Digging Days (RGRE)


                                            "Uh, Mrs. Cake? Pinkie is digging a hole outside the shop. Thought you should know."

                                            > Mrs. Cake sighs and shakes her head

                                            > "Poor mare. I remember my digging days, it felt like it would go on forever."

                                            > You raise your eyebrows

                                            "So this is something ponies just...do?"

                                            > The baker nods

                                            > "There comes a time in a mare's life when you feel empty, like a shore without a sea. Digging a hole helps fill the space in your heart, a little bit. And if some handsome stallion happens to climb in..."

                                            > You tilt your head

                                            "I think I get it. So, uh, is there anything we can do for Pinkie? It doesn't sound like a fun time."

                                            > Mrs. Cake grins

                                            > "Nothing I can do, but I think she would love to hear how concerned you are about her."

                                            > You roll your eyes

                                            "Subtle. Still, what kind of friend would I be if I left her alone like this?"

                                            > Mrs. Cake smiles fondly at you

                                            > "You're a good colt, Anon. Never change."


                                            > You stare down into the 6ft deep hole

                                            > Pinkie is swaying, her limp curls of her mane inflating and deflating

                                            > You glance around, but most ponies either ignore it, or send pitying looks at the hole

                                            > You sigh, then sit cross-legged at the edge

                                            "You alright, Ponks?"

                                            > She looks up at you with wide eyes

                                            > "Nonners? I mean, haha, yeah! Just, uh, just wanted to see what the dirt was like, you know, for party planning!"

                                            > You raise your eyebrows

                                            "That's some deep preparations."

                                            > Pinkie Pie giggles, her mane inflating a bit more than usual

                                            > "Yup! You have to plan the hole thing out in advance!"

                                            > You chuckle

                                            "Well, I don't want to dig too deep into your business."

                                            > The party mare wiggles her hoof in a so-so gesture

                                            > "Eeeeeeeeehhh, half points for using "deep" again. Anywhoodles, what brings you to my dig doodles?"

                                            > You scratch your cheek

                                            "Mrs. Cake told me a little about digging days? I don't entirely get it, but I figured you could use some company to keep your mind off things."

                                            > Pinkie beams at you

                                            > "That's super de-duper sweet! And I would know!"

                                            > You grin

                                            "Thanks, Ponks. Hey, I'm going to go get some grub, then I'll be right back."

                                            > Pinkie wiggles happily

                                            > "Good idea! I'll be right here, so come back quick!"

                                            > You can't help but get caught up in her cheerfulness

                                            > You get up with a grunt and start jogging towards the Apple stall

                                            > You're going to need a decent amount of food, and it has to be cheap and able to drop a fair distance, so apples it is

                                            > Even though the mare can eat like Scooby Doo, you suspect she just has a stomach of holding for desserts

                                            > When it comes to healthy foods, she just eats normal amounts

                                            > Baffling

                                            > Of course, after a few headaches, you followed the local wisdom and just stopped trying to figure out Pi-

                                            > You stumble, skipping a bit to stop from falling on your face

                                            > "Look at what you just did, Bloom! You nearly made Anon hurt himself!"

                                            > You turn around to find Applejack glare over the counter of her stall at a pothole

                                            > The pothole replies dejectedly,

                                            > "Ah'm sorry, Anon. Ah didn't mean to do you no harm."

                                            > You look down to find Apple Bloom at the bottom of a two-foot deep hole

                                            "Uh, right. This that digging days thing again?"

                                            > Applejack rolls her eyes

                                            > "No it ain't, she just wanted to get some practice in. An' she'll fill that hole right back in if she knows what's good for her!"

                                            > Apple Bloom clambers out of the hole, scrunching hard

                                            > "Ah know, Ah know! Do you really have to yell at me in front of a stallion?"

                                            > Applejack blinks, then tips her hat to you, her cheeks red with embarrassment

                                            > "Beggin' you're pardon, Anon. Sorry you had to hear all that. Can Ah get you anything?"

                                            > You smile and wave your hand dismissively

                                            "It's fine, I don't mind. I would like two dozen apples, though."

                                            > Applejack's hat rises in surprise

                                            > "That'll be four bits, but uh, Ah can't help but notice you forgot your saddlebags. How about Apple Bloom helps carry 'em to where you going?"

                                            > You pay the mare and eye the pile of apples

                                            "That's not a bad idea. Lemme just..."

                                            > You pull the hem of your shirt up, and scoop about half the apples into the makeshift sling

                                            > Applejack's eyes flicker from the lumpy dip in your shirt to your face

                                            > "Maybe Ah should just carry them all myself? Ah'd hate to stretch out a colt's clothes like that for no good reason."

                                            > You shake your head

                                            "Nah, don't worry about it, you still have a stall to run."

                                            > Then you look down at your t-shirt and shrug

                                            "The damage is done, and Rarity will only try to kill me a little. Ready, Apple Bloom?"

                                            > The filly salutes

                                            > "Yes sir! The cargo is locked and loaded!"

                                            > You nod at her

                                            "Autotrots, roll out!"

                                            > Then you give Applejack a nod and a smile as you set off

                                            "See you around, Applejack."

                                            > She tips her hat

                                            > "Be careful not to fall in some mare's hole, alright?"

                                            > You call out over your shoulder,

                                            "No promises!"

                                            > She just chuckles and waves


                                            > You can't help but watch Apple Bloom waddle along, her saddlebags almost dragging on the ground

                                            "You alright down there?"

                                            > She holds her head high and puffs out her little chest-tuft

                                            > "Ain't no need to worry about me, Ah'm a big, strong mare! 'Sides, Ah carry way more apples at a time back home."

                                            > You adjust your shirt and move one of the apples closer to the middle of the pile

                                            "Really? How many can you handle?"

                                            > Apple Bloom chews on her lip

                                            > "Uh, fourteen, Ah reckon."

                                            > You let out a low whistle

                                            "That's a lot!"

                                            > Apple Bloom beams at you

                                            > "You betcha! Granny says it won't be long before Ah can pull the wagon!"

                                            > You shake your head

                                            > You've tried pulling that wagon, it's pretty heavy

                                            > Then again, Earth Ponies are considerably stronger than they look

                                            "They grow up so fast."

                                            > Apple Bloom nods

                                            > "Granny's been sayin' that too."

                                            > As you approach Pinkie's hole, you realize you don't have anything to put the apples on

                                            > Well, you can just brush off the dirt

                                            "Just set them down by that hole, Apple Bloom."

                                            > She blinks

                                            > "Oh! Okay."

                                            > The filly trots over and peeks over the edge

                                            > "Hi Pinkie Pie!"

                                            > You listen to them exchange pleasantries with half an ear as you set your load of apples down

                                            > Apple Bloom empties her saddlebags with practiced ease, then gives you a salute

                                            > "Payload delivered, Sir!"

                                            > You salute back

                                            "Payload received, private. You are dismissed. And good luck with your practice!"

                                            > Apple Bloom blushes

                                            > "Thanks. Um. I'll leave you two alone now."

                                            > She gallops off, and you just shake your head

                                            > You shrug, then sit down by the hole

                                            "Want an apple, Ponko?"

                                            > She wiggles her haunches

                                            > "You betcha! Fire at will!"

                                            > You toss one down and she leaps to bite it out of the air

                                            > You blink, and the whole thing is gone

                                            > Pinkie spits out some seeds and a stem

                                            > "Mmm, thanks!"

                                            > You honestly can't tell if she's very hungry, or just rather Pinkie

                                            "No problem. Want another?"

                                            > She hums in contemplation

                                            > "Nah, I'm good for now."

                                            > You nod

                                            > ...

                                            > To be honest, you aren't really sure if you should ask about the digging thing, you have no idea how to deal with normal depression, let alone horse depression

                                            > You mean, her hole, is just so big

                                            > You can't believe it's just so round, it's like out there

                                            > You mean geometric, look

                                            > It's just so, deep

                                            > "Sooooooooo..."

                                            > You blink, pulled out of your reverie

                                            "Yes?"

                                            > "Wanna play I Spy?"

                                            > You look down at the cheerful mare, then the hole which cuts off most of her line of sight

                                            "...Sure."

                                            > Pinkie rubs her hooves together in anticipation

                                            > "Okie dokie! I spy, with my all-seeing eye... something brown!"

                                            > Surely it's not the obvious thing

                                            "Is it the shaft of the shovel?"

                                            > She giggles

                                            > "Nope! Guess again!"

                                            > ...

                                            "Is it dirt?"

                                            > She gasps

                                            > "How did you know?"

                                            > You look at her with a deadpan expression

                                            "Psychic powers."

                                            > Her eyes go wide

                                            > "Woooooooow, that's amazing! Okay, your turn!"

                                            > You look around

                                            > It's a fair bet that she knows the shops and landmarks around here

                                            "I spy something white."

                                            > Pinkie sits in lotus position, her forehooves pressed against her temples

                                            > "Clouds?"

                                            "Nope."

                                            > "My teeth?"

                                            "That's a negatory, pink friend."

                                            > "Sugar Cube Corner!"

                                            "Yup. Your turn."

                                            > Her eyes dart around the hole

                                            > "I spy with my third eye... something cute!"

                                            > Your heart sinks

                                            > You just got tricked

                                            > Backstabbed, or quite possibly, bamboozled

                                            > Something Pinkie Pie finds cute? That could be anything!

                                            "The shovel?"

                                            > "Nuh-uh!"

                                            "The clouds?"

                                            > "Youplayit, Pinkie on the bottom, nope on top!"

                                            > You frown

                                            > Pinkie did mention a third eye

                                            "Apple Bloom 5 minutes ago?"

                                            > The party mare giggles

                                            > "No, silly, I can't see her right now."

                                            > Well, that doesn't leave many possibilities

                                            "The dirt again?"

                                            > "That'd be a good fake-out, huh. Too bad that's wrong!"

                                            "The sky?"

                                            > "Nopers Nonners!"

                                            > You sigh

                                            "I give up. What is it?"

                                            > Pinkie grins

                                            > "It's you!"

                                            > You groan

                                            "I totally forgot abo-"

                                            > Hold up

                                            > She's saying you're cute

                                            > You blush, a hand automatically covering your mouth

                                            > "Ehehehe, I spy something pink!"

                                            > The folks at immigration told you about this

                                            > They said the mares are clever and strike without warning

                                            > You should have listened

                                            "Th-that's not fair!"

                                            > "Oho, has somepony finally gotten the better of our favorite janefilly?"

                                            > You look to find Rarity trotting towards you with an amused smile

                                            > Pinkie jumps up above the rim of the hole

                                            > "Hi Rarity!"

                                            > She falls back down, then jumps again

                                            > "Isn't he the cutest?"

                                            > You purse your lips, not sure what kind of face you'll make

                                            "I am not cute."

                                            > Rarity raises an eyebrow, wearing a smug smile

                                            > "Truly? This is news to me, Darling. At any rate, I thought I would drop by when I heard Pinkie was digging, but I see you have the situation well in hoof, or hand as it were."

                                            > Pinkie jumps again

                                            > "Thanks! I-"

                                            > Jump

                                            > "Appreciate it!"

                                            > Rarity seems about to leave, but you speak

                                            "Say, do all ponies have digging days? Unicorns and pegasi too?"

                                            > Rarity flicks her tail

                                            > "We do have something similar. Pegasi build nests out of colorful and shiny things. After Rainbow Dash raided my inspiration room, I just leave a box of scraps and gem shards outside."

                                            > You smile

                                            "That's nice of you. What about unicorns then?"

                                            > She examines her forehoof, her tail swishing back and forth in a way you recognize as embarrassment

                                            > "We, ah, find the highest perch we can and consider our place in the universe."

                                            > Pinkie Pie flops halfway onto the rim of the hole

                                            > "I remember that! You were on top of  Town Hall and were all like, 'Wahahaha! Cower before me, unfabulous mortals!' "

                                            > Rarity blushes

                                            > "Yes, well. I really must get going. It was good to see you, Anon, and I'm glad you're feeling better, Pinkie."

                                            > Pinkie wiggles her forehooves

                                            > "Bye bye, dark mistress of fashion!"

                                            > You pat Rarity's withers

                                            "It's too late for me, flee while you still can."

                                            > She shakes her head

                                            > "If you two had a colt, he would rival Discord for whimsy. Good luck Darlings!"

                                            > Rarity vanishes in a burst of sparkles and high class laughter

                                            > You roll your eyes

                                            "Like she's one to talk about whimsy. Right, Panko Pe?"

                                            > "R-right."

                                            > You look down to see Pinkie blushing like a tomato, slowly sliding back into the hole

                                            > You poke her cheek

                                            "You alright there?"

                                            > She squeaks, flails, then falls down with a thump

                                            "Oh crap!"

                                            > You hurriedly drop down after her

                                            > Pinkie winces, rubbing her flank

                                            > "Good thing I got so much cushion in my tush-in!"

                                            > She laughs a little shakily

                                            > You frown in concern

                                            "Should I go get a doctor or something?"

                                            > She gets to her hooves, wincing

                                            > "Nah, I think my fruity patooty is just bruised. Wanna kiss it better?"

                                            > You roll your eyes

                                            "It certainly sounds like you'll be fine."

                                            > Pinkie grins

                                            > "Worth a try!"

                                            > She almost goes to sit down again, then winces

                                            > You frown, sitting down cross-legged and patting your lap

                                            "Come here, lay down. It's better than the dirt."

                                            > She blushes lightly and trots over

                                            > It takes her a little to get comfortable,    rolling onto her back and wiggling a bit

                                            > The mare is kinda heavy and warm, but it's not so bad

                                            > You automatically start rubbing her belly, and she positively melts

                                            "That better?"

                                            > Penka Po hums in contentment

                                            > "Mmm, yeah, that's the stuff."

                                            > For your part, you still can't get over how soft and smooth their fur is

                                            > You lose track of time, just petting her fur and watching her twitch a leg from time to time

                                            > It's comfortable, in the shade of the hole wall, listening to the murmur of passing ponies going about their day

                                            > Eventually, your arm gets tired, and you just rest your hand on her soft tummy

                                            > "Nonny?"

                                            "Yeah, Pinkie?"

                                            > Her stomach growls

                                            > "I could go for another apple right now."

                                            > You nod seriously, only smiling a little bit

                                            "So I hear. But you'll have to get off my lap if you want me to get you one."

                                            > She pouts

                                            > "But this is a once-in-a-lifetime thing, Nonny! If I leave your lap now, I might never get to get your sweet, sweet belly rubs again!"

                                            > You nod seriously

                                            "That is a pretty difficult problem there, Ponks. What if, now hear me out, we eat some food, then I sit down and you lay in my lap, and belly rubs happen again?"

                                            > She squints at you, rubbing her chin

                                            > "That just might work!"

                                            > You chuckle

                                            "It's crazy, I know. But I think we can pull it off."

                                            > Prencissa Piana rolls onto her hooves, bouncing in place as you get to your feet

                                            > You stare up at the rim of the hole, just high enough that you will have some trouble getting up

                                            "In retrospect, I should have brought a ladder or something."

                                            > Pinkie puffs out her chest tuft

                                            > "We don't need a ladder, you've got me!"

                                            > You blink

                                            "That's true, I'll just-"

                                            > She jumps completely out of the hole,  then turns around and reaches out a foreleg to you

                                            "-grab on, I guess."

                                            > "Yuppers!"

                                            > You reach up and put one hand on the rim, and hold on to her foreleg with the other

                                            "One, two, thr-"

                                            > Pynekey Poi hauls you up with a grunt, and you actually catch some air before you land on your feet

                                            > You shake your head in awe

                                            "Dang, girl. You're freaking strong!"

                                            > She grins

                                            > "You betcha! Ain't no mare like an earth pony party mare!"

                                            > You dust off your pants

                                            "I'll say."

                                            > You bend down, pick up an apple, and dust it off on your shirt

                                            "Thanks, Pinkie."

                                            > You toss it to her

                                            > She snaps it out of the air, caught between her teeth

                                            > "Wou're wewow, wowwy!"

                                            > You chuckle and start cleaning off an apple of your own

                                            > Between the two of you, you manage to finish off about a third of what you bought

                                            > Pinkie licks the apple juice from off her lips

                                            > You crack your neck

                                            "Well, shall we go back down, Pinkie?"

                                            > She tilts her head, tail twitching a little

                                            > "Mmm, I don't think so. I'm not feeling hole-y mole-y anymore."

                                            > You smile

                                            "Glad to hear it. What are you going to do now?"

                                            > She chews on her lip, blushing lightly

                                            > "Well, I might have to do some special preparations, depending."

                                            > You start picking up the apples

                                            "Oh? Depending on what?"

                                            > Pinkie Pie takes a deep breath, then looks you straight in the eye

                                            > "If you would like to go on a date with me."

                                            > You blink in surprise, not even sure what to think

                                            > But you feel a warmth in your chest that tells you all you need to know

                                            "Yeah, Pinkie. I think I would like that."

                                            > Her eyes go wide, and her mane inflates almost to the breaking point

                                            > "R-really?"

                                            > You smile, feeling your face warm up

                                            "Yeah, really. You're a fun mare, and I like hanging out with you."

                                            > Pinkie grins, vibrating in place

                                            > "Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! This is really happening! Okay, well, I gotta get everything ready, so I gotta go and do that and and-"

                                            > You boop her nose

                                            "Just let me know when you're picking me up, okay?"

                                            > She comes to a stop and takes a deep breath

                                            > "Be ready by eight! And bring a rubber chicken!"

                                            > You nod

                                            "Eight, and rubber chicken. Got it."

                                            > She squeals happily and disappears in a puff of smoke

                                            > You shake your head at her antics, a smile stuck on your face

                                            > You turn to look at the hole, but it's mysteriously filled in

                                            > When?

                                            > You had your eyes on her the entire time!

                                            > Maybe she wasn't vibrating, you were only seeing her afterimage?

                                            > ...

                                            > No, no use trying to figure it out

                                            > Anyways, you have a rubber chicken to buy and a date to go on

                                            > You pick up the rest of the apples and set off, a vibrant warmth lingering in your chest long after you get back home