Applejack watched her brother make his usual progress up to the barn at the end of the day. Recently, she had noticed something different. Maybe it was the spring in his step, maybe the ridiculous grin he now wore, but Applejack knew something was off. Nopony should be that happy and energetic after a day of labouring on the farm. In fact, Big Macintosh had been acting this way since that evening with Rarity. As her brother was so rarely seen up on the farm recently, she had made sure to be back first in order to see him.
“Evenin’ Applejack”
“Evenin’ Big Mac”
“Won’t be sticking around for Dinner tonight. Got to go into Ponyville again”
“Ok bro, what you doing in Ponyville? Seeing anypony in particular?”
Applejack loved this bit. Even though her brother had been seeing Rarity for weeks now, he still seemed to have difficulty saying it out loud.
“Well, you know, jus’ gotta go see…. Rarity…. again. Is that ok sis?”
“Darn it Mac, are you asking for my Permission or somthin’? She’s your marefriend”
This bit was priceless. Though it was impossible to see if the red stallion was blushing, he had turned away at the mention of “marefriend” and begun carefully examining his fore hooves as if they were the most important things in the world. For reasons she couldn’t quite put her hoof on, she always found this hilarious.
After a few moments Applejack could restrain herself no longer. Big Macintosh was not usually the kind of pony to be so emotionally effected. Seeing him rendered so awkward and vulnerable was enough to have Applejack rolling around on the floor, helpless to bouts of laughter.
By the time she had recovered, the big red stallion was stood above her, with an earnest look of concern on his face. Having known him so long, it was easy for Applejack to get under her brothers skin, and at times like this, it was nigh impossible to resist.
“You ok sis?”
“Yeah, sometimes you crack me up bro. have a good time with your Marefriend, and tell her I said howdy”
“Ok then sis. See you later”
As Big Macintosh left the room, Applejack allowed herself a satisfied smile. She had never seen her brother so happy, and was glad she had played a small part in making it happen; though admittedly she still had difficulty in seeing what he and Rarity had in common. Secretly though despite her fears, Applejack dared hope that the couple would make it. All things considered, Rarity would make a fine addition to the family…
By the time he reached Ponyville, it was getting dark. Big Macintosh smiled as he watched lights flicker on in the windows of the town. Over the last few weeks, he had gotten so used to making the journey so as to have no fear of becoming lost in the darkness. Visiting Rarity was now as much a part of his life as harvesting apples or pulling the Plough. As he moved through the streets, he saw the familiar silhouette of the Carousel Boutique, its lower windows illuminated to better showcase the dresses on display. He trotted up to the door and knocked.
“Hi Mister Mackintosh! You looking for Rarity?”
Big Macintosh looked down, seeing the Door had been answer by Sweetie belle. That wasn’t expected. Usually Rarity went to great lengths to make sure their evenings together where free from distractions.
“Why yes I am Miss Sweetie belle, is she here?”
“She went to Canterlot! Twilights here and she’s gonna teach me magic!” the excitable young filly was jumping up and down by this point, clearly excited at the prospect of learning magic.
“Well then, would you mind if I came in and had a word with MissTwilight? I promise I won’t disturb your magic practice” At that moment the lavender unicorn appeared besides Sweetie Belle. Whilst Big Macintosh was fond of the Librarian unicorn, by now he was overwhelmed with curiosity as to Rarity’s sudden disappearance, quite forgetting his usual manners.
“Sweetie belle, why don’t you go practice that levitation spell? I need to talk to Big Macintosh quickly”
At that, the unicorn filly bounded off indoors. Twilight motioned for him to follow her back into the shop. Big Mackintosh obliged, feeling more than a little confused.
“I’m afraid Rarity was called away to Cantalot at short notice. I knew she had some high class clients, but Royalty? Still, she said it was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up. It’s not every day a royal carriage shows up out of the blue with a summons from the House of Blueblood…..”
Big Macintosh’s mind was racing. Called away to Cantolot at short notice? And Blueblood… he recognised that name from somewhere….. Still, it was probably nothing. He should be happy that Rarity was doing so well. Perhaps he was being selfish, wanting to keep her all to himself.
“……Anyway, she had barely enough time to come get me to look after Sweetie belle before taking off. Are you ok Big Macintosh?”
Tuning back into the conversation, he realised he had been stood there, in silence, again. It was becoming a nasty habit.
“Errr….eeyup?”
“Great. Anyway she asked me to tell you not to worry, and she would be back soon. If you want to contact her I can have spike take a letter….. Are you sure you’re ok big guy?”
“I’m fine Miss Twilight. It’s just…. Well I’m sure it’s nothing, but isn’t Blueblood that prince that upset her at that Party a while back?”
“Hmmm, yes, he was a Blueblood. I wonder why the prince wants to see Rarity again. Well since you have been spending so much time with her, maybe you could tell me?”
the purple unicorn was clearly still oblivious of the nature of his involvement with Rarity. Big Macintosh decided this was probably for the best right now.
“ah don’t know miss Twilight. anyway I should get going. Thank you for your time”
“Ok Big Mackintosh. Let me know if you need anything”
Having no desire to linger in the town, the workhorse quickly struck out for home.The stallions mind was racing over the details of what he had just found out. Something about the story simply did not fit into place. He resolved to take Twilight up on her offer to send a letter in the morning. It’s probably nothing he attempted to reassure himself, but something ain’t quite right with this picture. It can wait till morning though. Despite his doubts, he still trusted in Rarity’s Judgement, and, knew this wasn’t an opportunity she could afford to pass up.
No matter who it came from…
“Anyhow, no use worrying. She will be halfway to Canterlot now”. Realising he had said the last part aloud, he looked around to see if anypony had witnessed his little moment of reflection. Seeing nothing, he resumed his slow walk back to the farm.
Had the workhorse thought to look up, he would have seen a rainbow mane peeking out from behind a cloud.
“Wow. Big red’s got it bad…”
Not one to pass up the opportunity to help a Friend in need, the colourful Pegasus sped off in the direction of Ponyville.