„Applejack~“ Rainbow Dash wailed once again, desperately clinging to the empty mug in her hoof.
It was the about thirtieth or forthieth time the farmpony’s name echoed through the empty streets that night, but despite the mild annoyance it caused her was Applejack still most sympathetic with her friend.
„I’m listenin‘ Rainbow Dash,“ she calmly replied and leaned a little to the right that the pegasus wouldn’t fall off her back – again. „Just busy walkin‘ ya‘ home and all.“
Rainbow Dash buried her snout even deeper in the blonde mane and a mixture of drool and cider began to slowly run down Applejack’s neck. „I’m not going to sleep in the barn,“ protested Rainbow Dash with more or less unintelligle voice that got followed by a small burp.
„I mean…“ Rainbow Dash wanted to explain her reasons, but got cut off by a long lasting yawn that teared ist way through her throat. Once it was over she smacked her lips for several times, not even remembering that she wanted to say something.
Applejack mildly smiled at the dozy and drunken pegasus. „I already told you, no pony’s gonna‘ have to sleep in the barn,“ she said reassuringly and set hoof on the dirt road that leaded to Sweet Apple Acres. „So just relax and try not to fall off again.“
Rainbow Dash slighly nodded against Applejack’s mane and for the first time since they left the fiesta to Ponyville’s 100th anniversary, a few minutes passed in somewhat of a comfortable silence during which there were just two mares walking home in the blueish light of the new moon. Until the second Rainbow Dash recalled why she didn’t want to sleep in the barn, that was.
„No Applejack, you don’t understand!“ Rainbow at once blurted out, her panicking voice ringing in Applejack’s instantly flat lying ears. „The barn is cold and ugly!“ The pegasus waved the mug up and down in protest. „I’m not going to sleep there!“ she huffed, then clinged to the other pony‘s sides in fear that she would fall off again otherwise.
Applejack sighed. „Okay, I got you don't wanna' sleep in the barn,“ she replied with mildly pained tone. Rainbow Dash digging her hooves in her sides with all strength was not exactly a good feeling. Yet was it something Applejack did also enjoy in some way.
„So, how’s my barn ugly?“ Applejack tried to find a topic they could talk about in hope that it would help Rainbow Dash relax again.
A few moments passed until Rainbow Dash released a long-drawn ‚Uh…‘ that got followed by the sound of a mare trying to clear her throat, but somehow failing in the process. She gave the expression of a foal trying to describe the difference between Ginger Gold and Goldspur apples what elicited a delighted snicker from Applejack’s snout.
„Well…“ Rainbow Dash’s mind worked like one of the weather factorie’s cloud machines during storm season, until it made a click. „It’s not cool!“ she shouted in triumph for having found the best reason there could be in the entire world. But it still was not good enough for causing Applejack to not throw an amused glance at her.
Feeling that her friend was not fully satisfied with the response did Rainbow’s mind resume working, this time however with the intensity of twenty cloud machines during storm season. „I mean… there are just hay… and tools… and…“ Rainbow Dash ran out of ideas and for some reason unknown shot the truth to her mind. The pure thought of it caused her a shudder and her voice decreased to a weak whisper „…and spiders…“
„Hah!“ Applejack’s reaction didn’t take long. „Now don’t you tell me that the great Rainbow Dash, best flier all of Equestria and future Wonderbolt is scared of some tiny spiders?“ With a gloating smile on her face, Applejack craned her neck around to make her eyes meet with those of the pegasus who at first ceased herself in mortified silence.
The thought of the pure possibility of spiders crawling in her plumage and from there on her snout during preening caused a really cold feeling shiver running down Rainbow Dash’s spine. „I’ll also give you back your hat!“ she shouted in despair and already wanted to grab it from her mane to put it back where it belonged to, but couldn’t muster up the courage to remove just one of her hooves from Applejack’s sides. „I mean… I really like it and all, but… I don’t want to sleep in the barn!“ she cried out in hectic, however the next second her lips got gently sealed by a familiar orange hoof.
„Don’t you worry Rainbow Dash,“ Applejack said with soothing tone, gently removed the mug from the other mare’s tight grasp and carefully rolled Rainbow Dash from her back onto the bed. „There are no beds in the barn,“ she added and covered Rainbow Dash under her like fresh apples smelling soft blanket.
„And talkin‘ about my hat,“ Applejack gently patted said headgear and with it Rainbow Dash’s mane below. „You can keep it till’ tomorrow.“
Ruminating where she had stored Apple Bloom’s old spidermane toys, Applejack gave her already sleeping friend a soft nudge and left the room.