Albert Wesker and Griffon the Brush-Off, Part III
Author’s Note: Sorry for the massive delay guys, have been pretty ill recently but I was still probably well enough to write a couple of chapters so boo to me. I suck. But I will start making it up to you starting with this much-anticipated (I hope) chapter. Enjoy. :D
Wesker only really had one priority when it came to this party. No murder. Ordinarily that wouldn’t be the goal he would set himself for a social gathering but something about this Gilda aggravated the former scientist to an astronomical level. She was basically Rainbow Dash to the power of infinity with none of the pegasus’ admittedly scarce redeeming features. Additionally, he would appreciate it if he could blend seamlessly into the background and avoid any sort of incident but he had come to learn during his time in Equestria that he may as well wish for a miracle. There was certainly no way that he was going to shy away should the Griffon antagonise him, that was for sure.
She was mean to Fluttershy, Al! The nice one! I’m giving you a blank cheque for destruction; just tear her face off or something!
Unlikely. Tearing anyone’s face off was what he would classify as ‘an incident’, not to mention ‘a murder’, breaking both of his steadfast rules for the get-together. Pinkie Pie had departed at a speed approaching mach 5 in order to rapidly assemble a party for the brutish newcomer to Ponyville. Wesker assumed it was designed to make the horrible bitch ‘happier’ but he had little faith in the hyperactive mare’s plan being a success, some people were just determined to be as obstinate and unpleasant as possible.
Hmm, does that sound familiar Albert?
At least he had the good courtesy to hide his disgust in the world behind a veil of ice and feigned politeness.
Yes. You’re a true hero, Albert. Congratulations.
Now he had time to kill... Pinkie had scheduled the party for around 7 in the evening, leaving Wesker with a fair few hours until he had to force himself to grace the said party with his illustrious presence. His discomfort at attending was unfortunately bettered by his fear of what might become of him should he skip a Pinkie Pie hosted party. It wouldn’t have come as a total shock had it been the case that the rambunctious mare crashed her flying device atop of him for ever doubting the magnificence of her celebrations.
The reading material re-emerged and for a blissful couple of hours, Wesker was once more lost in the fascinating facets of magical theory as he sat comfortably upon the bench. However, the fates conspired to rob him of this peaceful interlude as he heard his name called from across the market square; luckily the voice was a friendly one which he recognised.
“May I help you, Miss Applebloom?”
The filly bounded over, putting Wesker’s mind faintly at ease. If the news she brought was disastrous then she had an unusual way of conveying it, “Howdy Mr Wesker, Applejack sent me to bring ya back to the farm. Needs you and Big Macintosh to deliver some vegetables around Ponyville.”
Wesker snorted in mild irritation, “I believe she told me there was no work to do today but I suppose there is no rest for the wicked.” He placed his tome in his satchel once more and indicated lazily for the magenta-maned filly to lead the way.
Applebloom nodded sagely in response, “Well, I think the orders took her by surprise. She wasn’t expecting any for today, not to mention that ponies usually come and collect them for themselves.”
The blond stallion frowned, “Then why aren’t they doing so?”
She shrugged, “Busy, I guess.”
With that satisfactory but slightly rankling answer, they travelled to Sweet Apple Acres. Despite being fond of the filly in the sense that he wished no specific harm upon her, he made no real effort to engage Applebloom in conversation, replying only when her own boredom was too overwhelming for her to bear and she had to blurt out something for him to respond to. Frankly, Wesker’s mind was almost entirely wrapped up in the book he had been reading until recently and having the tantalising prospect of being able to read it until the party came around ripped away was somewhat annoying.
Finally, he arrived at the farmhouse where Big Macintosh was waiting for him to assist in the delivery of a rather substantial load of celery and sweetcorn. Two cartloads of the simple vegetables were present, one of which was already hooked up to the large red stallion. Wesker made the rather simple deduction that he was supposed to drag the remaining farm cart and tethered himself to the weighty entity without being prompted. Big Macintosh nodded approvingly as the pair set off back towards Ponyville, Applebloom waving a fond farewell before darting back inside.
As they slowly walked towards the town centre, Wesker decided to become a more active participant in this interchange than he was previously, “So, have you heard about the welcoming party for the Griffon?”
Macintosh nodded slowly, “Eeyup.”
Wesker turned ever so slightly to face his companion, “I assume you’re going?”
The hefty stallion frowned, “Not too sure, Mr Wesker. I’m mighty tired and not exactly in the party mood.”
A bemused expression crossed the blond’s face, mixed in with a healthy dose of cynicism, “Are you saying you actually have the option to not attend one of Miss Pinkie’s parties?”
Light chuckling issued forth from Big Macintosh, “Eeyup. When you’ve lived in Ponyville as long as I have then you can miss a couple without Miss Pinkie breaking down your door.”
“Then I am jealous of your roots in Ponyville.” Wesker paused and his nose wrinkled in distaste, “I would rather not attend any party in honour of... Miss Gilda.”
Big Macintosh gave the blond a long, serious look, “Not because she’s a Griffon, Mr Wesker?”
He waved a hoof dismissively, “Not at all. She’s just incredibly belligerent and unpleasant to be around.”
The larger stallion nodded in response, “I’m thinkin’ you’ll be telling her this at the party.” Wesker caught the twinkle in his eye before he turned away, “Tempted to come along just for the entertainment.”
Wesker sighed, “I wish to avoid an incident. Hopefully Miss Pinkie will work her magic and we’ll both be the best of friends by bedtime.”
Macintosh looked sceptically at his acquaintance, “Seems unlikely, Mr Wesker.”
A smirk was the blond’s response, “I live in hope.”
After what could only be described as an exhausting few hours, Wesker and Big Macintosh eventually delivered their respective carts of produce, once the latter had briefed the former on where they were intended to go. A quick check of the time once the pair returned to Sweet Apple Acres revealed that it was half past 6 and therefore it was time for Wesker to travel to Sugarcube Corner and cause an incident...
Very optimistic, Al.
...have a lovely party. That’s what he meant, of course. And so it was that with Applejack and an increasing sense of dread, he departed Sweet Apple Acres towards Sugarcube Corner. Big Macintosh was able to forgo the festivities due to the sheer volume of work he had undertaken that day but apparently being involved in an aeroplane disaster was not sufficient reason to miss a Pinkie Pie party for a Ponyville newcomer. Nor was the plague, Wesker suspected.
As the pair trotted along, the confused orange mare turned to the pale stallion, “What’s this party even for, Al?”
Wesker sighed,
Good question
“It’s for one of Rainbow Dash’s old friends. A Griffon named Gilda.”
Applejack paused, “Oh...” Her brow furrowed in thought, “Who’s this Gilda I’ve heard nothing about?”
Wesker stroked his chin with a hoof, “It does seem unusual that Rainbow Dash has never mentioned her before.”
The blond mare shrugged, “Ah, never mind. Have you met her? What’s she like?”
Be diplomatic. Be diplomatic. Be diplomatic.
“Well, I’m going to try not to kill her.”
Nice.
Wesker blamed tiredness; it had been a very trying day.
Applejack blinked once, then twice in the awkward silence that followed, “Uh huh. That nice?”
He shifted uncomfortably as they walked, “Perhaps Miss Gilda and I are merely conflicting personality types, I daresay that she is not the first to have run afoul of me.”
She smirked knowingly, “You mean you’re difficult to get along with? Well, shoot, blow me down with a feather.”
He rolled his eyes and gave her a light shove, “I happen to be perfectly amicable. Some ponies merely try my patience.”
Applejack laughed and arched an eyebrow at a smirking Wesker, who merely shifted his shades up to the bridge of his nose and shrugged as the two finally arrived at Sugarcube Corner, where the guests were starting to pile into the venue. Side-by-side, the pair entered into the pink wonderland that was Sugarcube Corner.
Rarity came over to greet himself and Applejack and the two mares exchanged pleasantries. A quick glance around revealed that Gilda had not yet arrived and Wesker hoped beyond hope that the Griffon was crass enough to skip her own welcoming party. What he did see, however, was Fluttershy and Twilight Sparkle conversing about something that was just beyond Wesker’s aural range. No doubt they were discussing the Griffon herself, judging by the open, honest curiosity upon the lavender unicorn’s face and the shy, reticent look gracing Fluttershy’s... though the latter probably wore that expression every hour of the day. Their conversation ended and the yellow pegasus tentatively approached Pinkie Pie, who was gaily welcoming the arrivals to the party. This time he was able to catch what they were saying.
“Um... Pinkie Pie... About this party for Gilda... Do you really think it’s a good idea?”
Sing it, Sister. You’re preaching to the choir.
Shut up, Joy
“Don’t you worry your pretty little head about mean old Gilda; your Auntie Pinkie Pie’s got it all taken care of.”
Lovely patronising there, top notch stuff
Missing Fluttershy’s muttered response about being a year older than her, the bubblegum earth pony bounced over to greet the ‘star of the show’, “Gilda! I’m so honoured to throw you one of my signature Pinkie Pie parties! And I really, truly sincerely hope you feel welcome amongst all us ponyfolk!” If cloying sentiment were a liquid then Wesker was sure the entire room would have drowned by now and the earth pony stretched out a hoof to finalise the welcome.
A disinterested and frankly taken aback Gilda slowly accepted the appendage, only to receive a jolt from Pinkie Pie’s ‘hoof buzzer’.
Ah, I see how it is, Al. Prank Gilda until she reveals her true self then gets kicked out of Ponyville. Gotta love that Pinkie.
Indeed... it was genius in its own way, no one would blame Pinkie for harmless pranks and Gilda would almost certainly be seen as overreacting. His interference probably wasn’t even necessary. Perfect.
The Griffon looked mutinous at the effects of Pinkie’s high jinks but her brief flash of anger was instantly quelled by the laughter of Rainbow Dash as she entered the room and jovially commented on the prank, forcing Gilda to begrudgingly say, “Yeah, good one, Pinkie Pie.”
Rainbow Dash then pointed vaguely towards Wesker, Rarity and Applejack, “Come on G, I’ll introduce you to some of my other friends.”
The Griffon smiled with infuriating falseness, “Right behind you, Dash!” She glanced over in Wesker’s direction and turned back to have a quiet talk with the still giggling Pinkie Pie before doing a double-take and fixing a glare upon the blond stallion. Knowing that no one else was watching him, Wesker allowed his anger to channel through him and his eyes to... heat up, as it were.
Her startled, disbelieving reaction made him think that this party had a great deal of potential indeed...