//------------------------------// // Chapter I: “Honestly, this party's killing me” // Story: Bluegrass // by Rainbooms Inc //------------------------------// Applejack took another swig of her punch, grimacing as the sugary liquid washed over her teeth. It was one Pinkie's special recipes, whipped up specially for this party. She could feel her molars rotting. Still, as unappealing as the drinks were, they beat paying attention to what was actually going on in Sugarcube Corner. At first glance, it was no different from any of the other parties Pinkie threw as a matter of course. There were ponies gathered around, talking, laughing, and sampling sweets. There was music playing, and Pinkie was moving through the crowd, as endlessly cheerful as always, chatting with her guests and making sure everypony was having fun. But there was something different about this party, and it set Applejack's teeth on edge. There was a tension in the air, an electricity that had never been there before. Ponies were not standing as they usually did: instead, they turned and twisted in place, following the progress of Pinkie through the room with curious gaze. They only turned away to murmur to one another, loud enough that the orange earth pony couldn't help but overhear. “Is that...?” “It is. She introduced her to me.” “It can't be. What on earth would she--” “Who else could it be?” Applejack gritted her teeth. It wasn't that she minded somepony being the center of attention—the spotlight was for ponies like Rainbow Dash and Rarity, not her. But by Celestia, she resented it being taken by a pony like the one currently being lead around on the introduction circuit by Pinkie. The pony in question was a unicorn, and looked a bit like Rarity might if she passed out on Rainbow Dash's couch when the pegasus was in a playful mood. The white coat was the same, but her mane was a garish mismatch of electric blue and metallic purple, cut into a style that Applejack hazily identified as “punk:” ragged and uneven in a very carefully styled way. According to Rainbow Dash—who was, Applejack noted with disgust, trailing after the strange unicorn like a lost lamb—she was some kind of glorified DJ, one who had played to sold-out crowds across Equestria. The earth pony didn't know if that was true, or if Rainbow's enthusiasm had run away with her. She didn't care. What she did know—what she could tell just by watching the strange unicorn, and by watching how everypony else reacted to her—was that this was a pony used to celebrity. It was in her walk (more of a strut, really) which took attention for granted, as if it was unthinkable that a single gaze would be turned away from her. It was in her smile, tight and rehearsed, bestowed with the air of a cherished favor on the ponies she was introduced to. And Applejack was sure it was in her eyes, hidden behind the sunglasses she wore even indoors. The earth pony scowled at nothing as she took another sip of her punch. Unlike Rarity, she had never seen anything to be ashamed of in Ponyville. She was proud of the town: it was her home, where she had grown up, a place intimately connected to her family and their history. And she could feel this newcomer, this interloper, sneering at it all behind her glasses, behind that painted-on smile. It wasn't good enough for her, this unicorn with her carefully-mussed mane and painted-on smile. Applejack was honest by nature, but that didn't mean that she couldn't spot a liar, and every move the unicorn made screamed falsehood. Applejack seethed at the insult inherit in that, in the simple callousness that everypony else seemed to be mistaking for friendliness. She wanted to jump on the table, kick the punchbowl to the floor, and scream. Why couldn't they see? See that this unicorn didn't give one fig for them or their lives, that she was playing just as she must have played every audience she had ever performed in front of. Why couldn't they see that— “Uh, you okay, AJ?” Applejack blinked. Pinkie was standing in front of her, looking a little worried. “You feeling okay? Because, like, I could hear your teeth grinding and if you keep that up you won't have any teeth, and then how will you be able to eat my cupcakes? Not to mention, you know, all the other stuff you need teeth for.” Applejack opened her mouth to say she was fine, realized that it would be a lie, albeit a small one, and settled for taking another swig of punch while waving a dismissive hoof. “That's right, drink up!” the candy-colored earth pony said encouragingly. “I've got lots!” “Uh, Pinkie?” That was Rainbow Dash, fluttering impatiently around head-height a few paces behind Pinkie. “Aren't you getting a little sidetracked?” “Oh, right!” Pinkie stepped to the side. “AJ, I'd like to meet Ponyville's newest resident, Vinyl Scratch!” And there she was, just behind Pinkie, sporting the same smile that Applejack had been quietly loathing for half-hour. “Applejack,” said Applejack shortly, thrusting a hoof forward. She couldn't bring herself to say it was a pleasure. But the pale unicorn's smile never faltered. If anything, it widened fractionally as she shook the proffered hoof. “You own Sweet Apple Acres, don't you? I've heard your family makes some of the best cider in lowland Equestria.” “All of Equestria,” AJ corrected instantly. “Better than anythin' from Manehatten to Las Pegasus.” Overhead, Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, appalled that anypony would want to argue about cider with Vinyl freakin' Scratch. Granted, the pegasus loved her cider as much as the next pony, but there was a time and place. But below, Vinyl Scratch was still smiling. “Well then, I regret never having the chance to sample some before now. Perhaps you think about selling some of your stock in Canterlot. After all, if it really is the best in Equestria, I can only imagine the court would love to lay in a supply.” “Ah know my own business, thank you” said Applejack with a scowl. “And ah know how to run my own farm.” Who the hay did this tourist think she was, offering advice like it was her good deed for the week, doubting Applejack's word? And she was a tourist, however much Pinkie called her a resident. She might have a house in town—Applejack assumed, she hadn't exactly been keen on the details when Pinkie invited her to this welcoming party—but what did that prove? If she was half of big a deal as Rainbow Dash seemed to think she was, she was rich enough to buy a house in every city in the whole country. As soon as she got bored, or fulfilled whatever court order had gotten her out to Ponyville, she'd be gone. As Pinkie lead the unicorn away to continue her introductions, Applejack took comfort in that fact. With any luck, she wouldn't have to lay eyes on the unicorn apart from the occasional market day. If she was lucky, not even then.