//------------------------------// // A Surprise and Some Change // Story: Getting Used to It // by Norad2 //------------------------------// A Surprise and Some Change Warden stood by the guard post, still watching the road. A thoughtful expression was upon his normally relaxed features. Explaining things to a newcomer, especially in situations where said newcomer was introduced to Ponyville in such a dramatic way, was always a highlight for him during on-duty hours. This time however, explaining how things were in Ponyville had left him wondering how things would change. For years had the Golden Oaks Library stood in Ponyville, long before Twilight had arrived on the scene. The word was that Her Serene Highness Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship was more than a little broken up about its destruction. Honestly, how could she not be? Warden turned to look back into town, towards Sugarcube Corner. He hoped that Travel Quill had followed his advice and gone to the party. Willingly, Warden added mentally. I hope he decided to go, willingly. There’s not a breezie’s chance in Tartarus Pinkie Pie would let him miss his own party, after all. Warden was not on the night shift today, so perhaps it would be good to check on Travel and make sure he found the Ponyville Guest House. Travel seemed like a pretty intelligent pony, but maybe not the most sure of himself. Also, the likelihood of Warden receiving a free cupcake was quite high if the party was still going when he arrived. Warden liked cupcakes. That’s not to say he liked them any more than anypony else, but that was still a lot. Travel Quill would have to make it on his own for at least the majority of the party, however. Hopefully he had fun… The door. The door. It had betrayed him! Travel Quill had only just met this door, but it had already stabbed him in the back! The door had opened with a friendly swing, but upon opening to its widest, a hidden confetti cannon had triggered. Something about this was surely unfair. Travel was not sure what, exactly, though. Nor did he have any time to consider as he was pulled inside by his front hooves. “Surprise! Hi there, Travel Quill, I’m Pinkie Pie and I threw this party just for you!” “Well, yes, I-” “But you already knew that because I already told you! So I knew you wouldn’t be surprised when you walked in because you already knew so I had to ask myself, ‘Pinkie, how can I still surprise Travel Quill if he already knows about his party?’ Then I got the most super spectaculawesome idea! A hidden party cannon! I know I would be surprised if I opened a completely normal looking door only to have confetti explode around me but you aren’t me so I didn’t know if it would work but it was such spectaculawesome idea I just had to try it! Did it work? Were you surprised?!” “I, um, yes, I was, uh, very surprised.” “Great!” “There aren't any more of those hidden party cannons here… are there?” “No, of course not, Silly! It wouldn't work again after such a short time. You wouldn't be surprised!” Travel Quill took a moment to speak, “I wouldn't be too sure about that.” At this Pinkie looked thoughtful, as though considering something of great importance. Travel Quill took this calm in the storm to look around. There was a respectably large number of ponies milling about Sugarcube Corner, and they seemed to be having a very good time doing the things that one commonly does at a party. And some things one commonly does not do at a party. “That lasso trick is… actually really impressive. But I can’t help but think maybe it shouldn't be done in doors,” said Travel to Pinkie. Pinkie was not the least bit troubled. “Oh, that’s Applejack! Don’t worry, there’s no way she’ll mess up! She’s the best rope slinging pony this side of anywhere! She’s also one of my very best friends! Come on, I’ll introduce you!” “That’s quite alright I-” “HEY AJ!” “Well, alright then.” Though Pinkie Pie’s hailing immediately garnered Applejack’s attention, she did not for a moment lose her handle on the lasso, and finished up her trick with practiced ease, and more than a little flair. She politely excused herself from the small crowd watching her and made her way to Pinkie Pie and Travel Quill. Upon her head was a Stetson, and upon her flank was a cutie mark of three red apples. To say that she was built powerfully may not have been giving her enough credit. Even as she casually walked over to them, strength was evident in every movement, her steps sure and calm. Life on a farm was etched into her very self and the country flowed in her veins. If Pinkie Pie was a tidal wave of laughter and joy crashing into me, then Applejack was the sturdiest solid ground, upon which the most secure of foundations could be built. The writer part of Travel’s brain noted this to be a good line, if a bit flowery. Something to remember if he wrote a book on Ponyville, a possibility that currently seemed very likely, given what his first few hours there had been like. Applejack moved straight up to Travel and grasped his front leg in a very firm hoofshake. “Well howdy there, Mister! Seein’ as how Pinkie Pie here was lookin’ so eager to introduce ya, Ah reckon y’all must be Travel Quill? How do ya do?” “Aaaaaawwww! I wanted to do the introductions!” “I suppose I’m doing pretty well, honestly,” replied Travel. “But maybe a bit lost, being new here and all. Um, and how about yourself?” “Well shoot, Ah’m doing great, thanks fer askin’! Ah can certainly understand feelin’ a little uncomfortable if it’s your first time in Ponyville. Planin’ on stayin’ long?” “For the foreseeable future, yes, I’ll be living in Ponyville. I plan on getting a small apartment of some kind.” “That’s just dandy! Ah’ll give ya the grand tour one of these days. And stop by Sweet Apples Acres for the best apples you’ve ever tasted!” Said Applejack with no small amount of pride in her voice. “Is that what you do here, run a farm? You do seem the type.” “Sure is, Sugarcube! The Apple family grows the best apples in all of Equestria, and Ah’ll bet anywhere else, too!” This Applejack said with conviction, and Travel Quill was inclined to believe it was the truth as best she knew it, rather than just a sales pitch. “I think I might take you up on that, Applejack,” said Travel Quill, and meant it. “It’d be mah pleasure, Mr. Quill.” Whatever was going to be said next was cut off by a somewhat scratchy voice calling out. “Yo, Pinks, AJ, I gotta get goin’! It was an awesome party, if I even have to say it!” Travel Quill turned to look at the new member of the conversation. The pegasus in question was hovering just off to the side of the table they had gathered around. “Awww, Dashie, but you just got here! We still have games and-” “Don’t tempt me, Pinkie Pie, I’m trying to be responsible. I have some forms I have to fill out for the Wonderbolts Reserves, and I’m not looking forward to it!” Her coat was a very pleasant, calming light blue. Her mane and tail, however, were more assertive, and seemed to prefer sucker punching one’s retinas with a symphony of divided light! The strands and locks flowed as freely as any bird, but unruly as her hair was, her feathers were immaculately maintained. Her musculature indicated that she, too, was an athlete. But, where Applejack was sturdy, this pony was sleek beyond believe. Just hovering without a care, she exuded confidence and possessed a fiery spirit that harkened back to the proud martial culture of the ancient pegasi. “But you’re responsible all the time, like when you do weather team stuff, maybe you could just-” “Sorry, Pinks, I gotta fly.” “At least take some of my super duper cupcakes! I’ve been experimenting with some new surprise flavors!” “Already got some!” Said the pegasus, indicating her saddle bag with a smile. “See ya, AJ, Pinkie, new pony I don’t know, catch ya later!” And she was gone in a flash, through the still open door. “Whoa,” said Travel to Applejack and Pinkie Pie. “Fast.” “Fastest flier in all of Equestria, as she would tell ya,” quipped Applejack. “If y’all really want to get her talkin’ ask her about her sonic rainboom. She loves telling that story.” “Wait, sonic rainboom?!” Travel’s mind made the connection immediately. “Of course, that was Rainbow Dash. Should’ve been obvious, now that I think about it,” he finished, now half muttering to himself. “I imagine you’re one of the Element Bearer, too, aren't you, Applejack?” Asked Travel, now feeling embarrassed without really knowing why. “They say you’re all very close.” Applejack came to his rescue, “Now, Sugarcube, there ain't no reason to get yerself all worked up. We don’t exactly try to make a big deal of it ourselves, right Pinkie Pie? “Nope-a-rony!” Pinkie confirmed, all smiles. Then her expression hardened and she broke into Travel’s personal space to whisper seriously, “There are enough people watching us without getting the paparazzi involved. Try to keep things on the down low, or they might start watching you, too!” Her eyes narrowed and she took a quick glance at something off to the side. Then she was back to her regular broadcasting: all smiles, all the time! For her part Applejack shrugged and gave Travel a light smile. Don’t think about it. Travel remembered and tried to follow the advice. Still… “Now come on! There’s still some much fun left to be had! You still have to meet Gummy! He’s getting so much better with his tricycle and he just loves showing off to anypony that will watch!” exclaimed Pinkie, on a role now as she dragged Travel along with her. Applejack followed along behind them at a more reasonable pace, looking very much at peace with the world. The biggest surprise of the evening was, Travel later decided, was that he never tried to cut the party short: he was having too much fun.