Rolling groggily over, Applejack winced as she peeked out her heavy eyes at the alarm clock on the strange bedside table. While usually waking up somewhere odd would have roused her to a start, she recognized the comfortable mattress and messy room as Rainbow Dash's. It had not been any blaring alarm that had woken her up, nor had it been another intervention of Rainbow Dash's violent father. No, this morning, she had risen to a cheery tune being hummed from down the hall.

As she sat up, the blanket that had smelled of her lover gently folded onto her lap. She could not find the girl anywhere in the bedroom, so she clumsily slid out of bed, not bothering to cover her underwear with her pants—if she could even find where she threw them. Fixing her hair absently, Applejack moseyed into the hallway, following the tune, and the alluring scent, into the kitchen.

“Jubilee, Jubilee, Jubilee, Ju~ubilee,” it was Rainbow's voice, charming and musical, as she sang to the morning. Applejack narrowed her eyes as she recognized the tune, though not exactly the words, “Please don't take her just because you can.”

“Oh, lord,” the barmaid grumbled as she came into the kitchen, leaning in the doorway drowsily and smirking some incredulous look at the girl by the stove. Rainbow continued heedlessly to hum, scraping her spatula across a pan and tapping her bare foot on the cool tile floor.

“Your beauty is beyond compare, with flaming locks of auburn hair, with ivory skin and eyes of emerald green.” she mused, swaying gently in her modest amount of clothing. Though Applejack shook her head in distaste at her choice of truthful country jingle, she found Rainbow's antics otherwise amusing. “I cannot compete with you, Jubilee.”

“Please quit singin' that,” Applejack asked in a whiny voice, going over to her lover with pleading eyes. Rainbow looked over at her and smiled a pleased expression, having intended to bother the girl.

“Why? It's funny.” Rainbow teased, leaning over and prodding the barmaid in the ribs with an elbow. After a snicker, she amended, “I hate the bitch, but it's funny.”

“Rainbow,” Applejack murmured with a blank expression, though that only spurred the hostess on.

“Jubilee, Ju~ubilee,” she started up again, over the sound of Applejack groaning, “I'm begging of you, please don't take my—”

Rainbow was silenced by Applejack leaning over her and capturing her lips with her own, having to turn Rainbow's head forcefully to make it stick. Her singing turned to a light hum as she enjoyed the kiss, and she looped her arm around Applejack's waist lovingly. Their bodies pressed together, with no regard to watch the sizzling eggs on the frying pan, and a comfortable quietude was restored. That is, until Applejack pulled away and spoke again.

“Quit that singin',” she said in something of a laugh. Gently stroking the younger girl's face, staring fondly at her adorable expression, she explained, “Ah don't want her in my head when Ah'm around you.”

“Mmm, then kiss me again,” Rainbow murmured, hardly waiting for the words to slip out before their lips closed on one another.

Abandoning her hissing fried eggs, Rainbow pushed Applejack up against her refrigerator. Light hums of amusement were shared between them, and for an instant, their travelling hands nearly lured their slim slips of fabric back off of their bodies. That is, until the smell of fresh breakfast reminded them of their other bodily needs.

As Rainbow Dash made sure she hadn't accidentally burned her breakfast, Applejack gathered up a couple of glasses and filled them up with juice. She brought them over to the nook table, a place she had never seen Rainbow Dash sit, and placed them at each seat. The rainbow-haired girl came over shortly after, scooping some scrambled eggs and placing them onto Applejack's plate, and some for herself. All the while, she was still whistling that Dolly Parton song she had been singing, and Applejack just smiled and shook her head. Some toast accompanied the meal, and Rainbow Dash sat down across from the barmaid at last.

“Ah didn't know y'cooked, sugarcube,” Applejack mentioned as she took a bite.

“I'm not totally useless,” she responded with a smirk as she stuffed a forkful into her mouth.

Applejack let the topic slide, getting back to her still steaming eggs. She heard Rainbow Dash grab a newspaper up off the table and unfurl it noisily, shaking it straight and holding it out while she ate. Sitting there with one leg crossed over the other reading a newspaper, Applejack thought she looked somehow sophisticated; despite the way she was clad in just a tank top and underwear.

As she coaxed her eggs onto her toast and fork, Applejack noticed Rainbow glancing over at her from above the newspaper. Looking up to meet her gaze, Applejack watched Rainbow quickly look away. Once more, she felt the younger girl's attention, but again she avoided addressing it. With a sigh, Applejack placed her fork down and leaned over the table.

“Al'right, why d'you keep lookin' at me?” she asked with a curious tone.

“Who, me?” Rainbow played coy, bouncing her one leg up and down over the other. “No reason.”

“C'mon, don't gimme that,” Applejack pressed on, kicking under the table at the girl who sat opposite her.

“I just,” she started abruptly, but paused to chuckle a bit and force a smile away. “I like this. It's so... normal. I feel like we're just some average, everyday... well, married couple. You know?”

“Ain't nothin' normal about you, y'bright-headed goof,” the blonde teased, and Rainbow stuck her tongue out in annoyance. “But Ah guess Ah understand. There's s'much goin' on, it feels nice t' just sit down an' act like common folk.”

“You bet,” she concurred with a wink.

Though the morning had felt so relaxing, soon enough, afternoon rolled around, and the two had to get going to work. Since it was a Thursday, both girls knew it wouldn't be very busy, and if they had it their way, they'd be able to get out of the Joint early and head back to Rainbow's apartment. Of course, that was some very wishful thinking, as they had forgotten that particular Thursday would be the second one since Cherry Jubilee's last visit.

Applejack was up at the bar as usual, doing some mindless cleaning duties she had neglected to do over the past few days. Running a cloth over the now vacant shelves which usually bore their selection of liquors, Applejack absently hummed the song that Rainbow Dash had got stuck in her head earlier that day.

“Kamikaze,” someone ordered, and Applejack paused as she faintly recognized it.

Turning around, she caught sight of a man she had not wanted to see again. It was that tall, blonde, older man, whose stone-stiff face seemed stoic and senseless. She recalled the ironically charming name that belonged to him: Angel.

“Yes sir,” Applejack mumbled as she got on to making it, tipping her hat at the gentleman.

From the way he sat down at her bar and checked his watch, she assumed he was waiting for his girlfriend, Fluttershy, to get off shift. His lack of interest to speak with the barmaid as she prepared the drink either meant that he couldn't care much less if she liked him, or perhaps that he didn't even recognize her. Regardless, Applejack went on grabbing a cocktail mixer, shaking up three equal parts lime juice, Vodka, and Triple Sec. Straining it into a cocktail glass, she garnished it with a twist of lime, and the barmaid pushed it across the counter to her patron.

“Waitin' for Fluttershy?” Applejack innocently started up a conversation, and after the man took a large sip, he replied.

“Mhmm,” he monotonously hummed, making a face as he licked his lips. He seemed disappointed by the drink, and Applejack resisted rolling her eyes at his obnoxiousness. “What the hell is in this?”

“Lime juice, Vodka, Triple Sec,” she explained, and his eyes narrowed. “That's an orange-flavoured liqueur. Served straight-up. Y'all ordered it.”

“I know that.” Angel sucked on his teeth before gulping another sizeable portion down. As some warmth settled into his stomach, he felt like speaking again, “You know Fluttershy?”

“Ah do,” Applejack responded, coming to terms with the clear fact that Angel did not remember who she was from Pinkie's party. “Y'all have been goin' out for six months now, ain't ya?”

“I guess.” His eyes pranced up to Applejack's, and she got an odd chill from them. “Sometimes I get a little curious, though.”

“Uh... what?” she wondered if she had heard that correctly.

“She's hot and all, but such a pain in the neck. All that anxiety shit,” he explained with a shrug. “Frustrates the fuck out of me. Pisses me off, which just makes it worse, she gets all stuttery and starts crying or some shit. Damn women, I'm telling you. You're lucky you don't have to date them.”

“Funny you should say that,” Applejack tried to hide an amused smile, returning to her duties.

“What, are you a dyke or something?” he snorted obnoxiously, but noticing the serious look on Applejack's face, frowned. Hurriedly finishing the rest of his drink like he was parched, he placed the glass back down on the counter and went on, “Damn shame, I wouldn't mind wetting my dick with a tall drink like yourself. Speaking of which,” he slid the glass over to her, motioning with a nod of his head. “Another.”

“... Right.” Applejack cautiously did as he asked, looking over at him uneasily. Every time he opened his mouth she disliked him a little bit more, and it was hard to be objective and polite with a man like that.

“Still, you never know, maybe you just need the right guy to turn you back around,” Angel callously noted, and Applejack found it terribly conceited, but kept fixing him another drink.

“Who, like you?” Raising her eyebrow sceptically, she passed another drink along to the man at her bar.

“Yeah, baby,” he slyly murmured, adding a wink. Applejack cringed a bit, nearly vomiting in her mouth. She really wondered what Fluttershy saw in the guy at all. “So, when is Fluttershy off? Even if it's the same old boring one, a piece of ass is always welcome.”

“Why y'gotta talk about her like that, any who?” the barmaid asked suddenly, more than tired of his horrible attitude. “She's a nice girl.”

“Like what? It's not your business, bartender,” he didn't even dignify her with reading her name-tag, though his eyes traced the area where it was pinned quite regularly. Downing almost half his drink, he wiped his mouth aggressively and glared at Applejack. “Just do your job and keep these coming.”

After staring at the man like she didn't believe he wasn't kidding, Applejack swallowed her pride and nodded, saying, “Of course.”

By the time she had passed over his third drink, Fluttershy had finished up her shift and came up to the bar. She spotted Angel immediately, and seemed to tremble upon spotting the drink in his hand. Swallowing nervously, she went over to him.

“U-Um... H-Have you been drinking, Angel?” she carefully asked, and he turned abruptly to look at her, making her flinch.

“Hey, Flutters, baby,” he greeted her with a sneaky looking smile, and Applejack rolled her eyes in annoyance. Patting his knee, he made room for her to sit down, which she did not do. “Just a few, your barmaid friend here was shoving them down my throat.”

“Yea',” Applejack grumbled blankly, adding an inaudible, “Ah wanted t' shove somethin' down y'damn throat, that's f' sure.”

“B-But you're driving... tonight...” Fluttershy quietly reminded him.

“Who do you think I am? I'll be fine, you worry too damn much,” Angel growled at her, throwing back the rest of his drink easily. Clumsily shoving off the bar, he went to stand up. “Come on, let's get out of here.”

“Yes, but, well, would you like me to drive? I mean, if that's okay,” she tried to ask, but her faltering confidence allowed Angel to brush her off. “A-And have you paid your bill?”

“Pfft, no. And it's my fucking car. I drive,” he barked back, standing straight and turning to leave.

“What's this now?” a voice spoke in an intrigued tone, and it stalled Angel almost as it did when he nearly walked right into the speaker. “Did I hear someone say they're walking out on a bill?”

“Who the hell are you?” Angel looked up at the taller man, whose curious and sarcastic expression irritated him.

Applejack looked up at the man who stood in front of Angel, blocking his exit. She recognized him immediately, and felt uncomfortable having him there at all. Saying nothing, she anxiously watched as the older man tilted his head at Angel, narrowing his eyes critically.

“Well, I am the man who owns this Joint, and I can't stand for someone stealing from me.” Discord's voice dropped dangerously low, and even Angel could tell he meant business.

“What're you doin' here?” Applejack whispered to him in confusion, and he hardly bothered explaining.

“I own this place, I can come and go as I please, even if just for the treat of your company, Applejack,” he suggestively murmured to the barmaid, who rolled her eyes as his attention returned to the younger man at his toes. “And you are?”

“Angel, Fluttershy's boyfriend,” he replied seriously.

“And does that give you some right to free drinks?” Discord's playful voice seemed both ominous and taunting, and no one was quite sure how to take it. “My lovely barmaid here took the time to make you some, quite likely, fabulous beverages. The least you can do is cough up some cash. Maybe even a tip, for making her put up with your gob.”

“What do you think you can do, old man?” Angel argued, making the most intimidating expression he could muster.

“Me? Well, I'd hate to have to forcefully retrieve my just share, especially in front of these lovely young ladies,” the older man admitted, gesturing to the barmaid and server, summoning a grunt from Applejack.

“Don't hold back on my account,” she grumbled, shrugging any discomfort off.

“You don't scare me,” Angel told him with a nod of his head, grabbing Fluttershy roughly by her slender arm. “Come on, Fluttershy.”

“I wouldn't be so hasty, were I you,” Discord stepped in front of him once more, blocking his exit. “I know I'm not the most menacing of men, but that's not to say I'm without my quirks.”

“Get out of my way,” he growled lowly, digging his fingers into Fluttershy's arm before she pulled away, leaving him nothing but the bar to grab for support.

“Not that I'm not concerned about the money any more, but now it's the principal of the matter, really.” The bar owner clicked his tongue and crossed his arms. “You know, I've met men like you before, Angel.”

With a careless snort, he responded, “Yeah, so what?”

“I know exactly what it is that makes you tick. Unlike the charming means that I go about enjoying myself—those being mischief and devious shenanigans in the best senses of the words, if you must know—you're the kind of fellow who likes to stir real trouble.” Discord looked him up and down observantly. “From the way you're white-knuckling my bar right now, I'd say you're quick to violence.”

“Shut up!” Without warning, Angel went to take a swing at him. However, Discord had anticipated such a strike, and evaded it with ease.

“Right-O! Bullseye with that one, I do think my intuitive perception skills are honing to a fine point; but enough about me,” the older man praised himself, straightening his collar. Shooting a look to the man's shaking girlfriend, he made another deduction. “With a temper like that, it wouldn't be too far-fetched to, perhaps, insinuate that you respond to most frustrations so aggressively. No?”

“I swear I'll fucking kill you if you don't get out of my face,” Angel snarled at him, threatening with a fist.

“So maybe, were I to, lift up this lady's shirt—for purely hypothetical and scientific reasons, I assure you—that I might find a few little... marks. Indicators of domestic disputes, I'd wager.” Discord grinned as he noticed how flustered Fluttershy became at the suggestion. Raising his index finger, he knew he was correct. “Another point for me, it seems. So, tack that onto the charges I'd press for stealing from my establishment, and I think we'd have ourselves enough cause to make an arrest, were I to call the proper authorities, of course.”

“You wouldn't.” The younger man's eyes slitted as he spoke.

“Oh, I just might.” He threatened, and the blonde boy went silent at the prospect. “And from the way you're shrinking under these threats, I might not hesitate to say you might have something of a record already. I wonder how serious such an offence would be—ooh, especially if you're already... on probation?” he curiously took a stab at it.

“Angel,” Fluttershy uttered his name, knowing the truth behind Discord's guess.

“Bingo. And for what it's worth, I think you'd find that—even if you may arguably be the toughest in this room—you're not quite the toughest man in... say, jail.” Discord stood tall above Angel, clearing his throat before trying to act more civil. “So I'm going to ask one last time, nicely, that you please pay your gracious server.”

After a hesitant pause, Angel reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet, sifting through his money, much to Fluttershy and Applejack's surprise. Slamming some bills down on the table, she growled, “This is bullshit.”

“Thank you ever so much for stopping in tonight, I truly hope to see you again.” Discord stepped out of the way, playfully waving a goodbye.

“Fluttershy, we're leaving.” Angel grabbed Fluttershy once more, and she squeaked at the force of his aggression.

“To get into a vehicle with an irate drunken man? I do hope not, surely I could coax you into asking me for a ride home tonight.” Discord mentioned, tugging at the dress shirt sleeves that stuck out beneath his pressed jacket. “I'm a perfect gentleman, I swear.”

“Much as Ah hate t' say it, Discord's right. You ain't gotta go with him, y'know,” Applejack told her carefully, trying to be gentle with the girl.

“Wha—stay out of this, you disgusting dyke,” Angel snapped at her, hitting his hand against the bar once more.

“Angel!” Fluttershy spoke with surprising volume, and all eyes were on her. “Y-You can speak your mind to me, sure, b-but I draw the line at letting you insult my friends.”

“You'll regret talking to me like that,” he glowered at her, and from the way his body trembled, one could tell he wanted to lash out at her.

“Angel, I'd be glad to talk to you once you've calmed down, but I think you should call a cab. Please.” Fluttershy tried to be reasonable, but he'd have none of it.

“I don't need you telling me what to do, I'm fucking done with all your self-esteem issues and bullshit. We're over.” Shoving away from the bar and storming across the lounge, he cursed under his breath, “Bitch...”

As Angel crossed the bar and left through the front doors, Fluttershy nervously rubbed her hands together and looked down guiltily. She felt awful about making him leave, and yet some part of her was relieved. Applejack was sure that she would be better off, and her respect for Discord had substantially grown, though she'd hate to admit it. After a pleased exhale of breath, Discord brought the attention back to himself.

“Well, that went better than I expected,” he mused in an amused tone, smirking down at Fluttershy.

“You're kiddin', right?” Applejack stated incredulously, raising her eyebrow and making a confused expression. “How did that go well?”

“Why, this beautiful young flower is now on the market,” Discord bent down towards Fluttershy, taking her by the hand and kissing her knuckles. With a smile, he went on, “Enchanté, mademoiselle.”

“O-Oh, um... nice to... meet you, too,” she shyly agreed, blushing and playing with her hair.

“A woman with a tongue for languages,” the older man noticed, going on to praise her more, “I'm sure I can find a good use for that.”

“Oh brother.” Applejack rolled her eyes again, wanting to slap herself in the forehead.

“W-Well, if you, um, wouldn't mind,” the younger girl stammered a bit as she found her words. “Maybe you could give me that ride home, t-that you haven't offered yet?”

“Seriously?!” Applejack nearly fell over as she gasped in surprise.

“Of course, my dear.” Discord agreed firmly, bowing over and extending his hand towards the direction of the door. “Your chariot awaits.”

“Y'gotta be kiddin' me,” the barmaid murmured, shaking her head and closing her eyes in disappointment. With a sigh, she added, “Fluttershy, y'have th' worst taste in men, Ah swear.”

“Oh don't be jealous, Applejack,” the older gentleman teased her, winking back at her. “There's plenty of me to go around.”

With a huff of a laugh, Applejack turned him down, “Ah'll pass.”

Discord merely shrugged before guiding Fluttershy down to the front doors, probably leading the poor girl into his car. Though she did not trust the man as far as she could throw him—which was probably surprisingly far—she knew that he was probably better than Angel had been, and besides that, if he hurt Fluttershy, Applejack knew just how to find him. So, for the time being, she continued her duties, stacking the liquor back onto the shelves she had cleaned off.

As her back was turned, she hardly heard the sneaking footsteps of a certain woman as she approached the bar. Her long locks of deep crimson hair fell over her shoulders like a red sea, mostly contained and bunched up on the back of her head. She pursed her ruby lips as she leaned over the swinging door behind the bar and eyed her barmaid, in a not so innocent way.

“Lookin' gorgeous as ever, sugar,” Cherry Jubilee told Applejack, a smile creasing her features as she noticed the younger girl flinch to hear her ice cold voice.

“Cherr—uh, Miss Jubilee,” Applejack hurriedly corrected herself, flustered by the woman already. Cherry seemed pleased by Applejack's initial response, and the way she called her by name without having to force her to. “What brings you by?”

“It's Thursday darlin', did you forget our usual date?” she asked with an edge to her voice, and Applejack shrunk away from it. “Ah'm hurt.”

“No, no, Ah just,” the barmaid stammered, glancing over at the doors to try and catch Rainbow's attention, to no avail. “Sorry, Ah didn't realize th' time, is all.”

“Ah forgive you,” Cherry shrugged the topic off, slipping around in front of the bar and letting her hand trail over the wood, something that snagged Applejack's gaze and slid it along across the bar with it. “Well, Ah have t' go around an' play manager for a spell, think y'all can wait up for me?”

“Um...” Applejack really wanted to say no, to turn her down, to tell her what was on her mind. But at the moment, all she could muster was some uneasy nod of her head and a murmured, “Sure.”

“Perfect.” The older woman pushed off the bar and started across the lounge, turning back just to say, “Ah won't keep ya waitin' long, sugarplum.”

Without another forced word, Applejack allowed her boss to walk off, after the woman blew her a kiss over her shoulder. Though she originally intended to get back to cleaning, Applejack hesitated to instead watch the woman descend the stairs, her protective instincts kicking in as she saw the way Cherry looked at Rainbow Dash. The girl had been folding some menus when her boss approached her, and she straightened up noticeably as she caught sight of the woman.

“Mmm, the adorable new addition to my collection,” Cherry Jubilee mused, going over to Rainbow without falter. She seemed to size the girl up, and under the unwarranted attention, Rainbow glanced towards Applejack for assistance, only to meet her warning gaze. “Ah have a little present for you, ma darlin'.”

“You... do?” Rainbow was unsure how to respond to that, cautiously watching the woman come over to her and slip a finger under her chin, turning her head to follow her as she strode around her.

“Bet your bottom dollar,” the older woman said as she reached into her more than revealing dress, making a show about ruffling the flowing skirt and flashing a few provocative sights at the younger girl, who looked away adamantly despite her curiosity. “Here.”

Rainbow tried to see what she held out, but the woman slipped around behind her and held something around her neck. At first, Rainbow Dash thought that it was some attempt at her life, and froze up with shock and slight fear. However, as she felt the soft crimson silk pressing against her smooth skin, she looked down and made out that the red fabric was not life threatening at all. In fact, it was a charming little accessory that intrigued the young girl. As Cherry's adventurous hands slid over her shoulders and straightened her shirt, Rainbow felt particularly objectified, but said nothing on the matter.

“A... bow tie?” Rainbow named it as she reached up and touched the folded fabric as her boss linked the catch behind her neck, being a perfectly pre-tied knot as it was. As Cherry Jubilee folded her collar over the run that tied around her throat, she leaned close and tickled Rainbow's neck with her hot breath before pulling away to take a good look at it. “That's nice of you.”

“Oh don't mention it,” Cherry smiled this alluring smile, and for a moment Rainbow Dash felt her face heat up, perhaps realizing what had enchanted Applejack about the woman. With a wink of one set of long, fluttering eyelashes, she went on, “A pretty young thing like you deserves t' look her best, don't ya think?”

Swallowing the lump that had appeared in her throat beneath the red bow tie, Rainbow Dash managed to reply with a dry mouth, “Uh... yeah.”

“Good, now Ah best be gettin' off an' finishin' up ma chores 'round here,” she toyed with the laces around her bust, which Rainbow hated to notice. Shaking her head, she listened to the woman's words, “You look tired, sugar. Late night?”

Biting her tongue and initial reaction to start bragging about herself and Applejack, Rainbow Dash cleared her throat and murmured, “Well...”

“No need t' explain, how's about y'get on off shift then? Ah doubt we need ya much at this time of night, especially at how slow it's goin'.” Cherry patted the girl on the small of her back, and Rainbow stiffened under the attention, wary of her motives. “G'head, darlin'.”

Accepting it as some friendly gesture—and even if not, it meant she got to leave early—Rainbow Dash took her suggestion to get off shift, gratefully saying, “... Thanks, Miss Jubilee.”

“Please, you sweet thing,” the older woman spoke with a chuckle, letting her slim fingers trail down Rainbow's spine and linger perhaps an instant too long on her hips. “Call me Cherry.”

Rainbow Dash's suspicious and uneasy gaze darted to Applejack, who was intently watching their interchange, her hands seeming so tense she might break the glass and bottle she held in them. She hated the fact, but something more than protective anger flared about in her stomach, something she could name as jealousy; but jealousy of whom was uncertain. Scrunching up her face, Applejack shuttered and shook her awful feeling away. By then, Cherry Jubilee had left Rainbow Dash's side, continuing her round to check the office, the kitchen, and her supervisor on shift.

Sliding the freshly washed glasses onto the stemware racks, Applejack continued her nearly robotic movements. It troubled her, knowing that she had to do something about the older woman; she had to tell her boss, and be firm. And yet, the guilt of letting her family down was already creeping up on her. Shaking her head, she vowed to find a way to support them that did not put her in such a vulnerable position, no matter what.

“Hey there,” Applejack was roused from her thoughts by a stimulating, suave voice. Without even turning to look at the girl, she knew who it was, and smirked. “The Joint sure has one sexy barmaid.”

“You're off already, Dash?” Applejack asked, noticing the way the girl slid onto the bar stool and tugged her regular jacket over her shoulders.

“Mhmm, I'm all yours, Dolly.” Rainbow Dash hummed, drumming her fingers along the wood and licking her lips. “How about you make me something special tonight? I'm especially thirsty.”

“Oh yeah?” The barmaid had already known that was coming.

Looking down at the almost empty cocktail glass that was left in front of her usual stool, Rainbow Dash smelled it curiously before speaking, “What was in here?”

Glancing over to see what she was talking about, Applejack replied, “A Kamikaze.”

“Oooh, make me one of those,” she said in an excited voice, not having tried one before.

“Just one?” the barmaid teased, smiling as she grabbed the mixer and stray ingredients, knowing Rainbow was hardly the type to stop after one drink.

And that evening was no different, as two drinks passed her lips in a matter of moments. Clearly something was bothering the girl, and Applejack did not have to ask to know what it was. After all, Rainbow was still humming that same old song and playing with the hanging red accessory tired around her throat. After hissing a click of her tongue, she brought it up.

“Does that woman get off on making people feel uncomfortable?” Rainbow asked in a higher-pitched, annoyed voice.

“You'd think so, wouldn't ya?” the blonde agreed with a chuckle.

“Well I mean look at this thing. Look at it!” the hostess called as she plucked at the bow, tugging on the corners and making it just a bit casually looser. “I look ridiculous. Bright red bow tie? I feel like a... like a valet!”

“Ah think it's mighty cute, if y'ask me,” Applejack taunted her young friend, who scoffed at the remark.

“Yeah, besides the fact that—with its stupid ruby colour—I feel like I'm wearing Cherry Jubilee around my neck, like I'm her damn pet or something,” Rainbow Dash murmured, taking the drink that Applejack passed her across the counter and nearly downing it in one motion.

“Dash, relax, don't get yourself all riled up about it,” Applejack tried to warn her, already preparing her next drink from the way she was gulping back her current one. However, there would be no fifth, Applejack was certain of that. “Y'all should slow down, y'know.”

“Whatever, I'm mad,” she defended herself with some poor excuse.

Frowning, Applejack let the topic slide. She understood how Rainbow Dash felt, especially since the young girl knew a lot about what Miss Jubilee had done to the barmaid. And now, she must have felt heart broken every time she saw the woman, and repulsed or nervous every time her crimson-painted fingers perused her own body. It was clearly the only thing on Rainbow's mind, as her aggravated, drumming fingers played a familiar tune, and she chewed at her lip incessantly until she got enough liquid courage in her to open her mouth.

“Jubilee, Jubilee, Jubilee, Ju~ubile,” Rainbow sang, quietly at first, but the volume rose with the ferocity that she meant each word. “I'm beggin' of you, please don't take my girl.”

“Be quiet, she's gonna hear ya,” Applejack warned, putting a finger to her lips and glancing down the hall. She could have sworn she had seen the woman, but now, she was nowhere to be found.

“Your smile is like a breath of spring, your voice is soft like summer rain, and I cannot compete with you, Jubilee,” she rainbow-haired girl sang on, swaying in her seat and feeling the words rolling off her tongue.

After a light laugh, enjoying the girl's voice, Applejack shook her head and murmured, “Well that just ain't true.”

“Do Ah hear some charmin' ol' country tune a'playin' up here?” Both girls froze as they heard the woman's voice, and looked over as she came up to the bar, tilting her head in curiosity.

“M-Miss Jubilee, she-she was just... just,” Applejack tried to explain, but no words would come out to rationalize it.

“Yep, I got a little Dolly in my heart, you know?” Rainbow easily told her with a narrowed gaze, taking her fourth drink and filling her mouth. Applejack could already feel the thick tension between those two, and it made her more than nervous.

“Ah do,” Cherry seemed to agree, her eyes trailing over Applejack's body wantingly. Rainbow and the barmaid exchanged glances, but Miss Jubilee interrupted, speaking to Rainbow Dash it seemed, “Mmm, someone's lookin' delicious tonight, don't you agree?”

“Does she now?” Rainbow raised an inquiring eyebrow, trying to play nice.

“Uh, th-thanks,” Applejack cleared her throat awkwardly, trying to keep the two from talking directly to each other. “Ah got some closin' duties t' get doin', s-so...”

“You're such a hard worker, darlin',” Miss Jubilee praised, opening the swinging door and approaching Applejack. Rainbow noticed this, and immediately felt defensive of her barmaid, clenching her teeth. “Ah really should give y'some reward.”

“Don't... you... dare,” Rainbow Dash growled, enunciating each word like it bore the weight of a whole unspoken sentence.

Pausing in her step, her boss casually glanced over at the disobedient young girl. With a suspicious gaze, she glared at the hostess, “Hmm? Somethin' botherin' you, darlin'?”

“You could say that,” she glowered in a low tone, holding their eye contact knowingly. This intrigued Cherry, and a smile melted over her luscious lips.

“Rainbow,” Applejack murmured through her teeth, widening her eyes as if telepathically telling her to shut up.

“Somethin' 'bout me rubbin' you th' wrong way?” Cherry wondered, leaning onto the bar and looking the young girl up and down.

“Rubbing Applejack the wrong way, more like it,” Rainbow Dash growled, sitting up onto her crossed arms and narrowing her eyes further, dropping her eyebrows dangerously over her gaze.

“Oh?” Miss Jubilee pretended not to know what she was talking about, but her devious grin gave away her guilt. “Do you have somethin' y'want t' say t' me?”

“I had to have this talk with you, my happiness depends on you,” came more words from the same song, and Applejack's jaw dropped incredulously. Rainbow nearly fell out of her seat, shifting in it to move to the edge and lean over at her. “And whatever you decide to do, Jubilee.”

“Heavens,” Applejack breathed, closing her eyes in embarrassment.

“What's that now?” Her boss seemed taken aback by that, and stifling a laugh, spoke on, “What are y'goin' on about?”

“I know what you've been doing to Applejack, and I won't stand for it,” she started suddenly, pressing her palm against the wood. “She told me everything.”

“Everything, did she?” Cherry laughed lightly, brushing off any sense of imminent trouble. Going over to the blonde, Miss Jubilee sized her up with intention in her eyes, before reaching out and touching the girl's cheek, trailing down to her chin despite the worried look on her freckled face. “Did she tell y'how it started? That she liked it?”

“Ah did not.” Applejack denied, though she did not pull away, as she was afraid of the consequences.

“You don't remember th' first night we were t'gether? Oh, you're breakin' ma heart, sugarplum,” she played like she was insulted, and Applejack appeared to have bought it. Whispering lowly in a sultry tone, Miss Jubilee spoke to her barmaid, “Ah remember it ever time Ah look into those gorgeous green eyes. Ah wrapped ma arms 'round that sexy waist o' yours and kissed you, an' sugar, you melted right into ma embrace.”

“That's not...” the blonde grumbled, looking down at her feet. “Ah didn't know what t' do, a-an' y'all had just saved ma farm an' ma family by gettin' me a job an' all...”

“Now Ah don't know who this young thing is t' you, but Ah won't have her comin' 'round an' try'na take ma barmaid away. Y'hear?” Jubilee's tone went dangerous once more, and a tingle climbed up Applejack's spine.

“Get away from her,” Rainbow barked once more, looking like she was about to leap across the counter. “Or I'll kill you.”

“Oh, darlin', you think so?” Cherry found the sentiment rather amusing, and laughed haughtily at the prospect. “Y'all should be careful who you're messin' with.”

“I'm not afraid of you,” the younger girl defied her, standing up and screeching the stool across the floor as she did. As she and Cherry faced off, Applejack felt an odd heat in the air, a dangerous mood. “How about we take this outside—just you and me, and we settle this.”

“Ah don't think you wanna be doin' that, sugar,” her boss murmured back, touching her hip and gently sliding the ruffles of her skirt up.

Applejack already knew what was hiding under her dress, holstered and buckled right over her fishnet stockings, but from where Rainbow Dash was sitting, she could not have seen it. Shimmering under the dull Joint lighting was the silver barrel of Cherry Jubilee's revolver. Her thumb pulled back the hammer threateningly, and both Applejack and Rainbow twitched when they heard it, though Rainbow was not certain where it came from. Glancing down at the source of the sound, Applejack noticed the barrel was pointed under the counter right towards Rainbow Dash. Determined to save the young girl, she intervened.

“Calm down, please. No need t' get violent. Miss Jubilee,” Applejack spoke up, though neither Cherry nor Rainbow looked over at her until the next few words escaped her mouth, “C-Can we just talk 'bout this like adults, somewhere a little more private, maybe?”

“What?” Rainbow growled as her and Jubilee's attention darted to Applejack. She stiffened up under their gazes, as clearly they had misinterpreted her intentions.

“A-Ah just mean that... that this ain't somethin' we should be discussin' at work, is all,” the barmaid tried to stay rational, noticing as Pinkie Pie cheerily crossed the lounge to greet some guests at the door. Applejack swallowed, giving a pleading look to her aggravated employer, whose finger still hovered over the trigger aimed at her lover. “Miss Jubilee... please. Please listen t' me.”

After a moment of silence, Cherry pushed the hammer back into place and released her hold on her pistol, leaning back against the counter, “Well, since y'went and asked s' nicely.” Extending her hand out to the barmaid, who shrunk under her lascivious glare, Miss Jubilee smiled and spoke, “Shall we?”

“Applejack,” Rainbow's whisper came out hurt, and it made the barmaid sad to hear.

“It's al'right Rainbow, what's the worst that could happen?” she tried to ease the girl's worry, building a makeshift smile over her concerned expression. “Ah have a lot t' say, is all. Let's try an' be adults about it.”

Applejack sighed in relief as she made certain the imminent danger to Rainbow's life was not present, knowing she had to do whatever it took to keep Rainbow Dash safe. Even if that meant having a difficult conversation or being alone with Cherry Jubilee. Reluctantly, the barmaid took Miss Jubilee's outstretched hand and allowed her to led her out from behind the bar. She could tell from her grip that Cherry was not pleased with her by any stretch of clemency, just she followed her along towards the office anyway. Rainbow watched Applejack leave, following her with a gaze when her feet could not make chase. For a moment or two longer than she should have waited, she hesitated going down there after them. After all, she knew Applejack had to deal with everything as tactfully as she could muster, and yet she was afraid that Cherry would not be so understanding.

Finishing the last of her Kamikaze, Rainbow Dash wiped her mouth and stormed off after her lover, taking the advice of her beverage and throwing herself to the wolves for some presumably good cause. By the time she reached the basement, however, the office door was closed. She could hear some muffled speaking from behind the door, which became easier to decipher as she placed her ear against the wood, but the knob itself had been locked up tight.

Inside the office, Applejack had to force herself to stop pacing, being rattled by the sudden need to explain her intentions to the woman she was so afraid of. Sitting down on the edge of Miss Jubilee's desk, a place she often was forced up against, Applejack brushed her bangs out of her face and took a calming breath. Her boss stood opposite her, a knowing and critical expression scrawled over her features.

“Al'right, let's not get ahead of ourselves or nothin', let's just start from the beginning.” Applejack tried to start.

“Ah'm listenin'” her boss seemed understanding, but something in her voice did not sound legitimate.

“Ah should have told ya, Ah know Ah should have, but, well we ain't really... together—you an' Ah, are we?” Without waiting for a response, Applejack went on, “Ah tried t' tell you Ah didn't want t' be your plaything no more, but, but Ah need this job, Miss Jubilee, Ah really do. Ah know you'll understand, Ah mean y'can't monopolize me, can you?”

“Ah don't think y' quite understand your position here, darlin',” Cherry Jubilee started, her crimson shaded eyes darkening. “Ah could get another bartender in a blink, an' Ah already have other cider salespeople knockin' at ma door. Th' only reason you're still here is 'cause Ah like ya.”

“Ah know that,” the barmaid solemnly agreed, nodding.

“And Ah think you're misunderstandin' quite how dangerous it is t' put yourself in here with me... alone.” Cherry told her firmly, and Applejack's hear skipped a beat.

“Um... Ah'm sorry, what?” the barmaid asked uneasily. Shifting under her gaze, she tried to be strong and keep on point. “Miss Jubilee, Ah said it's over. Ain't we gonna be adults about this? Ah ain't gonna work for you if that's what you want, but Ah'm tired of you threatenin' t' stop buyin' from my family. It ain't worth it. Al'right? Ah won't tell no one about what's been goin' on, we can just part ways if that's what's best.”

“Usually Ah'm all for mischeif,” she admitted with a shrug, a playful smile only flashing from her lips before her frown returned. “But this deceit, sugar? It don't make Cherry very pleased.”

“R-Right.” Another few nods.

“So Ah tell ya what. Ah'm all done bein' your sugar mama, an' Ah'm real tired of playin' nice with ya.” Miss Jubilee told her in a serious tone as she strode right up to her barmaid.

“Playin'... nice?” Applejack carefully repeated her words, her body tensing up as she heard such a thing.

“That's right. Now, my sweet, sweet little sugarplum,” Cherry reached out and caressed Applejack's face gently, noting the very nervous expression she touched. With a smirk, she took the barmaid more forcefully by the chin and demanded, “Ah'm takin' what Ah want.”

“What?” Applejack jerked back, but her attention darted to where Miss Jubilee's second hand went.

“Shut your little tramp mouth,” she spoke in a demeaning yet not entirely harsh voice, as her fingers unbuckled the gun in her holster and she removed it. Holding it right up to Applejack's nose, she told her, “An' open those sexy legs.”

“Cherry!” Rainbow's voice broke in through the door, as well as loud banging as she slammed her hands against it. “Cherry you'd better not lay one dirty hand on her!”

“Oh? You're still here?” said woman spoke as if she had forgotten about the young girl. Smiling over at Applejack, Miss Jubilee pressed her up against the usual desk, her hand trailing between the girl's legs to silently command her. “Ah don't think y'have much you can do either way, kiddo. If y'all could only see your little Dolly right now.”

“I'm going to call the police—I-I'll get Twilight, Pinkie—everyone!” She shouted stepping away from the door as if she was about to start running for help.

“W-Wait! Don't go doin' that, hold up Dash, please, don't make things worse,” Applejack pleaded, and Rainbow was unsure why. As Rainbow Dash glared at a closed door, the barmaid stared down the barrel of a pistol. “Y'gotta trust me on that one.”

Finally, Rainbow caught on that something seemed amiss. Gulping, as she feared to ask, she worked up the nerve to speak, “What does she have on you, Applejack?”

“Somethin' long, silver,” Miss Jubilee was who spoke next, taunting Rainbow Dash with what she could not see. “And deadly.”

“Wha—no! No. No, no no, Applejack!” Rainbow caught on, pounding more aggressively and fearfully on the door. In a voice that told she was nearly in tears, she called out, “Why did you go in there? Why did you trust her?! Damn it, Applejack!”

“Ah wasn't thinkin', Ah just wanted everything t' be solved, without yellin' or violence or... Ah wanted, Ah wanted...” Applejack could not even explain it, shaking her head sadly, regretting ever believing things might work out all right. She had been ignorant, naively thinking that Miss Jubilee would just let her loose like that. And she had been silly to think that she could handle herself alone around the woman, especially when she had never been able to do such a thing before.

“I'll get you out, I'll-I'll—” Rainbow tried to rationalize some solution, but nothing came to mind.

“Y'all should quit yellin' s' loud, someone might hear ya.” Cherry warned as she pulled back the hammer once more, sliding her finger gently over the trigger as the barmaid's eyes widened. “Y'all might startle me, an' make me do somethin' Ah'd regret.”

Giving up and pressing her forehead against the door, Rainbow gently whimpered, “Please... don't.”

“Sugarplum? Your move.” Cheery Jubilee said to her barmaid, raising her eyebrows as she anticipated a response. Reluctantly, Applejack's eyes fell, and she obediently spread her legs as Jubilee had silently requested. “That's what Ah thought.”

“D-Dash, y'ain't gotta listen t' this,” Applejack gave her an out, pursing her lips as she felt her boss slipping between her legs and touching her thighs.

“I'm not leaving you,” she said in a voice that tried to sound brave, but faltered. Swallowing shakily, she ran her hand gingerly over the cold door and tried to ease the girl it kept her from, “I'm right here, Applejack. It'll be okay.”

“Will it?” Miss Jubilee's question was haunting, and Applejack got goosebumps from the very ring of her voice, not to mention the words. As Cherry adjusted Applejack and pushed her skirt up her legs painfully slowly, she stroked the girl's smooth, stiff and nervous skin and told her, “Aww, just relax, darlin'. Ah got ya.” It did not sound nearly as comforting as it possibly should have.

“P-Please stop, y'ain't gotta do this,” Applejack begged her employer desperately.

Her twitching hands grabbed at the desk beneath her as her eyes softened on the door. She knew Rainbow was there, she knew the girl was probably just as horrified as the blonde was about the interchange. Refocused on her position by the commanding grip Miss Jubilee sunk into her tender thighs, Applejack winced, but gave no cry, yelp or shout to voice her agony.

“Oh, Ah do. Ah want you t' know just how angry Ah am with you. See, instead of ma usual collection of generous toys,” Cherry started in a dangerously taunting voice, and Applejack's eyes widened once more to notice the way the revolver moved away from being pointed between her eyes. She caught on immediately where her boss was going with that suggestion, and shifted in terror as the barrel pointed lower, and lower. “We're usin' somethin' a bit more interesting.”

“Miss Jubilee, w-what're you—?!” Applejack could not even muster the courage to ask, and by then, the aim of the devious iron-sight had drifted and caught onto a particular prize: right between the barmaid's legs.

“Don't y'think Ah deserve one last little date before y'go and leave, sugar?” her normally dark voice sounded childish as she toyed around with the dangerous weapon, spinning it once on her finger and making the blonde flinch nervously. “For old time's sake.”

“You're outta your damn mind,” Applejack snapped, frowning and leaning away in fear.

“Don't that just make it much more fun?” Cherry laughed in a pleased way, and Applejack's gaze locked onto the pistol as she gauged the likelihood of an escape. It did not seem plausible. As if reading her mind, Miss Jubilee reached out and grabbed Applejack by the back of her bright golden locks, squeezing and pulling until the barmaid hissed and relinquished her hesitance by submitting. “Don't even think about it, sugarplum. Ah'd hate t' have t' clean y'up off o' this desk.”

“...Yes ma'am,” Applejack responded through clenched teeth, feeling the cold metal of the revolver grazing her inner thigh.

As Cherry moved further in between Applejack's legs, she released a bit of the hold on her hair. She still controlled the young barmaid of course, and used that force to tip the girl's head a few uncomfortable fractions back before squishing their lips together. It was an awkward and horrible kind of kiss, as Applejack made no move to return it, and honestly felt like balling her eyes right out, but kept them tightly shut to try and block out the invasion. Applejack's body inadvertently jerked when she felt the icy touch of the barrel against her most personal and tender of parts, and it gently slid from one side to the other, moving her undergarments out of its way.

A gasp came as Miss Jubilee pulled her kiss away, and Applejack panted her first few breaths shakily. Sucking on her teeth to try and contain much less stifled noises, the barmaid was intently focused on the feeling of such a deadly object drawing circles over her most sensitive nub. The barrel rolled over her, and was surprisingly smooth despite her thoughts on the contrary.

Without warning, Miss Jubilee's smile spread like thick tar, and with it, her hand moved up further between Applejack's legs. This brought about a much more tortured whimper from Applejack, who tried to remain still in fears she might bump her employer's finger too roughly against the trigger. A sudden ram deeper and a throaty moan came simultaneously, and Applejack cursed herself for it as she noticed how loud it must have been. Loud enough to breach the door, at least.

“I'm right here, Applejack,” came a soothing understanding, Rainbow's distant voice so quiet and muffled it was hardly heard over the force of another unwelcome thrust. “I-I'm here.”

Miss Jubilee seemed to find some sick fascination in hearing Rainbow's stammer, and proceeded to endeavour to make it falter once more. Leaning against Applejack so closely their breasts squeezed against each other, Cherry ground her lips against Applejack's neck, opening them roughly to viciously bite at the delicate young flesh. Another pained yelp escaped the barmaid, and her quivering body became nothing but another commanded instrument to her employer.

“Damn it... Applejack...” came out in near sobs as Rainbow dug her fingernails into the hard door, rubbing her forehead against it like she could nestle against Applejack's chest to soothe her.

As much as she hated it, the barmaid could feel the risen cusp of metal on the end of the revolver's barrel scraping up against a particularly fond spot deep inside of her, rubbing it raw. Her stomach muscles tightened and shook with her pained breaths, and her expression twisted into anguish and disdain. The friction became too much, and Applejack gasped and called out in discomfort, her feet flexing and twitching from their spot hanging off the edge of the desk. The rocking of their two bodies was hardly any consolation, and the rough and rowdy bashing and slamming of the revolver deep inside of her was murder.

“You wonderin' what Ah'm wonderin'?” Miss Jubilee questioned suddenly over her barmaid's whimpers. Her soft, saddened green eyes opened slowly to exhaustedly gaze upon her rapist's expression, which was pleased and amused. She went on, heedlessly, “If this here revolver were anythin' like some member of manhood, what d'you think ejaculation might be?”

“You bitch!” Another shout from the door, and it saved Applejack from stammering out some incoherent response. “Don't talk to her like that! I-I'll kill you, I-I swear it!”

“Oh, Ah'm just teasin',” Cherry warmly responded, a familiar smile playing along her lips.

“P-Please,” Applejack gasped, but could hardly hear her own voice over the sound of the desk creaking and the blood pounding in her ears. She might not have been able to hear it if the gun had gone off. In fact, the way it scraped against her and invaded her, it already felt as though it had. Her somewhat muted and breathy voice came out with each thrust and shake of her body, “Please... stop, Ah-Ah... can't... please... Ah can't....”

“Applejack...” Rainbow whispered, her heart breaking as she heard one of the strongest women she had ever met... beg. A sobbing frown threatened to crack across her face, but she held it at bay, knowing she had to be strong for Applejack.

Denying Applejack her one request for just a little while longer, Miss Jubilee's devious intentions rushed on, striking into her prey more aggressively than before. Her groans turned to shouts as the invasion became so rough she could hardly bear it, and the barmaid pleaded to her employer's pride by leaning against her and squeezing desperately at her shoulders. Moaning a few more breathless begs against Miss Jubilee's chest, Applejack was finally appeased.

The friction slowed to a stop, and the blonde sighed in contentment, not being able to remember the last time she was so relieved. But of course, her momentary rest did not last, as the barrel of the pistol mocked her by so slowly exiting her body, and she gently moaned as it came fully out, dripping with her shameful fluids. Applejack tiredly glanced down between her employer's large and motherly breasts, seeing the pistol still in the woman's hands, leaving a thinning trail of moisture from her sex to the object of death. Her panting was heavy, and she could see little black flying dots all around her fading vision as she came out of her near comatose-inducing situation.

She was shoved back violently, and took the abuse without complaint, even as she knocked a good few folders and a phone off the desk. Her youthful eyes flashed up to Cherry's equally green yet dangerously narrowed ones, and Applejack swallowed uneasily from her position mostly laying back on the desk. The pistol was in front of her face again, and she nervously stared at it, anticipating another threat or two. It reflected the dim office lights and glistened with moisture, she unfortunately noticed.

“Y'best clean it off, sugarplum.” Cherry Jubilee demanded rather than suggested, and Applejack shyly looked back up to the woman. Her big, round eyes were darling and sorrowful, but Cherry was set on abusing them, and pressed the barrel of her revolver against Applejack's plump lips, which were swollen from biting back protests.

The pistol pressed harder against her lips, and she felt her own wetness on it. Obeying her employer, Applejack slowly opened her mouth, surprisingly yelping a muffled shout as the woman who controlled her shoved it deep inside. Applejack's eyes clamped shut as she tasted it, a metallic yet sweet flavour filling her mouth. It was odd to her how warm it felt against her squirming tongue, but she hurriedly set to completing her duty and licking the evidence away. Cherry seemed impressed by her prowess with her tongue, and lustfully watched the girl suck at the end of her pistol.

The older woman ground up against her barmaid, her stocking covered thigh roughly abrading Applejack's already tender loins. Moans hummed out through the invasion of the revolver in her mouth, and she made a face at how entirely awful she felt. Miss Jubilee was otherwise tender with her though, surprisingly, as she looped her arm under the blonde's lower back and held her dearly. Their inappropriately clashing bodies rocked and swayed on the desk until Applejack was sure it was too much, and she nearly choked on the barrel.

As Miss Jubilee gingerly removed it from her victim's mouth, she shook her head and sighed, explaining, “Ah don't know how Ah'll ever get along without you.”

“... Y-You'll manage,” Applejack lowly grumbled, wanting to wipe her mouth of the remnant fluids that had dripped down to her chin.

After a series of agile and accurate flicks of her wrist, which did their due diligence and plucked apart the laces of the barmaid's revealing outfit, Miss Jubilee tugged at the frills around Applejack's breasts, slowly revealing them. Applejack could not even look at the woman, and her face darkened with humiliation as she felt the barrel of the pistol slide up to her temple, playing with a few strands of her golden hair. Cherry pulled back suddenly, yanking the barmaid into a stumble after her as she found her shaky footing once more. As Applejack anxiously looked up at the crimson haired harlot, the woman before her ruffled the flowing crease in her dress until she revealed a particularly petrifying sight: Cherry's fishnet stockings, which led to the woman's matching red thong.

“Knees, now.” Cherry demanded, and Applejack hardly had time to respond before the revolver aimed at her once more, and her already beaten body collapsed to the floor beneath her.

Applejack stared at the floor as the woman's thong came down around her ankles in front of her, and she swallowed in fear. The silver revolver found her temple once more, and pushed hard as if direction her what to do. After hesitating, Applejack slowly looked up at her employer, keeping a stern expression as if it could dissuade the woman's evil intentions.

“Applejack? What's she making you do?” Rainbow asked pleadingly through the door, knocking lightly. She wasn't sure she could handle knowing, but she just had to ask. She had to. “Applejack?”

“...” her silence told a frightening story, and Rainbow Dash covered her mouth in terror once she imagined it.

“Ah can't do all th' givin', can Ah?” Miss Jubilee's voice tormented her, and Rainbow nearly lost it right there.

“No... no...” Rainbow cried, her trembling hand touching the obstacle she could not pass. Again, her fingernails scraped against it, and they felt like they might break from the force of her fury and fear.

“Ah... Ah'm sorry, Rainbow.” Applejack nearly whispered, but she hardly got through the last word, as by the Miss Jubilee had grabbed her by the back of the head once more.

Applejack winced as she was dragged the last foot on her hands and knees over to the woman, and through one eye she saw the ruffles of her employer's favourite dress stroking her cheek. Her breath caught in her throat as her mouth was covered, and the taste made her cringe and salivate at the same time. Her lack of action caused Miss Jubilee to prod her with the pistol once more, and Applejack knew there was no other way out.

“That's it.” Cherry moaned as she felt her barmaid's mouth open against her, though it was reluctant and detached. Bucking her large, rounded hips against Applejack, she sighed contently and pressed the young girl deeper, taunting, “Just like that, my sweet, sweet sugarplum. Just like that.”

“Applejack, goddamn it, Applejack, I shouldn't have said a-anything, I s-should have let y-you...” Rainbow's breath frantically jumped and fell, and her own legs gave out from underneath her. Losing her strength and crumbling to her knees, Rainbow Dash sobbed hard against the impermissible door, feeling the salty tears scratching against her pitiful and pathetic expression. She continued to cry out, her uneven voice faltering at ever syllable, “It... It's... a-all my... my f-fault, I-I'm so, so sorry...”

Just to spite the defeated young girls, Miss Jubilee raised one leg and wrapped it around her barmaid, pulling the girl deep between her legs and scraping her heeled shoes against the blonde's lower back. She mused a hum of contentment as she forced Applejack to work harder, using a successful regiment of pulling on her hair and threatening her with the revolver. She even enjoyed the way that her barmaid twitched with each silenced sob of her own, her begging hands squeezing at Cherry's fishnet-clad thighs.

“Whenever you an' that little tramp 're together, y'best remember everythin' that you an' Ah have done.” Miss Jubilee reminded her, and Applejack's heart pained as she feared it to be the truth. “Y'best remember this.”

As her employer was silenced by the movement between her legs, Applejack worked hard to negotiate herself out of the situation. There she was, pathetic and useless, a heap on the floor who had been completely dominated and defiled, and she was powerless to stop any of it. Her selfish need to live, to continue to love Rainbow Dash, to try and protect her family, those things damned her. Were she ballsy enough to defy her employer, to risk the bullet, perhaps she would not have to hurt her lover so much, perhaps she would not have to find a new job. Perhaps she should have just left well enough alone, perhaps she should have taken the sweet release of death. And yet, she knew she had to live on, she had to work to make it up to her family... to Rainbow Dash.

As the intimate space between her legs throbbed with the agony of imprudent penetration, and as the secreting juices of a woman she loathed with her whole being trickled down her chin and slipped into her cleavage, Applejack seriously feared whether or not she would be able to make love again.

A great breath was provided to Applejack as Miss Jubilee yanked her head away, allowing her the blessed freshness of free air. She coughed and choked loudly, falling to her hands weakly as Cherry took a step back and revelled in the aftermath of her victory. Tears, mixed potentially with other fluids, fell to the ground near her palms, and her whole body shook pitifully. Applejack noticed Miss Jubilee kneel down in front of her, and felt the woman take her by the chin once more.

With an infuriatingly pleased grin, her employer gratefully praised, “Why thank ya, sugarplum. Y'all were great.”

Another kiss was shared between them, though the enjoyment of it was one-sided at best. Applejack was too disgraced to summon enough will to forcefully pull away, but she managed at last. Miss Jubilee seemed to let her have her disobedience just once, pulling away and standing back up as she played with her revolver.

“Well, Ah guess that's all Ah need your sorry rear for.” Cherry growled as she glared down at her barmaid, who made her way to her feet while avoiding eye contact.

“Ah... Ah hate you,” Applejack finally mustered the courage to murmur, having lost everything else, her dignity included.

“Oh that don't bother me too much, honey,” Miss Jubilee chuckled at the prospect, watching Applejack angrily do up the laces on her outfit once more. "Get on with your mediocre life, now that y'ain't got me t' keep you company. For now."

Slapping Applejack's rear once more, which made the barmaid jump in shock, Cherry strode over to the door and waited for Applejack to follow. As she did, the crimson haired woman held her firearm up once more before unlocking the door and allowing the two lovers to see each other once more.

Their eyes met solemnly between them, and for a moment, neither could move. They both gulped uneasily, unsure how badly the other was plagued by what had transpired. As last though, Applejack nearly fell to Rainbow's side, wrapping her arms around the younger girl and holding her tightly against her trembling chest. Rainbow Dash continued to sob lightly as she tried to get a hold of herself, reaching up and wrapping her weak arms around the barmaid lovingly. Her amaranth eyes opened suddenly though, and their determined stare was set on the woman who had tried to destroy her.

“You won't get away with this,” Rainbow told her sternly, her voice still hoarse from crying.

“Oh, y'all could go blabbin' all over th' city, and ain't no one gonna believe you, darlin',” Cherry knew this for a fact it seemed, and both girls turned to glare at her as she went on. “Ah'm a well-respected woman, y'see. Seems to any objective observer, darlin', that you have clearly been drinkin', an' ma little sugarplum here just lost her job. Plenty o' reason for doubt if y'ask me. An' trust me, Ah always make certain not t' leave any evidence. Bet on that.”

Applejack already knew too well that Miss Jubilee covered her tracks. She was willing to wager that the woman would find a way to dispose of that very pistol in case the police were to try and find Applejack's DNA on it, or to match it to any abrasions left inside of the poor barmaid. There was no hope.

Rainbow Dash shook with rage, and she could hardly find the requisite words to express her fury, “You're a devil, a goddamn devil.”

Cherry Jubilee seemed to like the remark, and looked down at her crimson dress fondly, responding with, “Well, Ah do look gorgeous in red.”

“How... How could you do such a thing, you, you crazy bitch?! How could you?!” Rainbow spat, and Applejack had to hold her to keep her from charging at the woman and getting herself killed. Rainbow did, however, grab the red bow tie from around her neck and rip it clean off, dropping it to the ground in front of her as a statement of her disgust at the woman.

For a moment, Miss Jubilee was silent. While she wanted to scream some more, something about the shift in mood stalled Rainbow Dash, as well. Her expression shifted to confusion as she saw Miss Jubilee's eyes soften to solemn for an instant, an a small false smile failed to hold up for more than a second. Applejack wondered what took her so long to respond, so she, too, met her employer's questionable gaze.

In a voice that was so quiet it was hardly audible at all, the woman revealed, “You ain't th' only one who loves her, y'know.”

“W-What?” both girls were uncertain if they heard it correctly, but they never had the chance to find out, as Jubilee's harsh exterior returned.

“Now get outta ma Joint, before Ah call th' cops an' tell them how you're takin' your firin' so hard that you're tresspassin' where you ought not to,” Cherry told them seriously, pointing her free hand down the empty hallway threateningly. “Ah said get, before Ah change ma mind 'bout sparin' your little rainbow-haired plaything.”

Rainbow kept one arm protectively around Applejack as she warned Miss Jubilee, “You'll regret this. I promise.”

Cherry simply smiled, holding out her pistol towards the young girl and saying, “Do your worst, kiddo.”

Author's Notes:

Whoa, first chappy in this particular fic to breach the 10k words mark! A good one, no doubt. Started off light, aaaaaaand we're back to the dark matter that riddles this story.
Sorry about the (literal) trigger warning there, folks! But hey... at least... um... is there a bright side?... Isn't... there?