> One Day in Manehattan > by elmago02 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Manehattan > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Next stop, Manehattan!” A stallion in a blue uniform with a cap announced as he walked through the middle of the wagon. “Remember to gather all your belongings before leaving the train!” He said before walking through the door towards the next wagon. An orange coated mare, that was lying on her back on one of the benches of the train, began to stretch her front legs. Sitting up, the mare pushed the stetson that was covering her face to the back of her head. Her jaw opened widely, allowing a big yawn escape. Still feeling a bit sleepy, the mare looked out the window. The view she had seen before falling asleep had completely changed. There were no longer green pastures at the other side of the glass, that scenery had changed to one of tall buildings. The train slowed as it was getting closer to the station. The orange mare stood from the bench, grabbed her saddlebag with her teeth and threw over her back. The train wheels screeched as it ceased to move completely. A few seconds passed before the doors of the train opened, allowing a small crowd of ponies to walk out to the platform. The orange mare was one of the last ponis to get out from the train. She just walked towards the station exit, avoiding to bump against a few ponies on her way. Once out in the streets of Manehattan, the mare pulled a picture out from her saddlebag. The picture was showed a little version of the mare, along with two other grown up ponies. One of the ponis was a mare with a pale olive coat and alight amber mane, three orange slices shaped her cutie mark. The second pony was a stallion with a light gold coat and a light pistachio mane, a single orange was his cutie mark. The mare chuckled as she returned the picture to her saddlebag. “Aunt and Uncle Orange will be so surprised when they see me.” The mare walked down the street and turned right at the corner. “What?” “I said that Mr. and Mrs. Orange are currently on a business trip in Trottingham. They won’t return for another week.” The pony at the reception of the building said, not even bothering to take his eyes away from the magazine he was reading. “Ah… Ah… Alright, Ah guess Ah’ll leave then.” The pony just turned the page, still not bothering to look at her. Applejack sighed before turning around and making her way out to the streets. She walked aimlessly, trying to think of what to do now. Uncle and Aunt Orange had talk to her after the Apple family reunion. They had started with an idle chat, a few comments of how much Applejack had grown up, a few compliments on her hard work here in the farm, and a bit of general talk. They had ended the conversation with an open invitation for her to visit whenever she wanted. Of course, She should have send a message to them about when she planned to visit, instead of having a surprise visit. The Oranges were a busy couple, with a busy schedule, but they always made space in that schedule for family. Obviously, they couldn’t make space in that schedule for Applejack because they had no idea she was visiting. Applejack face hoofed in the middle of the street, drawing the attention of a few passersby. Applejack sighed again, there was nothing she could do now. This had been her mistake for not announcing her visit. The only thing left was to go back to Ponyville. “Ya are kiddin’, right?” “No, ma’am. There won't be any trains traveling towards Ponyville until Monday morning.” The young stallion in blue uniform answered. “So Ah’m stuck in this city for the next two days?” “I… I suppose you are, ma’am.” Applejack shook her head. “Ah guess the only thing left is to find a hotel or somethin’. Do ya happen to know of any good hotels around here?” “Well, there are a lot of hotels around here, let me suggest one that will provide a good room for a good amount of bits.” “One hundred bits for the weekend?!” The mare at the reception had to cover her ears after that outburst. “Ma’am, please, there’s no need to react like that in here.” “How do ya expect me to react when ya are tellin’ me that a few nights here cost ONE. HUNDRED. BUCKING. BITS?!” Applejack punctuated each word with firm stomp of her front right hoof against the floor. “Ma’am, calm down please. We don’t-” “Calm down?! Ah can’t calm down! Ah can’t afford the supposed “cheapest” room here in Manehattan! It is five times more expensive than one back in Ponyville! Are ya crazy! This is a scam!” The mare pressed one button behind her desk that had the word ‘SECURITY’ on it. A few seconds later, a pair of stallions, almost as tall as Big McIntosh, appeared in the room and grabbed Applejack by the front legs and dragged her out of the hotel. “HEY! Let me go or Ah swear Ah will buck you so hard in the face tha-” Applejack’s threat was muffled after the doors closed. Applejack hooves had brought her to a park. She decided to sit on one of the benches. The saddlebags right next to her, her eyes locked up in the sky, just watching the clouds slow movement. She spend the next half hour just thinking about the events of the afternoon. Three unfortunate events that had left her stranded here in less than two hours. She had realized that she had overreacted at the hotel, with all the shouting and hitting both stallions square in the jaw. The thing was that, by not being able to afford a room, she had no place to stay. Of course, if she looked a bit more, she was bound to find someplace to stay, but who knew what kind of place that would be. Applejack lowered her gaze and let her head rest on the bench, her hat falling to the grass, right below her. She sighed, ‘Maybe, Ah could look for a job or something… Nah, Ah wouldn’t get paid until next Friday.’  Options, what options did she had right now. ‘What was the name of that filly Rarity met the last time the girls and Ah were here? Coco? Maybe she could help me. That, if Ah somehow manage to locate her in this big city. Ah have no idea where she works or lives. Ah-’ Her stomach decided to grumble at that moment, adding one other problem to the list. ‘Ah have just enough bits for a ticket back to Ponyville and a few meals. Ah just hope the coffee shops around here aren’t expensive. Humm, Ah think ah remember Rarity talking about a place called Starbucks or something. Maybe Ah should go and-’ Her thoughts were interrupted by the soft clinking just below her. She lifted her face just to see that a few bits had been thrown in her hat. She looked to her right and saw a white unicorn in a tuxedo jacket walking away. Something snapped again in Applejack’s head. She still hadn’t completely calmed down from the incident at the hotel, and now, this pony came here thinking she was some vagabond? Yes, she was having a bad day, but she still had her dignity, something she would lose if she accepted just this money. “Hey, buddy!” She called out to the unicorn. “Ya can have yer change back! Ah’m no hobo!” She grabbed the stetson with her teeths and swung it towards the unicorn. The bits flew out of the hat and made their way towards the white pony that had just turned to look back. Surprised by the sudden projectiles, the pony lost its footing and stumbled backwards. Applejack flinched immediately, regretting her actions as she ran to the pony. “Ah’m sorry, Mr. Ah don’t know why Ah did that. It’s just that Ah have been having such an awful day…” She said as she helped the other pony stand. “It’s alright.” The unicorn answered in quite the feminine voice. The unicorn dusted its tuxedo before speaking again. “And just to make things clear,” the unicorn turned around, “I’m a mare. So please, don’t call me Mr.” Applejack’s mouth became a little ‘o’, her right hoof moved up to scratch the back of her head. “Shooks, sorry for callin’ ya Mr. It’s just that, well, by the way ya’re dressed, Ah just assumed that-” The white mare giggled. “I suppose that we both learned not to make hasty assumptions.” The mare lifted one of her hooves and extended it towards Applejack. “My apologies, for thinking that you were a, *cough* a hobo.” Applejack smiled, lifting one of her hooves to meet the offered one. “Ah’m sorry for throwing those bits at ya. No hard feelings?” “We are fine.” The unicorn brought her hoof to the pocket of her tuxedo. “Hmm? Where’s my monocle?” “Monocle?” “It’s a circular piece of glass, surrounded by a copper wire, a silver chain attached to it.” The unicorn said as she examined the floor. Just as Applejack began to help her look for it, something cracked under one of her hooves. “Uhmm, Ah think ah found it.” She said as she gathered the copper wire and a few fragments of glass from the floor. The unicorn sighed. “What a pity, that was my favorite.” “Ah… Ah will pay you, a swear. But, Ah don’t really have money with me. Ah’m really sorry. First the bits and now this. Ah-” The unicorn lifted a hoof to stop Applejack’s apology. “Hey, Don’t worry about that. I have others like this back in home.” “Still, ah’m really sorry. Umm, what is that thin’ fer?” “This thing helps me see clearly, I’m shortsighted.” The mare took the pieces from Applejacks hoof with her magic. She put the wire in her pocket, and threw the broken glass in a nearby trash can. Then got closer to Applejack, her muzzle a few inches away from the orange mare. “Ummm, what are ya doing?” She said as a faint blush, barely noticeable, crept on her face. “I said I am shortsighted, I just want to know what the pony I’m talking with looks like.” She examined Applejack for a few seconds. Then gave a few steps back. “Forgive me if I’m being nosy, but… you said you were having a bad day?” Applejack’s smile fell as she remembered the troubles she was currently facing. “Yep, today just hasn’t been mah day.” her gaze dropped to the ground and her ears fell back. “You need help with something? Judging by those saddlebags on your back and by your accent, I’m guessing you aren’t from around here.” Applejack looked up. “Ya’re right, Ah’m not from here. Ah just arrived today to Manehattan with the intention of visiting some relatives, but… stuff happened.” Applejack sighed. “Want to talk about that ‘stuff’?” Applejack shook her head. “Ya are really kind, but Ah don’t want to take any more of yer time. Ah just-” She was interrupted by a loud growl coming from her stomach. The white unicorn smiled, “I suppose that one of this ‘stuffs’ have something to do with not having anything to eat. Am I right?” Applejack just fidgeted the ground. “Well, I know of a splendid restaurant not far from here.” “Oh nononono, yer very kind, but Ah don’t want to be a bother.” The white unicorn got closer to Applejack, placing one hoof on the earth ponies shoulder. “Please, accept. I just can’t leave you starving here. I insist” “Well, Ah…” her stomach growled again. She was really hungry now. Applejack moved to the side. “What the hay, Ah accept.” The unicorn started to walk, but Applejack blocked her way with one hoof. “But there’s one condition, ya gotta let me repay you somehow.” Regal Splendor smiled brightly. “You are already repaying me, with my short sight, I require of somepony who helps me move around the city.” Applejack shook her head. “Helping ya gettin’ ‘round is barely enough ta repay you fer the monocle. Ah’ll still owe ya fer the dinner.” The mare rolled her eyes, but kept her smile on her face. “Very well, you got a deal.” Applejack smiled. “By the way, Ah’m Applejack.” “Nice to meet you, Applejack. My name is Regal Splendor.” ‘Regal Splendor? Where have Ah heard that name?’  “So, Regal, do ya live here in Manehattan?” Applejack asked as they began their walk, curious to know a bit more about her new companion. “No, I’m actually from Canterlot.” The unicorn answered while being extra careful of where she stepped, not wanting to trip with something. “I just came here for some business issues, but I've already taken care of them. Today I was planning to relax, maybe go watch a play later, but I guess I won’t be able to do that.” “Hmm? Why not?” “I think I wouldn’t be able to enjoy it, seeing a bunch of blurry thing moving around. You know,” She gestured at her eyes with one hoof, “short sight.” Applejack’s ears fell back. “Oh… Ah’m sorry. Ah guess Ah ruined yer day.” “Hey, it’s not your fault. I should have brought my contact lens, but I forgot them back in Canterlot. ” Regal said, trying to make Applejack feel better, but it seemed to have no effect. “Hey, come on, it’s no big deal. I mean, you just gave me a reason to visit this city again, and , I get the chance to make a new friend.” Applejack smiled at that, “Yer right.” “So, tell me Applejack, Do you like Neighponese cuisine?” Regal asked as she pointed ahead to to the building. “Well, Ah have never tried it, and I think Ah won’t be able to do so here?” Regal looked back in confusion. “What do you mean?” “Well,” Applejack was holding back her laughter. “This is a paint store, not a restaurant.” Regal Squinted her eyes and looked hard at the sign on the building. “Oh…” “Ah hope ya don’t mind me asking, but, Ah was wondering, why are you wearing a tuxedo?” Applejack said as she took one last bite of something called maki, a dish she had randomly ordered from the menu. Regal and Applejack were currently sitting at one of the tables of the Neighponese restaurant. It had taken them half an hour to find it. Both of them had finished their dishes, and were currently chatting and trading stories about themselves. Some stories were about Applejacks adventure, some were of funny live experience of Regal, others were detailed versions of why both of them were here in Manehattan. “Well, there are a few reasons for that. One of them is that I’m a business mare. I have managed to earn my position as one of the most influential ponies in Canterlot through clever negotiation tactics. Of course, the noblesse from Canterlot is filled with a bunch of narrow minded stallions, who believe that a mare should only look good, wearing an expensive dress, and remain quiet in the background. I’m trying to break that paradigm.” “But, that’s not the main reason. I have been kind of tomcoltish my whole life. I can’t help but feel more comfortable wearing this than a dress, no matter what kind of dress.” Applejack nodded in understanding. “Ah can relate to that. Ah’m not big fan of wearin’ dresses mahself, but,” Applejack chuckled, “sometimes Ah don’t really have an option. Mah friend enjoys making dresses fer me and the other girls. Maybe ya have heard of her work, her name is Rarity.” “Rarity?” Regal’s eyes widened in recognition. “Oh, I remember where I have seen you before. You are one of those rustically charming ponies that showed up at the garden party in Canterlot.” She said before lifting her cup and sipping a bit of sake. Applejack looked at Regal for a few seconds. Her mind was currently trying to match the pony in front of her to one of the ponies of the day of Twilight’s birthday. Her eyes widened as well after a few seconds. “Oh, yeah, I remember you too. You are the pony that was really nice to Rarity while she was there. After we got back to Ponyville, she told us of all the activities you invited her to.” Applejack scratched one of her hooves. “Ummm, sorry fer ruinin’ yer party.” Regal Splendor giggled. “Don’t worry about that. The party certainly didn’t turn the way I had planned, but I enjoyed it nevertheless.” One last sip and the unicorn had finished her drink. Turning her had to look at the window, the unicorn saw the dark covered world outside the restaurant. “Well, I think that my sight is good enough to tell that is night time already. The time certainly flies when one is enjoying itself. I believe its a good moment for us to leave.” She proceeded to call one of the waitress, paid for the food and left through the door. Applejack just behind her. The two of them had barely walked two meters when Regal Splendor looked at Applejack. “Do you happen to have a place to stay, or is this another of those ‘stuffs’ you are having problems with?” Applejack looked away. “Well, Ah… yes, ah don’t have where to stay. As Ah told ya at the restaurant, ah was planning on staying with mah aunt and uncle, but…” “Then, would you like to stay with me?” “Oh, nononono, Ah definitely can’t accept that. Ya have done so much fer me already, ah don’t want to keep being a bother.” “Applejack, please, you aren’t a bother. You see, I consider Rarity a good friend of mine, and you are one of her best friends. I wouldn’t be able to look at her to the face if I allowed one of her friends to sleep on the streets. And, you are my newest friend, a good friend. Good friends help each other. So, if you would be so kind to follow me to the hotel.” Regal Splendor turned around and started to walk away. Applejack took a few seconds before deciding to accept the offer andran to catch up with the unicorn. She positioned herself right next to the mare, turning her head to look at her companion, who was currently looking at the full moon up in the sky. ‘A good friend… hmm.’ Applejack kept looking at her companion, lost in thought at how the coat of the unicorn brightened under the light of the moon, until this one decided to change her view, lowering her gaze and looking at Applejack. The country pony turned her head away, feeling her face warm a bit. “T-thanks for… everythin’.” “You are welc- Oh!” Regal exclaimed as she tripped with something and almost fell face first to the ground. Thankfully, Applejack was quick enough to avoid it. The country pony held the unicorn with her front hooves. They were close enough that the scent of Regal filled Applejack’s nose. Applejack was momentarily lost in the sweet fragrance, until a giggle from below pulled her back. “Thank you for not letting me fall, but there’s no need to squeeze me so hard.” Applejack slowly pulled away while looking ahead. “Yer welcome.” She answered simply. The fourth door from the right of the sixth floor had the number 612 on it. Regal Splendor pulled a key from one of the pockets of her tuxedo and opened it. Applejack took a quick look around the hotel room and whistled. She knew this wasn’t the most luxurious room in this city, but damn, if this wasn’t the second, she would only eat pears for a whole week. She wasn’t an expert in furniture, but every single object from the room looked really expensive. From the weird lamps at each side of the bed, to the pictures that adorned the walls. “You can leave you saddlebags on that chair in the corner.” Regal said as she closed the door behind them. Applejack walked forward, stopping just before the chair. Turning her head back, Applejack grabbed her saddlebags with her teeths and swung them to the chair. She stretched her neck and back, allowing a sigh of relief escape, she had been carrying those saddlebags the whole day. Applejack was about to talk to Regal Splendor, but she stopped just as she turned around. Regal was facing away from Applejack, and was currently removing her shirt, the jacket, vest and bowtie long removed and folded in a neat pile on a small table. Applejacks face burned as she observed how the shirt fell to the floor, exposing the unicorns back. With her magic, Regal lifted the shirt and folded it, setting it with the other clothes. The door of the closet opened and a single towel flew towards the unicorn. “I will take a bath before going to bed.” The unicorn said before heading to the bathroom, not looking back at the flushing Applejack, who was staring at the trinity of crowns in the unicorns flank. Applejack brought one hoof to her chest, feeling the beats of her heart. ‘She… She’s really beautiful.’ She had always known that she felt more attracted towards mares than stallions, but she had certainly never felt this strong for one before, and certainly not for one she had barely know. Okay, that was a lie, she had felt this strong for somepony else before. The image of Rarity came to her mind. Both unicorns were so similar, they were well mannered, classy and sophisticated, not to mention that they were also painfully generous with everyone. She remembered the sleepover at Twilight’s home, when she had shared the bed with the white unicorn. The next day, Applejack had gathered the strength to ask Rarity out, but the unicorn turned her down, making clear that she was only interested in stallions. Applejack was sad, and afraid that she had made things awkward with one of her best friends, but Rarity made sure that that little moment didn’t change a single thing between them. Actually, their friendship became a bit stronger after that. Since that day, Applejack hadn’t felt nothing close to attraction for any other mare. ‘A guess that mah type are the white coated unicorns.’ Applejack chuckled. She moved close to the bathroom doors, hearing the water run, landing on the body of the beautiful unicorn. Applejack wished she could join the unicorn in there. She would help the unicorn clean herself, running her hooves all over the pristine coat. The unicorn would return the favor. These innocent activity would be the beginning for something more. Before the fantasy turned wild, the country pony shook her head. ‘Hold yer horses, Applejack. Ya barely know each other. Ya can’t just expect that she is feeling something similar fer ya just because she has been nice with ya. Ya don’t even know if she’s interested in mares.’  Applejack looked at the clothes on the table, getting closer to them. She lowered her head and inhaled deeply. ‘She smells so good.’ She thought while inhaling for a second time, making sure she could remember this smell for a long time. The bathroom door opened abruptly, causing Applejack to jump away from Regal’s clothes. The earth pony quickly positioned herself on the bed and acted like she was just waiting patiently. She gave a tentative look in the direction of the bathroom, biting her lower lip at the view. Regal Splendor was currently making justice to her name. A few droplets of water covered her coat and with the room light’s being reflected on it, the unicorn could easily leave anyone who looked at her without breath. Thankfully, The unicorn couldn’t see how Applejack was ogling at her, as she was currently drying her mane with the towel. “Just what I needed, a good and refreshing shower to end a splendid day.” She said as she removed the towel and looked at Applejack, whom had just stopped staring at her. “It’s really late, We should go to sleep now.” At that moment, Applejack realized one thing. “Are we sleeping in the same bed?” “Well, yes. The bed is big enough for at least three ponies,  and there isn’t a couch here.” Regal looked worriedly at Applejack. “If there’s a problem with that, I could always go to the reception and ask if they have another room.” Applejack shook her head. “No, no, Ah was just asking.” Regal’s face relaxed. “Well, unless one of us wants to sleep in the cold floor, we’ll share the bed.” Regal Splendor levitated the towel and hung it in the bathroom. She then moved to the bed, lifted the bed covers and the blanket below it and  climbed on to it, making her self as comfortable as she could. After a few seconds she looked at applejack. “Oh, sorry. You probably aren’t tired yet. Ummmm, would you like to talk for a while?” “Nah. Ah’m really tired, long day.” Applejack  threw her stetson to the chair in the corner, swiftly landing on her saddlebags. She moved to the opposite side of where Regal Splendor was. She got under the covers and faced the opposite direction of Regal. “Sleep well.” “You too.” Regal answered, sighing in contentment at finally being able to rest. With a final spell, Regal turned off the light in the room. It was a silent night, completely peaceful. Applejack kept looking at the wall, wondering how much time had passed, until finally, the sounds she had expected for a moment came. Regal’s soft snoring brought peace to Applejack. She turned around, finally looking directly at the sleeping face of the unicorn. Applejack tentatively got closer, being careful not with the weight change on the bed. Applejack lifted a hoof and brushed away one of the light azure locks that covered the perfect face.As softly as she could manage, Applejack caressed the white cheek, wishing that she could see the beautiful azure eyes, but she knew that seeing them in this position would bring problems. The earth pony began to question herself. ‘Am Ah only lusting after her… She’s really beautiful… But that’s not the only thing about her… Ah mean, Ah wasn’t drooling after her the moment Ah saw her from close… We had a good evening… She’s funny and smart…’ There were other thoughts in her mind. Two mars being together? Well, her family and friends wouldn’t care about that. Both of them living in different places? She would make the effort of going to Canterlot as often as she could. She would have to work extra hard in the farm, that was for sure, but she didn’t care. She would also write as often as she could. ‘But before anything of that is possible, Ah have to ask her out… Ah want to really get to know her better.’  There was the possibility of this turning out just as it had turned with Rarity, or worst, but Applejack wasn’t afraid. He, or she, who doesn’t risk, doesn’t gain anything. And, if lady luck was on her side, she would gain so much. Her eyes felt heavy, a yawn escaping her mouth. Moving a bit closer, Applejack allowed her mind to be taken by Luna’s realm of dreams. ‘Tomorrow...’ Applejack eyes fluttered open, she had slept so well last night that she was sure it was way past her usual hour to get up. Sh sat up, and stretched her upper limbs and back. Looking around the room, Applejack noticed the absence of her companion. “Splendor?” She said, scratching the back of her head. She moved to get out from bed, feeling something crumple below one of her hooves. Moving the hoof away, she saw a piece of paper with something written on it. Dear Applejack. I’m sorry for not waking you up, but you seemed to be enjoying your dream. I’m sadly informing you that I have to go back to Canterlot today. I know you can’t go back to Ponyville until tomorrow, so I have already paid an extra day for that room. I’m happy I met, we had a short, but good, time. I hope to see you again. Regal Splendor. Applejack crumpled the note, grabbed her stetson and her saddlebags, and shot out from the room. As she got to the reception, she gave the mare behind the desk the keys of the room and informed her that she no longer required it. Not wasting more time, Applejack galloped towards the train station. ‘Ah can’t just let her go without asking her. Ah wouldn’t be able to wait until the next time Ah see her to know if Ah have a chance with her.’ Applejack ran through the streets, skillfully dodging every pony in the way without losing speed, this was an ability she had acquired thanks to training for the rodeos. The train station wasn’t far, she could already see it at the end of the street. ‘Please, Celestia, let me be on time.’ The whistle of the train sounded all over the station. A few seconds later, the train began to move. ‘No no no no.’ She thought as she ran through the stations entrance, and quickly moved to the platform. The train was already out of the station. Applejack almost lost hope, but then started to look all over the station. There was the chance that that train wasn’t the one going towards Canterlot. She moved up and down the platform, she even looked in the entrance and the bathrooms, but she couldn’t find no mare wearing a tuxedo. Applejack dropped her head. ‘Don’t worry Applejack. It’s just a matter of time to see her again. Ah will ask Rarity where does Regal lives.’ She knew this wasn’t the end, but that didn’t stop the tears from forming in her eyes. She really wanted to ask her out now. She wanted to be happy now, to hold and kiss that mare. To laugh and- “Applejack, what are you doing here?” A quite feminine voice asked from behind Applejack. The earth pony turned her head, looking at the pony who was talking to her. Was she that desperate to be with regal that her mind was playing tricks on her? “Applejack, are you fine? Why are you crying?” No, this wasn’t an mind trick, this was real. “Ah… Ah’m fine.” She wiped her eyes with a hoof, then looked directly at the unicorn, a smile forming on her face. “Ah thought ya had already left.” “No, my train leaves in fifteen minutes. I was at the shop right next the station, buying something to eat before leaving. Did you eat before getting here? I have a croissant here in my saddlebag if you want it.” “No, no, Ah’m fine.” Applejack kept smiling at Regal while she gathered the courage to say what she wanted to say. Regal Splendor smiled at Applejack. “You came to say goodbye? You didn’t had to bother yourself.” This was the moment. “Actually, Ah came here to say more than that.” She took a deep breath. “Regal Splendor, Ah really enjoyed our time together. Before meeting ya, Ah thought that yesterday would be the worst day of mah life, but it turned out to be one of the most memorable ones. Ah… Ah think ya are great and…” This was proving to be a difficult task. “Ah think ya are beautiful.” She paused to look at Regal Splendor, to see if there was a hint on her face that could tell her what the unicorn was thinking. The mare’s face was certainly one of surprise, but there was no clue if it was good or bad surprise. “Regal Splendor… Ah… Ah really like ya… Ah won’t say that Ah’m in love, but Ah’m definitely feeling attracted to ya.” Applejack was trembling right now, but she didn’t dare to look away from the unicorn. Regal Splendor stood still, her face no longer one of surprise, it was neutral. “You know, there’s another reason why I wear this tuxedo. It seems to have the capability of attracting cute mares.” A smile appeared on her face, but it quickly turned into a smirk. “If I remember correctly, you said you would repay me somehow.” Applejack nodded hesitantly, not sure if were this was going was good or bad. “Well, what do you say if you come with me to Canterlot, we will go in a proper date there. Don’t worry, I will pay for your ticket.” Applejack smiled brightly. “Ah would love to, but, you really have to let me repay you for this somehow. Ah don’t feel good with ya paying fer everythin’.” “I think I know how you can repay me right now.” She got closer to Applejack, their faces just millimeters from each other. Regal Splendor began by nuzzling Applejack’s cheek, but quickly moved to meet the orange mare lips with her own. It was a simple and soft kiss, but it was enough to prove each one that they felt exactly the same for each other. After a few seconds, they broke the kiss, a light blush and a smile in each face. “You know,” Regal began, “I was disappointed when you didn’t kiss me yesterday night.” Applejack’s face became completely red. “Ya… Ya were awake?” “Perhaps.” The unicorn laughed, “come on, we have an extra ticket to purchase.” She began to walk forward. Applejack quickly moved next to her, her golden tail swishing to the left, entangling itself with an azure one.