//------------------------------// // Chapter Five: Tasting the sweet fruits of Femininity // Story: Big Macy // by Foal Star //------------------------------// Big Mac wasn't really paying attention to where he was going as the stallion turned mare strolled off from Cheerilee's schoolhouse feeling somewhat relieved that his secret identity wasn't exposed. Not only that, but Big Mac was also feeling rather proud of the fact that his bond with Apple Bloom was becoming a lot stronger and that maybe when this is all over, she'll look up to him more. The red-coated mare continued to happily trot down the street, heading home, thinking about how he was planning to stay the rest of the day. First, he planned to sit down with a pint of apple cider and relax. Then when Apple Bloom comes home from school, they'll rehearse the Sisterhooves Social song and practice. The former stallion continued to walk down the road until he came upon the outskirts of his family's apple orchard. Still, just then, he suddenly heard somepony shout. "Oh, Orchard Blossom, you didn't forget your promise, did you, darling?" Big Mac groaned as he slammed a hoof into his face seeming to suddenly remember he promised to model some outfits for Rarity. He then turned around to face the fashionista and saw she was trotting over towards him with a smug grin on her face. She then threw a hoof in the air and asked, "So darling were you trying to avoid me?" "N…no, of course not!" Big Mac grumbled in response in a somewhat nervous tone. It wasn't a lie; he just forgot about the promise despite the fact it still wasn't something he was looking forward to. Rarity then trotted over and nudged him. "Now come along, I doubt I'll get another opportunity like this! Let's not waste it!" Big Mac rolled his eyes and scoffed, wanting to say "Ey'Nope" then go back to Sweet Apple Acres. But the Apple curse of loyalty seemed to run through his veins, and he continued to follow the fashionista with the intent to fulfill his promise and trotted towards Carousel Boutique. As they went inside the boutique, Rarity quickly took her "Open" sign and flipped it to "Closed," then turned around with that playful smirk on her face. "Alright, darling, let's get you prepped!" She pushed the big red mare behind a booth. She assisted with undressing Big Mac until he was standing in front of a mirror, being completely stunned seeing his new body again. The former stallion thought he should be used to this by now, but it was still something that surprised him. Also, he realized how plump he was and why some ponies would think he would be pregnant. Then a wave of sadness came over the big red-coated mare as he couldn't help but wonder if he was beautiful or maybe he was just lying to himself. What if he was indeed just pretending to feel attractive to make up for how he really felt? All these questions invaded his mind, and he couldn't but feel that this body may not be up for the task of competing in the Sisterhooves Social. "Darling, stop being so down all the time." Big Mac looked downwards towards Rarity, and he could tell from her sympathetic smile she must've noticed the depressed look on his face. The white-coated unicorn then threw up a hoof and said, "As my friend Pinkie Pie says, let's turn that frown upside down." She then went about dressing Big Mac into another outfit, fitting him a pair of frilly white bloomers, slipping them almost effortlessly over his rump. She then went about fitting a light blue skirt around his waist with dark blue apples embroidered into the fabric, along with a simple white blouse being fitted over his chest. Rarity then added the finishing touches as she tied a pink scarf wrapped around his neck then placed dark-blue high-heeled shoes on each of his four hooves. Rarity then took a step back as she tapped a hoof to her chin and hummed out loud. "Hmm, I feel this is more of your typical motherly outfit and looks good overall. But my opinion doesn't matter, what do you think?" Big Mac gave his outfit a look overall; it wasn't too bad as he's seen many mares in his family wearing similar outfits at get-togethers. Big Mac then decided to see how it felt as he moved, trotting around the mirror, and he couldn't help but notice his outfit fit rather snug and comfortable around his body. Big Mac then shrugged and said, "not bad, it's not much different from the outfit you gave me before." "I did my best trying my best to not sacrifice beauty for functionality. But maybe it's a bit too rustic?" "Ey'nope, it's fine," Big Mac simply said as he felt that Rarity couldn't be more wrong; it was a lovely outfit, and she did a fantastic job. "Well, as long as you like it, I'm satisfied!" The fashionista exclaimed as she went to get the next articles to try on Big Mac. The chubby mare continued to look at his reflection, but then he couldn't help but ponder a question that was scratching at the back of his mind. He wondered why she would have him trying out all these new outfits? Turning towards Rarity with a glare, he asked, "did you turn me into a mare simply to try out new outfits on you?" Rarity started to give out a burst of nervous laughter as she waved a hoof. "P…please, of course not!? I told you that I'm doing this to support my sister and yours. All of this is taking advantage of the situation." Big Mac didn't buy what the unicorn just said, but he really wasn't in the mood to get in an argument over it. Rarity went about to continue with dressing him into the next outfit, which was a long emerald, green silk dress with apples embroidered with gold thread stitched into the fabric and with the added touch of lovely gold trim around his hooves. In addition, with the dress, Rarity snapped a golden bridle around his neck with an emerald in the shape of an apple engraved in the center. She then removed the shoes and put sparkly gold shoes on his hooves. "There, perfect! You're looking simply beautiful, darling!" Big Mac could only stand in front of the mirror and gawk at how lovely he looked. "Ra…Ra…" "Don't mention it, darling; it's the least I can do, seeing how much you've done for me." Rarity chimed as she took out a makeup kit and went about applying some eyeliner. "Hey! I thought we said no makeup!" Big Mac cried out, being somewhat stunned at the fashionista's sudden action, and backed up a bit. "Oh, come now, you being a beautiful mare is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I'll be damned if I'm going to waste it." "Fine," Big Mac snapped again as he wanted to just say no and stomp out of the Boutique, and there really wasn't anything that could stop him. But mentally, he paused, and because he was curious to see how he looked looking all prettied up, he allowed the fashionista to continue her work. Rarity then applied a light lipstick on his lips, and he could feel the chalky cream spread over them like a film of mud-caked over his lips. Then she finished her work by applying a light blush to both his cheeks. Big Mac once more looked up at the mirror and paused, seeing how his once masculine body was transformed into this gorgeous-looking mare. Big Mac stood there, taking in the moment as tears started to come to his eyes as he placed a hoof over his mouth, trying to stifle back his crying. "I have to admit I always imagined if you were a mare, this is the gala dress I could see you going to the Grand Galloping Gala in…." Big Mac bowed his head as his entire face turned bright pink. To be fair he always wanted to go to the gala too maybe find a cute unicorn mare to chat with. But he never would imagine going to the fancy party in a dress let alone as the opposite gender. Then there was a long pause; then, no word was spoken between the two as Big Mac stood there staring at his reflection while Rarity stood back, simply basking in her work. "So, do you like it?" That one question ringed through Big Mac's ears; he wanted to exclaim in the air it was the most beautiful outfit he's ever seen. But he kept his calm demeanor, and he simply wiped away his tears from his eyes then whispered, "ey'yup." "Thank you, now; as much as I would love to have you in my crown jewel of these outfits all day, you're going to be out practicing out in the dirt, and I doubt you want it to get ruined." "Ey'yup," Big Mac exclaimed as he went about removing the dress and shoes (but kept the gold bridle around his neck). Rarity then went about fitting the final outfit on him. It was a lovely yellow dress with flowers embroidered with a white thread all over her dress. Then Rarity fixed a massive yellow hat with what looked like a bouquet of flowers atop it and then finished the outfit off with a teal-colored bow that she tied around her hat to keep the flowers from falling off. Big Mac, of course, took a minute to trot around in front of the mirror, and overall, it did feel nice and soft around his body. He then suddenly had the urge to strike a pose and tip the hat slightly forward with a much more confident smile now on his face. Rarity stood back once more as she explained, "This is a lovely summer outfit with the dress made of a light satin. It's paired with a wide-brimmed hat that will keep the sun out of your eyes." "Yes, this is a lovely outfit…." Big Mac was now starting to feel a bit overwhelmed at the generosity that Rarity was showing him. But why? What was it all for? Sure, she and Applejack were friends, but they never really spoke or even got to really know each other. So why would she go through all this effort to make outfits for him, especially since he'll be back to being a stallion a few days from now? The question was burning in his mind, and he then had to just say it. "Rarity, I just have to ask why you are doing all of this for?" The fashionista paused and then turned to face Big Mac and beamed a smile at him. "Darling, we may not talk a lot, but I've watched you take care of the farm while Applejack and I go off to save Equestria. You're always in the background keeping things going while we're gone. So, when I saw how desperate you were as to go as far as to turn yourself into a mare, I found that to be quite admirable. So I feel that making you a few outfits to compliment your new body was the least I can do." "Well, I have to admit, it probably sounds like I was going crazy than me being admirable to me," Big Mac admitted with a chuckle despite not completely accepting everything she said. Still, he had to admit it was rather sweet of her. Rarity then started to lead him across the boutique as she continued, "even I have to admit if I were in your shoes and had to turn into a stallion for my sister, I'm not sure I would be able to do it." Big Mac looked right at Rarity and imagined a giant, white-coated stallion standing in front of him instead. With that image in his head couldn't help but chuckle to himself as Rarity eyed him with a suspicious look on her face then asked, "what are you laughing at?" "Oh nothing," Big Mac snickered as he trotted off after the fashionista who led him to her quaint little kitchen. There the plump red mare sat down as Rarity took out a small porcelain tea set and set it in the middle of the table. She then went about pouring herself and Big Mac a cup of tea and cooed, "now, enough about me, darling, why don't you tell me all about your day?" Big Mac was a bit stunned that he was asked such a question as he was never asked that before. His days were rather dull for most of the time, with little to nothing interesting to speak of. He took a sip of his tea then asked, "why do you wish to know?" Rarity picked up her teacup with her magic and said, "well, it's simple really, I just want to see your experiences as a mare? I think it could be rather interesting seeing your perspective things being a former stallion.” Big Mac couldn’t help but give another nervous having never once in his life ever thought he would be asked these sorts of questions. "Well, I guess you can say it all started with Granny Smith being a pain in my a-" While Big Mac was going about his day, Sweetie Belle was trotting home from school, and she wasn't really thrilled to be spying on her sister or Apple Bloom's aunt. But at the very least, if she can just listen and see if there's nothing wrong with This Auntie Orchard Blossom, then nothing really happened. As Sweetie Belle opened the doors of the Boutique, she cleared her voice then squeaked, "Hey, I'm home!" But as she trotted inside, no pony answered back; she then made her way to the back of the shop and made her way to Rarity's living quarters. Then that's when she heard to mares talking in hushed tones. She immediately recognized one as her sister's while the other was much more robust. She thought the only pony the voice could belong to had to be from the mysterious Auntie Orchard Blossom. The little filly then hid behind the doorway, trying her best not to be noticed; then she heard her sister ask, "so, you slapped him?" Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes upon hearing her sister as she understood ponies can be rude. Still, her sister seemed to have a bad habit of slapping ponies. Curious about what she could be talking about, the little filly peeked around the corner and continued to watch and listen. Orchard Blossom then threw a hoof in the air and said in response. "Of course, even as a stallion, ponies like those always pissed me off treating mares like objects." Sweetie Belle, at this point, did her best to stifle her from laughing, imaging the big red mare slapping a little old stallion. But the little filly remained silent and continued to listen. Rarity then placed her teacup down on her small platter and said, "Well, I would say you handled yourself well, but you should be careful; sometimes it's best to let your words do the talking more so than your hooves." "Of course, I know that I just wanted to show him that I'm not a mare to be messed with." The big, red-coated mare scoffed; he then continued, "Anyways, after that, my sister dragged me off to the schoolhouse where I basically lied to all of Apple Bloom's classmates about being her aunt. My excuse for coming down to Ponyville was that I wanted to model outfits for you." Sweetie Belle gasped upon what she just heard that meant Orchard Blossom wasn't Apple Bloom's aunt or even her sister. She was, in actuality Big Mac in disguise! "Scootaloo was right!" "Huh, what was that?" Sweetie Belle squeaked, realizing she said that a little too loud, and scurried into the shop and ducked into a rack of clothes. She peeked out to see that Rarity came out to see if any pony was there. The little filly took a deep breath and stayed still, hoping, and praying to Celestia she wasn't seen. But as Rarity seemed to think the store was empty, she shrugged and walked back into her kitchen. Sweetie Belle gave a few deep breaths and whispered, "ok, that was close." Now that she knew the truth, she could report back to Apple Bloom, but…she was cautious as to why Big Mac would lie and create this entire ploy? She should stay and listen just a bit longer before telling Apple Bloom. The white-coated filly then slowly trotted over to the doorway once more. "Was that your sister?" she saw Orchard Blossom ask as he was now standing up and looking rather frantic. Rarity sat down at the table and shook her head. "No, I don't think so, probably a customer." The red-coated mare gave a small sigh of relief and sat back down at the table to continue their conversation. She took the cup in her hooves and just looked down with this painful look in her eyes and whispered, "I mean, I know this is all for her so she can be in the Social…but I still feel terrible for lying." "It's alright Darling, I'm not one hundred percent sure on the rules and if they would allow a stallion to compete. I mean, you don't want her to be disqualified from the Sisterhooves Social, right?" "No, of course not, but now Apple Bloom thinks I'm her long-lost sister. I wanted to tell her so badly I'm just her brother…but like you said, if she finds out then tells everypony, then we could be disqualified." "Oh yes, I can imagine that can be rather painful for you…but you will tell her the truth, right?" Orchard Blossom took a long draught from his cup of tea and said, "Of course, right after the Sisterhooves social, I'll tell her the truth and explain everything." Sweetie Belle then saw her sister slowly get up from her chair and trot over and placed a hoof on Orchard Blossom's shoulder and whispered, "Of course, and I have to say you did the right thing. I'm sure she'll understand you did all of this for her." Sweetie Belle stood there stunned with her heart thumping in her chest. It was such a touching moment it took all her willpower not to dawww out loud. However, she couldn't soak in the moment seeing that they both had their backs turned it was the perfect opportunity to escape. As much as the filly wanted to keep the secret, she promised to tell Apple Bloom everything she learned. "Alright, well, I better get going." Then, the filly tipped hoofed out of the kitchen and headed straight for the door. Sweetie Belle then slowly opened the door just enough so the little bell overhead wouldn't ring. She then slipped through the crack in the door and ran out into the streets of Ponyville.