//------------------------------// // It's My Party And I'll Hide If I Want To // Story: Quizzical // by JMac //------------------------------//   Quizzical   Chapter 3 – It’s My Party And I’ll Hide If I Want To.   “There… there… there.... is a party,” stammered Quiz.  “A party.  Here.  Now.” “Not just a party, Quiz, your party,” said Twilight, pushing her into the room.  “Uh, could you please take a couple steps forward?” “No, Miss Twilight,” said Quiz, completely paralyzed. A pink burr whirled up to Quiz, nearly bowling her over.  “Hi, I’m Pinkie.  You must  be Quizzical.  I’m so happy to meet you!  Welcome to Ponyville!” With Pinky pulling and Twilight pushing they eventually got Quiz inside.  Before she knew what was happening, Quiz was wearing a party hat and holding a slice of cake. “This is a rite of passage, Quiz,” said Twilight.  “I got through it and you will get through it.  Every new arrival in Ponyville gets a party.” “Yep,” said Pinkie.  “It’s a rule.” “I see,” muttered Quiz.  “And who made this rule…?” “I did!” cried Pinkie. “I probably should have warned you…” began Twilight. “No way!” cried Pinkie.  “That would have spoiled the surprise.” “And this surprise is meant to be… fun?” asked Quiz. “You betcha!” # It was one of Pinkie’s best efforts.   It was such a good party that nopony noticed that the guest of honor wasn’t there. Twilight had tried to guide Quiz around the party; saying hello to ponies Quiz had met and introducing Quiz to others.  But as soon as Twilight stopped to chat Quiz slipped away. In the brightly lit library Quiz had managed to find the only deep shadows.  There was a small alcove between two bookcases.  Quiz backed into it and disappeared.  She stood there carefully watching her party, and occasionally nibbling at her slice of cake. Of course eventually one pony found her. “Hi!” came a bright voice from just behind Quiz’s right ear.  “You’re good.  I wanna play hide and seek with you sometime!” Quiz was so startled she jumped, stomping the remnants of her cake and smashing the plate. “I know, how about right now?  You close your eyes and count to 100 by fives,” said Pinkie.  “No peeking.” Pinkie hopped away and Quiz dutifully closed her eyes and counted.  “Five… ten… fifteen…” When she reached 100 Quiz went back to studying the party. Five minutes later Pinkie came back for Quiz.  “You were supposed to come and find me,” scolded Pinkie. “You were behind the umbrella stand by the front door,” said Quiz. “Wow, you really are good!  But I don’t think you play by the same rules I do.” Quiz had no comment. “Ok, I’m it, you go hide now, Quizzical.” “But I am already hidden, Miss Pinkie." “Really, that was fast,” said Pinkie.  “Oh, wait, I know.  You’re in the alcove, between the bookcases." “That is correct, Miss Pinkie.  You have found me, you win the game.” “Oh, goodie,” cried Pinkie.  Then she scowled at Quiz.  “Hey, wait, are joking with me, Quizzical?” “I… might be,” admitted Quiz. “Cool!” cried Pinkie.  “Okay, what do you want to do now?” “I am content to remain here, thank you, Miss Pinkie. Pinkie sighed.  “I can see I have my work cut out with you.  I know, how about dancing?” “Dancing?”  said Quiz, almost expressing alarm.  “Oh, no, no.  Dear me, no…” “Oh, it’s easy, Silly,” said Pinkie.  “See Twilight over there?  Just do what she does.” “That is dancing?” “Nope.   No, not at all.  Almost the exact opposite, really.  But who cares?  Twilight is having a lot of fun." “Oh,” said Quiz.  “That is very interesting.  I shall have to make a note of that.”  With a pop, Quiz’s notebook appeared in front of her, quill poised and ready. “No notebooks!” cried Pinkie, snatching the notebook out of the air.  “I am declaring this a notebook free zone until further notice!" “Pinkie, who are you talking to?”  Rainbow Dash called from across the room.  As far as anyone could tell, Pinkie was having a conversation with a bookcase. “I’m with Quizzical,” answered Pinkie.  “We’re playing hide and seek.” “Well, bring her over.  We’re setting up pin-the-tail-on-the-pony.  Quiz can have the first turn." “Wonderful!” cried Pinkie, and she began to hustle Quiz across the room.  Quiz protested, but Pinkie managed to outmaneuvered her. “You’ll like this, Quizzical.  We blindfold you so you’ll hardly notice we’re here.” “Oh, good.  If I am to be the center of attention a blindfold would be appreciated.” They took Quiz’s glasses and tied on the blind, then spun her around.  She stood perfectly still for a moment; sniffing the air and carefully scanning the room with her ears.  Then Quiz turned and stepped up to the board.  She pinned the tail on the pony perfectly. “Way to go, Quiz!” shouted Scootaloo, who was immediately joined by the rest of the Crusaders.  Then the whole room cheered. Quiz tried to make herself as small as possible. “How did you do that, Quiz?” asked Sweetie Belle. “It is a spelunker’s trick,” said Quiz, adjusting her glasses. “Spee-lunkers?” said Apple Bloom.  “That’s a swamp monster from the Everfree Forest, isn’t it?” “It means ‘cavern explorers’ Apple Bloom,” explained Twilight. “The trick allows you to find your way in the dark,” said Quiz.  “But  it requires great concentration.” “You explore caverns?” asked Scootaloo.  “That’s awesome!” “It has been a long time,” said Quiz.  “I have not been back to the caves since the third time my parents grounded me.” It was somepony else’s turn, and the game resumed.  While everypony was distracted Quiz turned back to her little dark alcove.  Pinkie was there, shoving a bookcase to block the entrance.  “Ah, ah, ah!” said Pinkie, waving a hoof at Quiz.  “Not again.” “Really, Miss Pinkie, I do not see…” “Quizzical, you have every right to be a wallflower,” said Pinkie.  “Now this is not a right I believe in.  I think there should be a law against it.  But it’s still your right." “Miss Pinkie, I really wish…” Just don’t expect me to make it easy for you,” said Pinkie.  “Oh, and you are locked out of your room.  Now, go mingle.” Quiz sighed.  “Yes, Miss Pinkie.” “Oh, and I really want you to know, I just love your name.  Quizzical.  Quizzical.  Quizzical!  It’s so fun to say…Quizzical, Quizzical, Quizzical..." Quiz left Pinkie happily saying her name and wandered off.  She found herself standing next to Twilight. “What’s the matter, Quiz?” Twilight asked. “I have been ordered to mingle,” said Quiz.  “How does one do that?” Twilight suppressed a laugh.  “Go hang out with the girls,” she said, indicating the Crusaders.  “You’ll be fine.” “Hey, Quiz,” said Sweetie Belle when Quiz approached.  “Whatcha doin’?” “I am mingling,” said Quiz.  “I am not very good at it.” The Crusaders all giggled. “Don’t worry about it, Quiz,” said Sweetie Belle.  “Rarity says you mingle to get important people to pay attention to you.  Who needs that?” Just then there was a flash of bright red at the front door.  “Oh, good, Twist is finally here,” said Apple Bloom.  “You should like this, Quiz.” “’Bout time, Twist,” said Scootaloo.  “Did you get it?" “I think tho,” said Twist, setting a covered tray on the edge of the dessert table.  “I don’t like to be hurried.” “What is this?” asked Quiz. “Twist invents candies,” said Sweetie Belle.  “She made one for each of us.  Mine’s grape flavored.” “Mine’s cinnamon,” said Scootaloo. “You can probably guess mine,” said Apple Bloom. “Is it apple?” asked Quiz. “Yes, Quiz,” said Apple Bloom, rolling her eyes.  “Anyway, this one’s your’s, Quiz.” “It’ths vanilla,” said Twist.  “You said you liked vanilla, right Quiz?” “I do,” said Quiz.  “I am… amazed that you thought to do this for me.” “Sure, why wouldn’t we?” asked Apple Bloom. “It'ths my thing, Quiz,” said Twist.  “It’ths what I do." “Well, what are we waiting for?” said Scootaloo.  “Let’s see ‘em!” “Okay,” said Twist, and she lifted the lid off the plate of candies. A moment later Apple Bloom broke the uncomfortable silence.  “These are fine river stones, in case we want to go skipping rocks later.  So, where’s the candy?” “They faded!” moaned Twist.  “They were yellow when they came out of the molds.” “It is alright,” said Quiz.  “I prefer grey to yellow.” Both Scootaloo and Spike stifled a comment. “Thankths, Quiz,” said Twist. “However,” Quiz added, “I do not believe grey is a good color for candy.” “Maybe they taste okay,” said Sweetie Belle.  It was more of a question than a statement. “Oh, I hope tho,” said Twist.  “I’m better at flavoring than prethentation.  If Quiz likes them maybe we could call them ‘Greystone’s Grey Stones’?”  Twist looked at Quiz and immediately regretted the suggestion.  “Maybe not.” There, was a long pause. "Oh, I see,” said Quiz.  “You are waiting for me to try one.” “Yes!” cried everyone in unison. Quiz took a bite and chewed it carefully.  “I am uncertain,” she finally said, after lengthy consideration.  “You say the flavor is meant to be vanilla?" Twist looked horrified.  “I… I never made vanilla candy before…” “Sorry to tell you, Twist,” said Apple Bloom, spitting a bit into a potted plant.  “But you haven’t made vanilla candy yet.” “These aren’t even particularly good rocks!” said Spike, through a mouthful. “Oh, this was thposed to be thpecial and it’s ruined!” moaned Twist.  She was near tears. “This is not fair, and I do not like this,” said Quiz, firmly.  “We have all said quite enough to hurt Twist’s feelings, and we must stop right now." “Thank you, Quiz,” said Twist, and everyone else looked uncomfortably at their hooves. “Yeah, sorry, Twist,” said Apple Bloom.  “It isn’t like any of us helped you or anything." “We couldn’t help,” said Sweetie Belle.  “Twist, you won’t let us anywhere near your kitchen.” “Thaths  right,” said Twist.  Despite herself she giggled at the memory.  “Never again, Thweetie Belle!” “Okay, it’s not Twist’s fault,” said Scootaloo.  “She obviously didn’t mean to make a bunch of bland little rocks and suggest naming them after Quiz.  What?  Stop glaring at me!” “Twist!” shrieked Pinkie, bounding across the room, “You’ve been here forever and no one’s offered you any cake yet!”  Practically smothering Twist, Pinkie hustled her to the far end of the refreshment table.  “And punch, you have to have some punch because it’s really good punch and we are almost out of punch…” Twilight had been watching the whole incident.  “That was a very nice thing you did for Twist,” she said softly in Quiz’s ear. “She… made something for me,” said Quiz, her voice actually expressing awe.  “They were all disappointed that it was not special.  For me.  That is extraordinary… I need to make a note of… oh, darn.” After checking that Pinkie wasn’t looking, Twilight slid a notebook over to Quiz.  “Here, use mine.” # Quiz found the rest of the party was bearable as she spent it just chatting with the Crusaders, and most of that time was just spent listening. Towards the end Quiz did slip away again, and she hid  behind the umbrella stand by the front door.  Pinkie found her just in time for Quiz to come out and wish her guests good night as they all drifted off towards home. “Miss Twilight?” asked Quiz, after the last pony had left, “This ‘rite of passage’?  It is a one time thing?” “Yes, Quiz, I promise.  The next party you attend will be voluntary.” “Oh… good.” # The remains of Twist’s candies were quietly disposed of along with all the detritus cleaned up and swept away after the party.  All save one. Carefully wrapped in paper, it was safely put away at the back of Quiz’s drawer.   “’Greystone’s Grey Stones’?” mused Quiz.  “What is wrong with that?”