Cool air flowed faintly through the streets of Ponyville, the temperature dropping along with the light outside as the hour grew later. By this point, few ponies were out on the streets, and the majority of those were heading in their own little groups towards the same destination; the Town Hall.
One of these groups was comprised of four ponies, their coats a mixture of orange, pink, purple and white, identifiable to anyone who knew ponykind at all as four of the six Elements of Harmony. Each of them had their own, very distinct roles to play in the upcoming celebrations, and though they would have to separate to do their jobs later, at the moment it was nice enough to be around each other while they could.
“-So then I said, ‘why didn’t you order with mayonnaise, then?’ And I guess he didn’t think that they’d go well together, even though mayo looks just like vanilla pudding!”
“Pinkie? When you refer to yourself like that, it makes it difficult to remind myself you’re joking. You... are still joking, aren’t you?”
Their small talk was only brief, though, and broke entirely as they passed through the entrance to Town Hall, immediately after another group of ponies; this one comprised of a mint green unicorn, a blonde and grey pegasus, and two earth pony mares. Of those two, a similar cream-colored coat was shared, as well as the presence of pinkish colors in their manes; the most noticeable distinguishing feature, though by no means the only one, was the blue color that made up the other half of one of their manes.
Courteous smiles and greetings were exchanged between the Elements and the others, known well through the town if not far beyond it; Bon-Bon, Lyra, Derpy and Rose engaged in pleasant conversation about the upcoming anniversary of Ponyville’s founding, until a cleared throat drew each of their attention to the Mayor.
“Welcome. You’re right on time. Now, let’s not waste time on formality; we need this festival to be the best it can be, and that means planning.”
A set of synchronized nods responded, and so the ponies began to divide by their own tasks. Pinkie and Lyra quickly bounced away, officially to discuss the provision of outside existence, though it was anypony’s guess what the two ponies put together would really end up discussing.
Rarity and Rose walked alongside each other towards a larger group of assorted mares and stallions to discuss decoration and aesthetics, and much to Applejack’s surprise, Derpy hovered to a higher floor with Twilight, who she’d known to be part of the subcommittee on overall management.
Apparently, her surprise was evident on her face, as Bon-Bon commented while they made their way off to their own part of the room, “It does seem like a shock to ponies who haven’t gotten to know her well, but Derpy is remarkably intelligent when it comes to matters of theory.”
Applejack blinked once, and blushed. “Was it that obvious, what I was thinkin’?”
Bon-Bon responded easily. “It’s not that, or at least not entirely. It’s a common belief ponies have, so I’ve become used to explaining it. And an understandable belief, as Derpy is so insistent on reminding me.”
Applejack relaxed slightly, and queried, “So she’s smarter than she seems? Why isn’t she trusted with more than she is, then?”
Bon-Bon sighed. “She’s not... great at applying her knowledge practically. A big part of it is her co-ordination, really. Lyra, Rose and I do really appreciate getting her advice, but when it comes to really getting something done, it’s usually us helping her out instead.”
Applejack nodded in understanding. “Ah can’t say Ah know what ya mean entirely, seein’ as Ah haven’t seen it myself. Good ta hear ya support each other.”
Bon-Bon smiled at that. “High praise, coming from ‘the most dependable of ponies’.”
Applejack chuckled. “Ah suppose, if ya say so.” Approaching some of the other caterers who’d gathered around a table, she added, “Well, let’s get ta work. Can’t be called dependable if we don’t do our work, right?”
Bon-Bon nodded in agreement, and the collaboration began. For several minutes, discussion and progress was made about what could be provided, and what should be chosen to fit the occasion.
However, several minutes in, they received visitors in the form of Pinkie and Lyra, who announced their arrival with a declaration of, “Hey, Applejack and Bon-Bon. How ya doin’?”
The fact that the declaration was made suddenly from underneath the table was what shocked almost all the other caterers gathered; it was Applejack and Bon-Bon alone who proved immune to the shock, and who proceeded to look under the table simultaneously.
Bon-Bon asked the duo, “Shouldn’t you two be planning?”
Pinkie shook her head. “Nope, we’re already done. There wasn’t much for us to plan, we both already have things sorted. Lyra was waaay ahead of everypony, getting a couple of Canterlot friends to help her with the music. And I know everything I need to organize and help with, so we’ve both done all we can for now.”
Applejack responded, “So, what’re ya gonna do now you’re work’s done?”
Pinkie placed a foreleg over Lyra, and said, “I was thinking we’d head over to Sugarcube Corner and hang out for a bit. Probably have some cake as well. I didn’t really wanna leave without actually saying goodbye, so...”
Bon-Bon smiled. “So that’s why you were under the table, then? Well, in any case, have fun. And I’ll see you both in town tomorrow.”
Applejack nodded. “Yup. Goodbye, and enjoy yourselves.”
Taking their heads above the table again, Applejack and Bon-Bon were met with surprised stares from the other caterers. One of them asked, “How did you two treat that so... normally?”
Applejack responded first. “Pinkie’s a friend a’mine. When ya know her as well as Ah do, ya don’t so often get surprised at what she does.”
Bon-Bon nodded. “And I know Lyra well. She’s not quite as energetic as Pinkie seems to be, but she has her quirks all the same.”
The shocked stares lingered for a short while, until the ponies snapped out of their state and chose to simply work on their catering plans once more. Applejack thought of something, and whispered to Bon-Bon, “Did Pinkie just say she was takin’ Lyra back to her house? Doesn’t that sound...”
Bon-Bon thought for a minute about this, before she realised the implications. Giggling, she wondered, “Did they mean exactly that, or was it exactly what it sounded like the first time?”
Applejack nodded. “Hard ta tell, ain’t it? Though Ah guess if they were, they’d’ve said so.”
Bon-Bon was silent for several seconds before asking, “What has four wheels and flies?”
Applejack smiled. “Pinkie’s told me this one. A garbage truck?”
Bon-Bon nodded, and the two quietly exchanged jokes throughout the planning session, each doing their best to hide their distraction from the other caterers for as long as they could. Not even noticing as almost the entire table began to notice their whispered comments and quiet laughter.
