Blurring the Lines

by FrostyDawn


Alcohol, best friend and worst enemy

Dear Princess Twilight,

We miss you.

But in your absence, we learned that we all have our share of troubles.

We might feel confused. Or angry. Or even the urge to end it all.

But when the ones you care about are tearing themselves apart, you have to ask yourself. If friendship really is magic, then what is sorrow and pain?

-Your five faithful friends...

<><><><><><><><>


It had been a full week since Twilight Sparkle’s transformation into an Alicorn. A full week where Twilight had been absent from Ponyville, fulfilling her royal duties. She exchanged letters with her friends, expressing her joy of being a princess and her desire to see Ponyville again. But that would have to wait for now.


Applejack walked down the road from Sweet Apple Acres, wiping the sweat off her brow. A hard afternoon’s work of picking apples and and sitting in the sun. Her jeans worn with dirt and grass, and her sleeves rolled up to her elbows. A clear blue sky beamed overhead, with a few white puffy clouds. And yet, Applejack could just tell it was going to rain. Call it intuition, call it a sixth sense, Applejack was expecting a big downpour. When the sky’s been clear for a couple of days, it all comes down hard. That, and one of her friends was actually in control of the weather. It helps to know these kinds of things.

Speaking of which, Applejack glanced up at the bright blue sky, holding her hand over her eyes to shield them from the sun. A thin streak of rainbow bolted through the sky, and she smirked. Who other than Rainbow Dash to fly overhead to show off? Applejack kept walking.

Applejack soon stepped into the lively Ponyville square. Small businesses, local families and cheerful children covered the streets. It wasn’t as illustrious as Manehattan or Fillydelphia, but it had a rural charm to it. Applejack quickly craved something to snack on upon passing a few people. Crowds tend to do that.

Applejack found herself at Sugarcube Corner, and the smell of baking pastries and frosted sweets caused her to lick her lips. She poked her head inside.

“Hey, ya’ll. Mind if ah get a little somthin’ sweet?” Applejack asked, looking around for any activity. The Cakes weren’t in the room, but the sound of clattering pots and pans rattled from the kitchen. Pinkie Pie stepped out, with bits of flour and icing in her pink, curly hair.
“Applejack! How ya doin’!?” Pinkie asked with a bright smile on her face.

The cowgirl wandered inside, glad to see her friend. “Doin’ just fine, Pinkie. Ah’m just hopin’ get a little snack.”

“Well, you’re in luck!” Pinkie replied. “The Cakes are out for the day, and I got the whole kitchen to myself!” She said, and pulled out a tin tray, holding at least a dozen bright blue cookies. “I just made this batch of-”

Pinkie would of finished her sentence, but her arms sporadically shook, flinging the tray of cookies right into Applejack’s face.

“What in tarnation did yah do that fer!?” Applejack shouted, wiping the frosting off her face.

Pinkie Pie sighed. “I’m sorry, Applejack. My Pinkie Sense has been spazzing out all day!” She said, motioning to the rest of the kitchen. Bags of flour lay spilled on the counter, icing was strewn all over the walls, and a peculiar scorch mark covered the walls over the stove. “It’s gonna be a doozy! I haven’t had anything this strong since the Hydra attack!”

“It’s probably the rain. Ah reckon a little storm damage is all.” Applejack said.

“Rain? I didn’t feel anything about rain. Besides, it’s a beautiful afternoon!” Pinkie Pie said, peeking out the window.

“Ah know.” Applejack said bluntly. “So, any treats yah got that aren’t completely trashed?”

“Yeah! I’ll go get some cupcakes!” Pinkie said, returning to her cheery, bubbly self.

“Actually, I’ll pick ‘em up mahself.” Applejack said, nodding.

“I understand.” Pinkie said, looking down at her arms. “Six bits, then.”

Applejack reached into a cabinet, pulling out a purple cupcake. She then reached into her pocket, and passed Pinkie a few gold coins.

“Thanks, sugarcube.” Applejack said, stepping out of the bakery.

“Bye, Applejack! Watch out for the doozy!” Pinkie Pie called out, before Applejack shut the door. She then turned to an enormous sack of flour sitting on the counter. A crudely drawn smiley face was printed in red crayon on the bag.

“All right, Mr. Floursack. Our duel ends here!” She said, pulling out a large butcher knife.

<><><><><><><><><>

Applejack licked the icing off her fingers as she strolled through the rest of town. “That Pinkie. She’s always a little... off.” Applejack muttered to herself. Applejack then peaked over at the Carousel Boutique.

Applejack paused. She and Rarity had her differences, but they were good friends, none the less. Perhaps a quick visit before she returned to the farm.

The Carousel Boutique’s door opened with a quiet creak as Applejack pushed it open. the room was unnaturally dark, lit only by the sunlight of the opened door. The other windows were curtained shut, and silence filled the room.

“Rarity? You home?” Applejack asked aloud, which resulted in no reply. Applejack was dead silent, as she heard a faint murmur upstairs. Rarity was probably up in her room. It wasn’t like Applejack to intrude, but a wisp of worry slipped into her mind.

She slowly wandered up the stairs, hearing the mumbling get slightly louder. Applejack couldn’t make out any audible words, just whimpering and mutters. Applejack slowly creaked open Rarity’s door, and cringed at what she saw. The windows were curtained, and the room was dark, except for one candle on a desk. On that desk was Rarity, hunched over, her hair unkempt, and clutching a pen tightly in her hands. The fashionista was surrounded by crumpled pieces of paper around her desk and chair, and she let out quiet, but heart-wrenching sobbing.

“Rarity? You ok, sugarcube?” Applejack asked. Rarity looked up and turned to Applejack, her tears and make-up leaving black streaks on her cheeks.

“Applejack... It’s simply awful! It’s the worst POSSIBLE thing!” Rarity sobbed. Her voice was shaky and frail, clearly distressed.

“Calm down, Rarity. What’s wrong?” Apple jack asked, putting her hand on her friend’s shoulder.

Rarity sniffled. “I-I-I’m in way over my head! I have to make 50 outfits by next week!”

“That doesn’t sound too bad. Ah’ve seen you whip off tons of dresses before all by yurself!” Applejack said confidently.

“Make and design 50 dresses! 50 new and original designs! That I’ve never made before! That I’ve never even seen or thought of! I don’t even know what I’m supposed to be making looks like!” Rarity bawled, burying her face in her hands again.

Applejack felt her heart sink. She’s never seen Rarity this upset over anything before. She couldn’t sit idly. “Don’t worry, sugarcube. Ah’m gonna help you get this sorted out.”

“R-Really? You’d do that for me?” Rarity asked, looking up to Applejack.

“ ‘Course. What’re friends for, anyway?” Applejack replied with a warm smile. “But first, you need to calm yourself down.”

Rarity sat up and wiped her eyes. “You’re right.” She replied, her voice stronger. “I suppose I should start by letting some beautiful sunlight in.” Rarity said, grabbing at the curtains. As she did, she pulled away to show a thick shroud of rain pouring down relentlessly.

“Well Ah’ll be damned.” Applejack chuckled. “Ah was right.”

“Ok. Sunlight’s out of the question.” Rarity said, a little gloomier. “Ugh... I need some wine.” she groaned, rubbing her forehead. Rarity led Applejack down the stairs into her kitchen, pulling out a two tall glasses and turned to Applejack. “Would you like anything, Applejack? Red or white wine? Perhaps a little chardonnay?”

Applejack blinked. “Uh... just a little of whatever you’re havin’.” She said, and sat down at the table.

A short moment later, Rarity set some glasses on the table, along with a sketchpad. She sat next to Applejack with a pen in her hand. “Are you sure you want to go through with this? I know fashion isn’t exactly your forte.” Rarity asked.

“It might not, but helping a friend is. Cross mah heart and hope to die, stick a cupcake in mah eye.” Applejack promised.

“It rather looks like you stuck one in your hair. It’s all messy.” Rarity chuckled.

Applejack looked up. She still had icing in her hair from her visit with Pinkie Pie. “Ah wouldn’t go that far. You kinda skipped your combin’.” She replied.

Rarity patted her messy hair. “Point taken. Let’s get started, shall we?” She said, pointing to her sketches and taking a sip of her wine. “This is what I’ve come up with so far.”

The sketches seemed pretty straightforward. Three dresses adorned with different ribbons, gems and shapes cut in the fabric. The whole set definitely oozed ‘Rarity’ from their designs.

Applejack took a swig, and started her ideas. “Ah see what’s goin’ on here. Yur designs are too stuffy.”

“I beg your pardon? There is nothing wrong with my ideas!” Rarity quipped.

“Yeah... not with these. But yur gettin’ too fancy-schmancy here. Try to have a little fun with this.” Applejack replied, taking the pen from Rarity’s hands. She began doodling away, and made her own design. Rarity raised an eyebrow as a shape began to form on the paper. A dynamic, sleek dress with small points like an arachnid.

“There! How do ya like them apples?” Applejack said, smirking at her creation. A dress that seemed to be inspired by a black widow spider.

“Applejack, you cannot be serious! No one would wear something so... macabre! I’m designing dresses for a ball, not a costume contest!” Rarity said, drinking more of her wine.

“That’s what you say now, but think about it. You make this dress, and some gal wears it to somewhere special. They’ll say ‘Gee whiz, who made that fascinatin’ dress?!’ And you’ll be like, ‘Ah did!’ and everyone will be lining up like ‘shut up and take mah bits!’ and you’ll be rich!” Applejack explained, stopping for a breath.

Rarity scratched her chin. “I... suppose that’s likely. And with the direction you’re heading, it just might work.” Rarity mused, and took the pen again. She began scribbling quickly, and sighed as she finally looked at her new idea. A flowing, loose dress with thin wisps of thread from the short sleeves.

Applejack had an unimpressed look on her face. “What’d ah tell yah about that frilly stuff? Ah thought ah told yah to have fun with this!” She said.

Rarity smirked. “I am having fun. With your little spider thought, I made a quick idea based off... uh, what is it called? Ah, yes. A jellyfish motif! I could design a whole line of designer outfits with a primal essence. The best ideas do come from nature, after all.”

“Ah see what yer gettin’ at. An animal feel, huh? Lemme see that.” Applejack said, grasping the pen. The two took turns sketching away, guzzling glass after glass of wine. They shared a few laughs, and the ideas and creativity kept flowing forward. Time flies when your having fun...

<><><><><><><><>

Applejack snapped awake to the crash of thunder. She was still in Rarity’s house, with a dim candle lighting the area. Rarity was leaning against Applejack’s shoulder, snoring loudly. Her hat must’ve fell off in her sleep, since it was sitting on the floor. The bottle of wine was tipped over, clearly empty. Did they really finish the whole bottle? How long was she out?

Applejack rubbed her eyes and gently moved Rarity off her shoulder. Applejack flipped through the sketchbook, counting their sketches. “65... 66... 67!” Applejack muttered in amazement. She and Rarity designed more than enough dresses for next week! Applejack sighed with relief, and wiped her forehead. Oddly enough, she found a red smear on her hand. A strange shade of red not unlike the color of Rarity’s lipstick.

Shocked, Applejack quickly ran to the bathroom and flicked on the lights. Sure enough, her face was dotted with bright red lipstick marks, on her cheeks, forehead, and even on her lips. Her hair was pulled from it’s ponytail shape, letting her blonde hair flow freely behind her, which was also slightly colored with red streaks. And if that wasn’t enough, Applejack’s blouse was unbuttoned, and slightly falling off her shoulder.

“What the hell happened?!” Applejack asked herself. She tried to remember what transpired in the last few hours, and it slowly came back to her. She remembered Rarity’s soft face illuminated in the candle light, her gentle blue eyes shining in the dim atmosphere, and her lush, warm lips coming closer...

Applejack shook her head as she saw her reflection smirking at the thought. “Why am ah enjoyin’ this?! Ah couldn’t kiss Rarity! Oh, this is bad!” She mumbled, turning on the faucet and splashing water on her face. The kiss marks slowly washed off.

“It’s alright. Nobody has to know. If Rarity even remembers, she’ll keep quiet about this.” Applejack told herself. “I’ll just be on mah way. Rarity will understand.” She said, quietly sneaking back to Rarity. She flipped to an empty page in the sketchbook, and began writing.

Rarity,
I had fun designing dresses with you. We must’ve passed out from the wine, cause it’s mighty late. I’ll see you tomorrow. Good luck.

-Applejack


And with that, Applejack buttoned her shirt back up as she picked up her hairband and hat. She quietly tip-toed to the door and looked back. Rarity was still passed out. Applejack lightly smiled. She actually looked rather cute in her sleep. Was it really that bad, what happened between them? But Applejack pushed the thought out of her head. She opened the door, trotting through the rainy night.

The other denizens of Ponyville were inside, probably asleep. Thunder crashed overhead, briefly illuminating the streets with lightning. But up ahead, Applejack felt her blood run cold as she saw something horribly out of place. A body laying on its side in an alleyway. Applejack rushed over, instantly knowing that someone could be at horrible risk. She approached the slumped body, and her eyes widened with horror as she recognized the victim.

It was a young girl, about as old as Applejack. The left side of her face was horribly lacerated and bleeding, with a few green glass shards stuck in the side of her head. Her eyes were shut, and mouth was agape. But worst of all, the girl had pink, curly hair. The unmistakable hairdo of the beloved Pinkie Pie.