Big Macintosh lead Twilight Sparkle to a field that didn’t have as much in it.
“Ah figur’d that since this is yer first time ever farmin, we aught tah start on of our smaller fields,” said Big Macintosh. “Mah pa first taught me at this field, and ah first taught Applejack here.”
“So it’s like an Apple family tradition,” Twilight pointed out.
“Ah spose you culd say that,” said Big Mac. “Ah never really thought about it that way.”
“Well I certainly am flattered to be taught in the same field that you and Applejack were taught in, and your own father,” said Twilight.
Big Macintosh blushed a little at this remark. He wasn’t sure if Twilight could tell, there were few who could due to his red coat. She could, but she wasn’t going to let him know, or that she found it cute.
“When will you teach me about apple bucking?” asked Twilight.
“Ah figur’d we save that fer another day,” said Big Mac. “When ya’ll have built up some decent strength.”
“I suppose that does make sense,” said Twilight.
“Eeyup,” said Big Mac.
“So what should we do first?” asked Twilight.
“Let’s start by pullin out any weeds and bad vegetables,” said Big Mac.
“That doesn’t sound too hard,” said Twilight.
Big Macintosh gave a little chuckle.
“I said the very same thing to mah pa mah first time,” said Big Mac. “So did Applejack when I taught her. It may not look like it, but them veggies and weeds can be deeply rooted into tha ground.”
“Once again, that makes sense,” said Twilight. “See? You do make a fantastic teacher!”
“Well…thank ya very much, Miss Sparkle,” said Big Mac, very surprised by the comment. “Ah’m just teachin you what mah pa taught me, and his pa bafor him.”
“I guess that means the Apple family has a line of great teachers,” said Twilight with a wink.
Big make gave her a thankful smile. A few feet away, Apple Bloom and Spike were hiding in some bushes with a pair of binoculars.
“Hope they don’t hear the rustlin in the bushes,” said Apple Bloom.
“The key is to remain as still as possible,” said Spike.
“Guess yah have experience from spyin on Rarity all the time,” commented Apple Bloom.
“How did you know about that!?” said a shocked Spike.
“Sweetie Belle told me,” said Apple Bloom. “Ah figured most everypony knew bout that. You aint exactly subtle about it.”
“Oh man!” said Spike. “Is it really that obvious?”
“Yah oughta take some pointers from Big Macintosh,” said Apple Bloom. “Since me and Applejack are family, it’s easy fer us to read him. But fer those who don’t see him everyday, his facial expressions seem basically the same.”
“Hmm,” thought Spike. “I never really thought about it. Anyway, how’s Twilight doing?”
“Seems to be strugglin’ with pullin out that weed,” noticed Apple Bloom. “Them varmints can be a real pain!”
“She using any magic?” said Spike.
“Nope,” said Apple Bloom. “Guess she wants tah do it the old fashioned way.”
Twilight was doing her best, but that weed didn’t want to be moved from it’s spot.
“I can’t believe it’s this difficult to remove a simple weed!” said Twilight. “Is there something I’m missing?”
“When tryin’ to remove somethin’ deeply rooted,” started Big Mac. “It’s best to dig a little bit of soil away from the base of the weed or plant.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that for the start?” asked Twilight.
“Ah wanted tah see if you’d figure it out first bafor askin’ fer some help,” he said. “Hope yah don’t mind. I figured someone as well read as you would already know this.”
“Oh…,” said Twilight, with a little blush on her face. “Well, I haven’t read a whole lot of books on the different aspects of farming. I’m sure that’s surprising to hear.”
“Nope,” said Big Mac. “Makes sense yah wouldn’t be all that interested in readin’ farmin’ techniques seeing as how you aint a farmer. But ifn’ yah need some, ah have a few on the subject.”
“I didn’t think you’d need books on farming, Big Mac,” said Twilight.
“It’s good tah know different techniques out there I reckon,” said Big Mac. “Though ah admit there are times where ah’d like to read up on other subjects.”
“Really?” said Twilight. “Well…if you’re interested, I could always loan you some books. I could even read some of them with you.”
“You…you’d be willin’ tah do that?” said Big Mac.
“Well of course,” said Twilight. “It’s the least I could do for the friend who’s willing to teach me how to farm.”
“Ahm a friend?” said Big Mac.
“Don’t be silly, Big Macintosh,” said Twilight. “Of course we’re friends. I don’t just spend time with you because you’re related to Applejack. I genuinely like being around you. You’re a good colt, hard working, and you don’t deny who you really are.”
Big Macintosh couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He had never thought in a million years that Twilight Sparkle would consider him a friend. Closest thing he had to a friend was Smarty Pants, and she’s a doll. With all the farm work, he never really had time to hang out with any other ponies in town. If he went to parties, which was rare, he was usually the pony you’d see sitting in a corner just trying not to draw attention to themselves.
“Thank you very much, Miss Sparkle,” said Big Mac.
“Mac, please,” began Twilight. “Just call me Twilight.”
“Thank you very much…Twilight,” he said with a big smile.
Twilight was glad to hear Big Macintosh call her by her first name. It started to remind her again of her school days. Suddenly a frown started to form on her face.
“Did ah say something wrong, Twilight?” asked Big Mac, worried he’d said or done the wrong thing.
“Oh, no,” she said. “Not at all. I was just thinking of something else at the moment. You’re not doing anything wrong, Big Mac. You’re wonderful.”
She was a bit surprised by what she said. But she wasn’t lying when she said it. Big Macintosh really was wonderful. Looking at his smile, he was quite handsome as well. It surprised her that he didn’t have a special somepony in his life. Suddenly they heard Spike yell out.
“OOOOWWW!” yelled Spike. “YOU STEPPED RIGHT ON MY TAIL, APPLE BLOOM!”
“Jeez, sorry!” said Apple Bloom. “Yah don’t hafta yell so loud!”
“Then you should watch where you step!” said Spike, still yelling.
“We’re hidin’ in a bush!” said Apple Bloom. “I can barely see where my own hooves are at this point!”
“What the hay are yah two doin’ hidin’ out in the bushes!” asked Big Mac.
“We was, um…,” said Apple Bloom, trying to figure out what to say. “We were just, um…”
“Bird Watching!” chimed in Spike. “We were trying to watch some birds.”
“There aint no trees near this area,” said a suspicious Big Mac.
“Well, I did say try,” said Spike sarcastically.
“Why don’t yah two go an bird watch somewhere else,” suggested Big Mac.
“Sounds like a good idea to me,” said Spike.
“Go on then,” said Big Mac.
The two ran off as fast as they could. Twilight came up next to Big Macintosh.
“What was that all about?” asked Twilight.
“Just Apple Bloom and Spike,” said Big Mac. “They claimed they was just tryin’ to watch some birds.”
“But there aren’t any trees near here,” commented Twilight.
“Spike did say thay were tryin’,” said Big Mac with a hint of sarcasm.
“Those two make quite a mischievous pair,” said Twilight.
“Eeyup,” said Big Mac. “Ah guess they though we needed supervision or somethin’. Make sure we don’t get into some kinda trouble.”
“What could we possibly do that would get us in trouble,” said Twilight with a slight giggle.”
The two shared a good laugh for a moment, before starting to look into each other’s eyes. Twilight began again to notice the great features of Big Macintosh. He did indeed, have lovely eyes. Big Macintosh of course already knew this about Twilight’s eyes. They were probably his favorite features on her. Big Mac took a big gulp.
“We best be gettin’ back tah work, Twilight,” said Big Mac.
“Oh, um, right,” said Twilight. “You’re absolutely right. We don’t want waste time on such a nice day.”
“Nope,” responded Big Macintosh.
The rest of the time went by a lot smoother. Thanks to Macintosh’s advice, Twilight was having a much greater ease at removing the weeds from the field.
“You and Spike ought tah stick around for dinner,” said Big Macintosh. “Might as well have a nice meal fer all the hard worin’ yah did today.”
“I would love that,” said Twilight. “And I’m sure Spike would love to not have to cook dinner for once.”
“Ah’ll be sure tah let Applejack and Granny tah set a couple extra plates at dinner time,” said Big Mac.
“Wonderful,” said Twilight.
They continued the rest of their farm work in silence.