Dear Twilight,
I am sending you a fellow student to study with. His name is Lionheart and he will be arriving tomorrow on the morning train from Canterlot. You should be able to recognize him by his light brown coat, darker brown main and tail, blue eyes, and a brown cloak he will be wearing. If you don't, no worries, I will give him a description of you and a map to the library.
Remember to be gentle with him. While it may not show, and he will probably straight out deny it, he is very sensitive and needs some friends right now. Unlike you, who simply needed to learn about friendship, he has been deeply hurt and needs somepony to both guide and push him toward healing. Don't underestimate him though, he is not a newborn colt that needs his hoof held. Just show him kindness and I strongly believe he will take the next steps on his own.
Sincerely,
Princess Celestia
P.S.
Unless Lionheart brings it up, don't mention Hoofcreek Meadow and treat the matter very delicately if and when the subject does arise.
"Wow," Spike commented after Twilight finished reading the letter aloud, "I wonder what happened at Hoofcreek."
"Well, that's the name of a new settlement, but all communication with the colony was lost several months ago... Maybe he had family there," Twilight surmised, "Anyway, if you could please finish with the books, we can get going to the picnic!"
"Alright, I just have a few left... There, done. Let's go!" Spike announced as he hopped down off the ladder with an enthusiastic grin.
Trotting up to her friends in the town square with Spike on her back, Twilight noticed somepony was missing from the small group of ponies. "Hey, everypony! Where's Fluttershy?"
"Hello, Twilight, she's not with you?" Rarity greeted her friends.
"No, she wasn't at the library at all today."
"Where is she?" Rainbow demanded, "We all agreed to meet here at the fountain at eleven o'clock sharp!"
"Calm down there Rainbow Dash," AJ reigned in her friend, "Gettin upset over her bein a little late isn't goin to hurry her up any."
"Yeah! I bet she's going to be here any minute now!" said Pinkie with a grin.
"Humph... Well, she better be! I'm starving and she was supposed to be the one bringing lunch!" Rainbow Dash grumbled, "I didn't have a chance to eat much for breakfast since the... uh..." she trailed off.
"What? Since what happened?" Spike asked, confused.
"Nothing, just a little something I had to do in Cloudsdale..." the blue Pegasus explained sheepishly.
"Oooohh! Sounds interesting! What was that?" Pinkie wanted to know.
Dash started to blush, hiding it quickly, "Just a little bet I made with some ponies in the weather patrol..."
"Oh? What happened?" Twilight's curiosity was aroused.
"Nothing, it was just a stupid bet I made and," Rainbow cut off abruptly as Fluttershy galloped up, "There you are! Where have you been? We've been waiting hours for you to show up!"
"Uh, Dash? She's only about ten minutes late," Applejack said flatly.
"Oh..." Rainbow relented rather embarrassed.
Startled by her friend's outburst, Fluttershy put down the basket she had been carrying and hastily began apologizing, "I'm so sorry! Angle was hungry, then the mice got into an argument, then, then" she choked up as her emotions began to get the better of her, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to be late! I've ruined the picnic for everypony! Oh, I'm so sorry!"
"It's okay dearie, it sounds like you had a tough morning. Everypony's late once in a while," Rarity said comfortingly.
"Yeah! Why, one time my family showed up over a week late to a get-together with some of our kin cuz Granny read the invitation wrong. By golly that was a day to remember!" AJ laughed.
"Well, let's get going. Dash is famished and I must admit I'm a little hungry too!" Twilight prompted.
With unanimous agreement, the group set off to the edge of the lake just outside of Ponyville. It really was a nice day for a walk. Bright, but not too bright, warm, but not hot, birds singing in the trees... The kind of day when you could just talk with whatever pony was next to you, letting the conversation go where it may it was so peaceful. Even some of the businesses had signs in the windows proclaiming a long lunch to enjoy the exceptional weather.
When the group arrived at the lake, the blanket was unfurled and everypony dug in. Fluttershy had really outdone herself that morning. She'd brought a large spinach salad, an apple turnover, and a dozen fresh rolls with butter for whoever wanted some. Everypony agreed, this wasn't just a picnic, this was fine dining!
"Oh, I'm so glad you like it!" Fluttershy said quietly, sporting a timid smile.
"Like it? This turnover is AMAZING!" Pinkie announced exuberantly, bolting down a third slice.
"Ah have to agree with Pinkie there, you've got to get me this here recipe," AJ commented.
"Uh... alright, if you really like it that much," Fluttershy responded with a shy smile.
"Oh, hey Twilight! Did you want to tell everyone about the new pony coming to town tomorrow?" Spike piped up.
"New pony?" Pinkie blurted, suddenly highly attentive, "When? What are they like? What's their name? Wha-"
"Calm down Pinkie," Rainbow cut Pinkie off, "Let Twilight explain."
"Thanks, Dash. Well, I don't know much about him. Princess Celestia sent me a note this morning right before we left. Spike, why don't you go ahead and read it."
After pulling out the message, Spike cleared his throat and read it through. True to form, Celesita had portrayed a wealth of information with very few words, a talent born of a thousand years of diplomacy.
"Looks like we've got a new friend to join us," AJ commented, "It'd be right neighborly if we were to give 'm a nice warm greeting when he gets off the train tomorrow."
"Yeah, break the ice," Rainbow agreed.
"Oh! Oh! Oh! Why don't we give him a Welcome to Ponyville Party!!!! He'll love that!" Pinkie Pie announced, bouncing up and down excitedly.
"You mean like the one you threw when Spike and I arrived?" Twilight asked a little pointedly.
"Uh, huh!" Pinkie grinned, head bobbing up and down vigorously.
"Why don't we just give him a tour of Ponyville... if that's okay with everypony else..." Fluttershy put forward.
"Why, yes! That sounds like a wonderful idea!" Rarity said, "That way, we can get to know him a little before springing something so dramatic on him."
"Hey, wait a minute... Where's he supposed to stay while he's in Ponyville?" Spike piped up.
Everyone was quiet for a moment. "Well, I guess Princess Celestia already made plans for him and decided not to let us in on them." Twilight's reasoning being met with a chorus of agreement.
The conversation drifted to other topics and eventually the friends had to say their goodbyes as time marched on, each leaving to tend to their own responsibilities.
When the morning train pulled into the station, seven friends waited eagerly on the platform while the cars unloaded. Strangely though, there appeared to be no Lionheart among those coming into Ponyville.
"Where's he at?" Dash asked confused.
"Well, maybe something happened in Canterlot and he wasn't able to make it," Applejack remarked.
"I'm sure Celestia would have sent me a letter letting me know he wouldn't be- Is that him?" Twilight broke off as the last passenger departed from the train.
Just as the princess had said in her note, he was a light brown stallion with a darker mane and tail, wearing a brown cloak. What she hadn't written was that he was also an Earth pony. Something was off about him though... His bearing was one of a strong pony, but he still looked around a little too much, almost as though he was scared. You couldn't tell that by looking at his face though, since he held his features in an almost perfectly inscrutable "calm, collected, and mildly interested" state. The amazing facial control didn't do much to cover up his body language; however, as he moved about in an oddly tense, yet fluid way.
"Hmmmmm..." Pinkie said to herself, "That's not right. I know ponies, and this pony is a fake."
"Wha- Pinkie Pie! That's no way to speak of Ponyville's newest resident!" Rarity chastised, "Be nice! There might be a reason he's like that. You never know."
"Well, she's got a point," Applejack added, "Just look at the way he moves... It just ain't natural."
"Yeah, he's hiding something..." Rainbow peered suspiciously at the new stallion.
"Would you girls get ahold of yourselves? He's ri-" Twilight started.
"Uh, hi. I'm new here, but you wouldn't perchance be Twilight Sparkle, Student of Princess Celestia, would you?" The new arrival had spotted the group and slipped in surprisingly quietly.
"Oh, uh, yes. Yes I am. And you're Lionheart?"
"Yes. Princess Celestia said you would probably be here to greet me," Lionheart paused as he looked around at the other ponies gathered about Twilight, "Your friends?" he asked.
Realizing her mistake, Twilight hastily introduced her companions. Each one stepped forward as their names were called and traded pleasant greetings. Despite the overall gentle manner with which the stallion treated each of them, all felt as though they were distanced, almost as though Lionheart wanted to get away. This feeling was at odds; however, with how he held the conversation, not rushing or looking for an excuse to leave, nor attempting to control it, but simply letting it happen.
After introductions and brief synopsis of each pony's position in the community were finished, Twilight offered to take Lionheart on a tour of Ponyville, "Sure, if you're not too busy. I'm sure a tour will be very beneficial," polite as always, "Would all of you like to have lunch afterwards? I'll be more than happy to pay for your meals, just tell me where you would like to eat."
"You want to take us out to lunch?" Rarity intoned.
"Yes, I would," Lionheart responded, "After all, you are all so generous as to give me a guided tour of Ponyville. It's the least I could do to repay you."
Surprised and a little taken aback, Twilight replied, "We were going to buy you lunch."
"Please, no. I insist. Let me take all of you to the restaurant of your choice," he said with a smile.
"How about the Hay Burger?" Applejack proposed.
"Yeah! They've got some of the best burgers in all of Equestria!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
"Well, I'm not sure about all Equestria," Twilight countered with a smile.
"So, are you all in agreement then?" Lionheart wanted to know.
"But of coarse darling," Rarity agreed.
"Okie, Dokie, Loki!" Pinkie Pie grinned.
"If it's alright with everypony else, I guess," Fluttershy consented.
"It's decided then," Twilight announced.
With that, the band of ponies took Lionheart around the town, showing him where each lived, worked, and other notable locations. By the time their excursion came to a close, everyone was ready for lunch, especially Spike. Sitting down and getting ready to order, Rainbow Dash decided to ask their newest friend a question, "So, where are you going to stay? I mean, did the Princess set you up with a place somewhere or something?"
Having received nothing from the Princess, nopony at the table, save for Lionheart, had any idea where he would be residing, "Princess Celestia arranged for me to stay in a cottage on the edge of town," he explained, "She said it's on the edge of the Everfree Forest. It was that dark, wooded area near Fluttershy's cottage, right?"
"You're going to be living right next to the Everfree Forest!?!?" Dash exclaimed.
"Well, actually, it looks like it's a little bit inside..." Lionheart said, pulling out a map from a hidden pocket in his cloak.
Twilight was confused, "Wait, are you sure she meant to have you live inside the forest? Maybe you read the map wrong."
Looking to her, Lionheart smiled, "Actually, I requested someplace close to nature. I guess Princess Celestia decided to get me as close as possible."
"That place is so unnatural though!" AJ commented.
"And dangerous," Fluttershy added.
"Not to mention drab," Rarity scoffed, "There's terrible lighting in there, and the only things to see are moss covered trees."
Lionheart kept a straight face, showing neither agreement nor displeasure toward the comments. Shrugging, he simply stated, "The Everfree Forest is where Princess Celestia has sent me, so to the Everfree Forest I shall go."
Everypony got the hint, leading Rarity to change the subject, "So, Lionheart. What do you do?"
"Well, I am a personal student to Princess Celestia and as such I tend to study a lot."
"Oh, oh, oh, just like Twilight!!!!" Pinkie bounced in her seat, grinning.
Lionheart gave a small smile, "Yes, as a matter-of-fact, I am!" Everypony at the table turned and stared at Lionheart in confusion, "Princess Celestia decided that I should expand my studies in the realm of friendship. You, Twilight, are currently studying the subject. In the end, I guess, she felt that it would be far more beneficial for me to study with you than to stay in Canterlot."
A collective "oooohhhhhh" was shared by the group of friends, "So, how did you end up becoming a student of Princess Celestia's? I mean you're an Earth pony, not a Unicorn..." Dash asked.
"There something wrong with Earth ponies?" Applejack shot back, rather offended.
"What? No! I just mean, it's Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns," Rainbow backed down, "I didn't expect an Earth pony to get in there..."
"I never set hoof in her school," Lionheart stated, trying to defuse the situation, "She just decided to take me under her wing as her student..."
Rarity wasn't completely convinced, "Really darling, you must have done something to catch her attention."
Pinkie's hoof shot up, "Oh, oh, oh, did it have to do with Hoofcreek Meadow?"
Everypony stared at Pinkie, who, realizing her mistake, lost her exuberant nature quite suddenly, "Oops."
When they turned to look at Lionheart, they saw that he had become incredibly stoic and stared directly at Pinkie Pie, "That was a very specific question. Why do you ask?" he asked evenly. Even his voice was completely controlled, perfectly unreadable.
Seeing their newest friend so acutely on edge, Twilight remembered the note: don't mention Hoofcreek Meadow and treat the matter very delicately if and when the subject does arise. "Celestia told us something about Hoofcreek Meadow might have hurt you. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to..."
"And if you don't feel like talking about it right now, we'll always be here for you when you do," Fluttershy added comfortingly.
None of this seemed to help ease the new stallion's mood very much, "So, what did she tell you?"
"Nothing really, she just said that Hoofcreek Meadow was something we should avoid until you decided to tell us about it," Applejack explained.
Lionheart seemed to relax a little when he heard that, "I see. Yes, something happened to me there... I don't really want to talk about it."
The conversation drifted from there, eventually leading back to Lionheart, "Hey, Lionheart, where is your new home exactly?" Spike inquired.
"Would you like to see it?" Everypony agreed, "Well then, looks like our next stop is my new home," Lionheart announced.
The band of ponies set off after the lunch was paid for, walking toward the forest. Despite not being a cool day by any means, the ponies seemed to feel a chill in the air as they approached the forest. This place was dangerous and everypony knew it, yet Lionheart looked as though he was totally unfazed as they headed down the path. After a couple of twists and turns, they appeared at an old cottage hollowed out of a tree.
"Come on in if you like," Lionheart offered. Grateful to be someplace safe again, they headed in.
The house was of a sparse design with only a table, wood burning stove, some cabinets, an icebox, and a mat on the floor to decorate the living space. Clearly the princess had intended for Lionheart to furnish his new home on his own. Over on the table was a letter, sealed with the customary wax, ribbon, and signet of Princess Celestia. Walking over and opening the note, the new homeowner read it aloud.
Dear Lionheart,
I hope you like your new home here in Ponyville. Please feel free to enjoy the apple cider I left for you in the icebox with your new friends.
Sincerely,
Princess Celestia
"You've got cider?" Rainbow Dash asked excitedly.
Opening the icebox, Lionheart pulled out eight bottles, setting them on the table, "One for each of us," he said, cracking one open with a smile.
After finishing the offered beverages, the group of ponies and dragon decided to take their leave, "Well, we better get going. Feel free to come on by if you want some help moving in!" Twilight called as they walked out into the forest.
"Oh, yes! I would be more than willing to assist you in any decorations," Rarity offered.
"Well, thank you very much, but I think I should probably do things on my own. You don't seem to like coming into the forest like this, so I won't force you," he said with a small smile.
"I'm not scared!" Rainbow declared, "What gave you the impression I was afraid, huh!?!?!"
"Stop that Rainbow Dash," Fluttershy said, far too quiet to be considered a true command, "He just said he didn't think we were comfortable coming here, not that you were afraid."
"Sorry, I didn't mean anything by it... I just meant that I didn't want to push any of you into doing something you didn't really want to do, that's all..." Lionheart said, his ears laid back and the smile gone from his face.
"That's alright there sugar cube. We all appreciate the gesture," Applejack said with a smile, offering a hug that Lionheart shied away from.
"Uh... Yeah... Thanks... Bye," The stallion crept back into his new home and shut the door.
"Dashie, you hurt his feelings!" Pinkie said, on the verge of crying.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to. I just don't want him to think I'm afraid of something I'm not!" she proclaimed hovering in the air, crossing her hooves.
"You really should go and apologize to him," AJ motioned toward the door.
Glancing around, Rainbow Dash landed, "Fine," she said, marching up and knocking on the door. Lionheart appeared, opening the door a moment later, his features controlled and giving nothing away.
"Yes? Did you loose something?" he asked evenly.
Taken off guard, Dash found her voice after a moment, "Uh, no. I wanted to apologize for yelling at you like that."
"No harm done. I can tell you value your courage," he said evenly, "I had no intention of implying you were a coward."
"Yeah... Sorry about that."
"Sorry about what? The matter is completely forgotten."
"Really? Wow. Well, we better get going and let you settle in there..."
"Thank you. Goodbye everyone," Lionheart said as he stepped back inside. The others offered up a chorus of goodbyes of their own as Lionheart closed the door.
Turning and trekking back toward Ponyville, the group began to discuss first impressions of their newest acquaintance, "I think he's hiding something," Pinkie Pie muttered.
"What makes you say that?" Spike asked, "It's only his first day here in Ponyville, maybe he's just nervous."
"I have to agree. He's way too... I don't know, he just doesn't seem sincere to me," Rainbow put her two cents in.
"Well can ya blame him?" Applejack criticized, "You blew up at him fer nothin!"
Fluttershy stepped in wanting to prevent another argument, "I think he's very nice. He's so polite," she said with a smile.
"Oh, yes! A perfect gentlecolt!" Rarity agreed, nodding.
Twilight spoke up, "Honest too! Did you notice how he didn't come up with some story to try and appease us when you accidentally let Hoofcreek slip, there Pinkie."
"Yeah... he was still upset though..." Pinkie Pie said sadly. Brightening suddenly, she exclaimed, "I know! I'll throw him an Everything's Alright Party!" The pink pony beamed, looking around at the others around her.
"I don't know, maybe we should wait for a little while until he's a bit more comfortable," Twilight reasoned.
"Yeah... I guess so..." disappointment evident on her face.
"Cheer up darling! We can still throw him a party, just not right now is all," Rarity gave her friend a comforting hug.
The friends said their so-longs and went their separate ways as they reached the edge of the forest. Well, I guess that could have gone better, Twilight thought to herself, At least nopony got hurt.
Author's Note
I posted the Pony Creator version of Lionheart as my avatar. This is just until I learn how to do digital art and draw him the way I see him, but for now, this is fairly accurate.
