“This is a neat show you all do,” Pinkie said as she bounced around backstage alongside Silly String. The unicorn was giddy with excitement at having the party pony visit. “And it’s just you three?”

“Yep! Me, my big sister Anne, and my brother-in-law, Showstopper,” Silly replied. “There’s Anne now!”

The older unicorn was busy looking at a checklist on a clipboard as the two approached. She looked up to see Pinkie waving enthusiastically at her.

“Hi Anne! It’s so nice to meet you!” Pinkie exclaimed, grinning broadly.

Anne simply raised an eyebrow, a blank frown plastered on her muzzle, before she continued on her way, returning to her clipboard. Pinkie’s wave slowed to a stop and she tilted her head as she watched Anne go.

“Uh… did I say something wrong?” Pinkie asked.

“No, my sister has always been like that,” Silly said with a sigh. “Ever since she was a little filly.”

“I guess that’s how other ponies see Maud,” Pinkie remarked, turning to Silly. “So, what happened?”

“Well, it was when she was in school…”

“Alright, class,” the teacher said. “Today we have a new student joining us today. Please give a warm welcome to Anne Marionette.”

The quiet half-zebra unicorn stepped forward and gave a shy smile and slight wave to the class.

“Hello,” she said.

“Whoa! Check out her forelegs!” one of the students exclaimed, jabbing a hoof at her.

Anne winced back, green eyes falling upon the white stripes that lined her legs. She hid one foreleg behind the other and bit her lower lip.

“Why do you have stripes? I thought only zebras had stripes?” another filly asked.

“Or, if you’re a zebra, why do you have a unicorn horn?” a third inquired.

“Now that’s enough!” the teacher said firmly. “I shall not have anyone be bullied for their appearance. If Miss Marionette wishes to answer your questions, she will do so if she wants to.”

The teacher turned to Anne and knelt down to her, setting a forehoof on her shoulder. Anne looked up at her and wiped a tear forming in the corner of her eye.

“Now, Anne, don’t let them bother you,” she said. “And don’t feel pressured to answer them if you don’t want to. And if somepony is bothering you about it, feel free to come to me, alright?”

Anne quietly nodded before walking to her seat near the back, her head lowered. She didn’t need to look to know they were all still watching her as she sat in her seat.

“Alright, class, let’s begin today’s lesson,” the teacher said, turning to the blackboard and plucking up a piece of chalk.

All around her, Anne’s ear flicked as they heard the whispers and murmurings. The word “Stripes” was the most prevalent. The makings of a stony frown began to set on Anne’s muzzle.

“Oh no!” Pinkie exclaimed. “That’s terrible!”

Silly nodded. “My sister has kept to herself ever since,” she said. “I’m surprised she even got married the way she’s so closeted.”

“We’ve got to find a way to get her out of her shell,” Pinkie said, slamming one forehoof into the other firmly. “I guess I know what my friendship mission here is after all.”

“Then let’s get to planning,” Silly said. “There isn’t a moment to lose!”

Author's Note

Fun fact 1: While I've never done anything with Silly or Anne, this was my original idea: Pinkie going on a friendship mission to help them out.

Fun fact 2: Anne's meant to even resemble the Puppet from FNaF, hence the black coat and white striping. Even the green eyes.