//------------------------------// // Ch. 3 So Easy // Story: Wandering Star // by Closer-To-The-Sun //------------------------------// Chapter 3: So Easy The next day, the princess of the night trotted back towards the apple farm just outside of Ponyville. Luna had gotten a crash course about the common pony the night before from the town's librarian and resident egghead, Twilight Sparkle. The purple mare tried her best to teach what she could to Luna, despite not knowing exactly to teach her, and wished her luck for her next visit to Sweet Apple Acres. As Luna trotted along the pathway, enjoying the rays of warmth from her sister's sun. The sunlight rubbed off onto the blue alicorn and her face beamed as she drew closer to the farm. The princess felt confident. Confident enough to ask Big Macintosh a question. Arriving at the barn, Princess Luna saw Applejack making her way over the her. "Howdy, yer majesty. What brings ya ta our humble farm?" Applejack asked, taking off her hat and giving a proper bow. "Greetings, Applejack. I have come to visit to request an audience with your elder sibling, Big Macintosh," Princess Luna spoke with the royal and regal tone. Applejack raised an eyebrow and double-checked what she thought the princess said, "Ya mean yer here to talk to mah brother?" "Indeed," Luna nodded. The earth pony thought for a moment before replying, "Ah think he's in the barn, doin' some barrelin'. Ah'm sure he won't mind much if ya just go on in." Luna smiled and gave a thankful nod, "I thank you for your time." The orange mare bowed again, "Always a pleasure, princess." Turning towards the barn, Luna slowly made her way inside of the barn. It was dimly lit and smelt very musty. It was an unusual scent for her, very alien. Luna wasn't comfortable entering the building, however, she proceeded to tap a few times on the wooden door of the barn. "Hello?" the princess called out meekly and almost uncharacteristically. "Eeyup?" a low voice replied. A little surprised, Luna jumped back. She recognized the voice, however, and proceeded inside the barn. "Big Mac?" the princess called out as she slowly continued into the barn. Finally, Big Mac came into Luna's eyesight amongst the barrels, to which he replied, "Eeyup." "Oh, uh….greetings. How are you going on this fine day?" Luna tried her best to keep her prim and proper composure about her. "Doin' quite fine, and yerself princess?" Big Mac smiled to the princess, taking a break from his work. The smile caused Luna to trip over her words, "W-Wonderful. I'm enjoying my stay in Ponyville q-quite a bit. It's been a magnificent three days so far." "How long are ya plannin' ta stay, if ya don't mind me askin'," Big Mac wondered aloud. Luna blushed slightly at his words, "I do plan to stay for some time. I have no immediate plans to leave or anything of the sort." "Ah see. Well, allow me ta welcome ya to our modest little town here, Miss Luna," Big Mac bowed to the royalty in his presence. "Oh, well thank you very much. And you really don't have to bow…." Luna was a little ashamed to have the red stallion bow in front of her. Big Mac was a bit puzzled, "But yer the princess, ma'am. Tis only fittin', is it not?" "Well, that is true, but it is too formal for simple conversation between friends," Luna looked away with her face turning red, "would you not agree?" Big Mac smiled warmly to Luna when she looked back towards the stallion, "Eeyup." This reply made Luna smile happily like a little filly who was given a cupcake. The red stallion returned back to barreling apples. For a few moments, Princess Luna watched him work. She was impressed to see how well Big Mac could work with out wings or magic. He was very resourceful on his own as a simple earth pony. However, her daydreaming was cut short. "Miss Luna?" The alicorn was snapped out of her thinking, "Huh?!" "Ah was askin' if there was somethin' that ah could help ya with," Big Mac restated his statement. "Oh, actually, I was wondering, since you are a local pony and know the area well, if you could….possibly show me around Ponyville?" Luna was very bashful with her request. She could hardly look at Big Mac since and seemed to be just like any common love struck mare. The stallion paused before he began to speak in his low voice, "Uh….well, ah'm currently workin' right now, bu-" The princess quickly interrupted very flustered, "Oh, it is fine! I completely understand, you are very busy with your occupation. I apologize for my intruding with such a thought." Big Mac tried to speak, "But, M-" He was interrupted again by a panicky princess, "Actually, I do believe Twilight Sparkle had requested my assistance with something at the library earlier today. Again, I apologize, Big Mac. I do hope to see you again soon!" Before Big Mac could try to speak again, Princess Luna had exited the barn and used her wings to take off back to the Ponyville library. Her face was completely red. Back at the library, Twilight was consoling a very distressed Luna as the evening began to set in across Equestria. "Princess, calm down, it's not a big deal," the purple mare said with a deep sigh. Luna was lying down on her stomach on a couch, "But Twilight Sparkle, I had made such an imbecile of myself asking him such." "But this is Big Macintosh. He's a very calm and gentle stallion, always kind, caring and wouldn't judge you in anyway," Twilight tried to reassure her. "Nevertheless, I still made myself look like such a fool," Luna let out a heavy sigh of sorrow. Twilight also let out a sigh, but more of annoyance, "Your highness…." her statement was interrupted by a knock at the door, "Hold that thought." The purple mare trotted to the front door and opened it. On the other side of the door was Big Macintosh.