When I came back to deliver the news, I found Pinkie still at her planning table, with complex drawings and notes written in incomprehensible jargon that looked like the scribbled notes of a doctor’s prescription. As she made these calculations, she paced up and down, her face scrunched up in deep thought. Honestly, I never expected a pony as silly as her to be capable of such mental acuteness.
When I told her the news, however, she immediately stopped and became attentive.
“This Saturday?”
“Yeah. Princess Celestia must be pretty eager to meet me and have this squared away.”
“Oh, that’s great! Super great! Wish I could go, but I can’t! Too much to do!”
“Oh. Well, if you don’t think you can make it, I’ll respect that. I just hope this meeting doesn’t disrupt anything.”
“Disrupt? Nah, don’t be a silly-billy! We’ll just plan for it after you come back, so we can all go! Now, let’s see…tomorrow’s the Running of the Leaves…you’ll be in Canterlot Saturday…if you’re lucky, you’ll be home in time for cider season…”
And now she was back in her planning state of mind.
“If I can finish my dress idea to give to Rarity, I’ll still have time to ask Applejack if she can whip up some of her baking and see if Rainbow Dash can pull off a Sonic Rainboom to announce us! That’d be super-de-duper! Maybe I can even get Fluttershy to orchestrate our arrival with her bird choir! Or Twilight could just teleport us in right at the entrance to the farm!”
Suddenly, she stopped short, her eyes widening and a gasp escaping her lips.
“Or we could do all of them at once!! A teleporting Sonic Rainboom backed by a bird choir! It’s genius!”
She bounced in place in an ecstasy of excitement, while I felt a sinking feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach at such an idea.
“Uh, Pinkie? Are you sure you’re not-”
“Can’t talk now, Davie! Busy!”
“But-”
“Busy!”
I could see that it was useless to try and interject. She was already lost in her own thoughts, but at least she knew about the appointment. It was a shame that she wouldn’t be able to come with me, but this was more important for her, and I had to respect that. I was, however, a little disconcerted at how far she was taking her plans. A teleporting Sonic Rainboom backed by a bird choir?? Now that would have been interesting to see, if I could wrap my mind around how it was possible…
“Do you at least want me to help, Pinkie?” I offered.
“No thanks! I’m good!”
“You sure?”
“Yeppy-deppy!”
“Well, all right, then. I’m just gonna go find something else to do. Just don’t overwork yourself, ok?”
“Okie-dokie-lokie!”
As I turned to go, I found myself facing Gummy. He cast one look at his owner, then back at me.
“You’re worried about her too, huh?”
Blink.
Bending down, I scratched under his chin.
“Don’t worry, fellah. This is just something she’s really got to do for her folks. I know she’s taking it super seriously, but come on. How crazy could it really get?”
***
Famous last words…At the time, I didn’t imagine the levels Pinkie would take her obsessive preparations, and honestly, I should have taken them more seriously.
Why didn’t I? Because of Pinkie herself.
This was her family, her estranged family. She finally had the chance to set things right with them in the way she knew best. Who was I to interfere with something that was her business and not mine? She had already done so much for me, and shortly, I wouldn’t even be living under the same roof with her anymore. I already owed so much to her for her kindness and friendship. What kind of selfish ingrate would I be to say ‘no’ to something that was all for her?
Some people might call me weak-willed for saying this, but I preferred to be thought of as being considerate for others’ feelings. How it irritates me that no one else ever thinks of that...
Pinkie spent all the rest of the day at her planning desk, writing down new ideas, crossing out ones that didn’t suit her desires, adding on to previous ideas. Her wastepaper bin was full to overflowing, and still she jotted down, crossed out, all with a feverish concentration I’d never seen in her before. The only time she ever stopped was when Mr. Cake came in to ask if she could help at the counter. She looked very reluctant to leave her post, but I offered to help out instead. Pinkie looked greatly relieved at being saved, and Mr. Cake seemed pleased with my offer to assist. I’m not quite sure whether or not it was wise to let Pinkie keep planning, but my main concern was of her happiness.
Back in my world, I had often volunteered as an outdoor greeter at my church, so I at least knew how to look presentably cheerful for incomers. Mr. Cake told me that all I had to do was greet the customer, listen to their order, and hand it out to them from behind the counter. The prices were all labeled facing me as well as the front. If a particular stock ran out, all I had to do was call for Mr. and Mrs. Cake, and they would replenish it.
For the rest of the day, my time was occupied with greeting ponies, with a smile and a ‘Welcome to Sugarcube Corner, and how may I help you?’, doling out fresh-baked pastries, and wishing them goodbye with a ‘Thank you and have a good day!’. Thankfully, it wasn’t a too busy day, so I wasn’t swamped to get orders done in a frenzy. What I can say, however, is that it made me really respect Pinkie’s integrity when it came to her job. You’d have to need a lot of energy to keep up on the busier days.
I saw a few of my pony friends from around town, who were both surprised and glad to see me. Golden Harvest, in fact, seemed to be in a much better mood than when I’d seen her last time. She apologized for being so coarse with me, and said that Lyra was a dear friend of hers. She had heard about our interview, and seemed to approve of someone who could get on her good side. She also admitted that she and Applejack weren’t that bad with each other, but were still rather competitive in the market. I was relieved to have averted her sporadic animosity, and gladly gave her a slice of carrot cake for 3 bits.
I was in full swing when who should come up to the counter but Twilight?
“Twilight! Welcome to Sugarcube Corner! How may I help you?”
Twilight giggled. “You’re as diligent as Shining Armor. Dave. I wasn’t expecting to find you behind the counter.”
“Pinkie’s busy planning for her folks, so I decided to take over for the day.”
“Oh. I hope she’s not making a mountain out of a molehill over this.”
“That might be an understatement, Twi.”
I gestured for her to lean closer, and I whispered in her ear about what I’d gathered from her plans, placing special emphasis on the ‘teleporting Sonic Rainboom’.
Twilight’s face went slack with stupefaction.
“Is she out of her mind?!” she blurted. “Does she have any idea how much time that would take to perfect, if it could even be done at all!”
“Tell me about it. Applejack prepping some goods, I can understand, or Fluttershy giving us a nice welcome with her bird choir, or even a new outfit from Rarity, but that is just insane! She really wants this to go off with a hitch, and I respect that, but honestly, Twi…”
“Can’t you talk some sense into her? You’re her roommate until further notice.”
“I want to, but I don’t want to quash her excitement. She’s been looking forward to this, and I’m afraid of hurting her feelings by saying she can’t do any of this. What right do I have to intrude on her family affairs?”
Twilight gave a small sigh, which I worried was out of frustration, but she said,
“You sound just like Fluttershy. You only want to see those around you happy and don’t want to rain on their parade.”
“And…is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
“Well, while I wish you could be a little more assertive about this, it’s very sweet that you’re concerned about Pinkie’s feelings. You really care about her, don’t you?”
“Of course I do. If it hadn’t been for her, I’d never have gotten on my feet in Ponyville in the first place. I owe a lot to her, and denying her this chance would just seem like an act of ingratitude.”
“I see. I still think you could stand to sit down and talk to her, but you have your heart in the right place.”
“Thanks, Twi. So, was there something you wanted?”
“Hmm? Oh! Yes. I just got back from seeing Rarity. I let her know about the situation, and she was actually quite excited. She said what she has in store for you will be ready by tonight, and she can show it to you tomorrow, after the Running of the Leaves.”
“Perfect!”
“Which coincides nicely with our travel plans. I expect for us to head out to Canterlot on Friday.”
“Friday? But my meeting with the Princess is Saturday.”
“I know, but I want to show you around Canterlot first. If we want to be back for cider season, we have to get as much done as we can before we head back.”
“Really? Well, being from Canterlot yourself, I’ll bet you’d give a grand tour, Miss Sparkle.”
Twilight smiled. “Thanks. I’d love to bring Spike and the girls along, but he’s still sick, and they might be busy with other things.”
“Well, why don’t we ask around, see who can make it and who can’t?”
“Sounds good! I’ll see you at the Running, then!”
“You bet! Where’s it at?”
“Swing by the library tomorrow and we’ll head there together.”
“Great!”
We bid each other adieu, and Twi left the line, allowing the mare behind her, who had been patiently waiting while the two of us discoursed, to step forward and place her order.
***
The Running of the Leaves, as I had been told, was an annual event to mark the autumn season, for ponies exclusively. It was a long, winding race through the countryside, contrived so that the stampeding of the runners would cause the autumn leaves to fall. Why and how it had to be done that way, I had absolutely no clue. If I went back home and, next autumn, told everyone in the neighborhood to just race past the trees to bring the leaves down, they would have asked what the heck I had been smoking.
That next morning, I left for Twilight’s alone. Pinkie had already left, waking me up to know she was heading off early. She said something about ‘catching the girls before the race began’. I imagined this meant she was going to ask about those things she had written plans about, and I grimly wondered what they would say when they heard.
Having met up with my unicorn friend, we headed off into the Ponyville countryside, where it was heavily wooded, long stretches of trees with red and orange leaves trailing along. These leaves really didn’t know how to fall by themselves? Equestrian nature was either very mysterious or very dense.
At the starting line (which also served as the finish line), we saw a big crowd of ponies gearing up to race, all wearing number tags on their flanks. I picked out many that I knew by sight: Lyra, Bon Bon, Golden Harvest, Caramel, Minuette, and most of the rest were ponies I’d seen but didn’t know more intimately, like a few stallions Pinkie had named when the first breakfast rush went by. Not surprising, I saw Applejack and Rainbow Dash among the racers, stretching their limbs. I had a feeling I’d see them taking part. However, to my surprise, I saw two more ponies I recognized among the runners: Derpy and Sparkler!
Yes, mother and daughter, side by side, wearing number tags. I never imagined Derpy to be athletically inclined, not that she looked out of shape or anything, but it was still funny to me to see her jogging in place beside her grown-up daughter, who was taking slow and easy stretches. Even more perplexing, I could swear that Screwball, the pony from the bowling alley, was there as well, but for the life of me, I couldn’t pick out why.
Twilight and I made our way to the crowd of spectators, where we found our pony friends who were not engaged in the race: Rarity, Fluttershy, and the four Crusaders. Pinkie was speaking to them, and the looks on their faces told me they were not particularly enjoying what they were hearing.
“Really, darling, I have so much that needs to be got done,” said Rarity. “I’m just not sure I can find time to squeeze in another request, especially one as elaborate as this.”
“Pleeeease, Rarity?” pleaded Pinkie. “I just thought, just this once, I could look nice when I first see my family again. Don’t you always say something about first impressions?”
Rarity’s expression softened. She seemed touched that Pinkie had remembered something she’d said.
“Yes. Yes, I did, Pinkie, you’re correct. I know this whole business is of vast importance to you, and you’re only trying to set things right. But really, dear, I just don’t know if I can find the time needed.”
“Please, Rarity? At least try? I won’t hate you if you can’t finish it, but at least try!”
There was that puppy-eyed pout of hers, being put to full use. Rarity sighed.
“Of course I’ll try, Pinkie, but I can’t make any promises. Understand?”
“Uh-huh! Thank you, Rarity!”
Pinkie enveloped the prim unicorn in a tight hug and bounced off. It looked like she had already spoken to Fluttershy before we’d arrived. Twilight and I glanced at each other. It appeared the same grim premonitions were running through both our minds.
At that moment, Dinky spotted us and squeaked,
“Hi, Dave! Hi, Miss Twilight!”
Fluttershy and Rarity jumped and whirled around to face us. The Crusaders beamed and waved.
“Hello, ladies,” I said. “I hope I’m not intruding on anything.”
“Oh, no, not at all!” said Rarity, flicking her silky mane with one hoof. “Just waiting for the race to start.”
“It’s a shame this is for ponies only. After that spa treatment yesterday, I feel like a well-oiled machine!”
“Oh, that’s wonderful!” said Fluttershy. “I could never take part myself. I’m not as athletic as Applejack or Rainbow Dash.”
“Well, in all seriousness, dear, who is?” asked Rarity. “Those two are unbeatable!”
“I had a feeling I’d see those two in the pack,” I said. “Have they done this before?”
“Certainly,” said Rarity. “It’s actually quite amusing. One year, those two were at each other’s throats to determine who was the best, and they turned the Running into an all-out war! They kept tripping each other up so much that they tied…for last place.”
I snorted with laughter.
“No way! Seriously?”
“Seriously,” said Rarity. “Why, they even lost to Twilight, who came in a very reasonable 5th place.”
I stared at Twilight, then at Applejack and Rainbow Dash. The idea that those two, who had fitness on the brains, lost to a librarian, made me burst into another fit of laughter.
“Attention, please! Attention!” came a voice from up above. Looking up, I saw the Mayor, aloft in a hot air balloon, speaking into a megaphone. “The Running of the Leaves is about to begin! Racers, to your positions!”
“Ooh! Ooh! It’s starting!” squealed Sweetie Belle, scrambling to climb into her sister’s back, while Twilight lowered herself to let Dinky climb on hers. With a buzz of her wings, Scootaloo managed to jettison herself onto Fluttershy’s back, in a way that reminded me of a grasshopper. Had she really made that much progress already, or was this something she already could have done?
Apple Bloom, meanwhile, was bouncing in place, trying to get a view. Since her sister was in the race, she had no familiar face to give her a better vantage point. She was at the point of giving up, with a disappointed look on her face, when I decided to fix that.
“C’mere, you,” I said, leaning down and scooping her up. I placed her, giggling from the sudden movement, onto my shoulders, where she settled comfortably behind my head. “All good up there?”
“Yup! Thanks, Dave!”
“Anything for a fellow Crusader.”
The three elder ponies smiled warmly at my actions.
“So, who are we banking on to win?” I asked.
“Applejack fer sure!” said Apple Bloom.
“No way!” said Scootaloo. “Rainbow Dash is the fastest ever!”
“In the air, maybe,” said Sweetie Belle, “but I’m with Apple Bloom. Applejack’s an Earth pony. She’s more suited to running.”
“Well said, Sweetie Belle,” said Rarity.
“Oh, I don’t know,” said Fluttershy. “Rainbow Dash has always been fast in the air and on the ground. B-But, Applejack has a fair chance, too,” she added, meekly.
“How about you, Twi?” I asked.
“Honestly, I’ll be glad if they don’t tie for last again,” she said.
“And what do you think, Dinky?”
“Well…you know what would be great?”
“What?”
“If everypony won!” she squeaked, throwing her fore hooves up into the air.
God bless this little filly, she was just too adorable.
“Racers!” called the Mayor. “On your marks…”
The racers got into positional crouches at the starting line, all with faces set with concentration.
“Get set…GO!”
With a thunder of hooves, the crowd of ponies cavalcaded past the starting line and down the path. As they went, I could already see a cascade of autumn leaves plummeting to the ground, stripping the trees bare.
“Wow,” I muttered. “Either those trees are weak, or there’s some frightening power in pony hooves…”
“Did you say something, Dave?” asked Twilight.
“Nothing,” I said. Apple Bloom was swaying on her perch, shouting excitedly,
“C’mon, Applejack! We’re rootin’ fer ya!”
“Easy, kiddo,” I urged, “don’t sway around like that. I can only hold onto you if you keep still.”
“Huh? Oh! Sorry, Dave. Ah got a little excited.”
“Don’t sweat it. I’m pretty interested in seeing how this goes as well.”
Unfortunately, from our spot, we couldn’t see which pony was in the lead, but the Mayor was giving a play-by-play as she floated by in the balloon, the only determinant for the racers’ positions was the falling leaves.
“And it’s Applejack and Rainbow Dash right out the gate, closely followed by Golden Harvest and Lyra Heartstrings! But wait, what’s this? Unbelievable! Sparkler Hooves soars toward the front of the pack! She’s neck and neck with the front runners!”
“YAY! Go, Sparkly!!” squealed Dinky, waving her little forelegs as she sat on Twilight’s back. Twilight smiled at her antics.
“My, oh, my, this is shaping up to be an unusual race!” went on the Mayor. “Not only is Screwball running backwards, but Lyra Heartstrings appears to be running on her hind hooves! Who could have seen this coming?”
“On her hind hooves??” said Twilight, stupefied. Then she groaned and slapped a hoof to her brow. “Her human craze setting in again…”
“Aw, come on, Twi, it’s harmless,” I assured her. “Besides, I think it’s hilarious! Not as weird as Screwball running backwards, but still pretty funny.”
“I guess you would think that,” muttered Twilight, with a grin nonetheless.
“So, Rarity,” I said, turning to the dressmaker, “Twilight tells me you had something you wanted to show me.”
“Mm? Oh! Yes, of course, dear! It’s a good thing Twilight told me you would be leaving for Canterlot tomorrow, or I might have held off until it was too late.”
“Canterlot?” asked Sweetie Belle. “What are you going to Canterlot for?”
“I have a meeting with Princess Celestia,” I explained. “Since it looks like I’ll be here for a while, I’m gonna need my own place to stay. Twilight is arranging for the princess to help me with that.”
“You get to meet Princess Celestia?!” asked Scootaloo. “Man, I’m so jealous! We only got to see her up close once, at the royal wedding!”
“You kids could come with, if you want. Twilight’s taking me up tomorrow for a tour.”
“We can’t,” said Apple Bloom. “We’ve got school tomorrow.”
“Ohh, right. Sorry.”
“Don’t fret about it, darling,” said Rarity. “The streets of Canterlot are no place for little fillies to roam.”
“Aww, but we’d behave ourselves, Rarity,” protested Sweetie Belle.
“Wouldn’t you girls want to come with, anyway?” I asked, addressing Rarity and Fluttershy. “We’d love the company, right, Twi?”
“Absolutely!”
“Oh, I wish I could, dear, but I’ve got so much to do,” said Rarity, regretfully. “With autumn upon us, Nightmare Night will be around the corner, and I’ll have to prepare for the inflow of costume requests and revisions. Besides that, I have a sapphire-encrusted dress to finish and ship for an upcoming ball in Baltimare.”
“Oh, I see. I really hope making clothes for me hasn’t put you behind schedule…”
“No, no, not a bit of it. You needn’t worry about me. I’m used to completing one job after another. It’s almost a necessity when you’re in the dressmaking profession.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
“But besides that, Pinkie wants me to make her a new dress to wear when we meet her family. The thing is, I’m not sure what would be appropriate: something that fits Pinkie, or something that would fit the Pie family. She didn’t leave me with much information.”
“Hmm…Well, I’m sure you’ll come up with something. It’s not like you have a set deadline.”
“Very true. Besides, I can always ask Pinkie, if I can ever find her. She bounced off before I could ask anything else of her.”
“And how about you, Fluttershy?”
“A visit to Canterlot would be wonderful, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it. After the Running, that’s when I start getting the critters ready for hibernation, and it’s also when I help direct the birds in flying south for the winter.”
“Oh, I see. Sounds like a huge responsibility.”
“It’s nothing for Fluttershy,” said Scootaloo. “She’s awesome with animals!”
Fluttershy’s cheeks turned pink from the compliment.
“So that’s Pinkie, Rarity, and Fluttershy who won’t be able to make it,” I said, counting off on my fingers. “AJ will probably have to stay here to get cider season ready…Wonder if Rainbow Dash wouldn’t mind coming with, unless she’s been busy training you, Scootaloo,” I added, addressing the little pegasus.
“She has, but she says I’m making really good progress!”
“That so?”
“Yeah! Wanna see?”
“I’d love to.”
“Ok. Hold out your hands.”
Somewhat bewildered by this request, I nonetheless complied. Scootaloo crouched from her position on Fluttershy’s back, wings buzzing, and with a sudden bound, she launched herself forward. Flapping her wings furiously, she managed to cover the distance between the two of us, having achieved an altitude on level with my chin, and managed to hover smoothly down into my open hands. She beamed proudly up at me as I held her, but the weight of holding Apple Bloom on my shoulders and Scootaloo in my hands was too much. I toppled backward onto my rear, though Apple Bloom kept a good grip around my neck to keep from falling off.
“Goodness! Are you all right?” asked Fluttershy.
“Just fine, Fluttershy,” I answered, then said to the little pegasus, “Scootaloo, that was great! I haven’t seen what your flying used to be, but I’ll bet that was huge progress!”
“Thanks, Dave. It’s all thanks to you.”
“Me? Aw, come on, I can’t even fly.”
“But you hooked me up with a new family. Now Rainbow Dash and I are seeing each other a lot more often, and I’ve got you to thank for that.”
“Oh, well, you’re welcome, kiddo,” I said, tousling her mane with one hand. These kids really were growing on me. “So, you wouldn’t mind if Rainbow agreed to go with us?”
“Nah. In fact, I’m gonna surprise her by working extra hard at what she’s taught me so far! When she gets back, I’m gonna rock her socks off with how much progress I’ve made!”
“Good spirit, Scoot, even though nopony around here even wears socks.”
Ponies in socks…what a weird concept to picture.
“We’re at the halfway point, mares and stallions!” called the Mayor from up above. “The runners are now approaching scenic Whitetail Wood, and you should see them coming up to the finish line any minute now! At this moment, it’s still Applejack and Rainbow Dash jockeying for position, with Sparkler Hooves and Lyra Heartstrings fighting for 3rd! Miss Heartstrings is still going strong on those hind hooves! This could be one for the record books, everypony!”
I set Scootaloo back on Fluttershy’s back and scanned the countryside. The falling leaves were now further ahead and moving leftward, coming ever closer to our position. At last, even the shaking of the ground proved to be a testament to their approach. We could just see a cloud of dust on the horizon, accented by a swirling cloud of autumn leaves. For a moment, it looked like Applejack and Rainbow Dash had fallen behind. At the front of the pack, I could see Sparkler and Lyra, the latter sprinting forward on two legs with surprising ease. Close behind was the rump of Screwball, visible from that angle because, as the Mayor had said, she was running backwards. How and why, I wish I knew…
And then it happened. As if someone had pressed fast forward on a DVD, Applejack and Rainbow Dash charged ahead, bowling past their competition and streaking toward the goal, neck and neck.
“Come on, Applejack!” squealed Apple Bloom, swaying atop my shoulders.
“Come on, Rainbow Dash!” shouted Scootaloo, bouncing on Fluttershy’s back, causing the gentle pegasus to grimace from discomfort, but not a word came from her mouth.
They were mere inches away, hooves pounding the ground until they were almost a blur, and before I could collect my senses, both were over the line, swift as ghosts, but even then, I could almost swear that barely, just barely, Applejack pulled out ahead.
The Mayor seemed to have sensed this as well, as I heard her announce,
“And by a nose, the winner is none other than…APPLEJACK!!”
“WHOO!!!” yelled Apple Bloom, gesticulating so wildly that she tumbled forward over my head and into my hands.
“Easy there, cowgirl,” I said, with a laugh, as I turned her right side up. “Don’t wanna hurt yourself.”
I set her down, and she sprinted right for her big sister, tackling her to the ground.
“Ya did it, Applejack! Ya won!”
“Aw, shucks, Apple Bloom,” chuckled AJ, ruffling her sister’s mane, “it was a close one. RD nearly got me.”
She looked up at Rainbow Dash, who, to my relief but puzzlement, didn’t look that put out at having lost.
“I was totally not expecting you to pull something like that,” she said. “I thought I was the only one who thought of pacing myself, like Twilight did last time.”
“Guess you were mistaken there, fly-gal,” said Applejack, getting up. “Good race, though.”
“Definitely!” said the blue speedster, holding out her hoof.
Applejack’s bumped it with an audible clack.
“What do ya say we have a rematch?” asked Applejack. “After cider season cools down.”
“That’d be sweet! You’re on!”
Meanwhile, we were joined by Sparkler, Derpy, and Lyra, who looked out of breath, but satisfied.
“You were great, Mama, Sparkler!” said Dinky, throwing herself between them in as big a hug as her little forelegs could muster.
Smiling warmly, Derpy leaned her head down to nuzzle her as Sparkler patted her head. I, for my part, turned to Lyra.
“That was some impressive leg work, Lyra,” I said.
“Thanks! I’ve been waiting all year to do that! Doesn’t even matter that I didn’t win.”
“I hope it didn’t hurt or anything.”
“Nah, not at all! The key’s to just keep moving. Otherwise, you’re gonna fall. Honestly, though, it’s a shame I’ve gotta go back to four hooves.”
“Ah, well. Say, Lyra?”
“Hmm?”
“Twilight and I are heading up to Canterlot to arrange a place for me to stay here in Ponyville. She’s gonna show me around tomorrow, so I wondered if you might be interested.”
“Sounds fun! I don’t think I’d go, though. I’m still not quite over the whole Changeling horror from the wedding…”
“Was it that bad?”
“That bad? That bad?? I was a zombie, Dave! A! Zom! Bie!”
She emphasized each syllable of this last phrase with a poke to my chest with her hoof.
“I hope not in the literal sense.”
“Of course not, but you get the idea.”
“I…think I do.”
No, I really didn’t.
“I’m sure you’ll have a great time, though! Canterlot’s real upper-class! It’s got a lot of great shops, and hey, Twilight and I called it home! That’s gotta be a testament of how great it is!”
I laughed. “No doubt.”
At that moment, Applejack and Rainbow Dash came up to our little circle, wearing first and second place medals, respectively.
“You two were unbelievable!” I said. “That last burst at the end? I could hardly follow you!”
“Well, they don’t call me ‘Dash’ for nothin’,” said Rainbow, smugly.
“They don’t call ya modest, either,” said Applejack, earning herself a dirty look from the pegasus.
“Actually, I wanted to ask you something. Well, more Rainbow Dash, really.”
“Huh?”
“Twilight’s taking me up to Canterlot tomorrow to show me around, before I meet with Princess Celestia on Saturday. I wanted to see if either of you wanted to come with, but I sort of guessed you’d be busy with getting cider season ready, Applejack.”
“Yup. Much as Ah’d love to come with ya, Ah can’t neglect cider season.”
“I completely understand. That just leaves you, Rainbow.”
“Sure! I’ll come with you guys! Been a while since I’ve been up in Canterlot. In fact, I heard they just opened a new Wonderbolt gift shop! I am so taking you there!”
She flapped up to me, putting a foreleg about my shoulders.
“I want you to share in the awesomeness that they spread wherever they soar!”
“Sounds great! Definitely don’t wanna miss that.”
“Then that’s settled,” said Twilight. “Meet us at the train station for the 9 o’clock train, Rainbow Dash.”
“9 o’clock? No prob! And AJ?”
“Yeah?”
“You better save some cider for us when we get back!” said Rainbow, sternly, pointing a hoof in the farm mare’s face. “I’m not missing out on another cider season!”
“All right, all right,” said Applejack, rolling her eyes and nudging Rainbow’s hoof away. “Ah’ll save a whole barrelful for y’all.”
“Great! Well, later, guys!”
And she zoomed off, leaving a rainbow contrail behind her.
“Well, now that the race is settled,” said Rarity, “shall we mosey on down to the Boutique? It’s time Dave saw what I made for him.”
“I’m all anticipation, milady,” I said, with a civil bow.
“Then follow me, my good sir,” said Rarity, imitating my chivalrous tone, and she trotted on ahead, the rest of us close behind.
***
As soon as Rarity had lead us inside the Boutique, she shut the door behind her and drew the curtains. It was obvious that what she was about to unveil was extravagant, making me once more wonder to how much trouble she had gone to get it done.
“Now, Dave, stand on that pedestal, if you would,” said Rarity, pointing to the one she had had me stand on so my measurements could be taken. I complied.
“Now, girls,” she said, turning to the group of friends that had accompanied us (and by that, I mean Twilight, Applejack, Fluttershy, Derpy, Sparkler, Lyra, and the Crusaders), “As only Twilight and Rainbow Dash shall be accompanying Dave, I thought it only fair to allow you to see what I had made especially for him. May I present to you…the Young Aristocrat ensemble!”
Her horn instantly flared up with a shining blue light, and I caught a mere glimpse of some articles of clothes before they began swirling around me like a tornado. My whole body began to glow with the same light, but I couldn’t feel anything happen. I wasn’t quite sure what to think of it, but I didn’t have the voice to scream out loud at this sudden development.
Then, all in an instant, there was a burst of light, and this time, I did feel something: a new kind of pressure on my body, as if I were clothed in something I wasn’t used to, especially along my upper arms, since I’d been wearing short-sleeved shirts ever since I arrived. There was also something in my hand, like a stick or staff.
The light subsided, and everypony present but Rarity gasped, eyes widened.
“Come, darling,” said Rarity, “step down and take a look at yourself in the mirror.”
I stepped down and approached the mirror…but stopped short.
Was that…me?
It couldn’t have been.
But it was.
I was dressed in a black suit and pants, complete with a white undershirt and a red tie. A blue sapphire decorated the breast pocket. That wasn’t all, however. Tied about my shoulders was a black cape, the inside a rich red, and on top of my head was an honest-to-goodness top hat, with a red-golden feather in the hatband. In my hand was a long cane of black wood topped with an emerald, and my hands were even gloved.
Nopony spoke for quite some time, and even I found myself at a loss for words. Then, Applejack said,
“Mah stars…Ah’ve never seen anything like it!”
“This is…” stammered Twilight, “I mean…Rarity…Wow!”
“Do you like it, Dave?” asked Rarity, hopefully.
“Like it?” I finally managed to say. “Rarity, words can’t even begin to describe this. This is unbelievable!”
“But do you like it?”
“Like it? I love it! I’ve always wanted to try something like this!” I held the end of my cape out at arm’s length. “I’ve always wanted to wear a real cape, and a real top hat! And even hold a real cane! All the times I’ve seen it on TV and in the movies, and I only had a dim idea of what it must be like! And now…now I just don’t know what to say! My mind’s whirring!”
Rarity’s pretty face was aglow with delight.
“What do you all think?” I asked, facing my pony audience.
“You look amazing!” said Sweetie Belle.
“Like a real gentleman!” said Lyra.
“I hardly recognize you!” said Derpy.
“Princess Celestia’s going to love it!” said Fluttershy.
“Rarity,” I said, turning to the unicorn, “this is a kingly gift. I just don’t know how I can accept it-”
“Nonsense,” said Rarity, gently, putting her hoof on my hand. “I knew you would meet the princess sooner or later, and I had this secretly in the works after I first got interested in human clothing. I fear I may have to take a break from it, as, I do hope you’ll forgive me for saying, I don’t wish for it to set me back too far.”
“Forgive you? Rarity, that was my chief hope, that I wouldn’t cause too much detriment to your own work. I was grateful when you first offered to make me a new suit of clothes, but now…now, I’m in your debt.”
I got down on one knee, took her hoof in my hand, and kissed it. Rarity beamed warmly and leaned her head in to give me a nuzzle.
“You’re well worth the trouble, darling,” she said. “May it serve you well in Canterlot.”
“I don’t doubt that,” I said, once more looking over my finery. “If Canterlot’s the home of the throne, I’ll be sure to blend in.”
My hand strayed to the feather on my hat. It felt…oddly warm.
“What kind of feather is this, by the way?”
“Ah! That is my pride and joy,” said Rarity, proudly. “A genuine phoenix feather.”
“A phoenix feather?? No way…”
“Way, I say,” said Rarity, with a giggle.
“Wow. I wonder how Pinkie’s gonna flip when she sees me in this.”
Just then, the door bell tinkled.
“Rarity! I’m so super-duper sorry, but I forgot to-”
The voice ended in a long, drawn-out gasp, and there was no mistaking its owner.
Pinkie had just barged into the boutique, and her face had gone slack at the scene before her.
“Davie? Is that you?”
“It is, my dear Pinkie,” I said, straightening up. “This is what I’ll be wearing when I meet the princess. Do you like it?”
“Like it? I love it!” squealed Pinkie, rushing over. “Look at you! You look so spiffy! That hat! That cape! That cane! You’re gonna really wow Princess Celestia!”
“I hope so. It’s still a shame you don’t think you can come. It would have been tons of fun to have you with us.”
“Aww, Davie, that’s sweet of you,” said Pinkie, “but I still have so much to get ready if I wanna get this right.” She leaned her head to look behind me. “Oh, goodie! Applejack’s here too! Two cupcakes on one plate!”
“Huh? Two cupcakes on one…Never mind. Anyway, Pinkie, whatever you wanted to ask Rainbow Dash, make sure you do it today. She’s planning to come with Twilight and me to Canterlot.”
“Really?? Thanks for warning me, Davie. It might have been too late!”
“Girls, I hate to be a bother,” said Rarity, “but would you mind if Applejack and I had some privacy with Pinkie Pie? It seems this is something that can’t wait.”
“But of course,” I said, giving my new hat a twitch. Then, all of a sudden, a new idea came over me. “Hey, Rarity? What happened to the clothes I was wearing?”
“They’re right here, darling,” she said, levitating them over in a neat pile.
“Thanks,” I said, tucking them under my arm. “We’ll be departing for Canterlot at 9 in the morning, if you want to see us off.”
“Wouldn’t miss it!” said Derpy.
“Have a good rest of the day, then, ladies.”
I decided to put my costume into full practice, and I gave them a sweeping bow, taking my hat off in the process. A chorus of giggles and titters was the welcome reception, and all of us went our separate ways as Rarity shut the door behind us, Pinkie already engaged in a conversation with Applejack.