A Revolution [ In Love ]

--- Act Three - Chapter Seven --- Hoof of guidance

Note, this chapter will focus mainly on stress tensors for AJ, and creates depth to the story. It is not nessicarily mandatory to read this chapter if unwanted.

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Pancakes.

The smell lingered in the air, thick in Applejack's nostrils. One sniff was potent enough to wake her.

She cracked an eye open to a plate of them, doused with syrup.

She looked up at the server, Big Mac, who had a smiling, cake-battered Apple Bloom on his head, smiling widely.

" He'ya AJ! We made'ja brunch! " She said without enthusiastic pride.

Applejack smiled lightly, as she chuckled on the inside. Surprisingly, they weren't charred to a crisp.

Big Mac took Apple Bloom back into the kitchen, and Applejack lapped up the syrup that bathed her plate. After a few minutes the memories of the tasty edibles were all that remained.

Applejack stood, and stretched her form. Her hind legs pulled back, as she arched upwards on the front.

She did this vice versa the front, until she heard her back *pop!* a few times near the middle.

She twisted her neck to the side, to the same effect.

' A good start to a new day. ' She thought to herself, looking out of a nearby window. The sun had long since risen, and she still had a lot to do. Her duties had been neglected since Dash's hospitalization.

Standing up slowly, she seeked out Big Mac, whom she found in the kitchen.

" Hey, Mac, I'm'a be in the fields t'day, we need to get some work done. "

Big Mac made a noise between a cough and a laugh. He motioned to a window on the far side of the room, overlooking the inner sanctum of the farm. " Look. "

Applejack went to it, seeing nothing in particular. " It's S double A allright... " Then it dawned on her what was so different. Her eyes widened slightly, and her mouth went agape.

" It's all... It's all done...? You...? How? " Applejack stuttered in amazement. Thinking back, she didn't remember any apples on the trees on her way to the barn either.

Big Mac walked beside her, punching her shoulder lightly.

" I ain't yer big brother fer nothin', and don't you be forgettin' that neither. " Big Mac gave one of his famous more-that-one-word sentences.

Apple Bloom hopped from Big Mac's hat to Applejack's bare head, hanging over her face. " So What'cha wanna do Sis? Play a game? "

Applejack shook her off, sighing lightly. " I've gotta talk to Mac for a bit, allright? "

With a bit of persuasion, Applejack persuaded Apple Bloom to go look for the lost treasure of Nightmare Moon in the front yard.

She lead Big Mac around the back of the house, onto the farm's trail.

They walked in an awkward silence for some time, until Big Mac spoke.

" What'cha need? "

Applejack offered no response.

" Sis? "

She looked down as she walked, not making eye contact.

" I just... " Applejack started. She looked up at Big Mac. " You don't think less 'a me for what Dash and I did, do ya? "

Big Mac laughed lightly. " That's what's Got'cha down? No, Don't reckon I do. "

And with that, the topic was resolved, neither having a further comment on the subject.

" Well, what do you reckon' you think? Y'know... About Dash and me... " She blushed lightly at the subject, both knowing full well what was being truly asked.

" Well, That's your choice. " He said simply.

" I mean, would you ever...? " Applejack asked cautiously.

" With? Dash or another Stallion? " He asked, pokerfaced.

Applejack laughed. " Well, I was gonna ask stallion, but both are good questions. "

Big Mac thought of a way to word his response carefully. After a moment, he responded saying, " I've done a lotta things. I'm not gonna say a stallion ain't one, but I can say Mrs. Dash isn't quite my type. "

Applejack grinned lightly. " Who was he? "

Big Mac shook his head. " Nopony in particular. We met at the cider house, and had a couple drinks. I'm gonna keep that one private. "

Applejack felt somewhat strange at the topic of choice, but nonetheless continued.

" What about Scratch and Octavia, do you know if those two are gojn' at it? There are a few rumors floatin' around. "

"Eee' nope. "

" Reckon' they are? "

" Eee' yup. "

The silence dominated once more.

They walked the full farm either in silence, or small talk about town rumors.

" Reckon we could go see Dash? " Applejack asked, breaking the silence once more.

Big Mac shook his head. " I gotta keep an eye out here. You go on ahead though. "

Applejack half expected the awnser.

" Allright, thanks Mac. "

The two hugged quickly, before Applejack headed towards the border of the farm, jumping over it with practiced ease.

" And AJ! " Big Mac called after her.

" Don't do nuthin' I wouldn't! "

Applejack grinned, yelling behind her, " Guess that means stallions are still fair game! "

Big Mac rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment as Applejack raced to the hospital to see her friend.

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End Chapter 7

--

" Dear Princess Celestia,

T'day I learned a Little sumpthin' about my brother, Ol' Big Mac.

..... Actually, I reckoned I learned a few things, but I ain't gonna put tha' in this here letter.

But what I reckon' ah' WILL tell ya... Is tha' my brother is one a' the best stallions I ever known, and I couldn't ask for a better brother.

Maybe I'll see ya' soon,

~ Applejack. "