Twilight, Sunset, and Spike entered the Mess Hall to hear the sounds of people chattering, glasses clinking and plates clattering as scents of bacon, eggs, sausage, and more wafted around them.
Sunset rubbed her hands together in anticipation. "Breakfast time, baby! Somewhere in here's a veggie omelet with my name on it!"
Twilight giggled as they all headed to the line, then got their food.
"Twilight! Sunset! Spike! Over here!" Pinkie stood up from a table, waving her arms frantically.
Twilight, Spike, and Sunset reached the table where their friends all sat. Greetings were exchanged as they sat down.
"So," Pinkie said in an over-the-top Stalliongrad accent. "Vat is today's plan, Fearless Leader?"
Sunset snorted at Pinkie's antics. "None. I figure we just take it easy. We've pretty much spent most of our time here saving the day, so we might as well relax."
"What about practicing our magic," Twilight asked.
"We'll do it tomorrow, Twi. I promise. For now, though, let's just enjoy ourselves." Sunset dug into her veggie omelet.
Twilight looked at the rest of the girls, who simply shrugged. She did the same, then sat down at the table. Maybe she could take this time to hang out with Timber some more!
"Hey guys," Pinkie said as she reached into her hair. "Look at what Rarity made!" She pulled out a long geometric scarf pattern with green, purple, lavender and yellow colors.
Rarity yelped, then looked around the mess hall worriedly as she took the scarf from Pinkie. "Pinkie Pie," she admonished as she stuffed it back into her friend's hair. "That's supposed to be a surprise for Gloriosa, not to mention it could get dirtied among all the food!
Pinkie giggled sheepishly as she blushed. "Sorry."
"It did look lovely," Fluttershy said before taking a bite of her breakfast.
"Thank you," Rarity said with a smile.
"So... what's everyone going to do today, then," Twilight asked.
"Well I don't know about you guys," Rainbow said, leaning back in her chair with her hands behind her head. "But I'm gonna play tetherball after this!"
"I'm going to present my exquisite scarf to Gloriosa," Rarity said proudly.
"Edible arts and crafts," Pinkie exclaimed before shoveling a forkful of food in her mouth.
"I'll try to get in another round of canoeing. Really clears up my head," Applejack said.
"A nature walk." Fluttershy blushed, which caused Twilight to raise an eyebrow.
Sunset poked at the last bit of her omelet with her fork. "I'm... going to talk to Flash," she said softly. "I feel bad about just leaving him hanging the day before..."
"What happened," Twilight asked concernedly.
Sunset sighed. "He told me he wanted to start over as friends, but I got distracted. At the time, I had suspected Timber was Gaea Everfree, so when I saw him I followed him to the cave... but I just left Flash back there." She sighed again, shaking her head slowly. "I know we saved the day because of that, but still..."
Twilight smiled as she put a hand on Sunset's shoulder. "You don't need to feel so guilty, Sunset. I'm sure Flash knows you didn't mean to hurt his feelings."
Sunset smiled back. "Yeah... you're right. I'm still going to talk to him, though."
"We all know what you're going to do, though," Rarity said to Twilight with a wiggle of her eyebrows.
Twilight blushed furiously. "W-W-What are you t-talking about," she stammered. "Timber's just a boy that I like and we're going to hang out!"
The girls laughed as Twilight's face reddened further.
Once the laughter died down, Rarity walked over to Twilight. "Terribly sorry, darling, but you're simply so much fun to tease!"
"Right," Sunset asked.
Rarity smiled at Twilight. "Sincerely, though. We are all happy for you. If you would like, we could ease up or stop altogether."
"I'd like it if you eased up... but I wouldn't want to deprive you all of a good time."
"Nonsense, Twilight! We wouldn't be able to have a good time if all of us made you too uncomfortable. If you want us to stop completely, we will stop completely!"
Applejack, Pinkie, Sunset, Rainbow, and Fluttershy all sounded off in simultaneous agreement.
"After all, darling," Rarity continued. "That's what friends do!"
Twilight thought for a moment, then nodded. "I'd like you all to stop... a-at l-least until I get used to this. I just can't help getting flustered every time Timber's brought up!"
"Understood," Rarity said as she nodded. "We will no longer tease you over Timber Spruce."
"Thank you."
As Rarity sat back down at her seat, Twilight sighed inwardly. She'd be lying if she said Rarity was wrong. She did want to have more time with Timber. She had a... a hangout with him in her future, but no time or place! She'd have to coordinate details with him, after all!
Twilight would have to research what movies were in the theaters and what times they were showing. Ticket prices and budgeting. She'd have to look through local restaurants, check their menus, ask Timber about his preferences in dining. She began to pull at her hair. There were so many factors and possibilities to consider!
A hand on Twilight's shoulder caused her to yelp, snapping herself back to the present moment. She turned around to see Sunset, who gave her a supportive smile. "Breathe, Twi. In and out."
Twilight closed her eyes, remembering Dean Cadance's calming technique. She took a deep breath as she put an arm on her chest, then exhaled as she extended it until it was outstretched. A wave of calmness washed through her, and she opened her with a smile.
"Better," Sunset asked.
"Better," Twilight responded with a nod.
The seven friends finished eating their breakfasts, cleaned up after themselves, then waved to each other as they went their separate ways.
Twilight left the mess hall with Spike. "You were pretty quiet back there."
Spike shrugged. "Eh, we all know I'll be chasing squirrels." His ears suddenly perked up as his eyes widened. "Speaking of which..." He ran off at full speed, leaving Twilight by herself.
Twilight smiled and rolled her eyes, then wandered the campsite until she found Timber, who was busy working on the dock. She lightly tapped his shoulder, and heat rose to her face as he turned around.
"H-Hey, Timber."