Of slumber parties and surprises
Applejack looked down at the lump in the covers of the guest bed. She knew that it was Rainbow Dash under there but it was still a might bit funny how the cyan pegasus had burrowed herself under the covers for sleeping. Just because the fall season was a few days away didn't mean that it was all that cold or anything.
Must be a pegasus thing. That was all she could figure.
"C'mon RD time ta get up an' around," Applejack stated as she gripped the covers with her teeth and pulled them down over Rainbow Dash's head. Except it didn't work that way and she found it was the hooves of the pegasi's hind legs resting on the pillow. "Wha' the hay?" she asked herself. Shaking her head she went down and gripped the other end of the covers and pulled them up to reveal Rainbow Dash's head and unkempt mane.
It might've been just after dawn, but it was still enough light to disturb the pony's sleep and make her try and reach for the covers to drown out the unwanted invasion.
"Not so fast there Sugarcube," Applejack replied as she pulled the covers back further, "time ta rise an' shine. An' what in tarnation are ya doin' sleepin' upside down like that?"
"Go away," Rainbow Dash mumbled as she continued to feel around for the covers but to no avail. "Five more minutes..."
"Tha's what ya said ten minutes ago. Now get up ya lazy good fer nothin' varmint," Applejack ordered and started tapping her on the shoulder repeatedly.
At first Rainbow Dash simply paid the tapping no mind and tried her best to go back to bed. However it quickly became annoying and she tried to shrug her away. But no matter how much she shifted or shrugged or squirmed Applejack's steady tapping annoyance wouldn't quit. Finally annoyed to the end of her rope she grumbled and sat up to regard her through half closed eyelids.
"If you keep this up I'm seriously gonna rethink sleeping over," she said simply.
"Yer the one that said ta wake ya up aroun' sunrise in case ya overslept," Applejack pointed out.
Rainbow Dash's mind was still half asleep as Applejack spoke, trying to comprehend her words and any secret meaning behind them. She couldn't think why in Luna's mane she'd want to be awoken at such an hour even if she did have work to do today; she'd just sleep later and then plow through it with her usual flare. But then everything seemed to click with one blink.
"Cider muffins!" she yelled as her eyes went wide as she jumped out of the bed, nearly knocking Aplejack over in the process. "Thanks for wakin' me up AJ I owe you big for this one!" she stated and hugged her around the neck.
In her ever increasing quest for new and unusual baked sweets Pinkie Pie had come up with the idea of including some of the Apple family's famous cider in a batch of muffins. It was a limited run idea simply to test the market but word of mouth seemed promising. The first batch was going to be put out today and the line of customers would be long and deep. But for her assistance in transporting the cider Pinkie had promised to save her the first dozen that came out. However she had to be there early to pick them up as once they started selling it'd be a first come first serve basis.
"No problem Sugarcube, jus' bring back some of those muffins whole so we can get a taste too. An' see if Pinkie'll give ya the recipe so we can make our own. We always got some cider set aside fer the family," Applejack replied as she reached up to readjust her stetson.
"Assuming there is a recipe. This is Pinkie Pie we're talking about," Rainbow Dash pointed out as she untangled herself from Applejack.
"Then jus' bring back some o' the muffins. We are yer family now afterall," Applejack reminded her.
"Like I would ever forget that? Nevermind I'll see you later," Rainbow Dash replied before opening the window and departing in typical speedster style; going out the front door was way too slow under circumstances such as this.
It was crowded outside of Sugarcube Corner that morning as many ponies waited in front of the glass doors for the chance to get a shot at the rumored cider muffins. Everypony this side of Canterlot knew about the legendary quality of the Apple family's cider and the chance to get a taste of it before the official start of cider season was way too tempting to pass up on.
Which all proved unfortunate for Twilight as she was stuck at the back of the crowd of what must've been every pony in Ponyville. She had gotten a late start and was last to the event. And unfortunately for her she could do math easily and knew that there was little numerical chance of there being a sufficient quantity of muffins for everypony. Without a word she turned and decided it was best to leave now instead of simply stand around and hope for a miracle.
"Hey Egghead."
Twilight paused and looked up toward the sound of the voice to see Rainbow Dash hovering there, a bakery box gripped in her front hooves as she looked down at her.
"Been a while huh?"
"I'll say. Where've you been all this time?" Twilight asked. This was one of the first times she'd seen Rainbow Dash up close since the funeral for anything more than a few seconds.
"Just around," Rainbow Dash said and shrugged dismissively. "What're you doing out here?"
"Hoping to get a cider muffin but it doesn't look like I've got much chance of that. What about you?" she asked and turned the question back to Rainbow Dash.
"Follow," Rainbow Dash replied and took off in a slow flight. Twilight followed the cyan pony back to the library far away from the prying eyes of the crowd before she finally landed and opened the box up to reveal her treat. Inside were a total of eight cider muffins for the picking. "Want one?"
"Rainbow Dash where did you get these? How'd you get so many?" Twilight asked in surprise.
"I helped transport the cider in exchange for the first dozen. Unfortunately I've gotta split them with Applejack and her family. But I think I can spare one or two if you and Spike would care to try them," she replied.
"Really? That's nice of you, Rainbow Dash, thanks," Twilight replied and quickly levitated out two of the offered muffins. "How are they anway?"
"Just about as awesome as me," Rainbow Dash replied and closed up the box. "Anyway Twi' I gotta go or I might eat the whole box myself. See ya later."
"Rainbow Dash wait!" Twilight spoke up, immediately halting her takeoff. "I've been meaning to ask you something but you've never been around for it. I'm wanting to get everypony together for a slumber party. So far Rarity, Pinkie and Fluttershy are confirmed but I wanted to make sure you and Applejack got invited too before I set anything. Do you think you can make it tonight?"
"A slumber party? Tonight? Yeah I think I can do that. I'll tell Applejack when I drop off the muffins before I get to clearing the skies. I'll let ya know later on. See ya," Rainbow Dash replied and took off unimpeded this time.
Twilight smiled as she watched Rainbow Dash take to the skies again. Finally catching her to ask about attending had been a biggie and now she could focus on finalizing her checklist of everything they'd need for tonight once everypony was in attendance.
But first, just as Derpy was so fond of saying on so many occasions, it was muffin time!
"Dang RD ah know ya love yer cider but did ya really need ta eat half the box all by yer lonesome?"
The trip back to Sweet Apple Acres had been a torturous one for Rainbow Dash. The scent of those muffins was begging her to eat more of them on the way over, tempting her to polish them off. But she managed to control herself and return to the Apple family home with half the goods intact for dividing with those that had come to be her family during a time of need.
"Hey I only had a few. I had to stop and give Twilight a few, you would've too if you saw her walking away empty hoofed like that," Rainbow Dash stated defensively. "Oh yeah that reminds me. Twilight wants to know if you can come to a slumber party later tonight."
"Ah reckon it's possible," Applejack replied and popped one of the muffins into her mouth. "Mighty tasty. Ya get the recipe too?" she asked.
"On the bottom of the box," Rainbow Dash replied. "Anyway I gotta get going. If the park doesn't have clear skies by noon it's gonna be my flank in a sling. I'll see you later AJ."
"See ya later then sis," Applejack told her.
"Yeah...see ya...sis..." she said hesitantly. It was a title of address that didn't roll off the tongue as easily as she thought it should. At least not just yet.
Spike was almost nervous as he watched Twilight go about her business. Normally she was so organized, calmly reserved about most things yet with a sort of giddy eccentricity all her own for order and structure. There was a sort of familiar comfort to her not being wild and unpredictable. It was one of stability and order that seemed to provide a light to cut through a fog of chaos.
This was not the Twilight he knew and loved.
In her place was a purple unicorn of barely controllable hyperness who moves with so much spring in her step it reminded him of Pinkie Pie's using bouncing about. As the day had progressed her level of excitement just seemed to increase, and as the sun dipped down she was nearly bursting at the seems. Periodically her voice would crack with fillyish squeals of excitement. And her horn was giving off so many sparks it looked like she was suffering from a buildup of excessive magic and her body was desperately trying to burn it off.
To put simply it was scaring him.
"Hey Twilight?" he spoke up, but she didn't seem to pay him any mind. "Come on Twilight, it's just a slumber party, not a visit by Princess Celestia or anything like that," he pointed out. That seemed to get her attention.
"Oh I know that Spike but I just can't help being excited. Do you know how long it's been since the last time I got to have a slumber party?" Twilight asked, her words having to fight through the desire to release another squeal of excitement.
"Let's see," Spike paused and began to count on her fingers. The last one was...wait when was the first one again? "A long time?" he offered as an explanation.
"A very long time. The last time you had to go to Canterlot for Princess Celestia," she explained.
Spike whistled in response. "Yeah that kinda is a long time," he finally agreed.
"And this time it's going to be so much better because everypony will be there! You, Rarity, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Applejack and Rainbow Dash!"
"No kidding? Rainbow Dash is actually showing up?" Spike asked. Twilight nodded. "I didn't expect that one. I thought she was still depressed about...well you know..."
Twilight's demeanor almost immediately returned to her normal calm nature as she nodded, remembering what Spike was talking about. It'd only been a couple of months since Rainbow Dash had lost her parents in the explosion at the weather factory. After that she really hadn't been the same, but that was understandable considering the circumstances.
"To be honest I'm surprised I managed to find her long enough to ask her," Twilight stated. "I know we decided to give her some space after her outburst at the funeral, but I'm still worried about her. Which makes me all the more happy and relieved that she actually agreed to come. Being surrounded by friends will be good for her."
Spike could still remember the last time he and Twilight had visited the cemetery, both to pay their respects and to check on Rainbow Dash's condition. In the wake of their death she'd just about moved into Restful Hills and maintained a constant presence at the grave of her parents, sitting silently and unmoving and unaware of the world around her. He couldn't help but wonder if during that time she gathered dust much like the stones and suffering from the withering away effects of hunger and not eating.
However their thoughts were interrupted by a knocking at the door. That had to be the guests showing up. Suddenly happy thoughts were coming back for Twilight.
"Come in!" she chirped excitedly and magically took hold of the door, pulling it open so hard and quick Spike was almost certain it would come off at the hinges.
"Oh thank you darling," Rarity greeted as she stepped into the library, wiping her hooves off on the map before entering properly. "I do hope I'm not too late for the party but I just had to finish these before coming over," she explained as seven white boxes were magically brought into the room and set down on the table.
"Not at all Rarity, you're actually the first one to show up," Twilight replied as she watched the boxes stack. "So what's in the boxes?"
"Oh you could call them party favors I suppose, but I want to wait until everypony is present before I show them off," Rarity explained.
"Go without me."
When Applejack and her family had talked things over about taking Rainbow Dash in as a member of their family they knew full well that there would be times ahead of them that were difficult. Times where you'd want to pull your mane out by the roots and yell. Times when you just wanted to slug her for being so featherbrained. They knew that full well going in that things wouldn't be perfect and yet they still hadn't hesitated to agree that it was the thing to do because they honestly loved her so much it was the only thing that made sense to them.
That said there were still times that surprised them. This being one of them.
"Say wha'?" Applejack asked as she looked over the cyan pegasus currently laying on her bed. "Ya mind runnin' that by me again? Ah think ah got somethin' in mah ears an' didn' hear ya right."
"I don't feel like going to Twilight's slumber party tonight. You go ahead without me," Rainbow Dash replied.
"Now wha' exactly brought this on. Earlier ya were all geared up ta goin' an' now yer sayin' yer stayin'?" Applejack asked as she approached the bed.
"Earlier I wasn't thinking clearly when I said yes. But as the day went on I started giving more thought about what I said until I realized that they're gonna want to ask me questions about how I'm doing and what I've been going through. I don't really feel like talking about that so I'm just gonna stay here. You go on though, no sense for both of us to stay behind," Rainbow Dash explained.
Applejack knew that it hadn't been all that long since things happened the way they did. She knew that there was bound to be some changes expected in Rainbow Dash's mood and personality and behavior regardless of what she said. But her not wanting to talk about herself and actually shying away from attention? Well that was a new one.
"Naw," Applejack finally replied and climbed up on the bed to lay down next to her. "Ah don't feel like goin' an' bein' asked questions about why yer not there an' whatnot. Ah don't feel up ta lyin' ta my friends. Ah'll jus' stay in with ya."
Rainbow Dash didn't say anything. She was alright with the two of them just staying in. It'd been a hard day in terms of work and a little relaxation would be a good thing, especially after the dinner she'd stayed for.
"Of course if we don' go then Pinkie's gonna get upset an' might get a little too intense fer Fluttershy's comfort," Applejack pointed out.
"Applejack don't do this," Rainbow Dash replied. She'd been around long enough to know when somepony was playing the loyalty card. Fluttershy was the longest time friend she had and Applejack knew it too, the mule.
"An' if we don't go then they might all come here an' be lookin' fer us. It's a lot easier ta leave somepony else's house as a guest then it is yer own as a host," Applejack continued.
"Darn you Applejack you're playing dirty," Rainbow Dash stated and scowled as the pony laying behind her.
"Ah'm aware. But ya know ah'm right about this," she replied casually. "We did promise 'em we'd each be there. An' we are the Elements o' Honesty an' Loyalty."
"...Alright fine. I'll go. But only because my sister won't let me rest in peace," Rainbow Dash grumbled as she got up off the bed.
Applejack just chuckled before climbing up off the bed herself.
"Maybe they're not coming tonight."
Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy had all shown up as promised but still no sign of Applejack or Rainbow Dash. In their long absence was a slow degradation of order. Twilight continued to maintain a vigil by the door, her horn lit to provide illumination in the dark. Pinkie would periodically try and peek inside the boxes that Rarity had brought only to get her hoof swatted away. Spike was in the middle of really wanting to scarf down the fixings for the s'mores right now because he was so hungry. And Fluttershy was currently standing by Twilight and helping keep watch.
Right now Twilight's optimism for this being a great slumber party was waning.
"They'll be here Twilight. Rainbow Dash isn't always punctual but you know she doesn't let ponies down when it's important. And Applejack said she'd be here and you know she wouldn't lie about something like that," Fluttershy reassured her.
"Enough Pinkie enough!" Rarity exclaimed, the sound of a hoof slap coming immediately after and bringing their attention back to the chaos that was going on inside. Once again Pinkie had tried to peek inside the boxes only to be met with Rarity's guard once again. "You'll get to see what's in the boxes only once everypony is here and not before."
"Aww!" Pinkie whined in disappointment.
"I'm sorry darling but I went through a lot of work to get these ready for tonight and it just simply wouldn't be fair if the surprise was ruined," Rarity apologized but refused to drop her guard. If necessary she would be magically securing them so they couldn't be tampered with.
"Not even for a rich fudge chocolate cake with butter icing?" Pinkie asked hopefully.
"No dear not even for that," Rarity replied.
"Maybe I should just call this off," Twilight muttered to herself and shook her head in disappointment.
"Call what off?"
Twilight hadn't even thought about where the voice had come from before opening her mouth to explain that she planned on calling off the slumber party due to all of the guests not being there. But before she could even get the first word out the various parts of her brain were engaging like a multi-geared machine as a connection was made; that voice belong to Rainbow Dash! Immediately she spun around to see not only her but Applejack coming into the library.
"Sorry we're a little late," Applejack said as she made her way in. "Kinda ran inta a few unexpected difficulties."
"No it's alright!" Twilight said quickly as a wave of relief washed over her. "You two made it and that's what's really important right now," she reassured them.
"Woohoo!" Pinkie cheered and made another grab for the boxes, only to have them yanked out of reach by Rarity's magic.
"A little composure darling, everything in good time," Rarity said as she walked over to the two latecomers. "I'm glad to see you both. I've been waiting patiently to pass these out and now I don't have to do that anymore," she said as one by one each box was passed out to everyone present.
"What's this?" Rainbow Dash asked curiously as she took hold of her box.
"Open and you'll see dear," Rarity replied.
Everyone opened their boxes but none of them were quite sure what to make of what they found inside. Inside each box was a shirt; more accurately a custom designed shirt.
Fluttershy's shirt was pale green and the front decorated with images of bunnies and pink butterflies all gathered around a tree.
Pinkie's was dark pink like her mane and decorated with balloons, streamers and party hats.
Twilight's was a deep grape purple with six stars on the front and each a different color.
Rainbow Dash's shirt was a vibrant blue with lightning bolts on the front that looked a lot like the Wonderbolts motif.
Applejack's shirt was grass green with bright red apples on the front.
Rarity's was royal purple with embroidered diamonds on the front.
Spike's was last but showed what looked like the most work. It was a dark purple color with the front a moss green and decorated with a sculpted abdominal and chest region, the shoulders done up in lamé material to give an appearance of pieces of armor.
"Uh...shirts?" Applejack asked in a confused manner as she looked hers over. "Rar' ah...really don' know what ta say."
"I know that they're not terribly fashion oriented darling but I assure you they're very comfortable. And it is getting chilly as the weather moves into fall. And since they were intended for sleeping I figured they would be perfect to bring out at Twilight's slumber party," Rarity explained.
"Well I love mine!" Spike stated after he slipped into his and started modeling it, striking poses to show off the fake abs he had despite how baggy it was on him. That earned some amused giggles from the others.
"Looks good on ya lil' guy," Applejack commented before turning her attention back to her own shirt. "Much appreciated Rarity. Jus' seems a bit odd is all."
"Perhaps dear but at least give them a try first. I'm certain you'll all enjoy them," Rarity replied.
"Well I'm with Spike I love mine," Twilight said as she sat up on her hind legs to show hers off, the hem of the shirt coming down to her cutie marks as she sleeves hung loosely halfway down her forelegs. It was oversized and hung freely on her body but she wasn't complaining one bit at how roomy it was. "I don't recognize the constellation pattern on the front though."
"Well it's not really a constellation but something a little more relevant to you darling," Rarity replied.
"Ooh! Ooh! I know! It's the Elements of Harmony!" Pinkie piped up as the bounced with excitement, the material of her own shirt flapping freely.
Twilight took a closer look down at the pattern on the chest. Five different colored starts in a pentagon pattern with a sixth directly in the middle. Orange, pink, blue, yellow, white on the outside and lavender in the middle; their colors. Now it all made sense to her as the deeper meaning sank in. "Now I've got another reason to love it. Thanks Rarity."
"Ah think ah'll hold off puttin' mine on fer the time bein' until we're done with the mud pack thing. Ah don' wanna get it all dirty gettin' this slumber party under way," Applejack stated as she took another look at her own shirt and how it fit on Twilight and Pinkie.
"Mud pack? Nobody said anything about sissy stuff like that," Rainbow Dash spoke up. "You're not gonna catch me wearing any mud outside of a mudslinging match," she protested.
"Now jus' settle down there Sugarcube. It ain't as bad as it sounds. Plus afterwards there's more fun ta be doin'," Applejack replied.
"The Dash doesn't so sissy stuff," Rainbow Dash said simply.
"Hey Dashie!" Pinkie Pie called out.
Rainbow Dash turned around to ask what was up only to be met with a hoofful of spa mud splatting in her face. Apparently Pinkie Pie planned to play rough...and dirty.
"Is that better?" Pinkie asked.
"Yeah Pinkie, that's better..." Rainbow Dash replied flatly and with narrowed eyes at the pink party pony.
"...And they were never heard from again," Pinkie concluded.
Despite the initial rough start to everything the slumber party was officially in full swing now and things were progressing smoothly. The mud pack and cucumber slices could've gone better but everypony did participate to some degree, even Spike who seemed to enjoy it as much as Rarity did.
After that they'd immediately proceeded into the telling of ghost stories. All the shades were drawn to shut out any light that might invade, the only light in the room being a firefly lantern that they were all sitting around. Pinkie Pie had been only too eager to get things kicked off and proceeded to tell one of the best stories she could think of.
Everypony was silent with varying degrees of terror on their faces; at least for the ones that could be seen. Fluttershy was hiding behind her mane and quaking in fear while Applejack was busy looking out the window as if expecting something.
"No lightnin' an' thunder like last time," she commented and turned back around with a sense of relief. "Pinkie ah don't mind tellin' ya that story was 'bout as scary as hearin' timberwolves howl while walkin' through the Everfree Forest. Where'd ya ever hear somethin' like that?"
"I think I need to use the little filly's room," Fluttershy said as she quickly excused herself and dashed off.
"That certainly tops Twilight's story of the headless horse," Rarity added before turning to Twilight. "Not that there was anything wrong with your story when we heard it darling. But...well you have an interesting way of enhancing the atmosphere with audio and visual aids. Pinkie's story is..." she paused and shuddered, "it truly doesn't need anything added to it."
Rainbow Dash said nothing in response, simply noting the front of her shirt as if it were her main focus rather than the story she'd just heard. After the mud packs everypony had put on their shirts and they all had the same conclusion as Twilight; they loved how comfortable they were. She didn't really even care that the shirt obstructed the deployment of her wings.
"Is something wrong Rainbow Dash?" Rarity finally spoke up.
"Huh? No nothing's wrong. It's just...could I get this revised a little?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"You don't like it?" Rarity asked.
"No it's not that honest, it's great! It's just...would it be too hard to put an apple on this like you did with Applejack's?"
Rarity couldn't help but tilt her head. "Well no dearie it wouldn't be all that hard to do. I just wonder why you'd want something like that," she replied.
There was silence around the room as Rainbow Dash looked at everypony present, wondering if her request had been too much. She'd more than likely tipped her hoof now and she saw little option except to come clean with the facts of the matter. All eyes were on her now.
"Well it's kinda like this. After my parents died I was kinda...adopted into the Apple family..." she explained, trying to mentally prepare herself for whatever was about to come.
"Really?" Spike asked in amazement and confusion at the same time.
"Oh my," Fluttershy added after having returned from her unplanned absence and hearing everything.
"That's wonderful news Rainbow Dash!" Twilight spoke up. For so long they'd all been so worried about how their friend had been doing and it turned out this whole time she'd been doing so well. She hadn't been alone afterall despite being so absent lately. "We really should've asked about how you were doing earlier but we just got so swept up in things and I guess we just forgot. I'm sorry we didn't think about you Rainbow Dash," she apologized.
"It's okay Twi'. Truth is I'm kinda glad you didn't, it's not something I wanna talk about all that much. At least not yet," Rainbow Dash replied and readjusted her position so she was sitting a little closer to Applejack.
"No fair!" Pinkie stated, quite unhappy with what she was hearing. "I wanted a sister of my own who knew how to have fun and be colorful! But all I've got is Inkie and Blinkie..." she grumbled and folded her forelegs as she pouted. However her mood quickly changed and she one again became her happy and perky self. "Ooh I know! We need to throw a party to celebrate Dashie getting a new family!"
"No!" Rainbow Dash quickly yelled. "I mean...thanks for the offer Pinkie, but I'd rather not go broadcasting this if that's alright. I'd rather just keep it low key and between us for the time being," she explained.
"Aww," Pinkie whined, much like when Rarity wouldn't let her open the packages. "If that's what you want Dashie that's what we'll do. But I still think a party would make things so much better."
"Don't worry Pinkie we'll have plenty of other opportunities for parties," Twilight reassured her before turning her attention back to Rainbow Dash. "So what's it like being sisters with Applejack?"
"Well...kinda like it was before I was sisters with her. We haven't really been around each other enough to notice much of a difference. But it's nice being able to consider Sweet Apple Acres as a second home, I've got a place to go to in case I need company. I've got a brother and sisters, a grandmother, home cooking by somepony who actually knows what they're doing, I've even got a room to sleep in if I don't feel like spending the night at my cloud home. It's...it's awesome really," Rainbow Dash explained.
Applejack grinned at the compliments being given and once again placed her prized stetson atop Rainbow Dash's head, something that she rarely ever did for anypony else under any circumstances. In a moment where she wasn't concerned about being quite so awesome Rainbow Dash responded by leaning over to kiss her cheek; something nopony could recall seeing her do in public. To put simply it was touching and wound up earning a group "Aww!" in response. That was enough to put Rainbow Dash back in her original mood.
"Oh come on already!" she protested. However she shrugged before turning her attention back to Rarity. "So would that alteration be possible?" she asked.
"After hearing that story I think I'll make you a second one darling. That way you can keep one at your cloud home and the other at Sweet Apple Acres for whenever you feel like spending the night," Rarity replied.
"That'd be like awesome squared or something!" Rainbow Dash stated excitedly. However her face soon took on a mischievous smirk as she rubbed her hooves together. "Alright enough talk about my new family, let's get back to the ghost stories. You thought Pinkie Pie's story was scary? Just wait until you hear this one..."
Mud packs, ghost stories, truth or dare, pillow fights, s'mores and other activities had keep Spike and the Mane Six up late into the night and provided plenty of fun, laughs and more than a few screams of terror. It was definitely a slumber party to remember. But as with all other good things it too had to come to an end as sleep became a necessity. So goodnights were said and lights extinguished before everypony settled in for the night on their sleeping bags.
Right now everypony was fast asleep; everypony except for Rainbow Dash and Applejack as they laid close.
"Ah'm proud o' ya," Applejack whispered. "Feels good not keepin' secrets from yer friends don' it?" she asked.
"I guess," Rainbow Dash replied and and shrugged. "It still feels weird addressing myself as being a part of your family, especially around others. Not that I don't love it, it's just...really new and all."
"Maybe so. But we still love ya regardless," Applejack told her and closed her eyes.
Rainbow Dash just shrugged in response and rolled over to try and go to sleep. At least that was the plan anyway.
"So what do you think of your shirt?" she asked.
"Takes some gettin' used ta, wha' with normally sleepin' naked an' all. But ah gotta admit ah think ah like it," Applejack replied.
"Girls?"
It was a low whisper from Twilight as she approached as quietly as possible, her horn just barely glowing for illumination to keep her from tripping over or stepping on anypony.
"You still up Egghead?" Rainbow Dash asked as she looked up.
"Well obviously but...would it be alright if I slept by you tonight? Pinkie's story is still keeping me awake," she whispered and hung her head. "I know it's just a story and all and it has no basis in reality, and being scared right now is just plain silly. But..."
"Say no more Sugarcube. Ya don' have ta justify it ta us any," Applejack replied as she scooted over and made room for Twilight to rest between them. "Ya mind havin' some company tonight RD?" she asked.
"Nah it's alright so long as we get some sleep," Rainbow Dash replied.
"I really appreciate this," Twilight whispered in response and moved her sleeping back between them before laying back down. "Goodnight girls."
"Goodnight Twilight," Rainbow Dash and Applejack replied in almost perfect unison. There was a shared giggle before the three settled back down in order to try and go back to sleep.
"Best slumber party yet?" Twilight whispered.
"Yeah," Applejack replied. Rainbow Dash nodded in agreement.