//------------------------------// // How about now? // Story: Serious about Silly // by Grey Faerie //------------------------------// The two mares walked over to the group. "Hello! I'm Naty, this is Lalu. Are you Pinkie's friends? I've heard all about you in letters and phone calls." The orange mare smiled. The pegasus nodded in joy at them. "Hello you two." Grey said. "Grey!" Lalu's eyes lit up. Her voice was sweet and melodic as she drew the unicorn into a hug, "I feel it's been so long. How has things been?" "They be good. And you? Still with your stripped warrior I hope?" She raised an eyebrow, Lalu blushed. "Yes, but I had to leave him behind. He gets so wounded up if I don't force him to take a break every now and again." "Well, he does double as your bodyguard. So you can't blame him too much." She half smiled back at her. Mrs. Cake walked out of the back to see who had entered. "Oh, hello girls. Nice to see you again. And Grey, I made some coffee for you all." She set down a tray for them. Grey grinned, it was frighting. "I have coffee, fear me." she said as she took a long inhale of the steam. "You're funny Grey." Naty said, "Now, where's our little miss sicky?" "Up stairs with Discord." Grey replied. "Shall we go up then?" Lalu asked. "You're going to get sick." "No I'm not." "You're going to get sick." she sang again. "Will you quit it. I refuse to get sick." "And I refuse to stop because it will happen." "You're just trying to jinx me. I'm not getting sick!" "You're going to get sick." she whispered harshly. She smirked. He scowled. Grey was off bothering Discord(aka, distracting him) as the rest of the girls watched Pinkie, Lalu and Naty work. They sorted out papers and files. When they had everything out on the floor they call Grey over. Pinkie ambles over to her files. She pulls out a contact and pairs it with a need. They were like a working machine with its parts uncovered. One to another, they moved papers and cards to the correct pile. Finishing each other's very thoughts. Pinkie could remember ever last detail of a contract and event. Grey worked up contracts the devil would find hard to get out of. Naty arranged clients and cold called with the ease of a shady salesman. Each played a part, each a gear or belt turning the great machine. "Sooo, you guys got is all set up then?" Twilight dared to ask. "Huh? Oh, yes. It's all set up now. We need to travel later today to the site to supervise the preliminary set up and the rest tomorrow." Naty said. "Tomorrow? Isn't that a little soon?" Rarity asked. "Yes, but Pinkie would usually have this all set up already. This is last minute since she's sick and couldn't finish up everything." "Sorry guys, I did get most done." "Aww, it's okay sweetie. We've got this." Lalu said. She smiled at Pinkie and put an arm around her. Discord sneezed. "I blame you!" He pointed at Grey who glared in glee at him. "Why don't you stay with Pinkie anyway? She'll enjoy the company." "Ga! And miss the carnival?! I, ah, I will aa-bluu. I hate you." He glared at Grey again. "I love you too, now stay here with the sick girl. Naty, you want to go downstairs and talk about the play?" "Sure! Hey, you girls should go pack, eh?" "Yeah, you're right. Come on girls." "Can I come with?" "No, Spike, it's work." "It's a party! A fair! I want to go. I'll be good." he pouted and held his little hands together. "Ughh! Fine." "Yes!" He hopped for joy and run up to pack his stuff. Twilight came back to Sugarcube corner with Spike happily by her side. "Hi guys!" "Hello Spike, you coming with?" AJ asked. "Yep! Twilight said I could." "Only if you're good, remember?" She raised an eyebrow. He grinned wide. "Oh! This so awesome!" Naty exclaimed as she bounded out the shop, "We could use a real dragon. Lot less work." "Oh, yes. And with those enlarging spells, add a pair of wings. Just perfect." "What are you guys talking about?" Spike asked. "We're doing Sleeping Beauty as the play. We usually spell up a fake dragon but not we can use you." Spike's face lit up like a Hearth's Warming tree. He was in such a state of shock he couldn't form proper words as he jumped up and down. "Now Spike..." Twilight started. "Ugh, Twilight, no need to mother hen him. Let him enjoy his joy." Naty swung her arm around Twilight. "I'm going to be in a play!" "You're going to be the main star." "I'm going to be the star! Wooooo!" Twilight rolled her eyes but smiled all the same, "Are we ready to go then?" "Yep. I'm almost a little sad to be leaving Discord. Almost, ha, he's sick." Naty snickered. "Off to the train then!" They waved goodbye to Pinkie and Discord at their window. Spike waved excitedly and skipped next to Lalu. Gibbering the whole way on 'his big part'.