The day was static and tense.
With the upcoming Spring dance on the horizon, most of the foal's minds weren't on school work.
This was important in Suncrest School's culture as the dance was a way of affirming status among its students.
Ponies like Dovely had a chance at moving up the social ladder if they could get a chance to dance with an already fairly popular filly.That being said, Dovely was uninterested in status or popularity contests. All he wanted was silence and a respite for the Summer. The Spring dance only put him one step closer to the end of the year. He was in the home stretch.
His mind wandered from the material they were left to work on. He could hear the distinct snickering of his least favorite classmates behind him. Little Lady and her gaggle of sycophants.
Lady: So girls, I was thinking- [A statement that surprised Dovely.]
Why don't we pull a prank at this year's dance?
Vinyasa: A prank?! Oh yes, please.
Jade Luck: Why? Where's this idea coming from? I didn't know you were the pranking type.
Lady: The school of FRIENDSHIP is joining us this year. I overheard my old lady talking to Starlight about it. They think it would be a good experience!
Vinyasa: Those Friendship students are all a bunch of saps. This will be great!
Dovely pondered the nature of said "prank". He could care less about the foals of either Suncrest or The Friendship Academy but didn't think someone as flagrantly stupid as Little Lady could actually pull off a decent prank.
Through his contemplation, the light airy voice of Jade Luck broke through.
Jade Luck: But your little sister will be there. She might get caught in the crossfire!
Lady: That's the point Jade! She's a little snob who is literally allowed to get away with murder at home. It's her turn to learn a lesson. She embodies everything wrong with the Friendship academy. C'mon, it will be fun!
With the exception of Jade, the group started snickering.
Lady: So, I was gonna rig one of the doors the school of Friendship will walk through. I was thinking a chain reaction so honey and flour get poured on those dorks one after another. Vini, you're a master of traps! Is something like that possible?
Vinyasa opened her mouth to speak but Dovely spoke up instead. He'd been merely thinking out loud and was surprised that his voice was loud enough for the gaggle to hear.
Dovely: That's a stupid plan. If the attack is aimed at one Pony the schools will be able to track down who did it easily. You've got some pretty obvious resentment towards your sister, I'm pretty sure Mrs. AJ will know it was her own daughter.
There was silence. Dovely shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
Lady: Well…what's your suggestion? Seeing as you've been eavesdropping on our whole conversation, Pink.
Dovely adjusted himself and turned towards the group who all sported identically suspicious expressions with the exception of Jade. Her expression was that of slight amusement. She smiled at Dovely as he ruffled his feathers and steadied himself.
Dovely: Well…let's try something more akin to…a party bomb. We can't go to Pinkie Pie's emporium because that will trace back to us. However, Professor Hooves has all kinds of chemistry books in his lab. Grenadine, since your sister is his apprentice maybe you could look through the books she brings home?
The griffon pondered that possibility. She looked to Little Lady for an affirmation first.
Lady: …That could work. Prof. Hooves won't be at the dance so even if it looks similar to something he could make, he won't be there to claim responsibility… Not bad, Pink.
Dovely: It's Dovely.
With that, as if on queue, the bell rang. The girls all got up and rushed towards the door. Jade Luck stopped at the door and looked back at Dovely.
Jade: That was pretty cool Dovely. You should come to meet with us over by Everfree. We can talk more about the Dance!
Dovely nodded briskly feeling his cheeks heat up.
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For those who don't want to read my chicken scratch, the tl;dr version is:
Dovely, Little Lady, Jade Luck, Vinyasa Fae, and Grenadine are planning a school prank for the Spring Dance at Suncrest School.