I had seen Twilight off to Canterlot, I had also had a hoof in there, on the mirror. I wanted to actually see it with my own two eyes. I intend to be there. I had prepared, then I set up the Hooficure, just in time for the party.
To see Twilight Sparkle off to Canterlot High, but never see more of it than having a hoof on the mirror, passing for the gate to Canterlot High. Luna explained for us when Sunset stole Twilights Royal Crown.
I had seen her return, explaining the details since she was too tired.
Now I had spent the time, planning for the next opening and I have packed my saddle bag full with what I had intended to take with me.
From there I had slipped past the guards and trotted through the gate, only to find myself where I had dreamt to be, only to be in the form of a girl, rather than as the Mare I was, on debarkation?
Now, what am I to do with myself? I could go back any time, within the time I had, until the gate closed.
Of course, I was to give them a treat of my very own, it had to be Hooficure. I managed to set up shop, then I met my friends, allowing them to be the first to enjoy it, thus enticing the rest to go along.
In fond memory of; 28 Pranks Later - Gilda, the Brushof
Since Luna explained about the portal hidden within the castle in the Crystal Empire, where Cadence rule, I had been curious to see, just what the place was like.
Now I had made up my mind, and having short of thirty moons to do so was more than enough for me. Now I had made all the preparations.
The only real problem, letting my friends and the ponies of Ponyville know, without revealing what I had in mind. I was particularly weary about allowing either Cadence, Shining Armour, Celestia or Luna know what I was up to, just in case, maybe.
As I got to the other side of the gate, I'm just as confused as Twilight Sparkle had been. I guess I should have known. It seems to be an integrated part of the process of the transit? She had been just as confused both times. Now it hit me, as well.
Unlike her, I have no element with me, I had no need for it and none other felt the need to pull it through either, thankfully.
I had come in the name of curiosity, I guess this is part of my random self? I just couldn't resist. Now I hope I'm not stuck here for the next thirty moons. However long this would be. With that, I'd have the same three days she had, back then.
None was there, maybe I had come earlier in the morning, and the light overhead seems to confirm it, the sun barely up. I struggled with the steps as I walked to the building, then opened the door. It's empty, just as good.
To my surprise, or maybe I shouldn't have been, there is a note posted, spelling out something of some interest. There was a party before the three days were up. That could be fun, now I could see it and be there for myself.
Unlike Twilight, I knew what and whom I had been looking for. They were supposedly all here. Was the other me planning this party, just like then?
I had managed to see most of the school, known as 'Canterlot High', before it started to fill up. That soon proved convenient. Now I know where things are, including the room where the party was supposed to be held, just the night before the gate was to close on me. If I had failed to pass, that is.
Thankfully, I had actually managed to find the room where I intended to set up a few things. A small shop of hooficure, as it were. Now, all I need to do before I could set up the business, is to find my friends. I knew they are here since Twilight had explained it.
There already was a desk, which's very convenient since it saved me the trouble. Sneaking around with a desk, even when it is empty, isn't a very good idea. Then I placed it dead centre, in a fashion of a regular manner, in order to have the girl where I wanted her in order to perform.
Two chairs, comfortable enough was a bit of a snag, you don't find them, commonly in a school? I did not want to take anything that would be missed, the coming three days, which made for a tight fit.
Placing the saddle bag up against the wall, under and behind the desk, well out of site, thus out of mind to any and all looking into my temporary makeshift office. Actually, I had managed a tag for the door, making it officially mine, for the time I needed it.
“Pinkie Pie's Manicure Studio” the sign simply reads.
I may be a Pony where I came from and my friends would know it, but I did not have to make it obvious to the others, whoever may pass this door, during the days I was to be here.
To my surprise, it is located fairly conveniently. Actually, just two doors away from where the event was supposed to go down in just these two days. I guess this would make for a good laugh when I got home? Even if I had listened to Twilight, when she finally could catch her breath and catch up on the much needed rest and sleep when she got back from being here, all these thirty moons ago.
I had stacked up a line of the vials, intended to look like Nail Polish. Though they do contain special gels, intended to facilitate specific changes to the nails and fingertips of the girl, on which it had been applied. I had them all labelled in a fashion giving credibility, rather than explaining what they actually was doing to the girl. I wanted them to feel secure in my care, rather than giving them second thoughts and possibly scaring them off.
I don't want them leaving, screaming on the tops of their lungs, running off in panic. What good would it possibly do the girl, or me? There is no joy in it, no beauty. I had no such discord impulses. I may be random and unpredictable, but my aim is always focused on the joy. There is a party, and the clock is ticking. Tick tock, tick tock.
The first gel is to pose as 'Base Coat', while it is in fact binding the effect to the nail. The second is then used to paint the outline of the actual change. Looking like a clear lacquer, in order to even out a few small uneven details, as well as making the effect of quality and durability. Then there is the final, third, I was using in order to seal the deal, it was a high gloss to give the intended target the impression it was finished. Though I had also lined up a small selection of colours.
Naturally, I had three pink hues, then there is red, yellow, green, blue and purple. I had lined up these colours, for the sake of impression, imagining some girls would ask for them, to the point of making it into a request? Metallic bloody red, There is the lemon yellow, leafy green, electric blue, and a royally vibrant purple. All the spectrum of the rainbow? They're all metallic and florescent.
I had chosen a thick gel, and a special lamp that was to cure the respective gel. All for the convenience and credibility. I wanted them to believe in what I had presented. Who'd go, if they were never to trust in the product? I doubt I would, or even could.
Since I had set up my shop just a few days from where the party was to be held, I had bumped into my alternative self first, how convenient?
“Hiya!” I just burst out, as I saw her.
“Hello. I didn't know I had a twin!” she responded.
“I think the reason behind what you see is easier than that. If you recall the event, the dance, last time? Twilight and Sunset? Ringing any bells?” I uttered.
“Oh, yeah. Now I remember. So you're her friend, from where she came from and later returned to!” she said.
“Yeah, that's me. I'm the pony corresponding with you, as the girl here!” I enlightened her.
“Since you are sporting the same balloons, I guess it made sense. I'd love to see you around, for the few days you'd stay here!” she responded.
“Now, while we're at it and I have you around. I had this entirely random proposition since it is just two days from the party you're preparing, I would love to give you a small treat. Polishing your nails, as little as you may care for it in general, but this is a great night, can as well prepare a day or two in advance. I'm sure you will not regret it!” I blurted out in the common randomness of mine, knowing she'd recognise it and catch on.
“Since you're here, why not? Since I know you're going to help me with preparing the hall anyway. I guess I could spare the time!” she pondered out in absent randomness, as if just thinking aloud, for her very own benefit.
“Just follow me, right this way!” I pointed out as I led her towards the small room.
“This is going to be only too exciting, even if it isn't even tomorrow!” she just bubbled over in uncontrollable giggles.
I opened the door and led her inside.
“Have a seat and I'll be right with you. I hope you will enjoy the result!” I informed her in a not too sober tone, trying a more professional air.
“This looks good and you have prepared it all, all by yourself. I'm impressed!” she responded as she looked around, before sitting down where I had indicated for her to sit.
She momentarily slipped her hands over the light beech wood of the top of the desk, before settling down where she sat on the soft padding of the seat, on which I had instructed her to sit. It may be a common chair for an office, which was the best I could come by in the short amount of time I had available. Thinking of it, it must be identical to all office chairs in the school, just the same as Principal Celestia was probably sitting in right now?
“Just hold your hands before you, and spread your fingers!” I instructed her, as I picked the first gel.
I noticed how she was looking curiously, as I opened the first gel up for the very first time. She tentatively sniffed, but detected no special odour, maybe she was new, or just never cared much for this treat, thus never picked up on the hint. She did not make any show of picking it up, but she may have figured it could be due to the fact that I was to cure it for her, once I was finished?
Now I slowly started to paint the nail of her right thumb, just as intended, the way you'd expect it being done, from the top, centre, then right and left outwards. I used a professional five stroke manner, covering the entire nail, and nothing but, just leaving her nail a tad shiny, the way I knew would have been expected.
Now I moved to the next nail, painting them, one by one, until I had finished the very last of her five fingers on the right hand. I knew I had her attention, and she demonstrated it by intently look at the hand as I worked the magic, she was soon to realise?
“If you slip your hand in there, palm down, and hold it still until it chime? While I finish your left hand!” I instructed her.
“You really are all into the partying and preparing for them?” she enquired in a curious manner, as I painted on what she thought was the base coat on the nails of the other hand.
“That's me, the out of control Party Animal. Yet, you still need to know all about parties and plan for them in advance. Making you look just right for this party is essential, it isn't just a small village party, after all!” I responded.
“Oh no. This is the real deal, it's the 'Spring Formal', nothing can be allowed to go wrong!” she stated, with certainty.
Talking about the event ahead distracted me from thought beyond what I had at hand, her hooficure. It masked my eager joy as well since I had a perfect excuse to be excited, while I was working her treat.
“Now if you pull the hand out, and slip the left in, while I start the second step in the process?” I just informed her, knowing what I was doing would soon start to change her fingers, even if the effect may be reversible, until I had finished the final step, that is.
She eagerly followed the instructions, merely looking closer at her nails, shiny as they were, then she sat back, allowing me to do my work.
I started over, with the thumb of her right hand, only now I started just under the joint, painting the nail as long as it could possibly have been, and stroke by stroke, all the way out, making it as wide as it could possibly be, with just the same five strokes. Only to move over to the next finger, painting nail by nail, until I had finished the last of the fingers of the right hand.
“Now, if you'd pull out the left hand for me, and place the right in there, in order for the second coat to cure!” I instructed her.
She apparently did not notice the 'slip', as she just followed my instruction, giggling.
“Yes!” she then responded as she placed the left hand before me and I repeated the process.
I diligently kept on working on her nails in the manner I had set out, still sticking to the highest level of quality and precision I could muster, being Pinkie Pie and all. Several minutes past, as I kept at it.
“There, slip your right hand out, and the left hand in. Oh, and which hue of pink is your choice of the day?” I instructed her, knowing she would like pink in the first place.
“That pink seems like me!” she indicated, by pointing at it with her index finger, before she even looked at it, as if she knew what it looked like.
“Ah, the dark but vibrant hue of your hair?” I enquired, as I picked it and opened it for her, so I could start out painting her nails.
Using the gel, rather than the solid state lacquer was ingenious since the full effect of the changes would take time and I had no intent of waiting for the changes. I had no time, and changes always takes more time then you really liked, in the first place.
Just like the first times around, I started with the thumb, from the top centre, then alternating right and left, outwards, in exactly five strokes, just covering the nail, and nothing but. Then continued nail by nail, until I had finished the last one, stopping only in order to instruct her to switch hands.
From there, I moved to the final, the top coat which is going to seal the gel in, as well as the changes I'm slipping her. She may not quite have realised it, but now it was too late to turn back, and her hooves will stay this very same pink, from now and the end of time.
Once I had finished, she looked critically at her right hand, enjoying the pink I had painted on it, noting just how shiny her nails were, glistering warmly at her.
“This should make for a good effect on the party!” she chimed happily without noticing too much just yet.
I could see her nails now covering more of her fingers than she had expected, and I guess it did show on her face, but for now, she seems to enjoy the looks of it?'
“I think it is in order to start planning and preparing for your party, it's just the two days away, after all!” I toned in.
“Oh yes, thanks for reminding me!” she responded, still high on the excitement, not just the hooficure, but me helping her out.
She leads me into the empty room. I could see a table with streamers and confetti. There were a few more tables, of which one was dedicated to store the cider she had ordered to the party, just the day before. That was to be delivered just before the party. Apple Jack would be true to her word, the cider was as good as delivered.
“I think we start with the balloons!” she suggested, before she slipped one right off of her flank, just like the previous party, before she inflated it to the desired size.
“Only a true Pinkie Pie can make this trick work!” I teased her with a pat on her back, before I followed her example.
“I save on balloons, and get more, and better cider!” Pinkie Pie assured me, to the point.
“That's the spirits, I know you love the cider, and since it is straight from the Sweet Apple Acres, I know why you love it. They still make the best cider!” I confirmed.
Pinkie Pie had messaged Rarity, just as we finished preparing for the party, that was to take place two days from now. She had told her to come over to the room I had made into my hooficure studio, even if she had spelled it 'Manicure', possibly out of ignorance since I never bothered to correct her mistake, in part because I figured she did not need to know.
Apparently Rarity had a moment over, so she had appeared in the room, not more than some thirty minutes later.
“You made a fabulous job at the hall for the festivities!” she burst out, after greeting me.
“A Pinkie Pie Collaboration, so it is Pinkie Pie Squared!” I teased her.
“I guess it makes sense, in a senseless Pinkie Pie manner of ways?” Rarity put forth.
“If you sit down, so I could give you the promised treat. Once they see how good it looks on you, I predict everyone will love it for themselves!” I predicted.
“Finally, something that makes sense. Since everyone knows me and how fabulous I am, they will like to follow my example. I hope you can handle manicure, like the text suggested!” she indicated.
“I know Pinkie Pie may not be the expert on these things, but you saw how good she looks on your way over?” I enquired.
“Oh, but of course I did see her. That's the best I had ever seen her. Even if I'm not into pink, like her. I am a bit more fashionable and sophisticated than that!” she pointed out.
“I had anticipated it. I have a selection of quality lacquers to choose from. One of them is sure to catch your fancy?” I suggested, indicating the available choices, including a deep purple, that should go well with her as well.
“I can see that you have put some effort in a selection. You're quite correct. These should be good for anyone who chooses to accept your gracious offer. I'd look just as fabulous as I had expected!” she pointed out, indicating her choice as she pointed at the purple veil, just as I had predicted, but I knew her taste already.
“Since I take it, you know how a manicure works, I'm getting straight to it!” I pointed out.
She had placed her hands before me, so I started out with her right hand, only slipping the veil of base coat open, before I started with the thumb of her right hands, from the top, all the way down, then alternating right and left, in a measured five strokes, covering nothing, but the entire nail, before moving on to the next nail, repeating the process, and then the next, until I had finished the fifth nail.
I let go of the hand, before I moved to the left, as she slipped her hands into the device designed to cure the polish, or gel as it is more to the point.
Then I started over with the thumb nail, from the top and down, alternating right and left in the same five strokes. Once I had finished the left hand, she pulled the right out. Naturally all of the nails now cured fully. She held her hand up, looking at the nails critically as I capped the base coat, and picked the next vial, before I started over with the thumb of her right hands.
“The polish looks only slightly shiny, but as a base coat, it was never expected to shine!” she suggested.
“Exactly, it is only meant to bind to the nail for a base for a quality manicure!” I responded.
She nodded approvingly.
Then I continued by painting her right thumb, from the top and centre, and alternating right and left. Once I had finished the fifth nail, she presented me the left hand, and I repeated the process.
“The purple you indicated earlier?” I enquired in order to make certain I had gotten her correctly.
“Yes, exactly!” she responded.
Since the miniature finger hooves had now cured, I picked the purple of her choice, and promptly started to paint her thumb nail, from the top centre, and alternating right and left. Finger by finger, her hooves was cared for, soon looking brilliant in deep purple.
She soon presented me her left hand, and I started over with her thumb. From the top centre, alternating right and left. I guess I did enjoy this royally. Even if she had not yet realised the effect this was to have on her, once this polish finally was completed and cured.
Maybe it had not changed enough for her to notice? Just like with Pinkie Pie, I had applied the hoof polish all the way up to the joint, and as far out as to make it a full miniature finger hoof.
As she finally handed me the right hand, I started to apply the top coat, thus sealing the effect in. Starting with the top, centre, alternating right and left, until I had covered the entire hoof, and nothing but. Continuing, finger by finger, polishing hoof by hoof.
Then she placed her hand in the device, curing the top coat, as I started on her left hand. Starting over on the final run, with the left thumb. From the top, alternating left and right, finger by finger, hoof by hoof.
“How does it look?” I asked her, as she pulled her left hand out, as the polish had cured fully.
“Adorable. Utter gloss. I certainly can show up at the party, looking like this. Now I just need to create the suit to wear, and for all seven of us, even if I had initially planned for just six, but that's before you showed up!” she cooed.
“How about going over the designs of the suits over a cup of tea? Even if I may not be the expert of either fashion, or making suits, I'm sure we could both enjoy the company. Then you could ask the rest of our friends about the finer details later? I know you have the accessories in a firm grip!” I suggested.
“Sounds like an idea!” she agreed.
She was eager to look into what to wear since it was her part in life in the first place. I could enjoy the tea, and she is my friend after all. She's still the Rarity I knew from back home. I was quite sure she knew me just as well, in part from what Twilight Sparkle had told her about me, when she was here earlier, for the Fall Formal.
Once inside, I led her to my small kitchen in the back of her boutique.
“A cup of tea did sound like an idea!” I declared.
“Knowing you, I trust in your expertise on teas, as well as the creation of the suits, even if I have some preferences!” Pinkie pointed out, in her usual random voice, for being the newly arrived pony, rather than the local girl.
It is just a bit hard to see the differences, even when I could see them side by side, knowing who was who. I guess they are truly the same, even if they are two versions of her. It is confusing from time to time, particularly when I see them side by side. Just standing there?
Maybe this part is more of Twilight's department? She is after all the Librarian, and the scientist of the group. On the other hoof, I imagine even she had a problem, dealing with the utter randomness of Pinkie Pie in the first place.
“From the Pinkie Pie I know, you should know teas, even if you are not quite as sophisticated as me. I have to stay on top of these things, if I want to have a chance on my field!” I responded.
“Sounds like the Rarity I knew. You're thriving on important events, like the one coming up. This should be a very special night for all of us!” she merely suggested with her usual grin on her face.
“There can only be one Rarity, and that is me. I'm the Canterlot Fashionista, you would know that just as well as every other around here and beyond!” I concluded.
“Which is why I turned to you first. You know what looks good, and we all know it. The party is in only two days. Once they see you, they follow you, wherever you go. I don't need to hunt them down!” she pointed out.
“Yes, the party is in two days. I have been working on the suits for weeks. I, we are going to be fabulous, stunning when the show begins. We all know that. Maybe I could create one for you too? Just a few small adjustments since we do not want to have you look as if she was your twin, more than you need to!” I responded.
“Since you have the measurements, just make mine pink, and shiny as if it had been made out of candy, instead of decorated with it? Oh, and just a heads up, I fear Sunset Shimmer will be delayed, on her way to the party. Just a hint, something I just picked up on, even if it hasn't happened yet. If you could put up a poster for me, I like them to know where I am since they will want my special treat, just as I gave you!” she pointed out.
“Certainly, you do look as if you would go by her measurements. I guess that could be arranged. She was delayed last year too, so I guess it would not be out of the blue, or anything? Just don't give me any details!” I stated firmly.
“I'll start with our friends, first. Then I'll take on as many as I can, out of the interested once. I predict I will have a riot on my hooves, just to get all squeezed into my schedule now. I will not say a word. She would not like to know before hoof? Besides, I have a few friends to give the Royal Treat, later today!” she responded.
“This will be the grandest of all of the Formals in the history of Canterlot. I am looking forwards to the first party where she will not ruin it. You have opened up for so much new for this time around. Your suit will be just as fabulous as I can make it for you!” I pointed out.
“Thanks to you, Rarity, they will all desire it by tomorrow. On the other hoof, who could blame them? We'll make this into an unprecedented joy for all who choose to attend. With the little time remaining for preparations!” she continued.
I could but blink at her strange vocabulary. Even if her friend Twilight Sparkle had had the same strange choices of words. I can't doubt the word that they are from the same place. Twilight Sparkle had explained the situation at the end, just before she had to leave us as the gate was closing.
“You are quite welcome, Pinkie Pie. You would know that I do almost anything for a good friend. You certainly are one of my closest friends, after all. If it wasn't strange to see Twilight Sparkle back then and you now, to see myself would still be stranger. I know, who would not want to look one's best? That is after all why I am creating the clothes the way I'm making them, just as I would imagine your Rarity would?” I interjected.
“It's a curious experience, coming here. Everyone is exactly the way I knew them from back home. Only now, not a Pony as far as my eyes could see. You know, I'm tempted to suggest that you follow me to where I live. As strange and confusing as you may find it there, you are sure to enjoy the trip. Only problem is that you have to be back within the three days, unless you are prepared to stay for thirty moons. I take it that would be a problem, right now?” Pinkie Pie pondered.
“In a manner of speaking, it is how we felt too, even if we did not know what was up, before she explained her situation. Naturally we helped her out, even before she told us. She managed to help us with a situation caused by Sunset Shimmer, back then. This time around I recognised you on the spot since I knew what to look for, even if you are very different from Twilight Sparkle in so many ways. A weekend could be fun, if it hadn't been for the Spring formal that is upon us right now. Thirty moons, that's more than I feel like waiting for!” I responded.
“Yeah, would be fun to have you with me back. Just can't see you leaving the party, before we had all the fun intended now. You have to graduate, before you can leave, so you'll just have to wait until next window of opportunity on this. If you are still interested by then, I'm sure my friends would be just as happy as I am to have you over. I'd have to throw you a party when you come too. It can't be avoided, you know!” she pointed out, grinning at me.
“That is how we felt back at the previous occasion, and we could not go then either. Maybe I can be here, next time. For now, we will just have to make the most out of the short days we have together. If your friends are anything like what you and Twilight Sparkle have shown me. Since both you and Twilight Sparkle are like the girls by the same name here, this is bound to be a trip worth taking!” I put forth.
“She told us all about how nice you were here, when she had to fetch her crown, when Sunset Shimmer had stolen it from her. You are all exactly as she had described you. Just the way I had imagined you, just by looking at my friends back home. Now we just have to finish our preparations of the party!” she pronounced.
“Yes, we have some more preparations to finish, I will have to finish your suit and you have to help our friends to prepare for the party. Before that, we can still have a cup of tea?” I concluded.
“Good thing you have an entire day to work on my suit and already have the measurements ready. There is still time for a cup of tea, please!” she responded.
I pour up tea for both of us, before I slowly sip on the hot brew. I really had to see her, where she lives, but now I'll have to wait another thirty moons until she could fetch me to come over. For now, I have her suit to finish and she had the hooficure of our friends to tend to, in order for us to be ready for the party. This certainly is bound to be the best party yet, maybe ever. Whatever was it she had been hinting at? She had mentioned the girl who had tried to ruin the previous party. Besides, why did she insist of keeping calling it hooficure, we all knew it is called manicure. Is it merely her typical antics and strange vocabulary, or was she hinting at something more? --- --- ---
”We sure managed to make the preparations for this party together. If only we could do this more often?” I put forth.
“Best time I ever had, decorating for a party here. I never knew it could be so much more fun to do it together. You sure do know your parties too, Pinkie!” she responded.
“I knew it, I was right sneaking here. It isn't so much about planning parties, it is in the thought of making your friends enjoying themselves and having a good time. There can be nothing like it. Now I just have to be there to see it go off, just as smoothly as I had planned and I know you feel the same way. Unlike the episode with the Mirror Pool, unlike the duplicates, you're genuinely fired up to see them having that one blast. It isn't as if we get too many chances here!” I ranted in a flash of pointless insight, just like when I explained to my friends what happened Twilight Sparkle, when she was here.
“Is that how you came out, when she got back last time?” she pointed out.
“Yes, that would be how I came out. Happens every now and then, you never had one of these moments yourself?” I proposed.
“Now as you mentioned, I just never thought of it. I take it, you have a few more things to take care of!” she responded.
“I sure do. All who may desire to try the treat, will have it before the party is to go off!” I expressed, smiling from ear to ear.
“Yeah, I know. It may be a small feat, considering how large the school here at Canterlot High is!” she responded, and with a grin of her own.
“Since we can relay on Rarity to create our suits, I may as well ask you. If you could help me out with the Hooficure? We only have these two days, then we have to have all our preparations wrapped up. I don't want to leave any who want it left out. If it was up to me, they would all have the treat before the opening!” I pondered.
“I guess I could help you. We just need to set up the one extra desk, unless I am working when you are out? Though I think we could ask our friends helping us out with any of the details that would take your time?” she responded, her smile remaining just as wide.
“Then my burden is easier to carry. You did ask Apple Jack about the Cider, I take it. I love her Cider just as much as you, so I would trust you have her working on the delivery already!” I pointed out.
“Most of us like it. Even if I can see Sunset Shimmer as she explained how much it was out of place, last time around!” she explained, now with a wicked leer on her face.
“Speaking of Sunset Shimmer and out of place. I had a plan for her personal amusement. Sure should keep her from being bothered by the Cider as early this time around. If Rarity has managed to catch the attention we both know she loves. Then we will have them all fixed up with a nice hooficure. From there, I will have Sunset Shimmer exactly where I want her, which is exactly where she doesn't want to be!” I suggested.
“These plans, have you finalised them, or just drawn up the details?” she then enquired in a curious voice, as if she knew exactly.
“How about we ask Apple Jack to help us with the details, then I can prepare my joke in my classical manner!” I pondered.
“If you need Apple Jack, something needs to be built!” she pointed out.
“There is a fairly small room, just a few doors from where the party will be going off. I need a small detail, where I could polish a surface for her to place her hooves. From there, I could safely leave her there, behind a closed door. No need to even lock it. Even if somepony would find her, it would do little to no difference. Although I guess she would be laughed at!” I pondered.
“Speaking of which, I would appreciate it, if you could help me with a few of their hooficures. I hope it isn't too much on your end?” I pointed out.
“Since you showed me how you did it. I can do that. I guess that should be some fun. It is after all planning for a party, the likes they never seen here at Canterlot High!” she responded with a wide grin on her face.
“I am certain of your competence and capabilities in planning and preparing for parties. There can be no doubt on that part. Maybe that is why I enjoy working with you so much. I don't need to contend with countless pointless questions. You know exactly what I mean, even before I have finished the sentence. It is like having a twin I never knew I had. We know what they will enjoy, even before they know it. Maybe you would be the one to free Sunset Shimmer, before the party is at an end. She needs to have some fun, but she also needs to get used to and learn to love Apple Jack's Cider!” I pronounced.
“I feel the same way, though it is a curious reference to the twin. You are like a twin I never knew I had too, after all. You're right there, they even know that. I could do that, guess it would be fun to see her face, when I let her out. She certainly does need that!” she responded.
“Maybe you could have her seeing it as a very small repayment for her tricks against my friend Twilight Sparkle, although I know she was and still is your friend too!” I suggested.
“I could. Just that I know you don't see it that way more than I do. You know, I can't hold grudges, not like that, and neither could you. As much as one may think so, considering the small detail, I can't forget as much as a single detail!” she responded.
“Maybe that is why my foalhood is such a pain? I can't forget how boring it was. Well, up until the instant a certain Rainbow Dash was bright enough to perform her sonic rainboom. That was an instant!” I pointed out.
“Only this time, Snips and Snails will not be able to ruin our preparations. Not just because they are not following Sunset Shimmer, but because they will have to break the door to get in, in order to do anything!” she suggested.
“Makes sense, even if I was hoping they did learn their lesson, the last time around. If they did not learn it then, we'll give them a new lesson, alright!” I pointed out. --- --- ---
I have seen little signs everywhere, like the strange nail polish everyone was sporting. Had it been just the original friends, or even a few of the girls, but it seems to go well beyond any reason, for all I could see.
Just like that silly tail and the silly pony ears last year, it was catching everyone by storm. None was able to withstand the challenge to stand against it. The trend moved further out than I thought possible.
Apparently, this new girl, looking all but identical to the one I had known as Pinkie Pie had some ideas for this time around. Just as Twilight Sparkle had, when she was here, even if she originally had little to no care for the Coronation I saw as mine, back then.
Twilight Sparkle had managed to win the hearts and minds of everyone, back then. Maybe I couldn't blame them. She had found an angle that spoke to them, something I couldn't offer them and had no understanding of, back at the time. She had played it out well, despite the best of my efforts, or it is what I had thought, back then. I really had no chance, as I look back at the time.
Maybe she had actually taught me something. For one, she proved beyond reason, the power of friendship and what it could do for you, when you really did need it the most, just as she had for her. In the end, she had had no trouble standing up to me, spiting me and turning everyone against me. I had no chance, even after I harnessed the power of the crown, the tiara, holding the power of the elements, the magic that had no place here at the Canterlot high.
I wanted to hate her, for how she had demonized me and made me look silly, in the eyes of everyone, the entire school. Only I soon realised, as much as I wanted to hate her, she still had taught me something. Maybe I shouldn't hate her, even if she had destroyed me and the places I had back then.
Now, here came her friend, another one, just like her. I guess I knew of her, even if I never quite got to know her in person. Maybe I never really had to, when I got to know the human version of her right here. Equestria doesn't seem to be my place. I have nothing left for me there, once Twilight Sparkle reported back to her dear Princess Celestia about me, which I knew she would.
At first, I had found the new trend just as silly and annoying as the one Rarity had restarted, back when Twilight came, last time. Maybe it was silly, back then. Maybe I was right about it, it still changes nothing about what the result ended to me or how it affected me and my plans.
For some reason, this time around the trend made me wish for what I knew I can never have, to go back to where I no longer belong. Is it nostalgia, am I feeling homesick, for the first time since I left Equestria? I hope not since there can be no place for me there.
What caught me of guard, is how this girl never came to take a crown, she just wanted to see the place and enjoy the party. Apparently, she had known it from her friend Twilight Sparkle, or it is how I assumed it would be. How she got to know, or what gave her the idea doesn't change anything, either for me, or anyone else, does it?
If this new Pinkie Pie is here, merely for a party, even if she is a friend of the Twilight Sparkle, and the girls who stale the crown from me, maybe I could try to look like a friend. Maybe she could actually teach me something. If so, I am here, ready to see what she had to show me.
The first step in this plan would be to allow her to give me the manicure and polish my nails. Didn't cost me anything, from what I had heard. She never asked for as much as a bit, or any favours in return. Strange girl, I had to admit. With ideas like that, I guess it could be hard to resist her friendship too.
She only needed the one day in order to convince all the girls to accept the offer, the manicure and nail polish. I had to give it to her, she had done a good job, looks awesome, if I had to confess. She seems to have every colour in the spectrum, and them some more. Matching the preferences and personalities with each and every girl whom she was approaching, by the looks of it. Who could top that of?
Once I noticed, even the boys had been convinced, I knew it is a lost battle not to accept, I was not born yesterday and I am not stupid. At least I still don't accept the notion. Whatever was she possibly up to?
From what I knew of the Pinkie Pie, the girl, she is always thinking of parties, in one way or the other. I had to assume this other one was the same. Although I guess I had to watch out for an angle here, it is how I see the world, how I think. Just as I am not sure I know her well enough to predict where she is going right now.
In the end, I had to see her. Maybe I could ask her a few discreet questions. Just after lunch seem the time. Although I guess there is a problem, which of the two would I approach. She had made it hard for me to tell them apart. Not only did both wear identical polish, which would be only too obvious, but they wear the same clothes, speak the same and in general look the same. She really knows what she is doing, or I am not as clever as I had liked to think I was.
What a shock? I had found them together. Both the Pinkie Pies sit together. Apparently talking about the upcoming event, the party that was about to take place in what, a day, was it. Although they both managed to have their lunch, eating up everything. As if they were about to lick their respective plates clean, like dogs. Still with time to spare. How ever did they manage to enjoy their lunch, have a marathon conference, both at the same time.
If I couldn't know who was who, maybe I could as well just ask them together? I would still learn, what I thought I wanted to know. All I need to know, that is.
“Pinkie?” I asked, standing by the cafeteria door as they both walked out.
“Aw, hiya, Shimmer!” they both exclaimed, looking at me, clearly recognising me.
There goes that plan, foiled before I had even considered what I was to ask, or knew who was which of them.
“I noticed, every girl seems to be thrilled about your manicure?” I started out lamely, maybe I could make her think less and thus babble more?
I guess she was good at talking fast on the spot, just saying what was on top of her head. If only I had known the accuracy of what she said.
“Ah yeah, they are. Couldn't blame them. They like to be prepared for the party and look their best!” came the reply.
Even if I was the last girl who had not had her manicure, at least most of the boys had not fallen under her spell. Particularly Snips and Snails had not mentioned going yet. I had seen them at lunch. Neither of them had been down at her little Artist Studio, back then.
“Hmm, what colour would you have for me?” I continued.
“A dark red, seems to go well with you and your personality!” Pinkie expressed.
“I guess I could go by a deep red, if I can choose the colour myself?!” I suggested.
“Wouldn't have it any other way. We do have a wide range of reds, one is bound to have your name on it!” Pinkie returned.
“Uh, I didn't know they came with names. Although if you have one in my colour, I guess you just peaked my curiosity!” I pondered thoughtfully.
I had followed her to the small room she had claimed for her Manicure Studio, even if I guess it would be a Hooficure Studio, by her own words.
“Have a seat, make yourself comfortable, Pinkie!” she told me as I closed the door behind us.
“Thanks, I guess it is comfortable. Your plans for our party seems to run smoothly, this far, not that I could see anything getting in the way, this late!” I responded.
“Since all the girls followed us and most of the boys are with us by now, I guess you are right. I have a small shock for our dear friend Sunset Shimmer, even if she may suspect it. I have no interest in the crown for myself, just as I guess you really don't have much of an interest either. It is all about making this party as spectacular and fun as we can, with our combined efforts. Besides, even if I am not about to let her know it, just yet, but I have all the Royalty I need. I have a throne in Twilight's Castle, what more do I need on the subject?” she let on.
“I guess I could go as far as to be the Hostess of the party, or co-hostess with you, but that is about as far as I go. Seeing them enjoying themselves and the party, that's what I am looking forwards to!” I pointed out.
“If we can talk Princess, ok, Principal Celestia into it. That certainly would make for a good shock on them, wouldn't you say?” she then added.
“I knew Twilight was a Princess all along, I just didn't know she had a castle all of her own at the time. She did not have to move out of Ponyville and leave all her friends behind, I hope. Ah yeah, I think we could manage that too. That sure would make for an interesting shock to them all, wouldn't it!” I put forth.
“Her home had already been destroyed. The castle replaced her library as a home, but she didn't have to leave either Ponyville, or the rest of us behind in the process!” I confirmed.
“That's always good, would have hated it if she had to leave you all, just to have her castle. So Ponyville was given a Castle? I thought it was too small a place for a castle!” I pondered.
“In a way, Princess Celestia had gathered us all in Ponyville. She had her reasons, even before she needed us and our help. Sending Twilight Sparkle to Ponyville was just the last member of our little group of six. With me there, she knew we would all become friends. Even if Twilight is the only one of us you met before, I know you know us all. Mainly because I know you, in a way you know me, just because we are so much alike. Aside from the way I know things, just as you are bound to!” she pointed out.
“Since we both are Pinkie Pie. Yeah, I guess I knew you better than I had expected as I first saw you!” I exclaimed.
“Then we both know the Celestia and Luna. From there, the leap isn't much of a shock at all!” she declared.
“When you put it that way, yes, I certainly do know both of them. I think I have an idea on how to bring your idea to fruition. We need to move the voting out of the open main area of the party, though. Neither Celestia nor Luna would raise either an eyebrow or a finger to stop it. Although I guess a certain Sunset will be both shocked and surprised, when she sees what we have in mind and the ultimate consequences on her part. Most of the boys and girls will merely find it hilarious, once it is clear to them, once we explained it!” I suggested.
“Closed voting, in order to ensure a completely impartial vote. You can say what who you voted for, but there is no way for any of them to know, they have to take your word for it. Once the nominees are presented and the winner is finally named, it is a done deal!” she responded.
“I think we have a few small rooms we could rig for our purpose. This is going to be only too much fun. Since I finally did manage to convince her into accepting the offered free Hooficure, in the guise as a regular Manicure, we have her exactly where we wanted her all alone. Do I even have to ask you if you are a good prankster, in good fun ofhorse? This will be an Epic prank on her account, you see!” she confided.
“I think I have seen a few small rooms, if they are actually qualifying as rooms, should fit the bill of what you suggested just right. Large enough for a single individual to stand comfortably, aside from the ballot box with the supplement of what you may need inside. I would suggest we do set up at least three, in order to hide the fact that she will be stuck inside the room for a bit too long for the act of casting her vote, which would merely take a minute, or five at the very most. Although I suspect you are going to hold her there much longer than that!” I proposed.
“You got that right. You can tell Rarity and Rainbow Dash, but none other may know of it. Not before she learns it herself, that is. Celestia, Luna and Flutter Shy may not know of it, before the school does. I have the creeping suspicion, Rainbow Dash may find this amusing, right along with us. I think she may like to be in on it, in order to fully enjoy and appreciate the fun on her part. Seeing it unfold is after all part of our fun, even if we leave all others out of it!” she commented.
“Oh yeah, she loves to be part of all things cool. She practically runs the gymnasium and is the captain of all teams she is allowed to be part of, but then, you did know that already? You do have the final components, required for your plan, I take it!” I pointed out.
“Rainbow Dash has been my friend for quite a while by now. Besides, it isn't as if Twilight kept her adventure a secret. You know she couldn't keep any details from me, more than she ever could from you? As if forgetting is a talent of yours, more than it is a talent of mine. Yes, I do have the final ingredient with me. I was just considering how and where to apply it, aside from when the moment to do so would be just right. With you on my side, this is bound to work, it is fail safe!” she confided.
“Since you have what we need, maybe we could inspect the scene and make the final preparations for the heist? I take it we do prepare all the sites the same way, just in case we need to make a last minute change of plans. Can't afford to ruin this, for a mere coincidental detail in the very last minute!” I suggested.
“I have it right here, hidden under my seat in a saddlebag, or backpack as it turned out. Just have to make certain, the parts truly do not come of, no matter what efforts she will be putting into getting out of the room. If the surface can be broken free, she could leave the room, free to roam as she pleases, before we wanted her out in the open. If she told others her experience at that stage, maybe they believe in her tale, if she had to wait until she was let out, they will not believe her!” I clarified simple matter of fact with a rueful smile.
“Never leaving anything to chance. Particularly not in matters of parties, planning for parties or plain fun, I see. I do recognise myself, right there. Just slip the backpack on so we can get going, time is ticking and we don't have too much time lying around. They are all looking forwards, towards this one party, even if they don't realise, just how epic we are going to make it for them!” I concluded.
“Leaving any details to chance is the same as failure and loss before you even started out. We just need a set of rooms with individual ballot boxes. Maybe we could convince Rarity to paint and decorate them for us. Each room needs a pen with which to make your choice with a simple cross or the like. Once we have gathered the materials and prepared the rooms, we have Rarity explain the situation to Celestia. I hope we could have the preparations done by today!” she proposed.
“Yeah, if Rarity decorate the ballot boxes and ask Celestia, we will succeed. I am very excited about this!” I put forth.
“If you ask Rarity to decorate the boxes, I finish up as many friends as possible. Then we finish the manicure off by the time the party is set to go off. The party can by no means be delayed enough to prevent me from going home. Not that I mind staying, I just have duties to perform, parties to prepare, throw and attend to, back home in Ponyville!” She pointed out.
“I go to Rarity first thing and ask her to help with the specific decorations, while you continue to give them hooficures, then I help you finish that, once I am done, asking for the few details we need help with!” I responded, giggling at the though, the image that came to mind.
Of course I had been looking forwards to the party. I had come to realise Pinkie Pie has a way to prepare for and throw her parties in a way that just draws you in, there was no slipping out of it. If there are two of her, it is doubly hard to pull out. I want to go.
Maybe now, I could have a chance to win the crown in a fair game. I didn't need to pull any of my old, dirty tricks to make others pull out of the race. On the other hoof, Twilight Sparkle isn't in this race either. Strange as it may seem to me, Neither of the two Pinkie Pie's was nominated, either by themselves, or by any others.
Then this strange and unexpected rumour came up, something about a closed vote. I had not been prepared or it. What did they have in mind, this time?
From what I had understood, Pinkie Pie loves parties, that was only too obvious. She also loves pranks, but all in good fun, as she had it. I guess Snips and Snails had picked up on most everything about her along with the rest of her friends. Good fun, that goes well with a party, one Pinkie Pie threw, most certainly.
Pinkie Pie teamed up with her friends, as much as I had tried to split them up. Once Twilight Sparkle entered the picture, there was no stopping them from uniting once more.
Even if it required for her to demonize me, I guess I did win something in the end, something I never would have had, if it wasn't for her. Funny how Twilight, Celestia's priced Pupile managed to teach me something that the Princess herself failed to teach me. Maybe Twilight is a better teacher than Celestia, since she has friends to draw strength from. I guess that strength is what made it so easy for her to brush me aside in order to get what she came for. Once she mobilised her friends, she had what she came for.
Once I had seen the strength of her friendship, I could find the motivation to search for it and accept it from her friends as they were told to teach me the friendship they shared, and still do share.
The Principle of Canterlot High, Celestia had instructed Twilight Sparkles friends, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash to help me along on the new course of friendship, and the magic of friendship. I still do have some problems with these subjects. Yet, at least I am doing progress, for which I am and will forever be thankful towards them and grateful for what it is giving me.
Of course I had been angry and upset as she pronounced her judgement. It is who I was. Yet, they had soon proven me wrong on that part.
I had gotten to know them fairly well within the time of the six months since the Fall Formal. All the details I never though I would care about or have any use of. Now I am relying on them.
In the world where Pinkie Pie lives, there is always partying, even if I can't see a party for months. In Rarity's world; everything has to be just perfect. No room for mistakes, just glamorous and fashionable. To Applejack and the Apples, you speak the truth, simple as that. They are known to be hard-working and honest. They also make the best cider. At least, Pinkie Pie claims they do. To Rainbow Dash, it simply had to be cool, or cooler.
I had accepted the offer Pinkie Pie gave me. Not sure why, but if everyone else has accepted, why would I look silly and not accept it?
If it was the local, or the Pony who finally treated me, I have no idea. Maybe it doesn't matter, there is no consequences to it, for all I could see. She had told me to pick my colour, and I had chosen a deep red lacquer. It looks even better than I had dared to hope, once she was finally done.
I know I should have paid attention and looked closer, but if everyone had accepted it, who am I to stand along as the only one who had not? I could have asked others to give me a manicure. I could, but I never did.
If you see the manicure as part of preparing for a party, it explains why she was so good at it. Pinkie Pie certainly knows her parties, even if they may not to the likings of all of us. I had been on the wrong end of the joke, on the previous party she was to prepare us for. I am going to be on the wrong end, once again, even if I had failed to see it, this time just as much as I had, when Twilight Sparkle was here.
What I forgot to take into account, is the effect of two Pinkie Pie's throwing a party. I know just how good one Pinkie Pie is. What happened if you had two of them throwing the party? I am about to be the wiser of that, as I learn the effects she has, when there is more than one of her. I had missed out on what happens from Ponyville. I guess there was no escaping that lesson on my part.
Once I had agreed to letting her giving me her manicure, as her sign had it, even if it soon dawned on me that she meant hooficure all along. Just a silly slip of the tongue, from her Equestrian life, I am afraid that isn't the case, not this time. If only I had known and learned about the prankster Pinkie Pie, right along with the party throwing Pony and Girl Pinkie Pie? I imagine Rainbow Dash is laughing her ass of, as she learns the full weight of this one prank.
First now as I walk towards the polling station, did I realise what her manicure truly meant, it just had not sunk in what she had in mind. Maybe the fact that I never had long nails as a girl, or is it my Equestrian origin that had prevented me from noticing the effects she had on me.
As I hold up my hand before me in order to open the door, I notice that my nails had turned into miniature hooves on the tip of each of my nails. Maybe it wasn't all that bad? This had never bothered me before I noticed it.
“Nice to see you casting your vote, Sunset. Here you go!” Cherilee exclaimed jubilantly in her usual merry voice as she passed me the slip of paper, printed for the election.
"Thanks, Cherilee!” I merely responded as I slip into the small room where the ballot box had been placed for the purpose.
I read the slip our teacher had passed me, my name is on it, right along with three other names. Yet, Neither Pinkie Pie not Rarity or Rainbow Dash had their names on the slip. I know I should have reacted on this curious detail, but did not afford it an instant or a second thought as I crossed the box with my name. I was to finally have the fair victory. Neither tricks nor unfair bullying was on my side.
“Once you voted, press your hooves firmly on the shiny surface of the shelf on which the ballot box has been securely mounted!” I read an instruction, on a printed slip on the ballot box.
Before I had given it any thought, I tentatively did as the silly instruction had told me, knowing every other girl and boy did the same. Or I thought they did.
Only when I tried to pull my hands away, I realised the mistake. I can't get my hooves off of the shiny surface, not as if there was glue on the surface, but my hooves still refused to let go of the surface, nonetheless. Maybe the effect is more suction-cups on a smooth surface since I could pull my hand left, right, up and down, but not pull free.
As I look closer, the surface had an oddly shiny surface, I just couldn't quite put a finger on what was so odd and strange about the sheen to it, just that I can't pull my fingers off of it, either. What a hilarious pun, if it wasn't for my current situation?
Of course Pinkie Pie was behind it, but the door stayed stubbornly closed, no head peaking in, in order to see if I had fallen for this prank. Then I hear a whirring noise from the right corner behind me, a remote camera zooming in on me and my hands.
Naturally, there was something preventing me from pulling off of the shelf, where the ballot box had been mounted. I can't pull up, but I can't pull to the side either. With that, I am trapped in the room.
As hard as I had tried to pull free, and as much as I may have tried to pull out in any way I could, there was no way out of the room. The camera merely added to the embarrassment on my part, but there was nothing I could do about it. To my surprise, the problem resolved itself as easily and quickly as it had arisen, once the border of the shelf slipped out of the way, just before I hear the camera slip back into its inactive mode, which means it was no longer interested in me. With that I managed to slip out in order to open the door and walk out of the room.
By the time I had walked into the room where Pinkie Pie and Pinkie Pie had been preparing for the party, the votes had already been counted and the winner was about to be announced.
“Time to announce the winner of the election for this year's Spring Formal Queen!” Celestia pronounced, with Luna by her side, while all the others were waiting in breathless anticipation.
