//------------------------------// // Applejack's Answer // Story: Apples in the Moonlight: Crackshipping Applejack and Luna // by bahatumay //------------------------------// Applejack lifted the lid, took out a plate, and placed it near Luna, whose body was now devoid of clothing. She then withdrew the first sandwich. “Cheese, tomato, a little lettuce, and mayonnaise all on wheat bread,” she said, setting it down on the plate. Luna squinted. “Mayonnaise?” she repeated dubiously. “I like it,” Applejack said, digging in the basket again and retrieving another. “There's some with horseradish sauce if you want that instead.” Luna squinted suspiciously at the sandwiches, but decided to stick with the food she knew; though she was fairly certain horseradish had had medicinal purposes before she'd left. Still, she doubted Applejack would intentionally try to poison her, so she took a bite. The sandwich bit back, but it was not unpleasant. “This is… savory,” she said, pleased. “Glad you like it,” Applejack said, taking this as a compliment and getting a sandwich for herself. “And that's not all I've brought.” * * * Mac watched the two mares from a distance. Even if it was a princess his sister was dining with, he still instinctively felt the need to watch over her. After all, it wasn't every day his sister made a bunch of food in the kitchen with a princess out in the living room waiting patiently. He grinned as he watched Applejack pull a small flask of cider out of the basket next. Luna's wings flared out, and Big Mac could hear her joyous “huzzah!” even from here. The hair on the back of his neck stood up suddenly, and he looked behind himself. Standing a fair distance behind him was the same female bat pony as before. Tonight she wore no armor, and thus being naked she seemed to be even more one with the night, though how that was possible he didn't know. Now that she'd been noticed, she approached; apparently she'd gotten bored of her scaring him game. Her hoofsteps were nearly silent in the night, sounding no louder than the quiet breeze of the night skimming across the grass. Her flank bore a single star in the center, small but nearly perfectly white. She neared, slowed to a stop, and raised an eyebrow. Spying on your sister? she asked wordlessly. Mac shrugged. Older brother thing. His eyes narrowed slightly. Besides, you're here too. She nodded and pursed her lips, conceding this point. She looked over at the pair and smiled. She looked down, drew a hoof through the dirt, and then looked back up. They look pretty happy together. Mac nodded. Food was a universal constant that could bring everypony together. She looked back at him and tossed her head towards the orchard. You want to take a walk with me? Mac paused. He probably should say no, because he didn't want to leave Applejack alone. But then again, Luna probably had a ton of her invisible guards floating around. They would be safe. And besides, this bat pony was pretty cute in an exotic sort of way. Strong, too. And nice to Apple Bloom. Exactly the kind of pony you wouldn't mind getting to know a little better. He smiled. I'd love to. He had a pretty good idea of what to do with her. She smiled, and together, they walked away. * * * The bat pony hesitated as she neared the door of the barn. Maybe it was the enclosed space, or maybe it was because her last experience here had included burnt, crunchy food. Mac gently nudged her forward with his hips and nodded encouragingly. You're going to like this, he promised. The bat pony looked at him suspiciously, but followed. She remained tense as he led her to the top of the barn and over to one corner. He picked up a stray stick from among the piles of hay, wedged one end into the wall, and pried off one of the panels. The bat pony stared, mildly confused as to why he'd intentionally destroy his own building, but then her eyes widened as he withdrew a small flask. She looked hopefully up at Mac. He set it down and nudged it over towards her with his nose. She reached out a hoof and pulled it closer, thankful for the offering but obviously feeling guilty that she had taken it all. This feeling was assuaged when he reached in and took out a second one for himself. Now wasting no time, she bit down on the cork and tried to pull it out to release the deliciousness inside. She was unsuccessful in her first attempt, and Mac hid a smile. But she was not about to be denied her prize so easily. Soon, she was rolling on her back, fangs working furiously at the cork, hooves scrabbling against the bottle, trying to loosen it to release the sweet contents. Mac chuckled. She looked somewhat like a kitten. A large, gray, fluffy, adorable kitten. She turned her head back towards him and glared. She rolled to her hooves and slid the bottle over in challenge. A tiny smile crossed his face, and Mac accepted. With a gentle rolling motion, Mac popped the cork off and gave the bottle back. She licked her lips and gave him a grateful look, then proceeded to drink half the bottle in one go. Mac cracked a smile. Impressive. He took another drink of his, but he nearly choked on it when she then gave him an unexpected appreciative nuzzle under his head. He had not been expecting this semi-intimate contact. She giggled at his startled expression and then lay down. She patted the hay next to her. Mac blinked, then hesitantly followed suit. As soon as he got settled, she rolled over, leaning against Mac's side. She looked over back at him. You don't mind, do you? she asked coyly. As if in a daze, Mac shook his head, and she kicked her hind legs out, relaxed further, and resumed drinking. Mac lay his head down on his forelegs, his own flask of cider forgotten at this new sensation. She was warm, oh so very warm, and her fur was soft, better than any blanket. He could stay like this all night, easily. * * * Luna exhaled as she finished her last bite of apple turnover. So simple, yet so delicious at the same time. Applejack grinned as she put the empty plates back in the basket. “So, how was your first picnic?” she asked, stifling a yawn. “It was enjoyable,” Luna said, pleased, “and I would not be opposed to doing this again.” She looked at Applejack and grinned. “Though perhaps at an earlier time; you look as though you should be abed.” Applejack nodded blearily. She should have been asleep an hour or two ago. “Yeah, just a bit.” Their picnic completed, Luna brought her wing up to her lips, curled the feathers into a u-shape, and whistled. At least, it looked like she did; but Applejack couldn't hear anything. Over inside the barn, though, the bat pony's ears pricked up. She sat up, and this small motion roused Mac, who was mildly embarrassed as he realized that he had fallen asleep. He cracked an apologetic smile, but she didn't seem to be offended. She looked over at Mac, then back over towards where Luna was, and then back towards Mac again, and smiled sheepishly. She was being called; their date was over. Mac put two and two together and briefly wondered if the bat pony had been specially assigned to distract him; but was distracted from that train of thought as she nuzzled him once again, brushing her cheek against the underside of his neck and then moving in tiny circles upwards across his cheek, culminating with a tiny lick on the tip of his nose. He blushed, grateful for the red coloring of his coat. Her tongue was the tiniest bit rough, like fine sandpaper, but it had still been a pleasant sensation. She withdrew, winked, and turned to leave. “C- come back soon,” Mac stuttered as she departed. The bat pony smiled. She slowed to a stop and turned around, then brought her hoof up and slowly crossed her heart, silently promising that she would; and then she flew off silently into the night. Mac watched her until she had disappeared from sight. Not even caring that both bottles of cider were now empty, he trotted back to the farmhouse, a new spring in his step as he did. Unseen by him, the bat pony watched from the shadows as he left. A smile crossed her face as well, even when she heard Luna's hoofsteps behind her. “I take it you... had fun?” Luna asked. She nodded. Luna grinned widely. “Huzzah,” she said, holding her hoof out for bumping. The bat pony returned it with a wry smile. She really did try hard to fit in. As the bat pony hitched herself back up to the chariot, Luna paused. “You have tomorrow night off, do you not?” The bat pony nearly missed a latch on the harness. She did. Luna said nothing else, but smiled a knowing smile.