Clarabell sniffled quietly as she followed Applejack into the barn, out of the rain. She mooed quietly and swished her tail, “Ah do declare AJ, if you hadn’t found yer way to helpin’ me out of that there Everfree Forest, why... I could’ve died there an then!”

        “T’ain’t no thang, Clara, jus’ doin’ ma bit t’help the cowfolk. You know me, always ready to protect and serve. Why don’t y’all come in now for a spot of something t’take the edge off the rain?”

        “Don’t mind if I do!”

        “Y’all can stay the night, if’n ya want.”

        “Thank you kindly, AJ!”

        The rain outside was still falling and it didn’t look like it would stop. AJ trotted back into the barn with a steaming pot in her muzzle. She poured some out carefully for her bovine companion, and another for herself.

        “Drink up now, I’ll be back in a few, Clara.”

        The cow lowed quietly to herself and blew on the steaming beverage before lifting to her lips and downing the mixture in one. She yawned suddenly, the warm beverage settling in the first of her stomachs most agreeably, as she settled down in the straw. She was comfortable, very comfortable. She closed her eyes, just for a moment, and relaxed.

        It was the pain in her legs that yanked her back to the land of the living. She struggled, the pounding in her head making it hard to think. It was the uncomfortable bite of the ropes and the lurching feeling in her organs that made her realize she was hanging by her hind hooves. It was quite dark, wherever she was, warm and quiet.

        “AJ?” she called, “AJ? Where... where am I? What’s happening?”

        “Ohh Clarabell, no, no, this wasn’t supposed to happen. I do apologize, mah dear, if’n I haven’t got the dosage wrong. I’m so sorry.”

        “AJ? What’re you..?”

        The orange earth pony clopped closer, carrying a large bucket in her muzzle. She placed it carefully under the cow, adjusting it as she sighted up to the rafters where the rope was fastened.

        AJ sighed, “You weren’t s’posed to wake up, Clara. I always hate it when they wake up.”

        “What? AJ, let me down!”

        “I can’t do that, Clara.” AJ whispered, and bent swiftly to pick up a small, roughly triangular metallic object. It glinted in the half-light as Applejack swung it with practiced ease across the throat of the dangling bovine. A fountain of red flowed from the neat wound, rushing in torrents down the surprised muzzle of the cow and into the ready-planted bucket.

        Clara kicked a little in shock, the stinging cut hadn’t quite penetrated the fog in her mind, and things were only getting more and more indistinct. Applejack dropped the knife and leaned closer, stroking her head softly.

        “Ssshhh,” Applejack crooned, “it’s okay, it won’t hurt for long. They tell me it’s like going to sleep, only ya don’t wake up none.” AJ’s voice was soft, almost plaintive, like she cared... but not enough to do anything about it.

        “Help me, AJ, please stop!” Clara tried to say, but all that came out was a bubbling gurgle as her lifeblood dripped into the bucket to collect and congeal.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be here, here until the end... just relax, you don’t wanna be spoilin’ yer flavour none. Ah get good bits fer a carcass your size... ”

Applejack held her head close, stroking, humming softly as the last few litres left Clara’s body. The cow’s frantic kicking softened, weakened, and finally... stopped. Applejack listened close for a few moments before drawing back and giving the head a short kiss. She licked the blood from her muzzle and went to fetch her hat. She’d need a fire, now, and plenty of water... and the rest of her knife collection.

As she started to skin the cow, she hummed to herself happily. It would be a long night.

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