"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