//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Back in Ponyville // by runforever101 //------------------------------// “Berry Punch?! You live in Ponyville?” Cheese sputtered “You bet, sweetheart!” she slurred. “You’ve been drinking haven’t you?” He asked standing up straight and raising an eyebrow. “If I hadn’t been wouldn’t you be more bananas?” “Berry you’re not making any sense.” hissed Cheese trying to walk past her. She stopped him and sprawled herself across his back. “I-I think we should get back together!” “I already have a marefriend…” he growled pushing her off with his hoof. “Well you know who to call if she doesn’t do the trick,” Berry winked and stumbled off into the night. Cheese lowered his eyebrows in un-amusement. He continued to walk back to Sweet Apple Acres and went straight to bed. Monday morning was the perfect day for Pinkie and Cheese to spend all their hours together. Apparently, the Cakes would be out of town and Pinkie was running Sugarcube Corner. Cheese was so happy to help, he woke up especially early. The time was 5:00 A.M. to be exact. Cheese woke up, gulped down leftover pie (because that was suitable for breakfast consumption), brushed his teeth, gathered his items of fun, and left around 5:05. Luckily for Cheese, he was dealing with somepony who thought like he did. Pinkie was waiting for him when the party stallion arrived. “Shh!” Pinkie giggled even though Cheese wasn’t talking. “It’s very early!” They both giggled like schoolfillies and skipped into the shop. “How can I help?” the orange one grinned, looking around. “Well I know it’s super-duperly early, but we need to make enough pastries to feed the town!” Pinkie smiled crazy wide. “Baking montage?” Cheese asked with an accordion in his hooves. “Baking montage!” With the combination of music and cheap jokes, the two party ponies baked enough pastries for all of Equestria. Since Cheese wasn’t a good baker, Pinkie had to help him, but he got the hang of it… not really but hey, they were still edible. The two ponies were tired from all of the baking, but it was only 8:00 at that time. Sugarcube Corner opened at 10:00. “So what do we do?” Cheese asked as he wiped sweat off of his forehead. Pinkie didn’t say anything at first, thinking Cheese looked pretty handsome when he did that. His mane flowed with his hoof, the warm glow of hard work plastered on his face. He raised an eyebrow and smirked when he asked the question, while not losing his sense of silliness. He wasn’t looking her in the eye, he wasn’t confident enough yet for that. I take pride in myself for meeting ponies all over Equestria! he thought nervously, But out of all the mares….I know Pinks… She’s just so… pretty! Cheese’s opinions on Pinkie were identical. Her glow, her eyes, her mane. Everything was blissful at that moment. “I think we have enough time to watch a movie!” Since Pinkie threw parties more often than Twilight read books, she had to have a projector for movie parties. “What kind of movie?” Cheese chuckled. “A comedy!” Pinkie chimed as she headed up the staircase. Upstairs, the Cake’s had a living room for guests. It had blue walls with a gingerbread house accent on the edges. It had a bookshelf full of everything from cookbooks to 1000 Ways to Say Party (one of Pinkie’s personal favorites). Pinkie told Cheese to sit on the couch as she set up the projector. He insisted he should help, but she wanted the guest to be guested. When the stallion asked what that meant, the pink mare simply giggled and claimed she didn.’t know. As Pinkie was looking through the movie collection, the other pony couldn’t help but notice there was a screw loose from the screen. It all seemed like slow motion. The screen and the metal bar were falling, Cheese stood up and rushed over to Pinkie, he pushed her out of the way, the bar hit his flank, but Pinkie was safe. “Cheese!” Pinkie leaned up and hugged Cheese as he panted, amazed he was able to achieve that kind of speed. Pinkie didn’t let go anytime soon. They stood there for a few seconds, panting and recovering from almost dying. When Cheese Stood up, he hoof supported Pinkie as well. “You’ve got to be more careful!” he scolded. PInkie looked up. Her eyes brimmed with tears, her lip quivered. “Thank you for saving me!” She cheered with her voice shaking. Cheese wrapped his hooves around her. His eyes closed. “What would I do without you Pinkie?” he whispered. “W-what?” she smiled, wiping the tears from her eyes. “N-nothing…” he let the corners of his mouth turn up as he looked away and scratched the back of his neck with his forehoof. They walked back to the couch and watched the movie. Despite being a comedy, there were some boring parts. Pinkie yawned and leaned on Cheese. He winced. “What’s wro-“ she cut herself off by seeing the huge bruise on his flank. “Is that from… the bar?” she whispered in shock. He nodded holding back tears. Pinkie smiled wider than ever, looking like she was about to blast off like a rocket. She hugged Cheese and laughed in a sad way. “My hero!” she smiled, rubbing her muzzle against his neck. Goosebumps spread as his blush appeared. As the movie continued, Pinkie and Cheese snuggled. Pinkie rubbed her head against Cheese and he formed to her liking. By the time the movie ended, Cheese was on the verge of slumber whilst the pink one was already dreaming. He blushed. She was wearing a cute smile and snoring ever so slightly. Having a d’aww moment, he pushed his muzzle against her cheek. “Pinkie it’s time to open up Sugarcube Corner.” It was as if that was her trigger word. “TIME TO GO!” Pinkie grinned as she sped to the door. The scene sent Cheese flying backwards off the couch, but Pinkie ran back and threw him over her back like a sack of potatoes. The stallion was surprised at her strength. Pinkie positioned herself behind the counter and rubbed her hooves together and grinned. Cheese stood by the door. After looking confused for a few minutes, Cheese realized he was supposed to open the door. He regretted it. The ponies pretty much trampled him to get the first batch of sweets. What happened to small town hospitality? He trotted behind the counter and helped sell the pastries. Unfortunately, some of the ponies thought he was cutting in front of them and pushed him back. When he did make it, Pinkie shoved a bag into his mouth. “Thanks so much for your help!” Cheese took the bag out. “100 bits?! Pinkie, I can’t take this money from you!” Pinkie just giggled and turned back to the crowd. Cheese smiled and helped her. The breakfast crowd left about 11:00. That gave the two an hour before Sugarcube Corner started serving lunch. “Hey Cheese?” Pinkie asked around 11:05, “I need to grab some ingredients for lunch hour, will you watch the register while I make some sandwiches?” Cheese eagerly nodded, “Anything for you, Pinkie!” She quickly kissed him on the cheek and ran back. He blushed but managed to cover it up as another pony walked in. “Welcome to Sugarcube Corner how may I- Oh no.” Berry Punch strutted in. “Why hello, Cheese.” “Please, I told you that we were threw,” Cheese turned his head from her and pretended to do something else. “Really? Because I could tell you liked it when I-“ “Hi Berry Punch!” Pinkie bounced in, holding a container of lunch items on her back. “Hi Pinkie,” the purple one grinned. Pinkie looked through what was left of the breakfast stuff. “I have some banana muffins!” Cheese turned his head thinking two things. One, he was surprised Derpy Hooves hadn’t taken them all. Two, he was utterly in love with banana muffins. Boneless Two also enjoyed them. Hi mouth water as he thought of the soft, banana-y muffin. “I’ll take the whole batch!” Berry said looking at the stallion whose heart had stopped. “I’m getting them for an old friend of mine.” “Well then I’ll give you them for free!” Pinkie smiled, putting the rest of the muffins in the bag. “Thanks, I know that if my friend wants them, they’ll come over to my house.” Berry smiled as she left Sugarcube Corner. “Pinkie, do you know Berry well?” Cheese asked lowering his eyebrows at the door. “Sort of, she came to town a few years ago. I threw a party for her! She drinks all the punch. She drinks a lot!” Pinkie laughed. “Why do you ask?” “Look Pinks, I’ve known her for a long time. Don’t associate yourself with her…” Cheese scoured the shelf for at least crumbs from the muffins. There were none. “And why shouldn’t I?” Pinkie’s loutish voice stayed the same, but she was obviously angry. I know some ponies think when mare’s get angry, they get uglier. They were so wrong. Pinkie seemed to not have any anger lines on her forehead. Her beautiful blue eyes popped, she looked like she was snarling, but Cheese thought it looked kind of funny. “I’ve just known her for a while, like I said.” the orange stallion changed the subject. “Can I have a sandwich?” They both munched on their lunches in silence. Pinkie looked over at Cheese. His hair was surprisingly neat despite it’s immense curliness. His eyebrows were a little bushy, but on him it was adorable. His smile was pretty adorable. Probably because he doesn’t eat as many sweets! Pinkie frowned a little, but smiled again at the sight of her crush. he looked over at her. She looked down quickly. He already knows I like him... did we rush this? Oh, I’m so confused. Cheese had a different dilemma, trying to get as much food into his stomach before he had to work again. The day went by slowly, Pinkie and Cheese only talked when they had the chance. When four o'clock came around, the ponies were hungry, exhausted, and ready to close shop. Pinkie waved goodbye to Fluttershy, who stopped by to grab a sandwich for Angel Bunny, and locked the door. After that she turned around and slumped down. “I haven’t been this tired since Dashie’s birthaversary!” Cheese walked over and sat beside her. “It has been a long day.” “Oh, and speaking of the last party we planned together before you left town, do you want me to get Boneless for you to say hi to?” Cheese smiled at Pinkie. “But he’s yours now. He was a memento of my visit.” “I know, I know!” Pinkie giggled waving her hoof around. “But I think he misses you!” She leaned closer to him. He looked into her eyes, not with a crushes embarrassment, but with longing. “You’re looking into my eyes!” She cheered. Cheese was hoping the silence would last a little longer, but in the end, he got what he wanted. Pinkie pushed her head forward and kissed him for the first time on the mouth. Cheese was even more surprised that kissing wasn’t from silence like in the movie he saw with Pinkie earlier. He kissed her back, he didn’t care how it was initiated anymore. With one hoof on her cheek, Cheese stroked a hood through her mane. She pulled away and giggled. There was silence again. “WellIbettergetreadyfortheCakes’returnseeyoutommorrow!” Pinkie ran up the stairs. Cheese sat there in sheer awe of Pinkie Pie. One second she had him in her hoof, next she left him in the dust. Maybe that’s what Cheese liked so much about Pinkie, she was seemingly unattainable. Cheese couldn’t help but smile as he heard Pinkie cheering upstairs. He let himself out as he danced down the streets of Ponyville. I kissed Pinkie Pie. It was like a trophy he had now. As he was walking back to the Apple’s, he couldn’t help but notice Berry Punch sitting in a lawn chair in her front yard. He tried to put his head down and hurry by, but she saw him. “Hi sweetheart!” she laughed, sipping what looked like iced tea. Knowing Berry it’s probably Long Tail island Iced Tea. “Why don’t you come in?” He reluctantly walked in. “Why did you want to see me so badly?” he asked straightening his yellow shirt. “Because you and Pinkie just aren’t meant to be!” She flipped her mane with her empty hoof and looked at the stallion. “A hunk of a pony like you shouldn’t be with that spaz!” “Now Berry-“ “You used to be calm, cool, sweet talking…” “Berry-“ “Why did you change because of her?” “Berry-“ “What does she have that I don’t?!” “BERRY!” Cheese practically screamed, sending the purple one flying back. “I like Pinkie Pie! End of story!” Her empty threats and drunken slurs were just noise to him. I’ve had enough of her today! That night, Cheese ate dinner with the Apple’s and went straight to bed. Cheese walked by Sugarcube Corner the next day, hoping to run into Pinkie. She was asleep, or so said Mrs. Cake. Cheese decided to take this time to order some supplies for her birthday party. That Sunday, they decided Pinkie’s party needed to be epic, better than Dash’s. He turned his head and pulled a note out of his bag. List of Party Supplies -Wind Tunnel -Party Tank 2.0 (10) -Wonderbolts (or some kind of entertainment) -Pinkie Pie giant balloon -12 ft Cake -Dessert Buffet - The last item was blank, probably because the party planning committee hadn’t thought of anything else. Cheese trotted to downtown Ponyville. He, of course, had to ask around considering he had only been to Ponyville once. The items on the list weren’t really sold in the stores there, but the post office was located there. Cheese pulled an envelope out of the saddlebag he was wearing without taking Boneless 2 off his back. After placing it in the mailbox, Cheese wanted to do something with his day. He remembered Mr. Cake walking in right before he left. The stallion mentioned how Pinkie usually slept late on even days. It was the 10th. Cheese didn’t really know what to do, but he ran, read a book, took a cooking workshop, painted a portrait of the lake, brushed his mane, and made a pot. He painted it pink for Pinkie Pie. It was about 1:00 by that time. Cheese trotted back to Sugarcube Corner with rejuvenated body, information on wedding planning, cookies, a picture of the lake, a freshly brushed mane, and the pink pot. Pinkie was drinking a cup of coffee and sitting by three fillies. One of which looked like Rarity and one who looked like Applejack. Cheese walked over. “Hiya Pinkie! Who are you ladies?” asked the stallion bowing a bit for the fillies. The fillies giggled and looked up at him. “We’re the Cutie Mark Crusaders!” said the one Cheese didn’t recognize. “We’re trying to get our cutie marks for party-planning today!” Cheese couldn’t help but laugh at the fillies’ antics. “Well be careful. May I talk to Pinkie?” “I think she fell asleep…” said the white unicorn filly. As she said, Pinkie had fallen asleep with a little coffee on her lips. “Should we wake her up?” asked the yellow filly. The mare’s head shot up. “I’m up!” she yawned. “Oh, hi Cheesey!” “Hi Pinkie!” he smiled again. “I-“ she yawned, “I’m too busy to hang out with you today. I’m helping the girls find their cutie marks!” “I can help if you want?” Cheese asked, leaning towards Pinkie with an eyebrow raised. She slowly nodded as the fillies cheered. After finishing her large cup of joe, she walked upstairs and came back down jumping. “AAAAAARE YOU READY KIDS?!” “AYE, AYE, PINKIE PIE!” Cheese chuckled a little. “Cheese! You gather some party supplies for the girls to use.” “AYE, AYE, PINKIE PIE!” he jokingly yelled, before walking out. Pinkie turned back to the girls. “Let’s get baking!” The girls formed a sort of bucket brigade line where Sweetie poured in the ingredients for the cupcakes, Apple Bloom mixed it up, and Scootaloo poured it into a pan and put it in the oven. There were a few mistakes along the way, like Scootaloo dropping the pan, Apple Bloom getting batter everywhere, and Sweetie Belle dropping the egg shell in and not getting it out. In the end, the cupcakes weren’t good, but they were edible. The CMC told Pinkie to stay in the kitchen as they heard Cheese come in. Pinkie heard some talking, and she reeeaally wanted to join in but she promised to stay in the kitchen, and Pinkie always keeps a promise. Cheese soon walked in. “They told me to come in here with you.” he smiled trotting over and standing by her. “Do you want to try a cupcake?” Pinkie asked walking over to the cupcakes, not noticing some batter on the ground. Pinkie stumbled around before Cheese caught her. “Wow! This is like the second time you’ve saved me this week!” Pinkie beamed, looking away and letting some red into her cheeks. “Hehe…” Cheese smiled, glowing too. He helped her up. “You really should stop putting yourself in danger like that,” he grinned raising an eyebrow. “Yeah, I am a bit clumsy!” she expressed as the fillies walked in. “The party is ready!” they yelled together. They walked in and gasped. The party was amazing, especially from a few blank-flanks. “Aww, they don’t like it!” pouted the unicorn. “Ah told ya the streamers looked messy Scootaloo!” growled the earth pony. “The streamers don’t look messy!” the pony the stallion presumed was Scootaloo snarled. “Girls, girls!” Pinkie smiled, putting her arms around the fillies. “This party is fantastic!” “Yeah! this is so much better than my first party!” the orange pony encouraged. The younger ones widened their eyes and smiled. “Really?” they asked. “Yeah!” Cheese and Pinkie nodded. The girls turned on a record in the corner. It was a familiar song for both ponies, though neither knew the name. “I love this song!” they said at the same time. “Jinx! DOUBLE JINX!” They guffawed and wiped a few laughter tears from their eyes. It wasn’t even that funny, but maybe it was something about the atmosphere or the lights or the song. It was something. “May I have this dance?” asked Cheese hold out a hood and tilting his head. Pinkie’s looked euphoric, she attacked Cheese with a hug, putting her hooves on his shoulders. They giggled again. the Cutie Mark Crusaders couldn’t help but coo over the couple. They weren’t even doing traditional dance moves. Cheese stepped to the side and did some sort of tumble and held hooves with Pinkie, then spinning her into an embrace. They spun, stepped, and swung. It was like nothing else was happening in the world. Or, that was how the couple felt. Not how a purple pony walking by felt. When she saw the couple, she rolled her eyes and grit her teeth. Bleh, I feel like I’m going to throw up. He’s acting like a crazy pony! She kept walking as she continued to think about the couple. That night, Cheese walked off singing the tune. He knew all would be well with Pinkie. It was only the second week of his trip. What could go wrong? he thought as a taxi hit him.