“So then Applebloom butted in an’ now ya got yerself a date with Cheerilee?”
“That ‘bout sums it up, Applejack,” Big Mac nodded.
“Alright, ah can understand ya not wantin’ ta call it off, sparin’ Cheerilee’s feelins’ an’ all, but why in Celestia’s name are we goin’ to the library?” the orange mare asked as the location came into view.
“So ah can get some advice fer mah date,” Big Mac explained, “Ah don’t know the first thin’ ‘bout datin’.”
Applejack held back a chuckle, “An’ ya think ol’ Twilight will know somethin’?”
Big Mac ignored his sister’s comment as he knocked on the door, “Ah could use all the help ah can get.”
The door opened with the purple coated pony on the other side. “Hello, Applejack and Big Mac. What brings the two of you here?” she greeted them with a smile.
“Howdy, Twi. Mind if we come in? Big Mac here kinda needs some help,” Applejack said, tilting her hat down to greet her friend.
“Of course, please make yourself at home,” Twilight invited the Apple siblings in.
Once they were inside, Twilight closed the door and turned her attention to the earth ponies, “So what can I help you with?”
Big Mac raised his hoof, about to answer, but his sister cut him off, “To make a long story short, Big Mac here got himself a date fer Hearts an’ Hooves Day. However, he doesn’t know the first thin’ ‘bout datin’. He was wonderin’ if ya could help him out.”
The stallion looked at Applejack with a slightly annoyed look before nodding in agreement.
“Oh….um….” Twilight seemed a little flustered about being asked to help with such, “Well, I guess I could help you out with that, but just so you know, I’m not sure I’m the best pony to help you out.”
“Anythin’ ya can offer would be mighty kind,” Big Mac spoke.
Twilight placed a hoof under her chin as she thought, “Well, most of my information about dating come from books….”
“Come from books? Ya mean ya date the books?” Applejack raised an eyebrow.
Quickly, Twilight waved her front hooves, “No, no! Not like that! I mean, my knowledge about dating scenarios come from reading books. Such as novels and such.” She gave a nervous laugh, “It’s not like I date the books or anything, heh heh.”
“Well, what kind of knowledge do ya have from them books?” Big Mac asked.
“Well, most of the books that have stuff like that are mostly two-bit novels that are more or less written for mares. I don’t think that would be of any use to you, but you are welcome to look at them,” Twilight pointed to a wall shelf of books that seemed backed with the type of books.
Applejack trotted over to the wall of books to look through the titles. “Ah’m guessin’ these are all pretty much the same on the inside?” The mare grabbed one of the books and opened it. She gave a puzzled look as she read what was inside, almost as if it was written in some alien language.
The purple pony nodded, “Yeah, pretty much all of them have the same formula when it comes to plot structure and characters. I doubt they would be any help.”
Big Mac spoke up, “Do ya happen to have any advice yerself, by chance?”
“Well, if I were in your date’s horseshoes, I’d personally would like to have a chat about something that makes one think and possibly even debate. I do enjoy sharing thoughts about different books I’ve read with friends. But, that’s just my personal taste,” Twilight shared her opinion. “I actually think you should talk with Pinkie Pie, she could give you some excellent tips for conversation with your date.”
“Hmm, ah guess we could go ask Miss Pie fer some help,” the stallion said, “Thank ya fer your help, Miss Twilight.”
“My pleasure,” she smiled, “And I do hope your date goes well.”
As Big Mac started towards the door, Applejack followed behind until she was stopped by the sight of a book on the small table near the couch. “Hey, Twilight. What ‘bout this book here? Fifty Shades Of Hay, think it can help Big Mac out?”
At the mention of the book’s title, Twilight’s face turned bright red. With an awkward and embarrassed laugh, she started to push the siblings towards the door, “Haha, uh….heh look at the time! You should get on over and see Pinkie Pie before Sugarcube Corner gets busy with the midday rush! Come on, get on going!”
Before they knew it, Big Mac and Applejack were pushed outside of the library and Twilight closed the door on them. They exchanged puzzled glances to each other for conformation of what just happened.