Late September 2011, Calendar of Equestria (CE)

Second Year of the Second Age of Celestia and Luna's Twin Rule

In Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie Pie and some helpers were preparing things for yet another party. A purple unicorn was helping to put a banner in place, as the other ponies worked nearby. Two earth ponies baking, two pegasi helping put streamers in place, and one more earth pony holding a ladder steady so the unicorn had an eye level view of her work.

"So, what is this Sisterhooves Social anyway?" Twilight Sparkle wondered.

"It's basically an event where sisters take part in a bunch of games and competitions together. We used to do it all the time when we were younger. We even hold it at the rock farm every third year!" Somepony said.

"Oh, right. Thanks, uh..."

Twilight stared nervously at who she was speaking to, a grey earth pony.

"I'm Inkie." Pinkie's sister said.

"Oh, right! I was about to say Blinkie... So, how come you and Pinkie didn't take part today?"

"Pinkie prefers to organise the party now, and we prefer to help her out with it." A new voice said, as Blinkie approached, carrying a tray of cupcakes on her back.

"Ah. I guess with you two being busy on the rock farm so much and her with her job here, you and Pinkie don't spend a lot of time together."

"Not as much as any of us would like but it was nice seeing her today." Inkie shrugged.

A familiar springing noise heralded the bouncing approach of the eldest Pie sister.

"Hey, Twilight, have you got any brothers or sisters?" Pinkie asked as Twilight descended the ladder.

"Not unless you count Spike, no. Really, the only relatives I have are my parents."

"That's a super-duper shame! I can't imagine what it'd have been like if I'd been an only child... So, how about you?" Pinkie changed course and target of questioning.

"...Pinkie, I am your sister."

"Ohhh yeah, sorry, Inkie. So what abou... Oh, yeah, Blinkie. Um... You?"

"You asked me already, Pinkie." Twilight sighed.

"Whoops..."

There was then the ringing of an alarm clock from the kitchen.

"Oh, that'll be the pies." Blinkie realised.

"I'll go get those. Unicorn magic, no need for an oven mouthguard." Twilight offered, and headed for the ovens.

Pinkie meanwhile seemed to be performing a complex mathematical equation mentally.

"Oh, I know! Fluttershy, do you have any siblings?"

"No. I had cousins back home but that's all."

"Ah, well, that's better than nothing at least! What about you, Rainbow Dash?"

The Pie sisters didn't notice both pegasi tense up a little before Pinkie had even moved to ask the question.

"I, uh... I haven't seen my siblings for a long time. They moved to Hoofington soon after I left home."

"Oh. Well, maybe you should go visit them? Or they should visit you?"

"Um, that's not really a good idea, Pinkie Pie. It's kind of..." Fluttershy began, but Dash finished.

"Complicated. Very complicated. I don't really like talking about it..."

"Wh..." Pinkie began, but a shout from the kitchen cut her off.

"Hey, Pinkie, the crust of this pie looks a little undercooked right now. Can you come check it out?"

"Okie dokie loki!" She bounced away, train of thought derailed.

"Close call..." Dash muttered, so that only Fluttershy heard. The yellow pegasus simply nodded.