HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEET TALE
By GeodesicDragon
The young stallion cracked one eye open slowly, glancing at the rain streaking down his bedroom window. With a sigh, he opened the other eye and rolled onto his back, staring idly at the ceiling. "Happy Birthday to me," he said to himself. "I guess a break in the weather was too much to ask for."
He climbed out of bed and walked into his bathroom, stopping in front of the mirror. He smoothed down some patches of mountain meadow fur and blew his mustard yellow mane out of his eyes, then checked himself in the mirror. "Yep, I still look good," he said with a grin. "But I won't bother with tidying myself up today, since I'm just going to ruin my look at the party later. First things first, though, a shower is in order."
He stepped into the shower and turned it on, cleaning the filth and grime from his body as he whistled and sang tunelessly.
"Happy Birthday to me,
Happy Birthday to me.
Happy Birthday, dear Sweet Tale,
Happy Birthday to me!"
Turning off the water, Sweet Tale grabbed a nearby towel and dried himself off. After going about the usual morning routine – shave, breakfast and brushing his teeth – he stood at his front door with a positive air about him.
"Now to find out what time all of my friends will be available," he said. "And then, we're going to have the mother of all parties."
With those words he left the house, locking the door behind him.
***
"What do you mean you can't come, Eiro?" Sweet Tale asked. "I've got everything all set up!"
Eiro – a black pegasus mare – ruffled her wings uncomfortably. "I'm sorry, Sweet Tale," she said. "But I've been entered into a race over in Las Pegasus, so I'm heading out there tonight."
Sweet Tale sighed. "All right," he replied. "I guess I can't argue with that logic. Good luck in the race, and I'll see you later."
Eiro hugged him. "Happy birthday, Sweet Tale," she said as she released him. "I'll see you in a few days."
Sweet Tale nodded and continued walking down the street. He returned the few greetings he got, before his attention was drawn to a white and black pegasus stallion who was taking his leave of the apple stand. "Kao!" he yelled. "Hey, Kao!"
Kao's ears perked up at the mention of his name and he stopped in his tracks, turning to face Sweet Tale. Upon spotting his friend, he grinned and walked over to him. "Hey, Sweet Tale," he said, holding out a forehoof. "Happy birthday."
"Thanks, Kao," Sweet Tale grinned, bumping Kao's forehoof with his own. "I was looking for you, you know — just wanted to tell you that we're all set for tonight's party at my place."
Kao looked around sheepishly for a moment. "Uh, yeah," he said. "About that... listen, I was actually about to come by your place and tell you that I, er, won't be able to make it."
"Not you as well," Sweet Tale said in disbelief. "First Eiro cancels on me, and now you are?"
"It's a family matter," Kao replied. "It's nothing personal against you, and I swear I'll make it up to you when I get back." He offered a weak smile. "We'll go out and get wasted or something."
"All right," Sweet Tale said, returning the smile. "But you'd better believe me when I say I'm gonna hold you to that."
"I've gotta run," Kao began to walk off. "Catch you later!"
Sweet Tale waved his friend off, though once Kao was out of sight he let out a small growl. "Two down, five to go," he grumbled. "Hopefully the others will be able to come."
He stood still for a moment, lost in thought, when somepony walked into him. Grunting in pain, Sweet Tale turned to face the one who walked into him, only to find himself staring at a green Earth pony mare. "Sorry," she mumbled. "I wasn't looking where I was going... in fact, I can't even remember why I came out."
"Oh, hi, Flare," Sweet Tale said. "It's fine, I shouldn't have been standing there. "While you're here, could you at least tell me that you're coming to my party tonight?"
"Party?" Flare cocked her head at him. "What party?"
"For my birthday?" Sweet Tale said slowly. "You told me last week that you'd love to come along."
"I did?" Flare scratched her head. "Uh... yeah, okay. I'll be there."
Sweet Tale's face lit up. "Great!" he chirped. "I'll see you later. The party starts at six, and goes on for as long as I want it to!"
Flare nodded and walked off aimlessly while Sweet Tale continued on down the street with a noticeable spring in his step. A rumble in his stomach prompted him to change course, and soon he found himself at one of Ponyville's many cafés. Entering the building, he was surprised when somepony started calling his name.
"Sweet Tale! Hey, Sweet Tale!"
He looked around furtively for the source of the calls, his eyes soon falling upon a couple of mares sitting at a table. One was a blue unicorn with a two-tone yellow mane done up with a light blue bow, while the other was a muddy brown Earth pony with a white-cream mane that had a caramel and chocolate coloured streak through it.
"Hey, Pencil Sharpener, Java Jive," Sweet Tale said as he approached. "Mind if I join you?" They both nodded, and he sat down. "So, how are you both? I hope your mornings have been a lot better than mine."
"First of all, happy birthday," Pencil Sharpener – the unicorn – said, giving Sweet Tale a quick hug. "Secondly... we have some news which might make your day a lot worse."
"Let me guess," Sweet Tale deadpanned. "Neither of you can make it to my party tonight?" Both mares nodded. "Might I ask why?"
"I've been asked to work at the coffee shop in Canterlot tonight," Java Jive said. "One of the others called in sick, and nopony else is available to take her place."
"And Century is coming over tonight," Pencil Sharpener added. "I haven't seen him for a while, and he promised me he'd take me out for dinner... I hope you understand."
"I do," Sweet Tale replied. "It's okay, girls, no harm done. We can always celebrate some other time, right?"
"Exactly," Java said, nodding slightly. "Pencil and I are both free at the weekend, so we can come over to your place if you want?"
"I'd like that," Sweet Tale grinned. "Thanks, girls." His stomach grumbled and he chuckled sheepishly. "Breakfast time, I think."
***
Leaving the café, Sweet Tale bid farewell to Pencil and Java before beginning the walk back to his house. His positive attitude had all but faded entirely, and he was dreading meeting any more of his friends along the way. But luck, as it soon turned out, was not on his side — and he found himself in the company of a white unicorn mare with a flowing blonde mane.
"Hi, Sweetie," she said jovially. "I just wanted to let you know that I won't be by later, since I've got to go to a meeting early tomorrow morning — the Canterlot Sugar Mill is holding its AGM."
"All right, Dilly Mix," Sweet Tale murmured. "Thanks for telling me. I'll see you when you get back."
Dilly patted him on the back and trotted away, oblivious to the scowl now prominent on the stallion's face. As he walked past the hospital, the doors opened and a unicorn stallion galloped out. "Sweet Tale!" he shouted. "I'm glad I saw you."
"Doctor Haywick," Sweet Tale said flatly. "I guess you're not coming to my party either?"
Haywick looked downcast. "I'm sorry," he said. "It just that... we've got a potential flu epidemic on our hooves, so the powers that be have doubled our vaccination efforts. I'm up to my eyes in screaming foals and the elderly, making sure they get what they need to stay protected."
"Thanks for telling me, Doc," Sweet Tale grumbled. "I'll see you some other time, yeah?"
Haywick nodded and ran back into the hospital, leaving Sweet Tale to fester in silent rage. Wordlessly, he trudged back home and slammed the door behind him.
"Worst. Birthday. Ever," he snarled. "I just want this day to end so I can forget it ever happened." He walked into his living room. "But first, a few glasses of hard cider are in order."
As he walked over to a cabinet in the corner of the room, he froze at the sight of an imposing shadow looming over him. He slowly turned around, swallowing nervously — only to find himself looking at a giant pink cake. His curiosity piqued, he walked over and laid a forehoof upon it.
As he did so, he found – to his considerable bewilderment – that the cake was made of cardboard. "Somepony is just playing a cruel trick on me," he whined. "This day cannot get any worse."
"No, it cannot," a voice said. "For it can only get better."
Sweet Tale gasped at the sound of the voice — then jumped back in alarm as the cardboard cake suddenly collapsed outwards. He looked up slowly — to see that he was face to face with none other than Princess Luna herself.
"L-Luna?" he asked. "How... what... why..."
"It is your birthday, is it not?" Luna asked, to which Sweet Tale nodded meekly. "Well then, that is why we are here — to join thee in thy celebrations." She began walking over to him. "But since it is apparent that thy friends cannot join us – your friend Flare having gotten lost – it falls upon us to partake in the festivities."
She stopped in front of him and the two gazed at each other for a moment, before coming together in a kiss.
"I think we can make our own entertainment," Sweet Tale said wickedly as the two separated. "What about you?"
Luna grinned at him. "We would like nothing more," she replied, bringing her muzzle to his ear. "Happy birthday, Sweet Tale."
With those words, the two of them came together for another – more passionate – kiss. And as they broke away, Luna leading the way upstairs, Sweet Tale silently told himself...
That this was the best birthday ever.
Author's Note
Happy Birthday, Owen.
My most sincere thanks to the following people for allowing me to use their OCs (credited in order of appearance — you can click their name to see a picture):
* Eiro: Eiro (UK of Equestria)
* Kao: Kao (UK of Equestria)
* Flare: Vetnern
* Pencil Sharpener: Amyshy (UK of Equestria — her OC is the one on the left in the picture)
* Java Jive: Teasle (UK of Equestria)
* Dilly Mix: Dylia
* Doctor Haywick: Any excuse to use my own OC. 
Special thanks to Thorn (also from UK of Equestria) for providing the inspiration for the ending (we were taking the piss out of Greatodyer when he mentioned an old Simpsons episode which had Mr. Burns popping out a cake).
