...Rainbow Dash flung her hooves over her muzzle. She awoke in a fright, eyes twitching. She looked left and right, staring at the sunlit lengths of the tent. The crickets were all silent—replaced by the chirps of waking songbirds in the crisp morning air.
All was still... and peaceful.
Then something tiny flew down and perched on Rainbow's fetlocks.
The mare's eyes focused on it.
A lightning bug gazed back, antennae twitching. Its wings flexed, and there was a brief pulse of yellow light from its abdomen. Then—just as softly as it had landed—the insect took off again, zooming out the blinding-white open entrance to the tent.
Rainbow squinted. She stirred, stretching her fuzzy limbs. At last, she slid out of the comfy confines of the sleeping bag and crawled onto all four hooves. Teetering, Rainbow reached up and rubbed her fuzzy muzzle a few times, blinking her eyes until the world stopped stabbing her retinae so painfully. There was a tiny flicker of orange flame outside—and standing beside it was another orange shape... and a beautiful one at that.
"Ermmm... uhh..." Rainbow Dash stepped out—only to trip on the lid of the tent. "Gaah!" She flapped her wings to balance herself, ultimately hovering in place. "Whew."
"Hmmm?" Applejack looked over her flank. "Oh! Mornin', sugarcube!" Tilting her hat forward, Applejack returned to shaking a skillet over the crackling flame. "Hope ya like hashbrowns! Figured I'd make a hoof-lickin' good breakfast for the gals to start the day."
"You... uhm..." Rainbow blinked tiredly. "...you're up this early?"
"Well... yeah." Applejack chuckled breathily. "I do live on a farm, remember?"
"Oh right." Rainbow stifled a yawn. "Apples."
"Heheh... eeyup. That's right, Rainbow." Applejack smirked. "Apples."
"That's... uhm... super nice of you..."
"My pleasure, darlin'." Applejack sighed. "Actually, I find it mighty refreshin'."
"How so?"
"I'm used to makin' breakfast for the same three family members ever mornin'! One of them's a finicky little varmint, one's a big ol' hungry horse, and the third one can't even use her teeth no more! Hah! If it weren't for a hearty selection of apples to slice and bake and mash every day, I'd have lost my mind ages ago!"
"Yeesh..."
"Tell me about it! Whew! But fixin' somethin' up for you girls?" Applejack chuckled. "It's a nice change of pace. And Pinkie Pie's frying pan here is comin' in handy!"
"Do you... need any help with that?"
"Uhhhhh..." Applejack smiled over her shoulder. "You dun exactly strike me as the cooking type, Rainbow."
Rainbow bit her lip. "Guilty as charged."
Applejack gestured at one of the logs encircling the fire. "Just have yerself a squat and relax. There's some apple juice in the jug over yonder."
"Heh..." Rainbow trotted over as instructed. "Guess it's too early for cider."
"Reckon there are worse habits in the world."
"Well that's reassuring," Rainbow droned. She sat down—but instantly fidgeted. "Ermm... AJ?"
"Hmmm?" Applejack paused to pick up a canteen of water, sipping from it. "What is it, Rainbow?"
"I... You... that is..." Rainbow finally took a bold breath and spat: "You didn't by chance hear me talking in my sleep, did you?"
Applejack finished sipping. She looked over, brow furrowed. "Beg yer pardon?"
Rainbow blinked. "Er..."
"Talkin' in yer sleep?" Applejack blinked. "Like... what about?"
Rainbow Dash looked at Applejack.
Applejack looked at Rainbow Dash.
"Heh... heheheheh..." Rainbow Dash wheezed.
Applejack chuckled. "Heheheheheh..."
"Heeheeheehee!" Rainbow Dash hugged herself.
Applejack slapped her knee. "Hahahahahah! Whew..." She sighed, then blinked. "... ... ...what are we laughin' about?"
"Beats me." Rainbow coughed. "Where's the apple juice again?"
"Over ther—"
"GLUG!GLUG!GLUG!" Rainbow glug'd.