“So,” Doug says after the three leave Sugarcube Corner, briefly glancing back at the candy covered confectionary, “is Pinkie Pie always that…”

Both Rarity and Rainbow Dash keep their muzzles shut, adjectives dancing on their tongues.

“...Exuberant?” Doug scratches at his chin.

Rainbow Dash snorts. “Dude, that was her being calm. If she really wanted to mess with you, she’d have shown you where ‘gullible’ is written on the ceiling.”

Doug stares at Rainbow Dash.

She stares back.

“You are the worst,” Doug says as his attention turns back to the road and the dozens of ponies making their way to the town center.

Rainbow Dash smirks. “Now it’s going to bother you. Is there a secret trapdoor entrance to Pinkie Pie’s Party Planning Cave located directly underneath the word ‘gullible’, or is that merely where the switch to the secret trapdoor entrance to Pinkie Pie’s Party Planning Cave hides?”

“If Pinkie Pie lives for anything,” Rarity says knowingly, “then it is to make ponies smile.” Her smirk mirrors Rainbow Dash’s as she looks at Doug from the corner of her eye. “And what better place to accomplish such a goal than a secret party planning cave?”

“I take it back,” Doug says as they arrive at the open area around the town hall. “You both are the worst.” He picks an area where his back is to a wall next to Applejack’s stall, Rarity on one side and Rainbow Dash on the other.

Hundreds of ponies cram into the staging area with more arriving every minute. Pegasi fly above, though most land and mill about with their friends, many visiting the various stalls and grabbing a bite to eat. At the center Mayor Mare is on top of a wooden stage, conversing with her two assistants Amethyst Star and Tall Order.

Quite a few ponies glance in Doug’s direction, and it doesn’t take long for him to sit down, content to rest one hand just behind Rainbow Dash’s wings, the other above Rarity’s tail. The pegasus glances back, raising an eyebrow, but says nothing. Rarity doesn’t shift, even when his hand scratches at her side. A smile creeps over her muzzle, her eye roll suppressed, as he travels to her belly; she even shifts her hind leg to allow him better access to her teats, her chuckle covered by a light cough.

It doesn’t take long for the grounds to fill up; Applejack leaves her stall to sit in front of Doug, her rump on the ground and back arched, her hat not quite blocking his view. The dull roar quickly dies down as Mayor Mare walks forward and clears her throat, and she launches into what sounds like a speech she’s given many times before.

“Good morning, Everypony!” Mayor Mare patiently waits for the return greetings and hoof stomps to die down, her solemn look getting many others to follow suit. “As you all know, this has been another harsh winter, one we have not weathered without loss. We take a moment of silence to remember those who are still with us in our hearts.”

The pink mane with a silver streak drops down, everypony else following suit. Doug’s hand leaves Rainbow Dash as the pegasus takes to the air, his free hand resting comfortingly on Applejack’s back. After a moment Mayor Mare looks up, allowing a smile to break free.

“We also acknowledge those who spend their hours protecting us, watching out for everypony, especially the most vulnerable of us. Your early warnings have saved countless ponies from attack, and life would be much more dangerous without you. Thank you, Fluttershy.”

All heads turn to the south, the yellow pegasus looking ready to bolt if it wasn’t for her chromatic friend next to her, reassuring her and practically waving her hoof for her.

“Oh, um, thank you,” Fluttershy ekes out, barely able to be heard. It helps that nopony is stomping their hooves like earlier. She slowly grows more confident as she speaks, “But I couldn’t do it without my friends, especially Tweety Dee and Tweety Gee. They’re the real heroes; you never know when a timely Tweety will save your life!”

Now the cheers erupt, Mayor Mare even tapping a hoof politely. “And thank you, of course, for coordinating with the Winter Guard and keeping any timber wolves from infiltrating the White Tail Woods. And thank you to everypony who continues to keep Ponyville as safe as can be. Which leads me to my next topic, and I know it will be a controversial one.”

Murmurs erupt in the crowd, many of the ponies glancing back at Doug. Even sitting he’s visible, and he meekly smiles, his hands freezing on his mare’s backs.

Mayor Mare continues, “Princess Celestia has been quite successful at improving relations with Equestria’s neighbors. As such, there will be increased visits from races that we may have never heard from before, much less seen! And many of these creatures come from a much different background than what we are used to.” She pulls out a piece of paper, her eyes narrowing as she reads. “For instance, I am told it is customary for Griffons to challenge those who they disagree with to duels.” She glances up at the crowd. “Please, for your sake and theirs, do not accept. They may belittle you, and shout in your face, but this is normal for them.”

“What!?” exclaims Fluffy Clouds, and it looks like a lot of the pegasi are in agreement with him. Even Rainbow Dash has a tight smile on her muzzle, slowly nodding. “We’re supposed to just take their insults lying down?”

Next Chapter: Ch. 52 - Breath of the Council Estimated time remaining: 9 Hours, 2 Minutes