don't put my hand next to you

[rewritethis]

[There's really nothing special about the date or anything else today, as far as Ed is concerned - it's just a reasonably sunny afternoon after a spate of showers, which makes it as opportune a time as any to go pick up a few supplies.

And why is he knocking on this door before he heads off to do just that (and it is knocking, not hammering)? Well, it wasn't too far out of the way.

She's probably not even in, right? Probably off with her friends, doing... well, who knows what she might be doing on a day when even a sane person would have a legitimate excuse to randomly break into song, provided they were about five years old? Heh, she's hopeless.]

Comments

[elementofloyalty]

I can't do alchemy.

[She says this as if it's completely obvious.]

Besides, you wouldn't even notice, would you? It barely occurs to you I HAVE a mane!

[rewritethis]

[This sidelong look seems like it's going to last a while.] Why do I need to notice? You're the only one who's talking about it.

[elementofloyalty]

You're the only one here, so who else should I be mentioning this to?

[She laughs, and then, because she can, bolts into the sky to slash back and forth, leaving a rainbow wake as she spins through a few rolls. She's back on the ground with him a moment later.]

Be honest. Is this whole trip a trick to lead me to a surprise party?

[rewritethis]

[Ed freezes. His ponytail does not flare up, but it's clearly trying its best.

After a moment, he realises that's sort of a giveaway, and carries on walking.]

A party? What for?

[It's a bit late for him to be especially convincing, but apart from that, this is what he sounds like when he's putting some effort into his nonplussed act for once.]

[elementofloyalty]

Oh-HO! So it IS! Don't worry, Ed, I'll play the perfectly surprised pegasus. I won't tell anypony I figured you out.

[She winks broadly at him, grinning.]

[rewritethis]

[So his acting isn't quite good enough for a career change. Whatever. He frowns.] Dream on. Do I look like I give a damn about parties? And for what it's worth, I figured you'd already be in one.

[elementofloyalty]

You got to me early. Of course, I'm sure Pinkie Pie has something cooked up, but I also figured you probably wouldn't have anything to do with that.

[The idea of the two of them working together on a surprise party boggled the mind.]

[rewritethis]

[The look on his face at the mention of Pinkie is more succinct an answer than words could possibly be.]

Well, if you think you're gonna miss out on something, you could head back. You just said polish, right?

[elementofloyalty]

[Yep.]

Yeah, for my Blaster Edge. I try to keep it looking in good shape. I like to get it from the junk shop, but if you know a better place?

[rewritethis]

[He shrugs noncommittally.] Wherever. If you wanted to head back now.

[elementofloyalty]

I can run over and get it real quick. And I mean real quick. [She winks at him.]

[rewritethis]

I meant, if you think you'll be missing a party, I can just bring some back. It's not that early.

[One day he is going to beat some subtlety into her with a sledgehammer.]

[elementofloyalty]

Oh! Naw. I'm pretty sure Pinkie Pie will aim for an evening party.

[She's guessing, but Pinkie Pie knows her schedule and that she likes to go out to town (with Ed) and that certain people will probably want to celebrate her birthday in ways other than at her party....]

Besides, I'm still waiting to see what YOU've cooked up!

[rewritethis]

[Sigh.] Would you believe me if I said nothing? [Like a lot of things he says, this is not, strictly speaking, untrue.] I just don't see how a birthday could matter here. Different calendars and all, I bet it's not even the right day.

[elementofloyalty]

So what? Birthdays aren't really about the day you were born. They're a chance for your friends and family to be glad you were born! And for you to be glad you were born so you could have great friends and family. Sure, it makes the most SENSE to celebrate that on your actual BIRTHDAY, but it's all symbolic anyway.

[rewritethis]

[He's about to retort with something along the lines of having plenty of those to look forward to once he gets back to his family, but, unusually enough, swallows it.]

Symbolic or not, if you're waiting for more free stuff, you're going to be disappointed. [Until they're on their way back. That thing probably turned out heavy.]

[elementofloyalty]

[She considers this, contemplates demanding gifts for a moment... then, atypically, has a maturity moment. This has been a fun day, their brief argument aside. She's enjoyed their trip. And he made her a nice brush.]

I'm pretty happy. I've been enjoying myself today. Also that story was pretty cool.

[Surprise?]

[rewritethis]

[Actually, yes. But he immediately picks up the pace, just in case she noticed that too.]

There's plenty more where that one came from. Can you blame me for getting sick of just hearing yours all the time?

[elementofloyalty]

Hey, I haven't heard any tales of YOU defeating a being that wanted to plunge your whole world into eternal night! The awesomeness count is STILL on my side.