//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4 (Partytime!) 
// Story: Living and Dying in Equestria 
// by TwilightsmyMare 
//------------------------------//

		I woke up early, the sun just rising.  Twilight and Spike were still asleep.  I got dressed and quietly headed downstairs, heading to the kitchen I went to see what I might whip up for them for breakfast.  While by no means a great chef I can cook fairly well, finding some pancake mix I quickly gathered the ingredients and got to work.  I even found some forks and knives, must be for Spike I thought.
I had just finished getting everything set up when Spike came down the stairs sniffing.
"Pancakes?!  Awesome!  Thanks dude!"  He hopped up on a chair helping himself.
"Twi still asleep?"  He nodded with his mouth full.  I grabbed a tray and loaded up a plate for her, a little breakfast in bed can be nice.  Although her bed was only ten feet from the kitchen, and she could just teleport there.  It’s the thought that counts right?
I headed up the stairs snagging a couple of books I’d flipped through the day before hoping to ask her a few questions.  She lay there sleeping peacefully, her mane in disarray around her head.
"Twilight…”  I whispered.  Her response was a grunt.  "Twi..."  I tried a little louder. 
"Five more minutes mom..."  I chuckled softly and waved the tray in front of her enticing her with pancake aroma.  That did it; she popped open one eye and looked at me stretching languorously.
"Morning…”  She smiled at me.
"Morning Twi.  Pancakes?"  I offered her the tray and she levitated it beside her on the bed blushing slightly.
"You didn't have to go to all that trouble..."
"Just making myself useful."  I grinned at her.  She gestured to the books in my hand.  "Oh!  I just wanted to ask you a few questions…  After you eat of course, no rush."
She smiled and looking over the rail down below levitated a plate with a few pancakes and syrup up for me before Spike could finish them off.  We ate quietly looking at one another then quickly looking away more then a few times. 
Finishing up and putting our plates aside I opened one book after another and asked her a few questions, one question often raised a few more when she answered.  But I was able to learn about cutie marks, a bit of Equestria's history as well as the primary differences between Equestria and the Earth that I knew, also Pegasus and Unicorn ponies as well as the Alicorn’s.  Nigh Immortal beings with vast magical powers amazing!
Twilight and Spike had to head out again; I had no idea how much she did around Ponyville.  Helping out and organizing things like only she could.  
I cleaned up after they left and headed out myself remembering I had promised to go and see Rarity again today.  As I headed over there again I noticed ponies around town waving and seeming to accept me more, it was a nice feeling.  On my way I stopped at a playground and pushed some young fillies and colts on the swings their mothers watching me cautiously at first from the side of the park.  After a bit of fun I left the park with promises to come again and made my way to Carousel Boutique.
Shortly after walking in Rarity came into the room looking lovely as always.  I took her hoof and kissed it lightly.
"As always a pleasure to see you Milady Rarity."  She blushed slightly and led me into another room where she had several outfits made up for me already.  She insisted I try them on and I did so, they were very well made though they did make me look like I should be in a Doctor Who episode.  Very formal while still being somewhat outlandish as well as some colors I wouldn't normally wear.  But she had generously made them for me so I was thrilled with them, I certainly couldn't go on wearing my old clothes much longer anyhow.
Thanking her profusely I headed out back to the library to store my new outfits.  When I got there I found Pinkie Pie waiting, looking in the windows and pacing back and forth.
"What’s up Pinkie?"  I asked.  She spun around excited.
"Wow!  Nice outfits!  Rarity must have made them!  She’s so talented!  Oh!  I'm late for work but I made up the invitations for your party tomorrow night!  I mailed a few of them but most of them are nearby!  Could I ask you to deliver them pretty please?!?!"
"Sure Pinkie but who do I..."  She ran up dropping a basket in my arms.
"The address's are on them sorry gotta go bye!"   And with that she was gone.  I went inside and deposited my new clothes on my bed then looked through the invitations, there were a lot!  Well better get started then.
I headed through town locating addresses and delivering the invitations to many ponies, a lot of them were a bit wary of me but assured me that they would never miss a Pinkie Pie party.  
I headed back to Carousel Boutique and delivered Rarity’s invitation, Sweetie Belle's also.  Rainbow Dash's was much harder to deliver, eventually I had to get the assistance of a strange but very nice Pegasus, light grey with a blond mane and tail named Derpy to ask Dash to come to the library to collect her invite herself.  Conveniently I also had an invite for Derpy too.  Working my way to the edge of town I came to a quaint little cottage, moss covered with birdhouses all around.  Little bunnies hopping here and there a small chicken coop in the back.  I knocked on the door, a few moments later it opened a crack and Fluttershy peered out nervously.
"Y… Yes?"
"Hi Fluttershy.  I brought an invitation for you for the party Pinkie Pie is throwing."  I slid it through the crack to her.
"Oh…  Thank you…  Um…  Bye."  As she slid the door closed I managed say.
"Bye…”  Strange mare.
I was almost through the invitations; I headed out to Sweet Apple Acres to drop off Applejacks, Big Mac's as well as Apple Bloom and Granny Smith's invitations.  Granny Smith looked at her invitation.
"After dark?  Shucks I'll be asleep long before that sonny."  She then stopped and looked at me closely.  "Lands sakes!  Yer fur done all fallen out!  Come on inside for some tea an biscuits ya poor thing."  We all went in the house and did just that, I excused myself after a bit as I had a couple of invitations left to deliver.  
I made my way back into town to Sugarcube Corner where I found Pinkie playing with a couple of little foals, a cute little unicorn and a cute little Pegasus while Mr and Mrs Cake ran the store.
"Uh…  Pinkie, here’s your invitation."  She jumped up excited and grabbed it.  "Why would you need a..."  She interrupted me bouncing around me in a circle.
"Everypony likes to get invitations!  Its soooo exciting!  Woo!"  Laughing I exited heading back to the library to deliver my last two invitations for Spike and Twilight.
As I approached the library Rainbow Dash streaked down from the sky landing in front of me with a thump.
"What’s up?"  She asked.  I grabbed her invitation and offered it to her.  "Thanks, but really you could have just asked Derpy to deliver it to me ya know?  She is one of Ponyville’s mail ponies after all."
"Oop I guess I could have.  Sorry Rainbow Dash."  She grinned at me.
"Hey no big deal.  And just call me Dash."  With that she zoomed off.
Finally making it back to the library I entered to find no one home yet.  No big deal I collapsed onto the couch and relaxed, my legs and feet killing me from all the hiking around I had done today.
Before too long I dozed off only to be awakened by the door swinging open Twilight clopping in with Spike on her back a bunch of bags levitating beside her.  I quickly sat up rubbing sleep from my eyes.
"Let me get those for you Twi."  I grabbed the bags from midair.
"Thanks Rick, just in the kitchen please.  We picked up some takeout for supper."  I brought the bags into the kitchen Spike right on my heels licking his chops. I'm not sure where these ponies learned to cook Italian but it was excellent.  Vegetarian of course but delicious none the less.  Spike excused himself and trotted upstairs to bed.  Twilight and I cleaned up then sat on the couch relaxing in silence for a few minutes, she looked over at me.
"Do you want to go for a walk?"  My feet were still killing me but spending time with Twilight wasn't something I was going to miss out on.
"Sure."  We left the library walking randomly seeing and greeting ponies on their way home for the day as dusk overtook us we found ourselves in the park I had visited earlier in the day.  Empty now, we sat on a pair of the swings, swinging back and forth quietly looking at each other and then looking away quickly time and again.  I felt I should say something, but I was worried about sounding stupid.  Remembering I dug into my pocket and pulled out Twilights invitation and reached over to hand it to her.
"Here Twi."  She turned and reached out but we were swinging a bit too fast and I over reached falling off of my swing on the ground.
"Are you ok?!"  Twilight asked with concern reaching over to help me up, but she too forgot she was swinging and toppled right on top of me flattening me back down to the ground.
"Oof."  I grunted managing to flip myself over coming face to face with Twilight.
"Sorry."  She grinned apologetically.  I laughed.
"Not a problem Twi."  I noticed she hadn't moved, just inches away, her coat and mane shone in the moonlight and her eyes were so beautiful my breath caught in my throat.  I managed to bring up my hand, her invitation now somewhat crumpled still grasped in it.  "It’s for you."  She sat back levitating the envelope and opening it scanning the contents quickly.  She smiled softly.
"Pinkie Pie always goes all out for a party.  Should be fun."  With a sigh she leaned back looking at the sky.  "I guess its getting late, we should get back."  
I got up dusting myself off and offered my hand to help her up.  Getting to her hooves with my assistance she shook her mane and tail to get the dust out and we headed back to the library, we walked side by side, unconsciously I put my hand over her body on her far shoulder as we walked.  It seemed so natural I didn't even notice that I had done it, in response she walked a little closer to me.  We made our way back through town like that; I was oblivious to anything else.
Walking back into the library I reluctantly took my hand off her soft coat and excused myself to the washroom to clean the dust off my hair and skin.  Standing there I looked at myself in the mirror.  What the hell are you doing?  She's not interested in you; you’re not even the same species.  Splashing cold water in my face I then dried off and headed up to bed.
Twilight was already in bed reading.
"Goodnight Rick."
"Night Twi.  Thanks for supper. And the walk.  It was… Nice."  I folded my new clothes and set them aside with the other sets Rarity had made for me and got into bed.  Twilight put her book aside turning out the light.
"Anytime…”  She replied, we both settled down.  
Sleep overtook my tired body quickly, tomorrow would be another amazing day.



I awoke the next morning to the smell of eggs and toast.  Just as I was getting up Twilight appeared at the top of the stairs levitating a pair of plates.
"Oh no you don't."  She said with a smile while floating one of the plates over to me.
"Aw, you didn't have to Twi."
"No problem at all."  As we began to eat I heard Spike downstairs grumbling.
"No one ever brings me breakfast in bed..."  Twilight and I grinned at each other.
"Spike weren't you going to help Rarity gather gemstones today?"  Twilight asked.  We heard a crash come from downstairs as Spike rushed for the door.
"Ahh!  Right!  Can't be late!  Bye!"  Finishing eating Twilight turned to me.
"Well if you have no other plans today would you like to help me study?"  She asked me hopefully.  I smiled at her.
"Sounds like fun."
For several hours she poured over tomes, occasionally asking me to get more for her from the vast number she had shelved.  I took the books she had finished with and looked over them myself before returning them to the shelves.  
Most of them had to do with magic and I was unable to make heads or tails of them.  Some were about astrology, zoology and even pathology.  Apparently there were many different diseases unique to this world and ponies themselves, hopefully I wouldn't catch or pass on anything.
We took a break for lunch.  While we ate I asked.
"Couldn't you just be using your magic to get these books?"  She blushed slightly.
"Maybe…  But when I get concentrating on something I can't control it very well.  And…  Well it’s nice to have company."  I smiled at her.
"Glad to help.  Anytime."  After we finished eating Twilight started showing me some of her magical tricks.  They were all amazing and I told her so.  She blushed a lot, clearly not used to getting complimented so much.  Her last trick was growing magic, causing my several days worth of stubble to explode into a full beard.  She giggled reversing the spell, but it took all the hair it had grown as well as the facial hair I had already grown.  A quick shave indeed.
"Oops, sorry Rick.  They don't always work the same way."  I chuckled.
"That’s alright Twi.  I was probably overdue for a shave anyhow."  She awkwardly shuffled one of her hooves on the ground.
"Oh... I kind of liked the gruff look..."
"Well it will grow back...  But if you want to try using magic I’m ok with that."  She looked up at me excited.
"Really?!"  I grinned at her; she was so cute when she was enthusiastic.
We spent the rest of the afternoon trying spell after spell, some of which had some unusual, but thankfully reversible side effects.  By the time she had the spell perfected both of us were worn out.
"Maybe we should take a short nap Twi?  So we'll be ready for the party tonight?"  She yawned and nodded.  We both relaxed on the couch and fell asleep before too long.
I'm not sure how long we slept but I was awoken when Spike came ambling thru the door a package in hand.
"Aren't you guys ready...?”  He stopped and stared at me.  I wasn't sure what he was looking at until I noticed Twilight curled up beside me her head resting on my chest.  I made a shh motion to Spike.
"We'll be right there Spike."  I whispered.  He smiled at me, threw me a salute putting the package on the floor while walked out closing the door quietly behind him.  
I sat there leaned back quietly for awhile enjoying my proximity to Twilight, I still couldn't place her scent but it was intoxicating.  I absently stroked her soft mane lost in my own thoughts when she began to stir.  She stretched languorously.
"Oh, how long did we sleep..."  She realised she was pressed right up against me, looking up at me she went beet red and pulled away.  "I'm so sorry!"  I smiled gently at her.
"For what?  You can lean on me anytime Twi.  I think it’s almost time for the party though.  Spike came by and left that package for you."  She walked over levitating it while reading the card attached to it.
"It’s a new dress from Rarity.  She says she made it especially for me for this party.  See how generous she is?"  She immediately trotted upstairs to put it on.  I waited to see not wanting to intrude.  As she came down the stairs my heart stopped for a moment.  She was wearing a beautiful silk kimono, nearly the twin of the one I had seen Rarity in.  How had Rarity known…?  Sweetie Belle!  That little rascal.
She looked at me seeking my reaction to the dress; seeing my staring slack jawed she looked down at the floor her ears laid back.
"Oh…  It looks ridiculous, doesn't it?"  I stood up quickly still staring but not as awkwardly.
"No.  You look beautiful Twi...  I mean…  You always look beautiful...  I mean the dress, it looks good…  On you?  You make it look good.  Why am I babbling?  Why can't I stop?  Why don't you stop me??"  She giggled blushing.
"Thanks…”  I squeezed by her trying to hide my burning face and went up to change into another of my new outfits.  Strangely enough I found one that complimented Twilights new dress perfectly, that sneaky Rarity.  I quickly changed and came down still feeling a bit embarrassed but she was waiting for me by the door, smiling radiantly.
"Shall we?"  She asked.  I needed no further invitation, I joined her and we started walking.  
Applejacks acreage had the most room and with her permission that’s where Pinkie Pie had set up the party.  It was quite away from the library but neither Twilight nor I even mentioned teleporting, we simply enjoyed the walk together.  As we approached Sweet Apple Acres we could see Pinkie had been busy.  There were streamers and lights as well as decorations all around, a large banner was hung across the barn.  Welcome to Ponyville!  It read.  As we walked up Pinkie Pie popped out from behind a tree.
"Surprise!  Well I guess it’s not much of a surprise since you were coming here for a party anyhow.  But you know what I mean.  Ooohhh pretty dress Twilight!  Come on!  Come on!  Lots of people to meet!"  She bounced circles happily around us as we walked up.  There was quite a crowd, ponies of every type and coloring.  I was pretty sure I hadn’t given out quite this many invitations.  It looked like every pony in town was here!  Pinkie apparently reading my mind leaned over.
"Well, I got to thinking that maybe I was leaving some ponies out of the fun so I invited more ponies!  More is fun right?!"  With that she bounced off to help with the party and have fun.  I was a little nervous; I was never good around large crowds.  Twilight looked up at me sensing my apprehension.
"Here, just put your hand on my shoulder and we'll go mingle a bit.  It will be ok, I promise."  She smiled at me and I felt better.  As we moved around the party and Twilight introduced me to everypony we met I could see she knew everypony in town by name, their families and what they did for a living.  With Twilight by my side I managed to get over my apprehension somewhat and was able to be social.  And there was a lot to do as well as a lot of ponies to meet.  Pinkie Pie had all sorts of games lined up for everypony to play, music and dancing too as well as plenty of food.
I was sitting enjoying a moment of peace as well as a piece of pie when Applejack came trotting up.
"Well howdy Rick.  Hope your having a good time?"  I finished my last bite of pie before answering.
"I certainly am Applejack.  It was nice of you to let the party be held here.  I hope we aren't keeping Granny Smith awake?"  Applejack laughed.
"Sugar, a full blown tornado couldn't keep Granny awake."  She grabbed my hand and pulled me up.  "Time to dance."
"Oh I don't know Applejack; I'm really not a good..."  My objections went unheeded as she dragged me to the dance area, a lively square dancing tune playing.  Oh what the heck, I tried my best to match her dancing style as well as I could on two legs.  I imagine I looked pretty silly but no one seemed to care, they were all having a good time.  The song ended and I turned to head back to my seat but was intercepted by Rarity who was wearing a beautiful gown.
"You wouldn't leave without having a dance with me would you darling?"  I bowed at the waist and took her hoof.
"I wouldn't dream of it Milady."  A lively waltz began to play and I tried to keep up with Rarity, Even balancing on two hooves she was a better dancer then me.  I followed her lead and we danced for awhile until she handed me off into Fluttershy's arms.
"Oh…  I hope you don't mind…”  I smiled at the shy little mare.
"Not at all Fluttershy."  I managed to take the lead thanks to what I had learned from Rarity moments earlier.  Maybe it was her wings but Fluttershy was amazingly light on her hooves.  As we danced she seemed to lose a lot of her apprehension and let herself enjoy the dance.  When the dance ended she gave me a quick hug.
"Thanks."  Then she wandered over to the buffet.  I was about to get off the dance floor as well when someone hip checked me from the side.  Dash had made her entrance.
"Alright, enough of this mamby pamby dancing.  Its time to rock!  Hit it!"  She gestured over and I saw a white unicorn mare with a dark and light blue mane and tail at a dj booth, she immediately put a record down and some hard rock came on.  Now this was music I was more used to.  Dash and I rocked out on the floor, plenty of other ponies joining us.  As the song ended Dash held out her hoof and we fist/hoof bumped.
A slow song came on and Dash immediately zipped off the floor.  Chuckling to myself I turned to go as well when who did I find waiting a few steps behind me?  
Twilight Sparkle.
"You didn't forget about me did you?"  She asked with a slight blush.
"Never."  I moved over to her and we embraced, I ducked down a bit so she could put her head on my shoulder and we gently swayed back and forth to the music holding each other.
"I hope your having a good time?"  She whispered in my ear.
"I was, but this is a lot better."  She squeezed me softly and we continued dancing.  I shut my eyes and concentrated on her scent, her soft breathing and the gentle beating of her heart.  The song seemed to go on forever and yet ended far too soon.  Little did I or Twilight know that we were the only two dancing.
As the song ended Twilight and I opened our eyes looking at one another.  I had the overwhelming urge to kiss her, but that was just me being foolish.  I took her hoof instead kissing it softly.
"Thank you for the dance."  I said.  She smiled at me.
"Anytime."  We made our way off the dance floor and the music started back up.  I got us a couple of cups of punch and we sat down with Rarity, Spike and Fluttershy as well as Dash and Applejack.  Pinkie Pie was still bouncing around the party, playing games and having the time of her life.
It was getting late and ponies were drifting away in twos and threes, excusing themselves and thanking us for a wonderful party.  I told them Pinkie Pie deserves most of the credit as well as Applejack and everypony who helped out.  After awhile Pinkie came and joined us and we all sat, snacking and talking until all the guests had gone.  
Then we all pitched in to clean things up, Big Mac lent his strength to the task helping immensely.  Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom as well as Scootaloo tried to help but couldn't keep their little heads up and soon dozed off.  Spike following shortly after.  Laughing the rest of us finished cleaning up; Applejack scooped up Apple Bloom and Scootaloo and started to head inside.
"Well got to get these little filly’s to bed.  Thanks for comin ya'll.  Have a safe walk home."  Rarity scooped up Sweetie Belle and Twilight levitated Spike onto her back, Dash, Fluttershy and I as well as Pinkie Pie proceeded to walk them home.  About halfway there Fluttershy had to turn off to go to her own home.
"Goodnight everyone…  Um…  Dash, would you walk me home?  It’s dark…”  Rainbow Dash just rolled her eyes.
"Of course it’s dark Fluttershy, its night time.  Come on, let’s go."  The two of them flew off and we continued to Carousel Boutique just before we arrived Pinkie Pie headed off to her own home at Sugarcube Corner.
"Thanks for letting me throw that party Rick!  It was so much fun; ponies will be talking about it for months!"  As she trotted away we came up to Rarity's doorstep.
"Thank you so much for escorting us.  You two have a nice walk home now."  She bid us farewell with a knowing smile.  As we walked away Twilight shook her head.
"Our friends are weird sometimes."  I looked at her.
"Our friends?  Well what do you know?  I guess they are our friends.  I hadn't really thought about it.  I don't usually make friends that easily."  She smiled at me warmly.
"Well your doing pretty good here."  We slowly walked toward the library enjoying the night air.  When we arrived we were both yawning a bit and headed upstairs right away.  Twilight levitated her dress off, folding it neatly and stowing it in a dresser as i got undressed and laid down.
"Sweet dreams Twi."  She extinguished the light.
"Sweet dreams Rick."
I lay back very tired but also exhilarated.  What a day.
As I fell into sleep i thought to myself.  Why couldn't I accept it?  She's perfect.
The perfect woman…  Mare…