//------------------------------// // The sleepover // Story: The Party Animal and the Bookworm // by Wolfie 03 //------------------------------// “Are you sure you don't want me to come back tonight Twilight?” Spike asked as he pulled out a red bandanna and a long stick to tie it to. He then started to gather various lab equipment and brought them to the table to pack them away. Twilight looked over at him from her spot in the middle of the library. She was going over a checklist of things that Spike was packing. “I'm sure. We need those the experiments to be safely delivered and I'd rather you go and pick up the books. By the time you'll be done it will be really late and it's dangerous to travel alone at that time. Especially for a baby dragon.” Spike merely grunted as he packed some food for himself, the experiments that Twilight completed and was submitting to the Canterlot University of Magical Achievements and the list of books Twilight had ordered for the library that had to be picked up. Twilight didn't trust the normal delivery service after they mixed up hers' and Sugar Cube Corner's orders the last time. They had to order new books since they never did get the flour and icing off them. Though she was able to pick up some 'on-the-house-because-I-made-a-mess-of-your-books' cupcakes. “Are you SURE you're going be ok by yourself tonight Twilight?” Spike asked as he wrapped up the last of the things to be carried and settled the pack on the stick, which he then lifted to rest on his shoulder. It was a little heavy so it bowed towards the ground, though Spike wouldn't hear of any other way to pack and travel. Twilight had tried to get him to use a suitcase or something of the like, but he wouldn't hear of it. “I'll be fine. Besides, if I get too lonely, I'll just see if the girls want to have a sleepover. How's that sound?” Twilight said as she followed the young dragon to the door. “Alright... If you're sure.” Spike said as he gave Twilight a hug that she returned and exited the library tree. He waved goodbye as he walked backwards to keep Twilight in view, until he nearly ran into a food stand, then he faced forward once more and headed for the train station. Twilight waved in return while watching him until he was no longer in view. The lavender unicorn closed the door behind her as she walked into town, looking for her friends. As she walked along, she kept an eye on the sky in case Rainbow Dash was napping. Though the first one she came across was actually Fluttershy. “Hi Fluttershy! I wasn't expecting to see you in town. How is it going?” Twilight asked as she stepped up next to the yellow peagasus. “Eep! .. Oh.. hi Twilight.” Fluttershy softly responded as she glanced down for a second, having been startled. Twilight, having expected something like this, didn't take it to heart and proceeded with her questions. “What are you doing in town? I almost never see you around here in the middle of the day.” The lavender mare asked with a tilt of her head. “I'm getting some more food for my animals, there's a cold going around and the poor dears are feeling awful. I'm making a heartier soup that should restore some of the nutrients they need to get better.” Fluttershy said with a small smile as she glanced back at her saddlebags that were full of food. “Oh, well I hope they get better soon. I suppose this means you wouldn't be able to come over for a sleepover then?” Twilight asked, though she had a feeling of what the answer was going to be. “Oh!.. I'm sorry.. but I can't tonight.. um.. but thanks for thinking of me... sorry...” The shy pony cowered a little, upset that she had to decline her friend's offer. Twilight sighed really quietly and gave Fluttershy a small smile to show that she was fine. “It's ok Fluttershy. It's important that the animals get better. I'll see you later.” Twilight gave a small wave as she walked on, looking for her other friends. The next pony she saw was Rainbow Dash, who was taking a nap on a cloud above the town. Her rainbow mane and tail hung over the sides, as she laid on her back with both fore-hooves behind her head. “Hey Rainbow Dash! Are you busy tonight?” Twilight called up to the napping peagasus. At the sound of her name, Rainbow Dash flipped over on her cloud and looked towards the pony calling her. “Nah, don't have too much planned. Why?” The cyan pony asked in return. “Well, I was planning on inviting everyone over for a sleepover at my place. Want to come?” The lavnder unicorn asked a little hopefully. Rainbow Dash had heard of Twilight's previous attempt at a Slumber Party and desperately thought for an excuse not to go. “Oh, man! Uhh, I just remembered. I need to go and help for tomorrow's weather. Yeah. Sorry Twilight. Gotta dash!” Rainbow Dash said as she rubbed the back of her head before flying off in a burst of speed. Twilight blinked in surprise at the sudden rush and gave a shrug. As she continued through town, she saw Applejack at her apple stall in the market. Twilight walked up and then sat nearby to wait for the orange pony to finish with her currant customer. “Well hiya Twilight. How can Ah help ya today?” Applejack asked as Twilight stepped up to the counter. “Hey Applejack. I was planning a sleepover tonight and was wondering if …” Twilight trailed off as she saw Applejack frown a little and shake her head 'no'. “Sorry sugar. Ah'm afraid Ah can't tonight. Harvest starts tomorrow and we'll need to hit the hay early tonight so we can git up before sunup for an early start.” The farm pony said as she rubbed the back of head. Twilight gave a slightly bigger sigh than before and nodded in acceptance. “That's all right AJ. Harvest comes first. Let me know if you need any help this year.” Twilight said as she turned to go. “Sure will sugarcube.” Applejack responded with a nod. Twilight walked up to the Boutique next and was surprised by the sounds of Rarity muttering loudly to herself. As Twilight entered the shop, she had to duck from the flying cloth and ribbons as Rarity ran from one end of her store to the other, muttering about certain types of cloth and designs. “Hey Rarity. What's going on?” Twilight asked as she stood near the wall, watching the other unicorn run back and forth. “Oh hello darling. I simply cannot chat right now, an important client wants ten of my fabulous gowns made to order in merely two days and I'll have to work throughout the night to finish it in time!” Rarity said as she gathered more ribbon and cloth and stacked them to the side. Twilight gave another sigh and nod. “Alright. Good luck!” The lavender unicorn called as she walked outside. She sighed again as she walked though town to Sugarcube Corner. (At this rate, I will be alone tonight. Oh well. Perhaps Pinkie Pie can come over. It would be nice if she could...) As Twilight entered the store Pinkie Pie, who was watching the counter, zoomed over and bounced around the lavender mare. “Heya Twilight! Whacha doing? Are you having a great day? Want some cupcakes?” Pinkie Pie chirped as she bounced. “Hi Pinkie.” Twilight said with a small smile. “I don't suppose you'd like to come over for a sleepover tonight? I tried inviting everypony else, but they're all busy.” Twilight continued as she watched the pink pony bounce around with a big smile on her face at seeing her unicorn friend. At the words 'sleepover' Pinkie Pie landed in front of Twilight and hopped in place. Once Twilight finished though, Pinkie Pie jumped up waved all four hooves around and screamed “YES~~!!” rather loudly. Twilight winced a little at the sudden sound and movement but smiled at party pony all the same. “Great. I'll see you tonight at seven, ok?” Twilight asked as she watched the pink mare hop all over the store in joy. “This is gonna be so fuuunnnn! Just you, me and Spike! We'll have the best slumber party EVER!” Pinkie Pie shouted as she hopped on the tops of the chairs and tables in the store. “Oh, well, actually it would be just you and me, Pinkie. Spike's gone to Canterlot on Library Business.” Twilight said as she folded her ears backwards and rubbed her fore-hooves together, while looking at the ground with a small blush. Pinkie stopped mid-air and landed down in front of Twilight with a soft 'Oh' as she gave a blush as well. “Okie-dokie-lokie. I'll be over at seven and we'll have lots of fun and you won't be all alone tonight.” Pinkie Pie said with a big grin and a single nod of her head. Twilight's ears went forwards once more and she smiled back at Pinkie Pie. “Thanks Pinkie. I'll see you tonight.” She said as she turned around and exited the bakery. Pinkie bounced into the back of the store and told Mr and Mrs Cake about how she'll be over at the library that night for a sleepover. This didn't come as too much of a surprise to the older couple, since everypony within two blocks could have heard Pinkie Pie's response and joy of a sleepover. The party pony didn't notice how they were rubbing their ears to clear them of the shouting and gave a huge smile as she turned about and flew up the stairs to get ready for the night. “Pillows? Check. Flashlight for scary stories? Check. Popcorn? Check. I think I'm as ready as I'll ever be. Let's put the Slumber Party 101 over here, out of range but near enough for quick reference...” Twilight muttered to herself as she levitated a quill and checked off her list for the sleepover. Just in time too, for there was knocking on the door not even a second later. *knock – knockknockknock knock ... knock knock!* Twilight rolled her eyes at the rhythm of knocks at the door and opened it with her magic as she walked towards it. Luckily she was still a few steps away when the door opened with confetti and a horn blasting through it. Twilight gave a small smirk and shook her head. “Hi Twilight! I'm here, so let's get the partaaaay started!” Pinkie Pie shouted as she leaped through the door and landed in front of the lavender pony with a large smile on her face. Twilight smiled in return and greeted the already hyper pony. “Hi Pinkie. Thanks for coming. Do you want to set your stuff down so we can get started?” “Yeppers!” Pinkie tossed her saddle bags in the center of the room, where streamers and balloons exploded from it. Pinkie giggled as Twilight shook her again once more. “Alright, let's see... we'll start with-” Twilight began as she floated her check list over when Pinkie cut her off with a giggle gasp. “Silly-filly! A sleepover doesn't need a check list or a 'how to-' book!” She laughed as she grabbed the check list and the nearby book and tossed them into a corner of the room. Twilight caught them in her magic just before either could get damaged by the throw and set them down gently. “How do you have a sleepover then?” Twilight asked with a small glare at the treatment of her book. Pinkie giggled at the glare and gave a sheepish smile. “By doing whatever you want!” And with that the party mare proceeded to dig through her bags. “Alright... and what do you want-?” Twilight started to ask when suddenly a clear bag of popcorn flew at her, catching her off guard. “POPCORN FIGHT!” Pinkie yelled as she pulled more clear bags out of saddle bags and held them over her head while she stood on her hind legs. Twilight stared in shock before grinning at the pink mare, then proceeded to picked up the recently thrown bag with her magic and returned fire. Soon both ponies were laughing like mad as the popcorn bags ripped and sprayed the room with their contents. Once all the bags were opened and empty, the two friends began to eat the remains, laughing almost the entire time (though they made sure not to choke by accident). While Twilight did managed to get some of the popcorn, Pinkie Pie swam though the mess, eating the majority of it. After the fight and resulting clean up, the two ponies played game after game, some which were made up on the spot by the party pony. She did this to prove that you didn't have to stick to plans or known games. They played Pin the Tail on Truth or Dare, where you were spun around and had to pin a tail on a poster that said truth or dare and do as it said. They also played three layer chess, where you put three chess boards next to each other and the first one with two dead kings lost. They played many more after these as well. After all the games, the two ponies danced most of the night away. Once they tired themselves out, they plopped down and giggled at each others' antics. “See? No plans but still fun! What do you want to do now Twilight?” Pinkie Pie asked a with a big grin and tilt of her head. “Well... I don't know... umm..” Twilight said quietly, while glancing away from the curious blue eyes. Twilight wanted to read but that wasn't really done at a sleepover. Pinkie tilted her head the other way as she looked at the lavender unicorn. After a moment of thought, the pink earth pony nodded once and grinned even larger than before. “We can read books. You're suppose to have fun, and I know you like read. Oh! Oh! We can read parts of our favorite books out load to each other! How's that?” Pinkie Pie asked as she bounced up and down in spot. Twilight looked at the pink mare in surprise. (How did she know I wanted to read? And that would be interesting, reading to each other...) “Sure, that sounds rather interesting Pinkie. Let's go find some books!” The lavender mare said excitedly as she jumped up and they both ran to the bookshelves to find a story they'd want to read. Once they both had a book, they sat down on Twilight's bed so they could read comfortably. Twilight had a detective novel and Pinkie Pie had a book on a traveling baker who made everypony happy with his desserts. As they read, whenever they came across an interesting/cool/mysterious/funny party, they read it out loud to the other. It was as if they were reading two books at the same time and both friends enjoyed it greatly. Soon the night proved to be too much for Twilight as she feel asleep next to Pinkie on the bed. Pinkie Pie, on the other hoof, was use to late night partying and was still mostly awake. She chucked to herself as Twilight's book nearly fell off the bed as the lavender pony leaned into Pinkie's side. The pink mare took both books and put them on the drawers next to the bed. Then she pulled the blanket over the two of them. (You're so cute Twilight. It's amazing that nopony else has tried to catch you! But I, Pinkie Pie, will catch and keep the bestest pony in all of Equestria. And teach her how to have the most fun ever!) Pinkie thought as she snuggled closer to Twilight who gave a soft sigh of content and smiled as she returned the snuggling. Twilight woke up the next day extremely content, though at first she wasn't sure why she was. She gave a mental shrug and nuzzled closer to her pink pillow, with her fore-hooves wrapped around it. She took a deep breath in, smelling the scent of vanilla and frosting... (Wait a moment, Pink? Pink Pillow? Frosting scent!? I don't have pillow like that!) Twilight's eyes snapped open and she took a look at her 'pillow'. It was Pinkie Pie's chest and lower portion of her mane. The pony in question was curled half around the lavender mare, with fore-hooves holding Twilight's head as she remained asleep. (Wha-wha-what happened?! How did we fall asleep like this? What do I do what do I do what do I do....) Then the studious pony heard the front door open and Spike shouting through the tree house. “Hello!? Anypony home? I'm back Twilight!” (Spike? He's home already? But it's still really early! How did he get back so fast?) Twilight panicked as she glanced out the window to see where the sun was. It was actually almost lunch time, both ponies having had so much fun the night before causing them to be so exhausted that they slept in. (Oh no no no no no no no! I have to get up RIGHT NOW!) Twilight slowly edged out of the pink pony's hold and off the bed. It took an extra few minutes, since it was as if Pinkie didn't want to let go of the unicorn, though Twilight did managed it in the end. She gave a soft sigh of relief as she tip-toed down the stairs to welcome Spike home. “Hey Twilight! There you are! I was starting to think you had stayed over at somepony else's house for the night instead of staying here.” Spike said as he placed his packages on the nearby table in the main room of the library. “Hi Spike, sorry, I had slept in by accident. Now my day's schedule will be off, ugh. I'm happy to see you made it back alright, were there any problems getting the experiments delivered or picking up the books?” Twilight asked as she opened the packages and put the new books away on the shelves. “You? Sleep in? Wow, who did you invite over for your sleepover? Pinkie Pie? And no, there wasn't any trouble getting the experiments to the university or picking up the books.” Spike huffed as he helped to put the books away before heading towards the kitchen. Twilight followed as she flinched at the accurate guess of Spike's. “Well, yes I did have – PINKIE PIE?!?” Twilight exclaimed as she jumped into the air with her hair puffed outwards in shock at seeing the party pony in the kitchen, cooking a huge breakfast for three. “Huh?” Spike asked in surprise upon seeing the party mare and Twilight's reaction at seeing her there. Though it was a nice change to not have to make Twilight's breakfast for once. “Hey there Twilight! It's about time you two got in here, pancakes are almost done~!” Pinkie Pie half-sang as she flipped some pancakes onto a plate that already had a decent amount on it. “Wha-buh-how- Pinkie! How did you-? Wait. No. Never mind....” Twilight covered her eyes with a hoof as she gave up trying to understand the pink mare. The studious pony could feel the start of a headache already and knew it wasn't a good idea to start such a long research project as understanding Pinkie Pie. Especially so early in the morning without any food to keep up her energy. The lavender pony and the small dragon took a seat at the kitchen table as the pink pony served each one a large helping of pancakes, hay-hashbrowns and apple juice. With lots of syrup of course. “That was really good Pinkie Pie! Thanks a bunch. Though it could have used some emeralds...” Spike muttered as he cleared the table of dirty dishes. “Indeed, that was an excellent breakfast. Thanks and thanks for staying over last night Pinkie Pie.” Twilight said as she looked at the hyper pony. Twilight noticed with some distress that the syrup bottle was now quite empty and she and Spike didn't use all that much. (Guess I'll have to keep a large stock of syrup and sugar on hand if Pinkie Pie comes over more.) “No problem Twilight! Last night sure was fun! If you need any help or anything else, just let me know and I'll get it done in a jiffy!” Pinkie said as she hopped over to help clean up the kitchen. Twilight nodded as she watched Pinkie Pie for a short while before heading over to her desk to write some notes on friendship in general and Pinkie Pie specifically. She paused in her writing as pink hooves gave her a quick hug before a rush of wind told her that Pinkie Pie was leaving. “See you later Twilight!” “Good-bye Pinkie Pie.” Twilight tried to call back as she heard the door open and close. (That was a close one Pinkie! You almost made it obvious how you feel for the wonderfullest pony in Ponyville... Twilight sure looks adorable as she's working on understanding mysteries. And she was so soft! Too bad we had to get up, but at least she wasn't lonely last night!) Pinkie Pie thought as she hopped to Sugarcube Corner to start her day of work while humming along the way. “Twilight is my bestest friend, whoopy whoopy, she's the cutest smartest all around best pony, pony, I hope she'll soon like me, like me, I just can't wait, hopefullllyyy~~”