//------------------------------// // Meet the Ponies // Story: Rough Landing: A Desert Geek's Experience of Equestria // by DrZed //------------------------------// Party time. I meet all the ponies in Ponyville. No. Literally. All of them, even the foals. Pinkie had a checklist, (I blame Twilight), and used her freaky reality warping powers to 'borrow' any pony not actually at the party for a few seconds, get them to say Hi, then they were gone. I lost count of how many times that tool closet door opened and closed. Other than that first confusing hour, it wasn't a bad party, Music, pony party games, lots of good food. I quirked an eyebrow at the 'Me' effigy Pinata, hoping nothing was meant by it, especially afterward, when the candy was gone, it was tossed onto a blazing fire pit outside... <.< I was sitting back on a log near the fire with a big mug of cider(Yes, it was the alcoholic kind), listening to the music continuing on inside, when I noticed Lyra, and Bonbon sitting across the way. Lyra was sitting upright next to Bonbon settled like a 'normal' pony. Curiosity compelled me and I stepped around to their side. "Hello ladies." Seeing as I have already meet _everypony_ Lyra waved a hoof, "Hi Ced, enjoying the party?" "Yeah, Pinkie can sure throw a bash..." I hesitated, "Can I ask you a question?" Lyra smirks up at me, "Is it about the way I sit?" "Yes." "Spinal condition. Genetic. It's the only way for me to sit that is really comfortable." "Oh. Thank you." Lyra grins, "Now about those hands." What? "I heard from Rarity you have very talented hands." I blink, "Oh." Umm.... Bonbon smirks, "Ly, Just ask for an ear scratch, is it that hard?" I resist a chuckle at the innuendo that could be used there. Lyra gives me a dose of the huge cute eyes. "Please?" "Ok." I hope this doesn't start a creepy obsession. I reach over and carefully scritch around Lyra's ears, her ears turn back for a moment then slowly come forward. After about a minute I stop. Lyra smiles, "Thanks. That was weird, but not bad." Bonbon smirks at Lyra and clicks her teeth together, Lyra blushes. Ohh I see, yeah nibbling beats out scratches.... :P I smile, and look up at the stars, the moon already having risen during the meet and greet. It's way too late to check out the car, I'll just handle it in the morning. The party's winding down, and I turn towards the barn. "See you two later" Bonbon nods with a smile, "Come by my shop sometime, big guy. I'll give you a free sample. You'll love the taste of my candy!" Was that a come on? Do these ponies listen to themselves? Or was it just Bonbon? I smile and wave and then walk inside, looking for the fashion mare. --- Once I am out of earshot, Lyra sticks her tongue out at Bonbon, "tease." Bonbon just smiles. --- Inside, I carefully make my way past groups of ponies talking. Some have left already, so the crowd has thinned somewhat. I exchange friendly banter as I go, some of the rescuees even coming up to thank me for my help. All in all it takes me several minutes to find the ladies. I find the girls around a table, several empty cider mugs, plates and candy wrappers strewn about it. Considering the blushing, giggling and swaying most of them are doing it's clear they've had plenty to drink. Rainbow's passed out, her head laying on the table, a small smile on her face, as well as a full makeup job, lipstick, eyeliner,and shadow, blush, the whole nine yards. "Ya'll know Dash is gonna be mighty upset when she realizes what ya'll have done" Applejack smirks, leaning on the table, cider mug in hoof. "Come now dear, *hic* Rainbow's never looked better, And this is about the only time she's remained still for long enough..." Rarity pauses, covering her mouth, a petite burp emerging from her, "Oh! Excuse me. As I was saying, She looks fabulous! Oh Cedr*hic*! Come sit with us!" I oblige and sit between Fluttershy and Rarity, "Enjoying the party girls?" Pinkie Pie appears behind me and glomps my back, "This is so great! So many new ponies! And a new Human as well! And then the romance, and adventures, YAY!" She rests her head on my shoulder. "Oh... my" from the tipsy butter pegasus. Blinking, I turn my head and poke Pinkie's cheek with my nose, "Shh, Stop reading ahead. No spoilers" Pinkie giggles, gives me a wink and returns to her seat, I look back to the table and raise an eyebrow as I see intensified blushes across the faces of all six, particularly Rarity and Fluttershy. "So... " I start when I feel Rarity lean against me, eyes closed, moments later I hear soft snoring coming from her. "Umm yeah, so... I hate to be a party pooper, but when the guests start passing out it's usually time to take them home. I'll be by tomorrow to check out the car, AJ. If you girls would like to join me then, you're welcome." Applejack smirks, "Sure thing Ced, An' welcome to the herd." followed by a chorus of agreements from the ones still awake. What? --- Departing the bash, I am walking with Fluttershy, and Twilight, and am carrying a dozing Rarity in my arms. "Th... Thank you for offering to walk us home, Cedric." Fluttershy smiles up at me, wavering a little bit in her steps as she remains close by. "Glad to be of service." I smile to her as we come up the path to her tree cottage. We reach her door, which is opened by a white rabbit.... with a "You got some explaining to do." look on his face. Flutters trots forward and gives the bun a hug, changing his visage to one of surprise, then a begrudging smile. "Angel, This is Cedric, Say hello." She sets him down and gently pushes him towards me. Angel pauses, looks _all the way up_ at me, grimaces menacingly ( I didn't even think that was possible for a rabbit) then he hops up and kicks me in the shin... well he tries to, bouncing off my leg, and rolling on the porch. "Angel! That wasnt nice!" Angel regains his feet, glares up at me, and gives me the 'I'm watching you' gesture with a paw, then he hops back inside. "I'm so sorry Cedric, He's usually not like this." Fluttershy looks down. "Yeah, He's usually worse." I hear Twilight mutter under her breath. "No worries Flutters, I didn't even feel it." I free a hand and give her mane a light pat. "See you tomorrow?" Flutters hops up and flits up to my face, blushing fiercely, "Yes!" and before I can react, she's planted a kiss on my cheek and disappeared, the door slamming shut behind her. I blink, a bemused look crossing my face, "Hmm." Twilight giggles as I turn to her, "So loverboy, my place or yours?" I gently shift Rarity in my grip and chuckle, "Seeing as I don't have one yet, yours." Twilight nods, and turns, "So tell me about that quantum mechanics thing some more?" We spend the trip chatting about various subjects, Twilight seems really happy that she's found another individual that can talk with her on the same level. We arrive at the crystal tree castle... thing, She opens the door, pausing at it, "Thanks for the walk home, Ced. See you tomorrow." She smiles to me, before closing the door behind her. I glance up at the huge building, seeing a little purple and green head duck out of sight from one of the upper story windows. Ugh, still gotta deal with that. Later, it's bed time. Back to the Carousel. - I carefully open the front door, wincing at the bell, which wakes Rarity up. "Welcome to Caro... What?" She asks drowsily, half lidded eyes glancing at me as she looks around. "Shh, it's ok, I brought you home." "Mmmm, Thank you, Darling." She leans into me and closes her eyes again, a soft smile on her face. I slip inside, close and lock the door, then head up the staircase to where I assume the bedrooms are, passing the door with a piece of paper labeled in crayon in that odd script that ponies use, I am assuming it says 'Sweetie Belle' I ease myself in the master bedroom door, step up to the large bed, and lay a drowsy Rarity out, covering her with the blankets. I straighten up again and head back to the door. "Where are you going?" I hear Rarity's voice from the bed. "I was going to find a place to sleep downstairs, probably a couch." "*yawn* Nonsense, Darling, After what you've been through, I'm going to make sure you have a proper bed to sleep in, even if it's mine." "But..." "But nothing, now come to bed." "Yes, ma'am." I step around and climb into the bed, which is just big enough to fit me, I do however hear some springs creak a bit as I settle in. I pull the covers over me and I feel Rarity scoot up close to me and snuggle in, and I relax and close my eyes to let sleep take me.