Part TwentySix - Unnamed

> You step onto the train platform.
> The sky is a dark cold blue, with only a dirty golden cloud on the horizon marking dawn's approach.
> You find a bench swiftly and hug your cloak tighter around yourself against the chill.
> The early train should be here soon.
> Shouldn't take too long to reach Canterlot.
> Then a quick visit to the palace dispatch office to see what happened with all of those stipend deliveries.
> You have a good chance of finding somep0ny you know there to help you with the second stage of the plan.
> The palace pages were always in there and they'd know where to-
> Oh.
> Hoofsteps onto the platform.
> Looks like your not the only one taking the early train.
> You turn to see the figure tottering down the platform...
> Well.
> That is odd.
> It's definately a p0ny but, for some reason, they're wobbling along on their back legs, wearing a long trenchcoat, a wide brimmed hat and...
> ...a very, very fake white beard.
> The curiously dressed p0ny makes it to the other bench on the platform, no more than 30 feet away from you.
> As the p0ny stops, it's sence of balance suddenly flees the scene "whoa!"
> Forelegs windmill at it's side as the p0ny tries to regain equilibrium.
> Suddenly it flops down onto the bench.
> It twists and squirms until it's sitting in a position that screams nonchalance.
> Arms draped across the back of the bench, hat tucked low and legs crossed.
> ...pink legs...

"Sir? are you going to Can-"
> The response is a sudden high pitch bleat of "I'M NOT PINKIE!"
> Immediately the p0ny adjusts it's hat and lowers it's voice to a forced baritone "..ha. ha...um... I mean, good morning sir."
".."
> You continue to stare at her.
> "...*Ahem*... I am a business p0ny."
".."
> She's actually wearing shades underneath that hat.
> "I am waiting for a train."
".."
> Now she's wiping away panicked sweat with her fake beard and then putting it back on.
> "The lateness of trains often makes me angry."
".."
> Her eyes are darting around seeking a way out.
> "My work requires frequent travel."
"I know it's you, Pinkie."
> "Err...Who is this Pinkie of which you speak?"
"Pinkie... why are you following me?"
> She leaps up, thrusting her head forward and placing her forehooves on her hips. " *gasp* I am SO not following you... " realisation hits her...
> "Is what I would say..." and she slowly trails off "If I were Pinkie."

"Oh, come on Pinkie..."
> "Humph... what's the point in a disguise if everyp0ny calls you by your name?" She throws away the beard and coat, pouting.
"So, why are you here then?"
> She folds her forelegs over her chest with a  *humph* and replies "Why are you here?"
"I asked fir-... Ok..ok. I'm going to Canterlot to see if I can find some help for Twilight... and you?"
> She bites her bottom lip "If I tell you...you can't tell anyp0ny, 'kay?"
"Uhuh."
> "Pinkie Promise?"
> You've seen it done, you go through the motions.
> She draws in a breath and... "I'mgoingtoCanterlotinsecrettoseemypartysupplyp0niessoIcanfetchthingstohelpTwilightbutIcan'tletTwilightknow..."
> "...becauseshewantedtodoitallherselfandIfshedidknowshe'dbesadbutifnop0nyhelpshershe'llbesadder! *gasp*"
> Pinkie's breathing returns to normal "...what 'bout you?"
"...same deal, Pinkie. Swear."

> Pinkie follows the routine and somehow produces a cupcake at the appropriate moment too.
"Right. I'm going to see if I can get some help for the party. Also, going to make sure the ass responsible for this doesn't get away with it..."
> Pinkies eyes widen with shock "...It wasn't Cranky, was it? He's been sooo nice lately..."
"What? no... no... I meant somep0ny who'd been acting like an ass- you know what? scratch that...The bad p0ny is what I meant to say."
> She nods, her pink bouffant bouncing with each movement.
> In the distance the two of you hear the clatter of the train approaching.
> Pinkie, thinking you didn't notice, gives a devious little smile and coughs politely "weeeell... seeing as were going to the same place... we should share a carriage."
> Enclosed area.
> Pinkie Pie.
> Journey measured in hours.
> Brain would like to report that the sum of that equation doesn't look good.
"Oh, why not."

-----

"..quiet..please.."
> "Oooh, another farm, and there's some trees! Look! that bridge is huuuuuge and there's p0nies painting it.*gasp* I think I saw a griffon! Ooh! a river! and theres ANOTHER bridge! can you believe it?"
> Pinkie is bouncing up and down on the seating, nose pressed against the window and looking out at the early morning scenery.
> You told Pinkie to look out of the window.
> You thought it'd get you a break but instead she's just seeing new things to talk about.
> For the past two hours she's talked.
> It wasn't so bad at first.
> A nice chat about working in a bakery.
> ...but it didn't stop.
> So you stopped answering.
> That just gave her more time to talk.
> For a while you watched her, counting her breaths and comparing it to how much she talked.
> It doesn't add up.
> She either breathes through her ears, or she doesn't work on oxygen.
> Whatever it is... she.. Just...Wont...STOP!
> ...and there's at least an hour to go.
> Brain would like to report that it told you so.
> Fuck you brain.
> "...and that's why you can't feed them cupcakes! which makes me sad, but you can't stay sad for long when you've got spare cupcakes!"
> Travelling by chariot doesn't seem so bad now.

-----

> Yes!
> You've done it!
> You've finally willed yourself into becoming deaf.
> Oh happy day!
> .
> .
> Hang on.
> She's stopped talking.
> Pinkie is just sitting there, leaning her head on her chin, looking out of a window that's slowly misting over with each breath.
> Well... at least she's not talking!
> .
> .
> ...but she does look a little out of sorts... kinda wistful.
> That's not the Pinkie you know and... er... know.
> Oh well.
> Silence is golden!
> .
> .
> ...but she does look a little... sad...
> Aww.
> You're gonna regret this...

"Pinkie. Why so quiet?"
> She looks over at you for a moment, then looks back out of the window. "No reason."
"Come on. Something's wrong."
> "Nope. Nothing's wrong."
"Yeah right. Talk to me Pinkie, I'm your fri-"
> She turns and looks at you with her normally bright blue eyes, but the twinkle has gone "I might act silly Anon, but I'm not stupid. I know you don't like me."
"Aw hey, that's..."
> She still staring... not angry but... there's something missing.
> Her usual vitality just isn't there.

> "Don't worry. I understand. You don't like me. You don't want to be my friend. It's ok."
"..Look, Pinkie...I-"
> "You don't have to make excuses Anon. Really." She gives a smile, but her eyes remain dull and unblinking. "I'm sorry I bother you so much."
> Well.
> Don't you just feel like a real shit now Anon?
> A refreshment trolly rattles past the corridor side of the compartment, pushed by an aging mare.
> Ahah!
> You slide across the seats and slide out of the door.
> Catching up with the mare you but what meager sweets you can afford with your drained bit pouch.
> You rush back into the compartment and scooch back into your seat.
> Pinkie doesn't even look up.
"Hey. I got you something Pinkie."
> No answer.
"It's... what the hell is this?"
> You read the packaging...
"Mares-bar?" *rip* "Mmmm."
> "Not hungry, thankyou." Pinkie replies without inflection.

"Pinkie. Come on. I like you, ok? If I didn't, I wouldn't have dressed up on Nightmare night with you, right?"
> Pinkie turns to look at you, her face devoid of any expression.
> "You spent most of the night muttering death threats to yourself. I thought you were just getting into the spirit of the night, but now... I see what it was."
> Oh shit.
> That little voice back then... it WAS you.
"I'm sorry Pinkie. That wasn't fair of me."
> "No. It wasn't." Pinkie looks back to the window. "...but you meant it anyway."
> What can you do?
> Despite how damned annoying she can be, she's also one of the sweetest p0nies you know.
> There's got to be a way to make this right.
> The train enters a tunnel and the carriage darkens suddenly.
> You plop the open, uneaten 'mares-bar' on the table.
> The rattling of the train echoes with a muffled baritone.
> Changes in pressure from entering the tunnel only exaggerates the atmosphere in the carriage.
> The dull lighting crystal above the door flicks on and bathes the carriage in its blue tinted light.
> Pinkies ears have flattened in response to the harsher noise, but it and the blue lighting serve to make her look like a completely different p0ny.
> Bluer in every sense of the word.

*sigh*
"Pinkie."
> She doesn't respond.
"Pinkie... listen to me. Please."
> Nothing.
> It is kinda noisy.
"PINKIE!"
> She glances at you, then stares out of the window again at nothing.
"DAMMIT PINKIE LISTEN TO ME!"
> Halfway through shouting that the train suddenly leaves the tunnel.
> "You don't have to shout Anon." She replies without looking.
> The trolley mare peers through the door window and tosses her mane in disgust at your uncouth behaviour.
> Not even in Canterlot and you're already causing a scene.
> That does not bode well.
"Pinkie. I do like you. Really. It's just..."
> Pinkie turns towards you and answers with an unexpected harshness "What? I'm always trying to make you smile? I want you to be happy? I always remember to include you? Just say it Anon. I'm annoying."
"...no. Sometimes, I just can't keep up."
> She keeps her stare locked on you, blue eyes cold and narrowed.
> Judging.

"Pinkie, please believe me. You're one of the nicest p0nies I know. You've always been there to make me feel welcome. To make me smile."
> Her eyes soften a little.
"You made me part of p0nyville when, If I had my way, I'd have been hiding away in that library to this day. I can never thank you enough for that."
> A micro smile, for just a moment.
> Keep the pressure on Anon.
"I like you Pinkie."
> The train begins to slow as it pulls into the Canterlot station.
> Pinkie, her head hanging sheepishly low and staring at you from beneath her fringe, asks "Really? You're not just saying that to make me feel better?"
"Really. You're great. I like you. I like spending time with you. Sometimes, I just need to catch my breath, that's all."
> Pinkie's bottom lip quivers as she answers "Y-you... really DO like me..."
> Then Pinkie smiles and it's the brightest, most joyful thing you've ever seen.
> Totally worth-
> "Wowie! that's soooo fan-TASTIC! I can't WAIT 'till you ask me to the dance! It's going to be so much fun! *giggle"
> -whut?
> Pinkie hops to her hooves, snatches up the 'maresbar' and skips out of the carriage singing "..I'm gonna daaance with somep0ny.."
> Did...
> "..gonna feel the heat with somep0ny.." you hear echo down the corridor as you sit there stunned.
> ...did she just do all that to...?
> Nah.
*slam*
> Pinkie bangs on the outside window, wailing out "...with somep0ny who loooves Me! hee hee *smek*' ...and leaves a chocolatey kiss on the window before bouncing away.
> ..
> ..
> Fuck.

> You are Anonymous...
> You've just arrived in Canterlot...
> ...and you just got played like a cheap trombone.