***Saturday, Day 28, noonish***
SURPRISE!
“Gah!”
The shout by the six mares and two stallions in our living room causes Hydro, Atom, and myself to all jump back in shock, eyes wide and hearts frantic. After processing what happened we three make our way into the living room where it appears a full scale Pinkie Pie Party is ready to go. After a few seconds of getting to look around, I feel light hooftap on my back and turn around to meet the smiling face of the pink party mistress herself.
She looks back and forth between myself and Hydro, who has also been turned around towards her, “How come you guys didn’t tell me you were having a friend come into town today?” She focuses on me and pokes my snout with an accusing hoof that seems to be both serious and yet cheerful. “And you Rhino, this is the second time this week you’ve had ponies come into town and I had to hear it from somepony else despite the fact that you know full well that I throw parties for everypony!” She pokes my nose a few more times to illustrate her point.
Well excuse me for having other things on my mind than welcome parties when these visits happen, this is why I like notice when ponies come over. Otherwise I get in a rush or just plain forget things.
I look down and rub my nose as I respond, “Sorry Pinks, I’ll try and keep that in mind for the next one. But you know-” I look up to see Pinkie has wandered off and is currently talking excitedly to Atom while the other girls, Volt, and Blue chat.
Hydro and I look at each other before focusing back on our charge currently being shown the snack table by the cotton candy mare.
I keep an eye on Atom as I speak to my friend, “Seems we have a bit of a snag already.”
Hydro eyes Atom as well, “Any suggestions on how to play this?”
“Hanging next to him as we have been this morning would draw too much attention. I’d like to delay them finding out why he’s here, at least until I can find a way to word it to minimize the chances somepony overreacts. I suggest we simply go about how we normally would, but just keep an eye on him. To be honest, I’m surprised he hasn’t tried anything given what we were told about him, little as it was.”
“I still say you’re too trusting, but at least I know you’re also paranoid so you won’t let your guard down for a while… Fine, we do this subtly, we will have to tell the girls eventually though, did you want to tell the guys now?”
“That would just get them in trouble too when the mares learn of it, no one but us for now.” I sigh and look over to Hydro “You know, you have a say in this too, you don’t need me to make all the decisions.”
He maintains his vigil on the dark pegasus, “I know, but you seem to already have a plan and unless I think of a better one, that’s what we’ll go with. I’ll just stay on guard in case anything happens.”
For a time, things go well. Everypony seems to be having a good time, the small number of guests meaning every time the hostess calls for new snacks or a game it keeps prolonged conversations with Atom from happening, thus keeping inevitable questions about his past from coming up. Even with things going so well though, I still feel tense, and despite my best efforts apparently enough ponies noticed my short answers and distracted actions to start the metaphorical ragdoll falling down the stairs in the form of a certain apple farmer.
“Who wants some good ol’ hard cider?”
Those words instantly froze my mind, cleared whatever funk I may have worked myself into, and brought my one-sided conversation with Rarity to screeching halt. I feel my gaze harden as I see the tell-tale mugs and small booze barrel now on the table next to the punch.
I make sure my voice is easily heard by the household as I respond to the general call, “No.” All faces turn towards my louder than intended response. Steeling myself against the sudden attention, I continue. “Applejack, no alcohol.”
“Aw c’mon now, this here’s a celebration! And what’s a few drinks among friends?”
Loosened tongues, raised voices, violent tendencies, vomiting, hangovers, general idiocy... the list goes on. Let’s find a way to say that without being a flank.
I take a deep breath to stop myself from saying anything in a way I’ll regret, “Applejack, I have particularly intense views against alcohol and refuse to see it consumed in my home. Given you are under my roof, I ask that you please respect my wishes in this matter.”
“Sure Ah can’t tempt ya with a mug?” She wiggles the mug in question in what I assume is supposed to be a tempting fashion.
“Applejack, I’ve got over 15 years of being stubborn about this particular subject, given that having some place to call my own only gives me even more sway in its enforcement… it’s not happening.”
Atom decides to put his two cents in, “I don’t see what’s so bad about a bit of cider.”
I turn to him, getting slightly irritated, “Atom, I suggest you stay out of things that don’t concern you.”
Applejack’s good natured smirk turns into a frown, “Hey now, just cause yer mad about the cider, that’s no way to talk to yer friends!”
I snap back, “Who said he was our friend!”
I hear Twilight’s voice from behind me, “Wait, if he isn’t your friend, then who is he?”
Ugh, me and my big mouth.