Author's Note
Twilight Sparkle's POV
A Late Night Surprise: 1
I found a purple balloon on my bed as I entered my bed room. On the night stand, there is a note in an envelope. Otherwise, nothing had changed, nothing is disturbed.
Tired and distracted, I pick up the small white envelope and read the message. Tired as I am, I managed to miss a detail, Pinkie Pie had clearly written the message and the instructions to me.
“Dear Twilight Sparkle!
If you would kindly slip into the purple balloon on your bed, you will be granted access to a realm where you will be able to unwind. I am sure it will be an exciting adventure for you.
Your bestest friend!” the message reads.
Maybe I was just a bit too curious for my own good, or I was just too tired and spent for any critical thinking at this point. Besides, I did have problems with handling my own problems. Not that I am alone in this particularly irksome and dangerous boat. I know my friends are wrestling with the very same problem, in their own way. I have been trying my best, helping them with these issues.
Since curiosity got the better of me, I picked up the deep purple balloon magically, slipping into it. To my surprise, the balloon refused to give up or burst. I thought it was bound to, but it never did. Before I knew it, the shiny rubber covered my entire form, including hooves, wings and tail. All the way up to my head.
Once the balloon covers my body, I could hear little squeaky sounds and noises with my every move. Even the short distance to the bed caused the curious noises to follow me.
Slipping the quilt to the side, before I slip in under it, then pulling it back over me. Once it covers the purple balloon, my head lies on the pillow. Thankfully, it did not take me long to close my eyes and fall asleep. A curiously restful slumber. I did not even realise what was to happen next, as I slipped into my dream.
“Good morning, Twilight!” Luna stated, just as I opened my eyes.
“Good morning, Princess Luna!” I responded.
I folded the quilt up towards the wall and slip my hooves off of the bed and down to the floor, before I folded it right back into place. With that, it looks almost as if I had never been sleeping an entire night in it. Convenient. Yet, this is a dream, I had not yet woken up, even if I thought I had.
Covered in the shiny, deep purple rubber of Pinkie Pie’s balloon, I now walk up towards Luna. Everything in the room is identical to what it had been the previous night, down to the few specs of dust.
I could see her standing before a door, not the one I had entered as I went to bed, mind you. The one single difference between what had been real, and the dream I am now in.
“Since you chose to slip into the balloon, I will now guide you. I can follow you, only as long as you are wearing it. I hope this doesn’t bother or inconvenience you in any way, Twilight!” she pointed out, as a response to the unspoken question.
Of course she knew the rules by heart. She is the unquestioned Princess of the Night and Dream. We all knew it, every last Pony of Ponyville. Many of us had encountered her in a dream or the other, enjoying the assistance and comfort she granted on this plane.
“Yes, thank you, Princess Luna. I certainly do wear the balloon!” I responded.
“I notice that you still keep the same neat order as you did; while you were living in the castle, as my older sisters prodigy and student!” Luna complimented with a slight smile on her muzzle.
“Thank you, Princess Luna. It does help me sleep better at night, seeing everything in perfect order, just the way I left it last night!” I responded, smiling back in return.
“Makes sense. Though it is time I let you in on where we are going!” she put forth as she opened a door behind herself; the very one she had hidden with her large body, being an elder Alicorn and all.
“Yes, I guess you are right!” I responded as I followed her through the door, the very door she closed behind us as I stepped through.
Just as when I stepped through the gate to Canterlot High and my friends there, I turned into a girl. Only this time, my entire body is covered by that purple balloon.
“I hope you will enjoy the breakfast!” Luna offered generously.
“Since you are offering it, I am quite certain I will enjoy it. Just kind of curious, none is responding, or even reacting on me wearing the balloon. Even if I guess it is comforting, as tight as it may be. I barely feel it. The one thing that keeps me allerted to the fact is the squeaking little noises from my every move!” I responded with a widening smile all over my face.
“That is the spirit. I know this will make you a world of good. Just have a seat, and your breakfast will be served!” she promised.
“I think I can live with that, since Spike used to prepare my breakfast early in the morning. He could use a day off, in this regard!” I responded as I pulled out a chair and sat down eagerly.
As Luna snapped her fingers, the chef walked into the room, beaming happily with well-deserved pride in his work.
“Take your time!” he spoke as he placed the beautiful, elegant menu on the table before me.
“Thank you, good sir!” I responded.
“I know this is my breakfast, but what would I order in?” I continued.
“If you open the menu, I think something will stand out!” Luna responded.
“I think I take the Daisy sandwich and a celery salad, with a large glass of water; please!” I responded as the chef returned from his kitchen.
An excellent choice, Twilight!” he responded, just before walking out in a slow, dignifying gait befitting his position.
Author's Note
Ginger's POV
Breakfast is Served: 2
”Strange, none seems to react to the balloon coating my entire body, or hear the squeaks it makes every time I make even the slightest move!” Twilight thought.
“Greetings, Twilight!” I responded on the mere sight of my friend.
“Greetings, Ginger!” she responded in kind.
“Would you care for a cup of tea, Twilight?” I offered her generously.
“Certainly, Ginger. I would be delighted; a cup of tea would be just right, about now!” she responded as she followed me towards the table, before gingerly sitting down comfortably all by herself.
Of course Luna took the second chair, leaving the one closest to me free.
“I am delighted to have you over, Twilight. Such a joyous surprise; it isn’t as if I have too many friends, or others over on a cup of tea!” I mentioned in passing as I prepared the tea.
Nothing fancy, mind you; just boiling the fresh tap water and placing the kettle on the table. A cup before each respective seat, a small glass, the tea and strainer. Of course I offered sugar and spoons as well. I even put forth a small pitcher of cold orange juice. Had either asked me, I could have offered milk or cream as well.
“I hope the tea will be to your likings!” I expressed, looking at them filling their respective strainers with the fresh tea leaves, before I poured boiling water into each cup.
“I couldn’t complain. Besides, I am happy you would agree to have me over. You see, I’m on vacation and Princess Luna is escorting me here!” she responded.
“Vacation, an excellent idea. I couldn’t turn you away, when you asked me!” I pointed out.
“I love the purple lustre to her skin, if only she could let on how she managed that!” I pondered.
“Even a Princess does need her time off, and when my friend Pinkie Pie offered me this way out, I couldn’t exactly turn her down. Now, could I?” she exclaimed in response.
“Pinkie Pie? Of course not. You don’t turn her down!” I pointed out, giggling at the mere thought.
“I guess she is both famous and infamous at the same time!” she pondered in a warm response.
“Is there any Pony she doesn’t know? Any Pony she has not befriended, who is living within the borders of her realm?” I inquired in curious quandary.
“Not very likely. I just learned that she had befriended my old friends in Canterlot, without me even knowing of it. The very Unicorn fillies I had been playing with when I grew up, and I had no inkling!” she bursted out, trying her best to hide a giggle.
“That sounds about right. Though I am curious as to why you did not bring Spike with you!” I pointed out.
“Spike is doing his chores, some Dragon had to do them, even when the Pony of the Castle is not there. You know, cleaning, mopping, dusting and in general keeping track of everything!” she pointed out as she sipped on her tea.
“On that part, he could not be fitted within this particular vacation, as much as he may need and enjoy a good vacation as well!” Princess Luna filled in.
“Which is sad!” I responded.
“Well; if Pinkie Pie would pay the fee on his behalf, Spike may very well be off on the blast of his life; right now!” Luna explained.
“Pinkie Pie is such a kind and generous Pony, when it comes to keeping Ponies happy and smiling. We are lucky, having her around as our friend!” Twilight responded with a knowing smile.
“Just too bad, she wasn’t around when I was feeling down in my youth. Maybe she would have managed to save me from what came later. Before you helped me back to a life I can enjoy living!” Luna responded.
“You, Luna; and how many other Ponies?” Twilight teased.
“When you put it like that, I guess I am lucky my sister saved me; rather than resorting to the alternative!” Luna exclaimed with a smile.
“Butt; now she is here with us, even if she isn’t siting by the table right now!” I responded.
“It is just strange, sitting here and having tea with the two of you!” Twilight pointed out, before going back to that very tea she mentioned.
“You know, Twilight; I was actually given a heads up on your imminent arrival. I got a card in the mail, letting on that it would be highly convenient, if I was to be here and accept your visit. Of course I responded kindly and without hesitation and accepted. Aside from the fact that it isn’t every day one has a Princess over for tea. I certainly had enjoyed the opportunity, and now you are here. Considering that the card had been signed a certain friend we both know as Diana Pie, how could I possibly not say yes?” I declared.
“Oh, yeah. Diana Pie? I guess she goes by that name when she is going outside of Equestria!” Twilight responded.
“Her being Pinkie, it had to be a Purple Balloon for you, wouldn’t you agree?” I then continued with a sly grin.
“That is why you never gave a sign of noticing?” she then responded with a silly grin of her own.
“Wouldn’t be her first time, more than it is her last. Besides, I have the impression she has been doing these excursions far and wide!” I followed up with an ever widening grin.
“When you put it like that. Have you guided others before me, Luna?” Twilight inquired in a curious voice.
“Yes, a few. These trips are part of my services. Just as I am there and help little fillies and colts with their nightmares. In a way, it is a matter of repaying Ponies for the harm I caused as Nightmare Moon. Yet, it is a part of who I am. I can do it, so I take great joy and pride in helping you with these things!” Luna responded.
“Oh, that old story. You did explain how you felt bad about these events. I guess it is fortunate that you got this chance to redeem yourself by doing good what you failed before!” Twilight responded, looking up to the sister of her former mentor.
“It was so infuriating to see them ignoring me and everything I had to offer, while they were always prising my sister for what she did for them!” Luna concluding as with eyes downcast in remembrance of olden days.
