“No… Pinkie, I don’t think that’s a good idea. It’s getting dark and it’s chilly out!”
“Shy, you’ve got about three seconds until your mane is soaked! Prepare yourself!” Pinkie yelled with a giggle as she pushed her head against Fluttershy’s rump. They both edged closer to the pond until Fluttershy’s hooves were on the very precipice of the water. A split second before she found herself soaked and chilled to the bone, the timid pony caught a glimpse of her reflection; the streaks of her pink hair disheveled and strewn about by the aptly named party pony’s antics.
“Ah!” Fluttershy yelped as water touched the very tip of her mane and then quickly covered her entire body in its brisk embrace. Pinkie Pie, with a giggle and two excited hops, leapt into the water with Fluttershy and pulled her to the surface. The shy pony took a big gulp of air as she reentered the world with her companion interlocked with her neck with two hooves. Fluttershy had to stifle an outrageous laugh as Pinkie’s water-straightened hair poofed back into its cotton-candy shape and dried instantly; all within defiance of the rules of the Princesses themselves.
Celestia’s livelihood began to descend along the streaks of purple clouds. Luna, mischievous and impatient as she often is in the fall months, had already raised the moon tall and proud above Equestria despite the sun. Moonlight and sunlight danced together and sparkled against the pond's reflective appearance. As the moonlight began to dominate, the sounds of wildlife prancing carelessly and aimlessly about in the playground of night emanated from the edge of the Everfree Forest. Within minutes, the Sun had finally fallen asleep and Luna’s moon rose to its throne above the slumber of ponies.
The inseparable couple frolicked and swam in the pond; letting the rock-ridden sand massage the underside of their hooves every time they touched down. Tiny crabs and fishes skittered away from their steps and the sand exploded out into the water from under their hooves. Pinkie splashed the chill water onto her other to get her mane and coat even more soaked, while Fluttershy took to the offense with vigorous attempts at tackling the party pony underwater. Eventually, Fluttershy began to show her fatigue and cold with a bout of draining sneezes that caused Pinkie Pie’s ears to perk in concern. The rose pony clasped her hooves around Fluttershy once again and pulled her out of the water and shook her dry. Fluttershy gave her a weak smile in appreciation. The outgoing spirit, in her playful self, took the opportunity to give her companion a light puff of quick air on the nose; making the yellow pony start back into the pond before being repelled by the brisk surface.
The damp couple began to tread along the well-walked path that traced the edge of the Forest. Pinkie Pie took to her usual hopping against the wills of gravity; Fluttershy trotting at pace with a confidence she rarely felt around anyone but her companion. The symphony of frantic animals basking in the dusk shifted to a somber dirge of owls hooting in melancholy and an understated melody of crickets chirping. The noises of the forest put a sense of unease in Fluttershy’s heart, making her tread closer and closer to Pinkie until their bodies would brush together every time her other landed from one of her bounds.
Soon, Fluttershy found herself fatigued to the point of collapsing on her hooves after an hour of walking through the countryside of Ponyville. She tripped onto the hard dirt of the road and dirt caked her belly and mouth. The embarrassed pony began to sputter dirt and dust from her mouth as the more mirthful one ran up with a look of concern and worry covering her face. However, it wasn’t long before a smile began to creep its way through as Fluttershy spat out the mouthful she got from hitting the ground. Soon, both of them were on the ground in frantic giggling. Pinkie Pie bucked her hip slightly to signal the other; telling her to get on top of her. Fluttershy obeyed quickly and floated on top of Pinkie’s back and wrapped her forehooves around her neck. She clasped tight against the coat of her lover and felt her eyes droop. A mix of the rhythmic bouncing of Pinkie’s flank and sleepiness cursed Fluttershy to a blinded daze. Fireflies with eager vigor began to appear over the treeline.
Magic in Equestria is more than just what's contained in the concentrated energies of unicorn’s horns and the love of friendships. A thin layer of magic permeates through all of Equestria, forever laid upon a foundation that digs deeper upon reality, one constant that has existed even before the time of Celestia and Luna when ponies did not roam and birds did not chirp. This small dose of magical energy that exists within all things, living or inanimate, unicorn or earth pony, subtly influences the very fabric of Equestria and pushes and pulls creatures to certain, almost coincidental actions that help to fuel the love that dominates the country.
Hundreds of fireflies poured over the trees in a cascade of brilliant, flashing light that illuminated the couple in a soft glow. Tugged into a great migration by forces neither could understand, the lightning bugs began to fly around them in a small haze of buzzing wings and aurous light. Two of them landed on the respective ponies’ noses, making them both sneeze in unison. The gust of air from their sneezes sent the fireflies spinning away and the haze dissipated into the air. They were left staring at each other, both silently thanking Celestia. The party pony took the initiative and pushed her muzzle brashly against her love, their lips caressing with shocks and shivers down their spines. Saliva dripped between their lips and trailed off between them as they broke the kiss.
The cottage was one of wicker and straw; a simple birch door filling the only entrance to the humble home. The fragile, woven grains lined every crevice of the abode from the door frame to the skeleton of the windows that seemed to randomly pepper the walls. Nests of sparrows and blue jays were snuggled tightly against the nooks and crannies of the second story. The usual hustle and bustle of animals was absent from the yard. Rabbits did not prance and waltz along the high-standing grasses. The birds were hushed amongst their families, no songs were sung, all was silent. The trees themselves stood stoic and quiet with their leaves still. Not a single whisper was heard from the unmoving house.
Pinkie Pie strode to the doorway with her timid other latched tightly around her neck, the mare’s eyes closed and her mind in a light sleep. Pinkie softly bounced her hip to wake the pony and then lowered herself so that Fluttershy could get off. Now, both standing on equal ground, the two looked into each other’s eyes. The pair of cerulean eyes stared piercingly into the evergreen ones looking back; both deep in thought. The wind began to howl through the creaks of the wicker walls and broke their concentration. They looked onward into Luna’s night and let their eyes wander across the blanket of stars marking the midnight blue of the sky.
Pinkie Pie broke the trance and nuzzled Fluttershy along her cheek then turned to leave for Sugarcube Corner. Before a single hoof touched the dirt, a tiny, almost inaudible voice rose up from behind her.
“Um… Pinkie… if… um… you would like, you could, uh… come inside… if you want…”
Pinkie Pie turned back to gaze at the pony nearly melting from embarrassment and heated cheeks, and shared a smile with her.