//------------------------------//
// Interlude: Traditions 
// Story: For The One We Love 
// by bahatumay 
//------------------------------//

	“Hey, Mac,” Twilight said as she trotted up to the market stand. “How’s it going?”

Mac nodded in greeting.

“Business good?”

Mac shrugged. Apples were apples. That was about it.

Twilight began scanning his wares. “I’m just here for some apples, but you probably already knew that.”

Mac cracked a smile.

Twilight examined a few especially shiny ones as she continued, “Spike wants to try baking gem-encrusted apple pie. He’s written up five recipes that he’s going to attempt.” She sighed. “I wish I could get him to be that excited about alchemy. I mean, stirring solutions counterclockwise with a clockwise turn every seventh turn for four hours on the night of a full moon isn’t a terribly difficult task, right?”

Mac, who knew about as much about alchemy as he knew about griffon mating patterns, decided that it was wisest not to answer.

Twilight continued. “So, is Fluttershy coming today?” she asked, trying not to sound too hopeful.

Mac shook his head. “She’s takin’ Fritter to all the clouds and such.”

Twilight’s eyes widened in realization. “Oh, right… The ceremonial first step on every variety of cloud. I’ve heard of that.”

Mac nodded. 

Twilight bit her lower lip and looked around. She clearly had something she wanted to say, but was afraid to say it.

Mac exhaled. He had a very good idea of what it might be.

Sure enough, it soon came out. “Don't you wish you could be there?” Twilight asked.

Mac’s voice grew quiet. “Eeyup,” he said softly. 

Twilight gestured at her horn. “I could probably…”

Mac shook his head. “s’fine,” he said with a shrug. “We do so many things on the earth; if Fluttershy wants to do a pegasus thing, it’s fine with me.”

“I guess,” Twilight said slowly, “but I also think Fluttershy would want to share those pegasus things with you, seeing as how you’re, you know, married and all.”

Mac chuckled. “Stratocirrus ain’t gonna hold my weight, and there’s no way she could carry me and Fritter everywhere they need to go. ‘Sides, she’s not alone. Rainbow’s with her.” 

Twilight nodded. 

“And there’s plenty of earth pony comin’-of-age things Ah’ll get to do with him. Like his first mug of cider.”

“That’s… the pure kind, right?” Twilight had to ask.

Mac didn’t answer.

Twilight’s eyes widened in horror. “You’re not giving alcohol to foals, right?”

Mac kept a perfectly straight face.

“Mac! You can’t just…”

Macintosh burst out laughing. “Nope!” he said. “‘Sides, it’s the first time you buck an apple tree and get every single one down that’s the important milestone.”

Twilight exhaled, very relieved (and mildly miffed). Ever since Mac had gotten married, he had fallen into the habit of talking a little bit more; and to be perfectly honest, she liked it better when he was quiet.







A few miles away and nearly a hundred feet higher, Apple Fritter stamped on the cloud and laughed. His tiny wings were spread wide and his eyes were even wider as he kicked up little bits of cloud in his excitement. This really was different.

“Well,” Rainbow said, “I’d say this ceremonial first step on the clouds has been a success.” She chuckled, recalling a memory. “You know how I first stepped on a cloud? I was trying to fly after my mom when she left to go get the mail and I jumped and glided out the window. Nearly gave my mom a heart attack when she realized I’d disappeared.” She leaned down and picked up Fritter, who giggled. “Not like you, right?” she asked, scrunching her nose at him. “You’re too cute to give mama Flutters a heart attack.” She froze, and then glared at him. “That never leaves this cloud,” she warned.

He giggled again.

And then he exploded. The force of the shockwaves sent vibrations through Fritter’s whole body and Rainbow’s forelegs.

“Sweet Celestia!” Rainbow shouted, flapping backwards. “What was that?”

Fluttershy tittered behind a hoof. “That’s his way of saying he needs a diaper change. That was a good one. I bet it felt good to get that one out, right, little Fritter?”

“Wait. Did he…?” Rainbow leaned in and sniffed, and then recoiled in disgust. “Ugh!” she squeaked, holding Apple Fritter as far away from herself as she could. “How could… so little but… so… ugh!”

Fluttershy gently took him back. “Maybe we've had enough clouds for this morning,” she said. 

Fritter giggled.

Fluttershy held him out. “You want to-?”

“Me?! No, no, nah, I’m good,” Rainbow said quickly. "Haven't even been trained or anything."

“I was going to say ‘hold him’,” Fluttershy said with a chuckle.

Rainbow grimaced. “Maybe when he’s… clean,” she said.