Preparations {Applejack & Big Mac}

[Rarity]

Rarity did her best to contain her excitement over the looming trip to Manehattan. But of course, before they could depart, a number of things needed to be done. One of which, was making sure Applejack hadn't escaped to Appleoosa. And so, she was on her way to Apple Acres to see her.

---

She knocked tenderly upon the front door of their farm house and waited for an answer. "Oh my this trip is going to be wonderful! I am so thankful the two of them have agreed. I'm not sure I ever would have made it otherwise. Oh and Kale! What a darling! Inviting us to his mother's party and all, I will certainly have to make her something before I go." A few more moments passed as she chatted casually with herself about her plans and arrangements, but still, nopony had answered the door. "Hmm.." she brought a hoof up to her mouth in question, "Well I suppose if I meander around elsewhere on this farm I'm sure to find them. Perhaps Applebloom, or Granny Smith could point me in her direction. That is...if I can find them.."

Rarity hadn't taken the time before now, to realize what a beautiful day it was. Cold as it might be, The sun shone brilliantly down upon the icy ground, giving the farm a bright and reflective appearance. She snuggled herself deeper into her scarf and rubbed her hooves together occasionally when they got rather chilled. "Where is the Apple family today?" she asked, incredibly bewildered. True, their land was vast, but this was utterly ridiculous! Not one of them was in sight.

She slumped down, obviously defeated, "It appears as if ALL of them have run off to Appleoosa! It would not surprise me. That Applejack is quite the schemer..." sighing, she turned herself around and headed back towards the house. "I'll give it one more shot, then go. Please oh please, let one family member be here!"

Rarity was desperate. The situation currently looked bleak, and she couldn't help but feel as if it was all her fault. If they all had gone to Appleoosa, it was because she had suggested that Applejack take the trip to Manehattan with Kale. But she would be there too! And would prove to be a substantial buffer! Didn't they recognize that from the lunch they shared? And it wasn't like this trip was meant solely to bring those two together anyway! How vain of them to think so! This was a simple trip to Manehattan. To see shows, buy fabrics, and get to know one another! Why wouldn't they want to go!?

Rarity scoffed, "What have I done that is so WRONG! I have been nothing but a gracious help to each of them! Why how dare they try and skip out on the plans I have so thoughtfully arranged! Applejack! Applejack where are you!" Rarity started on a tangent, shouting left and right, hoping to draw Applejack out from wherever she was cleverly hiding. "I know you are here! Show yourself!" [/size]

[Pinkie Pie]

Nobody answer this thread.........


*sneaky face*

[Applejack]

Applejack was still nowhere to be seen. Even if she did hear Rarity, she probably would have wanted to let the unicorn whine a bit for throwing her into this mess. Applejack suspected that she liked to hear herself get dramatic anyways.

But, she was too far away to hear, deep in one of the orchard fields, up in a tree, with an apple-print scarf around her neck. Recently, she had been checking to see every tree's healthy enough for the coming spring.

Knock! Knock!

She pressed her ear to the branch, and nodded in satisfaction.

Knock! Knock!

She shook her head, snapping off the branch with a well-aimed kick.

Knock Knock!

The repetition didn't seem to bother the farm pony in the least. In fact, she was finally thankful for the peace to try and get her thoughts together. But try as she might, she can't seem to think of anything except the upcoming Manehattan trip with a mixture of dread and excitement.... mostly the former... But Rarity seemed so excited and Kale so insistent... that she just couldn't help but say yes, lest she end up hurting both of their feelings at the same time...

[Big Macintosh]

While Rarity and Applejack were clearly busy, it wasn't quite so easy to tell that Big Macintosh was, as well. After all, even though he was working, he was in no hurry to finish; and besides, it generally wasn't like him to rush, regardless. So the red stallion simply strode along through the loosely organized apple orchard, a fresh bucket of red paint hanging from his mouth. After all, now that he and Applejack had repaired the hole in the barn, it had to be painted. The few stripes of still-brown lumber on the building were a constant reminder of Sweetie Belle's unexpected flight--and landing.

I know you are here! Show yourself!"

Big Macintosh halted, a small frown forming on his face. That voice didn't belong to anypony in his family. Heck, it didn't belong to anypony who even seemed like the type to ever come into Sweet Apple Acres when there wasn't a party around. Walking a little more quickly, the pony soon confirmed his suspicion.

But why was Rarity here, and why did she sound so angry?

Lowering the bucket to the ground, Big Macintosh lifted his head back up and addressed the unicorn. "...Miss Rarity? Can ah help you with somethin'?"

[[Short. Bleh.]]

[Rarity]

She huffed, obviously frustrated. Why, when she found Applejack- that pony would never hear the end of this! Rarity, stranded on Sweet Apple Acres! What happened to the Apple Family hospitality?! She turned, nose high in the air, and flipped her mane back to it’s respective side, the curl winding itself back up with a bounce. “Hmph!” she declared.

”…Miss Rarity? Can ah help you with somethin’?” A calm, baritone drawl emerged from none other than Applejack’s older brother, Big Macintosh.

Rarity snapped her eyes open in surprise, a frightened look being her first impression, but it quickly subsided into a nervous smile. “Oh, why, hello Big Macintosh.” She was quite embarrassed, to say the least. Not only was she positive that he had heard her unladylike shouting, but he was also the last pony she had expected to see. This, of course, made no sense, especially since he spent all of his time on the farm- AND Rarity knew that! She shuffled her hooves lightly, “Oh, no no. I’m fine!” she returned, thinking he meant it because she had been screaming. “OH, I’m sorry…I mean yes, yes I do need help. Do you know where your sister Applejack is, Big Macintosh? I’ve been wandering around looking for her everywhere, I thought all of you had ran off!” she giggled violently, obviously forced.

In her hideously nervous fit, she glanced around, trying to find something to focus on, and she found the paint. Paint? Why did he have paint? “Big Macintosh? Is that paint?” She looked up at him smiling, “Why, what a wonderful form of creative expression! Not to mention, that is quite debonair!” She laughed, feeling a bit more at ease. "You never struck me as that type!" [/color][/size]

[Big Macintosh]

“Oh, why, hello Big Macintosh.”

Big Macintosh simply dipped his head in a nod; no further response was necessary. He watched silently as Rarity babbled her way through an awkward explanation of her presence, recalling that Applejack had described the unicorn as a 'finicky fussbudget.' At the time, he'd figured his sister was exaggerating, but there hadn't been any way for him to really know--it wasn't like he knew Rarity well enough to deny it.

And this seemed to be proving Applejack right.

“OH, I’m sorry…I mean yes, yes I do need help. Do you know where your sister Applejack is, Big Macintosh? I’ve been wandering around looking for her everywhere, I thought all of you had ran off!”

The stallion had suspected she'd be looking for Applejack. There didn't seem to be anything else around for her to want, as the Cutie Mark Crusaders were in town that day, Sweetie Belle included. There was just one problem. "AJ? She's...around," was the best answer Big Macintosh could give. He knew his sister was checking the trees today, as she'd told him so that morning, but she'd been fairly reticent as to which trees. So a vague half-answer was, unfortunately, all he could offer Rarity. Fortunately, she apparently got too distracted to really be displeased about it.

“Big Macintosh? Is that paint?”

Glancing down at the bucket, Big Macintosh gave a short nod. "Eeyup."

“Why, what a wonderful form of creative expression! Not to mention, that is quite debonair!” She laughed, feeling a bit more at ease. "You never struck me as that type!"

By the time Rarity finished speaking, the expression on Big Macintosh's face had faded from general calm to utter confusion. "Uh...what?" he asked blankly, glancing back and forth between his companion and the bucket as though it might suddenly become clear that way. After a moment, he did realize the misconception that had occurred--though in no way due to the paint's powers of explanation. "Oh, uh, it ain't for art. Ah just have to repaint part of the barn." He frowned for a moment; hadn't Sweetie Belle mentioned her unexpected flight to Rarity? It certainly seemed like the sort of thing one would bring up.

Then again, for the Cutie Mark Crusaders, that sort of thing was far from unusual.

[Applejack]

"Nnngh... Arrg...aaahg..."

Applejack strained to pull the old saggy cart down the road from one of the orchard fields. The car itself was filled with dead limbs and branches from various trees. Slowly but surely, she made her way closer and closer towards the barn.

"Why does Big Mac make this look so easy?" She sighs, shaking her head. She could handle this, she could handle any challenge that anypony put before her. And today, that challenger was herself... and unknowingly, Big Macintosh. She was so focused in her strained pulling, that she didn't even notice Rarity talking to her brother until she plopped to the ground with a sigh of relief, having made it all the way back.

She pulled off her hat to wipe some sweat from her forehead. "Hoowee, that was a though-.... Oh... Rarity. What brings ya'll out here?" she asked, giving Big Macintosh a smile and a nod in greeting. It's not like she wouldn't have expected him to be around here anyway. It's as much his farm as hers, despite how things may seem at times.

[Rarity]

"Uh...what?" Wasn't the answer she had anticipated. Rarity shifted back.

"Oh, uh, it ain't for art. Ah just have to repaint part of the barn."

She was used to the manner in which Applejack spoke, seeing as they were getting to be very close friends; but it was something entirely different to hear another speak in such a way. It did take her a moment to process what exactly he had said. But when she did, and upon looking at his cool and collected- if not a bit confused- expression, she let out a small giggle. Nothing directed at him with malicious intent, of course. Just a harmless bit of laughter.

"You really are always working, aren't you?" she shook her head with a smile. Rarity was a determined individual herself. Relentless at perfecting a job needing to be done. But, she was also quite keen on taking time to herself when the work was done. She sighed. Perhaps he would take a break- if the work would ever be done.

There was a momentary silence in which Rarity contemplated what else to say. She would have asked more questions, but certainly did not want to seem intrusive or nosy. She debated on commenting about her own work and home, to put them on the same level- but it just seemed selfish. So instead, she kept a nice focus on him. After all, a smile could say a thousand words.

Thankfully, (well, somewhat), she appeared before them, lugging a horribly old cart with pounds upon pounds of miscellaneous tree parts stuffed inside. She went to the ground after coming to a stop, her legs more than likely giving out from under her. It was no surprise that she was tired, or why she would be, considering the load she had just hauled. Rarity, if not so appropriately, gave her a large grin. It was truly a relief, knowing for sure that she had not run off.

"Hoowee, that was a tough-.... Oh... Rarity. What brings ya'll out here?"

Rarity snuggled into her scarf, “Why, I was coming to check on you, Applejack.” She was not shy about her mission. “I didn’t want you running off before the trip!” A forced laugh broke the severity of her statement. “I could not find you anywhere, I have been all over this farm! It was simply dreadful, wandering around so hopelessly by myself.”the dramatic part of her dialogue ended, “Just now, as you see, I was catching up with Big Macintosh. It had been so long since he and I last spoke! Well, even see one another, really. It isn’t like you ever leave the farm, darling.“She shot him a, ‘Yes, you know I am right.‘ look. “He is most definitely no longer the lanky colt from our childhood!” She gave a firm nod, as if her statement hadn't been obvious enough.

"It is a shame we hadn't done this sooner, you know. I would have loved for you to join us on our trip to Manehattan." Her eyes sparkled at the mention of the location. Waiting was becoming simply unbearable. "And keeping an eye on Kale would have been an added bonus for you, would it not?" She shot a wink at Big Mac without a second thought.

"Oh, beg pardon, Applejack. But has Big Macintosh formally met Kale?" It would only make sense that he would be introduced to the Apple family...but she couldn't think of a time when it had happened, or if Applejack would have had the gumption to do such a thing. "You are going to meet his family, you know."

Her filter was nonexistent. That had much to do with the fact that she had no elder brother of her own- she was her own source of protection. And also, because she wanted the two to be together.

"You may always introduce him when we get back. Having time to prepare for such an event would be wise. First impressions mean everything, you know." She was hinting more to Applejack than she led on.[/color][/size]

["Nnngh... Arrg...aaahg..." Not sure if Applejack....or Nigel Thornberry...]

[Big Macintosh]

Rarity looked a bit lost for a moment, but just as Big Macintosh was about to ask if something was wrong, the mare broke out into a small giggle. The stallion smiled shyly in response; he didn't understand why Applejack found Rarity so 'fussy.' After all, she seemed quite willing to laugh off her own little mistakes, didn't she?

"You really are always working, aren't you?"

That was a bit more loaded of a question than Rarity might have expected. The short answer was yes--or, as Big Macintosh put it, "Uh...eeyup." Nopony could say that Big Macintosh didn't spend all his time working the farm and be taken seriously; there was just no getting around that fact. But in a way, the red stallion didn't even consider it to always be work. After all, wasn't work supposed to be something you did just because you had to? Well, Big Mac did much of what he did because he wanted to.

And despite whatever Applejack had hinted at about it being because he was avoiding other ponies, he was entirely certain it was because he was doing his share for the family. After all, Big Macintosh was the only stallion working at Sweet Apple Acres. What kind of pony would he be if he didn't do everything he could to help his family?

"Hoowee, that was a tough-.... Oh... Rarity. What brings ya'll out here?"

Big Macintosh returned Applejack's greeting nod, quite content to let the two mares converse amongst themselves. After all, they had this big Manehattan trip coming up that weekend, and if Rarity's desire to 'check up' on his sister was any indication, the stallion assumed they had a great deal of planning involved. Of course, he might have a better idea of what that was if Applejack had told him why she was going to another city for the weekend.

“Just now, as you see, I was catching up with Big Macintosh. It had been so long since he and I last spoke! Well, even see one another, really. It isn’t like you ever leave the farm, darling.“

'Darling' didn't respond beyond a slightly rueful look. He got this often enough from Applejack without her friends getting in on the act.

“He is most definitely no longer the lanky colt from our childhood!”

Big Macintosh remembered that colt all too well. It had taken him quite a while to work his way past that image; after all, he'd grown up much faster than he'd grown out. But thoughts of his colthood soon faded when Rarity mentioned some stallion he'd never heard of. This might not have bothered the earth pony, had Rarity not winked at him immediately after--but she had, so it did. His frown of confusion only intensified when the unicorn made it apparent that this 'Kale' pony was going with them to Manehattan.

And Applejack was going to 'meet his family.'

Barely hearing whatever Rarity said about meeting the Apples, Big Macintosh turned a grave, questioning look to his sister. "Applejack, who's this 'Kale' pony?" he asked, clearly not too happy that this was the first time he'd heard of him (but not into 'angry' or even 'upset' status just yet). If some strange stallion was going on a trip with his little sister, then Big Macintosh expected to know him first.

[Applejack]

Applejack's hoof? Meet Applejack's face. Face? Meet hoof.

For someone who was so careful about manners, etiquette, and saying the right thing at the right time... She sure had zero tact when it came to something she was particularly excited about. She had barely mentioned Kale at all to Big Mac, let alone explained the situation to him.

Sigh...

This was going to be easy, but Rarity just made this difficult. Rarity earned herself a look before, Applejack turned to give her brother a full explanation. It's not like she needed his approval or anything, but considering how close their family was, she certainly wouldn't complain if she got it.

"Kale's sorta the reason we're goin'. We met 'em a lil' while ago, an' he mentioned 'bout how he was from Manehattan. Ah mentioned Aunt an' Uncle Orange... and Rarity...well, y'all c'n imagine how excited she got over the whole sophisticated Manehattan style. Kale mentioned how his mother's birthday was comin' up, an' he invited us both t'the party." She decided to keep any of her own thoughts on Kale out of the equation. Partially to help Big Macintosh not get worked up over it, and mostly because she couldn't really think of any way of describing it, even if she wanted to.

[Rarity]

"Applejack, who's this 'Kale' pony?"

Oh my.

Rarity stuttered a few words, looking between the brother and sister, she hadn’t really expected a tense moment like this. Just a mere moment ago everything had been so carefree and easy…

Fortunately for her, and everypony involved, Applejack provided a wonderful description of everything for Big Mac. However, she had forgotten one thing, which was understandable. After all, she’d clearly been working all day.

Rarity reached out and placed a hoof on one of Big Mac’s forelegs- trying to channel his softer side. “Kale is a wonderful stallion, really.” She did feel as if her opinion held significant merit, “And…” she began again with slight flirtation in her tone, “He is quite fond of her.” She traced what would be a jacket lapel on his chest, and sent a wink to Applejack.

As far as she was concerned, the conversation was over. Big Macintosh would fall prey to her feminine charm and trust that she, a gorgeous and brilliant mare, would have picked out the correct suitor for his sister- considering she had feigned an interest in him.

Of course, she wasn’t tricking him. Kale was very obviously good for Applejack, and vice versa. Still, she felt a bit of guilt using her tricks on a very unknowing country pony such as himself. Really- did he even stand a chance? She flushed a little, not having thought about the effect it might have on him. Why, in trying to avoid one disaster, she must have caused another one. Yes, the heat would certainly be off of Applejack… but the wrath of a younger sister after consoling a heartbroken brother… it was something Rarity would rather not see.

She snapped her hoof off of his chest, not realizing she had left it there to begin with. The previous flush was nothing compared to her next. It covered the entirety of her cheeks, and was a deep crimson in color. She shook her head in disbelief. Just how much worse could it get? At the time, all of it seemed like a good idea- as did raising her head to share a glance with Applejack. Also a mistake.

Rarity bit down on her lip, forcefully. It brought her back to reality, where, she chose to blame her blush on the wind- which had picked up, in her favor. She buried her chin into her scarf, trying to think of something to say. She always had something to say.

After a moment, it was evident she had nothing. An awkward step back seemed like the right thing for the moment, and so she took one. After all, it made her that much less a part of the conversation. Only a few hundred or so more and she would remove herself from the farm completely…
[/size][/color]

[Big Macintosh]

Obviously, neither mare had been prepared for this question.

Well, Big Macintosh could wait.

And wait he would, as it took Applejack and Rarity a long time to recover from what had apparently been the last thing they wanted him to know. The stallion barely noticed Rarity's stammering; his focus was directed entirely at Applejack, who looked somewhat less than comfortable. Had the situation been any different, Big Macintosh might have felt bad for eliciting that sort of response. He was, after all, hardly a confrontational sort of pony.

But this bothered him, and not just for his own sake. Everypony knew that Applejack was honest--an honesty that usually spread beyond 'not lying by not saying anything.' If there was something that his sister felt needed to be hidden, then, well, Big Macintosh felt he had good reason to be concerned.

"Kale's sorta the reason we're goin'. We met 'em a lil' while ago, an' he mentioned 'bout how he was from Manehattan. Ah mentioned Aunt an' Uncle Orange... and Rarity...well, y'all c'n imagine how excited she got over the whole sophisticated Manehattan style. Kale mentioned how his mother's birthday was comin' up, an' he invited us both t'the party."

It sounded like it was all on the level. So why was it making Applejack uncomfortable? She had friends, and she'd never seemed so nervous about making new ones. Furrowing his brow, Big Macintosh gave his sister a questioning look, hoping he might get her to really open up. At the very least, she'd know he suspected there was more going on than she claimed.

“Kale is a wonderful stallion, really. And…”

Thus began something that Big Macintosh had never, ever expected.

It may have had something to do with the fact that he and Rarity had never really known each other all that well. It may also have been the fact that nopony had ever done anything like this to him before. But as she spoke, Rarity ran a hoof along his chest, a gesture far more intimate than Big Macintosh would have ever expected from her or anypony. He stared at the white hoof in confusion, eventually lifting his gaze to Rarity's face. Why did both mares seem so utterly bent on baffling him today?

“He is quite fond of her.”

"...uh-huh," Big Macintosh replied blankly. For a long moment after that, nopony seemed to have any idea what to do. Big Macintosh remained stock-still as Rarity withdrew her hoof, moving back a step to pull away from their awkward closeness. Applejack apparently had nothing to add, so the three stood in an uncomfortable silence for what seemed like an hour. Eventually, Big Macintosh cleared his throat and spoke. "Well, uh...y'all must have a lot ta do, so...you c'n, uh...do that." And with no more elaborate farewell, the stallion picked up the bucket of paint and resumed heading for the barn, forcing himself not to break into a gallop or even a trot.

The whole encounter had been rife with awkwardness, he could at least leave it with a little dignity.