//------------------------------// // Companion - TwilightUCrazy // Story: AppleDash Group Collab // by DbzOrDie //------------------------------// The sound of four, magical strings wafted on the warm air, intermingling with the pops and crackles of the lit fireplace. The new record album scratched ever-so-softly as the gentle music drifted through the room. The quick snap of a struck match proved the only other interruption as the slow, soothing melody set the mood amongst the draperies of romantic scarlets and burgundies of the hotel room. Rainbow finished lighting the last of the candles and smirked proudly, turning to admire her work. More candles flickered by the rose petal-covered bed, and steam wafted out of the bathroom, giving the entire room a warm glow. Applejack smirked on the sofa nearby, her blond tail twitching against the cushion. "And now..." the pegasus said with a grin. She turned to the door and let loose a shrill whistle. The door to the suite opened, and in marched a butler pony, pushing a cart covered in silver platters. He exited as quietly as he had come, shutting the door softly behind him. Applejack arched her brow as Rainbow fluttered across the room and lifted a chromed lid. "As you can see, we're moving on to the applesauce course of the meal," boasted the uniformed mare. She took a hold of a shaker and poured a fine, tan powder over the blob. "The apples used here are one of my suggestions," she said with a grin. "I specifically ordered that this applesauce be made by only the very best apples in all of Equestria. If you've ever heard of a little place called Sweet Apple Acres..." Rainbow's brand new wife winked. "Wow. You don't go for the cheap stuff do ya, darlin'?" "Well I am a lot of stuff, AJ -- awesome being the main thing -- but cheap is something I'm not." Applejack chuckled. "And if that's not enough to make you totally swoon for me?" Rainbow picked up the small bowl she had just dusted and set it down in front of her wife. "Pure cinnamon, harvested straight from the Cinna-whinny Valley." She struck a proud pose as she placed a cinnamon straw in the goop. "Only the best for you." Applejack's eyes widened and her cheeks took on a rosy shade as she smirked at her betrothed. "Hoo-ey," she said, fanning herself. "Did it just get toasty in here?" The pegasus grinned and pounced on her wife. "Yeah, well... it's gonna get even hotter in a minute." Applejack chuckled that magical chuckle of hers, rolling onto her back beneath her mate's alluring gaze. "You went through all this trouble just to go and impress me?" Rainbow bit a grin. "Yeah." Her mate stared at her with warm, welcoming bedroom eyes and leaned forward to nuzzle noses with her. "M'kay. It's workin'." "In that case," she said, puffing out her chest, "I'd also like to point out that not only was I the youngest Wonderbolt to ever make the team. I'm also the most requests for interviews since Spitfire joined, I'm the hottest thing on four legs on seven flying sports magazine covers, and I have a book deal. And, by the way, Daring Do said she wanted to come personally congratulate me and do my autobio-thingie." She paused. "I still don't know why her, but back to me and me being awesome...!" "Okay, darlin', it's startin' to sound less like you 'impressin'' me so much as you just tootin' your own horn," she said with a scowl, reaching for her applesauce. Rainbow reached over with her wing and scooted the dish just out of reach, mating her her eyes with her wife's. "Who's your favorite Wonderbolt?" she purred deeply. Applejack bit back a smile and nuzzled her wife's barrel. "You are," she cooed flightily. Rainbow's wing's popped. "Buckin' right, I am," she said with a wink and leaned in for a kiss. "Oh!" Applejack turned her cheek to it. "I almost forgot!" The earth pony wriggled out from beneath her wife, extracting a squeak of protest. "Buh... but!" Applejack paused by the door to the bathroom, grabbing her saddlebags and tossing her blonde mane to look at her mate. "I'm gonna slip into somethin' a little more cozy-like. I won't be long." Rainbow blinked in confusion as the door shut, and looked at her sauce-covered wingtip. Scooping up Applejack's applesauce, she took a liberal slurp, devouring about half of it by the time the front door rang out with a soft knocking. Who the hay...? With a quick flap of her wings, Rainbow glided to the threshold and twisted the doorknob. "Yeah?" The well-dressed butler pony stood straight. "Forgive me, madam." Rainbow scowled at the sight of the servant. "I thought you and me were on the same page when we checked in and I said I didn't want any interruptions tonight, dude." "Yes, madam. I apologize, but Captain Spitfire said--" Rainbow blinked. "Spits wants to talk?" "Yes, madam." The pegasus sighed and nodded at the unicorn. "What is it? Ten o'clock?" "Ten thirty-eight, madam." "Yeah..." Rainbow smirked. "Jeeves, you look like you've got a little party left in you. Wouldn't you rather be out having the time of your life with some hot little rump right now?" The butler smiled. "Yes, madam. But I was assigned to you instead this evening." "Ew... smells like burn..." She peered around the corner. "Spits!" The butler ducked out of the way, and Spitfire trotted into view, her eyes sweeping the room. "Hey, newbie! Sweet digs!" "Yeah, thanks." "Hope I'm not walkin' in on anything." Rainbow quirked her brow. "Nah. What the hay would ever make you think that?" The Captain paused and glimpsed around the room. The candles. The burgundies. The fireplace. The music. The applesauce platters. "Whoa. Somepony's got plans tonight," she said with the hint of a blush. "Yeah, and none of 'em involve you, so instead of interrupting me at an even worse time, would you make it quick?" Rainbow asked urgently. "Oh, right! Sure!" Spitfire cleared her throat. "I was just gonna swing by and give you a congratulations... and to let you know that you might be flying center of the formation for the next few shows." Rainbow gaped. "Me? C-center?" "Well, I talked it over with Fleetfoot, Soarin' and Fireball, and we thought it might be a good idea to ride your popularity for a little bit. Put you center stage and on all the autograph lines, at least until you made your bones with us." "I'll do it!" Rainbow squeaked excitedly. Spitfire arched her brow and smirked. "Yeah, figured you might." She shook her head. "Look--" "Is there anything I need to know before the next show?!" "Well, actually that was part of what I wanted to talk to you about. Tomorrow morning at breakfast, I wanted to--" "Hello, Captain Rainbow Dash~!" a buttery-smooth voice wafted in. Spitfire and Rainbow immediately turned towards the source to find Applejack standing and leaning on two legs against the steam-shrouded bathroom threshold. She wore a fur-tight Wonderbolt uniform. Her golden mane hung loose, clingy in the humidity, and the bathroom light glistened off her rippling muscles. She froze on sight. "N-nice job on that uniform, Applejack," the Captain croaked, her cheeks turning scarlet. The earth pony shrank and crossed her legs tightly. "Ah, hayseed..." Rainbow exploded into nervous laughter. "Y-yeah, uhhh... check it out, AJ! Spits stopped by to say hi and stuff!" "Hi... and... stuff..." the Captain droned, eyes as wide as before. "Eyes on me, Spits," Rainbow Dash snarled. Spitfire cleared her throat quickly and turned back to her junior. "U-uhhh... so, yeah, we'll... like, talk about it in the morning... over breakfast... and stuff..." "Yeah. Let's do that..." "Yyyyyeah..." The Captain paused at the door. "Is that Octavia Philharmonica's new album?" "Uh huh." "You animal, you!" "OUT." Spitfire snickered and was gone. Rainbow quickly snatched the Do Not Disturb sign off the back of the door and hung it before slamming it shut. With a twist of the lock, she turned and eyed Applejack with a sultry stare. "Now... where were we, recruit?"