"Oh ponies come from far and wide
just to buy our city's pride,
but all their drinking dilly dallies
compared to the colts of Barrel Valley.

We create the finest brew
that anypony ever knew.
We ship the loads by the barrel,
and let them drink at their own peril.

So come have fun one and all.
Drink until you bucking fall,
for there's good times in every alley
with the colts of Barrel Valley."

The singing ended with cheers and the sounds of guzzling as everypony in the pub eagerly drank their drinks. As Wind Walker drained his mug he slammed it down on the bar in front of him, he was rather enjoying his homecoming celebration. "Oh I missed this place. You ponies would be surprised how little ponies in other towns drink, some don't drink at all."

"Well we got a responshibility to our lovely town," a drunken stallion slurred as he threw a hoof around Wind Walker's shoulder. "We'ves got to taste test the drinks. How cans we take pride in our home ifs we don't enshure we export only the finest products?"

"There isn't any product left to export after you get your hooves on it!" Somepony in the pub shouted, resulting in laughter from the crowd.

"You don't have to miss us you know," Sunny said as she sat down next to Wind Walker. "You're always welcome in Barrel Valley."

"Yeah, we take care of our own!" another faceless member of the crowd shouted as the rest of the pub cheered in agreement.

"I'll remember that everypony," Wind Walker responded with a laugh. "I wish I could stay here longer, but the old man is dragging me to Canterlot tomorrow."

"Don't know, he won't tell me. I swear that old man is just trying to drive me insane."

"Cares for me? The first time I see him in years he throws hammers at my head, steals my most precious possession, and drags me all across Equestria and back with no explanation!"

"He also has taken care of you since you were a colt. He always helped you with your problems when you came to him. Not to mention he made those wings for you in the first place," Sunny countered before taking a drink.

"Meh, he was just trying to get rid of the rumors that he ate little foals. A rumor that you started if I remember correctly."

Sunny laughed. "I did didn't I? I had forgotten about that. But even so, when has Vulcan ever cared about silly filly rumors like that? Face it, he always treated you like a son."

A son? Wind Walker sat in thought for a moment, before responding. "Yeah...I guess your right..."

Sunny smiled and slapped him on the back. "Come on Wind Walker drink up. If you're only in town for a day we gotta make it count, right boys!" She shouted as she raised a mug to the other ponies in the pub, and they shouted in agreement. Wind Walker just gave a smile to his friends and drank along with them.

"-Drink untils you bucking fall, for there's good times ins every alley with the colts of Barrels Valley." Wind Walker mumbled and stumbled through the streets in the dead of night, making his way slowly but surely towards Vulcan's home. As he neared the house he saw somepony standing at Vulcan's doorstep, talking to the craftsman standing in the door way.

"Alright Vulcan, I can give you one more month but no more. I'm sorry, but it's just business," the pony said before turning and leaving as Vulcan went back into his home. Is that Bits? What's he doing here? Bits noticed Wind Walker shortly before the passed each other. "Wind Walker, I heard you were in town. How are you doing?"

Wind Walker ignored the question. "What were you talking about with Vulcan?" He did his best to control his speech and stand straight.

Bits frowned. "I was just...." He looked back at the closed door. "...It's not really my place to talk about it. I've got to get going, take care Wind Walker."

Wind Walker thought about saying goodbye, but decided it would be easier just to grunt as he headed for Vulcan's house. When he entered Vulcan wasn't in sight. He decided he was to tired to look for him (this certainly had nothing to do with his intoxication, he was just tired,) and instead decided to go to bed. He made his way upstairs and into the familiar guest bed room. He was just able to fall down on top of the bed before falling asleep fully clothed.

"It was good to see you Wind Walker, come back soon." Wind Walker remembered Sunny bidding him farewell at the train station as he stared through the train window. "I would have enjoyed spending a little more time back home, you know. First time back in years and you drag me back out after one day?"

"You could have come home at any point since you left." Vulcan sat across from Wind Walker, smoking from a wooden pipe and blowing the smoke out the window. When he first started an attendant told him smoking wasn't allowed in the cars, and he would have to go outside. Vulcan gave no audible response, and only stared at him until the attendant muttered and apology and left. Wind Walker assumed he was more lenient since they were alone in the car. "If you miss home so much you can go straight back after we finish our business in Canterlot."

"And what exactly is our business Vulcan?" Wind Walker hoped that the craftspony wouldn't notice he ignored the idea of going back.

"For Celestia's sake old man!" Wind Walker snapped at his companion. Little things that normally wouldn't bother him always seemed to tick him off when Vulcan did it. "Just tell me what we're doing. If you don't I'll jump off this train now, I have my wings back and nothing's stopping me."

Vulcan let out a long exhale from his nose and two columns of smoke blew from his nostrils. "Fine. I need you to give a demonstration of the capabilities of my wings. A potential client is interested in buying some."

Wind Walker knew the shock was visible on his face. "You...you're making more wings?"

"What happened to every creation being unique and taking pride in-" Bits. Wind Walker stopped abruptly as he remembered seeing Bits talking to Vulcan the night before. Pride doesn't put food on the table or roof overhead. He looked at the old pony across from him. Wind Walker knew Vulcan better than anypony else, but even he could see no signs of anything on Vulcan's face. "Vulcan...if you need any help-"

"The only help I need from you is giving that demonstration boy, no more." Wind Walker bit back another offer of help. This will be hard enough on him as it is, offering help will only hurt is pride more.

Wind Walker reclined back in his seat and resumed looking out the window. "So who's the client?"

The Traveler and the Craftspony

by screenaholic

Comings and Goings