Random Order

"So, what’s your name again?"

"Fluttershy. And you are?"

I frown. "That’s the thing. I… don’t remember."

"Oh. Well, if you’d like, I could take you over to my friend Twilight’s house in the morning. She has a memory-restoration spell that might help you remember your past."

I shrug. "Might as well start somewhere."

After a moment of silence, I force myself to ask a question. "Hay, um, you mind if I spend the night here?"

She starts, apparently unexpecting me to say anything. "Oh, um, sure, I guess."

I breathe a sigh of relief. "Thanks. You mind if I take the couch?"

"Are you sure you don’t want to sleep in the guest bedroom?"

"I’m sure, Fluttershy." I stifle a yawn. "Speaking of which, I think I’ll turn in now."

"Oh, well, goodnight, then."

"Night," I say, climbing onto the couch.

I’m asleep as soon as my head hits the cushion.

Sunlight streams in through the window, and for a moment, I wonder where I am.

I groggily rub my eyes, and I’m instantly reminded that my hands are now hooves.

I push myself up into a sitting position, and for a moment, I simply sit there, waiting for my brain to boot up.

"Oh, um, morning?"

Startled, I jump a couple of feet off the couch. "Hay, what was that for‽" I say in mock-consternation.

"Oops, sorry," Fluttershy apologises through light giggles.

Once I regain control of myself, I ask, "So, you got any plans for today?"

"Um, well, actually, since you are new here, my friend Pinkie Pie probably already knows about you. In fact, I think she’s already pla – "

Suddenly, a pink mare with a fluffy pink mane pops out from the ceiling in front of me, startling me for the second time in five minutes.

"Aha! I knew there was a new pony here! I could sense it!" She cranes her neck at me, so that her head is now upright, though her body is still on the ceiling. "Hi! My name is Pinkie Pie, Premier Party Pony of Ponyville! What’s your name?"

"About that… I think I’m supposed to see somepony called Twilight? I sorta lost my memories…"

How do I already know local terminology? Why am I even asking that?

"Oh, you mean Princess Twilight‽ She’s a good friend of ours! You should totally meet her sometime!" Pinkie exclaims happily.

"Could I have breakfast first? I mean, I just woke up."

Pinkie giggles. "Oh, don’t worry about that, silly! I brought you something to eat, cuz I thought you might be hungry!" she says, taking a cupcake out of her mane.

“Heh, thanks.” I start to wolf it down, but the moment the taste hits my tongue, I freeze. I feel my eyes widen as I moan in sheer delight. The cake itself is fluffy, sweet, and flavourful, completely unlike anything I remember; and the frosting is even lighter, full of a richness that even puts cream cheese to shame.

The combination is so delicious, I can't help but savour every second of it – which is a rare occurance with me, I realise.

Several minutes pass before I finally notice it’s completely gone, and then only because I accidently bite my hoof, so great’s my desire for just one… more… bite.

I look at Pinkie with pleading eyes, begging for more – the experience has left me completely at a loss for words.

Pinkie giggles again. "You really liked that, didn’t you?"

I nod my head vigourously.

"Well, why not come over to Ponyville? I work at a whole bakery there! You should meet my employers!"

"Well, actually, I kinda want to see Twilight first, if you don’t mind."

"Okie-dokie-lokie! Come by later! I have a surprise for you!" She slips back into… whatever dimensional void she came out of.

I mentally shrug the encounter off. Something in the back of my mind, possibly a long-lost instict, tells me it’s better not to dwell on it.

A sudden impulse hits me. "Hay, I’m going out. Wanna come with?"

"Oh, well, um, I’m actually kinda busy today, so…." She shrugs apologetically.

I wave a hoof dismissively. "Meh, don’t worry 'bout it. See ya later?"

"Um, sure… I guess."

I approach the door, only to realise I have no idea how the hay I’m supposed to open the flipping thing. "Um, Fluttershy? How do I open this?"

"Oh! I didn't realise you weren’t used to hooves. Here, let me get that for you." She sidles up to my side, and deftly opens the door with a single hoof. "There you go, miss."

I freeze. "Uh, did you just call me miss?"

She gives me a sheepish look. "Oh, um, I’m sorry. Are you married?"

"What? No! Do I look like a mare to you?" It comes out perhaps a little harsher than I intended.

"Well, um, actually… you are a mare," she squeaks.

I stare at her in disbelief for a moment, then rush into the bathroom and gaze into the mirror hanging above the sink.

"Oh… my… flipping… pistachios…."