//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Big Macintosh with Realistic Eeyuping and Nopeing Action // by Glint //------------------------------// Applejack trotted down the path leading to Ponyville Elementary, greeting Sweetie Belle and Rarity with a pleasant “howdy” as they passed. “Apple Bloom,” she called out, “Let’s get back to the farm so we can get started on –” Applejack stopped suddenly as Big Macintosh stepped out of the schoolhouse, with Apple Bloom trailing a few steps behind him. Applejack raised an eyebrow at her brother. “Hey now, didn’t you do this yesterday?” “Eeyup.” “Sure you don’t mind takin’ care of Apple Bloom this afternoon, too?" Applejack said. "It’ll be an awful lot of work, teaching her how to fix up the–" “Nope.” The pair trotted off down the path without another word. “Alright, so I’ll head on to the apple stand and take over for Granny Smith in just a minute,” she called out. Applejack heard the “eeyup” fading in the distance as she entered the schoolhouse. Cheerilee was alone inside, cleaning some math off the chalkboard. “Oh, good afternoon Applejack,” she said, beaming. “Big Macintosh has –” Applejack interrupted, “Picked up Apple Bloom for the last four school days in a row.” “I know! He’s such a hard-working, upstanding, young gentlecolt, looking after his family like that.” “Yeah, but I worry about him sometimes,” Applejack said. “He works so much that he never has the chance to meet anypony.” “Oh, I wouldn’t say that,” replied Cheerilee. “On the days he runs the apple stand he talks to ponies all the time.” “No, I mean meet anypony.” Applejack sighed. “I worry that he’ll spend his whole life all alone, with nopony special to share it with.” “Aww, he’s just a little shy. It’s sweet that you care about him, but don’t worry so much. He’ll take things at his own pace, and figure something out on his own,” Cheerilee responded confidently. “I dunno about that,” Applejack said. She frowned, pausing to think. Cheerilee was about to speak up, when Applejack simply said, “I gotta get to the apple stand.” She left without another word. That evening, Applejack sat in the library, explaining her problem to Twilight Sparkle. Twilight listened attentively, nodding while slowly sipping herbal tea. “And when he does leave the farm, he’s always on family business. Either he’s bringing barrels of apples to the stand, or he’s meeting Apple Bloom after school.” Applejack paused briefly to swipe a teacup off the table, upending it and draining it all at once. Twilight Sparkle used this break to get a word in edgewise. “You can’t force this kind of thing, Applejack. It can be tough for someone like Big Macintosh to make friends, let alone try dating. He meets and talks to ponies all the time; I’m sure he’ll warm up to one of them,” she lectured calmly. “Yes, but he just doesn’t make friends like I do. Just look, I have all you good friends. Big Mac’s talked to y’all plenty of times, but he doesn’t really know any of you.” On saying this, Applejack paused for thought. Twilight delicately levitated the teapot to pour more tea into Applejack’s cup. “Thanks, Twi,” said Applejack, picking up the cup to gulp it all down. Twilight hesitantly said, “So, you’re thinking one of your friends should …” “Yes! That’s it!” blurted out Applejack, splattering a few drops of tea on Twilight’s saucer, teapot, and mane. “I’ve got all these good friends, and I’m sure my brother’ll love to, y’know, get to know y’all and have fun!” “And you think I can help with that?” Twilight asked with a frown. “Well sure! Isn’t there a book about setting up dates in here somewhere?” Applejack asked. Twilight’s eyes lit up and her frown quickly faded. “Of course there is!” she exclaimed. She cheerfully scanned the top shelf, and levitated down a colorful soft cover book. Humming to herself, she set it down on the table and flipped through the pages, forwards and backwards, before letting it settle closed. A happy mare and stallion, both with heart-shaped cutie marks decorated the cover, underneath the title 44 Fabulous First Dates. “We just got it,” said Twilight proudly. “It’s from the editors of Cosmarepolitan magazine, so you know it’ll be full of really great stuff.” Twilight’s eyes twinkled as she quickly read the first few pages. Applejack scooted up next to her. “So, ummm,” Applejack said. “According to Cosmare, a good first date should allow for plenty of conversation, be in a non-crowded place where there are nonetheless other ponies nearby. Hmm …” “So, should we set him up with?” Applejack asked. “I reckon we could try tomorrow afternoon.” A purple glow engulfed the pages, causing them to fly by as Twilight spoke. “Tomorrow afternoon? Rarity has big order of hats to work on, so she’ll be busy,” said Twilight, her eyes glued to 44 Fabulous First Dates. “Ooh, you can do it in a gazebo; that’s a smart idea. There’s a storm tomorrow night, and Rainbow Dash is heading to Cloudsdale to pick up some cumulonimbus clouds from the factory. Ooh, isn’t that outfit adorable? I think Pinkie Pie has tomorrow afternoon off. Ooh, I could never do that in public, no matter how handsome the stallion is!” Twilight blushed a little as she continued. “Here’s a good idea, a picnic!” “Well, there is a nice park near Apple Bloom’s school,” Applejack ventured. “There’s a pond there where ducks like to swim around.” “That’s perfect! Feeding the ducks is the perfect conversation starter, see?” said Twilight, pointing a hoof at an illustration of a laughing couple tossing crumbs to ducks. “So, I’ll just brew up tea for two –” “Y’know that I really love your tea, but Big Mac isn’t much of a tea drinker,” said Applejack, punctuating her statement by picking up the tea pot and pouring the last couple swallows of tea directly into her mouth. Twilight Sparkle’s mouth was wide open as she stared at Applejack, temporarily distracted from her book. 44 Fabulous First Dates flew shut and remained shut until Applejack put down the pot, licked her lips, and sighed contentedly. Silence filled the room. At last, Twilight broke the silence, saying “Okay, just bring a bottle of …” “Apple juice,” suggested Applejack. “Sure, and I’ll talk to Pinkie Pie in the morning. I’m sure she’ll pick out some great snacks from Sugar Cube Corner,” said Twilight. “Okay, we’re all set. My brother and Pinkie Pie will have a first date that will be truly special,” Applejack proclaimed. “I think you mean pleasant and relaxing,” corrected Twilight. Applejack looked at Twilight quizzically. Twilight Sparkle held up the book and continued. “The picnic in the park is one of the pleasant and relaxing dates, numbers 1 to 14. The truly special first date ideas are numbers 37 to 44.” “Um, sure,” said Applejack tentatively. “I’m sure Pinkie Pie will show my brother a pleasant and relaxing afternoon.”