Hole in the Heart

Green Herb sighed in relief as the small town came into view. He had been traveling for so long, he desired a home to call his own.

With his forest green and dark purple mane bouncing slightly, he traveled into the town to look for an empty lot. After he walked for a quarter of an hour, he began to find lots that were available.

"Let's see, someplace with- Ah-Ha!" His average voice carried with him as he saw a for sale sign. The lot seemed to be near a forest that gave off a gnarled vibe. Next to a small rivulet and airy, the lot seemed perfect for what he had in mind. The same rivulet ran out from a small outcropping of rock that came from the forest. Said forest sloped upwards slightly, as if on a hill. The quiet, neighboring cottage was a nice touch to the scenery. After all, his previous neighbors were crazy.

Poor mom and dad. Having to live near those insane ponies... who would punch a firepony?!

Being normal height, normal voiced, and normal looking, Green Herb seemed to be a regular pony looking for a natural setting for a home. The empty lot cried to be the one, and being the hasty buyer that he is, Green Herb immediately set out to buy it.

His green coat glistened slightly with sweat as he took the brochure from the box. Although he had worked hard pulling his cart full of valuables, he was the kind of pony that could push himself to the limits.

Well... almost all of me, he retorted as he looked at his chest. Did I just narrate myself?

"Yeah you did. You love talking to yourself!"

"You know, it does help me get my thoughts out and organize them. Celestia knows how crazy my thoughts can get tangled up."

As he began to look over the pamphlet, the green coated stallion decided to make his way to an inn, shower once he got there, and store his items before going to see the mayor about the lot.

"Yeah, I smell terrible," he replied to his thoughts.

Hitching himself back up to the wagon of goods, he saw the town begin to wake up. The morning fog hadn't quite dissipated yet, and the slightly damp cold was his favorite part of early mornings.  Being up at six wasn't Green's usual schedule, but the few months of looking for a home had shifted his previously late nights to early mornings.

Approaching an inn, The Six Stones, he marveled at how new it seemed. The small sign above the door had six stones arranged with five of them surrounding one in the middle. Each had a symbol etched into it; one was of three butterflies, another of three apples, and even one had three gems. The middle stone had one large star surrounded by five other stars. Huh, I guess somepony loves symmetry. Although it does look cool how each star is lined up with each stone.

As Green was observing the intricate sign, he noticed the few awake ponies he passed smiled at him. For some reason, ponies just warmed up to him when they first saw him. Something about not playing any games with others' feelings. Even then, some of the previous ponies back in the large cities would frown at him for no reason.

The bell chimed as Green entered the inn and snapped him out of his thoughts. He walked up to a wooden counter and was greeted by a kind mare who exchanged some bits for a room key.

"Anyplace where I can wash off?" he sheepishly grinned at her nose wrinkling. "Sorry I carried all my stuff from... oh and that reminds me. Is there a place where I can set my stuff in storage until later?"

The mare pointed first out the windows at a small river, then led Green to a small location behind the inn towards some storage sheds. Again, the mare exchanged quite a few more bits for a key to the shed.

"Only for a week, hun" the mare explained as she walked away. "Although you can renew your license each week for a quarter of what it normally costs."

Putting his valuables away, Green Herb turned to walk towards the river, only to find others near it or in the water.

"Well... I don't want to have others watch. I don't know why I care. I feel like it's personal I guess. Man am I crazy." he chuckled to himself. Thinking of the rivulet, he started back towards his future home.