Shayde looked around Sweetiebell's house as the three mares sat in the living room talking. Shayde didn't really know what about, but she didn't really care. She sighed and sat down as the full weight of what she was doing sunk in. Here she had come all the way out to a town she didn't know, filled with ponies she didn't know, all to find a mother who she had no idea how to find. She finally stood up and went to the main room where the others were. She went and sat down in front of the couch and waited for there to be a pause in the conversation. When there was she spoke up, "I don't mean to interrupt, but i'd like to know in which room i'll be staying."

Sweetiebell smiled, "Of course dear, so sorry." Sweetiebell got off the couch to show Shayde her room, "I'll be right back girls." The other two nodded before Sweetiebell walked off with Shayde. "Are you okay, Shayde?" Sweetiebell asked once they got to her room, "You've been awfully quiet."

Shayde nodded, "Yeah, just a lot on my mind. Plus, i'm usually quiet anyways."

Sweetiebell nodded, "If there's anything I can do, even just listen, you let me know." Shayde nodded and Sweetiebell returned to her friends to let Shayde settle in. Shayde sighed and removed her black vest, laying it on the dresser before hopping up onto the bed. It was a soft bed, a bit big for her, but probably because it was made for a full grown pony not a filly. She didn't mind though, it just meant she wouldn't fall off at night. The bed currently had a pink comforter and matching sheets and pillowcases. Shayde made a mental note to ask Sweetiebell for a different bedspread later. She preferred a darker color scheme, mainly because it contrasted her true mane color and made her mane stand out more. Even now with a dark red mane, Shayde loved her dark colors. The filly sighed as she laid down on the bed resting her head on her hooves. She thought over the few stories her dad told her of her mom. She found herself thinking mainly about the story her dad only told her once. It was the story of why her dad took her and left Ponyville.

Her dad was at a cafe waiting for her mom to show up. It was their fifth year anniversary and it was going to be the night he proposed. He even made the ring himself. He waited for nearly three hours before he had to leave because the restaurant was closed. He finally gave up, went home, and packed up his and Shayde's things. Shayde was just slightly under a year old at the time. Her dad never knew if the mom ever tried going to his house or why she never showed to the date. He realized a month later why the mom didn't show thanks to a news article, but he was too scared she'd keep Shayde and throw him out if he went back, so out of fear he never returned to her.

As far as Shayde knew, her father still has the ring in hopes that one day her mom magically appears at his house wanting him back. Shayde sighed realizing all thinking on it did was depress her. Shayde stood up and hopped off her bed, deciding to explore Ponyville more instead of sulking in her currently dark mind. It dawned on Shayde as she was pulling her vest back on that she didn't have any possessions anymore. The few other vests and the bag she'd brought with her she had sold to get a few more bits for the road. She checked her pocket. She found she still had five bits left. She smiled, deciding to find a thrift shop and see if she couldn't find a toy or a new vest. She went to the mirror and fixed her mane before trotting out the front door to go explore. Shayde noted on her way out that the three mares were still giggling about in the living room, glad none of them saw her leaving. They were nice enough, but Shayde didn't enjoy a lot of attention.

Shayde had been walking for almost ten minutes before she found a shop she thought might have things she'd like in her small budget. Shayde browsed the store for a few minutes before finally choosing a small plushie that was basically a blue ball with a face, feet, and a set of insect-like wings. As she left the store with her new friend, she could have sworn it felt like somepony was following her. Shayde shrugged it off, seeing how many ponies were out and about. Surely it was just somepony who happened to be going the same direction as Shayde. At least, coincidence is what she thought it was until she still had the feeling while walking down the street Sweetie's house was on. Only once she had started across the lawn did the feeling go away, but she still felt like she was being watched. She quickly went inside, but when she looked out the window, the street looked barren. Shayde sighed mumbling, "Great. I've become paranoid." With one last calming breathe, Shayde shook off the last of the uneasiness before going into the living room. Shayde discovered that while she was out the orange and yellow mares had left, leaving just Sweetiebell sitting on the couch watching TV. Shayde shrugged and moved to sit next to Sweetie on the couch.

Sweetie smiled and looked over, "Where'd you go off to? I went to your room to see if you were hungry and you weren't there."

Shayde smiled back and replied, "I found I still had a few bits left from my journey and since I already have all my essentials with me, I went and got myself a treat" Shayde showed Sweetie her new plushie as she finished speaking.

Sweetie giggled, "I didn't know anyone made parasprite plushies. Especially since we had an infestation of them back when I was your age."

"Parasprite?" Shayde said, looking down at her plush, "So that's what this is. I thought it was a weird version of a fairy or something." Shayde snuggled the plush close, happy to know what it is. Sweetiebell was just happy it was only a plushie not a real one. Her and Shayde spent a few hours talking and making jokes about the infestation years ago before Sweetie finally went off into the kitchen to make dinner. Shayde smiled and said to herself, "I think i'm going to enjoy Ponyville if everypony is as nice as the ones I met." With that thought Shayde trotted into the kitchen to help Sweetiebell make them food.

Author's Note

Two quick things: 1) I am looking for someone who will beta read my stories to let me know if anything seems fast paced. I am NOT looking for someone to correct my grammar issues, just to make sure i'm not rushing. 2) I will be starting another story once I get more into this one. Both will have jokes that weave into the other. The new one will be about Shayde also, but more into her personal life. I would like someone to possibly chat with about ideas about the new story. Please message me if you would like to be a part of either of these things. Thank you.