“We’ve decided to make this easier on you both.” Crispin announced at the breakfast bar. Vignette and her family were still suspiciously absent but everyone else was gathered in the spacious kitchen of Rarity’s suite.
Rarity raised a brow, “is that right?”
Cortland shuffled his feet and glared at his pancakes, “I’m going home to Sweet Apple Acres. And Crisp is going back to Manehatten.”
Applejack felt her heart clench in disappointment even as she thought she should be relieved. Based on Rarity’s expression, she was also conflicted.
“Oh?” She asked softly, “and when did you two come to this decision?”
AJ snorted, “What’s the catch?”
“Oh AJ honestly-”
“We want to go on the summer camping trip before we go home.” Crisp cut her off firmly, “all of us together, as a family. We all go camping and then Mother and I go home. And we both spend the Holidays on the farm and Spring Breaks in Manehattten. Summer we spilt between both.” Cortland nodded, still glaring at the flapjacks on his plate sullenly.
Applejack huffed softly and glanced at Rarity who grimaced but gave a hesitant nod. “Alright boys, you’ll get your camping trip. Then it’s back to real life ya’ hear?”
Vignette was not happy. And she was making sure everyone around her knew exactly what the extent of her displeasure was. Applejack was trying very hard not to hear most of it.
“-and you know very well what she’s trying to do!” Vignette finally stopped for a breath and from the backseat Sugar Belle spoke.
“What is it she’s trying to do, Vignette?” She snarked, “please enlighten us.”
Vignette turned in her seat to glare at her. “She’s trying to steal Applejack back from me so she can take her money!”
Applebloom snorted and glanced at Sugar Belle with a grin, “what money?”
“Good question.”
AJ tightened her grip on the wheel. “Honey,” she interrupted the beginning of another rant, “Rarity is not after my money. She has more than enough, and she is the mother of my children. Please, let this go.”
“Then why is she so keen on this…” her lip curled in disgust, “camping trip.” Her voice dripped with derision. “Who in their right mind enjoys tromping through the woods?”
“Uh, we do,” Applebloom muttered. “It’s a family tradition.”
Since all her friends had been with them, AJ naturally invited them on the camping trip. And, for the first time in years, they were all free to attend. Granny Smith would be staying on the farm. Citing that she was too old in her bones to go but, the rest of them would be spending the whole week in the forest.
Vignette did not let up her complaints as the packing was done and finally, Sunset snapped. “If you’re that worried about it then come along!”
She opened her mouth to argue but Rarity beat her to it, “that’s a capital idea Sunny. Why, I’m terribly sorry to have made you uncomfortable Vignette. I’ll stay behind and drive the vehicle back to the farm; after all I haven’t seen Canterlot in years. You go in my place.”
Rarity having given the offer apparently meant that Vignette had to go. (After all, if she refused then it would be admitting defeat.) At least, that’s what the others gleaned from the grumbling that Applejack had apparently become deaf to.
The morning had dawned bright and clear; perfect for their hike into the forest. Everyone set out together in a line along the winding path carved by years of Apple family camping trips. AJ and Big Mac made it a habit to clear the first several miles of trail each year in advance.
Vignette kept up well enough for the first mile or so before she wheezed loudly and demanded a break. AJ, desperate to keep the peace had stopped. The others, lined up behind them in pairs all collectively exchanged eye rolls. Even Twilight, who rarely ever left her classroom, was keeping pace with Sunset in the middle with no issue.
“This is exhausting.” Vignette whined, “We have to go how many miles?”
“It’s only eight miles to the camping site out by the lake honey,” AJ said patiently, “we’re barely more than a mile in.”
“Ma,” Cortland huffed, “we’ll never make it to the lake before dark at this speed.”
She glared back at him, “take your brother and go scout ahead boys, we’re right behind you.”
“Sure Mom.” Crisp smiled, gripping his brother by his bicep and pulling him along.
Sunset ignored AJ’s lovers spat and turned her attention to Big Mac and Sugar Belle who were leaning against a tree with matching smirks. “So is bridezilla over there as bad as Twi says she is? I’ve only been dealing with her for a couple days and I’m ready to find a ditch to leave her in.”
Sugar Belle snorted and passed Sunset a bottled water, “worse.”
“Eeeyup.” Mac glared in Vignette’s direction and then leaned in, “AJ’s fit to be tied because Granny won’t give her blessin’.”
“Because Granny knows a crooks when she sees one.” Dash butted in, one arm around Pinkie and the other twined with Fluttershy’s. “Vignette might have AJ fooled but the rest of us know a Rarity knock off when we see one.”
“Dashie!” Fluttershy reprimanded, “that’s mean… true… but mean. And tie your shoes Pinkie before you trip.”
Sunset snorted, “Good to have you back by the way Flutters. You’re the brains of this throuple and I honestly worried they’d die while you were gone.” Fluttershy turned so red that Twilight worried quietly about her blood pressure .
They made good progress before their next break and if Sunset saw Crispin stuff a few rocks in Vignette’s pack... Well, she needed the exercise anyway. Besides, she was a little more focused on Twilight gushing about her Canterlot High School lab (curtesy of Vice Principal Luna). Twilight’s hand was brushing hers with every step they took and Sunset's breath was stolen by more than just the elevation. So, it came as a surprise when the peaceful lull of Twilight’s voice was broken by an ear splitting scream.
Vignette stood, paralyzed with fear in front of a small lizard. It was a Leopard Gecko, perched on the top of her bag. He was bright yellow, and, Sunset thought, adorable. Vignette, obviously did not agree. Still screaming bloody murder she scrambled toward the rest of the group.
A cursing panicked AJ came crashing back through the trees. “What!?” she asked, gripping Vignette and looking her over. “What is it?”
She pointed, “killiitkillitkillit! KILL IT!”
Sunset immediately shoved passed her the moment Applejack picked up a rock. “He’s a gecko!” she spat, glaring and scooping him up gently. “He’s harmless.”
AJ dropped the rock sheepishly. “Sorry Sunny, I know you’re a creepy crawly person.” She turned carefully back to her fiancée, “Sunset’ll handle it honey, ain’t no need for the squallin’.”
“Kill it!”
Sunset snorted and gently tucked the little lizard into the front pocket of her shirt. “He’s a reptile and no. He’s harmless and I don’t kill animals who aren’t hurting anyone.”
Vignette turned pouting eyes on AJ and huffed.
“Don’t look at me girl. I ain’t killin’ somethin’ Sunny says is innocent. It didn’t hurt you, just startled ya’ is all.”
The rest of the journey seemed to go smoothly enough. Twilight might have overheard Dash congratulating the twins on the lizard prank. And she and Sunset might have laughed a little... and if she was a little proud of them for making Vignette look bad? Well, I am supposed to be a fun aunt now, right?