Cloudchaser shoved the binder away and rested her head on her forelegs. The dense reading was starting to give her a splitting headache. Today had certainly been interesting to say the least she thought. Letting her mind wander away from the orientation packet she thought back over the morning’s events.
After the group had begun to separate after breakfast she had been surprised when Flitter had pulled her aside. The mare had been little more than monosyllabic since the team had left the office and Mrs. Cake’s efficient refilling technique had kept Flitter’s mug constantly ready to get in the way of any attempted chatting.
“Um, Cloudchaser? I just wanted to say – wow, this feels a little more awkward than what I had thought.” Flitter shifted her SCC To-Go cup from one fetlock to the other. “Well, I just wanted to say that I’m not one to hold a grudge or anything –“
“Wait, wait, wait.“ Cloudchaser interrupted, rubbing the top of her muzzle “Oh horseapples, I thought I knew you from somewhere. Was it high school?”
“No, elementary school, actually. I sat beside you in Miss Write’s class –“
“And I was a total jerk. Yeah, look, I’m really sorry about that. I know I can’t really change the past or anything but let me assure you that, even though it took a couple of harsh lessons, that little filly eventually grew up.” Cloudy looked downward and batted lightly at a tuft of grass. “I, uh, never hurt you or anything, did I?”
Flitter coughed mid-sip, “Oh, goodness, no! I never saw you hurt anypony! I mean, you teased me incessantly whenever I’d slip up in class and there were days I went home cr—Look, it doesn't matter anymore. What I’m saying is that we’re both adults now and, besides, I think I have you to thank for where I am today.” Flitter chuckled at Cloudchaser’s gaping stare. “I really pushed myself into my schooling and through it found my love of science. Who knows? I like to think that if you hadn't moved away that we’d have eventually become the closest of foalhood friends.”
Cloudy frowned slightly and looked away. “Yeah. I’d like to think that’d be the way things would've worked out, too. Maybe –“ she stopped as she turned back to see a foreleg held out to her.
“Like I said,” beamed Flitter, “I’d like to think of us as good friends. The past belongs where it is and we’re here to make the best of the road going forward.”
Cloudchaser smiled warmly in response and clasped the other mare’s hoof. “Then friends we are! A new job with interesting ponies and a new friend all in one morning, I never expected things to go so well so quickly after moving back here from Baltimare.”
Flitter reached to pick back up the cup she had set on the ground. “Baltimare? I thought your family had moved to Van Hoo—“ she trailed off as Cloudy’s smile faded.
“Yeah… that’s maybe a story for another time,” Cloudchaser mumbled. “A-anyway, I still need to go grab my bags so I can tote that—that thing home to read.”
Flitter’s arched eyebrow receded back to its resting position. “Oh! Sure, gotcha. You know, there’s some pretty interesting stuff in there. Like the sections on sprites and jets. Those are dangerous but they’re pretty fascinating, too! Oh, and the parts that describe the minerals relative to the season. On our next ascent I’m expecting to find the noctmatite predominantly comprised of pink metisium, you know, with spring’s increasing solar rad—“ she cut off, suddenly aware of the bug-eyed stare she was receiving.
She couldn’t help but snicker a bit at Cloudy’s reaction. It’s not like she hadn’t gotten the same glazed over look on multiple occasions from various ponies. “Yes, well, sorry about that. If I ever get to rambling too much feel free to change the subject, I won’t mind. Speaking of changing subjects, did you have any plans this evening?”
“Wha—huh? No, not really. Nothing other than my assigned reading and maybe, I dunno, a stroll about town or something, that is. I haven’t done much other than unpack since my move and it’d be nice to see how things have changed.”
“Or haven’t, as the case may be,” Flitter shrugged. “Ponyville’s more rural than the cities you remember more clearly, though, I guess. Not a whole lot really goes on here. Although, we are hosting the millennial Summer Sun Celebration this year, so that’s something. I haven’t the slightest idea how the mayor pulled that off. Tourism will probably rise for a few months or so before we fade gracefully into a sleepy little backwoods village. It’ll be good for the local economy; fix up some of the roads, maybe get—“ she peered down at the hoof steadily poking her shoulder. “Rambling?”
Cloudchaser smiled toothily and withdrew her hoof. “Rambling. It’s all good, though. I really should get to reading over that stuff, I guess. What were you saying about tonight?”
“Well, tonight Wild and I were going to be meeting up at Three Barrels for some drinks and to plan some sort of surprise for Snow’s birthday on Saturday. I was wondering if you’d maybe like to join us?”
Cloudchaser quirked an eyebrow. “ Isn't he – a little old for a surprise party?”
“Aww, nopony’s ever too old for a surprise party. Besides, behind all those muscles and such he’s just a big pile of down. He gets absolutely giddy over things like that. There’s a mare who works back at the Corner there who actually specializes in throwing parties so all we really have to do is decide on some particulars and it should be a done deal.”
“Well, sure, I guess I wouldn't mind tipping a few back. One question, though – where’s this Three Barrels? Is that some sort of new place in town?”
“Oh, right. Well, no, I mean – it’s not new but as it’s a bar I doubt you would have spent much time there as a filly,” Flitter chuckled. “How about this, then: I’ll drop by your place around, say, eight-ish and we can glide over there together? It’ll be like a mini-tour and at some point we can take time to do the full town experience. How’s that sound?”
“That sounds fine to me! Come on, let’s get going and I’ll show you where I’m staying.”
Flitter peered forlornly into the sipping hole at the top of her paper cup. With a small sigh she deposited it in a nearby bin. “Well let’s get a move on then! I can even fill you in on some local going-ons and such on the way,” she said, stepping in place beside Cloudy.
The two mares flew off languidly, chatting into the midmorning light.
Cloudchaser came to a stop beside the balcony of a small flower shop. “Here we are! It’s cozy but it’s cheap,” she said grinning widely.
“So you’re Rose’s new boarder! She was talking about renting out her storage space when I dropped by her bazaar stall last week. You’re a lucky mare; she grows some of the tastiest flowers! Sometimes Lucky, that’s Wild’s husband, does Rose’s deliveries and gets some extra as a tip. Wild usually brings those in to share and – what’s that look for?”
“Wild’s married? But she’s so young!”
Flitter laughed, “Please, feel free to tell her that! It’ll make her day!” She cleared her throat. “Seriously, though, Wild Fire’s got at least a decade on us, she just keeps herself in amazing shape.”
“No kidding, I hope I’m still that svelte when I’m in my mid-thirties. Anyway, I’ll see you around eight you said?”
“Yep! See you then! Have fun with the orientation guide!” With a wave and a wink Flitter spun about and flapped back towards the middle of town.
Cloudchaser waved and sighed contentedly from the balcony. All in all things were going well – her impatience from the morning all but forgotten. Her thoughts soon returned to the massive binder awaiting her at the office so, with a tiny frown, she retrieved her saddlebags and flew back to her new workplace.
Cloudchaser’s thoughts returned back from their wandering and she turned to check the time. She saw she had about an hour till Flitter should arrive. More than enough time to get cleaned up, she figured.
The sounds of Roseluck bustling about downstairs filtered faintly through the floorboards. Rose’s inexperience at being a landmare had been painfully obvious during an awkward moment the day before concerning the unlocked door to the shared upstairs bathroom. Rose had later assured her, repeatedly, that it was no big deal but Cloudy’s face still flushed at the memory.
Just for safety’s sake, though, she knocked softly on the bathroom door before going in to take a quick shower.
Flitter drifted slowly down out of the evening sky to land softly on Roseluck’s balcony. Hearing a door close below her she turned and leaned out over the railing. “Evening, Rose!”
Roseluck gasped and sat down heavily. “Gah! Flitter, you startled me!” She took a deep breath before continuing, “Sorry, I’m still getting used to having somepony else in the house. You’re here to see Cloudchaser, I assume? Being on the balcony and all that.”
Beaming down at the earth mare, Flitter nodded, “I sure am!”
“That’s fine. I’m just stepping out to grab a few things before calling it a night. I have an early day tomorrow so, please, if you two come back late try and be quiet.”
“Not a problem, Rose. With the tonight’s humidity and the dropping air temperature we should be in for some fog which should settle in for most of the night since we’re not scheduled to get any high winds and fog has a tendency to muffle th—“
Roseluck desperately gestured with both her forelegs, “I get it, I get it. You girls have fun!”
Flitter waved at the pink and cream retreating form, “We will! Bye , Rose!” She spun about on a hoof and nearly fell into the other pegasus standing in the open door. “Oh, hi! Are you ready to go?”
“Yeah, I grabbed my small bags while you were giving your weather forecast. Fog, huh? Let me get some towels from the linen closet to lay out for later.”
“That’s probably not a bad idea, I mean, flu season has pretty much passed, fairly mildly this year I might add, but it never hurts to be cautious; it would be bad if you got sick before our first ascent, after all! I hate being sick, but then again, I don’t think anypony likes being sick. Being sick makes me all groggy to where I can’t think straight and I can’t afford to be groggy! First, there’s the obvious safety issues regarding my duties an—“ Cloudchaser’s hoof pressed against her muzzle as Cloudy smiled pleadingly.
“Yeah, being sick is sure awful. We’ll be careful. So, which way do we go to reach this Barrels place?”
“It’s right –“ Flitter’s wings flared as she shot upwards with a twist “ – thataway! It’s on the other side of town, near where Wild lives. It’s her favorite spot since she doesn’t like to walk too far after being out, usually. Anyway, it’s about a half hour’s flight from here, I estimate. You can see it once we pass the library.”
The soft click of a door closing and a flutter of wings brought a smiling Cloudchaser up beside her.
“Well,” Cloudy motioned, “lead the way!”
“So Cheerilee teaches at the school now? What happened to Miss Write? Did she ever find a Mister Write?” Cloudy winked.
Flitter pursed her lips and snorted. “That was almost as bad as one of Star’s jokes. But, no, she never did marry. She’s running the library these days though the rumor about town is that she’s planning to retire in May. I haven’t heard anything about a replacement, though. I hope they don’t close down the old library, it’s been a town fixture since I—“
From below a cackling erupted from the building they were descending towards.
“Barkeep! Bring me your nuts!”
“—and that’d be Wild Fire, already a mug or four in by the sound of it. She can be a bit, um, rambunctious so I hope you’re not easily frazzled or offended.”
“What? Oh! No, I’m fine. It’s nothing I haven’t se—heard before, that is.”
“Uh. Huh.” Flitter stared pointedly at her companion’s flushing complexion. “Well, regardless, her table should be pretty easy to spot. I’ve just got to make a quick trip to the filly’s room.”
Cloudchaser shrugged as Flitter trotted down a short hall just inside the door.
Wild stood out like a sore hoof; there was a veritable wasteland of empty tables in a ring around hers while the rest of the room was packed. Wild Fire herself was studiously pushing peanuts about the tabletop in some sort of pattern.
After a quick stop by the bar to purchase a bottle of a winter red, Cloudchaser trotted over to sit across from her inebriated coworker. Looking down she studied the picture that was starting to take shape, “Uh – I’m not much of an artist myself or anything but I think the proportions you’re working with there are a bit off. I don’t think anypony could even survive that.”
Wild Fire glanced up. “Hey! It’s the newbie! Where’s Flits? I was expecting her. Not that you’re not welcome, I mean. Welcome! Uh, where’s Flitter?”
Cloudy giggled, “You asked that twice, you know. She had to visit the bathroom; she’ll be over in a minute.”
“I swear that girl’s always looking for a buzz. Probably what those bugs on her rump are all about,” Wild mumbled while reaching for her mug.
Cloudchaser’s jaw fell open as she leaned forward to whisper, “You mean she’s on something?”
Wild guffawed through a foamy muzzle as she lowered her drink and leaned forward as well, “Hey, stay like that a moment, I wanna see if I can get some of – these nuts snkt – in your mo—“
With all the grace of a landslide Wild toppled backwards for the second time that day. Her mug slapped down on the table and sloshed cider over the edge, washing away some of the scene she had been working on moments before. After a few seconds of hearty laughter she sat back up, wiped at her eyes, and looked up into Cloudy’s baleful stare. “What?”
“The buzz thing, what did you mean by that?”
“Pfft, it’s like how she’s about to doze off any time she’s away from her precious coffee for more than a few minutes. I noticed her popping pills on a few ascents and asked her about it. It’s just some sorta medical condition or some such is what she said. So it’s nothing to worry your poofy little mane over. Anyway, did she tell you about Snow’s party this weekend?”
Cloudchaser sat back with a quizzical frown and tapped at her chin. “Er, well, sure. She said that’s why you two were meeting up and invited me along. She said there’s a party planner in town so that all we need to do is decide on some things although she wasn’t too specific on what that might be. So, what, like cake flavors? Music? I really don’t know how I can be of much input.”
“She probably thought you’d be more of a drinking buddy for me.” Wild waved a hoof dismissively. “All she ever gets is juice – the non-fermented kind! To be fair, though, the kid doesn’t handle it all that well. When she does drink she goes overboard and then the afterparty – well, it ain’t pretty.”
“What are you two chatting so animatedly about? And what’s with all the pea—Wild Fire! What is wrong with you?” Flitter chortled as she slid in to sit closest to the wall with a large mug of apple juice gripped in her fetlock. “Seriously, I don’t even think that’s anatomically possible!”
“Heya, Flits! I was just telling the new gal here all about how poorly you handle your liquor. Or, more like, how well it handles you,” Wild grinned wickedly.
Flitter looked slightly disgusted. “It certainly didn't do my carpets any favors the last time,” she muttered. “Anyway,” she huffed, “how did we want to handle Snow’s party? He’s found out about it early the past three years now. Obviously his place and the office are both out and Sugarcube Corner isn't just obvious, it’s overt.”
“How about Cici’s place?” Wild offered, willfully oblivious to Cloudchaser’s glare.
“No, no, that wouldn’t work,” Flitter interceded. “It’s a studio apartment and, besides, Roseluck would completely lose it. You know high strung she can be at times.”
“Pot, meet kettle.” Wild grinned around her mug.
“Huh?”
“Nothing.” Wild looked over at Cloudy. “So you’re the one who’s shacking with Rose these past few nights? I didn’t get that vibe from you.”
Cloudchaser gracelessly sputtered around the neck of the wine bottle.
“Wild!” Flitter admonished. “There’s no call to go spreading rumors about things that aren’t anypony’s business. Besides, Cloudy’s a border. She’s renting that old storage room above the shop.”
“Ohh,” Wild replied after scooting around to pound the coughing mare on the back. “You’ve got a room with a view quite a few ponies would – don’t give me that look, Flits, I’m being serious this time. Rose set up shop there for a reason, you know. That storefront gets the best morning light coming straight down the lane. Good for letting the air in in the evenings, too. See, I can be all mature when I want too,” she punctuated by sticking her tongue out.
“Right. Cloudy, are you alright? You’re looking a little – purple.”
Cloudchaser cleared her throat a couple of times, “No-nothing to worry about. Just remembering that wine is meant to be drank, not inhaled.”
Wild Fire lifted her mug, “I’ll drink to that! Drink to drinking!”
Obligingly Cloudchaser tapped her bottle against the proffered mug.
“While waiting in line for the mare’s room I got to thinking – ” Flitter paused to make sure the other two were paying attention, “ – what if we spring the party right in the middle of going across town?”
Cloudy arched an eyebrow, “And how, pray tell, does one spring a party in the middle of town? Were you thinking of leading the group through some shady back alley or something?”
“I was thinking the park near the market stalls, actually.”
Wild flashed a bright smile at Cloudchaser’s confused expression. “You haven’t met Pinkie yet, have you?”
“Who?”
“Right. Well, picture, if you will, the mating of a thunderhead with a balloon animal. The plucky local party planner is renowned for being able to pull off the impossible. I honestly believe she could pull a party out of her posterior on command if she put her mind to it. And I’m speaking literally.”
“You’ve got to be kidding.” Cloudchaser looked pleadingly towards Flitter. “This town has some sort of mad unicorn who uses her insanity to throw parties?”
Flitter flashed a bright smile, “Earth pony, actually.”
“Wha-huh-how?”
“She has something she calls a party cannon. Think about that. A cannon. That fires parties. It’s a weapon of mass entertainment.”
Cloudchaser found trouble getting her mouth to cooperate. Wild Fire, being ever helpful, lifted the wine bottle back up and into it like a mother to a foal.
“Nopony really knows how she pulls off the tricks she does. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out she’s some master prestidigitator or illusionist but to Pinkie it just seems like perfect sense when fully inflated balloons seemingly drop out of thin air. But enough about all that. What do you both think of the idea?”
“Well,” Wild scratched at her chin, “it’s certainly not something we’ve tried before so I say we give it a go. Cici?”
Cloudy was too busy still coughing on red wine to respond.