Why is everypony looking at us? (Patreon)

Applejack teeter back and forth a bit in her new form in my Equestria dreamscape. As a mare she often would rear up on her hind legs to grab something and even sometimes take a couple steps that way. So at least she had some familiarity with being on 2 legs.

     But these bendy feet felt odd. Although this form seemed to be comfortable with standing on 2 legs. Like Spike did all the time. Even weirder were these finger things at the end of what had been her front legs a moment ago. She stared at them and wiggled them a couple of times. Once again sort of like Spike's front paws.

    And what was with these bumps on her chest? Absentmindedly she gave one with a squeeze with one her new hand/paws and suddenly realized what they were.

     Wut the hay! She thought. Why are they all the way up here? And why are they so big? I'm not nursing foals? She gave the breast in her hand another squeeze. The king interrupted her ongoing discovery.

     "Dear Applejack. Perhaps you should refrain from that sort of behavior in public. It makes for poor first impressions."

     AJ hand froze and then quickly removed itself. The inside of her now large mouse ears turned a brighter shade of pink. "Ah right! Yeah, um. Good idea!"

     Instead she started trying to get a better look at the outfit she found herself in. She was wearing a strapless dress of pearl white satin with matching low heel shoes of some type. Around her neck was necklace of gold beads. Hanging from it was 3 red cloisonne apples pendants.

     King Trafalgar Augustus Maximilian Leopold the III gently took AJ's right hand again. "Fair Applejack let's step inside and get ourselves a table. It is a bit chilly out here right now don't you think?"

     AJ realized it did suddenly feel a fair bit cooler than it had been a second ago. The first few steps were a bit shaky, but quickly she got her bearings and was able to proceed in a more confident manner. The king opened the door and held it for her. The cafe was bustling place. About a dozen and a half tables filled the main room. A crackling fire in the fireplace and multiple oil lamps gave the room a dim but warmly lit ambience.

     The occupants of the cafe were an eclectic mixture of individuals both genders, ages and from apparently a wide range of professions and income. But all were some type of rodent. Whatever their background most of their conversations slowly came to a halt and heads turned toward AJ as she entered the cafe. A mixture of expressions danced across their faces. Many a smile came across a face only to fade a little when the king entered behind her. As his Majesty entered a voice from the back called out.

     "Trafalgar you old rat! Where did you find this treasure!" Emerging from a back room was a large, for a rodent, rotund male. AJ wasn't certain but this newcomer kind of looked a like a critter that Fluttershy had once shown her. Her friend had called it a hamster. His apparel was that of one who apparently prepared and served food. A food stained apron seemed to be keeping the worst of the damage of his clothes. An eyepatch over his left eye gave him a rather roguish appearance.

     "Waterloo! The king called out after closing the front door. The king stepped forward and gave him a hug and a thump on the back. "Waterloo! I have the unique privilege of introducing you to one Applejack of the Apple Clan! Applejack this is Waterloo Volley! Perhaps the oldest friends I have !"

     At the mention of Applejack's name Waterloo one eye widen. "Ah! So you're the lass that his Majesty was going on and on, and on forever last time he was here! Let me say my fair maiden that his exhaustive description failed to properly describe the wonder of your beauty!" He bowed and extended his right hand. "It is my honor the welcome you to my meager, humble establishment. The Golden Cup!"

     AJ felt her ears grow warm again, but she accepted his hand. "Um, thank ya." The mare mentally tried to remember every etiquette lesson she had from her stay in Manehattan when she'd been a filly. " Thank ya. It's so kind of ya ta welcome me ta yer establishment."

     Waterloo stood up and grinned. Spinning around he clapped his hands loudly and called out. "Amsterdam! Amsterdam you lazy sloth! Get your tail out here on the double!" Emerging from the back was younger, but even more stout, version of Waterloo. He scampered up the cafe owner.

     "Ye called fer me boss?" He suddenly noticed AJ and pursed his lips. "Well know! Ye will brighten this place up ma'am with just ye presence!"

Waterloo rolled his eye but still smiled. "Yes, Yes. Applejack this is my number one assistant Amsterdam Puddle! Amsterdam the king will want his regular table prepared for him. See to it!"

     The young man looked at the king and then AJ and smiled. "Right! Table fer 2. I'm on it!" Then he turned and scurried off upstairs. In the meantime Waterloo obtained a couple of chairs for AJ and the king to sit in. As they waited the cafe owner kept them company.

     "So Waterloo! How's business? Better or worse? Have any of my inquiries bore fruit yet?" As the king said this he did this he made a little gesture with his free hand. The cheerful conversations of cafe grew more muted and AJ suddenly became very interested with looking at the crowd.

     Waterloo leaned up against the wall and crossed his arms as he scanned the room. "Nah. Then again you've made a very unusual requests your Majesty. So don't be too surprised if many of the nets we cast out come up empty."

     The king wiped his glasses with a handkerchief and then returned his pince-nez to his muzzle. "True. Very true. Usually I can be patient and play the long game, but this time I do hope to get results sooner than later. Recent events have accelerated the need for what I desire."

     Waterloo looked down at the king and gave him a quizzical look. "Really? It's been a very, very long time since you needed to accelerate any plans of yours."

     Trafalgar sighed. "She. She paid me a visit recently." He said softly.

     Waterloo tensed and looked at AJ who seemed to be entirely focused on the other cafe occupants. After a second he leaned over. "She, visited, you." He hissed. "By the stars! What have you done to get her looking at you! Is it due to what you've got me looking for? By the gaze of the King of a Million Eyes! If you get me on her bad side I swear." He paused for moment. "I mean, I. I didn't even know she got out and about these days. "

     The king glanced over at AJ and then back to Waterloo. "Normally she doesn't, but things... have changed with her."

     Waterloo shivered and looked out a nearby window at the nighttime sky. "Traggy. I need you to be a bit more specific. Much, much more specific!"

     His Majesty slumped his shoulders. "I can't my old friend. She made me swear an oath. Link  An oath to her. Even just mentioning that she's visited me and that I've taken one of her oaths strains the terms of it" He looked up at the cafe owner with a pained expression. "You know what happens if you break one of her oaths."

     The rotund rodent swallowed hard and nodded his head. About this time Amsterdam came waddling down the stairs. The king snapped his fingers and the volume around them rose again. AJ noticed Amsterdam arrival and looked at the king and Waterloo, for the briefest instant the two seemed to have pained expression on their faces. Then it was gone.

     "Yer table is a ready fer yu and yer guest yer Majesty!" In a sweeping gesture Amsterdam bowed. The king rose and offered AJ a hand up. She rose from her chair with just the slightest bit of hesitancy. She blushed a bit and took his hand.

     The second floor of The Golden Cup was a bit more well furnished. Hardly opulent, but there was a feeling of this being a bit more upscale. At table for 2 had been set up. beeswax candles were already lit. Crisp white linen covered the table. A French Press of freshly brewed coffee awaited them. It was joined by a carafe of cream, a bowl of sugar cubes, and a blackberry tart.

     Waterloo and Amsterdam slightly pulled out the chairs and then bowed after the 2 had settled in . Waterloo smiled. "Enjoy your refreshments! And if either of you need something. Do not hesitate to ring this!" He then produced a silver bell and set it on the table. Then he and Amsterdam turned and left.

     Over the next minute the king poured coffee and served up slices of tart for himself and AJ. Through all of this the mare/mouse looked around the room at the other occupants. She found many of them staring at their table and her in particular. As Trafalgar finished AJ mentioned this.

     "Uh, Trafalgar. Um, there seems ta be quite a few folks staring at us. Would ya happen ta know why?"

     The king finished pouring cream into his cup and gave it a quick stir. Then looked at AJ.

     "Well Applejack. I am something of a celebrity at this establishment, so whenever I put in appearance it causes a bit of a sensation. However in this situation I believe that it's not me that they are looking at. Instead dear it's you."

     AJ's face scrunched up. "Why in the hay is everypony looking at me?"

     The king chuckled. "That's simple dear. Because you are beautiful."

     AJ's ears turned bright pink.

To be continued.