//------------------------------//
// Meeting Pinkie Pie 
// Story: Sapphire 
// by Duke of Canterlot 
//------------------------------//

Ponyville was beginning to pique Sapphire's curiosity. Was this place really good for anything besides being somewhat near Canterlot? Sapphire would have assumed that it would be convenient for powerful and well-known ponies such as the Wonderbolts and the Princesses to visit due to its proximity to Canterlot. 

The only impressive building Sapphire saw so far was Filthy Rich's house. This was going to be lame. If "Barnyard Bargains" wasn't headquartered in Ponyville, no way would Rich have his family live in Ponyville. Rich was rich even by North Canterlot standards, Sapphire felt bad for Diamond Tiara, she must have felt like a fish out of water in sleepy Ponville. However, she seemed polite and cheerful, so maybe Ponyville was treating her well. Sapphire wondered though if these Cutie Mark Crusaders were bullying Diamond Tiara. He would have to inquire about that. If there was one kind of pony Sapphire hated, it was a bully..kind of like Big Boss.   

Sapphire needed a plan. How could he get enough information on Twilight Sparkle to keep Big Boss satisfied? Sapphire wanted to do this quickly. He decided it was time to explore Ponyville.

Before Sapphire left, he saw a purple mare with a sunhat, she had a trophy cutie mark on her flank. At first, he assumed she was an earth pony but he could tell that there was a horn under her hat  from the way it titled on her head. There was something vaguely unicorn-like about Diamond Tiara, she must get that from her mother. 

"Oh, you must be Sapphire. My husband has talked very highly of you, I am Trophy Mare." 
"Pleasure to meet you. Rich has been a gracious host so far."
"Oh, that does not surprise me one bit. He always knows how to make ponies feel special. I swear he spoils our daughter too much, but he does it out of love."
"I have met her though, she seems to be a sweet pony."
"I agree but I do fear that Rich will make her far too soft in disposition. She has told me about this gang of three at her school who pleasure in terrorizing her because she has a cutie mark."
"That's just youthful jealousy. I went through it since I was the first pony in my class to get my cutie mark, Ms. Mare."
"Oh, please call me Trophy."
"Of course, Trophy."
"So, have you gotten the chance to explore Ponyville yet?"
"I haven't."
"You really should. It is charmingly rustic." 
"That sounds along the lines of what I've been hearing."
"Very well, please make yourself at home here. My family and I are glad that you are staying with us."
"It has indeed been a pleasure to meet you, Trophy."

Sapphire went outside. It was a really sunny day. The air did seem fresher here than in Canterlot and definitely fresher than in Manehattan. Sapphire walked across town. He was thinking about where he should start but then he heard... "Hiya! You must be new here!"

Sapphire turned around and saw a pink earth pony with an enormous grin on her face. The grin almost seemed cartoonish but at the same time cute. She was short in stature but had a poofy pink hairdo which added some height. 
Sapphire noticed her cutie mark - a bunch of balloons - perhaps she is a clown...nah, there was a certain charm to her which seemed very unclown-like. In fact, he could see a sharp intellect from the pony just by looking into her eyes.  

"Hello, yes I am new here."

"I knew it because I know every pony in Ponyville and oh my gosh, I need to throw you a party, what's your name?"

"Sapphire."

"Ooh, that's a super duper awesome name, my name is Pinkie Pie! Which is funny because I'm not a pie."

"But you are very pink."

"Just like how you are very sapphire, that name fits you well."

"So, what sort of fun things are there to do in Ponyville? I've been having trouble.."

"Fun!! Oh my gosh! Everything is fun here in Ponyville! Sugarcube Corner has the best sweets, all the ponies here are super nice and oh my.. the Apple farm.. mmmmm... their apple pies are so good, not quite as awesome as pinkie pies, but you should really try their cider, I camp out the night before the Apples start selling cider. And wow.. this place is the best. There are some nice freshwater lakes here and yes!!"

"I see."

"So, where you are from?"

"Canterlot."

"Ooh, like the Princesses."

"Yea..but Canterlot is a big place, a lot of ponies live there - you can easily live in Canterlot and never see the Princesses in pony actually."

"So you never met the Princesses?"

"Afraid not. I don't know if that disappoints you."

Pinkie Pie giggled. "Why would that disappoint me?"

"I figured that you would only want to associate yourself with the finest of stallions."

"Yea, that's true alright!"

Sapphire didn't know whether to laugh or just walk away.

"That's why I want to spend my time with you", said Pinkie Pie as she hugged Sapphire, "ooh, I like your cutie mark, it makes me hungry though."

"Oh yes, pi. I don't know why it makes people think of food. Math never makes me hungry."

"Tee hee, you're silly, I like you. Do you need a place to stay?"

"Nah, I already have housing. Living with a friend of a fr..well, my boss actually."

"Ah, so I guess you are going to have to work super hard while at Ponyville, don't worry though, Pinkie Pie will show you the fun side of Ponyville!"

"I appreciate that. Any nightclubs?"

"Well.. it's not technically a nightclub, but I throw a lot of parties at Sugarcube Corner where a lot of crazy stuff goes on, you will have to see for yourself. Have you seen much of Ponyville yet?"

Pinkie would do just fine at one of his favorite nightclubs at Manehattan.

"No, I..."

"That's great!! I, Pinkie Pie, would like to give you a tour of Ponyville! C'mon let's go!" Pinkie Pie grabbed Sapphire by the arm. "You know that I am friends with everypony but even ponies like me have best friends and there are these five girls.. oh my gosh.. you have to met them! We will do that but first, I want to show you Sugarcube Corner. Did I mention that's also where I live?? It has a nice apartment and the Cakes are super duper nice...."

Sapphire decided to tag along with the eccentric pink pony. She was cute and seemed incredibly friendly, the kind of pony who would likely know a lot about Princess Twilight Sparkle. Would Twilight actually be friends with her though? Probably not, Sapphire couldn't see the reserved and bookish Twilight tolerating a pony like Pinkie Pie for long. 

Also, Sapphire thought, if Pinkie's friends were as cute and bubbly as her, this could turn out to be a lot of fun.