//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: My First Day In Ponyville // Story: Smoldering It Over // by Turtlehaus //------------------------------// I said goodbye to Grannysmith, Applebloom, and Big Mac as we left Sweet Apple Acres. I took one last sniff of the Apple Pie that lingered in the air, and before I knew it I was being escorted down the dirt path by an earth pony and a pegasi pony named Applejack and Rainbow Dash respectively. I could not have gotten luckier... I think. "Ponyville has some of the nicest ponies you'll ever meet. It's like the friendship capital of the world." Rainbow Dash said floating above us. "I don't know about that, but she's right about the nicest ponies you'll ever meet. You can count on that." Applejack assured me. Colorful. That was the word I chose to describe Ponyville. It was so colorful when compared to my home, and so full of bright and beaming ponies. They were hustling about, moving carts, buying food, playing games, delivering mail, eating, talking, sleeping, there seemed to be a roll for everyone in this town and at that moment it seemed it was to stare at me. I watched as Ponyville came to a stop, all eyes were on me for a full ten seconds before a massive explosion of whispers erupted from every pony. "Attention every pony, if I could have y'alls attention for just one minute!" Applejack announced. "This here is a Flame Pony, his name is Ash, I've been told that his kin are rare in these parts so I think it would be best to put on our friendliest faces and give him a big Ponyville welcome." Applejack said aloud. "And don't go throwing any water him! He doesn't like that!" Rainbow Dash chimed in. Much to my surprise those few words were enough to sway these ponies, there was no longer a look of bewilderment, no more whispers among every pony but a lot of smiling faces that waved and greeted me as I walked into Ponyville. It wasn't long before we were ambushed by a runaway cupcake cart. Or at least a cupcake cart that seemed to be out of control but some how still keeping every last cupcake in place. Like it was magic. "Rainbow Dash! Applejack! How long have you been hiding this from me?" Pinky Pie asked in a demanding voice. I watched as the vibrant, excited, energetic and rather peculiar pink pony pop up from behind the cart. I stared in bewilderment as she quickly approached me, she got very close to my face as she squinted as if peering into my very soul. Even as I attempted to lean back away from this pink pony she in turn leaned closer not breaking eye contact. "Cupcake?" The pink pony asked suddenly lifting a cupcake up to my face. My confusion was met with curiosity as I eyed this treat before me, as I began to open my mouth to respond the pink pony crammed the cupcake in my mouth. "Start talking." Pinkie Pie demanded as she turned to Applejack and Rainbow Dash. "We just met him this morning Pinkie." Rainbow Dash explained. "There isn't much time! I have to get everyone together! I wasn't planning on throwing a party of this size today! But never fear Flame Pony! I will throw you the best Newcomer Party ever!" Pinkie Pie cried. The one they called Pinkie began to bounce around me, she spoke so fast that I could not make out all the words she was saying but she seemed very excited about the idea of a party in my honor. "I don't need a party, really." I said after swallowing the cupcake. "Nonsense, you're the first every Flame Pony to have ever come to Ponyville in probably forever, so it's only natural to throw a party! Unless of course you were not the first Flame Pony to come to Ponyville, which would make this party more about your first time here in Ponyville which would make the party even more special because it will be all about you!" Pinkie Pie said excitedly as she took hold of the cupcake cart. "I better get started, so much party planning to do and so few Pinkie Pie's to do it!" Pinkie Pie cried as she took off like a shot back down the dirt road and disappearing from sight. "Don't worry Ash, that there was just Pinkie Pie, she's a little energetic but she throws the best parties in all of Ponyville. It will be sure to make you feel right at home." Applejack said reassuringly. The thought of a party in my honor was frightening, of all the things that could go wrong, namely setting something or everything on fire was the most distressing thoughts I had but it was also being the reason for the party also made me uncomfortable. I was snapped out of my thoughts at the sudden shrill shriek of another pony, I covered my ears and looked around to see a very beautiful white and purple unicorn still shrieking at the sight of me. "Rarity! Can you knock it off?" Rainbow Dash tried to yell over her scream. "Can you believe it? A real live Flame Pony here in Ponyville! The rumors were true! I cannot believe my good fortune!" Rarity exclaimed rushing over to me. "Rumors?" I asked curiously. "Oh darling! Your breath is like a furnace! Your mane is positively on fire! Everything about you just screams wild! Please! Please! May I take your measurements?" Rarity begged. "Look Rarity, Ash here wanted to see Ponyville and it would be best if he didn't get any more attention than he's already been getting. The last thing we need is to have a line of people asking him to do things." Applejack said, coming to my defense. "Why Applejack! Comparing me to some pony who would ask him to preform like some circus clown?" Rarity asked offended. "I don't really mind... if it would help you with... what do you do again?" I asked. "Oh darling you've just made my day! Come along then dear!" Rarity squealed. "Rarity is a fashion designer, one of the best in all of Equestria, but lookout though she can eat up your day before you know it." Applejack said. We followed Rarity to her home. I watched as they entered but I remained outside on the dirt path. There were a few curious ponies that had brought cameras to take a few photos of me. I did not bother me as much at first, but they slowly started to creep forward as if to get a closer shot. I moved closer down the path towards Rarity's house to try and show that I did not want them getting close to me but it did not stop them. "Be gone you vultures! He is my inspiration!" Rarity exclaimed bursting through her front doors. Some final pictures were snapped before the ponies ran off as Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow Dash came trotting back out. "Come along dear, we have much to do." Rarity said motioning towards the door. "I'm sorry, but I can't." "Why, whatever do you mean?" Rarity asked. "I... don't do well indoors. Especially ones that are not fire proof." I said. "Well, that does prove to be a problem." Rarity said. "Can't you just turn it off?" Rainbow Dash asked hovering over him. "Unfortunately I can't. Not even the eldest or strongest of our ponies can 'turn it off.'" I said. "It must be hard getting around." Applejack said apologetically. "I've become accustomed to it." I replied. "Never fear darling, I will just have to work outside." Rarity said. Applejack did not exaggerate on the eat up your day line she used before, Rarity took her sweet time in attempting to take my measurements, delayed by her tape measure melting and a few supposed fire proof garments catching fire. I myself did not want to be rude, I wanted to maintain a sort of image with them while I was here, and that imagine was apparently a yes pony. "I've never had a more difficult client, you have proven to be a very challenging obstacle indeed darling." Rarity confessed. Her horn glowing as she magically lifted another tape measure. "Rarity, can't we do this some other time?" Rainbow Dash asked. "I must strike while the iron is hot Rainbow Dash. Sorry, was that insensitive? I'm not quite sure of what Flame Pony culture is like, but I'm sure it is just as rich and vibrant as the flames on your mane my dear." Rarity said. "What in the hay are you trying to do, Rarity? The poor guy has been standing there all day." Applejack asked. "I'm glad you asked Applejack, Canterlot is having a premiere and inviting ponies from all over to participate in what they are calling the 'Next Big Thing.' I, myself, thought that this would be the prime opportunity to showcase a new line of fashion to ponies from all over but I did not know what could fit the criteria." Rarity explained tossing a few sheets of fabrics onto Applejack's back. "You could imagine how frantic I was, how starved I was for inspiration, I had almost given up hope when I heard a passing rumor on the street. I was on my way to the market when I overheard talk of a Flame Pony here in Ponyville, then Pinkie Pie came bouncing around the corner yammering on about the party for the Flame Pony and I just had to see it for myself." Rarity continued. "So you're using him to come up ideas for some dresses? You know he's a dude, right?" Rainbow Dash asked. "I thought I could come up with a couples theme for the premiere, incorporating the colors of a Flame Pony and hoping to weave in their culture into beautiful deep designs leaving a bit of mystery in the folds." Rarity said. "You can't stop her once she's got her mind set on something." Applejack remarked. The ponies continued to speak among themselves as I stood up on my hind legs as per Rarity's instructions and tried to remain still as she attempted to measure my height from a safe distance. A sudden shake of a bush caught my eye, I glanced over to see nothing and I discarded my thoughts as just a trick of the eye. Although in doing so that same bush seemed to shake once again as I quickly turned to look but it was nothing more than a mere bush. At this point I knew something was there, to what it was I could not tell but I began to think it may be another pony with a camera. "Rarity?" I asked. "Yes darling what is it?" Rarity replied. "I believe some pony is hiding in that bush over there." I said. At these words the bush seemed to jolt in surprise as every other pony suddenly took notice of this. "Well what do you know, there is something in that bush." Applejack said. "I'll go check it out!" Rainbow Dash cried. With a sudden blast of air Rainbow Dash rocketed towards the bush that seemed rather frightened by this and disappeared within its leaves. There was a short struggle as Rainbow Dash reappeared from the bush holding yet another pony, this one was a soft yellow pony with a soft pink color mane. "Fluttershy? What are you doing hiding in the bushes? Again." Rainbow Dash asked. The pony called Fluttershy did not speak merely covered her face with her hooves as Rainbow Dash dragged her over despite this pony's sudden dead weight defense. "I guess she wanted to see what all the commotion was about." Applejack said. "Did you want to come see the Flame Pony as well, Fluttershy?" Rarity asked. Fluttershy did not speak, she merely nodded her head slowly, raising one hoof to peek out from and saw me towering over her; still holding that pose for Rarity. She squeaked in fright as she attempted to run back towards the bush but Rainbow Dash still had a hold on her. "It's okay Fluttershy, Matchstick is cool. Well hot but in the temperature sort of way." Rainbow Dash said trying to reassure her. "Yes, go ahead and relax darling." Rarity said to me waving her hoof for me to come down. "His name is not Matchstick, Rainbow. It's Ash." Applejack corrected. "Whatever, the point is Fluttershy shouldn't be scared of him." Rainbow Dash said. I couldn't help but feel at ease with Fluttershy's response, most ponies due cower or run away from me when I approach them. Usually to return with water to douse me but that has been the reoccurring theme today. Conventional methods of shaking hooves were out of the question, so I decided that it would be best to put some distance between me and Fluttershy. I stepped back a few paces, I sat down with a plop, and brushed my flames back down my mane. It really didn't do anything. "Hello Fluttershy, I'm Smolder of the Ashen Fields or Ash for short." I said in my most pleasant voice. I hoped. "Or Matchstick." Rainbow Dash added with a large sigh from Applejack. "...hi." Fluttershy whispered. Fortunately for me I heard it, which gave me some relief to know it wasn't go away or some pony help me. I guess it really is the small victories that matter. "Your friends have been extremely kind to me." I continued. Fluttershy removed her hooves from her face, she looked at me carefully before standing up right, but she quickly looked away. She began kicking away imaginary rocks with her hoof, apparently too shy to continue our conversation, but I did understand the reason for her name. "Fluttershy, was there anything you wanted to ask the Flame Pony?" Rarity asked nudging her slightly. Fluttershy hid her face behind her mane, I felt myself becoming anxious, and scrambling for ideas I tried to think of something to break the tension. I suddenly had a thought, a rather clever thought that used to work on fillies and I was hoping it would work now. "Well then, I guess I'll just be heading back to my home now..." I said begrudgingly turning to walk away but not before throwing a quick wink at the other ponies. The idea seemed to work as Fluttershy perked up, the other ponies seemed to pile on. "Oh! Leaving so soon?" Rarity asked dramatically. "So many questions left unanswered!" Rainbow Dash said aloud clutching her heart. "Perhaps we shall never see you again!" Applejack said sadly raising her hoof to her head. "It may be many, many years before I return to Ponyville!" I said hamming up my own line as I echoed 'ville' quieter and quieter as I walked away from them. "Wait!" Fluttershy shouted. She quickly covered her mouth with her hooves, but seemed to already be in too deep not to continue. "I was wondering... if you don't mind that is... but I was just wondering if a Flame Pony ever gets hot." Fluttershy asked. "That's your question?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Yes." I said aloud walking back towards them. "Really?" Applejack asked sounding shocked. "Yes. We Flame Ponies can withstand a rather large amount of heat, but dragon fire and lava are two things that can make a Flame Pony very uncomfortable." I said. "That's so interesting." Fluttershy said. "Are Flame Ponies afraid of the dark?" "Some Flame Ponies are, even though we have our own light source it's still pretty scary to hear strange noises at night." I answered. "You don't say." Fluttershy said. She strolled up to, keeping a rather overly safe distance but sat down to talk all the same. "Does a Flame Pony ever catch a cold?" I would like to say that this didn't go on for another four hours, I would like to say that Rarity did not take this opportunity to continue her work allowing Applejack and Rainbow Dash to continue escorting me through Ponyville, but it did not. "I can't thank you enough Mr. Flame Pony, I will surely be the biggest hit in Canterlot with these new designs!" Rarity exclaimed hugging her work. "Glad I could help... I think." I said stretching out my legs. "I wonder what else I should ask." Fluttershy asked herself. "How about, do you ever get bored?" Rainbow Dash asked hanging off of a nearby tree branch. "Or how can you stand to answer all these questions?" Applejack asked yawning. "I don't mind, I usually never get to talk to anyone that isn't a Flame Pony." I said. "Oh my goodness! That reminds me, Pinkie Pie asked me to tell you guys that the party is going to start at 6 o'clock and that we shouldn't be late." Fluttershy said suddenly. "Well what time is it now?" Applejack asked. "It's about Five Forty-Five, we have just enough time to make it to the party." Rarity said bringing her supplies inside. Yes! Finally something fun to do!" Rainbow Dash cried as she bolted off towards the center of town. "Would it be too much to ask to have you come back at a later date? I would really like to get your opinion on my designs after I hammer out a few details and make a few mock models." Rarity asked. "I'd be more than happy to." I said. "Then that settles it, let's get to that party." Applejack said. Escorted by Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy it began to dawn on me how easily it had been to make friends with these ponies. I assumed that we were friends, they treated me like a friend and I felt the need to be like one as well. They spoke among themselves for a time, of things they had done, were doing, what they planned to do in the days to come. For the first time in a long, I felt as though I fit in, I felt comfortable around them and I don't think I could have asked for a better feeling.