//------------------------------// // Twilight Time // Story: Appledashery Vol. Two // by Just Essay //------------------------------// "And Applejinx!" Twilight Velvet trotted across the apartment foyer and wrapped a motherly hoof around Applejack. "So good to meet you! I've heard so much!" "Uhhhh... eheh..." Applejack patted her shoulder and leaned back with an awkward grin. "Reckon I dunno who this 'Applejinx' lady is, but I'll be glad to thank her for the hug." "Mother..." Twilight Sparkle hissed, her legs buckling under the tatters of her dress. She side-stepped and murmured into the mare's ear. "It's Applejack. Applejack! Do you even read the letters I send you?" "Well..." Twilight Velvet smiled coyly as she waved her hoof from side to side. "I skim them here and there, admittedly." "But remember..." Night Light smiled from where he stood beside the entrance to the household kitchen. "...you do send us veritable dictionaries, little star." "'Little Star!'" Rarity cooed from where she sat with Fluttershy on the sofa. "Oh, I do adorrrre it!" "Father, you I understand!" Twilight Sparkle frowned. "But Mom's a writer! You'd think she'd pay attention more!" "But I do pay attention!" Twilight Velvet stuck her nose up. "This mare here runs the farm at Sweet Apple Acres. She's known all across Central Equestria for her family's delicious cider!" "Well, how would ya like that?" Applejack tilted her hat back with a gentle smile. "I'm a regular Canterlot Celebrity!' "We had a sample of this year's harvest." Night Light winked. "Potent stuff. That sort of drink is dangerous in an empty nest." "Oh my..." Fluttershy cooed, fanning herself. "Oh, don't be so modest. We're all adults here!" Twilight Velvet waved a hoof. "Getting invited to the Gala..." "Yeah! And crashing it!" Pinkie Pie bounced in front of a bookcase. "Like adults!" Rarity and Applejack coughed. "What?" Pinkie blinked. "Too soon?" "Well, good to have you all resting and relaxing in our humble abode, then!" Twilight Velvet trotted up to Rainbow Dash. "And this must be the awesome 'Rainbow Blitz' I've heard so much about!" "Oh! That's me!" Rainbow curtsied in mid-hover. "Rainbow Blitz, at your service!" Twilight Sparkle muttered into her hoof. "Now I know she's doing this on purpose..." "Tough love, little star," Night Light said, trotting over to pat his daughter on the back. "Shining Armor's on duty... so all the teasing falls on you." "Jee..." Twilight Sparkle droned, glaring across the living room. "...lucky me." "I just know our little soldier will be ecstatic to meet you now that you're visiting in town again," Twilight Velvet said. "Your friends too!" She sighed—the first and only melancholic thing to come out of her graceful muzzle. "If only he wasn't so busy." "Well, ever since Princess Luna came back, I imagine the security's been extra tight," Rainbow Dash said. "More like slow to the draw," Night Light said. "For one thousand years, the Royal Palace has only had the funding for a day shift." "So, as you can imagine, there's a... slow change to the Executive Infrastructre," Twilight Velvet added, standing by her husband. "I'll tell you what—I don't miss my days of working on the Council. It must be murder sitting in on one of those newly-appointed Tax Commissions." "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaand on that somber note..." Rarity stood up. "Would it be too brash of me to request the surfaces of your lavatory? It's been a long day and a good lady must wash up for a graceful night's sleep." "By all means!" Twilight Velvet pointed across the apartment. "Everything is all set up for you! With fresh towels as well!" "We can talk and get to know one another in the morning," Night Light said. "From the looks of things... heheh... seems like quite the eventful evening." He grinned. "I can't wait to hear more." "You might think twice about that after we start sharing," Twilight Sparkle droned. She trotted over to hug her parents. "Thanks for staying up so late for us. It's a lot to ask for." "Oh, dear... it's quite alright." "We're just glad to have you home again." "We've missed you so much... and it'll be nice to learn all about your adventures in Ponyville!" "Yeah! Heh... without having to fall asleep through the pages and pages of letters." "Ughhh... you guys..." In the meantime, Rarity trotted off for the shower. "You can go right after me, Fluttershy." "Oh, Rarity... thank you." Fluttershy squirmed on the couch. "I can't remember the last time I felt so..." "Icky?" "Mmmhmmm." "Well, fear not for long, darling! We have some heavenly slumber in store for us! Courtesy of Twilight's family!" "Yes. They're so nice. And funny..." Rainbow yawned, drifting towards the far room. "I think I'll just turn in." Applejack threw her a double-take. "You're gonna what-now?" "You heard me. I'm pooped." "You probably smell like poop, sugarcube." Rainbow's muzzle scrunched. "Excuse me?" "Take it from me, darlin'..." Applejack smiled. "Collapsin' in a day's worth of sweat might sound relaxin' at first... but not long into the tossin' and turnin' it begins to catch up with you. Now what's the point in a long night's sleep if you're gonna spend it miserable?" "Pffft. You're one to talk! You toil in the fields so much you're practically two-thirds sweat at any given time!" "Yeah, but I still take showers whenever I can!" Rainbow blinked. "You do?" "Buck yeah, I do! I spend my mornings feedin' hogs! You think I wanna smell like one?" "Huh..." Rainbow blinked. "I... didn't know you were so big on being... squeaky clean." "It feels good to feel good." Applejack stuck a tongue out. "Figured that would come naturally to you." "I guess I just assumed—" "Just wash up nice and good after Fluttershy, sugarcube. You'll like smellin' good. Celestia knows I'd like you smellin' good even better." "Heh..." Rainbow Dash flew off to chat with Pinkie Pie. "Sure thing, Mom." "Darn tootin'," Applejack said. It was only after five minutes of meandering conversation had passed that the freckled mare realized what Rainbow Dash had called her... and it took another ten minutes of blankly staring into the wall for her to realize that she didn't mind.