//-------------------------------------------------------// A Spiked Hologram -by Ponyess- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Engagement: 1 //-------------------------------------------------------// Author's Note Hitomi's POV Engagement: 1 I placed the emitter right on top of the video, I had installed right under the screen of my flat TV. I know it would be where the manual would have it too. Once I had finished plugging the cables for the connected emitter, I activated the TV and the Video, since they are connected to the process I had in mind. The process completed as I plug the Personality chip into the slip, intended for an USB plug. I could see the character taking place on the screen, showing off in the five standard forms, with the Pony, Anthro and Human, only to have the secondary two middle forms in place. I could clearly see the select indicator, it is standing on the pony as a standard, most likely because the chosen character is a pony. I also see her name over the image, middle and centre. Reading; “Pinkie Pie Pony” “Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie, the Pony. Now it is up to you to choose how you like me to come out. Pick one of the five standard forms, and option for your personal choice. Once you confirm the choice, I will move out of the screen. Then I can greet you in person, and explain all the rest!” Pinkie Pie spoke on the speakers of my TV. I started out choosing Anthro, before I picked up dial by dial, adjusting them to my heart's content. Starting from the top, I did keep her head fairly ordinary, as it had been as standard, though I went out on a wild side on a limb, giving her lips to tease and play with, when I was in the mood later, just as I figured it would make her voice more appealing later on. I may be wrong, but it is what I felt as I went over it. The second detail coming to mind, the eyes, I actually pulled them all the way to Pony, I like how soulful her eyes are as a Pony, as it were. Now I chose her body to be more Human, since most of what I wanted would come out better, on a more Human form. I still went with a small B-Cup, and a Cup-Cake form to her jigglies, though I can get her nibbles somewhat larger. Considering her diet and hyper nature, she ended up lithe on an almost athletic level. I can live with it. Thankfully her hips turned out large, and her mound is generous, with a nicely tight orchid on the top. She ended up with more equine legs, and a pair of nicely large equine hooves, on pair with her nature. Just as her arms came out nice and fairly human. Hands and fingers, ending in the fashionable miniature finger hooves. Something I intend to play with, when I get as far as to play with her. What fascinated me, is how she is supposed to develop as she interacted with me, as I'm playing around with her, and allowed her to act on her own. I had a few ideas I was planning on having her to do, including baking, since it was something the original character was doing, and with some success as well. There is ofhorse an ulterior motive on my part, I like her to eat, if she was truly capable of interacting with physical objects, on the level I had read in the manual. My idea goes like this, the more mass she managed to pick up, the more real and alive she would become. This is exactly what I had in mind. Once she had picked up enough mass, she would manage to work on her own. If this holds true, I could turn the emitter off, at about the time she had developed enough. Once I chose to initiate her simulation, she slowly moved out of the screen of my TV, as she grew to her full height and reached down to my floor. Then she proceeded to move around, demonstrating how she looks, in order for me to decide if I liked how she came out. If I had been disappointed, I could try to change a detail here or there in order to correct for what I had not like. Only I like how she came out. //-------------------------------------------------------// Playing the Game: 2 //-------------------------------------------------------// Playing the Game: 2 “Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie!” the mare introduced herself. “Hi, Pinkie Pie, I'm Hitomi!” I responded. “Hitomi, what do you want to do now?” Pinkie Pie enquired. “How about baking? I know you liked to bake where you live. Besides, I have all the ingredients, and feel like having a Muffin or two!” I responded. “Baking, that sounds like fun. If you have the ingredients, why not get started?” she responded. “My kitchen is this way!” I pointed out as I lead her to where I had intended for her to help me baking the pastries. “Okeley dokeley!” she giggled as she bounced after me, she seems to be just as hyper in her more human form. I opened the door leading her into the kitchen. Pointing out where everything was stored, before she came around. I even demonstrated the book where I had all the recipes in print, ready for her to read, since I assumed she is capable of reading standard English. If she couldn't read, or if it is English she couldn't grasp enough, I would basically find her useless in her current form. If I could teach her to read, I could still enjoy her. This is the one instance where she needs reading. I wanted her to bake on her own, not for me to explain everything for her every time. If she could learn, I could teach her to read, to write and to bake and cook for me. If she could already read, I could explain what I wanted, and she would prepare it for me, simple as that. Then I just need to buy all the ingredients, since I can't take her with me outdoors. At least, for as long as she is dependant of the emitter. After that, it is merely my comfort that is in jeopardy. “Muffins!” Pinkie Pie said, as she opened the book, flipped pages for the list of pastries. “Yes, Lemon and Cinnamon Muffins would be just right for the day!” I responded. “Muffins, lemon and cinnamon. There they are!” she then continued, flipping to the page she was looking for. “I'll pick the ingredients!” I told her as she read the book. Author's Note I'm not going to write a manual on baking, with our without Pinkie Pie featured as a baker. Not that I think anyone is overly interested in reading how to make Muffins either. //-------------------------------------------------------// Enjoying the Treat: 3 //-------------------------------------------------------// Enjoying the Treat: 3 ”If your likes is anywhere near what I would imagine, it is Cider for you!” I pointed out, as I carried the bottle to the table, while she carries a plate of Muffins with her. I had chosen her form for her to be comfortable sitting in my chairs, or sofa, as well as sleeping on a regular bed, I had no intent on making a bed for her, or in any other fashion ordering one for her measurements. While she was baking, I had made a few preparations. The little details, so I could give her the little treat I had intended for her, in hope that the effect would be as I had intended. If it wouldn't work, then I knew it right away and would save all the trouble later on. Since she currently is a mere hologram meant as entertainment, she had no rights, but I guess that would change somewhere along the process, if my idea was to work out according to my plans. In which case she will no longer stay a mere hologram, but develop into a physical character. As she placed the plate of muffins on the table, I slipped the two glasses onto the table, then uncapped the bottle and pour two glasses of cider for the both of us. I could see she placed a small plate for me, and one for her, and placed a muffin on each plate before she finally sat down on the chair opposing the one I was to sit on. “I hope these will be good for the both of us now, since I have no experience in feeding ponies like yourself, Pinkie. I hope it is okey if I call you Pinkie!” I said. “That's what every pony was calling me, Hitomi, so that would be just fine!” she responded, before she peeled her first muffin, and started out with a brave little bite and chewed on it. “Yeah, I guess that's true. Guess we'll have plenty of fun with you around here. How does the first muffin come out? Oh, and have some of the cider too, you do like cider, right?” I responded. “It's a muffin, so it's good. We did get them nice and yummy. Cider, fizzy apple cider? Yeah, I do like that!” she pointed out, before she picked up the glass and sip on the beverage for a moment, before she gulps down the remainder in a swift move. “Then I'll just have to buy a few more of these for you!” I mentioned, indicating the bottle the cider I had poured us came from, and where most still remains. “That would be great!” Pinkie pointed out, as she finished her first muffin. “Yeah, I know. I couldn't allow my very own favourite Pinkie go without anything to eat or drink, right? How could you manage to keep all the fun going if you were starving?” I teased in agreement. I could as well chance that this would work, and if I was doing that, I wanted her to enjoy more of both the muffins, and the cider. I may consider feeding her other things, like apples and carrots, and other pastries or even a cake. I knew she had like cake before, as well as both apples and carrots. What I didn't know, is how these foods would be absorbed by her body as it is. Once she had proven that she is in fact absorbing her food well, I would be forced to feed her all kinds of pony food, as far as I knew. Then I just nodded to her, indicating for her to have as many of the muffins as she would like, and that I would pour her more cider. I demonstrated this detail more forcefully, and to the point, by pouring her anew glass, just as she emptied it. “The muffins are yummy, if I could say so myself!” Pinkie stated as she finished her third muffin, while I was still in the middle of my second. I knew she could consume fairly large amounts of treats, so I'm not alarmed by the sight of her clearing the plate. Besides, I could have more, we do have ingredients for a few more plates, just waiting for us. //-------------------------------------------------------// A Treat For Pinkie Pie: 4 //-------------------------------------------------------// A Treat For Pinkie Pie: 4 The first batch of muffins had been consumed, even if I had only had a few of them, but she had happily enjoyed the rest. Only now, I felt it was the time for the next part of my plan, which is why I had brought home a few things for her. “I have prepared something else, I hope you'll enjoy a hooficure as much as I recall you would!” I suggested, in a playful voice. “If it is anything like what I think I recall, I'm sure this will be fun!” Pinkie responded. Apparently she did come with a few memories and impressions of what her previous life had been, in form of her own desires. I had also managed to get them just right this far, which did please me pretty much. I like being right, who wouldn't? “Since you enjoy to be in the spotlight, and you have just stuffed yourself with the pastries we, or rather mainly you just baked, my guess is that you'd like to just sit down end relax while I treat you to the hooficure!” I suggested. “Yes I do, and I did that too. I recall Rarity introducing me to her favourite SPA, and I enjoyed going there with her. This may be a moment for this, if it is what you like to do for me!” Pinkie pondered. “I hope this will be just as enjoyable a treat for you, as it was back then, with Rarity. I'll just prepare a hoof bath for you, then you can just lean back and relax!” I pointed out, as I placed the special bucket before her, then poured up about half as much of the silicon solution, compared with what I expected to need in order to cover her hooves. “You have hoof bath on bottle, that's just so neat. I wish they had that on the SPA!” she responded as she slipped her hooves into the liquid reaching half way up the hooves. Once she had placed her hooves in the liquid I poured up the rest of the silicon into the bucket, stopping just as it reaches up to the rim of her hooves. “It's not quite as warm as at the SPA, but just allow it time to soak in. I'll prepare for the next step to complete your treat while you just sit back!” I suggested. “It's barely room temperature, but that's all right!” Pinkie Pie pointed out with a crooked grin on her face, her ears perking right up. Now I placed another smaller bucket on the table before her, then I poured up some more to cover the bottom of it, for her to place her hands on the rim of the bucket. “If you don't mind, place your hands on the rim of the bucket!” I said as I nodded to indicate where she would place her hands. “This feels strangely exciting, and familiar!” she responded as she placed her hands as I instructed her as her miniature finger hooves hit the bottom of the bucket I had placed on the table for this very purpose. Now I poured up more to cover her hooves. Looking down I noticed her hooves had started to absorb liquid, so I filled up to the line in order not to give up the detail, aside from the fact that I wanted her hooves to be fully saturated. The notion is that this would help her hooves to absorb the next step in the process. Only I didn't need to explain this, since she felt she knew what I was doing, and that it is in line what she enjoyed. Another detail I left out is how I was to know when she was to pull her hooves up, since they had become saturated, but the liquid would be turning pink. While I was waiting, I had prepared by placing the clear gel before her hooves. “I'll lift your right hoof out now!” I told her, as I pulled it up, then slowly painting her hoof, starting from the rim of her hoof. From the centre, then continuing right and left, right and left until I had covered the entire front of her hoof, then I continued with the soul of her hoof in the same pattern, and drew a line from right to left on the rim of the hoof, then repeated with the edge under her hoof, thus finishing the process on the hoof. Once the polish had cured, I placed her hoof on the floor, and started with her left hoof; “I'll lift up your left hoof!” I pointed out. I started over from the top of the left hoof, from the centre, and continued left and right, left and right until I had reached the end. Then I started to paint the soul of her hoof in the same pattern, and the rim from the left to the right, and the edge in the same manner. Holding her hoof up for a moment while it cured, before I placed it on the floor. Now I pulled the bucket away, before I poured the contents into a bottle, to avoid spilling it. No point in letting it go to waist. Only now it had apparently cleared up, since it is no longer in contact with a saturated hoof. “How does it feel, this far?” I asked her with a curious tone of voice, in a more playful manner. “Good, I enjoy it. They're bit shiny!” she pointed out as she looks down at her hind hooves. “Then I'm doing a good job, and that's part of the idea. I like to see them like this!” I responded. “Aside from the shiny surface, my hooves doesn't appear to change all that much, but if you enjoy it, I'm happy!” Pinkie pointed out in a very confident voice. “That's why I enjoy giving you the treat so much. Would you lift up your right hand?” I continued as I noticed the pink hue in the small bucket before her. “Okely dokely!” she responded as she lifted up her hand, then curiously presented it, for me to examine it, and continue her treat. “Here we go!” I suggested as I selected the vial, uncapped it and took her hand in my left, as I started to polish the hoof of her thumb, starting from the centre, then continuing right and left, right and left until I had covered the entire front, then started over with the soul of the hoof, before finishing by drawing a line on the upper rim, and another along the lower edge. From here on I repeated the process hoof by hoof until the hand was left with five shiny little miniature hooves. “How does it look?” I asked her, as I picked up her left hand, starting over with the hoof of her thumb, from the centre and to the right and left, once more repeating the process, finger by finger. “Looks good, just a bit unaccustomed for a day!” she commented as I finished her left hand. I poured the remainder of the thin liquid into an empty bottle in order to save it, storing it away, then slipped both the bucket and bottle out of site. “I hope you'll enjoy the effect of it for a long time. Even if it is fun, it would be pointless if you didn't enjoy it. How would red polish for your hooves look?” I asked her, presenting her with the red polish I had in mind for her, contained in two bottles, big for her hind hooves, and the small for her miniature finger hooves. In the bottle it looks a plain red, or maybe just a version of a pink, a few shades darker than her mane, but pink was after all merely a lighter shade of red. Once cured it would be metallic bloody red. “Looks like something I could get used to, it should fit in with my natural colours!” she giggles warmly. “Then I'll start with your right hoof!” I suggested softly as I picked it up, before I started to paint it red. Once more I started out painting her hoof, starting at the upper rim of the hoof, and down, right and left, right and left, systematically covering it with a solid layer of the chosen red colour. Once I had covered the front, I continued to paint the soul of the hoof in the same manner, then drawing the line along the upper rim, then the edge, thus sealing the hoof completely in the red hue. I just hold on to her hoof for the minute it takes for it to cure, before I placed it on the floor. Now I picked up her left hoof, starting the work, painting it in the same red. Just covering the ever softening and elastic hoof, from the top of the centre, then moving right and left, right and left until I had covered the front of the hood, starting over, repeating the process under the sole of the hoof, before painting the upper rim and the lower edge of the hoof. Holding it for the minute while it cured. I had capped the bottle, before I placed it away, picking the small vial and opened it. “Your right hand, please!” I cooed. “This is so exciting!” she just responded as she reaches her right hand forth to me. “I know, I feel the same way!” I stated with playful confidence as I accepted her hand in my left hand. Now I started to paint the hoof or her right hand, from the top and downwards. From the centre, then left and right, left and right until I had covered the entire front of the hoof, then started over with the soul of the hood in the same manner, finishing by drawing the line along the upper rim and the lower edge. Now I continued hoof by hoof, until I had finished the hand, only holding on to it for a minute while the red polish cured, before I let go of it. I pick up her left hand, slowly starting to paint the hoof of her thumb from the upper edge and centre, continuing right and left, right and left, from the top to the edge, until I have covered the entire front, continuing by repeating the process for the soul of the hoof, then the upper rim from right to left, and the lower edge, then I continue, repeating the process, hoof by hoof. Should I have stopped here, I knew I could have, but it would leave the process half done, and a very bad quality, aside from the fact that her hooves aren't too good to walk on in this state. Just as they aren't as shiny as I had desired them to be. “If you don't mind, the right hoof!” I suggested as I picked it up, just as I had slipped the red polish away, and picked up the clear stabilizer polish. “Okeley dokeley!” she responded in her usual bubbling hyper manner. At this point I started out, uncapping the larger bottle of polish, and started to paint her right hoof from the top to the edge of the hoof, at the centre, then right and left, right and left until I had finished the entire front of her hoof, before I draw a line from right to left all the way along the upper rim of her hoof, and then the lower edge in the same manner. “And the left hoof!” I continued, just as I had seen the polish of the hoof cure and placed it back on the floor. She just nodded as I picked up her left hoof, before I started to polish it. Starting at the upper rim, top centre and down all the way, then to the right and the left, right and left until I had covered the entire front of the hoof, and the upper rim, from the right to the left, followed by the lower edge, holding on, while the polish cured, before I placed the hoof on the floor. Now Pinkie Pie reaches her hoof out for me to begin as I uncapped the small vial, and started to polish the hoof of her thumb. Hoof by hoof, I painted, starting out from the top, centre and pulling down, then right and left, right and left until I had covered the front. Finishing by drawing the line along the top rim, then the lower edge and repeated the process with her left hand's hooves. “I hope it isn't a drag on you, since I'm taking so much time, Pinkie!” I asked her. “It's fine, I've been enjoying it this far!” she cheerfully assured me with a wide grin on her face, smiling happily. This is the final detail, and the completion of the work, even if I had not explained it to her. She lifted her right hoof, as I approached it with the final polish, the high gloss top coat. It is designed to hold the polished hoof together in the durable manner of intent. Just like before, I started from the top of the hoof, centre, pulling the brush down along the red surface, all the way to the edge, then starting right and left, right and left, until I had covered the front of the hoof, then repeated the process under the sole of the hoof, and finished it by drawing the line from the right of the upper rim to the left, and then the lower edge from right to left. Then completed the left hoof in the same manner. Once I had put her hooves back down, I moved up, finishing the hooves of her fingers in the same manner. “That would be it. I hope you still manage to enjoy the work!” I said. “Sure thing. Looks great too!” she pointed out. Author's Note The story is about to change, with putting this chapter in the story. This Marathon chapter will soon be ready to post. Finally, it feels insnly long to me. Just tell me, iot isn't Pinkamena, since that would be a horrid Tragedy. //-------------------------------------------------------// A Moment Alone With My Pinkie Pie: 5 //-------------------------------------------------------// A Moment Alone With My Pinkie Pie: 5 Not only had I fed her with what was to pass for a batch of Cup-Cakes, but had also completed a full Hooficure on her. Apparently she had not complained. Maybe I should have read the manual, just in case there was one. I had not bothered to look for it. I had chosen to go by what I knew of her, which is why I bought her impersonation in the first place. Even if it may have explained a few things about how her hologram would work and react. Once I had finished her hooficure, I felt I need something to eat, and possibly something to drink. “Would you like to have some ice-cream?” I asked her. “Sounds good!” she merely responded. “Good, since I don't feel like eating alone, while you're here!” I pointed out. “Me neither!” she just responded. “Good!” I pointed out as I fetch the ice-cream and two bowls and three spoons, before I placed a bowl and spoon before her and another for me. “Is that blueberry?” she mused, as she saw the ice-cream on the table. “Sure is!” I confirmed with an amused grin on my face. “Okely dokely!” she responded, grabbing the third and final spoon, scoping a portion of the rich ice-cream for herself. “I like blueberries too, and ice-cream is among the best treats!” I said, as I slowly scoped up a portion for myself. “Oh, it sure is. I love ice-cream, and blueberry is great. I could include this in my baking too!” she pointed out. “Yeah, blueberries would go well with baking pastries too!” I mused. For a good long moment, I just watched her enjoying her ice-cream, while I slowly filled my bowl up, and started to enjoy my end of the moment. Apparently she managed to enjoy the treat just as much as intended, even though I had expected her to, since she is Pinkie Pie, after all. Enjoying treats like this was part of her character. I guess this would play out nicely. “I hope you would like a second bowl of ice-cream!” I teased her, as I scoped up some more for myself, knowing only too well, I wouldn't need to ask her twice. True to her character, she eagerly filled the bowl over, before she started to stuff herself to her hearts content. This should be a good test of how well the impersonation would hold up, would she burst and leave a mess on the floor, or would she integrate the treats into her system and thus become a flesh and blood Pony? Only problem, this may take a while, and I can't allow her to go down until I knew which way it was to go. Just as before with the Pastries, I had allowed her to enjoy the most of it, while I just had enough to enjoy myself as I watched her eating. Besides, I can't keep up with her appetite in any event, so why bother even trying? I'm bound to entertain her, and to keep her happy. Simple as that. If I couldn't keep her happy for an entire day, then why would I have her around in the first place. I don't like her to be the mere Hologram, I want her to be a living and breathing companion I can have with me. Now I must prove to myself that I am worthy of her. Most of the time, I just stared into her deep blue eyes, I had never dreamt them to be quite this deep or soulful. Maybe it is in part, because I had only seen her as an animated character on a screen. I did not know that much about ponies, and I still don't. Maybe she would teach me a few tricks on this subject? At least I imagine it isn't just my imagination going off on a while ghost chase. I actually see her eyes as deep and soulful. At least I know her eyes are blue, not just because the package depicted her with blue eyes, but I saw them in the show before, and they sure were blue on my screen back then. From what she had just taught me, just by letting me look into her eyes, now I need to know. I had to check out if ponies actually had this soulful eyes. Then I need to see an actual pony in the flesh, as it were. Then I need to see a barn, where they keep ponies. Once I found the barn, I could check the ponies for myself. There is a problem, naturally. Where would I find a pony I could stare at. How would I go about going there. Then I need to explain to Pinkie Pie that I'm going there, and why. What if she got mad at me, or jealous. Not that I think the original Pinkie Pie would do either of these, but how would I know my Pinkie Pie wouldn't? Maybe it is in how I presented my situation, making it into a bigger problem then it actually was. Besides, what if I got disappointed. “There is a small detail I need to look into. I just realised it, after I've had the joy of your presence. You see, I found your eyes soulful, and now I'm pondering, am I imagining this, or does this come from your origin?” I told her, as she had just finished the last of the ice-cream I had at my home. “I know I am a pony, so I had to imagine I have soulful eyes, if you say they are. I think yours are too!” she then pondered, as she thought of it, after looking into my eyes. “Just that, you're the only pony I've actually seen. There are no other ponies around her. I need to see other ponies for comparison, and you're nor able to leave the house. You need to grow older, first!” I pondered. “Oh. But you are coming back, right? Maybe I could bake some of these delicious Cup-Cakes, while you're out?” she pondered. //-------------------------------------------------------// Back From the Barn: 6 //-------------------------------------------------------// Back From the Barn: 6 Apparently, the Ponies does have soulful eyes. I guess it had surprised me, but I can't say I am disappointed. I had bought her a nice cake, she could enjoy. Just as I had bought numerous supplies for her continued baking spree. I like her to bake and it wasn't overly expensive on my part, not if you consider. I'm feeding an entire pony. I had grown to enjoy her company, so I had to do something for her, and the baking was but the first step. Besides, I can't just keep her locked away in here, she would be cooped up in no time. I wanted her to follow me out of my house, not waiting for me to get back home. I have no interest in being her prison guard, I wanted to be her friend, as she would be my friend. To allow her to go out with me on the town. Maybe I could give her a kitchen of her own, she could be doing what we all knew she knows best. Aside from parties, she seems to be more than content with baking. Even if I guess I could have her cooking my meals too, while I'm at it. She would see me happy. Isn't that what she enjoyed, seeing her friends happy? Even if I'm not a pony, wouldn't I still count? Good thing I had prepared a few things. I have enough for her to keep baking for a few more days. Then I could have her make salads and cakes ofhorse. “Would you make me a salad for lunch?” I asked. “Okeley dokeley!” she just responded. “Thanks!” I responded. “I know where you keep the vegetables, so that should be a breeze!” she replied. “And make two portions while you're at it, would you?” I suggested. “Sure thing!” she responded as she picked up the clear glass bowl and several small bags of vegetables. I walked out to the living room, sat down and activated the stereo, selecting a disc and got the music playing. The next moment, festive music was heard from the speakers. I imagine she would enjoy music while she was working, but since it is the first time, I couldn't be entirely certain. I just expected her to tell me her opinion. She is usually opinionated and vocal about things, from what I recall. Since she said nothing, I simply assumed she enjoys the music. Only now I hear nothing of her for half an hour or so. When I finally did see her again, she came back, carrying a large bowl of the salad I had seen her picking vegetables for before I left the kitchen. She also carries two smaller bowls and a pair of salad forks. “Thanks, Pinkie. This looks delicious!” I pointed out as she placed the salad before me. “You're quite welcome. I love baking, but making a salad is fun too. This looks positively yummy, so I hope you'll love it. I know I will!” she responded with a wide grin on her face. Once she had placed the plates on the table, and a fork by the plate, she slipped a portion of salad on each of the two plates, then left the bowl mid-table. Then she sat down in a chair beside me. “Let's eat, I'm starving!” she then added, winking at me before she picked her fork up. “Certainly!” I added, as I picked up my fork, stabbing a small portion of the vegetables she had served. “Your vegetables are stylish!” she pointed out after chewing down a few forks worth of her first portion. “Thanks, I prefer my vegetables fresh and crunchy. I guess that makes for stylish vegetables!” I responded with a giggle and a small grin. “Yes, I love my vegetables crispy too. Though I commonly love my Muffins and Cup-Cakes. Sometimes a good salad is just right too!” she stated. “Now I wouldn't need to have my meal alone. Besides, it's more fun, both preparing and eating, when you're not alone. I should have invited you earlier if I knew how much fun you are, or if I had known you had lived close by!” I slipped in. “I love baking, making salads and eat with you. Every day. Why sit alone? Maybe we could have a small party one of these days!” Pinkie Pie pondered. “Beats me. One of these days, yes. I think you'll be the one to tell me when the party is going to be. I just need to prepare a few things for the two of us, so we can have a blast together on the back of the yard!” I responded. The salad on my plate had run out, so she filled it up for me before I had even asked, then she filled her own plate up just after finishing filling mine up. I could see a smile on her face. I couldn't help but smiling back at her. “Thanks, Pinkie!” I responded. //-------------------------------------------------------// Curfew Lifted: 7 //-------------------------------------------------------// Author's Note Pinkie Pie's POV Curfew Lifted: 7 Thankfully, the range of the hologram had been stated firmly. There had been a safeguard installed, for the character not to lose coherence in the middle of the session. Once the physical body of the character had been firmly established, the limitations originally stipulated would start to fade. Apparently, I am now capable of going outside of her house without any problems. Maybe she had not mentioned this to me. I had just realised the change as I woke up. As I moved to the door of her home, I noticed I felt no discomfort, I just had to see if it would be, what I thought it would mean. Just as my memory told me, it is a warm day, so I simply opened the door and walked right out. Nothing special changed, so I walked farther. In the end, I had gotten to a nearby store, buying a bar of fine chocolate, figuring she wouldn't mind. I ended up placing it on the table. I wanted to share it with her. Maybe it could be a small celebration of my first venture outdoors. I had never really wanted to go out, by the looks of it. As if the thought never had crossed my mind. Now once I had walked out, I love going out. Just feeling the sun on my skin made me feel all warm inside in a way I had never experienced before. I just can't explain how. I know I have always enjoyed seeing others smile, it is who I am. I love spreading joy and smiles where ever I may go. Maybe I could be a bit more enthusiastic about this then others may enjoy on occasion. It has been a problem to me, but I rarely allowed it to bother me before. Why should it bother me now? Then it hit me, she had not gotten up just yet, maybe she enjoyed sleeping in? I walked to the bed room where she still lay sleeping, opened the door and entered the room. “Rise and shine. I have a small surprise for you!” I exclaimed in a jubilant tone of voice. “Morn' morn'!” she mumbled, not sure what was up, it wasn't anything special planned for the day, as far as I could recall. Just that keeping track of these things never had been her strong suit. She has a watch to keep track of time and a calendar to manage my day. She knew others are better at keeping track of things than she could possible ever be, had she really bothered to care that much, now she didn't. She wrote down what she needs to remember in the calendar and have the alarm waking her up in the morning. Until now, that is. I had apparently beaten the alarm to the punch? I like keeping track of things, I have a book to keep track of the Party Rules, and write shopping lists when I go out shopping, maybe we are a better match than she had expected. “You had better get up, before the day is at an end. I would have to hold another party of one and I know you wouldn't like that, now would you?” I stated firmly with a slight giggle on my voice. “A party all by yourself isn't fun. That would be unfair to you. I really couldn't let you have it that way!” she pondered. “Then you had better follow me out of this room right now!” I pointed out. “I'm coming, I'm coming!” she moaned as response to my antics. “Right this way. It isn't all that far, thankfully. As much fun as it may have been, if we had a larger home?” I stated. Uh, okay. I'm coming!” she muttered under her breath as she slowly followed me to where I was leading her. “Almost there, almost there!” I was cooing as I approached the door, slowly sliding it open quietly. “At least, you are nice enough to make it quiet, I'm kind of sleepy!” she protested. “Sleepy. That just wouldn't do. I'll have my first real party. I know we have enjoyed our private little parties, but a party require us to invite others. Then again, I hope you enjoy the treat I'm giving you!” I droned on enthusiastically, a slight giggle on my voice. Sticking to quietly, I had managed to keep the squeal of excitement out of my voice all this far. It is an effort, but I had managed it. Then she looked up as she approached her seat. Something lay before her. Something she should have known, couldn't have been there the day before. She knew she certainly had not bought it. “Where did you find this?” she expressed curiosity peaked. “I know I did not buy chocolate like this one, but it does look delicious!” she then continued, with a squeal, finally starting to actually wake up enough to come back to herself. “Besides, I thought we ran out of chocolate a few days ago!” she then finished in a more sober tone of voice. “Where I found it? In the store, ofhorse. No, I know you did not, since I just bought it while you were sleeping!” I responded, making a small pause as I look at her waking up. “It should be, I read the ingredient declaration, after I found it. Besides, the scene just begged me to buy it for you. Or I could accuse my Pinkie sense?” I explained. “Exactly, I have been rummaging through every crevice and nook in search of treats to brighten the day, and for the baking. I know you enjoyed it!” I then interjected. “You went all the way to a store? I am shocked. I guess I should trust you with shopping, but still. Yeah, you sure did brighten my days. I can't deny the fact that I enjoyed it either, now can I!” she responded, with a dumbfounded grin on her face, just staring at me. “Yes, I did and I certainly enjoyed it, which is why you did feed me in the first place, you want me to be more than I had been expected to be. It is a nice and sunny day, by the way. I was intended to be entertainment, but you desired me as your friend, now I am. Please, enjoy your treat!” I pointed out, matter of fact in my usual manner of blurting out what I should not have been capable of knowing. “It is sunshine outside? Then we should both go out and enjoy it together. Yes, I did enjoy feeding you in order to have you as a real friend, what's the fun with an insubstantial Hologram, as fun and witty as you may be. Thank!” she responded, as I unwrapped the gift she had bought me, even if she may have paid for it with my money. “Sure is sunny outside. Once you have finished your treat, we'll go out to enjoy it. You know I am your friend forever. I'm glad you thought so and invested the efforts to allow me to be your friend for real!” I pondered. Maybe I wasn't used to cheap replacements, but I like a real bar of chocolate from time to time. At least it is what I remember now. She was unwrapping the chocolate I had bought her, showing off the rich dark bar inside. The next moment the entire room was basically flooded with the scents, the aroma of what I had given her. Then I could clearly see her face light up, as if I had lit up a pyre to commemorate a great event or a Hero. “Yum!” she merely uttered as she discovered what I had given her, then slowly enjoying it, bit by bit until it was consumed. “Apparently, I haven't lost my touch on how to make my friend's smile, Ponies or otherwise!” I beamed back as I watched her enjoy the seemingly small gift. “Thanks!” she put forth as she distractedly flattened the 'Gift Wrappings' the chocolate had originally been contained within and hidden inside of. //-------------------------------------------------------// Home, but With a Friend: 8 //-------------------------------------------------------// Author's Note Chizuko's POV Home, but With a Friend: 8 I had just followed an old friend home to her place. She stopped by the door, turning the key before opening the door for the three of us. Apparently her pink friend, when and where ever she had picked her up, followed me in. She had presented herself as 'Diana Pie', and explained that she was usually called Pinkie Pie. I had found her a bit on the bouncy side. There is this hyper energy over her. She wore a top and skirt when I bumped into the two of them down town. Looking closer, I had noticed that the tips of her fingers had what looks like hooves, more than actual finger nails. Then she has a small muzzle where her nose should have been, and a pair of strangely equine ears. I guess I never looked close enough to see her hooves, taking them for strange shoes. Why would I look down? Something I prefer to see is her brilliant blue eyes. She also has this infectious smile in the same hyper manner of her personality. The shimmering quality of the fabric her suit was made of also tried to pull my attention towards her in a strange manner I just couldn't quite put a finger on. For some reason, she all of a sudden decided on going into the living room. I followed her to see what she was looking for, assuming there had to be something to see. To my surprise she stopped before what looks like a regular DvD player. I noticed that the power was off, and a small USB stick had fallen out of the intended slot. “I thought so. The original Hologram is off. That would explain everything!” she merely stated. “The Hologram? I guess it ejected the stick, just before deactivating. Does that mean?” I responded. “I take it you didn't recognise me, then!” Diana suggested, picking up the stick, presenting it to me with a wide grin. “Pinkamena Diana Pie, the Holographic companion of your dreams!” I read on the label. “That would be my full name. Just that I commonly am called Pinkie Pie. Since the Holographic emitter is off, I am obviously no longer a mere hologram. Had I been a Hologram, I would not have been able to leave the building. If I am not your dream companion, maybe one of my friends would have been more to your likings. If you ever saw the show 'My Little Pony', you would know I have numerous friends. I used to be the element of laughter back at Ponyville. Throwing parties left and right for any slight excuse. Having friends to make happy is my life's purpose. I used to work in a café by the name of Sugar-Cube Corner. Now I bake and make salads, mainly!” Pinkie Pie blurted out. “I noticed that the emitter is not active. Since you are still around, you can't be a Hologram. I guess all the programmed limitations went with the deactivation of the emitter, then? If Hitomi didn't turn it off, it must have shut down by your physical mass, I guess. Since she didn't tell me about you before, you just moved in, right?” I pondered. “Makes sense. It was my first time outdoors. I sure enjoyed the sun today. If you don't mind me suggesting it, but you could enjoy a friend like me for yourself. Question is, who would you have to be your friend? How would your friend look, or would you have more than a single friend?” Pinkie blurted out. “Sure is a nice day. I enjoy the sun too, Pinkie. Sorry, I missed the show but I do enjoy your company. Maybe you could help me making a friend, then? Maybe you could help me, since you know them?” I enquired. “If you missed the show doesn't bother me, even if I think you would have enjoyed the adventure. I could help you, I just need a few detail about what you like and enjoy doing. Then I could give you a few suggestions!” she responded. “Music, I love music. Ponies enjoy music too, I take it. Or you would have been a grey and boring bunch. I doubt my friend Hitomi would have liked the show, if that had been the case!” I suggested bravely. “Music, you say? I love music, I use to play music on every party I throw. I like to listen to the Pony Tones, when they grace us with their singing. My friend Rarity is part of that group, even though she commonly is more concerned with creating beautiful and elegant suits to any and all Ponies asking her to. My friend Apple Jack's older brother Big Macintosh is also part of the group. Then there are numerous other groups from all over the nation, playing just about any kind of music imaginable. Then we have Vinyl Scratch, who go by the Artist Name Pon-3, who is playing as a Disc Jokey!” Pinkie Pie went on in a fairly long ramble of a response. “Wait, do you know of any Pony who is playing more Classical music?” I enquired eagerly. “Classical music? Octavia seems like your choice, then. She places the Violin, or a similar instrument!” Pinkie responded. “Sounds interesting, maybe I should see her, but since we just got home to Hitomi, it feels rude to just burst off to the store to see if they have Octavia in?” I pondered. “Ah yeah. That would be rude. I think it would be better if we had a small party now? Let's get to the kitchen and see what we can conjure up!” she exclaimed. “A cup of tea would be great. Something sweet with that may be just what I need!” I responded as I follow her out of the room. “Easy peasy. I'll just get the pot of water boiling, and you can enjoy your tea of choice. I think I have a few pastries stashed away in the kitchen. Though I think I'll have cider!” Pinkie responded with a wide and widening grin all over her face. “Nothing wrong in the living room, I take it!” Hitomi enquired as we entered the kitchen where she sat, nibbling a Muffin. “No, but I know why I enjoyed going out today. The emitter is supposed to keep me from going out, which would have caused my Hologram to evaporate, as it were. Thanks to you feeding me all the yummy food, I am now fully physical and can follow you anywhere you choose to go. I see you're enjoying the Muffin too. I'll just get the water boiling!” Pinkie Pie blurted out as she filled the pot and put it on the stove, waiting for it to boil. While waiting, she slipped a bottle of cider from the fridge, and a plate of pastries, she then graciously placed on the table. “Lemon tea, would be great!” I pointed out, since Pinkie Pie couldn't know it on her own. “I think I'll have a cup with you!” Hitomi exclaimed with a small grin. Pinkie Pie placed the two cups on the table, serving both me and Hitomi tea, then slipped a Sugar Cube in each cup. I noticed she had placed a small spoon by the cup. “Thank you, Pinkie Pie!” I said with a nod of my head, acknowledging the tea. “You're quite welcome, Chizuko!” she merely responded as she accepted my thanks, as if she had known my name all along, even though I actually never told her. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chizuko and Friends: 9 //-------------------------------------------------------// Author's Note Pinkie Pie's POV Chizuko and Friends: 9 Chizuko had followed me to the store where my friend Hitomi had bought the Hologram that gave rise to me. After all, I had promised her to and Hitomi had not risen any problem, thankfully. When we came to the store, the store front has an image of a small group of Ponies, me included. Then there is Rarity, Twilight Sparkle, Apple Jack, Flutter Shy and Rainbow Dash, naturally. Couldn't make the image without the entire group, we're after all friends. “That kind of looks like you, Pinkie Pie!” Chizuko expressed, with some curious amusement on her voice as she smiles at me. “Oh but wait, it is. The other five are my friends, Apple Jack, Flutter Shy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Twilight Sparkle. I guess they had to include us up front like this, in order to declare what kind of a store it is. They would sell just about anything related to the show!” I suggested. “Sounds like fun, I may find more joy in there than I had expected, then!” Chizuko put forth. “It is and you probably will do that too. You may consider stocking up on supplies while you are here, even if you may consider getting third party supplements on some details. Not so much for the price, but it depends on what you are looking for. A limited supply of accessories will be included, thankfully, all depending on the Pony of choice!” I blurted out, giggling all the while. “I certainly intend to, but I expect you to fill me in on a few details along the way. Like which I need to stock up on now, and what I should buy as third party supplies. Will her instrument be included as an accessory, or will I have to buy it separately? She pondered in response. “I'll fill you in on as much as possible along the way, without letting on. What will be included would most likely be listed on the package and depicted, but I can't be entirely sure. I'm not entirely sure if the instrument is included, but it would feel cheap, if it isn't, I think!” I responded. “If the instrument of her choice is included, I'm happy. Though a casual suit for daily wear may be convenient, if she is seen from outside. After that, I'm mainly interested in her personality. She can be almost any colour I could stand looking at, since I imagine I would be looking at her from time to time. I imagine she would feel offended, if I couldn't stand looking at her, too!” Chizuko exclaimed emphatically with a shy smile playing on her lips. “A Violin would most likely be a bit on the expensive side. I think it would be included. A casual suit like that would most likely be available too. If it was up to me, they would even allow you to choose colours for the suit. Oh well, here you are. Octavia is still available for your musical pleasures!” I pointed out. “I would enjoy having a suit like yours for her. She needs her instrument, or she would kind of be pointless, it is after all a part of her personality, isn't it? I would love to listen to her playing all day!” I responded. “That is what I had expected. Oups, here we are. Let's see, oh yeah, that's your Octavia. Just look at the image, she is holding the instrument right there!” I pointed out, pulling a small box out from the place they had placed several of them, side by side with numerous other characters. I handed it over to her, looking curiously as she accepted what I slipped her. “My Little Pony. Octavia Holographic Character!” she read. “Selection of instruments included. Casual wear are included, additional wears are available if desired!” she continued reading. “This looks interesting. A grey Pony, I can deal with that. Interesting mark on her flank, is this indicating her personality?” she then enquired. “Yeah, Octavia is a grey mare. That is a Musical symbol. I think it ties well in with her musical talents too. We Ponies have a symbol on our flanks, it is called a 'Cutie Mark' and corresponds to our talents. It makes it easier to recognise us too!” I responded. “I don't know that much of either music or symbols. I just enjoy listening to the Music. I guess that could be convenient. Assuming she has the Instrument with her and a casual suit, is there anything else we need for her here at this point?” she enquired curiously, now with a new grin creeping in on her face slowly spreading out. “She will keep track of all that. You just enjoy the music. I'm sure she will love playing for you for hours on end. Particularly if she has the impression that you enjoy the music. I think she is a sweet mare and very pleasant to be with. Unless you wish to have a second Holographic Character, is it anything in particular you would like to have with her?” I quietly suggested, a small grin playing on my muzzle. “That would be convenient, since I have little to no interest. The music, that's what I am interested in. Though I guess I would like her as a friend too. Right now, I would prefer to see her and see her play so I can hear her music. Is there anything more I really need right now?” I responded. “Unless you need a second set of clothes for her, or any extras aside from the instrument she holds in her hooves and the casual suit she is wearing, I think next stop is the exit, where you pay so we can leave!” I explained. “The exit it is, then!” she concluded as she slowly turned towards where we came from. I merely followed her out, while she stopped by the counter and paid for the item of her choice, the Holographic Character named Octavia. She kept walking slow, but with a clear sign she knew where she was heading. “If you like her to be your friend, she would require substance. My advice is that you will buy the hoof Polish on the way home. Just that the store isn't too far from where we are!” I pointed out. “A Hologram is just a Hologram, I want her to be my friend. Besides, it feels like the right way to treat her, as a friend. Where would we find the final details?” she enquired. “Right this way, then it is up to you to choose the exact colours, just in case there are more colours that may fit to choose from!” I responded. “Would she look anything like you? I think I would enjoy to see her look a bit like you, even if she will be grey with the purple mark, instead of your pink with blue and yellow balloons!” she pondered. “She could look like me, if you make the choices that call fourth my looks, just as you could make her Human or Pony just as easily. It is your choices that determine how she will look. Though I guess you would feel it more natural for her to have hands, if she is to be playing for you?” I suggested with a teasing smile. “Yeah, the hands would make her feel more capable of playing the instrument for me. I hope you can help me with the adjustments required to help her look her best!” she pointed out. “I could give you the exact detail, then you would have to decide if it is what you want her to be or if you choose to make any further adjustments. That is where we're heading!” I responded, as I pointed out the door front to the shop we were looking for. “Thanks!” I responded. “You would like to use this clear for her hooves. This should be enough for her, by what you have expressed earlier. There is the clear for her lips, nibbles and privates. There is the grey matching her coat, the black and the dark grey matching her mane and tail, the purple of her mark!” I pointed out as we moved around in the small room, pointing at the various details. “I think her hind hooves would be the lighter grey, while her other hooves would be darker. Is this going to look good on her?” I responded as I picked up my choices, then pointing at alternatives. “These should fit her quite well, even if you could choose any colours you like, though it would affect your relation with her along the way, naturally!” I pondered, pointing at one alternative or the other as I guided Chizuko in how best to colour her friend to be. Once she had made her choices, she moved to the exit, where she paid for the items of her choice, before we started to walk towards my home. //-------------------------------------------------------// At Home: 10 //-------------------------------------------------------// Author's Note Chizuko's POV At Home: 10 I had listened to the advice Pinkie Pie had given me. She had helped me to adjust my Octavia. She had even been so kind as to help me preparing her for me. We had made a stop at her place before we went home with the Holographic Character. She had given me a supply of pastries she had baked the day before. Some of which I would love to enjoy myself as well. Once Octavia had been prepared, I had led her into the kitchen, knowing she was fully capable to follow me that far from my emitter. The manual clearly stated that she would be capable to move freely within my entire home. I assume it has some limitations how far she could go, but my home is clearly nowhere as large as some others are. I have a small flat and nothing fancy. Octavia would be standing in front of the Television set, when ever she was practising. I had managed to get not just a Violin, but a Cello and another similar instrument out for her. She has a bag and a stand for each. The stands for the smaller instruments are lined up in the living room, while the Cello stand is in the bed room. We had enjoyed the pastries together, though Pinkie had only one Muffin, and I merely nibbled on two Cup-Cakes. The rest was for Octavia. I know she will need all she can chew, for her to take a fully physical form. I want her securely with me as fast as it is possible. I would have to buy food supplements for our meals. I just don't quite have the supply of food to support the both of us right now. I need her fully physical as fast as possible, not so much because I intend to move, just that I feel more comfortable to have her around outside of my home, I don't like to just leave her at home when ever I need to go out. I even worry about the balcony, technically it is outside, outdoors. “Pinkie Pie, could you help me buy some more food for me and Octavia, for a few days?” I enquired. “Okely Dokely. I sure could help you with shopping. She would need the same kinds of food as I need. Maybe I could even bake you something, if you would like?” she responded with her more hyper smile on her face, eager to help me out. “That would be most kind of you, Pinkie Pie. I have to hand it to you, you know how to be helpful. I hope you stay for a while, possibly even listen to my music as I practice while you come over?” Octavia responded with a small smile on her face. “If you are good with pies, maybe you could try to make some for me while you are at it?” I enquired hopefully, trying a brave smile. “If it is a pie I can bake, I would love baking a few for you!” Pinkie Pie responded, winking at me as she responded. “This should cover it!” I pointed out, slipping the pink mare enough to pay for any and all she could need for what I hoped she was to bake for me. “Since I have my Cello, maybe you could stay and listen, while I play a few tunes?” Octavia suggested. Pinkie Pie followed me in into my living room, where I have a sofa large enough for all of us and Octavia picked up the instrument, slowly fiddling with it carefully as she tuned it for the first tune. “I am very happy we could get you a small selection of instruments to play. I was expecting to enjoy your music, after all. It isn't as if you could play for me, if I couldn't get you at least one of these precious instruments. I hope you will enjoy playing them!” I responded. “This Cello is priceless. It was my first instrument of choice. I will always love playing it. If you enjoy listening, I will be very happy. I think I will enjoy living with you!” Octavia emphasised in a somewhat emotional voice, smiling at me. I had noticed Pinkie Pie sitting to my right, as Octavia stands before us. Somehow I feel Pinkie beaming with joy. She just sat down beside me, smiling as she expectantly listened to the grey mare before us, as Octavia finished tuning up, before she started to play the first tune. I don't know how well she could have been playing, had I chosen to make her in the original quadruped form. I think she would be playing much better with hands and fingers. Maybe I am right, maybe I had merely fooled myself. Either way, I would most likely be closer to her in her present form. Then I hear notes from the large Cello as Octavia started to take the first notes. I just stared at her as she continued to play, my eyes watering with the joy she spread in the room. I could only imagine Pinkie Pie felt the same way. I didn't know either of them from before, so I had to guess. Yet, from what I had been told, Pinkie Pie had to be very emotional, if not for how hyper she is. Something I love about classical music, the tune doesn't just end every three to five minutes. She could easily keep playing for half an hour. Besides, it is harmonic and well put together. People as well as ponies took the time to make it work. Genius or no, they put effort into it, making it just right. Octavia knew how to play her Cello. In her hands, it certainly could be as priceless as she had expressed. It isn't a mere decorative piece, as beautiful as the wooden instrument may be. I could acknowledge the skilful crafter behind it, being Human or Pony. It does look almost as good as it sounds when it is played by Octavia. “By the way, Pinkie Pie. Maybe you could see if you could find some good note books for String Instruments like Cello?” I whispered to her just as Octavia quieted, in between two tunes. She just nodded in response. Looking at me for a second, before turning her head forwards in order to listen to the music as Octavia started with the next tune. “I'll see the two of you by tomorrow. Then I'll help you stuff your refrigerator for a few days worth. Thanks for the music, Octavia!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed in a hushed voice, before leaving. Octavia soon started up the third tune just as Pinkie Pie had closed the door after herself as she left. //-------------------------------------------------------// Extensive Work: 11 //-------------------------------------------------------// Extensive Work: 11 I had come to buy myself one of these Holographic characters. An Apple Jack. That was a week ago. Then I had a friend over to help me installing and preparing her. She was finally capable to go outside, late last night. Before that, she was basically content with indoors shores. Cleaning my small farm, just outside of town, mainly. I had allowed her to create numerous Apple Treats, this had brought a passing smile onto her face. I had enjoyed to share my meals with her. Maybe I had had a few apple Pies too many, not so much because it cut down of what I could feed her in order to establish her as a fully physical person, as opposed to the individual character she had been, and had been intended to be. As pleasing as she may be as the holographic character, it is all the other services and advantages I was most interested in, in the first place. Knowing full well she would always prefer the down to earth job in the first place. She was an Earth Pony by birth, and with that she would be tied to the hard labour of her herd. It isn't my place to deny her what she desired the most. I had noticed the changes, just after breakfast, she was simply moving towards the door, before she went to work outside. She may have been content with the work she could do inside, but it is the chores outside that brought a smile to her face and joy to her heart. “Ah am going out to work the farm. There sure are Apple Trees to buck. The Apples would be sure to be ripe any time soon!” Apple Jack announced. “Ah yeah. The Orchard is on the back. You had better get familiar with where I keep things. Take your time!” I responded. “Ah sure will. Some fresh air and had work should do me a world of good!” she then confessed. I could see her stepping out, trotting off towards where I had indicated the orchard was located. She sure found it soon enough. In all honesty, I had merely told her where the trees had been planted, there was no point in lying, why bother getting the honest Pony, if I couldn't even tell a truth when it helps me? Following her out, just a few minutes after she had gone out, since I had taken care of the dishes and carried the remainders of the food back in, while she left for her work. The Apples could not be ripe for a few more weeks, but she needs to see all of the trees and the rest of the equipment and buildings she was to deal with now. I had observed her as she inspected my, or rather our Orchard. That had been interesting. Pondering just went on inside of her head as she went over the trees, one by one. I could but hope she was to approve of what efforts I had put into it. “Ah reckon we need an Apple cellar and a barn!” she merely concluded as she turned her head to me, as she had finished her inspection. I appreciate and enjoy her speaking her mind, in all honesty. Why choose her for just the labour, when I can have all the honest opinions for the same price? I had known her for her honesty, but also her opinionated nature. “Then we had better erect the barn before we can get the harvest going, and the Apple cellar under it from the start. Sadly, I can't afford as many workers as I would find comfortable in order to finish the work in time!” I responded. “Hard work is fine by me, though we need a few more, I reckon!” Apple Jack pointed out firmly, with a grin playing on her muzzle. “Family and friends are always the most reliable workers. I think we can count on a few more to help us out here. I could have them rounded up by tomorrow!” I suggested. “Family and friends, you sound like my kind of gall!” she concluded. “This seems to be the right spot for our barn. Close to the Orchard, just the right kind of ground and not too far from the house. I'll just have to make a few calls in order to get what we need, but first we'll see a few friends to see if we can't get help getting this going. By tomorrow, we'll get started, raising the barn!” I pondered. “Ah reckon that sounds about right!” she responded as we set off towards the first friend on my list. Several minutes of walking or trotting later, we ended up by the first house, where I gave the door a firmly jolly knocking, then waited for the response. “Hiya, Apples. Welcome in. I hope you have time to sit and talk, I just finished baking Muffins. You seem to need to have a bite about now. Right this way, please!” Pinkie Pie blurted in a hyper spurt of words. I guess I am an Apple to, to her. If Apple Jack lives with me, we had to be Apples in her eyes? Maybe it wasn't as far from the truth as it went, considering what I had intended to ask of her. “Hi and thanks, Pinkie Pie!” I responded as I followed her inside. “Hi, Pinkie Pie. Nice to see ya. Ya always are baking, if ya ain't throwing Parties?” Apple Jack responded with a bemused grin on her face as she closed the door behind her, following me after Pinkie as she leads us inside. “Guess a few Muffins would be just right about now. You see, we have some hard work ahead. A barn needs to be raised. Then we need an Apple cellar, for the harvest. It all needs to be done before the first apples are ripe for harvest too. As it stands, the workforce is woefully small. Maybe you could help out, pulling some work for us and the Orchard?” I enquired. “I could start, by preparing food for the work. Then I sure could help out with the work too. For a friend, there is very little I wouldn't do!” she announced. “If you are raising a barn, I think I could help out. I may not be the best or fastest construction worker, but I can hold a hammer, as well as a brush. Spending a day with a few friends on your farm should be fun. A day or two of hard work should also do us some good, of that I am certain!” Hitomi responded. “You will still need a few more friends to help you out, with the construction work you have ahead of you. Just the four of us, that will be cutting it too short on your time and will be harder than I can find enjoyable. I know we have a few more friends to ask, before the day is at an end. Then there is one more thing I think we could do, in order to help you with your situation as it stands!” Pinkie Pie blurted in a serious torrent of hyper words. “Yeah, just the four of us isn't going to cut the time enough. If you have any other friends you think would help us, I sure will be happy to see them show!” I responded, as I chewed on the Muffin. “You could check by Chizukos, she seems a nice enough girl. Besides, I think she may manage to pull something more to the task. A job as heavy as raising a barn, that needs something extra. We'll have the barn risen, and in time. Just need to raise the spirits in order to pull the load all the way!” Pinkie Pie pointed out. “Ah reckon, you have a point there, Pinkie Pie. If only I knew some pony who could and was willing to play for us, while we work?” Apple Jack pondered. “Since Chizuko is my friend, I'm sure she would love to help. A friend of my friend, is a friend. I'm sure she could play some enjoyable music for us, even if she isn't an Apple. If we each can bring just one more friend to the project, the barn will be up in time, I am sure!” I pondered. What I had in mind, I felt like making a happy surprise out of. Just a small gift, in order to complete the Apple family. I did feel fairly secure in what I had in mind should be appreciated. //-------------------------------------------------------// Wishful Thinking: 12 //-------------------------------------------------------// Wishful Thinking: 12 I had managed to acquire a small Hotel, with a small stretch of shoreline. The building is quite satisfactory. The rooms all have a very comfortable bed. The second room have a pair of sofas and a table. This is also where a flat screen TV had been installed. On the ground floor, I have the lobby towards the street, while the dining room is on the back, facing the water line. Storage and kitchen is below ground. This is also where several other activities could be held. The one problem, the weather. Most of fall is prone to bring in terrible storms over the lake. This cuts down on my business. I would have loved to get rid of these storms. Now, I could have a bit more sun over the hotel as well, if it was up to me, but this isn't all that much of a problem. Since fall is mainly out of business, it was the best time of the year, setting things up before I can have anyone in. With that, I had just seen the construction worker finish in time for the rainy season. Once the building had been reacted and completed, it was time to establish my business. It is fall, I have two months to prepare for the season, not that the winter was expected to be overly busy, not the first year at least. In the end I had chosen the Holographic workers. I had been debating the Pros and Cons with myself for a week, while the building was erected. In the end, I chose the Holographic alternative. At first I had intended to just have them on line while they were required in active service, but soon changed my mind. I wanted to interact with them as more than just mere characters, I want them as friends and employees. Maybe I had changed my mind after hearing about how to make them physical. I had seen friends keeping them in tow all around town. The choice changed my policy towards them, aside from what I would need for them. I guess this did not bother me in the least. The greatest change however, is not in the policy or the needs of my workers. It is what I could have them do for me. In my original plans, they were restricted to indoors work, simple as that. Once they are no longer limited to stay indoors and close to the emitter, they can perform entirely new services. Like weather control. How grand wouldn't it be, if I could commandeer weather by my slightest whims? Once I had gone from merely indoors servants, to free ranging workers, I realised I would need additional Characters in order to fill up my staff according to my needs. Aloe and Lotus could come up in the open, on the back of my property, instead of staying confined to a room in the basement, where I had originally intended to keep the two, due to the restrictions the Emitters came with. Pinkie Pie and Apple Jack can still serve in the kitchen, but now I can also have them out in the open for manual labour and entertaining my guests, which was sure to raise the mood. I am looking forwards to see them in action openly now. Octavia will be nice to see on the back, playing music, mainly as requests for the guests. Since I can allow her to be outdoors now, she will be quite useful, as I pondered my new situation. Rainbow Dash would handle my weather, while Spit Fire and Soarin easily would perform aerial entertainment, possibly aided by Rainbow Dash, since she clearly would be up to the task. I could add a few more characters to the list late, I still do need several Emitters, just to get all my workers in place before Winter. I may need some help working the details as well. I have no idea as to how I was to make the required changes, or upgrades to a Character in the first place. I ended up calling a friend to see if she knew how to deal with my situation. The next day, a Pinkie Pie in Anthro form came over with supplies to help me with the problem. As she knocked the door, I had already acquired a handful characters for my purposes. I had chosen the once I had expected the most out of in the short run. Aloe, Octavia, Soarin, Apple Jack and Granny Smith, as it turned out. Just after breakfast, there is a knock on the door and I haste over to see who it could possibly be. Naturally it was Pinkie Pie, maybe I should have expected. “Hiya, Ponyo. Hitomi told me you needed some help from me. I brought a large bag of Muffins and supplies to help you treat your first holographic characters. If you haven't installed them yet, I could help you adjusting them as well?” Pinkie Pie blurted out in a hyper torrent of eagerly bubbles of words. “Welcome in, Pinkie. No, I haven't installed any of the characters yet. I guess I was kind of expecting to enjoy seeing you doing it. Right this way. I have chosen; Apple Jack, Granny Smith, Rainbow Dash, Soarin and Spit Fire. Should be a good start to get me going here, before the season I had intended to set up the Hotel to be ready for business!” I pointed out, leading her down to the kitchen in the basement. “I'll just leave the Muffins on the kitchen table!” she prompted, as she walked inside, leaving the pastries on the top of my table. “That would be the best place to have them, I take it the characters will need to eat, once you have finished your work?” I responded. “Yes, they will require a steady diet. Technically you can keep them as holograms, but in that case, most of my work would be entirely pointless. She told me you wanted them outside, that's why they need the food. The treat is grounding them for a while, giving them a more tactile feel to their presence. This will be exciting!” she expressed as she followed me down the wooden stairs, leaving a trail of curious Pony noises as she continued to where the first emitter was standing. “If you start with Apple Jack?” I pondered. “Okeley dokeley!” she merely confirmed as she slipped the chosen stick into the slot on the first emitter, making the image of our mutual friend Apple Jack appears on the screen. Once Apple Jack was on the screen, she was soon to go over each and every choice, adjusting her into what she knew was the perfect Earth Pony for me. As much as she enjoyed it, she did not waist as much as a minute in the process. Once Apple Jack had been completed, she stepped out of the screen. From there, Pinkie Pie soon moved on to Granny Smith, Rainbow Dash, Soaring and Spit Fire, working them over into what was to be my working Ponies and Employees. “Time for the fun!” She merely announced, as she singled Apple Dash out for the treat. “Ah reckon!” the sorrel Pony stated as she saw where she was heading. “I take it, you will handle giving them all the treat!” I enquired. “Sure thing. Anything for a friend. You and the Ponies are as good friends as they go!” Pinkie Pie pronounced. “Good, I trust you with my friends, I'll go up and serve the Muffins, while you work!” I explained. “If these are your Muffins, I reckon we'll enjoy then, once you are done!” Granny put forth. “Ofhorse they are. I know you will enjoy them. I keep track of what every Pony like and what makes you happy. It is after all my job!” Pinkie pointed out. Just as she started preparing Apple Jack, I turned towards the stairs, only casting a glance at her working before I left them in my basement. Slowly walking step by step up to ground floor, then continuing into the kitchen where the pastries had been resting. Once in the kitchen, I picked a stash of plates, slipped on on each seat for one Pony. From there I continued slipping a Muffin on each place for them, including the one for myself. Now I finally placed the rest on the large plate I had left in the middle of the table, before settling in a chair, slipping the peel of and started to nibble my Muffin with great pleasure, anticipating them coming back, starting with Apple Jack since Pinkie had started with her. Author's Note This is a VIP, it is posted in this form to be easy to continously update. I will change it into a fully readable format just before publiching it. If the sharacter seems out of character, or her speach patern doesn't come just right, pleace help me getting it corrected. //-------------------------------------------------------// A Back-Yard Party: 13 //-------------------------------------------------------// A Back-Yard Party: 13 Pinkie Pie had done a great job, not only in how she had made all my holographic characters into my ideal of the Employees I needed in order to run my hotel business, the way she treated them to become physical individuals, rather than light and reflections, but also in how she helped me supply them with all the Pastries they required to become, who I had hoped them to be. Granny Smith seems to love being useful all over the place, pulling more chores than I had hoped, or believed she could possibly handle, not just due to her highly advanced age. She had proved one highly skilled and clever Mare. Naturally I have my very own Pinkie Pie, all but identical to the one Hitopmi has, the one who initially helped me out, adjusting my characters, though mine soon took over the job of baking the Pastries we need to feed all the Ponies. My Pegasi had soon proven to be just as good at both handling my weather, as the aerial displays I had desired for the business. With Soarin, Spit Fire and Rainbow Dash, I am certain, I will have great weather here, aside from the additional entertainment like none other could. Then it hit me, I had to prepare for all the new Holidays, connected to the Ponies working for me. Nightmare Night soon coming up, if I could get the advertising up in time, with the preparations required in order to handle such a Holiday. Since I can't get a hand on a proper Equestrian calendar, I would have to place them on top of the equivalent once on my own, hoping none was to be disappointed. There is the one thing I need to have, before I could have the next Holiday, though. I need a Nightmare Moon, who could perform the task. I know she could be a great asset along the lines, aside from what fun she would be for me during the rest of the year. “Pinkie Pie, I have a last minute request of you. I know it would have been late on most any other. Just like you can be all out there. Now I need a Nightmare/Luna character for the next Holiday. It will after all be Nightmare Night in a short while. Could you pick her up, and prepare her in time?” “Okeley, dokeley lokeley. I sure can pick her up and prepare her in time for the special night. I was kind of looking forwards to it, just wondering exactly when it was to cross your mind to ask me to pick her up. Town isn't all that far of. I'll be right back with her in no time flat!” she merely blurted in one of her hyper torrents of words, so fast even Dash barely had a chance keeping up. “Good, I'm looking forwards to see you back, then. Be of and enjoy the shopping, would you?” I put forth. I had managed to pronounce the last word, as I noticed her taking of with a pink rainbow in tow. Bursting off with not as much as a dust cloud behind her. Maybe it is good, Dash wasn't looking in her direction, or she wouldn't care. Then it struck me, I had forgotten to check with her, did she even have any money on her as she bursted of. Maybe I need not worry, she would have known, just like she seems to know any and every thing, just in the nick of time for what she needs. If she is off, she had what was to cover the cost. Only hope they actually had the character I asked her to pick up in the store. Then I just waved the thought out of my head. The next moment, there is a pink mare at the gates of the store where characters were sold. She had negotiated her way to where the Alicorns would be. Luna and Nightmare in one, ofhorse, it had to be there. Then she just turned her head, and there it is. She slapped her hoofed fingers around the package and slipped off towards the exit, merely affording the time to pay for her purchase, never considering a thing. It just wasn't her place, or was she merely laughing it all off. She had apparently left a trail of curious faces looking her way, maybe it is just her. Who's not to look her way, when and where ever she show her face. Not that she is the one to run off, unless she feels speed is of the essence. I had told her I needed the character fast. I had even put some emphasis to it, aside from the details about when I need it prepared. She certainly isn't the mare to leave anything to chance, as chaotic and random as she may be. At least to the next Pony. Or anyone else along the line. What I had forgotten to take into account, is that Pinkamena Diana Pie is not a poor Pony, she was apparently loaded. Some way had made this bleed through. As expressions goes, not even the Mother of Celestia know how she works, considering she doesn't. Knowing Luna was a stark black Alicorn, in what ever mood she may be caught. The outwardly obvious detail is her Dragons Eyes in her dark form as Nightmare Moon. She still is the one to raise and lower the moon, according to what the tale claimed, if she could do it here is any one's guess, isn't it. She still is a mighty opponent, if you cross her. Or she could be just as good a companion, in any event, if you were wise enough to stay in her good graces. “I'm back. You want to see her now?” Pinkie Pie exclaimed, as she burst in on me. “Sure!” I merely responded, since she had managed to catch me of guard. “Right this way, then and I'll show you right away!” she squealed, as she lead me to the nearest emitter out of sight. The next moment, she had be by the side of the emitter, staring at the screen as she inserted the stick, then went over dial by dial. I could clearly see Luna develop before my very eyes. I could but grunt, while she sped along the path of choices. “Almost there!” she then stated, a moment before she had Luna step right out of the screen. “Now you showed why Dash could be so impressed by you!” I teased her, thinking back at how she had been prancing Ponies left and right. Though her speed was just mere inches after the Pegasus. Few stood a chance of keeping up with either of them, when they were taking off. Somehow, she had made my brain take of on a limb, following this connection, right after that. Seeing Pinkie rushing of, prancing or done any number of what should have been impossible acts. Mainly just out of spite for the laugh of it all. She never was mean, but she is mean at what she does, in ways that is quite mindboggling to me. As the meme went, 'My mind is blown'. As she set off, treating Luna, giving her the Royal treat, as was her due. Luna is after all the one Princess here now. I guess I could leave much of leadership in her capable hands, from now on. While was inspecting preparations on the back, Pinkie was giving Luna her first Hooficure. Once this had been cared for, she presented her with a large plate of pastries. She herself only nibbled on a Muffin while Luna was to enjoy the rest of the stack. “You will need them. You are required to be seen among the commoners and every other who may be at the Holiday. It is after all in honour of you!” Pinkie pointed out. “Thanks, Pinkie Pie. You know how I like them. There are still a few days until then, right?” she continued. “Just enough time to have you up and about. You are required to be out in the open for the special day, after all. Just as we both know, you don't really want to sit in here. I know, since I sure didn't like it. You'll see the first time you set your hoof outdoors!” Pinkie pronounced. “I know, I have my Royal duties to handle. I need to be out and be seen. I can't forget that!” Luna pondered. “Then you will inspect the local Wonderbolts performance in time for the Holiday. I hope that will cheer you up!” Pinkie Pie suggested. “The Wonderborls? Oh yes. They are required to perform on a day like this!” Luna then acknowledged. //-------------------------------------------------------// A Starkly Contrasted Holiday: 14 //-------------------------------------------------------// A Starkly Contrasted Holiday: 14 Incidentally or not, the clouds are standing low. The day is dark, the sun barely managing to hit sparse cracks of the ground. There is a cold wing blowing, not quite a storm, but enough to give of a good chill. This is a very special day, so I simply had to call my Pegasi out on duty patrol in order to rain the weather in. If I don't have any rooms booked, I could still make a good party for my Pony workers. I feel fairly secure in the notion that they would love to celebrate a Holiday like this. “Dash, I need you to clear the sky over the yard and shore, take your team out and fix it in time for the Party later in the day!” I told her. “Aye, aye, will do!” she responded. Then I watched her scurry off and catch the two other Pegasi, before they went skywards in chase of clouds in the sky. A few minutes later, they were done, clearing the sky. From there, they went back to preparing themselves for the day. I did not have to remind them about it twice. “Pinkie, I need you to put up a few posters in town, in hops of catching their attention. If they don't come, at least it isn't my fault. We have a party to prepare for, in time for lunch!” I instructed her. “A Party!” she exclaimed. “Yes, it is after all Nightmare Night. It has to be prepared for. Dash already cleared the sky!” I pointed out. “Nightmare Night!” she squealed. “I know, it is a very special night. I am not standing for a poor preparation here!” I continued. “Yeah, not a cloud over the yard. Dash knows how to bust clouds and chase them off!” she responded, before picking the stack of posters I had prepared and bounced of. “That is exactly why I chose her. She can give me the weather I chose on a moment's notice. That sure does make our work down here all the easier. Though I have kept you from your task!” I put forth. “Now she is clearing your sky. She will give you the perfect weather for a Nightmare Night, just in time!” ol' Granny Smith pondered. “Eeeyap!” Big Mack responded, cheerfully. “Pinkie will be back before you know it, placing the posters on every spot, where they are going to be seen!” Apple Jack put forth. “I know. It is such a joy seeing her work, as if it had been what she wanted to do, most of all in the world!” I responded with a slight grin. “She sure is the most enthusiastic Pony Ah know!” Apple Jack pointed out. All of a sudden, a chill gust of wind could be felt. It was gone as suddenly as it had hit. Then another came shortly after. The gusts came and went, all from roughly the same direction, from the waters edge. It is after all fall, and water is known to cool slower than land, it is natural and expected. “She sure is, she sure is, Apple Jack. Isn't that part of why we love her so dearly?”I responded. “Ah reckon!” she responded. How she did it, but she certainly did make the posters stick to the wall, where desired to. She had managed to spread the posters all over town. I guess the only way to explain it is that she is Pinkie Pie. I could make due. I need not know or be bothered with every last detail, so long as it went down as desired. Little by little, it was growing evident that at least some of the Equestrian magic they had been born with actually came through. I had to confess, it is a true joy to see the Ponies work, even though I guess the most joy is in Pinkie Pie, the Pink mare and Party Pony. I may have planned to open about a month later, but the opportunity is too much to pass up, once I realised what it is I had before me. “You did ask Pinkie Pie to spread the Posters in town, right?” Soaring enquired, just as he saw the pink mare walking back into the kitchen. “Yeah, I sure did. Just a few minutes ago. Why?” I responded. “I knew some Pony had to spread them and she would seem the natural choice. On the other hoof, I just saw her back in the kitchen!” he responded. “She is incredibly fast, when she get in the mood!” I confessed. “You mean to say that she is as fast on the ground, as Rainbow Dash is in the air? They both do know how to inspire Ponies. They just go about it in very different ways. I wish Dash had been allowed into the Wonderbolts earlier. Just that rules are rules, besides, it isn't as if we could just dump a Pony to have her instated, as much as some may have liked to see her in!” he suggested. “At least, now she is the head of our little weather team. Besides, she will be flying with you in the troop. You'll see all you like of her, up there, soon enough!” I teased him. “Nothing Spit Fire can do about it, even if she wanted. Though there isn't enough Ponies, or Pegasi to fill a full troop with right now. You may consider filling the troop, in time for next event?” he suggested. “In this case, no, she can't. Doubt she minds her in, since there is no seniority to consider. I guess I could consider looking for a Pegasus or two, worthy to fill your troop up. Besides, it would be convenient, just in case I need another weather Pony, you never know. Just for fun, maybe I could send you out to see where she placed the posters?” I pondered. “Not really, she demonstrated quite clearly, she wanted Dash in, at the tryouts for the games. She tried to have another replaced by Rainbow in the first place. In the end, Dash backed out of the deal, showing her colours was always with Ponyville, didn't she? Ah yeah. I do recall the event. Can't find a stronger flyer than Dash, no matter how you see things. She was merely breezing through the academy and she still came out on top. She clearly did not challenge herself in anything aside from breezing or when she argued with Spit Fire about the situation. Then she just left with hardly a glance back. She got the wings back, before she managed to run out, though!” Soarin responded. “Maybe we should call her unprincessed, in most every aspect, then?” I teased. “Uh, yeah. You do have a point there, thinking of it!” he chuckled. “Her origin is as much Equestrian as yours. You have a grand Princess or two, back in Equestria, didn't you. I kind of wish we had them here too. They sure could make a world of good for us, just as they did back in Equestria, couldn't they?” I pondered. We are all Equestrians. Just that it may be more obvious on some Ponies then others. I am sure Pinkie Pie could explain your origin as well, if you just give her the chance!” he shut back in a glaring tease, then chuckled at his own wit. “I guess I would love to hear her explanation. Though some may be prepared to go to great length to silence her if she was to start rambling?” I suggested. “I hope I don't have to live to see that day come to pass, though I dare say, they had better be careful and be scares if they were to come up with such an idea. If you have seen what the mare can do in a pinch. If she doesn't do it, her sister turns boulders into dust in order to save her!” he mused with a sly grin. “Oh wait. I think I recall something to that effect told a while back. Maud was visiting her sister, for some reason I can't quite recall. In the end, Maud turned that boulder into dust in order to save Pinkie Pie. Didn't take her a ten seconds to get to the boulder either!” I pondered. “Who hasn't heard of that episode by now. It is basically legendary. They are Pies. Who knows what they could do, if it came to it? Once you see a second sibling doing things, you know it runs in the family. Kind of like Apples and Honesty. I would chance they are beasts in magic in Twilight Sparkles family. After everything she had done. If only I could recall who Rainbow Dashes parents were, but they are bound to be special in more ways than I dare thinking of!” he put forth. “Apples rarely fall far from the tree, as they say? Though Flutter Shy did a pretty wild fall as she left Cloudsdale, didn't she!” I put forth. "Well, d'uh. She sure fell right out of the sky, and right down to heaven, by the looks of it. Just don't have her staring at you!” he confessed. //-------------------------------------------------------// Nightmare Night – Day of the Chicken: 15 //-------------------------------------------------------// Nightmare Night – Day of the Chicken: 15 Some of us recall the last Nightmare Night. Just as we do recall the suit Pinkie Pie had slipped into. There is a roar of laughter as we see her slip into it once more. What else could we possibly do? Dash had apparently donned her old Shadow bolt suit, just as dark and scary as last time. I could admit as much. If only Pinkie Pie had had a horde of scared fillies and colts to lead, just like the last time up. Maybe I am saying it too early. We do have at least one fillie here already. I know others have Ponies just like I have. I know there is at least one more pink mare out there. If she read the poster, she is bound to be planning something. Even if she didn't read, she already knows just by chance and out of spite. It is in her personality. The sky over the building is uncharacteristically clear, while there is a halo of dark, angry clouds surrounding us. A slow breeze is teasing the low ground, while the sky is otherwise still, with a few clouds enthroning higher than all other clouds. The actual event only starts as the sun descend from the sky to hide under the horizon. Such is the day, or holiday. It is after all Nightmare Night. The night when the Queen of dark and shadows comes back in order to haunt the living, Ponies and others alike. If I am not a Pony, she still comes for me as well. Every culture seems to have their own brand and name for this day, or night, some are just more ghastly and scary than others. This is when the dead and the spirits of old are free to roam the Earth, teasing the living of this world, by what ever the name one may call it. Of course, all and every Pony had some means of storing the collected loot of candy. Just the same, all the residents had stocked up for days in order to be prepared. Not just the local kinds; both boys and girls had acquired a suit for this occasion. If made by themselves, others or bought from the store or custom made, yet, the suits had been put on as the sun slowly started the descent into the edge of the day. Expectations high and fears just as mounting. Recollections of years' past, and what came down. Just that so many new faces were stirring in the fray of what was about to come down. Was Nightmare Moon to appear on the sky, descending from the dark, or would this be the first time in memory, she would fail to show. There may have been the thousand years, where she was prevented from haunting the living on the earth, Pony or otherwise. Both in the Dream and the woken state. The time had been a sad time for her lonely and lone sister, the Princess of light and day, Princess Celestia. Her prised pupil, and her friends had finally managed to bring her back to her side as she escaped from the lonely abandon of her exile in the Moon. That event had been cold enough as it was on the Princess, but the things that ends well will be remembered in light. In this case, the sky belongs to Rainbow Dash who roles the heavens of this small patch of land. She may have a few friends by her side, but the sky is hers, and hers alone. She alone bears the responsibility of what weather is to come to pass, just as she alone will bear the brunt of feelings hurt if she fails to manage the sky and rein in its fury. There can be but the one Chicken, as true to Pinkie Pie as it may be. Thankfully, there are other things Pinkie Pie is capable of and thus other costumes for her to wear. One of these is a ferocious Dragon. The very one she scared Rainbow Dash with on occasions in the past. Just that the Chicken is the suit coming closest to her heart. The cleverly crafted suit allows her to be fun and funny, while giving her the chance to enjoy as much candy as she could swallow. Part of the trick is in getting to the Pearl, the Candy within the wrappings without any hands or magic. The beak of said chicken the sole means of her achievement. Of course it is natural for the day to be cold, it is after all rather late in autumn. One needs to be dressed up, even if one chose not to wear a costume for the event. Fortunately, the two holidays came at the same day, once we went over the calendar carefully. With just a little bit of advertising, there is no stopping the young once; boys, girls, fillies and colts alike. The past month had been hectic in the stories selling anything related to the event, just as it had been frantic to everyone who were preparing for the event. As the sun finally came tumbling down, they all scurried around, looking for their respective costumes and associated accessories. Once the sun hit the horizon, everyone had changed into the suit of choice, while parents and adults had gathered what they figured could be adequate to fitting treats, for all who came by. There wasn't a single home that had not stocked up on treats. After hearing, or reading the legends, they knew they had to pull their straw to the anthill. Who could see any of their kids without a reasonable stack of loots? Knowing what could come to pass, if worse came to worse. Worse always came to worse, if you are ill or poorly prepared. We all knew that. All the old and traditional ghoulish figures are still popular, but now a few new faces had been presented, like Queen Chrysalis and King Sombra. Prince Blueblood and even Discord are in the lot. King Sombra would be proud as a Father if he knew. Discord would not be pleased and Prince Blueblood would be furious. What Queen Chrysalis would say or how she would react is anyone's guess at this point. Yet, none of them are actually here, either in the flesh, or in holographic likeness. Maybe that is for the better, after all. As eager as every little child was; it appears that Pinkie Pie was still the first out. Or, was she just the faster one in sprinting into position? To be correct, she was true to herself, bouncing was her natural gait. In this case, she was true to both herself and the seasonal Holiday. With that said, it doesn't matter how slow she is bouncing around, she is bound to be there first anyway. This is among the rules of how monsters work in the horror scenes. Pinkie Pie isn't a monster, naturally we all knew that. It is just the way she moves, getting her first in line. The greatest terror about her in this case, is how there is more than one of her. That was nothing new to the Ponies originating in Ponyville. They had already seen and experienced this first hoof. Pinkie Pie once came up with the idea of cloning, or multiply herself in order to be able to share herself and her antics with all her friends at once. She couldn't quite cope with leaving anyone of them, permitting them to wait for their turn. This ended up in a terrible disaster for the entire village, but she still got the worst of it. She had to endure the staring into the paint drying contest. At least, she won. For her friends. Another Pinkie Pie, in this case, dressed up as a Dragon. Oh, but for the hilarity of it all. Yet, there was to be a few surprised and terrified Ponies and Humans, on her account. Who knew how good her dragon's roar could be? She certainly scared Rainbow Dash of all the bravest Ponies. Both the ingenious Chicken, and the intimidating Dragon came out first on their respective side of the community. Of course, this should have been expected. If only you knew of the two of them actually being out and about. Too late, they are already there. Just that the biggest shock is on the side of the authorities. They had been caught red-handed, hand still in the cookie jar. No preparation for what was to come. Maybe they had expected these benign, benevolent Holograms to stay indoors and play amusing games with your children. Oh boy, were they wrong. If a Chicken can pick the candy out of tight plastic wrappings, what is preventing the Dragon from breathing fire, like we all knew Dragons did? If we are to be sarcastic or ironic; what if I called it a truly Faustian deal, when the permit to market these Holographic characters was signed? The amusing point to this; would be that it may fit in more ways than one may like to admit. Not only do we have the legend of a man known as Faust; who made a deal, or pact with the Devil, we also have the name of the individual who brought the Ponies on the big screen, from the obscurity of single line miniature adventures and girls' toys. Now, for the silly or ironic twist, there are yet other references to this expression of the tail. Oups, that came out awkward, but no way nearly as awkward as the final effect of things. In all the hilarious glory; from the joy the product is still spreading. Pinkie Pie could hear the first few kinds behind her. She slowed down in order for them to flock in behind her. She couldn't resist the urge to have the most fun. Laughing children is a price in her eyes. Even on this most monstrous of days, or rather night. Street by street, there were a few more kids gathering up, behind her. “Trick, or treats?” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as the next door opened up before her. She had given it a firm knock, letting the habitants know she was there, the purpose made utterly clear. She came for her share of the treats. //-------------------------------------------------------// The Day After: 16 //-------------------------------------------------------// Author's Note Pinkie Pie's POV The Day After: 16 The night had been glorious. I had swallowed several bags of candy, after I unearthed the treat from within the plastic wrappings. Of course I had poured down two bags of treats as the seasonal offering at the statue, representing the Queen of the Night. Her Highness Nightmare Moon requires it of us all. I feel reasonably sure she is pleased with my offered bounty. Yet, who knows? Even if I have clear recollections of the night in Ponyville, as does every Pony I know, which is about all Ponies there are. Just that they don't have theirs quite as clear as mine. I never managed to forget anything, per see. I may not be the common competitive Pony, but I like to pride myself, when it comes to parties and festivities, and this certainly does qualify as festive and enjoyable in my book. Speaking of books, maybe I should publish the books on how to properly throw a party. Not just explaining how to throw parties on category, or even limiting to counting the rules on how to make the party works. I could as well throw in the final bone, going into the details about how to make parties work. Throwing parties is like cooking and baking, baking I do know, I did that most every day in Ponyville. Just that there were the exceptions, as when I helped my friends with something special, like defending Equestria against some threat, or saving Luna from her very own very darkest Nightmare, as in Nightmare Moon. I know for a fact that she was very grateful from the instant she was back. She still is. Don't ask me how I know. It is on the same note as the Pinkie Sense, doesn't make sense to try to explain. It simply works. Simply as that. I am happy with it. This helps me in various cases. I think there is an expression, something about slaying the goose or hen; laying golden eggs. Naturally, the two bags of treats I placed before her, are not the only once offered to her. I may have been among the first in the line, but there were numerous others after me. I did not see them all, or even try to count how many they were. Calculating in cases like these, is for my friend Twilight Sparkle. I know she still loves these things. Yet, she was just as eager on the festivities, even if her costume failed her until the very last Pony. I guess Luna made up for it in the end. She knew the Pony she was impersonating personally. She even expressed how well Twilley had made her costume. Funny, I did not see her here, this year, but the village is large. Maybe I don't need to see each and every friend to know they enjoyed the event. I know for a fact, none I saw the other night was disappointed. They all enjoyed it thoroughly, as did I. If any Pony did not enjoy it, that had to be because they were not out enough and because I did not see them. With a night like Nightmare Night behind me, I could clearly feel the joy from every corner. People was light-hearted after an event as enjoyable and fun as it had been, this year. Couldn't blame them, I had certainly enjoyed it Royally, right along with everyone else, Human and Pony alike. I may have swallowed bags worth of candy the other day, but I am still hungry as a horse as I woke up, even if I may have woken up slightly later than I use to on any other day. Nightmare Night is mainly late at night, after the sun has gone down, so I had to be up very late in order to enjoy it all. As I woke up, I saw the blue and yellow balloons covering most of my ceiling. I had already released numerous of my inflated balloons in the room in which I slip. Once I had folded the quilt towards the bed and sat up on my bed, I noticed a pink balloon peaking out from under my bed, where it used to hide. Once I had helped the balloon back in under my bed with a gentle push, I stand up on my hind hooves, looking around for a moment. Of course I know that everything is where I left it the other day, why wouldn't it. I walk over to the wardrobe slowly, stopping, only to open the door and reach in and pick a bright pink skirt with integrated panties. Popular simplicity, if you ever saw it before, stepping right into them, feeling them covering my hips for a moment, before the sensation slowly fades away, that is how well they fit. Pulling the top down over my head, only to give it that final, tentative tug and feeling the sensation fade out. Naturally, it is a matching suit, and ensemble, as Rarity would have insisted on calling it. I guess you would have called it a bikini. I have several of these suits. All perfectly colour matches. Of course, they are all pink to cerise. Some are just one-colour suits, while others have a pattern, or just the mark on the side. The pattern is a set of three balloons, either two blue and a yellow, or three pink or cerise once. I did manage to get my hands on the candy variant, even if these are rare in my wardrobe, but I chose them in order to have something that sticks out. Back in Ponyville, I never wore anything. I never really needed to. Well, I did wear the suit signifying the team I was a part of at the Winter Wrap-Up, of course. There were a few more occasions, like when Twilight Sparkle brought us with her to the Grand Galloping Gala, but that wasn't in Ponyville, so technically, that doesn't count. Rarity showed me how good a suit could look. She gave me a personalised ensemble for the day we were at the Gala at Canterlot. As bad as the event initially went down, it ended up being an enjoyable night. The joy is thanks to my friends, which is clearly including Princess Celestia who was there with us. She clearly knew what she was in for. Maybe she wanted us there all along, even if she had no idea as to how we would change the night for each and every Pony who attended the event. As if I could blame her. Indoors, I always walk bare-hoofed. Why bother wearing socks or boots while in my very own home? The floor is clean, and the room is warm as the mid summers day. Our floors are chosen to be comfortable to walk on, even if she was bare foot, when she walked there before I moved in with her. Since Hitomi seems to be more comfortable with me wearing the top and skirt, I guess I don't mind wearing them for her. My element dictates for me to do everything I can in order for the once around me to be happy. Hitomi is my closest friend here and I live with her. Thus I feel much better, knowing I do all I can to plaster a happy smile on her face. Once I had dressed for the day, I close the wardrobe behind me and bounce to the door, merely stopping in order to open it, before I close it as I passed out into the hall before the staircase. Only I feel on the more frisky side and jump to the ground floor and continue to the kitchen where she is waiting for me. With a happy squeak, my hooves hit the floor some three seconds after I had jumped off of the floor on the second floor. Had I been anyone but the Pinkie Pie I am, it probably would have been a painful thud as the floor rose up to hit me from below. Of course, the result of the treat Hitomi gave me as I moved in with her, of it was when she helped me to become a physical person, as opposed to the holographic character she had brought home as she bought the product. This part is fuzzy on me, mainly because it wasn't really me at the time. I was merely a representation of the me I had become as I lived and spent my time with her. From the foot of the flight of stairs, I walk lightly with a squeaking spring in my steps to the kitchen. Guess I never took a step that was not giving up at least a slight squeak, but it is who I am now. It is the Pony I have grown into with Hitomi. I can never say that I regret a single moment with her in my life. On my way, I feel the scent of Muffins on the air. Lovely and love-able Muffins. The joy with which to start up a new day. Then, as I walk into the kitchen, I can clearly see the wide smile of my friend, happy to see me. I know she has numerous new and very happy memories from past night to draw her energy. Her smile makes me feel alive. “Morning, Hitomi!” I greet her as I approach the table. “Morning, Pinkie Pie!” she responds in her merry voice as she hears me. //-------------------------------------------------------// My Foalsitter: 17 //-------------------------------------------------------// Author's Note Lilly Ruby's POV My Foalsitter: 17 Having children to attend to can be quite a handful. Now I had learned of the latest rage; the Holographic Characters, the only problem is that they can supposedly not leave the building. Yet, if I can have a Character to help me out, tending to my daughters, who am I to complain? At the age my children are at, at the moment; I figured Rarity would be the ideal companion. Maybe I had read too much into her personality, but she takes care of her Sweetie Belle as if she was her daughter; what more could I wish for? Besides, she does care deeply, and have a sense for what is right and what looks good. Maybe I could have her help me out with a few other details on the side? First things first, as they say. With that, I had bought the character I had in mind, in my case that is Rarity. The fact that she happens to be a Unicorn originally was nothing I paid any heed, it can't have any significance in the real world in which I live. I chose her for her personality, even if I guess her special skills as a seamstress would have a slight influence on my choice as well. She does have a very elaborate language with a developed vocabulary, another convenient detail speaking in her favour. The first I found as I slipped the stick into the slot of the emitter is a choice. If I wanted her as the Pony she originally was in the show, or the fully Human form she sported in all the Movies I had seen this far or the Anthropomorphic or Satyr form. I chose to make her fully Human, even if I did not know she would be able to get out of the house. For a foal-sitter, I chose the more moderate B-Cup as it feels more appropriate, I don't want to give my children any strange notion. Rarity was a mare, as Human she is a woman, breasts are natural on her. Even with her white skin, I want her to look as Human as possible. B-Cups with large nibbles goes well with the image of a normal, regular Human to me. For her, I gave her a larger than average mound with a detailed and sensitive orchid. I expect these details to make her act more as a woman than a Doll, the way she would have been, if she did not have developed genitalia and associated details. As a Human, the tail did go out the window, just as these endearing ears and the little muzzle she has in the show as a Pony, I could but hope these things wouldn't change her character in any way. If Rarity had not come with optional clothes available, I knew she would love to craft them all by herself from designs of her own; something I am ready to enjoy seeing, both for her and for my own wardrobe's sake. Just that the manual stated that she would come with a limited wardrobe to go, just the bare minimum of clothes she would enjoy wearing, of course. Skirt, top, dress, boots, gloves and hat; all adjusting to the form I gave her as I initiated her. Apparently, she could even call forth a small set of mannequins in all the respective forms. While I made her out to appear to be about twenty-one years of age, I gave her the body to match it in all the little details. I love how her little cute feet seem to come out, just with no toenails, they serve no real purpose to me, just more maintenance for no good reason. Giving her the smaller hands, but with long, delicate fingers that should be quite capable to perform everything that is within her character; everything I had hoped for her to do. Then I added long nails and the pads under for the extra touch and delicate sensitivity; the pads ended up a hint towards a pinkish cerise, just for a playful stoke, but not enough to actually stick out or be seen unless you actually was looking for it. As a Human, she goes well with full, metallic bloody red lips, smooth and shiny for the elegance I felt was her. I made her nose small and well rounded in a slightly more girlish fashion, mainly for my private preference than anything else. For her more motherly role I chose to emphasise her larger and wider hips, while her fashion-sense gave her a narrower waist. In my eyes, she does come out pretty well. I guess she does come out just slightly better than I had dared to hope. Once I had gone over every last detail, I press select and wait for her to come out. Now I can clearly see her come out of the screen in three dimensions as opposed to the two dimensions of the screen. Even the newest and most modern screen can't quite give the depth to the body of the character. The next moment she floats out into the room and down towards the floor, before she stops on the floor. She turns her attention towards me and addresses me directly in her warm and welcoming tone. “Greetings, I am Rarity!” she said, straight to the point. “Greetings, Rarity. I am Lilly Ruby!” I responded. “Nice to meet you, Lilly. Would you mind if I made you a cup of tea?” she continued. “Nice to meet you too, Rarity. Sounds lovely. Right this way and I will show you our kitchen!” I put forth. “Thank you, Lilly. If there is anything I need, I will ask you promptly!” she expressed as she filled the boiler with water and make it start heating the water. “You certainly do have this well in hand!” I complimented her honestly. “Years of practice, my dear!” she responded with a slight giggle to her voice. “Still deserves a compliment, at least this once as I just met you!” I pointed out. “Thank you. Just do not make a habit of it. I may not be overly prone to letting it go to my head, but still. What blend would you prefer?” she responded as she found the stash of teas. “Lemon would be great!” I put forth. “Lemon is a fine choice, even if I prefer the old Lady Grey!” she expressed, picking the respective blends out in her right hand, with the cups already on the table. “I like to keep a selection of good teas, both for myself and any guests who may come over to my place at any time. I trust you found a tea or two to your liking, including the indicated blend in question!” I put forth. “I certainly did find Lady Grey, all-right!” she responded. “Excellent, then I don't need to run off and buy it for you, at least. Would have felt awful to have to run of right now, just to find the blend of tea you desire, just because I did not have it at home on a mere oversight on my part!” I pointed out. “I guess that would have been rude, now as you mentioned it!” she responded with a smile on her face. “Since I don't like being rude. If there is anything you need, please let me know so that I can get it for you!” I expressed. “When you put it that way, I certainly could make use of some fabrics and seamstress equipment, it is what I used to work with after all. Then I could enjoy a salad; which does require specific, high-quality vegetables!” she pointed out in response. “Just make a list and I will see what I can bring in for you, unless it is rare, expensive or exotic; I can't see any problems in acquiring them for you!” I responded. “I will give you a list later today, I just need pen and paper in order to make certain you get it as pest as possible, considering what is available to you at this point!” she said. “Of course!” I responded as I emptied my cup. //-------------------------------------------------------// A Pink Visit: 18 //-------------------------------------------------------// Author's Note Pinkie Pie's POV A Pink Visit: 18 I had the impression I was needed at a friend's home, so I promptly got there. Once there, I knock the door. Just as expected, it did not take long before I hear the footsteps of the girl living there. Not that she had expected me, but she obviously enjoyed my presence and invited me in. “Greetings, Pinkie Pie. Welcome in and have some tea!” she responded as she stepped to the side, thus pulling me in. “Hiya, Lilly. Thanks. I have the impression, Rarity will appreciate a small gift I brought to you, for her to enjoy!” I responded as I slip into the hall, closing the door behind me promptly. “Thanks for coming over, she is after all a very old friend of yours. Anything you feel like offering is certain to be appreciated!” I responded as I lead her into the kitchen where Rarity still sit, while sipping on her tea. “Greetings, Pinkie Pie. What a lovely surprise. Have a seat!” she offered in her generous manner. “I know you will enjoy what I had in mind for you, Rarity. Besides, you will love the effects of it as well, Lilly. You will see in a few days, both of you!” I put forth matter of fact with a grin. “If it is Pinkie Pie who said it, you can take her word for it, Lilly. Even if I don't know what she is playing at, right now!” Rarity pointed out. “I guess you can as well start to prepare what you had in mind, Pinkie? But, I think you can take the time to enjoy a cup of tea with us too!” Lilly suggested. “If you prepare the tea, I will be ready by the time you pour up the tea, Rarity!” I put forth. “Certainly!” Rarity responded eagerly with a smile, expecting the treat she knew I had in store for her. Rarity set out and poured the boiler full of water, before snapping it on. A mere minute later the water bubbled and boiled eagerly. While the water heater up, she picked up three cups and placed them around the tables before the respective seat for us to be able to enjoy our tea together, true to her personality. She had even managed to gather the blends of tea she knew we would enjoy, the spoons and the small bowl of sugar. I made the final preparation for the treat, while she poured up the tea for all three of us. They both sat down as I completed my preparation. “If you would care to place your feet on the footstool, so I can get started, giving you the treat?” I offered. “Oh, but of course!” she responded, as she sat down, placing her cute girlish feet on the footstool, just as I had instructed her. I could see that she was quite eager to accept the offered treat. Why shouldn't she? I know just how much she loves her time at the SPA. This is exactly the same, just for a different purpose. As she sits down, comfortably leaning back, into the chair; I uncap the jar and scoop up a portion of the clear gel before I lift up her left foot and carefully applying it to the entire sole of her left foot, from the heel and all the way out to the foremost tips of her toes, from the smallest to the biggest. At this point, I kneed it in, slowly, and carefully until the skin had absorbed it and become fully saturated and permitted it to cure completely. “I trust you enjoyed the foot massage, Rarity!” I put forth. She merely sighed in confirmation. Once I had repeated the process with her left foot, I continued with her right one. Just looking sat her, knowing she enjoyed it just as much. “Would you lend me your left hand, Rarity?” I urged, just as I had finished both her feet. “Certainly!” she responded in confirmation as she extended the hand. “Thanks, Rarity!” I responded and scooped up the gel I intended to use. As I hold her hand in my left hand, I apply the gel to the palm of her hand, slowly spreading it and working it in. Working her left hand easily permits her to continue enjoying the tea, just as intended. I had started at the centre of the palm, then continuing outwards until I reached her fingers, starting with the thumb, continuing all the way to the tip, before moving on to the next. All the way to the last, smallest finger. At this point, the skin is fully saturated with the gel, just as intended; now starting to affect her form, while not giving any signs on her persona or programming. “Your left hand, please; Rarity!” I continued as I had finished her left hand. Apparently she managed to continue with her tea, even as she holds on to the cup with her left hand. She just has to focus more. Now her movements are more careful, tentative and uncertain. Yet, she manages to accomplish what she had in mind. Once I had completed the right hand, I have managed what I originally set out to do. Her body will pick up the required substance safely. “Apply this lip gloss, then this eye shadow and nail polish. Oh, and here is the nibble cream and lube for any time you choose to tease yourself later, Rarity!” I explained as I handed over the items; contained in a small box. “Thank you, Pinkie Pie; you are too thoughtful and kind. Never miss a single detail, in your pursuit of making; and keeping us happy at any and all times!” she responded. “I like my friends to be happy, you know that as well as any, Rarity. Besides, I know you will notice the changes within a week. Furthermore, I am utterly certain you will enjoy the effects as well, Rarity, I know I am!” I put forth, matter of fact; yet with a sly, knowing grin on my face. "Thank you, Pinkie Pie; I do appreciate it. We all love you for how generous you are in your throwing parties left and right for us!” she responded, looking at the lip gloss for a moment; before she applied a layer to her lips, expecting the shimmering gloss from the outwards appearance The effect of the gloss is unmistakable, not just in the commonly expected glossy effect you could see, but also in the way it helps bind and ground physical matter to her form. The gloss, just as the foot cream and nail polish is helping her to define her body and self as a physical person in our realm of living entities. Although it also helps her maintain her lips smooth, elastic and just enough moist for comfort. “The gloss does look great on you, Rarity!” Lilly expressed in honest sincerity. “I would have to agree with you there, Lilly!” I pondered. “It feels great too, I would have to confess!” Rarity put forth. “I am sure it will be even greater, when you realise you can go out and feel the breeze in a few days!” I promised. “You mean to say that I will be able to go out? That sounds great!” Rarity expressed. “Of course, silly Rarity!” I put forth. “That certainly would be convenient, I could go out and pick the fabrics myself. Not to mention, go out with friends!” Rarity responded. “All you need to do in order to go there, is to enjoy these delicious Muffins and your favourite Tea. Well, you may have to enjoy a few other treats along the way; but that's no more challenge, is it?” I suggested cheerfully.