For a couple seconds time seemed to come to a standstill in my Equestria dreamscape.
Finally King Trafalgar Maximilian Augustus Leopold the III spoke.
“Borodino! Your utter lack of tact is truly breathtaking at times!” He turned his head slightly and looked over at the dark grey female mouse who was still rubbing her cheek against his. “I fear that all of Cadiz’s efforts to impart the slightest hint of proper etiquette and manners upon you over all these millennia has been nothing more than a forlorn hope!”
The newcomer seemed to ignore his majesty’s observation she pulled up a chair and sat down at the table. She closed her eyes and extended her arms above her head as she arched her back and stretched.
“You haven’t had any problem with my manners and behavior in the past.” She said while giving the king a wink.”
“Trafalgar can I assume this here newcomer ain’t some stranger ta ya?” Applejack said while arching an eyebrow.
“Oh um, Yes! Yes! That would be absolutely correct fair Applejack! Borodino, this is Applejack. I met her recently and we were partaking of lunch. How did you know I was here?”
“Wwwweeellll. The grey mouse said while producing from some unknown location a knife that AJ had not originally seen on her. I was more of a needle to AJ’s eyes. A stiletto of greyed watered steel with a lethal looking point. Slowly Borodino twirled in her hand for a moment, and then with effortless grace she nonchalantly skewered a remaining slice of strawberry from the king’s plate with it and popped into her mouth. She chewed for a moment before speaking further.
“It was pretty easy Traggy. My first clue was the gigantic form of Galapagos munching on his lunch outside here. Oh! By the way he asked if you could order some more sparkling water for him.”
“I’ll get right on it!” The king exclaimed and raised his hand to get the cafe owners attention. AJ pursed her lips and continued to eye the newcomer. “Soooo, ya tu have known each other fer a bit.”
Some time in the last second or so the stiletto had vanished again. Although AJ had not seen where Borodino had stashed it. Placing her elbows on the table she leaned forward and resting her chin on the back of her hands. “Yep! Trafalgar and I go way back. Way, way back. Been through quite a bit.”
“Oh yes!” Said the king now looking back at the 2 ladies. “Borodino and I have been soldiers in many a war. Adventurers who’ve solved many a mystery. Explorers who’ve charted the very reaches of the Dream Realm. We’ve been–”
“Lovers.” Borodino said.
“Yes, yes, but was about 10,000 years ago!” The king quickly interjected.
The grey mouse leaned back in her chair again and grinned at his majesty. “Yeah it was.” She glanced over at AJ and smiled. “Don’t worry. I’m gonna getting in the way of you two enjoying each other. So. Applejack is your name. You don’t emit the aura of a Dream Realm native, so I’m to assume you’re projecting?”
AJ’s expression changed from one of grumpiness to confusion. “Prajecting? Whatcha mean by that?”
“What she’s inquiring about Applejack is whether you’re primarily a being who resides in the Material Realm. Which you are.” The king said. “And then you project conscious mind out beyond your dream fabric into the Dream Realm. Which you are doing right now.”
AJ nodded her head. “Then yeah I’m a prajecting. I’m a really new ta this stuff. This here is my 3rd time going out an doing stuff like this!”
A quizzically look came across Borodino’s face as she stared more intently at AJ. “Then how did you 2 meet, And why am I getting……” Her voice tapered off and she raised a hand and made quick series gestures that AJ didn’t recognize. The grey mouse’s face scrunched up for a moment. Then she muttered.
“Interesting.” She said softly. Then her face once again got an impish grin. “Well. I hope you’ve found your journeys into the Dream Realm enjoyable so far.”
“Except fer unexpected interruption I’ve been having a fine time of it.” AJ was still eyeballing Borodino with suspicion.
“Good to hear.” Borodino flagged down a waitress. “Can I get an iced coffee, a garlic shrimp pie. Oh! and put it on his bill please!” She said while pointing at the king.
She then looked back at AJ. “By the way. Love your getup there! You did a fine job picking that out!”
Applejack looked down at white sun dress she was wearing and absentmindedly running a finger through her long golden hair. “Well thanks, but uh, I didn’t ah pick it out.” She glanced over to the king. “He did it fer me!”
Borodino glanced over at his majesty and her eyes narrowed. “Did he now.”
“Eeyup!” AJ said while missing the visual cue because she was brushing a crumb off her dress. “He’s picked out all of my threads so far.”
The grey mouse leaned over in her chair and looked at the king in eyes. For his part the king leaned back a bit in his chair. After a moment he spoke.
“Well as she said. Applejack is new to all of this! So she’s needed instruction, guidance and assistance as she develops and refines her skills here in the Dream Realm. So to ease her burden during this fledgling stage, I’ve helped her by reducing the multitude of things she would have to keep track of. Like what clothes she’s wearing.”
Borodino’s eyes narrowed even more and she leaned over even further in her chair. “So you haven’t instructed her in the basics of object creation, manipulation, and retention yet?”
The king rubbed the back of his head with his right hand. “Well not yet! She hasn’t had formal instruction. But you know me. I’m not one for rigid, inflexible curriculum! I prefer a more organic and fluid method of learning where I let real life experiences assist in the process of discovery.”
For several seconds Borodino silently stared at the king. Then without breaking her gaze. “Applejack. I need to instruct you in some very fundamental principles if you’re to safely journey out into the Dream Realm. I know a place close by that can help with this. You. “She pointed at the king. “Can stay here until we get back.”
“And in the meantime what am I to do?” The king asked in an exasperated tone of voice.
Borodino rose from her chair. “I don’t know. Go polish Galapagos’s shell or something.” The grey mouse said as she extended a hand to AJ. “Applejack would you please come with me. There’s something very critical I need to help you with if you’re going to continue traveling out in the Dream Realm.”
AJ looked at Borodino and then back to the king. His majesty sighed and nodded his head. “It’s alright dear. I’ll stay here and bide my time. Don’t worry you’ll be safe with her.”
Applejack rose and took her hand. As they headed for the door AJ heard the king call out.
“Rita! I’ll take a pitcher of the strongest stuff you make!”
As the 2 mice stepped out onto the street AJ asked. “So um, wutz so darn important that ya had ta drag me away from his majesty like this?”
“A matter that crucial to your survival here in the Dream Realm!” The grey mouse said as they continued walking.
“And what the hay would that be?”
“Shopping!” Borodino said.

To be continued.