//------------------------------//
// Welcome to Ponyville 
// Story: Heart of Stone 
// by Prussian_Pone 
//------------------------------//

	Stepping off of the train, Roger took in the sight before him. It was a small town probably no more than 5,000. A welcome change from the bustling busy streets of Canterlot and Manehattan. He headed towards the luggage car to collect his belongings as Ponyville was to become his new home after all. There wasn't much in the bag just a few personal belongings. Roger trotted away from the train station and towards what looked like the center of town. Then a pink pony with a poofy mane trotted up to him. She looked at him for a few seconds almost as if studying him, then the pink pony leaped into the air with a gasp and galloped away. 
“What a strange pony.” he thought to himself. Passing through the center of town he saw a pony hammering a sign down in front of what looked like a brand new house. 
“Excuse me?” he asked the pony. “How much for this cottage?” Slightly startled the mare responded, 
“700 bits.” 
“I'll take it.” Roger said almost cutting her off. 
“Well, um, sir I don't have the paperwork or anything with me.” 
“Well ok here how about you go get the paperwork, and I'll go grab lunch and I'll meet you back here in an hour sound good?” 
“Yes, that would be fine.” the realtor mare said. Roger unhitched himself from the cart and headed back towards the center of town. Seeing a cafe he headed over and took a seat at one of the outdoor tables. The waiter soon came out and brought a menu over. He looked it over when a high pitched voice caused him to lose focus. 
“Hey! It's you!” Roger looked up from the menu to see the pink pony from earlier. “Hi! My name’s Pinkie Pie, why don't you come sit over here with my friends instead of being all alone?” Following the pony over to a bigger table, he saw five other ponies or more specifically one alicorn, one dragon, and four ponies. Taking a seat the ponies all introduced themselves then the purple alicorn named Twilight spoke up 
“Hey Pinkie who's your friend?” 
“Hey Twi this is uh, um,” it suddenly struck her that she did not know his name. “Hey, what was your name?” Roger answered 
“My name is Roger Stone.” 
“I'm assuming that you're new in town if Pinkie here doesn't know you, where are you from if you don't mind me asking?” 
“Not at all, before coming here I lived in Canterlot. Though I am not originally from there, no the land of my birth is called Prueßenland. Before coming here I lived in Canterlot, Manehattan and Griffonia. Anyways I am hoping to come here to start anew, gain a fresh start I can already tell this place is much different from the busy streets of Canterlot and Manehattan. I am looking for a job here as well.” 
“What's Prueßenland? Twilight said I've never heard of that place.” 
“Oh.” realizing his mistake, Roger answered, “that would be because you might know it better as Prussia or as it's called now Germany. In my native language it is called Prueßenland.”
“Oh, that makes more sense.” Twilight said. Rarity then spoke 
“Well if it's a job you're looking for I can give you one as I am always needing help in my dress shop.” 
“That would be very kind of you Miss Rarity.” he said. Then the waiter came by to take their orders. When they had finished eating Roger offered to pay. 
“Oh that won't be necessary” Twilight said. 
“No please allow me.” he argued. 
“Well, ok if you insist.” she said. As he trotted away from the group of friends Twilight said to them,
“He seems nice.” 
“Yeah, he's aiight.” Rainbow said. 
“I thought that he was rather handsome if I do say so myself.” Rarity said. 
“Is that why you offered a job to him, so you could see him everyday?” Applejack teased. 
“No, I do not have a crush if that's what you're thinking.” 
“He seems nice ,but something's not right. He's a nice pony and all ,but he's hiding something I'm sure if it.” Pinkie said.
“Now Pinkie I think you should give him a chance I'm sure he's not hiding anything.” Fluttershy protested. The next day Roger came into Rarity's shop. 
"Oh, hello Roger." 
"Good Morning Rarity. So this is your shop?” 
"Yep. I have two more besides this one there is one in Canterlot and one in Manehattan." 
"Is it just you here, I mean do you have any other employees?" 
"Nope, it's just me my sister Sweetie Bell helps out from time to time and I have other ponies to take care of the shops in Canterlot and Manehattan." "So, what can you do?" she asked. 
"Well I've never been into sewing or embroidery. I did run a fairly successful company that produced firearms while I was in Griffonia. I've always been good businesspony. My company did rather well. Perhaps you can let me handle the money while you make the dresses?" Rarity thought about it for a few moments 
"Sure let's give it a try." So Roger started working with Rarity. She made the dresses while he handled the money. As the weeks started to pass Rarity was finding it to be harder and harder to contain her crush. Roger had no idea of course. He thought Rarity was good looking, but to call it a crush would be overstating what he thought of her. Nonetheless, he did enjoy his time working for her. After a little while it occurred to Rarity that she never saw Roger without his sunglasses on. So one day she decided to ask him. 
"Excuse me Roger." 
"Yes, Rarity?" 
"I have a question. Why do you never take your sunglasses off?
"Well, I er um, I just have sensitive eyes that's all." 
"Oh, is that it really?" 
"Yes, that's it.”