“You took awhile,” Barrel commented as Apple Trend joined her and Lullaby Song under the shade of an apple tree. “Did something happen?”
 
“Nothing worth talking about,” Trend replied with a sigh, “how’d things go back here? Did mom let you help out with anything?”
 
“Nope. All we did was keep was keep her company,” Lullaby chimed in.
 
“And, in Lullaby’s case, nab a cookie,” Barrel grinned.
 
“I should have guessed as much,” Trend chuckled.
 
“Someone has to taste test them,” Lullaby said in a dignified tone.
 
“Well, how were they?”
 
“Hmm,” Lullaby stalled, pretending to think her answer over, “they weren’t great. You’d better avoid them at all costs. In fact, I’d better eat them all myself so nobody else has to.” Translation: they were so good that I don’t want to share them.
 
“Shall we go get ourselves a cookie then?” Apple Trend asked Barrel.
 
“I think we should,” Barrel laughed.
 
—–
 
Diamond Charm’s first priority was finding his sister. With his mother catching up with her friends, there was no way she wasn’t off sulking somewhere. He wanted his little sister to be able to enjoy the party and if that meant escorting her the whole time, that was fine by him. Di barely had enough time to glance at his surroundings before he was approached by a white pegasus with an elegant look to her. He knew that all too familiar sparkle in her eye.
 
“I am your biggest fan,” she started excitedly.
 
Diamond Charm put on his best smile. It looked like he was about to be held up again.
 
—–
 
“Long time no see, huh?” Aurora smiled as she approached her old friend.
 
Ray panicked. Instead of responding like a normal pony, she stared at Aurora with wide eyes as she sweated profusely. Gah! How could she already be doing this poorly? Aurora was her friend. If there was anyone she should be able to talk to it should be her.
 
“Uh, Ray… Are you okay?” Aurora frowned.
 
“F-fine,” she managed, “sorry. Hi.”
 
“Uh huh,” Aurora said. She supposed it was enough of a greeting. “So, how have you been?”
 
“Fine.”
 
“Right. Um, have you been up to anything interesting?”
 
“No.”
 
This wasn’t getting them anywhere. Ray really hadn’t changed over the years. If that was the case then there should still be one way to get her to talk. Aurora was about to bring up the latest Daring Do book when she heard a high pitched squeal coming from behind. That would be her sister. “Excuse me a moment, will you?” she sighed, “I need to make sure my sister doesn’t totally embarrass herself in front of the stallion she likes.”
 

 
Blurb Summary:
 
Trend meets up with Barrel and Lullaby. Rose fangirls over Di. Aurora attempts to talk to a panicked Ray, but ends up cutting their conversation short to make sure her sister Rose doesn’t embarrass herself too much.
 
Side Notes:
 
Long time no see… I’m terrible. OTL Having to draw most of my ponies in one picture was more daunting than it should have been. (The ironic thing is that I did it to avoid drawing three separate ones that I probably would have finished quicker) Anyway, I’m trying to get back into the groove. Please be patient with me.