Staring blankly down at the enormous bowl, Applejack drew circles in the thick liquid over and over. The small bottle in her hand emptied bit by bit into it until the consistency seemed right, and she tested it with a small sip. Perfectly mixed, of course. She went back to stirring, casually watching the parted substance fall back into place faster now that the thickness was diluted.

“More, more!” a deafening tone blared next to her ear and Applejack winced.

Accompanying the shout was a rough shove that pushed her forward and took hold of the hand that grasped the bottle. Applejack watched irritably as the girl knocked a few more swigs into the mix, giggling all the while. It splashed about here and there, and Applejack moved a few inches back to avoid getting any on her red and green turtle-neck sweater, one that her grandmother had knitted her years before. Finally, the barmaid would let Pinkie do no more damage, and fought the bubbly girl further away. As she did, her foe put her lips right over the mouth of the bottle and picked it up in her jaw, tilting her head back to get a few good gulps herself.

“Pinkie, that's Rum. You're gonna get y'self sick again,” Applejack grumbled as she snatched the bottle from the pink-haired server, who was licking her lips all the while and humming her delight. “Y'asked me t'handle th' drinks, Ah know what Ah'm doin'.”

“Sorry Applejack,” Pinkie apologized, though it didn't even sound like one with her light squeaking. “I'm just so super excited!”

“Uh-huh.” Applejack rolled her eyes and sighed, replacing the lid on the bottle and holding it out of the girl's reach.

“Oh, you're just grumpy because Dashie didn't come, aren't you?” Pinkie asked teasingly, stepping into the barmaid's personal space.

“She said she's comin', she's comin',” the barmaid responded in a grumble.

“Applejack, Applejack, Appleja~ack,” Pinkie sung her name, and Applejack began stirring the liquid again with a slightly more concerned expression, noticing the change in proof as Pinkie had dumped a good lot more Rum into the mix. “You should come out and enjoy the party! Vinyl's remixing old holiday jingles, it's a blast!”

“This was home-made eggnog,” Applejack murmured under Pinkie's ramblings, pouting her lips at how she had overly-spiked it.

“Applejack!” Pinkie squealed again to get the barmaid's attention.

“Quit yellin' m'name, Ah know who Ah am,” Applejack replied in a louder voice, frowning at the party host.

“Applejack,” Pinkie defied her in a firm tone, and again the barmaid rolled her eyes. “I'm going to save you from this depressing rut!”

“Depressin' rut? This is your kitchen,” Applejack corrected, looking around at the seemingly unused room.

“Come on!” the frizzy-headed girl grabbed Applejack's arm and yanked her away from her post towards the swinging door, despite adamant protesting.

“What about th' sugar cookies? An' th' cider still needs t' be—!” Applejack pulled back, but ultimately allowed herself to be dragged to the living room, where the party ensued.

“Phooey!” Pinkie darn near screamed, looping and latching her arms around Applejack's captive one and stomping towards the rest of the group.

The music boomed much louder from the living room, where it originated, and Applejack had realized that the swinging door to the kitchen had protected her well from such festive tunes. She squirmed uncomfortably as Pinkie gripped her arm, which was being pressed between the girl's abundant breasts. At last, Pinkie Pie released her and shoved her next to Twilight, who was sipping on some champagne next to the beverage and snack table.

“Here, talk to Twi!” Pinkie shouted, though such volume was not necessary as the music could still be spoken above rather easily.

“Uh...” Applejack looked at the familiar face of her friend and supervisor, but didn't get a chance to say anything more.

“And have something to drink, silly! It's a party!” The frizzy-haired, bouncing girl shoved three glasses of champagne into the barmaid's hands, and luckily she was good at holding so many things due to her job requirements.

“What do y'think Ah was doin' in the kitchen?” Applejack mumbled as she placed two of the glasses of champagne down next to Twilight on the table and stood next to the girl.

Not wanting to be pulled around or scolded by the party host any more, Applejack remained by Twilight's side and brought the one glass to her lips. She had been sipping some of the Rum herself as she made the bowl of eggnog, so she wasn't adverse to having a few drinks. However, she was quite adverse to champagne, as the drink was not one of her favourites by any stretch. Twilight seemed to enjoy it though, and pleasantly sipped at it before taking the barmaid's attention.

“There you are, I knew you'd be hiding somewhere in the back, making these drinks and treats, no doubt.” Twilight giggled as she gestured to the line of drinks along the table, and Applejack could tell by her elevated mood that she had been drinking a good few glasses of champagne.

The snack table was mostly covered in scattered bowls of candy: be it brittle of some kind, candy canes, toffee, fudge or nougat chunks, or cookies similar to the kind Applejack had been making. Other than that, there was a good spread of beverages: a bowl of punch, a cooler of breezers, spritzers and beer, two open bottles of champagne, wine from some foreign land, and soon, the freshly made bowl of spiked eggnog. It sure was quite the spread, Pinkie always made sure to overstock on such things.

“Yea', y'know me,” Applejack said into the glass with a shrug.

“I'm surprised you could come at all,” Twilight went on in a chipper voice. “Miss Jubilee sure works you hard.”

“Yea',” the barmaid huffed the word in resentment. Applejack's expression sank to think of the woman, and just what work she demanded. On that note, Applejack brought the champagne flute right to her lips and tipped it at Twilight. “Even th' barmaid has t' drink sometimes.” And she downed the entire glass.

Watching the usually responsible barmaid swallow her whole drink, Twilight cautiously responded, “If you say so.”

“Excuse me, darling,” a much more proper and refined voice cut between the two, and they parted for the woman.

“Howdy Rare,” Applejack went to tip her hat, but remembered that she had left it on the coat rack as per proper manners. “Enjoyin' th' party?”

“Oh yes, and these sweets are divine, dear,” Rarity mused as she placed a few on a paper plate, filling up her glass with more of the bubbly liquid. Looking around, Rarity pursed her lips wonderingly. “Where is Rainbow Dash? Have you given her the—”

“She ain't here yet, no,” Applejack interrupted her shyly, looking away as if trying to act dismissive about it. “You're keepin' Spike company?”

“... Yes.” Rarity noticed her evasive change of subject, turning the focus onto her spending time with a much younger boy. “He's not quite old enough to drink yet, the poor dear must be quite bored just talking to me.”

“Ah dunno about that,” Applejack murmured to herself with a subtle smirking, knowing well the way the young boy deified Rarity.

“Only a few more months to go,” Twilight added with a proud smile.

As the three glanced over to the boy in question, who awkwardly sipped his sparkling apple juice by himself, they caught sight of a set of headlights squeezing through the drapes. Headlights only ever did that when someone pulled into the driveway, so they knew someone had arrived. Applejack placed her empty glass on the table and went towards the door to open it up for whoever it was. As she did, Twilight spoke up.

“That must be Fluttershy, she said she was getting a ride,” Twilight spoke as she followed Applejack.

“From who?” Applejack asked over her shoulder, knowing Fluttershy wasn't much for keeping close company, she was usually too shy for that as her name implied.

“Her bo~oyfriend!” Pinkie Pie chimed in while she danced past them in spinning circles.

“She's got another one? Since when?” the barmaid questioned with an odd expression. For someone so socially inept, she sure did happen to be popular with the boys. She was usually too nice to turn them down when they asked her out too, which is how she always turned up with some guy.

“She's had this one for a while now, few months I think,” Pinkie thought aloud as she twirled.

At that moment, they noticed the new guest step up to the door and knock twice, very quietly. There were a few mumbles from the other side, which went unheard due to the volume of the music which drowned it out. Then, right before Applejack could turn the knob, several more firm knocks were heard. Shrugging at the noise, Applejack pulled the front door open and revealed the aforementioned girl.

“Um, hello,” Fluttershy stammered out with her head bowed.

“Hey Fluttershy! Come in already! Come in, come in!” Pinkie squealed as she nearly pushed Applejack over to grab the timid girl's hand, tugging her into the party.

“Watch it,” Applejack scoffed as she tugged her collar back into place, as it had been offset by Pinkie's antics. Raising her narrowed eyes, Applejack noticed the man who accompanied Fluttershy at once.

He was a very large fellow indeed, at least a head taller than Applejack and shoulders almost as broad as Big Mac's. His short, groomed back hair was brilliantly blonde, nearly white in fact, and caused his blue eyes to jump out like sapphires. He was dressed rather well for someone in a leather jacket, and clean shaven to boot. Not that Applejack was much for men at all, but she did see some appeal in him, that is, until he spoke.

“How long do we have to stay here, anyway?” the man's voice was a growl, and his expression contorted into a deep frown.

“Oh, um, a little while I hope, I mean, if that's okay,” Fluttershy's voice got so quiet it dipped below the sound of the music.

“Whatever,” he grumbled lowly and crossed his arms, looking around for the beverage table.

“Um, everyone,” Fluttershy spoke up a bit, calling the attention of the girls near her. “This is my boyfriend, Angel.”

“What kind of a name is Angel?” Pinkie Pie asked bluntly, her bright, big eyes blinking in curiosity.

“From the Greek, ángelos, it's the word for a supernatural, mythological being found in various religions and—” Twilight had begun to explain, until she was silenced.

“Oh fuck off, my parents were just assholes,” the man cut in with a scowl, bearing his teeth as he spoke.

“Now now, Angel, be nice,” Fluttershy placed her hand on his arm, and he sort of just glared at it. “How about we go and get something to drink, okay?”

“Fine,” he spat, grabbing Fluttershy by the shoulder and dragging her after him aggressively.

Twilight, Pinkie and Applejack just stood there silently as the two walked off, until the barmaid finally spoke, “What was that about?”

“Somebody's a mister grumpy pants,” Pinkie Pie murmured into her lips, parting them barely to speak. “Maybe I'll go give him a hug and throw some confetti and—!”

“Ah dunno if tha's such a good idea.” Applejack grabbed her by the shoulder as she went to take off after the couple. “Here, Ah'll go talk t' them.”

Applejack followed the pair to the drink table and feigned interest in having a look at the snacks. She could see Twilight and Pinkie out of the corner of her eye, ushering her to go on, but she kept to her own schedule. Glancing once or twice over to the pair, she cleared her throat and made to start conversation.

“Uh,” Applejack started, getting Fluttershy's attention right away. “So, how long've y'all been together?”

“I don't know, a while.” Angel just shrugged the topic away, cluttering his paper plate with many treats and sweets.

“Um, it'll be six months, next week,” Fluttershy corrected with a serene smile, taking but two little pastries for herself.

“Oh, congratulations, then,” the barmaid said politely.

“For what? Not being able to find anything better to do than settle for sleeping with the same person for half a year of my life?” Angel retorted through a cookie in his mouth, and Applejack wasn't sure if she heard that right.

“He's teasing,” Fluttershy explained, nervously giggling.

“What the fuck is this,” Angel scowled, looking at the drink selection with a disgusted frown. “What the hell kind of party doesn't have Rum and Eggnog? Do you people just not know how to do throw a Hearth's Warming party or some shit?”

“It's still bein' chilled, in the kitchen,” Applejack told him and nervously chuckled. “Ah should check on it, an' the cookies, too. Fluttershy, you wanna give me a hand?”

“Well, sure, I mean, if that's all right,” her voice got softer, and her eyes drifted to Angel for permission, but he did not seem to care.

“Don't be long,” he ordered simply, grabbing a beer and cracking it open.

“Yes, okay,” Fluttershy agreed promptly, but followed Applejack into the kitchen nonetheless.

Upon pushing through the swinging door into the kitchen and letting the much quieter air settle in around them, Applejack heaved a loud sigh. Fluttershy said nothing for or against it, but shyly tailed her friend over to the over to check the cookies, first. As they were done, Applejack scooped Pinkie's oven mitt off the knob of the cupboard above and slipped her hand into it, retrieving the sweets with ease. As they made a gentle noise upon settling onto the cool stove, Applejack nearly threw off the oven mitt to speak.

“Is y'boyfriend always so...” She swallowed to try and keep the comment polite, as much as she wanted to just yell about it. “Aggressive?”

“Oh, well, um, I suppose he can be a bit...” Borrowing Pinkie's familiar word, she went on, “Grumpy. He's just, he's not used to being around so many strangers, surely.”

“He doesn't seem all that nice t' you.” The barmaid tilted her head, trying to pry at the truth from the often too kind lips of her most quiet of friends.

“He tries, s-sometimes harder than other times,” she responded passively, glancing down at the cookies as they were easier to look at that Applejack's serious expression. “He's had a bit of a difficult time getting close to people, and, um, he's still learning. I just have to be patient, that's all.”

“Learnin' what, how t' treat you like a human bein'?” Applejack asked with a judgemental tone, though she quickly realized her mistake. “Sorry, Fluttershy. Ah didn't mean t' be rude, but, well, he seems nothin' but mean t' you an' your friends, Ah don't think tha's right.”

“He's possessive, yes,” Fluttershy had to agree, though it still seemed like she was protecting him. “But he is very patient with me, too. He puts up with all of my, my troublesome habits. Most of the time.”

“Puts up with?” Applejack repeated and blinked, surprised to hear anything like that. “What does that mean?”

“Sure, he, um, gets angry with me,” Fluttershy shrunk as her voice fell quieter, and the barmaid had to lean in to hear it at all. “B-but I provoke him, too.”

Applejack went very quiet, tracing the worrisome lines across Fluttershy's face. It was very clear at that moment that Fluttershy was hiding something from her. And from the way the girl was sweating and hid under her long-sleeve sweater, Applejack took a guess.

“Has he ever,” Applejack spoke slowly, making sure each word was clear but not invasive or judgemental. “Hurt you?”

“That's a silly thing to ask, Applejack.” Fluttershy forced a small giggle, her eyes dropping to her feet and her hands hiding in her sleeves.

“That ain't an answer.” The barmaid continued to stare at her friend, waiting for a more suitable response. Her lack of willingness to discuss it was proof enough, though.

“Listen, he has flaws, sure, but we all do,” the timid girl spoke again, her serene yet contorted face meeting Applejack's gaze. A smile wormed onto her lips as she continued, “Everyone needs love, Applejack,”

“Yea', includin' you,” Applejack reminded her firmly. As Fluttershy let out a slow breath and shrugged about it, avoiding confrontation and direct discussion, Applejack continued to speak over the dull throbbing of the distant music, “It jus' don't seem like tha's a good relationship, is all. Ah don't want cha t' get mixed up in somethin' you'll regret. W'all still remember that fella Iron Will, y'know. This don't seem much better.”

“T-thanks for the advice, but, um,” Fluttershy cleared her throat awkwardly, dropping the subject and stepping back toward the door almost defensively. She flashed another sad smile and ducked out at once, leaving a few words in her wake, “I think I'm okay.”

“Ah hope so.” Applejack watched the door fall back into place, standing alone in the kitchen at last with her back against the counter.

Her eyes fell a bit, struggling to accept the fact that Fluttershy didn't want her to know any of what was going on with her. Squeezing her fingers against her palm, Applejack let out a low groan in the form of a hum. She could understand the sentiment herself, as evident in the fact that she herself had never uttered a word against Miss Jubilee, no matter how abusive their interactions felt. She could not blame Fluttershy for doing the same.

By the time Applejack came out of the kitchen, after checking the chilling eggnog and moving the sugar cookies onto a cooling rack, Fluttershy and Angel were already on their way out the door. Apparently Angel had it in his mind to let Fluttershy make him dinner that evening instead, and having to stop at several stores on the way to get the best ingredients to make it perfect seemed necessary to him. It was for the best, Angel's attitude was not the best addition to one of Pinkie's parties.

With a heavy heart, Applejack placed the Rum and Eggnog mixture onto the snack table at last, her mood dropping to her feet with each passing moment. Most everyone at the party was well past intoxicated, and having little else to do but bake and take care of beverages, for herself and for others, Applejack was not far behind. She had just about given up hope that Rainbow Dash was coming that evening, after all, she never was good with making friends or being in crowds.

Applejack shuttered as she placed the ladle into the bowl once more, turning it in place and feeling the cool air coming off of the liquid. As the drifting chill of the winter's evening wind passed over her, coming in from perhaps an open window or another attempt from Pinkie to go out and gather enough snow for a snow-cone before she squealed about her frozen toes and ran back in, she placed a stack of plastic cups beside the bowl. Applejack was about to step back and perhaps go find someone sober enough to talk to, but was stalled. Flinching as arms came around her stomach, she went stiff and glanced down, recognizing the slender, pinkish fingers contained in their usual fingerless gloves.

“Hey,” Rainbow murmured into the back of her shoulder, nuzzling against it.

“Well you sure hummed and hawed b'fore choosin' t' show,” Applejack pleasantly chuckled, allowing the girl to embrace her before turning around to greet her.

“Y-yeah, took me a w-while to find the place,” Rainbow Dash stuttered through her chattering teeth and numbing lips, which as Applejack turned around, she realized were bright red and chapped.

“Heavens, y'must be freezin'!” Applejack gasped, turning to face the slim girl and placing her warm hands over Rainbow's now crimson exposed ears. “Look at cha, all rosy-faced an' cute as a button.”

“I can't hear what you're saying,” Rainbow responded in a louder voice, as Applejack had been covering her ears.

“C'mon an' warm up.” The barmaid draped an arm around her and pulled her over to one of the couches, which was vacant as of that moment. “What'd y'do, walk here?”

“Maybe,” Rainbow said into her hands while she blew warm air between them, plopping down on the couch as Applejack sat beside her. “I caught the bus most of the way, but had to walk for like a half hour, lost. Pinkie's directions are ridiculous.”

Rainbow Dash pulled off one of her gloves and fingered around in her pocket, managing to find the piece of paper she required even with her numb hands. Unfurling it, she showed it to Applejack exactly as Pinkie had drawn it: like a treasure map, complete with hand-drawn landmarks and few street names. Applejack rolled her eyes and let Rainbow crumple it back up and shove it into her pocket.

“Sheesh,” the barmaid sighed as she covered her eyes with her hand in an embarrassed motion.

“Oh well, I got here, didn't I?” Rainbow grinned as she unzipped her jacket, letting it fall apart and expose her sweater. As she tugged off her scarf, Applejack was able to see the baby-blue colour of it, and the snowflake pattern that danced across it. “Hey, eyes are up here, Dolly.”

“Stuff it.” Applejack roughly shoved the girl, causing them both to laugh.

“Ooh, look!” Pinkie's voice called out shrilly and sliced the pleasant tune of the music in half all across the room. “Applejack's not the only one with an ugly holiday sweater!”

“Hey!” both Applejack and Rainbow Dash defensively sounded.

“You two are adorable!” She bounced over to them, swinging an Ottoman out from by a recliner and pulling it over to the couch, plopping down right onto it in front of them. “Wow, I never thought you'd show up! Applejack kept saying 'she said she's comin', s' she's comin'' and she was totally right!” Pinkie's voice deepened and acquired an accent as she meant to mock Applejack.

“I almost didn't make it, thanks to those trash directions you gave me.” Rainbow glared at her with a firm frown. Her eyes flashed over to the barmaid though, and softened as she looped her arm around the back of the couch behind the girl. “Course, I'd hate to make a liar of Dolly.”

“Oh my gosh! I'm so~o sorry, Dashie!” the frizzy haired girl cried obnoxiously, making Rainbow Dash cringe. “How can I ever make it up to you?”

“Stop calling me that,” Rainbow Dash muttered blankly, but got a better idea. “And maybe get me a drink.”

“How 'bout Ah make somethin' special, hmm?” Applejack spoke up, tilting her head in Rainbow's direction as she caught the girl's attention. “Ah'm sure you'll love it.”

“Do it, do it!” Pinkie bounced up and down on her seat, the short piece of furniture scraping across the ground over and over.

“Pinkie's got quite th' collection in 'er liquor cabinet,” the barmaid praised, already thinking of what interesting and little known drink she could mix for the rainbow-haired girl.

“Of course I do! What's a party without it?!” Pinkie chimed, her voice cracking behind her beaming smile halfway through the sentence.

“Here, Ah'll be right back,” Applejack said as she pushed off the couch, getting to her feet before turning and going around the seat towards the kitchen.

“Don't keep me waiting,” Rainbow Dash called after her, pinning her eyes on the barmaid. “Make it good, and I'll give you a nice tip, 'kay?”

Applejack paused to carefully glance back, her expression interested and apprehensive. She still had not forgotten the first tip that Rainbow Dash had left her with. Cracking a smile, she replied, “Y'better.”

Rainbow Dash fondly watched her walk away, leaning back against the couch and peering over her outstretched arm to get a better look as Applejack went through the swinging door into the kitchen. Letting out a content sigh as the girl's body disappeared, she relaxed back into place on the couch. Pinkie Pie was staring at her with a great big smile though, and she flinched to notice it.

“She's so cute when you're around, don't you think?” Pinkie Pie asked, clasping her hands together between her knees.

“She's always cute,” Rainbow Dash answered easily, though she felt jealous to hear Pinkie call the barmaid something like that, even if it didn't mean anything.

“The Applejack I know is always so well-adjusted, like, Mrs. Cool, Calm, and Collected. But it's funny, when you're around...” The frizzy-headed waitress sighed loudly, phrasing it right, “She's always smiling and doing weird things.”

Rainbow Dash contorted her expression, not really getting it. “Like what?”

“Like getting syrup all over her arm, or being flustered by a silly nickname, or getting up to go and make a cool drink!” Pinkie rambled, shifting back and forth in the seat and counting inaccurately on her fingers the oddities she noticed.

“Oh, she's made a lot cooler of a drink than this one probably is, let me tell you.” The rainbow-haired girl tipped her head and smirked, remembering the most exciting of drinks she had ever seen.

“She's pretty talented with that stuff, yeah,” Pinkie agreed readily.

“I don't know if you've ever seen her do this one thing, but it was amazing. The first time we met, it was months ago, right, I came into the Joint on this really, really slow night, so it was just me and her,” Rainbow began to tell, and Pinkie's expression settled narrower with each word, finding the tale familiar. “Now, the drink tasted fine, but it was the way she made it that was so damn awesome.”

“The way she made it, huh?” the girl repeated, a wondering suspicion creeping up.

“Yeah, she gets these two tankards, right, fills them with Scotch and water, and she turns off the lights,” Rainbow said as she demonstrated with her hands miming in the air, and Pinkie focused on the movements. “And she lights it on fire!”

“Wait, that was...?” Pinkie gasped lightly as she realized it. That was the very same story, the very same drink that Applejack had claimed to make a certain mysterious girl, who until this point had remained nameless.

“And she starts pouring it back and forth between the tankards—the fire! It, like, pours between her hands like a great blue stream, it was, it was...” she kept going, only pausing to sigh in awe as she remembered it. “Phenomenal.”

“And, um...” Pinkie coughed to hold in her laughter, finding out a very interesting secret that Applejack had been keeping from everyone. “What did you say this drink was called?”

“A Blue Blazer.” Rainbow Dash revealed at last.

Pinkie bit her lip and widened her great sparkling eyes, knowing now who this girl was: the mysterious Blue Blazer Girl who had kissed and captivated Applejack. The barmaid had told a few of her friends about that evening when she had a few drinks herself and let it slip, though it was kept mostly a secret and Applejack had begged them to keep it quiet. Not only had she not wanted them to figure out who it was, as her friends had a habit of wanting to interfere with just about anything, but she didn't want Miss Jubilee to find out, either. Rainbow gave Pinkie a weird look as she noticed the frizzy-haired girl nearly splitting her skull apart with the force of that terrifyingly knowing and excited smile.

“What?” Rainbow asked, but stopped the conversation to turn around as she heard the kitchen door swing open again. She looked back and smiled once she caught sight of Applejack. “Heya, Dolly.”

“Al'right, Ah know y'ain't much for sparkly kinda stuff, but give this a shot, okay?” Applejack came around the couch and sat right close to Rainbow, holding the thin glass out to her.

“What is it?” she asked as she took it.

Rainbow blinked in wonder, the drink a bright blue colour. It was contained in a champagne flute, and rimmed with sugar so carefully that there almost appeared to be lines of icicles coating it. Taking it by the stem, Rainbow glanced into the glass at the beautiful care that had gone into it. It was almost a shame to drink, actually.

“A Tinsel Bellini,” Applejack told her simply. “Includin' some Hpnotiq, limoncello, an' champagne.”

“I don't know what any of that is, but it looks awesome,” Rainbow praised, smelling it before deciding whether or not to ruin the sugary rim with her lips.

“Teehee!” Pinkie Pie released a quick giggle before she could adequately cover her mouth. Applejack glanced over at her, noticing her enormous grin and blushing cheeks at last.

“What's s' funny?” the barmaid asked innocently, tilting her head to the side.

“Nothing, nothing.” Pinkie waved her hands out in front of her. “Just, Dashie here was telling me about the first time you two met.”

“I told you to stop calling me that,” Rainbow growled with a frown.

“The first time we...” Applejack swallowed, knowing where this was going. “Met?”

“Oh, yes, it sounds like quite the charming story!” Pinkie giggled again, teetering in her seat from side to side. “An evening at the Joint, just the two of you,” she went on, holding her tongue until she could not hold it any more, “A Blue Blazer.”

“Pinkie can Ah talk t'you for a quick second?” Applejack hurriedly asked, not waiting for a response until she stood up and grabbed the girl by the wrist, tugging her back into the kitchen.

“Huh? Where are you—?” Rainbow tried to ask, but they had already disappeared behind the swinging door. She settled back into the couch slowly and frowned, deciding to take a sip or two. Her eyes widened as she noticed how delicious it actually was, the sugar a sweet compliment to the citrus after-taste. “Shit, that's good.”

Applejack yanked Pinkie into the kitchen, making sure the door was firmly set closed and the room was vacant. She sighed and groaned in one breath, pushing the still guffawing girl against the pantry door before standing in front of her with a firm expression. Though her heart was pounding and her face was red, she knew that she should have anticipated someone finding out, considering they all worked together and were drinking together. Still, her anxiety and embarrassment were quite apparent.

“Okay, how much d'you know?” Applejack asked in a disappointed tone.

“I can't believe you didn't tell me!” Pinkie screamed back, making Applejack wince. “She's the Blue Blazer Girl?! That's so—so perfect! You two are adorable together! It's like a fairy tale!”

“What? Quit sayin' weird stuff.” Applejack crossed her arms and looked away. “Fairy tale 'bout a screwed up bartender and an aggressive drunk, yea', tha's adorable.”

“It is, it is! Have you told her how you feel? Are you dating? Have you slept with her?” Pinkie startled prattling on until Applejack stopped her.

“Wha—no, none'a that!” the barmaid almost shouted, blush fringing her features. She grabbed the still overly eager and enthralled Pinkie to calm her down. “Look, we met a long few months ago, okay?! We ain't anythin' more, get it?”

“Have you two done anything since then?” the frizzy-headed girl asked seriously, and Applejack went silent. She was no good at lying, so she remained quiet, which was answer enough. “Applejack!”

“Okay, okay! We... we kissed once since then, an', an' there's been some flirtin', an touchin',” Applejack revealed slowly, chewing at her cheek and filtering between tones and volumes. “But it might not mean anythin', Ah mean, we never talked 'bout it 'r nothin'.”

“Details! How did you kiss?! Here, show it on me!” Pinkie leaned forward and puckered her lips, horrifying Applejack into scampering backwards frantically.

“Eww, Ah ain't about t' kiss you!” Applejack shouted incredulously, her face contorting into disgust and uncertainty.

“Well you don't have to say eww.” Pinkie rolled her eyes and frowned. “I should be the one to say that, considering you're a girl and I'm straight.”

“Sorry, Ah didn't mean it like that.” Applejack nervously forced a chuckle. “It's just, Ah don't have any answers f' you, an' things 're complicated.”

“Love's never complicated,” Pinkie mused, sighing amorously and clasping her hands together.

“Ah never said nothin' 'bout love,” the barmaid murmured, her expression turning to a pout. “Look, can we jus' drop this? Y'all should be out enjoyin' th' party, not hidin' in the kitchen with me, talkin' 'bout fantasy.”

“It doesn't have to be a fantasy! Let yourself be happy, Applejack!” Pinkie Pie grabbed the girl's hands and squeezed them, embarrassing her further. “It's almost Hearth's Warming, miracles do happen, you know.”

“It ain't that easy,” Applejack struggled to hold her tongue well enough, the liquor loosening her lips. She couldn't tell the girl about the real reason she couldn't let herself be happy, about how she was under Miss Jubilee's thumb and had the weight of her family's future on her shoulders. She settled for playing casual to avoid the topic, “An' Hearth Warmin's still a while away, y'always have parties too soon.”

“You're so stingy!” the pink-haired girl tugged at Applejack's hands up and down, causing her to sigh irritably. Noticing the way Applejack's eyes drifted back again to that same spot away from her, she followed her gaze. She was looking right at this thin little box, which was tied together with a simple bow and tucked away on the corner of the counter. “What's that?”

“N-nothin'! None'a your business!” Applejack hurried over to it and scooped it up, hiding it behind her back.

“Is it chocolate?” Pinkie Pie gasped loudly and Applejack flinched, stepping back. “Secret chocolate?! Is it nutty, or creamy, or melty or bitter? Yuck, I hate bitter!”

“It ain't edible at all,” the barmaid grumbled, glaring at her to try and shut her up. Bringing it back in front of her and holding it gently with both hands, she went on, “It's a gift, for... Rainbow Dash.”

“Is it a dildo?” Pinkie blinked questioningly, and Applejack choked on her bluntness.

“N-no! Why would I—?!” She shook her head, not even going to finish that sentence. “It's just a little gift, nothin' like that.”

“A little vibrator?” Pinkie whispered suspiciously.

“Oh, for Pete's—!” Applejack groaned loudly in frustration. “No! Just a friendly gift, nothin' edible, nothin' sexual, nothin' edible and sexual!”

“Lame.” Pinkie shrugged simply, but let it go. “Well, are you going to give it to her?” the pink-haired server asked, another smile crossing her face.

“Tha's usually what gifts 're for, yea',” Applejack sarcastically responded.

“That's so sweet! You totally lo~ove her!” Pinkie sung loudly, and Applejack had to slam a hand on her mouth to silence her.

“Shut up! You're awful, y'know that?” the barmaid told her with a frown. “Ah'm goin' back out, Rainbow's probably wonderin' where Ah got off to.”

As Applejack pushed the kitchen door out and stepped into the living room, she found the couch they had been sitting on entirely empty. With a greatly disappointed expression, she glanced around the room searching for the girl she had wanted to see. All that was left of her was the empty glass that once held the Tinsel Bellini, which sat on the end table beside where she had sat. Applejack's expression fell as she stepped out into the still thriving party, though she felt the mood had died right then.

“Hey, where's Dashie?” Pinkie inquired as she came out of the kitchen behind Applejack.

“Don't call her that,” Applejack grumbled, though her eyes continued to trace the guests. “Ah dunno, Ah don't see her.”

Applejack noticed the gentle breeze gliding across the floor, and looked around for the source. All the windows were kept closed tight, and the front door was in place too. The only other way that a breeze could have got in was the sliding glass door to the balcony, which Applejack looked over at. It was left but a crack open, and the drapes were gently falling into and out of place, drawing Applejack towards it. Leaving Pinkie to rejoin the party, the barmaid found her way to the balcony door, nudging it open with an elbow.

The stinging bite of winter forced her to wince and shield her eyes, which watered slightly with the cold. Still, beyond her sleeve, she was able to see clearly the back of a familiar friend leaning over the railing. Sliding the door back into place behind her, Applejack stepped onto the wooden planks, which were dusted with snow from that very evening. As she heard the soft crunching of snow, Rainbow Dash looked back and met the gaze of the girl behind her. Immediately, her face lit up warmly.

“There you are, Dolly,” Rainbow Dash's voice was like a soothing cup of hot chocolate, and heated Applejack to her core.

“Y'all were th' one who took off,” Applejack responded, finding room to lean over the railing right close to the girl.

“Yeah, sorry about that. You know me and crowds.” Rainbow sheepishly rubbed the back of her head, hiding her eyes under her bangs.

“How're you gonna be a Wonderbolt like that?” Applejack asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I don't know, really. I love the idea of praise and admiration and stuff, but I'm not much for groups of people. Kinda funny, isn't it?” She snickered a bit, shaking her head. “I used to be the most outgoing and dynamic kid, really I was. My dad used to take me around to all his fancy parties and shit, I thought it was all really cool, for a while. I can't tell you what happened.”

Applejack watched the girl carefully, wondering if she really couldn't tell her, or if she just chose not to. With a calm hum, Applejack looked out over the scenery before them. It was a wonderful sight indeed, Pinkie's balcony overlooked a cute little suburban neighbourhood, and as expected, many of those festive families had set out all kinds of decorations. Lights strung across rooftops and around archways, lighting up the whole street like fireflies or stars scattering across the white banks and lawns. Trees were rounded in lines of ornaments and and flickering bulbs, topped with fallen stars or angels.

“This is nice, though. Being here with you,” Rainbow Dash's voice carried on the soft wind as her eyes shifted back to Applejack.

“Yea', Ah'm sure glad y'came,” the barmaid responded with a smile, feeling the slender box in her fingers and she toyed with it out of sight. “Ah, um, Ah gotcha somethin'. Well, made it, Ah guess.”

“You what?” Rainbow asked incredulously. She wouldn't say it, but she was not used to receiving gifts from anyone. “You didn't have to—”

“Ah know. Ah just, Ah wanted to, al'right?” Applejack bashfully pushed the box into Rainbow's hands, hiding her fluster and flushing cheeks by facing the scenery instead.

“Oh, well...” Rainbow swallowed nervously as her fingers plucked at the thin ribbon, not wanting to appear too eager. “Thanks.”

Rainbow Dash slowly pulled the ribbon off, letting it fall onto the railing gently and catch on the disturbed snow. Though she wanted to appear unconcerned, Applejack continuously cast little glances back at the girl as she opened it, anxious for her response. Peeling the slightly wider lid off the lower half of the box, Rainbow Dash peered inside. There, sitting in a bed of tissue paper, were two beautifully crafted winter gloves. They were similar to the ones she always wore, except where her own cut off about halfway up the finger, these merely changed colour. It looked just about as cool, but were surely a good deal warmer.

Delicately retrieving the articles as she placed the lid of the box under the bottom, she felt them between her fingers. The wrists were folded back, but obviously unfurled if her sleeves were not long or warm enough for her. Unable to stop it, a great big smile melted over Rainbow's face as she held the handmade objects dearly.

“Rarity helped me with th' designs an' all,” Applejack humbly told her, unable to meet her gaze at first, instead turning to fidgeting with her own hands. “Ah'm usually no good at stuff like that.”

“I can't believe you made these, that's amazing! I think they're beautiful.” Rainbow adored them greatly, placing them both in her more distant hand and reaching out to take Applejack's hands in her other. “Thank you, Applejack.”

“Whoa.” Applejack blinded in surprise, standing up straighter and looking right into Rainbow's eyes. “Ah don't think Ah've ever heard you call me by m'name.”

“Shut up! I'm trying to be mushy!” Rainbow shoved her roughly, blushing madly. Still though, she rested against Applejack and admired the gloves again and again. “I love them.”

“Aww, shucks.” The barmaid shifted against her, leaning closer though she hoped it went unnoticed.

“Really.” The rainbow-haired girl tugged at Applejack, pulling her from the railing and holding onto her hands for a second longer. “I do.”

And with that, her arms flew around Applejack's neck. The embrace was warm, though the outside of their respective jackets seemed cool to the touch. The blonde returned the hug without hesitation, her arms closing easily around her slender body. Again, they lingered too long for it to seem merely friendly, but when they pulled apart, they could not so simply stay apart. It was a silent interchange at first, their hands remaining on each other and their expressions casually ushering more.

Rainbow Dash stretched onto her toes and leaned up, placing one sweet, tender kiss on Applejack's lips. It was easy and tasteful, and despite whatever was floating around in their heads, entirely innocent. The two parted slowly and held their positions, gauging the rising desire in their bodies and assessing the other's body language. Again, Rainbow pressed her lips against the barmaid's, a pleased hum accompanying it this time.

She hardly had time then to pull away before they both moved back in, continuing the act more wistfully. Hands squeezed harder into fabric, pulling bodies so near that the clothing keeping them apart seemed torturous. From simple lips to lips came a more fervent exchange of mouth on mouth, kisses opening and allowing exchanges of taste and tell. Huffs of steamy breath floated around and rolled into their hair and scarves, pulling them together and burning the cold hands of winter to dust.

Rainbow's leg picked up off the ground backwards as she rose against Applejack, like some fairy tale kiss. However, it did not remain up, and immediately slammed down forward, right between the barmaid's legs, giving her the advantage. Sliding her hands back over her shoulders and roughly gripping her sweater by the collar, Rainbow Dash twirled Applejack around her and shoved her against the closest firm object; a support beam with a light on it, as it was. It did the job of holding her in place long enough for the two to grind against each other in more intimate of ways.

The force of their bodies against the beam, however, rattled the still fresh snow atop the hanging light, shaking it right off. They were parted by a dump of freezing cold dust, which landed on their heads and splashed over their shoulders in a feathery white clump. Rainbow Dash yelped and coughed a bit, having got a good few flakes in her mouth. As she shook it out of her hair, Applejack closed her eyes and shielded herself from the projectile snow. Pausing, the two looked at each other, still holding the comfortable embrace against the cursed beam.

“Figures,” Rainbow murmured with a pout, and the two started laughing at once, still close in the embrace and enthralled by the vicinity.

“Well, what do we have here?” a voice interrupted their laughter, along with the sound of a sliding door opening. A girl stepped out onto the balcony, one that Rainbow did not recognize, though her bright blue neon hair should have been a dead give-away. “And here I thought you were straight as a board, AJ.”

“A-Ah, um...” Applejack swallowed nervously, taking her hands off of Rainbow Dash at once and leaning back against the beam. Rainbow, too, realized they had been caught and took a step away from the barmaid, turning around with a sheepish grin.

“Don't worry, your secret's safe here.” The girl tipped her bottle at them, which seemed to be a breezer or spritzer of some kind. Even though it was quite dark outside, she was still donning sunglasses, which she slid down her nose a fraction to get a better look at the unfamiliar rainbow-haired girl. “Who's this chick, anyway?”

“Oh, beg pardon. Vinyl, this is Rainbow Dash, she's,” Applejack introduced and gestured to the girl but paused to take a guilty, slow breath. “Our new hostess, at work.”

“No shit! Man, you're full of surprises tonight.” Vinyl laughed out loud, shaking her head as Applejack blushed and chewed at the inside of her cheek. “A hard-ass like you screwing with a co-worker, it's glorious!”

“W-well, we ain't, uh...” Applejack forced a nervous chuckle, not able to finish the sentence as Rainbow Dash's snickering interrupted her.

They all fell silent as the sliding door screeched back open, Applejack and Rainbow Dash both stepping a bit farther away and keeping their hands to themselves. Vinyl just sort of looked over her shoulder, recognizing the intruder before she even stepped outside. With a crooked smirk, she nodded at the company and began to reach around in her jacket for something.

“Vinyl! What are you doing out here?” it was Octavia's voice, and she stormed right over to the girl without even looking around on the balcony for others. Placing her hands on her hips in accusation, she glared at Vinyl and spoke, “You'd better not be smoking.”

“What's it to you?” Vinyl found the box of cigarettes and tapped it, knocking one loose enough to grab and slip between her lips. With a suave tone, she replied, “You know it makes me look sexy.”

Octavia was silent for a moment, a slow exhale churning her steamy breath in front of her. With her eyes glued to the girl in front of her, she stepped closer. Vinyl noticed her forwardness and turned completely around, leaning her elbows behind her on the railing. Her piercing eyes peeked out from over her sunglasses, daring Octavia nearer. Complying, the more civil of the two reached out and plucked the cigarette from Vinyl's mouth, holding it between them and keeping eye contact.

“You don't need cigarettes for that,” she told her in a suggestive hush. Vinyl, however, grinned and snorted a laugh, gesturing with her head towards the pair down the balcony from them. Octavia immediately straightened herself, clearing her throat and addressing the issue passively, “Oh, um, hello Applejack, I didn't see you there.”

“Clearly.” Vinyl guffawed, noticing Octavia begin to sweat and do this nervous habit she had of playing with her hair. “Oh relax, AJ's cool, she's not gonna nark.”

“I have no idea what you're talking about.” Octavia flipped her hair nonchalantly.

“Yeah, whatever you say.” Vinyl shook her head and hissed laughter through her teeth, taking the cigarette back from Octavia.

“Well...” Applejack cleared her throat awkwardly as she spoke up, and it was to Rainbow Dash that she spoke. “It is gettin' a mite chilly out here. What d'you say t' poppin' back inside for a spell?”

“Leaving these two alone, you mean?” Rainbow added with a nudge to her friend and a subtle wink.

“Somethin' like that,” Applejack murmured in a hush as they passed Vinyl and Octavia on their way back inside.

“I'll pretend I didn't hear that,” Octavia said as she tipped her nose back.

Applejack chuckled lightly as she slid open the glass door and let Rainbow Dash slip inside first, following her closely. Once breaching the threshold of the doorway, the two realized just how loud it had grown inside. The party still raged on, music absently pounding out of the machine that Vinyl once occupied. And yet, though everyone looked to be having a fabulous time, neither Applejack nor Rainbow Dash felt any inclination to join in.

“Well, um...” Rainbow Dash cleared her throat and shuffled side to side a bit. “It is getting kind of late, I mean, I have to catch the last bus home, after all.”

“Right, yea', me too. M'brother dropped me off, since Ah ain't fit t'drive after drinkin'.” Applejack nodded in agreement, but there was another pause.

“So,” Rainbow hummed, her eyes shifting to the girl beside her. “You want to take off?”

“Ah'll grab m'jacket,” the barmaid said as she started towards the closet, where Pinkie had tossed it when she arrived.

Glancing over her shoulder back to the party to perhaps wave a goodbye or two, Applejack found not a single person even taking notice of them. The lights had been dimmed, after all, as was normal as time went on during one of Pinkie's parties. With a passive shrug, Applejack threw her coat on over her shoulders and started towards the door.

Knowing the way much better than Rainbow Dash, Applejack directed them to the bus stop, which surprisingly wasn't very far from Pinkie's house despite Rainbow's trouble finding the place originally. Living in a popular suburban area, the buses ran quite often, so the wait was not totally unbearable. However, since it was just after midnight, the bus was almost empty, and the few passengers seemed like questionable company. Rainbow Dash walked almost right to the back of the bus before plopping down next to the window in a two-seater, leaving room for Applejack. Taking off towards downtown, the bus heaved and huffed against the trials of the snow.

“Is there even a bus that'll take you all the way home, Dolly?” Rainbow asked, relaxing back comfortably in spite of the uncomfortable seats.

“Naw, m'brother said he'll pick me back up once Ah give him a ring, he don't feel good about makin' me take a cab 'r nothin',” Applejack explained simply, taking out her old model cell phone and waiting for the screen to light up.

“Shit dude, does that brick even send a signal?” Rainbow teased as she leaned close over Applejack, getting a look at the thing. She plucked her new gloves off her hands without even looking, shoving them into her coat pocket carefully.

“Shut up, you.” Applejack laughed and nudged her away, though she didn't mind the closeness. “Ah'll get him t' pick me up from your place, that way Ah can make sure y'get home safe.”

“You could always stay the night,” Rainbow Dash suggested in a yawn, rubbing the back of her neck casually.

Applejack stopped to think about the proposal, her finger hovering over the call button. Sure, she could stay over, but her brother had said he would be waiting up for her call, and she did have to leave early in the morning anyway to get back to the farm. She swallowed nervously, watching Rainbow Dash adjust the way her breasts fell in her sweater.

“Ah shouldn't,” Applejack found herself saying once more, trying to keep her wits about her.

“It's cool, I'll probably head right to bed anyway,” the rainbow-haired girl shrugged, her eyes closing up slowly. Applejack had to contain herself from jumping on board with the idea, once she got the image in her mind of laying in bed with Rainbow. “I'm pretty damn tired.”

Getting right to business as usual, Applejack pressed the call button on her phone and held it up to her ear. It hardly took a few rings for her brother to pick up, and she easily recited Rainbow's address to him. Not much for words himself, he merely agreed with a firm 'eeyup' and hung up quite promptly. As the barmaid went to pocket her phone back up, she noticed Rainbow Dash leaning gently forward and snapping back up once or twice. She was clearly nodding off already, but Applejack didn't mind at all.

With a gentle exhale, Rainbow Dash fell right asleep, tipping to the side. Applejack flinched suddenly as she felt the girl's head land on her shoulder, and carefully glanced down at her. It was true, she was surely asleep. Applejack couldn't help it, a smile crept across her face as her eyes softened on Rainbow's sharp but delicate features.

Gently and slowly, Applejack raised her arm and looped it around Rainbow's small frame, tugging her close and letting the girl rest her head on her shoulder. Applejack breathed slowly and shakily, feeling her heartbeat quicken substantially. Nibbling at her lip, the barmaid tore her eyes from the girl on her arm and glanced around, remembering that it was a rather public venue. However, all it did was invigorate her more.

There was something enthralling about the possessiveness of the position, the way it simply explained her feelings about Rainbow Dash so completely. It seemed selfish, she knew that, but there was something about having the girl all to herself that the barmaid adored. In the back of her mind, though, she still felt worse, for not being able to provide that same selfless devotion to Rainbow Dash. No matter how much she wanted to.

Author's Notes:

Yes, I know it was a long pause between updates, sorry! Working on a lot right now, and this was a long chapter so... yeah, whatever.
I hoped you Fluttershy and Pinkie fans liked seeing more of them this chapter! Hahhh, and that whole thing with Angel?? Man, my boyfriend dared me to do that once, so I thought "hey, why the hell not".
I think you'll like the next chapter, but a heads up, for some of the later stuff I have planned, I might have to change this to an "M" fic, since stuff gets kinda heavy. Anyway, hope you enjoyed it so far.