//------------------------------// // Chapter Seven: The Breath before the Plunge // Story: Big Macy // by Foal Star //------------------------------// Big Mac was slowly trotting down the road with a somewhat nervous look on his face as today was the day of the Sisterhooves Social. Everything Big Mac has done in the past week has led up to this moment, and he was completely unsure of what was going to be the outcome of the race. The former stallion wanted to do his best and try to claim a blue ribbon for his sister at all costs, but at the same time, he wanted to make sure he didn’t get disqualified. Overall, he felt relatively confident in his acting skills as a mare and his physical ability to make it through the upcoming obstacle course. Big Mac was ready to compete in the Sisterhooves Social. As he made his way to where the Social was being held, he wondered how his sister was doing. He looked down and turned around and saw that was Apple Bloom trotting alongside him with a cheerful smile plastered on her face. The little filly looked rather excited as she skipped alongside her brother Big Mac bent his head down and nuzzled her, then asked, “are you ready for the Social?” “Yeah, of course, now are you ready!?” The little farm filly chirped back with a suspicious note in her tone. The way Apple Bloom asked made Orchard Blossom wonder if her little sister was asking if she was ready for the upcoming Social? Did the little filly think she wasn’t ready? She, of course, didn’t perform the best during their practice session yesterday, but she was more than prepared for what was to come, and she had to prove it today. So, the mare raised her head up and proclaimed rather proudly. “Of course, I am! Now come along, let’s go; we don’t want to be late.” Apple Bloom trotted behind the Auntie Orchard to where they were going to do the Sisterhooves Social. The field was covered with families and the contestants; all of the fillies, young and old, were preparing for the race by stretching or simply trotting around the various tents set up and socializing. The atmosphere was rather jolly, and everypony seemed ready for the race that was about to begin. Still, there wasn’t a sense of tension as many fillies were running about and laughing, seeming to just be having fun. Despite the joyful atmosphere, Big Macy couldn’t help but feel Despite feeling more secure with his disguise. Big Mac was standing among the crowd with a worried look on his face as he looked over to see the judges (and the creepy old pony giving him a look); overall, the former stallion was feeling somewhat confident that no pony had seen through his disguise so far. “Hey um, before we go do the chant and singing, I’m gonna go be with my friends, ok?” Apple Bloom said rather suddenly. “Oh, ok…” Orchard Blossom whispered, stunned by her sister’s sudden gesture. It might be nerves seeing she has never competed in the Sisterhooves Social without Applejack. So, competing without her probably made her sister nervous about the outcome. Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted as Rarity trotted over with a smile on her face, and she called his name to get his attention. “Oh, Orchard Blossom! It’s so good to see you!” the fashionista exclaimed as she trotted over and threw her hooves around him and pulled him into a hug. Big Mac was surprised by the embrace, and he couldn’t help reciprocating the gesture and threw her into his bulky hooves. The fashionista then whispered, “let’s go talk somewhere private.” The former stallion was taken aback by Rarity’s invitation. Was she just trying to give him some friendly advice? Or was there more to this? He then trotted off after the white-coated unicorn; they continued down the road a little away and stopped under a nearby tree. The two stood under a tree with Big Mac feeling somewhat awkward being with Rarity alone, staring at him with those big blue eyes. The white-coated unicorn said, “now, I need to say something quickly before the competition begins.” “Yes, what is it?” Big Mac asked, eyeing her with a sense of curiosity as to why they were here in the first place. Rarity then trotted over and whispered, “now, I know that you feel comfortable as a mare, but this is where you have to sell it.” “Right, but I still have to win for Apple Bloom. Don’t think I’m going to go easy,” Big Mac said with glare being somewhat unsure of Rarity’s intentions, wondering if she was genuinely trying to give him good advice or was there more to this? “I’m not trying to sabotage you, I want you to do your best, of course, but I also want to not get disqualified. All I’m saying is don’t be Big Mac out there.” The former stallion got what the mare said, she wasn’t trying to have him throw the race. Instead, it was more like telling him to be Orchard Blossom. It made sense, so he had to be aware of his actions as they do the race. It was easier to do so when he was simply going about his day. Still, during the race, he could get carried away and forget about he was trying to remain disguised. “T…thank you….” Big Mac stammered a little as he brushed a hoof over his mane, feeling stupid for not giving this more thought before. Rarity then began to trot over rather slowly as she flashed her bedroom eyes. “Now, before you go, let me give you something for luck; now, close your eyes.” Big Mac gulped, having a feeling as to what Rarity was going to give him. Was she going to kiss him!? If so, why? They barely know each other heck, he didn’t even know if she’s into him because he’s a mare? He was now becoming a nervous wreck as all these thoughts were going through his head. “Oh, stop being so nervous, just close your eyes.” Big Mac took a deep breath as he slowly did as Rarity instructed and slowly closed his eyes. He didn’t see it, but he could feel wet lips press into his right cheek, it was faint, and it wasn't too abrasive but he knew Rarity was kissing him. As Big Mac opened his eyes, he looked over at Rarity, who beamed him a smile and chimed, “Just…good luck.” The fashionista then trotted off, leaving Big Mac rubbing his cheek. He thought over what she said and knew it was the truth. But the kiss was something he wasn’t expecting, and he wondered if she was into him. But was it really because she had feelings for him? Or was it just because he was a mare? Maybe before he turned back to a stallion, he could talk with her to see. But for now, he needed to get around the grounds and find Apple Bloom. But before that, he took out the vial full of green liquid that Zecora gave him. He eyed it, still somewhat suspicious of it, seeing she wasn’t candid with her gender-swapping potion. But the zebra never had any malice towards her, and it was true it would be rather challenging to find volunteers who would take an experimental gender-swapping potion. She sighed, seeing she wanted to ensure that blue ribbon for Apple Bloom. She then chugged the contents down and gagged a little as it tasted rather horrible, but she swallowed it down. Orchard Blossom then trotted off with a brisk trot feeling slightly more nervous before; if Rarity’s plan was to make him feel more on edge, it was working.