Chapter 2: Ponyvill Cast Call
Knock. Knock, Knock... A sound rang out through my bedchamber, rousing me from my sleep. I looked around, bleary eyed, and mumbled to myself a little.
"Hmm...wha? Whazzat?" Wait...where am I again? I looked around taking in the four poster bed, and solitary table with a vase on it, below the window, before the memories of the previous day came flooding back. That's right. I somehow woke up in what appears to be Equestria. I met princess Celestia, who tasked me with going to Ponyville with Twilight, to prepare for the summer sun celebration. Right. That happened...
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Sir. It is time to rise. You are wanted in the main foyer to prepare to set out. Please gather your belongings, and come with me when you are ready."
A voice called out to me from the other side of the chamber door. I didn't recognize it. It might just be some guard, or castle help.
"I'll be right there" I shouted lightly at the door. I crawled out of bed, still wearing the same clothes I was yesterday, as it is all I really had. I reached over to the bedside table, and grabbed my glasses and watch and put them on. I'm not really sure if the watch even corresponds with the time here. I was a little preoccupied yesterday, so I never checked.
As I had now gathered all my belongings, which was everything I happened to be wearing or had in my pockets, I walked over to the door, unlatched it, and exited. A snooty butler pony awaited me in the hall. He was wearing a black coat over the front half of his body, and wore a pair of small glasses that sat upon his muzzle.
"Good to see you finally made it out here. I had feared you may have gotten lost in your sheets, and was about to call a guard to rescue you." The guard says, as he turns and walks away. "This way sir. Please follow me."
I follow the pony back towards the main hall of the castle again. A thought came to mind as I walked.
"Isn't the princess here to see us off?" I asked, adjusting my glasses, and rubbing the sleep out of my eyes.
"The princess is busy with other matters concerning the preparations here for the festival. She has no need of overseeing a simple task such as this." The butler responded as if this was the most obvious thing in the world. "You shan't be seeing her until this evening when she goes to Ponyville to perform the summer sun celebration.
As we arrived in the main hall, the butler stops and turns around, pulling a small letter out of the pocket of his jacket, and holding it out to me...with his teeth. Right they do that here. "The Princess asked I give you this. Good day."
With that, he trotted off, leaving me at the top of the stairs down into the main foyer. As I looked down the stairs, I saw a glimpse of a young purple unicorn fiddling with some stuff in a small saddlebag, while a short purple dragon checks items off on a list he is holding... Same old Twilight...wait. I don't remember her having saddlebags when she arrived in Ponyville in episode one. Putting the matter side, I quickly open the letter the butler gave me and give it a quick scan.
"Dear Mr. Fawkes. I apologize that I cannot be here to see you and Twilight Sparkle off on your trip. I am sure that Twilight has many questions she wanted to ask me, but something sudden regarding the celebration came up, and I must attend to it here, before traveling to Ponyville later tonight. Please tell my most faithful student that I am most sure she will accomplish her tasks dutifully. I also request that you ensure she keeps her head on the task, and out of those story books for the time being. I wish the greatest of luck to the three of you, and I shall hope to see you tonight, at the celebration. Regards, Princess Celestia."
Wait...three of us...oh. Right. Spike. I fold the letter up, and put it in my pocket. I take a deep breath and take my first step down the stairs...and miss.
"Holy shi-" is all I manage to shout, before i find myself nearly tumbling headfirst down the stair. I manage to grab handrail, and steady myself. Looking down at the stair, I notice that each step is quite shallow with a wider step. That make sense. Most of the ponies here have much shorter legs that I do. Even the princess barely came up to my head level, and I'm about half a foot under 6'.
"Are you okay?" a curious voice asks me, making me loop up from the steps. as I do, i come face to face with violet eyes. How did she get up here. She was several hundred meters away...wait. She can teleport. I freeze up. I am literally face to face with the BEST PONY IN THE SERIES. holycrapholycrapholycrap. Ok. Breathe here. Gotta keep calm. lets not freak out. I don't know her. remember? Just act normal...ish.
"uh. Yeah thanks. The stairs here are a bit shallower then where I come from. I miss-stepped. Uh. How did you get up to me so fast. Weren't you down there, by the...What Is that?" I ask, pointing at Spike. Better start cementing my alibi now.
"Oh. That's Spike. He is a baby dragon, and he is my assistant, and one of my closest friends. Twilight says, clearly not happy with my calling him a that, rather than using a more personal pronoun. "I also have mastered the teleport spell. My special talent is magic. I'm very good at picking up new spells. It's always so interesting to read about a new spell and try it out for yourself. The other night I was reading "The Applications of Non-Newto-"
"Uh, right. My name is Fawkes. Would you happen to be Twilight Sparkle?" I quickly cut her off, figuring a quick apology would be less painful than letting her go on a monologue of a new book she was reading. I hold my hand out for a handshake, before realizing that not only am I considerably taller than her, I am also higher up on the stairs than her. Also,hooves. With a sheepish grin, I lower my hand. She holds out a hoof, and I, after fiddling around figuring out how to grasp it, take her whole hoof between my thumb and pinky ,wrapping my hand around the outside of her hoof, shaking it carefully.
"Yes. I am Twilight Sparkle. Are you the one the Princess mentioned in her note yesterday? I wasn't sure what to think when she wrote that you would 'be unlike anything I've ever seen before, but now I understand. Sorry for asking, but, what exactly are you? What is your species?"
"Wow. That's not actually something I'd even thought I'd be asked. Don't worry about being rude. If I were in your position, I'd be curious too. In fact I am, I've never actually met anything like you before either. I'm a Human by the way. As far as I know, I'm from a different world, and somehow got pulled into this one. the Princess hopes that maybe, once we are done at the celebration, you could help figure out how I got here, and maybe even figure out a way to send me home. In exchange, I am to assist you and spike in your duties, and submit myself to be studied, in case you would like to know more about me."
"A human huh? I've read about them somewhere, but one has never been seen. We all thought they were a legend. a made up creature ponies put in stories."
"Uh, Miss Sparkle, we should probably head out. Spike seems confused, and we have limited time." I say, gesturing down to Spike, where he stares back at us, scratching his head with the quill he is holding.
"Right. I want to get this Celebration stuff out of the way quickly, I have important studying to do." Twilight says resolutely. "By the way, you can just call me Twilight. Miss Sparkle seems a bit to formal for me. It weirds me out just a bit."
"You got it, Twilight. Nice to meet you."
"Likewise, Mr. Fawkes, or should I just call you Fawkes?"
"Please do." Twilight and I reach the spot where Spike awaits us.
"Twilight, the chariot is ready whenever you need to leave... Who is this thing?" Spike says, pointing a clawed thumb at me. I admit, it actually kind of hurts, being called a thing.
"Spike! Don't call him a thing. That's rude. This is Fawkes. He is a Human from another word that somehow managed to get lost in Equestria. The Princess wants him to come with use, to help, so we can figure out how to help him. Of course we got bigger problems to solve once we get there."
"Hi Spike. It's nice to meet you." I crouch down and hold out a hand. He takes it in his claws, and gives it a light shake." I admit, it's nice to see another guy with fingers." I chuckle, waggling my fingers in front of him.
"Yeah, Hooves are cool and all, but there are things you just can't scratch without proper claws." He leans in closer and whispers "Between you and me, Twilight makes me scratch the itches on her back, because she can't do it with her hooves. Pretty sad right?"
"What are you two whispering about" Says a voice from the door. I look up to see Twilight leaving out the main door " Let's go you two. We don't have all day."
I straighten up, and give Twilight a big mock salute.
"Yes Ma'am! Right away Ma'am!" I say, trying to look as serious as I can (and probably failing...)
Twilight just lets out a sigh, and trots out through the door. Looking down at Spike, who just shrugs his shoulders; we pick up the remainder of the bags, and follow Twilight outside.
As I walk up to where Twilight was standing, putting the bags in the chariot with magic, I stop to admire the interesting vehicle. I've never exactly seen a chariot before. Despite all the rumours, Chariots tied to moose are not the primary mode of transport in Canada. I walk up to the two Pegasus stallions hitched up to the chariot, and remember that they are actually people, not just animals, like in my world.
"Uh, Thanks... I guess, in advance...for taking us to Ponyville?" I ask, doubtfully.
"Uh...sure." One of the stallions replies quickly, as he keeps his gaze forward, apparently attempting not to look at me or make eye contact. Realizing that I am not exactly...wanted at the moment, I head back around to the other side where Spike and Twilight are. They are just finishing packing the last bag in ( the chariot has a compartment under where you stand, for luggage) and the three of us clamber into the chariot. Twilight takes front and center, as she did in the show, and spike stands to her left. I squeeze in on her right, but my dimensions make it a bit odd. The chariot barely comes up to my waist, as Twilight herself is only about a head or so above my waist.
"Are we going to be able to take off with me here? I'm heavier than anything they must usually lift..." I ask Twilight, gesturing at my overall size as a whole
"Don't worry. Pegasus can fly not just because they have wings. They also contain an innate sort of magic, that also allow them to walk on and manipulate clouds. This magic also makes pulling loads like this a trivial matter to a well trained Pegasus."
As she finishes her statement, the pegasus stallions spread their wings, as I watch in amazement. Their wingspan must be at least 8 feet. It was breathtaking. Or maybe that was the breath getting knocked out of me, as I fall backwards onto the floor, as the chariot shoots off like a bullet, the stagnant air that had been before me just moments before pushing me over as I get pulled along. I start sliding, off towards the open end of the chariot, and before I know it, I've slid off the end, and am now looking down at the ground falling away below me. I had managed to wedge a foot, and an arm into the space between the footstep at the base
"HOLY SHI...HELP!" I manage to scream, as I quickly attempt to make the decision on whether or not I should be wetting myself right about now. Twilight and spike wheel around, and spike jumps to grab my other arm, flailing around behind me in an attempt to find purchase with which I could pull myself back up.
"Fawkes! Hold on" I hear Twilight shout from behind me.
"I AM HOLDING ON!" I shout back.
Twilight concentrates her thoughts, and I see a violet aura start to form around what parts of me I could see at this angle. Suddenly, it's as if the world around me has stopped exerting any sort of force on me, and I end up being moved up and back onto the chariot. As I rest my back along the wall, I reach behind me and grab the edge of the chariot and hang on.
"Well, that...was more...excitement...than I usually see...in one day..." I state, my words punctuated with heavy breaths. I don't exactly work out regularly. Hanging on for dear life is actually quite exerting, now that I've tried it for myself. "So, Twilight, what's the plan for when we land?" I continue, now that I had a second to catch my breath.
"Well, Our task is to meet up with each of the ponies managing a particular aspect of the Celebration: catering, music, decoration, and weather management. I intend to get these all done as quick as I can, so that get back to my studies on the Mare in the Moon. Time is limited." Twilight explains.
"Uh... Mare in the Moon?" I figure I'd humor her in asking what that meant, as I rightly shouldn't know..."
"Oh, It's this stupid thing Twilight thinks might happen." Spike speaks candidly. "She thinks some magical Nighthorse Loon or something is gunna show up and spread eternal night. Ever since I told her the Princess set us up to stay in a library while in Ponyville, researching it has been all she can talk about."
"One, Spike, It's Nightmare Moon. Two, It's more than just a crazy thought. Everything matches up with the prophecy, so I need to be ready to stop her." Twilight said, rather vehemently.
"What about making friends? The princess told you to make some friends while in Ponyville?" Spike retorted.
I chanced a look over the edge, and realized we were starting to descend into Ponyville. My heart rate started to climb. Wow. I'm actually here...
"She said to do check on preparations. I am her student, and I shall do my duty; but the fate of Equestria doesn't rely on my making friends.' Twilight said, with a tone of finality.
"Snrkk." I snorted, as I attempted to stifle a laugh I couldn't hold back.
"Something funny, big guy?" Twilight shot at me, as she turned and jumped out of the chariot"
"Nope. Just laughing at something in my head." Yeah, the memory of her literally recalling that statement and realizing just how wrong she was. This will be one hell of a trip. I stand up, and step out of the chariot, and spike hops down beside me.
"Thank you, Sirs," Twilight addresses the Pegasi that flew us here, and they both whinny proudly, and then fly off, turning around and heading back to Ponyville.
I turn around, and just about faint from attempting to take it all in. I glance around. I can see Roseluck's shop, SugarCube Corner is just around one, and in the distance in on a hill, I can see an outline of what can only be Sweet Apple Acres. I did it guys. I'm here. Ponyville.
I turn around, and see Twilight face to face with a certain overly pink pony.
"Maybe some of the ponies here have interesting things to talk about. You'll never know unless you try." Spike says, motion to Pinkie Pie who happens to be waiting calmly for the event to take place.
Yeah, Twilight. It's easy. Here. Watch this. " I state, walking up to Pinkie. "Hi there. My name is Fawkes. This here is Twilight, and Spike. We were sent here from Canterlot, to check on preparations for the summer sun celebration. We need to get to Sweet Apple Acres. Can you help us out? We're new around here."
Pinkie stares at me for a few seconds. I chuckle lightly, hoping this will turn events from canon where she simply gasps and runs off.
" Hi there! You're new to town? OH MY GOD I GOTTA THROW YOU A PARTY! I got to go prepare!" Pinkie screams, and she goes to turn around and run off. I quickly grab her tail, as she zooms off, her tail stretching like taffy, before springing back, bringing the excitable pink pony back with it. "Yeeeeeeeessss? Oh right, Sweet Apple Acres. You wanted to know where it was right? Oh my god. Are you a human, I read all about you. I also dreamt about you once. Itwasawesomealthoughiusallydreamaboutfoodmostlycandybutitwasstillawesomeididntthinkyouexis-"
I qucikly reached out and grabbed her muzzle lightly closing her mouth. I didn't need her going all motormouth on us.
"Sorry for that Pinkie. But we really need to get going. Can you just tell us where...the...farm...is?" Crap. I just realized. I don't think she told us her name yet...
"Oh my GOD! Are you psychic? or from the future? or from another planet? or from another WORLD? How did you know my name? My name is Pinkie Pie! But you just said that! That was cool!"
"Uh...Sorry, I didn't know what to call you, so I gave you a nickname...based on your colour? You are very...pink, so Pinkie." I quickly said on the spot, looking over at Twilight, who was scanning me carefully, an odd look on her face.
"Oh! That makes sense! I am pink! But you wanted to go to the farm right? Just go right down this road and out of town. You will come to the farm in a few minutes after that. It's just on the edge of Ponyville! I gotta go know. I gotta go plan your party! I never threw a party for a human before, so I gotta make it interesting! Like you!"
"You really don't need to throw us a party" Twilight and I spoke at the same time. We glanced at each other and back at Pinkie. Twilight stepped forward and continued speaking. "Thanks, but you wont need to throw us a party. We are just in town until after the Celebration, and then we will be back off to Canterlot. Thanks anyways. Ms...Pie?"
"Just Pinkie. Ms. Pie was my mother. Hee hee hee." Pinkie laughed gleefully. "But of course I gotta through you a what I do! I through parties for all my friends, and I'm friends with EVERYBODY! And since we met, we can be friends too! Gotta go!"
Pinkie zoomed off, leaving a cloud of dust shaped exactly like her, which started to dissipate a second later, until there was nothing left of it.
"Wow. That was weird." Spike says, summing up the whole encounter in a simple phrase. "She was really...loud? Excited?"
"Either way, we know where we are going now. Thank you, Fawkes." Twilight states looking at me. "A few questions though. How did you know that we were going to Sweet Apple Acres? I hadn't mentioned that yet. Also, how did you know that ponies name? Is there something you need to tell me Fawkes?"
Damn it. She's sharp. Should have figured she wouldn't believe my story. Gotta be more careful.
"Well, Uh, Celestia told me last night. Um... Something about catering at the local farm, a Seamstress doing decorations, a weather mare clearing the clouds, and someone making music?" I add an air of uncertainty in my tone, in hopes it helps me sound like I'm recalling this from last night. " And I told you. She was pink, and she didn't tell me her name. So, Pinkie. I just made it up. Coincidence."
"You didn't call me Purply. Nor did you call spike Dragony." Twilight retorts.
"I already knew your name. Celestia told me, and I was there when she wrote that letter to you. As for Spike, I'm pretty sure I asked what he was. I'd never seen a real dragon before. My world doesn't have them. Not as far as we know, anyways." There. That should keep you happy. No more probing for now. "Anyways. We better get going. Stuff to do and all that jazz." I hold a thumb out in the direction that Pinkie showed us.
"Right. I guess we should go. Come on Spike." She began to trot off, Spike running alongside her.
"Oh, what about all the luggage? I never saw you take it out of the chariot." I asked, looking around. The chariot had already flown off, shortly after we disembarked.
"I teleported it to the Library that we will be staying at." Twilight says, not even looking back. I follow her as we walk out of town.
Pinkie's directions were pretty accurate. It was just a short walk out of town. Five, maybe ten minutes, and we started to see apple trees come up on both sides. we climbed a hill in the road, and say the sign straight ahead, joining the fenceson both sides with a gate. The sign was emblazoned with the name of the farm; "Sweet Apple Acres."
"YEEEEEHAW!" A wild shout invades our ears as we pass the gate into the farmland proper. A quick look in the direction it came from reveals an orange mare, wearing a Cowboy hat, running from tree to tree. She stops at one, springs her real legs back, and bucks the tree. Hard. My god, it sounded like a gunshot. Note to self, stay on apple horse's good side. Last thing I need is her hoofprints on my face, or it will probably be the last thing I ever get.
"Ugh. Lets get this over with." Twilight grumbles, as she trots over to where Applejack was. "Good Afternoon. My name is Twilight Sparkle..." She starts, before suddenly starting to vibrate furiously. Applejack was shaking her hoof as if she was mixing a cocktail.
"Well Howdy-do, Ms. Twilight! A pleasure making your acquaintance." I'm AppleJack! We here at Sweet App..."
Not wanting to hear her whole speech quickly move in and rescues Twilight's hooves, but grabbing on to AJ's myself.
"Sorry to interrupt. It's quite rude of me, but we are in a bit of a hurry. My name is Fawkes. Nice to meet you." I say, shaking her hoof firmly. "Twilight and here were sent from Canterlot to check on preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration? I heard you are in charge of the catering." I hear Spike sniggering behind me, and I glance back, seeing him grab Twilight's still shaking hoof, in order to stop it.
"We sure as sugar are! Would you like to try some samples?"
"As long as it doesn't take too long, we would love to." Twilight replies, but Applejack had already run off before she finished her statement, and re-emerges from the front door of te house with a Triangle and striker.
"SOUPS ON, EVERYPONY!" Applejack shouts, as a flurry of action starts around us. We get pushed haphazardly aroun the orchard, as a table, cloth, and stools are set up, and the family starts piling sweets and pies and pastries on the table, as Applejack rattles off their name and treats.
"...Apple Brioche, Apple Cinnamon Crisp... GASP... Big Macintosh, Apple Bloom, and Granny Smith..." She states, shoving apples our direction. "Up an at 'em Granny Smith. We got guests!
"Wha...soups on?" The ancient mare wakes from her nap, blundering over to the table. I take a bit of the apple I was given. Holy crap. This is the best apple I have ever had. Its juice gushes from the flesh, its skin crackling pleasingly as I take the bite. I look over, where twilight has a mouthful that was shoved into her mouth. She chews quietly for a moment, and swallows.
"Well, ha ha ha... I guess the food situation looks handled, quite well, so I guess we are going to be on our way." She starts.
"But, aren't you gunna stay for brunch?" Applebloom puts on her biggest, teariest puppy-dog eyes, and stares at Twilight, sniffling lighty.
I kneel down next to Applebloom, and but my hand on her shoulder.
"Yes Twilight, are you going to tell this little filly that you refuse to try the food that she and her helpful, friendly, family made, just for us?" Putting on puppy-dog eyes on my own, and leaning in close my face was besides Appleblooms. "Very nice by the way. Tears were a great addition" I add, in an undertone to Applebloom.
"Thanks sir, you too." She whispers to me, between her teeth."
"Ugh...Fine. You win." Twilight says, clearly not amused by my antics, while spike snigger gleefully in the background. I turn to Applebloom, and hold out my fist, and she bumps it lightly with her hoof.
I stand back up, heading back over to the table, where Spike and Twilight has already taken stools.
We eat in silence, trying out as many things as we can. The whole apple family joins in, once we had a chance to try out most of the stuff.
"I gotta say, Applejack, I'm surprised you hadn't questioned my yet. I say, looking across the table to the orange mare. " I'm not exactly something you see everyday."
"You sure aren't. That don't mean I have a right to be all judgemental and questiony about it neither. Here at Sweet Apple Acres, Honesty and good values are important. We don't go asking things that other ponies might find rude. Well most of us don't. Some of us haven't quite learned yet." She replies, shooting a stern glance at AppleBloom.
"What? I didn't even ask yet!" She shouts defensively.
"but you were thinkin' it weren't you, little lady. You even said yet, meanin' you were planning to ask."
"Uh...sorry, Applejack. But look at him. He's all...interestin' and stuff."
"Applebloom! What did I just say. Don't be rude."
"It's quite all right, AJ. Thanks though. I was prepare for it. I'm a human. First one here in a very long time I've been told. Not sure how I got here though. Just woke up in the castle up in Canterlot. Princess told me to come help, and here I am." I say. I hoped skimming over the whole not from this world part would avoid any odd questions.
"Well, Nice to meet you, Mr. Fawkes. Nice of you to join us." Applejack replies.
After we finished eating, and saying out goodbye, we left the farm.
"Well, food's all taken care of. Next is...weather!" Spikes says, checking something off his list, as Twilight groans beside me.
"Ugh. I think I ate too much. How do you do it Fawkes? You ate more than most of us."
"I got a lot of practice." as we started waling back into town. "I'm not the average build for most humans."
"Hmm" Spike emotes loudly. "There is supposed to be a pegasus pony named Rainbow Dash clearing the clouds..."
I stop, and take a step back.
"Well she's not doing a very good job...Fawkes?" Twilight takes a few more steps, before turning to look at why I stopped, when a rainbow blurry slams into her, tossing the both of them into a nearby mud puddle.
Enter Rainbow Dash, Pegasus Pony, and flier extraordinaire.
"Twilight!" Spike shouts, starting to advance to help his friend. I put a hand on his shoulder and motioned towards the puddle.
A pair of cyan coloured wings break forth out of the mud, followed by the head and shoulders of their owner. The Pegasus looks over at the unicorn still face down in the mud, and then moves closer.
Uh...Excuse me." She says, giggling, while jumping into the air. "Here. Let me help you."
As she zooms off into the sky, I lose track of her. Holy crap she is fast. It was always hard to see exactly how fast she could move in the show. She returns shortly, with a darker coloured cloud, and positions it right above Twilight, who looks up at the cloud in confusion. I quickly grab spike and retreat to safety from under the cloud, as Rainbow flies to the top of the cloud, and starts to jump on it, dispensing a deluge of water on to the unsuspecting unicorn below. As I watch, a thunderbolt flies out of the cloud, heading right for Spike and I. Still holding the confused dragon, I leap to the side, landing in a heap nearby. Thankfully, it seems lightning travels MUCH slower here than in my world, or else I'd be quite a bit more well done.
"Whoops. Didn't mean to grab one with some thunder in it. There weren't very many wet clouds here, so I grabbed one from the storm we got planned for a few days from now. Sorry about that!"
I grumble in annoyance from the ground, as Twilight, sopping wet and clearly none to happy does the same nearby.
"Oh, right. Sorry. I overdid it a little, I guess..."
"Oh really?" Twilight shoots sarcastically " I hadn't noticed."
"Don't worry, I got you. My very own patented Rain-blow Dry!" Rainbow states, as she starts swirling around Twilight, resembling only a rainbow blur as air starts to flow from the area.
I start to pull myself up from the ground, and look over at Spike, who I must have dropped mid dive, who was already standing and staring at the blur in awe.
Rainbow finished her spin cycle, and slowly starts to descend.
"There you go! No need to thank me. It's on the house this time."
This time? Is she expecting there to be a next time? We look over at Twilight, and all Rainbow and Spike's mouths drop in surprise. Mine curls into an odd tight line, as I attempt to stifle a smirk, before breaking out into a full on snigger.
"What. What's so funny. Do I still have some mud on my face?"
At this point, Spike and Rainbow burst out in racious laugher. Twilight's mane had become a mess of tangled hair and colour.
"Bah ha ha ha ha. Your mane! ha ha ha. It's all...floofy!" Rainbow laughs uproariously as Spike literally falls over and laughs, staring up at the sky.
"Come on...now...guys...its...not that...bad?" I manage to get out, through stifled chuckles and giggles.
" Ugh, Come on Spike, and Fawkes. This isn't the time for this. We have to go find Rainbow Dash, and get her to clear the clouds. The sky is still a mess and the ceremony is tonight!" Twilight starts to run off.
"Uh Twilight... You never asked your new friends name." I called, catching her attention, and causing her to trot over to me.
"Fawkes! We don't have time for this. We need to find Rainb..." She trails off as she stops and gets a good look at the pony who had recently accosted her. "You're... Rainbow Dash...aren't you." she asks pointedly, as if cursing herself for not noticing earlier.
"The one and only!" Rainbow shouts proudly. "I guess you heard of me, and came to get my autograph? It's gunna be way valuable once I join the Wonderbolts. Get it now, before I'm too important!"
"What I heard, was you were supposed to be keeping the skies clear. Here, you know what, let's start over. This has all be a giant mess."
"Like your mane!" Spike says in a low voice. I give him a quick light smack on the back of the head." -Ow! What?" I shake my head disapprovingly, while trying to hide a smirk. He said it, but I was thinking it...
Turning back to Rainbow, Twilight extends a hoof. "I'm Twilight Sparkle. I was sent from Canterlot to check on preparations for the Summer Sun Celebrations. Are you going to be clearing the clouds soon? We need them clear before it gets dark.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'll get to it later. I need to get back to practicing. I gotta have my stuff ready so I can show the Wonderbolts how awesomazing I am."
"The Wonderbolts? THE Wonderbolts? The crack flying stunt team of Canterlot? The best fliers of all Equestria?"
"Yup! Those are them! They are gunna be performing at the celebration, and I wanna show them what I'm made of!"
"So, tell me Rainbow Dash," I start, catching her attention" What makes you think the Wonderbolts will even think twice about a pegasus who can't even clear the skies." I narrow my eyes, and look right into hers. "You ain't got nothing TO show them..."
Rainbow looks at me like I was some sort of smooze monster.
"Ain't got nothing? NOTHING? I can clear these skies in 10 seconds flat. Just watch me!"
Rainbow zooms off and starts bucking clouds, dissipating the vaporous puffballs left and right, until there is not a cloud in the sky.
"Hmm. Ten seconds exactly" I say, looking up from my watch. "There you go Twilight. Skies clear. Happy now?"
"Yes. Thank you Fawkes." Twilight says, as she starts to trot off.
"Hey! I'm not! What about what you said about me? What about those apples huh? Sky is clear!" Rainbow shouts indignantly from behind us. I turn around and walk back.
"Yup, It is. Figured the best way to get you off your flank and get the job done, was a little well place goading. Worked like a charm, didn't it. Catch you later RD. Awesome flying." I say as I turn back to Twilight and Spike and begin walking off. Rainbow just sits dumbfounded, trying to figure out exactly what I mean.
"Uh...bye, I guess..." She says quietly as we walk off. I look over my should and see her zoom off into the sky, and start doing loop-de-loops as she starts practicing again.
"Wow. That was amazing though. She was all Zhooom Whooom!" Spike shouts out, making airplane noises with his arms outspread. " I've never seen a pony move so fast."
"Uh huh. What's next on the list, Spike?" Twilight dismisses his antics with a wave of her hoof.
"Decorations, at Town Hall. Uh...There!" Spike points at a tall cylindrical building with a coned shingle roof. Flags of many colours fly from the top of the posts holding the several balconies in place, that encircle the building.
As we enter the building a high pitched feminine humming can be heard from the back walls. We look around, at all the ribbons, streamers, flags and pennants flutter and hang from the ceiling. There is a vast array of colours, and some sparkle or are embellished with silvers and golds.
"Beautiful!" Spike shouts, as we approach the stage at the end.
"Yes, It is. The decor is coming along really well. It's absolutely breathtaking."
"No, not that...HER!" Spike points at the stage, were a white unicorn is floating around ribbons of various colours, clearly about to put the finishing touch on the stage decor, her purple mane swaying as she checks each ribbon, before discarding it and summoning a new one.
"No...no...no...oh, goodness no. Why did I even bring this one. No...no..."
Spike starts fidgeting with his tail and fins. " Do I look alright? are my spikes straight?"
Twilight just rolls her eyes, and smiles, before stepping forward and calling out the the other unicorn.
"Good afternoon! My name is..." She started.
"Just a moment please, I am in the zone, as it were." Rarity shoots back quickly, not even looking up from her work.
I put a hand on Twilight's should as she opened her mouth again, most likely to reprimand Rarity for ignoring her as she did. I shook my head and motion towards a nearby seat. We walked over, and waited, as Rarity continued to search for the perfect accent to finish up her decor.
"Ah yes!" Rarity exclaimed as she at last tied a large red and very, very sparkly ribbon around the last post. " Sparkle always does the trick, does it not?"
" I don't know, do you, Twilight?" I scoff, lightly nudging her in the side with my elbow."
"Ugh" Twilight groans at my bad joke, as she approaches the unicorn.
"Now, yes. Sorry. How can I help youAHH HAHAAH!" She exclaims, as she finally turns around, and gets a good look at the motley crew that has joined her in the town hall. "Oh my stars! Darling, whatever happened to your coiffure? And what, pray tell are you?" She asks, holding a hoof out in my general direction.
"My what?" Twilight asks, ignoring the second question.
"Coiffure. It's French in origin. Usually used to mean a hairstyle, can also be used to reference ones headdress or hat." I state flatly, hand on my chin, as I recall the information. Also, I'm a Human. That's what I am.
"French, My darling? I do not recognize the term. It is a word from an overseas country, known as Prance. But yes, you are completely right on all accounts. I do like a stallion who knows his terminology. You...are a male, aren't you?"
"Yes. I am." I reply, a little upset that she had to clarify. I know I look weird, but I still sound like a normal person...
"Either way, I'm just here to check on the decorations. They look beautiful, by the way. I'll be out of your hair in a moment." Twilight states.
"My hair? what about YOUR hair? this is a fashion emergency! Please follow me to my boutique. I must fix that mane of yours, post haste!" She runs off towards the door, and after the three of us exchange a glance and a sigh, we follow her off to Carousel Boutique.
As we walk in, I take quick note of all the dresses and outfits around the boutique, as Rarity pulls a chair out of the back room, and motions for Twilight to sit down.
"So, Miss... sorry, but I don't believe we have been introduced? My name is Rarity, and this is my Carousel Boutique. I am a seamstress by trade, doing creations, alterations, and occasionally salon work."
"My name is Twilight Sparkle. I was sent from Canterlot to check on..."
"CANTERLOT? Oh, dear you simply must chat with me sometime. It's been an absolute DREAM of mine to have my own boutique there, in the hustle and bustle of the glamorous city. Oh, but I digress, please continue."
"Uh, right. That is Spike, my assistant. He is a baby dragon, and that there is Fawkes. He is a human that somehow found himself here in Equestria, with nothing but the clothes on his back, After the celebration, I am to help him find a way home."
"Oh my, Darling. What a frightful tale. Do you have nothing else to wear at all? Rarity inquired, glancing over at me, sitting in the corner.
"Uh no. just this." I say, plucking morosely at the shirt I am wearing.
"No, no. That shan't do. I shall assist. I can have a set of simple clothes made for you by the end of the week. My treat. I would feel horrible charging someone in a situation such as yours."
" I appreciate the generous offer Rarity, but it needs not be. The Princess gave me this." I say, pulling the work order out of my pocket. "She will reimburse you any fees in providing a wardrobe for my stay here. Besides, it will be an interesting experience, won't it? creating a wardrobe for someone like me?
"Oh, very much so. Thank you Fawkes. I shall get started on that order first thing tomorrow, after the celebration of course. There we go, all done, Ms. Sparkle."
"Oh please, Twilight is fine. Thank you for your help. You're really good."
"But of course, Darling. Anything to help a friend. You simply MUST come back and talk shop with me about Canterlot some time. Are you sure you don't want to try some outfits one? I got some great ones that will suit your coat, and really bring out the colour in your eyes."
"Thanks, but no thanks. We really got to get moving on. Still things to check on for the Celebration. Thanks again for all the help." She grabs onto Spike with her magic, and drags him out, as he has just been standing there, in his love induced stupor."Let's go Casanova. We got work to do."
Authors comment - Someone noticed that I used the work Man when Rarity was talking to Fawkes. This was an oversight on my part. Episode 100 clearly points out that it's not exactly a well known term in Equestria. I think it has been used as an expression, (Aww man!) but never to reference a specific being. Thusly, I changed the first instance to Stallion, as it would be odd for her to say Male, given the context being used in, and then the second usage was changed to male. Thank you for the Guest who left that comment.