At five in the morning, the train rolled into the Star-Trot station in Las Pegasus. Joey had drifted off to sleep at some point, but had reawakened with a half hour left in the journey. The skyline of the city from a distance didn't surprise him, but what did catch him off guard were the numerous parts surrounding them that made it look almost like a giant theme park. A bunch less interesting-looking office buildings sat to the south of the city.
Getting off the train, he immediately noticed that there was a larger, more diverse population of creatures here. Not just ponies, but to his surprise he saw what he could have sworn to be a small group of griffins. As he got off the train, no one seemed to think it was weird that a large bipedal ape creature was walking among them.
Dope.
Now there was another issue. Where was he going to stay, or for that matter live? There was no way he was going to be a bum if he could help it. He slowly made his way over to the information desk. A mare with a bright blue coat and dark grey mane stood behind it with a polite smile.
"Excuse me," Joey said tiredly. "Where would one go if he was looking for a fresh start at life?"
The mare seemed slightly startled (though not in a scared way) at the sight of him. "Wait - aren't you one of the 'hoomans' that Princess Celestia talked about?"
"Er - yeah, that would be me." Joey replied slowly. "How did you know?"
The pony gestured over to a newspaper display. The headlines read in bold, black letters Tragic Accident Traps Foreign Guests in Equestria! Princess Celestia Speaks at the Great Galloping Gala!
"So what brings you to Las Pegasus?" she asked politely.
"Looking to start a career here. Before that, I need to get started. Anyone in this city that can help me? Consultants or anything like that?" Joey responded.
"There are some government social workers that would be more than willing to help." the mare explained, rooting through a drawer of brochures. After handing him one she continued, "If you really wanted to, you could find some freelancers as well. You'll find them all on Trotter's Lane, close to the courthouse. Why don't you take this map to help?"
"Thank you so much." Joey smiled, pocketing the brochure. "Will they be open this early?"
"Not sure, you would have to check with them. The government offices don't open until eight." the mare said helpfully.
Joey thanked her and made his way out of the station. The city was a lot more flashy than Ponyville could have ever dreamed to be. Large signs trying to point him to different rides and attractions. Interestingly, rather than having all rides in one theme park they seemed to be scattered all over the place, each owned individually. Most of the ponies here looked like tourists.
Joey opened the map and then shivered, the December air had a lot more bite down here due to the humidity from the ocean. He quickly tossed on his dark blue Northern Face jacket and continued his perusal. It looked like Trotter's Lane was several miles away in the commerce district. He was currently in the amusement district, which he could have already guessed on his own by simply looking at his surroundings.
He sighed and stowed the map in one of his jacket pockets. He lifted the rest of his luggage (except the rolling suitcase, God bless those amazing little wheels) and began walking. Without the map he would have been hopelessly lost in the entertainment district; the streets would meet at bizarre angles and there seemed to be very little sense of order aside from the many hotels at random intervals, scattered among the countless attractions.
The farther he walked, the streets seemed to tidy up more and more. Building placement had a lot more sense. Offices and small shops began to pop into view and road intersections were a lot easier on the eyes. Finally he had reached Trotter's Lane and took a left, following the map's directions. Eventually he saw what looked like a courthouse in the distance, and immediately began paying more attention to the building signs around him.
Turns out, this part was harder than he thought. Apparently city workers don't work in offices with giant neon signs. Who knew?
He wandered for some time, and must have definitely looked lost because he felt a tap on his shoulder. An older looking stallion stood there with a small smile. "Looking for somepony there, my friend?"
"Er, no - someplace." Joey answered with a respectful grin. "Would you have any idea where the social worker's office is?"
"Oh my! Looking for some help in the city, eh? There are a few offices around here." the eldery gentle(pony?) said with a smile. "Any one you're looking for in particular?"
"Um... I'd prefer a freelance one." Joey replied. He had half a suspicion that if he went to the government office, he'd make his whereabouts known to the princesses. It wasn't because he disliked them obviously (he still wasn't too fond of Twilight at the current moment). Right now he just wanted to be away from that whole mess. The less government stuff he did right now the better.
"Hmm... why don't you try Blessings for Beginnings?" the stallion continued. "Don't mind the name too much, but I know the lady who runs it. Nice mare. I don't think you could go wrong there. It'll be down the street, lad, and the fourth building on your right."
"You are a gem, thank you." Joey complimented brightly, causing the old one to beam. He quickly made his way down the street, scrutinizing every shop or office he passed by. Finally, a small brick office with a small sign hanging in the front window reading Blessed Beginnings.
Joey couldn't help but snicker. It was such a cheesy name.
He slowly pushed his way inside. The first thing he heard was the scribble of quill on parchment. Looking up he saw what he assumed to be a secretary scrawling something down on parchment. He walked up slowly and she looked up.
"Oh! I'm not sure I've seen your kind here before." she said in mild surprise.
"Oh, uh - I'm a human. We're from another world, kinda got stuck here... permanently..." he explained in a half-assed way.
The secretary blinked. "Human? Never heard of it."
"You don't seem weirded out about it." Joey observed.
"It's hard to be surprised, we get lots of different creatures here. I must say, I wasn't expecting a 'human' here today." the secretary replied politely. "Have you made an appointment, Mr...?"
"Belfort. Joey Belfort." he introduced. "And no, I haven't... sorry. I just arrived here today."
"Well, Mr. Belfort, you just might be in luck today." the secretary mare sighed. "Normally we don't do appointments, but I do believe Mrs. Berrytwist has some time this morning. Go ahead and take a seat while I call her."
Joey did as he was told. Once he sat down, a wave of fatigue washed over him. It had been a long night. A long month. So much had happened, and none of it was very good.
"Mr. Belfort, right?" said a newer, older feminine voice. Joey looked up to see a well dressed older mare with a light violet coat and a mane that was deep purple.
"Oh! Yeah, that's me." Joey answered, getting to his feet.
"Pleased to meet you, my name is Lemon Berrytwist." Mrs. Berrytwist said with a pleasant smile. "I wasn't expecting to see one of the humans from Canterlot today. Why don't we go back to my office?"
He nervously followed her through a back door, down a small hallway, and into a very comfortable office.
"Please, take a seat." she offered, sitting behind her desk.
As Joey sat down in the comfortable looking armchair opposite from her, he noticed a picture frame on her desk. It was her next to a stallion with a mustache that made him look like he would start barking for pictures of Spiderman. Between them was a deep purple filly that had a broken horn and a nasty looking scar running across her eye.
"So! What brings you to Las Pegasus?" asked Mrs. Berrytwist. "Some sort of work, I presume?"
"You're a better guesser than your helper up front." Joey joked.
"Oh, please - Shortbread would rather eat a moldy cake than ever have to read the news." Berrytwist scoffed. "I wouldn't say that you and your companions are 'famous' per se, but word has spread of your predicament."
Joey shrugged. "Not much I can do about that. I'm here to start a career, but unfortunately I've got pretty much nothing to go off of here."
"I don't think finding you work should be too difficult, dear - considering we typically get homeless ponies in here who are trying to turn over a new leaf." she hummed. She reached down and pulled open a filing cabinet drawer. "What sort of look were you looking for?"
"Well - short term I'll be fine with whatever to build some savings." Joey replied, looking down at his arms. "Long term I was hoping to find work in the entertainment industry - specifically movies?"
Berrytwist raised her eyebrows. "Movies, hmm? Fascinating. Unfortunately those studios are extremely competitive, as movies have been a relatively new thing for the past several years. However, short term I can do."
"When were they invented? Do you know?" Joey asked curiously.
Berrytwist tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I recall the first movie I have ever seen being six years ago. I do believe that was one of the first created. I must say, there is plenty of potential there. If you can tap into it, there's no saying how far you would go."
Joey nodded. He had no idea what specific job he wanted, but he might have to prove his knowledge and talent in some way if he wanted to score a job with one of those studios by the sounds of it. "So what about short term?"
"Well, you have quite the selection if you're willing to do anything." she said, beginning to sift through papers. "Anything you would rather avoid in terms of work?"
"Honestly, I don't want to deal with customers a whole lot." Joey replied, thinking back to his work as a Walmart cashier back on Earth. Some of those people were stupid beyond belief. "If I worked as a stocker or something that would be fine. Just no jobs that mainly deal with customers."
"What is your current experience?" Berrytwist asked, glancing over a few documents before clicking her tongue and putting them back in the cabinet.
"I was a cashier at a large retailer back where I'm from." Joey answered. "I can deal with people, but I'm better at managing product and stuff."
"Well, it does look like there are some back-of-the-house positions at some of the souvenir shops if that piques your interest." she offered. "For decent pay, too. Nothing notable, but it will pay for what you need should you get the job."
"Sounds perfect." Joey confirmed.
"Wonderful!" Berrytwist exclaimed. "I will give them a call and see if I can set up an interview for you after we finish here. Now, living arrangements - from what I currently understand you don't have anywhere to live, correct?"
"I have a home back in Ponyville, but nothing here in this city." Joey answered truthfully.
"I have some contacts to get you set up with decent apartments." Berrytwist continued, humming once more. "None of them are vastly different from one another. All of them are studio, one bedroom, and close enough to one another that location wouldn't be any better or worse for any of them."
"Anything you can get me with works." Joey agreed.
"Well, Mr. Belfort - you have made this relatively easy. No unhealthy drug habits?"
"None." Joey confirmed. "Never has been an issue with me."
"Splendid. No criminal records either, obviously. Everything looks in order!" Berrytwist chirped, filling out some sort of form. "Just a wee bit of paperwork to finish, and we can get your new life here started!"
"Sick." Joey sighed. He looked at her plaques on the wall. "How busy are you usually?"
"Typically we're very busy." she answered, still focused on the task in front of her. "It always slows down this time of year, I must admit. Nopony really tries to start a new life right before Hearth's Warming."
"Hearth's Warming?"
"Dear me, nopony has told you about Hearth's Warming Eve?" Berrytwist asked incredulously, looking up from her work. "It's the most anticipated holiday of the year!!"
"No, I haven't really talked to that many ponies about that stuff." Joey admitted. "What's it about?"
"Well - explaining its history will be a task for somepony else." she sighed, continuing her work. "Essentially it's a time where everypony gives one another presents and spends time with heir families. Can't forget the caroling, either. I love caroling."
"Sounds like a holiday we had back home." Joey said quietly. "Do you guys decorate trees, by any chance?"
"As a matter of fact, we do!!" Berrytwist exclaimed.
"That's hilarious. It sounds like your world's version of Christmas." Joey said with a slight laugh. Then a cold feeling sank to his stomach. He hadn't realized, but the holiday must have been close. It was December, after all. Spending it alone was going to suck donkey nuts. "What day is Hearth's Warming on?"
"December twenty fifth." Berrytwist replied. "Only a couple weeks from now! They'll finish putting up lights around the city very soon." She jotted a couple more things down before clearing her throat. "Alright, Mr. Belfort - go ahead and sign your name down here at the bottom. Feel free to look at any of the info I've written down and let me know if I should change something."
Joey did make sure to glance over it, and everything looked fine. He signed his name on the empty line.
"Perfect!! If all goes well, you'll have a job and housing secured by the end of the day!" she said happily, organizing a stack of papers with a sharp thud on her desk.
"Sounds like you're good at your job." Joey smirked.
"The reviews speak for themselves." she said proudly. "Do help yourself to some coffee while I make some calls. You look exhausted."
Turns out, Mrs. Berrytwist was not messing around. Six hours and one interview later, Joey found himself standing in front of the door to his new apartment. Getting a job couldn't have been easier, the store owner of a small merchandise shop on the outskirts of the entertainment district seemed very enthusiastic about Joey's physical abilities. Now he was a back end clerk at said store.
He looked at the crooked numbers on the door reading 624. Sighing, he unlocked the door and entered his new apartment for the first time. It was obviously completely empty, but it did come complete with a kitchen and what looked to be a bathroom (upon further inspection, it indeed was). Furnishing the place would come with time. It was by no means the nicest of places, but with some improvements and additions it would be quite cozy.
He walked to the sliding glass door and stepped out onto the balcony. He was on the sixth floor, the top floor. The view was pretty great, but the cold winter air had a lot more sting to it from this height. Despite this place being a pony version of Los Angeles (or Las Vegas, he couldn't decide), it was pretty frigid for a seaside city.
Still, it was far from trouble as far as he could tell. Far from trouble was where he needed to be. For now, he could have peace and quiet. For now, his days would be Clara-free. Bullshit free, even. For now, he wouldn't be bothered by shallow attempts to acknowledge him. The future was his own.
This was his home now.