Being a gamer can be hard. Everyone thinks you're a low life loser who has no chance at getting anywhere in life. But one stallion dares to take a leap of faith.
High Score is just your average gamer. Playing for hours on end day in and day out, participating in tournaments, playing beta versions of games, the list goes on.
Eventually, High Score packs up his controllers and moves to the rural town of Ponyville, away from the hectic and crazy lifestyle of Las Pegasus. Hoping for some peace and quiet, High Score also gets a bit more than he bargained for.
Here I am. Sitting on a train headed towards Ponyville, with all my belongings sitting across from me. The ride hasn't really been a comfortable one, getting on train after train, moving my luggage, and constantly fixing the way I'm sitting. The ride's been sorta bumpy, but I can't really control that, it's a train for pony's sake. But I have been meeting some rather interesting mares and stallions on my travels. I met a blue maned mare whose profession followed along the lines of a dentist. I can't remember her name very well, but I'll get over it. I also met a stallion and mare from Apple Loosa who were on their way to Canterlot for their honeymoon. They told me stories of their past, how the met, what they did for a living, along with two fillies back home. They were the sweetest couple I had met on that train, and I would have killed to spend a bit more time with them. Everyone had either ignored me when I tried to chat with them, or just sat away from me. Who can blame them? I hadn't showered in two days, causing a foul order to rise from my body, and being a gamer isn't really something others can relate to.
After a rather boring and dirty two days, the conductor finally came into the passenger car I was placed in, and announced that we would be arriving in Ponyville shortly. With a new found cache of energy, I gathered up my belongings and prepared for my destination to appear. Looking out the window, I can see the hillsides that surrounded Ponyville, standing tall in their glory. I couldn't see much else out my window, except for the train station. The train came to a slow stop and a few ponies started to file out of the train. I grabbed my belongings and threw them on my back. Probably wasn't the smartest idea, as the heaviest items included a gaming console and a computer. I slowly and carefully started my way out of the passenger car. I was given quick ganders from those who had remained in their seats or ignored all together. Pretty damn typical for a stallion like me. It was this throughout school ever since I got into gaming. No one really cared about me, besides my parents and the few friends I actually had. But I've learned to deal with it over the years. Yes, I haven't made a ton of friends but some ponies can be a bit mean at times. And I don't mind. The characters in my games and those I meet online are nicer to me than real-life ponies.
I slowly exit the train with all my luggage on my back, braving the pain it gives me. I spot a bench off the side a bit. I give the bench a smile and work my way over to the bench ever so slowly, being careful not to drop my possessions and damage them. As I walk, ponies are busy chatting with one another, a few hugging, others looking as if they are waiting for someone.
After what seems like an eternity, I finally reach the bench and places my things down. My back immediately shoots up, like a spring, as the weight of my belongings is lifted. I take a seat on the bench, letting out a groan and rubbing my back. I began to look around to see if there was anything else I could use to carry my stuff, like a cart or somepony else. I spot a mare standing next to an empty cart talking with a stallion, probably her friend or something.
I get up and start to walk, taking a quick look back to make sure I had all my stuff. Letting out a sigh, I continued forward towards the mare and the stallion. Now, one thing I should tell you is that I'm a rather shy guy. I found talking to others rather difficult as a colt, and it didn't get too much better as I grew up, which is one of the reasons why I have a few friends in my life. My parents always encouraged me to talk to other ponies so that way I could make friends, and it sounded simple enough. But when I approached others, I would suddenly become extremely shy. Sometimes, I would find myself practicing what to say to them in the mirror, over and over to try and build up my strength. My parents would sometimes walk in on me talking to the mirror and say something about "how they're glad I'm practicing to make friends".
I approach the two and I begin to feel a bit nervous. I can't act shy now. My back is killing me and I need to move into my new home without becoming paralyzed. I take a deep breath and tap the mare on the shoulder.
"E-Excuse me....Miss?"
She turns around and has the greenest eyes I had ever seen in my life. They were almost apple green. She had a beautiful blonde mane that ended in a ponytail, with the cutest freckles and a cowboy hat to top it all off. Her coat with a lovely orange shine to it, kind of blinding. She had probably just washed herself off. That, or it was sweat. Either way, her coat glistened in the noon sun.
"Why, howdy there partner!" She said enthusiastically. Southern accent, goes well with her features. "Y'all new 'round here?"
"Y-...Yes I am. And um.... I was wondering if I could borrow your uh.... cart. I just got off the train and I have a ton of luggage to carry," Not the smoothest request I've ever given, but whatever. "If that's okay, Miss".
"Of course! My big brother would be glad to pull yer luggage. Ain't that right Big Macintosh?" She motions towards the stallion standing beside her. He's a rather built fellow. Red coat, short orange mane, and green eyes the same shade as his sister's. He just stared at me blankly, no expression or anything. I was waiting for some sort of response from him, but he wouldn't open his mouth to speak. "Don't worry about Big Mac. He doesn't really talk too much."
Isn't that obvious.
"Oh, where are my manners?" The mare grabs my hoof and gives it a rather rough shake. "The name's Applejack. Ma friends called me AJ. This is Big Macintosh, as I said. What's yer name stranger?"
I look at our hooves and I can see a bit of dirt on Applejack's hoof. I didn't mind the dirt, but what made me a bit unsettled was the fact that instead of me introducing myself, somepony introduced themselves first. I blinked as my brain tried to think of a response that was somewhat intelligent.
"Um...I'm High Score," I squeezed out. "Pleasure to meet you, Applejack."
That was a better outcome than my first attempt.
"Nice to meetcha High Score. So you needed help with some belongin's?"
"That is correct. If you don't mind." I motioned over to my baggage, which still lay untouched, amazingly if I say. Applejack turned her head gently to Big Macintosh and gave him a nudge. He nodded and walked over to the bench where my things were, throwing them on his back with ease and didn't appear to be affected by the heavy load. I watched nervously as he walked from the bench, back to the cart. I kept hoping he wouldn't drop anything, as getting another computer would be rather expensive and I don't have that much money after I bought the house here in Ponyville. Big Macintosh arrived at the cart and tilted his body sideways, letting my belongings slide easily into the cart. My bags hit the cart with a quiet thud, and I prayed nothing was damage.
Yeah, make fun of me for caring about items, but in this day-in-age, you got to be careful with your belongings. I learned that when I was young, as I broke a grandfather clock my father got as something to spruce up the living room. I remember getting an earful from him, scolding me for ruining his clock and threatening to ground me. My mother tried to intervene, trying to calm my father down, but I knew I had destroyed part of him inside.
"Well let's git goin'. You don't want to be here all day now do ya?' Applejack chirped in. She was right. I needed to move in now or risk the chance of having to carry my things on my back to my home. Big Macintosh began walking towards the town, as if knowing where to go.
"Where y'all live, High Score?'" Applejack questioned.
"'On the other side of town....uh...ya'know?" I answered stupidly.
"Oh, Big Mac and I know this town like the back of our hooves." She said with a smile. We caught up the Big Macintosh, who was focused on the path ahead, not adding into the conversation a bit. I didn't care though. I had my stuff being moved for me, I didn't have to break my back, and I figured out this Applejack is a very polite mare. Most mares I knew were either rude or shy like me. That's not to say all mares fit into those to categories, but there were some polite mares who liked me, but didn't really know me that well. All I knew was that I'm going to start my life over and try to make it in this damn town.
After what seems like forever, Applejack, Big Macintosh, and I finally reach my new home. It was definitely smaller than my old home back in Las Pegasus, but I'm not one to complain. It looked like every other house in this town, Hay roof, made entirely out of wood, pink tinted windows, and pink lining on the corners of it. Why pink was chosen, I will never know, but I don't care. I payed for the house, and I'm going to live with it.
Anyways, the three of us got to the house, and Big Mac placed my things down in front of my door, still with its gentle thud, causing me to pray once more that nothing was broken. I glanced at Big Macintosh, who surprisingly, didn't appear remotely tired. If I had been pulling the cart, I would've been crawling the last halfway.
"Well, here we are!" Applejack exclaimed. She seemed rather happy to be arriving at my home. "We'll letcha get settled in. Hope the house is comfy fer ya!" Yeah, I hope so too. I wouldn't be very happy if the inside of the house was completely destroyed, like a twister had came through.
"Well, thanks for uh...carrying my stuff you two. I really appreciate it. You're the first two to help me with anything since I left Las Pegasus." I concluded. And it was true. The only help I had gotten was my family helping me pack up my things and carrying them to the train station. None of my friends had helped, as they were "busy" that day and couldn't help. And by that, I mean they were probably gaming or out somewhere.
"Aw shucks, it was nothin'. We just help out everypony in this town. It's how we make friends." Well it worked. But I don't know why she would want to be friends with a loser who plays video games like me. But whatever, she and her brother were very helpful today, and I greatly appreciated it. "Enjoy yer new home!" Applejack and Big Macintosh began to walk away. "Welcome to Ponyville, High Score!" Applejack yelled back.
I turned around and stared at the vibrant pink, wooden door. The sun bounced its light off of it, practically blinding me with a pink haze. I pulled my key out of my bag that contained my clothes. I slid the key into the keyhole, hearing the satisfying clunks that came from within the door, preparing to unlock it. I felt the key stop inserting and gently turned it to the side, hearing the lock disengage, allowing me to open the door. I gave the doorknob a turn and pushed the door in. I was greeted with a very clean smell and I blast of cool air. Probably an AC unit turned on, but I'll probably turn it off and open the windows, as it wasn't too hot today. I put the key back in the bag and pushed my belongings into the house. I wasn't about to throw my back out now. Getting all of my things inside, I closed the door and took a look at my new living space.
A kitchen sat off to the side, refrigerator, stove, sink, generic kitchen stuff. What I guessed was the dining room was right next to the kitchen, with a small, round table and three chairs surrounding it. All were made of wood, which I liked. On the opposite side was the living room, with a couch and coffee table respectively. I could probably go out and buy another table to place a television on, along with my console. All in all, the place was rather cozy. Not too small, not too big, and best of all, clean.
I walked past the front of the house down a narrow hallway. About a third of the way down, there was a bathroom. Sink, cabinets, bath tub and shower, toilet, the whole nine yards. Its walls were painted white, along with everything else in there. The only difference I saw was the cabinet was lined with wood, with three mirrors resting on three small doors. I opened the cabinets doors to find them empty. I couldn't think of anything that I would put in there. The sink had some fake marble finish to it, along with two drawers on the top corners, and two doors that took up the bottom part of the sink. Opening the drawing reveled nothing, but the two doors, upon opening, contained some body wash, a couple bottles of shampoo, and some conditioner. I pick up a bottle of body wash and give a sniff. It smelled of cologne and some other stuff. Placing the bottle down, I pick up a bottle of shampoo. Giving another sniff, it smelled of, what the bottle stated, "Ocean Breeze". Smelled nice.
I stepped out of the bathroom and continued down the hall. Further down was what appeared to be a closet. I opened the two folding doors, and saw that it contained a washing machine and dryer. Both machines were made from a white metal, in the usual box shape you find a washer and dryer. Above the machines was a wire shelf that held bottles of washing soaps, some fabric softeners, and box of fabric sheets. The bottle of soap had little, black, rubber buttons to push the soap out. Other than that, there was really nothing else to look at in the laundry closet.
Closing the door, I continued down the hall. At the end of the hall was a closed door to what I assume was the bedroom. Giving the knob a soft turn, I opened the door and was correct in my assumption of it being a bedroom. I was given a queen sized bed with blue sheets and white pillows. Very good choice of colors. To the right side of the bed was a nightstand, with a lamp and a clock. Very typical. On the opposite side of the room, against the wall was both a dresser and a desk. I walked over to the dresser, which was made from mahogany wood, which was very nice. I gently rubbed the dresser, getting a feel for the smoothness of the wood. Turning my attention to the desk, it appeared to be some sort of work desk. A small drawer on the side, three shelves on the left side, another small shelf on the top right side, and topped off with a wood slab covering the top. The right side below the shelf was the perfect spot for my computer, and the space in between would be perfect for the monitor. There was also a roll-out shelf, most likely for a mouse and keyboard.
I returned to the front of my home to grab my belongings and separate them through the house. I first grabbed the bag containing my console, games, and controller and brought them over to where I would be placing the second table that would hold the TV. I made sure they would be able to be plugged into the outlet if I got the table. I returned back to the pile of luggage and grabbed my clothing, which consisted of blue pullover sweatshirts and a beanie. Not much to it but at least I wouldn't have much to wash when laundry came around. I brought the bag to my room, and carefully put the clothes in the dresser. The blue sweatshirts lined up snug in the drawers. I took the beanie and placed it on top of the dresser, making sure it was folded correctly and undamaged. I threw the now empty bag off to the side and went back to continue my moving-in process.
The next bag I grabbed contained my computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse, headphones, and microphone. I very carefully carried them to my room, be wary of the narrow hallway's walls. I entered my room and gently placed to bag on the ground. Unzipping the bag, I inspected every item in there to confirm that nothing was damaged. To my relief, that Big Mac fellow hadn't broken anything. I took out the computer and placed to on the right side on the desk, below the small shelf. I made sure all the wires and cords were all in their respective ports, and let them hang down. I went back to the bag and grabbed the monitor, mouse, and keyboard. I pulled out the roll-out shelf and placed the mouse and keyboard on it, snaking the cords back so they hung as well with the computer wires. I pulled out a surge protector from my bag and plugged it into the wall, along with all the cords for the computer.
I took each cord and had to snake them over, under, and around one another in order to plug them in. I then took the cords of the mouse and keyboard and brought them above the desk. Pulling out the computer, I was able to get a better look of the tangled mess that was my computer. Different colored cords going left, right, up, down, pretty much every direction a cord can go without being severed. I grabbed the cords that led to my keyboard and mouse and slithered them to the back of the computer and plugged them into their ports with a satisfying click to accompany it.
With everything plugged in, I flipped the switch on the surge protector and I heard the soft hum of the computer's fan start up. The small white light on top of the computer lit up, further confirming the computer's start-up. I turned on the monitor and was greeted by the password screen. I put passwords on anything I can. I don't want somepony snooping through my files and such. I typed in my password, heard the quiet ding of the computer and was brought to the desktop. My League of Legends wallpaper was sitting all pretty, with all the shortcuts that were resting on the home screen were still in their places. I took the mouse and went over the the "Start" button and clicked. Moving the mouse over, I hovered the cursor over the little arrow beside the "Shut Down" button and I'm given my usual five options. "Sleep", "Restart", "Lock", "Log off", and "Switch user". I move up a bit and select "Sleep", causing the screen to fade and the computer's fan shut down.
I switched off the monitor and walked out of the bedroom and down the hall back to the front. All that remained of my belongings was a bag containing my toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, mouthwash, and some floss. I carried the bag into the bathroom and opened it up. I took out the toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss, and tossed them in the top right drawer. Taking the comb and mouthwash, I placed them on the side of the sink where I had usually out them before I moved. Assessing my things, I threw the bag under the sink and walked back into the living room.
I sat down and felt the biggest relief I had felt all day. The couch was so comfortable. Before I knew it, I found myself laying down on the couch, stretching at comfort of the new couch. I grabbed and placed it under my head, snuggling it in the process, as if it was a mare. I suddenly felt extremely drowsy. I closed my eyes and didn't even try to stay awake. I let sleep overtake my body, cradling me in its peaceful, warm embrace. The last thing I remember before sleep dragged me down was the chirping of the birds outside my home.
I awake from my slumber to the still sound of silence that fills my home. It feels almost eery to my ears. I sit up and rub my eyes to remove the blur from my vision. I take a look around and inspect my home, seeing everything is still in its place to my relief. Getting up from the couch, I waltzed over to the ceramic fridge in the in kitchen and gave tug at the steel handle. The handle was cool to the touch and rather shiny. Good to know the constructors invested the extra few bits in a new handle. Opening the fridge sent a ripple of cool air at me, chilling my eyes and shivering me. I gazed into the white void, only to realize that I had no food. I had forgotten that I had to acquire my own food, seeing as I had just moved in. Closing the door in disgust, I started to search the cabinets for any form of food. All I found were plates, utensils, cups, bowls, but nothing resembling food.
"Well looks like I either starve, or I go out and buy food." I said out loud. Leaving the kitchen, I grab my house key from my room and proceed to the door. That's when I heard a knock at the front. I found it strange is somepony was actually visiting this early into my move. Approaching the door cautiously, I laid my ear against the door and tried to hear the visitors, but heard nothing. I grabbed the door knob with caution, slowly turning it, hearing the clicks of the knob as it turned. I opened the door slightly and poked my head out.
"Hello?....Wh-Who's there?" I called out, looking left and right, but seeing no signs of anypony in the area of my house. "Come on, this isn't funny." I poked my head out a bit more, as an attempt to project my voice. I heard a creak that sounded as if it came from above my door. Probably just the house settling as all houses do. Suddenly, a large, pink blur flung itself down in front of me. I was greeted with blue eyes, which said me flying back into my house, with my heart pounding in my chest. I held my chest, trying to figure what the hell had just occurred. Was it a cut-out? Or was it actually a pony? No, that's impossible. No pony is actually that crazy to do such a thing. That's when I heard giggling coming from the door. Looking up, the pink pony had her hooves in front her mouth, eyes closed happily. Well at least I could study this pony. Bouncy pink mane, almost like a cloud or cotton candy. The rest of her body was pink. Just pink, nothing else. One pink blob that was a pony.
"Hey there! Welcome to Ponyville! I'm Pinkie Pie! What's your name new pony?" She squeaked in a rather fast manner. "My friend Applejack told us about you and told us where your new house was and I knew I had to visit you to welcome you to your new town! We can become the best of friends and eat sweets together and play with the Cakes' foals!"
Eat sugar much?
I just stared at her, trying to decipher her energy, but I couldn't. She practically gave me a heart attack and I couldn't think straight. Too early from a nap to be doing this. At this point, the pink earth pony had gotten off the top of my house and was standing in the doorway with a goofy smile on her face, almost like she was a psycho murder about to slit my throat.
"Us?" was all I managed to choke out. "Who's us?"
"Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity and I, silly!" Pinkie Pie gleefully cheered. I got up and walked back to the doorway, causing Pinkie to back up, as well as have five other mares come out from the side. On the right stood two pegasi. One had a lovely pink mane, covering half the mare's face. Her eyes were a cute ocean green color, which looked shyly at the ground. Her yellow coat was brushed neatly and didn't have a speck of dirt resting on it.
Beside her, was a cyan colored mare with magenta eyes that sparkled in the sun. Both her mane and tail contained the colors of the rainbow. I'm guessing this was the "Rainbow Dash" one Pinkie Pie had mentioned. On the other side of the door were three other mares. The first one being Applejack, whom I already recognized by her cowboy hat. The second mare the stood beside Applejack was a unicorn, very elegant if I do say so. Her mane was a deep shade of purple, brushed and curled at the ends, showing what I assume was an hour or so of tending to the mane. Her blue eyes almost looked like crystals in the afternoon sun. Her white coat sparkled with cleanliness and grace, reminding me of a cloud or marshmallow or something of that nature. I could also see she was sporting some fake eyelashes, but that's her choice.
And beside her was.......an alicorn? No, that can't be right. Only alicorns live in enormous kingdoms with huge castles. She must be visiting Ponyville. Her coat was a cute shade of purple, her eyes matching the color. Her mane spread itself out into two colors of purple and pink. Her horn poked out through the mane, with a small crown sitting in front of it. Her wings where folded down, in a polite manner.
I still don't think she lives here.
"Um.....h-hello there...ladies," Nailed it. "It's a pleasure to meet you all." I gave a nervous look, wondering if I should shake their hooves, or bow, or kiss there hooves. I mean, for Celestia's sake, I've never talked to mares that much, so I really don't know what to do. They all stood there, waiting for me to say more. I just eyed them, hoping they would the same. I began to feel my body grow hot with embarrassment, as it always does when this sort of thing happens to me.
"Well it's very nice to meet you," Twilight chimed in, "It's always nice to have another pony join us in Ponyville." She gave me a warm smile and proceeded to walk into my home. She looked around at what little was in the front of the house, as if trying to give me a small compliment with the amount of stuff I had. She waltz over to the couch, inspecting it closely before sitting down. Well, more like plopping down and spreading herself out.
Okay hold on. A princess, living in Ponyville, who is the highest authority in Equestria, is sitting on my couch like a sack of potatoes?
"So High Score, where are you from?" Twilight asked gently.
"W-Well your majesty, I'm from uh....Las P-Pegasus," I answered in an attempted respective manner, "Like born and raised in Las Pegasus, ya'know?"
"That's nice. I haven't visited Las Pegasus yet. I hear it's hectic and what not."
"Well you'd be right in saying that." Now I'm kind of regretting moving here. But I bought the house, I can't buy much at the moment, and my old house has either been sold or is still up for sale.
"So...why did you move here?" Interjected Rainbow Dash. "Was it a bit too crazy for you? Or did you just want to move here for the hell of it?"
"Rainbow!" Rarity chimed in with and annoyed tone. "Language missy." She bopped Rainbow on the head before stepping back, "I do apologize for Rainbow Dash's rude language. She usually doesn't talk like that." Rarity shot Rainbow a dirty glare.
"Listen, it's fine," I put up a hoof, "Being a gamer, I've heard a lot worse online. A lot worse. What Rainbow Dash said is nothing compared to the amount of things I hear on a daily. But as for the answer to your question Twilight," I eyed her up, "I moved here because it was a bit loud. I've never really been much of a city guy. I like the quiet of towns. So simple." I smiled, but mainly at myself for speaking an entire an entire sentence stuttering. High hoof myself for that later. "But I think I'll like it here. Nice and simple."
"That's great to hear!" Twilight beamed, "We think you'll love it here. Everypony knows one another, so you'll never be short on friends, that's no lie." Twilight got up off the couch and motioned towards the hall. "Would you mind if we checked out the rest of your house?"
"Uh.....sure. Just...don't break anything." I smirked. The six mares eagerly walked down the hall, as if my house had some magic portal to another dimension or something. I walked past the couch and over to the TV and console. Seeing as they would be busy with the rest of the place, I could hook up the console and TV on the floor, seeing as I had yet to buy any sort of table for the two. Grabbing the bundles of cables, I began working on the connecting part of the console setup.
"HEY HIGH SCORE!" A shout came from the back, causing me to jump a bit, "WHAT'S WITH THE COMPUTER?!" Rainbow Dash yelled. A heard soft talking, then the sound of hoof meeting skull, followed up by an "Ow."
I put down the cables and cursed under my breath. "I have the computer because of gaming!" I would use it for school but graduating college called for no use of a school computer.
"WHAT DO YOU PLAY?!" Rainbow can't be serious.
"Games! Shooters, strategies, puzzles, sports, sandbox, stuff like that!" I responded. I sit there waiting for a response to come around, which it never did. Recovering from my startle, I once again began to plug every wire and plug into their ports, each with a click to accompany it. Let me tell you something, multiple wires crossing over one another is one of the most stressful things a stallion like me can face. Judge me, I don't mind.
After a few more minutes of port-plugging and plugging into outlets, I heard the girls start to come back from my room.
"So how did you girls like the hut?" I sarcastically questioned. "Everything you could imagine? Beyond your wildest dreams?"
"Oh just exhilarating," Rainbow Dash replied, in the same sarcastic tone, "I could barely stand, I was so overwhelmed by the amazing room." She snickered and walked over to the couch and sat down.
"It was nice High Score," Twilight added, "Obviously you don't have a huge house, so I wasn't expecting too much." She walked over to the door and looked, "But if you need help, we're here to help." She motioned to the others.
"Just one thing," I piped up, "I have no idea where you live. At all." I shook my head. "Well you, Twilight, you probably have a castle or something nice, so it won't be hard to find." I gave her smile, as if trying to show here I knew something about her location in town.
Twilight just chuckled and opened the door, letting the warm air from the afternoon flood into my living room. Walking out, the rest of the girls silently followed her, like they were under a spell of control. But whatever, I didn't really mind, they all probably have something to do. The door closed behind them, putting me once again into my lonely space, with nothing but a TV and console sitting next to me. Picking up a controller, I began to sift through the mountain of games that I had dumped out onto the floor.
After what I'm guessing to be about a few hours of gaming, I put down my controller, shut off my console and stood up. My joints popped back into place, each more satisfying as the last. After my body was settled into the standing position, I lugged myself over to the fridge, while my stomach was rumbling with the songs of a thousand whales. I each step that took me closer to the fridge, the more my hunger grew. Once I arrived at the refrigerator, I slide my hoof around the cool, metal handle that was bolted to the door. Giving a gentle tug, the door quietly swung open, revealing nothing but empty shelves. Groaning, I slowly slid down to the floor, letting go of the handle during my descent. My stomach growls in disapproval, urging me to get out that door and get food in order to survive.
"Why do bad things happen to the good?" I ask myself out loud, not needing an answer. Getting up from the warm floor, I started down the hallway towards my room. As I walked, I was trying to remember where I had put my pouch of money. Was it in box with the computer? Or was the pouch in the box that had my sweatshirts? Maybe it's with the box of colthood things. Wherever it is, I'll find it. Whether it takes a few minutes, or a few hours, I will find it and I will fill my stomach.
I strolled down the hallway, listening the every creak and moan the settling house made. I never really got to used to the sounds of a house settling. It always frightened me for some strange reason. I guess it has to do to my shyness and easily startled nature as a young one. Any who, I entered my room and started to scan the boxes that sat in my room, one on top of another. I walked over to one stack of boxes, which where labeled, "Sweatshirts", "Colthood Things", School Memories", and "Other". Each seemed to hold promise of containing my money pouch, as I have an annoying habit of putting something where it shouldn't, somewhere it doesn't belong. I took down the box labeled "School Memories". The chilled cardboard felt pleasant against my hoof, which also threatened to drop from my grasp. Setting the box down, I peeled off the shipping tape that had secure the top lid halves together. The satisfying RIP rang throughout the room, filling me with a strange pleasure. I just love that sound, don't know why, but it does.
I opened up the boxes and the first thing I noticed was my old college jacket that was given to me as a graduation gift. It was made of a dark leather, with red and white cloth stitched onto the sleeves and shoulders. The inside was lined with what was considered "cotton" at the time, which still retained it's fluffy and fuzzy properties. I held it up, gazing at the beauty it held, along with the pain that had also made home in the jacket. I also began to remember losing things, only to find them sitting in one of the jacket's pocket, everything from my student ID, to pens and pencils, and some....other items of interest. I stared at the school symbol, remembering all the pep rallies, every sporting event, and every event my school had either hosted or attended. Most of which I didn't attend if it wasn't mandatory, as I wasn't much for interacting with ponies in real life. I can recall a friend asking me to go to a football game. I kept turning him down, saying I had homework to do, or that I wasn't feeling up to it.
"Look at you," I said to the lifeless jacket, "It's been a while, wonder if you still have any secrets in you." I shook the jacket gently for a couple seconds, listening to the soft clink of the zippers and buttons. That's when I heard a sound, somewhere between a plot and a soft thud, along with clinks aplenty. Looking down at the ground where the sound came from, I saw a small leather pouch with a small string tied around the open end of it. Bending down, I picked up the pouch. Inspecting it, it looked like any other pouch. Turning it over, I saw an outline of my controller cutiemark. Couldn't mistake it.
".........My luck."
Taking a hold of the pouch's string, I let out a long sigh, putting my hoof to my face. I gave a gentle tug, making the opening of the pouch wider. Peering inside, I saw the leftover bits I had from the train ride, forty-two to be exact. I felt a smile creep its way onto my face, and I felt a surge of happiness fill me. Not like the, "I-just-managed-to-get-a-marefriend" happiness, but more of a, "I-found-the-thing-I've-been-looking-for-for-so-long" kind of happiness. Sliding the pouch into my sweatshirt pocket, I walked down the hall, towards my portal to the outside world. I tried to think of where the markets were. Most likely in the town square, but knowing my luck, the markets would be in the most uncommon place in town. Before I could continue thinking of locations the markets could be, I was out the door and on my way.
Walking through the market, I was surrounded on all sides of small cart markets, ranging from fabric carts to accessory carts. Scanning around the market, I spotted a cart filled with various colorful foods. Fruits, vegetables, hay, stuff along those lines. Taking in a breath, a slowly walked over to the cart, thinking about what I would say, how I would respond, who the pony would be, everything. And I mean everything. Thinking about this clouded my mind, almost causing me to run into the market cart. If I had done that, I would've booked it out of the town square, back home and into my room to hide myself from the world. Looking down at the food choices, my stomach growled with the song of a thousand whales. Apples, carrots, pickles, hay, grapes, lettuce, there was so much to choose from.
"Good afternoon sir," the mare behind the cart greeted, catching me off-guard, "What can I get for you?" she gave me a welcoming smile and her eyes wrapped around me, bringing me in.
"W-Well...I'll have some..uh..."
Oh dear Celestia say something you dolt.
"I'll just have a couple apples, some hay...and uh....carrots and lettuce. If that's okay with you." I put a nervous hoof on my neck, pulling out my bag and loosening the string.
"Of course, sir!" the mare gleefully replied, putting each item into a bag based on the type of food. Very organized. And she was putting in a perfect amount for a pony who just said "Some". I didn't say anything as she filled the bags with food, watching in amazement as she did all this with a smile on her face. "15 bits please." I still stared at the bags., "Sir....15 bits please." I blinked and came back into reality. I stared at her outstretched hoof, asking for money.
"I-I'm really sorry miss," I chuckled nervously and pulled out 15 bits, placing them in front of her. Couldn't handle the stress of putting the damn bits in her hoof. "I'm just nervous and anxious and stuff." I tried my best to give her a smile.
"It's quite alright sir. You enjoy the rest of your day." Smiling, she rounded up the bits and placed them in a little chest, which was also filled with bits from previous customers. Grabbing the bags, I began to walk back home. There was nothing else that I needed from the town square. No clothes, no silverware, nothing else. Walking away from the square, I felt my nervousness slip out from my body and creep back into the square. I felt lighter, almost weightless as I soon found myself gliding down the clean, cobblestone path. The further I got away from the square, the lighter I became and the faster I flew. I felt so alive, so happy and free. I was so caught up in my excitement that I didn't even hear anypony's greetings that I passed. I didn't care. I had food and I would be able to survive another day.
Putting the last of the food in the fridge, I began to hum, something I don't usually do, as I don't have many reasons to hum. The humming started out to the tune of a song a friend showed me, but eventually devolved into me humming about buying food, flying home, and putting said food into the fridge. Closing the refrigerator door, I walked over to the couch and sat down. I felt so relieved. I had actually gone out and bought something. I did it and I didn't need anypony to help me out or finish the request for me. Leaning to the side, I stared down the hall that led to my room, seeing my bed. I felt a smirk skulk across my face. I deserved this little treat. All my hard work paid off, and now it was time to reward myself. Rising from the couch, I began to walk down the thin hallway to room, the doorway getting closer and closer with each step I took.
Walking into the room, I eyed up the bed. It looked so comfortable, begging me to reward myself in its sheets. Walking closer to the bed, I could almost hear the shouts coming from the bed. I rubbed the wooden frame, taking in the cool touch I received in return, begging me to climb in and reward myself. I could feel my excitement growing as I slowly rounded the bed, being more and more irresistible with each step.
I quickly walked over to my computer, sitting down in my chair, I opened up the LoL client and proceeded to log-in. Time to destroy those who oppose me.