"Did you really climb Mount Equinest?" Twilight heard somepony ask as she entered Sugarcube Corner. A crowd was formed. Twilight assumed it was around the new pony in town, but couldn't see past the townsponies.
"Sure did, nearly froze my hooves off too." A voice from the center of the crowd said. Twilight worked her way through the crowd in an attempt to see the pony of the hour.
"And crossed The Badlands all by yourself?" When Twilight got to the front she inspected the pony everyone was looking at. He was a light olive stallion with rainbow colored eyes a white mane and tail, wearing a long olive coat blocking his cutie mark, and a brown fedora. He held a mug of cider and had a huge happy smile on his face.
"It's not as dangerous as they say really, you just have to keep a sharp head."
"I got more cider!" Pinkie shouted, emerging from the kitchen with a tray of mugs, heading towards the traveler.
"Oh, thanks Pinkie. Sorry to drink all you set out. I work up quite a thirst walking everywhere."
"No problem! I always keep plenty of drinks around for parties." She hoofed him a new mug, and set the others on the refreshment table.
"Wow Twilight, his life sounds so exciting huh?" Spike asked from on top of the unicorn.
The coated pony's ears perked up at the name. "Twilight?" He turned to face the unicorn.
"Come on everpony, let's get this party started!" Pinkie put on a record, and all the crowd dispersed to dance and mingle. All except for the traveler, who set his mug down and casually trotted up to Twilight.
He's coming over here? Does he know me from somewhere?
"So you're Twilight Sparkle? I've heard a lot about you."
"You have? All the ponies here seemed to busy listening to you to tell anything themselves."
"Oh no, not from them. You get around as much as I do you hear about the princess's star student and hero of Equestria. I actually came to Ponyville hoping to meet you."
Twilight blushed slightly. "Y-you came to meet me? I'm nothing special, not compared to you from the sounds of it Mr...uh. I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name."
"Of course, how rude of me." He lifted the hat off his head and lowered it using magic from his now unveiled horn, and bowed slightly. "I'm Wind Walker, it's a pleasure to meet you." He straightened himself and placed the hat back over his horn.
"It's nice to meet you too."
"From what I've heard you've saved not only this town, but all of Equistria on multiple occasions, I would love to hear a first hand retelling."
"I just did what I had to, anypony else in my position would have done the same. I'm just happy I've had the chance to help people."
At this the light and happiness seemed to die from Wind Walker's eyes, replaced with something else. "It must be nice to have such an opportunity."
Is that sadness? No, not quite...
"Come on Wind Walker, let's see those dance moves you told us about!"
At this Wind Walker seemed to snap back to his old self. "You betcha Pinkie!" He turned back to Twilight. "We'll have to talk another time, somewhere with fewer distractions." At this he ran off to the dance floor, looking as happy as could be.
"Wow Twilight, you're so famous someone came all the way to Ponyville just to meet you. And he seems like a really cool guy huh?" Spike said.
"Yes, he does. But did something seem a little...off about him there at the end?"
"Off? Like what?"
"...Never mind, I'm sure it was nothing. Let's enjoy the party."
"You don't have to tell me twice Twilight." At that the dragon jumped off of the unicorn's back and ran off into the party.
Twilight however, stayed back for a moment, lost in thought. What was that look? It seemed almost...longing...
"Bye Pinkie, we had a great time!"
"It was great to meet you Wind Walker!"
The party had continued into the night, where it inevitably died down as ponies got tired. Now all that remained were Twilight, her closest friends, and Wind Walker.
"Great to meet you too!" He shouted at the two leaving the bakery. "Now where was I?"
"You were telling us about the time you went to Photo Finish's wonderful fashion show," Rarity said with a gleam in her eye.
Wind Walker gave a chuckle. "Oh yeah, it wasn't really my style. I only went because my old friend Base Runner was in it."
"I want to hear about the time you partied with The Wonderbolts again! It sounded so awesome," Rainbow dash chimed in.
"Actually ladies, I'm pretty exhausted. The only time I danced more than this was the night I raved with DJ-Pon3. I need to get some rest. This town have an inn, or will I be spending another night under the stars?"
"We can't let you sleep outside, I'm sure one of us would be more than happy to give you a bed for the night," Twilight said.
"I would love too!"
"Well thanks Pinkie, I ap-"
"Buuut, I live here with the Cakes, there's no room."
"Unfortunately I'm watching Sweetie Belle for the weekend, so my guest room is occupied."
"And a poor sick bear is in mine, he really needs some bed rest."
"Aint no spare rooms at Sweet Apple Acres."
"And I have a cloud house, only pegasus ponies can go in."
"Well that's ok ladies. I'm no stranger to a dirt bed, and this coat's plenty warm."
"Why don't we let him stay with us Twilight?"
"Why Spikey-wikey, that's a marvelous idea."
"I don't want to impose Twilight."
"Oh, it's no imposition at all. I have a spare bed you can sleep in, and I would love to hear some more stories."
A smile spread across the stallion's face. "Thanks, and as I seem to recall you owe me a story or two yourself."
Twilight gave a small laugh, "It's a deal."
All of the mares went home to go to sleep, and Wind Walker went with Twilight. When they got back to her house Twilight showed Wind Walker to the guest room and they said good night.Twilight slept like a foal that night, but she could have sworn she heard a noise in the middle of the night.