//------------------------------// // It’s A Party! // Story: It’s a Mystery // by Rose Quill //------------------------------// “Happy Birthday!” I shouted as I pulled the string on my newest prototype party canon. It’s a little smaller, which makes it easier to transport, which is always a concern when it comes to party planning. But it also used a different delivery system than the spring launcher from the older versions. This one used compressed air, giving everything a little more flight distance. It also allowed me to use slightly heavier - and edible - confetti. Rainbow was grinning widely as she tore the blindfold off and saw the guitar-shaped cake before her on the table, the light blue fondant over the body giving it the same shine her guitar held. As the confetti drifted down, all the assembled guests shouted out the same greeting. We were all here; Shadowbolts, Rainbooms, even a few additional guests such as Vinyl, Octavia, Azure the Trottingham exchange student, and Princess Twilight had even come across for the event! “This is a great party, Pinkie!” Twilight said as she slid over, adjusting her glasses. “I always find it perplexing how keen your ability to plan and accurately represent the person for whom the event is intended for. It’s amazing!” “Aww,” I said, giving the girl a hug. “Thank you, Twi!” “I don’t think my own Pinkie could have done any better,” the Princess said, her hair down to make it easier to tell who was who…even though I could tell anyway. The pony Twilight just seemed to glow differently. I turned to start cutting the cake when I saw Indigo Zap snatch up the guitar controller for the singing game we had borrowed from Vinyl. She was off in a corner nodding her head as Octavia was talking about something. I didn’t eavesdrop. I knew they were talking about setting up a quiet date in the next town over, not wanting others to know about it yet. What? I didn’t eavesdrop! I just felt a twitching in my ear whenever I looked at them. “Yo, Dash!” Zap shouted over. “Come on, I’ll cream you in versus mode!” “Oh, it is on!” the athlete cried, running over and snatching up the other controller. I smiled, and headed over to my bag to start pulling out the pairings for the competition concerts after cutting a few slices of the cake. When I opened the flap, I saw a bit of paper on top of my supplies, one that I was sure hadn’t been there when I had arrived. I picked it up and grinned madly when I saw my name printed on it in a delicate hand. I opened the envelope quickly, brining it up to my face to read the words printed there. Pinkie, I was almost willing to come up to you yesterday and admit to you that I had sent the note, but I wasn’t quite able to muster up the courage. I hate that this is the only way I can tell you. If you’re reading this, then my friend - who is sworn to secrecy, by the way - managed to drop this into your hands. I’m hoping that maybe you’d be willing to meet me in the park later this week, Sunday maybe? I’d be bringing a picnic lunch, so try to keep an appetite? I hope your party goes well, I know how much you enjoy making people smile. Your Admirer. P.S. - You make me smile every day, just so you know. I squeed a little, hopping up and down as I clutched the note to my chest. I had a date with a secret admirer! And I made them smile! This was great, like a double chocolate Germane coconut cake with extra frosting and some cherries! Sunset turned around just in time to see me start rereading the note. “What you got there, Pinkie?” she asked coming over to glance over my shoulder. I looked around, making sure no one else was around to overhear me. “It’s a note from a secret admirer,” I whispered.  “It’s the second one I’ve gotten this week!” “Wow,” she said, grinning. “That’s great, Pinkie! Do you have any idea who it might be?” I shook my head, grinning. “Nope,” I said, holding it up. “But I think I’m getting closer every day.” I went to fold the letter to return it to its envelope when I picked up the hint of a perfume. Something floral, but with a hint of sweet to it. I recognized it, but I couldn’t quite place where I had smelled it before. “Interesting,” I whispered. Looks like I’ll have to check my party records. If I had smelled this before than it was surely in my files. Tucking the note into my bag, I pulled the leaderboard poster I had made and went out to join the fun as Dash and Zap battled through a rendition of a particularly tricky song, both sitting neck to neck. They were grinning madly, shredding as though they were playing for a crowd of thousands. They were having fun! Which is always a good sign, in my opinion.