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Applejack's latest get together with King Trafalgar Maximilian Augustus Leopold the III didn't have a formal closure in my Equestria dreamscape. Instead it just sort of wound down. After returning AJ back to the king, Borodino excused herself and just disappeared into cafe crowd. Eventually the king led AJ back her back in her own dream fabric and she found herself standing on the front porch of Sweet Apple Acres.

Like the last time AJ found she'd reverted back to her pony form. The mare turned and looked over to the king who was once again standing on top of the porch railing. The mare nervously clopped a front hoof a couple times on the boards of the porch. Finally she spoke.

"Um Trafalgar. I really wanna thank ya fer a great afternoon, and, well, um, I just wanna make shur yer alright with me gitting all these fancy threads that Borodino and Abigail picked out fer me? Link Ya ain't upset with me r ya?"

The king casually waved his hand at the mare. " Fear not fair Applejack. It's not a problem. To be honest Borodino did have a point. I should probably start instructing you more in some of the basic principles in how the Dream Realm and your own dream fabric operate. I just didn't want our dates to become dull boring lectures and lessons."

AJ smiled. "Well that's might kind of ta do that! I reckon it would take some of the fun from our dates, but....." The mare paused. "Uh, did ya say our dates? R we a dating now?"

The king smiled. "Why yes. Yes I did. Applejack I hope am not being pretentious by making that statement? But yes I think of us as dating now. Does that bother you? Have I perhaps overstepped my bounds? If so please forgive me."

The earth pony vigorously shook her head. "Oh no no! It's just well. Um. Ya see. I really haven't dated much...well, actually. Ta be honest. I really never have dated so I'm a bit. Uh, well...what happens now?"

A look of genuine surprise came across the king's face. "What? Really? Dear, understand I am not doubting your words but how is it even feasible that a maiden as glorious as you has not had an armies of potential suitors vying for your attention and affection?"

The earth pony felt her cheeks grow warm again. "Well, ah, um I'm not shur how ta answer that question cuz it's never come up, or at least I've never been aware of it."

The king nodded his head. "Well maybe it's something for you to ponder in the future, but that's a topic for another time. Now! I must take my leave dear. Shall we schedule ourselves another rendezvous next week on the same day?"

"Shur! I'd enjoy that! Maybe next time I can show ya all of them new threads I picked out taday."

"Deal!" Exclaimed the king. "Then dear I shall bid you good night ,and may you have sweet dreams until dawn finds you."

AJ leaned forward and lowered her head and gave the little king a tiny peck on the lips. "And sweet dreams ta ya as well!" Then the king vanished before the mare's eyes.

King Trafalgar reappeared on the parapets of his own castle. The ruler ran his fingers along the stone walls of his home and looked out over his dream fabric. A smile slowly spread across his face and the rodent held out his right hand palm side up and a tiny 3D image of Applejack appeared in it. First as a mouse in her sun dress from today's get together. Then in the red bikini, and finally in her pony form. He brought his hand up to eye level and gave the tiny illusion of the mare kiss on its lips. Then he closed his eyes and the illusion vanished. He looked out at the rolling hills of green grass for a moment then he turned and headed along the wall toward keep.

The king unlocked and then opened a side door that lead into his keep; as he stepped into a shadows of the hallway the dark figure of Borodino stepped out of the darkness and blocked the king's path. The dark grey mouse was no longer wearing the bikini from earlier in the day. Link In its place was a form fitting black catsuit. She still had the black leather vambraces/knife sheathes on her forearms, but she now had a swept-hilt side sword and buckler of blackened steel attached to the belt and hanging off her left hip. Holstered on her right hip was a compact, no nonsense looking pistol with additional magazines. Strapped to her calf-high black leather boots was additional cutlery. The king jumped a little bit in alarm at this unexpected encounter. After a second he collected his wits and addressed her in an exasperated tone.

"Borodino! You possess a profound lack of understanding when it comes privacy and personal space! Before you leave today I simply must introduce you to this wondrous device called the door bell!"

Borodino glared at the king. "Traggy what are you up to? And what's up with Applejack?"

The king removed his pince-nez and in a hasty, frustrated fashion he wiped them quickly with a handkerchief from his coat pocket. Then returned them to his muzzle. "I'm truly surprised Boro! I figured you of all people could put 1 and 1 together and get 2. We're enjoying the fact that we're in a developing and evolving relationship! Now I am very busy and have many things that demand my attention! I know you can find your way out by yourself so good day."

The king started to walk past Borodino when she stuck her left arm and blocked the king's path. Her eyes were now glowing in the dimly lit hallway. "I don't care what you 2 end up doing in private! What I want to know is how come a fledging projector like Applejack has had contact with her!"

The king glared. "What are you going on about!"

"She's been close to her!That or she's been close someone who is routinely close to her and they've contaminated her! Don't play dumb with me! I recognize the residue of her magic and identity! I scanned Applejack in the cafe and got a strong return. And..."

Borodino made the same series of quick hand gestures and her eyes went wide for just an instant, then they narrowed. "And so have you. How is that even possible?! Why would she even be out and about? What's changed Traggy. Talk!"

The king held his hands up in a gesture of appeasement. "I'm afraid I must abstain from answering that question dear!"

"Why."

Trafalgar closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Because she visited me recently and forced me at that time to take one of her oaths." Link The king slowly opened his eyes. "You know what happens if you break one of hers.

Borodino swallowed and nodded her head. "Traggy. As long as I've known you, you've always been one who's been willing take risks that others have considered reckless! But somehow you've always come through intact."

The dark grey mouse shook her head. "However, this time I think you've bit off more than you can chew!" She pursed her lips. "Is Applejack aware of her and this oath?"

The king shook his head. "No." He held up a hand in a gesture for silence. "And I can't. It's a component of the oath. In fact just discussing this is dancing on the edge of what I can say."

Borodino moved and leaned against the wall of the hallway. She crossed her arms and lowered her head. For several seconds she was silent. Finally she spoke in a soft voice.

"I, I understand what her title and oath demands of her, and I still remember when she stepped forward and took upon the burden that we were all afraid to. Just the thought of that burden still leaves me ill. And, and I am genuinely grateful she took it upon herself. But, but that burden has changed her in dark and terrible ways."

Slowly she lifted her head and looked the king in the eyes. "Traggy I don't know what you've done to earn her attention, but if you fuck this up she'll make you wish you'd never been born."

The king nodded his head.

To be continued.