Equestria Bound

“Looks like your fairing well so far. Keep it up, Ruby.” Ruby Black was still a little wobbly when it came to walking like a pony.

“Alright, I got this now. So, where we off to?” Ruby asked. Twilight nodded her head left.

“We are going to Rarity's fashion shop. You need a serious mane-cut.”

“Gee, thanks. Taking me to the fashioner friend first, I see.” Ruby said, rolling her eyes toward Twilight.

“Well, sorry. A mare needs to keep track of her looks around here! Honestly, long hair doesn't suit you, and it's all floppy. Rarity can fix you up and make you look like a model! That's her talent of course.”

Ruby looked up to see a shop with dress posters on the windows everywhere. Twilight led her inside the store with a ring of a bell when the door opened.

“Rarityyyyyy! I'd like you to meet a new friend I have!” Twilight shouted throughout the store.

Hoofsteps were heard coming down a somewhat creaky staircase.
There was the beautiful Rarity with the hardest accent Ruby had ever heard in her life.

“Hello, Twilight, dear! You wanted me to meet somepony, hmm?”

“Yeah, Rarity! I'd like you to meet Ruby Black, a new pony to town, and for that matter, Equestria!” Twilight moved out of the way to introduce Ruby to Rarity, but even before Ruby could say “hi” Rarity was up all in her face.

“Oh my sweet Celestia! That is the most beautiful shade of red in a mane I have ever laid my EYES upon! It goes TOO well with your eyes as well, honey!”

“Err... Thanks? Twilight told me to get a hair... mane-cut.”

“Oh, my dear, I simply can't help but agree! As beautiful as your mane's color is, it is way to long and it kind of just flops off your head. I, with my sense for beauty and fashion, can fix you right up and make you look like a MODEL! Yes! That is what I shall do! You will look simply DASHING after this, I can tell. However, a pony's mane is even more flashing if it fits the person! I simply MUST get to know you, dear! Twilight, how's about we take this graceful image of a pony out for lunch at Sugarcube Corner for a little “get to know you” meal?”

“Sure! I was getting hungry anyway. That sound good Ruby?”

“Umm... Sure... I guess. I could go for a bite.”

“Fabulous! Oh, dear me. Please excuse me for one moment, I must tell my little sister to watch the shop while I'm gone. Be back in a minute!”

Rarity trotted up the squeaky stairs.

“Wow. She sure is dramatic. Almost too dramatic, especially with that accent.”

“Yeeeah, but you'll get used to it, she is a very nice mare, and she's always there for me... unless it involves her getting dirty in any way.”

Rarity came trotting down the stairs, now with a pretty purple striped scarf on.

“Was that scarf there before...?” Ruby asked.

“Well darlings, let us be on our way!”

Off to Sugarcube Corner they went, only to remember Pinkie Pie worked there.

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“OMIGOSH! A new pony to town!? What'syourname?Doyoulikeparties?HaveyoumetApplejackyet?Thisissoexciting!Woo!”

“PINKIE! Calm down! Honestly, you need to learn a calm approach!” Rarity snapped at the poofy pink pony.

“Oh, did I do it again? Poo! Sorry! What's your name!? I'm Pinkie Pie! Are you a friend of Twilight's!?”

“Pshh, and you said MY mane needed caring. Anyways, I'm Ruby Black, I'm new to this country. So I don't know a lot of things about--”

“Your new to Equestria!? Well, welcome!! I guarantee you will find a lot of good friends here, ESPECIALLY in Ponyville!”

“Yeah, umm... I guess you could say I'm friends with Twilight. I met her not too long ago though, so I'm still not too familiar with her, or anyone for that matter. At least Peopl-- Ponies are nice here.”

“Oh yes! Everypony is so NICE here! I'm nice too, and spare me your feelings. I know. It's obnoxious to be around me for too long. That's why I'm off to bake a free cake for you! A welcome-to-Ponyville-free-cake-of-super-awesomeness-and-dashes! Pinkie Pie, away! Vroooom!”

Like driving a car, Pinkie zoomed into the kitchen and there was a large CRAAAASH followed by an “I'm okay!”

“Well, she sure is a character.”

“Yeah, she's Pinkie Pie. If she ever says anything that sounds “off”, just ignore her.”

“You mean stuff like 'you in front of the screen reading this' or something along those lines?”

Twilight's face grew skeptical as she glared at Ruby.

“Yeah... she says that a lot... How do you know that?”

“It's hard to explain. Anyways, Rarity, you said you wanted to do something about my mane? What kind of design did you have in mind?”

“Oh dearie, I'm glad you asked! What I personally think suits you is waaaaay shorter hair coming down both sides of your face with a little bit of an obvious gap between the hairs. Your sweet color is just too much of a smooth, blood red to make it in any kind of pony tail or curl.”

“So, like this except with a shorter cut?” Ruby put half of her mane to one side and the other half to the other side and cut it with her front-right leg at a short point.

“Yes, I believe that could work!”

“Alright. I can appreciate that idea!”

Appreciate.

“I GOT CAKE! WEEE!”

Pinkie rushed to the table with a slide, and served it by sliding by. The cake was pink and had yellow letters on it that said “Welcome to Ponyville” on it.

“Wow! Impressive, Pinkie Pie! Looks delicious!”

“THANK YOU!” Pinkie squeaked. “It's my goal to make everypony that comes to this town happy!”

Ruby took a bite of the cake, and as soon she did, her blood eyes widened to at least twice their normal size.

“W-W-WOW! You've done your job quite considerably! This is DELICIOUS!”

Suddenly, Ruby stopped. Something had awoken in her, something she had never experienced before: joy. This new feeling made her grin and laugh like she was being attacked by the tickle-monster.

“Aha! Wow! So this is what it's like.”

“What what is like, darling?” Rarity and Twilight stood puzzled, staring at Ruby.

“What JOY is like! What fun, love, and laughter is like! I've... Heh... Never felt these before. I was never taught these things by anyone...”

Ruby was ready to EXPLODE with all the excitement inside her, and to quote the movie “The Grinch”, her heart grew 3 sizes that day.

“You've never had ANYPONY to teach you that? EVER?” Twilight was shocked to see someone who had never experienced happiness.

“Nnnnnope! Pinkie Pie! Thanks, girl! You really opened my eyes. I think it was your attitude... and your cake.”

“I'm no unicorn, but my cake is magical!” Pinkie Pie threw confetti into the air, which seemingly came out of nowhere.

They all talked and laughed as they ate, as Ruby explained all of her stories of Earth, even if they didn't believe her. Not just her, but Twilight told the story of Nightmare Moon and Discord. As they finished up, Pinkie said goodbye and took their trays.

As they trotted out the door, all 3 ponies smiling, Ruby had one last thing to ask.

“So, Rarity. How's about we get that awesome mane design going?”