Walking out of the boutique, I had to suppress a laugh as the two mares had a small dance of indecision regarding our walking order before settling on me being in the middle. On the way to the center of town, in the light of the lingering sunset, both ponies would point out shops as we passed them, naming them and what products or services they sold. 'Sofas & Quills' had to be pretty high on the list of 'strangest business plans ever.'

“Oh, and there's 'The Gilded Bale' that Spike mentioned earlier,” Twilight said with a giggle.

“Huh, so what kind of food do they serve?” I asked, now curious about the culinary direction of a restaurant so oddly named.

“Why, gourmet hay, of course, what else would they serve with a name like that?” Rarity asked from my right.

“Well then, guess that's an eatery I will simply have to take your word on the quality of. Unless they have other fare to serve,” was my reply.

“Why is that?” the princess asked, now curious.

“Hmm? Oh, well, of the myriad things we are capable of eating and surviving on, grass isn't on the list. Vegetables, tubers, fruits, nuts, berries, and leafy greens, yes. Grasses, no,” I answered.

“Interesting,” Twilight said contemplatively.

As we walked on, we quickly approached what must have been Sugarcube Corner. It would look like a nicely decorated gingerbread house, were it not for the size. As we approached, Pinkie Pie came out to meet us, “Oh good, you guys are early. Head on in while I get the girls and the other guests together.”

“Alright Pinkie, we'll be waiting,” Twilight said with a smile and wave as her friend departed.

Watching as the pink pony left I asked, “so, she isn't always...” Trailing off I waved my hand in search of the best word to use.

“Pinkie? Well, it varies, but normally she is just well, normal,” the princess shrugged.

“Fair enough,” I ceded, stepping somewhat quickly to open the door. “Ladies first,” I said, motioning for them to lead the way in.

Twilight cocked her head at me and her wings gave a faint flap against her sides before she shrugged and walked in, followed by Rarity, and then myself.

Inside the structure, I was surprised to find what looked like a perfectly ordinary bakery or donut shop, if a confetti factory had exploded within it in such a way that left everything else intact. Streamers, balloons, banners, and all other standard party decorations were strewn about in an 'organized chaos' sort of fashion. A dark yellow pony with an orange mane and tail stood behind the counter, seeming slightly frazzled. “Ah, you must be the man of the hour. I'm Mr. Cake. The missus will be along shortly to make sure that you and the princess have the proper refreshments,” he said.

“Oh, it's no hurry, Mr. Cake. We'll just be waiting until Pinkie returns with the other guests,” said Twilight.

Stepping towards the counter, I observed the nearly barren shelves within. “By the look of things, today's been good for business. I'm Hoyt by the way,” I said, with a wave of my hand in greeting.

“Indeed it has, we'll have a lot more selection in the morning though. Nice to meet you sir,” Mr. Cake replied, stepping back to retrieve a pan from the back of the counter, before placing it on top of the counter with three muffins on it. “Here, on the house while you wait.”

“Oh, thank you kindly,” I said, thanking him with a nod.

As I made my way to a somewhat centrally located table at which Twilight and Rarity had seated themselves, two new ponies came in the door. The first was a full figured blue mare, with a round face, pink trimmed apron, and a mane nearly as curly and pink as Pinkie's. “I got the last of the supplies deary, and Goldengrapes has the wine,” she called to the stallion behind the counter. “Are you sure that we'll need so much?” she asked, gesturing to the second pony, a yellow stallion with spiky blue hair and a barrel on his back.

“You know how Pinkie likes to throw big welcome parties for newcomers. Besides, he looks big enough to handle more than most,” Mr. Cake said, shifting her attention to finally notice me standing a few feet behind her.

During their exchange I had managed to set the muffins on the table, and turn back to introduce myself before she turned to observe where the stallion had indicated. I held my hat off of my head with my left hand, and gave a slight bow with my right hand across my chest. “Nice to meet you ma'am,” I said, giving a warm smile.

She stared at me, wide eyed for a moment, before giving a bow of her head. “I-I'm Mrs. Cake, n-nice to meet you too,” she said nervously. She then trotted toward the counter, and gestured toward a small 'x' shaped rack I had failed to notice before, “You can put the wine here, thanks for carrying it over deary.”

Moving to the rack, the spike-haired stallion said, “Sure thing.” With practiced ease, he stooped low and let the barrel gently set into the frame. Facing the container, he then reared up and grasped it with his forelegs and turned it a little while looking over the far end. Seeming pleased with the positioning he took a small glass, from the counter, in his fetlock and stood behind the cask for a short moment. Standing straight again, he brought the glass up in front of his eyes, a faintly golden liquid within. Giving the glass a swirl and then a sniff, the stallion sipped up the contents and looked to carefully consider the taste before swallowing and nodding approval.

Meanwhile Mr. cake had retrieved a few more small glasses, and taken a sample in the same fashion as Goldengrapes. Nodding approval as well, he smacked his lips slightly before deftly collecting samples in the other three glasses before calling to the table, “Would our guests care to approve tonight's wine?”

As my ears filled with the dual tones of the two unicorns' magic, one glass encased in blue magic floated over alongside two in magenta magic. “Why so formal tonight Mr. Cake?” Twilight asked, as one magenta encased glass came to float in front of her, and the other in front of me.

As I hesitantly considered grabbing the floating shot of wine before me, my ears stayed focused on the conversation. That is, I tried to pick up on the conversation, as I also considered the possible etiquette that may or may not be involved in simply grasping the glass through the magical field, while still trying to wrap my head around the use of magic itself. I stared, transfixed and unsure of how to proceed until the cup finally came to rest on the table and the magic around it dissipated. Finally taking it in my hand, I was about to swirl it until I was stopped by the realization that the room was suddenly filled with laughter. Looking around I saw that Twilight and Rarity had covered their mouths, the Cakes were obviously restraining themselves, and apparently Rainbow Dash had arrived to laugh healthily. Setting down the cup and bringing a palm to my face, I laughed at what I had obviously done, before getting to a question that had formulated at the behavior about the wine, “So, this 'approving the wine' thing... it's a bit unusual to have such ceremony back on earth, this a tradition of sorts?”

“Nice dodge,” Rainbow interjected, giggling when I stuck my tongue out at her.

Giggling a little through her words, Twilight told the prismatic pegasus, “I'll allow it.” Turning to me she continued, “For now. As for your question, I understand it to be a loosely held tradition. Upheld optionally on a basis of personal choice of the proprietor and the vintner, both of whom have opted to observe. The tradition is very old, and from place to place it varies in its etiquette. The most common version known today, which you have just seen, involves the vintner sampling the wine first to testify that it is safe to drink, and of good quality. After the vintner, if applicable, the head of the household, or proprietor of the establishment, then does the same to verify the quality. Then, in the event of a party featuring royalty or 'guests of honor' the opportunity is offered for them to 'approve' the wine as satisfactory to their tastes. Of course, it is typically considered rude to turn down this offer when it is given, though few are inclined to turn it down in the first place.” As she finished explaining, I fought down a chuckle at the way she beamed with pride over her short lecture.

“Well, I am most certainly not one to turn away tradition, or a drink for that matter. Even if it does feel strange to be called a 'guest of honor',” I said, as I eyed the liquid. Giving the glass a swirl and a sniff revealed an unfamiliar smell, somewhat floral, yet perfume-like. “Tell me, what variety of wine is this?” I asked, holding the glass and swirling it as I looked to stallion whom delivered the drink.

Leaning against the barrel and holding his head high, Goldengrapes said with no shortage of pride in his voice, “This would be our very best Moscato, Twilight Vintage.”

The princess groaned and said, “At least it is a good wine, but do you have to call it that?”

“Hehe, the E.V.A. decided four years ago on that,” He chuckled, “White wine made in the year one thousand CR is to be labeled 'Twilight Vintage' in honor of your victory that year, and regarded as a 'princess' category. Princess Celestia herself endorsed the decision.”

“What!? Ooh, am I going to have a talk with her tomorrow,” Twilight said with a near venomous tone. After a few seconds passed in silence she realized that all in the room were locked in focus on her. Suddenly shrinking back from the collective gazes, she gave a weak nervous laugh, “Eheh so, Hoyt, what do you think?”

It took me a moment to track how the conversation had arrived at its current location, as Twilight stared at me with pleading eyes. “Well, let's see, I've heard of, but never had this variety before, not that I can recall anyhow. The smell is good, if unfamiliar, now for a taste,” I said, my voice somewhat raised at the start to redirect attention to myself. Smelling deeply of the golden liquid again, I sipped up the sample and swished it around on my tongue. It was like no other wine I'd had before, mildly sweet, vibrantly fruity, and with a tingle that danced playfully across the palette. Setting the glass down, I turned to Goldengrapes and declared, “You sir, are right to be proud, that is a very good wine indeed. Sweeter than I typically prefer, but purely magnificent in flavor and aroma.”

“I must agree that this is a truly wondrous product that you have brought this evening 'Goldy.' but why has it not been available at your stall on market days?” asked Rarity.

“That would be the result of the 'Princess Reserve Preservation Act of nine eighty, five?” 'Goldy' asked in Twilight's direction. Getting an affirmative nod he continued, “Nine eighty five, whereupon the coronation of Princess Cadence made official the 'Mi Amore' vintage of love.”

“So why aren't these vintages at your stall?” Rarity pressed.

“As a result of the PRPA of nine eighty five, no wine of a 'princess' vintage shall be sold to any not in the company of said princess. And yes, I am the only princess yet to get two vintages, excluding the celebratory 'Lunar' vintage which applies only to red wines which overlap my 'early' vintage for the return of Princess Luna, and not my late, or 'magic' vintage which would be last year's vintage for my own coronation.” Taking in a great breath in order to let out an equally great sigh, Twilight then continued, “What this means is that the wine produced during the year of a royal coronation is to be reserved for the enjoyment of said royal. Exceptions are made for wines produced in quantities under forty barrels, and for wineries producing less than two hundred barrels annually. Lastly, this also gets the wineries paid double the market value of the previous year's vintage, to make up for locking away part of their inventory.”

“Um, Twilight? Going to need to go back over that for me later, quite a few questions that I imagine would not be conducive to the desired 'party' atmosphere,” I said to the princess as I heard a few ponies come in the door.

The princess threw me a half shocked look for a moment, “Ah, right, I guess there would be a fair deal of context to be explained.” Turning to look more over my shoulder to the door she called out, “Hey girls!”

I barely managed to turn in time to see the first of many ponies coming in the door. Applejack and Pinkie Pie I recognized in the lead, followed by a myriad of ponies of almost all types and leaving no color unrepresented. Scanning the rapidly formed crowd I noticed that almost all of the ponies were just about the same height, with a monolithic red exception standing possibly as tall as myself. 'Everyone arriving at once? First party I've seen that happen at.'

Trotting up to the table with a tray of drinks balanced on her tail, Pinkie Pie thrust the glasses into the air arcing towards the table, shouting as they flew, “OK everypony, let's get this party started!”

Reflexively I ducked away from the table and the imminent shower of wine and glass that was going to arrive shortly. When all of the glasses landed safely and intact, contents and all, Rainbow, Applejack and Pinkie laughed in concert. “Well, what's got you jumpier 'n a jackrabbit?” asked AJ.

“Beverages engaged in parabolic trajectories, or otherwise flying drinks with a history of targeting me,” I replied. “How did you even do that?” I asked, turning to the giggling pink pony.

Straightening herself, Pinkie stood to answer, “Pbbt, practice silly.”

“Wait, 'history of targeting you?' what does that mean?” asked Twilight, visibly curious.

“Remember what I said earlier about how I learned the finer points of social interaction?” I asked. After a short pause the princess nodded, and I continued, “Human women have a tendency to use a thrown drink to indicate that they refuse a man's advances. Thankfully they trend away from throwing the glass with it, but that is not a hard set rule.”

“So what music do you like?” Pinkie butted in before her friend could ask further about the finer points of human interpersonal interaction.

“What kinds of music do you guys have?”

“All of them, duh,” Pinkie replied.

“Hoyt, maybe the genres of music translate as well, there are sufficient other parallels for it to be plausible,” Twilight stated.

“A very interesting point,” I said to the princess. Turning back to Pinkie, “I like listening to blues, jazz, rock and electronic, among others.”

Smiling wide, Pinkie stood on her hind legs and brought her forehooves to her mouth, shouting, “Vinyl! Spin it!”

'Did she just call the DJ 'Vinyl'? No w-' My thoughts were suddenly interrupted by an intoxicating electronic rhythm that somehow set me to involuntarily bobbing my head.

“Wow, that is awesome!” I said, or tried to say, as my voice was drowned out by the monsoon of sound from the speakers.

“CONVERSATIONAL VOLUME PLEASE.” Every pony that had started to dance froze and the music dropped to a low thrum as the request exploded from Twilight. Seeming satisfied with the new sound level, she said with her voice only slightly raised, “Thank you.”

“And I thought artillery was loud. How did you do that?” I asked as I rubbed at my ears in a vain effort to clear the ringing. “Right, 'magic,' never mind. Anyhow, I have to say that the number of parallels between our worlds is starting to get strange.”

“Maybe, but I would have to say that the opposite is true as well,” the princess replied.

“Hey guys, you two have been talking all day, you're at a 'Welcome to Ponyville' party! Time to get social!” declared Pinkie.

With a roll of my eyes, I ceded, “Alright Pinkie, let's start with the introductions.”

Pinkie clapped (clopped?) her hooves together with a squee. “Well, first there's the cider-bearer Big Macintosh.” Reaching out with her left hoof she brought the red giant I had noticed earlier to her side, looking somewhat confused.

After a brief moment of looking around, Big Macintosh gathered his bearings. Looking me over, he offered a hoof, and with a neutral tone and face his baritone voice was finally revealed, “Nice to meet ya Hoyt.”

'Odd behavior, seems a little forced, tense maybe?' I thought while reaching to shake his hoof. “Likewise Macintosh. Now what's this about cider?” I asked, curious about yet another parallel.

“Equestria's best 'Sweet Apple Acres',” He declared with no shortage of pride.

“It's only the best drink in Ponyville!” Rainbow dash nearly shouted

“Reckon I'll have to try some then. Where would I find it?” I asked the stallion.

“Already at the counter, better hurry if you want any,” Big Macintosh replied, nodding towards the counter.

Observing Mr. Cake rapidly filling mugs from a newfound pair of casks, I stood from the table. “Looks like sound advice you give. Cider for any of you?”

“Yes!” answered Rainbow Dash excitedly.

“Yes, please,” came Twilight and Rarity's replies in unison.

“If you don't mind,” was Fluttershy's timid response.

“Already got my fill,” Applejack said.

“I'll get some later,” Pinkie chirped.

“Five it is then.” Turning to walk to the counter it became apparent that I was landlocked to the table by a pastel sea of ponies milling about. Looking around I noticed that most of them were simply talking in small groups, with a scant few looking my way with mixed expressions. Stepping carefully between a few I started making headway towards the counter, but couldn't get very far, and my 'excuse me's and 'pardon's were going unnoticed over the music and chatter. Hearing a few giggles from the table, I decided to toss the subtlety for the time being, and clapped my hands loudly over my head, getting the attention of all in the room. “Well, that worked better than normal,” I observed before continuing, “Hi everybody, I'm Hoyt, the new guy. Mind letting me through?” I finished, pointing towards the counter.

Suddenly a wide path appeared between myself and the counter. 'Well now, overdid the hell out of that.' “Sorry! Didn't mean to scare anyone, just trying to get some drinks.” My appology seemed to work some, as many of the ponies visibly relaxed, yet left the newfound pathway mostly unobstructed. “Doing alright over here Mr. Cake?” I asked the flustered baker turned barkeep.

“Oh, sure, just a change of pace from what I'm used to,” he replied, chuckling with a hoof to his neck.

“Need me to lend a hand? Er, I mean, help?”

“No no, it's fine, really. You kind of already gave me a moment to catch up anyhow. So what drink were you wanting?” he asked with a raised brow.

“Need five ciders,” I said with a slight grimace and a shrug. “Sorry.”

“Think nothing of it, these parties always come along with extra business in the next day. Means extra bits to keep the foals fed,” Mr. Cake said with a warm smile that showed bags under his eyes.

Taking the mugs, three in my left hand, two in my right, “Well, thanks again Mr. Cake,” I said before turning back towards the table. I felt a sudden draft however as I heard a few gasps and giggles.

Turning my head revealed the source; Rainbow had come over to lift the back of my kilt, revealing to all but the baker, my faded blue boxers. “Aw, come on!”

“Now, what might you be doing that for?” I asked, fighting down more than a little bit of embarrassment.

The blue pegasus did a fine job of blushing regardless of her coloration. She then gave a short, nervous “Eheh,” before flying back to the table which she tried to hide under while still sitting where she had before.

Weaving around the groups of ponies that had reclaimed the swath of floor which they had vacated previously, I came back to the table and six red faces. Twilight and Rarity wore shocked expressions and were glaring at Rainbow, Fluttershy looked embarrassed, Rainbow was embarrassed, Applejack was laughing hysterically at the bold blue pegasus, and Pinkie was just laughing hysterically. Before sitting down again I set the extra mugs of cider in front of the ponies who requested them, except Rainbow's, which went in front of Pinkie.

“But, but...” Rainbow stammered.

“Exactly, my butt, you don't get drinks brought to you for a stunt like that,” I declared, getting a new chorus of laughter from the other five ponies.

After shooting a glare at me, which I grinned at, the prismatic pony grunted defeat. “Ugh, ponyfeathers, gonna get my own drink then, catch you guys in a few.” With that she flew over to mingle with some other ponies waiting in line for cider.

A smooth masculine voice then made itself known, “So you were right after all, Pinkie. I should have guessed a change of attire would alter the course of action, but a bet is a bet.” A brown unicorn with a short dark gray mane and goatee floated a small purse onto Pinkie's waiting hoof. I couldn't help but notice that the tone of his magic sounded strange.

“Thank you for the business Professor!” Pinkie chirped, tossing the small bag over her shoulder, presumably into her mane. “Uh oh, table four is out of pastries, gotta go!”

”Pinkie Pie!” Twilight shouted at her retreating friend.

With a laugh at the brief exchange I turned to the newly arrived stallion and placed the large hat on the table, “Wish I'd known there was a pool going. So 'Professor' eh?”

“Call me Professor Q. Um, I don't,” he replied pointing a tentative hoof at my offered hand. “Unhygienic, nothing personal.”

“Fair enough, but what was the bet?” I asked.

“Ongoing,” he said, and walked away into the crowd.

“Odd fellow,” I noted turning back to the table. “Where did Rarity and Fluttershy go?”

“To talk with the spa twins. Apparently those two don't get enough talking done with them already,” Applejack shrugged. “I'm gonna go find RD.”

Finding myself alone with the princess, I waited in silence for a prime opportunity. The wait wasn't long, as Twilight soon lifted the glass to her mouth. “Guess that makes me the first among my friends to almost moon royalty.”

My experience with the wine at lunch hadn't made a mess of more than my mustache, which caught most of it. The princess did not have this advantage, and sprayed a fair portion of the table with Equestria's best apple cider. I would also hazard a guess that the angle of pony nostrils was a contributing factor in the distribution of the beverage spray.

As I focused on trying to breath past my laughter, which came out as soundless gasps for air, Mrs. Cake came to investigate, looking quite worried. Before she could inquire about the situation though, Twilight spoke, “Napkin please.” Her voice was somewhat urgent, and very nasally, which only made me laugh harder.

Mrs. Cake returned quickly with a generous pile of paper napkins, which Twilight quickly took in her magic. One napkin went to her face as she blew her nose, five went to wiping the mess from the table, and several others form small paper balls which she then used to pelt me.

After a minute or so the princess had recovered her composure, and stopped pelting me to instead glare daggers at me. “Guh, now I'll be lucky to smell anything but apples for a week! At least that wine wasn't carbonated, you know.”

Having finally calmed from my laughter, I thought it prudent to apologize, “I'm sorry, but the opportunity was there, and at least the cider doesn't have the same level of alcohol.” Then I saw Pinkie handing a small pouch to the brown stallion from earlier, who now wore a wide grin. Noting this I looked around to find at least three other tables had similar pouches being passed across. “Looks like Rainbow's stunt wasn't the only wager of the night. Guess word got around about the incident at lunch.”

Before Twilight could get up to have what would likely be a stern talk with her pink friend, two new ponies came to sit across the table from us, a white unicorn mare with a flowing mane striped with yellow, blue and burgundy, and a light blue unicorn mare with an amethyst blue mane. As they put two mugs on the table with golden and deep blue magic, respectively, the white one spoke, “Hi, your friend Pinkie Pie said we should introduce ourselves. I'm Sunny Smiles, and this is my friend, Moon Shine.” Sunny had a sweet smile, and a voice that was equally charming.

Moon Shine seemed to snap out of a distant thought, quickly glancing about from something off to the side of Twilight then to the table, the hat, myself, the princess, and resting back on me. “Ah, sorry about that, um,” the blue mare said, before turning to the princess. “Eheh, right, I'm Moon Shine. Honored to meet you Princess Twilight, and whom would your friend be?” she asked, getting a raised eyebrow from both Twilight and Sunny.

'I've been there before, the occursed brainfart resulting in momentary social awkwardness, time to throw a lifeline.' Taking a swig of my cider, I spared only a brief moment to savor its fantastic flavor before setting it on the table with enough force to break the tension, and bring attention to myself. Noting that I had properly gaged the volume needed without scaring a few dozen ponies, I smiled at the newcomers before saying, “Very nice to meet you both, I am Hoyt, from Texas. Let's start with a joke. So two atoms walk into a bar, one turns to the other and says, 'I just lost an electron,' to which the second asks, 'Are you sure?' to which the first replies, 'I'm positive.'” After a moment's hesitation, all three ponies at the table are laughing and commenting on the bargain bin joke I'd thrown at them, and we soon have a warm, lighthearted conversation flowing.

Author's Note

Alright, at long last, here it is, Chapter 6. Terribly sorry for the wait, but getting the party scene started was quite difficult for me. But here it is, underway. Feel free to draw what conclusions you will, but note that I will just be vague and perhaps a smartass in the coments :P

And yet again so many thanks go to Sneaky for making sure this didn't look like a huge pile of shit, especially with this chapter. Seriously, several nights were spent writing a lot of paragraphs, deleting the last few, writing some more, and sending the last bit to Sneaky before re-writing some more and starting again. He has been an enormous help with this, and I would appreciate if you went and checked out his stories, with which I have been helping. Seriously, go spread the love, especially for 'Derpy's Protector' and 'Close Bonds' because those are really good stories.