//------------------------------// // The Summer's End Celebration (Part Two) // Story: Fifty-Three Pickup // by blowngasket //------------------------------// The Summer's End Celebration (Part Two) “Food’s done!” Catacomb yelled out, attempting to draw in everyone’s attention. Despite the call, he was unsuccessful in pulling Perry away from his new magical kingdom. “Perry, will ya quit playing in the sand and eat with us?” Catacomb asked, starting to become irritated. “But the citizens of Fort Ress have no line of defense against the encroaching monster waves and their dastardly desire to completely ruin the fall harvest, leaving them starving. If the army is incapable of recruiting enough people, then the winter will surely finish the town off, leaving it a tragic memory of the past!” Everyone who lined up by Catacomb patiently waiting to get served looked at Perry, eyes filled with concern. “Ummm…are you okay?” Twilight asked first. Perry realized that he allowed himself to become caught in a fantasy world for a moment, dragging him away from reality. He laughed, trying to shake off his rant as something completely silly. “I always wondered if I would see the day that his delicate state of mind would finally crumble. I guess it is time to call the loony bin.” Catacomb grinned and shrugged. Perry silently glared at him. “Now if you are sane, get your ass over here and eat. I will not tolerate one of the main reasons for my lack of cow flesh today to completely skip out on dinner.” Catacomb spoke sternly. "Pardon me for my personal tastes and such." Perry grumbled, getting up from his location and making his way over towards the rest of the group. He was quickly greeted by the smell of grill roasted vegetables seasoned and cooked to perfection. He frowned behind his mask, staring at the meal laid out on the table, including picnic staples such as potato salad, celery and carrot sticks, and a home made salad Catacomb had prepared before leaving. He didn't want to admit it, but he was most likely going to miss the energetic man more than most, maybe with the exception of Twilight. "Equestria to Perry? Are you okay?" Catacomb asked, waving his hand in front of his mask vigorously. "I am fine, just thinking is all." Catacomb accepted the excuse, and took his seat at the table alongside everyone else, making himself a plate. Perry did so as well, as good food should be eaten, not stared at. ---------- ---------- ---------- The sun was nearing the edge of the horizon, a fire lit and everyone sitting alongside of it. Dinner a thing of the past, the marshmallows skewered on sticks weren't the only thing on the groups mind. "I am indeed a thing of curiosity and intrigue. A tale which is long in the making. My cutie mark has often been a thing of speculation, but the truth behind it will soon make sense." Perry said, everyone listening to him. "Is the goofy act necessary?" Catacomb asked, Rainbow nodding alongside him. "Will you shush? He is trying to tell a story." Rarity scolded him from across the circle. "Do go on, dear. I am sure we are all dying of anticipation. "I'm not." Catacomb said, flashing a cheeky grin. "Heard this story before, and you are all getting overexcited. Long story short he-" Catacomb was immediately silence with the addition of several chewy sweets shoved into his mouth, trying to eat them without choking. "Thank you, Twilight." Perry said, Twilight smiling innocently as the man next to her struggled to finish the marshmallows. "My mark may look different, but it is actually two sides to the same coin." Perry lifted up one side of his shorts enough to get a full view. Everyone looked at the image on his upper leg, the black half of the yin yang symbol shown often in eastern neighsia. Inside the thickest part of the black was a white circle. After a few seconds Perry proceeded to lift the other side, showing the white half on his other leg, a black circle present in the brightest part of it. "Umm...what is is?" Rainbow asked, staring at the image for some time. "Are they bugs?" "Don't be silly, Dashie. They are tadpoles!" Pinkie said, correcting her friend, though not being right herself. "They are not bugs or baby frogs," Twilight said, earning their attention. "They are a symbol representing balance and unity of opposing forces." "Ahh..." Both Rainbow and Pinkie said together, starting with a nod, but the nod turning into a head shake, both having no clue what they meant. "Okay, think of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna." Twilight began, making sure she had everyone's attention. "Both control the night and day respectively, not counting Luna's absence. They move the celestial bodies in such a way that no side overpowers another, allowing us to live in comfort, never too hot or too cold, because they work to provide balance." "So...what you're saying is that Perry is the sun and the moon?" Pinkie asked, her eyes widening. "That is super awesome!" Pinkie said, poking him repeatedly. Perry chuckled, not as bothered by her as Twilight seemed, her lecture not really getting through to her. "What it means is that my special talent is balance." Perry added to Twilights explanation. "That explains why you are so awesome on the tightrope!" Pinkie misunderstood what he had said again. "Pinkie...that isn't..." He noticed Twilight simply shaking her head in defeat, and decided to give up as well. At least it seemed like everyone else figured it out. "So why not have it be complete on both sides?" Applejack asked, Perry shrugging as he himself didn't really know. "It isn't as uncommon as you may think to have this happen, though it isn't normal." Twilight said, preparing her own explanation. "Though generally more mundane, I have read about firsthand encounters with people with marks like that. Honestly, it is nothing more than an off chance. Applejack, you could have had one apple on one side and two on another. Fluttershy could have had caterpillars on one side. Odd, but not all that big of a deal. "So I am not a freak of nature?" Perry asked Twilight, who seemed to know more about this than he did. "No more than normal." She responded with a smile. Perry let out a small sigh of relief. "Probably just your weird genetics if you want to get scientific." "Genetics?" Perry would have looked completely lost had anyone been able to see him. Catacomb sighed and shook his head. "Genetics. The particular traits you were born with ingrained into your very being on a microscopic level." Catacomb started to speak, surprising everyone into complete silence. "Your genealogy is connected with some pretty twisted stuff. Dark magic, curses, and whatever the heck ya may have gotten from your mom. Ya take all of that, throw it into a blender and forget to put on the lid and let it run for nine months. Whatever is left inside is what makes you." All eyes were on Catacomb. "What?" He asked, not understanding why everyone was staring at him. "Holy crap, Twi! Ya turned him into an egghead like you." Rainbow said, cracking into small laughing fits, holding her sides. "Actually Rainbow, that was all him." Twilight commented, a slight blush on her face. She didn't want to admit it, but listening to his simplified version of a difficult topic was actually kind of sexy for her. She tried to hide it from everyone, but Catacomb's ability made it quite difficult. She couldn't tell if he was smirking because he was being his usual smug self, or because he knew. "No way. Catacomb isn't smart." Rainbow responded crudely, the man in question flinching as if struck by something heavy. "Actually..." Perry started to speak quietly. "He has a PhD in human biology." The only sounds audible were the crackling of the fire roasting marshmallows to a blackened crisp. Catacomb fumbled about, embarrassed beyond belief. Not because of the sets of eyes staring on in awe and wonder, or just plain confusion. He could easily tolerate that, as he has on a regular basis. He was always able to be confident in any situation. He was embarrassed this time around because he could swear that hearing about his achievement turned his girlfriend on. ---------- ---------- ---------- Night had arrived fully, the last sunset of the vacation coming to an end. The party didn't have to however, and it most certainly wouldn't if Pinkie and Perry had anything to say about it. The beach was just the first step of the best day ever. Now it was up to them to try and keep it going. They had secretly had this planned out, plotting for a week behind even their closest friend's back. Included were the usual games plus a few new ones, food, and as a parting gift to their friend, a cask of 'the good stuff.' Finely aged apple cider, meant to give as much of a kick as it was for it's flavor. Sure, everyone knew there was going to be a party. It would be silly not to assume such, knowing the two responsible. What surprised them was the subtlety in the delivery. No huge crowds, jumping music, or eye jarring strobe lights. It was a simple layout, with the banner being the most flashy object in the room. "Good luck, Cata." He wasn't the type to get overly emotional, but Catacomb was hard pressed to not feel loved right now. He never felt so wanted in his life, especially from people who actually knew who and what he was. He took a deep breath, swallowed his inner wuss, and turned towards the rest of the group with a grin on his face. "Let's party!" And it was off. The group wasted no time in bringing out some of the simple, yet fun activities, each of them enjoying their own little slices of happiness. "You never played Twister before?" Perry asked his shy girlfriend. Fluttershy was carefully holding a glass of the cider from within the cask, quietly sipping it while watching him and Rainbow set up the mat. She shook her head, though enticed by all the bright dots. "It's easy, Flutters." Rainbow said. "You spin that thingy, and put whatever body part on the color shown." She handed her the spinner and walked over to the mat. "I'll show ya. Give it a spin." Fluttershy did as she was told, lightly flicking the black spinner and watching it stop. "Umm...I think this says to put your left foot on yellow." Fluttershy showed Rainbow the spinner. Rainbow nodded and placed her left foot on the yellow spot. "Should I do it again?" "Yup. Make it a hard one!" Rainbow said with enthusiasm. Fluttershy gave the dial another spin and watched it stop. "Right hand green?" Fluttershy said. Rainbow bent over and placed her hand on the circle. "So, you think you get it?" Rainbow asked. "It is actually really fun. You just try to keep your balance. You fall, you lose." She got up and walked over to Fluttershy and Perry. "It seems...umm...oh my..." Fluttershy was blushing slightly, staring at the board and her friend. "It seems what?" Rainbow asked. Fluttershy blushed heavily and looked away. "Umm...well...it seems...physical..." Rainbow watched Fluttershy's expression, smirking. "Hey, Ark! Could ya come here for a second?" Rainbow called out through the room to the man in front of the tray of muffins. He turned his head towards Rainbow. She waved him over, grinning widely. He reluctantly got up, not really wanting to participate in any games. He knew better, though. Rainbow's insistence would eventually get the better of him, so he would just get this over with and enjoy his food in peace. "What..." "Someone's grouchy." Rainbow said, her grin only growing. "You know how to play?" Ark looked down and then back to her, nodding slowly. He wasn't sure he liked where this was going. "Good. We will play in teams. Perry and Flutters against me and Ark. Sound good?" "Of course. I take it we are playing endurance?" Perry asked. Rainbow nodded and smiled. "What is endurance?" Fluttershy asked herself, not really sure what was going on. "Endurance is when you try to go through more spin rotations than your opponents. Basically, we will be working together." Fluttershy thought about it for a moment. Normally she would decline, but the alcohol was starting to take effect, telling her it was a good idea. "I guess it is fine." Rainbow pumped the air, feeling successful. "Awesome. Are you ready, Ark?" "...If I said no?" Ark asked honestly. "I'd make ya do it anyways." Rainbow responded with a smirk. "Fine." The game started, with both Ark and Rainbow taking turns setting their body parts on the bright dots. Even though he wasn't enthusiastic, Ark was good. Not as good as his partner, but managing to last fifteen spins was impressive for anyone. Unfortunately, it all came crashing down, literally, as Rainbow fell on top of him when a rogue dust particle managed to force her concentration from her awkward position over him. She sneezed and slipped, taking the unsuspecting Ark with her. Perry, as well as a slightly inebriated Fluttershy, chuckled at the scene. Ark was face first into the mat with Rainbow Dash laying across his head and upper body. He mumbled what was most likely a curse word from his spot, trying to crawl out from his entrapment. After some awkward untangling, the two managed to separated from each other, Rainbow glaring at the opposing team. "Well let's see you two do better." Rainbow growled out. "If you insist, Rainbow." Perry said, the two groups trading places. Perry turned towards his partner, the slight smile replaced with a worried stare. "I don't know if I can do this." Fluttershy said quietly. "Don't worry, dear." Perry said reassuringly. "It is just for fun in the end. Tell you what. Do what makes you comfortable, and I will simply work around you." "Just have fun..." Fluttershy repeated to herself, trying to get herself in the spirit. "You giving up already?" Rainbow, who was listening to the two talk, smiled triumphantly. "Rainbow...what makes you think that?" Perry responded, his tone low, and his voice bordering creepy. He started to snicker slowly, the light laugh gaining force and volume, slowly turning maniacal. Her nerves starting to weaken, Perry raised his left arm to the side while at the peak of his laughter. Rainbow jumped when he suddenly stopped and a loud pop was heard. "Wh-What are you..." Her question was answered in action, Perry's outstretched arm moving backwards behind him, remaining perfectly straight even at an angle that would be painful to most. The moment the back of his hand patted his own shoulder, Rainbow understood her situation. "Perry?!" Fluttershy yelped out in surprise. She could tell his arm was no longer in the proper socket. It was a freaky sight to say the least. Perry moved the arm back to it's proper position. With a few jolts and twitches, it was back where it belonged, though the rest of them were still speechless, especially Ark. "So, who goes first?" Perry said, casually walking back to the mat like what he did was nothing. ---------- ---------- ---------- "I am going to miss you, Cata." Twilight softly spoke, preferring to stare into his eyes over the clear night sky under them. "Really, now?" Catacomb said, pulling her closer to him. He positioned himself on the bench by the fountain to make it more comfortable for Twilight to rest against him. "And why is that?" He smiled and rubbed her hair out of her eyes. "Because, I like your dinners." Twilight responded, teasing the changeling with a wink. Catacomb laughed happily. He was going to miss all of these lazy days. Having fun with his new friends, making memories, and learning about love first hand. It was so incredibly corny, but even he would admit that he wished this moment would last forever. "Cata?" His train of thought was quickly broken when Twilight began to speak again. "Hmm?" Cata inquired quietly, not wanting to ruin the mood with too many words. "What is Fluttershy doing?" Twilight pointed towards her friend. Fluttershy was with Perry, making their ways towards a house. She knocked on the door loudly, before ducking into the bushes alongside her partner in crime. The owner, an older looking man, peeked out, looking around for the ones responsible, but no one was within sight. "Did she just-" "Yup." "Do you think she is-" "Drunk? Probably." "Wow...you guys are a really bad-" "Influence?" "Stop that." Twilight stared at Catacomb. He shrugged, and pointed back to the couple reappearing from their hiding place, quickly making their way to the next house. "They are doing it again." Catacomb said, chuckling. This time Perry was the knocker, banging on the door. The two quickly ran to the side of the house, obviously having a good time. "I swear, none of you are playing with a full deck of card." Twilight smirked, gently jabbing Catacomb with her elbow. "Says the book addict." Catacomb remarked jokingly. "Wanna go back to the party? "Might as well. It is your party, right?" "Didn't stop them." Catacomb said, pointing towards the other couple diving for cover behind a fence. He and Twilight laughed at the duo's antics from their cozy spot on the bench. "How about we wait a few more minutes. This is kinda fun." Catacomb snuggled into Twilight more. She responded the same, letting out a simple, content sigh. The vacation may be over, but the adventure never has to end. There is always something new and wonderful to learn. It is always made better because of the people sharing the experience with you.