Second Chance: Fox

Scratching his head James noticed the clock beside his bed read 9:48 am letting out a sigh James remembered that he was supposed to call AJ. Sitting up he began his usual routine to begin his day, once he had finished evrything James went to the kitchen and sat down to eat the breakfast had prepared pulling out his phone he said “Siri call AJ.”

“Calling AJ.” The phone responded and began dialing the number, after a few moments of ringing Applejack picked up and said “Hey James glad yah called.”

“No problem AJ, So what’s up ?”

“Not much James I just wanted tah ask if yah could help me and Mac Friday.”

“Hmm I could close down my shop to help you, so what needs to get done ?”

“Not much ah can explain more when yah get here, bloom and her class are gonna be gone on a field trip.”

“Right Scoota and Sweetie told me about it last night said they were going to Canterlot.”

“Yup they’re very excited for it.” Applejack chuckled hearing a voice calling for her James said “They told me they leave tomorrow.”

“Yep they leave tomorrow mornin.” Applejack informed James nodding at her comments James looked down at his calendar and asked “So before you go what time should I be up at the farm ?”

“Yah just need to arrive at the farm around 11:00 in tha mornin.”

“Alright seeya then AJ.” James said before hanging up the phone placing it back on the table James thought ‘Wonder what AJ needs help with ?’ looking at his phone James noticed that the time was 10:20 a.m. sighing he stood up and said “Alright time to get the day started.”

(12:00 p.m. Fox’s Ink House)

Waving goodbye to his most recent customer James thought ‘Another satesfied customer.’ standing up James went back to his workbench and began to cleaning the station. Once everything was picked up or thrown away he heard the bell to his shop ring, going full autopilot, he said “Welcome to Fox’s ink house, what can I do for you ?”

“Well darling me and Scootaloo thought we would take you to lunch today.” An elequent voice answered recognizing the voice James turned seeing Rarity and Scootaloo standing at the entrance. Seeing Rarity a knot formed in the foxes throat today she had decided to wear a spaghetti strap, levender sundress with a hem that ended just abover her knees gulping he thought ‘Wow.’ Quickly shaking his head James walked over to them saying “That sounds wonderful, but I can’t help but ask what brought this on ?”

“Well Scootaloo wanted to ask you something.” Rarity said placing a hand in the young fillies shoulder chuckling James leaned back in his chair and asked “And you Rarity ?”

“What ? Can’t a mare enjoy the company of her favorite fox.” Rarity asked a thin smile coming onto her face, chuckling at her James walked over to the front desk taking a seat he tried to rebuttal with “I’m the only fox you know.”

“Yes and your the cutest one I know.” Rarity said leaning forward a bit while her smile grew, feeling blood rush to his face James crossed his arms and looked to the side while asking in a childish tone “So where are we going ?”

“Momma Rarity is gonna take us to Sunflower Cafe.” Scootaloo said piping up looking between the two adults she couldn’t help but catch a bit of what was going on and thought ‘Could they like each other ?’

“Wow swanky, should I dress up ?” James asked remembering that Sunflower was a bit...... upperclass especially considering the ponies his seen coming and going.

“Darling it’ll be fine, I’ve already booked a private booth for the three of us.” Rarity said giving the fox a smirk, chuckling at her James walked up to the door and opened it for them while giving a small bow and said “Well ladies let’s get some lunch.”

Giggling at him the two mares walked out as they passed the fox Scootaloo glanced up at her Momma and when she did she saw a sparkle in her eyes that had met been there few the last couple years and thought ‘I gotta tell AB and Sweetie about this.’

(Twenty minutes later.)

Leaning back in the booth James’s was enjoying his conversation with Rarity, but he soon realized that a particular voice hadn’t spoke in awhile. Looking down at Scootaloo he noticed that she was watching the two of them, smirking James asked “So Scoota what did you want to talk about ?”

“Oh right !” Scootaloo exclaimed reaching into her hoodie she pulled out a crumpled piece of paper and handed it to James. Taking the paper he uncrumpled it to get a better look at it once read James asked “So you want to shadow me Scootaloo ?”

“Yeah I think what you do is awesome !”

“Well I guess, but my job is fairly boring.”

“But what job isn’t boring ?” Scootaloo asked giving the fox a quizzical look, sighing he nodded his head knowing she was right he asked “So why me ?”

“Well I think this’ll help me find my cutie mark.”

“Ahhh ok.” James said continuing to look over the paper, looking up at him Scootaloo gulped and wondered what he was thing taking a small breath she said “Sweetie got her’s last month and AB got her’s a month before a month you arrived, so I’m kinda hoping you can help me with finding mine.”

Nodding his head James began looking over the dates the job shadowing started on January 8 and ended Januar 12. Handing the paper over to Rarity, James already knew what days that would be best to allow scoots to shadow smiling he said “All right Scoota you can come thebest dates are the tenth and eleventh.”

“Yes !” Scootaloo said pumping her fist chuckling at her James looked to Rarity and said “All I need is for your guardians to sign off.”

“I can get those tonight darling, me and the fillies are meeting tonight after all.”

“Really is this for the upcoming trip ?”

“It is indeed me and Dashie are going on the trip and a few of them want souvenirs.”

“Makes since, so-“

“Are you ready to give your order ?” Their waiter asked suddenly appearing, looking at the table they each gave a nod James said “I’ll allow the mares to go first.”

“Why thank you darling.” Rarity said giggling looking back at the waiter she gave her and Scootaloos order, after giving his order James handed the menus back to the waiter turning back to Rarity he asked “So as I was saying, this trip is up at Canterlot correct?”

“It is darling,” Rarity said going into a bit of detail of the city, looking between the two adults Scootaloo saw both were smiling and enjoying their time together Scootaloo thought ‘They defiantly are into each other.’

(Later That night)

Peeking outside their room Scootaloo looked up and down the hall and listened for anypony hearing no noise she pulled back into the room Scootaloo hopped back into her bed. Looking at her friends who were waiting for her announcement she whispered “Fillies I have something huge to tell you guys !”

“What is it scoots we’ve got school tomorrow.” Sweetie mumbled as she leaned against Applebloom who was also having some trouble keeping her eyes open sighing Scootaloo excitedly whispered “I think Momma Rarity likes James !”

Sighing both fillies looked at each other having a silent conversation before Applebloom asked “Are yah sure ?”

“Positive AB when Momma Rarity took me to talk to James they were getting along really well.”

“So Momma Rarity gets along with a lot of people Scoots.”

“True but this was different, there were sparks !” Scootaloo said jabbing a finger into the bed, thinking about what she said Applebloom hummed and said “Well ah have noticed mah sister acting differently around him.”

“Different how ?”

“Well she’s been inviting him over quite a bit and she’s hung out with him every so often to watch sports.”

“Oh and don’t forget about that night when he had dinner with us at momma Fluttershys.” Sweetie said remembering how Fluttershy had been acting that night, smiling Scootaloo pointed to her friends and said “So I think while we’re on our trip we try to convince Momma Rarity and Rainbow to talk to the herd about asking James out .”

“How do we do that Scootaloo ?” Sweetie asked getting off Appleblooms bed and making her way back to hers humming to herself she said “We have two more days till the trip let’s form a plan till than.”

“Sounds good Scoots,” Applebloom said sliding under her blanket she yawned before saying “Let’s discuss this tomorrow.”

“Ok goodnight guys.” Scoots said laying down she felt herself slowly falling asleep her mind raced with ideas of getting her moms together with James.

(Thursday 11:00 a.m.)

Taking a sip of his coffee James let a small sigh, looking up he saw Applejack waiting at the entrance. Finding himself staring at her today she wore a dark red and blue shirt with some jean short shorts, quickly looking away James thought ‘Jesus What’s up with me lately?’ looking up Applejack finally noticed him walking up smiling she walked over while saying “Hey James Thanks fer comin.”

“It’s no trouble AJ so what am I helping you with ?” James asked as the two began walking up to AJ’s house, looking at the fox Applejack said “Nothing to big me and mac just need help with setting the barn up for next season.”

“Alright, so is it just the three of us today?”

“Nope Twilight offered her assistance so she’ll be helpin out today too.”

“So what are we doing exactly?” James asked looking at the mare smirking Applejack gave the fox a small love tap on the shoulder while saying “All we’re gonna do is clean out any junk that may be in tha barn while also finding anythin that may need repairs.”

“Makes since so when is Twilight supposed to get here ?” James asked noticing they had already reached the barn in question they pushed there way in when a voice called out “I’m already here James !”

Looking up James saw her on the second floor gulping he found himself staring at her, today she had running shorts and a purple work out shirt on today. Tearing his eyes away James looked down at his coffee thinking ‘ Stop staring dammit they are your friends !’

(Second floor)

Tossing down a box full of trash to the bottom level Twilight found herself looking down at James. Finder her eyes wondering over him she slowly began to ogle him, today he was wearing faded jeans and a tight plain grey shirt, gulping she watch as he picked up a large box filled with junk and carried it out of the barn with little effort. Gulping she watched the movement of his muscles while he worked and thought ‘I didn’t know he was that strong and muscular.’

Realizing she was staring Twilight shook her head and tried to concentrate on the work given to her by the Apples. Looking through the junk she heard some hoof steps behind her, looking over her shoulder she saw AJ walking up behind her smiling she asked “Do you need something AJ ?”

“Yeah Twi ah just need yah ask yah something.”

“Ok about what ?” Twi asked getting back to her task, hearing the mare behind her sighed before saying “Well ah got a text message from Rarity.”

“Oh ?”

“And it seems she’s bringing trying one more date......”

“Really with who ?” Twilight asked while she packed a few things into a box, hearing a small scuffle Applejack knelt beside her and whispered “She said to try and ask James.”

Smiling at this Twilight quickly looked down to make sure James wasn’t paying attention, seeing that he was busy talking with Big Mac she pulled back, turning to Applejack she whispered “What brought this on ?”

“Ah don’t know actually we were talkin last night and she just brought it up.” Applejack said standing up she went over to a small pile of objects she began to pick through them looking back to the first floor Twilight said “Hmmm I don’t see why we can’t try......but the question is what will he say.”

“True we don’t rightfully know if he’s even attracted to us.” Applejack said as she tossed a boot shaped lamp into a box marked ‘junk’, standing up Twilight walked over to her friend she gave her a hug. Trying to think of the best thing to tell her but was coming up blank till the sound of a kazoo play, letting her go Teilight pulled out her phone and read the text she just got from Pinkie ^Don’t you guys worry he defiantly thinks we’re attractive, Plus the chance to make our feeling know will be coming in a couple chapters !^

Showing the text to Applejack the farm mare simply stared at the text, looking back at the librarian Applejack said “Pinkie being pinkie.”

“Yes pinkie being pinkie.” Twilight agreed while shaking her head, putting the phone away they both went back to cleaning.

(First floor)

Picking up another box James took it out of the barn and placed it with a slowly growing stack, rolling his shoulders he went back in seeing Big Mac closing up another box. Walking up behind him James went to grab the box only to be stopped, the stallion simply pointed his chin at a different one sitting by a stable. Grabbing the box James followed the stallion outside after setting them down Big Mac suddenly spoke “So James ah gotta ask yah something.”

“Uh.....ok ?”

“What’s do yah think about mah sister and the herd ?”

“Well....that’s a really........uh,” James said being caught off guard by the question, sighing Mac said “Look ah just was curious is all.”

“No I get it random guy comes outta nowhere and starts hanging around a bachelorette herd that your sister is part of it raises some questions.”

“Eeyup.”

“But in truth I think there all wonderful woman, I mean If I knew I had a snowflakes chance in hell with them I might try.”

“Hmmmm.” Big Mac hummed looking the fox up and down he placed a hand on the James shoulder and said “James ah think yer a good stallion and yah don’t seem like the kinda fella that would take advantage of mah sister or the herd.”

“Your right about that Mac.” James said as he stared up at the stallion who could rip him in half as if he were wet tissue paper while thinking ‘I may have done some stupid shit in my days but I would never do that !’ smiling at him James asked “Is there anything else you want to tell me ?”

“But If yah ask me ah believe if yah were to ask ‘im they’d accept yah easily.”

“You think so ?”

“From What ah’ve seen, been told, and can guess they’ve taken a shine to yah.” Big Mac said turning to walk back to the main house, backing for the fox to follow James had a thought and decided to voice it “Wait so what mad yah bring this on ?”

“Oh yah know just something that’s been on mah mind for the last couple days.”

“Ok.” James said scratching his chest he continued to follow the red stallion into the house while thinking ‘Ok it’s odd but I Mac is a good stallion doubt anything weird is going on.’

(Across town)

Writing down some new ideas and complaints to share with a certain somebody, Pinkie suddenly felt a chill go down her spine looking around she muttered “Looks like the subliminal messages I asked Cheerilee and Berry to give to Mac worked.”

Picking up the paper Pinkie placed it into an envelope and tossed it out the window for delivery, flipping over on Pinkies mind began to think about what steps she would need to take everything was coming to a head and the goal was insight yet why was she so scared ?

Sighing Pinkie swung her legs off the bed and began to make her way downstairs she began thinking ‘I think I’ll bake some snacks for the group, hmm I think I’ll even bake something special for James.’

Feeling a smile spread on her face Pinkie began to skip down the stairs while humming a small tune from her foalhood.

(An hour later)

Making her way up to the farm house Pinkie carried a small basket filled with dozens of different goodies she had baked. Seeing the lights of the living room she giggled to herself thinking ‘I hope James enjoys my baking especially the special I made pastries I made for him.’

Walking up to the door Pinkie rang the bell and waited for the door to open, after a few minutes the door swung open revealing Applejck smiling at the mare she stepped to the side and allowed her access.

Making her way inside Pinkie saw that James was seating on the couch with Twilight to his right while But Mac was sitting in a armchair. Walking to the coffee table she set down the pastries and let everyone know what types there were and how many, smiling James reached forward and grabbed one of the cranberry orange filled croissants. Taking a bite James eyes bugged at how delicious the pastry was looking down at the food in his hand he said “Holy crap this taste just like my dads recipe.”

“I-is That a bad thing ?” Pinkie asked her color dulling and ears going flat against her head, quickly looking up at her James said “Nononono Pinkie I meant it in a good way, I’m sorry if I made you think that.”

“I’m glad to here that,” quickly jumping into the couch next to James she pointed to a different kind and said “I also made marshmallow, blueberry/strawberry mix and a raspberry/blackberry mix.”

“Mmmmmm they sound good.” James answered the mare looking at the three flavors she pointed out, making her way over AJ took the spot next to Pinkie grabbing a couple pastries tossing one to Twilight than Big Mac. With everyone settling down and getting comfortable the four of them began talking, each of them told stories from there childhood, where they grew up or what they each thought they’d be doing by now.

After a couple hours James pulled out his phone and looked at the time 10:40 p.m. letting out a small groan he stood, looking at the fox Mac asked “What’s up James ?”

“Oh nothing just realized it’s almost eleven so I gotta go.”

“Ah actually thing you’ll need to stick around tonight,” Big Mac said turning to Twilight and Pinkie he added “Same goes fer you two, the farms close to the forest and with the moon the way it is the timberwolve will be especially restless.”

“Ok sounds like a-“ *BZZZZZ* hearing his phone go off James stopped looking at the phone he saw someone was calling him, looking at the trio in the room he “Sorry it might be a client just need a second.”

Nodding there heads James hit the recieve button and placed the phone to his ear “Foxes Ink House this is James how can I help you today ?”

“J-j-James I-i-it’s Pete, I really need you help.”