“Well, glad to see that we’ve all been introduced.” Twilight forwardly broke the silence.

“Uh yeah...” I nervously chuckled, “Here’s those quills and parchment you asked for, Twilight.” I set the quills and parchment aside the door, and shuffled my way towards the couch to grab my tools.

Rarity just stood there frozen and eyes wide, which was beginning to make me feel uneasy. I looked to Twilight, who took side to Rarity and nudged her with a hoof. Rarity shook herself out of her frozen state, and retreated her gawking stare.

I picked up the tools with my teeth, waved a hoof goodbye to Twilight and Sweetie Belle, and walked out the door. I must say that had to have been one of the most awkward drop-ins I’ve experienced. I let out a huge sigh of relief, and wiped my brow with a hoof.

Good thing I didn’t have to say anything to that preppy mare. That could’ve turned out even worse. She definitely doesn’t like me very much.

“Um, yes. Anyways...” Rarity finally snapped back to reality, “Well Twilight, I shall bid you adieu. Thank you for the book, I shall bring it right back.”

Rarity then glared down to Sweetie Belle, “And Sweetie Belle, we are going to have a talk once we get back to the boutique.”

“Is this about the scissors again?” Sweetie Belle squeaked, returning Rarity’s glare.

“Wait, scissors?” Twilight butted in between the arguing sisters, “Rarity, is this about the prank Pinkie, Rainbow and I played on you the other day?”

“Wait a minute,” Rarity took a step back, “what ever are you talking about Twilight? What prank?”

“Um, Rainbow, Pinkie and I played a prank on you yesterday. We thought it would be funny to switch your scissors.” Twilight stated in a tone as if she were asking a question, placing a comforting hoof on Rarity’s shoulder, biting her bottom lip.

“That was you three?” Rarity’s mouth fell agape.

“I never heard how it turned out. Guess Pinkie and Rainbow Dash didn’t stick around long enough to find out either.” Twilight giggled.

“Oh c’mon!” Sweetie Belle yelled out in frustration.

----------------------

“Hmm...” I thought aloud, “finding a place to stay shouldn’t be too difficult.” I searched through town, now carrying a red toolbox in my teeth.

After leaving the awkward situation at Twilight’s, I headed to the hardware store and paid Pin Stripe a quick visit, although his store was listed as ‘closed’; I made sure we were still on for hanging out tonight, and to pick up a more efficient way of carrying around my tools. I couldn’t stand waltzing around town with a bag full of tools clenched in my teeth. I probably looked like a bum. I picked out a decently sized, red, carry-along tool box. Nothing too big, but just big enough to haul all my current tools around, and still have some space for more later on. And I of course, paid Pin a little extra for his services.

As I ogled through town looking for an apartment complex, or something to the sort, I was approached by Pinkie Pie.

Oh dear lord, here we go...

“Hiya, Davin!” she cheerily called, “What’cha doin'?”

I set down the toolbox, “Hey Pinkie Pie.” I hesitantly replied, “Nothin’ much really, just looking for a place to rent out, like an apartment or something.”

“Ooh! I know lots of places!” she jumped with excitement, “Quick, follow me!”

Before I knew it, Pinkie had already taken off down the street. I sighed and picked up the tool box with my teeth, then galloped after the energetic pink pony.

I was moving at a pretty good clip, until something caught my hoof and I tripped. I came to a screeching halt as I slammed face first right into the dirt, making a pretty impressive crater in the road, and sending the toolbox flying. I lifted my now aching head out of the dirt to the sound of ponies laughing.

“You got like, two feet of air that time!” Chortled a mare’s voice.

“Yeah, um... at least two feet.” Giggled another.

I lifted my head and quickly glanced over to see, yup, none other than the mares from earlier; the mint green unicorn and the cream colored earth pony. I sighed and lifted myself up off the road and rubbed my forehead with a hoof.

“So, um... Lyra, you gunna say anything? Or....” Giggled the mare with the pink and blue mane.

“Umm...” the mint green unicorn nervously chuckled.

Alright then! Well, this is weird.

I could feel my face getting hot, so I took a deep breath and I got my ass out of there as quickly and casually as I could; anywhere was better than standing there like a total fucking idiot in front of those two mares.

I finally caught up to Pinkie Pie, who greeted me with a giggle. “What took you so long, slow-poke?” She poked me in the side of the ribs with a hoof.

“Well, I was right behind you, but I tripped and bit-er pretty hard.” I rolled my eyes and shrugged.

“You bit who hard!?” Pinkie’s face fell to a concerned stare.

“Huh?” my head jerked back in momentary confusion, “Oh, no. I meant I fell pretty hard. I didn’t bite anypony.” I laughed.

“Oh, ok. Phew!” Pinkie sighed in relief, “Biting ponies isn’t healthy you know, and it’s frowned upon by society.” Pinkie began to sound serious.

“Yes Pinkie, thanks. I know.” I lightly chuckled, trotting alongside the ever-excited Pinkie Pie.

“Okie dokie!” she returned to her cheery self, “So, I heard Applejack offered you a place to work!”

“You did?” I raised an eyebrow at Pinkie Pie, “She only offered me the job yesterday.”

“Well I quickly went to go get a snack when Rainbow Dash, Twilight and I were pranking Rarity yesterday, and Applejack mentioned how you helped her fix up her cart and she said it would be a great idea for you to help the Apple Family on the farm with all their equipment!” Pinkie just looked me in the eye with a grin.

I was so shocked at how she managed to say all that so quickly and not be out of breath, that I almost forgot to reply.

“Oh, well yeah she uh, she did offer me a job there. I start on Monday.” I stated with a bit of pride.

Pinkie gasped, “On Monday?!”

“Uh, yea-” I was interrupted by Pinkie’s excitement.

“That means there’s only 13 days left until Cider Season!” She squealed, “Aren’t you excited?!”

“Um Pinkie, I have no idea what that is.” I replied blankly with a shrug.

“Oh, silly me!” she giggled, “It’s when the Apple Family harvests their most delicious-est of apples, and makes them into the tastiest cider you’ve ever drank!”

“Oh really?” I exaggerated my enthusiasm to sound more interested than I actually was.

“Yeah! Applejack even has some of her relatives here from all over Equestria to help out with the harvest!” Pinkie stood on her hind hooves and twirled.

-----------------------

Rarity and Sweetie Belle entered the boutique, already engaged in an argument.

“Sweetie Belle, you are not to be spending time with that... Davin character.” Rarity’s tone was serious and direct, as she gestured a hoof towards outside.

“I don’t see what’s so wrong about him Rarity,” Sweetie squeaked in frustration, “at first I didn’t really like him, but he turned out to be pretty nice, actually.”

“Well perhaps he isn’t as rude as he came across to me...” Rarity thought for a moment, “Nonetheless, I want you to stay away from him, Sweetie Belle."

“Ugh...” Sweetie Belle groaned, “but, Rarity!”

“Sweetie Belle, watch your tone!” Rarity snapped, “As your big sister, it is my responsibility to get to know somepony before they have a chance to become an influence on you.”

“I’m sure Braeburn would like it if you spent time with another colt.” Sweetie Belle flatly quipped, now face to face with her big sister.

“Sweetie Belle!” Rarity stomped a hoof on the floor, looking her sister dead in the eye.

“Ugh, fine!” Sweetie Belle growled, throwing her hooves into the air in defeat.

“Good.” Rarity raised her snout, “Just for now, keep your distance from that... that...” Rarity huffed, struggling to come up with the right word.

There was a knock at the door, breaking Rarity’s concentration. Sweetie Belle growled and climbed the stairs out of view.

“I still can’t believe you blamed the scissor prank on me and made me take those scissors all the way back to the store!” Sweetie Belle squeaked from the top of the stairs.

Rarity rolled her eyes and opened the door, to a light tan earth pony wearing a dark brown cowboy hat and jacket. He was looking rather depressed, and was staring at the ground shuffling a hoof.

“Hello Braeburn!” Rarity greeted happily, “How are the preparations for Cider Season coming along?”

“They’re comin’ along jus’ fine miss Rarity.” Braeburn lifted his head to meet the mare at eye level, “I wanted ta come by ta talk to ya ‘bout somthin’ that’s been botherin’ me though.” Braeburn broke eye contact and lowered his head.

“Is this about that run in with that stallion this morning?” Rarity brought a hoof to Braeburn’s chin, “You shouldn’t be worrying about that dear; you did the right thing.” Rarity smiled and gave the stallion a peck on the cheek.

Braeburn smiled and blushed at the gesture, but his moment of happiness was short-lived.

“Wait a sec, run in with who, now?” Braeburn cocked his head, “I’ve been workin’ the orchard all mornin’, Rarity!”

----------------------

Pinkie and I trotted through town, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of something amiss. I tuned out Pinkie’s non-stop talking, and placed a hoof to my chin in thought.

“You alright Dav-e-do?” Pinkie stopped her rambling and directly addressed me.

“Huh?” she snapped me out of my train of thought, “Yeah, I just can’t shake this feeling that I’m forgetting something.”

“Hmm...” Pinkie studied me head-to-hoof for a moment, then shrugged.

I shrugged as well, “Ah well, maybe it’ll come back to me later on.”

Finding a cheap apartment turned out to be quite a challenge, despite the fact that there were actually quite a few places for rent in Ponyville. I didn’t need a huge condo or anything either, just a small place to sleep, eat and chill out; just something simple and cheap. I was getting to the point where I was willing to give up and accept sleeping in the street, but nope! Fate had other plans. Maybe luck had a big part in it too; I’ll go with the latter and say luck.

“Hey, look!” Pinkie piped up, pointing to a slightly run-down two-storey building, which similarly resembled a motel back on Earth.

“Hmm, I don’t know Pinkie.” I skeptically scrutinized at the building.

“Oh, Pssh. What could it hurt?” Pinkie shrugged, taking a start towards the building.

I let out a short aggravated growl, and took after Pinkie. We galloped up to the main entrance, and I followed Pinkie through the front door into the lobby and up to the front desk, where a dark grey pegasus mare with a cutie mark of a white pillow and black trailing off Z’s was sound asleep with her head resting atop the counter. I chuckled to myself at how appropriate the whole situation was. Oops, perhaps chuckled to myself a little too loudly.

The grey Pegasus slowly opened one eye, then snapped to full attention, “Daydream at your service! How may I help you?”

I opened my mouth to speak, but Pinkie was already a step ahead of me and broke the silence.

“Hi Daydream!” she smiled cheerfully to the mare, “My friend here was wondering if you possibly had a room for rent!” She pointed a hoof in my direction.

“Uh yeah,” I awkwardly stepped up to the counter next to Pinkie, “Also payment details as well, if that would be alright.”

“Ok then,” the grey Pegasus studied me for a moment, “what sort of room were you interested in?”

“Just a simple single bed room, with a single bathroom.” I stated for probably the 10th time that day, “Nothing fancy or anything.” I shrugged.

“How long were you thinking of renting out the room for?” the grey Pegasus flipped through a binder on the counter, picked up a pen in her mouth, and began to make a few notes.

“I'm actually not quite sure,” I rubbed my chin in thought, “however long it takes to save up for a place of my own, I suppose. I’d say probably at least a few months if everything goes my way.”

I was at the point where I honestly didn’t care how expensive the room was going to be. I just needed a place to stay. Ok, maybe not need, but I’d prefer to stay on my own terms and not live off the ponies around here. I like working things out for myself; as I’m sure I’ve mentioned a few times by now.

“Alright...” Daydream gave me a long quizzical stare, “Rent is 500 bits per month, and is due on the last day of the month. Being as it is still the beginning of the month, I’ll cut you a break.”

“A break for what?” I snapped my head back.

“Well I’m supposed to collect a 100 bit down payment on new rental clients, but I’m feeling generous today...” She looked down for a moment, “...and I trust you not to tell my boss I was sleeping on the job again.”

I chuckled, “Ok, perf-” I was interrupted by Daydream raising a hoof.

“As long as you aren’t one of those ponies that takes my generosity for granted and moves out before I get my month’s pay of rent.” She beamed me a very serious stare.

“Of course I’m not!” I raised both my front hooves in surrender, “The last thing I’m hoping to do is deliberately cause trouble.”

“Good.” The Pegasus mare nodded her head and placed a key onto the counter.

I stared for a moment down at the key; room #15. I picked it up in my teeth and met Daydream at eye level.

“If you need anything, feel free to ask.” She smiled, “Your room is the 5th on the left.” She pointed a hoof towards a door on the left wall of the lobby.

I nodded my head in thanks and headed for the door, then I noticed something...

Where the heck is Pinkie?

I turned around and quickly scanned the lobby for any sign of the pink pony. Nothing; she must have left when I was talking with Daydream. I shrugged and headed out the door towards my new apartment.

----------------------

“Lyra, look.” Bon Bon snickered and pointed a hoof to the red tool box lay aside on the road, “That dolt forgot his tools.”

“Uh, oh,” Lyra giggled, “what should we do?”

Bon Bon gave Lyra the ‘are you for real’ face, “Well, we should probably return them to him. It was one thing to trip him in the first place, Lyra.”

“Hey!” Lyra shot back, “You told me to do it!”

“Yeah,” Bon Bon tilted her head and raised a hoof, “but it was supposed to be a way for you to meet him, not trip him then not say a word to him.”

“What? I was nervous, sorry!” Lyra shrugged with a bit of a flushed face.

“Well actually talk to him next time Lyra.” Bon Bon prodded the mint green unicorn in the side with a hoof, “He probably thinks we’re just a couple of bullies now or something.”

Lyra sighed, “I guess you’re right... Fine, let’s go find him.”

Lyra hesitantly picked up the toolbox with her magic, and turned to face Bon Bon, “Where do you think we’ll find him?”

“I have no idea.” Bon Bon replied, slack-jawed in thought, “He seemed like he was in a rush though. Maybe he was trying to catch up to Pinkie Pie?”

“Yeah maybe,” Lyra shrugged, “Lets try and find Pinkie then. She knows everything about everypony.”

Bon Bon and Lyra searched every corner of Ponyville for what seemed like hours until Bon Bon spotted Pinkie trotting happily towards Sugarcube Corner.

“Hey Lyra, look!” Bon Bon pointed a hoof towards Sugarcube Corner, “There she is!”

“Oh, finally!” Lyra sighed in relief and galloped up to the pink pony alongside Bon Bon.

“Hey Pinkie!” the two mares called out simultaneously.

Pinkie seemed caught off guard for a moment as she was intercepted by the two mares, but just as quickly greeted them with a welcoming smile, “Hi girls! What’cha up to?”

“Oh same old, same old!” Bon Bon pawed a hoof.

“Pinkie, have you seen that, um... dark blue unicorn stallion with the white and black mane around here anywhere?” Lyra cut to the chase.

“You forgot to say ‘cute’." Bon Bon teased, receiving a jab in the ribs from Lyra, “Ouch. I deserved that...”

Lyra shot Bon Bon a quick glare and returned to Pinkie, who was more-or-less confused.

“Well?” Lyra raised a brow, “Have you seen him?”

“Well of course silly!” Pinkie giggled, “We spent pretty much all day looking all over Ponyville for an apartment, and we finally found one not too long ago!”

Bon Bon and Lyra stared at each other and shrugged, “Where is his apartment?” Bon Bon asked, tilting her head to the side.

“Yeah, kinda need to give this back to him.” Lyra presented the red tool box.

Pinkie gasped, “He did say he thought he was forgetting something! Quick, let’s give this back to him!”

“Ok lets g-” Bon Bon tried to take a step forward, but Pinkie stopped her short.

Pinkie gasped again, “I got a better, fun-er idea!” Pinkie hopped in excitement.

Lyra and Bon Bon both sighed and drooped their heads, “What do you have in mind, Pinkie?” Lyra was almost afraid to ask.

“A PARTY!!” Pinkie pumped both her hooves into the air, “Davin’s new to town and he just found himself a place to live! It’s going to be a Welcome-To-Ponyville-Congratulations-On-The-New-Home party!”

Bon Bon and Lyra both shared a skeptical glance, both not sure what Pinkie had planned for them at that moment.

Pinkie then immediately met Lyra face-to-face, “Ok, I need you to go to his apartment and find him, and convince him to come to Sugarcube Corner at 6 O’clock. But don’t tell him why! It’s a surprise party and you don’t want to spoil the surprise! That would be no fun!”

“Um, Pinkie, I don’t know...” Lyra nervously backed up a step, receiving confused glances from both Bon Bon and Pinkie Pie.

“Oh c’mon Lyra anypony could do it!” Pinkie attempted to reassure the nervous green unicorn.

Bon Bon gave Lyra a friendly nudge, “Yeah Lyra, you can do it.” she giggled.

Lyra groaned, “Fine, fine. Meet you girls in a bit.” She trotted off in the direction of Davin’s apartment and sighed.

“Ok Bon Bon, I need you to round up as many ponies as you can to meet at Sugarcube Corner.” Pinkie pointed a hoof to the bakery resembling an oversized gingerbread house.

“Ugh,” Bon Bon groaned, “you’re too welcoming sometimes Pinkie.”

“Why do you say that?” Pinkie tilted her head and raised a hoof.

“You throw a huge party for every new pony here.” The cream earth pony stated flatly.

“Well of course! It’s the best way to make anypony feel welcome!” Pinkie smiled wide, “And it’s a good way to meet new ponies too! You know that, silly!” Pinkie poked Bon Bon in the side.

Bon Bon giggled, “Yeah, you’re right.”

----------------------

“Room 15.” I said to myself through my teeth as I glanced at the numbers on other apartment doors as I trotted by, “Oh, here we go.”

I knelt down and held out the key in my teeth, and placed it into the keyhole. I had to turn my entire head just to turn the bolt unlocked. It was a pretty strange sight, I’m sure. The door popped open to a dark, short entrance, and smelled strongly of air fresheners. Very strongly. I cringed at the scent, and searched for the light switch.

“Ho, boy I gotta get rid of whatever’s stinking up this place. Ever heard of Febreeze? Freshen up; don’t cover up.” I snickered as I trotted into the room.

Ok where the hell is the light switch? It seriously can’t be far. It would be so much easier to find if it wasn’t so damn dark in here. Holy irony.

To my surprise, a glimmer of light suddenly appeared right above my head.

“Well that’s much better!” I said aloud, “but where the hell is that light coming from?” I tried to look up at the light, but every time I moved my head, the light moved with it.

I tried to touch the light, only being able to touch the tip of my horn.

“Oh.” The realization hit me, “Ok, cool! Guess I can scratch ‘flashlight’ off the list of tools I need.” I chuckled, trying to figure out how exactly I managed to conjure up an illumination spell.

The light emanating from my horn undeniably and uncontrollably slowly began to fade out. I sighed in disappointment as the room once again fell to darkness. Perhaps Twilight could figure out how, and why, I came up with a spell completely on my own. In spite of the fact the entrance way was now dark; I finally located the light switch, flicking it on. Maybe I'd have to get myself a flashlight after all.

The light illuminated the entranceway, revealing a door to my left to the bathroom, and straight ahead opening up to a small kitchen, complete with a stove, sink and a small table. To the right of the kitchen, a door opened up to a single room with a single bed and nightstand. The place wasn’t bad, but as expected, it could use a little cleaning up here and there. Still, not bad for 500 bits a month.

“Pleasantries aside, where the hell are my tools anyways?” I looked around my hooves, then searched the apartment, “Could’ve swore they were right with me this while ti-” My eyes shot open in shock, “Ah, fuck!”

I bolted out of my apartment, almost forgetting to lock the door behind me. I stopped in my tracks to turn back and lock the door. I locked the bolt and slid the key down into one of the pockets of my vest.

“Shit! Shit! Shit! Where did I leave it?!” I panicked as I ran as fast as I could back towards the middle of Ponyville. “Please tell me I didn’t leave it on the road when I wiped out in front of those two mares...” I groaned.