“See you next week Pinkie!” called the mare with the two-toned mane as the Element of Laughter lugged a double saddlebag full of candy out the door of the shop.
“Thanks again Bon Bon!” chirped the pink mare as she squeezed through the doorway with an audible ‘pop’.
Thank goodness for that mare’s sweet tooth. Otherwise I’d barely break even month to month thought Bon Bon. Ponies were not known to indulge in sweets outside of special occasions, put this was Pinkie Pie after all. But the truth was Bon Bon didn’t do this for the bits. Candy was her reason for living, though admittedly a distant second behind her love for a certain human-obsessed musical unicorn mare.
Bon Bon’s happy thoughts of her beloved mate were disturbed by the sudden tinkle of the bell over the front door of the shop. She looked up and prepared to greet her customer with one of her amusing accents she used in her sales pitches when she actually recognized the pony.
“Big Macintosh.” Even though the mare‘s heart and soul belongs only to Lyra, she still couldn’t help but be impressed by the handsome figure of the draft horse. The fact that the Apple stallion was a rare sight outside of Sweet Apple Acres made it that much more of a surprise.
“Howdy Miss Bon Bon.” rumbled the stallion politely.
“I never pegged you for the candy type, other than the occasional apple drop.” Remarked Bon Bon cheerfully.
“I ain’t here for myself Miss Bon Bon.” Indeed, the stallion was looking over the shelves and jars with a mix of trepidation and mild worry. He would never of expected there to be so many different types of sweets to choose from.
“Oh? Maybe you are looking for something for a special somepony?” teased the mare, memories of that one Hearts and Hooves day turning up the corners of her mouth. She could help herself from snickering at the grave look she received from Big Mac.
“Ahm lookin’ fer something to give to Peppermill. He needs some cheerin’ up on the account he’s been under the weather.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” Bon Bon immediately grew serious as she watched the stallion give each candy a critical eye. Every pony in Ponyville knew about the little grey colt who had been taking in by the Apple clan. The charming little cook was well like by young and old alike, and news of his illness drew plenty of sympathy.
“It wouldn’t be so bad, but whatever he has is jus’ lingering on fer so long. An’ he keeps talkin’ about how cold he is.”
“Cold?”
“Ain’t seen so much shiverin’ in mah life. He got mah sisters all in a panic, and I cain`t even claim he`s doing it fer the attention.”
“Oh dear…”
“Given how low he’s feeling, I figured a little present might cheer him up. The only problem is I’ll be danged if I know what kind of candy he lahks.”
“Hmmm…” The mare looked thoughtful as she pondered the problem. A sudden spark of inspiration suddenly hit her, and she spoke. I think I know somepony who would love to help you with your problem.” Bon Bon turned from the counter and poked her head into the adjoining kitchen. “Twist? Could you come out here please?”
“Coming Auntie Bon Bon.” chirped a voice, followed quickly by the filly in question. Big Macintosh nodded his approval as he caught sight of the cream colored filly with the chunky glasses, braces and mass of curly red mane as she trotted onto the sales floor.
“Howdy Twist.”
“Hello Big Macintosh!”
“Twist? Big Macintosh says that Peppermill is sick. He wants to get him some candy to cheer him up. Would you know what kind of candy he happens to like?” asked Bon Bon. Twist, a undisputed candy prodigy, pretty much knew how to deal with every sweet tooth in Ponyville.
“Oh, that’s easy.” announced Twist in a confident tone. “Peppermill loves hot cinnamon candies.”
“Sounds good to me.” nodded Bon Bon heading for the confection in question. Twist suddenly ran back into the kitchen as Bon Bon measured out a generous portion of the tiny red candies into a bag. When she handed it over to Big Mac, she waved away his hoof full of bits.
“Don’t worry Big Mac, it’s on the house. And I hope Peppermill gets better soon.”
“Thank you fer yer generosity Bon Bon.” murmured the stallion. “Ahm sure Peppermill will appreciate it.”
“Wait!” Twist came racing back into the room, carrying a small parcel and a folded piece of paper on her back. “Would you mind giving these to peppermill…from me? It’s some candy sticks and a thank you card. Well…a thank you note at least…”
“Eyup.” The stallion accepted the gifts and bade his goodbyes.
Ah hope this helps…
***
Back at Sweet Apple Acres Applejack was busy working in the field closest to the farmhouse. She did this mostly because doing so gave her the clearest view of the second stories of her home. Every so often, after bucking and loading a few baskets of apples, she would glance at one particular window and sigh.
“Cheering up is all well and good Big Mac, but what I’d rather have is answers…” said the mare to the trees.
“Hello?” a voice from above queried. The blond mare blinked and craned her neck skyward to spy a familiar butter yellow Pegasus mare hovering overhead.
“Hey Shy. Wut brings you around here today?” Fluttershy came down for a dainty landing in front of her friend, puffing some stands of long pink mane from her face.
“Um, I was hoping to get some apples from you Applejack. I thought some of my animal friends would enjoy a little treat.”
“Sure thing sugarcube. I reckon yer welcome to any you see here.” Applejack motioned with a forehoof to the baskets behind her. She was about to grab one for her, when a thought occurred. “Hold up fer a second sugarcube. Is there any chance I ken ask a favor from you?”
“A favor? What kind of favor?”
“You see, Peppermill has been under the weather lately. The fella cain’t seem to shake whatever bug he’s got.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that.”
“He ain’t left the house going on two weeks now, and he’s plum miserable. I reckon a bit of company might do him some good. So ifin you got a bit of tahm…”
“Oh absolutely! Angel…erm…some of my critters could learn a bit of patience.”
“Great. And by the tahm you’re finished with him I’ll have see to it you get the best apples we’ve got. Deal?”
“Deal.”
***
Top of the stairs, first door on the right. Fluttershy had crept into the farmhouse, past a dozing Granny Smith and literally floated up the staircase. Upon reaching the top of the stairs, she spied the portal in question and carefully nosed it open.
“Peppermill?” When she didn’t receive an immediate answer, she walked into the bedroom and gazed in amazement at the sight before her.
“Goodness. So many blankets…” The mare counted at least six different patchwork quilts piled high on a colt-sized bed. And judging from the shape and size of the mound in the middle, there was something colt-sized underneath.
“Peppermill, are you under there?” called out Fluttershy. In response, the mass under the blanket moved slightly and the mare had to strain to hear a weary, raspy voice speak.
“Hello…is that you…Fluttershy?”
“Oh dear” tutted the mare. Even from under all that material, she could tell the colt didn’t sound good at all. It didn’t seem possible, but his naturally raspy voice seemed even more gravelly than usual. What was worse, the pure misery in his voice stabbed at the shy mare’s heart. With a look of determination, Fluttershy began to push her snout and eventually her entire head under the cloth mountain. The stifling heat under the blankets surprised her, as did her first actual look at the colt.
Dark rings were around his dull dark eyes, and his grey face seemed greyer than usual. A sombre frown finished the heart aching image of a very sick colt. Pushing forward further, Fluttershy nuzzled the colt’s forehead, only to gasp in shock and alarm.
“Oh Peppermill, you’re freezing!”
“I just can’t…seem to get…warm. “ agreed the colt sadly. “I’ve never…felt so bad…in my life. Even…running away…from Saltpeter wasn’t…this bad.”
“You poor, poor thing…”
“You know…I’ve never been sick…in my life…until now.” whined Peppermill, rather glad to have a sympathetic ear after driving his adoptive famil crazy with his complaints.
“Never been sick?”
“Never…not even…the pony pox.”
“Oh dear. Haven’t you been to a doctor?”
“The doctor just…said to rest…and drink lots of…apple juice. He almost…said orange but…the look Applejack gave him. And he…gave me this…medicine…” The shudder of revulsion made it clear to the Pegasus that the medicine in question was probably of the icky variety. Peppermill was about to vent more, until a nasty cough shook his body. Fluttershy made some soothing noises and reached with a forehoof to stroke his chilly cheek.
As Fluttershy comforted the colt, Big Macintosh peeked into the bedroom. He had arrived back from town to offer his gift to his little brother. But before he could do so he found his gaze riveted to the rather…interesting sight before him.
For all of his stoic mannerisms, Big Macintosh was still a red-blooded stallion whose preferences ran solidly to mares. So one couldn’t completely blame him for…admiring the view of the shapely yellow flank sticking out from under the mass of quilts. In truth, when Applejack had told him that Fluttershy had come to try and cheer Peppermill up, he had been hoping to at the very least get to see her pretty face.
This rather eye-popping view was more than he could have possibly dreamed of.
He continued to savor the sight until the sound of his sister’s drawl was heard from downstairs. He found himself having to physically wrench his head away from the near-hypnotic swaying of Pegasus flank and stare in horror at the staircase. It was only when he realized that Applejack was merely greeting Granny Smith and not him that he allowed a sigh of relief. He didn’t want to think about what might happen if he was caught shamelessly ogling one of her friends.
Reckon ahl wait till after supper. With one last lingering glance, and a mental note to make more of an effort to talk to his sister’s pretty friends, the stallion crept back down the stairs