STORY #17
Celebration
Balloons? Check.
Streamers? Check.
Cake? Check.
Presents? Check.
All that's missing is the guest of honour.
You pace around nervously, casting an occasional glance towards the clock on the wall. Your friends watch you, each of them with a reassuring smile on their face.
"Don't worry, Fluttershy," Rarity soothes. "He'll be here."
You nod slightly. "I know, Rarity," you reply. "I just get so worried."
Rarity giggles. "That's true, darling," she says. "But it has to be said that you tend to worry a lot about all of your friends."
"That's only because I don't like the idea of anything happening to them," you mumble. "Especially when they're as fragile as he is."
Rainbow Dash sidles up to you. "Would you chill out, Flutters?" she says brashly. "This is supposed to be a party!"
"Yeah!" Pinkie Pie exclaims. "D'you really think the birthday boy would like to see you all sad and mopey?" You shake your head. "Right then, so turn that frown upside-down!" Do as you're asked, you allow a small smile to grace your features, which causes Pinkie to develop a mile-wide grin. "That's the spirit, Fluttershy!"
"Pinkie's right, Fluttershy," Twilight opines. "It's just not natural for somepony to be upset while at one of her parties. Anyway, your friend should be along soon... and then we can celebrate!"
As if on cue, something enters your cottage through an open window and crash-lands on the table, sending up a small cloud of dust and cake. You gasp in shock at the sudden intrusion and rush over in a panic.
In the middle of the table lies a small bird. It is black with a white front. With graceful precision you pick it up and cradle it in your forehooves. "Oh my," you say worriedly. "You took a nasty fall there, Mr. Magpie." The magpie responds with a pained chirp. "Let's take a closer look at you, shall we?"
As you take the magpie over to your work area the door opens, revealing a black pegasus stallion with blue-tipped wings. His white mane and tail seem to reflect the sunlight streaming in through the window, while his eyes show confusion. He doesn't say anything as you walk past, though you do stop briefly to speak to him.
"Sorry, Scatterbrain," you say gently. "But it looks like your party is going to have to wait."