Tea Cake looked around Ponyville as she followed Pinkie Pie through the small town. The ponies there were very friendly to each other. They chatted merrily as they went about their errands and were in no hurry whatsoever. She also loved the feel of the dirt roads against her hooves much more than the asphalt in New Horseleans. Tea Cake wondered what it was like to live outside of the hustle and bustle of the city. The timid unicorn knew that she will just love her week in quiet little Ponyville.
Pinkie Pie was just as hyper and joyful as Aunt Cup Cake described. Tea Cake did not mind though. Pinkie is a delight to be around. She pointed out various businesses and ponies as they walked by. "There is the flower shop," said Pinkie, "and that's Roseluck. Hey, Rose! That pony over there is Big Mac. He's the big brother of one of my best friends, Applejack…" It was difficult for Tea Cake to keep up with all of the new information at once, but she appreciated it.
"Is there a certain place that we are headed?" asked Tea Cake when she was able to get a word in.
"Absolutely," replied Pinkie Pie. "Our first destination is straight ahead." Pinkie pulled out a hand-held telescope and looked through it. "You can see it now." Tea Cake looked in the direction of Pinkie's telescope and gasped. In front of here was the famous Castle of Friendship.
Tea Cake could not believe her eyes. She heard all about Princess Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship. She knew every story of how Twilight and her friends saved Equestria time and time again only with their power of friendship. "We…. we're going to visit Princess Twilight?" Tea Cake asked nervously.
"Yep," replied Pinkie. "Twilight will be super-duper excited to meet you. I told her immediately when I found out that you will be coming to Ponyville." Pinkie Pie walked gleefully with a spring in her step, but Tea Cake grew more shy.
"She's expecting me? Twilight Sparkle is a princess with important duties. She's probably very busy. Maybe, we shouldn't intrude."
"Don't be so silly! Twilight will be very happy to meet you, and if she is busy, she's most likely rearranging her library for the million and twentieth time."
The two ponies entered the castle. Tea Cake stared at the long hallway and banners hanging from the ceiling. This place is beautiful, she thought. I can't believe that I am even here. One of the large doors at the end of the hall opened, and a small baby dragon entered carrying a large box.
"Hello, Pinkie Pie," the dragon said. He looked right at Tea Cake with a puzzled expression. "Who is your guest?"
"This is Tea Cake," said Pinkie. "She is Carrot Cake's nephew and is visiting town for a few days. Tea Cake, this is Spike."
"Hello, Spike," said Tea Cake. "It's nice to meet you. Pinkie said that she was going to introduce me to the princess." Tea Cake was super nervous about entering the castle, but this dragon reminded her of all of the magical creatures back home: dragons, zebras, vampire fruit bats, etc. The familiarity calmed her.
"I'm sorry," said Spike. "There was an emergency this morning in the Crystal Empire, so she had to leave for a while. I was just about to deliver this box of jewels to Rarity. Would you like to come with me?"
"Of course we would," exclaimed Pinkie Pie. "It's a bummer that Twilight is not here, but at least you can meet Rarity, the best fashion designer this side of Equestria." Tea Cake was a little relieved that Princess Twilight was not home. She did not have to worry about the pressures of meeting an actual princess of Equestria.
"I would love to meet Rarity," said Tea Cake. "I actually visited her store once in Canterlot while on a business trip for my father's bakery. I'm interested to see what she is designing now." She noticed that Spike was struggling with the box of jewels. "Would you like me to lend you a hoof with that?"
"Thank you," said Spike as Tea Cake used her magic to carry the box. "You're going to love Rarity. She is the most generous pony you will ever meet."
As they traveled to Rarity's house, Spike continued to talk nonstop about her. He talked more than Pinkie Pie did. "She is so generous that even her Element of Harmony is generosity. She is so talented with using jewels in her designs. She always uses the best ones, but leaves some extras for me…"
Tea Cake enjoyed listening to Spike. It seemed like less than a moment from when they left the castle before hearing Pinkie announce, "We're heeerrrre! Welcome to Carousel Boutique!" They stood before a building that was unlike any other in Ponyville. The exterior was decorated with intricate details, and the windows had fabulous yellow curtains. The style of the boutique reminded Tea Cake of other businesses in New Horseleans.
Spike opened the door, and Tea Cake followed with the box. "Rarity, I'm here with the jewels you ordered," Spike called out. A white unicorn and a young filly unicorn entered the main room. The older one, who must be Rarity, was wearing red glasses and a measuring tape around her neck. The filly resembled her, but her mane was a lighter shade of purple.
"Oh, thank goodness you're here, Spike," said Rarity. "I am in desperate need of those jewels if I am going to ever finish these dresses. Who is this?" asked Rarity when she noticed Tea Cake.
"This is Tea Cake," said Pinkie Pie. Pinkie continued to tell Rarity all about Tea Cake and their day so far. No pony else could get a word in until she finished.
"How do you do?" asked Rarity. "I suppose Pinkie told you who I am. This is my younger sister Sweetie Belle," she said gesturing to the filly.
"Any friend of Pinkie's is a friend of mine," said Sweetie Belle.
"Hello," said Tea Cake. She looked at Rarity. "You really know your fashion. These dresses are amazing." She marveled at the dresses on the mannequins that Rarity was working on. Spike took the box from Tea Cake and brought it to a backroom as the ponies admired Rarity's work.
"Thank you, dear," said Rarity. "I just adore the color of the one you're wearing. Please, where did you get it?" Rarity moved closer to get a closer look at Tea Cake's dress.
Tea Cake became nervous. The other pony was getting a little too close for comfort. "It's just an old thing from a local boutique. It's really nothing special."
"Nothing special!" exclaimed Rarity in horror. "It's a one of a kind from one of the most fashionable cities in Equestria." Rarity gasped. "There's a tear on the hem. Don't you worry about that. I can have it fixed in no time."
"No, it's really okay," replied Tea Cake. "You really don't have to."
"Oh, but I must. I can't let a piece of art such as your dress remain tattered. It's really no trouble at all." Rarity used her magic to lift the skirt.
"NOOO!" yelled Tea Cake, but it was too late. Everyone stared at Tea Cake in shock.
"Oh my," said Rarity. Sweetie Belle just stared with her mouth hanging open.
"The horrrooor!" screamed Pinkie Pie with her hooves on her head. No pony could stop staring at Tea Cake's flank.
Tea Cake did not have her cutie mark.