> New Slang
>  by Closer-To-The-Sun
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Ch. 1 These Days
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 1: These Days

It was late at night across Equestria. Most of the town of Ponyville was fast asleep. This was because of a very tiring and fun party at Sugarcube Corner held by the one and only Pinkie Pie. The bakery was now empty save the pink earth pony and her good friend Rob.

"How's the clean up coming, Pinkie Pie?" Rob asked as he was beginning to sweep up the floor.

Pinkie, who was having fun popping the balloons, answered, "Coming along just fine! I really had such a fun time with welcoming the new pony to Ponyville!"

"So did I. I really like that Doctor fellow," Rob commented as he continued his work, "Reminds me of when I came to Ponyville about two years ago."

Pinkie took a big gasp, "Oh my Celestia! It has been two years! You know what this calls for?!"

Rob smiled and had a laugh, "Something tells me a party. Wow, these days are just getting more and more exciting, aren't they?"

The party pony chimed back, "You betcha, Robbie!"

A knock at the door broke up the conversation as Pinkie went to open the door. On the other side was her unicorn friend, Twilight Sparkle.

"Hiya, Twilight! What brings you around at this hour? Are you here for the afterparty party?" the mare was excited as she always was.

"No. Actually, I don't think anypony could still party after that last one. Anyway, I came by to bring you a letter. It seemed to have gotten to the library's mail by mistake," Twilight pulled out an envelope from her saddlebag.

Pinkie eagerly took the letter and opened it quickly.

As Pinkie read it, Twilight continued with a small smirk, "I think I know what the letter is from."

With a squeal, Pinkie Pie hugged Twilight, "Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you Twilight!"

Rob, who had been hearing the conversation, came up to the two mares, "Hey, what's going on?"

"Twilight invited all of us to her big brother's wedding! Well, Princess Celestia invited us as friends of the family since we are Twilight's friends!" the pink mare was already bouncing all over the walls with excitement.

Twilight gave a soft chuckle, "No matter how many times I see her excited, I never get used to it."

"I know what you mean," Rob added, sharing in the laugh.

The unicorn yawned, "Well, I really should head back to the library. I do hope Ponyville's Party Couple' can come with us to Canterlot."

"We're honored to be invited!" the stallion said.

Pinkie popped her head into the conversation, "Oh, we are super-duper honored, Twilight!"

Twilight smiled, "Well, good night you two."

As the purple mare left, Pinkie and Rob smiled together and shared in a laugh. Both of them were extremely happy with the news.

"Alright! Now that we have something amazingly amazing to look forward to, that means we must do our bestest!" Pinkie Pie was taking charge like a commander.

"Aye aye, Madam Pinkie!" Rob saluted.

"And first order of business: Finish cleaning up after this party!"

The two ponies resumed their work of cleaning the bakery. They were very quick in their work. As he was working, Rob came up with an idea, 'I really should do something special for Pinkie. Maybe something a little more special than normal'.
> Ch. 2 Believe Me
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Chapter 2: Believe Me

The next day, Rob trotted to Sweet Apple Acres. As the afternoon sun beamed down on him, the blue stallion was hoping he could figure out something to do for Pinkie from his friends. Getting closer to the barn, he saw two other colts.

"Hey there, Rob!" the tan colt with a brown mane called out.

"Hey, Caramel," Rob replied before looking to the red pony nearby, "And hello to you as well, Big Mac."

A smile appeared on the crimson stallion's face, "Afternoon, Rob."

"What brings you round here?"

"Oh, heh, check wanting to see ya guys, that's all," Rob lied with a nervous laugh.

"It's more than jus' that, ain't it?" Big Mac asked with a small smirk.

"Come on, you can't hide anything from us," Caramel lightly jabbed Rob with a hoof.

With a defeated sigh, Rob spoke, "Alright, you got me. I came by because I wanted to ask you guys a question."

"Well, ask away," the red stallion spoke in his low voice.

"Well….it's getting close to being two years since I've been in Ponyville with all of you and….to be honest, I kinda want to do something special for Pinkie," Rob admitted, "Either of you happen to have any ideas?"

Caramel spoke first, "What do you want to do for her?"

"I'm not sure, something special that she'll really like," the blue pony was drawing a blank.

Big Mac spoke, "Perhaps some kinda party?"

"Nah, that won't work. I mean, Pinkie is so used to parties and all that," Caramel noted, "What you need to do is something memorable that she won't soon forget."

"Any ideas?" it seemed that Rob was a repeating his question.

Caramel shrugged, "You got me. But something that they will love for sure. I did something like that with Twilight Sparkle and a spell book I saw her eyeing a few weeks back."

Rob was still unsure about exactly what to do. He turned to Big Macintosh.

"Ah'm not sure mahself. Ah know Pinkie is quite and energetic pony and what not, so somethin' that fits her would work," Big Mac seemed to be clueless about what to do, "Sorry ah can't be of more help, Rob."

The perplexed look on Rob's face was returned with a grateful smile, "Well, I at least go some ideas if nothing else. Thanks, guys."

Big Mac slightly nodded as Caramel spoke, "Believe me, Rob, as long as it is something from you, I'm sure you can't go wrong."

The blue pony nodded, "Alright, thanks again." 

Rob turned to exit the farm. Taking his time and enjoying the walk, he was given a bit to think about from his two friends. In his head, he still did not know what he could do for Pinkie Pie. Deep in thought, he didn't hear a voice call out from behind him.

"Hey, Rob! Wait up!"

After the voice repeated the statement a few times, Rob stopped and turned to see a small purple and green dragon running to catch up with him.

The dragon, stopping to pant and catch his breath, spoke, "Hey, how's it going?"

"Oh, hey Spike. Sorry, didn't hear you," the colt apologized.

Spike brushed it off, "Don't worry, it's cool. What you doing out here?"

Rob began to walk again with Spike next to him, "I could ask you the same thing."

"Oh, I was helping Applejack and the Apple family with some extra chores. Always feels great to lend a helping claw!" Spike's voice was very proud of his work.

"I know that feeling!" Rob laughed, "I was stopping by to see Big Macintosh and Caramel to ask their opinion on something."

"About what if I may?" the dragon asked.

"I want to do something special for Pinkie but I'm really not sure about what," Rob stated as he resumed in his thoughts before Spike showed up.

"I see," Spike said, beginning to think as well, "Oh, I got it!"

"What is it?"

"You can get her another party cannon!"

Rob raised an eyebrow, "Party cannon?"

"Totally! It's so cool, and she takes it with her, like, everywhere!" the dragon was getting excited about his idea.

Confused, Rob decided to drop the subject, "I'll….uh….keep it in mind."

"She'd love it! Just remember it!" Spike said before they reached the entrance gate of Sweet Apple Acres, "I should get home before it gets dark, see ya around!"

Rob, who paused just outside of the gate, raised a hoof to wave to Spike, "Bye, Spike!"

Returning the his own mind, the blue pony thought of what Spike said, 'A party cannon? I think she's fine with those,' he laughed to himself. However, his thinking was disrupted by another familiar voice.

"Howdy."
> Ch. 3 The Background
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 3: The Background

Rob looked up to see an orange mare walking towards him. "Howdy," she repeated.

"Oh, hello there, Applejack. Sorry, kinda lost in my own thoughts," the stallion apologized, rubbing the back of his neck with one of his hooves.

"It's quite alright, sugarcube. What brings ya ta this neck of the woods?" Applejack asked.

"Oh, just came by to talk to Big Mac and Caramel. What are you up to?" Rob answered and then asked a similar question.

"Ah was runnin' some end of the day errands around Ponyville. Gotta say since Spike's been helpin' 'round the farm, things have been runnin' smoothly," Applejack replied.

"Yeah, he told he helps out every so often," Rob spoke. He took a look at Applejack before continuing, "Hey, are you alright?"

"Hm? Ah'm quite fine," the mare replied, "Why you ask?"

"Well, it seems you're a bit off, is all."

"Nope, doin' jus' fine!" Applejack reassured the colt, "So, what you talk to Caramel and mah brother 'bout?"

Rob slightly blushed as he spoke his words, "Well, it sounds a bit weird, but I was asking them what I should do for Pinkie Pie. I want to do something special for her seeing how I've been in Ponyville for two years."

Applejack was a bit surprised to see the blue pony blushing, "Ah see. Any ideas?" The orange pony gestured for Rob to follow her on the path back to the farm.

Rob followed, looking up to the colorful sky with the sun beginning to set, "Well, Caramel said I should do something that is meaningful."

"Meaningful?" Applejack was puzzled by what he meant.

"Like, something that can be sentiment and what not," Rob elaborated "Big Mac didn't have any ideas like myself."

The blonde mare chuckled softly, "That sounds like mah brother alright."

"And Spike told me to get her a new party cannon."

"Even little, ol' Spike had some advice fer ya? Go figure," Applejack stated.

As the two ponies drew closer to the barn and the Apple family's home, Rob continued, "Seems everypony has their own take on what I should do to surprise Pinkie."

Applejack stepped up onto the porch of her home and sat on her flank. She faced the rest of the farm, watching Celestia's sun slowly sink in the distance. "Well, what do ya want ta do fer her, Rob?"

Following suit, Rob sat down on the porch as well to watch the sunset, "I don't know. I mean, I really like her a lot. We're even called the 'party couple', as silly as that sounds. But the more I think about that, the more it sounds kind of nice. Maybe I should pop the question to her."

Applejack's face became pale as Rob spoke those words. Quickly, she shook her head violently to snap her back to normal, "Well, do ya really want ta do that?"

Rob turned to look at the orange pony, "What do you mean?"

The mare's head faced forward, staring straight into the distance, "Is it what ya really want to do?"

The stallion was quiet for a moment before answering, "Yes, it's something I really would like to do. Even if she says no, I at least tried."

Her head tilted slightly downward and a small smile crept on her face, "Ah say if it's somethin' you feel strongly about, go forward with it and have no regrets of what might come."

The blue pony nodded at Applejack's comment, "Alright. Are you sure you're alright though?"

What sounded like a soft chuckle was emitted from the mare, "Can ah be honest with ya about somethin'?"

"Yes, of course."

A single tear fell down Applejack's face, "Ah know this sounds like somethin' only a  fool would say, but remember when ya first came ya Ponyville? Ah have to admit ah was quite taken by ya." Not moving her head in the slightest from her forward stance, the mare wiped the tear away, "Yer a really hardworkin' pony as well as bein' quite the gentlecolt. Ah guess ah somewhat had the kind of crush that little schoolfillies would have."

The blue stallion was stunned by what he heard.

She continued, "But don't mind me an' mah silly crush. Ta be honest, ah figured ah didn't stand a chance when ah saw how you an' Pinkie got along so well. Heh, ya two just seemed jus' perfect fer each other like apples an' cinnamon."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Applejack, I had no id-" Rob was cut off.

"Don't worry 'bout it none, sugarcube. Ya didn't know an' that's all mah fault. But that's the past now. But fer yer special surprise for Pinkie, ah know she would love it, and say yes," Applejack turned to Rob finally, a few tears present in her eyes despite her happy expression.

"R-Really?" the stallion couldn't believe what he just heard.

"Sure as sugar. Pinkie's really fond of ya, maybe even more so than ya know," Applejack wiped away the remaining tears from her eyes.

Rob spoke, "But what about you? I mean, it just seems so cruel to just ignore you after this."

Applejack chuckled a little more light-heartedly than before, "Ah'm telling ya, ah'll be fine. Besides, ah would be lyin' if ah said ah don't have my eye on a cute little runt right now."

Flinging his limbs around the orange mare, Rob hugged Applejack, "Thank you, Applejack, for everything. Just….everything."

Applejack returned the hug, "Think nothin' of it. Ya jus' better ask her the question."

"I will."
> Ch. 4 Some Might Say
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Chapter 4: Some Might Say

The next day, it was a warm and pleasant afternoon in Ponyville. Rob, who had asked Pinkie Pie for a date, was on his way to meet up with her. This wasn't a huge deal for him, seeing how they were considered a couple by the entire town already, but that was not the reason he was nervous. He wanted to ask Pinkie a big question, but it made him tense just thinking about it. Waiting outside of Sugarcube Corner, Rob was awaiting for the pink party pony. The blue stallion was surprised to see that very pony he was waiting for appeared right in front of him.

"Hiya, Robbie!" Pinkie blurted out.

Rob was shocked to see Pinkie Pie emerge from seemingly nowhere, "Ah! Oh, heh, hey there, Pinkie."

"Ready for our date?" the mare asked excitedly.

Nodding, the stallion confirmed, "Yup."

"So where to?"

"I was thinking a small dinner someplace nice," he spoke, slowly trotting along.

"Okey dokey!" Pinkie began to bounce as Rob led the way.

The two went to a small restaurant in the town square area of Ponyville. The two earth ponies began to talk about different thing, sharing stories, laughing, and simply enjoying time with each other. It was a real pleasant evening for the two as they shared each other's company, wasting the hours away.

Finally, as the evening was drawing to a close so Rob and Pinkie Pie left the eatery to return home. Slowly walking through Ponyville, the two continued talking.

"….and so then I told Gummy that he couldn't chew on Opal's tail anymore! He was really upset," Pinkie finished her story.

"I'm still confused what he wanted to do that in the first place," Rob commented.

"He is quite the party animal!"

The two shared a laugh, followed by a brief moment of silence.

"Hey, Pinkie, can I say something a bit personal?" Rob asked to break the calm.

Pinkie tilted her head and brightly smiled, "But aren't we already talking personally?" Pinkie stuck her tongue out at Rob playfully.

Lightly chuckling, Rob paused his movement and continued, "Guess you got a point there. Well, what I have to say is a bit….more personal than normal, I guess."

"What is it?" the mare stopped and looked to the stallion.

With his eyes closed, Rob spoke candidly and with his cheeks burning, "Pinkie Pie, w….would you m….marry me?"

This question stunned both ponies. A silence lasted for what seemed an eternity between the two. Only the echoes of the nocturnal sounds were audible until the pink mare spoke.

"Goodness, Robbie….I don't know what to say…." Pinkie Pie admittedly spoke. Her attitude seemed to be bashful and timid, very uncharacteristic for the mare.

"I understand. You don't have to really answer if you don't want to," Rob seemed a bit down, but his voice was still polite and natural.

Pinkie placed a hoof on the blue pony, "It's not that I don't love ya, it's just that it's a really big decision and all."

The stallion nodded, "I get it. When you do have an answer, I would love to hear it."

Smiling warmly, Pinkie leaned in and kissed Rob's cheek, "Of course."

"Thanks."

With her normal personality returning to her, Pinkie Pie exclaimed, "Of course, Robbie! What are friends for?!"
> Ch. 5 I Know There's An Answer
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Chapter 5: I Know There's An Answer

A few days later, Pinkie Pie and Rob joined Twilight Sparkle, along with the rest of her friends, in Canterlot for Shining Armor's wedding to Princess Cadence. The wedding went off without a single issue. From cuisine to the reception, and from the dresses to the sonic rainboom at the end, the wedding was a wonderful success.

Rob, who felt a bit out of place at the fancy reception, did manage to go up and congratulate Shining Armor, "Hey, congratulations, Captain Shining Armor."

The white unicorn turned to see the blue stallion, dressed formally, "Thanks, and also thanks for coming to my bachelor party the other day. It was really great to get to know you, and I'm sure some of the other guys really liked having you around. You sure can play a mean game of cards." Shining Armor used his hoof to friendly jab Rob.

The blue pony laughed, "Well, I try to give it my best, no matter what it is."

"And that's what I like about you. Even if Spike gets mad at you winning," the unicorn laughed as well, "I noticed you seem a bit tense here. Fancy gatherings not your thing?"

"Well, it's not that. I guess it's just the atmosphere of the wedding is a bit….odd for me right now," Rob admitted with a slightly crestfallen expression.

"Is it because of a mare?" Armor didn't wait for a reply, "It may seem unusual coming from a colt that just got married, but marriage is something that is in it's own right a big deal. The word alone worried me just the other day, and everything about it was new, strange, and intimidating. But when I remember the reason why I wanted to get married. And with her, everything seemed just fine. It's among its own type of magic. I hope that you can experience soon."

Rob smiled at the unicorn's words, "I do, too. Thanks, Shining Armor."

"Not a problem. Now if you can excuse me, I can see that Cadence is signaling to me. See you around," the newly wedded groom bid farewell to his new friend.

Rob waved to Shining Armor as he trotted away. He, however, didn't noticed another pony bouncing up behind him.

"Hiya, Robbie!" the happy voice beamed.

The stallion's body jolted slightly in surprise before it turned to the pink pony, "Hey, Pinkie Pie. Haha, I can never get used to that."

Pinkie giggled, "So what'cha doing?"

"I was just talking to Shining Armor, congratulating him and what not."

"Okey dokey!"

Rob looked at the royal couple from a far before continuing, "You know, seeing them just so happy makes me wonder if my wedding will be just as magical."

Wrapping her front limbs around the blue pony, Pinkie Pie giggled again, "Don't worry, Robbie, our wedding will be just as magical!"

He quickly turned his head to the pink pony, "Wait, does that mean yo-"

"Yup yup yup!"

END