Hearing the door close, my eyes slowly opened and I turned over to look at the door. Seeing some cut hair beside my pillow was the last thing I wanted to see. Apparently my security still were accepting the fans' bribes. Guarding the famous model/rapper, Jason Cider, probably coated their pockets with quite a few bits
"Another wonderful day in my perfect life." I sarcastically said to the empty suite.
Checking the time on the bedside clock, I got out of my bed and headed to the bathroom to see the damage. That's when I got my second surprise of the morning. Trixie, one of my more determined stalkers, had left another indecent picture. This one was plastered over my bathroom's mirror, making it the first thing I saw. Using my magic, I ripped the photo from the mirror and turned it into confetti in agitation.
Ever since Trixie's show, The Great and Powerful Trixie, went down the tubes she'd pestered me to get 'together'. I'd known she had ulterior motives, so I had turned her down... multiple times. It wasn't until a few weeks ago that she'd started sending photos in the mail, but things obviously were getting worse.
"Can't that mare take a hint!" I angrily asked the tired-eyed unicorn in the mirror.
The white furred reflection simply stared back, looking a bit worse for wear. Whoever snuck into the room had cut off more than a few locks of his onyx mane. Thankfully they hadn't ruined his signature mane cut and had left his tail alone.
Hearing a knock on the door I peeked out of the bathroom door.
"Who is it?" I managed to ask, before my manager burst into the room. Even as she started to rant, the rest of her entourage barged in. Each pony looked eager for a command.
"Cider, ve need to make the magixs. You vere vanted on set in 30 minutes and..." Photo Finish paused mid sentence as she looked over my ragged appearance. Finally her gaze settled on the pile of confetti at my hooves. "Fanz?"
"One specifically." I replied, well aware of the foreboding stares the gathered ponies gave me.
Watching as Photo put a hoof to her muzzle in contemplation, the ponies behind her started to unpack various cosmetics and hair styling equipment. Gulping from the gleam in their eyes, I prepared for another insane costume change. I closed my eyes, waiting for the the sadistic primping to begin. Not feeling the onslaught of brushes, snipping of scissors and the tight confides of a tailored suit, I peeked out of one eye. She'd stopped her entourage with an upraised hoof.
"Thiz vill not do Cider. I cannot have my star looking so... stressed." seeming dejected, the ponies started putting away their stuff. "It vill be difficult to reschedule, but you needz time to relax. I probably can get you a few monthz off." Photo said, making my sigh inwardly with relief.
Finally some freedom from these jackals, I thought as one of the ponies put away a facial mask. I enjoyed the serenity of the moment before Picture Perfect spoke up again.
"So I'll be sending you to stay in Ponyville vith a friend of mine, she should have an extra room free. First ve need to redo that manecut though." In a flash the ponies had their tools in hand again.
"Nnnnoooo!" I silently screamed as they got to work.
This is nice, I thought while getting off the train. There wasn't a single paparazzi to be seen and best of all, no fans. All that greeted me was a mural of happy ponies with the words, Welcome To Ponyville, carefully painted in large block letters.
Grabbing my saddlebag and luggage from the train, I watched the train head back towards Canterlot. Watching it leave I remembered Photo's friend was waiting for me. During my 'makeover', Photo had made a quick call to her friend, Octavia. She'd soon agreed to rent me the room and meet me at the station. Using my magic, I picked up my luggage and started looking around for the gray-furred mare. It didn't take long for me to notice a mare fitting the description trotting to the station, her dark gray mane and tail flowing behind her.
"Sorry for my tardiness." the mare said after reaching me. "My name is Octavia. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Jason."
"Charmed...", lifting her hoof I gave it a quick kiss. "...and the train was running fast. Thank you for letting me stay at your house during my stay." I said, seeing a light blush on her face.
"Well, um, let us be off ." she stammered. Her reaction told me she didn't expect such a formal greeting.
I barely had time to grab my things before she started off for our destination. While we walked along, she started to give me a small tour of the landmarks. The first thing she pointed out was the apple orchard surrounding the path into town. "These orchards are farmed by the Apple family. They have the best apples in Equestria, from what I've heard. The building coming up is our library." she said, pointing at a converted oak tree. "If you can't find something our librarian, Twilight Sparkle, could inform you." she said before pointing at a well designed boutique. "And this is Carousel Boutique. It's owned by a unicorn named Rarity. She's tailored for many other famous individuals, including the designer Hoity Toity and singer Sapphire Shores."
As Octavia started to lead me away to the next landmark, a dramatic gasp made me look around in confusion. Seeing a pink mare running in the opposite direction, I felt a chill. "Maybe cutting this tour short would be a good idea." I mentioned to Octavia, pointing out the retreating mare.
From behind me Octavia chuckled as I turned back to her. "Don't worry about Pinkie Pie. She has her own way of doing things." she said, a strange smile upon her face.
"Kay'..." I answered, unsure about her smile
Exhausted from carrying my luggage, I collapsed on the guestrooms' comfy bed. Simultaneously the dull thud of my luggage dropping was heard. I lay for a few minutes, basking in the quaint atmosphere. Usually by this time I'd be headed off to my next photo shoot, screaming fans chasing after the taxi chariot. Instead I was lying contently in a warm bed with not a sound to be heard.
I lost track of time cause when I looked out the window, the sun hugged the horizon. I should probably get these organized. Giving the two luggage bags a distasteful look, I dragged myself from the bed and opened my luggage.
Lying on top were two rolls of parchment. Curious, I decided to investigate. I quickly chucked the first one, it was outfit care letter from Picture's seamstress. The other roll got my attention though. It had a small map and an 'X'. Putting on one of the jackets and some shades as a disguise, I decided to investigate the strange map. Heading out the door, I used the landmarks on the map and from Octavia's tour to navigate my way through the town.
Walking around, the eerie silence was starting to worry me. It was so busy earlier though, I thought. Looking down at the map I realized how close I was to the mystery location. Turning a final bend I noticed an unlit cake shop where the map had an 'X'. Giving the door a cautious push, I entered.
"Hello? Anypony there?" I questioned, hearing a small giggle from my left.
"SURPRISE!" A crescendo of voices answered as the lights flipped on. Standing under a large welcome banner, surrounded by party favors, was a huge group of ponies. I was suddenly glad I'd worn a disguise, recognizing a few fans. A few of the ponies came up to welcome me to Ponyville as most started to party
Glancing to the side, I noticed the pink mare from earlier looking at me with a wide grin. "Can I help you with...!" I started to say before she started to shake my hoof.
"Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie and I noticed you before with Octavia! I heard Octavia's cousin would be in town but never met you before! Is Trottingham big? Are you a musician like your cousin? Can we hear some music!" Pinkie said before running off and returning with an assortment of instruments. She watched me again with an excited grin, slightly nudging a banjo forward.
Completely lost, I tried to decide what was the best way to answer.
I felt relieved when a female voice piped up behind me. "Sorry Pinkie, I need my cousin for awhile." Octavia said to Pinkie, softly tugging me in the opposite direction.
"Okay! Have a fun party Cider. La Lala La la!" Pinkie answered, as she skipped off to a table with cupcakes.
"You told her my name!" I whispered to Octavia as she walked me away.
"I'm just as surprised as you. I told everypony my cousin, White Noise, was coming. I never mentioned your name." she murmured but I didn't take much notice
I'd missed Octavia's response as I stared across the room. Standing in the corner was a white mare with an electric blue mane, nursing a mug of cider. My heartbeat started skipping a beat as I walked over to her. Getting closer she looked up from her drink.
"You must be White Noise. Nice to meetcha!" The mare said, draining her mug and wiping some of the froth from her muzzle. She then stuck her hoof out in greeting. "Name's Vinyl Scratch."
For a moment I was lost in her crimson eyes, before returning to reality. "...Oh! Nice to meet you!" I answered awkwardly, shaking her hoof.
I felt my heart stop when she flashed me a smile. "Care to join a lady for a drink, Noise." she placed her empty mug on a tray as we walked over to the refreshment table.
Slowly I opened my eyes the following morning. Never again..., I thought as the hangover set in. Hardly remembering the events of last night, I turned to leave the bed. Then I froze, a familiar blue manned mare was lying next to me. Still frozen by the shock, I watched as she opened her eyes and gave me a look.
"Mornin'!" she said rolling out of the bed.
"Morning... how did you get in my room?" I asked, getting a chuckle from Vinyl.
"You walked me home last night. Last night was gr..." she started to say before running from the room.
Following, I watched her run into the washroom. From outside I could hear the sound of the mare vomiting. As Vinyl occupied the washroom, I tried to recount last nights events. Each time the evidence led me to only one possibility.
"Photo's going to kill me if this becomes a scandal." I whispered, imagining my manager's wrath.
Author's Note
Hello everypony, hows my favorite bronies doing tonight? Rate, favorite, and like please...thank you! Hope I got Photo's dialect right. Also the next chapter (s) may be in a different narration.
"Stupid! Stupid!..." I chastised, bonking my head against the wall with each word.
This continued for a few seconds. It allowed me to temporarily forget about my hangover, and the mare from my bed. Hitting my my head especially hard, I remained leaning against the wall. Looking back at the washroom door, the image of an enraged Photo Finish flitted through my thoughts again. This was then followed by the sound of a door opening in the hallway. Fearing my imagination had become reality, I fell to the floor and cowered like a newborn foal experiencing their first Nightmare Night.
“Uh... are you alright Cider?”, a tired voice asked.
Peeking from under one leg, I sighed inwardly when I didn’t see the pony I’d expected. The gray mare yawned before casually trying to straighten out her bed head. Embarrassed to be seen in such a position, I flashed her a sheepish smile.
“And I’m guessing those noises were you.” Octavia said while rubbing one of her eyes with a hoof.
Trying to save face I slowly uncurled and tried to stand. After a few tries, and lots of embarrassing falls, I managed to stagger to my hooves. Feeling the blush on my face, and dull pounding of liquor in my temple, I tried to think up an explanation. With sigh of resignation I decided to tell her everything. Maybe she’d be able to explain it to Photo.
"No... I'm not alright. I'm hungover. I can't remember what happened last night. And I woke up with that mare named, Vinyl Scratch, in my bed!" I answered while putting a hoof to my head.
Looking away in shame, I waited for her to berate me or at least laugh at me for doing such a stupid thing while drunk. After a few minutes of silence I finally found the courage to look at her. I was shocked when I saw an expression I hadn't expected. Understanding?
"Well it does sound rather... incriminating. To be honest you wouldn't be the first to experience Vinyl's 'company'." the grey mare said. It didn't take a genius to figure out what her reddening cheeks meant.
"You and Vinyl-", I started to say before she interrupted me with a flustered response.
"No! I mean yes... It was during the time we were students at the Canterlot Academy of the Arts. Working together, one thing led to another and..." she stopped speaking as she traced embarrassed circles on the floor. By now her face had turned beet red from the unspoken memories.
There was a slam that made the two of us jump as the bathroom door was opened. Standing in the doorway was a haggard looking Vinyl Scratch. Apparently she hadn't heard the conversation as she slowly walked between us.
"I'm going back to bed Tavia, I have a few hours before the train to Trottingham arrives. Sorry for taking so long in the bathroom again." she told Octavia as she plodded down the hall.
Expecting her to head back to the guest room, I was surprised to see her enter the room next to it. Silence permeated the hallway as I stared at the closed door. Something about this whole situation seemed depressing, but I couldn't put my hoof on it. I must have stared too long because Octavia coughed to get my attention.
"Let's let her sleep." she quietly said as I turned to see her at the stairs.
"Yes... I think that would be a good idea..." I said before following her down the stairs. Reaching the first step, I looked at the door one last time, trying to understand why I felt so strange.
Stretching after leaving the house I instinctively looked for paparazzi before walking down the street. After a warm breakfast of haycakes with blueberries, a walk seemed like the perfect thing to do on such a sunny day. Even the hangover started to subside midway through breakfast as Octavia explained how my 'guest' lived there as well. Things would've made a complete turn around if I didn't have this dull ache in my chest.
Lost in my thoughts, it took me awhile to notice a familiar mare hopping along beside me. Speeding up to a brisk trot, she easily kept pace as I blindly followed the roadways. After a few galloping circuits of the town, obviously the spectacle for a chuckling few, I started to gasp as my stamina gave out.
Note to self, work on cardio, I thought with a wheeze. Submitting myself to the inevitable, I started to slow and walked over to a restaurant we'd passed a few times. It didn't help that Pinkie smiled victoriously as I plopped myself into a seat. Picking up one of the menus, I tried to avoid eye contact as she sat on the other side of the table. Hearing some giggling and hushed whispers, it was obvious we'd been amusing to watch.
"What do you want?" I asked, intently staring at the menu. The tip of her mane slowly covered half the menu as she peeked over the top.
"Why are you talking to a menu?" she asked before leaning over for better look. "Wait let me guess... You put a spell on it to make it answer questions!" she said excitedly, grabbing hold of the menu before I could stop her.
"Why'd the chicken cross the road?...", she asked the folded menu.
Speaking in a deep voice, she made the menu open and close with a hoof as she said, "I don't know Pinkie Pie?"
"...To get to the other side!" she answered excitedly, looking at me with a wide grin.
A small part of me died, hearing that corny joke, but the way she presented it still brought a grin to my face. Seeing it, her own grin grew wider before she looked back at the menu.
"Here's another good question. Why does my new friend, Jason Cider, have a frowny face?" she asked before turning to look at me.
Glancing around with worry, I ensured nopony heard before leaning towards the mare. "I do not have a... frowny face?! And how do you know my name isn't White Noise?" I hissed, trying to avoid a scene.
"Maybe I can answer that..." the party pony said from the corner of her mouth as the menu flapped open and shut.
After a day of making cupcakes and hanging with the twins, super fantastic day by the way, Pinkie had a friend stop by her house. Now Octavia usually isn't the type of friend to come over, so Pinkie decided to ask her what was up.
"So Octi, what can I do for one of my bestie-best friends." I...Pinkie asked, opening the door after the first knock.
She seemed so happy to see Pinkie because she jumped a hoof in the air.
"Well... Hello Pinkie...", she said in her usual, I'm very professional, voice, "...I stopped by today to tell you my cousin will be in Ponyville. He should arrive in the next few days and if you could prepare a mixer", another name for a party i guess ,"to welcome him, I'd be greatly indebt to you."
"No problem! If it makes you happy, I'll be happy to throw a party for your cousin!" Pinkie said as she grinned, thinking about all the preparations.
Pinkie was glad to help her friends out in a jam, and this seemed like quite the marmalade for Octavia as she sighed with relief.
"Thank-you Pinkie! I'm sure my cousin Ja... White Noise will be thrilled by the festivities." Octavia said before waving good-bye.
Waving in return, Pinkie watched her friend go, before putting her goggles on. If there was one thing not known to everypony, it was that Pinkie was a secret agent. And being a secret agent means knowing things other ponies don't.
Grabbing her tools, Pinkie stealthily set out for Octavia's house, blending with the shadows like-like... like a ninja-pony. Yeah!
Getting to the there without being seen, she quickly picked the lock before opening the door silently. Using her super-secret spy moves, Pinkie rolled through the entrance way before diving behind a door. It was so super secret agent that spy music started to play as Pinkie tip-toed from behind her cover and into the kitchen. [youtube=
Glancing around to make sure nopony was watching, Pinkie pulled a can out of her bag and pressed the nozzle. A foggy mist sprayed out as red lasers were exposed, all centering around a single drawer. Grinning, Pinkie stretched before breaking into a series of aerial flips, jumps and rolls. Avoiding the sensors with ease, Pinkie landed on her hooves and looked at her prize. A single note carefully placed within the drawer...
"What was in the drawer!" I asked excitedly, interrupting Pinkie mid-sentence.
She looked at me for a few seconds before she broke into a giggling fit.
"What's so funny?" I asked the pink mare.
"You liked my story." she answered before bopping my nose.
Sneezing slightly from it, I covered my muzzle before asking, "so how did you really find out then?"
"I thought you looked like similar to a music video I seen but you gave it away..." she answered with a smile, before tapping a hoof on the table. "..Oh my Celestia, I just had the best idea! Do you want to go to Carousal Boutique? Rarity has been looking for a stallion to try on some suits she's sewing. Race you there!"
Unable to get a word in edgewise, I stumbled for the first few steps as I hurried after her. If she told somepony about my secret, my vacation was all but doomed. Darting after the hopping pink blur, I regretted not drinking some water while at the restaurant because I quickly started sweating from the overexertion of two runs and felt a small cramp developing in my hind leg. Hobbling through the pain, I did my best not to lose sight of her. It paid off when I rounded a bend and found the mare doing a small victory dance in front of the boutique Octavia had shown me the previous day. Seeing me, she stopped dancing as she waved me over and knocked on the door.
"Pinkie...", I managed to say between gasping breaths as I got closer, ".. I need you to promise something. Something really important!"
The change was almost creepy as I watched the party pony have a complete turn around in her expression.
"Anything for a friend." she said with resolution.
"I need you to promise me, not! To tell anypony about my real identity." I told her.
She then proceeded to move her hooves as she said, " cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cup... What about ponies I've already told?"
"What?" I managed to ask before the boutique door was slammed open and somepony tackled me.
