//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 // Story: C'est La Vie // by Indie Cred //------------------------------// While Twilight went about calming Spike down, Padlock decided to take a bit of a stroll around town. The two librarians were bickering, so neither noticed as he slipped his pack on and walked out the door. He made his way slowly down the street, unsure of what to do with himself. Food and lodging seemed to have taken care of themselves, tasks which normally took a good portion of his day. He made his way to the fountain in the center of town and sat down at the edge, staring into the crystal blue waters. His reflection stared back, its deep blue eyes looking rather tired. He smoothed his light grey mane as best as he could, and scratched at his scruffy beard. His light brown coat was covered in soot from the fire earlier in the day, and in general he just looked like a mess. It was strange, normally he didn’t care how he looked, but today his disheveled appearance bothered him slightly. He turned away from his reflection and stood up. “Well, now what?” He asked himself. “If you’re bored, I can probably do something about that!” Padlock paused. He’d been talking to himself for ages, but this was the first time he’d gotten a response. He looked around and noticed the pink pony who had sung to him when he arrived in town the other day. “Oh. Hello, umm… Pinkie, was it? For a second there I thought I was really going crazy.” “Oh, it’s okay! My friends say I’m crazy sometimes, but I’m perfectly normal!” “Right then… So what was it you needed?” “Oh, it’s not about what I need, it’s about what you need! You looked so bored sitting here by yourself, so I thought maybe I could help!” Padlock shrugged. What else did he have to do today anyways? “Alright, what do you have in mind?” After they had put out the grease fire, Padlock sat down on the floor exhausted. “I didn’t know cupcakes could burn like that…” He said, still panting. “Neither did I!” Pinkie said, still energetic. Padlock couldn’t understand how one pony could contain that much energy at once. She seemed like she should have exploded by this point. “Well… I think that recipe should stay out of the cookbook. A less prepared pony might lose an eyebrow. Or their house…” “Alright! Now what?!” Pinkie exclaimed, obviously ready to keep going. “Now, I think I’m going to take a break. This was interesting and all, but boredom has less chance for bodily harm.” “Okie dokie! I should probably clean this up before Mr. and Mrs. Cake get back anyways. They tend to get a little upset when I almost burn the bakery down.” Exhausted, Padlock wandered his way back to the fountain to sit down and reflect for a while. He chuckled at his little pun as he walked along, not paying attention to where he was going. “Eep!” “Oh, sorry ‘bout that. I was somewhere else, didn’t see ya.” He said apologizing to Fluttershy, who he had walked into. “Oh, it’s okay. How are you?” “Not too bad. A little singed, but otherwise no worse for wear.” “…singed?” “Yeah… This kid, Pinkie Pie invited me to help her bake. Events took place…” “Oh, I understand. That happens at least once a week. At least you still have your mane.” She said, giggling. “There we go! I was starting to worry you never laughed.” Fluttershy’s face turned scarlet. “Did you find someplace to sleep tonight?” “Yeah. I’m staying at the library tonight. That Twilight girl wouldn’t take no for an answer.” “Oh, good! I hate to think of you out in the cold…” She trailed off. “Heh, you bunch sure do go through a lot of trouble to make folk feel welcome. Don’t worry so much, you’ll live longer.” Padlock nodded and tipped his battered hat at Fluttershy and made his way to the library.