Part TwentyFive - Unnamed

> The rest of the jog to the manorhouse is awkward to say the least.
> Pinkie keeps flicking you with her cotton candy tail, trying to get you to answer the question.
> She punctuates those efforts with playful bumps, sweet smiles and on one occasion bouncing ahead, waggling her flank.
> As you round the corner of the long dirt road, you can see the gated archway to the manor drive.
> Rainbow Dash and Applejack are there, talking heatedly over something.
> They stop immediately upon spying you, despite you still being a good few hundred meters away.
> You hope they were arguing about the race they just had.
> It's a vain hope, but it's all that stops you leaping into a ditch to get away.
> Pinkie is, quite literally, bouncing circles around you "Y'got an answer for me yet, 'nonny? hey 'nonny? hey 'nonny-nonny?"
"c'nt t'lk *huff* r'nn'ng *pant*"
> She prods you in the stomach during one of her orbits "...awww... somep0ny's getting a wittle pudgywudgy?"
> Yeah, you're outta condition.
> You think.
> You're not sure if you ever were in condition.
> Memories of work outs and couch based cheeto-robics hold equal status in your fragmented memory.
> ...but 'PudgyWudgy'?
> Fuck no.
> ...are you?
> The gate looms.
> "Glad y'could join us, Anon." Dash grins as she speaks, leaning nonchalantly against the archway.
> You slow to a halt, bending near double, leaning on your knees and heaving for air.
> AppleJack pats you on the back with a caring, if slightly overzealous hoof "Let Anon get his breath back, Dash."
> You just know the two of them are staring at each other over your arched back while the hoof lingers.

> The four of you walk the drive towards the manorhouse.
> Applejack on your left, Rainbow on your right, Pinkie... nowhere to be seen.
> Where has she got t-
*glomp*
> Your eyes are covered by a momentarily glimpsed pink pair of hooves. "Guess who?"
"Pinkie... give me a break. Please."
> "Aww, you guessed." She hangs her hooves over your shoulders and around your neck. "Ohhkay 'nonny."
> Pinkie hisses to the other mares "...I think I tired him out" then gives a little giggle.
> They don't join in.
> Head now resting on your shoulder, legs locked around you, it's plain that the pink mare has no intention of letting go.
> You're surrounded.
> Head hanging in defeat, you plod your way down the drive.
> There's a minute of uncomfortable silence, as you walk towards the manor, broken by AppleJack.
> "Dang, this don't look good." her concern is written on her face.
> "There's Twi!" Dash exclaims as she flies ahead towards the purple unicorn.

> Twilight's head is hanging low, a checklist scroll flutters in the wind on top of a nearby crate, held in place by another box.
> She's sitting on the edge of a poorly maintained dry fountain.
> Cracks line the tiles and stonework.
> A one winged pegasus statue rears in the center on a vine wrapped pedestal.
> Where water should be, creeping weeds thrive amongs shattered stonework.
> Dash places a reassuring hoof on her shoulder and asks, nervously "Twilight? are...are you ok?"
> You and Applejack are still walking to them, looking at the manorhouse.
> So far you have managed to count two windows that aren't cracked or broken.
> It's easier than trying to count the ones that are.
> Piles of rubble mar the lawn here and there, fallen from parts of the crumbling, moss encrusted stonework of the manor.
> Applejack shakes her head then gives you a doleful look, then trots ahead.
"That son of a bitch... she'll never get this place ready in time, Pinkie.
> From your back you hear a gutteral *snore*, then a little "mmm" as she nuzzles her head down against your shoulder.
"...god dammit, Pinkie."

> Applejack lowers herself to the floor infront of Twilight, peering up under her hanging mane "Sugarcube?"
> "Oh girls..." she raises her head, sullenly and looks at you all with tear rimmed eyes.
> "I'm...I'm...such a foal. *snf*. There's barely enough bits for the musicians and the catering... I can't fix all..."
> She waves a hoof, taking in the expanse of the ruined old manor "...this. *sigh* I can't afford to repair this. I can't afford to even make it look nice."
> Applejack stands and shares a concerned look with Dash.
> "Even if I could? There just isn't time. The party is next week! Rarity's birthday is ruined!"
> Twilight hangs her head again with a sigh, then mumbles "I thought I was tricking him. Thought I was being sooo clever..."
> "...he was the one tricking me." she takes a slow, shaky breath, "I'm such an idiot. I've let Rarity down."
> You place a hand on her shoulder and squeeze gently.
"You poured your heart into this party, Twilight. Don't give up. Not now. If there's anyp0ny who can turn this situation around, it's you."
> "...s'too late." she sniffles.
"You can do this Twilight. I believe in you."
> She glances up at you, then looks away, still dejected. "Oh, Anon... there's just too much to do."
> Twilight stands and trots up the stairs to the manor door.

> You all look down the long, cobweb strewn, debris littered corridor.
> "It's...it's so much worse inside. The furniture is broken, the windows are smashed, the kitchen is missing... missing!"
> "...what kinda varmint'd steal a kitchen?" mutters AJ.
> "and... and...the hall is... filthy." Twilight winces at the very thought. "It'd take an army of p0nies to fix this mess."
> "Y'got us, sugarcube." Applejack gives a reassuring smile under her sad eyes.
> "...I'll clean that hall in ten seconds flat." Dash winks, shooting Twilight a confident grin, then after looking at the corridor again adds "...well. Maybe I'll need a minute."
> Twilight sniffs back a tear and gives grateful little smile "...thanks girls."
>  At this point, Pinkie slips off your back. *thump* "Huh? wuzzat? *gasp* Oh... OH!... oh Twilight..."
> The pink mare throws tight a hug around the purple unicorn.
> Pinkie pulls back, holding her at  forelegs length "... Nightmare night themed decoration! You. Are. So. CLEVER!"
> Holding one hoof around Twilight's shoulder, she turns them both, taking it all in.
> "I can't believe you've got it all done so quickly! I'd have needed at least two weeks decorate a WHOLE manor and I'M the partyp0ny!"
> Twilight sighs, her burgeoning confidence fizzling away.
> Rainbow Dash double facehooves, groaning.
> Applejack mutters rolling her eyes.
"God dammit Pinkie..."
> "What?" asks Pinkie, a picture of innocence.

-----

> Spike and Fluttershy arrived later, joining in the work.
> Even with the added help there was just so much that needed doing.
> The dancehall was a filthy, web and debris strewn mess with rotten tapestries and broken furniture lining the walls.
> More than Dash could handle alone, despite her efforts.
> She tried spinning up a tiny tornado to clean out the hall in one frenzied burst of activity.
> It failed.
> A mouthful of web resulted in her losing control, crashing into a tapestry and scattering debris about the hall.
> Twilight untangled her and, with Pinkie and Fluttershy, the four of them began the onerous task of steadily cleaning the hall.
> AJ and yourself worked outside on the debris piles, moving them out of sight.
> She worked on shifting the larger chunks, dragging them by lasso, you the more numerous, smaller pieces.
> The work little time to talk, but that was probably for the best.
> There was only one topic on both your minds.
> It was written plain in each other's eyes.
> You both knew that no matter how hard you all worked, it just wasn't going to be enough.

> You've been outside for sometime now, quietly toiling on.
> The sun has slowly sunk in the sky, and right now pinkens on the horizon.
> A solid thump from behind draws your attention "Consarn it... dang potholes!"
> Dropping your burden you swiftly run over to the large roped piece of stonework.
"AJ? are you ok?"
> The orange mare is layed on her side, right foreleg held limply off the floor.
> "...tain't nuthin Anon. Ah just tripped." She tries to stand, foreleg curling up as it contacts the floor.
> She lets out a hiss of pain. "... Jus' a bruise is all."
"Let me see it."
> She furrows her brows with frustration, but holds the hoof higher.
> You kneel down at her side and, cradling the hoof, gently probe her fetlock with the lightest of touches.
"Say if it hurts."
> She watches you intently, then looks up suddenly, her cheeks beginning to pinken " *cough* um. Is it ok?"
"There?"
> She replies "nope." then gives a little wince as your hand moves further.
"...I think it's a sprain. Light. You'll need to get ice on it and a compress."
> That's the point when, looking up at her, you realise that you've just been stroking her leg.

> You drop the hoof like it's on fire and throw yourself back onto your ass.
"AJ. Sorry. I didn't um..."
> She lowers the hoof to the floor gently and is able to put some weight on it.
> "Don't y'worry none. Y'were just... er. 'inspectin' it." She smiles, still blushing a little.
> Applejack swiftly tries to change the subject. "Say. When did'ja learn 'bout p0ny medicine Anon?"
"...I... don't know. um. I'm going to fetch help. Don't go walking around just yet."
> "You got it, sweet-t-t uh... pard."
> What did she just say?
> You shake your head, loosening the half heard words grip on your thoughts.
> Then, you jog off to the manorhouse.
> Watching you leave, Applejack slowly pulls the stetson over her face, trying to hide her embarrassment.


> As you run into the dancehall, the others turn at the pounding of your footfalls.
> They haven't made much progress.
> Twilight is at the far side of the hall next to the great doors that lead into the garden, horn glowing and sweat forming on her brow.
> Nearby a tapestry drags itself along the floor laden with fallen plaster, broken furniture and one pink mare riding a chair.
> Flutteshy turns from cleaning a patch of floor.
> Dash, propped up against a broom with her forelegs folded over it, jumps as you arrive. "*snort* Ammawake!"
"...AJ's hurt her leg and-"
> Fluttershy flies past you quicker than you've ever see her move.
> Dash blinks, dumfounded for a moment.
> Then she takes off after the yellow pegasus.
> Pinkie gives a shrug, one last "weeee", then bounces her way across the dancehall to catch the others.
> You walk over towards Twilight who stands there focused on her task.
> Her eyes are screwed up and the horn's glow is punctuated by splutters and sparks.
> Forelegs shaking with effort, she leans into the p0nykinetic dragging.
"Twilight."

> She doesn't answer.
> You place a hand on her shoulder gently.
> She was so focused, it still startled her.
> Her eyes flick open, she gives a little *eep* and a jump, then looks around as the tapestry *whumps* to the floor, releasing a wave of dust.
> Twilight sighs "I nearly had that Anon I...oh." She looks around the room, "it's really getting dark." she murmers.
"AppleJack tripped over a pothole."
> Twilight blinks, then asks quietly "is she ok?"
"Just a light sprain. Nothing rest and a compress can't fix."
> She's visibly relieved "I might be able to help... there's a spell I know that can-"
"It's too dark to work, Twilight and you look exhausted. We'll get back to it tommorrow."
> Twilight looks at the faint light in the hall and then hangs her head.
> "I... suppose you're right." She walks slowly over to a heap of tapestries "...Spike?"
> "mmm?" answers the little dragon.
> He seems to be getting his voice back.
> You walk ahead, hearing her follow behind.

> Approaching the double doors at the front of the manor, you hear the voices of the others echoing down the corridor.
> "Dang it, I ain't fakin nuthin, Dash."
> "Yeah right. 'oooh halp meh Ahnon. Ah've hurt mah little ol' leg.'"
> "*snrk* that's sounds just like her, Dash."
> "Dont'cha start Pinkie. Y'were all over him. Y'know ah was gonna ask him ta-"
> "Yeah, but you hadn't asked him... aaand I found out he was a colt... is that what you call a human with a-?"
> " *ahem* Could you... um... stop moving? i-if it's not t-too much trouble...and of course he's a b-boy."
> You peer from the shadows of the doorway, spying the four mares at gathered nearby.
> Fluttershy is bent down, wrapping a length of bandage around AJ's leg.
> The others are staring alternately at each other.
> It's some kind of... mexican p0ny stand off.
> "I made friends with him first!" Blurts Dash.
> "I asked him first!" Announces Pinkie with a proud grin.
> "Ah kissed him first!" shouts Applejack, who then pulls her stetson over her face again, trying to hide the blush
> The others look at her, mouths agape, except Fluttershy who blushes but keeps focused on the leg.
> Dash is the first to break the silence "...I... knew it!" and then break out in wide grin.
> AJ sinks further into her hat as Pinkie giggles.

> Stetson muffling her voice, Applejack says "... ah meant he kissed me." but it does her no good.
> Dash is unrelenting "I was there... I saw! you were... ha! it looked like you were eating an apple!"
> "...which is funny, 'cause that's what Anon was doing-" adds a giggling Pinkie.
> "Dang it!" AJ stamps her foot, eliciting a wince of pain and a quiet admonishment from Fluttershy.
> "Ah just wanted ta...*sigh*" Applejack lets go of the hat and watches it fall.
> Eyes fixed on the hat she starts talking again, quietly "Y'all know what it's like 'round here, gals. Too many mares."
> "Ah just thought it'd be nice ta go dancin with somep0ny who wasn't mah cousin... or brother." her voice cracks slightly.
> Dash sniggers at a memory, but notices Pinkie shooting her a serious look.
> Rainbow looks skyward for answers as she speaks."Um... yeah. I guess that would suck."
> She the continues "...but I, um, kinda wanted to go with him too..." before hastily adding "I mean, for him, y'know? It's his first dance."
> Dash waves a dismissive hoof as she speaks "That's gotta be awkward. I'm his bro. Somep0ny he'd be comfortable with."
> You can tell by the look on Pinkies face she's not buying it, but she keeps silent.
> The pink mare looks around thinking, smiles and then says "Well I just think he's funny. I'd enjoy the dance with him. I'd make sure he enjoyed it too."
> Did.. did she just wink at you?

> You pin yourself back against the wall like an escapee caught in a searchlight.
> Fluttershy gives a little cough outside.
> The awkward silence gives her the opportunity she needs to speak.
> "um... girls? m-maybe you should just wait and see if he asks any of you."
> She pauses a moment, then when she's sure they're listening "...he m-might have somep0ny in mind already."
> "a-and it wouldn't be fair to p-put him under so much p-pressure... I mean-" she trails off, but you think her point is made.
> You risk a glance around the edge of the doorway.
> "Fine... Ah'll hold off." mutters AJ, picking up her hat and tossing it up onto her head.
> "pfft, you wouldn't have asked him anyway..." Dash raises a defensive forehoof at AJ's angry glance "Ok, Ok... I'll quit it."
> "I..I'll hold back too." Rainbow adds. "I mean, I only wanted to keep him company anyway..." she looks away from the group as she speaks.
> "Okie dokie, but... um... I kinda asked him anyway." She taps her chin with a hoof, peering upwards under a furrowed brow. "I Pinkie promise I won't ask again."
> You can't believe it.
> Fluttershy.
> She's saved you.
> You're gleeful enough at the thought of dodging this holy clusterfuck of a situation that you could almost dance.
> You know what?
> You're gonna dance!
> It's a silent shimmy of victory.
> "...are you ok, Anon?" asks Twilight from behind you.

"Shit!"
> You almost leap out of your skin.
> Turning around, holding your chest you look down at the purple mare.
> She's got a cocked eyebrow, looking at you like you've gone mad.
> She could be right.
> Spike is staring at the ceiling, little shoulders shaking with supressed amusement.
> It's a long corridor.
> They both saw the whole dance.
> All of it.
> Even the crotchgrab.
> "That's...not how humans always dance, is it?" She asks after a long, uncomfortable pause.
"Not always... it's... um. Only on special occasions. I was practicing."
> She nods slowly, still looking faintly disturbed "when we get home I'll find you a book about dancing correctly."
> Twilight walks out the door and approaches the others, inspecting AJ's leg.
> A snickering little dragon follows her.
> "Thanks for... for everything girls." says Twilight, smiling at the gathered p0nies.
> "I'm sure were going to get the place looking..." Twilight pauses as she glances at the front of the manorhouse.
> She then continues, less enthusiastically "..um... lovely."
> The 'yay's and agreement is equally without vigour.
> They start he long walk back into p0nyville.

> You follow along, hanging back.
> It's been along day.
> You're all exhausted.
> It is a nice night but fatigue makes it difficult to appreciate.
> Even so, you tuck your hands into your pockets and watch the fireflies dance in the fields.
> A faint, gentle trotting draws your attention down to your right.
> It's Fluttershy.
> You give your saviour a welcoming smile.
> You could almost hug her.
> In one simple, perfect suggestion she saved you from all that potential awkwardness.
> Best p0ny ever.
"It's a lovely night miss Fluttershy."
> She hides her face behind her pink mane, smiling back and cheeks reddening.
> "um...A-anon...h-have you f-found anyp0ny to... um... g-go to the dance with y-yet?"
> Heh.
> She's kinda cute when she stammers like that...
> Wait.
> ...whatdafuk?
> Oh, you sneaky mare...
> ...Goddamn Fluttershy.