Ponyville was going on with its everyday events normal or out of the ordinary, some of the ponies watched as a pale grey pegasus with freckles, short cut pale purple mane and tail, and a cutie mark of a paw print overlapping a brush walked along in the streets, pulling a small cart behind him with a quite a few bags and boxes. The pegasus looked around with a timid smile on his face. He continued his walk to his new home that was on the edge of Ponyville Park.
He was a dog lover so he had some customized touches added to it, house it was like most of the homes in Ponyville simple and cozy but with an extra-large yard and; the paw print stone path leading from the front gate (with the fence posts designed to look like dog bones), to the house that had dog paw prints blow torch-designed on the dark strewed thatch roof.
. The pegasus started to unpack some of his things, till he then noticed a postcard sticking from his door's mail slot. He walked over to the door and lifted up the postcard which had pictures of a bunch of different pastries on it.
A message was hastily written on the postcard which caused the pegasus to raise an eyebrow at the message.
"Come to Sugercube Corner?" The pegasus tilted his head some as he said to himself.
After he finished with all his unpacking he made his way in to Sugercube Corner. Though he began to feel a bit peckish, so he decided to take a break from packing and by some groceries, as he walked through the market place he notice he smelled something… something `DELICOUS. He followed the scent till he reached an apple stand with a wonderfully painted sign that read 'Sweet Apple Acers '.
"Howdy stranger ma name is Applejack, how can I help ya?"The mare that greeted had him was an orange earth pony with a blonde, pony-tailed mane, green eyes, and cowboy hat. Judging by her cutie mark, three apples, Diamond Groomer guessed that she must be involved with the apple orchard that he had seen moving into town.
Diamond stood there with a shocked expression on his face before responding "Um, c-can I have an apple fritter and two apples? Please." he asked nervously.
"That'll be seven bits, and you don't have to worry I don't bite" she said flirtatiously causing the stallion the blush a pale red.
"I'm just kidding." She said causing the red to fade
"O-Oh its ok, I'm just not use to girls flirting with me" he replied sheepishly.
"Well haven't seen you around, what's your name?"
"U-Um, I'm Diamond Groomer" he said as his voice shrank
"Howdy do, Diamond Groomer? Ah'm Applejack! Ah run Sweet Apple Acres, the best place to git any thang apple-related." She extended her hoof for a friendly, introductory hoof shake.
He replied with a his quiet timid tone "I-I um moved here Canterlot, and before that I lived Trottingham, but I'm originally from Fillydelphia. I came here so I could better practice my talent." with that he turned to the side slightly allowing her to see his cutie mark.
"Oh, ya um…brush animals." She said slightly confused at what his mark meant.
His tone shifted from timid to a more enthusiastic one as he corrected her. "I'm a dog caretaker, stylist, I love dogs they are my passion and my life."
"Well next time Winona needs a trim you'll be my first choice."
"Thank you very much, um can you please tell me where to find a place called Sugarcube Corner?"
"I'll do better than tell ya I'll show there mahself. I just need close-up the stand, and we'll be on our way." As they walked to the confectionery along the way they talked learning about each other. They soon walked upon her friends Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash, Applejack who burst into conversation at once. "Howdy, partners!" she said to them cheerfully, "Heard about Pinkie's new welcomin' party?" Diamond being a rather shy pony merely watched and listened to the three mares in conversation The two other ponies was a pegasus. Her coat was a light blue while her mane and tail were the colors of the rainbow. The mare also had eyes the color of a deep rose. Her cutie mark was a cloud with a rainbow colored lightning bolt protruding from it. Based on her build and cutie mark, Diamond Groomer thought she was a weather mare, athlete, or both. The other mare was a lavender unicorn her mane and tail was dark violet with a magenta streak going down them. Her cutie mark was a star color matching the streak in her mane and dotted around it were several smaller white stars, on this observation he guessed that her talent was magic and astronomy.
"Sure have." said Twilight, "You know how Pinkie gets news around quickly." she added, rolling her eyes.
"I think it's a mighty nice idea!" said Applejack merrily, "Before y'all know it, we'll have made some more friends!"
At that precise moment, an off white colored pony trotted up to Applejack's side.
"Oh uh, this is Diamond Groomer." Applejack said, pointing to the stallion.
Diamond Groomer gave a shy grin at Twilight and Rainbow who each returned a kind smile.
"Ah promised 'im I'd show 'him round for the day." Applejack explained, "I'll catch the rest of ya later. Hope you meet some nice folk!"
"They seem very nice; um what party were they talking about, if you don't mind me asking."
"It's just a get together to welcome new-folks around here. Oh look here we are." Diamond Groomer stood in awe when he saw the bake shop; its roof looked like it was made of gingerbread adorned with icing detail, the very top had a giant cupcake with large birthday candles in it, and the scent of sweets galore came pouring from every window. He came back from momentary childhood wonder induced trance and noticed the mare who had guided him there was gone.
"Applejack? I guess she had better things to do." He said to nopony.
He walked into the shop, and noticed that the lights were off and that there was no pony around. The pegasus simply shrugged and thought that it was a little late as he slowly opened the doors and walked into the dark building and looked around some. He blinked as the lights flipped on suddenly.
"SURRISE!" yelled the forty ponies in front room. Needless to say he fainted.
When he regained consciousness, everypony surrounded him, and a growing blush spread across his face as Diamond Groomer began to say nervously, "I-I'm really sorry if I'm trespassing. I didn't know there was a party here."
"Oh, it looks like I'm interrupting something. I-I'll just be going now," said Diamond Groomer, trying to find a way out of the crowded bakery. It was then that Pinkie Pie decided to make her appearance. "Don't go silly! This is your welcome to Ponyville party!"
Diamond Groomer sighed. That's exactly what I was worried about, he thought.
Oblivious to his lack of enthusiasm, Pinkie shouted, "Okie dokie everypony lets partaaaay!"
Diamond Groomer was extremely nervous. He had never been very social, being the quiet, shy pony that he is. Taking a gulp he moved to mingle with the other ponies. Not exactly my idea of a good time, but I guess I need to meet some new ponies.
He moved to the snack table hoping that food would calm him down. Diamond Groomer had just started eating a cupcake when Pinkie burst out from behind the table. In the process of swallowing his food, Diamond Groomer began to choke.
"Hi there! I'm Pinky Pie, but you can just call me Pinkie. I'm the pony who planned this whole party. I throw the best parties, ask anypony. So how do you like your party? Huh, huh, huh?" Diamond Groomer's only reply was gagging and gasping for air. "Oh that means a lot! You love it so much that you're speechless!"
Pinkie gave Diamond Groomer a friendly slap on the back which managed to dislodge the cupcake from his throat. Able to breathe again, Diamond Groomer just watched as Pinkie bounced off to enjoy the party. She's a mystery, he thought.
"I see you met Pinkie Pie," said a white unicorn as she walked up beside Diamond Groomer.
Diamond Groomer, still breathing heavily, replied, "I sure have. Is she always that crazy?"
The unicorn laughed. "I suppose she is a bit abnormal, but she organizes simply the most wonderful parties."
"Oh dear, I've forgotten my manners. H-hello I'm Diamond Groomer," he said to the beautiful unicorn.
"It's wonderful to meet you Diamond Groomer. I am Rarity, I own the Carousel Boutique. Maybe you should stop bye sometime. Your mane needs a trim immediately," she said playfully.
Diamond Groomer eyes widened. "You're the Ms. Rarity? Your designs were the talk of the town when I was studying advanced grooming technique in Canterlot."
"Darling, you flatter me. My designs are growing in popularity but I'd hardly say that they're conversation worthy."
"Well, um, I don't much about these things. I'm an dog hair stylist. I run the new groomers shop in town."
"You're quiet soft-spoken dear you remind me of a friend of mine. She's pretty shy herself. Would you like to meet them?"
"O-oh, um, I'm not so sure that's such a good idea. I'm not very good with meeting new ponies," said Diamond Groomer, almost repeating exactly what he had said to Rarity earlier. "I'm a bit shy."
Rarity simply smiled at him. "Don't worry darling. They're all nice. I'm sure they'll be glad to meet you."
Diamond Groomer just sighed and said nervously, "O-okay, if you say so."
"SURPRISE!"
Fluttershy's POV
Just like all the ponies in Sugarcube Corner, Fluttershy had been roped into Pinkie Pie's latest party plan. All that Fluttershy had been able to gather was that there was a new pony in town and that Twilight was going to find a way to bring them to the library.
I hope this new pony is kind, thought Fluttershy as she waited for Twilight to arrive with the new pony.
"Okay everypony, listen up!" shouted Pinkie Pie, quieting the chatter that had begun to start up. "Everypony has got to be quiet okay? Otherwise it won't be a surprise party and surprise parties are the best parties, and I want this to be the biggest bestest party ever!"
Suddenly, voices were heard outside. Pinkie silently ordered to the lights to be turned off and the curtains drawn. The door opened and two silhouettes could be seen entering.
" Um, Twilight? Maybe we should let a little light in, if that's okay with you, I mean," Fluttershy heard a voice say. It sounded like a stallion's but it was too quiet to know for sure.
At that moment, the lights flicked on. Fluttershy took a large breath and enthusiastically, albeit quietly said, "Surprise!"
He just stood there staring back at all the smiling ponies. Diamond Groomer was in shock. So much so he fainted.
Diamond Groomer's POV
Diamond Groomer followed Rarity through the Sugarcube Corner looking for her friends. He was beginning to feel more and more nervous. Being a mare, it was most likely that Rarity's friends would all be mares, and to be honest, Diamond Groomer wasn't very good at talking to mares.
Diamond Groomer supposed somepony could argue that he had been able to speak to Applejack and Rarity , but they seemed different to him. Applejack was a good-natured apple farmer, so it was only natural that she and Diamond Groomer would get along. Rarity had been openly polite and courteous to Diamond Groomer, making her a bit easier to talk to.
While Rarity searched, Diamond Groomer took the opportunity to look around. Everywhere, ponies were dancing, eating, or playing one party game or another. He briefly caught a glance of Pinkie Pie playing pin the tail on the pony. It amazed him how lively a quaint place like bakery could get with enough ponies.
"Oh Diamond Groomer dear, I've found them!" called Rarity. Diamond Groomer began to slowly walk to her and her unknown friends, still worried about socializing.
As Diamond Groomer approached he got good look Rarity's friends. There was Applejack the one that brought him to the party. The other two were the ponies Applejack stopped to talk to on the way to the party. The other two, were the ponies who talked to Applejack on the way to the party. The final was a yellow pegasus with turquois eyes and pink mane and tail
"Um, hello girls. This is Diamond Groomer. He's new in Ponyville and I thought you all might like to meet him," said Fluttershy as she introduced Diamond Groomer to the group.
"Well duh, he's new!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie, "That's why I threw this party for him remember?"
"Pinkie, darling, I'm sure she knew that the party was for him. I was simply politely introducing Diamond Groomer," answered Rarity.
"Well Diamond Groomer, I think you already know Applejack, Fluttershy, and Pinkie," said Rarity. "These are my other friends: Twilight and Rainbow Dash."
"Nice to see you again, and welcome to Ponyville." said the lavender unicorn.
After Twilight had introduced herself, the blue pegasus approached Diamond Groomer. "Hi there. The name's Rainbow Dash. I'm the fastest flier in all of Equestria and the best weather mare in Cloudsdale," Rainbow Dash said confidently.
"I-it's a pleasure to meet you Rainbow Dash," Diamond Groomer sheepishly replied. He was a bit intimidated by Rainbow Dash's boastful introduction.
"Yeah, yeah. So anyways who are you? What do you do? Are you an athlete? If you are, I challenge you to a race," the cyan pegasus said quickly.
"Oh, um, well, I'm not much of an athlete." Diamond Groomer stuttered. Diamond Groomer was no athlete, the idea of participating in a competition with this mare was out of the question.
"You can say that again." said the hot rod red stallion with flame colored hair walking up behind them.
"Firestorm, where are your manners." Rarity said indignantly she was just about to chew him out, when the new pony spoke.
"Storm… is that really you?" said Diamond inquisitively as he stepped closer to the pony he had apparently had seen before.
"Diamond Groomer old buddy!" Firestorm said excitedly pulling the other stallion in for a hug.
Then Pinkie chimed in on the reunion "Oh my gosh, you two already know each other!"
"Know each other; we've been the best of buds since we were colts." Firestorm said excitedly with his foreleg still around his colthood friend.
"Um, Firestorm if you could release me please, that would be nice." Diamond Groomer said bashfully and letting go of his friend, he turned to a certain multi-colored maned pegasus, and proceeded to say with a bit of an arrogant tone.
"Oh and Rainbow, I thought we agreed that we're tied for fastest flier in Equestria."
"Hey! That wasn't a fair race. Something was in my eyes, and I flew into that cloud." She said sounding annoyed.
"Yeah, my eyes." then he gave her a kiss on the cheek causing her blush slightly, and their friends to giggle.
"W-well Storm, It's really nice seeing you again, and to see you have a girlfriend." Diamond said coyly.
"So…" said Rainbow Dash trying to change the subject "What do you like to do?"
"Oh, I-I like dogs, I actually take care of dogs, and I'm also a canine fur stylist and trainer."
"Huh animal lover, sounds like you Flutters." Rainbow Dash said incredulously causing her yellow coated friend to blush slightly.
"Yes I love dogs. You know what they say. They're pony's best friend. "Diamond Groomer said enthusiastically, causing more giggles amongst the group. and that's how the evening progressed. The eight ponies talked, ate, laughed, and generally partied. Diamond Groomer didn't speak much, but he didn't mind, he was quiet by nature. He mainly listened to what the other's said and got to learn about the six mares.
As the party wore on, Diamond Groomer began to grow tired. He knew he had to close up shop and get to bed so that he could open the shop on time.
As soon as Rarity was done talking about her new fashion line, Diamond Groomer addressed the group. "I-it's been fun everypony, but I have to turn in. thanks for organizing and coming to the party. It was very kind of you."
Pinkie Pie Frowned at hearing this. "Awww! You're leaving already?"
"I'm sorry. I have to close up shop and get up early tomorrow to open it on time," Diamond Groomer explained.
"Aw, come on Diamond Groomer. Stay a bit longer." Firestorm said. As the party had stretched into the night.
"No thank you. I'd love to stay, but I have to get up early to open the shop tomorrow." And without another word he left.
Diamond Groomer walked into his house. It had been about 10 minutes since he had left the party.
As Diamond Groomer walked into his house and started to call his dog. He couldn't help but to think `I hope they didn't think I was being rude´
"Skunky? Where are you boy?" he called, looking for his pet.
An old, black furred dog with a white stripe of fur from the top middle of his head and down the center of his back to his tail slowly hobbled from out of the shadows. His fur was dulling as were his green eyes. Behind him, Diamond Groomer noticed the full food bowl. The sight almost brought tears to his eyes.
"Come on Skunky, you have to keep eating. It's the only way you'll stay healthy," Diamond Groomer begged. The young stallion led the old cat to the food bowl. "Now eat."
Diamond Groomer watched as Skunky proceeded to eat only half of the bowl's contents. Diamond Groomer sighed. I guess that's all he's going to eat tonight.
As much as Diamond Groomer didn't want to admit it, he knew Skunky's time was coming. It wasn't easy for him to accept, Diamond Groomer had raised Skunky from when he was a puppy. For the past two years, Skunky had been Diamond Groomer's only friend. To admit that Skunky's life was coming to a close was unthinkable to Diamond Groomer.
"Sleep easy boy," he said before walking away to prepare his own bed.
From a closet behind the store counter, Diamond Groomer got into his bed and took out his journal. His entry read:
October 16, 1386 After Discord
Today was pretty hectic. Made my first friend today, an earth pony by the name of Applejack. She tricked me into going into a surprise welcome party for me. Also met her friends Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, and Fluttershy, They all seem nice. Especially Fluttershy. I guess I should admit to I have a slight crush on her. It could be a phase or a passing thing. Besides, what mare would take a liking to socially-awkward me? Well I guess only time will tell.
-Diamond Groomer