Soarin stayed in awkward silence as he led the earth pony down the old and decrepit stairway that led to the masnion's basement that held his bedroom. It figured that the adopted son got the basement bedroom while Thunderland and Rumble got rooms upstairs, but Soarin never seemed to mind. In fact, he preferred it this way, it gave him more privacy.
But, here he was, walking into his room with a mare that his father expected to "show him a good time" which Soarin was really not into at the moment.
The reason he was so out of it earlier with Thunderlane and Fleetfoot was because he had just broken off with his previous marefriend, Vapor Trail. She was a Shadowbolt recruit who had made quite the impression. So, Soarin started to hang out with her, until eventually they started a relationship. But, it didn't last, just a few nights ago, Soarin had seen Vapor Trail kissing another Shadowbolt recruit named Sky Stinger. She never even said goodbye to him before kicking him to the curb to be with Sky Stinger.
So, to say that Soarin was uncomfortable now was an understatement, as he sat down on his bed with the mare now just standing in front of him. It was now that Soarin got a good look at her. He had seen her before. She was one of the owners of the apple orchard in Ponyville that Night Stalker had recently purchased. He hadn't seen her in weeks.
"So, how should I start?" she asked in a quiet tone. She looked awful, her hair was ragged and she looked like she hadn't slept or showered in days.
"You don't have to do anything Applejack, just, sit down." Soarin said with a soft expression to try to make her feel more calm around him. After hearing her name, Applejack perked up.
"Y-you called me by my name?" she said perplexed.
"I'm not like Night Stalker, I'm not gonna call you earthy, please just sit." Soarin said calmly. Applejack nodded and sat down in a chair that was opposite the bed.
"What happened to you Applejack? Me and Thunder go down to the apple orchard a few times a week for cider and we haven't seen you, how did you end up here?" Soarin asked. Applejack looked to the floor and started to silently weep. Soarin realized that he must've gone to far.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." Soarin said. Applejack looked back at him and shook her head.
"No, it's not you. Night Stalker bought the farm, and demanded nearly four times than his cut of the profits. When we couldn't get him the money, he threatened to kick us off the farm. I begged that I'd do anything to keep the farm, and he put me to work as one of his prostitutes. He's also been making me cook and clean like the bitch he expects me to me, and to please him or anyone else he tells me to." Applejack explained, getting more and more choked up as she continued. Soarin took her into a gentle hug and calmed her.
"It's fine, it's alright, I'm not going to listen to him. I'm not going to make you do anything." Soarin said reassuringly, making Applejack slightly grin. Soarin then got up and went over to his closet and began to rummage around.
"How much do you owe him now?" Soarin asked as he pulled out a large lock-box.
"About 110 bits." Applejack answered. Soarin nodded and opened up the box, revealing a large number of golden bits stuffed inside and he began to count them out.
"No Soarin, I shouldn't except this, I haven't done anything yet." Applejack argued. Soarin shook his head no.
"I'm not gonna let him ruin you like the others. Your one of the only ponies in this town that I've seen that's not a complete ass. So take this to my dad, and say that I paid it for the "sex". But not now, tomorrow morning." Soarin instructed as he put the bits into a bag and gave it to Applejack. She gazed at the bag of bits and stuttered.
"I-I-I don't know w-what to say. T-thanks sugarcube." Applejack with a rather large smile. Soarin nodded and led her over to the window that was just above the desk and opened it.
"Now, climb out and go back to your family, I'm sure their worried sick about you." Soarin said. Applejack nodded and climbed through the small window, turning back when she was through.
"Thank ya Soarin." she said with a smile before turning and walking into the Everfree Forest toward Ponyville.
"No problem AJ." Soarin said to himself before shutting the window and turning to his bed.
"Why am I here?"