The Party Must Go On

Gala woke up extra early and brushed her mane and tail as quickly as she could. In a matter of minutes, she was out the door. Today was Pound’s birthday. It was also Pumpkin’s birthday, but Gala wasn’t very close with her anymore. Their personalities differed and Pumpkin had many other friends, something Gala didn’t have an abundance of.

Gala wanted to get them each a present, but she had no idea what to get them. As she was walking around Ponyville early in the morning, she had the sudden thought that if she wanted to buy something, she would need money. She had been saving up from her job at Sugarcube Corner and she had a piggy bank full of bits at home.

Gala quickly rushed back home and filled her saddle bag with a bunch of bits. She tightened her saddle bag, it had gotten heavy since she put all the bits into it and started slipping to one side, and then she left again, searching for something she could get for Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake. Of course, she would get something for each of them, she didn’t want them to have to share a gift.

She wandered around Ponyville, trying to think of something that she could get for them. She sighed. She had never been good at picking out gifts for people. Maybe she could ask Fluttershy or Discord. Maybe Mr. and Mrs. Cake knew what they would want, but she didn’t want to bother them, they were probably busy with their own birthday celebrations for Pound and Pumpkin.

As she was wandering through Ponyville, she eventually passed by Sugarcube Corner. She looked inside the window, it was dark, and it seemed like nopony was home. She became curious as to what was happening. Gala stared into the darkness for a little while longer. She saw a shape dash from down the stairs and into the kitchen, followed by a loud crash. Gala jumped back from the window, but quickly moved back and continued to look inside.

She saw Pound Cake trotting down the stairs to go after whatever it was that had flown into the kitchen. She gently knocked on the window and Pound turned his head to see her. He trotted over to the door and let her in. “Hi.” He said in a cracked, tired voice.

“Pound, are you ok?” Gala asked.

“I’m fine.” He said. “Pumpkin is sick, so mom and dad and I have been taking care of  her.” He said.

“If you need any help, I’m always here.” Gala said with a smile.

Pound smiled back weakly. “You’re the greatest.” He said, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

“Happy birthday.” Gala said. She closed the door and pulled off her saddlebag, putting it where she normally would if she were working. Pound smiled again.

“Thanks.” He said, almost sarcastically.

Gala followed him back upstairs to Pumpkin’s room. Her face was bright red, and her horn was glowing like crazy. Items all over the room were floating around. Gala assumed it was her magic that was going out of control. Pumpkin lay in her bed, contorted in pain.

“Where are Mr. and Mrs. Cake?” Gala asked.

“They’re taking a nap, it’s my shift.” Pound said. “Thanks again for stopping by and offering to help.” He said.

“Really, it’s nothing.” Gala said. “What can I do?” She asked.

“She looks like she could use another glass of water.” Pound said.

Gala nodded and trotted down to the kitchen to get Pumpkin a glass of water. Gala helped Pound take care of Pumpkin Cake until Mr. and Mrs. Cake woke up and took over.

“Oh, Gala, how nice of you come here and help. Thank you so much, dear.” Mrs. Cake said to Gala.

“We can take care of Pumpkin for the rest of the day, why don’t you two go out and do something?” Mr. Cake said.

“Pound, I could take you out for dinner.” Gala said.

“But, Gala…” Pound started.

“It’s your birthday. I didn’t get you a present, you have to let me do something for you.” Gala pleaded.

Pound sighed. “Alright, fine.”

“Why don’t you two go to Canterlot? You could stay at a hotel for the night. I’ll get you some money so you don’t have to pay out of pocket.” Mrs. Cake said. Gala and Pound looked at each other awkwardly.

“Mrs. Cake, it’s fine, I have plenty of money, I haven’t spent a dollar ever since I’ve started working here.” Gala said.

“Oh, alright. You kids have fun, and Pound, I’m not letting you back in until tomorrow.” She said with a small giggle. Mr. Cake chuckled slightly as well, and Gala noticed Pound blush, though she didn’t know why.

Gala and Pound left Pumpkin’s room and Gala grabbed her saddlebag. “Are you sure you want to pay for everything?” Pound asked. “You could at least let me help with the train tickets or the hotel room.”

“Pound, relax, it’s fine.” Gala assured him. Pound sighed and looked down at the ground. Gala kissed his forehead. “Come on, let’s get going.” Gala said. She quickly put on her saddlebag and left Sugarcube Corner.

The sun was just starting to set, so it wasn’t too late. They walked side by side and Pound wrapped one of his wings around Gala. Gala couldn’t stop smiling and when Pound noticed how big her smile was, he just had to ask. “Why are you smiling so much?”

“I just really like being with you.” Gala said, her smile growing even larger. She looked in front of them. “Oh! Look, there’s the train station.” Gala said. Pound looked and nodded. When they got to the train station, they had to wait a few minutes for a train, but they used that time to buy two tickets to Canterlot.

Gala had bought the tickets and gave one to Pound and kept the other for herself. They sat down while they waited for the train to come into the station. Even in this poor lighting, Gala could tell that Pound was tired. He had dark circles under his eyes and he was hardly able to keep them open.

“Pound, are you alright?” She asked, gently placing a hoof on his shoulder.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” He said, smiling at her.

“You should try to sleep on the train.” She said. Pound nodded, too tired to respond. There was the loud squeal of metal on metal and Pound’s eyes jerked open wide. Gala giggled slightly, “That was the train.” She said.

“Yeah….” Pound said. They got up and went to go get on the train. They gave their tickets to the conductor and waited for the large group of ponies to flush out of the train and then they got on it themselves. They found and open seat and then sat down. Pound leaned his head on Gala’s shoulder and quickly fell asleep. Gala smiled and gently kissed his forehead.

She wasn’t tired, she had gotten plenty of sleep the night before. She stayed up during the train ride to Canterlot. She had never been to Canterlot before, so she couldn’t plan ahead of where she thought they could eat. Maybe she could ask a local, or maybe Pound knew some place. Gala endured the bumpy train ride, trying to keep her body as still as possible so Pound could sleep as soundly as possible.

After about half an hour or so, the conductor announced, “Next stop, Canterlot!” Gala stirred slightly from her motionless position, and Pound’s head jerked up. His eyes popped open and as he looked around his surroundings, they began to droop closed again, and he laid his head back down on Gala’s shoulder.

“Pound, sweetie, we’re here.” Gala said, nuzzling him slightly.

Pound sat up again, slower this time, and his eyes fluttered open. He looked around once more and his gaze settled on Gala. He yawned and stretched, seeming fully rejuvenated. The train lurched to a stop and Gala and Pound both stood up. They walked off the train together, and Pound wrapped his wing around Gala once again.

“Do you know where we should eat?” Gala asked.

“No, I don’t. Maybe we should just walk around for a bit until we see some place that looks good.” Pound said.

“Ok.” Gala said. They walked together in the still night, the stars twinkling above them. Gala sighed happily, and she relished in the feeling of Pound’s wing over her back. “Maybe we should just skip eating and just go to a hotel and sleep.” She said.

“But I’m hungryyy.” Pound whined, giving Gala a begging look.

Gala giggled, “Ok, ok.”

They walked around Canterlot for a little while, searching for some place to eat. As they walked, they passed many couples walking around the lovely city as well. Gala and Pound passed a large building, a restaurant. Gala looked up at it and then she looked at Pound. “Where do you want to eat?” She asked.

“Wherever.” Pound said.

Gala sighed. “You need to choose someplace…. Please?”

Pound sighed and then he looked around, pointing to a small, cozy looking restaurant. “How about that place?” He asked.

“Alright.” Gala said, and they started walking towards it. They walked in and the lighting was gentle and there was classical music playing through speakers. They looked around for a moment and then they went to speak to somepony who looked like they were in charge. “Ummm, hello, sir?” Gala asked.

He had been looking down,perhaps doing taxes or something. He gasped and looked up. “Yes?” He asked eagerly.

“We’d like to eat here.” Gala said. She looked at Pound, unsure of what she should say next.

“Oh, this is wonderful!” He exclaimed in a high-pitched cheerful voice, almost like a mare. He picked up two menus. “We hardly ever get any guests anymore. Follow me.” He said. He walked through the restaurant. “Is there a certain spot you would like to sit at? There’s nobody here, so you have your pick.” He said.

“N-no, anywhere is fine.” Gala said, looking at Pound quizzically. Pound was wearing a goofy smile as he watched their waiter nervously fumble about, wearing that nervous, excited smile.

“Alrighty then.” Said the waiter in a sing-song voice. He led them to the far side of the restaurant. He set down the menus in front of where they would be sitting. It was a small two-seater table with a candle as the centerpiece. It wasn’t lit, perhaps due to the lack of customers, so the waiter pulled out a match and lit the candle. “Enjoy.” He said as he left Pound and Gala alone standing by the table.

They looked at each other for a moment, and then they burst into giggles. They each sat down on opposite side of the table.

“Gala….” Pound said once their giggles had died down.

“Yeah?” She asked through a few small, lingering giggles. Her giggles stopped when she looked up at Pound and saw how sad he looked. “What’s wrong?” She asked.

“There’s something I need to tell you.” Pound said solemnly. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Gala noticed a small tear roll down his cheek, and she suddenly became very worried.

“Pound, what is it? Please tell me?” She begged, her voice cracking slightly as she tried not to cry.

“You know how sick Pumpkin is?” Pound asked. Gala nodded. “None of the doctors in Ponyville know what’s wrong with her, so mom and dad want to move somewhere where they can find a professional doctor that can figure out what’s wrong with her and make her better.”

“So, you’re moving away from Ponyville?” Gala asked sadly.

“I might be able to stay, but I’m not sure yet.”

“What do you mean? You might be able to stay?” She asked.

“Mom and dad said that I might be old enough to stay here and Ponyville and run Sugarcube Corner.” He paused and a smile appeared on Gala’s face. “But…” He continued. Gala’s frown dissipated. “Since I’m only 17 now and technically I would have to be 18 to own Sugarcube Corner, I need somepony, and adult pony to own it until I turn 18.” He said.

“I could ask Fluttershy, or, Discord, or Sweetie Belle, or, Apple Bloom, or, Scootaloo.” Gala said. “I’m sure at least one of them would do it.” She said in a sad, almost desperate voice.

Pound smiled weakly and tiredly at her. “That would be amazing.” He said. “Thank you.” He picked up his menu and began looking at it. “I’m sorry I had to tell you this now, let’s just forget about it and have a fun night.” He smiled at her.

Gala smiled back and picked up her menu as well. They both ordered what they wanted to eat from their ecstatic waiter. He happily wrote down their orders and skipped away into the kitchen after picking up their menus.

Gala and Pound talked to each other about things that would make them happy, things that would help them forget about everything Pound had said. They talked, and laughed and there were a few kisses. When the waiter had finally come back, he was carrying their food with his magic from his horn. He placed their plates in front of them.

“Is there anything else you would like?” He asked.

Gala and Pound both looked at each other, shaking their heads slightly. “No.” They said in unison. The waiter left them to eat their food and talk. The food was delicious and expertly prepared, they were both surprised that this place didn’t have any more customers. They finished eating their food, chatting casually as they ate. Once they finished Gala paid the waiter.

“Oh my goodness!” He exclaimed when she attempted to give him the bits. “Why are you paying?” He asked her.

“It’s Pound’s birthday, I’m treating him.” She said.

The waiter seemed to relax some and accepted that the lady was paying. He accepted the bits and then Pound and Gala were on their way. They wandered around Canterlot for a bit, enjoying the calm night and the beautiful sky. Eventually, they grew tired enough that they retreated to a hotel for the night.

They walked into the first hotel they see. Pound’s tiredness had returned and he could hardly keep his eyes open. Gala walked up to the pony at the front desk. “Umm, hello…” She said awkwardly. “Do you have any rooms available that we could stay in for the night?” She asked.

The pony at the front desk looked at her and then he looked at Pound. “Yes, but I’m afraid we only have two rooms left, and they’re both only one bed rooms.” He said.

“That’s fine.” Gala said, opening her saddle bag. “How much?” She asked. The strange pony raised an eyebrow, and then he looked down and told her the price. She gave him the right amount of bits, as well as a few as a tip, and then he gave her the key. She and Pound walked up to their room, referring to the number on the key, which was the same as their room number.