A certain friend of Applejack's wants to keep their relationship, but Spring might have other plans.
Applejack has a friend whom is a stallion, but is a bit cautious. Why? He wants to keep their friendship only with a slight problem, Spring is here and it's that time again.
Eyes opened in a blurred vision, barely reconizing the room that surrounded the current pony awake in the quiet house on this spring day. Taking a quick whiff of the air reveals it being crisp, cool, and smelling of flowers with fresh grass. Sunlight painted the walls across the bedroom with delight. The sounds of talk and laughter outside signals that it may be close to noon or somewhat out of morning.
There was another presence felt on the other side of the bed. Shifting in their slumber still as a forehoof came across from under the covers to touch his, a muzzle being buried into the neck. A small smile formed when the soft muzzle made contact, but the owner still wasn't awake yet. He figured he might aswell start the morning routine he followed everyday it seemed.
Sliding out of the bed as quietly as he possibly could without disturbing the guest. Leaving an orange and blonde mare to slumber still, and made way for the bathroom. A shower head started hissing as it spewed warm water from deep withing the confines of the house. A light steam being produced from the water as he stepped in and closed the curtain to seperate him from the rest of the bathroom.
Suds were being carefully massaged into his mane to make it soft to the touch, then progressed to his coat, his tail, and lastly, his hooves. The water helped soothe his mind of all concerns, for he only had one or two things he wanted to get done today. But for now, his only concern was getting clean and having a breakfast ready. The water stopped running from the shower head an the soun of wet hooves hit the mat covered wood below.
A towel was engrossed in an aura and lifted from its place on a hook attched to the wall. Flying over to its and a gently started drying him off. A quick look towards the mirror reveals the steam covering it's surface. A quick motion from the same towel leaves a clear spot to look into the iris of oe eye, then the next, both the same color as always. With that knowledge, a smile forms again as he exited the bathroom and headed for the door of the bedroom.
The slight creaking noise made the stallion cautious as to not wake up his current guest, a long time friend. Glancing back to make sure she wasn't awakened from the door's noise and continued on to the kitchen. Once there, various items were being enceased in magic and brought to the counter at a steady pace, yet something was missing. "Ah, yes, the waffle iron!" He exclaimed silently before giggling to himself. "Heh, weyffles."
He started to mix up a suitable batter atfer zapping the device with a short burst of magic. The iron opened and batter poured, making a satisfying sizzling noise upong contact. A sweet smell started to fill the room and leak around to th rest of the home. The aroma reached the nostrils of his guest, whome of which took in a big whiff before opening her eyes lazily. The stallion seemed to be humming in his head. The mare drug herself out of the bed to follow the sweet aroma of food to the kitchen.
The head of the stallion was swaying side-to-side in a sort of rythem, not aware of the awake mare now in the kitchen with him. "Mornin' surgarcube, what y'all making?" Her voice was sweetened up a bit, southern accent was present. "Waffles, want some, Applejack?" The stallion asked, breifly looking at the orange pony. "How's your leg feeling by the way?" Applejack just glanced at her bandaged hindleg, it seemed like a few days ago since she got her injury.
Applejack was trying to buck the thickest tree found on the orchard. Damn thing broke one of her legs and the only one with her at the time was her friend. "It's doing a little better, thanks for the concern, Ivory." She stated, looking back towards her friend. Ivory Dreams, his name wasn't fitting for a stallion like him, but it was accurate. He could never be creative unless he was listening to the notes from a piano.
Two plates glided to the surface of the table, both were adorned with several pieces of waffles. Slices of butter joined the waffles, and a bottle of syrup joined the plates on the table. Applejack quickly sat down at the table, ready to dig in into the meal. Ivory opened another window to smell the air once more, still lingering with crisp, cool, flower and grass scented. Applejack seemed to pour atleast half the bottle of syrup onto her plate of waffles and dug right in.
Ivory was usually content with having Applejack around. Most of ponies in town have noticed how well the two get along when they are with eachother, despite some of the rumors that have been floating around lately. Ivory hasn't really made his friend mad directly, some occassions indirectly. The was one time though where she was furious about something...
Ivory remembered it like it was yesterday, Applejack was huffing up a storm in the barn kicking anything and everything in sight. Being the considerate stallion that he was, it turns out that seeing what was worn withhis friend was a bit of a mistake. Applejack was about to buck the barn doors until one of them swung open and her hooves planted themselves on Ivory's muzzle.
Knocked him clear of senses and a concious for a good 4 hours. He was groggy waking back up, finding himself in AJ's bedroom with her looking over him for any more bruises, an icepack on his face. The concerned ornage mare tried to explain her fury in the barn, but was told 'It's okay' as Ivory's forehoof rested on her cheek.
The stallion had barely begun to eat when he started daydreaming but was brought back with a simple question. "What's on your mind, Surgarcube?" "Nothing.... just remembering a few things is all." Ivory responded with a grin, sliding out from the chair he currently occupied.
"Ain't ya gonna eat?" Applejack stopped the stallion friend in his tracks, syrup dripping from her muzzle. "Nah, I lost my appetite. You're welcome to them if you want." Ivory stated subtlely as he exited the kitchen and made way for the back room.
There wasn't much in the back room, just an old piano, an art easel, shelves with paints and charcoals, along with a single window. The grin grew wider when his eyes set upon the unfinished painting on the easel, it was time for Ivory Dreams to start dreaming once more.
The keys on the piano were shortly encased in magic and started to play a familiar tune. A pastel tray flew over and near the stallion as he took a brush in his mouth and dipped it in a select color. A unicorn that paints with his mouth, exciting, right? Ivory shortly fell into a creative daze, making the bristles of the brush make contact with the canvas.
Away went the time with Ivory when he painted, that is until something of interest catches his attention. Strange noises combined with the running of a shower head just so happened to break his concentration very aptly. As much as he wanted to fight it, curiosity got the better of poor Ivory.
He cautiously made his way from the back room and into the hall. The noises had gotten a bit louder as Ivory inched ever so closer to the nearby bedroom. Curiosity was getting a good foothold over the stallion, ever so tempting even more to find the source of the unknown sounds. There wasn't anypony currently present in the bedroom Ivory entered.
The bathroom door was closed, which was strange because usually the door was left cracked when AJ showered after a night at Ivory's. Surely enough, the noises were originating from behind the closed door. With some hesitation, the stallion made his way across the room and lightly knocked on the door.
"Applejack? You all right in there?" Ivory asked only to get a gasp followed by some thumping. "Uh,, everythin' is a'okay surgarcube!" Was Applejack's quick response. "Are you lying to me? You know I don't like it when you lie to me, AJ."
A brief sigh was heard and the water stopped running, hoofsteps were heard on the other side of the door and it swung open. Ivory was staring at Applejack, with red flushing her cheeks, wanting the truth from her. "Well... surgarcube, it IS that time of year for us mares.. and-" Applejack was interuptted by Ivory "I have forgotten spring was around.... dammit, I should've known..."
"I know how you feel about this, Ivory, but I didn't want to trouble ya with this." Applejack started to apologize to her friend Ivory was pacing circles around the the room, engulfed in a massive wave of thought. He made his stop abruptly and turned his head towards the orange mare. "You know what, I'm going to need a bit of time to think about these things. Want me to walk you home?" He was asking in a manner even she never heard before.
Ivory had made sure the door to his house was latched and locked firmly before accompanying Applejack down the dirt road. Giggling, small talk, and what seemed to be a particular smell to be in the air surrounding the two ponies walking closely to each other. Applejack was leaning into a far-ended in-thought Ivory Dreams, her fur met his and she loved it.
As for the stallion, he was in a very deep thinking process as to how this morning had started off. Ivory didn't seem to pay no mind to the ponies that were giving the seemingly couple as they passed by. But why, above all, would AJ try to stimulate herself in Ivory's shower? Yet, it also seemed that it was just yesterday that winter was still in full hitch.
Ivory was snapped away from his train of inconsistent thought by a hard nudge from his side. "What'cha thinking 'bout, surgarcube?" Applejack asked sweetly, red still flushing her cheeks. "A bit about this morning." Ivory simply commented, glancing down to the mare at his side. "I told ya that I was sorry!" The orange mare apologized yet again to the stallion.
"But in my shower? I mean, really, the shower of all places...." Ivory started up only to be cut off. "I couldn' help it, it had your scent more in the shower than anythin'" Applejack interrupted, bowing her head in a bit of shame. Ivory took notice and nudged her to get a look from the mare, yet, he just now realised how soft AJ's fur really was.
"Oh c'mon, AJ, I'm not mad at you or anything. Just a bit confused is all." Applejack smiled at Ivory's comment and leaned her head into his neck. She knew Ivory couldn't stay mad at her for long, even if he was. They were too close to even try and get the other mad. It would seem unnatural too, even when they were joking.
Despite how long Ivory and Applejack have known each other, they still managed to stay friends. Which of the two ponies kept it going was a mystery, but sure enough, they still stuck together after all these years. Applejack's leg was starting to give out as the two neared the farm. Ivory offered to lend her a hoof only to be answered with her head shaking.
"Nah, I'll be fine, surgarcube." Applejack force a smile in an attempt to hide her pain. But Ivory forced her up on to his back and carried Applejack the rest of the way to Sweet Apple Acres. Even though she never wanted to be carried, the blush brightened even further. Ivory stopped at the porch to AJ's home and let the mare off.
"Please, don't try to work yourself too hard, I don't want to have to worry about you even further." Ivory gave a stern look at the mare. "You sound just like that time you left for Manehattan for a few months." AJ retorted back gently, a small grin across her flushed face. "I figured, but seriously though, stay out of trouble for a little while." Ivory turned back the way they came, and trotted on home.
Ivory finally had time to think to himself for a bit while he walked home, but the only thing that came to mind was their history. Ivory moved to Ponyville with his family when he just just a young colt, almost ready to start school in a year or so. Of course, Applejack was the first and only pony of his age that he met first, back then, he was a bit recluse. Ivory was startled by the fact that Applejack had seemed to have popped up out of nowhere and gave him a big ol' greeting to town. Ivory's reaction was to simply run off and back home.
When school had started for the both of them, Ivory started to see AJ as more of a friend here. Sure, the stallion then is a lot different than now because he has a bit more friends outside of the mare he knows today. Ivory kind of wanted to stay in the back of the classroom, but Applejack wouldn't have that. Oh no, instead, she manages to drag Ivory in the center of the desks where he was surrounded by unfamiliar muzzles, save for the friendly muzzle beside him.
As years went on though, Ivory started to feel more at home around Applejack, to the point where he'd even make trips to her farm just to hang out with her. Occasional visits required him to help her with a bit of farm work, to which he gladly accepted with no requirement of pay. Ivory's visits to the farm started to decrease when he left for Manehattan to attend a Fine Arts School. Ivory stayed there for atleast a year and a half, unfortunately, he could only visit Ponyville on breaks.
Whilst at the school, however, Ivory managed to attract a certain cello player-to-be with his slight proficiency at that piano keys. Well skilled artist with his mouth, not as good at those keys of ivory. Ivory did his best to stay in contact with Applejack by becoming a bit of a pen pal with her. Is wasn't until he felt homesick to inform her of his return soon,
Whilst on the train ride back to Ponyville, Ivory could have sworn he was being followed. He would catch glimpses of the same pony staring at him from afar, in different places too. He's always, ALWAYS, catch a glimpse of a pair of light purple eyes before they could disappear. Rather strange if you asked him. When the train stopped at Ponyville's station, Ivory grabbed his bag and left for the door only to be jumped on by none other than Applejack herself.
There were tears in Applejack's eyes as when tackled Ivory to the ground, acting as thought she would never have seen him again. Ivory brought himself to a laugh and wiped her tears and hugged her tightly. This memory brought a big grin across his face, but was shortly lived by the wooden door of his house striking him across the face. Ivory brought a forehoof up and started rubbing the part of his that was red from the door.
With an unlock of a key, hoofsteps on the hardwood floor, and a loud, content sigh. The smell of the house filled Ivory's nostril's and a smile crept up onto his face again. The unicorn made way for the backroom once more to complete his work, starting up the piano once more, and taking his brush into his mouth. Time to get lost in a world of creativity.
Applejack groaned loudly as she threw herself on the bed in her room. She was thinking that Ivory might have been driven off by the fact that he found her masturbating in his shower. Heat is a wonderful but terrible thing it seems. Even though Applejack may not be knowing of how Ivory is thinking right now. It's not like he would overreact or act irrational towards the act, she knew him better than most, but yet, had a burning passion for the artistic unicorn she had in her life.
"Ah just don't know what to do." Applejack was speaking to herself, and a picture of her and Ivory. "Ah want you more than anythin', yet, you might as well be far out of mah reach." Applejack brought the picture to her chest and hugged it tightly, she didn't care that her leg was in pain right now. She was busy thinking about the only other stallion she knows best.
The heat cycle was tearing at Applejack's heart more than the memories she has of Ivory. It was like it knew just exactly what she wanted, but was messing with the situation. She never knew how close he was to her heart until that day he left for Manehattan. Sure, the work on the farm made that year and a half go by quickly without him, but it was so odd only to see him for a little while before he went back.
Applejack was more than happy to hear about his early homecoming. Her tears wouldn't be held back that moment the train arrived at the platform with her long-time crush. Applejack let out a content sigh, thinking about that summer, with a small grin plastered on her muzzle. She placed the picture back in its rightful place to turn on her side and gaze out unto Celstia's sun setting.
Maybe she'd get out in a few days and do some small work that wouldn't involve her bad leg. Applejack's ear flinched a little at the sound of the dinner bell and slowly drug herself out of bed. She started to think about the days when Ivory did stop by for visits. He would help on the farm anyway he could no matter how much she had protested. Those thoughts were even present while she ate.
But something was holding back, either it was for her or for him. Applejack couldn't shake that feeling no matter what. It was time to let her feelings show to Ivory, maybe if even he might not feel the same way to her. A risk this mare was willing to take all by herself. No push from anypony else, no push from anything, just Applejack and Applejack alone.
---
Ivory finally finished the painting he was working on for a full month. Random thoughts and memories of Applejack crossed his mind. He had proven many times over that he would always be there for her. Ivory did grow up with Applejack to see that independent, beautiful mare she became. Wait.... He questioned his mind, ...beautiful? Ivory! This is your friend you're thinking about! But something felt... right.. to him to proclaim the mare he always known beautiful.
Ivory shook his head clear of thoughts to check on the time. The sun was setting, dinner time. The piano stopped its sweet caress of melodies on the surrounding air. Ivory let out a sigh, he had to think about how he was going to approach the situation with Applejack. So far, he knew that ignoring it would not be an option, he cared for her. Probably more as a friend than he knows himself.
---
Applejack was heading back up the stairs and off to her room in a slight limp. Luna's night sky had consumed Equestria with its stars to make it astonishing. She climbed into the bed and tucked herself in. Only one thing, or pony for this matter, occupied her mind. The heat was in full swing and it was ramping up the ante on Applejack's feelings for Ivory tenfold. What exactly is he to me? Applejack had that only question on her mind as she slowly fell asleep.
There she stood, in an unending plain of grass. A voice in the distance calling out in a whisper. "Applejack," it beckoned in a tone all to familiar to the orange pony. "Applejack, come here." But where? Why was this voice beckoning her to follow its origin? Applejack might not be too sure about following the voice, but surely, she ventured forth. Through the grass she trotted, with no other signs of life around this plain.
In an unestimated amount of time, that orange mare stumbled upon an oak tree, the leaves a bright green hue, that bark a dark chocolate, and the branches spreading themselves wide. The tree stood alone in the distance, as if it has been here for longer than it seemed. It looked so familiar to Applejack though, but what was that one missing little detail? As the orange mare circled the trunk of the oak, that missing detail became visible.
A memory had placed itself in her dream. There it was, that single memory that might have sparked the feelings Applejack felt for Ivory. Some odd years ago, when both friends were still young, they had a day in the park and carved initials into the oak's bark. She looked on to a gaze as she remembered. "AJ + ID BFF" Applejack read aloud with a smile. That memory stayed with both of them, immortalized in the bark of that simple oak tree in the park.
Applejack felt a nudge at her side, tearing her focus away from the tree. There he stood, the stallion she has known since she was a filly that was outside her family. Just smiling softly at her as he closed in. Faces mere inches away now, both leaning in centimeter by centimeter until.... The sound of the rooster calling in the morning ripped Applejack from fantasy to reality. Opening her eyes slowly to the sound and flipping over in discontent.
"So close..." She grumbled to herself before finally tearing herself away from the bed.
Four days. Four agonizingly long days! Applejack had spent four days of doing little work, and without the appearance of Ivory Dreams either. She knew that he usually spent two day collecting up his work, and another two sell off his paintings. Applejack understood that his was one of his only source of bits for him and hadn't complained too often about. But dammit, she needed to see him as soon as possible!
Applejack had found herself increasingly wanting of her stallion friend. She knew this heat cycle wasn't going to end until Spring had left the building. But no, OH no! It chose today, of all days, to really to a leap forward. Applejack quickly found refuge in the barn and sat her little self down on a pile of hay in the corner. Where she could see that barn door, and anypony coming in could only see her hat, ears, and part of her mane.
She slowly allowed on of her forehooves to slide down her body.She let out a small quiet moan as she listened to Winona do some barking off in the far distance. She tried to keep her eyes guarded on the door, but couldn't help as to close them and moan softly as she rubbed. Completely unaware of what was about to happen. It was until moments later, as Applejack was far into her fantasy a bit, that a certain stallion had his head next to her. From the nearby window he found out where she was hiding.
Applejack only got lost shortly in a fantasy involving her and a certain Stallion she has had her eyes on. Only letting out lightly audible 'mmm's and 'ah's as she let her hoof trail down to her nether regions. There was that slight silence when she paused to hear for somepony coming, but never heard a thing. Continuing seemed foolish, but she needed the distraction for now, at least, that's what she thought.
"Thinking about a certain stallion, are we?" A familiar voice quickly snapped Applejack away. She jumped at the head of none other than Ivory being nosy through the barn window. Applejack quickly calmed herself down and shot a quick glare at him. "Don't yah know better than ta sneak up on a mare like that?" Tension decorated her beautiful voice, but then quickly changed to curiosity. "What are y'all even doing here in the first place, aren't ya suppos'd to be selling yer paintings?"
Ivory chuckled for a bit before giving out his answer. "Well, yes, but Big Mac need a bit of help with some apple bucking since you're still injured n' all. He sent Applebloom to inform me, but, he was also wondering where you went off and kindly asked moi to find you." Applejack's gaze was still curious, then morphed into a half-glare. "Well, that's kind n' all, but you still shouldn't have snuck on me like that."
"Aye, lass, don't get yer knickers in a twist!" Ivory said with a fake Irish accent. Applejack smiled a little at the comment, then giggled as she latched herself onto what was available of Ivory's neck. "Wait..." she pulled back from her hug, "..why aren't y'all surprised to even catch me like this?" "Simple, really, spring's around in Ponyville, so, you being in heat is a bit expected." The stallion replied with a bit of a smile.
"And what's this I hear 'bout ya apple buckin'?" Applejack asked, her look getting quite serious. "Well," Ivory trailed off in thought, "Big Mac said he'd show me a few tricks to loosen up some of the apples from the trees. They've worked so far, but I may have accidentily headbutted a few of the trees." Applejack leaned in again to notice a small bruise forming on Ivory's head.
"Ya seem all right ta me." Applejack stated bluntly. "Yeah, but my horn hurts a bit. OH! Before I forget, I got invited to a Garden Party down in Canterlot. I was wondering if you'd like to go with me so I don't feel awkward in front of a buch of ponies I don't know." Ivory's quick change of subject nearly caught AJ off guard. "And who exactly invited ya?" She narrowed her eyes a bit in suspicion. "In all honesty, I really do not know who acquired the invite for me, but it's eligible for one guest too." He said, gaining a smile from the mare.
"IT seems like y'all are asking me on a date." "I might be asking you on a date, I might not. Who knows?" "Well, Ah'll be thinkin' on it until then." "All righty then, I guess I should get back to helping with the applebucking"
Ivory was in process of pulling his head out the window until somepony else had something in mind. He sat there, wide-eyed, when she pushed he muzzle to his. Locking their lips together in that old barn. Applejack felt something, something she had never felt truly until that moment she propelled her muzzle to Ivory's. It wasn't just her first kiss, nor just his, but Theirs. They had locked muzzles for the very first time since they met, well, at all actually.
Ivory eventually forced his brain to reboot and slowly shut close his lids. Pushing back into the passionate kiss Applejack brought on. He didn't think it was just getting to her, but love, and he felt it too. It just felt so.... right to Ivory to be kissing AJ at this moment. Sure, it lasted only a few minutes, but it's safe to say they each wanted that kiss to last an eternity. Applejack broke it off and shooed Ivory on back to helping Big Mac in the orchard.
Applejack couldn't help herself during that moment, but she didn't want to hide her true feelings from the unicorn any longer. She felt that what she did was right, but couldn't help to feel guilty that she surprised Ivory with it. Applejack was more than happy though to have shared that little corner of passion with Ivory. Knowing full well that she may have just captured his heart.
"She wants you, you know it, right?" Ivory asked himself the question in his head. He nodded slowly as he tried to focus on getting some of these trees to loosen their grip on the apples above. Even though a few minutes ago, the orange mare he's known most of his life came to light with her feelings for him. Now that brought a small smile to his face. Loud *plunk!* sounds had shattered his train of thought, causing him to look over his shoulder.
Ivory had been bucking the tree long enough to actually cause some of the apples to fall into the bins set up at the base of the tree. He bucked the trunk of the tree again to cause a few more apples to fall from the branches. Guess Applejack was enough motivation to do better, considering. Not taking too long to relish in his small accomplishment, Ivory set out to help with the rest of the apple trees until sun down. Bidding his goodbyes to the Apples and making his way homeward.
Ivory wasn't much of a fan for dressing nice, and neither was AJ, but they both had on their best attire. For Applejack, she might have just reused her gala dress. Keyword: might have. As for Ivory on the other hoof, he decided to adorn the only dress shirt he had along with a tie. Comfortable, yes, his best look, not by Rarity's standards. But despite all that, he made it work. How is completely a mystery to anypony that saw him.
The week that followed after the kiss and to the now coming Garden Party was all in sweetness for the two. Ivory felt more comfortable with how AJ is acting now, along with obliging the mare a few pecks here and there. Whenever he looked at her, those emerald eyes sparkled, not only with love either. Right now, Ivory was having a hard time not staring at his date, she looked awfully stunning in her dress.
It complemented her coat quite nicely. Of course, Applejack was looking out the window, her mind so far out that she didn't even notice Ivory staring at her.She was thinking, thinking about how that kiss felt still. How could Applejack still be thinking about their kiss after a full week? She didn't know, yet, she also enjoyed how Ivory was more willing to be affectionate. Whether it was in public or at home, Applejack was a bit more than ecstatic to know that her coltfriend was willing to do more than make her happy. It felt like everything fit, except that she was a country pony and he was a city pony.
That never stopped the two over the course of a week. What started out as a simple affections being taken out of surprise turned into this, a relationship forged from years of development. How long this'll last could only be their guess, too bad that wasn't going to Applejack and Ivory from having a bit of fun with it while it lasted. Applejack's eyes soon left the window and came in contact with a dazed Ivory Dreams.
Applejack slowly reached a forehoof over and wrapped it in one of Ivory's, snapping him out of his daze as she leaned closer. "Likin' what ya see?" The orange mare whispered into the unicorn's ear, looking at him with a glint in her eyes. "Well, not my fault a country girl could look so good." Ivory responded with the sliest of smiles plastered to his face. Applejack giggled adorably before nuzzling herself into Ivory's neck as the train came to a halt.
The two untangled their hooves and intertwined their tails as they left the train car. Ivory let AJ out first despite the slight pain he felt by his tail being pulled on. Quickly following the mare out, that stallion never seemed to leave her side as they continued down the street towards the Royal Palace, weaving their way through crowds of high-end Canterlot unicorns trying to gain entry to this year's Garden Party.
Ivory reached a hoof inside his pocket on the front of his shirt to show the guard their invitation. As he looked over to make sure the piece of document was legitimate, Applejack was leaning into Ivory's side. Never did that tail of hers unwound itself from his tail, but hey, at least this was going to be a relaxing night, even if there might have been something else going on that they couple weren't aware about. Determination was the key here, but who exactly had it?
The couple made way to the party in which their ears were met with the soothing sounds of classical music. It felt right to just sit there and listen, but Ivory had a bit of a plan for tonight that he wanted Applejack for. His eyes scanned the area for a good place for nopony to spot them as easily. That was his plan until his eyes came across something, something rather familiar to him.
His eyes met those of the cellist performing silently at the party. Those light purple eyes were something of interest alright, but she was looking directly back at him with a small smile as she played. Never missing a note, never dd her eyes leave the stallion that was her target. Ivory's blood suddenly went cold as he stared into her eyes longer. His trance was broken when Applejack nudged with, his gaze was finally averted.
"Is there somethin' wrong, sugar cube?" AJ asked with concern in her voice. "It's.... nothing... really." Ivory replied as he forced a smile, looking into the comfort of emerald eyes. "You know ya can tell me what's botherin' y'all." Applejack was trying to adress the issue, but Ivory wanted o leave it be. "Don't worry yourself, mio rosa. All I want is for us to enjoy tonight." Was all he gave as a response.
Applejack could tell that that Ivory was still disturbed, sure, he had good intentions for tonight, but she could tell when he was very uncomfortable with something. In turn, that would slightly bother her that a friend wasn't comfortable, she offered for them to leave early, but he insisted on staying. It's like Ivory knew that something wanted him to be there, or somepony. Applejack made quick intentions to lead Ivory over to the serving tables where he would be a bit more comfortable in the situation.
It was an odd amount of time, not enough time to be a full hour though, and Applejack could still sense Ivory being disturbed by something. She didn't know what bothered him so much that he nearly emptied out the punch bowl before AJ stopped him completely. What happened to Ivory as soon as they stepped on the scene? A question whose answer lies in that memory on the train that year.
Ivory's bladder started to get a tinsy bit antsy, protesting all that punch he just drank in a small succession of time. "Excuse me for parting, but I REALLY need to go use the bathroom" Ivory was shifting his hind legs in an attempt to calm his bladder. Applejack gave him an understanding nod, and with that, was gone and off to the restroom in a flash of cream streak. She was still concerned though, even she has never seen Ivory drink this much, well, at least not since last Cider season.
Ivory was having trouble actually finding a bathroom in the first place since he left the garden. Sure, he asked a guard where he might find one only to be pointed in a direction and got lost. "Well... this is my punishment for drinking so much punch I guess." Ivory said to himself aloud, "But why is it that I don't have to pee during the daytime of cider season, I drink a helluva lot more than I did that damn punch."
Ivory seemed to be rambling to himself in a lonesome hall. No doors, just large windows. Felt a bit eerie walking down the hall alone, but he also felt like he was being watched, somehow. Ivory stopped immediately to look for any signs of progress, which were slim as they are. His ears started to twitch as he heard the sound of a second set of hooves. Ivory brushed it off as Applejack coming to look for him after being gone so long, but that was shattered when he turned around.
A pair of light purple eyes were staring directly into his. He took a step back from those eyes to see just exactly what pony had followed him. Much to his doubts, it was the cellist from the party, but something was different in her look this time. Sure, they were sparkling in the light, but never compared to Applejack's, they had a sense of longing for somepony in them. That somepony those eyes longed just so happened to be directly in front of them.
"Can I... help... you?" Ivory asked, both nervous and suspicious. "Why yes, yes you can." The mares voice erupted from deep within her silence, a bit of a foreign accent hinted. "With what.. exactly?" "The stallion took another step back from the mare, her bow that occupied her neck matched her eyes. "I've been looking for somepony, and it has been a while since I've seen them." The mare's voice was smooth to Ivory's ears.
"And that somepony is you." The cellist of a mare was getting closer to Ivory. Ivory backed up into a wall and rose the rest of his body on his hind legs, that really didn't help him at all. The strange light brown coated mare pinned the stallion to the wall, he muzzle mere centimeters away from his. She stared into those darkened eyes Ivory posessed. "You have no idea how long I've waited for you to show up, Ivory Dreams." This mare knew his name?!
"I-I-I have somepony waiting for me back at the party.... I d-don't think she would appreciate another mare against me.." Ivory stuttered out. "Ohh... what she doesn't know won't hurt her." The mare spoke in a seductive tone as she neared her muzzle closer to his. Ivory had to think of something, but thoughts were racing so fast they never seemed to stop for a second.
Just then, everything stopped, his thoughts, his words, the world around him. All this was brought on by the cellist forcing a deep kiss of locked away passion onto Ivory. His eyes nearly bulged out when he felt the warmth of her body pressed up against his. He was locked up against the wall, this wasn't right, he knew this wasn't right, but it made it that much more exciting. Ivory! What are you thinking! You can't just put AJ aside like this!
Applejack.... that was all he needed to motivate himself to force the mare off. Ivory was forceful with the grasp, but gentle, and pulled her away. A string of her saliva hung between their mouths. His look was grave, the cellist's was loving. "I'm sorry miss, but I can't hold an affair behind my love's back." His tone was serious, but it didn't phased the cellist. "Why don't you forget about her for the time being,shall we? I'm sure she knows just exactly where you are from her home." The mare's eye were half-lidded by this point.
"I refuse to, I brought her with me because that ticket could vouch for an extra guest." Ivory stared blankly at the mare. "Well, well, well, I was expecting you bring a friend of some sort, but not your marefriend," a mischievous smile arose to her lips, "maybe she can join us for a little fun, hmm?" Ivory gently put the mare off to the side, her response was to flick his nose with her tail in a childish manner before he left to head back to the party.
The mare stood in the long hall for a little while longer, she was lost in her thoughts of Ivory. When she heard him play a piano in the back of the campus stage that year he was there, she fell in love. He was good with his hooves, but just exactly how good was he? She smiled widely, She had just kissed her secret goodbye. Now, she just had to convince him to get with her instead.
Ivory soon joined back up with Applejack back at the table. Her head was buried into one fore leg draped across the edge of the table. Ivory gave her a gentle nudge, to which she slowly raised her head and smile at him after a yawn. "What took yah so long? I was getting pretty beat here waitin' on y'all to get back." Ivory wrapped a leg around her. "I got caught up in something." That was only slightly true and he knew it. "We gotta get you home."
With that remark, Applejack smile and nuzzled herself into Ivory as they left the party a bit earlier than the guests.
The train ride home was a bit pleasant for Ivory as Applejack slept the whole way. She had been sleeping on the stallion as the wheels rattled on the tracks. As for Ivory, well, he was still thinking how that mystery mare knew his name. He never knew her name, yet, it was quite the curiosity. He felt that he should know the mare, but nothing came up. His only memory were her light purple eyes. They sparkled all right, but still couldn't compare to AJ's emerald eyes.
Ivory had a leg crossed around Applejack's frame, gently rubbing her back while she slept peacefully. The car would shake once or twice, but the mare stayed asleep with a smile sprawled across her lips. Ivory knew it'd be late when the train got back to Ponyville, even then, Applejack might be tired enough to not even make the journey back to the farm. He smiled to himself a bit, turning away from the window and down to the sleeping mare at his side.
He gently nuzzled her cheek, Applejack's response was a subconscious nuzzle back as her smile widened. Ivory couldn't help but fall into a light state of napping for the rest of the ride. He was more content with AJ sleeping next to him than that mare from earlier. Oh yes, that mystery cellist that knew him, somehow, trying to seduce him into an affair she was. Ivory was smarter than that though, kept himself loyal to the pony he cared for the most.
Ivory felt the train jerk to a stop, waking him up just enough to gain a bit of awareness of where they were. Home, it had been an hour or two, he guessed. Ivory gently nudged Applejack awake, whom yawned a bit before realizing where she was. The small station that was Ponyville's. She turned her head towards the stallion with a sweet smile before kissing him. Applejack stretched one time before getting up, shortly followed by Ivory.
The unicorn ended up leading after the two left the station, not very surprising to Ivory after all. "Hey surgarcube," Ivory looked over to his marefriend, "I was wonderin' if ya might be willing to let me stay for the night." "Of course," he chuckled lightly before saying another word, "all you have too do is ask." Applejack's weary smile widened as she leaned further into Ivory's side, the stallion took it as a form of a silent 'thank you.'
The door swung open gently, in walked Ivory with an Applejack resting peacefully on his back. Now mind you, Ivory isn't very strong himself despite being a stallion, but AJ was rather light compared to his usual weight. Trudging his wat across the carpet and to the bedroom. Gently lifting the covers with his magic and placed the sleeping mare onto his sheets. Adorable, that's what he thought. Just. Plain. Adorable.
The unicorn made sure that the dress Applejack had on was folded nicely and placed on the foot of his bed. With a final tuck of the blanket and a kiss placed on her cheek, Ivory left the room quietly. He had at least one more chore to do before he could enjoy himself, and that was to shut the front door and lock it. As Ivory tried to shut the door, it lightly bounced off of something on the ground. With some inspection, it turned out to be AJ's stetson. Her trademark hat in the dirt below.
Ivory bent his neck down and picked up the hat, shutting the door afterwards. He made sure as to place the hat somewhere visible for the mare to spot in the morning. Continuing on his way to the back room of his house for the final time tonight, Ivory thought of something. He thought of doing something he hadn't done since his time at the Fine Arts School. He was going to play his piano... with his own hooves.
Ivory entered the almost darkened room, a single window lit up most of the room, including the piano. Using a simple spell to make a stool appear the piano, or has it always been there? Ivory sat down with a rather large sigh and opened the lid to reveal the keys. He wasn't going to let his mind make the music, but his heart instead. Hooves hovered over the piano keys, waiting for orders from his brain, but his heart took the first stride.
Notes were hit in a manner that seemed professional, yet, Ivory was only an amateur. His heart sang out through the note of this piano, beautiful as one could describe if anypony was listening to him play. If a master had heard him play, the player would probably be bested by the capacity of Ivory's heart as it felt the piano keys under his hooves, Striking the right time, the right now, the right bass. It all seemed so perfect, to be playing alone in the quiet of Luna's night.
Applejack rolled over to feel not a familiar body, but an empty space in the bed. She opened her eyes lazily to look around the bedroom the mare currently occupied to find no stallion. What Applejack did hear was the sound of a piano playing in the back room. The notes were caressing here ears as she listened, sweet, sweet music that only she could appreciate from Ivory. Yet, she wondered if her coltfriend was actually working on another piece of work, but at this late?
The mare slowly climbed out of the bed and continued towards the door. That's when the tempo in Ivory's playing took a turn. Those sweet melodies she's been hearing changed to something that sounded like anger. Applejack continued down the darkened hall, worried about Ivory if the notes had changed. She neared the back room and the notes got angrier and angrier until AJ reached the door frame and peered in.
Ivory slammed his hooves down on the last few note he felt his heart produce. His eyes were still closed but his breathing was heavy. He felt a pit of anger rise up somewhere, and his heart felt the need to extinguish it before something had happened. Ivory had yet to notice the mare now in the room with him, worried expression showing to it's fullest. He slowly closed the lid that covered the keys before, but never opened his eyes.
"Are ya all right there, sugar cube?" Applejack asked, causing Ivory to open his eyes and look in her direction. "Yeah... I'm fine. Sorry to wake you..." Was the stallion's response as he looked towards the ground. "Now, Ah've known y'all long enough to know when somethin's up." The mare was approaching, not too quick, nor too slow. "So y'all are better off tellin' me what's got yo so worked up."
Ivory took a deep breath and looked back up to Applejack once more. "Well," he started not sure how she would react, "while we were at that Garden Party, you know when I ran off to go to the bathroom?" AJ nodded, almost remembering how Ivory had taken. "I was being followed, apparently, by an old classmate of mine, whom of which I still don't know, and she...." Ivory stopped for a moment, Applejack was still listening, intently, but she was also growing tiresome again.
"Maybe we should just get some rest. you look awfully tired." Ivory observed, with only a light chuckle from AJ as a response. "Oh no, I ain't lettin' you out of this room 'til you tell me what's got you so riled up." With that remark, AJ slammed the door behind with a swift kick of her good hind leg. "Never make anything easy, do you?" Ivory asked with a groan.
Ivory's afternoon was quite full with cleaning up the mess from the night before. The door of his backroom was clean off the hinges, papers scattered, some books. Applejack had quite the fit last night and stormed out in a rage. He was still sore because he got bucked around a few times trying to calm AJ, but felt like she broke a rib or two in the process. Ivory had plans to get see if anything was broken, but the mess had to come first. Boy, this place is a disaster.
Applejack sat out off in a secluded part of the orchard, with last night on her mind and how hurt Ivory may be right now. She knew she had bucked him around two or three times around his house. She didn't mean to, but she was so upset about what she had heard, AJ just couldn't help it. Hormones were a bit out of place as they were and she couldn't possibly forgive herself if she hurt Mr. Dreams worse than he brushed it off to be.
The real question on the matter was how strained their relationship might be after that night. Would Ivory understand how she had acted, or be a bit harsh? A question that only the day's events would unfold. Applejack get on her hooves again, remembering she had a bit of work to do on the farm today, nothing too straining. Her thoughts were still consumed by how Ivory's and her's relationship might go next.
Ivory exited the clinic with an all-clear and no broken limbs (surprisingly). Now all he needed to do was to get some help on fixing the door to the backroom in his home. Sure, he could use magic to fix it himself, but he didn't know how to fix a door, and neither did he want to pay a load of bits for a repair-pony to fix the door. So he'd figured he might as well do for now and made his way back home in a steady trot. Intaking the surroundings around him along with that crisp afternoon air the Spring had possessed.
Ivory was listening to the birds chirp as he passed into the park, sure, his house was on side of the park, somewhat close. He wasn't thinking about home now, he placed himself on the fountain in the center and engrossed himself in a deep thought. There was one thing on his mind and one thing only, well, pony to be exact. Applejack was on his mind, he was wondering how she had been doing after last night.
Applejack felt like she had to make it up to Ivory, somehow. Whether it was to apologize, take him somewhere he'd like, letting him take advantage, or, all of the above. She was always there for him, when he was down in the dumps, when he was hurt, even had fun together. There was a connection they both shared, but it felt like it was skewered after what she had done that night. If she also found out that she accidentily broke some bones, she wouldn't feel comfortable knowing she had.
The stallion on the fountain changed his gaze every so often to observe a local tree, critter, sometimes a bench. His sides were protesting earlier's walk, yet, home was so close. Ivory could just get up, move a few more yard home, and plop down on the couch. Ivory Dreams his name rolled off the tongue in his mind repeatedly, as if looking for some kind of flaw. Maybe he was just saying his own name out of boredom, distracting himself from the pains in his chest.
An orange mare left Sweet Apple Acres in the late afternoon, leg was feeling good enough to buck some trees, not a whole lot. She had a plan though, a plan that was sure to make everything up. Her irrational anger, destruction, harm, and least of all, leaving without a single 'goodbye'. Applejack didn't have an idea just how exactly Ivory would react to her visit, whether or not if he was sore about what she had done.
The door to Ivory's was left wide open, he felt a little fresh air wouldn't hurt. Almost every window in the house was open also, curtains flowing in the wind that caught them coming in. The stallion in question know as Ivory Dreams was lounging in his living on the couch, looking through the photo album his mother had made for him. He kept the door in the corner of his eye as he flipped through its pages, focusing on the memories he had left of his family.
Ivory only had his mom now, no idea what had happened to his father. He was just... gone, Nopony ever knew what had happened to him. Ivory's eyes got lost in thought as it focused on one particular picture. It was a family photo, with one extra member that wasn't really related. A tear welled up in his eye, a smile appeared on his face, staring at a cream coated unicorn colt with an orange coated earth filly, accompanied by the unicorn's parents.
A familiar color now occupied the door frame to the house. The form of orange was staring directly at the stallion from across his home. "Ivory" A voice called to his ears, tearing him away from his memory and towards the form in the door way. "Ah, AJ, it's good to see you again. I didn't think you'd come by again." Ivory said with a hint of happiness in his tone.
Applejack just stood there, staring at Ivory as if wanting an invitation inside. "Iv'ry" She spoke again, forgetting to pronounce the 'o', a hint of sorrow dealed in her tone. "Ah've got somthin' to say.." "As do I," Ivory replied back, closing up the album, "you say what you want to say first." The orange mare's emerald eyes started to drift to the floor as she took in a breath of air before speaking.
"Ah'm sorry, and not just fer what happened, but fer reactin' the way ah did. It was wrong of me to do so.. Ah just hope ya aren't too sore with me."
"AJ, why in Equestria would I be mad at the mare I love more than anything? I'm the on that should be sorry. not you."
"You? Sorry? Sorry fer what?"
"For not being more careful about how you'd react, and in hindsight, I probably should've never let that happen at the party anyway."
Applejack's face went from a state of sadness to one of hybrid confusion-sorrow. Ivory was up from the couch and approaching her, embracing her in a hug that told her more than that she was just forgiven. As she hugged, the hug got a bit tighter, causing Ivory to groan a bit out of pain. She pulled away with a bit of concern only to have that stallion in the embrace smile back at her.
"I'll be fine, just going to be sore for a few days." Ivory said with a smile.
"Are ya sure 'bout that, sugarcube?" Applejack responded, staring into his eyes.
Ivory just leaned in and kissed her, showing what passion he had left before the sun fell into a perfect spot. AJ gladly returned the kiss whilst blushing her cheeks a full red. The stallion started to guide the mare inside the house and close the door behind her. Ivory wasn't sure whether or not he still loved Applejack, up until he found that old photograph. Now, it was her turn to see if she still loved him as much as he did.
Ivory was the first to awaken in a haze from last night. The covers were pulled only half-way as he felt his hooves wrapped around a familiar form in his bed. A smile was brought to his face as he remembered AJ proving herself to be quite the rodeo pony. That's when his hooves started to rub her back as he looked down to the sleeping orange mare. Pulling her close, the stallion planting a small kiss on her forehead.
Applejack smiled in her sleep even more. Feeling the warmth of Ivory's body already did a trick or two to Applejack as she slept peacefully against him. Of course, he wanted nothing more than to just lay there and cuddle, but his lower half was speaking out for a little more action. That would either have to wait another night or until AJ was awake.
Ivory felt some movement against, followed by a yawn and a sigh. When he looked down, he could see the mare he came to love staring happily up at him with her emerald eyes. They were sparkling still, even after last night. Ivory to a quick intiative and lifted himself over her, locking their lips together in a fiery passion that was about to meet last night's events.
Ivory was the first to break the kiss.
"Gettin' a little excited this early?" Applejack asked with a sultry tone, her smile seemed a bit devious.
"Might aswell get ready for Round 2. Only my turn to perform this time." Ivory responded with a smirk, bringing his snout to hers.
"Ready when ya are." Her eyes were now half-lidded as she smiled pleasantly now.
They locked lips for the second time this morning as Ivory quickly went to work, vanishing under the bed spread.