Love, Pinkamena Diane Pie
It was just another day in Ponyville. The sunlight happily danced through the trees, ponies frolicked around, and the market was bustling. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were out causing some trouble, trying to achieve their marks, while Applejack hopelessly tried to help. Rarity was off working at her boutique, unreasonably busy today because of a last minute fashion show request. Apparently, Fluttershy was helping out.
Rainbow Dash was off at Cloudsdale, and Twilight was, well… in her library, as usual. Pinkie Pie had nopony to talk to today, even though she could easily wander off into Ponyville (everypony adored her, of course). She felt like being more alone for some reason, something she hadn’t felt in a few months- years, even.
Solemnly, she glanced outside. Ponies are having fun, she smiled to herself, spotting Applejack screaming after the Cutie Mark Crusaders, who were harrassing some old man.
The truth was that Pinkie was busy today, as well. No, she wasn’t planning a party, she was… Doing something very “Twilight-y” as she liked to say. She was writing a letter to her old friends, though she didn’t know how to start it, or end it. At this point, she was unsure if she should even continue.
Roseluck, Lily Valley, and Daisy were her first aquantainces in Ponyville. She met them back in grade school, and they reconnected around three years ago when the pink mare moved into the small town. Ever since then, the group was inseparable. They called themselves the “Flower Quartet” (though Pinkie really wasn’t that into flowers, oh well) and hung out frequently. Some of her most fond memories were helping sell flower-themed cakes with them.
Oh, she still remembered that day. Both buisnesses- Sugar Cube Corner and the Flower Garden- had teamed up to make flower themed delicacies served with a bouqet. It was a hit, to say the least. But Pinkie Pie enjoyed the memories more than the money she made. It still made her smile.
Like this, multiple memories of fondness popped into Pinkie’s mind when she thought of her old friend-group. Well, she was sure those three were still friends. She sighed as her mind went back to reality.
All their closeness had fell apart the days following the Summer Sun Celebration. You see, the ponies were supposed to attend the Grand Galloping Gala together to sell alongside each other, but Pinkie was distracted. She just wanted to have fun, and lighten the mood- she completely forgot about the plan her friends had made. But… the Flower Friends saw this in a different way.
“She’s moved on, can’t you see?” whispered Roseluck, a few days after the Gala had ended. “Ever since she’s become friends with those other five ponies, what are their names?”
“You mean the ones that defeated that Nightmare thingy? Yeah, she’s changed. Now that she’s got importance… She’s forgotten about us. All she ever talks about are those friends, and she spends a lot more time with them than us,” sighed Daisy, confused.
“Are you guys sure..?” Lily Valley questioned, flabbergasted that Pinkie would move on so fast.
Roseluck stared at her. “To tell you the truth… She told me she didn’t care too much for flowers in the first place.” she winced as the other two dramatically gasped. Daisy fell to the ground, her green mane poofing up.
Pinkie immediately noticed the group being more hostile towards her after that incident. She tried her best not to pry, guessing that maybe they were just having a bad day. She decided to try to lighten the mood, and try to make them laugh.
It didn’t work.
At all.
Well, if she couldn’t make them laugh, then something was definetely wrong. What had she done? The day following, she racked her brain to try to think of things she may have done. Nothing came up. So, Pinkie asked them about it.
“…Hey, guys,” Pinkie interrupted, as the three of her friends glanced at her, and then swiftly looked away.
“Well, haven’t you seen the enchanting color of this flower, Rosey?” Daisy inquired, pulling up a Plumeria to her nose.
Roseluck nervously looked at Pinkie before going back to staring at Daisy. “Um, sure, but I think I like the Lotus better.”
Lily blinked, not even trying to acknowledge the earth pony’s existance. “Guys, why don’t we make a bouqet of both?”
The two looked at Lily, nodded their heads in unison, and squealed. Pinkie Pie never wanted to hear that again. If she was able to hear after this, that was.
“Guys, I need to talk to you.”
At this suggestion, Rose’s eyes met hers. She said nothing, as the other two continued to bicker.
“I know something’s wrong, and I want to talk it out with you guys. I don’t want this friendship to fail.” Pinkie said, trying to talk over the screaming mares.
“Um… Sure, I guess?” Rose said. “Ask the others, too.”
“They aren’t answering me,” Pinkie whispered. “But okay. Guys! Cmon, Daisy, Lily, listen!” she hollered her hooves in the air.
Yes, they really were ignoring her. And avoiding her.
A few days passed, and Pinkie tried to awkwardly fit in with them as they payed no attention to her. Eventually, she just gave up trying to talk to them, and just hopelessly tried to fit in. Maybe she should’ve just given them more space in the first place.
Two months had passed.
Nothing had changed. And through those two months, the thought of her old friend group had pained her. Each night, she would stay awake, hoping that they might be ready to talk to her again. She really didn’t want them to hate her. Sometimes, the mare would cry about it. She knew she probably did something wrong, but what could it be? They never stopped avoiding her, and when she sat down with them, they were always ready to leave.
This went on. Pinkie felt nothing but remorse about her friends, and whenever she tried to talk about it, they ignored her. Why?
And finally, she came to the conclusion maybe she should just… give up, and leave their group for good. But how could she do that to the first mares who invited her? Right after she found new ones? She could easily be friends with everypony, it wasn’t because of the Mane Six that she was being avoided.
Pinkie couldn’t live like this, though. She had been selfless when it came to things like this in friendships. But she needed to take care of herself, and her feelings first. She couldn’t live in a friend group where she couldn’t talk, wasn’t welcome, and was ignored. It was time… to say goodbye.
She had been in denial for a few days, but the Pie knew it was time now. She picked up her pen, and closed her eyes.
“It’s going to be okay, Pinkie.” she told herself, pulling a scroll near her, and beginning to write.
Dearest friends,
I’ve tried multiple times now, but I know something is wrong. (Though I must give it to Roseluck, she tried) This isn’t the friend group I loved once before. I’ve been meaning to write this letter for a while, knowing deep down that it would end tjis way, but I had a little hope left. I’ve learned that’s not all you need in this situation, you need a little more than Pinkie-ish pep talks or laughter. But… What else?
I’m sure you all have realized that I usually try to make others happy. I usually don’t speak my true mind to avoid ponies getting hurt. But now, I need to take care of myself by making my thoughts open, especially since I’ve always nudged you all to be open with me. It’d be a little hypocritical if my last letter weren’t so, hm?
In this situation, I have no idea what I’ve done wrong, or why you’re mad at me. I don’t get it, and I wanted to reconcile. But… you guys are just frustrated with me, and don’t want to talk. I’ve tried these past two months to make it right. But… it’s not. I’m not leaving this group because I made new friends, or I think that I’m better than you guys. It’s because of us. I can’t live in a group like this and be happy. And I know you guys would be much more relaxed if I wasn’t here, either.
All the memories I’ve made here are awesome. They’re the place my happiness started! You guys welcomed me here. And I want those memories to continue. Please take care of this group for me. I love you guys, and it would be selfish not to leave for my own pleasure. You all deserve to be happy, too!
I will miss you all greatly.
Goodbye, Flower Friends.
Love,
Pinkamena Diane Pie
Wow. Pinkie folded the edges nervously. How could she write something so deep, and give it to her friends? Was this the right decision? Should she try harder? Thoughts flew around her head rapidly as she clutched the note. But… she had to.
The way to the Flower Shop was longer than any route she had ever walked. Every step was slow, and sad. This was so scary to the pink earth pony. It was the first time she’d ended a friendship. As she neared the shop, which was bustling with ponies, her legs felt like jelly. She stumbled to the desk, nopony seeing her because of the crowd. She placed the letter on the counter, pushing it a little so it wouldn’t get swept up in the mess.
As she was doing so, Roseluck saw her. Pinkie froze.
“… Read it to both of them,” she managed to say sadly, before running away.
She picked up her feet as fast as she could and ran. Tears welled in her eyes, and a knot formed in her stomach. How could she have done that without trying harder? She was a horrible pony, wasn’t she? What was wrong with-
Pinkie looked up, her eyes puffed, as she bumped into a certain purple unicorn. Twilight stared at her, startled.
“Woah there,” she said.
“I’m so sorry!” Pinkie jumped.
“No, no, that’s fine- but… Pinkie, are you okay?”
She tried to force a smile, but she couldn’t. “I…”
“You don’t have to hide it. I’m your friend. Do you wanna come over to my place..?” Twilight whispered.
“Yes. I really would, Twilight,” tears poured, as she sobbed. “Can I please talk to you? And the others, maybe?”
The indigo mare gazed at her with worry in her eyes as she wrapped her arms around the pony. “There there,” she mumbled, promising her friend a talk with the others as she led her to the library, and called the others.
It was alright. Pinkie told them everything, and they were there for her.
Everything wasn’t over. It was okay.
The pain didn’t fade away that fast. In fact, every time she walked by the store, Pinkie would sulk a little. But ever since she left, it was like a weight was pulled from her shoulders. She felt so much better than she did those days when she was crying over her old friend group. But Pinkie would never forget them, or stop loving them.
It would take time to heal completely. But she was getting there.
And she would be paitent with herself.
Author's Note
This… was an emotional rollercoaster, hm?
To be completely honest, I… poured my feelings into Pinkie here. This exact situation arose (well, maybe my friends weren’t melodramatic flower freaks, but whatever.) My friends introduced me to friendship itself. In fact, the letter was modeled off my own letter I wrote to them.
It wasn’t either of our faults, it just… didn’t work out. And they didn’t want to solve it, except my “Roseluck” who tried a little, I guess.
It wasn’t easy to leave at all. This is all so new to me, and the pain still hasn’t washed away. I won’t forget them. But I need to move on, and stop blaming myself.
I’m sorry if this is a little out of character! But I can see Pinkie struggling with a situation like this. Tell me what you thought.
