All I want is a straight answer!
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Sadie Haykins
Cadfael had just finished his morning chores when he heard Mama Thimble call him back to the house.
She'd been busy this morning. “I need you to do a job for Mama,” she told him. “Bring your cart out and help load it for market trade.”
Cadfael loaded what was on her list. Several jars of Zap Apple jam, and a variety of produce.
Next he hitched himself to the cart. Mama Thimble gave some last minute instructions. “Anything on the list he does not have he can credit us. Oh and warn him, if his hoof touches those scales, and I feel he shorted me . . .” She stopped for a moment and then continued. “I’ll talk to him about it tomorrow.”
Cadfael gave a little snicker. 'Mr Thorn would know to think twice before messing with Mama.'
The road to Ponyville was dusty. The grasshoppers were everywhere. The Pegasus had been falling behind schedule to get the farmers the water they needed. Cadfaels Father had already talked to Rainbow Dash, and he said they would talk to their bosses.
Cadfael saw a few friends playing close to town. Mostly the few that lived in the back of or over the shops their parents ran. Most every pony was friendly today. With the up coming spring planting festival, everypony was in everypony else's business.
He pulled up to the market, and called into the store that he was making a delivery around back.
Ms. Thorn met him around back of the store, and he hooved his Mama’s list to her. The mare was doing the trade and measures this morning. She looked over the list, and the items for trade. She took her pencil from behind her ear, and then spoke. “It will be close to an hour before this will be ready.”
Cadfael told her, “That’s OK.” He wave bye then turned and went off to see Applejack and Apple Bloom at the Apple cart.
Cadfael walked up to the cart, and was reaching in his small pouch when he noticed a hole at the bottom of it. He turned it up side down and shook it, but not a single bit came out.
Applejack watch her cousin searching for a coin to pay for his Apple. She decided to speed things up. She bumped the cart and as a single apple fell off, she bounced it off her flank, and it flew right into Cadfael’s hoofs.
She comically looked to the right, left, and underneath herself. “Now where in tarnation did that apple come from.” She gave Cadfael a wide smile. “Well it yours now Caddi.”
Applebloom now came up and greeted him Cadfael. “Howdy cousin. You coming to the big party After the race?”
Cadfael swallowed a bite of his Apple, and took a drink of water offered by Applejack. “I hope so,. It sounds like fun.”
Apple Bloom spoke up. “Best warn you, Diamond and Silver Spoon, have their eyes on you. I think its just to get on the nerves of the the fillies and me.”
Cadfael had his, 'I don't understand' look on his face. “Who is this Sadie Haykins anyway?”
Applejack placed a hoof on Cadfael. “I think you should go to the library and check-up on Sadie Haykins Day.”
Cadfael saw the clock on townhall. He had a little over maybe half an hour.
He weighted the 'maybe late' factor before saying, “I'm on it cousin, thank you.”
It did take more than a few minutes once he reached the library. After a few minutes of searching proved fruitless, he decided to returned to Applejack. But he left a note to the librarian on what he was looking for.
He quickly reached the corner of the market where Applejack normally was but she wasn't there. He thought to himself, 'No Applejack. She must have sold out already.'
Cadfael heard somepony calling him from the corner. Apple Bloom was still there. “Don't forget where having dinner at our place tomorrow night.”
He began running towards the store. He yelled back to Apple Bloom. “I won't forget.” Before he ducked into the store to pick up Mama’s order.
Ms. Thorn was just finishing loading the cart. She also gave him a note.
The mare looked sternly at Cadfael and said, “Make sure your Mother gets this note.” She also held out a piece of candy. He took the candy.
Cadfael popped the candy in his mouth, and then nodded yes. Then he headed home.
On his way, he made a slight detour to escort Button and Sweetie to Rarity’s place. It appeared that Heartwood was making comments towards Button again.
He left his friends and headed across the field. He wandered leasurly across the field. As he pushed through the tall grass hundreds of bugs took to wing. The grasshoppers and butterflies, and a few of the big hornets flew all about. But Cadfael made sure not to bother them.
He finally saw his sisters playing under the shade of the large tree that marked their home. He brought in the store goods, and carefully gave his Mama the letter.
He now went to help his father in the future orchard. He was getting it ready to work the hard clay on that side of the farm into nice, rich soil. Father had gotten a bag of seeds which were meant for just that, but they had to be watched or they would take over their crops and kill them to make room for themselves. Which also meant there would be a lot of bitter leaf to eat this winter, Cadfael made only one comment, “Bleck!”
They worked till almost time for supper before heading back to the house. When they drew near, they saw two Royal Guards escorting Princess Twilight to the house.
They ran to greet her, and both bowed to her.
Twilight just gave a very unprincess-like snort. Then said. “It's not five o’clock yet, so we're still on Library hours. Cadfael, I found a copy of the book you were looking for.” She pulled a large book for from her saddlebag. “I also wanted to see if your Mother would sell me a jar of that Zap Apple jam? I'm gong to Canterlot tomorrow for the day, and I'm sure the Princess would love to get one.”
Dayton still bowed. “Would you please enter our humble home Princes Twilight.” They all went in the house the Royal Guards were given tea and allowed to sit.
Thimble went to her cellar, and returned with a large jar of The Zap Apple jam. Twilight produced a large number of Bits to pay for the jar. Thimble looked and shook her head no. “I could not accept your bits Princess Twilight, it's my gift to you, and you may keep it, or give it away.”
After the princess left, Cadfael took his book to couch in the front room and began reading it. He was up late, but with no school or parent conference meetings, there was plenty of time to study the book.
Cadfael devoured the book in less than an hour. But when he'd finished, he was more confused than before. He waited at the kitchen table, and caught Mama before she went to bed.
Cadfael had brought the book with him, and began asking his questions. “Mama, I know you're tired, but could you please explain something to me?”
Thimble walked Cadfael to the couch with her little lamp. She looked over the book and she just smiled.
Thimble was nodding while she spoke. “You're afraid you'll have to marry the filly that catches you, are you not?”
Cadfael returned the nod. “Yes Mama, it sounds a little crazy.”
Now she shook her head. “Not to worry, that is no longer the custom, it's just a little race to let the fillies to show the colts they like them.”
Cadfael gave sigh of relief.
Thimble was just too tired for Cadfael right then, but she asked him, “Are you going to try and not get caught?”
Cadfael shook his head no, Thimble was half expecting to hear a rattling. “Nope, BigMac said that most of the little fillies when he was a colt were crazy, and I suspect they have not changed.”
Thimble wanted to end the conversation, but this was her colt. “So have you figured out a way to escape?”
Again he shook his head no. “No, I was hoping you would tell me.”
Thimble grinned and got off the couch, she kissed the top of his head. “Good night my colt, see you in the morning.”
Cadfael lay awake in his bed for almost an hour trying to figure out a way to escape being caught during the race.
Thimble was not saying anything, and it was driving Cadfael crazy.
The next day was uneventful, but after finishing his chores, he checked out the course. Many of the other colts were doing the same.
After an hour he just went home, and got ready for the party at his cousins home.
Dinner at Sweet Apple acres was wonderful. Both GrannySmith and Thimble had cooked a feast, and Cadfael and BigMac were doing their best to empty the bowls on the table.
Applejack joked about Cadfael and Mac holding conversations without saying a word.
Thimble nodded. She said. “I had an uncle and my father that did the same thing.”
Cadfael had gone to get GrannySmith a cup of tea, in fact he had waited on her most of the evening. He was in the kitchen scraping dishes when she walked in behind him.
GrannySmith spoke in a calm voice. “Thank you for taking care of me young’n.”
Cadfael just smiled. “Your welcome GrannySmith.“
She patted his head. “You're such a nice colt.”
She noticed the expression on his face. She had to ask. “What's bothering you, Caddi?”
“I was wondering, GrannySmith, how can you make sure not to be caught on Sadie Haykins days?”
GrannySmith loved Caddi as much as her own Grandfoals, in fact she considered him kin.
She looked around to see if anypony was listening.
“Now I shouldn't’ be telling you this.” Again she looked to see if anypony was around. “On Sadie Haykins day it's better to be a Timberwolf than a rabbit.”
Cadfael was stumped again, no one was giving him a straight answer. But he helped her back to her seat in the front room. Then, as he was going to take his own seat, it hit him.
Cadfael jumped up and did a little spin. “Oh happy days, I know...“
He looked around from pony to pony. Every eye was on him, and ever pony was silent. Cadfael just smiled and stretched. “Oh, I have to do something. I'll be right back.”
He was gone in a shot, and did not reappeared.
Applejack was slicing another pie, but didn't see Cadfael. She wanted to make sure he got a slice due to it being his favorite, her special Caramel Zap Apple pie.
She began to hunt for him. She was getting a little worried. 'Did he leave the house?' That is until she heard Somepony in the closet. She walked up and listened at the door. Taking the handle she quickly pulled it open.
Applejack found Cadfael playing in a box of her old things that were going to get tossed. It appeared he was trying on some of her old dresses. He was wearing a bonnet and even an old dress up wig.
She swallowed and then spoke. “Hello Cadfael, are you OK?”
Cadfael looked up at Applejack. He appeared fairly chipper. “Oh hello Applejack, would you mind if I borrowed some of your old cloths for a couple of days.”
Applejack didn't speak up right away, but she got the words out in another moment. “No, not at all. Please help your, self...”
She was feeling a little odd. She just closed the door. “It's a phase, just a phase. Remember BigMac played Princess when we were little.”
She was going to stay quiet for now. If this continued this she would have think of what she would say to his parents.
#
By the time three days had passed, Applejack had forgotten about Cadfaels playing dress-up.
At the Town square, many of the fillies had formed teams to catch the more desirable colts of the little town.
Apple Bloom, Scoot, Sweetie and Twist had formed one team, they figured there was strength in numbers. Diamond and Silver mapped out all the possible hiding areas and points they could ambush any unwary colt from.
After the parade and the produce and canning exhibition, where Thimble had taken first prize with her canned pears (Much to Appejack's displeasure.), Mayor Mare announced the Sadie Haykins race and that a party would be starting shortly in town square.
Mayor Mare told the younger colts, “If you're caught by a filly, then you must be her companion for the rest of the evening, at least till the party is over.
“The colts get a three minute head start, and then the fillies get to go.” Then Mayor Mare cautioned, “There is no leaving the course. If you don't play fair, you won't get to come to the party after the dance.”
After a few minutes of getting ready, the signal was given. The colts were off with Cadfael in the lead.
Snips and Snails were just running in place like a couple of dopes. Trying to make themselves easy targets.
The fillies were lined up, and were ready to go when a rather homely filly came up to join the race with the others. She was large, and rather bulky. She looked over at Snips and Snails. She gave them a flirting wink.
Snips looked at snails and said, “T-there are worse things than not getting caught!” Both colts took off at that-- at a gallop!
The next signal was given and the fillies were off. The Big homely filly led the way.
She ran by and knocked Rumble out of a tree, then clumsily bumped Feather Weight off a pole, but she turned off before catching them.
Diamond and silver were neck and neck, chasing at a high lope. Diamond was breathing hard and doing her best to keep up the pace. Her friend Silver played soccer, and had more endurance.
The big filly kicked a barrel, and two more colts rolled out of it. Before they could ger away they had been caught.
The 'Cutey mark crusaders' were running close. Twist suddenly called to Apple Bloom, “That big filly could be looking for Caddi!”
One by one, all across the course, the fillies brought the colts down. With the big filly hazing most of them out of hiding. Now the only ones not caught were Button Mash, and Cadfael.
Eventually Button was caught hiding in a barrel by Diamond. Now only Cadfael was left, but there was no sign of him.
Silver was hoping to catch them both leaving the 'Blank flanks' without a colt for the dance, but they returned to starting line.
Now all the remaining contestants were getting tired. Twist sat down, by the big filly on an old log. She was tired, and they hadn't caught a colt. She started sniffing, and rubbing her eyes.
The Big Filly began to speak high pitch and scratchy voice. “I was hoping to catch that fat colt Cadfael, but I figure I was holding out for not much of a pony.”
This was too much for Twist, she turned to the big filly. In a very threatening voice she snapped, “You stop that right now!”
The Big Filly was taken back a bit. She leaned away to avoid Twists wraith.
Twist had tears now running down her face. “He is my best friend.” She finally lost it and began crying.
The big filly patted Twist on her back, and in a voice that lost all its bite, she said, “I'm sorry.”
Twist also felt sorry for the Big Filly. With a face like hers, no wonder she came to this event. Twist just hugged the big filly.
About this time, Apple Jack, Twilight, and Rarity came wandering up.
Apple Jack said with a sigh of disappointment, “Just five more minutes, and its over.”
The Applejack, Rarity, and Twilight now came over to comfort the girls.
Rarity placed her hoof on Sweetie saying, “I'm sorry you didn't catchy Button my dear.” She really didn't sound too convincing.
Applejack was carefully surveying the area while standing on an old log. “I bet Cadfael will probability hide till the race is over.”
Twist was holding on to the big filly and still crying. The big filly looked at Twist, and finally sighed in exasperation. She reached up and pulled off her bonnet and wig.
Then the whole group could see that the ugly filly was Cadfael!
Apple Bloom and Applejack both began laughing so hard they were on the ground. Rarity, On the other hoof, looked at Cadfael. Then raised a hoof and said, “You know my dear, I think I could have helped you with your outfit.”
Cadfael Stood up and shrugged out of the dress. He then walked over to a water barrel and washed off most of the make up he had been wearing.”
By this time, Diamond Tiara had seen what he had done. They all heard her indignantly howling before they saw her. “He cheated, he was in disguise. That is cheating!”
Twilight who was also there, said, “No he didn't. He wore a disguise. That is not against the rules.”
At that moment the sound of a small sky rocket ended the race.
Diamond now appeared much happier as she said, “Well you didn't catch him anyway.”
Rarity spoke up right after Diamond and insisted, “That’s not true, Twist had her hoof around him. It’s obvious she caught him.”
Rarity now reach into her purse and passed a tissue to Sweetie, who offered it to Cadfael.
Sweetie pointed to her mouth. “Caddi it looks like your wearing lipstick, you may want to wipe it off before Mama Thimble sees you.”
Twist now led her prize toward the town square.
At the party that evening Thimble looked once again at the letter that had been sent to her.
Dear Thimble
I’m asking, if your colt does not have a filly for the party, could you ask him to please ask Twisty, she has been more down than usual. I'm making arrangements to have her visit my sister in Manehatten.
Thimble stopped reading she knew that things would work themselves out.
Twist got to dance with Cadfael first. She hugged him quiet tightly. She whispered to him. “Caddi, if you don't have a special somepony when you grown up will you be mine?”
Cadfael smiled and hugged Twisty back. “Sure, But if I don't have a special somepony then you'll have to be mine.”
Twist yelled, “Yay!” Then she put her head against his chest.
Sweetie was next to get to dance with him. She was a very good dancer, and was surprise that Caddi was as well. Cadfael grinned at the fillies and commended, “Sweetie you're such a good dancer.” She gave him a little nuzzle to the cheek. “Thank you Caddi.”
Cadfael had a funny smile, and it was bothering Sweetie. “What Caddi?”
Cadfael gave her a cute smile, almost closing his eyes. “You smell so nice tonight. Are you wearing perfume?” He took in the scent. “ It’s because you smell like Gardenias.”
Sweetie was stunned. She pulled back. Her eyes were wide. “You noticed?”
She turned toward Rarity and, despite of the crowd, she yelled to her sister, “He noticed.”
Rarity smiled and just rolled her eyes. “Well, I told you so.”
Sweetie turned back to Cadfael, and a moment later kissed him. It only lasted a second, but he was speechless.
She just smiled, and then let Scootaloo have the next dance. Scootaloo was grinning the whole time.
Cadfael was wondering what that wicked smile was for. He finally asked her about it while they danced.
She whispered into his ear. “I am never going to let you live this down.”
Finally Cadfael got to dance with Apple Bloom. They had a few laughs while dancing. They traded head bumps before he went back to Twist.
Applejack and Rarity were sharing a cup of punch. Rarity had just finished a sip of her punch, and commented to Applejack. “Do you think, if he had not joined the Royal Guards, you would have married your cousin, Apple Branch?”
“Well,” Rarity now smiled and looked up into the night sky, “he was a handsome devil.”
Applejack sighed and reminded her, “Rarity, it drove you crazy that he chased me, and not you.”
Rarity took up the high ground now. “Dear, just the fact that you had a chance to be truly happy, and you passed it up, grieves me.”
“Well, I may have missed one.” She blushed, and gave Rarity a small hug. “But I now have been seeing a nice stallion and I think he wants to get serious.”
Rarity smiled and whispered, “You think the girls would be upset if we asked to dance with Cadfael?”
Applejack gave a little laugh. “I figure those fillies will deal with any other mare that comes too close.”
They continued to watch as they danced again. They saw that Cadfael was running out of steam. The four fillies kept Cadfael from his goal of the bountifully stocked Buffet table.
Applejack got wide eyed, and a rather nasty scowl spread cross her face. “Did Apple Bloom just kiss Caddi?” She glared at the colt in question. “That filly is askin' to go home early.”