Snow White ran toward the pot to check on the soup. While she was doing this, the ponies took in the delicious smell.
" Gosh. I almost forgot that she was making soup." Rainbow Dash said, her tongue sticking out as she stared hungrily at the pot.
" It smells delicious!" Pinkie exclaimed, taking in deep sniffs.
Snow White took a sip of it.
" Hmm...what do you think?"
She lowered the wooden spoon to the ponies. Applejack and Fluttershy both took it and held it to their mouths. They slurped and tasted it.
" Needs more time." Applejack concluded.
" Yes. Then it will be great!" Fluttershy agreed.
Upstairs, they saw the dwarfs stick their heads over the railing and smelled the soup.
" SOUP!" They said and ran downstairs.
Snow White and the ponies watched as they fussed over the table.
" Well, they sure have poor table manners." Rarity remarked, cringing as she watched.
" Yeah. Reminds me of my family during our Apple Family Reunions." Applejack added.
Snow White then spoke up.
" Nub uh, just a minute."
The dwarfs stopped and looked at her.
" Supper's not quite ready. You'll just have time to wash."
They were confused as washing was something that they hardly ever do. When asking if they had done this task, the dwarfs lied. But Snow White wasn't fooled and asked to see their hands. They didn't at first, but caved in and showed their dirty hands to her.
" Goodness me, this will never do. March straight outside and wash, or you will not get a bite to eat." Snow White firmly instructed, sending them all outside except for Grumpy.
" Would you girls go give them a hand, please?" She asked the ponies nicely.
" Okay." Fluttershy nodded.
" We'll make sure they're squeaky clean." Twilight assured as she and her friends left.
The only ones remaining were Snow White and Grumpy.
" Well, aren't you going to wash?" She asked him, but Grumpy ignored her.
" What's the matter?"
Before anything else happened, Rainbow Dash flew back in and got behind Grumpy.
" Let's go Scrooge." She said and shoved him toward the door.
Irritated, he swatted her away and walked away and out to join the others. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes.
" He'll get clean. We'll make sure of it." She promised Snow White before leaving again.
Outside, the ponies were helping the dwarfs get adjusted.
" Washing is a must when it comes to dining." Rarity explained.
" But we hardly ever wash. We're not sure if we can even do it." Happy told them.
" It's easy. Just go to the tub and we'll show you." Fluttershy kindly advised.
Though unsure, they decided to give it a try.
" Courage men, courage. Don't be nervous." Doc said as they all slowly approached the tub.
While they were getting used to the water, the ponies gave each of them a bar of soup.
" You might need these." Fluttershy told them, grinning as she handed one to Bashful.
" Do you need us to show you how it's done?" Rarity asked.
" I think we can take it from here." Doc replied and started to sing.
Even though it was a rough start, the dwarfs got themselves clean and were actually enjoying it. Even Dopey got in the tub and swam for a little bit. Then Twilight and her friends got themselves clean. Everyone but Grumpy were now squeaky clean. After drying off, Doc called the dwarfs and the ponies in for a group huddle. After deciding on a plan about Grumpy, the dwarfs whistled blissfully by him before tackling him. They got a hold of him and took him to the tub where the ponies were waiting. All of them scrubbed and rinsed Grumpy, which amused the dwarfs. As they finished up washing him, the ponies went to see Snow White. When she saw them, she was pleased.
" You girls look so clean!" She grinned.
" How are things in there?"
" Great! They all did wonderful." Fluttershy replied.
" No dirt to be traced." Twilight added.
The ponies shook the last bit of water and soup off their hoofs.
" I think they're ready for dinner now." Applejack said.
Snow White agreed and banged the pot with her spoon.
" Super!" She called.
While the ponies situated themselves at the table, the dwarfs swarmed in and joined them. At the center of the table was a big pot of hot soup. Rainbow Dash took in its deep smell.
" This soup smells great!"
" Sure does. Let's hope it tastes as good as it smells." Applejack replied.
" Oh, I think it will." Pinkie assured.
As the ponies reached for the soup, the dwarfs stopped them.
" Here ladies; let us help you." Doc said.
" Oh it's okay, we can get it ourselves." Twilight replied.
" No. You helped us wash up. It's the least we can do."
The dwarfs then grabbed their bowls and filled it with the soup.
" Here you go, my dear." Bashful said to Fluttershy, handing her her bowl.
" Why, thank you." She blushed.
Behind them, Snow White was watching them happily, pleased with the dwarfs manners. Then, just as the ponies were about to eat their soup, they heard loud slurping.
" What in tarnation?" Applejack said, confused as to what was happening.
Around them, she and her friends saw the dwarfs loudly eating their soup. Pinkie did too as she dumped her face in her bowl.
" Pinkie!" Rarity scolded.
Pinkie looked up from her bowl.
" Sorry." She apologized, soup dripping from her face as Rarity went to clean it.
Then the dwarfs started to sing while still slurping.
It went on and on until Snow White finally stopped them.
" Where did you learn to eat soup that way?" She asked them, smiling.
After she heard why, she insisted on teaching them to eat like gentlemen. Twilight and her friends finally got to eat their soup peacefully as they watched the dwarfs learning.
" Now this is a dinner." Rarity remarked, taking a sip of her soup.
But the slurping continued. While the dwarfs did exactly what Snow White said, their execution was not perfect. She gave up and shook her head, knowing that she at least tried. The ponies did the same and carried on eating through their noisy dinner.
When their bowls were empty and their tummy's were full, Doc stood up.
" To thank the princess for cooking this delicious meal and for our new friends helping us wash, I propose a celebration!"
Everyone cheered and agreed. The dwarfs got their instruments and soon a party had started. They danced and played. The ponies danced along too as Snow White sat and clapped happily while watching them.
" Gee; never thought we would have a party while out." Rainbow Dash told Twilight.
" Neither did I."
" I LOVE IT!" Pinkie squealed as she bounced joyfully around the room.
While dancing, Fluttershy turned to Snow White.
" Come and join us!" She said while Doc helped her on her feet.
She nodded and danced with all of them.
" You all dance wonderfully!" She complimented.
Just then, she saw Dopey dressed in a tall coat on top of Sneezy, ready to dance with her and she did. Everyone had a good time, and when they were done and tired, the dwarfs wanted Snow White to do something.
" Well, what shall I do?" She asked.
" Tell us a story." Sleepy suggested.
A story seemed like a good idea and they all sat down as Snow White began telling a story of how she fell in love with a prince. Then she started to sing as she tell, putting the dwarfs and the ponies into a trance.
" Sheesh, it's like we're in a musical or something." Rainbow Dash muttered before being elbowed by Applejack and Rarity.
Once Snow White was finished, the cuckoo clock went off.
" Oh my goodness! It's past bedtime!" Snow White said, getting up from her chair and scooting them to the stairs.
" Go right upstairs to bed."
" Wait girls!" Twilight called, freezing them.
" Let's stay down here with Snow White."
" Good idea. We can't let our guard down. Even at night!" Rainbow Dash said defensively.
The rest of them agreed. But they weren't the only ones.
" Wait! Hold on there men!" Doc said, stopping the dwarfs.
" The princess, will sleep in our beds upstairs."
Snow White and the ponies were surprised at this gesture.
" But, where will you sleep?" She asked, a little bit worried.
" Oh we will be quite comfortable down here." Doc assured her.
" But there's no couch down here." Rainbow Dash pointed out.
" Don't worry about that. You girls will be sleeping up there too."
Twilight and her friends didn't know what to say and were hesitant about his offer.
" No. You don't have to do this." Twilight told Doc.
" We insist. All of you have been kind to us. Besides, we'll be mighty comfortable down here. Now don't you worry about us. Now go right up, my dears."
" Well, if you insist. Goodnight." Snow White said and started to make her way upstairs.
" Are you sure you're okay with this?" Twilight asked.
" Of course." Doc answered.
" Plus, if anything tries to harm her, you'll be there." Happy put in.
Their reason seemed simple enough.
" Okay." Twilight nodded.
" Thanks so much for your hospitality." Rarity smiled.
The ponies said goodnight to the dwarfs and headed up to their room. They did as well. At the top, Snow White turned back at the dwarfs while the ponies, except for Twilight and Fluttershy went in the room.
" You sure you'll be comfortable?"
Assuring Snow White they'll be fine, she said her final goodnight and closed the door. Upon shutting it, Twilight and Fluttershy heard noises from downstairs.
" I hope this was a good idea." Fluttershy said.
" So do I." Twilight agreed.
With that said, the ponies crawled into bed, but not before hearing Snow White say her prayers.
" Bless the seven little men who have been so kind to me."
She looked over at Twilight and her friends.
" And to the six most kindest, dearest, trusting friends that I've ever had."
She went over to her friends and they all hugged each other in a big embrace.
" And may my dreams come true. Amen."
Snow White tucked each of the ponies in before getting into her own bed and falling asleep. After a couple minutes went by, Rainbow Dash spoke.
" Hey Twilight?"
" Yes Rainbow Dash?"
" How long will it be before Snow White gives us the jewel?"
" Soon, I hope."
" Because, you know we can't stay here forever."
Twilight knew Rainbow Dash was right. Despite the great friendship they had developed with Snow White, she knew that they would have to leave her.
" She's right. Remember; this is a mission. We can't be goofing off too much." Applejack added.
" But what are we suppose to tell them when we do leave?" Fluttershy asked.
" I'm sure she'll understand when that time comes." Twilight yawned.
" Now let's go to sleep."
The ponies snuggled in their covers and drifted off to sleep, not knowing that the wicked queen had found their location and was already heading their way.