On the Insideby Rose QuillChaptersThe Start of a JourneyTogetherA New ExperienceTime for a ChangeUnbreak My SongMoving DayThe Crescendo of My LifeOn the InsideSmileThe Start of a Journey"That is enough, Limestone Elizabeth Pie!" Pinkie shouted. I blinked. I was shocked that the always bubbly party planner had actually lost her temper. Apparently, Limestone was as well. "Did you just..." she sputtered but was cut off by Pinkie. "I have had enough of you belittling and insulting and looking down on my wife!" Pinkie growled. "I thought you two had made your piece when she proposed. You gave her rock candy!" Limestone looked away. "That was Marble's idea," she protested quietly. "But you still gave it to her!" continued the party planner. "What does she have to do to finally get your approval?" "Pinkie," I interjected. "It's ok, you don't have to..." "It's not ok, Ari," she said. "Just because she feels alone and angry doesn't give her the right to take it out on you." "I don't feel alone," Limestone protested. "Oh, come off it, Limey!" Pinkie said, starting to calm down. "I'm married, Marble and Macintosh have been hitting it off famously, and even Maud has had a few dates that weren't with Boulder. You're afraid we're going to leave you all alone." The abrasive eldest Pie looked out the window, not answering. But I was close enough that I could see the reflection on the glass. From her expression, it looked like my wife had hit the nail on the head. "I just..." she started before ending with a sigh, and an expression I never thought I'd see in the years I had been putting up with her snide remarks. She had a tear in her eye and a dejected look. "I'm afraid I've pushed you away," she whispered. "You're the only sister that isn't interested in the family business, Pinkie. Maud is a certified Ph.D. geologist and while she goes off to study she still takes the time to help us grade the stone. And Marble heads up the books now that Mom and Pop have retired." Pinkie smiled softly, the look much more familiar than the mask of anger she had on moments ago. "Limey, it just isn't in me," she said. "I've got a business of my own to run and a family to look after. But you didn't drive me away, silly. There isn't a force strong enough to separate us. We're family! Sisters!" She pulled her sister into a rib cracking hug. "I just wish you could treat Aria well." I had gotten good at reading the faces of the Pie family over the last few years. They all had their masks: Pinkie's smile, Maud's placidness, Marble's shy smile, and Limestone's angry scowl. But I could see through it now, especially with it melted away for a moment. There was grudging agreement there, quickly hidden away. "I can try," she said gruffly, glancing at me. "For Pinkie?" I nodded, holding out a fist. The grumpy woman bumped my fist with hers. "One thing though," I said. They both looked at me. "Your middle name is Elizabeth?" She flipped me off, and status quo was returned. Pinkie sighed. "It's a start," she said to herself. That night, we lay in bed cuddling. I had never thought I'd enjoy it as much as I did. The first time she had ever held me had been a hug, and I had noticed for the first time that it silenced the feeling of emptiness I still felt even after regaining our song. It had been a trying time. The fight with Acerak had landed Adagio with a pretty serious wound and had appeared to have cost us Sunset as well at the time. I had felt the temptation to silence the pain with the knife again when Pinkie had come across me and simply hugged me. "What are you doing?" I had asked. "You're hurting," she said simply. It was the first time someone other than my sisters had shown me affection if any sort. "Whatcha thinking?" Pinkie's voice slid into my memory, drawing me to the present. "Our first hug," I said. She snuggled a little closer, resting her head in the crook of my neck. "You looked so sad and I couldn't help it," she said. "Remember what I said afterward?" I asked. "How could I forget?" How indeed. I remember the day like it was yesterday. How do you find it so easy to smile all the time? TogetherWhen I woke up the next morning, I could smell the food wafting in from the kitchen. I caught the hint of cinnamon and the unmistakable smell of dark roast coffee. I rose and shook my slightly longer than shoulder length hair out of my face as I padded out to find my pink-haired wife flitting about the kitchen, already dressed in one of her business suits. Say what you will about my wife, she may be silly and a little inscrutable at times, but when it came time for her to clean up, she cleaned up well. She gave a steaming mug a push, making it slide down the breakfast bar to come to a stop just in front of my stool. I would ponder how she had managed it, but I learned years ago not to try to decipher her methods. I merely took the mug by the handle and breathed in the smell before sneaking up on it. Two sugars, no cream. Perfect. “You’re up early,” I said to the woman as she slid a handful of crepes and eggs onto a pair of plates. “Last minute changes?” “Yeah, Sonata texted me about them last night while you were in the shower,” she mumbled around a mouthful of toast. “We’ve got to go see about the layout in a different hall before we can begin setting up.” I took a bite from my breakfast as I thought. “Is it going to be a difficult transition? Because if it is you have to charge them for that.” “I know,” she said as she hastily ate. “Nata already told them when they contacted her about the switch.” I swallowed a mouthful of eggs. “So, just another day in the exciting life of a caterer?” I teased lovingly. She smirked at me as she dropped her empty plate into the sink. “Couldn’t have it any other way,” she said with her typical good cheer. “You mind washing up before you go?” I waved her off. “I’ll get it under control. See you tonight?” She skipped over and gave me a quick kiss before grabbing her messenger bag and knife case and heading out the door. As I was doing the dishes, I couldn’t help but remember the first real date we had gone on. She had cleaned up well that time too. Much better than I had. I felt horribly underdressed. I was clad in the cleanest jeans I had, a shirt so new it still had the fold creases in it, and my green vest. I know it wasn’t much different then how I normally dressed, but hey, I didn’t do the pigtails, having let Sonata braid it for this special event. That counts for something, right?” But next to Pinkie in her soft pink dress, I felt like a slob. It wasn’t that it was such an upscale look on the girl so much that it was so different than what I was used to from her. It was…subdued. Calming, and she had a similar look in her eyes. “I…I should change,” I said, feeling my cheeks heat up. “You look fine,” Pinkie chirped. “It’s only Mason’s.” “But you’re…” I motioned wordlessly at her outfit. “Psssh,” she waved me off. “Laundry day. It was clean.” The nervousness drained out of me in a laugh. “I can understand that,” I said through the giggles. As I regained my composure, I smiled at the woman before me. “Pinkie, I gotta say,” I whispered. “You clean up pretty good.” “Why thank you!” she said, standing up even taller than a second ago. Somehow. “You’re not half bad yourself, Ari.” She led me over to her car, a Jeep I noted with surprise. “Well, get in,” she said, popping the locks as she climbed in herself. “We’re going to be late for our own date, silly!” I climbed in and had no sooner fastened my belt before the vehicle was backed out of the stall and headed for the highway. I kept sneaking glances at Pinkie as she wove her way along the asphalt river. She seemed so relaxed, singing along with the radio. “Going to get right back around, yeah…SOS DJ keep the party hopping…toes tapping never stopping till we break through to get right back around.” “How can you sing and drive?” I asked simply. “Shouldn’t you pay attention?” “I am, though,” she said, never taking her eyes off the road. “You act like you’ve never driven before and sung to the radio.” Her head swung up as the silence drug on. “You can drive, right?” she asked. “We never saw the need,” I said. A few more minutes of silence. “Then I’ll just have to teach you,” she declared as though proclaiming a royal decree. “But…” “No time for that.” she said. “But…” “No time for that either.” “Pinkie…” She looked at me as we idled at a stop light. “Aria, please,” she said, a smirk on her face. “It’s only our first date! Have patience!” I rested my head on the dash as she giggled and we continued onto dinner. “What have I gotten myself into?” I whispered to myself. I buttoned the top button of my blouse and slid my vest on. It was getting a touch threadbare, but it was a part of me. I made sure to tuck my coffee mug into the washer before starting it, having had two more cups of the dark brew before getting dressed myself. “The happiest I’ve been in a long time,” I said to myself, remembering that crazy night. “That’s what I got myself into.” i glanced at myself in the mirror and adjusted the collar of my top and slid a hairpin into place just behind my right ear of a star with a cello’s F hole shape behind it. My own personal symbol, my cutie mark, as it were. I mean, it was on my flank the one time I had returned to Equestria, so I guess that’s accurate. My phone buzzed, and I checked to see a text from the drummer of the band I sang with every night. Hey, Flash and I are running late, don’t start without us! I smiled. Lemon Zest was always running late. Don’t worry, I haven’t left the house quite yet. We’ve got a big gig tonight. I smiled. Let Limestone have her grudge. Pinkie and I did what we wanted to with our lives, and that made us both smile. And that’s all that matters. A New ExperienceI couldn’t help but laugh as Sunset left the deli, a brown bag containing some foodstuff meant for her and Twilight. I had been nervous about our friends finding out about us, not sure how they would feel about me dating one of their tight-knit group. Seeing as how Sunset hadn’t been upset so much as surprised had let a lot of the tension drain from me. “See, silly?” Pinkie said, taking another slurp from her soda. “Told you they wouldn’t be upset with us. They just want us to be happy.” “I’m sure,” I said, toying with one of the chips on my plate before eating it. “It’s just…” I sighed. “I’m just still jumpy, even after everything we went through,” I finished. “It seems like they took to us a little too quickly. How can they accept us like this?” “Well,” the fluffy haired girl said without pause. “We’ve got someone that stole a magical relic from a princess and tried to create an army and another that tried to rip holes in the fabric of the world into another one while crazed on magic.” She smiled at me. “All you and your sisters tried to do was get a bite to eat and make everyone love you.” I put my head down and groaned. “You would remind me,” I said. I felt her reach over and patted my head. “Chin up, sweetie!” she chirped. “After all, you don’t have anything to worry about from us anymore. You’re all one of our friends now, and I can’t get enough of that smile when you let it out.” I gave her the smile, one that was easier to let out every day she and I spent together. “Thanks, Pinks,” I said, using the nickname somewhat nervously, despite her permission. “Anytime!” she beamed, finishing off her drink and glancing at her watch. “Ready to go? Maud is meeting us at the park later today to do our PSSSD.” “What’s that mean again?” I asked as I stood as well. “Pie Sister Secret Swap Day,” she said, pulling a small box out of nowhere, causing me to raise an eyebrow. “And this year I’ve got the perfect thing for her!” She giggled and turned to bounce her way out of the cafe. I followed and then flinched as she threw the car keys to me, fumbling with them as I tried to get a grip. “You drive,” she said, hopping in the passenger side and propping her feet up on the dash. “But I’m still…” “No time,” she said, grinning and beckoning me forward. I climbed into the driver seat and started the vehicle. I started stalling by adjusting mirrors and the seat when a hand reached over and grabbed the lapel of my vest. Before I had fully realized what had happened, Pinkie’s lips were pressing against mine. After a moment of shock, I eased into the kiss, my heart fluttering like a loose butterfly. After we separated, she held me close, eyes staring into mine. “You’ll do fine, Ari,” she whispered, resting her forehead on mine. I was still trying to process what had happened. “You ok?" “Yeah,” I said, smiling. “Just getting used to getting kisses from someone I care for.” It was an still an interesting experience, and I leaned forward to see if it still set me aflutter. It was even better the third time. Time for a ChangeI was brushing my hair out that night when a solid weight bounced on the bed. I glanced behind me to see Pinkie hopping up and down on her knees like she was six. Actually, she does a lot of things like she's six. When she's not working she skips everywhere humming to herself. I don't mind that, though. It's part of her charm, and part of why I love her the way I do. "Say, Ari," she said, flopping forward onto her arms, chin in her hands. "I always wondered why you cut your hair." I turned, smiling as I put the brush down. "Three years and you're just now wondering why?" "Well, we've taken a huge step, after all," she said, waving the hand that bore a simple gold band and a ring with a gem made from the shards of my old Song. "And I just never got around to asking." I walked over to the bed and hopped on, giving a bounce or two just to set her grinning. And though I'd never tell anyone but her, it felt good to not act my age for a moment. "Well, Pinks," I said. "I hadn't planned on it, really..." I fidgeted with one of my pigtails while I waited, staring at the mannequins with all the clothes in various states of completion. Rarity made a few more notes and pinned the paper to a dress that looked like nothing more than a handful of cloth squares pinned together. "Now then, Aria," she said as she sat, reaching for the tea kettle. "You said you wanted some help changing your look?" "Yes," I said, fingering the blue stone that now hung from my neck. "I figured that since things are changing...have changed, rather, that maybe a change in other aspects would be nice as well." "Well, you certainly came to the right place," she said, sliding a teacup over to me. "So, do you have an idea on what style you'd like to try? You do a marvelous job with the whole grunge look, but maybe if we try something a tad more modern. Oh, I know I have some amazing..." "Rarity," I tried to interrupt. "And if we paired that with these simply adorable fringed boots I saw the other day at the mall..." "Rarity..." "And I think I have a purse that will work nearly done. It may not be the right color, but..." "Rarity!" I shouted. The fashionista shook her head as if suddenly realizing she had a guest. "Yes?" I pulled one of my pigtails forward. "I was thinking more along the lines of a haircut." Her face fell for a moment, then brightened again. "Well, why didn't you say so?" she said, leaning forward. "Let it loose, darling, let me see what we have to work with." I started to undo my tails as the other girl rose and brought a straight backed chair over and set it in the center of a cleared out area. She patted the seat as I finger combed my locks. "Have a seat, Aria," she said. "Better light here." I got nervous as she paced around me, like a tiger stalking its prey. "I must say, you have wonderful volume," she said. "It could make one quite jealous." "I'm just glad it's straight," I said. "This was enough trouble stuffing into a hood. Don't get me started on Adagio's hair." We shared a giggle at that. Being with Pinkie had made it easier to loosen up around my friends. That thought was still odd, but welcome. Friends. She knelt in front of me and toyed with my hair. "Maybe something around the shoulders?" she suggested. "With a bit of layering?" "Not too short," I said quickly. "I want to keep a good portion of the length." "I understand," she said. "So not a bob, maybe long bangs and shoulder skimming ends?" I gave her a blank look. "One reason I only got trims was because I hated spending more than five minutes on my hair," I said simply. She grinned. "Then I know just the style then," she said, standing. "So," I asked. "How long?" "Oh, I have no idea?" she said. "I'm a seamstress, not a hairdresser." She grabbed her keys and purse. "We're going to see someone that knows what they're doing. I'll just go for moral support." "Which is how I wound up with this style," I said, rubbing Pinkie's shoulder as she cuddled into me. "Time for a change," she echoed. "Well, you sure made it look good. Though I got to admit, sometimes I miss your long hair." "I do too," I admitted. "But it's hair. It grows back. Maybe I'll wear it long like that again, though it will take a while." She nodded, giggling. Her phone buzzed, announcing a text message. "It's Marble," she said after reading it. "Wants to know if we're ok with lunch tomorrow to talk over something." "Maybe Macintosh finally got around to proposing," I joked. "Nah, I'd know if that was it," she said. "Oh?" "Yeah," she said. "Pinkie Sense. And I haven't had an ear twitch, toe curl, hiccough combination yet." "If Pinkie Sense is that strong," I said, frowning. "How come you didn't pick up on my proposing to you?" "I'm not perfect," she said. "And sometimes I like the surprises in life." "Well, you were a great surprise for me," I said, leaning down to rub noses with her. "Aw," she sniffed before giving me a hug that made my ribs creak. "Love you, Ari." "Love you too, Pinks." Unbreak My SongIt was dark when I woke up. I looked over and looked at Pinkie, fast asleep and the blanket partially kicked off. I smiled and shifted to watch her sleep for a moment. I had always heard of people doing this, but until we had gotten together I had never understood it. I caught a glint from the red stone in her engagement ring and smiled. I remember giving her that ring after a scavenger hunt that ended at the amphitheater that had served as the battleground where my sisters and I had been dealt a devastating loss. At the time, I had hated it and had spiraled so deep into depression that I had turned to cutting and other mild forms of self-harm to silence the gnawing hunger inside. it never lasted long and always left me feeling even worse about myself. I had been a self-perpetuating cycle of hate and anguish until Fluttershy had started bringing us care packages, encouraging Adagio to find the job she had and eventually Sonata making friends with the pink baker next to me. But the ring had been a lot more than just grabbing one at a store. I shook my head, the nausea of the portal slowly easing up. "Aria?" a voice piped up. "What are you doing here?" I turned to see Starlight lounging in a large couch, a book floating in her aura. I went to walk over and realized that instead of legs, I had the fins of my aquatic form. I sighed and slowly made my way over. "Is Twilight here?" I asked, shrugging my bag around so I could set it on the floor. "I kind of need a favor." "She's not here at the moment," Starlight said. "There's a princess summit in the Crystal Empire today. She and Sunset left last night." I lowered my head, dejectedly. "Oh," I whispered. "I see." She closed her book and sat up. "What did you need?" she asked. "Maybe one of us could help you." I tilted my head in thought. That could work. I started to dig in my bag and drew out a small wooden box and set it on the table next to the couch, gently and reverently. "I need someone to help me with something," I said, opening the box. "I need these put back together and set in a ring." Starlight leaned forward. "What is it?" I looked at the red stone shards inside, glimmering with their own inner light at my proximity. "The pieces of my old Song," I whispered, my forehoof coming up to touch the blue stone at my neck. "Your song?" Starlight said. I nodded, gazing down at the broken rubicund stone. "I collected the shards after the Battle of the Bands," I whispered. "I don't know what Adagio or Sonata did with their shards, but I always kept mine close. I wondered if they could be fixed, and maybe stop the pain that their loss caused." "So why do you want them fixed now?" she asked, gazing at the shards. "I want to give them to Pinkie," I said, snapping myself out of the trance I had fallen into looking at them. "When I ask her to marry me." Starlight brightened up. "That's so awesome!" she cried. She tapped her chin for a second. "I think Rarity is here today instead of at one of her other boutiques. She probably knows a pony or two that could take care of that order." I twisted and tapped my tail. "I'm not exactly made for a lot of land travel," I said. "And since I regained my Song, neither I or my sisters can fly like we could before. I don't know if it's because we just don't come here anymore or if we can't." "Oh, I can take care of that," Starlight said. "I can cast a transmogrification spell if you want." I smiled. "If you could, please," I said. *** I sipped at the tea as Rarity and a crystal pony named Facet Polished worked on picking out shards to put into the ring. "Now, this won't be a perfect mend," Rarity said as they tried fitting various pieces against others. "The cracks will still show, but we can seal it so it won't fall apart." "I have a couple of ring settings that we can use once the gem is repaired," Facet said, nudging a shard aside with her hoof and placed it back into the wooden box I kept them in. "So the tough part is finding the proper fit for the final shape." "I really appreciate this, you guys," I said. "I know I can't pay you a lot for your services, but I can try to come up with some sort of arrangement..." "I won't hear of it!" Rarity said firmly. "After what you and your sisters did to help us with Sorla and Chrysalis, I couldn't dare dream of asking for payment for this." Facet shook her head. "You helped defend my homeland," she said, sliding a shard into place. "This is just my own way of repaying you for this. Consider it a wedding gift." I smiled but refused to let the emotion I felt leak free. "Thank you again," I said. "Now just enjoy your tea, darling," Rarity said as she lifted the various shards up and over to Facet's worktable. "This is one song that won't be silent again." I reached over and set my finger against the stone and it began to glow softly at my touch. It glowed for two reasons, one at my direct touch or when Pinkie and I shared a particularly strong emotional moment. It had glowed for a few minutes at the wedding and most nights directly thereafter. "I'm not sure what to call it when you daydream at night," Pinkie said, opening her eyes. "Then again, maybe you weren't dreaming." I leaned down and kissed her gently. "Have I told you how glad I was when you said yes?" I asked when we parted. "A few times," she smiled. "Sometimes with cake, sometimes with your lips, and sometimes with your hugs. Among other things." I felt the blush but it was just the two of us here. No need to feel embarrassed about an innuendo or two. "It may have been Pony Rarity that helped fix the shards," I said. "But you were the one that helped fix the song in my heart." "And people think I'm the corny one," she said, giggling as she leaned in for another kiss. "And lets keep it that way for now," I said, tangling some fingers in her curly hair. Moving DayI hate moving, I thought as I tried to shut the box in front of me. But at least this will be the last one for a long time. I pulled the flaps to the box shut, grabbing blindly for the packing tape I had just set down. I didn't have too many boxes, and most of them were clothes. There were a few odds and ends; an old coffee mug with a chipped handle, the wooden box I kept the leftover shards of my Song in, and a small plastic tub that I kept hidden from everyone. I smiled as I picked it up, opening it to reveal the treasures I had kept inside. There were a trio of rock candy necklaces, one from each of Pinkie's sisters. Thought the one from Limestone was certainly the smallest, it did mean a fairly large amount in terms of acceptance. Maud's was much like the woman herself, plain and straightforward with colors arranged in the sequential pattern as they appeared on the color wheel. Marble's had surprised me much as the young woman had. The rocks themselves were not overly large, but they held a hue that made them appear almost like they were gemstones. I remember her giving me those small bits of sugar. "Well, looks like tomorrow's the day," Marble whispered as she tied her shoe. "Nervous?" I shook my head. "Not nervous so much as terrified." I ran my hands through my hair. "I mean, dating and all is one thing, but weddings are big deals and so many things can go wrong, and I can think of so many things that might make Pinkie decide not to. But hey, no bid deal or anything." Sonata glanced at me as she put the cap back on the water bottle she had just drank from. "Calm down, Ari," she said with a shushing motion. "Between Rarity and I, we've got this in the bag!" "There's also a high likelihood that Pinkie would marry you even if everything did go wrong," Maud said dispassionately, checking the GPS once again. "We need to go another five hundred yards east." "Which way is east?" I asked. The terse lady pointed, then picked up Boulder and tucked him into her shirt pocket. We were out hiking in the backwoods of Pinkie's family farm, letting Pinkie and Limestone suss out the fine details of the ceremony while I bonded with my soon to be sisters-in-law. At least, that was the official excuse. It was really so I wouldn't blow my top at Limestone due to the stress of the upcoming wedding and the woman's seeming crusade against me. Even with the proffered gift of a rock candy necklace a few months prior, she still took no break from occasionally making snide remarks at my expense. I sighed and trudged on, following Maud and Sonata as they trailblazed ahead. Marble hung back for a moment. "I know Limestone hasn't been any nicer to you, despite the rock candy," she said almost apologietically. "It almost seems like she's upped the ante just to spite it," I grumbled. Marble fumbled around in her pocket and pulled out what I had thought were precious stones on a simple string. "Here," she said, holding it out. "I wan't you to have this. I made a set for Big Mac last night and it's not that hard to make two at the same time." I took the string of crystalized sugar and looked at it. She had a few other colors mixed in, but promient were pinks, reds, and dark blues, colors that seemed to suit the two of us. "Thanks, Marble," I said. "I think that makes this a full set, now, doesn't it?" "Mmm-hmm," she murmured, a huge smile on her face. "Come on, you two!" Sonata called from ahead. "You gotta see this!" I picked up my pace to find myself looking at a flat plateau overlooking the entirety of the Everfree forest far below. A simple pavillion had been erected there and there were already chairs in place, tied down in case of wind gusts. I couldn't take my eyes off the view below. In just a few days, I'd be standing here trading vows with Pinkie with this verdant backdrop to accent it. It was enough to make Sonata tear up a little. But not me. I'm still a fierce Siren, a predator and a force to be reckoned with. Ah, who am I kidding? I had a few tears in my eyes as well. "Last box?" Twilight asked as she stepped inside. "Pinkie just gave me the house keys so we can move your stuff in while she finished up that catering event." "I tend to travel light," I said as I put the candy necklace back inside along with some dried flowers and some photos from Pinkie and my first few dates. "Makes moving on easier." "Well, take it from me," the woman said, resting a hand on her hip. "You're going to have to adapt to a lot of different habits living with another person. Sunset made me commit to a bedtime so I wouldn't be up all night reading and taking notes. Can you imagine that, me still with a curfew!" We shared a laugh at that as I shut the last box and hefted it on my hip. "I think I might have to set the rules, personally," I said. "Pinkie hasn't really slowed down much since I met her." "Would she still be Pinkie if she had, though?" the bookworm asked. "No," I said, smiling. "And I wouldn't want her to, either." The Crescendo of My LifeI shuffled uneasily on the grass, my feet killing me. “What’s taking so long?” I hissed to myself. “The same thing that was taking so long when you asked two minutes ago,” Adagio said from behind me, the bouquet of flowers in her hands complimenting the dress that she was wearing. I brushed my hands down the simple outfit I was wearing, white with a few embroidered wave-like patterns in the design. Most were shot through with a bit of iridescent thread that made it look as though light were flashing off of water if I moved just the right way. “I hate waiting,” I grumped. Or tried to, since the smile cropped up again as I thought of what was happening today. I saw Sonata standing across from me, dressed in an off-pink dress and holding a multi-shaded group of flowers. Carnations, I thought Idly. Dark red and white carnations. The deep red symbolize deep love and affection, the white are for love and luck. Leave it to Pinkie to pick arrangements that would send a message to those who could read it. Rarity suddenly struck a series of chords on the piano, beginning the song that signaled Pinkie’s entrance, and time stood still. She was a sudden vision of every good moment that had happened since those seven girls had welcomed us into their circle, every hug and laugh, every kiss, every morning waking up in her arms. She wasn’t bouncing today, at least, on the outside. I could see the manic happiness inside her eyes as she slowly glided down the aisle, Marble carrying her train. I swept my eyes across to find the other members of the Pie family. Maud and Cloudly Quartz were sitting calmly in the front, a few tears in Cloudy’s eyes. Limestone still had that glare on her face, but the corners of her mouth were crooked upward a little as she watched her sister step up to the altar. Pinkie’s dress was a multi-layerd affair, the white gown adorned with series of pink ruffles along the lower portion of the skirt. Where I had wave patterns stitched into my dress, she had faint outlines of her cutie mark and the ballon emblem that she used for her catering business, the fact that it was her counterpart’s cutie mark only being a coincidence. She finally faced me, and I lifted the off-pink veil and took her hands in mine. They were then covered by the rough hands of Igneous Rock, the Pie Family patriach, who was officiating the event. “Solid as the stone, but just as fragile is love,” he said. “And in face of that fact, it must be tended as you would any crop. Too much and you smother the growth, too little and it is withered.” He looked into my eyes. “Aria Blaze, before you stands one you profess to love. Do you so swear to love, honor, and stand by her, in fair weather and poor, better or worse, for as long as you so live?” I opened my mouth but it was suddenly dry. I looked at Pinkie, seeing the joy in her eyes and remembering every last moment of our time together. It wasn’t long enough. There isn’t enough time to repay her for the love she’s shown me. There isn’t enough time to show her all the love I now have to give. “I do so swear,” I said, a tear welling in the corner of one eye. “And you, Pinkamena Diane Pie, do you so swear to…” “I absolutely totally do!” she shouted, cutting her father off. A rustle of amusement roved through the hall as I shook my head. “Pinkamena,” Igneous grumbled. “Don’t interrupt me when I’m speaking.” “Sorry Poppa,” she said, shrinking a bit but her smile never dimming. Igneous cleared his throat. “Now, such vows having been sworn, I now proclaim that the veins of your lives have now come together.” He took a ribbon and wrapped it around our hands, the ends trailing up our wrists. “So long as you support each other, the stone of your lives shall be a strong as the mountains.” He placed a hand on each of our shoulders, leaning in and kissing Pinkie on the cheek and leaning towards me. “Take care of my little girl,” he whispered in my ear before kissing me. “I will,” I whispered back as he made us turn and face the crowd. “I do so present the brides,” he said, giving us a gentle push forward as Rarity took up the wedding march. We strode through the tossed birdseed (Fluttershy had been worried that some bird would eat the rice and get sick) and crossed into the parking area of the outdoor arena. Limestone stood there, leaning against a shrouded item. She looked at us as we stood there, myself mentally counting to ten as I had learned to do from the years of dealing with the woman. “Congratulations, Pinkie,” she said, whipping the shroud aside and revealing my wife’s party canon. “Just this once, let’s fire this off for you.” “Limey,” she said, tears in her eyes as her sister pulled the trigger string, colorful bits of confetti and streamers fluttering down. She came up and hugged Pinkie, then turned to me. “You hurt her, and I’m coming for you,” she said. “Then you got nothing to worry about,” I returned, gaining a nod from the woman. Later that night, after the dancing and the dinner and all were behind us and we were back in the hotel room we had booked for our first night of the honeymoon, Pinkie turned to me and smiled. “Wasn’t that just the best party ever?” she said sleepily. “It sure was, Pinks,” I said, smiling down at her. “Where did you pack all that cake though? I was sure you were going to be sick.” “Don’t worry,” she slurred, drifting off to sleep. “I have a separate stomach for cake and ice cream…” I smiled and brushed her curly hair back as she slept in my arms. “I’m sure you do, Pinkamena,” I whispered. “I’m sure you do. On the InsideI sat across from Maud, trying to not feel nervous. This was a pretty big favor I was about to ask. “So you want my help with something involving Pinkie,” she stated in her usual deadpan way. I blinked. “Yeah,” I said, confused. “How did you…” “I may not show it, but I’m rather perceptive,” she said, slowly taking a sip of her drink. Everything she did was the opposite of Pinkie; slow, methodical, and overly scientific. “You and I don’t have many things in common beyond her, so you asking me here would indicate that you have something that you need my help with.” “Yeah,” I said again, sheepishly rubbing the back of my neck. It was obvious in hindsight. “I kind of need her distracted for a little while so I can go talk to Limestone and get her something, but she is just scarily perceptive when it comes to surprises.” Maud nodded. “She does have an extraordinary talent for sniffing out fun,” she drawled. “What did you have in mind?” “If I remember her calendar for next week, your turn in PSSSD,” I said. “I just wonder if you could do something to keep her occupied for a bit.” “PInkie is not easy to distract sometimes,” she said. “What is it that you’re going to get her?” I felt a warm flush in my cheeks from the thought of what was awaiting me in Equestria. “I took the shards of my old Song and had some set into a ring,” I said, the warm glow spreading though me. “I’m planning on giving it to her instead of a traditional engagement ring.” Maud raised her eyebrows. Not much, but the outward display of emotion on her is easily picked up. Ari… “That’s a significant surprise,” Maud said. “Something like that might trigger her Pinkie Sense.” Ari… “I know, that’s why I wanted some help to…” “ARI!” I snapped out of my reverie to find Pinkie leaning in front of me, buttoning her shirt. I glanced down, realizing that I had frozen in the middle of zipping up my boots in memory as I had caught a glance of her ring sparkling in the mirror. “Sorry,” I said, hurriedly zipping the boot and standing. I swayed over to her and pecked her on the forehead. “I got a little distracted.” She gave me a sly look, pausing for a few moments before buttoning the top buttons of her shirt. “Distracted, eh?” she purred. “Not by those,” I said, softening it by sticking my tongue out. “Remembering asking Maud to help with the scavenger hunt the day I gave you the ring and asked you to marry me.” She grinned a thousand megawatt smile, her hand automatically going to feel the stone adorning the ring. “I remember it too,” she said, throwing her arms around my neck and pulling me in closer. “Pinkie,” I said. “You ever think you’d wind up here?” “Of course,” she chirped. “I didn’t know when or with whom, but I knew one day I’d be with someone and it would be the bestest and most special person I’d know.” “Glad one of us saw this as a future,” I chuckled. My phone started ringing, the short clip of one of Flashdrive’s songs indicating it was Flash calling. I let it go to voicemail. “I never really saw it,” I said. “My future was always a little bleak, especially right after the BoB. No Song, no friends, no hope. I had some really dark days there.” She nodded, reaching down and tracing a hand across my wrists. “I’m glad you don’t do that anymore,” she said, referring to the cutting I had turned to just to feel anything. I didn’t have any scars due to the healing ability Siren’s had, but sometimes I could see them, the lines I had opened on my forearms or thighs. I’m sure she saw them too, darker and more grisly than they probably were. “I’m glad you tried for friendship.” “Well, getting dragged along by Sonata for one of her catering gigs helped,” I said. “Otherwise, I would have just moped around the apartment Fluttershy helped us find too.” She leaned in and rested her head on my shoulder, and I was surprised again that the energetic woman was so subdued and simple when it came to showing affection. “You’re really happy,” she said simply. “What gave it away?” I asked as I started walking over to pick up my phone and jacket. I saw a text alert and went to see what it said. “Well, last night for one,” she said, the sly grin returning. “I’m not sure who was happier about that,” I said, smiling as well. “You or the salesman at the bedding store when we had to go replace our pillows.” She waved a hand. “Psssh,” she tutted. “Me, obviously.” “Humble much?” I teased, reading the text. “Flash wanted me to know that there’s no show tonight, the club is stripping the floors a day early. So, want to catch a movie instead?” “Think we can get the girls to come too?” “Well, maybe not Sunset or Twilight,” I said, glancing at my watch. “They’ve probably got their hands full with the kids and it’s kind of short notice to get a sitter, even family.” She nodded, a dreamy look coming over her face. “Those kids are cute. Almost as cute as you are.” “Flatterer.” “Hey, I am being serious here!” she protested. “But you’re right, it’s a little late. Maybe we could make it just you and me and see something incredibly romantic.” “Return of the Windigoes did just open,” I mused. “What?!?!” my wife exclaimed. “You knew that movie opened and didn’t tell me?” “I thought you were keeping an eye on the release date,” I said simply. She grabbed my wrist and started pulling me to the door, grabbing the car keys and tossing them to me. “You drive,” she said. “I’m too nervoucited!” I smiled. “You know that’s not a real word, right?” “Can't talk, scary movie excitement.” I laughed as she skip-hopped to the Jeep, reminding me of how she was back in school, memory flashing again. ”I want you to know how important this is,” Maud said as she handed me a string of rock candy. “She is my little sister, after all.” I nodded. “I understand,” I said. I passed the starting hint card to her. “And thank you so much for helping, Maud.” She nodded turning to go meet her sister to start the game. “Ari!” Pinkie called. “Movie time! Let’s go!” I smiled and climbed into the driver’s seat, starting the engine. And I felt the warm glow of memory and love energize me, all the way to my core. Pinkie reached over and took my hand and kissed it before releasing it so I could shift. Her love rebounded off me, striking a chord that resonated deep inside. Her family may be guarded, and only showing emotions under their masks, but she wore hers openly for all to see. Just as I now wore mine. No longer on the inside, now they were shared with the family I had gained years ago, starting from a simple offer of food. “Remind me to thank Fluttershy,” I said as I merged into traffic. “A lot of this is because of her.” “I already did,” she replied. “She hasn’t blushed that hard since High School.” We shared a giggle as we headed to one of the most romantic evenings we could have. Nothing beats a good monster movie. SmileI was flabbergasted. The bouncy girl that I had only a passing familiarity with was hugging me. And what's more, part of me didn't want her to let go. And I wasn't one for unwarranted physical contact, even now. "What...what're you doing?" I asked numbly. "You looked like you needed a hug," she said, still holding me. I felt my arms lift of their own volition and almost wrap around her as well. "You're hurting." But before they could, she pulled away, ending the embrace and sat down beside me on the steps of CHS. "You have a lot of pain in there, Ari," she said. Her smile seemed at odds with her choice of words. "How do you do that?" I asked. "Do what?" She seemed honestly confused. "How do you find it so easy to smile all the time?" I whispered. "Even after what we just went through. My sister is nursing a wound we can't heal and Sunset is gone! How can you be so happy? Don't you even feel anything?" "Oh, Ari," she said, shocked. "I do feel, a lot. I feel that Sunset isn't gone. I feel sad that Twilight is crying. I'm upset that Dagi is hurt and glad that she's all right. I'm worried that you seem so depressed all the time. It's all on the Inside, but if I don't smile, none of my friends can find a reason to, either. So I smile through the pain, to show that it can't get me down. That it can't win so easily." I stared at her. Her smile was an act of defiance? Then what she had said about me clicked. "Depressed?" I squawked. "I'm not depressed." "I can tell," she said. "You were having some dark thoughts and needed a distraction." "And a hug was your go to choice?" "Of course!" she said brightly. "Everyone likes hugs, and besides, I've wanted to do that for a while." My cheeks burned. Huh? I must have said it out loud because she tilted her head and grinned. "You're cute, Ari," she said. "And maybe, just maybe, I can get you to smile." She leaned in close, her smile changing slightly as she did. It was a smile I knew well, one so similar to the ones we had smiled when trying to take over the school not too long ago. "Have any ideas on how?" She whispered. I blinked, mind whirling. She liked me? I wasn't ready for this! "We could try coffee, maybe?" I whispered hesitantly. The smile blossomed into a megawatt grin. "That actually sounds good right now!" she chirped and hugged me again. "This is going to be so much fun!" She said more, but at the moment, I didn't care. I was hugging someone that cared. I had proof that people other than my sisters cared about me.
The Start of a Journey"That is enough, Limestone Elizabeth Pie!" Pinkie shouted. I blinked. I was shocked that the always bubbly party planner had actually lost her temper. Apparently, Limestone was as well. "Did you just..." she sputtered but was cut off by Pinkie. "I have had enough of you belittling and insulting and looking down on my wife!" Pinkie growled. "I thought you two had made your piece when she proposed. You gave her rock candy!" Limestone looked away. "That was Marble's idea," she protested quietly. "But you still gave it to her!" continued the party planner. "What does she have to do to finally get your approval?" "Pinkie," I interjected. "It's ok, you don't have to..." "It's not ok, Ari," she said. "Just because she feels alone and angry doesn't give her the right to take it out on you." "I don't feel alone," Limestone protested. "Oh, come off it, Limey!" Pinkie said, starting to calm down. "I'm married, Marble and Macintosh have been hitting it off famously, and even Maud has had a few dates that weren't with Boulder. You're afraid we're going to leave you all alone." The abrasive eldest Pie looked out the window, not answering. But I was close enough that I could see the reflection on the glass. From her expression, it looked like my wife had hit the nail on the head. "I just..." she started before ending with a sigh, and an expression I never thought I'd see in the years I had been putting up with her snide remarks. She had a tear in her eye and a dejected look. "I'm afraid I've pushed you away," she whispered. "You're the only sister that isn't interested in the family business, Pinkie. Maud is a certified Ph.D. geologist and while she goes off to study she still takes the time to help us grade the stone. And Marble heads up the books now that Mom and Pop have retired." Pinkie smiled softly, the look much more familiar than the mask of anger she had on moments ago. "Limey, it just isn't in me," she said. "I've got a business of my own to run and a family to look after. But you didn't drive me away, silly. There isn't a force strong enough to separate us. We're family! Sisters!" She pulled her sister into a rib cracking hug. "I just wish you could treat Aria well." I had gotten good at reading the faces of the Pie family over the last few years. They all had their masks: Pinkie's smile, Maud's placidness, Marble's shy smile, and Limestone's angry scowl. But I could see through it now, especially with it melted away for a moment. There was grudging agreement there, quickly hidden away. "I can try," she said gruffly, glancing at me. "For Pinkie?" I nodded, holding out a fist. The grumpy woman bumped my fist with hers. "One thing though," I said. They both looked at me. "Your middle name is Elizabeth?" She flipped me off, and status quo was returned. Pinkie sighed. "It's a start," she said to herself. That night, we lay in bed cuddling. I had never thought I'd enjoy it as much as I did. The first time she had ever held me had been a hug, and I had noticed for the first time that it silenced the feeling of emptiness I still felt even after regaining our song. It had been a trying time. The fight with Acerak had landed Adagio with a pretty serious wound and had appeared to have cost us Sunset as well at the time. I had felt the temptation to silence the pain with the knife again when Pinkie had come across me and simply hugged me. "What are you doing?" I had asked. "You're hurting," she said simply. It was the first time someone other than my sisters had shown me affection if any sort. "Whatcha thinking?" Pinkie's voice slid into my memory, drawing me to the present. "Our first hug," I said. She snuggled a little closer, resting her head in the crook of my neck. "You looked so sad and I couldn't help it," she said. "Remember what I said afterward?" I asked. "How could I forget?" How indeed. I remember the day like it was yesterday. How do you find it so easy to smile all the time?
TogetherWhen I woke up the next morning, I could smell the food wafting in from the kitchen. I caught the hint of cinnamon and the unmistakable smell of dark roast coffee. I rose and shook my slightly longer than shoulder length hair out of my face as I padded out to find my pink-haired wife flitting about the kitchen, already dressed in one of her business suits. Say what you will about my wife, she may be silly and a little inscrutable at times, but when it came time for her to clean up, she cleaned up well. She gave a steaming mug a push, making it slide down the breakfast bar to come to a stop just in front of my stool. I would ponder how she had managed it, but I learned years ago not to try to decipher her methods. I merely took the mug by the handle and breathed in the smell before sneaking up on it. Two sugars, no cream. Perfect. “You’re up early,” I said to the woman as she slid a handful of crepes and eggs onto a pair of plates. “Last minute changes?” “Yeah, Sonata texted me about them last night while you were in the shower,” she mumbled around a mouthful of toast. “We’ve got to go see about the layout in a different hall before we can begin setting up.” I took a bite from my breakfast as I thought. “Is it going to be a difficult transition? Because if it is you have to charge them for that.” “I know,” she said as she hastily ate. “Nata already told them when they contacted her about the switch.” I swallowed a mouthful of eggs. “So, just another day in the exciting life of a caterer?” I teased lovingly. She smirked at me as she dropped her empty plate into the sink. “Couldn’t have it any other way,” she said with her typical good cheer. “You mind washing up before you go?” I waved her off. “I’ll get it under control. See you tonight?” She skipped over and gave me a quick kiss before grabbing her messenger bag and knife case and heading out the door. As I was doing the dishes, I couldn’t help but remember the first real date we had gone on. She had cleaned up well that time too. Much better than I had. I felt horribly underdressed. I was clad in the cleanest jeans I had, a shirt so new it still had the fold creases in it, and my green vest. I know it wasn’t much different then how I normally dressed, but hey, I didn’t do the pigtails, having let Sonata braid it for this special event. That counts for something, right?” But next to Pinkie in her soft pink dress, I felt like a slob. It wasn’t that it was such an upscale look on the girl so much that it was so different than what I was used to from her. It was…subdued. Calming, and she had a similar look in her eyes. “I…I should change,” I said, feeling my cheeks heat up. “You look fine,” Pinkie chirped. “It’s only Mason’s.” “But you’re…” I motioned wordlessly at her outfit. “Psssh,” she waved me off. “Laundry day. It was clean.” The nervousness drained out of me in a laugh. “I can understand that,” I said through the giggles. As I regained my composure, I smiled at the woman before me. “Pinkie, I gotta say,” I whispered. “You clean up pretty good.” “Why thank you!” she said, standing up even taller than a second ago. Somehow. “You’re not half bad yourself, Ari.” She led me over to her car, a Jeep I noted with surprise. “Well, get in,” she said, popping the locks as she climbed in herself. “We’re going to be late for our own date, silly!” I climbed in and had no sooner fastened my belt before the vehicle was backed out of the stall and headed for the highway. I kept sneaking glances at Pinkie as she wove her way along the asphalt river. She seemed so relaxed, singing along with the radio. “Going to get right back around, yeah…SOS DJ keep the party hopping…toes tapping never stopping till we break through to get right back around.” “How can you sing and drive?” I asked simply. “Shouldn’t you pay attention?” “I am, though,” she said, never taking her eyes off the road. “You act like you’ve never driven before and sung to the radio.” Her head swung up as the silence drug on. “You can drive, right?” she asked. “We never saw the need,” I said. A few more minutes of silence. “Then I’ll just have to teach you,” she declared as though proclaiming a royal decree. “But…” “No time for that.” she said. “But…” “No time for that either.” “Pinkie…” She looked at me as we idled at a stop light. “Aria, please,” she said, a smirk on her face. “It’s only our first date! Have patience!” I rested my head on the dash as she giggled and we continued onto dinner. “What have I gotten myself into?” I whispered to myself. I buttoned the top button of my blouse and slid my vest on. It was getting a touch threadbare, but it was a part of me. I made sure to tuck my coffee mug into the washer before starting it, having had two more cups of the dark brew before getting dressed myself. “The happiest I’ve been in a long time,” I said to myself, remembering that crazy night. “That’s what I got myself into.” i glanced at myself in the mirror and adjusted the collar of my top and slid a hairpin into place just behind my right ear of a star with a cello’s F hole shape behind it. My own personal symbol, my cutie mark, as it were. I mean, it was on my flank the one time I had returned to Equestria, so I guess that’s accurate. My phone buzzed, and I checked to see a text from the drummer of the band I sang with every night. Hey, Flash and I are running late, don’t start without us! I smiled. Lemon Zest was always running late. Don’t worry, I haven’t left the house quite yet. We’ve got a big gig tonight. I smiled. Let Limestone have her grudge. Pinkie and I did what we wanted to with our lives, and that made us both smile. And that’s all that matters.
A New ExperienceI couldn’t help but laugh as Sunset left the deli, a brown bag containing some foodstuff meant for her and Twilight. I had been nervous about our friends finding out about us, not sure how they would feel about me dating one of their tight-knit group. Seeing as how Sunset hadn’t been upset so much as surprised had let a lot of the tension drain from me. “See, silly?” Pinkie said, taking another slurp from her soda. “Told you they wouldn’t be upset with us. They just want us to be happy.” “I’m sure,” I said, toying with one of the chips on my plate before eating it. “It’s just…” I sighed. “I’m just still jumpy, even after everything we went through,” I finished. “It seems like they took to us a little too quickly. How can they accept us like this?” “Well,” the fluffy haired girl said without pause. “We’ve got someone that stole a magical relic from a princess and tried to create an army and another that tried to rip holes in the fabric of the world into another one while crazed on magic.” She smiled at me. “All you and your sisters tried to do was get a bite to eat and make everyone love you.” I put my head down and groaned. “You would remind me,” I said. I felt her reach over and patted my head. “Chin up, sweetie!” she chirped. “After all, you don’t have anything to worry about from us anymore. You’re all one of our friends now, and I can’t get enough of that smile when you let it out.” I gave her the smile, one that was easier to let out every day she and I spent together. “Thanks, Pinks,” I said, using the nickname somewhat nervously, despite her permission. “Anytime!” she beamed, finishing off her drink and glancing at her watch. “Ready to go? Maud is meeting us at the park later today to do our PSSSD.” “What’s that mean again?” I asked as I stood as well. “Pie Sister Secret Swap Day,” she said, pulling a small box out of nowhere, causing me to raise an eyebrow. “And this year I’ve got the perfect thing for her!” She giggled and turned to bounce her way out of the cafe. I followed and then flinched as she threw the car keys to me, fumbling with them as I tried to get a grip. “You drive,” she said, hopping in the passenger side and propping her feet up on the dash. “But I’m still…” “No time,” she said, grinning and beckoning me forward. I climbed into the driver seat and started the vehicle. I started stalling by adjusting mirrors and the seat when a hand reached over and grabbed the lapel of my vest. Before I had fully realized what had happened, Pinkie’s lips were pressing against mine. After a moment of shock, I eased into the kiss, my heart fluttering like a loose butterfly. After we separated, she held me close, eyes staring into mine. “You’ll do fine, Ari,” she whispered, resting her forehead on mine. I was still trying to process what had happened. “You ok?" “Yeah,” I said, smiling. “Just getting used to getting kisses from someone I care for.” It was an still an interesting experience, and I leaned forward to see if it still set me aflutter. It was even better the third time.
Time for a ChangeI was brushing my hair out that night when a solid weight bounced on the bed. I glanced behind me to see Pinkie hopping up and down on her knees like she was six. Actually, she does a lot of things like she's six. When she's not working she skips everywhere humming to herself. I don't mind that, though. It's part of her charm, and part of why I love her the way I do. "Say, Ari," she said, flopping forward onto her arms, chin in her hands. "I always wondered why you cut your hair." I turned, smiling as I put the brush down. "Three years and you're just now wondering why?" "Well, we've taken a huge step, after all," she said, waving the hand that bore a simple gold band and a ring with a gem made from the shards of my old Song. "And I just never got around to asking." I walked over to the bed and hopped on, giving a bounce or two just to set her grinning. And though I'd never tell anyone but her, it felt good to not act my age for a moment. "Well, Pinks," I said. "I hadn't planned on it, really..." I fidgeted with one of my pigtails while I waited, staring at the mannequins with all the clothes in various states of completion. Rarity made a few more notes and pinned the paper to a dress that looked like nothing more than a handful of cloth squares pinned together. "Now then, Aria," she said as she sat, reaching for the tea kettle. "You said you wanted some help changing your look?" "Yes," I said, fingering the blue stone that now hung from my neck. "I figured that since things are changing...have changed, rather, that maybe a change in other aspects would be nice as well." "Well, you certainly came to the right place," she said, sliding a teacup over to me. "So, do you have an idea on what style you'd like to try? You do a marvelous job with the whole grunge look, but maybe if we try something a tad more modern. Oh, I know I have some amazing..." "Rarity," I tried to interrupt. "And if we paired that with these simply adorable fringed boots I saw the other day at the mall..." "Rarity..." "And I think I have a purse that will work nearly done. It may not be the right color, but..." "Rarity!" I shouted. The fashionista shook her head as if suddenly realizing she had a guest. "Yes?" I pulled one of my pigtails forward. "I was thinking more along the lines of a haircut." Her face fell for a moment, then brightened again. "Well, why didn't you say so?" she said, leaning forward. "Let it loose, darling, let me see what we have to work with." I started to undo my tails as the other girl rose and brought a straight backed chair over and set it in the center of a cleared out area. She patted the seat as I finger combed my locks. "Have a seat, Aria," she said. "Better light here." I got nervous as she paced around me, like a tiger stalking its prey. "I must say, you have wonderful volume," she said. "It could make one quite jealous." "I'm just glad it's straight," I said. "This was enough trouble stuffing into a hood. Don't get me started on Adagio's hair." We shared a giggle at that. Being with Pinkie had made it easier to loosen up around my friends. That thought was still odd, but welcome. Friends. She knelt in front of me and toyed with my hair. "Maybe something around the shoulders?" she suggested. "With a bit of layering?" "Not too short," I said quickly. "I want to keep a good portion of the length." "I understand," she said. "So not a bob, maybe long bangs and shoulder skimming ends?" I gave her a blank look. "One reason I only got trims was because I hated spending more than five minutes on my hair," I said simply. She grinned. "Then I know just the style then," she said, standing. "So," I asked. "How long?" "Oh, I have no idea?" she said. "I'm a seamstress, not a hairdresser." She grabbed her keys and purse. "We're going to see someone that knows what they're doing. I'll just go for moral support." "Which is how I wound up with this style," I said, rubbing Pinkie's shoulder as she cuddled into me. "Time for a change," she echoed. "Well, you sure made it look good. Though I got to admit, sometimes I miss your long hair." "I do too," I admitted. "But it's hair. It grows back. Maybe I'll wear it long like that again, though it will take a while." She nodded, giggling. Her phone buzzed, announcing a text message. "It's Marble," she said after reading it. "Wants to know if we're ok with lunch tomorrow to talk over something." "Maybe Macintosh finally got around to proposing," I joked. "Nah, I'd know if that was it," she said. "Oh?" "Yeah," she said. "Pinkie Sense. And I haven't had an ear twitch, toe curl, hiccough combination yet." "If Pinkie Sense is that strong," I said, frowning. "How come you didn't pick up on my proposing to you?" "I'm not perfect," she said. "And sometimes I like the surprises in life." "Well, you were a great surprise for me," I said, leaning down to rub noses with her. "Aw," she sniffed before giving me a hug that made my ribs creak. "Love you, Ari." "Love you too, Pinks."
Unbreak My SongIt was dark when I woke up. I looked over and looked at Pinkie, fast asleep and the blanket partially kicked off. I smiled and shifted to watch her sleep for a moment. I had always heard of people doing this, but until we had gotten together I had never understood it. I caught a glint from the red stone in her engagement ring and smiled. I remember giving her that ring after a scavenger hunt that ended at the amphitheater that had served as the battleground where my sisters and I had been dealt a devastating loss. At the time, I had hated it and had spiraled so deep into depression that I had turned to cutting and other mild forms of self-harm to silence the gnawing hunger inside. it never lasted long and always left me feeling even worse about myself. I had been a self-perpetuating cycle of hate and anguish until Fluttershy had started bringing us care packages, encouraging Adagio to find the job she had and eventually Sonata making friends with the pink baker next to me. But the ring had been a lot more than just grabbing one at a store. I shook my head, the nausea of the portal slowly easing up. "Aria?" a voice piped up. "What are you doing here?" I turned to see Starlight lounging in a large couch, a book floating in her aura. I went to walk over and realized that instead of legs, I had the fins of my aquatic form. I sighed and slowly made my way over. "Is Twilight here?" I asked, shrugging my bag around so I could set it on the floor. "I kind of need a favor." "She's not here at the moment," Starlight said. "There's a princess summit in the Crystal Empire today. She and Sunset left last night." I lowered my head, dejectedly. "Oh," I whispered. "I see." She closed her book and sat up. "What did you need?" she asked. "Maybe one of us could help you." I tilted my head in thought. That could work. I started to dig in my bag and drew out a small wooden box and set it on the table next to the couch, gently and reverently. "I need someone to help me with something," I said, opening the box. "I need these put back together and set in a ring." Starlight leaned forward. "What is it?" I looked at the red stone shards inside, glimmering with their own inner light at my proximity. "The pieces of my old Song," I whispered, my forehoof coming up to touch the blue stone at my neck. "Your song?" Starlight said. I nodded, gazing down at the broken rubicund stone. "I collected the shards after the Battle of the Bands," I whispered. "I don't know what Adagio or Sonata did with their shards, but I always kept mine close. I wondered if they could be fixed, and maybe stop the pain that their loss caused." "So why do you want them fixed now?" she asked, gazing at the shards. "I want to give them to Pinkie," I said, snapping myself out of the trance I had fallen into looking at them. "When I ask her to marry me." Starlight brightened up. "That's so awesome!" she cried. She tapped her chin for a second. "I think Rarity is here today instead of at one of her other boutiques. She probably knows a pony or two that could take care of that order." I twisted and tapped my tail. "I'm not exactly made for a lot of land travel," I said. "And since I regained my Song, neither I or my sisters can fly like we could before. I don't know if it's because we just don't come here anymore or if we can't." "Oh, I can take care of that," Starlight said. "I can cast a transmogrification spell if you want." I smiled. "If you could, please," I said. *** I sipped at the tea as Rarity and a crystal pony named Facet Polished worked on picking out shards to put into the ring. "Now, this won't be a perfect mend," Rarity said as they tried fitting various pieces against others. "The cracks will still show, but we can seal it so it won't fall apart." "I have a couple of ring settings that we can use once the gem is repaired," Facet said, nudging a shard aside with her hoof and placed it back into the wooden box I kept them in. "So the tough part is finding the proper fit for the final shape." "I really appreciate this, you guys," I said. "I know I can't pay you a lot for your services, but I can try to come up with some sort of arrangement..." "I won't hear of it!" Rarity said firmly. "After what you and your sisters did to help us with Sorla and Chrysalis, I couldn't dare dream of asking for payment for this." Facet shook her head. "You helped defend my homeland," she said, sliding a shard into place. "This is just my own way of repaying you for this. Consider it a wedding gift." I smiled but refused to let the emotion I felt leak free. "Thank you again," I said. "Now just enjoy your tea, darling," Rarity said as she lifted the various shards up and over to Facet's worktable. "This is one song that won't be silent again." I reached over and set my finger against the stone and it began to glow softly at my touch. It glowed for two reasons, one at my direct touch or when Pinkie and I shared a particularly strong emotional moment. It had glowed for a few minutes at the wedding and most nights directly thereafter. "I'm not sure what to call it when you daydream at night," Pinkie said, opening her eyes. "Then again, maybe you weren't dreaming." I leaned down and kissed her gently. "Have I told you how glad I was when you said yes?" I asked when we parted. "A few times," she smiled. "Sometimes with cake, sometimes with your lips, and sometimes with your hugs. Among other things." I felt the blush but it was just the two of us here. No need to feel embarrassed about an innuendo or two. "It may have been Pony Rarity that helped fix the shards," I said. "But you were the one that helped fix the song in my heart." "And people think I'm the corny one," she said, giggling as she leaned in for another kiss. "And lets keep it that way for now," I said, tangling some fingers in her curly hair.
Moving DayI hate moving, I thought as I tried to shut the box in front of me. But at least this will be the last one for a long time. I pulled the flaps to the box shut, grabbing blindly for the packing tape I had just set down. I didn't have too many boxes, and most of them were clothes. There were a few odds and ends; an old coffee mug with a chipped handle, the wooden box I kept the leftover shards of my Song in, and a small plastic tub that I kept hidden from everyone. I smiled as I picked it up, opening it to reveal the treasures I had kept inside. There were a trio of rock candy necklaces, one from each of Pinkie's sisters. Thought the one from Limestone was certainly the smallest, it did mean a fairly large amount in terms of acceptance. Maud's was much like the woman herself, plain and straightforward with colors arranged in the sequential pattern as they appeared on the color wheel. Marble's had surprised me much as the young woman had. The rocks themselves were not overly large, but they held a hue that made them appear almost like they were gemstones. I remember her giving me those small bits of sugar. "Well, looks like tomorrow's the day," Marble whispered as she tied her shoe. "Nervous?" I shook my head. "Not nervous so much as terrified." I ran my hands through my hair. "I mean, dating and all is one thing, but weddings are big deals and so many things can go wrong, and I can think of so many things that might make Pinkie decide not to. But hey, no bid deal or anything." Sonata glanced at me as she put the cap back on the water bottle she had just drank from. "Calm down, Ari," she said with a shushing motion. "Between Rarity and I, we've got this in the bag!" "There's also a high likelihood that Pinkie would marry you even if everything did go wrong," Maud said dispassionately, checking the GPS once again. "We need to go another five hundred yards east." "Which way is east?" I asked. The terse lady pointed, then picked up Boulder and tucked him into her shirt pocket. We were out hiking in the backwoods of Pinkie's family farm, letting Pinkie and Limestone suss out the fine details of the ceremony while I bonded with my soon to be sisters-in-law. At least, that was the official excuse. It was really so I wouldn't blow my top at Limestone due to the stress of the upcoming wedding and the woman's seeming crusade against me. Even with the proffered gift of a rock candy necklace a few months prior, she still took no break from occasionally making snide remarks at my expense. I sighed and trudged on, following Maud and Sonata as they trailblazed ahead. Marble hung back for a moment. "I know Limestone hasn't been any nicer to you, despite the rock candy," she said almost apologietically. "It almost seems like she's upped the ante just to spite it," I grumbled. Marble fumbled around in her pocket and pulled out what I had thought were precious stones on a simple string. "Here," she said, holding it out. "I wan't you to have this. I made a set for Big Mac last night and it's not that hard to make two at the same time." I took the string of crystalized sugar and looked at it. She had a few other colors mixed in, but promient were pinks, reds, and dark blues, colors that seemed to suit the two of us. "Thanks, Marble," I said. "I think that makes this a full set, now, doesn't it?" "Mmm-hmm," she murmured, a huge smile on her face. "Come on, you two!" Sonata called from ahead. "You gotta see this!" I picked up my pace to find myself looking at a flat plateau overlooking the entirety of the Everfree forest far below. A simple pavillion had been erected there and there were already chairs in place, tied down in case of wind gusts. I couldn't take my eyes off the view below. In just a few days, I'd be standing here trading vows with Pinkie with this verdant backdrop to accent it. It was enough to make Sonata tear up a little. But not me. I'm still a fierce Siren, a predator and a force to be reckoned with. Ah, who am I kidding? I had a few tears in my eyes as well. "Last box?" Twilight asked as she stepped inside. "Pinkie just gave me the house keys so we can move your stuff in while she finished up that catering event." "I tend to travel light," I said as I put the candy necklace back inside along with some dried flowers and some photos from Pinkie and my first few dates. "Makes moving on easier." "Well, take it from me," the woman said, resting a hand on her hip. "You're going to have to adapt to a lot of different habits living with another person. Sunset made me commit to a bedtime so I wouldn't be up all night reading and taking notes. Can you imagine that, me still with a curfew!" We shared a laugh at that as I shut the last box and hefted it on my hip. "I think I might have to set the rules, personally," I said. "Pinkie hasn't really slowed down much since I met her." "Would she still be Pinkie if she had, though?" the bookworm asked. "No," I said, smiling. "And I wouldn't want her to, either."
The Crescendo of My LifeI shuffled uneasily on the grass, my feet killing me. “What’s taking so long?” I hissed to myself. “The same thing that was taking so long when you asked two minutes ago,” Adagio said from behind me, the bouquet of flowers in her hands complimenting the dress that she was wearing. I brushed my hands down the simple outfit I was wearing, white with a few embroidered wave-like patterns in the design. Most were shot through with a bit of iridescent thread that made it look as though light were flashing off of water if I moved just the right way. “I hate waiting,” I grumped. Or tried to, since the smile cropped up again as I thought of what was happening today. I saw Sonata standing across from me, dressed in an off-pink dress and holding a multi-shaded group of flowers. Carnations, I thought Idly. Dark red and white carnations. The deep red symbolize deep love and affection, the white are for love and luck. Leave it to Pinkie to pick arrangements that would send a message to those who could read it. Rarity suddenly struck a series of chords on the piano, beginning the song that signaled Pinkie’s entrance, and time stood still. She was a sudden vision of every good moment that had happened since those seven girls had welcomed us into their circle, every hug and laugh, every kiss, every morning waking up in her arms. She wasn’t bouncing today, at least, on the outside. I could see the manic happiness inside her eyes as she slowly glided down the aisle, Marble carrying her train. I swept my eyes across to find the other members of the Pie family. Maud and Cloudly Quartz were sitting calmly in the front, a few tears in Cloudy’s eyes. Limestone still had that glare on her face, but the corners of her mouth were crooked upward a little as she watched her sister step up to the altar. Pinkie’s dress was a multi-layerd affair, the white gown adorned with series of pink ruffles along the lower portion of the skirt. Where I had wave patterns stitched into my dress, she had faint outlines of her cutie mark and the ballon emblem that she used for her catering business, the fact that it was her counterpart’s cutie mark only being a coincidence. She finally faced me, and I lifted the off-pink veil and took her hands in mine. They were then covered by the rough hands of Igneous Rock, the Pie Family patriach, who was officiating the event. “Solid as the stone, but just as fragile is love,” he said. “And in face of that fact, it must be tended as you would any crop. Too much and you smother the growth, too little and it is withered.” He looked into my eyes. “Aria Blaze, before you stands one you profess to love. Do you so swear to love, honor, and stand by her, in fair weather and poor, better or worse, for as long as you so live?” I opened my mouth but it was suddenly dry. I looked at Pinkie, seeing the joy in her eyes and remembering every last moment of our time together. It wasn’t long enough. There isn’t enough time to repay her for the love she’s shown me. There isn’t enough time to show her all the love I now have to give. “I do so swear,” I said, a tear welling in the corner of one eye. “And you, Pinkamena Diane Pie, do you so swear to…” “I absolutely totally do!” she shouted, cutting her father off. A rustle of amusement roved through the hall as I shook my head. “Pinkamena,” Igneous grumbled. “Don’t interrupt me when I’m speaking.” “Sorry Poppa,” she said, shrinking a bit but her smile never dimming. Igneous cleared his throat. “Now, such vows having been sworn, I now proclaim that the veins of your lives have now come together.” He took a ribbon and wrapped it around our hands, the ends trailing up our wrists. “So long as you support each other, the stone of your lives shall be a strong as the mountains.” He placed a hand on each of our shoulders, leaning in and kissing Pinkie on the cheek and leaning towards me. “Take care of my little girl,” he whispered in my ear before kissing me. “I will,” I whispered back as he made us turn and face the crowd. “I do so present the brides,” he said, giving us a gentle push forward as Rarity took up the wedding march. We strode through the tossed birdseed (Fluttershy had been worried that some bird would eat the rice and get sick) and crossed into the parking area of the outdoor arena. Limestone stood there, leaning against a shrouded item. She looked at us as we stood there, myself mentally counting to ten as I had learned to do from the years of dealing with the woman. “Congratulations, Pinkie,” she said, whipping the shroud aside and revealing my wife’s party canon. “Just this once, let’s fire this off for you.” “Limey,” she said, tears in her eyes as her sister pulled the trigger string, colorful bits of confetti and streamers fluttering down. She came up and hugged Pinkie, then turned to me. “You hurt her, and I’m coming for you,” she said. “Then you got nothing to worry about,” I returned, gaining a nod from the woman. Later that night, after the dancing and the dinner and all were behind us and we were back in the hotel room we had booked for our first night of the honeymoon, Pinkie turned to me and smiled. “Wasn’t that just the best party ever?” she said sleepily. “It sure was, Pinks,” I said, smiling down at her. “Where did you pack all that cake though? I was sure you were going to be sick.” “Don’t worry,” she slurred, drifting off to sleep. “I have a separate stomach for cake and ice cream…” I smiled and brushed her curly hair back as she slept in my arms. “I’m sure you do, Pinkamena,” I whispered. “I’m sure you do.
On the InsideI sat across from Maud, trying to not feel nervous. This was a pretty big favor I was about to ask. “So you want my help with something involving Pinkie,” she stated in her usual deadpan way. I blinked. “Yeah,” I said, confused. “How did you…” “I may not show it, but I’m rather perceptive,” she said, slowly taking a sip of her drink. Everything she did was the opposite of Pinkie; slow, methodical, and overly scientific. “You and I don’t have many things in common beyond her, so you asking me here would indicate that you have something that you need my help with.” “Yeah,” I said again, sheepishly rubbing the back of my neck. It was obvious in hindsight. “I kind of need her distracted for a little while so I can go talk to Limestone and get her something, but she is just scarily perceptive when it comes to surprises.” Maud nodded. “She does have an extraordinary talent for sniffing out fun,” she drawled. “What did you have in mind?” “If I remember her calendar for next week, your turn in PSSSD,” I said. “I just wonder if you could do something to keep her occupied for a bit.” “PInkie is not easy to distract sometimes,” she said. “What is it that you’re going to get her?” I felt a warm flush in my cheeks from the thought of what was awaiting me in Equestria. “I took the shards of my old Song and had some set into a ring,” I said, the warm glow spreading though me. “I’m planning on giving it to her instead of a traditional engagement ring.” Maud raised her eyebrows. Not much, but the outward display of emotion on her is easily picked up. Ari… “That’s a significant surprise,” Maud said. “Something like that might trigger her Pinkie Sense.” Ari… “I know, that’s why I wanted some help to…” “ARI!” I snapped out of my reverie to find Pinkie leaning in front of me, buttoning her shirt. I glanced down, realizing that I had frozen in the middle of zipping up my boots in memory as I had caught a glance of her ring sparkling in the mirror. “Sorry,” I said, hurriedly zipping the boot and standing. I swayed over to her and pecked her on the forehead. “I got a little distracted.” She gave me a sly look, pausing for a few moments before buttoning the top buttons of her shirt. “Distracted, eh?” she purred. “Not by those,” I said, softening it by sticking my tongue out. “Remembering asking Maud to help with the scavenger hunt the day I gave you the ring and asked you to marry me.” She grinned a thousand megawatt smile, her hand automatically going to feel the stone adorning the ring. “I remember it too,” she said, throwing her arms around my neck and pulling me in closer. “Pinkie,” I said. “You ever think you’d wind up here?” “Of course,” she chirped. “I didn’t know when or with whom, but I knew one day I’d be with someone and it would be the bestest and most special person I’d know.” “Glad one of us saw this as a future,” I chuckled. My phone started ringing, the short clip of one of Flashdrive’s songs indicating it was Flash calling. I let it go to voicemail. “I never really saw it,” I said. “My future was always a little bleak, especially right after the BoB. No Song, no friends, no hope. I had some really dark days there.” She nodded, reaching down and tracing a hand across my wrists. “I’m glad you don’t do that anymore,” she said, referring to the cutting I had turned to just to feel anything. I didn’t have any scars due to the healing ability Siren’s had, but sometimes I could see them, the lines I had opened on my forearms or thighs. I’m sure she saw them too, darker and more grisly than they probably were. “I’m glad you tried for friendship.” “Well, getting dragged along by Sonata for one of her catering gigs helped,” I said. “Otherwise, I would have just moped around the apartment Fluttershy helped us find too.” She leaned in and rested her head on my shoulder, and I was surprised again that the energetic woman was so subdued and simple when it came to showing affection. “You’re really happy,” she said simply. “What gave it away?” I asked as I started walking over to pick up my phone and jacket. I saw a text alert and went to see what it said. “Well, last night for one,” she said, the sly grin returning. “I’m not sure who was happier about that,” I said, smiling as well. “You or the salesman at the bedding store when we had to go replace our pillows.” She waved a hand. “Psssh,” she tutted. “Me, obviously.” “Humble much?” I teased, reading the text. “Flash wanted me to know that there’s no show tonight, the club is stripping the floors a day early. So, want to catch a movie instead?” “Think we can get the girls to come too?” “Well, maybe not Sunset or Twilight,” I said, glancing at my watch. “They’ve probably got their hands full with the kids and it’s kind of short notice to get a sitter, even family.” She nodded, a dreamy look coming over her face. “Those kids are cute. Almost as cute as you are.” “Flatterer.” “Hey, I am being serious here!” she protested. “But you’re right, it’s a little late. Maybe we could make it just you and me and see something incredibly romantic.” “Return of the Windigoes did just open,” I mused. “What?!?!” my wife exclaimed. “You knew that movie opened and didn’t tell me?” “I thought you were keeping an eye on the release date,” I said simply. She grabbed my wrist and started pulling me to the door, grabbing the car keys and tossing them to me. “You drive,” she said. “I’m too nervoucited!” I smiled. “You know that’s not a real word, right?” “Can't talk, scary movie excitement.” I laughed as she skip-hopped to the Jeep, reminding me of how she was back in school, memory flashing again. ”I want you to know how important this is,” Maud said as she handed me a string of rock candy. “She is my little sister, after all.” I nodded. “I understand,” I said. I passed the starting hint card to her. “And thank you so much for helping, Maud.” She nodded turning to go meet her sister to start the game. “Ari!” Pinkie called. “Movie time! Let’s go!” I smiled and climbed into the driver’s seat, starting the engine. And I felt the warm glow of memory and love energize me, all the way to my core. Pinkie reached over and took my hand and kissed it before releasing it so I could shift. Her love rebounded off me, striking a chord that resonated deep inside. Her family may be guarded, and only showing emotions under their masks, but she wore hers openly for all to see. Just as I now wore mine. No longer on the inside, now they were shared with the family I had gained years ago, starting from a simple offer of food. “Remind me to thank Fluttershy,” I said as I merged into traffic. “A lot of this is because of her.” “I already did,” she replied. “She hasn’t blushed that hard since High School.” We shared a giggle as we headed to one of the most romantic evenings we could have. Nothing beats a good monster movie.
SmileI was flabbergasted. The bouncy girl that I had only a passing familiarity with was hugging me. And what's more, part of me didn't want her to let go. And I wasn't one for unwarranted physical contact, even now. "What...what're you doing?" I asked numbly. "You looked like you needed a hug," she said, still holding me. I felt my arms lift of their own volition and almost wrap around her as well. "You're hurting." But before they could, she pulled away, ending the embrace and sat down beside me on the steps of CHS. "You have a lot of pain in there, Ari," she said. Her smile seemed at odds with her choice of words. "How do you do that?" I asked. "Do what?" She seemed honestly confused. "How do you find it so easy to smile all the time?" I whispered. "Even after what we just went through. My sister is nursing a wound we can't heal and Sunset is gone! How can you be so happy? Don't you even feel anything?" "Oh, Ari," she said, shocked. "I do feel, a lot. I feel that Sunset isn't gone. I feel sad that Twilight is crying. I'm upset that Dagi is hurt and glad that she's all right. I'm worried that you seem so depressed all the time. It's all on the Inside, but if I don't smile, none of my friends can find a reason to, either. So I smile through the pain, to show that it can't get me down. That it can't win so easily." I stared at her. Her smile was an act of defiance? Then what she had said about me clicked. "Depressed?" I squawked. "I'm not depressed." "I can tell," she said. "You were having some dark thoughts and needed a distraction." "And a hug was your go to choice?" "Of course!" she said brightly. "Everyone likes hugs, and besides, I've wanted to do that for a while." My cheeks burned. Huh? I must have said it out loud because she tilted her head and grinned. "You're cute, Ari," she said. "And maybe, just maybe, I can get you to smile." She leaned in close, her smile changing slightly as she did. It was a smile I knew well, one so similar to the ones we had smiled when trying to take over the school not too long ago. "Have any ideas on how?" She whispered. I blinked, mind whirling. She liked me? I wasn't ready for this! "We could try coffee, maybe?" I whispered hesitantly. The smile blossomed into a megawatt grin. "That actually sounds good right now!" she chirped and hugged me again. "This is going to be so much fun!" She said more, but at the moment, I didn't care. I was hugging someone that cared. I had proof that people other than my sisters cared about me.
