In The City: Chapter 5

9:44pm
The rain started to fall and it mingled with my tears. I had reached the apartment, and I looked up at the top tower.

It really wouldn't be that hard to do. Just get up there - fly, even - and stand on the ledge, before...

A voice. It was quiet, but it was there.

"Rainbow! Rainbow! Oh, Rainbow...!"

I turned around and saw an orange blur in a silver dress. Applejack.
I cried harder, my legs faltering, my front hooves reaching out for her. She found me, sweeping me right off the ground and into her arms. She kissed me until my crying subsided, before taking me through the apartment reception and up to our room. I closed my eyes as she carried me, letting her presence calm me right down. Any idea of throwing myself off the top floor had gone; replaced with a familiar feeling of security and harmony that surrounded Applejack.
Lying me down on the bed, she left me for a second to rush into the bathroom, and the sound of running water could soon be heard. She looked at me from the bathroom door, and her eyes were full of sympathy and remorse. I looked at her, and saw that her normally flawless face was a little scratched, and she had visible bruises under her fur.
"Ah should've stopped them." she said, leaning against the doorframe in defeat. I sat up.
"No, you shouldn't. They were beating you, too, I saw. We couldn't have saved each other, not when we were surrounded like that."
"It was my promise, Dash!" AJ protested, her eyes flashing. "It was my promise to myself, to you, to everypony, ever since Ah fell in love with you - to protect you. No matter what. An' Ah let that slip!"
"There was nothing you could do. It was going to happen. Everything happens for a reason."
Applejack smiled at me a little, going back in the bathroom to stop the taps before trotting to the bed. "My brave Pegasus," she whispered into my mane, pulling me into a cuddle which I received gratefully. When she pulled away, she studied me a little.
"So, lil' miss tough nut, where are ya hurtin'?"
I giggled meekly, and pointed to my bleeding nose, bruised chest and aching stomach. Applejack sighed, and swept me up in her hooves once more, laying me down on the bed and kissing me better where I had indicated. I squealed and laughed as my girlfriend dealt out her affections, gasping a little in surprise as she began to undo the zipper of my dress.
"Applejack!" I cried, my face suddenly hot. "There's a time and a place for... that!"
AJ looked shocked, before bursting out in laughter. "Well, excuse me, missy, but Ah ran y'all a bath an' Ah don't expect ya t'get in it with a pretty party dress on!"
"Oh!" I said, covering my mouth with a hoof. "I never... uh... whoops." I finished, my ears burning. Applejack winked.
"Don't you fret one bit, sugarcube. If that's what ya want, Ah'm sure Ah could arrange that fer ya later on..."
I bit my lip, our gazes locking.
Ohhhhhhhhh.

10:21pm
I got in the bath, the warm water immediately relieving me of some of the pain. Applejack took off her dress and joined me, and we sighed and snuggled up in the bubbles. AJ massaged my wings for a while, causing me to blush almost continually with the sensation, but soon after I returned it to AJ's back and shoulders. Every moment I spent with Applejack made me feel incredibly loved. Stupid Citrus and the party were miles away, discarded on the floor like our sparkling dresses.

11pm
Once we were out of the bath, Applejack picked me up again and put me in bed, gently tucking in the sheets around me. She got in next to me and moved up close, and I lay against her, my eyelids already drooping.
"Dash?" AJ asked softly.
"Mmm?"
"Do you really wanna... y'now... tonight?"
I don't think I even gave her a reply. My eyes were closed and I was pressed up against her, fast asleep.


Wednesday
12pm - In bed
Dear diary,

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Well, this is nice. I could make sleeping in an Olympic sport, I really could.
"And the winner of the gold medal for sleeping in goes to Rainbow Dash from Cloudsdale!!!"
Although I'd much rather get a gold medal for flying, which I already have.
Wait a second... Where's Applejack?

Five minutes later
I sat bolt upright, suddenly panicking. She hadn't left me, had she??? Run off with some Manehattan mare while I was asleep just because I didn't... with her?

Shut up, brain.

Two minutes later
IT'S OKAY, SHE'S HERE!!!
And omigosh, she brought food!!!

"G'mornin', sleepyhead." she grinned, placing a tray of breakfast on my lap. "Ah let'cha sleep in fer a good while, y'all deserved it after last night."
Last night? Don't remind me!
"Thanks." I smiled, tucking in. "What about you?"
"Already had mine. Ah'm an early riser, so Ah never miss breakfast! Most important meal of the day. An' Ah'm gonna make sure y'all don't miss it, either!"
I giggled through mouthfuls of toast. "So did we... last night? I can't remember."
Applejack smirked. "Did we hay! Ya fell right asleep in my arms!" she chuckled. "Ah don't mind, babygirl. Y'all were mighty tired. We'll save it fer another time, hmm?"
I nodded. "Love you."
"Love ya too, silly filly."

2:14pm
We sat in our room for a while before we heard a knock at the door.
"Girls?"
Oh noooooooooooooooooooo! It was Zest! I leapt over to the bed and attempted to hide under it (and failed). "Applejack, hide me!" I hissed. She chuckled and pulled me out.
"Let's see what she actually has t'say first, shall we?"
"She's gonna kick my hide into kingdom come, wherever that is!" I cried, but it was no use. AJ went over to the door and opened it.
"Howdy Zest! What can Ah do ya for?"
"I need to talk to you both. Would it be suitable to hold our conversation in here?"
"Sure!" she pointed to the small coffee table and the four chairs that surrounded it. I smiled politely at her, but felt queasy inside.

Five minutes later
"I trust you are both feeling better this afternoon?" Zest asked warmly.
We nodded. "Much better." replied AJ.
"Good! Now, I am pretty sure that you are both aware of what we are here to talk about, yes?"
I gulped. Applejack nodded again.
"Last night took a turn for the worst, and the actions of some were truly uncalled for. This has caused me to make a swift decision, along with the help of my parents who were notified of what happened."
We remained quiet, both aching to hear what Zest had to say next.
"It may come as a small surprise to you, but Citrus will no longer be attending my wedding."

WHAT?!

Thirty seconds later
Speechless. Absolutely speechless, with my mouth hanging open like that of a demented fish.

Applejack spoke next. "...A-ah beg yer pardon?"
Zest laughed softly. "A big shock, yes? I know! But my sister's behaviour at the party was disgraceful. Not only did she consume the most alcohol, but her actions towards you two were degrading and appalling. In fact, Rainbow, Applejack was not the only one who followed you out afterwards."
"Really?" I couldn't remember. My mind was hazy, and all I could think back to was the fierce blows from Citrus and her friends, and Applejack's strong arms and gentle lips making me better again.
AJ grinned. "Yep! Pretty much everypony apart from Citrus's crew came out with me! Ah had t'almost fight them off, there were so many!"
I squinted in thought, and something clicked. Maybe AJ wasn't the only one... I heard lots of noises out there on the street, but I thought it was just the rain... Maybe there were voices, too?
"We care about you here, Rainbow." Zest said. "It's only a few who are prejudiced against you, and those few are not worth knowing at all. You are an incredibly brave, sweet, and loyal pony, and it would be wrong of me to treat you as anything else. Applejack is my cousin, and I think that you are perfect for her, regardless of your gender."
I smiled and blushed, leaning over to give Zest a hug. "Thank you."
"But... I do have another problem." Zest said after we'd pulled away.
"Like what?" asked Applejack.
"You see, a friend of mine - or somepony I used to consider a friend - is not coming to the wedding now, either, after assisting Citrus heavily with her... crimes. Meaning that I now only have two bridesmaids, instead of four."
Applejack and I exchanged glances.
"So..." continued Zest, "in that case... would you two be willing to fill in for them? As my bridesmaids?"
More jaw-dropping. I had well and truly entered Jaw-Drop City.
"Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh-"
"Oh, it would be my honour, Zest!" smiled AJ.
"ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh...! Uh. I mean, me too! Heheheh..." I laughed nervously. So much for being a sophisticate...
"I'm so glad!" laughed Zest, clapping her hooves. "I knew you two would be more than up for the job. We have a rehearsal tomorrow at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, I would be delighted if you could make it."
"Of course!" we chorused.


6pm
What a day!
Decided to call my mother.

"Dash! Oh my Celestia, are you okay? I heard what happened!"
How does she know???
When I asked her, she said, "Rarity has friends in Manehattan."
Oh, great. News of me getting beaten up by a bunch of sorry-flank city whorses has been broadcast on Radio Rarity.
"I'm okay, though. It's been dealt with."
"I should hope so, too! The little... I have a mind to get over there and deal with them myself, Firefly style!"
"Please don't."

About five years of listening to Mom ranting on about equality for gays later
"ANYHOW, Mom. I have news!"
"Are you engaged yet?"
"What?! No! I'm a bridesmaid. For the wedding."
"Oh wow! That makes you even more eligible for the bouquet, does it not?"
I sighed. "Oh please. You just want me to get married so you can be best mare."
"That is not true! I want you to get married so I can be best mare and so I can throw it in all your friends' mothers' faces. Like 'HAHAHA, MY DAUGHTER GOT MARRIED FIRST. BEAT THAT!!!'"

Oh Celestia. What is wrong with her???


10:20pm - In bed
Tank is trying to play hide and seek under the sheets with me. I can see him but he doesn't know that, so I'm pretending I can't. Hilarious!!

Oh no. And here comes Winona for a make-out session with her tortoise lover.

Why is everything to do with me quite so clinically insane?? Even my pets, for Pete's sake!!

One minute later
Applejack put her book down and looked at me.
"Well, if ya can't beat 'em, join 'em."

And then she kissed me.

One very long and rather passionate kiss later
I must get my sleep. Tomorrow is a big day!!
And the day after!!!
And the day after that!!!!
And then we go home... Wow. It seems like I've spent half my life here and now half my life is over.

That would make me middle aged.

Then I would be my mother's age. Having a mid-life crisis. Like my mother.

Not cool.