//------------------------------// // Triple S: Small Side Story // Story: A Chat with Mac // by Short Stories //------------------------------// "Bowlin?" Applejack's consciousness woke up to that word, but the rest of her wasn't ready to catch up. She had just been in the middle on a great dream, and she was hoping she could still catch the wisps of what was left. "That's a great idea fer a first date!" That woke her up. Groggily, but steadily, she got out of bed to see who in hay was up at--she looked at her clock through bleary vision.--One in the morning. Right after, she heard a quiet 'hush'. She recognized that voice from anywhere. "Big Mac?" She whispered, "what's he doin up this early?" "Sorry, ah was just gettin excited fer ya." Was that Apple Bloom? Who else was down there, Granny Smith? Were they all discussing a family matter without her? "When ya comin' back?" Wait--who was leaving? Applejack grabbed her farm hat and ran towards the stairs, not really paying attention to the conversation. "No." She stopped, right before she took a step down the stairs. She quickly noticed it was only Apple Bloom and Big Mac, Apple Bloom facing the stairs. She took a step back, so she wouldn't be noticed. This was clearly something between only them, and she'd be intruding if she walked between them. She was interested how this conversation would play out, though. People rarely said 'no' to Big Mac. "Why 'no'?" She heard Big Mac ask. "No. Yer not gunna work at all tamorrow...er..taday. Big Mac, you've been workin so hard lately and haven't even been given a lick of appreciation in return!" Apple Bloom replied. "He has been given appreciation lately!" Applejack whispered to herself, "Ah think..." She poked her head out from her hiding spot to see the scene unraveling before her. "It don't matter! Big Mac, I want ya ta take the day off taday!" Apple Bloom sounded a bit mad, Applejack immediately wondered if Big Mac said something to offend her, she wondered if she should interfere now, but her feet wouldn't budge. "You deserve it." She continued, she sounded a lot more calmer now. "Ah don't even want ta see you out on those fields," she pointed outside, to one of the closest apple trees, for emphasis. "Y'all need sleep, and that's exactly what y'all be doin later taday." There was a slight pause, Big Mac must've said--or done--something in response. "Ah'll make sure Applejack an Granny Smith know, and I'll have Sweetie and Scoots guardin yer door." She added, nodding in satisfaction. She had been pacing the whole time she was talking. Mac chuckled, probably at the thought of taking orders from his youngest sister. She walked towards him, looking up more towards the stairs. Applejack fought the urge to gasp as she retreated her head back around the corner. "Deal?" Apple Bloom asked, Applejack imagined her with her arm stuck out towards her brother. Well, now Applejack really wanted to see how this conversation would play out--would he take the deal or not? It was like listening to a television program on the radio! "Deal." Mac responded. That was fast. "Only" Only what? Applejack wondered; she didn't have to wonder for long. "If ya go back ta bed." Oh, so this whole thing was about trying to get Apple Bloom to bed. Applejack thought, nodding and understanding. "Night, Mac." Apple Bloom's voice sounded louder than before. Applejack froze in realization: She was coming up the steps. "See ya later taday." Applejack also realized that, if she ran to her bedroom now, Apple Bloom would either hear her or see her, or both, and question why she was running. Apple Bloom's face appeared, and immediately noticed Applejack; her expression changing from nonchalant to surprise in a matter of seconds. Applejack pressed a finger to her lips, silently telling her sister to be quiet, at least until Big Mac was gone. Apple Bloom nodded, a small look of determination on her face. They both watched Mac head out the door, and ducked there heads back when he suddenly turned around. "Applejack?" Applebloom asked, an apple in her hand, "What are ya doin here so early?" She gasped, realization hitting her like a lightning bolt. "Were ya spyin' on us?" Applejack sighed. "Yes, an ah know I probably shouldn't have. Ah just thought it was a family issue, then I saw y'all an Big Mac, and--" "It's OK." Apple Bloom interrupted. "Ah understand." "Ya do?" Apple Bloom nodded. "Phew, that's a relief." Applejack said, visibly relaxing. "Last thing I need is mah own little sister not trustin me." She straightened up and turned towards Apple Bloom's door, about to walk towards it, when she remembered she wanted to ask her sister something. "Apple Bloom?" Apple Bloom looked up at her with wonder. "Yeah?" "Why were y'all up so early? Wheres Big Mac goin? Why ain't he gunna work tamorrow? Why don't you think he should work--" "Applejack, ah'm sorry, but I'm a might tired. I'll tell ya in the morn, ok?" Applejack looked at her sister with a bit of concern before changing her expression to a worried smile. "Alright, sugar cube. Now, let's get cha ta bed."