//------------------------------// // Ch. 3 Show Me The Way // Story: Prolonging The Magic // by Closer-To-The-Sun //------------------------------// Chapter 3: Show Me The Way The next morning, the harvesting of the apple crop at Sweet Apple Acres was fully under way. Everypony was working hard on their task around the busy farm. At high noon, all ponies on the farm took a break for lunch just as they did every day like clockwork. Big Mac, however, did not take a break like the rest of the ponies. Brushing a bit of the dirt off himself that was gently settled on his body from working the plow, he slowly trotted away from the farm. There were a few surprised gazes at the red stallion as he walked toward Ponyville. He didn't feel he needed to explain to anypony what he was doing, mainly because he already had to explain to Applejack the night before. "Yer gonna have Twilight teach ya? Teach ya what?" Applejack had asked the night before as the two siblings sat on the porch overlooking the farm. "Different things," Big Mac replied "Well, like what? What do ya want to learn, Big Mac?" "Ah don' know. I kind of want to have somewhat of a formal education, ya know Applejack?" Applejack sighed a little sadly, "That's right, ain't it? You never did get ta go to school like Applebloom and ah got ta. But we all still appreciate all the work ya've done fer us here on the farm, Big Mac," she said, her eyes softening in sorrow for her brother, but she gave a warm smile as she consoled him. "Ah know, but ah just feel like I could benefit from some learnin', and Miss Sparkle is very book-smart." Big Mac replied gently. Applejack smiled, "Well, Twi certainly knows her way 'round books, and she is a mighty fine teacher. Just promise me ya won't get too fond on Twilight now," she said with a wink to Big Mac, causing him to blush slightly. "I-It ain't like that, Applejack," Big Mac tried to defend himself against his sister's straight forward comment. Applejack laughed softly and gently nudged her brother with her hoof, "Well hey, she's not that bad of a gal, and she is pretty cute, ain't she?" "Applejack," the stallion sighed in irritation, which just caused her to just laugh more. Big Mac finally arrived at the library. His slow and calm trotting was able to shake off most of the dirt that was still stuck to his red coat. Moving up to the door, he gave it a gentle knock. To his surprise, it wasn't opened by Spike, but Twilight herself. "Ah, Big Macintosh! Right on time! Come in, come in!" Twilight said warmly, welcoming the stallion into her home, "Thankfully I was able to get most of the books put away last night when Spike was still awake. Please go on ahead to the table right over there, I'll go get us something to eat." Big Mac smiled kindly and nodded as he slowly made his way to the table and sat down. He looked at the books with titles that read 'Basic Science of Farming', 'Science of Fruit', 'Weather Patterns of Equestria', and other books. He was a bit puzzled about why those titles were placed on the table, but before he could think more about it, he smelled something delicious. He turned to look and saw Twilight using her magic to carry a tray of fresh muffins to the table. "I used a few of the apples that you brought yesterday to make a special type of muffin I read about. I do hope they taste good!" she said happily, offering one to him as she sat down beside him. Big Mac took another smell of the muffins. The aroma was heavenly to him, "They look mighty tasty," he carefully grabbed one and took a bite out of it. It was one of the tastiest pastries that he ever had. After swallowing, he added, "These really are quite amazing, Miss Sparkle," he commented once he had finished the muffin. Twilight blushed a bit at Big Mac's words, "Heh, thank you, Big Macintosh. And you don't have to address me as Miss Sparkle, Twilight will be just fine." "Alright then, Miss Twilight." Twilight smiled at his words; she hadn't expecting him to still call her 'miss', "Also, before we can begin, do you mind taking your harness off? I think you can focus better on your studying if you didn't have that heavy thing around your neck." Big Mac carefully took the harness off and placed it aside. She was right; it felt like a big load was taken off his shoulders both physically and mentally. "I feel kinda bare without it," he admitted. "Well, I think you look better without it weighing you down." Twilight said with a friendly smile, "Now, I think it would be good to start learning about something you are quite familiar with, something like the different aspects of farming. I know you are very knowledgeable when it comes to the physical aspects farming itself, but I think having you learn about the science behind it will be a good place to start. Does that sound good to you?" Big Mac smiled and nodded as he watched Twilight open a book magically and placed it in front of him, "Sounds like a fine place to start, ah think." Twilight and Big Mac spent the next three hours studying the different phyisical and biological aspects of farming, from cross-pollination of apple seeds and the chemical process of a growing sapling to the basic patterns that the weather ponies followed in their careful structuing of Equestria's weather. Big Mac was quite surprised to learn a number of things in his first lesson. The stallion was really happy to learn something he can apply to his farming techniques in the future seasons. "Whew, I think that's a bit much for the first lesson. Sorry if I overwhelmed you with so much information on your first visit, Big Mac," Twilight said as she closed up the last book for the day. "It's quite alright, Miss Twilight. Ah'm very thankful that yer doin' this fer me," he replied, standing up and carefully placing his harness back on, "Ah've been meaning to ask, by the way, where Spike and the owl of yers are." "Oh, Owlicious didn't return last night so Spik-" The purple mare's words were interrupted as the door to the library was slammed open to reveal an exhausted small purple and green baby dragon with an owl in one of his hands. "It took five hours...five hours and I got this darned bird," Spike's voice was filled with frustration and fatigue. "I am going to lock this bird up in it's cage, remove the rose thorns that cover my body, and then sleep until next week." Spike marched past the two ponies to go up stairs to place the bird in its cage. Twilight and Big Mac softly chuckled as the small dragon left. "Poor lil' guy," Big Mac said sympathically. "He'll be fine, Spike just gets tired easily. I should get him some gems for his hard work." Twilight thought aloud. "Well then, ah best be going back to the farm now," Big Mac said walking over to the door that Spike had left open. "Alright then! Same time tomorrow?" Twilight asked as she trotted along beside him. "As long as that's fine with you, Miss Twilight." Twilight giggled, "That's perfectly fine, and you really don't have to say 'miss', Big Mac. I don't think the 'miss' really fits me." "Well, you are a fine young lady, and all ladies should be addressed with the utmost respect and honor. That's what Granny Smith always taught me," Big Mac explained as he slowly walked outside, "Ah'll see ya tomorrow, Miss Twilight." Twilight found herself blushing at Big Mac's compliment. A lady? She was quite flustered that she almost forgot to say good-bye. "Y-Yeah, see ya tomorrow!" She closed the door as soon as the red pony was out of sight. She paused for a second after the door was closed and said softly to herself, "Young lady? I never though anypony was so chivalrous like that these days." For the next two weeks, Big Mac would visit Twilight Sparkle every day at noon. Everyday he would look forward to meeting with her and learning from her and enjoying the snacks that she would make for them. The stallion was a fast learner when it came to the subject of farming and plant science, which surprised both Big Mac and Twilight. Every so often, Applebloom would accompancy her brother to Twilight Sparkle's to get away from the farm. She and Spike would play together when she was over, but that also led to two of them wrestling, and once in a while breaking something. This would lead Twilight to telling both of them continue playing outside so that she and Big Mac could study without being distracted. After one such lesson had finish, Big Mac and Twilight were alone in the library, finishing up their studying and cleaning up the books and snacks. Big Mac finished putting away the books that they had used and turned to see Twilight walking back from the kitchen. He took a deep breath and then finally spoke. "Miss Twilight," he started. "What is it, Big Mac?" she asked, turning her head to look at him. 'Come on, Big Mac, you can do this. Ya can do this, just relax a lil',' he thought to himself before he continued, "Can I be honest with ya for a sec?" "Of course! We're friends here." "Well, ah jus wanna say thanks for helpin' me the past few weeks with helpin' me." "It's been a real pleasure to! I've learned quite a bit about from our experience here as well and I have really enjoyed your company!" Twilight cheerfully said. "Also, ah would like ta apologize fer Applebloom rough-housin' when she visits," he said as he started to walk over to the door. "Well, I can understand that the little filly has a lot of energy to burn off, but I'm just happy she and Spike are over at the farm so we can get a lot of studying done," Twilight said as she accompanied him. Big Mac walked out opened the door and turned his head back to look at Twilight standing in the doorway, 'Alright, Big Mac, you gotta do this,' he thought to himself again. "Okay then, I'll see you tomorrow then, Big Mac!" Twilight said as she started to close to the door. "Wait, Miss Twilight?" Big Mac called out to stop her. "Yes?" "Ah'm really quite fond of ya," Big Mac said at last before he turned and trotted his way back to Sweet Apple Acres.