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// Cider - Jondor 
// Story: TwiDash Prompt Collab 
// by TwiDashCollabs 
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“Gimme a cider, AJ.” Rainbow Dash grumbled as she plopped down on a stool in front of the drinks table. Her eyes remained fixed on a couple several tables away.

“S’customary to say ‘please,’ sugarcube.” Applejack replied, sliding a mug of cider across the table nevertheless.

Rainbow mumbled her thanks into her drink as she tipped it up and took a long pull. She slammed the still half-full mug down with a scowl.

“Real cider, AJ. Not the foal’s stuff.”

Applejack arched an eyebrow. “You sure, Rainbow? Remember what happened to ya at the last Summer Sun Celebration.”

Rainbow waved a hoof behind her at the couple that had commanded her attention. “Take a look over there and tell me I don’t need a real cider.”

Applejack didn’t even bother to look. “Alright, sugarcube, but just one.” She downed the rest of Rainbow’s first mug herself and refilled it from a red-banded barrel behind the table, attaching a similar red ring to the rim of the mug. “I still say you're overreacting.”

Rainbow choked in the middle of her first sip, coughing and spluttering as she glared at Applejack. “How would you react if one of your best friends was dating...YOU!”

The crowd parted just enough for the pair at the drinks table to clearly see Twilight Sparkle sitting with one large wing wrapped around another, nearly identical Rainbow Dash. The only visible differences being a slightly longer mane and the black-and-white ball she carried around with her.

“I’d be happy for ‘em, sugarcube.” Applejack said, letting out a deep sigh.

“I just don’t get it.” Rainbow grumbled, sipping her cider as she watched the pair of them. “Did she have the hots for me and this is her way of getting back at me for being taken?”

“I doubt it, sugarcube.” Applejack rounded the drinks table and sat down next to Rainbow with her own red-rimmed mug of cider. “Y’all might look alike over here, but deep down yer two different ponies, er people. So stop frettin’ so much an’ just be happy that your friend and princess found herself a sweetheart.”

Rainbow snorted, watching the pair of them nuzzling over the rim of her cider mug. “I’m trying, okay, but she’s ruining my rep by getting all mushy and kissy-faced.”

Applejack chuckled. “Ain’t nothin’ wrong with that. You an’ Rarity might try it yerselves sometime.”

As Applejack continued giggling and Rainbow spluttered into her drink, they watched as Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom trotted up to Twilight and her Rainbow. Scootaloo’s tail flicked as she tried to speak and the other two had to keep her from turning to run, but she eventually said whatever it was she had to say, finishing with her small front hooves resting on the ball by Rainbow’s side.

“There, see?” Applejack poked Rainbow as the pair of them watched the other Rainbow ruffle Scootaloo’s mane and then stand and trot over to an empty section of the field with the CMC, Twilight, and her ball in tow. “I don’t think your ‘rep’ is in trouble at all.”

Rainbow blinked, setting her mug down as she watched ‘herself’ talking to Scootaloo and the others while twirling the ball on the tip of a hoof. Applejack nudged her.

“Why don’t y’all go join ‘em. Looks like they’re fixing to learn a new game, an’ I bet it’d be more fun with even teams.”

Rainbow nodded slowly as she got up and trotted toward the group.