--> From: Harmony Clinic

Giggling at the story, Shai Ni follows along beside Big Macintosh as she listens.  She feels a bit envious at the antics the fillies get into, as she never truly had the chance to do similar things herself when she was a foal, but does not hold it against anypony.  After all, acting jealous of somepony because they were born under different circumstances when they are trying their hardest is silly.  "That must have been quite the scene," she replies at the end of his latest story, clearly enjoying every single one.  "I am sure they will discover themselves soon enough."

As Big Mac gives her the warning on how to deal with Granny Smith, Shai smiles and replies, "That is sound advice for interacting with all elders.  I could never tell her what to do.  One simply has to phrase it as a request, yes?"

"Eh... not quite..." Big Mac muttered as he scratched his chin with the flat of his hoof.  They'd just have to cross that bridge when they came to it.  He nodded to the farm house and started along, though he was always the gentlepony and held the door for Shai Ni to enter.

Inside, the cozy domain of the Apple Family was warm and aromatic with the scent of spices.  Granny Smith was in the kitchen, creaking about as she doted over the oven.  The delicious aromas of cinnamon apple muffins wafted heavily out into the air.  When Big Mac and Shai Ni came along down the hall, Granny looked up and smiled when she spotted them.

"Well, howdy youngin's~!  Y'all finally get on that date y'had planned?" the elder mare greeted the both of them with a roguish wink.  Despite her good cheer, Shai Ni would readily be able to notice the stiffness with which she moved about and how difficult it was for her to lean down to get at low drawers around the kitchen.  "Now Macintosh, I know yer a homebody, but y'gotta take a pretty mare like her somewhere other than th'farm.  Go find somewhere nice, y'hear?"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:10, Sun 30 Sept 2012.

Shai Ni simply tilts her head to the side at Mac's reply, but says nothing as she follows him into the house.  Immediately, a smile fills her face as she smells the air, thoroughly enjoying the scent of home cooking.  The last thought in her mind relates to being in the house of a stallion she is pondering entering a romantic relationship with.  Foremost is following that incredibly delicious smell.  Big Mac doesn't even really have to guide her, as she follows the delectable aroma coming from the kitchen with a rather silly grin on her face.  However, the moment Granny speaks, her silly grin turns into an awkward blush, and she glances to the side and finds a particularly interesting spot on the wall to stare at as she hoofs at the floor.

"Actually, I would... love to see the farm.  I still have not seen how Equestrian ponies live, and seeing a... mul-ti-ge-ne-ra-tio-nal home, I think is the term in your language?... gives me a nostalgic feeling.  Ah!  That is not why we are here today!" Shai begins to reply before catching herself and focusing on the task at hand.  "Mister Big Macintosh asked me to come and see if I could help you with your hip, Grandmother."

She does not even begin to imagine what calling Granny Smith 'Grandmother' could imply, instead falling back on her respect for her elders.

Big Macintosh wasn't quite aware of it, but he had a smile on his face too as he went along with Shai Ni into the kitchen.  That silly grin of hers put one on him unwittingly.  Of course, it was wiped when his companion made mention of Granny's hip right off the bat, leaving him shuffling his hooves as the elder mare leveled a hard look his way.

"Hogsqualler.  There ain't nothin' wrong with m'hip no matter how Macintosh and Applejack go on about it." Granny Smith dismissed the very notion with a disdainful snort.  She nor Big Mac raised any mention of Shai Ni calling her 'Grandmother' since everyone just called her 'Granny' in the first place.  "'Sides, even if there was somethin' wrong with it -- and there ain't -- that's what doctors are for."

"She is a doctor."  Big Mac interjected.

"A real doctor, Macintosh.  Th'only sorta needle pokin' a doctor needs t'do involves vaccinations." she muttered as she went about getting an oven mitt on her snout to pull the oven open with.

"Granny!" the stallion was aghast at that sort of rudeness from his grandmother and offered Shai Ni an apologetic look on her behalf.

Already used to the distrust of her practices in Equestria, Shai Ni simply shakes her head and gives Big Macintosh a tiny smile to let him know she is not offended.  "I am different than an Equestrian doctor, Grandmother, and I treat different things.  They treat illnesses, where I seek to restore harmony.  If there is anything you would like me to explain about my methods, I will be more than happy to do so," she says with a smile.  "You do not have to take any treatments I offer, and I would never force anything upon you.  I simply ask that you let me examine you, and offer some treatment options."

Bowing her head respectfully and with humility, Shai Ni says, "Please give me a chance, Grandmother."

To her credit, Granny Smith didn't have any bad feelings toward Shai Ni herself at all.  But given her age and upbringing, it wasn't uncommon for her to have misconceptions and misgivings about what her generation widely dismissed as 'silly Eastern mysticism'.  Snake oil salesmen were common in her heyday after all and that was one of their favorite pitches, relying on Equestrian ignorance of distant lands to turn a quick Bit.  Thus after so much poor exposure it became easy to wave off even the genuine article.

"That's awful kind of ya', but I ain't no pincushion." Granny said around a mouthful.  She had the muffin tin and mitt clenched in her teeth and carefully set them up on the stove top to begin cooling, proudly doing her best to hide her stiffness in stooping and rising like that.

Big Mac shared another look with Shai Ni before his brows perked, apparently with an idea.  He drew in a loud sigh and shrugged.  "Well, Ah s'pose if Granny's not interested, that's all there is to it."

"Sure is.  Now y'two should run along and have fun, but if y'wanna stick around a few minutes, these muffins'll be ready t'eat.  Have a few before y'go" Granny Smith started to change the topic.

"Sorry t'make y'come all th'way out here for nothin', Miss Shai.  Ah didn't reckon Granny would be scared of a few needles." he mentioned to the Unicorn with an apologetic nod.  That instantly got his grandmother's attention as she rounded on the two with a sharp look in her eye.

"What did you say?" she gave Big Mac a dirty look that he somehow managed to endure.

"Well, there's nothin' t'be ashamed of, Granny.  Plenty of Ponies are afraid of gettin' stuck.  Think of how much Applebloom fusses come flu season." he continued and gave Shai Ni a subtle 'play along' look.

Shai is a bit saddened that she can't help the stubborn Granny Smith, but is glad that there are no personal feelings involved.  She is about to turn and leave when Big Mac seems to get an idea, and it turns out to be a bit of a doozy.  "But she does not seem to be-" she begins to reply before figuring out what the stallion is trying to do.  After a second or two of hesitation, Shai Ni gets a rather silly grin on her face as she tries to play along without being suspicious.  "O-of course!  There is no shame in being afraid of needles.  I was afraid of them, too, when I was a little filly."

It seems that Shai Ni is about as subtle as Applejack when it comes to such things, what with her eyes looking around so she doesn't have to look Granny Smith in the eyes.

"And just when did I ever say I was scared?  I sure as buck ain't scared of no needles!" Granny Smith objected sharply.  Big Macintosh raised a brow at that and Granny paused, rolling her eyes.  She tucked her nose down into her apple-patterned kerchief and withdrew a Bit, which she went and deposited into a jar half-filled with coins on the counter that was labeled '#@!%$ Jar', for whatever reason.

"Now Granny, there ain't no need t'be prideful..." Big Mac started, though he was cut off as his grandmother raised her hoof.

"Hush now!" she huffed, then turned to Shai Ni.  "C'mon then, filly.  I'll show y'both I ain't frightened by a little poke in th'flank."

With that Granny stomped on out of the kitchen for the living room, grumbling the whole time about 'the nerve of kids these days' and 'having raised a Pony better than to be so mouthy'.  Big Mac, meanwhile, lagged behind enough to give Shai Ni a conspiratorial smile as he leaned in to whisper to her.

"That outta do it.  Y'better work fast though before her common sense catches up with her ego." he certainly didn't seem like the sort to pull a trick like that, but apparently still waters ran deep in his case.

Shocked at the way things have played out, Shai Ni decides to remember this tactic the next time she needs to get through a wall of stubbornness.  It is, quite simply, a revolutionary idea that can, in her mind, solve so many problems.  She knows that Big Macintosh is handsome, kind, and hard-working.  Everypony knows that.  What she did not know until now is that he is also cunning, and perhaps a tiny bit mischievous.

There are a few seconds before Shai Ni responds to the turn of events that she simply spends blushing and thinking about this new side of the farmstallion.  Then she seems to snap out of it and return to the reality currently occupied by the rest of the Apple family in the house and replies with a quick, "Right!" then hurries to follow Granny Smith so she can give her instructions and ensure that the treatment will be proper.

"Grandmother, I will need you to lie down flat on your stomach on a level surface where you are the most comfortable.  Once you have done that, I will examine your chi and see if my acupuncture will be able to make a difference, or if I should try a different treatment - or any treatment at all.  Once I have done so, I will ask you to completely relax and remain still as I apply any treatments I find will help.  If Mister Big Macintosh is correct in that my acupuncture can help you, in an hour or so you will feel much more balanced."

Big Macintosh didn't consider himself a devious sort of Pony.  He simply wasn't the kind of person to use others or take advantage of them, but when it came to family, he wasn't afraid to play a little dirty if it meant keeping them in good health.  He'd long since figured out just how stubborn the ladies of his family could be and had to work around it for their own good.  He would just be sure to make it up to Granny Smith later for being the victim of his well-intentioned deception.

In the meantime, the tall stallion lingered in the kitchen to let Shai Ni work unhindered by his presence.  There were muffins that needed setting, and he might as well tidy up the dishes while he was there to make sure Granny had fewer chores to worry about.  Out in the living room, Granny Smith had made her way over to the sofa and flopped herself upon it, sprawled out flat and still grumbling with indignation over the whole affair.

"Cheese?  What's cheese gotta do with anything?" the elder mare asked, looking more incredulous than ever.  Apparently her hearing wasn't so good either.  Regardless, she cooperated... at least for the time being.  "And m'balance is perfect, thank y'very much!  I'm an Earth Pony -- we've got a better sense of balance than anyone."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:05, Mon 08 Oct 2012.

With a giggle, Shai Ni moves to stand in front of Granny Smith as she replies, "Your chi, Grandmother.  Your energy.  Now please, hold still."  Closing her eyes, Shai focuses her own chi as well as her magic through her horn, then opens them again and sees something completely different from what she was looking at moments before.  Where once there were ponies and furniture, now there is only chi.  Having treated older ponies many times before, Shai Ni is used to the radical difference of their chi from that of a younger pony, and she begins to carefully circle Granny Smith as her eyes dance with tiny glowing golden lights inside her irises.  Spotting the major blocks and altered pathways, she nods, then blinks once and her eyes return to normal.

"As I thought, the flow of chi is unbalanced - although it is very, very strong, especially near your heart.  It feels very warm and caring," Shai says, getting slightly distracted by seeing the very energy that manifests due to Granny Smith's love for, well, just about everything, really.  Quickly and mentally berating herself for losing her composure, the Chineighs unicorn suddenly becomes all business as she floats her box of needles onto the ground next to her, then opens it up with a bit more magic.  "Grandmother.  I am going to start my treatment, now.  You will need to remain still for a long time for the treatment to take effect, and I need you to trust me," she says as she floats a few needles into the air, the needles glowing with her magic.

SNNNNNRRRRRRRK~~~

It seemed that getting Granny Smith to remain still and relaxed for a while wasn't going to be difficult at all... without Shai Ni evening noticing, the elder mare had just nodded off on the sofa and went about snoring loudly.  Well... sometimes old Ponies' habit of falling asleep so easily was helpful...

Shai blinks a few times before letting out a sigh and getting to work, placing the needles here and here and here just so.  With Granny Smith, it takes every single one of her needles that she brought with her to get completely set up, and finally, once they are all in place, Shai Ni gets ready for the hard part.  She takes a deep breath, centers herself, then touches her horn to Granny's forehead and begins to guide the earth pony's chi along the proper paths.  With Transcendence Form, who takes such good care of his body and his spirit with his martial arts training, such a task is akin to nudging something a few millimeters while simply eyeballing it.  Difficult, but easy enough for those well practiced.

For Granny Smith, who has lived a farmpony's life for several decades and has gotten through all of her problems (including her health issues) through sheer stubborn willpower and effort, it would be easier to compare the task to trying to correct a river that has been dammed and carved alternate paths in all directions.  Just removing the dam isn't enough - you have to plug up the other paths, clean up the carved river beds, fill them back up with the proper soil and rock, and also ensure that the flow is not too strong or too weak, for she is not just dealing with one river from a single source, but dozens.

Sweat forms on Shai's brow as she concentrates, gently nudging the flow here, pulling the flow there, until finally, several minutes later, she pulls her horn back and gasps for breath, having done what she can.  Now she just needs some time to pass so it can fully take effect, and then she can remove the needles and hopefully Granny's hip will begin to feel better within the day.  Of course, it will take longer for the full effects to be apparent, but Shai is confident they will take effect, and they will be noticeable.

Plopping down onto her plot without a shred of (nor care for) dignity, Shai Ni attempts to catch her breath.  What she is not aware of is just how she looks at the moment.  A bit of sweat dripping here and there, a tight dress (which she always wears, but still), and a silly grin on her face as she gasps.  Somepony could get the wrong idea if they walked in right now.

"Y'alright, Miss Shai?" Big Macintosh's voice drawled out for the first time since she'd begun her work.  At some point he'd sidled up along to the sofa where she sat gasping... it was surprising that such a large stallion could move so quietly when he wanted to.  He made no effort to lower his voice though -- it seemed that Granny Smith could sleep through quite a lot and didn't so much as murmur at the normal speaking volume.  "Ah've got some tea on in th'kitchen if y'need a breather."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:16, Mon 08 Oct 2012.

Shai leaps up with a squee of surprise as she spins around to face Big Macintosh.  Holy Celestia when the buck did he come in here?! she thinks with wide eyes as she lands, clearly not expecting him to be there.  After the initial shock, she blushes and starts to calm herself down a bit, going from surprise to meek embarrassment.  The offer of tea sounds absolutely wonderful, however.  Amazing.  Delicious.  Divine.

"I am alright.  Yes.  Tea.  Yes.  Tea sounds lovely," she replies with an awkward, embarrassed smile.  Good thing she hasn't thought about the fact that she is essentially alone with a stallion in his hou-

And there goes her horn, glowing with embarrassment.  Who knew horns could turn red?

For a few moments Big Macintosh just looked at Shai Ni as she stood there all flustered and blushing, quietly pondering her.  Hm... all that work must have taken more out of her than he first thought.

"Eeyup." he noted simply before he turned to lead the way back to the kitchen.  He'd already set a spot for the both of them at the kitchen table, though naturally he wasn't going to sit down until he'd served her.  A stout mug was set down and filled with a sweet apple tea, as well as one of those fresh spiced muffins Granny had made already sliced and smeared with warm butter.

Trying to pretend that she is not flustered or embarrassed at all, Shai follows Big Mac into the kitchen and takes a seat at the table, eagerly waiting for the tea so she can calm her nerves.  She's done several house calls before, and been in many similar situations, so why was she getting so flustered about this one?  Was it simply because he is in Equestria, or is there another reason?  Confound those reference books Pinkie Pie recommended!  They filled her head with so many strange ideas that still remain.  Glancing up at Big Mac only serves to make a few of them surface again.  Still, the smell of the tea helps her find her center, and she floats the mug to her lips to take a sip, then loses all of her other thoughts as she looks at the tea.

"I had no idea tea could taste like this.  It is so sweet and... and delicious.  N-not that my tea is not delicious, but this is just so different.  Like... like bamboo and apples.  Both are delicious, but Equestrian food is so much more rich in flavor," she says with a smile.  "Thank you, Mister Big Macintosh."

Once Shai N was tended to, Big Macintosh poured himself a mug of tea and sat down as well.  The old chair he sat upon creaked under his weight but didn't bend -- reliable as always.  It was a familiar sensation and one his was comfortable with.  The contrast between he and the Unicorn couldn't be greater just then... one so calm and at ease in his native environment, and the other inwardly spazzing out in that very same place.

"Ah hope it's not too much for ya', Miss Shai.  Ah know Equestrian food can be a lot heavier than Chineighs food." he noted congenially.  Very true as well -- Equestrians loved their rich foods and the farmers were particularly guilty of that.  Eating at places like Sugar Cube Corner or the Summer Song Cafe were enough to overwhelm more delicate palates at first.  "After y'asked me out earlier, Ah did some readin' at th'library tryin' t'figure out what kinda food y'might like.  Ah don't reckon there's much like Chineighs food around Ponyville though, Ah'm afraid."

The stark difference between the two doesn't get past Shai's notice, either, and she feels a bit guilty for having so many panicky thoughts.  Big Macintosh is known to be a true gentlecolt, and he has never once given her reason to think otherwise.  She shouldn't think he might behave out of character just because of some silly books.  What kind of name is Dirk Johnson anyways?  Thinking back, those books were all rather ridiculous.  Of course, the calming effects of tea, no matter how sweet, always help.  Also, super-delicious, freshly baked rich foods.

Which Shai has to nibble on slowly, but still enjoys.

"It is alright.  I have been spending much of the past year adapting to the local cuisine as best as I can.  I mostly find that I need to take smaller bites," she replies as she magics the muffin up to her mouth and takes a tiny bite before smiling happily at the flavor and setting it back down on the plate, then taking another sip of the tea.  Thankfully, she had set down the mug and finished swallowing before her companion brought up the date, or she might have choked.  Mostly because she has had far too many ideas stuck in her head because of those books.  More things to stop thinking about and dismiss as silly.  Dates don't involve being rescued from a pirate ship.  Nor do they involve running away on a pirate ship.  So many pirate ships.  Definitely silly.  Still, she does listen to his entire statement, and smiles as he brings up his concern.  "Anything you think we can enjoy together is fine, Mister Big Macintosh.  The point of a date is for both ponies to enjoy themselves, is it not?  I am sure Grandmother can gives you some ideas.  If not her, then perhaps your sister, Miss Applejack?  Or would asking them be awkward?  I do not wish to make you awkward."

Big Mac shook his head slowly in return -- he didn't know whether or not it would make things awkward to ask his family for any advice, but didn't want to bother them in the first place either.  He sure wasn't any kind of pro when it came to understanding women but thought it was better he try to figure such things out on his own.

"Granny was right -- Ah am a homebody.  Ah spend most of my time here on th'farm, or takin' walks.  Gives me time t'think." he admitted with a soft shrug.  "When Ah was readin' a Chineighs cookbook at th'Library, Ah didn't even know what most of th'ingredients were.  Miss Sparkle wasn't much help either.  So Ah was thinkin' maybe we could spend an evenin' in and teach each other some recipes.  Unless ya'd rather go out for somethin' more interestin'?"

The opportunity for learning some Equestrian recipes from the Apple family, of all ponies, is not a small one, and the significance is readily apparent to Shai.  On the other hoof, she does want to have a reason to wear that dress she got from Rarity, and cooking is not an appropriate reason to wear such a garment.  Besides, she promised to tell Rarity all about the date and how Big Macintosh reacts to the dress, and she can't get that information if they just... cook.

But cooking is really fun, too!  And... and... Apple Family recipes.  Their food is legendary.  At least, to Shai Ni's tastebuds, it is.  But... but... the dress... and Miss Rarity... but cooking... but dress... cooking... dress... cooking... dress... Rarity... delicious dress Rarity food Family Apple date-

Snapping out of her thoughts and not having any idea how long it has been since either of them last spoke, Shai Ni takes another sip of tea with an awkward blush before she says, "I... do not know.  Perhaps... perhaps we could do some other things, and set aside another time to trade cooking techniques?"

Big Macintosh settled into silence to sip at his tea, patiently awaiting Shai Ni's return to the world from her mental downtime.  Sometimes he wondered if she realized just how often she lapsed into those moments of thoughtful quiet.  Once she came back, he just gave her a gentle smile in return.

"Eeyup." he agreed amiably.  "Was just an idea, is all.  There's other things t'do 'round town.  We could go see a show, have dinner somewhere, and th'like.  Ah know it's normally a stallion's job t'figure this stuff out, but Ah'd like t'make sure y'have a good time as well."

"Dinner... and a show...?  That sounds wonderful," Shai Ni replies, still trying to wrap her mind around the previous conflict.  "I wish to experience an Equestrian tradition, after all, so I would prefer if you chose.  Miss Rarity did give me a nice dress, and I would like a chance to wear it, if that is alright with you."

As she mentions the dress, she gives him a tiny, bashful smile, electing not to mention the promised lunch and explanation that is part of the payment for the aforementioned dress.

"Ah s'pose it depends on whether y'wanna make an evenin' of it, or take a whole day.  In th'latter case, we could always catch th'train t'Manehatten or Fillydelphia.  They're much bigger cities and have more entertain' stuff t'offer than Ponyville." Big Macintosh explained.  When Shai Ni mentioned that she had a particular dress just for the occasion and gave him that little smile of hers, he was surprised at how warm his cheeks felt all a sudden.

"Ah... eeyup." was his eloquent reply.

"Visiting an Equestrian city... that sounds enchanting," Shai replies, hoping she used the word 'enchanting' properly.  She then finds herself about as much at a loss for words as Big Macintosh, and goes back to quietly sipping her tea and nibbling on the rich, buttered muffin.

Yep, nothing like tea and a muffin.