//------------------------------// // Ch. 2 - Rocky Relations // Story: The Spare Farmhoof // by JetWave Wavewind //------------------------------// The train ride passed in silence for Big Mac. Being a quiet pony by nature, he wasn't one to start conversation to idly pass the time. He did, however, enjoy watching out the window at the scenery that passed by the train. At least for a while, that is. After they had passed the Everfree Forest, the landscape had become very barren; the most interesting things to look at were the mountain ranges in the distance and the occasional boulder that would run past. He had already gone through his suitcase twice before leaving, but seeing as how there was nothing else to do, he pulled it down from the luggage rack above him and began rummaging through it. He wasn't sure what all he would need, so in addition to his suitcase, he had also brought his toolbox, which was still up on the rack. In his suitcase he had packed two sacks of apples, four jars of jam (the non-zap apple kind), a six pack of apple cider, the doll that everypony in town had gone nuts over a few years back (he gave it a quick nuzzle before putting it back), and a few spare yokes in case his broke from pulling what would be heavier loads than apples. He sighed and put the suitcase back on the rack. He had considered packing some apple fritters and a few more ciders to share with the Pies, but he wasn't sure that they'd even want any cider, and the less that made its way off the farm before cider season, the better. Also, apple fritters didn't travel well, and he wasn't exactly skilled when it came to baking, unlike Granny Smith. The remainder of the trip was spent looking out at the landscape (or lack of one), clicking his hooves together in his seat, and walking around the train car until they pulled into the station. The station that was by the Pies' farm was established solely for their benefit, so very few ponies ever get off there; most trains ran on a track that bypasses the farm entirely. With this fact in mind, Big Mac was surprised to see that there was another pony stepping onto the platform from another train car. It wasn't until the steam of the engine cleared and he could see the pony's short purple mane and matching eye shadow that he recognized it as Maud. "Hello, Big Macintosh," she said in her characteristic monotone as he walked up to her. "Howdy," he replied. "Have you seen my sister?" "She's in the Crystal Empire right now taking care of important party business, so she asked me to come help out instead," he said, holding just a little pride in being able to say that. "That's good. You seem like you're strong." "Eeyup." The two stood there in awkward silence for a moment before Maud spoke up again. "We should get going. We're already late as it is." When the two ponies arrived on the farm, the sun was just beginning to set behind the small cottage, casting a long shadow over the fields to Holders Boulder. Marble and Limestone were storing some of the harvested rocks in the silo when they noticed the two ponies. Upon seeing who these ponies were, Marble's face lit up with a light that could barely be rivaled by Celestia herself. Limestone's, on the other hoof, became twisted with rage. She wasn't angry that Big Mac had shown up. In fact, she was glad he had because she was confident that it was his muscle that made possible the return of Holder's Boulder last year, and she felt he would be of great use here. What had filled her with rage was that she had been uninformed about his coming to HER Rock Farm beforehoof. As she and Marble walked up to greet them she maintained this air of hostility around her. "What are you doing here?" she demanded, glaring at him as though he had committed the most atrocious sin imaginable simply by setting hoof on the farm. Being a pony who tried to avoid conflict whenever possible, he was caught off guard when he was greeted with such hostility upon his arrival. Luckily, he did not have to endure it long before Maud stepped in on his behalf. "He's here to help us mine out the special crystals for Princess Luna in Pinkie Pie's place." Hearing this only served to bolster Limestone's rage further. "That's so typical of her! I can't believe- No, I CAN believe she'd be irresponsible enough to just not show up when our own father is bedridden!" "She was responsible enough to send somepony else in her place to help us during this difficult time." "Stop defending her Maud, not everything Pinkie Pie does is as saintly as you see it!" As the two of them bickered, Big Mac and Marble Pie slowly started backing away towards the cottage. They were silent as they walked, each finding the ground on the side opposite the other to be very interesting. As soon as they entered, they were greeted by a voice that didn't sound stern, but did sound displeased. "Marbella Ethel Pie! Why art thou not still outside helping your sister store the rocks?" Cloudy Quartz demanded. She had an air about her that was very similar to Limestone, the only difference being that where Limestone exuded rage, Cloudy Quartz radiated order. Nevertheless, it was still enough to cause poor Marble's lips to clamp shut and send shivers down her body as she stood in her mother's increasingly impatient stare. Seeing this, Big Mac stepped in and explained things to her. "She wasn't meaning to shirk her duties or nothin', ma'am, Marble 'ere was just showin' me where I'll be restin' my head while I'm stayin' with y'all." "Is this true, Marbella?" she asked. This caused the youngest of the Pies to jump before giving a hasty "Mhmm" in response. With that, a tension Cloudy Quartz did not know she had been holding was released, though she still maintained her demeanor. "Thank you Marbella, but I shall guide our guest from here. Please return to your chores," she said, causing Marble to nod quickly before she ran back out the door. Big Mac had feared that an awkward silence would form after she had gone, but he was glad when Cloudy Quartz spoke up again. "I trust you have a reason for being here?" she asked. Big Mac had gotten used to explaining why he was here instead of Pinkie Pie. In fact, he expected that he would have to do so. He had not, however, expected to have to do so at so many intervals. After having explained his presence here and the situation that kept Pinkie away, hopefully for the final time, she seemed satisfied and led Big Mac to his room. "Thou shalt be staying here whilst in our service. Limestone and Marbella art bringing the chores for today to a close. Thou shalt be given thine chores on the morrow. Once today's chores have been completed, we shalt have dinner, then rest for the day to come," she said, leaving Big Mac to go prepare dinner. Once she had left, Big Mac released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He had only just arrived and could already tell that life with the Pies was going to be quite different from the orchard. For some reason he felt like the Pies wouldn't be wanting any of the cider he brought, but he'd still bring it down to dinner anyway. At the very least he would have one for himself to help wash down the rock soup or whatever rock based meal had been prepared. As he unpacked his suitcase he wondered what Igneous Rock was like. He had briefly met him when the whole family came to the farm for Hearthswarming, but the two hadn't talked much since then. The only member of the Pies he felt he knew was Marble. Though the dialogue they shared was small, he felt a connection with her. An image of the two of them gathered around what Granny Smith had described as the choosing stone briefly flashed through his mind, but he quickly dismissed it as he headed down to see if he could help Cloudy Quartz with dinner. She probably didn't feel that way about him anyway.