The music was blaring through Sugarcube Corner. Ponies were scattered into groups everywhere in the small space, crowding around the dancefloor and drinks tables. Some had split into smaller groups and, with some assistance of liquor, had began going red and laughing loudly at every sentence regardless of whether it was intended to be funny or not. Couples had found secluded spots to romanticize in, which was leading to some going upstairs for a more 'private party'. In the midst of all this, Rainbow Dash lent against a wall in the kitchen, enjoying a cool brooze that was coming through the open window in there. It was quieter in here, everyone else being in the main room or, if the noises upstairs were to be believed, very much otherwise occupied. Just as she closed her eyes to shut out some of the noise, a pink blur shot up to her in a hyper ball of energy. 'OHMYGOSH! I've been looking for you EVERYWHERE! I asked Carrot Top and Derpy and Doctor and -' She was cut off by a blue hoof, and happily continued to mumble to herself until she was asked to get to the point.
'Oh, well I figured since it was about to be midnight you'd stop being a sulky sulkerson and come join us for the countdown!' Her blue eyes remained happy and hopeful, unlike Rainbows current mood.
'Sure, Pinkie. Give me two minutes'.
'Okiedokeiloki!'. And with that, Pinkie shot off back into the main room, and was laughing loudly within seconds. Rainbow sighed. Only she had bothered to turn up here tonight, and was regretting it immediately. She loved a good party, but at the moment she felt like curling up and sleeping alone, rather than being grouped in with a bunch of ponies she didn't know. Sighing, as she made her way back to the party, she began to wonder how all her other friends were spending thier new years eve.
As fireworks went off, the nervous chitter of small animals got louder again, and Fluttershy found herself once again going around all the pens and holes, trying to calm them down with sweet words and food. It was cold out, but the energy she had put out running around constantly to tend to her friends was making her so warm she swore she would start steaming in the cold air soon. Having calmed them down, Fluttershy went inside to sit on her sofa in the centre of the room, glancing out the window. It would almost be midnight soon, and as the clocks counted down she wondered if she wouldn't be happier at Pinkie's party with all her friends. As another firework went off and the chitter resumed, she sighed knowing she had enough work to do for now.
Twilight gave an annoyed grunt as yet another firework split her concentration. Closing her curtains, she immediately returned her attention to the book and paper in front of her. Not a night to be studying she knew, but if she didn't finish work on this spell before next week she would start to encounter some real issues. As she began to go over the next paragraph, Spikes voice came back to her from earlier.
'Um, Twilight, why are you still studying? Pinkie's party is in an hour, and you promised her you would go'.
'I'm not going, Spike. I've got too much work to do'. The dragon seemed a little put-off by this, having expected to be joining his carer at the party and get a shot a kissing Rarity at midnight.
'Whats so important about a stupid book that can't wait?'. Twilight sighed, and turned to face him.
'If i don't have this spell fully researched and ready by next week, when the planned blizzard comes in we'll risk serious damage to the library, if not losing it all together. If i'm right, this spell should in theory protect us but I have to be completely sure before i cast it, or who knows what will happen!'. With this, she turned back to the book 'You can still go if you like, Spike. I'll be just fine here'.
The dragon shifted his feet uncomfortably, unsure what to do. 'I can't just go without you, Twilight...'. Twilight looked up from her book now to where the dragon was snoring soundly in his bed, having fallen asleep as soon as food was finished. She considered waking him up for midnight, but decided he earned his sleep. She turned her attention back to the book, Glancing at the pile of others similar that she would also have to go through. It promised to be a long night.
Rarity laughed a little too fakely at the joke she had just been told, but luckily enough her company did not seem to notice. She had been invited to another of Cantorlots balls by Hoity Toity, and knowing how good it could be for her business had decided to attend-wearing outfits she made suited for the occasion. Looking around at all the ponies gathered here, she got the distinct impression she did not belong, despite the fact they all seemed glad she had attended. Most here were rich folk from high society, while she in relfection was a dress-maker in a small town far from here. Taking a sip of her champagne and turning around, she noticed a hushed conversation between two ponies going on, with occasional glaces at her. Upon being noticed they both immediately went silent, before loudly going into an awkward conversation about the Wonderbolts show last week. Rarity closed her eyes and, taking a deep breath, turned back to her company to join in a conversation about current financial situations. She hoped being here and not with her friends would be worth it.
Applejack laid and stared at the sky, unlooking at the clear night sky. She had come to a private spot near the back of the farm, where in between the trees you could get a spectacular view of the moon. But she had not come here to sightsee, She had come here to reflect upon her current mood. 'Ah just wish...' she began to say to herself, and the thought cut her off that she didn't know WHAT she was wishing for. In the last three months or so, She had found herself feeling more empty than ever before, and despite her friends she felt more and more lonely, especially laying awake at night. After several sleepless nights she had taken to walking into town and looking about to admire the spendour of the sleeping houses, their occupants soundly sleeping and not troubled by such issues she faced. Applejack breathed out, watching the vapours fade into the sky as she absorbed herself in her thoughts. Ah just wish', she decided, 'That ah didn't feel so lonely no more'
As the countdown began, the many voiced echoed around Rainbows ears and formed a painful knot inside her head. Crushed and moved by the excitable ponies either side of her, she found it hard to join in with the festivities. Moving to the back and retreating to the sanctuary of the kitchen, She walked up to the window and stared at the night sky. As fireworks lit up the stars with vibrant colours and reflected off the moon, she found the words she felt she needed 'I just wish...That I didn't feel so lonely'
The next day started with glorious sunshine beaming through the window, directly into Applejacks eyes. Black bags marked the lack of sleep she had gotten, and the covers of her bed were tangled near the bottom where she had tossed and turned. Although the sunlight was warm, the day was still bitterly cold and Applejack got up as quickly as her tired brain would allow. Making her way downstairs into the kitchen, her nostrils filled with the sweet aroma of freshly baked apple pancakes-an idea her stomach noisily agreed to. Inside the kitchen she found Granny Smith and Big Mac already starting their food, and Big Mac cast a concerned eye over Applejack as she walked in.
'Ya know, lil' sis, maybe ya should take the day off today. There's not alot to do this time of year anyways'.
'Are ya crazy?' She responded, 'There’s loads to do! Like...' A doubtful eye told her she was really just desperate to distract herself from her own thoughts, something apparent to her big brother.
'Why don't ya go see your friends today, Ah'm sure they missed ya yesterday evenin'.' Applejack relented, and after eating her breakfast started making her way into Ponyville.
Meanwhile, at Sugercube Corner, Rainbow Dash was snoozing on the sofa she had collapsed into late last night, unaffected by the sun's warnings about the lateness of the morning. Pinkie Pie was passed out on the floor among piles of plastic cups, deflated balloons, and confetti, and was happily mumbling in her sleep. Suddenly, a loud knocking at the door knocked both ponies out of their stupor.
'Urg, it's too early...' complained Rainbow from her makeshift bed, rolling onto the floor and moaning into the carpet. Pinkie, meanwhile, went from fast asleep to bolt upright in mere seconds, and was answering the door before an impatient hoof knocked again 'Oh, hey Applejack! We were still asleep after that AWESOME party that you missed last night. Come in, and mind the mess!' With this Pinkie hopped off into the kitchen to prepare breakfast, while Rainbow made an attempt to get upright, and was nearly successful the third time.
'Oh, hey Applejack. You feeling okay? You look a little tired...’
'Ah'm just fine sugarcube, don't you worry about me none. Ah'm actually here to check if anyone's free today, ah'd love to go do something today since it's my day off'.
Upon hearing this Pinkie bounded into the room and began happily spouting out any ideas that came to her mind. 'Ooooh! We could go play pranks, or go to the park, or throw a PARTY!’
'Um, actually Pinkie, I think we better clean this mess first...before the Cakes get home.' Upon hearing this Pinkie immediately stopped bouncing, and her eyes sprang open wide. 'I completely forgot! The Cakes are due home this afternoon and i promised them it'd be spotless! Ohmygoshohmygosh!' In her panic, Pinkie began picking up random bits of rubbish and throwing them into a pile, hoping that one big mountain would look better than rubbish discarded everywhere.
'Sorry Applejack, I better stay and help Pinkie before she has a nervous breakdown...' With this Rainbow Dash sighed and turned around to survey the mess around her, and in doing so avoided the oddly disappointed face of her friend. 'Oh, it's alright sugarcube, Ah'm sure there'll be another day soon...’ With this she left the house, not bothering to question the small explosions she heard after the closed the door.
After the door shut Rainbow Dash stole a glance back at it, as if somehow hoping it'd open again a second later. The fact that it didn't made her feel somehow even lonelier, despite the fact she had a pink blur rushing around her, filling the Party Cannon with cleaning supplies and firing it at the walls in vain hope. The similar sinking feeling from yesterday evening stole over her again, and she got to work cleaning with a heavy heart.
Applejack walked around Ponyville feeling a little lost. With two of her friends busy, and Rarity having yet to return from Canterlot, she began to feel a little down again. She spotted the library, and began walking towards it, satisfying the idea in her head she could ask Twilight if there were any books that would help her sleep.
Twilight awoke slightly confused. What at first appeared to be her pillow was not as soft as she assumed, and smelled a bit too papery. Jerking awake, she found she had fallen asleep over a book, the pages wide open where she had been in the middle of reading. Not an unfamiliar situation by any means, but Twilight once again cursed herself for sleeping on public property. Walking downstairs to the kitchen to make herself coffee, a sharp knock at the door caught her attention. Spike was still in bed, so Twilight used magic and opened it from the kitchen, 'Oh, hey Applejack! What brings you here so early?’
'Well, um, it's a tad depressing. Mind if i come in?’
'Of course, I just put coffee on, make yourself at home; we'll talk in a minute'.
Coffee placed and sitting down, Twilight faced her friend and noted how tired she looked. 'What's the problem, Applejack?’ Applejack thought for a moment how she could explain everything. 'Well, lately i just feel a tad...lonely. Like somethin's missing, ya know?'
A moment of silence passed between the two, punctuated by a slow thoughtful slip of drink. Finally, Twilight spoke 'where did this start?’ Applejack was once again forced to actually think about the problem instead of avoiding it. 'Well, I suppose it started at Pinkie's party a few weeks back....'
