Having rented out one of the lower-rent houses in the area (which with their combined "income" they could deal with easily enough), they unpacked the box that was sent to them with what they had before getting arrested. Naturally, Twilight was confused.
"Why would these get sent to us? They weren't even ours to begin with! And besides, how are we able to fit these in our pockets?! This just makes no sense!"
Rainbow Dash put a hand on Twilight's shoulder. "Twilight, for now just chalk it up to video Game Logic and don't look a-"
Sunset (who was nearby) coughed.
"Don't question a good thing." Rainbow amended.
Twilight sighed, but got back to what she was doing.
Rarity had given the man that she had et before his prize and got what looked like skateboards with no wheels. She had the feeling that they'd been gyped, but being one with an eye for detail noticed that they looked like wheels weren't even necessary at all.
On a hunch, she put one to the sidewalk and was delighted to see it floating. Rainbow Dash later explained to her that those were Foxfire Grav-Boards and would help them get around the area far faster than normal.
Sometimes even the best con artists might be unaware of what the value of their product is.
After chatting up Phoebe Twiddle a bit, Rarity learned that she was rather fond of a mister Cannonball Coleman, a sax player who also happened to live in this neck of town. Apparently he was a little difficult to understand, at times, but played a mean tune.(1)
Rarity herself didn't know how to talk to a character like that, but knew someone with a gift for gab and was good with multiple instruments herself.
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Over in a nearby dive rstaurant(2), the two girls heard the very musician they'd been looking for playing onstage to the tune of a phonohraph, which was odd and... more than a bit redundant, but harmonized well anyway.
When he finished, he walked offstage, sat at a table and said to himself, "Mmm-mmm-mmm. Nothin' like saxytime."
Rarity was naturally confused, but Pinkie put a hand on her friend's shoulder, giving her the "Relax, I've got this." look.
Strolling over to the seated musician, Pinkie said, "That was the bee's knees, daddy-o. Lemme dip your bill after that."
So saying, she got him a drink.
Pinkie noticed that the man seemed to be somewhat down. She said, "Care to dib your thoughts?"
The man glared at her guardedly, but Pinkie put up her hands. "'Lest you rather I fade?"
Coleman took a deep breath, released it and said, "Honest? I'm on the nut and behind the eight-ball. My last dish was a flat tire; total flop. She also sized up as a worker! She nicked my last bits. As if things were duck soup before!"
Pinkie looked appalled. "Good you put the finger on her, though! Frau material? Nuh-uh."(3)
The man shrugged. "Could've been worse. She mighta shown me the Harlem Sunset, then made a clean sneak."
Pinkie turned to Rarity, taking a moment to switch lingos. "The guy's been really down on his luck. He was practically 'casually mugged' by his last date and now he has pretty much nothing left."
Coleman was naturally listening and understood what was said clearly enough. "That's the crop. You bangtails look to be real swell types. What say we take on? I could tip some tiger milk, myself.(4)"
"Huh?" Rarity queried.
"Basically he's inviting us to eat and chat with him." Pinkie supplied. "He adds that he can use a drink after what he's been through."
"Oh. THAT i think we can handle." Rarity said, smiling.
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Gathering with the rest of the girls, all were soon seated and eating, sharing tales. With Pinkie translating, things were made much easier.
Pinkie used her magic and natural charm to entertain everyone there, making a good few new friends that day, along with a sharp increase in the popularity of the group.
Pinkie and Coleman even did a routine on stage. When he suggested it, Pinkie piulled a saxophone from behind her. Coleman was shocked, but Applejack said, "I-it's Pinkie Pie, partner. Don't question it. "
When the two started to play, Coleman at length said,
"I'm'a walkin' down the road, fingas makin' clicks.." after a few beats, he blew a string of notes that seemed to permeate the air itself.
Pinkie returned, surprisingly calm, "I see kids all over, up to old tricks."(5)
Coleman continued, "Music fills the air, rhythm starts to take..." another string of notes. Oddly, Coleman's ears began to shift, migrating up his head, not that anyone noticed at the time. yet.
Pinkie returned, "Things are hotsy-totsy, still chill as a lake..."
Coleman developed a tail of his own, brown pointed ears sticking out of his remaining hair. "Warmth fills the atmosphere, it's all out of sight..."
"Feelin like a hip cat, so right."
"I dig into ma pocket, findin' what I need..."
"Pullin' out a saxophone reed..."
"Lift the sax to my lips, notes a'flow..."
"I say to myself... here we go!"
What followed would only ever be called magical by all those present. For once in a long time, the place was packed, people young and old dancing to the tune as much as they possibly could in the provided space. Even the few dance platform games that were in the place were pushed to the side as more space was required.
Pinkie and colman olayed long into the night, the new age girl and the old timey player somehow dovetailing nicely.
One thing was for sure, things were never going to e the same in Urbania ever again.
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After all was said and done, Coleman (back to normal) said to the girls, grinning, "You kids are swank! We gotta swing again, sometime! Ever need me, I'll be there fast as a Jobbie can. Anyone give ya trouble, the meat wagon be comin' to pick 'em up."
The girls went to bed for the night, not doubting at all that they were in the town's favour now. As for what would happen next? Well, that would wait for another day.
Quest Completed