//------------------------------// // 25 Preparations // Story: Alternate Beginnings: Year One // by Doug Graves //------------------------------// December 11th, 993 Rainbow Dash gives an annoyed moan as she wakes up next to Applejack. Her lead mare often got cuddly when Doug isn’t with them and she finds herself playing little spoon. Rainbow tries to move one of Applejack’s hooves off of her, but this only prompts the earth pony to hug her tighter. Rainbow sighs; there is little to do now but wait for AJ to wake up. Soon enough, Rainbow hears Applejack yawn behind her. She feels the mare’s forelegs tighten around her briefly before slowly receding back to her side. She hears an awkward, “Morning RD,” from behind her. It is followed shortly by, “Do you think they are that loud every night or just because they knew we were listening?” Rainbow moans again, pulling her pillow over her head. She hears Applejack whine again, “Or do you think they kept at it for as long as they did just to annoy us?” Rainbow’s reply is muffled by her pillow, but is still enough to be understood, “Careful there, Rares, your whining is contagious.” Applejack snorts but opens her eyes wide as the door opens. Rarity’s voice can be heard, “Oh, don’t worry dear, you’ll be able to roleplay as me all you want after breakfast.” Applejack looks over with an expression of befuddlement, “What in the hay are you talking about?” Rarity merely smiles before shuffling back out the door, her heavy hoofsteps echoing through the cold house. Applejack sighs, looking over at Rainbow, “You know what she is talking about?” Rainbow shrugs, “I dunno, you girls were with him longer than I was, talking about games and whatnot. Maybe it’s another game from his world?” She kicks the blanket off her body and onto Applejack before darting off the bed and making a run for the door. Applejack pulls the blanket off her head but too late; Rainbow has already shut the door to the bathroom. Applejack moves over to the door looking thoroughly annoyed. She clops her hooves impatiently outside the door, moving side to side, “Rainbow! Consarn it, that’s the last time you pull one over me! Now hurry up in there, some other mares need to go too!” The door opens and Applejack’s face turns to a smile, only to be covered again by a towel. A snickering Rainbow moves past her, giggling to herself. “Guess I got one more in me, huh?” As Rainbow heads towards the kitchen Applejack pulls the towel off her head, rolling her eyes as she moves into the bathroom. Rainbow moves into the dining room to see several plates already placed on the table, piled high with pancakes and oats. She moves over to start eating as a knock is heard at the door. Rainbow ignores it, continuing to devour her meal. Rarity’s head appears in the kitchen doorway, a scowl quickly developing on her face. Doug’s voice can be heard soon after, “Don’t worry, Rarity, I’ll get it.” Rarity’s head disappears back into the kitchen as Doug steps out, heading to the front door. His voice gets louder as he walks back into the dining room, “Welcome Fluttershy! We weren’t sure if you would be making it for breakfast. Was it chilly outside?” “Oh, no, I was fine. I had one of Rarity’s scarves with me, so I was nice and warm. Is she up yet?” “Haven’t seen Pinkie but the rest of the gang is up and about. Sit down and I’ll get you a plate.” Fluttershy sits down at an empty spot at the table while Applejack comes in. Her mane glistens from the shower she has just exited, her hair done up in a ponytail and air drying. Applejack greets the two while Doug places a stack of pancakes in front of Fluttershy and glasses of juice for each of them. Applejack sits down to her own stack and asks, “So, Doug, what is this I hear about a roleplaying game?” Doug puts a hand to his chin, “Well, I was waiting for Pinkie Pie to show up before explaining, but since she has probably appeared behind me, I guess I can start now.” Pinkie Pie gives an exaggerated pout, waving her arms around, having just appeared from between the cushions on one of the dining chairs. “Oh come on! I can’t be that predictable to you already!” Doug grins, turning towards the kitchen. “Well, you’ll just have to work on your-” “TIMING!” Pinkie Pie shouts as Doug looks down in shock, the mare having somehow teleported in front of him. She leaps forward, tackling Doug, who continues looking at her with a stunned expression. Rainbow Dash rolls her eyes, “Come on, that one wasn’t that hard. Inflatable Pinkie doll in the cushion, throws her voice a bit, tackles when you least expect it.” Doug looks over to the inflatable doll which continues to wave back and forth. “But… but… it was so life like! It captured her movements and facial expression perfectly!” Pinkie Pie laughs, “Oh, don’t be silly, it’s just my Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Pinkie Tube! They’re gonna be all the rage soon enough!” Doug slowly recovers, getting back to his feet. “Wow. Well, you really got me there, Pinkie. You hungry yet?” Pinkie Pie nods, her tongue lolling out of her mouth. Doug comes back into the room holding a stack of pancakes. He places the pancakes in front of her and before he can turn around her jaw unhinges, consuming the entire stack in one gulp. Doug pulls another stack of pancakes and places it in front of Pinkie Pie. He places a milkshake in front of Rarity while Pinkie gulps the second plate down just as quickly. He gives her an amused glare, saying, “Don’t make me get the big plate!” Pinkie Pie gives a half smile, shrinking down in her seat. “Uh… that’s okay, I don’t need to do that again.” “Good.” Breakfast finished, Doug makes a quick trip out of the room, returning with several sheets of paper. He places one in front of each mare. “So, in front of you is the character you will be playing. The game is a roleplaying one. The most popular one known here is Ogres and Oubliettes, but this one will use different rules. You will each be roleplaying as a different pony.”