Chapter 13 – How to move forward
The last few weeks have started to blend together into a routine. Go to work, come home, meet with Applejack. Sure it is a little strange that we only get to see each other at night, but seeing as how that is the only time we can truly hold a conversation without being interrupted by work does have its benefits.
However, anytime of day is fine with me, even midnight if Applejack wants to. It is still a little amazing to me how well me and her get along, and some days I find myself still questioning why or how she could bare to be seen with some small stallion like myself. But I have been unable to come up with anything, and really I do not want to.
My trot from my house starts to near its end as I set my eyes to the opening in the picket fence. As I near it my legs start to move a little fast and the floating tea kettle beside me comes up a little more.
The sound of my magic and the sight of my figure coming into the farm's grounds takes the large big red stallion's attention as he turns himself from his panting of one of the house's overhangs.
I cock a little smile to the stallion as I nod. One thing that has not changed is how Big Mac looks at me, although I could care less. Especially seeing as how after spending time with Applejack I have learned that she is much more of a threat then this flower planting, doll keeping stallion....Not that I still would want to test that theory.
As I start to turn my sight from the stallion I think over my last thought, why do I like Applejack if I'm afraid of her? A slight chill comes over my body as my eyes halves to a relaxed and slightly playful stare as I start to picture the orange mare's toned and firm body.
However, my thoughts do not stay long as I find my trot coming dangerously close to the big stallion, I halt my legs as I speak up, "Ah, hello Big Mac." I turn my head around the farm as I speak up, "Where's Applejack?"
Big Mac looks me over for a moment before he turns back towards one of the house's small wood columns that support the hangover, "She didn't feel well this morn'n so she's up stairs."
My ear flicks to the comment as I speak up, "Oh? What's wrong?"
"Stomach ache."
The words make me take my head back as I quickly think over the diner date we held last night where I actually took the lead and cooked. I rub my hoof to my neck as I cock my head, "W-what did she say was wrong?"
Big Mac shrugs as he speaks up, "Don't know..." His eyes turn to the tea kettle in my magic as he speaks up, "If you're look'n for Granny Smith, she's out back."
I nod to the comment as I start to bring my trot up, "O-okay."
My trot quickly brings me around the house as I now turn my attention to the old light lime green mare going about her normal routine of feeding the chickens.
As I look over the mare I bring my voice out, "Good morning Mrs.Apple."
The sound of my voice brings the mare's lowered head up as she turns to face me, her old slightly saggy face turns into a smile as her happy voice comes up, "OH hello there deary..." Her eyes drift over to the tea cup as her smile slightly fades, "...H-has it already been a month?"
I nod to the comment as I speak up with a smile, "Yes it has."
The mare's eyes turn to my smile as she rings out a slight giggle, "And what makes you so happy?"
I just shrug to the comment as I wait for the mare to trot over to me and then to the rocking chair she usually sits to.
However, as she does this her voice continues out, "I've noticed you've been come'n by the farm a little more." She cocks an eye to me as her voice comes out, "...Do I need to watch out for Apple Bloom?"
The old mare's sense of humor brings a slight smirk to my face as I shake my head, "No ma'am."
My words roll the mare's eyes as she takes her seat in the chair and starts to move the chicken feed holding saddle from around her, "How many times I gotta tell you that you can call me Granny?"
I shrug to the comment as I speak up, "We're not family."
A slight giggle comes up from the mouth as she smiles, "Mmhmm..."
I float the tea to the small table as I speak up, "Just wondering, what's wrong with Applejack?"
The old mare holds her smile as she rolls one of her old hooves, "Oh don't you worry about Applejack, she's fine."
I blink to the mare's words but I nod all the same as I slowly continue, "But she is sick right?" As my words end I turn my head towards the door of the house.
"Oh she'll be fine tomorrow." Granny rolls her hoof to me as she holds her smile.
To the words I nod again as I turn my eyes back to the mare and straighten my posture, "Alright, well are you ready for the spell?"
The old mare eases her back to the chair as she speaks up, "Whenever you're ready dear...I have been feeling even more weak lately."
As the mare's words come down I lower my head as I spark my horn up to the spell I have been using for the last few months.
It only takes a few moments for the spell to run its course as my magic starts to fall away from the mare's body. However, as it does I realizes Granny Smith does not jump from her seat like she usually tries to do.
I blink to the mare as I speak up, "A-are you alright?"
Granny nods to the comment as she flashes a smile, "Why yes I am." She happily stretches her front hooves out as she continues to speak up, "If ya want to go and talk to Applejack now you can. Her room is the last on on the right up stairs."
My ear flicks to the comment as I stand from the chair, "Alright."
Granny keep the smile as she watches me trot into the house.
Truthfully I have never really spent a lot of time in the Apple family's house, but it is not like I cannot find my way around the simple wood made house.
I quickly come into the family room as I turn my head towards the stairs up to the second floor.
Despite my short legs I quickly trot up the stairs as I turn my head into the hallway, my eyes fall to the last room on the right.
As I near the room I take notice to the closed door as I knock a hoof to it.
"Its open..."
The mare's slightly annoyed tone flicks my ear as I open the door to the mare that still sits in the bed. However, I can not help but give a laughy smile to the mare's completely bored expression as she blinks to my, "Stony?"
I give a little chuckle as I speak up, "So Granny Smith says that you're dying."
The mare rolls her eyes as her front hooves cross a little annoyed, "Ya, die'n of boredom..." She shakes her head to me as she continues, "All ah said was that I didn't feel to good this morning and Granny said I had to stay in bed until midday." The mare sits up a little as her voice reaches a peak, "I mean come on, I don't care if I'm not needed today, but at least outside I can walk around?!"
A slight laugh comes up from me, but it only flicks the mare's ear as her sharp eyes turn to me, "What you laugh'n at? I wasn't the one who cooked that dinner last night."
My ear flicks to the comment as I wave my hoof, "Yes, but I didn't tell you to try everything before it was cooked."
Applejack rolls her eyes as she speaks up, "Pff ya ya.."
The mare's words hold my smile as I look her over.
However, my silent stare takes the mare's attention again as she gives a little smile, "But just in cause i'm sick and it's not that cook'n of yours. You should get go'n, I'll stop by if I feel better."
I blink to the mare for a moment as I let her words roll in my mind, but I nod as I speak up, "Alright Applejack...Bye."
The mare nods as her voice comes up, "Bye."
End of chapter 13