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?”

Next Chapter: 6. The Introspection of One, Rainbow Danger Dash Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 48 Minutes