It's the Wrought That Counts | By : FairySlayer Category: +M through R > My Little Pony Views: 1630 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0 |
Disclaimer: I do not own the "My Little Pony" franchise or have association whatsoever; I do not make any money for writing this story. Furthermore, if you don't read this only because it's a "My Little Pony" story then you'll make me cry. |
This flashfic was written for the AFFN weekly prompt "Gifts" (given on 12-Dec-2010). More entries can be found in its forum thread, which can be used without registering:
http://www2.adult-fanfiction.org/forum/index.php/topic/18435-week-10-12-12-11/
My Replies to Your Much-Appreciated Reviews will appear here: http://www2.adult-fanfiction.org/forum/index.php/topic/16896-fairy-slayers-replies-to-your-much-appreciated-reviews/
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The abrupt silence pierced Twilight Sparkle like a cold knife had been thrust through her heart. An instant earlier Pinkie Pie's home was filled with even more laughter and cheer than usual, then suddenly nothing. As her five best pony girlfriends traded uncomfortable looks, Twilight knew she'd ruined the Christmas party. Even her faithful helper, the baby dragon Spike, was agape. To the violet unicorn pony, every second that passed was more excruciating than the one before.
Finally the orange and blonde pony Applejack strode over to her and broke the silence, "Hey, ain't no reason to feel bad, sugar. It's just that, well, after working all day there's no time for me to be readin', that's all." The other ponies shrugged and murmured in agreement. Applejack reached out her reassuring hoof towards Twilight's shoulder, but she bucked away and then ran out into the cold night.
It wasn't long before she was huddled under a small bridge, her forelegs covering her teary eyes. Yet hardly a minute passed before Spike's voice broke her sobbing, "Don't take it so hard, Twilight."
She refused to even look at the tiny dragon. "Everyone hated my gifts, and now they hate me too!" she whined.
"That's not true," he soothed, "I love the gemology book you gave me."
Twilight raised her head just enough to peek at him. "But they all gave such wonderful gifts to each other, and me! Everything was great... until they opened my gifts," she sniffled. "And how did you manage to get everyone such nice things too? Especially that first-edition The Age of Equestrian Unreason for me."
"Princess Celestia sometimes gives me jewels for snacks, but I put some aside." Spike hopped down and sat with his back against her. He simply stared up into the star-filled sky while talking, "Look Twilight, I know how hard you tried to pick out books they'd like, and you spent a lot. Heck, I was sure they'd like them too. You didn't do anything wrong."
Twilight laid her chin flat in the dirt. "Then why does it hurt so bad?" she moaned.
Spike abruptly stood and reached his tiny hand out as if he could actually help her up. "Just come back to the party. They all feel terrible, so do it for them. Please?"
"Fine," she huffed while getting up. In lieu of his offered help she swung her tail into his hand so he could hold on while she climbed the riverbank.
After swatting some dirt off her Spike walked backwards, facing her as he tried to make her hurry. His antics didn't help Twilight steel her nerves, no matter how well intentioned. After a moment's concentration her horn glowed softly: With her telekinesis she lifted him up and placed him gently on her back. Then she took her time going back to Pinkie Pie's.
When Twilight got to the front door all she could hear from inside was that same dreadful silence as before. She took a deep breath. With her head hung low and eyes closed, she pushed the door open and went inside. "I'm so sorry, girls. I'm sorry I didn't get you good gifts, and I'm really sorry for making such a foal of myself."
"No, we're the ones who should be sorry," Rarity's dignified voice interrupted. "I really like it!"
Twilight raised her head so fast that she sent Spike tumbling in the air. She was so stunned that she didn't even hear the thud as he hit the floor.
The white unicorn pony was lying prone on the floor with the book Fashion! A Horsetorical Perspective open in front of her. Actually, all of her pony friends were likewise absorbed in the gifts she'd gotten them.
"Yeah, we should have at least looked inside," Rainbow Dash, a sky-blue pegasus with rainbow hair, said without even looking up from Spooky Tales of Spontaneous Meteorology.
Fluttershy murmured, "I really think..." Then the yellow pegasus with pink hair suddenly spoke louder, "I really think this book is going to help me a lot." She smiled shyly. "The title's funny too: Ertive: Assertiveness Without Being an Ass," she giggled.
"An' speakin' of being an ass," Applejack said, "I shouldn't a' said what I did before. Can you ever forgive me?"
Twilight Sparkle smiled and nodded vigorously. "Yes...!"
Pinkie Pie popped to her feet and chattered away, "Oh yes! I really love Best Bashes of the Bronian Empire a lot! Now I have so many more ideas for my next party! It's gonna be so fun I could...!" The other four readers shot her a glare that made the pink and magenta pony stiffen. "Oh, right," she mumbled before dropping back onto her belly and burying her nose in her book.
"Guys..." Twilight whinnied as her eyes welled up.
"Shh." Spike patted her side to get her attention. He put down the book he'd given her and then sat to read her gift to him, Alexandrite to Zinc Ferrite.
Twilight smiled softly. After giving his face a little lick she got down and started reading too.
Pinkie Pie's head shivered as she blinked a few times to uncross her eyes. She whimpered through clenched teeth, just enough for the farm girl pony to hear, "How long do we have to do this for?"
"Quiet," Applejack hushed her. "Gettin' a dragon all fired up like that, even a baby one, ain't never a good thing. And 'member too he's a personal attendant of Princess Celestia," she whispered, "So if he says we gotta pretend to love these here books or else then we better!"
Applejack turned back to Agriculture and Societal Advancement. "And 'sides, this's actually pretty int'restin' after all."
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