Chapter X

Applecrisp was back to work after a period of three days absence. She looked tired when she entered the door. Ana, who had since taken her place, heard her entrance and immediately went to confront her.

“YOU! Little pony, where have you been? My husband pays you to work!” Rarity was arranging the breads in the display and had a perfect view of the scene. She knew Ana had been waiting for this moment and Rarity felt the fury in the air.

“I” she motioned pointlessly to herself. “Have taken your place, and I do not work here. I” She motioned again. “Have worked in your stead. I did not know you would be leaving, nor did Sonny. Tell me, what could possibly have kept you?” Applecrisp looked up at the fuming horse.

“Took four sick days, or vacation if y’prefer. Ah ain’t got no plans to take anymore, ah’m well nao.” She replied flatly. The Apple pony flicked her head to Rarity. “She took time off, so did ah. Ah’m here to work, y’can go back to yer house nao.” There was a dejectedness to her voice.

Ana shook her head.

“That is not good enough, you will give me an explanation little pony. You cannot leave unannounced for such a time.” Ana ordered. The apparent tiredness left Applecrisp and she met the mare’s gaze directly. There was something in her eyes, a fire that sat far back in her countenance, almost invisible in her blank expression. Her voice was still the same slow drawl, but Rarity heard a trickle of rancor amidst the words.

“Ah said, ah took four sick days. Y’kin fire me, or y’kin let me work. That’s all you can do.” She stated quietly. Ana seemed surprised that Applecrisp had not given her what she demanded and she glared down on the little pony, trying to break her resolve. Applecrisp stared back, saying nothing.

The room grew quiet.

Rarity felt the flesh on her neck crawl, it was a silent yet massive battle before her. Ana steamrolled anypony in her path, she got what she wanted, nopony would keep anything from her if she asked hard enough. Yet as Rarity watched the blue pony before her, she saw a blackness in Applecrisp that she had never seen in anypony. Applecrisp didn’t blink, she didn’t frown, she didn’t even glare, she just stared emotionlessly into the chestnut colored horse.

The two stood motionless. A horrid awkwardness descended on the room. Rarity slid the metal sheet of Challah into the smudged glass enclosure and backed toward the oven room. As she reached the door, Rarity heard the tinkle of the door behind her. She cursed silently and walked back to serve the customer.

“Excuse me, I would like a sample of your Katachapuri please.” Octavia asked politely. Rarity picked up the bread knife.

“No samples.” Ana didn’t take her eyes off of Applecrisp as she stated the rule. Rarity stopped and looked to Octavia awkwardly. Octavia glanced back at the two opposed mares behind her.

“Um, ok.” She said crossly. “I’ll just take a loaf then.”

“Four bits.” Rarity said uncomfortably. Octavia gave her the money and Rarity handed her the bread.

“Thank you, please come again.”

“Yeahhhhhh, sure.” Octavia was still looking at Ana and Applecrisp, who had not moved in some time. The door closed and the awkwardness returned.

Rarity tried to separate the two.

“Hey, uh, can I get a hoof lifting these bags of flour in here?” She asked nopony in particular.

“Be raght in.” Came Applecrisp’s response. She walked past Mrs. Salukas and into the oven room. Ana still stood in the front end. She didn’t even look back.

Rarity pointed to a half empty bag of flour in the corner of the oven room.

“Heh, kinda just wanted to get you outta there, you know?” She tried to be casual. Applecrisp nodded and picked up the list.

“Whut d’we need for today?” She asked as if nothing had happened. Rarity was glad they were just going to leave the past few minutes behind them.

Things got back to normal, with work dominating their interactions. Applecrisp and Rarity started on restocking the bakery. They baked for hours, neither said a word and that suited Rarity fine.

It was about seven when they finally extinguished the last of the ovens. Rarity’s neck hurt and she tasted flour with every breath. She and Applecrisp walked out of the oven room. Sonny and Mr. Salukas were seated at a table. Rarity’s stomach tightened with apprehension.

“Applecrisp, please come here.” Sonny said formally. The blue pony dropped her backpack and walked over to the pair. She stood complacently before the table. “Please tell us where you were for the past three days.” The stallion said politely. Rarity didn’t like where this was headed. Applecrisp looked to Mrs. Salukas.

“Lahk ah told yer wife, ah was sick, ah didn’t plan on it. Ah got well today, so ah came in to work. Ah still got sick days and ah worked today.” Sonny cleared his throat.

“I understand that Applecrisp. But we were not even informed of your absence.”

“Tha’s the nature of sickness ah reckon, comes on fast, didn’t gimme a lot a time to go tellin’ a lotta ponies. Ah spent mah time just workin’ t’get well.” Sonny nodded, Rarity knew he was trying to arbitrate between the two mares.

“I am sorry, you are well now?” He asked kindly. Mrs. Salukas noticed her husband’s attempt to steer away from the conflict.

“What sickened you?” She asked suspiciously. Applecrisp looked over to her.

“Sickness.” She answered, this time, the enmity in her voice was noticeable. Mrs. Salukas snorted and Sonny tried again.

“Ana and I were just taken by surprise. We.” he nodded to Ana. “Were not able to open on Monday because of this.”

“Sorry t’hear that. Ah don’t make it a habit of getting’ sick.” Sonny bit his lip and nodded slowly.

“I understand, thank you for explaining to us. You may go now.” Rarity heard Ana suck in her breath, she knew Sonny had sacrificed himself for Applecrisp.

The two ponies left the bakery. Applecrisp turned left on Mane Street and Rarity watched her for a couple seconds. Applecrisp didn’t look around, she just walked down the street looking directly ahead. What was with her? There was no way of knowing with the stone-faced mare. Rarity shook her head and started for home.

As Rarity turned, she nearly collided with Pinkie Pie, who was standing literally a foot from her. For an obnoxious and seemingly airheaded pony, Pinkie could be deadly quiet at times.

“God! Pinkie!” Rarity yelped in fright.

Pinkie was smiling, Pinkie Pie always smiled, maybe that was one of the reasons Rarity hated her so much.

“Hay Rarity! I heard you protected Twilight and Spike up in Cloudsdale! That’s really brave!” She said excitedly. Rarity tried to settle herself.

“Yeah, I guess so.” She said, taking a few steps back.

“Do you know what bravery calls for?” Pinkie Pie asked, her voice dripping with coy excitement. God no. Sugarcube exploded out of a barrel behind Rarity, which nearly put her into another conniption.

“A PARTY!” They cried simultaneously. Rarity almost bolted.

“N-no, s-sorry, I have to go home now, I’m very tired.” She said hurriedly. Pinkie giggled and slapped her across the back.

“No silly filly! Not tonight, tomorrow night! We’ll have cake, and balloons and party games.” Rarity thought frantically for an excuse. “And all your friends will be there! Even Twilight and Spike! They said they wouldn’t miss it!” Spike and Twilight? Rarity anxiously wondered what they thought of her newfound and unplanned reputation. Twilight had been under the assumption that Equestria would hate her if they found out. Now that it was clear that nopony hated her, was Twilight going to apologize for covering it up? Or was Rarity still in deep shit for nearly killing everypony?

“And applebobbing! And hay rides!” The two headaches were still babbling on about the party.

“What time?” Rarity interrupted.

“Seven! At Sweet Apple Acres! Totally informal!” Pinkie related. She had no excuse, especially not if Twilight and Spike were coming.

“Guess, I, will, be there.” Rarity had to push the words out. Sugarcube slapped her across the back.

“Great! See ya then!”

Rarity started for home, the helium voices of the two ponies ringing in her ears. She didn’t want to go to a Pinkie Pie party. She really didn’t want to go to a Pinkie Pie party with an Alicorn who in all likelihood resented her having a party at all. Rarity hopped the fence to her field. Another perfect day in Ponyville.

The next day was overcast, Rarity awoke facing toward the forest and her apple had a worm in it. On her way to the bakery, Rarity saw Pinkie and Sugarcube shuttling party implements to Sweet Apple Acres, she sighed and tried not to think about the impending party.

Applecrisp was already cracking eggs for a batch of muffins when Rarity joined her.

“Banana nut? When do we make those?” Rarity couldn’t remember the last time they had made muffins that Ponyville ponies liked eating.

“That party a’yers, Sonny is makin’ ya’ll a batch.” Applecrisp replied in her typical apathy. Rarity blushed a little, it was sweet of Sonny and uncharacteristically generous too. Clearly Ana knew nothing of this.

They worked for a time, Rarity closely studying her co-worker. Applecrisp didn’t seem any different and Rarity was glad that the matter of the sick days was buried.

“So this stock in Sugarcube Corner, how’d that go?” Rarity asked as they sat waiting for the muffins to bake. Applecrisp was playing with a bread knife that sat on the counter beside them.

“Didn’t buy none.” She said shortly. Rarity chuckled.

“Business too shitty?” Applecrisp accidently dropped the knife.

“Sumthin’ like that.” She said as she knelt to pick it up.

Rarity wondered why Applecrisp had passed on the investment. She was here in Ponyville to make a life right? She probably didn’t want to spend her life baking foreigners’ bread no doubt. Glad as she was to see somepony actually avoid Sugarcube Corner, Rarity wondered what had made the country pony change her mind. However she knew better than to ask any more questions on a subject Applecrisp was clearly finished with. Instead she tried to change to a more agreeable topic.

“So, how’s the swamp?”

“Fahn.” Applecrisp picked up the knife and tossed it into the sink.

Applecrisp didn’t want to talk; everything seemed normal. Satisfied with her coworker’s emotional state, Rarity waited in silence for the muffins. Her mind turned to Twilight, was she angry? What was the Alicorn’s regard for her? She pondered this as she went about her work.

Twilight had assumed that ponies would hate her for almost killing their queen, but then, Soarin’ had taken the blame for that. Had he? Was there blame to take? Audacity and most of her short-lived fans had emphasized Soarin’s fear with comedic effect and nopony seemed really mad at anypony. Rarity was a hero, Soarin’ was a bit of a coward, that seemed to be it. She hoped that was it.

Rarity ate her lunch outside, she sat on a bench and watched the ponies going about the day. Applejack was right, it had been a few days and nopony cared about her.

“Hey you!” Sugarcube popped up in front of her. Nopony but the ones she hated. “Watcha doin’?” She asked sunnily.

“Just having my lunch.” Rarity said uncomfortably. Sugarcube nodded vigorously.

“That’s great! Say! What kind of frosting do you like? Pinkie said you like purple and I thought grey! We’re making a big cupcake for your party!” Rarity shrugged.

“White’s fine.” Sugarcube bobbed her head. She comprehended the response, had completed her task and yet she still stood stupidly before Rarity. The yellow pony seemed poised to ask another stupid question with an easily guessed answer and Rarity began to wolf down her sandwich.

“Say Rarity, do you know who Fluttershy is?” Rarity stopped chewing.

“What?”

Sugarcube frowned and pawed at the ground in thought.

“Yeah, I was going over the list of names in the Cakes’ address book for the party invitations and I found her name, but there wasn’t an address. Mister and Misses Cake said to never mind about her.” She looked at Rarity in confusion. “Is she that pony in the statue?”

Sugarcube had taken her back. That smarmy little imp had taken her farther back than she had ever wanted to go. Rarity had forgotten, or blocked, the memory of the statue that stood by the entrance to Everfree forest. Rarity instinctively slept facing away from the cottage, she hadn’t gone to the funeral, she didn’t talk about Fluttershy. To her, it was like Fluttershy hadn’t existed. Over the past few months, the wound had scabbed over as the rest of her life had fallen apart and she had forgotten mostly about the dead Pegasus.

Sugarcube’s question brought back the memory of the shy yellow animal lover and the memory of her life before the Blast. This time, the going back was strong and Rarity felt the rage and grief tied to the memory rising up out of her mind. She rose and walked by the wondering Sugarcube.

“Yeah that’s her.” She said quietly.

Applecrisp was inside already, Rarity couldn’t remember if she had actually seen Applecrisp take a lunch break outside of the bakery. They got to work, but the thought of Fluttershy still hung in Rarity’s mind.

Rarity had read the paper, “Celestia and one Pegasus dead from explosion.” She had realized that she would never see Fluttershy again. She realized that Fluttershy’s Element would hang unused in the castle for the rest of time. She remembered the Blast very well.

For Rarity, Fluttershy’s death was like she had been erased from time. Opal had gone to a new vet, the forest animals apparently took care of themselves and everypony purchased herbs elsewhere. The fact was, Rarity probably took Fluttershy’s death better than most of her friends. Maybe it was because she had never been that close to her, maybe it was because her business’s failing had taking precedence during her time of grief.

Yet the feelings of sorrow and lifeless sadness that arose with just the sight of her house told Rarity otherwise. She had buried Fluttershy, stuffed the memory into a recess of her mind and built a wall around it. Rarity stirred a bowl of batter vigorously. It was wrong, so wrong, Fluttershy was the incarnation of innocence, she was demure beyond demure and she had been ripped apart by a bomb planted to kill the Princess. Rarity felt the shock building up in her, Goddamn it, why did Sugarcube have to bring her up? Fluttershy had been killed by a bomb, the same Fluttershy that had taken a thorn out of Opal’s paw. The same Fluttershy that foalsat Sweetie Belle. The same Fluttershy that couldn’t even scream, for fear of making too much noise. She had been murdered, Fluttershy had.

Her Boutique was gone. She spoke without an accent. Her career was finished. Her friends had drifted apart and she hated Ponyville with all of her heart. Rarity slapped at a tear on her face. What the fuck had happened?

“Ya’ll ok?” Applecrisp asked. Rarity looked down, the batter had splattered over her and the floor from her stirring.

“Yeah, just.” Rarity shook her head and ripped off a paper towel from the roll. “Thinking on something.”

Rain started to fall outside, Rarity knew the room was going to become a sauna in a few minutes. Looking at the clock, she realized there were still four hours left on her shift. Flicking her head to Applecrisp, she propped the back door open to let in some air. The breeze cooled the room and let in the pleasantly moist air. The rainfall splashed and pattered peacefully onto the cobblestone alley and thatched rooftop.

She cleaned up the minor mess and restarted the mixture. Rarity pushed a tray of doughnuts into the oven, the wound of Fluttershy was slowly losing its shock. She could get over Fluttershy in time, all she needed to do was give it time. Time healed everything.

For Rarity, the change was the most dramatic. Her mane, vulgarity, and overall coldness indicated her adaption to the Blast and its effects. Conversly, Applejack seemed to function fine, along with Pinkie Pie, who Rarity hadn’t even seen cry once since the Blast. Even Twilight, who had not only lost a friend but also a mentor, seemed to be moving forward with her new life as queen. Rarity was the only pony that had gotten truly fucked up over the Blast, well, besides Dash. Of course, none of her friends had been scapegoated and boycotted because of an irrational grudge held by a shitty town. Rarity shook her head, everypony had lost something in the Blast, but only she had lost everything. She had every right to be bitter.

She looked out the window, the rain was falling harder now and the roads were going to be muddy as hell. The bakers finished their shift and cleaned up the oven room. Rarity packed up her muffins, thanked Sonny, and prepared to go the unpleasant party.

Applecrisp walked by her and out into the downpour. Ensuring the muffins were covered, Rarity ventured outside after her. The gentle thrash of the rain swam around her and Rarity started toward Sweet Apple Acres. She walked out into the street, Applecrisp was a couple yards away walking in the opposite direction. Her mane was already soaked and clung to her back, yet her gait was her usual slow clop. She didn’t even seem to notice the storm around her.

“Hey!” Applecrisp turned. “You want to come to my party?” Rarity invited. She might as well.

“Applejack gunna be there?”

“Yeah.” Rarity answered.

Applecrisp turned and continued down the road without another word. Rarity shook her head and started toward the farm.

The gate was open and Rarity walked through the front yard. Sweet Apple Acres looked deserted. She rang the doorbell of the farmhouse and looked around. Through the blurry haze of the rain, Rarity made out some ponies in the orchards. Work didn’t stop even for a party on Sweet Apple Acres. The door opened and a very hopped up Pinkie Pie greeted her.

“Oh hi Rarity! Come on in!” She giggled. Rarity shook some of the water from her mane and stepped inside. The farmhouse was fully lit and festooned with streamers and balloons. The front room and kitchen were packed with cheerful partygoers. It was the most inviting the building had been in a long time. “Come on! You need some punch!” Pinkie pulled her over to the refreshment table. Rarity placed the muffins alongside the other sweets and accepted a glass. “I’m so glad you could make it! We’ve got so much planned for you!” Rarity tossed down the cherry flavored liquid, to her chagrin, it was not spiked.

“Yeah, I’ll bet. You know where Applejack is?” She asked.

“Down in her room.” Rarity made for the basement entrance. “We’ll call for you when it’s time for games!” Party pony called.

Rarity hoped Applejack had alcohol, her sanity rested on that premise. The faint twang of fermented apples permeated the basement air promisingly as she descended into the office.

“Haw, y’got to be kiddin’!” Applejack noticed Rarity on the stairs. She threw a hoof into the air. “There she is!” Applejack was leaned against her desk with one of her worker ponies and what looked like one of her many cousins. “Good seein’ ya, we were takin’ bets on what kinda excuse y’d come up with for not showin’.”

“Hehe, why would I want to skip out on something like this?” Rarity asked as she gave her friend a hug.

“That’s whut Fritter said.” Applejack said, pointing to her cousin. Fritter nodded.

“S’ a good party, can’t see wai ya’ll wouldn’t want to come.” She said softly. Applejack nudged her.

“Let her explain wai.” She pointed the worker pony. “Nao Paco here made the guess y’d burn yerself on the oven, sumthin’ serious.”

“All I said was that she’d do something that nopony could argue with. From all your stories about her, I guessed she would try something serious.” Paco said sheepishly. Rarity had never heard one of Applejack’s worker ponies speak before. His accent was interesting, it reminded her of cinnamon. His mane was long and a bit stringy and he smelled of pepper. He didn’t have Cutie Mark.

Rarity noticed a few bottles on the desk, picking one up, she inspected the label.

“Hell, you getting cider bottled now?” She asked in surprise. Applejack nodded proudly.

“Tha’s wai Paco here is in here and not out in the rain.” She picked up a bottle and flipped it into the air. “He had some connections back where he’s from and got us a bottlin’ facil’ty set up.” Paco flashed a coy grin.

“Didn’t take long to see a business expansion.” He said modestly. Applejack set the bottle back down on the table.

“Go ‘head, try some.” She offered. Rarity opened the bottle and took a gulp. The sour liquid was exactly what she needed to survive the party.

“That’s good, lot better than that malt crap you gave me awhile back.” She said with a grin. AJ laughed.

“Some ponies thought it was good. Lahk this one.” She looked around for Apple Fritter, who was standing behind her. “What are ya’ll hidin’ fer?” She asked as she pulled the filly into the little circle. “Apple Fritter is mah cousin, up from Appleoosa for awhahl, folks needed t’send her somewhere it don’t cost to eat.” Apple Fritter had a long mane that fell into her eyes, she looked shy and Rarity wondered if she liked being around ponies who drank and swore. “Nao, ah put her up in exchange fer givin’ input on the new cider.” She laughed. “Maybe ah oughta put her t’use on housecleanin’.” Apple Fritter swallowed and smiled in embarrassment.

“It was a plausible idea, it failed because there isn’t pasteurization-”

“Lahk a little Twahlight this one.” Applejack said proudly. “Half the time ah don’t know whut’s she’s sayin’.” Apple Fritter blushed at this. “Sorry Macintosh ain’t here t’wish ya well, he’s off with Applebloom in Cantorlot, that leg a his is gettin’ good as new.” Applejack explained.

“Found a good doctor?” Rarity asked as she took another sip of cider. AJ nodded.

“Name’s Rahimi, Lord knows ah had mah reservations ‘bout sendin’ him to a doctor whose country ah can’t find on a map. But Applebloom said he works miracles with legs.” She chuckled and motioned to Paco. “And ahve had pretty good luck with foreigners.” Paco smiled at this and looked at his hooves.

“I just saw a business expansion is all. I want this farm to make money as much as you do.” He said bashfully.

“Well yer’ doin’ just that.” Applejack agreed.

The conversation turned to what kind of excuse Rarity would have actually come up with had she actually skipped the party. At first Rarity was careful to not divulge any of her more irresponsible acts. But it soon became clear that the lightly intoxicated Applejack had already shared most of them with the two.

Apple Fritter didn’t talk much, she nodded and listened to the others. Applejack was right, the shy little pony did resemble Twilight. Conversely, Paco was very talkative and seemed greatly interested in Rarity’s exploits. Like Applejack, he was genuinely impressed that Rarity had beaten up two stallions in Cloudsdale.

“You ever think of doing that for a living? Like street fighting?” He asked, setting an empty bottle down on the desk. Even after two bottles of cider and more than enough compliments, Rarity knew she would never repeat that or any similar experience.

“No, once is enough for me.” She said shortly.

“It’s a brutal sport I’ll say that, but I think you’d be pretty good.” He said appreciatively.

“Oh how’s the bakery? Making anythin’ edible?” Applejack asked with a chuckle. That comment about her being a good street fighter had made Rarity uncomfortable. Paco seemed like he knew something about this awful-sounding “sport” and it was unsettling that he thought she would do well in it.

“Oh pretty good, Applecrisp took a few days off ‘cause she was apparently sick.” Rarity said absentmindedly. She wasn’t really a good fighter even, she had just fought unfairly.

Applejack guffawed.

“Ah coulda told ya that.” Rarity realized she had told Applejack about the sick days.

“Oh well, I mean-”

“Rarity! Gaaaaaaaaaaame time!” Called Sugarcube from the top of the stairs.

“Guess we better go be social.” Rarity said, glad that they had a reason not to talk about Applecrisp.

“Hehe, yeah, better see whut Pinkie’s got planned fer us!” AJ agreed.

Bobbing for apples was the first game, which Rarity realized wasn’t the kind of game that one played as a group but as a sort of solo activity. Unfortunately, as the guest of honor, she found herself having to actually play the game.

Mane soaked and mouth full of cold apple, Rarity was glad for those two bottles of cider, there would have been no way she could have stomached playing pin the tail on the pony otherwise. The rest of the games were just as embarrassing and unpleasant. Rarity was a little surprised actually, for everything else, Pinkie could at least pick decent party games most of the time, but these were shitty foals’ games.

The evening progressed and the games grew more and more demeaning and trite. As it turned out, Rarity found herself walking carefully through the kitchen whilst grasping in her mouth a spoon carrying an egg. She couldn’t see through the blindfold and with each step she became more and more afraid of some sort of stumbling block in front of her. She hadn’t even heard of blindfolded egg races, so it was probable that there wasn’t a rule that prevented tripping contestants.

“C’mon Rarity! Hurry up!” Applejack cheered. Rarity extended a tentative hoof, so far so good. She must be near the table right?

“Everypony!” Rarity jumped at the noise. The weight left the spoon and in a moment she felt the egg crack across her face. “Queen Twilight Sparkle!” Sugarcube announced. Rarity ripped off the blindfold and hurriedly wiped the egg from her face.

Twilight was standing in the doorway, she looked as embarrassed as she always did when she wore the crown.

“Good evening to you all, I hope I’m not too late.” She said to the bowing ponies. Pinkie Pie rushed over to her.

“Oh no you’re not! In fact-” One of the guards stepped forward to move Pinkie back to a more appropriate distance.

“It’s ok, I know her.” Twilight said as she waved the guard off. She smiled and turned to Pinkie. “So what kind of party food is there?” She asked. Rarity was still wiping off the slick mess from her face when Pinkie led Twilight over to the table.

“And muffins and cupcakes and ice cream!” Pinkie listed.

“Hey Rarity.” Twilight said courteously. Rarity bowed nervously.

“Hey Twilight, how are you?” Rarity asked apprehensively. Pinkie dashed off suddenly to save Sugarcube from slipping into the applebobbing basin and Twilight watched party pony’s antics with a smile.

“Good, good, I’m glad I could make it.” She said, serving herself a slice of cake. Rarity itched at her face, which was masked with albumen.

“Yeah, um, sorry about the whole thing. I didn’t tell anypony what happened, I guess somepony just got a picture of me or something. I really didn’t want to come to this.” The unicorn anxiously explained. Twilight looked over the crowd of partygoers.

“No no, I think it worked out fine.” Twilight said, taking a bite of cake.

“I’m really sorry, you know, I mean-”

“Wai howdy Miss Sparkle!” Applejack inserted herself between the two. “Nao how is the high Queen of Equestria on this fahn day?” She asked jovially. Twilight hugged Applejack.

“Oh good to see you Applejack! I’m fine, a little tired, but fine. I’m glad I could make it to this.” Applejack put an arm around Rarity.

“Well, ya’ll got this little filly to thank fer everything.” She gave Rarity an affirming shake. “Nao, after we heard whut she did up in Cloudsdale, we couldn’t let the moment pass without throwin’ her a party.” Rarity began to sweat, was AJ trying to incite bad blood? Twilight nodded.

“We certainly do. She was very brave.” She said warmly. Pinkie returned, carrying a soaked Sugarcube.

“This is my cousin Sugarcube, well kinda, she’s the Cakes’ niece. She’s spending the summer with me and I wanted her to meet you!” Pinkie presented the sopping yellow pony before Twilight. Sugarcube was cowed by the Alicorn.

“Hi there.” She squeaked. Twilight smiled and gave the quaking yellow earth pony a hug.

“So you’re Pinkie’s cousin huh? Well, are you as good at applebobbing as she is? Cause Pinkie Pie is the only pony good enough to beat me.” The queen said playfully. Sugarcube perked up to this friendliness.

“YEAH! I can beat her any day! Wanna see?” Sugarcube and Pinkie accompanied Twilight to the applebobbing basin. They started to laugh over something.

Rarity picked up a napkin and started to wipe her face, which still itched.

“God, Applejack, can you not talk about Cloudsdale? I’m scared she’s really pissed about it.” Rarity implored. Applejack sipped some punch.

“Awh nao, she don’t seem mad. ‘Sahdes she comes to this party then she kin stand to talk about ya’ll for nine seconds.” Rarity went back to watching Twilight. The purple Alicorn was laughing and splashing about with the two mares. Rarity felt a little better, Twilight couldn’t be sinister enough to play with a few of her subjects and then turn and condemn another. Could she?

“S’nao, where’s Spike?” Applejack scanned the partygoers. “Ain’t no way he’d pass up a party for his favorite pony. Hey Twah, where’s yer dragon on this fahn evening?” She called to Twilight, who was in the process of eating a freshly-won apple. The queen shook her mane and walked back to the pair.

“Off in Cantorlot, he’s working overtime. He said he’s sorry he can’t make it.” She replied. Applejack pondered this with disinterest for a second.

“So Twahlight, y’gotta tell me. Whut’s all this ‘bout the dahmond dog terrorist? Ah mean, whut was he doin’ up in Cloudsdale? How’d he get there?” Fucking Applejack, what was wrong with her? Couldn’t she just stay on the safe subjects? Rarity thought frantically for a safer topic.

Twilight seemed unfazed, as if the whole thing had never even bothered her. She took a crunching bite of the apple.

“There isn’t a lot to say really. He alleges that Equestria has taken a hooves off approach to the civil war, while also having an awareness of war crimes being committed. We’re investigating how he got up Cloudsdale.” She said plainly. Applejack seemed momentarily satisfied with this knowledge.

“How bout them war crimes? Y’gunna look into those?” Pinkie Pie bounded up to Twilight and grabbed her arm.

“C’mon, it’s your turn for pin the tail on the pony!” She said excitedly.

“Haha ok, just don’t pull my arm off!” Twilight laughed as Pinkie tugged her toward the poster. The queen looked back to the two. “We’ve been doing that from the start.” She answered.

The party wore on and Rarity countlessly recounted her negotiation to the other guests. For the entire evening she watched Twilight for any signs of anger or malice. Yet the queen seemed completely caught up in party games and chatter. It was utterly impossible, but Rarity began to realize that Twilight wasn’t outraged with her anymore.

Rarity was engaged in another tiresome description of the negotiation with an eager blue Pegasus when somepony tapped her shoulder. Audacity had somehow made himself more attractive by conditioning his already gorgeous mane. The flowing fiery hair held a near perfect balance of shine and luster. His wings were folded neatly with not a feather out of place. Rarity fought it, but the lust returned. Even for a filthy liar, Audacity was still delicious. He smiled pleasantly.

“Was hoping I could find you in this crowd.” He looked around. “Lot of ponies here, you’ve got quite the following.” She giggled anxiously, it was absurd how he could just waltz up and make a moron of her.

“Yeah, you know.” She sounded like such an idiot. The stallion chuckled.

“Pretty impressive for a mare.” He said. “I mean, not that mares can’t do stuff like that.” He added hastily. She laughed nervously.

“Oh it’s ok!”

He sighed and chewed his lip meditatively.

“You know, I really don’t have a great way of leading into this so I should just get it out there you know? I’m new here and I need somepony to show me around, you know? I, heh, sorta wanted to know if you could show me the lay of the land.” Rarity stared at him for a second, she had never heard of a snake doing something like this. She studied the Pegasus for an instant.

He might have stuck around in Ponyville for some minimum wage job instead of drifting away and the prospect of trying to score with her was of course still attractive. But to actually come up to her and make what could be construed as a heavily disguised sexual innuendo during a party in her honor was beyond bold. She had never seen anypony like Audacity, he reeked of cunning snake, and yet she had seen no snake behave as he did. His cheeks became a little redder, was he blushing?

“You know, it probably sounds kinda weird.” His laugh sounded anxious. “I, just don’t know a lot of ponies and you seem pretty knowledgeable.” He was out of his mind if he was actually trying to get with her. He noticed her hesitation. “Y’know, it’s kinda creepy of me to just walk up out of the blue and ask you to show me around town.” He pawed the wooden floor. “Did not see how creepy that sounds. Really sorry for making you uncomfortable.” He apologized. The snake started to depart.

“Hey Rarity? Can you finish the story?” Asked her listener, pulling at her arm. She turned.

“Yeah, um.” She looked back at Audacity, who was walking to the door. “Can you meet me at the Café on Saturday at like noon? I could show you some of the shops.” He looked back and his smile returned, exposing his snowy white teeth.

“Really?! Yeah! See you then! Thanks!”

“Now where was I?” Rarity asked her audience excitedly.

The party wound down within a few hours, Twilight bade Rarity a kind farewell. Pinkie needed to get Sugarcube home by ten and most of the rest of the guests were filing out of the front gate as Rarity leaned against the railing of the porch.

The rain had stopped and the night air felt cool and wet. The moon was bright and full and the muddy front yard was bathed in the pale light. Applejack leaned against the white railing beside her.

“Have a good time?” She asked.

“I don’t know, I’m scared of what Twilight thinks, she was really upset, now she seems fine. I don’t know, maybe she was just worried that everypony would hate me it they found out.” Rarity shrugged. “I still can’t stand fucking party games. Oh and I agreed to show that Audacity guy around town, probably ‘cause he’s hot, but I’m pretty sure he’s just a lowlife looking for some action.” She thought for a minute. “Aaaaand the rest was just me telling random ponies the same stupid story over and over again.” Applejack chuckled.

“Sounds lahk a productive evenin’. Shure is a shame if Twah came all the way out here to hold a grudge. She’s queen for heavin’s sake, if she acts that childish then the whole nation’s in poor shape.” She frowned. “Nao that Audacity fella certainly is a looker, ah kinda wondered the same thing ‘bout him bein’ no good. Ya’ll gotta tell me ev’rythin’ ‘bout yer tour, ‘specially if he tries to get with ya’ll.” She continued after a momentary recollection of the activities. “Those sure were some interestin’ games, ah’ll say that, not shure what Pinkie had in mind.” The farmer shrugged. “But all in all, ah’d call the evenin’ a success.”

“Yeah, it wasn’t so bad for a Pinkie Pie party and it was sort of nice having everypony interested in me, even if it was just temporary. I guess I’d call the night a success too.” Rarity agreed. They stood in silence for a few minutes. “Applejack?” Applejack looked over at Rarity. “I’m still improving right?” Rarity asked quietly. Applejack chuckled.

“Course ya’re sweetheart.” The two leaned on the railing for a bit.

Rarity was glad for Applejack, she kept her grounded, even if she did like asking awkward questions. For all of their former spats, Rarity could at least rely on Applejack to give her hope for the future.

After a time, Rarity realized she still had long walk home. Dropping her hooves from the railing, she began to thank Applejack for her hospitality. The screen door creaked open and Apple Fritter peeked her head out like a little mouse.

“Appl’jack, Granny says she wants t’see Rarity.” Applejack dropped her hooves from the railing.

“Nao did she say she wanted to see Rarity, in her words?” She asked carefully. Apple Fritter nodded.

“She said she wanted to see the pony who the party was for.” Rarity looked at Applejack, she was terrified of the notion of even seeing Granny Smith. She hoped that the farmer pony would think the encounter unwise.

“Well alraght, if she’s up for it.” The farmer said in uncertainty. Rarity’s heart fell, she was going to see Granny Smith.

The climb to the upstairs was steep, maybe it seemed steeper because Rarity was deathly afraid of what sat upstairs. She followed Applejack up the worn wooden steps.

“Jus’ talk quietly, no loud enunciation.” The orange pony advised. They came to the top of the stairs, Rarity saw a few cardboard boxes containing medical supplies scattered around the floor. “Thought I tol’ Fritter to git these.” Applejack said in mild annoyance as she shoved them aside.

They neared the door to Granny’s room, Rarity was a bit afraid that mist or some sort of eerie light would be seeping from beneath the applewood door. But the wooden panel looked normal and Applejack smiled a little as she reached it.

“’Member, no loud noises.” She whispered. The door slid open noiselessly, it had to be the only door in the house without a rusty creak. A single dim bulb hung from the ceiling, casting a pale yellow glow over the room. Giant blue boxes made of what looked like plastic flanked a small bed. Each box was bedazzled with an array of shimmering LED lights and small touch screens. There were tubes and wires extending to the bed from each of the devices, Rarity traced the length of the tubes from the box to the bed with growing apprehension.

Rarity hadn’t seen Granny Smith since before the Blast and she couldn’t remember how bad she had been. Her eyes reached the end of the tubes, Rarity inhaled sharply and her heart missed a beat. A skeletal face, bony and masklike peeked forth out of the soft folds of the bedspread. Granny’s eyes had never been visible, but now the empty sockets in her skull yawned like deserted foxholes. Her mane was gone, not even a scraggly hair that older ponies usually cultivate. Her mouth was a gap, a puckered abyss which held not a single tooth. The rest of her body was hidden under the blankets. Rarity gazed in sickly fear at the decrepit pony before her. Granny Smith was dead.

Applejack cleared her throat softly.

“Granny, is’ Applejack an’ Rarity.” She said gently. There was silence, Rarity heard the mechanical whir of the machines and she desperately wanted to flee the disturbing scene before her. Applejack stood patiently waiting a response. There came from the bed a wheeze, it sounded like a horrible pair of bellows being slowly squeezed.

“Where is she?” The rasping voice seemed to come more from Granny’s chest than her mouth. Applejack nudged Rarity forward.

“Rahght here. Bah the bed.” Rarity swallowed and her stomach knotted in fear. There was a pause, the whirring was louder by the bed and the unicorn tried to calm her racing heart.

“Rarity.” The voice sounded nothing like Granny Smith, it was soulless and dead. “You kept Twilight Sparkle safe.” Rarity wasn’t certain if that was a question or a statement.

“Y-yes.” Rarity said, her tongue stucking in her mouth. The skull sat motionless. Then it slowly rotated to face her. Rarity stared into the empty gaps where eyes should have sat.

“SHAME!” Hissed Granny Smith. Rarity spooked and bolted out of the room. Applejack caught her by the stairs.

“Nao hold on!” She said, anchoring the bucking unicorn.

“Fuck no, Applejack.” Rarity’s heart pounded in her chest and she pulled away from her friend. “What the hell was that?” Applejack sighed.

“Look, she gets a little loopy on the meds, ah’m sorry she scared ya.” Rarity looked toward the darkened room.

“God, Applejack, wh-”

“Nao ah know whut yer gonna say, but save it. Granny jus’ gets upset at tahms, there ain’t no reason to it.” Applejack said firmly.

Rarity galloped home that night, the petrifying image of Granny Smith’s fossilized head hovering in her mind. Applejack loved her family, but that was a love gone wrong. Applejack might give good life advice, but Rarity couldn’t help but feel disturbed at the denial of her friend. Anypony who saw Granny Smith knew she should be allowed to die, everypony but Applejack.

The field was peaceful, but her fright made Rarity beware of the quietly rusting grass. She climbed atop one of her crates and fell into a light sleep. She didn’t care if she faced Fluttershy’s cottage.