Through the Cavern

Ricky was beginning to grow frustrated. He was just a few words from completing the crossword puzzle, but he had no idea what a "_____ Apple, 3 Letters" was. Tapping his pencil against his mug, he racked his brain.

"Everything alright over here?" Pinkie came over, a pot of coffee in hoof. Ricky shook his head "Honestly, this is really starting to get on my nerves. Have you got any idea what..."

"Zap apple." Pinkie answered quickly, refilling Ricky's mug as she did.

"Oh, thanks." Ricky glanced at the clock, and was pleased to see that he had at least 20 minutes before he had to go to the school. Filling in the missing word, he gave up on the puzzle and leaned back in his seat. He was the only one at Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie not included. Watching the hyper pink mare bustle around, Ricky decided to break the silence "So...anything new with you?"

"Huh? Oh! Well...not really, no. Which, frankly, surprises me just as much as it might surprise you, seeing as it's soooooo rare when absolutely NOTHING new happens in my life. I mean, this one time I just sat there for like, 5 hours, not moving a single, solitary muscle, and nothing!!" Pinkie seemed to be completely perturbed by this "What do you make of that, Ricky?"

"Well...I can't exactly say I've ever sat around for five hours...oh, wait, no, there was that Power Rangers marathon with my buddy...but, I'd say maybe you need to be the one to take action and make something new happen to you." Ricky took a mouthful of coffee, draining nearly half the mug in his haste.

"Hmmm...sounds like fun. Got any ideas?" Pinkie hopped over to him and sat. Ricky tried to think of something "I dunno...how about starting a collection?"

"What, you mean like Fluttershy and her animals?"

"No, I honestly don't know what to classify Fluttershy and her animals as. But, I mean something practical, like, collecting fancy stones or something like that." Ricky took another sip. Pinkie nodded "Yeah, Twilight has suggested this SO many different times, but I've just never taken her seriously. But, if somepony else suggests it too...why not give it a try?"

"There you go, problem solved." Ricky glanced at the clock, deciding it was time to get going "I don't mean to be rude, Pinkie, but I promised Rarity I'd go pick Sweetie Belle up." He fumbled in his pocket and tossed a couple of bits on the table, but Pinkie pushed one of them back to him "You get the friends and family discount!"

"Really? Cool." Ricky stood and made his way to the door. Before he left, he turned and asked "Hey, do you suppose you could loan me a thermos on Saturday night? I'm...working late, that day." He didn't want to let on that Luna was going to take him on a dream world journey. Pinkie nodded happily "Of course! Just come by before we close, okay?"

"Sweet, thanks, Pinkie!" Ricky walked out, waving back as he did. Pulling out a smoke, he starting walking up in the direction of the school.

***

As Ricky made his way up the path, he could see the bell tower in the distance. Pinching his smoke out for the walk back, he smiled as he could hear the sounds of colts and fillies happily laughing and talking. It made him think of his own school days, trading Pokémon cards and arguing over who got to be the Green Ranger. As he approached the building, he saw Sweetie Belle sitting on the steps, waiting for him.

"Hey, Ricky!" She waved happily. Ricky walked up to her "Hey, Sweetie, you ready to go?"

"Yep!" She hopped down and the two of them began making their way to the gate.

"So, where's Scootaloo and Apple Bloom?" Ricky asked, looking around for them. Sweetie replied "Applejack came and took Apple Bloom to the dentist, and Scootaloo's got detention."

"Really? What did she do?" Ricky asked, slightly surprised.

"Oh, nothing too bad. She just fell asleep during the last hour, so Miss Cheerilee's making her stay behind and take down what she missed."

"Ah, gotcha." Ricky said "So, what time does Rarity expect you home?"

"Usually right away, but she said it was okay if we took our time. I don't blame her, what with all the work she's been doing lately." Sweetie replied "Sometimes she's too nice for her own good, and it catches up with her."

"Yeah, I hear ya. So, what do you want to do in the meantime? We could go see Twilight." Ricky suggested, but Sweetie quickly shook her head "No, she'll just want me to get a jumpstart on my homework. Plus, Spike never stops asking about my sister."

"Okay...Fluttershy's?"

"I think she's doing a wildlife inventory today, so it probably wouldn't be a good idea." Sweetie replied. Ricky shrugged at this "Well, I can't really think of anything else. I really don't have much to do at my place, and I doubt you'd be allowed in the Rusty Horseshoe..."

"Nope. Rarity says that place is for vagrants and riff raff anyway." She pursed her lips and began to think. Suddenly, something hit her "I know, let's go to the park! It's SOOOOOO pretty there, plus there's so much cool stuff going on there all the time!"

"Now that I can definitely enjoy. I always did love hanging out at parks. So, how far is it from here?"

"Not that far at all, actually. It's literally right over there!" Sweetie Belle pointed in the direction of a stone archway surrounded by trees "Come on, let's go!"

"Alright, just don't run this time, okay? I can't keep up with you ponies very well, having only two legs and all." Ricky stated, and Sweetie nodded "Don't worry, I'll keep pace."

They walked along for a moment or two, and slowly the park entrance loomed before them. As they got closer, Ricky could see carvings of Celestia and Luna on either side, with "Ponyville Park" carved in a fancy script over top. Inside, Ricky glimpsed ponies running, laughing, etc.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Sweetie Belle raced in, and Ricky jogged after her, stopping to survey the area. It was far more natural than any of the parks he had been to back in his world. The trees were full of wildlife, and flowers of every size, shape and color grew in large quantities. Snack carts were positioned at different points, the vendors calling out to the various ponies that milled about. In the middle of it all was a large bandstand where a classical quartet played. Ricky recognized the cellist that Vinyl was playing with on Nightmare Night.

"Wow, this is beautiful!" Ricky marveled. Sweetie Belle grinned "I thought you'd like it! So, what do you want to do first? We can go play with the bunnies, play by the lake..."

"I'm actually really enjoying this music. I wouldn't mind listening for a moment or two." Ricky replied, making his way over to the performers. Sweetie Belle caught up to him "Yeah, they play here a once or twice a week, but they never tell us when. That way, it's a surprise every time."

"That's pretty cool of them." Ricky wondered how the four ponies were playing their instruments without hands. Either way, it didn't matter due to the high quality of the music. Slowly, the piece drew to a close, and several ponies applauded. The cellist got up from her seat and addressed them "Thank you for that kind reception. We will be taking a short interlude, and shall commence in fifteen minutes time."

"Think she'd be willing to say hello? I wanted to compliment her on her playing." Ricky asked, and Sweetie shrugged "I don't know, to be honest. I met her once with my sister, and she seemed kind of stuck up."

"Really? You think so?" Ricky watched as Octavia set her cello in its case and make her way down the stairs "She doesn't seem that bad."

"Well, you're welcome to try, but don't look at me when she snaps at you." Sweetie replied.

"You know what? I'm gonna do it. Back in a second." Ricky headed in Octavia's direction, and caught up with her by the soda cart "Excuse me, do you have a second?"

Octavia started a bit when she saw who had addressed her, but composed herself right away "Oh, hello. You're that human, if I am not mistaken?"

"Yep, name's Ricky."

"Charmed. I am Octavia Melody, top cellist in Ponyville. May I ask as to what you wish from me?"

"Oh, nothing, really. I just wanted to say that you play really well, was all." Ricky said. Octavia looked a tad surprised "Really? I imagined that an employee of Vinyl's would not be interested in my type of music."

"I happen to like all kinds of music, as a matter of fact. Besides, I saw you and Vinyl jamming together at the Nightmare Night party."

"Well, when one lives with a dj, they tend to get creative once in a while." Octavia said "However, she chooses the most inappropriate times to work on her material."

"Yeah, she has a tendency to do that at work. Especially when she's got me alphabetizing albums."

"Hmph, figures. Um, I'm sorry, but were you not with a filly a couple of moments ago?" Octavia asked, causing Ricky to realize "Oh, damn, I forgot about Sweetie Belle...I should probably get back to her."

"Might I ask as to why you didn't bring her over with you? I'm not adverse to children." Octavia followed Ricky to where Sweetie Belle sat waiting impatiently.

"Ugh, FINALLY. I thought you'd never stop...oh...hello." Sweetie trailed off when she noticed Ricky's companion. The cellist stepped forward, smiling "Hello, darling. Have you been enjoying the music?"

"Oh...yes, it was really nice." Sweetie replied awkwardly. Octavia looked a bit closer at her "I can't help but feel that I've met you before..."

"Well, I know my sister's done some work for you before..." Sweetie began, but Octavia interrupted her "Oh yes, you're Sweetie Belle! I'm terribly sorry, but I haven't been by your sister's boutique in quite some time."

"That's okay! I'm surprised that you even remembered my name, actually."

"But of course! As I recall, service aside, you were the most delightful part of my visit." Octavia said, which caught Sweetie Belle off guard "Really? Do you mean that?"

Octavia looked surprised that she would say this "Why, yes, dear. Just between the three of us, I frankly found your sister to be polite, but rather stuck up." Ricky smirked at this, trying not to giggle, while Sweetie did a double take "Now, I'm terribly sorry, but I must get back on stage. It was lovely speaking with the both of you."

"Pleasure was all ours." Ricky replied, and Octavia started heading up the stairs to her cello. Sweetie was still looking surprised, so Ricky decided that this was the ideal time to ask her something "Hey...Sweetie Belle?"

Sweetie shook her head to clear it, then turned to Ricky "Yeah?"

"Just out of curiosity, was Rarity the one who started that rumor about her being a snob?"

"Actually...come to think of it, it was."

"Gotta love irony" Ricky replied. They turned to the stage upon hearing the sounds of a violin, and settled back to watch the quartet perform.

***

"RARITY!!! I'm home!!!!" Sweetie Belle charged through the front door. Ricky stared at the state of the room, which looked as if a bomb had gone off. Fabric was everywhere, and dressmaker dummies were lying on their sides. A moment later, a disheveled Rarity entered. Her mane was a mess, and she looked exhausted. Yawning, she approached them "Sorry about the mess...how was your afternoon?"

"Awesome! We went to the park, and the musicians were playing again." Sweetie walked over to the couch and sat.

"Is that so? I enjoy their music, by I don't much care for their cellist's attitude." Rarity flopped down next to her sister "I've waited all day for this."

"Yeah, you look pretty beat. I should probably get out of your hair." Ricky began backing towards the door.

"It has been a rather difficult day. I had to do touch up work for the town's marching band..." Rarity groaned "I don't want to hear the word 'uniform' for quite some time."

"Man, you should take a holiday. Do you have beaches here?" Ricky leaned against the doorframe.

"I would love to, believe me. But I just never have the time..." Rarity's eyelids began drooping. Sweetie Belle shook her head at this "That does it, sis, you're going to bed!"

"But...I have to clean, and..." Rarity yawned, and Sweetie hopped down "No buts! You're passing out."

"She is right, it'd be pointless to argue." Ricky agreed. Sighing, Rarity nodded "Alright, she wins."

She staggered to her feet, her sister coming to guide her up the stairs "Thanks again for today, Ricky! We gotta go again when the others are free." Sweetie said.

"Definitely. I'll just let myself out, okay?"

"Ok, sounds great. See ya!" Sweetie waved at him, then began guiding her sister down the hall. Chuckling, Ricky ducked through the door and closed it behind him.