//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: Big Macintosh with Realistic Eeyuping and Nopeing Action // by Glint //------------------------------// “I did it!” exclaimed Pinkie Pie. “I kissed Big Macintosh under his gazebo! Something special was buzzing in the air! It was so exciting!” Applejack and Twilight Sparkle looked up from their herbal tea in shock. “Pinkie,” Twilight finally said, “how did you get in here? I keep the library closed up this late in the evening.” Just as Twilight said, the front door to the library was securely locked. All of the books were neatly put away. Even Spike was napping upstairs. Twilight’s tea set laid out on the table was the only sign that anypony was using the place. “Oh, I couldn’t wait until morning, so I came over right after this evening’s storm broke. I also couldn’t wait for you to answer the door. I couldn’t even wait to say ‘Hi, Twilight! Hi, AJ!’ because I had to tell you right away that I did it!” Applejack and Twilight looked at each other, looks of uncertainty painted across their faces, as Pinkie Pie paused to breathe. “So, how’d you get in?” asked Applejack. “Oh, that’s easy. I used the window,” said Pinkie Pie, pointing to the big, open, round hole overlooking the staircase. “What!” shouted Twilight. She galloped out the front door and around the side of the library, crying “Oh, no!” “So, Pinkie,” said Applejack, “you kissed him in the gazebo?” “Yup!” said Pinkie. “Or rather, he was in the gazebo, and I was poking my head under the gazebo. There wasn’t room for both of us under it.” “Really?” said Applejack, confused. “That gazebo’s pretty big. Once I saw a whole jazz octet perform in it.” “A jazz octet performing in a single gazebo?” she laughed. “You’re so silly Applejack. You can’t fit eight whole ponies in a single gazebo. Besides, a gazebo’s more of a folksy thing than a jazzy thing, you know?” “Err, no, I don’t,” said Applejack hesitantly. A round window frame rolled in the front door, covered in a purple glow. Twilight came in behind it with a tired expression on her face. She rolled the frame into a corner of the room, using her magic to gently set it down. “Anyway, after I kissed Big Macintosh, I decided to play with the ducks. And I fed them some two-day old bread. And they loved it! Then I figured that if they liked two-day old bread, they would really like three-month old bread. But they wouldn’t eat that at all,” she said with a sigh. “So, did Big Macintosh feed the ducks with you? Did you have a nice quiet heart-to-heart talk while enjoying the peace of nature?” asked Twilight, looking at 44 Fabulous First Dates out of the corner of her eye. “Nope! He didn’t want to feed the ducks at all. But he really likes my snacks – he ate all the ones I picked out for him,” she said with glee. Applejack leaned toward Twilight. “When Pinkie was feeding the ducks, he ditched her to pick up Apple Bloom at school,” she whispered with a frown. “Ouch. Harsh,” opined Twilight. “So, what happens now?” asked Pinkie Pie. “Do we have a second date right away, or should I first have a party to celebrate my date with Big Macintosh? Who do I invite to a party like that, anyway? Oh! Can the second date be a party to celebrate our first date?” “We should hold off on the party for now,” suggested Twilight. “And the second date.” “Hold off on the party?” asked Pinkie Pie, close to tears, her lower lip quivering. She took a deep breath. “Okey-dokey-lokey!” she said cheerfully. “It’s alright, Pinkie,” Twilight said with a warm smile, “don’t feel so bad about …” Twilight’s voiced trailed off as Pinkie Pie cheerfully bounced out of the window. “Well, ain’t that something?” offered Applejack. “You don’t know the half of it. She undid the nails on the window frame with a screwdriver,” said Twilight, levitating an oddly twisted nail in front of them. They both sighed and turned back to their tea. “What were we thinkin’ anyway? Pinkie Pie having a nice, quiet, duck-feeding trip to the park?” Applejack moaned. “Really. That’s more of a Fluttershy thing,” replied Twilight with a smile. “Yeah,” Applejack chuckled, “Nothin’ you can tell Fluttershy about how to feed ducks.” Twilight flipped the book to date number 22 and cheerfully pointed a hoof at it, but she was interrupted by a quiet but insistent, “Excuse me.” There, hovering just inside the window, was Fluttershy. “Oh, hello Fluttershy,” said Twilight. “I didn’t see you there. Want some herbal tea?” “Oh, no. I just came by to return this book on how to dress up your bunny,” Fluttershy said softly. She landed next to the table, and set the stately How to Dress up Your Bunny (Volume 2, Ribbons, Hats, and Other Accessories) by the tea set. “I would have come earlier,” she continued, “but I forgot that it was supposed to rain this evening, and I didn’t want to risk getting it wet. I’m sorry.” “Not a problem, Fluttershy,” reassured Twilight Sparkle. Fluttershy looked at the pair nervously. “Anything else, sugarcube?” asked Applejack. “Oh, it’s nothing, really. It’s just … were you talking about me? Did you need my help for anything? I know a lot about ducks, if that’s what you need. It wouldn’t be any trouble at all,” offered Fluttershy. “No,” said Twilight. “Oh, wait, yes! Tomorrow afternoon, ‘Bubble ’n’ Pop’ is playing a free concert at Duck Lake Park. They’re a jazz band. It’s just some local amateurs having fun.” Twilight surreptitiously slid the book back to Applejack, tapping date number 22 with a hoof. “Are you worried that the ducks won’t like it? That would be a problem,” said Fluttershy, with a look of sincere concern. “Missus Quackeline in particular prefers classical music.” “No, that’s not it,” interrupted Twilight. “Oh, are you afraid the concertgoers might bother the ducks?” fretted Fluttershy. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect them.” Fluttershy punctuated this quiet proclamation by planting four hooves firmly on the floor, jutting out her chest, and shyly casting her eyes downward. “Or at least I’ll get them out of harm’s way,” she finished. “No, that’s not it at all,” said Twilight. “I was just wondering if you’d like to go to the concert with Applejack’s brother. You know Big Macintosh, don’t you?” “We’re … acquainted,” said Fluttershy. “Well he just loves jazz. Isn’t that right, AJ?” she said with a conspiratorial wink. “Huh?” said Applejack, looking up from the book with a start. “Oh, yeah, ever since he was a colt.” Applejack produced a booklet of family photos. She flipped to a picture of a young Big Macintosh wearing a black beret and dark glasses, casually sitting next to a double bass. Fluttershy and Twilight both looked at the photo and smirked, barely suppressing their laughter. Without looking up from the book, Applejack asked “Somethin’ wrong?” “Nope!” said Fluttershy and Twilight at the same time. “Good,” said Applejack. “Now I reckon this concert will be a fun time for all. It will give the new couple – I mean both of y’all a chance to chat, or just relax and listen to music. It’s an opportunity for making some memories. Together.” Applejack looked up from the book. “How’d I do?” she whispered to Twilight. “Great!” she whispered back. “Oh, I don’t know. I was hoping Angel and I could spend tomorrow afternoon…” Fluttershy said uncertainly. “No! You’re right. Big Macintosh’s duty to the family made him give up on his hope of living the bohemian lifestyle of a jazz musician. But he must hold on to this fondly-remembered dream!” She boldly stepped up onto the table. Twilight scooted her tea set out of the way, while Applejack stashed the magazine under the table. Fluttershy very softly stamped a hoof down and continued, “And if I must be the one who keeps a glimmer of hope alive …” Fluttershy trailed off. “Must I?” she asked softly. “Umm –“started Twilight. “Yes, I must!” continued Fluttershy. “I must be the one. Applejack, I will be at the park tomorrow afternoon. And I assure you, your brother’s childhood dream will not fade away!” Twilight and Applejack gazed on with awe as Fluttershy floated up from the table, and gently flitted out the window, smiling brightly with a gentle squeal. “Well, that was easier than I expected,” said Twilight. “Now you just have to get Big Macintosh to show up.” “What, are you kidding me?” said Applejack. “He’ll show up for sure. Like I said, my brother loves jazz.”