Marble's eyes widened as she looked up to her father. "W...what?"
Igneous nodded. "Yes, Marble. In fact, thou may have more than two soulmates."
Marble traced her hoof on the ground. "I-I didn't even know that was possible."
Igneous's eyes darted. "I am sorry about that, Marble. I forgot all about that possibility when telling ye about the Choosing Stone. But, it is certainly possible. After all, the current inside of you may show you to many more ponies after you find your next soulmate."
Marble stayed silent. "So... do we all have to coexist in a happy relationship? What if they don't like each other?"
Igneous shook his head. "No, ye do not. It's possible, but if thou ends up dating four, five, even six others, it's rare for them all to fall in love with each other."
Marble blinked. "So... it's like cheating?"
Igneous shook his head. "Nope. Polyamorous relationships are consensual to everyone involved. It is a beautiful thing, really."
Cloudy Quartz nodded her head. "Marble, dear, don't worry about feeling like you're cheating. You're not. Whoever you'll be lead to are your soulmates; they'll understand and respect you for who you are."
Igneous nodded. "Cloudy Quartz is right, Marble. There is nothing wrong with it."
Marble nodded. "O-okay."
Igneous smiled at her. "Marble, I do not doubt this could be very difficult for thee. The current might not leave for a really long time; thou might have an enormous number of soulmates. Thine goal is to get together with them all, then thou will be truly happy. Trust me."
Marble's voice squeaked. "Okay... okay."
Cloudy smiled as well. "You should probably get back on the road, dear. You have to find your soulmates, after all."
Marble nodded. "I do. Thank you."
"Good luck, Marble. Write to us when the current ends," Igneous said, waving as Marble shut the door. Marble felt a lump build up inside her throat as she stepped outside into the chilly evening air. She galloped over to the train station, now getting more used to the current. It was uncomfortable, sure, but it wasn't as strange as it was earlier. After buying a ticket to Ponyville, she waited for a train to arrive and took it over. During the train ride, she could only think about two things: the fact that this current might not go away for months, and that she is destined to be with Minuette forever. Goodness, she's adorable...
The train pulled into Ponyville, and it was a little chillier outside. The sun was still up, but it definitely felt like it was close to setting. Just like Marble expected, the current was going crazy like it had been in Canterlot. With her heart racing, she tried to find her way through Ponyville while keeping a watch out for Pinkie at the same time. She didn't want to avoid Pinkie, but if she ran into her, her search would be delayed by probably an hour. Pinkie really knows how to keep a conversation going for as long as possible, even if Marble barely responds.
As she was wondering, she felt the current pulling her towards the Everfree forest, so she walked in that general direction. As she got near, she noticed Sweet Apple Acres. She had been there before, and had absolutely loved the orchard. The apples were just so crisp and nice.
As she stared at it, she felt the current pulling her into the orchard. Her heart thumped as she walked in, instantly smiling at the scent of apples. That, however, didn't slow down her heart and current. By now, it was hard for her to move; it felt like she was stepping on pins and needles again. She toughed it out and, after several minutes, finally made it to the barn doors. She tried to knock, but kept hesitating. Why am I so nervous?
She took a deep breath, knocking on it. It was quiet, and Marble decided to listen for someone opening the door. She could hear movement, so there were definitely ponies close by the door. And, sure enough, the door opened and Applejack stood at the other side.
"Hello, welcome to... Marble!" She exclaimed, pulling her in for a brief hug. Marble tried to reciprocate it, but it was too difficult. Applejack pulled apart, grinning from ear to ear. "What brings ya here? Do ya want some apples? Ah thought ya'll were usin' the Choosin' Stone!"
Marble blushed. "Um... about that," she started, keeping her glance at the ground. "You see... it led me... here."
Applejack's eyes widened. "Wait... Sweet Apple Acres?!"
Marble nodded. "Mmhm."
Applejack stared at Marble for a second before smiling. "Then let's find out who it is, then!" She said, inviting Marble inside. Marble walked in, and Applejack looked around, her eyes widening.
"Wait... the only two ponies 'ere that are your age are me an' Mac. So... is it... me?"
Marble shook her head. "No, it's not."
Applejack's ears twitched. "Then it's... Big Mac!" She called to her brother, stepping outside. Marble froze, her heart rate picking up. She stepped outside, seeing Applejack chuckle. "He'll be over in a minute. He's probably finishing somethin'," she said, turning to Marble. "Oh, this'll make him happy. He hasn't been with someone for about a year, and he's been quite lonely."
Marble blushed. "O-oh."
As she said that, she saw Big Mac approaching, sweat beads rolling down his well-toned body. Marble instantly felt herself blush; he was hot. She had always thought he was cute, but just now realized how lucky she was. Marble hid behind her mane, earning a chuckle from Applejack.
"Yes, sis?" Mac asked as he got near. AJ looked up to him.
"Hey, say hi ta Marble! She's stayin' 'ere for a while since her soulmate is in Ponyville."
Mac nodded as he saw her, holding out his hoof. "Nice ta see ya again, Marble," he said. Marble's heart beat like crazy as she stared at his hoof. She was finally able to shake his hoof, and felt the current pass through. When it passed through him, he flinched.
"...Were ya on the train or somethin'? That was quite a shock ya picked up."
Marble nodded, blushing. "Mmhm."
Mac nodded. "Alright. Well, Ah gotta put this away. Good luck findin' your soulmate," he said, making his way over to the barn. Marble couldn't help but stare at him as he walked away. Applejack turned Marble's head to face her, causing Marble's ears to perk.
"Great job, Marble! Why don't ya come in for dinner?" Applejack suggested, gesturing inside. Marble waited for a moment, waiting for the current. After a few seconds, she realized she didn't feel it. It didn't come back. She smiled.
"Yes. That sounds nice."
Applejack smiled. "Alright! Let's go!" She said, trotting inside. Marble made her way in after her, only one thing on her mind.
Minuette and Big Mac were her soulmates.
She couldn't ask for anyone better than them.
"That was really good!" Marble commented, looking at her clear plate. Applejack chuckled.
"Ya seem like ya haven't eaten anythin' all day!" She said. Marble nodded.
"That's pretty true, actually," she said with a giggle. Applebloom beamed up at her.
"So... how long will ya be stayin' 'ere?"
Marble blinked. "Um... I dunno."
Applebloom nodded. "Alright. Ah hope ya stay for a while, though! You're fun to be around!"
Marble smiled. "Why, thank you! You too!"
Applebloom smiled. "Thanks!" She jumped down from her chair, making her way to the living room. "Ah'll be doin' homework!"
"Alright, dearie!" Granny chimed in before trying to eat more of her food. She grumbled as she tried. "I dunno how you youngins can eat so fast. Ah'm only halfway through my food! Ah, maybe if I had my old teeth back Ah could chew better."
Applejack chuckled. "Maybe."
Marble looked between Applejack and the table. "Um... Applejack?"
Applejack looked down to her. "Yes?"
"Can I talk to you for a minute?"
Applejack nodded. "Of course!" She said, putting her plate in the sink. "Bye, Granny and Mac!"
The two waved, Big Mac as silent like he was every dinner. Applejack and Marble walked into a guest room, Applejack sitting on the bed and motioning for Marble to sit next to her.
"What's up?"
Marble bit her lip. "Well... I have a bit of a complication about... my whole soulmate thing."
Applejack nodded. "Alright. What is it?"
"Well..." Marble started. "I..."
"Yes?"
She took a breath. "I was... led to two different soulmates."
Applejack's ears flicked. "Huh? What does that mean?"
Marble took another breath. "It means that... I'm destined to be in a polyamorous relationship with the two of them."
Applejack nodded. "Ah, alright. Ah don't know too much about polyamory, but Ah do know that it is quite the beautiful thing."
Marble nodded. "It is."
"Who's your other soulmate?"
"A mare from Canterlot named Minuette," Marble responded, her cheeks flushing.
Applejack nodded. "Alright. Ah honestly don't know how Mac feels about polyamory. Does he have to be in a relationship with Minuette, too?"
Marble shook her head. "No, he doesn't. It's possible that I'll end up dating the two of them separately. Now, I would like it if we all loved each other because I want to live with both of them in happiness, but... I just can't force them to love each other."
Applejack nodded. "Ah, Ah see. So... it's all consensual, right?"
Marble nodded. "Yes. Each will know everything that's going on with my other partner if they don't end up falling in love."
"Well, that is pretty cool, then. Ah'm sure ya'll will be really happy with them."
"Yeah," Marble replied, nodding. Her ears flattened as she thought. "Also... there was something else that's been bothering me."
Applejack waved a hoof. "Marble, ya'll can tell me anythin'."
Marble nodded. "I know. But... anyways... it's very possible that Mac can be my cousin, and-"
She was cut off by Applejack laughing. Marble tilted her head as Applejack calmed down. "Marble, honey, even if we were related, it's so far back that we have basically no similar genes. When Pinkie pulled out Twilight's ancestry record for herself, the list literally went around and out of the library before she thought she found us! There's nothin' to be worried about, Marble. Ah don't classify it as incest."
Marble nodded. "O-okay. I was just scared."
Applejack waved a hoof. "Don't be, Marble. Do you have anythin' else ya want to discuss?"
Marble shook her head. "Nope, I feel a lot better now. Thanks, Applejack."
Applejack smiled. "No problem! Also, Ah figured Ah should tell ya that ya'll will be sleepin' in this room."
Marble looked around and smiled. "Oh, thank you! This is a nice room."
"Ah'm glad you think so! Want me ta show ya'll around the house? Ya might be here for a while, after all!"
At the end of the day, Marble plopped into the comfortable guest bed, pulling the covers over her. She smiled as she snuggled into them, gazing out the window. Excitement filled her.
Soon enough, she would be together with both Minuette and Big Mac. The thought caused butterflies to whirl and a warmth like no other to spread across her cheeks.
However, she would have to overcome her shyness and talk to Big Mac first. How long that would take her... she doesn't know.
Not sure if polygamory is a beautiful as people think it is, not saying it's a bad thing, just saying that I have my doubts, given the self-preservitive nature of any individual in any species jealousy and envy are big deals. Not saying one-spouse is perfect either, but sharing your romantic love between two or more people. .. well as much as I try to not focus on one thought, knowing that Religion is not a good thing to argue with in a secular argument and that I am taking it out of context, but I cannot seem to get it out of my mind, 'a man can't serve two masters, he will end up only loving one and hating the other. '... but maybe I am simply superimposing certain ideas based on one understanding of human nature onto a fictional story of talking, seiteint, sapient,pascal, colored, magical ponies and reading too much into this.
But I do wonder, are Cheerilee (given what we have seen from Hearts and Hooves Day and those scenes from Just for Sidekucks, Filli Vanilli and Where the Apple Lied) and Sugar Belle going to be addressed and if so how?
8189248
Eh, to each their own, I guess. And there is often jealousy in polyamorous relationships, but that's something the couple has to work through together. It can be hard, but if they love each other, they wouldn't want to break it up.
And I do plan for them to be addressed in the future, yes.
Pretty much took the words right out of my mouth for MarbleMac, ApplePie, and PinkieMac. Fourth cousins twice removed is certainly far enough of a distance for it to not qualify as incest.
8189248 Yeah, I kind of have the same feelings. I'm not opposed to polygamory if all parties are okay with it, but I just don't see how it could be possible to love both (or all partners if it's more than two) equally. It just feels like you'd end up favoring one over the other, even if you tried to be fair to both.
I'm going to get myself flamed all to get out here, but I noticed she never actually touched mac, so there's no proof that the soulmate is Big Mac.
It could be Granny Smith (not likely)
It could be Apple Bloom, as effed up as that would be.
8189409
I did say she shook his hoof... right?
I gotta go check
Edit:
Okay, I did. I was scared for a moment
8189342
8189248
I think you are using the wrong word. Polyamory is what is referred to... It refers to both the love and sexual side of things.
It is more of a "It varies from person to person and relationship to relationship."
Polygamy refers solely to marriage... Not even to love or sex.
8190087 no, we are using the right word. Now while ppolygamy might specificly refere to marriage, as the story has been written thus far the only logical end of Marble's polygamous relationships is polygamy unless either Minutte or Big Mac say to the effect with less objectivity and more tack 'I don't feel comfortable sharing you with X, its either me or X', this all based on, well on my part, an understanding of human nature to be self preservative and there are few things that go againt ones preservation then knowing you significant other has some else to be as if not more intimate with. I can't and I won't speak for
8189342 on this.
Again I am not saying this can't work, but given my understandings I don't see it actually working, one partner is going to love or favor another partner over tge others and things will break down. It happened with the hippie communes of the 60's and 70's, and as the saying goes, 'those that don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it'.
THANK YOU! I was starting to worry I was the only one who understood that!
8190087
Polyamory is if you have more than one lover
Polygamy is if you have more than one spouse
They're using the right word so far.
In fact, if you have two lovers but are only married to one of them, it's still considered polyamory
8190247 yeah... I went on a bit of a tangent...
8190247
Sort of. The problem is that polyamory is an umbrella term that covers many kinds of relationships. And so does polygamy. There is overlap...
I'm okay with the explanation of her situation.
8190244
Same here!
I had a feeling that Marble's other soul mate might be Big Mac based off of last chapter. That's interesting though for Marble to have two soulmates. It also makes sense in this universe of talking ponies. Horse like animals such as horses, ponies, zebras, etc typically live in a herd like mentality where the head of the herd gets the most mates.
I'm interested to see how Marble will overcome her initial shyness so she can talk to Big Mac, and how Sugar Belle fits into all of this. I also would like to see how the interactions between Minuette, Marble, and Big Mac will play out.
Nice chapter!
~ Super-Brony12