Jack of all Trades

Being short on funds was never a good feeling, especially when one ran a pretty succesful business. Applejack had spent the last two days with her little sister exploring the sights and sounds (and smells) of Manehatten; the most cosmopolitan place on the planet! Visiting Aunt and Uncle Orange after all these years seemed like a fine idea, after all Applebloom had never even met the two. They were doing fine, his business in accounting and hers in marketing had prospered over the years, both of them had moved up in life to a larger apartment to boot. Of course, they had money to spare but Applejack wanted no part of that. It didn’t sit right with her to borrow somepony elses money. Right now, the moderate amount of funds Applejack had brought with her on this trip was in danger of drying up, and this street vendor she’d been arguing with for the past two minutes was the root her current distress.

“Eight darned bits for a dog in a bun? Are ya’ll out of your plum-pickin’ mind?” she scolded, glaring at the vendor.

The vendor, who was not out of his plum-picking mind, snorted, “Listen country girl, them’s the prices here in Manehatten. You don’t like them? Don’t buy ‘em. So get lost! You’re holding up my customers.”

Applejack fumed, “C’mon Applebloom, we’ll get some grub from somewhere that ain’t gonna scam us outta our budget.”

Her little sisters’ stomach growled a little louder than before “Ya sure we can’t have jus’ one thing to eat from the cart? Ahm really hungry sis.”

“Quit your whinin’, there’s food back home in the apartment I reckon.”

“But ya said yerself that Aunt and Uncle Orange eat less than rabbit food remember?” pouted Applebloom.

Applejack grumbled a response, recalling exactly what she’d said about her relatives slight eating habits. It was getting late, and they were both hungry for some good hearty food but right now it was better off going home for some grub on the house instead of emptying her own coffers for a low grade meal from the overpriced street vendors. Glancing back at the line of ponies at the cart once more, she set her eyes forwards for home.

***

The walk to the apartment felt longer than usual. They had to cross the road several times to dodge work zones punctuated by jackhammers and the occasional tightly packed sidewalk. The two Apple family girls entered, taking the lift up to the tenth floor. With a steady hoof she knocked on the door twice and it opened.

“Applejack! Applebloom! Where in Celestias name have you been all day?” cried Uncle Orange with concern in his voice.

Applejack rolled her eyes “Jus’ sightseein’ Uncle Orange. There’s alotta sights to be seein’ around this city, an’ I wanted Applebloom here to see ‘em all before we turn tail for Ponyville tomorrow.”

“Oh not yet sweetie, see, we’ve got a little surprise in store for you two girls,” smiled Aunt Orange warmly.

Applebloom jumped up excitedly, “A SURPRISE!? What is it? What is it?!”

Aunt Orange chuckled “Julius and I thought for a bit on how to make your visit to fair Manehatten all the more special for you, so before you departed this fine city you’d have something to remember it by. Regarding that notion, we have procured four tickets for The Griffon King that starts in half-an hour.

“OMIGAWSH I’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO SEE THAT ONE!” shrieked Applebloom at the top of her voice. Applejack and her relatives winced, ears flattening against their heads.

“We know sweetie, so that’s why we’re off now to procure some refreshments before the play begins,” Aunt Orange stuck the tickets in her designer purse “and off we go!”

“Hold on ‘ere a spell,” Applejack put a hoof up. “If ya don’t mind I think I’ll be sittin’ this out.”

They all gasped as if this were terribly shocking news. Applebloom looked up at her with puppy-dog eyes “Why don’t ya wanna see the play?”

Applejack shuffled on her hooves “Well, I’m none to partial to bein’ cooped up in a big ol’ room with tons of other ponies. Also I’m jus’ plain pooped to boot! I have been walkin’ you all ‘round Manehatten today haven’t I?”

“It’s the biggest thing on Broadway dearie!”

Applejack snorted “It ain’t my thin-”

“The cast will be closing its performance in two days time. This is quite possible the final time you will ever get a chance to see it.” Interrupted Uncle Orange, clearly exasperated.

“It’s not somethin’ I’d enj-”

Applebloom jumped up, pushing her forehooves into her sisters chest “Pul-eeeeeeze?”

She almost buckled at Appleblooms big golden-orange eyes shaking pleadingly at her, but Applejack etched a stern expression on her face “No thanks, I’ll jus’ be happier with a good nights rest under my belt ‘fore we head back to Sweet Apple Acres tomorrow mornin’. Now thank ya kindly, but I’m declinin’ here.”

The two cosmopolitan ponies looked helplessly at each other, before they both sighed in defeat and began walking to the elevator. Applebloom followed, before turning one last time to look at her sister, then disappearing behind sliding steel doors.

***

The sun was just sliding past the horizon when Applejack stepped back outside. Sure she had told them that she’d be trying to sleep, but this city never did anyways. Even if she DID try to sleep the city noise would keep her awake, and she’d take up thinking again about life here. A life she passed by years ago. It was all she’d thought about since arriving, nagging at her during lunch, filling her dreams at night. She thought about it back home too occasionally, even before thinking of this trip. This whole trip challenged her sleep cycles too, thanks in part to the hustle and bustle outside. Door swinging shut behind her she began trotting down the sidewalk without purpose, just to walk and drink in this city and perhaps tire herself out a little before turning in for the night.

The city ponies still bustled through the city even this late in the hour. Passing by vendors she could hear the ponies hawking goods to her left and right. A new saddle for the lady? A new hat to replace the dusty one on her head? Fresh produce! Fresh shrimp! Cheap fruit! Cheap fashion! Applejack smiled as she walked past, not wanting to be rude despite the rest of the city being so blunt. Craning her neck upwards she took a look at the pink sky. She could spot a multitude of Pegasi coasting between buildings tugging their advertisement banners behind them touting merchandise and events. Tulleys Terrific Turnips screamed one green-gold banner; Photo Finish Photog Event! detailed an electric blue tapestry. Applejack chuckled, seeing one banner bearing Hoighty Toightys haughty visage and Raritys cutie mark to boot.

There was a breeze rustling past her ears as the sun slipped past the horizon. Clad in blue, black and white a fair number of the police Pegasi flew past, nearly a dozen fluttering into the station above her. The streetlamps were suddenly ablaze in dull yellow flame, but it didn’t really illuminate much. For the first time Applejack felt a twinge of anxiety. The city was growing dark, she had wandered down some wayward street and now the police were packing in for the night? Applejack cast a nervous look about her surroundings.

There was crunching noise about the air, similar to that of sticks being snapped under hoof. Flicking an ear, she looked about trying to locate the curious sound. Tilting her head, she looked above her and gasped.

Some sort of creature was bursting out of a statue on the roof above her. Tiny flakes of rock scattered around her as it shook itself away from its stone casing. A huge batlike wing flapped at its side, joined by another before hooking together, cloaking the rest of its form. The rock on its face broke away, and it worked its jaw a few times. Unexpectedly, it turned its gaze directly down to look at Applejack, her green eyes met the two burning coals sitting under that furrowed brow, fierce, red as the sun. Spooked, Applejack bolted into the small shop next to her slamming the door shut behind her.

***

She gasped for breath inside the dimly lit shop. The smell of burning incense filled her nostrils, but all she could think about was the horrible monster she saw on top of the building. Yet nopony around her had paid any attention. Applejack couldn’t make any sense of it. Why didn’t they notice? Was she seeing things? She wiped the sweat away that had formed on her brow. What was that thing?

“It is not a thing.”

Applejack yelped, swiveling her head around “Who said that? Who’s there?”

“Come, further inside. Take a seat so I may explain what you do not yet know,” beckoned the voice sweetly.

Really preferring NOT to step back outside Applejack obliged the voice, trotting softly through a beaded curtain to the rear of the room. She sat down at the table across from a cloaked Equine, features obscured save for a single dim candle glowing feebly in front of her. The rest of the room was otherwise cast in shadow, the mare across from her began speaking.

“So, tell me now of this thing that frightened you.”

“It was darned big, with big ol’ bat wings that had hooks at the tips. I saw like talons like ya see on an eagle or owl at its claws and feet and it looked it me I swear lady it had fire in its eyes and-”

“-and what is it?” questioned the mare curtly.

“It was some kind of…shoot, I dunno,” admitted Applejack softly.

The candle brightened a little, the flame flickering despite the still air of the small room.

“You fear because you do not know,” the pony tilted her head to look straight at Applejack. “I will tell you now to release you of that fear. The creature that awoke outside at the setting sun has done so for centuries. He is a gargoyle.”

Applejack cocked an eyebrow “A garg-what now?”

“Gargoyles. They slumber in the suns rays, awakening in the moonlight to keep watch over this fair city. Fearsome they look, but with their existence crime here does not have the presence of mind to act during the dim hours of night.”

“So they ain’t monsters?” said Applejack with some relief.

The seer chuckled, “Only called that name by tourists such as yourself, if you received a look from one, it is to reflect the look you were likely giving him yes?”

Applejack blinked slowly “I…I didn’t know.”

“So now that you know the answers to your questions how do you feeeel?” asked the mare with a growing smile.

Applejack rubbed her hooves together, was this a trick question? “Uhhh…better?”

“EN-LIGHTENED!” shouted the mare vigorously, throwing her hooves into the air. All at once the room was alight in orange as every candle within lit up fiercely.

“I am Madame Vivian Visceri! Most gifted mare in all of Manehatten! Here to live my life to liven up the spirits of others!” she exclaimed, whirling the fire around her hoof like a glowing bracelet, before simmering away into the air.

“Thank ya kindly there, uh, Miss Viser, Visceri,” said Applejack tipping her hat at the little light show “Telling me about somethin’ I could have asked anypony off the street sure musta taken ya’ll a ton of effort right there.”

“Occasionally I make a spectacle of myself when it is clearly uncalled for, but now you will not fear the Gargoyle, for now you understand them, brings happiness to my own heart.”

Madame Visceri beamed at Applejack, who now noticed her eyes were of two different colors; one green and one light cerulean. The silvery cloak had fallen from her face, revealing a pale yellow coat and a shock of light curly red hair that cascaded down her form. Applejack was surprised to see the ‘Madame’ had such a fresh young face to pair with it.

“So, thank’s again for uh, tellin’ me about them gargoyles so polite-like of you,” smiled Applejack, rising from her seat, “even though it weren’t nothin’ too special.”

“But what is special Miss Applejack is the other question you have to ask,” sang the seer from across the table.

“I don’t have the faintest idea of what you’re talkin’ abou-,” she stopped, turning her head back at the smiling unicorn “wait a minute here, I didn’t tell you my name.”

“Names are easy, I am good with names Miss Applejack,” the unicorn beckoned her back to the small round table. Begrudgingly, she sat. “I am better with questions, and YOU…have a heavy question on your mind do you not?”

Her mind raced to that question. The one she’d thought about at home occasionally. The one that had crept into her thoughts every night before bed. Could this unicorn actually answer it?

“How’d ya know I have a question?” snapped Applejack a little more irritably than she liked.

Madame Visceri beamed “Not only do I know you have the question, but I know what it is too.”

Applejack scoffed, putting her hooves on the small table and leaning forwards “Then why in the hay are ya draggin’ this outta me? You’re right okay! I gotta question that I’ve been thinkin’ about on an’ off for years so jus’ tell me the answer already will ya! It’s drivin’ me up the wall!”

The seer didn’t budge “I want you to say it out loud. It is much better that you hear yourself say it out loud. That way you know exactly what your question is…so you are not upset with your answer.”

“Well I wanna know…uh…I…” she sat back in her seat, her mind swarming with words. This question, the one she knew had been eating away at her. Now to form it on the spot like this was suddenly difficult. Shaking her head she steadied her breathing, closed her eyes and said “I want to know who I’d be like if I stayed in Manehatten.”

***

Madame Visceri squealed “SUCH a good question! OH! I never get questions like that anymore.”

Applejack watched the unicorn dart around the small room, pulling open drawers and digging through piles of scrolls, muttering excitedly to herself.

“Where will be my fortune? Who will be my love? UGH! What a waste of my talents to find ‘things’ when there are so many other tantalizing questions out there,” rambled Madame Vivian as she pulled a small thin needle out of the drawer “maybe not at the tips of their tongues like yours but still, a little brainstorming would not hurt anypony would it?” Satisfied with the small needles size, she pranced over to Applejack.

The orange pony cleared her throat “So, uh, what’s this pointy doo-hicky gotta do with my question?”

“Nothing, and everything!” she grinned, suddenly plunging it through her foreleg in a swift motion.

“Ouch! What in the hay ya do that for?!” barked Applejack rubbing at where she’s been pricked.

“To answer your question right there, I need some blood,” her horn glowed, and a long blonde hair from Applejacks tail was yanked out “and some hair.”

Now seething at the sudden invasion of her personal space Applejack stood up, ready to leave.

“Hold on a moment! You are going to stay for this!” cried Madame Vivian magically barring the way through.

“Ya’ll can let me through now, I’m done for…the night,” said Applejack firmly, but her voice trailed off as she glanced to the center of the table where an odd light show was taking place.

The unicorn had her full attention to the center of the table with her mismatched eyes shut deep in concentration. Madame Visceris horn was alight with power, shining brighter than before. The long strand of blonde hair plucked from her tail floated up, glowing pink, then orange, she watched the hair split in two, then four, then eight and before Applejack could make sense of the spell she had covered her eyes from the harsh light cast from the middle of the room, the humming of Madame Vivians magic growing ever louder until it reached a fever pitch, before dying in a sudden gust of wind.

“Whew, haHA! Open your eyes! Open your ears Miss Applejack!” sang out a pleased magician from across the room. Applejack did so, removing her hoof from her face.

Standing on the table was a glowing; slightly see through copy of herself. It was her in all ways possible. Applejack regarded the image of herself with wonder, walking around the table and looking at this amazing mirror image that the magician had conjured for her. Her Manehatten self was thinner looking than she was, much less muscular looking all around. The glowing mane and tail looked to be a brighter shade than her natural dirty blonde look. On her head was a tightly formed bun of blonde hair as well. The cutie mark at her flanks weren’t three apples, but a small delicate looking glass, with a slice of apple wedged in.

“So this is what I woulda looked like then huh? Shucks! Sure am glad I went home to Sweet Apple Acres now,” Applejack said contentedly to Visceri.

The unicorn blinked at her “You are satisfied with just what you see?”

“I’m plum happy with how I turned out compared to Miss fancy pants up here on the table,” Applejack motioned a hoof behind her “so wow, that’s a great weight off my mind!”

“You did not ask to see, you did ask for who you would have been,” corrected the magician with a frown “If you had really, truly wanted a picture, I could have provided one with much less effort and fanfare on my part.”

Now it was Applejack who looked befuddled “I ain’t followin’ ya here.”

“You felt, you saw. I took from one to make another. For you to absolutely KNOW what you know not,” prattled Madame Vivian, grabbing the confused pony and spinning her to look at her copy on the table.

The Applejack on the table was, of that moment no longer see through, in fact instead of hovering slightly above the table she was standing firmly on it, her chest rising and falling steadily as the magical glow slowly faded away from her coat. The candles in the room suddenly relighted themselves, illuminating her orange form on the table.

“You’re kiddin’ me right?” asked Applejack looking at her other self on the table. The other Applejack looked at her, then at Madame Vivian as if waiting for instruction.

“You may come down now, nopony here is making you stay up there,” said Madame Visceri sweetly.

“I didn’t want to be a bother Madame, interrupting you two in your conversation would have been quite rude,” said the other Applejack stepping down courteously. Applejacks jaw dropped open. The unicorn wasn’t kidding her.

“So now you will get to know more about yourself! Since this is a golden opportunity for you I shall not hold you here no more. Now out! Out and answer all your questions that have been brimming within for all those years!” said the excited unicorn pushing them both out the door. “This is a free of charge life experience. Have a good night Miss Applejacks!”

***

Technically she gotten exactly as she’d asked for. Now she did have every opportunity to find out more about her possible life choices. For only six hours or so when she had furiously knocked on the door to ask how long this fancy version of herself would exist. After receiving more info from the unicorn the two Applejacks had started to walk around town together, but Applejack had let her double take the lead, being somehow familiar with the great city than she was. The very first thing she wanted was some fashionable clothes to wear around, since the idea of walking around bare in Manehatten was apparently an excruciating thing for the pony. Nevertheless, she had settled on a fancy cashmere saddle to wear upon her back. It rustled her jimmies at how annoying she had turned out to be. As they argued back and forth on the necessity of fashion at the dead on night, Applejack gloated at the one thing she had won over her alternate self.

“How would you fathom that I would prefer the shortened version of my own name? Perhaps you enjoy that lovely moniker upon yourself, no doubt bestowed by your friends doing back home. I grew up a fashionable lady, here my name is already short yet you wish to cut it down to only two letters? It’s unbearable!” concluded the bothered double leading the way through Manehattens side streets.

Applejack laughed at her “Reckon ya’ll just have to live with it for the time bein’ ya fussbucket. I was here first ya know, so ya’ll gonna keep MY nickname until daybreak. Got that AJ?”

“Fine,” AJ jumped over a particularly large puddle of grease that had pooled onto the sidewalk, she scoffed when she saw Applejack walk right through it. “Do you have any care or pride in the way you carry yourself?”

“Course I do,” replied Applejack brightly. “I brush my teeth three times a day an’ I brush my coat twice a week!”

“Only twice a week? For goodness sakes you should tend to your coat as much as your mane,” AJ frowned “speaking of how often do you care for your hair?”

“When I remember to or if Rarity drags me to the spa,” said Applejack as she followed AJ across the street.

“Rarity?!”

“Yeah, Rarity, she’s only the most famous fashion designer ‘round Equestria! Or that’s what she says,” she chuckled “or likes to think.”

AJ had her jaw open, eyes shaking in surprise “You KNOW Lady Rarity?! The fashionista sponsored by Hoighty Toighty himself?”

“Sure as spit I do! She’s a real whiner, completely prissy, overly concerned with her image. I’d bet you’d get along real well,” goaded Applejack.

A shocked expression past AJs face “How could you say those things? Her fabulous designs are so flawless in their execution how could Lady Rarity be anything but perfect?”

“Every dog should have a few fleas,” she rolled her eyes at the confused look on her doubles face. “Nopony is perfect ya know.”

AJ turned left down another wayward street; it was darker than the others. All the lit lanterns had soft looking cotton balloons draped around them, muting the usual harsh yellow light it otherwise cast. One of the sunken entryways was lit by two smaller torches at the entrance. Applejack noted wispy strands of smoke drifting through the top of the door.

“What is this place here anyhow?” she asked walking up to the solid oak door. AJ knocked thrice with her hoof, the last knock punctuated stronger than the first two.

“Someplace to relax and indulge in Earthly delights. Tell me Applejack do you ever smoke?” she asked plainly as the door swung open. A shaggy camel stood in the doorway, his amber eyes scanning the two Applejacks.

“Hy-ookah? Toh?” he said gruffly.

“A bubbler for me and my sister yes please, one hose thank you,” said AJ politely, walking indoors. She motioned with her wavy tail for Applejack to follow. The inside of the place was quite large, and cool to boot despite the smoke hanging in the air. The lights were dimmed noticeably inside, not dark. Three tables were present, surrounded by comfortable looking sofas, chairs, pillows and cushions. One table was occupied by a trio of camels, toking from a large bubbler with two hoses engrossed in a game of mancala. The other two tables were bare; the camel who had let them in sat them down at the smaller one.

“Flav-horr?” he asked pushing a thin menu of options to them.

“You have Jasmine yes? I would enjoy some of that if you don’t mind,” AJ looked over at Applejack who was flipping the thin parchment back and forth “Mix it some apple too and fetch us some feta cheese on pita as well.”

The camel retrieved the menu, sashaying to the rear of the shop. Applejack watched him disappear before turning to AJ.

“Well, no for your information. I never really took up tobacco. I seen Macintosh puffing from daddies’ corncob pipe sometimes after a long days work. Rarity smokes those fancy shamncy cigarettes occasionally but smokin’ is something I never done,” admitted Applejack as she glanced over to the trio of camels. “I do like dip sometimes.”

AJ scrunched her face up in disgust “Chewing tobacco?” she said practically spitting the first word “if that isn’t one the most atrocious habits one could admit to partaking I don’t know what is.”

“Hey now missy, I didn’t even know what ‘hyookah’ was before wal-”

“Hookah,” corrected AJ “It’s pronounced hookah.”

Applejack snorted, annoyed again “Why thankee so darned much. I’m mighty glad you’re lookin’ out for my vocabulary. Anyhoo, I didn’t know what this stuff is now, but darnit, I’ll try it if ya think it’s relaxin’. Especially since all ya’ll been doin’ is gettin’ on my nerves.”

The camel returned, setting down a gilded lamp shaped bubbler. He gingerly slipped a coal on top, lighting it, and then handing the hose over to AJ who thanked him as he slipped back to the kitchen.

“It is quite relaxing. Maybe you will lighten up so we could pursue conversation that does not involve my higher standards for looking nice,” mused AJ wrapping her lips around the nozzle, inhaling deeply.

“If ya’ll didn’t fray my nerves about fashion the past hour or so I wouldn’t be so darned bothered,” retorted Applejack as AJ exhaled, then immediately began to inhale again, the coal on top glowing a brighter orange. “First thing ya’ll wanna do is get somethin’ to wear. I dunno how ya’ll knew the bank code for Uncle Oranges account, but that’s practically stealin’ and ya’ll shoulda been ashamed to do it!”

“Julius told me his account information when I started working for him, he doesn’t mind, or he won’t here at any rate. His coffers are stuffed with bits you know,” responded AJ blowing out some smoke into the air, she licked her lips “Starting out on the bottom rung of his ladder was not fun, but eventually I moved up, and picked up another job working underneath Hoighty Toighty.”

AJ handed the golden nozzle to the startled Applejack “Listen sug’ is there anythin’ else I should know about this stuff?”

“You inhale, close your eyes, hold the smoke, and savor the flavor,” AJ said placidly as Applejack took the hose between her lips.

“Awrighty,” Applejack inhaled deeply, focusing on not coughing on the smoke. The water near the bottom bubbled heavily, her mouth and lungs filled with the smoke. Applejack filled them to the brim, her eyes watering slightly, before holding for five seconds and exhaling it all through her mouth.

“That wasn’t so excruciating right Applejack?” asked AJ with a satisfied smile.

“Never thought I’d end up smokin’ an apple one day,”

“Its tobacco leaves,” corrected AJ quickly.

“I know that, and no, it actually weren’t too bad,” she replied smacking her lips. “I can taste the smoke it’s, well, it’s plum-tasty. I reckon I like hookah.”

AJ let out an airy little laugh, Applejack giggled herself “What’s so funny?”

“Welllll, we’ve been chatting, arguing for so much, and I realized that this is the first real thing we’ve agreed upon since leaving Madame Visceris shop,” announced AJ putting a hoof to her chin.

“We’re like two peas in a pod aren’t we then?” chuckled Applejack, she looked at AJ expectedly, wondering if she should pass the hose over, but with no otherwise indication decided to take another pull from the bubbler.

“Only in looks as so far, I’d say you and I do pass pretty well for twin sisters,” said AJ with a wink as Applejack leaned back in her chair to exhale the smoke, slowly this time as it drifted out of her mouth into the air. The camel returned to place a plate of warm triangular bread coupled with the requested cheese spread. AJ took the hose, watching Applejack taking tentative bites of the dish, then inhaling herself another time.

*

*

*

“I’m tellin’ ya, the whole thing jus’, it jus’ crashed right through the window. WHOOOM! I was hanging from the rope an’ everythin’ like. It was absolutely nuts I tell ya!” Applejack burst into fresh laughter at the memory, joined by AJ picturing the event in her head.

The two hours spent together in the hookah den practically flew by. They had burnt through many coals, sampled a variety of flavors, and had two dishes of that delicious cheese spread. The pair of orange ponies were happily lightheaded from the time spent smoking the flavored tobacco. They were both recounting stories from their lives, but Applejack found her doubles to be so droll, instead opting on detailing her own stories to AJ, eliciting a much more jovial response.

“Then what happened next?” asked AJ leaning forward on the table, hookah nozzle sliding away from her teeth.

“So then she, Rarity that, that fussybutt she is, was puttin’ away books. BOOKS! Of all things to be doin’ with half a tree lodged through the window,” she shook her head, her hat falling off her head onto the sofa. “So, then I apologized for not listenin’ and got her to turn the tree into these lil’ itty ornament things an’ I put the thing outside. It was jus’ too much for me to do, I was actually glad she was there to help.”

“Mmm, sounds like a fun night to me, a sleepover with the prettiest designer in Equestria, what a thought,” said AJ dreamily.

Applejack put a hoof to her mouth, snorting another laugh “What’s that? You wanna marry her or somethin’?

“Nooooo,” blushed AJ, averting her eyes “I’m just jealous is all you get to spend so much time with the pony I happen to idolize,” she returned her eyes to Applejack, half-lidded “perhaps I do have a little crush on her as well…”

“HAHA! Oh nelly I thought this night couldn’t get any funnier,” Applejack clutched her sides, lying on the plush sofa. “My own clone havin’ a crush on Rarity, ain’t that the dickens?”

“You don’t like Rarity much do you?”

“It’s not that AJ it’s just,” she blew some of her hair out of her face “just that she’s my friend, and I ain’t fixin’ to fall in love with my friends ya know? It’s weird.”

“Why is this concept so peculiar?” pressured AJ, her own green eyes gleaming through the smoky den.

Applejack shifted on the couch “Tain’t so strange to ya? Fallin’ for somepony that close to you? I think it is,” she giggled, thinkin’ of Rarity covered in mud again. “Me bein’ attracted to somepony like her, what a load of hooey!”

The trio of camels stood up from their table, shuffling to the back of the shop. Two of them began blowing out candles, making a show of cleaning up. Noting this, AJ stood up, just a bit woozy from the smoke.

“Time to depart I believe,” she said putting some bits onto the table “so let’s get moving back to Julius’ apartment.”

“Okey-doke!” agreed Applejack, who rolled off the couch onto the carpeted floor with a thump.

***

The walk home wasn’t simple, indeed it was anything but the way the two orange Earth ponies were carrying themselves. AJ, being the slightly more sober of the pair, led the way to the apartment, occasionally stopping to throw a wary glance to the teetering Applejack behind her. They received many odd stares from the occasional pony trotting past them and one concerned gargoyle even flew down offering to escort the pair back to their dwellings. Intimidated still by the grotesque form of the gargoyle, Applejack did not speak up during the trip home, only voicing her opinions of the impromptu escort until they were both safe inside the lift.

“He is UG-LY,” she said slumping against the metal grate, wobbling a little as the lift powered up.

“Gargoyles weren’t created to look nice you silly pony,” AJ replied watching the pale yellow floor numbers tick higher as they ascended the tower. “They’re supposed to frighten one into thinking twice about committing unsavory deeds in public.”

“They give me the willies is what they do,” she mumbled as the metal grate slid open. AJ snickered when Applejack struggled with the door NEXT to the Oranges apartment. Unlocking the correct apartment door she stepped inside, the now embarrassed Applejack following her stead to the guest room. Finally relieved of walking, she flopped onto the springy bed, crossing her hind legs and tipping her hat over her face. AJ disappeared into the small attached bathroom, running water sloshing into the sink as the door behind her swung slowly closed.

“So…I’ve been absolutely dying to ask. Do you have any intimate friends back home then?” called out AJ from the bathroom.

“Intimate? Naaaah, I’m way too busy with all my farmwork to bother with all that girly stuff, though I think about it from time to time,” she replied unenthusiastically.

“Is that so?” was the intrigued reply. “So then you spend sleepless nights fantasizing and dare I say, playing with yourself?”

“Hey!” Applejack glared at the bathroom door. “That ain’t none of your business!”

“Isn’t it though? After all what’s the concern if the way you think and feel never leaves this room. It surely won’t leave mine in a few hours regardless,” she responded coolly from the bathroom.

“Uh, well,” Applejack found herself blushing a little “Fine, I suppose when nights are particularly boring…an’ I’m sure everyponys asleep…I’ll just…have a lil’ me time.”

The water stopped rushing in the bathroom. The light clicked off and AJ stepped out. She had undone the bun in her hair, shiny blonde hair now freely cascading down her form, locks curling about her neck and bangs free to sway about her forehead. She’d removed the cashmere saddle she’d had on for the night. Applejack felt a fleeting twinge of jealousy at how beautiful she looked in the dim light of the room.

“How about you then AJ? Ya’ll better spill some of your beans too,” she demanded.

AJ trotted past the dresser to the small cooler in the room “I confess, I too lead such a busy life I find little time for relationships, but I do have fun in different ways. There’s a myriad of possibilities to liven up ones night, sometimes at social gatherings such as office parties one can discover those unique forays of enjoyment. Those one night stands are rather shallow, but again, fun.”

Applejack found her eyes looming along the curves of her doubles slim body as she sashayed across her path. Again was that envious feeling bubbling up in her thoughts. She felt so bulky compared to the lean figure of what she could have been. Her own muscles from all her hard days’ work bulging through her coat, making her look stocky. Ears falling a little, she sighed out loud.

“Somethings wrong?” quizzed AJ looking intently at Applejack.

“No…well yeah, it’s just, well, I shoulda figured ya’ll have much more experience than I ever would,” she looked up at her “bein’ that you’re in Manehatten an’ all an’ I’m jus’…well I ain’t as pretty as ya’ll neither.”

A shocked expression etched itself on AJs face “Don’t you dare say that! Ever again!”

“Huh?”

“You heard me loud and clear Applejack. Do not think of yourself so lowly,” AJ reprimanding her and walking to the bed. “You are a beautiful pony that should never think otherwise.”

“It’s true though, jus’ look at how darned pretty ya are compared to me. I’m so dumpy lookin’ an’ such,” Applejack stared into AJs stern emerald eyes, her eyes. “I never thought much of looks never ‘fore tonight an’ seein’ you, seein’ me. Nopony ever tells me I look nice.”

“You do. You are. We may be slightly different you and I but we are the same. Two peas in a pod you said earlier Applejack?” she smiled kindly at her. “We are the same pea in that pod.”

Her heart swelled at that sentiment, but sank again “You say that, but I never felt that way before. Walkin’ with you, I saw ya’ll getting’ all the attention. Them cat calls, the wolf whistles. I got jealous there. I’ll never know what that feels like I-mphmmff.”

AJ darted forwards, mashing her lips against hers and interrupting that last sentence in a fervent kiss. Applejack leaned away, scooting backwards across the bed to escape from this unexpected embrace. This was ineffective; AJ only followed her, clambering on top with her mouth still locked at hers. Hitting the beds backboard Applejack stopped, her orange opposite joined at her mouth, those piercing green eyes boring into her insistently. Not really sure what else to do, she stared back, letting open her mouth.

AJs tongue slid past her lips, teasing her own inside her mouth. Enticed by these new sensations, she reluctantly lets hers meet. Her eyes felt heavy, closing as she made out with her double. Kissing wasn’t something Applejack ever did like this, but AJ was insistent, firm with her tongue, breathing fast through her nose throughout. The flavored tobacco, still lingering on their lips, was tasted yet again between those sticky gasps of air they shared. Applejack craned her neck forwards, draping a strong foreleg around her neck to get a more comfortable angle. She rubbed her hoof up and down her neck, absently marveling at how soft, how smooth her golden mane was.

After a short eternity AJ broke the kiss, slowly removing her lips from the panting filly she had pinned beneath. The tiniest string of saliva breaking between the few inches of space that separated them. Applejacks eyes were still closed, mouth open as her own tongue, at first so awkward and unwelcome, remained at her lips, before closing it to look at AJ.

“Wow!” she breathed, her hoof still holding firm at her neck. “Where’d ya…learn to do that?”

“Here in Manehattan,” she replied, smiling “How do you feel?”

Applejack blinked “Golly that felt, I feel good now,” she grinned, suddenly very comfortable. “Didn’t know I’d turn out so kinky here in Manehatten either.”

“Dare I assume you want to live out one or more of your own fantasies then?” asked AJ with sudden heat in her voice, breathing into her ear. “We’ve got the night to ourselves.”

It was only a seconds consideration for her “I’m already feelin’ feisty. Alrighty let’s have some of that high-class fun.”

With a satisfied smile AJ rolled off the bed, skipping into the kitchen. Applejack took a few deep breaths to try and regain some composure. The apartment wasn’t cool compared to the den. She actually took it to be pretty stuffy herself. Eyes tracing over the silk laden sheets she noted the brass bedpost at the corner of the bed, then at the two to her left and right. Applejack felt a restless twist in her gut as an idea formed in her head. Something she had fantasized about before but never got to try. Applejack reached inside her hat.

AJ trotted back into the room, her mouth occupied with a small basket of goodies. She quickly set them on the floor.

“What are you up to now?” she inquired tilting her head.

Applejack has pulled a length of rope out of her dusty brown hat “I’ve always had a fancy for a lil’ rope play. Take this here end of the rope an’ tie ‘em to the posts round the backboard here.”

“You do not cease to surprise me,” chuckled AJ as she took the length of the rope, binding her forelegs to the bed posts. For good measure she used some of the silk bed sheets to tie her hind legs to the other posts near the foot of the bed. Applejack pulled a bit with her legs, seeing that they were good and tight.

AJ reached into her little basket, pulling out a large crystal glass. She set it down on the floor and began pouring something into it. Applejack couldn’t quite see, craning her head to get a better look. All she could spot was that beautiful pair of emerald eyes gleaming mischievously at her, framed by her long blonde hair. The smell was sweet though, wafting through the air and tickling her nose.

The striking mare slinked back to the bed, full goblet in her mouth, contents gleaming a golden yellow in the pale light of the warm room. She drew near, pressing her forelegs onto Applejacks lower belly, her touch being like a light feather to her soft stomach. Applejack let out a contented whimper, watching the glass slowly tilt onto the base of her neck.

A sticky liquid met her coat. Applejack knew what it was at once. Honey, warm golden honey pooling at her neck, traveling steadily down her coat, her chest getting completely slick with the confectionary sweet as it traveled so smoothly from the glass down the length of her stomach. AJ adjusted herself, letting the viscous fluids travel beneath her so as to not touch her own coat. Applejack let out a low whine, that heated, decadent fluid making contact with that already excited spot between her haunches. She quivered at the sensation, closing her eyes and pulling a little at her restraints, the urge to touch herself and the denial only serving to excite her even further.

The last drop fell from the glass; AJ tossed it to the side of the bed. There was sensation on her chest, like somepony just dropped some pebbles on her. Applejacks eyes snapped open, spotting several cherries resting in the honey along her coat. AJ leaned forwards, reaching for the first bright red cherry with her tongue. She cupped her lips around it, sucking it into her mouth with the cherry and kissing that spot on her coat. Applejack sighed again, her forelegs going limp at the sensation.

AJ traveled down her coat, taking each cherry into her mouth one at a time. Each time she lingered longer at her hide, going further down her form. Applejack groaned in pleasure, a little louder each time as her other self took the small red berries from her supine form, nibbling just a little at her coat, teasing with her teeth, tugging lightly at the skin. Her strands of long blonde hair bristling at her sides as she pecked her way down her stomach, nearing ever closer to that burning mound at her haunches.

Finally she did reach that private area, licking the pooled honey all around her. Teasing the folds of her eager lips, begging for the entry of that skillful tongue. Applejack grunted, pulling helplessly at her bindings, desperately trying to move her legs to meet that tongue so graciously sliding around her outer lips.

“Come ya, stop playin’ wit’ me!” she eeked out, writhing in the bed.

AJ chuckled, inches away from that honey-soaked entrance “Now now Applejack, if we’re going to have any fun you’ll just have to play my little game,” she said breathing heavily into her glistening folds, Applejack wincing at the hot panting against her “maybe I’ll clean you up if you were a little more…polite in your request?”

A tiny, almost imperceptible lick at the edge of her pussy “Please,” she muttered lowly turning her face into the satin pillow.

“What was that darling? Couldn’t hear you!” asked AJ playfully, another short flick at the bottom of her pussy.

“Please” peeped the bound pony again, her body heaving in the bed, aching for another gratifying lick.

“That just won’t do, you’re going to have to announce it louder or…you don’t get what you want,” the smirking pony taunted.

Applejack gasped, pulling harder at her restraints “PLEASE! PLEASE PLEASE PUH-LEEEEEEeeezooooh,” she cried out before her words dissolved away as AJ granted her riled form peace with her dexterous tongue. No time was wasted as she plunged into the depths of her soaked hole, the honey that seeped in already being drowned out by the hot juices flowing freely from within. Hungrily she lapped it up, some dribbling past onto Applejacks tail. Paying no mind to it she returned her interest back to her privates, licking all around her walls, earnestly massaging her stiff clit tenderly. Slipping a free hoof, she began absently rubbing herself down below, already heavily aroused.

The powerful sensations coursing through Applejacks body rose higher and higher. She felt extremely hot, the sticky honey mixing with the slick sweat oozing throughout her. Now engrossed in that pleasure she twisted wildly, her chest heaving as she gasped that muggy air of the room. It was all she could do as her skilled socialite doppelganger serviced her below, restraints holding her tight, each lick increasing the tightening pressure growing within. Like a hot bottle of pop being shook up in the sweltering sun. She screwed up her face, gritting her teeth, limbs aching as she pulled uselessly against them. That warmth, the hot boiling sensation from within grew hotter and hotter. Her breathing coming out in shorter, ragged pants as AJs tongue lathered her progressively faster.

Then like a twisted rope she unwound all at once, thrashing violently on the bed as that powerful feeling burst inside her, flooding her senses with the pure blissful ecstasy she had never felt before. Bucking her hips upwards she hollered to the heavens, arching her back as the orgasm rippled through her. Every fiber of her being vibrating with those powerful surges running under her skin. Thrusting her hips once more, she gasped, then collapsed herself back onto the bed, utterly spent by that powerful orgasm.

Licking her own lips, AJ crawled up the bed, now sliding her body on top of Applejacks, the still warm honey pressing against her once spotless coat. Tilting her head, she peered at AJ as she crawled closer; her eyes struggling to focus as that wave of intense pleasure slowly ebbed away. Now she was upon her, face to face and Applejack leaned up to kiss her, her field of vision filled by that welcome sight. Her mouth met hers, and something else too, dimly aware of a cherry at her lips. It passed through her lips into her mouth as they embraced again, head still buzzing a little. The small berry popped in her mouth, the cool wet juice mixing with the saliva and a different sweeter taste which she couldn’t at first recognize, only knowing it must be herself too.

They made out quietly together, pressed against each other firmly, her still heavy breathing pushing AJ up and down her chest lightly. AJ broke the kiss with a smile.

“How did that make you feel?” asked AJ nuzzling into her cheek affectionately.

“My legs are a lil’ sore,” whispered Applejack into her soft hair, annoyance flashed in AJs light greens causing Applejack to chuckle, and she playfully nipped at her neck.

“Alright Alriiiight, it was darned amazin’ is what it is, what ya are,” complimented Applejack, who received another light bite at her neck “also yeah, thanks I guess for lettin’ me do this with you, myself.”

“What else?” pressed AJ, licking steadily at her cheek.

“I spose that, with a little help from my friends, if I wanted, I could look as nice as ya’ll turned out I reckon. Then I could take time off an’ find somepony to, well, blow off some steam here like I’m doin’ right now,” she rolled her eyes a little “an’ as much as I don’t like being dolled up froo froo like, I could spend time to make myself a lil’ more hygienic like ya’ll are.”

“That’s good to hear from you,” she replied, lightheartedly mussing Applejacks hair with a free hoof, “when you say it out loud for once.”

Applejack sighed deeply, her body relaxing now “So what comes next then?”

“Well we do have the rest of the night to ourselves, the bedroom doors locked,” she nibbled Applejacks ear “and while I’m here, it’s only fair I get to have a turn wouldn’t you say?”

She chuckled, cocking an eyebrow at her self “So what other fancy tricks have ya’ll learned in Manehatten?

***

“Hey wake up sis! It’s time to go on home! Yah said so yerself!”

Applebloom knocked diligently on the bedroom door. While she was happy to have spent most of the night enjoying the play with her Aunt and Uncle it was time to go home and Applejack had surprisingly slept in late.

She banged more persistently now, not wanting to get in trouble with her brother if they came home late. The sound of running water, something she mistook for background noise, squeaked to a halt. Hoofsteps walking over to the door carefully coupled immediately with the sound of door locks sliding away.

“Ahm so not gonna back you up if we get home late an’ yer…what the hay are ya wearin’ sis?”

Applejack snickered, adjusting a snug cashmere saddle she had strapped to her back “Jus’ a lil’ somethin’ somethin’ I picked up last night. Pretty don’tcha think so?”

Applebloom wasn’t looking at the saddle anymore “Ya gone an’, shoot sis, whatcha done to your hair?”

“What do ya mean Applebloom?” she replied cautiously

“Ah mean is it looks so…neat. Like ya spent yer whole mornin’ brushin’ it up an’ down.”

“Well ain’tcha gonna tell me what ya make of it?” asked Applejack pointedly, tapping a nervous hoof.

“It looks pretty! Like when you and all yer friends went to Canterlot that one night,” answered Applebloom, looking her over “are ya gonna wear it like this all the time now or somethin’?”

Chuckling lightly, she walked with Applebloom out the door into the hallway, quickly glancing backwards into the bedroom reminiscing on memories still fresh in her head, then closed the apartment door. Walking to the lift, she said to her sister.

“Ya know what? I jus’ might.”