Chapter 1
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Pink Ladies and Sour Apples

Chapter 1

"Ah just don't figure how we'll manage this year. We're not fillies and colts no more and Applebloom's too young."

"Eeyup."

"Ah mean Ah know how important it's for Rainbow Dash ta open for her precious Wonderbolts and tour with them. She says she's goin' ta try and charm that Soarin character right outta his horseshoes. Don't know about that, but he did buy mah pie at the Gala, the only stinkin' pony in Canterlot to touch our food. And then Twilight's left for Canterlot of course. Ah don't blame her, Ah told her Ah says, 'Twilight your families's a might bit more important than helpin' us with some silly apple buckin'.'"

"Eeyup."

"Ah won't even ask Rarity. She'll just say, 'Well why can't Ah use my magic, darlin'? And oh dear my mane is gettin' dusty, darlin'. I chipped a hoof darlin'!' Ah'd go crazy. Pinkie's too busy tendin' ta the Cake's shop while they're in Manehattan for that silly convention—who cares about pumpkin anyways? Apples is where's it's at."

"Eeyup."

"Fluttershy's gone with Twilight. She wants to try again with those critters at the Royal Gardens. Ah don't know who else ta turn to."

"Eeyup."

"Ya even listenin' to me?"

Applejack stamped her hooves and glared at her brother. She paced right outside their barn, while Big Macintosh removed his harness. He stood in the doorway now, in the distance he heard Applebloom squeal. She and Scootaloo were playing again, their other little friend wasn't around as much as she'd like to. Applebloom complained about Sweetie Belle having to help Rarity, Applejack scolded her about helping the family was more important, and that one day she'd be standing outside this barn, waiting for the fearless leader of Sweet Apple Acres to dictate and decide.

"Don't ya even think of sayin' 'Eeyup,'" Applejack said. "Ah came here on account that Ah figured ya might have an idea."

Big Macintosh shrugged. He'd worked the orchard all day, the grind wore his brain raw and his thoughts slipped by like a smooth molasses down a tree…

"Ah guess Ah'll figure everythin' out, again," Applejack said.

Big Macintosh blinked. He shook the cobwebs from his head and said, "How 'bout hirin' some help?"

Applejack spun around. She scratched her chin with her hoof. "Could do that. Where we get the bits from?"

Big Macintosh shrugged. "We've split our profits between us. Ah don't spend much. Nothin' Ah need anyhow."

Applejack sighed. "Now you're just bein' unfair. That's your bits, Ah know it's not much but you haven't spent a one?"

Big Macintosh shrugged.

"Ah suppose. What you reckon we do with it? We could get a few hands, mostly earth ponies—hate usin' magic to get the apples off. It's bad for the trees. Ah don't know who'd we hire here in Ponyville, though. Don't think no one's lookin' for work who doesn't already got some."

"Look elsewhere. Fillydelphia's just a short train ride away," Big Macintosh said.

"City ponies? You a few apples short of a barrel?"

Big Macintosh said, "Nothin' wrong with city ponies. Your friends did an alright job last year with ya showing them what to do. Figures we can teach anypony how to buck a tree."

Applejack frowned. She said, "Ah suppose it's the best we can do." She nickered and said, "Ah heck, Ah don't know, let's both think about it. 'Specially you, Ah'm not going to take your bits unless you're abs-oh-lutely okay with it. And Ah'll know if you're lyin' faster than an apple falls from a tree."

Big Macintosh nodded.

Applejack departed the next day and left Big Macintosh to get ready.

All the real work was already done. Big Macintosh was left with a mostly empty farm. He prepared some of the trees and tucked barrels beneath them. He cleaned out the cellar and took the time to prepare the presses for apple cider. That little guilty pleasure was Big Macintosh's favorite part of the whole season.

Applejack planned to be gone for three days, so on the second Big Macintosh made a trip into Ponyville. He visited a barn that held a series of carriages and wagons, the twin brothers who owned it were Plink and Plunk. They made wagons, carriages, and whatever they could fit wheels under. Big Macintosh liked the brothers, they cut to the chase and seldom nicker-nacked if you didn't want any nicker-nack. Problem was their business also did taxi work, any road to anyplace self-respecting was on the road that led out the opposite side of Ponyville.

Big Macintosh didn't mind traveling through town. His thoughts kept him plenty entertained, he did get too uncomfortable sometimes when people noticed him. Lot of ponies thought him odd, not in a bad way odd. Like, "Oh there goes Big Macintosh, must be running some important errand if her sister can't handle it," kind of odd. They thought he was married to the farm, and in a lot of ways Big Macintosh supposed he was, but he still liked to think he took time for other ponies. He didn't have a problem socializing with all the mares around. He just treated them with the hospitality he always used.

The giggle of a mare caught his attention. Big Macintosh glanced to the side and found a pair of ponies walking beside them. A cream colored mare with a black mane and tulip cutie mark and beside her a slimmer yellow pony with a light orange mane and sunflower cutie mark. They made the very image of respectable mares. Big Macintosh figured he might even know them.

He smiled and said, "Why good mornin' ladies."

The cream one giggled again. She said, "Morning Big Macintosh. No one's seen you around Ponyville in weeks. We thought your sister tied you up to some tree."

"Well not a tree Ah suppose. She likes the harness more. Gets more work outta me."

"You can certainly see it," the yellow one said.

Big Macintosh frowned. "Ah thought Ah got rid of that limp. Guess Ah got so used to it it just got ta be the way Ah've been walkin'."

One of the mares snorted.

"Beg your pardon miss?" Big Macintosh said.

"Nothing. Say Big Macintosh, you want to spend some time outside the farm? We're going somewhere for a brunch and we'd love for you to come and talk about plows and dirt and stuff," the cream colored mare said.

Big Macintosh whistled low. He stopped and faced both mares. "Reckon that's a mighty nice invitation, ladies, but Ah'm afraid Ah gotta decline on account of all the work that still needs ta be done. Both of you are mighty pretty, though, Ah do enjoy your company."

The yellow mare's left eyebrow twitched, both stared at the red stallion. The cream one managed to break a smile over her face and say, "We'll just walk with you to where you're going then."

Big Macintosh nodded, "Ah reckon that's a fair trade. How 'bout it then? Ya want ta know about plowin' or sowin' seeds or harvestin' or what? Ah don't get ta talk about it much, but Ah got lots to talk about. Enough to keep ya'll pretty ladies entertained."

The yellow one leaned over and whispered into the cream's ear. The cream's smile got wider. "I'm sorry, but Daisy just reminded me that we have a friend we have to meet. Some other time Big Macintosh?"

"Absolutely, Ah'd love sharin' mah day with a couple of nice lookin' mares like yourself…" but the ponies scampered away before he finished. Big Macintosh said under his breath, "Ah hope ya'll ladies have yourselves a nice day."

"This is all Ah can afford Ah guess. Ya'll look like honest types, though. Now we'll feed ya and shelter ya, wouldn't be fair otherwise," Applejack said. She stood in the doorway of a train car, the floor rocked under her hooves as she addressed the four ponies in the car. Applejack recruited them and talked to a whole hay more, but not everypony was willing to just toss everything in the air. She figured this lot was needing the bits something fierce, she'd have to watch them to make sure they remained honest. She liked the pegasus. Another mare would keep the numbers even on the farm between the three stallions she found. She counted Big Macintosh for her side, on account of he wouldn't defend any of the boys if they stirred up trouble anyways.

The oldest of the four, older than her even, perked his head up. He was a navy blue pony with a blond mane. He said, "Think we'll be there long?"

"Depends on how hard ya work, partner. Gotta hot date or somethin' tomorrow? Figured ya ta be pretty lonely for how I found you." But the stallion found her talking with another pony about the job and he walked out an alley and volunteered. Applejack didn't like him, if only because he looked a mess. His knees were scabbed and calloused, too much time lying in hard alleys. His mane held a whole host of mess in it. All greasy and washed out, trashed tangled and mingled with matted wads of blond hair. He stunk the whole car up.

Applejack believed any pony be given a chance, and heck, this pony looked like he needed a chance. And definitely a bath, Applejack didn't have a problem with dirt and sweat coating a pony after a good day's work, but she also thought smelling like death was a terrible way to make friends.

"I'm more concerned with how long it takes to get there," another stallion spoke up. This one was named Fleck, he had a splash of what Applejack supposed was red, white, and green paint for a cutie mark on his brown hide. Said he was an artist, but was used to taking on outside work so he could eat, he also thought the countryside would do him some good.

The pegasus, she was named Freebird. Applejack liked the name, it made music in her head. She was a blues singer, another down on her luck pony who needed the food. She said, "Soon. Been to Ponyville once, nice place. Did a show there."

"Ah don't remember that," Applejack said.

"It was a small show. Got on stage with a band I know and we started playing our tunes when this pink pony jumped on stage and ruined things. Went on and on about us needing to laugh more."

Applejack rolled her eyes.

The last stallion grunted. He was a workhorse, as big as Big Macintosh, if a bit younger. Applejack liked him, he said he was in construction, but got laid off recently. He said this job might offer him a new perspective, if Applejack got the chance she'd make sure he saw all the possibilities. His name was Brick.

The first pony who spoke up, Delph said, "Party poopers can be such a downer."

"At least they don't smell like their name," Fleck said.

"You want to make something of the way I live my life?"

"Not sure if you even live some kind of life, blank flank."

Applejack stamped her hoof. "That's enough, Ah won't be listenin' to no fightin' when we ain't even got there yet. Ya save that stuff for when you're sleepin' out in the barn and Ah can't hear a lick of it."

That got them quiet. Applejack sighed and took her place in the car. When she passed Delph she swore first thing would be a bath for that pony.

Big Macintosh, out of courtesy, rounded Applebloom up from Rarity's boutique and had her sit and wait for her sister to return with their guest. Good old Granny Smith rocked and waited behind them. Big Macintosh listened to the creak of her chair and counted the time with every swing. Applebloom fussed around and said, "Ah don't see why it matters if we're all here. This is the first time Ah got to see Sweetie Belle in three whole days."

"It's a courtesy little miss," Big Macintosh said. "Look out there, now really look. Ya see that dust comin' up from the road? I'm bettin' my bits on that bein' your sister. What if she came back with some cute colt, hmm?"

"Eww, boys are gross."

Big Macintosh chuckled. One day he was sure she'd sneak home some colt and after Applejack stopped her bucking he'd tell Applebloom something witty like, "Told ya so."

Applejack came back with three stallions and a pegasus. She introduced each and when she finished said, "Now we need ta get ya'll cleaned up and tamorrow we can get started on the apple buckin'."

Big Macintosh eyed the filthiest of them. Well, his sister did try to be polite about it. Big Macintosh was inclined to wonder if an outhouse gave birth to the stallion…

Applebloom gasped and jumped to her hooves. She saw something Big Macintosh didn't notice and dashed over to the repulsive stallion. She said, "Oh my gosh. Ya don't have a cutie mark either!"

"What? Oh, I guess I don't. Never noticed before."

"Golly, Ah thought Ah was goin' ta be the oldest pony ever not ta have a cutie mark but now you're here and now Ah know Ah won't!" Applebloom said. She bounced around this newcomer and questions began spilling out her mouth.

Applejack chuckled and shook her head. She approached Big Macintosh and whispered, "Ah'll take the clean ones ta the barn and tell'em what they'll be doin'. Ya want ta take the stinker down to the creek and see if we can't get some of that nastiness scrubbed outta him?"

Big Macintosh sighed. "Eeyup."

"Thanks, Big Mac."

Applejack turned on the four newcomers and said, "You three, come with me ta the barn and Ah'll show ya around. Delph, how about ya follow my brother Big Macintosh down to the creek. He'll show ya which way to go."

Big Macintosh made eye contact with the other stallion for the first time. He regretted it. He wasn't used to other stallions, not ones that weren't related. Ponyville didn't have as many stallions, and none ever tried to talk to Big Macintosh. Applejack and her gang moseyed past Big Macintosh, the big one bumped into him and made a gruff apology. It made the adam's apple in his throat swell. He didn't understand why it mattered what these city ponies thought of him. It shouldn't matter no way no how what a bunch of silly filly city ponies thought of him. Big Macintosh knew if they judged him, well he didn't care.

He began to wonder if this was all just a big mistake.

He grunted. "Well, Ah'll show ya the way to the creek." Big Macintosh turned around and began walking there. He knew the other stallion followed because he heard Applebloom's constant blabber.

"Ah've tried everythin' from cupcake bakin' to underwater explorer to gliders. Ah think Ah'll do everythin' ever before Ah get my cutie mark. But Ah wouldn't mind, it just means Ah have more options. Do ya ever feel that way? Do people still call ya blank flank? There were some mean girls who used ta call me blank flank, but I figure grown-ups don't call each other blank flanks on account that they're grown-ups…"

Big Macintosh could feel the other stallion watching him. The blue stallion's silence unnerved Big Macintosh, he felt the pony should say something. Maybe if they struck up a conversation and Big Macintosh could realize none of these city-folk were as freaky as he suddenly wanted them to be—well then maybe…

"Why, people call me blank flank still," Delph said.

Big Macintosh heard Applebloom become downcast. "They do?"

"Yes, you're lucky no one around here says it to you. City people are just meaner."

"Oh, well Ah don't think Ah wanna go to the city then. Unless Ah need to for my cutie mark."

"It's not the city that's mean, little filly. It's the people, they get to rushing around so much that they forget about you and everything but that one hoof swinging in front of the other."

This left Applebloom quiet. Hearing him talk relaxed Big Macintosh, though. The fear disappeared, Big Macintosh thought it silly now. Why did he get so nervous over the opinions of a bunch of city ponies? Big Macintosh said over his shoulder, "Ya did the impossible, partner. Ya made my sister not have a thing to say about cutie marks."

He smiled. "I didn't mean to. Let's start over, hmm little filly? My name's Delph, and before you ask, it's just Delph."

"Well mine's Applebloom, Delph, and Ah figure you'll fit right in once we get ya ta stop smelling like a used up outhouse."

Big Macintosh snickered.

The other stallion paused, and Big Macintosh almost swept around expecting to defend his little sister for being a filly, but Delph surprised him. "That's very gracious of you Applebloom, and if you promise to help me clean myself I'll tell you the secrets of how to smell this bad. You haven't tried a stinky cutie mark, have you?"

"…Mah cutie mark wouldn't be a stupid stinky mark…"

Big Macintosh stood on a rise with his sister, overlooking their farm. Off to the east grey seeped into the horizon. Applejack said, "Well whatcha think of'em? Reckon Ah trust Delph and Fleck as far as Ah can throw them, but Freebird and Brick seem an alright pair a ponies."

Big Macintosh said, "Delph seemed pretty nice ta Applebloom. Ah think she likes'em."

"Of course she does, he doesn't have a cutie mark. Ah don't want ta call him a blank flank, but it's what he is. It's not natural Big Mac, how does somepony go their whole life without knowin' what their supposed to do?"

Big Macintosh said, "It's gotta happen somewhere in someplaces."

Applejack frowned. "Well then it just comes down ta him not wanting to talk ta me. Ah don't mind quiet ponies after all."

"Eeyup."

"But he won't talk ta me at all and it makes me nervous. If he's opened up ta you and Applebloom then, well Ah guess he's not too bad. Ya mind if ya take him and that other stallion, Fleck for me today?"

Big Macintosh shrugged.

"Ah'm not going to lie, that'un gives me the creeps for the opposite reason. He keeps tryin' to chat up a storm with me and Ah think he's just tryin' ta get on mah good side."

"Ah'll take care of'em both," Big Macintosh said. "Ah don't like to, but Ah can knock their heads together."

Applejack smiled. "Thanks Big Macintosh, now let's go wake'em."

Big Macintosh said, "Apple buckin' ain't a hard sport. 'Suppose everypony knows how ta buck. Let's see ya do it, the both of ya. Just get under those pink ladies and do what comes natural."

Fleck trotted to the closest tree. He was eager to please, Big Macintosh guessed. He reared up on his front hooves and his back hooves smacked the bark of the tree. A dozen apples popped loose of the tree and bounced across the grass. Delph sat on his haunches and watched.

Big Macintosh did not expect to be ignored. He cleared his throat while Fleck bashed the pink lady again. Fleck stopped and said, "No use with that blank flank."

"Now Ah know ya city-folk like ta curse, but we won't use that particular kind of language on the farm. Delph, somethin' a matter?"

Delph said, "I was kind've hoping you'd show us how it's done, rather than rushing blindly into bucking just to impress you. Is there a certain part of the tree to aim for? Do we need to be careful with your trees? Figure we might over do it if we just keep kicking it like there's no tomorrow."

Fleck stopped and glared at Delph. Big Macintosh said, "Gather up whatcha got Fleck and then move on ta that tree over there. You're doin' fine." Big Macintosh faced Delph. "Ah'll show ya this once. Try ta kick as high as you can ta shake the tree and when ya start rippin' bark off it means it's time ta stop."

Big Macintosh went to a nearby pink lady with empty buckets around it. He tensed his muscles, crouched low, and with grunt pushed his hindquarters off the ground and kicked the tree. Apples spilled in torrent, the branches shook and leaves flew off like they were cut away by a fierce gust. An apple bumped Big Macintosh's head, the last to fall. He snorted and said, "There ya go. How 'bout ya try your hooves on that tree over yonder? Ah'll gather these up."

The two went to work. They did not make quite so much of a fuss when they got their hooves dirty. Big Macintosh listened to the trees swing and tremble, the sound fooled his head into believing there was a breeze. Big Macintosh wouldn't have minded one, today turned out hotter than he thought it could. Even in the shade of the trees he sweated more than he liked to admit.

Big Macintosh bucked his fourth pink lady when he heard Fleck say, "Quit staring at him and get to work. What's wrong with you? Got pegasi floating around in your brain?"

"Better than a dopey-eyed donkey," Delph said.

Big Macintosh sighed and gathered apples into their buckets.

"You don't even have a reason to be here. You know I've heard about you blank flank—"

"Really? I thought I was the only one who's heard of me."

Big Macintosh sighed and stepped away from his buckets between the two. Both of the stallions shut their traps. Big Macintosh said to Fleck, "Why don't ya gather up what we got and haul it back to the barn in that there wagon over there. Reckon it'd be easier for you."

Delph snickered.

"And you work over here with me. Where Ah can keep an eye on you. Ya didn't come here ta loaf around."

Delph nodded. "Yes, sir." Big Macintosh almost smiled. Much better. Fleck tried for one better. "I'll get right to it Mr. Macintosh."

"Big Mac is fine, among you fellas. No reasons we can't be on speakin' terms, way I sees it. But more work, and a less speakin'."

Big Macintosh returned to his previous task. Delph hauled some buckets over to a neighboring tree while Fleck loaded the wagon. Delph began to work. Pretty soon silence returned and Big Macintosh's mind smoothed over into that fine rut. He thought about apples and the trees and bucking, and it was nice and easy. Fleck returned and he loaded the next wagon and departed again.

Delph became a steady presence in the corner of Big Macintosh's eye. Pretty soon he did recognize Delph sneaking him glances. At first Big Macintosh didn't mind, it didn't seem to hinder the other pony. Big Macintosh shouldn't have cared no two ways about it, but he kept looking at Big Macintosh like there was something to judge. Big Macintosh never got judged. His movements became awkward and rigid, one point he only skinned the bark of a tree with his left hoof when he tried bucking a tree. They almost finished with all the pink ladies and Delph still kept glancing. Maybe not so much anymore, but Big Macintosh felt it more and more every time the other stallion did. The red stallion wanted it to stop. But he wouldn't tell a pony to quit looking at him. That'd just be silly sounding. Worse it would let Delph know he got Big Macintosh riled up, and no pony was supposed to make Big Macintosh the least bit riled.

Big Macintosh decided saying something was better than silence. "Hey Delph…"

"Yeah, Big Mac?"

Big Macintosh wished he hadn't told the fellas to call him that.

"That's… that's an odd name ya got there. Delph, doesn't seem like a name a mare would give her colt."

"I didn't have a mother."

"Oh, well Ah apologize most deeply—"

"It's fine, I guess you couldn't have known. I've been an orphan forever and I've gone through a lot names before I took the one I have."

Big Macintosh bucked the last pink lady and Delph went about to helping him gather the apples. Big Macintosh dumped the last one in a bucket and said, "Reckon we'll wait here until Fleck gets back with the wagon."

"Fair enough," Delph said.

He sat beside Big Macintosh. Big Macintosh figured if he kept standing it'd give Fleck a reason to berate Delph when he returned, so Big Macintosh sat too.

Big Macintosh wished he had something to chew. Instead he tried speaking again, "Why did ya choose Delph?"

Delph said, "Lot of reasons. I spent my whole life in Fillydelphia, and the people there never seemed to give me a chance. First it was because I was a blank flank, then when they figured me out it got even worse. Seemed every pony knew about the blank flank too old and too selfish to not respect the natural order of things. I made friends, and lost them, but the city was always kind. It seemed like she just gave when I needed it the most. She's my only friend, so I named myself after her."

Big Macintosh cleared his throat. "Eeyup."

"Don't talk much, do you Big Mac?"

"Eeyup."

"That's okay. Can't stand ponies that just sit around and talk all the time—speaking of Fleck, I think I see him over there."

Big Macintosh caught sight of the other stallion and both of them rose to greet him.

The rest of the day went by without much incident.

They tackled the red delicious the next day, and this time all six ponies worked on Sweet Apple Acres largest plot of trees. The change of pace suited everyone it seemed. In the afternoon Big Macintosh volunteered to haul the apples back to the cellar. Delph volunteered to take the other wagon.

Big Macintosh didn't mind. If he had to deal with a pony it'd be nice if it was one he knew. They got halfway back to the cellar and passed through the pink ladies when Delph stopped.

Big Macintosh paused and looked over the wagon and a stack of red delicious two ponies tall. He asked, "Somethin' wrong?"

Delph nipped at his harness. He said, "Think my harness is screwed up. It keeps rubbing me the wrong way. I can feel it chafing."

Big Macintosh frowned. He said, "Ah suppose Ah could take a look at it."

Big Macintosh swept out of his harness and approached Delph. He saw the problem right away. "Ya need ta flip this strap on your shoulder."

Delph shifted in the harness. He grunted and asked, "Can you fix it for me? I don't want to get out of this thing yet. You know how hard it was to get me into it. I don't want to waste more time than we have to."

Big Macintosh hesitated. He grit his teeth and decided, "Do it so he doesn't see you reluctant to touch him. Don't want no pony thinking you're afraid of other stallions." Big Macintosh gingerly bit the strap and tugged it to the right. He released it and it flipped back into place.

Delph sighed. "Thank you, that's much better."

Big Macintosh nodded. "Eeyup." He went back to his harness, and while he slipped into it he heard Delph say, "You know. You're pretty lucky to have a family here."

"Eeyup." A piece of leather caught on his nose and the red stallion snorted, shook it loose and settled the harness back into place.

"Nothing else? Just 'eeyup.' I bet that's all you say. I bet even if Applebloom said something like, 'Golly Big Mac you're the best brother ever. I love you.' All you'd say is, 'Eeyup.'"

"Ah can talk plenty," Big Macintosh said.

"Then talk. I dare you to try it. I know you're not used to working that tongue muscle, but a working pony like you shouldn't have much trouble."

Big Macintosh almost glared at the other stallion. He reminded himself of the hospitality his parents taught him and said instead, "Ah can't imagine not havin' a family. We've just been together for so long and there's so many of us. Ya lose track, but at the same time you're happy ta lose track 'cause it means your families growin' and you're a part of somethin' that grows. Ah know Ah haven't done much ta help with that growin', but Ah figure Ah've got time enough to find me a nice mare… hey what's wrong with ya Delph? You're lookin' at me like Ah just coughed up a bucket full of parasprites."

Delph shook his head. "Sorry, I just thought—no, never mind. But see? Nothing wrong with talking, is there?"

Big Macintosh and Applejack stood on their rise again. She said, "Ah hate bein' wrong, Big Mac, but there ain't nothing wrong with you bein' right."

"Eeyup."

In two days they harvested Half of Sweet Apple Acres. Tomorrow they'd tackle the northern section of the farm and work their way down.

Applejack said, "Ya know Ah almost regret goin' through this so fast. Ah'm gonna miss a few of them ponies. Be happy ta get rid of some of'em, 'Specially that Fleck and Delph."

Big Macintosh glanced at his sister. She studied the farmland and didn't notice the look Big Macintosh gave her. She said, "Ah think Ah really like that Brick fella. Shucks Big Mac, what do ya think Ah should do? Ah think Ah want to keep him around a little longer, ta see what might just happen—well gosh listen to me gettin' embarrassed. Ah know neither of us has much experience with this kind've stuff, but whatcha think of it all Big Mac?"

Big Macintosh shrugged. "Keep'em 'round, then."

"Just for another day. Ta see what happens. Then we'll ship'em out, 'cept maybe for Brick. Heck Ah don't know. We'll just see what happens."

"Eeyup."

They eased up on the workload the next two days. Applejack said it was on account of their fine jobs. She figured to give the city ponies a break, but the only ones who seemed a might bit strained were the artist and singer.

Big Macintosh got a kink in his right hind-hoof, so he enjoyed the ease in the workload. He and Delph worked together again, this time sorting apples in the cellar. Not work he enjoyed, but work that needed to be done.

"Why do we have to do this?" Scootaloo asked. "All it's doing is making me hungry."

Her and Applebloom sat at the back of the cellar, sorting their own bucket of apples.

Applebloom said, "We haven't tried apple sortin' yet. Ah reckon it's worth a shot."

"I'd say we'd have a better chance rock farming," Scootaloo mumbled. Big Macintosh heard something get thrown. "Hey! I'm sorry, okay? I know it's mean of me to say that. You and Sweetie Belle helped me get my cutie mark in that scooter race. I owe you this."

Applebloom said, "You're darn right ya do."

Delph chuckled. The two stallions sorted apples in the light of a lantern, they were on the pink ladies they picked recently. They essentially looked for bruised or otherwise bad apples to be pressed into cider, the rest went for cooking and eating and such.

Applebloom said, "That was still an amazing move ya pulled. When ya fell off your scooter Ah was sure it was over but then you were all like bam-zoom!—Ah still ain't seen nothing so graceful before."

Scootaloo giggled. "Thanks. And I haven't seen no pony sort apples like you do."

Delph shook his head and whispered, "Those two."

"'Scuse me?" Big Macintosh asked.

"They just make a cute pair is all. Bet they're a force to be reckoned with when they have their other friend with them."

"Ee—" Big Macintosh stopped himself. He was trying to not sound so… simple anymore. He said, "Ya should've seen them at the talent show last year. Applejack told me about it and Ah just 'bout fell over laughin' my hooves off."

"I'm sure it must have been quite a sight."

"Ah wish Ah could've been there. Applejack said they went and tore the whole dang stage down—"

"No, I don't mean that."

"Huh?"

"I meant seeing you laugh."

Big Macintosh stared at the other stallion in the lantern light. Delph ignored him and went back to sorting. Big Macintosh became aware of how close they stood. He wanted to step away, and yet at the same time…

He nickered and said, "It takes somethin' fierce, like those two gettin' inta trouble ta get me ta." Delph grunted to show he heard and went back to sorting. Big Macintosh felt something well up underneath his diaphragm that made breathing hard. He glanced at the other stallion and realized aside from that one particular occasion with the harness, they never touched before. Didn't seem right. Big Macintosh brushed shoulders and sides and haunches all the time with every other one of these new ponies. Why did he act like he walked across caltrops when it came to Delph? Just silly and stupid, in fact he'd prove it wrong right now and—

"Big Mac, Ah don't think Ah want ta sort apples no more."

Big Macintosh almost jumped out of his horseshoes. He cleared his throat and said, "Ya'll can head outside then. Reckon the sun do ya fillies some good."

"Come on Applebloom, let's go see if you have a tree climbing cutie mark or something. I need to stretch my wings."

"Okay, that sounds like fun."

Big Macintosh watched the two fillies trot up the stairs, his will dissolved. Then he felt something warm brush under his neck and his breath caught. Delph had stretched his neck and brushed his mane along the underside of Big Macintosh's throat and grabbed an apple sitting under Big Macintosh's chin. He pulled away and dropped it in the bad bucket. Delph said, "Sorry, I think that one was bad."

Big Macintosh's cheeks flushed. He said, "Eeyup," and went back to work.

"Dinner's served everypony, watch your hooves now, plates are hot," Applejack said. She set the tray down at the table before the four hungry city ponies and Big Macintosh. Tarts, pies, and few other apple confections greeted their ravenous eyes.

It was their last night here. In the morning they would be paid and sent home. Big Macintosh didn't speak to Delph much after they left the cellar. He didn't understand it. Lately he caught himself taking peeks at the other stallion. He told himself he did it because he liked watching the city stallion do well. The last five days had been long, and Big Macintosh was right proud of what he could consider his pupil.

Ponies dug in. Applejack sat beside him, Big Macintosh and her took up the end of their side of a square table. Conversation flowed back and forth and time became easy and enjoyable.

Opposite him was Fleck and Brick. Fleck now held an animated conversation with Freebird, telling her how he'd like to do her portrait and such. Near as Big Macintosh could tell that wily painter probably told every mare the same thing so he could bring them home.

Big Macintosh heard Applejack say, "So Brick, ya reckon ya enjoyed your stay here at Sweet Apple Acres?"

Brick said, "Wasn't bad. Got to say I don't mind the quiet much, weird not having a bunch of other ponies around."

"Eh-heh, right. I was a city pony myself once."

Big Macintosh's gaze slid across the table, just a glance at Delph. The pony toyed with his food and nickered. Big Macintosh said, "Uh… food alright?"

"Hmm? Oh of course, your granny's recipes are swell. I'm just thinking about going back to Fillydelphia tomorrow. Not sure what I'll do after this."

Big Macintosh heard his sister blunder and come right and say it: "Well if ya want ya'll could stay while longer if ya find this country livin' to your fancy."

Big Macintosh swung his gaze back over to Brick. The pony grunted. "Maybe some other time. I need to be getting back, got a sweet little filly I promised I'd come back to."

Applejack looked down at her plate of a half-eaten green apple tart. "Ah, right. Ah don't blame ya for wantin' ta go back."

Fleck and Freebird stopped talking at that. Seemed an awkward silence fell in on all of them.

Delph broke it. "I'll stay. If you guys need the extra hand around. I don't mind working on the farm a little longer."

Fleck snorted.

Delph scooted off the bench and said, "You got something you want to say?"

"Just can't believe you think you're any better than me when you're trying the exact same thing. Getting in close with these farmers so they'd take care of you. That'd be real nice I bet."

Big Macintosh was slow to process that. Delph didn't seem to talk much to Applejack, he did with Applebloom but he knew Applebloom was—

"Ah don't want ta hear no more of this. And if anypony tries raisin' the subject again Ah'll hogtie them and hang'em from the barn ya hear?" Applejack turned Delph. "You, Ah don't trust ya near as far as I can buck ya. And if ya haven't seen yet that ya need mah trust to stay here then ya'll can bet your hooves Ah won't have ya stickin' 'round."

Delph glared at Applejack. He said, "Funny, I thought two Apples owned this farm."

He stormed off. Big Macintosh watched him go and felt the need to defend him. Fleck muttered something and Applejack raised her voice all over again. She was in a mood. He stood and put a hoof on Applejack's shoulder.

His sister paused and Big Macintosh told her. "Ah'll talk with him. Ah know ya don't want him stayin' but sis you gotta understand ya done hurt him."

Applejack bit her lip and stamped her hooves. "Fine, but don't ya dare leave me here alone with these three." His sister didn't care if those three heard. Big Macintosh knew she didn't want anything to do with any of the city ponies anymore. It took her so much courage to ask Brick, and he shrugged his shoulders at her. Big Macintosh did not blame her for the way she treated any of them.

Big Macintosh smiled and said, "Eeyup."

He departed the table and tracked Delph into the orchard. Big Macintosh found him lying underneath the shade of a pink lady. His front hooves stretched out before him and he hid the bottom half of his face between his knees, his hind end sprawled on its side. His eyes flicked to Big Macintosh while the red stallion sat in front of him. Delph said, "You always let your sister boss you around?"

"Eeyup. Reckon she's better at it than me."

Delph laughed. "What does that even mean you big stupid pony?"

Big Macintosh flared his nostrils. "Ah didn't come here ta be insulted. Ah thought ya might be needin' somepony ta talk to."

"And you're just generous enough to be that pony? Gosh, you're so oblivious. Why don't you think about why you came out here?"

Big Macintosh's brow furrowed. He said, "Ah think you're the one who don't know what he's talkin' 'bout."

Delph sighed. With effort, he clambered to his hooves and said, "You're just… heck I don't know. How about I put it this way? Uh… if you were an apple, I'd buck this whole orchard for you."

Big Macintosh blinked. It occurred to him, that Fleck did not mean Delph charming Applejack.

Delph licked his chops and said, "Look, part of the reason I don't have a friend anywhere is because of what I am. And you got to understand it's not from a blank flank, I know why I'm blank. It's because stallions like you and me aren't supposed to be. I mean, there are so many mares in Equestria that no one minds when one announces her attraction to another in town. Heck I've seen it here already with that Lyra and Bon-Bon pair I met yesterday when I went into Ponyville, and I can tell you right that that Scootaloo has eyes for your Applebloom like no other. But if you were to tell them our feelings for each other, they'd look at you like we were wide-eyed stupid."

Big Macintosh coughed, for the first time in a long time he felt all of the hard work he'd done in the past few days come down on his back. He didn't believe—couldn't believe this pony thought he eyed other stallions. Big Macintosh scraped his front hooves across the grass and said, "Ah don't know what you're tryin' ta say, but Ah reckon it better be said mighty carefully if'n ya want ta get paid."

Delph shook his head. "I don't care anymore. That day you told me you were still looking for a mare I couldn't believe it. I saw what you were by that first day and I couldn't believe when you said that about needing to find a mare of your own. Good luck living that lie. Shoot, I mean, I'm not blind Big Mac. I saw how you responded when I brushed my mane under your neck, I had to see it to be sure and that's why I did that. You can't hide what you are from me."

Big Macintosh rose to his full height at some point. He stomped his front hooves down, reared up, and kicked a tree behind him. Bark splintered, wood cracked and cried out, and the tree moaned as its top came toppling down. The might of the blow forced Delph to take a step back.

Big Macintosh said, "If Ah ever see you in my farm again—well Ah'll make what Ah did ta that tree look weak. Ya git outta here, and don't ya dare come back."

Delph shook his head. "I'm sorry, not for me, but for you." He turned and broke away at a canter toward the farm's entrance. Big Macintosh did not watch him go, he turned on the tree he decapitated and saw in the ruinous mess of branches and leaves an apple had rolled free. It was a late bloomer, half the size of most apples this time of year.

Big Macintosh crushed the pink lady under hoof as he returned to the farmhouse.

He did not want to go back to Applejack but he said he would, so he marched to the table and said to city ponies there, "Ah don't want ta hear a word from any of ya the rest of the night. In the barn. Now. Or Ah'll kick your teeth out."

Freebird's eyes popped, Fleck flinched, and Brick shrugged. The three of them went to the barn and Big Macintosh said to Applejack, "There. Ah dealt with'em."

Big Macintosh didn't wait for Applejack. He began to march over to the other side of Sweet Apple Acres, and maybe when he reached there he'd just march through across the meadows and over hills and maybe into the Everfree Forest and maybe to the other side of the forest and then whatever lied beyond that. He'd just keep walking until his hooves were so sore his body would force him to lie down and maybe then he wouldn't be too inclined to get up.

His sister had other plans. "Hold on a sec Big Mac. What's twistin' you're tail? Ya'll can tell me, Ah'm kin."

Big Macintosh almost shoved her aside. He whipped his tail and smacked his leg to show his agitation.

"Don't turn inta a stupid ole mule, Big Macintosh. Hey ya listenin' ta me? Ah'll tie ya up if Ah have ta." Big Macintosh didn't answer, he kept walking and Applejack followed. She said, "Hey did that stupid stallion say somethin' to ya. Ah knew he was trouble—"

Big Macintosh turned on Applejack so fast she fell on her haunches. Big Macintosh said, "Ah'm sorry Applejack but ya don't know nothin' 'bout him so don't ya dare judge someone ya don't know. Yeah he's got me riled up and maybe Ah'll tell ya and maybe Ah won't, but don't ya dare be blamin' him for anything."

Applejack eyes went wide. Big Macintosh saw he almost made her cry. All the tension in him collapsed like a house of cards. He said, "Gosh, Ah'm sorry Applejack. Ah'm not sure no more." He turned away. "He said some things and it got me thinkin'. He… he 'cused me of fancyin' other stallions."

Applejack shook her head. "That's just silly."

Big Macintosh took a deep breath and exhaled. "Eeyup."

"Ah mean, gosh how selfish does he think ya are? Sure there are plenty of mares, but only the worst of stallions decide they want nothin' ta do with mares. And there's 'specially not enough good ponies like yourself ta go 'round. And what in tarnation does he think would happen ta the farm? What if ya passed without no kids of your own and the farm passed into the hands of some lousy stallion Ah made the mistake of hitchin' myself to? Why we might just lose the farm. Ah'm not goin' ta say nothin' bad about him, but he's not bein' fair accusin' you of stuff like that."

Big Macintosh nodded. "Eeyup."

Applejack nuzzled her brother's shoulder. "Hey Big Mac, don't ya worry a lick about what he said. How 'bout the next few days ya take off from the farm? Mosey on into Ponyville and meet a nice mare. That sound fine?"

Big Macintosh resolved to prove Delph wrong. He knew none of that was true, he was just out of his senses, too much sun and not enough water.

Big Macintosh cracked a smile. "That'd be mighty fine, little sis."

Chapter 2
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Pink Ladies and Sour Apples

Chapter 2

"Can Ah interest ya ladies in some apples? Ain't nothin' fresher in town." Big Macintosh smiled and held his head high. He carted in a stall and a haul of recent apples that morning. He figured better to look like a pony with something to do rather than shuffling his hooves around the town.

One of the mares giggled. She was a cute little pink thing with a yellow mane. She answered for the set of three. "Certainly, Big Macintosh. Haven't had lunch yet, have we girls?"

"Nope," answered one.

"How much Big Macintosh?"

The red stallion winked and said, "Ah reckon for some pretty mares like ya'll Ah can cut ya a deal. How's 'bout two apple a bit?"

The pink mare's blush elated Big Macintosh. He tried with every customer, but never did he get this response. She said, "Just a minute. I don't have anything, how about you Carrot Top?"

Big Macintosh said, "Well, Ah won't charge ya a thing for ya company."

Carrot Top leaned over and whispered in the pink's ear. She leaned back and said, "We've got somewhere to go. See you later Constelle."

Constelle. Big Macintosh reckoned that a pretty name. Things were going great, he smiled at her and nudged one of the small crates filled with apples. He said, "Take your pick, miss Constelle."

She scanned the selection. Big Macintosh figured he surely had something worthwhile. Constelle frowned and said, "Do you have any pink ladies? I was hoping for something sweet, most of these are sour."

Big Macintosh avoided those apples for a reason. The mention of the apple reminded him of the tree he ruined, of the fruit he crushed. He couldn't speak for a moment, he cleared his throat and said, "Ah'm sorry, but these red delicious are swell and aren't sour. Ah swear by'em."

Constelle hesitated, but took the apple. She slipped it into the satchel slung over her side and said, "I'll save it for later. So what brings you out here, Big Macintosh?"

Big Macintosh tried to smile again, but it came across too strained. "Mah sis and Ah switched places. Figures we was both gettin' bored with the usual routine."

"Oh, well, that's good I suppose."

"Eeyup." Constelle smiled and Big Macintosh cleared his throat. He opened his mouth expecting something to be said, but nothing came out.

Constelle glanced down the road. Big Macintosh shuffled his hooves and thought to mention how nice the weather was, but it seemed such a silly thing to say when everyone knew it. Maybe if he said it was as pretty as her… "I guess I'll see you around Big Macintosh. And here," Constelle fetched the apple from her satchel, "I'm not much a fan of these either, and I don't think I've paid for it." She set the apple back in the stall. She turned to leave.

Big Macintosh's tongue betrayed him again. "Ah reckon Ah'll see ya around, miss?"

"Hmm?" she said over her shoulder. "Oh sure, um… see you."

Big Macintosh watched her leave, for a moment he forced himself to admire her flank while she trotted away, but all he did was try to make out her cutie mark.

"Hey Big Mac, surprised to see you here."

Big Macintosh's head darted round to the pony standing to the right of his stall. "Oh, high ya Coconut."

Coconut was a brown stallion with a mane a shade darker than the inside of a coconut, he had a palm tree and desert island for a cutie mark. He was smaller than Big Macintosh, but built well enough. Coconut helped with all the plowing during Winter Wrap Ups.

"Down cause you couldn't get Constelle? Yeah, she's a nice looking mare. I had a fling with her. Talk about high maintenance."

Big Macintosh said, "Suppose Ah'm lucky she walked away then."

"Don't look so glum big guy. Hey since you're in town, me and some of the guys later are gonna be playing soccer. Bet you'd make a heck of a kicker, you ever thought of playing? Be good to get your mind off of things."

Big Macintosh was inclined to say yes. He liked the idea already, doing something other than standing around. It'd be fun, he hadn't gotten the chance to play any kind of game with some other ponies in a long time.

Coconut said, "Hey, how about it?"

Big Macintosh nodded. "Ah'd certainly like ta. But Ah'd need ta take care of this here stall first on account that Ah'm the only Apple in town right now."

"The field's closer than your farm. If you meet us there with your cart we can have something to eat. Hey, I'll even help you take it back to the farm if you want. I know I won't have anything else to do."

Big Macintosh scraped the ground with his front hoof. He didn't mean to. The idea of walking back to the farm with Coconut made him nervous, he didn't know if he could keep up a whole conversation and he didn't want his… well his simpleness scare Coconut off. But he wanted the other pony to tag along, he'd like to talk to somepony for once and forget about all this pressure with mares.

"Ah reckon Ah'd appreciate that mightily, Coconut. When's ya'll's game?"

"An hour from now. In the south field, right off from Rarity's boutique," Coconut said. He leaned over the stall and brought his head close, making Big Macintosh almost step back. Coconut whispered, "Don't tell anypony this, but some of the guys are wanting to show off." He backed away and said, "See ya in an hour, Big Mac."

He trotted away and Big Macintosh smiled. He'd like the chance to stop with all this flirting and just get his hooves dirty and have fun. He watched Coconut leave, and pretty soon he watched him leave the same way he watched Constelle leave. Big Macintosh nickered and spun around. He flared his nostrils and stamped his hooves. Delph's words stung him again and made him want to kick over his stall.

He sighed and took a deep breath. He exhaled through his nostrils and when he looked up he noticed Applejack's friend, Twilight Sparkle, returning to her library. Big Macintosh knew her fairly well, she stopped by the farm plenty of times and near as he could tell they got along plenty. Big Macintosh decided there that he'd go and court miss Twilight Sparkle.

Well, it wasn't as bad as Princess Celestia letter made her believe. Of course, when the Princess took time out of her busy schedule to let Twilight know her mother was sick it was enough to put her pupil into a panic. Her mind ran wild with all sorts of horrendous diseases she read about.

It was nothing of the sort. A fever, a cold, at least she got to see her parents again.

She left Fluttershy at the entrance to Ponyville and when she returned to her library she found it prim and proper. Spike rarely disappointed. Twilight shrugged off her saddlebags and hung them on a rack beside the door. She sighed and thought how nice it would be to soak her hooves. She could get Spike to heat the water. She was too tired to try a spell.

She called, "Spike. Spike!"

No response. Twilight frowned and searched the library. She found Spike curled up in her bed, napping. Twilight saw the bed held appeal. She may just scoot Spike over and take a nap herself.

Downstairs she heard a knock on the door. Twilight mumbled, "Can't get a moment to myself."

Twilight trotted downstairs and answered the door. Big Macintosh stood on the other side, his bulky, red build covered the doorway. Twilight's mouth hung open for a moment. She shook herself and said, "Why Big Macintosh, I didn't expect you to come here."

"Well Miss Twilight Sparkle, Ah was hopin' ta pay a visit and maybe enjoy your company. If'n ya don't mind."

Twilight stepped out of the doorway and said, "Uh… yeah, sure I guess. I just got back and I'm a little tired, but any relative of Applejack's is always welcomed."

Big Macintosh bowed his head. "Thank ya kindly, ma'am." He ducked under the door and shut it.

Twilight said, "Did you need something. A book or scroll perhaps? I suppose Applejack sent you down here to fetch something."

"No ma'am, not Applejack. Ah came of mah own accord so Ah might, uh… peruse ya library for a book over farmin' techniques."

Twilight frowned. Big Macintosh wouldn't look at her, his eyes scanned over the surrounding bookshelves and refused to come back down. Twilight said, "Well, I know the section on agriculture starts there, by that window. Just let me know if you need any help."

Twilight thought about what kind of book she could read while she waited on Big Macintosh. Nothing better to do, once he left she'd put a "close" sign or something on the door.

Big Macintosh said, "Ah'd 'preciate it if ya could."

"Huh? Oh, help, right. Okay." Both of them approached the agriculture section. Twilight shouldn't use the word section, though, the library had a very exquisite history section, her books on agriculture consisted of two shelves with books shoved together so tight the pages couldn't breathe.

No pony ever took them down.

Big Macintosh cocked his head and annunciated the titles under his breath. He was a slow reader, but Twilight didn't hold it against him. Other ponies could read for him, he was just a simple work pony.

Twilight didn't like the waiting, though. "Hey, Big Macintosh?"

"Yes ma'am?"

"Well, first, you can just call me Twilight, okay? And can you tell me what book you're looking for so I can help you find it?"

"Ah guess somethin' on more recent farmin' styles."

"Um, okay. How about this one? Crop Rotations and the Field? Sounds reasonable to start there."

"Okay, Ah suppose that's a fine choice. You bein' the librarian and all, figure ya might know what's best." He reached to grab it, but Twilight intervened.

"It's okay, Big Mac, I got it." She levitated the book out of the shelf and heard the pages gasp. She set it down on a table in the middle of the room and asked, "Is that going to be all?"

"Well, Ah was hopin' maybe we could talk. Heard ya went ta Canterlot for your ma. She okay?"

"She's… well?"

"That's swell ta hear. Ya gotta keep your family close Twilight, even if ya live far away."

"Yeah, I'm sure that's an Apple family motto, huh?"

Big Macintosh said, "A beautiful one. Was tellin' Applejack the other day, ya know. 'That keepin' family close is important, Ah like that your friend Twilight does that. Always knew she was a good filly.'"

Twilight chuckled and it sounded as strained as her agriculture books were before. "Thanks," she said. She wanted to walk away or shoo him out the door now. She knew what the visit was, and well, bless Big Macintosh's heart, but Twilight wasn't interested in a pony who took so long to read.

Big Macintosh swept his head low beside her and said, "Between me and you, she's mighty pretty too."

Twilight coughed and looked away. Oh why couldn't Spike be awake? Twilight said, "Why are you doing this?"

Big Macintosh took a step back. "Beg your pardon mean, miss Twilight?"

Twilight motioned across the library. "All of this. Now I know you didn't come here for a book. And if you wanted to, well flirt or whatever it is your think you're doing, you could just ask me for lunch sometime. And another thing, why are you lying when you call me pretty? You say it but you haven't once more than glanced at me since you got in here."

Big Macintosh backed away. He shook his head, "But Ah do find ya pretty miss Twilight."

Twilight shook her head. "No, you don't. Maybe you find me pretty in the same way I might say, 'Oh, look at that, Rarity's mane looks pretty today.'"

Big Macintosh's shoulders slumped. He pursed his lips and Twilight saw the corners twitch.

"Oh no, I'm sorry Big Mac. I don't mean to turn you down, but—look I just got home and I'm tired, okay? That's it, I'm just tired and tomorrow we can try again—"

"Nah, nah," Big Macintosh said, "It's true miss Twilight, Ah—Ah don't think your pretty at'all."

Twilight became taken aback. "Well, I suppose that's fair."

Big Macintosh said, "Nah, Ah didn't mean you're not a nice lookin' filly Twilight, but Ah don't find ya pretty."

"What's wrong with that? So you don't like unicorns, that's okay—"

Big Macintosh actually sobbed, which alarmed Twilight to the degree of his distress. He mumbled something.

Twilight frowned and went to his side. She raised a hoof, hesitated, and slowly put it on his shoulder. Lightly, hardly touching. She whispered, "Umm… is there anything I can do? Is something wrong at home?"

Big Macintosh's back legs wobbled and he fell onto his haunches. Twilight gasped and darted a step back. The big red stallion hung his head low, tussles of his orange mane hid his eyes from Twilight, but she saw the hint of a tear there. Big Macintosh began sobbing.

The door upstairs opened. Twilight started when she heard, "Hey, someone here?"

"Spike!" Twilight hissed and slammed the door in his face. She used magic to lock it and dull sound when he banged on the door. She turned back on Big Macintosh and saw he stopped with his fit. He sat there in the middle of the floor, blank as a piece of furniture. The only décor in the library that Twilight couldn't read.

Twilight sighed and tried again. "Big Mac? You okay? Talk to me, I'm not sure anypony's seen you like this before, have they?"

Big Macintosh shook his head. He looked at Twilight and asked, "Can ya keep a secret, miss Twilight. Even if it's not right and bad and awful, can ya keep a secret?"

Twilight didn't want to keep a secret from anypony after that awful debacle with Fluttershy, Rarity, and Photo Finish, especially one she may have to hide from Applejack.

Twilight said, "Yes. For you, of course Big Macintosh. We're friends, aren't we?"

"Ah hope so, miss Twilight. Ah hope ya can say that, 'cause ya see, there ain't somethin' right with me. At first Ah thought it was just 'cause Ah worked so hard, Ah didn't have time for fillies or mares or nothin' like that. But, Ah don't think it's that at all."

Twilight cringed. A sliver of dread slithered into her stomach and stayed there spinning like a slow rotisserie apple.

"The other day, when we was sayin' goodbye ta all the hands we hired on account ya'll all was out of town, one of them told me some things. At first Ah got mad, 'cause he was sayin' Ah was like him when Ah knew Ah wasn't and well now Ah don't know no more…"

Big Macintosh stared at Twilight's hooves. He muttered, "But Ah suppose he was right and Ah… Ah guess Ah fancy other stallions and not mares." His shoulders tightened and he finally looked at Twilight. "But Ah don't want ta. Ah've been tryin' somethin' fierce ta meet a mare today. And Ah don't know. Ah screwed up every time and then Ah saw you and Ah thought maybe with somepony Ah know, because Ah don't know very many mares, Ah might have a chance. So Ah came right over, but…"

He lost his drive and fell into his little hunch again. He said, "Ya saw right through me, worse than anypony before."

Why did it seem a pegasus full of problems always crashed through her door? Twilight couldn't think. All she wanted to do was go to sleep and maybe tomorrow deal with this. Maybe. It should be Applejack's problem, they were siblings, she'd have to understand because of that, right?

Twilight said, "I'm not sure what to think of this, Big Mac. It's a lot for me to take in. Now, please don't start crying again, here. I'll go and talk to someponies who can keep a secret and try to figure out something for you to do. Here, you can stay down here until you're ready to leave, okay?"

Twilight just wanted to get away. She needed time to think and rest and sleep and then maybe she'd do something. For now, she trotted upstairs and left Big Macintosh down below. She forgot that a grumpy Spike waited on the other side of the door.

"I don't see what the big deal is. Now if it was a dragon, then I think it'd be a big deal," Spike said. He paused and blew a green flame across the coals in the basement. Above them he heated a pail of water. Twilight sat in a tub, waiting for the remainder of it to be filled. The basement below had a tap to an aquifer well, having her bath in here made it easier on both Spike and Twilight. And it was well lit by half a dozen lanterns, so neither fretted over the possibility of darkness.

Spike turned over some of the coals and then said, "I mean, how many dragons do ya see? Not many at all, we're a dwindling race and that means it means a lot more to us."

Twilight sighed. "I know."

Spike dipped a finger into the pail and said, "Water feels ready."

Twilight levitated the pail over to her tub and gently poured the water. She winced and righted the pail. "Ouch, this is a little hot, don't you think Spike?"

Spike shrugged. "Sorry, you know it can be hard for me to tell."

"It's okay I suppose. But what should I do with this mess? I mean, he should be talking to Applejack about it, right?"

"Maybe that's the problem. Sheesh, how do you think you would feel if you had a sister or brother like that?"

"Well I think I'd still love them."

Spike sat down on the coals and stretched his tail over them. He said, "Okay, then how about if you were raised like Applejack and the rest of that family."

Twilight frowned. "I guess I wouldn't approve much at all. They probably don't think it's natural, and worst of all Big Mac is set to inherit the farm when Granny Smith passes isn't he?"

Spike shrugged. "Beats me. I don't know how they do that stuff."

"I think so. Gosh that could create all sorts of problems if he didn't have any colts or fillies of his own. I can see why Applejack wouldn't like it and why he's so scared to talk about it." Twilight groaned. "It's still all so bizarre to me, though."

Spike said, "Does the library have anything on this kind of junk? You could consult a book or two."

"I'm not sure. But when I met Lyra and Bon-Bon I thought they were a sweet couple. So I suppose there isn't anything wrong with it. It's just there's so much at stake."

"Meh, you ponies and your drama sometimes—"

"Spike!"

"Okay, sorry. Look, I know you're not going to listen to me anyway, but my advice is to go tell Applejack. She deserves to know."

Twilight frowned. "But Big Macintosh wouldn't like that at all…"

"That's the point. Make both of them confront it now, the longer that secret's kept the worse it'll be."

"I'll think about it," Twilight said. She poured the remaining water in the pail and sank her neck into the water.

"Thank's for doing this on short notice Rarity," Twilight said as she stepped into Rarity's boutique.

Rarity smiled. "Why of course darling, no time is too late to see a friend. Isn't that right Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy nodded. "Oh yes, we don't mind at all."

The boutique was crowded with mannequins, most with some piece of clothing draped over them. They were organized in neat little lines with gaps large enough for a single pony to go about them, they dominated half the room. All of the dresses would be part of the winter line Hoity-Toity showed later this year.

Rarity disliked the clutter, especially in front of guest. She tried to cover that section of her boutique with a curtain, but she didn't have one big enough and she simply refused to hang a gaudy hodgepodge of fabric to hide a minor eyesore in her store.

Twilight looked well, if a little rushed. Rarity saw her mane just recently dried, and it had a bit of a fluff to it. When she caught sight of a loose hair she had to peel her eyes away before she stopped the purple unicorn and attacked her mane.

Rarity focused on her eyes and said, "So what is this about, dear?"

Twilight leaned forward. "You two promise you can keep a secret? Like Pinkie Pie swear?"

Fluttershy nodded and Rarity said, "Of course." She could see the anxiety bunched between Twilight's shoulders and knew this wasn't a juicy piece of bridle gossip.

"Well, Big Macintosh came by the library yesterday, and he, well he sort of broke down in the middle of the floor."

"That doesn't seem reasonable at all, whatever for, Twilight?" Rarity asked.

"He tried flirting with me. And I was tired and caught off guard and I… sort of freaked out on him. But that's not what made him cry. He said he was just trying to find a mare to flirt with and he thought he knew me pretty well, so he tried with me. But the reason he was trying so hard was because even though he doesn't want to he thinks he likes stallions."

Rarity's mouth hung open. Big Macintosh? Great big quiet, simple, Big Macintosh was Ponyville's own stud chaser? Rarity never knew one in person but oh she heard stories of it.

Fluttershy said, "Um… I don't think that's—"

"Oh Twilight you must bring him here!" Rarity said. "I've been looking for a pony to critique all of these dresses and I could never find someone but if what you say is true then Big Macintosh is the perfect choice. Oh I should've seen it so long ago. He does take much better care of his mane than Applejack does, bet he bathes more too—"

"Um… Rarity, I don't think that's the best idea."

"But you must!" Rarity said, "I'm sorry to say this Twilight, but I think in this category I'm more knowledgeable than you are when it comes to stud chasers."

Twilight frowned. "Promise you'll just try to talk to him?"

"Of course. There are a dozen things I must talk to him about." And talk they would, and maybe he could help her with makeovers and pedicures. Of course, with his upbringing he would be woefully insufficient at first, but Rarity knew stud chasers to be quick learners with things only a lady could appreciate.

He would be her best friend ever. Maybe he could even become one the girls!

Twilight asked, "What do you think, Fluttershy?"

"Hmm, oh, well, I guess it's okay. I mean, it's not my place to tell him what's right or wrong."

"Of course, it's none of are places. Just send him over to me, Twilight darling and I will straighten this whole mess out before he ever gets the chance to leave."

Fluttershy left Rarity's boutique with Twilight. She wished Twilight good night, as the sun was going down, and began her return trip to her cottage.

Oh she was so flustered with this. She didn't want to say anything in front of Twilight or Rarity because, well, they seemed not to mind at all, but Fluttershy didn't approve. Of course, she didn't want to be mean or judgmental, but she didn't like it.

A part of the problem was she had sort of a crush on Big Macintosh. Well, maybe not a crush, but she really liked the idea of being with him, if she ever worked up the courage to ask. He was strong, gentle, and nice and Fluttershy thought she could enjoy farm life and all the cute little animals there. She wouldn't mind it at all really, in fact it seemed they were meant for each other.

Fluttershy's head hung low. She didn't like this one bit. It was a pony's choice, and Big Macintosh was probably just confused about everything. She bet if she talked to him about it she could sort things out, she'd like to do that, but she couldn't. She just, she'd get too nervous. What if Big Macintosh asked her what she felt about him afterwards? Oh she would just be so embarrassed!

Still, she was very flustered.

"Hey Fluttershy!"

Fluttershy squeaked and almost fell on her face. Pinkie Pie bounced beside her and smiled.

"Oh, good evening Pinkie Pie."

"It sure is. Hey didja know how good the evening's been for me? So good. I sold so many cupcakes today. I'm glad I talked with Rainbow Dash about making that rainbow flavor. It's so yummy. You want to try it some time? You should, it's delicious."

"Oh, no thank you, Pinkie Pie. I'm in no mood for sweets, if that's okay with you."

"Okie dokie loki, Fluttershy. Hey have you noticed you look down? Why is that? Is it something bad, if it is we could throw a party to make things better."

"I don't think a party would help," Fluttershy shook her head. "I'm just not feeling too good, is all."

Pinkie Pie bounced around her friend. Fluttershy tried to ignore her but couldn't. Pinkie Pie said, "That's no good, you should try something sweet then. That makes me feel better when I'm not feeling good."

"Thank you, but I just don't have an appetite. Twilight told me something that just makes me feel awful."

Pinkie Pie gasped and froze in front of Fluttershy. She spun around and said, "What? Is it a secret? Can you tell me?"

"Um… yes. I think. You're really good at keeping secrets, so I suppose it's okay to tell you. If you just keep it between the girls."

Pinkie Pie nodded furiously. "Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."

Fluttershy scanned the road for anyponies. Then she leaned in and whispered while glancing behind her, "I'm just so flustered with this, because I'm not sure what to do, but Twilight told me that Big Macintosh told her that he liked boy ponies. And I know it's not any of my business, but I'm not sure I agree with it—"

"But that's so weird! How can he like other stallions?" Pinkie Pie exclaimed. She slapped a hoof over her mouth, knelt down to Fluttershy's level and whispered, "Sorry. I don't think anyone heard. But how can he be like that? It's so weird, I mean, I've never heard of a pony being like that, least not a boy pony. What should we do?"

Fluttershy shrugged her wings.

"Well… I'm not sure how he feels about it… but how about a party? I mean it's so weird and new that it should be celebrated shouldn't it? I could ask Applejack tomorrow when the Cakes get home. Oh maybe we could hold a parade instead, haven't done one of those in a long time. I'll need to get my accordion, though…

Fluttershy said, "Well, if you want you can, but I don't think he'd like it."

"But everypony likes a good party."

"I guess they do, but maybe…"

"That's that then. Tomorrow I'll talk to Applejack and that night the barn will be party central."

Fluttershy frowned but said as Pinkie Pie bounced back to Sugar Cube Corner. "Goodnight, Pinkie."

"Oh, goodnight Fluttershy. Hope the parasprites don't bite!"

Fluttershy hoped there weren't any parasprites! Oh, now she would check every nook and cranny for one of the adorable creatures when she got home. But it wasn't those things that scared her, she couldn't remember if Twilight said if Applejack knew or not. But if she didn't and Fluttershy told her, oh she would be so mad.

But they were brother and sister, so she had to know. Yes, Fluttershy was sure they wouldn't hide anything like that.

Big Macintosh hesitated on Rarity's doorstep. Twilight dropped by earlier that morning and told him Rarity would be able to help him. She said Rarity knew a lot more about his problem than he did, said she could help out a whole lot if he stopped by her boutique. Big Macintosh sighed and knocked the door with his hoof.

The top half swung open and on the other side the marshmallow, purple maned pony squealed. She opened the bottom half of the door and said, "Oh it's so good to see you Big Macintosh. I've been waiting all day darling, please come in side."

Big Macintosh strode through the doorway and said, "Morning miss Rarity. Ah came by on account—"

"Oh I know why you're here darling, but I simply can't believe you came here like this. I'll just have to throw everything aside this afternoon, both of us could use a good day at the spa."

"Umm… beggin' your pardon miss Rarity?"

"Oh don't worry about it now. Come in." Her horn glowed, and across the room several mannequins floated to the pair. She said, "I've been busy you know, I'm sure. All week working on a line of new dresses and I was wondering if you might want to look at them?"

Big Macintosh asked. "Are ya sure this is why Ah'm here?"

"Of course, now tell me what you think of this one, hmm?" She levitated one of the mannequins closer and said, "I'm a little worried that this violet might be a shade too dark for the hem and—"

"They all seem a bit fru-fru ta me," Big Macintosh said, "Beggin' your pardon if'n that's not whatcha wanted ta hear miss Rarity, but Ah reckon Ah'm not the sharpest when it comes ta judgin' this kinda stuff."

Rarity said, "Oh…"

"Ah think the colors on it look mighty fine, though," Big Macintosh added when he saw his host's distress.

"Thank you Big Macintosh. Perhaps we can just look at the colors then? I would so love for your thoughts, and later we can still go to the spa. I'd love to see what you'd like if they got you prim and proper, you'd have other stud chasers drooling over you."

Big Macintosh flinched at the thought. Rarity was already swapping out the mannequins. He nickered and said, "Ah think both of us got ta expectin' too much from the other."

"Whatever do you mean dear?" Rarity said when she set the mannequin down.

"Ah came here 'cause miss Twilight said ya could help me with mah problem."

"What problem? Oh you don't think—" Rarity covered her mouth to hide her gasp. She went to Big Macintosh's side and said, "Why Macintosh, darling, whyever would you think you have a problem? You are a fine stallion and anypony who says otherwise is, well, they aren't pretty. And I know who's pretty and who's not, and you are pretty—once we get you cleaned up of course."

Big Macintosh sighed. "Thank ya kindly ma'am, s'pose Ah still have ta figure things out." He headed for the door.

"Just follow your sister's advice darling. Be who you are without any shame, it's beautiful you know. And when you're ready, let me know when you want to go to the spa. A pedicure would both do us some wonders."

Big Macintosh coughed. He quickened his pace and tried to ignore the oblivious pony's goodbyes. Big Macintosh didn't care if Celestia said it was the only natural thing he could do now that he knew what he was, he wouldn't be seen nowhere near no spa.

Thank goodness the Cakes came home early. Well, not thank goodness for them because they complained a lot and didn't even tell Pinkie what a good job she did with her rainbow cupcakes, all they could keep talking about were pumpkin recipes. Chitter-chatter nicker-nacker, pumpkin pies and cakes and all sorts of things. Sometimes she thought the couple talked too much.

But thank goodness. She wanted to throw Big Macintosh the biggest party ever tonight. She'd invite everypony she could, maybe even put a bulletin out in Equestria Daily so that every pony would be invited. She had the bits to, but maybe if she did she wouldn't be able to afford enough balloons or streamers or candy or punch or—

She needed to see Applejack. That's why she bounced up the trail to Sweet Apple Acres farmhouse, because Applejack probably knew Big Macintosh better than anything, aside from maybe the apple trees, she was sure the apple trees knew a lot about Big Macintosh too.

Pinkie Pie found Applejack hauling apples out of her cellar. She bounced to the pony and said, "Applejack. Oh Applejack. I need to ask you questions, bunches of questions, bushels maybe."

Applejack noticed her. She flared her nostrils and set down the bucket she held in her mouth. She said, "Ah reckon Ah might have just a few minutes ta spare sugar cube. Watcha need? A pie or somethin'?"

Pinke Pie shook her head. "Oh no, no, no, no! Unless you're offering because I could have ten if you're offering."

"Sorry, it'd have ta cost ya. Even if we're friends."

"Well that's okay, I might buy some anyway. I want to throw Big Macintosh a party. Like a great big party with great big games and dances and sweets."

Applejack said, "Pinkie, Big Macintosh ain't a partyin' pony." Her brows furrowed. "And why would'ja wanna throw him a party now? Ain't nobody's want ta throw him a party before, exceptin' his kin."

"Well, because—" Pinkie's tongue tripped all over itself. She didn't know what to say. So she bounced up and down and said, "You know, silly!"

"No, Ah don't."

Pinkie Pie stopped bouncing. She rubbed her chin for a minute, then said, "Oh, I see. It's a secret. But Fluttershy told me. And she said to keep it between us girls."

"And what in tarnation did Fluttershy tell ya?" Applejack demanded.

"Our secret silly. You know—" Pinkie Pie snuck a few furtive glances around and leaned in close, she whispered, "That your brother likes colts."

Pinkie Pie stepped back and beamed.

"Pinkie Pie, darlin', who told Fluttershy somethin' awful like that?"

Pinkie Pie thought on it for a minute. "Well I suppose Twilight did, I think Big Macintosh told her he did or something. But isn't it neat? I want to hold a party because it's so new and bizarre and you gotta celebrate new things, right?"

Applejack knelt back down to grab her bucket and said, "Go home. We won't be throwin' no parties this time."

Pinkie Pie said, "No party? But you gotta throw a party—"

Applejack shot up and pressed her face into the pink pony's. She kicked the bucket and it sailed through the air, over the cellar door and banging into the barn. "Ah said go home Pinkie Pie, or Ah'll string ya up and dump ya on Sugar Cube corner mahself."

Pinkie Pie shrunk away. "Oh, I'm sorry, Applejack. Maybe I can come by later, okay?"

"Ah'm not in the mood. When Ah'm ready ta see ya Ah will."

Pinkie Pie's bouncy mane popped like a balloon. "Oh… okay…" the pink pony slinked away, her mane and tail drooping around her.

Big Macintosh barely caught the pink pony as she left. He stopped and as she passed asked, "Somethin' wrong, miss Pinkie Pie?"

Pinkie Pie shook her head and said, "No, I'm sorry to bug you."

Big Macintosh shook his head, "Nonsense." She didn't answer, Big Macintosh called out before she went out of earshot, "Ah hope ya have a nice day."

Big Macintosh frowned. He almost pursued her, but he supposed whatever problem plagued her was something he could do nothing about. He had things he needed to solve on his own. He tried while in Ponyville again, to admire mares and flirt, but every time he came up short. He figured he couldn't do nothing about his attraction, so he just needed to fool himself into thinking otherwise. Maybe get a mare who looked like a stallion, that could help. He'd try anything at this point.

Applejack paced in front of the barn. Enough thoughts ran wild in her head, but she couldn't wrangle in a single one. She wanted to march right over to Fluttershy's and follow this wicked grapevine right to the source. Her brother'd been so distant to her lately, and Applejack didn't think this was why. She didn't want to believe it, even if that big red goofball said it himself. He wouldn't be so selfish, Applejack knew him. He didn't have to like stallions anymore than a mare had to like a mare.

Big Macintosh saw her before Applejack saw him. Applejack had been looking at the ground and been in such a fierce concentration she didn't even hear her brother coming. He said, "Ah saw your friend leavin' the farm. She seemed mighty upset."

Applejack faced her brother and said, "She said somethin' Ah just couldn't believe. Ah need ta say Ah'm sorry later—but, big brother, did ya know they're spreadin' rumors 'bout ya in Ponyville?"

Her brother's shoulders stiffened. His eyes went wide and he hid his apprehension about as well as rabbit caught in the act of stealing food. "Ah—Ah can't believe anypony would do such a thing."

Applejack saw it there, and her stew of rage was diluted with something black that weighed her down between her stomach and ribs. She said, "Ah know. 'Specially Twilight, she was tellin' the girls ya told her ya fancied colts and stallions and whatnot."

Applejack saw the knot swell in Big Macintosh's throat. His tail whipped behind him, like it swiped at an annoying fly.

"But somethin' like that never'd be true. Would it, Big Mac?"

"Um… well—"

Applejack flared her nostrils.

Big Macintosh shook his head. "It's not true, sis. Ah swear Ah'd never do nothin' like that to ya'll. Ah'm not goin' ta put the farm or family at risk, Ah'd never—"

"Ya might as well be tryin' ta lie ta the trees, 'cause there's not a soul who believes ya." Applejack took a few steps to Big Macintosh and demanded, "How could ya even think ta do that? It's not fair ta no pony."

"And ah told ya Ah'm not. Look, maybe Ah'm a bit inclined ta stallions, but Ah swear—"

"You're either one way or you're not Big Mac, now which way are ya?"

"Ah want ta be with a mare, sis. A nice pretty one who can 'preciate rearin' colts and fillies and apples. Ah want ta. Ah want ta so bad and Ah've been tryin' mah hardest. Ah've never once wanted what you're suggestin' and we both know what they said ain't true. Maybe Ah can only like stallions, but Ah know Ah can still love a mare with mah children and Ah'm goin' ta try mah hardest."

Applejack felt a tug on her hooves to leave now. To end it there, leave barrel half-filled to make sure all those sweet apples didn't get covered with the sour ones. But it wasn't her, it wasn't her to close up her feelings like a keg of apple cider and pretend nothing ever happened.

Neither pony looked at each other when Applejack said, "Ah want ta believe that. Big Mac… gosh Ah want ta believe that more'n Ah believe in this farm, but you're not bein' honest with yourself. Your whole life's passed ya by and we all thought it was the workin' that kept ya from findin' someone or tryin' ta, but how in the hay are you goin' ta keep at it now? And forget about lyin' ta some mare, forget about lyin' ta your own little foals 'bout whatcha are. Can ya imagine it? Ah can't do it, Big Mac. Ah can't let ya do it. If'n ya can't like a mare, ya shouldn't try at all. Ya can't love what ya don't like, big brother."

"But Ah can, sis. Ah can. Ah just need ta find the right mare—"

"But ya just said otherwise, didn't ya? It's gettin' to the point ya can't keep track of whatcha sayin' and Ah don't want ya lyin' head over hooves ta make me happy, Big Macintosh. Ah got a belly full of stones and a head full of moldy hay. Ah won't—just please, leave me alone for a bit. Ah'm goin' ta head inta town and see if Ah can make up for the things Ah said ta Pinkie Pie. Poor girl didn't deserve the tongue lashin' Ah gave her."

Big Macintosh didn't mutter or mumble another word. Applejack glanced at him once when she passed him. She saw him choke back a sob, and then she was beyond him, walking to Ponyville at a nice slow stride. She wouldn't stop until she reached Pinkie's. She'd apologize deeply, then maybe go to Twilight's to talk about her brother. She reckoned she didn't want to go back to the farm 'til the sun came down.

Big Macintosh started moving his hooves again. For a second time he wanted to keep walking. He wanted to walk across the whole of Equestria and follow the sun and maybe when it got so hot it burnt him he might feel something again. He wished Applejack would've kicked him in the teeth or strung him up from the barn or something. Anything other than what she said.

She thought Big Macintosh decided this? Gosh. The big red stallion didn't decide nothing, he never once not thought about having a set of his own fillies and colts running around the farm. How could he decide to not want that when he wanted it since they started caring for little Applebloom? Big Macintosh also wanted a nice mare to share his long days with, watch the sun set from the rise Applejack and Big Macintosh always used to look over the farm. He wanted to go up there and talk about his future, their future. He wanted… he wanted…

He wanted so many things he no longer wanted anything but to punish himself. Applejack didn't deserve a brother so selfish, and what about poor little Applebloom? She could never know a thing. As far Big Macintosh was concerned there was nothing to know.

Big Macintosh reached the fence of their property and bounced back to the farm house. He expected he'd be walking for a while before he got tired. That was okay. Big Macintosh reckoned he had a lot to mull over.

He'd make it up to Applejack is what he would do. He'd try his hoof at every mare in Ponyville and then move on to other cities. Shucks, if he needed to he'd find a way into Cloudsdale and try every mare there. He wouldn't ever disappoint his sister like that again. He couldn't bear it, right now he wanted to run himself off a cliff and he was mighty sure if he ever saw Applejack like that again that he'd go and do it.

He heard a giggle and stopped. He almost passed through the pink ladies, and in front of him a few pony-lengths away was Applebloom and her two friends in a tangle. They were playing tag. Scootaloo was it. She chased the other two ponies to the other side of the orchard when Sweetie Belle tripped, but Scootaloo hopped right over her and with the help of her wings dove right on top of Applebloom. The girls became a rolling, squealing mass of joy and fun no pony but filly or colt could understand. Sweetie Bell joined them when she got up. Big Macintosh noticed she got her cutie mark too, sometime while Rarity had her at the shop, but the mark had nothing to do with dressmaking.

Applebloom's lone blank flank reminded Big Macintosh of the pony who put this storm cloud over his head.

Big Macintosh noticed the tree he kicked over. He nickered when he saw the rotted remains of the pink lady he smashed. Big Macintosh decided then and there what he'd do. He'd go to the pony that caused all his woes and make him settle things for him and once and for all everything would be right in Equestria again.

Big Macintosh left a note in his room. He didn't want Applejack to think he abandoned them. He only wanted to be gone a day, but he brought all the bits they planned to pay Delph with, so he managed. Fillydelphia made him plain uncomfortable. All the crowding and grey skies, it didn't seem like anypony would like to live there.

But he didn't need to endure it for more than two days before he found a lead on the blue stallion. Turned out the city's blank flank had a streak with the notorious.

Big Macintosh stood outside a fancy restaurant called The Haymaker's Paradise. Big Macintosh stepped inside and thanked the doorpony, who seemed to look at him funny for the thank you. At the door was a pedestal and spread out every which way were tables with fine looking red fabric spread over them. Candles on each table made the only light and got the whole room darker. At all the tables sat ponies chatting in low voices with their manes done nice and with formal wear Big Macintosh only ever saw the night of last year's Grand Galloping Galla.

The unicorn at the pedestal asked, "Your reservation, sir?"

Big Macintosh's blinked. He faced the pony and asked, "Beggin' your pardon, ma'am, but Ah don't believe Ah heard ya."

The mare told him, "You need a reservation for a table, sir."

Big Macintosh said, "Oh, Ah'm sorry ma'am. Ah just wanted ta see about talkin' ta one of your waiters. Ah heard he worked here. His name's Delph."

"The blank flank? He's on break in the back. Go get him if you want. Kitchen's that way." She pointed down an aisle of tables where a pair of black doors waited on the opposite wall.

"Uh, thank ya ma'am."

Big Macintosh set his eyes right on those doors and marched to them. He heard ponies go quiet while he passed by and he felt their stares on him. He knew he looked out of place, but he came all this way. Still, when he reached the door he hesitated.

He pushed his way inside and contrast struck him. The kitchen was brightly lit, and all sorts of metal shelves and pans and instruments gleamed. Ponies yelled at each other and pots and pans banged together and Big Macintosh felt like couldn't find anypony in this mess when he heard, "Big Macintosh?"

Big Macintosh turned from the sprawl of the kitchen and there on his right near a door with an exit sign underneath stood Delph. The stallion approached him and asked, "What in Celestia's sun are you doing here?"

"Ah came lookin' for ya. Can we talk somewhere, please? Ah don't like all this noise."

"Sure, let's go outside," Delph said. Big Macintosh followed him out the door to a filthy alley. There was a trashcan opposite the door leaning against a fence and it overflowed with all sorts of nasty things. Big Macintosh never seen so much food wasted.

Delph said, "This is the best I can do right now, so I apologize for it. But what happened to you? You wouldn't be here if it wasn't something bad."

Big Macintosh was so relieved to see a familiar face that he forgot to be angry for a moment. Instead he said, "Mah sister found out about me and—no. She accused me of bein' like you and ever since ya said somethin' Ah thought the same but Ah know it ain't true—"

"Whoa, stop right there. Who do you think you are blaming me for this? You know, I was kind've happy when I saw you. After it's not been that long at all—shoot I guess for a wild second you convinced your sister to let me stay there."

"Ya thought wrong. Ah came for answers."

"Answers about what?" Delph demanded. "Am I the guru to stud chasers to you? Is that it?"

"Nah, but who else ya expectin' me ta come to for answers. There's not a pony in Ponyville who understands. They all thinkin' this is what Ah want and it's not—"

"Have you even tried for a second to see if it was?"

Big Macintosh froze. He snorted and stamped a hoof. "Ah know what Ah want, and that's not it."

Delph stepped forward and his face came a hoof's span from Big Macintosh's nose. He said, "Why not? You afraid of not having a partner? That's stupid. You want a filly or something else stupid like that? Drop by the orphanage on your way back. I can say from experience that this city has a dozen of them."

"It's not natural, and an orphan ain't your kin. They didn't come from your tree so—"

"But they'd try a whole heck a lot harder to be a part of your family than anyone else," Delph said. "Just admit you're afraid of being what you are. That's why you hesitate. But you're a catch, you're just the stupidest, sweetest pony I've ever met. I know you have a sour apple as your cutie mark, but you're a pink lady sure as can be. And you have no idea how much I envy that."

Big Macintosh felt bile rise in his throat and a flush of another emotion. He stepped back, turned away and tried hard to understand his own thoughts. He never felt so embarrassed in his life, he wanted to hide in the hay at the barn back home and just stay there until he forgot what Delph just said. But he didn't think he could, ain't no pony ever said something close to that to him before.

He felt Delph watching him. The pony said, "You can't just keep pretending that you aren't what you are. I've seen ponies do it, and it's something awful. Heck, I'm not proud of it, but I tried it once. And for a month I was almost normal, and then she found out and… well there's a reason I have reputation in this city."

"Ah never want any of this. Ah wish mah sister didn't let ya come ta the farm."

"At least you know now it's not that farm keeping you alone. It's yourself, Big Macintosh. I know it's hard to hear that, but you can move on. How about you go home, back to your family? With what you told me I can't imagine them not accepting you."

The red stallion shook his head. "Ah don't know if Ah can."

"You told me you couldn't imagine not having a family. Go home, and apologize for being stupid enough for coming here, but don't apologize for what you are."

Delph stepped beside him and nuzzled his cheek. "There's a gate on the fence. The alley beyond leads down to Pony Press Road, you can follow the signs back to the train station."

Big Macintosh felt he should say something. A weak, a very weak part of him wanted to step away and still tell Delph, "This was just a waste of mah time." But when he opened his mouth all that came out was, "Thank ya, kindly."

Big Macintosh refused to look at him. The smaller pony stood so close Big Macintosh could feel his shadow falling all over him. The blue pony told him, "If you find somepony don't wait on me. But maybe, someday, I may come back to Ponyville again."

Delph stepped away, and then walked back inside. Big Macintosh noticed something jump out on his blank blue hide. It was small, but it was there nonetheless, and reminded Big Macintosh of so many days ago.

Delph might be right about something Big Macintosh never thought about, that the orphan tried harder to be closer to the tree. And so, the pink lady cutie mark was the last thing he saw of Delph, before Big Macintosh turned and went home.