//------------------------------// // Mess Hall – New Friends // Story: Camp Spike Everfree // by Phantom-Dragon //------------------------------// After getting to know each other, for a bit, Spike and Wallflower Blush proceeded to bring their luggage to their assigned tent they'll be sharing for the entire summer. The two were unpacking their belongings, when Spike started a conversation. "I'm surprise they're doing Co-Ed this year." "It's all part of an experiment for a Co-Ed program, from what I heard," Wallflower Blush stated. "Apparently, Camp Director Gloriosa Daisy thought it'd be a more memorable Summer Vacation if at random, a girl and a boy share a tent together." "Lucky me," Spike commented. "I mean, I was kinda expecting to share a tent with a guy, but...hey, we can still get along, right?" "Sure," Wallflower shrugged. "To tell you the truth, this has to be one of the longest conversations I'm having right now." "Well, if we're getting to know each other, might as well chew the fat," Spike smiled. "That's what Twilight would always tell me." Wallflower chuckled and smiled, when Timber Spruce's voice boomed from the camp's megaphone. "Attention campers! Please make way to the Mess Hall. It's dinner time for your first day at Camp Everfree, and a chance to meet more of your fellow campers." With that, Spike and Wallflower left their tent, making their way towards the Mess Hall. Inside, both boy and girl were greeted to a colorful sight of campers seated at tables, with plates set up with forks and spoons. Spike and Wallflower proceeded to walk around the Mess Hall, looking for a table, or some empty seats, until at last, they found a large table, with four other female campers seated. In appearance, three of the girls appeared to be around Wallflower's age, while one seemed to be older, around Gloriosa Daisy's age. The first girl around Wallflower's age has moderate azure eyes that are framed by a pair of purple pointy glasses. Her hair is a strong cerulean with moderate arctic blue streaks, with the bang cut straight, and the back of her hair done up in two long pigtails. For attires, she wore a purple shirt, with the sleeves rolled up, a blue-and-green juniper leaf decorated on the collar, black skirt, long white knee socks, and purple shoes. Sitting beside her, is the older girl, texting, taking a selfie, and checking out her social media account. In appearance, she has light brilliant cornflower blue eyes, has dyed her hair in a gradient of grayish crimson to light magentaish gray with light gray streaks, and a beauty mark under the corner of her right eye. For attires, she wears a white low-cut puffy shirt that shows her shoulders, with light violet trimmings at the collar, a short jean held up by a belt that has a buckle shaped like a leaf, brown shoes, a long brown sleeveless trench coat with purple fringes at the bottom, and a chocker with a magentaish gray jewel at the front, and a headband with flowers. Sitting across the two are a couple of girls, who too are around Wallflower's age. The third girl has brilliant sapphire blue eyes, light cerulean eyeshadow, and her hair is light brilliant cerise with light brilliant magenta and pale blue violet highlights. She has little hearts painted on her cheek. For attires, she wore a blue t-shirt under a jean vest, with vanilla fluffy fur at the neckline, hot pink skirt, and orange sandals. The last one has brilliant cobalt blue eyes, and her hair was very light blue violet with very pale cyan and light brilliant magenta highlights. Like the third girl, sitting beside her, she has little hearts painted on her cheek. Her attires are a casual light blue long-sleeved shirt, a hot pink skirt, knee high black socks, and pink shoes. "Hey!" Spike greeted the campers. "Are these seats taken?" "Nope, go right ahead," The girl with glasses replied. Spike and Wallflower both took their seats, with Spike introducing himself, "I'm Spike. Spike Sparkle. And this is Wallflower Blush." "Hey," Wallflower greeted quietly. "Hey," The girl with glasses waved. "I'm Juniper. Juniper Montage. Phone girl next to me is Vignette Valencia." "Oh!" Wallflower exclaimed, glancing at Vignette. "Yeah, I've seen you before on Instagram. You're the one who always says–" "B.Y.B.B?" Vignette finished, smiling at the green haired girl. "Be yourself, but better! A girl of culture, I see." "Oh! That's right!" Spike said, snapping his fingers. "My friend Rarity told me all about you, once!" "Rarity?" Vignette smiled. "Ah! So you're one of her friends then? The Rainbooms? Hmmm, last I checked, they didn't have a boy in their band. Wasn't it an all-girls band? Unless this is their attempt of B.Y.B.B." Before Spike could clarify, Vignette was already ranting and raving, "That's been my power phrase since I started my first company. A middle school girl selling artisanal handmade mascara. 'But isn't that just melted crayons?' Hey, neighsayers gonna neigh. But I say B.Y.B.B." "Uh...I didn't catch any of those last words you just said," Spike shook his head. "But no, I'm not a Rainboom. I'm Twilight's little brother." "Oh! Well, nice to meet you then," Vignette replied, before she proceeded to type some hashtags. "#Littlebrother #TwilightSparkle'slittlebrother #Rainboom'slittlebrother..." Juniper Montage shook her head, "Her head is all up in the phone," She sighed. Turning to the other girls sitting next to him and Wallflower, Spike asked, "And you are?" "I'm Kiwi Lollipop," The third girl waved. "And I'm Supernova Zap!" The fourth girl greeted. "Nice to meet you two." "Kiwi Lollipop and Supernova Zap?" Spike scratched his chin, pondering, "Sounds familiar. Have we met before?" "Uh, can't say we have," Kiwi shook her head. "I'm sure I'd remember meeting a cute boy with green hair." Spike couldn't help but blush at Kiwi's comment on "cute." Before the conversation could continue, the sound of a microphone tapping was heard, to which everyone all turned their attentions up to the stage to see Gloriosa Daisy talking into a mic. "Good afternoon, everyone!" Gloriosa Daisy greeted. "By now, you've gotten settled into your assigned tents and formed a bond with your roommates. Now please, take this moment to get to know more of your fellow campers!" "But first, a question," Timber Spruce began. "Who's hungry?" With that, Spike and his fellow campers all exchanged random agreements. Before long, the kitchen door burst open as a chef, with a pointy mustache, came walking out, pushing a cart of food for the campers to choose and eat. Spike was eating a plate of apple pie, "Mmmm, Chef Gustave le Grand's outdone himself," He commented, next to Wallflower enjoying a bowl of salad. "This pie is good. But not nearly as good as Applejack's Granny Smith. She can make a mean apple pie." "Applejack?" Kiwi Lollipop asked, who was enjoying a grilled cheese sandwich. "Funny you should mention that." "Cause we know a friend who knew a friend named Applejack," Supernova Zap added, while eating a bowl of noodles. "But she called her AJ. Maybe they're related?" "Yeah," Spike smiled, nodding in amusement. "Maybe." "Sounds like we're all connected from one friend to another," Vignette commented, while she uploads her latest post, with tags that read: "#CampEverfree #MessHall #DinnerWithNewFriends #Friends'Friends." Juniper glanced at Vignette questionably, "How did I ever get paired up with you?" She asked, while playing with her plate of spaghetti. "Why can't I be paired up with a cute guy, like you...uh, what's your name again?" "Wallflower Blush?" Wallflower answered, while Spike blushed a shade of pink from Juniper's comment. "And...I guess I'm just lucky?" "Hmph. I guess some people have all the luck being movie stars, I guess," Juniper frowned. "Mmmm, I wouldn't know about that," Vignette said to Juniper. "Just be thankful you're with me, and not with, say...that guy?" Vignette pointed, directing Juniper's attention to a dirty looking boy, covered in dirt and smudges, and appeared to be attracting a cloud of dust, sitting next to a girl, who, judging by her face, is uncomfortable from his dirtiness. "My friends call me, Pig-Pen," The boy introduced himself. "And you are?" Not too far away, a girl in blue dress sat next to a boy in a yellow shirt, with a black, zigzag stripe at the torso. The girl was yelling lots of be-littering comments to demean the boy. Spike didn't catch what she said, but all he got was, "YOU BLOCKHEAD!" "...I stand corrected," Juniper said. Wanting to change the subject, Spike broke the tension, "Hey, the Summer Camp's just started. Don't let some... well, I can't say bad apples, but... As my friend Pinkie Pie would say, 'There's always a silver lining!'" Just when Spike said that, a couple of girls walked behind the group, giggling and hugging each other. "I'm so happy we're assigned to the same tent, Bon-Bon!" The minty haired girl smiled. "Now I'm convinced we're made to be together!" "I'm so looking forward to making this the best summer we've ever had in the history of besties, Lyra!" The girl with pink and blue hair returned the affectionate smile, as they walk away, holding hands together. "See? Even they are looking forward to having a good time," Spike smiled. Moved by his optimism, Wallflower Blush looked away, hiding a faint blush and a small smile, with Juniper shaking her head but smiled in amusement. Vignette raised an eyebrow, while hiding a grin behind her phone as she glances at Spike, with Kiwi and Supernova exchanging looks of agreement, which change to newfound admiration at the little guy. "Hey!" A friendly greeting called out, to which the group looked up to see Gloriosa Daisy and Timber Spruce walking over. "Making friends already, Spike?" Gloriosa Daisy smiled. "I can tell, your time here at Camp Everfree will be a blast!" "Don't jinx it, Gloriosa," Timber Spruce teased. "Remember what happened last year..." "Oh Timber," Gloriosa rolled her eyes, towards her brother. "No need to bring up bad memories, that's all in the past. This year, I really want to make it all worth it for our campers. And it won't be like last time." "We'll see, we'll see," Timber nodded. "So, Spike," Gloriosa began, as she looked down at the boy. "As a friend of Twilight's, how are you enjoying the camp so far? And who are your friends?" "So far, camp is great," Spike commented. "It's like how Twilight told me it would be. And these are Juniper Montage, Vignette Valencia, Kiwi Lollipop, Supernova Zap, and I think you already know, Wallflower Blush." "Hmmm, can't say that I have," Gloriosa shook her head, much to Wallflower's shock. "I was here, last year..." Wallflower said, looking further dejected. "Oh...Uh...I'm sorry. I'm afraid...with so many campers to keep track of, I must've...lost track. That's it..." Gloriosa chuckled nervously, to which Wallflower still didn't look impressed. "Nice one, sis," Timber Spruce rolled his eyes. Wanting to get out of the awkward moment, Gloriosa began, "Well, I hope you all get along well with each other, and...I think I hear someone calling out for me. Talk to you soon." With that, Gloriosa took her leave, with Timber Spruce flanking behind her, leaving Spike with the girls. "That went smoothly," Kiwi Lollipop commented. Turning his attention back at Wallflower Blush, Spike placed a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder, "Hey..." "...Hey yourself," Wallflower frowned. 'So much for the shoulder touch, Shining Armor...' Spike thought. Later that night, everyone were all in their tents, ready to turn in for the night. After changing into his pajamas and brushing his teeth, Spike walked out of the camp's bathhouse, returning to his and Wallflower Blush's tent. Upon walking inside, Spike looked to see Wallflower, in her orange pajamas, decorated with autumn leaves, sitting on her bed, seemingly in deep thoughts. "Hey Wallflower," Spike greeted, startling the girl out of her thoughts. "You okay?" "Huh? Oh...yeah," Wallflower replied, looking away. "Just...thinking." "About what?" "It's nothing. Don't worry." "Okay," Spike walked over to his bed and got under the cover. "Excited for tomorrow? I know I am. I can already picture myself, sitting on a boat, sailing across the lake, without a care in the world." "Wow, I wish I had your enthusiasm, Spike," Wallflower said to the boy. "Aren't you the least bit nervous of...messing something up? Making a fool of yourself?" "Well, to be honest, no," Spike shook his head. "I guess, when you hang with friends who are like a magnet for crazy stuffs to happen, nearly 24/7, then awkward hellos, saying the wrong thing, literally any public speaking become a norm." Wallflower looked at Spike with envy, before she sat down on her bed and hugged herself, into a ball. "That's my problem...I don't have any friends," She frowned. "All I have are...plants. But...that doesn't make it any less lonelier..." Looking at Wallflower with sympathy, Spike spoke up, "Well, I can be your friend..." "That's sweet of you to say, Spike. But–" "No seriously! I want to be your friend. Twilight talked me into coming here so I can make new friends, okay? And well...we're roommates, so...let's make it count together." Spike walked up to the girl, holding his hand out for her. Looking down at his open hand, then back up to see the inviting smile on his face, Wallflower slowly held her hand out, looking nervous and uncertain, before she accepted. "You better not be pulling my leg about wanting to be my friend," Wallflower grinned. "Hey, scout's honor," Spike held the other hand up. "Like you were a scout?" "I was...once."