“So, let me get this straight.” Rainbow Dash’s eyes roved over the other four ponies squeezed into her compartment. “What all you guys are telling me is that we all had plans to head out to San Prancesco this weekend, and not a single one of us thought to let the others know?”
“What difference would it’ve made?” Applejack shrugged. “‘S far as I know, we’ve all got different purposes for goin’ to the city. Can’t say it wasn’t nice bumpin’ into all y’all on the train, though.”
“Even if you all had made plans, I wouldn’t have been able to come anyway.” Despite the occasional bump and lurch of the car, Rarity’s latte remained afloat and unjostled in the light of her horn. “Magnus made them first, I’m afraid.”
“I really hope he works out for you,” said Pinkie, reaching across to pat Rarity on the knee. “He sounds like a good stallion from what you’ve told us.”
Rainbow Dash had to agree. Evening wear and coffee for Rarity was like Cloudsdale and Everfree weather. Mixing the two only happened when something big was on the horizon, and Rarity was looking to kick up a storm with her current outfit: dark blue ripples and golden beads cascaded from the unicorn’s body, with a pair of sapphires hanging from her ears.
“Thank you, Pinkie,” said Rarity. “What about you, Fluttershy? You’ve hardly said a word all evening.”
Four pairs of eyes turned toward the pegasus, who in turn looked out the window. The waning sunlight bounced off of her flowing, pink mane until it almost became a reflection of the sky itself. “I don’t really have a reason,” she said into the glass. “I’m just...”
Pinkie picked up the silence before it could fall too heavily. “You could come with me,” she offered. “I was just in the mood for something to eat outside of Ponyville. There’s a super-spectacular night market I’ve always wanted to visit ever since Granny Pie told me about it.”
“She only came to visit last weekend.” Applejack chuckled as she nudged her fellow earth mare in the side.
“Still going anyway.”
“Dates, food, whatever,” said Rainbow Dash. She hovered in the middle of the compartment. “Suit yourselves, but this filly’s off to see the ‘Bolts perform in Canterstick Park. Hide it as you will, you’re all jealous of me.”
“How could we be jealous?” Applejack asked her, her grin lopsided. “You beat the jealousy outta us after talkin’ ‘bout it only a hunnert’ times this past few weeks.”
“A hundred and three,” Pinkie clarified. “And this time makes a hundred and four.”
Everypony knew better than to challenge her accuracy in these matters. When no one did, however, silence fell over the compartment for real, and the five fillies from Ponyville sat in their seats as the train chugged past the city limits and into the bustle of Fishermare’s Wharf Station.
They disembarked the train together, walking together a ways out of unconscious habit as ponies filed by all around them. Rainbow Dash was the first to notice.
“Well, it was nice seeing you girls,” she said, hooking a hoof behind her neck. “I’d better head on over this way.”
“Likewise,” said Rarity. “I’ll be taking a cab into the city, if anypony wishes to join me.”
“That’s all right,” said Applejack, turning toward the far end of the station. “I figured I’d just let these ol’ hooves wander.”
“And maybe I’ll just stay here for a bit.” Fluttershy’s voice was only barely audible over the PA as it announced the arrival of the late express from Canterlot. “This city is... it’s very big.”
“You sure you don’t want to come with me?” Pinkie asked her.
Fluttershy nodded.
“So be it, then.” Pinkie Pie sighed as she turned to each of her friends as they made to leave or stay. Nevertheless, she managed to embrace each friend in turn, saying, “I hope you all have fun tonight. I just know we’ll all have uber-amazing stories to tell each other tomorrow morning.”
“Right you are, Pinks.”
“Indeed.”
“All right.” Pinkie Pie was the first to make for an exit, waving a hoof behind her. “See you all later. Goodbye.”