Crimson Blot surreptitiously brushed his violet mane and straightened his mauve bowtie. He thought the tie did a good job of setting off his lilac eyes and indigo skin. The coat-tails on his white dress-shirt helped draw attention to his cutie mark, a black quill with a drop of blood leaking from it's tip. His smile wavered a little as he regarded his posterior decoration. He had a unique gift for weaving tales of terror and bringing nightmares to life. He had to win Nightmare -that is, Princess Luna's, spooky story contest. Otherwise, what did was he worth as a pony?

But that didn't matter, because of course he was going to win. Even the bravest siege engine of joy in Equestria couldn't giggle at this ghostie. He cackled diabolically (or at least, he thought it was diabolical. To an outsider it sounded like he had some hay caught in his throat) at the thought of the Wielder of Laughter, reduced to shivering and tears by his ghoulish tale. Well, maybe not tears. He'd feel pretty bad if he made her that upset. Still, he wanted it to be the good kind of scary, the "scary but fun" sort that everyone had last Nightmare Night. He'd nearly done ruined his costume when she showed up in full fanged Nightmare Moon mode and threatened to eat him alive. She was so dark and regal, a potent expression of the most primal and savage impulses buried under the civilized skin of everyday life. Her mane was beautiful like a clear starry night, and that powerful, commanding voice gave him chills in more ways than one. It would almost be-but no, of course, there was no way a gawky unicorn like him could compete with the smooth, continental charms of Pip. He'd resent the adorable little bucker if he didn't hold secret hopes of getting invited to one of his tea parties.

While stirring over his thoughts, two voices emerged from Sugarcube Corner. One was low, muffled, the other the familiar chatter of Pinkie Pie. If he'd been paying more attention to his surroundings, he might have heard the rougher voice snicker.

"Don't worry, he can take it, and he'll think it's awesome when he figures out. You read that story, right?"
"If you say so. I just hope it isn't too meanie-weeny. I mean, I don't want to make him fly off in a huff like Gilda,"
"Relax. He gets free food, free advice, and something that's scary but fun. Anyway, it's all at my expense if you think about it."

"Well, I guess so. And it is pretty funny." Pinkie Pie burst into giggles, and the second voice hushed her.

Glancing closer at the store front's glass, Crimson rubbed a bit of alfalfa from his teeth and wished he'd figured out that voice-deepening charm. Princess Luna was so far out of his league that he wasn't even able to think of a funny or evocative bit of figurative language to describe her. Heck, Pip was out of his league too. His tale sagged as he stared at his pitiful reflection. He must be the only unicorn in his class who didn't have a marefriend or a coltfriend. He sniffed. He'd go home later to drink horrible-tasting coffee and listen to records like The Best of Angry Earth Ponies Shouting. That would make him feel better.

He couldn't cry now. He'd gotten all dressed up to look his best when he appeared before the Wielder of Laughter. Well, partly for her. He re-straightened his bow tie. Maybe if he was really lucky, he'd catch a glimpse of the glorious Mrs. Cake. Just the thought of her gorgeous, full-figured marely form, her frosting-smeared smile, her-

"Is there something wrong with our windows? I thought that Sudsy did a good job of washing them, but maybe he missed a spot?"

His own reflected image was shunted aside by the element of laughter. "Hm, it seems okay from this end."

The door swung open and Pinkie Pie jumped out, showering him with confetti. "I'm super glad that you wanted to share your story with me and I made dumplings! I mean, I don't have to make cupcakes all the time."

Crimson Blot felt a desperate need to say something funny, or at the very least clever. Something that would impress her, and make her even happier, and show she hadn't made a mistake by agreeing to give her advice on his story.

"Dumplings are a food." He said.

Pinkie Pie lifted him up in a whirling hug. "There's no foaling you! Of course, you are a foal, and I don't know why everypony uses 'foal' to mean somepony being silly, but I still like silly people, I mean, I'm silly! Hot sauce?"

"Bwah?" Crimson Blot inquired, still looking at the glass. Pinkie Pie yanked him inside before he could sort out his recent memory. Maybe she'd just been behind the glass, but for a moment, it had looked like she had stepped in front of his reflected image while staying behind the unyielding surface of polished glass…