//------------------------------// // 53. Effervescent - by Thak // Story: RariJack - The Compilation of Prompts // by Titanium Dragon //------------------------------// Thak Effervescent Applejack felt like her throat was on fire. She hacked and coughed, trying desperately to get rid of the burning sensation. Rarity rolled her eyes at her sputtering companion. “And that, my dear Applejack, is why we sip our drinks like a Lady, instead of chugging them down like barbarians. By Celestia, I have no idea why you think everything must be a race! You had to be first in line when we saw Il Cavallo last month, and by intermission you were ready to go home!” “That’s ‘cause opera’s so borin’ Rares; nothin’ but a bunch of ponies with powdered wigs and stuffy attitudes. ‘Sides, not like you could understand what any of them were sayin’. They were speakin’ some weird sort of fancy that just ground my nerves like a plow through a rock field.” “That was the original romance language. No pony speaks it anymore, Darling, and it’s absolutely charming. The rhythm, the beauty! Far more enjoyable than that abhorrent display you dragged me off to last week.” “Wrasslin? What’s wrong with wrasslin’? You get a whole bunch of ponies together and see which one’s toughest!” “Exactly, Applejack! The thought of having to ponyhandle someone until they passed out! And all that sweat, and dirt! It’s all so uncouth!” “Listen here, Missy. I distinctly remember a few times where you enjoyed gettin’ a little dirty and sweaty. And as I reckoned it, you were the one who couldn’t keep her hooves to herself.” A blush rose to the white unicorn’s face. “Well, that is something completely different entirely. Besides, we agreed we would alternate activities. You had your turn last week, and today it’s my turn.” “I know, I know. I still don’t understand the point of all this.” Applejack gestured before them. They sat in the kitchen of the Carousel Boutique, the table cleared away of all save a half-dozen bottles, and a pair of glasses. The two candles were the only illumination in the room; they provided very little light, and Applejack struggled in vain to read each bottle she poured into their glasses. “The point, Darling, is that each bottle of wine holds a mystery we have to discover. Is it a bold and daring Cabernet Sauvignon? Or is it a crisp and delicate Riesling? We must discern the true nature hidden behind these dark decanters, with only our palates to guides us! Isn’t this exciting?” “If you say so. I’m just a might confused as to why this one’s so….what’s that word you used?” “Effervescent? It means bubbly, has a nice light airy feel to it. I had wanted to wait until later to break that particular bottle open.” “Why’s that?” “Because, my darling, it is champagne. And while one could drink it from the glass, I suppose, I usually find that it is best enjoyed through a different manner.” “What d’ya mean, Sugarcube?” Applejack raised an eyebrow at the white unicorn next to her. Shaking her head, Rarity leaned in next to Applejack and explained in exact detail her preferred method of ingesting the carbonated delicacy. Applejack felt the heat rise to her cheeks, her breath coming in short gasps. She sat, stunned, as Rarity made her way to the stairs, her hips swaying seductively at the orange Earth pony. “Coming, Applejack?” The white unicorn practically cooed at the still immobile pony staring after her. “Yes Ma’am!” “Don’t forget to bring the champagne.” Next prompt: Heavy