Big Macintosh's Big Fat Wedding

Big Macintosh's Big Fat Wedding

by neorenamon

Twilight got the subtle dirty look that she was expecting from Goldrennette.  He also looked cross at Pink Lady, as if he was sure she wasn't doing enough.  But no words were exchanged, and only Pink Lady seemed to wither under his gaze.  When he ate, every move was well practiced.  Almost like a machine, thought Twilight.  Ananarennette was pretty much the same in her movements at the dinner table.  His face, however, was a mask that showed no feelings.  It was rather hard to gauge his reactions and feelings.

"Apple dinners are the best," she said as she smiled at Granny, "Certainly above most of the rest."

"Why thank you, Princess," she replied with a smile.

"I suppose there are times when simple country fare suffices," said Goldrennette off hand.

"What do you mean by that?" asked Big Macintosh.

"While I'm sure this meal is exceptional by your standards," he said matter of a fact like, "It surely pales compared to what the Royal Chefs prepare back in Canterlot.  No offense intended, my good knight."

"Oh, I reckon none is taken," he answered.

"Sorry us common folk can't live up to yer Canterlot standards," grumbled Granny.

"Well I suppose the effort should count for something, dearest mare," he said back with just a hint of superiority.

"I'm sure you'll be glad to be back in Canterlot by dinner tomorrow," replied Big Macintosh.

"Indeed," he replied, "My poor wife has already missed two of her daily spa treatments already."

Ananarennette just smiled awkwardly.

"You should partake of the Ponyville Spa services," he added as he glanced at Big Mac.

"How do ya know ah don't already?" he asked as he raised an eyebrow.

"Would you field this one, lovely?" he asked as he looked at his wife.

"Oh... uh..." she began, "Well, it's not really my place to criticize..."

"Oh, I'm sure he can take a little constructive criticism," he smirked.

"But your hands..." she said as her voice trailed off.

"What about'em?" he asked as he looked at them.

"Yer hands have handled a yoke," said Twilight, "unlike most Canterlot folk."

"Indeed," agreed the fancy stallion, "Manual labor of any sort is... beneath the station of a knight such as yourself."

"News ta me," he replied.

"And that's why most knights begin as squires," he answered, "so that they can learn the proper codes and conduct from somepony who already learned them from the knight before him."

"Were you a squire?"

"Indeed," he said, "until father decided I was better suited for drawing and study, so he took me from my knight and sent me to Canterlot College for formal education.  I learned heraldry and fine arts there, so I was almost automatically accepted into the Heraldry Society.  Personally, I have no regrets about father's decision."

"Well I did get me some educatin too," said Big Mac.

"I'm sure you did," he replied.

Twilight was painfully aware of his sarcasm, but no one else seemed to react if they had noticed as well.  "I'm sure than when Celestia took me as her student," she said, "you surely can tell what that meant."

"Yes," he replied, "I'm sure there was a reason you were taken from Magic Kindergarten and straight into the private tutoring of Princess Celestia."

"Well sure," said Apple Bloom, "it's cuz Twilight is like the best magic student she ever had."

He glared at the young mare as if she had spoken out of turn, and she looked down at her plate rather than continue to face his withering glare.

"Now now, dear," said Ananarennette, "I'm sure the child was just defending her peer's good name."

He then gave the look to her as he answered, "In Canterlot, well mannered colts and fillies do not speak out of turn at the dinner table, my dear.  I learned that before I even knew how to speak.  I'm sure her... manners... are something to be expected out here... in the country."

"Well Apple Bloom has learned not ta speak ill of her elders," replied Big Mac, "Something that doesn't seem ta have carried over to ya Canterlot ponies."

"We always respect those who are equal to or better than us," he sniffed.

"Well we prefer ta respect everypony we all meet," he answered, "At least until they've proven that they all don't deserve tha respect that they got."

He looked at the clock and said, "Since we plan to leave early, my dear, we should retire for the evening now."  The clock was only reading 6 PM.  "Now come, Pink Lady, and attend us.  I'm sure these fine mares will be able to clean up without needing your services."  Standing from his seat, he pulled back his wife's chair, and then helped her up by the hand as the two of them walked out of the room with Pink Lady in tow.  "I wish you good night and good rest with your... marewives."

"Why that snooty little..." muttered Granny.

"Please say nothing you might regret," she said softly, "as they have not left us yet."

"Lansakes..."

"Perhaps I don not understand just how things are in this land," said Jifar as she glanced from Twilight to Big Macintosh, "but it seems plain to hear that disrespect was intended, my dear."

"Oh, ah'm sure he wouldn't be so rude to a knight and his dame," he said as he rested his hand on Jifar's.

Twilight looked at Apple Bloom, and saw that she was upset about something.

"Can I be excused?" she asked, "I'm feeling a bit tired mahself."

"Of course you can go, dearie," said Granny as she smiled.

Big Macintosh nodded in agreement.  Twilight couldn't help but notice her tremble as she left, as if she were fighting hard not to burst into tears on the spot.

"I wish you a good night, and hope that you feel alright."

Apple Bloom didn't answer if she heard her.

"Ah reckon we all got our chores ta do tomorrow," said Big Mac, "so we all should go ta bed as well as soon as we take care of dishes an baths an stuff."

"Please go with our wishes," said Twilight as she looked at Granny, "Let Jifar and I do the dishes."

"If you're sure you don't need my help or nothin," she replied.

"While we appreciate all you help indeed," said Jifar, "tonight we can handle every need."

"All righty then," she said as she stood slowly, "Good night, younguns."

"Good night, Granny," said Big Mac.

Applejack followed him from the room without a word being said by her.

So Twilight and Jifar took care of all of the dishes while he went up and bathed before bed.  After all, he didn't mind be all nice and clean for when he was ready to do 'dirty things' with the two mares he loved most.  Then they followed him upstairs after they were done with them all.

Twilight paused at Apple Bloom's door.

"Perhaps you should go ahead," she said to Jifar, "and see if our love awaits in bed?"

Jifar nodded as she went on the the bedroom before she quietly knocked at her door.

"It's open," sniffed Apple Bloom.

She stepped in the room to find Applejack and Apple Bloom sitting side by side, the older sister embracing the younger.  Twilight could tell that Apple Bloom had been crying.

"Howdy Twilight," she replied as she held Apple Bloom tight to her bosom.

"You have been crying on your bed," noted Twilight, "Was it something Goldrennette said?"

She wiped her eyes before she said, "Why does he have to look down on ponyfolk like that?"

"Ah reckon we ain't no Canterlot ponies ta the likes of him," replied Applejack.

She walked over, sat by Apple Bloom opposite Applejack, and hugged her as well.

"While they are called 'noble' by their name," she said softly, "Courtesy is not reflected quite the same."

"But yer a Princess schooled in Canterlot, an you never looked down on us like he does," sniffed Apple Bloom.

"As I count you among my friends," she replied, "and thus my respect never ends."

"Big sister'll get ya a nice glass of warm milk fer her little sister," said Applejack with a smile, "and then I'm sure some of us will get some sleep tonight."  The last part was said as she looked at Twilight.

Twilight nodded as Applejack got up and left.

"So ya really don't think you all that better than common ponies?"

"Such snobbishness I cannot conceive," she replied, "that it what I truly believe.  And should you wish to let yourself cry, then stop you I shall not try."

She buried her face into Twilight's mane as she began weeping again.

"I tell you know so that you know," she said softly, "there's no limit how high a pony can go."

Apple Bloom cried until Applejack returned.