//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Home sweet home // Story: Silver Hooves; Life in Ponyville // by FlyinKitsky //------------------------------// “SURPRISE!” Silver almost screamed when she turned the lights on and half a dozen ponies all shouted that one word at the top of their lungs, letting off party poppers and laughing. Composing herself, she looked around. Peeking through the window, Cherry looked in and winked, and Silver immediately realised why she’d delayed her so much before she went home. She then caught sight of a beaming Pinkie, bouncing up and down on the spot. “Well, were ya surprised? Were ya?!” Pinkie stopped bouncing, waiting for an answer. “Yeah, and this is wonderful! Wha... How... How did you even get this?” “Well, I went to talk to Cherry earlier while you were in the shops and asked her to delay you so we could get a party going! I mean, a party for you! To say a big welcome from all of Ponyville!” Silver didn’t understand how Pinkie had even got into her house but she no longer cared. All these people actually cared about her coming to live here, and they all wanted to meet her. Smiling from ear to ear, she darted around, greeting everyone, and letting Cherry in, before raising her voice to address the whole crowd. “This is the first time anyone’s ever thrown a party for me... Thank you, thank you everyone.” Pinkie started bouncing. “Well, are we gonna start or what? LETS PARTY!” before darting off to an unknown location. Silver sighed happily. I guess that’s just her way, she thought, nobody knows what she’ll do next. The party kicked off, with music playing and ponies dancing, playing games and eating and drinking. Looking around, Silver spotted Cherry and joined her in a game of apple dunking. Giggling, she tried over and over to grab a few, failing every time. “Here, let me show you” Cherry said, before succeeding to slip and fall straight into the water. Silver laughed, before spluttering as water was thrown into her face. “HEY!” She said, before picking up a bucket, filling it with water and pouring over Cherry. The water fight got worse as other ponies retaliated, until half the ponies and most of the room were drenched. “Gee Silv, sorry about the mess” Cherry suddenly said, looking worried. “Eh, don’t be” Silver said, smiling. “This is the most fun I’ve had in a while!” The room was alive with activity. Pegasi of all colours filled the air, earth ponies and unicorn ran around, dancing and making more noise than a sleeping dragon. Fillies were in the corner, chucking a ball around, play fighting too. Silver couldn’t help but smile as she witnessed it all. This was her new life. She’d found ponies who cared for and appreciated her. Those who’d help her in times of need and just be there in others. And she’d do the same for them. Eventually the party died down. Sick fillies who’d eaten to much of the food went first, followed by groups of tired ponies, before all there was left was a still energetic Pinkie, an exhausted looking Cherry and Silver, who was currently in the process of picking up the litter from the main room and wondering how on earth the fillies had gotten the ball stuck THERE. “Well, I’m off” Cherry said, rubbing her eyes. “I’ll see you tomorrow Silv, sleep well. Fancy walking me home Pinkie?” Pinkie nodded “Yup! I’m off to Rainbow’s after, I here she’s got a few new pranks to show me.” Silver pondered who this Rainbow was, before waving goodbye to her two closest friends. She didn’t even bother going to bed, she simply locked the door before collapsing and falling to sleep immediately. As she snored loudly, she dreamt of tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that, and the day after...