I got up this morning and immediately went to my boxes. Quickly getting distracted, I glanced over at the large front window and pictured what I would put there. When opening up a shop, you have to have a good display. It’s the first thing people see. Turning my attention back to the task at hand, several minutes were spent trying to open the first box before I remembered I had my key to cut the tape with.
Once I started getting boxes open, I pulled out any completed clocks and toys, leaving all spare parts in their boxes. Boxes of parts were shoved against the wall and my few boxes of clothes were pushed into my room on the other side of the bed. It took me a couple of hours just to get everything out of the boxes.
Just as I was about to organize a display, I heard a knock at the door. I wondered who it would be, this time. Would it be the pink, hyperactive equine? The mailmare? The neighbors? Of the three, I honestly hoped it would be the neighbors. Maybe they wouldn’t bounce around me or tackle me in my own home.
I did some quick clearing out so things would look at least a little cleaner from the view of the door, then opened it for my visitor. I looked out and saw a gutter hanging down from my roof and Derpy was staring at the ground with a very colorful letter hanging by the corner from her mouth.
“Are you okay?” I asked, then gently took the letter from her so she could answer.
“Yeah...” she muttered, flexing her wings out a few times.
I tossed the letter onto a box hiding behind the door and took a step out to look at the gutter and her wings. “Did you hit that on your way down?”
She nodded. “Clipped my wing...”
I took a quick look at her and the roof. “You must have not realized how close you were. I would recommend staying grounded for a little while. I might see a doctor later, if I were you. I mean, a proper doctor – a medical doctor. I’m really not qualified to help. Bring a clock or a broken toy and I can fix it, but ponies... ponies are a completely different matter. I work on springs and gears, not –”
“Doctor...”
“What? Oh! Sorry... I didn’t mean to ramble... I just... I do that sometimes.” I offered a nervous smile. “Uh... I imagine you have more mail to deliver... so, um, I guess I’ll let you go... do... that...” With that awkward goodbye done, I slipped back inside. Apparently, I’m not good at meeting new ponies.
I was about to get back to setting up the front window when I remembered the letter. It could probably wait, but the bright colors made me curious. I had about the same luck opening the letter as I did the boxes.
Once I had the letter open, I threw it on a box so I could read it. It was an invitation to my welcome party. The colors probably should have tipped me off.
It was about then that I realized I had forgotten lunch. Lunch would be good. I needed to quit getting distracted from eating. Of course, what was the next thing I did? I went over and set some alarm clocks to go off at mealtimes. Yes. I’m brilliant. Brilliantly procrastinating lunch, at least.
By the time I was done, it was nearly two in the afternoon, and I was very hungry. Very. I galloped out the door, barely getting it closed behind me, grabbed something from the nearest restaurant, and took it back home to have another look at the invitation while I ate.
I was supposed to be at Sugarcube Corner in just over two hours. I didn’t even know where that was, and, of course, Pinkie hadn’t the sense to include directions with the invitation. Well, at the very least, I could get dressed for the party after I finished eating and hope that someone would be able to point me in the right direction.
Two hours later, I was leaving my house with a floppy old bermona hat, matching brown tie, and the satisfaction of having unpacked a few boxes. Granted, I still didn’t know where Sugarcube Corner was. In hindsight, maybe I should have let Pinkie show me around. At least then I’d know where I was going.
Well, as I viewed my situation, I had a few options. I could go to a neighbor or someone else on the street and ask, I could wander around town until I found it, or I could find someone that looked as if they may be on their way to a party and do my best to follow them without seeming creepy. Honestly, I didn’t really like any of them.
I decided to go with wandering around. No need to get into awkward social situations with ponies I don’t know until I have no choice. I’m certain the party will provide enough opportunity for that.
Seeing as Ponyville isn’t a large town, it didn’t take long before I spotted a large tree that had been hollowed out for the purpose of a library – irony at its best. From there, Sugarcube Corner was easy to find. I mean, it’s a gingerbread house on a corner. How much more obvious could it be?
Once I found it, I sat outside, planning to listen to the party awhile before going in. However, as I have been coming to learn, plans made in Ponyville quickly change due to uncontrollable factors: namely, Pinkie Pie. I had hardly planted my rear upon the ground before she was standing in front of me.
“You’re here!”
“Uh... yes... and...” It was then that I realized I should probably refrain from saying anything potentially hurtful. “Very excited to... make friends?”
“Good! I’m friends with everypony in Ponyville. You should be, too.”
“Yes. Uh, quite.” I took a deep breath, stood up, and prepared myself to enter the giant gingerbread house of chaos.