Trixie came up over a hill, frowning a little as she did. This was rather a blind rise. Could be dangerous if someone had been coming over the other side, but there wasn't. Much to Trixie's surprise, someone was coming up behind her. Trixie nearly jumped out of her skin as she heard a voice behind her,
"How do miss?" A large, strongly built stallion pulling a cart of apples came up beside her, frowning after seeing Trixie's face. "Sorry there, miss. I didn't mean to scare ya."
Trixie shook her head, taking a few deep breaths to calm herself. She had totally missed the stallion on the road behind her. He had caught her off guard. "You didn't scare the great and powerful Trixie!"
The stallion nodded in acceptance. "Well that's good." The stallion offered his hoof in greeting, introducing himself. "... but my friends call me Mac, so you can call me Mac."
Trixie nodded and shook hooves. "I am the great and powerful Trixie! But you can call me Trixie. You from this town?"
Mac nodded in return. "Oh yes, born and raised my entire life. Your first time visiting?"
"No, third time." She frowned and looked at Mac. "You don't remember? I mean the first time I can see someone having missed me but the second time... Uh... I mean I made a pretty big impression... And not a great one..."
Mac shook his head. "I don' let the past dictate how I treat people. No matter what you did, you ain't done nothin' to me or mine now."
Trixie smiled, relieved by such an... enlightened opinion. "Well you're the first. I'm hoping the others will forgive me too."
"Oh, I'm sure they will. Ponyville is good folk." He smiled and motioned to himself. "My family has been here for generations."
Trixie nodded. "Ahh, that's nice. My family never had deep roots, never even met my father." Seeing Mac's eyes harden, Trixie raised a hoof, defending the stallion she never knew. "Though he died, so not exactly his fault."
At the explanation, Mac nodded, bowing his head slightly. "Ahh, my condolences. If I can pry, what'd you tell him if you could?"
Trixie paused for a moment, then smiled a little sadly. "I'd say thank you. And sorry for kinda screwing things up, but I'm giving things a try." She felt the need to explain more at the raised eyebrow. "Well he died getting me and my mother out of a fire. And like I said earlier I might have not made the best choices all the time."
Mac nodded. "Well, I'll make sure he knows."
Trixie blinked then shook her head, concluding after a moment that she must have misheard 'I am sure' as 'I'll make sure.' But before she could think too much on it, he continued.
"I lost my own pa pretty young myself. It's a bit of a family curse if you're the superstitious type." Mac made a throwing-away gesture with his hoof, indicating his own opinion on such thoughts. "I'm sure your own pa's proud of you for turning your life around."
Trixie smiled a bit, making sure her next statement didn't come off as rude. "Not one for curses, but you seem to believe in spirits then."
Mac nodded, obviously not taking offense. "For as long as I can remember. I was fortunate to have more time with my pa than you yours. He found belief very important. And I do too."
Trixie nodded, leaving it there. She didn't personally have a strong opinion on the subject. "Well, I don't mean to dredge up memories, but... Can I ask some things about your father?" It might be a bit rude, but Trixie hadn't met someone who had lost their father later in life and she was curious.
The talk had taken them to a strange marker on the road. It looked like an old road sign, a crossed T with some writing on it, but age had made the words completely illegible to where they pointed. Her suspicions were reinforced by Mac. "Afraid this is where I've gotta leave ya, miss. I'll be taking a turn here about."
Trixie looked around, not seeing a turn, but there was a gap in the trees next to the cross sign that might be a road... if she squinted. "Oh, okay. Well thanks for the talk." She hesitated for a moment. "It... helped, a lot. Thank you."
Mac flipped Trixie a bit and gave her a smile. "Go on down to Sugar Cube Corner and have a milkshake. Tell them ol' Mac is setting you up."
Trixie smiled as she caught the bit and nodded. "I will, thanks. Just what I need after a long journey."
Trixie smiled as she walked into Sugar Cube Corner. Busy in the mid-afternoon, full of regulars and friends. She put her new bit on the counter and smiled at Mrs. Cake. "A milkshake please, Bright Mac is setting Trixie up." Trixie heard the sudden silence all around her. She looked around nervously as Mrs. Cake walked over and slid the bit back across the bar. "D-Did I say something wrong?"
Mrs. Cake smiled a sad smile. "No, this happens every now and then." Mrs. Cake started to make the milkshake as she looked at Trixie. "Let me tell you what happened some ten years ago. On that hill where you met him coming into town, there was a cart full of foals coming from school. And they were right in the middle when Bright Mac topped the hill. It could have been slaughter, but he turned his cart. Well, Bright Mac lost control and went into a tumble. He gave his life to save that bunch of kids. Every now and then some traveler will come by, and like you, Bright Mac will pay them a visit." Mrs. Cake set the milkshake on the counter. "Keep the bit. Think of it as a souvenir, from Bright Mac."
