//------------------------------// // First Move // Story: Apples in the Moonlight: Crackshipping Applejack and Luna // by bahatumay //------------------------------// Applejack awoke and stretched, cracking her neck and popping her back. She let out a relieved grunt after one particularly loud pop. It was a good morning already. She hopped out of bed and headed towards the shower when she noticed something on her nightstand that hadn't been there last night. It was a flower, resting on a silver plate, encased in a blue magic bubble. She squinted. She had never seen such a flower before. Next to it was a card, written with beautiful thick swirly letters Applejack found impossible to decipher. Some of the letters looked familiar, but they just didn't make any sense; they were tall and flowy and almost looked foreign. She turned it ninety degrees, and then upside down; but neither position helped. She flipped it over, and found a helpful translation scribbled on the back. Princess Luna sent this to say thanks for the apples. It's a moon flower. Eat it! Applejack was never one to turn down gifts, much less free food. She stretched out a hoof and reached for it, and the bubble popped at her touch. She started, but quickly recovered, and took a bite of one of the petals. She let out an unintentional moan. This was delicious, and she wasn't saying that because she woke up hungry. She took another, and another, and soon the whole flower was gone. “Well, I'll be,” she muttered. “That was the best thing I've eaten all month.” Unbeknownst to her, a watching bat pony stallion grinned and flew away. * * * Luna paced irritably. It was light outside and she was tired, but she wouldn't sleep until she had received her report. Out of habit, she lifted a wing towards her teeth, and stopped and winced as she realized that bare patches were noticeably showing through on the underside of her wing. She spread both and grimaced as she noticed bald patches on both. Picking really was a nasty habit. She refolded her wings and resumed pacing. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, a bat pony entered through the window and bowed deeply. “Well?” Luna demanded sharply. “She ate it, Princess,” he reported. “Said it was the best thing she'd eaten all month.” “She accepted!” Luna whispered gleefully. For some reason, that particular choice of words set off a little yellow flag in the guard's mind. “Accepted… accepted what, your highness?” he asked. “My courtship invitation!” Luna pranced in place like a filly. “She accepted!” The guard froze. Something didn't quite add up. “Your highness, I'm not sure that's-” “Leave me!” Luna said joyfully. “I have much to prepare for our first date!” The guard hesitated, then bowed and faded back into the shadows. He was not about to contradict his regent to her face; but he had the feeling that there was a major misunderstanding and that this wasn't going to end well. * * * Later that evening, Macintosh was putting the leftovers away in the icebox. There weren't that many, of course; but sometimes you can't just eat that fifth pie, no matter how much you want to. He paused and squinted as he saw a gray splotchy reflection in a metal lemonade pitcher that wasn't supposed to be there. Granny Smith would have had a fit if she'd known he'd put something dirty away; but when he rubbed it, the dark spot remained. Was it a reflection? Curious, he turned around—and came snout to snout with the same bat pony mare from the party. He gasped and stumbled back into the icebox, and she smirked slightly as he spun back around and scrambled to make sure nothing fell off of the shelves from the impact. When everything stopped rattling, Mac turned back around. He squinted. What are you doing here? he wordlessly asked. She shrugged nonchalantly and looked away at the ground. Mac learned something about bat ponies that night: at least one of their fangs will peek through their lips when they're trying to hide a smile. Still, scary as she might have acted, she was still a pretty mare, and so instinct kicked in. Mac lifted the pie tin and held it out as an offering. The bat pony mare straightened up proudly and briefly brushed off the symbol on the front of her armor. Without saying a word, it was clear what she had said. I'm on duty. Mac blinked. It wasn't often he found somepony else who was comfortable communicating without words. Still, he was nothing if not polite. He shrugged and turned around to put the pie tin away. He turned back around to offer something else; but when he looked, she was gone. Mac paused. That just wasn't right. Where else could she appear? He had a sudden image of her popping her head over the shower curtain as he was showering. Imagination Mac was so startled at this intrusion that he slipped and slammed his imaginary head against the imaginary faucet, which broke off of the wall sending imaginary water spraying all over the imaginary bathroom. Mac chuckled as he returned to reality. His fantasies definitely needed work. * * * Applejack's ears flicked up at the sound of heavy hoofsteps. “Mac? That you?” “It is not Macintosh,” Luna said with a smile. Applejack jumped and spun around. Sure enough, Luna stood in her doorway. “Your highness!” she sputtered. Luna! Here! In her bedroom, no less! “Please,” Luna said. “Just 'Luna' is acceptable. We are closer than that, are we not?” Applejack chuckled nervously. “Yeah, I guess we are,” she said. “I thank you for your gift,” Luna continued, taking another step closer. Subconsciously bidden by her pegasus genetics, she briefly spread her wings as she crossed the threshold, showing them off and placing herself momentarily on display before folding them against her sides again. “It was unexpected, but not unwelcome.” Applejack shrugged, blushing slightly. This was some of the kindest thanks she'd ever received. “I figured you deserved a souvenir of some kind from the party,” she said. “Might as well be something tasty.” “And they were savory indeed,” Luna agreed, folding her wings. Applejack cracked a smile. “Thanks; but I can't help but think you didn't come just to stroke my ego,” she said. Luna blinked. So straightforward! Was that what it was called these days? And such an offer on the first date, no less? Luna felt a slight twinge of worry. She could not remember the last time she had pleasured a female, and was probably terribly out of practice. But perhaps she was mistaken. There were so many new euphemisms these days. Just in case, she decided to ask for clarification. “To do what, now?” she asked. “Didn't come all this way just to compliment me,” Applejack translated. Luna exhaled, slightly relieved. There was still time for wooing. She was a princess; how hard could it be? “Oh, but I do compliment you,” she said. “You are quite the beautiful mare.” Applejack blinked. That was unexpected. And somewhat personal. “Thanks?” she said hesitantly, her forehoof coming up guardedly. Luna winced internally. Something told her that this was not how flirting was to be done in this day and age. The gears in her mind quickly turned. Mares could also be wooed by a show of power and confidence. She quickly changed tactics as a new thought occurred to her. “I have come to invite you to Canterlot,” she said. As she spoke, she warmed to the idea, and her voice grew more confident. “I would show you the grounds of Canterlot castle at night. There is a subtle beauty there that the harsh light of the sun washes out.” “That sounds fun,” Applejack said, setting her hoof down. Earth ponies always did have a thing for gardens. “When?” “Tonight,” Luna said, deciding on the spot. “Tonight?” Applejack repeated, somewhat startled. She stifled a yawn. “Your highness, no offense; but I'm bushed. There's no way I'm going anywhere tonight,” she said apologetically. Luna smiled. “I understand. I did come on rather short notice.” She lit her horn. “But fear not; I believe I have a solution.” Applejack paused. The hair at the back of her mane instinctively prickled up, and that was never a good sign. “Wait. What?” But that's all Applejack could say before Luna cast the spell. Her eyelids fluttered closed and she collapsed on her bed, fast asleep. Luna smiled as she lit her horn and slid the sleeping pony under the covers; and then with her hooves tucked Applejack in. “I shall see you tomorrow night, rested and awake,” she said, pleased with her cleverness. “Good night, my little earth pony.”