Tirek peered sceptically at the worn-looking shop front. Faded neon letters declared that this was Iron Will’s Iron Abs Workout Core Blast Zone, and visible within were row upon row of empty gym machines.
A small grey figure hunched at the far end, utterly alone. Hesitantly, Tirek raised a hand to knock before he thought better of it and lowered it again. He — he ought to come back another day. onsidering other creature’s emotional needs was important; Consideration, not Elimination. The creature in there was clearly in no mood for visitors, and the sign was set to closed.
He half-turned to leave, but Cozy’s mocking laugh echoed once more in his mind. Beaten by a child. The almighty Tirek, who had bested the Princess herself in hoof-to-hoof combat — beaten by a child.
No. Consideration be damned. His entire life was ruled by Starlight Glimmer’s ridiculous catechisms. He would be damned if he let her win here too, in the one area where he wanted to do something for himself.
He raised his hand once more, and hammered firmly on the door.
Iron Will was still slumped against the wall, staring blankly into the mirror, when a shadow fell across him. The change in the light finally stirred him, and he looked up, slightly bewildered.
The shadow that stretched across the parqueted wooden floor towards him made the breath catch. Horns, horizontal bovine ears, broad masculine shoulders — it couldn’t be — it couldn’t be a minotaur, after all these years—?
His heart in his throat, he started toward the door, and for one wonderful moment he thought he had been right. Dull reddish-brown fur topped by a shining silver mane, black matte horns that sucked the light in, and deep black fur covering strong hooved legs.
But then the stranger shifted his weight slightly, and Iron Will’s surge of hope left him as suddenly as it had come. A centaur. The newcomer was only a centaur.
The stranger made eye contact with him, and raised one hand to knock.