Iced coffee and unexpected company (Patreon)

While Celestia and Luna prepare for a possibly unpleasant meeting Link another pony is doing the exact opposite in my Equestria dreamscape.

Applejack gave her teeth one more going over with the toothbrush. Finished she looked at herself in the mirror and grinned. Tonight she was going to have another meetup Link with King Trafalgar Maximilian Augustus Leopold the III, and this time she'd made sure her nosey, conniving little sister didn't know it was happening. Really! When had that filly become such a manipulative little so and so! Link

With no further ado AJ retired to her bedroom. She then spent the next 20 minutes giving her mane and tail a really good brushing. The king had once told her that he found her mane and tail exceptionally beautiful. About halfway through the process the mare realized that his Majesty would be seeing her dream version of herself tonight and not her physical self. Still she finished the process; she didn't know why but it made her feel better doing it.

Having finished her evening brushing AJ skipped her usual bedtime reading and went straight to sleep. It took her awhile to get to sleep. This time wasn't apprehension but instead anticipation. Fortunately Applejack could remember a little of what Applebloom had taught her when it came to relaxation and breathing techniques. Link Finally after about half an hour she slipped into sleep.

Once again AJ found herself standing on the front porch of Sweet Apple Acres. An early evening breeze tussled her golden mane and tail. The wind carried the smell of one of Granny's pies cooling in a nearby window, and upon it came the distant sound of...pipe organ music?

The mare started searching for the origin of the music which was now growing in volume; after a minute or so the source came into view as giant tortoise Galapagos slowly came marching up to the porch of the farmhouse. Link The music originated from the castle perched on the tortoise's shell. It came to a climax as the tortoise reached the bottom steps of the farmhouse. For several seconds nothing happened and then the drawbridge dropped with a clatter and his Majesty came marching out of the castle.

For tonight's meeting the king was a wearing a rather dapper outfit. A white blazer with matching slacks were contrasted by a shirt of imperial purple and a black bow tie. Perched on his head was a white Havana-style hat with black hat band. Black and white Oxford wingtips adorn his feet.

Applejack trotted down the stairs and came up the king. "Evening yer Majesty! And howdy Galapagos How's yer night been so far?"

"It, has, been, nice." The tortoise said slowly.

"Ah good evening fair Applejack!" The king waggled a finger at her. "Remember for meetings like this you may dispense with the titles. Please just call me Trafalgar."

"Hee hee!" The mare giggled. "Oops! Right sorry about that!"

The king grinned up at the mare. "It's an honest mistake! Now, tonight I was thinking of something a bit different." The mouse looked down at the tortoise beneath him. "Recently my most loyal subject."

"Only, subject." Galapagos corrected the king.

The king continued with his delivery. "Reminded me that it had been quite awhile since either him or I had partaken of a finely baked onion and cheese tart. So, tonight if you're agreeable with the idea dear I was thinking of going to another fine establishment I know of. Once again the service and fare are of the highest quality. Would this be acceptable with you dear?"

AJ pushed her Stetson back on her head. "Um, sure. If ya think this place serves good grub I'm game then. Is it this in the same town as The Golden Cup?"

The king shook his head. "No. We'll be going to a different location. Now. Would you be so kind as to take my hand." Trafalgar extended his right hand.

Recognizing the gesture Applejack placed her right front hoof in the king's tiny hand. Once again the world seemed to swirl and twist. AJ was a bit more prepared for this time, but still she swayed a bit as the transition occurred. It suddenly was very bright and for a moment and she had to close her eyes. all around her she could hear the sounds of laughter, talking, and a hissing rumble sound that she initially could not place. Opening her eyes she found herself staring out at brilliant turquoise blue ocean that the bright afternoon sun made it sparkle as if scattered with diamonds. A cobalt blue sky dotted with slowly moving, white fluffy clouds filled most of AJ's sight.

She along with the king and Galapagos were standing on a street paved with red bricks next to a low sea wall. Below her was a long beach of golden sand. The beach was populated with hundreds of rodents various types like she'd seen at The Golden Cup. Although they were wearing...well a lot less. Not that AJ was bothered by that. Heck she usually didn't wear clothes at all....except for her hat.

Suddenly curious Applejack looked down at herself. Once again she was in that bipedal mouse form again, although her outfit was different this time. She was wearing flowing white cotton dress that almost seemed to glow in the sunlight. Shading her eyes was a hat. Not her Stetson, but instead very, very wide brim, white straw hat. A chin strap of white silk kept it from blowing off her head. Her feet seemed to be sheathed in some form of open toed shoe. Slung around her neck was a small purse of white leather.

"And here is where will shall enjoy our meal!" The king spoke up. Spinning around AJ noticed that behind them the street was lined with buildings of varying size and height. Most were not more than two story in height, but all of them painted in various bright colors with deep red tile roofs. Walking back and forth was a steady traffic of rodents of all types, ages, and sizes wearing a outfits very similar to what she and the king were wearing.

Although once again AJ noticed that many a passerby were looking at her. Remembering what the king had told last time Link she felt her ears growing warm again. AJ found it just a bit annoying that so many folks were looking at her, but nopony seemed to give a hoot about the giant tortoise with a castle on top of it that was blocking most of the street! Folks just seemed to automatically steer around it without giving it glance. Strange.

Realizing the king was still speaking AJ focused her attention back on him and picked up on his ongoing narrative. "Now I haven't known the owner of this fine establishment for a very long time, but I can assure you she runs a top notch operation! Now!" The king looked up at Galapagos. "What would you like your order to be my fine friend!"

"Um, 6, whole, tarts, uh, 4, spinach salads, and, sparkling water, I, like, the, bubbles. Oh! That, dessert, she, makes. You, know, the, one. The, one, with, the, strawberries, and, oranges." The tortoise said with a smile.

"Consider it done my good fellow!" With that the king lead AJ into the cafe. Unlike The Golden Cup this cafe, which AJ learned on the way in was called the Hibiscus Path, was a much more brightly lit affair. In quick order king and AJ were seated by the owner. A slim female mouse named Rita and their orders were taken. Including a request to have an order delivered to the gigantic tortoise across the street that was currently blocking the view of the ocean.

Rita smiled at the king. "Of course sir! I'm happy to find you visiting my business again." She glanced over at Applejack. "And we appreciate you introducing new visitor to our restaurant. I'll get on your orders right away!"

Later AJ would agree with the king. The food here was top notch. The main meal had been consumed and they were enjoying iced coffees along with chilled plates of sliced strawberries and orange slices that had tossed in a sauce of red currant jelly and cointreau when it happened.

As if emerging out of nowhere another mouse appeared behind the king and leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him. Except for the unbuttoned short sleeve shirt of light blue the newcomer was a being of shadows and darkness. Her fur was dark charcoal and her short hair was jet black. The other garment she was wearing, although it didn't cover much of her, was something the king had described to AJ as being a bikini. It appeared to be made of some type of shimmering black material.

After a second Applejack noticed that this newcomer was wearing some other things. Around her forearms were bracers of black leather. Sheathed in each bracer was 2 thin knifes of dull grey steel. Strapped to her hips were 2 sheaths with longer, wicked looking knives almost as long as her forearms. The intruder looked at AJ with slate blue grey eyes as she rubbed her cheek against the kings and purred.

"Ttttrrraaggy. Where did you find this delightful new dish?"

AJ stared cooly at the newcomer and the king coughed weakly.

To be continued.