Laughter

The quiet pitter patter of the rain against the windowsill was starting to lose its tranquility and began to get on my nerves. My body ached from three consecutive days of physical activity and emotional stress. I lay in bed and once more attempted to persuade my body to get up, but it protested and I made no progress. It was early morning and the sky was covered by thick rain-filled clouds. Twilight was already up and cooking something in the kitchen.

I forced myself up and robotically went through my morning routine, and once completed, met her in the kitchen. After a bit of our usual small talk I decided that I needed time to think. Twilight questioned my sad demeanor, but I waved her off, mustered some excuse, put on rain resistant clothes, and went outside.

It was cold out. A calming and light fog clogged the air. The smell of fresh rain was invigorating and I found the strength to make my way to the park that started this all. It was empty now, a place for thought and rest once more. I made my way to the same large tree that sheltered my friends when I got here, the same tree that guide my actions, and took refuge from the rain under its leaves. It was peaceful and quiet, the hill I sat on overlooked the rest of the park and a good portion of the town. I leaned back on the tree's large and sturdy trunk and absentmindedly plucked the soft, dewed grass under my fingers as I let myself drop into thought.

What am I doing here? Do I belong? Do I deserve this?

Such thoughts found their way into my mind and forced me to change my posture. I brought my legs up to my chest and dropped my head. I felt lost, out of place. I was a mistake drawn into a perfect world. A nuisance that could not leave. The bullies were right about some things. I was weird, strange, lost, and useless. I did not belong.

But does that have to be a bad thing?  I questioned myself once more.

I hugged my legs tighter, I hoped the trio wasn’t right about the rest of the things they said.  I couldn’t have been an attraction could I? A burden, a smudge on society. Gripping my pants tighter out of both anger and fear, I remembered.

How could I have forgotten something as simple as my very clothes? I wondered, loosening my grip and feeling the soft texture.

My clothes were a perfect example. Soft, well woven. Made with care. They weren't given to me as a payment, as a kit for a job as an oddity. They were woven with the intention of kindness. Rarity didn’t have to make them, didn’t have to sweat with anticipation when I first gave my opinion on them. She didn’t make me more clothes because she needed practice. She made them in her excitement of pleasing me, she made them because when wanted to do something generous for me.

Flutters didn’t listen to me because I was out of place. She didn’t feed me because I could be useful. She didn’t show me her friends because I was amusing. She did out it of kindness and compassion for me. She didn’t give me a new chance. A start. A beginning because I could be serviceable. She saw me as a person. An equal.

Applejack didn’t talk to be because I could have been used for more labor, didn’t express concern for fear of losing a useful tool. She meant what she said. She was Honest. She trusted. She accepted who I was and talked to me for hours because I was me, not because I needed to be acknowledged for my service of her entertainment.

Twilight didn’t take me in just to take tests and dispose of me. She didn’t use me and then throw me away when I lost my value. Didn’t contribute great concern, advice, and support to pay me for my use. She provided me shelter when I needed it most, gave support when I felt out of place, helped me when I had no other.

Dash. She didn’t need to stand up for me. To put herself in front of me like she did. Didn’t have to take my insults, but she did. And she didn’t do it out of possession of a belonging. She did it to protect me. To protect her friend. Her different, odd, outlandish friend.

I raised my head now. Looked out into the cool day, into the fog that hid me from the rest of the world.

I may not know how and why I got here, but I am not going to let that or anything else get to me. I have been blessed. I stumbled upon a miracle, and I am not going to let that go to waste. I am going to do the best I can for my friends, for this world, my… home. I have a place now. I belong. I will make the most of this.

As I reinforced my damaged conscience with these thoughts, I couldn’t help but begin to think of the rest of my complications. I might have a purpose now, but my problems don’t end there. I sighed and got up. I had spent more time on my thoughts than I realized, and it was around mid-day now. With my hands in my coat pockets I slowly made my way through town.

The streets were slick with rain. Few residents scattered here and there while going about their daily chores. Few greeted each other, probably busy or too focused on getting out of the rain to bother. I chuckled a bit at the thought of how I looked to the others. I was a considerably taller, a long figure dressed in a charcoal coat and a brimmed hat. Despite my out of place figure I was paid no mind. I continued my little stroll through town, paying little attention to how the water dripped off the very tip of the brim of my hat, and how with each step my shoes made a loud click against the pavement.

I made a quick stop at a café to grab a bite to eat, dry off slightly, and to ponder my problems in peace once more. I paid my bill and returned the warm goodbye to the nice yellow colored waiter. I was out in the streets once again. This time I planned on going home to settle my annoying thoughts once and for all.  The day was starting to end and Twilight might have started to worry, but as I neared the library I noticed the lights were off and assumed she left to run an errand.

With a heavy sigh, I opened to door and flicked the nearby light switch.

"SURPRIIIIIIIIISE!"

I leaped back and was stopped by the door. Pinkie was standing only inches from where my face was when I first got here. She had a party hat on and her arms were open, as if waiting for a hug. She wore a comforting smile that would probably be contagious had I not needed to keep my heart in my chest. Behind her were an assortment of decorations. Streamers and balloons littered the floor and ceiling. A giant "WELCOME" banner was proudly displayed across the room. There was a number of equally happy residents behind her as well. All of which had party hats on, and all of which I did not recognize other than my friends who made up the center audience. My eyes darted left and right and found games, drinks, snacks, and a DJ booth had replaced the furniture and stood where my testing stations once did.

"Wha… what's this?" I squeaked, still recovering from shock, but now standing upright.

"A party silly! What else could it be?" Pinkie replied, bouncing with excitement that made me want to join in.

"For … me? Really?" I asked still speechless as I was still taking in my surroundings. The most shocking part were the other residents. They looked like they actually wanted to be here. To throw a party for me, and it was a lot to take in.

"Of course silly! I ALWAYS throw a party for anyone new in town. I couldn’t miss a party for one of my best friends now could I?" She finished, making it look like I was partially insane for not seeing this coming and smiling at me real wide.

"Wow… this is… this is just amazing! Thank you Pinkie! Thank you everyone!" I shouted with a cheer that I could only have caught from Pinkie at the moment, and hugged my spontaneous pink best friend.

"Let's get this partay started!" Pinkie shouted, blowing a party horn and having the room erupt in cheers, whooping, and loud music.

The night went far better than I could have ever dreamed of it going. It was filled with games, talk, and dancing that made me forget about all of my troubles. I felt ALIVE. Throughout the night I managed to muster up courage to engage Dash, relax, bond with all of my friends, and make a great impression on all of the friendly town folk who showed up. The camera that was brought along, caught some of the greatest moments of my life. Scenes like Dash and I trying to not laugh as we pulled a prank on an unsuspecting party goer, funny pompous posses with Rarity, a back to back pose of me and the talented DJ Vinyl Scratch, and the rest of my group posing near Flutters, who was too shy to openly participate, and having her embarrassed expression be painted on film along with the rest of our laughing faces.

I learned that Pinkie was well known for her overly friendly personality, strong attachment to all of the town's residents, and for her great parties. I was honored at being worth one of them and greatly enjoyed her presence and what she had done for me. She made sure that I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face with her shenanigans and jokes, she left me feeling whole and liked by the time everyone had to leave. I parted with all of the guests individually and hugged my close friends as they left, glad to have cheered me up and to have made an impact on me that I would never forget. Twilight made quick work of the mess left behind, and soon we both retired to our beds, tired and content.

Pinkie. She had made my whole day, and in one night cleared my conscience of any remaining doubts about my friends. My family. She had done for me what I never thought I could do before out of good will and consideration. My nightly analysis left her with what she had given me all night.

Laughter.