Now on the last three days of their vacation time, the gang thought now was a good time to go on that picnic idea that Pinkie, Applejack, and Rarity suggested. The good weather from the previous day remained true for that day as well, though there seemed to be a few more clouds than last time. Then again though, they were out a bit earlier than last time.
They settled on a place about quarter mile out of the Lunar Bay city limits, where there were a few trees to provide decent shade, and good sized pond that attracted quite a few species of frogs and birds. It was far away from the general hussle and bussle of the town, but close enough that if anything happened, they could quickly find help. Plus, the spot did provide a magnificent view of the town.
"I thank thee again for inviting me to your picnic." Luna stated as they finished setting their blanket on the grass, "Though, I must say I'm not entirely use to being out during the day." She added, adjusting the sunhat that she was wearing.
"Don'tcha worry yerself none Princess, we'll trah ta make this as enjoyable ta ya as possible."
"It's not really the matter whether this will be fun or not, it's the matter of whether the heat will be bearable."
"Oh... well, if ya want, we can move closer ta the shade."
"That will not be necessary, I believe I will manage."
Off to the side, Twilight noticed Rainbow unusually silent while the others prepared the picnic area. "Are you feeling alright Rainbow?" Twilight asked. "You're unusually reserved today."
"Y-yeah..., I'm good." Rainbow replied before nervously grinning.
"Well...okay..., if you say so." Twilight said, sounding unsure but accepting of Rainbow's answer.
Rainbow breathed a sigh of relief.
"Anypony up fer a quick game o' horseshoes?" Applejack asked outloud.
"Ooo, memememe! I want to play!" Pinkie responded quickly as she hopped in front Applejack.
"Hold up Pinkie, I want to play. I still have a score to settle with Applejack." Rainbow voiced as she walked over.
"Ya both can play, we can play in teams of two." Applejack stated, "Let me find mah sister, ah'm sure she'd like to play."
Over the next hour, the two teams faced each other in horseshoes. They improvised mid-game as their teams of two became teams of three, with Sweetie Belle on the Apple siblings' side, and Scootaloo on Rainbow and Pinkie's side.
The others watched as they ate some of the food that had been brought along, though it could be well argued that Luna was the one most interested in watching. Having never heard of horseshoes before, outside of a fashion statement, it easily grabbed her interest.
"Been working on your throw Rainbow? First time yer second throw didn't go a few yards over the stake." Applejack remarked with a chuckle.
"Ha ha, very funny Applejack. I've only played this game twice before."
"Anyway, it's yer throw Pinkie."
Pinkie nodded jubilantly before picking up the horseshoe, taking a second to aim, then throwing it. The horseshoe came up short of a ringer, but it was frighteningly close to one.
"Ah, yeah! Nice throw Pinkie!" Rainbow cheered and hoof-bumped with the party-pony.
"Wow... good throw Pinkie. Don't mean ya won just yet, right sis?" Applejack then looked at Applebloom, who gave a determined smile and picked up a horseshoe.
Applebloom took a little more time as she aimed her throw. Once she was ready, she gave the horseshoe as best a throw as possible to make sure it landed close to the stake. It landed just about, if not closer than, Pinkie's throw.
"Good throw there lil' sis! That's how ya do it." Applejack cheered as she gave Applebloom a strong and hearty pat on the back, earning a wide grin from the little filly.
The six continued their game for another two rounds, before ending with Rainbow, Pinkie, and Scootaloo taking the victory. As expected, Rainbow particularly boasted about her victory, much to Applejack's annoyance, though Twilight became relieved that Rainbow was back to her usual self. While Scootaloo was just as annoying about the victory to Applebloom and Sweetie Belle, it only lasted moments before the three fillies found themselves asking how they achieved their best throws, and why they think their worst was so bad.
As soon as the game between the six was over, Twilight called them over to eat as Rarity and Luna finished setting out all the food they had brought along with them for the day. Most of the food they had brought along with them were bought from the various shops in town, but there were a couple of items that were brought along with them from Ponyville, including a box of chocolate muffins from Sugarcube Corner, and few bottles of cider from the Apple Family. Applejack had hidden away the bottles in one of her bags, she had been saving it up for the right moment during their vacation, and the picnic seemed to be just right. As they ate, Luna shared a few stories she had heard.
Rainbow though didn't pay much attention as she sat herself next to Twilight. The pegasus was still uncertain, but she seemed a bit more comfortable with the idea than she was the previous night. She still stole a few occasional glances, which seemed to go unnoticed as Luna's stories seemed to keep most of their friends' attentions.
"I remain somewhat uncertain on the matter in the story, but I believe there are some legitimate points that do prove to be real." Luna stated.
"Ah dunno if ah can believe somethin' like that. Ah just don't think any pony would be lucky enough ta be that good at avoidin' trouble." Applejack remarked.
"Perhaps it has nothing to do with luck. I'm rather skeptical myself, but I've been surprised before with the abilities certain ponies can possess." Rarity stated, "Afterall, Fluttershy's talent with animals is extraordinary, and Dr. Colgate back home can do the most complex of dental procedures in a matter of minutes."
"What d'ya think Twi? Ya think it's possible?"
"Hm...well there's a chance. I think it'd be more possible if said individual was also clever, or had somepony around who could try predict the movements of those they want to avoid." Twilight explained.
"I did say I remain uncertain on the matter." Luna voiced in.
"Do we still have more chocolate muffins?" Pinkie rang in.
"Another one?! But didn't you already eat three?" Twilight asked.
Pinkie could only offer a nervous grin and a shrug.
"Don't worry, ah think we still have plenty." Applejack stated, "What in the...? How did this git in 'ere?" She asked as she pulled out a head of cabbage from the basket.
"Where did that come from?" Rainbow asked.
"Yer guess is good as mine. Sure smells though."
"Well, you try not taking a bath for three days." the cabbage suddenly said as it grew a face.
"Ahhhh!!!" and Applejack threw the cabbage away from herself.
It groaned. "That wasn't nice, my dear Applejack." it complained face flat as Discord's body appeared out of nowhere and picked it up, before placing it on where his head was suppose to be and the leaves started falling off.
"Discord! How dare you show your face to me again!" Luna shouted angrily.
"You're still mad at me, Lulu?" He asked with a smirk before taunting, "Personally, I thought the small mane-cut was an improvement."
Luna shot a large bolt of energy at him.
"Whoa! Hey!" Discord just dodged it in time, "Jeez..., can't you ponies ever take a joke?"
"What are you doing here?" Twilight asked him, while Luna decided to recompose herself and take her seat again.
"As much as it pains me to do this, um...I came by to ask Fluttershy what I should do since her pet, Angel, refuses to eat his food."
"Oh my, is he sick? Is he okay?!" Fluttershy asked, beginning to get very worried for Angel
"He's fine." Discord replied as he waved his clawed hand as if to dismiss the concern, "He just refuses to eat his food."
"Oh...um...did you make it exactly as I instructed?"
"What about Tank? You're suppose to be feeding him too." Rainbow rang in.
"Yes, I did make it exactly as you instructed. And, yes, I made sure your precious pet turtle is fed."
"Tortoise." Rainbow corrected.
"Whatever..."
"Hm, well...was he asking for something else to eat?" Fluttershy asked, to which Discord gave a nod, "Why don't you just give him what he wants for now. I mean...if that's okay..."
Discord groaned. "So I'm a pet bunny's butler now. Fantastic...Alright, I'll give him what he wants."
"Um, do you want to have a bite to eat before you go back?"
"Fluttershy, I understand that you do mean well, but I refuse to share my time with him." Luna stated.
"I assume you two don't really like each other?" Twilight asked.
"Oh, I like Lulu enough. It's her that doesn't like me." Discord replied as he snapped his fingers making his tall throne chair thing appear, before taking a seat.
"I have my own reasons as to why I do not trust this draconequs. More than enough reasons." Luna replied, as she recalled the number of pranks he's pulled her that month alone.
"Anyway, to answer you Fluttershy, I guess I could use a little moment to just kick back. But are you sure you don't mind? I'm not exactly on vacation, you know."
"Of course, what kind of friend would I be if I didn't at least offer you something quick to eat before you go." Fluttershy said before she offered him one of the muffins.
Discord looked at the muffin then looked back at the others before accepting the muffin. "I guess I can stay for a few moments. Thank you Fluttershy."
"Just...I mean if it's okay with you...can you restrain yourself from doing anything that will annoy the others?"
He scoffed and before smiling. "You really know how to take the fun away from things." he joked before taking a bite.
As they finished up their food, they slowly started to disperse to do their own activity of choice. Pinkie brought a frisbee, and was currently throwing it back and forth between herself and Applejack. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were currently in some game where Sweetie Belle played damsel in distress, and the other two had to save her from the terrifying dragon Spike. Spike was a little hesitant to play at first, but eventually warmed up to the idea and was practically roleplaying with the three fillies.
Twilight chose a much quieter activity to do as she wondered off to sit at the nearby pond to think. Rainbow and Fluttershy weren't too far from the alicorn as Rainbow followed her over there, which Twilight was rather use to by now, and Fluttershy was on the other side of the pond making new friends with some of the resident frogs that came close to her.
Rainbow looked at Twilight, who had her eyes closed, before deciding not to bother her and looked around for something, anything, to do. Rainbow's gaze eventually fell upon a flat rock, where she regarded it for the briefest of moments. She then wrapped her tail around it before taking aim at the water's surface and gave a strong throw which resulted in a loud 'plop' that quickly got Twilight and Fluttershy's attention.
Twilight remained silent as she watched Rainbow do the same thing with another stone she found, which ended in the same result.
Rainbow gave a loud snort in frustration.
"If you're trying to skip stones Rainbow, you're doing it wrong." Twilight stated
"What?"
"If you're skipping stones, you're suppose to hold them at an angle so it actually skips rather than just sink."
"And you know how to skip stones?" Rainbow asked as she rolled her eyes.
“Shining Armor taught me once when I was filly."
"Okay..., if you know so much, then here." and kicked a stone towards her, "Show me how you do it."
Twilight hesitated for the briefest of moments, but eventually picked the stone up with her tail, and started making careful adjustments to ensure it was at the optimal angle. She was shown and taught how to skip stones by her brother, but it was while using magic.
"Any time today would be nice, Twi."
"Give me a moment, I need to make sure I get this right, otherwise it'll just end up sinking like yours."
Once Twilight felt she had the angle as close to perfect as she could, she gave the stone a throw, where in bounced off the surface twice before sinking under the surface.
Rainbow's jaw dropped in response, and looked at Twilight, who just gave a grin, "How...? I mean..."
"Like I said, Shining Armor taught when we were younger. He use to come up with a multitude of ways to get me out of the house and away from my studies."
"Can you teach me?" Rainbow asked.
"Of course I can, all you have to do is ask. First, pick a relatively flat stone to use."
Rainbow didn't hesitate and quickly found another flat stone to use.
"Now make sure you're holding it at an angle. Preferably, it would be somewhere between 20 to 25 degrees, this will allow it 'hop' off of the water's surface."
Rainbow tried following the instructions, and adjusted the stone in her tail, but was off.
"No, that's closer to 40. Here let me help." and went over to Rainbow's tail and made the adjustments herself.
"Hey...! What...?!" Rainbow asked as she blushed.
"Don't worry, this shouldn't take too long."
Rainbow watched as Twilight adjusted the stone she was holding in her tail. A small smile grew on the pegasus's face as she quickly noted how cute Twilight looked when she was focused, even if it was as simple as adjusting the angle a stone, and how the alicorn's mane almost seemed to shine. Did her mane really look like that all the time? She snapped out of it when Twilight looked back at her, and looked the other way, blushing.
"There, that should do it. Whenever you're ready, go ahead and throw it."
Rainbow took a quick moment to aim before throwing it, where it bounced off the surface once.
"Did you see that?! I did it! I knew I could do it." Rainbow boasted
Twilight giggled before saying, "Yes, I'm glad you were able to do it."
"Oh, and...thanks for helping me out Twilight." Rainbow stated as she scratched the back of her head
"Glad to help."
Rainbow readied herself to throw another stone, making sure how she was holding it looked like when Twilight adjusted it. Just as she was about to throw it, Pinkie popped out behind the two, surprising both of them.
"Are you two playing a game?" she asked loudly,
"Waah!" Twilight exclaimed as Rainbow jumped and threw the stone in the air.
They watched as it went up, before coming back down and landing somewhere in Pinkie's mane.
"Pinkie! What the hay did you do that for?" Rainbow shouted
"I saw you two skipping stones, and it looked so so fun, so I wanted to ask if I can join." Pinkie replied as she reached into her mane and pulled out the stone that landed in her mane.
"I thought you were playing with Applejack." Twilight stated
"She was." they heard Applejack state as the farmer pony walked up to them, "But then she ran off in this direction."
"They're playing Skip Stone, wanna play?" Pinkie asked excitedly.
"Skip Stone?" Applejack repeated before having a look at the others, "Oh, yer skippin' stones on the water."
"Well we weren't exactly playing, I was just showing Rainbow how to do it properly." Twilight stated
"Yep, and I'm gonna make sure I get better at it than Twilight." Rainbow added
"Ooo, how many skips did she get?" Pinkie asked
"Twilight got two hops."
"Pfft, that's practically foal's play." Pinkie stated as she waved her hoof in the air.
"Think you can do better?" she asked as she wrapped her tail around another flat stone
Pinkie just gave a wide smile in response.
"Okay Pinkie, you're on. Let me beat Twilight's record, and we'll play." and gave the stone a throw, which hopped once.
"Maybe you should just let Pinkie play Rainbow. It'll take you a while to beat my record from the pace of things."
"It can't be that hard to beat two hops."
"Probably not, but just so you know my personal record was five back at Canterlot."
Rainbow's eyes widened at the information..
Eventually the simple game became another mini-contest as Spike, Luna, and the Crusaders joined in on the fun, leaving a eight-way competition between Twilight, Rainbow, Pinkie, and the five aforementioned individuals. Rarity and Fluttershy sat off on the sidelines, watching and cheering for each of their friends.
As it reached the late afternoon, they finished their competition with Applejack and Rainbow tieing for third place with four hops each, Twilight and Luna tieing for second with five, and Pinkie taking first place with twelve. Somehow, Pinkie managed to throw one stone at just the right angle toward a rock sticking out of the water, where it bounced off at a 90-degree angle from it's original direction and continued without losing a moment of momentum, earning Twilight a new headache on how she managed to do that.
After wrapping up their game, they quickly ate what was left of the food they had brought as a quick snack, before packing up everything to conclude their picnic.
"This was such great day." Fluttershy stated as Rarity and her were walking back toward the hotel
"Oh, I quite agree. It was quite refreshing." Rarity agreed
"Hey, ya two mind takin' the fillies with you?" they heard Applejack shout out to them as the Crusaders ran over to catch up with them.
"No problem at all Applejack." Rarity responded, as Fluttershy and herself stopped to wait for the Crusaders before pressing on, "We'll see you back at the hotel."
"We won't be long. Jus' gonna finish packin' up everythin'." Applejack stated before turning to look at Pinkie and Luna, who were packing away things, and Rainbow, who was laying back at the moment against a tree, "Everyin' almost packed up?"
"Yep!" Pinkie cheerfully announced, "Not a single crumb left."
"We just need to finish folding the picnic blanket, and we will be ready to make the return trip." Luna added
Applejack then gave a nod, before she started looking around, "Has anypony seen Twilight?"
"She's over by the pond." Rainbow replied, "I think she's just looking at the town or something like that."
"I will go tell Twilight we are almost ready to go. Would you mind if...?" Luna began asking as she indicated the blanket.
"No problem at all Princess. Pinkie and ah will finish up packin', jus' get Twi and we'll be ready ta go."
"Rainbow, you say you know where Twilight is exactly is that correct?" Luna asked the pegasus.
"Uh, yeah."
"Will you lead me to her?"
"Sure..., no problem." and got up and started leading Luna to where she saw Twilight.
They didn't have to look very far, Twilight was exactly where Rainbow had seen her.
"Exactly where I thought she was." Rainbow declared, earning Twilight's attention, as Luna and her approached.
"We are almost ready to leave Twilight." Luna announced
"Oh, okay, I'll be right there."
"I take you are enjoying the view?"
Twilight gave a nod, "The view here is very beautiful. I'd only seen a view like this back at Canterlot."
"Indeed." Luna agreed as she looked forward as well, "Though I do believe that if it's the sunset you are talking about, I strongly suggest you try from that hill over there." and pointed toward a hill that was very close to the town.
Rainbow and Twilight looked where Luna was pointing before Twilight asked, "That one...? That's Lover's Echo, right?"
"Lover's Echo...?" Rainbow repeated
"Yes, that it is." Luna replied
"It's a hilltop in Lunar Bay that is known as the hill where ponies, along with their special somepony, to shout each other's names. According to what I've heard, Princess Luna or Princess Celestia then acknowledge the two, and would provide some luck to the two ponies' relationship." Twilight explained to Rainbow.
"A ridiculous notion really." Luna stated, "My sister and myself see nothing wrong if ponies wish to do so, but whether Celestia or myself know of it or not, we do not do anything that improves anypony's 'luck'."
"I really haven't heard any pony shouting another's name as of late. It must be rather seclusive."
"Not as much as you'd think. It's easily accessible. It just takes, as I believe Rainbow Dash puts it...guts, to do something like that."
"It really must make for a good place to think."
"Perhaps."
They then heard Applejack call out to them.
"Sounds like we better get going." Rainbow stated
"Agreed." Luna said as she started going back
"Come on Twilight." Rainbow then waited for her.
"Thanks for waiting for me Rainbow."
"Don't mention it." she replied with a wide smile and walked side-by-side with Twilight, a little closer than usual.