Clouds and Calibre

by JadeSpeirs

Rating: everyone
Tags: Comedy, Adventure, Slice of Life
Length: 5508

OC misfit Pegasi ponies who live in Cloudsdale!

Returning from a long trip, Orange Joy finds that even chance encounters can lead to adventure and new friends!

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2012-06-05 14:04:02 UTC

Chapter 1

Once upon a time, in the Pegasus City of Cloudsdale, there lived three very good friends.  They had been close since they were young fillies growing up together, and had a friendship that saw them through good times, as well as some very tough ones.  For you see these three mares were a little different from the other Pegasi in Cloudsdale.

All three were once shunned as outcasts, for various reasons, and cast aside by society in their Cloudbound home.  So for these three little ponies, the bond of friendship they shared was their one true strength.

It was friendship that held them through their awkward youth, through the bullies and name calling that followed them wherever they went.  It was friendship that made it possible for them to be excepted by others, and to lead a somewhat normal life amongst the clouds, where Pagasi should; and it was their friendship that made them vow to continue with their lives right here in Cloudsdale, despite those who would see them leave.

But now, they face the world as young adults, and must make their mark as Pegasi true.

Unsure as to where to start the three did what they knew best.

Java Splash worked at her parents Coffee shop, Coffee Whisp.  Customer service, however, was not her forte.

Afflicted with a nervous disposition, not to mention a particularly bad stutter, she could not take customers’ orders very well at all.  And her tendency to startle meant any attempt to wait on customers with any type of hot beverage was fraught with danger.

And so she was relegated to making Coffee and baking sweets, something she did not mind at all.  In fact, she excelled at the job, much to her parent’s delight, and took the task to hand.

Shadow Dusk began work in the recycled clothing and thrift shop owned by a generous couple that took her in after her parents left Cloudsdale (and each other), leaving her abandoned.  She was a deeply troubled pony, and rarely happy.  Her self-esteem and sense of self-worth were often an issue for her, but her friends kept her happy and sane, even if on the outside she didn’t look it.

And finally Orange Joy, the most different of them all, took up a job in water exploration.  Sounds strange for a town in the clouds?  The tale gets stranger still.

Orange Joy is a Pegasus born without wings.  Only Pegasi can walk the clouds, no Earth pony or Unicorn without the aid of magic can even set hoof on a cloud and expect for it to hold their weight.  Yet Orange Joy, born of Pegasi parents, lived her whole life in Cloudsdale without the benefit of a single feather.

Cloudsdale’s main product was weather, made with the aid of the Cloudsdale Weather Factory.  It produced clouds for rain, Snowflakes for snow, and Rainbows for… Rainbows.  All these products require water.  Traditionally, this was supplied by the Earth ponies, and supplies were always plentiful.

But that did not mean that this was always going to be the case, and to safeguard the quantity and supply of water, so other backup sources needed to be found, catalogued and filed for future reference.

Orange Joy was well suited to this job, as growing up in the clouds without the aid of flight takes quite a lot of athletic ability, and no small amount of surefooted grace.

This made exploring the farthest reaches of Equestria and beyond all the easier for the adventurous and boisterous young mare, who took great pride in her job.

But it took her away from her friends, which made it a little on the lonely side at times.  But tomorrow she is due to return home to Cloudsdale, after an eventful and successful mission to find water sources in the Freerange mountains, far from her skybound home.

She was due to meet her ride the following day in Canterlot, and was ahead of time in her return trip, so she was taking her own time on the road.

Still a half day travel at least from Canterlot , Orange Joy spied another pony off the side of the road standing there, staring intently into a wooded grove.  He had not noticed her approach, and as Orange Joy stood there watching him, his eyes narrowed further, as he crouched into a stalking position, and started sneaking into the wood.

“Hey, whatca doin’?” Orange Joy asked, suddenly right behind the stranger.  This startled something unseen, causing it to fly away.  It also startled the colt, unaware she was even there.

“Bwahhh…” exclaimed Orange Joy who jumped back as the White Pegasis whirled around.

“Shhh….!!  Ahww, mannn…” exclaimed the stranger, obviously unimpressed, looking back in the direction of his quarry.

“Now I’ll NEVER find the Feathering thing…”  He snorted, tuning hoof and heading back in the direction of the road.

“Ahh…. Yeah, sorry about that…” apologised Orange Joy, following him back up to the road.  He was white with a long, ragged mop of a brown mane and tail, with a particular Cutie Mark.  It was three bullets, and faintly on the background she could make out a white cloud.  Strange that a cutie mark would be of something like that…

The colt turned, noticing Orange Joy following him.  He scowled down at her, his emerald green eyes staring directly back into her own.  Orange Joy noticed the challenge, and held his gaze.

“Whats an Earth pony doing out here and why are you following me?”  he asked directly, maintaining his stare.

“I’m NOT a EARTH Pony, I’m a PEGASUS Pony, and I’m not FOLLOWING you, I’m going this way, so if you don’t mind…”  more than a little miffed, Orange Joy pressed past the larger colt on her way back to the road.  She hated that it still got to her, but she seriously disliked it when others called her an Earth pony.  She had nothing against Earth ponies, in fact, many of her friends were Earth ponies, but she was a PEGASUS pony, even if she didn’t look the part.

Looking shocked at her outburst, the other pony watched as she stormed by.  “Ahh, you know…”  He started only to be cut off by the aggravated orange mare.

“Yeah, no wings.  I get that a lot…”  She snapped back over her shoulder, “…and what about you, what are YOU doing out here?

“None of your business.” Retorted the white colt.

“Pfft, I’m hungry, and I’m done with this, I’m out of here.”  The colt spread his wings, and for the first time Orange Joy realised how large they were.

She looked on with awe, but then suddenly felt a pang of vicious envy.  How come HE got to have such a magnificent set of wings when she got none?!  It just wasn’t fair.

She shook it off, realising that no matter how much she wished it to be different, there was nothing she could do about her situation.  Instead she turned her unwanted attention back to the colt.

“No food huh?  Pretty rookie mistake…  We’re still a fair way out from Canterlot, looks like you’re going hungry…” She said, looking back smugly.  She had more than enough food on her, and really didn’t mind sharing.  In fact, she still had to apologise properly for interrupting… whatever it was she interrupted.

She just wanted to rib him a little more, it was fun.

He looked at her quizzically, and then smiled back his own smug grin.  “Heh, I can fly there in like 10 seconds flat, not that YOU would know what that’s like, short stack.” And with a flurry of wings he was gone.

“UGRAAHHHH…. SHORT STACK!!!!  GET BACK HERE SO I CAN KICK… YOUR… BUTT!!!!!”  She stormed, bucking her hooves into the ground, steam coming from her ears.  It was one thing to make fun of her lack of wings, she was used to that, but bring up her height, and it was on!!!!

“..AND I WAS GOING TO SHARE… and I was gunna share my lunch with you too…” she said, realizing that he was gone, and not coming back.  She sighed, turning around and heading back to where she first saw him.  Just what was it that he was doing here anyway?  She shrugged her shoulders and took off her saddlebag.

She may as well eat now anyway, she thought, as she began rifling through her pack.  Orange Joy heard a faint rustle behind her.  She glanced in the direction of the noise, and seeing nothing of import, continued to look for something edible.  There it was again.  This time she spun around quicker, but still there was nothing there.

She turned back around to her bag, only to see a small, dark raincloud hovering just above it!

Strange, when did clouds this small get so low?  She swatted at the cloud, expecting it to disappear in a puff.  Instead it was actually knocked to the side!

“Wait, whaa…?” Orange Joy remarked, sticking her snout closer to the small black cloud to get a better look.  Almost instantly, the small cloud shot an equally small blot of lightening into her face, blackening her nose.

“OW!  Ngghhhhhrrr….!” She growled, repeatedly wiping her nose due to the shock.  “THAT’S IT!!!” she shouted, and tried to pounce on the cloud.  It easily avoided her repeated efforts, always just staying out of reach, or slipping between her hooves.

“Right buddy, you asked for it…!”  the small pony said, reaching into her bag, and removing one of the bags she used to collect water samples.  This time she wound up her strength, using her greatest skill, her leap.  Orange Joy sprang off like a shot, catching the cloud completely unawares.

She wrapped it up, and twisted the top, so it couldn’t escape.  “Ha!”  She exclaimed, “Take THAT!” She held the cloud filled bag aloft like a trophy, posing generously for her non-existent fans.

She looked closer now she had the chance.  It really was just like a small cloud, but it wasn’t a cloud, was it?  Clouds don’t dodge, weave or move by themselves, do they?

This thing was almost like it had…. a personality?  Well, more of a personality than her Math teacher back in school.  She giggled to herself for that one.

Well, whatever it was, it wasn’t going to get the best of HER again.  She shoved it into the bottom of her bag, and strapped it up again.  She had best get a move on, she had to get to Caterlot, sort out her gear and get some much deserved rest.

She had booked a chariot already for the morning, and a tentative booking at a Hotel in Canterlot to stay in the city.  She saddled up her gear again, and trotted off in the direction of the road once again, smiling at the thought of a soft bed and a hearty meal.

_________________________________________________

Canterlot wasn’t just a big city.  It was THE big city, and where all of the Equestria elite gathered.  It was also the home of the Royal Palace, giving it even greater prestige.  The expensive and high class social scene in Canterlot was the pride of all socialites throughout Equestria, and expensive tastes bred exclusive status.

So a Bedraggled, dirty and tired water surveyor was not exactly welcomed with open arms at most of the city’s fancier Hotels.  This she had learned early in her chosen career. But there was one place that embraced the importance of her job, and treated her well. As long as they were paid in full, of course.

She had a rough idea of when she would return before she departed, and had sent a message asking that her favourite suite be reserved for a night, so she could properly freshen up prior to her trip back up to Cloudsdale.  It was a tentative booking only, but she WAS paying with Factory funds, so she was sure that it wouldn’t be a problem.

Working for the Weather Factory had its perks, and one of them was picking up the tab for occasions like this.  As long as she was able to justify the cost, that is.  She had used the same perk to book her chariot for the next day.  Being wingless meant that she had no way to get back up to Cloudsdale whenever she had to “rough it” on the ground.

The Factory knew this, and paid for a chariot to get her to and from Canterlot.  However, it was up to her to organise the fare.  This time she decided to treat herself a little.

There was a local hot shot chariot racer in Canterlot that was making a bit of a name for himself, being the fastest and the best that the city had to offer, and she HAD to be in on that!

She had never seen, let alone met this Cloud Shot, but he sounded pretty Sweet.  Just because she couldn’t fly, did not mean she did not like it.  Quite the opposite in fact.  And if you were gunna fly, why not fly fast, right?  Right!  Cost… Justified.

She had written to him, and he had agreed to take her on her way tomorrow morning.  She had confirmed her arrival date, and organised to meet him at the fountain out the front of the Hotel first thing tomorrow morning.  All the financial side of the house was taken care of by The Factory, so all she had to do was be there on time, racing fangirl hat on, ready to go.

Arriving at the hotel, she drew more than the occasional glance, looking very much out of place in their fine establishment.  What they didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them, she thought to herself.  She made her way to the front desk, and enquired about her room.

“Oh, I’m sorry Dear, but we’ve already given the Cloud Suite away, would you like the Earth suite?  It might suit an Earth pony better anyway…”

Orange Joy felt a pang at the unintentional quip, but tried not to let it show.  “N-no… That’s fine…” she managed, clenching her teeth as she smiled.  “Thankyou.”

She really didn’t mind that she didn’t get her suite of choice, as she had neglected to inform them EXACTLY when she was due.  Frankly, she didn’t really care.  All she wanted was a hot bath, a good meal, and some rest.

She made her way to her room, and dutifully laid out her gear, inspecting it all and ensuring it was clean, serviceable and ready to go when next she needed it.

These were tasks that could not be easily ignored, as her equipment was her very job, and it was that job that was paying for her to be in places like this, to go on Adventures far and wide, and gave her the freedom she desired more than anything.

She was justly proud of the faith placed in her by the Cloudsdale Weather Factory, and she would make sure that she never betrayed that trust under any circumstances.

The last thing she removed was the mysterious water-bagged cloud.  She thought about it for a minute, she shrugged her shoulders, figuring that they were safely inside a closed room, what was the WORST possible thing that could happen?

“Here you go, little guy, out you hop…”  She opened the bag and let the cloud float out, stopping just above head height, where it just sort of hovered.  She stuck her nose close to it again, jerking back again as it sent a spark of lightning out to where her snout had been moments before.  Orange Joy did not back off however, instead returning her nose to where it was, this time with a warm smile.

“It’s OK little guy, I won’t hurt you…”  she said sweetly, leaving her snout in place, her faith rewarded with little more than a low rumble from the small cloud.  “Hmm, you look a little smaller than last time, huh?”  she said.

“I know, I bet your thirsty…!” Orange Joy exclaimed.  She trotted over to a sink and filled a glass with some water from the tap.

“Hmm, now how does a cloud like you drink anyway…?”  she ponded, looking over at the cloud.

“DO you even drink, or just sorta, I dunno, condense…?” she asked to no one in particular.  As if to answer, the cloud moved over and hovered just above the glass.  It slowly began to turn on the spot, gathering speed with each rotation.

“Ohhhh no, no, no, not that, slow down little cloud!  Bad Cloud! Stop that, stop that now….. please?!”  Orange Joy stammered, recoiling and stepping back as the clouds speed increased.  It spun itself into a blur, a small point forming underneath, reaching down to the surface of the water, drawing it up into the funnel caused by the spinning cloud, just like a miniature hurricane.

When it had consumed all the water, it slowed again to a stop, without even moving the glass.

“That.  Was. SWEET!!!” excited the amazed Pegasus.  “Wow, colour me impressed little guy.”

She moved back over to her gear, and happy everything was in order, started packing it all away.  The cloud hovered around her, seeming to be genuinely interested in what she was doing.  Every time she picked up something new, it seemed to move in closer to check it out, following her every movement as she packed her things.

“Curious thing, aren’t you” she giggled.

“This thing…” she said picking up a piece of equipment “…measures Potential Hydrogen in water, so we know how hard of soft it is.  This is important, because if it’s too High…”  Orange Joy trailed off, shaking her head.

“Oh Ponyfeathers, listen to me, lecturing to a cloud… next thing you know, I’ll be talking to myself”

Tutting to herself, the young mare trotted off to the bathroom, desperate to draw a bath for herself.  After weeks adventuring in the wilds of Equestria, Orange Joy smelled worse than a pig farmer’s ankle, and knew it.

She also knew a nice, warm bath would dissolve all her woes, and get her in the right frame of mind to finally unwind and relax.  As the bath filled, she dialled down to order room service.  This place served one of her favourite all time dishes, Windflowers stuffed with Orange blossom.

The Chief here knew just how Orange Joy liked it, served with honey and clovers, and a nice glass of chilled orange juice.  It was a popular dish at the best of times, and she always looked forward to ordering it.

“Oh I’m sorry Ma’am…” the Concierge apologised “…but we seem to be out of windflowers.  We received quite a large order from one of our other guests…”

“No, no, that’s fine, I’ll just send up whatever’s the chief special tonight…” she sighed.

“Very good ma’am, so Wortweed stuffed with Evergreen mushrooms it is…” enthused the voice on the other end of the line, hanging up before she could change her mind.  Orange Joy stuck her tongue out in disgust at the phone, hanging it back up, and giving another sigh.

“Oh well Orange Joy, it would probably taste better than it sounds, at the very least” she tried to convince herself.

“Yeah, right…” she sighed and headed in to check on her bath.  It was almost full, and with a gleeful smile, she dipped a hoof in to check the temperature.

“COLD!!!”  She startled, recoiling as if she had been struck.  She turned off the taps, and once again, made a phone call to the front desk.

“Oh, I’m terribly sorry, we’ve had reports.  It seems as though some-pony used all the hot water, but it should be right as rain if you give it about an hour or so…”

“Fine, fine, Thank you…” she moaned, hanging up the phone, scowling at the handset.

Suddenly, behind her, the slurping sound of a bath emptying could be heard from the bathroom.

But she hadn’t removed the plug, had she?  Needles of trepidation and a deep sense of doom made their way up her spine, as, wide eyed, she slowly turned to the noise.

It was the cloud.  Of course it was the cloud.  Why WOULDN’T it be the cloud.  Except now, the cloud wasn’t so small.

It now filled the entire roof area of the bathroom, at least 2 hooves deep.

“No!  Bad cloud!...”  She growled  “You empty that water right now…”

The cloud merely rumbled back at her indignantly.

“Ohhhhh no you don’t, mister….!”  She scoured back “…I’m putting my hoof down!!!  Onnnne,….!  Twoooo…..!”  Orange Joy raised her hoof, to emphasise the threat…

Having nowhere else to go, the cloud began to rain, right down on top of Orange Joy.

“Of course….”  Well, there was nothing she could do; the cloud did exactly what she asked it to.  All the fluster and fight drained out of her, she grabbed a scrubbing brush and some soap, and began to wash under the downpour, looking less than impressed.

The cloud slowly shrunk back to size as the water emptied, and she towelled herself dry, mopping up the worst of the deluge before it caused any further damage.

This cloud was something else.  It understood ponies, a point proven many times tonight already.  It was curious, taking keen interest in the things she did, and it had a definite personality, as she was already the victim of.

“Well, little guy, I can’t keep calling you “Little Guy”, how about we come up with a name for you?”  Orange Joy proposed, scratching her chin.

“How about “Cloudstrum McAwesome!”  or “Dr Hurricane Chillfrost!” or, or…” the young mare enthused “…Butch Cloudmaster….!”

The cloud rumbled it disapproval at all three names, causing Orange Joy to giggle.  “….or how about just…. “Cloudy”” She said warmly.

The small cloud drifted over to her, pressing against her nose, and giving it the slightest shock.

“Hey!  That tickles!!!”  OJ giggled, nuzzling Cloudy back.  “Well, Cloudy, I need to eat some Derp awful food, then go to bed.  I’ve got a big day tomorrow, and I need my rest.”

A knock on the door signalled that her meal had arrived.  After dismissing the bellhop, she lifted the lid to see what sort of abomination awaited her.  It wasn’t SO bad, just… interesting.  As good as Wortweed and Evergreen Mushrooms could be, she guessed.  The orange juice helped, but it wouldn’t make a voluntary return to her plate anytime soon.

After the meal, she went out to the balcony, stretching until her back popped.  What a day.  She could see her Cloudsdale silhouetted the distance against the darkened sky, the moon shining down upon it.

She would be home soon, and after work, she could see her Mother and her friends again.  She smiled wistfully at the thought, only to have her peaceful prose interrupted with a cloud shattering Roar!!!

Her adventures’ instinct kicked in right away, completing the drill all adventures’ carried out when a Dragon Attacks.  She ducked low, so as not to be scorched by its flame, and held her knees to protect them from arrows, the scourge of adventures’ everywhere.

Suddenly, the Roar was joined by rapid fire drums and a shredding guitar rift.  It was not a Dragon at all, just very loud Metal Music coming from next door, in the Cloud suite.  She slowly got back up, her shocked expression slowly turning to Rage.

Orange Joy stormed back into the room, grabbing the phone and punching in the now well-worn numbers on the phone.  This time all she got was a busy signal, and she slammed down the receiver with indignation.

Well, at least she wasn’t the only pony complaining, she thought.  This gave her little solace, however, as the loud music continued.  She collapsed onto the hotel bed, covering her head with a pillow.  In time, the music faded, as the Hotel staff told the guest to quiet down, but it still continued as background noise until very late that night, before Orange Joy finally fell asleep.

_________________________________________________

The next morning, she packed her things, thinking it prudent to place Cloudy back into her bag.  The little cloud was remarkably good with it all, simply resting in place in her saddle bag like a good cloud should.

She knew Cloud Shot had an ’87, and old school racing chariot that was considered legendary among Chariot racers.  He shouldn’t be too hard to find a stand out ride like that.  She checked out, and walked out the front door, and sitting front and centre, was the gleaming ’87.

Although it wasn’t the Chariot that held her attention, but the large white colt standing beside it, obviously waiting for someone.

“Oh you’ve got to be…”  Facehoofing herself, she shook her head.  It was all pretty obvious, when you looked at it in Hindsight.

Cloud Shot.  Three Bullets and a cloud.  She tried not to make eye contact as she made her way over, the large white colt rolling his eyes as she approached.

“Look, kid, I’m working.  If you’ve got any gripes, take it somewhere else, I’ve got a VERY important pony to pick up, and she’ll be here any minute.”  He said, looking over her head and into the lobby behind her.

“Oh really?  A VERY important pony, you say…?”  she asked, shifting her gear to reveal her Cutie Mark “…and just what would this VERY important ponies name be?”  Oh, this IS fun, she thought to herself.

Still trying to ignore her and looking into the lobby, he answered “If I tell you, will you leave me alone?”

“Well, that depends…” she answered coyly.

“Orange Joy, her name…. is…. Orange……. Joy?”  Cloud Shot trailed off, noticing her Cutie Mark, an Orange, for the first time.

“Heh, score one for me!” she retorted, as the big colt gave himself an equally large Facehoof.  Orange Joy began loading her gear into the back as he set up ready to go.  As she did, she could discern a particular odour coming from somewhere in the rear.

“Hey, what’s that smell, it smells like sour curd and vomit…?”  asked OJ, scrunching up her nose at the offensive stench.

“Probably spilled some Tofu back there the other night during a delivery, sorry about that…” he answered, still strapping in.

“You, deliver Tofu..?  In a ’87…?”  she queried, one eyebrow raised as she looked at him like a weirdo.

“No, it was a friends idea, he said he read somewhere… look it doesn’t matter.” He said, finishing up.

Orange Joy wandered around the front to speak with him directly.  “Look, I’m sorry for yesterday.  But I found this if you still want it?”  She said, flipping open the saddlebag, revealing Cloudy.

Cloud Shot reared back from the small raincloud, but already strapped into the chariot, had nowhere to go.

“Y-you KEPT it!!” he stammered, shrinking away in real fear.  “It’s vicious!  It’s Merciless!  It Zapped me right on……. the… ear, right on the ear.”  He said, the last part sounding less than truthful.

“Oh, ok, I guess you don’t want it then?”  She asked, covering Cloudy back over again.

“No, all yours” he answered, whipping his brow.  OJ climbed into the chariot, and noticed a patch of singed tail hair at the base of his tail as she did.  “Zapped ear my hoof!”  she thought to herself, allowing an inwards giggle.

They moved off, soon clearing the hustle and bustle of Canterlot, and were in clear air on their way home.

“So, how fast this thing go?”  Orange Joy asked, over the noise of the wind.

“Top ends not so great, but delivery all the way through is pretty strong.  Fastest I’ve gone though was at Philly’, we got up to 800 wing power this one time…”

“Oh yeah, I remember that…”  she cut in trying to sway the conversation.  “So, big guy, how about we see if you can top that speed at 1000!”

He looked back at her with a questioning gaze “I’m towing a chariot, with a passenger.  And that was a combined effort of over…”

“Yeah, yeah.  You know what, Frytail, they should have called you Cloud Chat instead.  SPEED, man!  I didn’t hire the fastest chariot racer in all Canterlot for conversation; I hired you to GO FAST!!!”

“Ohhhh…”  He said, it finally dawning on him “… right then Midget Britches, hold on tight, ‘cos it’s gunna get FAST!”

The turn of speed was breathtaking.  The wind stung her eyes, and it was difficult to breath with the air rushing by so fast.  It was cold, it stung and the noise was horrendous.

And it was the greatest thing she had ever done in her life.  THIS was what she missed by not been born with wings.  The wind through her mane, the speed, the grace, the FREEDOM!!!

She never once truly regretted not having been born with wings.  She was who she was, and not having wings was just who she was.  But it must be so sweet to be able to just…. Do this!  She smiled as they slowed, closing in on their destination.

As they approached, she noticed her friends had come out to meet them, waving as they approached.  As they slowed to a stop, she leaped out, hugging the both of them in turn, chatting frantically as girlfriends do.

As they unloaded the Chariot, Cloud Shot thanked Orange Joy for the Job.

“It was pretty feathering cool staying in a place like that; I got the Cloud suite, fully decked out!  Man, I ran that bath DRY, I swear to Celestia!  They said I could order whatever I wanted, so I ordered this fancy…”  He was cut off by Orange Joy’s hoof pressing against his mouth.

“Stop, please, for the sake of Equestria, just stop!”  She moaned, her other hoof pressed against her temple.

“Sorry Hon, but your just making my brain hurt…”  She said, removing her hoof.

Taken aback, Cloud Shot asked “So next time…?”

“Yeah, yeah, next time” she grinned, motioning with her head that he was free to go.  As the White Colt left she turned back to her friends.

“S-s-o h-who is y-your F-friend, O-oh.J?” Jave Splash asked, as she watched him leave.

“Friend?!  He’s not my…. Well, huh, yeah… I guess…”  She turned, and watched him disappear behind the clouds.

“Just some guy, a racer who The Factory hired, that’s all…” she answered, not entirely convincingly.

“So how have you guys been?”  she asked, redirecting the question.

“Oh, we’ve been fine, you know doing…. Stuff” answered Shadow Dusk, not making eye contact with OJ.

“N-no your n-not fine, y-y-you’ve been wo-worrying about OJ, all lo-lo-lonely without her a-all the time!!!  Oh-OJ, she’s l-lonely without y-you here, w-we both are!”

She giggled at her friends sentiment, and gave them both her warmest smile.

“Well, I missed you guys too” she beamed.  “Oh, and I made another friend, maybe he’ll help keep Dusk company when I’m away!”

She flipped open the bag and let Cloudy make his way out.  Java Splash screamed, hiding behind Orange Joy for protection.

“w- w- w- w- w- w- w- w- w- w- w- w- w- w- w- w- w…“  the frightened Pony stuttered, shaking like a leaf.

“Relax, scaredy-pony, it’s just a cloud… I think…?” she reassured her friend.

“Clo-cloud?”  she asked, still keeping OJ between herself and Cloudy.

“I think, yeah.  But this cloud understands ponies, and is alive, as far as I can tell…”

Cloudy made his way over towards Java Splash, the skittish pony backing away as he did.  Suddenly, he let rip a thunderous Rumble and flash of lightening, once again, causing Java Slash to scream, this time leaping off the ground, and dashing to the nearest cloud nub, hiding and quaking with fear.

“NO! BAD CLOUDY!!!  No scaring Java Splash!!!”  yelled Orange Joy, scowling at the rain cloud.

He made his way back over to OJ, small sparks of electricity crackling off his side.

“Oh, yeah, REALLY funny, she won’t be able to talk straight for a week after that…”  Orange Joy scolded, rolling her eyes.

Orange Joy had learned over the years that it was best to let Splash just get it out of her system by herself, so she headed over to Shadow Dusk, who just watched the whole scene despondently.

“So what do you say, girl, take this little troublemaker off my hands and look after him for me?”  She asked with all the confidence of a used chariot salespony.

“Come over here and be nice and say hello to Shadow Dusk, Cloudy.” She called out, causing the small cloud to hover over.  Dusk momentarily looked suspiciously at the mischievous rain cloud, before looking back at the ground.

Cloudy floated down to her cheek and gave her a playful zap, causing her to recoil a little.

“Ooohhhh, it looks like he likes you!”  OJ gushed, with a mischievous grin.

“That soooooooo, cute!  Hey Cloudy, wanna hang out with your new girlfriend?!” OJ laughed, taking in the scene of the perpetually sad, dusk grey pony with a rain cloud floating above her.

She giggled to herself “You two are MEANT to be together.”

The three girls organised to meet up later, OJ having to finish up her reports, and head home to see her mother.  The two were still quite close.  All they had was each other since OJ’s father died of a mysterious illness when she was still a filly; also, there was something she had to do.

She headed up to her old room, and took out a note book and quill from atop the hundreds of letters that she had written since her father’s death.

“Dear Father,

                                                 Today I learnt a very important lesson about friendship.

Whist it is true that you are lucky to be even able to count your true friends on one hoof, it’s also important to treasure those passing friendship’s that happen every day.

You never know how knowing someone might pan out, and what other friends and adventures wait for you with them, so treat all your friends with the kindness and understanding      you treat your best of friends, and remember, treat even strangers how you would want to be treated yourself, ‘cos strangers are friends just you haven’t met yet.

                                                               Your loving daughter,

"OJ”