//------------------------------// // Bathtime...Yuck! // Story: Moving to Ponyville // by Rainbow_Flash //------------------------------// I cautiously creeped towards the door, standing straight and immovable. I slowly reached out a hoof, and then...poke. The door groaned, and moved backwards a bit. I edged along the wood, the floorboards squeaking in protest. Mud splattered the ground around me, and I winced, thinking of what I'd have to clean up later. And then I imagined having to take another bath. That thought sent chills down my spine. I walked through the door and looked around. It was fairly simple; only a sink, mirror and tub. A few towel hooks lined the wall, too. I sighed and jumped into the tub to not drip anymore mud. I wish I hadn't splashed mud everywhere when I ran; I distinctly remember it staining the glowing pink aura of magic, until it faded off the surface. Only to be splashed again. I heard a gurgling sound; it was the mud going down the drain. Suddenly I remembered a thought I had a day or two ago, when I was thinking back to the last Summer Sun Celebration they had had in Ponyville. I remember that one sentence I had thought, drifting away my fears. I am not a scaredy pony. Courage blocked my river of doubt like a beaver dam, not allowing a single doubt through. I twisted the shiny silver knob, the clear liquid gushing out in a large waterfall, never pausing. Then I jumped up, hitting my skull on the shower head, and then softly caressing my head with a hoof. The faucet streamed cold water down, and it reached my hooves- cold as the arctic where the Crystal Empire was. I really should check the labels- WAY too cold for my taste. Now branches of courage were falling off the dam, letting drops of doubt through. The silver knob squeaked after I turned it again to stop the frosty water, laughing at my failure to notice the large, blue 'C' on its top. I reached my front hooves towards each silver crystal and wobbled slightly, until I suddenly twisted each knob. Mild water cascaded down with a plunk, and I eased into relaxation, starting to slide down into the rapidly rising water. It numbed my body, all my limbs slowly falling into a deep slumber. When my head lowered into the water I snorted loudly and water then whipped me in the face, as I just slammed my hoof against the smooth mirror of water. I quickly twisted each knob to its original position, and my bath doubts came back- why couldn't I just fly in the rain, and let it wash off? But no, I can't fly in rain. Too hard. Maybe I could get some sponges, and sponge it off? Nah, I don't have sponges. I quickly thought up ideas, and then would shoot them down. My legs started to get tired and creaky from standing up for so long today. In fact, it was almost 11:00 A.M. now, and Rainy was going to come soon for the rest of my tour! Now I set my decision in stone- I have to do this, and do this quick. I plunked my flank into the water and reached for a slippery bar of soap. I pulled off a balancing act- rubbing it on my body and then when I dropped it I would balance it on my hoof again and repeat. I washed around each of my streaks, hoping not too much of it would fade. My aqua mane was glistening with soap bubbles, and I started to drain the bath of horrors. My wings flared open and closed, trying to shake off all the heavy beads of water. Honestly, my wings looked quite pretty when beads of water were laced through the feathers. But I couldn't fly then. I reached out for a towel and rubbed it on my wings, and soon I dropped the rough purple towel. My feathers were fluffed out and it looked hysterical! I giggled to myself and proceeded to dry myself.. I glanced at clock- it read "10:59." And that's when I lost it. I quickly surveyed myself in the mirror- wet mane, fluffy wings with an equally fluffy tail, and two worried pink eyes. I glanced out the window, and sure enough some ponies were out there. Bon Bon, Berry Punch, the brown pony from my party- oddly he was galloping somewhere- and Lemon Hearts. Luckily, no Raindrops though. The yellow unicorn noticed me and waved. I smiled shyly and waved back. I ducked back inside and started to smooth my ruffled tail. Ugh, what a nuisance. Soon my tail was smooth, and only an occasional strand stuck up. My mane just dried and it was driving my CRAZY how it poofed up and away from my hooves. A loud bang startled me. It repeated, again and again. I flew downstairs and called out to the door. "Who is it? Is it you Rainy?" I nervously asked. I looked out the peephole and as I did the mare- I could tell by the voice- replied. "Nope, it's just me! I got a letter for you from..." The mailmare paused and I could hear her shuffle with a piece of parchment. "A Ms. Minuette Colgate?" I gawked at the wood. She sent me a letter! We're going to stay best pony pals forever! I squeaked to myself and bounced on my hooves until the mare called out again. "Are you gonna take the letter Ms?" I stopped and then thought. Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to let the pony see my mane like this. Besides, the mailmare was very trustworthy. I reached out and opened the door, smiling awkwardly when the mailmare looked at me. Her crossed golden eyes just blinked and a gray hoof passed me the letter. The pegasus said "Have a nice day" and then zipped off to deliver more mail to the citizens. That was a focused pony. I slammed the door, remembering my letter and placed it on a table. Mane first, letter later. I zoomed upstairs and grabbed a brush in my muzzle. Time to tame my mane. I managed to get my bangs curled over onto my forehead like it usually is, except it was slightly nicer and fancier because I was going out, in fact it almost looked like Rainy's mane. I frowned. She was coming, and she would reach out her hoof and knock on the door any minute now! I started working on the back of my neck, smoothing it down but not breaking tangles. I sighed and stopped brushing. My mouth was tired of holding the brush, and my teeth ached and felt almost numb from grasping it so long. A familiar knock startled me- which soon was replaced by joy. Tap, tap tap, tap. That meant it was important, so I leaped the stairs. I landed with a thud- my hooves collapsed beneath me from the impact. Raindrops voice pierced through the door, asking me what that was. Smoothing my unfinished mane with a hoof, I put on a smile and opened the door.