//------------------------------// // The next morning. // Story: Apple Scratch : A summer at the Farm // by Mariacheat-Brony //------------------------------// Fortunately, at least for Bon-Bon and Lyra, the fight ended within the two minutes. Slowly and painfully, Flitter's and CloudChaser's friends left the tavern, leaving the twins alone with the two Apples and a insanely mad Pinkie Pie who, despite being lifted in Vinyl's blue magic, was trying to whack them with her rubber chickens. "Bonnie. Can I get a taffy?" Vinyl asked casually. "Huuu! Sure." Bon-Bon said hesitantly from behind the bar. She tossed a wrapped up candy to Vinyl, while Lyra was busy counting their winnings with a happy grin. Vinyl unwrapped the treat and firmly put it in Pinkie's mouth. As she was busy masticating her candy, Pinkie's expression slowly softened to her usual happy face. When she showed no more sign of aggressiveness, Vinyl freed her from her magic hold. "Felling better?" Vinyl asked softly. "Hum! Hum!" Pinkie Pie nodded, not speaking as her mouth was still full. She had at least learned that from Rarity. "Why don't you go see the others?" Vinyl suggested. Pinkie Pie nodded again before gently hopping toward her friends. "Now, what do y'all have to say for yerself?" Applejack said firmly to the disheveled twins sitting in front of her. "I'm sorry for having pushed the pink haired miss." Flitter said apologetically. "It wasn't her fault if my ex-boyfriend's an ass." "And I'm sorry for having kicked the one with the rubber chickens." CloudChaser added softly. "I shouldn't have reacted like that." Applejack eyed closely the twins's faces, when she knew their apologies were sincere, she smiled before pulling them both back on their feet. "All right Y'all, we're good now." She said slowly, before facing the bar. "Lyra, put their drinks on ma bill." "Sure thing, AJ!" At everyone's surprise, Applejack introduced the twins to their friends. Fluttershy, ever willing to make peace, had accepted immediately their apologies. It did help the situation to relax a bit. After all, no one could really stay mad with Fluttershy. Flitter and her seemed to enjoyed the conversation they were having, while CloudChaser was enduring a 'reconciliation hug' from Pinkie Pie. The spike haired twin winced in pain in the pink haired girl's bone crushing embrace. Some thought that was Pinkie's way to get back at her for the kick. Vinyl and Applejack turned to face their respective girlfriends, and gulped when they noticed the disapproving frown on their faces. It was weird to see the two women, who would run straight at every bar fight they encountered, slowly walking in fear toward the two ladies. Their expressions softened when the two Apples apologized for their brutish behavior. "You're forgiven if you finish the dance we started." Octavia said to Vinyl with a small smile. The band, who had played a rather rousing song during the fight, was now playing a low and soft melody, to ease everyone's mind. Perfect for a slow dance. "Of course!" Vinyl beamed before following Octavia on the dance floor. In the next seconds, they were both dancing quietly in each other's arms. "Do Ah have to take ya to dance floor as well?" Applejack asked slowly. "No, Darling! Your word is more than enough for me." Rarity replied with a quick peck on Applejack's lips. "Beside, you can apologize harder later. Your sister taught me her soundproofing spell this morning." She whispered in Applejack's ear with a sultry tone. Applejack started to blush madly, thankfully everyone was so caught up in their conversations that none noticed Rarity's whisper or her growing blush. As she looked away, her gaze fell on Cloud Kicker with her arm amorously passed around Twilight's shoulder. "Do ya even realize who ya're holding, CK?" Applejack asked slowly with an eyebrow raised. "Of course I do!" Cloud Kicker said, confused by Applejack's question. "That's Twilight Sparkle from the Council of Harmony." "And ya remember who's her brother, don't ya?" "Why should I ....." Cloud Kicker's face almost fell when she started to put two and two together. "OOOOOHHH!" She said slowly in realization. "What is it?" Twilight asked. "Why would my brother have anything to do with this?" "Let's just say that if I don't want to spend the rest of my career back as a simple soldier." Cloud Kicker explained. "It would be better that I let go of you right now." "And why you're not doing it, then?" Twilight asked pointing Cloud Kicker's arm still on her shoulder. "Because it isn't the first time I'm doing things behind the Captain's back." CK replied with a smug grin as she pulled Twilight closer. "Hmm, interesting." Twilight whispered with a smile before breaking the guard's grip to get herself a drink along with Rarity. "Ah hope ya know what ya're doin'." Applejack slowly said to Cloud Kicker when Twilight was out of earshot. "What is that supposed to mean?" Cloud Kicker asked with narrowed eyes. "Takin' the risk of ruinin' yar entire career for one single roll in the hay." Applejack let out in a whisper that only Cloud Kicker could hear. "Because you're the expert now?" Cloud Kicker retorted with sarcasm. "Two weeks ago, you were all panicky for your first date ever, and now you're giving ME pieces of advice." "Cloud Kicker." Applejack said. "Ya're one of my oldest friends, Ah'm just worried about ya." "You don't need to be worried about me." Cloud Kicker shook her head. "I know what I'm doing. I always make sure everything goes with zero consequences." "If ya're certain." Applejack sighed. "But, ya better not hurt her, otherwise ya wouldn't even have time to get worried about yar career." Applejack warned. "I can promise you that much." Cloud Kicker affirmed seriously. The rest of the evening had gone without any hitch. The Bar had closed at one AM, but Bon-Bon and Lyra had said that Apples, their guest and Cloud Kicker could stay for a last drink. At two thirty AM, they were still in the bar chatting. The topic of conversation had derived on a massive drunk Truth or Dare. "I got one!" Rainbow shouted eagerly. "AJ, Truth or Dare?" "Humm! Truth." "Have you ever thought Vinyl looked attractive to you?" Rainbow asked with a drunken smile. "And I'm talking about the kinky kind of attractive." "What kind of sick question is that?" Applejack asked sharply, embarrassed to have been asked such a truth. "You have to answer, it's the rule." Twilight said with a smug grin, as every one started laughing at the farmer's discomfort. "I'm actually pretty curious, now." Vinyl chimed in with a chuckle. "Well, hu.." Applejack sighed reluctantly. "Ah reckon that, sometimes, ya looked darn pretty!" She stammered with cheeks red as a Red Delicious. "Pretty enough for you to think about shagging her?" Rainbow asked, completely drunk. The two Apples only responded by giving a hard dark stare to the rainbow haired woman, the previous embarrassment or chuckle completely absent from their faces. "I'll take that as no." She added, scratching the back of her head sheepishly and suddenly feeling less drunk. The game continued until Octavia let her head drop on Vinyl's shoulder, half asleep. Vinyl gently grabbed her lover and stood up. "I think it's time to call it a night." Vinyl said, before turning to Bon-Bon and Lyra. "Thanks for the evening. This place's awesome Bonnie." She said with a small smile. "It was a pleasure!" Bon-Bon assured with a big smile. "Be sure to come back! And, thanks for the compliment." They all bid their goodbyes to the inn-keeper and the barmaid, before walking toward where they had left Red Hare, Philibert and the cart. Twilight had decided to stay a bit longer with Cloud Kicker before going back to the farm, at every one's , except the two Apples, surprise. "Ok, no problem!" Vinyl casually said. "Be sure to walk her back to the farm, CK." "Sure thing, Vinyl." Cloud Kicker nodded before walking away with Twilight close to her. "Are you sure it's a good thing to let her go with Cloud Kicker?" Rarity asked with concern. "Not that she's not a good person." She added quickly. "What we think is no matter, Sugarcube. Twilight took the decision, we can only respect that." Applejack shrugged as she harnessed Philibert to the cart. "But, none of y'all worry, Cloud Kicker can be trusted." Applejack assured with a smile. Round five AM, Applejack exited her room. Rarity had just fallen asleep after her rather long apology. The farmer was exhausted, both from the lack of sleep and from her latest activity. She knew she should have gone to bed, but right now, she was just hungry. She lazily made her way to kitchen and found out that Vinyl was sitting at the countertop, eating a slice of pie. When Vinyl saw Applejack, she used her magic to prepare a plate with a slice of pie for her sister. "You look terrible. Eat!" Vinyl casually said as she dropped the plate in front of Applejack who took a bite voraciously. "FFankff." Applejack whispered with her mouth full of pie. As soon as she swallowed, she felt her energy coming back and felt much more awake and fit than few minutes ago. "Faust bless Granny's pies." "Amen to that!" Vinyl slowly said. "You might want Rarity to practice her soundproofing spell a bit." Applejack almost choked with her second bite of pie. "Ya heard us?" Applejack asked in embarrassment. "Only for a few seconds. You're lucky I was up when her spell worn out." Vinyl explained. "I re-casted it immediately, I don't think anyone else heard you." "Thank the Gods!" Applejack sighed in relief. "How come ya were awake?" "Didn't feel like sleeping." Vinyl let out with a pinch of sadness. "It's because she's leavin' soon, ain't it?" Applejack asked though she already knew the answer. "I suppose you feel the same.." "Ya supposed right." Applejack simply answered with a light nod. "What are we going to do?" Vinyl sighed. "I know it's stupid, but since Octavia and I started...you know. In my mind, I rejected the fact that she'll be leaving after three weeks. And now, she leaves after tomorrow." "Ah know, Sugarcube." Applejack said softly. "Ah'm worried about what'll happen after they're gone. But ya shouldn't." "Why shouldn't I?" Vinyl asked with curiosity. "Because ya and Octavia have something that can reunite y'all." Applejack explained. "Y'all have yar music. Heck you've even got invited to the Council. Ya have something to offer her after she leaves. Ah don't..." Applejack said with a small tear rolling on her cheek. "AJ.." "Ah got nothing to keep Rarity with me." Applejack softly wept. "Ah know shit about fashion. Ah can't stay awake for a play at AppleBloom's school, so imagine me at them fancy operas she likes. Ah can take one or two fancy soirée, but that certainly ain't enough to keep up with Rarity. "Applejack wiped her tears as Vinyl walked around the countertop and slowly patted her back. "And that's only the things she likes that Ah can't do. Because if we're going to check what Ah like to do that she doesn't, the gap goes wider. Ah'm a simple farmer, Ah buck apples, Ah participate in rodeo competition. Ah enjoy fights and what not. Ah simply don't match her." "Who in tarnation said it's supposed to be a problem?" Came a elderly tired voice. "Granny?" The two sisters snapped their head toward the matriarch. "What are you doing up so early?" They asked simultaneously. "Ah reckon Ah don' need an hour to git up in ma own house, do ah?" Granny Smith asked with a crooked eyebrow. "Anyway, what's all that non-sense ya're worried about, Applejack?" "It ain't non-sense Granny, it's fact!" Applejack retorted with sadness. "Ah know that those are fact!" Granny said firmly. "Ah'm talkin' about the fact ya believe that because ya're a lot different from that Rarity gal, ya think it's not gonna work out. That there's the non-sense." "How can it work out if she's so different and far from me?" Applejack asked. "It didn't stop yer parents." Granny nearly shouted. "Why should it stop ya?" "What?" Vinyl asked in disbelief. "What do Mom and Dad have to do with this here situation?" "Yer Mama was born and raised in Manehatten, while yer Papa was from Ponyville." The matriarch explained. "They met thanks to a small trip yer Papa did in Manehatten. Love at first sight, he said." Granny Smith chuckled. "They've seen each other as much as they could while she still lived in Manehatten. They used letters, he went to visit her and what not. And years later, he proposed to her." Granny Smith said firmly. After taking a deep breath, Granny Smith spoked again, in a softer tone this time. "Everythin' was tearin' them apart. Their hobbies, their life style, their upbringing, everything. But that didn't stop them. Yer Papa said to me it wasn't always easy but in the end it was worth it." Granny Smith concluded. "And now, ya're telling that ya, who are twice strong-willed as both yer parents, are afraid of somethin' they've overcome. Forgive me Sweetie, but that there's ridiculous." Applejack wiped her tears away, and smiled weakly at her grandmother. "Now that ya said it like that, it does seem rather silly." She slowly said. "Ah know y'all both are scared that the distance might ruin things." Granny said softly. "But y'all are forgetting something really important." "What?" Vinyl and Applejack asked. "Them gals are smitten over y'all." Granny Smith said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Ah spoke to them so Ah can't be more sure than what Ah already am. They ain't gonna give up on y'all over somethin' as trivial as geography. Beside Canterlot ain't that far from Ponyville by train." Granny added with a wink. Vinyl and Applejack couldn't help but to smile. "Now get in yer bed, y'all need some sleep." Granny said in a motherly tone. When she entered her room, Vinyl was very surprised of what she had seen. Octavia was lying in bed, holding 'Little Vinyl' close to her heart. Vinyl silently laid down right next to Octavia who slightly opened her eyes as she felt some movement. "Hey there." Vinyl said softly. "Hello." Octavia whispered sleepily. "Why's she in her arms?" Vinyl asked playfully, pointing the unicorn plush. "You weren't in bed and she looked like you a bit." Octavia explained in a half-asleep state. "Don't you prefer to hold 'Big Vinyl' instead?" "It depends. Does 'Big Vinyl' have the intention of leaving this bed again?" "Not without you, Octavia." Vinyl assured. "Not without you." As soon as she said those words, Octavia stopped holding the little unicorn Vinyl in order to pull her human Vinyl into a tight embrace, before falling asleep again. Vinyl enjoyed the warmth of her lover, before slowly drifting toward dreamwolrd as well. She thought back about what made her worried earlier, while she put her forehead on Octavia's. "No matter the distance between us Octavia! I'll always keep you close in my heart!" Vinyl whispered, more to herself than anyone else, with resolution. "I know Vinyl." Octavia whispered back, her eyes still closed. Vinyl managed a small smile before falling asleep in her lover's arms. Applejack took her spot on the bed, next to the sleeping beauty that was Rarity. She was sleeping on her side with her back turned toward Applejack. She scooted closer to her lover, gently pecking her shoulder which was uncovered due to the shirt she was wearing to sleep, one of Applejack's, was a bit too loose for her. Rarity let out a satisfied, yet tired, moan. "Not anymore, Darling." She whispered with contentment. "We do not all share your formidable endurance." "Ah'm sorry Sugarcube." Applejack said as she took a deep breath of Rarity's scent. "Ya're just too pretty." Rarity turned around in order to snuggle Applejack. She passed her arms around AJ before resting her head on the farmer's chest. Applejack rested her chin on top of Rarity's head before sighing as she felt relaxed with her lover by her side. "Your heartbeats are kind of relaxing, Darling." Rarity whispered happily. "So calm and steady.....the perfect lullaby." She commented before yawning a bit. "Only because ya're here Rare." Applejack slowly said as hugged Rarity. "Glad to be helpful, Darling." Rarity said with a small chuckle."Let's get some sleep now, before the sun is too high for you to close your eyes." "Ok." Applejack said before lowering her head on Rarity's eye level. "Love ya Sugarcube." "Love you too Darling." Rarity replied with a small smile. They leaned in for a short kiss. Soon after, they both fell asleep in a tight embrace.