Just Desserts

[In Death Valley...]

"It's always so hot here. As much as I love the cacti here, I feel I need to get out for a while and see the sights. I'll even bring my carry-on cactus with me to show what I love," thought Cactus Cathy before heading out. [In Pudgyville...]

"Any of you know that green pony?" called Mocha.

"Hope she's not like Neat Pea," muttered Eduardo.

"Hello there, I'm Cactus Cathy. I see you're all fat like me. Can I come in?" greeted Cactus Cathy.

"Sure thing," replied Mocha before she and the group rush over.

"You look tired," noted Jasmine.

"I am, I was just in a hot desert where my favorite plant is," explained Cathy.

"We don't have any of those here, deserts or your favorite plant," replied Mocha.

"I have a little one to show you," said Cactus Cathy before getting it out.

"It looks dangerous," stated Truffle.

"Only because that's protection against animals. This is called a cactus and is what I was referring to as my favorite plant. My hometown is a place called Death Valley," added Cactus Cathy.

"Death...Valley? Sounds bad," remarked Ms. Sheila.

"It's just because it's so hot there but I love it," assured Cactus Cathy.

"Why do you like cacti?" asked Jasmine.

"They just grow so tall and large that it's like a giant building in the desert. Plus they don't need much water so they're easy to manage. Oh and they come in all kinds of shapes and sizes," answered Cactus Cathy.

"Well you're at least not prickly like the cactus there," remarked Jasmine.

"I'm more like one of the few non-prickly cacti there is. My sister on the other hand is very much like the real thing, including the prickly part as she has them on her body," continued Cactus Cathy.

"Well then how does she make friends?" asked Truffle.

"The only way she can. She talks to them. Most are naturally afraid of her because of her appearance so she puts things on each needle to help make things easier for everyone," said Cactus Cathy.

"So I guess cacti runs in your family?" asked Mocha.

"You could say that. My sister actually grows them in her garden. I don't have anywhere to grow them myself," nodded Cactus Cathy.

"You can certainly stay here and we can get a house built but please try to keep your cacti restrained to inside, just to be on the safe side. Oh and I'm Eduardo," stated Eduardo.

"Thanks so much, Eduardo. I'll just keep this little one with me. It's already as big as it's going to get and I've put it in a glass case with enough water to go a while," smiled Cactus Cathy before walking away.

"Well isn't she nice?" questioned Galapeño.

"Agreed. Not sure how I feel about cacti since I've never heard or seen them before until now but she said there are some that aren't prickly so they may not be so bad," concluded Mocha.

"I don't think I like them," said Truffle.

"I guess that means none of us are in any hurry to visit her hometown then," giggled Mocha.

"Nope but she seems like a nice pony nonetheless," replied Jasmine.

"I'm kind of intrigued by her interest in them, especially since we don't have any here to learn about," stated Ms. Sheila.

"I don't want to be near them either. It was hard enough for me to get ponies touch me but these, no way," admitted Cheesy Squeezy.

"We hear you, Cheesy but as long as Cactus Cathy is nice, I don't think we'll have to worry about that," assured Mocha. *Cactus Cathy returns*

"Nice town you have here," said Cactus Cathy.

"Thanks. You'll need a place to stay while your house is made. You can stay with me," replied Eduardo.

"You really are a wonderful pony. Thanks so much," responded Cactus Cathy.

"We hope to see your sister sometime," said Mocha.

"I'm sure she'd love to but she's always busy with her garden. Besides, I'm not so sure she'd be taken too well here," replied Cactus Cathy.

"She's sure to add more entertainment around here," thought Jasmine.