>The sun rose earlier than usual today. >For good reason: today is the summer solstice. >The longest day of the year. >The day when all of Equestria gets to truly enjoy the warmth and comfort that Princess Celestia provides to her faithful subjects. >Her grace is received with gratitude, and that gratitude is expressed by the citizens of Ponyville with a festival that lasts as long as the sun is in the sky. >Treats and candies are whipped up with a summer theme, games are held, and memories are made. >All the pegasi in Ponyville ensure the weather schedule allows for a clear day without a cloud in the sky. >It’s one of the happiest, most highly anticipated days of the year. >Not so much for you. >You’ve never been super sociable, although Pinkie Pie is determined to believe otherwise. >You seldom show up for any of the dozens of birthday parties she constantly invites you to, and she keeps throwing you surprise birthday parties in spite of your repeated, increasingly firm requests that she not. >So then why are you here this time? >What motivated you to crawl out of bed, brush your teeth and your mane, and leave your humble home to join in on the summer festivities? >...It’s the stories you’ve heard. >When you venture into town to go grocery shopping, you often catch funny, nostalgic retellings of moments from events like the summer solstice festival. >Stories about how Fluttershy hit the dunk tank target dead center and spent fifteen minutes apologizing to the pony in the dunk tank, or how Pinkie Pie broke the all-time apple bobbing record that Granny Smith had held for decades. >You’d pretend you didn’t care, but when you’re sitting alone in your home at night, your heart aches, wishing it could have been there to witness those stories be written into the history of Ponyville. >That’s why you’re here. >You want to make memories. >But as you stand just outside the perimeter of the festival grounds, you wonder how exactly it is you go about making these memories. >They’re so spontaneous, it depends on being in the right place at the right time. >This would be so much easier if you had friends… >...But this is a good way to make friends, right? >Everypony’s in a good mood, surely they’d be looking to make a new friend or two. >And worst comes to worst, you can fall back on Pinkie. >Maybe her high-energy everything is just a matter of getting used to her. >Okay, here we go. >Onward towards making friends and memories- >”Excuse me?” >You turn to face the source of the feminine voice to find somepony you’ve never seen before. >She’s a pegasus with a cream colored body, ruby colored eyes, and a mane colored like the sunrise. >”Would you happen to know where Sugarcube Corner’s stand is set up? I’ve been looking forward to their cakes all week!” She asks you. “Uh…” >You glance at the festival grounds, then back at her. “...No, this is actually kind of my… first time coming…” You sheepishly admit. >”Oh, how exciting!” The mystery mare beams. “We can explore this festival together!” >Looks like this ‘making friends’ thing is easier than you thought. “Uh… sure!” You agree. >The mystery mare smiles and claps her forehooves together. >”Oh! Where are my manners? My name is, ah, Sunny Skies! And who might you be, if you don’t mind me asking?” She asks you. >Weird, it kind of seems like she almost forgot what her own name was. >You’re probably reading too much into it, you’ve spilled your fair share of spaghetti when introducing yourself in the past. “Uh, my name’s Anonymous.” You introduce yourself, keeping your spaghetti in your pockets. >”What a lovely name! It’s a pleasure to meet you, Anonymous!” Sunny Skies compliments you. >You gently blush at the compliment, averting your eyes towards the ground. “Y-You too…” >There goes the spaghetti. >Sunny giggles at your response. >”Why, thank you! It’s so nice to see the citizens of Ponyville so welcoming.” >Huh, looks like you didn’t completely ruin the moment. >”But let’s not delay any further, let’s go find those cakes!” >Sunny Skies skips ahead of you, prompting you to hastily make pace with her. >As the two of you walk together, you’re quickly confronted by how big of a deal this festival is. >It looks like the entirety of Ponyville has come out to enjoy the summer solstice festival. >Little fillies and colts run about around your hooves, groups of ponies wait in one of the many lines for the delicious foods that tempt you to join the lines with their enchanting scent, and more than a few ponies looking just as confused as you, trying to find where they’re trying to go. >It’s… overwhelming. >It’s so crowded. >You have to be careful with every step you take. >Everypony’s talking so loudly, you can barely hear yourself think. >You’re constantly bumping into somepony or stumbling over a small rock or somepony’s hoof. >You try peering past them to see if you can find the stand Mr. and Mrs. Cake have set up, but you’re fighting an ocean of ponies. >This isn’t swimming upstream, this is trying to keep your head above the water. >”Anonymous? Are you alright?” You manage to hear Sunny Skies ask you. >You would answer her, but with all the townsfolk all around you make that impossible. >Sunny finds an opening in the crowd and drags you off to the side, in between two meager looking stands. >Finally, you’re able to breathe. “Thanks, Sunny. I guess I’m not as built for crowds as I thought I was.” You admit, your voice tinged with shame. >”That’s alright! Socialization like that can take a lot of getting used to!” Sunny comforts you. “Yeah, no kidding…” >”...Say, perhaps we could meet up with some other friends of yours! I’m sure that finding our way around will be much easier as a larger group!” Sunny tries to suggest. >Other friends. >Ha. >Turns out it’s pretty hard to make new friends without making yourself look like a loser. “Uh… I kinda don’t have… ‘other’ friends…” You admit. >Sunny gasps in shock. >”How could that be? You seem perfectly decent to me!” She asks you, rather intensely. >You shrink back, feeling more embarrassed. “I dunno, I just don’t really get out much!” >”Well, that’s terrible! Everypony deserves friends, Anonymous!” Sunny proclaims. “I know, I know! That’s kinda what I’m out here today!” You say defensively. >Sunny face brightens up. >”That’s delightful to hear! Taking that first step is often the hardest step of all, and I’m very proud of the effort you’ve put in thus far! You’ll have plenty of friends soon enough, I’m positive!” Sunny says, heaping praise onto you. >Geez, this mare sure is intense when it comes to friends. >”And it seems to me, you’ve already made one new friend.” She giggles. >Her smile sure is infectious. >A smile finds its way onto your face as well as you join in on her little giggle. “Hehe, yeah, I guess so.” You admit. >But lingering next to the moment with a bad case of hover-hoof is the fact that you don’t really know anything about her. >You should do something about that. “...Say, what’s your story, Sunny Skies? What brings you all the way to Ponyville?” You ask her. >Her eyes widen a little at your question. >Why, you have trouble deciphering. >”Ah, yes! I’m visiting from Canterlot for the weekend. It’s lovely there, but I often find myself yearning for the quiet, simple life that a small town like Ponyville can offer. Canterlot types can be so… stuffy.” Sunny answers you, with a tone that sounds like she’s admitting a secret. >You don’t know why, anypony in Ponyville would say that Canterlot folk are snobby rich jerks. >”Ponyville just seems so full of… adventure, I suppose!” “Between Nightmare Moon’s show-stopping return and the town being terrorized by a rampaging horde of Pinkie Pie clones, that’s certainly one word you could use.” You dryly remark. >Sunny Skies bursts into a fit of laughter at your response, even needing to take a moment to catch her breath and collect herself. >She laughs more than you’d expect anypony to at a little comment like the one you just made. “Heh, calm down, Sunny, it wasn’t THAT funny.” You say to her with a small giggle. >”Oh, I know, but it’s been far too long since I’ve gotten to enjoy a conversation like this.” She admits with small giggles peppered throughout. >You can’t help but giggle along with her. >It feels really nice to let your guard down like this. >This whole “making friends” thing really is long overdue. >And Sunny’s got such a pretty smile, too… >”Oh, Anonymous! I see Sugarcube Corner’s stand over there! Let’s get going before all the cakes are gone!” Sunny urges you, dragging you along before you can answer. >The prospect of cake motivates her to almost shove through all the ponies in her way as she makes a beeline to the cake stand, with you in tow. >You make for a pretty bumpy tag-along. >While you love yourself a good slice of cake, this Sunny mare goes at it like the slice of cake in her future is the first thing she’s eaten in weeks. >Yet she moves through the crowd with a certain grace. >She doesn’t push through anypony, she effortlessly glides through the spaces in between them like a fish swimming in a pond. >You can’t help but admire it, especially compared to your own attempts to squeeze through the crowd. >But on the other side of the crowd, Sunny found herself separated from the array of cakes that the folks at Sugarcube Corner had prepared by a line of ponies looking to get some of the cake for themselves. >”Oh, darn.” Sunny sulked. “Waiting’s always the worst part.” “Yeah…” >Judging by the line, you’re gonna be waiting a while. “But, you know, we could use the time to get to know each other a little better.” You suggest. >Sunny’s face lights up at the prospect as she turns to you. >”That’s a very good point! Perhaps we could play a game of some kind!” “A game, huh?” You ask her. >”I don’t mean hoofball, we can just ask each other questions!” Sunny clarifies. >It’ll pass the time better than anything you can think of. “Alright then, you start.” >”Hm…” Sunny thinks for a moment. >”Which of the elements of harmony do you believe you best embody?” >That’s certainly not what you were expecting her to ask you. >What kind of answer do you give to something like that? “Uh…” >You scratch your chin with your hoof as you think. >”Anonymous, it’s really not a difficult question. It should be the first thing that comes to your mind!” Sunny giggles. “My mind’s a complex thing! I’m not impulsive like that!” You jokingly defend yourself. >This prompts Sunny to laugh louder. >”It appears to me that your element is laughter!” She deduces. >You wave off her claim with your hoof. “I dunno, compared to Pinkie Pie, I’m hardly fit for an open mic night.” >”Pinkie Pie may bear the element in the defense of Equestria, but the elements of harmony exist within all of us, Anonymous. We all possess the ability to be kind, honest, loyal, generous, and to spread laughter; that’s what makes Equestria such a wonderful land.” She counters your humble assertion. “Doesn’t that make it a little impossible for me to pin myself down to just ONE element? Like I said, I’m complex like that.” You remark, half-sarcastically. >Sunny isn’t deterred. >”It’s a hypothetical question, Anonymous. You could have chosen the element of loyalty for the sake of this matter.” “But that wouldn’t be very HONEST of me, now, would it?” You slyly rebut. >Sunny’s a little caught off guard, but she smiles at you. >”Well played, Anonymous. I believe it’s your turn to ask me a question now.” “Okay, lemme think…” >”You seem to do a lot of thinking.” Sunny notes with a sly grin. >You playfully leer at her, but she speaks up before you can say anything to her. >“And I’m aware of how complex you are.” “Here’s a question for you, straight from my complex brain: between Queen Chrysalis, Discord, Nightmare Moon, and King Sombra, who would you most want to have as a roommate?” >”Oh, that’s easy, Nightmare Moon!” Sunny quickly answers. >You blink. “Darn, I was really hoping that would stump you, at least a little.” You admit, earning another giggle from Sunny. “What makes you so certain that Nightmare Moon would make a good roommate?” >”It’s simple, really. Nightmare Moon rebelled against her sister because she felt as if her efforts to rule over the night went unappreciated. All she truly needed was an ear to listen and a shoulder to cry on.” Sunny answered matter-of-factly. >There’s something else in her voice. >Clarity, understanding. >She’s thought about this before, it sounds like. >Granted, everypony’s thought about Princess Luna’s brief stint as Nightmare Moon. >Her turning a new leaf after threatening to plunge the world into an eternal night affected everypony, after all. >But still… >”I just couldn’t see myself getting along with the others. Queen Chrysalis would be so needy, her and her need to feed on love, to say nothing of that hive of hers. King Sombra is far too self absorbed to do something as low as basic chores, and… I think we needn’t say anything about Discord as a roommate.” Sunny continued. >You chuckle a little. “I dunno, I think Discord could be pretty handy when it comes to getting the dishes clean. He could just snap his fingers and make them all clean.” >”Indeed, he COULD, but the Discord I know would sooner turn your entire house to dirty dishes than do one meager chore of his own volition.” Sunny remarked. >Wait, what? “The Discord YOU know?” You repeat back to her. >Sunny freezes in place. >”Uh… w-what I meant was, uh…” >”Hey, I got a question for you two: do you wanna move up the line?” A stallion behind you and Sunny impatiently asks you. >You glance ahead to find a sizeable gap between you and the ponies standing exchanging their bits for some cake. “Uh, yeah, sorry.” You clumsily apologize as you and Sunny shuffle forward. >This conversation’s gonna be continued later. >If Sunny’s got some kind of history with Discord, she’s a more interesting character than you first pegged her as. >”Thank you for your patronage, enjoy the summer solstice!” Mrs. Cake bids farewell to the couple in front of you, inviting you and Sunny forward. >”Now, what would you two like?” Mr. Cake asks you after placing the bits he received in the register. >Behind the makeshift counter is an array of cakes protected with transparent covers, each a different flavor and each with a different amount left. >”I would like a slice of red velvet, please.” Sunny politely requests, clearly having thought about her answer beforehand. >Maybe that should’ve been a question you discussed together. >”Alright then, now what would you like, sir?” Mr. Cake turns to you as Mrs. Cake retrieves one of the slices of red velvet cake for Sunny. >So many colors, so many flavors. >Darn it, you can never perform well under pressure. >The line behind you gets more annoyed with each passing second, act fast! “I’ll, uh, have what she’s having.” You answer as confidently as you can muster. >”Well, I’m sorry to say, but she got the last slice.” Mr. Cake informs you, motioning to the empty display case. >Of course. >The line behind you gets a little more impatient. “Oh, shoot, uh…” >”Noooooo he didn’t!” A familiar voice interjects. >Pinkie Pie soon reveals herself, carrying a display case holding a freshly baked red velvet cake. >”He got here just in time!” Pinkie beams. >”Ah, well, there we go.” Mr. Cake says before cutting a slice of the cake and presenting it to you. “Thank you, Pinkie.” You say to her, relieved to have been spared any further social tension. >”No problemo, Anonymo!” Pinkie giggles. >”Your total comes to six bits.” Mrs. Cake informs you and Sunny as Pinkie rearranges the cake displays. “I’ve got it right here…” You say to her, reaching into your bag and producing the bits for payment. >”Are you sure, Anonymous? I wouldn’t mind paying.” Sunny tries to offer, but you shake your head. “Nah, it’s fine.” You reply, passing the bits over to Mrs. Cake before Sunny can protest some more. >”Saaaaaay…” Pinkie speaks up again, leering at Sunny. >”Don’t I know you from somewhere?” >Sunny takes a step backward and nervously laughs, avoiding eye contact. >”Well, I can’t imagine so…” Sunny answers. >”Hmmm… I’m sure I’ve seen you before somewhere!” Pinkie insists, leering even closer at Sunny. >A moment of tense silence passes. >”Oh, well! Must be just my imagination!” Pinkie disarms herself, backing off. >Sunny breathes a sigh of relief and takes her slice of cake. >”You two enjoy your sweets!” Pinkie wishes to you and Sunny before she bounces off, presumably to attend to more cake related matters. >”Thank you, we will!” Sunny says to her before she disappears over the hills. >You hastily move out of the way of the ponies behind you with your cake carefully held on the plate given to you. >Sunny walks alongside you, but she’s having a little more trouble balancing the plate with her mouth. >The crowds are still packing the festival. “Maybe we should step out of the way and eat the cake somewhere safer?” You suggest to Sunny after setting your plate of cake aside. >”Yesh, that shounds like a good idea.” Sunny agrees through the plate being held in her mouth. >But when Sunny tries to move through the crowd to join you, she stumbles over a small rock on the ground and falls forward, ending up on the ground with her face smashed into her slice of cake. >A few of the ponies surrounding you two noticed this and laughed amongst themselves at Sunny’s expense. >Sunny looks down at the ground with her face covered in bits of cake, visibly humiliated. >”Forget how to use your hooves, feather-brain?” A snooty unicorn mare mockingly asks her. “Hey, back off.” You immediately say to the unicorn, stepping forward. >It’s difficult to say who was more surprised by this act: her, or you. >You’ve never shown this kind of backbone when it came to standing up for yourself, but your defense of Sunny was so immediate. >”Pfft, what, are you her boyfriend, or something?” She asks you. “Why, you jealous?” You shoot back at her, inviting a few “Ooh”s from the small crowd surrounding the three of you. >The unicorn takes a step back with a sour look on her face. >”You wish, loser.” She retorts right before turning around and marching off before you could subject her to another one of your witty remarks. >The crowd disperses soon after, leaving you alone with Sunny, still on the ground her face still a mess. >Sunny gets back up and cleans the bits of cake off her face, but sadly looks down at the ruined plate that once held the cake she was looking forward to enjoying. >The sight pulls at your heartstrings, enough to make you want to help. “...You can have my cake, if you want.” You offer. >Sunny shakes her head, forcing a weak smile. >”Oh, thank you, but I couldn’t ask you for that…” “Well, good thing you’re not asking.” You remind her with a small smile, pushing your slice of cake towards her. >Sunny remains visibly conflicted. >”But…” “Sunny, I live here. If I want some red velvet cake, I can just go to Sugarcube Corner and get some. This is your vacation from Canterlot, you deserve to enjoy your time here.” You insist. >Sunny looks up at you with a lot of emotion in her eyes before she lets herself look at the slice of cake you offered her. >She gets back onto her hooves and carefully takes the cake, placing it safely beside her. >Sunny looks at you with a wide smile and a faint blush on her cheeks. >”...Thank you, Anonymous.” She softly says to you. “Of course, Sunny. What are friends for, right?” You say to her with a smile. >You ignore the small rumbling in your stomach. >You’ll get something to eat later. >Sunny giggles lightly at your comment, delicately handling the plate with her wings. >She leans down and takes a bite from the cake, invoking a very pleasant reaction from within her. >Sunny’s entire body relaxes as she sighs contentedly, but this tranquility is quickly shown the door when she almost ravenously consumes the rest of the cake. >In the blink of an eye, the disposable plate is completely free of any evidence that a slice of cake ever touched it. >Sunny wipes the remaining crumbs off her face with one of her wings, but she freezes when she makes eye contact with you. >”Eheh, sorry you had to see that…” She awkwardly laughs. “Hey, don’t worry, I’m sure as heck not one to judge.” You assure her with a bit of a laugh. >”I’ve just been missing a cake like this for so long that I…” >Sunny’s smile vanishes from her face, replaced by an exhausted, sad look. >”...I haven’t been fully honest with you, Anonymous. I…” >She sighs. >”...I, too, came here to make friends…” >This admission really catches you off guard. >How could a mare like Sunny have trouble making friends? >She’s more familiar with the elements of harmony than anypony else you know, and she’s been nothing but friendly and outgoing since you met her earlier today. “Really?” You ask her, trying to sum up your thoughts on the matter into one word. >”Canterlot is so… life in Canterlot is a terribly isolating experience.” Sunny admits. >”There’s always an expectation for you to maintain a certain image of yourself at all times. Even in casual situations, like after work, you’re always expected to stay dignified.” >Sunny’s body sinks a little more. >”Lately I’ve just been feeling so alone. Like there was nopony I could truly be myself with. Nopony I could… say any of this to.” She laughs weakly. >”I- I hope I’m not troubling you with any of this-” “No, no, you’re all good!” You’re quick to assure her. >This comforts her a little, though Sunny’s still down in the dumps. “...I hope what just happened with that unicorn didn’t sour you on Ponyville.” >Sunny, again, gives you a sad laugh. >”Don’t worry, it didn’t. To be truthful, I appreciated her openness, in a way. Canterlot citizens would behave the same if they weren’t so worried about their image…” >”Besides, she was just one pony. I’ve already met some wonderful citizens of Ponyville, like Pinkie Pie, Mr. and Mrs. Cake, and you.” Sunny smiles at you more brightly. >You can’t help but smile back at her. “Thank you, Sunny.” You graciously say to her. “And, yeah, I know what you mean. I’ve never liked how when somepony asks you ‘how are you today’, you’re just expected to say ‘I’m good’ or ‘I’m doing well’, you know?” >”Oh, gosh, don’t get me started!” Sunny answers, you having gotten her started. >”There’s nothing I want more than to say ‘My day’s been going horribly because of all these dignitaries I have to meet with, and they’re upset because of a mistake our translator made, and I had to spend the entire evening ensuring that war doesn’t break out because the Saddle Arabians thought we called them dogs, and then I wanted nothing more than to just have a nice slice of cake before bed, but then my sister got to it before me, and…ugh!” >Then Sunny catches herself. >She shakily exhales and laughs. >”...So, in short terms, yes, I know exactly what you mean.” >That’s a lot to take in. >Sunny meets with ponies from the Saddle Arabian government? >On top of having some personal experience dealing with Discord? >...Who is she? >Your thoughts must have been visible, because Sunny’s face turns remorseful. >”I’m sorry, I’m rambling too much, aren’t I?” “No, it’s not that.” You say to her. “You just… surprise me, is all.” >Sunny chuckles knowingly. >”I wish I could just sit here and spill my whole life story to you, but… the nature of my work demands confidentiality, I’m sure you can understand.” “Working with the Saddle Arabian government? I can only imagine…” >Sunny takes a step closer to you. >”But, if you don’t mind, I’d rather not talk about work for now.” >She makes a good point. >If this is her time away from her life in Canterlot, you shouldn’t be bugging her for details about that. “You’re right, I’m sorry.” You apologize. >”It’s alright, Anonymous! No harm has been done, let’s focus on enjoying ourselves here today, okay?” >You nod at her with a smile. “Okay.” >Sunny perks right back up. >”Wonderful! Let’s go exploring!” >With that, Sunny leads you back into the moving mass of ponies in search of something fun for you both to do. >You find it remarkably easier to move through the crowd with Sunny in front of you. >It’s like she’s parting the waters of an ocean to make a path for you. >She moves with such grace and purpose. >Her Canterlot life is good for one thing, it seems. >As you walk alongside her, you see so many things you feel like you’re seeing for the first time. >Who knew Ponyville had so many citizens? >Everypony except you, it seems. >There’s a stand for candy shaped like the sun, a stand selling sun-themed flower arrangements, a little stand for ponies to take photos sticking their heads through a wooden standee. >”You there!” One particularly confident voice calls out. >You and Sunny turn to the source of this voice, finding a stallion standing in front of a stack of cans pointing a cane directly at you. >”You look like a strong, young stallion! Care to give this game a shot? Five bits for three throws! Knock all the cans down and you’ll walk away with any of these fine prizes that you want!” >The stallion motions above him to an array of massive plush animals in a variety of species. >”I’m sure your lady friend here would fall head over hooves for you if you won her one of these!” The stallion egged you on with a sly wink. >”Anonymous, you really don’t need to impress me with any extravagant gifts.” Sunny assures you, but your eyes linger on the prizes on display. >You feel like you really want to win Sunny one of those plushes. >Really give her something she can keep in her fancy home in Canterlot as a souvenir for the good time she had in Ponyville. >Something she can remember you by. “...Alright, I’m game.” You confidently say to the stallion, forking over the bits. >”Excellent!” The stallion beamed, quickly taking the bits and placing three well-worn balls before you and stepping aside to give you a clean shot at the stack of six cans. >It’s like five feet away from you, you’ve got this. >Sunny watches anxiously as the stallion running the game continues to smile encouragingly at you. >You take the first ball in your hoof. >It feels weird in your hoof. >Like it’s heavier on one end than the other. >Whatever, it’s just a ball. >You shut one eye, wind back, and throw the ball. >A clean miss. >”Ooh, tough luck! But you’ve still got two more!” The stallion said in a tone like a game show host’s. >You gulp. >You can’t look bad in front of Sunny, you’ve gotta win this for her. >Ignore that, just throw the ball. >Hit the cans dead center. >You grab another ball. >You close one eye and hold your breath. >You wind back and throw the ball. >The ball only grazes the top can. >”So close! You’ve got one ball left, you better make it count!” The stallion running the game cheekily reminds you. >Sunny watches you even more anxiously. >You can feel your heart rate pick up. >You’ve gotta win this. >You gotta. >For her. >You take the last ball into your hoof. >You inhale, then exhale. >You tune out everything around you. >All that exists is you and the stack of cans. >You hold your breath. >You wind up your throw. >Then you throw the ball. >The ball sails through the air. >The ball hits the stack of cans dead center. >...And the cans don’t budge. “What!?” You exclaim in shock and frustration. >”Tough luck, kid! That truly is a… tragic display. But hey, I bet you loosened them! Another five bits and any one of these wonderful prizes could be yours!” The stallion behind the stallion grins at you. >You now see the venom in his smile. >Those cans have weights in them keeping them from moving. >And the balls you threw were intentionally weighted to make them harder to throw. >You were ripped off. >Your pouch stings at the five bits you wasted on this rigged carnie game. >Worst of all, you made yourself look like a fool in front of Sunny. >Your head sinks and your eyes fall to the ground in front of you, feeling clouds form above you. >”I would like to try.” Sunny firmly stated to the stallion, placing five bits on the counter. >The sight of him gleefully taking her bits makes you angrier at him. >But you’ve made yourself look bad enough already, so you stand by and watch as Sunny steps up to throw the first of the three balls. >There’s a real determination you see in her eyes as she prepares to throw the first ball. >It’s a side of her you haven’t seen before. >She looks like she’s determined to right a great wrong. >”Careful now, young lady, and make sure to-” >The stallion’s smug, sarcastic advice is cut short when Sunny winds up and flings the ball at the stack of cans, making the cans practically explode. >The loud noise draws the attention of the crowd around you, who silently watch as Sunny breathes heavily at the sight of the destroyed cans while the stallion running the game cowers behind the counter. >Of the scrap metal that remained of the cans, sand poured off the table and onto the ground, giving away the secret behind the game. >The stallion running the “game” looked around and nervously laughs as he emerged from underneath the counter. >”Ah... eheh… l-looks like you’ve won one of these fabulous prizes!” He tries to say confidently to Sunny, but he’s visibly intimidated by her surprising strength. >Sunny looks over at the stallion, making the stallion flinch. >”Or, you know, however many you want!” He corrects himself. >Sunny places a hoof to her chin as she carefully looks over each one of the plushies available for her taking. >One of them catches her eye: a massive plush phoenix. >”That one, please!” She says to him. >The stallion running the game notices her choice and shakily gets it down from the display and passes it over to her, but ready to retreat back into cover at the first sign of her personality turning again. >Sunny gratefully takes hold of the phoenix plush that’s almost as big as she is, then she turns to you with a wide smile. >You’re still stunned from her incredible display of strength, so it takes you a moment to actually say anything to her. “Wow, Sunny, that was… amazing!” >Sunny laughs a little. >”Oh, that? That was nothing, I just can’t stand dishonest business practices.” Sunny waves off your compliment. >You can barely see her behind the massive phoenix plush. >Then, she holds the plush toward you. >Is she…? >You laugh sheepishly and blush a little. “Oh, Sunny, this-” >”Don’t try to reject my generosity, Anonymous! I’m in your debt after you sacrificed your cake for me!” Sunny insists. >There’s a lot of authority in her voice, enough to make your desire to humbly turn down the gift evaporate. >So you open your arms and take hold of the gigantic phoenix plush. >Sunny giggles as you try to keep a good grip on the plush. >”You don’t have to try to impress me, Anonymous. You’ve already won me over with your kindness and your loyalty.” Sunny says to you sweetly. >The way she smiles at you makes your heart flutter. >What a mare… >”So what are you going to name her?” Sunny asks you. >Your attention returns to the massive plush you were just gifted, painful though it is to have Sunny leave your field of vision. >That’s a good question. >You look over the mighty, magnificent plush as potential names fill your mind. >What name could you come up with that could possibly fit such a magnificent creature? “...I dunno, this is a lot of responsibility, it’s all so sudden!” >Sunny lightly giggles. >”A name isn’t something you should wrack your head about, Anonymous. When the time comes, I’m sure you’ll give her the perfect name!” “Hey, what makes you so sure this phoenix is a ‘her’, anyway?” You ask Sunny. >”The length of her tail.” Sunny answers matter-of-factly, pointing to the rather long tail on the plush phoenix. >”Female phoenixes have longer tails than male phoenixes. They use it to attract mates.” >You’re discovering all sorts of things today. “Huh, I had no idea.” >”Perhaps it’s that new slice of insight that will guide you to the perfect name for your new friend!” Sunny beams. “New friend?” You repeat, looking at the plush uncertainly. >”Why, sure! We could all use a friend like that in times of loneliness or despair!” Sunny insisted. “But… but it’s just a plush.” You rebut, trying your best to not sound ungrateful for the imposing gift. >”Ah, but a friend like that can always be there for you, Anonymous! A plush friend is always there to listen, won’t judge you, and is great for hugs!” >It is true, this plush does seem very huggable. >”And there’s nothing wrong with keeping a plush friend beyond your childhood years. It’s important that you never lose the ability to feel young, no matter how life may change you.” She adds. >Better test her hypothesis. >You glance over your shoulders to see if anyone was looking at you and Sunny to make sure the coast is clear. >Then, you wrap both your forelegs around the mighty phoenix plush and give it a great, big hug. >...It feels nice. >Really nice. >It feels as warm as an actual phoenix. >Rather, as warm as you imagine a phoenix to feel. >Phoenixes have feathers and not fur, but this doesn’t stop you from enjoying the comfort it provides. >Your eyes slide shut and you gently smile, indulging yourself in the hug you’re sharing with the plush. >Then your eyes snap open when you realize what you must look like. >From your understanding, mares don’t really like overly-sappy guys. >You blush sheepishly and relax your grip on the toy. “Sorry…” You mutter. >”No, don’t be!” Sunny insists with a smile. “What you just experienced was wonderful to see!” >You gently laugh with a smile to match hers. “Thank you again for this, Sunny. You really are incredible.” You softly say to her. >A blush crosses Sunny’s face as she uses her wing to cover her smile. >Oh, shoot, there goes your spaghetti. “I- I mean, THIS is incredible. You know, the… phoenix plush… yeah…” You clumsily attempt to walk back what you said. >There’s a look that flashes in her eyes that you can’t quite decipher, but she still smiles. >”Ah, yes, of course…” She chuckles, looking down at the ground. >You two stand there, suffocated by the silencing power of awkwardness. >A power you’re far too familiar with. >You better do something. “We could, uh, keep checking out the festival?” You suggest. >”Hm? Oh, yes, splendid idea, Anonymous!” Sunny says, perking back up. >But there’s still something weighing her down… >Hopefully something the fair has to offer can fix that. >And, looking around, you spot just the thing. “Look, the line at Sweet Apple Acres’ stand is shorter now, and it looks like they’ve still got plenty of cider!” You point out to Sunny. >There’s only a few ponies in line for some of the Apple family’s award-winning, all natural apple cider, and Big Macintosh has just lugged over another crate full of the bottled goodness. >”How fortuitous! Good eye, Anonymous!” Sunny congratulates you. >The two of you quickly make your way over to the line, which moves much quicker than the line for Mr. and Mrs. Cake’s baked goods. >Which makes sense, you don’t have to worry about choosing what you want when they’re only selling one thing. >Before you know it, you two are at the front of the line, facing a peppy but faintly tired Applejack behind the register and in front of the crate of cider bottles. >”Howdy there, folks! Say, that’s one heck of a prize ya got there, Anon!” Applejack chuckles as she looks up at the plush you lug around. >You adjust your grip on the thing to better address the farmer mare. “Heh, thanks. Sunny here actually won it for me.” You admit. >”I saw! That was some mighty fine work puttin’ that connivin’ jerk in his place!” Applejack compliments Sunny, who dismisses the praise with a wave of her wing. >”That’s all in the past, we’re presently more interested in your wares.” >”Well, you’re in luck, ‘cause we got a special deal goin’ on just for today: a bit for a bottle!” Applejack greets you and Sunny. >Geez, with a price like that, it’s no wonder they’re selling like Pinkie’s hotcakes. >”That sounds wonderful! We’d like two bottles, please!” Sunny says to Applejack. >”Alrighty then, that’ll be two bits!” Applejack responds, getting two bottles of cider ready. >You instinctively reach for your pouch to pay for the cider. >So does Sunny. >You two meet each other’s eyes, trapped in a well-intentioned stand-off. >With your eyes locked, you share a silent conversation. >You covered the cost of the cake, but she won you the phoenix plush. >You two have each gone the extra mile for each other today, the best thing to do would be to meet in the middle and both pay for your own bottle of cider. >Or each other’s bottle of cider. >It’s the thought that counts. >Both you and Sunny draw a single bit from your satchels and place it on the counter for Applejack. >You two maintain unbreaking eye contact with each other, both of you ready to protest if the other draws out two bits. >”Well, ain’t you two paintin’ a picture.” Applejack remarks as she takes the bits and slides over the two bottles of cider. >”Ah, my apologies, I should have introduced myself. My name is Sunny Skies, and I’ve decided to visit Ponyville for the festivities. Word of your farm’s spread all the way to Canterlot, you know.” Sunny politely introduced herself. >Just then, Applejack leers at Sunny, in much the same way Pinkie did. >”Sunny Skies… have we met before?” Applejack asks her. >Sunny steps back and looks around nervously. >”Uh… no, I don’t believe we have…” >”...Were you ever at the Grand Galloping Gala?” Applejack interrogates her further. >”No!” Sunny answers. >”I- I mean, yes! Yes, I have! You see, that’s where I initially heard of your fine farm, because you and your family had a stand there, too!” Sunny recovers. >Applejack leers at Sunny even more. >”If that’s so, then how come I ain’t remember you actually buyin’ anythin’ from us back then?” >”Uh…” >Sunny takes another step back, more nervously. >”I wanted to purchase one of your apple pies then, truly, but… being a Canterlot native means you often have to prioritize entertaining high-status individuals…” >What in the world is going on with Applejack? >Her and Pinkie, what’s gotten into them? >You step in to save Sunny. “Look, if she promised to get some apple pie the next time she sees you at the gala, would you let her off the hook?” You ask Applejack. >Applejack takes a breath and nods, relaxing herself. >”’Course… sorry ‘bout that, sugarcube. It’s just… you’re so dang familiar…” Applejack said to Sunny over your shoulder. >Sunny gently laughs and shrugs. >”Either way, I’m looking forward to becoming even more familiar, Applejack!” >Both you and Sunny tuck your bottles of cider into your satchels. >”You two enjoy those, now!” Applejack bids you and Sunny farewell as you and her step out of line to make room for those behind you. >”We will! And I promise to purchase from your stand in the future!” Sunny promises Applejack as she makes her way off to the side with you. >Seems like Sunny has one of those familiar faces that everypony seems to recognize without having met her. >Except you, she wasn’t familiar to you. >You two find another secluded spot off to the side of the festival grounds to enjoy your bottles of cider. >Sunny brings her bottle out of her satchel, using her wing to hold it up towards you. >”To making new friends!” She offers as a toast. >Friends. >Something about that word stings. >Of course, she is your friend. >But, looking at her, you have to be honest with yourself. >She’s so pretty. >Her mane flows so beautifully, and her eyes are so hypnotic, and she has the prettiest smile you’ve ever seen. >But that doesn’t compare to her relentlessly positive, upbeat demeanor. >There’s such a beauty to her. >...You like her. >You want to be more than friends with her. >She’s looking at you expectantly, a seed of worry beginning to grow within those incredible eyes of hers. >You don’t want to keep Sunny hanging. >Besides, friendship’s the first step to a strong relationship, right? >You get your bottle of cider out of your bag and and raise it up to meet hers. “To making new friends.” You say back to her. >The two of you clink your bottles together, and take a good gulp of the apple beverage. >It’s so crisp, it really hits the spot. >You close your eyes and you can practically see the apple being bucked from the tree and squeezed into cider by the capable hooves of Big Macintosh. >”Gosh, I’ve missed this.” Sunny sighs, coming up for air after her swig of the cider. >You pause your drinking to give Sunny a suspicious look. “What do you mean? Isn’t this your first time having their cider?” >Sunny’s eyes widen in shock and she almost chokes on the residual cider in her mouth. >”Ah, well, y-you see, that’s because… uh… an associate of mine brought over a bottle after a… uh… business meeting! Yes! So… I just… wanted to see the ‘real deal’, as you might say!” Sunny clumsily explained. >Before you could say anything to her, Sunny points past you. >”Look! Over there! That looks fun!” >You turn around to see what she’s pointing to, to find the wooden standee for photo-ops. >On the wood is an immaculately painted display of two proud and powerful ponies lifting the sun up into the sky with their hooves, with two holes cut where the heads would be. >Rumble and Pipsqueak, two of the local school children, hopped out of the head holes and went off on their merry way, leaving the photo-op vacant for two lucky ponies. >”Come on, let’s try it out!” Sunny commands you, grabbing the hoof you weren’t using to hold your unnamed phoenix plush and dragging you behind her. >Sunny excitedly sticks her head through the head hole on the left, leaving the one on the right open for you. >You get into position, sticking your head through the hole and truly unifying the two forces holding up the illustrated sun. >Sorry phoenix plush, looks like you’re gonna have to sit this one out. >The old stallion stationed behind the camera smiles at you and Sunny as he gets the bulb ready. >”Alright now, big smiles!” He instructs you two. >You and Sunny oblige him, smiling from ear to ear through the dopey display. >”Saaaaay ‘sunny’!” He instructs you further. “Sunnyyyyy!” >”Sunnyyyy!” >The camera bulb flashes, blinding you for a split second. >The light fades, and two black photographs print out from the front of the old stallion’s camera setup. >He waves them a bit, and like magic, the photo appears and the moment of you and Sunny smiling as wide as a rainbow while miming the act of supporting the sun in the sky is immortalized within the frame of the photo. >”That’ll be two bits, now! One for each photo!” The old stallion says to you as you and Sunny step out of the wooden standee. >Acting quickly, you tug along your phoenix plush and retrieve two bits from your satchel, giving them over to the kind old pony. >He fulfills his part of the deal and gives you the two photos. >With the photos in your hoof, you really admire how nicely the moment was immortalized. >Both you and your new friend Sunny, happy as can be, on the longest, most perfect day of the year. >Physical proof of the benefits of going out and being more social. >For once, you actually like how you look in a photo. >But you especially like how Sunny looks. >She’s so happy. >To think, you helped make her that happy. >You were the friend she came to Ponyville looking for. >...Friend… “Thank you, sir.” You say to the old stallion managing the camera. >”You’re most welcome, young feller! Be sure to share with your lady-friend, now!” He chuckles while loading more film into the camera. “Heh, good idea.” You respond, turning around to face Sunny. “Here’s your photo!” You smile at her, giving her the second photo. >”Thank you, Anonymous.” Sunny smiles, but when she looks at the photo, her smile fades. >You see the side of her you last saw when she admitted she didn’t have many friends. >Vulnerability. >Sadness, touching a nerve that runs deep within her. >It’s like this one photo is putting her at risk of having her entire day ruined. >Something about the photo upset her, but what? >It came out looking great. >Should you ask her about it? >You don’t want to pry, if something like this is a big deal. >...You should ask. >It’s not prying to be concerned about a friend. “...Hey, Sunny?” You gently say to her. >Sunny looks back up at you, her eyes barely containing the emotions welling up within her. “It’s okay if you don’t wanna talk about whatever’s bothering you, but I’m here for you if you do.” >A single tear trails down Sunny’s cheek as she smiles at your offer. >She sniffles, and looks around, finding an empty swingset by a playground that’ll give you and her some private space. >”...Let’s talk over there.” She says to you. “Okay, Sunny.” You gently respond. >The two of you (and the phoenix plush) walk over to the swing set and sit down on the old playground equipment. >Sunny gazes down at the ground, but you keep looking at Sunny. >Your heart aches seeing her like this. >You really want to help her, but it’s clear as day that there’s something she’s not telling you. >The festival sounds so far away from you two. >Ponies could still be heard talking and laughing and playing games, but only faintly. >Like they’re a mile away. >This playground, too. >It feels like another world entirely separate from the fun and festivities held by Ponyville. >A world occupied by only you and Sunny. >Surrounded by the faint echoes of normal civilization, alien to the both of you for different reasons. >This train of thought is more dramatic than what usually rolls through your mind, but it’s all you can think about as you and Sunny sit in silence together on the swing set. >The only other thing you notice is the slight groaning of the swings you and Sunny are sitting on. >Each creek tells the story of the years since its construction. >All the happy and sad days they’ve seen. >”...Today’s been wonderful.” Sunny says after a prolonged moment of silence between you two. >Her voice says the opposite. >”I’ve had so much fun with you today, Anonymous. I’ve done so many things for the first time, and so many things that felt like I’ve really done them for the first time.” >Sunny looks down at the ground while speaking to you, sadly rocking in the swing. >”...But…” >That word makes your blood run colder. >But what? >Was it something you did? >Was it the photo? >That was her idea, that can’t be your fault. >Sunny looks back up at you, her eyes glistening gently. >”...But what about after today?” >Your expression shifts to a more confused one. “What do you mean? What about after today?” You ask her. >Sunny sighs and returns her gaze to the ground. >”I can’t stay in Ponyville, I have to return to Canterlot in the morning. I was barely able to escape my responsibilities for one day, and even then I had to promise my sister a lot of favors.” “Wait, one day? Out of the entire year?” You ask her in disbelief. >Sunny sadly nods. “No holidays or anything?” >”I’m afraid not.” Sunny sadly answers. >Geez. >Better stop prodding this sore spot, then. >”I came to Ponyville just… seeking respite from my work, hoping to find some relaxation and merriment away from Canterlot and everything that place brings with it. Perhaps even make some new friends, too.” >Sunny looks back at you. >”...But… having found somepony like you, getting to know you better, having so much fun together… it made me realize that saying goodbye is going to be harder than I thought it would be.” >She looks down at her copy of the photo as her eyes glisten subtly more. >”I don’t know when I’m going to be able to return to Ponyville like this. I don’t know if… you’ll see me the same when I’m able to return…” “Sunny, that’s-” >”And… and I don’t know if…” >Sunny takes a deep breath to try to calm her nerves. >But her lips tremble in spite of her attempts to calm herself. >A single tear drips from her eye. >”...I’m afraid that you won’t be here when I return.” >What? >What could she be talking about? >You weakly chuckle, trying to lighten the mood a bit. “Believe me, Sunny. I’m not going anywhere.” You try to assure her. >She isn’t comforted by your assertion. >She just looks down at the photo in her hoof. >”It may be easy to make such a claim, to claim control over your destiny, but there are forces greater than you or I, greater than any of us that could intervene and guide our lives onto drastically different paths.” >”Ponyville could be attacked by Lord Tirek again, and I may only have this photo as proof outside of my memories that we shared our time here together…” “Sunny, Tirek’s not gonna come back and destroy us all.” You try to convince her, but this earns you little ground in this ideological battle. >”Perhaps not, but the matter at hand remains unchanged: I don’t know when I’ll be able to return here…” >”...And if I do… I fear that what we have will have withered away…” >Sunny’s on the verge of tears now, you need to intervene. >You turn to face her. >You take a bold leap and take her hooves in yours, drawing her attention away from the dirt and to your eyes. >For a moment, the moment when you two lock eyes, the world freezes. >Everything falls silent. >It’s just you and Sunny. >Don’t think about how perfectly her hooves fit yours. >Help her. “I’ve never met anypony like you, Sunny. I’ve never met anypony as kind or optimistic or… so emblematic of the elements of harmony as you. I don’t care if I have to wait years for you to find time to return to Ponyville, I’ll always be waiting for you. Because you’re worth the wait.” >Sunny sits motionless, staring into your eyes. >The tears that had been welling up in her eyes have frozen in place, as if deciding whether they should fall or not. >She’s even paused her breathing. >...Did you overstep her boundaries? >Maybe she didn’t want to be touched right now. >Is she gonna think…? >...She’d be right. >But would that hurt what you have? >You’re blocked from descending this spiraling train of thought any further when, the next thing you know, Sunny leans forward and hugs you. >She clings onto you so tight, like some greater force is threatening to take you away from her. >Sunny’s buried her face in the crook of your neck. >The occasional tremble tells you that she’s gently crying. >This is so far beyond what you expected to have happen today. >To make such a wonderful friend, and for her to trust you so deeply. >You return the gesture. >Carefully, you wrap your forelegs around her and return the hug. >It’s so nice. >Her body absolutely radiates heavenly warmth. >And her mane smells lovely. >All of this, every bit of her, glows a little brighter with how much she trusts you. >You sort of lose track of time. >You two sit there together, eyes shut, tightly wrapped in each other’s embrace. >The festival might as well have been erased from existence. >You… >You like Sunny. >A lot. >More than you’ve ever liked a mare before. >... >...But she will have to leave tomorrow. >Go back to Canterlot, and not return until who-knows-when. >Your heart stings when this reality really sinks in. >...But you have to be strong. >Listen to your own advice. >If Sunny feels as strong for you as you do for her, your hearts will keep you united across space and time. >If she feels as strong for you. >How can you be sure about this? >You inhale through your nose. >Sunny’s essence blesses your consciousness once again, washing away your concerns. >Blessing you with the feeling that somehow, in some way, everything’s gonna be alright. >And, in some strange way, you get the feeling that Sunny’s getting the same feeling from you. >After however long it’s been since you two started hugging, the two of you pull away from each other at the same time. >It’s only when you blink your eyes that you realize your eyes had been filling with tears as well. >The both of you weakly laugh and wipe away the accumulating wetness in your eyes, feeling liberated by this expression of vulnerability. >”I have to admit something rather embarrassing…” Sunny chuckled, piquing your interest. >She idly kicks the dirt below her before continuing. >”...I’ve never swung on a swing set before.” >Your eyes shoot open in surprise. “Really?” >Sunny giggles softly at your response, but nods. “But… how?” >”My childhood was… rather formal.” She sheepishly explains. >She gently rocks in the swing, giving you an idea. >You get up from the swing. “Well, then, we should do something about that, huh?” >”Hm?” Sunny asks you. >You elaborate by getting behind Sunny, placing your hooves on her back, and gently pushing her forward on the swing. >The swing brings Sunny upward on its arc, bringing the pegasus a little closer to the sky. >”Anon, this is hardly necessary!” Sunny laughs as the swing brings her back toward you. >You catch her with your hooves and gently push her again. “I disagree! Little Miss High Society’s long overdue for some fun like this!” >You push Sunny on the swing again, pushing her slightly higher. >Sunny tries to protest for the sake of her dignity, but her laughs overtake her. >She’s having too much fun on the swing to care about things like dignity. >Sunny comes back down, but you don’t really catch her this time. >You let the swing do its thing and allow the counter force of the swing coming back down bring her up the back. >But looking at her, you can really tell she’s never been on a swing before. >Her hind legs stay locked in front of her through the whole ride up and down, leaning forward and backward as she descends and ascends. >It’s a very endearing sight. “Tuck your legs on the way down! You’ll preserve more momentum that way!” You advise Sunny. >Sunny is quick to adjust to your instruction, and becomes a natural at swinging in no time. >You can’t help but smile at the sight. >She laughs so freely as she swings, with the sun glistening in her mane. >”Join me, Anonymous! A pleasure shared is a pleasure doubled!” Sunny calls out to you. >Who would you be to let your lady friend swing by herself? >You pull back the swing you were sitting on and run forward, hopping on just as it begins its upward movement. >You show off your years of expertise with the swing set as you quickly match Sunny’s pace. >Her joyful laughter infects you, making you laugh with her. >You two make an incredible duet. >Laughing together, swinging together, without a care in the world. >You look over at Sunny at the crest of the swing, and Sunny looks over at you in the same moment. >There’s a sparkle in her eyes that shines brilliantly with her smile. >And a blossoming blush to her cheeks. >Your heart flutters when you see her like this. >And you get the feeling her heart fluttered, too.