//------------------------------// // We stow our words in the cellar. // Story: Outlet. // by Reptilicus //------------------------------// A chilly wind blew through the crowded streets of Manehattan. It was difficult for the sun's warmth to pierce through the smog that sat over the town like an upset cloud. Meaning every night, once night fell, it got cold. It didn't matter what season it was. If you were out in the streets, you bundled up. And at the moment, there were quite a few in the streets. Some ponies commuting, some going home to be with their families, and quite a few emerging for the first time today as the sun set, ready to enjoy the nightlife the city offered. Illuminated carriages road through the streets. Some pulled by ponies, some powered by small efficient electric engines. The smaller wagons were more like chariots, with seats for two, designed for romantic trips through the town or parks at night. The larger ones could sit a whole crowd, and for the most part were motorized, saving time and horsepower without the need of a fleet to pull them. The sky was an ashen red as the white carriage carrying a small group of ponies sped through the late traffic jams in the streets. Within it sat Rarity and Applejack, along with quite a few others who were enjoying the expensive public transportation. Rarity was already chatting with complete strangers mere moments into the trip while Applejack sat soberly, trying to keep her eyes closed lest she peer out the window and see something, or someone she recognized. She was already feeling a bit nauseous from her nerves getting worked up as the wagon slowed to take a corner. "You've been so quiet this whole trip, Applejack." Applejack opened her eyes to see Rarity had turned to glance at her, aware something was amiss. "I'm fine." "You've been sitting like a statue with your eyes screwed shut." "If I look out the window and see somethin' I know I think I'm gonna freak out, Rarity. Tryin' to stay calm, so I don't mess our night up like I messed our day up." "I really wish you'd tell me why this town gets you so nervous." "I don't want to talk about it." "Well it's not as if you'd have time anyway, because we are finally here!" Rarity and Applejack exited the wagon to a few goodbyes from the other occupants, their hooves clattering onto the brick street as the wagon rode off into the night. Applejack glanced back at it, wondering if she should have stayed at the hotel and found something else to do. Like peeling tomatoes or checking out the casinos. With a small sigh she quickened her step, getting side by side with Rarity as they trotted down the street. As they walked Applejack glanced over at a small sewer drain, emblazoned with a brass orange stamp. She turned to peer nervously down the street. It was so familiar. She knew this street, and all the memories that came with it. They swam into focus in her consciousness, stirring up unpleasant feelings, making the young mare slow as they approached a glowing building. "What's wrong? Feeling sick?" Rarity was sitting on her haunches a few meters away, a look of concern on her features. "A lil' bit. I know this here street." "From what precisely?" "Nothin' important. Let's get going." They began to walk again as Rarity slowed down so her friend could catch up, turning her head to study Applejack. Small beads of sweat were forming on the orange pony's head as she stared forward, stoic as possible. "You know you can talk to me about anything, right?" Rarity whispered as pleasantly as she could. "Yeah, I know. Is this the place?" "Yes. I'd like you to meet an old friend of mine here." The two mares had stopped in front of a large black building, embedded into the side of a brick apartment complex. Stairs were leading down to a doorway and the quiet dull thud of music was managing to eek its way through. Above the door sat a magically-infused neon sign. Small green and yellow butterflies made out of tiny beads of light were hovering around small tubes of light, artfully curved to form a glowing calligraphy that simply said "The Parasprite". Large brass bolts held the magical words in place. Rarity squealed and marched boldly down the stairs towards the door. "So this here is a club in the basement of an apartment complex, huh?" Applejack asked, mesmerized by the enchanted insects on the sign. "Not just the basement. The entire structure, darling! Brilliant, no?" "Oh! I....don't know, Rare. This place seems kinda....swanky." "Remember how I told you that having fun was now non-optional? I, Lady Rarity, command thee to come downstairs already, AJ. If anypony gives you a nasty look just remember something very important." "What's that?" "We're much better than they are." and with a sultry wink, Rarity tiptoed backwards into the darkened doorway, disappearing into the pitch black hallway that followed. Applejack glanced around briefly before lowering her head and following suit, vanishing inside the basement that lead to the interior. *********************************************************************************** A few minutes later found the two friends sitting on cushions in a dark room, surrounded by other ponies on cushions. Small reflective tables sat inbetween them. On top was a small copper tray of hayfries and sushi, which Applejack was happily digging in to, after not having eaten all day. She definitely felt better now that the pit of her stomach was full of nourishment. She flashed a smile at Rarity and took a good look at her surroundings. They were on a sort of mechanical plateau, with a small bar and two waitresses scuttling around bringing drinks and food to the other patrons. Enchanted floating signal lanterns full of scented candles were floating lazily above the plateau, casting light onto it and the sweet smell of pumpkins across the room. Beyond the outer wall stood a very crowded dance floor. Dozens upon dozens of well-dressed ponies were dancing up a storm across the glass tile floor. Under the glass was a massive water aquarium full of large colorful fish that swam to and fro, seemingly unaware of all the citizens dancing right above themselves. And below that were more lanterns, each with colorful filters, sending their rays of colorful light up through the water and glass into the room above, illuminating all the dancers, the swimming fish casting kaleidoscope shadows onto the dim ceiling. Electronic music beat its way through the air. Analog sounds mixed with erhu strings mixed into a light yet pumping house beat. Pretty enough to sit back and listen to, while remaining exciting enough to dance to. Applejack grinned as she leaned back on the cushion, squishing some more hayfries into her mouth. This was so relaxing and pleasant. A far cry from how the outside felt. Applejack snuggled into the cushion as she chewed thoughtfully allowing her mind to drift. Finally feeling her nervousness leave her body. Her thoughts were full of color and clouds when she was taken out of her dreamlike state by a small prod to her full stomach. Her eyes snapped open to see Rarity, giving her a disapproving look. "Oh no you don't! This is a dance club not a sleep club. We are going to dance, so help me Celestia." "Ha! Sorry, Rare. It's just so dang comfy. Haven't felt this relaxed in a while." "See? I knew you'd feel better if you came inside." "You were right, again! I should buy a beanbag chair for the farm. Where's that friend o' yers you wanted me to meet?" Rarity pointed a hoof over the soft foam wall that separated the plateau from the rest of the dance floor. At the far end of the room was another much smaller plateau, covered in record players, phonographs, electric pianos, synthesizers, and a few towers covered in buttons, dials, and lights. In the center of it all sat a small lanky white unicorn, green sparks of magic firing from her horn in small pops, which whizzed through the air forming into complex fractals and dissipating as they rained down into the crowd. Her hair as an unkempt tuft of blue and turquoise, sticking out in every direction like spines. A large majority of her mane was falling into her face, casting shadows on the large black goggles with magenta lenses that sat strapped to her head, reflecting the dancers as she nodded in time with the beat. Rarity gave a small wave over the wall. As if on cue, the sparks stopped and the unicorn in charge of the music lifted her goggles, sharply squinting across the crowd. Her face cracked into a sly smirk as she grabbed the nearest microphone. "Sorry my little fillies and colts. The greatest show on earth will be back soon enough. Don't get too sweaty out there, remember I have to clean this crap up later." With a flash of green sparks the unicorn had taken flight, hovering in a small cloud of green light as she flew, landing with a whump into Rarity's cushioned chair, green clouds of smoke in her wake, pulling her goggles off and draping them around her thin neck. A large cocky smile grew on her face, threatening to split her head in half. "Hello, hello, hello to you Rare-it-teeeee. It has been ages but I'm glad you are fashionably on time for once." The lanky unicorn turned to Applejack, blinked twice, then grabbed a hooffull of the hayfries off the plate on the table, devouring them instantly. She studied Applejack for a moment as she chewed, finally clearing her throat. "Yeah, so this isn't Pinkie Pie in a costume is it? This is that friend of yours, eh?" Rarity grinned. "No, Pinkie Pie didn't come this time. This is Applejack. Applejack, this is my old friend Scratch." "Pleasure to make your acquaintance! I like that there techno-y music y'all make a whole heck of a lot!" Applejack said, as she gleefully extended a hoof. "Hey the pleasure is all mine." Vinyl spat into her hoof before shaking Applejack's hoof. "Now we are hermana. It's tradition when I meet someone new. Sweet Celestia in the sky these hayfries are good. Octy, remind me to give Herman a raise!" "Do it yourself." shouted a grey mare who was lounging few tables away from the rest of the group. Scratch blew a raspberry in her direction before turning back to Rarity with a smug look. Applejack wiped her hoof off on the beanbag chair and smiled at Scratch. Whoever this pony was, she was clearly a fun character to hang around. "Is Hoity here tonight, Scratch? I've been dying to catch up." Rarity asked, grabbing a hayfry from Applejack's plate as well. Her face lit up as she chewed. "Oh! These are quite good." "Yeah I think Hermy cooks these in garlic. Anyway if you're looking for Hoity, your loverboy is playing cards with the Mayor. I think the prize in tonight's game is the east convention hall. Hoity wants to use it for a new fashion show. Mayor wants it because he's the mayor. Get ready to cheer him up when he loses. That fat Mayor jerk cheats. He's as crooked as a spastic snake. And twice as venomous. Always hiding cards in those big old bat-wings of his. Gimme first prize in the analogy contest, someone. Anyone?" "Oh excellent. Anyway I'll leave you two to get acquainted. Applejack, I will be right back I just need to see someone for a brief moment." Rarity grabbed another couple of hayfries before galloping off, descending the staircase on the side of the black plateau, leaving Applejack sitting on her cushion. "Never been here before, huh?" Scratch asked, leaning back comfortably on the cushion. "Allow me to officially welcome you to my little slice of Valhalla. I thought the Parasprite was a good name. The little critters are attracted to music. Plus they're colorful and destructive. I like them! What do you think? Enjoying yourself?" "Yeah! Haven't felt this good in some time. I haven't tried dancin' yet. I tend to kick folks when I dance." "Haha! Yeah southern dancing is pretty crazy. You are southern, right? Just like Pinkie Pie. She's pretty wild. We've had to escort her out a couple times for misconduct." "I know Pinkie, an I gotta say I find that hard to believe. She seems so......innocent." "Oh, she is. That's what makes it so funny when she misbehaves. She replaced all the stuffing in these beanbag chairs with whoopee cushions, once. I thought it was funny but all the combined fart sounds was apparently the most annoying noise in the world for everyone else. Freakin' humorless bureaucrats, lemme tell ya. Where do you know ol' Pinkanator from?" "Yeah, she's a good friend. From Ponyville." "Ah good ol' Ponyville. And Ponyville University, P.U. because it stinks. I lived there for a long while until I met Octavia. Oh, and speak of the discord, here she is." The grey mare from earlier had pranced around to where Applejack and Scratch were sitting. Her long black mane shone vividly in the dim light, a small pink treble clef adorning her hip. She gave Applejack a quick haughty glance before plopping down onto Scratch's lap, causing them both to sink into the cushion even further. "So you're Rarity's new discovery eh?" Octavia asked with a small sensuous smile. "I dunno 'bout discovery....I mean I've known Rare for a pretty good while now.... but she's helpin' me out with some art-related business." Applejack said with what she hoped was a friendly nod. "Anyways, hi! My name's Applejack!" "Pleased to meet you, Miss Jack." replied Octavia, her smile becoming a small coy grin. "Rarity was right about you. You are stunning." "Oh....uh....thanks, heh." Applejack felt her cheeks blush. She wasn't accustomed to such compliments from complete strangers. She glanced at Octavia's cutey mark, deciding to change the subject. "So are uh...both of y'all musicians?" "You could say that." Scratch said with a wink. "I like electronic stuff and Octy prefers orchestral ensembles and junk. After we moved out here we decided to sort of combine our talents. Two heads are better than one." "So." Octavia began, reaching a hoof out behind herself. In a flourish, a passing waitress placed a small glass of champagne into her hoof and then dashed off as if on cue. "Has Rarity dropped the bomb on you, yet?" "The bomb? Like an actual explosive?" Applejack asked, confused. "Aw cripes. Not this story again, Octy. Can you stop scaring all our new friends away. Just once?" Scratch whined as she sank deeper into the cushion. "I want ponies to play blackjack with." "No, this one especially needs to hear it." said Octavia, readjusting herself into a more upright position. "Hear what exactly?" asked Applejack, feeling her nerves start to fire into overdrive again. "Blah blah blahbedy blah, Jack. Rarity and Octavia were trying to form a small ensemble of Ponyville musicians once to compete with the Canterlot Orchestra. Screw up their musical monopoly in the fine art of being snobs. It failed because they can't work together like nice little fillies!" Scratch shouted in a muffled voice from the confines of the cushion, almost entirely lost from view. "Me and Rarity get along pretty well.....usually." Applejack said meekly, trying to escape the grim prying eyes of the grey mare sitting a couple of feet away. "I mean I guess I think we do." "Keep an eye on her, Miss Jack. She's as conniving as she is lovely. Don't become yet another gem in her crown. Another plaything for her to brag about." Octavia quipped, taking a long drink from her glass. "Pffft. This is so freakin' CORNYYYY!" Vinyl laughed aloud from her cushion prison, only the blue spikes of her hair visible from where she had sank under Octavia. "Oh for goodness sake." Rarity shouted, returning up the stairs just quickly enough to hear the last half of the conversation. "Are you STILL whinging about that failed project, Octavia? When it's your fault it failed in the first place?" "My fault? MY fault? We had everything perfectly organized then you didn't feel like ponying up the bits." "Organization means more than just a flow chart scribbled in pencil." growled Rarity leaning over to glare furiously at Octavia. "Leading the team doesn't mean spending your time at the spa all day, you harlot." shouted Octavia, leaning forward to glare equally furiously at Rarity. "At least I'm DOING something with my career instead of sitting around thinking about the past, you snollygoster!" The two were almost touching snouts as they sneered, ready to start throwing punches. With a small wriggle, Scratch squeezed herself out from under Octavia, a devilish smile creeping onto her face as she watched the two argue. "Now kiss!" she shouted with a laugh. "Let's make this a real party!" In a move that surprised no-one, Octavia whirled around backwards and gave Scratch a slap that left her goggles spinning around her neck and a wide-eyed smile on her face. With another small glare at Rarity, the grey mare hopped off the chair and finished her drink before sauntering off the platform. "When you three feel like having an ADULT conversation, I will be upstairs." "I love her so much." Scratch squealed as she rubbed the red mark on her face where hoof had met jaw. "Sorry you had to see that, Applejack." "Boy she really hates ya, huh Rare?" Applejack said with a grin. "If grudges were candy, she'd be able to open a confectionery shoppe." replied Rarity with a tense edge in her voice. "Anyway, let's head upstairs where it's more relaxing." "What's upstairs?" Applejack asked as she struggled to get off her beanbag chair. It was like watching an ant try to escape from a drop of water. "V.I.P. room, my apple-themed friend." Vinyl said with a cocky grin as she put her goggles back over her rosy eyes. "A bit quieter than this but a lot nicer. Plus we can get more food." "More food sounds good to me!" shouted Applejack with a happy grin as she followed the other two off the platform and into the crowd. ******************************************************************** Despite the name, which conjured up images of fancy settings and velvet furniture, the V.I.P. room of the Parasprite was basically the same as the floor below. In fact every floor of the building was mostly the same. Many ponies thought it was a brilliant move on the part of Scratch and Octavia. A way of poking fun at the generic copycat tactics that had been so prevalent in the music industry. Of course the truth was both ponies had OCD and having every floor feel the same just made them oh so comfortable. And oh so comfortable was exactly how the four friends felt at the moment as they sat in beanbag chairs on the second floor. It was far less crowded and loud but still basically the same experience. The heaping plates of hayfries were soon covered in both hot sauce and ketchup and later pure paprika as Scratch and Applejack challenged to see who could make their hayfries the spiciest. Rarity and Octavia had begun the night with an icy cold silence between them, neither daring to glance at the other in the eye. But the mess and laughter of Applejack and Scratch was simply far too infectious and before long the two fancy ponies were chatting like old friends again, something they hadn't done in years. Applejack smiled as she watched them gossip about the town, happy that her new friendship with Scratch was enough to inspire the two to put away their grudgematch and talk civilly. The night wore on as the conversation died down. With a few hoof-bumps Scratch went back downstairs to DJ some more. The crowd was expecting her when she arrived. The others could hear the cheers and shouts from the floor above. Rarity and Octavia found themselves discussing changes Manehattan had been going through ever since the new mayor had been elected. Applejack found herself craning her head to glance out one of portholes on the floor. There it was, the street she knew so well. It had changed, like the town itself had changed. It seemed so small now, when it had seemed massive before. What had once been an entire world was now a small brick road. The houses that had once lined the side of the street were nearly all gone, except for three. One of which was of utmost importance. Her green eyes narrowed as she squinted at the house in the distance. What had changed? Did they still live there? Were they even alive at all? Behind the house stood a newer building covered in spotlights and gas lamps. A glass curtain wall went around the outer edge, reflecting everything around it. On top were the words "ORANGE INC" in flat round letters, slightly illuminated by the beacons from below it. Even now she could hear the chug of machinery echoing down the street. Even now at this time of night, ponies were there, working. She wondered who they were, what their bosses were like, who was in charge. These thoughts bounced around her head as she stared, unaware that Rarity was taking note of Applejack's behavior. Something had been bothering the earth pony all night and she was going to find out what. Something was up. ***************************************************************** "I'm surprised we spent six hours there, Rarity." Applejack slurred as she floated along. "Didn't feel like that long." "Well you know what they say. Time flies when you're having fun. You did have fun, I hope?" "Shoot! That was the most fun I've had in a long time. I thought everyone was gonna laugh at me when I started dancin'. Didn't expect the whole crowd to start square-dancin' with me." "I liked that banjo song Scratch played. Very appropriate, and very catchy for banjo music." "Plenty of good banjo music out there. You just gotta look for it, is all." Applejack slowly stretched her hooves out of the water and pulled half of her body onto the walkway. Jacuzzis were uncommon in Ponyville and the feeling of the millions of bubbles swirling around the water jets was just heavenly. Particularly after such a heavy night of dancing and fretting over old memories. The small red band that kept her ponytail together had long since been lost in the froth of the pool. Rarity glanced up from the magazine she'd been eyeballing in the moonlight, watching Applejack flop contentedly onto the smooth porcelain barrier, her massive blonde mane splaying out in all directions like a mass of golden octopi. It had been nice enough to see the rough and tough farm pony actually get dressed nicely for a night on the town. But this was altogether different. She seemed so relaxed, and strangely feminine for someone who didn't care about how she looked. Rugged and gorgeous all at once. "You know, Applejack." Rarity began, going back to her magazine. "You'd probably adamantly deny it, but you're very beautiful." "Yeah, ponies have been tellin' me that all night." "Oh, have they?" "Yes, ma'am. Octavia said you thought I was stunnin'. Quite a nice compliment I thought." Rarity blushed slightly. "Well I do have an eye for beauty, AJ. Couldn't be a seamstress if I didn't." "Yup. I guess that means I inherited my momma's charms after all. Had quite a few stallions chattin' with me before we left. Some of them suckers was cute, too." "You're going to say no to this idea, but I'm going to ask anyway. Would you be interested in being a model? Even if it's just once in a while?" "Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeck NO." Rarity sighed slightly. "You could, you know. You and Rainbow both could." "Rainbow would have the same answer I just gave ya." "Yes I'm aware. Although I know she'd love the attention. Such a shame. One of the few mares in the country with multicolor hair and she doesn't care for it at all. It should be against the law." Applejack laughed loudly. "You're funny, Rarity! Didn't Fluttershy hate bein' a model?" "No. She liked it until she got hired by one of my heroes, Photo Finish. Apparently Miss Finish is very aggressive and unpleasant to be around. Now Fluttershy won't even be a model for me anymore. Poor thing was sort of traumatized by the experience, I suppose." "That's a shame." Rarity cleared her throat and folded her magazine, placing it neatly next to the mimosa she had finished earlier. The time had come to change topics. "Speaking of traumatizing experiences....." Applejack frowned as she heard these words. She knew at some point tonight the conversation was going to wheel around to this subject. She really didn't want unpleasantries to enter her thought process again. Not tonight after she'd finally gotten a chance to relax. Her eyes grew wide as she heard a splash behind her, turning to see Rarity had entered the jacuzzi as well.Her purple locks bobbing across the glistening surface of the water. The white unicorn paddled over to where Applejack lay, half out of the pool, looking quite worried. "Applejack. You've been hiding something very important and very disturbing from me, haven't you?" "How do ya figure?" Applejack grunted, turning away. "Passing out on a train. Anxiety attacks. Being afraid of Manehattan. You also coughed up half your hayfries when we passed that Orange Incorporated building on the way home. You were staring at it through the window when we were in the club as well. I thought you were going to faint on me again." "I told ya, this place freaks me out." "Applejack....." Rarity put her hooves on Applejack's shoulders, delicately pulling her friend into the water so they could look at each other face to face. "What are you hiding?" "It's nothin' important." "Do you trust me, or don't you?" "Sure I do!" "Then why? Why won't you trust me with this? What are you afraid of?" "I ain't afraid of nothin'!" "Do you think I won't care?" "No." "Do you think I'm going to gossip it around to every pony in town?" "No!" "Are you afraid it's going to scare me? Make me think less of you?" "No it's nothing like that, Rarity. It's just nothin' I want you to hear about." "Fine." Rarity took her hooves off of Applejack's shoulders and floated a few feet away, looking deeply hurt, he bottom lip trembling slightly. Applejack took a deep breath and sighed. "Rare, you know how Pinkie doesn't like to talk about her old family? You know before she lived with the Cakes?" "Of course." "Well I have a similar problem, I guess. And every time I look around this city it keeps remindin' me of stuff I tried to forget a real long time ago. Every time I see a place owned by the Oranges it just stirs up a lot of painful old stuff. Stuff I am tryin' real REAL hard to ignore right now, Rare. I don't want to talk about it because I don't want to remember it. I just want to move on from it, again." "Is this why your family didn't seem very pleased at the news we would be visiting Manehattan?" "Yes. So can we please drop it? Please, Rare?" Applejack begged, her voice starting to waver as tears formed. "I really just want to forget everything for at least a little while. When I feel like....I can talk about it without goin' to pieces I will. But not now. Just not now." "Alright, then. I won't bother you about it any longer." Rarity swam back over, giving Applejack a small hug. "We all have our secrets." "Thanks, Rare." Silence filled the air as the two ponies went back to relaxing in the bubbling pool. Applejack was glad they'd finally moved past this issue. Her thoughts were soon filled with merriment as she realized how she and Rarity were sort of like potatoes. Two potatoes sitting in boiling water with clouds of steam going everywhere. She wondered if this is what the mud bath at the spa was like. Her friends had always recommended it to her, but she'd always flatly denied it. Mud was for hogs and chinchillas. Not workhorses. Maybe she needed to give it a second chance. Rarity's thoughts weren't quite as happy. Something was troubling Applejack. Something deep and mysterious. Something involving the Orange company. It wasn't right, for this to happen. For someone this wonderful to have to hide something that was clearly bothering them. Something Rarity might be able to help with if she had some information. She still felt like she owed Applejack so much, for her kindnesses over the years. Maybe clearing up some hurt from her past could be a good step. With that thought, Rarity made a firm decision. She would find out what happened on that street, in that house, years and years in the past. And if possible, she would fix it. After all, that's what friends do. They help each other, right?