//------------------------------// // Chapter 10 // Story: All's Fair in Love and Piracy // by bahatumay //------------------------------// Applejack was in the brig fluffing out her ragged blanket when she felt a presence behind her. An angry presence. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled up, and she felt impelled to look behind her. She’d half expected to see an angry, vengeful ghost of some kind after her soul. She was angry enough, but the being behind her was definitely corporeal. Octavia stood there, glaring at her with pure detestation in her eyes. “Captain wants to see you in her chambers,” she said through gritted teeth. “Now?” “Now,” Octavia confirmed. Applejack set her blanket down and trotted out, wondering what Rainbow Blitz had in mind for her and what exactly she’d done to incur Octavia’s wrath this time. Maybe it was just the fact that she was still alive. That always seemed to rile Octavia up something good. Either way, she headed out across the ship over to Rainbow Blitz’s quarters. She knew the way after all these months, and soon she was knocking on the door. “Enter,” came Rainbow’s voice from inside. Applejack nosed the door open. She stepped inside, letting her eyes adjust to the low candlelight. And when she did, her eyes widened even further. Rainbow had changed her outfit. She had taken off her vest and belts and most of her necklaces, and now she wore a simple white shirt. It was loose and open, exposing more of her body than she usually revealed. Her hat, however, remained firmly on her head, as did the myriad of bracelets on her forelegs. This in and of itself wouldn’t have been so strange; but she was currently sprawled out on her bed, her wings spread as wide as they’d go. Applejack vaguely remembered seeing a few of the more drunk sailor pegasi try that on her in Port Ponyville. She was showing off. “Captain,” Applejack said warily, straightening up. “I've been noticing you,” Rainbow said, sliding off her bed and walking close to her. “Standing close to me, smiling at me, working hard, helping me; I see what you’re doing.” She paused. “I’ve seen,” she corrected herself. “You… have?” Applejack asked hesitantly. “I totally have.” She brought a hoof up and trailed it down the side of Applejack’s face. “You like your captain, don’t you?” Applejack blushed. She was new to physical contact, and felt her pulse begin to race. Still, this was all part of the plan, right? “Maybe?” “Maybe your captain likes you too,” Rainbow Blitz said softly. “And if there’s no cider, well, maybe she’ll use you as an acceptable substitute.” Applejack was trying to figure out if she should be offended at being objectified to the level of cider when Rainbow Blitz suddenly pressed her lips against Applejack’s. Applejack was too stunned to move. It was like nothing she’d ever felt before. It was warm and soft and oddly tender from such a rough pony. Too soon, Rainbow Blitz pulled back a bit. “You taste good,” she whispered, and her breath brushed lightly against Applejack’s lips. “Thanks,” Applejack said. She grimaced. That wasn’t quite the right word to say there, was it? Rainbow Blitz didn’t seem to mind. If anything, she seemed to enjoy that. She brought her hoof up—a hoof that had wielded swords and fired cannons and carelessly broken ships and livelihoods—and gently stroked Applejack’s cheek. Applejack wasn’t sure how to feel about that. It felt kinda nice, but- No. No. But she’d need to play along if she ever wanted to get off this ship. That had been the plan from the beginning. She hesitated, and then tilted her head, leaning into the contact. Rainbow slid her hoof back further, moving from her cheek to the back of her neck, Some part of Applejack felt nervous, but she didn't feel like pulling away. Did she… like this? She exhaled, and as she did, her body seemed to relax a bit. Rainbow Blitz took this as an invitation; she pulled her in closer again, head tilted slightly to the right, pressing their lips together again. Rainbow Blitz seemed to know exactly what she was doing. Her hooves traveled lower, gently kneading against Applejack’s body until they got near her hips. With a sudden movement, Rainbow Blitz dug her hooves in, pressing the tips into Applejack’s hips. Applejack inhaled sharply at the sudden sensation, and her mouth opened slightly as she did. Seizing this opportunity, Rainbow Blitz gently flicked her tongue inside Applejack’s mouth. It had been a quick motion, just a quick brush against her top teeth; but it nearly overloaded poor Applejack. She had never felt so violated… but she also wanted her to do it again. It was at this point that Applejack had two slightly terrifying realizations. One, she was being played like a fiddle. Two, she wasn’t saying no to anything Rainbow Blitz was trying. And she was trying again. Taking her lack of resistance as an invitation, Rainbow Blitz pressed forward, pressing into a kiss with her mouth a little bit open. Applejack returned the gesture, and Rainbow Blitz’s tongue brushed the inside of her upper lip. It brushed against the bottom of her teeth, played at the inside of her cheek, and then pushed against Applejack’s own tongue. And then Rainbow Blitz did something completely evil. She pulled back. “And that’s where I leave you tonight, apple mare,” she breathed. Even the disparaging epithet sounded nice coming from Rainbow Blitz. Against her will, she tilted her head back, hoping against hope that she would kiss her again. But Rainbow Blitz had other plans. Specifically, plans that involved her exposed neck. Without warning, she came down and bit down hard on Applejack’s neck. “Wh- hey!” Applejack tried to push her away, but it was of no use; Rainbow Blitz sucked hard on the little bite she’d just made, and by the time Applejack had managed to free herself, it had already left an angry red mark on her neck. Rainbow Blitz just smirked. “Good night, Applejack,” she said, making a shooing motion with her hoof. Face burning with a combination of shame and arousal, Applejack turned and left. She scowled at nothing in particular as she headed back to the brig. She moved quickly, managing to avoid any other pirates. It wasn't like she'd actually enjoyed all of that. No. No no no. It just felt good. That's all. No connection. Sailors did this all the time. A quick rendezvous for one night, just for some personal release. It never meant anything. Applejack sighed as she threw herself down onto her plank. She couldn’t even lie convincingly to herself. She had actually fallen for her captor.