***Day 2, Saturday, morning***
GAH! Sweet Celestia, the sun! It burns! Oh right, duh. Still though, not the most fun thing to wake up to sometimes. I almost prefer my alarm clock, but then again it and I have a love-hate relationship. I love it for getting me up but it's methods do not result in me becoming anymore of a morning pony. I swear I bought the one alarm clock that's designed to invade your dreams to wake you up no matter how deep you are sleeping. It's also one of those high pitched ones you can't really get mad at either, I don't know why that is, I can get perfectly mad at other alarm clocks that are like buzzers to the brain, mine just is somehow immune to it. I should probably find that thing today... no hurry, I'm going to enjoy waking up on my own for the first few days, at least until I get that job.
I feel like I was wandering for a moment there.. meh not a morning pony anyway. Let's go see what I can find to get myself awake.
I wander out into the hallway to the top of the stairs.
Ah yes stairs, we meet again and I know you are plotting against me with your coordination requirements, you shall not prevail! Ok I really need to get my brain warmed up, I'm talking to inanimate objects with my mind.
As I make my way down the stairs I hear swishing followed by thumps, guess that means Hydro's up. Checking the fridge I remember something important but almost wish I didn't: this is a new house, the fridge isn't full unless we put something in it, and we have nothing.
*Sigh* I probably should have seen this coming. Guess we're going old school wake up today: a glass of cold water and a mental pep talk... and by pep talk I mean standing here drinking until I can get myself to think at least one thought that qualifies as normal for me.
Whilst I do this Hydro comes downstairs, even though he definitely qualifies are more of a morning pony than I do, we both agree that morning is not our best time.
I raise my glass to the earth pony in greeting, "Morning Hydro, I've got good news and I've got obvious but still disappointing news."
He quirks an eyebrow, "What's the bad news?"
I motion to the fridge, "We've got zilch in the food area."
He appears unfazed, "What's the good news then?"
I shrug, "Simple, I'm going to go get food later and I'm taking requests. Anything in particular you want later while I'm out?"
He shakes his head, "Just the normal stuff should be fine, oh but if you see an apple place grab me a couple. I've been craving those lately."
I add it to the list of groceries I had started making, "Got it. So I guess you'll be heading to see that dam of yours?"
At this point he's grabbed a glass of water too, since it's pretty much all we have right now. "Yeah, probably grab something on the way there."
I look at him questioningly, "You already know where it is?"
"Dude it's a dam, it's kinda hard to miss. I saw it on our way into town yesterday."
I nod absentmindedly as I realize the truth in his statement, "Ah, that makes sense."
He motions a hoof towards me, "So what about you?"
I glance around at the boxes as I respond, "I figured I'd unpack all the general stuff and then move our personal boxes to our rooms. It shouldn't be that time consuming, after that I'll walk around and try to find the vet clinic while I'm out for supplies."
"What makes you think it won't take long?"
I reply with what I like to call the 'cop out' answer, "Magic."
"Right." He rolls his eyes.
After what was truly an impressive conversation, at least by our before breakfast standards, Hydro gets cleaned up then heads into town. I conclude that I might as well get this done, faster I do this the faster I can get started on that legendary length grocery list I have now. I power up the old unicorn standby spell: levitation. I don’t really pay attention since this spell is pretty much second nature to us so let’s just say: before I start the house looks like a warehouse, during the spell it looks like some kind of tornado is inside, which there kind of is, and afterward I'm done, everything is in its proper place.
I quickly grab my saddlebags and head out the door.
Ok one step outside I already know something about this town: it is freaking colorful, in Canterlot you mostly get white, gold, and if you’re lucky a bit of blue, this place is a rainbow… as is that blur up there… wow, I really need some food. I’m seeing rainbows flying around on their own.
Almost on instinct, I begin using my magic to trace the familiar runes of a spell I invented myself onto the bottoms of my hooves. After a few moments, the arcane circles the runes compose are complete, and I guide my magic into them. The results become apparent as I begin leisurely making my way into town, to a passerby it would appear as if I am skating regardless of the surface I am traversing. The spell I used, I call Res. It is a spell meant to, essentially, manipulate surface tension via various means, to achieve a variety of effects. These effects range from lessening the tension to allow my current mode of easy moving, to being able to increase tension so that I am able to walk up walls and onto ceilings. The most common way I use it is for when I need to travel faster than walking, because smooth skating is far preferable to me than running or jogging, especially when it costs the same amount of energy.
As I make my way towards what looks like the area for food sales I notice a few more things about the town. For one thing the ratios are different, more mares than stallions, and all three races are pretty evenly matched here. Everyone seems friendly too, judging by all the groups talking around the square. No real big food stores though, it appears most goods are sold at carts.
Alright, let's get started.
I end Res and start making my way among the various product stands. I grab a bit of everything: veggies, flowers from a trio of very titter-happy mares, fruits including some very nice apples from a mare in a Stetson, and even met a very nice cow. I manage to strike a deal with her for a few gallons of milk every few days from the dairy cows of the town. She was a bit curious as to how many ponies I was supplying with the milk, but after letting her know that 70% of it was just for me and the rest for my roommate, she seemed to think it was hilarious and gladly agreed. I am glad I am a unicorn though, otherwise I would have needed at least three saddlebags for all the supplies I bought.
I think that’s everything, to the house!
***
A short time later as I put away the supplies, I idly wonder to myself about what Hydro is up to. I don't particularly think anything has happened to him, but it is my tendency to worry about those closest to me. I soon write off my worries in lieu of making a tomato and daisy sandwich because I’m about five minutes away from eating a chunk of the lawn with no regrets.
Sandwich, I thank you for being delicious, but you knew this was coming.
I mull over my next move while basking in the comfortable feeling of a full stomach.
Alright now that business is done its time for pleasure, no wait switch that, time for business. I recall seeing something I assume to be the veterinary clinic while I was out but by then I was preoccupied with not dropping any of the groceries. Ah well, here we go again.
I gather my things and start heading out once more. As I turn back to the street after locking the door, my vision is completely taken up by something blue. I jump back away from whatever is in my face, turns out it’s a pair of blue eyes attached to a very pink pony. I gulp nervously.
Ok remain calm, let’s just see what she wants.
I try to steady my voice after my little scare from her unexpected appearance, “U-umm, may I help you?”
The mare in front of me simply stares at me. Slowly she edges closer and closer to me. I begin thinking to myself about how she is starting to creep me out. Suddenly, like she heard my thoughts, the mare stops edging her face closer to mine and sprints down the road faster than I thought earth ponies could go.
I have no idea what just happened, and to be honest I’m not sure I want to. Shake it off, ok I’m just gonna... yeah … to the clinic I guess. Wow that mare pretty much killed my brain right there.
The clinic visit turns out to be, well not very interesting I guess, but it is very nice. I start making my way back to the house when I notice my roommate across the street and make my way over to him.
I hail him as I approach, “Hey Hydro where have you been all day?”
He turns his head and smile st me in greeting, “After the dam trip I just wandered around town a bit, they have some weird buildings here.”
I tilt my head to the side, “What do you mean?”
“I saw this one home that was inside a tree. Another was a gingerbread house.”
I nod at the information, “Hmm, probably easier to get around then with all these unique landmarks.”
His face deadpans, “Really? I tell you about a life size gingerbread house and you think of how it makes it easier to get around?”
I shrug, “What? Don’t get me wrong, it is interesting, I just figure maybe it’s a funhouse or something so it’s not like I’ll ever use it for anything other than a landmark.”
Hydro facehoofs. “I know you’re logical about these things but that can be a major buzz kill sometimes.”
“Sorry. Hmm what’s this?” We had been walking and talking on our way home but there is an envelope on the mat when we get here. I read the note aloud, “Dear new residents, please come to Sugarcube Corner at 6:00 for one last piece of business for you to join our town." I turn to Hydro, "I thought you said that paperwork we did was all of it.”
He looks confused as well, “I thought it was, maybe we missed one or they forgot to give it to us.”
I sigh in exasperation, “I can’t believe this, I hope it wasn’t anything too bad.”
He waves off my worry, “Don’t worry about it, I’m sure it just one we forgot to sign or something.”
“I hope you’re right. Hey where is Sugarcube Corner anyway?”
He thinks for a moment, “I'm think it’s that ginger bread house I was telling you about.”
I voice my thoughts on this, “Seems a little weird to do something official in what is essentially a dessert home..." I shrug it off, "You did say this town was weird, let’s drop off our bags and get this done.”
***
Hydro leads us to the aforementioned gingerbread house, “Here we are, hope this is the right place, all the lights are out.”
“Probably just the windows covered or something Hydro, let’s at least try the door." I try the door, "It's open.”
Hydro mutters as we walk into the pitch black interior, “So much for the covered windows idea, I can’t see anything.”
“Maybe I can find a light some-”
SURPRISE!
“GAH!”
*crash*
What the hay was that!?! Who are all these ponies!?! Why am I on the ceiling!?! Oh wait that last one’s my fault. I might be getting too good at casting Res if I’m doing it on reflex to stick to ceilings now. But still, what is going on!?!
Just then the pink mare from earlier bounces up from the crowd with probably the biggest smile I have ever seen. Hydro’s just down there facehoofing, yeah he’s helpful. The mare starts talking weirdly fast and if I had not been already watching her I would have missed half of it before I even registered she was talking.
“Hi! I’m Pinkie Pie and this is your surprise ‘Welcome to Ponyville’ party! We must have really surprised you if you forgot that the floor is for walking, not the ceiling. Don’t you know? Ceilings are for lights and streamers not ponies. Unless you’re a pegasus but then you wouldn’t be walking on the ceiling you’d just be flying …”
Wow this girl can talk, although looking around I’m not exactly comfortable with the amount of attention I’m getting on the ceiling like this. Better let myself down.
I lessen Res so I detach from the ceiling and fall tot he floor, orienting myself like a cat so that I land on my hooves. She’s still talking the whole time though and I tune in once I land to hear her last few words.
“… and that’s why oatmeal doesn’t make good cannon ammo.”
Wait what?
Pinkie jumps right back into her rapid communication, “Since you're new in town, that means you don't know anypony yet, which means you don't have any friends here. Hey, I know! I'll introduce you to all my friends!”
She follows this statement by grabbing Hydro’s hoof and dragging him somewhere, I have about a millisecond of relief before he grabs mine to go along for the ride.
I don’t want to go with the crazy one! She breaks my brain! Maybe I’ll learn to translate what she does so I can remain sane, perhaps these friends can help with that.
What follows in mostly a blur as Pinkie drags Hydro and I around to what seems to be every pony in the building. She halts at each group long enough to rapidly spout out each of their names before we are off to the next group. Eventually, we stop in front of a group of five mares with Pinkie walking over to make it six. As Hydro and I gather ourselves, my usual thoughts on meeting new ponies set in.
I’m not good at parties, what do I do here? Do I speak first? What words do I use? Which one do I look at? Must try to keep straight face while mind is made up.
As my mind races to contort itself to my 'meeting new ponies mindset,' outwardly I make sure I appear normal by brushing myself off from being dragged over. Of course while I’m trying to get my head straight Mr. Socially Adept over here just dives straight in.
Hydro simply turns to the perky mare, “So Pinkie Pie these are your friends?”
“Yep, this is Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, and Fluttershy.” She says this while pointing to the respective pony, though I have to strain to see the last one.
“Nice to meet you all, name’s Hydro Pump. Now I’m sure I’ll see you all at another time so I’m gonna let my friend here have his turn.” He turns to me and pats me on the back as if he hadn't just thrown me into the metaphorical pool to see if I could swim, “Don’t worry, there’s six of them here, even you can’t mess this up.” He chuckles as he walked off to mingle on his own terms.
This of course makes all the girls turn to me.
Damn you Hydro. Just damn you.
The sudden spotlight of attention that focuses on me cements in my mind my usual introduction tactics.
I straighten myself up and give a slight bow to the group as I make sure to be as polite as possible, “Hello, my name’s Rhino, it’s very nice to meet all of you." As they make their various short acknowledgements I turn the conversation to them, mostly to get it off me, "Umm... so, what do you girls do here in town?”
Pinkie answers first, “I work here at Sugarcube Corner! I’d tell you more but I have to go make sure everypony’s having fun! See you later Rhino.” She zooms off after that.
I let out a breath I didn’t know I held when she had started talking. “Umm I’m not trying to insult her or anypony else but is Pinkie always…”
The one called Rainbow Dash answers, her voice exuding confidence and a slight tinge or boredom. “That’s just Pinkie being Pinkie, don’t worry too much about it, you get used to it." She puts a hoof to her chest in a proud pose, "You've probably already heard of me, everypony knows I'm the fastest flyer in Equestria!" Something on the other side of the room catches her eye before I can respond, causing her to adopt a worried face, "Uh oh, Pinkie’s giving the snack table looks again, nice meeting you but I gotta go make sure she leaves some snacks for me- I mean everypony else.” She flies off after Pinkie.
I simply blink at the rapid exit of the two mares from the group. I choose to maintain my silence until one of the remaining girls breaks the silence.
The white unicorn looks after the two mares that had run off with a small sigh, “Those two just race off every chance they get, well dear, as Pinkie said earlier my name is Rarity and I would like to officially welcome you to our little town. I run Carousel Boutique, so if you ever find yourself in need of a new ensemble or anything of that nature, be sure to drop by.” Her eyes have that aloof tone to them that one can see in most of upper Canterlot but not on the usual accompanying level of poshness that I am accustomed to.
I tilt my head towards her as her manner of speaking makes me believe that she considers herself proper, thus I treat her as such, “I’ll be sure to do that Miss Rarity.”
Note to self, at later date ask about fedoras.
She smiles lightly at my response, “I do appreciate the manners, however, simply Rarity will do just fine.”
I nod my head in acknowledgement as something Pinkie had said registers in my mind.
I turn towards the purple unicorn mare, “Pinkie said your name was Twilight Sparkle correct? Would you be the same Twilight Sparkle of Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns?”
She nods, “Yes I am, though now I run the library here in Ponyville.”
Excellent, I have been looking for some new books to read. I have a feeling I’ll be seeing her within the next few days.
The slightly familiar stetson wearing mare tips her hat at me as she introduces herself, “Ah'm Applejack. Ya’ll met me earlier when ya bought those apples from mah stand, Ah was wondering who ya were then but cause of the line behind ya Ah didn’t get a chance to ask. Ah run Sweet Apple Acres over on the other side of town with the rest of my family, if ya'll ever need apples, feel free to come one by.”
“Thanks again for those apples Applejack, I haven’t had the pleasure of eatin' one yet but I reckon tomorrow I’ll be hooked on em.” I cringe to myself at my slip into her accent, a result of a tendency of mine to mimic the manner of those I am speaking to. While normally I appreciate it as it makes conversation easier, when talking to many ponies at once however, the changing way I speak sometimes raises questions and unfortunately also occasionally causes offense.
To my relief, my inconsistency goes unnoticed as I continue down the line of ponies. I approach the yellow pegasus Pinkie introduced as Fluttershy, noting that she hasn’t said a word this whole time. I keep my voice soft as I ask, “Umm may I ask what you do Fluttershy?”
She hides behind her mane to avoid eye contact as she answers shortly and quietly, “I… I take care of the animals.”
I perk up a bit at this. “Oh are you a vet as well? I didn’t see you at the clinic when I dropped by today.”
She comes out from behind her mane as it looks like something clicks in her head, “Y-you’re a vet? Umm maybe you could come by my house soon? One of my animals is sick and I’m doing all I can but he doesn’t seem to be getting better...” Her eyes widen for a moment before she half retreats back under her mane, "If that's okay."
I offer a reassuring tone, “Certainly, I haven’t started officially working at the clinic yet so I’ll stop by tomorrow, alright?”
She nods but remains in her mane, “Thank you.”
“It’s no problem.”
Wow her name is appropriate, but she seems really easy to get along with. I hope I can help with whatever problem this animal of hers is having.
Just then Pinkie rolls a large cake over while Hydro tags along behind her.
Pinkie looks like she is about to explode from excitement, “Alright since you two are the guests of honor you get the first pieces of cake!”
I look at the cake, it’s a simple two layered rectangular cake with mine and Hydro’s cutie marks on it. Surprisingly, it appears she got the runes correct on mine, well, as correct as one can make frosting squiggles.
Wait we just got here last night and she only saw me a few hours ago, how did she get this good of a look at my mark? I guess it’s like her friends said, it’s just her being her, ok ignoring it then. Cake time!Weird or not, I think I’m gonna like this place.