//------------------------------// // Chapter Two // Story: Refuge in Flight // by YADAMAN //------------------------------// The farm mare barely finished before dusk came. Her next destination was Sugarcube Corner, pretty much where all her friends hung out – it is at the center of Ponyville and all. Right before she trotted out of the fields, her little sibling cut in, “Hey Applejack!” “Whooaa…” the farm mare stumbled a bit before coming to a complete stop. “Oh hey, Applebloom! “Where ya goin’?” the little filly’s curiosity peaked. “Oh to a party! In fact, do ya want to come, sugarcube? I’m sure my little sis would be welcome tah whatever Pinkie plans.” “Well, I was sorta, kinda thinkin’… never mind.” “What is it? Ya can’t back out now.” “…if we could hang out tonight?” Applejack knew where this was going. Ever since she started dating Rainbow Dash, she barely had any time for her family. But, the problem was, Rainbow and Applejack have responsibilities that forced a short amount of time for each other already. A party was a perfect get-away through that dilemma. “I know, Applebloom. I get it. I promise, we will hang out more soon. Especially when the harvest is over!” “Really! Ya mean it!?” Applebloom’s spirit rose with profound excitement. “Darn tootin’ we will! “Yaaay!!!” “Come along now, we got a party to get to!” With a hop, skip, and a jump, Applebloom landed right onto the older mare’s back, and she ran full steam ahead towards Ponyville. Meanwhile in Sugarcube Corner… “This place could surely use a touch-up,” Rarity always points out the subtle details. “Oh I didn’t have time to clean the place up since I was setting for this super-duper awesome fantastic party! But at least Gummi here was able to do the chores for me!” As Pinkie said that, Gummi’s hoofbroom fell from his mouth. It ricocheted off a conveniently balanced wooden board and it flung a plate of cupcakes into the air. “I GOT IT!” With mere seconds to spare, Rainbow Dash flew with her expert speed and care. Her success ended with a plate of perfectly centered cupcakes on her fore hooves. “Another disaster averted!” Using her magic, Rarity placed a glowstick necklace around Rainbow’s neck. “That was so amazing Rainbow Dash!” Rainbow’s biggest fan, Scootaloo, was mesmerized by pretty much everything that the pegasus does with her majestic speed. “Oooh! It was nothin’.” Rainbow was flattered. She always loved being the center of attention. Rainbow then handed Pinkie the plate of cupcakes. “This is quite the party you got here, Pinkie. I wonder what it is for?” Rainbow nudged Pinkie in the shoulder. “Oh this? What I can’t just throw a party whenever I feel like it!? Hahaha! I just want to spend some quality time with all my friends!” Rainbow asked, “Really? Not for any particular reason at all?” Even Scootaloo was a bit perplexed. “Nope! Just a random party! We could call it, Have-a-Random-Fun-Party-Whenever-You-Feel-Like-It Day! If that’s even a thing, but who cares! Having fun is all that matters, am I right? Or am I right?” Pinkie winked excessively with her right eye. “Get it? I’m winking! With my RIGHT eye!? HAHAHA!” Both Rainbow and Scotts looked at each other, and couldn’t resist. Pinkie’s laugh was contagious! “We get it Pinkie. It’s not THAT funny. But it was good.” “Great! Now that it’s settled, it is time to bust out those sweets! We will be ready in 10 minutes ponies,” Pinkie trotted to the sweets counter and started organizing all the platters. Rainbow’s mouth sort of drooled with the delightful spread. Rarity came back to the conversation, “I wonder why we simply couldn’t have the party at Twilight’s. I mean, sure Sugarcube Corner has the best d’oevres, but still. Not to mention the lack of decency!” “Whaaat!? This place is like our Main Squad hangout! Well besides Twilight’s castle. Who cares if it needs a little spring-cleaning!?” “Haha, Main Squad? Really, sweet pea?” Applejack finally arrived to the party. “Hey, it’s not like you could make a better name for the six of us?” The orange mare scooted next to the pegasus, “I can’t argue with that.” Rainbow enveloped AJ with her wings, and both went in for a kiss. “Ahheem!” a familiar noise startled them. “Hey Twilight! Ugh, what’s up?” Rainbow’s tone was a little nervous talking to the source of the sound – she knew who it came from after all. “I know, I know, that you both are dating and all, but I just want to make sure you too keep those mannerisms under control. You don’t want the little fillies getting, you know,” she jolted left and right, then whispered, “Ideas.” “Aww shucks Twi. We show are affections all the time in front of Applebloom and Scoots. They know what’s going on.” “Really!?” Twilight gasped. “Oh cool. If that’s the case, then carry on. I personally don’t mind girls, so do what you two want to do…just make sure that you don’t go overboard, okay?” “Will do!” Rainbow saluted. When the alicorn left, both Rainbow and Applejack burst out laughing. “Haha! That Twilight always seems to take more notice of us as of late.” “Probably since we are dating! She’s jealous.” “Ya think so? Well that does make a load of sense, didn’t she confess your love to ya-” “AJ…” Rainbow gave a tug at Applejack’s tail. A few passerby’s’ ponies at the party took notice of the conversation – probably to listen in on those juicy rumors. When Rainbow gave them all a stare, they looked away and continued walking. “Come and get your sweets everypony! From chocolate, to muffins, to whatever you can think off, we got ‘em!” Pinkie shouts to the party guests, and just in time before things got too suspicious. “Ooooh-kay… let’s get some cookies or something,” “Allrighty then.” “Hey everypony.” “Well, butter me up and call me a biscuit! Hiya Flutters! Haven’t seen ya in a while.” “Yeah, that true. I have been busy for quite some time – some of my relatives have been in deep trouble with some animals dwelling in their homes. But I was able to calm things down.” “You do have a way with animals, Flutters. In fact, I have a questi-” “Cookies girls!!!” Pinkie stuffed some thin pieces of caramel-looking cookies into the 3 ponies mouths, yes avoiding all the laws of physics and stuffing all 3 mouths at once. But those cookies are surely not made of caramel… “Oh my! This is delicious Pinkie. What are these cookies made out of?” “Yea, they are really tasty if I say so myself. And I come from a family of expert apple desert makin’. But these cookies taste REALLY familiar, kind of like-” Pinkie jumped with glee, “Peanut butter, silly!” In complete unison, Rainbow and Applejack screamed, “I LOVE PEANUT BUTTER! What!? You love peanut butter!? I love peanut butter!!!” Pinkie smiled proudly and as she slowly trotted away, she said, “My work here is done…” After some time, the party at Sugarcube Corner started to lessen. Ponies started to head home, including the fillies, but that doesn’t stop our lovers’ fun. With so many peanut butter cookies to spare, Rainbow and Applejack crossed their arms and fed each other the delicacies. “This was fun, but I actually must get going. Angel is probably worried about me.” Talking with her mouth full, “Wait, yar leavin’ Flutters? Ya just got here! Even though it was like, I don’t know, a half hour ago that ya came, ya should stay!” “Yeah!” Rainbow backed up AJ. “And what about my question?!” “I don’t like to leave Angel alone for too long – he goes a bit crazy when he gets hungry. But if you like, we can talk tomorrow, Rainbow, about your question, I mean, if that’s okay.” “Totally, Fluttershy! I understand, Tank has those issues every once in a while, so I see where you’re coming from. If that’s the case, then take care!” “Cya, Flutters!” “Bye girls.” With a simple wave, she flew from Sugarcube Corner. “Well, if Fluttershy leaves then I should take my leave as well! And not to be rude, but these delicacies should be enjoyed elsewhere, at a place that is far more luxuriant than this rubbish.” “Uhh, you are one to talk Rarity. I saw your Boutique, and it’s not something that screams organization.” Rainbow playfully snapped at Rarity’s comment. “Rainbow, Rainbow, Rainbow…” Rarity came up to Rainbow, immediately though, something was wrong. The fashionista was not wearing her hat when she came in, the scarf around her neck was tattered and she was off-balance on all her 4 legs. Perhaps she had something more than a few cookies, if you know what I mean. “Do you understand that my so-called mess, is actually a controlled mess?” And she fell to the floor, then started laughing. “Rare, you alright? Ya seem a bit…” “Weird? Haha!” “…under the weather. I was gonna say under the weather.” “Don’t worry Applebell! I will make sure that this dress will be absolutely fabulous, darling!” She fell again, but something fell from within her scarf with her little tumble. It was a bottle. “Riiight, I will take that!” Rainbow natched the bottle from Rarity’s neck. It wasn’t filled with any ordinary type of liquor. In fact, it looked homemade, and by the looks, it was a tonic. Like somepony wanted to infatuate the fashionista with a spark of love potion, wonder who that might have been, but failed miserably. Rarity got back up and stood on her hooves, “Whew! Your welcome dear! Anyway, haha, it’s time for the most beautiful of all ponies to return to her quarters!” Despite being intoxicated, Rarity’s personality still shined through. “Rare, do ya think ya can get home by yarself alright? Rainbow and I can help ya.” “No, no. I’m fine, just need some time is all…” Finally, she gained enough balance and promptly left the doorway. “Man, its late, most ponies have gone… Do you want to go home, Apples?” “It is late, past midnight. Sure, let’s head on out.” When they were heading home, the awkwardness set in… “Hey, I noticed, how come don’t you call me sugarcube, anymore?” Applejack’s cheeks fludded with redness. “Huh? Oh umm, it’s nothin’ personal, honey. It’s just that-“ “Just what?” “I, ugh, don’t call my marefriend, sugarcube. That is more like a title for friends and close strangers.” “Close strangers?” “Ya know what I mean.” The awkwardness was kicking real bad. Sure, the couple had their odd moments here and there, but this was another level of strange. Applejack broke the silence, “Ya know, Rainbow. We are not spending that much time together that I would like.” “You felt that way too? Applejack nodded. “Then we are just gonna have to make time!” “Huh? How would we do that?” “Umm, how about.. oh we can… uh… I got nothing.” Rainbow’s ears flopped down, but her mouth twitched. Applejack noticed, “Is that so, sweet pea? I reckon that yar just dyin’ to say somethin’ on your mind.” “Nope! Nothing at all AJ! I couldn’t think of somethin’ better than a basket of rotten apples?” Rainbow attempted a sad country accent. “What?” “Agh! I can never get the hang of your county expressions! And to be honest I don’t understand the half of what those mean! If I don’t-” Applejack gave Rainbow a deep, passionate kiss. “Now we are even!” They both just laughed, while the awkwardness started to dissipate. “We will figure somethin’ out. We’ve been through tarturus and back, I’m pretty sure we will find time for each other. And if ya want, I could give ya some lessons on how tah talk country-like!” “On second thought, that is more like your family’s thing. But thanks anyway.” Rainbow’s cheeks blushed. As the norm, when they parted ways, they nuzzled their noses. Both to their respective homes. The farm and clouds. “Maybe we could change that…” Applejack and Rainbow thought to themselves. When AJ was in the 4 way intersection to go to back to the farm, she decided to meet up with Fluttershy, she left the party awhile ago – surely she’s home by now. While Rainbow decided to visit Rarity – even though she was acting a bit bizarre, it should be fine. Besides, this would be a great excuse to check up on her and she really didn’t want to interrupt Fluttershy at her cottage. They can meet tomorrow, like she said. “Not a problem!” Rainbow thought to herself. She zipped past the ponies through the night and made her way to the Fashion Boutique.