Flowers

ACT 1: Stability

February twenty-third

*Kachunk* My documents slid under the plastic guard and the intercom crackled to life, "Station five, next" I hurriedly gathered my papers and went off, almost being forced out of the way by another immigrant. I quickly found the next station and slid my papers to the attendant, "Reason for entry?"

"Immigration,"

"Date of birth?"

"January, seventh, nineteen ninety-two." I said with mock confidence.

There was a short silence, "...station six, next," Two of my papers slid back, I piled them together and hurried off. The next station sat with a guard at the exit, I set my papers back down and started to slide them across, "Sir we don't need to see anything else,"

"Oh...sorry," I pulled them back, "I just-"

"Here," A card slid out from under the divider, "Your permanent ID," Another paper, "Recognition of residence," I quickly pulled them together, "Any questions should be directed to the help desk, thank you, next!" I cracked a small smile looking down at my cards before someone slammed into me, throwing me towards the exit.

"Whoa there..." A guard caught me before I fell, "Easy there." He positioned me upright, "People can be so pushy,"

I gave him a quick smile, "It's fine, I mean I don't really mind," He gave me an odd look before smiling back.

"Well...welcome to Equestria," He walked me over to the door and held it open, "Good luck." I gave a quick nod and walked out. The next room looked simple, several pamphlet holders line the walls and a small desk sat in the far corner with a small help sign above it. I hoisted my backpack and started looking through the various pamphlets, most were for tourist hotspots, a few were towns trying to grab the attention of passersby with colorful artwork or lettering. I gave them all a quick once over, one caught my eye.

Ponyville, charming locals and local charm. I like that. Second stop on the train out of Canterlot. I guess that's where I am now. "Huh..." I folded it up, stuffing it into my jacket and made my way to the street, stopping at the door and watching the locals outside. "Huh...so they really are horses..." I paused and watched several groups pass by.

"Move," A rather raspy voice cut my thoughts, and a rather rough looking man pushed past me and out the door. The door almost closed before I grabbed it and flung it open, throwing myself to this strange new world. It was rather brisk out. Several groups of ponies throwing glances at me as they passed. I just shrugged and followed the flow of people. I had nowhere to go, nowhere to be. Figured I might as well look around.

I took a long walk through town eventually ending up at the train station mentioned on the pamphlet. Eh what the hell, I can go wherever I want! I stepped up to the ticket booth and bought a ticket, twenty bucks left, that's enough for food right?

The train was nearly empty, a few ponies and humans dotting the car. I set my bag down in the seat next to me and pulled out my documents. I set them aside and looked over my documents: Vincent Arroyo, age: twenty-one, ID number: zero-zero-zero seventeen. I cracked a wide smile, "Seventeen...wow..." I ran my thumb along the number still staring at it, "Better make them proud back home...."

"You're seventeen?" A voice rang from the rear of the car. I looked back to see a man with glasses walking over to me. He sat in the row behind me, "I'm twenty-six. Corey Livon," He stuck his hand over the back of my seat.

"Uh..." I set my papers down, gave a grin, and met his hand, "Vincent Arroyo," A good firm handshake followed, "So...you know anything about this place?" I asked breaking the handshake.

"Not really...my dad's friend said he would have a job for me, apparently he's number three or something crazy like that."

"Huh...any idea what kind of job?"

"Something to do with horseshoes...I'm just glad I took those classes back in school," He laughed. I just gave a smile back and faced forward.

"Man...you're lucky, no job waiting for me down there, but I figure I'll find something to do,"

"Yeah man don't worry, things tend to work out for the best." He reached over the seat and jostled my shoulder, "I'm sure you'll figure it out."

I couldn't help but smile, "Thanks man,"

"No problem, hey feel free to get some sleep, you look pretty tired,"

"Uh...yeah, I am...you can wake me up when we get there?"

"Sure, same stop after all,"

"Thanks," I settled back into my seat and stowed my papers, "Just...wake me before we get to the station."

"Sure man...no problem..." I pressed into the seat and slowly knocked out.

"Hey...it's time man," I felt something shaking me, "Come on, you said to wake you up," I slowly came back, the guy was standing in front of me, "Ah good, we're here," He stepped back giving me some room, "Ponyville."

I looked out the window; rustic really was the right word for it. "Huh...seems nice," I said pulling my backpack on, "Hey what time is it?"

He looked at his watch, "About five or so,"

"Huh...better hurry then,"

He gave me a long, appraising look, "You...you have somewhere to stay for the night...right?" I pursed my lips and nodded, "Alright...be safe man." The train jerked to a stop. Once it stopped completely I stood up and hurried out the front door.

I wandered around the town, aimlessly moving from street to street. I eventually found a small stall selling fruit. I bought enough to last the rest of the day. Five dollars...no way that's enough for a room. I gave a deep sigh and looked around. I could see the tips of trees in the far off distance. The sun had also gone down, now seemed like as good a time as any. I hurried towards the distant trees.

I stood at the treeline, the trees looked wrong. Too dark, nothing like the trees in the town. I took a step forward, "Hey...you're not going to go in there right?" A tender voice cause me to whirl around, "Cause it's really not safe," The voice was attached to one of the locals, a mare with a wine colored mane, "...what...why are you looking at me like that?" I must be staring.

"Oh, sorry," I smiled as I looked away, "Uh yeah...I figured I'd go for a hike or something."

She gave me a worried look, "You're new here; obviously, the Everfree isn't safe not for you and not for me. Most ponies know to stay away."

"...huh...well...I don't...uh...I don't really have many options,"

"Sure you do, go home, rent a room or something," She said walking over to me.

"It's not that easy...my financial situation is...kinda dire."

"So what, you were gonna sleep out there?!" She pointed a hoof over the forest.

"Well...yeah, I don't have enough for a room or anything."

She scrunched up her face, "Hmm...and you just got here?"

"Yeah." I said turning to her.

"Got a job?" She started circling me.

"No."

"Friends?"

"Nope..."

"A plan?" She said, a hint of concern in her voice.

"Heh," I suppressed an embarrassed smile, "No, I guess not..." I chuckled.

"You sure do smile a lot for someone about to sleep in the forest, and get mauled." She said raising her eyebrow, "I mean, it's nice and all, but you should really be worried about what you're going to do."

"Yeah...I always try to be optimistic, and I'm not really worried. Things tend to work out in the end. I mean sure, there are hard times, but the good shine all the brighter when compared with the bad," I said grinning and looking out over the forest, "I mean...it could be worse, it could be raining."

She looked worried, pacing in a large track around me, "....you're really going to sleep in the forest?"

"If I have to," I pulled my backpack up onto my shoulder again, "Don't worry, I came prepared."

I started walking into the forest, "...wait...I...we...I don't want your first time in Ponyville to be you sleeping in the Everfree. I mean...you could get eaten by a manticore,"

I turned on my heel, kicking up some dirt as I did, "I don't even know what that is," I said with a laugh, "Besides, you shouldn't worry about me, I'll be fine, always am!"

"...I..." she stammered as I turned back to the forest, "Hey wait....you said you didn't have a job....maybe....maybe you could help me around the shop, my shop, Roseluck's...I mean I can't pay much...but I...I can cook!" She ran over to me, "I mean...I don't like seeing somepony in this position, if I can help, even a little bit I want to. But...it's up to you I guess..."

I stopped, dust settling before I spoke again, "...." I bit my lip, "Sure., I'll think about it. Where is it?"

She quickly told me the address, "...It's not far from here, just look for the building with the orchids out front."

"Well...listen...I don't know if I'll end up showing, but thanks for this," I turned and gave her a warm smile as I walked back into the forest, "Maybe we'll see each other again," I turned back around and stepped from the dirt path, to the dense underbrush of the forest.

I saw her reach a hood out, "Be safe."

I was in the thick of it now, surrounded by dense ground cover and an absolute ton of trees. I kept going, stepping over roots, ferns, thorn bushes, everything that could possibly trip or hurt me. Eventually I managed to find a small clearing. I could hear some rustling nearby and decided the sooner I set up the better.

I gathered a bunch of sticks and rocks and made a rudimentary fire pit. I started going over my mental checklist, "Okay...rule one, check overhead," I looked up, and moved the pit to an open area, "Step two, clear the ground," I threw a bunch of debris into the woods and kicked dust around to cover anything flammable, "Okay...now," I set my backpack down and fished out my lighter, I pulled the pamphlet out and lit it, stuffing it under the bundle of stick and twigs.

Once the fire was steady I took my coat off and laid it on the ground, spreading it like a sleeping bag. I pulled another jacket from my bag and folded it as a pillow. Once everything was laid out I sat back, arching my knees to my chest. I sat there, curled up around the fire for some time.

This wasn't bad, better than the bridge. Not really used to the cold yet...but I guess I'll have to get used to it sooner rather than later. I threw a few twigs into the fire, watching them dance and turn to ash. I got up and found a large branch. I dragged it into the fire and once it was smoldering I laid back onto my jacket and curled up.

This was nice, something different, not the usual bum infested overpass or bridge. I settled in and slowly drifted away.

*Rustle* "huh~" I pulled myself upright, "What the?" *Rustle* I looked around, nothing. The rustling kept up for a few minutes before stopping. I scrambled upright and grabbed my bag, kicking some dirt onto the slowly dying fire. In my semi panicked state I started looking for the way I came. I quickly picked a path and ran.

I could hear whatever was out there following me. Whatever it was, it was heavy footed.

"Come on come on!" I yelled bolting through the trees. My arms slightly bloody from pulling myself across tree bark and bushes, "Come on!" I saw a pale light in the distance and gave every bit of my strength to reach it.

I used a tree to pull myself forward and onto a dirt path, tumbling as I did. I scrambled back and caught a glimpse of a few sets of green eyes peering through the forest, "Phew...god...." I pulled myself upright and backed away. More trees, apple trees. I also looked up and found the moon, it was maybe four am.

I hurried down the path into the apple trees and set my back against one. Sleeping out here would still beat any park bench.

"Applejack! Big Mac! There's somthin' weird out here." I woke with a start and looked around. Experience has taught me, people don't take kindly to trespassing. I hastily got to my feet and ran back to the road towards town. No reason to end up in jail after one night.

"Building with orchids...orchids...what's an orchid?" I wandered the streets looking for the shop the mare had told me about. What was the name? Rose something, something Rose?.

Everything was kind of a blur. My head was killing me from the constant interrupted sleep. People, ponies rather, were staring at me lurch hazily down the street. I felt like death.

"Hey you okay?" A concerned looking pony walked up to me, "You look a little lost..." He looked at my arms, "What happened?"

I covered my arms, "Nothing, anyways, yeah I'm looking for a flower shop, do you know if there's one with orchids out front?"

He gave me another worried look, "Roseluck's yeah, it's down the street, just keep going. You really can't miss it." He turned and walked away, still glancing back, a worried look still visible as he left.

I ignored the look and just hurried down the street. Eventually the buildings started to differentiate. Less copy pasted houses and more slightly alternating shops and more ornate homes. Each home was slightly different, even if not in an immediately apparent way.

"Hey, it's you!" The mare from before ran over to me. She stopped and looked me over, "Oh....are you okay, what happened to your arms?!"

I looked at them, the scrapes and cuts had healed over relatively fast, but you could still tell what had happened, "Nothing terrible, just some cuts."

She scrunched her face up yet again; it was rather cute, "No...go inside, clean those before they get infected!"

"But I-"

"No, do it," She got behind me and started pushing me inside, "*sniff* and clean up too you kinda...smell,"

"What? I- You barely know me, you don't know me!"

"Yeah...well...I don't like seeing bums and if I have to, well at least you can be a clean bum!" She gave one last push to her door, "I'll show you the bathroom,"

"Here, I'll be outside watering when you're done," She quickly ducked out of the room, "Now hurry up...I need some stuff moved."

"Huh I-" *Slam*

"Now hurry up...I'm charging you for the water you use!" I could hear her hooves beating the wood floor, "You can work to pay it off!"

"But- what the- I- huh...." I set my backpack on the tile floor, "This is wrong....people normally aren't this nice..." I looked out the window in the the bathroom; it gave a nice view of her back garden, "I just...don't get it..." I shook my head and went back to my bag, pulling a haggard tin of plasters out. I quickly rummaged through her medicine cabinet for something to use as disinfectant. I found a strange shaped bottle of sanitizer and poured some onto my hands.

I quickly slathered the semi viscus liquid over my cuts. It burned, bad. Once it was done burning I quickly pulled a few bandages out of the tin and stuck them sloppily over the cuts. Twelve or more in total, and that was just for the major ones. I looked like I crawled through a patch of bramble.

With that done I hoisted my backpack back on my shoulder and went outside. The mare was watering her plants gingerly, "Uh hey." I stepped off the stoop with an earthy thud.

She spun around and looked at me, setting her watering can down she walked over to me, "You still smell...I thought I told you to clean up."

"I can't really help that."

"Go shower....I don't mind if you use my soap.."

"I only have one set of clothes." I deadpanned.

"...but...didn't you, you had a jacket yesterday."

"Oh crap," I slammed my palm against my forehead,"I knew I forgot something." I set my bag down and knelt next to it, "No no no, damn! All of them." I let my knee fall and rolled onto my back, "...yeah...I did have a jacket...."

"You lost it?" She asked, hanging over me.

"Yeah. I guess I forgot it in the woods."

She grew a slight smugness to her voice, "I told you...." She wandered off.

"Hey," I jumped upright, "You said it wasn't safe.There were things with green eyes-"

"Timber wolves," She mumbled through the watering can in her teeth.

"Huh?"

"Timber wolves, I told you it was dangerous. You're lucky you got away!"

"I...*sigh*...anyways you said you needed me to do something?"

She looked me up and down, "Sure! Obviously you don't mind getting dirty so you can help me move some bags of soil." She trotted around the side of her building. Her back garden was nice, floral but not overly so; tasteful, "Alright...you can set your stuff down anywhere, the bags are in the shed, I need it moved into the shop." She pointed to the shed and walked over to the back door to her house, "Just be careful, they're really heavy."

"Uh...I- I'm getting paid for this right?"

"No- maybe, depends on what you consider pay. Let me put it like this, you clear out that shed, you might be able to stay in there tonight. It's not much, but it's safer than the Everfree."

"This is a joke right." I charged up to her staring down at her, "If this is a joke it's not funny!"

"Who would joke about this?"

"No one, that's why it's weird!"

"Is it so hard for you to believe I don't like seeing ponies in trouble!?" She said propping her hooves against me, her face meeting mine, "I don't know why you think this is a joke, but it's not." She pushed off, forcing me back a step, "It's not charity though....I expect you help me," She hastily trotted to the door of her house and held it open, tail whipping back and forth angrily, "Now get to work!"

Well...alright then. I went into the shed. It was absolutely filled with bags of potting soil. I decided to get started and tossed my bag in front of the shed. I took two bags at once and hoisted one on each shoulder. I quickly crossed the yard and set them down next to the back door. The mare peeked around the door frame, "No, inside, over here," I quickly pulled a bag up and followed her; there was a series of shelves with assorted pots and bags of planting materials, ranging from mulch to fertilizer. "See, this would take me so much longer on my own."

"Sure...so how many do you want in here?" I asked brushing some dust off of my shirt.

"Enough to fill the shelves if possible," I looked at the shelves, maybe another ten bags, "I mean, it's easier to keep them in the shed but that means I have to go out and drag them inside when somepony wants some."

"Right, I'll get back to it then."

"ERUGH! There...." I set the last bag down and stepped back, dusting off my hands, "Not too bad I think." The bags were neatly stalked and flush with the rest of the shelves. I went back outside to grab my bag, "What the!? Oh man no! Not again!" I ran over and looked around, my backpack was gone, "No no no no no come on!"

"What?! What's wrong!?" The mare ran out next to me.

"Someone stole my bag!" I fell back and leaned against the shed, the base of my palm pressed hard against my temple, "All my stuff...my papers..."

"Uh, I just put it inside." I felt my heart climb out of my stomach, "Sorry, I figured I'd try to be nice."

" Oh thank god...phew! thanks I guess....it's- it's just not the first time that happened to me." I stood up, "So you have it right?"

"Yes...but it can wait, I made some food," She turned back to the shop and stepped inside.

"Food? Huh...like actual food?" I ran after her.

"Oh." I stared over the table. A wide variety of steamed vegetables and fruit littered plates and bowls.

"What?"

"Nothing...just, not what I was expecting."

"What do you mean, I'm a great cook!"

"...a vega- oh wait....right."

"What, what's wrong?"

"Nothing." I stared at the plates of food in front of me and grabbed some fruit.

"Take some vegetables too, don't load up on sugar!" She forced a load of what looked like mushrooms onto my plate, "There!"

"...sure." Things got quiet for a bit.

"So. you said you lost your stuff before?" She asked over the sound clanking plates.

"Stolen; yeah, every so often someone thinks I'll have something they want...usually I find all my stuff dumped out into a ditch or something, they usually keep the bag."

"How horrible! What kind of ponies would do that."

I set the fork down and grabbed a pear, "Bums, but I'd rather take my chances with them than end up like my brother...stabbed by crackheads or something, I don't even know."

Another pause, "....so you've been living like this for a while?" She set her plate down.

I ran my tongue along the inside of my teeth, "Uh....yeah, about six years. I caught a break about a year and a half ago...even took some classes at a collage, until the check bounce. Heh heh."

She looked befuddled, "I'm sorry, six years?"

"Yep. Parents died in a car crash, me and my brother dropped out of school and lived on the street. We tried to work...he ended up getting hooked by some dealer...I never found out what happened to him. Anyways yeah I think it's been six years now, I mean....hopefully things will be different now, but if I had to go back.... I mean it wasn't good but I survived...mostly." I had let myself frown. I quickly rubbed my face and brought my smile back, however forced.

I looked across the table, she looked heartbroken, "Six years...so...you were just a colt..."

"Huh? Oh a kid, yeah sort of I was...fifteen I think. I have to be honest I try not to remember too much. It all worked out though! I'm here now, actually I guess that really doesn't change much." I gave a single weak laugh.

She avoided meeting my eyes, "So...classes...what did you learn?"

I leaned back in the chair, "Uh, piano." I covered my mouth, rubbing my fingers across my cheeks, "Piano...of all stupid things....not something useful or practical....I don't know what I was thinking, I think I just did it to try and get away from what my life was." I looked over the food that was left, "Well....I guess that's it...." I stood from the chair, "It's been nice but I better go find a place to crash or something, where's my bag?"

"...in the guest room." She still wouldn't make eye contact.

"What?"

"I uh...while you were working...I...."

"Guest room!? I can't.....you've  fed me that's enough. I wouldn't feel right-" She quickly stood and bolted over to me, pressing her hooves against me stomach and slamming me into a wall.

"You said six years! Well guess what it's not gonna be six years and a day, it's not gonna be six years and an hour!" She pressed her head against the bottom of my ribcage, "I might not be able to help everypony, but I can help you!" She looked up at me, tears forming around the edges of her eyes, "Follow me!" She pressed off of me and went to the back door, "Go on."

I hesitantly followed, once I was outside the door slammed shut, "HEY! What the fu-" The door swung back open revealing the mare holding a bar of soap which she quickly threw at me, "Soap?!"

"Soap. Now strip," She had managed to catch her breath halfway through the sentence, "I shouldn't have let you inside like that in the first place!"

"Strip!? I'm not going to strip in front of you!"

"Oh don't be a baby, unless you're hiding something." Her tone was acquisitive and playful all at once.

"Well yeah I...wait...what!?"

"I've heard of stallions wearing pants...cause they're small. I don't really care though."

"I- we- humans....I'm not going to-"

She gave me a fiery grimace, "Fine! Then you can sleep outside without your stuff!" She started to pull the door shut.

"Wait wait wait! Fine...." She swung the door back open, "I can't believe this...bullcrap...." I slowly tore my shirt and pants off and tossed them across the lawn.

"And those." She pointed a hoof at my groin, "They probably stink like a locker room."

"No!"

"Oh calm down....it can't be that weird. And trust me, I've seen some weird stallions."

"Gross, and no."

"Fine!" She bolted out and scooped up my clothes, "Stay outside, alone and naked!"

"Hey no no no!" She slammed the door and locked it, "Oh come on!" It was just me now, standing in the middle of some strangers' back yard, my clothes being held for ransom. I'm starting to think I was better off back in LA.

"Take off those things and I'll let you in!" She yelled from the window.

"But....look just let me grab my stuff and I'll leave!"

"No...I'm not letting you inside all dirty!"

"I-....Jesus..." I marched behind the shed and stripped my boxers off. I chucked them into the yard, "Happy!?"

She unlocked the door and stepped onto the back porch, "Now come out here!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"Why!?"

"Because you need to clean up!"

"And you need to- hey no!" She grabbed her back garden hose in her mouth, "Really!? It's way to cold for that!"

"Well I'm not letting you inside dirty...make this quick and you can use one of my towels!" I hid behind the shed, eventually wandering out into the middle of the yard, "Oh....wow!" She looked me up and down once again.

"Hey shut up! It's cold out...." I grumbled, a warm feeling engulfing my face.

"Huh- Oh, you obviously haven't seen many stallions, and here I though you were nervous about it."

"What the heck does that mea-" She blasted me with the hose, "AH JESUS THAT'S COLD!"

"-oap, ush tha shoap!" She yelled through the hose.

"Ah ah ah!" I started scrubbing my entire body, "Cold cold cold ahugh cold!"

"-air! an down ther!"

"Odin why?! Ahhh!" I broke the soap in half and held each piece in one hand, one on my head, the other around my groin, "Come on hurry!" She quickly moved the jet of water upwards and then down, "Good, are we good!?"

She spit the hose out and turned off the water, "Yeah...I guess." She went back inside and slammed the door.

"Hey no!" I ran over and slammed into the door, "You said I could grab my stuff!"

I waited for a bit eventually huddling on the porch. The door swung open almost hitting my back. I turned only to have my vision cut off by a warm towel thrown at me, "I don't want you dripping on the floor."

I pulled the towel off my face, "Man...ya know I think I was better off on a park bench." I growled drying off the the rather small towel, "I mean this isn't okay!"

"Then you should take better care of yourself. Now come on." She got behind me again and started pushing me forward into the house, "You smell different now."

"Yeah please don't stand behind me....not like this...."

She wrapped her hooves around my back and locked them in front of my stomach, "Why...do you not like being touched,"

I felt myself start to get excited, "Hey hey! Not funny!" I managed to break free and hold the towel against my groin, "Homeless get weird after a long enough time...let's just say it's the reason I'm fit. Fighting off bums is great exercise."

"Gross...why are you covering your thing." She started walking over to my front.

"Why do you think it's okay to just ask me about my...penis..."

"Because it doesn't bother me, does your body bother you?"

"Uh....a little actually."

She just shook her head, "Well I need that towel back I'm washing your clothes."

She yanked the towel away, "Wait what!? What am I supposed to wear!?" She ignored me and scooped up the pile of clothes by the door.

"Nothing...you act like that's not normal." She said going to the back yard with the rest of my clothes.

"It's not!" I followed her to the back yard again.

"I mean, I guess cause you don't have fur you could be cold...but winter wrap-up just ended, it should be nice and warm in the daytime."

"...I- can you just" before I could finish she dumped my clothes into a large washtub, "Ah-" I froze at the sight.

She smiled and trotted over to my discarded boxers, "There and the- oh...when's the last time you changed?"

"A few weeks....I borrowed some friend's clothes..." I managed to eek out as I watched my clothes swirl around in the washtub.

"Wow...you humans always smell this strong?" She asked dumping the last of my clothes into the tub, "Like a colt locker room."

"I-I don't even know what I can say to that." She trotted past me.

She stopped brushing past my thigh, "Weren't you cold? Come on." She nipped my fingers and started pulling me inside.

"Here, do you have anymore stuff I should know about, stuff that is dirty?"

"No." I said looking around the room.

"Good, get some sleep then, you can help pay me back tomorrow," She trotted off, "Oh...and by the way, don't let your ego go to your head, it's not that big."

What? I grimaced and closed the door behind me. I looked around the room, a short bed lay in the middle of the room; too short for me unless I curled into a ball, which I promptly did, pulling the thick blanket around me. It was warm, the first time I'd seen a bed since that night at my friends house. I quickly fell asleep. A small tightly curled ball, warm and safe for one night. Even if it was only one night, it was worth it.