The lively group of six had first convened at Rainbow’s house, the one closest to their end destination and best suited to whatever prep that was still required of them. Though Applejack certainly had the superior kitchen between them all, to begin machinations for a surprise party at the place where it would be held was deemed unwise. There would be no dishes to put away, no mess that would require cleaning. This was to be a party for her benefit and amusement, and work after celebration would not do.

And there would be more than just a birthday to celebrate, anyway.

Pinkie stood at the edge of the island in the kitchen, eyes darting back and forth between opposing sides and waiting for one’s will to override the other. Her next choices would, after all, be determined by the outcome that came of this argument; the cake was all but done, one piping bag yet to be put to use and made to etch lettering atop the icing layer. The words that would be proclaimed, however, had yet to be decided and neither party seemed willing to cede ground just yet.

Rarity tried not to let her sigh echo too loudly. Frustrated as she was, it would be better to be in good spirits for the oncoming celebration rather than to arrive in a sour mood. What sort of good friend would do such a thing? But she needed to hold her ground on the matter, lest Rainbow potentially ruin everything. It was little more than crass humor that she desired, and would most certainly not do. “Rainbow,” she said, each word spoken slowly, “You cannot possibly think that such a thing would be appropriate. This is her birthday party.”

Rainbow Dash saw no reason to let the matter rest so easily. She knew just as well as anyone what would have transpired in Applejack’s house just last night; to call this just a birthday party seemed foolish. “And why not?” she challenged. “Jeez, she’ll think it’s funny, for gods’ sake. It is funny! Don’t pretend like we’re just coming over because she turned eighteen-”

“Darling, we are not going to write ‘Congrats on the sex’ on Applejack’s birthday cake!” Rarity said, perhaps a bit too hotly than she intended. Rainbow had a point that there was more to this celebration, but loathe was she to admit it. “That is beyond crude and she would be mortified. We will not ruin this party for her with off-color humor.”

“You helped buy Applejack a prostitute so she could get laid. How are you being self-righteous about this?”

“I am not being self-righteous!”

“Rainbow, it’s just not fitting. We should be just focusing on her birthday, not anything else,” Twilight countered, adding her voice into the mix. “If she wants to talk about anything that happened with Adagio, then that’s up to her.”

The prismatic girl scowled at this new interruption, displeased that her girlfriend was so swift to take a side against her. “Why are you on her side? You should be helping me out here-”

“No, I shouldn’t. You’re being ridiculous.”

“Ridiculous. Me?”

Pinkie possessed a front-row seat to the growing argument and found she disliked every facet of it. She had been eager to help plan a party, especially when given the opportunity to bake the hearty confection that would be the centerpiece of the affair. But now faced with the rising tide of displeasure, there was genuine fear that the fun might be long gone before the party even had a chance to start. A quick look over to the corner where Fluttershy stood, the quiet girl keeping herself at a distance so as to avoid the crossfire. When the two made eye contact, the unhappy confectionist gestured to the arguing group in a subtle plea for help.

Fluttershy could often be a source of calm in the midst of their wild group, her tranquil personality like water to a fire. But today she held no courage in her heart and gave a shake of her head; getting in between this argument seemed, at least to her, unlikely to help anyone. Especially when a couple was no at odds.

Pinkie scowled and gave up, deciding that her best option would be to just ignore the row and wait for it to be over. Seeing as Fluttershy had decided to be utterly useless, there was little else to do; and all she’d wanted to do was be helpful, but noo…

There came the sound of a door opening somewhere in the house and footsteps striding back towards the kitchen; Sunset Shimmer appeared from the entrance to the living room and found herself suddenly standing at the edge of a proverbial minefield without a clue as to why. When she’d left to use the bathroom only a few minutes ago, things had seemed fine; now three of her friends were practically shouting at each other and apparently keen on continuing. “Oh for the love of- what are you all doing?”

“Darling, would you please tell Rainbow Dash that her idea for Applejack’s cake is completely idiotic?” Rarity asking, beseeching the help of her girlfriend in the matter. “She would love to be her crass, uncultured self and degrade this birthday party into base debauchery-”

“Aw, you act so high and mighty. You helped buy AJ a hooker, what have you got to be uppity about?” Rainbow sneered.

“It’s a birthday cake. Not a sex party, it’s not about her virginity. Why do you want to make this weird?” Twilight asked.

“It’s gonna be funny, that’s why!”

“It absolutely would not b-”

Sunset had been looking forward to the weekend for a reason. She and Rarity had enjoyed a pleasant date just last night, they’d all combined their efforts to help give their dispirited friend a boost, and today they would celebrate her initiation into adulthood. To see it all come crumbling down because of this nonsense was displeasing at best, and enough to leave her rankled. “Oh for shit’s sake, are you all seriously doing this? It’s not about any of you!” She groaned. “Will you all just- hey shut up!”

The whole room did fall quiet, though a few stares remained mutinous. Rainbow felt certain that she was about to lose her case, Twilight thought the same, and Rarity was left unhappy by her girlfriend’s brusque manner in ending the argument. Sunset, however, could hardly care less.

“Pinkie!”

The baker had been swiping through her feed and doing her best to tune out the disaster, now summoned back to her senses by the call of her name. “Uh-huh?”

“Put whatever you want on there. Leave it blank if you want. I don’t care, just- do it, OK?” Sunset said.

“Yes, thank you,” Pinkie said, instantly rushing over to the untouched piping bag and beginning her work.

“You all need to chill the hell out. This is Applejack’s party, and if your bad moods ruin it, then I will ruin you,” Sunset warned. “Take a few minutes to calm down and when Pinkie’s done we’ll go. Agreed?”

None of them did, but there was little left to be said and their leader was not in the mood to brook an argument. Neither side had been satisfied, nor did it seem they would be. “Agreed,” came the collective sigh.

Fifteen minutes later and the six girls were off, heading out of town and into greener country. Pinkie led the way in her aged pickup, with Sunset following close behind. It would have been better if they’d all been able to pack into one vehicle, but the numerous games and foodstuffs meant that a whole seat would have to be occupied; one car ferried people while the other was stuffed with party supplies.

The journey over was quiet, though not of a serene nature. Sunset knew she was the cause of her girlfriend’s displeasure even if she had yet to say it; so what that Sunset had called both of them unreasonable, and rightfully so? If Rarity wanted to be angry, then hell nor high water could hope to dissuade her. It would only be a matter of time before she spoke her mind and the matter would have a chance to be put to rest.

As if on cue, Rarity gave a grumble. “You dealt with that poorly,” she remarked.

Sunset rolled her eyes, a small sigh escaping her lips as she braced herself. “Neither of you were handling it well. If I have to come in and play lawman, then that’s what I’ll do.”

“But Rainbow was being unreasonable! Why on earth she thought we should-”

“She had, at least, a fair point,” Sunset interjected.

“Excuse me?”

Sunset gave her girlfriend a side-eyed glance. “What did we all pool up to buy Applejack as a birthday gift? Be honest now.”

Rarity knew the answer but was not in the mood to yet admit it. “So you think we’re heading out here to celebrate Applejack losing her virginity,” she said drily.

“I mean… a little. I am a bit curious to see how different she’s gonna be now that she’s gotten laid.”

“Darling!”

“What? I’m being honest,” Sunset said. “Besides, we can celebrate both. It’s not like that’s bad.”

“But don’t you think that’s rather indecent?” Rarity countered.

Sunset mulled the thought over for a moment before simply shrugging. “Is what it is, I guess,” she said. “Besides, I just wanna have some fun. You’re not going to ruin it by trying to stay mad at Rainbow, are you?”

“I will not, thank you,” Rarity huffed. “And don’t you do the same by staying mad at me.”

Sunset sighed and accepted the outcome. There was no likelihood she could get a better result by arguing further.

The ride carried on in silence, Sunset keeping eyes on the road while her companion allowed her gaze to drift out to the countryside that flew by them. It was lovely, really; the rolling hills of green occasionally marked by open fields and what animals dwelt in them. Horses would meander by the fences, perhaps watching the cars go by in the hopes of amusement. It was a peaceful thing to see; no wonder Applejack loved her homestead so deeply.

“I was wondering something,” Sunset said aloud.

Rarity still begrudged her, but took the bait nonetheless. “And what’s that?”

Sunset bit her lip, pondering if she should even say it. “What… uh, what are we gonna do if- well- if she’s still out there?”

“Sunset, she lives out- oh.” Rarity hadn’t fully cottoned on at the start, now swift to connect the dots. “Darling, I highly doubt she would be. Whatever would make you think she might?”

“Eh, just a thought. Because Applejack might try to be nice or something. No good reason, really,” Sunset answered.

They arrived as stealthily as car engines would allow, the group of secretly gathered girls moving up towards the farmstead with numerous items in hand, Pinkie in the center and holding a hefty chocolate cake in her arms. The tension from earlier had all but dissipated and now replaced by excitement. There was so much fun ahead, and they would have plenty of reasons to keep it going all day long. But most of all, they were glad their friend- well, would not feel quite so lonely any longer. There was just the matter of pulling off the surprise now, and then-

Twilight leapt out of the pickup cab and instantly became rigid. “Uh-oh.”

It took no time figure out what had drawn her attention. The door was left ajar, simply hanging open. The eager excitement dissipated instantly, its void now filled by anxiety. Had something happened? They knew Adagio had been something monstrous in the past, but certainly she hadn’t-

“Applejack?” Sunset was the first at the door and dared to poke her head through. “You OK in here?”

The group of girls slowly entered the house and thankfully found nothing much amiss. No sign of a struggle, no mess. What looked like a half-drunk glass of bourbon sat on the coffee table in the living room, but that was all. What was going on?

Sunset and Rainbow moved into the kitchen and found Applejack at the table. Sitting quietly before an empty tabletop, dressed in an old grey robe and staring down at a cacophony of notes and scribbles the likes of which they couldn’t imagine. Their ever-strong friend looked absolutely feverish, if not stricken; the despair in her eyes held their attention- and the longing just beneath it. “Applejack..?”

The blonde farmgirl took note of her companions at last, no flicker of surprise upon her features. She remained absolutely fixated on something else, far away and not present in their midst any longer yet one that still held the whole of her attentions all the same. Perhaps she still saw out beyond this place or hoped for a word that would help her find it, for out into the world came a croaking voice ravaged by unhappiness as Applejack said, “Where is she?”

~Six years later~

“Found you.”

She had done everything possible to avoid ever hearing those words from that voice. Made every effort, done whatever she could to prevent their existence. So much time, so many, many miles across a world that seemed far vaster than the one in which she had once belonged. There was no more she could possibly have done to prevent seeing that face again, right up to the very end; now here they both stood, amidst this unwelcome reunion that had been well-delayed for oh so long.

Adagio wanted to recompose herself; she needed to be the one in control here, maintain the tone and fire in which they would speak. This was a moment that needed to be cut short, and soon; the longer Applejack was able to speak, the more likely the farmgirl was to win out. This was not to be a game of wills, not if she could help it. Better to be curt and swift. But oh, the struggle of it! The Siren was used to the finest of things in life, at ease amidst the elite more than she was anywhere in the world. Lavish décor, fine clothes, resplendent jewelry, nothing less than the absolute best that money –if not more- could buy; opulence was a key facet of her world.

And then there was Applejack. Beautiful, wonderful Applejack who stood out like a sore thumb amidst all this excess finery. Lightly tanned skin that coated a tall figure, a few more inches added to her height since they had last met; that blonde hair glowing like the colors of pale gold, knotted into an elegant braid and falling to just beyond her shoulder. The red A-line dress that fell to just below her knees suited her so perfectly, all of it put together and giving the farmgirl a natural, classical beauty that so eloquently clashed with the modernity all about them. She was, and of it Adagio was sure, one whose loveliness went far beyond the simple appearances. And she so deeply needed to not be here.

“You should leave,” Adagio said, words so flat they may as well be final. She had tried to retreat to her room, the opulent mansion having been her home for the past several days. Some of the girls had been hired to provide entertainment and company for the party alone, but as one whose reputation preceded her- well, Mr. Maremmano had been interested in knowing her a little more personally. To have agreed was a mistake, one that she feared would come to bite her; to see Applejack potentially be harmed by the fallout was something her conscience couldn’t handle.

“Why?” Applejack asked.

Adagio hesitated. This woman would know a lie no matter how well she tried to spin it; should she just bite the bullet and be honest? “Because it’s dangerous to be here.”

“Then you shouldn’t be here, either,” Applejack replied. “Is it dangerous for you, too?”

Across her mind like a bolt of lightning were flashes of last night and the Siren knew that she visibly winced. The floor-length gown was the least sensuous of her entire wardrobe, showing as little skin as she could manage; to showcase the aftermath of Maremmano’s work might be taken as an act of rebellion and lead to even worse consequences. If Applejack even had the smallest hint of such a thing…

“It might be,” Adagio admitted in a tight whisper.

“Then I can’t just leave you here,” Applejack insisted. “Let me get you out here, please. We’ll go back home and you can take all the time you need to rest, no one’ll make you do a thing-”

“Home? What home?” Adagio asked; she fell back against the edge of the bed, exasperated by this woman’s ridiculous insistence. “Applejack, I don’t have a home, OK? I’m a whore-for-hire, how is this something you don’t remember? I go wherever I’m paid to.”

“You do have one. Well- if you want to,” The blonde said. “I’ve got a bed waiting for you at the farm. Clean sheets, there’s even a whole new wardrobe for you if you feel like it. You’ve just got to come with me.”

The old memories were flooding back with a vengeance despite how fiercely she fought to hold them at bay. It had only been one night, not even a full day’s worth of time. But the warmth of a place that felt so thoroughly lived in was hard to forget; and how Applejack had treated her, tried her absolute best to be the perfect host, even unwittingly romanced her. She had meant to only provide a simple service and then leave, but the farmgirl had seen fit to offer her a place to stay for the night- she’d even offered to make her breakfast. It had been more than what Adagio knew she was worthy of, even memory feeling too heavy for her heart to bear. A place like that, especially when it would now be brimming with family she had avoided, was not somewhere that the Siren belonged.

“I can’t,” Adagio said. “You need to leave.”

“I’m not leaving you here,” Applejack said again, voice so calm yet firm all the same. “If this place isn’t safe for me, then I don’t want you to stay here either. I can’t just leave.”

“Well you’d better, because I really doubt you got an invitation to be here,” Adagio said; try as she might to contain herself, her words were leaving her lips tinged by emotion slowly unraveling. This was taking too long already, will crumbling the longer they spoke. “How did you even find me, I’ve known you were on my tail for the past six months-”

“I thought might have seen me at Manehatten. You caught me sneaking around the top boxes, right?”

“That doesn’t matter! None of it matters! You shouldn’t be here and you need to get out before someone finds out. Why are you even here in the first place?” Adagio cried.

The calm fervor in the farmgirl’s jade eyes flickered, gaze faltering as she was faced with professing a long-buried secret. “You know why,” she murmured.

Of course she did. Because she felt the same, had so stupidly fallen in love with the first person who had wanted to treat her as more than just a piece of meat or a sex toy- had wanted to tend to her needs, see her satisfied, actually cared for. For the first time in all her life, she’d actually been valued simply because, no conditions or strings attached. But that was a pure, gentle love that Applejack held in her heart- too good for one so deeply smeared as her. Every lash, every blow upon her body, all her use and so much more was exactly what she’d deserved. To assent to the farmgirl’s will would be to deny what punishment needed to come her way.

“That’s a stupid reason and you know it,” Adagio said, finding her voice thick as she had to give a watery sniff. “What do you think that’s going to change? Like I’m somehow actually going to be that girl you remember from years ago? I’m not worth this trouble, I’m just… you are too good for me.”

“There ain’t no such thing as ‘too good,’” Applejack said softly, coming to lean against the dresser from across the bed and perhaps catch the Siren’s jeweled eye. “I’ve made up my mind, and no one’s gonna ever change that. That can matter to you, if you want.”

It mattered more than anything else in all the world, but to admit it would be an acceptance of defeat. She had to keep fighting, hold her crumbling will up even if it killed her. Adagio would not be the harbinger of another death, not again; she was where she belonged, no matter what this wondrous woman could possibly say. “Please get out of here,” Adagio whispered. She kept her head bowed, hoping that the tears would remain unshed for just a moment longer. “I do not belong in your world, and you know it. You chose wrong, please just admit it.”

“I’m not changing my mind. And I never will.”

“Because you’re stupid,” Adagio countered.

“Just stubborn,” Applejack said.

“That, too,” The Siren sniffed. “Please, Applejack, just… you deserve better than anything I could give you.”

“Can I try to change your mind?” Applejack asked.

She gave a short, bark of a laugh, feeling the tears stain her makeup and burn at the skin beneath. “What could you possibly say that could convince me I’m wrong?”

“Will you listen to me for a bit? Just for a little bit?” Applejack pressed. The moment’s hesitation between them was enough for her to recognize assent, even if only given half-heartedly. “Try this. OK? Just for a little while, and maybe you’ll think a bit better about it. You- come with me. Come live on the farm for just a week- just a week-! And see what you think. If you like it, you can stay for as long as you want. You’ll live there with me, you’ll have a home for the rest of your life!”

“And if I don’t?” Adagio challenged.

Applejack hesitated; the cheeks turned pale beneath those spattering of freckles. “Then… then you can go. And I won’t try to stop you ever again. I won’t follow, I’ll say my goodbyes and that’ll be it. I promise.”

It was too much of a risk to take. Seven days did not seem like much to the farmgirl, but Adagio knew it would feel like eternity for her. A whole week was plenty of time to be persuaded, to feel comfortable and let emotions take hold where rational sense had once gripped tight. And to spend it beside the one she loved, who loved her in return…

But to stay here was dangerous. Applejack needed to leave here, sooner rather than later. If she was found out and Adagio had to watch her die- the thought was too horrible to finish. The safest thing she could do was to temporarily accept; endure the week of time in Applejack’s company and not allow herself to be swayed by any emotional crescendo. Stay firm, stay true, and then disappear into the night forevermore. But for now, she needed to acquiesce lest she lose this girl to eternity.

“Why do you even love me?” Adagio asked.

“I’ve got my reasons. I’m hoping to find a few more.”

“You’re stupid.” A bald-faced lie, but she felt the need to say it nonetheless. “We need to leave. Quickly, as quietly as we can.”

Applejack’s face split into a grin, smiling so wide it was as though she might burst from happiness. A temporary victory, a battle won even if the war raged on- but she’d won! “I’ve got my truck waiting for us outside the gate. How fast you think you can move in those shoes?”

“Screw them,” Adagio said, chucking her platform heels into the corner. “I’ll go barefoot.”

“Do you need to grab anything? A wallet, phone or-”

“No. Please, let’s go,” Adagio insisted. She’d been gone from the party too long already, her presence too heavily required for absence to not be noticed. “When we get back into the crowd, don’t make eye contact with anyone, do you understand? Especially not anyone wearing a rose lapel.”

Applejack nodded and said nothing, merely rising back to her feet and offering an outstretched hand. “I missed you.”

The words arrived just as she took that hand in her grasp, potent and so full of warmth that her heart hurt from their presence. Someone had missed her, for the first time in her life.

The two women reappeared at the perfect time, though they were too anxious to take note of it. All eyes were upon the magnificent cake that had just been wheeled out from the kitchens and into the crowd rather than upon two women who made towards the doors. The security that had manned the front entrance were too occupied with the smoking of their fine cigars than to heed the twin souls that departed the festivities much too early in the night, even if one of them was a red-haired beauty that their employer so violently adored. Out into the depths of the night did they walk, waiting for the gloom to consume their silhouettes before they at last dared to run, dashing off past the gates of the estate and into the cab of an aged pickup that was so unlike the decadence of vehicles that surrounded it.

“Drive. Get us out of here,” Adagio pleaded.

“Doing just that,” Applejack replied, engine coming to life and soon seeing them speeding down the road and away from the terror.

So it was done. She was to walk free, even if it were only for a little while. But once this retreat was done, who would it be that would demonize her next? Another soul, another monster, shadowy figures of her imagination enough to make Adagio fret. Her desperation for continued survival was beginning to put her in harm’s way, and one day it might be too much for her to escape from.

“We’ve got a long way to go,” Applejack told her as they drove alone. “You should get some sleep, we probably won’t get back until morning.”

All night? How was she supposed to sleep when the fear in her bones was still shooting through her so powerfully? Adagio couldn’t imagine how on earth she might find sleep. But the more she lay there, feeling the comfortable rumble of the truck atop road, the slight warmth against the cool night air, the more her heartbeat slowed and weariness crept in to fill the void. She felt so heavy, so deeply tired. Maybe she should still be afraid, keep watch for anyone that might make pursuit of them. But she was with Applejack, and her mind told her that was safety enough. Maybe she could close her eyes after all.

Author's Note

I promised I'd get it done, didn't I? Enjoy the road, I guess.

Next update tomorrow. Expect one each day until completion.