> "I'm sorry girls, but I've consulted the rules and there's nothing covering who wins when the ball can't be found."
> Twilight closes the small, well worn rule book and floats it back into her saddlebag.
> "Dang it."
> "Awww, come on!"
> Neither Applejack or Rainbow Dash seem inclined to let the game end unresolved.
> You're all sitting under the tree on the two spread out picnic blankets in the p0nyvilled park.
> The volleyball game is over, much to the relief of all but team captain AJ and team dash captain Rainbow.
> "This is your fault." Dash huffs at the flopped down Spike, folding her forehooves over her chest.
> "But...but... I panicked!" He protests.
> "Aw, leave the little fella alone, Dash. He din't mean ta." AJ pats her hoof on the young dragon's head.
> Rarity, with a pale blue glow enshrouding her horn, floats a glass of juice over to the flustered Spike, who recieves it with the reverence of a knight bestowed the grail.
> "...You are allowed to drink it, darling. There's plenty more." She gives a fond little smile as she glances at the dragon, which widens when he answers back, grinning.
> "Uh? Oh, right. Thanks!" As he looks away, he gently bites his bottom lip with excitement, catches your eyes and gives you a poorly hidden thumbs up.
> You are resting against the bottom of the tree, laid back and just listening, using your ever present cloak as an impromptu pillow.
> Rarity is looking towards you as another glass floats it's way over cradled in blue.
> Is that wine? You reach up and take it anyway.
> Fruitier than you expected, but nice.
> You raise the glass slightly towards her in a salute of thanks, which she acknowledges with a slight inclination of her head before pausing, perturbed by something.
> She gives a disappointed sigh "... I knew you asked for hard wearing, but I couldn't even possibly BEGIN to imagine that you would be so... demanding of that outfit."
"What can I say? It's my favorite. I'd never be seen anywhere without it."
> She seems somewhat mollified by the compliment, but continues "...and why don't you wear the saddle? It really was the centerpiece to the whole ensemble."
> Fluttershy, sitting at the side of the blanket with that rabbit, looks at you with rising eyebrows and murmurs something, before looking down with a blush.
> Oh. The saddle.
 
> One reason you don't wear it is because you discovered it was considered a 'feminine' item these days.
> Another was you started to find it a bit too comfortable.
"Erm...special occasions onl-"
> You start to unthaw the pre prepared excuse, when Dash interrupts "Pfft, saddles are for girls, what'cha make him wear one of them for?"
> "Saddles, Rainbow Dash, are most certainly NOT just for girls. I'll have you know that in Trottingham the trend for saddlewear is making a strong return!" Rarity flicks her precisely groomed mane.
> "...and might I add, after I had the inspiration to use the design on Mr Anonymous here."  She has a proud look one her face, having once again proven herself to be a furlong ahead of Trottingham's fashionistas.
 > "Yeah, but they're all a bunch of froo-froo clothes horses." Dash protests, ready to drag this topic to the floor and make it tap out.
> Dash does seem to get a bit argumentative when she doesn't win, you've noticed.
> "Cake!" Bellows a pouncing Pinkie, lunging slice first towards Rainbow's open, row ready mouth.
> "Pink-mgfffff..mmMMMmm. *chew*" despite the overspill of pink frosting, the cake ambush works.
> It's too good to try and argue through while eating.
> Applejack, sensing the source of her friends belligerence and the opportunity to get a word in leans a hoof on her shoulder "Rematch later pal?"
> "You're onf!" replies the still chewing pegasus.
> Pinkie settles back, near the once again reading Twilight and says "Cake fixes everything. Y'want some?"
"Only if you pass it on a plate."
> She grins and does so as you sit up.
> This is... nice.
> The park, all the other p0nies here enjoying themselves and relaxing.
> All of Twilight's friends sat here doing the same, just being in each others company seems to bring them a sense of completeness.
> To be honest, it's rubbing off on you.
> This is possibly the most relaxed you've felt for a long time.
 
> You can see in the distance two fillies you recognise, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle, are both galloping at high speed from behind a bank of trees.
> In each of their mouths is a rope, played out behind them but taught.
> No sign of Scootaloo.
> The third crusader comes into view.
> She's... not on her scooter.
> Infact, it looks like she's been crucified to a big, orange box kite.
> Her little wings are whirring away with very audible, even at this distance, *pbtpbtpbtpbtp* noise.
> ...it's not really helping.
> The kite is spinning as it bounces along the floor, rotating wildly on it's axis as the two pulling ropes have somehow entwined.
> Thank god she's wearing the helmet.
> "Keep *unf* goin' *krunch* girls, I've al-*smash*-most got it!"
> Sweetie Belle has her eyes closed, wincing at each noise.
> Applebloom is too busy looking back at her bouncing friend.
> Scootaloo is probably too dizzy to see where they're heading.
> Of course, it's straight towards you and by proxie, the picnic.
"Awww. shit."
> The p0nies all turn to look at your subdued outburst "...b-but I put hay in it and everything...aren't you even going to try it first?" asks a shocked Pinkie, still focused on your held but uneaten plate of cake.
> Fluttershy squeaks a warning.
> Even angel stamps his foot before his well developed sense of self preservation has him leaping for the rear leg of the steadily rising Fluttershy.
 
> You point with one your index finger on the hand still holding the wineglass and they turn as one to notice the filly stampede.
> Twilight turns as she stands, wide eyed with shock, trying to process the scene.
> Applejack catches her around the midsection and barrels them both to the side.
> *pbbbbbt* Dash spits out the cake and with a single beat of her wings, is skybound and already passing a bunny cradling Fluttershy.
> "...umn, l-look out." she finally manages to speak.
> Pinkie just sits smiling at you, before leaning in and whispering "This is going to be FUN."
> "Sweetie Belle!" Squeals a panicked Rarity as she rears back forehooves pedaling at the air.
> Spike leaps toward the distressed damsel, grabbing her parasol as he rolls infront of her, and opens it between them and the foodsplosion.
*KARRRASH* *Smash* *Squelch*
> Food, pulped beyond recognition sprays up the parasol like so much sprayed mulch.
> Fragments of cake spin wildly through the air.
> Cutlery, glasses and crockery spiral away from the impact.
> Sweetie Belle is wrapped in one of the blankets, one rear leg still visible pedaling away.
> Applebloom stumbled and skid straight through the middle of the picnic and is now lodged, facefirst, in a triflebowl.
> Scootaloo is hanging from tree suspended by the strings of the shattered orange kite.
> "I-I...I FLEW" is all she can stammer through her wide grin. "Did'ya see me Rainbow Dash?"
> Pinkie is untouched and currently holding and eating your slice of cake. "Mmm. I knew it was'h good'f"
> You are Anonymous.
> You are in the park
> You are wearing a half full picnic basket as a hat.
> It could have been worse.
> Scootaloo falls from the tree, landing on your shoulders and smashing your head clear through the basket bottom.
> That's more like it.