//------------------------------//
// Chapter 9 
// Story: A Scootaloo Story 
// by Golden Tassel 
//------------------------------//

Applejack and Big Macintosh were sitting at the kitchen table having one of their arguments where they yelled at each other but kept their voices down so Granny Smith wouldn't hear. Big Mac was doing most of the yelling; he was usually the quiet one in the family, but when he was cross about something, boy would he let you know about it. Sometimes when he really got going, he'd bring up things from two or three months prior, as though he'd been saving them up to get all his yelling done in one go.

Applebloom never understood what they argued about—this time it was something about somepony leaning on the farm—but she did know it was a bad time to interrupt them when they were like that. Still, she was certain that what she needed help with was important enough, and they could go on fighting all night long if she waited.

"Applejack? I need some help," Applebloom said as she climbed up into the chair next to her big sister.

The table was covered from one end to the other in papers, none of which held any meaning to the young filly, but Applejack felt it necessary to casually turn a few of them face-down when she heard Applebloom. Big Mac closed his mouth abruptly in the middle of his rant, and he and Applejack briefly shared a silent look. After that, Big Mac lowered his head and became interested in examining the linoleum floor tiles while Applejack turned to face her little sister and smiled at her.

"Whatcha need help with, sugarcube?"

Applebloom fidgeted in her seat and idly rubbed her forehooves together. "I think something's wrong with Scootaloo, but I don't know what. She was acting all weird today, and she lied to me and Sweetie Belle about why she didn't want to hang out with us."

Big Mac quietly slipped out of the room while Applejack took a moment to consider this and then sighed. "Well, you know you three are together all the time. Do you think that she maybe just wants some time to herself?"

Applebloom stood up in her chair. She knew it that wasn't it; she knew something was wrong, but she couldn't explain it right. All she could do was ask, "But why would she lie about it?"

Applejack reached over and put her hoof on her little sister's shoulder to calm her down. "Sometimes ponies lie because they're afraid the truth will sound bad, even when it really ain't. If Scootaloo wants some time to herself, just let her have it. She'll come back to y'all when she's ready. Okay?"

It wasn't really a satisfying answer; Applebloom was still convinced that something was wrong, but she resigned herself to having to figure it out on her own. "Okay," she said, sighing.

"Try not to worry yourself about it too much," Applejack said as she leaned over to hug her sister. "Now you run along and get ready for bed. I'll be along to tuck you in shortly." She kissed Applebloom on her forehead and sent her on her way.