Chapter 3 Muddy Your Hooves
Over the next week, Rarity caught up on all her projects. She was visited by a decent amount of customers and came up with some impressive creations.
She even got a decent amount of housework done, something she never thought she'd get around to doing.
All the while she looked after and cared for her sweet little sister.
Though young and naïve, Sweetie Belle could pick up on a slightly cheerful quality that her older sister possessed. And it was almost surreal.
One morning, Rarity was putting clean dishes in the cupboard with her levitation magic, and Sweetie Belle clopped softly into the kitchen.
Rarity heard her hoofsteps and turned and walked over to her. "Good morning, darling." She leaned down and kissed the filly on her forehead.
The tiny filly beamed, her curly tail whipping happily. "Morning, sis!"
"Did you sleep well?" Rarity asked as she continued to put dishes away.
Sweetie Belle yawned. "Mhm. No bad dreams."
Rarity nodded. "That's wonderful. I'm sorry you've been having those dreadful night terrors lately."
Sweetie Belle shrugged. "It's ok. I'm just glad you're here to keep me company after I have 'em."
Rarity nuzzled her sister lovingly. "I shall always be here for you, Sweetie."
The filly rested her petite head on her sister's chest and nuzzled her back. She then looked back up at Rarity. "Hey Rare, you know it's been a long time since we've been back to Sweet Apple Acres."
Rarity giggled and patted her sister on the head. "Oh it's only been a week, dear."
"Really?" noted Sweetie Belle, trying to devise a plan. "Well…it feels like it's been a lot longer than that, doesn't it to you?"
Rarity pursed her lips. "Mmm, not really no."
Sweetie Belle frowned. This was going to take some work. Rarity just needed a little push in the right direction.
"Well, still, do you think you could take me there today? Apple Bloom said she was inviting Scootaloo over, and we were all gonna meet in the clubhouse to figure out new ways to get our cutie marks."
Rarity laughed softly and shook her head. "You girls are always strategizing new ways to earn your cutie marks. You really should give it time. It will happen when it's meant to happen, dear."
Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes. "Yea yea, so anyway, could you take me there today? Please oh please?" The filly stamped her hooves repeatedly in a begging manner.
Rarity mulled it over. For some strange reason she was almost missing the farm. Or rather, missing somepony who lived on that farm.
"Well, alright," Rarity finally said. "But we can't stay long, as I'm sure the Apple family is very busy. I remember Applejack mentioning something about it being harvest time."
Sweetie Belle grinned and clapped her front hooves together. "Alright!" she cheered.
"We can go after lunch."
So the two sisters set out again for the farm filled with lush green pastures and apple trees as far as the eye could see.
This time, Rarity didn't have an objective on her agenda forcing her to go. She found herself actually looking forward to being back in the rural setting. With the easy going Apple family. It was a nice change of pace for her.
The whole way to Sweet Apple Acres, Sweetie Belle strategized different ways she could discover her special talent while Rarity listened on, amused at all the crazy effort the filly was willing to put forth for her anticipated cutie mark.
They finally arrived and noticed that the gate was open, and nopony seemed to be around.
Unsure about the vacant barnyard, Rarity walked in slowly and looked around.
"Where is everypony?" Sweetie Belle asked.
Rarity frowned. "I'm not too sure dear. Perhaps they're all inside." Rarity scanned the peaceful barnyard again. "Maybe we should come back la-"
"Hey there pretty ladies!"
Rarity and Sweetie Belle looked over to see Big Macintosh walking over at his slow and steady pace.
"Big Mac!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed, running over and hugging him around one muscular leg.
He laughed and nuzzled her. "Hey there Sweetie. How's my favorite little filly?"
She grinned. "I'm good, but I thought Apple Bloom was your favorite filly."
"Hmm…" Big Macintosh looked up to the sky, pretending to ponder her words. He then grinned at her. "You're both my favorites. How's that?"
"Yep! That sounds just about right to me!" Sweetie answered cheerfully. "I'm gonna go see her now, bye Big Mac, bye Rarity!" She waved before galloping off into the farmhouse to see her fellow CMC.
Big Macintosh turned to give Rarity a shy smile.
She smiled back at him sheepishly. "I do apologize for coming over unannounced like this, Big Macintosh."
He chuckled. "You ain't got nothin' to apologize for. Ah'm awful glad to see ya. Didn't think you'd be comin' back over, bein' that you're so busy with your fancy lifestyle and such."
She giggled, tilting her head to one side. "Well of course. I must admit my work has kept me quite busy lately. But I am a girl of my word after all, and I said I would…take you up on your offer…of, you know, giving me that full tour."
The handsome red stallion looked worriedly back to the orchards behind him. "Uh well…Ah'd love to Rarity, ya know Ah would…but Ah'm awful busy helpin' mah sister out with chores around the farm."
"Oh, that's right!" Rarity said aloud. "Harvest time. I almost forgot. I'm sure you all have so much on your plate."
"Eeyup. 'Fraid so. But yer more than welcome to hang around if yah'd like to though." He was really hoping she would, even if it wasn't her style.
Rarity's curly tail swished as she considered that. She finally replied, "Do you think I could help out as well, instead of just watch?"
Big Macintosh gave her a look of pleasant surprise. "You sure a city pony like you is up to doin' farm chores? Farm work gets a pony's hooves awfully dirty."
Rarity examined her hooves. She'd just gotten a hooficure last week. She pursed her lips, and then smiled up at the stallion. "A little hard work never hurt anypony. Besides, I'm always glad to lend a hoof." She shrugged. "Who knows? It might even be fun for me."
Big Mac chuckled. This pretty little unicorn really was something else. "Well alright then!" he gestured with his head. "Follow me. Ah was just out back helpin' AJ gather up eggs from the coop."
Rarity happily followed the stallion to the chicken coop. The dainty stylish pony suddenly grew nervous about the farm task as she heard the many clucking hens inside.
She lifted a hoof anxiously. "I-is this safe?" she asked. "To forcefully take eggs away from chickens like this?"
The stallion smirked, particularly amused by her question. "Course it's safe. Ah'll show you how first, then you can try yourself, if yer up to it."
Rarity nodded. "Ok."
"Howdy there Rarity!" Applejack trotted over. "Good seein' ya'll again."
Rarity grinned. "Hello darling!"
"What brings you out to the farm again on this fine sunny day?" Applejack glanced at her brother, who was smiling more than usual, and thought she maybe had an idea.
"Well, I agree that it is such a gorgeous sunny day," replied Rarity. "So I thought it would be a perfect day to help my friend and her brother with harvest preparations."
Applejack quirked an eyebrow and snickered. "Yer pullin' mah leg, right?"
Rarity frowned and blinked. "W-well, no actually. Wouldn't you like some help, dear?"
Applejack looked bewildered. "Well sure I would, sugarcube. Always glad to have an extra set of hooves to help out 'round here. It's just that…not to offend ya or nothin'…but ya don't really seem like the type who can handle gettin' her hooves muddy."
Rarity was taken aback, though she tried to cover up her shock. "Well…" she looked to Big Macintosh and her smile returned. "Perhaps I could learn to handle it."
Applejack's brow furrowed even more, but then she too began to smile. "Well, iff'in ya say so. But just don't go gettin' upset if you mess up yer little hooficure."
Rarity smiled brightly, ears perking. "You noticed it?"
"No," Applejack answered bluntly, "I just know you get them things weekly."
"Oh," the unicorn said flatly. She then causally flipped her styled mane and held a hoof up. "I promise not to get upset if I get the slightest bit dirty today."
Applejack still wasn't convinced, and chuckled quietly at the idea of such a prissy pony like Rarity doing farm work. "Ok then. Let's go tackle them hens in that coop!"
Big Macintosh stayed close by Rarity as they approached the noisy clucking hens.
The unicorn was wary of the pecking chickens. But after the workhorse showed her the proper way to feed the hens and take the eggs while they were distracted, she found that it wasn't so bad. AT first she cheated and used levitation, but soon enough, she was doing it all on her own, no magic necessary.
Applejack smiled as she watched her friend collecting eggs and placing them in the wooden basket she'd given her. She was actually putting true effort forth. It was remarkable.
Big Macintosh felt incredible, showing the pony he had a slight crush on how to do farm work and see that she was at least grasping the concept. He felt like he'd been transported to a different dimension, and it was all too exciting.
Throughout the afternoon, Rarity helped Applejack and Big Macintosh gather crops that they could sell at the market in town. While she couldn't applebuck as her hind legs weren't trained for that sort of skill, she assisted by gathering up the apples once they feel to the ground. She found picking carrots to be the easiest job for her, and picking corn turned out to be the most difficult, since the stalks grew so high.
However, with the help of an eager red stallion, she could reach the ears of corn at the top of the towering stalks by climbing up onto his back.
As they picked corn, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were watching from up inside their clubhouse.
Sweetie Belle peered out the window. "Wow Apple Bloom, your brother and my sister sure have been spending a lot of time together."
Apple Bloom walked over and stood next to Sweetie Belle, following her gaze. She nodded in agreement. "They sure have." Her innocent eyes sparkled. "They're gettin' to be as good of friends as we are, Sweetie."
"Lemme see!" Scootaloo demanded, squeezing beside her friends so she could see out the clubhouse window too. She planted her hooves on the windowsill, studying the two older ponies closely. Rarity was picking corn as she balanced herself on Big Macintosh's back, but quickly lost her balance and fell off. The stallion immediately helped her up and they both fell into a fit of laughter.
"Hmm," said Scootaloo, putting a hoof to her chin thoughtfully. "Maybe more than friends..."
Apple Bloom looked over at the little Pegasus. "What do ya mean Scootaloo?"
Scootaloo shrugged. "I'm just saying, they both look really happy, happier than two friends look when they hang out together. I mean, that look in Big Mac's eyes reminds me of the way colts look at ponies they have a crush on."
A look of wonder crossed Sweetie Belle's face. "So you think they might like each other as more than just friends?"
Scootaloo shrugged again. "Dunno. But it sure looks like it to me."
Apple Bloom smiled brightly. "They could end up fallin' in love and gettin' married! And then we'd be related Sweetie Belle!"
Sweetie stared at Apple Bloom with her mouth hanging open. "You're right! We'd practically be sisters!"
"Like we ain't already," Apple Bloom replied.
"Yea," said Sweetie Belle, "but then it'd be official!"
Apple Bloom clapped her tiny forehooves. "That'd be so great!"
Scootlaoo smiled and shook her head. "Alright, you matchmakers, let's get back to planning a new way to get our cutie marks."
The other fillies nodded and they returned to the center table in their clubhouse, getting back to the main task at hoof.
As Rarity followed Big Macintosh to the location of their next chore, she wiped at beads of sweat gathering on her forehead. "I must say, that was hard work. I have newfound respect for ponies who till the land and deal with all this harvesting business."
The stallion chuckled. "Ya did pretty good for yer first day workin' the farm, Rarity. Ah'm mighty impressed."
She grinned up at him. "Well I gave it my all. And I was just glad I could make myself useful."
Big Macintosh nodded. "Well, we got one last thing to do: feed them pigs."
Rarity looked over to the slovenly hogs and sows. "Sounds easy enough," she stated, though her tone didn't sound altogether confident.
As he was filling the trough with the assortment of food that the pigs found to their liking, Rarity lingered near the fence keeping watch. She certainly wasn't ready to face mud head on yet. Picking carrots and gathering apples was one thing. Getting muddy was totally different. She would simply watch this task from a distance.
Suddenly, a large sow noticed her and walked up to her.
At first repulsed by the hideous animal, she shied away. She then realized that the pig was harmless and smiled, gently petting her on the top of her head. The pig seemed to enjoy the attention.
Big Macintosh was just finishing when he looked over to see the Rarity petting the sow. Before he could even react, a dominant male pig charged up to the fence and squealed loudly at Rarity, frightening her. She screamed and stumbled backward, falling directly into a fresh pile of wet mud.
"Rarity!" Big Macintosh shouted, leaping over the fence and running over to her. He took her forelegs and helped her out of the sticky mud.
He bit his lip in alarm. He knew if there was one thing Rarity hated more than anything, it was getting dirty.
"Are ya'll all right?" he asked in concern.
He waited for her to yell and scream in disgust, but instead she looked at her mud-covered body and started giggling.
The workhorse was speechless. He didn't know what to say, or even think.
She was nearly out of breath from laughing and looked up at the stallion. "Oh Big Macintosh! Look at me!" she said. "I'm positively filthy!"
He grinned and decided it best to laugh with her. "Ya sure are. I'm awful sorry about this though. I shoulda' warned you about that hog, he ain't the nicest." His ears lowered in guilt.
She rolled onto her stomach and looked up at him, still laughing slightly. "Oh it's alright. It wasn't your fault." She picked up her right hoof and examined it. It was covered in thick, goopy mud. She scrunched her snout. "Although I would really like to get cleaned up."
He nodded. "Ah know just the place."
Big Macintosh led her down to a nearby brook on the farm. Right by the small body of flowing water, a lone apple tree stood, shading a small area from bright rays of afternoon sunlight.
Rarity looked around and took in the beauty of the farm hideaway. Wildflowers bloomed throughout the area, and birds were singing in the trees. The brook really did babble as it fell over the rocks on an incline in the distance.
Rarity was so enthralled that she almost forgot that she was dripping with thick mud.
She shook her head and walked over to the edge of the brook, testing the temperature of the water with the tip of her hoof. The water was chilly, but it would feel nice to have that gross mud off of her. So she leapt into the shallow waters and began to wash the mud off her coat and mane.
Big Macintosh watched as she splashed about in the brook, and he couldn't help but think how incredibly gorgeous she was.
What she was doing hanging out with a country bumpkin him, doing simple farm work and such, was totally beyond the stallion. Yet, here she was, getting her hooves muddy and seeming to even enjoy herself as she did.
When she felt she'd thoroughly washed herself off, she climbed out of the brook and made her way towards Big Macintosh, who was laying down in the shade underneath the apple tree.
The female unicorn shook herself as dry as she could and noticed the sopping wet strands of her mane stuck to the side of her head.
She smiled sheepishly. "I look awful," she noted aloud.
Big Macintosh simply smirked at that. "Now Ah'm sorry, but Ah'm gonna have to disagree with you there. 'S not possible for a pony as purty as you to ever look anywhere near awful. Not in my eyes."
She looked at him from underneath her long lashes, touched by his words. "Thank you," she answered softly.
"Ya look kinda tired too," he added. "If ya'd like to, ya can come rest for a while."
She smiled and walked over to lie down next to the red stallion. "I'd like that very much," she answered. Yawning slightly, she slowly leaned against the muscular stallion, resting her head against his neck.
Big Macintosh desperately hoped his heart wasn't thumping too loudly that she would notice as he rested his head on the smooth rocky ground and sighed.
His warmth was soothing to her shivering body, as she was still cold from the chilly water. Without thinking, she moved her head and nuzzled it up against his.
Big Macintosh had a warm adoring smile on his face as the beautiful unicorn snuggled close, napping with him in the afternoon sun.