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- Hope, have you ever been to the fair?
- >Hope gives you a puzzled look.
- >"Fair? What's that?"
- Every year, Equestria holds an annual event. This is known as the Equestrian Fair. It runs all through the whole month.
- >Your daughter looks speechless.
- >As in what?
- >Lyra butts in.
- >"Maybe your dad can explain in a more simpler way."
- Er... it's when you walk around and enjoy everything, from food, games, and rides.
- >"Wow! Will it be that fun!?
- I guarantee it.
- >Hope is ecstatic.
- >Perhaps a little too ecstatic.
- >Now she's restless.
- >And she's very eager to learn more.
- >"Dad? Can I ask you a question?"
- >You look at the clock.
- >12 A.M.
- It's midnight, Hope. What is it?
- >Hope crawls into the bed.
- >She's between you and Lyra.
- >"What kind of food is there?"
- Tons. What would yo--
- >"And the games? Are they fun?"
- Yes, they'r--
- >"What kind of rides are there? I bet... there's... so... many..."
- >Hope's voice fades.
- >Her eyes become heavy.
- >And then silence.
- >You sigh, but a small smile appears on your face.
- >The excitement is infectious, for you are enthusiastic to spend the day with your family.
- >It doesn't take long before you fall asleep.
- >The Fair!
- >Here you are with Hope and Lyra.
- >You overslept a little, but there's the whole day to enjoy.
- >Hope's eyes are wide with anticipation.
- >"This place is huge!"
- Hope! Stick close to us!
- >Your daughter rushes back to your side.
- Don't run off like that. If you get lost, we won't see each other anymore.
- >Hope grabs your hand and grips it tightly.
- >You wince.
- >"Then I'll stay by you and mom forever!"
- >You chuckle.
- Just stay by us, Hope. If something interests you, just tell us, so we can keep watch.
- >"OK!"
- >Hope releases her strong firm but still remains close.
- Anyway, Lyra, do you remember where the pig races are?
- >Lyra pulls the map out with her magic.
- >"You don't remember?"
- Vaguely.
- >"It's right here."
- >Lyra points her hoof to the spot on the map.
- >It says Pig Races.
- Oh, I guess we just need to head northeast. Let's go!
- >Lyra shakes her head and closes the map.
- >She knows you're being daft.
- >It doesn't take more than 10 minutes to reach your destination.
- >The Pig Races!
- >A large crowd is gathered here.
- >Everyone is excited.
- >Your daughter, on the other hand, feels lost.
- >"Dad? What's going on?"
- Just watch, Hope. You'll love it.
- >A middle-aged stallion appears from behind the track fence and approaches the center area.
- >He looks passionate as if he had done this a thousand times.
- >"Welcome! Welcome everypony to this year's Equestrian fair! If this is your first time, then you're in for a real treat!"
- >You've heard the announcer's speech before.
- >Hope looks intrigued.
- >"Before we begin, how about a little song? Some of you may know the lyrics, so sing along if you want! Just remember to stomp your hooves to the beat."
- >The lyrics are completely unfamiliar to you.
- >Instead, you stomp your feet while Hope and Lyra stomp their hooves.
- >It feels a little awkward.
- >The music fades.
- >"Well now, are you ready?"
- >Everyone shouts.
- >"Alright! The group to my right shall be gate #1! The pig, wearing the red, represents love. Cheer for Princess Swinedance!"
- >The red group cheers.
- >And next to the red section is the orange group. Running out of gate #2, we have the stunning royal figure, Princess Piggylestia!"
- >Cheers are heard again.
- >"And in front of me is the blue group. Out of gate #3 is the beauty of the night, Princess Sowna!"
- >Again, more cheers.
- >"And finally..."
- >You and your family are in this group.
- >"Coming out of gate #4, wearing the green, we have a very special pig. Give it up for King Boarba!"
- >Everyone, in a playful manner, is surprised.
- >"Ooooo..."
- That's right!
- >Your pig is here to win.
- >"Get ready to cheer them on! Here we go!"
- >The bell rings.
- >The gates open.
- >And the pigs run.
- >Each crowd roots for their respective colored pig.
- >Boarba makes a cunning start.
- >Trailed by Piggylestia and Sowna.
- >Swinedance is dead last.
- >At the curve, Boarba speeds up.
- >Piggylestia and Sowna are battling for second.
- >Swinedance is too far behind.
- >In the end, the clear winner is Boarba with Sowna in second place.
- >During that whole time, Hope shouted at the top of her lungs.
- >She's loving every moment.
- >But the fun doesn't stop.
- >The next race is the duck race.
- >Hope looks at you.
- >"Ducks?"
- It's not limited to only pigs.
- >The announcer proceeds to introduce the ducks.
- >This time the names are puns of the Wonderbolts.
- >Hope giggles at them.
- >"Oinkfire!"
- >You wonder who came up with these silly names.
- >And now for the race.
- >Once the bell rings, the gates open.
- >The ducks waddle their way forward.
- >However, as they reach the middle, all four ducks turn around and shuffle their way back to the start.
- >You burst out laughing.
- >Hope is trying to egg them on.
- >Lyra sits quietly, trying her hardest not to laugh.
- >Eventually, the ducks make it to the end.
- >The green group's duck, Pigin, is the winner.
- >You're uncertain whether or not to consider that a victory.
- >Regardless, it was entertaining.
- >"And now folks, we have the final race! These pigs are from a faraway land, and we are honored to see them run. Let's welcome the pot-belly pigs!"
- >Hope wishes to question you, but judging by the confused look on your face, she holds back.
- >The pig puns are now famous celebrities.
- >The bell rings for the final time.
- >Hope looks astonished.
- >"Whoa! They're huge!"
- >The pot-belly pigs are indeed massive.
- >They slowly run, bumping into one another.
- >The pig wearing the orange makes it to the goal.
- >"And orange is the winner! Thank you all for coming down to the pig races! Continue to enjoy your stay at the Equestrian Fair!"
- >It feels like a disappointing end, but Hope enjoyed herself.
- >That's all that matters.
- >The Farm!
- >Next to the pig races is the farm.
- >Many animals are kept inside fences.
- >"WHOA!"
- >Hope runs to the railing.
- >"Look at that pig! It's way larger than the ones from the race!"
- >You crack a smile.
- Its had a good life.
- >"It's laying around, too. Just like you, Dad."
- Huh?
- >"Ha ha! See! You do the same while you're napping!"
- I don't think I d--
- >"Wow! She's right!"
- >Lyra cuts you off.
- >"So much resemblance! It's definitely like your Dad!"
- Ugh.
- >Hope and Lyra are tag teaming.
- >There's only one thing to do.
- >Escape!
- >Unfortunately, the two follow behind.
- >"Hehe! Dad, we're just joking!"
- >Suddenly, something catches Hope's eye.
- >She rushes off to the next enclosure, forgetting about teasing you.
- >Lyra speaks to you.
- >"Hope loves the way you sleep. She'll cuddle against you occasionally."
- I know. She always scurries away when I wake up though.
- >"Mmm."
- What about you? What do you do?
- >"Uh..."
- >You look at Lyra.
- >Her eyes avoid contact.
- Should I be worried? Wait, is that why my neck and fingers are always wet?
- >"Mom! Dad!"
- >Hope calls for your and Lyra's attention, dropping the conversation.
- Oh. It looks like she found it.
- >You and Lyra head to where Hope is excitingly standing.
- >"Look! The sheep has four horns!"
- Yep. Amazing, huh?
- >"Why was it born like that?"
- It's special.
- >"Special? Like me?"
- Of course.
- >"And Mom?"
- Uh huh. You two mean the world to me.
- >Hope giggles.
- >She instantly grabs your hand.
- >"Let's go! There's chickens over there!"
- >Lyra smiles as your daughter pulls you to the next area.
- >Lunch!
- >You hear your stomach grumble.
- >It wants food.
- >Lyra looks a little loopy.
- Hope, are you hungry?
- >"No."
- >Hope, watching the cows, turns around.
- >"I'm starving!"
- Why didn't you say anything?
- >Hope ponders at your question before giving a simple answer.
- >"Cows first!"
- Fair enough.
- >You can't argue against that.
- Come on. Let's go clean up.
- >After washing the germs away, you and your family search for a place to eat.
- >Food stands are in every corner.
- >It makes your mouth water.
- >"Apples!"
- >Hope heads to the large area, dragging you along.
- >Even though the main ingredient are apples, many ponies flock there, knowing how delicious it is.
- >Might as well order.
- >Hope won't go for anything else.
- >She insists that you get the 12-piece fritters and the bowl of cross-cut potato fries.
- >The order comes quickly.
- >And the three of you eat.
- >Lyra munches on two fritters.
- >You consume three.
- >Hope gobbles three and a half.
- >The bowl of fries is half empty.
- Ooohh... too much...
- >You, Hope, and Lyra can't move.
- >The fritters and the fries have invaded the depths of your intestines.
- >But it was so tasty not to stop.
- >One more bite wouldn't hurt.
- >Your brain, however, halts your progress and decides to speak for you.
- Should we take the leftovers?
- >"I don't see why not, Anon. We could always eat them as a snack."
- >You stand up.
- Oof.
- >That felt odd.
- >Hope giggles.
- >She finds your full belly amusing.
- >You take a breath and head to the front, asking for a bag.
- >They have plenty.
- >The leftovers are stored for later.
- >The day continues.
- >Only after a short break of letting your stomach settle.
- >Games!
- >"Wow!"
- >Hope's eyes begin to spark.
- >She cannot contain her excitement.
- >"Can I, Dad?!"
- >Your heart melts at the sight of her thrilled behavior.
- Sure. Which one would you like to play?
- >Hope points her finger to a booth.
- >Balloon Pop.
- >Shoot water from the machine to fill up the balloon and pop it.
- >Mainly competitive.
- >That's the basics of it.
- >Hope sits down on one of the seats and urges you to follow.
- >Lyra watches in silence as you park yourself next to your daughter
- >A pony appears before you.
- >"Two?"
- Yes.
- >"It's 5 bits per play. Total is 10 bits."
- >You give 10 bits to the pony.
- >He gladly accepts them.
- >Hope readies herself.
- >She places her fingers are on the trigger buttons.
- >You do the same.
- >Something bugs you though.
- >How do ponies grip the machine let alone fire?
- >Thinking about it makes your head hurt.
- >You focus.
- >Hope's determined to win.
- >Should you give her a chance?
- >The alarm rings.
- >Both you and Hope fire at the target, filling the balloons up.
- >They're neck and neck.
- >It's close!
- >*POP*
- >Hope's balloon bursts.
- >The loud popping sound makes you jump.
- >Your reflexes always get the best of you.
- >"Congratulations, little lady! Pick a prize!"
- >Your daughter chooses the blue stuffed dog.
- >She then gives you a smug look.
- >"Dad's sloooooow!"
- >Your face turns sour.
- >Something stirs deep down in your body.
- >You need to give Hope a little taste.
- >OF REVENGE.
- Another round?
- >"Huh? Really?"
- >You nod to Hope and hand another 10 bits to the pony.
- >"I won't go easy, Dad!"
- >Neither will you.
- >You concentrate.
- >And blast away when the alarm rings.
- >*POP*
- >You stare straight ahead.
- >The pony comes to congratulate the winner.
- >"Uhh... what would you like, sir?"
- The lion.
- >You receive the stuffed lion.
- >Hope peers at you.
- >"Again!"
- Oh? Can you handle it? Dad won't go easy!
- >"Pay the pony!"
- >Another 10 bits down the drain.
- >*POP*
- >Your balloon and Hope's balloon are still intact.
- >Someone else won.
- >You stand up.
- Lyra, is that you?
- >Lyra's magic fades from her horn as she sets the female stuffed tiger next to herself.
- Did you use magic?
- >"What? Me? Don't be silly! I wouldn't do such a thing!"
- >You sit back down and pull out 15 bits.
- >Magic cannot stop you!
- Again, including her!
- >*POP*
- Again!
- >*POP*
- Again!
- >*POP*
- Not yet!
- >*POP*
- Once more!
- >*POP*
- >*POP*
- >*POP*
- >*POP*
- >*POP*
- >*POP*
- >*POP*
- Lyra?
- >"Hm?"
- >Your wife looks at you.
- >She has a small grin on her face.
- Do you think Hope would've kept winning if that pony hadn't kicked us out?
- >Up ahead, Hope is holding a dozen of stuffed animals in her arms.
- >She drops one of them.
- >As she picks it up, another falls out.
- >Lyra expresses her honest feelings.
- >"She would have continued to destroy us and ran that booth out of business."
- Run it out of business? I doubt--
- >You stop yourself.
- >That could be a possibility.
- >No. It has to be a joke.
- >"Dad!"
- >Hope runs to you and Lyra, dropping an animal on the ground.
- >She collects it.
- >"Could we go on that?"
- >Hope points to the huge ferris wheel.
- >You don't see why not, but would all the stuffed animals fit inside?
- Of course, Hope. Do you need to help with carrying those? You seem to be fumbling them.
- >"Uh uh. I got it!"
- Alright. Just watch where you're going.
- >At the ferris wheel, Hope enters first.
- >Followed by Lyra.
- >Then you.
- >It feels very cramped.
- >Luckily, the windows aren't covered by the stuffed animals.
- >The ferris wheel begins to move.
- >Hope presses her head against the glass.
- >"Wow! I can see everything!"
- So can I, Hope. So can I.
- >Lyra nuzzles your neck.
- >You rub behind her ears.
- >She loves that.
- >Words cannot express the happiness you feel.
- >All you can do is smile.
- >Enjoy life to the fullest.
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