The Apple and his jewel

Chapter 4: Just ask her!

Big Mac was bucking trees yet again. After all, what else did he have to do? Emerald wasn’t at the inn, so he couldn’t have a chat with her, and Apple Bloom was off to work again. Visiting Granny Smith was barely possible as the travel to her would take a day, and another to return.

He glanced through the kitchen window, where the family usually would eat. As he saw the table sheet, he began getting an idea. A pick-nick! It would be perfect to get to know one another better! He put up a big smile, and began thinking on how to ask her, all the while still bucking apple trees.

As the evening fell, Apple Bloom returned home once more. She softly giggled as she saw Mac just sitting against a tree looking up in the sky, with a smile on his face. “Wut cha thinkin’ of, big bro? Emerald, maybe?” Big Mac looked at Apple Bloom, and lightly blushed as he nodded. “Wha don’t cha ask her aht?”, asked Apple Bloom, encouraging her big brother.

Big Mac looked away shyly. No way could he ask a mare out. After what happened with him and Cheerilee, he didn’t quite trust Apple Bloom giving dating advice anymore. Though, there’s no potion or anything, and this time he actually HAD feelings for the mare in question.

After a long talk, with Apple Bloom giving some great tips, they went to bed. As the next morning came, Big Mac stood outside, waiting for Apple Bloom, as he knew she had the day off work today. Apple Bloom agreed she’d come along in case things might go wrong. Although, what could go wrong? He would simply ask Emerald out on a date, is all.

The siblings walked to the inn, and Emerald surprisingly sat on the lobby couch, all alone, as if waiting for somepony. Of course, Pinkie told her Mac would likely drop by. As the Apple siblings entered the lobby, Big Mac began shaking lightly. His forehead was sweating, and he almost froze in place.

Apple Bloom nudged Big Mac closer, and as he approached Emerald, he froze again. Emerald looked up, and her eyes were lightly shining. Mac found himself lost in them again, but Emerald had a little more control over her feelings. Softly, almost harmonizing, she said “Hi Mac”, and Mac’s heart skipped a beat. Apple Bloom hid herself, and next to her, Pinkie stood, hidden as well. They giggled at each other, and began watching the scene.

“Mac? Are you OK?”, Em asked. Big Mac quickly shook his head, and nodded. He grasped his courage, or what little he had, at least, and began talking, though stuttering, his head beginning to sweat again and his body trembling slightly. “E-E-Emerald-w-wi-will you-“ Emerald’s blush began to appear, though still unnoticed by Big Mac. And suddenly, he clammed up. In a flash, he ran out, leaving a dust cloud shaped like him behind in the process.

Pinkie and Apple Bloom’s eyes widened, and their jaws dropped. What just happened? He just ran away like that during one of the most important questions he was to ever ask? Surely he must’ve been convinced enough to know she’d say yes, right? Emerald’s head hung a little. Pinkie trotted up to her as Apple Bloom ran off to the farm again, knowing Mac would be hiding there.

Pinkie stroked Emerald’s back. “Don’t you worry, Emerald. He really likes you, he just doesn’t know how to say it. Stallions are that way. He’ll turn about.” Emerald nodded sadly. Meanwhile, Apple Bloom had arrived at the farm, and opened the hay barn where she saw Mac hiding.

She trotted up to him. “Y’all ‘re very rude, ya know? Emerald wus listenin’ to ya, and jus’ lahke that, y’all run off!” Big Mac nodded with his eyes closed, knowing the mistake he had made. Apple Bloom tugged his hoof, and began dragging him out. “Now y’all ‘re gon’ apologize to her an’ trah again. She lahkes ya, Big Mac!”

Big Mac looked up as he was being dragged along the ground. “Hah y’all know fer sure, Apple Bloom?”, he asked, scared of the answer. Apple Bloom remained silent for a moment, and when they arrived at the inn yet again, she let him go, shoved him back inside, simply replying the question with the words:

“Just ask her!”