Applejack opened her door and stepped out, looking over Bon-Bons house as Lyra and Bon-Bon herself walked up to the front door. “Nice place.” Applejack caught up with the two girls and walked with them. “Is it expensive? Ah don’t know how much money The Sweet Shoppe makes.”
“Not really.” Bon-Bon shrugged uncaringly. “I say it’s pretty standard, my family’s business isn’t that impressive.”
“Isn’t it like a thousand years old?” Lyra asked.
“It’s only forty!” Bon-Bon shot Lyra an annoyed look. “You know her farm is like a hundred years old right?”
Lyra looked surprised and turned to Applejack. “Is that true?”
“Seventy three actually, my Granny was there when they built it. If my farm was over a hundred years old, she’d be dead.” She looked out over the neighborhood as Bon-Bon unlocked the door. “City was small town in the middle of nowhere back then, weird to think about.”
Lyra said nothing as the three of them filed into Bon-Bons house, Bon-Bon closing and locking the door behind them.
“Oh! Hi honey. How was school?” Candy Dasher poked her head out of the kitchen, looking at the two guests in surprise. “Oh! I wasn’t expecting you two to come over.” It was more of a question than an observation.
“Uh, yeah, so, we’re not broken up.” Lyra cleared her throat awkwardly. “I only said that because I wanted to get back at Bon-Bon.”
“Lyra.” Candy Dasher said in a disapproving tone.
“Yeah, I know, it was wrong. I’m sorry. I was being immature.” Lyra held up her hands defensively. “I still love her despite what she did, and I’m hoping we can talk about where we go from here… preferably after Applejack leaves.”
“It would be mighty awkward if Ah sat around while yah two hashed things out.” Applejack nodded in agreement before turning to Candy Dasher. “Ah’m one of the few people willing to associate with Bon-Bon right now. Ah wanted to hang out with her after school to be friendly and, well, hopefully talk to yah about The Sweet Shoppe?”
“The Sweet Shoppe? You mean you want us to buy from your farm again?” Applejack nodded meekly. “Oh, I don’t know Applejack. It’s not that I don’t want to, but after what your sister did…”
“Ok, but that wasn’t her fault.” Bon-Bon interjected, stepping forward. “Yeah, what her sister did was wrong and she made up that whole feeder fetish thing about me, but it shouldn’t threaten her family’s livelihood. Applejack is the one of the only people willing to talk with me right now, which makes day not suck as much, I think we atleast owe it to her to reconsider. Plus-” Bon-Bon shrugged. “-the customers kinda miss the candy apples.”
Everyone seemed surprised by Bon-Bons defense of Applejack, Candy Dasher looking back and forth before sighing. “I’ll think about it. I’ll call your grandmother if I reconsider and we’ll talk things out. Will that be alright?”
“Why, that’d be just fine Mrs. Dasher.” Applejack said with a smile. “Hope to be working with yah again!”
Candy Dasher nodded. “Now, no electronics or going out you three, Bon-Bons grounded. Books and talking only.”
“What about drawing?” Applejack asked curiously.
“Do you draw?”
“No, but just in case we did.”
“That’s… fine, I guess.” Candy Dasher looked confused at Appejacks question. “You three have fun.”
Applejack smiled and gave a nod as she followed the other two girls into Bon-Bons room.
“Uh, sorry for the mess.” Bon-Bon said bashfully as she cleaned up a little. “I was going through some stuff last night.”
“Ah, don’t yah worry about it.” Applejack said, unknowingly interrupting Lyra. “Half the time Ah go into my brother's room it’ll be worse than a pig sty. Ah always tell him that no girl likes a man with poor hygiene, but he never listens. This is nothing compared to that.”
“Uh huh.” Lyra frowned as they all sat down.
“So! What do yah two usually do? Barring electronics of course.”
“Well, other than making elaborate plans, we usually gossip.” Lyras eyes lit up as she thought of something. “And talk about just how much we love each other.” Bon-Bon looked confused but didn’t comment on it.
“Gossip huh? Ah ain’t much of a gossiper, just never interested me. If Ah didn’t have Rarity, Ah’d have no idea what was going on at school, or the oh so important information that Octavia may not actually be British.”
“Well, you just haven’t heard the right gossip!” Bon-Bon smiled. “Like how Sandalwood might be screwing Tree Hugger.”
“Or that Bulk Biceps uses steroids.” Lyra added.
“Or that Flash still has the hots for Sunset.”
“Or that Microchips likes yo-” Lyra panickedly placed her hand over Bon-Bons mouth, Bon-Bon realizing what she had just said.
Applejack stared at them with an unreadable expression, Sunset’s teasing from last night echoing in her head. “... How about something else? Ah don’t think gossip is for me.”
“Sure, anything you want.” Bon-Bon answered after she pushed Lyras hand away from her mouth. “We also usually-”
Suddenly Lyra grabbed Bon-Bons hand and squeezed it. “Kiss!” Bon-Bon didn’t have time to react as Lyra suddenly leaned in and brought her into a kiss, being much more forceful than she usually was.
“Oh.” Applejack looked confused but nodded regardless. “That’s nice, Ah sometimes think Mac kisses Sugar Belle a little too rough.” She awkwardly added, trying desperately to add anything to the conversation.
Lyra broke away from the kiss after a few seconds, missing Bon-Bons uncomfortable expression. “Oh, I’m sorry. I wouldn’t want to make you uncomfortable.” She said, squeezing Bon-Bons thigh.
“Oh, no no, it’s fine. Good to see yah two are still… affectionate despite what happened.” She gave Bon-Bon a questioning look, Bon-Bon shrugging her shoulders, just as confused as Applejack. “Uh, h-how about…” Applejack was quiet for a moment, trying to think of what we could. “Oh, how about twenty questions, get to know eachother better?”
“That’s a nice idea, mom shouldn’t care if we do that.” Bon-Bon nodded. “I’ll go first: who is your favorite superhero?”
“Superhero?” Applejack shoulder slumped. “Ah dunno, never gave it much thought, not much of a comic reader. Ah guess it’d be… Mistress Marvelous, she’s pretty cool, and Ah can respect a strong gal.” Applejack patted her biceps to accentuate her point, Lyra rolling her eyes in response. “Alright my turn: what's yer favorite thing to bake?"
"Definitely a cake. Theres so much room to try something fun and creative, but cookies are a close second."
"My turn." Lyra interjected, looking towards Bon-Bon. "How much do you love me?"
"Uh…" Bon-Bon looked taken aback. "A lot, but Lyra aren't you-"
"Really?" She scooched up to Bon-Bon. "Tell me more.”
“I-“
“Actually.” Lyra placed her hands on Bon-Bons shoulders, pulling her closer. “Perhaps it’s better if you show me.”
Bon-Bon jolted and squeaked in surprise when Lyras right hand sneaked down to grab a very inappropriate area. “Lyra!” Bon-Bon roughly pushed Lyra off her. “What the hell has gotten into you!?”
“Uh, should Ah leave?” Applejack asked awkwardly, pointing her thumb behind her.
“Oh I’m sorry, does this make you uncomfortable?” Lyra asked with a frown, Bon-Bon starting to understand what she was doing.
“Ah mean, a little?”
“Well, I’m sorry that two girls in love makes you uncomfortable.” Lyra's frown deepened.
“Lyra, that is not why she-”
“Wait.” Applejack interrupted. “Is that why you’re being so handsy? Yer trying to make me uncomfortable cause yah… cause yah think Ah‘m homophobic?” Applejack stood up, looking genuinely hurt.
“Yeah.” Lyra followed suit and stood up, taking a step towards her. “I mean, you’re one day at the beach away from being a redneck.”
“Lyra!” Bon-Bon admonished.
Applejack recoiled and her look turned icy. “Yah don’t know anything about me.”
“Yeah? Attend church every Sunday? Homeschooled till High school? Work on your farm in the place of hobbies?”
“And my favorite subject is science!” Applejack retorted, genuinely surprising the two girls, her breathing growing ragged. “Didn’t expect that from ‘Piggly Wiggly’ huh?”
“That doesn’t-”
“Ah’m also part of the volleyball team, have encyclopedic knowledge of The King of the Rings, and Ah love photography!” Tears welled in Applejack's eyes. “Ah‘ve spent my whole life having people write me off as a dumb inbred hick, none of them have ever bothered to get to know me! Ah’ve tried everything to get people to like me, to have them think of me as something more than a country girl, but nothing works!” Applejack wiped her eyes. “Ah came here to hang out with Bon-Bon because Ah didn’t want her to be alone, but it seems Ah don’t have to worry about that with yah here, so Ah’ll just leave!”
The two girls watched as Applejack marched out of Bon-Bons room, shutting the door behind her.
Sunset sighed as she flopped down on her bed, having spent what felt like an eternity being teased by Apple Bloom and Big Mac (even if he didn’t talk much). She’d have to think of a way to get back at Applejack for telling Big Mac what she said.
She turned her head when her phone rang, pushing herself up and turning on her phone.
Hubble Bubble:
Hi Sunset!
Just letting you know I still have your change of clothes
And you still have mine you silly goose!
When should we meet up to give each others clothes back?
Sunset looked confused before looking over to a folded shirt and skirt, realizing they were Derpy clothes that she borrowed when she inadvertently slept over.
She was about to text Derpy to just come over, but stopped right before she pressed the first button, an idea popping into her head.
Oh yeah
Totally forgot
I had a fun sleepover with AJ, and I’m thinking about having another one soon
How about you join us and we give each other our clothes back?
There was a long silence from the other end, Sunset wondering if she had gone too fast.
Hubble Bubble:
A sleepover?
Sounds like fun!
I don’t really know your friends very well tho
I wouldn’t want to impose
What?
You impose?
Don’t be ridiculous, they’d love it if you joined!
How about I run it by them if you’re worried?
Hubble Bubble:
Fine by me!
When’s the sleepover?
Not sure yet
Sometime soon though
Hubble Bubble:
K
Take good care of my clothes till then
If you don’t, I know where you live
Bye!
Sunset was taken aback by the vaguely threatening text Derpy sent her, thinking such a bubbly girl was incapable of such dark humor.
She placed her phone face down and stared off. She had a wonderful time with Applejack last night, feeling like they got a lot closer and actually ended up forgiving her.
Perhaps she could… invite the rest of her friends?
Sunset shook her head. It was way too early for her to attend a sleepover with everyone.
But, she thought it was too early for her to have a sleepover with Applejack, and look how that ended up.
Plus, she worked through some stuff with Rainbow and was talking with Pinkie again, meaning there was one girl she’d need to reconnect with...
Sunset continued staring off into the distance for another minute, deep in thought on whether she should go through with it
She groaned, knowing this was probably a bad idea, and turned her phone on. She pulled up her contact list and found who she was looking for, placing the phone to her ear
“Sweetie Belle?” Rarity lightly rapped her fingers on her sister's door. “Sweetie Belle, I know you’re in there, can we just talk?” Silence. “I… I’m sorry for what I said about Button, I’m sure he’ll come around.” More silence. “Sweetie, can we please just talk?”
“What’s there to talk about?” Sweetie Belle's miserable voice came from the other end. “Button had every right to break up with me, I don’t deserve someone as sweet as him.”
“Sweetie Belle! That’s not true. Button will come around, he just needs space.” Well, at least she was talking with Sweetie Belle for once. “Can I come in? Please? I miss you, you’ve barely said a word to me since Anon.”
“Miss me? Why would you miss the worst sister ever?” There was a muffled sob from the room.
“Don’t say that, you’re not the worst sister ever.” She said pleadingly. ‘I’m the worst sister ever...’ Rarity thought to herself.
“Just go away, please? My room is the only peaceful place for me now. I just want to rest before school tomorrow.”
“My room’s peaceful.” Rarity tried, cringing at her own desperation, ultimately failing to get a response from Sweetie Belle. She sighed and her shoulders slumped. “When you’re ready, my door is always open. Ok?” With that, she pulled away from the door and walked into her room, closing the door behind her absentmindedly.
She sat on her bed, staring at the ground blankly. Her eyes scrunched up and tears welled in her eyes, letting out an involuntary sob. Rarity quickly regained her composure and wiped her eyes, streaking her mascara (like always).
Crying wouldn’t help her, she needed to be proactive. Though, what could she really do? She couldn’t force Sweetie Belle out of her room. Well, she could, but that didn’t seem it would help anyone. Perhaps she could rope Rainbow Dash into-
Rarity lost her train of thought as her phone rang. She grabbed it and looked at the caller ID, nearly cropping her phone in surprise.
She immediately answered and placed the phone to her ear. “Sunset? Darling, is that really you?”
“Yeah, it’s me?” An awkward silence passed between the two. “Listen, can I… is it ok if I come over?”
“Come over?” Rarity repeated, her heart beating quickly. “Why, what for? Business or pleasure?”
“I… Look, can I just come over? This was a bit spur of the moment.”
“Of course darling!” A large smile spread over Rarity’s face. “When should I be expecting you?”
“Whenever I get there.”
“Well, see you whenever you get here.” Rarity said half jokingly.
“Yeah, see ya.”
The call ended and Rarity pulled her phone away. She had no idea what Sunset wanted, but she wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth (so to speak). She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, noticing her streaked mascara.
First, she’d need to fix her makeup and look presentable. Then, she’d bake something for the two of them. With any luck, the smell would coax Sweetie Belle out of her room (though she’d probably have to keep her separated from Sunset). Rarity grabbed a hand towel and cleaned her face.
Things were finally looking up for her.
Lyra was really out of line. She barely knows applejack and decides that she not pro gay based on the little that she knows. And practically trying to have sex in front of someone would make a lot of folks uncomfortable. Applejack had never really thought about the issue much. But when her sister came out she was for her and this new path that life l ed her too. Hopefully the girls will tell fluttershy the truth because the longer they wait the less chance of healing between them. As for scootaloo she needs to grow up and stop trying to turn the tables in order not to face how much she hurt everyone.
I hope your grandmother is fine now and fully recovered. Don't worry about updating your fic, take all the time to do everything well.
And I knew Lyra would do something stupid to make Applejack sad. That not going to help her, much less in front of Bon-Bon.
More difficulties are coming ahead for Sunset Shimmer and for the Rainbooms as well some of Canterlot High's students.
Starting with the good: I'm glad to see another chapter, and a few ends move forwards. Thats one of the good things about fanfiction, you onlynhave to write when you want to. Still wondering about the Fluttershy issue, though.
Now...
If I'm being honest, I don't think the Lyra thing was handled too well. We've spent a good amount of time with her so far in the story, and while a bit bullheaded, she's never been aggressive. Here she was outright hostile from the get go, with no indication that it's something she does so far in the story. Even with the Derpy thing, she was following someone else's lead, hesitant or no. Here she just, decides to not like Applejack just because, and do everything she can do make her either uncomfortable or outright upset. For a reason (to her) that is never even mentioned or hinted at until this chapter. It's just completely out of character for how you've built her up in this story. She was so aggressive even Bonny was getting uncomfortable and didn't know what was going on.
She went from 0 to 60 so fast it was more distracting than anything, because it sounded like a different character. And because of what she's been through herself, and the general theme of the story, it just comes even more outta left field. If she was more passive-aggressive instead of starting with a perverbial gun to the face, it would make more sense.
Happy to have you back mate.
Also, Lyra is really been acting lately in this story. I don't know what happened to her, but i think she needs to look it up.
Also, she made AJ sad
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The Fluttershy may not be picked back up for a while, ill have to see where the writing takes me.
To be fair, we've never had her have prolong contact with someone she views as a homophobe and a representation, in her mind, of everything that gives her grief. It's worse that she views AJ as something if an interloper.
It's also been implied that she has a bit of a mean streak, being confirmed to have been responsible for vandalizing Sunsets locker at least once during Anon (granted everyone was kinda mean during Anon, so I digress) and saying she and Bon-Bon were broken up when Bon-Bon confessed to selling Lyra out.
I will admit that I struggled writing this scene the most.
That's actually not bad.
I've been planning to do some rewrites to the chapters at some point, I'll keep this suggestion in mind for whenever I rewrite this chapter.
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For a second I thought "the one girl" was Fluttershy. Then the PoV shifted to Rarity and realized, oh yeah with Flutters not being an option at all Rarity is the last one. That makes sense.
And yeah, the biggest problem with Lyra to me wasn't that she had a prblem, but that she went all in with no buildup. Ignoring she was making Bon Bon uncomfortable, and ignoring common decency (unless her and Bonny usually tongue and fondle each other with their usual friends) specifically to hurt, not retaliate, someone else.
It's good to see you back again and I'm glad that your grandmother is okay. And don’t worry about trying to keep up with updating your story, take as much time as you need.
As for this chapter, what Lyra had done was completely out of line, both towards Applejack and Bon Bon! It was very mean of her to assume the worst of Applejack and used Bon Bon to make AJ (as well as Bon Bon) uncomfortable and make her cry due to her cruel words! Had she learned nothing from the Anon-A-Miss incident!?
Something tells me that she'll be getting an earful from an angry Bon Bon for her behavior.
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Sweetie Belle still refused to not let Rarity see her, and still hurt from Button breaking up with her, huh?
And Sunset is coming over? Wonder what for?
Looking forward to the next chapter... whenever it's ready!
I hope that your family is doing well, and that your grandmother is feeling better. But also yourself, we don't want you to overwork or trouble yourself too much. *hug* Irl stuff comes first.
Other then that, pretty good chapter. Lyra is definitely rocking the boat in this one.
Lyra, you're going to find most significant others don't appreciate being used to try and hurt someone.
I echo everyone's well wishes for your grandmother, and am glad you're back. Will you be updating MY PAST DOES NOT DEFINE ME also? I really like that one so far.
For the love of god Bon-Bon, just dump her already. She's used your love as a weapon twice now.
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This 100%