//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Good Day for Derpy! // by wayward_pony //------------------------------// 2 Together they went into Sugar Cube corner. The lights were on, but the place seemed deserted. Cloudfire dug the vibe the moment they stepped in – it looked like a combination of a restaurant, a dance hall, and a bakery. It was a place where ponies could go to sit down and eat, have a party, or just grab something quickly. Cloudfire started to think they were a bit too late or the owner had stepped out, because everything was so quiet... “Welcome!” a high-pitched, energetic voice exclaimed. Neither pony could tell where it was coming from. They heard a gasp. “AH! A new face!” A peppy Pink pony appeared like a shot behind the counter. It was as if she had just materialized right there, but in reality she had been behind a shelf cleaning up an ice cream catastrophe from serving the last guests at the Corner. “Hey Pinkie,” said Derpy, smiling at the hyper pink pony. “Hey Derps!” She replied, turning towards the light gray earth pony. “Who's this?” “He's Cloudfire!” “Hi Pinkie...” said Cloudfire, hesitantly. “We'd like a table. For two, please?” “Okie-dokie!” The pink pony jumped into the air and disappeared above the heads of the two guests. “Right this way please!” Cloudfire nearly jumped out of his skin. Somehow Pinkie had ended up right behind him. Pinkie sat them both down, as a normal hostess would, taking off to get them some water and two menus. She gave them space to decide, not before saying “Enjoy your date!” before speeding off. She came back, adding “if this is a date!” then sped off once again. Finally... silence. “Pinkie's certainly got some pep.” Cloudfire said, chuckling. “I can see why she's the Element of Laughter!” Derpy looked at him: “Is this a... date?” “If you want it to be,” Cloudfire replied, grinning. “I think you're neat, Derpy, and I want to get to know you.” Derpy just looked at her menu and blushed. Cloudfire gave her a moment, but after that moment had passed... “Derpy?” He chuckled. “Equestria to Derpy... come in Derpy.” Derpy looked up at him, still beet red. “We don't have to call this a date, if you don't want to. We're just friends right now and I really don't wanna make you uncomfort-” “I've never dated anypony.” Said Derpy. “I don't know what to do!” Cloudfire smiled, reassuringly shaking his head as if to say it's alright. “Just... be yourself, Derpy. I like you just the way you are.” Derpy grew redder... she'd never had this type of attention from any stallion before. The flash subsided as she chuckled and said: “Okee!” Cloudfire and Derpy started talking in the usual, boring getting to know you chatter ponies do on their first date. It was all very foreign to Derpy, so Cloudfire started: First they talked about their families first. Derpy had come from a Unicorn and Pegasus mix, and Cloudfire had come from a Pegasus and Earth Pony mix. Their mixed ancestry was one thing they had in common, and Derpy's sister was the topic of conversation for a few minutes. The more they talked, however, the more they found they had in common. Favourite colours, favourite celebrities (they both liked Photofinish quite a bit), and they both talked about being teased for a bit. Mrs. Cake, who was in the far back going over some papers, asked Pinkie who was at the tables. The voices she heard were faint enough that she couldn't tell what was was being said, but she could tell one of the two was not a familiar voice. Pinkie said she was just about to go ask Derpy and her new date what they wanted to eat. Mrs. Cake bolted up for a quick peek at Derpy's date... he was handsome and looked well-mannered. She then said, glancing out at the two, recognizing the fixed look in their eyes: “Give them a few more minutes, Pinkie. And bring them something special for desert... on the house.” “Yes ma'am!”