Three Ponies' Advice

by Atosen


2: Advice from Twilight Sparkle

Ponyville was especially dark this evening. Most ponies were at the party. But as Fluttershy trudged home, she noticed one building was still lit up like a beacon: the library. On an impulse that surprised even herself, she found herself trotting over and knocking on the door.

Twilight was openly surprised to receive a visitor at this hour, but she let Fluttershy in with a smile. She made sure her guest was settled in on a couch and sipping tea before she asked, “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

Fluttershy stared into her tea as she mulled the question over. Why was she here? Because she'd made mistakes and needed somepony to lend an ear? Not quite... Because she still hoped there was another way to do things right. Rarity's suggestions had given her more embarrassment than aid, but Twilight was smart. Maybe... maybe it was worth a try.

“Twilight, I need advice.”

Fluttershy explained the whole situation: her feelings for Pinkie, Rarity's misunderstanding, the mistake with the flowers, and the disaster that the party had turned out to be. Twilight listened quietly. Her face was inscrutable.

“...and then I left and came here.” Fluttershy's last words hung in the air. She took another sip of her tea so that she wouldn't have to look at Twilight.

“Hmm. Interesting. I do think I see the problem.”

Fluttershy dared to look up. “Really?”

“You rushed into it.”

“Oh, no.” Fluttershy shook her head. “It was months before I went to Rarity.”

“Yes,” said Twilight patiently, “but how much research did you do beforehoof?”

The pegasus blinked. “Research? Are you supposed to do that for...?”

“Of course.” A smile snuck onto Twilight's face. “Everything benefits from research. It's simple, really: if you want Pinkie Pie to like you, first you have to find out what she likes.”

“But... how do I do that?”

Twilight's smile spread into a full grin. “Oh, I think I have an idea. Just leave it to me.”

***

A-twitch a-twitch. A-twitch-a-twitch-a-twitch.

I cracked my eyes open...

Pinkie, we're supposed to be telling the story in third person.

Oh right! Sorry, Flutters! So, Pinkie cracked her eyes open. The party had wound down hours ago. Everypony had gone to bed. What could be falling at this time of night?

Then, WHUMP! A pony fell in through the window!

Pinkie gave a little scream of surprise. The pony looked a unicorn with a black coat. Pinkie didn't know any unicorns with black coats. Whoever they were, they groaned and clambered to their hooves.

“Stay back!” Pinkie cried. “I have an alligator and I'm not afraid to use him!”

The pony jumped. “Ssshhh! You'll wake everypony!”

There was something familiar about that voice... “Twilight?”

“Yes, it's me.” The unicorn's horn began to glow, illuminating the room a pale lavender. It was Twilight Sparkle after all. She was wearing a skintight black suit, and she was tied to a rope which went out the window and up towards the roof.

Pinkie rubbed the sleep from her eyes. “Twilight, what are you doing here? And why are you dressed like that?”

“I'm sneaking in,” Twilight said, sounding surprised at the question. “You have to wear black when you're sneaking. It's only logical. Besides, it was in a book.”

“And the eyepatch?”

The unicorn’s ears flattened. “I thought it looked cool.”

Pinkie giggled. She rolled out of bed and trotted over to Twilight. “Okey dokey. Why are you sneaking into Sugarcube Corner in the middle of the night?”

“Research!” Twilight pulled out a quill and a sheaf of parchment, then looked at Pinkie expectantly. “I just have one question. I need to know what you like.”

“What I like?” Pinkie sat down and brought a hoof to her chin. Talk about a tough question! “I like lots of stuff! Parties and balloons and colours and my friends and candy and music and confetti and streamers and Fluttershy and games and pranks and birthdays and...”

“Hey, slow down!” Twilight scribbled furiously. “I'm going to miss some!”

“...and dancing and Gummy and cakes and the Cakes and rainbows and fuzziness and cupmuffins and not rocks!” Pinkie finished triumphantly. She tilted her head to one side. “How's that?”

Twilight kept scribbling for several moments, then ended her list with a flourish of the quill. “Okay! I think I got all of that. But you have to understand,” she looked up at Pinkie with an intense stare, “I snuck in because this is of utmost secrecy. Nopony must know.”

“But you know.” Pinkie frowned. “And I know. Do you want me to forget?”

“No, just– Promise you won't tell anypony else I was here.”

“Oh! Don't you worry, Twilight.” She patted the unicorn on the head. “Auntie Pinkie's lips are sealed. Only, not literally sealed, because then I wouldn't be able to talk at all, and can you imagine not being able to talk? It happened to me once, and it was terrible!”

“Uh-huh.” Twilight nodded absently. “I'll see you tomorrow, then.” Her horn flared brightly – and then she was gone!

After a few moments, the rope began to slide back out the window.

Pinkie trotted to the window to close it, and then lightning struck: “Fairycakes! Fabulous frosted fruit fairycakes!”

...Okay, Pinkie. I think I should tell the rest.

***

Fluttershy checked Twilight’s list again. Colours, check: in the springtime the Whitetail Woods were a beautiful place of rich greens and browns and budding yellows. Balloons and streamers, check: she had spent most of the morning decorating the glade. She thought it looked like a weird juxtaposition against the forest, but it was what Pinkie would like. Games, check: she had several nice games in mind. Music, check: she’d gathered a chorus of Ponyville’s best singing birds, who waited in a nearby elm patiently. Friends, check: she was here.

She had everything. So this would make Pinkie happy. Right?

So she settled down in the centre of the glade and closed her eyes. The gurgle of a far-off brook kept her company while she waited.

“Hi!”

Fluttershy jumped up and stumbled back a pace. “Eep! …Oh, hello, Pinkie Pie.” How did she sneak up on ponies like that?

“I got your invitation!” Pinkie sang. She looked around. “And wow, Fluttershy, an outdoor party was a great idea! We should have done this yesterday so we wouldn’t have had to worry about finding somewhere with room! Am I early? Nopony else is here.”

Fluttershy checked the sunlight filtering through the trees. Mid-afternoon. “Oh, no. You’re right on time. I didn’t invite anypony else. I didn’t want it to be crowded.” She shuffled her wings, watching the earth pony. “Is that all right?”

She thought she saw a funny expression pass over Pinkie’s eyes, but it was gone before she could identify it. Her natural beam was back. “Ooh, a private party? Just the two of us? Cool! So whaddaya wanna do first?”

Fluttershy nodded over Pinkie’s shoulder at the birds. They began a sweet, slow, warbling song. “Well, um. Would you like to dance?”

“Sure, I love dancing! Do you wanna do the Pony Pokey? Although that one’s kind of better with crowds–”

Fluttershy shrank down. “Oh, I don’t think I know that one.”

“It’s easy! All the steps are in the song! ‘You put your left–’”

“Can we start with a waltz?” She spoke barely above a whisper, but Pinkie still stopped.

“…Okay, Fluttershy.” Pinkie stepped forward and offered her hoof. “That would be fun.”

The two of them stood up on their hind hooves, supporting each other’s weight. They waited a few beats of the birdsong, and then Fluttershy took a step and Pinkie followed her. Step forward, step back. A gentle rocking as she slowly traversed the clearing together, tracing out a wide circle.

This was okay. This was easy. Fluttershy was in her element.

Fanning her wings for balance, she sent her partner out in a spin – a controlled whirlwind of pink. As she spun her back in, Fluttershy was sure she heard a giggle.

“It’s a long time since I’ve waltzed,” Pinkie said as they continued to pace through their arc.

“You’re very good,” Fluttershy replied. Which wasn’t quite true. Pinkie had good balance and rhythm, but her steps were simple and unpractised. But that didn’t matter.

The birdsong rose to a climax and Pinkie twirled out again, flinging her free hoof out to end the dance with a dramatic flair. Then she smiled lopsidedly at the pegasus. “That was really fun! But now I get to show you my sort of dance. This one has the best name: it’s called the ‘cha-cha-cha’!”

***

The two ponies dropped onto the grass, panting and grinning at each other.

“See, Flutters? Told you it was easy. All dances should have their steps in their songs!”

“All the dances you shared did,” accused Fluttershy. Both of them giggled.

They stared up at the pink evening sky. They'd been there for longer than Fluttershy had realised, and Luna was already bringing out the first stars.

What did she do next? She went over Twilight's list again in her head, but none of it seemed right. It was all so superficial. So they lay there in comfortable silence for a while, watching the sky.

Pinkie shivered.

A thought came to Fluttershy immediately, but she pushed it away. That was much too forward. Besides, it was too cliche even for her. Did ponies actually even do that?

Pinkie continued to shiver, but neither of them wanted to go home. Neither of them wanted to break the silence.

Eventually Fluttershy couldn't resist the thought any longer. She shuffled over and pressed up against Pinkie's side, and extended her wing like an enveloping blanket.

Pinkie twisted to look at her with surprise. Then she smiled and wriggled a little closer to share the warmth. “This was a really nice half-birthday, Flutters.”

It was a long and uncomfortable night for Fluttershy, and she had no idea whether she was any closer to her hopes. But somehow she felt it was worth it.