Apples and Oranges
Ponyville wasn’t exactly known for its thumping night life. It was a small town full of honest, hardworking ponies who all contributed their part to keeping their friends and neighbors happy and healthy. Still, even the most honest, hardworking ponies needed to unwind every now and again, and Applejack was one of the most honest, and hardest working ponies in all of Ponyville. So it was that, with an invitation from her best friend in the world, she found herself standing in line outside of a small bar towards the center of town, which was lit up with rarely-seen lights and decorations even as the sun faded beyond the horizon.
“I can’t wait to get in there!” Rainbow Dash’s hooves were practically already dancing across the dirt road, in the middle of the line of ponies all waiting for their chance to shuffle inside. “I haven’t cut loose in months, and who better to cut loose to than DJ Pon3?”
Applejack chuckled. “Gotta appreciate a local who can get everypony worked up like this.” Applejack glanced appreciatively up and down the small, but appreciable line of waiting ponies. “Can’t say it’s my kinda music, but I do enjoy a good dance every now ‘n again.”
“Bah, just because it doesn’t have a fiddle doesn’t make it bad music.” Rainbow Dash slapped her shoulder with a wry smirk, then jumped in surprise when her vision wandered further back on the line. “Hey! I know those two! Thunderlane! Blossomforth! Glad you could make it! Get your tails up here!”
A couple of the ponies between them grumbled as the black and cream colored pegasii made their way up the line towards them. “Hey, Rainbow! I didn’t know you were into DJ Pon3!” The male Pegasus grinned and slapped her hoof in greeting. “Awesome!”
“Well yeah, I only know one pony who isn’t.” Rainbow Cackled at Applejack. “By the way, Applejack, these are my weather patrol buddies, Thunderlane and Blossomforth. Guys, this is one of my best friends in the world, Applejack.”
“Howdy!” Applejack greeted them with a wave of her hoof.
“Hey.” Blossom Forth waved her hoof with a mellow smile.
“Nice to meet you!” Thunderlane smiled enthusiastically. “Hey, it looks like the line’s moving! We’re gonna get in any minute now!”
“Aaawww yeah! Let’s cut loose!” Rainbow Dash howled as she threw herself into the small bar.
Applejack entered more slowly, taking a few moments to get used to the smell of alcohol and sweat that greeted them on entry. The pungent odors combined with the overpowering, pounding beat of the music and flashing lights to give the simple farmgirl an almost instant headache once she came within viewing distance of the stage, where the star performing was grinning and spinning her records in front of her.
“Oh fer Pete’s sakes…” Suddenly not in the mood to dance, but unwilling to ditch Rainbow Dash, who was already on the dance floor cutting so loose she was becoming a hazard to other dancers, Applejack turned to the side to make her way to the bar against the front of the building, sliding onto one of the seats. “Ah’ll take a hard one.”
“It’s on me.” Thunderlane’s voice spoke from behind her as three bits flew onto the bar in front of her.
Applejack turned to face him with a grateful smile. “That’s mighty kind of you, but you don’t gotta do that. I can get it just fine.”
Thunderlane took a step forward and plucked his bits off the counter with a gracious smile. “If you say so. I just thought somepony should thank you for coming with Rainbow Dash. It’s not hard to see you’re a little out of your element here.”
“Ain’t nothin’ I can’t handle.” Applejack paid for her own drink, then plucked her glass off the counter and took a sip. Applejack may not indulge in many of life’s pleasure, but a nice cold, stiff drink was one of those things she allowed herself to enjoy more often than others. “Still, I gotta admit there are places I’d rather be than listenin’ to my eardrums tryin’ to escape.”
Thunderlane chuckled and turned back toward the dance floor. “Well, if your head does decide to stick around, you can come find me on the dance floor any time.” With one last bright smile, he made his way out into the crowd of dancers, leaving Applejack watching after him curiously.
Applejack took a few long sips of her drink, letting the liquid relax her muscles until her headache started to feel more like a gentle buzz. The ponies on the dance floor sure did seem to be enjoying themselves. Rainbow Dash and Blossomforth were dancing flank-to-flank right in front of the stage in a larger group of mares and colts, looking like they were having a blast, while Thunderlane danced off to one side with another mare who had a bright, pleased grin on her lips.
Applejack watched the stallion dance for a few moments, then nodded to herself before throwing down the little that remained of her drink and sliding off of her seat. Her hoofsteps were lost under the thunderous music as she approached Thunderlane from behind. Her hoof slipped around his back and pulled him away from the other mare, whirling him around to face her and press her forehead to his.
“Wh-whoa! Applejack?” Thunderlane gasped in surprise.
“Y’all said any time…” Applejack smiled broadly and began to move in front of him, dancing with the music.
“Hah… you got me there.” Thunderlane returned her smile and danced in front of her, moving a bit closer as the crowds closed in around them.
Applejack was a pretty fit mare, but she didn’t do a whole lot of dancing, usually. Still, her clumsy, jerking steps were met with flare by a pegasus stallion who was, perhaps unsurprisingly, very light on his hooves. The rest of the dancers surrounding them paid no mind as they bumped and grinded their way across the dance floor, lost among a sea of ponies who just wanted to have a good time. Applejack could barely hear the music the crowd was getting so thick, but it hardly seemed to matter.
She lost count of how many songs they danced through, but she did know that by the time they popped out of the crowd back in the direction of the bar she had an uncontrollable grin on her face and had the stallion leaning against her for support, despite the sweat that stained both of their coats.
“Hahaha, oh man, you just don’t get tired do you?” Thunderlane laughed lightly. “I give up, you’ve got way more energy than I do.”
“Hah! A little dancin’ ain’t nothin’ compared to workin’ the farm dawn to dusk.” Applejack grinned and approached the bar, helping Thunderlane climb into one seat while she slipped into the other.
Thunderlane shook his head as he leaned against the counter. “Well, seeing as you’ve officially bested me, I think you need a prize. Will you let me buy you that drink, now?”
“I think I may.” Applejack nodded in acceptance. “If y’all let me buy you lunch tomorrow in return.”
“You don’t let ponies do things for you, do you?”
“Not if I can help it.” Applejack leaned her cheek against her hoof, facing him. “Nopony does somethin’ for me that I can’t pay ‘em back for.”
Thunderlane raised his hooves with a grin. “Okay, okay, you’ve twisted my hoof. We can go to lunch tomorrow.” He tapped his hoof on the counter. “Hey, two over here.”
No sooner did their drinks arrive than Rainbow Dash emerged from the dancing pile with a bright grin on her lips, despite that her fur was sweaty, disheveled, and looked like it had been rubbed up against so much that it was building a static charge.
Applejack chuckled at the expression on her face, somewhere between elated and tipsy. “You look like you’re havin’ the time of your life.”
“I barely know what just happened.” Rainbow Dash cackled. “But I love it! I hope you’re having as good a time as I am!”
“I’m makin’ the best of it.” Applejack glanced to the other side at Thunderlane, who was cradling his drink in his hooves. She leaned closer to Rainbow. “Hey, you don’t know if Thunderlane and Blossomforth are an item or anythin’ do you?”
“An item? Nah, far as I know they aren’t seeing each other…” Rainbow Dash gasped as the implications seemed to click in her head. “Hey, are you sweet on Thunderlane?”
Applejack couldn’t stop a soft blush from forming on her cheeks. “Well, he is kinda cute, and he’s certainly respectful.”
Rainbow Dash cackled like a schoolfilly. “Hahaha! Goooo fooooorrrrr iiiiiit!”
“Hush now!” Applejack pushed her friend away and turned back before Thunderlane could get suspicious, flashing him a bright smile as her drink slid in front of her across the counter. “Thank ya kindly.” She plucked her glass off of the counter and raised it in front of her. “To new friends.”
“Heh, I’ll definitely drink to that.” Thunderlane grinned and raised his glass beside hers before moving it back to his lips. Go for it, Rainbow Dash had said. Applejack wasn’t going for anything tonight but a cold drink and some friendly conversation… but who knew what the future would hold.
___
Applejack’s smile simply wouldn’t fade as she went about her chores with a light step. The sun was shining, the birds were singing from the treetops, and the fields were as vibrant and green as she’d ever seen them. Even the breeze felt more refreshing as she trotted toward one of the full barrel-saddles and slipped under it to pick it up on her back, turning to carry it back towards the barn for sorting and washing.
She cocked her head curiously for a moment when a dark shadow suddenly blotted out the sun, but a glance upward showed her it was only Rainbow Dash coming down over her with a meaningful grin on her lips.
Rainbow Dash hovered overhead with exaggerated casualness. “Ssssoooooooo?”
“Sssooooooooo what?” Applejack raised her eyebrow.
Rainbow Dash squealed. “Come on, it’s been a whole month since you and Thunderlane hit it off! Are you still dating or what?”
Applejack rolled her eyes with a smirk. “I gotta say I didn’t take you for the gossipin’ type, Rainbow Dash.”
“Oh gossip nothing, this is about some of my best friends hitting it off, of course I’m a little curious. You know he has a brother about Applebloom’s age.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“And he takes care of him, just like you do with Applebloom.”
“Yeah, I know that too.”
“Sssoooooooo?” Rainbow Dash wiggled her eyebrows.
Applejack couldn’t help but laugh. “Rainbow Dash, please, I don’t wanna jinx it. Things are goin’ fine, but we’re still just gettin’ to know each other. Come back in a couple’a months and maybe I can tell you if he’s my soul mate or not.”
“Months!?” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “What the heck could possibly take you months?”
Applejack rolled her eyes. “Yeah, it’s not like marryin’ somepony is a life-changin’ decision or anything.”
“Marriage? Who’s talking about marriage? I’m talking about-”
“Guh!” Applejack raised her hoof. “Rainbow Dash, that is not how we do things ‘round here. Or at least it ain’t how I do things. I ain’t throwing myself on the ground in front of him without knowin’ that things are… y’know, right.”
Rainbow smirked. “I didn’t take you for the abstinence until marriage type. Guess we’re learning a lot about each other today.”
“Guess so.” Applejack smirked right back.
Both mares went silent when another shadow covered them both, looking up to see a night-black pegasus stallion with a striking aqua mane coming down on top of them.
“Hey AJ!” Thunderlane circled down toward them, landing on his hooves beside her instead of hovering.
Rainbow Dash tittered. “He called you AJ…”
Applejack rolled her eyes. “Rainbow Dash, you call me that all the time.”
“I… well… sh-shut up…” Rainbow Dash whirled to fly away from them over the trees.
“Um… did I interrupt something?” Thunderlane asked confusedly.
“Naw, Rainbow Dash was just enjoyin’ herself a hoof sandwich.” Applejack chuckled before casting her boyfriend a bright smile. “What brings you up to the farm today, sugarcube?”
“What else?” Thunderlane gave her a suave smile and reached behind his wings, revealing a small gift box with a bow on it, which he held out to her.
“Aw Thunderlane, you know I don’t like ponies givin’ me things without warnin’.” Applejack tried to push the box away with a blush. “It’s very sweet of you, but I can’t-”
“I know, you can pay me back for it, I promise. Just please take it this one time. I promise I won’t give you anything without warning again.”
Applejack groaned and reluctantly lifted the small box off of his hoof. “Mnnh… well, alright. But I am taking you out to dinner tonight to pay you back for it.”
Thunderlane just grinned and took a step back. “See you later, AJ!” He took off to the sky suddenly, leaving her holding the box in her outstretched hoof.
“Huh, that was odd…” Applejack glanced down at the box, then shrugged and made her way into the barn, where Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom were cleaning the last of the apples from the last batch.
“Huh?” Apple Bloom looked up from her work, wiping the sweat from her brow with the back of her hoof. “What you got there?”
Applejack replied without thinking. “It’s a present from my coltfriend.”
Apple Bloom shot straight up from the ground and leapt toward her. “Coltfriend!? You have a coltfriend!? How could you not tell us!?”
“Yup!” Big Macintosh agreed with a hurried nod of his head, his own eyes wide and bulging.
Applejack waved off their concern with a blush. “Come on now, it ain’t that serious yet. We’ve only been seein’ each other for a month.”
“Not serious? Then what’s in there?” Apple Bloom pointed to the gift box in her sister’s hoof.
“Well how should I know, does it look like I’ve opened it?” Applejack set down her apple barrels and moved away from them curiously tugging at the ribbon on the box with her teeth. It fell away easily, allowing her to nudge the top off with her nose and peer inside.
“Whoa, nelly…” Applejack’s cheeks flushed like the apples on her flank as she peered inside. It wasn’t exactly a glittering piece of diamond jewelry, but the glass necklace the shape an apple looked lovely even sitting on the bottom of the box, and a length of shining, silver chain attached to the stem was practically begging to hang from around her neck. There was even a small note attached to the chain.
Dear: Applejack
Meet me at The Garden tonight at six if you like this gift. Whether you come or not, it’s yours to keep. I just thought it suited you better than anypony.
Love: Thunderlane
“What were you sayin’ about it not bein’ serious again?” Apple Bloom sounded almost as stunned as Applejack felt.
Applejack reached into the box to wrap the chain around her hoof and lift it into the air, where the light glinted through the rose-tinted apple, making it shine before her eyes. There were few times in her life when Applejack found herself completely speechless… but she simply had no idea what to say to a gift like this.
Her attention was finally ripped away from the necklace by the sound of Big Macintosh’s heavy step tromping toward her through the barn. He almost looked like he was about to cry before he threw a hoof around her neck and yanked her into a tight, proud hug.
“Awww, Big Mac, come on, we don’t gotta get like that.” Applejack patted his shoulder with a soft blush until he finally released her and pulled back. “I know you’re proud of me, but really, it’s just too early to get all weepy. I ain’t goin’ and gettin’ married any time soon.”
Big Macintosh nodded and wiped at his eyes with one hoof.
“Right now I need to ask y’all to finish up the chores, if you would.” Applejack tried to fight her blush, but failed miserably. “I think perhaps I need to take a bath before I see him tonight… just seems fittin’ somehow.”
“Don’t you worry, sis! Big Macintosh and I can hold down the fort here! You go get that stallion!” Apple Bloom saluted and whirled to leap back toward the pile of apples behind her.
“Glad to know I have everypony’s support.” Applejack smirked half-jokingly. Maybe it felt a little strange to be pushed toward her coltfriend like this, but in a way it was kind of comforting as well. Her family always had her back no matter what happened…
___
Applejack wasn’t one for fancying herself up with lace and jewelry, so she felt a little awkward walking into Ponyville with the glass necklace resting against her chest, but she just couldn’t stand the thought of going out without it, for one night at least. The Garden was one of the larger, fancier restaurants in Ponyville, though that wasn’t saying much in a small town like this. It still paled in comparison to even the smaller restaurants in the larger cities, but Applejack could still appreciate the grandeur of it, and they really did have amazing food here.
She approached The Garden with a furtive smile on her lips as some of the more fancily dressed ponies passed her by on their way inside. She recognized most of the gowns as Rarity’s designs, worn by fillies who were being escorted inside by the hoof by dashing colts and stallions who walked with them. The bluntness of it brought a blush to her cheeks, but she didn’t have time to dwell on it before she heard a voice beckoning to her.
“Applejack!” Thunderlane trotted up to her with a bright grin. “I’m so glad you decided to come.”
“How could I possibly not?” Applejack blushed and tapped a hoof against her new necklace. “You practically bribed me.”
Thunderlane grinned. “You really like it then?”
“It’s the most beautiful gift I’ve ever gotten… I feel bad for accepting it. Are you sure it’s okay if I keep it? I’m not the kind of filly who needs gifts for datin’ you, I’d keep doin’ that anyway.”
Thunderlane laughed. “It’s not to make you keep dating me.” He reached out slowly and took her hoof. “It’s to show you how much you mean to me.”
Applejack looked at his hoof, then up into his eyes. Speechless twice in a single day. This was definitely a day to remember.
“Come on, I already have our table reserved.” Her coltfriend turned to guide her inside by the hoof, just like all the other mares who were filing in with their own coltfriends and husbands, being shown to their tables one pair at a time. Applejack just let herself be guided, thankful to not have to speak for a couple of minutes. There was a strange lump in her throat, and she didn’t think she could get anything out.
Dinner was her favorite dish of spiced lotus leaves with hay fries, and a tall glass of sparkling warm apple cider to drink. The atmosphere in the restaurant was soft and soothing, aided by a pair of violinists standing up on a tiny stage in the corner of the room, playing their hearts out on their instruments. Applejack was quiet for most of the meal, casting Thunderlane quick glances over her food. She wasn’t sure if she was doing something wrong or if he could tell how uncomfortable she was, but either way he was looking somewhat unnerved after a while.
“Applejack I’m sorry if this was too soon.” Thunderlane shook his head and placed his own glass of cider on the table. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
“Wh-what?” Applejack’s ears shot upright. “N-no, no, it ain’t you… it’s this place. I don’t usually eat in a place this fancy, let alone on a date…”
“You don’t like it?”
“The food is great… it’s just the atmosphere is a little… overbearin’. I feel out of place with all these fancy-lookin’ fillies about.”
Thunderlane rubbed the back of his neck with a soft blush. “I’m sorry, I guess I should have known… you’re too down-to-earth for a place like this. I just wanted our one-month anniversary to be special somehow.”
“Oh Thunderlane…” a toothy grin lit up Applejack’s lips through her blush. “I think this just might be one of the most special days of my life.”
“Hehe…” Thunderlane grinned back. “I’ll make sure we do something more fun for our next anniversary.”
Applejack leaned her chin against her hooves, with her elbows resting on the table. “Oh yeah? Which anniversary is that gonna be?”
“I guess we’ll have to wait and find out.” Thunderlane lifted his drink again to take a slow sip.
The rest of the dinner was more relaxed as they spoke about their plans for the next few years of their lives. Thunderlane, as it turned out, was more interested in being a weather pony than an athlete. He was after Rainbow Dash’s job, but he didn’t seem resentful. If anything he was looking to her example to learn how to get the job done someday. After all, it was only a matter of time before Rainbow Dash became a Wonderbolt, and then he would go in, get an honest, well-paying job, and settle down…
Possibly with a special somepony, Applejack thought with a lazy smile.
As they left the restaurant, full and satisfied, Applejack couldn’t keep the smile from her lips. The sun was just moving down toward the horizon, allowing the moon to bring the night up from the other side as the two ponies headed down the sidewalk shoulder-to-shoulder. She was vividly aware of his wing pressing against her side, but she didn’t complain. In fact it felt pretty nice.
“I suppose this is where we part company, then.” Thunderlane told her with a bright smile. “I know you prefer to walk yourself home.”
Applejack chuckled. “Actually, I think tonight I might like bein’ walked home. If it ain’t too far out of your way.”
“Not at all.” Thunderlane spread his wings behind him with a wink. “No place is too far when you can fly.” His wings came down again, one gently laying across Applejack’s back almost as if by accident. Applejack rolled her eyes at the smooth move, but didn’t tell him to remove the wing. The feathers felt nice on her fur.
They walked in companionable silence the entire way up toward Sweet Apple Acres. He could have made the trip in a fraction of the time with his wings, and even she could have cut the time down to a quarter simply by running. But she appreciated the slow; even pace of the walk, through a town and orchard that were growing more and more beautiful the lower the sun went, allowing the moon to cast its pale silver light across the land.
Eventually the walk had to come to an end as they approached the door to Applejack’s house. Before moving all the way up to the door Applejack came to a stop, giving Thunderlane a aideways smile. “This may sound cheesy, and maybe other fillies would think somethin’ different, but… I think I’ll always remember tonight.” Her hoof lifted to touch the glass apple dangling from her neck. “Thank you so much, Thunderlane.”
Thunderlane returned her smile. “It was as much my pleasure as spending the last month with you… if that’s not too cheesy.”
Applejack giggled and leaned a little closer to him, nestling herself under the crook of his wing with her side pressed against his. “Maybe just a little…”
His wing tightened around her torso, letting her side lean up against his, with her cheek resting against his. Applejack turned her head slowly towards his, pressing her lips softly against his cheek. She felt his body stir against hers, as his head turned to meet hers, their lips touching as the wing around her torso tightened even further, rubbing up and down her flank slowly.
Applejack had kissed boys before, but those were the curious actions of a nervous schoolfilly with boys who were just as driven by curiosity. There was nothing curious or nervous about this kiss, it was strong and sure on both sides… and it was easily the nicest kiss she’d ever had in her life.
They nestled so close she could feel his ears pushing at the bottom of her hat, shifting it back on her head. The kiss lingered on for longer than she could tell, until eventually the two of them pulled back just a few inches. Through her flank she could feel her quick, deep breaths matched by his own as he leaned in and pressed his forehead against hers, staring into her eyes and knocking her hat clean off of her head.
“Oh, um… sorry.”
“Don’t worry ‘bout it… it’s a sturdy hat.” Applejack smiled.
Their next kiss was even longer and deeper. Applejack shifted slightly to she could pry her hoof up from between them, letting it slide around Thunderlane’s neck in a soft half-embrace. Thunderlane pried their flanks apart so he could face her better, allowing them to deepen their kiss. Applejack’s lips opened reflexively against his…
“Ahem!” A curt, gruff cough nearly scared Applejack out of her hooves. She and her coltfriend both whirled to see Big Macintosh standing behind them with a stunned look on his face.
“B-Big Macintosh!” Applejack turned toward him, snatching her hat off the ground and swinging it up onto her head. There was no fighting the blush on her cheeks. “What’re you doin’ out so late?”
Big Macintosh didn’t move or smile. “Chores. You?”
“I was just gettin’ home from the date I told you ‘bout earlier.” Applejack gestured to the colt beside her. “Big Macintosh, this is my coltfriend, Thunderlane. Thunderlane, this is my big brother, Big Macintosh.”
Thunderlane approached the larger stallion and lifted his hoof in front of him. “It’s cool to meet you. You have a really nice sister.”
Big Macintosh didn’t smile or touch the hoof. “Eeyup.”
“Um…” Thunderlane pulled back with a cough. “I think I need to get back and pick up Rumble from his babysitter’s…”
Applejack coughed. “Alright, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“See you then, AJ.” Thunderlane looked like he was about to kiss her again, but his eyes flicked back toward big Macintosh for a moment before he flashed her an apologetic grin and took off into the sky, streaking past the moon on his way back toward Ponyville.
Applejack huffed and turned toward Big Macintosh with a frown. “For pity’s sakes, Big Macintosh, what was that all about?” She held up her hoof when he opened his mouth. “I know I’m your younger sister, but I am a grown mare now. There’s no reason for you to go tryin’ to scare off my date, it’s childish and annoying and I don’t appreciate it.”
Big Macintosh took a deep breath. “I don’t think you should see him, AJ.”
Applejack blinked. “Excuse me? And why would you think that?”
“Because it just ain’t… traditional.”
Applejack raised her eyebrow. “Ain’t traditional? He’s a great guy, and he’s really into me. What ain’t traditional about that?”
Big Macintosh cleared his throat. “The Apple family has always been… an earth pony family.”
As if a dagger just slammed into her chest, Applejack’s eyes shot wide open. “Big Macintosh, I know you are not sayin’ you have a problem with ‘im just because he’s a pegasus!”
“I don’t have a problem with him.” Macintosh shook his head. “It’s just that the Apple family is-“
“An earth pony family, yeah I heard you the first time.” Applejack marched up to him. “I just can’t believe what I’m hearin’! My own flesh and blood is a dirty stinkin’ racist!”
She whirled away from Big Mac just as his mouth opened. “I don’t wanna hear it! I am goin’ to bed before I say somethin’ I’m gonna regret in the mornin’! Goodnight!” Applejack marched inside in a huff, throwing the front door open and stomping on the stairs on her way up to her room.
She just couldn’t believe it. All these years and Macintosh had never acted like he had a problem with non-earth ponies, but here he was trying to tell her she couldn’t date one. Well she sure as heck wasn’t going to let him stop her…
___
A good night’s sleep did wonders for Applejack’s state of mind, but she still wasn’t particularly happy as she set about getting ready for the day. Her apple necklace hung on the bedpost at the head of her bed, glittering in the morning sunlight while she tried to fondly remember what a good time she’d had, but really she kept coming back to Big Macintosh again and again. It was still hard to believe her own flesh and blood could even utter something like that. There was no difference between an earth pony and a pegasus, so why…?
With a grunt and a shake of her head, she brushed the thoughts aside. Plucking her hat from its hook she made her way downstairs toward the kitchen, where Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom were just sitting down to breakfast, plates piled high with pancakes. There was a third plate already fixed between them.
Applejack cast Big Macintosh a questioning glance, and he nodded. “Thanks…” Applejack moved to the table and sat down in front of her plate, beginning to eat as a thick silence settled over the table. Apple Bloom was looking back and forth between them curiously, while Applejack pointedly refused to look at her brother again.
“Applejack?” Apple Bloom tapped her leg softly. “Is everything alright…?”
“Jus’ fine, sugarcube.” Applejack forced a smile for her baby sister. “Jus’ a little disagreement is all it is. Nothin’ to get all worked up about.”
Macintosh glanced sharply up from his pancakes. Applejack replied, “don’t gimme that look, Big Mac. Let’s just eat breakfast and try to forget it.”
“Um… forget what?” Apple Bloom asked. “Are y’all fightin’?”
“No!” Applejack gave Big Mac another glare. “And we ain’t gonna get into it at the breakfast table.”
Big Macintosh huffed slightly. “Eeeyup.”
“Quit glarin’ at me,” Applejack demanded. “I don’t think I like that attitude. Jus’ let it go.”
“Nope.”
Applejack stood up from the table quickly. “Consarnit, I knew you’d bring it up again. I just don’t get it, what have you got against pegasii?”
Big Macintosh opened his mouth, but Applejack interrupted. “Y’know what? I don’t even care. There’s no justification for this! Thunderlane is an amazing stallion and you have no excuse to try to shoo him off the way you did! I don’t care what some cockamamie tradition says!”
Big Macintosh stood up quickly as well. “Traditions’re important.”
“Not that tradition! Why would we even have a racist tradition like that anyway!?”
“It ain’t racist, it-”
Applejack interrupted. “Ain’t racist? You want me to leave him jus’ because he has wings! That’s the definition of racist!” Applejack whirled away from the table, kicking her chair back into place. “Thanks for the pancakes Big Mac, but I don’t think I can eat ‘em! I’ve gotta get outta here before I say somethin’ I’ll really regret! Maybe I’ll swing by Thunderlane’s on my way and get him to put some nice pegasus babies in my belly, too!”
Big Macintosh narrowed his eyes. “Applebloom is here!”
“Good! Then she can learn early that her big brother hates pegasii for no good reason! Goodbye!” Applejack marched outside and kicked the door shut, refusing to look back as she galloped at full speed toward Ponyville. Her blood was officially boiling now, and she really needed to calm down. There was at least one pony in town who never failed to talk her down from high emotions.
Her pace was fast and furious, hooves pounding at the ground like it had done her some personal wrong as she weaved and ducked through the town of Ponyville. Her neighbors and friends ducked quickly out of her way as she passed, though Applejack was careful not to risk running into anypony. She had no reason to hurry, but the pounding pace felt good, letting out her aggression with the exertion of every step.
Only a few minutes later her hoof knocked on the door to Golden Oaks library, and she took a step back to wait. The long run here had drained much of the energy and anger from her body, along with long strings of sweat that ran down her forehead and chest, but her mind was still fuming and whirling.
Twilight Sparkle soon pulled the door open with a bright smile, and took a step back when she saw Applejack. “My goodness, are you okay? You look like you just ran a marathon.” She took a step to one side to let Applejack in.
“I ran alright… helps me clear my head a bit.” Applejack walked inside, panting heavily to draw some air into her heaving chest. “I cannot believe what I heard last night.”
“What did you hear?” Twilight closed the door behind her to give Applejack her full attention.
“Big Macintosh… nngh, he’s a stinkin’ racist.”
Twilight blinked. “What? Racist? Applejack, that’s ridiculous. I’ve been to Sweet Apple Acres hundreds of times, and I’ve never felt any hostility from him.”
“Well you weren’t datin’ his sister.” Applejack growled and marched across the library, beginning to pace back and forth. “He has a problem with that, says the Apple family is a family of earth ponies, and Celestia help anypony who tries to change that!”
“Did he really say all that?”
“If you know him like I do he did!” Applejack plopped down on the floor. “The worst part is that last night was so amazing! I really think Thunderlane is a pony I could spend a long time with, maybe the rest of my life if things work out right… and then Big Mac swoops in and rains all over it!”
Twilight put a gentle, comforting hoof on her shoulder. “Some ponies have their own ways and views, Applejack… some of them may seem terrible to us… but getting mad won’t help anything.”
“Yeah…? What will?” Applejack glanced at her out of the corner of her eye.
“Talking to him. Calmly.”
“What? That’s it?” Applejack scoffed. “I think it’ll take more than a few soft words to change his mind!”
Twilight shook her head. “Not to change his mind… to understand.”
“Understand? What’s to understand about it? Ain’t no justification for that.”
“Maybe so, but simply yelling at somepony is never going to solve anything. It never worked on you before, did it?” Twilight budged her shoulder teasingly with one hoof.
“Heh…” Applejack blushed. “Well not everypony is as stubborn as I am…”
“You can’t stay here in town forever, you need to work this out with Big Macintosh, one way or another.”
Applejack took a deep breath and nodded in agreement. “You’re right, Twilight… whatever disagreement we may have, the farm comes first.”
Twilight smiled and patted her shoulder. “Good luck, Applejack… I know you can do this.”
“I will do it… er… later… I feel like if I go back now I’m just gonna start yellin’ again.”
“Take all the time you need then. If you need something to do in the meantime, I have all sorts of books around that can keep you occupied and help relax you.” Twilight smiled.
“Heh, thanks a bunch Twilight, but as much as I love a bang-up tale, I think I would relax better if I got somethin’ out of the way first. See you later.” Applejack tipped her hat to her friend, then made for the door, making her way out into the streets of Ponyville.
Her pace was more relaxed this time as she made her way through the streets of Ponyville, toward one of the nondescript houses in the center of town. Weather Patrol ponies didn’t make a lot of bits except for the captain, and there was no reason for them to live in the sky since they could easily go anywhere they needed to. It suited Applejack fine to be able to find him whenever she wanted to anyway.
Her hoof rapped on the door, and mere moments later the door swung inward.
“Applejack?” Thunderlane gave her a wide smile. “Hey, it’s good to see you. I’m uh… sorry about last night. I don’t think I made a good impression on your brother.”
Applejack scoffed. “Pfft, don’t you dare apologize. It wasn’t your fault. Can I come in?”
“Of course, of course!” Thunderlane nodded furiously and stepped aside to let her in. “So if I didn’t do anything, what’s wrong?”
“My brother is just bein’ frustrating, is all. Nothin’ to concern yourself with.” Applejack turned back to him with a bright smile. “It certainly don’t change anything between you and me.”
“Heh, that is music to my ears.” Thunderlane smiled back and moved closer to her. “Do you want something to drink while you’re here?”
“Water sounds pretty good. Had a bit of a run on my way into town.”
“Sure thing, make yourself comfortable and I’ll grab it for you.”
“Thank you kindly.” Applejack made her way into the cozy living room to plop herself down on the comfy round rug she found within.
When he returned they talked about everything. Even things she had been afraid to bring up before last night felt safe to say. Things they wished they could do, things they may someday do. It was almost as if a barrier had been busted down in that one night, and there was nothing wrong with that. In fact, it made her heart soar. The closeness she felt was wonderful to bask in, and she found herself scooting closer to him on the rug, until their sides were once again pressed together as they lay comfortably together on the floor.
“Mmm…” Applejack smiled as she leaned up against Thunderlane’s side, feeling his body pressing back against hers. “This is real nice…”
“You’re telling me.” Thunderlane lifted his hoof to drape is across her shoulders, stroking her far leg with a soft touch. “I don’t think I’ve ever spent this long just… talking to somepony. Chilling, not doing anything.”
“Yeah, me neither.” Applejack looked down slightly. “I really should get back to the farm soon… I am seriously ditching my chores right now.”
Thunderlane lifted his head with a look of concern. “What? Really? You’re so responsible…”
“Yeah… I just needed to come into town and cool my head.” Applejack sighed softly. “Big Macintosh… his problem with you is that you’re… that you’re a pegasus.”
“Wh-what?”
“I came into town hopin’ to calm my head… Twilight told me what I need to do, I jus’ don’t know if I have it in me.” She shook her head with a grunt. “Sayin’ something like that is just positively terrible… what if he won’t listen to me? What if he tries to tell me he’ll make me stop seein’ you? It could tear the family apart…”
Thunderlane hugged her softly against his side. “Do you really think he’d do that?”
“I… no, I don’t think so, but I didn’t think he’d be that way either…”
“Applejack, I know how much your family means to you. They mean just as much to you as Rumble means to me.” He set his lips in a firm line and gave her a nod. “It doesn’t matter what he says… you need to talk to him. And I promise…” He leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips, his hoof stroking the back of her neck. “Nothing that happens will change anything between us. I don’t care how he feels about me…”
Applejack smiled slightly up at him. “You may not… but I sure do… you’re a terrific guy, Thunderlane, you deserve to be a part of the Apple family someday… if, you know…”
Thunderlane chuckled. “Hey, I hear you, no rushing.”
“Heh, yeah, no reason to rush.” Applejack sat up again and climbed to her feet. “But at the same time, no reason to put this off either. You’re right, I need to talk to Big Macintosh today… and I feel a lot more relaxed now thanks to you.”
Thunderlane bowed deeply with a dashing smile. “I’ll always do my best to relax you.”
Applejack blushed and rolled her eyes. “Oh hush.” A chuckle escaped her lips a moment later. “I’ll let you know tomorrow how it went.”
“Good luck, Applejack. I’ll still be right here when you’re finished.” Thunderlane approached his door with her to open it for her.
“Yeah… I know you will.” Applejack smiled and waved before heading out again, taking off at a brisk trot towards Sweet apple Acres. The better part of the afternoon had been spent with Twilight and Thunderlane, and no doubt Big Macintosh was getting upset that her day’s chores weren’t getting done. Maybe she’d be in for a few gruff words from her big brother, she deserved those… but she would make sure he also heard what she had to say.
She found her big brother walking through the orchard, peering up into the leave. Taking stock of their coming work, no doubt. It was something he always took care of in those times when he wasn’t working doing the heaviest lifting.
Applejack hesitated only a moment, then made her way around a tree towards him. “Hey, big brother.” Big Macintosh turned toward her in surprise, then set his lips in a thin line. “I know, I’ve been playin’ hooky… I just needed some time to think and cool my head.” His expression softened slightly. “I just don’t get it, is all.” Applejack walked up to him slowly. “Since I was born Ponyville was the kind of town that didn’t care if you were an earth pony, a pegasus, or a unicorn. Ponies are all equal here… why do you have a problem with me seein’ a pegasus?”
Big Macintosh looked away unsurely until Applejack spoke again. “Please, big brother. I genuinely want to know. You have my word I won’t start yellin’, no matter what you say.”
Big Macintosh looked at her again, speaking in a slow voice. “Because maybe we ain’t equal no more.”
“What do you mean?”
“Things have changed.” Big Macintosh turned to walk through the apple trees, letting his sister keep pace with his tall, powerful stride. “Used to be everypony did their part, everypony was needed. Now they have machines that can harvest the apples, magic that can tend the soil and keep it fertile, magic and machines that can build their homes. They’ve found ways to… not need earth ponies anymore.” Big Macintosh stopped to look over at her again. “In a lot of towns now are farmponies who are pegasus and unicorn, growin’ crops just as well as we can…”
Big Macintosh shook his head. “Bein’ an earth pony means less and less these days… and if we start matin’ with unicorns and pegasii here, even the apple family will stop bein’ an earth pony family. Earth ponies might as well just stop existing. Just look at the Cakes…”
“Big Macintosh…” Applejack gave him a comforting smile. “I can’t say that I know what’ll happen in the future… that there won’t come a day when bein’ an earth pony don’t mean nothin’… but that day ain’t today. And maybe it ain’t somethin’ to be scared of. Yeah, I’m proud of bein’ an earth pony… I wouldn’t rather be anything else. It’s a part of who I am. But more important than bein’ an earth pony is bein’ a part of the Apple family. That’s something that not that many ponies can say, and no matter what kind of pony I was, that would be what I’m most proud of.”
Big Macontish grunted. “I just can’t accept that it wouldn’t be terrible if earth ponies stopped bein’ important. We’ve been around as long as the others, I think it’s worth preservin’…”
Applejack peered up into his eyes curiously, then moved closer with a soft smile. “I understand, Big Macintosh. Even if I don’t agree… I understand. But please try to understand me… I really like Thunderlane… he makes me happy like no stallion I’ve ever met before, pegasus, unicorn, or earth pony.”
Big Macintosh took a deep, shuddering breath. “I want you to be happy, Applejack… and even if I don’t like it… I don’t want to fight with you, and make you sad.”
Applejack threw her arms around his neck in a tight hug, smiling at the immediate feeling of his giant hoof circling her. “I don’t wanna fight with you either, big brother. I won’t say anything about what you told me anymore, if you don’t say anything about Thunderlane… or to Thunderlane. Deal?”
“Eeyup.”
“Glad to hear it. Come on, I’ll make dinner tonight.” Applejack grinned and turned to head inside, wrapping a hoof around her brother’s to guide him toward the building. He wouldn’t admit it, but she could see him tearing up from the friendly moment.
She hadn’t been able to change her brother’s mind about her being with Thunderlane… and that didn’t really sit well with her, but at least now they understood each other, and with that understanding came peace. Maybe someday she could make him see that he was worrying about nothing, maybe someday he might even meet a nice Pegasus or unicorn filly he could really get to like. For now, though, peace would have to be enough.
The End
Author's Note
A "kneejerk reaction" is basically the first thing you think and feel when you hear/see something. Like an emotional reflex, almost. And it's something that most people have. I'm no exception really, but the truth is that those sorts of things pretty much never end well. With the biggest reason being that it's based on almost no actual information.
You see a woman on TV with a large chest and think "what a vain, shallow woman who spent money to augment herself." This is based on absolutely no information except that this is a possible explanation for why she has a large chest. You don't know if it's true, you can't know if it's true, but the assumption will remain simply because it was the first thing you thought. Hell, this is precisely the kind of reaction that leads a lot of people to protest and hate bronies in the first place. Assumptions based on little or no actual information, a "kneejerk reaction" that they latch onto as absolute truth.
And perhaps most painful of all about this is when the "kneejerk reaction" leads to conflict with other people. When the reaction is so strong that you just can't do anything else but yell at them because you're pretty sure they did or said something wrong, even though you don't actually know anything about their thought processes or reasoning for doing what they're doing.
If you want a real-life (or at least internet-life) example of this the MLP:FiM fandom recently suffered through precisely this sort of conflict with the "Down With Molestia" movement. A fight based on an assumption of another person's guilt, a view that they're wrong, and... worst of all... a passion driving many people to yell, scream, and rant at others because they truly believe, deep in their hearts, that those others are wrong.
However, yelling never makes anything better. Yelling only ever makes it worse. Even if you're right, and even if that other person is genuinely wrong, yelling at them will never make it better. Sitting down, having calm discussions, listening to their reasoning and genuinely considering what they have to say, that is how conflicts are resolved, that is how things can become better. And even if it doesn't have the outcome you want, even if you can't convince that other person that they're wrong, at least you won't spread poison to them and everyone around you. You won't spread a venomous hatred that only makes worse a world where "hate" is quickly becoming the default emotion to feel towards people who don't agree with your beliefs.
I'm sure people will brush this aside and tell me I'm wrong. That's fine. If you want to have a calm rational discussion about it, I'm always up for that sort of thing.
