//------------------------------//
// Olive Gallop Can't Beat 'Em 
// Story: Appledashery 
// by Just Essay 
//------------------------------//

	"Isn't this place great?!"  Stu Leaves beamed, gesturing towards the glittering streets of Atlantrot below and beyond where they sat.  "My friend recommended it to me!  I asked for something 'cultured' and the name of this place was the first thing off her tongue!"

"That's a mighty long tongue," Applejack said with a smirk.  The soft platinum glow of light bulbs reflected off her green eyes with a kaleidoscopic shine.  "Stu, has it ever occurred to you that maybe the most expensive dun necessarily mean the most best?"

"How do you mean?"

"Everypony with a dash of sense knows that you ain't eatin' 'southern' unless it's some Ma and Pa dive that fries everythang that's edible!"  Applejack glanced across the table.  "If ya pardon the pun."

Rainbow Dash squatted in her chair, looking remarkably tiny as her shoulders hunched and she blew on her hooves.  "Yeesh... it's stupidly chilly up here."

"Well, we are on a rooftop," Applejack said.

"I don't get it."  Rainbow frowned.  "We're heading south.  Shouldn't it—like—be getting warmer?"

"We ain't in Fillyday yet, Rainbow."  Applejack chuckled.  "Enjoy the comfy nights while they're not bakin' ya."

"Meh."

"Should we move to a table that's closer to a kiln?" Stu Leaves asked.

"Good evening, ponyfolk!" A waiter strolled over, dropping a warm basket of bread.  "Here's some bread to start you out with."

"Sweet!"  Rainbow reached out and clasped the basket between her hooves.  "Awwwwwww yeah..."  She smiled, cradling the warm bread.  "That hits the spot."

"Heheheheh..."  Applejack smirked.  "Reckon that fixes that."

"Are you all ready to order or would you like some more time to decide?" the waiter asked.

"We'll be a bit longer, thanks."  Stu Leaves nodded.  After the waiter trotted off, he turned towards the mares.  "I mean it.  This is my treat.  Feel free to knock your horseshoes off!"

"Dang it, Stu..."  Applejack squinted across the table.  "What's yer game?"

"Heheh... game?"

"I get the distinct feelin' that yer tryin' to butter us up."  Applejack pointed.  "You've even got the bread already."

"Warmmmmmm bread," Rainbow cooed, pulling one stick out and sniffing it.  "Hmmm..."

"What's wrong with that?"  Stu leaned back.  "I'm really, really enjoying this trip, and I wanted to show you both my appreciation."

"Uh huh..."

"Applejack... for real..."  Stu gestured at himself with a wry smile.  "You and I both know that I'm not a clever pony."

Applejack avoided his gaze, although a noticeable grin trailed off her muzzle.

"Ah!  Uh huh!"  He pointed, chuckling.  "There's Honesty for you!"  He leaned forward, breathing through a tired smile.  "You know I don't have much swimming upstairs."

"Aw... now dun be sayin' thangs like that, Stu."

"What I mean is, I couldn't pull a fast one on ya gals even if I tried.  Besides, it's not in my blood."  He gestured.  "I got us two rooms, for Celestia's sake."

Rainbow glanced up, blinking.  "You did?"

"Hey, I'm a gentlecolt," Stu said.

"I noticed ya didn't say 'perfect gentlecolt,'" Applejack said.

"Well, I can't slip anything past you, can I, Applejack?"  Stu smirked mildly, fiddling with the table cloth as his eyes took on a distant glaze.  "I used to try too hard back in Cloudsdale... with trying to fit in, I mean."

"Sure thang..."

"I tried to make friends, but all I did was make a fool of myself."  His muzzle hung straight for a moment.  He brushed a hoof across the table in front of him.  "So, I came to Ponyville... a town that's made its name in the world for being the 'Friendship Capital' of Equestria.  I didn't expect much, to be perfectly honest.  I mean, I know it's not... th-that easy to take a stallion like me seriously..."

Applejack gazed at him softly.

His nostrils flared, and he looked up with a calm grin.  "I-I just want to say that things have gone... wonderfully.  And I'm lucky, y'know?"  He cleared his throat.  "A lot luckier than I thought I'd be.  I no longer give Cloudsdale a passing thought."

"Only ya just did."

"Heh... you know what I mean."  He sighed, lips curved.  "So, forgive me if I wanna spread that luck around some... with two very good friends of mine."

"Hmmm..."  Applejack smiled tilting her hat back.  "Well, that's mighty sweet of ya, Stu.  And I swear we ain't about to rain on yer generous parade."  She turned aside.  "Ain't that right, Rainbow?"

Rainbow Dash's wide eyes stared into open space.  Meanwhile, her blue cheeks had puffed out like those of a chimpunk's.  "Mmmff... these..."  She mumbled with a mouthful.  "...these are the best... breadsticks... ever."

Stu beamed.

"Heheh..."  Applejack stroked her bangs back.  "Well, guess that's a good start."