A Tale of Something New

"Cherry Blossom, weren't we going to the castle?" Asked Azurinne. We had taken a detour to head into town.

"We were, but I want to see who's planning whatever celebration that is," I say pointing a balloon floating off in the distance. Using that as a marker since the smell of frosting is getting mixed with other baked goods. "There's definitely some kind of party or something being planned if not already happening. Besides, Party Favor told me that if a party was being made in Ponyville, then its resident party pony was guaranteed to be heading the planning."

"Oh, I remember that conversation," she said with a grin, "but why are we looking for her?"

"We're not," I reply refusing to look her in the eyes, "but he told me that she's friends with Princess Twilight. If there's a party, and she's involved, then it would be reasonable to assume that the princess is involved, too, right?" Azurinne stops, and I meet her eyes to try to convince her. For the first time since I've met her, she deadpans me. "OK, that's a new look, what did I say?"

"I hope you realize that, just because she's 'the Princess of Friendship', doesn't mean that she's with her friends nearly all hours of the day," she finally lets out. She then sighs before continuing, "You know, Cherry, a mature filly you may be, but sometimes you just don't show yourself as the smart pony I know you are."

"Alright, so it may not be the best idea," I admit, "but can't we go anyway? If the party is going on, then some sweets would be nice after all the hospital food I had." She smiles and nods, and we proceed in the direction of where the balloon was rising from. "Truth be told, I really want to meet her. Party Favor said that she was one of the best there are."

"Do we know her name at least?" She asks worriedly.

"I believe he said her name was... 'Pinkie Pie'. Apparently, her name is enough to spot her, and she's supposed to be a very energetic pony." She looks at me oddly. "That's all I was able to get. He's only met her once, and he said that while she seemed a bit odd, she was a happy pony." She shrugged at this and our walk was quiet for a few minutes.

"Excuse me," we heard from behind. I turn to find an elegant white unicorn with a very fancy looking purple mane and tail. Her Cutie Mark consisted of three diamonds. "I apologize, Dear, but you seem to remind me of a friend of mine," if she means Sugar Belle then that's news to me, "her name was Sugar Belle, and you look strikingly like her." I looked at her before turning to Azurinne. She seemed to have the same thoughts because she was giving the same worried look I was.

I turn back to the fancy looking pony, "Say I know this, Sugar Belle, how do I know that you know her enough to call her a friend? Especially, when you haven't even introduced yourself." She gives me a surprised look, but then smiles.

"Well, I do apologize, my name is Rarity Belle, may I ask whom I am speaking with?" I look at her surprised. Why shouldn't I be? A sister or any other relative? No, Sugar Belle would have introduced me by now. "What's wrong, Darling?"

This makes me realize that I've been staring at her, "I apologize too, my name is Cherry Blossom. I'm... just surprised. Sugar Belle never said she had a sister, or are you by chance related to Sweetie Belle?"

"You know Sweetie Belle? Wait... pink coat with a red mane and tail. Oh, you're the filly who was flying through the air." I give her a confused look. "Of course, you'd be confused when you were unconscious. Are you feeling better? You were quite hurt."

"Yes, I made a full recovery. Do you know what’s in that direction? I believe there’s a party that way, or at least it looks like some pony may be getting one ready.” She looks in the direction I’m pointing.

"Why, Sugar Cube Corner, our town's bakery, is in that direction. If you think a party's in that direction, then I am willing to bet Pinkie has something to do with it." She trots a few steps ahead of me before turning back. "Since you were already on the way, shall we be off then? You'll just love a party from her, and Twilight won't be back for a few days."

"Twilight? As in Princess Twilight? Isn't it a bit rude to address her so informally?" I ask as we go on our way to the bakery. She looks at me bemusedly at the thought.

"I suppose it may look like that, however, she would never allow me or any of her other friends to address her formally," she replies with a small pause, "I even bet that if you ask her, then even you will be able to address her informally."

"Oh no, I just couldn't," I say quickly. "Mom told me once that titles are earned with hard work, and I should always endeavor to always call some pony by their title." I pause for a bit. She said a moment ago that the princess was out of town, right? I decided to ask, "You said the princess is out of town, correct? I spoke to Sugar Belle last night, and she said I should go see Princess Twilight today. Was she mistaken?"

"Sugar Belle? Starlight must have failed to inform her that Twilight would be out," she responded. "Now, do you have a place to stay tonight?"

"I don't suppose that the hospital is an option?" I ask nervously. She deadpans me.

"I'll talk with Starlight later," she replies while continuing her deadpan, "but you will either stay with me tonight, or with her at the castle." I open my mouth to speak, but she quickly cuts me off, "Now see here, I can see what you were about to say, and no, you have no option in the matter. We need you to stay where we can find you if Twilight comes home sooner than expected. This means that you cannot return to Sugar Belle's town, or your home town, and since you have no other places to stay, then the obvious solution is to stay either at the castle or one of our homes." Shot down before I could get a word in. Definitely not used to that.

"Rarity?" She looks my way. If I can't choose where I'm staying the night, then I might as well get some more information. "What's Pinkie Pie like, and who are the others you mentioned?"

"The others are Rainbow Dash, she's a cyan blue pegasus with a rainbow mane and tail," I perk up. The only pegai I've met so far are Night Glider, Scootaloo, and the mailmare. "Fluttershy, who has a yellow coat with pink mane and tail, is also a pegasus," I wonder what both are like. "Then there's Applejack, who is Apple Bloom's older sister. She has an orange coat with a yellow mane and tail." She then pauses, and I stop to wait for her. "Pinkie Pie is a pink earth pony with a pink mane and tail. She is a rather energetic individual-"

"Party Favor said the same thing," I say while interupting her.

"-yes... well... words can hardly do her justice. I suppose you will have to be the judge on her personality, yourself," she finishes.

"What are their Cutie Marks?" I ask.

"Why ever would you want to know that, Darling?" She asks back.

"No reason in particular," I say putting my head down. It's true, I'm just curious. "I guess, I'll just have to wait to meet them?"

"No, Dear, I just found it a bit unexpected," she states. "If you really want to know then I guess we can start in the order I mentioned before." She then stops to think again. "Rainbow Dash's Cutie Mark is a cloud with a rainbow lightning bolt striking down," she finally says before continuing with the others, "Fluttershy's is a combination of three butterflies. They have a blue body and pink wings. Applejack's is three red apples that are arranged two on the bottom and one on the top. And finally, we have Pinkie Pie. Her Cutie Mark is a set of three balloons two blue ones with yellow strings and a yellow one with a blue string." I nod while taking in all the new information. At least I won't be surprised, when I meet them.

"Hi, Rarity!" Is all I hear from behind me before I found myself landing on my rear from the startle. I really need to stop thinking things like this.