The Shy Driver

The Weather Phenomenon

It all started with one sudden storm just outside Ponyville.

The Princesses were organizing an event for the ponies in faraway places, such as Baltimare, Vanhoover, and Yankistan, to come and meet Equestria's royalty and discuss some political matters. Being a princess herself, Twilight Sparkle had invited her five friends along to the event, even though there wasn't much to do. No parties were to be thrown, although there would be a few games and a couple of competitions to make voting more enjoyable and fun. (That was Luna's idea by the way.)

The afternoon before the day of the event, Twilight Sparkle arranged a brief meeting at SugarCube Corner to discuss about going with her friends.

"It's a formal political event combined with a hint of enjoyable fun activities related to voting," she explained.

"Does it have parties and awesome food?" Pinkie Pie asked excitedly, her legs twitching.

"Haha, sadly no," Twilight Sparkle replied. "There is a dinner, but it's only for the Princesses and the political members who are attending. "But I guarantee that the competition will be fun and enjoyable, with a variety of strategies and procedures, including a flying time attack and..."

"AWESOME!" Rainbow Dash cut in with an eager, joyful expression.

"Uh....ummm..." Fluttershy thought.

"As for you, Fluttershy, the event will take place near a small forest on the edge of Canterlot, so the birds and all the animals will be eager to see what the fuss is all about. I'd bet you will be perfect at the task of keeping them happy and relaxed during this energetic...party." Twilight kinda regretted using that last word, but it kinda was true, as the event's atmosphere as described by Princess Celestia made it sound more like a party.

"I'll attend," Fluttershy said in her usual quiet, shy voice, though a trained ear could detect the happiness and excitement behind it.

"I'll definitely attend!" Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash declared at the same time.

"I'll be sure to come along, even if they ain't got a top-notch apple bucking roll," Applejack huffed with a grin.

"Count me in!" Rarity exclaimed, eager to meet royalties and hopefully make a mark in the higher ranks of Canterlot's society.

"It's settled then," Twilight Sparkle finished, sharing a blueberry pie and a few drinks with her friends, along with a group hoofbump.

________________

The following day everypony finished their work early because they were so excited. Rarity, however, began her preparations as early as the afternoon. Pinkie Pie zipped over to take some time off while a cake was baking in the oven. She knocked repeatedly in a musical fashion.

"Who is it?" Rarity asked, her hooves carefully pushing fabric through the dog-feed of a sewing machine.

"Hi, it's Pinkie Pie," Pinkie Pie replied politely in her usual cheerful voice.

"Come in," Rarity said, not bothering to look up from the fabric she was sewing.

Pinkie Pie pushed the door open and cut straight to the chase. "I just wanted to check in on your progress...why are you making more dresses, Rarity? I thought we already had our own from when we went to the Grand Galloping Gala."

Rarity stopped the sewing machine and sighed. "That was one of the worst nights ever, remember? And many of them were ripped or damaged in one way or another."

"Whoops, totally forgot!" Pinkie Pie immediately replied. "So you're making some new ones for us to wear during the event tonight?"

"Yes indeed, darling," Rarity replied with a wink. "I'll be basing them off the ones we wore to the Grand Galloping Gala, since I know we all liked the 'version two' of those dresses."