The air was crisp with the fresh scent of ripe apples, underlined by the heady aroma of the earth from which they grew from. The warm, rich, hearty rays of the sun permeated everything in sight. Everything just seemed more vibrant, more real for the Polo shirt-wearing unicorn that was trotting dreamily through those vast, verdant fields. And why shouldn’t it be? Trenderhoof was in love.

Coming to Ponyville for the town’s upcoming heritage celebration, he never would have expected to find love here of all places. But there he found it, bucking trees and working up a mighty sweat under the noon sun. Coat of softest orange, those firm flank muscles, the way apple juice cascaded with every bite she took of her harvest. That Goddess of the Land was called Applejack, and he had instantly been smitten the moment he laid eyes on her.

Being the trendsetter that he was, Trenderhoof could spot “amazing” from a mile away. Yet his encounter there on Sweet Apple Acres came as an utter surprise to him. He needed to know more, had to understand just who this wondrous Applejack was. The celebration coordinator had been no help, and thus he set out to seek the answers straight from the object of his swooning affection. Only problem was, he had completely lost sight of her.

Hence what brought the lanky unicorn trotting around aimlessly through endless rows upon rows of apple trees. For the past several minutes he had been keeping his ears trained for the sounds of hoof-on-wood, but to no avail. Remarkable how such an industrious worker had become so silent, he thought. Also a bit odd that other unicorn, Rarity, hadn’t stuck with him as well, but that was of little concern. This was a quest he believed best undertaken alone… though it was starting to get a bit bothersome.

However, after much fruitless searching he eventually spotted movement. With a smile and newfound direction, he quickened his pace to find his blonde-maned stetson-wearing Venus. Just over the crest of a hill, though, he found something entirely different: a very large and muscular build, large green eyes, a short crop of orange-colored mane, and intensely red everywhere else. Trenderhoof stopped himself and stared down at the thick-muscled stallion, who raised up a back leg to buck a lone apple tree. A rain of apples fell from the impact, filling up the wooden baskets waiting by the base of the tree. Another farmhoof, Trenderhoof thought, and a mighty strong one as well. There were several carts loaded down with apples, and yet there wasn’t a bead of sweat on him.

He would probably know where Applejack, he thought in reminding himself of his soul-searching task, and immediately trotting down to meet the larger stallion. In seconds he had approached the tree, as well as catching the attention of the red worker.

“Hello there, good sir,” Trenderhoof began. “Wonderful weather here on this farm, eh?”

“...Eeyup,” the stallion replied, not quite sure what to make of the unicorn with the well-coiffed mane talking to him.

“I see you’re putting in a good hard day’s work. Always so refreshing to get out in the outdoors to earn one’s keep, wouldn’t you agree?”

“...Sure?” Trenderhool instantly recognized the confusion and discomfort forming on the worker’s face. Better reassess.

“Oh, so sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Trenderhoof. You’ve probably heard of me and my many exploits?”

“Uhh, nope.”

“Oh. Well it doesn’t matter,” Trenderhoof quickly refocused. “Have you seen Miss Applejack around? I was wanting to ask her some questions.” Oh all kinds of questions, he mentally added.

“I think she just went to town with some of the crop,” was the simple reply, which elicited a gasp from the bespectacled unicorn.

“The town! I’ll have to hurry back if I’m going to catch her!” He spun around and galloped a few steps, but stopped and just as quickly turned back around. “Thank you for the information, my apple-bucking friend. Don’t overstrain yourself, and try not to get heatstroke.”

“Um, thank you kindly?”

“Oh my absolute pleasure, good sir.” Trenderhoof gave a smile and nod, then spun around and resumed his run to the town. Getting back to the top of the hill, Trenderhoof felt something pass over him, almost like a breeze. He slowed down to a canter, and then a complete stop before looking back around. The red stallion was looking up in his direction, but started and looked away the moment he saw his returning gaze, and resumed work as usual.

At first Trenderhoof thought it a little odd, but then something occurred to him that made him grin. Been awhile since he had this sort of encounter, he reflected. The day just kept on getting more and more interesting. But putting aside these thoughts, he resumed his dash back to town, and hopefully a clandestine one-on-one with the pony of his dreams.

The next day was even more heavenly for Trenderhoof. Following his success in meeting up with the elusive farm mare, he was even more fortuitous in being able to follow her around during her daily work routine on the farm. A most enriching experience to be sure: to watch that well-toned mare bucking trees, and plowing the fields like it were nothing. For some reason Rarity came along to do some “field work” too in a sparkling farm filly’s outfit. Right peculiar she’s been he vaguely noted, since his thoughts were better devoted to understanding what makes a farmer as amazing as Applejack.

His blonde-maned muse had been rather curt, uncooperative in a way. No doubt intimidated, Trenderhoof assured himself; most ponies can be that way around strangers, especially celebrity ones. As the day wore on and a thirst began to build in the inquisitive globe-trotter, an opportunity presented itself: what better way to ease tension then over a refreshing glass of lemonade! He praised himself and immediately offered to go get some for the undoubtedly thirsty mare, not taking into account that she was nowhere in sight when he made this declaration.

Luckily he didn’t find himself wandering aimlessly like yesterday: it’s very hard to overlook a house as massive but fashionably quaint as that of the Apple family’s. A marvelous clash of white gutters and shingles with the red of the rest of the house, it was the very model of picturesque. The ideal dwelling for the ideal farmer. Trenderhoof would have to write that down when he got the chance.

The house seemed quiet, so he allowed himself in without delay. Hardwood flooring, ragged but comfy-looking couch, walls draped in family pictures, a rocking chair. Such authenticity in humble living to take in, but Trenderhoof couldn’t allow himself further distraction. With a fast glance, he spotted what had to be the kitchen area and proceeded thus. Through the archway he found a table with checkered table cloth and chairs, plate cabinet, and assorted dining accoutrements. He also found an awfully familiar, surprised-looking red stallion. A little off in his sense of direction, but still pretty close.

Looking to cut the awkwardness of barging into somepony else’s house, Trenderhoof coughed into his hoof and gave the worker stallion his full attention. “Ah, hello there. Fancy running into you again.”

“Um, yeah. Can I help you?” the massive stallion asked in that strong but gentle accent of his.

“Oh, uh, yes! I had come in to find some lemonade to bring out to Applejack. Saw nopony home so I thought: help myself. Hehe, uh, but it appears I was wrong about that last part, huh?”

“Eeyup.” A neutral nod.

“Say, would you happen to know where the lemonade is, if there’s any at all? Just so I can be back on my way, you know.”

“There’s some. In the kitchen.” The red stallion nodded toward another archway. “I was lookin’ to help myself to some. I’ll bring it out for ya.”

“Ah, that would be swell. Thank you.”

The earth pony merely shrugged and trotted into the next room. The trendy unicorn found left to his own devices once more, but after the sound of an opening and closing refrigerator door, the red stallion had returned with a tray ladened with several cups and a tall glass pitcher of delicious lemonade, with ice cubes even.

“That simply looks wonderful!” Trenderhoof praised. “Hm, just looking at it makes me want a taste. I suppose a quick sip wouldn’t hurt.” Without pause he lit up his horn and lifted the pitcher and cup, pouring himself a modest amount before bringing the cup to his lips. A light sniff, followed by the aforementioned quick sip. After pecking his lips for flavor, his eyes brightened up.

“That is divine! Indescribably tasty! Guess it’s true what they say: nothing beats home-made.” He took a longer sip, then noticing the stallion still looking plainly at him he said, “Here, let me pour you some as well. Courtesy where courtesy is due. That sounds like a good country saying.”

Without waiting for a response, Trenderhoof levitated the pitcher back toward the stallion while bringing up another cup. That one he brought nearly to brimming before placing it before the workhorse, who simply replied, “Thank you kindly.”

Trenderhoof made himself more comfortable by pulling up a chair and taking a seat by the table, the other pony doing the same. Relaxing even further into a quilty sphere of agrarian simplicity, Trenderhoof thought the mood perfect for a chat.

“So, you’ve been working long here on this farm? You must admit that there can’t be a nicer, more refreshing slice of heaven on earth than this? Such fresh air, bountiful crops, and all-around pleasant living environments. Can’t you just… feel its coziness just seep into you out there? Appreciate that natural country splendor?”

“Sure can, since I live here.”

The flat response knocked Trenderhoof’s high down a notch. “Oh, do you? Well, forgive me on that. So then I take it you’re part of the family?”

“Eeyup,” the other stallion replied with a nod, followed by a hearty sip of lemonade.

“An… older brother, I assume?”

“Eeyup.”

“Huh. Should’ve known from the apple cutie mark. Hmhm.” Trenderhoof took another sip to collect himself, then straightened up with a start. “I just realized I never got your name from yesterday! To think I’d forget something important like that. I apologize greatly for my rudeness from before, or any from here on out.”

The red stallion kindly shook his head with a grin. “It’s no problem. My name is Big Macintosh.”

“Ah. It certainly fits, if you don’t mind me saying. So nice to properly meet you.”

“Eeyup.” For a minute the two sat in relative comfort of each other’s company, taking the occasional sip of their drinks. Unable to bear the stifling silence any further, Trenderhoof took it upon himself once again to engage.

“I imagine Applejack had been working the fields since a very young age.”

“Eeyup.”

“Same as with you?” A nod in affirmation. “That is just so fascinating, as well as inspiring. Working the land, day after day, just for the hard work and satisfaction of bringing in a bountiful harvest. No worries about modern trappings or keeping up with the fast-pace of city social life. Simple contentment in an enclosed plot of paradise… I’m not wrong in saying all that, am I?”

“No, I say you’re well close to it.”

“Ah, that’s great! Always good to know I still have that way of words that best captures the essence of a moment in time, to describe moments so dear and intimate but are otherwise overlooked and taken for granted. That’s something of a talent of mine: I take the mundane, normal, and unappreciated and make them relatable. And I can see all kinds of relatability with what you have here.”

“Nice of you to say.”

Deciding to switch tracks, Trenderhoof continued, “So, is it just you and your… sister, living and working here?”

“Applejack’s my sister, you’re right. And nope, there’s also Apple Bloom and Granny Smith. Apple Bloom’s the younger one, and you’d probably guess what Granny is.”

“Oh, haha, of course. But where are they, if I may ask?”

“Apple Bloom’s at school, and Granny is in town helping prepare for the celebration.”

“Ah, most productive for somepony in their advanced years. Quite admirable.” The unicorn took a modest sip in triumph for getting this stalwart worker to finally open up. Yes, he still had the knack. “No doubt every day is a treat when you’re spending it with family.”

“That’s the truth. Though it can get a bit vexing at times.” The red stallion allowed himself a chuckle at that, which Trenderhoof followed with his own.

“That’s right: the paradox of family living. I was born an only child, but both my parents were very kind and educated. Sometimes I wondered what it would’ve been like to have siblings, but I’m still happy with the way things went. I was able to find a love of the world, and got to see many interesting places, and meet many interesting ponies. Yes, it’s been a delightful ride, though I’m still fairly young.” He then took attention of the other stallion, who seemed to be listening complacently. “But I’ve rambled on enough. I’m sure you’d want to say a thing or two about your goings ons.”

“Nah. I’m not much of a talker.” As though to confirm that, Big Mac raised his glass and drank, ending the topic right there.

“I see. Well, nothing wrong with the strong and silent type. But I can probably imagine that you best express yourself in your actions, rather than your words. Out there, you and nature, just working your whole being, freeing your mind of worldly concerns and just letting it flow like water in a stream. Out there, as the saying goes, a stallion can really be a stallion, and not have to worry what everypony else thinks.” A pause. “Oh, I’m rambling again. Please, don’t hesitate to stop me if I become too much of a bore.”

Another friendly head shake. “It’s all good.”

“That’s good to know. But yes, as I was saying, when it’s just you and the dirt, a stallion knows who he is and what he’s all about. What he likes, what he wants, all laid out like a well-furrowed field. Me, and no doubt a lot of ponies, would probably like such a simplistic yet empowering point of view.”

Big Mac only shrugged. “I suppose.” For Trenderhoof, this was the great success to his subtle conversational skills. What was a silent mystery had opened himself up with little hassle, ready to loosen up and speak comfortably at home, fittingly enough. Normally he’d be satisfied with this knowledge in of itself, but for this day he decided to make the interaction a little more loose. More convivial, he mentally added with a smile before proceeding.

“You know, I couldn’t help but notice you making glances at me as I was leaving yesterday.” A friendly enough remark, to be sure.

“Umm, what?” Seems he spoke too quietly. A slight error, easily fixed with a raise in his voice.

“I saw you watching me go. I’m not offended; I do cut a striking figure to all kinds of ponies, so it happens often. I can practically feel every trailing gaze that’s on me, though I find them more complimentary if anything. Selfish I admit, but that’s how I view it.”

The red stallion seemed to get redder as his eyes darted around before uttering a word. “Uh, I reckon you saw things wrong. I-I wasn’t glancin’ or anything.”

Curious. “I said I’m not offended. There’s nothing to be bashful about.” Trenderhoof chuckled before taking a sip. “If you’re keeping it secret, don’t worry: I may be a traveling journalist, but private matters like this I always keep a zipped lip on. It’s all part of journalistic integrity and respect.”

“I d-don’t know what you’re talkin’ about. I got no secret or-or anything like that. N-nope.”

Trenderhoof straightened at once. The stuttering; the stiff movements; the quavering tone in his voice. They were signs of something the unicorn was also familiar with: something rather unfortunate in a number of cases. It appeared the workhorse had more mystery to him yet. Trenderhoof gave Big Macintosh a careful look before continuing.

“Hold on. Are you… in denial?”

Big Macintosh gave a start at that. “Uh Uh Uh, denial about what? No denial about anything, no sirree. Not at all.”

Oh dear, Trenderhoof thought. Something like this could lead to serious trouble if allowed to continue. As a free-thinking and compassionate pony of the world, he needed to step in on this stallion’s behalf.

“Hey, there’s nothing to be on edge or scared about. Being gay isn’t the taboo it may have been fifty or so years ago. It’s even fashionable in some of the coastal cities I’ve been to—”

“I-I-I’m not gay!” Big Macintosh practically shouted, turning redder still. “I’m straight. Eeyup, I love them mares. I-In fact, there’s a nice sweet mare who teaches over at the school I often see. A pretty one, at that.”

Trenderhoof’s eyebrow rose a notch. “Is that a fact?”

The red stallion crossed his forelimbs and nodded with a satisfied look. “Eeyup.”

“I see.” A more eased response, very confident. No question about the honesty, but there was no mistake about what took place yesterday, nor the flustered behavior. Trenderhoof’s eyes widened at fresh realization. This just became more interesting, he thought.

“But you happen to like stallions as well?” he asked carefully. To this Big Macintosh stiffened, losing the smile.

“Uhhh, n-no?” And there was the source of the discomfort. Another successful deduction. Now to tread carefully with how to ease the poor stallion’s tension. Beginning with a slight lean-in to get his attention.

“Being bi-sexual isn’t something to be ashamed of. It just means you find both parties attractive, and there’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, it could be considered a plus by a lot of ponies.”

“Uhhhhhhh… Am I really having this conversation?”

“Yes, and believe me it’s for your own good.” Trenderhoof helped himself to a refill, letting his words sink in to better settle the farmpony. A delicate subject cannot be rushed, especially given the circumstance. “I know this seems bizarre for a relative stranger to be telling you all this. Perhaps offputting. But I’ve seen plenty of stallions and mares in the same kind of mental straits as you, thinking it has to be one or the other. We’ve had generations of conditioning to thank for that, but now we’re in a new, more accepting age. And again, bisexuality isn’t as hard to swallow as being completely gay. It certainly kept my options diverse, hmhm.”

Now it was Big Macintosh’s turn to widen his eyes. “You?”

“Oh yes. Between you and me, it helps sell an image if you’re portrayed as either straight or gay. In regards to magazine notoriety and sales, of course. But I do dabble in the sexes as with most everything in my travels. Heck, I used to be called ‘Swingerhoof’ back in college.” Only a blank stare from the red stallion. So much for humor. “Not really, heheh. To be honest, I was pretty shy and uncertain of my orientation for a good while, and it was in college I started properly exploring it. And let me tell you, there’s no relief quite like accepting what you truly are.”

Silence on the part of the other stallion, although he looked down to the side as though in thought. Just that little push to get the ball rolling; making those gears turn can go a long way.

“Just looking at the ponies that live here, I can imagine you haven’t had anyone calling you out for being different, or even noticing for that matter,” he continued. “So I can see why you wouldn’t be in a position to question and better understand yourself in certain regards. But, all I’m saying, is you’d do yourself no favors in limiting your perspective. I may have gone to places far and wide, well-known and obscure, and seen far more things than your average pony, but you don’t have to go far from home to see things in a fresh light. Who knows: you might find that it makes things more fun.”

More of those distracted, thoughtful looks, followed up with, “Ehh… I dunno.”

“I mean, do the townsfolk subjugate and judge based on who you’re attracted to?” Can’t allow any doubts to linger, he reminded himself. Could wind up with a messy, self-hating relapse.

“No. They’re right kind bout that sort of thing. There are some gay couples living in town I heard about.”

“Ah, a wonderful town indeed. Acceptance really is a beautiful thing to behold, for both the individual and society in general.” With a nod, Trenderhoof got up on his hooves and went over to the tray with the drinks that remained next to Big Macintosh. “Anyway, I believe I rested and talked for long enough. Really should get this out to Applejack. Oh! Probably should refill on ice first.”

Without asking for assistance, he trotted into the kitchen and used his magic to open the freezer, then scooped out some ice cubes and dumped them into the lemonade pitcher. Then with a casting of a yellowish aura over the tray, he went about returning to his original task. Before leaving the dining room, he looked back at the red stallion, who still appeared distracted in thought.

“Just think about it, when you can,” he encouraged. “I’ll be in town until the festival is over, so don’t be afraid to come and ask me any questions you might have. And thanks for the lemonade again!”

With that, he trotted back out into the fresh afternoon with his tray of liquid delights, an added spring to his step at his unexpected act of goodwill. If he could get someone as stoic as Big Macintosh to open up, then getting Applejack to do the same would surely be a cinch!

As for Big Macintosh, he still sat in silence, his eyes fixed on a corner of the room as his mind mulled over the questions and perspective posed before him. Plenty of things to think over, if only for a little bit. One thing was made certain, though: there was more to this Trenderhoof than just looks and a sophisticated voice.

A shame then he never said exactly where in Ponyville he was staying. But as it would turn out, that wouldn’t be a problem.

Author's Note

The going's gonna get good next chapter. Promise ;)