//------------------------------// // Going Through the Motions // Story: Down to Earth Family // by Zenaron //------------------------------// Chapter 7 – Going through the motions It was a normal day in Sweet Apple Acers… “Gosh darn it!” Well mostly normal anyway. Applejack reared back and delivered a swift kick to the tree behind her for the third time, causing it to finally give up all of its delicious fruit, falling perfectly into the baskets set below. Applejack let out an exasperated sigh and trotted over to the next tree in the row. She looked up, admiring the apples in the tree. She looked back at her target, got into position, flipped around, reared up and shot her legs out in a mighty, if not slightly hesitant kick causing the tree to shudder from the impact. But despite her best efforts only about half of the apples fell from the tree. Applejack looked up and let out an audible growl. She reared back to kick the tree again, not bothering to set herself properly. But this time she missed completely and with a slight yelp fell to the ground with a thud. Applejack let out and angry yell and quickly got up, threw her hat on the ground and started stomping the dirt in frustration. “Applejack, what's the matter” Big Macintosh asked in a strong caring voice as he trotted up to where the discarded hat lay and picked it up. Applejack stopped stomping and snatched her hat back from big Macintosh. "It's nothing to worry about Big Mac" Applejack snapped as she quickly placed the hat back on her head. "Applejack, I can tell something's wrong." Big Macintosh said, giving her a stern look. "I told you nothing is wrong." Applejack said as she trotted to the next tree in the line. "Are you sure about that sis?" Big Macintosh asked in a more caring, compassionate voice. Applejack hesitated and looked back at her big brother. "Well ah guess there is something wrong." Applejack said as her eyes dropped from his. "Do ya wanna to talk about it?" Big Mac asked as he trotted up next to his sister. Applejack contemplated this question, wondering if it was wise to tell Big Macintosh about this problem or if she should just work it out herself for a few second and then nodded. Big Macintosh sat down and motioned for his sister to do the same. Applejack started pacing in front of him as she tried to come up with a good way to say what she needed to say. “Big Mac, have you ever had strong felling’s for somepony?” Big Macintosh raised an eyebrow in question. “Ah mean, have you ever cared deeply for somepony?” Applejack asked as she temporarily stopped pacing. “Of course ah do sis; I care about you, and Granny, Applebloom” “No, not like that, ah mean somepony you care really deeply about.” “Sis, you’re talkin’ in circles. Would you please sit down and speak plainly?” Big Macintosh asked before stamping his hoof down. Applejack stopped pacing and finally plopped down and gave her brother a serious look. "Big Mac, Have you ever been in love?" Applejack asked with sincerity laced in her voice. "Eeyup" big Macintosh said with a smile. "What!" Applejack said as she reared back slightly, "You, you have?" "Eeyup" big Macintosh repeated smiling even wider at his sister. "When, ah don't remember you tellin' me anythin' about it?" Applejack asked as she raised a questioning eyebrow. "Ms. Cheerily, don't you remember the love poison incident" big Macintosh said, still smiling at his sister. "Big Mac, That's not what I meant." Applejack said as she gave her brother an incredulous look followed by a slight shove. Big Macintosh chuckled lightly and said, "I know I was just messing with you, but to answer your question, nope. I just haven’t found the right mare for me. Why do you ask?" Big Macintosh asked, raising an eyebrow in question. "Well, I think I’m fallin’ in love with somepony" Applejack said as she blushed and pulled her hat down to hide her face. Big Macintosh smiled at his little sister. "So who's the lucky stallion?" Big Macintosh asked with a warm tone in his voice. "Well that’s kind of the problem, they're not exactly a stallion" Applejack said as she drew a circle in the dirt with her front hoof. Big Macintosh drew a sly grin on his face. "So is it Rainbow Dash by any chance?" Applejack's head shot up, and she started to blush furiously as she looked at her brother. "How…how'd you know?" Applejack asked in confusion. Big Macintosh chuckled heartily and patted his little sister shoulder. "Let's just say I'm more observant than I let on. Besides I’m your big brother, I'm supposed to notice these kinds of things." Big Macintosh said with a kind smile. Applejack gave her brother confused look. "How long have you know?" Applejack asked with an embarrassed tone in her voice. "Oh, I suppose I’ve known for a while. Probably longer than you have." Applejack looked down with a sad look on her face. "You probably hate me now, don't you?" Applejack asked with a hint of melancholy in her voice. Big Macintosh shook his head. "Of course not Applejack, why would I hate you?" Applejack slowly looked up at her brother, tears forming at the edge of her eyes. "Because I'm a dirty fillyfooler." "Applejack, I don't care who you love, whether it’s a stallion or mare as long as you truly love them. We’re family, I love you and I will always support you." Big Macintosh said with a smile. "Do…do you really mean that?" Applejack asked looking up at her brother with hope filled eyes. "Eeyup” He said as he trotted over to Applejack and gave her a big hug. Applejack smiled and hugged her big brother back and nuzzled his neck affectionately. “Thank you Big Mac.” “So how long have you felt like this toward Rainbow Dash?" Big Macintosh asked as he broke the hug and took a steep back. "Well, I guess I've liked her for a while, but this is the first time that it's ever been this bad." Big Macintosh gave her a puzzled look. "What do you mean?" Applejack lightly tapped her chin with her hoof as she thought, "Well, I used to be able to ignore my feelings for her whenever I'd be workin’ the stand or Apple Buckin', but ever since the incident with Scootaloo all those feelings just became stronger." Big Macintosh nodded his understanding and waited patiently for her to continue. “Ah just don’t know what to do anymore. It’s gotten so bad ah can’t even apple buck right. Big Mac what should ah do?” Applejack asked giving her brother a worried look. “Well, have you talked with Rainbow Dash about this yet?" Big Macintosh asked. Applejack looked down and kicked some dirt with her hoof. "No…no, I haven't done that yet." "Well, sis you should probably talk to her about it." Big Macintosh said in a wise voice. "But what if she doesn't feel the same way about me?" Applejack asked, the possibility of rejection weighing heavily on her mind "Well then, she's not the one for you. Listen sis, I know that it's hard, but you’ve got to be honest with yourself, and to Rainbow Dash. Ah know it’s hard and Ah know that it’s gonna take a lot of courage, but ah know you can do it. But in the meanwhile why don't you just try and be the best friend that you can be until you get up the courage to tell her." Big Macintosh reasoned. Applejack smiled softly and hugged her brother once more. "You're right. Thanks Big Macintosh you’re the best big brother ever." Big Macintosh returned the hug with a smile. "You're welcome sis.” They stayed like this for a while until Big Macintosh spoke up. “Well, don't look now, but I think one of your friends is comin' to talk to you." Big Macintosh said, looking over Applejack’s shoulder. Applejack let go of her brother and turned to look at who Big Macintosh was indicating. When she looked she noticed a fuzzy pink mane hopping in her direction. Applejack quickly composed herself, and started trotting in the direction of her coming friend. "Well howdy there Pinkie pie. What brings you here?" Applejack asked with a smile and a tilt of her hat more like her old usual self. Pinkie Pie stopped and started hopping in front of Applejack. “Hi Applejack I just came to invite you to the super awesome party that I’m throwing for Rainbow Dash officially adopting Scootaloo.” Pinkie Pie said in an excited voice. “Well that sounds great Pinkie Pie, so when and where is the party gonna be?” Applejack asked with a grin. Pinkie Pie started hopping around her in a big circle. “The party is going to be at Rainbow Dash's house, after the inspector checks to make sure that her house is ok for Scootaloo to live in, so we’ll have the party around four." Pinkie Pie said as she continued to bounce around Applejack. Applejack continued to look forward so that she didn’t get dizzy and nodded in understanding "Sounds great, I'll meet you guys at Sugar Cube Corner after ah pick up Applebloom." "Oki doki loki, I’ll see you then Applejack. I’m gonna go invite Fluttershy and Rarity and Derpy and Sweetie belle….” Pinkie Pie’s voice faded away as she started hopping away back in the direction of Ponyville. Applejack waved a hoof at the other mare and let out a content sigh. She then turned back to her older brother and gave him a sheepish grin. “That is if that’s okay with you that I skip out on the rest of my work for today” Big Macintosh nodded his head and gave his signature, “Eeyup.” before bucking a nearby apple tree and all the fruit fell into their buckets perfectly. “Thanks Big Mac, well ah’m gonna go clean up some, then ah’m gonna go pick up Applebloom ah’ll see you after the party.” Applejack said as she tilted her hat and started trotting in the direction of the house. Meanwhile at the Ponyville City Hall Rainbow Dash had just finished filling out the mountain of the legal paper work for the request to adopt Scootaloo. “I’m so glad that you decided to take little Scootaloo in.” Mayor Mare said as she flipped through the stack of paper work to make sure everything was in order. Rainbow Dash smiled and nodded her head in agreement. “So is that it? Is that all I needed to do?” Rainbow Dash asked tired of being cooped up in the Mayor’s office. “That’s all the paper work yes, now all I have to do now is send this to the head orphanage of Canterlot and they should send an inspector in about an hour to make sure you and your house is a suitable place for Scootaloo.” The Mayor said as she wrapped all of the papers together. “Really that’s it, just one hour?” Rainbow Dash asked in surprise. “Why yes, the unicorns at the Canterlot branch of the orphanage are quite fast when it comes to this step. They like to make the final process of adoption as fast and painless as possible. I assume that the inspector will just teleport to your house when they are ready.” “Awesome, well I’m going to go find Scoots and get in some flying lessons before the inspector shows up.” Rainbow Dash said as she turned around and started to canter out of the Mayor’s office. The Mayor nodded and waved as Rainbow Dash unfolded her wings and took off in the direction of the school building. Rainbow Dash was on cloud nine everything was going great and there was nothing that could bring her down.