Mutual Attractions

Chapter 1

Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack-

The sound of the train’s wheels was ever present in Braeburn Apple’s ears. He leaned back in his seat, sighing to himself. The journey between Appleoosa and Ponyville took the better part of two days, and he was almost certain he’d go mad from boredom before he reached his destination. He rubbed the sides of his head in frustration, trying to relieve the tension.

Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack-

He took his brown cowpony hat off, setting it down on the seat next to him. He used both forehooves to rub the spots right above his ears, trying to relax. He’d been on this stupid train for weeks and weeks. Okay, days, but it felt a lot longer, the monotony and constant sound of the wheels was making him anxious for something to do. He should’ve listened and brought something along, like a book, or at least something to put his head on. The train’s seats were evil.

Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack-

He slumped over, lying across his seat and the empty one next to him. This helped a little, since he didn’t have to support his own weight anymore. The seats were still uncomfortable, but he was too tired to care how plush the red fabric was. He yawned widely, looking forward to going to bed once he reached Sweet Apple Acres. Why did it have to take so gosh darn long to get there?

Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack,Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack,Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Clickety-Clack, Hissssssssss-

He heard the hiss of steam from the brakes, and felt a change in the train’s motion. His body tilted over slightly in the evil seats, as the train started to slow down. He forced himself to sit up, groaning as he stretched his stiff, sore limbs. His well toned muscles flexed under his yellow coat. He stood, rocking slightly on his hooves as the train came to a complete halt. He brushed his golden mane out of his eyes, put on his hat, then picked up his saddlebags and draped them over his strong back. He exited onto the platform, snorting as cold night air stung his sensitive nose, clouds of white vapor drifting out of his nostrils.

“Braeburn!” called a voice, off to his left. He turned his head, and saw Applejack waving to him. She looked the same as always, completely plain except for the ponytail (pun intended) and her old, brown hat.

“Hey cous’!” he said, going to meet her. Finally, somepony to talk to.

“Howdy!” she said, wearing a mischievous grin. “And welcome to POOOOOONY-VILLE!” she shouted, rearing.

“Ha ha.” he laughed sarcastically. “Yer never going to let me live that down, are you?”

“Nope.” She embraced him warmly, and he returned the gesture. “Let’s get ya to Sweet Apple Acres.” she said, once they’d finished their hug. “You must be exhausted.”

“That sounds real nice.” he said, following her down the steps that led off of the platform. “I couldn’t get a bunk on the sleeper car.”

She grimaced sympathetically. “Thanks fer comin’ ta help us with the apple-buckin’.”

“Yer welcome.” he said, as they proceeded towards the town, which they had to pass through in order to reach the farm.

“You doin’ well?” she asked pleasantly.

“Ah’m alright.” he said. “How’re things here?”

“Well, Applebloom’s convinced her cutie mark has something to do with cookin’.” she said, shuddering slightly. “An’ Mac’s the same as ever.”

“And you?”

“Ah’m fine.” she said, sidestepping slightly as a brown stallion with a darker brown mane ran by. “You found yerself a marefriend yet?” She winked slyly.

“No.” said Braeburn. “Not yet.”

“Well, ya’d better get a move on.” she said. “Or all the good’uns ‘ll be taken.” He nodded absently. After a few more minutes of walking, Applejack cleared her throat.

“Er, Braeburn?” she said. “I thought ya might like ta know, one of my friends… she’s taken a liking to ya.” Surprised, Braeburn turned his head to regard Applejack.

“Who might that be?” he asked. Why can’t they just leave me alone?

“Rainbow Dash. She asked me about you the other day, said you were-” She cleared her throat. “The most handsome stallion she’d ever met.”

“High praise.” Braeburn knew about Rainbow Dash’s ‘coolness’ fixation, courtesy of the ongoing correspondence between himself and his cousin. High praise indeed.

“Yeah.” Applejack looked up at the sky. “Thing is, ah don’t want one of mah friends gettin’ hurt. And yer family, which makes it even more difficult.”

“Ah see. But what do you want me ta do about it?” This can’t end well.

Applejack laughed nervously. “Well, see, I told her you were comin’ ta visit.”

“And?” said Braeburn, stopping in anticipation of the answer. He’d been set up on so many dates by relatives, he’d gotten used to these conversations. Here it comes.

Applejack stopped as well. “Ah kind’ve set you two up fer tomorrow evenin’.”

Braeburn sighed, exasperated. “Ah can arrange dates fer myself, you know.” Seriously, I get set up so often, how am I supposed to find a mare that I actually like?

“Ah know.” said Applejack, kicking out at a stone on the path. She sent it hurtling into the darkness. “But the family’s worried, see? We don’t want ya to be all alone fer the rest of yer life.”

“I know.” He did indeed, as he’d heard those same words, or rather words to that effect, about fifty seven and a half times (and yes, he’d counted). Better chalk it up to fifty-eight and a half. Should I just round that half out? And do you round upor downin this situation?

“Will ya go?” she asked. “It’d make her really happy if ya did.”

He sighed again. “Fine.” Here we go again.

“Thanks Brae.” she said, wrapping a hoof around his neck.

“Yer welcome.” he said cheerfully, while privately he thought: I just hope it goes better than any of the other dates.

They resumed their journey, and soon arrived at their destination. A tall red barn, nestled in the middle of a large clearing in the orchards. It was framed by the night sky, in which a multitude of twinkling stars were set. Braeburn sighed quietly, enjoying the natural beauty of the place. The smell of apples was rich and sweet, a preview of what awaited the next day. He opened the door for Applejack, who thanked him and stepped inside. He followed her in, shutting the door behind him.

Inside, he was met by the pleasantly familiar sight of his Ponyville relatives. Applebloom was jabbering excitedly, Winona jumped up at him trying to lick his face, and Granny Smith was in a rocking chair on the far side of the room. Big Macintosh nodded in greeting, and Braeburn nodded back.

“One at a time, please!” he shouted over the mix of voices and dog barks. They calmed down, and Braeburn took the opportunity to get Winona to sit still. As he gently rubbed her head, he turned to Applebloom. “How’re ya?”

“Ah’m great!” she said excitedly. “Ah’ve been learnin’ ta cook!”

“Is that so?” He saw Applejack flinch at the words.

“Yeah! I whipped up a delicious apple tart earlier!” Everyone but Braeburn and Applebloom shuddered, including the dog.

“Is there any left?” he asked. Applebloom shook her head.

“All gone!” she pronounced happily. “It was so good, no one could keep their hooves off of it!”

Braeburn glanced up at his other two cousins. Applejack had gone slightly green, and even Big Mac seemed to have had his usually perfect composure shaken by the… (cough) tart. Applejack’s face was slowly turning from light green to a dangerous shade reminiscent of pea soup. That bad, huh?

“Oh well.” he said, faking disappointment. “Ah’ll just have to wait fer yer next culinary feat.” She nodded, and he redirected his attention to Granny Smith. Everyone else relaxed, having cleared the dangerous subject.

“An’ yer lookin’ just as good as ever, Granny.” he said, walking over to her.

“You betcha!” she said, taking his hoof gently for a moment in greeting. She smiled softly at the young stallion. “I’m as fit as a fiddle!”

“Yes ma’am!” He said, yawning. “If ya don’t mind, ah’d love ta hit the hay. The train seats weren’t really all that comfortable.”

“Sure thing.” said Applejack. “You can use the same room as last time.”

“Thanks.” he said, making for the stairs. “See y’all in the morning!”

“Night, cous’.” said Applebloom, waving.

He smiled, and proceeded to the room  he’d stayed in when he’d last been here. Stepping inside, he gently shut the door. Laying his saddlebags, vest, and hat down next to the bed, he collapsed into its soft embrace. He somehow managed to get under the cool covers, which were soothing after his long trip on the train. The quilt was old, and decorated with the apple motif that was on much of the furniture. He stared up at the ceiling, yawning again.

Why can’t I find a marefriend? he asked himself. Maybe it’d help if I knew them instead of getting them thrown at me by my relatives.

Putting these thoughts aside for another time, preferably one during which he wasn’t exhausted. He turned on his side and nuzzled into the pillow. Sleep found him quickly.

______________________________________________________________________________

“Good night to you!” shouted Spitfire over the cheering crowd. “Thanks for coming!”

Soarin grinned at the roaring fans, following Spitfire and the other Wonderbolts off of the stage. They were greeted by yet another wave of roaring fans. He loved this part of the job, inspiring others to do better. That, and he enjoyed flying more than anything. He got a thrill out of his job, and he’d worked hard to get this far. What wasn’t to like?

“Soarin!” shouted one mare. “Will you sign this?”

“Certainly!” he said, taking a pen from her, and signing a picture of himself with a flourish. To an outside observer, it would’ve appeared a bit fancy for a stallion’s. “There you go!”

“Thank you!” she said, trotting off into the milling crowd of ponies.

“Hey, Soarin?” said another mare’s voice behind him.

He turned to see who’d called his name, and felt an unexpected pressure on his lips. This mare was kissing him? He pushed her off of him, staring at her in shock. Her cheeks were red, as well as the tips of her ears. She had to be drunk, judging by her lack of balance.

“Wanna come back to my apartment with me?” she asked, grinning and winking in a way that suggested she was thinking… naughty things.

Soarin stepped back, panicking. “N-no thank you.”

“You sure?” she asked, following him. “Big, strong pegasus stallion like you? We could make-” she traced a hoof down the neck of his suit, causing him to freak out even more. “Beautiful music.”

He removed her hoof forcibly. “No.” he said insistently. When she didn’t leave him alone, he called for security. They had her removed, and the Wonderbolts began make their way back to their hotel through the crowds.

“Hey, Soarin?” said Spitfire, noticing how abnormally silent her friend was. “You alright?” He didn’t answer, so she pushed further.

“Don’t let that mare get to you.” she said. “It’s not worth your time.”

“I-It’s not that.” he said quietly. He held back the torrent of thoughts that flooded against his mind.

“Then what is it?”

He didn’t answer. And though she pestered him the entire way back, he gave nothing further. When they arrived, he went straight to his room. He heard the door handle being rattled, but in anticipation of pursuit, he’d locked the door. He needed to be alone.

“Soarin?” called Spitfire through the door. “You sure you’re alright?”

“Yes.” he called back, trying to keep his voice level. And failed. “I-I’m going to bed early, that’s all.”

“We were going to get something to eat.”

“I’m not hungry.” That was a lie, and his stomach betrayed him with a loud grumble, protesting his statement. “You go on.”

“If you’re sure.” she said.

He listened to her retreating footsteps, then went to his bed. He curled up on it, not even bothering to remove his suit. He finally gave in to the suppressed thoughts.

Why didn’t I feel anything? Sure, I don’t know her, but I should’ve felt something. It was just… weird. And… why have I never felt it for any of the mares I’ve met?

He shuddered slightly, tightening his wings about himself.

And, when I’m around other stallions… how come I feel…

He cut off the thought.

“N-No.” he whispered to himself. “I-I like mares. I-I’m just tired, that’s all.”

After half an hour, he slipped into a daze. It took him several more hours to fully go to sleep, still dressed in his Wonderbolt suit.