//------------------------------// // First Day // Story: Ask Big Macintosh // by BloodBunny67 //------------------------------// It was on day one of his internship that he had first laid eyes on her. The intimidation Mac had felt as he stood in front of the Venture Inc. Headquarters had been enough to crumble even his bedrock confidence. The multistory building towered over all others near it, as if asserting the company’s dominance through sheer size alone. An unfamiliar hesitancy had stayed Mac’s advance for a few moments until he had been able to collect himself. Ah haven’t come all this way to stop before Ah start. This is mah destiny. Gritting his teeth, Mac pushed through the revolving doors. “Kid!” He had hardly entered the building when an excited voice called to him over the crowded reception area. Looking up, Mac saw Venture, in an even more expensive suit than last time, as he rushed over. The throngs of business ponies interrupted their conversations as they hurriedly parted way for him. “Kid, I knew you’d make it!” Venture reached the younger stallion and threw his foreleg around Mac’s shoulders. “Well, I rekon that makes both of us, Mr. Capital,” Mac said, confidence flooding back into him at the warm greeting. “Hah, I like that! And call me Venture, please!” The older pony said as he guided Mac to the bank of elevators at the far end of the hall. “Come on kid, and we’ll get you settled in. I’ve already had somepony make up a desk for you in the intern office.” “That’s right kind of you Mr. Capit … Venture.” Mac said, though his returning confidence did nothing to sate his curiosity. “Though, I must say I didn't expect the CEO himself to be the one greeting me.” “Ahh don’t worry about that, Kid! I’ve had my eye on you since you were a colt! Ain’t nobody as excited as I am to see what you’re going to make of yourself here.” A cautions smile formed on Big Mac’s lips. “Well thanks for that, Sir. Ah guess … Ah just don’t know what Ah’ve done to deserve your interest.” Venture only smiled. “Kid, I never would have gotten as far as I have without trusting my gut. You took one look, just one look, at a boardroom meeting as a colt and BLAMO, cutie mark. My gut says you got the light on ya, kid. Anypony whose destiny is to make it in big business is a good pony to have around, as far as I’m concerned.” Big Mac had no response other than a broad smile. Arm in hoof, he let Venture lead him further into the building. Venture had been giving him a personal tour of the office when a flurry of warm bodies and sharp hooves had suddenly swept up to the pair, papers fluttering and many voices all vying for attention. Whatever the emergency was, Big Mac could no longer remember clearly, though he thought it may have been something about an important merger falling through. What he could remember, however, was the pain of sudden impact and being sent skidding across the waxed office floors as the hurricane of corporate cogs flew by, rushing whatever vital information they carried to Venture. Mac had clumsily attempted rise back to his feet, though in his dazed state he achieved nothing but skidding his hooves fruitlessly and falling once more to the hard tile of the floor. “Woah, easy big guy. No need to hurt yourself there.”  Mac shook the stars from his eyes only to see a pale hoof hovering in front of his face. “Really though, you should pay more attention. Fast Lane is a dangerous place to be!” Big Mac took the hoof and eased himself up with a grunt. “Harumph!” Mac steadied himself and raised his head to look up at his accidental assailant  “And just what in the hay is the Fast Lane…”   Mac trailed off as his gaze swept up to look at the young mare who had sent him sprawling. It wasn’t the soft cream colour of her coat, the tall and shapely figure, or even the deep crimson and burgundy of her prim cut mane that stole his breath. It was the blazing orange of the most amazing eyes Mac had ever seen. Eyes that, at that very moment, didn’t look very impressed. “Geez, the Fast Lane! It’s what we call the stampede of interns who are always rushing around trying to get Mr. Capital to notice us! What, is this your first day?” The mare’s head whipped back to the frenzy of activity behind her. Mac could have sworn he heard an audible growl issue from the mare’s petite mouth as she saw a soft pink mare with a light teal mane (reminding Mac of the candy floss that Sugar Cube Corner used to sell every harvest festival). Candy Floss elbowed her way over to the Venture and handed over a crumpled file folder. Taking it with a smile, Venture took a moment to have a quick look around, but upon seeing Mac standing with the crimson and cream mare, just smiled and ushered the gaggle of ponies toward one of the many conference rooms on this floor.   “Ah, buck it! Patrice got to him first!” the mare snarled. She turned and yelled back into the heart of the maelstrom, “you're going down, Patrice! The seat on the negotiations panel is mine!” This only earned her a sneer from the pink pony as she sauntered off triumphantly. “Ah, buck it,” the strange mare said, though this time under her breath as she turned back to meet his gaze. “And just who exactly are you anyway? You’re…”  She glanced down at his cheap suit with a raised eyebrow, “not exactly the type I would have expected to be getting a private tour with Mr. Capital.” “Ah uh … Name’s Macintosh. Big Mac, if you like. Ah’m just an intern like you. Ah met Venture when Ah was a colt. He was just showing me around.” “Hmm,” The mare’s gaze turned from scornful to appraising as she looked him over once more. “Well then, Mac,” Her voice lost its hard edge. “I suppose I owe you an apology.” Mac, having finally regained his composure, shot back a sheepish grin. “Well, Ah rekon there’s no need for apologies ma’am. You were right about this bein’ mah first day. Ah should have had mah wits about me. Ah’m right sorry you missed out on your chance with Venture.” The mare surprised him with a genuine giggle. “Wow, you really are straight from the heartland aren't you?” “Yes Ma’am, born and bred in Ponyville, on the edge of the Everfree Forest if ya didn’t know. Hope that’s not going to be a problem for all the city folk here.” “Hmmm, who cares if it is? Most of these weasels could stand to learn some of those downhome manners of yours.” “Now Ah know you wouldn’t be referring to your friend Candy Floss over there, would you?” Mac said with a playful smirk. “Candy Floss…? Oh!” This time he earned a genuine laugh. “Ya, thats Patrice all over. ” “Oh? Because she’s really a sweet pony when ya get to know her?” Mac asked with a raised eyebrow, thinking he misjudged their relationship. “No,” The mare said with a smile, “because she belongs in a carnival.” This time the laughter was shared by both of them. It came easy, as if they had known one another for years instead of minutes. After the moment passed, the mare cast him a long,  contemplative look. “Ma’am?” Mac said after a moment. “Meterotic Rise,” She said as she turned toward the way she had come. “If you say so Ma’am,” Mac said, playfully feigning confusion. He was rewarded with another light laugh. “My name is Meteoric Rise. I just figured you should know my name before you take me out for drinks tonight. Wouldn’t you say?” With a flick of her tail, she sauntered off down the hallway. “Ah rekon so,” Big Mac said softly, a giant grin pasted on his face as he watched her go.