Just a shorty chapter.

“So, Mystic, what d’ya do fer a livin’?” Applejack asked as the three sat at a picnic table in the marketplace.

“Well, I’m a librarian. It’s not a glamorous lifestyle, but once I move to Ponyville…” The others looked to her with surprise, “just kidding! I’m not moving to that hamlet when I already have a family and kids; not to mention everything the city can offer.”

“Yeah,” Rainbow said flatly taking a seat, trying her best to find a comfortable spot for her haunches on the firm wood bench, “like these benches made for all creatures. Anyway, I know a librarian and it's an egghead job,” she avoided looking at the frown from Applejack, “and this city might work for you, but it’s too much to live in.”

“Well, I manage fine enough.”

“Yeah, I’m not used to this. Even Cloudsdale was pretty sparse, this’ too much.”

“Anyway, Sugarcube, what kinda work does you mate do?”

“Oh, nothing big. He works in sanitation. My wife works in a hospital. My other wife works in a small factory, and my other wife is a stay at homer; taking care of the little ones. Even though they’re not all that little.”

“Wow, you have a full herd! I haven’t heard of that in Ponyville in years.”

“Wait, Rainbow Dash, you’re saying Ponyville is a monogamous town?” Mystic asked incredulously.

Applejack took a bite of her sandwich and listened as the other two chatted.

“Yeah, I guess so. I mean, it’s kinda small so herds would just use most of the population up. Most smaller towns are monogamous; me and AJ are doing fine.”

Applejack nodded as she swallowed and took a small drink from her peach tea.

“Well, congrats to you for having that, unique, lifestyle. I, for one, prefer a herd.”

“To each their own,” Applejack said, breaking the growing tension.

“She’s right,” Mystic said relaxing and taking a drink of her juice, “no one way is right, as long as we’re happy. And from what I heard, Applejack, you’ve made her happy as a, um, bee in honey?”

“That right there’s a nice use ‘a words. Reckon ya got some country in yer family?”

“Nah,” Mystic waved a hoof dismissively before eyeing her salad intently, “I just knew a few country ponies that would frequent my shop, so…” she trailed off leaning in and taking the first bite of her salad, scrutinizing it.

“Wait,” Rainbow stated suddenly, “I thought you were a librarian.”

“Ah um,” Mystic started, holding a hoof up to hold the conversation while she finished chewing, “ahem, I am. I own a bookstore and I loan out books, at times. So, it’s like a library, I guess.”

“Oh, close enough.” Rainbow said as she looked into her bowl of soup and smiled, “Mmm, tomato. One of my favorites.”

“Well, you’re not mentioning anything about that burrito and salad, so if you don’t wanna eat ‘em,” Mystic said levitating them slightly from the plate.

“Woah, not so fast! I’m just getting started,” Rainbow shouted waving her forelegs over her food, trying to brush the magic away.

The others laughed at Rainbow’s theatrics. “Dashing, Ah swear,” Applejack started, “yer the best joker. Ya know ya can’t wave magic away.”

“Well, it’s my food and I ain’t givin it up so easy! Reckon she’s gonna hafta get some ‘er self.”

“Wow,” Mystic said quietly, “she’s really into you, Applejack. Accent and all.”

Applejack grinned. “Eeyup. Really inta me.” She yelped as Rainbow punched her in the shoulder.

“What the hay was all that ‘gotta keep some secrets’ stuff?”

“Dashing, ain’t nothin’ secret ‘bout our love, just our,” she paused to look at her plate, “personal lives are secret.”

“Oh, you mean like the last party where mpghgppg-”

Applejack had plugged her hoof into Rainbow’s mouth. “Yes, Rainbow Dash/i],” she said sternly, “those things are private.”

“Juicy. But, anyway,” Mystic said taking a smaller bite of her salad, “I hear the farming is, uh, really, plowing this time of year?”

Applejack and Rainbow looked, with raised eyebrows, at Mystic, who was forcing an awkward smile. “Sugarcube, you don’t need ta ask like that. If you don’t know what farmin’s about yer welcome to come down to Sweet Apple Acres anytime, Ah’ll even give you a tour and show ya how we farm our other crops, too.”

“Well, that sounds divine! I’ll take you up on that, after,” she pointed to her belly with a smirk, “half way, so springtime I’ll bring over my little foal, too.”

“That’d be nice. My little sis, Apple Bloom, would love to watch her while I show you around.”

“And I can show you how I bring in the Zap Apple crops!”

“Not, that’s a great idea! Not too many outside ponyville get to know how it happens. Reckon you’d never forget it.”

“Well, how can I say no?”

Sharing a nod in agreement they turned their attention to their meals and ate heartily.

“Well, Mystic, it was nice meetin’ ya, partner. I hope ta get yer letter soon,” Applejack said extending a hoof.

“Yeah, the train’s leaving soon, mares. We’ve gotta go, AJ.”

“Oh, slow down fer once, Rainbow,” Applejack groaned.

“When you’re the best and fastest, that can’t happen.”

“Even in private,” Mystic interjected. Several ponies looked to the trio as they passed them on the train platform.

Rainbow was the first to grin widely. “Well, what happens there, stays there, mostly.”

Applejack smiled at Rainbow and nodded. “Yeah, as long as Twilight isn’t casting a spell that affects the whole town, everything is private.”

“You know,” Mystic added, “you’ll have to tell me what that whole thing is about. It’s the only thing you’ve been secretive about all day.”

“Well, maybe we will, until then; write us!”

The sound of the train rumbling down the tracks and the sight of the hills and farm lands, as far as Rainbow’s eyes could see, took both their attention from the uneventful trip.

“Hey, AJ,” Rainbow said quietly, looking out the window. She turned to see Applejack snoozing soundly on their bench seat, curled up like a cozy cat, her hat covering her eyes. Rainbow leaned in as close as she could and lifted the stetson, looking at the blond mane and closed eyes that hid the green gems she couldn’t imagine not looking into everyday.

“I love you,” she whispered, kissing Applejack on the head before lowering the hat back and returning her gaze to the transforming landscape, losing herself to the sound of the train that was taking them home.