Trials of the Elements
Part 6
Big Macintosh stirred on the couch he had slept on. He cracked open his eyes and peered around the room he was in. The room looked to be made out of purple everything. He lay on a purple couch, draped in a purple blanket, with a purple pillow. The coffee table next to him was painted purple, the flowers on the table were purple, even the carpet was purple. Big Macintosh noticed the ceiling and walls were purple, the door leading out of the room was purple, the dang ceiling fan was painted purple, with purple light-bulbs. Big Macintosh closed his eyes and still saw purple.
The massive Earth pony stood up from the couch and wondered where he was. He was unsettled by the room and quickly made his way to the door. Opening the door, the smell of biscuits assailed his nose. Big Macintosh strained his memory as to why he was in somepony's house, 'Ah remember meetin' Live Wire and havin’ to whack that 'Tank' feller, then . . . ' Big Macintosh drew a blank on the rest of the night, 'Ah sure hope Ah didn't impose on nopony.' he thought.
The huge Earth pony walked quietly down the hallway on the other side of the door, toward the smell of food. He could hear somepony talking to themselves rapidly and the sound of splashing water. Big Macintosh reached the end of the hallway and looked around, 'Ayup. This is Live Wire's house all right.' he thought. The room was decorated with pairs of pictures of Lemon Lime standing next to various ponies. The pictures on the left side of the pair were always of ponies in wheel chairs and various other means of transportation indicating the occupant was lame. The pictures on the right were of Lemon Lime standing next to the same ponies, now able to stand on their own.
Big Macintosh stood in the middle of the room surrounded by Lemon Lime's success stories, 'This is his whole life. So that's why his cutie-mark is a wheelchair.' He walked up to one set of pictures depicting Lemon Lime standing next to a little egg-shell colored Earth pony filly lying on a stretcher. The picture to the right was of Lemon Lime and the filly jumping in the air and giving each other a high-hoof. The picture on the left was dated three years prior to the one on the right. Big Macintosh just stood there looking at success story after success story, each one dated and hung with care.
“I see you found my wall, huh?” Lemon Lime said standing at the doorway leading to the kitchen.
Lemon Lime pointed to the picture of him next to the filly in the stretcher,
“This is Sky Seeker. She was climbing a tree when she fell right onto a big old rock. The impact shattered her pelvis and Dr. Avalon had to perform three surgeries just to make sure she could have foals when she grew up. She couldn't even move her legs when her parents brought her to me the first time. Two years, ten months, and thirteen days later, she was released; able to walk, run, and as you can see, jump. Her parents moved to Manehattan soon after that and I haven't seen or heard from her since. If you look to the ones right above those, that's old . . . “
“Yall never heard from her again?” Big Macintosh asked incredulously, “Ah woulda' thought that after you helped her walk again, she'd be a friend for life.”
Lemon Lime hung his head and flattened his ears; he spoke slowly and quietly,
“That's just the way it is though. They come in lame, I help them, they leave, ambulatory at least, and I never hear from them again.” Lemon Lime said with a sigh, “They go on living their lives and forget all about me. That's my job though, and I love doing it. What makes me so sad is that there are always more and more ponies who need my help. I'm just one unicorn; I can't get to every one of them. I wish, so badly, that there was a way for me to keep them from getting hurt in the first place.” Lemon Lime blinked rapidly, like he was holding back something as he spoke, “I mean, there's so much pain, they have to endure it every day. Some ponies never even get to me. They give up on life and just stop trying. I want to help them. I want to help them all, but I can't. I can't get to everypony in time and it kills me.” Lemon Lime said raising his head, “I'm powerful, Big Macintosh. I have so much magical power but it's not enough to even make a difference. Look at the table in the middle of the room.” Lemon Lime said levitating a thin bundle of papers in front of Big Macintosh's face, “These are the names of everypony from around Equestria who needs physical therapy. There are hundreds; seven-hundred and forty-one to be exact. I read this list every morning, I practically have it memorized. Each of these isn’t just a name, each one is an individual pony who is suffering and needs my help. I'd be doing more, but I have to keep my number of patients down to only a few so I don't suffer from 'burn out', but I could do more.” Lemon Lime shook his head and his face hardened somewhat, “It's not like I have much else to do with my time.” Lemon Lime looked Big Macintosh straight in the eyes, “Aside from you, I have a total of two ponies who can stand me, and I can only see one of you three staying around for longer than the next semester or two, then its back to doing nothing whenever I'm not working.” Lemon Lime stomped his hoof on the ground aggravated, “Damn it.” he whispered, “If only they would let me take on a higher work-load . . . “
“It ain’t your responsibility, Live Wire.” Big Mac said calmly, “You can’t be expected to help the whole world. You need to accept that you’re goin’ to do the best you can, but you can’t ever get to them all. You said so yourself, you’re only one unicorn and you can’t get to every one of them. Just think about all the ponies you have helped and think about what their lives would be like without you.”
Lemon Lime half-smiled and levitated the papers back onto his table,
“Yeah, but the little trip from your head to your heart can be a long one. Thanks for the encouragement though, Big Macintosh. Breakfast is ready, come on.”
Big Macintosh followed Lemon Lime back through the doorway into his kitchen. It was cozy but a type of cozy that also felt spacious somehow. Walking through the doorway, Big Macintosh looked to his left. The refrigerator, stove range, and sink were all lined up in a neat little row with counter space on the far side, near what looked like a row of glass doors leading out to a balcony. The far side of the room was taken up by an adjoining dining room and a large eight-pony table which looked to be made of mahogany. The right wall had a row of cabinets at the top, a long-flat counter in the middle, and a row of cupboards along the bottom. The space between the right wall and the left wall, Big Macintosh judged, couldn’t have been more than six paces, rather cramped but workable.
The big table in the dining room had a tray of steaming biscuits surrounded by a tub of butter and jars of preserves. A large bowl of chopped fruit sat on either end of the table and a tall glass of dark golden colored liquid was set next to each place setting.
Lemon Lime strode toward the table and sat down,
“Come on, before it gets cold. I have to get to work soon.”
Big Macintosh sat down in the wooden chair at the opposite end as Lemon Lime, the chair creaking under his weight. The huge work pony was surprised by just how much food Lemon Lime seemed to be able to pack away. The smaller unicorn wolfed down amounts that would have made the larger Earth pony sick.
The two stallions ate quietly for a few minutes before Lemon Lime spoke up,
“You never did tell me why you came to Canterlot, although you don’t have to if you don’t want to . . . “ Lemon Lime cut himself off when his guest opened his muzzle.
“Ah’m here to help out a friend of mine.” Big Mac explained, “He seems to be havin’ some trouble with a unicorn who’s been levitatin’ Earth ponies and demandin’ their bits. Ah figure he means to do somethin’ about it and Ah aim to help him out.”
Lemon Lime looked up from his bowl of fruit, face worried,
“I haven’t heard anything about that. This unicorn sounds dangerous. If your friend aims to do something I sure do hope he’s a powerful unicorn. A rogue unicorn can be real trouble, and generally only another, more powerful unicorn can best them. If your friend needs help, tell him I’m willing to lend a hoof.”
“Ah’m sure Valiant would be right grateful for that.” Big Mac said.
Lemon Lime stopped eating and looked at his guest in utter disbelief,
“Would your friend ‘Valiant’ be a royal blue Earth pony with light brown mane and tail and a cutie-mark of a mortar and pestle?”
“That’s him, but he ain’t no Earth pony. He’s a pegasus who lost his wings.” Big Mac said, refusing to show his own surprise.
“What are the odds of that? I met him just a couple of days ago. I’m going to see him later today after I finish my work. Oh, just wait, he’ll be so sur . . . “ Lemon Lime trailed off as Big Mac’s words struck home, “Lost his wings?” he asked eyes huge, “You said he lost his wings?”
“Ayup.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Dr. Mend sat quietly staring at Sea Blue for several minutes after Valiant departed. The older Earth pony had no idea where or how to begin. Sea Blue levitated a pad and pencil up off the coffee table and set the pad down on his lap, the pencil hovering over the pad and just waited.
After several full minutes, Dr. Mend had to say something,
“So, uh where should we begin?”
Sea Blue raised an eyebrow,
“Where would you like to begin?”
“I have no clue. I've never done this before. Do I just talk and you respond?” Dr. Mend asked.
“Just say whatever it is you're thinking and we'll go from there.” Sea Blue responded.
Dr. Mend shifted uncomfortably in his seat,
“I . . . I . . . I have a problem.”
“Yes?” Sea Blue asked.
“I have an obsession with studying all the time. If anypony tries to get me to stop, I get kind of snappy with them.” Dr. Mend admitted honestly.
“So what I'm hearing is that you have an obsession with studying and you become easily irritated when somepony interrupts your studying.” Sea Blue said.
“Yes, I feel like I have to be the best all the time and if I'm not the best then I feel like I'm failing.” Dr. Mend continued.
“So you're saying that you are not so much obsessed with studying but you are more obsessed with being the best and the studying is only the symptom not the root of the problem?” Sea Blue asked.
“Yes. That's it exactly. I'm afraid that if I fail, somepony I love will commit suicide, like my parents did.” Dr. Mend said.
“So, you believe your parents killed themselves because you weren’t the best, and you feel like it's your fault they died?” Sea Blue asked.
“I know that's why my mother did and I think that's why my father did too.” Dr. Mend explained.
“Is there a history of emotional or mental instability in your family?”Sea Blue asked.
Dr. Mend averted his eyes,
“Yes, my mother was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder. She rarely remembered to take her medication and she would become angry at anything.”
Sea Blue wrote some notes in his pad,
“Was your father diagnosed with anything, or was there any indication of instability from him?”
“Nothing particularly comes to mind.” Dr. Mend responded.
Sea Blue wrote some more notes in his pad,
“So why are you convinced that your mother killed herself because of you?”
“She would rant and rave about how much of a disgrace I was and that maybe she should have another foal, one who wouldn't be a constant disappointment. She was so mean whenever I did anything wrong. I couldn't be like the other colts; I had to act grown up all the time.” Dr. Mend said.
“So in a way, she denied you your foalhood and tried to make you into a stallion before you were ready. Would you say she was a perfectionist?” Sea Blue asked.
“Oh yeah,” Dr. Mend agreed, “She would have the house in perfect condition when father and I came home. We couldn't do anything without being yelled at. Then after she died, I missed her clean nature even if it was over the top.”
“Did you go to her funeral?” Sea Blue asked.
“I don't honestly remember. I think I did but I was not quite right at the time.” Dr. Mend admitted.
“What do you mean you 'weren't quite right at the time'?” Sea Blue asked.
Dr. Mend had trouble vocalizing what had happened,
“I . . . She . . . There was . . . Ugh! I don't know how to say it!”
“I have an idea, if you're open to it. I'm going to go get a pillow and put it here in my chair. I want you to talk to the pillow like you would talk to your mother if she were here. How does that sound?” Sea Blue asked.
“That sounds really silly to me.” Dr. Mend said frowning.
Sea Blue rose to his hooves and levitated a couch cushion over into his chair and stepped back,
“Alright come on, up on your hooves. I want you to face your mother and pretend I'm not here.”
Dr. Mend stood slowly, rolling his eyes, and faced the cushion,
“Hi mom . . . oh this is silly. You can't hear me, you're not really here and I'm just talking to a couch cushion. I'm talking to a couch cushion because it's supposed to represent you. How can a cushion represent you? You were much livelier, even if you were mean. You weren't just mean you were cruel. You never told me I did a good job, you never paid any attention to me. The house was more important or dinner was more important. Dad was always at work so you were supposed to take care of me. Did you? No. All you did was tell me how worthless I was because I didn't have good grades. As soon as I got home it was off to my room to study. That was my life. Study, study, study all the time. Huh, a whole lot of good that did. You killed yourself anyway. No matter how good I was it was never enough. I was never worth your time. I tried so hard to make you happy so you would love me, but it was all for nothing. You never loved me. I was just another chore to you.” Mend didn't realize it but his voice was beginning to crack, “That's all I was, another chore for you to deal with. I'm sorry I never made you happy. I'm sorry I failed you. I didn't want you to die. Why did you do it? Why? I could have done better! You didn't have to go! Why did you do it! Don't you know what it did to me and dad? You didn't have to go that far! I could have done better! I'm sorry I wasn't better! Why don't you say something! Say you forgive me, say you love me!” Mend was sobbing pitifully by this point, “I need to know! I need to know you love me! Stop telling me how worthless I am and just FUCKING SAY YOU LOVE ME! SAY SOMETHING! SAY SOMETHING! . . . “ Dr. Mend began shaking the couch cushion violently, “SAY IT! SAY YOU LOVE ME! SAY IT! FUCKING SAY IT! I'VE BEEN PUTTING MYSELF THROUGH HELL FOR YOU ALL MY LIFE! WHY CAN'T YOU JUST SAY IT! SAY IT! TELL ME I HAVEN'T WASTED MY WHOLE LIFE TRYING TO PLEASE THE VOICES IN MY HEAD! TELL ME! SAY IT! SAY IT! SAY IT! SAY IT! LOVE ME! SAY IT!” Mend screamed so loud, he had to break off in a fit of coughing that sent him down to the floor.
Sea Blue had been taking notes furiously during the episode and was beginning to draw a mental picture of Mend's emotional state. It wasn't pretty. The unicorn offered Mend a hoof, but the doctor refused it. Sea Blue levitated the, now throttled, cushion back onto the couch and waited for Dr. Mend to stand again. Sea Blue had easily determined that Mend needed closure with his parents. Apparently he had underestimated how much was needed. Something Mend had said stayed in his head, replaying over and over, 'He said, 'the voices in my head'. We need to talk about that. If he's hearing voices that could mean trouble.'
Dr. Mend slowly crawled back to the couch and sat back down, still tearful,
“Did you know that was going to happen?”
“I had an idea, but I didn't know the extent.” Sea Blue said calmly, “I think there is something we need to talk about, if you feel up to it.”
“I'm coherent.” Dr. Mend said, still breathing heavily.
Sea Blue nodded,
“Alright, you said you heard voices in your head. Tell me about that.”
Dr. Mend looked ashamed,
“I don't like talking about that.”
“I think we need to talk about it. If you want to get better, you need to tell me about this.” Sea Blue pushed gently.
Dr. Mend hung his head,
“I started hearing my mother the day after she died, then I started hearing my father after he died. They stop once in a while, but for the most part, I hear them all the time.”
Sea Blue took some notes,
“Can you hear them right now?”
“Yes.” Dr. Mend admitted.
“And what are the voices saying?” Sea Blue asked.
Dr. Mend closed his eyes and took a shuddering breath,
“Why are you wasting your time with this idiot!? You have work to do! Lives depend on you and you are failing again! There is somepony who you could be helping right now and instead you are here sniveling at the feet of some colt whose barely half your age!”
“That's enough.” Sea Blue said gently.
Sea Blue sat back and thought for a long while, before speaking again,
“Do you like having these voices talk to you all the time?”
“No . . . yes . . . I don't know.” Dr. Mend said confused.
“What do you mean, Mend? Take your time.” Sea Blue encouraged.
“I . . . I love them, because it feels like mom and dad never left. I've heard them almost since I can remember. It's like my family is still with me. I hate being yelled at all the time, but it's what I know. I . . . I'm afraid to lose them. I can't imagine what it would be like to not have them around.” Dr. Mend said with great difficulty.
“Do they distract you? Do they keep you from doing the things you like?” Sea Blue asked.
“That's just it. I don't know what I like, besides practicing medicine. I've devoted my life to doing what they say.” Dr. Mend replied.
Sea Blue's eyebrows shot up,
“You practice medicine? Your cutie-mark indicated something like that.”
“Yes. I'm a doctor. In a way, the voices help me with that. When I'm attending to a patient, they are quiet. It's like a motivation to work harder.” Dr. Mend said.
“Hmm,” Sea Blue grunted softly, “You previously said you liked having them around, now you said you like it when they are quiet. Which is it?”
“Both. They hound at me when I'm not working, but they shut up when I am.” Dr. Mend was a little puzzled himself.
“Have you tried telling them to be quiet?” Sea Blue asked.
Dr. Mend was taken aback by the notion,
“I can't tell my parents to be quiet.”
“Mend, the voices you hear are not your parents. The voices are your own mind. You are still blaming yourself for what happened. You need to realize that what happened was never your fault.” Sea Blue said.
“Yes it was.” Dr. Mend said darkly.
“How did your parents die?” Sea Blue asked.
“They both jumped from buildings, from the same one actually.” Dr. Mend said.
“Did you push them with your own hooves?” Sea Blue asked.
“No, of course not.” Dr. Mend said testily.
“You don't control the actions of others. The fault is not yours to bear Mend. Stop punishing yourself for something that was beyond your control. The first step to your recovery, I think, is to work beyond the belief that you were responsible for your parent's deaths. I want you to repeat after me: I can only control myself.” Sea Blue encouraged.
“This seems silly to me, but alright. I can only control myself.” Dr. Mend parroted.
Sea Blue smiled and sat back in his chair,
“Good. Say that to yourself every chance you get, I mean it. It will help. Now, for those voices. I want you to try telling them to be silent. Every time you hear them talking, tell them to be silent, and be forceful about it. Try this for two days then come back and see me again. If the voices will not go away, I may have to perform some tests to see if you might have a mental illness. I don't like to try things like that right off the bat and I don't like to drug up my patients unnecessarily, but there is some good to be had in a limited form of medication.” Sea Blue said rising from his chair.
The unicorn made his way over to the front door of his house and extended his hoof to Dr. Mend,
“I truly hope that my insights prove productive.”
“How much do I owe you?” Dr. Mend asked reaching for his saddle bags.
“Twenty bits, each session. I am more than willing to work with those of a limited income.” Sea Blue said motioning toward a heavy looking metal box built into the door with a slot on the outside, “Pay what you can, when you can. If I'm not at home just place the bits in an envelope and slide it through the door-slot with a note inside detailing how much you are paying. I like to keep it simple.”
Dr. Mend counted out twenty bits and passed them to Sea Blue,
“You're almost as expensive per hour, as I am.”
Sea Blue smiled and inclined his head toward Dr. Mend,
“How much is a series of booster shots, say for a seven year old unicorn filly?”
“About thirty-five bits.” Dr. Mend said.
“How about I let you have the next two sessions in exchange for those booster shots?” Sea Blue asked.
Dr. Mend nodded,
“That sounds more than fair. How about I bring the inoculations next session?”
Sea Blue's face lit up,
“A house call! How could I ever turn that down?”
Dr. Mend and Sea Blue shook hooves to seal the deal. Dr. Mend left Sea Blue's house, heading for the dorm room to collect the vials of the fast-healing potion.
********************
Big Macintosh carefully examined the map that Lemon Lime had given him. He cross-referenced streets on the map with streets around him trying to locate the Tower Library, where his yellow colored unicorn friend told him he could find a tan pegasus named Evening Star, 'Live Wire said she was right nice.' The massive Earth pony had nothing better to do so he figured he should meet her, 'You can't have too many friends in a big city.' he mused.
Big Macintosh followed the directions and eventually saw the tell-tale sign of the Tower Library. The hulking white building was rather difficult to miss as it loomed high above the other buildings, dwarfing them easily. Big Macintosh followed the streets and easily found the steps leading up to the Library entrance. He clomped his way up the stairs and opened the right-side door.
Inside, the Library was eerily quiet. Big Macintosh closed the door behind himself so as not to disturb anypony within. The massive Earth pony looked around, but didn't see a single soul, even at the help desk. He decided to wander around and see if he could spot anypony who matched Lemon Lime's description. He saw a small flight of stairs leading up to the second floor where he could just make out a huge glass window. He climbed the stairs and took a look around.
There was an immense golden hourglass in the center of the floor which looked to be able to rotate in several directions. He stopped to admire the relic with a bit of fascination. A soft sound caught his attention and he whipped his head toward the sound. It was coming from behind a row of book cases. Big Macintosh slowly walked in the direction of the sound, not sure why he felt the need to be quiet. The sound became clearer as he approached; it was somepony having a quiet conversation.
Big Macintosh strained his ears to hear the whispers,
“I am very proud of you for doing so much. You have surpassed every expectation I had.” one voice said. The voice belonged to a mare, it was sweet and rich like flowing honey.
A second voice answered,
“It's the least I could do after what happened.” the second voice belonged to a filly; it was soft and smooth, like the air after a rainstorm.
“I happen to know there are several new books here in the library. Books that had been lost for centuries. Am I correct in assuming that was your doing?” The first voice asked.
“Knowledge is one of the few things that outlives us all. These books are needed, all knowledge is needed. There are very few things which are more valuable.” the second voice said.
“I am troubled though. This unicorn going about the city threatening ponies must be stopped.” the first voice said.
“I agree, but we must wait. There are things in the works that must come to completion.” the second voice answered.
“This is a very slippery slope, you walk on. I will stay my hoof for now, but if things deteriorate to violence I will intercede. I understand your position but I do not like this risk. This problem could be solved in one swift motion. Be sure you do not needlessly play with the lives of the citizens.” the first voice said in a warning tone.
“I would not be doing this if I saw another way, but you know what is coming. They will be needed and swiftly. There is no time for coddling them, they must learn and learn fast. I am not cruel, you know that, but if we do not let this run its course we may have a great deal more than the lives of a single city on the line. You have come to the same conclusion yourself. You are simply playing the opposition to see if there is a crack in my motives. I appreciate that; I would do the same for you . . . “the conversation cut off abruptly.
Big Macintosh tried sneaking away quietly, but he wasn't quick enough,
“Why hello there.” said the first voice, directly behind him.
Big Macintosh was ashamed at having been caught spying,
“Ah'm awful sorry about th . . . “ he cut himself off as he beheld the oldest alicorn in Equestria.
Big Mac knelt swiftly before Princess Celestia, his saddle bags clinking on the floor loudly. The regal alicorn looked down at one of the few ponies in the entire kingdom who stood nearly half her height instead of a third. She smiled warmly down at the hard-working Earth pony. Big Macintosh heard hoofstepps coming up from behind him, from the direction of the stairs.
“Rise, stallion.” Princess Celestia said.
Big Macintosh rose to his hooves and looked the Sun Princess in the eyes,
“Ah apologize for listenin' in on your conversation, your majesty.” he said earnestly.
From behind him, he heard the other pony call to him,
“Hey. I saw you on the floor, are you alright?”
Big Macintosh turned toward the new voice and saw a tan pegasus mare come around the corner of the hour glass. The pegasus stopped in her tracks and knelt down at the sight of Princess Celestia.
“Rise, Evening Star. I would have thought you knew I was here.” Princess Celestia said warmly.
“I'm sorry Princess. Do you have a task for me?” Evening Star asked.
“None, enjoy a day off from your duties. I believe this stallion was looking for something, maybe you could help him first.” Princess Celestia hinted.
“I will do as you command, Princess.” Evening Star said.
“It is not a command. It is simply an observation, nothing more.” Celestia answered.
Hearing Evening Star being so informal with the Sun Princess, emboldened Big Macintosh,
“Ah know it ain't none of mah business, but who was that you were talking to your majesty?”
Princess Celestia looked over her shoulder and her face fell slightly,
“It was my sister, Luna, but she seems to have gone now. Did you have a concern you wanted to voice?”
Big Macintosh remembered the topic of the conversation,
“Ah was wonderin' what you plan to do about that rogue unicorn, if it ain't too much to ask?”
“Of course not. I believe a solution is in the works as we speak. In the past, powerful ponies used to be charged with apprehending unicorns suffering from 'Caster's Stroke' and seal them from their power until they recovered. That ministry needs to be reborn, for Luna and I should not be charged with taking care of problems when citizens are capable of taking care of it themselves. Luna and I may not always be available for every problem, like when Nightmare Moon rose to power briefly. The Elements of Harmony handled the situation very well.” Princess Celestia said.
“Beggin' your majesty's pardon, but Ah'm not one of the Elements of Harmony. Should Ah go and get them?” Big Macintosh asked.
Princess Celestia tilted her head ever so slightly,
“Are you on speaking terms with them?”
“One of them just so happens to be mah sister. The Element of Honesty.” Big Mac replied.
“You seem to have an interest in stopping this unicorn. Why don't you work toward that goal without involving your sister?” Celestia looked out the window, “I'm afraid I have to be going. Duty calls.” and with that, Princess Celestia vanished in a wispy puff of mist, completely silent.
“You must be something else!” Evening Star said, walking up beside Big Macintosh, “I've never heard the Princess basically throw a job at anypony she wasn't intimately familiar with.”
The huge Earth pony blushed as his mind went several directions at once, not all of them useful for polite conversation,
“Ah was plannin' to do somethin' about it anyway.”
Evening Star looked puzzled,
“How do you even know about it? I only found out a little while ago.”
“Mah friend Valiant sent out a letter detainin' it and Ah caught wind of it, so Ah figured Ah'd come on out and see if Ah could help out.” Big Macintosh shrugged, “Ain't no real puzzle to it.”
“Wait, wait,” Evening Star said backing up a few feet, “You know Valiant?”
“Ayup.”
“With that statement, you could only be Big Macintosh!” she nearly squealed, “Oh, I'm so happy to meet you! Valiant's told me so much about you!” she said reaching out both of her hooves to shake his.
Big Mac extended his hoof and shook hers,
“Ma'am.” he said giving her a slight nod.
Evening Star seemed to regain her composure after a moment,
“I'm sorry about that.” she said sheepishly, “I'm usually more reserved.”
“S' alright, don't bother me none. Live Wire said you were right nice and all, so Ah just came with an open mind.” Big Macintosh said evenly.
Evening Star smiled hugely,
“You've already met Live Wire?”
“Ayup.”
“Did Valiant introduce you?” Evening Star asked.
“Ah met him last night and he let me sleep at his place. Ah haven't seen Valiant yet.” Big Mac said simply.
“So Valiant doesn't know you're here?” Evening Star asked.
“Nope.”
“We should surprise him.” Evening Star said eagerly.
“Ah don't know where his dorm is.” Big Macintosh replied.
“Nor I, but he mentioned getting a job at an apothecary. I'll bet Live Wire knows where that is.” Evening Star said.
“Live Wire's at work. He'll be off in four hours. 'Till then Ah've got nothin' to do so Ah figured Ah'd hang out with you, if'n you don't mind, miss Evening Star.” Big Macintosh said.
“Do you like to read?” Evening Star asked.
“Ah've been known to pick up a book now and again. Anythin' in particular you had in mind?” Big Mac asked.
Evening Star's eyes lit up,
“The Librarian just finished cataloging a new book! It's positively ancient!” she spun in place to show her delight, “The Princess just brought it in.”
Big Macintosh raised an eyebrow inquisitively,
“Ah thought you didn't know Princess Celestia was here.”
Evening Star just laughed,
“Silly, it's Princess Luna whose been bringing in ancient books.”
“So you knew Princess Luna was here, and you didn't think Princess Celestia would be here too?” Big Mac asked.
“What average pony can claim to know the mindset of an alicorn?” Evening Star asked.
Big Macintosh pondered the statement for a moment,
“Ah can't argue that.” he said, turning toward the much smaller pegasus, “So what's in this book that has you so worked up?”
“It's an ancient tome about the Elements! You said your sister was one of the Elements of Harmony, right?” Evening Star asked.
“Ayup.”
“Don't you want to know more about them? Maybe there are hidden facts about them that have been lost or forgotten. They are the most powerful magic in all of Equestria. Don't you think you should know as much as you can in case they're ever needed again? You could tell your sister.” Evening Star hinted without a trace of subtlety.
Big Macintosh didn't need to ponder his answer in the least,
“Ayup.”