Writing is Magic

*Ding-a-ling*

"Welcome to the Carousel Boutique," Rarity greeted, "where every style is chic, unique, and manifique."

I was sitting with my back to the door, so I didn't see who it was at first. That all changed when they responded to Rarity.

"Um, I'm looking for Art Colter," a mare's voice I recognized said, "I was told he would probably be here."

I swiveled around in my chair to face the mare who was searching for me. She was a brown-colored Earth pony,

with a slightly darker brown mane. If there was any doubt in my mind who this was, that all went away when I saw her

cutie mark, an old-style camera, and the similar one slung around her neck.

"Flashpoint," I said, quite shocked, "what are you doing here?"

"Well it's a little complicated," she answered, smiling.

"Flashpoint," Rarity said to herself outloud, as if trying to figure why that name sounded familiar, "wait, Fl-Fl-Flashpoint!

THE Flashpoint!? You're THE Flashpoint!?"

"Yes, I suppose I am," Flashpoint said sheepishly, "I'm the only Flashpoint I know."

"Art," Rairty whipped her head around toward me, "you really should tell me when one of your famous friends is coming

for a visit. I'm simply not prepared to entertain guests on such short notice."

"Well I wouldn't...," Flashpoint started saying.

"I didn't know she was coming," I interrupted, countering Rarity's point.

"Um, this isn't exactly a visit," Flashpoint continued, "I've decided to move to Ponyville permanently."

"What," I said, it being my turn to be shocked, "Why? Did something happen?"

"I'd say so," my friend laughed.

"Perhaps I should make some tea," Rarity offered.

"So here's what happened," Flashpoint began once we were all seated with our tea, "Art, you remember my boss?

Indeed I did. He was based out of Fillydelphia, and he was actually the one who introduced us. Flashpoint had done some

photography that appeared in a few of my books. As a professional photographer, Flashpoint worked with a lot of ponies.

There were ponies who paid for the photos to be taken, ponies who's job it was to distribute any of the work she did on

her own time, and then there was her boss. He was kind of a middlepony between all these others, allowing Flashpoint to

spend all of her energy on her work. However, I also recall him being in love with money and as such did everything in his

power to have Flashpoint work as much as possible.

"Well I quit his publishing company, so I am now working completely freelance."

"Are you sure that's for the best," I asked, "I mean, you'll have a lot less work, won't you?"

"Art don't be silly," Rarity answered, "she's well-enough known that I'm sure her services are still clamored for. I mean, if

you disappeared for a few years but then suddenly had a new book, you don't think every publisher would want to get

their hooves on it?"

"Besides," Flashpoint continued, "that's the entire point. I was way over-worked. So I decided to have my first permanent

residence in years, and right here in Ponyville. I've always found this town to be very photogenic, and I heard that you

moved here, so it all made sense. There is one little problem..."

"What's that," I asked.

"I don't know where I'm going to sleep."

I about choked on my tea. "You didn't figure that out before you came?"

"Well...no. I thought I might be able to stay at your place until I got my own. Where is your house anyway?"

I quickly explained my living situation and my relationship with Rarity.

"It seems my problem isn't little anymore," Flashpoint laughed, "any suggestions?"

Rarity and I looked at each other, then back at Flashpoint.

"At a time like this," Rarity said, "it's a good thing to have lots of friends."

"Indeed it is," I continued, "and we know two friends who probably have some space.

I got up from my seat and led Flashpoint to the door.

"I'll take you to them."

"You sure they won't mind," Flashpoint asked worringly, "I wouldn't want to be a burden on anypony."

"Don't worry, these two are the nicest and most dependable of them all."

With that, we set out for our first destination: Sweet Apple Acres. I figured Applejack would have some room somewhere

on that farm. When we got there, we found AJ and Big Mac tilling some soil, a regular task during the spring months.

"Howdy, Apples," I greeted.

"Howdy, Art," Applejack replied, "who's your friend?"

"This is Flashpoint, she's a photographer and has decided to move to Ponyville."

"Well it's a pleasure to meet ya."

"Eeyup," Mac added after clearing his throat a bit.

I proceeded to explain the situation to the siblings.

"Boy Art," AJ replied, "you know that we'd love to help y'all, but we don't have any extra space right now. Come to think

of it, we have been thinkin' of building onto the old house, haven't we, Mac?"

"Eeyup."

"I sure hope y'all find somepony who can help."

"Don't worry, I know just the pony to go to next."

We said goodbye to the Apples and made our way along the edge of the Everfree Forest until we reached the cottage of

Ponyville's resident animal whisperer, Fluttershy. When we knocked on the door, it was answered not by the Pegasus, but

by the bunny known as Angel. He led us behind the house to where Fluttershy was tending to her own flower and

vegetable garden.

"Oh, hello Art," Fluttershy greeted after Angel had made her away of our presence.

"Good afternoon, Fluttershy," I replied, "this is my friend, Flashpoint, she just moved to Ponyville."

"He-hello Flashpoint. Wait...Flashpoint...Flashpoint!"

"You know who she is too?"

"Oh, I just love your nature photography," the shy Pegasus complimented, flying right up to Flashpoint, "I just have to

introduce you to all my animal friends."

I explained the situation to Fluttershy while I still had a chance.

"Really? Oh, well she can stay with me for awhile. That is, if she would want to."

"I'd love to," Flashpoint happily said, "then you can introduce me to your other friends."

"Oh this is so exciting," Fluttershy said.

"Well I'll leave you two to it," I said, heading back toward the front of the house.

"Where should I start," I could hear Fluttershy say as I walked off, "well you already met Angel, isn't he just adorable..."