On a cool Spring morning in a hotel in Ponyville, a young earth pony stallion with a light blue coat named Quill was seated behind a desk. A small waste bin nearby was filled with crumpled up pieces of paper.
Quill threw another piece of paper into the waste bin and slammed a hoof onto his desk. “I’ve tried a story about a crazed arsonist,” he said to himself as he crumpled up the piece of paper- which bore the title A Night on the Town- and threw it into the waste basket. “I’ve tried a story about a killer disease.” The author stood up and angrily kicked the bin over. “I even tried an anthology series!” He stomped his hoof on the carpet. “Yet nothing ever seems to work!”
Quill turned his head around and looked at his cutie mark; a quill and piece of paper. “I write one successful story that gets put into the Manehattan Daily News and boom”- Quill threw his forehooves into the air- “cutie mark on my flank!”
As the author stood in front of his desk, his stomach growled. “Oh right, and I haven’t eaten since I got here.” He muttered to himself. Quill let out a sigh and cleaned up the pieces of paper that had scattered from the waste bin. Well, at least it’s quiet here, the author thought as he finished cleaning. With that, Quill left his room, locked the door, and made his way to the lobby.
Downstairs, the author approached a stallion with a dark grey coat and a keyring for a cutie mark. “Excuse me,” Quill said, “do you know where I can get something to eat?”
The stallion put down a newspaper he was reading and looked at Quill. “Sugarcube Corner,” he deadpanned. “Or you can wait another few hours when we serve lunch.”
Quill thought for a few seconds before he asked, “Where’s Sugarcube Corner?”
“Down the street.” The stallion looked up at Quill. “You can’t miss it, it’s a giant gingerbread house.”
Quill simply nodded and exited the hotel. I wonder if everyone is as pleasant as him, He thought as he walked down the street. At least it’s quiet here, the young stallion thought as a smiled formed on his face.
A few minutes later, Quill arrived at Sugarcube Corner. As he entered, he was greeted by a pink earth pony. “Hi! My name’s Pinkie Pie!” The mare said with a large smile.
Quill staggered back a few feet. “Uh, hi,” He said, uncertainty filling his voice. “My name’s Quill.”
“Oooh, I don’t know of anypony named ‘Quill’!” Pinkie said as she approached Quill, who was now afraid that the sheer amount of energy inside of Pinkie Pie would cause her to explode. “So, where are you from?” She asked as she bounced in place.
Quill regained his posture and said, “I’m from Manehattan. I-”
“Oh, you should go talk to Rarity!” Pinkie beamed. “She’s been to Manehattan!” Pinkie gasped when she realized something. “Maybe you two are friends and have met before, but haven’t seen each other in years! Then I can say I have another friend and we can share stories and-”
“I’ve never met anypony name Rarity! I came here for some peace and quiet as I tried to work on my writing!” Quill yelled. He looked around at the surprised customers. “Uh, sorry,” He said sheepishly.
“Oh, that’s too bad! Still, I bet she’d love to meet you! You are from Manehattan, so maybe you’ve at least seen her!”
“Look, while I bet your friend is wonderful,” Quill said, getting increasingly aggravated, “I came here to get something to eat.”
“Okie dokie!” Pinkie said as she bounced to the counter. “What would you like?” She asked, a disturbingly large smile on her face. Quill made a mental note to ask a doctor if that was even possible without splitting one’s face in two.
The author approached the display case and looked at the various sweets. “Just a cake,” he said, “but no nuts. I’m allergic to them.”
Pinkie quickly retrieved a cake and handed it to Quill. “I’ll make sure to not have anything with nuts at your party, too!” Pinkie beamed. “I always make sure to be extra careful with stuff like that!”
“Party?” Quill asked, nearly dropping the cake. “What party?”
“Your ‘Welcome to Ponyville’ party of course!” Pinkie said, throwing confetti into the air, which now made Quill question if this mare was even from this planet. “Everypony gets one!”
“That’s nice of you, but I don’t think I can attend,” Quill said. “I’ll probably be too busy writing,” and too busy getting rid of this damn migraine you’ve given me.
“Awww, that’s too bad!” Pinkie said with a frown, much to Quill’s amazement. “Maybe you won’t be busy and can join!”
Quill rubbed his temples. He handed Pinkie a few bits and asked, “Look, if I come, do you promise not to speak to me?”
Pinkie happily nodded.
“Fine, send an invitation to the hotel up the street.” Quill walked out of the bakery, a headache causing him a great deal of discomfort.
---
Quill staggered back into his hotel room. He placed the cake on a dresser drawer. He flopped onto the bed and rubbed his temples. That mare alone somehow rivals Manehattan. The author let out a pain filled groan as he lay up and and grabbed the cake. How nice, she gave me a plastic fork to go with this.
As he dug into the cake, the thought of what to write about reentered Quill’s mind. I could do a story about a cook who poisons the food of those they dislike. Quill took a large bite out of the cake and shook his head. That’s been done to death though. The young stallion took another bite out of the cake and looked around the room. Maybe there’s something around here that will give me an idea. The author put the cake back onto the dresser drawer and walked over to a bookshelf.
The young stallion looked at each of the books. “The Fair Crimson Line?” Quill shook his head. “Maybe next time,” he said and continued looking. “One Thousand Famous Places to Visit Before You Die.” Quill rolled his eyes. Fat chance I’ll ever see ten of them. The author scanned the rest of the shelf before his eyes landed on something that caught his eye. “Wildlife of Equestria?” He pulled the book out and walked back to the bed with it. Killer animals are always something that I’ve enjoyed reading about. Maybe this can give me a few ideas.
Quill opened the book. Pictures of Timber Wolves, Hydras, Manticores, and Chimeras, and dozens of other animals filled page after page. “All of these animals,” the author said as he turned a page, which had a picture of a Cockatrice, “and still nothing.” Quill closed the book and put it aside. I need to stop whining. It’s not going to get me anywhere. Quill grabbed the cake he’d set aside before and resumed eating it.
After Quill had finished eating, he put the Wildlife book away and flopped back onto the bed. Maybe a nap will help my writers block, he thought. The young stallion shut the curtains to a nearby window and closed his eyes. Within minutes, he fell asleep.
~~~
Quill sat at his desk back in his house in Manehattan, fiercely writing. His mane was unkempt, his eyes bloodshot and with bags under them, and hiss room a mess, with crumpled pieces of paper filling the room. Leftover pieces of hay sandwiches filled the waste bin next to his desk. Pencil shavings littered his desk and chair, and more fell from the pencil he used. “Almost... done...” Quill said as he wrote the final bit of his magnum opus. “My work will finally pay off. This is the one!”
As the author finished his story, he placed the pencil down and yelled, “Finally! It’s taken me months, but I have done it!” With a comically large grin on his face, Quill put the piece of paper into his briefcase and ran out the front door to the publishing office.
When he arrived, the mare at the front desk glared daggers at him. “Oh, it’s you again,” she said.
“What?” Quill asked; surprised. “I-I’ve never been here!”
“Yes you have,” the mare retorted. “You’re here every day with some new horrible story. The whole office knows about you. Your ideas are ridiculous, your execution worse! Get out of here before we throw you out!”
Quill’s heart shattered. Slowly, he walked backwards as tears streamed down his face.
”NOW!”
The author turned around and hightailed it out of the publishing office. However, no matter how fast he ran, it seemed the entrance moved farther and farther away.
“What part about ‘now’ did you not understand, Quill?” The mare asked. Her words echoed in his head. “Or are you eager to hear about the other employees opinions?”
Quill tried to respond, but he couldn’t speak. To his horror, he seemed to be mute.
The mare trotted over and stared Quill down. “Nopony likes your writing, Quill.” the mare said, venom filling her every word. “Nopony at all.”
Quill fell to his haunches and stared down at the ground as tears streamed down his face with the mare’s remarks echoed in his head.
~~~
Knock, knock, knock
Quill jolted awake in a cold sweat. He turned his turned his attention to the door and trotted over. At his door was a grey pegasus with a blonde mane. “Yes?” He asked.
“You have an invitation,” she said. “It’s for a party Pinkie Pie’s throwing you tomorrow.” The pegasus handed him a letter and smiled.
Quill took the letter and forced a smile on his face as he recalled that he’d be surrounded by noise that would no doubt rival that of Manehattan. “Thank you.”
The mare nodded and fluttered off. As Quill closed the door behind him, he could hear a picture crash to the ground outside. He rolled his eyes and walked to his bed. He hopped onto it and buried his face into his hooves. Sweet Celestia, I just wanted some peace and quiet. Was that too much to ask?
After wallowing in self pity for a few minutes, Quill lifted his head back up and looked out a window. Maybe a quiet walk will do my nerves some good, he thought. Reinvigorated, Quill got off of his bed, locked his door, and quickly made his way out of the hotel.
Outside, Quill began his walk around the quaint, little town, all the while he thought about his story. I could do a story about a rampaging Hydra, he thought as he walked passed Sugarcube Corner. Nah, I want something on a smaller scale. He stopped in his tracks and put a hoof up to his chin. Maybe one about an alligator in the sewer. Those old stories I heard as a foal scared me to death. A smile formed on Quill’s face. That’s it! A a story about a killer alligator! The author happily clapped his hooves together.
“What are you so excited about, buddy?” A voice asked.
Quill snapped back into reality and looked around. The stallion from earlier in the day approached Quill, a small smile on his face. “Oh, I just thought of a great idea for something I’m writing,” Quill said sheepishly.
The nameless stallion looked at Quill and smiled. “That’s great! Congratulations!” He exclaimed, much to Quill’s surprise. “Listen, I’m sorry if I came across as a jerk earlier. I woke up with a terrible headache and wasn’t in the mood to talk to anypony. I hope you weren’t mad at me.”
The author smiled. “It’s fine. I understand that feeling.”
“Anyways, I’d love to stay and chat, but I have a night shift to work somewhere else. See you around,” the stallion said as he walked off.
Quill waved goodbye to the stallion. Well, perhaps this town isn’t that bad.
As the author continued his walk, he eventually found himself in Ponyville’s park. By now, the sun had set entirely, and the moon shined brightly in the sky. A few other ponies sat atop a nearby hill as they stargazed. Quill looked up at the star filled sky himself and smiled. The young stallion trotted over to a nearby bench and sat on it. I might as well stargaze for the time being myself.
~~~
Quill sat on the bench. The park was deserted, and the sun was setting. The author stood up, a sense of uneasiness filling him, and walked around the park.
The air was dead still as the author continued to wander aimlessly when he passed by a lake. He looked at it and noticed a few ripples. Against his better judgement, he walked towards the lake. As he got closer, he noticed a few humps.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a large serpentine creature leaped out of the water and stared Quill down. It opened its mouth. “Hey, buddy?”
~~~
“You there?” A voice asked. “Yoo-hoo.”
Quill shook his head. “Huh? Wha?” He asked as he snapped back into reality.
A unicorn colt with a blue coat stared at Quill with a puzzled expression. “You alright?” He asked. “You were completely zoned out. Thought you might have fallen asleep.”
“Oh, no, I’m okay,” the author replied. “Just daydreaming.” Quill stood up and shook his head again. Behind him were the ponies who were stargazing atop the hill. “So... beautiful night if I do say so myself,” Quill said awkwardly.
“Oh, yeah,” the unicorn replied. “We were just heading home when we spotted you hadn’t passed out.”
“Sorry for disturbing your daydreaming,” a unicorn filly said.
Quill smiled. “It’s fine. I should be heading back to my hotel.”
“We should do the same,” the colt replied. “Good night.”
“Good night,” Quill replied as he made his way back to his hotel room.
---
The next morning, Quill awoke feeling revitalized, and in good spirits. He got out of bed and noticed the letter that had been delivered to him the previous day. I never did bother to check what time that party was. He walked over and opened it.
Dear, Quill
You’re invited to a super duper spectacular Pinkie Pie “Welcome to Ponyville” Party! Just for you!
Be there by 12:00 P.M. tomorrow!
- Pinkie Pie
A large smiley face and heart succeeded the signature, which smelled of frosting. Quill couldn’t help but smile. “Well, I’ve got five hours to kill,” he said to himself.
The author walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower. As it warmed up, he brushed his teeth and looked in the mirror. Note to self: Buy a razor to shave. he thought as he rinsed his mouth.
By now, steam was beginning to fill the bathroom. Quill entered the shower and started to wash his hair.
Only to get shampoo in his right eye.
“Sweet Celestia that stings!” He yelled as he washed the shampoo out of his eye. “That’s not how I wanted to start my day!”
After a few minutes, Quill turned the shower off and grabbed a towel. “Stupid shampoo,” He grumbled as he finished drying his mane. The young stallion put the towel away and walked back into his room. He grabbed a pencil, a piece of paper, and walked back to his desk. “I’ve got nothing better to do for another few hours,” he said to himself.
Knock, knock, knock
Quill got up and answered the door. A unicorn mare with a violet coat and a food tray for a cutie mark was standing at the doorway, levitating a notepad.
“This for breakfast?” Quill asked.
“Yep! What would you like?” The mare said, cheerfully.
“Cereal,” Quill said. “No nuts please.”
The mare nodded and walked away. Quill shut the door behind her and walked back to his desk. Okay, now, a killer alligator, he thought as he tapped his chin. Alligator’s hunt during the evening, so I’d have to set the during at night. The young stallion grabbed his pencil and started to write a rough outline of his story.
Aven lives in a swamp-like area. One night, he hears strange sounds coming from outside and-
A knock at the door interrupted Quill. He dropped his pencil and walked over to the door. The mare levitated a bowl of cereal to Quill. “No nuts, just like you asked,” she said.
“Thank you,” he said to the mare as he grabbed his food.
The mare simply nodded and trotted off again.
The author walked back to his desk resumed writing as he ate his breakfast.
goes outside to investigate said sounds. He notices large prints in the mud (perhaps it had been raining prior to this?) and follows them. He encounters a massive alligator and devours him. Flash forward ahead a professional hunter is going to track it down and kill it!
Quill put his pencil down and clapped his hooves together. “This is genius!” He said with a large smile. “All I need to do is think of a way to build up suspense and I’m good to go.” Quill pumped a foreleg into the air and ate a spoonful of his cereal.”Though I guess I could try to at least start the story,” he said. Quill once again grabbed his pencil and prepared himself for a morning of writing.
And subsequently failed to write anything.
“I question how I’ve written one story,” he said to himself as he got up from his seat. “No time to question myself though. That party starts in a few minutes.” Quill grabbed took a deep breath and made his way towards Sugarcube Corner.
---
Just remember Quill: If anypony tries to talk with you, just tune them out and pretend you’re listening, Quill thought to himself as he arrived at Sugarcube Corner. Do the same if anypony else approaches you at some point.
The young stallion opened the front door and was greeted by dozens of ponies. “Surprise!” They all shouted at the top of their lungs.
Quill was sure an eardrum popped. “Yay... surprise.”
Pinkie Pie bounced over to Quill. “I know I said I wouldn’t bother you, but my friends are here and they really want to meet you so is it okay if they say ‘hi’ please?” Pinkie begged.
Quill sighed. “Fine, sure, whatever,” he said. Just tune them all out, Quill.
Pinkie ran off. A few seconds later, five other ponies greeted him, each smiling. To his surprise, Princess Twilight was among them. Oh joy, royalty. The young stallion let out a sigh. “Hi,” Quill said.
The author mentally tuned himself out. He noticed Pinkie point to a table with a large cake on it and said something. Afterwords, each of her began to introduce themselves. Just think about the story, Quill. Imagine that alligator suddenly attacking. It’s chaos! Pure chaos! Quill couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought.
“What’s so funny?” Pinkie suddenly asked.
“Wha? Huh?” Quill asked.
“You chuckled, silly. I asked what was so funny.”
“Oh, nothing,” Quill said. “I’m very happy to meet you all though,” he said, “but I’d like to just be alone and think over something I’m writing.”
The six mares all nodded and walked towards a punch bowl on the other end of the room. Quill, meanwhile, walked towards the table Pinkie had gestured to and sat near it. At least they were nice enough to leave me alone. The author looked at the cake and thought to himself. Maybe it’s for later, Quill thought. Still, this party is for me. It won’t hurt to have a little bit. Quill cut himself a small slice and took a bite of it. Wait, he thought as he chewed the slice of cake. Suddenly, Quill began to cough violently, and his heart started to beat quickly.
A few ponies turned their attention to Quill. “What’s wrong with him?” A few asked.
“Somepony get a doctor!” Others shouted.
Quill fell to the floor and struggled to breathe. Time seemed to slow as he watched most of the party goers panic and run to Pinkie, who was conversing with her friends. Others watched in horror as the author wheezed and attempted to scratch at his body.
Pinkie Pie turned her attention to the commotion and screamed. “No! Quill! That had nuts in it!” She yelled as she ran over to him.
The young stallion crawled on the floor and looked up at Pinkie, her five friends quickly followed behind her. Pinkie fell to her haunches and cried, her mane deflating in the process. Princess Twilight comforted her friend and said something to a Cyan pegasus, who gave a salute before she flew out of the shop.
Quill, meanwhile, could only think one thing before his vision faded.
Ah, nuts.