//------------------------------// // Found out // Story: Escargot- Best in Show // by mch_89 //------------------------------// The new Spring sun shone down upon the freshly green town of Ponyville. Earth Ponies were tending to their new seedling crops, Unicorns were helping to put away the tools and supplies used to make nests and clean dens, and Pegasi were busy getting the new spring clouds in place. It had been three days since the Winter wrap up, and the entire town was abuzz with new activity- both Pony, and other creatures. With Princess Twilight overseeing the event, just like she did the last few years, they were done before the end of the day. Despite that, no one ever got her got her to help with that. Twilight, of course, offered to help every year, but the townponies and the Mayor always insisted of doing it the slow way. The mares and stallions insisted that it gave them time to wind down, and get their plans for the new year together. The fillies and colts, however, thought that they wanted to show they could do something like that on their own; not that they minded, however. During this time, school started late and ended early, and with no homework! Old and young, Ponies everywhere were enjoying the new season and all it brought. That is, except for two young colts. The taller of the two was a light, dull orange, with a teal colored mane and tail. His dopey eyed look and cowlick gave him the look of a simpleton. Long and thin for a colt his age, his identifying mark that adorned his flank was a lone snail with a blank look. The colt to his left was short and chubby for his age. Light blue, with a hint of green, light brown, short unkempt mane and tail, brown eye brows, a button nose, and buck teeth, this colt had an open pair of scissors on his flank. Snips and Snails, the infamously rambunctious colts sat on the patio of Snails' house. While not exactly neighbors, the his door always had a nice view of Rarity's boutique, and the ponies who went in and out of it. He saw stallions walk in with tattered old formal clothes, and trot out with a brand new tuxedo and hat. They were barely inside for more than half an hour. For such a short time, the colts were happy with what they got, and that made Rarity happy. While Snails had to admit that they looked good, his attention was mainly focused on the mares. The mares spent hours at a time, but came out of what appeared to be a mini spa session- in addition to their new dresses. They always walked in, with their normal cheerful smiles, with looks as commonplace for them from the time they were fillies. The mares that walked out wore beautiful shades of makeup, each complimenting the respective mare's coats and manes, which were meticulously stylized to fit each mare's personality. It was hard to place it, but the only way to describe the beautiful mane work was that couldn't have suited the mare better if she was born with it. They strode out, full of confidence, admiring the work they had paid for. Snails would often watch as they strode confidently, yet delicately off on their way. While Snips was starting to notice mares as most young colts do, Snails was dealing with issues of his own. Namely that he didn't want to court them, but wanted to BE them. It was a secret he'd only divulged to the best, and sadly only friend he'd had since he was a foal. Snails, one of the two most boyish colts in town, secretly wanted, longed, to know what it felt like- to be cherished as they were, to be made beautiful- to be pretty. No pony, besides Snips knew why Snails would always fall into this slump; they only knew three things: First that it happened every year around the same time. Secondly, it only lasted a month- what ever was draining his spirits would always leave, returning the rambunctious colt the town had grown to know, and begrudgingly love. Third, Snips was always there to help him out, and that gave the town a little peace and quiet. Besides, whenever ponies asked him, he'd only say it was nothing, and walk away; whatever it was, he obviously didn't want to talk about it. In truth, he had some pride in the young colt he was seen as, and didn't know how the town would react, how his family would react. If Snip's reaction was anything to gauge it by, this was one awkward situation we desperately wanted to avoid. Though, to be fair, it's not like he had time to prepare. A convoluted story short, Snails had enclosed himself in his room, engaging in his fantasy. Using his magic, he crafted a makeshift crown out of random junk lying around his pigsty of a room. He wrapped his bedsheets around himself like a ball gown, and created a pretend bouquet of flowers out of crumpled pieces of paper. His outfit complete, he started on his make-up. Using more ingenuity than everypony gave him credit for, he managed to make a little make up kit using berries and old, discarded containers, brushes and a compact mirror. He'd brush on some “eye shadow”, and “lipstick”. After that, he would start humming to himself as he strode around his room, waving at an imaginary audience, his bouquet suspended by his magic. This is what he always did every few days or so, but this was different. He forgot to lock his door. In retrospect, he was glad that it was his best friend instead of one of his parents who walked in on him. He must have been so caught up in his fantasy that he didn't hear Snips knocking at his door, because the next thing he knew, his door swung wide open, revealing himself to his friend. Snail's blood ran cold, as he stood there, frozen, staring into the utterly shocked and bewildered face of his life time best friend. Before the stubby teal colt to react, Snails reached out and yanked him into his room, shutting and locking his door. The next few moments seemed to drag on like hours. Snails was unsure of what to say to Snips, while Snips was still trying to comprehend was he was seeing. All Snails could manage was a weak, scared plea. “Please don't tell.” "Snails," Snips asked, thoroughly confused. He looked at Snails as if he'd never met him before- as if, in an instant he'd become a total stranger. "Don't tell," Snails repeated, the look of desperation even more evident on his face. "Please." "Snails," Snips asked. "What's going on?" "First," Snails replied. "You have to promise you won't tell." "Fine," Snips said after a pause. "I promise." "Pinkie Promise?" Snips opened his mouth to protest, but saw that Snails really needed someone he could trust. It must be pretty big if he didn't tell his parents. Looking at Snails now, it was obvious that, whatever it is, this was very very big. "Fine," Snips sighed, as he crossed his hoof over his heart and put it to his eye. "I Pinkie Promise I won't tell anypony. Now will you please tell me what's going on!?" "I- I," Snails stammered, looking for the right words. "Well it's kinda hard to say." "You look like you're pretending you're in the Spring Filly Contest," Snips observed, looking his friend up and down. His eyes widened with shock as Snails confirmed it by blushing and looking away. "Great Celestia," Snips gasped. "You are! Why?" "I just want to know what it's like to be pretty," Snails said, tears welling in eyes. He couldn't even meet his friend in the eyes. "Pretty," Snips parroted. "You mean like all that girly gala junk?" "Mm-hmm," Snails nodded. "But we're colts, Snails," Snips said. "Colts don't do 'pretty', especially not us. 'Pretty' is mare stuff." "But I WANT to do pretty," Snails snapped. "I want to BE pretty. But, just look at me. Everypony thinks I'm dumb. I'm messy, and dirty. How can this”, he gestured to himself, “possibly look like this,” Snails pulled a rolled up poster from under his bed, and unrolled it, showing a glamor shot of last year's winner- Summer Autumn, “possibly look like this!?” Unsure of what to say, Snips backed away to the door, and unlocked it. "I need to think about this," Snips said quietly, his brain still trying to process what he'd just saw and seen. "Wait, Snips," Snails called out. He tried to reach over to him, but wound up tripping over his "dress". "I won't tell," Snips said as he walked out. "But, for now, I think you may want to.... clean up.” With that, he walked out, closing the door behind him