Chapter 1: Sweet Talk
Celestia's sun was shining down upon Ponyville. In the outskirts of town, the yellow pegasus, Fluttershy was in her cottage, tending to all of the animals that were taking residence in her home. A large number of animals are often under her care. She tends to their injuries and nurses them back to health. While making breakfast for her animals, her pet rabbit Angel was trying to get her attention by tugging on her pink mane.
"Oh? What is it, Angel? Is something wrong?" Fluttershy asked as she placed the food for the birds in their feeder.
Angel hopped into the kitchen with Fluttershy following behind. He jumped up onto the counter and showed Fluttershy that she had run out of apples that were meant for her own breakfast and, more importantly to the rabbit, his breakfast.
"Oh my, I seem to have forgotten to get more apples last time I stopped by Applejack's cart. I'm so sorry, Angel," Fluttershy apologized. Putting her saddlebag on, Fluttershy rushed to the door and called out, "I'll be right back, Angel. I'm going to get some apples."
Closing the door behind her, Fluttershy trotted at a semi-brisk pace towards Sweet Apple Acres. She hoped that her friend Applejack would be there to aid her with the minor issue that had come up.
Arriving at the farm, Fluttershy saw that she was alone. Normally very timid and meek, she would have waited for somepony to arrive and assist her. However, since her animal friends were awaiting her return to be prompt, Fluttershy began to venture towards the open barn door.
Sticking her head inside the dusty barn, Fluttershy spoke out into the building, "H-Hello? Is anypony here?"
A low voice replied, "Eeyup."
This startled the peagsus, causing her to let out an 'eep' and retract her head from the barn. The barn door opened and revealed a red stallion. It was Applejack's older brother, Big Macintosh.
"Ah'm sorry, Miss Fluttershy, didn't mean to scare ya like that," Big Mac apologized.
Fluttershy tried to calm herself from her astonished state, "Oh, i-it's alright….I-I'm sure you didn't mean to….um, is Applejack around by chance?"
Big Mac shook his head, "Eenope, she said somethin' about payin' a visit to Miss Rarity fer somethin'."
Fluttershy looked down, "Oh, alright….you see, I kinda need some apples and I thought I could come here and get them since….well, they are grown here and all."
"Ah can help ya with that if ya'd like," Big Mac replied.
Fluttershy looked up at the stallion, "You can?"
"Eeyup, jus' lemme know what kind ya need."
"Um, some red delicious and golden delicious for sure, since the rabbits really like those in their meals. Some granny smith as well….oh, and if it's not too much trouble, a few gala apples as well?" the pegasus went over the list in her mind.
"Alright then, be right back with them, Miss Fluttershy," Big Mac stated as he walked back into the barn. A few moments later, he returned to a patiently waiting Fluttershy with a basket of the apples she requested. "Here ya are."
"Oh, thank you so much, Big Mac. They look appetizing, especially the galas." Fluttershy peered into the basket happily.
"Not that it's any of mah business, but are all of these fer jus' you?" Big Mac asked curiously.
"Oh no, most are for the animals that I care for. They really do love the apples," she began to pack her saddlebag with the apples, "However, the gala apples are mine. Hehe, they are my favorite." Her cheeks became slightly flushed at her words.
Big Mac smiled, "That's really a nice thin' that ya do fer those animals. Ah'm sure they really are thankful fer ya."
Fluttershy smiled back, "Well, it is my special talent after all. Oh my, I should get back to them, they must be very worried. Thank you so very much, Big Mac!"
As the pegasus trotted away, Big Mac waved, "Take care, Miss Fluttershy."
Upon returning to her cottage, Fluttershy was welcomed at the door by many of her animals. She went to the kitchen to begin making Angel's breakfast, with Angel on the counter, tapping his foot impatiently.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Angel. I got a little caught up at the farm. You see, Big Macintosh and I started talking and well….it was really just nice to talk to him," Fluttershy mused as she was unpacking the apples from her saddlebag.
Angel didn't care what the excuse was or that Fluttershy had enjoyed chatting with Big Mac, he just wanted his breakfast.