My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Wish Weaver : Chapter 4
What is the value of a non-pony?
A thirst for knowledge was always a mixed bag. While many would consider it a wonderful trait to always want to learn, those who possessed such a trait quickly discovered the drawbacks. It seemed no matter how much information one consumed it was never enough to sate their queries. Every time they found a satisfactory answer to one question, they would usually discover they had uncovered several more that now demanded attention, lest they go insane thinking about them.
For the strange alicorn robot known as Equinox, such was becoming an unwelcome fixture of her daily life. As the days slowly rolled on she had found Equestria offered an infinite amount of things for her to study, yet it seemed that the more data she absorbed and the greater the enrichment she gained from learning about this strange land, the more her own personal queries continued to pile up. She had been dropped into a land of endless opportunity, yet thanks to one erroneous move by her new friend, Twilight Sparkle, she was cursed to wade through it with no background knowledge on who she was or why she was there. Equinox bore her fellow alicorn no ill will for her mistake, especially when she considered that Twilight already displayed plenty of regret for what she did. However, she and her friends had thus opted to help the mecha-pony in whatever way they could, and sadly their efforts so far just weren’t delivering as promised.
Fortunately, Twilight had not been blind to this, and when she came down to again find the metal equine in her usual spot in the palace library, the pony knew something would have to be done.
“Forgive my disturbing you, Equinox, but haven’t you already memorized every book I currently have?” She asked, tentatively seating herself as the robot stretched her wings and retracted her visor.
- My initial compiling of their contents failed to answer a few of my queries. I am thus seeing if perhaps a second read through will offer new insight. – Equinox stated, politely and proper as ever, but with just the faintest hint of disappointment. Taking a deep breath, Twilight reached over and rubbed her friend’s shoulder with a hoof.
“Would it perhaps be better if you talked about it? You know we’re all here for you if you need anything.”
The robot’s glowing blue eyes turned to lock with Twilight’s, giving the purple mare a moment to ponder how familiar, yet how alien they were.
- I have contemplated this too. Perhaps I should have opted for that first. – Equinox stood and turned to display herself for Twilight. – Following my day out with Entertainer Pinkie Pie the populace at large has made an admirable effort to accept me as one of your own, and while my appreciation is immeasurable, it has also highlighted how unlike you I really am. -
The mare spread her wings to full length, letting the rising sun dance its light across their silver feathers and flawlessly polished frames.
- I am told that my possession of both wings and a horn mark me as ‘alicorn’, a status attributed only to those of royalty, such as yourself. Ponies by and large seem confused when I thus report that I am neither a princess nor a ruling class member. What’s more I have also learned that alicorns should be able to use magic, yet my attempts to manifest the spells I have found in your literature have all resulted in failure. -
Twilight looked to the book her friend had been reading, recognizing it as one of the beginner level magic guides she’d once used to practice with.
“Well, again, you’re not a standard example of pony either. You can’t look down on yourself just because your talents lie in areas apart from the norm.” She chose her words carefully in hopes they’d help settle her friends’ worries. Sadly, Equinox just bowed her head and looked even more concerned.
- Regardless, the fact still stands: while I may look similar to you, I am not like you in anyway. Indeed, based on what I currently know of your world I have not been able to reach a consensus on how I can be of any benefit to you at all. To summarize: I feel I am…unfit to be a part of your lives. -
Twilight’s mouth dropped open, not from shock but from dismay.
“No! No that is not true at all, Equinox! You’re as welcome an addition to our lives as anyone! At the very least you’re far more tolerable than Discord, and he’s still a pretty decent soul at heart.”
The purple mare began pacing around the room, face furrowed in deep concentration.
“There’s plenty of ways you can benefit us, we just have to figure out what they are. Hmmm…” She propped her chin on a hoof as ideas flashed through her mind. “Chrysalis’ changelings proved their worth once we let them help us in our daily tasks…maybe we can try doing the same with you. At the very least we can see if the exposure to new environments reveals any more of your latent powers.”
Equinox whirred softly as she pondered the offer.
- I find this proposition very intriguing. Please, let us pursue it further. –
She stood up straighter, her head now held high with new purpose. Exalted, Twilight ran for the library doors.
“Perfect! Let me see if anyone needs an extra hoof for the day. We’ll help you find a purpose yet!”
***
“Now the secret tah apple buckin’ is knowin’ the sweet spot o’ yer trees.” Applejack demonstrated by kicking the tree behind her and causing a few apples to tumble down from above. “It takes a bit o’ practice, specially with these here newer saplins’ but you soon learn to find jest the right area.”
She bucked a little higher and a greater number of apples fell upon her. Equinox mentally noted both spots.
- So in scientific terms, the goal is to locate the point where the vibrations triggered by the impact of ones’ hooves will be optimally distributed.-
Applejack cocked a wary eyebrow but told herself to remain polite.
“Yeah, if yah wanna be fancy about it.” She began gathering up the fallen apples while nodding to the next tree over. “Why don’t yah give it a try while Ah get these into the basket?”
Equinox looked at the tree, but rather than buck it she raised a hoof to gently tap at the trunk. Her ears angled forward as she knocked again, then moved her hoof and tried a different spot. Though they were faint she could actually hear the vibrations she was producing, and what’s more it was causing a most peculiar buzzing sensation in her mind. It was like she had a case of white noise stuck on her brain, causing her to shut her eyes as she became aware that she could make out legible speech in the mirth of static.
Kssshhhh….now for this…..ksssshh…three layer titanium door…..kssssshhh….point of imp-imp-impact…ksssssshhhhhhh…..tap softly…..ksssshh….hinges come off with the rest….kssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhh…..give it a try…give it a try…a try.. a tr-KSSSSHHHHH
Shaking her head violently, Equinox looked at the tree trunk. Giving it one final tap she instinctively whipped around and bucked it with all her might. The sky above was momentarily blotted out as a veritable avalanche of apples descended from the tree. Quick as a flash, Equinox spread her wings and used them as a makeshift basket to catch as many as she could. A few still bounced off and rolled onto the ground but the mecha-pony was soon trotting over with a small mountain of fruit balanced on her back.
- Is this a sufficient amount, Harvester Applejack?-
The brown earth pony looked up, and left her jaw on top of the apple pile. Lifting her Stetson, Applejack had to take a moment and make sure her eyes weren’t playing tricks on her.
“How in the hoo-hah did yah…?”
Equinox hesitantly shrugged and deposited her apples into the basket.
–As you instructed, I determined the precise point to generate a maximum yield. To summarize: I found the sweet spot. –
Applejack nodded, but remained rooted to the spot with shock.
- I should also note that the action triggered an unexpected data echo….I could best describe it as a sliver of a damaged memory. Nothing useful, however….- Equinox looked to the many other apple trees still waiting to be harvested. –May I request permission to try again and see what results I get?-
Applejack finally seemed to realize she needed her mouth back in working order. Clamping her jaw shut and giving it a flex, the orange mare looked to her friend and gave a cunning grin.
“Hey, by all means have at it!”
She watched as Equinox approached another tree, repeated the tapping of her hoof, then bucked and was soon returning with another towering pile.
“Yes, Ah think you’ve got the hang o’ this, Equinox! Let’s do some more!”
***
“Now, while I agree Discord’s application was horrendous, his idea behind what attire would suit you still has merit.” Rarity explained as she added a lacy trimming to the dress Equinox was wearing. “We just need to move away from the comic book edge and try something more elegant.”
Equinox stood still as a statue, shifting only when the white pony requested.
- You still deem it suitable to have me model for you, even though Entertainer Pinkie Pie reported my…inability to form a preference? -
“Oh I’m sure part of that was just stress. It’s been as hectic a week for you as it’s been for the rest of us.” Rarity replied as she got the hem perfect. “Besides, even if you truly can’t tell me whether you like it or not, I’m getting a sense of how well it’ll look on a proper pony, so you’re still helping me out.”
Equinox quivered unexpectedly. – Your ability to see logic where I see only futility is…humbling, Designer Rarity. –
“It’s one of my gifts.” Rarity giggled. “Though I wouldn’t call it logic, per se. It’s a matter of appreciating the beauty of one’s work, not just the function.”
At that, Equinox had to stretch one of her hooves out, giving it a flex and then drawing it back up against her chest.
- So, the fact that these sleeves are too restrictive and will either hinder mobility or tear under stress should be discounted due to them looking aesthetically pleasing? -
Rarity promptly stopped her sewing, and then slapped a hoof over her mouth upon seeing how tightly her garments were stretched over the robot’s limbs.
“Dear me, no that is certainly not something to be ignored. It IS, however, something I can easily fix.”
Scissors were levitated and Rarity loosened the sleeves, making them flop open like the petals of a flower.
“Thank you very much for catching that, Equinox.” The unicorn gleefully stated. Her friend stared with uncertainty at the rest of her ensemble.
- I would also recommend using a stronger fabric. Silk does not provide sufficient protection against injury for most situations. -
Rarity’s smile faded. It was a rather jarring return to form that the instant her friend made a worthwhile observation she went straight back to talking non-sense. Ah, well, she could teach the robot in time.
“No but it does have flow. Flow is very important for most activities. You must be able to walk gracefully, dance angelically and sway like the wind without hindrance. Not every outfit has to be fit for battle, only to catch the eye of the public, and hopefully a few handsome stallions in addition.” The unicorn batted her eyelashes amorously at the thought. Equinox nodded, leaning down so Rarity could add the finishing touches of a tiara and a draping ribbon down the length of her neck.
- I see. I will modify my parameters to include that. – The mecha pony studied her reflection in a nearby mirror. – Also, in contrast to yesterday, I believe I can comprehend your choice of colors. The aquamarine and the white gems lining it compliment my finish surprisingly well. -
Rarity beamed in satisfaction.
“A true mistress of the dress is also a mistress of the spectrum.” She looked to the clock by her sewing machine and took off her glasses. “Now then, let’s have a quick break before I have you model Sapphire Shore’s new costume. You must be getting tired from standing there for so long while I made all the alterations.”
Equinox regarded the white mare with confusion. – I am detecting no undue fatigue in my skeletal structure, nor a significant depletion in my power cells. While your concern is again appreciated, I am content to remain standing if you wish to continue working. –
That really got a rise out of the unicorn. “Surely you can’t be serious!”
Equinox was even more confused. –I have no reason to relay false information. Especially not to you.–
Rarity snorted and raised her hooves. “Well of course not….just, Fluttershy usually prefers a rest in between dresses….except you aren’t her and….” She looked to the racks of other clothes still waiting to be tried on. “You really don’t mind me continuing?”
- No. I am quite intrigued to see what other ensembles you deem suitable for me to wear.-
Though her conscience continued to nag at her, Rarity donned her glasses and began to assemble the next outfit.
“Well okay then, and thank you again. This might actually allow me to finally get caught up today, Celestia forbid!”
***
“So Angel can be a bit of a handful, but he’ll really a sweetie at heart. You just have to let him know when he’s misbehaving.” Fluttershy set a bowl of salad down in front of her pet bunny, then when said bunny turned up his nose in rejection of the food, she stamped her hoof and fixed him with a steely glare. Angel tried to play tough, but slowly the disapproval of the yellow pegasus began to take its toll. He looked up at her, lowered his ears as she kept glaring, then finally bowed his head in defeat and began eating his food. Immediately Fluttershy dispensed with the ire and returned to her quiet yet caring self as she gently petted the lapin on his head. Equinox found her ability to switch from one extreme to the other enthralling.
- Your understanding of animals seems far greater than that of your fellow ponies, Caretaker Fluttershy. If I may ask, how are you able to bond with them so well?-
The pink haired pony blushed terribly.
“Well, this probably will sound terrible, but I find it easier being around creatures that don’t speak. I feel like I can open up more to them when there’s no pressure to make conversation.”
Equinox again found herself gripped by puzzlement. – Then how are you able to determine their moods, and what level of authority to exert?-
“Oh they tell me in their own ways.” Fluttershy gestured to her quietly munching bunny. “For example, notice how Angel’s eyes alternately close or open depending on where I pet him? That indicates I’m getting at one of his more sensitive spots. He has several around his ears, and the back of his neck, and they each produce different effects.”
The yellow pegasus angled the tip of her hoof to press at the area where the lapin’s long ears merged with his head. Angel idly began tapping one of his feet as his eyes half lidded, as if it excited him to be touched in such a way. Fluttershy switched to a spot on the nape of his neck and the rabbit instantly relaxed, going so far as to let himself lapse face first into his salad so his neck was more accessible.
“Now for Owlowicious, it’s a bit different. Notice the way he’s bobbing his head from side to side? That indicates he’s curious about something.”
Equinox looked upwards, and seemed surprised that there was indeed an owl perched on a nearby tree branch, twisting and weaving its noggin to make sense of the strange sight below it. On a whim, Equinox leaned forward as if to get a closer look, and the owl duly took advantage by flying down to perch on her horn.
“Hee-hee, apparently he’s quite interested in you.” Fluttershy giggled.
- I do seem to be having that effect….on…po- - Equinox’s jaw ceased mid-word and her whole body seized up. The buzzing was gnawing again at her mind, and with it, the infernal garble of white noise. This time, however, the robot saw images materialize in front of her eyes, hazy, fragmenting shadows that fizzled and crackled everywhere she looked.
Kssshhhh…down-download com-com-com….kssshhhh…body language….ksssshhhhh….know if…kssshhhhh…detect-detect-detect-detecteeeee-trrrrrrr…KSHHHHHHHH
“Equinox!” Fluttershy cried as the metal alicorn bucked her head back, then slumped to the ground and violently dragged her face through the dirt. The buzzing slowly cleared, and when she hesitantly opened her eyes again, Equinox was relieved to see only her worried friend’s face, with no haunting silhouettes anywhere.
“Are you okay?” Fluttershy asked. Her friend got back up and jostled her mane, sensing the momentary disturbance had indeed passed.
- I am now. Strange, it would appear that observing the behavior of your pets triggered another data echo. I regret that, yet again, it did not reveal anything valuable. – Equinox looked to Owlowicious, who had returned to his branch and was standing up straighter with his feathers pulled in. She almost instantly recognized this as a sign of alarm and duly gestured that she hadn’t meant to scare him. – Caretaker Fluttershy, may I continue to observe your animals? I cannot state why, but I feel a sudden urge to attain the same level of understanding with them as you. -
Though she still looked intimidated, Fluttershy nodded and made herself smile. “Of course you can, Equinox. Just let me get something to clean that dirt off your face.”
The pegasus flew off to the palace and grabbed a towel from her bedroom. Soaking it in some water she returned to her animal sanctuary and stopped upon seeing Equinox was now engaged in a staring contest with Angel. The lapine was closing the distance between himself and the bizarre shimmering equine, his ears raised and his eyes bugged out. Maintain a calm, unthreatening stance, Equinox presented him with one of her hooves, letting him sniff at it. Upon getting a decent whiff of the equine, Angel bumped his nose against the shiny metal and reeled back at how cold and smooth it was. Rubbing his face, the rabbit went in for another sniff, rubbing his chin against the equine and familiarizing himself with her unusual texture. Equinox responded by going for one of his sweet spots, and slowly she got the rabbit to calm down.
From where she’d been hovering, Fluttershy let out an enormous sigh of relief. It seemed her friend truly did have the same passion as she for all things living.
***
“Now, naturally a Wonderbolt earns his or her status through time, dedication and hard work. That said, there’s always those gifted few who have a natural talent.” Rainbow Dash explained as she and Equinox soared through the clouds.
-Based on what I have compiled of your history, I presume you are referring to yourself? –
Blue pegasus regarded silver alicorn, the former staring quizzically at the latter’s quiet expectation.
- Captain Spitfire’s personal account of your role as the team leader was particularly glowing. -
Rainbow Dash snickered, then blushed.
“Well let’s just say I have the moves, though I try not to boast.” She replied before immediately betraying her own words with an impressive corkscrew twist through a nearby cloudbank. “Regardless, this is an exercise to see what YOU can do, not me. This way.”
The ponies flew higher to where the clouds grew thick and the sunlight faint.
“My day job is to maintain the weather and keeping the skies clear over Equestria. Not exactly the easiest role in the world, but still doable.”
Rainbow demonstrated by flying round and round the clouds, whipping them up into a tornado. To Equinox’s amazement, she then simply stepped outside the whirling cyclone and kicked both it and the clouds into the heavens.
- Fascinating. You exhibit both a grasp of meteorological logic, combined with an unexplainable ability to manipulate density on a near-atomic level. I fear I may not be able to replicate such unusual results– Equinox commented.
“Well I’ll be the judge of that.” Rainbow Dash declared. “See what you can do to that bank.”
Equinox duly headed for the clouds and copied Rainbow’s swirling flight pattern. However, while the fluffy white masses may have been willing to bend to the blue pegasus, they proved considerably more resilient for the mecha-pony.
“Little faster, Equinox. Get ‘em really whipped up in the wind!”
Equinox folded out her visor and increased her speed, but this only served to scatter the clouds into smaller puffs.
“You’re banking too quick. Give yourself some more room to turn.”
The robot equine systematically calculated a wider and longer flight path, turning her body more gradually to sweep the clouds together again. Round and round she spun, getting a tornado of her own going, though when she then tried to kick it away, she found her feet just went through it and got caught in the spinning vortex. Thrown for a loop several times over, the mecha-pony was left at the mercy of her own creation till Rainbow Dash zipped in and yanked her free. Checking her friend was okay, the pegasus whipped the tornado back up and kicked it away herself.
“Okay, okay, that wasn’t bad. Cyclone was a little weak and you didn’t get it going fast enough for your kick to register, but still you got the basics down.” Rainbow Dash soothed as Equinox got her bearings again. “You okay?”
-I will be. My stability regulator just needs to be re-synched.- The robot alicorn jostled her head about, making sure nothing else inside her had been broken.
“Why don’t you have a seat on the clouds and I’ll show you a few other tricks.” Rainbow Dash replied, earning herself a bewildered stare.
- The integrity of clouds on Equestria is simultaneously weak enough to be mobilized by wind, yet strong enough to bear our weight? – Equinox asked.
“Well yeah. You just plop yourself down and get comfy.”
The blue pegasus parked her rump on the fluffy white cloud, leaning back into the thick mist as if it were a sofa. Equinox felt her circuits sizzle in denial, stating that by all logical calculations what she was seeing was impossible. Course, then again, the visual data could not be denied so…
With great reluctance, the robot folded up her wings and let herself fall onto the cloud…
…and then fall through the cloud…
…and then just keep on falling and falling and falling.
“What the…EQUINOX!” Rainbow Dash was back up and zipping to the rescue, grabbing her friend around her waist and flapping her wings with all her might to slow down their descent. The ground loomed ominously closer and closer as the two struggled to regain altitude.
“Celestia above, Equinox, flap your wings! Grrr, you’re too heavy for me to carry!”
Equinox registered the demand but found herself unable to obey. In what had to be the worst case of timing, the buzzing was back at her head again, her visor glowing red as schematics and warning messages flashed across it.
➢ EMERGENCY OVERRIDE PROTOCOL INITIATED
➢ DEPLOYING H.D.G. SYSTEM
Equinox stared in dumb confusion at the words flashing repeatedly in front of her eyes. Beside them a hologram of her horn materialized, showing the tip splitting open and forming into what appeared to be a gun barrel. Feeling her forehead trembling, the mecha-pony looked up, and beheld her actual horn was doing just as the schematic had demonstrated. With the ground now only a few dozen feet away, a shimmering green ball launched itself out of the alicorn’s new head cannon. It impacted hard upon the earth and expanded into a wobbly green cloud that both ponies fell into. To their combined shock instead of a brutal crash landing they felt themselves slow and alight softly upon the earth as if they were nothing more than two feathers fluttering down from the sky.
Too confused to move, Rainbow Dash let herself be dragged out of the green mirth as Equinox found her hooves and carried her friend to safety.
“Wha….What the heck just happened?” The blue pegasus exclaimed while turning to look back at the dissipating cloud. “Equinox…did you do that?”
Trying to not jostle her friend any more than she already had, Equinox likewise turned to view that which had saved them from certain death.
- If this systems report is to be believed, yes, apparently I did. -
Letting Rainbow Dash climb off her, the mecha pony walked over and studied the vaporous mass.
– Fascinating. This appears to be a variety of High Density Gas, designed to protect a body from fatal falls. How fortunate that my creators saw fit to equip me with such safeguards. – Equinox retracted her visor and looked up to see her horn had closed itself up again. – Truly they wanted to make sure I could protect myself from any potential danger. -
“Huh, well hey, my compliments to them for being so paranoid. You just saved both our hides with that trick!” Rainbow Dash cheered as she trotted over. “Granted the reason for why you couldn’t sit on the clouds like a normal pegasus is weird, but this makes up for it perfectly.”
The two watched their impromptu cushion vanish into the air, Rainbow Dash contemplating a myriad of ideas while Equinox replayed the warning messages for herself.
“You know, that could really come in useful at the Wonderbolt’s Academy. There’s always a danger of head on collisions during training, and I’ve been in more than my fair share of life or death scenarios where it’d have been invaluable to have someone else to catch us like that. Let me go have a few words with Captain Spitfire, she might have use for you!”
Equinox seemed hesitant. – While I would endeavor to be of service, Aviator Rainbow Dash, I feel it would be prudent to first ensure I can use this system on command. It will do no good to anyone if I must place myself in the same danger in order to make it work. –
Rainbow Dash cocked a cynical eyebrow, but then nodded. “Mmm good point, but let’s try to find a way to do that without having to take another mile long tumble from the heavens, hmmm?”
Equinox nodded, then, to her friends’ amazement, she smiled.
- This is an agreeable proposition. -
***
“And then Mayor Mare will probably want to conduct a little Q & A session with you for the press. Obviously since we can’t really quiz you about where you come from or why, I put together a few tidbits that should cover for that.”
Pinkie Pie held up a list she’d been working on for Equinox’s grand introduction to the ponies of Equestria. Levitating it up, the metal alicorn summoned her visor and scanned its contents into her databanks.
- This appears to be just a collection of witty sayings and jokes. You believe that humor will compensate for my inability to provide satisfactory information on myself?-
The pink earth pony nodded vigorously. “Trust me Equinox, the ability to make one laugh can make up for a great many things. It’s how I’ve personally gotten to be so friendly with everyone around, even those who don’t interact with me all that often.” She walked over and rapped on the door to the library. “Now we’re still going to need to work on delivery and timing, cause that’s just as important! So I brought my intern over to practice with you.”
- Your intern?- Equinox queried as the door was swung upon and in walked a most unexpected entity. While it had the same basic anatomical structure as a pony it was covered in carapace plating all over its body, along with a webbed mane, transparent insect wings, fangs and a bent horn on its forehead. As it stepped into the light, Equinox also noted it had several gaping holes in its legs, making her question how it was able to stand and walk around with such ease.
“I presume I need no introduction?” It hesitantly asked.
- No. You are a changeling, a former enemy race lead by the once reviled Queen Chrysalis, now accepted into Equestrian society following the peace treaty signed by your queen and the princesses.- Equinox cocked her head. – I was unaware Entertainer Pinkie Pie had already found a profession for you. -
The changeling shrugged.
“Just trying to make the best of my abilities. She was kind enough to let me have her old room after she moved here so I had to do something in return.” Giving a flex of its neck, the insect equine shifted its form to that of a middle aged brown mare with a grey mane and tail, gold framed glasses, and a frilly laced cravat tied around her neck.
“Now then, shall we begin?” It asked, changing its voice to a more boisterous and feminine tone. “Equinox, we welcome you with open arms and warm smiles! The question on everyone’s lips is, what do you intend to do while you’re here in Equestria?”
Finding the appropriate response, Equinox straightened her pose and replied. – I am not sure. Do you have any good theme-parks around here? -
Both ponies turned as Pinkie Pie snorted in disapproval.
“No, no, Equinox, you gotta say it with more oomph. Don’t be so monotone. It’s gotta sound like you’re giving the question some serious thought. Like this….”
Pinkie Pie stood up and propped her muzzle on her hoof.
“Hmmm I’m not sure….” Her eyes widened and she gleefully turned to her intern. “Oooh, do you have any good theme-parks around here?”
The changeling smirked softly in amusement, and its mentor took that as her sign of victory.
“See? Now you try it.”
The changeling turned back to Equinox and repeated the prompt. Replicating Pinkie Pie’s actions, the mecha-pony gave a very exaggerated perfomance of thinking.
“Hmmm I am not sure…” Her eyes widened and she leapt forward, nearly knocking the changeling over as she came face to face with it. “Ooooh, do you perhaps have any good theme-parks around here????”
Pinke Pie meeped as her intern quickly ran for safety under a nearby sofa.
“Uhhh, okay better, but maybe take it down a notch.” The pink mare grinned nervously as she coaxed the changeling back out. “Uh, let’s try a different part.”
She pointed to another area on the sheet and the changeling hesitantly read it.
“Equinox, having now been here for a few days, what would you say is your favorite aspect of Ponyville thus far?”
Pinkie Pie smiled and stood up again. “Okay, now for this part, when you say ‘Not having to fight through Manehattan traffic every day’ , try to sound really relieved, like its such a blessing that you found a place where the streets aren’t always congested and-“
- If I may interrupt for a second, Entertainer Pinkie Pie, have you shown this script to Mayor Mare yet? -
The earth pony promptly stopped with her wild gesturing, a look of sudden realization crashing hard onto her face.
“Well, no, not yet. Actually I just finished writing it up an hour ago.”
- Then how can you accurately predict she will ask these specific questions?-
The wild gesturing resumed, though now it was obviously done to grasp for an answer.
“We still have a few more days before the celebration. I was going to drop by her office tomorrow.”
Equinox shook her head and brushed the sheet aside.
- Your intention to improve my public image is logical, but if I may, I believe I have an alternate means of applying it. From what I’ve read on your exploits, I have concluded that humor can come in many forms, and that spontaneity can yield the same results as careful planning. -
Pinkie Pie settled back onto all fours as her friend retracted her visor.
- The issue here is these jokes are tailored to your preference for humor, which would run contrary to your previous statement that I should hone what makes me unique. If I may, I would like to try constructing my own jokes. -
Realization again hit the mare like a brick, bringing a searing hot blush to her cheeks as she noted her fallacy.
“I…uh…sure! Sure, go right ahead!” She quickly stepped back to give the metal alicorn some room. Equinox nodded for the changeling to prompt her again and it duly cleared its throat.
*ahem* “As mayor of Ponyville, I extend the hoof of welcome to you and thank you for gracing us with your presence! How are you doing so far?”
The robot chirped for a moment, then grandly spread her wings.
- Eager to see if I can get in on being worshipped as all alicorns apparently are. The sight of ponies on their knees pleases me.-
There was a sharp silence, right before the changeling had to slap a hoof over its mouth to stifle giggles.
“Okay, okay, that was actually pretty good. You need to shorten it a bit, but we can work with it.” Pinkie Pie snickered. “Let’s try a few more…”
From where they were watching up on the balcony, Twilight and Spike gave a relieved sigh.
“It seems despite a few hiccups, Equinox is finally finding a place for herself, huh, Spike?”
“Mmmm.” The dragon mused as the robot made another joke and earned herself more laughter. “She seems very content to help everyone out. Very content….”
The two departed as Pinkie Pie began going into how she wanted Equinox to keep practicing with her tomorrow to help refine her humor. It had been quite a day, but as the sun descended below the horizon it seemed everything was going to turn out well.
Perhaps just a little too well……