//------------------------------// // Chapter Two // Story: A Helping Hoof // by kbooms //------------------------------// The sun was descending toward the horizon, already showing signs of the gorgeous sunset to come. The oranges and yellows swirling together in the sky caused the pink pony watching to grin devilishly. “Excellent,” she muttered to herself – even her moustache quivered with anticipation. “This ship will be sailing shortly.” Pinkie was on her way to find Fluttershy. Her duty was to bring her to the restaurant Rarity had chosen for dinner. She couldn’t pronounce the name of the place, but Rarity had told her where it was in town and that she’d take care of the reservation. Apparently it was perfect. Originally, Pinkie was going to go get Applejack, but she was fairly sure that her fellow earth pony would be suspicious from their earlier conversation. The thought of the farmpony reminded her to remove her fake moustache before crossing the small bridge in front of Fluttershy’s cottage, and she did so with a reluctant sigh. She bounced up to the small red door, knocked excitedly, and was unable to stay still during the wait. When the timid pegasus opened the door, the pink mare pounced. “Fluttershy!” She grabbed her friend’s forehoof. “Do you wanna come to dinner?” “Um, well, I was just about to curl up and read a—” “But you have to come!” Pinkie Pie pleaded. “It’s just won’t be the same if you don’t go!” “Oh!" Fluttershy’s eyes had gone wide at the party pony’s desperation. “Well... in that case... I’d hate to make anypony upset.” “Good.” The pink mare beamed. “Come with me!” Fluttershy trotted after her friend. They’d made it past the bridge before she spoke up. “So, um… Pinkie Pie?” She fidgeted with a hoof. “Where exactly are we going to dinner? And who will be there? I don’t know if I can handle a large crowd of ponies tonight….” “Don’t you worry, Fluttershy!” Pinkie patted her friend’s mane. “It’s just a few of us – your best friends! You’ll love it!” “But…” Pinkie Pie’s face was deadly serious when she turned to face the pegasus again. “Seriously. Don’t make me try to say the name. It won’t be pretty.” “Aren’t you going to brush your mane?” Rarity asked, weariness in her voice. She’d spent the better part of 30 minutes convincing Applejack that she needn’t have every single meal with her family. “Ah never brush mah mane when Ah hang out with you gals. Why should t’night be any diff’rent?” The orange mare raised an eyebrow in challenge. “Ain’t like Ah’m goin’ on a date or anythin’.” Rarity tittered humorlessly. “Of course not.” “So Ah don’ see why it’s necessary.” “Well at least wash the dirt off your face and hooves.” The unicorn huffed. “Ah’m gonna be walkin’ through dirt t’ get there.” Applejack drawled. “Might as well do it when Ah get there.” “Fine.” Rarity was losing patience anyway. Let her ruin her own date night. “Shall we?” “Ah reckon so.” The pair trotted in silence for several minutes. Rarity had finished fuming and was wracking her brain for ways to help Applejack be presentable without making her upset. Her eyes glinted as she came up with a plan. When they were only a few minutes to the restaurant, Applejack spoke up. “Rarity, Ah can feel what you’re doin’.” “Whatever do you mean, Applejack?” Rarity feigned innocence. “I’m not doing a thing but taking you to the restaurant where we’re meeting everypony.” The farmpony gave her a look of weariness. “Oh, so mah mane an’ tail untangled an’ braided themselves, huh?” Rarity glared at her friend. “I’m just trying to help!” She ran a critical eye over her handiwork. “And, frankly, you look quite nice now.” Applejack simply rolled her eyes. “So where exac’ly are we goin’, anyhow?” “A lovely little place called ‘Le Fer à Cheval,’ which is just around this corner.” Rarity eyed the farmpony. “Do try to enjoy yourself.” The orange mare had gone still after hearing the name. She turned wide eyes to the unicorn beside her. “A fancy Prench restaurant? What in tarnation is goin’ on here, Rarity?” “Well,” the fashionista huffed. “Some ponies like to be civilised every so often.” Her eyes sparkled as she gazed upon the entrance. “Here we are!” Pinkie Pie was bouncing near the door, giggling at the fancy hosts and the serious looks on the servers’ faces. Next to her, Fluttershy looked quite like she’d collapse in on herself if made to walk another step with the outrageous pink party planner. The pegasus’ face lit up when she saw her other two friends approaching. “Oh, thank goodness you came,” she breathed. “We were worried that nopony else would show up.” “Very good,” the host interrupted. “Mademoiselle Rarity, party of two?” “Party of two?” Applejack echoed bemusedly. “Oh dear, the reservations must have gotten confused.” Rarity waved a hoof dismissively. “You two go on and enjoy yourselves. Pinkie and I must start preparations for the party later, anyway.” “P-party?” Fluttershy gasped. “Yup!” Pinkie replied. “You have to come over to Sugar Cube Corner afterwards!” Applejack surveyed the two grinning ponies in front of her with narrowed eyes full of skepticism. “Uh-huh.” “Excusez-moi, mademoiselles, but the table?” The host gestured toward a small table near some panoramic windows, which featured a breath-taking view of the now setting sun. “Shame t’ waste a table on a misunderstandin’.” The farmpony looked over at Fluttershy and shrugged. “Ah guess it’s jus’ you an’ me, sugarcube.” Fluttershy glanced at her other two friends. “I-if you’re sure. I mean, somepony can have my spot….” “Don’t be silly, Fluttershy!” Pinkie crowed. “You go have fun!” The farmpony and the pegasus cast doubtful looks at their friends before turning and walking over to their table. Before the host could follow with the menus, Rarity waved him over briefly. “Send the tab to me, Théo.” She said briskly, smiling her thanks. “As you wish, mon amie.” He bowed his head and swiftly made his way over to the table. Rarity and Pinkie Pie trotted away from the restaurant. They made it a couple buildings down before excitedly congratulating themselves. “We did it!” Pinkie Pie squealed. “Now they’ll have to tell each other that they’re in love and then we can celebrate it when they come to the party later!” “Indeed, Pinkie.” Rarity smiled at her friend. “I think we have done well. This restaurant is perfect—” A light blue blur flashed by, and a strong wind pulled at the two conversing ponies. A resounding crash nearby confirmed Rainbow Dash’s presence. “Hey guys!” The pegasus’ greeting floated up from a shallow groove in the ground. “Dashie!” Pinkie bounced over to the mass of rainbow-colored mane and tangled blue limbs. “Do you wanna help us set up a party?” “A party?” Rainbow queried, shaking the dirt out of her mane. “For what?” “Applejack and Fluttershy falling in love, of course!” Pinkie’s grin deepened. The blue pegasus raised an eyebrow, her smile fading. “What?” “We just got them to a fancy dinner together and, with any luck, they shall share their feelings with one another and end up happily together.” Rarity nearly swooned with the romance of it all. “Wait. You took Applejack to a fancy restaurant?” She glanced at the sign a few buildings down, her eyebrows rocketing up at the sight. “A fancy Prench restaurant?” “Why… yes!” Rarity cocked her head. “Did you fall too hard this time?” “Ooh! Dashie! How many hooves am I holding up?” Pinkie bounced around, flailing her forehooves in the air. Rainbow Dash just rolled her eyes before fixing Rarity with a scowl. “You know she hates that stuff, right?” “Nopony hates—” Rarity began with an impatient sigh. “No,” the pegasus interjected. “She hates it.” She rubbed a forehoof against her forehead. “Why exactly are you doing this, anyway?” “Ooh, ooh, I know!” Pinkie stopped flailing and came to a stop in front of her friends. “I got a love combo at market today! And it was totally those two who set it off!” “I see.” Rainbow Dash sighed deeply. “So who’s gonna keep watch to make sure Applejack doesn’t bail?” The two co-conspirators looked at one another thoughtfully. Simultaneously, they both turned their gaze to the pegasus, still lying on the ground at their hooves. They grinned. Rainbow Dash was nonplussed. “Aaaand this is how I get myself roped into these kinds of things.” "We appreciate your help ever so much, darling." Rarity smiled dazzlingly as she gave her friend's multi-colored mane a soft pat. "Why am I so bucking loyal?" the pegasus hissed under her breath, watching her friends trot away merrily. "See you at the partyyyyy!" Pinkie Pie called back to her cheerily.