Chapter 1: Dread Letter Day

Everypony, I have seen the most common criticism has involved my MST3K style notes and comments. Needless to say, this is the only chapter in which you will see them. If this is the first time you are reading this fic, please weather through this storm. Trust me, the writing gets better.

Fluttershy felt the deepest hole open inside herself. She just scanned the letter over and over again hoping she read it wrong, hoping that it was saying something, anything different from what it actually read. She wanted to vomit (of course her being a horse who wasn’t Pinkie Pie, she had to settle for just feeling dread), she just wanted to crawl in a hole and never leave. It couldn’t be true, it just couldn’t be…

Dear Flutters,
Hey, baby girl! How’s my little sugarcube? Bet you didn’t expect a letter from your old man, huh? Listen, baby girl, it’s been waaaaay to long since I’ve seen you, I’m coming over to visit for the weekend. I’m coming, your brother’s coming, and he’s bringing Foxy and the colts. It’ll be a big old family reunion. Don’t worry about room, we booked a hotel in Ponyville, but you better have a damn meal for us. Haha, I’m just kidding, sugarcube, all I need to be happy is to see you and catch up! We’ll see you Friday night
Love,
Daddy.

“Please don’t let it be real, please don’t let it be real,” the yellow pegasus thought to herself over and over again. All she could think was how bad she was bucked. Fluttershy didn’t even hear her beloved come down the stairs and right behind her.

“Whatcha reading?” Rainbow Dash interjected as Fluttershy kept scanning the letter. Immediately, the timid pegasus shot up into the air, letter still in hoof. As she was floating in the air, Fluttershy remembered where she was, and found comfort in the sight of her marefriend standing below her. The cyan pegasus immediately apologized to the love of her life; a wave of self-awareness and guilt striking her conscience.

“Omigosh, Fluttershy I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have scared you. Celestia, how could I be so stupid?” Rainbow Dash stomped her hoof to the floor and let out a frustrated grunt. It was at this moment, Fluttershy felt guilty for putting guilt on her soulmate. Immediately, she came to the floor and brought Rainbow into a tight embrace.

“Oh Dashie, don’t ever talk like that.” Fluttershy assured her marefriend, soulmate, and as of recent, new roommate. “I shouldn’t be startled by your voice, it’s music to me.”

A smile came across both of their faces. Ordinarily, Rainbow would recoil at such sentimental drivel, but when it came to Fluttershy, she was willing to make an exception. Rainbow was a very different pony around her “Sunshine”. She was more affectionate, more emotionally intuitive, and just plain happier when talking to or about the only pony she ever truly loved.

Having both calmed down from the miscommunication, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash proceeded to the kitchen to enjoy some of Fluttershy’s cooking. Nothing felt more right for either mare than to be able to enjoy each other’s company for something simple like breakfast. Moving in with Fluttershy was the best decision Rainbow ever made, and Fluttershy was more than eager to let down the red carpet for her “Little Dashie”. (BTW, for all you cloppers out there: yes, they did consummate their relationship. That is all the detail you get).

“Fluttershy, honestly. You should let me make you breakfast sometime.” Rainbow piped up at the breakfast table while Fluttershy fixed up one of her specialty dishes (some kind of vegetarian crap. Goddamn horses).

“Oh, Dashie.” Fluttershy chuckled as she continued her morning routine. “I know you specialize in charred everything, but honestly, that’s an acquired taste that my palate doesn’t agree with.” Rainbow rolled her eyes and playfully retorted, “Wow, palate? Umm, okay, Rarity. Whatever you say.” Both pegasi shared a hearty laugh. Being with Rainbow Dash had really loosened Fluttershy up. Her sense of humor was showing more, she trotted with a new swagger and confidence, and she had shed a good number of her previous fears and insecurities.

Neither pony could ask for a better situation. The fact that Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash both took so long to embrace the feelings they had seemed ridiculous in hindsight. Both mares knew they wanted to spend the rest of their lives with each other, and that their love was indefatigable.

Of course, this made the letter Fluttershy received all the harder to process.

As they were enjoying their breakfast, animals eating at the side of their feet (or hind legs if you’re gonna get all technical on horse anatomy), Rainbow finally asked, “So what was that letter you were reading, anyway?”

Fluttershy froze up on the inside. She had to think of a lie, quick. Rainbow was always there for Fluttershy whenever she had a problem, but her family was a subject the yellow pegasus felt best to avoid. As far as her Dashie was concerned, Fluttershy had no family. Luckily, Rainbow’s obliviousness and indifference to detail were easily exploitable factors when it came to managing this façade. Regardless, Flutters still needed to cover her tracks.

“Oh that. Umm, that was just was just one of those form letters from the Mayor’s office. You know, elections are coming up, she’s campaigning her flank off.” Rainbow immediately rolled her eyes. The past few months, the upcoming mayoral election had been the talk of Ponyville, and Dash was sick to death of hearing about it. She ranted, “What does it even matter? It’s not like Mayor Mare or Filthy Rich will let us get married. You know, I was talking to Bon-Bon and Lyra the other day, apparently, Ponyville is the only developed city in Equestria that bans Mare-Mare marriage (alliteration, FTW). I mean, what are we, Appleloosa?”

Fluttershy could tell Rainbow was easily exasperated by the savage political system, “Don’t think like that, Dashie…” she reassured, “I’m sure things will change soon. Ponies change, values change with them. Just 40 years ago, it was illegal in all of Equestria for a unicorn and an earth pony to get married (Subtle, right?). You’ll see, soon enough, I’ll be your blushing bride.”

With that, a giant grin and a bright blush bestowed the cyan pegagus’s face. “How do you know the exact right thing to say?” Rainbow asked her love. Having cheered up, Rainbow continued, “So did any other mail come in this morning?”
Fluttershy realized she forgot about the other letter that came in the mail. She had been so wound up by the letter from her father that she forgot to mention to Rainbow that she had a message from the Cloudsdale Central Weather Authority. Reading the letter, Dash once again rolled her eyes and let out a resigned sigh. “This again, huh?”

Fluttershy, wondering, “What does it say?”

“Oh, it’s just this stupid conference every weather pegasus has to go to in Cloudsdale every year. We’re all stuck at this hotel and have to sit through seminars, lectures, and other convention nonsense. Plus, I have to go through a performance review in order to keep my job as weather controller for Ponyville. It’s the absolute worst excuse for a three day weekend. However, it is my job, and until the Wonderbolts acknowledge my awesomeness, I have to find some way to put bread on this table. Anyway, I leave on Friday, and I’ll be back on Monday night. Sorry if I busted any weekend plans you had for us, I’ll make it up to you in the near future.”

Fluttershy felt a wave of relief through herself. The letter from her father confirmed that he, her brother and his family would be in Ponyville for just the weekend. So, if she could get them out of town by Monday afternoon, she could keep her family life and life with Rainbow Dash completely separate. Fluttershy was dealt a perfect hand.

But why did Fluttershy try so desperately to keep this double life intact? The answer is probably obvious, but stay tuned anyhow, it gets juicy.

This was my first attempt at a fanfic, I’m continuing this story, but constructive criticism is still appreciated. Until next time, everypony!!!!

Ordinarily, the Carousel Boutique was a hotbed of unproductivity. Whether it was some sort of interpersonal strife, interesting goings on in town, or Sweetie Belle and her friends messing things up with their antics, Rarity would find it very hard to get any work done. Thankfully for her, there were no distractions. It was because of this, that Rarity was able to finish all of her work by late morning. Of course, that came with its own unique conundrum; Rarity had absolutely nothing to do for the rest of her Friday.

“Oh, I simply detest down times like these, Opal.” Rarity repined to her cat. “Whatever am I to do?”
The marshmallow unicorn paced back and forth around her office while pondering how to spend her free time.
“Hmm let’s see: Twilight’s apparently knee deep in a dissertation of some sort; Pinkie said she’s forming some kind of band with Vinyl Scratch and Lyra; Applejack is probably being hounded by the Mayor or Filthy Rich for an endorsement; which leaves me with seeing what Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy are up to. Very well then, that is what I shall do.”

Finding something to do, Rarity left Opal to her feline-like laziness and set out to Fluttershy’s cottage on the outskirts of Ponyville. While trotting through town, the unicorn observed the obvious divide in endorsement in the mayoral election. The incumbent, Mayor Mare, had struck a chord with the poorer backwoods farmers and generally lower class earth ponies with her flexible (dare I say, flip-floppy) populist principles. Filthy Rich had close ties with the business class and cultural elite of Ponyville (Unicorns and Pegasi, mainly), and certainly had the resources to run an aggressive campaign. However, Rich, being born into wealth, had a difficult time connecting with the poorer classes of Ponyville. His solution to this conundrum was gaining the endorsement of the Apple family (founders of Ponyville, longtime business partners, and most importantly, most popular family in town). Winning their support would improve his image with the common Ponyvillian and swat many undecided voters. This task, however, was easier said than done, as Mayor Mare was also aggressively working for the Apple family endorsement. For the past few weeks, Twilight Sparkle and her motley crew had not seen much of Applejack, as she was under constant courtship by either Mare or Rich, and it was safe to say that Applejack did not enjoy it one bit.

For one: Applejack HATED spending time away from the farm for things she considered frivolous, especially inconvenient was the fact that this was a busy harvest season running parallel with the election. Two: Applejack’s down to earth and kind personality was completely incompatible with the political game. She didn’t want to alienate her family’s longtime business partner or her friendly acquaintance. Her indecisiveness on the matter only prolonged the battle for her endorsement, and Applejack knew that eventually she would have to make the tough choice even at the cost of upsetting Filthy Rich or Mayor Mare. When she did, life would return to normal and she could hang out with her friends again.

Rarity herself was growing exasperated by the demoralizing election process. Having already endorsed Filthy Rich, she did not have the issue of choosing sides like Applejack. However, Rarity, like everypony else, did have the inconvenience of being unable to avoid talk of the election. For months now, it was the focal point of discourse amongst Ponyvillians and everypony was sick of hearing about it. The election had spawned factional divide, petty personal attacks, and other ugliness that only comes between good ponies when politics is involved. Rarity, like everypony else at this point, just wanted the election to be done with so that life could return to normal.

“Hopefully, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash will have something to talk about other than this ridiculous race.” The purple maned Unicorn told herself. It should be noted that Rare-bear was talking to herself and a lot of ponies were looking at her. It was clear to everypony why Rarity had that cat.

As Rarity was approaching Fluttershy’s property, she heard quite the ruckus coming from inside the house. There was a distinct booming, rumbling, shifting vibration resonating. Not to mention, the faint sound of Fluttershy’s grunts.
“Oh, dear sweet Celestia, they’re not in the act, are they?” Rarity thought to herself. “If they are, I simply won’t be able to get the image out of my head….not that that would be a bad thing.”

Rarity approached the door to Fluttershy’s cottage and inched her hoof to the doorknob, bracing herself for a truly scandalous scene. She opened the door and found to her relief and slight disappointment, no such act of Clopper wish fulfillment. Instead she saw Fluttershy struggling to lift a giant box.

“Oh, Fluttershy, darling, whatever are you doing lifting that by yourself?” the fastidious unicorn posed to her best friend. On the spot, Rarity alleviated Fluttershy’s struggle by using levitation to lift the box out of the pegasus’s hooves.

“Oh, Rarity, I’m so glad you came. I would have spent half the day trying to move that box.” The yellow pegasus told her confidante.

“Rarity is always at your service. Now, where am I taking this, dear?”

“Just out back, inside my shed. I have family coming over tonight, and I was just moving a few things to make room.”
As the two moved outside to put away the box, the conversation turned to rarely discussed topic of Fluttershy’s family. Needless to say, Rarity was intrigued.

“You know, darling, in all our years as friends, I don’t believe you’ve ever mentioned your family. How long has it been since you’ve seen them?”

The yellow pegasus replied, “Oh, I couldn’t tell you. It’s been at least for as long as I’ve been in Ponyville. They live in Foalando, so I haven’t really had the opportunity to see them.”

Rarity was stunned. “Fluttershy! That’s terrible! You’re telling me you haven’t seen your family in YEARS? How in Equestria does that happen?”

Fluttershy retorted with a reassuring smile, “Oh, it’s fine. We still keep in touch by letters, and they’re usually so busy running their Salt Saloon, that a visit to Foalando would consist of me sitting in the corner, watching them work.”

“Even still, I couldn’t imagine going years without seeing my family. I hate to admit it, but even a week without Sweetie Belle and her friends pestering me is a demoralizing bore. Oh, I’m certain you have a lot to catch up on with your family, and I’m positive they will thrilled to see you’ve settled down with Rainbow Dash. I’m sure they’ll just adore her.”

It was at this moment, that Fluttershy once again had to weasel out of the difficult subject matter that was the separation of her family and love life. The pegasus responded, “Um, yes well, about that. Rainbow won’t be able to meet my family this time around. You see, left this morning for an annual meeting of weather pegasi in Cloudsdale, and my Dad, my brother and his family will only be in Ponyville until Monday. Dashie doesn’t get back until later that night. So umm, yeah, maybe another time.”

Rarity bestowed a quizzical mien, but said nothing as the two approached Fluttershy’s shed. The yellow pegasus opened the door and began instructing the unicorn on where to place the box.

“Just right on the floor will do. And thanks again for your help, Rarity.” Fluttershy warmly told her friend. “Anytime, darling. Except there’s one problem: I can’t get the box inside.”

Rarity wasn’t lying. The box was too wide to fit through the door, and it was cube shaped, so it couldn’t be turned on its side to squeeze in. Fluttershy was starting to get nervous. Beads of sweat were starting to trickle down her face, and her legs began to tremble slightly. Quivering with stress, she told Rarity, “Um, that’s okay. I can just take the stuff out of the box and put it in the shelf. No need to help me anymore, Rarity.” The pegasus then let out a forced and nervous cackle. Rarity immediately raised an eyebrow to her friend. She knew a bad actress when she saw one.

“What do you have in this box?” Rarity inquired

“Nothing” Fluttershy anxiously replied. More sweat was falling down her reddening face. Her eyes were becoming bigger, and it was getting harder to blink. Slowly, Fluttershy began backing away from the shed and Rarity’s interrogation.

“Fluttershy, I’m opening the box.” Rarity flatly told the timid mare.

“Please don’t” pleaded Fluttershy

“I’m doing it.” Rarity curtly replied. The unicorn proceeded to use magic to open the box and levitate the contents. Fluttershy prayed to Celestia to crash the world into the sun.

Rarity’s mouth was agape as she examined what was in the box. There were Wonderbolts posters, monogramed towels with the initials, RD, and most disheartening, every picture of Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy together.

Fluttershy immediately started to run. She didn’t even look behind as Rarity mustered up all the magic in her body to stop the pegasus dead in her tracks, levitate her, and then bring her back to the shed. When met eye to eye, Fluttershy had never seen Rarity in the form she was seeing her now. The marshmallow unicorn was angry, confused, and pining for answers, answers that Fluttershy knew she had no choice but to give. She was completely cornered.

“Well…explain yourself.” Rarity sternly told Fluttershy, who was still being held in midair. Fluttershy didn’t know how to respond. Rarity had never spoken to her like that. She was usually so gingerly around the shy, timid, pegasus. Clearly, the fashionista was not in the mood for games.

“It’s not what you think, Rarity.” Fluttershy meekly told her captor.

“I honestly don’t know what to think of this, Fluttershy. Are you and Rainbow having problems, did she walk out on you? Who’s at fault? TELL ME!” Rarity was clearly agitated, and for good reason. Being with Rainbow Dash was the happiest Rarity had ever seen Fluttershy, and vice versa. The two mares were perfect for each other, and nopony in the Elements of Harmony could imagine them splitting up. If there was a problem between two of the elements, it was a problem for the other four.

“Rarity, I promise you, there is nothing wrong between me and Dashie. Please let me down, and I’ll explain.”
Seeing the sincerity her eyes and body language, Rarity complied, and let Fluttershy back down on her own four hooves.
Fluttershy took a deep breath, lowered her head, and shut her eyes. “Rarity, you’re the only one I’ve told about this, but….my Dad doesn’t, hay, nopony in my family, knows about Rainbow Dash. They don’t even know I like mares.”

The unicorn’s eyes widened as she processed the information that was handed to her. Needless to say, she felt awful for the way she spoke to Fluttershy, especially considering that she didn’t even know why Fluttershy was keeping Rainbow Dash a secret.

Rarity’s eyes took a sympathetic shape and she brought her forelegs around Fluttershy’s neck and brought her into a hug. She whispered to her best friend in a cracking voice, “Fluttershy….I don’t know what to say. I am so terribly sorry. I was so foolish to jump to such wild conclusions.”

Fluttershy gently pulled away from Rarity’s embrace. “Rarity, don’t blame yourself. It was wrong for me to try and be so secretive about this.” The pegasus was now bearing a smile, “If nothing else, I’m glad it was you who caught me. If it was Applejack, she would’ve kicked my flank back to last year.”

In what seemed like an instant, both ponies broke into laughter, desiccating the awkwardness of the situation.
Rarity, still chuckling under her breath, replied, “Honestly, darling, you’ve become such a card, these days. I must say, Rainbow Dash has done wonders for your personality!”
Fluttershy blushed, happy to hear such an endorsement of her marefriend. “Thank you, Rarity. I’ll be sure to tell her that when she gets home.”

Rarity then returned the topic of the conversation to Fluttershy’s family. “Honestly, dear, why wouldn’t you want your family to know about Rainbow Dash? She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you. Who cares if she’s a mare?”
Fluttershy lowered her head. “My father wouldn’t understand. Don’t get me started on my brother….”
“Stop it, Fluttershy. I will not hear any more of this nonsense.” As she was saying this, Rarity had grabbed Fluttershy’s head and brought her back to eye contact.

“Fluttershy, do you realize that my parents have no concept of fashion? Celestia Luna Cadenza! I can’t have a conversation about my job for five minutes without the two of them staring into space. It’s a bigger contrast with Pinkie and HER family. Do you think a couple of rock farmers would have much interest in hearing about what themed party Pinkie is throwing this week? Absolutely not! But do you want to know what is undisputable? My parents love me, Pinkie’s parents love her, anypony’s parents love their child unconditionally. All families are able to see past their individual differences and find a love that is strong and unbreakable. It doesn’t even have to be due to blood relation. Think about it: Applejack is most uncouth, Twilight always has her nose deep in those dusty old books, Pinkie can be very silly at inappropriate times, Spike is a dragon who will one day grow up into a fearsome beast, Rainbow is a hard headed tomboy, and you yourself can be a tad dull and VERY meek, and I still love all of you. You know why? Because you all are my family, and I wouldn’t trade any of you for one hot night with Fleur….FANCY PANTS! I MEAN FANCY PANTS!!!!”

Fluttershy took a moment to analyze what Rarity had said. She then replied, “You’re right, Rarity. I will tell my family about Rainbow Dash, about everything. This weekend, Pinkie promise.”

Rarity beamed. She knew nopony would break a Pinkie promise lest they were prepared to incur the wrath of the Pink demon, herself. The unicorn replied, “And you don’t have to do it alone. Tell you what, you have the rest of us over for dinner tomorrow night, and we’ll be right by your side when you tell your family. Does that sound good?”
Fluttershy smiled, “It sounds great. Thank you, Rarity”

The unicorn then brought the pegasus into a tight embrace. “What’s family for? Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to tell the others to drop everything they’re doing tomorrow night so they can be with you. This is one of our most important endeavors, yet.”

Fluttershy gave an approving nod, and Rarity turned and set forth on her mission to rally the troops. As the white unicorn was out of view and into the horizon, Fluttershy let out a sigh and looked at the empty box with all of Rainbow Dash’s belongings surrounding it. She stared at it for a long period of time, and then proceeded to pick up each individual item and toss it into the shed. As she was completing this task, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Angel Bunny, her most trusted animal companion giving her a disapproving glance.
The yellow pegasus approached the rabbit and delicately told him, “Please don’t tell Tank, or any of the animals for that matter. This has to be a secret between you and me, okay, Angel?”

All Angel could do was just stare at his master, before letting out a deep sigh and hopping away toward the house. Fluttershy stood in place for a while before heading inside, herself.

Her family was to arrive shortly.

As his surrogate mother was busy preparing herself inside the house for the arrival of her family, Angel Bunny was sitting in his hut nibbling on his carrot dinner contemplating the events he had just witnessed. While he sympathized with Fluttershy’s reluctance to share her life with her family, the rabbit was also disappointed that she was concealing the existence of the best part of her life.

“Oh, mama”, Angel thought to himself, “I love you, but you sure are stupid.” As the white lagomorph continued munching his meal, a familiar reptile floated by his hut. It was Tank, Rainbow’s tortoise companion, sporting his usual goggles and helicopter device. He approached to Angel on foot.

“Um, hey Angel…” Tank nervously began. “I couldn’t help but notice that Fluttershy was moving Mom’s Wonderbolts posters and her pictures and all that stuff into her shed. Umm, is there anything I should know about?”
Angel lowered his head and let out a sigh. While he did have a tendency to be an abrasive jerk, he simply didn’t have the heart to tell Tank the truth. Angel resumed eye contact with the tortoise.

“Well you see, Tank, Mama has her dad and brother coming over in a little bit, and her brother has two colts. Mama just wants to make sure Rainbow’s stuff is kept in good condition, because…well, you know how colts can be, right?” The rabbit gave Tank a nervous smile.

“Uhh, yeah, I guess. Thanks for telling me.” Tank proceeded to fly off into the distance. It was heavily implied that he wasn’t buying Angel’s story. The rabbit simply sulked for a long time.
______________________________________________________________________________

“So you see, Applejack, I am clearly the only pony who is capable of assisting the downtrodden classes. As one of the elements of harmony, I’m sure you can empathize.”

Applejack was currently trapped in another café lunch with a candidate looking for her endorsement. This afternoon, it was Mayor Mare. This had been going on for weeks, and the cowpony knew she soon had to endorse Mare or Filthy Rich so her life could return to normal. The earth pony rubbed her eyes and let out a sigh.

“Um, mayor, Ah don’t know what them ponies who write those stories ‘bout me ‘n mah friends‘re telling ya, but we honestly don’t think about our role as the Elements of Harmony that much. It never really impacts our lives that often. Honestly, Ah fergit what mahne is sometimes. What was it now? Loyalty?” Applejack pondered for a minute, “Umm, yeah, that sounds about right. Loyalty.”

The earth pony let out another sigh, and looked out to the streets of Ponyville. The café had become her second home due to Rich and Mare constantly courting her.

“I wonder what everypony else is doing.” Applejack thought to herself. “Well, speak of the Discord!” Approaching her table was Twilight Sparkle, Spike, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity.
Mayor Mare noticed them as well. “Well, if it isn’t Twilight Sparkle and her gallery of compatriots. I can surely expect your vote next month!”

Twilight nodded, albeit in a resigned fashion. The velvet unicorn, like everypony else, was sick of hearing about the election.

“Sure, you bet. Umm mayor, I’m really sorry to interrupt your lunch meeting, but we need to borrow Applejack for a while. It concerns some of our friends.”

“Oh, most certainly, Twilight! As long as you can convince a certain indecisive cowpony that my reelection is imperative to the well-being of Ponyville!” The mayor made a knowing glance to Applejack, who returned a tired grin. The orange earth pony thanked Celestia she was rescued from politics for the first time in weeks, even if it was an apparent problem with her friends.
_______________________________________________________________________

Rarity now had everypony assembled (sans Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash). Given the very personal and intimate nature of Fluttershy’s conundrum, the four ponies and one baby dragon went someplace out of public view. Down the street from Sugarcube Corner was the old, abandoned Golden Horseshoe Tavern. At its height, the dive bar/restaurant served as the hub of Ponyville’s blue collar-y nightlife, serving cheap grub, and plenty of hard cider. In fact, Applejack’s father, Crispin (before his untimely demise) was the best friend and cider supplier to the Horseshoe’s owner, Farrier. Business was great until one fateful day, when Crispin’s heart gave out and he collapsed to his death at Sweet Apple Acres. Nopony else in the Apple family was capable of making the product that their patriarch made, and the Golden Horseshoe suffered as a result. In the financial black, Farrier packed his saddlebags in the dead of night and set out for parts unknown. For years now, his bar had remained standing with no real estate. With Crispin dead, and the Apples unable to produce quality cider consistently in his absence, the demand for a new bar was nonexistent. So now all that stood was a wooden shanty covered with graffiti and broken windows. It was not normal stomping grounds for your average Ponyvillian, making it the ideal location for private conversation in Rarity’s eyes.

As the group approached the alleyway beside the kitchen entrance to the building, Applejack started to gaze up and she became contemplative.

“Gawsh, this sure takes me back.” Applejack said in an almost monotone voice. She was clearly lost in memories. This place was like a second home to Daddy.”

“This public house certainly touched the lives of many ponies. Did I ever tell you girls that my parents met here? My father even proposed to my mother at the bar itself, it’s such a cute story.” Rarity told her friends, blushing. (Unbeknownst to Rarity, she herself had a connection to this establishment. She was conceived in the ladies room when her parents were still dating. Several years later, Sweetie Belle was conceived on the pool table.)

“Ooh, I’ve got one!” Pinkie Pie interjected while bouncing up and down, as she does. “Mrs. Cake told me about how she met Mr. Cake at this place when she was a bartender. Mr. Ferrier and Applejack’s dad even loaned some money to Mr. Cake to help him start up Sugarcube Corner. I’d probably be back at the rock farm if it weren’t for their kindness!” The pink earth pony made a wide grin at Applejack, who was still staring at the old building.

Eventually, the cowpony responded with a light chuckle. “Yeah…there was something about my dad, always willing to help out complete strangers he liked.” She turned to Twilight Sparkle, a smile bestowing her face. “I guess I get that from him.” Twilight gave a knowing glance, thinking back to the time when they had first met, and how despite her cold dismissiveness, the unicorn was still instantly welcomed into the Apple Family inner circle.

Applejack let out a sigh and looked back at the building. “Ya know, there’re a few things from mah fillyhood that really stick in mah mind: Mama teachin’ me ‘n Big Macintosh how to buck apples; watchin’ Granny Smith make Zap Apple jam; and helpin’ Daddy haul barrels full of cider to this ol’ place. Ya know, ah was positive ah was gonna get mah cutie mark in cider makin’, just like mah daddy. Ah would watch him work his formula for the perfect cider and he always made the purest product and Ah was certain that was my destiny….but Ah suppose it wasn’t seein’s how this place’s gone to shambles. And now that recipe for perfect cider died with Daddy. Oh sure, we try to imitate it fer cider season to make it through winter, but ah think everypony who’s had the real deal can tell the difference.

“Your cider is still really yummy, Applejack!” Pinkie Pie said cheerfully. “I know Rainbow Dash really loves it too, seeing as how sad she gets when she can’t get a mug!” The earth pony then broke into laughter and fell onto the ground.

Just then, Rarity eyes widened and she remembered what her and her friends were there to discuss. “Dear sweet Celestia, I almost forgot! This is about Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash! And here we are going off topic!”

Applejack broke out of her funk and returned to reality. “Now hold on there, girl. What’s all this Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash business about?”

“Yes, tell us.” Twilight said. “I’m curious myself.”

“Is something wrong between them? Did they have a fight?” Spike pondered.

“Oooh Oooh! I know! They wanna get married! I know Ponyville doesn’t do that kind of marriage, but a Pinkie Pie wedding license is bonded under Pinkie Law! That’s the same realm as a Pinkie Promise, and…”

Rarity placed her hoof on Pinkie’s mouth, placing a mild sedative inside so that she could explain the situation without interruption.

“By the way, thanks for making that “Pinkie Pill”, Twilight.” The white unicorn told Celestia’s student, who blushed at the compliment.

“Now then, as we are all aware, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy are in a blissful state of courtship. I’m sure we can all agree that it is what’s best for both of them.” Everypony in the conversation proceeded to nod in agreement. The unicorn continued…

“Which makes what I am about to tell you all the more heartbreaking. For you see, Fluttershy’s family is coming to Ponyville tonight and Rainbow Dash is at a seminar in Cloudsdale. Fluttershy was planning on hiding all of Dashie’s belongings in her shed and not telling her family about her relationship.”
“Wait, why would Flutters want to do that?” Pinkie asked, in an uncharacteristically subdued voice, a side effect of Twilight’s drug.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Spike reasoned, “Fluttershy hasn’t told her family she likes mares and she’s afraid to come out.”

Rarity nodded. “Precisely. Obviously, this is something she can’t do on her own. She needs our help. Tomorrow night, we’re all going to Fluttershy’s house for dinner. We’re going to provide emotional support so she can come out comfortably. I don’t want to hear any excuses, because we are all going.”

“Rarity.” Applejack interjected. “Ah don’t mean to pry, but did Fluttershy ask us to help her come out, or did you insist we do?”

The marshmallow unicorn took offense, “I don’t see what difference that makes. This is something Fluttershy needs to do.”

“No, this is something YOU think she needs to do. Sometimes, ponies’d just prefer to keep things a secret, and respecting
the wishes of yer friends is a core Apple Family value. Seems to me like Fluttershy’s life with Rainbow Dash is completely separate from her kinfolk, seeing as how this is the first ah’m hearin’ ‘bout them. So ah’d have to guess that Rainbow aint lookin’ to deep, either. It’s none’ve our business to try and force that to change. ”

“APPLEJACK! How could you say something like that?” Twilight asked. “You should be the last pony on earth who would advocate keeping secrets and living double lives!”

Applejack gave a quizzical look. “Ah am? Which element am Ah, Generosity? Seriously, they so little play into our lives, Ah just forget what mahne is.”

“Regardless.” Rarity interrupted. “There is no way Fluttershy can get out of this. She made a Pinkie Promise that she would come out tomorrow night at dinner.

Pinkie Pie broke from her lethargic state and stood completely stoic and serious. “Nopony shall ever break a Pinkie Promise in the domain of Pinkamina!”

“I should really find an inhibitor that stops her brain from going crazy about Pinkie Promises.” Twilight thought to herself.

“Well, Ah guess if she made a Pinkie Promise.” Applejack conceded, thinking back to the time she made the unfortunate error of breaking a Pinkie Promise.

“Very good, then it’s settled. We shall reconvene tomorrow night at Fluttershy’s for her big coming out!” Rarity proudly proclaimed. “If you all will excuse me, I’m off.” The unicorn proceeded to trot out of the alleyway

“Me too! Lyra and Vinyl wanted to do a jam session!” Pinkie bounced out the alleyway, with Twilight and Spike following behind.

Applejack stayed in the alleyway for a while longer. She wanted to just stand next to the Golden Horseshoe for a few more minutes, basking in all of the memories. After that, she would go home, and try again to crack her dad’s recipe.

“What do you think they’re like? Ooh, maybe they’re REALLY good fliers, and Fluttershy’s just bad at it because she feels
inadequate.”

“I don’t know, Spike. Rainbow told me herself that Fluttershy really IS that bad. My guess is she comes from a family where
the pegasus gene is recessive.”

It was magic hour on Saturday in Ponyville: the leaves were falling for autumn, the air was cool and breezy, and Twilight Sparkle and Spike were making their way to Fluttershy’s house for dinner with her family. Anticipation was in the air as Twilight and her dragon assistant discussed numerous speculations they had on Fluttershy’s relatives (what they looked like, what they were like, etc). Eventually, the conversation turned to how the family would react to Fluttershy’s news.

“You know, Twilight, I’ve been wondering: is it right for Rarity to pressure Fluttershy into doing this?”

“Spike, nopony’s pressuring anypony to do anything. I think Fluttershy knows that she has to do this. Secrets only create barriers which can do long term damage. Besides, Fluttershy DID Pinkie Promise.” The velvet unicorn recited the last phrase in a distinct matter-of-factly tone.

“Something tells me that not only did Rarity force Fluttershy to Pinkie Promise, but that Rarity is completely oblivious to there being any problem. There might be a reason Fluttershy wants to keep her relationship with Rainbow Dash hidden from her family.”

Twilight retorted (with her eyes closed, mind you), “Now Spike, what would Rarity think if she heard you talking about her like that?”

The dragon shrugged, “Eh, I’m over Rarity. I don’t know if you saw me at Shining Armor’s wedding, but I was dancing with Sweetie Belle. Let me tell you something, that filly is cute!”

Twilight chuckled at Spike’s newfound infatuation, “Well just don’t tell Rarity that. I bet you she would get pretty jealous that you’re now going after her sister. Plus, I think some of her ego is fed by your crush….oh and don’t tell her what I just said either.”

The baby dragon nodded, “My lips are sealed.”

The two laughed as they continued on their journey. Unbeknownst to Spike, Twilight was now taking Spike’s theories into consideration. Were they forcing Fluttershy to come out to her family? Was Fluttershy even willing? They had only heard Rarity’s account of the situation.

“What was I even thinking?” Twilight thought to herself, her inner scholar kicking herself for not even going to get Fluttershy’s side of the story. “Now here we are, putting on this ridiculous show, without even knowing if Fluttershy is comfortable doing this. Some friends we are!”

Twilight’s inner diatribe of self-loathing was interrupted by the appearance of Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie, all three of
them meeting up with Twilight and Spike on their path to Fluttershy’s.

“So are you girls excited?” Rarity asked the group, acting as if this coming out party was some sort of theatrical spectacle.

“Ah guess.” Applejack replied. “Ah’m not entirely comfortable with makin’ Fluttershy do this, but Ah guess if she made a Pinkie Promise…”

“THERE’S NO GETTING OUT OF IT!” Pinkie Pie frantically interjected. There was a crazy, demonic look in her eyes. There was a long awkward silence after that.

Eventually, Pinkie struck up another conversation, returning to her bubbly and cheerful self, “Ooh, by the way, Applejack: what’s in the bags?”

Applejack turned her head and looked at her saddlebags. “Glad ya asked, Pinkie. Since yesterday, ah’ve been working mah flank off makin’ some fresh batches of cider tonight, and maybe then some for Rainbow Dash when she gets home.”

The party pony’s eyes widened. “Ooh, ooh. Mind if I pregame?”

“Ah don’t see why not.”

Pinkie Pie grinned crazily as she dashed to Applejack’s saddlebag. She rummaged through until she pulled out a flask of Apple Family Cider. In what seemed like nanoseconds, Pinkie was downing that cider like Drain-o through a sink, and even faster was how she reached in for another. There were three very important rules to keep in mind when somepony met Pinkie Pie:

1. Never snub her parties
2. NEVER break a Pinkie Promise. EVER.
3. Don’t even think of challenging her to a drinking contest. Anypony who does loses, even Rainbow Dash

“Whoa, now! Easy there, sugarcube.” Applejack lightly told her chugging friend. “Ah want Rainbow Dash to have some when she gets back. Besides, Ah don’t think tonight is right for one of yer cider brawls.”

A shiver went of Rarity’s spine, and she recoiled at the memory of Pinkie’s last violent outburst when she was drunk on cider. “My parents are still finding shards of glass in Sweetie Belle’s mane.”

Twilight rolled her eyes at the antics in front of her. “Come on, girls, we’ll be late.”

“Right you are, Twilight. Tonight is going to be magical!” Rarity replied, as she trotted on ahead of the group. Twilight, Spike, and Applejack shared concerned looks. They were now just moments from reaching Fluttershy’s house.

Anticipation was still in the air as Twilight and her friends approached Fluttershy’s door, but it had to share room with lingering apprehension and doubt. Now, not only was Applejack unsure if tonight was a good idea, but Twilight and Spike too felt that they were perhaps digging holes not meant for them. However, the reality was that tonight was unavoidable. They were at the door, on the other side, Fluttershy with her family. It was going down, and it got going when Rarity knocked on the door.

To be continued……right now.

The door slowly crept open, revealing not Fluttershy, but somepony they had never seen before. This earth mare slightly taller than anypony else in the group, and she was slim and elegant. Her coat was a shade of maroon that looked very autumn-y with a cutie mark that was a silhouette of a burlesque dancer; her mane was a wintery white that was possibly dyed that way, either way, it fit well with the maroon; and her eyes were a very discernible saffron that popped out in front of you. Basically, she had the color scheme of a wild fox, and Sweet Celestia, did she pull it off well. One pony in Twilight’s group wasn’t too shy to make instant acquaintance with this mystery mare, and it wasn’t Pinkie.

“Well, hello darling!” Rarity exclaimed upon first laying eyes on this stranger. “We’re friends of Fluttershy, and you are….”

“Oh, of course, yes! Fluttershy was telling us about you guys. Come in! She’s inside making dinner.” The fox pony stepped aside and let everypony inside. Fluttershy was indeed busy making dinner, but what caught Twilight and everypony else’s notice were the four ponies inside the house that they had never met.

Chasing each other around the house were two colts. One was an earth pony, who was creamy yellow, very much like Fluttershy, but had a mane that was brown and messy. The other colt was a pegasus pony who was white like the fox mare’s mane, and a mane that was maroon like her coat. The pegasus had a cutie mark that resembled an atomic bomb diving to the earth, while the earth pony had one in the shape of a half broken cinderblock.

The two remaining mystery ponies were two stallions, and both were in the kitchen chatting with Fluttershy. The older looking one was an orange earth pony with a jet-black mane. He appeared middle aged as his face had some noticeable wrinkles, along with a receding hairline. The younger one was, again, and earth pony, bearing a golden coat. His mane was a messy brunette like the earth colt’s, although the stallion’s was partially concealed by a blue and white trucker’s cap. The older one had a cutie mark of a glass of cider rimmed with salt, the younger, a thick block of salt.

Fluttershy’s family, everypony!

Twilight was the first to make her presence known to the yellow pegasus, “Hey, Fluttershy! We’re here!”

Fluttershy jumped up in place from her stove and turned around, relieved to see that it was her friends. This prompted a chuckle from the younger stallion.

“Heh, heh, still as jumpy as ever, huh Flutters?” he uttered with the slightest of southern accents.

Fluttershy returned a sheepish grin as she excused herself from the kitchen. She approached her friends with a warm smile.

“Sorry about that, Girls. I guess I was just, um, in the zone, cooking.” Another sheepish grin came across her face, this time with an inexplicable squeak. This generated laughter from everypony inside.

“Aw, it’s alright, sugarcube.” Applejack replied. “Ah betcha you’ve had yer hand full entertainin’ company.”

“Well, WE can fix that!” Pinkie Pie interjected as she bounced around the living room ready to burst into a song and dance number. “Let’s PARTAY!!!”

A record scratch could be heard as Twilight wrestled Pinkie down to the ground with a crashing thud using magic. The two colts were in hysterics upon bearing witness to the slapstick.

“Hold on, Pinkie. I still haven’t caught anypony’s name.”

“Indeed, Twilight.” Rarity concurred. “For starters, who is this fascinating specimen beside me?” she said looking at the fox colored mare.

The mare blushed slightly as she let her hoof out, “The name’s Fox Trottingham. I’m Fluttershy’s sister-in-law, and everypony calls me Foxy.”

Rarity’s eyes widened, “Wait a minute, I recognize you! You’re Foxy Trot! You’re a legend!”

Foxy’s blush grew brighter as she turned rubbed her neck with her hoof. “Um, yeah, I guess I did do some stuff back in the day.”

“Now that I think about it, I recognize the name Foxy Trot, as well.” said Twilight. “Weren’t you and Sapphire Shores a duo?”

“Not just a duo, Twilight.” Rarity piped up, grabbing Twilight by the neck and looking longingly at Foxy. “They were the greatest artistic spectacle in all of Equestria! Their live shows were a beautifully eclectic mix of burlesque dancing, baroque inspired pop, and electronica nopony preceded or succeeded! They were…Le Maison de l’Ombre!”

Foxy confusedly replied, “Umm, actually, it was House of Shadows.”

Rarity blushed and lowered her head, “Sorry, Foxy. I tend to speak gratuitous French sometimes.”

Foxy smiled warmly, charmed by her star struck fan’s quirkiness.

“Anyway,” Twilight continued, “Who’s everypony else?’

At this point, all the mystery colts and stallions had gathered around Twilight and her entourage, each readying themselves to be introduced. Fluttershy began with the colts. “These are my nephews, Free-fall and Dragon-kick.” The two colts were immediately enthralled by the sight of Spike. They approached him eagerly.

“Oh wow! A dragon” was among the numerous astonished declarations shared between Dragon-kick and Free-fall. Foxy wasn’t the only one in the room to have an admirer or two.

“Do you breathe fire?”

“How strong are you?”

“Do you fly fast?”

Spike basked in his newfound fame. It took him back to the time when he and Twilight first came to Ponyville and met Fluttershy, who lathered him with attention, adoration, and questions. He remembered that fondly.

“Ha! Why yes, yes I do breathe fire.” Spike proudly boasted.

“Cooool” the colts said in wide-eyed unison.

“Well, it seems the colts have taken quite the liking to my assistant.” Twilight said, turning back to Foxy, “Yours?”

Foxy nodded. “Yes. You’ll have to excuse them; they’ve never seen a dragon before.”

Twilight flicked her hoof, “Don’t worry about it. Trust me; Spike’s not the one to pass up a little attention.”

At this point, Spike and his fan club had migrated to the living room where they could continue asking him questions of dragon life uninterrupted.

“I must say, I never seen a dragon that didn’t look at all threatening.” The younger looking stallion observed. “How’d he even come to living with you…umm…?”

“Twilight Sparkle; and as for Spike, I hatched his egg when I was a filly, and I’ve had him ever since. One day, he’ll be a real dragon, but hopefully, he’ll always be himself at heart. By the way, I still haven’t caught your name?”

“My name’s Saltine. Flutters is my sister, and I’m also the puzzle to this hot piece right here.” He said, grabbing hold of Foxy.

Foxy giggled at her husband, “Stop it, you’re so corny.”

Saltine replied, “I keep telling you, sugarcube, it’s just a Foalandoism. But I guess if it’s corny, then just call me a cornball.”

“Hoo, shoot. Ah don’t think anypony from anywhere be caught dead usin’ that one.” Applejack jested.

“Maybe not, but I say what I want, and nopony can say boo.” Saltine replied.

“Saying boo? Boy, there’s talkin’ independent and then there’s talkin’ like a school-filly on the playground.” The older looking stallion jokingly mused.

Fluttershy introduced this final pony, “Everypony: I’d like you to meet…my father.”

“It’s a pleasure making all your acquaintance. The name’s Saltlick.”

Applejack extended her hoof out to the orange stallion. “Well howdy doo, Mr. Saltlick. Any family o’ Fluttershy’s is a friend o’ mahne. The name’s Applejack.”

A big smile came across Saltlick’s face. “Oh so you’re Applejack. You’re Crispin’s filly, right?”

Suddenly the scene just stopped dead in its tracks. How did this stranger, Fluttershy’s father know who Applejack’s late father was?

The answer to this and many other questions will be answered in the next episode. (PS: A shiny nickel for whoever gets this reference.)

Everypony had gathered around the table. Fluttershy made her special Manegolion barbeque for the evening. Applejack’s mind was elsewhere. The stranger from Foalando sitting across from her knew who her father was.

“Saltlick, was it? Ya still haven’t answers mah question…how do ya know mah daddy?”

“Well, I didn’t know him, personally, but you now a pony named Ferrier, right?”

Applejack’s eyes widened. Who was this pony?

“Um…yeah. He was mah dad’s best friend. Mah dad supplied cider fer his bar.”

Saltlick smiled. “Well, I know I’ve found the right pony. Ferrier used to tell me about how he ran a tavern in pony, and that his best friend was the cider-wiz, Crispin. Man, I gotta tell you, Applejack, your dad sure made some tasty cider.”

At this point, Applejack’s mouth was agape, and her eyes were unblinking. “How do you know what mah daddy’s cider tastes that. That recipe died with him.”

Saltlick’s eyebrow pointed quizzically. “Why, I thought you knew. Crispin gave that recipe to Ferrier a long time ago. The only problem was he didn’t know how to make it. He left Ponyville thinking that cider would never be enjoyed again. That is, until he met me.”

Applejack’s lips quivered. “Ya mean….”

“That’s right. When Ferrier first came to Foalando, he was looking to set up a new place, but he didn’t have the money to start a business or the hooves to craft quality drinks. That’s where I came in. With my investment of capital and skill and his knowhow of the business and recipes, we made a bar that’s still running today. We’re serving your daddy’s cider, along with my own specialty salt drinks. I don’t like to toot my horn, but I’m pretty damn successful.”

“Dad, who are you kidding? Your ego is bigger than your head, improbable as that seems.” Fluttershy sarcastically jested.
Just like that, everypony was riotously laughing. However, Applejack was lost in deep thought. So the recipe for Crispin’s cider didn’t actually die with Crispin. Maybe there was still hope…

“Shoot, Sis! When did you become such a comedian?” Saltine asked his sister, getting a blush from her.

“Oh, you know. Living in Ponyville has just kind of loosened me up.” Fluttershy responded, dancing the real reason she had an unprecedented sense of humor.

Rarity wanted to jump out of her seat and proclaim: “Fluttershy has become a brand new pony thanks to the love her life, Rainbow Dash, and yes, they are two mares in love, and it is the most beautiful romance yours truly has seen in her life!”

However, the unicorn restrained herself. As much as she wanted to just out Fluttershy right then and there, she knew that she was only there for emotional support and it wasn’t her place to dictate the events of the evening.

“Besides…” Rarity thought to herself, “I wouldn’t want to make another faux-pas in front of Foxy. She would most certainly think of me a fool.”

As the meal continued, everypony at the table began to dive into a series of disconnected side conversations. Rarity was silently eating her dinner until the pony next to her gave a slight tap on the shoulder.

“Rarity, what’s wrong? You seem so quiet. From what Fluttershy’s told me, there’s a lot to you.”

Rarity was ecstatic to see that it was Foxy who struck up a conversation first. The unicorn was nervous to speak to the former House of Shadows performer, so it was a relief to see that she didn’t have to make the first move.

“Oh, what’s really to tell? Ponyvillian life is pretty blasé. I don’t live like you, a famous pop-star.”

Foxy blushed for what seemed like the hundredth time that evening, “I’m very flattered, but honestly, I haven’t been anywhere near the industry for years.” The fox colored mare pointed to her husband and children. “As you can see, I’ve been pretty preoccupied.”

“Oh well, I suppose that’s true…even still, there’s honestly not that much to say about me.”

“Not even that you’re Equestria’s greatest fashion designer?”

Rarity did a spit take of her water and blushed brighter than any blush in this story combined. “Oh, uh, darling…you don’t mean that do you? Wherever would you get that idea?”

“Well, when Fluttershy told me about your work, I remembered reading an article from Clothes Horse Magazine. They were showing off the outfits from Sapphire’s latest tour, and I remembered thinking, “Who in Equestria could have made such awesome costumes? Never in my time performing did I have such rocking duds.” and the article said that you made them. I gotta say: I’m stunned by your talent.”

Epic blushing action…

“Well um…if you really like my dresses…you’re welcome to come to my shop tomorrow. I’ll give you an exclusive preview of my new line. You know… only if you want to.”

Foxy smiled at her fan. “I’d love to.” She then proceeded to move on to conversation with Fluttershy and the rest. Meanwhile, Rarity just kind of stared at her for a while, smiling the whole time…

So the night when on, and eventually, the colts were sent to bed and Spike passed out involuntarily in the corner. Applejack finally broke out the cider, much to Pinkie’s delight. The party gathered around Fluttershy’s coffee table in the living room.

“So I take it you get your pegasus wings from your mother’s side, huh, Fluttershy?” Twilight pondered aloud.

“Yes indeed.” Saltlick answered. “Her name was Sky Surfer. I had known her for quite a while back in Foalando. See, she was in charge of weather, and I was waiting tables at this café. We got along pretty well, actually. She would always hang out at the café after work, and oftentimes, she sat at my section. Eventually, we got to know each other.”

Twilight giggled. “Wow, that’s a pretty cute story.”

Saltlick chuckled. “Now, see, that’s not where the story ends. You see, for the longest time, I didn’t have the nerve to ask her out. How could I? I was an earth pony living a slow paced life; and Sky Surfer, she was a fast, daring pegasus with dreams of being a damned Wonderbolt!”

The description of Fluttershy’s mother set off the same thoughts in everypony’s head. Fluttershy had Freudian depths to her love for Rainbow Dash. This was getting interesting.

Her father continued, “So I basically mill around with my crush hoping it would just pass over time, and one day, she just flat out asks me, “Hey Saltlick, you got a marefriend?”, and the rest is history.” The aging earth pony took a swig of cider and looked to his two children. “You kids should thank your mother every day; bless her soul. I swear, if it weren’t for her brashness, you two wouldn’t be drawing breath on this earth.”

Rarity gave a knowing glance to her spa buddy, seeing that it was true what they said about some ponies. In the end, they end up falling for their parents. Of course, Rarity herself wasn’t interested in dating a boozing high school hoofball coach or a washed out bar filly anytime soon.

Fluttershy grinned at her father, “Oh believe me, Dad; I feel like Mom is always around in some way. That alone is something to be thankful.” The yellow pegasus was now treading water on the subject of her relationship with Rainbow Dash. Clearly, her intake of cider was starting to loosen her tongue. She had gone from stealthy to coy.

Saltine, who had mostly been silent throughout the conversation, gave an amused scoff. “Oh really, Flutters? What, is Mom surrounding you? Do you feel your presence in some form?”

Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie couldn’t help but giggle. Perhaps it was the cider, but to them, the dramatic irony was pretty hilarious. Perhaps the reveal would be a pleasant surprise to the family rather than something difficult to digest.

“Oh, um, yeah, something like that.” Fluttershy nervously replied. In Pinkie’s and Rarity’s minds (the latter’s especially), their timid friend wasted a perfectly good opportunity to come out right then and there. Twilight and Applejack, on the other hand, started to get nervous for Fluttershy. Was this right? Was this the right time to do this, during a dinner party? Shouldn’t Rainbow Dash be there? Did the rest of the six even have the right to be there? Did Applejack change something in her cider formula, because these mood swings were CRAZY!

Something had to be done, quick. Twilight decided that the best course of action was private colloquy with Fluttershy, herself.

“Hey, Fluttershy; do you remember when Spike and I came over a week ago to study the nesting habits of your hens?”
The amateur veterinarian nodded.

“Well it just so happens that I left my notes inside your chicken coop. I could really use your help finding it, outside.”
The yellow pegasus gave a quizzical look before realizing Twilight’s intentions. “Oh, um, why, yes, that sounds okay. Um…everypony, we’ll be right back.”

As Twilight and Fluttershy made their way outside (Pinkie was busy regaling one of her sordid tales of drunken debauchery), Rarity gave a quizzical look, curious as to what Twilight wanted to discuss alone with Fluttershy. The marshmallow unicorn exited her seat, discreetly following Twilight and Fluttershy.

By this time of the night, Luna’s moon shone brightly over the outskirts of the Everfree Forest and all of Equestria itself. It was a calming scene to witness the fireflies floating in the air and the crickets resonating in the distance. However, the interpersonal tension soured the otherwise perfect setting.

Twilight tried to start with something pleasant. “Well, I certainly understand where you get your taste in mares from.” The unicorn broke out a small, reassuring smile.

Fluttershy blushed and smiled back. “You know, it’s funny. When I was a little filly, Mom would always talk about how I would be the greatest Wonderbolt in all of Equestria.”

Twilight giggled at the image of the shy, weak flier in a Wonderbolt’s uniform. “I guess that idea didn’t quite pan out, huh?”
Fluttershy softly giggled as well, but after a few moments let out a sigh. Her worried look returned to her face.

Twilight caught on to her shift in emotions. “You know, I’ve never heard you talk about her. How did she…you know?”
“Some time after I got my cutie mark, Mom got very sick. No doctors could help her and eventually, she just gave up the fight.”

Twilight let out a sigh herself. Not only did Applejack have a history of untimely death in her family, but also Fluttershy. Sweet, kind Fluttershy had this past that she never came to her friends about.

“Fluttershy, we’re always here for you, never ever forget that.”

The yellow pegasus gave her friend a reassuring smile. “I never will, Twilight. You guys mean everything to me. Really, when I first reunited with Rainbow Dash, and she reminded me so much of her, my mom’s death didn’t stab at me so hard. That’s why I love her, actually. She buffers any pain I may feel with her presence alone. She may be high flying and free, but she’s still my rock. I don’t know what my life would be without her.” Tears of joy were starting to develop in her eyes, which in a blink, widened with surprise. Rarity had just made her presence known.

“Fluttershy, darling, that was simply beautiful. Which is what makes your staying in the closet all the more befuddling.”

“Oh, um, hi Rarity; I didn’t see you there.” Fluttershy began backing away from the pair of unicorns.

Twilight interjected, “Fluttershy, wait! Look, Rarity, I know we came to give Fluttershy emotional support, but I’m having second thoughts on this whole thing.”

Rarity gasped with a VERY melodramatic double take, “Twilight Sparkle! How could you say such a thing? Not only is it wrong, it is simply hypocritical of you. Just yesterday, you were chiding Applejack for expressing the exact same sentiment.”

“I’m actually starting to regret that, Rarity. Believe me; nothing would make me happier than for Fluttershy to be out loud and proud to her family (did I seriously just write that for Twilight? Sorry, I know you guys hate these, but I just can’t believe I wrote that. I want you guys to know I do not approve of stupidity.), but obviously, there’s a reason she doesn’t want to, and we should just go ahead and respect that.”

Rarity gave a pout. “My dear, that is simply ridiculous.”

“Come on, Rarity; look at her! She’s terrified of this!”

At this point, Fluttershy was practically in the Everfree Forest, only stopping by bumping into a tree stump. Rarity approached the timid mare with discretion. She lifted her head with her hoof and gave her a sympathetic look.

“Fluttershy, I know you’re scared. I know you’ve been scared of a lot of things. I know you were scared of facing that Dragon. I know you were afraid of flying with the other pegasi on tornado day. I know you especially afraid of facing Discord. Do you want to know what happened all of those times you were afraid of something? You conquered those fears with flawless execution. Because of you, we have saved and aided Equestria time and time again. To say that those fears were somehow easier to overcome than telling your family about the love of your life is ludicrous. I know you can do this, Fluttershy. I have faith in you.”

Fluttershy pondered her friend’s speech for a moment. The pegasus gave a frustrated sigh as she rose from her crouched down position, and made her way back to the house.

Twilight looked concerned. “Fluttershy, what are you going to do?”

“My dad and Saltine are probably running through the rest Applejack’s cider as we speak. You’re about to find out why I can’t do what you want, Rarity.” Fluttershy stepped back into the house.

Both unicorns looked at each other.

“I haven’t the foggiest.” Rarity said after a long, awkward silence.

Eventually, the two unicorns came back inside. Pinkie Pie was concluding her gleeful tale of destructive hedonism and hubris brought upon by overconsumption of cider. Twilight sat back in her chair, while Rarity scooted onto an open spot on
the couch next to Foxy, who was happy for the unicorn’s return.

Saltlick gave a hearty laugh at Pinkie’s violent, sexy and gratuitously graphic anecdote. “Remind me to never give you a taste of Crispin’s own, Pinkie. I’d fear for the lives of your friends.”

The party proceeded to laugh at the aged earth pony’s zinger. Burps from cider consumption were also present. Pinkie then zoomed over to the chair where Saltlick was sitting and touched nose to nose to him.

“Saltlick, I just gotta get a taste of that cider. I know our friend, Rainbow Dash and I would have the best drinking contest EVER!!!”

“Who’s Rainbow Dash?” Foxy asked aloud.

“She’s only the greatest flier in ALL of Equestria!” Pinkie Pie eagerly answered. The pink earth pony was at this point bouncing all over the room.

“Oh yeah, I heard of her.” Saltine said before taking a huge swig of cider. When he set down the bottle and let out a long belch. Foxy and Rarity, who were sitting beside him on the couch, recoiled at the uncouth gesture. Of course, Foxy, being the stallion’s wife, had a look resembling more of mild annoyance, clearly showing her jadedness to her husband’s idioms.

“Isn’t she that filly fooler who won the Best Young Flier’s Competition?”

“Uugh, these bucking drunks are annoying as hay!”

The Cloudsdale First Plaza Hotel was a hotbed of activity. The meeting of weather pegasi had quickly devolved into a debauched, drunken affair. There was little to no organization, and nopony from Cloudsdale Central Weather Authority actually felt like working, so instead, the hotel bar became swarming grounds of ponies looking to drink away their long weekend. One would think Rainbow Dash would bask in such hedonistic reverie; however, life has a funny way of showing a pony’s true colors. The cyan pegasus was lying in her bed in her hotel room during the late night trying to get some shut eye. Sure, she tried to have some fun and some drinks, as it was certainly better than any actual work, but Rainbow soon discovered that partying with complete strangers had no appeal compared to hanging out with her friends. Although there was no nightlife in Ponyville after the closing of The Golden Horseshoe, Rainbow was still able to get her and her friends crunk up in this bitch and have a good time thanks to Pinkie’s various punch recipes, Rarity’s fancy Canterlot liqueurs, and most importantly, Applejack’s cider. However, it wasn’t the fact that she was having quality drinks instead of the watered down, bottom shelf garbage the hotel had, it was the fact that Rainbow genuinely had a better time with her best friends and their individual quirks.

Ah yes, a night out with them would follow a usual routine. Rainbow mentally played out one of them with a giant grin on her face. The six of them would gather after hours at Sugarcube Corner after hours and pregame with some of Pinkie’s “Pregame Package Supreme-o Punch!!!!” after which, lightweight Twilight would begin speaking sluggishly and making some pretty hilarious confessions (of course, the rest of the group were not the types to gossip, so there was no issue). After moving the party to the empty barn at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack would break out her cider and challenge Rainbow and Pinkie to a drinking contest, to which they would gleefully accept. The cowpony and cyan pegasus were both determined to be the first ones to beat the reigning champion, Pinkie Pie. Of course, each attempt was in vain. It still kind of ticked Rainbow off that downing cider was the one thing in which she couldn’t beat Pinkie. Eventually, the night would die down with watching Rarity recite her famous monologue, Dear Sweet Celestia, How the Hay am I still Single?

Rainbow sighed at that last part. “I think I should talk to her, sometime.” The cyan pegasus thought to herself. “I don’t tell her how great she is. I know she’s all prissy and girly, but hey, if I love a meek little scaredy-cat like Fluttershy, I can certainly make the effort to cheer Rarity up more often. I hope she knows that she can find love easily. She just needs to stop looking in all those stuck-up, stick in the mud, pretty colts.” Dash then scoffed. “I know, for fact, that she likes it both ways. She can deny it all she wants, but we both know that she’s interested in dating a mare.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was the night after the Grand Galloping Gala, and Rarity decided to try and drink away her memory of her disastrous meeting with Prince Blueblood (to this day, nopony dares to bring him up in the presence of the marshmallow unicorn, lest they want to lose control of their reproductive organs). When the group returned to Ponyville, Rarity could barely stand upright, let alone walk home. Not one to let her friends hanging, Rainbow offered to take the fashionista to bed. Along the path to Carousel Boutique, Rarity went on one of her famously melodramatic diatribes. Ordinarily, Rainbow would just shrug it off as Rarity’s typical overdramatic showmanship, but this one actually caught the pegasus’s attention.

“Do you, do want to know something….Rainbow d-Dash?” the unicorn sluggishly stammered out. “I…I am done, DONE…with stallions!”

Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow at what her friend was saying. Was she serious? Rarity: the pony who had been fantasizing since she was a filly about having a fairytale wedding with a handsome prince was declaring celibacy. (Or was she?)

“Oh right, Rare. So what, you’re gonna join a convent and become a nun? ‘Cause you know, my mom tried that once, but then the Archbishop of Cloudsdale couldn’t hold it in any longer. And that’s the story of how I was born. Now as for my awesome childhood…”

Rarity continued leaking out words. “R-rainbow, shut up, I…I’m not done talking. I don’t mean I’m done with love. I…I wanna date a mare.”

The cyan pegasus’s eyebrows widened. At this point, Rainbow had realized she liked mares (one in particular), but wasn’t exactly ready to be open to anypony. The topic of sexual preference was one she preferred avoiding. By the time Rarity spoke again, Rainbow had realized that close to a full minute had passed in complete silence.

“R...rainbow, I just need to ask. What’s it like…being that way?”

Rainbow gulped and began to sweat.

“What the hay are you…Rarity, you’re drunk. Let’s just get you home.”

Rainbow landed on the ground got behind the inebriate unicorn and began to push, increasing her speed while trying to inch away from the conversation.

“Wha…what’s the matter, Rainbow Dash? I know you like mares.”

“You don’t know anything except fashion.”

“Aww, come on Rainbow Dash. Why…why you gotta be so mean? I know you like Fluttershy.”

The cyan pegasus stopped in her tracks. The sensation commonly known as “Oh crap” began shaking her nervous system. How did Rarity know? That wasn’t important. Rainbow just needed to put Rarity to bed. They were almost to Carousel Boutique. The cyan pegasus picked up the drunken bundle and began to fly.

“Rarity, let’s just get you to bed. You’ll forget about this whole thing tomorrow.”

The unicorn refused to relent. “Don’t try to kill the conversation, Rainbow. I know darn well how you feel about Fluttershy. The way you look at her, the way you’ve been talking to her lately, not to mention the fact you always sleep off your hangovers at her house after nights like these. I bet you still have her spreads from when she was a model. I’m telling you, if you’re not being honest with yourself, then you’re not hiding your…y-your feelings well.”

The rainbow maned mare let out a sigh. She continued to carry Rarity back home, all the while trying to fight her urge to admit that the unicorn was indeed correct.

When the two finally reached their destination and went inside to put her in bed, Rarity, although about to pass out, was still on about the issue.

“A...and remember a few weeks ago whennn… when you told Sweetie Belle and the fillies about your cutie mark story. You were talking about those ruffians who bullied Fluttershy when you two were growing. (Belch) In the part of the story when you talked about defending her honor, you had this look of pride that I had never seen before on you. Now…now keep in mind that you, YOU, Rainbow Dash are a pretty prideful creature, so to say that you looked especially prideful is saying LOTS!!! That must’ve been your proudest moment as a filly, huh; Letting Fluttershy know that she wasn’t alone in this world? It’s beautiful if I must say so myself.”

By this point, the two had reached Rarity’s bedroom and the unicorn plopped on to her bed, getting close to finally passing out.

Rainbow was getting more indignant about the marshmallow unicorn’s theories. “You’re reading too deep into it, Rarity. I hate to burst your bubble, but I don’t have romantic feelings for Fluttershy. I mean, yeah, I did feel proud standing up for Fluttershy like that, but that doesn’t mean I want to date her or anything. Honestly, I am so sick of people making these bucking assumptions about me and my love life! Oooh, Rainbow Dash and Applejack ran together at the Running of the Leaves, they MUST be a couple; or, Rainbow and Pinkie Pie go on pranking sprees together and argue like a married couple, they must be one! I don’t even like mares, why do people keep saying that? As far as everypony else is concerned, I don’t like anyone, and that’s the way it’s gonna stay! If you’ve gotta problem with that, Rarity, then tough toothpaste!”

Rarity turned to her side and finally started to drift off to sleep, but not without lamentably muttering the words, “Oh, Rainbow…rainbow….rain….zzzz”

Now Rainbow was finally alone with her thoughts. She couldn’t help but be annoyed with herself. She knew that what she just said was pure horse spit, but at the same time, she wasn’t ready to be open about her feelings with anypony, and it was actually pretty annoying to be having all these ponies make assumptions about who she liked, even if they were right on the gender thing.

The cyan pegasus considered her thoughts, feelings and statements for a few minutes in silent contemplation. All the while, Rarity was sleeping like a drunken baby. Maybe it was time to finally start being open about this…these feelings. Who better to start with then somepony who was dead drunk and passed out? (Hey, it was a start)

Rainbow looked at the sleeping beauty (hot mess) and cleared her throat.

“Rarity…I lied. I do like mares. I’ve realized that for a while now. The reason I haven’t told anypony yet is because I’m uncomfortable with the idea of you guys knowing, especially….Fluttershy. You were right, Rares, I do like Fluttershy…as more than a friend. I felt this way ever since we were fillies. At the time I didn’t understand what it meant, but as an adult it makes perfect sense. I’m gonna hate myself tomorrow, but: you were right again, standing up to those punks to protect Fluttershy was one of my proudest moments, even more than when I did the Sonic Rainboom for the first time. I was on cloud nine those days in Cloudsdale. Aw, jeez, this is so bucking sappy. Anyway, yeah, after Flight Camp, ‘Shy and I went our separate ways. All the while, she still kinda stuck in the back of my mind. I couldn’t figure out what the feeling was, but I knew it had to be something. Then we reunited in Ponyville, and it started to dawn on me what these feelings meant, but I was still uncomfortable with the idea of liking another mare that way, especially somepony who was pretty much everything I’m not. So I tried to distance myself with her, sort of get used to her presence without making my feelings stronger. It didn’t work, and those feelings only grew stronger. It got even worse after Twilight came into the picture, and we started spending more time together. Eventually, I just stopped trying to run from it. So you were right Rarity: I do like Fluttershy, but I’m also scared that she doesn’t like me back. That’s why I’m having trouble telling anypony about my feelings. That’s right: the great, awesome, coolest pony ever, Rainbow Dash is scared of getting rejected. Are you happy now? Do you want me to put a check in the win column for you?”

Rainbow Dash couldn’t figure out why she was asking questions to a pony who couldn’t hear, let alone respond to what she was saying. The pegasus let out a sigh and made her way to the window to fly out. Sometime in the near future she would try to figure out a more tactful way of expressing her feelings to somepony (and eventually, Fluttershy).

However, before she could leave, Rarity proceeded to vomit all over the side of the bed she was facing toward. Once that was over with she spoke:

“Who called it? This girl did.” The unicorn vomited again.

Rainbow’s eyes widened and she turned around to question Rarity. “How much did you hear?”

Finally catching her breath after consecutive rounds of losing her booze, the unicorn blurted out, “the entire thing”.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rainbow Dash often thought back to that moment, and about how much she had changed in the course of less than two years. After the Gala, it was a good year before she started making it clear how she felt about Fluttershy to the mare herself, and it took a good while afterward for the creamy yellow pegasus to actually reciprocate those feelings. Needless to say, it was a demoralizing, awkward ordeal of emotional miscommunication and romantic tension, an experience that would probably make somepony cry out in frustration and fatigue.

But a smile came across the cyan pegasus’s face as she came to the realization that she would do it all again. Fluttershy was worth that much, and there was no doubt about it.

“I need to do something nice for her.” Rainbow thought to herself as she began to fall asleep. “Something romantic and unexpected, but relatively low-key; I know she doesn’t like big spectacles.”

Then suddenly, an idea popped in her head. “I bet she wouldn’t expect me coming home a day early and taking her out someplace nice! It’s perfect! I mean, what am I gonna do here tomorrow, stay up here while all these losers get wasted off cheap drinks? Buck that! I’m gonna see Fluttershy, and I’m gonna surprise her with an awesome date to cap off the weekend. Rainbow Danger Dash, you are a genius!”

The cyan pegasus finally drifted off into slumber, knowing that tomorrow, she had the perfect plan to make Fluttershy ecstatic through a simple gesture like coming home earlier than expected. To Rainbow, it was the perfect idea. She slept peacefully with her mind at complete ease.

Back in Ponyville, however, peaceful and ease would be the last words to describe the situation….

Filly Fooler.

The term was one that everypony heard a thousand times growing up. That and colt cuddler were often exchanged on the schoolyards between kids as light teases without regard to the deeper meaning behind the words.

One would think that everypony would grow up and realize how hurtful those names were to a pony who was attracted to the same sex, but some poor saps didn’t get the memo.

Saltine, Fluttershy’s brother, was the very sap. The earth pony, in drunken stupor, called his sister’s soulmate that disparaging term.

Suddenly, Fluttershy’s closeted behavior became clear as the day to her friends.

“Babe, we talked about this. Don’t say that.” Fox Trottingham spoke to her husband, clearly embarrassed by his malediction, especially in the company of strangers; strangers who were friends of family.

Unfortunately, the damage was done.

“Ah beg yer pardon?” Applejack immediately responded, clearly there was some anger rising in her.

“Applejack, calm down.” Twilight said to the cowpony, although her attempts to reign her in were futile.

“Justa sec, Twi, Ah gotta ask this guy what nerve he’s got callin’ one of mah friends a filly fooler.”

Saltlick immediately took note of this revelation. “Hey now! Flutters, you and your friends now Rainbow Dash?”

Applejack glared at the pegasus’s father, “Yes we do, she’s one of our best friends, and I aint gonna have any of y’all call her no filly fooler!”

Rarity got out of her seat and tried to mollify her indignant friend, putting a hoof on her shoulder, but Applejack knocked it away.

Saltlick got out of his seat as well. “You misunderstand. I’ve actually been reading about Rainbow Dash in the news. Flutters didn’t tell me you guys were friends with her. I gotta say I’m mighty impressed.”

The tension in the scene was slightly subdued. However, as with everything Saltlick had said this evening, further questions were raised?

Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Why does that impress you?’

“Well, I mean, I read in the paper about how she broke the sound barrier with a rainbow streak. Not even my wife could do that, and she was a pretty damn good flier. I tell you, if that girl doesn’t get into the Wonderbolts, I’m quitting my day job.”

Twilight smiled; happy that at least somepony from Fluttershy’s family said something nice about Rainbow Dash. “Well, we’ll certainly have to tell Rainbow Dash gets back from Cloudsdale. She certainly loves having fans.”

Applejack and Rarity, however, returned their looks to the slightly inebriated stallion sitting on the couch.

The unicorn was the first to pipe up. “That still doesn’t excuse what YOU just said.”

Foxy started to lower her head in shame. She was certainly embarrassed of her husband’s behavior in front of a pony she respected so much.

Saltine sat up and took off his baseball cap and put his hoof in it like a beggar. “Look, I didn’t mean to offend anypony; honest. It’s just one of those things, you hear it so much, and you just kind of say it without taking into consideration the feelings of others. I’m not like that, I swear.”

Sadness shaped Saltlick’s eyes as he replied, “My boy’s telling the truth. To be honest, I would call Him a colt cuddler or Flutters a filly fooler anytime they acted femmy or butch, but they were just a joke. I probably tossed it around too many times, and it rubbed off on Saltine. Believe me, when I say this family does not hate anypony.”

It was there that the two mares exchanged remorseful glances with Rarity letting out a deep sigh.

Applejack rubbed the back of her neck with her hoof before sheepishly piping out, “Ah uh, probably shouldn’tve jumped on ya. Sorry about that.”

Rarity nodded, “We’re sorry to have made this so awkward. I’m sure family of someone as wonderful as Fluttershy is very open and accepting of other lifestyles.”

It was then that Saltine raised an eyebrow. “Wait, who’s asking us to accept them?”

Awkwardness kicked into overdrive. Saltine proceeded to take another swig of cider.

“Look, I don’t hate anypony, but that doesn’t mean I don’t take issue to how…those ponies live.”

“With how they live?!” Rarity immediately retorted, tone clearly getting sharper and more confrontational.

“Yeah, like…I don’t know about you, but I feel like that whole deal is unnatural. I mean, you can’t have foals with two stallions or two mares. A-and I know what you’re gonna say, “They were born that way” and I will tell you that is dragon-shit. You’re a pony, you have free will, so marry somepony with whom you can reproduce and continue the species.”

Applejack’s eye just twitched at the golden stallion’s “insane troll logic”, completely silent and unable to respond to such asinine reasoning.

Rarity’s disposition just became all the surlier. “So you’re telling me you didn’t marry Foxy out of love? What was it, wedlock?”

Saltine took offense as he stood up. “Now see here, you…”

“Babe please, don’t!” Foxy stood in front of her husband trying to get him to sit back down, but he just lightly moved her aside. Saltine’s eyes were focused on Rarity. The stallion picked up his bottle of cider and downed the rest of the contents. Almost half a bottle.

“See here you…I know my accent isn’t as refined as your little Canterlot wannabe crap, but I am not some country hick. I love my wife very much, but that’s because it’s supposed to be that way. She’s a mare, and I’m a stallion. One hand washes the other. Your friend, Rainbow Dash obviously hasn’t found the right stallion to settle down with. Nature dictates these things. Our ideal partners of the opposite sex are appealing to our emotions and senses so that we’ll want to reproduce with them.”

“Just what’re ya sayin’?” Applejack asked slowly in a threatening tone, eyes narrowing.

“What I’m saying, is that no damned filly fooler is capable of loving your friend Rainbow Dash the way a stallion would!”

The eyes of Applejack, Rarity, and Twilight (Pinkie had passed out at this point) focused on Fluttershy, and were shocked at what they saw. The pink-maned pegasus was not sweating profusely or breaking down into tears over the hideous things her own flesh and blood was spewing out, no, far from it. Fluttershy was remaining completely stoic, quietly sipping her cider.

She had probably prepared herself for this.

“That’s it boy, you’ve had too much drink. Get your ass to sleep.” Saltlick chided to his son, who at this point was losing some of his balance.

“I’ll take him to the guest room.” Foxy announced as she grabbed her husband to support him. The white-maned earth pony looked toward Rarity with shame in her eyes.

“Rarity, I’m so sorry about that. I shouldn’t have let him drink so much. Am I still welcome to visit your shop tomorrow?”
Rarity’s anger subsided at the humble apology of the former pop starlet.

“Of course, darling. Somepony as lovely and affable as you is always welcome at Carousel Boutique.”

Foxy blushed as she escorted her drunken husband, exiting into the guest room to let him pass out in peace.
Twilight sighed as she got out of her seat and levitated the passed out Pinkie Pie and Spike, using her remaining magic to open the front door.

“I guess we’ll show ourselves out.” The lavender sighed in a defeated tone as she made her way to the front door. As she walked out, she took one last look at Fluttershy, who turned her head away in shame. Rarity and Applejack soon followed Twilight.

As the group exited, Saltlick called out, “I’m so sorry about that, everypony. My boy can’t hold his cider gracefully.”
The door slammed shut without response.

“Who’s the worst friend in the world? Ooh I know, this pony!” Rarity theatrically exclaimed as she pointed to herself. The three were making their ways back to their respective homes in the dead of night.

“Rarity, knock it off. Nopony’s blamin’ ya for what happened. Bad ponies will say bad things, and it don’t matter the circumstance.” Applejack assured her friend as they walked side by side behind Twilight, who was still holding Pinkie and Spike mid-air with levitation.

“Even still, Fluttershy tried to tell me this would happen, and I didn’t listen. She warned me this would happen, and I didn’t listen. It’s Canterlot over again! Only, this time, instead of all of us not believing in one of our best friends, it was just me! No question about it, I deserve only the harshest words from everypony.”

Twilight turned her head back at her fellow unicorn. “Rarity, please don’t beat yourself up about this. Only Spike and Applejack had any immediate suspicions about Fluttershy’s family not being accepting, and it was only until before we got here I started to have my doubts. You were just trying to do the right thing, and Fluttershy understands that.”

Rarity sighed. “I suppose, but I just simply feel so awful about this dreadful night.”

“We all do sugarcube. Best we get some shut eye and try to approach this situation with clearer heads later.”

“AJ’s right, Rarity. We all just need to put this night behind us. We’ll have plenty of time to deal with Fluttershy’s issues when our heads aren't filled with cider.”

Everypony made it back to their respective homes, hoping that the worst of this situation was over.

To quote Huey Freeman, “Hope is irrational.”

For the first time in weeks, Applejack was finally back to work on the farm. While she still hadn’t endorsed the Mayor or Filthy Rich, this was one of those days where she especially couldn’t deal with the political process, considering all that had went on last night at Fluttershy’s. Today, the cowpony needed to vent her frustrations with some good old fashioned applebucking. She cancelled her lunch meeting with Rich with the excuse that it was a family crisis.

Of course, she wasn’t using a bogus excuse.

Applejack managed to buck the entire southwest field by the middle of the morning. Celestia’s sun was now shining down in full over Equestria, and the earth pony was sweating and parched. Feeling deserving of a little break, Applejack cozied herself under Bloomberg 2, her new favorite tree, and cracked open a bottle of her own brand of cider. Ever since the meeting the other day outside the Golden Horseshoe, the earth pony found herself in the cider making mood. Usually, she would only make some with her whole family for the occasion of Cider Season, or whenever her friends wanted to get their drink on to start the weekend (and to party through it….and to cap it off), but for the past two days, Applejack was using all of her free time to brew her “famous” cider.

“Ya know you can never match’m…” the orange cowpony thought to herself as she took a swig of her fermented juice. The sentiment was shared by Granny Smith: who although never criticized Applejack for her own concoction, did lament during every cider season that the ponies who lined up across town to drink it “didn’t know what they was missin’.”

This was true. There were few ponies left in Ponyville old enough to remember the brisk taste of Crispin’s original recipe. Cider making was the stallion’s special talent, and nopony in the Apple family was able to match his skill.

“If only Ah could just figure out that dang recipe!” Applejack thought to herself time and time again. As beloved as Crispin was by everypony, he did have his flaws as a ponies. Although kind and generous, the late brew-master was closed-off and rather secretive, particularly about his secrets of cider. For the purposes of intellectual property, he couldn’t just tell anypony his recipe, but he also refused to share it with anypony in his family. His wife, his mother, and his children were all left in the dark about the method of making a good chunk of the Apple family’s income. His untimely death only complicated matters, and the first family of Ponyville suffered financially with nopony to carry on the recipe for the best cider in Equestria.

That is…except for Ferrier….and Saltlick.

Applejack lied flat on the ground and stared at the blue sky that was protruding through the gaps between the branches on Bloomberg 2. Her thoughts concerning everything that had been happening in the last two days were locked in a race. Her nostalgia for the days when her father was alive; her recent surge of cider production; and the stunning new revelations concerning the passing on of the recipe from Crispin to Ferrier were all piling together in a giant mess of contemplation inside the cowpony’s head. Applejack shut her eyes and rubbed her forehead with her hooves trying to ward off a migraine.

All of this made her oblivious to the fact that somepony was standing over her.

“What’re you doing?” the voice of a young colt resonated into the ears of Applejack, who immediately jumped out of her position in a state of pure shock.

Before Applejack could gather her thoughts, the sound of colts’ laughter filled the surrounding area. The orange earth pony looked forward; below her stood a yellow earth colt with a messy brunette mane, and in front of her hovered a little white pegasus. Walking behind the duo was none other than Fluttershy’s father himself, Saltlick. It occurred to Applejack that the two colts were Fluttershy’s nephews, Free-fall and Dragon-kick, who she and everypony else met the night before. What the hay were they doing here?

The two colts continued laughing until Dragon-kick interjected, “I totally scared you!”

Applejack took offense as she replied, “Did not!” in a tone common to that of a school-filly on the playground.

“He did so!” Free-fall retorted coming to the defense of his brother

“Boys, don’t be arguing with her!” the aged stallion called out to his grandsons. “Come on back here.”

The colts complied a gathered to the side of their grandfather, who made a slight chuckle. He looked toward the still stunned cowpony.

“Sorry about that. These two are looking to pick a fight with anypony, but they never wanna get their hands dirty? Colts, huh?”

Applejack couldn’t help but chuckle. “Yeah, Ah suppose. So what brings y’all here to Sweet Apple Acres?”

“Grandpa wants to give you his cider recipe!” Free-fall piped up. The burnt-orange gave the young pegasus a stern glare. Saltlick looked back at Applejack. He proceeded to rub the back of his neck with his hoof.

“I um…just wanted to uhh….you know…only if you wanted….”

Applejack’s mouth was simply agape. She was finally able to silence Saltlick’s stammering with, “Ya wanna give me mah daddy’s recipe?”

The aged stallion was able to give a smile. “Absolutely, miss.”

_____________________________________________________

Applejack decided to treat her guests to some lunch. Always being the hospitable type: Granny Smith whipped out plenty of food for Fluttershy’s dad and nephews. Being a nice day outside, the party decided to dine at the picnic table by the orchards. Saltlick decided to make a contribution by brewing some of Crispin’s recipe. Granny Smith and Big Macintosh were initially skeptical of the revival of this once thought to be dead formula, but the instant the old mare’s lips touched the concoction, she knew it had to be true.

“Well ah’ll be a monkey’s oncle!” the senile coot exclaimed as she danced with pure joy. “Mah son’s legacy still lives on.”

“E-yup.” Big Mac concurred in a satisfied tone.

Everypony eventually gathered at the table and like the night before, the mood was jovial and the conversation lively. Applebloom was enamored in conversation with Dragon-kick free Free-fall about how they earned their cutie marks. Meanwhile, Applejack, Big Mac and Granny Smith were gassing on with Saltlick about the cider. All were showering the barkeep with praise about returning Crispin’s famous recipe. The orange stallion blushed a deep shade of red.

“Oh come on guys, really, it was nothing. Ferrier talked about Crispin all the time. To this day, I’m amazed that anypony could come up with a recipe so universally beloved. Back in Foalando, everypony wants a tall, salt-rimmed glass of Crispin’s Original. It was because of him that Ferrier and I made our dreams come true. I had my own business, and Ferrier got to carry on his best friend’s legacy. Before Ferrier died, he made me promise that I would come to Ponyville to meet you all, which worked, because I also hadn’t seen Flutters in a long time. I tell you what, when she told me about all the crazy adventures she had with you and all your friends, it made me giddy as all be. Our families were closer than I thought. The only way I could possibly thank you guys was to give you back the recipe. You are the rightful owners after all.”

Big Mac’s smile faded as he had an epiphany. “If that’s the case, why did Ferrier skip town all those years ago without giving us Dad’s recipe?”

Granny Smith and Applejack glanced with suspicion at their new acquaintance.

“Well, I mean. Ferrier told me about how everything was falling to pieces around here after Crispin died. Before he died, he made it clear to Ferrier that he wanted to wait until you kids were older until he taught you the recipe. Ferrier didn’t have time to wait around for you two to grow up. His business was going under since his cider connection was cut off, and he had to get out of Ponyville to start someplace fresh. He had always meant to come back and give you guys what belongs to you, but he and I were wrapped up in starting a place of our own. Once he died, I made the resolve to come here and do the job for him.”

Applejack sat silently as she thought about what had happened after her father died. Ferrier was correct, everything was going to pieces. Crispin left behind many things: a pregnant widow, two (soon to be three) children without a father, a mother who was forced to bury her only son, and a now-failed bar. Applejack’s mother eventually became so compounded by the stress of losing her husband and pregnancy, that when she finally gave birth to her last child, Applebloom, she succumbed to the same heart failure that claimed Crispin. As a filly, Applejack was so grieved and confused about all the tragedy that one event had caused. So much so, that she tried to escape all of it and start a new life in Manehattan.

But you all know the rest of THAT story.

Applejack looked up at the aged stallion and extended her hoof to his shoulder.

“Ah’m just glad we have the back at all. For the longest time, we thought it was lost forever. It doesn’t matter that we weren’t the first to get it. Frankly, it worked out pretty well considering Ah met ya as a result.”

Saltlick gave a warm grin to his newfound companion, the awkwardness evaporating from the moment.

Big Mac gave out a resigned sigh. Saltlick was an alright pony, and what was important was that Crispin’s recipe found its home with the Apple family.

Eventually, the conversation turned lively again, with the topics ranging from Applebloom’s blank flank, to cider, to Big Mac’s “secret” courtship with Cheerilee.

Applejack was enjoying herself to the point that she forgot about all the unpleasantness about the night before.
Needless to say, a storm was coming.

Next chapter: Rarity enjoys the company of Foxy, and Rainbow Dash makes her triumphant return to Ponyville. Stay Tuned!

Hey guys! After reading the comments on the last chapter, I decided to burn the midnight oil and generate the next part of the story, seeing as how you guys were getting anxious to see the return of Rainbow Dash. I promise, this one was waaaaay more competently written then the last one. Enjoy!

Fluttershy was not getting up, plain and simple.

The yellow pegasus lied in her recently acquired queen sized bed (Dash was getting tired of sharing the single) trying to put the events of last night out of her mind.

She could deal with her own flesh and blood inadvertently insulting her for her sexuality, but what was unbearable was everything else her brother Saltine blurted in his drunken state.

“No damned filly-fooler is capable of loving your friend, Rainbow Dash the way a stallion would!”

Fluttershy shivered when that line resonated in her mind. She pulled her head under the covers and tried to make the voices from last night go away. It was to no avail. The pegasus pulled out of the protection of the sheets and plopped her head against her pillow, burying her face into her hooves. Doubt and self-loathing began to rear their ugly heads on Fluttershy’s conscience.

“He’s right….he’s completely right.” The animal lover told herself, now rocking back and forth in anguish. “No stallion would be keeping up this charade…keeping Rainbow in the dark about their own family. I don’t deserve her…I never deserved her.”

A hurricane of self-hatred swirled in the pegasus’s brain. She was ready to break into tears…until she heard the window opening. Immediately, Fluttershy jumped up in terror at the possible intruder, only for her eyes to widen at who it was standing in front of her.

“Honey, I’m home!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed in a tone that suggested she was aware of the use of such a clichéd phrase.

Fluttershy was speechless. Her thoughts went a little something like this…

“Oh dear sweet Celestia, what’s Rainbow doing here? W-what’s she doing back so soon? She’s not supposed to be here! Not until….”

Suddenly, Fluttershy’s train of thought was completely derailed by a tender kiss from Rainbow Dash. Earlier on, when their
relationship started, Rainbow was a pretty terrible kisser. Her aggressive nature and general lack of experience in the romantic arena made her the kind of kisser that restrained the neck of her partner and just forced her mouth directly on top of Fluttershy’s mouth. This was made worse by the fact that the daredevil used her tongue to essentially stab the back of her fillyfriend’s mouth. As time went on, Rainbow was able to learn to refrain from such forceful tongue-play, and use tenderness and subtlety when kissing her beloved. Now, Rainbow was a natural; and instead of using her hooves to constrict the back of her lover’s neck, she was running them up and down her silky pink mane.

The cyan pegasus pulled away from the embrace to get a good look at Fluttershy, who although still frozen from the shock, had a “lovey-dovey” look in her eyes, which were pointing to the bed in an eager manner.

Rainbow chuckled. “Shall we?”

Fluttershy made a slight nod as she led Rainbow to their love-sack (I can’t believe I just wrote that) for a good old fashioned…um…communion.

Rainbow was the first to get on the bed as she lied flat on her back. She helped Fluttershy up as the creamy yellow pegasus positioned herself right on top of Rainbow. Their…um...marehoods….were touching. Fluttershy bent down to enamor herself in another passionate kiss with her beloved.

The question was still in the back of Fluttershy’s mind as to what Rainbow was doing here, but frankly, it didn’t matter. She was here, and down for some good-old, stress relieving clop….

….that you will not be reading.

_____________________________________________________________

Sleep had not remedied Rarity’s bad case of guilt. The night before, after returning from the disastrous dinner party with Fluttershy’s family, the fashionista attempted to drown her frustrations in some Marshmallow Cider from Flim&Flam Bros.

Needless to say, it didn’t help. So in addition to her crushing guilt and self-loathing, Rarity had her usual Sunday morning hangover. The marshmallow unicorn came into her kitchen and rested her head on the breakfast table, not wanting to move from her spot. All she wanted to do was wallow. In what, she hadn’t the foggiest, but the point was, she wanted to wallow.

Suddenly, the door to the boutique was knocking. A groggy Rarity sluggishly got up and staggered her way into the shop.

“Who in Equestria could be knocking at this ….high noon.” the fashionista thought to herself. She eventually reached the door and flung it open to find a maroon mare with a snow-white mane.

“Rarity?” Fox Trottingham queried to the hung-over mare. “Dear sweet Celestia, you look awful!”
The unicorn shook her head and widened her eyes at her guest. It was this point that she realized she invited Foxy over to examine her wardrobe. In her drunken state, she had forgotten.

“Oh…Foxy. I’m so sorry, I must look a mess. You see, I…uh…had a little too much last night…and uh….”

“Say no more.” Foxy interjected as she shoved some sort of pill into Rarity’s mouth. In a mere matter of seconds, Rarity felt a jolt of energy that cured her heavy migraine. The unicorn stood in stunned silence before finally asking, “What in the name of Celestia was that?”

Foxy chuckled. “Back in the old days, Sapphire and I partied our flanks off after doing shows. Our hangovers eventually started to affect our performances, so we made contact this guy that Sapphire knew from Canterlot. He runs a club, but deals on the side, and one of his products was the item you just took. It’s a stimulant that really works at curing drowsiness, hangovers, and general sickness. They’re great to have around if you’re a party kind of pony.”

Rarity giggled: thinking that these uppers were right up her alley (or at least the younger, wilder her).

___________________________________________________________

The unicorn proceeded to give the former pop singer turned housewife the grand tour of Carousel Boutique. Foxy was stunned by the actual look of Rarity’s creations in person. These were items that Clothes Horse couldn’t do justice through pictures. Rarity, in turn, was completely giddy that she was not only capturing the interest of one of her favorite pop-stars, but actively engaging in conversation with her as two friends would. Her encounter with Sapphire Shores simply didn’t compare. There was something about Foxy that entranced Rarity not in a way that an important celebrity or royalty would, but it was….something else; something that the unicorn couldn’t put her hoof on at the moment.

After taking thorough inventory of her wardrobe, Rarity offered to treat Foxy to lunch at the Café, to which the earth pony accepted. All the time, the two continued uninterrupted conversation ranging various topics.

“So you’re sister’s still a blank flank, huh?” Foxy asked as she took a bite of her hay bacon sandwich.

Rarity chuckled, “Oh my, yes. I will never understand that filly. Pretty much everypony in town but her realizes her spectacular talent in singing. But unfortunately, she just never takes the time to sit down and take inventory of what she’s good at. Instead her and her “crusader” friends spend their time running around ragged trying to force discovery of their talents. It’s comical, honestly.”

Foxy raised an eyebrow. “Crusader? I don’t follow.”

Rarity gulped her water, realizing the esotericism of certain things in her life. She cleared her throat and explained, “Well, you see, my sister’s best friends also don’t have their cutie marks. So they decided to form an alliance of sorts and they call themselves the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and they spend their time doing different sorts of activities trying to find their special talents.”

Foxy let out an enormous laugh and slapped the table. Gaining some composure, she uttered, “That sounds exactly like what my sons used to do before they got their cutie marks.”

Rarity was still fascinated by the simple fact that Foxy Trot, the former half of one of the most influential duos in the history of Equestrian music, was now a wife and mother.

“You know, Foxy; I still can’t believe that you have kids. When I saw you live in Canterlot at Club Grey-out ten years ago, you were a wild, crazy, unpredictable burlesque performer. Now here you are, a decade later, a mother having lunch with an ordinary pony like me. It’s a bit surreal, if you ask me.”

“Three things, Rarity. One: yeah, you’re right. It does seem strange that I’ve gone from club singer to housewife in such a short decade. It’s bizarre, but I gotta say, it’s been a good life so far. Two: You are not just some ordinary pony, I don’t want to have to say that again. Three: You saw me at club Grey-out ten years ago? There’s no way you could’ve gotten in at that age!”

Rarity blushed a little and turned away. “Well at the time, I did have some…fraudulent, identification….so to speak.”

The maroon mare gave a devilish grin. “Why you naughty filly.”

On a side note, Rarity got REALLY aroused from being called a naughty filly by a mare who was REALLY attractive.

As their lunch continued, the conversation turned to the unfortunate dinner party from last night.

“Rarity, listen, I’m really sorry for how Saltine acted. I accept full responsibility for his behavior.”

The marshmallow unicorn gulped the remainder of her salad and responded, “Darling, please! What happened last night wasn’t your fault in the slightest. If there’s anypony who should apologize, it’s that husband of yours. Um…no offense.”

Foxy shook her head. “None taken. I can’t believe he gets that way when he drinks. I honestly should have told him to stop at a certain point.”

“There you go again, darling. Stop blaming yourself for what happened at once!”

Miss Trottingham lowered her head and sighed. “I know, but I just feel so awful. All the things he said…” Foxy raised her head and looked directly at Rarity “I want you to know that I don’t think that way at all about Lesbimares, and I don’t raise my children to think that way, either.”

Rarity gave a warm smile. “I never thought otherwise darling. That doesn’t explain your husband, though. What’s his quarrel?”

Foxy sighed. “It’s my fault, really…oops, sorry.”

Rarity dismissively flicked her hoof. “No no, darling, continue.”

“Before Saltine and I dated, I um….played the field for both teams….sometimes simultaneously. He knew this, and once we finally got together, he began to get paranoid about the whole gay thing. I guess he thinks that I’m ready to go back to being a wild, bisexual party animal at the drop of a hat. He can’t even comprehend that I gave all of that up when I married him. For Celestia’s sake, I’ve had TWO of his children! What makes him think that I’m going to be smitten by some random mare and want to run off with her?”

Rarity placed her head on her hooves and listened intently. She had just listened to her stunning revelation of the day: Fox Trottingham liked it both ways. For one thing: it meant they had something in common (although Rarity still wasn’t entirely open about her bi-curiosity), but also…for some reason, Rarity was very, very pleased by the fact that Foxy had been with mares before.

In response to Foxy’s diatribe ending rhetorical question, Rarity replied, “I haven’t the slightest of an idea, darling.”

___________________________________________________________________

The pair walked toward Fluttershy’s house near the outskirts of the forest to collect a hung-over Saltine. The stallion in question spent the night in Fluttershy’s guest room while everypony else went back to the hotel. As they approached the front of the house, Rarity and Foxy continued their never-ending colloquy.

“Well, I certainly had a marvelous time! It’s not every day that you get to dine with such a piece of work.”

Foxy blushed. “Rarity, honestly, you think too highly of me.”

Rarity scoffed at this notion. “Darling, listen to me. I’ve spent a good amount of time with the elites of Canterlot, and let me tell you something. I may have had formal conversation with them at a gallery opening or a cocktail party, but I never actually got to pick their brains, so to speak. You on the other hand, are quite the specimen. I honestly feel like I’ve truly connected with you.”

Foxy smiled. “I feel the same way, Rarity. We really need to do this again sometime.”

The unicorn gave an excited nod and a joyful grin. “I couldn’t agree more darling!”

The two approached the door, but before one of them could knock, unsettling sounds could be heard from the inside of the house. Rarity and Foxy gave each other a concerned look and leaned their ears to the door. The sounds started out as grumblings before resonating as all-out shouting. It sounded like an argument between two ponies, and suddenly the two listeners’ eyes widened in horror as each of them recognized one of the voices.

For Foxy, she could tell that the fratty, good-old boy accent had to be her husband. Whereas Rarity recognized the growly, tomboyish mare’s voice as.....Rainbow Dash.

This wasn’t going to be fun.

“So what do you plan on doing with the recipe?”

“Aint that the million bit question.”

After the picnic, the group had split into different activities. Granny Smith retired to the house for a nap, the colts decided to lend their services as consultants for the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and Big Mac made his way into town to run some errands (and by that, he meant a quick one with Cheerilee). Applejack and Saltlick decided to take a stroll through the orchards and just talk. This was the first time they were alone.

“I couldn’t help but notice when I came to town, that nopony’s bought Ferrier’s old place. Bad economy?”

The cowpony chuckled. “Yeah, kinda. But also, that bar has a special place in a lot of important ponies’ hearts. The city’s tried to sell the place, but there’s always massive protest against it. There have been movements to make The Golden Horseshoe an historic landmark, but that hadn’t happened. Still, these ponies hold out hope that somepony will come along and bring that place back to its glory days.”

“Well…you know, you’ve got the recipe back. Maybe…you can bring that place back to its roots. I know that’s what Ferrier would’ve wanted.”

Applejack dismissively shook her head. “Nah, Ah couldn’t. Ah mean, Ah could always make cider, but I couldn’t run a bar. Big Mac ‘n me are the only ones in the family who can work the farm, bucking apples ‘n such. Ah’ve seen what mah little sister’s good at, and based off that, Ah don’t think she’s destined to be a bucker. No, what that place needs is an honest-to-Celestia bartender. Somepony like Ferrier who knows the business and can run it full time. Somepony like you.”

Saltlick let out a hearty laugh. “Is that a job offer?”

Applejack chuckled. “Ah don’t know, do you accept?”

“You do realize I live in Foalando, right? It’s a nice offer, sugarcube, but I have my own life and my own business.”

Applejack let out a sigh. “Yeah, Ah realized. Ah knew you were just gonna say no. Although it’s kinda a shame. Ah haven’t known ya fer a day, but already, Ah feel like you’ve become a true friend.”

“Ah, that’s sweet of you. Ferrier told me you Apples had a tendency to make friends out of anypony. I’m glad he was right. You’re really something, AJ.”

The cowpony had a shade of red appeared on her orange face, “Aw shucks, Saltlick. Ya know, Ah still can’t thank ya enough fer giving me back mah daddy’s formula.”

Saltlick scoffed. “That? Think nothing of it. You guys are the rightful owners. Ferrier and I were just holding on to it while you guys recovered from losing Crispin.”

“Speaking of which, aren’t you afraid of losing business now that I have mah dad’s recipe, too?”

Saltlick let out a light chuckle. “Foalando’s about 200 miles west of Ponyville, I think I can handle the competition.”

Applejack laughed back. The two eventually made their way into central Ponyville so that Saltlick could get a proper tour of the town. They decided to stop at stop at Sugarcube Corner, as Mr. and Mrs. Cake had a history with Ferrier and Crispin, who gave Mr. Cake the investment to open the bakery in the first place. Once Applejack introduced Ferrier’s last business partner to the two, Carrot and Cup offered Saltlick and Applejack to stay for tea and Milano cookies (let’s be real, chocolate chip cookies or cupcakes would just be childish).

“No kidding, the recipe lives on?” Carrot exclaimed in pleased astonishment.

Applejack nodded and threw her foreleg around Saltlick’s shoulder. “Darn tootin’! And Salty ‘here gave it back to the Apple family. You can tell those hoity toity developers looking to take a hike, ‘cause the Golden Horseshoe’s back in business!”

Cup slapped her fist against the table and gave a celebratory hoot. She then look toward Saltlick and said, “I assume you’re the one buying it, right?”

The greying earth pony shook his head. “Sorry, I’ve got my own business in Foalando. It’s the one that Ferrier and I started together. It’s mine and my son’s livelihood; I couldn’t just leave it like that.”

“Oh, I’m very sorry; I shouldn’t have been so presumptuous. I just kind of figured that you and Applejack were dating, and…”

Applejack immediately took a spit take of her tea (right into Carrot’s eyes) and entered into a coughing fit. Saltlick slapped the cowpony’s back until she stopped. Applejack looked up at the giggling Mrs. Cake.

“Three things. One: are you outta yer mind. Two: I just met this guy LAST NIGHT. Three: He’s Fluttershy’s daddy, meaning he’s old enough to be mah daddy!”

Mrs. Cake stifled further giggles as she explained, “Again, sorry for my presumptions, it’s just that you two seemed so friendly and…”

Applejack rolled her eyes. “So you’re one of THOSE ponies, aintcha? The ones who’ll think anypony is dating ANYpony for the most ridiculous reasons. Like those ponies who think Fluttershy and mah brother should get together, even though she’s already…..”

Applejack stopped dead in her tracks when she realized who she was sitting next to. The looked over at Saltlick who had a big grin on his face.

“AJ, are you telling me that my little filly’s got a special somepony? Shoot! She didn’t even tell us. What’s his deal? Is he really ugly or something? Or does he have one of those scraggly voices that coal miners get after working fifteen years underground? Ooh, ooh, don’t tell me, he’s a unicorn. I really need to sit her down and tell her that it doesn’t matter to me in the slightest what race somepony is. As long as there’s a stallion out there that can make her so happy, I’ll be giddy as a mofo.”

Thinking on her hooves (not to mention, sweating profusely), Applejack stammered out a response. “Did Ah say she? A-ah meant he. Mah brother. Lotta ponies think he ‘n ‘Shy should get together, even though he’s been messin’ around with Cheerilee as of late. But still, those ponies persist in their nonsense.” The cowpony then let out a weak laugh and rubbed her neck with her hoof.

Saltlick’s grin turned into a pout. “Damn, you got my hopes up, AJ. Oh well, I’m sure my sugarcube can find somepony to make her happy.”

Another weak laugh escaped Applejack’s mouth. “Ah’m sure of it too, Salty.”

Cup and Carrot (knowing of Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash’s relationship, but not of the current boondoggle facing the Mane Six) exchanged confused glances. Carrot tried to pipe up and point out the un-truths stated by Applejack, but the cowpony gave a shake of the head which silenced the baker. Instead, Mr. Cake let out a cough and proceeded to move the conversation along.

“So um, Applejack, have you happened to see Pinkie Pie in the last….18 hours? She should’ve appeared out of nowhere at this point?”

“Hey AJ, that was the pink one from last night, right?” Saltlick asked his companion. The stallion slapped his knee and exclaimed, “Hooo! She was a riot, I tell you what!”

AJ chuckled. “Yeah, her stories are good for a laugh. Anyway, Carrot, she’s probably at Twilight’s place, sleepin’ one off, ya know?”

Mrs. Cake rolled her eyes. “I swear, you young ponies these days are such lightweights. Back in our youth, we didn’t need entire afternoons to sleep it off. We just needed some pixie dust and…”

“YOU ARE NOT GETTING HOOKED ON PIXIE DUST AGAIN!!!!!!!!!” Mr. Cake screamed at his former addict of a wife.
Pixie dust is a story for another day…..

_____________________

The scene at Golden Oaks library was practically that of a war. Twilight Sparkle shot beams of magic at the bouncing pink menace all the while, using her remaining magic to block all exits to the building. Spike was hiding behind his master in sheer terror.

“Pinkie, I will explain one more time, Fluttershy had a good reason not to go through with it! Her family is…”

“THAT BITCH PINKIE PROMISED!!!!!!!! NO EXCEPTIONS TO ANY HERETIC!!!!” screamed the pink earth pony in a voice not unfitting to Satan. The party pony started to swirl like a tornado midair and began advancing toward Twilight in order to neutralize the unicorn’s magic containment of the library. Twilight was able to get a good aim at the pink demon and fire a shot of magic that sent her flying into one of the bookshelves, the collision brought her the ground in a loud thud and caused the books on the shelf to land on top of her head, leaving Pinkie a bruised, charred, twitching mess.

Seeing that the menace was dealt with, Spike walked over to the mess and began the process of reshelving the misplaced books. As he grabbed the rolling ladder he asked his roommate, “So Twilight: Was what Fluttershy’s brother said really THAT bad?”

The lavender unicorn sighed and nodded her head. “I’m afraid so. Poor Fluttershy must have been so miserable, and we were so shortsighted to try and force her into such a scene.”

The purple dragon turned around to Twilight and said, “Twi, it’s nopony’s fault. You guys just didn’t know what you’re doing. Foresight is never 20/20.”

Twilight sighed. “Thanks Spike. I know it’s technically not our fault, but still, I can’t imagine how awful things would have gotten if she was outed.”

______________________

As Applejack and Saltlick left Sugarcube corner, the elder stallion asked the cowpony if they could swing by Fluttershy’s house. His son, Saltine was sleeping off his hangover in his daughter’s guest room. Applejack begrudgingly agreed, even if she couldn’t really stand the thought of further interacting Fluttershy’s brother. Before they knew it, they were making their way to the outskirts of Ponyville.

“Yeah, so we just went back to the hotel after that party. Foxy didn’t want the colts to see Saltine hung-over. It’s understandable; you do not wanna cross that boy when he is recovering from lady liquor.”

“Or when he’s on it…” Applejack murmured under her breath. Saltlick turned his head to see that his new buddy had her head lowered. He didn’t say anything as she closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh. Applejack, eyes still shut, blurted out,
“Why didn’t you say anything?”

Saltlick raised his eyebrow. He didn’t know what she was talking about, and replied with a, “huh?”

“Those things Saltine was sayin’ last night. Ya must know what’s going on….why Rarity, Twi ‘n me got so upset with him, right?”

Saltlick’s eyes widened as he realized what she was talking about. “Oh! Yeah, that! Look, I’m really sorry about that. My boy just can’t hold his cider too well. Let me just reiterate that I really admire your friend, Rainbow Dash. To me, what she does behind closed doors is nopony’s business.”

“Even still, Saltine was sayin’ all that cow-dung about biology and all that nonsense disguised as fancy talk. Ah mean, where’d he get that?”

It was there that Saltlick gave out a hearty laugh. “Hoo-boy, if I ever find out, you’ll be the first to know.”

Applejack gave the greying stallion a stern glare. “Didn’t ya say ya used to call your kids filly-fooler and colt-cuddler when they were foals?”

“Well…I mean yeah, I did, but it’s not like I ever told them to hate anypony. I was just teasing them. Look, my boy is a damn good husband, damn good father, and damn good son. I know he talks out of his ass, but he means well. Think about it, your friend, Dash wasn’t there anyway, so no harm, no foul. I gotta ask you to put this behind us.”

The cowpony gave a long, drawn out sigh and looked down. Clinching her eyes shut once again, she blurted out, “Ya don’t get it, do ya?”

Saltlick raised an eyebrow. “Um…get what, AJ?”

“Since yer not really the perceptive type an’ Ah really can’t hold onto a lie fer too long….” Applejack let out another sigh. “Do ya have any idea why ‘Shy didn’t tell ya Rainbow was one of her friends?”

Still looking quizzical, Saltlick replied, “Uhh, not really. I don’t know why she would forget to mention her, though. I’ve been following that Rainbow Dash in the papers for a long time, that filly sounds just like my wife. I gotta say, you guys are pretty lucky to know an awesome pony like that, and…”

“She didn’t forget to mention her. She didn’t on purpose.”

What was Applejack doing? She couldn’t do it like this…not to Fluttershy. The cowpony was the first one to express doubt about outing her…but then there was last night. There was this lie that would just become bigger and bigger. If it wasn’t let out now, then the damage would be greater in the future when it would eventually be let out. Applejack was a farm pony: plain spoken and to the point. All of these lies and charades were really cramping her style. It was now or never. The cowpony let out one last deep sigh, and then looked directly into the eyes of Fluttershy’s father.

“Saltlick, Ah can’t lie to ya. Ya deserve to know the honest truth. Fluttershy is a fawaawwuououwuaowuwouw.”

Applejack tasted Saltlick’s hoof (for the record it tasted like dirt, as they were walking to Fluttershy’s house). The greying stallion silenced his new companion, alarmed by what was in front of him. The two had reached Fluttershy’s house on the outskirts of Ponyville, and something wasn’t right. The front door was wide open, but it didn’t look like anypony was near it; and judging from the muffled sounds, it seemed as though there was an argument going on inside. Can you sense the stirrings of trouble?

Saltlick and Applejack gave each other looks of concern, and Saltlick was the first to go rushing inside. Applejack decided to hold off finishing the previous conversation for now. It looks like something bigger was about to happen.

________________________________

Clop.

It happened.

Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were basking in the sweet, sweet afterglow following their session of afternoon delight. The yellow pegasus lied on her girlfriend’s warm stomach, while Rainbow just played around with Fluttershy’s silky, pink mane.
Not much was spoken since Rainbow made her unexpected early return. In fact, Fluttershy still hadn’t asked what was up. All that mattered was that her very special somepony was there to ease her mind and body after a particularly stressful weekend. She was going to take a note from Dash herself, and not worry about the details.

Rainbow looked down at her girlfriend, who was resting comfortably, lying on her cyan stomach. Dash amused herself by watching Fluttershy’s head bob up and down to the rhythm of Dash’s belly, while keeping her hooves busy by just feeling Fluttershy’s mane. To this day, the cyan daredevil couldn’t believe how bucking soft this mane was. Rainbow had spent a good amount of time sniffing and feeling her friend’s manes (don’t even ask), and Fluttershy’s was the only one that was so naturally soft and smooth without the use of shampoo or conditioner. Sure, by all technicalities, Rarity’s mane was the one to beat, but she had to work her flank off to make it look as good as it did. That mane was one of her works of art, and it was so fragile. Fluttershy, on the other hoof, always had naturally soft hair that always smelled nice (unless of course, she was rolling in filth). Oftentimes, in bed, Rainbow would just bury her face inside of Fluttershy’s mane and fall asleep inside of it. It brought her back to the days of fillyhood, when Fluttershy would nuzzle Rainbow’s coat to hide from something frightening, or more often, as just a show of affection. As a filly, Dash usually appeared annoyed by these sentimental moments on the surface. Of course, in the back of her mind, all the speedster could think about was how damn soft her best friend’s mane was. As she grew, Rainbow learned not to shutter from the softness, rather, embrace it, and even return the affection. Fluttershy was the only pony capable of doing that to the cyan daredevil.

Rainbow looked down and made eye-contact with her beloved. She knelt down and gave her and upside down kiss a la Spidermare. Fluttershy eagerly returned the display of affection. When they parted, Fluttershy looked up and stared at her girlfriend for the longest time and said with her sweet, siren voice….

“I’m kind of hungry.”

Rainbow smile and nodded in agreement. “That’s what I’m here for. I felt kind of bad just leaving you hanging this weekend, so I decided to come home early and take you somewhere nice.”

Fluttershy let out a d’aww and nuzzled her marefriend. “Rainbow…that’s so sweet of you. Where did you have in mind?”

“Well first of all, we should probably take a shower. I wasn’t gonna say anything, but you smell like you haven’t gotten out of bed all day. That, and…well, we got buck stank all over us.”

Fluttershy rolled her eyes. She had no idea how one minute, Rainbow could be a sweet romantic, and the next…herself.

“You’re probably right” the shy pegasus said as she gave Rainbow another snog.

“Aren’t I always?” Dash replied with a smirk on her face.

Suddenly, the door started to creep open. The doorway was occupied by a dehydrated stallion with a five a clock stallion. His brunette mane was standing up in random places and his eyes were barely open.

“Flutters….where do you keep your coffee?” were the words that came out in slow fashion by a very hung-over Saltine.
Coming to the realization that her brother had slept here last night, Fluttershy let out a frightened shriek and hid under the covers. The pegasus rocked back and forth. It was over, it was all over, Celestia, just kill her NOW!

Rainbow Dash got out of the bed immediately and charged toward the mystery stallion.

“Who the hay are you? What the buck are you doing in my house?”

Saltine began to sober up as his eyes widened. A mixture of confusion and anger appeared on his face. “What the buck are you talking about? This is my sister’s house, and you best get out of here before I call the royal guards to force you out.”

The stallion pointed his hoof downstairs but it was knocked down by a kick from Rainbow Dash, who was flapping in the air.

The cyan pegasus got right up into the face of Saltine and looked at him with the most threatening eyes she could muster.

“You MUST be confused or retarded or something. This isn’t your sister’s house or anything! This house is mine and Fluttershy’s! I don’t know who you are, but YOU get out of here before I do something I regret!”

“Bitch, do not start with me, you may be a filly, but I’ll beat the shit out of you for barging into one of my family’s home! Fluttershy is my sister, and she didn’t mention anything about having a roommate. Now one of you is lying, and I doubt that it’s my own flesh and blood!”

“Are you dense? Of course I live with Fluttershy. There’s pictures of us everywhere. Like here….” Rainbow flew over to her bedside to fetch her favorite picture of her and Fluttershy together, but to her astonishment, couldn’t find it in its spot. The speedster poked the lump of blankets that Fluttershy to get her to come out.

“Hey honey, where’s the picture of us? This joker apparently can’t get the idea that he’s not welcome until I get some photographic evidence.”

“Flutters, what the hay is this? What does she mean by honey?”

Rainbow rolled her eyes in annoyance. “Oh great. You’re dense on that too. Genius! You call your special somepony “honey” and “babe” and all that other mushy stuff. You gotta problem with that?”

Saltine’s eye twitched, his face was reddening. “As a matter of fact, there is….my sister is not a DAMN FILLY-FOOLER!”
Immediately, Saltine collapsed to the floor as a swift uppercut to the jaw was given by Rainbow herself. As the stallion writhed in pain on the floor, Rainbow threatened, “Call her that again: see what happens.”

Saltine stumbled back on his hooves and spit out a bloody tooth. He bobbed his head up and down as he breathed heavily.

Looking directly at the cyan daredevil, he grumbled, “You bitch, I’ll BUCKING KILL YOU!”

“COME AT ME, BRO!”

The two pissed ponies charged toward each other liked jousting match, when all of a sudden, a wall of magic appeared between the two just before they collided. Both bounced back upon impact with the force field. Rainbow and Saltine turned and saw that Rarity and Foxy were standing in the doorway.

“Saltine, you have some explaining to do!” Foxy sternly told her husband.

“You as well, Rainbow. I don’t know what you’re doing back so soon, but violence is most barbaric.”

Rainbow violently shook her head, still feeling the burst of magic. She looked toward Rarity and tried to explain.

“Rare’, listen. Fluttershy were minding our own business, when this jerk showed up and starting spouting this crazy shit about being ‘Shy’s brother! So I told him to hit the road, and he called ‘Shy a filly fooler! So I gave him a piece of my mind, and was preparing to give him some more, but you and your friend showed up to stop us! Who is this guy anyway?”

“He’s my brother.”

Everypony turned to see Fluttershy emerging from the covers with tears in her eyes.

“I…didn’t tell anypony in my family about you, Dash…”

Dash’s eyes widened. “Y-your family?”

The tears began to thicken as Fluttershy nodded. “My dad, my sister-in law, my nephews…and my brother. They didn’t know about us…about our relationship, because I didn’t tell them, but I guess it’s all out in the open. As for the pictures, and your Wonderbolts posters…I hid them all in the shed.”

Silence enveloped the room. Nopony knew what to say. Rarity walked up to Fluttershy’s bedside and tried to give her a consoling hug, but the shy pegasus just shoved it away.

Silence passed for quite a while before Saltine began to slowly clap his hooves together. “Bra-bucking-vissima, Flutters! It’s not enough you’re a coward, but we’ve got filly-fooler to add to that as well.”

Another punch came directly on top of Saltine’s head, this time from his wife. As birds and stars floated around the stallions bruise, Fluttershy began to cry again. Rarity, feeling a mixture of hatred for Saltine, pity for Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, and arousal at Foxy’s display of female-chivalry, tried to stammer out something to say, but ultimately just became noises from her mouth. It was then that Saltlick and Applejack made their way upstairs, the older one panting heavily.

“What’s going on? We heard shouting from outside.”

Applejack surveyed the room and to her surprise, saw Rainbow Dash. What in tarnation was she doing there?

Dash, meanwhile, stayed utterly silent as she tried to comprehend this new information that she was receiving. Her eyes shut as she rubbed her forehead with her hooves.

It was there, that Saltine rose from his concussion, and made his way to the door.

“Screw this, I’m out of here.”

After making his way out, Saltlick followed his son, still trying to figure out what the hay was going on. Applejack soon dashed her way out as well, trying to explain the situation to Saltlick. Shouts of “You get back here” and “There’s an explanation” could be heard.

All that were left in the room were Rarity, Foxy, a miserable Fluttershy, and a despondent Rainbow Dash.

Foxy let out a deep sigh and stood straight. “I’m so sorry about this, everypony. I’m especially sorry to you, Fluttershy. The things Saltine said were just so unacceptable, and…”

“Cool it.” Rainbow Dash responded to this mystery mare. The cyan pegasus looked down and saw the love of her life in a miserable ball of tears. Dash showed evidence of some waterworks developing in her eyes as well, but she shook it off.

“Fluttershy…I…don’t know really what to say. All I know is, that it’s my fault. It’s my fault that you’re ashamed of me, and it’s my fault that you’re as miserable as you are right now…”

“Now see here, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy is not ashamed of you! I will not hear any more of this…”

“Rarity, if you do not shut up!” The cyan pegasus took another deep breath. “No matter where I go or what I do, I make you upset. I’m loud, thoughtless, and just not right for you. Even when I don’t try, I make your life miserable. I don’t deserve you…I never did.” It was at this point, the tears started to flood Rainbow’s face.

“I’ll…show myself out. I’ll come back for my stuff, later.”
Dash began to fly out the window, but was momentarily stopped by Rarity’s magic.

“You…see…here…..you are not going….ANYWHERE!” Rarity struggled as she tried to restrain the cyan speedster. But unfortunately, Dash overpowered the spell with her superior physical strength and broke free. A rainbow streak was all that was left by the window as Dash bolted into parts unknown.

The rest of the room was completely silent, with the only noise being Fluttershy’s crying.

At long last, the tumultuous events seemed to have winded down for the day in Ponyville. It was the middle of the night, and now the town was all but silent. That is, except for the small party of ponies making their way to the hotel near the outskirts of town.

After Rainbow Dash’s dramatic reappearance from self-imposed exile, nopony was expecting a marriage proposal...

...and nopony was expecting Fluttershy to say no.

After the scene at Fluttershy’s cottage that escalated quickly (and ended abruptly), Fluttershy sent everypony but Rainbow Dash away. The party decided to look for Rarity and Foxy (and they miraculously knew to look for them at Carousel Boutique. Whoda thunkit?).

Anyway, the party now consisted of Foxy, Rarity, Saltlick, Pinkie, Applejack, Twilight, and sleeping Spike riding on his master’s back (he is a baby dragon after all). Making their way to the hotel to drop off Saltlick and Foxy, the two new members of the group were brought up to speed on what had happened. Needless to say, lots of chit chat proceeded....

“Nooooooo! This is the worst thing everrrrrr!!!!!!”

“Pinkie! Get up already!”

Applejack made a swift buck to the back of a kneeling Pinkie, who was looking up into the sky and trying to do her best Rarity. The party pony jolted out of her position and vibrated mid-air before falling back to the ground on all hooves. After a shared laugh by the group, the conversation returned to the topic at-hoof.

“Guys, this is bad! Fluttershy’s gonna leave Dashie!!!!” Pinkie was clearly distressed at the supposed ship sinking.

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Pinkie, Ah was there too. T’aint looking like they were breakin’ up. Shy just probably had a good reason not to get hitched just like that.”

Twilight nodded. “Applejack’s right, Pinkie. You saw that Fluttershy was determined to find Rainbow Dash before she came back. Obviously, they’re still in love, but everything that’s happened as of late makes the idea of getting married totally inappropriate.”

“They’re right, darling. Besides, love does not equal marriage.”

Saltlick interjected with sarcasm. “Just don’t go saying that around Flank Sinatra.”

The group shared another hearty laugh before Twilight continued, “The point is, Pinkie: don’t worry about it. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy are both adults, so they’re most likely discussing what just happened like adults as we speak.”

Pinkie pouted. “Oh you’re right...but still, I was ready to start a party and everything!”

Foxy turned to Pinkie, “By the way, where did you get that champagne earlier?”

Rarity offered a hoof to her friend’s shoulder. “That’s just Pinkie, darling. Don’t question it or else you’ll go mad.” She turned to her fellow unicorn. “Isn’t that right, Twilight?”

Applejack and Pinkie laughed, remembering the famous “Pinkie Sense” incident, as Twilight rolled her eyes. Meanwhile, Saltlick inched closer to his daughter-in-law.

“We gotta get back to Foalando first thing in the morning.”

Foxy nodded. “Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. I’m still pissed about him just taking the kids like that.”

“You worried about them?”

“No, they’ll be fine, but still. He’s got a hay of a lot to explain for himself.” Foxy’s diatribe then devolved into some mumbling and cursing under the breath.

Saltlick extended his hoof to the mare’s shoulder and whispered, “Listen. Whatever you do is up to you, but please, don’t do anything too rash. He’s my only son. Think about the colts too.”

“Well, obviously. Saltlick, I’m not leaving you guys out to dry. It’s just...that asshole at Fluttershy’s house wasn’t the stallion I married.”

“Well...I guess that wasn’t really my son either. We can get it sorted out when we go home.”

Foxy nodded. “Speaking of which...” she turned to unicorn beside her. “Rarity, do you wanna come with us to Foalando?”

Rarity’s eyes widened at the instant Foxy made her offer. She turned to the maroon earth pony and stammered out incoherent noises that could possibly be interpreted as befuddlement and surprise.

Foxy chuckled at the mare’s astonishment. “Can I take that as a yes?”

“Y-YES! Oh-absolutely, I’d love to come, but...might I ask why?”

Foxy blushed a tinge as she explained, “Well, you see, I know I’ve got family issues, but..” the pop star inched closer to the fashionista, her face slightly nuzzling the other’s. “It’s always nice to have a good friend to have your back.”

Rarity was positively beaming, incredibly tense and heating up, but beaming. “And I will be that friend for you... my friend.”

Now, admittedly, Rarity knew that she was sort of complicating things in her head. On the one hoof, she was determined to not try and get more attached to this mare she had met...let’s see, 28 or so hours ago than she already was. Make no mistake, Rare-bear really didn’t want to exacerbate her infatuation with a married mare; but on the other hoof, the unicorn was cursed with an insatiable id. She wanted to spend more time with this new mare against her better conscience.

‘Just look at dat plot. It be beggin’ to git spanked!!!’ said the very darkest corner of her mind which Rarity had long ago nicknamed “JR”.

Of course, Rarity had shook off some of the more carnal points of her subconscious (hard as it was: how could anypony forget how powerful her punch to Saltine was? So RAW...), whatever lusty spectres haunted her conscious mind had managed not only to stick around, but were also given fuel by Foxy’s invitation to Foalando and Rarity’s subsequent acceptance of the offer.

‘Saltine doesn’t deserve somepony like herrrrrr’

‘She needs a mare who caaaaaares’

‘And she’s so danged pretty, aint she?’

‘Applejack? Is that you?’

‘Hey Rare, what’s going on?’

‘What are you doing in our mind?’

‘Mind secks is best secccccks’

‘Hush, JR. Answer the question, Applejack’

‘Hay if I know. I aint the one who imagined me here’

“All of you, SHUT UP!!!!”

Total silence engulfed the travelling party and all eyes were on the hysteric unicorn. Rarity opened up her eyes and saw everypony’s dumbfounded expressions. Realizing where she was and what had just happened, the fashionista forced a grin, sweat beading down her forehead, and tried to laugh off her episode.

“Just, hehe, practicing a part...for a play! Yes...a play.”

Twilight and Applejack rolled their eyes at Rarity’s detour into crazy-town on trotted on ahead, while Pinkie giggled profusely next to Saltlick, who was still trying to gather what the hay he had just witnessed (a confused look bestowing his brow). Foxy tried to clear up the tension and threw her foreleg around Rarity.

“I-uh, would like to see that play” Foxy forced a chuckle before restoring her former composure. “Especially if you’re in it.”

Rarity, for like the 800th time this weekend, blushed profusely.

“I-i’ll tell you if I get the part.”

The two mares smiled at each other and continued walking on. Rarity’s tail was swishing at a faster pace than typical. This was a red flag for a certain pink mare who was trotting directly behind the fashionista.

Twitch-a-twitch-a-twitch-a-twitch-a-twitch.

‘........No.’

The right eye kept twitching.

‘Please. Please don’t be what I think you’re going to be.’

Blood began rushing to right foreleg. It was stiffening.

‘No! No! No! It can’t be!’

One. Two. Three shakes of the flank.

‘NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!’

Pinkie couldn’t deny it. The proof was in the pudding, or in this case, her Pinkie Sense. Although, that wasn’t meant to be a knock on pudding. Pudding could reveal truths that most ponies wouldn’t know of. However, we aren’t talking about pudding. Rarity had a crush on another mare!

This wasn’t too good. No, it wasn’t very good at all. Well, actually, it was a good thing. Pinkie would have to put on her happiest face, because this was a really, really happy thing.

It just....wasn’t for her.

____________________________________________________________

Pinkie and Rarity had spent the better half of the day trudging along the railroad tracks to Ponyville. However, they were barely halfway to their goal...which would have been unfortunate, but thankfully, the two made their way to Appleloosa. Rather than traverse the squalid wasteland that was Greater Equestria, Rarity and Pinkie could catch the next train to Ponyville in the morning.

It was lucky that they reached Appleloosa when they did, because with the combination of the desert heat, the demanding physical labor, and the incessant chattering of Pinkie Pie, Rarity was ready to kill herself, or her travelling companion...one or the other.

The two mares found an inn one floor above the salt bar that Braeburn had shown them the last time they were there. After a THOROUGH (and I mean thorough) expunging of all sweat and dirt from her body, Rarity was ready to plop down into her bed and pass-the-buck-out.

Unfortunately, the pink mare bouncing up and down on her bed had different plans.

“Ooh, Rarity! Let’s play the floor is made of lava! Now, you need to stay off the floor, because Twilight tells me that lava is really, really, really hot! Also, it’s supposed to be really spicier than a rainbow. Ooh, better than lava; the floor should be made of melted chocolate! So even if you do fall into the pits, you’re at least falling into a vat of delicious chocolate!”

At this point, Pinkie was bouncing back and forth between the twin beds in their room. Rarity decided to put an end to this sleep-preventing madness. Using a good deal of her magic, the unicorn seized the earth pony mid-leap in her distinctive blue aura, and with a swift cock of her head downward, sent the pink filly crashing to the floor. Rarity approached the poofy, party-loving, pink pile to check and see if she was still conscious.

Well...not only was she conscious, but she was perfectly lucid (by Pinkie standards) and giggling profusely.

“Ooh, that was funzies, Rare-bear! We need to do that again! Ooh, I got a better idea! A BODY SLAM CONTEST!!!”

“PINKIE!!!” screeched Rarity, as her eyes widened, veins beginning to protrude out her slender white neck.

Pinkie caught on to her friend’s irritation and retreated to her bed, her unease clearly evident.

Rarity released an exasperated sigh before sliding under her covers. “Terribly sorry, Pinkie Pie. I detest being rude, but a lady needs her sleep, and you were getting in the way of that. It boggles the mind as to how you still have this boundless energy after today’s events.” With this, the unicorn was actually speaking with sincerity.

Pinkie returned to her good-natured self and replied, “Well that’s obvious silly. I still need to know if you like Chimi-cherry or Cherry-changa better.”

One facehoof later and one sigh later, Rarity dryly replied, “Well I suppose we both had our reasons to keep pushing on.”

“Oooh, really? What was your motivation?”

Rarity turned over toward the wall and uttered through her gritted teeth, “revenge.”

“Did somepony break your heart?”

“....No?”

“Did somepony rob you?”

“No, Pinkie.”

“Ooh! Ooh! Did that villainous curr, Black Scarlet foalnap Sweetie Belle in the dead of night and is holding her for ransom, forcing you to assemble a comically mismatched motley crew in order to save her?”

Rarity struggled to formulate a response before turning over to face the pink mare.

“Pinkie, do you even remember how it is we got in this situation?”

“Of course, silly-filly, we had to get Applejack back!”

“No, after that: while we were chasing her.”

Pinkie pondered as hard as she could ponder for a few moments before a lightbulb went off in her head. “Oh yeah! That’s when I wanted you to catch me and you did! Thanks for catching me, by the way.”

Rarity rolled her eyes. “Yes, well...you’re welcome, I suppose.” Rarity turned over once again.

“When I get my hooves on that Rainbow Dash....” she uttered, her teeth gritted once more.

“Ooh-ooh! You can make her dress up in a silly outfit! Silly outfits are always fun!”

Rarity sighed. “Well, I suppose it’s befitting of me that my form of torture is making the likes of Rainbow Dash model in one of my more fastidious ensembles, but it’s not really what I want to do.”

“Really what is it? Ooh, ooh, help you move your furniture? Take you flying? Lunch? Fly your furniture out to lunch? Oh I know! You want her to finally finish that novel! I am so excited about finally reading it, especially if there’s as much as sex as Dashie promises there’ll be and-”

“-I want Rainbow Dash to finally confess her love to Fluttershy!!!!!”

Rarity froze for the longest time.

“You...you weren’t supposed to know that, Pinkie.”

Pinkie giggled, “Silly! I already knew about that.”

Rarity raised an eyebrow. “How could somepony like you possibly pick up on something like romance? Um, no offense?”

Pinkie stood up. “Duh!!” The pink mare wiggled her flank wildly in the air.

Rarity sat wide-eyed for a few moments. “I-uh...are propositioning something, or...”

Pinkie giggled once more, “No, silly! When my right eye twitches, my right foreleg stiffens, and my flank shakes three times, it means that somepony’s in love with somepony else, and I got it when Rainbow was talking to Fluttershy after she told her cutie mark story to the fillies.” Pinkie just kept on giggling. “It’s so awesome. They’re gonna be sooo cute together.”

“Darling, are you sure that Fluttershy feels the same way?”

“Duh! I got the vibe from Fluttershy when she was flying to catch Dashie after Discord brainwashed her. Seriously, that girl was ready to POUNCE on that flank.” Pinkie stood up on her hind legs and thrusted her pelvis into the direction of Rarity, howling at the moon and lapping her tongue like a dog in heat.

“PINKIE PIE!!! Honestly, darling, do you have no class?”

Pinkie laughed out loud as she fell on her back onto the bed. “Tee-hee-hee, sorry, Rare-bear. It’s just funny knowing how badly they wanna get all up in each other’s guts.”

“What did I just tell you, Pinkie? You are really being disgusting right now.”

“Ooh, I wonder who’ll be on top. Now, most will probably tell you that Dashie would wear the pants, but something tells me that that filly has a submissive side to her.”

“Pinkie, I swear to Celestia, if you don’t shut up, I WILL come over there!”

“Maybe they’ll let some other ponies in on the action. I know that AJ would love to finally get over her sexual tension with Dashie, and I betcha that Flutter-”

Pinkie was cut off when Rarity leaped over to the other bed and got on top of Pinkie. Rather than using magic, the fashionista was actually strangling her pink companion with her bare hooves. One could only guess that Rarity wanted the satisfaction that you just couldn’t get from magic.

Pinkie could have resisted. Let’s face it, Rarity wasn’t exactly Applejack here. Her grip was weak at best, and she didn’t have a lot of strength in her forelegs. The unicorn did keep a trim figure thanks to her diet and rigorous yoga, but at the cost of any substantial mass. The point being, Pinkie could’ve taken Rarity to the cleaners.

However, she didn’t. Why? Because Pinkie never expected this to feel so GOOOOOOD!!!!

Seriously, Pinkie had done a lot of things that felt good, but she never thought being choked would be on that list. She wasn’t in mortal danger (Rarity was weak, after all), but still, the sensation was irresistible. Her tail stiffened completely (only possible with Pinkie herself).

Then there was the pony choking her. Rarity had not reapplied her makeup when they settled into their room, and she had a face that befitted pure irritation, but...she was still incredibly pretty. Pinkie had always thought that Rarity had looked good, what with all the effort she put into her appearance, but for the first time ever, Pinkie saw the real mare under the mask, and it was every bit as beautiful as when she made an effort.

Pinkie admitted to herself that this was kind of crazy (even for her) that she was having this epiphany while being strangled, but you know what? Life was pretty random in the world according to Pinkamena D. Pie.

__________________________________________________________________

Over time, mere physical attraction to Rarity became....something more. At first Pinkie was hesitant to call it a crush. Celestia-forbid that she would have special favor for certain friends over other friends. However, the notion just became unavoidable in her head. Rarity was generous, affable, so so beautiful. Pinkie was starting to dream about her, about the kind of relationship they would have, what lovers quarrels they would get into, and what good times they would share. Pinkie just wanted to hold Rarity after Fluttershy called her a frivolous pony and tell her that everything would be okay. She wanted Rarity to know that she would never ever hurt her that way. Pinkie wanted everypony to smile, but making Rarity smile became her top priority.

Dear sweet Celestia, was Pinkie Pie-PINKIE. PIE.....falling in love? It sure seemed that way to Pinkie.

So why hadn’t Pinkie, a mare bereft of any senses of hesitation or diplomacy, told Rarity how she felt at this point? It was the same reason Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy went without being together for so long. Pinkie was afraid of being rejected, and this fear couldn’t be laughed-off. This fear festered in the very back of her mind every time she thought fondly of her alabaster crush.

‘She would never like a silly pony like youuuuuuuuuuu’

‘You’re so delusionaaaaalllllllll’

‘Get over yourselfffffff’

She couldn’t silence these voices, and now that it was clear that Rarity was infatuated with Foxy, a mare whose marriage was falling apart as far as Pinkie could tell, these voices would stick around just to tell her that they told her so.

Pinkie had lost her chance, and all she wanted to do was go to bed and cry. When nopony else suspected, she wandered off from the travelling group and made her way to Sugarcube Corner.

_______________________________________________________________

Fluttershy walked up her stairs into the bathroom. She had insisted that Rainbow bathe away her combination of sweat and “stank” from earlier, and whatever powdery substance was on her face. The shy pegasus had brought her sweetheart the last bottle of Applejack’s cider, hoping that it would lift her spirits. However, considering the prismatic daredevil was still in the bathtub with her head hanging low, it wouldn’t seem likely.

“Um...Rainbow?”

Dash grunted her acknowledgment

Fluttershy presented the cider. “Applejack brought me some of her own cider last night. I thought you might like a cold one.”

Dash didn’t move her body one inch. “Just put next to the tub.”

Fluttershy did so. As she got up close to Rainbow, she saw only pure despondency on her face. She extended a hoof to her marefriend’s shoulder, but Dash only inched away from it.

Fluttershy grew indignant, and in her stern (soft, but stern), voice she reprimanded her lover.

“Rainbow Danger DeJesus Beauford Dash, you are going to talk to me!”

Rainbow’s eyes widened and she turned to her marefriend. Fluttershy NEVER used her full name in conversation. She must have been really pissed. However, Rainbow’s countenance was still despondent and defensive.

“What’s there to talk about, Fluttershy?”

“You know darn well what. You can’t just shudder away just because I said “no.””

“Why not? I think it’s clear that there’s nothing to discuss after that!”

“What are you talking about?”

Rainbow started to tear up. “We’re over aren’t we? I mean, I get it. I just left you to dry because of a stupid misunderstanding. I don’t deserve you. I never did and-”

SLAP.

Rainbow needed a few seconds to regain her composure. She looked into the violent stare of her lover with pure astonishment.

“No. More. Of. That.” Fluttershy said with gritted teeth.

“Y-yes, ma'am.”

Fluttershy calmed down and let out a contented sigh. Now smiling, she brought her hooves to her lover’s face and brought herself in for a kiss. When they pulled apart, Rainbow was blushing brightly with a returned smile of her own, but it faded eventually when she decided to ask:

“Why did you say no, ‘Shy? Do you not love me anymore?”

Fluttershy brought her hoof smack to her own face. ‘Sweet Celestia, she’s blockheaded.’

“Rainbow, honestly, do you think that with everything that’s happened, NOW would be the good time to start talking about getting married? I have so much going on my brother right now.”

Rainbow sighed. “....You’re right. I’m sorry, I guess I just got over-excited about coming home to you. I guess I was just being silly.”

Fluttershy giggled and reached in for another kiss. “Yeah, but you’re my silly-filly.”

Rainbow chuckled and wrapped her forelegs around her lover, bringing her into a full embrace. When they separated for breath, Rainbow whispered:

“Are you thinking, what I’m thinking?”

Fluttershy kissed Rainbow’s neck and whispered, “No, not tonight.”

Rainbow separated from Fluttershy’s forelegs she indignantly replied, “Oh come the hay on! First you reject my marriage proposal, now you’re withholding sex! What’s next, we’re gonna start sleeping in separate beds?”

Fluttershy rolled her eyes. “Rainbow, we need a good night’s sleep tonight.”

Rainbow raised an eyebrow, “For what?”

“We’re going to Foalando tomorrow with my dad. We’re going to talk to my brother and see if we can patch things up.”

“That scumbag?! Fat chance!”

“Rainbow! Don’t talk like that! He’s my family!”

“Exactly! He’s your brother, and he said all those awful things to you; in your house, no less!”

“That doesn’t give you authority to judge, Rainbow. He’s my family and my problem to deal with. So I’m going to deal with it my way, and you’re coming with me.”

“No! I almost lost you because of him!”

“Oh, bull-poppy!”

“Fluttershy!”

Fluttershy blushed slightly. “Sorry for the language...but I meant it. You left on your own terms. I’m not going to excuse what he did, but don’t go blaming him for your own actions.”

Rainbow hesitated before she sighed. “Yeah...yeah, you’re right, I’m sorry.”

Fluttershy nodded. “Apology accepted.” She extended a hoof to her marefriend’s shoulder, and this time, Rainbow didn’t resist.

“Do you want to know what it is, Rainbow? I don’t want to get ready to marry you when I have this mess unresolved. I don’t want the next chapter of my life to start with this ugliness. Please, for my sake, for ours: can we please fix everything that has happened so that we can move on without regret? Can we promise each other not to hold secrets from each other, or to call it quits when things seem bleak? Can we become stronger for each other? Can we make this last?”

Rainbow was utterly stunned. Never before had Fluttershy been so eloquent. Never had she spoken with such depth or brevity. The daredevil had fallen in love all over again.

With tears trickling down her face, Rainbow replied, “You know it.”

The two joined in another embrace. Nothing was spoken after that.

Then again...nothing had to be.