Twilight Sparkle had an uneventful day, with little to do with her friendship studies, and oddly enough the lack of something to study. It was quiet, almost too quiet. Fortunately, she had a bit of a clearer head on her shoulders this time around and was definitely not about to start another iteration of the aptly named "Want-It, Need-It" incident, so she'd gone walking around with Spike in tow to ask around her friends to see if they'd be up for just an hour or two to relax. A picnic together maybe? The recent months had been very stressful and hectic and it would do some good for all of them.
Pinkie-Pie, being Pinkie-Pie, unsurprisingly said yes, she almost never said no to an invitation. She was likely going to bring cupcakes, she almost always did. Rarity, she thought, would be harder to convince, but the fashionista apparently felt her creative well running a bit dry, and thought a bit of time with her friends would help refresh it. Rainbow Dash was unfortunately out of her reach right now, she was probably sleeping in at her house in the clouds somewhere, it was her day off and on the rare chance she wasn't outside performing tricks and practicing ways to be faster and train harder, the rainbow would just be snoozing the day away.
Applejack had given a shakey agreement, which was basically just giving her the spot they'd meet up, in the time span of about three hours, and hoping she'd finish up her chores. (Which she usually would, not much can stop a practiced and skilled farm pony like her, it was just she never liked leaving the farm a mess before heading out despite there being others who could take care of the apples for an hour or two.) Fluttershy would have loved to come, just as soon as she finished up treating one of her resident critters for a stuck thorn.
Even though she told them all, she left a note for all of her friends (that she could get a hold of) about her impromptu picnic, and set out to help Spike with making some sandwiches. Considering all the work her favorite assistant did day in and day out, this was the least she could do.
...
"So when do you think the girls will show up?" Spike asked, carrying a basket in his claws. Twilight carried another one along with magic. For the most part, it was cucumber sandwiches, a cut watermelon, some grape bunches, things on the less sweet side since Pinkie-Pie would be bringing the sweeter treats and pastries. "I'm not sure, but I'd say soon. We know that Rarity and Pinkie will show up, so we just really need to wait on Fluttershy and Applejack." Pausing Twilight Sparkle found a nice little spot on the hill they'd agreed to meet up on and unfurled a checkered blanket. "In the meantime, we might as well set up. Spike?" "On it!" The little dragon hopped off Twilight Sparkles back, and set down the woven basket, opening it up for a second to take a look inside to make sure everything was fine, and not at all to sneak a bite of anything.
Twilight also set her own basket down with a raspberry-colored magical aura, looking around to see if anypony else was coming along.
Sure enough, she spots Rarity waving up at her, returning it with a happy smile and an equally enthusiastic wave, and the fashionista trotted up to Twilight. "It's good to see you again Twili! And a good evening to you as well Spike." She said, deflating her posh tone just slightly. "Oh Sparkle it's been just dreadful all cooped up in the Boutique as of late, I appreciated the invitation dear, I just couldn't stand another moment stuck fixing an infuriatingly stubborn hem." Taking a deep breath Rarity stopped her rant, and composed herself with little evidence of her sudden tangent. "So how has your day been?"
"Organizing books Rarity, there were a bit of backlogged orders I wasn't able to take care of when we were all busy," Twilight said, laying down to enjoy a bite of a cucumber sandwich. "I'm not done yet, more like ninety-eight percent done, as soon as I finish dealing with all the paperwork and forms." A slightly sour look on her face formed up at the mention of dozens of dozens of forms that were allowed to build up, unreturned library books, and organizing new orders and already returned books. 'Not at all looking forward to that.'
"Well cheer up dear, you're almost done with it, all right? That should stand for something, especially if you had time to come up with this sudden outing." Rarity paused, taking a look into one of the picnic baskets. "Oh, I almost forgot to bring them over!" She trotted swiftly just out of view and returned with a small bound bag that emitted small clinking sounds as it levitated over, dropping onto the blanket and opening up revealing an array of glittering gems. "Those are for you, Spike." "Really? Thanks, Rarity!"
Twilight smiled softly if a little unenthused about it. Just when was the last time any of them got a proper chance to be together without something just... Happening!
"Hi-ya! Sorry, I'm a little late everypony! Had to pick up Applejack from her chores! Ooh! But I brought plenty of super-yummy cupcakes! AJ even pitched in a little too!" Pinkie-Pie bounced into the scene with endless cheer, outpacing the orange pony trailing right behind by a few feet. "Howdy, y'all. I brought some apple fritters that Granny had whipped up recently." Pinkie had hurriedly placed her basket down and somehow pulled out an entire cakestand from it topped to the edges with cupcakes of various colors, some chocolate, some had sprinkles, fruits, and everywhere in between.
Applejack was more conservative since this wasn't a banquet, just a get-together with friends. a parcel of six still-warm fritters was all she needed when Pinkie was involved. Besides, it was mostly just for the variety. She flopped down, stretched, and righted herself back up again to sit down properly. "Ah'm lucky that I didn't have 'ta work at the stand today. Otherwise, I'd have missed out on spending time with y'all." Her southern accent turned thicker than usual for a moment, but it thinned out soon enough. "So what have y'all been up to?"
...
Shining Armor sat in his office, creating the rough draft of wanted posters. having collected the many testimonies of witnesses to that creature falling from the sky, and the many beat-up ponies he called a guard, he'd gleaned a description of the creature and its action, which for now seemed to be pure violence and not much more than he could've gotten. Yes, he'd already seen the being first-hoof, but still, a written description was needed for a much more artistic pony to come up with a drawing of them to put it in the posters.
WANTED:
All information relating to the unknown thief of the Crystal Heart is to be sent directly to Shining Armor or Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. In their absence, any information can be sent to the Canterlot Office Of Intelligence and subsequent legal branches. All caution should be taken when engaging or tailing them. The subject was last seen armed with a heavy hammer and mortar. Information about the location of the Crystal Heart that leads to its finding or bringing the Crystal Heart itself will be compensated.
Last spotted at The Crystal Empire, fleeing by unknown air travel.
REWARD - 60,000 BITS
It was bare, and straight to the point, and the tiniest naive part of him thought that a reward was beneath any good pony, but with just how... Hostile, and uncaring that thing seemed, it felt needed. He sincerely doubted the average pony was going to run after them. No, what was more likely was trained bounty-hunters and hired muscle going after it.
There was still another pressing problem, the absence of the Crystal Heart left them vulnerable to any assaults from the hostile conditions of the Frozen North, and while he doubted Queen Chrysalis, the queen of those vile shapeshifters, would be going after them anytime soon since the love powered artifact wasn't here, he still didn't think it impossible that maybe somehow, she'd caught wind of the situation and begun playing the long game and infiltrating them already. Maybe that thing and her were working together, stealing it so she could gain its power, then wait for them all to be frozen and weakened with the snowstorm to-
'Stop.' He thought, shaking his head briskly. 'How would she know about this place anyway? It only just came back. That line of negative thinking was not needed at all right now, what was needed more was a plan to evacuate all of these soon-to-be displaced ponies if the heart isn't returned soon, and a leader that was calm and collected.
Oh, Faust who was he fooling? This situation was a disaster. He could hardly deal with the logistics of moving entire cities worth of ponies, not to mention the supplies needed, and no-doubt all the furniture some would just refuse to leave behind, or if some were unaccounted for because they decided to double back and refuse to leave their homeland.
Hopefully, that letter would reach Celestia in time, he needed all the support he could get.