//------------------------------//
// Chapter 5: Overpinking It 
// Story: Overpinking It 
// by PropMaster 
//------------------------------//


 - Chapter 5 -







Pinkie Pie awoke before sunrise, bouncing out of bed and galloping downstairs full-tilt. She zipped past the sleepy Mr. and Mrs. Cake, who gave her a bleary wave as they sipped cups of hot cocoa. “Mornin’ Pinkie.”

“Good morning! Today’s the big day!” Pinkie chirped in reply, dashing into the kitchen and emerging a few minutes later balancing a plate of breakfast muffins on her head. She grinned at Mr. and Mrs. Cake. “Thanks for giving me the day off! I’ll be back tonight... maybe!” She giggled and hopped out the door, the muffins atop her head leaping up and down as she trotted towards the east side of Ponyville.

Mr. Cake shook his head and chuckled. “That boy has no idea what he’s in for.”

Mrs. Cake hummed in reply, smiling sleepily.





Ponky awoke well after sunrise, yawning and stretching in bed before hopping upright, and heading for the bathroom. He moved down the hallway from his bedroom, but halted as he heard noises from his small kitchen. He blinked blearily and shuffled down the hallway, through his living room, to the kitchen. The most wonderful smell hit him, just before he stepped into the kitchen. Vanilla frosting and cinnamon, mixed with the smell of fresh-baked goods. A scent that belonged to only one individual.

“Pinkie Pie?” Ponky asked, stepping into the kitchen with a smile that turned into an ‘o’ of surprise..

Nopony was there. The kitchen, however, was spotless, unlike usual. The little breakfast table in the middle of the kitchen held a plate of breakfast muffins and a vase with fresh-cut daisies, and a little note. Ponky chuckled, marveling at the clean kitchen, and approached the table, reading the note.

Ponky,

There’s a surprise for you in the oven! Have a good breakfast, because we’re going to have a busy day today! Meet me in the park at noon!

- Pinkie


Ponky grinned, and trotted over to the oven, just as the timer began to buzz, alerting him that whatever had been cooking was done. He turned off the oven quickly and the opened the door, peering inside. A loaf of zucchini bread greeted him with a sweet and tantalizing smell, and Ponky inhaled it slowly, his grin widening.

This was going to be a good day.





Pinkie paced back and forth, trying not to seem nervous. She paused in her pacing, pulling her notecards out of her saddlebags, reviewing what she’d learned from her friends. She sighed, tucking the notecards away just as quickly and scanning the park, shrugging off her saddlebags. 

The park was mostly deserted, with only a few ponies enjoying leisurely walks around the grass or on the paths. The day had become overcast, as pegasai moved clouds into position. Pinkie frowned up at the sky briefly. “Dashie forgot to mention that there was a rainstorm planned for today.” Pinkie exhaled slowly, and smiled. “No worries, though! We’ll be done picnicking before it starts.” She glanced up at the clouds uncertainly. “... I hope.”

“Pinkie!”

Pinkie couldn’t contain a grin, and she leapt into the air, spinning around and landing facing the pony calling her name. Ponky trotted across the park, returning her smile. Pinkie called back, “Hey, Ponky!”

Ponky glanced around, looking impressed. A large pink blanket had been laid out on the grass, and a picnic basket sat in the center. A few pillows sat on either side of the basket, obviously to provide a comfortable place to sit. Pinkie beamed at Ponky, “Have a good breakfast?”

“Definitely,” replied Ponky with a smile.

“Good! Because you’re gonna need all the energy you’ve got to keep up with me!” Pinkie Pie smiled in a brash and decidedly un-Pinkie manner. With a sudden bound, Pinkie leapt away from Ponky, taking off across the park at a fast canter. Ponky blinked, confused, until Pinkie called, “Catch me if you can!”

Ponky blinked, shaking his head, and opened his wings. “If you think you can outrun me, Pinkie, you’ve got another thing coming!” he called back, chuckling.

Flapping his wings, Ponky took to the skies and quickly caught up to Pinkie. She beamed at him, “Heya! Ready to get serious?”

“I’m not quite sure what you mean. I’m a pegasus, there’s no way that you can—”
Pinkie suddenly bounced, her speed increasing dramatically, and began to outpace Ponky, her every bound carrying her farther than should have been possible. Ponky’s mouth dropped open briefly, before he picked up his own pace, his smile becoming a determined grimace.

He followed Pinkie as best as he could, but every time he’d get anywhere close to her, she’d smile more and increase her speed. Ponky was already reaching his limit, and Pinkie seemed to have no intention of stopping. They made a full circuit of the park before returning to their picnic spot. Pinkie arrived a full minute ahead of Ponky, giggling to herself. “Oh, Dash was right, that was a lot of fun!”

Pinkie watched Ponky fly in, his mouth open and panting heavily as he flubbed his landing, stumbling and falling flat on his face. Pinkie trotted over to him, grinning. “That get your blood pumping?”

Ponky mumbled something and rolled over, spitting out some blades of grass and panting for air. “Y-yeah.”

“Good!” Pinkie collapsed down next to him on the grass, staring up at the overcast sky. “What’cha thinkin’ about?”

Ponky stared at Pinkie for a moment, trying to catch his breath. “Y-you... first,” he managed to gasp.

Pinkie giggled, gesturing up at the overcast sky. “When the sky is all overcast like this, I imagine we’re all some kind of crazy toymaker’s creation trapped inside a crystal ball.”

Ponky blinked, glancing up at the sky, and then looking at Pinkie. “W-what?”

Giggling, Pinkie sat up, prodding the pooped pegasus. “C’mon, Ponky, your turn!”

Ponky squirmed. “I, uh... well, I was just thinking that it looks like it’s going to start raining soon. Maybe we should move this stuff inside?”

Pinkie frowned. “Nuh-uh. Inside comes later. We’re on a picnic now!”

Ponky chuckled, sitting up, and Pinkie hopped onto the picnic blanket, sitting down on a pillow and opening up the picnic basket. “I made sandwiches!”

“Oh geeze, more food already?” Ponky clapped a hoof on his stomach. “I just ate all those muffins, though, and some of the zucchini bread.”

Pinkie blinked, staring at Ponky without comprehension. “But... I made sandwiches.”

Ponky smiled. “How about we wait on the sandwiches, just for a little bit?”

“Well... okay!” Pinkie grinned, and flopped backwards onto the pillows. Ponky sat down opposite her. Pinkie reached into her saddlebags, retrieving her notecards, and glanced at them quickly before tucking them away. “So... how about the Cloudsdale Kickers?”

“Uh... what about the Cloudsdale Kickers?” asked Ponky.

“Well, I figured that maybe you might be into hoofball, so I guessed that you might like the Cloudsdale Kickers! So, how about them?” Pinkie asked.

Frowning, Ponky rubbed the back of his neck, “Uh, actually, I don’t really follow many sports... or any sports. I’m a music pony at heart.”

Pinkie frowned, making a mental note to throw away that particular notecard. “Oh. Uh... so, how about that music?” she asked, lamely.

Ponky laughed. “Pretty good, I guess. I’ve been busy doing the music for Cheerilee’s school play, so I haven’t had much time to do any of my own projects, though I did write a little something the other night...” Ponky suddenly trailed off, swallowing hard and looking nervous.

Pinkie sat up, beaming. “Oh! Oh! What’d you write? Can I help? I play a mean tambourine!”

“Uh, it’s... kind of personal, actually. I wasn’t in the best mood when I wrote it, to be honest.”

Pinkie’s smile dropped immediately. “Oh. Gotcha. Sorry.”

“No, it’s okay. Like I said the other day, what happened was a misunderstanding, that’s all.” Ponky smiled awkwardly. “We’re okay, right?”

Pinkie’s grin returned. “Yeah! A misunderstanding...” Pinkie glanced around nervously, and dove into her saddlebags, shuffling through her notecards. She grabbed one that looked promising, and asked Ponky, quickly, “What’s your favorite book?”

“Oh, um, well, I read something recently, I can’t remember the title, but it was about a cursed pony trying to break her curse, and it was very emotional. Probably the best thing I’ve ever read, really. How about you?”

Pinkie frowned, thinking. “Hm, well...”

“Read any good cookbooks lately?” asked Ponky with a wink.

Giggling, Pinkie replied, “Well, yeah, but I think my favorite book is probably Carl Haygan’s ‘The Discord-Haunted World: Friendship as a Candle in the Chaos.’”
Blinking hard, Ponky coughed. “Oh, uh, wow... that sounds like some pretty heavy reading.”

“Well, I haven’t really finished it yet. I read before bed, and that book has been great for my insomnia. I used to stay up really late at night, and then Missus Cake gave me that book, and it knocks me right out.” Pinkie giggled at the thought, and yawned. “Oh, see? Even thinking about the book makes me sleepy.”

“Well, how far into it are you?” asked Ponky.

Pinkie frowned, thinking hard. “Well, let’s see... the first page.”

Ponky raised an eyebrow. “Huh.”

Wriggling around for a moment, Pinkie finally sat bolt-upright. “How about a sandwich?”

Ponky smiled, “It still hasn’t really been all that long, but... sure.”

Pinkie clapped her hooves together happily and opened up the picnic basket, pulling out sandwiches. Ponky’s mouth dropped open as more and more sandwiches piled up before him. “Woah, what?”

“Well, I wasn’t sure what kind of sandwich you’d like best, and so I decided to make a whole bunch of different sandwiches, and maybe I’d make something that you like!”

Grinning, Ponky picked up a sandwich. “What’s this one?”

“Curry dressing and spinach.”

Ponky frowned, and set the sandwich back in the pile. “How about this?” he asked, picking up another sandwich.

“Mustard and Rose Petal,” replied Pinkie, her voice distant as she checked her note cards again.

“Oh, I love rose petals! They’re my favorite.” Ponky took a quick bite of the sandwich, chewing with relish. His eyes suddenly widened and his chewing stopped. Pinkie noticed his expression and peered at the sandwich.

“Oh, sorry, that’s the horseradish and habanero sandwich. Hope you like spicy!”

Ponky spat out the bite of sandwich and gasped for air, his eyes watering. “Too! Hot!”

Pinkie grimaced. “Sorry! Sorry! Here!” She offered him a thermos. Ponky eyed the thermos questioningly, and Pinkie cried, “It’s cider!”

Ponky grabbed it without hesitation and pulled the top off the thermos, tilting it back and pouring the cool liquid within into his mouth. He swallowed hard, his eyes still watering and his face turning red. “How about... no more sandwiches?”

“That... might be a good idea,” replied Pinkie, her ears drooping. She brightened up immediately. “Oh, I know, how about another race! That went well last time!”

“But, we just—”

“Onetwothree go!” Pinkie was off like a rocket, zooming away. Ponky sat patiently for a minute before Pinkie returned, moving at a far more subdued trot. “Uh, no race, then?”

“We just raced, didn’t we? C’mon, let’s just relax and talk a bit,” said Ponky, smiling and flopping backwards onto the pillows, looking up at the darkening clouds.

“Oh. Yeah, okay, I can do relaxing and talking. I’m good at that!” Pinkie lay down next to Ponky, smiling up at the sky as well. “So, what’cha wanna talk about?”

“Hm. I don’t know.” Ponky shook his head, laughing quietly at himself. “Sorry if I’m being boring. It seems like you like being active, and active is good, but...”

“Oh, no, I just am trying... well, anything!” Pinkie giggled. “I do like trying new things, and I’ve never been on a real date before, so I figured that maybe we should do all kinds of things. Thats why I wanted to have a whole day with you!”

Ponky smiled at Pinkie. “Ah, got it. So, what’s next on your list of things to do?”

“Well, since we’ve done racing and sandwiches and talking, maybe it’s time to move on to phase two!” Pinkie declared.

“What’s phase two?”

“Dinner! You’re going to go to Rarity’s boutique, and I’m going to go to the spa, and then we’ll go to Le Petit Cheval for dinner!”

Ponky’s eyes widened and he sat up straight, staring at Pinkie Pie. “We’re going to Cheval for dinner?!”

“Well, Rarity suggested somewhere nice, so I figured, why not the best?” Pinkie smiled.

“B-but, Pinkie, Le Petit Cheval isn’t just the nicest restaurant in Ponyville, it’s also the most expensive! The cooks are from Prance! The pastry chefs are from Bitaly! They import fresh vegetables from Neighpon and have them flown in every day!” Ponky waved his hooves in the air. “I don’t even own a tuxedo!”

“Don’t worry, Ponkadoodledoo! Auntie Pinkie Pie’s got it all figured out. You just head to Rarity’s, and I’ll pick you up for dinner after we’re ready.” Pinkie smiled slyly. “You’re going to have the best time, or my name isn’t Pinkamena Diane Pie!”





Pinkie Pie paced inside Carousel Boutique. Her hair was done up, much in the same style she’d worn it for her and Ponky’s first ‘date’, and she wore the same black dress. Rarity had said that it would do the trick, and she was right, as always. Ponky was upstairs, getting prepped for their dinner date. The weather was starting to make a turn for the worst, raindrops falling gently outside and pattering on the windows. Pinkie glanced up at a clock on the wall and sighed. 

What was taking Ponky and Rarity so long?



“Ponky! Hold still! I’m almost done, and every time you jump about when I’m tailoring only makes me take longer on the adjustments!” fumed Rarity, trying to concentrate.

“I’m only jumping around because you keep poking me with the needle!” yelped Ponky.

“Oh, toughen up! A stallion should be able to take a poke or two. Goodness knows, you’re no Braeburn, but still.”

“Was... that...a double entendre?”

“Mind. Out of the gutter. Right this instant.”

“Ouch! You did that on purpose!”

“Don’t be silly. I’m a seamstress of great repute and incredible skill. My needle always goes exactly where I want it to go.”

“So, you did poke me on purpose?”

“Yes. Now, be quiet, or I’ll do it again.”

Ponky held his breath as Rarity completed her adjustments, trying his best not to move at all. The sooner this was over with, the sooner he’d be off to dinner and out of her perfectionist clutches. Rarity was very nice, but when it came to clothes, she was not one to be trifled with. Rarity took a careful step back, her critical eye roaming over Ponky’s new suit, before giving a satisfied nod. “I dare say, Ponky, you look rather dashing.”

“Got a mirror?” asked Ponky, his curiosity overcoming his discomfort.

Rarity gestured behind Ponky, and Ponky stepped down off the small raised dias and approached the mirror, his jaw falling open.

Rarity had taken her time styling his mane, and while he normally preferred how it naturally fell, he really liked the wavy look she’d given it. That, however, was the least of her work. Ponky’s new suit was perfect. Black, with dark red pinstripes running through it that accented his hair, and a matching dark red tie and black vest completed the look. He looked... good.

“Well?” asked Rarity, leaning forward with an expectant smile.

“This is, undoubtedly, the best piece of clothing I’ve ever owned. The cut, the colors, the tailoring... everything... is just amazing,” Ponky breathed, turning around to grin at Rarity.

“Oh, I’m so glad!” Rarity beamed at Ponky, looking a little more relaxed. She glanced downstairs, before asking, “So, how’s it going?”

Ponky frowned slightly. “Uh, well, it’s going... weird. Pinkie isn’t really acting like herself. She must be nervous or something.”

“Oh dear,” Rarity murmured, before smiling. “I’m certain she’ll figure it out. No need to overthink things, after all.”

Ponky nodded, before turning towards the stairs. “I’d better go. Thanks again, Rarity!”

“My pleasure, darling. Your lanky frame is so unique and exciting to work with, when Pinkie told me you might need a suit for your dinner at Le Petit Cheval, I knew I simply must create a suit for you.” Rarity smiled. “Not my best work, but it does look very good on you, If I do say so myself.”

Ponky blushed. “Thank you, Rarity. I appreciate it.” He looked downstairs and inhaled slowly, smiling. “Wish me luck!”

“Buona fortuna, darling!”



Pinkie Pie lay sprawled across Rarity’s red couch. She wasn’t good at waiting, and it was making her a little crazy... but she wanted things to go well, and that meant being patient. She sighed, blowing on a curly ringlet of mane that fell in front of her face. Somepony lightly tapped her on the shoulder, and she yelped, jumping off the couch and landing halfway across the room. She spun around, and her jaw dropped to the floor. Ponky smiled at her in as dashing a manner as he could muster, adjusting his tie with one hoof self-consciously. “Hey. How do I look?”

“I... I...” Pinkie stammered, feeling her cheeks grow hot.

“That good? Well, you look beautiful, Pinkie.”

“Uh... thanks, Ponky!” Pinkie recovered from her shock quickly and grinned at him. “You look totally splendiferous!”

“Splendiferous?”

“Yeah, y’know, it’s like... kubadonic, only maybe better than that!”

Ponky squinted at Pinkie. “Kubadonic?”

Pinke giggled and poked him on the snout. “You’re cute when you’re confused. C’mon, Ponky, let’s get to the restaurant before it starts raining too hard outside!”

Pinkie ran to the door and threw it open, squinting up at the darkening sky and the rainclouds. The rain continued unabated, and she sighed. “Well, looks like my mane’s ‘do isn’t gonna stay done for very long.”

Ponky squinted up at the clouds, and grinned. “I’ve got an idea.”

Spreading his wings, Ponky flapped into the sky, disappearing into the clouds above Ponyville. Pinkie waited patiently for a few moments, wondering what Ponky could possibly be up to. She quickly pulled out her notes, peering at them, when a thunderous sound came from overhead. She yelped, tossing the notecards into the air, where the wind and rain caught them and blew them out into the street. Pinkie sighed, watching them fly off and land directly in a huge, muddy puddle. “Of course they land in the only mud puddle in the vicinity. Wouldn’t be a comedy if it didn’t happen,” muttered Pinkie, to nopony in particular.

Looking up into the sky, Pinkie gasped as a hole appeared in the clouds, and Ponky, looking slightly damp, peered down at her, and pointed down to the ground beneath the hole. Directly below was a patch of sunlight that looked dry enough to stand in. Pinkie giggled and waved up at Ponky, and he disappeared into the clouds again. Another hole appeared, a little farther on, and another. Pinkie suddenly understood what Ponky was up to, and she began leaping from dry spot to dry spot, following Ponky’s trail in the sky all the way through Ponyville, to Le Petit Cheval.

After several minutes of leaping, Pinkie arrived at the front door of the restaurant, where a waiter rushed outside with an umbrella and kindly held it overhead. Ponky flew down from the clouds and landed next to Pinkie with a grin. “Not quite a fancy carriage ride, but it did the trick, eh?”

“Sure did!” laughed Pinkie, giving Ponky a quick hug. “Though, I really don’t mind. I like getting wet.”

“I love the rain. I’m glad that your mane didn’t get ruined, though.”

Pinkie giggled, scuffing at the dirt with one hoof. “You didn’t have to do that, though.”

“I totally did,” replied Ponky.

“Nuh-uh!”

“Yeah-huh.”

“I’m not a girly-fru-fru-princess, Ponky! I’m a mare, and I know what I want!” Pinkie cried with indignation.

Ponky took an uncertain step back. “Uh, sorry.”

Pinkie grinned. “You’re forgiven! Now, open the door for me like a gentlecolt.”

The waiter holding the umbrella happily escorted Ponky and Pinkie Pie to the door, and Ponky opened the door for Pinkie Pie with a bow. “After you.”

Pinkie glared at Ponky, her demeanor shifting suddenly. “What’s all this?”

“Uh... I’m opening the door for you,” said Ponky, glancing uncertainly at the waiter pony, who shrugged.

“Who do you think I am? Rarity? C’mon, I’m an independent mare. I don’t need to be waited on hock and hoof.”

Ponky rolled his eyes, feeling a bit exasperated. “Sorry, Pinkie.”

Pinkie grinned at Ponky. “No worries! Let’s go sit down. I’m starving!”

Pinkie trotted into the restaurant. Ponky stared at the waiter for a moment, who shook his head at Ponky. “Mares.”

“Seriously.”

The waiter led Pinkie and Ponky to a table inside the restaurant. Inside, the restaurant positively oozed charm and refinement. Real marble pillars created dividers around the circumference of the main dining room, and the floors were made from deep, mahogany panels, and shone with polish. The lighting was perfect, not so dim, but still intimate. In the corner, a cellist pony with a purple treble clef cutie mark and a black mane played a subdued melody, enhancing the atmosphere of the restaurant. Ponky whistled appreciatively, and followed the waiter to their table. The tables were low to the ground, with heated cushions set on either side and tucked part way beneath the table. Ponky pulled out his cushion and sat down with an appreciative sigh, stretching his damp frame across the heated surface.

Pinkie stood silently, staring at Ponky with a disapproving frown. Ponky glanced up at her and blinked. “What’s up?”

“Aren’t you going to pull out my cushion for me?” she asked.

“I thought you were an independent mare,” said Ponky with a wink.

Pinkie rolled her eyes. “That isn’t an excuse to not be a gentlecolt, Ponky.”

“All right, sorry.” Ponky stood up and tugged her pillow out from under the table, positioning it for her.

Pinkie sat down and smiled. “I appreciate it.”

“Yeah.”

After a few moments of stony silence, the waiter returned and offered them both menus. Pinkie took hers and set it down before her, not even looking it. Ponky opened up his and began to peruse what the restaurant offered, and he frowned. “Uh, I can’t read this menu. It’s all in... fancy.”

Pinkie giggled. “Don’t you mean Prench?”

“Same thing. I know a little Bitalian, but they are definitely not the same thing.” Ponky glanced around, trying to spot something he could recognize, and froze up when he saw numbers. “Pinkie... this place is really expensive.”

“Don’t worry about it, Ponky. I’ve got some bits to spare, so don’t be afraid to order anything that sounds good.”

Ponky smiled slyly at Pinkie. “It’s in Prench. Everything sounds good.”

The waiter returned once more. “May I take your order?” he asked Pinkie. 

Pinkie smiled and gestured to Ponky. “He’ll be ordering for me.”

“I—what? Y-you want me to order for you?” stammered Ponky.

Pinkie nodded. “Yep. After all, you ought to know what I like.”

“Pinkie, I think it’s a cute idea, but I have no idea what this menu says.”

The waiter tapped his hoof impatiently. “What would you and the lady like, monsieur?”

Ponky’s eyes desperately roamed across the menu, and he finally shrugged and stabbed his hoof down on a spot on the menu randomly. The menu item was outlined in red, and was expensive, so that was at least a good sign, probably.

“I’ll have two orders of... uh... the poisson au citron et beurre, please.”

The waiter frowned slightly. “Are you certain, monsieur?”

Ponky stared at the waiter. The waiter stared at Ponky. Finally, Ponky asked, wilting slightly, “Am I?”

“Oui. Deux poisson au citron et beurre. You have... exotic tastes, monsieur.” The waiter took their menus and left for the kitchen.

Ponky slowly dropped his head onto the table, ears folding back. “What the heck did I just order?”

“Sounds exciting! I hope I like it, or you’re in a lot of trouble, probably!” said Pinkie Pie with a wink.

Ponky frowned at her. “What is up with you today, Pinkie Pie? You’ve been acting so strange.”

Pinkie’s smile disappeared. “What?”

“Yeah. You’ve been acting really... weird. I don’t know where it’s coming from, but it’s honestly starting to get a little aggravating. It wasn’t so bad earlier today, but you’ve been getting worse and worse,” stated Ponky.

Pinkie wilted, glancing down at the floor. “Sorry, Ponky. I’m just trying to be a good date!”

Ponky sighed and shook his head, and sipped at this water, trying to dispel the unpleasant cloud that suddenly hung overhead.

Things were not going well.





Meanwhile, Rarity had gathered Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, and Applejack at the Carousel Boutique. They all sat in a circle in the main room of the boutique, and Rarity recounted a few of the things that Ponky had said.

Rainbow Dash frowned. “Pinkie Pie is always random.”

Applejack shook her head. “Rarity said that Ponky told her that she ain’t actin’ like herself.”

Fluttershy sighed. “I knew this would happen, girls. From the moment that she asked us all for help, I knew that we were going to mess her up.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow, looking at Fluttershy questioningly. “What do you mean, Fluttershy?”

“Well, we all told her how to act on a date, didn’t we? And a few of us gave conflicting information... I’m just as guilty, though. Rainbow Dash, I told Pinkie Pie not to do what you’d said,” confessed Fluttershy.

“What? Why’d you do that? No wonder she’s gotten messed up!” said Rainbow Dash.

“It’s not just me, though. Applejack and Rarity told Pinkie two totally different things as well... and I’m not sure what you said, Twilight, but I’m certain that it was probably... too thorough of an overview on relationship advice,” murmured Fluttershy.

Twilight winced. “Yeah, now that I think of it, I might have gone a bit overboard.”

Rarity nodded. “Well, then, it’s settled. We’ve ruined Pinkie’s chances with Ponky, thus far... but, I think we can fix it!”

“How would we go about doin’ that, Rarity?” asked Applejack.

Rarity smiled. “I have a plan, but we need to act quickly...”





Ponky sighed, trying to seem attentive as Pinkie Pie desperately tried to converse with him about a crazily broad range of topics that he had no knowledge of whatsoever, and that she also knew seemingly nothing about.

“I... was just talking to Rarity the other day, and she brought up how... um... the ruffled skirt is going out of style in Canterlot...”

“Mm.”

“... and Applejack was saying how, sometimes, the best way to keep fruit bats out of the orchards... is by using perfume sprays...”

“Hmm.”

“... Fluttershy likes cats.”

Ponky perked up a bit. “Oh?”

“Yeah. Well, I mean, she like all animals, so that’s not really... very interesting, as a topic of conversation for around the table on a first date,” Pinkie murmured, looking miserable.

“Oh.” Ponky resisted the urge to facehoof. “What about... music. Do you listen to any kinds of music?”

Pinkie sighed. “Sorry, Ponky, but a lady should be able to hold a conversation on her own, so now we can’t use that topic.”

Ponky stopped fighting his urge, and facehoofed. “You’ve gotta be kidding me.”

“No jokes, either. That’s not proper table etiquette.” Pinkie squirmed in her seat.

Just then, the waiter arrived, placing two large covered platters before Pinkie and Ponky. They both sighed with relief. “Bon Appetite,” muttered the waiter with a flourish, and left the two awkward ponies to their own devices.

“Oh good, food. I’ve been wondering what you ordered for so long! I’ll bet it’s super—” Pinkie’s chatter cut off mid-sentence, and her eyes widened as she lifted the cover off of her plate.

Ponky sighed, and lifted the cover off of his platter as well. “Fish.”

“... you ordered fish.”

“Apparently,” murmured Ponky.

“Why’d you order fish?” asked Pinkie, cocking her head to the side and staring at the plate of fish.

“Why? Because I can’t read fancy, Pinkie,” snapped Ponky.

“But... but... you’re supposed to order for me, and it’s supposed to show how much you know about me...and...” Pinkie halted, her eyes darting to a nearby window behind Ponky.

Outside, standing in the rain, all five of her best friends waved frantically at her, trying to get her attention.

Ponky had similarly gone quiet, looking outside at a window behind Pinkie, where his best friends, Razzberry, Forceful Will, Props, Lame Duck, and Purple Prose all stood, waving frantically to get his attention.

Pinkie exclaimed, “I need to use the little filly’s room!”

“Yeah, me too,” muttered Ponky. 

They both stood up and moved towards opposite sides of the restaurant, slipping out side exits.





Pinkie galloped through the rain to her friends. “What are you guys doing here?”

Rarity held up a hoof. “No. Don’t say anything else. We all have something very, very important to tell you, and then you can go back to your date.”

Pinkie hung her head. “The date isn’t going very well, girls. I don’t know what went wrong!”

“We know. And... that’s partly our fault. Listen...”





“Oh, sweet Celestia, am I glad to see you guys. You won’t believe the night I’ve been having,” muttered Ponky, staring at his friends.

“Yeah, we heard. Listen, Pinkie Pie’s friends all came and told us that your date night needed saving, and explained to us what happened,” said Forceful Will.

“Well, please, enlighten me, because I’m at the end of my rope with this mare,” groused Ponky.

“Calm down, man. This isn’t her fault,” said Props.

“What do you mean?” asked Ponky.

“Listen up, my main marsupial, because we’ve got a story to tell you,” Purple Prose said with a grin.

“You’re not gonna believe it,” said Razzberry, smiling.

“Oh, what if he doesn’t believe it?” murmured Lame Duck.

Ponky smiled at his friends slightly. “At this point, I think I’m willing to believe anything. I’m glad you’re all here, though... except Ellipsis. Where is he?”

Props smirked. “He’s out on a date with Cheerilee. That’s beside the point though, buddy. We’ve got good news...”





A few minutes later, Ponky and Pinkie Pie returned to their seats. They sat quietly for a moment, staring at each other. Pinkie Pie blushed, glancing down at the floor. “So... uh...”

Ponky stared at Pinkie Pie, a smile slowly spreading across his face.

“Listen, Ponky... I’m sorry, I got all mixed up again, and...”

Ponky’s shoulders began to shake. Pinkie Pie glanced up at him, and halted in her confession.

He was laughing. Silently shivering in his seat, Ponky struggled not to openly laugh aloud in the classy restaurant. Tears of mirth touched the corners of his eyes, and he grinned at Pinkie, clenching his teeth together to try to keep the laughter from escaping.

To Pinkie, he looked like the best thing she’d seen all night.

Pinkie Pie burst out laughing, doubling over and giggling aloud, all sense of decorum lost. Her carefully styled hair exploded out of it’s confines, fluffing up to it’s usual position, and she pounded her hoof on the table, guffawing. Ponky let out a howl of laughter, his sides shaking and his eyes watering with the sweet release of all the tension of the past hours. Pinkie Pie sat up straight after a few moments, wiping her eyes and giggling helplessly. Ponky managed to achieve a straight face, and stared at Pinkie Pie evenly for a moment, seemingly serious... before he lifted up the well-cooked fish with his fork and jiggled it at her, making the tail flop around.

Pinkie Pie began laughing again, falling backwards onto the floor and wiggling her legs in the air helplessly. “St-stop! Hahahaha! Stoppit! Hahahaha! You leave that p-poor fishy alone! Heehehe!”

Ponky grabbed the fish in both hooves, and gaped open it’s mouth, making it’s jaw flap as he spoke in a high-pitched voice. “How dare you act like a gentlecolt! I’m a grown mare lady who knows what she wants! Now, open the door for me!”

Pinkie Pie laughed harder, shaking her head. “I—I was such an idiot! Hahaha!”

Ponky shook with laughter, dropping the fish back onto the plate and shaking his head, still chuckling helplessly. Pinkie Pie sat back up, laughing hard still. The waiter arrived at their table in a huff. “Sir, Madam, I’m going to have to ask you to calm yourselves! This establishment requires a certain level of decorum!”

Pinkie Pie bit her lower lip, staring at Ponky, who quieted down as well, barely holding back a grin. Pinkie whispered, after a moment, “He thinks we have decorum!”

Ponky burst out laughing again, and the waiter scowled at him. Ponky managed to regain enough composure to say, “Check, please!”

“I have it right here, Sir!” The waiter slapped the check down on the table, and Pinkie dug into a pocket hidden in her dress, dumping out a small bagful of bits that went well over the amount required.

“Keep the change, bucko!” Pinkie Pie jumped to her hooves and, without hesitation, slid her dress over her head and dropped it on top of the table. 

Ponky continued to laugh as he stood up, and he offered Pinkie his arm. “Miss Pie, would you do me the honor of escorting me out of this fine establishment?”

“The pleasure would be all mine, Mister Piano!” Pinkie stuck her nose in the air, and took his arm, and together they trotted out of the restaurant, into the rain.





The bell of Sugarcube Corner jangled overhead as a thoroughly soaked Pinkie Pie and Ponky tumbled into the shop in a heap, giggling at each other in the dark of the closed shop. Pinkie Pie sternly shushed Ponky, her grin belying her true feelings, and they crept as quietly as they could manage into the kitchen. Ponky stripped off his coat and hung it on a peg above the ovens, and Pinkie giggled, shaking her head. “I haven’t run around in the rain like that in days!”

“Days? I haven’t done it in years, and it felt fantastic.”

“Splendiferous?” asked Pinkie Pie, smiling happily at Ponky.

“Totally awesome,” said Ponky, returning the smile.

Pinkie Pie sighed happily. “I’m glad. I was afraid there for a minute that I’d messed everything up again, but... well... see, my friends came to the rescue. Rarity and Fluttershy and Applejack and Dashie and Twilight all told me not to overthink things, and that I should forget everything they’d told me to do, and to just be myself. And then, when I came back... you were in such a good mood, and everything suddenly clicked!”

Ponky nodded. “You aren’t the only one. My friends were there, too. Apparently, your friends got in touch with them and explained to them what happened, and they came to help me understand what was going on.”

Pinkie grinned at Ponky. “We’re awfully lucky to have such good friends.”

“True enough,” Ponky replied, leaning back against the still-warm oven with a sigh. 

Pinkie Pie sat down next to him, sighing happily, and Ponky sat down as well, wrapping a foreleg around her shoulders and pulling her close. They both sat like that for several minutes, the silence stretching out comfortably.

“So... how about that music?” murmured Pinkie Pie with a soft giggle.

“A gentlecolt doesn’t talk about such subjects in the kitchen,” replied Ponky, winking at Pinkie Pie playfully.

Pinkie shoved him on the chest and giggled. “I said I was sorry!”

“I know, but it’s still funny!”

Pinkie beamed at Ponky. “I’m glad it’s funny, now! You looked like you were going to snap when it was happening!”

“I was about to leap over the table and jump out the window to escape!” cried Ponky.

Pinkie Pie and Ponky giggled helplessly for a moment, leaning against one another for support. As their laughter eased up, they smiled at each other, their heads drifting close. Pinkie jerked her head back suddenly and winked at Ponky. “If you were expecting something more, bucko, Rarity said that a lady never kisses on the first date.”

Ponky stared at Pinkie Pie evenly, smiling. “For me, this is our second date.”

Pinkie Pie considered this for a moment, and Ponky’s grin slowly widened. She giggled. “Second date it is!”

Without any further preamble, Pinkie Pie leaned into Ponky and kissed him, hard. Ponky’s eyes widened, before closing blissfully. After a moment, they broke apart, Pinkie smiling happily. Ponky placed a hoof on her cheek and she leaned into it, nuzzling his hoof. Ponky stammered, breathlessly, “That was... wow.”

“Oh good! You liked it?” said Pinkie, her smile becoming playful.

“Yeah. Yeah, you could say that!”

“How else could you say it?” asked Pinkie Pie, leaning forward and resting her head against Ponky’s chest.

“It was...”

“Yesssss?”

“...kubadonic?”

“Bingo!” Pinkie gave Ponky a kiss on the cheek, giggling happily, and stood up.

“Where are you going?” asked Ponky, blinking up at her from the floor.

“I can’t sit still after something so great like that, Ponky! How do you feel about marzipan on top of brownies?” asked Pinkie Pie, dancing around the Kitchen and gathering supplies.

“I... don’t think I’ve ever had marzipan on brownies before. Is it any good?”

“No idea!” Pinkie sang happily, “But tonight is a night for new things, so let’s have some fun!”

Ponky laughed, standing up and joining Pinkie at the counter. “I have, like, no idea how to bake.”

“No idea at all?” gasped Pinkie.

“But... nothing sounds better than learning how with you,” stated Ponky, smiling at Pinkie.

Pinkie grinned, nuzzling Ponky happily. “And nothing sounds better than taking the time to teach you.”

“...I think this is going to be awesome.”

“What, the brownies, or us?”

“Yes.” 

“Good answer!”






- The End -













Dedicated to my good friend, Ponky. 

You’re a world-class human being, and a great example of what it means to be a brony. I’m going to miss you while you’re in Italy, but I don’t even remotely think that a few thousand miles and two years could come between a friendship like this. As they say in Italy: “Avere una famiglia significa avere qualcuno da amare, avere una casa significa avere un posto dove andare, averle entrambe è una benedizione.” Having someone to love is family, having somewhere to go is home, having both is a blessing. No matter the distance or time, PonKy, you’ve got a place here, with me and the rest of your friends—your internet family. So, I won’t say arrivederci. Instead, I’ll say ci vediamo in tanto, fratello.

See you in time, brother.

— Props