Fancy Mathematics

Chapters

Counting Apples
Counting Stars
Imaginary Numbers
Irrational Numbers

Counting Apples

One Does Not Simply Count to Apple

The glowing orb of the sun crested the horizon, beaming down on the still and quiet that enveloped the Sweet Apple Acres farmstead. The moon retreated in kind, giving way to the new dawn. As the sun peeked through a dirty window of the farmhouse, its gentle warmth found the sleeping form of the crimson stallion inside, welcoming him into the waking world. Stirring from his sleep, Big Macintosh lifted his head, cloudy and still half asleep. He had lapsed into the dream world while working at the ancient cedar desk that decorated his bedroom, amongst the clutter of various writing materials.

With a deep yawn he began to rub the sleep from his emerald eyes, only to be greeted with a soggy hoof. With a frown, Big Mac withdrew to inspect the offending appendage, finding that he had drooled on it during the night. Thankfully, the papers he had been working on weren't subjected to the same fate. He wiped the saliva into his coat as he turned to look out the window on the apple orchard that stretched endlessly into the sun. He had been admiring the amber rays filtering through it, watching as the dust particles danced in the glorious orange glow when a familiar voice called out to him.

“Hey, Mac! Ya awake yet?”

Big Macintosh turned his attention to the door but didn't respond. The door creaked with age as it slowly opened, and a freckled orange mare under a worn and faded brown stetson poked her head in.

“Mornin' big brother.”

“Mornin' sis.”

“Ya gonna make it down for breakfast? Yer in for a treat this mornin'. Apple Bloom and I are makin' pancakes!” Applejack paused for a moment. “We'll hope they turn out better than her cupcakes,” she grinned sheepishly. “Well s'pose I oughta get back to her, make sure she's keepin' outa trouble.”

“Thanks AJ, I'll be down.” With that Applejack turned and left the room, closing the door behind her. The sound of her hoofsteps could be heard as she descended the stairs, followed by an exclamation of what she found upon reaching the kitchen.

“What in tarnation!? Apple Bloom, how did...? Pull that off the stove and fetch some water!”

Big Mac smiled to himself at Applejack's proclamation, recalling when told of his youngest sister's failed attempt at baking cupcakes with Pinkie Pie.

Arching his back, he stood from the chair, working out the stiffness from sleeping in it. Satisfied that he'd worked out the kinks, he made his way to the corner near the door. Dipping down, he donned the yoke he had dropped unceremoniously on the floor the night before. As it slid into place, resting on his withers, he shot a final glance towards the work that lay on his desk. He would come back to it later.

…........................................................................

“Sorry 'bout the vittles... they might be a bit crispier than ya'd like,” Applejack said with sincere apology as Big Mac entered the kitchen.

His eyes settle on the nearly black pancakes, stacked on a platter in the center of the antique table. “Eeyup,” he answered with a faint grin.

“i'm sorry, i didn't mean to burn em.”

“Oh, don't worry yer pretty lil' head none, sugarcube. It'll all be fine,” AJ said comforting her little sister before turning back to Big Macintosh. “We salvaged what we could and threw the rest away. Hope ya don't mind.”

“Nnnope.”

The three siblings took their seats and divided the stack of crispy pancakes between them, leaving enough for Granny Smith who would be down eventually. They gave a short blessing for the abundant crop of apples they had harvested that year, and prayed for the same next applebuck season before digging into their meal. In a ceremony that had been practiced hundreds of times, dishes with butter, syrup, honey, and cream were being passed from one end of the table to the other as needed. The usual conversation took place; Apple Bloom talking about school, her friends, and asking when she'll get her cutie mark. Meanwhile Applejack talked about the farm, the apples, the harvest, sales, and goings on in town, all the while trying to reassure Apple Bloom she would get her cutie mark when the time was right. Big Mac only added his trademark “Eeyup” or “Nnnope” when necessary and said very little otherwise.

At the point Granny Smith had joined, breakfast had wound down into idle conversation. Once she had finished, Applejack rose from her seat and began to clear the table.

“C'mon Apple Bloom, yer gonna help me with the dishes.”

“But Applejack! Why do we gotta do the dishes when we cooked?” The little yellow filly protested.

“Cuz it ain't fair to Big Mac or Granny to have to when we burnt it.”

“But...”

“No buts, now c'mon I'm helpin' ya,” Applejack interrupted refusing to give in.

“OK...” replied the dejected filly. The pink bow tied up in her scarlet mane flopped sadly about as she jumped down from her seat at the table.

Big Mac rubbed a hoof on the top of her head, offering a gentle smile and a wink as she passed by. Apple Bloom perked up, returning a toothy grin of her own before bounding over to her big sister who was drawing a sink of soapy water.

Granny Smith had already made her way from the table to the living room in search of her rocking chair. Big Mac figured it was as good a time as any to make his departure as well, making a slow deliberate walk back to his room upstairs. He was going to take a rare day off. They had just finished the apple harvest a few days prior, and the family wouldn't be gearing up for cider season for another couple of days. With nothing else to do he set to finish what he had been working on the previous night, before falling asleep.

As he made his way into his room, he closed the door and took a seat once again at the rustic desk. A litany of mathematical equations and formula laid sprawled out before him. Though many merely thought of him as a stallion of few words, incredible strength, and unwavering work ethic, though they were correct, he was also a quiet genius. Aside from immediate family no one knew of it with the exception of two ponies: Cheerilee and Pinkie Pie.

….................................................................

Cheerilee had learned of his hidden passion in the brief time they had dated. After Apple Bloom and her friends had attempted to pair the two of them for Hearts and Hooves Day. Though he enjoyed her company, and admittedly thought she was a very beautiful and intelligent mare, they differed greatly in interests. She was passionate about teaching, and her kindness could rival that of Fluttershy's, but she had always struggled to put up with his silence, as she had always been a, well... cheery and talkative pony. It didn't help that there was always an awkwardness about dating his sister's teacher, or that their courtship began by being duped with a love poison. After a few short weeks, though they enjoyed each others company, it was mutually agreed to be merely friends.

Pinkie Pie finding out was purely by accident. She had come out to the farm to help AJ bake pies to sell in town. His belief was that they must have taken a break, or were waiting for pies to come out of the oven because, without warning, Pinkie had burst into his room like a force of nature. A miniature pink tornado, bouncing off the four walls and ceiling, oohing and ahhing at the drawings and schematics he had pinned up before crowding him at his desk.

“What's that!” Pinkie exclaimed with barely controlled excitement, ignoring Big Mac's annoyed look, or the fact that she had intruded into his room.

“It's a flyin' machine,” he answered plainly.

“Oh, wowie wow wow! That is soooooo neat!”

“Eeyup.”

“How does it work? Is it magic? No wait! Powered by sugar? Cupcakes!?”

“Nnnope.”

“Is it a pony powered, pedal driven, propeller where you have to pedal really, really, really, really fast to turn the drive shaft, which turns the propeller, which causes the air over the top to speed up, which decreases air pressure giving it lift from the denser air beneath it?”

Dumbfounded, Big Mac had to take a moment to process what she had erratically spit out in the longest run on sentence he had ever heard - surprisingly all in one breath - before shaking his head and picking his jaw up off the floor.

“Eeeeyup,” he finally replied, still befuddled.

“Cool! Can you make one!?” The gleaming wall of white pearls she wore in her smile was almost blinding.

“Reckon so, 'cept I ain't got no materials...”

Before he could finish Pinkie had zipped out in a pink blur and returned with a mountain of supplies, dropping them on the floor.

“Here you go!” she chirruped.

The normally stoic stallion lost his composure again. Some how that fuchsia mare with the cotton candy mane seemed not to just simply bend the laws of physics, but out right disregard and break them.

“Thanks!” Pinkie said, overly jubilant, as she once again dashed out of the room. Before Big Mac could protest.

Furrowing his brow, he eyed the heap of lumber and metal now sitting in the middle of his bedroom floor. With a sigh he began to move the debris into the barn, figuring he'd get a start on it the following evening.

Big Mac spent weeks toiling over the project, burning the midnight oil after a full day of working the apple orchard. Applejack would come fuss at him every night about him being up so late, and not letting anypony help him. Normally he would gladly accept the help from his sister, but not with this. Not with one of his inventions, where perfection was so vitally important. Every measurement had to be exact, every piece manufactured flawlessly, weight and balance paramount.

After laboring so tirelessly on the flying contraption, Big Mac was putting the finishing on it when Pinkie, who had been absent through the entire process, bounced through the barn door that had been left ajar.

“Wow! That is absotively, posilutely the most terrificle thing I have ever seen!”

The blood rushed to Big Mac's cheeks at hearing the compliment, taking in his work with modesty only an Apple could muster.

“It's still missing something though...” Pinkie Pie said putting a hoof to her chin, appearing to be in deep thought. “I know!”

From nowhere, she had produced a can of paint and a paintbrush, and set upon the machine in flurry of pink. When she finally came to a stop, there was little resemblance between the the flying machine he had built and the candy striped craft before him. To him, it appeared that not only was it candy colored, but every part of it had been replaced with an assortment of different candies. Once again, his stoic figure faltered.

Throwing herself around Big Mac's withers and embracing him in a surprising, lung crushing hug, any indignation that had began to flare washed away. He was never the type to get too riled or upset, and besides, it was just Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie.

“Thanks!” Pinkie called out, brimming over with excitement as she boarded her newly remodeled flying machine. As she turned the pedals with frenzied vigor, she took to the air throwing Big Mac a box containing an assortment of cupcakes as she exited the barn. “Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!”

Occasionally, Pinkie would stop by the farm to see if Big Mac had come up with anything new, sometimes offering her own ideas. When she would want something made, he would do what he does best - listen. There were some requests he would oblige, and others he would refuse. When he would accept, somehow beyond all reason or logic, she would always manage to produce the supplies that would be required. The only condition he ever put on her for his time and effort was that she Pinkie Promise to never tell anypony he made any of the gizmos she received, or about his intelligence. He preferred it that way.

Her latest idea had been a stern “Nnnope!” As the bubbly earth pony had requested a monumentally large slingshot that could reach Canterlot from Ponyville, for quick travel. Even going so far as to try to convince him that a swimming pool filled with cake frosting could provide a sufficiently soft landing. Not only was it a bad idea, it was downright reckless. Try as he might, he couldn't make her understand the laws of aerodynamics and gravity. Eventually though, he convinced her to relent on her quest for a giant slingshot. He couldn't imagine what went on inside that bubble gum brain of hers, and he wasn't sure he wanted to know.

Big Mac let a heavy sigh escape his lungs, smiling at the memory before returning to the scratch paper where he'd been attempting to solve a particularly stubborn equation. It was getting on towards evening, and he was letting his supper settle as he looked out on the dusky sky from his bedroom window. The ghostly silhouette of the moon plumed from the tops of the apple trees. Tendrils of shadow and decaying light melded together in a serene tapestry sprawling out across the farm. The sounds of crickets chirping and the last few song birds singing their farewell to the sun filled the air with a soothing melody.

That was why he loved it there, why he was a farmer, why he loved his sisters and granny. That was why he chose to be simple and quiet. “If yer always hurryin' and yammerin' on like a foal, yer gonna miss all of this,” he thought to himself.

A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.

“Mind if I come in?”

“Nnnope.”

Applejack opened the door and her freckled features underneath that faded brown stetson poked through.

“Mind if I sit down?”

“Nnnope.”

AJ took the invitation and made her way to the edge of Big Mac's bed, flattening the wrinkles out of the patchwork quilt she had helped her Granny make before taking a seat. The springs groaned under the stress. Looking to her brother with her big green eyes she spoke.

“Mac... I wanna 'pologize.”

“What the hay for?” he asked, not bothering to conceal his curiosity.

“I know I heckled ya at supper this evenin', and I feel plumb rotten 'bout it. I know I tease ya 'bout yer fancy mathematics but...”

“AJ.”

“Yeah?” she said looking up to find the same warm, loving, brotherly smile in his emerald eyes that he always wore when they talked like this.

“I know ya don't mean nothin' by it.”

“I know, but I 'spose I'm afraid of hurtin' yer feelin's 'cause it's somethin' ya really care 'bout. Almost as much as taking care of this farm. I guess to be honest, it's a 'lil intimidatin'. You being so smart and all, but yer so modest and quiet 'bout it. I reckon while I'm bein' honest, I really do admire that 'bout you. I'll never understand half of what's goin' on inside that big hard head a yer's.” AJ smiled at her brother through glossy eyes as she chuckled.

“AJ. You know as well as any pony. When ya start listenin' to ponies makin' fun of ya, you give up what makes ya special. Besides yer my lil sister, I know ya would never be mean to anypony. I love ya, ain't nothin' ever gonna change that.”

Big Mac seldom said more than a couple words at a time. For him to speak full sentences, everypony knew to listen up, especially family. Practically leaping from the bed, AJ threw herself around her brothers withers in a patented, bone crushing, eye popping hug that only Applejack could deliver.

“Thank ya Mac! I love ya too...” she said, releasing him from her viselike embrace. “But I still worry about ya.”

Her gaze was now past him, and locked onto the Smarty Pants doll that belonged to her friend Twilight Sparkle. He'd acquired it the day Twilight enchanted it. It sat upright, slightly disheveled on top of a stack of papers, flopped over to one side. His eyes followed hers, but he already knew what she was looking at. He let out a sigh before speaking.

“Ya don't need to be worryin' yer silly head over things like that.”

“Mac, I've known ya all my life. You were never one for dolls. I know there are other reasons you've held onto that thing, I ain't a foal.”

Big Mac snorted with a sheepish smile but remained silent.

“Mac... I can tell ya like her, but yer letting me bein' her friend muddle the issue. Ya should just go talk to her. And I know ya both well enough to know y'all would never do nothin' that would hurt each other, or our friends and family. Hay, every mare in town practically swoons for ya. You could have anypony ya wanted, but she's special to ya. Takin' that doll back would be a good excuse to talk to her.”

Applejack's concern turned into a tender smile. Big Mac knew his sister was right. He had been secretly smitten with the purple unicorn shortly after she had come to Ponyville. He also knew the sun would long burn out before his sister would drop the subject. Right stubborn that one.

“Alright, I'll go.”

“It's a beautiful evenin' ya know. Nice night fer a walk...” AJ's hint was about as subtle as a coyote in a hen house.

“Eeyup.”

The silence that followed was only broken by the sound of crickets playing their song in the gentle autumn breeze.

“Eeyup.” Big Mac repeated getting up from his seat and moving towards the door.

“You two have got to be the smartest ponies this side of Canterlot. Now try n' tell me that that doesn't add up 'Mr. Fancy Mathematics'.” Applejack giggled, giving her brother a wink before grabbing Smarty Pants from its perch and tossing the doll onto her brother's back. Big Mac let a smirk find his lips before replying.

“Eeyup.”

The duo made their way down the stairs and to the front door before exchanging farewells.

“Ya look as nervous as Rarity's cat Opal in a room full of rockin' chairs.”

“Eeyup.”

“Don't worry Mac, I'm sure everything'll turn out just fine. Just let her know how ya feel.” Applejack said, giving her brother an encouraging hug and a smile.

Big Mac had never been one to do this sort of thing, but AJ had backed him into a corner. Grudgingly, he knew that he would feel better once he'd gotten it off his chest.

“Now go on, get outa here!” she said, prodding him through the front door. Once outside, he made his slow, deliberate march across the farm yard, towards the gate. He breathed deeply letting the clean, cool night air calm his nerves as he closed his eyes.

“Good luck Big Macintosh,” his sister's silhouette called from the doorway. She was smiling through her watery emerald eyes, unbeknownst to him.

Stopping to turn his head back towards the farm house, he replied in kind, a smile of his own creeping across his face. “Thank ya sis.” At that, the door closed with a familiar clink as the latch fell into place. Big Mac was once again headed for the gate marking the boundary between the farm yard and the road into Ponyville.

…........................................................

As Big Mac walked along the road, he took in all beauty the night had to offer in its infancy. The gentle serenade of the crickets played for the lightning bugs that danced in the night air as they would glow and extinguish in harmony. The silver light of the moon illuminated his burgundy coat and saffron mane as they ruffled in the gentle breeze. A canopy of stars, dazzling and bejeweled, twinkled together with all the things of the earth in a grand symphony.

He had all but forgotten how nervous he had been when he began his journey, allowing himself to be swept away in the tranquility of the perfect night. It wasn't until he had reached the row of houses that marked the edge of town that his anxiety returned. He steeled himself, knowing he had come too far to falter in his cause now. And being an Apple, once his mind was set on something, there was no stopping until it was finished.

Making his way through town, he passed the market. Stall vendors' carts, long since closed, lined both sides of the street making for a silent procession. Windows to most of the buildings were devoid of light, telling him most of the residents of the sleepy town had already gone to bed. With the town asleep, he was left to go unnoticed under the dim, yellow glow of the street lights. As he approached his destination, a solitary candle shone in the window of the library, indicating that Twilight was still awake, and most likely studying.

Now he felt nervous, doubly so, like a jack rabbit in a pit full of rattlesnakes. A lump had lodged itself in his throat, forcing him to stretch out his neck to gulp it down as he made his final approach. He'd had knocks at his bedroom door all day, and now it was his turn to knock. He pulled Smarty Pants from his back and held the doll gingerly in his teeth.

Knock. Knock -

“Hello?” a confused voice answered from inside the library. He remained silent. The rhythmic beat of hoofsteps could be heard from within before falling into the quiet of the night. The door cracked open, and a purple unicorn peeked around the corner. Her violet eyes wondering who would be visiting at such an hour.

“Big Macintosh? Why are you out so late? What brings you here, is something wrong?

“E'enin' 'iss S'arkle.” Big Mac replied, the toy in his mouth muffling his speech.

“You found Smarty Pants! I thought I lost her! I couldn't find her after... well... you know...” she trailed off, drawing circles in the ground with her hoof as she recalled the near riot she had caused over the doll. “You came all the way into town to bring her back to me?”

“Eeyup.”

“Thank you!” Twilight exclaimed as she lunged forward, planting a firm kiss on Big Mac's cheek. She immediately recoiled in horror at what she had unconsciously done.

The embarrassment felt by both parties made itself known as their cheeks flushed and began to burn a rosy red. For a moment all they could manage were nervous glances, searching for anything to divert the subject. It was Twilight who broke the awkward silence.

“Well thank you again Big Mac! Good night!” she blurted out slamming the door shut. Her hoofsteps could be heard as she ran across the floor in an attempt to escape.

Big Mac just spoke a quiet “Eeyup” to himself before turning to begin the long walk home. He would have plenty of time to sort his thoughts on the events that had unfolded.

Maybe I'll come back tomorrow.

“Big Macintosh?”

He had only made it a few steps before he was stopped dead in his tracks. Turning back around, he found Twilight standing in the doorway, shifting nervously from side to side while her mane drifted listlessly in the soothing breeze. The silvered light of the moon highlighted her face, forging her features in a deep contrast of indigos and violets. To Big Mac she was simply stunning. Once she was certain she had his attention she continued.

“Would you like to come visit again tomorrow night? There's supposed to be a comet if you would like to watch it with me.”

“Eeyup.”

Another rush of blood filled their cheeks as they blushed and exchanged an affectionate smile.

“Goodnight Big Mac.” Twilight bid her farewell, slowly closing the door as she watched him.

Once again Big Mac turned to head for home as he breathed deep, letting the sweet night air fill his lungs. He smiled to himself, again left to his own thoughts.

Eeyup, reckon I'll come back tomorrow.

Counting Stars

Count Your Lucky Stars

The mid-morning sun shone down on the quiet homestead of Sweet Apple Acres, glistening off the dew that still clung to the grass in the orchard. A chorus of morning birds enraptured the grove with their cheerful melody. Gold and garnet leaves swirling in the gentle breeze, mingled in a blissful waltz. The world was blessed with another beautiful day.

A few renegade leaves had stolen away from the ball, and found their way into the nearby apple cellar. There they settled in the dust, silent witnesses to the two ponies sorting the fruits of their labor from the applebuck season. The siblings quiet conversation, and the rhythmic “thump” of apples landing in baskets were all that disturbed the peace of the taciturn grotto.

“I can't believe it! My big brother has finally got himself a date!”

“Yer right pleased with yerself aren't ya?” Big Mac replied, letting loose a snort as he smirked at his sister. Applejack responded by giving her brother a devilish grin as she socked him on the shoulder.

“Eeyup! Darn right I am!”

They chuckled as they continued sorting apples by color into the appropriate baskets. Applejack swept her golden bangs from her face as she continued to tease her brother.

“I think it's down right adorable that she asked ya on a date fer tonight. And ya even got a kiss outa the whole deal.”

Big Mac's cheeks were practically glowing with heat as he looked to the floor, trying to conceal his embarrassment. And if it weren't for him being a big red stallion that fact would have been even more obvious. AJ however, knew her brother well enough to recognize when he was blushing, and she giggled with delight at his crumbling composure.

“Aww, I'm just hecklin' ya. Y'all are watchin' a comet tonight ya said?”

“Eeyup,” Big Mac replied as he recovered his stoic form.

“Well I imagine that'll give y'all a fine opportunity to put y'all's fancy sciency stuff to use,” she said with a wink.

“Eeyup.”

“Can't say that sounds particularly romantic to me, but I'm sure the two of y'all will enjoy yerselves.” She paused momentarily and snickered to herself before continuing her thought, “Hay, I bet Twilight's got her whole library turned upside down. And I bet she's running 'round like a cat on a hot tin roof tryin' to read up on romance.”

Big Mac chuckled. He knew his sister was probably right about Twilight. She always was a bit addled over anything she was unfamiliar with, and would bury herself in literature looking for answers. Breathing deeply, he took in the sweet scent of the apples they were working on before changing the subject.

“Ya reckon this'll be enough fer ya to start?”

Pulling the hallmark stetson from her head and fiddling with the brim, AJ eyeballed what they had sorted.

“Reckon so. That should be enough green ones to bake pies fer market tomorrow. Pinkie oughta be over soon to lend a hoof with that anyways.” Planting the faded brown cowpony hat firmly back atop her head, she moved to start hauling the baskets up the stairs and out of the cellar, with Big Mac following suit.

….......................................................................

Pinkie Pie had arrived shortly after Big Mac and Applejack were finished moving the baskets from their morning project in the apple cellar to the farm house. As the two mares began to flit about the kitchen, Big Mac snuck back outside taking care as to not let the old iron hinges on the door creak too loudly.

Once outside he paused, closing his eyes, soaking in the warmth of the autumn sun. Filling his lungs with the familiar sweet scent of the orchard. He didn't mind when Pinkie came by the farm, but sometimes she was just a little too loud and energetic. And today was a day that he'd rather enjoy some peace and quiet before he went to see Twilight for their date. As he slowly exhaled, he looked around the farm yard in admiration of the calm that reigned over it. Gold and auburn leaves dotted the ground in sporadic blotches. The fallen patrons of the gala carried on the wind earlier that morning. Reckon somepony oughta pick this up.

With a sigh, he grabbed a yard rake, which was a relic in its own right, like many things on the farm, from its resting place where it had been leaning against the wall near the door. He spent the remainder of the morning slowly, and meticulously gathering the leaves into a single pile. All the while under the silent observation of a little yellow filly.

Just as he had finished his chore and turned to make his way towards the door, a yellow and scarlet streak bolted around the corner of the house. Apple Bloom let out a raucous “yee-haw!” as she sailed through the air, landing sprawled out in the mountain of leaves, and sending them flying in all directions. She surfaced from the sea of autumn foliage with bits a twigs and leaves clinging to her mane, accented by a guilty, toothy grin.

Her over-exuberance immediately shrank into a look of worry as her brother turned to face her with stitched brows. The pink bow that tied up her scarlet mane drooped, imitating the young filly as she tried to sink from view into the heap of leaves.

Big Mac's frown curved up into a wicked grin as he opened up at a full gallop towards his stunned sibling. As though he'd been fired from a cannon. Apple Bloom's expression turned to horror as she scrambled to flee the crimson juggernaut barreling towards her, but could only manage to tread in place before her brother was airborne. His silhouette eclipsing the sun.

In an explosion of cardinal and amber confetti that filled the air, Big Mac scooped up his squealing little sister and tussled her mane. Their laughter rang through the air as they wrestled in the leaves.

Applejack watched her kin playing from the kitchen window, a warm smile gracing her freckled orange face. She would have join them if she were able, but her baking endeavor wouldn't allow it.

“Do ya really have a date with Twilight tonight?” Apple Bloom looked up at her brother quizzically once their rough-housing had subsided. Big Mac returned her gaze with a smile.

“Eeyup.”

“Awwww, that's really sweet!”

Big Mac answered with a chuckle, “Eeyup.”

“Guess ya didn't need my help findin' a special somepony,” she said with a hint of embarrassment. Her thoughts went back to Hearts and Hooves day, and the near fiasco her and her friends had caused when trying to pair their teacher and her brother.

He guffawed more heartily than usual as he pulled his sister in for a firm but gentle hug, “Nnope.”

“Big Macintosh?” She paused making sure she had his attention before continuing, “Yer the best big brother a filly could ask for.”

After breaking their embrace, Big Mac ruffled her scarlet mane once more before splashing backwards into the leaves, anointing themselves in the warm rays of the sun. There they Basked in the sounds of the jays in the orchard and the quiet din of the farm. Eventually, Big Mac picked himself from the bed of vibrant foliage, lifting Apple Bloom onto his back. The little filly wrapped her forelegs around his neck as they silently made their way back to the farm house.

…..........................................................................

The sun continued to stretch across the sky in its unending celestial journey. Giving chase to the moon through the heavens as the day ebbed into the late afternoon. With the days chores complete, save for the two mares still working in the kitchen, Sweet Apple Acres was drifting into another peaceful evening.

Big Macintosh found himself seated in the same old, creaky chair that accompanied his antique, cedar desk. Where he always sat in when working on his inventions and equations. There was just something about numbers that made sense to him. No matter how difficult the problem, there was only ever truth to be found in the answer. If he'd never learned anything else, he'd at least learned the value of truth. He was an Apple after all, and the Apple family was nothing if not honest. It also helped that he just so happened to find solving complex equations strangely relaxing as well.

He mulled over his thoughts. Maybe that was partly why he was so infatuated with the purple unicorn. Aside from the passion they shared for mathematics and knowledge. Maybe she didn't see it the same way he did, but whether she knew it or not, all her studies drove her to seek truth. And that was something he could appreciate.

Resting his elbows on the edge of the desk and propping his chin in his hooves, he mused over a schematic he had just finished. He wasn't left to his thoughts for very long when his bedroom door was blown open with hurricane force. The force of nature that had crashed through the frail door and nearly ripped it off its hinges was none other than Pinkie Pie.

As notes and various scraps of paper swirled about, Pinkie came to a halt with an utterly oblivious smile. Her face uncomfortably close to Big Mac's. He just sighed. After all this was normal, and he'd have found it strange if she hadn't entered in some dramatic fashion.

“I know you said you wouldn't make a slingshot that could reach Canterlot and I was thinking; what if instead of a slingshot we-” Pinkie's sentence was derailed as she caught sight of the sketch Big Mac had been hunched over. With an over-exaggerated gasp she sucked in air for the tangent to follow.

“Oh gosh! What is that! It looks so absolutely splendiferous, I can't even describe it!”

Big Mac cocked an eyebrow and looked at her out of the corner of his eye, turning his head slightly. “It's a spring, Pinkie...”

“Not just any spring! I've never seen a spring like it! I'm going to call it a 'slinky'!”

“Slinky?” he asked, finally turning to face her, slack-jawed in complete befuddlement. Not that he said much any other time, but at this moment, Big Mac found himself at a complete loss for words over her fascination.

As she pressed in on him, Big Mac almost tipped out of his chair trying to maintain what little personal space he could. Pinkie looked at him with genuine surprise, craning her neck for emphasis.

“Don't you know what this means! Just imagine the possibilities! Could you imagine how much fun it would be to push it down the stairs! It just needs to be a little longer to work...” she said as she sat back on her haunches, tapping a hoof on her chin thoughtfully, “Do you think you could make one?”

Big Mac wasn't sure which he found more bizarre; that she was actually requesting a fairly “normal” item, or that she was so animated over something as mundane as a spring.

“I s'pose Ah could, but I ain't startin' on it tonight.”

“Oooh, is it because you have a date with Twilight?”

He froze for a second as he forgot to breathe. Shaking his head to regain his senses, Big Mac finally brought himself to compose a sentence. Really, it was just the first coherent thought that came to mind.

“How in the wide world of Equestria do you know about that?”

Snorting as she giggled, Pinkie's response was not what he had expected. “Silly! You always kept Twilight's Smarty Pants doll on your desk. So I just knew you wanted to be her special somepony! Then today I noticed that Smarty Pants isn't here anymore, so it's obvious that you took her back to ask Twilight on a date! Did you know there's a comet tonight?”

“Uhh... Eeyup...”

He didn't get it. How a pony as off the wall and random as Pinkie, could have such uncanny attention to details like that. It was beyond his understanding, or anypony's for that matter. Never mind the fact that she could produce an exact, and detailed answer from such abstract clues.

“That's so exciting! It's even more exciting than the 'slinky'!” Pinkies big blues eyes lit up, and were gleaming with hardly contained excitement. She began bouncing, as if the act of standing still would cause her to burst in an explosion of bubblegum and confetti. “I can't wait to throw you two the biggest, bestest, most amazingly, spectacular, congratulations on finding your special somepony party, and there will be cake, and balloons, and games, and punch, and-”

Her rant was cut short as a voice from behind her joined the mostly one sided conversation.

“Pinkie Pie.”

The overly jubilant pink mare came to a halt before turning around to see who called her name.

“Oh hey Applejack. Did you know Big Mac has a date with Twilight?” she asked as she resumed bouncing in place.

“Uh... Yeah, Pinkie,” she said as her green eyes darted back and forth between Pinkie and her brother with some concern. “But don'tcha think that ya oughta let them decide when they're ready fer a party? Besides, it's gonna be getting dark soon, and didn't you say ya needed to be gettin' back to Sugarcube Corner?”

“You're right! Mr. and Mrs. Cake were going out tonight, and asked me to watch Pumpkin Cake and Pound Cake for them. How could I forget!?”

As she began bounding towards the door AJ offered her thanks for the help in the kitchen before they exchanged goodbyes.

“Bye Big Mac! Have fun on your date with Twilight!”

Pinkie rounded the corner as she exited the room. Her cotton candy tail the last part of her to disappear from view. The two siblings listened to her descend the stairs followed by the familiar clack of the latch of the outside door closing. An air of relief breathed into the room as Big Mac let out an exasperated sigh.

“Thank ya sis.”

“Reckon I came to the rescue just in time,” AJ chuckled as she sauntered to the edge of the bed to take a seat.

“Eeyup.”

“Sorry 'bout Pinkie Pie. Ya about ready fer y'all's date tonight though?” she said trying to control her laughter.

Big Mac's chair groaned in protest as he leaned back, sitting in silence for a moment and mulling over his impending date. He couldn't say he had much experience on courtship, but after the initial jitters of when he returned Smarty Pants, there was certain feeling he couldn't shake. He couldn't quite describe it, but it was strangely calming.

“Eeyup.”

“Well I gotta tell ya, Ah'm right proud of ya Mac.”

“Thank ya AJ.”

“I reckon y'all are gonna be busy with yer fancy mathematics and such, but I got a feeling y'all will find a little room fer romance,” she said with a wink, flashing a sly smile. “I mean y'all gonna be watching shootin' stars after all.”

Big Mac grunted at his sister's insinuation. He knew she getting at him about Twilight kissing him, she never was one for subtlety. Like a fox in a hen house.

“You just pay no never mind to what we may, or may not be doing.”

“Alright 'Mr. Fancy Mathematics', I'll let it rest,” she chuckled as she rose from the bed. “Now c'mon down stairs, I baked an extra pie for you to take with ya tonight.”

Big Mac wordlessly stood up from his perch and followed his sister out of the room, and down the stairs into the kitchen. The kitchen looked as though it was victim to the same pink tornado his room had been subjected to earlier. Pots and pans were strewn about, various mixing bowls, utensils, and ingredients taking up every spare bit of counter space.

AJ ambled over to the rustic table in the center of the room, where a basket covered with a red and white checker cloth sat. Picking it up, she walked back over to her brother to endow him with the gift. As Big Mac took the basket in his mouth by the handle, AJ wrapped herself around his withers. Her embrace crushed the air from his lungs, almost forcing him to drop the pie on the floor. He swore he felt some bones crack.

Once she released him from her python like grip, and he was able to breathe again she spoke.

“Reckon ya oughta be getting' on yer way. Don't wanna be late.”

“Nnopfe.”

“Well, I hope y'all have yerselves a wonderful night,” she replied, offering a warm heartfelt smile.

It was Big Mac's turn to give his sister a hug as he leaned in and wrapped a massive foreleg around her withers in a gentle embrace. AJ pressed against her brother, knocking the stetson from her head, but she never flinched as it tumbled to the floor.

After separating, they shared an affable smile before walking each other to the door. Without further fanfare Big Mac departed the farm house. The serenade of crickets welcomed him as he began his trek towards Ponyville, and Twilight's library.

...............................................................................................

The twilight hour waned as gradients of reds and yellows dissolved into subdued hues of pink and orange. Where they eventually melted into blues and purples at the edges of the night sky. The sonnet of the few remaining song birds captivated the moment in a utopian dream that left Big Mac with a euphoric feeling. As though he were weightless, and floating on the gentle breeze that caressed his cheeks and ruffled his blaze orange mane.

The sun had relinquished its presence in the heavens shortly before he entered Ponyville, giving way to the silver sliver of the moon. A majestic centerpiece, hung in a tapestry that resembled diamonds strewn across a blue plane. Not a single cloud was present to mar the flawless night sky.

Big Macintosh was now standing at the door to the library, taking a moment for a final rehearsal of how he imagined the night might unfold. Before he could finish and knock to announce his presence, the door swung open.

“Big Mac! You're here!”

Twilight's sudden greeting startled him, not that he showed it. Nodding his head in acknowledgment he extended a muffled greeting.

“E'enin' Twi'ight.”

“Please come in,” she motioned as she stepped aside. “That smells delicious. Did you bring a pie, because I am starving! I've been so busy today, I haven't had much of a chance to eat.”

Big Mac looked around the library, noticing the various texts and books that littered the ground. He chuckled to himself. His sister was right about Twilight tearing her library apart. Twilight bustled about, picking the books up off the floor with her magic and placing them onto shelves.

“Sorry about the mess, I'll just be a few minutes. I'll have Spike organize it tomorrow. Please, make yourself comfortable.”

Big Mac had already found his way to her chalkboard. Where several equations and proofs had been scrawled out on it. He gently placed the picnic basket on the floor before studying what Twilight had been working on. Most of the formulas he was familiar with, as he used them regularly himself. There were two of them however, with glaring errors. Two things he didn't understand how Twilight could have missed them.

Twilight had finished cleaning up the fallout from her studies and was now standing behind Big Mac as he scrutinized her math.

“Twilight. You know this is impossible. Two can't equal one.”

“Oh! Ha ha... That's uh... just something silly I was working on,” she laughed nervously as she hurriedly stepped past him, and wiped it off the board with a hoof.

Raising an eyebrow at her behavior he turned back to the blackboard, “What 'bout this one.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, my guess is that ya wrote this up fer trackin' tangential velocity of the comet tonight, but here,” he paused motioning to the function in question. “Ya inverted yer fraction to simplify, which is fine and all, 'cept ya didn't carry a negative sign up with it.”

“Oh yeah... how uh, did miss that?” she said sheepishly as the blood rushed to her cheeks.

Big Mac cocked his brow at her again. She sure was acting strange, but he dismissed her behavior as just being nervous. As far as he knew, she'd never had a relationship with anypony before, and to be frank, reading about it wasn't a good substitute for the real thing.

“Would you like to help me solve it then Big Mac? I'd like to have it finished before the comet is supposed to pass by.”

His lips curled into a modest grin. Secretly that was exactly what had hoped for in some part, a chance to work formulas with Twilight. To be able to express his passion for mathematics with someone who understood, and enjoyed it as much as he did.

“Eeyup.”

“Great! First, let's cut up this pie so we can have something to eat while we work.” Her enthusiasm was contagious as her eyes lit up. Lifting the pie from the basket in a ghostly aura of purple magic she disappeared into the kitchen only to emerge a few moments later with it sliced into eight equal shares.

“Where's Spike?”

“Oh he's asleep already. Don't worry he's a heavy sleeper. We don't have to worry about waking him.”

Without further questions, they set to work on solving the problem scribbled on the board before them. Only quiet conversation and the sounds of them munching on Sweet Apple Acres' finest apple pie stirred the silence under the illumination of a solitary lamp.

…..........................................................................

The two ponies found themselves sharing a blanket as they laid on the balcony of the library, sharing a telescope and admiring the stars. The sight was truly magnificent; the stars shifting in an endless sea of blue and black as untold constellations shimmered, guiding them as they explored the infinite expanse of the universe. The moon plumed forth from the milky band of the galaxy spanning both horizons. A splinter that seemed to pierce the heavens with its elegance.

“Thank you for everything tonight Big Mac.”

“Eeyup. Thank you Twilight.”

“Mind if somepony else joins us tonight?”

Big Mac broke his gaze on the sky to turn and look at Twilight, where he found her deep amethyst eyes staring back as they mirrored the stars in the sky. He was mesmerized by the lavender unicorn as she was bathed in the soft light of the moon. He admired her for a moment. Which in itself, felt like an eternity before he responded.

“Who?”

She answered by looking behind her, towards the door that was propped open ever so slightly by Big Mac's yoke. Emerging from the darkness, and held captive in a faint purple glow was Smarty Pants.

“Nnope, I don't mind at all,” he chuckled softly as Twilight gingerly placed the ragged old doll on the ground in front of them.

“Thank you again for returning her.” She hesitated for a moment. “I never knew how smart you were. I mean, I had heard Applejack say something about “fancy mathematics” one time, but I didn't know what she was talking about.”

A smirk crept across his face as they laid there in the dark. “You didn't need my help. Ya knew yer equation was wrong, didn't ya?”

Pulling away slightly she looked up at him in the darkness, his emerald eyes glowing softly in the moonlight. She gave a bashful smile as her cheeks flushed a rosy pink that went unnoticed in the darkness.

“Yes,” she said before giving him a soft kiss on the cheek and nestling her head under his chin.

He gently nuzzled her head as their attention returned to the scintillating midnight canopy above. Just in time to see the comet that was to be the apex of their star gazing come into view. Unexpectedly, a single shooting star graced the glimmering expanse. It streaked across the sky, leaving a contrail of iridescent particles glistening in its wake. Foregoing their earlier preparations to plot the cosmic trajectory of Hay-lee's Comet, the duo instead savored the beauty and serenity of each others company under such a spectacle. In a matter of moments, the meteor faded into the abyss as mystically as it had arrived.

“Did you make a wish Big Mac?”

“Eeyup.”

They huddled in the warm embrace and rhythmic beating of each others hearts for the rest of the night. A ragged old doll sat silently, the only witness to the magic they had found.

Imaginary Numbers

The Dawn broke as the long-familiar sphere of the sun peaked over the horizon. Announcing its presence, the sun extended its warming tendrils through the railing, gingerly caressing the sleeping figures on the balcony of the Ponyville library. Big Macintosh was roused awake, wincing as the morning light invaded his eyes. Once his sight had settled, he turned to Twilight, still swaddled in the blanket they had been sharing. A smile creased his lips at how adorable he thought she looked. Careful not to wake her, he graced her cheek with a soft kiss.

Shifting his gaze towards the town, he couldn't help but feel blessed. In his mind, he had been gifted a perfect evening, followed by a truly resplendent morning. Ponyville was cloaked in a blanket of cotton, completely hidden from view. Only the peaks of some of the taller buildings broke the ambiance. The crests of the low hanging cloud were painted in a inviting peach glow. Tufts of white fluff began to escape into the atmosphere as the sun continued to dissipate the chill brought on by the night.

Big Mac filled his lungs with the brisk morning air. He felt as though he could walk on those clouds. Turning back to the slumbering violet mare still huddled next him, he had just been considering waking her when he was halted. A sound he was well acquainted with soon invaded his ears. The faint whir of gears and the muffled chop of propeller blades stirred the hush of the otherwise placid morning. Mere seconds later, the fog in front of the library erupted in a pillar of swirling mist, trailing the unmistakable silhouette of a gyrocopter piloted by Pinkie Pie, who was visibly grinning from ear to ear.

“Good morniiiinnng!”

Big Mac tensed apprehensively, responding in whisper, “Pinkie Pie! What are ya doin' here? I thought we agreed, no parties.”

“I know! So I brought you-”

“Shhhhh. Can ya try n' keep it down, Pinkie?” he urged, flattening his ear and casting a sideways glance at the sleeping unicorn.

Craning her neck, Pinkie leaned forward, lowering her voice. “Oh sorry. I brought you both breakfast! I hope you like it!” she beamed in a barely audible susurration, reaching to retrieve a small package, decorated in ribbon and other frill and painstakingly tied to her contraption.

Taken aback and struck with sincere appreciation by the gesture, Big Mac retrieved the gift from the roseate mare and placed it on the ground before thanking her. “Thank ya Pinkie. It's mighty thoughtful of ya.”

“Of course Mr. Smarty Pants! That's what friends are for!” she chirped before censoring herself, and holding her breath when Twilight began to stir. Keeping a weary eye on the sleeping mare, she continued in a whisper, “I'll just leave you two alone now.”

Before Pinkie could make her exit however, Twilight woke from her blissful state with a contented yawn. That yawn immediately arresting in her throat as she opened her eyes. Shooting to her hooves and hovering in a panic, an undignified series of questions and exclamations sprung forth.

“Aahhh! Pinkie Pie!? Big Macintosh!? What are you doing here!?”

Not waiting for her audience to answer her rhetorical string of questions, she attempted to turn and run for the safety and privacy of the library. The blanket still draped across her fame conspired against her, tripping her up in in its bulk. Fueled purely by adrenaline, she managed to catch herself in a bubble, just inches away from hitting the deck before blinking away inside. The lock on the door clicking into place punctuated the awkwardness that hung in the air.

“Hmmmm, I wonder why Twilight was acting like that. Maybe she has really bad morning breath, and she doesn't want anypony to know about it,” Pinkie Pondered. Dismissing her muse, she turned back to her present company, “So, do you need a ride?”

Slack jawed and dumbstruck by the spectacle, Big Mac could only manage to stare vacantly at the now shuttered in depository. Puzzlement or confusion would have been laughably inadequate descriptions. Unable to put any rhyme or reason to his jumbled thoughts, he did at least manage to muster a reply to the pony tirelessly pedaling to keep airborne. “Eeyup.”

“Okie dokie lokie!”

Standing up and shuffling awkwardly towards the door, Big Mac retrieve his yoke. Thankfully, Twilight had it left outside instead of shutting it in with her. Having slid it into place around his neck, he paused before turning back around.

--Knock, knock--

No answer. That's what he was afraid of, but he had to at least make the effort. Sighing in resignation, he finally made his way back to Pinkie Pie, who had been patiently waiting for him.

“Ready?”

“Eeyup,” he said, casting one last glance behind him.

“Here, take this,” she said, throwing him a line that had been secured to the frame of her candy striped flying machine. As Big Mac ran the length of rope through his hooves to find the end, it was revealed to be a rather crude sling. After making the necessary adjustments to accommodate his larger size, and shoring up the excess he gave Pinkie a nod, signaling that he was ready.

Pedaling furiously to compensate for the extra weight, Pinkie descended through the haze that had been thinning and lifting above the town. Upon touching down, Big Mac stepped free of the cord, tying it off and expressing his gratitude.

“Thanks again Pinkie, 'preciate it.”

“Of course! That was fun! Anything else fun you want to do?”

“Nnope.”

“Alright then! Bye, Big Mac!” she smiled joyfully as she again increased the pace of her cycling.

Watching the fuchsia mare and her candied contraption disappear over the roofs of the houses, Big Mac couldn't help but be curious as to how she had the foresight to have a rope on hoof. He chalked it up to the mystery that was Pinkie Pie. By then, he had become more and more accustomed to her strange ways, no longer questioning her randomness. Few things were certain; harvesting, taxes, and Pinkie being predictably unpredictable. Finally, Big Mac turned to face the library he had just been evicted from, skeptically raising an eyebrow.

Picking a casual pace, he gathered his composure before reaching the door. As he knocked, he replayed the bizarre events that had stranded him on the balcony, and the even more bizarre behavior of the pony who had stranded him. What could only be described as the sound of pandemonium rang from inside. Books presumably being dropped to the floor, the clatter of pots and pans, furniture being toppled over, and breaking glass accompanied the two voices arguing over who would answer the door. When the din finally subsided, the door opened.

“Hey Big Mac, sup?” Spike greeted nonchalantly, leaning against the door frame.

“Is Twilight around?” He was beginning to wonder if he'd made a mistake by knocking.

“You sure you wanna talk her?” he asked thumbing over his shoulder. “She's acting kinda crazy right now.”

“Eeyup.”

“Hey Twilight, your coltfriend wants to talk to you!” the little purple dragon turned and shouted.

“Spike!” Twilight's tone held both admonishment and embarrassment in equal measure.

The diminutive assistant only offered Big Mac a shrug of the shoulders before waddling off inside. Spike's presence was quickly replaced by Twilight's as she poked her head through the entryway, barely wide enough for her to do so.

“Big Mac! Hi! So how are you?” She was almost manic in her demeanor, clearly out of her element.

“Is everythin' alright?” he asked, cocking a brow. Just past the seemingly deranged mare, Spike was pointing at his head with a stubby claw and drawing circles with it, while at the same time, crossing his eyes.

“Great! Just great!”

“Can we talk?”

“Sorry, I uhh... got lots to do today. Yep! That's it! Lot's of studying and... uh, studying. Could you come back tomorrow though?”

The door was abruptly shut in his face before he was able to answer, “...Eeyup.”

Well this ain't exactly what I wished for. He had attributed Twilight's reaction waking up to just being startled, but now he was just stupefied. Giving up, Big Mac resigned himself to the fact that he wasn't going to make any significant progress. Rather than hanging around the library, he turned to leave town. A damper had been placed over an otherwise seemingly wonderful morning.

….....................................................................................................

He had been been walking down the road back to the farm in no particular hurry, kicking over both his thoughts and the gravel in the dust, when Applejack called out to him. Big Mac hadn't really expected to run into anypony, but wasn't surprised to see his sister pulling a cart loaded down with baked goods either. As they closed the distance between them, AJ's wagon rolled to a halt.

“Mornin' Mac!”

“Mornin'.”

Applejack was grinning wide enough to question her sanity. Her expression was bordering somewhere on the territory of innuendo and being pleased as punch in regards to her brother's date. She took a moment to wipe her forehead with her hat.

“Well ya never made it home last night, so I assume y'all must've had a nice evenin' stargazin'?”

“Eeyup,” he nodded.

“I'll wager the stars weren't the only thing ya were gazin' at,” AJ prodded as she waggled her eyebrows. Annoyed, Big Mac met her assertion with a scowl. “Lighten' up Big Macintosh, I'm just hasslin' ya a bit. Glad y'all had fun anyways,” she chuckled.

“Thanks AJ,” he replied, his glower replaced itself with a light smile.

“If yer headed back to the farm, chores are taken care of and I got Apple Bloom out the door on her way to school. Granny's at the house scrapbookin'. Other'n that, I reckon ya got another day off 'fore we gear up fer cider season.”

Before Big Mac could respond, his stomach gurgled in protest at the absence of any breakfast, and the aroma of the delectable apple treats wafting past his muzzle wasn't helping. Hindsight twenty-twenty, he really wished he hadn't forgotten the box that Pinkie had brought for him and Twilight. But that was probably still marooned on the balcony at the library.

“Y'all not have any breakfast this mornin'?” Applejack inquired.

“Nnope.” Big Mac answered, a little reluctant, knowing his sister was gonna lecture him.

“Why ya big hard head. What in tarnation we're y'all busy doin' that ya didn't eat nothin'?” she demanded halfheartedly.

“Reckon I got locked out is why.” he stated plainly.

“Wait, what? What do ya mean 'locked out'? Twi locked ya out?” she asked, her curiosity getting the best of her as she cocked her head to the side. “Why in the wide world of Equestria would she do a think like that? You didn't try any funny business did ya?”

Big Mac frowned at the accusation, “Nnope. And if I knew what happened, I reckon we wouldn't be havin' this conversation.”

Applejack's posture was soon a pairing of both sympathy and amusement, “I'll bet ya hooves to hindquarters, she came off her hinges when she seen she let a stallion stay the night.”

“Eeyup.” Big Mac sighed, rolling his eyes as his sister burst into a fit of laughter.

“Haha, ha, I'm sorry Mac. Kinda funny when ya think 'bout it though. I can swing by and talk to her 'fore I set up shop if ya want me to,” she snickered, trying and failing miserably to put a lid on her giggling.

“I'll be alright,” he chuckled.

“If yer sure. You Still oughta go talk to her.”

“Don't worry, I'll handle it.”

“Well, I reckon I oughta let ya go so ya can get on back to the farm. Ain't exactly the breakfast of champions, but take a pie with ya. Need to at least eat somethin',” Applejack offered, motioning to her cargo with a nod over her shoulder. “Ya take care Mac, and don't let what happened with Twi eat at ya too much.”

“Thank ya sis, I won't. Ya have a good day in town.”

“Thanks Mac, I will. I'll see ya tonight.”

After selecting the pie he wanted, they departed. Big Mac watched as the sturdy, old wagon lurched forward, and shrank into the distance under the charge of the orange farm pony. Once he was convinced he was more or less alone, he cast a sporadic glance in each direction before settling his sights on the pie he was holding, and digging in with voracious enthusiasm. If there was to be a silver lining, it was that he had somehow managed to make away with two of Applejack's pies in short order without any grief about it.

Having gorged himself on the sweet apple delicacy, he wiped the crumbs from his muzzle and tipped the remnants out onto the edge of the road. An offering to whatever critter happened to have the good fortune to find it. Renewed and rejuvenated with his belly full, Big Mac set a course for home.

…................................................................................................

The remainder of the journey back to Sweet Apple Acres was uneventful. The dull crunch of pebbles under his hooves being his only company. Big Mac ignored much of the scenery and critters that flit about as he continued to stew over Twilight's polar behavior. That's not to say he didn't stop and admire the orchard and the way the sun filtered down through the tree tops, but he couldn't help but feel distracted. Not that he was necessarily worrying, he was simply reflecting, analyzing.

Crossing the gate, he made his slow deliberate walk to the house. As he pushed the creaky old door to the farm house open, Granny Smith called out to him.

“Big Mac, is that you?”

He called back his token response as he shut the door behind him, “Eeyup.”

“Could A bother ya to fetch me mah glasses? Ah left 'em on the counter in the kitchen.”

Just as she'd said, the glasses were on the edge of the counter, and in danger of hitting the floor if somepony were to walk by and not notice them. Gripping them by the stem in his teeth, he wandered into the living room where Granny Smith was swaying to and fro in her rocking chair. She set down to old, dusty photo album she'd been flipping through to greet him as he walked in. Appreciatively, the wrinkled, old mare took the glasses, resting them on the bridge of her muzzle.

“So how was yer date there, Casanova?” she inquired as she made a few adjustments to the thick frames.

“It was fine,” he answered with a candid smile.

“Well that's dandy,” she smiled approvingly. “Was startin' to wonder when ya'd find yerself a marefriend. Ya ain't brought nopony 'round since ya were datin' that nice Miss Cheerilee. Makin' me wonder when one of ya'll are finally gonna give me some great gran'foals,” The last part she added, almost as an afterthought as she looked over the brim of her spectacles with her keen orange gaze.

This wasn't the first time Granny had mentioned Big Mac or Applejack settling down and starting a family. Most times she wasn't quite so subtle either. But regardless, they were practiced enough to take it with a grain of salt, no matter how persistent she was.

“AJ said ya've been doin' some scrapbookin' this mornin'?” he asked casually, changing the subject.

“Ya heard right. These darned ol' bones just don't let me get around like Ah used to. So Ah'm going through a few photo albums rather than tidyin' up 'round here. Ah could use a 'lil oil in these joints some days,” she said, rubbing her hip for emphasis.

“Reckon I can help with that,” Big Mac nodded.

“Nonsense,” Granny waved her hoof dismissively. “Applejack n' her friend did a fine enough job cleaning up. Just some spot cleanin' here n' there. Ah ain't in no hurry to get it done.”

“There anythin' else ya want done today, Granny?”

“Nothin' off the top of mah head. Ya can keep me company goin' through these pictures if'n ya'd like.”

Initially he had planned to tinker for a while in the barn, he had a “slinky” to make for Pinkie Pie after all, but it was hard to say no to Granny. She didn't want for much, and any time she could spend with her grandfoals meant the world to her. Big Mac had the utmost respect for his grandmother, and so without saying a word he obliged. Dutifully, he crossed the floor to lean over the back of her chair, hanging his head next to hers, just over her shoulder as she opened the aging binder. Granny reached up and cradled his chin for a moment as they settled on the page she had left off on.

“Now this brings back some memories.” In hindsight, he should have better prepared himself. "Ya just look so handsome in yer Pappy's suit.”

Pictures are said to be worth a thousand words, but for Big Mac, there were no words for those photographs. Tucked neatly into the pages were his high school pictures. One of the few times in his life he'd ever worn a suit; prom.

“Maybe yer gonna have a chance to wear that ol' tux again sooner than Ah'd have thought. Can't say Ah had ya pegged fer liking them fancy magic types, but she seems like a nice n' practical pony. Even if she is a bit high strung.”

Whatever tact or subtlety Granny Smith still possessed up to that point was thrown to the wind with reckless abandon. It became patently clear as to why she was going through the endless volumes of memories.

“Don't ya think yer readin' 'tween the lines a 'lil too much?” Big Mac questioned, tipping his head away and glancing at his grandmother out of the corner of his eye.

“Don't spit on my back n' tell me it's rainin'. Ah might be blind in one eye n' can't see out the other, but Ah can tell when yer twitterpated,” she rebuked as she met his look. “Now ya've had yer fair share of dates, but if'n Ah recall correctly, ya ain't been the one doin' any of the askin' on any of em.”

There was something to be said for the wizened green mare Her wit might not have been as keen as it once was, but she was still sharp as tack when she needed to be. Knowing his grandmother was right, Big Mac yielded any argument he might have had, and chose to remain silent as she continued.

“So Ah guess mah question is; when are ya gonna bring her 'round fer supper? Ah know she's come over to visit with Applejack, but ya can't tell if the wood is good just by lookin' at the paint. Ah wanna get to know the girl!”

“I don't know, I ain't given it much thought yet,” he shrugged in candor. In part, he wasn't even sure if he was even in a relationship after Twilight's episode waking up. And he didn't see the point in bringing that fact up until he knew for certain himself.

“Well soon as ya get it sorted out lemme know, n' Ah'll have Applejack help whip up somethin' special,” she said as she turned back to the album spread across her lap. “S'pose Ah'll let ya get on with yer day 'fore ya start getting' antsy.”

“Alright Granny.”

“Ya gonna be workin' out in the barn?”

“Eeyup,” he answered as he gently kissed her on the top of the head.

“Ah'll ring the supper bell fer ya then.”

As he made his way towards the door, he turned around to acknowledge her, “Thank ya Granny.”

A kind smile creased the wrinkles in Granny's face, his cue to excuse himself.

…..........................................................................

It had certainly been a day filled with awkward moments for the crimson farmer. And he was more than happy to spend some alone time, just putzing around the barn where he could just forget about things for a while. Most of Big Mac's day had been spent there doing just that, fine tuning the simple, toy spring for the ever entropic Pinkie Pie.

Fashioning a jig with which to coil the wire had been his first task. A simple block to clamp it to with a spool to coil around, guided by a die as he turned a spindle. It had taken a couple hours of fiddling before Big Mac was pleased with it enough to give it a test run. A few minor adjustments, increasing the tension, adding a small part here or there, and he was ready to get to work.

Though his jury-rigged apparatus did the trick, he still wasn't quite happy with the final product. That was one of his favorite parts though. Even after the time invested in the math, it wasn't until it had been implemented into a tangible application that there could be a true appreciation for it. Visualizing an object in the mind or on paper was one thing, but holding it in the hoof was quite another.

It worked, but it could be better. Big Macintosh figured he couldn't be done yet either, since there had been no hide nor hair of his capricious customer to signal its completion. He munched on the remains of the sandwich he'd made for lunch a few hours earlier. The bread was stale, but he didn't mind much, sitting back and contemplating what the slinky lacked.

As he stared at the modest coil of wire, the thought hit him. Swallowing the last bite of his lunch, he began rummaging through the dusty corners of the barn. They always kept extra wheels on hand, given the amount of farm equipment, carts, and wagons they had to maintain. Once he'd found two that were reasonably sturdy, he tacked them together in a way they could be used to flatten the wire.

With a length of the flattened band in hoof, Big Mac fed it into his makeshift jig one last time. Unclamping the newly fabricated slinky, he inspected it with as much diligence as he would any one of his projects. A smile of approval found it's way onto Big Mac's stern features before setting the silver coil down on his workbench. He had begun the process of moving his tools back into the loft of the barn when, as expected, he was visited by a torrent of dust and straw. Pinkie blew into the barn with the enthusiasm of a foal on Hearths Warming Day. The thought had occurred to him as he descended the ladder to meet his impromptu guest; he never thought he'd see the day, but fact was stranger than fiction, Pinkie had been the most normal pony he'd dealt with all day.

“Ooooohhhh, shiny!” The cotton candy mare was admiring the helical plaything, tilting her head as she took it in from different angles. Big Mac allowed a snort to escape, smirking as he approached Pinkie Pie who was already pouring the spring back and forth between her hooves.

“I take it you like it?”

“Are you kidding? This is the single most amazingly, spectacular thing ever invented! What walks down stairs, alone or in pairs, and makes a slinkety sound?” she began singing before pausing, perplexed. “Hmmmm, I'll have to work on that.”

He gave up trying to make sense of Pinkie a long time ago, though he had to admit, there was a certain allure to the crisp hissing sound of the sleek spiral cascading end over end. Several seconds of silence lapsed, save for the rhythmic hum of the slinky, as both were mesmerized by the toy.

“Well I'm glad ya like it Pinkie.”

“Yep!” she cheeped.

“Think I'm gonna get going though. Reckon Granny'll be ringing the supper bell any time now, and I oughta get washed up,” Big Mac nodded as he made for the door.

“Okie dokie,” the pink mare answered as she bounced after the shrewd apple farmer. She had only gone a few steps before skidding to a halt, “Wait!”

Big Mac turned around staring at her expectantly as she caught up.

“I forgot to tell you, I talked to Twilight today!” His spontaneous friend had his attention, and he waited patiently for what she had to say. “Well, more like I tried to talk to her. I wanted to tell her about Gummy's new trick. It's super fun, do you wanna hear it?”

“Pinkie. What did she say?” Big Mac asked, calm and deliberate.

“Oh right, Twilight! Well, she really seemed distracted. She actually ignored me mostly. Which you know, that's not very nice. You shouldn't ignore your friends. You should-”

“Pinkie. Can ya focus please?” he interrupted, trying to steer the conversation back towards relevance. Pinkie smiled bashfully before picking up where she had left off.

“Sorry. Anyways, she was acting really strange today, and she kept saying your name and something about how she had made a huge mistake.” A shrug was all the more she offered.

He had spent all day trying to dismiss and forget the blunder his morning had been. Pinkie's latest revelation did not bode well, flooding Big Macintosh with the confusion and doubt that had plagued him earlier that day.

“Is that all?”

“Yep.” She shrugged again. The slinky perched on top of her head would have made for a comical sight a moment before.

To Big Mac's credit, he managed to maintain his stoic outward appearance, hiding well the flurry of thoughts of what he could have done wrong. “I think I'm gonna head on in. Thank ya Pinkie.” Brooding, he once again turned towards the farm house.

“Have a goodnight Big Mac!” Pinkie offered cheerily as she bounded across the yard in the direction of town.

He appreciated the sentiment, but with the news he had just received, enjoying his evening was likely out of the question. Concluding he'd turn in early after supper, Big Mac couldn't help but wonder. Was Ah the mistake she was talkin' 'bout?

Irrational Numbers

Rain. The skies were smudged in muted hues, varied shades of gray, swirled and mixed together in a blend of dulled pastels. Iron clouds spilled their contents with rehearsed indifference, the world below smothered under the abuse with no recourse. A bitter chill laced itself through the empty spaces, giving the icy barbs a sharpened edge as they hurtled towards the earth. Truly, it was to be a dreary day.

Midmorning found the Apples slogging through the cold and damp as they labored in the East orchard., each performing the task that would be expected of them. Under the shelter of a shoddy tarp, Big Mac was running the press, listening to the pitter patter of the steady drizzle drumming out its erratic beat. Across from him, the other two Apple children toiled under the endless rows of trees, shrouded in mist. Through the veil, there was no doubt as to the miserable start of the cider season.

“I need ya to keep yer head in the game there, Big Macintosh.”

Big Mac lifted his head, rattled from his stupor by his sister. It was still early, but the saffron mare already carried an uncharacteristic weariness in her voice. The stetson she wore shared the same exhausted sentiment as it drooped under its own weight. She was soaked to the bone, courtesy of each tree she bucked. As she drew closer, Big Mac quickened his pace.

Applejack sighed as she took refuge from the deluge. “Hoo, fierce lil batch of rain we got huh? Ya still frettin' over what happened with Twilight?”

Initially he ignored the question, rather he focused on the track passing endlessly beneath him. It was a vain attempt. He'd already brushed her off the night before and she wouldn't take no for an answer a second time.

She sighed again, changing her tone as she pushed up the soggy brim of her hat. “Mac... I know it ain't fair for me to be sayin', but ya can't be worryin' 'bout that right now. We got a whole lotta cider needs makin', and right now we're fallin' behind.”

Nothing. There was silence, save for the rain and the two ponies breathing.

“Talk to me, Mac.”

He rolled his tongue in his mouth as he chewed the imaginary wheat stalk in his mouth, pondering his response. “Just got a few things on my mind is all.”

“And just what would that be, if you don't mind me askin'?”

He did mind in fact, but there was no such luxury in the Apple Family, not when their work was involved. At that point, it became everypony's problem and there was little sense in trying to sidestep around it. At the very least, he counted himself fortunate Applejack was the only one fully apprised to his situation. Grudgingly, he surrendered any foalish notion of deflecting the query.

“When Pinkie Pie was over last night, 'fore she left, she said Twilight was talkin' 'bout me. 'Bout makin' a mistake. Just got me thinkin'.”

“That's it? Mac, ya ain't got nothin' to worry about. Just put whatever Pinkie Pie said right outta yer head.”

Big Mac turned his head to give her his full attention, sure her confidence was misplaced. She only smiled. That smile that said stop fussin' and get back to work.

“Trust me, everything'll be fine. Now come on, we got lots of work ahead of us. Ain't a Flim and Flam operation here, cider ain't gonna make itself.”

Before he could investigate further, Applejack had already adjusted her hat again and was trotting off towards the little filly playing in the rain. Apple Bloom was the only one enjoying the wet conditions. Of course, cider season meant a week from school, a dream come true for any school age filly.

Brushing his sister's heavy-hoofed pep talk aside, he turned his attention back to the cider mill, finding a reasonable pace as he continued to round the track. Once again, he tried to settle his mind on something other than Twilight as he took in the sounds of the drumline overhead.

One... two... three... four...

Counting was a simple enough task, required minimal effort, and hopefully was enough to keep him occupied. Gauging his speed he could make a good guess at just how much cider they were actually making. It was something to pass the time.

Four meters per second... That'll let Granny do a bushel a minute. At most, that's twelve barrels an hour. She'll be pushin' to get caught up though.

A quick glance in Granny Smith's direction and he realized just how woefully behind he'd fallen. While he was elsewhere, she'd became swamped with the baskets his sisters had been filling and she was now hidden from sight. Big Mac shook his head in an attempt to shed tension as he accelerated.

If I'm not mistaken... mistake... Gall darn it, what mistake was Pinkie talkin' about?

So much for keeping his mind off things. Through the quick barrage of self-deprecating slings and arrows that followed, Big Mac failed to notice anything out of the ordinary, not that it would have spared him. They had shielded the cider from the rain, but the wooden parts of the press had expanded none the less. Under the increased stress, the belt that bound the stone wheel and track together failed in spectacular fashion. In the absence of any resistance, the immediate result was one large, red stallion sprawled out and sliding backwards in a graceful display of floundering hooves. As graceful as a pony who'd been dumped on their head could be anyways.

“Mac! Ya alright?”

Both of his sisters were at a full sprint. Granny Smith, on the other hoof, showed a far lesser degree of concern.

“It ain't break time yet. Ya ain't worked nearly hard enough to be tired already.” The wizened, old mare moved with an almost audible creak as she emerged from the tower of baskets as he recovered from his spill. “I ain't seen ya this dazed and confused since the time Apple Bloom asked ya where foals come from.”

Big Mac remained silent, mentally shuddering at the memory. He had just gotten his legs under him in time to be greeted by his inquisitive, youngest sibling, her question filled with more curiosity than concern.

“What happened?”

“You alright there, Mac?” Applejack repeated.

A quick self inspection and he was no worse for wear, except for maybe his pride. “Eeyup. But the mills broke down,” he answered as he glanced behind him, pointing with his head.

“How long ya reckon?”

“Dunno yet.”

“Well, go ahead and a take a look. Need ya up and runnin' soon as ya can manage. I'll keep buckin' in the mean time.” Applejack was talking over her shoulder as she sauntered off towards the treeline.

“Can I help Big Macintosh?”

Applejack halted in her tracks and turned back around. Big Mac was back and forth between Apple Bloom's eager expression and Applejack. He had no objection, but it wasn't his call.

“I reckon that'd be fine. I can manage on my own for a while. That is, of course, if Big Mac'll have ya,” said Applejack, deciding to humor the grinning filly.

Apple Bloom was straining her already impossibly wide smile to further persuade him. “Pleeeaaaase?”

“Eeyup,” he chuckled. For as ridiculous as her antics were , they were always a bright spot – almost always.

“Woohoo!”

“Don't mean to rain on anypony's parade, but this standin' 'round ain't getting nothing fixed, and it sure ain't makin' any cider.”

As infectious as Apple Bloom's overexuberance was, Granny Smith was right, they would be lucky to finish before dark at this rate. At the old mares suggestion, Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom exchanged a quick glance before Big Mac motioned for her to follow. As they inspected the cider press, the culprit behind his spastic acrobatics through the pasture was evident as the belt lay snaked in the grass. Thankfully, nothing else seemed to be damaged or broken.

“So we gotta make a new belt then?”

“Eeyup,” Big Mac answered as he gathered the shredded remains and hung them from his yoke.

“Can I do it?”

“Eeyup.”

“Yay!” Apple Bloom's ear to ear grin had grown into exponentially parabolic proportions. She gleefully plodded after her brother, running in circles around him as they headed for the barn.

….............................................................................

It was short walk, but it would have been criminal for the little yellow filly to waste a second of it. Founding the idea after her brother's mishap, Apple Bloom decided to emulate him, converting her yellow raincoat into an impromptu slip-and-slide. Running and throwing herself through the wet grass, any pony within earshot would have been envious of the laughter that echoed through the hollows. Despite his scattered thoughts, Big Mac couldn't help but chuckle at her shenanigans. In some ways, he envied her carefree disposition.

A quick flip of the latch, and Big Mac was pushing through the creaky barn door. Apple Bloom was almost reluctant to retire from her play, but she didn't want to risk her brother starting without her. Glad to be out of the rain, Big Mac shrugged the frayed belt to the floor. Quietly, he began to sift through the clutter of various publications, stacked haphazardly inside a cabinet under his workbench. Once he'd found the manual he'd been looking for, he laid it open on the scarred surface of the worktable. As he diligently flipped through the brittle, yellowed pages, he called to Apple Bloom over his shoulder.

“Apple Bloom, would ya mind fetchin' the tools?”

“Would I!” she chirruped eagerly. Almost immediately she was shimmying up the ladder.

After the disaster Apple Bloom and her friends had made of Fluttershy's table, Big Macintosh had taken it upon himself to mentor her on the finer points of carpentry. She was reluctant at first, but Big Mac showed her how building had always been a point of pride for the Apple family.

“Pa always said earth ponies might not have wings or magic, but they make up for it in ingenuity. Reckon there's some truth to that,” he'd told her. It was true. In a way, it was it's own kind of magic. There had always been a strong emphasis on self-reliance in the Apple family. Out of that mentality was born an inventive spirit, shared and passed down through unbreakable traditions. It was in their blood just like the sun up in the sky.

He remembered the first time he'd worked with her, properly fixing the table she had destroyed had presented an unique opportunity. Teaching her accountability for one – though she would need a refresher from time to time. But that was part of being a filly and growing up; making mistakes and learning from them, sometimes more than once.

“Let the hammer do the work, not your body,” he told her. Or it's what he would have said if she hadn't began hammering away wildly. Defying probability, somehow she had managed to hammer everything but the nail before Big Mac caught the hammer in the face when she'd lost her grip. A Black eye, a smashed hoof, and several attempts later, Apple Bloom was getting the hang of it, and not a moment too soon for Big Mac's sake. As it turned out – after she'd finished apologizing incessantly – she had a knack for swinging a hammer. Soon enough she was turning wrenches and working on projects on her own. The Crusader Clubhouse was her first, and arguably her proudest.

Big Mac had allowed his pride to coalesce in a reticent smirk, one that he dismissed as Apple Bloom descended the ladder, tools in tow.

Carefully setting the rusty box down, she looked back to her brother. “I got the tools. Need me to get the belt too?”

“Eeyup,” he answered without looking up from his book.

“Where's it at?”

“It oughta be hangin' up in the loft.”

In a flash, Apple Bloom was back up the ladder, calling out a warning as she tossed down the bundle. “Look out below!”

Had it not been for the words of caution, Big Mac might have jumped out of his skin as the bound coil cratered into the dirt next to him. He choked on the puff of dust it had stirred up. A gleaming wall of pearls greeted him as the cloud settled.

“Ready?!”

“Eeyup,” he nodded.

In practiced unison, they fulfilled the roles of teacher and apprentice. Under his supervisory role, Big Mac steered her to think outside the box, asking her questions but still allowing her to do the work. In short order Apple Bloom had measured, cut, and was in the process of matching the ends of the new belt together so they could be stapled. With a skill that far surpassed her first attempts, Apple Bloom expertly hammered the staples into place. A few more and she was finished, holding up the belt to admire her work.

“You do nice work, kid.”

The sudden break in the quiet crashed their ears with surprising force as they both snapped their attention to the window overhead. Lounging in the windowsill, casually staring back was an unmistakable rainbow maned pegasus. Somehow, she'd slipped in unnoticed.

“Thanks!” Apple Bloom beamed as her eyes lit up. To her, the compliment far outweighed the trespass. Big Macintosh was much more reserved in his response.

“Rainbow Dash.”

She'd always been of a surreptitious bent for as long as he'd known her. Some would even call her devious, but ponies who would say as such were typically ill informed. True, Rainbow Dash did have her narcissistic tendencies, and from time to time she would lend herself to sneaking around or pranking ponies, landing her in hot water on occasion, but it was never of malicious intent. More than once, she'd petitioned to enlist Big Mac's unrivaled poker face in one of her practical jokes, but he never would acquiesce to her request. For that, Rainbow would accuse him of being a stick in the mud or being too serious.

Rainbow Dash lazily dusted off her coat, ignoring the ambivalence in his voice. “A little birdie told me you had a date with Twilight the other night.”

“And just who would that be?” Big Mac asked, a little off guard.

“Well, uhhh... You know, just word on the street,” she shrugged, to which she received a stone-faced response.

Truthfully, he should have known better than to expect a straigh answer, he'd have to drag it out of her. If it weren't for Dash knowing him as well as she did, the look he gave her might have been intimidating. Instead, he was stuck in the unpleasant position of playing her game.

“Did ya hear they kissed?”

Apple Bloom's question penetrated the conversation, unabashed and unprovoked. Big Mac whipped around and deadpanned, his eyes wide, jaw hanging open; He was in utter shock. Dash on the other hoof, found the spectacle positively riotous as she was doubled over, choking with laughter and fighting to catch her breath.

Realizing the trauma she had inflicted, Apple Bloom slowly shied away. “I'll uuhhh, just start putting things away.” Without hesitation, she was fleeing for the relative safety of the loft.

The pegasus perched in the window was practically in tears as she struggled to recover her bearing. She took a few more deep breaths as she gripped her sides. “That was priceless.” She giggled again but seeing how unamused Big Mac was forced her to focus. “Okay fine.” She rolled her eyes. “I overheard Twilight talking about it yesterday when I stopped by.”

“You talked to her?”

“Well... not exactly.”

“You were spyin' on her?” It was more of an assertion than a question. The furtive side of her seemed to be shining through. He shook his head as she took to the air to refute his accusation.

“I wasn't spying! I just overheard her, and maybe she didn't know I was there.”

“That's spyin'. Ain't no different then ya sneakin' in here.”

“Shows what you know,” Rainbow snorted as she landed in the dust in front of him. She ruffled her wings once before folding them to her sides. “I tried knocking, but nopony answered. So I went to the window. I couldn't make out everything, but I put the pieces together, no problem. Just like Daring Do,” she nodded sagely, proud of her analogy. It only elicited however, a tepid response from her audience. “Never mind. You wouldn't understand.”

“And you don't see nothing wrong with eavesdroppin' on ponies?”

“Hey, I didn't come here for a lecture. Twilight was suppose to lend me the new Daring- I mean, she was gonna let me borrow something. Not my fault she wouldn't answer the door. Besides, I'm not the only one who knows. When I asked Rarity if she-”

“Rarity knows?” Big Mac interrupted, a slight inflection creeping into his voice.

“I couldn't find Pinkie Pie, or Fluttershy so I stopped and asked Rarity if she knew anything. She claimed she didn't have a clue about the date; she'd never left her boutique. But she seemed like she knew something was up. She wouldn't say what though.”

“What do you mean?”

Rainbow shifted awkardly. She may not have been the most sensitive or intuitive pony, but she wasn't so dense that she didn't notice the concern in the brief moment it broke the farmer's stolid features. “I don't know what it is Rarity knows. She just wasn't as surprised as I thought she'd be, ya know? I mean, hearing about your egghead friend, who's never shown any interest in dating before, she lives in books, and suddenly, she's going on a date with your friend's brother, the most eligible bachelor in town? Usually something like that would be a goldmine for Rarity.”

Rainbow had a point. Rarity loved gossip. She lived for it. If she wasn't surprised when Rainbow told her, something was definitely amiss. Being the center of attention was a thing that never held much appeal for the stallion, and he was rapidly finding himself center stage. He could only hope that whatever Rarity knew, she wasn't sharing with anypony.

“Just how many ponies know? You ain't told nopony else have you?”

The cyan mare shook her head. “No. Just Rarity. And like I said, I think she already knew something was up. She might be the gossip queen of Ponyville, but she can keep a secret. It's almost as good as a Pinkie promise.” She paused, Big Mac still didn't look convinced. “If it makes you feel better, I didn't know. Which kinda bugs me actually. Somehow Rarity finds out, but nopony tells me anything?”

Despite Dash's grumblings, she had alleviated some of the stress she had caused. Even if Big Mac's imagined mistakes were getting the better of him, if she didn't know prior to eavesdropping, then it was unlikely he had anypony else he needed to worry about. Still, he would have to make a point of stopping by to see the fashionista. Anything he might learn there would help before seeing Twilight.

Apple Bloom had just finished cleaning up, and was making her final descent from the loft. Trotting over to her brother, she awkwardly wrestled with the new belt. “Ya think Granny and Applejack are waitin' for us?”

Relieved by the exit she'd created, Big Mac took the opportunity to part ways with the brash pegasus. “Eeyup. Reckon we got catchin' up to do.” He turned back to Rainbow Dash “Imagine you'll be takin' off?”

“You know, seeing as you guys are behind and all... I might have some room in my schedule to help ya out. Of course we'd have to talk payment.”

Ever the opportunist, Dash wasn't about to to give up the chance to cash in on some fresh cider. She was practically salivating at the thought of the cold, amber beverage.

“If yer after cider, yer gonna have to take it up with Applejack.”

“But-”

Not about to give Dash an opportunity to haggle, Big Mac was headed for the door. Apple Bloom immediately followed suit.

“Fine,” Rainbow huffed, hanging her head as she quietly fell in line.

With the barn buttoned up tight, the entourage was trudging off into the rain. Three dark shapes moving through the mist.

….............................................................................

In the time they were gone Applejack had made considerable progress. Every basket filled, she was taking the chance to dry off and warm herself while she and Granny Smith made quiet conversation.

“Might have some help,” said Big Macintosh ducking out of the downpour. “I told her she oughta talk to you though.”

Applejack's sight settled on the rainbow mare stepping into the impromptu shelter. “Well color me surprised! How'd Big Mac get ya wrangled into helping us out? You lose a bet, Dash?”

“Me? Lose a bet?” Rainbow scoffed. “Since when do I ever lose?”

Applejack narrowed her eyes.

“She offered,” Big Mac answered, stepping in before the two mares could begin to banter back and forth. They'd had a storied rivalry for years, and the last time it had flared up it had turned into a month long contest of one-upmanship.

Applejack's mouth curved into a smug grin, her eyes not leaving Dash's. “Offered? Well that's fittin'. Figure you owe us one anyhow.”

“Owe you one? For what?”

“For movin' this here rainstorm in a day early. It wasn't 'spose to be scheduled 'til tomorrow.”

“Oh, that! I thought... never mind,” she said, shaking her head in an attempt to banish some seemingly guilty thought. “I was just doing Ponyville a favor. Tomorrow being the first day of cider season and all.”

“Well, that's mighty thoughtful of ya. 'Cept while cider season might be startin tomorrow for y'all, it starts for us, today. A little water wouldn't have hurt nopony, they got umbrellas. Rain or no rain, our customers would make even the postal service green with envy.”

“Yeah, sorry about that,” said Rainbow as she rubbed the back of her neck. “Didn't think that one through I guess. Or about throwing Friday's storm in there too,” she added.

Applejack's sputtered in disbelief, stomping a hoof into the soft earth to try and force her thoughts to words. “What!? Well that certainly explains why it's been raining to beat Tarturus!” she exclaimed, pointing to the sky to emphasize her point.

“I didn't actually think anypony would have to be out in this.”

The tawny farmer opened her mouth to counter Dash's rebuttal but promptly clamped it shut. An almost sadistic grin replaced her temperate indignation. “Well, seein' as yer so generous, goin' out of yer way to reschedule the weather and all, I'm sure ya won't mind donatin' yer time. Celestia knows we could use some volunteers right about now.”

“What!?” Dash flared her wings as she blustered in protest. “But I- If I'm helping, I want some cider!”

“We'll see about that,” she teased. Applejack had her flustered friend right where she wanted her. It was a rare occasion when somepony could get one over on the coolest pegasus in Ponyville. “All depends on how much work we get outa ya.”

“C'mon AJ. Don't leave me hangin'. I'll do anything. I just gotta get some before Pinkie Pie drinks it all.”

“I was hopin' ya'd say that. It's settled then. Since ya felt like doublin' down on this here gullywasher, you can double-time it on the cider press. Big Mac's got some business to attend to in town anyways.”

No pony could believe their ears, an involuntary “What!?” was shared as varying degrees of bewilderment framed everypony's face. None were more surprised than Big Macintosh; he was the first to recover from the sudden turn in conversation.

“Now hold up one apple pickin' minute.”

“Yeah, AJ. What gives? I thought I was helping, not taking somepony's place.”

“You are helpin'. Ya want that cider, don'tcha?”

“Well yeah, but-”

“Then ya can fill in for Big Macintosh for a 'lil while. He's got some personal matters need tendin' to.”

“AJ, ya mind tellin' what's goin' on?” asked Big Mac. He was growing ever more confused by the hardline she was taking. Whatever had gotten into her, he'd had about enough of it.

Not giving the slightest bit of ground, Applejack fired right back.“Mac, ya've been outa sorts since ya got back yesterday. And if we can get somepony to fill in for ya for a while so you can get yer head right, then there shouldn't be an issue.”

Knowing just how cantankerous his sister could be, he turned to the one pony who could trump her, he needed to nip this discussion in the bud. “Granny.”

The ancient mare narrowed her eyes in obvious concentration, giving prudence to both sides of the dispute. “Ya've been movin' slower than molasses in January, and feeling sorry fer yerself all mornin'. If'n a 'lil field trip'll put a 'lil hitch in yer get along so ya can be productive, then Ah say go.”

“Hitchin' yer-what? Did any of that make sense to anypony else?”

Before Dash could make another demand for an explanation, Apple Bloom tapped her shoulder. They young filly silently shook her head, conveying a wisdom that it was better to not get involved. Reluctantly, Rainbow stepped to the side with Apple Bloom; she hated being ignored.

“Granny?”

“No ifs, ands, or buts. We'll manage without ya. Just don't dilly dally too long. We're gonna need ya back here if we're gonna finish 'fore supper. Speakin' of supper... ya be sure to let Twilight know we're expectin' her tomorrow night.”

Tact – another trait the Apple family seemingly had in spades.

“When was that decided?”

“I'd told ya yesterday I wanted to have her over. While y'all were gone, Applejack and I got to talkin', and figured tomorrow night'd be a fine time fer that to happen.”

Big Mac knew better than to argue with his grandmother but he was beginning to wonder if he'd have a say in anything. Unfortunately, whether he liked it or not, there was very little he could besides accept her decision. Applejack however... he'd be sure to settle up with her later. His gaze settled on his sister, she was hard to read as she stared back defiantly. Usually, she was more transparent.

“Well, you heard Granny. Best get a move on, Big Mac. Sooner ya get there, the sooner ya get back. I'll help Apple Bloom get the mill runnin'.”

For the third time in as many days, she was pushing him out the door, though in a less literal sense than previously. He stood there in amazement at what had just occurred. Call him unreasonable, but he didn't appreciate the 'help'.

“Eeyup,” he sighed, looking to the ponies around him before turning around. It sounded out of place but it was better than standing there staring at each other.

Big Mac paused at the edge of the shelter , offering Apple Bloom and Rainbow Dash a nod as he passed. Dash looked just as exasperated as he did. He sighed again before stepping through the curtain of rain. There would be plenty of time to make sense of things on the way. Slowly, he evaporated into the fog and trepidation.

….............................................................................

Big Macintosh stood outside the boutique. Waiting for somepony to answer the door was the least inconvenient portion of his trek, a maze of murky water had cut a tenebrous trail all the way into town. He'd splashed through the slop without a second thought for most of it until he reached Ponyville. Avoiding the library became a priority, leading to a different avenue of travel in seeking out side streets. Relatively speaking, picking his way through alleys was the most time consuming and tedious part.

“Big Macintosh? What on earth are you doing out in such dreadful conditions?” The shock in Rarity's tone spoke volumes as the door cracked open. “Never mind that, please come in before you catch cold.”

Her shock was warranted. No pony in their right mind would be out and about in such weather. It couldn't be helped in this case, given the rather unexpected way he'd been excommunicated. Not needing to be told twice, Big Mac began to step inside.

“What are you doing!?” she cried in horror. “You didn't think I meant before you washed up, did you? My apologies, I thought it was implied.”

Slightly embarrassed, he backed out of the doorway. Given the nature of his host, he didn't ponder the reason for her reaction but he gave a nonplussed look none the less. She'd lent herself to being frivolous and impractical at times, but then again, she never had been reputed for being overly fond of uncleanliness of any sort. Even if the sky was crashing down with all its fury.

Rarity cheeks flushed a brilliant scarlet against her ivory complexion. “Sorry dear. There's a hose on the spigot outside. Do wash up before you come in, please.”

Having sprayed off the brown stuff clinging to his legs and belly – and other places it ought not have been – he returned to the front door, where upon passinged Rarity's scrutiny, he was finally allowed to enter. Following Rarity in, she made her way to her sewing table, talking over her shoulder as she went.

“Tell me, what brings you here on such an atrocious day?”

“I was hopin' ya wouldn't mind if I ask ya 'bout Twilight,” Big Mac said as he came to a stop in the middle of the room.

“Of course. I suspected as much,” she answered, levitating several bobbins from the shelf in a faint, blue aura. “I'll admit, I was curious whom she had set her eyes on when she'd come over and borrowed my romance novels for some erm... light reading as she put it.”

Big Mac raised an eyebrow. “So ya did know?”

“Oh, heavens no,” she replied as she diligently pinned together several pieces of fabric. “I merely had a hunch that she might have a romantic interest in some young gentlecolt. One does not read romance novels in the volume she has been, unless you're looking for it yourself. Or just simply enjoy a good story with a glass wine, and Twilight isn't the type.”

Looking around, there was a distinct lack of the purported literature or books of any kind. Instead, multitudes of what could be expected in a seamstress' shop met the eye: dress forms robed in extravagant creations, bolts of silks and other fine linens, a plethora of odds and ends of of all sizes and shapes scattered about. “Just how long has she been borrowing books from you?”

“A year at least. She's read them all at least twice. Except 50 Shades of Hay...” she trailed off. “She seemed... uncomfortable with that one. A different appreciation for literary art I suppose. I'll admit that one may be an acquired taste though.”

Big Mac didn't understand what in a romance novel could make a pony uncomfortable, but then again, he couldn't say he'd ever been guilty of reading one. And for a year too have gone by? A year was a long time. He imagined all the things that had happened in the past twelve months. Rarity spoke again as he returned the present from his brief, reflective excursion.

“I could see why she might be interested,” Rarity said, peering over the brim of her glasses. “You are quite fetching... for a farmer. What I mean is perhaps if you cleaned up on occasion, wore something nice, you could better woo a lady.”

Big Mac cocked his head slightly at the statement, unsure whether it was an insult or an offhoofed compliment. In either case, it was probably best to disregard rather than try and decipher the connotation behind it.

“Ya said Twilight's been borrowin' books for a year. You never asked why?”

“In all honesty, I've been dieing to know, but I respect Twilight's privacy. We are friends after all. If she was willing to speak of it, I'd have loved to hear every juicy detail, but it was obvious she preferred to keep it a private matter. And even still, it would be unlady like to to go around playing match maker. Though I certainly wouldn't be against advising her on the subject.” Once again, her eyes were on him, sizing him up. “That goes for you too, Big Macintosh Apple.”

The way Rarity leveled the statement made him slightly uncomfortable.

“Well maybe ya can start by tellin' me what Rainbow Dash told ya yesterday.”

Rarity expertly flipped over the material she was pushing through the sewing machine before answering. “What Rainbow Dash knows is a disappointingly small amount. I presume she paid you a visit? I imagine it would still be useful for you to know as it sounded like you and Twilight had a slight falling out. Very well. Rainbow told me that while she was eavesdropping – no, I don't approve of such clandestine behavior – Twilight was arguing with Spike over how she had shut you out of the library.”

Big Mac felt his chest tighten at the reminder. He cast his eyes to the floor, cursing himself for being so foalish. All he could do was speculate. What he would give for an honest moment of clarity.

“Big Macintosh!” He snapped back to attention. “It's rude to ignore a pony when they're talking to you, you know.”

“I'm sorry, Rarity. Ya were sayin'?”

“I was saying that, according to Rainbow Dash, Twilight was embarrassed after your date and was refusing to go see you. In my opinion, it sounds like you're both guilty of overreacting, and I wouldn't worry about what Rainbow might have told you. But with that being said, that's no doubt why you're here. I can't imagine what other reason you would have to be out in such awful weather, let alone with cider season starting tomorrow.”

“Rainbow Dash is fillin' in. Applejack's idea. She's been actin' funny over this whole thing.”

“Applejack?” the alabaster unicorn muttered under her breath.

“Pardon?”

“Oh, hahaha. Nothing,” she laughed nervously. “Well, I think now would be a perfect time for you to go see Twilight and sort this whole mess out. Here, take this. It's dismal compared to my usual work, but it'll have to do.”

Giving a quick snap to the item she had been crafting, her dissatisfaction evident, she floated it through the air. The roughshod poncho settled across the back of Big Macintosh and drew itself tight under the manipulation of Rarity's magic. She may not have been pleased with it, but it was still of superior quality, more so than she made it out to be.

While Big Macintosh wouldn't consider it necessary, he did appreciate the gesture. At least it would afford some protection against the angry skies. “Thank ya kindly, Rarity, but I had another question.”

“You'll forgive me for being crass, but I'm terribly busy and I believe you'll find whatever answers you're looking for when you see Twilight. And for the poncho... Don't mention it. Really, don't. I don't want ponies knowing I'm responsible for such a hideous thing,” she said as she trotted over. “Well, you ought to be on your way. Don't want to keep Twilight waiting any longer, do you?”

“Nnope.” Protesting would be fruitless. Talking with the dressmaker hadn't brought the resolution he'd hoped it would, but at least there was some reassurance in what she had said.

“Take care, darling,” said Rarity as she held the door open for her guest. “Do try and hurry. You wouldn't imagine what this kind of humidity can do to ones mane.”

A final “Eeyup” and the door was closed. Just a quiet stallion and the weight of the sky resting on him as he turned his collar up. Big Mac was once more into the gray.

…..............................................................................

The ruddy stallion was drawing towards his final destination. Much like the first night he'd come into town, the streets were abandoned and houses shuttered. Different this time though, was the the pale, yellow light that lit the edges of every window. Just as well. It was for the best that he go unnoticed than for any suspicious eyes to fall on him. Anypony stopping him would require more than a “eeyup” or “nnope” to deal with, and therefore too much effort to convince them that he hadn't lost his mind.

The library was in sight at the end of the street, dominating his sight as it grew larger. Yet it didn't seem to be getting closer. Beneath his hoofs, the mire clung more desperately with each step, selfishly feeding on any last doubts. Small estuaries gravitated towards each other as they swelled the ruts carved into the roadbed. Winding side to side and always forward, they guided the way, aimed directly at the ancient and hollowed out tree of knowledge. Even if he had to go around some of the small lakes drowning the road, he would not be led astray.

Cloudy liquid swarmed his hooves, hungrily swallowing the wake and depressions he stepped in. There was an almost hypnotic calm about the library as he came to a halt before it. He failed to knock at first, sedated by the umbrella of the great tree. It was a place for ponies to seek so they may find answers, and he'd certainly come seeking answers.

-Thunk-

“Who could that be?”

The surprise in the voice that called back as he rapped a deft hoof against the door was quite expected. Light fractured the doorway as the weathered sentry swung open, driving back the shadows that encroached upon the sanctuary. Under a rich, golden glow stood the mare he'd come to see.

“Howdy Twilight.”

The haggard unicorn stared blankly back at him, as if she were witnessing a mirage or some apparition.

“Can we talk?”

Twilight blinked to regain her senses. Dark circles stained her face, her eyes half-lidded and trenched in halos. She squinted, commanding her unruly vision to focus. “Huh? Oh, please. Come in. W-What are-What are you doing here?”

“Ya said I should stop by,” Big Macintosh said as he followed her inside, sure to kick the muck from his hooves before sealing the door behind him. Inside, books were sporadically arranged across the floor in small crescent patterns. Twilight walked to one such formation. Stepping over the barricade and letting out a yawn, she plopped down in the center. Suspended in an ambience of quivering fuchsia, one of the volumes began to flutter.

“Sorry, I've been a little preoccupied.”

Looking around again, that was an understatement. Big Mac stopped a comfortable distance away. “Ya alright? Ya look plumb tuckered.”

Twilight put the book down. “What do you mean?”

“Ya look like ya ain't slept.”

She yawned groggily. “I haven't. Not since you left yesterday morning. It's okay though. The Princess sent this after I asked about rejuvenation spells.” She floated a small cup in front of him. The vessel was brimming with an aromatic black liquid, steam wrapping its enticing curls around his muzzle. “It's coffee. I'd never heard of it before, but apparently, the envoy from Saddle Arabia brought it as a gift for her upcoming visit there in a few months. I'll have to run some tests to find out what's in it later.”

Big Mac looked to her with concern as she pulled the cup away and took a sip. Miracle drink or not, the sleep deprivation was taking a devastating toll on her. “Twilight.”

She set her coffee down. “Yes?”

“Ya need sleep. Stayin' up like this, it ain't right. I never meant for-”

“It's not your fault. It's mine.” There was a pause, allowing Big Mac to chew on her words for a moment. “I panicked. When I woke up and you and Pinkie Pie were there... I've read these books over and over looking for something... anything.”

“Ya mean Rarity's books?”

Twilight's ears flagged at the mention of the dressmaker. “You talked to Rarity?”

“Eeyup,” he nodded knowingly.

“What did she say?”

“She told me how long ya been borrowing novels from her.”

The librarian looked away. As if she were embarrassed at him knowing. “I see.”

Big Mac stepped towards her, he understood just how exposed she felt. After all, he'd been in the same situation merely an hour ago. “Ain't nothin' ya gotta be ashamed of.”

“I'm not. I just feel silly I guess.”

Big Mac looked at her perplexed.

“I have several books on the subject. None of them really cover what to do about a stallion staying over on a first date, but they're not very positive about it. I knew better than to let it happen, but it was such a beautiful night.” She sighed as she rubbed her face with her hooves to try and clear her foggy thoughts. “Sorry. Rarity's romance novels give context to what my dating guides discuss. I started researching because of what Applejack said about you.”

“Just what did she say, and when if ya don't mind me askin'?”

Twilight looked to him with all the sincerity she could muster in her drunken state. “When you were hurt and Applejack tried to harvest the entire orchard by herself, she griped about you using math to tell her she couldn't do it.”

The stoic stallion was struck speechless. Twilight had mentioned Applejack's off-the-cuff comment, but this... this was much earlier than the year that Rarity had mentioned. There was moment of disappointment in himself. He'd wasted a long time watching her from a distance, never in a rush to venture beyond his comfort zone and confront her on his feelings.

“Big Mac? Are you okay?”

“Eeyup.” It wasn't a lie. He only had himself to blame for his inaction, and he accepted that. Regret wasn't a belief he subscribed to if it could be helped.

Twilight smiled weakly. “I couldn't stop wondering if there was more to you than just the quiet stallion who works with apples. I had to know. I kept wondering what she meant by 'fancy mathematics' – which she ranted about for a week by the way – and I guess I kind of let my imagination run wild. The first time I asked she just brushed it off. I didn't ask her for a long time until a week ago.”

“Just what part did she have in all this?”

“She asked why I wanted to know, so I told her everything I told you. At first she just laughed. She was the last pony I'd expect that from. I thought she was laughing at me, and I wanted to lock myself in the library and never come out. But then she asked what I would do on a date with you. I didn't know, but I did mention the comet. That's when she said she had an idea, and that I better be ready when you stopped by. I knew she could be stubborn, but she wouldn't tell me anything other than 'you'll see'. I thought she was crazy, but then a couple nights later you showed up with Smarty Pants.”

As the truth behind the curtain was revealed Big Mac chuckled under his breath. That stubborn snake in the grass had played him like a fiddle. He'd definitely be giving her a piece of his mind later.

“Eeyup. She's downright ornery and bullheaded when she wants to be.”

“I can't believe she'd been keeping Smarty Pants this whole time. Was she letting Apple Bloom play with her?”

“Nnope.”

Twilight scrunched her nose in confusion.

“AJ didn't have her. I did.”

Twilight finally realized that they'd both been had. Maybe it was the sleep deprivation, but she soon joined Big Macintosh, laughing foalishly and wearing smiles that made their cheeks hurt.

Twilight breathed deeply as she calmed herself, yawning before giggling again. “I guess we have Applejack to thank for this. I think she got the best of both of us.”

“Eeyup.”

“Sorry for being such a nervous wreck.”

“Eeyup,” he chuckled.

“You know, that first night was one of the scariest nights of my life when I kissed you. Too many of Rarity's novels and too much time thinking about it I guess. The scariest part is after I had some time to think about it, I think I liked it. I know it doesn't make sense, and it's illogical, and it's irrational, and...” she trailed off.

“Like Pi.”

“Pie? What does pie have to do- Oh! Pi! I get it!” she giggled, putting both hooves to her mouth to stifle her laughter.

Big Mac mentally chided himself for such a corny pun, but he was with the one pony who might actually appreciate it, trite as it was.

“I want to make it up to you,” she began once she'd recovered, “and I want to show you I'm serious about dating... and that's why I've invited my parents to meet you. According to the Canterlot Guide to Courtship Vol. 2,” she had once again opened up one of the thick volumes and was skimming through the pages, “meeting the parents of both families is an imperative so they can give their approval. Once the blessing of both families has been granted, the courtship is official and mutually recognized. So they'll be here tomorrow for dinner.”

“Tomorrow?!”

“Did I do something wrong?”

“Well, it's just that it's short notice, and Granny wanted me to ask ya over for supper tomorrow too.”

“Ohhh, I knew I should have asked you before I sent the invitations. I'm not very good at this am I?” she said, slightly crestfallen.

“I can just explain the situation and have her reschedule.”

“No! We can't cancel on Granny Smith! You know what they say about first impressions!”

“But this ain't a first impression. Ther-”

“But this is the first time I've been invited to Sweet Apple Acres on a date! If I canceled it would look terrible! She'd think I was rude and selfish, or that I don't care.”

“I'm sure she'll understand. It ain't like there can be two of us in two places at the same time.”

“Technically yes you can, but it's a spell that sends you back in time a week, and only for a few seconds. Not to mention it's exhausting, or the fact that your not a unicorn, or even worse – it could create a paradox.” Twilight let out an exhausted sigh, “I'll come up with something, I just need some time to think.”

“Whatcha need is sleep. It ain't gonna do nopony any good to be gettin' worked up over this.”

“Just promise you won't cancel on Granny Smith.”

“Twilight-”

“Please?”

“Promise,” he groaned reluctantly.

“Thank you, Big Mac,” she said, laying her book down again as she stood up. Throwing her forelegs around his withers, she wrapped him in a gentle hug. “I'll figure something out.”

Reciprocating, he placed a hoof around her, feeling her warmth as she pressed against him. Her breathing shallowed as she rested her head against his neck, and her body grew heavy. It took Big Mac a moment to realize that she'd fallen asleep. He couldn't very well stand there while she slept on him, but he didn't want to wake her either. Carefully, he positioned himself and lifted her slumbering form onto his back. Certain she was safe from falling, Big Mac made a slow, purposeful walk towards Twilight's bedroom. As he ascended the stairs he smiled. Three steps up there was a familiar creak, just like back at the farm.

Crossing the frame as he entered the room, he stopped to allow his eyes to adjust to the dark. On one side of the room he could make out the small shape of Spike sleeping in his basket, snoring with one leg hanging over the side. Not wanting to fail in his duty as her Number One Assistant, he'd stayed up all day and most the night trying to help Twilight, but it was too much for the poor little guy. He was just a baby after all.

Drawing back the sheets, Big Mac gently laid down his charge. She stirred momentarily, a groan escaping her as she curled up and pulled her legs into her body. Once again, Big Mac was awed by the quiescent beauty of the librarian, smiling affably down on her after he'd pulled the sheets up and tucked her in. Adjoining the bed, sitting atop the nightstand was the doll that had played part in all this. Carefully, he placed Smarty Pants on the pillow beside her.

With care to close the bedroom door, the weight from his mind lifted, he was down the stairs and breaching storm. He didn't know what tomorrow might bring, but that didn't matter right then; they would figure something out. Maybe once Twilight got some sleep she would be more sensible.

…............................................................................

Light from the hallway poured into the blackness, the peaceful lullaby of rain on the windowpane, Big Mac cautiously poked into the room.

“AJ, you awake?”

“I'm awake,” a groggy voice called back.

“Mind if we talk?” he asked as he stepped in and moved towards the bed.

“Mac... I know yer upset and ya got the right to hate me now, and I wouldn't blame ya if you do. But-”

“Thanks.”

“W-Wait. What?”

“Thank ya AJ,” said Big Mac as he sat on the edge of the bed and met the faint glow of his sister's emerald eyes.

“Yer not mad at me? Ya wouldn't say nothing to me when ya got back today.”

He smirked at her before pulling her in with a powerful hoof, cradling her in his gentle grip. “Nnope.”

“I've been just rotten lately, haven't I?” Applejack asked with glassy eyes as she returned the embrace.

“Eeyup,” he teased.

“I had to do something. I couldn't stand knowing how y'all felt 'bout each other and just watch. Y'all are hopeless,” she chuckled.

“Just promise ya won't be so helpful next time,” Big Mac chided as he released his sister.

Applejack giggled as she poked him in the chest, “I'll help ya whether ya like it or not if you need it.”

“Can't help but be ornery, can ya?”

“Nnope!” she said, playfully mocking his tone.

He laughed in a low rumble as he pushed off from the edge of the bed. “Love ya AJ. Ya have a good night.”

“Thank ya, Mac. I love ya too.”

Slowly the door closed and one by one the lights that permeated the farmhouse extinguished. The creak of the third stair the final sound to fall in the night.