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Mud - Tchernobog

The two mares were trotting towards Sweet Apple Acres, looking to the rest of the world as if they were on a friendly stroll together. Their proximity to each other and the smiles they wore certainly reinforced that impression, and whoever knew the pair knew they were close as two ponies could be. Perhaps even closer than that.

However, if one were to listen to their conversation, one could certainly think they were fighting.

"Chickenhawk." The farmer said.

"Fruit fanatic." The weatherpony retorted.

"Turkey vulture." The earth pony replied.

"Tree hugger." The pegasus shot back.

"Bird brain." Applejack countered.

"Stubborn mule." Rainbow Dash answered.

Applejack thought a moment, then grinned. "Featherduster."

Rainbow snorted, holding back her laughter. "Ooh, good one." She too took a moment to think, until her face lit up. "Mud pony."

The lack of response sounded like victory to Rainbow's ears. "I take it from your silence that I win?" As she listened closer, however, she realized that she couldn't hear the sound of Applejack's hooves anymore. She paused and looked back, only to see a pair of green eyes glaring daggers at her.

Actually, considering the strength behind the glare, those daggers felt more like broadswords. Maybe even polearms.

"Is that how y'see me?" The earth pony ground out, her expression a mixture of anger, disgust, and disappointment.

Rainbow wasn't often cowed by much, but for once, she felt rooted to the spot. "Huh?"

"Is that all I am to you? A... mud pony?" Applejack spat out the words, then marched past Rainbow without a second glance.

Seeing the other mare storm past shocked Rainbow out of her daze. "Uh. AJ? AJ! Applejack! Wait!"

"Why should I?"

"What? What's the matter with you?" Rainbow flew ahead of the orange pony and planted herself in Applejack's path. "At least tell me what's wrong?"

Applejack's glare expression relaxed slightly as she looked at the pegasus. Rainbow looked utterly confused and slightly frightened, completely at loss. "Y'don't know what you just said, do ya?"

"Huh? What I said?" Rainbow frowned. "Mud po-"

Applejack's hoof cut her off as it lodged itself in her mouth. "Don't say that, Dash."

Rainbow leaned back. "...is it really that bad?"

Applejack grunted. "Yeah. It's not something used in polite company. Or impolite, either. It's like if I called ya..." she paused, looking away.

"What? Called me what?"

Applejack shook her head. "Can't. Ah know how bad it is to call you pegasi that."

"Call us what?" Rainbow asked again. "C'mon, I won't get upset."

Applejack stared at Rainbow, then looked around for any other pony. Still, she felt unsure, and leaned closer to whisper into Rainbow's ear.

The pegasus jerked back, her face twisted in anger and disgust. But that only lasted a moment. "That's the kind of thing I...?" Her eyes widened in realization. "Oh horsefeathers. Applejack, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean-"

Applejack shook her head, laying a hoof on one of Rainbow's own. "I know now you didn't, Dash. It just caught me off guard."

The pegasus sighed in relief, her wings fluttering at her sides as she relaxed. "Man. Here I thought i was being clever."

"Yeah well we both know how that usually goes, don't we?"

"Yeah, we-hey!"

Applejack chuckled as she stood up, swatting the pegasus with her tail. She grinned back at her friend, and tore off at a gallop.

Rainbow was soon in hot pursuit.

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