//------------------------------// // Saturday // Story: The Beauty and the Nerd // by HattieForest //------------------------------// The zoo was... well, slightly better than what Twilight had expected. She had only been to one once before, back when she was five, and a chimpanzee had thrown a rock at her. Little Twilight had then decided that zoos were stupid, and had never come back- until now. Looking around, she evaluated her surroundings. Large outdoors pens for the animals to run around in, the sun shining brightly, a cool breeze keeping the summer heat from going out of control, Rarity with her... the zoo was not such a bad place, after all. Well, excepting the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Rarity's carriage had stopped by a large, beautifully designed, almost ominous mansion where they had picked up the third little hellion, as Rarity had described them- Applebloom. Just judging by the way the little filly spoke, Twilight could only deduce she had to be from the countryside- why then the mansion? Well, Rarity had explained, she was just a cousin to this family, and the little sister of her agrarian acquaintance. She was small, cheerful, and adorable; the trio had been absolutely sweet together... Until they arrived the zoo. Rarity had not exaggerated in the least, Twilight realized. They had taken off at once, going everywhere, all over the place, doing the most ridiculously dangerous things. Rarity chased back and forward, fussing and watching and herding the best she could. Apparently, Sweetie Belle had gone missing. Again. "I swear, those three shall be the end of me!" Rarity exclaimed, exasperated. "Two is bad enough; together they are worse than a barbarian horde." "Where did you last see her?" Twilight asked. "By the tiger cage. I took her away from the edge, and then Scootaloo almost fell in the shark pool... oh goodness me, there was a "No flying!" sign; why couldn't she have looked?" Fortunately, Sweetie Belle was quickly found- a grisly zoo attendant walked up with her, a sour look on his face. "This your sister, lady?" "Oh yes! Thank you so much, kind sir!" Rarity exclaimed. "She wuz in the Rhino pen. Starin' down a great white one." "It was awesome!" Sweetie Belle cried out happily. "I figured I was going to get a rhino-taming cutie ma-" "That will be quite enough out of you, young lady!" Rarity said sharply. "I am terribly sorry, sir. These three are just such a hoofful-" "Three?" The zookeeper said. And indeed, another had gone missing- this time, Applebloom. "Not AGAIN!" Rarity shouted, galloping off. However, this time they were in luck. Applebloom was standing by Fluttershy, talking energetically. Twilight breathed out. Fluttershy naturally liked the place; animals were her forte after all. "Fluttershy, yes?" Rarity said. "I am terribly sorry if this girl has been accosting you." "Oh no, it's no trouble at all." Fluttershy said. "They have been running around all over the place since we got here." Rarity sighed. "If it's not the crocodile's lagoon, it's the cobra pit or the wolverine mound. These three..." "Today's the day we get our cutie marks!" Sweetie Belle said happily. "I wanna be a lion tamer!" Scootaloo said, nodding approvingly. "Girls." Fluttershy said. It wasn't a shout, barely a sharpening of the tone, but the three hellions straightened up when she kept talking to them in that soft, sweet voice. "Your sister is taking you out to the zoo, and it's great that you are having so much fun, but please, please don't do any dangerous things like running away on your own. I am sure your parents would be very sad if you fell and hurt yourself." "Yes ma'am!" The three said in unison. "So will you please be good and stay close to your sister? She is trying very hard, I can see that." "Yes ma'am!" the three said, falling into line next to Rarity. Rarity blinked. "What just happened?" "I think she may have used "the stare"," Twilight said, laughing. "What is 'the stare?'," Rarity asked, raising an eyebrow. "It is the look that Fluttershy gives animals and children that make them fall into line," Twilight explained. "She can make a fully grown, cranky dragon back down." At this praise, Fluttershy blushed. "I...well, I guess I could." She smiled shyly. "I'm heading for the lions . . . does anypony want to come with me?" "Yeah!" Scootaloo shouted. "No shouting," Rarity reminded. "Sorry, Rarity," Scootaloo replied. Fluttershy led the way to the lion's area. The girls calmly followed Rarity, and Twilight brought up the rear. "Can we get cotton candy?" Scootaloo asked. "Yeah. Cotton candy an' apples an' some good ol' soda pop!" Applebloom suggested. "After the lions," Rarity agreed. "Aw..." the CMC said. "Girls," Fluttershy warned. "Yes, ma'am," they replied. "Here we are," Twilight said. "Girls, do you want to look at the lions?" Sweetie Belle hesitantly looked into the lion's home. Applebloom waved at one of the lions and Scootaloo tried to hop onto the railing. "Now, Scoot, you know better," Fluttershy said softly. Scootaloo backed down. Fluttershy nodded. Twilight studied the lion's home. The lions she could see looked quite happy. A few sunbathed, one was eating happily, and a couple were arranging rocks for whatever reason. Twilight glanced to her side - no reason, really, she just wanted to see what was happening over to her left - and did a double take. Glitter Rain! The other teen stood behind some bushes. Why would anypony do that? Twilight looked back to the younger fillies. The three fillies were imitating lions. "Grrr!" "At least they aren't doing anything wicked," Rarity whispered to Twilight. "Hello, Rarity," Glitter Rain broke in. "I seemed to have missed you at yesterday's show." "Hello, Glitter," Rarity replied. "Yes, I had more important things to do other than the show." "Really?" Glitter looked at Twilight out the corner of her eye. "What things?" "I spent time with ponies worth my while," Rarity said icily. "I see." Glitter looked to the young ones. "Being a nanny. Never would have thought." And she flounced away. "Wasn't that a little cold?" Twilight asked. "How so?" "Well... I know all of them are a little, you know..:" "Shallow?" "...well yes, sort of. But they aren't really that bad, so why be that cold?" Rarity sighed. "Well, I suppose you are right... I am simply a little tired with them all. They aren't unkind- well, not all of them," Rarity corrected herself, seeing Twilight's stare, "simply lacking in ambition. I suppose I lashed out because I finally realized how empty that relationship is." "That's fine, Rarity... but I don't think Glitter will let that go. And she will probably take it out on me." "Oh darling, you're probably right about that." Rarity said, putting a hoof to her forehead. "I am sorry, I did not consider it. I shall have a chat with her later. Worry not, Twilight, I shall see to it you are left alone." Twilight nodded. This personality of Rarity's that she was slowly seeing unfold was much warmer, much kinder, much more considerate and generous than anypony could have guessed, seeing that cold exterior. Persisting had been the right choice, she decided. She had not felt this happy in a long time- only her mother-daughter quality time felt like it measured up to the amount of fun she had with Rarity. The day was hot, the cutie mark crusaders were loud, Glitter Rain was probably going to bully her later... and it did not seem to matter in the slightest. It felt wonderful. "Oh, what IS that foolish pony doing?" Rarity exclaimed, snapping Twilight out of her daze. "She will surely get herself killed!" Confused, Twilight looked down the lion's pen. Fluttershy had flown down to a lion, and appeared to be talking to it. Twilight breathed a sigh of relief. "No, no, Fluttershy has a way with animals. If that lion tried to pounce her, I am sure three other lions would tackle it before it even grazed her." "But that is dangerous! What could possibly have made her-" "Look." Twilight said, pointing. The lion held out a paw, and gently, Fluttershy pulled what looked like a thorn from its foot. "...are you quite serious?" Rarity asked, bewildered. "That silly pony will barely look you in the eye, but she will face down a lion... because it needs help?" "That's Fluttershy, all right." Twilight said, nodding. A zookeeper waved to Fluttershy; apparently she had not done this uninvited. "I think she is going to be a veterinarian, or something. She loves animals, small and large, and they love her." "Ooo, I wonder if I could be like Fluttershy," Sweetie Belle said. She thought about it for a moment. "Nah, I wanna be like my sister!" "No, I want to be like my sister," Rarity corrected. "Yes!" Sweetie Belle nodded happily. Fluttershy flew back up the group, closing her cellphone and perching on the railing. "Twilight, Pinkie Pie just phoned me," she whispered. "She says the Cutie Mark Crusaders may help put up the party decorations if you want to stop by before the party starts. I'm heading over there now." "Yes!" the three young ones shouted. "We want to go!" "How do they know to speak in unison?" Twilight wondered. "What logical explanation could be behind that? Pre-planning? No, they couldn't know what others would say in advance. Mental link? How unscientific...." "We whisper to each other super-duper-fast," Scootaloo answered. "Sometimes we go and say the same thing anyway," Applebloom said. "Y'know, without the whisperin'. I don't know why we would do that so often..." To everyone's surprise, it was Sweetie Belle that spoke up: "We're around each other so we think the same, it's natural. My mum said when she lived with my father, she was like him and she realized she hated herself, so she moved away - not divorced, mind you -" "Sweetie Belle, hush," Rarity whispered urgently in her sister's ear. Sweetie Belle clamped her mouth shut, and continued talking, though Twilight had no idea what she was saying. Applebloom frowned. "Uh...we can't hear ya clearly, Sweetie Belle, either talk without your mouth closed, or tell us later." Sweetie Belle nodded. "Are we all going to Pinkie's place?" Rarity asked. "Yes!" the CMC shouted. "Follow me, fillies." Rarity walked towards the coach lot, the CMC in a neat line behind her, and Twilight and Fluttershy walking behind them. They stopped along the way for the promised treats before heading to the gate. "So... Rarity is your friend?" Fluttershy asked. "Yes." "She forgave you! I knew she would. She's is a nice pony . . . Are you friends with Glitter Rain?" "No," Twilight said more fiercely than she wanted. Fluttershy gave her a sad look. Twilight sighed. "Glitter...She's...mean." The words seemed superficial, and Twilight knew Rarity had seemed mean as well, but she was now friends with her. "Twilight, sometimes ponies just need a helpful push." "Will you be her friend, then?" Twilight asked hotly. "I tried, and she hates me." "How did you try?" Fluttershy asked. "I...well...I was nice to her..." "But there is a difference from being nice and being a friend." Twilight sighed. The coach was near, and Rarity was putting the CMC into the coach. "You are right, Fluttershy." Twilight kicked the ground. "I'm a horrible pony." "Oh no!" Fluttershy shook her head. "You are not a horrible pony, Twilight. You misjudge, but that is okay, because you change if you are proven wrong. There is nothing wrong in judging another pony, as long as you don't cling to what you believe. Sometimes when a pony judges another pony, they are right, but usually they are wrong." "You are a wise friend, you know that?" Twilight said. "You and Rarity, Pinkie and Dash, and even Derpy. I only know facts. Facts a wise pony does not make." "You are wise, Twilight. You just have to find your wisdom. We aren't all wise on the same subjects." Fluttershy grinned. "Actually, we are all stupid, and wise. Remember that, Twilight Sparkle." "Are you two done whispering to each other?" Rarity asked, her voice a bit miffed. "Sorry, I was having an emotional crisis," Twilight replied. "What's an emotional crisis?" Sweetie Belle asked. "Hush," Rarity told her. "I'll explain in a bit, or if Twilight wants to, she will explain." "Okay." Fluttershy trotted after Twilight. "I'll see you all at Pinkie's place -" "Oh no, you are coming with us. Step inside, Fluttershy. I insist! My friends do not walk or fly such long distances when they could visit." Fluttershy's eyes widened in surprise, and she hopped into the coach, a shy pleased look on her face. "Thank you, Rarity." "Can we stop at home to play for a bit before we help with Pinkie's decorations?" Sweetie Belle asked. "Do you mind?" Rarity asked Fluttershy and Twilight. Fluttershy shook her head. "No, we're good," Twilight said. After a carriage ride home, and sending off the three little hellions to play in the garden (with Rarity making notes of which statues they were allowed to play roughly around), Rarity, Twilight and Fluttershy took a breather over a cup of tea in the kitchen. Lying down on a bench, stretching out with a surprisingly uncharacteristic groan, Rarity sipped some tea. Even on their best behaviour, the cutie mark crusaders had been a handful, and Twilight imagined it had to take a toll on her- she was responsible for all of them, and she seemed to take that very seriously. Quietly, Twilight sipped her tea. For a while, the three of them sat quietly, just relaxing, drinking their tea. The break was well needed. The first of them to speak was, surprisingly, Fluttershy. "Um, I was just thinking, well..." "Oh, do go on, darling. I do not bite." Rarity assured her. "I just wanted to say how impressed I was with you, taking those three to the zoo. Little fillies are not easy to handle." Fluttershy said quietly. "Impressed?" Rarity gave a short laugh. "With that terrible performance? No, I am not being modest- it was not very good at all. I had no patience, I kept shouting at them, chasing back and forth... I was barely holding together until you came along and worked your magic, Fluttershy dear." "But you still took them." Fluttershy insisted. "Even though it wasn't easy, you still tried. You really are as nice as Twilight thinks you are." Giving a faint blush, Rarity said: "Well, who else was going to? My mother, who has only time for her latest fashion projects? My father, who wouldn't venture outside the house for anything short of an art fair? I see little enough of my sister as it is. I felt I should at the very least let her enjoy herself when we were there together... even if it was quite the trial." Twilight looked on her new friend carefully. She did not give herself enough credit at all. She had sacrificed most of her day entertaining the little fillies, which was hard work, and she seemed not to regret it. She would never have guessed that the school's beauty queen was so... selfless. "Didn't you have some dress or another to work on?" Twilight asked. "Oh, pish-posh." Rarity said dismissively. "I can work on that next week. My sister is here now." "You seem really protective of her." "With parents like these, one cannot help but..." Rarity muttered. "Besides, what kind of big sister would not sacrifice for her younger siblings?" She said it as if it was natural. "Um, mine." Fluttershy said shyly. "Not that I am complaining or anything. They are nice ponies really, and I shouldn't be slandering them. I'm sorry-" "Fluttershy is the youngest of four." Twilight explained. "And all of them are... really busy. All the time. She grew up fairly alone." She gave Fluttershy a glance, and she nodded. "She is the daughter of Redracer Greystone and Carmella Hoovenheuser." Rarity blinked. "I know them. Father speaks well of them. Why, I had no idea you belonged to a family of renown, Fluttershy!" Fluttershy retreated behind her mane, nodding. "That's it- she is, but she is sort of kept out of the spotlight. Since she didn't develop some big flashy talent for sports, money, literature, arts, those kinds of things, her parents decided that as far as the world- the press, that is- is concerned, she doesn't exist." "Th-that's not fair." Fluttershy squealed. "It is!" Twilight said, her voice rising. "You are their daughter and they just... neglect you!" "They don't. They are just really busy." Twilight shook her head. Trust Fluttershy to defend anyone from unkind words, even those who deserved them. "Well, that's the way it is." Twilight said. "I've known her since I was about five. We fit so well together, because I was the clumsy pony who didn't know what to say, and she didn't dare say anything." Fluttershy nodded. "And that's how we became friends. Although Twilight insisted it wasn't friendship, just acquaintances. Because friendship gets in the way." She giggled a little. "All right, all right." Twilight said, annoyed. "It was a silly attitude, but I know better now." "My, my." Rarity interjected. "This is all very interesting, but... can Fluttershy not speak for herself?" "I speak for her when she needs me to." Twilight explained. "I get tongue-tied, especially when I meet new people or think I offended somepony. So Twilight helps me." "You must trust each other like sisters." Rarity smiled. "It is good to hear there is goodness out there. I suppose I've been preoccupied with what my father deemed a good social life. I'm now regretting not knowing you, Fluttershy." "Me too," Fluttershy said softly. "I knew you weren't a mean pony. It's good to have my thoughts confirmed." Scootaloo popped out of air in-between Fluttershy and Twilight. "Can we go to Pinkie's place, now?" "Please?" Sweetie Belle asked. "I'd like to meet this Pinkie Pie I've been told about," Applebloom said. "She sounds like a fun pony." "Twilight? Fluttershy?" Rarity asked. Twilight looked to Fluttershy, who nodded. Twilight said: "We're ready." Cloud River whisked the dishes away and the group worked their way outside. Sky Blade pulled up to the front door with the coach. Even Rarity seemed surprised, until Sweetie Belle thanked the driver for getting ready so fast. Rarity nodded her approval. Pinkie Pie's place was in a part of Canterlot Twilight had not seen before. Granted, she was new to the city, but she had visited Fluttershy when her friend had transferred to Canterlot. Pinkie's home seemed to be the center of attention in the otherwise modest neighborhood. Most of the homes were of the low, but enough income to splurge once in a while range, while Pinkie's home seemed to be an explosion of party gear. Twilight wondered what Pinkie could possibly need in way of help setting up, and if her parents (or guardians) had any say in the way their home was done. Pinkie came bounding out of her home with a grin plastered on her face. "Hello everypony, I'm so glad you came we're gonna have so much fun and you brought the little fillies YAY and oh did you hear about -" "Pinkie?" Twilight asked. "- the food delivery that was late so I was like OH NO but then he showed up and I was like YAY and I even got FREE snacks for my trouble -" "PINKIE!" Twilight shouted. "- and okay!" Pinkie giggled. Applebloom raised an eyebrow. "You're the one that can organize such great parties?" She suddenly bounced. "Wow! You're cool." Pinkie grinned her welcoming yet maniacal grin. "Thank you!" She pointed to her back garden. "Rarity, could you do the finishing touches on the decorations?" "But of course, Darling." Rarity walked to the back. "Cutie Mark Crusaders?" Pinkie asked. "Yes!" they shouted. "I need food out on the tables, stat!" "Consider it done! Cutie Mark Crusaders food professionals, YAY!" They rushed off, to where Twilight wasn't sure, but she hoped Pinkie didn't have anything breakable in her house. "Fluttershy?" "Um...yes, Pinkie?" "Would you love to help Gummy organize the games?" "If that's okay." "Of course it is, silly!" A little crocodile popped out of nowhere and led Fluttershy away. She relaxed the farther she got from ponies, and Twilight saw several other animals go over to help her and Gummy. "What can I do?" Twilight asked eagerly. "You're the guest of honor, you don't do anything but enjoy yourself!" Pinkie laughed. "Oh..." Twilight deflated. Pinkie gasped. "Nononono, that will not do! You can help me ... um... actually, now that I think about it, Fluttershy and I had done everything else already." Pinkie sat on her haunches, tapping her hoof to her chin and thinking deeply. "Games, check. Food, check. Decorations, check. Music, check. Furniture, check." She suddenly grinned. "I know! You can help me organize the presents!" "Presents?" Twilight asked. "Of course, silly. It's a party!" Pinkie hopped to her back garden. Twilight followed quickly, her curiosity raised. As promised, a disorganized pile of presents were on and around a table. "Who do these presents belong to?" Twilight asked. "You, silly!" Pinkie clapped. "I bought some, and Fluttershy made some, and Rarity made some, and -" "Hold on," Twilight broke in. "This is a lot of presents." "Well, everyone I invited bought a present." "I got a present from every kid in school?" Suddenly the huge pile made sense - but not in any way Twilight could get her mind around. "Are you serious?" "Yes. Every welcoming party has welcoming presents! Dashie got hers when she moved here, and so did Fluttershy -" "But aren't students moving in and out of the area all the time?" Twilight pressed. "What about them? Isn't this expensive." "Moving in and out?" Pinkie asked, her face a perfect look of confusion. "No. Most students who live here have lived here their whole lives." "But Manehatten -" "Yes, but this is Canterlot." Pinkie sighed sadly. "You don't like your presents?" Her hair seemed to go limp. "I love them," Twilight found herself saying. Pinkie brightened and her mane and tail poofed back to their normal fluffiness. "Oh good!" "I'm confused though." "About what?" "The ponies that live here? Don't they get presents?" "Of course! I hold several parties for the sake of it periodically throughout the year! Everypony brings one present, and gets to choose one present as long as it isn't theirs! You can bring more than one present if you want. How many presents you bring are how many presents you get! Isn't that brilliant? Every pony gets a present for no reason at all!" Pinkie laughed. "Come on! No peeking, though!" Pinkie jumped into the presents and began organizing by size. Twilight began to pitch in. This world she found herself in... it was so different from the one she left behind in Ponyville, and so different from the ones in her books. "Good afternoon, Twilight Sparkle," Glitter said from behind Twilight. Twilight froze, then turned around to see Glitter. Glitter held out a rather large gift. "For you," she said sweetly. "Glitter Rain! Hihihihihihhello!" "Hello, Pinkie Pie." "Here, come meet Twilight!" Pinkie said excitedly. "I know you didn't get along well at first, but I am sure it will work if you try again!" Eagerly, she pushed Twilight in Glitter's direction. "Umm... hi. Again." Twilight mumbled, feeling quite sure Pinkie had been overly optimistic. "Hi again, Twilight Sparkle." Glitter said. "I'm sure we will be the best of friends. Why don't you join me for some punch?" Judging by her tone, she did not seem to have friendship in mind at all, but Twilight decided she had to try. Hesitantly, she followed Glitter to the punch bowl. Glitter poured two cups, and began to speak. "Listen, you stupid little nerd, I don't know what you've done to Rarity, but I know exactly what your game is." "Huh?" "You're trying to steal Rarity from me- I mean, from all of us. Her friends. What are you doing, huh? Throwing your weight around 'cause you are the mayors daughter who needs to get more popular?'" "Huh?" Twilight said again. This wasn't going well at all. "Well, you can forget it! Rarity is mine- um, my friend, so hooves off!" "You know... I didn't pick Rarity to be my friend." Twilight retorted."It just sort of happened. Sorry." "Whatever, NERD." Glitter said. "She doesn't care about you anyways. You think she would spend time with an egghead like you just because? I don't know if she's taking pity on you or if she's just having a laugh, but you better back off before you get burnt." "..." Twilight wasn't sure what to say to that. Turning her nose up, Glitter Rain walked away, off to socialize with some of her own friends. "What..." Twilight felt her stomach sink. She did not believe any of what Glitter said; that would be irrational, but having harsh words spoken against her was distressing. "Chin up, Twilight!" Pinkie said, knocking her over in a tackle hug. "She's just a big meanie who is too silly to see how nice you are! Now let's get some punch! And pie!" "...thanks, Pinkie." Twilight said. Suddenly, that feeling she had was dissipating. Pinkie had a gift, it seemed, a gift to banish unhappiness and unkindness with her unrelenting stream of joy and bubbliness. Suddenly, Twilight felt a lot better about Pinkie. Ponies were pouring into the back garden. Most had no gifts, and Twilight concluded that the bulk were dropped off sometime yesterday. She stayed close to Pinkie as large crowds made Twilight nervous. She much prefered a library with books, not a garden with ponies. But Pinkie had done a fantastic job at making the party so Twilight had to at least try to have fun. Rarity came over to them. "How are you doing, Darling?" she asked. "Um...too many ponies..." Twilight muttered. "How's Fluttershy?" "Oh, she is with the animals and small children." Rarity motioned across the garden. Fluttershy seemed to be in her element. From what Twilight could see, her friend was telling a story. Even the CMC were happily sitting there and listening. "Good thing those little munchkins aren't destroying the place, though really, that would be okay, I mean the food is ready to be eaten, and ohmygoshIforgotmusic!" Pinkie bolted away. "Hello Rarity," Lightning Smoke greeted. "Smoke," Rarity replied. "And hello Twilight," he said. "Uh...hello?" "I'm sorry for the nail polish. I honestly thought Glitter hadn't put that in there. I saw her put it in, but I thought she took it out." "Oh...uh...it's okay. My head's fine." Gah, what a stupid thing to say. My head is fine. Sheesh. "Good," Lightning Smoke gave her a heart-melting smile. "Hope you like my gift." He winked at Rarity and trotted off. "The nerve!" Rarity hissed. "What?" "He hates you, Twilight Sparkle. Ever since you came here, he's said nothing but nasty things about you. I'm not sure what game he is playing, but I have a feeling it is with Glitter Rain. Excuse me, Darling, I must find Glitter and talk to her." Twilight watched Rarity rush away elegantly. She wondered if she could ever move that gracefully if she worked at it. Rarity had such a lovely way of moving. "You're lookin' at Rarity mighty crush-like," a new voice spoke from behind Twilight. She turned around, ready to deny any such feelings, only to stop from shock. The young mare behind her stood in the sunlight so that she looked like a model, and her eyes held such warmth Twilight decided that the new pony had no ill intentions toward her. The new pony walked a bit towards Twilight and the perfect sunlight shifted, and she suddenly seemed like a normal young mare, albeit with a bit of mud on her hooves. "Uh...hi?" Twilight said. She cleared her throat. "Hello, I'm Twilight." "Howdy. I'm Applejack, Applebloom's older sister. Nice to meet you. You can call me AJ." AJ trotted over to the gift table and added hers to the pile. Twilight cringed a bit. Mud slid off the present. So much for a model. "So you're the one this here party was for. You're not like what I expected. Pinkie said you were a friend o' Rarity's, so I thought you were gonna be a snob. Most of her other friends are." "Other friends?" Twilight asked. "Sure. We're friends. Well, she says a-quaint-en-sez because we rarely see each other, but that's okay for me. I know a friend when I see one. And you're a friend." AJ looked over the party. "Well, there ain't nothing goin' on here, is there?" She shook her head. "Just standin' around talking. No dancin', even. You city-folks have an odd idea of what makes a party. Come on, let's dance!" AJ ran to what Pinkie had designated a dance floor and started dancing. "Come on Twi!" AJ called. Twilight glanced at all the ponies giving AJ weird looks. Twilight held her head high. She would dance as well. With only one thought in her mind - show the other ponies being different wasn't bad - Twilight walked towards AJ. "Yay! Finally!" Pinkie simply popped into existence. Twilight made a mental note to ask Pinkie if she had any Unicorn in her. A little flustered, Twilight walked out on the dance floor. She felt warm, and her head spun a little- what was she really doing? Everypony was going to laugh! She was going to be made a fool of forever! She was going to- 'No. No letting your mind race. You are in control,' she reminded herself. 'For once, don't think, just do.' "Don't you worry yourself none, sugarcube." Applejack said, giving a confident smile. "Just let me lead, and you'll be just fine. The important part is movin' your booty, and having fun!" The earth pony's voice had a soothing effect on Twilight. She sounded reliable; just hearing her voice made Twilight feel... safe. As AJ began to dance, Twilight followed her rhythm. Slowly at first, then gradually faster. Twilight misstepped several times, and her clumsiness almost made her lose confidence, but Applejack only chuckled, gave her a friendly pat on the back, and kept dancing. Blushing, Twilight let herself go, began to dance... And then, next to them, was Pinkie Pie, dragging some young colt to the dance floor, skipping, bouncing, dancing... And after her, another couple joined in, and another after that, and soon the floor was filled with schoolponies dancing. Some awkwardly, some better than others, but all of them were having fun. As the tempo increased, Twilight felt her breath grow shorter, feeling sweaty, but she barely even noticed. Applejack leading her, touching her... the sensation was wonderful. She had been missing out on so much fun all these years, she realized. Finally staggering off the dance floor, her breath ragged, she slumped down on a stool. "Whooo..." she managed. "That was..." "Fun?" Applejack said happily, smiling that confident smile. Catching her breath, Twilight nodded. "You know, you're a purty good dancer for an egghead." Applejack said. "Kinda cute, too." "Come now Applejack, don't spoil the experience with your unsubtle comings-on." Rarity said, walking up. "She is barely out of her shell as it is." "Don't fret, sugarcube." Applejack said, shooting her a grin. "Ah don' mean nothin' by it. Can't a girl flirt some?" Rarity just 'tssk'-ed, and Applejack walked off to the dance floor again. "What..." Twilight said. "Applejack likes a good party just as much as the next pony." Rarity explained. "She just happens to be sadly lacking in sophistication." Though the words were insulting, she sounded affectionate. "What was that about flirting?" Twilight asked, her mind only now registering it. "Oh, Applejack likes her apple pie, but she likes pear pie too." Rarity said. "She's not bashful, either, and for some inexplicable reason she is quite popular with colts and fillies both." "...and she..?" "Not seriously, I think." Rarity said, shrugging. "She does make a good point, though. You do look adorable sometimes." Twilight blushed. "You-" "Don't worry yourself, I won't seduce you." Rarity said, giving a small smile. "I would die to doll you up, though. I can only imagine the dresses I could fit you in." "Dresses?" Twilight repeated. "I've never really worn a dress before..." "No?" Rarity's eyebrows raised nearly off her head. "Well, darling, that simply will not do. I am formally inviting you to the dinner party my father is having this coming Tuesday." "Dinner party? I don't know Rarity, I don't think your father likes me..." "Oh pish. Father is an ass. Who cares what he likes or dislikes? I'll ask Fluttershy as well. Unless..." Rarity frowned. "Her parents will be there. Do you think it will be uncivilized of me asking her to come? They are such horrid ponies, pretending she does not exist." "I'll come," Fluttershy whispered. Twilight and Rarity jumped. Despite Fluttershy's soft voice, neither had expected her to reply so it startled them. "I've...I've decided while listening to you, that I'll pretend not to be there daughter. Actually..." Fluttershy sniffled. "Twilight is right. They don't want me." "What is this great turn-a-round?" Twilight asked. "....I...well...Dash..." Fluttershy shook her head. "It's personal." "If you'll excuse me, darlings, I have to go say hello to some friends. Do stay here and enjoy yourself." Rarity said, trotting to the kitchen. "So..." Twilight said. "Is there something going on with you and Dash? Something you want to talk about?" "It's nothing." Fluttershy said, retreating behind her mane. "Well... if you want to talk to me about anything, you can trust me. You know that, right?" "Oh, I do trust you, Twilight!" Fluttershy assured her emphatically. "It's just... not a big deal." "Well, okay." Twilight said, deciding not to prod any further. Fluttershy was a gentle creature, best to let her take her time. "Do you want some more punch?" Fluttershy nodded, and Twilight trotted towards the punch bowl. As she passed the kitchen, she heard her name mentioned. Stopping by the entrance, she listened. She knew it was rude to listen in- she was just going to hear what it was. Nothing else. "Look, Rarity," it was the voice of one of her older friends- Runner Flare, Twilight thought, or somepony like her. "we have been your friends for years, and quite frankly, we are concerned. What on earth are you doing, blowing the lot of us off for that purple little nerd?" "I was-" "Don't give me the "I had to study" excuse, Rarity." Flare insisted. "You had looked forward to that show for three months. Just what exactly are you doing?" "I don't see how this is any of your business." Rarity said, her tone short. "Well, it is." Flare said. "You may have a bright future as a designer ahead of you, but right now? You are a schoolpony. You are supposed to be the one anypony worth mentioning looks up to, learns from. What on earth are you doing, spending time with Twilight Sparkle?" "I assure you," Rarity said coldly, "I don't have any wish whatsoever to spend time with that... egghead. I am failing literature and maths, and she happens to have a good little nerd mind. Combine that with her mother being Celestia, and she is a valuable resource." "Is that right?" Runner Flare asked, sounding unconvinced. "Quite right." Rarity said icily. "And I would appreciate it if my judgement was not questioned over so very little. Of course I have to butter the little misfit up, she is my key to success at this point in time. That is all there is." "...very well. I trust you, Rarity. Just do not forget who your real friends are." "I will not." Twilight felt her heart sink. Turning hoof, she ran out of the room, out of the house, just away. It had all been a lie.