Maud-Mac Breeding

It was early afternoon, just after lunch time at Sweet Apple Acres. The youngest member -- Apple Bloom -- was at school, while Big Macintosh, Applejack, and Granny Smith all sat around the table, having just finished eating. The younger two were enjoying the feeling of satisfaction and relaxing a little before returning to work. The elder, meanwhile, was already bordering on her afternoon nap.

A firm knocking from the front door echoed through the house, breaking the comfortable silence.

"I'll get it," Applejack said as she moved to get up.

Standing on the other side of the front door was a familiar gray earth mare in a dress.

"Hey, Maud," Applejack said with a smile. "Nice to see ya. What brings ya to Sweet Apple Acres?"

"Hello Applejack," Maud said. "I am looking for Big Macintosh."

"Well c'mon in," Applejack said as she moved aside, pulling the door wider. "Big Mac is in the dining room. We just finished lunch, but there's some left if you're hungry."

"Thank you, but I have already eaten with Pinkie Pie." Stepping into the house, Maud made her way past Applejack and toward the dining room. "It is fortunate, as I do not have to interrupt your own meal."

Shutting the door, Applejack followed. While she had spent time with Maud, it had never been just her. At the very least, Pinkie Pie would be accompanying her, and at most, it would be the rest of the Pie family. It made Applejack somewhat curious as to why Maud had come, especially to see Big Macintosh. Of all the Pies, she would have expected Marble. Marble and Macintosh had sort of hit it off, even if neither of them said very much.

As the two of them entered the dining room, Granny Smith turned and let out a smile.

"Well, hello there," the old mare said. "What brings you out to our little farm today?"

"Granny Smith," Maud acknowledged with a slight nod of her head. "I have come to see Big Macintosh, and discuss breeding rights."

The room went quiet as the three Apples looked at Maud. Granny's look was of surprise and curiosity, while the other two were mostly confusion, with Macintosh blushing a little.

"Well, there's something I haven't heard in a long time," Granny said. "Didn't think ponies practiced it anymore."

"It has mostly fallen out of favor," Maud admitted, "but the laws permitting it have never been repealed."

"Okay," Applejack called out. "What the hay is 'breeding rights?' I can guess from the 'breedin'' part that it has something to do with... uh... uhm..." Applejack's face started to blush as she realized she nearly said it.

"Sex," Maud said. "It has to do with sex."

Big Macintosh slumped down behind the table, his face somehow turning even redder than it had been.

"Yeah," Applejack said with a cough, making a point of not looking at any of the other ponies. "That. So...uh... " She tapped her hooves against the floor. "Could somepony care to fill us in?"

"You mind?" Granny asked Maud, getting a shake in response. "It's an old tradition, from back during our ol' nomadic days. As ya probably remember, sometimes ponies would join another caravan, get married, start and family, and so on."

Applejack and Big Macintosh nodded.

"Well, somethin' I didn't mention was what they called 'breedin' rights.' It's where the two families come to an agreement where one pays the other so the stallion from one family would get a mare from the other pregnant. Most often it was the mare's side that paid, seein' as the stallion wouldn't get to be a part of the kid's life." She tapped her chin. "Though there are a few stories 'bout the families meeting up again, and the two get together." She then grinned. "There's also a couple where a stallion would have to breed multiple mares, and one where the stallion was actually a prince in disguise, so the foal wound up being secret royalty that eventually took the throne."

"So, you want to pay my brother to get you pregnant?" Applejack asked.

"That is an accurate summary," Maud replied. "Although, while the child would primarily live on the rock farm, I would like them to also spend time with your side of the family."

"Why?" Big Macintosh asked. "Not the family part, but why do you want to be impregnated, and why by me?"

Maud moved to sit down at the table, sitting so she could see both Macintosh and Applejack at the same time. It was not her intent to snub Granny Smith, but Maud simply could not sit to view all three from where they currently sat. Plus, of the three, Granny seemed the least that would be needing convincing. Big Macintosh would need to be most since he was directly involved, and it would help to have Applejack agreeing as well. Especially since she seemed to be the one in charge of the family.

"I am certain you have noticed that I am not very good when it comes to socializing with other ponies," Maud admitted. "I am also not interested in a prolonged romantic relationship. I do not wish to date, nor do I want to get married. However, I have recently concluded that it is time for me to have at least one child, although multiple births are possible, as demonstrated by Pinkie and Marble. To that end, I discussed the matter with my family. We went over the matter, compiling desired attributes in a potential breeding partner -- as well as what could be passed on to the child -- and compared it to stallions we know that were at least potentially willing."

Maud then turned to face Macintosh fully.

"Macintosh was at the top of the list." She motioned with a hoof. "Large, healthy, hard worker. I have even been told that he was able to drag a small house behind him while under the effects of a potion."

Macintosh blushed again, shifting in his spot.

"It is not something to be embarrassed about," Maud stated. "Merely a demonstration of your physical capabilities. Similar to how your dressing up as Orchard Blossom for The Sisterhooves Social demonstrates how important family is."

Big Macintosh disappeared under the table.

"By all my standards, Macintosh is an ideal breeding partner. Additionally, the close relationship developed between our families makes it much easier for any potential child to be able to spend time with both parents despite not cohabiting."

"Big Mac," Granny said, "come out of hiding."

Slowly, Big Macintosh poked his head out from under the table.

"So, what happens now?" Applejack asked.

"If Macintosh is willing, we negotiate the terms," Maud answered. "If not, I move on to the next potential candidate."

"Can I have some time to think about it?" Macintosh asked.

"Yes," Maud said. "I will be staying with Pinkie Pie at Sugarcube Corner. If there are no other questions, I will leave you to consider it."

When none of the Apple family members said anything, Maud got up and left.