//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: Tales of a Former Ponyville Librarian // by ArtieStroke //------------------------------// A distant rooster crowed, and my eyes blearily cracked open. Eurgh, mornings- good thing government facilities don't usually open until 9. Groggily getting up and putting in a half-hearted attempt at making my bed, I started downstairs to the kitchen. Wakey-wakey, eggs and... oats. Man, why'd I have to get stuck in the body of an herbivore? I've read about the other species on this freaky magic planet, I could be enjoying bacon as a bird-lion thingy or- or... all other manners of furry creatures right about now! 'Just make do with whatcha got, Palette,' I reminded myself, opening up the fridge. And what I got is apparently absolute zilcho, as the empty fridge stared back at me. This is just gonna be one of those mornings. Great. I sighed loudly, slamming the fridge shut as I went back upstairs to pick up my saddlebags- before noticing today's date circled on my calendar: "New Roommate Today Prepare Butt-Tattoo for Potential Shenanigans" Oh yeah. That's a thing. Gonna need extra groceries- hope this girl likes texmex, because that's about the extent of my culinary talents. Alright- beans? Check. Cheese? Check. Tortillas and veggies? Check. My stomach gave a little rumble as I trotted away from the Ponyville market, reminding me that I hadn't gotten breakfast yet- and a whiff of cinnamon on the wind gave my mouth more than reason to salivate. You know, I've been good this week. Did a socializing, adulted good with the food chores. Let's be bad. And so I took one step inside the most tempting building in all of Ponyville- Sugarcube Corner. The little bell rang above my head as I stepped in, one of the owners at the counter- Mrs. Cake? Yeah, that's probably her name. "Ooh, someone's up bright and early!" She said, motherly grin on her face. Man, I must really work the "college kid" aura, getting read like that from twenty paces. "Oh, you know- just... groceries." I tried to fire back. Cut me some slack, no matter how I adjust it, waking hours are just not my best time. Thankfully all I got was a chuckle, before Mrs. Cake went over to the register, "What can I getcha today, dearie?" I made a big show of looking over the display- hoof rubbing my chin as I look over all the custards and tarts and donuts- oh my. "Well, I think there's really only one right answer here," I said, pointing towards the delicacy my stomach most desired, "And that's the cheese danish, please and thank you." "One danish, coming up!" I fished out a few bits from my bags, placing them on the counter as Mrs. Cake plated my food. With a cheery "Thank you", I grabbed the plate and took it over to a window-side table. Mmm.... man, nothing like a pastry to start the morning off right. Why didn't I come here more often, these things are heaven- The door burst open, a pink blur zipping through in the middle of a prolonged gasp. "MRS. CAKE there's a NEW PONY IN TOWN!" Oh yes. That's why. I'm gonna be honest- I don't hate Pinkie Pie. She's super sweet, she cares about other ponies- it's nice. But while I'm at like, maybe a 4 on a good day energy-wise, she just took the knob, twisted it around a few dozen times and broke it off. I couldn't keep up with that kind of- oh hey right in my face uh- "Err- Hi there?" Pinkie grinned, bouncing up and down, "Palette! It's been SOOOOO long! We gotta catch up- but first, I need your help on something!" "Uhh-" "Cause I know that new pony's staying at the library- and I'm thinking 'Oh hey, Palette lives at the library! She'd TOTALLY know the best way to set up a party there'!" "Uhh-" "And so I was I gonna hop on over there in a jiffy, but you're here! So I can get your help now! Isn't that just an AMAZING coinky-dink?" I stared for about two seconds, nervously shifting my eyes over to Mrs. Cake for help. She was busy making a fresh batch of muffins- abandoned in my time of need. "Is it... is it my turn to talk now?" Pinkie giggle-snorted, ruffling my mane, "Oh, silly! Of course! Anyways, can I get your help setting up a 'Welcome to Ponyville' party for her? I think it'd be the best way for her to make new friends, and she seemed kind of lonely!" I thought for a moment. I had no reservations about stopping this party- from what I hear, once Pinkie plans a party, that party happens. It's like trying to stop a hurricane- or, well, back home at least. Here they've got pegasi managing the weather so that metaphor just doesn't culturally translate. And hey, this was the girl that's gonna be staying at the library for the duration of the celebration, anyways. Might as well do what I can to mitigate the damage to my house. "Mmmmmmm okay." Pinkie's smile grew somehow wider, and in a flash I was swooped up in a fluffy, magenta hug. Oh wow, she actually kinda smells like frosting. This is... kinda nice. "Thank you, thank you, THANK you Palette! You're the absolute best!" Yeah, just gonna savor this for a couple seconds longer... After a few moments, Pinkie giggled, "Hey, if you're trying to beat my record for longest hug, I'll have you know I've been the world champion for five years running!" I started, pulling back out of the hug, feeling a warmth pass over my face. "Ahah- yeah, uh, can't pull the, um- pony wool over your eyes there, eh?" Pinkie laughed again, and started bouncing out the door. "You're a real hoot, Palette- come on! We've got a party to set up!" I unceremoniously chomped the rest of my danish and levitated the plate into the collection bin, before following Pinkie out the door. You know, this could be fun- spruce up the place with some balloons and streamers, play some games, introduce Miss Sparkle to the whole- Oh. Oh wait. The whole town's gonna be at this thing. Ahhhh fuck.