The group headed for the centre of town. It was one o’clock on a sunny, summer Saturday afternoon, they could do practically anything in this blissful weather.
“Anypony up for a race?” Asked Dash in a challenging tone, daring anyone to take her up on the offer.
“I reckon I could oblige you there darlin’” Smirked Applejack. The two squared up to each other.
“Wanna make it interesting?” Rainbow’s pink eyes flashed deviously.
“What did yah have in mind?” replied the orange country pony.
“Next cider season, you don’t serve anypony, until I get the first sip!”
“Sounds fare, and if I win you have to”-
“Girls honestly, do you really want to run around in this heat? You’ll sweat!” Protested Rarity, shocked at the very idea of perspiration.
“And what’s wrong with sweatin’” The farm pony asked edgily. She above all others knew how touchy Rarity could be about hard work. Always sweating the little thing!
“What’s wrong with it?! It’s disgusting! It makes ones main clumpy and unappealing, the coat loses it sheen and just looks absolutely dreadful!”
“You mean you never sweat?” Asked Rainbow Dash, Twilight saw the glint of devilish delight in her eyes. What was she about to say? If she knew dash, it would be funny, but also it was risking upsetting Rarity hugely.
“Of course not Rainbow dear! A true lady does not...” She shuddered, “Sweat.” Rainbow leaned in to Applejack’s ear and told her in a loud stage whisper.
“That’s not what I heard from Spike!” Applejack, Pinkie and Rainbow all burst out laughing. While Fluttershy and Twilight frowned disapprovingly at the rainbow coloured Pegasus now rolling on the floor.
Rarity simply blushed scarlet. She smiled embarrassedly trying not to laugh at what even she thought had been a rather funny comment. When the three hysterical ponies’ laughter had finally died down, Rarity flicked her mane back, regaining her composure. She smiled at Rainbow, and stated simply “Well I don’t think there was a need for THAT, Rainbow dear.”
“Eeeeehhhh, I thought It was pretty good!” The cocky Pegasus winked at her white and purple friend to show she meant nothing by her words.
They all continued on, letting their coats soak in the gorgeous summer sun’s rays! Twilight couldn’t help but think, if Princess Celestia hadn’t sent her to Ponyville, none of this would be happening, at least not for her. Maybe not even for any of the girls around her. Yes they had known each other, but their quest against Nightmare Moon had been what made them all friends. Would any of them even speak to each other properly if it hadn’t been for that?
Though they hadn’t planned on going there, they reached Fluttershy’s cottage. So the six friends headed out round the back, some collapsed onto their haunches to bask in the glow of the sun. Others went over to investigate the chickens. Rainbow Dash was one of the former, she lay on her back her wings outstretched across the soft grass, and her forelegs behind her head propping herself up to look down the garden.
Her vision was suddenly obscured however, by a big black tail. The cat that Fluttershy had shown them was obviously living here. Because now it sat just above rainbows face, gently sniffing her vibrant mane. “Uuurrrggghhh. Fluttershy!” The yellow Pegasus turned from the coop and looked back towards the house. When she saw the problem, she let out a soft “awww” As she skimmed through the air and picked up the small creature in her hooves hugging it as well as taking it away from the unimpressed Rainbow Dash.
“Don’t worry little guy, Rainbow just isn’t the kind of pony who like little cutie pies like you!” Fluttershy said sweetly as she placed the cat on the upper bedroom window ledge. “Go on, you’ve had a long day, you’re only little you know.” The cat tilted its head at the yellow and pink flying pony for a moment. Then almost as though it understood, it turned and hopped into the cottage.
Back on the ground, most of the ponies were having fun. Applejack had decided to corral the chickens into a corner, then letting them run free, just to catch them all again. Pinkie Pie had decided to try and have a staring contest with one of the creatures; a very disgruntled looking owl, who had obviously been woken up by the loud laughter of the girls. It was difficult to tell who was winning. The pink pony’s tongue was sticking out in concentration, while the owl simply looked back with a “What are you doing?” look on its face.
However, just outside of the busy centre of the garden Rarity was scrunching her eyes up, shaking her head slightly. Now that her attention had been brought the annoying whining, she couldn’t drown it out. It irritated her beyond all reason, if it persisted for too long it was bound to give her a headache.
Twilight watched her friend in silence; she regretted mentioning the magic growing now. Because now Rarity was going to suffer like Twilight had since she had read Celestia’s letter. The terrible taste in her mouth never seemed to go away; in fact, it seemed to have gotten worse over the last two days. Did that mean the power was growing even more? Or was it just the Twilight noticing it more and more?
Either way, even if behind the terrible taste, there was something familiar. It still felt...wrong. Maybe the princess was right to be unsure what to think of this magic that was growing. What if it wasn’t...good?
What if it meant harm?