Welcome to Pooooonyville!

“But Mrs. Cake, I was scheduled to work today after lunch.” Pinkie said. Her perplexed expression matched her tone as she tried to consider why the Cakes would give her the day off. Mrs. Cake spoke as she pushed the confused pony across the store and out the door.

“Oh think nothing of it dearie! Just make sure to show your ‘friend’ here a good time around town, okay? We want to hear all about it when you get back tonight!”

Mr. Cake spoke as he walked with Braeburn to the door.

“Now I don’t think I need to ask you to be a proper gentlecolt Mr. Braeburn. You’ve certainly left a fine impression with us and I know you’ll be great to Pinkie. Just make sure to get her home before eight, okay?”

Braeburn’s face exploded with flush as he tried to stammer out a response.

“But ah- we um- well ah-“

Looking at Mr. Cake’s gentle demeanor, he took a deep breath.

“She’ll be back before eight Mr. Cake, sir.”

*SLAM*

The door shut behind the two ponies, Pinkie Pie confused and Braeburn uncomfortable. Clearing his throat, Braeburn gave a nervous smile at Pinkie.

“Well, ah certainly would love a look around this here town. Mah cousin Applejack said she’d show me around, but ah wouldn’t mind havin’ a tour guide as wonderful as yourself givin’ me a look see at Ponyville.”

“Okie dokie lokie then!” Pinkie chirped, her previous confusion dissipated at the chance to give a friend a guide around her hometown. “Follow me Braeburn! There’s lots to see!”

“Why am I here again?” Rainbow asked in a deadpan voice. Soft white fabric danced in blue magic around her as it tucked around every curve. Rarity scoffed at her brash friend’s complaints.

“Because, darling, if you are to watch the Wonderbolts Derby from Fancypants’ VIP box, you simply must dress appropriately for it. I had to go through a lot to convince him to allow you to come as well-“

“You asked him once and he said yes!”

“-so you should do your best to leave a good impression if he is to ever consider inviting us to join him in the future. Regardless of Fancypants or not…”

Rarity paused, giving Rainbow Dash a cheeky, knowing look.

“…you never know who is watching. Why I bet in this dress, you could make a lot of hearts go soarin’.”

Rainbow Dash blushed furiously and scowled.

“Whatever you heard is a lie!”

Rarity smiled as she rolled her eyes.

“Yes yes, whatever you say darling. Whoever you choose to dance with is your own business.”

“Hey!”

“Now then, let’s get you looking ravishing!”

“But it’s soooooo boring!” Rainbow Dash complained, her hooves rubbing circles on her eyes as she tried to fight off sleep.

“Then look at the window and ponywatch Rainbow Dash. You’d be surprised how much entertainment you can get when nopony thinks you’re watching.” Rarity responded, her voice aggravated by Rainbow’s seemingly ungratefulness for her generous act.

“You mean like Gabby Gums?” Rainbow Dash sarcastically responded. This time it was Rarity’s turn to scowl. Rainbow smiled in victory as she turned to look out the window. Rarity worked some stitching along the backside of Rainbow’s dress, being careful to not allow her anger to show in her work.

“Hey Rarity?”

“Hmmmm?”

“Thank you… for everything.”

Rarity paused to smile, allowing the gratitude from her proud friend to sink in.

“Your very welcome Rainboooooooooow!”

Rainbow Dash yanked herself away from Rarity, her face pressed against the glass.

“Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!”

“Rainbow Dash! You’ve ruined my work! What is the matter with you, you… you-“

Rainbow didn’t let Rarity finish her sentence. Taking Rarity’s head between her hooves, Rainbow Dash pulled the distressed dress-maker to the window.

“Oh my! Is that… Pinkie Pie?! With Braeburn?! Darling, this is unbelievable! How is this even possible?”

“I heard from Applejack that he was comin’ to town to help around on the farm,” Rainbow replied. “Him and Pinkie Pie though… didn’t see that comin’.”

“Now now Rainbow, let’s not jump to conclusions. We’re behaving just like gossiping school fillies. She’s probably just giving him a tour around town, as Pinkie Pie would normally do. Nothing special to see, just move on.”

Rainbow Dash and Rarity gave each other guilty looks.

“Although could you imagine!”

“Ohmygosh I know! Pinkie Pie sealin’ the deal with Braeburn would be the highlight of the century! Could you imagine the family get-togethers? Bahahahahaha!”

The two mares continued their idol gossip and laughter before continuing the mundane task that awaited them.

“And there’s the library! That’s about every place I can think of in town Braeburn. Do you want me to show you the way to Sweet Apple Acres? I know lots of short cuts and stuff- ooh! We could play hide and go seek if we got enough ponies!”

“Well as fun as that sounds, ah reckon ah’d better check in with cousin Applejack first. Ah was supposed to meet her first thing after ah got off the train, but ah got a might distracted.” Braeburn scuffed a hoof against the dirt, pink tinting his cheeks. “And a mighty fine distraction it was too. Ah’d love to learn that Pony Pokey dance ya went on about, if ya have some time this week of course. Mayhaps we could get a bite to eat along the way, just the two of us.”

“Well of course silly! That sounds like fun! I’ll teach you all there is to know about the pony pokey, and there are so many good places to eat, I don’t even know where to begin! Although, I usually start and end at Sugarcube Corner. Then again if I were anypony I’d start and end at Sugarcube Corner.”

“Well then how does tomorrah at six sound? Ah can meet you at Sugarcube Corner, seein’ how ah’d hate to break your tradition.”

“Sounds like a plan Braeburn! See you at six!” With a skip and a leap, Pinkie bounced off back towards Sugarcube Corner. Braeburn tilted his Stetson forward, concealing his blush and trotted towards Sweet Apple Acres, the farm being the last thing on his mind.

Pinkie Pie bounced through Ponyville Square, elated to have made a wonderful new friend. Rainbow Dash and Rarity approached her, their work at the boutique completed.

“Well hiya girls!” Pinkie chirped. “What were you two doing all day?”

“We should ask you the same question with Braeburn, darling,” Rarity responded, her face giving Pinkie a wicked smirk. Pinkie only looked confused by Rarity’s expression. Sighing, Rarity responded. “We were working on Rainbow Dash’s dress for the Wonderbolt’s derby. Now then, tell us all about you and Braeburn!”

“Okie dokie then!” Pinkie said, completely clueless to Rarity’s intentions. Taking a deep breath, she prepared herself for the oncoming run-on sentence. “I saw him walk into town and I knew he was new so I gave my welcome but then he looked thirsty so I thought if he was thirsty I’d take him to Sugarcube Corner but then the Cakes were acting weird but they were nice they gave us free cupcakes and a float which was really weird because I asked for two floats and then they gave me the day off so Braeburn and I thought it’d be a neat idea if I showed him around town but then I finished showing him around town and then!” Gasping for breath, Pinkie Pie waited a few seconds before finishing her story. “Braeburn asked me to show him how to do the Pony Pokey and then said we should have dinner too, but only just the two of us. Weird huh? But I don’t mind, Braeburn’s super cool.”

Rarity and Rainbow Dash looked at Pinkie Pie with devilish grins. Pinkie looked just as confused as she sounded.

“What? What’d I do?”

“Pinkie you player!” Rainbow Dash said, pride in her friend emanating throughout her voice. “Way to score a date with Applejack’s cousin. And best of all, he asked you!”

“I must agree with Rainbow Dash, darling,” Rarity said. “You should be very proud of yourself. You’re truly growing up and you’re being rewarded most graciously. Braeburn is quite a catch; he’s handsome, energetic, and passionate about what he loves to do. Why it’s like he’s the perfect stallion for you.”

Pinkie Pie’s jaw was on the ground.

“WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!?!”

Her shriek echoed throughout the town, turning the heads of several ponies.

“Nonononono,” Pinkie continued. “Braeburn is just a friend! We are not dating! I mean, where would you even get a silly idea like that from!”

“You showed him around the whole town when he could have just had his, I don’t know, COUSIN SHOW HIM. YOU KNOW, THE PONY HE CAME TO VISIT IN THE FIRST PLACE!” Rainbow Dash yelled, causing Pinkie Pie to shrink back a little.

“But I-I-I was just trying to be a good friend! He asked me to show him around personally!”

“Exactly, darling,” Rarity responded, concern adorning her face. “He asked you because he may have developed some romantic feelings for you.”

“But he only asked me to show him around!” Pinkie looked desperate and her voice matched it. “That doesn’t mean that he-“

“He asked you to go dancing and have dinner with just him Pinkie,” Rainbow said flatly. “The other stuff was kind’ve ambiguous, but that one pretty much sealed the deal.”

Pinkie Pie and Rarity looked at Rainbow Dash in shock, speaking at the same time.

“Ambiguous?!”

Rainbow Dash gave a guilty smile.

“What? So I look up words I read in Daring Doo. Don’t blame me for wanting to know what’s going on.”

Rarity put a hoof around Pinkie, speaking very delicately to her unstable friend.

“Now now dear. I know you may or may not want to go on this date with Braeburn knowing what you do now. But you agreed to it and it’s only fair to him that you see through to your agreement. If you want to, let him down gently and tell him that you only wish to be friends. He’s a kind pony; he won’t hold it against you.”

“Y-you’re wrong! Both of you!” Pinkie looked shakier than her voice. “Braeburn only wanted to hang out with a friend and I’ll prove it! Pinkie Pie does not give mixed messages!”

Pinkie galloped off towards Sugarcube Corner, desperate to prove her friends wrong.