Blue Acres

The remainder of the week had gone by and it was now almost time for the big date. The sun was beginning its descent into the horizon as the large red stallion stared into his mirror. Behind him, Apple Bloom was busy brushing his tail. He had to look perfect for his first real date. Well, that’s what his sisters and Granny Smith kept telling him.

Ah can’t believe Ah’m doing this.

He turned her offer down at first and a second time, as well as a third. However, Rainbow was stubborn and kept trying to convince him. He hated to admit it but after awhile, he started to like the idea. However, he was still a bit scared that AJ would see through this lie. She was the element of honesty for a reason.

“Ow.” He quickly turned his head and stared at Apple Bloom.

She looked apologetic and gave a little laugh. He just sighed and turned back to the mirror; never could stay mad at her, even when she got into real trouble.

In the mirror he spotted Applejack standing at his doorway. “Ya know, you wouldn’t have to worry about knots if you brushed your tail more often.”

“Eeyup.”

The conversation was interrupted by a series of knocks on the front door. “My new big sister is here,” exclaimed Apple Bloom.

Macintosh cringed. She’d been calling Dash her new big sister ever since he told her about the date.

She’s going to be mighty disappointed when she hears the truth,

Applejack stared down at Apple Bloom with a frown. “Now, Ah done told you not to be saying that. This is just a date. We don’t want to rush them into anything.” Before Apple Bloom could turn on her trump card, AJ walked away and started down the steps. “What in the hay is she doing here an hour early anyways?”

Macintosh and Apple Bloom followed behind her and the knocking started once more. “Yeah, yeah, I’m coming, feather flank. Hold your horses.” The door creaked open, revealing a slightly disheveled blue pegasus. She was breathing heavily and a little sweat was stuck to her forehead. “What in tarnation happened to you?”

“Getting chased by a crazy unicorn is what happened to me!” she blurted out.

A small yellow blur carrying a tray with a glass of juice on it came from the kitchen and up to Dash. The drink was all the colors of the rainbow and occasionally little currents of electricity ran across the surface. “Here. Some zapapple juice will fix ya right up.”

As Dash began drinking, AJ facehooved. “So, what set off Twilight this time?”

“Other crazy unicorn,” Dash responded, after setting the now empty glass down. “Rarity heard about the date and was hay bent on giving me a makeover. Let me tell you, that mare is pretty damn fast when she wants to be. But, with some amazing flying, I got her to trip over Sweetie Belle.”

AJ tried to hold back her laughter, but to no avail. Big Mac and Apple Bloom soon joined in.. “What’s the matter Dash, don’t you want to look pretty?”

Dash snorted at the question. “Just for that, I'm going to tell her when you finally get a date. I bet you'd look great in some fru fru dress.”

AJ froze in place and her pupils constricted into small dots. “You wouldn’t.”

“Like hay I wouldn’t. I can’t wait to see you try to run from her magic.” AJ quietly grumbled to herself. “Anyways, how did she even find out about the date?”

"Um, well that might be my fault," said Apple Bloom. "I may have told Sweetie Belle about it. Sorry about that."

"Don't worry about it kiddo. Hey Macintosh, you ready?"

“Eeyup. Later sis. Apple Bloom, don’t try to stay up late waiting for us.”

The pair left, with the sound of the filly yelling out, “Have fun.”

****

They went down the road at a quick and steady pace. Big Mac spent much of the time looking down at the road, just quietly listening to their hoofsteps. With the sound of each hooffall, his resolved grew weaker. He wondered what would the others be like and what would he do if a colt hit on him. Other concerns ran through his head, like what if they didn't like his accent. All these thoughts and several others raced through the stallions head.

His worry must have been pretty visible. At the very least, visible enough for the pegasus next to him to pick up on it. “Nervous?”

“Eeyup.”

“Don’t be. You have the greatest pegasus in Equestria as your guide. Stick with me kid and nothing can go wrong.”

Kid?

He thought about correcting her, since he was a good five years or so older than her, but their destination was now in view. It was a large square building, with a neon sign over its door way. It read: The Solar Flare. He could already hear the techno music pulsing from the club.

Is it too late to turn back?

“Come on slow poke.” Dash raced and he followed as quickly as he could. They approached the building and Dash opened the door. Instantly a wall of sound smashed into Macintosh. “You get used to it.”

After checking to see if his ears were bleeding, Macintosh scanned the room. At the far end was some earth pony dj. A lot of the ponies were mingling in the middle, around a large dance floor. Along the side wall was the bar and a few tables.

“Dashie, hey!” A mint colored unicorn came running up to Rainbow and the two shook hooves. She had a large smile and seemed pretty energetic. "Oh, and Big Macintosh, I didn't expect to see you here."

“Hey Ly.”

Macintosh bowed his head. “Howdy ma’am.” Lyra nodded in response.

"I'm not old and grey yet, so no need to call me ma'am."

“So where’s Bon Bon?" asked Rainbow Dash. "You two are always together.”

“Oh, she’s visiting her parents in Fillydelphia.”

The two mares continued their conversation, which was mostly just small talk. Macintosh slowly drifted away from them and towards the bar.

“Uh, do ya’ll have apple cider here?” he asked, trying to keep his accent down a bit.

“Yes sir. I’ll get you glass right away.”

Big Mac was surprised at just how quickly the stallion got it and returned to dealing with other patrons. He had to admit, if nothing else, they had good service.

“Big Mac?” In shock, Big Mac stopped mid drink, and began coughing. “Heh, sorry about that.”

Macintosh turned around to see the speaker. A blue stallion with bright yellow eyes stood there with a grin.

“Howdy Blues.”

An awkward silence settled between the two, until the blue pony finally spoke up, “You know, I never expected to see you here. This your first time?” The blue colt had the smoothest voice Big Mac had ever heard. Until finding out at a musical festival one year, he would have sworn that the musical notes Blues’ flanks meant that he was a singer.

Without knowing what else to say, Macintosh fell back to his old standby. “Eyup.” Awkward silence once more took over the conversation, or rather, lack of one.

Ah knew this was going to happen. Say something before you come off like an idiot.

It was times like these that Macintosh was thankful that his coat was red, so it was impossible for others to see him blushing. His so called fillyfriend, Dash, came in to break the silence this time around. “I leave you alone for five seconds and you’re already flirting with stallions,” she said in a mock surprised tone. “You’re a quick learner and picking up a musician at that. Maybe you should give AJ and Apple Bloom some tips on picking up colts.”

Now, Big Macintosh was more thankful than ever he was born with a red coat.

“Hey, Blue Boy.”

“Yeah?”

“Weren’t you supposed to be on stage like three minutes ago?”

It was only now that Macintosh realized the music had gone silent. A quick glance at the stage informed him that the dj and the turntable were both gone.

“Celestia damn it. Lost track of time again.” Blues stepped closer to Macintosh. He could feel his heart begin to beat a bit faster. “Hey Big Mac, I’m going to be on stage for most of the night. Are you coming here again tomorrow?”

“Uh… eyup.”

“Great, see you then.” The blue colt rushed off through the crowd, mumbling something about needing to get a watch.

Rainbow nudged him a few times in the ribs. “So, you like musicians too?” Big Mac just sighed in response. Dash leaned in and whispered, “Do you think he has a better flank than Caramel?”

Thank Celestia for red coats.

The pair continued their conversation for a few hours. Well, it was mostly Dash talking; doing her best to get Big Mac to say something about the way Blues looks. She also pointed out the other single colts.

Macintosh was mainly just paying attention to the stage where Blues was standing on his hind legs playing a saxophone. He never could understand how musicians could stand like that for so long. There were a few other ponies accompanying him on stage, but he was the one out in front. Unlike the quick techno beats from before, Blues’ music had a slow, steady rhythm to it. His notes were blending together perfectly, creating a melody for the dancing ponies to follow. For the first time Big Mac noticed that Blues was a rather handsome colt and had great eyes, which were currently staring back at him.

****

After spending some more time at the club, Macintosh and Dash made their way back to the farm. Dash was staggering a bit; a side effect from all the drinks that she had. He convinced her to sleep it off back in his room, rather than trying to fly home in her condition.

Along the way Macintosh learned that when drunk, Rainbow Dash loved to sing. However, her ability to do so went down considerably and the amount of times her voice cracked went up. He silently thanked the princesses for getting home quickly just so she’d stop.

Once inside, they spotted Applejack sitting in the kitchen. “Ya didn’t have to wait up.”

“Ah know, but Ah was curious about how it’d go. Ah'm guessing that you two had a good time, considering how drunk Dash is. I wonder how many ponies she woke up with her singing this time.”

“Of course we had fun,” Dash drunkenly slurred. “Your brother is dating the coolest and hottest mare in town.”

“Listen sis, Rainbow here ain’t in no shape to be flying home. So she’ll be spending the night.”

“Speaking of which, Ah should hit the hay also.” The three started going towards the steps, but AJ stepped out in front of them and turned. Giving Macintosh a stern look, she added, “Now, Ah know that what you and your fillyfriend do in your room ain’t my business but just remember, my room is right next to yours. If I get woken up by the sound of my best friend and my brother rutting around, Ah ain’t going to be a happy pony come morning. And if ya’ll wake up Apple Bloom or Granny Smith with it, then I’ll tan both your hides. Got it?”

“Eyup.”