Whirligig has known for much of her life that she talked way too much. She couldn't help it - there were just so many thoughts rushing through her mind and so many words to be said! So many questions to be asked, too - the blue pegasus had always been bright and curious about the world, and the ponies around her. And someone a long time ago told her that the only stupid question was the one that went unasked. So Whirligig asked all of them. All at the same time.She was, however, conscious of this flaw of hers, and some days it weighed on her more heavily than others. Today she had mostly not even thought of it, until she was met with a very blank, and somewhat crooked stare from a certain grey mare. Immediately Whirligig noticed, and was self conscious of her mistake. In the awkward silence that followed, she exchanged a slighly nervous glance with a grey unicorn who was standing nearby, munching on bonbons from the cream-coloured pony's cart. [colour=#ffcc00]“My name’s Derpy Hooves! Nice to meet ya’.”[/colour] came the reply of the other pegasus at last. This time, making a conscious effort to slow her speech, Whirligig smiled warmly and replied [colour=#498995]"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Derpy Hooves."[/colour] Hmm. That didn't seem like quite enough words strung together for Whirligig's liking. She tried to think of the most important question of all the questions she'd asked the mare before, thinking maybe that they could have a reasonable and rational conversation if she could just slow it down a little. Beckoning for the violet-maned unicorn - her beautiful badge decorated with her cutie mark read 'Regal Steel' - what a lovely name! It made Whirligig think of finery and fanciful Canterlot living as well as of a durability and courage of a solid metal. Quite a good name, actually - the pegasus rather liked it - now where was she going with this? Oh, yes, she beckoned for Regal Steel to join their conversation, Whirligig started again. [colour=#498995]"So, I've just come from Cloudsdale. Where are you two from?"[/colour] Asking that simple question had been far more difficult than it needed to be. --- [colour=#ff8c00]"Oh hello there Cherry! Nice to see you here too. Yeah, this event is really nice so far. It's amazing how many ponies are here. And thanks for the compliment on the cake. It's just a habit of mine really to bring a cake to a party. Wouldn't want anypony to go hungry you know. So how are things with you?"[/colour] Cherry Berry smiled. Carrot Top was always a voice of reason - a simple easygoing mare who was easy to talk to. [colour=#9B145B]"Eh, not too bad, ya know? I've been working in the garden this weekend and 've had plenty uh jammin' ta do, nothin' too-"[/colour][colour=#8B4513]"Hello there! I'm Louise LaMare and this is my friend Tankena from Stalliongrad! It is a pleasure to meet you both!"[/colour] [colour=#008000]"Da! Great pleasure! Is that carrot cake? That is one of my favorites things to eat"[/colour] Chibsy groaned rather audibly. She had been trying to avoid the loud Stalliongradian mare. Tankena wasn't dancing now, but given time Cherry Berry wasn't sure what she was likely to do given what she'd noticed of the mare's behaviour thus far. Louise LaMare seemed reasonable enough, however, so maybe it wouldn't hurt her to give them a chance. Why had she come to this con if she didn't want to socialize with others?[colour=#9B145B]"Uh, I'm Cherry Berry,"[/colour] she said, then turned to the orange farm pony so that she could introduce herself. --- Trains. You never could trust them silly things. Sometimes they ran right on schedule - other times when they said "delayed by ten minutes", they meant an hour. Or three hours. Or a full day altogether.N'aw, it was never really all that bad. Yeah, the Las Pegasus train was late leaving Las Pegasus, was late arrivin' in Dodge Junction, and as such Miss Jubilee was late to the marecon in Ponyville. Not that Equestria Girls Convention was her typical fare - Cherry Jubilee preferred rodeo competitions and country fairs to conventions where food was provided - generally speakin' they were better for business. It wasn't like she could sell her freshly baked goods here, when the flyer had made it clear that refreshments would be provided. All the same, Cherry Jubilee was in need of a holiday from Dodge Junction - she loved the small western country town, but certain cities contained some services and amenities that her usual rural lifestyle lacked. A weekend of socializin', gossipin' and bein' pampered sounded like a mighty fine idea to her! She'd heard of Ponyville from one or two of the workers she'd hired at Cherry Hill Ranch over the years and her initial reaction to the town was that it was simply delightful! She found Town Hall with little trouble, and after collecting her badge from the registration desk, and greetin' the mare behind it with a mighty enthusiastic "How de do?", she made her way into the ballroom to begin minglin' with the other guests. There didn't seem to be too many country folk mulling about - she saw barely a pony she recognized aside from Princesses Luna and Cadance, who appeared to be getting a fair bit of attention - t'was expected, o' course, but no need to dogpile that lot when there were plenty of other interestin' ponies to meet and greet. As she entered the main room, she could see that the party was already in full swing. Fashionably late, perhaps? It wasn't her usual style, but Miss Jubilee could certainly work with it. Her attention was soon captured when a loud and jubilant cry rang out from near one of the tables burdened with refreshments. [colour=#ff3399]"Mares of Equestria, listen! I, Harlequin Salad, aspiring master of cuisine have prepared for you today culinary delights beyond your imagination! Any mare who wishes to be introduced to flavours of which they have never before dreamed, step forth and obtain from me a free sample of my craft, guaranteed to make your palates cry out in blissful delight!"[/colour] Well, wasn't it just Miss Jubilee's lucky day! Bein' a rather excellent cook herself, she was always keen to expand her palette and delight in the delicacies prepared by other hooves. The pony calling out was an odd-looking one - her coat a splotchy two shades of brown and her mane a bright fuchsia. Also, she was tall and rather skinny. Cherry Jubilee recalled briefly the words of wisdom passed down to her from one of her aunts - "Never trust a skinny cook," but it was a fleeting thought that she didn't revisit, and with great enthusiasm the cherry farmer approached the pony performing her theatrics.[colour=#95313E]"Well hi there! Ah'm Cherry Jubilee. Ah must say, that was quite the song an' dance you jest performed there, sugar. Ah hear tell you have prepared an excellent dish. Now, ah'm not such a bad cook myself, but ah always love to ta taste what other enthusiasts have prepared. What did you put in this salad of yours, hun?"[/colour]