Chapter 12: Saggy Cushions

August 9

Dear Princess Twilight,

How are you? How is life? We haven’t heard for you in a while. Are things well in Equestria or have things gotten crazy again?

I noticed that we only write to you when there is news so I am trying to be more conversational.

This is one of those times where the reason I am writing you is because there is news. We met the Human counterpart. She is 26 and married with a child o the way wich is exiting. There was some interesting differences like their age and birthday. There were also some interesting similarities like very specific having a younger brother who struggled to pronounce the ‘s’ sound.

Also we had Rainbow Dash’s going away to college party and we combined it with a welcome to the friend group to a person named Gilda. Do you Gilda’s counterpart? Does Your Rainbow Dash have a childhood friend named Gilda? She is very tall and nearly as strong as Applejack!

Well that is our news.

I hope you have a wonderful day.
Twilight Sparkle

Fluttershy woke up with her body aching. She couldn’t figure out why and then it hit her. Rainbow Dash was leaving. Fluttershy had cried herself to sleep.

Fluttershy got up and washed her face.

Fluttershy was surprised to find her parents in the kitchen when she entered it.

“Morning sweetheart!” her father called gently.

“How are you dear?” her mother asked softly.

“I’m okay.” Fluttershy responded calmly.

“Do you have plans for today?”

“I am meeting my friends for lunch today.” Fluttershy kept her tone as pleasant as she could.

“Oh good! Make sure to talk to them about how you are feeling. Your therapist insisted you keep up a social life.” her father said.

“Oh and you can always come to us if you need.” her mother said.

“I got it.” Fluttershy said. She moved over to the cupboard and opened them.

“We know dear we just get worried sometimes. Are you taking your medication still.”

Fluttershy startled but recovered quickly. She fought off the urge to scowled. She loved her parents but they could be offly nosy about her business. She liked getting up and out before them She took a deep breath “Of course I am taking them.”

“Good. You should pick up your refill soon.” her father said.

“I told you I don’t want my medication information on the kitchen calendar!” Fluttershy almost shouted. Both of her parents flinched. Fluttershy took a deep breath. “I don’t like personal information like my period or medications on a calendar our guests can see.” she said slowly and clearly.

“We are sorry dear. We will scribble it out.” her parents still looked a little frightened. Fluttershy’s father stepped forward to find and pen. Fluttershy’s mother left the room.

Fluttershy set about making a small meal of granola. After eating she went to check on Angel bunny. Fluttershy gave him food and took his water bowl to clean. After that was done she went back up stairs to read.

Eventually it was time to go to lunch.

Fluttershy walked down stairs and bast her father's office. Should I ask? She thought to herself. What would be the point. I don’t think it would be a necessary expense. Also he could think that I failed at budgeting for myself. He may not trust me if he knew! He could send me back to… No. Fluttershy took a deep breath and headed for the door.

Fluttershy heard the familiar jingle as she walked into Sugarcube Corner. She looked around and spotted Pinkie Pie clearing a the table that they sat at yesterday. Fluttershy walked up.

“Hey Pinke.”

“”Perfect timing! Take a seat.” Pinkie Pie indicated.

“Why is it perfect timing?”

“Because if you haven't showed up I would have had to run to the back and searched for our official reserved stand. There are 20 boxes back there! It could be in any of them. I could have been searching and searching forever!. And then some one could have come up and taken it. And then it wouldn’t be our special meeting booth anymore. Four years of meeting there forgotten all because of me!” Pinkie Pie said in a mellow dramatic voice.

Fluttershy rased and eyebrow. “Well good thing I made it.” she said camly.

“Exactly!” Pinkie Pie bounced off towards the kitchen.

“Afternoon Fluttershy.” Rarity said behind her. Fluttershy turned around.

“Good to see you too.” Rarity set her stuff down and walked over to the counter to order.

Fluttershy took a seat and waited. Sunset and Twilight walked in, ordered and seat down across from Fluttershy. Rarity sat next to them.

Pinkie Pie came back over. She took off her apron. “My break has begun! Where is Applejack?” she scooted in to the booth next to fluttershy. Fluttershy felt a mild sense of annoyance but quickly tried to brush it aside.

“Maybe she hit trafic?” Sunset suggested. “The city dose like to save road work for the summer.”

After a moment Pinkie Pie said “Should we start with out her or-”

“No!” Fluttershy surprised herself and everyone else with how loud she was. Her face turned pink. “She would wait for us, shouldn’t we wait for her?” she tried to sound reasonable. Rarity gave Fluttershy a knowing smile.

“Just because she insists on waiting for others doesn't mean she minds missing something.” Pinkie Pie pointed out. “Rainbow Dash would often have push to start meeting as soon as possible. And Applejack never complained if she was left out.”

“Rainbow Dash isn’t here and still the courtesy seams nice.” Rarity said.

“Yeah” Twilight said. she cleaned her glasses.

A silence fell over the table. Fluttershy felt like half the group was missing without Rainbow Dash and Applejack. The pain from last night came back. Rainbow Dash was no longer coming to these meetings.

“Fluttershy are you alright dear?” Rarity asked.

Fluttershy jumped slightly and noticed she had started crying. She astilly wiped away her tears and nodded. “I’m fine.”

“We are here to talk if you need.” Fluttershy felt a stab in her gut at Rarity’s words. Why wouldn’t people give her the freedom to be independent. Fluttershy might have snapped at Rarity but the sound of Applejack’s voice stopped her. Fluttershy took a deep breath and smiled and turned to face Applejack.

“-and that’s why I’m late!” Applejack finished. Fluttershy noticed that Applejack was breathing a little hard.

“Don’t worry about it.” Rarity assured her. “We would all rather have you be safe then early.”

“Thanks. What did I miss?”

“Nothing.” Pinkie Pie said. “So let’s start. Check ins! Who wants to go first?”

“I’ll go!” Rarity volunteered. “I am very happy. I had a wonderful date last night. We had a very romantic dinner and then she took me to her house and we watch a movie and made out a little!” Rarity squealed with delight. “I can’t wait to go out with her again. Okay next.” Rarity turned to Sunset and then to Pinkie Pie.

“I am doing super duper great!” Pinkie Pie announced. “I am so happy that the party went well. Rainbow Dash and Gilda both said they were satisfied with the party. So I am happy. Next!”

Everyone turned to Applejack.

“A. J. darling will you let me brush your hair? You look… disheveled.” Fairy asked.

“That would be great. Helmets will do that to you!” Pinkie Pie scooted out of the booth and switched places with Rarity. Rarity pulled a brush out of her handbag and got to work.

“You road you bike all the way here after last night?” Sunset asked incredulously.

“Ah yeah. How else was I supposed to get here?” Applejack said angrily. After a pause Applejack sighed. “I’m saving up for a car. It just might be a while.”

Rarity looked at everyone's faces. “What happened last night?”

“I stood up to fast and fainted. But it was nothing.” Applejack said.

“You passed out and then through up!” Fluttershy argued. “We were all very worried.”

“Yeah and now I’m fine.” Applejack’s tone was hard.

“Shouldn’t you still take it easy?”

“Why? Do you think I’m some wilting flower that needs constant support? I’m not. I am a grown woman. I don’t need to slow down.” Applejack said loudly.

There was silence at the table.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get angry with you. I appreciate your concern.”

“I’m sorry too. I know you are tough and capable. I was just surprised.” Fluttershy said quietly.

Rarity looked around in the silence. “So Applejack how about you do your check in.”

Applejack took a deep breath. “Sure! I am doing good today. Just a normal day on the farm. Feeding turkeys and mucking stalls. Big Mac and Apple Bloom left early this morning to go sell in crystal county. So I will be alone all day today. I do have some news. You know that Countess Coloratura concert that is coming up? The one that wraps up her tuar. Well Rara rote to me and gave me a special pass to go backstage and talk to her after the show. I’m so excited to see her again. Already wrote back to her.”

“That’s great!” said Pinkie Pie.

“I still can’t get over the fact that you know a celebrity.” said Twilight.

“Your hair is a disaster!” Rarity said to Applejack. “What did you do?”

“I don’t know Rars I just lived my life.”

“Well your hair is a rats nest.” Rarity said aggressively wrestling with a particularly knotted patch.

“Doesn't that hurt?” Twilight said wincing at the sight.

“Not really. I don’t care though. Big Mac used to pull a lot harder. And Apple Bloom for that matter.” Applejack chuckled.

“Fluttershy it is your turn to check in. Pinkie Pie said.

“Oh. Right. So I don’t have any news. Nothing has happened. I feel fine today. Maybe a little sad that Dash isn’t here.”

“Hay wasn’t there a tiger?” Sunset asked.

“Yeah yesterday you said you got a call about a tiger. What happened?” asked Applejack.

“Oh yeah. I went to this big scary mansion and there was tiger in the basement. He was… well he looked terrible! He was missing chunks of fur and he was limping and starving. He was really angry but I used my crystal to talk to him and I got him to calm down and trust me. We took him to the shelter to document the state we found him in. He has worms so we can’t feed him too much yet but even so he is much happier to have clean air.”

“Wow.” Pinkie Pie said. “So are some people going to go to jail?”

“Yes.” Fluttershy said. “I will even testify. That poor creature was suffering.”

Mr. Cake brought their food.

“Nothing for you Fluttershy?” Applejack asked. She took a sip of her kale smoothie.

“No. I already ate.”

Applejack studied Fluttershy’s face. She decided not to press the issue.

“Alright my turn.” Twilight said. “I am tired. I couldn't sleep last night. So Applejack. Did you or did you not meet someone named Moon Dancer yesterday.”

“I did she was very nice.”

“That’s what I thought. The two of us went to dinner with her and the human Sunset last night as you know and I feel like it went fairly well. Although I did learn some unexpected information.” Twilight looked at Sunset. Sunset squirmed. Twilight cleaned her glasses.

“Yeah I don’t know it was wired.” Sunset said. “You and Moon Dancer seemed to get along great. They went to Crystal Prep and you know her brother. They met during friendship games competition like us.”

“Wow. what other similarities are there?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“Well… the most interesting one in my opinion is their brother’s names for them. Both their brothers had a hard time pronouncing the ‘s’ sound and so they gave their sisters nicknames without it. The human got the nickname Rai and our Sunset got the name Dusk.”

“What is your brother’s name?” Rarity asked.

“His name is Lightning Shimmer. He is six years younger than me.”

“Okay.”

“So you got to know them a little and didn't tell them anything about you know what.” Said Applejack.

“Yeah.”

“And you don’t think that caused a rift?” asked Pinkie Pie.

Sunset and Twilight looked at each other. “There were some very odd and tense moments.”

“What do you mean?” asked Fluttershy.

“Well I got the sense that Sunset and Rai were sizing each other up.” Twilight said slowly.

“What’s that supposed to mean!” Sunset demanded.

“You two kept looking at each other and it seemly like you were silently judging each other.” Twilight explained.

“I was not!”

Twilight sighed. “It’s just the vibe I got of of the two of you.”

“Well it wasn't like that for me. I was just as eager as you!” Twilight sighed.

“Fluttershy is there a specific reason you lied.”

Fluttershy’s heart skipped a beat. “What!?”

“I just heard you stomach growl confirming my previous judgement. You are hungry. Why aren't you eating.”

“I ummm… I left my money at home.”

“And you didn’t ask any of us to buy you lunch something we would all be happy to do.”

“No.” Fluttershy looked embarrassed and ashamed.

“Come on.” Fluttershy felt Applejack take her had.

“Where are we going?” Fluttershy’s heart fluttered.

“You are going to order and I am going to pay for it.” Applejack said. She tugged on Fluttershy’s arm. Rarity hastily backed out of the booth.

Applejack led Fluttershy to the counter. “What do you want.”

“I could get a smoothie.”

“Yes and…”

“And what?”

“You have to get more than one smoothie.”

“But-”

“Fluttershy you must eat a proper meal!

“Fine. How about an smoothie and an egginue?”

“That works.” Applejack said. “Mr. Cake Fluttershy wants and veggie egginue and a large blackberry smoothie.” she said confidently. She handed Mr. Cake a twenty and waited for her change.

She knows what I like! Fluttershy thought to herself. I can't believe she noticed.

“Ummm… Fluttershy are you coming or do you just want to stand their.”

Fluttershy jumped. “I’m sorry!” She scrambled to catch up to Applejack. Applejack chucked.

Fluttershy, Applejack and Rarity slid back into their spots in the booth ad Rarity continued wrestling with Applejack’s hair.

“So future meetings? What are your schedule like next week.” Pinkie Pie asked looking around.

“I am busy Monday Tuesday and Wednesday but I might be able to make it if I needed too. I have a lot of work to do for my client. Thursday and Friday I have much more flexibility.” Rarity said.

“I am free during my hour lunch breaks and in the evenings. On Friday I get out at 1:30 ” Said Sunset.

“Me too” said Twilight. “Although I don’t work at all on Friday.” Twilight cleaned her glasses.

Applejack chucked. And Sunset rolled her eyes.

“On Monday I work at the food bank. As for the rest of the week, I have lots of chores but I can be flexible.” Applejack said.

“I have work every day but I can come for a lunch or evening meeting.” Fluttershy said.

“So it sounds like Friday is the best day. Evening or lunch?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“Lunch” “Evening” Applejack and Twilight said at the same time.

“It is a little harder for me to get around at night if I don’t have the truck and I can’t plan on it.”

“That’s fair.”

“So lunch next Friday.” Pinkie Pie made note on her calendar she pulled out of her hair. “Anything else people want to talk about?”

Mr. Cake brought Fluttershy’s food.

“That was fast!” Pinkie Pie commented.

Fluttershy began enjoying her food.

“Earlier in this conversation you Applejack mentioned Countess Coloratura’s turar. Pinkie Pie I was wondering if we should catch her show in Mane Hatten. It would be right after we movie but it could be a fun break from orientation. What do you think?” asked Rarity.

“I think that show might be sold out. But if not I’d love to!” Pinkie Pie said.

“The show is sold out but I can ask Rara for special passes for you two.” Applejack said.

“That would be lovely.”

“Special passes?”

“Yeah you get to go backstage and talk to her. Also you watch the show from a special box.” Applejack explained.

“Cool!” said Pinkie Pie.

“We would both really appreciate that.”

“Consider it done!” Applejack said.

“Anything else?” Asked Pinkie Pie.

There was silence.

“Meeting adjourned!” Pinkie Pie shouted and then bolted for the bathroom.

“Fluttershy. You have to drink that entire smoothie. I will watch.”

Fluttershy froze. She had been considering ways of taking it home to finish later. She continued drinking it.

Sunset and Twilight left together. Fluttershy finished her drink and Applejack and Rarity let her out of the booth.

Fluttershy drove home in silence. She had ate quite a big meal. An entire egginue and a large smoothie! It tasted amazing. But that was Applejack’s money. I made applejack pay for my lunch. That was worse than admitting I failed to my father! Fluttershy thought to herself. I will have to rethink my budget. I will revise it so this doesn’t happen again.

Rarity pulled into the Mall’s parking lot. She loved shopping. She wished she could do it more often. She walked in the main entrance confidently she knew the mall well enough she didn’t need to consult the map. She was on a mission. Buy sexy lingerie to impress Octavia.

She passes several stores before coming to her favorite clothing store, that she wasn’t a part of. She grabbed a shopping basket and walked over to the sale rack. She peruse the racks but didn’t find anything she wanted that she couldn’t make easily.

She walked over to the women’s section and found the lingerie isle. She spotted Applejack checking out fancy expensive bras. Rarity did a double take and staired.

“Applejack?”

Applejack jumped and spun around fast. She looked like a startled deer.

“Hey Rars. Fancy seeing you here!” she said nervously.

“What are you doing looking a lingerie?” Rarity asked walking over.

Applejack blushed. “You remember that how Rara said she wanted to see me. Well she said she wants me to spend the night with her in her hotel and I suspect she may want to have sex again. I thought I’d try to impress her.”

“You told me you have a crush on Sunset? Are you over that?”

“No not entirely. But it isn’t going to go anywhere. Trying to forget about it isn’t working. I thought I’d try replacing it. I had a crush on her before. I’m sure I can rekindle those feeling.”

“Alright fair enough but lingerie? It’s not very you. I mean you came out to me as asexual! I'm a little surprised.”

“Yes but, just because I'm asexual doesn't mean I don't like it when some one I'm romantically attracted to thinks I'm sexy and I can indulge in fancy things. I have learned a lot from you and my aunt and uncle. I like being fancy sometimes.” Applejack blushed and looked down. “I like to pretend sometimes that I’m as pretty as you and Fluttershy and I think Rara will like it.”

“Oh Applejack darling there is no need to compare yourself to us. You are gorgeous too! Let me help you pick one out and you can help me pick one out! We can shop together!”

Applejack hesitated. “Okay.”

“Great! Lets see.” Rarity looked at the blue one in Applejack’s hands. “That one is very sexy but I think the cup size is too big for you. Let's look over here.” Rarity lead Applejack to a different section.

“Anything specific you know she likes?”

“She likes me in excess frilly lace. Something that contrast with my muscles. Last time we made out I wear a very lacy tank top and she got wet looking at me.” Applejack smiled.

“Goodness Applejack. What about this one.”

The two compared bras for an hour. They both ended up with several to try on. At Applejack’s insistence they got a couple different sized of the ones they liked. They used the dressing room the end of the isle. Rarity went first.

“Oo that one brings out the color of your eyes!” Applejack told Rarity as she showed off the second one.

“You think so?”

“Yes. It really complements them.”

Rarity examined her reflection in the body mirror. “I agree. I’ll get it.”

Rarity settled on three, a blue one a deep red on and a black one.

Applejack tried to avoid trying any on in but Rarity shooed Applejack into the changing room.

Applejack came out in the first one.

“That green doesn’t work for you.” Rarity said immediately.

“Agreed.” Applejack walked back in and shut the door. "This one is way too itchy. I’ll never wear
it.” Applejack called.

“That’s fine.” Rarity waited patiently.

Applejack came out in a bright red one. Rarity did a double take. Applejack was hot. Rarity couldn’t take her eyes of Applejack's breasts. Maybe it was just the lighting but this bra made Applejack’s breasts look bigger then she remembered.

“I like it.”

“Me too.”

Eventually Applejack settled on the red one and two different black ones.

They picked out matching thongs then hey walked to the register together.

“This was fun. I really like shopping with you.” Applejack said as they waited in line.

“Yeah. why don’t you come with me more often?”

“Because when you drag me along you want me to get stuff I don’t like or will never where. But this was more organic. We both wanted to get the same thing and we helped each other.” Applejack explained.

Rarity rolled her eyes. “I’ve changed. I respect you and Rainbow Dash don’t like the kind of clothes that I like and that’s okay. Although you are much more flexible and patient.”

They checked out.

“Do you have any other shopping to do?” applejack asked Rarity ash she put her purchases in her backpack. She slung the heavy back over she shoulders.

“No this is all I came for.” the two walked back to the main entrance and out the door.

Rarity heard her phone ring. She pulled it out. “It’s Octavia! Do you mind?”

“No problem! I’ve got to go!” Applejack walked over to her bike.

“Hey Octavia! What’s up?”

“Hey Rarity. My parents found out about last night and they want to meet you. Are you free tomorrow night to come over for dinner?”

“Sure thing! Do I need to prepare” Rarity continued listening as she watched Applejack buckle the waist strap on her back back, pull her bike out, wave and then take off. Rarity waved slowly. There was something off. She couldn’t place it.

“Rarity?” Octavia’s voice pulled her back.

“I’m sorry I was waving good buy to Applejack.”

“Oh that’s okay. I was just wondering if you want my mum to cook lasagna or ravioli.

“A while back you talked about how amazing your mother’s ravioli was and I’m interested.”

“It is amazing. I’ll let her know you want to try it.”

“Also I told you how much my dad likes soccer right?”

“Yeah.”

“Well try to look up some European teams because her will be talking about it and he likes to judge people by how well they can follow his talk. His favorite team is Wimbledon FC so get ready to hear their entire history. Just be patient. If this goes well then they probably won’t intrude more. Although I don’t know. That’s how it works with friends but, well…”

“I’m you first. Yeah I get it.” Rarity walked to her car. “I’ll be fine. I am friends with Rainbow Dash and she can go on and on about all kinds of sports. A few weeks ago she talked about Softball for so long Applejack told her to shut up.”

“Wow. that sounds boring.”

“Yeah. look Octavia I need to go. I’ll call you later.”

“Alright bye!”