DundunDUUUUUUN ending…
Riley from Boondocks: White girl say whuut? Nigga u suck!
Chapter 5
“Kelly’s day out”
Rough, unedited version
Danail24: Well it’s been long since the last chap. update but I declare that this will be worth it! It’s long with some quite pleasant surprises. There will be some popular background ponies showing up at the party so I hope you’ll be pleased. I hope I didn’t go overboard with Lyra because I always pictured her as quite obsessive when it comes to humans. Also I imagined Derpy’s voice the way PierceSmoulder voices her (like from Derpalicous and the Doctor Whooves and assistant series on Youtube). And now, without further delays, presenting, Blind Trust Chapter 5:
Early dawn shed its light through the windows of all the ponies’ homes.
Twilight Sparkle was the first to open her eyes, always waking up before anypony else due to her well organized nature. She smiled with delight of the fact that it was time to start the day, getting out of bed in a haste, and trotting back and forth to do her first morning chores: making her bed with magic, grabbing her tooth and hairbrush, fixing up the bedroom. When the unicorn got to the task of drawing the curtains to let some light in the room, she turned back to look upon and remember the alien child from yesterday.
That’s right! Silly me! I almost forgot I am the one responsible for her now! The mare approached the bed and looked over the sleeping child.
She’s so cute and peaceful while sleeping! Twilight bit her lip, trying to suppress another grin, crawling up her face.
As much as it pained her to disturb the child, the pony’s sense of obligation drove her to gently nuzzle the little dear under the chin.
“Kelly… time to wake up… it’s a beautiful day… come on sleepy buns…”
“Mmmmnn… 5 more minutes Sister Ann… I’m having a nice dream with ponies.” Kelly rolled over to the other side.
“You’re not dreaming Kelly. I’m not sister Ann, whoever that is, I’m Twilight Sparkle your new friend, remember? You’re still in Equestria and all of it is real.” The intelligent mare reaffirmed everything so she would drop all of the human’s doubts.
“H-h-huh?” The girl opened her eyes slowly, trying to ward off the fatigue.
After a couple of more seconds the she sat up all of a sudden, her beautiful long brown hair flowing down, enveloping her shoulders. The young maiden moved around her arms in the empty space, in order to find someone.
Once she took a hold of a familiar face with straight bangs and a horn, Kelly immediately snuggled the creature they belonged to:
“Oh, Twilight, it really Is you! So neither you nor the others were a dream! Now I’m certain all of this is real!” she relaxed in the unicorn’s hooves, feeling secure and at home.
“Kelly… of course I’m real! And so are the rest of Ponyville and Equestria.” Twilight patted the child on the head.
“Ponyville? Is this how the town you live in is called? What a cute name.”
“Why, yes. It seems me and my friends forgot to mention it. Come now! As soon as we’re done with fixing you up and having breakfast, I’ll introduce you to some of my books of basic pony knowledge… in Braille of course.”
“Would you guys keep it down? Can’t a dragon get some Zees around here?” Spike waved his claw, irritatingly, curling up in his blanket like a cocoon.
“That goes for you too Spike! You know you can’t sleep in, what with all the chores that you have for today.” The librarian trotted up to her baby assistant and lectured him good.
“I don’t feel like doing chores today! I’m gonna sleep in instead!” The reptilian toddler ignored her, turning the other way.
“Oh, no you won’t!” Twilight smirked, levitating him and the cover he was wrapped in, and dumping him out of it.
“HEY! Okay, okay, I’ll go downstairs and tongue-wash myself then I’ll make breakfast. Yeesh… I hope you’re happy!” Spike complained, going down the stairs.
“Okay, now. Let’s get started shall we?” The responsible pony proceeded with helping her young friend put her clothes on, and brushing her hair.
“How can you help me with all these things without uuum… these…” Kelly flapped her fingers as if she was typing really fast.
“I lift things with my magic.” The spellweaver explained briefly.
“Ooooh, There are so many things I don’t know about this place and its inhabitants!” The alien urchin’s eyes sparkled with pure infatuation.
*giggle*
“You sure are very eager to learn aren’t you? You remind me so much of myself when I was a little filly just like you.” The student of magic finished up the girl’s hair, tying it back up with its hair-tie, and slid the out-worlder’s hand down her equine back, prompting her to get up and walk with her.
After a short trip to the bathroom they brushed their teeth, washed their faces, and for Twilight’s fascination, Kelly washed her hands, explaining how it was good hygiene among humans to always keep these appendages clean, due to the fact that a person handles a lot of things with them, including food.
Entering the dining-guest room the librarian called for her assistant:
“Spiiiike! You done with breakfast yet?”
“Sure! I made my special honey-plum-marmalade-extra-syrupy pancakes.” Spike appeared carrying, two small towers of pancakes in his claws and a third, taller one on his head.
The big one on his noggin is probably meant for himself. The bookish mare scowled for a split second before replacing it with another smile.
“Holy Cow! I never have pancakes unless it’s my birthday. And I don’t think its December yet.” The kid stood in a pleasant surprise.
“You mean the humans that took care of you needed a special occasion to make pancakes at your orphanage? Well that sure blows horns!” The purple lizard crossed his arms, disappointed in these so called “caretakers”.
“Spike, don’t use bad language on the table! It gives a bad example!” Twilight disapproved.
“Aaahahahaahahaaahahaaa! I guess it does, doesn’t it! You’re funny and frank! I really like you!” The little girl laughed at the dragon’s straightforward way of speaking his mind.
“My name’s not Frank, it’s Spike!” the library assistant shrugged in perplexity, followed by a dual chortle by both the human and the equine.
“Okay, Thorn!” Kelly teased, unable to stop chuckling.
“Not Thorn, Spike!” Spike didn’t get that joke either, his aggravation going.
After some more idle chit-chat, and a delicious breakfast, the trio moved to the reading section. There, the two library keepers proceeded with the daily rearranging of books, while the human dove into a big pillow, starting with one of the books Twilight was so kind to lend her.
Kelly found pony life simply enchanting! The community was like that from the Middle Ages, only more fair and respecting to everybody’s rights; as if taken from one of Tolkien’s fantasy novels, only with no humanoid creatures. She especially liked the part where love, friendship, tolerance and solidarity were the foundations of this equine society. The princesses seemed like the perfect diarchs to oversee their subjects’ happiness.
Princess of the sun, Celestia and princess of the moon, Luna. Hmmm…I wonder if I’ll ever meet them in person. The outworlder reflected on the subject, really curious of what they were like on a more personal level, beyond the regal masks they had to wear in front of everypony.
As to the unique qualities of the three pony kinds, the girl could not believe what a perfect harmony they formed by working together: Pegasi moving clouds, accounting for the weather, earth ponies growing the food needed for the nourishment of the entire nation and unicorns gathering knowledge and making life easier with magic.
The cultural heritage, these intelligent equidae had, was pretty intriguing too. They had holidays unique to their country such as a Summer sun Celebration, marking the summer solstice. The strange thing was that by their description, Kelly noticed that other festivities were very similar to the ones she knew back on Earth: like Hearts and Hooves day being just like Valentine’s day, Nightmare night awfully resembling Halloween, Hearth’s Warming Eve having a similar name to Christmas Eve. They even had rodeos!
I’d really like to go to their school in case everypony lets me stay. I wonder what little foals learn there. The human child mused, enveloped in the irresistible charm of this magical wonderland.
“Kelly… Spike and I are done with the morning shelf rearranging. Would you like to go outside and visit our friends with me?” Twilight beamed invitingly.
“Sure Twilight! I’d love to.” The little darling smiled back.
“I’m only going to accompany you to Carrousel Boutique if it’s on our way. I have some business there.” The young fire-breather looked himself in the mirror, straightening his spines.
“I meant that Kelly and I were going. You still need to sweep up the floor before you go anywhere. We can’t have ponies breathing in all that unhealthy dust.” The Element of Magic shook her head, sighing at how empty-minded her assistant could get when it came to a specific fashionable friend of hers.
“Oh, yeah, that. Puh! I was hoping you’d forget but I guess I should’ve known better. But as soon as I finish I’m off to Rarity’s!” The scaly chore-dragon pointed at his librarian in charge, proceeding with some vigorous sweeping.
Twilight only gave a little laugh and carried on with Kelly, both of them going outside.
There were some clouds up in the sky, the Weather Pegasi working on preparations for the rain tomorrow, so from time to time the sun hid out of view, before reappearing again.
As human and unicorn strolled along, side by side, they were met with mixed reactions by the town’s citizens. However most of them shared a common attitude: avoiding all contact possible:
“That’s the creature that appeared at the marketplace yesterday.”
“Why is Twilight Sparkle accompanying it?”
“Maybe it’s a sign that the alien is friendly.”
“That doesn’t prove anything!”
“I wonder where they’re going.”
The lavender wizard mare held back a grumble, irritated at how unhospitable the other ponies acted. She hopped their treatment would change for the better once Pinkie’s party was set in motion. If there were anypony who were to cause a scene, the unicorn would be the first one to teach them some manners.
“Why hello there, Twilight! How are you?” Twilight was suddenly shaken off her thoughts by Cheerilee, the friendly Elementary school teacher.
“Just fine Cheerilee, how are you?”
“In a good mood as usual. I see you made a new friend. I heard she gave a lot of ponies quite the scare yesterday at the market but I don’t see what all the fuss is about. She seems like a very sweet creature and she must be if she’s friends with you.” The cerise-coated Earth pony demonstrated her sunshiny demeanor.
“Thank you Miss Cheerilee! I really hope everypony’s as open-minded as you. I’m Kelly the human.” Kelly raised her hand, met by the elementary school teacher’s hoof.
“That’s what we’ll be striving for. Pinkie is going to throw a party today to welcome Kelly to town. We’re hoping that everypony will warm up to her that way and drop their guard down.” The human’s guardian clarified.
“Oh, that sounds just dandy! I will surely come… well… see you at the party.” Cheerilee gave one last beam before going off on her way.
“I wish every new pony’s like her.” The small maiden shared her impression.
“All the town’s ponies generally are like that. They’re just not used to creatures that look different.”
“What about the voices all around that say things about us?”
“Oh, don’t pay attention to those gossips. They’ll change their minds once they get to know you. You can count on that!” Twilight winked “We almost reached Sugarcube Corner. The bakery my friend Pinkie lives and works at.”
“I’ve never been to a bakery before. I wonder what one looks like on the outside. It would probably sound naïve but I always imagined it to have candy canes for support, a chocolaty roof with whipped cream decoration, and an iced cake on top.” The human girl remembered reading about the candy house Hansel and Gretel visited, when she was only 3.
“That pretty much describes it actually. It’s just décor though. But your guess is spot on!” The librarian chuckled at the overly vivid imagination her friend had.
“Oh My Gosh! I guess even the most farfetched things my imagination comes up with apply to this reality.” The alien child mused at what wonderful sights she could be able to take in if only she could see.
The moment the magical student and human entered, both of them found themselves in the center of a scene that was a more or less chaotic. Pinkie Pie and Mrs. Cake were trying to calm down the crying twins, there were sheets of paper everywhere and Rainbow Dash was zooming around back and forth, collecting them while Mr. Cake was running after her, doing his best by keeping falling objects from splatting or crashing down on the floor.
“What the hoof is going on here?” Twilight gaped at the scene, stunned.
“Weeeeeeeell… I was carrying down the cajilion copies of invitations to Kelly’s party with one hoof, while delivering lil’ Pumpkin Cake and Pound Cake to their mommy with the other but when I took a shortcut by sliding on the parapet, I lost my balance and RD and Mr. Cake had to save the day. And that’s why I still haven’t had breakfast!” Pinkie finished up with the most ludicrous of conclusions that had no connection to the question whatsoever.
“Urgh! Let me help! Take five Rainbow!” The spellweaver lighted up her horn, gathering all the scattered papers and stacking them neatly.
Calming down from her stir, Dash took a break by plopping onto a stool nearby and wiping her forehead.
“Thank you for that! Now if you excuse me, I must get back to the customers. They don’t sound very happy.” Mr. Carrot Cake headed for the door leading to the counter, from where one could hear the innerved voices of impatient customers.
“So, TS, I see you brought Kelly. You walking her around town?” Rainbow spoke up, getting up from her seat.
“Why yes. Not only that but we’re on a tight schedule. We came here to see how the preparations for the party are going, then we will drop by at Rarity’s to see if she could fashion Kelly here some clothes. And we might visit Applejack and have some pie and cider for lunch.” Twilight counted down the things on the list in her mind.
“So this is the little alien child that Pinkie told me about. Pleased to meet you deary. You must be very special if Pinkie values your friendship so much. I’m Mrs. Cake, one of the owners of Sugarcube corner and Pinkie’s landlady.” The Mrs. of the house and bakery came up to the human girl and introduced herself.
“It’s very nice to meet you too Mrs. Cake. I’m Kelly Sombermayer, a human. Is that a crying baby colt you’re holding there?” Kelly listened closely to the wailing foal in its mother’s hoofs, discerning the pitch in its voice.
“Why yes! I wonder how you knew. Pinkie did mention your, ahem… condition.” The baker was a little taken aback at such a display of perception.
“I’ve helped take care of toddlers from 1 month to 2 years old. May I give him some attention?” The lil’ miss asked for permission.
“Well sure. When he starts crying, I can never get him to stop. I guess you could try.”
“Hey there lil’ guy! There’s no need to cry. We’re all here to lend you our help. Shhhhhhhh… We all love you very much. Listen to my voice and look me in the eyes.” The outlander petted the infant’s snaggy mane and then stroked him under his chin, attracting his attention.
Through the tot’s viewpoint, this new creature’s voice sounded very soft, warm and reassuring. Her eyes though completely still, were emanating sisterly love and kindness and understanding of unique quality.
“Aa-aaaa…” Pound Cake squeaked in delight, holding out his little appendages.
Pumpkin seemed to notice the new face as well and did the same as her brother, desiring the same treatment.
“Amazing!” Mrs. Cake’s was simply amazed.
“Wow! If Kelly was a pony she’d have 3 Cutie marks! Yeah, that would be awesome!” The mistress of awesome nodded in agreement with herself.
“Silly Rainbow, then she’d have the Cutie Pox like Apple Bloom did.” The party mare popped out right next to her multicolored amigo, startling her.
“Oh, you mean those things on your flanks that represent your talent? Well humans don’t get those but each of us has a certain potential that’s just waiting to be discovered. There are some cases when we have more than one talent.” Kelly threw light upon the human side of the matter.
“Girls, didn’t you have a job to do?” The pudgy housewife reminded the party planner and her athletic helper of their original task.
“Oh, yeah! Silly-really! We’re off to spread all these invitations for Kelly’s Welcome to Ponyville party!” Pinkie Pie bit on a stack of papers and tossed it on her back “You get one too!” she flung two sheets over at Twilight and her furless companion.
The unicorn caught the two, enveloping them with her pink aura, giving the child hers. It was printed on pink paper with lots of balloons for background and its message designed with navy blue bubbly letters.
“What does it say Twilight?” Kelly scratched her head.
“It says “You’re invited to another superrific Welcome to Ponyville party/ Let’s welcome Kelly, the first human in Equestria and make her feel at home/ Party starts at 6 o’clock in the evening at the bakery/ Courtesy of Pinkie Pie and Sugarcube Corner”.” Twilight read, not even attempting to hide the expression she made at how adorable this invitation seemed to her.
“Or in simple lingo, it has Pinkie Pie written all over it! Anyways, me and Pinkie gotta dash!” Rainbow fired up her trusty wings and swept past the intelligent duo, followed by Pinkie’s joyful bouncing along.
“Well, that takes care of invitation plans. Where would you like to go next Kelly? At Rarity’s boutique or Applejack’s farm?” The provident mare checked off a point off her list, directing her attention to Kelly once more.
“Whichever is closer. I don’t mind.” The girl responded, shrugging nonchalantly.
/out on the streets/
“Everypony get your invitation here! There’s gonna be another Pinkie Pie Party Extraordinaire! And it’s all for our newest friend Kelly, the human from yesterday’s incident at the market! Burry your troubles, burry your doubts! She’s here for happy shouts! You’ll simply love her! Please take this… thank you!” The looney pink pony jumped from roof to roof, trumpeting her advertisement with a paper funnel, handing flyers to everypony through their windows and occasionally landing and distributing even more while on the ground.
“DID YOU SAY HUMAN?” Suddenly a light aquamarine unicorn mare with a light grayish cyan mane with white highlights popped out right in Pinkie’s way with an expression of stupefaction.
“Yessirree Lyra! I guess you didn’t hear the news. My friend Rainbow Dash found a strange alien human that apparently scared everypony away yesterday at the market! But after me and my friends met her, we decided to throw her a Welcome party to show everypony that she’s not scary at all and prove to her how super-funtastic we Ponyvilians are!” The hyperactive Element of Laughter explained in her typical fashion.
“By Celestia’s mane! I knew it… I knew it, I knew it, I knew it, I knew it! They’re real! Everypony thought I was crazy when I discovered Dr. Whooves was once human! They thought my fascination was pointless and stupid! Well we’ll see who’ll be laughing soon! Wait till I tell Bonbon about this!” Lyra rubbed her forehooves together like a cartoon villain, quickly snatching two invitations with a sparkling gleam in her eyes.
“Okie-dokie –lokie! I’ll just be on my way then. See you at the party! Chaoo!” Pinkie just shrugged at her failure to interpret what this pony just said, deciding to just continue her quest without a care.
/a little later at the boutique/
“Twilight, darling, it is so good to see you again. And I see you brought Kelly back for another visit.” Rarity turned her attention to the shop’s new visitors.
“Hello Rarity. I just thought we’d give you some company that is if you are free.” Twilight stated the nature of the stay.
“That’s so nice of you both. In fact now that you’re here I must confess that I’ve been simply itching to measure up dear Kelly and make some ensembles for her.” The pristine unicorn looked the girl over, attempting to determine her height.
“That’s a great idea! Kelly told me last night that clothes are the norm for her species and they must wear them at all times.” The librarian put that little fact into account.
“That’s odd, but who am I to argue with different culture. Besides I am delighted to hear that. Humans must value fashion very much if they love clothes to this extent. Oh, I sure would like to visit some of their fashion capitals.” The fashion diva glowed with excitement “However I do need to take your measurements, so I’d like to ask of you to remove at least your top clothes.”
“It isn’t that much trouble I guess, since I’m in such a place.” Kelly complied, letting her classy friend, take off her t-shirt and suspended jeans, enveloping them in her blue aura.
The seamstress then immediately grabbed the measuring tape, wrapping it around the human’s waist to begin her measure evaluation.
“What you’re doing is very generous of you miss Rarity. But I’m afraid that I don’t have any money to pay you with unless I repay you by doing something in return maybe…” The young maiden felt awkwardness crawl up her spine.
“That’s so considerate of you Kelly my dear but there’s no need for that. I’ll do it free of charge.” Rarity replied with sincere friendliness in her voice, while stretching the meter across the child’s leg.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you, Twilight included: how come you’re all so nice to every living thing around you? Is it because of how you were raised? There seem to be so many of you that are just wonderful ponies.” Kelly fondled her own ponytail, a little uncomfortable to be asking such things but unable to hide how glad she was to be residing in such a world.
“Kellyy dear… we’re just treating everypony the way we would like to be treated and respect and love each other for who we are. No matter how different we may seem.” The ladylike pony lowered her tape, gently stroking the urchin’s cheek.
“Exactly! When we receive love, we also give and there’s no better way to achieve harmony than that.” Twilight added her approval in the matter.
“So, I guess the reason behind your harmony is because you’re surrounded by so much love. *Sigh*
I sure wish that were the case in my world. It is because of so many children in my world not receiving the love they need that there is war, famine, hatred and so on.” The outworldish kid looked down.
The case was that the little girl was confused. She had been brought into a world which presented her with nothing but hate, violence and rejection. Kelly recalled her history books from which she learnt about all the atrocities bad people had done; the other orphans’ cruelty; the grim events she heard on TV that were happening around the world. With all that amount of wickedness she witnessed, the young maiden had slowly begun to lose faith in human kind.
“Oh, come now, pish-posh! If you yourself are good little child then surely there must be good humans.” Rarity waved her hoof, trying to disperse all that doubt, writing down the width measurements between the girl’s shoulders.
“Well, maybe there are good families. I just haven’t met any… that is, until recently.”
The mares exchanged glances, gratified that the conversation ended. Deciding to turn the topic to something less bleak, the chic equine scrawled up the last of the digits, looking at the rough sketch she made of her friend’s overall silhouette.
“Well, now that I have all the information I need, I can proceed with my Magics to create!” Rarity beamed, pulling out some fabrics and tools from under her cat Opalescence that hissed in irritation at her mistress’ inconsideration “I’m going to go ahead and choose the colors for you, okay?”
“Okay!” Kelly nodded in approval.
“Oh, look at the time, it’s been nice seeing you Rarity but we do not want to miss the Apples’ lunchtime.” The student of magic looked over to the wall clock, seeing it, nearing noon.
“Right, then! Have a lovely day, dears! I guarantee a couple of Kelly’s dresses will be ready for this evening.” The gem-loving unicorn announced without turning around, busy trying to figure out which piece should go where.
Out in the open once more, the pony and human walked together, enjoying the rays of sunshine, clean air and pleasant everyday sounds. Maintaining a gentle hold on her guide’s back, the blind orphan consumed every sound around her, many of them being quite new: the whooshing and flapping noises from pegasi wings, the hard clangs of a hammer hitting an anvil from the town’s forge, the creaking sounds of carriages and wheelbarrows being pushed and pulled by various working ponies. Inquiring about everything she heard, Twilight explained to her thoroughly about the air friction pegasi create, product transportation, the local market, and the duties of a blacksmith.
But there was one type of particular noises that peaked a special interest in the girl’s mind. It was these strange specific resonances similar to the ones the purple mare explained as magical aura, used to perform spells.
“Hey, Twilight! I think I noticed something. You told me about the magical aura unicorns use to do everyday things right? Well each of the other unicorns’ magic give off a slightly different sound compared to yours. Does that mean every magic wielder is one of a kind?”
“You have a very discerning ear Kelly. It seems your hearing can be very advantageous.” The spell-weaver looked over to her friend proudly as they were about to cross a street.
“Many of my kind seem to underestimate me.” Kelly grinned mystically, putting her arm on Twilight’s chest, halting their advance right before a cart came racing out behind a corner, narrowly driving past them.
The rest of this leisurely promenade was spent discussing the similarities and differences of the two worlds each of the two individuals respectively came from. The unicorn was astonished at the mind-boggling advances humanity had achieved so far, making up for their lack of natural abilities with the power of intelligence and resourcefulness. She was even a bit fearful at first when she heard about the amazing power of these machines called televisions, computers and the entity that was the Internet, all of which seemed to know everything there was to know, including having the capability to take peeks inside life on other realms without disrupting the natural flow of things.
“For me, TV and Internet are practically the same as the radio, since…well, the obvious.” The bipedal alien commented, simply shrugging at what she thought was not a big deal.
“Well, Kelly, if there was a spell that could grant you the gift of vision I’d gladly perform it on you.” The pony wizard confessed, feeling a bit helpless at the thought of not being able to help her friend in that direction.
As the twosome entered the apple orchards, they didn’t notice six multicolored eyes that were intently staring at them from a bush not far from their position. Tossing glances at each other, the owners of these curious peepers, started to converse amongst each other:
“That’s the alien thing everypony’s been talking about? She doesn’t seem all that scary!” a raspy voice came from the equine with the grayish purple eyes.
“She isn’t a thing Scoo! Rarity said she’s a very nice filly, our age.” The one with sap green eyes responded in contradiction.
“Maybe if we go and introduce ourselves to her, we can study her, write down thangs ‘bout ‘er and publish it in one of dem’ fancy encyclo-watchamacallit books.” The brilliant gamboge eyes glanced over the other pairs, their owner displaying determination.
“That’s a Great Idea!” the green eyed pony revealed herself to be Sweetie Bell, her voice ringing at the words “great” and “idea”.
“But what kind of stuff is considered important when writing about aliens?” Scootaloo protruded her head out of the brush.
“Ah’m not sure! Habits, interests, what she do for fun, what kind of alieny… things she does.” Apple Bloom drawled, putting a hoof under her chin.
“Yeah, we can be Cutie Mark Crusaders Species explorers!” Rarity’s sibling proposed in a most excited manner.
“Yeah! CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS SPECIES EXPLORERS, YAY!” All three fillies hollered at the top of their lungs, their outcries so loud they could make one’s ears bleed.
Breaking into an enthusiastic gallop, they caught the attention of both individuals on the road which looked in their direction the moment the foals piercingly ushered their presence.
“Hello girls! I don’t mean to pry but what’s with all the clamor?” Twilight addressed the youngins sporting a friendly yet puzzled look.
“Hi Twilight! We want to meet this alien girl everypony’s been talking about. And while we’re at it we’d like to study what she’s like and try to earn our species explorers’ cutie marks.” Sweetie Bell cleared things up, her eyes sparkling with curiosity at the sight of this new creature and her smile widening, simply ecstatic at the prospect of obtaining her one desire, her friends included.
“You mean zoologists. Anyways, this is Kelly, she’s a human from another world. Kelly, say hello to Apple Bloom, Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo, three lovely little fillies about your age.” The librarian went ahead with the introductions to make things easier.
She wasn’t quite sure if Kelly was ready for direct contact with the girls since…
“And we are THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!” Another shriek pierced the sky making Kelly cringe and plug up her ears while Twilight simply winced.
“Ow! I’m sorry but I don’t like loud noises. Relying on my ears has made them very sensitive.” The outlandish girl massaged her auricles, trying to ebb the pain away.
“Tell me about it. For such small, immobile ears I bet they’re almost as sensitive as mine.” The nerdy pony agreed holding her noodle, trying to ward off the incoming migraine.
“Oh, we’re sorry! It’s a habit of ours.” Scootaloo smiled sheepishly along with the other too.
“Your voice reminds me of Rainbow Dash’s.” The human said, noticing the similar raspy quality in the filly’s timbre.
“Told you I’m RD material!” Scoots puffed her chest up boastfully.
“So, where y’all goin’?” Apple Bloom tossed random glances around the area.
“We were just about to hop over to see what AJ was doing. Maybe stay for a little while.” Twilight did her part being the ever dedicated pony-answering-machine.
“Well, wah didn’t you say so? We’ll take ya there! Mah sis must be packing up the last of the crates since its close tuh lunchtime.” AB gestured her friends to prepare for another annunciation.
“CUTIE M… Uuuh, we mean Cutie Mark Crusaders Pathfinders, go!” They piped up once more only to remember what happened last time and lower the volume before going for a race down the dusty old farm road, particles of dirt flying everywhere in their wake.
“Well, we better follow them.” The mare’s horn glowed, lifting Kelly up, much to her astonishment and plopping her on her back.
Materializing a simple (fake) leather saddle under her rider and a bridle strapped to her mouth, the smart equine tightened the saddle with her teeth.
“Woah, Twilight! W-what’s going on?” The little human stammered confusedly, feeling the bridle and the contours of the saddle.
“We’re riding off, that’s what! Now put your legs on the irons that are for your feet and hold on to the strap. Things are about to get rough!” Celestia’s student took the proper stance licking her upper lip in anticipation.
Hah! Always wanted to say that last line! I feel so cool! She thought gleefully, ready to go off after the three fillies in the distance.
“I’m not sure Twilight! Wouldn’t that make you feel uncomfortable?” Kelly hesitated, putting on a worried face.
“Well, no. It was my idea anyways. So let’s get galloping!” Twilight reared up on her hind legs, unable to hold off her anticipation any longer, making her human friend elicit a small squeak in surprise, after which they strode forth daringly.
This being her first time actually riding an equine type creature (on land that is) sent the alien child in a complete state of euphoria; the twisting wind in her hair, the rhythmical clopping hoof beats, the up and down bucks of the haunches, Twilight’s swaying back and the rocking motion it produced. Absolutely incredible! And to think she was riding a unicorn; a creature that was considered a myth! Well not here it wasn’t! But what was the most special thing of all was the fact that the girl regarded the unicorn in question as somepony very close to her. That and soon a whole town of them!
I sure wish I was born a unicorn! The idea ran through the kid’s mind as she yipped and yelped in amazement, at moments exploding in short fits of happy laughter.
After a few minutes of an exciting run, the pair went down to the barn, catching up with the girls, who were fidgeting over having to wait for the Apple siblings to finish up the morning work. The CMC trio was just about to decide whether they should go ahead and do some triple back-and-forth-scooting when Twilight and Kelly rode up beside them.
“Oh good, yer here! Gee, Twahlight I didn’t know you gave ponyrides to anypony but Spike. Ah’ve never seen yah in a saddle and bridle though.” Apple Bloom gave the twosome an awkward look.
“Well, I just thought it’d be fun. Plus a book of mine said extra weight is good for exercise.” The lavender mare beamed, helping her companion de-saddle after which she dematerialized her gear.
“Why is your uuuuh… clawless paw over Twilight’s back if I’m not too rude to ask?” Sweetie Bell cocked an eyebrow at this strange fact.
“Well, Twilight agreed to be my seeing pony for the time being.” Kelly clarified, holding her own elbows.
“You see girls, Kelly is blind.” Twilight indicated with a hint of sadness.
“Blind?” All three fillies repeated automatically.
“When did you go blind?” Scootaloo said in a condolatory tone.
“I was born that way.” The orphan put it plain and simple with no hard feelings.
“Howdy! Glad y’all could make it!” Applejack trotted up to the group of ponies plus one human, putting on her sincerest optimistic attitude.
“Hey, Applejack! I thought we’d drop by and see how you’re doing.” The bookish pony nodded.
“Well, that’s mighty kind of ya! Why don’t y’all stay for brunch while you’re at it! Apple Bloom and her friends will be eating with us too.” The country applebucker raised the front tip of her Stetson hat invitingly.
“Oooh, oooooooh! Can Kelly come with us to our clubhouse afterwards?” Sweetie Bell piped up, leaping 5 feet in the air twice, her left forehoof raised high.
“Well, sure as long as Kelly herself decides if she wants to and if Twilight lets her.” AJ waved her hoof, diverting the fillies’ attention to the alien child and her guardian.
“Thanks for the invitations! I’d love to do both!” Kelly presented her eagerness to partake in the activities to come.
“Well, then I see no problem.” Twilight simply went with the flow, seeing nothing wrong.
“Yay!” the CMC high hoofed satisfied with their success.
Right on cue, a bright red stallion entered the scene, his golden mane covered up in straw, pulling a wooden wagon with two split sections, one carrying freshly picked corn, the other a heap of golden delicious type apples.
“Well, now that Big Mac is here, Ah think we can mosey along to the house.” Applejack gave her big brother a nod and with that the company departed towards the red wooden main house of the Apple family.
/inside the house/
“Now that we’ve all assembled here, why don’t ah introduce Kelly to the Apple family.” The cowpony motioned, her kin assembling in a neat line. “Dis here’s Apple Bloom my younger sister, dis is mah big brother Big Macintosh, and last but not least is Granny Smith our grandmamma.”
“A very peculiar young thang you are, lil’ lady! Why, ah have never seen anythang quite like yew. Ya sure seem like you have a very healthy pair of dentures on ya.” Granny Smith eyed the human, measuring her up from head to toe, giving one of her trademark unique grins.
“Eeeyup!” Big Macintosh added his usual answer, proceeding with removing his yoke.
“Soup’s up!” The youngest of the hosts called out, appearing with her friends, carrying all sorts of apple, corn, hay and wheat dishes, the bowls being filled to the brim with goodies.
“Let’s dig in everypony!” she ushered, leaning forward, ready to take a bite from the nearby hay seed when her sister’s hoof put a stop to her advances.
“Now hold on lil missy! First we need to say grace.” Applejack looked at her younger sibling sternly as everypony put their forehooves together in prayer.
“You guys pray too?” The out-world girl felt surprised as she took the proper stance, standing on her knees and clasping her hands together.
“Well, the princess herself has stated it’s not obligatory but Applejack’s family sees it as an essential tradition.” The indigo-maned unicorn filled Kelly in, falling silent as the apple-loving pony began praying outloud:
Dear princess of the sun, kand and true!
Thank you fer duh sun that helps our bountiful harvest grow!
Thank you fer your fair and caring rule that helps our family prosper!
We thank yer sister, princess of the moon fer the safe and peaceful night,
that gives us plenty of rest so we may get up well rested to work hard again!
Amen!
“Amen!” The rest of the gathering repeated, resuming their natural stances.
“Now dig in everypony befur it gits cold!” AJ urged everypony on the table.
The rattle of ringing plates, cheerful voices and chattering teeth ensued. Twilight made sure the blind urchin got everything she knew was edible for her, keeping the hay and wheat away from her dish. As Kelly contently ate her steamed sweet corn, she had no idea that the Cutie Mark Crusaders were staring at her all the while, their eyes glued to her, analyzing her every move, every feeding habit, and every twitch and biological process, soaking everything up like sponges. This caught the attention of a not very pleased stallion who glowered at their rudeness:
“Now don’t you know it ain’t nice to stare at others? She may be new here but that don’t give ya duh right to ogle at her like a shiny toy horse!” Big Macintosh spoke up, saying a very uncharacteristically long line of words.
The fillies were just looking at each other in shame and distraught when the human decided to lighten up the mood:
“Hey, no worries! I may be blind but I don't see anything wrong with looking!” she pitched in the irony, bursting out in laughter, followed by all the others.
The rest of the lunch continued with a much sunnier mood, seeping in a more casual atmosphere with lots of jokes and the sharing of personal experiences. After the food was all gone, the work ponies proceeded with tidying the table. Just when AJ was about to remove the last plate, much to everypony’s utter bafflement, there appeared a pink mare from right under it, with an unnaturally wide smile.
“Hiya, everypony!” Pinkie chimed hopping off the table, using her hind hoof to fling the dish into Applejack’s gaping maw, which clicked shut, emanating a sound like that of a closing cash register.
“Hi, Pinkie! I didn’t hear you come in!” Kelly greeted the happy equine back, petting her on her magenta mane.
“Heeheeheehee! That’s because I use my Super fourth wall breaking Pinkie powers!” The embodiment of nonsense giggled, enjoying the warm touch on her mane, tilting her nose upwards a moment later with an all knowing expression.
“Anyways, I came here just to ask you what kind icing and topping you want on your cake.”
The question triggered one of the child’s most pleasant memories. She recalled how two years ago, while on a trip around town, she got separated from the group. After a lot of crying and aimless sauntering, a group of bakers noticed her and brought her to their bakery. Specializing in sweet pastries, they gave the kid a seat, calmed her down with kind words and lots of cake and icecream. Once they got her to tell the name of the orphanage, the kind people quickly found it in the phone book and called her caretakers. Needless to say sister Ann was relieved to find our heroine safe and well, and warmly thanked the generous people. Yees! That was the first and only time she got to taste what things such as these were like.
“I like biscotti cake with whipped cream icing and caramel topping.” Kelly returned to reality, pointing out the desert she liked the best.
“Mmmmm, that sounds just delish… I’ll get right on it! Chao!” Pinkie rolled around her tongue, dazing off in one of her nutty sugary daydreams before snapping out of it and quickly swooping down under the tablecloth.
“Pinkie what do you think you’re gunna do under mah… table?” The orange earth pony removed the fabric only for her pupils to dilate at the sight of zero Pinkies under the table. A second later she just shrugged it off.
“When was the last time you ate cake Kelly?” Twilight looked over to her friend, interested in what she had to say.
“Let’s just say that I once encountered a couple of bakers that remind me of Pinkie Pie a lot.” The girl chortled.
“Uuuuh, so are you still coming to our tree-house?” Scootaloo roughly tugged on Kelly’s jeans, wanting attention.
“Mhm!” she nodded.
Accompanied by their ever-faithful lavender guardian, the children went outside, heading for the set rendez-vous, the crusaders bouncing around with a lot of spring in their steps. Only when Kelly was safely inside the wooden structure did Twilight agree to leave the girls to their business, heading back to the library to check if Spike was back.
“Since you can’t see we’ll help you with our names. Just so you know, I’m Scootaloo.” The fuschia-maned filly said with pride in her tone.
“And I’m Sweetie Bell, you’ve met my sister Rarity!” Sweetie squeaked in delight.
“Ah’m Apple Bloom though mah sister introduced me.” Apple Bloom crossed her forehooves.
“Ooo, ooo! Can we ask you questions about you?” Sweetie Bell wiggled her flank in anticipation.
“Yeah, we wanna know everything about you!” Scoots joined in, striking a cool pose that resembled one of her idol’s Rainbow Dash.
“And write it down if that’s okay with ya.” The butter-colored work-pony took a pencil in her mouth, pressing the tip against a notebook.
“I don’t see a problem so go ahead.” Kelly sat on a crate nonchalantly, lazily swinging her legs.
“Why do you humans sit like that?” Rarity’s sister began, circling around the outlander.
“Well, I guess because we always stand upright and our backs are so used to it that when we sit, we lean back vertically, let our legs rest on the seat and our feet hang down to the floor.”
“I’ve seen Lyra sit and talk like a human so let’s ask about something cooler. Your paws remind me of Spike’s and I saw you grab stuff with them but they’re different. Just what are they?” Scootaloo took things in her own hooves, pointing curiously at the outlander’s digits, squinting with one eye.
“Well they’re called hands and the things sticking out of them are fingers. We use them for everything to handle, build and create instead of magic.”
“Why are you bald?” AB couldn’t help but ask, oblivious as to how blunt the question sounded.
“Well, I read that when the first humans discovered fire, its heat was so comforting that they hung around the fireplace most of the time and eventually through generations their fur fell off because it was no longer needed. That’s why we wear clothes all the time too. That and because it’s considered necessary for everybody.”
“Ooooooh!” The CMC oohed in wonder, carefully taking notes.
Following some more random questions involving appearance, human behavior, specifics regarding human speech and Kelly’s personal tastes and habits, the fillies decided to move on to game time, having grown bored with such tediously hard research. Taking into account their new playmate’s condition, they started off with doll role-play. After sharing examples of their quest to find their cutie marks, the orphan couldn’t stop laughing the entire time at the silly misadventures these little ponies had. As soon as they were done speculating as to why people didn’t get any cutie marks, the four moved out of the club-house and onto the fresh green fields.
Once there, the kids decided to play a game of “Blind pony’s bluff”, Kelly being it, fittingly perfect for the part since she had no need for a blindfold. They had a marvelous time with the alien girl chasing the little fillies around, lots of happy chortles and skips echoing through the open space. The outworldly girl enjoyed herself to the very end, always immediately getting up after tripping and continuing the pursuit. To be fair the Cutie Mark Crusaders gave her a chance, tying bells on their tails and never running too fast, even allowing themselves to be caught on occasions. Fun was had by all!
Who would’a thought three hours passed by already? Applejack thought as she watched the lil’ tykes playing.
She looks so happy to be just out playin’ with the girls. Ah guess that’s natural is all, cunsidering her past. Sure wouldn’t want to ruin their fun but Twilight told me to bring ‘er by half past four. And that’s just what Imma gunna do! The country mare stepped forth firmly and hollered:
“Girls! Ah know y’all havin’ fun but it’s time Ah took Kelly home to Twilight, it's three thirty!”
“Awwwwww! So soon?” The crusaders groaned, disappointed and blue at having to watch their new chum go.
“Yep! Sorry girls but Kelly needs to go and git ready fer duh party anyways. You can meet her there in the evening.” AJ ensured the littluns.
“Hurray! Cutie Mark Crusader Party Crashers… uuuh… Party guests!” The tri-chromatic trio rejoiced in a most bubbly demeanor.
“Thanks in advance for accompanying me Applejack! Now if I can just…” Kelly searched for AJ waving her arms carefully as to not poke another pony’s eyes out.
Seeing that display, the farm equine walked up to the alien girl, letting her assume her secure position, having learned from her past mistake yesterday. Once that was done they departed, the human saying goodbye, and a gratified mood setting the tone for the afternoon.
***
Strolling down some narrow alleys, Applejack did exactly as Twilight advised: avoiding most of the other ponies for the day so there would be less bad rumors spreading among the town’s community.
“Uuum, excuse me Applejack, but I don’t remember having to take so many turns when I was going through town with Twilight. And it’s kind of quiet!” Kelly felt a pinch worried at how these things didn’t add up.
“Ah’m takin’ ya the long way around. Twilight said so!” AJ admitted her expression unchanging.
“Oh, okay!”
After that exchange, the couple stayed quiet for a while. Still feeling guilty in the stomach from the other day, the honest orchard pony decided to break the ice:
“Would you laak some cider? It’s non-alcoholic and just like apple juice!” The work-horse removed her hat revealing a small mug of the stuff she had kept balanced on her dome this whole time.
“I’d like that, thanks!” The little darling took the container graciously, taking a couple of big but measured sips, wiping her face with a cotton napkin afterwards.
“Ya remind me of Rarity with dem fancy manners.” Applejack chuckled at this show of sophistication.
“Yeah well, it’s how I’ve been taught to act around strangers and fancy people like her. But I do have a natural side… *Buuurp*” The miss poked her equine companion’s barrel with an elbow, letting a medium burp escape her own lips.
After another round of chortling, AJ made up her mind to turn matters to a more serious page:
“Kelly, Ah know you forgave me last night but I couldn’t get it outta mah head. Ah just cain’t leggo when I do something wrong! Ah really want to make it up to you; Ah’d do anything you want.” The country mare looked the child straight in the eye, seeing her sorry reflection in it.
“Well if it troubles you so much I guess I could extort you a little.” Kelly’s expression changed to a very devilish one, which took AJ by surprise, the earth pony’s feet coming to a stop, pulling her head back in disbelief
“Aaahahahahahahahahaah!” the girl, clutched her stomach, amused “I can’t believe you fell for it! I was only messing with you, relax.” She petted Applejack gently on the back and nape, the cowpony having a laugh of her own.
“Well, shoot, ya got me sugarcube!”
“Any whom, if it’d make you feel better, then how about you organize a night outdoor camping trip. Us, Spike and the girls can sit around the fire, toast marshmallows, sing songs, tell stories, lie on the grass; maybe even invite the CMC.”
“That sounds like the hootinest-tootinest-best idea ever! I’ll be sure to remember!” The farm-worker beamed with mirth as she and the little missy entered the library.
“Oh, good you’re here early. Rarity should arrive soon with Kelly’s new clothes and… oh my word, what happened to you?” Twilight gazed upon Kelly’s current state.
The human’s hair was all messy with grass and twigs in it, her outfit was covered in mud and stains of green, not to mention her hands and arms were black from the dirt.
“I was just playing with Apple Bloom, Sweetie and Scoots.” The outlander threw in some cute guilty puppy dog eyes like an innocent child being scolded by her mother.
“Uuuurgh! Okay then, no time to lose. We must clean and fix you up in an hour.” The snarky mare groaned frustrated, scribbling some things on a scroll.
“You take it easy on this lil missy, Twi. Ah’ll be goin’ to finish up some things. See ya at six!” Applejack nodded, running out the door and shutting it on the way.
“Let’s go settle you in the bathtub.” Twilight picked up Kelly but not before yelling out to Spike “Spiiiiiiike! Rarity will be here shortly with Kelly’s attires! Would you come down and wait for her, while I wash up Kelly? Keep her company while she waits!”
“At once!” The draconis didn’t waste any time coming down, passing by the duo and positioning himself right next to the door with a goofy, toothy grin, ready to be used as a clothes hanger by his one true love.
“Some things never change.” The lavender librarian shook her head delightedly.
The unicorn spent thirty minutes, getting all the muck, twigs and other tidbits out of the child’s skin and hair. After getting her out of the tub the mare showered Kelly’s whole body with one last gush of water, wrapping her in a towel and settling her on a beanbag chair. Drying her body with the cloth and the hair with a magic powered hairdryer, Twilight finished up things with a thorough hair combing, leading the six-year old human down back again.
“… and I really think that with the proper marketing I can prove the worth of my capabilities to sew for absolutely any sentient being. After all if I introduce my work of alien clothing to foreign markets such as that of the griffins’ and the minotaurs’ I will be on my way of going international!” Rarity’s eyes gleamed as she mused with her eyes staring up the ceiling.
Spike on the other hand wasn’t listening to a word the pristine unicorn was saying. Instead he just wallowed in the intoxication that was her lovely voice. His open maw was just starting to salivate from all the jaw-slacking, when the clopping of hooves and feet-tapping hurled him back into reality, him pulling back his long snaky tongue that was lounging around the floor.
“I see you enjoyed today’s work!” The keeper of the library grinned looking over the moderate variety of garments, spread out on her coffee table.
There were four sets of colorful underwear; two dresses, one a cream colored loose fitting one, and the other a lavish aquamarine blue gala-styled frock, incrusted with crystals; two pairs of suspended jeans, forest green and beige; a pair of regular bright blue ones; two pairs of ankle-long pants; 3 t-shirts and 1 white linen shirt.
“Indeed I did! It was a challenge worthy of my talent as I experimented with designs. But I managed to finish a quarter of what I had in mind. The rest of the wardrobe would most probably be finished by the end of the week.” Rarity joined Twilight, admiring her own work, taking pride in the results of her hard labor.
“Though I have to say that the underwear is a bit… to frilly even for my tastes” The introverted pony stared confused as to what purpose did all the small details on the multicolored tops and bottoms held, decorated with a couple of bows on the sides.
“Well, I never! I’ll have you know that even the undergarments are important! After all a girl must look absolutely fabulous in anything she wears!” The renowned seamstress pushed up the top of her mane in a snooty way.
“Miss Rarity, would it trouble you if you came a bit closer to me?” Kelly shyly spoke.
“Why, not at all!” The snow-white unicorn obliged, situating herself next to the girl.
Next thing that happened was the child quickly enveloping the mare in a warm hug, by the neck, whispering an audible “thank you, you’re so generous!”.
“Don’t mention it dear! I am the element of Generosity after all!” Rarity, touched by this act, returned the hug, accepting the sweet angel’s warm gift.
“Awwwww!” Twilight d’aawed, taking in the tender moment appreciatively.
Spike in contrast mimicked his false gagging face at all the mushy girliness this scene emitted.
“Now, let me remove that towel for you and put on your new dress. The loose, cream colored one will do just fine for such a casual occasion! I’ll do some styling on your hair too! Why you’d look just gorgeous with your hair down and maybe a couple of ornaments in it!” The fashionista chimed, floating the beautiful piece of fabric up, it flapping gently in a nonexistent wind under the power of her magic aura.
But then she paused looking over to the baby dragon:
“Spike, be a dear and go upstairs for a little while. Girl privacy is all! You could put on your gem incrusted bow tie while you’re there.”
“No problem, my sweet! I’m on my way!” Spike didn’t even think of back talking, taking pleasure in doing whatever his crush demanded of him.
/ Sugarcube Corner; 6:03 pm; at the party/
Two ponies, one dragon and a human entered the bakery establishment, its windows glowing in a festive mood.
“Oh, I so don’t like to be late! I was thinking of arriving early so we could introduce Kelly to each pony as they entered.” The smarty pony grumbled, her gaze fixed on the floor.
“I don’t think that will be a problem Twilight!” Rarity lifted her head by the chin, pointing towards the small group consisted of four equines.
It seemed that Pinkie, Rainbow, Lyra and Bonbon were the only ones to have arrived to this moment, with Pinkie excitedly explaining something to her athletic friend at the snack area while the other two simply lounged around at the punch table. However as soon as the turquoise unicorn’s peepers fell upon the trio of newcomers, they doubled in size. As if possessed by some strange force, Lyra zipped right up to Kelly with incomprehensible speed. She started to look over the human with incredible awe, her smile threatening to split her face in two.
Twilight flinched at the sight of the human-loving mare’s clinginess with no clue what to make of it.
“A h-h-human… in the flesh… I c-can’t believe it! She’s just as glorious as I imagined her to be!” Lyra kept gawking the kid, unable to face the reality that she had come face to face with the object of her obsession at long last.
The said human had the cream colored loose dress on, her hair down, each lock residing in its own special place, miniature blue heart accessories adorning her sides where the ears lay hidden, eyelashes elongated with an eyelash curler, and the lids outlined in a natural color by eyeliner.
“Hi! I’m Kelly, how about you?” Kelly came in contact with the pony’s front hoof, holding it gently, moving up to its visage.
“Lyra Heartstrings… Sweet Celestia! Human hands touching my face! I can die happy now!” The mentally unstable pony hugged the alien tightly, taking a whiff of her hair.
“Okay, that’s enough Lyra, you’re creeping everypony out!” Bon Bon came, pulling her crazy friend by the tail and away from the guest of honor.
“Sorry, girls! She just needs to calm down. She was overly ecstatic about the party all day!” she explained while dragging the screaming fan of bipedal creatures.
“Well, I like her amiability! She’s silly like that!” The orphan giggled, oblivious of the implications of things such as mania.
“Hi, girls! Glad you made it! This is going to be the BEST PARTY EVER! I’ve done everything just right so you’d feel right at home! Here have some chocolate cupcakes with whipped cream icing… and an apple fritter! They’re Super-duper-divinely-sweet!” Pinkie appeared among the gathering, addressing to Kelly for the most part and shoving a dish with some patisseries in her hands.
“Thank you Pinkie, glob…mmmnom, nom, nom…mmmmm!” The outlandish miss wasted no time to try the first of the baked goods, feeling like she was in seventh heaven as the soft creamy goodness melted in her mouth, accompanied by the magnificent sugary taste of the chocolate.
“So, Pinkie, what were you discussing back there with Rainbow Dash if I am not too intrusive about it.” Twilight decided to start a subject to keep things going.
“Hey, don’t start mingling without me!” the RD in question, flew over to the gang.
“Rainbow, you’re here! I didn’t get to catch up earlier today!” The kid’s arms quickly found themselves around the Pegasus’ neck, incapable of withholding her affection.
“Heh, of course kid, I wouldn’t miss this for the world!” Rainbow grinned, feeling just fine with making an exception in her “cool book”.
“…Oh, and there’s gonna be a ton of games, and confetti, and cake, and punch… I made the cake just as Kelly ordered it, and in an extra-immensely-huge XXL size!” The party mare never stopped prattling about her own things, starting up her party-animal engine.
With the party underway, it was only a matter of minutes before everypony started coming in groups of one, two, three and so on, filing in within the first half of the hour. There were many familiar faces among them, including Cheerilee, Dr. Hooves, Derpy and Colgate, June Bug, Daisy, Lily and Rose, Carrot top, the CMC, Pip, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, Snips and Snails, Berry Punch, the rest of the Mane Six along with Applejack’s kin, and even Everfree’s Zekora with a bobby pin. None were left out; they were all here, including the Cakes which Pinkie held dear.
“Now, that everypony’s here, its time for the official Introduction.” The Element of Magic looked over the crowd from a makeshift rostrum, placed on an empty table.
Clearing her throat to get all of the guests’ attention, Twilight fixed her microphone began:
“Ahem! Good evening everypony! As you all know by the invitations, this isn’t just another welcome party. This is a party to welcome the first individual of an unknown alien species not only to Ponyville but to Equestria itself. I’d like you all to say a big warm Hello to the first human to ever cross the barrier between worlds, Kelly Sombermayer!” She motioned to her right, a pair of hooves quickly pushing the child up the improvised platform, the purple mare herself having to help keep the kid from losing her balance.
Many ponies gasped, some confused, this being the first time to see such an odd creature, others interested, analyzing its features, some critical, but all awestruck nevertheless.
“She is a female human, the age of six, who hails from the town of Brooklyn in the land of America. She wound up in our world via a mysterious phenomenon and is temporarily staying with me. She happens to speak Equestrian and is just as kind, good and friendly as any of our fillies her age.” The responsible pony brought the outlander to the stand, letting everypony have a look at her.
She was internally trembling from the tension, nervous and worried if the equine citizens of the town will like her, her lips quivering, twiddling her thumbs.
Come on Kelly, say hello! Twilight whispered in Kelly’s ear, giving her a gentle nudge with one hoof.
“Uuuuuh… uuuuuum… H-hello everypony! G-glad you all came to the party on such short notice. I’m very flattered!” The blind child stammered shy just like a certain yellow Pegasus who was really feeling it for the poor girl at the moment.
“And just so you know, she’s an orphan, born blind! So be nice to her okay?” Rainbow Dash took the mic pointing her hoof a bit threateningly at the crowd.
“Well, then…” miss Sparkle tried to close her speech before being interrupted again, this time by Pinkie Pie.
“LET’S GET OUR FLANKS SHAKIN’ AND PARTAY!” The looney pink mare hollered at a high pitched level, prompting the mass to applaud and cheer, the party atmosphere quickly settling in.
Having herself settled on a nearby stool, Kelly drank from her juice glass, calm and collected, glad that all that attention was finally off her shoulders. Having finished her drink, the child asked Cheerilee to accompany her to the punch table to get a refill.
“Hey, Dash, come here! I thought of something good!” Spike waved to his sporty friend, bringing her head next to his so he may inform her privately “I got a prank in mind!”
“I’m all ears! What’s it gonna be? Who will be our victim!” Dash smirked, her curly whites displayed, thrilled at the idea.
“Just don’t flip out! I know you may be against it but I have an idea for lil’ miss guest of honor.”
“Spike! I love a good prank as much as anypony but Kelly is… well new here and kinda shy and sensitive like somepony we know.” Dash elbowed the dragon in the sides, pointing from Kelly to Fluttershy.
“Don’t worry about that! The way she joked with me this morning, I’m sure she’ll laugh with us. Besides it’s just a small tease. I know what I’m doing!”
“I still don’t think it’s a good idea!” The rowdy Pegasus crossed her forehooves skeptically.
“Look, if we hurt her feelings, I’ll take full responsibility for it!”
“Uuugh, what is it anyways?”
“I’m glad you asked… you don’t have to do anything, I’m just gonna… *whisper, whisper*”
/meanwhile at the punch table/
“I think everything went well with the introduction. The general reaction was that of surprise but positive overall. I’m sure everypony is already warming up to you as we speak.” Cheerilee caressed the young human’s head caringly.
“Thank you for the kind words! By the way, is there a possibility of me enrolling in a local school by any chance?”
“Of course there is! All you have to do is have somepony who is willing to be your guardian to sign the entry forms and we’ll gladly accept you at the school I work in.”
“Miss Cheerilee, Diamond Tiara is being a jerk again!” A small grey colt by the name of Rumble tugged on his teacher’s tail, wanting some attention.
“Oh, then lead me to her. Sorry to cut things short but one of my students needs me. See you soon Kelly!” The Elementary teacher walked away reluctantly, being pulled by Rumble.
“Good byyyye… what a nice mare!” Kelly leaned her back against the table, giving her glass a slurp before putting it down and settling on simply chilling.
Then all of a sudden, she felt something wet nick her on the ear. The girl flinched, moving her head in all directions, trying to hear what was it and where it came from. But from all the noise, she couldn’t make out who it was that was doing it. The thing tagged her again, this time on the nose. The strange and warm feeling it gave and the sharpness of its tip made her believe it was a tongue… a forked tongue! Beaming at the realization, the out-worlder waited carefully for the next attack, preparing her senses and biding her time. The moment she felt the next assault, her hand reached out, having traced its trajectory and with cat like reflexes, grasped the little mischievous worm.
“Gluuhbluuh? Luuh muuh guuuh, Kuuley!” A familiar muffled voice came from her left.
“You thought you got me Spike but now I got you!” Kelly stated triumphantly with RD’s mad laughter and ground-rolling as her background.
After that little case, the party ponies played games like pin the tail on the pony and bobbing for apples (Kelly having to be rescued by Pinkie Pie, after nearly falling in the apple tub).
Later on they settled around a long table with a gargantuan cake in its center, taking one fifth of it, being almost as tall as the ceiling. In order to divide it up, Pinkie floated up with a cluster of balloons tied to her waist, using a cake slice server. After everypony enjoyed their piece of custom ordered biscotti cake, the music was turned up and the equines went to the dance-floor, to shake their groove thangs or just mingle.
“Hey, how about we hear you play another jingle for the dance! I’m sure you know some merry tunes that are real popular back at your home!” The party demon materialized herself next to the human, hoofing her, her instrument.
“Sounds like a plan! I do know a very famous folk tune, called Turkey in the straw.” The Earth maiden, trying out some chords.
“Sounds neat-o! I’ll be the turkey and you’ll sit on straw!” The wacky pony took out a big haystack, placing it under the girl’s rump, then dragged out a turkey costume, putting it on her equine self.
“Goblegoblegoblegoblegoble! Time for some Turkey dancing!” Pinkie halted the currently playing music, flapping her wings and pecking the ground for some candy.
Shaken up by the sudden turn, the ponies looked at her awkwardly, until the new musical piece began with the silly costume-wearing mare dancing around the haystack Kelly was on. Everypony started laughing at the hilarity of the show until their sides hurt from it all.
Finishing up her number, Kelly stood up and took a bow at the mass stomping of hooves, before retiring to another table.
“Hiya Kelly! That was a great show!” The CMC appeared with a friend of theirs at their left flank, surrounding the orphan girl who was intently shy about the whole occasion. That and she were afraid that she’d just get in the way, bumping into ponies, as blind as she was.
“Hey, AP, Sweetie, Scoot! I was wondering where you three were.” The lil’ miss waved maidenly, after which her fingers found themselves furrowing in Sweetie Bell’s mane.
“We brought a friend of ours that wants to meet you. Meet Dinky Doo!” Scootaloo gestured towards their companion who reciprocated Kelly’s smile.
“Hey, there Dinky! Are you a classmate of theirs?” Kelly leaned in closer, offering her hand to the small equine.
“Well, not exactly. But we do study in the same school.” Dinky took her leathery appendage, marveling at the softness of the human’s skin “Now that I look at you up so close, I see that you’re a very good pony… err, human like my mom!”
“That’s very nice of you to say if you’re comparing me to somepony that close to your heart.”
“Diiiinkyyyyy! Where are you muffin?” A silly voice called out, sounding like its owner had a dose of helium.
“Here, moooom! I’m hanging out with my friends and Kelly, the human girl!” The blonde filly signaled her mother.
Flying in a strange up and down pattern, a grey Pegasus came by and flopped herself on the ground. Staggering back on her hooves, she whipped her mane out of her face, retaining a graceful pose. Squinting her eyes, she tried to focus and allign them, only to fail as they kept going into opposite directions.
“Mommy, mommy, I’d really think it would be a good idea if you hung out with Kelly, here! I think you two will find a lot in common!” Dinky beamed, proud to have come up with such a great idea.
“That sounds exciting! I’ve never seen a human before! She must have a ton to say! I’m Derpy Hooves by the way.” Derpy glanced at the girl with unconcealed fascination.
“Yeah, great! Well, then we’d better leave you two alone!” Apple Bloom grabbed her chums one by one and dragged them away with several protests coming from the rest of the fillies.
“What’s up Apple Bloom? Why did you drag us away?” Scoo glowered, quite peeved at her friend’s behavior.
“Well, Ah don’t think it’s a good idea to butt in a conversation about their eye conditions. We know well from Dinky to respect her momma for who she is and mah sister said not to talk too much about Kelly’s blaandness!”
“Agreed!” Dinky spoke and nodded, followed by the others.
“So, what are other humans like?” Derp-eyed pony sat next to the female alien, locking her full attention onto her.
“Outside of the orphanage… I’m not sure! I’ve met some kind, some who ignore me, some spiteful… but I spent most of my time with the other kids who liked to make sport out of my blindness. But I’d rather not force my own sadness on another sweet pony like you.” Kelly turned her face away, to hide her glistening eyes.
“Oh, don’t try to bottle up your feelings. It only hurts more that way. Come here and tell Derpy what did these other kids do?” Derpy wrapped one hoof around the human girl, bringing her closer, the mailmare’s wing draping over the outlander’s back.
A couple of stories later, the ditzy equine’s expression had turned to that of sympathy, feeling the urchin as the only kindred spirit who could understand more than well enough where she was coming from.
“That sounds awfully familiar, Kelly. We’re not as different as you think! I too am laughed and pointed at by many of my own kind.”
“Aren’t all ponies supposed to be nice?”
“Yes, they are but some are just too ignorant and have a certain standard as to what’s normal. If somepony is different than what they consider normal, they use that to poke fun at the said pony and not treat her or him as an equal.”
“But there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with you!”
“I have a condition called Strabismus. It’s a sort of a condition where the pupils of the eyes cannot properly align with each other.”
“I’m not sure I understand.”
“Oh, right, can’t see! Well, give me a second!” Derpy quickly flew off in the crowd and came back with a pair of apples.
“These apples which I just brought are going to represent my eyeballs. And the pupils which are used to look at things are going to be the stems.” The mailmare put the fruit on the table, aligning both pieces with their stems parallel to each other, then lead Kelly to them and let her touch both objects.
“As you can feel, both stems are pointing at one point. But in my case…” The walleyed pony rotated the first apple upwards and the second downwards “I can never focus them on a single point.”
“I think I understand you a little bit better now.” The orphan put her hand on the mare’s shoulder, then enveloped her in a tight grip “I like you just the way you are. I’d sure want to hang out more, next time. And don’t let the others get to you.”
“Hey, what are friends for!” Derpy laughed, looking at the time “Oh, I have to go and look for Dinky! It’s past her bedtime!”
“Nice meeting you Derpy!” Kelly waved goodbye.
“Nice meeting you too Kelly! You’re a swell human!” The ditzy equine walked away, thinking about getting her daughter home and coming back right after.
“Out of the way, wall eyes!” A very rude mare shoved the mail-delivery worker to the side, accompanied by a bunch of her very snobby looking entourage.
“Get a life why don’t you!” Derpy retorted, mocking the rude equines by lifting up her nose just like them.
“Well, I never!” The instigator of this little scuffle displayed her outrage.
“Don’t listen to that reject, Moondancer!” The leader of this “jerk pack” rolled her eyes, and continued with her own drabble she was going on about before she and her friends were “rudely” interrupted
“As I was saying, my daughter’s birthday is coming up and this is the perfect time to round up some of the new and important faces of the town. Other than the mayor and the other political guests, I have to get Twilight Sparkle. She will be most useful if we manage to win her over. Being an Element of Harmony will bring a boost to our prestige.”
“Excuse me. I couldn’t help but overhear you mention Twilight. Are you friends with her too?” The bipedal girl drew the attention of the company with the most innocent look.
“Oh, so we finally meet, human!” The alpha of the group now known as Diamond Tiara’s mother contemptuously looked down on this “dirty creature”.
“Don’t give us that innocent face coz it won’t work on us!” Another mare snapped at the child.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Kelly’s face drastically changed to that of confusion.
“Playing dumb, eh? Well, we know what you’re up to! Isn’t it quite suspicious that you made friends with the Elements of Harmony right from day one?”
“Elements of what? I don't know what you mean! Twilight hasn't told anything about this yet! If this is about Twilight and her friends, I didn't mean anything bad, I just needed some help.”
“You act like a good little child, but you’re wicked on the inside aren’t you?”
“Are you a spy?”
“Or worse, a changeling?”
The little outlander backed off, shocked and hurt. Where did all these accusations come from? And why?
“Why don’t you go back where you came from?”
“And quit acting like you’re blind! You’re obviously pretending so that you can win everypony’s sympathy! I’ll even prove it!” Moondancer lifted up a fork with her magic, roughly poking the human child in her sleeveless shoulder.
“OOOOWCH! That hurt! Waaaa-haaa-haaa! You’re so cruel! Just like the orphans back home! Why do you hate me so much? Sob, sob, waaaaaaa-haaa-haaaaaa!” The hurt girl wept sorrowfully, clutching her arm that had 4 puncture holes, with small drops of blood trickling out.
“Uh-oh! I guess she really is blind.” The guilty by charged mare backed off, slipping her weapon of crime under the table.
In the meantime the music was booming so loud that nopony had heard Kelly’s cries, not to mention that she was in the lobby, next to the main party room. All but one! Rainbow Dash was just passing the small saloon doors when she heard sobs and a familiar although hoarse voice.
“What’s going on in here?” She slammed the two wooden wings open, like a cowboy walking in a slam-bang maner.
“She did it!” All of the bad ponies pointed at their felonious companion who looked like a deer caught in the head lights.
“Kelly, your arm!” The polychromatic diva rushed to her friend, looking at the small red stain covering her skin.
“I-its okay! It doesn’t hurt anymore. I think the bleeding stopped.” Kelly tried to cover up everything, putting on a brave face.
“What happened?” The brash mare pressed the matter, intent on pushing the truth up to the surface.
“They kinda started bullying me and then one of them thought I was only pretending to be blind and stabbed me with a fork.” The child confessed reluctantly.
“THEY WHAT?” Rainbow glared a thousand daggers at the ones responsible who had huddled up in defense.
“Ooooooh, you guys are so gonna get it!” She clopped her hooves together, like a boxers does his fists, steeling herself for a flank whooping.
“We’re sorry, please don’t beat us! We only thought of the good of Ponyville!” DT’s mom tried to make up an excuse but to no avail as the multi-prismatic Pegasus advanced closer.
“Kelly, why are your eyes teary? How did this happen?” Fluttershy suddenly came into view, right beside Kelly, inspecting the wound.
Taking a closer look, she looked upon the smeared red goo that had started to congeal. Using her fetlock to brush of the hand of her patient who was reluctant to let go, the gentle mare gasped deeply at the sight of the stabbed place. Even though it was a minor flesh wound, it had still reached past skin-deep level. Her eyes becoming wet, the Element of kindness licked the hurt place and quickly pulled a bandage out of nowhere, dressing it and giving it a kiss.
“One of these snob-flanks thought it’d be a good idea to check if Kelly’s skin is made of steel.” RD made it out worse than it was, briefly smirking, having had lied on purpose.
That was the line that made Fluttershy snap. Her breathing becoming labored, she felt a great storm of burning rage overtake her, the kind she had only experienced a few times in her life, like the time that dragon threatened her friends' lives. But this time it was even worse since blood had been drawn.
“YOU!” Came the expected reaction as the gentle mare turned against the vile bullies “HOW DARE YOU HURT MY NEW FRIEND! NOT ONLY THAT BUT A SMALL DEFENSELESS BLIND CHILD! YOU’RE NOTHING BUT A BUNCH OF COWARDS THAT SHOULD BE TARRED WITH FEATHERS AND RUN OUT OF TOWN AND ONLY RETURN WHEN YOU’VE LEARNED YOUR LESSON!” The now furious animal-caretaker backed the band of meanies into a corner implementing “The Stare” on them the whole time.
“Oh, yeah and you’re officially uninvited to every future Pinkie Pie party ForEveeeer!” Pinkie Pie’s head popped out of a confetti popper, along with some confetti, scarring the heck of the mares who made a run for it.
“Why didn’t you appear earlier Pinkie Pie?” RD inquired.
“Because I noticed what was going on a little bit after you. So I thought I’d let you and Fluttershy have first crack at these meanies before I finish them off. Duuuuh!” Pinkie acted like she was stating the obvious, being as random as always.
Simmering down after her downpour, Fluttershy came up to poor urchin and caringly nuzzled her.
“I’m sorry that we left you alone like this. We’ll make sure that it never happens again.” The Staremaster promised, showing strong determination in those meek eyes of hers.
“Well, Flutters and I are going to tell the other three what happened. Pinkie Pie will watch over you while we do that.” RD clarified before taking Fluttershy with her, plowing through the crowd.
“You can count on me girls!” The fun-loving trickster saluted like a Royal guard.
“Hey, Pinkie!” Kelly said.
“Yeah!”
“Can you take me to the refreshments table? I feel parched!”
“Your wish is my command K!” Pinkie repeated her salute, commencing with the accompaniment.
Having had her drink poured, the girl was just about to take a sip when she heard a very demure and wise voice address to her from behind.
“So you’re the alien I’ve heard so much about. I must confess that I did not expect you to be so young.”
A mass of noisy gasps were heard as every living thing directed their attention towards a tall pristine white figure with an ethereal pastel colored mane, that now stood a couple of feet behind the human.
After a few nervous coughs a very drunken mare named Berry Punch spoke out of line:
“Hot digidy! This night is getting better and better!”
Sipping from her cup, Kelly gave another one of her cryptic smiles, saying:
“Well, well, well! I’m glad to finally meet you. You must be Princess Celestia.”
To be continued...
DundunDUUUUUUN ending…
Riley from Boondocks: White girl say whuut? Nigga u suck!
