Time seemed to stand still, but when it started again, River felt a jolt, her Time-Lord senses telling her that something big had been set in motion. But honestly, she couldn't worry about that, what with the Doctor standing in front of her in a strange new body on a strange new planet in a strange new universe.

He quickly closed the last few feet between them, wrapping his forelegs around her in a type of hug. He pushed his forehead against his own, and stared deep into her eyes. She blinked, suddenly understanding why he had done this in the TARDIS; it was the most intimate they could get in this situation.

"River," he said simply, but she understood. She heard "River, it's good to see you," "River, how are you here?" "River, I have something to tell you," but mostly "River, I love you." She closed her eyes happily, but refused to move away.

"Would someone tell me what in the Sam Hill is happening?" said Applejack, always lacking guile.

The Doctor pulled away awkwardly and River realized that almost all eyes in the entire bakery were on the two of them. She blushed, unsure of how their intimate greeting would be construed among the ponyfolk.

"River is a very good friend of mine from back home," the Doctor explained lamely.

"I'd say you're more than friends," came the soft voice again. River glanced around but no one else, not even the Doctor, seemed to notice.

Pinkie Pie jumped forward. "Well then we're soooo glad that she has someone here she knows! That way you can help her get used to Ponyville and make even more new friends!" A few mutters of approval sounded, and the party seemed to resume.

"Doc, can I talk to you?" asked Twilight, and River was left alone. Ditzy glared at her… or maybe the muffin display beside her. River couldn't… couldn't think. Her rude thoughts were dashed down once again.

"Odd," she muttered, knowing the Doctor would hear her and probably understand. He nodded surreptitiously, eyes still on Twilight, who was talking to him in a low voice.

Suddenly River felt herself being pushed over and toppled headfirst onto the ground. A few ponies stopped and looked, but no one seemed concerned. Jumping up and spinning around furiously, River was met with the sight of another blue pegasus, but unlike Ditzy, this one had a wild, rainbow-colored mane. Her eyes narrowed, too upset to appreciate the fantastic hair.

"I'm so sorry!" the crasher gasped, out of breath. River tried to glare a bit harder, but her eyes seemed to open up more. Maybe this pony didn't mean to hurt her. She seemed alright.

"It's okay," River said before she realized what words were leaving her mouth. What? Normally this type of clumsiness would annoy her to no end.

"Way to go, Rainbow Crash!" Called Applejack, trotting over. "I see ya've met River."

River glanced back at the rainbow pony, who was starting to turn purple in the face. Her first instinct was that she was choking, until she realized that she was blushing. Applejack cantered over and planted a kiss on the pegasus's cheek.

"I'm teasin' sugarcube."

"I know, AJ, I just hate that nickname."

"Sorry, would you prefer me to call you Dashie?" Applejack winked at her friend, who blushed even more. "River, this is my gal Rainbow Dash."

"Pardon?" River sputtered out, slightly stunned by the implications and still recovering from getting knocked to the ground.

"You know, we're together," Rainbow said, stamping the ground proudly. "I know I look way too awesome for her, but—"

"But I'm the only one who can put up with her braggin'" Applejack finished. "Speaking of, we need to talk about the next Iron Pony competition." The two trotted off together, heads bowed close.

After a moment pondering, River shrugged. She was pretty accepting of the fact that there were talking ponies that baked cupcakes and read books. Why not just throw in different sexual orientations along with that?

"It's unusual, isn't it?" came an already recognizable voice beside her. Smiling broadly, River turned to the Doctor.

"Not really, when you look at the big picture." River swished her tail, something she had been dying to try out. "They're ponies. Sentient ponies with a civilization and a culture. Sociological matters are universal."

The Doctor shook his head. "Sometimes I forget you're an archaeologist."

"Sometimes I forget you're an… Oh…" River's mind slipped again. "Shoot."

"Oh, yes, that. Let me explain." An explosion of confetti came from somewhere nearby. "Outside. Let me explain outside."