**************************
"Mmmm... That feels positively divine, darling," Rarity murmured. That was the nice thing about Zap Apple Cider. No hangovers; their innate magic left a warm, comfortable afterglow instead.
"T'ain't nothin,' sugarcube," the drowsy mare in her forelegs mumbled back, nuzzling in her semiconscious doze against Rarity's shoulder.
Rarity snapped awake. "... Applejack?" she squeaked.
Applejack took her time waking up. "Yeah, sugarcube?" she yawned.
"Applejack, darling, are we at another one of Twilight Sparkle's slumber parties?"
Applejack lifted a hoof to wipe her eyes. "Ah don't reckon so. Last Ah recollect, we were all at some fancy ceremony in Canterlot. Hoo-wee, but that stuff was strong."
Rarity coughed delicately. "Exactly how strong would you say it was... sugarcube?"
Applejack rolled onto her back and laughed. "First-harvest Zap Apple Cider? Ah reckon it'd give Luna's own original moonshine a run for its bits. Why ya askin', darlin'?"
Rarity cleared her throat. "Well, I'm fairly sure that I didn't bring this rope. Would you mind untying me?"
Applejack blinked and looked at her. Rarity didn't like the look at her eyes.
... Then she sort of did.
"Maybe not jes' yet, darlin'..."
***
Fluttershy snuggled happily into the big warm fuzzy ball of fur that had come to up cuddle her good-morning. She didn't care too much about exactly which of her little animal friends wanted to help her wake up today, but it was odd that she couldn't tell who it was by hugging them. It had to be one of her bigger animal friends, but none of them were so puffy like this. Or smelled sugary like this. Or giggled like this.
"You are just the most adorable thing ever when you're sleepy, Fluttershy!" Pinkie Pie happily informed her bedmate.
Fluttershy thought about why Pinkie was in bed with her. Oh well. Too late now. She gave her new extra-special friend a peck on the cheek and dozed back off.
Pinkie blinked. "... Oh! So that's what that Pinkie Sense was telling me about. I thought I was just going into heat."
And they happily cuddled up to sleep in.
***
"Well, that wasn't how I expected that to unfold. Oh well," Twilight Sparkle muttered. Lero was sitting back and groaning. An unfortunate consequence of different biochemical natures meant that he got the same alcoholic aftereffects as ever. Twilight gave him a sympathetic nuzzle. "Thanks for helping with the ropes last night."
Lero groaned. "Please. Please tell me you have an insta-kill spell. Please."
The purple unicorn awwwww'ed and kissed his cheek. "I'm saving that for myself if Rainbow Dash and the Princesses ever figure it out."
***
Rainbow Dash woke up slowly. She'd had a lot of that seriously amazing cider last night. She had no idea where she'd fallen asleep, but this was one lumpy bed. She felt heavy all over. Wow, she must have partied so hard...
Someone cleared their throat. Politely, classily, and yet with the very clear indication that an excessive amount of forbearance was being employed.
"Rainbow Dash, now that you're awake, I don't suppose you'd mind climbing down, untying us, and returning the Royal Attire?" Princess Celestia inquired.
"She can keep mine," Luna muttered. "I always wanted to go with a diamond crown instead of black anyway."