Rarity emerged from the back with a bright smile. "Darling, do come in! Bring your friends with you."

We stepped into the boutique and the door slammed shut behind us, somehow plunging everything into dark. Weren't there windows a moment ago? The lights came back on, revealing dozens of ponies that could not have been hiding, with Pinkie Pie at the front. "Surprise!"

Bed Time burst into giggles. "Oh wow, you must have bribed Rarity big time to get her to let you have the party here."

Pinkie tilted her head at Bed Time with some confusion. "You know Rarity? Oh! You must have heard about her. She's super popular for her clothes and stuff."

Bed Time blinked softly and tilted her head the other way. "Huh? I've lived in Ponyville for years."

Pinkie pointed upwards where a banner hung. 'Welcome Bed Time, Blank Slate, Cloud Kicker, Joe and Moonlight Shimmer' "I never forget a party. I never threw you one, so you must be new. Simple."

Bed Time flopped onto her haunches. "But I own the inn just over there." She pointed. "How can you..."

Pinkie shook her head quickly. "Nope, no party. You're new."

"But... I've been here... for..." She frowned. "For... I don't remember..." Tears began to flow. "But I came here after... after... My parents..." She sank to the ground, hooves going over her head. She was falling apart and I felt awful as realization came to me.

I stepped forward quickly and set a hoof on her head, stroking gently. "We'll figure this out later, Bed Time. We should enjoy the party for now, right?"

Pinkie bobbed her head at the idea. "Exactly! Welcome to Ponyville!" The tension in the room faded as music began to play and ponies milled around, enjoying themselves.

Paul came up beside me. "I didn't know it would do that. I just wanted there to be an inn."

I sighed. "Yeah... but inns have people, er, ponies inside. No wonder we were the only customers she's had."

Bed Time suddenly sprang up and threw herself at me, knocking me to the ground. "Is any of this real?! Am I just... one of your figments?" She sank against my barrel, sobbing into the fur. "Are all of these feelings lies?"

Brad whispered to Paul. "Why don't you just announce her back into one piece?"

Paul frowned and fidgeted in place. "I think she has to fix this on her own. I caused enough trouble."

I softly petted along the back of Bed Time, murmuring nothing to her at first before I nipped an ear. "Wherever you came from, you're here now. Even if you never were before, you are now."

Bed Time slid up to look at me nose-to-nose. "Can you love a fake pony?"

I slid a hoof under her chin and leaned in, kissing her nose. "You are not fake. You are Bed Time, and you're wonderful."

The words were good enough for the moment, and she hugged close. "What if everything's just because Paul said so? What if our love is fake?"

I perked an ear at Paul. "Well? Did you do anything?"

Paul shook her head. "Nope! I just said there was an inn. I wasn't even thinking about an innkeep."

I rubbed cheeks with Bed Time gently. "You were the best kind of mistake."

Bed snorted out a half-laugh at that, then sat up a little. "It means... I have nothing to go back to. I have no family, no friends. The ponies of Ponyville just think they know me... but they don't. I don't even know me now..."

I shrugged softly and began to stand up, helping her to her hooves. "You are you, and that has to be good enough for now. At least nopony's upset about your inn. We'll figure this out, as friends."

Bed thrust a hoof at Paul. "No more making ponies! It's not right! You... m-might be a god, but it isn't right. It's e-easy for you to do, but we have to live with it."

Joe approached with Rarity at his side. "I found her."

Rarity smiled. "Oh, am I interrupting something? I can wait if you require?"

I shook my head at Rarity. "No No, we had a question for you." I gestured at Bed Time. "Can you make functional, but elegant, armor for the fine mare here?"

Rarity tilted her head. "I'm no metalsmith, dear, if you wanted something like the ensemble you're wearing."

Bed Time shook her head quickly, focusing on the new conversation. "Nothing so heavy. Maybe something leather? Studded for extra protection? I would appreciate whatever you could do."

Rarity tapped at her chin thoughtfully before a measuring tape appeared, floating in air. She took Bed's measurements with a soft humming. "I think I can do something, dear, so put your mind at ease. It's unbecoming for a lady to cry at a party." She reached up and gently brushed away the tears. "You have a fine stallion at your side. He looks ready to support you."

She trotted away, leaving me with a new blush. Bed Time moved in beside me and snuggled. Her trembling was slowly dying down. I'd have to wait until after the party for a chance speak to Rarity. "Let's get some snacks."

The other ponies of Ponyville approached us through the party and engaged in idle conversation. More than a few asked about our weapons and armor, but nopony was too thrown off by it. Telling them truthfully that we were adventurers seemed to earn their respect and wonder. The idea of a heroic band of do-gooders struck most as romantic and exciting, rather than ridiculous.

There were certainly worse ways to spend a morning.

Author's Note

Bed Time learns the Awful Truth.

Perhaps she's discovered the true source of typos.