Romance and the Fate of Equestria

Chapter Sixteen

Twilight burst out of the library. "Snicker-Snack," she said breathlessly. "I don't—I mean—hi!"

Snicker-Snack stepped up and gave her a friendly hug. "Nice to see you again," he said softly.

"What… what brings you to Ponyville?" Twilight asked, still flustered.

"A number of things," Snicker-Snack replied, "which amount to: I came to Ponyville in order to be in Ponyville."

"Ah," Twilight said. "Straight-shooting and informative as always."

Laughter rang out at Twilight's remark. Behind Snicker-Snack was an earth mare with a chocolate-brown coat, yellow eyes, and stringy dirty-blond hair that fell in curtains around her face; beside her, a white-coated pegasus stallion with red eyes and a red-and-black mane styled in a mohawk.

Rainbow started to drift out of the library. "So you're the elusive—"

Twilight's horn lit up; her magic shoved Rainbow back into the library and slammed the door. "So who's that with you?" she asked Snicker-Snack.

"These two?" he replied, nodding to his two companions. "They're my partners and bestest friends. Twilight Sparkle, meet Skippmud and Crazyface. Guys… I've told you all about Twilight."

"Ah," said Skippmud, the mare. "So you're the reason Snick hasn't shut up for a week straight."

"Yeah, he almost drowned you out," said the stallion, shoving the mare playfully. He stepped toward Twilight and took her front hoof between both of his. "Hey, I'm Crazyface. Used to be Crazyface the Clown, but… well, nopony likes clowns."

"Indeed they don't," Snicker-Snack agreed. He affectionately rubbed Crazyface's shoulder. "Crazyface here is one of the more prolific unsung heroes in children's entertainment. Skippmud is his lawyer, and I'm his publicist. We first made a name for ourselves in our native New Clovenshire, in the far southwest… so far west and south that it's barely part of Equestria at all. We originally came to Canterlot chasing a hot new business opportunity."

"I see, a business opportunity," Twilight said, nodding. "You know, it seems like there's a lot of that going around." She leaned in close to Snicker-Snack and whispered, "You have the most amazing talent I've ever heard of and you're a publicist?"

"Oh, don't worry," he whispered back. "I find uses for my gift. Trust me, the mentally afflicted are healed whenever I get the chance."

"Well, good," Twilight said. "So, uh, tell me again why…?"

"Ponyville—well, we hear there's a booming theater circuit here. True?"

"I suppose it's expanding," Twilight said with a shrug.

"I figured Crazyface might finally make it big in Equestria at large if we start here," Snicker-Snack explained.

"So… you're not just here for me?" Twilight said cautiously.

"You? No way. You're a girl. Girls are icky."

Twilight snorted.

"But listen," Snicker-Snack said seriously. "You think you can help us get into plays and things? You must have all the best Ponyville connections."

"Oh… well, I'll see what I can do. I can always make time to help out a friend."

"All right then!" he said, smiling. "We all appreciate that… I appreciate it."

They stood there, smiling at each other, for a few seconds.

"Well, we're off to our new apartment," Snicker-Snack finally said. "See you later."

"See you…" Twilight muttered, as he and his two friends passed by. Twilight noticed the library door cracked open and Rarity and Rainbow's eyes peeking out at her.

"Snicker-Snack, wait," Twilight said, turning to follow him. "Would you like to go out with me?"

He stopped in his tracks, then turned around slowly, grinning. "You know, Twilight, this has been a really good day… but you just made it perfect."

Twilight blinked. "…Was there an answer in that?"

"Yes," Snicker-Snack said. "Your answer is a very surprised, very grateful yes."

She smiled. "Well, now my day is perfect. Meet you tonight? Here?"

"Sounds good," he said, touching his horn to hers briefly. "Looking forward to it, Miss Sparkle."

"I'm glad that you're excited," Twilight said. "Uh… bye."

Snicker-Snack bowed his head, and they parted. Rarity and Rainbow darted away from the door and tried to look casual as Twilight came back in.

"Hey," Rainbow said.

"Hey," Twilight replied. She grinned at them for a few seconds, then jumped in the air and clacked her hooves together. "WHOOOOOOO-HOO!"