Chapter 1
“I still can’t believe you picked Hoofston Applejack. Princess Celestia offers to send us anywhere on vacation in the world and you pick Hoofston.” Applejack rolled her eyes. Rarity had been complaining like this for the better part of an hour. This was certainly going to be a long train ride if it kept up.
“Look Rarity I know if it were up to you, we’d be in Manehattan now, but Princess Celestia asked me where I wanted to go, and I like Hoofston.”
“Trying to read here.” Rarity and Applejack looked sheepishly up at the seat in front of them. Rainbow Dash had been obsessively reading the Daring-Do series, and unlike Twilight she couldn’t read in anything less than absolute silence. Twilight was still trapped in a long string of losses against Pinkie Pie in chess of all things. Spike happily munched on the gems the Princesses had been kind enough to provide; while, Fluttershy was enjoying a nap.
The only conversation they could have was with each other. Wonderful two ponies who got along like a barn on fire with nothing to do but talk to each other. This was going to be a long train ride. The only sounds were the clacking of the train cars and the occasional flip of a page or click of a chess piece. The two occasionally glanced at each other or around the car. Rarity finally broke the awkward silence.
“So… Applejack what is there to do in Hoofston?” Applejack glanced up.
“Um lots of things. They got Rodeos and all sorts of exciting ponies. Lots of real good country singers there.” Applejack could see Rarity looking a little disappointed and felt a twinge of guilt for not picking a slightly more cosmopolitan city like Las Neighgas or Coltorado. “And” Applejack saw Rarity perk to attention again “I’ll take you to one Hoofston’s premiere restaurants, my Aunt and Uncle Orange recommend it highly.”
“Oh thank you Applejack that sounds positively lovely. I’ll just have to whip something up” She had levitated out a sketchbook and pencil “and a matching outfit for you of course.” She made several strokes looking back and forth between Applejack and her design.
“Don’t go too overboard Rarity. Y’know I’m not one fer fancy get-togethers” Rarity nodded at her friend, still jotting down notes. She had out measuring tape and despite Applejack’s protests was making sure to get her size down perfectly. Applejack sighed and decided to accept that Rarity was in one of her dress making frenzies.
Rarity sat back down in her seat and began levitating shears and several rolls of fabric around snipping happily away. Applejack decided to follow Fluttershy’s lead and take a nap. The gentle rocking of the train slowly lulled Applejack to sleep.
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“Applejack. Wake up!” Applejack lethargically stretched and yawned groggily opening her eyes. “We’re here Applejack” Rainbow Dash stated. “C’mon we need to get a move on I don’t want to miss a minute of vacation.” Applejack rolled her eyes picking up her lightly packed suitcase made for the exit of the train. The mustached conductor pony was wishing everypony safe travels, and inviting them to come again. Their remaining friends were already on the platform Twilight meticulously filling out checklists inventorying the entirety of the luggage. Pinkie Pie had already found a news stand and was happily munching on all the pastries she could carry. Fluttershy was trying to avoid eye contact with all the ponies moving about, the big city was a far cry from her view of a peaceful vacation. Rarity was looking at everypony with a critical eye, aghast at the proliferation of cowpony hats and seersucker. Twilight looking up at Applejack and Rainbow Dash made a quick look back to her list marking their presence down.
“All right everypony our hotel is this way.” Twilight led the group down the cobblestone path, Rarity and Fluttershy doing their best to avoid the locals. Applejack rolled her eyes, and Rainbow complained about how slow everypony else was.
Hoofston was a very different city than Canterlot. It had several buildings rivaling Manehattan skyscrapers, but there were also large open stretches for ranches and farms. It was a bizarre blend of the urban and the rural. Applejack’s parents had always been well liked in Hoofston, and Granny Smith had kept a few of those old connections up. Aunt and Uncle Orange had friends here too, they had Applejack go to a talent audition for a Mister Big Shot. It had gone rather well, but Applejack didn’t want a life of show business. “I wonder if I should call him up? I’m sure he and Rarity would get along great. She always likes meeting them high-falutin ponies.”
“Take your bag m’am?” Applejack was snapped back to reality by the bellhop. She handed him her suitcase and followed him up the stairs. Princess Celestia had spared no expense making sure the Elements of Harmony were well lodged. Applejack felt a little guilty, she was confidant there was a better use for all this money. Applejack looked on the nightstand adjacent to her bed. Several pamphlets advertised rodeos, a cultural fair, the museum of Neighxas history, a country music festival , and day trips to Mexicolt. She picked up the book of hotel services. Spotting something useful she grabbed two bits from her bag and went down to the lobby. She put down her bits and picked up the waiting piece of paper and pencil. She scribbled down a message and rolled it up.
“One express Pigeon please” The lobby pony took the message looked at the address and opened the pigeon cage. One fluttered out. The unicorn made cooing noises as if he were talking to the pigeon before handing it the message. Applejack backed away, a little worried about the unicorn with a fat city bird for a cutie mark. She’d have to let Fluttershy know there were animals in the lobby. It would certainly make her happier with this trip. Applejack made her way back to the stairs.
“Hey Applejack you want to come with us?” Rainbow Dash, Twilight, and Pinkie Pie were descending from the upper floor. “We’re going to take a short trip to see some of the pyramids in Mexicolt City”
“Rainbow and Pinkie why would you be interested in going to see some ancient buildings?” Applejack asked skeptically.
“Because in Daring-Do and the Temple of- I mean because Pinkie said she’d take us to Tijuaneigh afterwards” Pinkie nodded and produced large sombreros from out of nowhere.
“Do you want to come Applejack? I promise it will be tons of fun! There will be sarsaparilla and races and all sorts of fun things to do!” Pinkie bounced around happily her sombrero threating to fall off. She placed hats on Twilight and rainbow and almost put a third on Applejack, but stopped when she realized Applejack was already wearing one.
“Fraid not girls. I made plans with Rarity already. Have fun at the pyramid. Twi make sure Pinkie and Rainbow don’t get into too much trouble.” Twilight giggled. The trio set off leaving Applejack to once again to climb the stairs. She reached her destination. She knocked three times in short succession. “Hey Fluttershy did you know they have pigeons in the lobby?” The door flew open and a yellow and pink blur shot out flapping towards the lobby. Applejack picked up her fallen hat “I guess she didn’t” Applejack shrugged and grinned to herself. She may be taking Rarity out to high society tonight, but she was going to earn it.
“Oh Rarity”
“Hmm… Come in Applejack.” Applejack was stunned. Rarity had quickly turned her hotel room into a makeshift workshop and had Spike running around grabbing various sewing supplies for her. “Spike do be a dear and fetch me those feathers.”
“Well Rarity I said I’d take you to your fancy restaurant, but you’re going to have to do something for me.” Rarity gulped Applejack had mischievous grin on her face that could only mean trouble. “There’s a rodeo nearby and we’re going.” Rarity seemed relieved.
“And here I was thinking you were going to have me participate in such an event. I’m sure I can handle it. Spike do you want to go?” Spike had placed the basket of feathers down. He nodded in his usual dazed “Rarity just talked to me” state. Applejack felt mild disappointment that Rarity was looking as forward to this rodeo as she was.
“Oh well it’s better than going with her and hearing her complain the whole time” Applejack thought to herself. The group made their way downstairs and watched as a frazzled looking unicorn worked at gathering all the pigeons Fluttershy had set loose. The lobby was a mess of bird seed and droppings. Applejack decided to get out of there before things got any worse.
The rodeo was not too far away. They would have spent all day in the main line though if Rarity hadn’t spotted a much shorter line off to the side. It consisted mostly of cowponies and moved forward about every twenty seconds. Rarity didn’t like the look of these ponies, they seemed bruised and had small cuts on their bodies. These rough and tumble ponies weren’t the kinds of ponies Rarity liked to associate with.
Finally entering the arena various ponies with clipboards met people in the line and led them away. “Next” The rodeo pony lead Rarity up a flight of stairs onto a metal platform. “This is Hot Stuff. He’s the toughest bull we’ve got” Rarity looked off the platform there was an impressive muscular black bull.
“How do you do m’am?” The bull had a surprisingly well cultivated Canterlot accent and a remarkably high diction.
“I am Rarity”
“A pleasure to make your acquaintance Miss Rarity” Rarity was so impressed with his mannerisms she wasn’t paying attention and was lead onto Hot Stuff’s back.
“A high class bull like you can’t really be named Hot Stuff can he?” A red light came on.
“No, my real name is Ferdinand” A yellow light came on.
“Ohh. Quite a cultured name. You look exquisite, have you ever considered modeling?” A green light came on. Ferdinand began bucking wildly and Rarity hung on for dear life. She had a realization she had been mistaken for some common rodeo pony. She was trapped in the rodeo. Applejack was going to get to get it if she survived this.
“I never had considered that. You really think I could model?” Rarity felt her daffodil and lily sandwich fighting its way up her throat as the world continued spinning around.
“Oh without a doubt. You have exquisite shoulders and a nice broad face” Rarity felt her hind legs tossed into the air and squeezed her forelegs around Ferdinand even harder. “and you definitely have the class to wow all the photographers.” Thet last buck almost sent Rarity flying “And you are so exotic. I think you would be perfect for modeling my new Fall Line.”
“You’re a fashion designer?” Rarity lost grip with one of her hooves, but with some struggle managed to hold on and wrapped her hind hooves once again around Ferdinand’s back. “What are you doing riding one of the best rodeo bulls then?”
Rarity felt her lunch surge to escape again, but she did her best to suppress it. Vomiting on models is not a way to get on their good side generally. “It’s a long story. I’m pretty sure I can’t adequately explain it given circumstances.”
“Understandable. I do say Miss Rarity you are quite good at this rodeo business, and it has been pleasant talking with you, but I’m afraid I have a reputation to uphold.” The crowd roared as Ferdinand bucked more and more as Rarity’s free leg and head flailed about. She was getting hoof stomping applause as Ferdinand bucked her hind legs free. She was barely holding on with her one last hoof. One more buck and she landed in an undignified manner on the ground.
Ferdinand looked up to a brown pegasus with an hour glass cutie mark. He scribbled something down on a large poster and held it up “14.6 Seconds.” The crowd roared seeing the number as the pegasus rotated around. Ferdinand and Rarity exited the arena to the side Rarity doing her best to make herself look presentable. Her mane was a mess and she was half covered in dirt and sweat.
“Anyway Ferdinand if you are ever in Ponyville give me a call.” She levitated a business card out from one of her mane pins and gave it to the bull. “I really think you have a future in modeling. It was a delight meeting you.” The bull bowed his head as he went off to prepare for his next round.
“The pleasure was all mine Miss Rarity. I will have to look you up next time I am in the area.” Rarity smiled. Now to find Applejack and make her pay. She looked around Spike was standing on a fence looking into the arena. Rarity turned to see what he was looking at. Sure enough there was Applejack riding a bull. A second later her orange friend was tossed to the ground. The pegasus again wrote on his piece of poster boar “8.4 Seconds” The crowd still cheered, but with nowhere the enthusiasm it did for Rarity.
“Woo! Rarity you’ve got to show me how you rode Hot Stuff that long. I didn’t know you were a natural born rodeo pony!” Applejack was shaking her friend about in celebration. All the effort at suppressing her lunch was for naught as Rarity broke Applejack’s hug and rushed to the nearest trashcan. “Uh… maybe not such a natural” Applejack laughed.
Rarity was a sight. Her mane was a disheveled muddy mess. Her tail was practically sticking to her she was so sweaty, and she smelled distinctly of vomit. Rarity glared at her friend. “You owe me Applejack.”
“It was your bright idea to go through the rodeo pony’s line. I thought you wanted to do this” Rarity tossed her hooves into the air and screamed in frustration. Several reporter ponies were trying to get her attention.
“And you thought I wanted to ride a bull?” She stomped her hooves in the ground “Now if you’ll excuse me the public would like to hear from me.” Casting her best cleaning spell on herself and spraying herself with a dash of “emergency perfume” Rarity went to face the media.
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“That was nothing like the books.” Rainbow Dash was utterly disappointed with the pyramid. “There were no death traps, no hidden treasures, the fate of the world wasn’t even in danger!”
“The books are works of fiction Rainbow Dash. Archeologists rarely have that dangerous a lifestyle.” Pinkie Pie was once again beating Twilight at chess. Rainbow Dash sighed.
“Aw cheer up Rainbow Dash. Tijuaneigh should be loads of fun!” Pinkie Pie moved her thundercloud “Checkmate Twilight.” Twilight again looked dumbfounded at the board. “It’s a real party city! Did I tell you about the time my Granny Pie visited she got the whole city to throw a week long party? Oh maybe we should do that! Oh but then we wouldn’t get to see Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Spike all week. Maybe we could invite them. I wonder if I have any in my bag…”
“Best of Three-Hundred and Thirteen?” Twilight was flipping through all her travel chess guide trying desperately to find a strategy that could beat Pinkie.
“Aw no thanks Twilight. We’re already there!” Rainbow Dash and Twilight turned to look on the bustling beach city. Ponies were everywhere, playing volleyball, tanning on the beach, playing hoofball, and generally having a good time.
The trio left the train and followed Pinkie and her massive activities plan. They took in all the sights. They watched a pegasus race, after which Rainbow Dash decided she was going to spend all day watching the best racers and challenge them. Pinkie shrugged and pulled Twilight around at breakneck speed. Finally things slowed down on the beach. Twilight relaxed laying down on the sand she shut her eyes and enjoyed the warmth of the sun before taking out her book and flipping to where she last left off.
Pinkie Pie kept fidgeting she may have scheduled tanning time, but she didn’t realize how boring it was. Twilight had brought a book and as always seemed to be enjoying herself. Pinkie Pie looked all around the beach when she spotted them. They were playing her favoritest game in the whole world. Well top thirty-nine at least. Beach volleyball. If only she had a partner.
“Hey Twilight…”
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“Pinkie Pie I don’t know how you talked me into this.” Twilight spiked the ball back over the net just out of range of a yellow pegasus with a raindrop cutie mark. The crowd cheered. Twilight and Pinkie Pie had won several straight games of volleyball, mostly because Pinkie’s Pinkie Sense worked in games of volleyball as well. She hopped about the court like a pony possessed. She ran around the edge of the court driving the crowd to cheer. Twilight smiled it was nice to have these adoring fans.
The crowd suddenly went silent. Two pegasi were approaching the court. They had sun-bleached hair and a distinctive reddening of their coats from overexposure to the sun. The front one had his let his sand coated mane grow out longer than most colt. He flipped it out of his eyes. He was wearing baggy pants that served no apparent purpose other than to half cover his volleyball cutie mark. His friend was very similar except that he was wearing a collared shirt wholly inappropriate for beach wear, on top of that he was wearing it with the collar popped. “Rarity would faint in disgust” Twilight thought to herself. His cutie mark was a volleyball net. Twilight had enough foresight to see where this was going.
“Heard you fillies like to play volleyball” The first one began
“Exactly like I expected” Twilight mused to herself.
“Round here were known as the best! The second one continued.
“And cliché challenge is next.”
“We challenge you to a volleyball match and the loser has to leave town.” Pinkie Pie gasped in surprise, to which Twilight rolled her eyes.
“And just why do you want to run us out of town?” The pegasi were taken aback at Twilight’s question. She was confidant they never thought about it themselves. The stammered and attempted to mutter something.
“So are you gonna play us or not?” Twilight didn’t get a chance before Pinkie was rushing about pumping the crowd to cheer “PIN-KIE! PIN-KIE! PIN-KIE!” She then lowered her fore hooves and head and snorted like a bull. Twilight couldn’t very well back down from the challenge now.
The sandy maned pegasus took position to serve. His polo-clad comrade positioned himself at the net. Twilight took her spot on the back of the court while Pinkie worked on intimidating the pegasus with her grim determination. The serve was fast and pretty far away from Twilight, but with a quick hoof she bopped it back to Pinkie who launched it back over the net. The polo clad pegasus quickly knocked it back, but it was low enough that Pinkie’s unstoppable bouncing force allowed her to knock it back. The ball crashed into the sand.
The two pegasi growled as Pinkie and Twilight swapped places for the serve. Pinkie had an unusual style of serving, she held the ball in her puffy tail, lowered her body close to the ground lifting her rump high in the air, eliciting cheers from some of the cruder stallions watching the game, she tossed the ball from her tail and knocked it over the net with her flank. The pegasus soared upwards and catching the ball with his wing knocked it back. With some effort Twilight returned the ball only for the pegasus to effortlessly glide and knock it back. There were no official bans on wing use in volleyball, but it was typically good sportsmanship not to fly or use magic if your opponent couldn’t. Twilight kept the volley going strong for several more hits before finally missing one.
“Ha! Stupid fillies.” Twilight lifted her head up. Pinkie looked in her eyes and saw Twilight’s explosive temper flaring up. Pinkie and Twilight swapped places, but Pinkie felt worried about Twilight, who was grinding her teeth so loudly, they could probably hear it back in Canterlot.
"Umm Twilight its just a game its supposed to be fun-"
"Ha look at the loser pony telling herself games are supposed to be fun, because they can't win" Now Pinkie Pie and Twilight both glared at the pair of pegasi. Twilight for having her intelligence insulted, and Pinkie for the integrity of the game being threatened. Both of the peggasi suddenly got the feeling they had made a terrible terrible mistake. Twilight and Pinkie silently took their positions as the pefasi served. The moment the ball sailed over the net a purple unicorn and pink earth pony seemed to fly into position to spike it back into the ground.
The girls took position for their serve. Twilight launched the ball into the air and quickly turned it around stole a move from Applejack and bucked it with her hind legs. Turning around Twilight focused on the ball as best she could and very subtly put a spin on it. The net pegasus was surprised when the ball stopped going straight and made its way to Pinkie before crossing the net. The pink earth pony pulled her head back and then brought it forward as fast as she could. Pinkie's headbutt propeled it straight towards the pegasus and hit him clean in the gut. The pegasus couldn't catch the ball and dropped to the ground.
"Looks like its my serve again" Twilight levitated the ball back to their side and once again the duo launched the ball this time hitting the pegasus in the back. The girls continued levitating and scoring barely giving the other side enough time to stand up again.
"Match point!" Pinkie screamed as she jumped into the air and in a physics defying manuvere spun around to knock the ball with her cutie mark into the other team's sand. "You boys want more?" Twilight and Pinkie towered over the cringing pegasi.
"No more please!" The pegasi were genuinely frightened. "We'll get out of here. We won't bother anypony ever again, we promise."
Pinkie Pie raised one of her eye brows "PINKIE PROMISE!" The pegasi cringed at her shouts. "I'll know if you ever break it. I'll be watching. For-Ever!" The pegasi exchanged nervous glances "Do it! Cross your heart and hope to fly stick a cupcake in your eye" Pinkie did the motions as she informed the pegasi how to do it. "Do it!" The pegasi shrunk again.
"Cross my heart and hope to fly stick a cupcake in my eye" Pinkie Pie seemed satisfied and pointed off the beach. The two pegasi bullies hung their head and walked away from the beach.
"You know what this calls for?" Pinkie Pie asked as she ran back to the crowd "A PARTY!" The entire beach erupted into a chorus of cheers and began carrying Twilight and Pinkie in celebration.
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Rainbow felt a little guilty spending all day at the race track instead of with her friends, but she was confidant Twilight and Pinkie could have fun without her. Still it was odd the were the ones late to the train station. If they wern't here soon, they would have to walk or in her case fly back to Hoofston and that didn't sound like any fun at all especially when Rainbow's wings were sore from a day of hard racing. There had been some good talent there, but no one was able to match her.
"Hi Rainbow Dash! You missed the biggest baddest beach party ever!" Pinkie Pie was bouncing around with her usual enthusiasm. Twilight stumbling behind her, both were wearing costume crowns and looked exhausted. "We were named queens of the beach! We drove off some bullies and played beach volleyball and then we had a great big party! My Granny Pie would be so proud!" Rainbow Dash looked on with a confused expression, but felt a little better knowing her friends had a good time.
"I'm going to need to here how you did all that on the ride home" Rainbow said as the trio boarded the train.Pinkie Pie nodded in agreement
"Well first you must invent the universe..."
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"You don't think this dress is a little... revealing?" Applejack asked as she looked at herself worriedly. It was a lovely peice, Rarity had used crushed saphires to give the blue satin dress an exquisite shine. It had one strap over Applejack's foreshoulder and revealed a fair amount of Applejack's hind left leg.
"Applejack you're the one who says we don't normally wear clothes. How is wearing more going to be less modest than walking around in nothing but a hat. Speaking of" Rarity levitated Applejack's trademark hat off her head and began fiddling with her mane.
"Hey I said nothing too fancy!" Rarity levitated a few hair pins and a cane of hair spray over.
"Oh don't make such a fuss Applejack. You got me all dirty. It's only fitting I make you get all fancy... Wait a second that is still grossly unfair to me." Applejack chuckled and decided to let Rarity have her fun with her mane. "Now shut your eyes Applejack." The minutes seemed like an eternity to the poor cowpony. "All right you can open them. I think you look quite lovely Applejack"
Applejack had to admit, the elegant bun Rarity had put her hair in did look good. It reminded her of how her Aunt and Uncle Orange had tried to bring her up. Rarity now adjusted the mirror so Applejack could see her. Rarity was wearing a similar red dress with crushed rubies giving the pair a nice parallel. Rarity had finished off her look with a red feather boa, a pair of diamond earings, and put her hair in a bin similar to Applejack's. Applejack thought Rarity's hair looked better the way she normally wore it, but thought better of speaking her mind.
"Uh okay. C'mon Rarity we don't want to be late." The pair walked down the stairs. The carrier pigeon unicorn was up on a ledge trying very hard to reach one of his pigeons as Fluttershy was apologizing profusely. Evading the bird droppings and random bits of food the pigeons had left behind the duo made their way to the street. Hailing a cab the duo was carried into downtown Hoofston.
There was quite a long line at The Griffon's Wing. Rarity looked disheartened at the long line. "Don't worry Rarity I've got us covered. I have connections." Rarity was skeptical. Applejack having connections at a fancy place like this. Applejack walked around leading Rarity to the entrance with an awning reading "VIP." How was Applejack going to get them through the Very Important Ponies' Entrance?
"I have an appointment with Mr. Big Shot." Rarity was taken aback. Applejack's accent had all but dissapeared. "Miss Applejack Apple" The gruff looking unicorn took out a clipboard and glanced at it. He then moved the velvet rope out of the way.
Rarity wanted to ask questions about where Applejack had learned all the ins and outs of high society, and why did she persist in using that dreadful accent when she could speak so elegantly? An overweight earth pony in a bulging suit jacket walked in and his face lit with excitement.
"Well if it isn't Little Applejack all grown up! I'm glad you took me up on my offer for me to let you do show business again. The singer we have tonight isn't doing so well." Rarity's eyes widened. Applejack was in show business?
"I think you misunderstand me Mr. Shot. I just wanted to dine here tonight and introduce you to my friend-"
"The dress making rodeo pony?" Rarity blushed. She wished very much that she hadn't gotten into that rodeo. "Mr. Ferdinand has been talking about his future as a model and the" he made a gesture with his hooves ""Elegant Mare of the Rodeo" who showed him his future" Rarity now felt herself turnng red. "I can't just get you into The Griffon's Wing I booked you as the act tonight. You got to put on an act."
"Yes Applejack do put on an act. I look forward to your performance." Rarity grinned. This was going to be better than any revenge she could have thought of. Applejack gulped and nervously went back to the performer's entrance. Mr. Big Shot lead Rarity past a table where Ferdinand the bull was talking to several reporters. The bull respectfully bowed his head.Rarity returned a curtsey. Mr Big Shot had Rarity placed at a table by the stage. A trio of ponies in matching pinstripe suits and fedoras were singing, and not recieving the attention they wanted. Mr. Big Shot whispered something to the blue eyed one.
"C'mon Sammy. C'mon Dean. Looks like we're getting kicked off" The entire group dejectedly walked off the stage. Mr. Big Shot cleared his throat and spoke into the microphone.
"Fillies and Gentlecolts put your hooves together for the musical talents of Miss Applejack Apple." Polite applause carried through the restaurant as Applejack made her way on stage and sat down at the piano. It was quite a surprise to Rarity, as far as she knew Applejack couldn't play any instrument. Applejack began a sad dreamy melody on the piano. Her talent with the instrument approaching a level of mastery Rarity had only heard at her occasional visit to a symphony. Suddenly the melody started shifting dropping to a much slower place to match Applejack's singing
"I look at you and suddenly
A something in your eyes I see
Soon begins bewitching meeeeeee"
Rarity had never expected Applejack to be one singing songs about romance of all things. She also noted that the blue eyed fedora wearing pony was taking notes. The melody suddenly doubled and tempo and Applejack increased the volume of her voice
"It's that old Nightmare Moon
That you stole from the sky
It's that old Nightmare Moon in your eye"
Applejack continued the song and slowly the entire room became entranced with her singing. As she finally finished off her song the entire room roared in hoof stomping applause. Applejack sang two more songs to finish out the set. Neither were quite as impressive as her first tune, they were still far more than Rarity would expect from Applejack. Applejack finally sat down at Rarity's table. Her voice was hoarse from belting out those last three tunes. Rarity had gone ahead and ordered their food already.
"Rarity you are a saint." Applejack took some care as she ate her carmelized apple slices "This is exactly what I would have ordered how did you know?" Rarity rolled her eyes. It was the only Apple based dish on the menu.
"Oh just an intuition of a friend. You were marvelous Applejack. Why don't you sing more often?" Applejack looked sheepishly down at her food. "I'm sorry if I touched a sore subject darling you don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."
"No Rarity its alright." Applejack put down her fork and wiped her mouth with a napkin. "Its just I get so embarrassed when I sing."
"But why darling? You are amazing." Applejack lowered her eyes.
"It just is Rarity. I don't like performing for ponies. Why do you think I went for the bit part of Smart Cookie for Hearth's Warming Eve? I just preformed so you could have your fancy night on the town." Rarity now felt guilty.
"Applejack you did that for me? You really are a great friend. I forgive you for taking me to that rodeo and picking Hoofston for vacation.” Rarity gave her cowpony friend a hug. “Today’s been lots of fun. I even enjoyed the rodeo… a little bit” she added.
“Aw shoot Rarity. Don’t get all sentimental on me. I had fin today to. Wonder how everypony else is doing?”
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“Please don’t be upset. I’m very sorry about the mess.” The pigeon unicorn was doing his best to clean up after Fluttershy letting all his pigeons loose. Fluttershy had gathered all the pigeons again and was happily washing their feathers and helping them preen themselves. The unicorn was doing his best to keep a brave face. Still his trained pigeons were singing and flying around the lobby with a brightly colored Ponyville pegasus. If the manager found out about this it was his head for sure. He’d be lucky to find a job scrubbing bird cages if he even lost one of those trained pigeons.
The pegasus was singing something about flying free now. That was definitely something he didn’t want to happen with a bright purple flash he gathered as many of the pigeons as he could and stuffed them back in their cages. This was a bad day. An awful day. Getting worse all the time, as the yellow pegasus continued singing, which continued motivating the pigeons to fly.
“No more singing” he blurted out pushing his hoof over Fluttershy’s mouth. He immediately withdrew it. “Please don’t be mad! Please don’t press charges!” The poor paranoid pigeon pony paraded after his prison breaking pigeons finally securing all of them in their cages.
“Oh I don’t think they like being in cages.” The unicorn began sweating as he tried to talk his way out of his current predicament.
“Um look! It’s your friends” as Fluttershy turned her head the unicorn pony slammed shut the door to the aviary and locked it.
“Oh did you all have fun today?” The five tired but happy ponies laughed and gathered for a group hug.
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“Stop your worrying dear sister. I am sure they are having great fun on their vacation.”
“I don’t know Luna I didn’t exactly send them somewhere exotic and entertaining.” Celestia’s worrying was interrupted by a wisp of green flame fluttering into the room before a scroll materialized out of the air.
“See? I bet they are enjoying themselves immeasurably.”
Dear Princess Celestia,
Sometimes we expect things to turn out rather dreadfully. That we won’t have the most exciting time we could have or that things won’t be as you expect, but with friends even activities you might not normally find enjoyable become the best of times.
Your Loyal Subjects and Faithful Student,
Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkamena Diane Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Twilight Sparkle
“Sister when do we get to have a vacation?”
“Some other time Luna”