Chapter 19: Untrustworthy

Dusk watches Zephyr from a small distance. Just far enough so he wouldn’t hear what they are saying, but close enough to read their body language. As Zephyr walks up to Twilight, he seems nervous, but a lot less nervous than Fluttershy or Dusk in a similar situation. Zephyr begins talking, and he’s red, Big Mac levels of red, enough said. While he is talking, he could see Twilight slowly blushing more and more while Zephyr talks.

As soon as he finishes his little speech, Twilight hugs him and they both start walking towards the town, side by side. Dusk was happy at himself for helping bring the two together, and then his happiness went away when Applejack walks up to Dusk.

“Ah thought ah told ya, to get back to work Dusk, not to lean on some tree and just stare at the new couple.”

“Heh, well I didn’t think that watching my best friend ask a mare out is such a crime.” He responds sarcastically. “If that’s the case, then maybe I should just ignore Fluttershy so I can buck a few more apple trees at night.”

“Oh har-de-hah-hah, you’re so funny. Don’t forget, that you are close to losing your job yet again Dusk. I’m sure that Rainbow wouldn’t want to hear that ‘Dusk was aggressive and rude towards work colleagues and he was fired twice from his last job’.”

‘Don’t want to start another verbal war with Applejack, even if I want to.’

Dusk sucks in his pride, “OK fine Applejack, I’ll keep bucking the trees, arguing wastes time anyway.”

“Good point, Dusk.” She walks away, leaving Dusk to do his job in peace.

‘Only two more weeks of this, and then I’m free.’

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Dusk, Applejack and Big Mac were all inside the farm house, and tensions are high with Dusk and Applejack. Big Mac didn’t really seem to care about the problem, and coolly explains Dusk’s day at the farm.

“Dusk completed 32 apple trees today sis, so give him 80 bits for the day.”

“Hmm, seems ah bit lighter than your bit count ah couple of days ago, Dusky.” She says in a passive aggressive tone of voice.

“Heh, funny that. I don’t think that I was in the mood to work today.” He rudely answers.

“Yup, wonder why.”

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Dusk left the farm, quite frustrated, but with a bag fall of bits. As he walks back to Fluttershy’s, he sees Zephyr and Twilight talking to each other. He could see her holding an assortment of flowers, which Dusk doesn’t even bother trying to name. The two stallions quickly look at the other while they walk. Zephyr giving Dusk a quick smile, to thank him for the help, while Dusk acknowledges with a curt nod.

A little bit later, he arrives at Fluttershy’s home. He’s is not in the happiest of moods, as he has a frown on his face, and walked at a much slower pace than usual, with his head facing the ground. Fluttershy notices his bad mood, and tries to find out what Dusk is frustrated about.

“Um… are you OK Dusk, you seem upset about something.”

“I’ve had better days; Applejack is starting to grate on my nerves. Ever since that argument a couple of days ago, we have been at each other’s throats. I was hoping that she would be over this whole thing when we apologized yesterday. I know that she wasn’t honest with her apology, but I was hoping that the tension would be gone by then.” He lets out an exasperated sigh, “I wish I knew how to stop this nonsense.” Dusk says hopelessly.

Fluttershy suddenly gets an idea, of how she can stop this feud with her friend and her lover. “Uh… Dusk, what if I talk to Applejack… to try and be more friendly towards you…”

“You know what Shy, I think that is a good idea.” Compliments Dusk. “Maybe it will quiet things down a bit.”

“…Thanks Dusk, I’ll go to see Applejack in a few minutes.”

“Wait a second, you don’t need to go so soon. There is no need to inconvenience yourself, so you can make my life a little bit easier.” Says Dusk.

“I don’t mind at all Dusk. It would be easier for me to do it now anyway.” She tells him.

“Alright, if you insist.” Gives up Dusk.

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Fluttershy has a long, thin green scarf wrapped around her neck. There is nothing fancy on the scarf, as it is completely plain. The couple gave each other a quick hug and kiss, as Fluttershy left for the apple farm.

“Make sure that you come back soon, Shy. ‘Dusky the Master Chef’ will be making dinner tonight.” He announces in a ridiculous tone.

Fluttershy give Dusk a weird look, and shakes her head at the playful stallion that she loves. (The only thing that is missing is the facehoof.)

“I’ll probably be back in an hour, Dusk.”

“Alright, see you later Shy-Shy.”

“Shy-Shy?” She asks, with an intrigued look.

“Shy-Shy, your new pet name, until I can think of a better one.” Explains Dusk.

“Umm… OK then, bye Dusk.”

“Bye.”

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About fourty minutes later, Dusk has started making some vegetable soup for his marefriend when she gets back. Once again, he ‘persuaded’ Angel to help him, by saying that it is supposed to be for Fluttershy. Dusk is wondering why Angel has a much larger intelligence that most of Fluttershy’s other animals, but he’s not complaining, as it makes things a hay of a lot easier.

“I need you to get a carrot, some corn, a tomato, some celery, a potato, an onion and some salt.” Asks Dusk to his little assistant. Angel does a mock salute, and grabs the requested item out of the cupboard. He gives them to Dusk, who starts to chop the carrot on a cutting board. After about a minute, he moves the chopped carrot out of his way, and gives a few pieces to Angel to eat.

“OK now Angel, I need you to find a saucepan and fill-“

‘Need to find Fluttershy, NOW!’

“Oh no... not her, anything, but her.”

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