It was on almost this exact spot that Rainbow Dash landed in front of her, the morning after her mission began. That was weeks ago. The whole world is different now.

She trots on, making her way to Carousel Boutique again. Unlike that day weeks ago, nopony stops her, and she is at Rarity's home in just a few short minutes. A "Closed" sign hangs on the door. Twilight goes to knock, but her hoof freezes in mid-air. This is the first time they've really seen each other since that date.

This isn't going to be weird, is it?

We're still just friends, after all.

But... does Rarity think about that night, like I do? Does she want to try it again sometime?

Twilight smiles as some choice memories flash through her eyes.

That would be okay. Very okay.

She knocks on the door.

"Come in! It's open!" Rarity's voice calls out from inside.

Twilight lets herself in. The shop looks strangely empty. The dress forms are bare, the sewing table is clear, and Rarity is sitting at a design table sipping at a glass more full of ice than beverage.

"Twilight! I knew you would be early. So good to see you again." Rarity smiles warmly at her. "Come sit down! Can I get you anything while we wait?"

"No, that's okay. You look... not busy. For once," Twilight says as she settles onto a cushion next to her friend.

"Well, everypony needs a day off now and then. And I'm so glad we could set this up – it takes ages to get everyone's schedule together like this. Oh, this is going to be just fabulous!" Rarity says.

"You even got Applejack to take today off?" Twilight says.

"Ugh, I know. She was the last hold out, and it took forever to convince her. She can be so recalcitrant sometimes."

"I don't think she's ever even been to the spa."

"Yes, well, it would take an emergency for Applejack to do something so clean. That or my silver tongue." Rarity laughs smugly.

I bet your tongue could convince a lot of ponies to do a lot of things.

She starts to picture Rarity and Applejack in a very compromising position, but forces it back.

Rope it in, girl... just a day at the spa.

Everyone else will be here any minute now. Rarity is acting perfectly normal. Like nothing happened.

"Speaking of Applejack..." Rarity says with a glint in her eye. "She mentioned something peculiar while I was persuading her to join us today."

"Oh?" Twilight immediately knows what's coming but does her best to fake an innocent look.

"Oh yes. Apparently her cousin Braeburn almost missed his train back to Appleloosa – he disappeared the night before, and gave the whole Apple family a dreadful fright. Applejack said he had some story about getting lost while going out for food, but we both agreed it was an obvious ruse. Most peculiar."

"Yeah, that's uh... strange."

"You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?"

"Um..." Twilight bites her lip.

"Ha! I knew it! So what happened? Oh, tell me everything!"

"He might have... kind of... stayed at my place," Twilight trails off, channeling Fluttershy. Rarity's jaw drops and she gasps in excitement. She looks like she's about to ask a thousand questions when there is another knock at the door.

"Oh, for heaven's sake... come in!" Rarity yells, looking a little annoyed.

"Alright, I hope y'all are ready to get this frou-frou nonsense over with," Applejack says as she enters the boutique. Her eyes perk up when she sees Twilight. "Well wallop my withers, Twilight! I was hopin' you would be here early. I have somethin' for you."

"For me? What is it?" Twilight says. Applejack rummages around in her saddlebag for a moment and produces a small, plain envelope. She drops it on the table in front of Twilight.

"Came with the usual mail from Appleloosa, with instructions to pass it on to you." Applejack winks at Twilight.

"Oh. Uh... thanks." Twilight slides it closer to herself, but leaves it on the table. Both her friends are staring at her.

"Well?" Rarity says.

"I'll read it later," Twilight says.

"What? I been waitin' all day to hear what that says. I mean, I'm pretty sure I know what it says, but still." Applejack nudges Twilight with her elbow, cocking an eyebrow.

"It's probably nothing. I don't even know who it's from," Twilight lies.

Both her friends scoff loudly.

"Come now, Twilight, this is positively thrilling. You must open it!" Rarity says.

"Yeah, what she said," Applejack says.

"Fine, fine." Twilight tears the envelope open with her teeth and starts reading the letter within. Of course, it's from Braeburn. She barely hears her friends as she reads.

"So... he was with her, wasn't he?" Applejack says to Rarity.

"Of course he was," Rarity says.

"Ha! Knew it," Applejack says.

Twilight's eyes get wider and wider as she scans the words. Phrases like "been thinking of you every moment" and "can't wait to see you again" and, "loveliest mare in all Equestria" jump out at her. She blushes deeply and folds up the letter, hiding it on the table under her hooves.

Oh dear Princess, is he in love with me? Aww... I think he's in love with me!

This is it! I found love! But wait... he loves me. I don't love him back. Shoot. Does that count?

This is bad.

That was just a one-night stand, wasn't it? She can't get bogged down with Braeburn, nice as he is. She needs to find a mare so she can be with Luna. But what about him? How's he going to take that?

What do I do? What can I do?

Twilight comes out of her thoughts to see both her friends staring at her again, barely containing their laughter.

"So... did he go all the way and propose, or only declare his undying love?" Rarity says.

"Wait, wait, she doesn't know who it's from, remember? So who is it, Twilight?" Applejack says, snorting into her hoof.

"It's, uh... it's private," Twilight says, sticking her nose up in the air. Rarity and Applejack share a laugh.

"Shoot, Twilight, you and Braeburn... I never woulda thought that. I guess you're quite the catch for that goofball." Applejack punches Twilight's shoulder lightly.

"Hey! He's not a goofball. He's sweet," Twilight says. Rarity and Applejack laugh again, and Twilight folds her ears down, feeling her blush grow more intense.

"Aw, relax, we're just horsin' around. He's a good colt. I don't know what you two are thinkin' what with the long distance and all, but hey – like Granny always says, the heart wants what the heart wants," Applejack says.

"Indeed, they are quite adorable together," Rarity says.

"Actually..." Twilight says.

Oh Goddess, how am I going to break this to Applejack?

What if she gets mad?

"Is something wrong? It is from Braeburn, is it not?" Rarity asks.

"Yes, it is," Twilight says.

"What, is he comin' on too strong? You look kinda spooked," Applejack says.

"He says he wants to come out to Ponyville to see me again," Twilight says, looking downcast.

"You don't fancy him?" Applejack says.

"I like him. But not like that, no. I mean, this is a love letter. Like, romantic love."

"Oh my. He really is confessing his love for you?" Rarity says.

"In so many words, yes," Twilight says, staring glumly at the letter.

"Well, if you aren't interested... that's a shame, but it is what it is," Applejack says, looking a little disappointed but not angry. Twilight lets out a long breath of relief. "Can't force somethin' that ain't there. I guess you write him back and break the bad news, and I'll write him somethin' to help it along."

"Really? You aren't upset with me?" Twilight asks.

"Shucks Twilight, I know Braeburn. This wouldn't be the first time he fell a little too hard and fast for a girl. Besides, it ain't like you led him on or anything. Heck, I doubt you'd even know how." Applejack snorts and smiles.

She knows!

No, that's stupid, she doesn't know.

Just play it cool.

She puts on a fake smile for Applejack.

"It is a shame, really, Twilight," Rarity says. "He would've been the perfect stallion for you to try out. I suppose we shall have to keep looking."

"Try out? Whaddya mean, try out?" Applejack says.

Twilight's heart plummets into her stomach.

Et tu, Rarity?

"Oh!" Rarity's eyes go wide. "I meant, um, that is to say..."

"It's fine, Rarity. I was going to tell everyone today," Twilight cuts her off. That had been her plan, anyway. It had never crossed her mind that her tryst with Braeburn would last after his train left.

"Tell everyone? About what?" Applejack says.

Twilight takes a deep breath.

Applejack is your friend. It's going to be fine.

She'll understand. Right?

"I'm in love with Princess Luna," Twilight says.

Applejack freezes, her face completely blank. "Excuse me?"

"I'm in love with Luna, and she asked me to try some dating before we could be together," Twilight says. It feels good, putting it out in the open. She could swear her lungs actually loosen up and grow in size.

"Oh, so you two are really in love now? When did that happen?" Rarity says.

"Wait a sec. She wants you to date... other ponies..." Applejack squints at Twilight, "so you can date her?"

"Yes, that is the plan," Rarity says.

"Well that ain't right. If that's the case, I'm glad you aren't gettin' Braeburn mixed up in this," Applejack says.

Just lie. Just make something up and move on.

Wait, are you crazy? Lie, to Applejack?

That might be the logical thing to do, but...

"Umm, Applejack," Twilight hears herself say, horrified, "I might have... kind of... uh..."

Rarity interrupts her with a gasp. "You did not!" she says, smiling.

"Whoa whoa whoa." Applejack stumbles back a few steps. "Are you sayin' you two...?"

"Congratulations, Twilight!" Rarity gushes. Twilight winces.

"Don't congratulate her!" Applejack yells. She turns to Twilight. "What were you doin' messin' around with my cousin if you're in love with some crazy magic moon mare?"

"I'm sorry! I didn't think he would fall in love with me! I thought it was just a one-night thing," Twilight blurts out.

"A one-night thing, huh?" Applejack snorts angrily. "Did you tell him that?"

"...No," Twilight says.

"Why of all the low down, schemin' –" Applejack stomps a hoof.

"I'm really sorry! It just kind of happened, there wasn't time to discuss it," Twilight says.

"Wasn't time to...? What are you – how do you..." Applejack splutters before giving up on words and just grunting in anger.

"Now, Applejack, calm down," Rarity says. "I'm sure Twilight didn't mean to hurt anypony."

"You stay outta this!" Applejack barks.

"I beg your pardon?" Rarity gives Applejack a look that would fell a lesser pony.

"This ain't none of your business." She waves Rarity off with a hoof. "Twilight, you're gonna make this right. Today. You write him a letter just as soon as we're done with this girly nonsense and you tell him everything."

"Applejack! I am Twilight's adviser in love, and I can assure you this is very much my business," Rarity says.

"I'll tell you what's your business and what ain't, you –" Applejack says.

"Girls!" Twilight yells. Both of them look at her. "Don't argue. Please. Rarity, AJ's right. I really messed this up." Twilight stares down at the letter. She can feel Applejack glaring at her. "I just want to fix this now."

"Fix it? This ain't one of your science doohickeys, Twilight," Applejack says.

"Well, you said write him a letter. Will he be okay? I really don't want to hurt him. Is there any way I can do this without hurting him?" Twilight looks desperately at both her friends.

"Little late for that," Applejack says.

Rarity nods. "Sadly, that appears to be so. If he's really fallen in love with you, that is."

Twilight tears the paper out from the envelope and gives it another quick read. She frowns deeper and deeper as she reads it, and by the end she is slumped down into her cushion. Her stomach does a few loops as she looks pleadingly up at Applejack.

"I'm really sorry. To you and him. I didn't want this," Twilight says. She feels stinging in her eyes, fighting to not blink.

Applejack just glares at her, but after a few seconds she can't hold it any longer. She heaves a long sigh and sits, folding her arms underneath her.

"Twilight, you... I'm just surprised, is all." Applejack looks away wistfully. "You're one of my best gals. I guess I expected better from you."

Twilight winces, feeling like she's been kicked in the gut.

"You must understand that she didn't mean to," Rarity speaks up. "She's new at this, after all. She's never dated before."

"I ain't never dated before, and you wouldn't catch me doin' that!" Applejack yells.

"Really? You haven't dated?" Twilight asks.

"That ain't the point right now." Applejack glares her down again. "You promise me you're gonna make this right? As best you can, anyhow?"

"Of course! I promise," Twilight says. Applejack makes a gross hawking noise in her throat and spits on her hoof, offering it to Twilight.

"Ew! Must you really?" Rarity says.

"Yes indeed." Applejack doesn't take her eyes off Twilight. Twilight recoils a bit from the spit-covered hoof, but her resolve takes over. She has to make this right. She reaches for Applejacks's hoof.

"Naw, you gotta spit too. Don't you know anything?"

Twilight looks dumbly at her hoof. She purses her lips and tries spitting, but just makes sputtering noises. Barely anything comes out. She takes a deep breath and tries again, dripping a wad of saliva down her chin. She wipes it off on her hoof and quickly presses it to Applejack's, grinning in embarrassment.

"I guess that'll do." Applejack wipes her hoof on her own coat and pointedly looks away from Twilight.

She's still mad at me.

Is she going to hate me now? Am I going to lose a friend over this? Luna can't be worth losing Applejack.

I have to say something.

Twilight is just forming a sentence in her head when there is another knock on the door.

"It's open!" Rarity says.

The door bursts open and Rainbow Dash pounces into the room. "What's up, ladies?" She poses, flaring her wings out.

Pinkie Pie comes bouncing in after her, followed by Fluttershy. They all exchange the usual greetings before Pinkie Pie's head starts shaking around. Her eyes go wide, and she gasps, staring at Twilight.

"Everyone! I think something big happened to Twilight!" Pinkie Pie yells.

"Is this another one of your weird predictions?" Rainbow Dash says.

"No! This one already happened! It's – hmm..." Pinkie Pie grabs her own head, feeling the vibrations running through her poofy hair.

"Oh no..." Twilight groans and hides her eyes.

"Ooooh! Wow! Twilight had some –" Pinkie Pie pauses as the head shaking goes away. Then she grins at Twilight, waggling her eyebrows. "Hee hee, Twilight, you got laid!"

"Whoa! Really?" Rainbow Dash says.

"Oh... you mean...?" Fluttershy looks shocked.

Rarity and Twilight look to Applejack. Applejack sighs again, rolling her eyes.

"Cat's outta the bag now. Go ahead and tell 'em," she says.

"Wait, REALLY really? Pinkie is right?" Rainbow Dash says.

"How do you do that?" Twilight glares at Pinkie Pie. "And why isn't it ever something good?"

"What, it wasn't good?" Rarity asks.

Twilight folds her ears back and mumbles her answer. "No, it was," she says.

"Who was it? Come on, tell us!" Rainbow Dash says.

Twilight looks at Applejack. Her friend is still glaring at her, but she doesn't say anything.

"Twilight?" Fluttershy says. "If you don't mind me asking... it was Braeburn, wasn't it?"

"Ha! Twilight and Braeburn! You are too much sometimes, Fluttershy." Rainbow Dash laughs.

"Actually, it was Braeburn," Rarity says. Rainbow Dash drops her jaw, staring at Twilight.

"Wow... I wonder what that was like?" Rainbow Dash stares off into space, then grins wickedly. She sits down on the floor, pretending to read a book. "Hmmm yes, reading... I'm Twilight! Hey there, Braeburn!" Rainbow Dash says, looking at Pinkie. Pinkie catches on quickly and giggles.

"I'm Braeburn! Aaaaaaapplelooooooosa! Watcha readin' cutie?" Pinkie bounces over to Rainbow Dash.

"Egghead's Guide to Sensual Steamy Sexin'," Rainbow Dash says in a snooty tone, pretending to close the book.

"Sounds fun! Let's do it!" Pinkie mounts Rainbow Dash like a stallion, ramming her hips into Dash's flanks. Fluttershy squeaks and covers her eyes.

"Oh yes! Books! Science! Sarcasm!" Rainbow Dash yells.

"Apples! Desert! More apples!" Pinkie Pie yells with each thrust.

"Nnnnnnnahhhhh Princess Celestia!" Dash yells out, writhing in fake pleasure.

"Woooooo Appleloosa!" Pinkie slams Rainbow Dash one last time and they both collapse in a pile, laughing.

Twilight and Rarity just glare at them, unamused. Applejack's face is a mask of confused horror. Fluttershy is quivering, peeking out from under her hooves.

"Are you two quite finished?" Rarity says.

"Yes we finished! Weren't you listening?" Pinkie says, causing Dash and Pinkie to laugh even harder.

"Alright, I've had just about enough o' this. Let's do what we're doin', my time's a wastin'." Applejack gets up and walks out the door, leaving it open behind her.

"What's her deal?" Rainbow Dash asks, still tangled with Pinkie Pie on the floor.

"We'll explain on the way," Rarity says, also getting up. Twilight slowly gets up as well. Her legs feel heavy. She can't help but hang her head as her friends make their way outside.

"There there, Twilight. She'll come around. Just give her some time," Rarity says, patting her shoulder.

"And Braeburn?" Twilight says, not looking up.

"Well, you said you wanted to learn about love. Sometimes breaking a heart is part of that. I've broken a few myself, I should think."

Twilight looks up at her. "And you're okay with that?"

"Of course not, it feels just awful," Rarity says.

"Oh," Twilight says. For some reason she feels a little better. Only a little.

Steam washes over her head. Her hooves are resting in a pool of cold water, fed by a waterfall running down the wall next to her. Cool mist and hot vapor rise all around her, mixing in the air.

Twilight sighs, stretching her back. Her friends are all in the sauna with her, all of them sharing her look of bliss. Normally she can't stand the smothering heat of a sauna for more than a few minutes, but this room is different. Somehow, every time she starts to overheat a cooling mist washes over her. As soon as she's bored of that, the steam returns. It's like the room is reading her thoughts.

She sighs again and sits. It feels like she's melting into the water, completely relaxed. Twilight closes her eyes and listens to running water and the hiss of steam.

"Rarity?" Applejack breaks the calm, and they all look at her.

"Mmhmm?" Rarity looks lazily at Applejack. Her hair is wrapped up in a ridiculously big towel.

"We been here for a few hours now," Applejack says.

"Mmm," Rarity says.

"And I been through some girly shenanigans," Applejack says.

"Yes, well that is the point."

"I was gonna give you a hard time about dragging me here."

"Of course."

"But this? This is nice."

All of Twilight's friends voice some kind of agreement, but they quickly quiet down again. Twilight steals a look at Applejack, who is right next to her and uncomfortably close. It's a small room for six ponies to be in.

That was the most her friend has spoken since they arrived. On their way over, the whole group had been brought up to speed on Twilight's mission, for lack of a better word. Applejack had pointedly stayed out of the conversation, and she's been sullen and quiet since then.

Maybe it's just regular grumpiness about going to the spa. Maybe she isn't still mad at me.

"What?" Applejack says suddenly.

"I didn't say anything," Twilight quickly looks at her hooves.

"Well yer just starin' at me. What is it?" Applejack says.

No, she's still mad at me. I've got to do something.

"I just feel so bad about Braeburn," Twilight says.

"Let it rest, Twi. Nothin' more to say about it."

"You're not mad at me?"

"Of course I am."

Twilight is at a loss. Applejack lightly punches her on the shoulder.

"Relax, Twilight. You're still my gal. But that doesn't mean I can't be sore at ya when you do somethin' bone-headed."

"Geez, lighten up, AJ. She said she was sorry, didn't she?" Rainbow Dash says.

"That ain't the point. What she did was plain ole' dishonest, and I hope she never pulls somethin' like that ever again." Applejack glares at Twilight, who nods weakly. "And that's beside how much my poor cousin's gonna be broken up about this."

"So what? How he carries it is up to him," Rainbow Dash says.

"Is that right?" Applejack says.

"Sure." Rainbow Dash shrugs her shoulders.

"Rainbow Dash, that sounds very... um..." Fluttershy fails to find the word she wants.

"Dasheriffic?" Pinkie Pie says.

Applejack snorts. "Dasheriffic sounds about right," she says.

"She has a point, you know. Braeburn is a grown stallion, I'm sure he can take care of himself," Rarity says.

"Alright!" Applejack yells. "Remember that time we went to the spa and I was actually startin' to enjoy it, despite myself? How's about we talk about somethin' else? Ain't nothin' more to discuss on this matter."

The circle of friends goes silent. Twilight frowns and keeps staring at Applejack.

Do they sell "Sorry I seduced your cousin and broke his heart" cards?

"Something else, huh?" Rainbow Dash arches her eyebrows and gets a mischievous look on her face. "So... Twilight. You've had a guy now." Dash glances at Applejack, who just narrows her eyes. "You ready to try out the other side?"

Twilight hedges on changing the subject – are they really just going to move on?

Well, Applejack did say she didn't want to talk about it anymore...

"Yes, that's still the plan," Twilight says.

"Oh my!" Fluttershy gasps. "Are you really going to date a girl?"

"Hold up now!" Applejack says. "You tellin' me after all that you're just gonna go gay?"

"She's just trying it out, Applejack," Rarity says.

"How do you even know you like mares? You ever been with one?" Applejack says to Twilight.

"Honestly? I... uh..." Twilight unconsciously looks at Rarity, who is staring at her in muted horror. She changes tack. "I haven't tried it yet. But I fantasize about it. A lot. Way more than being with guys. I was starting to think I was like that," she says. Rarity relaxes.

"Oh. Well that... uh... huh. So... you and Braeburn was just, like a... I don't know..." Applejack looks puzzled.

"But you still enjoyed being with him, did you not?" Rarity asks.

"Well, yeah," Twilight says.

"So you think you like both?" Rainbow Dash says.

"Don't be stupid, you can't do that," Applejack says.

"Sure you can! I do!" Rainbow Dash says.

"You do?" Applejack says.

"Yeah, I'm a player," Rainbow Dash says smugly.

"Well I knew you were into mares but..." Applejack looks even more puzzled. "I never thought that was a thing before. Liking both, I mean. Y'all knew about this?"

Everyone else nods.

"I've known since we were friends in Cloudsdale," Fluttershy says.

"Don't worry Applejack, I just found out," Twilight says. "And I think I might be like Dash. I was starting to think I only liked mares until Braeburn. Now I don't know what to think. I still think about mares all the time. What if I'm... I don't know, mostly gay? What's that called?"

"It's probably called, 'being mostly gay'!" Pinkie Pie says.

"If you're looking for a formal term, nothing comes to my mind," Rarity says.

"Hmm." Twilight rests her chin on a hoof, thinking.

"Oh!" Pinkie Pie bounces in the water. "Why don't you just use a number? Like, on a scale from one to ten, I like stallions THIS much," Pinkie Pie says.

"Pinkie, that's brilliant!" Twilight's mind races. "Although it really should be one through nine."

"Aw! Why not ten?" Pinkie says.

"Because if it's one through ten then two of the numbers will express a perfect median, which is redundant, not to mention inefficient, and..." Twilight trails off as she realizes everyone is staring at her. "Sorry. So... one through nine, with one being into mares, and nine being completely into stallions."

"One should stand for straight," Rainbow Dash says.

"Why?" Twilight says.

"Because it looks like a dick," Dash says. Rarity groans.

"So does nine!" Pinkie says.

"What?" several of them say in unison.

"You just have to turn it a little." Pinkie cranes her head to the side.

"Anyway! One through nine, with one being completely gay, and nine being completely straight," Twilight repeats. "I guess I would be a three, or a four maybe. Oh, this is perfect! It's so exact."

"How do you know? If you haven't tried it yet, I mean?" Fluttershy says. Again, Twilight can't help but look at Rarity, who freezes momentarily.

"You're right, this is just a rough estimate. I'll have to recalibrate once I have more evidence to go on," Twilight says.

"Neat! We should call it the Twilight Scale! Oh, but I helped – the Twilight and Pinkie Scale!" Pinkie Pie says.

"Ha ha, no," Twilight says. "I mean, I'd rather not have my name on it. Let's just call it the scale. What about you girls? If you don't mind me asking, that is." Twilight looks to her right. Fluttershy is next to her, opposite Applejack.

"Who, me?" Fluttershy shrinks a little, but only a little. "I don't know. I've never done anything like that with anypony. I don't really know what to say."

"What, you never think about love?" Rarity says, cocking a knowing eyebrow at Fluttershy.

"I guess I do. I do want to find somepony. Someday. And when I dream about love, it's always a stallion."

"Of course it is!" Rainbow Dash says, smiling. "Back in Cloudsdale, when we were fillies, Fluttershy had a crush on, like, EVERY stallion..."

"Rainbow Dash!" Fluttershy yells. Dash just laughs quietly.

"So you're a nine. That's fine, I would guess that most ponies are. Perfectly normal," Twilight says.

"Oh... normal? Um... thanks," Fluttershy says.

"What about you, Rarity?" Twilight looks to the next pony in the circle.

"Easy. I'm a nine. But you probably all knew that already," Rarity says. Now Twilight cocks a knowing eyebrow, but Rarity ignores it.

"Oh... kay... Pinkie Pie?" Twilight says.

"Hmm." Pinkie Pie scratches her head. "I don't know! Depends on the day of the week, I guess!"

"Huh. So... a five?" Twilight says.

"Naw," Pinkie says.

Twilight just gives her a confused look. "...Moving on. Dash, you're comfortable being a five?" Twilight says.

"Oh yeah. A five. I like that! This scale is really something, Pinkie." Dash nudges Pinkie Pie.

"And that just leaves you, Applejack," Twilight says.

"I think I mind you askin', after all," Applejack says. All four of her other friends make disappointed noises.

"Come on, AJ! This is neat. We never talk about this stuff," Rainbow Dash says.

"Fine, fine. I guess I'm into stallions," Applejack says.

"But you said you haven't really dated anypony," Twilight says.

"So? Doesn't mean I don't think about it. I guess I'm more like Fluttershy than I thought," Applejack says.

"You fantasize about love?" Rarity says.

"Well, not love so much, honestly. I'm a busy mare, I got a farm to run. Never really gave much thought to findin' a mate."

"Wait, so...?" Rainbow Dash says, listening closely.

"I put in some long hours buckin' and plantin'. The mind does wander sometimes. There's a lot of days I find myself achin' for a good stallion. I just wouldn't know where to find 'em."

"...Aching?" Rarity says.

"Yeah, you know. It ain't really my head or my heart talkin'. Sometimes the rest of me is just screamin' for a nice big bundle of handsome who could really lay it down, if you know what I mean." Applejack splashes a hoof through the water.

"Whoa." Rainbow Dash grins.

"Oh... wow..." Fluttershy covers her smile with a hoof and looks away.

"Wow, Applejack. I never thought you... uh... thought about that." Twilight can't help smiling a little herself as some interesting images flash through her head.

"Hey, well, ain't nothin' to be ashamed of. That's just the equine condition."

"Indeed. So you're a nine, then?" Twilight says.

"Looks that way. I don't ever think about buckin' with a mare, so yeah."

Twilight chews this over. None of her friends said anything less than five – that leaves herself as the one most interested in mares. Is that weird? How common is it, really? How come nopony has written a book about this? Well, that's obvious, actually – it's not exactly easy to get this kind of information. These are her closest friends, and they're only just now talking about this for the first time.

"So, all you nines," Rainbow Dash asks, "You've never thought about being with a girl, even once?"

"Eep!" Fluttershy blushes. "Sorry, sorry..." She pauses, taking a deep breath. Twilight swears she can see Fluttershy silently mouthing the word assertive a few times. "Maybe just once. Or twice. I read about it in a book once..."

"Fluttershy!" Rarity gushes. "How bold of you to admit. I must confess that I've read about it as well, but that's as far as I'm willing to go. Personally, I'm all about the dashing gentlecolts."

Twilight gives Rarity a confused look, but is surprised to notice Rainbow Dash glaring at her as well. Nopony else seems to notice.

"Well, I ain't never thought of that kind of stuff. Never really crossed my mind. Guess I actually have somethin' in common with Rarity, for once." Applejack chuckles. Twilight is glad to see her smiling.

"Ha! I can't imagine we would be interested in anyone similar. How droll. At any rate..." Rarity gets up out of the shallow pool of water. "Would you girls like to continue this later? I think we've been in the sauna long enough. I could use some ice water."

They all murmur some kind of agreement. Twilight is the first out the door – the steam was starting to get to her, after all. She lets herself out into the spa's large main room, and freezes, still holding the door.

There are ponies on massage tables or in tubs of mud and water all over the room. Everypony stops talking and looks at Twilight as she walks out. Everypony. Both of the spa sisters blush and look away as their eyes meet Twilight's. Every customer is looking at her with a mixture of shock and awe.

She can't recall the names of most of them – just mares she's seen around town. But near the sauna, sitting on cushions getting hoof cleanings, are three she recognizes. The mare with the puffy orange mane is Carrot Top, next to her is the one with the really pretty mane – Bon-Bon, is it? Twilight is pretty sure her name is Bon-Bon – and next to her is Cheerilee, gawking in awe at Twilight.

"Oh! Twilight!" Cheerilee, like the spa sisters, goes red in the face and looks away as Twilight looks at her, but she quickly pulls it together and looks back. "Hi," she manages to say.

"We were all wondering just who was in there," Carrot Top says.

By now the rest of Twilight's friends have made their way out of the sauna, each one freezing like Twilight as they realize the whole room is looking at them.

"Whoa! They could –" Rainbow Dash says.

"Hear us?" Pinkie Pie finishes.

"Oh hayseed," Applejack says. Fluttershy dives behind Rarity, hiding.

"Perhaps we should... uh... call it a day?" Twilight says, backing towards the exit.

"Quite," Rarity says. They all turn and make for the door, trying to ignore the tittering and hushed talking that flairs up the moment their backs are turned.