//------------------------------// // Little party part 1 // Story: Secrets of a Wanderer // by Nero_Nova //------------------------------// //------------------------------// // Little party part 1// Story: Adventures of Jax, Wandering soul// by Nero_Nova//------------------------------// Chapter 7 As the others start to regain their sense of direction Pinkie goes for the door. Jax then remembers what Applejack said at breakfast. From what she made it sound like, this was going to be a big party. Taking a step back, the thought of running off popped in his mind again. Crowds, ponies, small spaces, they all brought back the wrong memories, memories better left locked away where no pony could see them. But he came this far, the least he could do is see what was in store. “Okay... if it's too much, just stay calm and decline politely, if it's small, just grin and bear it. Remember these mares have been kind to you, you're in no position to be rude.” Jax clenched his teeth as the door swung open to the sound of ponies welcoming him to the town, and yet, it was so few voices. Inside the bakery stood only a hoof-full of ponies, two donkeys, and to his surprise, a zebra. As pleasant as the small party was, Jax was confused and looked over to the others for some kind of explanation only to find the same questioning expression. Pinkie, on the other hand, wore a sly smile as if reveling in a victory. “Now I know what you're all thinking, and yes, I had this big party planned with cake and fireworks and everypony in town...” Pinkie went on to list the many ideas she had for what sounded like the party of the century. Each little detail made Jax cringe at the thought of so many ponies. Just as he started to feel sick, she stopped. “But then I remembered how you acted back in Cantorlot and thought you would like a small party more than a big one.” If Jax had turned around he would have been greeted by the amusing sight of all the others with blank looks and gaping mouths. Instead, he was reminded of why he chose to stay despite everything. The mere thought of interacting with anyone still made Jax want to turn around and leave, but the party did seem welcoming, even with the grumpy donkey looking off to the side. One look back at the fluffy pink pony and he knew he had to at least try and enjoy himself, lest he dim the light in those beaming blue eyes. Pinkie Pie looked for any sign from her new friend that would say he was excepting of her celebration. Just as she felt what little of a party she put together was still too much, Jax swallowed hard and cracked a nervous smile. Unable to resist, she squeezed her green friend with a hug and pulled him inside where the others followed still baffled by the size of the party. Pinkie wasted no time with introductions, speeding right up to the two donkeys. “This is Cranky, and this is Matilda,” she says, pointing at each of them. Matilda waved hello while Cranky just griped under his breath. “Oh come on Doodle, be polite.” The old donkey perked his head up at the sound of this other name, to the request he forced a smile. Matilda rolled her eyes at Cranky's awkward attempt at being nice. “Do excuse my husband, he's not one to socialize either.” Jax smiles and nods his head in greeting just before Pinkie brought another pony over to meet. This one much larger than most with muscle the close to twice the size of a pony's head. His blank expression suggested this massive stallion may not be all there. “And this is Bulk Biceps, he works at the spa,” said the pink bundle of sugar peeking over the white stallion's shoulder. “Yeah!!!” shouted the new stallion, much like a hoof-ball player, this was followed by a small wave much like a foal would do. Further supporting that this stallion may not all there in the head. “So you work at the spa?” Jax forced himself to ask, attempting to make friendly conversation with the only other stallion he has met thus far. Again Bulk shouted the same word with even more enthusiasm than before. “Is that your favorite word?” Predicting what would come next, Jax joined Bulk in his sports like cheer causing the muscular pony to blush as the room filled with a short moment of laughter. In the midst of the moment a purple mare strolls up and introduces herself. “Well, you certainly have a better sense of humor than Pinkie suggested. I'm Cheeilee, the local school teacher.” Without a moment to speak Pinkie pulls over yet another friend, the zebra thins time. “And this is Zecora.” The striped mare shook her head, bringing herself back from whiplash after being pulled across the room by Pinkie. “It is nice to make your acquaintance, I hope we can be friends through time and patience.” “Well, that's a surprise, a zebra from Steer.” Zecora's eyes widened at the sound of her homeland. “Sorry, if that was a bit of a shock. I've traveled far and wide and know why your kind speaks in rhyme.” Zecora chuckled unable to hide her delight. “A pony who knows why I rhyme, you my friend are simply divine.” A mix of confusion and relief fills the room as Jax seemingly takes meeting everyone well, unaware of the conflict inside. “You're okay Jax, they are just being friendly, no reason to tense up.” He told himself in his mind, hoping no one could see the sweat on his brow. Pinkie pulls him over to the last two ponies in the room. Just as she opens her mouth a loud crash of pots and pans comes from the back room. Set off by the commotion Jax leaps over the store counter and bolts into the kitchen. Ready to take on a burglar of some sort he stands ready to face a would-be foe. However, his light green coat soon becomes tinted with a light red as he lays his eyes on three little fillies covered in some kind of goo. “What in tarnation is going on in here?” Apple Jack questions seeing her sister and friends, making a mess of the kitchen, pots and pans everywhere. “Cutie Mark Crusader cake makers!” The three little fillies shouted in unison holding a nearly empty cake tin. The trio wore big smiles while the others joined them in the kitchen witnessing what is not realized to be cake batter covering almost every inch of the place in a big blotchy mess. The batter covered fillies then realized themselves what their little experiment had brought. “I... guess we got a little carried away,” the middle red head said shyly looking up at Applejack. Grabbing the small tin the orange and purple maned filly ran up to Rainbow Dash. “But look, we made a cake!” “That's nice filly but you really should have asked before using the Cakes kitchen.” Rainbow Dash said nervously, not wanting to discourage the young ones, but feeling she had to at least look like an adult, for the moment. “We did, Pinkie Pie said we could.” A little white hoof pointed at the fluffy pink pony who shrugged nervously. “You let them use the oven unsupervised!?” Rarity yelled in shock. “Of course not.” She waved off and sped over to the little ponies. “It's cheesecake, no heat needed. Just pop it in the fridge and wait.” A sigh of relief escapes everypony at the news. “And you tried to use a fire extinguisher to cool it faster?” Jax asked, raising his eyebrow. The three looked back and forth at each other surprised. “How did you know that?” asked the one as she tried to brush some batter out of her purple mane. He said nothing and pointed a hoof at a clearly used fire extinguisher covered in as much batter as the fillies. Three nerves little smiles confirm his suspicions. “This place really is interesting.”