//------------------------------//
// Interlude III: Fancy Mathematics 
// Story: Apples and Wheat 
// by TheAlmightySage 
//------------------------------//


- Fancy Mathematics -



Despite his reticent nature and preference for the simple things in life, Big Macintosh was indeed the brains behind the more complex managerial operations of Sweet Apple Acres. As such, he could be often found sitting at the desk in the den quietly going over the farm's prospective income and costs in his ledger. Today was no different. 

Hmm, if we harvest at least a fifteen bushels of wheat, then sell the flour at ten bits a pound we'll be looking at 6,300 bits before costs and taxes are factored in..., Big Mac thought before he turned to look through the desk's bottom draw for an abacus.

When Big Mac sat up he was nearly startled out of his chair by Holo, who was now leaning over his right side and quietly inspecting the farm's ledger. 

"Hmm, farming is never as simple as it seems," the wolfish mare mused before sipping from a large mug of what Big Mac suspected was hard cider.   

The farm stallion quickly regained his composure, but remained quiet. Though he did wonder how Holo had slipped into the den so quietly. 

"Does Applejack not help with this?" Holo asked as she sat down beside the desk and nodded to the various papers on the desk. 

"Nope, she ain't the best at math," Big Mac replied with a shrug before sliding a few beads on the abacus making soft clacking sounds.  

"That is surprising, considering how hooves on she is with running the farm," Holo said before sipping again from her mug. 

Big Mac just hmm'd in response and resumed checking the ledger. 

The two sat in a pleasant silence. With Big Mac recording various profits and comparing them with almost as many costs, while Holo watched with passive interest. 

"You forgot to carry the five," Holo commented after several moments, before sipping more of her cider. 

Big Mac arched an eyebrow, but did the math again and saw Holo was right. 

"Good eye," He said with a nod and corrected his mark. 

The quiet fell back over the pair for a fair amount of time, until the wolfish mare heard Applejack calling for her. 

"Holo?" 

"Here," She answered without taking her eyes off the ledger's pages. 

Applejack poked her head inside the den and narrowed her eyes suspiciously before walking in. "You best not be botherin' Big Mac."

"Hardly," Holo said with a roll of her eyes. 

Applejack gave a mild glare at the carefree response, but was cut off by her older brother. 

"She ain't," Big Mac drawled before he marked down a few numbers in the ledger, "Helped me catch a mistake a minute ago."

"You know math?" Applejack asked looking to the wolfish mare with a touch of surprise. 

"I once traveled with a merchant for many pleasant years. I learned much traveling with him," Holo explained with a small reminiscent smile.

Applejack found herself smiling at seeing Holo thinking on a happy memories. At least, she smiled until her brother decided to chime in with his two bits. 

"She's better at math than you are," Big Mac said nonchalantly as ever. 

Applejack just sputtered at her brother's comment. 

"How so?" Holo asked tilting her head. 

"AJ, don't get along with negative numbers," Big Mac said with a small grin. 

"Ah just don't see how it can be a one and not a one at the same darn time!" Applejack blustered in response.

Big Mac just rolled his eyes at the old argument. 

Holo, however, began laughing so hard she fell over onto her side. While Applejack marched out of the room blushing in consternation.