//------------------------------// // Chapter 22 // Story: Set In Stone // by kudzuhaiku //------------------------------// The table was surrounded by family. Granny Smith was grateful for this, the Apple family had lost a few members. But now, the table was surrounded by family and potentially, two new family members. Ayup. Both of them was most likely to be an Apple soonish, if not laterish. Granny Smith studied Flickershine intently, thinking a great deal about the young mare. She was the right type. She was sassy, full of fire, outgoing, strong willed, and beautiful. She’d make a fine Apple. Flickershine was busy listening to Applebloom, but her gaze was on Sandow. Her eyes fell on Applejack next, who was busy eating green beans and listening to Applebloom telling a story about school. Applejack had her hat off, and her mane spilled around her shoulders. Applejack was the spitting image of her mother. And then there was Big McIntosh. Big Mac quietly nibbled a salad slathered in sweet oil and apple cider vinegar, looking thoughtful, occasionally sneaking a warm glance at Cheerilee who was sitting beside him. Next to Big Mac was Cheerilee, who was a hearty eater that was shoveling in her food, taking bites of whatever, adding various bits to Applebloom’s story about school. She occasionally looked at Big Mac, and when their eyes met by accident, both of them would look away, blushing. Cheerilee was also the right sort for an Apple. Outgoing, gregarious, honest, good with foals. And wide foal rearing hips. Little Applebloom was busy telling a story, using her spoon to make gestures, waving her forelegs around to make her point known, her eyes wide and flashing. her face happy and bright. Applebloom was a little sass pot, a firebrand, and a good filly. Granny Smith felt a warm feeling of pride when she looked at her. And then there was Sandow. Who was eating very little, staring all mooneyed at Flickershine. Poor colt had it bad. Probably one of the worst cases of lovesick Granny Smith had ever seen. Sandow probably hadn’t heard a word that Applebloom had said. He only had eyes and ears for one pony in the room. Sandow had it bad. The table quieted as Applejack tapped on her plate with her spoon, asking for quiet. “Flickershine here has an announcement for us all, I dunno what it is, but I hope it is what I think it is,” Applejack said, looking around the table, her belly full of food and dessert. A large mug of cider sat before her. The Apple family and Cheerilee all turned their attention to Flickershine, who was grinning sheepishly, her eyes darting nervously toward Applejack. Flickershine sat silently, meeting the eyes of everypony around the table. “Well, get on with it,” Granny Smith said, setting her spoon down. “Well, Sandow and I had ourselves a really lovely evening last night, and after some initial troubles trying to communicate, Sandow finally made his feelings known,” explained Flickershine. Applejack took a deep breath, wondering and hoping about what Flickershine was going to say, family pride swelling in her chest. “Stop teasin!” demanded Granny Smith. “I plan to pull up stakes soon and move on. Sandow wants to come with me and live on the road,” Flickershine said, her voice low, her eyes now downcast. There was a clatter as Applebloom dropped her spoon full of ice cream on the table. “Eeewhat?” Big Mac muttered in confusion. “And here I thought y’all would be announcing yer plans to marry,” said Applejack, who was stunned and blinking rapidly. “Well, that might come later. Right now, Sandow and I are just happy to dance. We don’t feel a need to hurry,” mentioned Flickershine. “I was worried this day might come,” groaned Granny Smith. Sandow tried several times to say something, anything, but each time words failed and all he could do was look around the table, meeting each set of eyes for each family member. His wings fluttered nervously several times, and he gently tapped his hoof on the table, trying to think about what to say. “Apple seeds have to be planted elsewhere,” Applebloom said, her voice cracking slightly as she said it. A flame of searing intensity blazed to life in Applejack, who felt a strong sense of pride for her sister. She reached to Applebloom and stroked her gently, rubbing her shoulder, thanking her wordlessly. “Applebloom is right, there are Apples all over Equestria, we shouldn’t try to hold Sandow back if he has a powerful urge to wander,” said Granny Smith. “The fillies are good dancers. If they keep practicing and develop their own routines, they’ll become fine dancers someday,” said Flickershine. “And, I should say this right now, we plan to come back. I intend to settle here in Ponyville. I just want to show Sandow around, do a little sightseeing, dance a while, and then we plan to come back here and settle, if you’ll have us,” Flickershine added. “This will always be your home,” replied Applejack, looking at Sandow. “Thanks for understanding. This was not an easy choice for me. I want to go off and see the world a little, it has changed so much. It is a very different place than it was. I want to see what good ponies died for, trying to settle this land and making it what it is today. I want to see the sun rise from one ocean, and then I want to see the sun set into a different ocean. Flickershine tells me both are real pretty,” said Sandow, spilling out his heart. “So long as you come back, I guess I’ll letcha go,” mumbled Granny Smith, smiling faintly, peering at Sandow. There was a nervous exchange of glances between Cheerilee and Big Mac, and they reached out and hooked fetlocks together. “Well, we were also planning an announcement tonight,” said Cheerilee nervously. “Eeyup,” agreed Big Mac. “Big Mac finally got around to asking me that question I’ve been waiting to hear,” announced Cheerilee. “Eeyah I did,” added Big Mac. “You two are gettin’ married?” inquired Applejack impatiently. “Eeyup,” Big Mac said, answering his sister. “That’s happy news,” Applebloom said. “It took him long enough,” Cheerilee groused goodnaturedly. The two couples exchanged a knowing glance, knowing that each of them were starting very different journeys together and that it would take them to very different places. Two wanderers were hitting the roads together, while two homebodies were settling down to build a home together, the one thing they both had in common was that they were setting off their journeys with somepony that they loved. “Sandow Rotten Apple, if you get that pretty mare in a family sort of way, you had better come home before that foal is born or so help me, I will give you a good stern talkin’ to that you’ll never forget,” threatened Granny Smith. She raised her spoon and waved it menacingly at Sandow, who grinned in embarrassment. “Granny, I think we both know that it prolly be Flickershine who’d make the first move towards that situation,” said Applejack, now able to laugh. “Oh, you all would be surprised how bold Sandow can be once he warms up,” said Flickershine, grinning rakishly. Sandow ducked down in his seat, suddenly looking very nervous. “Why, just last night, after I had to work my feminine wiles on him so I could finally kiss him, he bravely and boldly took advantage of me and kissed me on my cheek and then he couldn’t look me in the eye for almost an hour without giggling,” remarked Flickershine. “The nerve of some colts,” she added. There was a terrible wheeze as Granny Smith exploded with laughter, rocking back and forth in her seat, banging a hoof on the table. “Geeze Sandow, you should be ashamed,” giggled Applebloom. “Big Mac isn’t any better,” laughed Cheerilee. “He actually fainted after he proposed and kissed me!” she exclaimed. Applejack laughed riotously at her brother, throwing her head back and guffawing, pointing with her hoof. The old green mare watched her family celebrating, and wondered how much more time she had, her breath whistling in her lungs from her laughter. she took comfort in knowing that the family would continue after she was gone. Apples were only as good as the seeds they left behind. And Granny Smith had left behind some fine seeds.