouldn’t we be doing something with our tongues?” Noting how red Bab’s own face was, she asked. “You’ve done this before, right?”

“Not really…” Babs responded honestly. “Maybe if we just keep trying we’ll figure it out?”

“Sure thing… babe,” Scootaloo ventured meekly. She was rewarded with a toothy grin from her girlfriend who grabbed her face in both hands and dragged her to her own.

After catching her breath, Scootaloo laughed and looked up at the circling sharks, “You know, I think this place is starting to grow on me.” Giggling she dove back down into her new girlfriend’s embrace. Life was looking up for Scootaloo. That much was certain.

Apple Bloom could barely contain her excitement as she sat with Sweetie outside the aquarium’s gift shop. The plucky farm girl had bought herself a pair of cheap red sunglasses while Sweetie had picked out a pink bucket hat with a rearing hippocampus printed on the front. Together the two studied the newly minted couple intently as they approached.

Babs had one arm around Scootaloo’s shoulder while Scootaloo had her own arm wrapped around Bab’s waist. Their hair seemed a bit messy, almost as if they had run their hands through it. Perhaps most tellingly was a smudge of Scootaloo’s lipstick on Bab’s neck.

“They totally snogged,” Sweetie affirmed with a triumphant grin, giving the approaching girls a wave.

“No doubt ‘bout that,” Apple Bloom replied, lowering her sunglasses and staring at Scootaloo’s dorky grin. “Can’t believe this hairbrained scheme actually worked out.”

Sweetie tipped her hat, “Ponyville's premiere matchmaker was on the case. Was there ever any doubt?” As her friend remained silent the girl’s smile dropped. “This plan was foolproof!”

“Ah wouldn’t go that far.” Rising from the bench Apple Bloom cracked her neck. “Howdy there, strangers. We lost y’all over at the penguin pit. Everythin’ alright?”

Babs glanced down at Scootaloo and smirked. “More than alright, cuz. I’ve got myself a girlfriend now!”

Gasping theatrically, Sweetie clapped her hands together, “How exciting! May I be the first to offer you congratulations! I guess the aquarium really is a fabulous romantic venue~”

Scootaloo glanced at Sweetie, brows furrowed, “You don’t seem very surprised.” Her eyes widened with realization. “Did you two plan this?! I was gonna ask Babs out eventually!”

“Whatever do you mean? Surely you can’t-”

“Eeyup,” Apple Bloom interrupted “Couldn’t bear another week of watchin’ y’all git hot n’ bothered after a wrastlin’ match, makin’ goo-goo eyes at each other. Past time ya hooked up.”

Deflating Sweetie dropped to the floor, “APPLE BLOOM! YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE SO BLUNT!! Romance takes panache, style and elegance! Have some tact for once…”

“Thanks anyways,” Babs remarked, ruffling Scootaloo’s hair. “I promise to treat her right.” Gaze drifting to a shelf full of plush penguins her grin grew wider. “What would you say to a one-hour anniversary present?”

The First Day Of Summer Vacation

Chapter 1

Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville

Summer vacation had just barely begun but Applejack found herself wide awake and alert. She peered over at the digital radio-clock sitting atop her dresser and confirmed that it was, in fact, only five thirty in the morning. Not one to find sleep easily again once she was roused from bed, Applejack decided to get her day started even though she had nothing better to do. Traditionally, Saturdays were reserved as a day of rest and recuperation for the Apple Family. Yet, the blonde-haired teen felt restless for some reason. It was hard to relax when you had your whole future ahead of you.

To put things into perspective, Applejack had just recently graduated from Ponyville High School the day prior. While she was happy to have earned her GED, it was also the first time in the eighteen-year old’s life where she had to choose what she wanted to do after summer ended, instead of just moving on to the next grade. To that end, Applejack had an inkling as to what career path she wanted to take but it was hardly set in stone.

Even so, most colleges in the area wouldn’t start classes until the first week of September. She still had a solid three months to think about enrollment and set her priorities straight. For now, however, she settled for a set of early morning stretches to get the blood pumping. Upon feeling the tension in her neck give way with a satisfying crackle-pop, Applejack padded over to the mirror, placed her hands on her hips, and gave her body a once over.

At just over one hundred and ninety centimeters, Applejack was considerably tall for someone (realistically just about anyone) her age. A fact which, combined with her farmhand physique, made a lot of people feel intimidated wherever she went. It didn’t help matters that she was outspoken and honest when she gave her opinion on any subject. This applied to just about every aspect of her social life. Including but not limited to: friendships, dating, and shindigs.

With a heavy sigh, Applejack ran her fingers over her abs. Most teenagers would kill to have a six pack like hers. But what most of them didn’t realize was how much of that came from plain old hard work on the farm. The same applied to her all-over tan. There wasn’t a single spec of skin on her body that wasn’t golden brown and dotted with clusters of freckles. It was the inevitable result of working out in the sun all day long in nothing but her birthday suit.

In fact, if Applejack could help it, she preferred to be nude no matter what she was doing (save for her pa’s Stetson). At least, that was the case while she was residing at Sweet Apple Acres. It was private property, after all. The Apple Family themselves had adopted the naturist way of life for countless generations, all the way up to the current one. It was both natural and expected of each family member to go about their daily business in the nude.

Some people found such a custom strange and inappropriate. Some even went so far as to call it perverse. Applejack herself, thought not such a thing. She’d been raised to appreciate the simple pleasures naturism had to offer and saw the human body as something to be celebrated, not shunned. In that regard, it made her a very well-adjusted young woman. She felt comfortable in her own skin and nothing would ever change that. Yet, it wasn’t always so easy to explain her way of life to other people without causing some of those unfortunate misunderstandings. After a few mishaps with some classmates in junior high, Applejack decided to keep her family’s naturist lifestyle from others a secret. She’d grown tired of all the pain and rejection.

Applejack turned around a few more times to inspect her breasts and buttocks. They were just as firm and shapely as ever. Hardly any jiggle to them at all. It made sense, considering how much muscle was packed underneath them. For a brief moment, she lamented that if her assets were softer, would they make her seem more feminine? More appealing to others? She dismissed the thought almost as quickly as it appeared in her brain. It was foolish to entertain such ideas.

Applejack scoffed. “Ain’t nothin’ wrong with mah body. Just a visual representation of all the hard work Ah put in every day pickin’ apple n’ haulin’ stuff around the acres. Eeyup. That’s it.”

The appeal of her less than feminine physique wasn’t the only thing Applejack questioned at times. Absentmindedly, she ran her fingers through the thick, silky blonde tuft of hair that lay nestled in-between her legs. Based solely on evidence presented by the vogue magazines she’d read (borrowed from a classmate named Rarity), Applejack came to the conclusion that a lot of young women liked to keep their lady parts barer than a baby’s behind, or at least trimmed down to a tiny strip. What a strange notion!

Once and only once did Applejack attempt such a drastic grooming technique. Most of the time, she was content to keep her pubic hair spruced up just enough to keep it from looking like a wild, tangled mess. Otherwise, she felt naked (figuratively) without something to accentuate her privates and give them an air of womanly mystique. Waxing all of it off just made her look like a little girl who hadn’t gone through puberty yet. That didn’t sit well with Applejack at all.

In any case, Applejack was done contemplating such matters and set about taking a shower. After a quick lather of all-purpose shampoo and bodywash, the farmgirl toweled off. Not one to favor cosmetics, she chose not to wear any (as usual) and focused on brushing her long, blonde locks instead. Once she was satisfied that she looked presentable, she headed down the stairs and into the kitchen. With any luck, the rest of her family was already awake and starting breakfast.

Like clockwork, her older brother, Big Mac, was busy making pancakes. As oft was his inclination, the muscled farmer wore a bright green apron to prevent anything hot from spilling onto his family jewels. Otherwise, he was just as naked as his sister. Without uttering a word, he paused from cooking, and handed Applejack a cup of hot coffee. Milk with no sugar. Just the way she liked it. Upon taking a seat at the table, Applejack took a sip and sighed.

“Aren’t ya gonna make some smart-aleck remark ‘bout how I’m up so early on the first day of summer vacation?”

“Eenope. Ah know yer a creature of habit, AJ.” Big Mac intoned.

“Takes one ta know one.”

“Eeyup.”

Applejack put down her coffee and leaned back in the chair. “Ah know Ah should be relaxin’ but… there’s a lot goin’ on in mah mind. Thinkin’ ‘bout the future n’ such.”

Without saying a word, Big Mac turned off the stove and walked up behind his little sister. He could tell that she was stressed out about what she was going to do beyond high school. Getting up early on a Saturday wasn’t necessarily the dead giveaway, she’d done that a few times before. However, it was the little details that mattered. Things that Big Mac noticed after spending years around her. When he placed his hands on her shoulders, sure enough, the muscles were tense.

Applejack had always been the kind of girl to manifest her stress physically. Pacing back and forth, tapping her foot, her back and shoulders tensing up into a tight knot. As far as Big Mac was concerned, the best way to deal with the problem was to offer some physical relief and… maybe a little bit of brotherly wisdom. He began massaging Applejack’s shoulders.

Applejack groaned in relief. “How do ya always manage to hit all the right spots?”

“Yer mah baby sister and Ah know ya pretty darn well by now. That’s why.”

Applejack smiled and placed her hand atop Big Mac’s, rubbing it gently. “Thanks, Mac. Ah feel a heck of a lot better now. Heh. Almost half tempted ta go into town and git one o’ them fancy massages from the twins. Rarity was always ravin’ ‘bout ‘em back in high school.”

Big Mac slipped a pancake onto her plate and nodded. “Go on and do it then. Ain’t nothin’ stoppin’ ya. Look… Ah know you’re worried about us. But there ain’t no need fer ya ta rush yer decisions along. Just take things one day at a time. Growin’ up is a process not a race.”

“What ‘bout the farm, Mac? Ya know damn well that Granny ain’t gettin’ any younger. Ever since the day ma and pa died, Ah figured it’d be up ta us ta pick up the slack—”

The red-headed farmer let out a heavy sigh. “And ya have. Plenty. Nobody’s sayin’ ya haven’t put in a lot of hard work and made sacrifices ta keep Sweet Apple Acres runnin’ proper. Especially not me. All I’m sayin’ is that ya gotta go out ‘n enjoy yer youth while ya still can.”

Applejack crossed her arms underneath her breasts and huffed. “That’s the long n’ short of it! Ah ain’t some doe-eyed little girl anymore, Mac. I’m eighteen! A grown woman by most accounts. By mah reckonin’ that’s more than old enough ta start runnin’ the family business.”

“Fair enough. How do ya suppose yer gonna do that?”

Applejack rolled her eyes. “By goin’ ta college, of course! Learnin’ by practice is all well ‘n good but havin’ an actual degree and the skills that come with it is priceless. Don’t ya see? I’m thinkin’ ‘bout OUR future, Mac! Mah youth ain’t as important as mah family.”

Big Mac patted his sister’s shoulder. “We all appreciate the sentiment. But it’s just as important for ya ta be selfish every once ‘n a while too. Seriously, AJ. Ya deserve that much. S’not gonna kill ya ta go out ‘n have fun fer a change.”

Applejack’s expression softened. “Alright. Ah still haven’t broached the subject of college with Granny yet… but Ah plan ta soon. If there’s time, I’ll consider doin’ what ya said.”

The two siblings enjoyed the rest of their breakfast in relative silence until the pitter-patter of bare feet signaled their younger sister’s arrival at the table. With a tremendous yawn, Apple Bloom shuffled over to the coffee maker and poured herself a cup. Unlike Applejack, she was rather partial to flavored creamer and dumped a healthy amount of French Vanilla into her mug. It was clear by her unkempt hair and lack of a bow that she had not freshened up before breakfast. She set her mug down onto the table and plopped into a vacant chair.

“Tarnation. Do y’all have to be so noisy this early in the mornin’?” Apple Bloom groused.

Applejack leaned over and kissed her sister’s cheek. “Sorry, ‘Bloom. Didn’t mean ta wake ya up so early on a Saturday. We were… discussin’ a serious matter.”

“S’alright, AJ. Ah was gonna git up soon anyway.”

“How’s come?”

After a long swig from her mug, Apple Bloom sighed contentedly. “In case ya haven’t noticed, today’s the first day of summer vacation. Ah plan on hangin’ out with mah friends.”

“Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle?” Applejack asked.

“Eeyup! The one and only. Figured they’d enjoy comin’ over fer a swim. Ya know, since it’s gonna be so hot today.”

Applejack nearly choked on a chunk of pancake. “Now, hold on a dang second! Do yer friends know about us?”

Apple Bloom chuckled nervously. “Define: know about us.”

“Don’t play games with me, ‘Bloom. Ya know damned well what Ah meant!”

Apple Bloom blushed while she shuffled her feet underneath the table. “Ok, fine. The subject of our family bein’ naturists didn’t EXACTLY get broached durin’ the course of casual conversation yesterday afternoon. This was… kinda mah plan ta break the ice ‘bout it.”

“Lands sakes! Ah seriously don’t wanna deal with a couple of adolescent girls gawkin’ at us on account of the fact that they’ve never been around nekkid folks before. Apple Bloom, did ya even give yer plan the slightest amount of thought before ya invited ‘em over here?”

Apple Bloom blushed even harder. “I-I’m sorry, AJ! Ah got excited and didn’t realize how much of a problem it might cause. But we have ta at least give Sweetie ‘n Scoots a chance, right? Maybe it won’t be so bad. Maybe… they’ll be ok with us bein’ naturists.”

Applejack rubbed her temples and sighed. “What time are they supposed ta come over?”

“Ah was thinkin’ right ‘round ten. That way, we can swim ‘n eat lunch afterwards.”

“Ok. We’ll give this a try. But don’t ya come belly-achin’ ta me if things get a might awkward.”

Apple Bloom nodded eagerly. “Ah promise Ah won’t! What’s the worst that could happen?”

True to her word, Applejack allowed her little sister’s friends to come over for a visit around ten. Despite the fact that she, herself, had not been very forthright about the family’s traditional lifestyle with her own classmates over the years. Applejack simply wasn’t in the mood to make accommodations for Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. The main one being forced to wear clothing on account of offending average folks’ delicate sensibilities regarding modesty. They, along with Apple Bloom, would have to just deal with all the (potentially awkward/embarrassing) consequences that came with visiting a naturist household.

At the very least, Applejack reasoned, it would serve to teach Apple Bloom a valuable lesson. One that she wouldn’t soon forget if everything went according to plan. She would learn just how important it was to be honest with her friends and to let her family know of such visits in the future ahead of time. Nonetheless, Big Mac and AJ prepared some lemonade and baked goodies for their guests. At the very least, they wouldn’t be accused of being negligent hosts.

While AJ and Mac sat in a pair of rocking chairs on the porch, Granny Smith came out to join her grandchildren with a glass full of whiskey in one hand. The Apple Family matriarch looked as good as one could expect a nude, seventy-five-year-old woman to be. Her skin was tan and weathered but only slightly wrinkly. She, like her grandchildren, had a body teeming with wiry muscle. This made her look significantly healthier than the vast majority of people her age and had prevented her breasts from sagging too much. The only thing that really gave her age away was the fact that her hair (tied in a bun) was completely bone white. But otherwise, she could have easily been mistaken for a woman in her early fifties.

“Mornin’ youngsters. Ah hear tell that we’re expectin’ some guests.”

Mac nodded, while AJ walked over and gave her Granny a kiss. “Ya heard right. Apple Bloom got the notion that she could invite her friends over here fer a swim. Mind ya, Ah don’t care if she makes friends and wants ta do stuff with ‘em, but it was rude of her not ta tell us about it.”

Granny’s lips twisted into a sly smile. “Reckon Ah agree with ya, sugarcube. Yet, there’s a unique opportunity in the works. Ah sense ya recognized it too.”

Applejack returned to her seat and propped her feet up on the railing. “Eeyup. ‘Bloom’s gotta let her friends know how we like ta live. And that we ain’t gonna stop doin’ it just ‘cause it offends some folks. Gotta keep the Apple Family tradition alive, after all.”

“Seems ta me that a certain grandchild o’ mind has the EXACT same issue…”

Big Mac snickered. “Eeyup. Wonder who that might be?”

Applejack blushed. “Ah don’t—this ain’t—”

Granny took a swig of her whiskey and sighed. “Listen here, child. It ain’t mah intention ta make ya feel bad. I’m just worried about ya. When yer ma and pa died, ya had ta grow up in a hurry and over the years, Ah… feel like ya didn’t git ta enjoy yer childhood as much as ya should’ve.”

“It’s too late fer that now, Granny. I’m a grown woman…”

Granny Smith scoffed. “All in yer mind, Applejack. Lands sake, yer barely eighteen! What Ah want ya ta do is simple: spread yer wings, put yerself out there, and get to know folks better. We all appreciate how much hard work you’ve put into the Acres. Ain’t nobody denyin’ that.”

“What ‘bout Apple Bloom? She needs a childhood too!” Applejack pressed.

Big Mac rested his hand on Applejack’s thigh. “And she’s had a great one thanks to ya. Please don’t be mad, AJ. Ah took it upon mahself ta speak with Granny ‘bout you wantin’ ta go ta college. Figured it was better if the three of us discussed it openly like this.”

“How could ya have even known?! Ah just told ya ‘bout that this mornin’!”

“Wasn’t that hard ta figure out. Ya were always lookin’ at brochures and whatnot. Plus, ya tend ta leave ‘em sitting around yer room.” Big Mac admitted.

Applejack’s shoulders sagged. “Oh. Right. Guess Ah did…”

Granny Smith reached over and ruffled Applejack’s hair. “Tell ya what. I’ll make ya a deal. I’ll give ya mah blessin’ fer this whole college thing, hell, I’ll even pay fer yer tuition. But ya gotta promise me that you’ll try ta make some friends and be more forthright ‘bout bein’ a naturist. Ah know that you’ve run into some rough patches before with yer classmates but it ain’t healthy fer a young lady ta be a recluse here on the farm.”

Applejack looked down at her stomach and sighed. “It’s hard, Granny. Ah hate bein’ rejected n’ ridiculed just fer bein’ who Ah am. Don’t ya know how painful that is? Took me a long time ta get folks in high school ta stop thinkin’ Ah was some kind o’ perverted weirdo.”

“Of course, it’s hard. That’s just the way life is sometimes. But the way Ah see it, true friends are folks that stick by ya no matter how strange everyone else might think ya are. Besides, Ah can’t let mah sweet, beautiful granddaughter stay single forever…”

Applejack groaned. “Can we not talk about mah non-existent romantic ventures?”

“Fair enough. I’ll keep mah peace on that account,” Granny Smith agreed, “But how do ya know what bein’ in love is like when you’ve never gone and experienced it yerself? That goes fer you too, Mac. Ya ain’t gonna find a wife by haulin’ applewood around the farm all day long.”

A slight blush formed on Big Mac’s cheeks. “Eenope. Reckon not.”

Granny Smith leaned back in her chair and laughed. “It’s settled then! Y’all both need ta relax a spell and enjoy the spice of life. Keepin’ up the farm is important, don’t git me wrong. But ya only git ta be young once. Before ya know it, you’ll be an old coot like me.”

Applejack got up out of her chair, closed her eyes, and listened to the cicadas chirping amongst the trees. “Can’t promise that I’ll be good at it at first, but Ah can certainly give it mah best. Anywho… what’re we doin’ ‘bout the Scootaloo n’ Sweetie situation?”

Granny rubbed her chin in thought. “Much as Ah want Apple Bloom ta learn her lesson, it might be best if Mac n’ Ah stay inside. Seein’ the three of us together, bare nekkid, might be too much for ‘em ta process all at once. Don’t wanna scare the poor young’uns off, now.”

Applejack shuffled her feet. “Hey—umm—Mac, just try ta act casual around the girls, please? They’re at the age when they—EHEM—start noticin’ boys. And… well, you’re pretty noticeable when it comes to certain parts of the body, if ya know what Ah mean.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time, AJ. Ah can handle it.”

Applejack chuckled sheepishly. “Alrighty then! Guess I’ll wait near the front gate for ‘em.”

After a short bus ride in and out of town, Apple Bloom led her best friends along the dirt road towards Sweet Apple Acres. The bubbly excitement she’d felt earlier about spending the day with them had faded long ago. Now, all that remained was an impending sense of nervous discomfort, deep within the pit of her stomach. Despite only wearing a pair of flip flops and a yellow sundress, Apple Bloom had never sweat so much in her entire life. Well, that was actually an exaggeration. Farm work in the middle of summer was definitely way worse.

Apple Bloom gasped when she felt Scootaloo tap her on the shoulder. “Hey, AB. Are you sure you’re feeling ok? You look kind of… pale and sweaty.”

“Never better! I’m just plum excited ta go swimmin’ today. EEYEP!”

Scootaloo wasn’t convinced but didn’t want to pry any further out of respect for her friend. “Ok. But if there’s anything wrong, you let us know. Getting sick at any time of the year sucks. Even more so during summer.”

Sweetie nodded emphatically. “For sure! I’m just glad to get away from my sister. She was super cranky today for some reason. I think she was having some REALLY bad period cramps.”

Scootaloo grimaced. “Seriously, Sweetie? We didn’t need to know that.”

“Well, whatever. Didn’t you say that you bought a new swimsuit recently? Ooh! What does it look like? I wanna know what kind you got! C’mon, Scoots. You gotta tell me!”

With a slight blush, Scootaloo shifted the backpack straps along her shoulders. “Promise you won’t laugh?”

“I promise!” Sweetie squeaked.

“I usually get a one piece but—uh—this time, I decided to get a bikini. NOT… a super skimpy one or anything like that. Just something that’s functional and cool looking. Totally a normal thing to do, given the circumstances.”

Sweetie clapped her hands. “Neat! What color is it? And does it have frills?”

“Orange if you must know and it DOES NOT have frills.”

Apple Bloom cleared her throat. “So, what made ya decide ta wear a two piece?”

Scootaloo rubbed the back of her neck and chuckled. “I dunno. One day, I saw Rainbow Dash wearing a teal bikini and figured that if she looked cool wearing one, then maybe I could too? Gah! That sounds stupid, doesn’t it? I don’t have the kind of figure to fill one out properly. Should’ve just stuck with the one piece. That’s better for tomboys like me…”

Apple Bloom wrapped her arm around Scootaloo and gave her a hug. “There ain’t nothin’ wrong with the way ya look, Scoots. Everyone’s different when it comes ta things like that. I’m sure you’ll look great in yer new bikini.”

The purple-haired tomboy blushed but a smile appeared on her lips. “Thanks, AB.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Sweetie let out a frustrated huff. “Are we almost there? I’m getting all gross and sweaty. Not to mention, I could really use a drink right about now. My mouth feels like it’s full of cotton.”

“Yeah, we’re almost at the front gate,” Apple Bloom affirmed, “But—umm—there’s somethin’ important Ah wanna tell y’all before we git there.”

The girls stopped and looked at their friend expectantly.

Apple Bloom twirled the end of her bow. “The thing is, there’s somethin’ about me and mah family that Ah don’t typically share with folks unless Ah trust ‘em. Ah just don’t want y’all ta be surprised by what ya see once ya finally meet Mac, Granny, and AJ.”

Scootaloo’s face paled. “You’re not cannibals, are you? I DON’T WANNA BE LUNCH!!”

Apple Bloom’s face turned red. An equal mixture of embarrassment, anxiety, and anger. “No, ya dummy! We ain’t flesh-eatin’ cannibals. But the way we live can be a bit… too much for some folks ta handle. Downright offensive ta others. What I’m sayin’ is that we’re naturists.”

Scootaloo blinked owlishly. “Huh? Why’s that a big deal? My parents like to explore the world and look for animals. And you guys run a farm, so it makes sense that you’d like animals too.”

“No, Scoots,” Sweetie admonished, “that’s a naturalist. What AB’s talking about is a naturist. Basically, they’re people who prefer to be naked whenever and wherever they can.”

Scootaloo blushed. “Oh. Hehe… yeah, now I understand why some people might not be comfortable with that. SO—does that mean you walk around naked all the time too? I-I mean it’s TOTALLY cool if you do. Just a little… hard to wrap my head around. I guess that would explain why you’re always so comfortable when we’re changing in the locker room…”

Sweetie Belle reached over and held Apple Bloom’s hand. “Yeah! We’re BFFs no matter what! Even if that means your family is a little weird. But then again, who’s family isn’t?”

Apple Bloom let out a shuddering sigh of relief. “Thank goodness! Y’all have no idea how glad Ah am ta hear that. Ah was terrified that y’all wouldn’t want anythin’ ta do with me after Ah told ya what mah family was really like.”

“I’ll admit that it is a little weird, like Sweetie said. But why wouldn’t we want to still be your friend?”

Apple Bloom bit her lip. “Because some people think that since we’re nude all the time, we must be a bunch o’ perverts. I swear, it ain’t like that! Not wearin’ clothes is a heck of a lot more comfortable, saves money on laundry, and feels great! Especially, when yer out in the sun.”

Scootaloo chuckled awkwardly. “I’ll… just take your word for it, AB. In any case, I don’t think Sweetie or I are quite ready to commit to being naked today. But if taking off your clothes when we get there makes you feel more comfortable, I say go for it.”

“Thanks, girls. What y’all said sure means a lot ta me. Just as a fair warnin’ though, the rest of mah family are gonna be nekkid too. That includes mah older brother, Granny, and Applejack. I’m just sayin’ that y’all might want ta prepare yerselves mentally fer what yer ‘bout ta see.”

Applejack slowly made her way out to the front gate, so that she could greet the girls. Had she been expecting any of their usual clientele (distributors, delivery drivers etc), the blonde farmer would have at least put on a pair of shorts and a flannel shirt to remain “decent” by modern society’s standards. Not that many of them were particularly bothered by her lack of attire. The Apple Family was well-known amongst the agricultural community for being naturists. Most of the other families they did business with simply took their nudity in stride. The price of dealing with the Apples, as it were. They tended to be respectful too.

Otherwise, Macintosh would have some choice words with them. He would potentially beat the absolute bejesus out of them too, if Apple Family honor demanded it. Even in the nude (or especially because of it), Mac was an intimidating mountain of a man. Standing at two hundred centimeters, he towered over most people. The moniker of “Big” was not ironic. It applied to everything else about him. He took such matters in stride, however. Preferring not to get upset over people gawking at him.

Her brother’s cool head and Zen-like demeanor was one of the many things that Applejack admired about him. She tended to lose her temper rather quickly in most situations, preferring to answer insults with a balled fist or swift kick to wherever she felt the offender deserved it most. She’d gotten better at dealing with her anger over the years (with Mac’s help) but there were times when she slipped and caused trouble.

Hands on her hips, and a wide smile on her lips, Applejack stood before Apple Bloom and her two friends. “Howdy! Y’all must be Sweetie Belle n’ Scootaloo. I’m Applejack but ya can call me AJ if ya prefer. If you’d kindly follow me, I’ll rustle up some refreshments.”

Sweetie and Scoots gave Applejack an awkward smile and simply nodded. They’d hoped that Apple Bloom was just kidding with them, but it became immediately apparent that she’d been telling the truth the whole time. Neither of them could figure out exactly what to say. Instead, they quietly followed along with rosy blushes coloring their cheeks. When they entered the kitchen, Mac and Granny were nowhere to be seen. Just a plate of apple fritters and lemonade set on the table especially for them. Without preamble, Apple Bloom kicked off her flip-flops and stripped out of her sundress as quickly as she could.

“Feels good ta finally git outta that dang dress!”

Applejack motioned for Sweetie and Scootaloo to take a seat. “Ah finally git the chance ta meet mah sister’s friends. Go on, now. Don’t be shy. Y’all can have some treats if it suits yer fancy.”

Scootaloo carefully chewed on an apple fritter. “Heh. Yeah… umm—this is really good.”

“Thanks. Ah made ‘em mahself. An old Apple Family recipe. Secret’s in the butter. Gotta make sure it’s browned before ya add the apples n’ brown sugar. Gives it that nutty flavor.”

Sweetie took a big gulp of lemonade and coughed. “Oops! Went down the wrong pipe. Sorry if we’re not talking much, Miss Applejack. It’s just that we’re not—”

“Used ta seein’ nekkid folks?”

Sweetie nodded. “Not that I think there’s anything wrong with you! In fact, I think you’re really pretty. Your hair reminds me of corn silk. It’s so smooth and shiny! Have you ever considered modeling? You might be pretty good at it.”

Applejack blushed at the compliment. “Aw shucks. Awful kind of ya ta say so, Sweetie. But in case ya haven’t noticed, Ah ain’t real fond of fancy duds. Or any duds fer that matter.”

“No, I mean nude modeling. Like for art and stuff.”

Applejack furrowed her brow. “Nude modelin’? Uhh… Ah never gave it any thought, ta be honest. Don’t git me wrong; I’m plenty comfortable with mah body. But Ah can’t imagine too many people would want a muscled-up farm gal like me ta pose for ‘em.”

“I think you’d be surprised,” Sweetie squeaked, “my sister’s always telling me that variety is the spice of life. Maybe you’re just the kind of girl everyone needs for a change in perspective.”

“Huh. Well, that’s mighty thoughtful fer gal yer age. I’ll consider it, Ah suppose.”

Scootaloo tried her best to maintain eye contact with Applejack. “SO! Am I to assume that Apple Bloom isn’t going to be wearing a bathing suit when we go swimming?”

Apple Bloom shook her head. “Eenope. Hate bathin’ suits. Just a waste o’ soggy cloth that drags ya down in the water. Mah skin is the only suit I’ll ever need. Fits perfectly and dries off quick.”

“Alright. That’s fair, I guess. But—um—is it ok if we wear our suits?” Scootaloo asked.

Applejack shrugged. “Doesn’t bother me none. Do what ya please. You’re our guests and it’d be mighty rude of us ta force ya into doin’ somethin’ y’all weren’t comfortable with.”

Scootaloo let out a ragged sigh of relief. “Thanks. Sweetie and I aren’t… ready to start skinny dipping yet. Even if it’s just around you guys and Apple Bloom.”

Applejack walked up behind Scootaloo and patted her shoulder. “Like Ah said, Scootaloo. Ya don’t have ta conform ta our way o’ life while yer over fer a visit. Naturism ain’t fer everyone. Heck, if it were, we’d all be walkin’ ‘round nekkid as jaybirds right now.”

Apple Bloom puffed out her chest. “Scoots is just jealous ‘cause Ah got a decent patch o’ fuzz growin’ on mah lady parts and she doesn’t. Makes me look more mature, Ah reckon.”

Scootaloo turned beet red. “Yeah—well… my aunts say that I’m a late bloomer!”

Sweetie Belle frowned. “Girls, can we PLEASE not argue over pubic hair?”

“Apple Bloom”, AJ admonished, “Yer friend is right. It ain’t nice ta make fun o’ the way people look. ‘Specially, when it comes ta their bodies. Some folks can’t help it. Go on and apologize. Ah know we raised ya better than that.”

“I’m sorry, Scoots. Ah didn’t mean ta make fun o’ yer body. Mah sister’s right. Ah wasn’t thinkin’ ‘bout yer feelin’s when Ah made that remark. It was downright ignorant o’ me.”

Scootaloo reached over and gave Apple Bloom’s shoulder a playful punch. “It’s ok, Bloom. We’re cool. I just have to learn to be patient is all. I’ll grow up when my body decides it’s the right time, not a moment before. Your—erm—fuzz does look good though. I think.”

Apple Bloom rubbed the back of her neck and chuckled. “Thanks, Scoots. Ah was half jokin’ when Ah said that but it’s nice ta know people think it looks good. Was worried that the other gals in class would think Ah was weird fer havin’ so much hair down there at mah age.”

Before Sweetie Belle could chime in, everyone’s attention was directed towards the creaking stairs. With a towel wrapped around his neck, Big Mac shuffled over to the fridge and cracked open a beer. He enjoyed his beverage in silence and gave everyone a simple nod to acknowledge their presence. Then he pulled out one of the chairs, sat down, and started nibbling on a fritter.

“Mornin’ ladies.”

Apple Bloom walked over to her brother and kissed his cheek. “Howdy, Mac.”

“These two the friends you were talkin’ ‘bout?”

“Sure are! The one sitting next ta ya is Sweetie and Scoots is across from her.”

Big Mac flashed them a warm smile. “Pleasure ta meet y’all. I’m Mac.”

“YOU SMELL REALLY GOOD TODAY!” Sweetie blurted out.

“Hmm? Reckon Ah do. Just came outta the shower.”

Scootaloo tried her best to avoid gawking at Big Mac but it was practically impossible. Not only because he was sitting with his legs slightly apart, but the thing dangling in-between them was unlike anything she’d ever seen before. “Gotta keep clean! Am I right?”

“Eeyup.”

“I HAVE TO PEE!” Sweetie shouted.

Not missing a beat, Scootaloo rushed over to her friend and grabbed Sweetie’s arm. “Hehehe. Imagine that! So, do I. All that lemonade’s gotta go somewhere, right? Hey, Bloom. Do you mind showing us where the bathroom is?”

Apple Bloom’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Uh… sure. It’s upstairs, first door on the right.”

“Thanks! We’ll be back before you know it!”

Once the bathroom door shut behind them, Sweetie Belle slumped onto the floor and buried her burning face in her hands. “Oh my gosh! His weenie was HUGE!”

“You didn’t have to say it like that but… yeah.”

Sweetie started sniffling. “And I acted like such a dork in front of him! Why didn’t Apple Bloom ever tell us that her brother was s-so… hot and NAKED. Scoots, I-I don’t think I can go back out there. It’s too much. I’ll just end up staring at his weenie again…”

Scootaloo’s cheeks flushed. “Well, you’re not the only one who noticed the heat he’s packing. And why on earth would Bloom ever tell us that? Big Mac is her brother for Pete’s sake! Do you go around telling everyone you know how hot your sister is?!”

Sweetie twiddled her fingers. “Not exactly.”

“My point stands. Look, I know it’s really hard to ignore but just try not to look down below his waist while we’re here. Maintain eye contact instead. That should help.”

Sweetie bit her lip. “Yeah but he has such beautiful green eyes. And that rugged, orange beard! I can’t help it, Scoots! I’ve got a mad crush on Apple Bloom’s brother!”

Scootaloo sighed. “No, that’s just your hormones talking because this is the first time you’ve ever seen a hot, naked guy in person before. Heh. Totally different from the internet…”

“Hey! It’s your first time too!”

Scootaloo coughed. “Maybe but that’s not the point. We just need to keep our shit together long enough until Apple Bloom shows us where the pond is. Then we can go swimming, relax, have fun, and forget about jumbo-sized hotdogs for a while. Does that sound like a plan?”

“Ok, I-I’ll try.”

Apple Bloom threw her hands into the air and huffed. “Ah knew this was gonna happen!”

“What? Ah didn’t do anythin’ wrong. Just took a shower and drank a beer.”

Apple Bloom gestured towards her brother’s waist. “It’s not that ya did anythin’ wrong, per say.”

Big Mac raised his brow. “Mah manhood’s always been like this. Can’t very well hide it. Not any more than ya can hide any part o’ yer body, Bloom.”

“Ah know. It’s just that—UGH—Ah told ‘em what ta expect before we got here. And now they’re all fidgety, blushin’ up a storm, and actin’ like a couple o’ twitterpated dopes.”

Applejack held up her hand. “Hold on a second, sugarcube. Did ya just say that ya told Sweetie n’ Scootaloo that we were naturists before they came over fer a visit?”

“Ah had ta, Applejack. They’d have freaked out otherwise.”

Applejack ruffled her little sister’s hair. “I’m proud of ya. That took a lot o’ guts.”

“Ah appreciate the compliment, but a fat lot o’ good it’s done me. They’ve been holed up in the bathroom fer ages. What the heck are they doin’ in there? Can’t take this long ta pee.”

Applejack gently nudged Apple Bloom towards the stairs. “Then git yer keister on up there and check on ‘em. Maybe they just needed some time ta sort things out. I’m sure they’re alright.”

“Ah suppose so,” Apple Bloom hesitantly agreed, “Hopefully, Ah can convince ‘em ta go swimmin’. Otherwise, this whole trip’ll have been a big ole waste o’ time.”

Applejack watched as her little sister plodded up the stairs towards the bathroom door. Their introduction to Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo could have gone a heck of a lot better, but it wasn’t too bad all things considered. At least the two of them hadn’t outright ridiculed Apple Bloom and called her a perverted freak for being a naturist. Whether intentional or not, Big Mac’s arrival had caused a ruckus. Understandable, given that they were just a couple of thirteen-year-old girls who’d (probably) never seen a real, live, grown man naked before.

Big Mac took a swig of his beer and sighed. “Should Ah try ta patch things up with ‘em?”

“Nah. Don’t bother. Let Apple Bloom handle it. Just do me a favor and keep yer distance when they go fer a swim. Wouldn’t want ‘em ta get all flustered again.”

“Eenope,” Big Mac agreed, “What’re ya gonna do in the meantime?”

“Ah dunno. Might join ‘em fer a swim mahself. Lord knows Ah could use a little time ta relax mahself. Ain’t gonna do me any good spinnin’ mah gears over this whole college thing.”

Author's Note

Ages of Apple Family :ajsmug:

Applejack: 18
Apple Bloom: 13
Big Macintosh: 22
Granny Smith: 75

Orientations, Old Friends, And Opportunities

Chapter 5

Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville

Big Mac softly strummed his guitar as he stared at the setting sun slipping beneath Everfree National Forest. The big farmer sat with his back against Harold, a massive, ancient apple tree that Granny swore her own father had planted when the Apple Clan first settled Ponyville. When he finished working for the day, Mac liked to come up the hill, sit underneath Harold’s robust branches, and contemplate life.

It was hard to believe but another summer had already slipped away. Below Mac, Sweet Apple Acres’ orchards stretched out, many of their boughs still heavy with plump, ripening apples. By his estimation, it’d take him and his siblings another week to finish harvesting the fruit. Just in time for both of his sisters to return to their studies. The new semester was about to begin.

He chuckled for a second as he tried to guess which of the two of them were more nervous at the prospect. While both of them put on a front of outward confidence, he knew they had their own fears and insecurities. Even if they were very different. It was times like these he was grateful to be done with schooling for good. At least, until he decided to have children of his own.

Mac’s thoughts were broken by the sound of bare feet shuffling through the grass. Looking up, he watched as Apple Bloom climbed the hill towards him, wearing nothing but her trusty bow and an anxious expression. The orange-haired giant raised a hand from his guitar in greeting.

“Howdy, 'Bloom. A beautiful sunset, ain’t it?”

Apple Bloom blew a few strands of hair from her eyes as she glanced back at the vivid pastoral colours of the sunset, “Ah suppose so. Mind if Ah join ya?”

“Enope.” Mac replied, patting the ground beside him. While he played a meandering tune, his little sister cuddled up next to him and rested her head upon his shoulder. The two siblings watched the sun for several minutes as Mac waited for Apple Bloom to say what was on her mind. Sometimes, silence was the best way to get people to open up.

“Hard ta believe that summer vacation is almost over,” the teenager began, playing with a strand of her hair.

Macintosh’s bearded face cracked into a smirk, “Don’t know how ya can call it a vacation unless ya were slackin’ off with yer chores when Ah wasn’t lookin’.”

Her comparatively little fist bounced off his chest, “Ya know what Ah mean ya big lug! Seems like just yesterday Ah was freakin’ AJ out by invitin’ Scoots and Sweets over fer a swim.” The two shared a chuckle at the memory. “Now, I’m ‘bout ta start middle school in a week.”

“Nervous?” Mac astutely asked, fine-tuning his instrument.

“Well, a little Ah guess. New school and all but at least I’ll be with mah friends.” Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. “Even if one of ‘em is denser than Granny’s fruitcake durin’ Christmas.”

“Ah reckon that ain’t the reason ya came up here, though,” The elder Apple observed.

“Not exactly. Truth is the school is holdin’ an orientation. It’s a chance fer us ta meet our teachers and get to know the layout before we arrive. And on account of ma and pa not... bein’ around, Ah was wonderin’ if ya could go with me?”

Mac ruffled his sister’s hair affectionately, “Heh. Need yer big brother ta show ya the best secret make-out spots? Everyone says the band room but truth is-”

“No, you galoot, I'm serious! Ah don’t wanna go alone…” the teenager sniffed and rubbed her face furiously.

Mac set his guitar aside and wrapped her in one of his signature bone-crushing hugs. Resting his chin on her head he rumbled, “Course I’ll go, darlin’. But ya sure ya don’t want AJ or Granny ta go instead?”

“AJ’s got enough on her plate gettin’ ready fer college,” Bloom sighed. “Granny’s goin’ ta be jet-lagged from her trip with the Golden Girls. Besides, Ah want ya to come.”

“Course I’ll be there. What else is a big brother fer?” Mac remarked, kissing her head and releasing her from the hug. As they settled back in comfortable silence, he added. “Now, ‘o course, the best place ta kiss someone is the roof of the greenhouse…”

Apple Bloom burst into a fit of giggles. “Mac, yer terrible! Ya know that?”

“Eyup.”

“Are ya certain that I’ll use all o’ these here textbooks?” Applejack groused as she sorted through a pile of the offending pieces of literature on her simple twin bed. Her usually tidy room was cluttered with ‘back to school’ supplies including a box of used textbooks she’d got on the cheap from a second-hand store.

Perched atop her desk was her trusty laptop with Rarity’s amused face displayed on screen. The fashionista’s hair was tied up in a sensible bun with a scrunchie and a pair of cute (but also the trendiest) red reading glasses perched upon her nose. She wore a plain but still somehow stylish white blouse. AJ supposed, for her, that counted as dressing down.

Applejack, of course, wore nothing at all. Since reconnecting over the summer, Rarity had expressed tolerance and admiration for her girlfriend’s lifestyle. Although, she had no desire to participate being a naturist herself. For the farm girl, it demonstrated that she could make friends who wouldn’t treat her like a perverted freak for being a naturist.

Rarity rested her hand on her chin, “Darling, from what my mother tells me, no, not really. Most professors will barely have us crack them open but on the off chance that they do…”

“Fine,” Applejack muttered. “Better ta be safe than sorry, Ah suppose. Not sure what farmgirl worth their salt would need a whole damned book on ‘crop rotation theory’ fer…” She held up the offending book with a derisive snort.

“Yes, well you’d be surprised at how many people go into fashion without knowing how to use a needle or thread,” Brightening some Rarity asked. “Classes are only half the college experience, my dear! There’s also the social aspect! Have you signed up for any extracurriculars yet?”

The farm girl rubbed the back of her head and sighed, “Been busy with the farm…”

“Applejack,” Rarity warned, “You specifically told me that you weren’t going to use that as an excuse anymore.”

“So, Ah did. Old habits die hard. Ah was thinkin’ Ah could go ta that club fair they’re hostin’ next week or…”

“Or?”

Applejack coughed. “Uh... if that model suggestion o’ yers wasn’t a joke…”

Rarity clapped her hands together and squealed. “Of course, it wasn’t~ Seeing you au naturale has only strengthened my opinion on the matter. Sandalwood and his classmates would simply love drawing you, I’m sure. Those fetching freckles will be especially challenging and well, your muscle tone is… quite breathtaking, if I do say so myself.”

Applejack blushed. “Makes me sound like I’m some kind o’ a prize horse or somethin'.”

“Hardly, my dear,” The fashionista laughed. “More like an exemplary model of womanhood. A salt of the earth maiden, striding through fields of gold wheat-”

“Sweet Apple Acres is an orchard, ya know.”

Rarity grabbed a sketch pad and began sketching while she rambled on, “-with the deep blue sky above, a well-worn Stetson. YES! Feminine strength abound! Ideaaaaaa!”

“Eeyup. Sure sounds that way.” AJ drawled with a crooked eyebrow.

Her fashion forward friend blushed and hugged the sketchpad to her chest, “Apologies, dear. But when inspiration strikes, it strikes with the utmost vim and vigor! My point is, you’ll love modelling. It’s a great way to meet people. Mingle and so forth. I’m sure you get the idea.”

“Might as well make it official, then. I’m on board.”

“Excellent! I’ll arrange for us to meet Sandalwood for lunch this week.”

AJ scratched the back of her head, “Sure thing, Rares. Lookin’ forward ta it.”

“Of course, you are! I’ll text you our luncheon date details later on. Now, if you’ll excuse me, the siren song of my muse sings to me. I must heed her advice and DESIGN!”

“Later,” AJ waved as the video call cut off. She crossed her hands over her abs, looked up at the ceiling, and sighed. “What have Ah got mahself into?”

Big Mac felt a wave of nostalgia overcome him while he drove his vintage black charger towards the familiar edifice of Egremont Russet High School. While he preferred driving a practical vehicle most of the time, the charger had been a passion project of his late father’s that had been passed onto him. He didn’t bring it out very often but he figured that his little sister could use the confidence boost of arriving at her orientation in style.

Apple Bloom fidgeted in the leather seat beside him as she took in the sprawling campus she was about to call her own. She’d chosen to wear a pretty yellow sundress and tied her hair up in a French braid. The teenager was keen to make a good first impression. Mac, for his part, had simply donned a nice pair of jeans and a button-down red polo. In his opinion, if you were going to wear clothes, may as well choose ones that were practical. Style had never been his forte.

When he turned into the parking lot, the famer slowed down to allow a group of students and their parents to pass by. Glancing at his little sister he asked, “We meetin’ yer friends over by the statue o’ Ole Moony?” The elder Apple was referring to the black marble statue in the center of the school’s courtyard. It depicted some local legend known only as Nightmare Moon.

Apple Bloom checked her phone and bit her lip, “Mhmm. They figured we could sit in the auditorium together that way.”

With a slight nod, Mac turned into a parking spot and turned off the engine. Removing the keys, he slapped his hands on his thighs, “Alright then. You ready?”

Apple Bloom took her brother’s hand and squeezed it affectionately. “Let’s do it.” The two siblings exited the car with Mac in the lead while they walked towards the school.

Something of a regional school for the area, Egremont Russet High School consisted of five main interconnected buildings arranged in a rough pentagram with a grassy courtyard directly in the center. The campus included classrooms, a gymnasium, a theatre, a library, a greenhouse, and a swimming pool. Everything a young mind could ever want or need.

When they entered the school’s lobby, Mac recognized a few familiar faces amongst the chattering crowd. Directing traffic to the auditorium was Old Man Doodle, his old history teacher, who even when smiling seemed grumpy and cantankerous as ever. The scrawny form of Pipsqueak enthusiastically waved at Apple Bloom. A greeting which she sheepishly returned.

Mac himself raised a hand and waved at the wall-eyed blonde, Derpy, who was showing her own teenage daughter, Dinky, a picture of the volleyball team which she had been captain of. While Mac had often felt like a teenage parent, Derpy had actually become one. By all accounts she’d done a bang-up job as a single mother. It made Mac smile when he saw how excited Dinky was.

The farmer used his bulk to carve through the crowd. His sister followed closely, the two nodding, smiling and excusing themselves while they walked. After giving a salute to Mr. Doodle, who gave Mac a sour stare in kind, the two siblings made their way to the courtyard. A handful of students and parents were already socializing in small groups. The Apples made a beeline for Nightmare Moon’s statue at the center.

Sweetie Belle was dressed in a frilly pink dress with rhinestones decorating the trim. Accompanying her was Magnum Belle, Sweetie’s father. A barrel chested, middle-aged man with a thick moustache and slicked back brown hair. He was wearing a dress shirt and an open suit jacket and clasped Mac’s hand in his own as the Apples arrived.

Apple Bloom blinked her eyes a few times and stared at her tomboyish friend. She was unaccustomed to seeing Scootaloo in a skirt, but tonight she’d decided to wear a dark purple one with a matching blouse. The young skater even wore a pair of amethyst earrings.

“Wow, Scoots, yah look amazing!” The farm girl gushed, taking her hands.

Scootaloo blushed, “Gee, ya really think so? I hope it’s not too girly...”

Scootaloo’s chaperone ruffled her hair fondly as she said, “I told you luv, you look positively cute as a button!”

“Thanks, Aunt Holiday.” The girl beamed as she and Applebloom went to talk to Sweetie Belle.

Aunt Holiday was a curvaceous woman with a round open face and bright orange wavy hair. Her figure was due in no small part to her wife Lofty’s baking as she often liked to joke. She was wearing a puffy yellow blouse and her signature blue scarf with a pair of khaki dress pants. Holiday spread her arms wide as Mac approached. Smiling, he accepted her embrace with warmth and affection.

“Macintosh, dear, it’s good to see you again! How is your grandmother?”

Mac scratched the back of his head, “Fit as a fiddle n’ full o’ piss n’ vinegar. Beggin’ yer pardon fer the language.”

Magnum laughed, “That sounds like Mrs. Smith alright.”

“Mhmm. How’s the missus, Mr. Belle?”

“Just Magnum, please. Cookie is doing about as well as anyone could expect. We’ve been practicing some of those ‘yoga’ mantras to get in better shape lately. They’re umm,” He glanced at the girls who were still chattering away obliviously. “Quite invigorating, if you know what I mean. Made us both a bit more… flexible during certain activities.”

Holiday snorted, “I wish I had half the energy of that sheila of yours.”

“In any case, I just wanted to say how much I appreciate what you and your family have done for Sweetie this summer, Macintosh.” Magnum shifted uncomfortably. “Your lifestyle might seem a bit strange to regular folks but she’s been a lot happier and eating healthier since then.”

“Likewise,” Aunt Holiday added, “I’ve noticed that Scootaloo has been getting in touch with her feminine side as of late. I can’t help but think that it’s because of Apple Bloom.”

“Shucks.” Mac muttered. “Y’all give us too much credit. They’re the best friends Bloom’s ever had and that’s the truth.”

Bloom poked him in the side. “Ya gettin’ sentimental on me, Mac?”

Crouching down, Holiday smirked. “Course not, luv. Just singing your praises. You look positively adorable tonight!”

Noticing Sweetie's slightly crestfallen face, Mac added, “Howdy, Sweetie. Aren’t ya the proper lady tonight.” The teenager blushed and smiled sheepishly at the compliment.

“Rarity insisted that I look like the gemstone I am.” Sweetie replied, imitating her sister’s voice.

“Sounds about right. Ah reckon we should head to the auditorium if we want ta get a good seat.”

Holiday nodded, “Quite right, Mac. Come along now girls, let’s be off.” As the group moved towards the auditorium, Holiday led the way gently holding Scootaloo’s hand. Mac and Magnum followed behind Apple Bloom and Sweetie who were discussing how many of their former classmates might be in attendance. Magnum nudged Mac with his elbow.

“Good summer then?”

“Mhmm. Had a good harvest and we’re getting ready ta start brewing this year’s batch o’ apple whiskey. Puttin’ the finishin’ touches on the casks mahself.” The farmer replied as they passed Mr Doodle being badgered by Dinky with a variety of questions. Meanwhile, Derpy did a poor job at hiding her laughter while they conversed.

The older man nodded. “I’ll have to order me some bottles then. The missus and I love sharing a bottle on date night.” He paused. “Speaking of, a handsome young man like you must have a girlfriend by now, no?”

Mac blushed and coughed, “Enope.”

“Really? Weren’t you dating Sugar Plum a few years back? Whatever happened to her?”

“Sugar Belle,” Mac corrected with a sigh. “We dated out o’ high school but nothin’ serious came o’ it. Haven’t had much luck on the datin’ scene since. I’ve been too busy with the farm.” He scratched his chin and smirked. “As ya might well imagine, Granny insists that we all get out there and live a little.”

Magnum clapped Mac on the shoulder, “Well said! Rarity tells me that’s what Applejack is doing. You should put yourself out there. A man like you would be a real catch. Between you and me, I think Cookie was hoping that you’d hook up with Rarity at some point.”

The farmer snickered as they entered the auditorium and made their way towards some free seats in the middle, “Unless yer daughter is keen about livin’ on the farm buck nekkid, Ah reckon that our relationship would take off ‘bout as quickly as the Dodge Junction Dingos.”

At the mention of his favorite football team Magnum went off on a spirited rant as they took their seats and waited for the orientation to begin. Mac nodded along and interjected where appropriate, keen to keep the topic off of his love life, or lack thereof. With a name like ‘Big Mac’ women tended to… expect certain things. Prowess not withstanding, sex wasn’t all that he was looking for in a relationship. Mac wanted emotional intimacy. Something that was far harder to come by but he supposed Magnum had a point.

After several minutes, the lights dimmed as the school’s band played a jaunty tune. Mac recognized it as the school’s pep rally anthem. The principal, a blonde, severe faced woman known as Mrs. Harshwhinny, took the stage and welcomed the students with a speech he vaguely remembered from over a decade ago. He settled back in his chair and made a face at Apple Bloom, who giggled. Since meeting her friends, his little sister had visibly relaxed and was her usual self once more.

“Please join me in welcoming some of our newest faculty members,” Principal Harshwhinny said. “Our new PE teacher, Coach Iron Will.” Mac joined the crowd in clapping for a large, muscular-looking man with pecs that made Mac look positively slender by comparison. “All the way from Manehatten’s Broadway, give a warm welcome to our new drama teacher, Adagio Dazzle.” There were a few wolf whistles as a middle aged woman with poofy golden-orange hair rose and gave the crowd an elegant bow.

“A heart-breaker if Ah ever saw one,” Magnum muttered as he clapped.

Harshwhinny smiled as she stretched a hand out to the final new faculty member, sitting just out of sight behind the stage’s curtain. “Last, but certainly not least, I am happy to welcome one of our own alumni from Egremont Russet High School to the team this year. Please join me in welcoming back Ms. Daisy-Mae Cheerliee as our new social studies teacher!”

Mac felt like he’d been struck by lightning as his old crush walked out and waved at the gathered parents and children. While she no longer wore braces and her frazzled pink hair was now straight and tamed, it was undeniably her. She wore a pink dress and burgundy blazer over her svelte form while her smile lit up the room.

“Mac, what are you doing?!” Apple Bloom hissed.

Macintosh realized that he’d stood up and was applauding with a goofy smile on his face. Eventually, Magnum, then Holiday and dozens of others began to rise before the entire crowd was giving Cheerliee a standing ovation. Mac wasn’t sure who was blushing more as he found his seat when it finally died down, himself or his old classmate.

“How wonderful! It’s community spirit like that which makes our school so special. Tonight we invite you to…”

Mac tuned out the rest of the principal’s speech as he sorted through his thoughts and emotions. The feelings he’d had for Cheerliee were never made clear to her during his ‘awkward chatterbox’ phase. And then, his parents died, and he wound up having to step in and raise Apple Bloom along with his other sister. Cheerliee, as far as he’d known, had gone to Vanhoover so that she could get her teaching degree. Last he’d heard, she was teaching overseas in Yak-Yakistan. The fact she was back in Ponyville had ignited emotions that he thought were dead and gone.

After another half hour or so of pumping the students up and highlighting the school’s many features to the parents, the assembly broke up into chattering knots of people. As Mac rose, he caught both Holiday and Magnum giving him knowing smiles. Waving them off, he clapped his hands. “Alright girls, let's go meet your teachers, huh?”

“Starting with Ms. Cheerliee?” Bloom asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Boring!” Scootaloo sneered. “Let’s go meet Iron Will! He’s got biceps to spare!”

Sweetie nodded, “Then we should meet Ms. Dazzle! She was absolutely breathtaking in that reimagining of the Greek tragedy Siren!”

“Looks like we got our marching orders,” Magnum remarked. “Lead on girls.”

Coach Iron Will enthusiastically shook hands like he was trying to rip someone’s arm off. Mac smiled as he watched the coach explain to the girls all the improvements he had made to the school’s weight room and his plan for the sport's program. When Scootaloo said that she hoped to become a soccer player, like Rainbow Dash, the man produced an enrollment sheet like magic. Mac, Holiday, and Magnum broke into giggles when the man, after being asked how strong he was, casually lifted all three crusaders on a metal bar without breaking a sweat.

The drama room, meanwhile, had received a complete makeover since Mac’s time with new paint, posters and an avante-garde aesthetic. Up close, Adagio Dazzle was just as breathtaking as Magnum had predicted but had wizened air about her while she interacted with the girls. Sweetie gushed over her passion for musical theater, while the poofy-haired woman listened with a polite smile and answered any questions. Upon hearing that she planned to do a Hearth’s Warming Eve pageant, Sweetie enthusiastically volunteered herself and her friends for the show, much to their collective chagrin.

Before long, the group arrived at the old social studies classroom. While Bloom and the girls seemed completely at ease, Mac felt nervous. Big as he was, the prospect of talking to Cheerliee again was both frightening and exciting. The farmer prayed that he wouldn’t get tongue-tied or, worse yet, revert to his adolescent habit of chattering aimlessly.

Daisy-Mae’s personality was on full display from the second you stepped in the door. The walls were painted a soft calming green and decorated with mementos from her time abroad. Including: a Zebrican mask, photos of Yak-Yakistan, and a Vanhoover University scarf. The desks were arranged in a half-circle, with Cheerliee’s in the centre, the whiteboard directly behind. Several shelves crammed with books on world history lined the room and more knick knacks like an antique globe, a bronze singing bowl, and a Neighponese mecha action figure. An unseen scented candle, meanwhile, gave the room a flowery scent.

The pink-haired teacher was just finishing up a conversation with Derpy and Dinky when Mac walked in. Daisy smiled warmly as she pointed to her teeth and then back at Dinky’s own. The girl sported a set of shining braces not at all, unlike the ones Mac remembered his old classmate having years ago. As they drew closer, he caught the tail of what the two were discussing.

“... it’ll be nice not to have crooked teeth anymore!” Dinky chirped. “Mum always tells me that I get all the annoying traits from my dad.”

Derpy rolled her mismatched golden eyes, “I do NOT say that!. Plenty of your annoying traits come from me.” The mother and daughter giggle snorted in an adorable, near-identical, way causing Cheerliee to laugh herself.

“Well, I must say you are the spitting image of your mother at your age, save for the clumsiness. Why, I remember one time, she caught her skirt on the door and didn’t realize that her pan—”

Derpy gently grabbed her daughter and turned her around, “It’s been a BLAST catching up, Cheers. Let’s do more of it over coffee some time, huh?” With a toothy grin, she gently prodded her daughter towards the exit.

“But Mummmm! I want to hear more about your school days,” Spying Apple Bloom and her friends, she waved enthusiastically. “Hi there Bloom, Sweetie, Scoots! I hope we’re in lots of classes together!”

“Be sure tah text us!” Bloom called as the two blondes beat a hasty exit.

“Why hello there,” Cheerliee greeted the three girls with a warm smile. “Welcome to social studies, where we explore the world! I’m Ms. Cheerliee and who are you fine-looking young ladies?”

“I’m Scootaloo,” The tomboy replied with a blush. “Glad to hear I look ladylike for once.”

Sweetie Belle gave a half curtsey, “Sweetie Belle, charmed I’m sure.”

“And ah’m Apple-”

“Apple Bloom, of course. You’ve grown up quite a bit since I last saw you,” The teacher replied, glancing towards Big Mac with a soft smile. “Macintosh.”

“Daisy-Mae,” Mac rumbled with a blush. “Howdy.”

Scootaloo, ignoring the sudden tension between the two, walked over to the bookshelf with the singing bowl on it and picked it up. Examining it she asked. “So what do you do in ‘social studies’ anyway, teach? Looks more like you’re into the ancient artifacts market, like my parents.”

Holiday strode over to her niece, “Scootaloo, put that down!”

“Aunt Holiday, I was just looking—”

“No, no it’s fine. Holiday was it?” Nodding at the plump woman, Cheerliee gracefully took the bowl from Scootaloo. “To answer your question, Social Studies is the study of the world, its history and politics. Through that, we understand ourselves.”

Magnum shifted and coughed, “I hope you won’t be telling these girls exactly how to think, Ms. Cheerliee.”

The teacher turned her soft disarming smile on him, “Of course not, Mr. Belle. I simply aim to inform them and teach them how to think for themselves, like any good educator.”

“Of course,” Magnum replied with an embarrassed chuckle. “Just making sure.”

“Girls, do you know what this bowl is?”

“Is it used for fancy salads?” Sweetiee guessed with a shrug.

Apple Bloom shook her head, “Nah, Sweetiee. Looks too shiny fer that.”

“She’s right. There’s no way you’d use an ornamental artifact like that for eating food out of. Besides, the markings on the side don’t match any bronze age culture I know.” Scootaloo flushed as everyone in the room turned their attention to her with raised eyebrows. “What?! My parents are real-life archaeologists. I picked a thing or two up from them.”

“Good eye, Scootaloo. No, I picked the bowl up on a trip to the kingdom of Mount Aris,” Cheerliee remarked as she grabbed a water bottle from her desk and began to fill the bowl. “It’s not only beautiful, but the highest one in the world. There’s a kind of…. sonorous chanting you hear throughout the streets of the old city that I just had to discover the source of.”

Mac felt himself being drawn in as the girls were, moving forward to hear her words. While she was still cute as a button, it was clear that Daisy-Mae’s teaching skills had been finely honed in her time abroad. With the bowl now half-filled, she produced a stirring rod and placed it on the lip of the bowl.

“Now, the people of Mount Aris use this bowl in ritual chants and as a way to focus the mind during meditations. They produce a sound like this,” Cheerliee explained as she placed the rod to the lip of the bowl and began to move it around in a circle. Almost immediately, a calming and sonorous note began to be produced, much to the delight of the girls. Their smiles grew even wider as the vibrations caused the surface of the water to dance, with droplets leaping from the surface and splashing back down.

“That’s so cool, Ms. Cheerliee,” Apple Bloom gushed, "Where else have ya been?”

“Well…”

For several minutes, Cheerliee answered a barrage of questions from the girls about her travels. She answered each with good humour and a smile that drew Mac in like a moth to a flame. Magnum and Holiday also asked a few questions about course topics and workloads, but Mac kept quiet. When they finally said goodbye, Mac grabbed Magnum’s arm.

“Magnum, would ya watch Apple Boom fer me? I’ll be along shortly.”

The older man winked and clapped his shoulder, “Course I can. We’ll be checking out the science lab.” As their group left, his little sister shot Mac a knowing look, which he waved off with a shrug.

Cheerliee glanced up from the sink as she emptied the singing bowl into it. Drying it with a paper towel she asked, “What can I do for you, Mac?”

Mac coughed awkwardly, “Ah just wanted to say hello and catch up, is all. Is that ok”

“I’d like to think so. We’re old friends, aren’t we?” She replied, placing the bowl back in its place. “You did an excellent job raising her, by the way.”

“Sorry?”

“Your sister, Apple Bloom?” She replied, leaning back on her desk. “When I saw her, it really drove home just how long ago it was that your parents had their… accident.”

Mac joined her in leaning on her desk, “Feels like only yesterday sometimes, if I’m bein’ honest.” The big farmer sighed. “Hell, every now and again Ah still expect mah pa ta come drivin’ up the lane in his pickup, or my ma ta drag mah keister outta bed fer school.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. Ya supported me back in the day, Mae. It meant a lot,” Mac smiled sideways at her. “Besides, AB and AJ turned out fine. If you’ll forgive me fer tootin’ mah own horn. I’m mighty proud of ‘em both.”

Mae placed a finger to her chin, “Applejack has to be around eighteen now, right?” At his nod, she shook her head. “My goodness! We’re getting old...”

“C’mon, Daisy. It ain’t so bad. Ya look great,” Mac remarked before a blush spread across his face. “Ah mean, um, that is to say ya look… like a proper teacher. Youthful n’ full o’ energy.”

“Is that how you compliment a lady?” She asked, nudging him playfully with her hip.

The farmer adjusted the collar of his shirt. “Ah suppose so…”

With a slight blush of her own, Mae asked, “Is that why you gave me a standing ovation earlier?” Mac studiously examined the far wall. “I’m not upset or anything, I was just… surprised to see you here with Apple Bloom. It brought back a lot of—old feelings I thought were long buried.”

“Are yer glob-trottin’ days behind ya then?” Mac asked cautiously, pointedly ignoring Ms. Cheerilee's declaration. “And does that mean yer... lookin’ to settle down?”

Mae twirled a strand of her hair, “Yes, to the settling down part but I’m afraid there’s just me in the picture right now. As much as I’ve loved seeing the world, I wanted to set some roots down. Stay in one place for a while. Does that make sense?”

Mac’s heart beat a little faster, “Eeyup.” The chatter of conversation from the hallway snapped their attention towards the door. Mouth dry as cotton, Mac asked. “Mae, if I’m not being too forward, Ah was wonderin’ if you’d want ta catch up over dinner or somethin’.”

The teacher gave him a smile as she held out her hand, “I’d love to, Mac. Phone?”

Handing over his phone, Mac contained himself from having a fit of childish giggles. Slender fingers dancing quickly across the keys, Mae tapped out her number and returned it to him. Biting her lip, the woman suddenly leant over and gave him a brief peck on the cheek. “It’s really good to see you again, Mac. Let’s not waste too much time on setting up that dinner date, ok?”

“Yes ma’am.” Mac muttered as he got up and made to leave the room. When she gave him a little wave, he felt his spirit soar. After collecting himself once more, Mac opened the door and ushered the next group of parents and students in.

Mac couldn’t help but whistle a little tune when he walked towards the science lab. It wasn’t just AJ putting herself out there anymore. Her big brother was going to show her how it was done.

Applejack rubbed her temples as she left her final class’ orientation. The blonde farmer was clad in a flannel shirt, work jeans and a pair of comfortable sneakers. She carried a backpack containing her school-issued laptop and course outlines for the half dozen courses she’d be taking during the fall semester. Adding to her exhaustion was the fact she’d spent her lunch at the student services office modifying her schedule to give herself more flexibility.

All in all, she was tired, hungry and very much looking forward to grabbing a bite to eat with Rarity and this ‘Sandalwood’ fellow. Following Rarity’s directions, she made her way to a local dive at the edge of campus called: Donut Joe’s. Applejack was hit by the smell of fresh-baked doughnuts, fried food and home cooking as soon as she stepped in the door. Smiling, she looked for Rarity, who eagerly waved her over from a corner booth.

“How are you today, Applejack?” Rarity after giving her friend a sudden hug, which she returned. “You look as tired as I feel!” The fashionista, predictably, looked immaculate with the right amount of makeup and a sleek purple sundress that hugged her curves in all the right ways.

“Eeyp. Today was pretty gruelling. Ah don’t know about you, but I’m orderin’ me some grub.” AJ replied, waving down a pretty waitress and ordering an eggs benedict with hash browns and a sugar doughnut. Rarity, meanwhile, ordered brioche French toast and fruit smoothie. They chatted for several minutes about their classes until the third member of their party arrived.

Upon first glance, Sandalwood seemed to be your archetypal metro-hippie. The young man was tall, fit, and his physique bordered on athletic. His tan skin contrasted with his dark-green dreadlocks while his emerald green eyes were bright and friendly. He wore a pair of stylish tan chinos, aviators, a pink t-shirt underneath a purple dress vest, with a grey rastacap to finish off the look.

At the sight of Rarity, he spread his arms wide and flashed a pair of white teeth, “Hello, dear.”

“Sandalwood!” Rarity cooed rising up to meet his embrace. AJ rose as well and blinked as the two embraced and then kissed each other’s cheeks. When Sandalwood turned to her, Applejack stuck out her hand.

“Pleasure ta meet ya. Mah name’s Applejack.”

He accepted her handshake with a warm smile, “A pleasure, Applejack. The name’s Sandalwood.” Up close, she realized he could only be described as fruity. His hands were soft and there was a smell of fancy cologne about him, not at all, unlike Rarity’s own scent. His eyes roved over her body in an appreciative, but a non-sexual way. “My goodness! Rarity wasn’t joking about your figure. You are absolutely breathtaking, dear.”

“Uhh… thanks?” The farm girl responded, flustered and caught off guard by the compliment. “Yer a pretty handsome fella yerself, Sandalwood.”

He placed a hand to his chest and chortled. “You are far too kind, Applejack. Micro does always say my best attribute, and outfit, is my smile.”

“Micro?” AJ asked when they sat down.

Sandalwood smiled dreamily, “My boyfriend. Computer sciences major here at CU. I’ve been trying to get him to model but he’s a bit shy.”

Applejack blinked owlishly. “Oh. Ah just assumed by the way you and Rarity greeted each other that y’all were datin’. Guess that ain’t the case…”

The young man laughed as he waved the waitress over, “I imagine we would make a cute hetero couple, wouldn’t we Rarity?”

The fashionista rolled her eyes, “Please! With your fashion sense, Sandy, it’d never work.”

“This look is a Sandalwood classic. Micro LOVES it on me. Haha. And taking it off too~”

After ordering a vegan caesar wrap and a glass of water, the three sat back and made idle small talk as they waited for their food to arrive. In a timely fashion, their meals arrived and the three dug in with gusto. While Applejack wolfed her food down, Rarity demurely nibbled on her French toast daintily, not unlike a little mouse. Sandalwood, meanwhile, took big bites of his wrap but paused to savor the meal while he chewed.

As they finished their meal Sandalwood smiled, “So, Applejack. May I ask you something?”

“Sure,” the blonde naturist replied as she bit into her doughnut.

“Why do you want to model for the art club?” The young man asked bluntly. “Rarity vouches for you but I’d still like to hear it straight from the horse’s mouth, to borrow a country phrase.”

Applejack bit her lip, “Well, Ah don’t how much Rares has told ya, but I’ve been lookin’ ta expand mah social horizons a bit. Nude modellin’ seemed like an interestin’ way ta meet folks.”

“Interesing,” Sandalwood remarked, sipping his water. “Now, forgive the insinuation, but you aren’t looking to get a sexual thrill from being seen in the nude by strangers, are you?

Applejack slammed her fists on the table and sat up. “WHAT THE HELL?!! Ah ain’t some exhibitonist hussy lookin’ ta rev up mah engine in front o’ folks. Lands sakes!”

Rarity placed her hand on Applejack’s arm “Please calm down for a moment, darling. Sandy is simply testing you.”

Sandalwood bowed his head, “Forgive my bluntness, but I like to be sure. I take the comfort and safety of my models very seriously. Fair?”

“Ah suppose so…” The farmer muttered.

“Now, have you ever been nude in front of other people before? It can be a bit jarring at first, so I’d advise maybe taking your clothes off at home to-”

“Mah family are naturists, so I’m pretty comfortable in mah birthday suit.”

Sandalwood hummed, “Oh, I see! Those people who prefer to be naked all the time?” At her nod he smiled. “This is making much more sense now. I assumed a farm girl would be the conservative type. I guess I still haven’t learned that whole book by its cover business.”

“It’s fine.” AJ affirmed. “I just started openin’ up about that part of mah life recently.”

“Thank you for trusting me with that info, honey,” The man replied, squeezing her hand. “Now, the Fine Arts Club meets every Wednesday to sketch our models. It usually runs from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m., to avoid conflict with classes.”

“Sounds about right.”

The Rastafarian nodded. “This year we have around twenty artists, both men and women, who’ll be sketching you.” AJ felt her stomach churn at the prospect but she kept a smile on her face. “There will obviously be no photographs or videos taken without the model’s consent. As you’ve already seen, I abhor perverts in my studio.”

“One of his better qualities,” Rarity added playfully patting his cheek. “Not to mention that dashing jawline…”

“You, of course, shall be compensated for your time. Does $300 a session sound good to you?”

Applejack nearly choked on her drink, “Three hundred bucks? Just ta sit bare-arsed in front o’ some random strangers?!” Shrugging at his nod she remarked. “Yer money, ah suppose.”

“Technically, the university’s money but they can certainly spare it. Now, I was going to model for our first session until I found suitable models for the rest of the term, but you seem very keen on doing so yourself. Would you be alright with starting us off next week?”

“Ah suppose if I’m jumping into the deep end, Ah may as well dive.” The prospective nude model replied. “If y’all will have me, that is.”

Sandalwood clapped his hands together, “This is going to be so exciting! I promise that you won’t regret it, Applejack.”

Planting The Seeds Of A Brighter Future

Chapter 13

Deluxe Suite, White Mist Resort

Morning arrived sooner than expected for a certain young couple. Haki laid flat on his back, head resting upon the pillow, observing Applejack as she slept by his side. Judging by the color of the sky outside the window, Haki assumed that it was still quite early but he was too relaxed to get out of bed and bother checking his phone to confirm. Instead, he placed his hand along Applejack’s strong, muscled back and began stroking her skin in an affectionate manner. It was just enough stimulation to rouse her from sleep.

The young farmer opened her eyes slowly and blinked, trying to make sense of her surroundings. When Applejack finally realized that she was snuggled up against her lover, she repositioned her head atop his chest and placed a gentle kiss just above his stomach. Their naked bodies thus became a contrast of tangled limbs in the early morning sunlight. No words were shared between the two lovers for a time. Only comfortable silence ensued.

Applejack breathed in Haki’s scent and smiled. “Mornin’ sugarcube. How’d ya sleep?”

Haki ran his fingers through her silky blonde hair and sighed. “Pretty good. Then again you tuckered me out last night. Shouldn’t be too surprising that I slept like a log.”

A slight blush colored her cheeks. “I’m sorry fer jumpin’ in ta things so fast. S’not normally somethin’ I’d be inclined ta do but… Ah felt bad ‘bout not spendin’ enough time with ya. Reckon mah womanly instincts took over and—erm—well, ya know the rest.”

“My poor sore Johnson can attest to that. You milked me till the very last drop!” Haki joked.

Applejack turned even redder as she poked Haki’s stomach. “The feelin’s mutual, buster! Mah cooter’s gonna be achy n’ tender fer a while, Ah suspect. Damn it! I’m never gonna live this down. Can’t very well waddle around the farm like a penguin with an ice pack stuck ta mah crotch. Do ya think it’ll last that long? I’ve never—uh—had ta deal with this problem before.”

“It’s not like we have to go back to Ponyville right away, Applejack.”

Before she had the chance to come up with a response, a series of loud knocks echoed throughout the room. Roz’s distinct, muffled voice suddenly became much clearer when she burst through the door. Upon seeing her friends cuddled together in bed as lovers are often wont to do, she coughed and shuffled her feet awkwardly, hands placed behind her back. Not bothering to cover up, the young couple continued to snuggle as they shared a heavy sigh.

Applejack lifted her head slightly. “Roz, ya know it’s rude ta burst into a couple’s room.”

Roz looked down at her feet and twiddled her fingers. “Yes, I know. But this is a matter of some urgency. My driver just called and said that he will be arriving at the resort within the hour. While I too would like to stay here a little while longer, transportation would be difficult to arrange otherwise. I’m deeply sorry if I interrupted your intimate bonding experience.”

Haki sat up and rolled his neck from side to side. “Hmm. I don’t think we’re in a position to argue this one. Alright, Roz. Give us like fifteen minutes to get dressed and shower, then we’ll meet you at the café for breakfast. C’mon, AJ. We’ll hop in together to save time.”

While tempting, Applejack and Haki did not engage in any canoodling while they showered. They both understood that Roz was their only reliable source of transportation from White Mist Resort, so they kept things quick and efficient. Applejack, in particular, was glad that she didn’t smell like sweaty sex anymore but the soreness in-between her legs persisted. To that end, her stride was somewhat awkward while she walked down the hall, since she’d have to wait until they got back to Sweet Apple Acres for a proper ice pack.

Breakfast was a simple affair. Coffee and rice porridge served with a side of grilled fish. Not exactly the hearty country fare Applejack was accustomed to, but it wasn’t the worst thing she’d eaten for her morning meal. Before long, they were loading their baggage into the trunk of Roz’s fancy Russian car and heading towards Ponyville while the sun crept above the tree line. Applejack rested her head against Haki’s shoulder while they sat together holding hands. A loud yawn escaped her lips and her eyelids began to feel heavy. Within moments, she was fast asleep.

Applejack was jolted awake by Haki’s sudden disappearance, or rather when she realized that she’d been sleeping on the car seat for some time. It helped that Roz had been doing her best to rouse her friend by shaking her shoulders repeatedly. Grumpy and disoriented, the blonde famer glared daggers at Roz while she tried to regain her composure. Applejack wiped a little trail of drool that had formed along her chin. After yawning again, she smacked her lips.

Roz clapped her hands together. “We have finally arrived at Sweet Apple Acres! If you are wondering where Haki is, we dropped him off about twenty minutes ago at his aunt’s house. He said that he didn’t want to interrupt your rest.”

“S’alright. Must’ve been more tired than Ah thought. Before Ah go on mah way, I’d like ta thank ya, Roz. Haki and Ah wouldn’t have been able ta share—uh—take our relationship further without yer help. Let yer aunt n’ uncle know that we wouldn’t mind visitin’ again.”

While Applejack was busy opening the trunk, Roz hugged her from behind. Made all the more obvious when her bare breasts squished up against Applejack’s back. Roz was the only one amongst the trio who hadn’t bothered to get dressed when they departed White Mist resort. Whether or not that was done with purposeful intent was anyone’s guess.

“It was my pleasure! Pardon my curiosity, but I must know something before we part ways. How did Haki perform in the bedroom? He looks like he would be an agile lover. Did you assume any wild positions—”

Applejack let out an irritated sigh. “No can do. That’s privileged information, Roz.”

Roz giggled. “I understand. But it must have been good considering the way you have been waddling around all morning. Hmm. Haki did have quite a sturdy third leg, no?”

Applejack blushed and rubbed the back of her neck. “Fine. I’m sore down there. Ya happy?”

Roz kissed her friend’s cheek. “I am! Don’t fret, Applejack. Such is to be expected of your first time. I find that a frozen bag of peas helps to reduce the soreness. It will take time to go away.”

“Yer probably right on that account. Reckon I’ll have ta bribe Apple Bloom ta fill in fer mah chores. Or at least, the heavy-liftin’ kind. Land’s sake. Granny’s gonna have a field day with this. Ah just know it. She’ll be wearin’ a shit-eatin’ grin fer the foreseeable future…”

Roz smiled. “Goodbye for now, Applejack. I shall see you later.”

The pale-skinned goth waved goodbye as the car pulled away while Applejack waved in return. Afterwards, she slung her suitcase over her shoulder as she approached the farmhouse on account of the wheels being completely useless on gravel roads. No one was around to greet her as she opened the door. This, in and of itself, was unsurprising. Applejack suspected everyone was out tending to the trees, the still, or a host of other farm-related chores.

Such was life at Sweet Apple Acres. Figuring that she’d have plenty of time to pack later, Applejack dumped her suitcase near the closet and immediately began taking off her shorts, t-shirt, and kicked off her sneakers. The shirt and shorts were neatly folded, then put away in the dresser drawers for another day. She didn’t bother to throw anything in the hamper since they’d only been worn for a few hours at most. Laundry wasn’t exactly a high priority on the farm.

Now that she’d donned her favorite outfit since birth, Applejack padded into the bathroom and stood bow-legged in front of the mirror. A frown spread across her face as she surveyed her abused lady bits. “Damn it! No wonder I’m so sore. Everythin’ is all red n’ puffy. Might as well be honest with mah folks, on account o’ the fact that Ah won’t be able ta hide it from ‘em.”

Out of an abundance of caution, Applejack used two fingers to spread a glob of cool, soothing aloe lotion along the inside of her salmon-pink folds, wincing whenever she happened to touch the particularly tender spots. With the unpleasant deed done, she grunted in pain, hobbled down the stairs, then headed towards the kitchen in search of an ice pack. Much to her chagrin, Apple Bloom was sitting at the table with Winona by her side, enjoying a glass of lemonade.

“Nice ta take a break after workin’ yer keister off all mornin’, eh girl?”

The border collie barked once and began wagging her tail while Apple Bloom wiggled her toes through the fur along Winona’s back. The teenager giggled at how soft it was.

“Oh! Howdy, Applejack. Ah didn’t realize you’d come back already. Welcome home!”

Applejack ruffled her little sister’s hair affectionately. “Thanks, sugarcube. The trip was nice n’ all, but it’s good ta be back on the farm. Say, ya wouldn’t happen ta know if there’s any ice packs up in the freezer, would ya? I’m feelin’ a might sore n’ need somethin’ ta sooth the swellin’.”

Apple Bloom looked over at sibling with concern. “Did ya pull a hammy? Ah did that once when Ah was cuttin’ up tree stumps with Mac. He had ta carry me all the way back ta the house.”

“Umm… not exactly.” Applejack replied hesitantly.

Without elaborating any further, Applejack shuffled towards the fridge and opened up the freezer compartment above. After peering at its contents, she concluded that there were no ice packs to be had. Some frozen steaks, a bottle of expensive looking vodka, fruity freeze pops, and two bags of peas comprised the entire inventory. Reluctantly, Applejack grabbed a bag of peas, made her way over to the couch, and sat down as carefully as she could. With a resigned sigh, she spread her legs apart, and placed the frozen vegetables over her sore privates. Apple Bloom, now finished with her lemonade, came scampering over to the living room along with Winona.

Apple Bloom stood in front of her sister, winced, and rubbed her arm. “Dang. Ah didn’t realize ya hurt yer coochie, AJ. How’d that happen? If ya don’t mind me askin’ that is…”

“Let’s just say that Ah got mahself involved in a situation without thinkin’ ‘bout the consequences first. Not that Ah completely regret it, mind ya, just that—it’s complicated.”

Apple Bloom’s confusion only grew. “Care ta elaborate? Ah don’t have a clue what yer talkin’ ‘about. Is this some sort o’ adult business that ya think Ah ain’t old enough ta understand yet?”

Applejack cleared her throat. “As a matter o’ fact it is adult business. Tarnation! Ah reckon there’s no sense in bein’ cryptic ‘bout the matter or you’ll just keep askin’ questions. So—erm—Haki and Ah did the couple’s tango at the resort last night and I’m… mighty sore down there. Ya happy now?”

“Oh. Is everyone’s first time really that painful?” The teenager asked with genuine curiosity.

Applejack sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose, wishing that she wasn’t having this particular conversation with her little sister. “Ah don’t rightly know, sugarcube. Up until last night, Ah was still a virgin. Suppose we got caught up in the heat o’ the moment n’ started makin’ love like a pair o’ horny jackrabbits. Should’ve taken things at a slower pace.”

Apple Bloom twiddled her fingers and looked down at her feet. “Can’t say I’ve never seen Haki nekkid before. Does he have a big pecker like Mac? Is that… why yer coochie hurts so much? Gosh! Ah dunno if Ah like the idea of havin’ a boy slip inside me if it causes that much pain.”

Thoroughly embarrassed, Applejack blushed from her cheeks all the way down to her freckled breasts. “Well, no. Haki ain’t quite as big as Mac. But—uh—he’s no slouch either. Might be thicker all around than Mac. Ah dunno! S’not like Ah compared their bait n’ tackle side by side!”

Granny Smith chose that exact moment to enter the living room with Mac close behind. By the looks of it, they’d worked up a good sweat tending the stills and were looking to cool down with a refreshing beverage and lounging around in the air conditioned house. Apple Bloom took a peek at her brother’s flaccid penis while he drank a carton of milk and frowned. She’d seen the organ plenty of times before, even when it was standing at full mast in the morning. That was never a big deal. However, a million questions began to swirl around inside her mind. Was making love to someone you cared about really that great if it caused your partner so much pain?

Sensing her granddaughter’s unease, Granny placed her hand on Apple Bloom’s shoulder and used the other to swig from a canteen full of whiskey. “The reason why yer sister’s so sore is because she had sex without thinkin’ ‘bout the consequences afterward. Ain’t that right, dear?”

Applejack wanted nothing more than to bury her head into the pillows, scream, and pretend that the outside world didn’t exist. “Reckon that’s a fair assessment, Granny. Ah underestimated how thick his pecker was n’ just how little wiggle room there was inside o’ me. Haki was sore afterwards too. Not sure if it was ta the same degree but—erm—Haki did mention it ta me.”

“Yer a strong, well-built young woman, Applejack. It’s ta be expected that yer clam’s gonna be tighter than a bowstring. That’s why they invented lubricants, child. Didn’t ya use some?”

Applejack bit her lip. “Nothin’ beyond what Ah was already makin’ mahself… down there.”

Granny placed her hands on her hips and snorted. “PEH! Poor, ignorant child. No wonder yer kitty feels more stretched out than an old rubber band. Let the pain be a lesson ta ya, Applejack. Suppose Ah shouldn’t be too surprised by this turn o’ events. You’ve always been squeamish ‘bout physical intimacy. Not ta mention, this was yer very first time bumpin’ uglies with a man.”

Apple Bloom furrowed her brow in confusion. “What do ya mean by ‘with a man’, Granny?”

“Folks don’t have ta restrict themselves ta one type o’ partner, Apple Bloom. Two women can make love together. Same applies ta men. Ah though they taught young-ins that sort o’ thing in school nowadays. What has this world come ta?! No wonder y’all are so confused n’ clueless.”

Apple Bloom hummed while rubbing her chin in thought. Then a look of comprehension dawned upon her face. “Ah never thought ‘bout it that way… but yer right, Granny. Ta be honest, Ah feel a might foolish fer not realizin’ it earlier. These sorts o’ things ain’t easy ta ask ‘bout regardless.”

“O’ course, I’m right. Old farts like me have been ‘round the block a few times. Never be sorry fer askin’ questions ‘bout life, sugarcube. Ah promised y’all a long time ago that I’m more than happy ta share a few nuggets o’ wisdom with mah grandkids. Even if the topic at hand happens ta be nookie. No shame in it, remember. All part o’ the grand circle o’ life and whatnot.”

Apple Bloom plopped onto the couch next to her sister, and reached over to place her hand atop Applejack’s thigh, caressing it gently. “Fer what it’s worth, Ah hope ya feel better soon.”

Applejack wrapped her arm around Apple Bloom and pulled her in for a half hug. “Ah appreciate the sentiment, but Ah reckon I’ll be outta commission fer a while.”

Granny took another swig of whiskey and sighed. “The chores are pretty much done fer the day anyhow. Rest up while ya can, child. Mac, Ah know ya were listenin’ in on our conversation. Go on and git yer keister in here n’ join us. I’ve got somethin’ I’d like ta discuss with y’all.”

Just as Granny predicted, the burly farmer came padding into the living room not but a moment later with a bottle of water in hand. The couch was big enough that he took a seat next to Apple Bloom and planted an affectionate kiss on her cheek when they cuddled up closer to one another. The jovial atmosphere from before vanished almost instantly when Granny began to pace back and forth, a serious expression stretched across her wrinkled face. She put down her silver whiskey flask on the coffee table nearby and took in a deep breath.

“Ah received a call from yer cousin the other day. Not gonna lie ta y’all: it wasn’t a pleasant conversation. Johnny made it clear that there’s trouble in the household.”

Apple Bloom gasped. “What kind o’ trouble? Is Babs alright?”

“As a matter o’ fact, she ain’t. Neither o’ ‘em are at this point. Apparently, yer aunt has decided ta run off with some good-fer-nothin’ drug peddler and yer uncle… well, he’s sucked at bein’ a father n’ a husband since day one. Johnny asked me if they could stay with us here at Sweet Apple Acres. Ah want ta emphasize that this’ll be permanent. They ain’t goin’ back ta Manehatten. Since this is just as much yer farm as it is mine, Ah wanted ta run it by y’all before Ah gave him mah answer. I’ll let ya take a moment between yerselves.”

Applejack’s emerald eyes burned with righteous fury as she gripped the couch cushion. Mac remained stoic but held his youngest sister close while she cried into his chest, running his fingers through her hair occasionally as a gesture of comfort. Granny had taken a seat in her favorite rocking chair but said nothing. Instead, she looked down at her feet and frowned.

Mac was the first to speak. “Ah think we’re all in agreement that they need our help.”

“Babs was always tellin’ me how awful it was livin’ with her parents. Ah never realized it’d gotten that bad…” Apple Bloom croaked.

Applejack took in a deep breath and blew it through her nose. “It’s settled then. There’s plenty o’ room here at the Acres fer them ta live with us. Ah say we take ‘em in, no questions asked.”

Granny smiled. “Yer parents would be proud if they saw y’all today. Apple Bloom, would ya mind helpin’ yer granny set up the guest rooms? The sheets need ta be changed and whatnot.”

Babs Seed blew an errant strand of raspberry-pink hair away from her eye as she stared out the car window. She and her brother had been on the road for a few hours now, heading towards the farmstead of their relatives in Ponyville. Very little had been said between the siblings. Not because they hated each other… rather, the tomboyish teenager didn’t know exactly what to say to Johnny. Words simply weren’t enough to convey her relief, her gratitude, her unease. While it was true that she loved her cousins dearly, uprooting one’s life was a daunting process.

She focused her attention from the trees passing by to her brother who was busy driving in the seat beside her. Even though his eyes were focused on the road, she could tell that he was pensive. Who wouldn’t be given their current situation? All of their earthly possessions, which didn’t amount to much, were packed in the trunk. Everything they had known in Manehattan was now behind them. Quite literally in this case. Babs played with the edge of her jean skirt and sighed. At some point, they would need to address the enormous pink elephant in the room.

“Johnny, I want ya ta know that I appreciate everything you’ve done for me so far.”

Her brother chuckled softly. “You’re welcome, sis. Ta be honest though, I wanted ta get outta that shithole as much as you did. I can only hope things will be better for us in Ponyville.”

Babs rubbed her thighs together and bit her lip. “Me too. Look—uh—ya know what living wit our cousins means don ’cha? We’ll have ta do chores around the farm ta help earn our keep. But more importantly—the thing is—they’re all naturists. I don’t have a problem wit it, since I happen ta like bein’ naked but… what about you?”

Johnny gripped the steering wheel and frowned. “I thought about that. A lot actually. I’m not gonna lie, sis; it’s gonna be super fuckin’ awkward trying ta get used ta them bein’ naked all day long. Frankly, I had a hard enough time getting used ta you prancin’ around in your birthday suit back at the apartment. Please don’t take my opinion the wrong way. It’s just… weird for me.”

“I’m sorry, Johnny. Once Apple Bloom showed me how they live, I didn’t wanna go back.”

Johnny licked his lips. “Yeah. Pandora’s box n’ all that philosophical shit. Listen, Babs. Ya don’t have ta worry about me. I’ll figure out how ta adjust somehow. Might take a while, but I’ll do it. Besides, what other choice do I have at this point? Beggars can’t be choosers, after all.”

Babs shuffled her feet. “S’not like they’re gonna force you ta strip. They aren’t like that.”

“Maybe. Chances are, I’ll be the only one wearing clothes around the farm. Won’t that—like—upset them somehow? It’d be like if I went ta a vegetarian’s house n’ started eating a bucket full of chicken wings right in front of ‘em. Plus, it’ll make me feel like the odd man out.”

Babs giggle-snorted aloud. It was the first time in a while that Johnny had heard his little sister laugh. The improvement in her mood gave him hope. “Naturists aren’t like that, bro.”

“I’ll take your word for it. Alright! We’re almost there. Be sure ta be on your best behavior.”

A large, colorful, hand-painted sign advertised Sweet Apple Acres as being just two kilometers ahead. This was put up to ensure that any suppliers who wanted to do business with the Apple Family would know where to go without getting lost in the process. It also warned travelers that the farm was private property and solicitation or harassment of any kind were not tolerated. Johnny turned onto the long, meandering dirt road and swallowed a lump that had formed in this throat. This was it. They were about to take their first step into a new life.

It didn’t take long before they reached the main gate. Johnny’s face paled when he saw the naked form of Macintosh standing ready to assist them. At Mac’s behest, they drove further towards the farmhouse, and parked the car inside the barn next to the family truck. Babs exited first, followed by Johnny who opened the trunk and began to unload their possessions. Ever the gentleman, Mac was by his cousin’s side in an instant, offering to help carry the suitcases.

“Need help with those, Johnny?” Mac drawled.

“Uh—sure. It’s… nice to see you again, Macintosh.”

“Likewise. Follow me. I’ll show y’all the guest rooms.”

The first thing Johnny noticed was how warm Ponyville was compared to Manehatten, despite it being the middle of fall. He supposed that’s why the farm flourished all year round and how this side of the family was able to live the way they had for generations. While they walked towards the farmhouse, which was pleasantly quaint, Johnny tried his best to avoid gawking at the veiny appendage that dangled in-between Mac’s legs. Mentally, he’d tried to prepare himself for just such an encounter but it was difficult to ignore something that was so obvious in person.

Johnny winced as they began to ascend the stairs. Everything about Macintosh was big. Hence, the moniker. From his head all the way down to his ~~nutsack~~ feet. Mac’s mountainous physique made Johnny feel uncomfortable, inadequate, and nervous all at the same time. On the other hand, Babs didn’t seem phased by her cousin’s nudity whatsoever. When they finally dropped off the suitcases, Mac extended his hand to Johnny, which he gripped willingly but not with as much raw strength. The burly man placed his hands on his hips afterwards and surveyed the room. A slight smile spread across his lips.

“Eeyup. Granny n’ Bloom did a good job sprucin’ up, Ah reckon.”

Johnny rubbed the back of his neck. “Thanks again, cousin. You guys really helped us outta a bind. I dunno if there’s anything I can do ta repay your kindness.”

“S’not necessary. Family’s gotta stick together through thick n’ thin.” Mac affirmed.

Johnny coughed awkwardly. “SO! I’ll just… start unpacking my stuff if you don’t mind.”

“Eenope. I’m gonna head down ta the livin’ room n’ let everyone know y’all have arrived.”

With that, Mac walked out the door and down the stairs. Just as Johnny was unzipping his own suitcase and putting things away in the closet, Babs immediately began taking off her clothes in the next room over. At fourteen, she was a year older than Apple Bloom. However, due to her poor scholastic performance over the course of the past year (due to a lack of motivation, not intelligence on her part), she’d been held back a grade. A longtime fan of MMA fighting since childhood, Babs regularly trained after school at the local gym in order to hone her skills for the semi-pro league once she turned old enough to compete. It was one of the few places where she felt happiness and the drive to pursue her dream, away from the troubles of home.

As a result of her strict MMA training regimen, the teenager’s entire body rippled with muscle just underneath the surface of her tawny, freckled skin. Her firm, pear-shaped breasts weren’t large by any definition, but reasonably sized for a young woman of fourteen. Babs had a figure that most teenage girls would kill for and was proud to display all the hard work that had gone into maintaining it. That, in some small part, was why she felt more confident while in the nude. More importantly, it gave Babs a sense of freedom that she couldn’t experience any other way.

Unlike her younger cousin, Babs enjoyed painting her nails and had gotten two piercings. Both were simple silver studs; one near her nose, and the other in her belly button. Her finger and toenails were painted cherry red to accentuate her emerald green eyes. Makeup wasn’t something she concerned herself with every single day but on occasion, Babs would wear eyeliner and a little blush. In terms of grooming habits, her preferences differed with Apple Bloom as well. While just as thick, her pubic hair was kept in a neatly trimmed triangular patch.

Knowing full well that she’d be living with a family of naturists for the foreseeable future, Babs had opted to pack light in terms of the clothing she’d brought along. Most of it was plain t-shirts, jeans, and an assortment of somewhat flashier undergarments. She figured that more could be bought at a later time when the need arose. With the last of her earthly possessions stowed away safely, Babs padded over to her brother’s new room and knocked on the door softly.

“Need any help unpacking, bro? I’m finished.”

Johnny sighed when he spotted his little sister leaning up against the doorway. “Ya certainly didn’t waste any time takin’ your clothes off, did ya, sis? Anyway, I’m just about done. If ya gimme a minute, we can head on downstairs together and say hi ta everyone.”

Babs went first, followed close behind by her brother. Unlike before, Granny, Mac, Apple Bloom, and Winona were all gathered around the couch. Without a moment’s hesitation, Apple Bloom practically jumped out of her seat and wrapped Babs in a bone-crushing hug. A few tears were shed, but otherwise, the two cousins were happy that things were finally starting to head in the right direction. Babs joined Apple Bloom on the couch afterwards.

Never a big fan of hugs, especially from naked family members, Johnny knelt by the rocking chair and ruffled Winona’s fur instead. The border collie ate up the attention with gusto, wagging her tail back and forth rapidly. Sensing her grand-nephew’s discomfort, Granny opted to place her hand on his shoulder instead of the traditional hug. She knew it would take some time for Johnny to adjust to the new normal. Completely uprooting one’s life tended to be a process, after all.

“Welcome ta Sweet Apple Acres, young fella.” Granny said with a warm smile.

Johnny stood up and mustered his best smile. “Thanks, Granny. I’m sorry for skipping out on all the hugs and kisses, but—um—that doesn’t mean I’m not grateful for all of ya takin’ us in.”

“Pay it no mind, child. Our way o’ life is different from most folks. Those who ain’t used ta it, tend ta find the lack o’ boundaries a might unsettlin’. Take as much time as ya need ta adjust. Oh! Ah ought ta mention that nudity ain’t compulsory ‘round here. Ya can keep yer clothes on if that suits yer fancy. Or take ‘em off. Makes no difference ta us. Yer still family either way.”

Johnny rubbed his hands together. “Good. Babs took ta the whole nudist thing like a fish in water. Ma didn’t really care that much, but then again, she never cared about much of anything other than her next fix. Pop, on the other hand… he thought it was inappropriate. As for me, I’m somewhere in the middle. Seeing her roam around naked still makes me feel uncomfortable, but Babs is old enough ta make her own decisions. If it makes her happy, I’m all for it.”

Granny nodded. “Ya got a good head on yer shoulders, Johnny. I’m certain yer little sister appreciates all the love n’ support you’ve shown her. Alright! Enough o’ this sappy stuff. Time fer victuals. After such a long journey, y’all must be hungry. We’d be terrible hosts if we didn’t fill yer bellies. C’mon on in ta the kitchen. There’s plenty ta eat.”

Babs’ stomach growled in protest as she padded into the kitchen with Apple Bloom. Her older brother took a seat next to Mac, while Applejack rooted around the fridge, looking for something to serve everyone. As a result, the blonde farmer was bent over with her tan, freckled rump pointed towards the table, wiggling it on occasion. Babs saw her older brother turn beet red, desperately trying to maintain his composure but eventually, he had to avert his gaze.

“Here they are,” Applejack exclaimed, “whipped up these here club sammiches fer y’all.”

Babs practically wolfed down the triple decker sandwich, enjoying the salty, smokey goodness of the turkey, ham, and bacon, all squished together between layers of mayo and lettuce. Johnny quietly nibbled on a section that had been cut into thirds, keeping his eyes glued to the plate. Applejack took her seat carefully, making sure not to further aggravate her injury. Her crotch had slowly begun to feel better after some rest and further application of aloe gel. However, in doing so, she had to keep her legs spread apart. This was the exact moment Johnny looked up.

Applejack glanced over at her cousin with concern. “Ya alright, Johnny?”

Still choking, Johnny took a big gulp of water and cleared his throat. “Yeah. Food went down the wrong pussy—erm—I mean pipe! I’ll be fine. Just need some more water.”

Blushing, Applejack rubbed the back of her neck and chuckled awkwardly. Johnny’s Freudian slip had not gone unnoticed. “Uh… sorry. Ah didn’t mean ta flash mah cooter in front o’ ya, Johnny. Modesty ain’t exactly a concern amongst us naturists, if ya catch mah drift.”

Babs rolled her eyes. “Stop being such a big baby, bro! This is how it’s gonna be from now on. Ya might as well get used ta it now. So, go on and stare until it’s outta ya system.”

Thoroughly embarrassed, Johnny buried his face in his hands. “Easy for youse ta say, Babs! You’re practically a naturist already! Look, I’m sorry everyone. This is just too fuckin’ weird for me. Can’t deal wit this shit right now. I-I gotta go. Thanks for the sandwich, AJ. It was tasty.”

With that, Johnny abruptly left the table and stormed out the front door to get some fresh air. Feeling guilty, Babs got up out of her seat to follow her brother, but was stopped by Mac’s strong grip. “Let ‘em go. Sometimes, a man’s gotta sort things out on his own.”

Applejack shook her head and frowned. “Ah feel lower than a snake’s belly. Should’ve known that Johnny would be outta his element ‘round us. Is there any way we can make ‘em feel more comfortable? It’s just that… Ah dunno if Ah can consciously remember ta cover mahself up.”

“Eenope,” Mac rumbled, “he’s livin’ in our house, by our rules, regardless o’ the circumstances. Ain’t no reason fer ya ta be ashamed o’ what ya were born with, AJ. Like Babs said: Johnny’s gotta learn how ta adjust ta our lifestyle accordingly. Although, Ah would’ve gone ‘bout the matter with gentler words. Have some pity on the poor fella. He’s been through hell.”

Babs slumped in her seat and shuffled her feet underneath the table. “What you’re sayin’ makes perfect sense, cuz. But I still feel crummy about what I said to him. Me and my big mouth!”

Applejack placed her hand on Babs’ back and rubbed it gently. “We all make mistakes, sugarcube. Just give yer brother some time alone, n’ apologize ta him later. Ah reckon it’ll be a long, awkward, painful process, but—uh—he’ll come ‘round eventually.”

“Johnny’s never been self-confident about his body. Maybe that’s why he’s so afraid ta take his clothes off around us. I dunno. It might be the fact that he’s the only other guy here besides Mac, who gets ta hang out wit a bunch of teenage girls. Hard ta say at this point…”

Applejack hummed. “Ah suppose I’m still technically considered a teenager. Babs, don’t take this the wrong way, but has Johnny ever had any inappropriate relations with ya?”

“Never! He’s not some creepy-ass pedophile. I swear on my life! I’m just sayin’ that Johnny ain’t exactly a social butterfly. Ya know, it’s not every day he gets ta see a naked girl in person, let alone three at the same time… in the same place.”

Granny cackled. “Oh? Ah don’t count as a foxy lady, eh?”

Babs waved her hands. “No—I mean, ya look great for someone your age, Granny.”

“Ah wasn’t bein’ serious, child. Rest assured, Ah know what ya meant.”

Mac lumbered over to the fridge, grabbed a pair of beer bottles, then closed the door. “Lemme handle this y’all. Situation calls fer a bit o’ delicacy. I’ll try ta smooth things over with Johnny.”

Babs was just about ready to bolt out of the kitchen past Mac, but he stopped her by holding his arm out. The athletic teen knew that she could put him in an arm lock if push came to shove, but didn’t want to cause a ruckus with her new hosts. Instead, she let out a resigned sigh, slumped her shoulders, and began ascending the staircase. Apple Bloom’s bare feet pattered against the floor while she followed Babs out of the kitchen. So hurried was her gait that she nearly tripped and hit her head against the banister in the process.

“Hold on, Babs! Wait fer me!”

Babs glanced down at her younger cousin. “I’m just goin’ up ta my room ta do a set of pushups. If I can’t help Johnny right now, then I might as well do somethin’ productive. You’re welcome ta join me, but it’ll be pretty boring. I don’t like talking while I’m in training mode.”

Apple Bloom scrambled up the stairs, panting. “S’alright. Ah can do sit ups or somethin’.”

“Not a great idea considering that ya just ate.”

Apple Bloom placed her hands on her hips and huffed. “Neither are pushups, ya doofus. Ah saw how fast ya wolfed down that sammich. There’s no way yer tummy’s had a chance ta settle yet.”

Babs blushed slightly and invited Apple Bloom into her room. The younger girl proceeded to plop belly-first onto the bed and kick her legs in the air. “Ya got me there, cuz. Guess we can just hang and talk. I dunno. Feeling frustrated when you can’t do anything sucks…”

“We could head over ta mah room and play video games.” Apple Bloom suggested.

“What kind of games do ya have?”

“Scoots seems ta like the violent ones, but Ah prefer lighter fare. How ‘bout Tonio Party Four?”

Babs shrugged. “Alright. Lead on, AB.”

Unlike the Manehatten, Sweet Apple Acres was a peaceful place. Instead of honking horns, police sirens, and construction work, there were only the sounds of birdsong, insects, and a gentle breeze drifting through the orchards. With significantly less light pollution, it made the sunsets more spectacular to behold. Johnny Apple-Seed found himself drinking in said scenery whilst trying to make sense of what his life had become. Confusion was at the forefront, followed closely by embarrassment. He kept reminding himself that nudity was the norm around these parts, but to actually experience it in person was another matter altogether. Especially, when three of those people happened to be teenage girls. Applejack’s presence, in particular, had stirred up some conflicting emotions that Johnny didn’t want to dwell upon too deeply.

Johnny blew out some air through pursed lips and rubbed his face. “I shouldn’t have gawked at Applejack like that. She’s my fuckin’ cousin for Pete’s sake! Even if she happens to be a VERY NAKED, attractive young woman. Why do I gotta be such a creep about this? There’s no way I can go back in there and expect any semblance of normalcy. Shit! What the hell do I do?”

Nothing but the sound of crickets answered him. He sat in contemplative silence for what felt like an eternity until he heard the screen door squeak shut. When he turned around, Mac stood behind him with two beers in hand, and offered one to drink. Johnny accepted the beverage willingly, and proceeded to twist off the cap. Without saying a word, Mac took a seat next to him on the porch and took a big swig of beer. Johnny continued to look out towards the orchard.

“Ah saw how ya were lookin’ at mah sister.”

Johnny winced. “Go on and punch me. I deserve it.”

Mac shook his head. “Eenope. S’not how Ah feel ‘bout it, and neither does AJ.”

“Doesn’t that make me a total creep? Mac, I know she’s my cousin but—”

The burly farmer held up his hand. “Who ya hardly ever see ‘n is only two years yer junior. I’ll be honest with ya, Johnny. AJ’s always been the type o’ gal who doesn’t quite grasp how pretty she is. Been that way fer years. Ah suspect her perception on the matter’s startin’ ta change on account o’ that art class she’s been posin’ fer. Even so, it’s an on-goin’ process.”

“Apple Bloom seems a little naïve too, for that matter.”

Mac leaned back and crossed one leg over the other. “Ta a lesser extent, Ah suppose. Their lack o’ modesty, as ya might call it, is the result o’ livin’ buck nekkid since childhood. Same applies ta me. We figure that every nook n’ cranny that can been seen has been seen at some point. Therefore, it ain’t a big deal ta any o’ us if we bend over, squat, or scratch our privates.”

“Makes sense in a weird way. All I’m sayin’ is that it will be a while until I get used to seeing more of everyone’s… anatomy than I would reasonably expect in a normal living situation.”

“Nobody expected otherwise, Johnny.” Mac agreed.

“What should I do about AJ then?”

Mac shrugged. “Look at ‘er body if ya feel it’ll get this infatuation outta yer system. Ah reckon the more ya git ta know her, the less difference it’ll make that she’s nekkid as time goes by. Who knows? Ya might even consider takin’ yer clothes off durin’ the process someday.”

“Ok. I’ll give it a shot. Uh—speaking of time, I’ve been thinkin’ about something else. I’m gonna need a job if I stay here. The one I had before isn’t really an option since we don’t live in Manehattan anymore. Is there anything around the farm I could help out wit?”

Mac rubbed his chin in thought. “As a matter o’ fact, there might be. Ah could use an extra hand at the stills. It’s hard work, ‘n requires precision. Think ya might be up fer the task, Johnny?”

“A still, ya say? Sounds interesting. I worked as a full-time bartender downtown for a while, so I’ve got some ideas on what ya could do with your booze. It’s strictly hard liquor, right?”

“Fer the time bein’,” Mac affirmed, “but I’ve been thinkin’ ‘bout diversifyin’ our line.”

“What? Like hard cider?”

Mac nodded. “Eeyup. It’s popular with the younger crowd. Could make us a hefty profit.”

For the first time since arriving at Sweet Apple Acres, Johnny smiled. “I don’t know that much about cider brewing but I’m sure we could learn the process together. Count me in!”

Rather than worry about Applejack or adjusting to life with a family of nudists, Johnny was content to enjoy the remainder of his beer with Mac and watch the sunset as it painted the sky orange and purple. The one emotion he’d dared not feel for so long, blossomed in his chest. Hope. Hope for his little sister, and that of his own future in a sleepy town called Ponyville.

An Exciting Afternoon At The Acres

Chapter 17

Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville

Johnny watched as the rest of his kin drove down the winding dirt road towards Ponyville, so that they could attend Applejack’s body paint exposition. He’d elected to stay behind, if for no other reason than the lingering awkwardness that still existed between himself and his younger cousin. Even though he’d slowly grown accustomed to all the casual nudity on display around the farm, Johnny also wanted some quiet time to himself. To think, relax, and reflect.

An errant thought popped into his mind. He’d promised Roz a follow up date. If he invited her over now, they would have the entire farm to themselves for at least a few hours. After gathering up the courage to tap Roz’s contact icon on his phone, Johnny slowly typed out a brief, but meaningful text to her. For what seemed like an eternity, his finger hovered over the send button. He hesitated to tap it. Then it was done. He couldn’t take the invitation back now if he wanted to.

Almost instantly, a reply came back. Judging by all the emojis, Johnny assumed Roz was very much interested in the idea of a second date at Sweet Apple Acres. She assured him that Boris would not take very long to get her there, an hour at most. Upon slipping his phone into his pocket, the red-haired brewer blew out a short raspberry through his lips and went back inside the house from the front porch. Sensing the tension, Winona nuzzled her snout against his leg.

Johnny knelt down on one knee and ruffled her ears. “Is it obvious that I’m nervous?”

The border collie looked up at him expectantly and wagged her tail.

“I guess it is getting close to lunchtime. C’mon, girl. Let’s find something to eat.”

After eating a simple lunch, consisting of a chicken salad sandwich, potato chips, and iced tea, Johnny made his way upstairs once more. Winona followed close behind, making sure that her new charge was properly looked after. It was her duty to protect every member of the Apple Family, no matter their size, shape or scent. Johnny plopped onto his bed and checked his phone for a second. Still no word from Roz that she had arrived yet.

“Do you think I should take my clothes off for our date, Winona?”

Oblivious to her master’s dilemma, Winona began chewing on her favorite rope toy.

“I should start getting used to the idea of being naked around her at some point. It’ll be awkward as hell greeting her at the gate wearing nothing but a smile. Not to mention shrinkage. Then again, maybe not? S’not like I’ll be jumping into the pond first…”

Winona growled playfully while Johnny initiated a game of tug o’ war with her.

“Alright. It’s decided then. I’ll do it. I hope Roz isn’t as aggressive about escalating our relationship to the next level this time. That woman seriously needs to learn that people have boundaries. But she did seem sorry about what happened. I’ll give her a second chance.”

Johnny’s phone buzzed, signaling a text from his Russian girlfriend. Roz indicated that she would arrive within the next ten minutes. Within a few moments, Johnny took all of his clothes off and folded them into a neat pile, seeing no sense in dawdling about, lest he lose his nerve altogether. An overwhelming sense of wrongness filled the pit of his stomach with dread as he walked outside and towards the entrance of the farm. Never before had he felt so… exposed.

Winona cantered along cheerfully. As far as she was concerned, being outside with any of her human family members was always cause for excitement.

Johnny sighed to himself. “At least it’s pleasantly warm here in Ponyville. Heh. Definitely not like Manehattan. Even during the summer. I can see why this would be preferable to wearing flannel work clothes and jeans while you’re out in the field all day bustin’ yer ass.”

Like a greased hog, Winona bolted towards the gate, barking excitedly at the woman who got out of her black sedan. Roz laughed while the collie licked her hand. In the crook of her arm, she held a medium-sized gift bag. As to what was contained within, only she knew. Fighting the overwhelming urge to cup his hands over his privates, Johnny smiled and waved to Roz.

Completely taken aback by her boyfriend’s nudity, Roz’s eyes widened in surprise. “Good afternoon, Johnny! It would appear that I am the one overdressed for the occasion today.”

While scrunching his toes in the grass, Johnny let out an awkward cough. “Yeah… I-I figured it was only fair since I’ve seen you naked on a few occasions already. Would you—um—like to come with me back to the house for some coffee or whatever?”

Smiling ear to ear, Roz took his outstretched hand. “Why, I’d love to! Then I can finally change into something… more comfortable~ You are welcome to join us, Winona!”

And so, the trio made their way back to the Apple Family homestead. No sooner had Roz put down her gift bag, did she start kicking off her sneakers and stripped out of her frilly black dress. She hadn’t bothered to wear any undergarments, which made Johnny blush a little when her breasts jiggled in response to all the movement. The couple stood opposite of each other, silent save for the chirping of insects and birdsong, yet their wandering eyes spoke volumes.

Face flushed and heart pounding like a jackhammer, Johnny tried desperately to maintain his composure around Roz. He didn’t want to give his girlfriend the wrong impression. To her credit, the bubbly Russian baker hadn’t tried to tease him in an overt manner and maintained a polite distance. However, the hungry look in her eyes told him exactly what she was thinking.

Upon brewing a pot of coffee, Johnny took a seat on the couch out in the living room, subconsciously crossing his legs as he was not yet comfortable with “letting it all hang out”. Roz sat right next to him and with an eager expression and presented the garishly colored polka dot gift bag to him. Winona decided to join in on the action and curled up in a ball near Johnny’s feet, yawning after she did so. With an awkward chuckle, he began to open his gift.

Inside was a pair of what appeared to be cupcakes and… a plush rabbit? Utterly baffled, Johnny didn’t say anything for a good thirty seconds, which made Roz worry that she’d made a mistake. Seeing Roz’s forlorn expression broke Johnny from his reverie and he took it upon himself to grab one of the cupcakes. By the looks of it, the confection was covered in walnuts and cream cheese frosting. Knowing just how good her baking skills were, he didn’t doubt for a second that it would be delicious. And so, he took a large bite, realizing that it was carrot cake flavored.

“Wow! This is really good, Roz. Did you make them yourself?”

The dark-haired woman nodded. “Da. This morning, in fact. I wasn’t sure if you liked carrot cake or not… but I wanted to make you something that wasn’t apple related since we had Sharlotka on our last date. Not that there's anything wrong with apples, of course!”

Johnny chuckled. “True. So—uh—do you want the other one? I don’t mind sharing.”

Roz waved her hand dismissively. “There are ten more leftover back at my apartment. I was planning on giving Boris a few to share with his family and perhaps eat one for myself.”

“Oh. Alright then. I’ll save the other one for later.” Johnny went into the kitchen to fetch a napkin and when his hands were clean, he held up the plush rabbit.

The odd thing about the stuffed animal was how realistic it looked. The toy bunny had a tawny brown coat like most wild rabbits possessed. That’s not to say it wasn’t adorable. Even so, Johnny had a difficult time understanding why Roz would buy him a plushie in the first place. It wasn’t as though he had a particular fondness for them.

“Do you like your other present, Johnny?” Roz asked with some hesitation in her voice.

Struggling to find the right words, Johnny bit his lip. “Well, it is cute… I suppose.”

Rubbing her thighs together nervously, Roz frowned. “I messed up, didn’t I?”

Johnny shook his head emphatically. “No! Absolutely not! I like my gift, but I’m just… a little confused as to why you would buy me a stuffed animal of all things. I—erm—don’t recall ever mentioning I collected them or anything. Please don’t get upset, Roz. Look, I’m not very good at these sorts of conversations. I’ll just… shut up before I dig my hole EVEN deeper.”

Cheeks rosy red, Roz twiddled her fingers. “I collect stuffed animals of all varieties, so I thought that you might want to have one too. He’s very soft and fun to cuddle. I promise!”

“Careful. You might make Winona jealous.”

Upon hearing her name mentioned, the collie’s ears perked up and she barked.

Roz responded by stroking Winona’s fur with her toes, reveling in the softness of the canine’s coat. “I believe she will be fine. Truth be told, I did not think very far ahead as to what we would be doing together on our second date. I was so excited to see you that my only concern was arriving here as quickly as possible. I hope that is not an issue…”

Johnny rubbed the back of his neck. “Uh—really? Funny thing is: I wasn’t too sure either.”

Roz giggled. “Then we are like two peas in a pod! That is the correct English idiom, yes?”

“Mhmm. I’d say so,” Johnny agreed, “I was thinking. Since it’s so nice outside, maybe we could walk around the farm and enjoy the scenery. We could always go for a swim in the pond too.”

Roz tapped her chin in thought. “I don't feel like swimming today.”

“Oh. How about the walk? Or is that a no-go?”

Roz placed her hand on Johnny’s thigh. “As long as I get to spend time with you, it will be fine.”

“How about yoga? I was curious about it, and you seem to know what you’re doing.”

Roz pumped her fist into the air. “That’s a wonderful idea! Not to worry; Johnny. We don’t need to use fancy foam yoga mats, but I would suggest bringing along a couple of blankets for our practice session. Otherwise, bits of grass will stick to the most unpleasant places imaginable!”

Johnny chuckled. “Speaking from personal experience?”

“Da. It is not a mistake I intend to repeat.”

“Fair enough. Lemme look around and see if I can find any blankets.”

While Roz busied herself by pampering Winona with tummy rubs, Johnny went upstairs to try and find a pair of blankets, or anything that could serve as an impromptu yoga mat. The brewer let out a frustrated growl when he rummaged through the hall closet next to the bathroom. There were plenty of towels, but no sign of a blanket anywhere. By pure dumb luck, he scampered over to his room, and found a stack of two, red & black plaid blankets, folded neatly in the back of the closet where he hung all of his dress shirts on hangers along the rack above.

Upon bundling them in the crook of his arm, Johnny scrunched his nose in annoyance. The fabric was heavy, coarse and itchy, indicating that they hadn’t been laundered in quite some time. However, they would just have to make do. He promptly stuffed them into a gym bag along with a couple of water bottles in case they got thirsty. It was important to keep hydrated, after all.

By the time Johnny ambled down the stairs towards the living room, Winona was sound asleep, snoring softly, in a ball curled up on the floor. Roz got up from the couch as carefully and quietly as she could, so as not to wake the slumbering canine. Luckily for them both, they managed not to step on any of the squeaky wooden floorboards as they exited the farmhouse and made their way towards the southern orchard right past the family swimming hole.

There was nary a cloud in the sky as the mid-afternoon sun shone down upon the acres, embracing their naked bodies in its welcoming warmth. Johnny allowed himself a satisfied grin. Roz eagerly took a hold of his arm while they walked together, barefoot, through the grassy terrain. The pillowy softness of her breast pressed up against his side, which he was certain Roz had to be aware of but declined to say anything about it. He enjoyed the sensation too much.

Eventually, the young couple reached a massive black oak the Apple Family referred to as “Old Sampson”. Given its size and the girth of its trunk, Johnny estimated that the tree must have been at least a century old, if not older. Possibly pre-dating the founding of Sweet Apple Acres. He ran his fingers along its gnarled bark and whistled. Roz was quick to follow suit.

“I have never seen such a big tree before! How old do you think it is?” She asked.

“Honestly, I have no idea. Granny Smith might know. Maybe we can ask her later.”

Roz grabbed one of the blankets from the gym bag and started flapping it in the air before she set it down gently atop the grass. “Truth be told, I am accustomed to having more padding than this, but it’s not as though we’re going to be sitting down on the hard ground directly. Make yourself comfortable, Johnny. We shall begin our warm-up session soon.”

Johnny did so, feeling somewhat awkward as he sat cross-legged. His hunch about the blanket being rough against his bare skin held true. He shifted his position a few times to try and get more comfortable, but it was ultimately a lost cause. He hoped that most of the yoga positions Roz had in mind would be done standing rather than sitting or lying down. Johnny did not want to have an itchy rash in places that rarely saw the light of day. In a surprising display of spryness, Roz bounced to her feet in an instant and began rolling her head from side to side.

“First thing’s first. We must loosen up our muscles. Follow my lead!”

Most of the stretches were pretty standard. In fact, they reminded Johnny of his high school days during gym class. Unlike high school, however, he’d never had the pleasure of standing behind a curvaceous, Russian nudist before. When Roz bent down to touch her toes, Johnny got an eyeful of her pale rump and a tiny sliver of salmon pink peeking through the gap in-between her legs.

Flustered, Johnny closed his eyes, counted to ten, and let out a ragged sigh. Roz looked back; her eyes filled with concern. “Are you alright, Jonny? Straining a muscle is no laughing matter.”

Johnny cracked open his eyes and glanced downward, relieved that he’d somehow managed to remain flaccid. “Yeah. I-I’m fine. Blood rushed to my head for a second. We can keep going.”

Unaware that he’d meant his lower head; Roz took Johnny at his word and finished the remainder of her stretches with ease. Afterwards, she shouted something in Russian that sounded an awful lot like a war cry and her baby blue eyes lit up with excitement. Try as he might, Johnny was not operating at the same level, and gave his girlfriend a half-hearted “yahoo” in response. After a quick swig of water, Roz placed her hands on her hips and grinned.

“Since you are a mere beginner, we shall be doing simple poses today. Nothing too strenuous, I assure you. To start off, let’s spread our legs apart and assume the Warrior pose! Remember to lift your arms above your head and press your hands together like a triangle.”

This time around, Roz was face to face with her boyfriend, so that she could demonstrate the technique and ensure he was doing it properly. Unlike the last time she’d practiced yoga in her apartment, Johnny could tell that she was focused purely on the physical aspects of the position, rather than exposing her body with lascivious intent. It went a long way towards helping Johnny feel more at ease around Roz, despite not having grown accustomed to seeing her naked yet.

Just as Johnny was starting to enjoy the benefits of a brisk yoga session, Roz adopted an entirely different pose from before. She laid flat on her back, legs pointed upward in a U-formation, whilst taking hold of the arches of her feet. With childlike innocence, she rocked her hips, moving side to side, commenting on how good it felt to stretch out all of the muscles in her legs.

Still standing a few paces away in the grass, Johnny watched her display of flexibility with rapt attention. This time around, his baser instincts got the better of him and he was unable to resist gawking at Roz’s unmentionables, completely exposed and inviting him to dig in. While his member became harder with each passing moment, he struggled to maintain his composure.

Roz stopped rocking her hips; eyes transfixed by her boyfriend’s impressive erection. She’d spent a lot of time fantasizing what it would look like and she was not disappointed. Like Macintosh, his penis was quite thick around already, even more so at full mast. Yet, his was not nearly as long. A little bit above average size, by Roz’s estimation. She licked her lips and giggled to herself, noticing how his foreskin still covered the head, leaving only the tip exposed.

“Bozhe moy! You appear to be VERY excited right now, Johnny.”

Johnny covered up his privates instinctively, his cheeks flushed pink while he clenched his toes in the grass. “Aw fuck! I’m sorry, Roz. Seeing you all exposed like this is—uh—very distracting for me. Just… give me a few minutes and maybe my hard-on will go away. Sorry.”

Roz sprang to her feet and approached Johnny carefully. She then cupped his cheeks and placed a gentle kiss upon his lips, smiling afterwards. “You have nothing to be sorry for, milaya moya. I must confess that I too have been thinking about doing naughty things with you. However, I didn’t want to upset you by being too forward. Like what happened on our last date…”

Johnny hesitantly moved his hands to his sides and sighed. “Yeah, I noticed. Roz, I really do appreciate what you did today. Honestly! Everything’s been moving so fast lately that I needed some time to sort out what direction I wanted to take my life. Now though, I think I’m ready to commit to our relationship one hundred percent. Meaning, I want to become intimate with you.”

Roz blushed, shuffling her feet while she twirled a strand of her jet-black hair. “This is certainly good news. But—um—there is something else I would like to get off of my chest, so to speak.”

“What’s wrong? You look upset.”

Roz shook her head. “I am not upset exactly. More like… embarrassed? Oh, Johnny! The problem is that I haven’t had sex with another man in what feels like forever! I fear that I am—what is the English phrase—a little rusty. I don’t want our first time to be boring or awkward.”

Johnny placed his hands on her shoulders, rubbing them gently as a gesture of comfort. “That’s ok. We’re in the same boat, Roz. I haven’t been in a relationship for years. Look—why don’t you lay down on the blanket and spread your legs for me. I want to make you feel good.”

“But you are so hard! Don’t you want me to take care of that first?”

Johnny chuckled. “Sure am. But I don’t mind waiting a bit. Relax. Let me take the lead instead.”

Roz began to cry and sniffed as she laid on her back, spreading her legs apart so that Johnny could access what lay between them. “Fret not, for these are tears of happiness! Shall we begin?”

Taking his cue, Johnny crawled onto his knees and used his fingers to spread apart Roz’s delicate, salmon pink folds. As he drew closer, he could smell a slight floral aroma, clear evidence that she dabbed a bit of perfume around her pubic hair. He began by running the tip of his tongue along the edges, causing Roz to let out a sound that was somewhere between a gasp, a giggle, and a snort. Whatever the noise was, she sounded cute doing it. Without hesitation, Johnny dove right in, plunging deeper into Roz until his tongue was fully immersed inside.

Using an old trick he’d learned from previous girlfriends, Johnny swirled his tongue in a circular motion, eliciting an immediate reaction from his curvy Russian lover. Roz gripped the edges of the blanket and curled her toes as an electric wave of pleasure radiated from stomach outward, making her feel like a quivering pile of jelly. Johnny continued, utterly relentless in his quest to pleasure Roz, teasing the stud piercing with his finger at the same time. Roz arched her back, letting out a throaty moan. Mere moments later, Johnny’s face was slick with her essence.

Only then did he stop. Johnny laughed when he saw his lover panting heavily, skin flushed. “I have not… cum that hard… in… a very long time. Sorry if I made a mess on your face.”

“No worries. You taste pretty good, Roz.”

“What exactly do I taste like?” She asked with some hesitation.

Johnny tapped his chin in thought. “S’not a particularly strong flavor. Neutral for the most part but there’s a hint of sweetness right at the end. By the way, I love the perfume you used.”

Roz smiled bashfully. “Good. I was hoping that you would like it. The scent is one of my favorites. An import from my homeland. A combination of lavender and rose oil.”

Before he could ask her what brand of perfume it was, Johnny’s heart began to race when Roz giggled, then braced herself against Old Sampson. With a sultry wink, she wiggled her plump pale rump enticingly. At a loss for words, the young brewer chose to admire his lover’s curves in silence. “I have been waiting a very long time for this moment, Johnny. You know how much I want you right now. Just imagine how easily you could slip inside of me. I won’t resist~”

Johnny waddled forward, grabbing hold of his shaft so that he could line it up with Roz’s glistening lips. He tried his best to be a gentleman and insert himself a little bit at a time. However, Roz was so slick from her previous orgasm that he ended up bottoming out after pressing his hips against her backside with the slightest amount of pressure. Had they not been alone together, outside, Johnny would have been mortified by the guttural moan that came out of Roz’s mouth. He paused for a moment, trying to get more comfortable.

“Are you ok?”

Roz panted. “Da. I am fine. It’s just that… I was not expecting to be stuffed so quickly!”

“May I start moving?” Johnny asked.

“You may. Bozhe moy! Your penis is so thick! Much more so than I realized…”

Johnny chose to ignore her embarrassing comment about his equipment. Even though, he supposed, it was a compliment of sorts. As expected, when he began to fuck Roz in earnest, her inner walls coiled around him like a warm, slippery vice grip. Johnny had to pause a few times and pace himself, lest he cum too quickly before Roz had a chance to enjoy another orgasm. Judging by her near constant mewls and moans, Johnny decided that she would be satisfied no matter how long he took to release his load. While the wet smacking sounds of flesh meeting flesh, pervaded the air, Roz managed to collect her thoughts enough for a single comment.

“Nghh! Don’t… worry… about pulling out. Fill me with your baby batter, Johnny!”

Johnny clenched his butt cheeks together and pushed forward as far as he could go, letting out a primal grunt of pure, unadulterated pleasure. All of the sexual tension that had been building up since he’d met Roz was released all at once while he pumped her full of his milky white seed. She screamed in response, coating his legs and the blanket below in a shower of her own cum. Sweaty and panting, Roz’s grip on the tree loosened and she collapsed onto the ground. Johnny soon followed, cuddling up next to her while they watched the clouds float by.

Roz leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, moya lyubov. That was wonderful.”

“Whew. I haven’t cum that hard since… damn. I can’t even remember.”

Roz ran her hand over his pecs. “What’s important is that we can do so again. Many more times in the near future, I hope. Sexual compatibility is a big part of lasting relationships, no?”

“Maybe. I’m not what you’d call an expert on the subject.” Johnny replied honestly.

“Neither am I. However, I am confident that we can make this work.”

Johnny slowly rose to his feet, peed in a patch of grass by the tree, and let out a sigh of relief while he flushed out the leftover cum from their love-making session. Roz squatted beside him and did the same. Her complete lack of hesitation made him laugh. Only after he finished his business, did Johnny realize that the blanket they’d used was soaked in all sorts of unsavory fluids and would need to be laundered immediately. Not to mention, they reeked of sweat & sex and would need to take a shower before the rest of the Apple family arrived home.

Hand in hand, the young couple took their time walking back to the farmhouse, content to enjoy the weather and presence of good company. Roz began to share more details regarding her personal life, like what kind of music she enjoyed listening to, her favorite places to shop, and the topic of food inevitably popped up again. Johnny felt more comfortable around her than before, but he still wasn’t quite ready to open himself up to her fully. At least, not yet. Trust took time to build even when there was a solid foundation to begin with.

When they opened the door, a single bark heralded the arrival of Winona, along with the skittering sound of her paws against the wooden floor boards. She approached Roz and Johnny more cautiously than before, sniffing the air a few times and whuffing. Even though she was a dog, Johnny realized that Winona could smell what they’d done and blushed accordingly. He crouched on his haunches and ruffled the dog’s fur offering her a sincere apology.

“Don’t worry, girl. We’re going to take a shower soon enough. Uh… tell ya what. If you keep this a secret between us, I’ll share some of my Cajun beef jerky with you. How’s that sound?”

Winona barked in response and began wagging her tail.

Roz leaned over and whispered in Johnny’s ear. “Winona is quite the clever puppy-dog. Do you think we should be more careful about fucking in your room whenever she is around? Even though I have been a nudist my entire life, I am not keen on the idea of being barged in upon by curious family members. Furry or otherwise, if you catch my meaning.”

Johnny chuckled while rubbing the back of his neck. “Today was an exception to the rule, rather than the norm. We should probably—erm—engage in those sorts of activities elsewhere. There's too many people living here to get any semblance of privacy. Plus, the walls are pretty damn thin. As for Winona, she knows where her bread is buttered. We should be fine.”

Roz sauntered up the stairway with a wicked grin. “Assuming that we focus on getting clean~”

Johnny felt his penis stir to life once again at the sight of his girlfriend’s jiggling rump but chose to push his baser instincts aside. He joined Roz in the upstairs bathroom a few moments later. “No funny business in the shower. We’re only doing this to freshen up. I mean it, Roz!”

Roz crossed her arms underneath her breasts and pouted. “Boo! You’re no fun, Johnny!”

“We can snuggle in my bed afterwards, ok?” The young man suggested.

Roz appeared to consider his offer, tapping her foot against the tiled floor. “Very well. I agree to your conditions. BUT! You must let me stay over for dinner tonight. Sex always makes me hungry. Even now, I can hear my tummy rumbling. Oh! Do you think Applejack could rustle up some fried chicken? And those biscuits with the sawmill gravy are to DIE FOR!!!”

“Honestly, I have no clue what’s in the pantry. I’d have to take a look.”

Roz smiled sheepishly. “I keep forgetting that you are not culinarily inclined. No matter! I’m certain that your family keeps plenty of tasty food around. Even if it is not fried chicken and biscuits. What about apple fritters? Surely, there are enough apples around to make a batch.”

Johnny sighed after turning the hot water knob. “Shower first, food later.”

True to her word, Roz behaved herself during their shared bathing experience. Afterwards, the couple decided to snuggle in Johnny’s bed until supper time like he had promised earlier. Without a shred of hesitation, Roz latched onto her boyfriend like an oversized teddy bear, nuzzling him and whispering sweet nothings in her native tongue. Johnny had no idea what a word of it meant, but he could tell Roz was happy and that was all that mattered in the end.

Only a short time passed before Roz’s soft snores echoed throughout the room. Yet, Johnny remained awake, staring vacantly at the clock radio sitting atop his dresser. The Manehattanite reflected on the events of their second date, and everything else that had happened beforehand. For the first time in years, he felt… content. Dare he say: true happiness? A sense of purpose?

All the defenses Johnny had built up to help shield himself and Babs from the harsh realities of their previous life, lowered, if by just a tiny bit while wrapped in Roz’s embrace. It would still take a while to wrestle his demons and finally put them to rest, Johnny mused, but eventually, he could see himself calling Ponyville home. A real home. Not some ramshackle apartment downtown that he was forced to dwell in due to circumstances beyond his control.

“Yeah,” Johnny muttered after a yawn, “Ponyville ain’t so bad after all.”