//------------------------------// // chapter 3 // Story: Caramel Apple Acres // by NightFirethePegasus //------------------------------// "What the buck Soar! We dun have time ta stay'n chat we have a train ta catch!" The yellow earth pony yelled at the pale-blue pegasus, his anger fading to fear as the pegasus began holding back a laugh. The yellow stallion's expession went like 'Aw buck.' and he spoke fear evident in his tone, "Aw buck me, he's righ' behind me ain't he?" "Well Ah'm glad ta see ya too cuz'." Braeburn turned nervously as his face met Big Mac's which was sporting it's usual indecipherable pokerface expression as the red steed chewed his trademark haystem. "Ah'm sorry Cousin Macintosh t'aint that Ah dun wanna spend time with ya'll, but, our train ta Appleloosa leaves in fifteen minutes and tomorrow is our 8th anniversary." He gestured to Soarin before continuing, "And so if we dun catch the train now we won't be home in time ta celebrate." "W-well, how about just spending the night?" Caramel stuttered before continuing after he got everypony's attention, "I-I mean, well does it really matter WHERE you spend your anniversary as long as you're together?" He finished, blushing a bit as Mac absentmindedly ran a hoof through his mane, leaning into the touch he began grinning like an idiot. Soarin put on his best puppy look and flashed it at Braeburn, "Yeah honey, please... I don't feel like sitting on a train right now just to possibly have some anti-coltcuddler settlerpony give us a hard time." Braeburn sighed in defeat, "Gosh darnnit Soar Ah need ta learn how ta say no ta ya sometimes, but, you and Caramel make valid points so, we'll stay. Ah'll go make dinner." As Braeburn left Caramel approached Soarin, "Hey Soarin nice to see you again." Soarin smiled at Caramel before addressing Mac, "So, big red, your coltfriend here always this jittery?" Mac shook his head, "Eeeeennnope, he's usually more talkative. Ain't ya Mel?" Upon hearing his fiance's voice Caramel regained his confidence, "Mac's right that was unlike me so uh, what're you two doing in ponyville anyway?" "Well Caramel, Brae had some stuff to pick up and I made up an excuse to come along, but I'm really here because I have a suprise for Brae. Can you keep a secret?" Caramel nodded excitedly, he loved surprises nearly as much as Pinkie Pie loves parties. "Well, tonight, I'm gonna ask Braeburn to marry me." As he said this Soarin looked about as giddy as a Foal in a candy store. Caramel's excitement grew, as was evident by the widening grin on his face, "What a coincidence, Big Mac proposed to me today aswell at lunch." "Aaaaand?..." Soarin nudged Caramel egging him to spill the details, "Ofcourse I said yes, I'd be an idiot to turn him down... So uhm... How shall we pass the time until Braeburn finish making dinner for you guys?" Soarin placed a hoof to his chin in thought for a second, "I got it!" He exclaimed, taking off towards the sky. Braeburn trotted back as the first star's began dotting the evening sky. Spotting Soarin in the air doing all sorts of aerial stunts and tricks while Mac and Caramel laid and watched he decided to call out and make his presence known, "Soar what're ya'll doin' up there?" He called out, startling all three stallions and causing Soarin to lose focus and nearly crash into a nearby tree. Performing an emergency landing Soarin landed infront of Braeburn, "Oh hiya Brae-brae, I was just giving Caramel and your cousin an impromptu solo aerial show to pass the time." He said, stretching the kinks in his wings out before folding them back to his sides as he trotted over to peck a kiss to Braeburn's cheek. Braeburn chuckled at his coltfriend being such a show-off, "Well dinner's ready so we should head inside..." He said as a sly grin played on his lips before continuing, "Oh an' Ah made somethin' real special fer dessert." He added. Soarin's eyes grew wide with excitement as his mind put two and two together, "PIE!!!" He hollered as he bolted for the house. "Well I guess we will leave you two to your evening. Besides me and Mac have plans of our own, first we're heading to Sugarcube Corner to get a bite to eat before we head to Vinyl's house, she's throwing a party while her roommate Octavia is out on a business trip." Braeburn tipped his hat, "Well we'll see ya'll in the mornin' then, have fun ya two." He replied, turning to follow his pie crazed coltfriend back to the house before turning a suggestive smirk towards Mac, "But not TOO much fun, okay cuz'?" He said as he departed, leaving Caramel giggling, and Mac thankful for his red coat to help him hide the burning blush creeping up on his face not realizing that his freckles were now blending in with the rest of his face. "Well let's go sweeheart." Caramel said, walking past Mac swishing his tail, gliding it across Mac's face. At a loss for words at Caramel's sudden change in demeanor and frisky behavior Big Mac settled nodding and following him to Sugarcube Corner.