The Company They Keep

It's a tradition to meet up at the library once a month for game night, had been since Twilight arrived in Ponyville. Through some miracle these nights had always gone off nicely, even if a certain pegasus and earth mare had an overly competitive edge. After said ponies had gotten together things had relatively stayed the same, the only actual difference being that when the game demanded teams Applejack and Rainbow Dash would play with each other rather than against. A different game was chosen each night by the pony whose turn had come up, and it had finally worked its way back to the polychromatic pegasus.

"I love poker," Dash swept another few chips into her area of the table. These little tokens had formed a mountain next to the feathered pony, but they held no actual value besides making the game seem more realistic. "Alright, who's next?"

"Ah don't know how, but you're cheatin'!" Applejack accused, eyeing her marefriend with suspicion. She held her cards close to her chest, certain that the luck would turn in her favor soon, all she had to do was be patient.

"You're only mad because you don't have a poker face, Element of Honesty." Rainbow jested with a devious little grin, not a single shred of worry in her mind. She was a pro at this game and would often win most of her old pal Gilda's money when they played at the academy. In fact those bits paid for food every Friday night.

"Oh Rainbow, be a dear and tell me what these cards make?" Rarity asked, interrupting the two. The white unicorn pointed her horn to Dash and the cards followed, all glowing a bluish hue as they danced in front of the pegasus.

Dash did her best to keep her mouth from dropping to the ground at the sight of the royal flush, instead feigning a look of mild interest and a shrug. "It's junk Rarity."

"Uh, I'm sorry but this . . . isn't that much fun." Fluttershy squeaked, looking around the table at the fellow ponies that were losing to Rainbow.

"Are you kidding, this is great!" said the overeager Pinkie, a large smile on her face as she peered at her cards. "Twilight, do you have any twos?"

"Wrong game Pinkie Pie," Twilight mumbled, barely acknowledging the cards in front of her table. Her normally straight and tidy mane had begun to frizz under the stress of not understanding the aspect of this game, an out of place feeling for the unicorn.

"Actually I'd like to play that one," the timid pegasus spoke.

"Sorry Fluttershy, we can play whatever you want when it's your turn." Dash explained, pushing a few chips into the center of the table.

"I say, what's that term you've been using all night Fluttershy?" Rarity questioned, hoof rubbing at her chin.

"Fold," the yellow mare replied.

"I fold." The unicorn laughed excitedly as her cards hit the table. "Oh, what fun!"

Rainbow Dash and Applejack just shook their heads, "Hey Applejack, show me your cards and I'll wear that saddle in bed tonight, that really girly and tight one." The pegasus offered, making the farm mare blush.

"Not in front of everypony Rainbow," she hissed as eyes fell upon them, except for Twilight's, which were glued to the current passage of her book. "There's a time an' a place for that." Applejack held her cards under the table and tilted them so the pegasus could get a good look.

"Atta girl," she loved that irritated look on her marefriend's face, especially the reddish tone it had taken. The orange earth mare pulled her hat over her eyes and took a deep breath, resisting the urge to tackle Dash to the ground. Of course being unable to see meant that she had no way of preparing for the kiss Rainbow was planting on her, or at least she hoped it was Rainbow.

Rarity tried to focus on the deck of cards in the near-center of the table, straightening them for what had to be the twelve time that night. Pinkie Pie, on the other hoof, watched with interest as the two ponies continued the display of affection. Twilight was the only one legitimately distracted and the game stayed at a standstill until the two broke apart for air, a strand of saliva hanging from each of their lips. "Why is it every game night you two can't keep your hooves off each other?" the fashion focused unicorn questioned.

"Hey, we try. Not my fault AJ is so much fun to touch, you should see us in –" Applejack shoved her hat in Rainbow's face before the pegasus could finish whatever crude statement she knew the winged wonder was making.

"Sorry girls, Rainbow doesn't know the meanin' of personal." Pinkie, Rarity, and Twilight laughed as the game continued. By the end of the night Dash had piles of chips that were threatening to tumble off the table, which she was very proud of. She was actually disappointed when Twilight moved her and the other ponies out the front door before she could see them fall.

"See you tomorrow," she yawned as Applejack and Rainbow Dash trotted out the library towards home. The sun had gone down since they started the game, replaced by a crescent moon and a thousand little stars keeping it company as they bathed the town in their soft light.

"You weren't kiddin' 'bout the saddle, were ya?" the farm mare shivered as the breeze picked up.

"Of course I wasn't," the violet-eyed pegasus draped a wing over her marefriend's back, pulling her close and sharing what little warmth she had to offer. Applejack, still cold, was nonetheless grateful for the kind gesture and kissed Dash's cheek in return. "But I'm not wearing it for more than five minutes, so get your fill of it." They laughed, walking over the wooden bridge leading to the farm.

Twilight and Rarity watched from the library door, "Well they certainly seem happy." Twilight muttered as the silhouettes disappeared into the shadows.

"Yes, I suppose they do. Still, it's a little odd seeing two ponies so quarrelsome in such a . . . relationship." The white unicorn tilted her head in wonderment.

"Maybe that's why it works, Applejack is the only pony I've ever known that can keep up with Rainbow Dash."

"Possibly," Rarity mulled the thought over, before turning for home. "I'll see you tomorrow Twilight."

"Goodnight Rarity." Game night had always been the same, with the exception of an increase in touching between two certain ponies. Twilight closed the door and sluggishly carried herself up the steps to her room, snickering at the idea of Rainbow Dash in a frilly and tight saddle.

Just something to get into the mind of how the other ponies worked and acted, which I believe I did a decent enough job of doing. Have never actually wrote for the other three.

I loved Twilight's episode, it was enjoyable to watch her slowly turn into her future self. Plus Spike had the right idea in leaving things up to future Spike to take care of. I've seen so many pictures of Terminator references, and a few Metal Gear Solid ones. But where are my Back to the Future comic parodies?

Speaking of which, I must return to the adventures of Marty Mcfly. Hope you enjoyed and have a great spring break, I know I will.

Update: At the request of a friend, who wanted a humorous fic involving some sexual activity between the two as a birthday present, I must warn you of the next drabble. It involves minor graphic material that some readers may not enjoy. If the concept offends you than you might want to wait until the next update.