Insanity caused by sanity

It didn't take long for the train to arrive at its destination.

Luckily, I still had more than enough time on it to prioritize.

Roof, source of income, getting to know the town.

Food was in there, but I had enough with me to last a week. Maybe more if I rationed.

Income was second. I already had some that I brought with me to hold over until i found a job. I didn't need to get to know the town until I got myself organized and settled in properly.

That left finding a house in first place.

Setting off from the train station, I decided to start with Trottingham's town hall. Provided I could find it, that should be where notices for houses that are up for sale or rent are located. If nothing else, I'd find a hotel. I only had around twenty-five hundred bits, so I probably won't buy anything just yet.

The buildings around me were different, for starters. Rather than the thatch roofs so common to Ponyville, most buildings had shingles or tiles on top. Similarly, buildings of brick and concrete were much more common. It reminded me of when I visited Canterlot, but somehow managed to add in some of the charm that had kept me in Ponyville until very recently. Overall, it was nice.

Running various scenarios in my head in the event needed to ask for directions, I ended up bumping into an aqua unicorn mare with a bright yellow mane. I hadn't gotten a look at her cutie mark yet, but later i'd learn that it was a long, thin sword. She was actually a professional fencer.

"Sorry." I apologized quickly, about to continue on my way.

She smiled. "Don't worry about it. Wait, are you new in town?"

I stopped. "Uh, yeah. Looking for town hall, actually."

"Looking for a house?"

"How'd you--"

"We get a lot of that." She waved, cutting me off. "Most everypony who's got something up for grabs posts it on a board in that cafe over there." She pointed at a building just across the street. "Don't really know why they started doing that. Anyway, come on. I'll introduce you to some of your new neighbors."

My next few seconds were spent doing what I believe to be a spot-on goldfish impersonation.

The mare giggled. "I get a lot of that, too."

<><><>

"So, Flick, how'd you know I was new in town?"

She shrugged. "Most ponies around here don't apologize until they've gone and bull-dozed you over. They're still nice, just not as quick on the draw with it."

"Why?" I asked, looking over the board she had shown me.

"Just the way the town started. It used to be a mining town, so lots of big, gruff earth ponies were living here. They weren't so easily knocked around, even considering how sturdy earth ponies are normally. The attitude hasn't really left the town since."

"Huh." I said, still scanning through the possible houses. I have to admit, their were more than I could have hoped for. Eventually, my eyes settled on on apartment complex that had a few areas up for rent. Most for about two to three hundred bits a month. "This looks promising." I said, grabbing the paper. Looking it over again, I let Flick take a look. "What do you think?"

She blinked at the paper, followed by a grin. "I think we're going to be neighbors. I live in apartment one-oh-four."

For a second, I contemplated the thought of putting the paper back. Not to be rude, but I wasn't so sure I was up to having friends in this town just yet. It was starting to make me think back to how Pinkie became instant friends with whoever she bumped into. Nevertheless, Flick didn't seem to mind, if she even knew what I was thinking.

"Just don't get any ideas, mmkay? I've already got a stallion."

"What?" I asked in confusion. Truthfully, I hadn't even heard her, being a little wrapped up in trying to sort out my schedule for the rest of the day. If the apartment worked out, it wouldn't take too long to complete and I'd have the rest of my day. Since it was just now two o' clock and I hadn't yet found a job, that was a rather long day.

"Playing innocent, huh?" She joked, though at the time I thought she was serious. "Keep that up and the other mares'll be all over you."

I groaned inwardly. Thanks to that comment I just knew I'd spend the rest of the day looking around and noticing stares that probably weren't even there. Whatever. I still needed to lock in that apartment.

I glanced around the cafe, noticing a menu above the cashier register.

Apartment in a little bit. First, a coffee.