//------------------------------// // Refined or Reckless? // Story: Sol Don Him // by Razalon The Lizardman //------------------------------// The scents of fresh dew and crisp morning air permeated Ponyville as the sun peeked over the horizon. A gentle wind blew around the buildings, sending a wave of motion across the lush, green grass which coated the ground. But the grass wasn’t the only green object affected, as Sol Do’s mane and tail flailed lightly in response, prompting her to blow it out of her eyes as she walked through Ponyville toward Sweet Apple Acres. Sol Do was the only pony outside then, but she barely noticed, since her mind was fixated on reaching the farm so she could begin learning the Apple family lifestyle from Big Macintosh. As per his instruction, she donned no clothes, choosing only to wear her straw hat. She hadn’t bothered showering either, to which she smelled rather vulgar, and underneath her hat was a very jarring bedhead. She held the retracted form of her Pogo-axe in her mouth, having decided to bring it in case it proved to be useful. The wind, blowing from behind Sol Do, sent her filthy scent up front and into her nostrils, to which she instinctively held a hoof over her muzzle. Maybe I should’ve taken a shower after all, she thought. Sol Do waited until the wind passed before bringing down her hoof and resuming her trot. Or, maybe, I can use this to get us in the shower together. Oh yeah, that’d be swell. A saucy grin formed on Sol Do’s muzzle around the Pogo-axe as she continued fantasizing about intimate scenarios she could get herself and Big Macintosh into during their time together. This eventually shifted to more serious thoughts, specifically, how she’d go about winning Big Mac’s heart by the end of her visit. Okay, first things first, I need to get to know Big Macintosh, and determine whether he prefers the down n’ dirty, country bumpkin type of mare, or the high-brow, refined Canterlotian type. Whichever he prefers, I’ll just learn to stick to it from now on. Then there’s the matter of showing my affection for him. I know he’s the quiet type, so I’d best not be too upfront with it, lest he get scared away. I’ll just observe his behavior today and, depending on what he responds better to, I’ll treat him to a date tailored for his interests. Yes, that should work nicely. Sol Do continued pondering her romantic course of action all along her trip to Sweet Apple Acres. Upon reaching the Apple family’s homestead, she knocked lightly on the front door, mindful in case any of them were still asleep. The sound of hoofsteps approached the door from inside, and it opened to reveal the tired, heavy-lidded face of Apple Bloom. “Oh, hiya Miss Do,” she mumbled. Sol Do took hold of the Pogo-axe in her hoof and smiled. “Good morning, Apple Bloom,” she said enthusiastically. “Glad to see you’re up and at’em!” Apple Bloom snorted. “Yeah, sure.” She pointed behind Sol Do at the fields. “My brother’s out in the orchard, said somethin’ ‘bout ‘clearing the trees of meddlesome fruit bats’.” “Fruit bats, huh?” Sol Do turned to look at the orchard behind her. “Is that a common problem for your family?” Apple Bloom let out a little yawn before replying. “Applejack said somethin’ ‘bout a sanctuary fer them bats the other day, and how it was ‘posed ta keep ‘em outta our orchard from now on.” She shrugged. “Ah guess it ain’t workin’ after all.” Sol Do smiled confidently. “We shall see about that.” She turned back to Apple Bloom. “Before I go assist your big brother, precisely where is your sister at this time?” Apple Bloom gestured behind her into the house. “She was up really late last night cleanin’ up after Pinkie’s party, so she’s still sleepin’.” A sinister smirk crossed Sol Do’s muzzle. “Perfect,” she whispered. “What?” “Off I go!” Sol Do put the Pogo-axe back in her mouth and began galloping toward the orchard. Apple Bloom just stood there, watching her retreating figure with a tired, uncaring stare. “How can anypony be that energetic in the morning?” she asked aloud, before closing the door and making her way back to bed. Sol Do spent the next few minutes searching the apple orchard for Big Macintosh, eventually finding him in the west fields. He was scowling in irritation up at one particular tree which was filled to the brim with fruit bats. Not a single apple remained on the tree, at least from what Sol Do could make out; the bats were so numerous they covered almost every inch of the tree’s bark. “No good varmints, y'all are,” Big Mac whispered. “I take it these pesky little vermin are not welcome here?” Big Mac turned to see Sol Do approaching, her gaze fixated on the infested tree, while her Pogo-axe was suspended in her magic. “Howdy Miss Do,” Big Mac replied. “And no, they’re not.” He looked back up at the fruit bats. “They know perfectly well there’s a sanctuary fer them now, but this bunch ain’t too good at listenin’, apparently.” Sol Do stepped beside Big Mac, keeping her Pogo-axe held aloft alongside her, as she cast a concerned gaze at him. “I sincerely hope this won’t impede our time together, will it?” Big Mac sighed, and looked to her with an apologetic gaze. “Ah’m sorry to say, yeah, but if’n y’all wanna help shoo them varmints away, by all means go right ahead. Celestia knows Ah’ve tried all I can.” Sol Do nodded in understanding. Alright, time to learn where his general interests lay. “Well, Big Mac, I do have a few ideas for how to make them leave,” she said. “However, since this is an Apple family problem, it’s only fair that I abide by the Apple family’s methods in dealing with parasitic creatures such as these fruit bats.” Stepping in front of Big Mac, Sol Do brought her Pogo-axe in front of her and, giving it a light twirl with her magic, pointed it at the tree. “I can use my Pogo-axe to force those vermin out of the tree, or, if your family doesn’t take too kind to animal cruelty, I am confident that I can sweet talk them into leaving. Which would you prefer?” Big Mac just shrugged. “Whichever suits yer fancy better,” he replied. “So long as y’all get them varmints outta the tree, without killing either, then that’s all that matters.” Sol Do stared blankly in response. Then she blinked. Well, that was certainly an unexpected response, but no matter, I’ll learn more as we spend more time together. “Okay then,” Sol Do said as she turned to face the tree. Bringing her Pogo-axe out in front of her, she used her magic to extend the metal tips on either side, bringing the tool to its maximum efficiency as both a pickaxe and a pogo-stick. “This shouldn’t take too long.” Sol Do approached the tree with careful steps, not wanting the bats to startle. Upon reaching the tree’s base, Sol Do set the Pogo-axe on the ground, metal end down, and pushed the spring attachment firmly into the dirt. Gripping the other end with her front hooves, she set one of her hind hooves on the metal end. After taking a moment to balance herself, she gazed up at the fruit bats in the tree above her with a determined gaze. “Alright, here I go,” she said. Pushing against the metal with her body weight, the spring dug deep into the dirt before launching her into the air. Sol Do felt the wind rush through her mane, before stopping right in front of the tree’s center. During her fall back to the ground, Sol Do put her other hoof on the other metal tip, and used it for extra strength when she bounced off the ground again. All while she did this, Big Macintosh watched Sol Do with a quirked eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. Once Sol Do got into a steady rhythm of balanced bouncing, she turned her attention to the bat swarm currently sleeping in the tree. Sticking her tongue out to the side in concentration, she waited until her ascent peaked before striking. In a second’s time she shoved the metal end of her Pogo-axe into the bat swarm, instantly setting off a chain reaction of agitated screeches as, one by one, each and every bat shot wide awake. They quickly began fluttering rapidly en masse, making the tree shake wildly, as Sol Do re-positioned the Pogo-axe under her for a safe descent. “It may be a little ear-grating!” she shouted over the multitude of screeches, her ears desperately digging themselves against her skin. “But, rest assured, darlin’, it’s all accordin’ ta plan!” “What!?” Big Macintosh shouted back, his own ears trying to block out the sound, to limited avail. Sol Do proceeded to repeatedly strike the bat swarm with her Pogo-axe with every bounce. With each strike, the fruit bats’ confusion gave way to rage, and before long they’d stopped fluttering wildly, instead drawing their attention to Sol Do. “C’mon, ya filthy varmints!” Sol Do shouted at them, in a playfully condescending tone. “Y’all ain’t gonna let a pretty little pony like moi poke an’ prod y’all ‘round, now are ya!?” The fruit bats gave a collective screech of rage as they locked their fruity, hate-filled gazes onto her. “Which way to the sanctuary, dear!” Sol Do asked Big Mac. “Over yonder!” he shouted, pointing eastward. “Alrighty then, here Ah go!” Sol Do ceased her bouncing and began galloping toward the sanctuary, Pogo-axe held firmly in mouth as the fruit bat swarm immediately gave chase, hundreds of raging shrieks accompanying them. Big Mac watched as Sol Do led the fruit bats across the orchard, eventually disappearing from view, all the while with a shocked expression. He stood there for a few minutes, at a loss for words to describe what had just happened, but his stupor was eventually interrupted by a familiar voice calling out to him. “Big Macintosh!” Big Mac turned to see Applejack galloping toward him with a panicked look in her eyes. She also had a tired look about her, definitely the result of having just got out of bed. Her stetson was tilted sideways, and only just barely managed to cling to her head with how fast she was galloping. Applejack skidded to a stop in front of her brother and, after a moment of heavy panting, gave him a relieved smile. "Thank Celestia yer all right!" she said. "Ah was 'fraid you'd be a quiverin' mess when I found you." Big Mac scrunched his face up in confusion. "They're just fruit bats, sis," he said. "They ain't nothin' dangerous." Applejack's relieved expression gave way to her own look of confusion. "What about fruit bats, now?" Before either could say another word, a distant voice sing-songed, "Yoohoo, Big Macintosh, come quickly please!" Big Mac turned in the voice's direction. "Sounds like Sol Do's finished leadin' them bats back to the sanctuary." He began heading toward the sanctuary. "Wait fer me!" Applejack said, and followed after him. The two siblings quickly traversed the orchard, reaching the fruit bat sanctuary in a minute’s time. They found Sol Do standing with her back turned to them, holding her Pogo-axe in her mouth again, staring up at a group of trees, in which hung a cluster of battered, bruised and, in some cases, whimpering, fruit bats. Sol Do didn’t look any better herself, as she had scratch and bite marks covering a good portion of her flanks, as well as her backside. Sol Do kept staring up at the bat swarm until she heard the Apple siblings approach, at which point she turned around to greet them, in turn affording them a view of her face which looked like the victim of a dozen, tiny rakes. She let the Pogo-axe fall to the ground, and spoke to them. “Well, it took a bit of roughhousin’, but Ah managed ta convince ‘em to stay.” She looked to Applejack with a sly smirk. “Not too shabby fer one’a Rarity’s kin, eh?” “Sol Do, y’all look like ya got in a skirmish with a gryphon,” Applejack replied, ignoring her question. “Are y’all okay? Ya wanna see a doctor or somethin?” “Oh, believe me, Applejack darling,” Sol Do cooed, sending a slight shiver down the other mare’s spine, “I’m not at all like my cousin in that regard. I’m sure I look positively horrid to you two, but believe me when I say Ah’m feelin’ better’n a cat in a yarn factory!” She capped off her statement with a laugh. The two Apple siblings only stared back blankly in response while Sol Do glanced back to the now-placid fruit bat swarm, which had taken to sleeping once again. Sol Do gave them a once-over and, with a nod of satisfaction, turned back to Big Macintosh. A glimmer of hope shined in her eyes as she said, “So, Big Mac, whadd’ya think?” Big Mac gave the bats a once-over himself before giving her a gracious smile. “Thanks fer yer help, Miss Do,” he said. “Ah appreciate it.” A small blush crossed Sol Do’s cheeks, and she waved a dismissive hoof. “Oh, it was nothing, really, I just wanted to help you.” “Well, ya sure did,” Big Macintosh said. He then began trotting back to the barn. “So, what say we get on with the day’s chores?” Sol Do tilted her head in curiosity. “Beg pardon?” “Y’all said ya wanted ta be tutored in the Apple family’s ways,” Big Macintosh said. “Chores is just one part of it, but you’ll need resolve ta see it through.” He gave Sol Do a challenging smile. “Now, if’n y’all wanna back out, go ahead and say so.” Sol Do gave a frown in response. “Oh, no, I don’t think so,” she scoffed. “If it’s chores I must do, then it’s chores I shall do, darling.” “Good ta hear,” Big Mac replied, and continued trotting back to the barn. “Let’s get goin’, then.” “Actually, Big Mac,” Applejack spoke up, earning his attention. “Do ya mind if Ah talk with Sol Do, just fer a minute?” Sol Do just rolled her eyes while Big Mac nodded and replied, “Nnope,” before once again continuing on his way. Once Applejack was sure he was out of earshot she turned to Sol Do, who was leveling an exasperated glare at her, and spoke, as calm and collectively as she could. “Listen, Sol Do, Ah get y’all have the hots fer my brother—” she suppressed a shudder at the thought, “—but, please, respect his personal space, and don’t go crazy if it turns out he don’t share yer feelings.” Sol Do snorted. “In case you haven’t noticed, Applejack, I’m very different from my cousin when it comes to pursuing stallions.” She continued talking while using a hoof to massage her scratched-up flanks. “For one, I actively seek them out myself, rather than wait to be swept up and carried into the sunset.” She sighed in content, her gaze half-lidded amorously. “Yer brother’s the finest stallion Ah’ve ever seen, Applejack. So dashing. So strong. So patient and wise. So much better than any of my coworkers back in Hiddenite.” She closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again in a determined smile. “Believe me, Applejack, when I say I’ll succeed where Rarity has failed, time and again.” Sol Do picked up her Pogo-axe in her magic. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, Ah’ve got some chores ta do!” She began galloping after Big Mac, a giant smile crossing her features. Applejack watched her go with a furrowed gaze. A low, annoyed growl escaped through her lips as thoughts of giving Sol Do a good thrashing swirled through her mind. Eventually, she just sighed and followed after her, needing to help with the chores herself. Big Mac was already showing Sol Do around the barnyard by the time Applejack made it there. The Apple mare couldn’t help but scowl every time she saw Sol Do giving her brother’s backside a lecherous grin. She wanted desperately to go up to Sol Do, grab her by the withers, and shake her vigorously while shouting “Y’ALL CAN’T HAVE HIM!” in her face. The only two things keeping her from doing so were her agreement with Rarity to hold back, and the guilt she’d feel if it turned out Big Macintosh returned Sol Do’s feelings. “Well, at least as long as Ah’m around, things can’t get outta hoof,” she mused, and went to join them. Upon waking up and spending the next hour going through her morning routine, Granny Smith headed down to the kitchen to begin cooking breakfast for her grandchildren. She was also aware of Sol Do’s presence on the farm, despite her sometimes-shoddy memory, and decided to cook her something as well. “Hmm, what might that young whippersnapper like ta eat?” she mused while rummaging through the fridge. “Mornin’, Granny!” Granny Smith glanced behind her to see Apple Bloom enter the kitchen, looking fully awake and energetic with a beaming smile on her face. “Howdy, Apple Bloom,” Granny Smith replied, chipper herself. "Sleep well?” “You bet!” Apple Bloom replied. “Hey, Granny, when can we make that Zap Apple Cider?” Granny Smith continued rummaging in the fridge as she replied. “Maybe later little’un, ‘cause right now Ah’ve gotta make breakfast for y’all. Wanna help?” “Yes ma’am!” Apple Bloom cheered. “Then could ya ask Miss Do what she’d like ta eat?” “Ah’m on it!” Apple Bloom rushed out the front door like a sugar-rushed coyote, returning a minute later, while Granny Smith prepared to make pancakes. “Miss Do says she’ll happily eat whatever ya serve her,” she reported. “Hope she likes apple cinnamon pancakes than,” Granny Smith said, setting a bowl atop the counter. “Sol Do’s a cool mare,” Apple Bloom chirped. “If she an’ Big Mac get hitched, Ah wanna be the flower girl at their wedding too!” “Heh heh heh.” “Somethin’ funny, Granny?” “Oh, it’s nothing,” she replied, grabbing a pitcher of milk. “Say, Apple Bloom, wanna help me cook breakfast?” Apple Bloom stared blankly for a moment, then shrugged and went to join her grandmother.