As I wake up and stretch, I realize there is someone else in my bed. Fighting the growing panic at the sensation, my left eye opens slightly as I turn my head, revealing App- AJ on the bed, her back towards me while dangerously close to the edge. Turning to look at Lily’s bed, I notice both Sunset and Rarity sleeping with her as well, though like AJ they are keeping as far from her as they can be. Wonder why they decided to crowd our beds like that instead of sleeping in Sunset’s room. Bet there is a lot more room in there. “Mornin’ sugarcube, sleep well?”
I must’ve woken her up, or she’s an early riser. “Morning Applejack, did I… did I wake you?”
“Nope, us Apples are known fer wakin’ up early. One o’ the perks o’ livin’ on the farm. How’d ya sleep?”
“I slept well thank you, how about you?”
“Like a baby. Oh, morning Sunset, Rarity.”
“Morning Moonshade, Applejack.” The other two girls acknowledge at the same time, whispering so as not to wake up Lily. Gently they get out of her bed as AJ sits up before helping me sit upright, placing herself on my right side while Rarity sits on my left.
“Did you think over what we talked about yesterday?” Sunset asks as she sits next to Rarity, a goofy smile coming to her face while her hair looks completely messed up.
“Sunset darling, you should know how to keep your hair from getting so disheveled. I simply must teach you and Moonshade how to keep your hair looking its best when you go to sleep.” I have no idea where this playfulness inside me is coming from, but I twist and reach out with my right hand, trying to mess up her hair, causing her to stifle a squeal of surprise.
“Relax Rares, Ah don’ think they’re too worried about their hair at this moment. But as fer what Ah offered yesterday, Ah’d like fer ya ta do it, Moon. An’ not jus’ mahself either, but Sunset, Rarity, Celestia, Luna, Chrysalis an’ the others wan’ ya ta do it as well.”
“Fine, I’ll… I’ll go with you this week and… try it out,” A yawn catches my attention, and with a twist I turn and look at Lily as she just watches us. “Morning Lily. Applejack here wants us to… go with her this week to visit her councilor.”
“I just… let me think on that, okay.” Wonder what is going on with her, is she still upset over what happened yesterday? I can’t help but notice the look in her eyes as she goes through the routine of greetings before disappearing to make her way to the bathroom.
I hope you’re gonna be okay, Lily. I’m not used to being in your usual shoes. My attention is quickly drawn from Lily to Rarity as she turns to Sunset. “I am a bit curious darling, but you have not yet fully filled us in on what is expected of us while we are watching over Lily and Moonshade.”
“Oh, mostly you’re just here to help keep an eye out on things and help with anything if they need it. Don’t worry too much about Moon’s hygiene, Lily does that normally.” Sunset gets up off the bed along with Rarity and AJ, all three stretching before helping me into the chair. “So, what do you girls want to do today?”
“Think we could… I don’t know… go out for a bit? I’m tired of being stuck in this house. Maybe go to the park or the mall?” I look up hopefully at Sunset as she wheels me into the dining room. I’m so used to Sunset or Celestia preparing breakfast that I’m a bit surprised when AJ goes into the kitchen while Sunset and Rarity join me at the table. “Why is Applejack cooking and not you, Sunset?”
“You’re in for a treat darling, AJ is a top notch cook. She works absolute magic in the kitchen.” A smile forms on her lips as an idea apparently comes to her mind. “How about this Moonshade, after breakfast we can all go out, but only if you promise that you will let me give you a makeover and fix your hair?”
My only reply to Rarity's offer is a mumbled groan as AJ begins asking us what we want for breakfast. “Do I have to go through with that, Applejack?”
“Ah’m not much inta gettin’ all gussied up either, Moon. But if that is gonna be one o’ the stipulations than Ah guess yea, ya do.” Soon the smells of frying eggs, sizzling bacon and sausage and pancakes waft from the kitchen, just in time for Celestia and Luna to join us, yawning as they stumble out of their rooms.
Once the food is set on the table, AJ fixes my plate as she’s already up, adding a couple pieces of fruit to it. During my time here I have gained a good amount of weight, though apparently I’m still under what the doctor says is healthy, which is annoying. Along with my food, a plethora of supplements are placed next to me as well, which I swallow reluctantly. The food tastes really good as I lose myself in it, ignoring the conversations going around me.
“So Moonshade, what are your plans for this nice day?” Looking up, I’m a bit shocked that it is Luna addressing me and not Celestia. I thought she hated me or something, she never did interact with me much. Though I guess it is partially my fault.
“Well, was planning on doing something with the girls if I can, Luna.” Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Celestia and the others take a sudden interest at the question.
“I see. I guess it is too late to ask if we can spend some time together, seeing that you are opening up and talking more.” I can’t help but feel a pang of hurt as I look at Luna’s eyes. I don’t think it would hurt to spend some time with her, maybe---
“Why don’ ya join us, Luna? Yer more than welcome ta.” AJ’s offer throws Luna a bit, but she just smiles at the cowgirl. “Why don’ we go ta the zoo? It’s still nice enough outside an’ we got plenty o’ time. Ya can come as well, Celestia.”
“I have other things I need to do, Applejack, but why don’t you go with them, Luna? Go and have some fun.” The older woman gets up and begins collecting the dishes. Surprisingly, the mountain of food AJ cooked has been reduced to crumbs and small bits.
Looking at Sunset, I can tell an idea comes to her mind. “Hey Rarity, AJ, I’m gonna see if I can hang out with the other girls since I haven’t seen them in a while. You four go and have fun. Plus, this will be a good chance for you guys to bond some without a crutch.”
“That is a splendid idea, I knew I liked you for some reason, Sunset.” I can’t help but giggle as Luna gives her a noogie, though it is followed by the sting of longing.
Once the day’s plans are decided, AJ and Rarity wheel me off to the bathroom. “Well, I must say Sunset does have the right idea, letting us get to spend time with you without having her or Lily around as a crutch.” As they help get me undressed and into the tub, I take a couple deep breaths. These aren’t Lily’s parents, these aren’t Lily’s parents. They are only helping your dumb ass out. Looking up, I guess the other two missed it, but the full length mirror on the backside of the door is broken, with large chunks missing from it. “Are you okay, darling?”
“Yea, just… trying to hold myself in check from wanting to protect myself by lashing out at one of you two. Also, I’m trying to figure out what happened to the mirror. If Lily did that, then something must really be upsetting her. She never loses her anger, I always thought she couldn’t get angry.”
“Ya gotta understand how she mus’ be feelin’ after what we talked about last night, sugarcube. She mus’ be hurtin’ somethin’ fierce, if ya look at how badly she was betrayed.” Applejack’s response is gentle as Rarity and herself begin to scrub me down. Well, mostly Rarity, though she does allow the cowgirl to help out.
Once I’m cleaned up and dried off, the water is drained from the tub and the two girls hop into the shower. Once they finish and dry off we’re back in the guest room, and to my horror, Rarity pulls out a huge case that, when opened, reveals so many beauty supplies I just look at her and then AJ in silence, my lower jaw limp as it hangs open.
“Ever been to the zoo before, darling?” Rarity starts plying her trade on me first, adding various types of makeup to my cheeks, face, around my eyes and lips, and my fingernails.
“No… OW! What are you doing?” I try to look at her as sharp, painful tugs come from my scalp.
“I’m doing your hair, darling. You simply cannot go out there with your hair so out of place and looking so unkempt.”
“Well, I sorta like the unkempt look.”
“If that is so, darling, than you might actually like your new hair style better.” A mirror is placed in front of me and I particularly don’t like the makeup much, except for the dark blue bit above my eyes. I must admit that what Rarity did with my hair is not too bad, it still has that messy look but it’s a lot neater at the same time. I also like the tail that hangs from the back end and ends in a pair of curls. I also like the nail polish she chose, I think I like how that dark blue looks on me.
“I guess you were right, Rarity. I could like this hair style more, I also like this dark blue eyeliner and nail polish.”
With a smile she starts working on AJ, taking considerably less time with the farmer than she did with me, mostly just taking the time to paint her nails, apply lipstick and some other types of makeup. “You are welcome, darling. I am glad you like your new look, I do try my best.”
Once we are ready to go, which is after Rarity applies what seems like an ungodly amount of makeup to herself and taking time to find the right outfit, we make our way to the living room. Luna is waiting for us, twirling her set of keys as she smiles. “Are you ready for a day of fun?”