4pm, Mr. Rich’s Manor.

Dusk now felt he knew exactly how Rainbow Dash felt when he got carried away with one of his detailed explanations of something he found fascinating. The pony in front of him, whose name Dusk could hardly recall, had been going into detail on the end of Canterlot's social season and it appeared he wouldn’t be stopping anytime soon. Three times the stallion had returned to the majestic Hearth's Warming play put on in Canterlot castle, and he had yet to get halfway through naming everypony who had taken part in it; his endless divergence from the somewhat-engaging tale of the play was grating on Dusk's frayed nerves and he was ready to scream. “Next was… oh, yes! Rubied Plum! She played Princess Platinum this year, but last year she was one of the Princess’ handmaidens. You might not believe it, but her great great great grandmother was the first filly to ever play Clover the Clever in the annual Canterlot performance! She was a master sword fighter, though back in those days ponies didn't understand proper fencing like they do now. She instead used a broad sword, claiming it was the only blade around that was similar to Clover’s famed weapon. Apparently, that caused quite the controversy even back in those days.”

Dusk stared down at his own glass, wondering again when exactly he'd agreed to this favor to Mr. Rich. “At least the whiskey is good, I suppose. Even if the company falls flat.”

Bored out of his senses, Dusk panned his view about the room, practicing polite responses to the man's ongoing tale of the lineage of the mare who'd played Princess Platinum. The large ball room was split into two halves by the bar and buffet tables, serving ponies using tongs to fill the plates for the ponies waiting in line, while the bartenders served the guests drinks. Dusk wasn't surprised to see that several mares were dressed very similarly to the servers who lingered around more prominent guests in the adult side of the room, their outfits clearly altered to be more revealing around the leg and chest area. “I think half of those servers work for Aloe and Lotus at the spa normally… I suppose Rich offers enough to steal them for the day.”

On the other side of the buffet barrier, only Randolph and a butler stood waiting. He could tell from his fawning attention that the second butler had been ordered to tend to Aura’s needs. “I suppose it makes sense for Mr. Rich to cater to her. She is Mayor Mare’s only foal.” Dusk could also count at least six mares dressed as maids, collecting plates and cleaning up behind the foals. “Likely there to keep the foals from fighting as well, I suppose.”

Taking another sip of his glass, Dusk discovered that nothing remained of the smooth alcohol. As he began to lower his hand again, a mare that looked faintly familiar swept up to his side, slightly pudgy and more conservatively dressed compared to the other mares in their far more revealing outfits. Holding a platter for him, she grinned, giving a little nod. “I can take your empty glass, Magistrate. Do you want another? I can let your handmaid know.”

A moment of confusion ended with a sudden flash of memory. “Oh, my! Nurse’s Aid Cuddles, isn't it? I haven't seen you since Hearth's Warming. Are you helping today to make some extra money on the side?”

The rosy-haired mare laughed a little, settling his empty glass on her tray squarely in the center before straightening up to her full height, smiling at him warmly. “I am, Magistrate. I need just a little more in my savings before I can afford to go to Canterlot University to take my full nursing degree.”

Dusk grinned at the good-natured mare and gave her shoulder a squeeze. “Tell you what, Cuddles. How about you get me something weak? Maybe an herbal tea? And let the handmaids know you'll be handling my needs today. The two that have tried serving me so far don't have much of an interest in conversation, and I can tell you all about Canterlot U. My foal-sitter Cadance received one of her two doctorates there, so I've heard all kinds of stories about the medical wing of the school.”

The mare nearly jumped at his offer, nodding excitedly. “Princess Cadance! That would be wonderful! So many ponies talk about the impossible things she can do with her mag…” Cuddles’ voice trailed off as she realized she'd gotten carried away. Bowing low to him, she managed to keep the tray with the glass level the whole time. “I mean, of course Magistrate, I would be honored to hear any of your stories, and all about Canterlot University!”

When Cuddles returned with his tea, Dusk excused himself from the overly-enthusiastic theater fan, promising the lecturer on family trees that he would pre-read his new textbook over the summer if things were peaceful enough.

Leaning against the wall in a quieter corner, Dusk gestured to a couch nearby for the mare, grinning a bit too much but unashamed at the relief of being away from the self-important busybodies who appeared to line the walls. Taking a long sip of the hot tea, Dusk thought for a minute and finally gave Cuddles a light blush and a shrug. “First, I should apologize. I just used you to get out of quite a boring story, and I'm known to get caught up rambling on theoretical ideas or abstract concepts, so warn me if I've gotten too far off topic.”

Cuddles covered a laugh and accepted the couch he'd offered her, keeping an eye on the rest of the party. “Think nothing of it, Magistrate! I admit I was hanging around you in hopes of overhearing you retell some part of the wild stories everypony shares about your fight with Nightmare Moon or the Dragon. I never thought anyone here would even think of asking you about something so fascinating as Princess Cadance herself!”

Laughing along with her, Dusk relaxed for the first time since he'd arrived, looking deep into his tea. “Then to begin with, I should tell you that Princess Cadance is famous for having two doctorates, but she is still attending as a student at Canterlot University, trying to further expand her knowledge. In the last few years, she’s found methods to expand the use of healing magic to a previously unheard degree.”

As Dusk carried on about how he came to meet Princess Cadance back when he was but a foal of four years, the rest of the room grew silent, and began to gather around the entrance across from Dusk’s comfortable spot. Suddenly, their silence was replaced with excited chatter.

Ignorant of the goings-on in the room, Dusk continued his own stories. “...So that summer, as a foal of only five, I couldn't be left alone. Cadance volunteered to come to my home to foal-sit me, walking me home from prep school and drilling me on everything a young foal needed to know. The best part was when Shining Armor returned from his summer school all fired up to start teaching me all the new things he'd learned, only to find that Cadance had already covered most of the same material. You should have seen how furious he was! For weeks I was sure he'd never forgive her!”

The maid laughed along with Dusk, excitedly clapping her hands together. “The version I've heard said it wasn't until his 11th birthday, sometime in March, when Princess Cadance gave him a silver fencing rapier, that he finally started talking to her. Is any of that true? Did he really use the blade to steal a white rose from Princess Celestia’s greenhouse for her in thanks?”

Dusk laughed in return, shaking his head and wiping away a tear at his eye. “He did. But it wasn't a completely magnanimous act. Mother had charged him with thanking everypony who gave him a birthday gift that year with something as valuable. He wasn't sure how to thank Princess Cadance, but I remembered her talking about the roses in the greenhouse. She'd said something about ‘Nothing is as rare as a rose in winter’. After that, he broke into the greenhouse and retrieved the flower for her.”

Cuddles happily clapped her hands together, feigning a momentary swoon. Straightening up again, she giggled shaking her head. “And after that, romance bloomed! Your brother and Princess Cadence are so lucky to have found one another!”

Dusk recalled it taking a number of years before either party would admit to having feelings that the mare’s romantic daydreams suggested, but found it better to leave her with her sweet flights of fantasy. “It's nice to think that after all these years, they are still so close. Maybe someday soon they’ll finally make it off-”

The noise of the crowd had grown, and now approached Dusk’s comfortable hiding place. Leading the way was a fat old stallion dressed in fine black robes. Silver filigree trim lined the collar, cuffs and hemline, detailing arcane runes and symbols that captured Dusk’s gaze, and told him instantly who the old Magistrate must be.

Beside the old stallion, a much younger one Dusk didn't recognize surged forward, walking with a stylish gait and wearing far too many pieces of flashy stylish jewelry. He was dressed in a clearly custom-cut suit that he was sure Rarity would declare on-sight to be ‘magnifique!’ or something of the like.

Straightening up as the realization that they were coming for him and his quiet space, Dusk now wished he had Redheart’s soothing tea in his hands. Doing his best to remain calm, Dusk emptied his cup, turning to Cuddles and passing her the empty decorative porcelain, doing his best to gesture subtly, keeping his voice quiet, though the approaching noise of the crowd probably would've drowned him out anyways. “Might as well save yourself, Cuddles.”

The mare took his offer to escape and fled while the crowd gathered around him, the leading stallions given plenty of space while the hangers-on massed around him. Only the hidden wisdom in the eyes of the old fat stallion gave Dusk some slim measure of hope.

The stallion was far from shy, closing the distance to Dusk’s side in three deceptively spritely steps, capturing Dusk’s hands and shaking them firmly. “Look how far you've risen, Dusk me boy! To think, it was hardly more than a year ago I thought you a bold young colt, spending too much time reading in the library, and not even on matters relevant to your assigned studies! I told your sire if he'd simply turn your studies to the political, you'd be a threat to my seat as magistrate of the university district. He insisted that Princess Celestia had assigned you more important studies. I guess he was right! But then, she is the princess!”

The old stallion’s chubby belly rolled with his good-natured laughter, as he admitted to attempting to interfere with Dusk’s studies honestly, and he shook Dusk’s hands a few times before finally releasing them. Stumbling to recover, Dusk straightened up, smoothing his robes again. “That’s odd. Rarity did such fine work on my magistrate robes, yet next to the detailed trim, they feel almost plain.”

Clearing his throat loudly to stop the laughing stallion from carrying on too much longer, Dusk improvised a respectful bow, knowing none he was taught were specifically appropriate for the senior magistrate, and so instead he used the one his mother had drilled him on, of a minor diplomat meeting their senior. “Forgive me for interrupting your fine jest, First Magistrate Grandiose Guffaw, but may I ask who your companion is? I'd be failing Mother’s training if I didn't properly greet a clearly important business stallion.”

Amused, the younger stallion didn't wait for an introduction but instead stepped forward, dramatically throwing a hand to his brow and casting it back with a flare of the disappointment, though the veil was thin enough Dusk could see through the act. “He doesn't know who I am, and he is named a magistrate?! Even if the princess really did name him herself, there must have been some miscommunication! Dear Magistrate Dusk Shine, I am Hoity Toity, owner of the largest chain of both public and private boutiques in all of Equestria! You must have heard of at least some of the additions I've made to advance the world of fashion out of the greedy clutches of the nobles and into the hands of any pony with a flare for design and some sense of style!”

Caught up with the exciting stallion’s game, Dusk Shook his head, fingering the crisp cut and carefully stitched fabric of his own robe. “You'll have to forgive me, until recently I didn't have much time for fashion or boutiques. It’s only recently that, with all of Rarity’s demands for measurements and fittings for suits and new… robes… that… I've... learned...”

Dusk had to let his sentence drift off, as the look of mixed shock and joy on the stallion's face had him worried for the pony's health. He'd pushed his thick silvered sunglasses up into his hair, and bloodshot eyes now focused on Dusk alone. He spoke at last, his voice filled with shock. “Are you serious? Not only do you know both of the princesses, you discovered the mysterious Rarity, the mare who made the suits for Fancy Pants wedding?! Suits so sharp, in the right light they'll cut through paper?! That Rarity!?”

A little taken back by the power of the stallion’s reaction, Dusk steeled himself and stepped up again, recovering the few steps he'd fallen back in the face of Hoity’s exuberance. “Well, uh... yes. Rarity did make those suits for the wedding party-”

Again Hoity gasped with delight, casting his hands out as he clutched at Dusk’s robes, falling to his knees at Dusk’s feet. “He knows the mare! He knows her! Did you hear him!? Praise Celestia, this hidden gem wasn't a figment of my imagination! Please, tell me, Magistrate Dusk Shine, what new creations has this hidden muse of fashion been working on since her first tempting reveal at Fancy Pants’ wedding?!”

More than a little overwhelmed, Dusk stammered to himself, trying to understand the flamboyant stallion. “I- well, I mean… she, err… she's been working on some dresses for our friends to wear to the Grand Galloping Gala-”

Rushing to stand, Hoity nearly lifted Dusk off his feet, a tide of enthusiasm gushing off him in waves of palpable excitement. “Dear Celestia, no! She's so daring, she'd take on multiple Gala dresses at the same time? Light preserve her, I must witness her majestic production. Please, I'd give anything, you simply must introduce us, please magistrate?”

“I, well... I could ask her. She's at her home with my Vicarius right now working on a project, but I suppose I can send word asking if she'd want to come meet you. Are you in town just for the party, sir?”

Hoity at last released Dusk, straightening first Dusk's robes, then his own suit, showing no shame at all at his own overdramatics. “I am staying with my dearest friend, Bonbon. She's such a sweet filly, and made room so I might stay a few days and do business with Mr. Rich after the party's over.”

Somepony put quill and parchment in Dusk’s hands and it took him a moment to recognize the far more down-to-earth smile of Cuddles, who curtsied respectfully to him. “If you'd like to write Lady Rarity a note, I'll personally deliver it to her magistrate.”

Grateful for Cuddles’ help, Dusk scribbled quickly over the page, not bothering with any embellishments. “Rarity, a designer called Hoity Toity is gushing over your work. He has asked if he might meet you, and to see more of your work. I know you are busy with the dresses for the Gala, so say the word and I will make whatever excuses necessary to get him to leave you alone.

Swiftly signing and rolling up the parchment, Dusk drew his seal ring from his robes, glad he'd let Rarity convince him to have a few spares made. After passing the sealed note to Cuddles, he smiled at the nurse. “If she has a reply, could you wait and bring it back with you? I'd hate to leave Mr. Toity waiting too long on her answer.”

Turning back to the other stallions, Dusk realized that the waiting crowd had only grown thicker as they had spoken. With the realization that he had no chance of escape to some quiet corner anymore, mind rolling with boredom, Dusk decided he might as well make the most of a bad day. Turning to Hoity, he dipped his head respectfully. “So tell me, Hoity, what else do you do besides obsess over the latest trends in fashion?”

Only half listening to the excitable stallion's answer, Dusk began to mentally profile the man. “The least I can do is profile some ponies here. I'm sure Princess Luna will appreciate a broader view of the world, instead of only getting letters about the population of Ponyville.”

Meanwhile in the Everfree Forest

Applejack pushed aside the heavy tree branches, making space for Winona to slip through, closing up the gap as she followed the swift canine. Mac’s trail was normally so thick and clear, she probably hadn't really needed to get her friend’s help. Yet at times he had slipped past sagging deadfalls and rotten logs without leaving any sign of passage at all. That was when the canine’s nose had become invaluable, finding his path on the far side in seconds, when she would have been forced to wander around in circles for an hour, trying to find it again.

Dusk had been partially right. Mac had taken a few odd jobs a few weeks ago, but none of late, and Ginger even asked if Applejack would be able to convince him to return. “A strong stallion like Mac? We always have jobs he could help with!” she’d said, excitedly.

The memory of Ginger’s helpful grin and the offer of coin hadn't made Mac’s secrecy any easier to accept. So here she was, Celestia only knew where in the Everfree forest, following the big lunk’s trail and rehearsing her rant for when she finally caught up with him. “Dagnabbit, Mac! You're the elder brother, how could you wander off into the Everfree alone!?”

The familiar, distant sound of an axe biting through wood began to carry through the woods; somehow it felt like an alien feature in the unnatural forest. Tugging on Winona’s sleeve, she tried to get the canine to stop and listen to her. “Winona, did we turn back towards town at some point? Nopony would be fool enough to come to the Everfree to chop wood, right?”

Shrugging, Winona turned her head to the air and sniffed deeply, turning in place a few times to catch the air better before shaking her head and planting her feet again. Her tail whipped excitedly as she turned to the path Mac had left for them to follow. “No, nope! Mac’s smell and trail lead deeper into forest, towards the sound of the woodchopping.” She stopped to point off towards the southeast. “Town is that-a-way!”

Applejack set her hands on her hips, shaking her head before dropping it to look thoughtfully at the path underfoot. “Dear Celestia, just what drove my foal of a brother to go chop wood this deep in the Everfree!?”

After resting for a few minutes rest to catch her breath, Applejack gave Winona a nod to carry on into the woods. Her fingers stroked the cool metal of her warhammer, finding the heavy weight of the weapon reassuring. Whatever had scared the creatures of the Everfree so badly before was gone, and distant noises reminded her to keep an ear open for the dangerous beasts that filled the forest.

The woodchopping dropped off after a few minutes, but Winona only got more excited, pacing around in place as she waited for Applejack to catch up. Silent now, the pup pointed towards a distant clearing. Leaning in close to AJ’s ear, her voice hardly qualified as a whisper. “Big Mac’s in there. But something else is, too. Strange smell, just like pony, but with lots of herbs, making both scents hard to make out. Dangerous?”

Applejack tried to place a pony with the scant details that Winonna could offer, knowing it would be pointless to ask her nearly colorblind friend for any other hints. Adding the facts together, she suddenly wondered aloud. “You said herbs and things? Do yah think it’s a mare? ‘Cause Zecora lives out here somewhere...”

Excited, Winona hopped in place, her tail now wagging feverishly. “Yep, yep! Definitely a mare! Smells like Fluttershy’s herb bag, or like Dusk’s basement gets sometimes!”

Reaching out to stroke a hand through the eager pup’s hair, Applejack smiled a little at last, and released her breath. “Of course it would be Zecora. He felt bad we couldn’t help her much more back during Hearth’s Warming, so he probably came out to help make things better. C’mon, let’s go say hi. After all, I should have thought to come help her out weeks ago; I had more than enough free time after Winter Wrap Up.”

Though she calmed a little at Applejack’s touch, Winona still practically skipped in place, and she nuzzled into Applejack’s hand, restraining several excited barks. Crossing together through the trees, Applejack hugged her friend around the shoulders to help calm her down, glad things had turned out so well in the end. At the edge of the treeline, the broad clearing showed a lot of work had recently been done, smoothed grass and hints of where many trees had been pulled out at the roots. More importantly, Mac stood in the middle of the clearing, shirtless even in the cool spring chill, an ax leaning against a thick tree stump just a few feet from the cottage. Past him, she recognized the fresh thatching on the house, just like Ma and Pa had taught her and Mac how to do as foals.

As she stepped into the clearing, Applejack felt a tree branch snap under her foot. Mac leapt as if shocked in that moment, and Applejack’s blood ran cold. Kneeling between his legs, her vivid white and gray mane cascading widely across her shoulders in loose heaps, Zecora met Applejack’s gaze, her own filled with embarrassment and confusion.

Meanwhile in Rarity’s Boutique.

Rarity put a hand on her hip and shook her head. “Bronze, please, just work with me for a moment here? I’ve nearly finished my work on something special for all my friends. I think this would be perfect for you if you’d just work with me, please?”

Standing on the raised platform so Rarity could work, Bronze raked her teeth over her trapped lip, unable to hold her hips still as she ached to run away. The excruciating process they'd already gone through was enough to drive her up the wall, and she knew it was only going to go on longer. “But- I mean, Rarity, this isn’t me! I don’t have the body for a dress like this, it’s meant for a mare with your…” She gestured her hands for a moment in the air over her chest, floundering for a moment before finding the words. “Well, a mare with a bust! And it leaves my arms and back bare. Plus, I thought we agreed, no slits on the legs!”

Patience finally beginning to wear out, Rarity straightened up from pinning the dress back just high enough to show Bronze’s ankles, pulling a spare pin from her hair and, with expertise, jabbed the back of the guard’s hand where she clutched the slit closed. “And I said, stand up straight! We’re doing a fitting right now, and I can’t get things right if you don't stand still. Look, I need to get the length right first, then I’ll work on the bust. You’ve got fantastic arms, Bronze, so leaving them bare shows off your muscle and tone, how strong you really are. The bare back we can adjust if you don’t like it, but with your wings, it would be easier to leave it as is. And it shows off your cutie mark. Besides... you liked it when Dusk was paying so much attention to your legs.”

Bronze nearly jumped when the sharp pin nipped at the soft flesh on the back of her hand, and looked to be building up to a rant, but as Rarity continued, she flushed darkly, looking at the floor away from Rarity. Her wings had gone tense, half-unfurling as the feathers looked ruffled. Unaware that her face now nearly matched the color of her dress, Bronze straightened up and took a deep breath, drawing it out while she attempted to calm down. Finally she answered, iron in her voice, her hands flat at her sides. “Rarity?”

Pinning the last fold of the hem in place, Rarity looked up at the guard. “Yes, Bronze?”

Drawing another carefully controlled breath, Bronze didn't look down, holding herself stiffly in place. “Don't ever do that to my hands again.” Now she shifted her head at last, looking deeply into Rarity’s eyes, the warning in her voice, as well as the pain in her eyes quite clear. “Ever.”

Rarity could see the hurt in Bronze’s eyes, and was about to stand up when an excited knock on the boutique door ripped her eyes from Bronze’s. Standing quickly, she squeezed Bronze’s hand, yelling back over her shoulder at the pony still knocking on the door. “Just a moment!”

Bronze’s hand was stiff in Rarity’s, and she worried that this, too, was something Bronze was hiding from them. Squeezing her hand again, Rarity smiled gently. “Look, we should talk some more sometime. So come to me anytime and we will work through whatever together, alright?”

Rarity waited, and for a few seconds, Bronze looked on the verge of tears, but her continued slow and deep breaths seemed to soothe her, her ruffled feathers smoothing down on her back. At last, she squeezed Rarity’s hand. “I- well, thanks, Rarity. I think talking might help. Go get the door so whoever is out there won't wait forever!”

Feeling a little better, Rarity scoffed with a little bit of a dramatic flare, a hand waving a spare piece of cloth before her mouth as if it were an expensive fan. “Oh please, darling! I'm Rarity. If somepony wants a special order from my boutique, they will wait! It's not like Sapphire Shores, Countess Coloratura, or Princess Celestia is waiting outside the door!”

Privately, Rarity couldn't help but finish that thought. “Besides, if it were Princess Celestia, Dusk is sure to have let her know she is always welcome here at any time by now.”

Visibly relaxing a little more, Bronze shifted in place upon the fitting stand, folding her wings flat to her back again. “No, but Cordon Bleu is cooking at the Rich’s manor today, and Celestia knows how fussy such high ranking chefs can be at times.”

Laughing a little as she straightened her dress, Rarity swept to the boutique’s door, using her magic to light a few candles before unlocking the brass knob. Sweeping it open she offered the mare she found waiting outside a sweet smile, bowing her head a little just in case she'd taken offence to waiting. “I do apologize for the wait, my dear. I'd closed early today to do some special fittings, but I'd be happy-”

Impatient, the mare was nearly hopping from foot to foot, the black lace of her long skirt blowing in the steady breeze. “No, no! It isn't that, Rarity! It's me, Cuddles! Dusk sent me to give you a letter!”

Finally recognizing the nurse’s aid, despite her ill-suited outfit, Rarity felt like a bit of a foal momentarily, slapping a hand to her face before accepting the letter from the mare. “I apologize, Cuddles, it's good to see you again.”

Opening the brief letter and reading, Rarity hardly noticed as Bronze entered the boutique, at last free of her dress and wearing a severely plain brown tunic of soft leather. Absorbed by the implications of Dusk's words, Rarity bordered on near panic, her fingers going numb, the letter falling to the floor at her feet. She blindly clutched for Cuddles’ arm, never noticing she interrupted the quiet conversation between the guard and aid worker. “By The Light, Cuddles! Please tell me Dusk is joking!? Surely a pony as famous and respected as Hoity Toity never asked for me, personally, and by name!?”

Shocked, and to say the least a little worried as Rarity began to hyperventilate, Cuddles put an arm around her hips, supporting her. Rarity’s tight grip on her other arm made it impossible for her to do anything with that hand, so she started walking Rarity about the dimly lit boutique. “I'm not sure what his exact words were, but Magistrate Dusk Shine was talking with him, and he mentioned your name and some work you did… for… umm… for a wedding of a pony called Fancy Pants I think?”

Bronze joined them, supporting Rarity’s other side while they walked, but if anything, Cuddles’ words only made things worse for Rarity, not better. “Oh, no! Of course he was impressed by those suits! I spent several weeks on them and specially ordered almost all of the material! I've got nothing as fabulous as that even close to being ready to show somepony as important and influential as Hoity Toity!”

Confused, Bronze cut in, "What are you talking about, Rarity? I saw the Gala outfits you're working on for the Elements of Harmony, and they look as nice as anything I've ever seen Princess Cadance wear to a ball, and they're all basically finished, aren't they?” Scratching her short hair with her free hand, she watched Rarity closely.

Rarity’s breathing finally calmed down, and she pulled her arms free of the two mares, placing a hand thoughtfully on her jaw. “You know, Bronze, I suppose you might just be right. Why, I haven't even shown the outfits to most of the girls yet, but that being said, I'd love to finally finish them. After all, most of the outfits only need a fine touch here or a fitting to confirm the measurements are accurate. In fact, if we work on it all day, we could even have your outfit ready in time for a show tomorrow, too!” Her excitement growing with every word, Rarity whipped around and clutched Bronze’s hands, glowing with anticipation, her previous frantic worry now completely forgotten.

Off-balance, Bronze looked to Cuddles for help, but found none there, as the aide had clearly gotten caught up in Rarity’s rising tide of ecstasy. Unable to fall back due to Rarity’s surprisingly strong grip, she stammered for an answer. “I-what, me? In that dress? Showing it off for some noble stallion? On a stage?”

Rarity’s eyes were wide with wonder and joy, and it only got worse as Bronze spoke. “Of course! Please, Bronze? You'd make the perfect finishing piece on our group!”

Bronze looked around the shop, desperate for an excuse, any to avoid having so many eyes on her in some silly dress. But she couldn't find any. “Well, I mean… I suppose… if you can get it finished m-maybe I coul-”

Too caught up in her own excitement, Rarity rushed into Bronze’s arms and hugged her around her waist tightly. “Oh, thank you so much, Bronze! Don't worry, I will make sure everything is perfect for you. No slit if that's what you want, I promise!”

Mac bolted into the woods, straight for the path that Applejack was sure Dusk said led directly to town. Thrusting two fingers into her mouth, she whistled long, sharp, and loud. When Winona bolted into the clearing she pointed to the trail, barking out orders to the pup. “Go keep Big Mac safe! I'll meet you back at the farm, Winona.”

Turning back to where Zecora sat in the grass, Applejack lifted a hand, a lecture on respectable behavior that Granny had given her years ago already lining up on her tongue… only to discover the sobbing zebra sitting right where she had been when Mac ran off. The lecture died in her lips. Confused, her shoulders drooped and she took a few steps closer to the distraught mare. “Uh… Zecora? Ju...just why are you so upset? I'm the one who was near about to… um...” Applejack stopped, not sure she even knew how to finish that uncomfortable sentence.

Zecora saved her the worst of that embarrassment, after watching her talk herself into a blushing fury. Wiping away her tears, the zebra gave Applejack’s hand a squeeze, her voice regaining its wisdom. “Suddenly, I begin to see. It's wasn’t me who made a mistake. Might we puzzle through the confusion here and find out what’s caused such headache?”

Applejack felt a little better looking into Zecora’s calm eyes. The Sun Priestess' voice was actually more reassuring due to her own clearly-present worry and embarrassment than her wisdom. Offering the kneeling zebra a hand, Applejack helped her onto the thick tree stump, using it as an impromptu seat for them both. “I'd sure appreciate it if you explained at least some of this to me. I'm plumb tuckered out from chasing my brother around trying to find out what's kept him away from the farm so much as of late.”

Zecora looked thoughtful, sitting just close enough on the massive stump that their hips touched. As a breeze made the branches high overhead dance and sway, she seemed to gather her thoughts, at last straightening up where she sat. “'If you look to the north-west you can behold, all of the fine work done to my abode. Everything from the roof and new shutter, it was the freely-offered labour of your selfless brother. In my culture, a stallion does nothing this extensive for free, yet he refused any offer for tincture or copper, and did it with glee. As weeks passed, his visits became the best, accepting only a hardy meal, to which he took great interest. I now believe he was courting in your style, and wished to thank him as a proper courtship demands, doing it all with a smile.”

Zecora steadied herself, then turned to face Applejack, her eyes alight with passion. Deftly she brushed a hand gently across Applejack’s cheek, her husky voice friendly, but echoing her confusion. "First is a kiss to the cheek, for he is a noble stallion, and helped me without want of a mere medallion."

Applejack couldn't help but shiver, the sensual way Zecora’s fingers touched points of tension under her skin. Sitting up to her full height, she tried to casually pull away from Zecora’s touch. “That sounds just like Mac to me. He is very selfless, helping just about anypony who asks without ever once thinking about compensation.”

Zecora nodded thoughtfully while her fingers drifted down, caressing AJ's firm jawline, her voice warming further. "Next I kissed his jaw, for he did all I could ever ask him, showing great strength that I couldn’t help but bask in."

Applejack laughed at the image Zecora painted, nodding a little and relaxing at Zecora’s soothing touch. It still felt odd having a near stranger caress her like that, but so comforting she couldn't resist letting her go on just a little longer. “That's Big Mac, I've never seen a stallion stronger than my brother.”

Zecora's fingers drifted to Applejack's throat, dancing over the veins that ran under her flesh. "Next I kissed his neck, for he worked hours on end, and often late into the night, showing unfaltering endurance for any task or any plight."

Applejack felt a tremor of excitement ripple down her spine, and took a long breath, carefully drawing it out to force her body to calm down. She had an inkling of why Big Mac had fled, but was not entirely sure she blamed him. “If this is what her hands can do, think of her kiss… poor Mac.”

Zecora seemed to take Applejack's silence and measured breathing as an answer of its own. "But he faltered when I tried to kiss his lips..." her fingers drifted sensually over Applejack's mouth, teasing a little. "And that made me worry, for I found him romantically exciting, like a rare spicy curry. Such a retreat from a stallion after accepting the first three offerings… it's simply not done, such hardships this may bring."

Applejack slipped her arm around Zecora’s back, gently holding the zebra’s hip. She relaxed and held up her friend’s hand. “I already know why Big Mac pulled away from your kiss, but that wasn't what you were doing when I arrived. Can I-” Applejack stopped and took a deep breath. “Can I ask what that was about?”

Zecora blushed a little and appeared ready to hesitate. “Our… courting rituals are not lewd, but I fear you may now think me crude.”

Applejack gripped Zecora tighter, but looked deep into Zecora's eyes. “When it comes to protecting Mac, I'm a little oversensitive. But you said this was a courtship... tell me the rest. I want to understand your customs, most of all because all the others only showed you care for Mac, maybe even more then you'd be willing to admit, I reckon.”

Zecora still hesitated, but looking deep into Applejack's steady gaze she saw a determination to hear her finish. "The last kiss. I lowered myself to my knees, to grant him the final kiss. But before my lips could touch his clothed groin, he retreated as though remiss. I only wished to let him know I respected his masculinity, his potential to be a proud and virile stallion; his great affinity. But he balked and then you entered the clearing and he ran. Perhaps you can help me to understand. I misunderstood why he helped me, didn’t I? To apologize for what I’ve done, I’ll do anything I can in reply. What did I do wrong, dear friend Applejack? I wish for my apology to not receive any flak."

The fact that zebras considered a kiss to their suitor’s groin, clothed or not, was part of courting, didn't really help ease Applejack’s mind, but she saw the worry in Zecora’s eyes and she sympathized with her. After all, she was alone, and so very far from home. Applejack had felt that way once long ago, and could only empathize with the priestess. Clearing her throat, she put on her best impersonation of Granny’s lecturing voice. “Well first, you're darn tootin you did something wrong. Y’all coulda told me first! I'm his only family and before any mare breaks his heart again, I need to know she's good enough for mah brother!”

Expecting at least a snicker or a chuckle, Applejack was only greeted with the zebra’s head lowered as if in shame. “I see, I have insulted his kin. Respect not paid is quite a sin.”

Realizing the joke had gone far worse than simply falling flat, Applejack gripped Zecora's shoulders and made the mare look her in the eyes. “No, no! Your culture’s just a mite different sugarcube! Mac’s just a shy fellow, and you came on a little fast for him. Look, here’s what you gotta do...”

Author's Notes:

Well, "shockingly", things are turning out longer then I'd planned, but again, I think this is a good thing, right?

So, what do you think? Do you think Mac is off the hook at last, or are things just going down hill for the big quiet lovable lug?