Sombra stared at the tall pastry in front of him, it was frosted white, adorned with navy blue icing, which took a nice looping pattern on the sides, and criss-crossed the front. The cake had three layers, each one bigger than the one on top of it.
"This is a cake?" the unicorn asked in awe. "It's huge, and shiny, and--Well, it's actually appealing to the eyes. Before, I only ever got cheap stuff, that may or may not have been stale. This looks.." He searched for the right word, couldn't find it, and went for a simile instead, "like a masterpiece."
Pinkie Pie grinned, "Well, it is a party in your honor. Your first party here in Ponyville, I have to make it enjoyable."
"First party at all, actually," Sombra said softly.
The earth pony gasped and looked like she was about to faint, "I didn't go nearly all out enough! Your first party? Ever? I need to get more streamers, balloons, and--"
"Pinkie Pie!" he interrupted before she could get too carried away, "This is good. Perfect, even."
"You really think so?"
"If I'm the guest of honor, this seems too good for me, actually.."
Pinkie Pie shook her head, "I don't make exceptions. You're getting this party. Besides, I've sent out the invitations already."
------
The party was loud. Exciting, rather enjoyable, but Pinkie Pie looked disappointed. Sombra could see why. Several of the guests were watching him apprehensively, and he didn't blame them.
After the cake, ice cream, and Pinkie gave him a present, which turned out to be a large box of assorted candies and chocolates, he finally decided to quietly slip out. It was still broad daylight, and several members of the town were in Sugarcube Corner. The apartment that Luna had rented was just down the street, but on the way, an orange pegasus filly on a red scooter crashed into his side.
Sombra stood quickly and stared at the filly, expecting a scream, a gasp, or at least a frightened stare. What he didn't expect was "Hi!"
"Uh... What?" Sombra blinked as he watched her.
"I said 'hi'!" she responded, "My name's Scootaloo. I haven't seen you around here before. What's your name?"
"Sombra..." The unicorn answered, still surprised that she didn't seem scared of him, "You didn't know?"
Scootaloo looked at him, "You're Sombra? You don't look--"
The filly was interrupted suddenly by the rainbow spaz, who landed between them, "Scootaloo! You shouldn't be talking to him. He can't be trusted!
With that, Sombra walked off to his apartment, not listening to the argument that would break out.
------
Zecora tossed a few leaves into the pot, the strong smell of brewing tea wafting around her hut. Her humming to herself was interrupted by a sudden tremor in the ground.
"What is this, for goodness sake?" She muttered, "Now the ground begins to quake."
She shrugged it off, "Such is the way of Everfree. I can still enjoy my tea."
The zebra was about to take a sip of her fresh cup of tea, when a deep voice interrupted her, "Habari za jioni, pundamilia kidogo."
At first, she looked around, confused, before she realized the language spoken was her own, and responded in kind, "Who are you, and what are you doing here?"
"I'm simply here to take what I want." A dark grey pony with a red-tipped curved horn stepped into her view, "I'm not as powerful as before, but I can still have fun."
Zecora's scream could be heard from outside. The creature exited with a blindfolded cockatrice in tow.