[START]
Caramel’s eyes shot open as the sun streamed in through the window, waking the sleeping pony. Giving a quick glance at the wall the farmhoof made a determined look and threw the covers off! Jumping out of bed, the pony began to speak aloud, as if giving a pep talk.
“Alright, Caramel. Today’s the day. You’ll tell him exactly what you’ve always felt!” Prancing in place belied the little pony’s anxiety, but, unlike it had for so many years now, Caramel wouldn’t let the butterflies render The Goal unattainable.
“Force those legs to remain strong!” And though they wobbled, they didn’t fall out from under this new Caramel.
“Force those eyes to look straight ahead!” It wasn’t as easy as it seemed, seeing all that trepidation and anxiety reflected in the mirror, but determined eyes met determined eyes in the end.
“I can do this!” With a cry of triumph (and another for good measure), the effeminate pony ran out of the bedroom and out the front door of the house, letting the momentum of the departure close the door itself. Nothing would stop this new, improved Caramel!
…
“Except perhaps breakfast …” the earth pony mumbled sheepishly, closing the door quietly and making some toast that would hopefully settle the butterflies.
Big Mac was the epitome of a real stallion. Working hard to feed his family and keep their business flourishing had made the earth pony tough and stronger than most, as well as adding to his namesake. The sweat glistened on his sleek, crimson hide, though mostly attributed to the heat as he was hardly that winded. This stallion was the stallion in many a mare’s more private fantasies.
At a whistle from his sister, he unhitched himself from the plow and shook his mane, slinging the sweat off his brow. Making his humble, plodding way over to the table, he took a glass of apple juice, nodding thanks to his sister. Silence reigned for a moment. Then, without nary a warning, a hollering, rainbow colored blur crashed into the scene, shattering the peaceful moment.
Thankfully, Rainbow Dash had missed the table, leaving the stallion thankful that he didn’t have to fix another piece of property so soon after the fence incident. He regarded her with an annoyed, half-lidded stare as she popped up from the ground, dusting herself off as if she hadn’t just crashed.
“So, how was my new trick?” the mare in question asked, her usual arrogance down only a smidgen, refusing to meet her friend’s eye. Big Mac wondered how she managed to be so obvious when trying to hide her embarrassment. His sister chuckled.
“Ah ain’t see no trick, Rainbow,” Applejack mused with a quirky smile. Dash brightened up to her usual self, puffing her chest out.
“Yeah? Well, it wasn’t that great,” she brushed the comment aside with practiced nonchalance, pretending to inspect a hoof. “Needs a little work, but you know me. I’ll be able to pull it off without a hitch next time, and it will be awesome.” She glanced up at Big Mac. “‘Cuz, y’know, I’ll be doing it.”
Big Mac kept his gaze casually indifferent, staring forward, sipping his juice …
“Yeah yeah, we know,” Applejack responded, smiling at her friend’s antics. “So, what can Ah do ya for?” This brought the pegasus pony back into the moment with the terrific speed of molasses.
“Uhh …” she paused for a moment, hoof to her chin. “Oh, right! I was hoping to get some apples. I’ve been meaning to swing by for a while now, but y’know, been busy and all.” Again, the pegasus was inspecting her hoof as if it wasn’t the most obvious sign that busy should be translated sleeping. Applejack just laughed it off, though Big Mac had to fight not to roll his eyes.
“Sure thang, I’ll bring some right out …” she trailed off as she noticed a figure up the road. “Hey Mac, didn’t ya give Caramel the day off?”
“Eeyup.”
“Well, either he fergot, or he’s got somethin’ important ta say. I’mma get the apples. Be raht back.” And with that, the apple bucking mare left her friend and brother alone with the swiftly approaching pony.
A moment later, as Applejack disappeared into the house, Caramel came to a stop, panting and sweating. Another moment passed with nothing said, the small earth pony not even looking up. Dash raised an eyebrow at Big Mac. Big Mac looked down with knitted brows.
“Are you okay, Caramel?” he intoned with a bit of concern. It seemed the pony had run the whole way here. Caramel simply waved the comment aside, taking deeper breaths. Another short moment passed.
“Sorry … bout that …” Caramel apologized, still searching for more air. “Big Mac … I … need to talk …”
Rainbow and Mac shared a quick glance, eyebrows raised as Caramel paused to take another large breath. Though it did wonders for breathing, the heartbeat still remained erratic.
“… to Rainbow,” the earth pony finished. “Alone, please.” A kind, embarrassed smile spread, blue eyes refusing to meet green ones. After wrestling his eyebrows under control, the large stallion set the empty glass in his hooves back down.
“Sure thang, Caramel. Nice seein’ ya, Dash.” Then he turned to go, leaving the pegasus pony to whatever fate had in store.
“Yeah … likewise,” she responded automatically, confusion evident on her scrunched face. What did this pony she barely knew and hardly saw around town want with her anyway. And a discussion that required privacy …?! Needless to say, she was very, very confused, borderline nervous.
They stared at each other for a good long time … though in reality it was only a few seconds.
“Umm, Rainbow Dash … I … I have something to tell you,” Caramel managed to get out, past a clenched throat. Hooves began idly brushing at the dirt. Stop that!
“Yeah …?” There was much trepidation in her response.
“I … I …” Caramel stuttered to a stop, looking at the ground. No! I have to do this! I’ve waited too long and have passed up too much waiting for this! Now is the time! Just take one deep breath … good, now two … Caramel looked back up into the beautiful, violet orbs that were The Best Young Flier’s eyes.
“I … I’m actually … a filly, Rainbow, and … and …”
“WILL YOU BE MY COLTFRIEND?”
“… Caramel … I’m a mare.”
And so ended Caramel’s dreams at true love. All in all, she took it fairly well.
She only fainted.
[END]