Ocellus’ nostrils fill with Spoiled Rich’s strong perfume as the earth pony steps back. Cloying, an apple orchard tinged with sweetened sweat, the idealized scent a farmmare produces in her fantasies, as though the natural aroma of a hardworking mare isn’t alluring enough. The fact that the Rich mare wears such a specific brand means she came here with illicit intentions; or, she hopes the smell might subconsciously sway Doug toward her side, whatever that side might be.

“H-hypothetically?” Applejack stammers, her hoof never leaving her face. She looks too stunned to notice the smell, or maybe it’s close enough to her own that she can’t tell the difference.

“Grubber is shameless about such matters,” Spoiled Rich explains, waiting with growing impatience for a response. “With no compunctions about putting you on the spot with the kinds of questions no self-respecting mare would dare ask aloud. Considering such a position would imply that one has herded with the wrong stallion. Yet every second that passes while you blindly stumble about is a second he spends gloating with that insufferably stuffed face, every bite and chew and grating swallow reminding you that you still haven’t come up with an adequate answer to his audacious question.”

Ocellus finds herself glad to not be in the hot seat; she enjoys watching Applejack squirm like a fledgling integrator being grilled by the Queen, mulling over not just the original question of fancying another stallion despite being herded but the sly shift to the specific: would she allow Doug to stud Spoiled Rich?

Applejack finally speaks. “Well, Ah’d have to think about it, ‘specially ‘cause Ah ain’t sure what Doug’s answer’d be. There’s a lot Ah’d consider.”

“Indeed,” Spoiled Rich confirms, carefully watching Applejack’s every reaction. “I find it helpful to go over the lines of thought in class, if just to provide the others with an explanation, if advanced, of the reasoning behind the rules.”

“Alright,” Applejack says, huffing a little. “If’n ya came to me, can Ah assume ya’ve thought it through? You’re a sharp mare, ya know what it’d do to Filthy if’n ya went to somestallion else. And it ain’t cause he’s shootin’ blanks, he sired with Thorax, just you’n Set haven’t had any others and that’s your business.” She glances down at her own belly with a sheepish smile, as though every foal steals away a slot Spoiled Rich might have filled. “But this is gettin’ bogged down in the muck.” She regards the mare affirmatively bobbing her head with a frown. “And that’s what Grubber’s after?

Spoiled Rich takes a second to consider. “One finds equal evidence for malice, or perhaps a disruptive insolence, as an honest attempt to deepen his understanding.”

“Eeyup,” Applejack says, awkwardly shifting from hoof to hoof. “Sounds like you’re in a whole barrel full’a pickles. He does this every class?”

“Thereabouts,” Spoiled Rich answers. Applejack gives a sympathetic whistle. “Certainly more often than not, though it has become easier to shift the discussion back to the topic at hoof.”

Applejack chuckles. “Point taken. Ah can’t ever see studdin’ for mah foals. Ah guess ya might say mah loyalty to mah stallion outweighs whatever benefit they might get from havin’ a better sire, but that’s ‘cause Ah feel Doug’s the best stallion ya can find. Not ‘cause Ah think he’s the strongest but ‘cause he’s models the Elements. At the same time, Ah don’t believe ya’d get that if ya studded him, ‘cause he wouldn’t be raisin’ ‘em.”

“The nurture side of things,” Spoiled Rich labels. “But, purely playing Night’s Advocate, if you tried to improve on the nature side of things?”

Applejack chews on her lip. “Ah ain’t gonna lie, the thought crossed mah mind. They struggle with farmin’, though they make up for that in other areas. But, more’n that, the chance of things goin’ wrong? That’uns a mite too high. An’ if’n it did, it’d ruin everything. Ah wouldn’t risk an orchard just to get a couple more trees. An’ as far as tellin’ him Ah was goin’ to somestallion else?” She looks away, staring at the heavily laden trees outside.

Ocellus loves being a fly on the wall to these types of deep conversations, the kind ponies will only have when alone. It’s as though she was back in her guardsmare days, amazed at the personal thoughts and feelings a pony would divulge that would never be discussed in the hive. It makes her a tad frightened that Applejack will stop staring out the window, turn to her and ask what she might make of the situation. Because she knows the answer ingrained into her, and it is not the answer Applejack wants to hear.

“Rarity thought real hard ‘bout doin’ that,” Applejack confesses. Spoiled Rich cocks her head to the side just slightly, keeping her expression blank at the potential scandal. “First after Sweetie Belle was born, then again when Doug met Prince Blueblood. Horns’re important to unicorns, far more’n a green hoof matters to an earth pony. Ultimately? She decided, as Ah would, that bein’ with him fully - heart and mind and soul - was more important than whatever advantage our foal might eke out. If Ah didn’t have the same respect for him?” She stares at Spoiled Rich long enough for her to shift uncomfortably. “…Ah ain’t claimin’ nothin’ ‘bout Filthy, but if’n ya were here askin?”

“And with that assumption made,” Spoiled Rich continues, carefully neutral, “that I have done the calculation on my end, that I thought the risk was worth it, you would need to think of how things would be taken on your side. Is the Rich name a valuable one, a name you would choose to associate with? Would it sully your own?”

“Before, Ah would’a been glad to join ‘em.” Applejack sneaks a smirk at Spoiled Rich. “After all, ‘Bo’n Tiara sure are gettin’ close, an’ Ah don’t see anythin’ wrong with that.”

“Indeed,” Spoiled Rich returns, though Applejack continues before she can say more.

“Doug bein’ with the Princesses throws another wrench in it,” Applejack muses, her hoof now rubbing at her chin as she stares upward. “‘Fore we herded up, if’n Ah was a bettin’ mare, Ah’d’a expected the Prince Consort to be sirin’ foals left’n right, off’a everymare that so much as winks and swishes her tail at him.”

Spoiled Rich’s face falls, sensing the upcoming ‘but’. Applejack doesn’t notice, too busy staring. Her “Indeed?” sounds too devastated to be an act.

“At least,” Applejack continues, not reacting to Spoiled Rich, “that’s how Ah imagine that Prince Blueblood fella’d act. But Doug’n Rares tell me he only plays at bein’ a playcolt, so what do Ah know ‘bout them royalty fellas, ya know? Ain’t like there are many other stallions gallivantin’ about that everymare wants ta get with.”

“I wouldn’t know,” Spoiled Rich scowls. “My aspirations were never set so high.” She picks up her empty glass and gives the bottom a disappointed glare. “Anything stronger?”

“Last one ‘fore Doug gets ahold’a ya?” Applejack sardonically quips, though she dutifully goes to the upper cabinets by the fridge and brings down a dark tinted bottle and a single wide snifter. She comes back to Spoiled Rich staring at the bottom as though a strong enough glare might spring something equally hard.

“Were I so lucky.” Spoiled Rich drains the quarter inch of apple brandy with a practiced grimace. Applejack refills a sliver before setting the bottle next to the pink mare, though she merely stands with the glass balanced on her upturned hoof.

The beginnings of a plan start to come together in Ocellus’ mind. No, not a plan, a scheme. It’s clear to her that Spoiled Rich is more than a little envious of Applejack’s (unearned?) position, that she wants such a spot for herself. But leaving her current (quite comfortable) spot would not be worth the risk. It’s the same reason Ocellus hasn’t left the Apple herd, if getting a foal is all she wants; the damage to their reputations would be too high, too likely to cause fractures in the delicate web Chrysalis has woven.

“Eeyup.” Applejack goes back to nursing her cider. “In all honesty?” She takes a long drag, her cider-drinking smile notably absent. “If’n ya went to Doug? He’d put a foal in ya. But that ain’t why ya came over.”

Spoiled Rich laughs, sharp as a diamond saw. “No. Though I appreciate the candor. As you said, no offense to your stallion, the primary benefit comes from his association with the Princesses. Any foal raised by him gains such an affiliation automatically; any merely sired by him would require an explicit statement too gauche for polite company. No, I came to discuss a different issue.” She pauses for a split second, long enough for Applejack to frown and cock her head slightly at the lie. “Two issues, that is, though one does not concern you: a favor to recall from Headmare Twilight.”

“Alright,” Applejack says succinctly. She offers a smile, small and kind. “What’ll it be, partner?”

Spoiled Rich smiles at the appellation as she sets down her brandy. She fixes Applejack with a steady gaze, boring into her as a miner might a seam of gold. “I am here to come to a formal agreement with regards to the courtship and herding of Diamond Tiara and Pomarbo.”

“Formal?” Applejack raises an eyebrow, her smile evaporating quicker than a glass of cider within flying distance of Rainbow Dash.

“Formal,” Spoiled Rich repeats. She waits for Applejack to respond, though the farmmare looks decidedly out of her depth. “It would be customary for the families to come to a mutual understanding of our foal’s intentions, yes?”

“Err,” Applejack mumbles, scratching at the back of her head, “Ah’m afraid Ah don’t know all that much ‘bout that. The Oranges talked a little ‘bout it, but Ah never really got the allure.”

“...I see.” Spoiled Rich takes a deep breath, her posture shifting as she assumes a teacher’s position. It comes off as condescending to Ocellus, though Applejack doesn’t show any offense. “My apologies; I forget the practice is not as common in Ponyville than Manehattan. We would merely make a public declaration of our foal’s intentions with regards to each other. While the exact terms may be kept confidential it gives any other potential suitors a short timeframe to throw their own hats in the ring.”

“Terms?” Applejack says jokingly, as though despite her serious face Spoiled Rich might be putting her on. “Like, a dowry?” She snickers to herself. “Somehow, Ah didn’t think Ah’d need ta pay ya for takin’ Pomarbo off our hooves.”

“Indeed.” Spoiled Rich glances off to the side, resigned and almost apologetic. “Were you to demand one, we would be prepared to offer at-cost contracts for Barnyard Bargains and other affiliated businesses, construction of a suitable dwelling, and forgiveness of the remainder of your mortgage on the former Pear property.”

“That’s…” Applejack holds her breath as her eyes shimmer; the land offer alone is easily a quarter million bits. “...Awful generous of ya. Real generous.” She frowns, suspicious. “Ya really think bein’ close to the Princesses’ herd is that important?”

Spoiled Rich nods. “Indeed. Such an arrangement will benefit her and her foals for the rest of their lives, setting them on a trajectory that may well place them among the stars themselves. I would shoulder any burden to get her there.”

“Wow,” Applejack says, soft and subdued. “Ah… Ah never thought about it like that. Ya really care about her, don’t ya?”

“Indeed.” Spoiled Rich looks Applejack in the eyes. “I would do anything - anything - for her sake.”

Another piece of the puzzle clicks for Ocellus. She grins to herself, her heart beating faster. Is this why Chrysalis loves scheming? Understanding how every component connects, the rush from figuring it out, and putting the plan into motion? Spoiled Rich is less concerned with her own standing than that of her foal(s) - after all, any status they gain will reflect onto her - and what better way to gain such standing than by ingratiating herself to the Princess’ herd? Now, if she can just figure out a way…

Applejack chuckles nervously as the purple ponytail swishes. “Ain’t ya supposed to keep your cards a bit closer to your chest?”

Spoiled Rich readily nods. “We decided on being upfront as the best strategy.”

Applejack nods, slow and cautious. “Eeyup. Still, Ah can’t see askin’ for so much. Plus, all that money’d come around to ‘em anyways, right?”

“There is a stark difference between a shareholder in a company and the company itself,” Spoiled Rich starts, far more admonishing than she has been before, then immediately changes tack to a gentler explanation. “If Pomarbo was the sole owner of Sweet Apple Acres and Diamond Tiara the same for Barnyard Bargain Businesses, there would be no difference, and would effectively nullify that provision. But that is not the case; it is your decision, and your grandmare’s, how to split their inheritance, may that day take its time in coming.”

“Ah.” Applejack offers a sheepish grin. “Still, herdin’ together’s a decision they’re supposed to be makin’, right?”

Spoiled Rich cocks her head. “Of course. I did not mean to convey otherwise. But their decision is one that impacts us, and that impact is something they should take into account. Proper consideration benefits all involved, and helps avoid… spontaneous decisions.”

Applejack snorts, all amusement gone. “Like between me’n Doug.”

Spoiled Rich sighs heavily, avoiding meeting Applejack’s gaze. “That is a topic I wished to avoid.”

“Eeyup.” Applejack glances at the oven; their dinner is nearly done. “Bo’s still a bit young. But he likes her, and she likes him. Ah ain’t opposed to settin’ anythin’ up, just with the understandin’ that he might change his mind once he gets his cutie mark. Hay, he might not even stay in Ponyville, if’n his older sisters are anythin’ to go by.”

“Indeed.” Spoiled Rich finds pen and paper on the counter. “Would you like me to draw something up?”

“Eeyup,” Applejack returns, though she seems somewhat put out. “While ya do that, Ah’ll let everypony know dinner’s ready.”

“Of course.” Spoiled Rich begins writing, then glances up when Applejack doesn’t leave. “Yes?”

“Ah was thinkin’,” Applejack starts with a hesitation not normally seen in the stubborn farmmare. “‘Bout when you’n Filthy got together.” Spoiled Rich sets the pen down, giving Applejack her full attention. “Ah thought he was interested in me; why’d he end up makin’ you lead mare? And Silver Set second?”

Spoiled Rich takes a deep breath, then lets it out in a long sigh. “In all honesty? Of course he was interested in you. The Rich and Apple family have done business together for generations; tying them together only made sense.”

“Ah think Ah know quite a bit more ‘bout that than you,” Applejack spits out.

A disdainful glare flashes across Spoiled Rich, but she quickly suppresses it with a harsh bite of her tongue. “Indeed; I did not mean to imply otherwise. But the fear was that your focus would remain on the farm and lose track of the bigger picture.”

“Err,” Applejack mutters, her anger fading. The farmmare does love farming, that’s obvious to anypony, and would gladly give up other activities (such as swamp-crossing deliveries) if an economic alternative presented itself. “Ah guess ya’ve got a point there.”

“Indeed.” Spoiled Rich sighs at herself for verbalizing the remark. “As it so happened, I met Silver Set at a jewelry show in Canterlot, The Golden Rule. We got to talking, and the matter came up. It was… it was thought that you would not be opposed to the arrangement.”

“Well,” Applejack says, quite cross, “Ah did mind.”

Spoiled Rich nods, contrite. “Indeed. It was a spontaneous decision we made; it would have been better to include you in the process. Though, as you have quite clearly shown, not all such decisions turn out poorly. You are a finer lead mare than we thought.”

“Err, thanks,” Applejack says, abashedly rubbing at the back of her head, “though Ah can’t take all the credit.” She glances again at the oven. “Anyway, Ah gotta go ring the bell.” She nods, leaving through the front door and leaving Spoiled Rich to her writing.

It comes as a surprise to the mare when Ocellus steps forward. “Yes?”

“What if there was a way,” Ocellus purrs, the final piece having clicked, “for us to get everything we want?”

Spoiled Rich stares at Ocellus for a long moment before answering.

“I’m listening.”

Next Chapter: Ch. 135 - Poacher's Aim, Part Four Estimated time remaining: 10 Hours, 41 Minutes