>Thunder rumbles across the sky, signaling today's scheduled rainfall.
>With a sigh you pinch the cigarette between your lips and open your umbrella, resting it against your shoulder to guard against the light drizzle.
>Inhaling deeply, you simply watch the rain slowly build to a light trickle.
>Nobody's ever caught in the rain around here, just one of the many 'perks' that come with living in Ponyville.
>Exhaling, the door behind you begins to swing open and you scoot over to the edge of the stair, making way for Rarity's customer.
>"Have a lovely day, sir."
>"You too, Miss Rarity."
>The older stallion dips his head just a little before he opens his parasol and hurries down the steps, ignoring you.
>Rarity smiles after him for a moment before your clear your throat to draw her attention.
"That the last one?"
>"Yes, thankfully, would you like to come inside for some tea before you leave?"
"No, thanks. I'm just gonna finish my smoke and head home for a nap."
>"Okay, but the offer stands in case you change your mind."
"Thanks, I'll think about it."
>You flick some ash and give her a brief smile.
>"You know, I wish you wouldn't smoke those things, darling."
"I know, Rara. I know."
>She smiles at your petname for her and leans into your palm when you reach up for a goodbye ear scratch.
>The latch clicks into place as the door closes and you feel a pang of guilt.
>Inhaling again.
>Thunder rolls through the clouds.
>Exhaling again, the once vibrant atmosphere washed away by the greys and blues of the smoke.
>Lowering your face to your palm, you gently massage your temples with a sigh.
>How long had it been since you last slept?
>"Nonny?"
 
 
>That chipper, youthful tone is unmistakable.
"Hey, Pinkie."
>"Whatcha doin' out here in the rain?"
>Looking up from your cranial massage, you're greeted by a great big Pinkie grin. You also notice her silly little umbrella hat and can't help but smile back.
"Nothing, just having a smoke."
>"I wish you wouldn't do that."
>Her smile doesn't falter but you can see the concern in her eyes.
"I know, I know."
>Another, sharper pang of guilt.
>She just watches you, smiling.
"Did you want to go inside? I think Rarity's making tea."
>"Nope. Just wanted to see you."
"Me? Why?"
>"'Cause you're my friend, silly billy!"
>You suppose that was a dumb question. Pinkie doesn't fault you for it.
"Well I'm not really in the mood to do anything. I promise we'll hang out this weekend."
>"Aw, you don't wanna have fun with your favorite party pony?"
>Her mane deflates a little and her smile has turned to a frown.
>Christ, she can frown just as hard as she smiles.
"It's not that! I just..."
>Trailing off, you struggle to find the words.
>"Hey, it's okay! You don't gotta talk about it if you don't want to."
>She nudges her nose under your cigarette-free hand and flips it up onto her back, leaning into you with another grin.
>"You do gotta come with me, though!"
"No, Pinkie, I really-"
>She ignores your protests as she helps you to your feet, beaming at you the entire time.
>"C'mon! There's a two for one deal down at Sugar Cube Corner!"
>She herds you down the street towards the bakery, continuing to ignore your protests.
>Submitting to your fate, you take one last deep drag of your cigarette before flicking it aside.
>There goes that nap.
 
 
>"- or the banana bread or the muffins or the cake, oh I love the cake! Almost as much as I love the Cakes!"
>She erupts into a giggle fit but quickly recovers and continues to read off every single thing on the menu in rapid succession.
>You don't want to be an asshole, but it's nearly impossible to stay focused on what she's saying.
>" or the strawberry vanilla cupcake or the buttercream carrot cupcake or Pinkie's Super Secret Super Cupcake or the-"
"Woah, woah. What was that last one?"
>"Pinkie's Super Secret Super Cupcake?"
"Yeah, what's that?"
>It's a cupcake! Made by me!"
>She throws her forelegs out in a 'ta-dah!' pose and smiles brightly.
"Yeah, I got that much. What's in it?"
>"Oh, whatever. I just throw in what feels right!"
>That doesn't sound too promising.
"Is it popular?"
>"I love 'em!"
>She seems to beam even brighter at you, leaning in, daring you to do it.
>'Do it'
>'Do it'
"I'll have one of those."
>She flips, literally, confetti and streamers blasting from nowhere in an explosion of color and energy.
>"Two of Pinkie's Super Secret Super Cupcakes comin' right up!"
>With that she zips off to the kitchen, a somewhat startled Mr. Cake being shooed away.
>He looks to you, a knowing smile on his face.
>"Ordered the Super Secret Super Cupcake, eh?"
"Yeah, how is it?"
>"Good luck, you're gonna need it."
>Chuckling, he turns his attention to a customer and  leaves you to contemplate your choice of pastry.
 
 
>Pegasi bustle about in the sky, clearing away the storm as the sun slowly dips below the horizon.
>Pinkie's been at it for a couple of hours now, when you'd asked Mr. Cake how long these cupcakes usually take he'd shrugged.
>"It's different every time, but in my experience it's the quick ones you really gotta worry about."
 
>Thanking him for yet another free refill of soda, you return your attention to the rapidly clearing sky and drum your fingertips on the table.
>You wish you'd just ordered a plain old cupcake, you've got a long work day at Sweet Apple Acres in the morning and need to get as much sleep as you can.
>Not that your insomnia was likely to allow it, but it's nice to hope sometimes.
>Man, she sure is taking her sweet ti-
>"Hey Nonny!"
>The perky, pink party pony's surprise nearly scares you out of your chair.
"Jesus, Pinkie!"
>Giggling, she apologizes and gestures at the tray of brightly colored mini cupcakes with a grin.
>"They're done!"
>Picking one up, you inspect the impossibly vivid pastry. The frosting is a rainbow swirl, the colors so intense that you feel like it might glow in the dark.
"You didn't paint these, did you?"
>"No waysie, crazy daisy! Paint tastes -awful- on cupcakes!"
>Ignoring her implications, you gingerly poke the frosting with your tongue.
>Velvety, sweet, vibrant, creamy. Good lord, this is the best frosting you've ever had!
>Shoving the rest of the treat into your mouth, you moan blissfully through a mouthful of heaven.
>Mr. Cake gives an impressed whistle from behind the counter.
>"That good, eh?"
>Swallowing the first, you shove another into your mouth and nod slowly.
>Pinkie giggles, popping one into her mouth.
>"Nothing beats Pinkie's Super Secret Super Cupcakes!"
>It's impossible to disagree when your mouth is stuffed with what could quite possibly be the most delicious thing on the planet.
 
 
>For the next few minutes the pair of you do little more than stuff your faces with the delightful treats and grin at each other, shamelessly wolfing down the cupcakes.
>Pinkie, sitting on the table now, motions for Mr.Cake to come and try one.
>He hurries right over and snags one for himself, letting out a satisfied sigh as he savors the taste.
>"These must be the best yet, Pinkie!"
>"Ffanks! I wokked eftra hard on 'em!"
>Swallowing the mouthful of confectionery joy, you gasp for air and down the remainder of your soda.
"Seriously, Pinkers; these are amazing."
>She swallows, gasps for air and downs the remainder of her milk.
>"Thanks Nonny! I was hoping you'd like them!"
>Her bubbly demeanor and boundless energy has actually been pretty refreshing.
>"Where are you kids off to next on your little date?"
>Mr. Cake nudges you with his foreleg as he wags his eyebrows.
>You stammer and fumble for words.
>"Yeah, Nonny! Where are we going next, your place?"
>Pinkie flutters her eyelashes at you as she leans in, further embarrassing you.
>Laughing, Mr. Cake gives you a friendly pat on the back.
>"I'm just pulling your leg, Anon, don't get all flustered!"
>Pinkie falls back on the table, caught in another giggle fit.
>Rolling your eyes, you chuckle.
"Real funny, guys."
 
>After helping Mr. Cake and Pinkie close up shop for the night you step outside and light a cigarette, taking a deep breath of the post-rain air.
>God, you love that smell.
>"Want some company on the walk home, Nonny?"
>Pinkie smiles up at you, ignoring your cigarette for the time being.
"Sure."
>With that the two of you set out, walking side by side in comfortable silence.
 
 
>Legs burning with lactic acid, you chase Pinkie, laughing just as hard as she is as she darts out ahead of you.
>Your pants are completely soaked, having been the victim of the first strike in a puddle-splash war.
>"C'mon, Nonny! You'll never catch anypony like that!"
>Breaking into a sprint, you slowly gain on the cotton candy pony.
>"Nana, nana, boo b-WAH!"
>Mid taunt, she glances back to find you hot on her heels.
>Too late though, as you leap forward with all of your might, slamming your feet into the biggest puddle yet and thoroughly soaking the both of you.
>Pinkie loses it, nearly falling into the puddle she's laughing so hard.
>You're right there with her, struggling to catch your breath as you cackle madly.
>"Okay, okay! Truce?
"Truce."
>"Hey, isn't this your house?"
>Wiping tears (or maybe puddle water, you're not sure) from your eyes, you finally manage to get enough oxygen.
"Yeah, we ran all the way here. If I didn't know better I'd swear you were trying to kill me."
>"All according to ze plan!"
>She dons a cartoonishly villainous mustache and wrings her hooves evilly, earning some more laughter from you.
"Wanna come in for a bit? That couch finally got delivered yesterday."
>"Ooh, the custom one from Canterlot?"
"The very same."
>With a squee she bolts up to the door of your humble home and waits there, hooves aflutter, for you to let her in.
>Hurrying after her, you pull out your keys and unlock the door, pushing it open for her and following her inside.
>She immediately leaps onto the massive piece of furniture, bouncing around on the cloud-like cushions with glee.
>"This is the bestest couch I've ever seen!"
>Flopping back into the cushy haven, you let out a contented sigh.
"Me too, Pinkers. Me too."
>Closing your eyes, you very nearly slip into dreamland on the spot, pulling yourself back from the brink when you notice her energetic bouncing cease.
 
 
>Keeping your eyes closed, you listen to the soft clopping of her hooves on the hardwood as she trots over to the back door.
>The curtain gives a whisper as she pushes it aside, gasping when she sees the other gifts that had finally arrived yesterday.
>"Where did all of -those- come from, Nonny?"
"The princesses, same as the couch. They really gave me way too many welcome gifts. I feel kinda weird about it."
>"Can we go out there? Pleasepleasepleasepleaseplea-"
"Okay, okay! Let's go."
>With a groan you peel yourself away from the syrupy, narcotic embrace of sleep and join Pinkie outside.
>The impressive fountain dominates the lawn, several tiers of water cascading down from a sculpture of an earth pony, pegasus and unicorn. A dim light hidden beneath the water gives the bottommost pool a soft green glow.
>Several small statues had been placed in aesthetically pleasing positions around the fountain. A sturdy stone bench squats on the opposite side of the fountain, bookended by small stone pedestals.
>Pinkie stands just outside the door, marveling at the carefully articulated beauty of the entire affair.
>It really was quite nice, you'd be thanking the princesses again in person the next time you had a chance.
>You take a deep, cleansing breath of the cool night air., the sky already deepening to a heavy midnight blue.
>"Nonny... This is amazing!"
"Yeah, kinda makes it tough to barbecue, though."
>She giggles, snorting once and elbowing your thigh.
>"Can... Can we just sit out here a while?"
>She looks up at you with those big, hopeful sapphire eyes, a tentative smile playing across her lips.
"Of course we can."
 
 
>The fireflies had come out eventually, one by one appearing as if from nowhere to blink and dance about the fountain.
>Pinkie leans heavily into your side, your arm and the blanket you're sharing draped around her shoulders.
>You rest your cheek against her poofy mane, eyes fluttering as you fight a losing battle against sleep.
>"Nonny?"
"Yeah, Pinkie?"
>"You're a good friend."
>Grinning, you turn and plant a kiss on the top of her head before returning to your previous position.
"You are too, Pinkie."
>If she's blushing her pink coat hides it well.
>After a long, comfy moment of simply sharing your warmth beneath the night sky and watching the fireflies, you reach into your pocket for a cigarette.
>Raising it to your lips, you feel Pinkie's head turn and look down to see what she's up to.
>She simply stares into your eyes, not frowning, not judging. Just looking.
"Really?"
>No answer.
"Fine, have it your way."
>With a groan you crumple the cigarette and stuff it back into your pocket.
>She gives you a surprisingly demure smile and, reaching up into her mane, produces a hoofful of confetti.
>You raise an eyebrow at the shreds of colorful paper.
>Her smile widens a tiny bit just before she blows the confetti into your face with a mirthful giggle.