//------------------------------// // A Study In Pinkie Pie // Story: Pinkamena Diane Pie: Consultant Detective // by Time Pony Victorious //------------------------------// Twilight Sparkle knew this was a bad idea when Rarity flashed that particular smile of hers. Although they have only been friends for a few weeks, Twilight had quickly learned the types of expression the fashionista wore. Ever since she’s moved here and opened up the Carousel Boutique, she and Twilight became friendly over that time and Twilight has learned more about her. The smiles, in particular, were dangerous territory. There was the, “Oh you flatter me” smile that Rarity wore whenever complimented. The “You’re so sweet and innocent” smile when she teased Twilight, the “Haha, you’re so funny but not really” smile that she wore when annoying stallions are trying to flirt with her. But the most dangerous smile is the “Can you do me a favor? Pretty please with a cherry on top?” smile. Twilight has had nightmares about that smile. Whenever Rarity flashed that, the librarian knew she would be in for a horrible time. Yet, despite knowing about the dangers of that smile, Twilight never said no to Rarity. It was difficult, impossible even. Rarity just had this natural charm that ensnared Twilight, making her meek and mute; Rarity enjoyed that. So, when Rarity dropped by the Golden Oak Library, Twilight nearly cringed when she saw her present company. Three young fillies stormed inside like a miniature hurricane, screaming and yelping with joy as they jump about the library running through every book and nearly destroying everything. “YAY! CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS SLEEPOVER BEGIN!” they cried in unison in front of Twilight, nearly obliterating her hearing. Rarity swaggered behind the Cutie Mark Crusaders with a small apologetic smile. “Apologies for being last-second about this request. It’s just I promised Sweetie Belle that her little friends can sleepover but I completely forgot I had a huge order to fulfill by tonight.” Twilight shook her head, partly to stop the ringing in her eyes, partly to reassure Rarity. “Don’t worry about it, happy to help a friend.” The fashionista smiled warmly at Twilight; ah, this was smile number six. “You’re such a darling, thank you so much.” Twilight nodded but before she could respond Scootaloo ran right past her, spinning Twilight right around before crumbling in a dazed heap. Rarity apologized further as she helped Twilight back to her hooves. “Are you sure you can handle this? Spike and Pinkie aren’t around to help, I wouldn’t want to impose on you.” “It’s no imposition at all,” promised Twilight. “I can handle it, after all, I’ve read ‘So, You’re Foal-Sitting And Don’t Know What to do’ the third edition. I think I’ve got it handled.” Rarity didn’t appear very impressed at Twilight’s studying habits, grimacing slightly as she brushed off Twilight’s mane. “I see… well, I suppose I should leave everything in your capable hooves then.” She turned to leave but the sound of an expensive vase shattering stopped her. “Are you sure you can handle this?” Twilight smiled reassuringly. “I’m sure. Now go on, you’ve got a lot of work to do.” Reluctantly, Rarity returned her smile and left the library. As the door shut, Twilight’s face fell and worry began to form on her expression. “At least, I think I’m sure.” It took a while to round up the Crusaders, Twilight was forced to run around the library and grabbed each one by the tail before capturing them in her magical grip and sitting them down center library. By the end of it, Twilight already had a headache pounding her temples. The Crusaders, as expected, were entirely restless. “You’re a detective, right?” asked Scootaloo. “Well, not exactly—“ “Which means, yah solve crimes an’ such, right?” added Applebloom. “Yeah, actually—“ “Rarity talks about you all the time!” squeaked Sweetie Belle. “Is it true that you have a crush on Pinkie Pie?” “W-well—“ “Where is Pinkie anyways?” chimed Scootaloo. “Ah think she’s on a case,” answered Applebloom. “Why aren’t you with her, Twilight?” asked Sweetie Belle. “Duh, it’s an easy case. Anything difficult, Pinkie would need Twilight, but if it’s easy she can handle it,” answered Scootaloo. “Oh! Applejack told me that detectives can tell anythin’ about anypony with a single glance. What can yah tell ‘bout me?” asked Applebloom. “No! Do me!” protested Scootaloo. “Me!” cried Sweetie Belle. The Crusaders were beginning to get violent and a brawl may erupt if Twilight didn’t intervene. Her horn filled with magic and a burst exploded, briefly eclipsing the lights and showering the library in a cacophony of colors and fireworks. The Crusaders were speechless as the beautiful display of light burst in front of them. “Ooh…” they harmonized. “Now that I have your attention, maybe some peace and quiet would be nice?” Twilight suggested. The Crusaders groaned in response. “But, we’re the Cutie Mark Crusaders!” protested Scootaloo. “On a quest to find our cutie marks and our destiny!” added Sweetie Belle. “What kind of cutie mark can we get from bein’ all peace and quiet-type?” asked Applebloom. “Well, maybe we can play a game?” Twilight suggested, trotting over to her cabinet and pulling out several board games. “Look! Trivia! Or… Clue? Oh, I sorta destroyed that…” She recalled the last time she played Clue with Pinkie where the revered detective suggested that the cause of the crime was self-inflicted despite the fact that it was against the rules. “The rules are wrong then!” Pinkie had said. Since then, they never played Clue and Twilight destroyed the game. The Crusaders didn’t seem interested in the games anyways, they were in the house of the famous assistant to the Great Detective! They wanted to hear stories. “Tell us a story about Pinkie!” Scootaloo suggested. “Something dangerous and edgy!” Sweetie agreed. “Like th’ Pony With Th’ Aluminum Crutch!” said Applebloom. Twilight considered for a moment. That particular case wasn’t exactly appropriate for fillies, but a story wasn’t such a bad idea. The unicorn tilted her head and smiled slightly. “I’ve got a story.” She walked over to the other side, surrounded by bookshelves and under a warm light. Laying out a few blankets and pillows, she beckoned the fillies to sit as she took center stage. “I’ll tell you about the day I met Pinkie Pie, and our first case together.”