------------- Request Chapter: Applejack -------------

The following takes place three years before "Hot for Teacher," approximately one year after "Blue Skies" and six months before "Mountain of a Man"

Another typical night, another fare, another satisfied customer, Lily stretched in the early morning with a soft groan. Her customer last night had been surprisingly gentle and loving. It was a good night full of passion and tenderness, and left Lily feeling delightfully refreshed and happy. She returned to her own room for a shower and a change of clothes before joining the other girls for breakfast.

"G'mornin, Lily!" Brenda seemed awfully happy to see her, dropping her paper to give her a gentle hug. Lily returned it with a smile.

"You seem awfully happy today. Have a good night last night?"

"Absolutely horrible!" She bubbled, way too cheery for such a statement. Lily blinked.

"Uum..."

"That's why I'm happy it's over. Aaaand, the guy sort of got what he deserved. Jason took care of him." Smiling, Lily gave her friend another hug, followed by a quick kiss on her cheek.

"I'm sorry you had to deal with that. I don't mean to brag, but I almost wish you would have got the guy I did last night." She smiled as Brenda picked the paper back up.

"Tell me, I'm enthused." She grumbled, her tone now matching her mood.

"Later, when you're not so busy with the obituaries. I swear, I don't know why you read those things. I know you've got a lot of friends in the guard back home, but don't you think it's kind of grim?" Brenda glanced up before beckoning Lily over.

"Look, here's another. I went to school with him." She muttered. Apparently, there was some sort of conflict happening in Stalliongrad with the chimeras to their north. The guard there was engaged in skirmishes, with a few casualties here and there. But what caught Lily's attention was not the world events, but another section of the obituaries.

"May I?" She asked, taking the paper when Brenda handed it to her. Ponyville was a fairly small town, and didn't make obituaries every day. It wasn't the first name, but the last that drew her eye.

Gina Smith-Lee Apple- 127 Passed in her home outside of Ponyville from natural causes on May 14th. She is survived by her three grandchildren, Macintosh, Applejack, and Applebloom. Service to be held in her home, any and all friends, acquaintances, and well-wishers are welcome to visit, service begins at 3 P.M. on Saturday, May 18th.

That was it. The short article was the only one in the Ponyville section, and Lily was struck with realization when she read the three relative's names.

"Oh no..." She whispered.

"What?" Brenda and Maggie asked at the same time. Lily looked up, fighting tears as she handed the article to Maggie. The seemingly elderly woman read the short snippet, and heaved a sigh as Brenda followed after.

"Did you know her?" Brenda asked, looking up at the two of them.

"I did. Pretty well, too..." Maggie said softly. Her eyes, however, remained dry. Lily wiped tears from her cheeks. "Hey, don't be doin' any of that, now. Come on." She said, pulling Lily into a soft embrace. "Said she died of natural causes, right? It was just her time. These things happen. You of all people should know that." Maggie rubbed her back with a kind smile, the type of worldly grin that told Lily this woman knew better than to be sad. "Look at it this way: You get to go see Twilight and the others again, always a plus, and we get to celebrate the life of the hardest-working, tough-as-nails, greatest cider brewer in all of Equestria."

"So we're going?" Lily sniffed.

"O' course we're going, silly. Sheesh." Maggie slapped her stomach with the back of her hand playfully. "Go pack your things, I'll go check train tickets and talk to Miralee... No, Brenda, think you can hold the place down for a few days?" She asked, turning to Brenda. The woman looked shocked, but offered a slight nod.

"Y-yeah... Of course! I mean, I won't have to do a lot of paperwork or anything, will I?" She asked. Maggie shook her head.

"Just handle tonight, and maybe tomorrow night, then give them a 2-day break. I should be back after that. Dunno if Lily will stay any longer or not." She smiled at Lily knowingly, making the sniffling girl chuckle and wipe her nose on a napkin.

"I'm gonna go pack." Lily said, hugging Maggie.

"I'll come get you when we're ready to leave." She said, hugging Lily back. "I know we're going for a funeral, but you never know who might want to let off some steam. Keep that in mind, okay?" Maggi said with an arched eyebrow. The way she said it didn't even really seem inappropriate... It made sense, to Lily... Depressed, maybe angry, who wouldn't want a nice, rough night in bed? Or maybe a tender pair of arms and some knowing lips to distract them, give them solace... She packed the typical funeral garb, black dress and all that, but also a few... Other things... Maggie knocked on the front door to her apartment about fifteen minutes later, smiling when Lily answered suitcase in-hand.

"We leave in an hour, gotta get down to the train station fast." Lily went to move past Maggie, but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder. "Wait for it..." Maggie said, turning an ear into Lily's apartment.

"What-" The phone rang and Maggie grinned as Lily heaved a sigh and went back to answer it. "Devious old coot." She teased before picking up the reciever. "This is Lily."

"Hey, Lily... Twilight." She smiled at the familiar voice, turning to see Maggie take her suitcase down the stairs.

"Hey, Maggie and I just read the obituary... How is Applejack?" There was a moment of silence from the other end.

"She's okay... It's Applebloom who's taking it hard. I... I didn't think you'd be concerned, to be honest..." Twilight said softly. Lily smiled.

"Of course I'm concerned for her... I mean, Applejack has never been too happy with me... And that whole fiasco with Rarity and Nyralith didn't help, either... But maybe this is a chance to make things right, show her how much I care..." There was an audible sigh from the other end of the phone.

"Just... Be careful, okay? Applejack's never been known for her long fuse, or a soft punch from what I hear. Thank you for coming, by the way... You and Maggie can stay here, if you'd like..."

"Thanks, Twilight, but Maggie still owns those apartments. I think we'll end up staying there one way or another... I am looking forward to seeing you again."

"Same here... I'll see you tonight?"

"Definitely. Bye, Twi." They hung up and Lily left her apartment, waving goodbye to Brenda before walking out the front. Maggie was waiting next to a taxi with a smile. They slid in, and took off...

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"Hey Twilight!" Lily smiled at the purple-haired magi, waiting for them on the platform once the train arrived.

"I know you aren't staying with me, but I figured you'd at least want to see a familiar face. And I can give you a ride to the apartments." The two shared a hug on the platform with Maggie in tow, who was surprised to recieve her own hug from Twilight Sparkle. "You knew Granny Smith, didn't you?"

"Uuh, yeah... Not very well, mind you, but we talked sometimes... I knew Applebloom better... I used to talk to the kids at school about drugs now and then..." Lily quirked an eyebrow.

"Really?" Twilight asked, her own face slightly puzzled.

"Yeah... I mean, my story and everything... Applebloom was the only one out of all the kids to walk up to me, put her tiny little hand on my arm, and tell me she was sorry for my pain." Maggie smiled in the kindly, world-wise sort of way she had a knack for doing... "We'd talk if I ever spotted her walking home after school. Good kid, but I haven't seen her in years. What is she, eighteen now?" Twilight nodded in disbelief.

"Wow, she really is... Holy crap, I hadn't realized..." She muttered. "Plenty of time to catch up later. Come on, let's get you settled. That train ride is murder..." Twilight led them to her car, parked outside the station.

"New purchase?" Lily asked, quirking an eyebrow.

"Actually, yeah... Hard to save up when you're a librarian... But I got some research published, and the extra cash let me put a down payment on this baby." She rubbed her hand over the hood of the car with a wide smile as Lily and Maggie hoisted suitcases into the trunk. Published research, eh? Well, she WAS the Princess' star pupil... Most magi didn't earn that title without being good at what they did. She let Maggie take shotgun while she slid in behind her, smiling out of the passenger-side window at the familiar sights of Ponyville.

"How long has it been since you've been back?" Maggie asked. Lily had to think hard on that point... How long HAD it been?

"Too long..." Was all Lily could think of saying, watching the library roll past. She caught sight of candles burning in Twilight's room, three stories up inside the massive tree-like library. Twilight turned down the main avenue, driving slow so the two could enjoy familiar sights and faces. They even pulled over to chat with Rarity, who was walking down the street.

"Oh! Lily! I suppose you're here for the funeral?" She asked. Her usually stunning, stylish clothes were somewhat more... Muted... Lily nodded sadly, leaning out of the open window. "Nyra and I are busy helping with some of the preparations... Just to take the load off of Applejack, you know... I'll see you around? I'm sorry, I must get going, I'm late for dinner." They shared an awkward, brief hug before driving off. Was it just her, or did Twilight purposefully not say anything to Rarity? She was going to ask when they pulled into the apartments, Twilight curtly popping the trunk and sliding out. Lily let her unload the suitcases with a wave of her glowing hand before giving her a warm hug.

"Twilight, is everything okay?" She asked softly. Twilight glanced back down the street where they had spoken with Rarity.

"I'll tell you more tomorrow morning, okay?" Twilight returned, giving Lily a look that only made her more curious. Was that... Distaste? Giving Maggie her own brief hug, Twilight slipped into the car and gave Lily a soft, muted wave goodbye before leaving them in the parking lot. Lily watched her go, curious what was happening with the beautiful, troubled Magi.

"Come on," Maggie gently pulled her arm. "Let's go get settled. You need a hot shower and some sleep, girlie." Lily followed Maggie as they entered the management office. The manager Maggie had appointed was a well-built guy with a gruff tone who happily handed them over keys to their old apartments. Just like last time she had visited, she was given the key to her old studio apartment. Everything was still in place as she entered, but it had all been kept remarkably clean and dust-free... Either Maggie wanted Lily to have a place to stay whenever she came to Ponyville, or they were catering to the next female who would live here. Much to her dismay, though, the pack she had trekked through the Everfree Forest with was gone, along with all of her old clothes. Still, all the furniture was the same, and she was thankful for that. It all felt like home. One shower and shave later, she was refreshed from the long train ride and happy to be in some comfortable pajamas. Stretching out on the comfortable bed, she fell asleep to blissful silence.

The next morning dawned slightly chill, but with the promise of more warmth. The day of the funeral, Lily slowly dressed in a knee-lenth black dress that covered her shoulders and back, not her typical fare, but the way it hugged her hips felt comforting and reassuring... She slid into sheer black leggings and comfortable black dress shoes, meeting a similarly-dressed Maggie outside of her old apartment.

"We have some time before the ceremony, but I figured you might want to catch up with old friends beforehand." Maggie said, pulling on a wide-brimmed hat as they stepped onto the bright, warming street. "And I want to speak with the Apples, myself... I have a lot to catch up with. There's sure to be some old friends for me to catch up with, as well..." They joined arms and walked down the road to Rarity's, gently knocking on the door. Rarity herself answered with a sad smile, welcoming them inside.

"I don't think we've met, have we?" Rarity asked, extending a hand to Maggie. She took it gracefully, and introductions were passed along. Spotting Nyralith in the next room, Lily left the two to chat while she went to go speak with her fellow changeling.

"Nyralith." She said curtly, smiling as the tall, slender woman turned around to her.

"Liliana." There was a moment of silence and awkwardness between them before Nyralith wrapped Lily in a warm hug. "Things are tough..." She said softly.

"Tell me about it... Everyone seems so tense..." Lily muttered, holding her friend close.

"You don't know the half of it... It ooks like the wielders of harmony are slowly coming apart. Rarity has hardly spoken to anyone aside from Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash for months... Twilight stopped by the other day to pick up some fabric to refurbish a velvet-lined book, and they handled the entire transaction without a single word. To be honest, Lily, I'm worried..." Nyra wasn't the kind to worry. If at all. Lily frowned at her and glanced back at Maggie and Rarity, happily chatting about the old days in Ponyville.

"How are you two getting along, by the way?" Lily asked, returning her gaze back to Nyra, who proudly flaunted an elegant diamond ring. "No way, really?" She asked, taking Nyra's hand in her own, admiring the craftsmanship.

"We just did a small thing with the mayor, Rarity, and I... Only our friends know. It was small, intimate, happy... After the whole fiasco last time, we didn't think anyone would take us seriously. And besides, we all know I'd have been the one to wear the tux." Laughing, Lily and Nyra were soon joined by the other two.

"Oh, so she told you?" Rarity showcased her own ring with a wide smile, and Lily couldn't help but admire them both. "We would have called, but the whole thing happened rather suddenly. I'm sorry we didn't let you know sooner, Lily." She pouted. Lily just teased her with a gentle pat and a smile.

"Either way, I'm happy for you two."

"We owe it to you, really..." Nyra said with a shy smile to her mate. Rarity returned it with a slight blush. "If you hadn't exposed me when you did, we'd have lived a lie for who-knows-how-long... Aside from the... You know... We never really thanked you." The memory of that unique threesome left Lily with a light blush and a warm smile. Maggie looked between all three of them, curiosity plaguing the expression she wore.

"Okay, someone's going to have to explain what happened, because now I'm interested." They all shared a laugh and settled down in the nearby sitting room. As time passed, a few more friends joined them, including Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy gave a weak hello to Rarity before coming to talk with Lily, and Rainbow Dash seemed content to stand in the corner, talking quietly with whoever came her way. Lily wondered what was making all of them act so distant... It was so alien to her, not seeing the six friends be... Well, friendly. Now and then, though, she did see Flutterhy smile or Rarity share a look with Rainbow Dash, but there wasn't anything like the jovial conversation they would normally share, or at least stand with eachother.

It kept nagging at Lily, making her question what exactly was wrong. She caught up with Fluttershy, but nothing much had changed with the shy avian. Fluttershy was the unofficial vetrinarian for and game warden for Ponyville, keeping track of wounded animals and helping with pet births and the like. As far as Lily could tell, her work was lonely and sporadic, varying from fast-paced, hard work to long days with little to do. She was surprisingly knowlegable about animals, and very passionate to say the least. Lily was enthralled with a simple conversation about the differences between ground squirrels and tree squirrles. Fluttershy, when she opened up, could capture attention on the easiest of subjects.

"And when hibernation season comes around, they usually-" She stopped suddenly, perking up as if she heard something else. Aside from the muted mumbles of conversation going on around them, Lily couldn't hear anything. She glanced around, but everyone was absorbed in their own groups of twos or threes... "Come on." Fluttershy said, taking her hand and leading her towards the door. "They're ready for us." Quirking an eyebrow, she saw Rarity leading Nyra and Maggie towards the door, and Rainbow Dash was bringing a few others with her. The rest of the gathered crowd followed them, suddenly quiet. Rarity, Fluttershy, and a flying Rainbow Dash led everyone down the road and out of town. The high sun overhead was warm but not hot, and a fresh breeze rustled the apple trees overhead, the leaves just now coming into bloom. The passing of one age into another... Winter was releasing it's hold on the land, giving way to spring day by day. As the procession turned down Sweet Apple lane, a small group of friends was waiting for them. Twilight Sparkle and Applejack were waiting with Big Mac and a sad-looking Applebloom, and they turned at the front to join everyone. Applejack shared a brave smile, but remained just as silent as the rest of them.

Thankful she hadn't been spotted, Lily was able to stay off to the side as they arrived at the home. Twilight quietly told everyone they were welcome to view the body and talk before the ceremony, which would be taking place in an hour or so. Maggie patted Lily's arm and went to go see Granny Smith with Applebloom at her side, while Lily tried her hardest to stay away from Applejack, still afraid of the sturdy woman's anger with her. Just once, though, she could have sworn she caught a fiery glare from the freckled farm worker, making her throat tighten as she vanished into the small crowd. Deciding then was a better time than never to view the body, she slipped inside the home, feeling awkward in the warm surroundings. The living room had been rearranged and set out with a few rows of chairs, and in front of them was the deceased. Approaching, Lily saw the woman appeared just as happy as ever. The well-worn wrinkles in her face were turned up in a smile, and her hands were clasped around a fresh branch of newly-budding apple flowers. It was all so... Serene. A sense of sadness at the loss of someone great, but a sense of happiness at a long-lived life crashed within her, and she felt a single tear slide down her cheek. It was followed by another, and another after that... Soon, she was sniffling and wiping her cheeks as a shaky hand rose to brush her fingertips over the back of the wrinkled hand.

"Don't." She froze, hand halfway between it's destination and her side. Turning slowly, she saw Applejack and Big Mac standing side-by-side in the doorway, the latter fixing her with a fiery glare. Macintosh had his big arms crossed, his cold stare a stark contrast to the look that might have set Lily on fire if Applejack were a magi... Lily opened her mouth to speak, but couldn't find words. All she had were tears. "And quit yer cryin'. Ah don't want your fake tears in this house."

"Applejack!" Twilight spoke from behind the two, suddenly mounting the steps to the patio. The two friends turned to eachother, and when Lily thought a loud argument would have taken place, an intense staring contest started instead. Lily watched the tense atmosphere, wondering what was happening. Everyone had been doing this, all six of them... With the exception of Pinkie Pie, who was mysteriously absent. Lily was somewhat thankful such a bubbly personality wasn't here, but at the same time missed the furry, happy woman. A break in the still are as Applejack hung her head, turning back to Lily.

"Twilight's right, Lily..." She muttered softly. "We need to have a talk, you an' I. About a lot of things. Not right now, we're about to start." Lily was so confused... Twilight was right about what? What was happening? "Applebloom is goin' to Manehattan with Rarity an' Nyra tomorrow, and Mac's got business in Appleoosa. Cin you come by tomorrow?" She glanced over her shoulder at Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Rarity, who had all gathered in the house behind her. It seemed like some silent words had been exchanged as they all nodded in turn, Rainbow Dash turning to respectfully tell everyone they were beginning. Lily went to leave, but was stopped by a strong hand around her wrist. She looked up at Applejack.

"What-"

"Sit here." She said, pulling Lily into a chair halfway up the small, thin aisle. Confused and more than a little flustered, Lily sat down and watched Big Mac take up two chairs at the front, Applebloom next to him, and Applejack on the other side. As soon as all the seats had been taken, others began to fill in the open spaces on the other side, at the back, and somehow they managed to fit everyone at least moderately comfortably. Twilight Sparkle stood at the front, next to Granny Smith's peaceful, prone body surrounded by flowers. Softly clearing her throat, she began.

"Gina Smith-Lee Apple lived to be one hundred twenty-seven years, four months, six days, and fourteen seconds. She was married to Bruce Smith at age twenty-seven, and birthed one daughter at age thirty-two named Michelle Smith. Her daughter married to Wayne Apple and gave birth to her three surviving grandchildren, Macintosh, Applejack, and Applebloom. Granny Smith, as she was affectionately known by her friends and family, was an honest, hard-working and strong woman with a profound knowlege and some rather strange personality quirks. However, her hard work yielded what is probably the most strange and admittedly delicious apple crops across all of Equestria. A life of labor and love for her family led Granny Smith into the hearts of many people, and all she met were better for her caring words and kind actions, no matter how strange or far-fetched they may have seemed at the time.

"I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt Granny Smith has found her way into the hearts and minds of everyone present in one form or another, through kind words or full stomachs. She was a talented baker, knowlegable about all manner of plants and animals, and more than experienced in matters of the heart. Her profound wisdom has helped her family through hard harvests, long winters, and tough times in equal measure. We come here today not to mourn her passing, but to celebrate her life. Sad as we are to see her go, I know I personally am a better person for having known her. I'm happy to share in my memories, and I know I'm going to remember her fondly for the rest of my days." Twilight Sparkle spoke bold and loud for all to hear, her lips always curved in a smile at rememberance as she delivered the eulogy.

She laid a hand on Big Mac's shoulder as she passed, the big man giving a curt not with a set jaw. Lily could see the muscles in his neck flex with the effort of clenching his teeth. Applejack stood up, resting a hand on Granny Smith's before leaving the living room. Applebloom followed suit with an audible sniff, and once Big Mac stood, Lily noticed everyone started to slowly file out. She followed them, watching as they made an aisle leading from the patio to a nearby grave dug at the foot of a very large apple tree near the front of the home. Lily stood in silence, a gentle breeze pulling her hair off her shoulders as Big Mac gingerly carried Granny Smith's body from the home. Slowly, as gentle as Lily had ever seen anyone handle anything, he walked inbetween the two rows of people with tears in their eyes. Lily felt her own build up at the quiet tension, the sound of even the big man's footsteps muffled and so low she couldn't hear it. Just as Big Mac approached the grave, he stopped just at the edge of the opening.

A faint breeze rippled through the trees, a cadence of rustling leaves rose above them all, carried on a gentle breeze. A soft, warm glow enveloped the form of Granny Smith, lifting the slender, fragile frame out of the big man's arms. The golden, magical embrace emenated outwards, carrying a wave of relief and fulfillment through everyone that had gathered. Lily watched the woman's form slowly descend into the ground, laying happily in the earth she had tended to all these long years of her life. Slowly, the hole was filled until it was flat with the earth around it, and new grass budded in the fresh earth, growing before their very eyes. Gentle glimmers of golden magic lifted from the earth, made everyone watch as they floated gently into the air. The sun sank low over the horizon, the sky painted a crimson color that matched the brilliant display of tender affection. The clouds were streaked with gold, curling outwards from the setting ball of fiery warmth like open arms welcoming Granny Smith's soul into their embrace.

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"Lily." Applejack breathed, opening the door the next evening. Offering a warm smile, Lily stood on her patio with arms clasped behind her back, feeling slightly out-of-place in the quiet home's threshold after such a somber event the other day. The reception had been a wonderful ordeal, everyone sharing stories and laughs at a life well-lived. From all Lily learned chatting with others, she was saddened that she hadn't known the wonderful woman more. Still, there was much talking and good food to go around, and she caught up with Rainbow Dash, Twilight, and even Pinkie Pie. That had been an interesting conversation... Lily had recieved applications, letters, and even requests in person to work at Maggie's... But never had she had anyone ask for an audition on the spot, or at least in the nearby broom closet. Memories of her last time with Pinkie caused her to legitimately consider the offer. But given the reason they were gathered, even Lily wouldn't go that far. She gave Pinkie her number and asked her to call in a week or two, blushing furiously as she got a very pointed rub to the front of her dress as Pinkie bounced away.

"Come on in," Applejack said, turning around and walking back into her home. Lily followed awkwardly, closing the door behind her. "Ah've been talkin' with th' others... Twi seems to think you've got a heart of gold, Dash is happy with yeh, and even Fluttershy, who I'd imagine would be more reluctant ta see ya than ah am, seems awfully smitten." Applejack turned around, fists on her hips. "I hafta ask, what is it mah friends see in you that ah don't?" She looked Lily up and down pointedly, her full lips turned into a frown. "Yer heartless, loose, and dishonest. Yeh used all six of us in the worst kind of way, but they all love you. Even Rarity thinks you're so nice, even after her weddin'." She huffed and shook her head, looking at the floor for a moment before fixing Lily's eyes with her own brilliant, emerald-green gaze. "Ah jus' don't get it..."

"I don't know what to say, Applejack..." Lily said meekly, feeling sad that this woman was doing such a good job at pointing out all her flaws. Applejack had to be unhappy that she, out of the others, had been taken in the same home she shared with her family... By a lying, dishonest, shifted changeling.

"Yeh can start by sayin' the truth." She said. "Answer my questions, an' maybe I'll not be s' damn bitter... C'mon. Want somethin' ta drink?"

"Water..." Lily said meekly, wondering exactly what questions Applejack had in store for her. The farm woman shrugged and poured her a glass of water, taking a different glass and pouring herself a healthy dose of what appeared to be apple cider. The acrid sting of alcohol hit her nose even from this distance, and Applejack led her into the living room that had been re-arranged with a couch and some comfortable-looking chairs. Taking one of the recliners, Applejack gestured to the couch, where Lily sat, staring at the ice in her glass with a frown.

"So." Applejack said, rocking back and forth in the chair gently, her legs crossed. "Which number was I?"

"Three."

"Who came before me?"

"Fluttershy was first, then Rarity."

"How was miss priss in bed?" Applejack asked with a smile. Lily looked up with a blush. Not usually her place to talk about other's performace in the sack.

"Uuh..."

"You can tell me, sugar." Applejack said with a smile, switching legs. "Rarity and I are a lot closer than you think."

"Really?" Lily asked with raised eyebrows. "I always thought you were... You know... Into guys..."

"Oh, don't get me wrong, sugar. I like it nice and rough, and men are th' easiest way to git that done. But ah ain't sayin there aren't a few girls out there who know how to ride."

"Now I KNOW you're lying... No way in hell Rarity's rough at all." Applejack just grinned in response. "We... Used a strapon." Applejack's smile widened as she took a sip of cider.

"An' Fluttershy? I mean, I was there the second time after poker night, but... What about the first time?" Lily smiled in rememberance and crossed her legs.

"She actually came on to me. Woke me up and came in to cuddle. She was a lot more serious than I was..."

"Kinda opposite ta whatchya did with me, huhn?" Applejack asked with a smile. "Didn't fuck aroun' gettin' to the point back in the kitchen, didja?" She took a bigger sip of alcohol, grimacing slightly before gesturing. "Tell me about th' others."

"Well... Dash was next..." Applejack raised a hand, cutting her off.

"You changed for her, didn't you?" She asked, curving an eyebrow. "An' for Rarity, too... Shoot, I forgot to ask. Show me who you used for them." Lily quirked an eyebrow but didn't object before shifting first into Samantha Sunrunner, the busty, blonde-haired avian. Applejack slapped an arm onto the recliner with a laugh.

"A-hah! I knew it! Ah knew I'd seen ya before. Rarity brought you ta poker night the day before ah met Liam!" She grinned and chuckled, taking another hearty swig. "Clever of ya, I hafta say. Go on, show me Dash's..." Obligingly, Lily shifted into Dancer, the slender, toned avian with a flat chest and dark hair. Applejack scrunched her nose up. "Ah cin see why Dash would like that. Too scrawny fer mah tastes. Go on, show me who ya used for Pinkie Pie." Lily swallowed hard.

"Uuh, about that one..." She said, squirming slightly. She had opted to wear a tight-fitting skirt, with not a whole lot of room in the front. "You might see something you won't like." Applejack just gestured. Sighing, Lily shifted into Miranda, the one-time partygoer she had gone as, with a little extra fun in the front. Applejack grew pale when she saw the bulge.

"Oh Pinkie Pie, you sick little... Hurry up an' show me Twilight's." Lily was thankful that awkward moment was over with as she quickly shifted into Tobias, taking a little extra time to change her clothes as well. The slender, long-haired magi was one of her favorites, and she felt right at home in his body. Applejack pointedly looked her up and down. "Too short." She said softly. "And yer hair's too long... Yup, I gotta say, Liam was my favorite." She tossed back the remainder of her drink with a sigh. Lily shifted to her regular form, sipping her water with a slightly embarrassed blush. "Th' others agree, you've told the truth. Ah appreciate honesty, even if it's after the fact."

"Wait, how do the others know I was telling the truth?" Lily asked, suddenly realizing Applejack had occasionally been staring off into the distance. "What's going on, all six of you have been acting wierd lately..." She said, looking around, listening for another presence in the house.

"Look, it's mighty complicated, and ah sure as shoot don't understand it all. Twilight could explain it better, but the reason all of us haven't been talkin' to eachother is 'cause there ain't no need to. Twilight did some fancy bit of magic or something or other, and now whenever I just feel, like, inside o' me, I can feel them, too. Their thoughts and emotions. It's better than talkin', sweetheart. Like, way better. Not only cin ah hear what they're sayin', but ah can FEEL it... They can't fake emotion like that. There is no lyin' between the six of us anymore. We've been 'talking' more than ever before." That would explain it. Lily wondered at the magic the elements of harmony really had, if they were able to link together like that... Sweet Apple Acres was a decent spot removed from Ponyville, they had to be a ways away. Rarity was on her way to Manehattan, even! No way...

"Can you... Feel Rarity right now?" Lily asked softly, curious.

"Jes' as strong as ever. She's halfway to Manehattan, and Applebloom's asleep in the backseat. Nyra can't pick th' right music." Applejack said. "Fluttershy went to sleep about an hour ago, she has an early day tomorrow. Dash is workin' on kicking out a storm over Trottingham, Twi's takin' a shower right now, and Pinkie's in the middle of pulling something good out of the oven. Not sure wha- Oh, it's a pie. Heh. Apple." She smiled and stood up to refill her glass, returning with a second that she handed off to Lily. Grimacing at the bitter drink, Lily was surprised at the sweet aftertaste once the sting of the potent alcohol had passed.

"This stuff's good!" Lily said, grinning up at Applejack. She got a smile, probably one of the first, as Applejack took a new seat at the other end of the couch. Lily still wasn't feeling all that comfortable around her, even though Applejack appeared happier than she had been at the funeral. She seemed to have a permanent grin on her face, though that could eaisly have been the alcohol.

"Specially made by none other than yours truly. Granny showed me how long ago, when I was fit to start drinkin'. Helps the long winters pass a little easier, and makes harvestin' a breeze. Dulls the pain in your legs, ya see." She punctuated with a healthy sip. "Now, ah'm not so sure yer still worth turnin' my back to, and it's too late to be sendin' you on home alone. So yer stayin' here tonight, and sleepin' where ah can see ya." She said, kicking a bare foot up onto the table, wiggling her toes a little. Lily swallowed another sip and gestured with her glass.

"I understand. Want me to sleep down here, or-"

"Mah bed." Applejack cut her off curtly. Lily looked up at her with wide eyes. "Ah said yer sleepin' where ah cin see ya. An' ah ain't sleepin' down here. So when y'all get tired, come on upstairs. Iffen yeh need P.J.'s..." Applejack's eyes slid up Lily's form slowly. "Well, yer fucked, then." Lily swallowed past the lump forming in her throat. This time yesterday, she had been afraid of Applejack punching her lights out. Now, she was going to share a bed with the short-tempered farmgirl? Lily prayed the alcohol wasn't giving Applejack funny ideas... Then again, that wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, would it? Remembering Maggie's words about either a rough night or some arms to flee to for solace, she just gave a slight nod. Applejack asked a question that took Lily off-guard.

"Y'all listen to country at all?" She asked, sitting up. Lily quirked an eyebrow.

"Country? Oh! You mean music... I like songs with a fiddle..." She said softly. In the few years she had had in Canterlot, her talent with the violin had improved, and a fiddle was essentially a shorter violin... Applejack stood and rooted around in a nearby closet, pulling out a few odds and ends before she fished up two cases, one black and one brown. She set the smaller black case on the table in front of Lily and proceeded to extract a beautiful acoustic guitar from the other. Lily opened her case to a finely-crafted and well-worn fiddle. "I never figured you for the sort to play," Lily said, gently picking up the fiddle and checking it for tone. Satisfied with a few quarter-turns, Lily drew the bow out, tightened the nut, and drew the hair across the strings smoothly. No sound escaped, and she cursed herself for forgetting to rosin the bow. "Damnit..." She mumbled, searching for the cube of rosin. Finding it, she powdered the hair and experimentally drew the bow across the strings, satisfied at the high-pitched, melodic wail that it emitted.

"An' I never figgered you'd be the type to play music at all..." Applejack said, steadying the guitar on her knee. She plucked a few strings, turned the tuning knob, plucked some more, then settled into an easy tune with slow, easy chords. Lily recognized it as a standard played on the radio these days, and remembered the beat well. She followed along, matching Applejack's beat that she tapped out with her bare foot. She was surprised, however, when Applejack started singing. Her voice was a delightfully low, gravelly alto that matched the song almost perfectly, adding depth and vibrato to the strumming guitar. Taking over lead, Lily picked up the pace and let Applejack play the simple melody so she could focus on the words, her fiddle adding a dancing tune to the beat that even got her foot tapping. Applejack smiled and continued singing, joined by Lily who lent a light soprano to the chorus.

"Fluttershy loved that." Applejack said with a smile, flexing her fingers.

"I thought she was asleep...?" Lily asked, afraid to play another song now.

"She was, but she woke up to listen to us. Trust me, if she wanted to, she could shut it off for a bit, to get some sleep. Twilight turned it off just as soon as her shower was done, and Rarity needed to focus on the road, so she's out, too. Ah think... Yep, Dash turned it off a little into the song. She don't like country... It's jes you, me, Pinkie, and Fluttershy now. Well, you, me, an' Pinkie now..." She smiled and adjusted her pick, plucking a few more notes. "Wanna play one more?" She asked. Lily blinked.

"I think... I'm getting a little tired." Catching the hidden meaning, Applejack grinned and set her guitar down, standing so she could stretch.

"Jus' you an' me now. C'mon." She led the way as Lily loosed the nut and set the fiddle back in the case, happily following Applejack to the stairs. She got a nice view of Applejack's denim-clad rear swaying to and fro above her. They slipped into Applejack's room, and Lily smoothly undid the buttons do her blouse. Applejack slipped behind her, helping throw the buttons from the bottom as Lily worked from the top. They clashed on the last one, but Applejack quickly grasped the hem of her shirt, pulling hard to pop the button off. Flat, rough hands pressed to her stomach, caressing the smooth flesh while she felt Applejack's full lips bury through her red curls to press against her neck. Lily couldn't help but give a soft whimper.

"Aah..." She breathed, feeling Applejack's hands both rose and fell in tandem, pulling the front of her shirt open more and more... Teased the hem of her skirt, the underwire of her bra. "Y-you... DO like it rough..." She groaned, feeling her nails dig in softly.

"Jes a little. Won't be an issue for ya, will it?" Applejack teased, sliding her fingers down Lily's sides now.

"Ngh... N-not at all..." Suddenly, Lily was pushed face-first onto Applejack's bed, her face full of the thick pattern quilt. "MFF!" She groaned, looking back at Applejack, who was busy stripping her flannel shirt off. Underneath was the same tanned skin she remembered, the full breasts devoid of her usual, sturdy bra. Lily groaned and felt the heat fill her crotch, a slight tingle letting her know she was going to enjoy what was coming to her. Applejack pushed her jean shorts off, and was mysteriously lacking underwear on both fronts. Smoothly, her hands fell to Lily's thighs, teasing the hem of her skirt from the other end.

"Sorry, Lily, but comin' from the farm, I don't like to play around when I get serious." Applejack teased, running her hands over Lily's thighs, teasing from inside out. Lily shivered underneath her touch, eager to be rid of the last two bits of clothes she was wearing. Applejack handled that for her, quickly stripping both skirt and panties off in one fluid motion. Now completely bare and a little more than wet to boot, she laid face-first on Applejack's bed, ready for what she was sure was coming. She was not disappointed.

"NGH!" Applejack's fingers smoothly pushed into her wet walls. Wriggling around, three of them dug deeper and deeper, until Lily was sure they were touching parts of her that had seldom, if ever, been touched before. At least, not by fingers. "Ff... Fuck, Applejack!" Lily gasped, writhing underneath the firm, unyielding fingers. Applejack, relentless, pushed Lily's stomach into the bed with a rough hand on the small of her back.

"Ya like that, then?" She teased, smoothly pushing her fingers in and out, gliding just as deep as she had been going before. What's more, she started twisting them at the apex of her thrust, brushing over some VERY sensitive areas.

"AJ!" Lily gasped, using the pet name she had heard Applejack's friends use. "Go... Gonna cum!" Whimpering, her face screwed up, Lily couldn't hold back the torrent rushing forth. She felt her muscles clench in the throes of a viciously rough orgasm, pleasure coursing through her senses and making her whimper helplessly atop the thick quilt. Applejack grinned and wiggled her fingers against the flood of juices coursing forth, not necessarily spurting or gushing, just oozing and dripping all over the covers. Roughly, Applejack pulled her fingers out and rolled Lily over. Flushed, panting, Lily looked up at the dominating Applejack as she slowly lowered her nude body between Lily's legs.

"What-"

"Shush." Applejack said, her hot breath washing over Lily's shaved, damp pubis. "An' jes let me show yeh how it feels." Lily opened her mouth to ask what she meant, but was stopped as Applejack attacked her clitoris roughly. Why did EVERYTHING about this sultry, well-built farm woman have to muscular? Lily felt waves of pleasure crash through her once more, making her stomach and thighs twitch in time with the flicking tongue. Whimpering, groaning, and helplessly massaging her sore breasts, Lily was quickly brought to the edge of another orgasm. Making wet, sloppy noises, Applejack lapped up the juices that came forth and righted herself, chin dripping, over Lily's chest. She felt warm droplets of her own release dot her stomach and chest as Applejack made her way forward for a deep, tongue-filled kiss. Lily moaned into her lips, feeling the slippery wetness of her own arousal on those magnificent lips. Squirming slightly, Lily peered up at Applejack, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"Well, how'd ya like that, missy?" Applejack asked teasingly, slowly settling until her formidable weight was settled on top of Lily's prone, pleasured form. Lily honestly didn't mind. To her, it seemed rather... Comfortable.

"That was... Wow..." Lily panted, raising a hand to stroke through Applejack's luxuriously long blonde hair. Applejack chuckled and kissed Lily's neck, swinging a leg out until they were somewhat scissored together. With a smooth, gentle motion, Applejack started grinding her hips down against Lily. "I suppose I owe you, huhn?" Lily teased, smiling up at Applejack with a devious look.

"Damn right ya do. How do yeh wanna do it? Me on top, on bottom, or maybe yeh wanna take the wheel an' steer? Jes remember." Applejack leaned in to whisper tantalizingly in Lily's ear. "Ah like it rough." That sultry, low country voice made Lily heat up just listening to her. She wondered how differently Applejack sounded in the throes of orgasm, whimpering and cursing in exasperation. Halfway through a stroke, Lily twined her fingers into her hair, pulling hard. Applejack gasped and pulled her head back, giving Lily the opening she needed to roll on top of Applejack. "F-fuck... Y'all don't waste no time gettin' to it, do yeh?" Applejack gasped, her chest heaving as she stretched out underneath Lily, her head slightly cocked from the pressure on her head. Lily just smiled and leaned in to suck nice and firm on that slender, tanned neckline.

"Hmm," She groaned into the flesh as Applejack began to writhe underneath her. Lily's hand dove in between their bodies, delving deep into that space between her legs. Applejack grunted and twitched, making Lily smile as she probed the wet folds hiding beneath.

"Ah! Hey, not mah cli-i-iii, uhhh..." Applejack tensed but soon melted under Lily's skilled touch, her own thighs twitching slightly. Lily sucked harder until she tasted the metallic tang of carbon from the hard sucking fill her mouth. She sucked harder still, smiling as she felt Applejack tense underneath her. "Easy! Don't be givin' me no hickeys, dammit... Aah!" Lily plunged her fingers deep into Applejack, distracting her from the pleasurable pain coursing into her neck. "Fff... Fahk..." She panted, twitching as Lily started exploring. Pulling her lips away from the lewd dark mark, Lily smiled down at Applejack's scrunched face.

"You really need to stop complaining." Lily teased, probing deeper, exploring more inside of the writhing woman beneath her. Glancing off to the side, Lily saw white knuckles and scrunched sheets as Applejack gripped the nearest thing in her powerful grip. Smiling, Lily adjusted and slid a third finger inside, flexing to spread them apart inside Applejack's tight walls.

"HAAH!" Applejack arched up from the bed, her walls suddenly clamping down around Lily's fingers. "AH'M CUMMIN'! GAH, FUCK!" Lily was surprised as a jet of clear, thin liquid coursed out against her wrist, spattering into the already-dampened sheets. Pulling her fingers out with a spray of delicious feminine ejaculate, Lily grinned down at Applejack. She got a weak smile in return, and an idea.

"Spread your legs." She said, leaning back. Applejack willingly obliged, opening up for Lily. She glanced down at those soft, pink lips, smiling as she started threading her legs through. One over, one under, Lily scooted her rear across the quilt until she met Applejack's dripping hole with her own.

"Oh... Oh!" Applejack quickly caught on and squirmed her hips experimentally, grinning as Lily tensed with a shaky breath. "Ah haven't done this one before. Lessee iffen you can keep up with me!" Firmly, Applejack squished them together, their wet, dripping cores meeting with a delightfully naughty, sloppy squelching sound.

"Hnn!" Lily gasped, grinding her own slit up and down in return. Quivering slightly, she felt Applejack's exposed clit flick her own, more juice flowing as a spike of pleasure drove into her chest. Inhaling, her back arching, Lily gasped and ground harder, reducing Applejack to a whimpering, lip-gnawing pile of woman flesh.

"Yer... Ngh, gonna make me cum soon." Applejack panted, pressing harder against her hips. Where Applejack had strength, driving their hips together in a wet, sloppy mess, Lily had speed and dexterity. She moved up and down, flicking clits and grinding their wet holes together as quick as possible. "Lily!" Applejack gasped, her flat stomach twitching in spastic convulsions.

"I'm cumming!" Lily gasped, her hips pressing back with a hard, unexpected thrust, just as Applejack lifted her own. Clits mashing together firmly, both women peaked at the exact same time. Mouths open in twin screams of pleasure, shaking with ecstasy and pleasure. Lily was only vaguely aware of a small puddle forming beneath them, her lips oozing and pulsing as she dribbled fem cum in equal measure with Applejack.

"Haah... Ah fuck..." Applejack slowly melted until she was laying back, legs still tangled. Lily almost pulled away, but Applejack was so warm, she could only mirror her impromptu mate and stretch out on her own back. Panting, hips hovering an inch away, chests rising and falling with each breath, the two women tried to recover. Lily lost track of time, of the things around her. Mind filled with fuzzy images of sex and relaxation. Vaguely, Lily was aware of Applejack pressing against her side, sliding her arms around the slender frame and drawing the exhausted changeling into a warm embrace.

"Huh?" Lily panted, somewhat surprised by the sudden tenderness.

"Twi was right. There really isn't anythin' bad about you, Lily. Yer honest, hard-workin', kind, and just nice to be around." Applejack sighed softly. "Ah'm sorry for bein' so mean to you. Ah jes haven't gotten over the whole changelin' thing since Canterlot... An' when I found out you were Liam, ah damn near lost it. But, that was wrong o' me." Lily smiled and cupped Applejack's cheek with a hand.

"Is this your official apology, then?" She asked. Applejack grinned and glanced down at the wet spot beneath them.

"If that wasn't, then this is." Laughing, Lily kissed Applejack softly and nuzzled into her neck, contentedly stretching out with the tanned, toned, muscular, and forgiving woman she had just made friends with. "Oh," Applejack said, smiling down at Lily just before they drifted off. "Fluttershy REALLY liked that."

------------------------------------------

Waving goodbye at the train platform had been a difficult experience for Lily. Nevertheless, she had bid farewell to her six friends, and spent the entire train ride back to Canterlot resting after the ordeal with Applejack. Two days with the sultry farm woman had left her exhausted. When she arrived, it was really late, and a taxi took her to Maggie's. She slipped through the door just as things were picking up, a few of the girls getting up to give her hugs and welcome her back. Lily had to excuse herself to go unpack and unwind, stretching out on her bed. If she slept now, she'd regret it, and besides, she'd been gone from the business too long. Dressing and heading back downstairs, she mingled and chatted, sharing happy stories about her time. At the end of the night, close to four in the morning, she was finally tired enough to get some good sleep, though she hadn't taken any customers. Still, the amount of men and women that asked made her happy she still had the knack for the business. Still, Applejack was talented and had really given Lily a run for her money. She recommended her guests to other girls or guys, depending on what they were looking for, and went to bed feeling happy.

The next day dawned bright and happy, and was the beginning of a standard work week for the girls. Lily went downstairs in her pajamas, but was stopped when a knock came from the front door. She went to answer it, opening the door to a group of people she really hadn't been expecting.

"Rarity! Applebloom! Nyralith?!"

-------------------- Notes from the author --------------------

I do apologize for the long amount of time it took me to write this chapter. Truth be told, I had everything up to the beginning of Applejack and Lily getting to it written way back on Thursday or Friday night. General laziness and golf had me distracted since then, but that's no excuse for saying I would have this chapter ready by the next day. So, as an apology, I'm writing out the next two requests in the next 2 days, and if I can, I'll be fitting another Rainwater Martini chapter in there somewhere. Thanks to Heiado for the vague request, it let me work in some story developments and character advancement. I'm happy with this chapter, even if the last bit is a little scatterbrained.

Obviously, another cliffhanger. I feel it keeps you guys interested and excited for what's to come next, so expect to see more and more of these until the story is finished. Which may be never. We'll just have to see. The story is scatterbrained and sporadic, jumps everywhere, and makes little sense as far as story goes. But hey. This is a request-based shipfic. With a lot of requests for Twilight. I think everyone's got their own thing for adorkable twi ^.^

Anywho, expect more in the future. Sort of in another slump, but we all know as soon as I get into one of these, I come back and write 5 chapters in 3 days and you're all oversaturated.

I will tell you now, though. In 3 weeks, I'm taking a trip to go see my WONDERFUL girlfriend. I will be less than likely to post or even check during this time, so yeah. You're all going to have to go an entire week plus a day or two without a single thing from me. I want to come back to fifty private messages, a thousand notifications, and about a gazillion requests. Iroh wants to see this story surpass FO:E, which is over 600k words long.

I can make this happen with time and requests. The thing I'm lacking is requests.

If you've made a request before, feel free to make another. The only thing I ask is a period of 5 other requests have passed since yours was written, at the very least. This means everyone whose request was made before "Definition of Dominance" is now free to make another request, should you so please.

As usual, I reserve the right to deny requests, if I feel the character pairing doesn't work, or I just plain don't feel like writing it. To-date, I've officially denied 2 requests, and not accepted 2 others. This story is 17 chapters long. Your request stands a DAMN good chance of being written, if you make it good.

And, as always, thanks to everyone for all your love, support, and kind words and critique. Every bit of encouragement or criticism makes me a better writer, and I thank you all for that ^.^

Happy clopping, everyone.