Nopony cares about the homeless pony on the side of the road…
Nopony cares about me…
Alex Firewing. Apparently I had an ancestor who was a Pegasus; however, I am no such thing. I’m an average earth pony, stallion.
With a black fur and a silver mane however, I appear a little strange. Somehow I continue to be ignored. I wasn’t going out of my way to attract ponies passing by… I guess I do seem a little helpless.
… That’s how it was in Manehattan. I guess Ponyville really is different.
_-_-_
“Is he asleep?” one voice says.
“’Corse he is. Why else would’e have ‘is eyes closed, and be layin’ like tha’?” said another voice.
“Well he could be dead!” says the first.
“Girls, be quiet we don’t want to… what’s wrong Pinkie?” says a third voice.
There is no response.
A very quiet voice is first to speak after the quiet. She says, “sh-should we wake him up?”returning to their previous conversation.
A new voice chimes in at this. “Hold on dear, I’m worried about Pinkie Pie. One problem at a time. Now, what is wrong Pinkie? Is this about the party from last night? Don’t dwell on it dear, I’m sure he just left town on another train, and only stopped for a rest.”
Another voice chimes in, very quiet and depressed sounding, yet still familiar. I realize it is the mare from the bakery, who yelled at me. “Yes, it’s about that. No, he didn’t leave town, because he is sleeping right there. It was a good party, but it was for him. Him not coming to his own party is … sad.”
It’s quiet again. I lay there with my eyes closed wondering what to do. I know they are all looking at me.
I do the first thing that comes to mind. Before I open my eyes I say “That was really rude of me, but you never told me where to go for the party, or when it was.” With that I raised myself from my current position and stretched. I thought about how uncharacteristically brave I was being. Realizing this, I quickly sat down and opened my eyes.
Looking around me I see five mares looking straight at me, and one quivering behind one of the others. I turn to look at the first. She was a light blue Pegasus who had a rainbow mane. The next was an orange pony. She had a blond mane and three apples as a cutie mark. The third was a lavender mare with a dark blue mane, with streaks of lavender and pink. The next was a white mare with a purple mane, which was styled to perfection. There was a yellow flank, with butterflies for a cutie mark and a pink tail, sticking out from behind the white mare. The last was the pink mare I had already met.
When I looked at all of them, they were all utterly stunning. They were all beautiful. The pink one wasn’t currently, because she looked so depressed, but with a smile, she would fit with the rest perfectly.
All of this done in a few seconds, the shock had worn off and now they looked confused. The lavender mare was the first to speak.
“You were awake?” she asks.
I start to laugh… and they all give me a surprised look again. As I stop laughing I answer. “Yup, I was awake the whole time. But that was the only question you could think of!…sorry.” They were all now giving me looks of slight annoyance. I realized I look like a jerk for saying what I just said.
The mare speaks again with a hint of anger in her voice. “Okay, so why were you sleeping outside, next to my house?”
This one I answer honestly. “The mare at the hotel wouldn’t give me a room, and I couldn’t move into my house until today. So I slept outside, and apparently I slept well. What time is it?”
The lavender mare tells me, a little calmer, “It’s nine in the morning. Me and my friends were heading to the hill there to have a picnic breakfast. We were on our way when we found you.”
“Oh,” I say, and turn to the pink mare. “Sorry I missed the party last night; I had a lot to do yesterday. Then I was so tired, I fell asleep just after the rain started. I would be happy to go to one sometime, but not for a few days, I have a lot I need to do.”
The pink mare instantly brightens, as if the problem never happened. “OKAY I can wait. Sorry for not telling you where or when the first was, but I’ll TOTALLY throw you another whenever, wherever you want.”
As I turn back to the others, the lavender mare speaks up again. “Would you like to join us for breakfast and I do have a couple extra things packed if you would like some.” My stomach growls at the thought of food. “I’ll take that as a yes. You can tell us about yourself over the meal.”
I nod and stand, putting my coat back into my bag and turn to see all the girls staring at my flank. I blush, and then realize that they are looking at my cutie mark. My face flushes as I try to turn away. Worried they would make the same assumptions most other ponies do, try to hide it with my bags. Combined with the fact that I was sleeping outside, I was worried they would draw an assumption others drew, but with more reason.
As I cover the mark they look at me, now apprehensively. I try to head them off. “Look… it’s not what you think. I slept outside because I have nowhere to stay, and my cutie mark represents my talent as a barcolt… I’ll explain over breakfast if you’ll let me.”
The violet mare nods, still with a worried look, and begins to walk to the hill. The rest of her friends follow. I lag behind, trying to think of what to say and where to begin.
_-_-_
We had been at the hill for a few minutes, all silently eating. I was being stared at while trying to think of where to begin.
Might as well start with the basics…
“My name is Alex Firewing. Stupid name for a earth pony, but it fit somepony in my family at some point.”
I sigh, and then continue. “I am a barcolt, as I explained before. I am not going to tell you how I got my cutie mark. This cutie mark has gotten me in more trouble than you would ever know. Ponies judge me before they know me, and I ignore it. Unfortunately, the mark caused a lot of problems last night. The mare from the bakery had made the wrong assumption and had told the mare at the hotel. She said she had no rooms available, but that I could take the dumpster for a hundred bits. HEH… you should have seen the look on her face when I pulled out my bag of money and counted out the bits she asked for, packed them up again, and walked out. It was funny how she looked at me with her jaw to the floor.
“Anyway, my talent is bartending. Well more than that… I can judge a pony’s age at a glance…sorry. I can guess exactly what kind of drink you would like, even if I never made it before, and then I can make it for you.
“I came to Ponyville to start my own bar and hopefully change my life a little. It wasn’t because I got kicked out of the old place I lived in, which was Manehattan by the way.
“Most importantly I am not an alcoholic… I don’t even like to drink. It’s kind of ironic…heh. This stupid cutie mark could have taken any form it wanted but it shows up as a silver hart made out of vodka bottles and a silver shot glass right in the middle. But I love being a barcolt, so I live with it and am proud of it.”
I look up from staring at my hooves and notice all the mares are looking at me with a look of wonder in their eyes. I simply shrug and begin eating again. Hoping I told them everything important.
The first to speak is the blue mare with rainbow hair. “So you don’t even like alcohol, yet you’re a barcolt. That’s HILARIOUS!” Then she bursts out laughing. I smile while she laughs.
The next to speak is the lavender mare. “Sorry I was quick to judge you. I mean you seem to be a perfectly fine pony. Sorry for what happened with the hotel, but I guess that is all in the past. What matters now is that we seem to all like you, right girls?” They all nod in agreement with smiling faces. The mare then says, “Oh well we know about you but we haven’t introduced ourselves yet. I’m Twilight Sparkle, apprentice to Princess Celestia, and librarian of Ponyville. I am a fair magician, and me and my friend make up the Elements of Harmony. Also, please just call me Twilight.
The blue mare is done laughing and turns to me with a grin. “I am the Rainbow Dash, fastest flyer in Equestria, but you can just call me Rainbow or Dash like everyone else.”
The orange mare was the next to speak up. “Ah’m Applejack, or AJ. Ah work on th’ apple farm here in Ponyville. Ah would be willin’ ta give ya a job ‘till yall get settled if ya want.”
I look to her and smile. “Actually, you were one of my stops today. I was going to ask for a job, and also I need some help setting up my bar. I already bought the building. Do you think you could help me at all?”
“Ah would say that’d be a fair trade. I would be glad to help, and I’ll git mah family to help yall too.”
“Thanks,” I say, and then turn to the next pony in line, the yellow mare. She is avoiding eye contact, trying to mumble out her name…
The white mare speaks up. “This is fluttershy. She takes care of the animals, and is VERY shy. I am Rarity, a fashion designer. I would love to help decorate your bar if you would let me.”
“I would love you to, and also if anypony could help with the design of the building…”
Twilight spoke up, “Oh, Rarity and I could probably help.” I nod and turn to the last… bouncing… pink… mare?
“My name is Pinkie Pie, the party pony of Ponyville. OHMYGOSH! That is SOOOO fun to say. Pinkie party pony of Ponyville. Pinkie party pony of Ponyville. Pinkie party pony of Ponyville. Pinkie par-mmph mmmmph mmmmmmmph.”
There is now an orange hoof in her mouth. I turn to see Applejack smiling at me. She says, “She won’t quit ‘till somepony makes her…” At this I laugh.
I realize that I have just made five friends, and they are MARES. I could barely talk to them before, and now… I have FRIENDS. I start smiling awkwardly.
_-_-_
I feel like hours went by. Talking, listing, and eating with the girls. I realize it is around midday, and I tell them I need to leave to go get the key to my house.
I get up to leave, and so does everyone else. I must have had a confused look on their face, because Twilight speaks up. “We’re coming with you. We don’t want anypony harassing you, plus I need to know what the bar looks like to start planning.
“Okay. Let’s go to the mayor’s office, and then maybe find some food. I’m hungry again…” It was true. We must have spent hours outside, talking.
In no time we are packed and already moving towards the town hall. Pinkie offers to get food while I get the key and I happily agree, not wanting to deal with the store mare again.
Once more, I enter town hall and the Mayor looks up. She smiles as she sees me. I greet her and she starts going over my paperwork. “You are now an official pony of Ponyville,” she says. “All the paperwork is done, and here are the keys to your bar. Before you open, please come visit me here. Otherwise I’ll see you later, have a good day, and welcome to Ponyville.”
“Thank you for all your help.” I leave the building to find six ponies waiting outside. Twilight looks at me expectantly and I laugh. She frowns as I explain, “I don’t know where I live!” I smile and hand her a paper that says where my house is located.
As I am led to my own house, I observe the area and ponies. I notice again how colorful Ponyville is compared to the grey buildings of Manehattan.
We reach my new home, and I look around for a land mark… and realize I am right across from Sugarcube Corner. I don’t know if this is good… oh well.
When we arrive I unlock the door and enter. I am again amazed by the size of the first floor. I turn to Twilight who is looking the store over and say, “I would like to build the bar over there and maybe even put in a stage for shows if I hosted one.” I then turn around to pinkie. “You could also sometimes have parties here if you wanted.” I was thinking out loud. I need to change that habit, because it got me tackled.
After making my way out of the hug, I head up stairs and enter the four doors in the hall. One is a huge bedroom with its own private bathroom. One is a small kitchen, one is another bathroom, and the next is to a second hallway. Down that hallway is another four doors. All are small private rooms, to be used for whatever. I automatically assign a second bedroom, and a living area. But the other two rooms I’m not sure about.
I return down stairs thinking of the things I need to buy for my apartment. I find all six mares sitting on the floor, talking
and eating. I sit down and start eating; I notice that they are planning how to build my bar. I say in a sarcastic tone, “I’m glad you are willing to help, but don’t go and make my bar too girly.”
I smile at them as they all frown. All except for dash, who laughs and says, “You sound just like spike! But don’t worry man; I won’t let them get out of control.”
“Yes, she is a Tomcolt after all!” says Rarity in a disgusted tone. Dash stares at her angrily.
“Girls quiet down! I can’t concentrate,” yell Twilight. Immediately the room is quiet. “How much are you willing to spend to get the bar up and running?” Twilight looks to me.
“Well I have a house and shop, already paid for. I have one hundred and fifty thousand bits left, and then I’m flat broke. I would take out fifty thousand for getting my apartment up and running and for getting alcohol and other essentials to the bar, delivered. After that I want twenty thousand for emergency. So whatever is left is what I will use for the bar.” All six Mares are looking at me like I’m crazy. “What,” I ask. “Did I say something stupid?”
They continue to stare until Applejack speaks up. “Where did yall get all that money?”
“Oh. My mom is dead and she left me everything. I got a lot, needless to say. It’s the only good thing she ever did for me.”
They all look at me and were speechless. I wasn’t surprised; I mean, I just insulted my own mother. Me being happy about my mother’s death but I have my reasons.
“Just don’t worry about it. I have enough money and that’s all that matters.” They all slowly nod, still unsure of how to respond.
A quick change of subject. “I need a couch, bed, and all essentials for a new house. Starting fresh, I need everything. Could you all tell me where to find that?”
They all look at me and nod more happily this time. Okay. This is gonna be easy….wait…why are they helping me… should I be pushing this stuff on to them? “It’s no problem. It’s just how Ponyville ponies are. We are all awesome and helpful and stuff…” Dash stops talking as she realizes everyone is looking at her. “What?”
“What are you talking about, dear?” Rarity asks.
“She… read my mind. How did she do that?” Now to Dash, “how did you do that?”
“If somepony watches somepony for long enough, they can pick up on what they are thinking.” My face turns red, but is hidden by my coat color. She must have read me like she was saying, because a few seconds later, she was blushing as well. As we sat there staring at each other, there is a small cough, probably from AJ. Dash and I both look away instantly.
“Okay…let’s get to it. Come on everypony. Let’s go buy some stuff,” says Twilight.
_-_-_
For the rest of the day we shopped. We bought EVERYTHING. For my house that is. It cost about twenty thousand. Still, it was cheaper than it would have been in Manehattan. With seven ponies, everything got put away fast.
After everything was put away, I made dinner in my small kitchen and headed to the living room. All seven of us ate and then talked. We talked about everything, but eventually I ask the question that had been on my mind since this morning.
“Why?”
They all look at me quizzically, except for Pinkie who was distracted by… I don’t really know what.
“I mean, why help me? In Manehattan, a pony sleeping on the street would be robbed of everything. You all helped me move into my house, without any hesitation, and have asked for nothing in return. I have asked so much, and done so little.” I look at them all smiling at me.
“You’re in Ponyville, not Manehattan. That should explain everything. Ponyville ponies are cool like that, and us more than some. We may be a little too nice, but hey it’s more fun this way. We’re friends, and friends do that kind of stuff,” Dash says.
I smile as they all nod. “Well I’m glad the first friends I ever had are you ponies.” They all smile back when I say that.
I agree to go to Applejack’s farm tomorrow, and also to visit Twilight once I’m done to work on the bar planning.
It was sad to see them leave, but they have lives to get back to. They took a whole day out for me and that’s more than I can ask of anypony.
_-_-_
Maybe somepony will stop for the homeless stallion on the side of the street. In Ponyville they do. It’s nice that ponies care, I didn’t think any did.
Somepony, six mares, stopped for me, the homeless stallion on the side of the road.
My life might be getting better…