Taking it all in as he and his Dashie flew overhead, Soarin was in awe, “Wow! I can’t believe how many ponies showed up!”
Virtually everypony in Ponyville was gathering in town square and surrounding Town Hall, Pinkie saying, “I can! I mean, finding out the Ponyville Days Pony of Ceremonies is a pretty big deal!”
It had only been a few days after Fluttershy and Big Mac left for their honeymoon, and still life was busy in Ponyville. Midnight, Twilight, Rarity, Blueblood, Soarin, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Thunderlane, Pinkie Pie, and Cheese Sandwich arrived along with everypony else in time to see Mayor Mare step up to her podium and microphone.
Behind her, sitting at a table set p for them were three elderly ponies, Granny Smith among them.
“I didn’t know Granny Smith was on the Selection Committee,” Twilight commented.
“O’ course she is! Ponyville Days celebrates th’ foundin’ of Ponyville, an’ she was right there!” pointed out Applejack.
Midnight smiled warmly, seeing Granny Smith smile kindly at a filly who brought her a balloon, “It just wouldn’t be Ponyville Days if the pony responsible for the founding of Ponyville wasn’t involved!”
“Well I’m glad the Committee didn’t automatically pick me or Cheesie!”
“That way, everypony gets the chance to see how great being a party pony is!”
“Even though the festival is basically a party and the Pony of Ceremonies gets to organize the whole thing!”
“So it’d totally make sense if they picked me or Pinkie!”
“SHHH!!!!!”
The collective shush and multiple stink eyes made both party ponies smile nervously as Cheese zipped his lip while Pinkie buttoned hers.
The sound of feedback got everypony’s attention as the Mayor began, “Citizens of Ponyville, this year’s applicants were all exceptional, but there can be only one Ponyville Days Pony of Ceremonies, and that pony is…”
Mayor Mare looked to the Selection Committee, who whispered, and appeared to be in agreement, the tension getting to Pinkie that she gasped!
...And inflated her head like a balloon, rising into the air, Cheese clutching her tail as he was carried up with her, playfully bobbing his brows as he held out a needle. But all eyes were on Granny Smith as she brought up an envelope to Mayor Mare.
The look on the mayor’s eyes told everypony it was a surprise choice a split second before she announced it was, “Rarity!”
Instantly, Rarity smiled at the applause she got, shaking Carrot Top’s hoof, accepting a bouquet from Amethyst Star, getting quite a cheering whoop from Applejack, when Twilight and Midnight walked up to her.
“Congratulations, Rarity,” Twilight smiled.
“Got any ideas for the festival?” asked Midnight.
Rarity smirked and narrowed her eyes as she looked and everypony followed her gaze to see Blueblood pushing a model of Ponyville towards them, apparently with some decorations as the diva said, “Hmm, a few, darling, a few... Come, come, come, darlings! To the boutique!”
The Ponies of Harmony (minus their recently newlywed friends currently off at their honeymoon) gathered at Carousel Boutique, inside which was set up a runway with theatrical curtains, an easel holding some poster boards, and a phonograph record-player.
At the end of the runway, Pinkie kept hopping, “I’m so excited for the festival I can hardly stand up straight!”
Indeed, for when she tried, she immediately tipped over and fell flat on her face, which Cheese thankfully cushioned, given the loud farty sound that followed spurring a few sniggers among the boys and Rainbow Dash while Twilight and Applejack shushed them to settle down.
“Now that we’re back on track…” Twilight gave a goodnatured stink eye to her stallion who smiled apologetically. “I’m excited as well, because I just know Rarity will add a touch of elegance to the whole thing.”
“Prob’ly more than a touch,” Applejack seconded when they noticed the lights dim and saw Blueblood and Spike step onto the runway.
Blueblood wore a dress collar and bowtie similar to what he wore back at the gala while Spike wore a similar tuxedo. As Spike operated the lights and record player, Blueblood cleared his throat and levitated some flash cards.
“This year’s Ponyville Days Festival designed by my beloved muse, Rarity, shall featured plethora of events of high class, such as…”
Blueblood moved the first poster board to show some illustrations to his words, “...a silent cider auction and tasting…”
“Ooooh!”
The next poster board showed, “A Ponyville Gala in town square.”
“Ah!”
“And, of course,” Blueblood chuckled as he revealed the last illustration, “a Ponyville Fashion Show!”
“Ooooh!”
“This year’s Ponyville Days festival pony of ceremonies,” Blueblood went on, “creates shimmering couture of her own design.”
Spike shined the spotlight and pulled the curtain back to reveal Rarity in a glamorous layered gown of blue and purple with elegant patterns of white, gemstones of matching colors, earrings, and a purple gem ring on her horn which (totally did) not look tacky at all.
“And the theme is…!” Rarity paused for dramatic effect while stepping out onto the runway and proudly announced with tosses of her beautiful mane, “Small - Town - Chic!”
“Boy, Rarity!” Midnight spoke, “It’s clear you’re putting no small amount of effort into this!”
“Ah’ll say!” Applejack agreed.
"I think it’ll be a festival to remember!” declared Thunderlane.
“Oh, do you really think so?” Rarity fretted when both party ponies popped up.
“Are you kidding?!”
“We can’t wait!”
“Ah, that is such a relief! But of course I couldn’t possibly do it all on my own” Rarity worried as she walked down the steps provided by Spike, “The festival is in three days!”
“No sweat, Rares!” Soarin assured, “Dashie, and the Party Ponies and I can hang up lights and decorations all over the town square!”
“An’ Midnight an’ Ah can get Sweet Apple Acres all ready for th’ cider-tasin’,” Applejack volunteered.
“That’s perfect! And Blueblood, dear, if you and Twilight wouldn’t mind helping me with the fashion show…?” Rarity hoped.
“Anything for you, beloved,” Blueblood promised as he kissed his mare’s hoof.
“I’d be honored.” added Twilight.
“Wonderful! That allows me to prepare for the special guest,” Rarity sighed in relief, only for it to fly out the window when she noticed her clock. “AUGH! It’s that time already?! Blueblood, quick… TO THE TRAIN STATION!!!”
“WHOA!!!” Blueblood was whisked out the door in Rarity’s wake (along with her aura) as Thunderlane yelled, “Wait, Rarity! How can I help!?”
As the Friendship Express pulled in and released a haze of steam, Rarity and Blueblood stood on the platform as the diva fanned the steam away with a fan in her aura.
“Thank you ever so much for joining me, Blueblood! I’m not sure I could handle the guest on my own…”
“For you, my dear, anything,” Blueblood reminded her as he kissed her hoof but then muttered to himself, “Although in this instance you didn’t exactly give me a choice…”
“What was that, dear?” Rarity asked, so distracted.
“Uh- I said… who was the guest of your choice?” Blueblood quickly covered, but before Rarity could answer the train doors opened and out spilled a clamor of ponies arriving.
“Is that him?! Do you see him, Blueblood?! Is he there?” Rarity fretted.
“Um… Blueblood scanned the crowd of arrivals for anypony that stood out, “I can’t say for sure…”
“You don’t suppose he decided not to come?!” Rarity started panicking, “Blue, dear, I don’t see him! What if he doesn’t arrive, the whole festival will be a disaster- BLUEBLOOD, WHERE IS HE?!?!”
…
An awkward silence befell the station as all eyes turned to Rarity, who felt like crawling under a rock.
“Ahem, sorry.”
“Rarity, you must get a hold of yourself,” Blueblood kindly helped Rarity to her hooves, “I mean, you haven’t even met him yet… or told me who he is!”
“Oh, right!” Rarity felt like stomping on her own tail for overlooking such an obvious detail, “he’s…”
The sound of hoof steps strayed into her attention and she looked to see, “Trenderhoof…!”
The pony called Trenderhoof was a tall and lanky unicorn stallion similar to Carrot Cake or Cheese Sandwich, coated a light brown similar to hot chocolate, his oddly messy yet stylish mane was pale yellow with a streak of white, behind the glasses he wore were a pair of brilliant violet eyes narrowed in a relaxed way, he wore an olive-green sweater hemmed orange, and his cutie mark was an orange argyle pattern with yellow inter-crossing lines, somewhat similar to a pattern on his sleeve.
*GASP*
Rarity quickly hid behind Blueblood, peering out from behind his rear legs.
“What’s wrong?”
“SHHHHH,” Rarity shushed before stammering, “It’s hi- I-i- It’s him-im…”
Blueblood looked and finally recognized him.
“Trenderhoof the travel writer? He’s your guest?”
Rarity smiled like a filly and nodded.
“Well… go up and speak with him,” Blueblood suggested.
Rarity squealed a silly squeal before straining, “I can’t!”
Blueblood gave his girlfriend a look before flaring his horn and levitating her towards Trenderhoof, at which point she finally got a hold of herself, nervously giggling a bit before saying, “Ah, ahem, uh, hello! Mr. Trenderhoof. I am Rarity,the Pony of Ceremonies for this year’s Ponyville Days Festival.”
Blueblood could not believe the way his Rarity was acting - She had a crush on the guy! She was giggling and blushing like a school filly as Trenderhoof kindly replied, “Please, call me Trend.”
Rarity blushed a little more before fainting, Blueblood groaning before muttering, “Mares…”
Rarity led Trenderhoof on a large tour through Ponyville, highlighting all the events she had planned and shamelessly gushing over the trendy stallion with her. Following up the rear and growing more annoyed by the minute was Blueblood, who was struggling to hold back some rather uncouth comments.
I realise she's excited to meet such a big trend setter like Trenderhoof but really. I am really starting to become uncomfortable with how much she is gushing over him. Still this is a big deal for her and provided the event goes well, it could have some good movements for her career. I suppose for now I will just have to grin and bear it, but I think I'll having a few words with my beloved tonight to make her aware how uncomfortable I am with her fangirling…
"And finally, Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville's core." she gave a little chuckle at the pun, "So to speak, where our quaint little hamlet began."
Trenderhoof's gaze was spellbound by the natural beauty of the agricultural wonder before him. It surprised Blueblood, who had pegged the stallion as rather superficial from his clothing style and speech.
"Oh it's absolutely breathtaking," Trenderhoof gave a sigh of contentment as he gazed over the apple fields. Rarity smiled warmly at this, though the smile annoyed Blueblood somewhat.
After a moment of admiring the view, the three ponies started walking forwards. However before Blueblood could once again attempt to block out the sight of his girlfriend looking all lovey-dovey with this other stallion, a far more friendly voice caught his notice.
"Hey Blueblood, what's happening brony?"
The royal stallion looked up to see Thunderlane descending from the clouds, looking a little tired from work, but nonetheless pleased to see his friend.
"Why hello, Thunderlane. I must say I verily welcome a friendly distraction right now," Blueblood sighed in annoyance as he gave a quick glance to confirm that Rarity and Trenderhoof had continued walking before returning his gaze to the darker stallion.
"That Trenderhoof fellow has rather been getting on my nerves. He seems a decent enough sort, but my lady Rarity is completely taken with him and it's making me rather uncomfortable."
Concerned from his friends words the pegasus turned his gaze to observe the twiggish unicorn stallion accompanying Rarity. He seemed nice and charming, though Thunderlane could see the affection and admiration in Rarity's eyes and understand why Blueblood was feeling uncomfortable. He was just about to turn to his friend and try to cheer him up, sighting just how much Rarity loved him and would never do anything wrong like try to hook up with another stallion, when he caught sight of something that made him freeze.
Applejack was hard at work in the orchard, bucking her trees and gathering her apples for the market. She'd clearly been at it for some time now as she was covered in apples pieces and juices, and her fur was tangled and holding bits of leaf and twig. The farmer gave a hard kick to the tree behind her and watched with pride as dozens of shiny red apples fell from the tree into the waiting baskets below. The orange mare wiped some perspiration from her head before moving to the next tree. All in all, a rather mundane and regular sight if one were to take a stroll through Sweet Apples Acres. But the freckled farmer was not what had caught Thunderlane's attention. Rather she had caught the attention of another stallion.
Trenderhoof was staring at her wide eyed behind his glasses with a huge dopey smile on his muzzle. you could practically see the little pink hearts floating around his head and as he stepped forward, he practically glided on air. He was completely head over hooves for the tough orange mare ahead of him.
"Who. Is... That?"
"Who, Applejack?" Rarity just looked puzzled, flitting her gaze back and forth from the stallion she had just been speaking with and her friend hard at work.
"Why are you staring at her like that?"
Trenderhoof barely seemed to hear her as he swooned, his eyes riveted to Applejack as she continued her daily chores. "I've seen a lot in my travels. But I never beheld such beauty."
The mare seemed to take a quick break, grabbing one of her apples and taking a huge chomp out of it, running juice sliding over her muzzle messily. Applejack didn't seem to care though, just relishing the apples before she continued with her work.
"Applejack... the mare of my dreams!"
Blueblood was observing the odd phenomena of a prestigious unicorn seeming to be attracted to a farmer like Applejack when a crunching sound drew his attention.
Thunderlane stood rigid, his wings flared aggressively and his teeth clenched. He was grinding one of his front hooves into the dirt, and his right eye was twitching a little. The sight surprised the Prince. He couldn't remember ever seeing Thunderlane so angry before.