“I’m so glad you could all come today. A proper tea party is never complete without friends. Plus, I have four settings and it works out just right. Would you like one lump or two, Scootaloo?”

Wait a sec, I don’t want to fight with you.

“No, silly. I’m talking about the sugar. They go in the tea and you get to choose how sweet you want it. I normally go for two lumps, but today I think I’ll go for three—one for each of you. Give me just a minute and I’ll have everything served up.”

I really like your hair braid. It looks pretty.

“Why thank you, Apple Bloom. I love your bow as well. My mother helps braid it cause I’m not so good at doing it myself. I’m trying to learn, but it’s really hard to manage. I have trouble getting it started and again at the end with the tie. I can never get it tight enough. Does Applejack help you comb your mane, or do you do it yourself?”

She used to, but I learned how to do it myself. If I had Rarity’s help, things might be different.

“I know, right? Rarity is such an amazing sister. Your mane looks absolutely gorgeous, Sweetie Belle. Go figure. I’ve spent a lot of time at the salon, but they can never get the curls to set like yours. Do you use some kind of unicorn magic or is it naturally curly?”

I think it’s natural. But maybe Rarity does use some magic. I could check. Hey! You know what? She might even help with yours if we ask.

“Do you think she would? My birthday party’s tomorrow, and it would be so awesome if your sister could get my bangs to curl like yours. But I thought she only made dresses?”

When it comes to fashion, Rarity does everything. And now that you mention it, did she make that dress you’re wearing?

“This one? Of course she made this one. Who else in town makes dresses like this? It’s got the most amazing ruffle in the back—it shimmers when I swish my tail. You can’t find anything better in Canterlot unless, of course, it’s Rarity’s design. To come anywhere close, you have to go all the way to Manehattan. My mom took me shopping there once, but I still like Rarity’s dresses the best. I can’t wait to show it off at my party tomorrow. You’ll all be coming, won’t you?”

Umm, I’m kind of busy already.
I didn’t know it was your birthday.
Applejack’s making me help her tomorrow after school.

“I understand.”

We’d all love to come, but we didn’t know we were invited. Sorry.

“It’s alright. You don’t have to apologize. There’s always next year. My family will be here, and so will Diamond. There might be a few others, but that’s probably it. We’ll have fun—we always do—just the two of us.”

That doesn’t sound very fun.
When you say ‘fun’, don’t you just mean you’re going to find somepony to pick on?
Why do you even hang out with her? She’s not a very good friend.

“I don’t know. I guess I started hanging out with her because I didn’t want to get teased for wearing glasses. Our parents hang out a lot too, so it’s kind of hard not to. She’s really not that bad. We have a lot of fun together, and it’s not like we spend all our time doing that stuff.

I’m sorry I didn’t get you a gift. I didn’t even know it was your birthday.

“Don’t worry about it. The best gift is having you all here right now. I’ve been wanting to use this tea set for a really long time, and it’s really nice to have friends that I can share it with.”

What about Diamond Tiara?

“Oh… yeah… she doesn’t like tea.”

*knock, knock*

“What are you doing, Silver Spoon? Get out of that silly dress and get moving! The crusaders are trying to get their cutie marks again and I don’t want to miss the chance to point and laugh at them when they fail.”

“Okay, Diamond, but could you wait for me downstairs? I’ll get changed and catch up in just a bit.”

“Fine, but don’t keep me waiting. If we miss the big flop, I’m going to be mad, and it’ll be all your fault.”

I really want to finish having tea with my friends.