Author's Note

This chapter pairs with the first one as an alternative viewpoint and constructs how Mac feels about the whole thing...kinda.
This story will be pieced together gradually, so don't worry.

The Sun Builds to the Apex

A drive for satisfaction gives courage.

"Apples, fresh from Sweet Apple Acres, get 'em over 'ere! Apple pies, cakes n' breads, get 'em while they're hot!"
The loud, red stallion called over the crowds of the Gala, so many other ponies, so many hungry mouths to be fed...such a small amount of produce left. Big Macintosh sighed quietly, thinking back on the most recent bucking season, remembering how difficult it had been. Having only recently recovered from a foreleg injury, and with Applejack visiting Braeburn for some reason or another in Appleoosa, Mac was forced to take it easy. As a result, there was a barely sufficient number of apples being supplies in the old Apple family cart at the Gala. This was, in some ways, a good thing, as Big Macintosh found it hard to stand even small groups of other ponies at the best of times. Every time the Galloping Gala came around, Mac was normally left to his own devices at home, making use of the time as a day off, a chance to have a break while Applejack minded the stall. However, for the first time in many years, Big Mac had to do everything himself.

Finally, as he felt that the day was beginning to come to a close, there was a loud crash coming from the catwalk. Apparently, a modelling pony - a stallion, no less - had just walked off the edge of the platform and landed amongst the crowd. The stallion, a handsome-looking pony of yellow and red, had managed to untangle his legs and stand up. As he began to rise, the unknown stallion met Big Mac's eyes and immediately blushed, looking away. Big Mac, confused by this seemingly random act of emotion, turned away, a tiny yet invisible blush rising to his own cheeks. "Was he...was he lookin' at me?" Mac asked himself, getting busy tidying away the remains of the day's sales.

Big Macintosh knew he had to find out more about this unnamed, blushing stallion. Confused, he had no idea where to start. He did, however, know that this stallion would perhaps be interesting to start a conversation with, and was maybe even somewhat popular judging by the crowd that had gathered to watch him model. Shrugging the idea off, Big Mac resigned himself to the fate of cleaning up the mess and packing up his stall.
By the time he reached Sweet Apple Acres, the day's events were far from his mind as he contemplated rest and eagerly awaited Applejack's return so she could help him on the farm.