I believe it's true that there's some good to be found in the hearts of even the worst ponies. I'm far from innocent, but I wasn't always like that, and even now there's some goodness inside of me clawing its way to the surface. At one point in time I was a young girl ready and willing to take the world, the darker side of life completely unknown to me. It's hard to say when I became the mare I am today, but I feel like I'm finally climbing out of this pit of bad habits I've spent the past few years of my life in. If I can stop myself from being such a slut, then maybe I'll make a real friend or two.

Exie rolled her pile of blankets up and sat them beneath a counter, a groggy yawn escaping her chest. She stepped towards the tall glass windows of her shop and gazed into the purple morning sky. Too early?

Stifling another yawn and shaking her head, she headed back to her sleeping area and slid her boots on, then began stroking her sloppy mane down to its usual, messy look. She lifted her saddlebag over her shoulder and trotted up to the windows again. With her teeth, she pulled her leg-warmers over each of her front hooves, then continued slightly adjusting and rotating them until she felt they were absolutely perfectly placed.

Tap. Tap.

Exie glanced up with a start to see Applejack standing face-to-face with her. She smiled and breathed onto the glass, fogging it up before she unlocked the door and headed out. "Wow, I guess you really did mean first thing in the morning, eh?"

"Well, shoot. I didn't expect to see ya here so early. I was gonna swing back by in about an hour after I dropped this here batch of apples off at a friends house. I figured you'd still be home, sleepin'," Applejack explained as she threw a strap connected to a cart of apples around her back.

Exie blushed and glanced back towards her bedroll behind the front counter. "What can I say? I'm an early bird."

"I like that. Gettin' up early is a sign of a dependable, hard worker. I think you and me are gonna get along just fine." Applejack playfully bumped Exie's shoulder with a hoof, causing her to stumble.

The young mare rubbed her sore joint and frowned. "I hope so..."

"How about you tag along with me while I deliver this? I could introduce you a good friend at the same time," Applejack suggested.

Exie looked up and thought for a moment. "Okay, or maybe I could meet Rainbow Dash at the pond... wherever that is. She wanted to work out with me, and since you're busy..."

"Heh, well if by 'work out', you mean watch Dash brag about how great she is at everything. Come on, the pond is on the way, anyhow. I'll take ya there after we drop these apples off."

Exie nodded and followed Applejack closely. She looked around at all the large, green trees, noticing their leaves slightly reddening as fall crept over summer. She took in a deep breath, the crisp, clean country air flooding her lungs. A soft smile eased across her face as they reached the top of a small hill and the sun warmed her cheeks. Her eyes gazed out over the sparkling terrain dotted with glistening morning dew.

"Y'alright, sugarcube?" Applejack glanced back at the awestruck mare with a knowing grin. "Sure beats the heck outta the city life, don't it?"

"It's beautiful," Exie said as she took in the sights.

"Ya know, I spent a small amount of time in Manehattan once. I was just a little filly back then, but I remember what it was like. You know what I missed the most about Ponyville while I was stayin' up there?"

"What's that?" Exie asked, turning to look Applejack in the eye.

"The stars. Out here in the country, stars fill the sky like nowhere I've ever been. I love relaxin' on the porch, just watching stars shoot across the sky when I'm alone. What did you think when you saw 'em last night?" Applejack asked as she carried on down the hill and towards the forest near the bottom.

Exie lowered her ears and shrugged. "I didn't really think to go out and look. I stayed working on my store until I had to sleep. I didn't leave all night."

Applejack glanced back at the young mare, their eyes meeting. "You got a place to stay?"

Exie quickly nodded and caught up to Applejack, walking by her side. "Yup. I've got everything I need: the floor and a bedroll."

"Well, if there's ever anything I can do to help," Applejack offered as she pulled the cart up to a homely tree-cottage.

"That's mighty neighborly of ya," Exie teased and stood next to the mare as she tapped on the door. "I think I'll be fine."

Applejack chuckled and tapped on the door again. It began to creak open, then a turquoise eye shrouded by long strands of pastel-pink mane peeked out. "Uhm..."

The friendly orange mare pulled the door open and gestured towards Exie, who stood with an amused grin. "Fluttershy, I'd like you to meet Exie. Exie, Fluttershy."

"Hello." Exie smiled and tilted her head, spitting on her hoof and holding it up to the shy little pegasus.

Fluttershy ducked away and slowly closed the door with an inaudible squeak.

"Huh, that didn't go well." Exie frowned and wiped her hoof on the ground.

"Did Rainbow Dash teach you that?" Applejack groaned and tapped the door again. "Open up, Fluttershy, she's new 'round these parts."

Exie blushed and shrugged. "Yeah, she did. I thought it was how you guys let each other know you wanted to be friends."

"No, it's more like... sealing a deal, or... somethin'." Applejack shook her head and giggled.

Fluttershy inched the door open again, her heart pounding in her chest as she slid a small pouch of bits onto her porch. "Th-thanks for the apples, Applejack..." Then she slammed the door shut and pressed her back against it, sliding down as she hyperventilated. "Please go away...! Please go away...!" she almost inaudibly begged, squeezing her eyes shut.

Applejack forced a chuckle. "Heh. Well, she ain't always the most social of mares. Let's go check in on Rainbow Dash." The mare snatched up the sack of bits and headed back down the trail.

Exie followed close behind as Fluttershy carefully eyed the two leaving her property. She let out a deep sigh of relief, then went out to collect her apples.

A few moments later and Exie couldn't help but speak up. "So, uh, I was kind of thinking about something last night, and had a question. Do you think I should take off these boots and stuff? I don't want to make a bad impression, since... I mean, I know I probably look weird, or..." Exie ran a hoof down her face and groaned.

Applejack frowned and looked the mare over. "Nah. If you like wearin' those boots, then wear 'em. I ain't about to take my hat off for nopony. It's a part of who I am, and I can't really picture you without that city-girl getup."

Exie nodded and smiled, reassured. "Thanks, Applejack."

"Don't mention it, sugarcube," Applejack said as she heard a faint growl.

Exie immediately blushed and lowered her ears. "Know anywhere we can get some breakfast?"

Applejack glanced down the road leading to the pond, then towards town. "What about... Aw heck, she's probably just sleepin' on a cloud somewhere anyway. Follow me and I'll show ya to the best bakery in town—my treat!"

Exie laughed and quickly shook her head. "No no no. It will be my treat, I have to insist. After all the help you gave me yesterday, it's the least I can do."

Applejack bumped her friend's ribs and picked up her pace. "Well, I ain't one to argue with free grub!"

Somewhere not far away, Rainbow Dash lay with her front hooves lazily dangling off the edge of a small cloud floating over the pond. She flopped onto her back and huffed with a grumpy frown, then let out a deep, overdrawn yawn. Moments later and she was snoring with her mouth wide open.

Ding! Ding! the bell to Sugarcube Corner rang out as the two mares trotted in.

Poof!

Exie jumped and shielded her face as confetti rained down upon her. An impossibly pink mare with a ludicrously curly and somehow pinker mane hopped in circles around the startled little mare, singing with a bright, shining smile.

Welcome, welcome, welcome—

A fine welcome to you!

Welcome, welcome, welcome—

I say, how do you do?

Welcome, welcome, welcome—

I say, hip hip hurray!

Welcome, welcome, welcome—

To Ponyville today!

The pink mare stopped to face a rather baffled Exie before glancing to Applejack. "Well? Aren'tcha gonna introduce me to your friend?!"

Applejack shook her head and blinked several times, snapping herself back into focus. "Uh, of course. Pinkie, I'd like you to meet my newest friend, Exie."

"Nice to meet you, Pinkie," Exie hesitantly offered. She blushed and lowered her ears when she noticed other ponies in the bakery giggling at her.

"Nice to meet you too!" Pinkie squeaked.

Exie made eye contact with Pinkie Pie, who stood in her way with a wide smile. The Manehattan mare raised an eyebrow and frowned, noticing the mare's less-than-exemplary physique. She eyed her plump belly, untoned haunches, and her, large, yet voluptuous flank. She then shook her head and tried to step around the pink pony.

"Have you ever been to Sugarcube Corner before!? What am I saying, of course you haven't! Because if you had, then I'd definitely remember you and your weird clothes. But then again, I remember everypony in Ponyville—I'm friends with all of them! Don't you want to be friends too!?" Pinkie asked with starry, hopeful eyes.

Exie furrowed her brow and glanced around the bakery at all the strangers waiting for her response. There was something decidedly off about this pink mare; she scoffed and shook her head. "Doesn't being friends with the entire town kinda sound ridiculous? I mean, sure, it's a small town, but there at least a thousand ponies in this town. You probably aren't actually friends with each and every one of them."

Pinkie took several steps back and tilted her head. "Nu-huh—I am friends with everypony..."

"Right. Well, it was nice meeting you." Exie shrugged and looked at Applejack with a cocked eyebrow.

The orange mare nervously scratched her mane, repositioning her hat. "Well, okay then! How 'bout breakfast?" Applejack led Exie to a display case of freshly baked pasties.

"Ooh! You look like you need a nice cupcake with my super special super sweet frosting! Yum!" Pinkie hopped over the counter and pulled out a tray of sparkling green cupcakes. To Exie, it looked a bit like what happened in your nose after you accidentally inhaled glitter. She fought to repress memories from kindergarten as Pinkie boasted, "I topped them with shiny sugar sprinkles myself."

Exie held back a grimace and shook her head. "Thanks, but I was just gonna get a coffee cake, and some coffee."

"Oh..." Pinkie lowered her eyes and pulled the bland looking treat out from the display case. "That'll be two bits," she said with a sigh.

"Wait, I'm also buying whatever Applejack wants." Exie nodded and brushed herself against Applejack, who closed her eyes with a soft smile.

"I'll take two apple fritters and a pint a' apple juice."

Pinkie nodded and dropped the treats onto the counter. "Four bits please, and if you two have a seat, I'll bring your drinks in a moment."

Applejack felt a pang of sympathy as she watched Pinkie speak in an unusually calm demeanor. The usually hyperactive mare suspiciously eyed Exie as she and Applejack took their seats and began to laugh and talk. One eye slowly closed, the other carefully focusing on the rude, unfriendly mare. She determined something had to be done. Hopefully, unlike the last time something like this had happened, it wouldn't end up hospitalizing an entire flock of geese.

"... and then Rainbow Dash started lickin' the spilled cider right off the dirt!" Applejack said before breaking into a small fit of laughter.

Exie covered her mouth and chuckled, small crumbs from a big bite of her crumbly cake bouncing across the table. "That's crazy! She likes apple cider that much? Why don't you just give her some?"

"She'd like that." Applejack rolled her eyes and scoffed.

Exie raised her eyebrows and swallowed her mouthful of cake. "Yeah she would... Heh, I didn't take you as the sex-joke type."

"Say what now?" Applejack swallowed hard and weakly grimaced. "Oh! Yeah... That wasn't a sex joke. I was bein' serious. I've got no say in the matter; Rainbow has to get in line and follow the rules like everypony else. It's just that Pinkie Pie here always gets in front of the line and usually gets way too much and we run out too soon. I was thinkin' about a limit rule, but..."

"A limit?!" Pinkie interrupted as she sat the drinks on the table. "That sounds like a terrible idea. Because then—"

"Then you wouldn't be able to hog it all to yourself?" Exie interjected.

"I really like Sweet Apple Cider," Pinkie Pie opined with a shrug.

Exie frowned and nodded. "Cool."

Pinkie furrowed her eyebrows and looked into Exie's eyes as she stared her down, then she threw on a bright, cheery smile. "Well, anyways, I was gonna throw you a 'Welcome To Ponyville Party' and introduce you to the whole town! It'll be here at Sugarcube Corner later this afternoon! Are you excited?!"

Exie shook her head in near disbelief. "Actually, I'd rather not meet the whole town in one day, that would be pretty pointless, don't you think? Applejack has already offered to introduce me to her friends. That'll be more than enough, thanks."

"Oh..." Pinkie's ears drooped and she nodded. "Okay then."

Exie looked to Applejack, nodding towards Pinkie who was still awkwardly standing there. She then looked up at Pinkie with a crooked frown, and gestured back towards the front counter.

"Let me know if you need... anything else." Pinkie lowered her eyes and left the two mares to their conversation.

Applejack felt her heart splitting in two as she watched Pinkie Pie woefully step away. "Hey, Exie, I know Pinkie can be... uh..."

"Annoying?" Exie suggested.

"Well, in a word, sorta. Her personality ain't for everypony, but she's my friend, so could ya please, y'know...?"

"Lighten up?" Exie sighed.

"Exactly. You're bein' a might rude, and I know I don't know you all that well, but it seems unlike you." Applejack lifted her second treat and bit into it with a smile. "I mean, you've been awfully polite and respectful towards me."

The light-peach mare rested her cheek on the table and shrugged. "I know, I know, but something about her just really bugs me. She feels fake, like I'm looking a front, or façade. I guess I just get a bit defensive when I can't read a pony. She seems selfish, and just... I'm sorry, I don't know her, but I can't help it. I'll be nicer to her from now on."

Applejack shrugged and chugged her juice. "Well, give 'er time; she'll grow on ya."

Exie halfheartedly nodded and looked away. "So. How about we go pester Rainbow Dash?"

"Nah," Applejack said as she rolled her eyes. "Rainbow Dash finds you. We could search for hours, and she could be anywhere."

"Hmm. I see." Exie thought for a moment and placed a few bits on the table. "Show me around town, then? Where do you live anyway? You, like, grow apples, right? You have an orchard?"

Applejack eyed the bits with a guilty frown. "Uh, yeah. My family owns Sweet Apple Acres: the best apple orchard around. It gets to lookin' somethin' spectacular around this time of year."

"Oh, because of the autumn?" Exie asked.

"Come on, I'll show ya." Applejack stood up and headed out the door, offering Pinkie a smile as she went.

Exie followed close behind and glared at Pinkie on her way out, those wide, overly cheerful eyes and that huge, seemingly forced smile digging at her nerves. She shook the strange mare off her mind and cantered up to Applejack's side. "So, how long have you lived in Ponyville?" Exie asked, glancing around at the scenery.

"My family's lived here ever since the town was founded. So what about you? Is this gonna be your new home?" Applejack chucked and continued down the trail towards the acres, spotting the Carousel Boutique at the end of the block, and a white unicorn carrying a bag of fabric in her aura.

"I actually plan to move back to Manehattan after Nightmare Night. There isn't much for me here," Exie said as Applejack came to a halt.

"Well, that's too bad. Hopefully you'll visit. Anywho, there's one more pony I'd like ya to meet right quick."

Her attention caught, the white unicorn lowered her bag and greeted her friend. "Oh, good morning Applejack. Eh, who's... this?"

"Rarity, I'd like ya to meet my new friend, Exie." Applejack confidently nodded towards the little mare.

Exie gulped and felt herself begin to choke up before speaking. She blushed as her eyes washed over the most beautiful mare she'd ever had privilege of meeting. She felt her heart skip a beat as Rarity's mane fell across her chest, the curly ends bouncing while she batted her long, glamorous lashes. The deepest, most alluring blue eyes in the world locked with her own for a moment, and chills shot up her spine.

"H... hi. Nice to... meet you," Exie stammered dumbly.

Rarity looked her over, unimpressed. "Pleasure. I have to ask, darling: wherever did you get those—" she hesitated just long enough to make Exie even uneasier "—lovely boots?"

Exie turned around and stretched a leg out, her heart racing as she hoped to make herself attractive. "Oh, these old things? A good friend of mine made them for me."

Rarity stood there, silently watching Exie for what felt to the light-peach mare like an eternity, before she smirked and looked away. "Well then, I have a lot to do today, so if you'll excuse me. Nice meeting you, Exie."

"See ya later!" Applejack reached over and pulled Exie down the road.

The infatuated earth pony sighed and shook her head. "She was—is absolutely gorgeous..."

"That's Rarity."

"Wow. How is it a mare like that ends up stuck in the middle if nowhere? She should be on the cover of magazines. She's amazing. Come to think if it, all of the ponies I meet around here are in some way or another outstanding. She's really something special though." Exie hummed as she walked, an image of Rarity painted in the back of her mind. She kept this behavior up for who-knew how long, since Exie had lost track of the time, only snapping out of her thoughts when Applejack said something.

"We're here!" Applejack rolled her eyes at Exie and stifled a groan.

Exie opened her eyes and looked out over the acres from atop a small hill. She found herself breathless as she stared into the valley surrounded by a seemingly endless orchard of apple trees. Humbled, she cracked a smile and looked over at her friend.

"You live here? This place is amazing."

Applejack smugly tipped her hat. "Sure do. I knew you'd love this. Come on and I'll show you 'round the farm."

Exie followed the mare to the front of the farmhouse, where a young filly with a deep pink mane and soft yellow coat sat doing her homework. The little filly bit down on her pencil and grumbled.

"Y'alright there, sugarcube?" Applejack asked, leaning over and eying the paper. "Ah, fancy mathematics, huh? Good luck with that, Sis. Oh, and say hello to my new friend, Exie."

"Hiya!" Apple Bloom shouted with a warm, welcoming smile, leaning up from her school work. "I'm Apple Bloom."

Exie knelt down and scrunched her eyes. "Hello there—you're just the cutest wittle thing I've seen all day! Yes, you are!"

Apple Bloom cringed and scooted away. "Uh... thanks?" She looked to her big sister and shrugged.

"I'm guessin' ya don't spend a lot of time with little ones," Applejack stated with a crooked grin.

Exie blushed and scratched her head. "Not usually... I'm sorry, Apple Bloom. I guess you're older than I thought... How old are you?"

"Eleven," the proud little filly said as she lifted her nose. "How old are you?"

"AJ, I could use a little..." A large red stallion cringed as he attempted to pull a stack of hay bales too tall through the barn doors, wincing as the top wobbled. Exie, though, didn't really notice the stallion, her attention rapt to Apple Bloom

"Aw heck. I'll be right back."

Exie nodded absently as Applejack cantered to her brother's rescue. As she looked at the filly's paper, a thought came to mind. "Math, huh? Having trouble?"

Apple Bloom nodded. "You know much about this stuff? I'm stuck and I have to turn this in tomorrow."

Exie looked down at the problem and lowered her eyebrows.

Solve for c:

c³/9 = 3

"So where are you stuck?" Exie prodded.

"I'm not sure how to figure it out. I put some guesses in as c, but they're all wrong," Apple Bloom explained.

"Well, what divided by nine equals three?" Exie asked, drawing a line on Apple Bloom's worksheet. The little filly shrugged cluelessly. "Okay, well what's nine multiplied by three?"

"Twenty-seven," Apple Bloom quickly answered. "Oh! Of course... Silly me. Twenty-seven divided by nine is three. So what cubed equals twenty-seven?" Apple Bloom shot the paper a puzzled frown while Exie shrugged with a knowing smile. The filly closed her eyes and thought for several moments. "Oh, I got it!" She then continued filling out the equation with a sigh of relief, then jumped up and hugged the mare next to her. "Thanks, Exie!"

Applejack stood behind the two with a warm smile. "That was sure kind of ya. Looks like you made a new friend all on yer own."

Exie nodded and smiled as Apple Bloom packed up her completed assignment and frolicked off to play. "She's absolutely adorable."

Applejack nodded and placed a hoof on Exie's shoulder. "Glad ya think so. Now, I've got a few chores to tend to 'round the farm. You're welcome to hang around here and do whatever you'd like, and don't be afraid to come visit the farm any time. You're always welcome and I'll be here to help with anything you need. Shoot, if you feel like it, you can even rent out our guest room it you get tired of sleepin' on the floor."

"Guest room?" Exie tilted her head and grinned. "How much?"

Applejack glanced back at her brother, who was lining the orchard with empty bushel baskets for the fall harvest. "I can spare a few more minutes. Let me show you the room, and we'll negotiate. I'm sure Granny Smith won't mind if you stay for a while."

Exie followed her friend into the farmhouse, her attention drawn to a creaky wooden rocking chair supporting a snoring old mare. Applejack declared, "That there's Granny Smith." Exie flattened her ears, startled by Applejack's loud voice. "Aw, don't worry. Granny never wakes up from her naps." Applejack chuckled and led her to the stairway.

Exie took a deep breath, a heavy pit in her stomach as she glanced around at the warm, comfortable home. Her eyes then landed on Applejack's rear, following her upstairs bringing back memories of her teenage years. The welcoming mare pushed open a small squeaky door and held her hoof out, inviting Exie in.

"Not bad!" The young mare hopped onto the bed and stretched out. "Comfy."

"Glad ya like it. If it were up to me, I'd let ya stay for free, but that ain't gonna fly with Big Mac and Granny Smith. We could always use extra bits around the farm," Applejack explained.

"Oh no, I'm happy to pay. You've been great to me, and you hardly even know me. Thank you so much, Applejack. I'm so glad to have met you. I'd be lost here without you." Exie lowered her eyes and stepped towards the mare. "I've really never met a pony like you."

Applejack gulped and backed up against the door. "Well, shucks, Exie. I... I'm just bein' myself."

"I know... You're beautiful, and so gracious." Exie tossed her saddlebag onto the floor and placed her hoof on Applejack's cheek, her deep blue eyes twinkling as they slowly closed.

Applejack's heart pounded in her chest, her breath taken away as the slender, elegant mare leaned in closer, their muzzles nearly touching. Exie shifted her weight onto her back hooves, arching her back as her warm forelegs reached around the blonde mare's neck. Their lips brushed together, and Exie pressed forward.

Applejack closed her eyes and fell into the moment, her hat falling to the floor as the two mares stumbled backwards against a small hutch, knocking over a stack of paper and writing utensils, their lips remaining locked in a passionate kiss. Exie twirled herself and friend around and pushed her against the bed, sliding her tongue deep into Applejack's mouth before leaning down and biting her neck.

Applejack tilted her head back as Exie climbed over her onto the bed, all the while kissing and sucking on her sensitive skin. The experienced city-girl kissed down her chest, flicking her tongue out across her lower stomach. The young mare sighed and rested her head on Applejack's thigh, then put on a bright smile and slid off the bed.

"Mmm," she hummed, licking her lips as she pulled the bag of bits from her black, faux-leather bag. "So, I'll take it. What do I owe you?"

Applejack caught her breath and laughed, resting against the unmade bed. "Wowee, little missy. You kinda... took me by surprise there."

"I'm sorry about that, but I couldn't help myself." Exie batted her lashes and bit her lip, her long crimson mane falling over one eye. "I just had to kiss you..."

Applejack looked the mare up and down, her coyness setting a fire in her chest. "You sure helped yourself, alright. Not that I mind, really."

Exie grinned and looked up into her friend's emerald green eyes, as she began to sensually step towards her, her shoulder blades high and her hips swaying. As she reached the farm-girl, Exie ran a hoof down her neck and chest, stopping at her stomach.

"You should go help your brother. I'll talk to you about the bills later. I'll clean up this mess, and maybe catch a nap." She smiled and urged the mare off of her bed.

Applejack stood up and nodded. "You're right... I can't just leave him out there right now. I'll see ya later, and... Exie?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't tell Rainbow Dash." Appejack frowned, snatching her hat up off of the floor.

Exie put on a forced a smile and looked down. "I won't."

As Applejack shut the door and headed down stairs, Exie hugged onto her pillow and squeezed it tightly. She bit down on her tongue and attempted to snuff out her sudden urge to cry. Applejack and Rainbow Dash are perfect for each other— don't get in the way...

She blinked several tears from her eyes, then kicked her boots off before becoming drowsy. She swallowed her sudden burst of emotion like a hoofful of glass and sobbed herself to sleep, certain she had just ruined her chance of having a true friend. Certain even more of an opportunity lost, and thoroughly irked that her libido had gotten the better of her. Again.

Author's Notes:

c=3 lolololololololol!!!!!