//------------------------------//
// Sisterhooves Mulling 
// Story: Appledashery Vol. Two 
// by Just Essay 
//------------------------------//

"Sooooooooo... uh..."  Big Macintosh wandered to a stop outside the entrance to the Apple Family Barn.  He chewed on a stalk of hay, repositioned it in his muzzle, and exhaled.  "The Sisterhooves Social, huh?"

"Eeeyup."  Applejack huddled at a work table, hammering together two-by-fours.

"You... uh..."  Big Macintosh raised an eyebrow.  "...you fully in charge of the events this year?"

"Eeeyup."  Applejack put another nail in place, hammered it, and checked the sturdiness.

"Granny didn't put up no fuss?"

"Eeenope."

"Hmmm."  Big Macintosh nodded.  "Well... good to know you've got somethin' to put your head to aside from apple buckin'."

"What?"  Applejack straightened her hat and glanced over her sweaty shoulder.  "You jealous or somethin'?"

"Hahahah... eeeeeenope!"

"You'd make a great sister, Big Mac!"  Applejack smirked as she worked away like an equine carpenter.  "Just put on a wig and a frock and yer good to go!"

"You been snortin' the apple stems lately?"

Applejack rolled her eyes.  "You dun have to get involved at all, big brother."

"Nawww..."  Big Macintosh leaned casually against the barn entrance.  "I'll lend a hoof wherever you need me.  After all, Apple Bloom lurves this shindig.  Does she not?"

"You can say that again."  Applejack took a deep breath.  "She's been so faithful and patient with the rest of the family all these months—what with the way the farm's been goin' and all."

"You fixin' to reward her?"

"I'm fixin' to reward everypony," Applejack clarified, hammering and sanding at what she was building.  "I'm aimin' to make this the whizz-bangiest Sisterhooves Social that ever did grace Ponyville!"

"For real, now?"

"Eeeyup!"

"Good luck with that."

Applejack blinked.  She turned to frown over her shoulder.  "Are ya sayin' I ain't got what it takes to manage this thang?"

"Oh, you've got what it takes to manage it, alright," Big Macintosh said, chewing on the stalk of hay.  "Yer a regular go-getter.  Super smart too."

"Then what's the problem?"

"Just that you ain't exactly a showmare, are ya?"

"... ... ..."  Applejack blinked, staring off into the corners of the barn.

"Ponies flock to the Sisterhooves Social every year cuz they get a real kick outta Granny's charisma—even as she's gettin' on in years.  But now... if she's takin' a step back..."  Big Mac shrugged.  "Ya might wanna consider searchin' for somepony to help fill the gaps."

"Like who??"

Big Macintosh smiled.  "Yer the one with a heap'o'friends, not me."  He trotted off lazily.  "Surely you've got somepony who'll keep everythang bright and excitin' like for the Social."

Applejack looked at her work.  Slowly, a warm smile crept across her freckles.  "Well... I sure know somepony who can keep the skies clear..."