As usual, it was a clear and beautiful day in Equestria. Not a cloud in the sky. The birds happily chirping and the grass as green as ever, the scenery surrounding Marefield University was picture perfect. However, not even Celestia's Sun could match bright mindset of our favorite teacher, Cheerilee.
Wearing a blue backpack, the former elementary school teacher hummed a delightful little tune to herself as she headed towards Marefield University with her eyes glaring and a spring in her trot. She was so delighted to begin her new job at the university. As president of Marefield University, she was determined to make sure nothing about orientation went wrong. Nothing in the slightest. And she was especially determined to retain a positive attitude along the way, even if it meant happily disagreeing on certain circumstances here and there. Or so she promised herself. Nothing should go wrong. She could allow no problems. Problems lead to stress. No stressful moments for her. None.
Finally approaching the front door to the main office, she halts to take a deep breath of confidence, or so she would call it. Exhaling, she once again puts on her smile and walks through the door.
"Good morning, everypony!" shouted Cheerilee, holding out her hooves. Opening her eyes, Cheerilee found most of the staff either asleep or slouching over their desks or swivel chairs, with their eyes half-shut. Vexed, she mustered enough ability to maintain her inflated smile and proceeded to wake the tired staff, starting with Bill Neigh. "C'mon, Bill. Wakey-wakey" she softly says to the exhausted scientist. Receiving no answer, she kept her bright attitude and moved on to the rest of the staff.
"Time to get up, Quill Pusher! We've got a lot to cover today," Cheerilee said to Quill Pusher as she quite aggressively moved his swivel chair back and forth, causing him to snap wide awake with a certain startled reaction. Happy to see him finally awake, the president cheerfully went on to rouse the other ponies, leaving Quill Pusher to fix his glasses, sighing.
She then approaches the desk of Gingersnap, the university's head math professor. Finding her to be lying her head on her desk, Cheerilee takes her by the mane and lifts her head up, leaning just too close into the orange unicorn's face, telling her, "C'mon, Gingersnap! It's time that we snap out of it and get the day started. Rubbing her muzzle, Gingersnap glances back at her new president with annoyance.
Cherry Fizzy, the custodian, was sleeping inside of a garbage pail, his entire upper body slouching inside of the bin. Hearing his name being whispered, Cherry slightly opens his eyes to find Cheerilee vigorously glaring at him saying "you shouldn't be sleeping on the jo-ob!" Instantly startled, Cherry immediately shoots out of the garbage bin, only to fall backwards smack onto the floor after several seconds hyperventilating.
Cheerilee once again approaches Bill's desk, once again asking him to wake up, and once again, receiving no response. Feeling a little more annoyed than before, the president once again put on her best smile and moves on to the other professors.
All sitting on separate couches were Apple Polish, Crystal Clear, Arpeggio, and Top Marks, who recently transferred to Marefield after getting laid off by the School for Gifted Unicorns. The every-so giddy Cheerilee trotted towards the group of professors and began to wake them all up, starting with Top Marks.
"TIme to get up, Top Marks!" said Cheerilee, grabbing the social studies professor by the shoulders and excessively shaking him back and forth, him, gasping at the very second he started alternating, before Cheerilee let him go, allowing him to grunt. Apple Polish had her body curled up in a ball when suddenly…"Up and at 'em, Apple Polish!" Apple Polish immediately awoke with a sudden startle, though her tension instantly lowered upon realizing it was just Cheerilee. Back rolling onto Crystal Clear, the president exclaimed, "The morning is clear as day, my Crystal friend!" Arpeggio was silently sitting up in his couch, with his head sagging backwards, when suddenly Cheerilee stood up on the couch and began bouncing up and down saying, "Arp. Wake. Up. It's time. To start. The day". She spoke one word with every bounce she made, which caused Arpeggio to fly up a little on every one of them. Exasperating, Arpeggio, along with the other three professors, finally stood up, hooves flat on the floor, and approached the center of the office.
Cheerilee was happy to see nearly all of the professors finally waking up, leaving Bill as the only tired pony remaining. Beginning to lose it, even if she hadn't up until this point, Cheerilee stomped towards the science professor and, inhaling all the energy she could, let out a thundering, shrieking "BILL!!!!", causing him to fall right out of his chair and face flat onto the floor.
"Well, then…glad your awake," Cheerilee gratefully said, and trotted back towards the center. Standing up, Bill anxiously picked up his glasses, relieved to find them not broken. Grabbing a chair, Cheerilee moved towards the center of the main office, placing the chair down and stood on top of it, proceeding to speak to the staff of stale ponies.
"Alright, ladies and gentle colts, now that we have all managed to get our sleepy heads up and at it, I think it's worth checking that we all know our responsibilities for organizing today's events," said Cheerilee to the dazed pony staff. "Everypody remembers what we all have to do, right? I don't need to repeat myself? Everypony is assigned a certain position?" There's a brief pause within the room before Cheerilee speaks again. "Alright, now if everypony could tend to what needs to be taken care of, that'll be great. Now are there any questions or comments before we begin?"
Top Marks raises his hoof and says, "Well actu--"
"No? Good. Now let's get to work, ponies!" Everypony continued to work on what needed to be tended to, including the unanswered Top Marks. Feeling concerned, Quill Pusher approached Cheerilee in hopes of talking some sense into her.
"Uh, Cheerilee," Quill Pusher said.
"That's president Cheerilee to you," Ceerilee clarified in a quirky manner. Both earth ponies walked as they had their conversation.
"Yeah, sure. Um, President Cheerilee, are you sure that you have all of this under control?"
"What do you mean if I'm sure I have everything under control? Are you saying that I don't have everything under control? Of course I have everything under control! Why wouldn't I have everything under control?!"
"Well, it's just that this your first time managing college students. You're more use to educating fillies and colts, and I'm just a little concerned that you may have a rocky chance at maintaining order over the pupils."
"Oh, of course I won't! How on earth would I ever have a hard time?!"
"Well, there's the fact that you had us all organizing the events at 2:30 this morning."
"Well why not? What better way to make sure your freshman orientation is properly prepared than to get your faculty working as soon as possible? You know what they say, 'the early bird catches the worm!'"
Quill Pusher had an awkward look on his face after hearing that theory. "Okay. Well there's also the fact that you probably had just a little too much coffee this morning."
"Oh heavens no, Quill Pusher! I had no coffee at all!"
"Then why are you--"
"I just had a 10-hour energy."
Quill Pusher quickly froze in his tracks as Cheerilee was still walking.
"10-hour energy?!" Quill Pusher anxiously asked.
"Why of course." Cheerilee reached into her backpack, and pulled out an empty bottle of the apparent 10-hour energy, holding it in her smiling mouth to show Quill Pusher. "They just released it four months ago. It's been said to keep you active during the day and the night. What better can you ask for? Oh, and it actually does come in a coffee flavor, so there's that!"
Quill Pusher approached Cheerilee and took the unhealthy product away from her mouth, examining the bottle with a stunned look.
"Cheerilee, are you serious?!" Quill Pusher stressed. "Do you know what this stuff even contains? It has no nutrients, or vitamins, or anything! Hell, it's been said to kill ponies!"
"Oh, don't worry, it's fine. Pinkie Pie drinks it all the time and she says it's great for her. It helps her stay active, keeps her focused on party planning, and afterwards, she has plenty of time to sleep. Well, I'm sure if has time to do sleep, but shesaysthatshegetsagreatsleepafterwards, shesaysitsreallyrefreshingafteraharddaysworkorhardnightsworkforthatmatteraswell, heyhaveyouseenpinkiepierecentlyshesbeendoingverywell, heyyouknowshetellsmeallabouthowherandcheese--"
"Cheerilee!" exclaimed Quill Pusher, placing both hooves onto Cheerilee's shoulders.
"Yes?" asked Cheerilee. As Quill Pusher stared at the smiling Cheerilee, he studied the glaring eyes that stared right back into him; the veins like red rotting tree branches in front of a clear, alabaster sky. Managing to turn his attention away from them, though, he was finally able to speak to Cheerilee in a sympathetic and assuring tone.
"Three things. First of all, Pinkie is a great pony. I think you two are absolutely great friends. I also think that you may spend a little too much time with her, okay?" Cheerilee slightly nodded, still smiling."Good. Second, energy drinks are not a good friend. Let's try to stay away from them, okay?" Again, Cheerilee nods. Certain that Cheerilee is now calm enough, and hoping that she was calm enough, Quill Pusher lets go of her shoulders, allowing her to stand with more ease. "Alright. And third of all, I'm just a tad worried that you might struggle along the way today."
Cheerilee's gulped, anxious by how somepony was questioning her ability to maintain balance. Quill Pusher might be onto her. He might have uncovered her inner jitters, she thought. However, she kept her composure and responded by saying "Trust me, Quill Pusher. I'm an expert. If I have delt with students in the past, then I can deal with students today."
Cheerilee began to trot into the president's office, leaving Quill Pusher standing still in the hallway, reassuring him one last time "I hope for every filly and colt to today come with their heads high, backs packed and big strong, smiles on their faces."
A loud, harsh squeal comes from Deb. Sporting a light blue bouffant and a light grey coat, the British unicorn turns out to be standing on a table posing for her mother, Rarity, to add the finishing touches onto her short red a-line dress. Tilting her head back and arching her spine, she may have just been punctured by a pin or two, but coupled with her vexation, and quite frankly, her anxiety, she felt as tense as ever in that very moment.
"See, darling? This is exactly why I've been telling you to hold still", said Rarity in response to Deb's squealing. Holding several pins in her mouth and three more in the air with her magic, Rarity was determined to make her daughter look as presentable as can be for orientation. However, Deb was nearly through with keeping this ridiculous pose her mother needed her in to add the touches, and she could nearly explode from all the frustration she was holding in. She envied her father, Fancy Pants, who just calmly sat in his chair, reading the newspaper, not saving Deb from this foolish little dress-up game.
"But mom, you make it so hard when you keep jabbing those things into me," Deb complained.
"Well you make it so hard when you keep wiggling like a rattlesnake," replied Rarity in slightly harsher tone, as she was placing several more pins onto Deb's dress to hold up the hem.
"Well you…y-you know what, never mind. I can see where this is already going."
"Oh drat! I've ran out of pins. Fancy, dear, can you pass me a few more, please?" Rarity asked. Looking up from his newspaper, Fancy Pants used his magic to pick up three pins from the nearby coffee table and passed them to Rarity, who manage to catch them with her own magic. Gently putting two of them in her mouth to hold and leaving out one, she continued to fix up her daughter's outfit, while Fancy Pants peacefully went back to reading his paper.
"Can we at the very least take a break, mother? I'm feeling exhausted from keeping this pose," Deb begged.
"Nonsense, my dear. You're able to hold these postures on the dance floor all the time. I've seen you practice in the dance studio. I'm sure you have the capacity to hold it for quite some time", Rarity argued as she tried to stay focus on adding more pins.
"Well, yes, but not for thirty minutes," Deb replied with an annoyed attitude.
"Forty-five, actually," Fancy Pants responded, correcting Deb.
"Forty-five minutes?! We've been here for forty-five minutes! Has it really been that long?!" Deb asked.
"Well, you started at 7:05, it's 7:55 now, so…actually, my mistake, it's been fifty minutes since you started fixing the dress." Stunned, the stuttering Deb looked down at herself, realizing how capable she was of maintaining her pose for a solid fifty minutes. She couldn't believe how even after
"Indeed, and you've managed to keep your posture the whole time," Rarity added, feeling a sense of audacity with her exactitude. "See darling? I told you you had the efficiency to pull it off. And besides, it's always worth it when you're preparing your daughter for orientation."
"Ugh, I never thought I'd resent my own skill sets," Deb grunted, wanting to curse her experience in ballroom dancing.
"Aaaaand, perfect!" Rarity placed the final pin onto the dress. Finally breaking her pose, Deb took a deep breath out of relief and stepped down from "You're ready to start the day. Well, fashion wise, of course. Let's go over the list of items you need to bring." Using her magic, Rarity pulled out the list in front of her, as well as a quill and her orange designer glasses to see better. "Let's see. Do we have bed sheets?"
"Check", said Deb, looking over to the front door where all of her stuff is packed.
"Great, now what about raincoat and umbrella?"
"Check."
"Toiletries?"
"Got it."
"Small fan?"
"All packed up."
"Good. Now let's see." Rarity walked over to the packed bags, examining them to see if anything was missing. "Nice, nice. I think that's all we have--" suddenly, Rarity let out a loud, overblown gasp. "Your First-Year Guidebook! Where did you put it?!"
"Uh, well I--," Deb began, but Rarity quickly cut her off.
"YOU DON'T REMEMBER WHERE YOU PUT IT?!!" exclaimed Rarity, as she proceeded to run in circles all around the Carousel Boutique in a colossal panic. Deb watch her petrified mother with a confused attitude. "Oh out of all the things I could've forgotten to pack last night, I just had to forget the one item that you'll actually need during your visit!" During her stampede, she accidentally stepped on the tail of her beloved cat, Opalescence, causing the darling to abruptly awaken. Needing to catch her breath, Rarity finally stopped. "Oh what am I gonna do? What am I going to do?! Of all the worst things that could happen, this is. THE. WORST. POSSIBLE. TH--." Fancy Pants approached her from behind and gently put a hoof on her shoulder, signaling for her to calm down.
"It's alright, my dear," Fancy Pants assured, as he lifted the guidebook with his magic and over to Deb's packed items near the door. "It was right on the coffee table, where you had the pins placed."
"Oh. Right. Sorry about that," Rarity said, blushing in embarrassment.
"No need to worry, my dear," Fancy Pants wrapped his hoof around Rarity and pulling her close before giving her a kiss on the forehead, causing Rarity to blush again. Fancy Pants approached Deb. "You're just a caring mother who cares so much for her daughter, as am I."
Now standing beside Deb, who had just finished putting the book into her bags, Fancy Pants wrapped his hoof around his daughter and pulled her in close.
"Now, are you sure you got everything packed my dear?" Fancy Pants asked, making sure to double check just one last time.
"Yep. I'm pretty sure," answered Deb.
"Are you absolutely sure?" Rarity asked teasingly as she approached the two. "If not, I may have to go ballistic again just to remind you."
"Haha, no, I'm sure that I've got all the items I need," Deb reassured as Rarity wrapped her own hoof around Deb as well.
"Well then, we should be sure to get these to your carriage before it flies off," Fancy Pants recommended, preparing to lift the bags with his magic. "Let me help you carry these to your ride, dear".
"No no. I've got it. Thank you anyway," Deb answered as she quickly proceeded to lift the bags with her own magic. Stopping in his tracks, Fancy Pants gave Rarity a slightly surprised and confused look as they both watched Deb ascend the bags before her.
"Okay well then have a blast, my dear," said Fancy pants as he gave Deb a kiss on the forehead.
"Thanks, dad," said Deb, as she proceeded to walk out the door.
"We love you, darling!" said Rarity, now standing beside Fancy Pants as she watched her daughter leave for the carriage.
"Love you, too, guys," Deb called back to her, now a distance away from her parents. From the door, Fancy Pants and Rarity watched their daughter trot along to the awaiting carriage, feeling as proud as ever for their precious filly. Rarity almost felt a sting of tears in her eyes, but she managed to hold them back.
As Deb trotted along, she felt one of the pins poking into her flank. With every step she took, the pointed end jabbed into her coat, creating, not tense, but rather annoying, pressure. It may have been an itty-bitty point, but she was already nervous enough about giving her future colleagues a good impression; she didn't need something as irksome as a pin to increase her discomfort. Not being able to take it anymore, she dropped her bags, allowing them to land with a thud, and used her magic to remove the pesky pointed instrument and throw it away.
"Hopefully, that's the last pin I'll have to deal with for a while," Deb muttered to herself as she used her magic to pick up her bags again and continue to head towards the carriage.
Another loud yell can be heard from Pin Drop's room. Leaning up against a bureau, the light-yellowish pegasus wings flew straight up as he anxiously stared deep into the eye of what he believes to be the dreaded cyclops shark. The lights off, a bright light was shone from below towards the menacing creature, revealing its palish skin and toothless mouth. Feeling as if he just stumbled into a real nightmare, the hyperventilating Pin Drop felt sweat dripping down his head and through the back of his gray striped collar shirt.
"Angel!" exclaimed Fluttershy, who swiftly turned on the lights, revealing the rare, hideous creature to be Fluttershy's pet bunny Angel in a cyclops mask holding a flashlight. Pin Drop eases his grip on the bureau upon discovering the prank the hostile little hare had played on him. "Shame on you for scaring Pin Drop, especially when he has a big day to prepare for!" As Fluttershy calls out for Big Macintosh, Pin Drop started to take a few deep breaths, wondering how he could've been fooled by such an obvious trick. Then again, the cyclops shark was a mysterious kind of fellow, and given its rarity, it's hard for Pin Drop to consider how pleasant it just might turn out to be.
Big Mac suddenly arrives at the door to Pin Drop's bed, displaying the same low-key attitude that he always has.
"Would you take Angel back to his play pen?" asked Fluttershy.
"Eeyup," replied Big Macintosh, as he picked up Angel with his mouth and proceeded to walk him back to the pen. Balling up his fists and kicking his legs, Angel tried to fight off Big Mac, but his tiny body was no match for Big Mac's strong bite.
Fluttershy then walked over to the uneasy Pin Drop and wrapped her hoof around him.
"Relax, sweetheart. It was only a mask," Fluttershy assured while holding out a hoof to the ugly cyclops mask.
"Y-yeah, I know," Pin Drop tried to allege while shyly looking down at the floor.
"Are you about that?" Fluttershy teasingly asked while glancing at her embarrassed son.
"Well--," Pin Drop started, but then looked back down at the floor while blushing.
"Oh, it's fine," promised Fluttershy, who pulled Pin Drop close and exchanged smiles with the shaky pegasus. "Come on. Let's go downstairs to the kitchen and eat." The two trotted along out of Pin Drop's room.
Fluttershy and Pin Drop reached the kitchen, where all of Fluttershy's woodland critters help gather up all of Pin Drop's belongings that are needed for Orientation.
"But really, mom, I wasn't that scared", Pin Drop promised, as he and Fluttershy approached the counter where a bowl of cereal awaits. "In fact, I even almost tried to fight back".
"Oh really?" Did you plan on lifting the bureau and throwing it across the room?" Fluttershy teasingly asked Pin Drop, who sat down as she poured the milk onto the flakes.
"Well, maybe," Pin Drop playfully responded back, picking up his spoon. "But then again, I would've need to call dad for backup". He scooped up a spoonful of the cereal and put it in his mouth.
"I don't know how he keeps finding that mask," Fluttershy queried. "I've hid it in every corner of the house that I could find. That I could even reach. And somehow, he keeps getting a hold of it."
"Yeah, well, it's gonna feel refreshing to take a break from that little twit," Pin Drop confessed after he swallowed his cereal, causing Fluttershy to let out a gasp.
"Pin Drop! How could you say that about Angel? He's a very important member to this family. Your father and I love him very much."
After taking another bite of cereal, Pin Drop raised an eyebrow to Fluttershy asking if she was really kidding him. Swallowing his bite, he turned to Big Mac, who was just returning to the kitchen from putting away Angel.
"Dad, do you really care about Angel?" asked Pin Drop before taking another bite.
"Nnope," Big Mac responded, causing Fluttershy to gasp even louder than before.
"Mac! How could you say that! I thought you loved Angel!" exclaimed the mare taken aback.
"Oh hell no, I don't," Big Mac ensured.
"Face it, mom. King Sombra is more lovable than that spoiled ball of fur," Pin Drop claimed, taking another bite of cereal. Fluttershy couldn't believe what she was hearing. After years of living together under the same roof, her two favorite stallions in the whole world were making such ornery comments about her fillyhood bunny.
"This is unbelievable! Neither of you know how much Angel has meant to this family," Fluttershy claimed. I mean, he comforted after that awfully nasty article about my tail extensions. He also helped me overcome my fear of stage fright, reminded me of Princess Celestia's arrival…"
"He also broke my magnifying glass, ruined dad's vegetable garden, peed on my twelve page essay on the Everfree Forest, sent another story to the Foal Free Press about dad's obsession with Smartypants…," Pin Drop began to list. As Big Mac listened to the former event, he glanced at his Smartypants doll on the floor. Feeling embarrassed, he nudged it under the table.
"Okay, well, maybe there are a few things in the past he wasn't to do, but I feel it's right to go easy on the little fella," Fluttershy began, starting to sound a little worried. "I mean, 'cause after all, he could be gone pretty soon."
Exchanging lackadaisical looks, both Big Mac and Pin Drop tried their best to prepare sympathetic replies, but couldn't bring themselves to do it. Surprised by their unwillingness to show compassion, Fluttershy was about to give an outraged response, but restrained herself from doing so, deciding that it was best of her to avoid anymore unsetting feelings.
"Well Pin Drop, I hope you feel very happy that there are no Angels in Crystal Lake," Fluttershy snarked. Pin Drop was suddenly filled with excitement at just the mentioning of Crystal Lake. In fact, he nearly dropped his spoon and choked on his flakes preparing for a response.
"Oh yeah. You bet there aren't!" Pin Drop began excitedly. "It's exorbitant in color, rapid in speed, immaculate in quality. I mean, who wouldn't see it as their dream destination? It's the most peaceful, most relaxing place in the entire world! Well, that is until most of the tourists are gone, but still. And best of all…"
"No cyclops sharks?" Fluttershy tried to complete.
"No, I was gonna say tons of plant life," Pin Drop corrected, finishing his last bite of cereal.
"Are you sure?" Fluttershy gave him the exact same stubborn look he gave him before.
"Yes."
"Oh. Okay. Well then. It looks like the animals have finished packing your things and you're ready to head off to Orientation. Would you like me to help you carry these to the train station?"
"No. I got it." Pin Drop answered, as he put on his backpack and put his extra traveling bag in his mouth. "Thanks anyway."
Feeling surprised by the answer, Fluttershy still managed to walk over to the door and hold it open for Pin Drop. Once he was outside, Fluttershy stood at the door facing him, with Big Mac approaching her and standing by her side to watch their son leave.
"Have a great Orientation weekend, honey!" the mare said, waving hooves along with Big Mac.
"Thanks mom, thanks dad!" Pin Drop waved his hooves back. "I love you guys!"
"We love you, too, sweetheart!"
"Eeyup!" Big Mac exclaimed.
The peaceful married couple watched as their son flew away from their cottage. Once he was far away enough, they closed the door and headed back into their home.
As Big Mac went upstairs to the bedroom, Fluttershy trotted back into the kitchen, almost breaking into tears just by wondering how her little colt grew up so fast on her. She went over to the cereal bowl and was about to pick it up and clean it, when suddenly, she noticed a few dark objects in the dirty bowl. Leaning forward, she closely examined the darkish things in the milk, which appeared to be chocolate chunks at first. Hm, I didn't know Frosted Flakes had chocolate chunks, she thought. However, her nose then picked up a stench, one that was much like the one that she senses when cleaning Angel's litter box. Coming to the realization of what was really in that cereal, she let out what she would call a loud cry of Angel's name.
"Lassay!" yelled Applejack from the kitchen as she was cleaning the pots and pans from the breakfast she had prepared for her son. She had been working all morning preparing breakfast for her son, Lassi. She was intent on giving her stallion a well-cooked meal before allowing him to make his way to Marefield. She didn't want him to make a good first impression on an empty stomach. Applejack, however, had been cooking since five am, and now finally cleaning up the pots and pans, her face started to redden.
"Lassay! Come down to eat!" Applejack yelled again, but still no answer. Coupled with Lassi not responding to her calls, she felt her face becoming even redder.
Suddenly, Caramel came rushing into the kitchen looking worried and confused. He began darting his head around the room, as if looking for something. Noticing his entrance, Applejack turned to him in hopes of getting some help.
"Caramel, hun. Can you go upstairs and see what's slowin' that dang rabbit colt down?" she asked.
"In a moment, Apples. I just need to find my grass seeds," responded Caramel, as he nervously opened up cabinet doors to look for his misplaced item.
"Grass seeds? Wha…Caramel, it's summer! Winter Wrap Up ain't for another two seasons!" exclaimed Applejack.
"Yeah, well it's just…UGH!" Caramel slammed the cabinet doors shut in frustration and ran out of the kitchen to search some place else. "I know I left it somewhere!" Rolling her eyes, Applejack went back to cleaning, scrubbing them a little harder than before.
Now coupled with Caramel being too distracted to offer any assistance, Applejack felt her face becoming even redder. Mumbling some choice words to herself, Applejack felt the rage gradually build up in her before letting out one last yell.
"LASSAY!!!" the farmpony exclaimed as loud as she could.
"Alright, alright, I'm comin', I'm comin'," said Lassi with his deep southern voice as he finally made his way into the kitchen. Wearing a black biker vest and a gold ring on his left ear, Lassi let out a well-needed yawn as Applejack wiped her hooves dry and approached him in a stern manner.
"There you are, ah've been callin' you for the last hour, an' just now y'all are comin' down," Applejack claimed, now standing in front of Lassi.
"Look, ah'm sorry, mom, okay? It's just that ah've been tossin' and turnin' all night," Lassi put a hoof to his forehead, feeling as if he has a headache. "There was the noise of hummin' an' pots bangin' an' som'n sizzlin', I think ah even heard a timer go off."
"Well that was just the sound of your mom cooking up a whole storm full a grub," Applejack said as she held out a hoof to the dining table. Now beginning to wake up, Lassi's eyes widened at the sight of food that stood before him. He was transfixed by the vast selection of meals that barely fit on the entire table. Lassi couldn't believe that his mother stayed up all night preparing it. He didn't know if he should've felt impressed by her effort and devotion, or agitated by how that was what kept him awake. Applejack excitedly darted towards the table as Lassi took some time to question whether or not he was still dreaming.
"Wow," was the only response Lassi could give.
"I know, right?" Applejack started to rush to every meal that she listed. "So check it out. We got apple pancakes, apple waffles, apple-maple french toast, apple cinnamon crepes, green apple muffins, toast with apple jelly, chicken apple sausages, apple bacon, and a nice glass of apple…oh, wait, this is orange juice, but any who, that's what's on the menu for today". Applejack leaned herself on the table, nearly tipping it over but managing to balance it out again.
Lassi approached the table to closely examine the options he had. Is it even possible to make apple bacon, he thought. Just the site of apples made his stomach jump.
"Ah'll say, with this much food, you could hold a buckin' banquet", Lassi finally replied.
"Hey! Watch your mouth," Applejack warned.
"For what? Swearin' or stuffin'?" Lassi asked sardonically. Applejack let out a bit of a sigh.
"Well, if you had to choose one over the other, Ah'd say stuffin'. Well, do on an' dig in."
"Uh, well, actually…" Lassi glanced towards the floor guiltily. Realizing what might be going on, Applejack widens her eyes.
"Did y'all make one of them sunrise shakes before bringin' your flank down to this here kitchen?" she asked skeptically.
"No", Lassi assured defensively as he pulled out his mini blender which, indeed, did contain his smoothie. "Ah made it upstairs and was plannin' on drinking it as ah got mah stuff together." Annoyed, Applejack approached her son.
"Lassay, ah don't like this. You live in a place that all surrounded by scrumptious food, and yet, y'all are always fillin' up on them fancy-shmancy smoothies."
"Well mom, ah like them for a reason. They're delicious, quick to make, easy to make, and best of all, they help me practice mixin'."
"Lassi, you can practice your mixin' all you want, but ah've been as busy as a cat coverin' dung on a marble floor cooking up these meals, and ah'm not just gonna be told to make it leftovers." Lassi gave Applejack a highly confused look.
"How does coverin' poop make you busy?" he asked in an honest manner.
"The point is ah worked very hard on this food an' ah feel like it deserves to be eaten!" she exclaimed. Lassi let out a huge sigh.
"Okay, well if it really means that much to ya, ah guess we'll just blend it all up," Lassi proposed as she walked towards the garbage bin. Applejack was taken aback by Lassi's suggestion.
"Oh no, not mah well cooked food!" Applejack ran towards the garbage bin. Lassi dumped the shake into the bin and started walking back to the table by the time Applejack got to it. "Lassi, th…that's wasteful!" Lassi was now approaching the table with mini blender in hoof. She managed to quickly dash towards the table and block his way towards it spreading out her hooves. Lassi didn't have much of a reaction to it, though. "You are not puttin' a single nutrient into that blender."
Lassi thought to ask his dad for permission to do a little experimenting.
"Dad!" Lassi called out. Caramel instantly came rushing in, still expressing worry.
"Yes? Yes? Yes? Lassi! What is it?!" Caramel asked, turning to Lassi.
"Can ah put some of mom's food into mah blender?" Lassi asked.
"Yeah, sure whatever. Just let me focus on this okay?!" Caramel dashed right back out of the kitchen. Lassi gave Applejack an awkward glance.
"What's he all worked up about?" he asked.
"He's just upset that he lost his grass seeds again," Applejack answered.
"Okay…why is he worrying about that?"
"Ah have no idea."
"Ah thought he wasn't a part of the plant crew anymore?" Lassi went around the table, pick up one of everything, and put it in his blender as Applejack stared off in the direction that Caramel ran.
"He ain't. Ah remember that Rarity needed more ponies for nest designin', and Caramel volunteered to assist her. It's just weird, though. Ah mean, even if he was still a part of the plant crew, then why would he have the seeds in the middle of--LASSAY!"
Turning her head, Applejack found Lassi to have completely stuffed the blender with her food, now just pouring the orange juice as the final ingredient.
"What? Dad said ah could do it," Lassi pointed out, placing the glass back on the table.
"But...that's disgustin'!" Applejack emphasized as she watched her son press the button on the blender, allowing the blades inside to mix the food into a recipe for breakfast bawdiness.
"Well, it's already mixin' in the blender, so there's no turnin' back now." Lassi released the button, allowing the device to finish mixing. he then twisted the top off the blender to find it containing a glassful of a dark, clumpy liquid. Applejack looked terrified throughout the whole thing.
"Well, down the hatch."Lassi swigged the foul fluid (if you can even call it that), causing Applejack's eyes to widen bigger with every second see saw him gulp what was once part of her beautiful breakfast. Finishing the drink, Lassi closed his mouth to let out a huge burp before opening it once again to give his honest opinion.
"Not bad," he admitted. Applejack was ready to throw up, but through some miracle, she restrained herself from doing so. Just to be sure, however, she leaned over the bin with her mouth wide open, ready for anything to escape her upset stomach.
Caramel eventually walked back into the kitchen with his head down.
"Gosh darnit," he told himself. "I thought I could find them somewhere, I guess I'll just have to keep looking harder next time." Remembering the time, Caramel glanced at the clock near the cabinets to realize it was almost eight o' clock. "Oh Celestia! Look at the time! Orientation starts in an hour!"
"Yeah, ah should probably get mah stuff together," Lassi said as he walked towards the door to put on his backpack.
"Son, I can help you with the traveling bag," Caramel offered, seeing Lassi reaching down with his mouth to grab it.
"It's fine, ah got it," Lassi promised as he grabbed the handle with his teeth. Feeling puzzled at first, Caramel decides to let it go as Lassi opens the door and proceeds to walk out.
"Bye, mom. Bye dad. Ah love you guys," he said, turning his head back one last time.
"Ah love you, too, sugarcube," Applejack replied, quite lackadaisically, as her head was still in the bin. As Lassi walked out of the house and across the farm of Sweet Apple Acres, Caramel approached the door.
"Have a blast at Orientation!" Caramel shouted.
"Ah will!" Lassi shouted back, now at a distance. Caramel shut the door behind him and began to walk back into the house when an idea suddenly popped into his head.
"The pig pen…," he told himself. "The pig pen! That's where they must be!" Caramel galloped his way out of the kitchen and to the pig pen, leaving behind a rather unhappy Applejack.
Finally mustering the strength to lift her head up, the gloomy Applejack brought herself back up to the kitchen sink to continue washing. Grabbing the sponge and beginning to wash once more, she contemplated on the hectic morning she was forced into. Spending an entire night preparing an extravagant breakfast for your son, he plans on not even eating it but rather downing his beloved smoothies from that dreaded mini blender. To make matters worse, he wastes his sunset shake to blend every mineral she work hard putting together, blending and downing it right before your tearless eyes, leaving behind a boatload of leftovers, she couldn't even bring herself to vomit. Applejack gradually began rubbing the pot harder. Then harder. And harder. Even harder. At this point, she scrubbed that pot as hard as she could, tiring her hoof, making sure it was as clean as it already was.
"UGH…This is the fourth time this month I've lost them! WHERE ARE MY GRASS SEEDS?!" shouted Caramel as he now proceeded to run back and forth in and out of the kitchen.
And then you have your anxious husband obsessing about misplacing something that he never even had to begin with. Her face now as red as her apple bacon strips, Applejack scrubbed the pot even harder than before. She should've thanked Celestia that she was working under a sink, because she felt like she could light that pot on fire. She proceeded to turn on the water, making sure that that doesn't really happen.
Making himself a cup of coffee, Quill Pusher thought back to when he first saw Cheerilee this morning. The way she beamed. The way she exulted. The way she smiled. That smile. It was a smile for sure, but was it the same smile he saw often from her? And those eyes. He didn't even want to start on that. As Quill Pusher reflected on Cheerilee's attitude this morning, he started to worry how all the other students would hold up; how they would pull through this weekend, or even this year, if this is how the president would be behaving. Realizing his coffee is ready, he took it out of the maker and poured some into his mug. He almost put it to his mouth, but then thought back to Cheerilee's "coffee-flavored episode". Feeling uneasy, Quill Pusher dumped the drink into the garbage bin beside him. Abruptly, Cherry Fizzy pulls his head out of the bin and screaming in response to the scorching temperature of the liquid, allowing Quill Pusher to be very much startled by his presence. Still screaming, he ran out of the conference room.
"Sorry," Quill Pusher guiltily tried to shout at him, but got no response, as Cherry Fizzy was too far away. Quill Pusher glanced down at the floor, feeling an unpleasant mixture of shame and uncertainty.
By 8:15, all of the new and future students were arriving at Marefield. Many colts and fillies, along with their families, were gathering around each other making small talk. Others, however, especially ones without families present, were just mostly intent on figuring out academic planning and registration. It was of course a weekend to have fun, but there was still plenty of business to be taken care of.
This didn't concern Lassi, however, as he arrived to the school wearing his apathy more visibly than his backpack. Sighing deeply through the strap in his mouth, Lassi decided to get this over with and walked down the sidewalk towards the welcoming center.
The loud speaker began to turn on as Cheerilee's voice spoke through:
Good morning, everypony! The staff and faculty welcome all students and parents to Marefield University. Just a reminder to drop off all belongings in your assigned rooms and pick up your first year experience cars in the welcome center. Be sure to report outside of the Elm Room for our special welcome presentation. Further instructions will be provided by your NSL's. We hope you enjoy orientation!
"Ugh, loud speakers? What is this? Buckin' high school?" griped Lassi who especially felt irritated by the loudness of the speakers.
Right behind him flew in Deb's carriage as it landed lightly on the ground. Hopping out of the golden vehicle, she looked left and right, feeling pretty embarrassed to be the only pony to show up via horse carriage. Keeping her composure, however, Deb used her magic to lift out the luggages, thanks the guards for the ride, and trots down the sidewalk towards the residence halls.
Deb had always done her best to look posh and presentable out in public, but today it was especially crucial that she caught the attention, and approval, of her surroundings. She wanted to capture the acclaim of her fellow future colleagues. She needed to. Just like her mother always said. Good impressions are always vital. No other way.
Feeling a tad drab, she put down her bags to pull out a powder mirror and puff to do up her face. Can never be too sure of staying beautiful, now can you, Deb thought as she applied the powder to herself.
Just right behind the mare approached a unicorn displaying a more honest sense of vanity. Her coat azure, eyes purple, and mane in stripes of cerulean, amber, and cornflower blue, the mare, who wore a black silk blazer jacket and a key pad for her cutie mark, walked along two other ponies on either side of her, whom she gave very distinct directions to as they walked along the sidewalk.
"I mean seriously, Milly. What are we gonna do? With Fetched Gretch going to another school, that leaves only three of us in the group", stressed her friend, Hales.
"Now now, girls. Let's not fuss", Milly recommended. "We're entering college now. It's a new dawn, a new day, which means plenty of fish in the sea. Once four years wrap up, we'll have acquainted enough ponies to start a sizable business. If we can get our hooves on one lucky pony, then just imagine how many we can get just by the end of freshman year." While speaking, Milly was rubbing her hooves together with a sly grin.
"But Milly, didn't your mom warn you about letting too much power go to your head?" Gravy Train asked.
"Oh yeah, like what? The eightieth time?" Hales joked with Gravy Train as Milly grunted.
"Well what does she know? Should I really be taking advice from a magician," Milly snarled, leaving Hales and Gravy Train speechless. "Let's just look around and see what we can find."
Milly's eyes began darting around to find ponies until she spotted Deb applying make-up in front of her. Examining her glamorous style, trimmed dress, and haughty attitude, Milly figured she had found her perfect fit.
"Are you checking her out?" asked Gravy Train.
"Yeah", Milly answered, staying focused.
"As in checking her out?"
"What? NO! I'm inspecting our new candidate." Milly began to walk over to Deb.
"Ugh! Yeah, Grave! Why don't you get your head out of the gutter for once?" Hales emphasized with unconvincing disdain.
Deb finished covering her face and put away her kit as Milly came up to her.
"Um, excuse me, but I couldn't help but notice that beautiful dress you were wearing", Milly said fictitiously. Deb was instantly delighted by the compliment.
"Uh, well thank you! I and my mother design it for me," Deb responded as Hales and Gravy Train came up beside Milly.
"You're mother's a fashion designer?"
"Why yes she is."
Suddenly, Deb saw one of the carriage horsemen rush towards her from behind Milly. He excused himself past the mares to get to Deb.
"Hey, uh, Deb, what time should the carriage come tomorrow?" asked the horseman.
"Oh yes! Uh, by three," Deb answered.
"Three, got it. We'll see you tomorrow," said the horseman before he galloped back to the carriage. Impressed, Milly turned her head away from the horseman and back to Deb.
"You had a carriage come drop you off?" asked Milly.
"Uh, yes. I did," Deb answered, feeling confident about this new acquaintance that she just made. After noticing the dress and the carriage horsemen, Milly thought what kind of family this mare would be a part of to have such elegant tastes. After pondering for a brief moment, she came to a fascinating realization.
"Wait. Let me guess…are your parents Fancy Pants and Rarity?" asked the excited mare.
"Why yes! Yes they are!" exclaimed Deb. She was reluctant to share this information with other students, not wanting to attract too much attention. However, after making a new friend so fast, Deb was now more than willing to boast about such a high privilege. And indeed it payed off at this very moment.
"Oh. My. Celestia! That's amazing! I'm with Fancy's daughter! I can't believe this!" Milly squealed as she jumped up and down. However, her jubilation quickly died down as she looked past Deb to find Lassi, who was looking through his bag.
"What is it?" Deb asked as she turned around to find what Milly was eye-balling.
"Oh nothing. It's just…that Lassi pony", Milly watched Lassi retrieve his sunglasses and continue to walk towards the center. "Nothing more than your typical southern earth pony." She leaned in close to Deb. "I heard that his parents are cousins." Deb eyes widened with shock as she watched Lassi walk into the distance.
"Eeewww!" exclaimed Hales in an exaggerated manner.
"Well I better get these to my dorm before the Elm Room presentation", Deb lifted her bags with her magic once more. "I'm glad that we could meet each other."
"Oh I'm more than glad to have met you," Milly assured Deb. "We should definitely meet up sometime later on. There's so much about each other we should get to know." Deb nearly felt a twinkle in her eye after hearing Milly say that. Yet, as Milly turned to Hales and Gravy Train once more, Deb maintained her composure and turned around, immediately slamming face first into Pin Drop.
Both ponies fell flank first onto the ground with their stuff flying everywhere. Pin Drop was quick to collect his belongings as he looked up at the unicorn he bumped into.
"I-I'm sorry about that. I-I should've been more careful where I was going," Pin Drop said, taking note of how much attention he paid to the map that fell onto his torso.
"No. It's fine. Really. It happens," Deb promised while reclaiming her possessions.
As Pin Drop was storing his beloved map into his shirt pocket to avoid future incidents, he noticed the cutie mark on the grey pony's flank: four black footprints.
"So do you tap-dance?" asked Pin Drop, somewhat curious about the pony's special talent.
"Uh, ballroom, actually," said Deb, now standing up.
"Sweet. I always wondered what it would be like to accomplish something like that."
"Oh it takes hard work, but it's absolutely worth it once you've got all the steps down."
"I see." Wanting to remain polite, Deb tried to show interest in the yellow pegasus as well.
"And I think I can take from your big map that you're some kind of geography pony."
"I'm actually into exploring."
"Oh wow!"
"Yeah. I plan on exploring all of Equestria someday. The Everfree Forest, the Flame Geyser Swamp, Froggy Bottom Bogg, you name it. In fact, looky here." Pin Drop showed his flank to Deb, revealing his cutie mark to be a pair of binoculars.
"Wow, neat", Deb said, showing interest.
"Thanks", Pin Drop said, before holding a out his hoof to Deb. "I'm Pin Drop, by the way."
"I'm Deb," said Deb shaking hooves with the newly acquainted pegasus. Deb suddenly remembered Milly and looked behind herself to see if she was still there. Surely enough, she was, and was now looking towards Deb, noticing her interacting with Pin Drop and raising an eyebrow. Deb had to quickly save herself from embarrassment. She abruptly let go of Pin Drop's hoof.
"And you should especially know how high my standards are, especially towards ponies with such clumsy coordination. Has it ever occurred to you that you big map doesn't pin point where other people are walking? I suggest that you watch your step better next time."
Deb took a quick glance back at Milly, who watching with a smile. Feeling a sense of relief, she lifted her bags and proceeded to head to her dorm, leaving behind Pin Drop, who still looked surprised by this snooty attitude Deb just displayed out of no where.
Pin Drop turned his head over to Milly, who was now walking away with Hales and Gravy Train. Now with all of his stuff packed away, Pin Drop had his head tilted in shame. It's episodes like Deb's that explains why it's better for him to just stay away from other ponies. Then again, as he put his backpack on again, he looked around at all the mares and stallions interacting with each other. Every pegasus giving each other brohooves. Every earth pony exchanging hugs. Every unicorn lending a hoof to those dropping their bags. Every parent of every student making small talk; big talk; any kind of talk at all. It was all around him. Pin Drop felt envious of anypony that could even start a conversation. How could they make it look so easy? What was so wrong with him? Was it his shyness? Why did he have to be so shy? All these questions raced through Pin Drop's mind as he slowly resumed walking to his dorm.
Inside the lounge of the campus center, Quill Pusher and Crystal Clear were sitting on sofas having small chit-chat as Top Marks was having a quick discussion with a unicorn by the stairs. Wearing glasses, he had a magenta coat, dark brown curly mane and tail, and a straw of hay for a cutie mark. Quill Pusher looked over to the two stallions, noticing on the look of their faces that there was probably a slight mishap going on. Finishing up the conversation, the magenta pony quickly exited the lounge, leaving Top Marks, from Quill Pusher's point of view, looking frustrated.
"Is there a problem?" asked Quill Pusher.
"Yeah. Barley just told me that he's having trouble figuring out where his FYE group is gonna be meeting up," answered Top Marks.
"What's FYE again?" asked Crystal Clear.
"First Year Experience," answered Quill Pusher, allowing Crystal Clear to nod as a sign of acknowledgement.
"I should try to get that taken care of before the assembly starts," Top Marks walked from the top of the stairs to the middle of the lounge, wondering how to organize the groups. "I just hope I can fix things up before Cheerliee finds out…"
"Yes?" Cheerilee instantly appears right in front of Top Marks, causing the light blue unicorn to jump back with great surprise. His eyes widened, Top Marks began to hyperventilate as he noticed Cheerilee still giving that same overblown smile from earlier.
"Cheerilee…what…did you…how?" The professor honestly needed a moment to catch his breath.
"You ask for me, dear?" Cheerilee questioned in her most chipper tone. Top Marks resented the way she called him "dear."
"I was just talking with Barley about how needs to know where group SSTT is gonna be meeting up," Top Marks informed Cheerilee, finally catching his breath.
"Oh really?" asked Cheerilee, beginning to pace around the room with Top Marks following.
"Yes, and I figured that it's best to get that straightened out before the assembly in the elm room starts."
"Okay, well let's see. There's fifty groups. Three of them are already around Banisius Hall, four are gonna be placed by Nolan, five behind Northwell…" Cheerilee proceeded to mull over the set up for the groups and what locations they'll be heading to. Suddenly, Top Marks came up with an idea.
"Wait how about the Ponna--" Top Marks began before Cheerilee cut him off.
"THE GYM!" Cheerilee blurted out.
"Well, I was thinking maybe we place them in front of Ponnaruma since there's plenty of--"
"Top Marks, I'm the president here. I make the rules. You be the mule." Top Marks gave the president an awkward expression in response to that remark.
"That's…actually kind of insensitive."
"Here, I'll even go ask Ace right now to see if they can borrow the gym."
"Uh, I'm don't think it wo--"
"Hesaiditsfine." Top Marks once again jumped backwards, this time surprised by the two weird marks instantaneously appearing on her face, almost as if somepony took a large paintbrush and drew two yellow-orangish strokes from both corners of her mouth. He once again struggled to regain composure.
"Cheeril…please…stop scaring me like that," the blue pony begged as he caught his breath once more.
"I talked to Ace and he said it was okay for SSTT to use the gym," Cheerilee informed Top Marks, who yet again reached equilibrium.
"Okay," Top Marks said, still confused. "What are those, uh…" Cheerilee took notice of the chunky substance on her face.
"Oh this? Oh it's nothing," Cheerilee promised before letting out a small burp, causing Top Marks to be particularly disgusted. "Well go! Tell the group leader the great news!" Following orders, Top Marks dashed out of the lounge to find Barley.
Just as Cheerilee was about to get on with the rest of the day, Gingersnap entered the lounge with two mares, one the color of salmon, the other orchid.
"Uh, president Cheerilee," the orange unicorn said.
"Yes?" Cheerilee turned to the three mares with that same wide smile of hers, now covered in dry puke.
"Uh…well, these two fillies--"
"Hello, president Cheerilee at your service," Cheerilee said, holding out a hoof to the salmon pony. Grabbing it, the young mare gave it a light shake before Cheerilee fell to the ground, lightly shrieking with pain. Getting back up, she told her, "Oh, well, what a tight grip you got there," with the salmon pony reluctantly nodding in agreement. She then approached the orchid pony, holding out a hoof. However, she took it back, telling her "You know what? I think that's about enough hoof shaking for today. It kind of weakens me out," the second young mare giving a superficial smile. "So what seems to be the situation here?"
"Well these two here never received their FYE cards, and they're not sure as to what group their suppose to be in," said Gingersnap.
"Oh, well mind if I offer a few suggestions?" Crystal Clear approached the other mares with a book. "If you want I can help you two pick you own groups to stay in for now."
"Oh, not at all," answered Gingersnap.
"Okay. Well where do you ladies want to go?" Crystal Clear flipped through her book. "There are fifty groups in the entire program. And the options are all open to y--"
"AA!" exclaimed Cheerilee, startling the two mares.
"Uh, w-what?" Crystal Clear confusingly asked while closing her book.
"I think I remember they needed one extra member, so, uh, you!" Cheerilee pointed towards the orchid filly. "Go out and find them! Quick! Before the assembly!" The president scooted the young mare down the stairs and back outside. You think they're short on students, wondered Crystal Clear.
"As for you," Cheerilee directed her attention to the salmon pony. Cheerilee closed her eyes and thought for a moment, placing her hooves on the side of her head. "Yah-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da…TT!!!" Gingersnap nearly had a heart attack when she heard Cheerilee exclaim. "You'll go with group TT! They'll be in the gym! Gingersnap, would you be so kind to lead this young filly to the group?"
"But the assembly hasn't even st--"
"JUST GO!" Cheerilee asserted to the orange unicorn, doing her best to keep her composure with that forced smile. As quickly as possible, Gingersnap accompanied the equally shocked student as the two walked out of the lounge. Cheerilee somewhat felt a sign of relief, managing to take care of two important tasks in one day. Though Crystal Clear felt anything but satisfaction.
"President Cheerilee, was that really necessary?" the pink professor angrily asked. "I had that completely under cont--"
"Upupup. There's no need to fret", Cheerilee promised. "As your president and appointed leader, I can assure you that my assistance is most vital, and thus most foremost. No need to thank me. That's what I'm here for." Cheerilee delightfully trotted out of the lounge, leaving a frustrated Crystal Clear to walk back to her chair.
"Well that was more than rude, now wasn't it?" Crystal Clear asked, sitting down. "Now as I was saying Quill Push--"
Quill Pusher's head was turned to the spot where Cheerilee had just been. His expression was frozen and puzzled, just like it had been for the past few minutes. He felt amazed by what just happened, yet that didn't stop him from being concerned. He had just sat there, wondering how much longer he could stand watching Cheerilee conduct herself like this. He thought to himself how if this is the manner that shell keep up throughout the day, or even year, is her assistance even that vital. And should it have been foremost.
"Quill Pusher?" Crystal Clear asked, waving a hoof in front of his face, getting no response. "Well, then. I think I've seen enough creepy faces for one day." Taking her coffee, she proceeded to walk down the steps that lead out of the lounge, leaving the frozen Quill Pusher all by himself.
Tons of groups in the gym laid spread out across the floor of the gym. Most of the members in each group felt very awkward being there. Though none of them could feel more uneasy than Ace, the head of the athletics department, who paced back and forth across the basketball court. It'd be one thing to allow access to the gym to at least one FYE group, but after being forced to let seven more, seven bucking more groups use it, he knew Cheerilee was just pushing it now. Having to let those ponies just waltz into his gym and sit their fat, filthy flanks onto his newly waxed floor were just about enough to make him lose it. It surely didn't help when he found yet another group standing at the front door, which he angrily approached.
"So I'm guessing you need more space, too, huh?" Ace asked the group leader.
"I just wanted to ask her for a pen," said the confused group leader.
Ace sighed, saying "Well, you're more than welcome to stay in here. In fact, you might as well," in an exasperated manner. As the group began to find an open spot, Ace continued his agitated pace around the gym, mumbling choice words to himself. He passed Barley, who noticed his bothered state, but quick brushed it off to stay focused on the group.
"Okay, well hello, everypony! Welcome to group TT! My name is Barley, and I'll be your FYE group leader for today and tomorrow. Now I figured that we go around the circle and introduce ourselves. Give your name, where you're from, and what your cutie mark is. How about we start with you?" Barley looked at Lassi dazing off when he suddenly responded back.
"Oh, uh, yeah, sorry." Lassi stood up and looked at all the other ponies in his circle. "Uh, hey, everypony. Mah name is Lassi, ah'm from Ponyville, and mah cutie mark is a glass mug." Lassi turned around to show everypony his cutie mark.
"Oh, so you're like a bartender or something?" asked Barley.
"Yeah, but ah also mix smoothies, milkshakes, you know. Those are the basics." Lassi sat back down.
"Well that's very cool, Lassi," Barley commented, as Lassi sat down once more. "Oh, and I'm sorry what happened during the assembly today. I hope you weren't too aggravated by the whole cheerleader thing."
Lassi thought back to the assembly earlier in the day, and how when the university's cheerleading squad, the Sparklers, came out to the grass, approached several students, and encouraged them to get up and show their school spirit. Lassi was one of many ponies to have been caught in that jamboree. He resented how much they invited him to "get his spirit on", and how they even picked him up by the hooves and danced with him in their peppy mood. Not hearing his pleads for them to put him down, they dropped him back onto the ground and continued on with their shindig. Barley must have noticed his grumpy state afterwards. Only thinking back to the event made Lassi feel even more uptight inside, yet, he kept his cool and let out a simple, "Eh, It's fine."
"Alright." Barley looked towards the salmon pony next to Lassi. "How about you?"
As each of the ponies stood up to introduce themselves, Deb stared at Lassi from across the circle, thinking back to what Milly said about him earlier that day. Are his parents really cousins?, she wondered to herself. I mean, he doesn't exactly look retarded. Wait, what? Why would I think that? That an Earth pony with cousins for parents is mentally retarded? I shouldn't jump to conclusions that easily. But, isn't that a fact? Or is it the brother and sister that make the retarded foal? Can you have a foal as cousins and just be a little retarded? Wait, why am I even thinking this? I mean, surely he's got to be a nice stallion, right? Retarded stallions can be nice! Right? Incest ponies can be nice! Right? Right?! Am I right?! That incest ponies can still be nice?! Oh, dear Celestia, I'm doing it again! Somepony tell me! What's wrong with incest?! Is it right or wrong?!! Just tell me what to think and I'll think it!! JUST PLEASE!! SOMEPONY TELL ME!! SOMEPONY TELL--
Deb suddenly felt the pony sitting next to her tap her lightly on the leg, causing her to snap back to reality. Seeing that it was her turn, she stood up in front of the entire circle, fixing her mane in the process.
"Well hello, everypony. My name is Deb, and I'm from Canterlot", she said, hoping for an eager response.
"Oh yeah, aren't you the one who flew on that carriage?" Barley asked.
"Why yes. Yes it is." Deb was satisfied with somepony recalling the carriage. "Oh! And here is my cutie mark." She turned around to reveal to the entire group here cutie mark of four black shoeprints. Across from the circle, Pin Drop observed her cutie mark with much irritation.
"Oh, so you're into dancing and all that?" Barley asked.
"Indeed I am," Deb answered, trying to showcase her pride.
"You know, I remember I saw you during the assembly, and something told me that you had some interest in dancing," Barley admitted. Deb thought back to earlier about how excited she was to see the Sparklers come out, even to the point of jumping up and down and screeching as loud as she could. Indeed, she did have exuberance for the squad, and, although blushing at Barley recalling the event, she wasn't afraid to show it, either.
After Deb sat down, the group continued to go clockwise, each member introducing themselves, leaving Pin Drop right next to Barley's right, meaning he would go last. It's times like these where Pin Drop strongly wished he didn't have such shy parents. He got his apprehension from his mother. He knew it. She never told him, but he always noticed the way she'd overreact to even the lightest of touches. And now here he was, freaking out over a minor introduction.
Pin Drop covered his face with his hooves, praying that it wasn't his turn. This didn't look promising, however, once Barley said his name and Pin Drop slowly pulled his hooves away, noticing all the confused looks on the group members' faces. Finally standing up, he decided it was just best to get it over with.
"Uh…hello, guys. My name is Pin Drop. And, uh, I'm also from Ponyville…and my cutie mark is a telescope," Pin Drop nervously said as he turned around to display his cutie mark to the group.
"So, you're kind of into exploring and whatnot, right?" asked Barley.
"Uh, yeah, pretty much."
Barley just began noticing Pin Drop's nervousness and felt a bit concerned. "Are you okay? You look kind of uneasy. Is it from today at the assembly?"
Of course. The assembly. Where all the cheerleaders snuck up from behind Pin Drop and scared the yellow pegasus up into the trees. Pin Drop, however, assured Barley by telling him "No, no. Everything's fine. I just lost my cool there."
"Okay, okay. Well, I'm glad you got to share with us", Barley said as Pin Drop sat back down. Barley stood up again, and began speaking to the group. "Okay, well I'm glad that we've all been able to introduce ourselves. Now before we dive into any activities, I just wanted to let you know about a group chant that we need to prepare for tomorrow. Every year, we like to have every FYE group come up with their own group chant and present it in the auditorium. We can work on it a little bit today, but we'll mostly have time for it tomorrow. Now are there any questions or comments before we begin?"
Deb raised her hoof, saying "Uh yes. Uh, what would be the prize for coming up with the best chant?"
"Good question. Uh nothing," Barley answered.
"W-what? Nothing? There's nothing given to the winner?"
"No. In fact, there's not even a winner. It's just about having fun. Now, is there an--"
"Wha-I'm sorry, but no winner? No winner?! Oh okay, so why just give no medal to whoever wins the Iron Pony competition? Hmm? I mean, I'm sure Fleetfoot spent all that time training for the Wonderbolts Derby was just so she could 'have fun'. Right? And all that preparation the prince put into the Equestria Games was really purpose of 'having fun', wasn't it?! Because that what competition is all about, right? HAVING FUN?!"
Deb took some time to calm down before realizing the awkward look everypony fave her. Some gave confused glances towards one another, not being sure how to respond after a tirade like that one. Slightly embarrassed, Deb straightens out her mane once more and sits back down before Barley spoke up again.
"Okay, well I guess we should move on to our activities of the day. Everypony find a partner." With that, everypony got up to pair up with someone. As Deb began to search, she felt somepony place a hoof on her shoulder. She turned around to find a certain stallion she would be less than pleased to be matched up with.
"You", said Lassi.
"Wha?"
"Let's pair up."
"Eh." By the shoulder, Lassi began pulling Deb back towards the circle.
Pin Drop nervously tried approaching several ponies, but having no luck in finding a partner. Every time he came close to a student, they either walked away or already had a partner. Pin Drop felt hopeless until finally, with the help of Barley, he found the salmon pony to be available. She was a little reluctant to be with him at first, but went along with it anyway, seeing how she was the the only one without a partner.
Once Barley saw that all ponies were matched up, he ordered one member from each pair to stay inside the circle while the other would stay out.
"Alright, so here's what were gonna do," Barley began. "Each pony on the outside is going to walk in a circle, and when I say the word "gallop", you run towards your partner and try to climb onto their back. Last duo remaining is the winner. Got it?" All the students nodded. "Alright, so start walking in three, two, one, go!"
Everypony on the outer circle began walking around in a circle. Deb looked more determined than any other pony, as if this was the defining moment of her life Pin Drop was scared for his life, and if Lassi didn't give a horse dung before, he sure as hell didn't give one now. Before you knew it, Barley shouted, "Gallop!" and while everypony ran towards their partner, Deb *sprinted towards Lassi, aggressively pushing ponies out of her way before leaping onto Lassi's back, almost causing the surprised stallion to fall.*
Pin Drop, on the other hoof, nervously stood still the entire time hesitating to run. Noticing him as the only pony left, Barley said, "Okay, well that means Pin Drop, you are the first one out, so have a sit." Feeling shame, Pin Drop and the salmon pony walked out of the circle and sat down as everypony went back to the same positions from before.
"Hey, um, I-I'm sorry," Pin Drop tried to tell the mare, but she just looked at him confused. Feeling as if he just slipped up yet again, Pin Drop remained silent and watched the other ponies play their game.
Deb was intent on winning the game. She spent the whole time pushing and shoving her way through the students and onto Lassi's back. Even after what felt like ten rounds, Lassi was still surprised by how forcefully Deb would launch herself onto him. When it came down to the round, Deb might as well had her hooves and knees to the ground because her eyes were kept on Lassi the whole time she trotted in the circle. Then when Barley finally shouted "Gallop!", she ran towards the tan earth pony, but ended up tripping and falling belly first onto the ground, leaving the other pairing to win. Lassi, of course, didn't mind, but having a sense of failure, Deb once again picked herself up.
"Alright, well it looks like we have our lucky winners," Barley stated, prompting Deb to give a bitter look. "Alright, so I think it's time we head over to lunch. How about we meet back here by 1:30? Does that sound good to everypony?" All the students nodded. "Okay, so let's break."
All the ponies in Group TT began exiting the gym, along with members from the other FYE groups who were given some free time. As the vexed Deb trotted furiously, she felt like just being alone, when Lassi approached her from behind.
"So, uh, you were pretty intense back there, huh?" he asked as they walked.
"Don't even bother bringing it up," Deb answered, miffed by Lassi's presence.
"Ah just don't get it. Why y'all takin' it so seriously?"
"Why am I taking it ser--how would you even dare to ask that question?"
"What do you mean?"
"If you want to earn top honors at this school, you have to prove yourself as the best. Even as something as minor as a introductory game can show what you're worth."
"Well Ah think you just need to take a lil breather. I mean, c'mon, it's just college." Instantly freezing in her tracks, Deb felt like she could've just puked right then and there. She seriously heard somepony say "it's just college". No. She couldn't have. She *honestly couldn't have.*
"It's just college? IT'S JUST COLLEGE?!!!!" exclaimed the unicorn. Much to his weariness, Lassi realized that he just opened up a can of worms.
"Your parents paid a load of bits for you to attend what could be the most wondrous university in all of Equestria, and you're telling me that it's just college?!" Deb franticly questioned. "Wh-wh-wh-have you no zeal?!" At this point, Deb was leaning in close to Lassi. The tan earth pony felt discomforted as he tried to figure out what the living stallions zeal meant. Eventually, Deb did back away, giving Lassi some space, as she closed her eyes and let the sound of her own voice get to her. "Why, college is the time to display your true colors. The time to make a name for yourself. The time to reveal how promising you are to your own generation. All your life, you've been preparing for this moment in your life. Every step you've taken, every landing you've stuck, every pose you've held. They've all led to this. This one defining experience in your life where you allow the light you've kept cloaked inside since foalhood to break free and illuminate all across the world."
Once Deb opened her eyes, she found that Lassi had left, leaving her with nopony else around. The agitated unicorn began walking back to her dorm as she contemplated whether she understood what she even just said.
Quill Pusher met up with Arpeggio and Apple Polish at the quad as they were preparing for the midnight Quad Fest. He saw a popcorn machine, cotton candy machine, and snow cone machine to be set up as one of the many stations present in the area. Cherry Fizzy, now bandaged around his face, used his head to push tables, while Bill arrived carrying table cloths with his mouth. Once Quill Pusher came up to Arpeggio and Apple Polish, he noticed they were looking very stern.
"Now Cherry, be sure to help Bill spread out the cloths once you're done putting them up," Arpeggio advised while holding up a clipboard with his magic.
"So how's the set up going so far?" asked Quill Pusher.
"Pretty good," answered Apple Polish, looking on at the clipboard with Arpeggio. "The only thing we're short on is drinks."
"I can run out and get some real quickly," Arpeggio volunteered.
"Good." Apple Polish quickly glanced both ways before looking back at Arpeggio, who was just preparing to leave. "And make sure you-know-who doesn't get involved. The last thing we need is for some--"
"Did someone say need?!" The three ponies looked out into the distance to find Cheerilee standing on top of a tree with her head tilted back. She bounced from treetop to treetop before landing abruptly in front of a transfixed Arpeggio. Apple Polish was less than thrilled by her presence.
"Uh…well," was all Arpeggio could let out in response to the excessively smiling Cheerilee.
"Well what, Arp?" she asked, tilting her head sideways. Arpeggio's pupils shrank even smaller in response to this.
"He was just going out to get some sodas for the party," answered Apple Polish, with an annoyed tone in her voice.
"Oh really?" Cheerilee began to feel concerned.
"Y-yeah, we were just short on drinks and I just felt it was best to go out and buy some," answered Arpeggio. Cheerilee thought of the dangers of just letting a staff member leaving campus. What if something went wrong? She wouldn't have anypony to help her. She needed to think. Think fast. And that's when it hit her.
"Wwwwell I don't see any reason for you to go out wwwhen there is plenty of orange juice for the students to drink!"
"Orange juice?" Apple Polish asked almost in disbelief. She honestly thought she was kidding. She had to be.
"Why of course! I was just by the storage closet this morning, and there was a good sized quantity. It'll be way more efficient than just leaving campus for all disasters to occur." Cheerliee trotted along smiling as Apple Polish followed.
"But…" Apple Polish sighed "…president Cheerilee, are you sure that--"
"YEEES!" Cheerilee abruptly turned around facing Apple Polish as she leaned in close to her. The appalled Apple Polish stared deeply at Cheerilee, observing the dry puke on the corners of her muzzle. "NOW PLEASE! GO!!" Frightened by her screech, Apple Polish turned around and ran straight for the cafeteria. Satisfied, Cheerilee continued to trot along before being approached by Arpeggio, carrying a box.
"Uh, Cheerilee--"
"PRESIDENT!" the earth pony screeched as reminder to Arpeggio as to what position she holds.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, president Cheerilee, are you sure you want to give out these at the party tonight?" Arpeggio placed the box down, revealing it to be filled with cotton pirate hats.
"Yes, why?"
"I-I mean, aren't they just a bit kiddish for college students to wear?"
"Nonsense, Arp. It's a bash, everypony will wanna let go and just be a little silly." Arpeggio's muzzle curled at the sound of Cheerilee shortening his name.
"Well maybe something a bit more mature would suit them more, and maybe just--"
"Well I think they are fine, Arp. Besides, I spend a good amount of bits on these hats, so what's the point of letting them go to waste." Cheerilee began trotting away, with Arpeggio following.
"Um, president, do you mind not calling me Arp? It's ju--"
Cheerilee turned around and placed a hoof on Arpeggio's shoulder before saying, "Listen, Arp, I know you have a lot of questions to ask, but I'm currently in the middle of trying to get everything straightened out for tonight's Quad Fest. So why don't you just do what I say and see if Apple Polish needs any help with the orange juice? Kay?" Cheerilee turned back around and continued to trot away "Because just in a few hours, we have a campus carousel to throw!!"
Arpeggio's mouth was left slightly open in disbelief at how nonsensical Cheerilee was making everything. Grunting, he started to make his way towards the cafeteria while letting out a loud groan. While helping set up a table, Quill Pusher looked on at Arpeggio and then in the direction that Cheerilee had left. With a million thoughts racing through his brain, Quill Pusher didn't even notice Bill struggling to drag the table.
"Hey, Quill? Buddy?" Bill grunted as he felt the wholes in his sweater beginning to enlarge.
"Oh, sorry, Bill." Quill Pusher picked up the table again and helped Bill carry it near the others. He didn't know what Cheerilee was thinking, but one thing he was sure of is that they were having anything but a party.
