"Spike, what am I gonna do?" Twilight lamented. "All five of my best friends have really good reasons to go to the gala. Applejack, or Rainbow Dash? Pinkie Pie or Fluttershy, Rarity... Oh, who should go with me?"
It was the question that had been on her mind ever since receiving those two tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala. Twilight had never paid all that much attention to the trials and tribulations of friendship until now, and it was already looking to be a headache.
"Have you made your decision?" Savior Fare, the waiter, asked the beleaguered purple pony. Now random ponies were asking her? The stress was too much for her.
"I can't decide!" Twilight shouted at the top of her lungs. All action in the cafe stopped at her shout, everypony's attention now squarely on the loud unicorn with her forelegs in the air.
"Twilight, he just wants to take your order," Spike said, a twinge of frustration in his voice.
"Oh," the sheepish Sparkle said. "I would love a daffodil and daisy sandwich."
"Do you have any rubies?" Spike asked. He continued once the waiter's flat stare made the answer clear. "No? Okay, I'll have the hay fries, extra crispy." Savior Fare took the orders and quickly made his exit, clearly not wishing to be around the two wackos anymore.
"What do you think, Spike?" Twilight asked.
"I think we have to try another restaurant," Spike answered. "I mean, I like grass just fine, but would it hurt anybody to offer some gemstones?"
"I mean about the gala and the ticket and who I should take," Twilight said. It was her turn to be frustrated.
"Oh, you're still on that?" Spike asked. Once food was on the baby dragon's mind, it was hard to get it off.
" Spike, listen," Twilight said. "How do I choose? And when I do choose, will the other four be mad at me? I mean, I could give up my ticket and give away two, but that would still leave three disappointed ponies. What if I–"
"Just ask Princess Celestia for more tickets," Sugarcoat suddenly interjected, having been trotting by. "You're her prize student and you're just learning about friendship so I doubt she'd say no to giving you seven tickets instead of two."
Twilight turned to Sugarcoat and gave her a stare.
"Oh, I don't know if I could bother the princess for..." Twilight began.
"You're her prized student and it's a good lesson in friendship," Sugarcoat said simply. "She won't care."
Twilight felt like a weight had been lifted off of her shoulders. Of course Pincess Celestia would be fine with it. It wasn't like she was asking for much.
"Thanks, Sugarcoat!" Twilight bubbled. "You just made this so much easier for...wait, seven tickets?"
"One for Spike," Sugarcoat replied. "He's one of your friends too. Don't leave friends out."
"But I don't want to go to a dumb gala," Spike said.
"Yes you do," Sugarcoat told him. "Stop worrying that a party is going to threaten your masculinity and go have a good time like you want to but you won't admit." Spike stayed silent for a good long while. Was he really doing that? He could go to the gala and still be masculine...in fact, that was just what he was going to do.
"...You know, you're right!" Spike exclaimed. "I'm gonna have a great time! C'mon Twilight, let's go write to the Princess!"
"Thanks, Sugarcoat!" Twilight called as she and Spike headed off. "I don't know what we'd do without you!"
"You'd take 22 minutes to solve a problem that could be solved in two," Sugarcoat replied. Then she shrugged and continued on her way.