//------------------------------// // Chapter 3.) How About a Proper Introduction? // Story: Blaze // by Blazing_Mane01 //------------------------------// I took a quick glance around the room to find all the dropped jaws. I played my cards almost too well. A couple of the ponies even had water running down their faces! "... ... ...Uhh, well..." the purple pony tried to speak, but she was obviously tongue-tied. "I prefer you didn't apologize... It's not your fault, it's that... that FREAK!!" I felt my eyes illuminate with the flame of vengence. I noticed all of them gasp and take one step back, even though I was staring at the far wall of the room. "Whoa, nelly!" the orange pony spoke up. "Now hold your horses raight there, sally. Now that you're here, you're safe. Ya don't have to get all ya feelin's in a jiffy. Calm down." "I'm inclined to agree," the regal pony followed in the conversation, "Ponyville doesn't pose any threat to its residents. Just relax and take the town in to your heart's content! Ooh! You could stay at my house until you find your own residence! We could get you back into your elegant physique! Oh, and you could teach me how you style your mane! I absolutely adore it how you got it to stay up like fire..." "Uhh, well --" I tried to respond, but my words were once again pushed aside by somepony else's. "Uhh, Rarity, do you honestly think your schedule would allow that?" the purple one spoke. "It's okay, I can get a bed fixed up at my place. I live in a library, so if you would like to learn more about magic, then you can --" "Hey, whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa!" I suddenly barked, "You ponies are inviting me to your places, when I don't even know your names? What is this, an auction?" Everypony jumped back in unison. The purple pony lifted her head after a few seconds. "Whoops! How could I have forgotten? Well, my name is Twilight Sparkle. Pleasure to meet you!" "I'm Applejack. Mighty nice to make your acquaintance." "Rainbow Dash's my name, daredevil stunts' my game! So, uhh... hi." "And I'm Pinkie Pie!" That mischievious pony bounced up and down while she spoke. "Yes, and my name is Rarity. We're going to be the best of friends, you and I!" "The pleasure is all mine," I say. I gaze upon my new friends with careful eyes, and notice that one still seeking cover under the table. "Hey, what's your name?" "... ... Umm..." She stepped out from her hiding place and barely whispered. "My name is... ..." She said something, but her voice had dropped to the negative decibels before she finished. "Uhh... What was that?" "I said... I'm..." Once again, I couldn't make out what she said. "Miss, if you want me to understand, then you're gonna have to speak up a bit." "Her name is Fluttershy," Rainbow Dash announced for her. "Okay. Well, Fluttershy, honor to meet you!" I extended my hoof. She just smiled and looked the other way. That was hint enough to drop the topic there and move on to somepony else, so I return my hoof to my side and looked back to Twilight Sparkle, "So, what were we talking about?" Two seconds passed before Twilight giggled and continued. "Well, 'Blaze,' I was offering you a place to stay. You're MORE than welcome to brush up on any reading you may want to do during your stay." "Now hold up just a galdarn minute!" AppleJack raised her hoof. "Twi, you're Celestia's student! You have much moar important things to do than to baeby-sit somepony!" "And YOU have Sweet Apple Acres to tend to! You can't possibly keep an eye on this guy while bucking apples!" "Well, shucks, I was maybe hopin' 'e could help round the barn." "You know, I don't have anything better to do," Rainbow Dash interrupted. "He could hang out with me! Oh, and when his wing gets better, he and I could show off our stunts! It'll be soo awesome!" "Thank you, Rainbow, but that still takes time out of your practice. The Wonder Bolts aren't going to want to recruit a lazy pony," Twilight stood up. I can't believe they started this stupid argument over where I'll be staying! "LAZY!? Who are you callin' lazy!? You sit around reading books all day!!" "Please, stop this. He can stay with... me," Fluttershy said from a distance. "I've got nothing but free time when the animals are playing. Plus another hoof around the garden would help me a lot." "But Fluttershy! That's just it, who knows how to take better care of animals than you do? He could scare them!" "Ooh! It's the Argument Game! I wanna play! Okay, he could stay with me!!" Pinkie once again proves she is completely oblivious to negative emotions. "HEY, WHOA!! GIRLS!!" I throw my hooves in the air trying to get their attention. This has the desired effect, as they all turn and face me. Well, all except one, who has taken refuge under the table again. "Look, I appreciate you all offering a place for me, but you don't need to fight about it, all right? I'm right here, I have an opinion in this too. Here's how it's supposed to work; you all offer, you show me around, I think, I get back to you. So that's what I'll do. Show me around, and THEN I'll make my decision. I mean, once I get out of the hospital, that is." "Well, yeah..." Twilight shrugged, "Kinda forgot about that." "Then it's settled!" AppleJack placed herself in between me and the other five ponies. "We'll continue this discussion once 'e starts feelin' better. So out the door with y'all, lickity-split!" She then began to lead them to the exit. "But Blaze!" Twilight attempted to say something, but the door closed in between us.