Thursday, February 25, 2016
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Today's Horoscope (Virgo): Don't encourage people to do things that might make them uncomfortable.
After School
At Music Club, I ask Trixie for a word in private. We head over into the corner, away from a weird discussion about theremins and musical saws.
"What's up?" Trixie asks.
"I was hoping you'd do me a special favor," I say. I set up my laptop on a desk and load one of the videos I got from Sonata.
Trixie leans in as I turn up the volume. "Is...is that the girl who just started here last month? The one who can't talk?"
"Sonata, yeah. Before the accident, she used to sing with her sisters."
Trixie listens for a minute. "They're not bad," she says. She frowns. "I haven't seen her sisters around school."
"They died in the crash."
"Oh." Trixie winces. "I didn't know."
I take a deep breath. "Listen...next Friday is Sonata's birthday, and we're taking her to Deep Dish. She's been pretty bummed out for a while now..." I pull the flash drive with Sonata's songs out of my pocket. "I was hoping maybe you and your band could...y'know...sing some of her sisters' songs."
Trixie raises an eyebrow. "That isn't much notice," she says.
"I know, and I'm sorry, but..."
Trixie holds out her hand. "You'll owe Trixie one for this," she says.
"What're you guys listening to?" Lyra asks from behind me. She leans in. "Wow, that girl's hair is HUGE!"
Within minutes, most of the club has gathered around to listen. The corner is a bit cramped, so I move the laptop back to the center of the room. I play four of the songs Sonata gave me.
"That's the mute girl?"
"Wow, losing a voice like that must suck..."
"I wish I knew that big-haired girl. She's hot."
And so forth, and so on. All the while, Trixie has a thoughtful look on her face...
I end up giving most of the club copies of Sonata's songs before I leave. I decide to go shopping for Sonata's birthday present before I head back to the dorm.
Evening
Cadance joins us all for dinner. "So, everybody remembers we're going to Sweet Apple Acres this weekend, right?"
"Of course!"
Looking forward to it.
"What's this now?" Luna asks.
"We're spending the weekend on Applejack's family farm," Twilight says.
"I see. That sounds quite interesting." Luna smiles. "Hard work is good for the body and good for the soul, as they say."
"Anyway...I need everybody back at the dorm right after school tomorrow," Cadance says. "Shining Armor's reserved a bigger SUV and a truck. We'll go in two SUVs and haul all our supplies and bags in the truck. Flash, you'll have to drive the rental SUV. Shiny's driving the truck. We're leaving as soon as we get everything loaded so that we can be up with the roosters on Saturday."
"So we're gonna have to miss tennis practice tomorrow," I say. "Coach isn't gonna like that, but..."
"It's cool," Pinkie says. "It's not like me missing one practice is gonna doom the team or anything."
"Yeah, I hate to ask you kids to skip practice, but Sweet Apple Acres is a pretty long drive, and we'll have to unload and get our camp set up before it gets too dark."
"Camp?" Rarity asks, blinking.
"Yyyyeah...there's only like, two guest rooms at AJ's place," Rainbow says. "And trust me, you don't wanna sleep in the barn." She grins. "So I came up with the idea of us setting up a big campsite out by the orchard!"
Applejack chuckles. "Heh, yeah...Ah reckon y'all are gonna have a good time, even if it's still a mite chilly."
I've always wanted to go camping! But I never got a chance because my sisters hated the idea.
"Umm...what are we going to do about all our pets?" Fluttershy asks. "I mean...maybe somebody should stay behind to look after them..."
"Well, Spike's coming with us," Twilight says. "He'll love having fresh air and open spaces to play around in."
Applejack frowns. "He is fixed, ain't he?"
"Of course."
"Good." Applejack lets out a sigh. "Cuz mah Winona don't need t' be havin' puppies right now."
"Well, I'll have Mother come and pick Opalescence up before we leave tomorrow," Rarity says. "The poor dear could use a trip to the groomers anyway. I simply haven't had time lately..."
"That just leaves Gummy, Tank, and Angel," Twilight says.
"Tank's hibernating," Rainbow says with a sigh. "It'll be weeks before he digs himself out of his terrarium."
"I would be more than happy to take Gummy and Angel home with me for the weekend," Luna says. "They hardly seem like they'd be much trouble to look after."
"Oh...well..." Fluttershy sighs. "Alright."
Cadance frowns. "Fluttershy? Is there something wrong?"
"Yeah, Shy...some reason you don't wanna go with us?" Rainbow asks.
Fluttershy flinches. "Well..."
"We're all going," Twilight insists firmly. "Applejack's family needs all the help they can get."
"We got lotsa critters out on th' farm," Applejack says.
Fluttershy ducks her head. "Well...alright."
After dinner, Twilight and Pinkie meet me in my room.
"So," Pinkie says, sitting on the end of my bed, "looks like Fluttershy doesn't wanna be stuck on a farm with the rest of us for the weekend."
I nod. "This weekend, at Sweet Apple Acres, we'll expose her."
"GAH! PHRASING!" Twilight shouts, face red.
I facepalm. "We'll find out for sure if she's Eris," I clarify.
Twilight frowns. "But...what do we do if she is?"
I sigh. "I don't know," I admit. "It's not like we can tie her up or anything. And...if she's the one hacking my horoscope..." I shrug. "We need to know what's going on with her. This may be our best chance."
"Yeah," Twilight agrees.
"Anyway...Pinkie, you asked me to come up with something special for Sonata's birthday. It's taken care of."
"Really? What is it, what is it?" Pinkie asks excitedly.
"You'll see..."
Pinkie pouts. "Hey! No fair keeping surprises from the party planner!"
"I don't wanna jinx it."
"Aww..."
We spend a few more minutes talking about the weekend, then the girls head to their own rooms to sleep. I lie awake for a while, thinking about Sonata, the upcoming trip, and Fluttershy.
