What the hay was that? (Patreon)

For the next few hours Luna, Applebloom, Stone Mane, and Applejack were entertained by King Trafalgar Maximilian Augustus Leopold the III in my Equestria dreamscape. Link But eventually Luna had to deal with other obligations that evening, so she brought this visit to Upper Lower Tortoisestan to an end.

     Besides Applebloom had her next martial arts lesson Link at Zecora's place tomorrow, and Stone Mane was going to be joining her. So Luna wanted to assure that the 2 foals got a proper evening of complete sleep.

     Applejack had her chores in the morning, and for a first time journey out into the Dream Fabric the mare had had quite an adventure. So Luna decided this was a good place to end it on a high note.

     However the king wasn't as interested calling a close to the night's events. Especially since he was enjoying speaking AJ so much. For her part Applejack found the king to be an amusing, charming, if somewhat eccentric, individual, and as time went on she felt more comfortable being around the diminutive rodent.

     But eventually Luna took control of the situation and finally began the process of getting her little herd ready to depart. As they were all making final goodbyes the king approached Applejack.

     "Fair maiden Applejack! May have one final word with you before you depart my realm."

     "Shur!" Said the mare. "Whats on yer mind?"

     "Would you perhaps humor this king, and assist me so I may gaze into your glorious green eyes?"

     "Uh okay."

     AJ lowered her right front hoof so he could hop from Galapagos's shell on to it. Then she lifted his majesty up to eye level with her. The king smiled and addressed her.

     "It has been an pleasure and an honor to meet you fair Applejack. You're presence has brightened my day, and you're exemplar role model for your younger sister. It my sincerest hope that our paths will cross again in the near future."

     "Well shucks! Yer highness that's might kind of ya ta say that ta me, but I'm not like my sister when it comes ta this dream travel stuff. So I reckon unless Princess Luna or AB brings me back here it might be awhile befer r paths cross again!"

     His majesty rubbed his chin for a moment. "If I maybe so bold to ask. Would you be adverse to the idea of me paying a visit to your own dream fabric?"

     "Ya can do that? Ya mean ya go inta other ponies dreams like AB and Luna can?"

     The king nodded his head. "Oh yes! It tis a trivial task, but only if I am invited by the host of the fabric. After all I view it as being sovereign territory of the individual. It should be a sanctuary from trials one must face in the waking world!"

     AJ's face scrunched up for an instant. "Hmm. Well then. I guess ya can drop by now and then, but I'll warn ya, I usually don't remember my dreams, so I'm not shur I'd remember if ya came by or not."

     The king casually waved a hand. "Fear not. Just as ya will remember much of this night, so you will have memories of any visit I have to your dreams. If I may ask you one last question. Are you fond of coffee?"

     "Well ya! Drink the stuff all the time! Why ya ask?"

     Trafalgar smiled. "Oh just curious. I know a very pleasant cafe."

     "Wut?"

     Luna came sauntering over. "Well it's time for us depart. Let us be on our way now."

     As the princess turned to address the foals the king leaned over and gave AJ a quick peek on the cheek. The mare felt a quick, little electrical shock run through the cheek. She turned to look at the king–

     Applejack eyes snapped open. She was lying in her bed. Peering out the window at the late night sky she guesstimated it to be around 4am. She had no memory of going to bed. Last waking memory she had was lying under one of Luna's wings outside along with her sister and Stone Mane. Link She remembered Luna saying it was time for them to leave, and the king kissing her on the...

      AJ slowly raised her right front hoof and touch her right cheek. It might've just been her imagination but it felt warmer and it had a slight tingle to it. For several seconds she just rubbed it; then she muttered to herself.

     "What the hay was that?"

To be continued.