The morning went by pretty quickly, considering what I was anticipating to happen later on. Apparently, I had a pretty good patience. I had been walking around the town, looking for some gossips, but today everypony seemed to be fresh out of any juicy ones. Even Roseluck didn’t have much to offer. I had to say, I was a bit disappointed. My little trip also confirmed that no other ponies besides Pinkie Pie could see me.
Soon after that, I had ventured to the outskirts of town, seeing some kind of forest that I wasn’t going to inspect for now. It looked kind of creepy anyway. Not that I was scared of course. I was practically invincible. However, should things not improve here, I would eventually take a stroll in the forest. It seemed like the ponies here were avoiding the place too, so I was a little bit interested at least. But I managed my curiosity.
It was now afternoon as I stood outside of Sugarcube Corner, pondering if I should go inside or not. I didn’t want to disturb Pinkie Pie, or rather, have her talking to me when others were around. That said, it would cause a problem outside as well. How should we deal with that, I had no idea.
Suddenly, I saw a yellow mare going in. Now that I thought about it, I think I had seen her somewhere before. Closing my eyes, I tried to remember. Ah, of course. I think I saw her outside the forest. There was also a small cottage there and I guess she lived there. A bit remote location if you ask me. What was she doing there? She didn’t look like a kind of pony to venture in the dark forest anyway. Finally, my curiosity got the better of me and I decided to follow her inside. However, I didn’t take the front door, in case Pinkie Pie was at the counter.
Making my way to the right side of the building, I looked inside through the window. Pinkie Pie was at the counter and that yellow mare was waiting in line. I couldn’t hear what they said, though. If I wanted to know who she was, I needed to go inside. I saw a couple barrels at the corner and calculated my way through the building so I would walk right inside them to hide.
The plan worked and I gazed around the shop from the barrel. Pinkie Pie was to my right. It wouldn’t take more than a peek at her left to see me. Hopefully, she had no business with my hideout. I couldn’t tell what was in the barrel, though. It had a lid on so I couldn’t see from outside either. If I had to throw a hazarded guess, it would have been flour.
I looked at the counter and saw a customer before the yellow mare to make her leave. Feeling like a super secret agent, I narrowed my eyes and inspected the situation from the barrel. This was my only way of having fun anyway.
“Hey, Fluttershy, what brings you here today?” Pinkie Pie asked the customer, gleefully as ever. I guess she was always like that then.
“Oh, I was just passing by and thought I’d come to say hello,” Fluttershy replied quietly.
“Aww, isn’t that nice of you. Hey, would you like a cupcake as well while you are here? It’s in the house too!” Pinkie suggested.
Apparently, these two were close friends. It kind of made me feel bad that I was actually spying on them. Not that it differed much from eavesdropping for gossips on a public place, but I considered Pinkie Pie as my friend and you don’t spy your friends.
“Oh, I’d love to!” Fluttershy said but paused for a moment. “Um, are you sure I don’t have to pay anything?”
Pinkie Pie looked at Fluttershy with a raised eyebrow. “Absolutely not. Besides, I have made plenty of money already. Yeah, it has been a busy couple days and all, but I wouldn’t dream of charging you of all ponies.” Pinkie smiled and offered a cupcake to her friend who was clearly surprised.
“W-well, when you put it like that…” she mumbled and accepted the cupcake, taking a small bite out of it.
Pinkie Pie on the other hoof didn’t waste her time to continue. “Of course, silly. You are always giving so much to others and your animal friends that it’s time for you to get something in return.”
“Oh, thank you. B-but the same goes for you too, really,” Fluttershy whispered, earning a surprised look from Pinkie Pie. “You have been working hard these past few days and I have never heard you complain. Even if you look so tired.”
Pinkie didn’t reply, though. She looked like she was honestly surprised by her friend’s words. Now I was really sorry for spying on them. This probably wasn’t something I should have been hearing. But I also wanted to know where this was going. I was already too deep in to quit now.
“Hehe, I guess we are the same in that regard. I actually met somebody new yesterday and I’m helping him with his super secret project,” Pinkie revealed.
I gasped. Was she honestly going to tell somepony about me? Too bad I forgot the fact that Pinkie Pie could actually hear me. And within that realization, I pulled my head inside the barrel and hoped she didn’t hear me. However, the silence that befell the bakery told me that my wishes were not answered.
Suddenly, Pinkie’s voice made its way through the barrel. “Excuse me for a moment, Fluttershy”
I heard hoofsteps coming closer. I wanted to run, but I knew it would have been to no use. I knew that she knew it was me. The lid was lifted away, allowing some light to come in. To my ultimate horror, I realized that the barrel was completely empty.
Soon, Pinkie Pie’s head appeared above me. All I could do was smile awkwardly, an act that she may not have been able to see, though. She stared at me for a moment, forcing me to say something.
“I-I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have eavesdropped on you two…” I sighed.
I expected Pinkie Pie to say something, but instead, she just smiled heartily at me and closed the lid.
“Yup, I knew it. We are out of apples.” Pinkie Pie giggled sheepishly.
"Oh, goodness," Fluttershy replied.
At this point, I decided to take my leave. Whatever they were about to discuss wasn't for my ears.
---
Afterward, I had seen Fluttershy leaving Sugarcube Corner with a basket that was probably full of all kind of delicious pastries. It also appeared that Pinkie Pie had not told her about me, though. In a way, I was relieved. I didn't want to worry anypony. But I wanted to find out who I was.
I lamented a moment in my thoughts before the front door opened and Pinkie Pie came out. She didn't seem like she was upset with me, but I decided to apologize regardless.
"Pinkie Pie, I'm really sorry..."
The happy grin on her face soon turned into a smile as she shook her head.
"No need to apologize. I kind of knew you were around, but I never thought you'd be in that barrel." She then restored the happy grin back to her face and looked at me excitedly. "Next time it will be my turn to hide!"