A New Start

A New Start

Story 4

Chapter 2: You're Not Allowed To Be Sad

By: FluttersIsAwesome

I stared for a moment at the pony smiling back at me. We had only met three minutes ago, but he didn't seem to care in the least that I was a griffin. I couldn't help but smile back at him. "Thank you Captain Edge-"

He held up his hoof to my beak. "Nope. Just nope. All of my friends call me Cobalt, and so will you."

I nodded. He was much more laid back than Iron was back in Farrington. I remembered how he told me to refer to him as "Captain" while on duty, and to only call him by first name when off-duty. Then again, I was a civilian in this city. Well shit, that reminds me. If I want to actually live here, I will need to get a job. I figured the Captain of the Guard would be the best one to ask about the subject. "Hey... since I'm thinking about it, you know any place that needs work?"

He grinned happily. "Now that's something I'm not used to."

I tilted my head. "Did I... say something wrong?"

He laughed and shook his head. "No no no, I just haven't met anypony in a while that had employment as the first thing on their agenda. Bravo, Gilda."

I smiled again. Maybe finding an actual place to live should've come first. I decided to worry about that later. If I needed to, I could just sleep in the woods that night.

Cobalt, however, didn't know that. I opened my beak to say something, but I guess he didn't notice and began talking himself.

"Well, before you actually try to find a job here, why don't we try to find a place for you to live?"

I held in a small chuckle. "That works, too."

He took my claw. "Come with me."

I nodded and followed him, though I politely took my hand back. Walking on that uncomfortable stone was bad enough, having to do it without all four legs would just plain suck.

He turned to me and looked at my feet. I assumed he noticed the way I had to curl my toes to protect my talons, because he looked up at me and mentioned my gauntlets. "Don't worry, Gilda. Nova went through your cave and brought some things to the post office he thought you might find useful. He returned your armor to Farrington and brought your gauntlets and leather bag here."

I breathed a sigh of relief. "He thought of everything..."

Cobalt laughed again. "He's not one to leave a friend hanging." He led me into the huge tower and took me up a flight of stairs. We went down the hallway and through a side door. There was a filly sitting at the desk reading through some papers when we walked in.

She seemed surprise by our entrance, but tried to tidy herself. "Good evening, Captain Edge."

He hit his face with his hoof and dragged it down the length of his face. "Evening, Jade. I need your help with something."

She immediately straightened her back. "Yes, what is it?"

He pulled me to his side. "This is Gilda. She just arrived in Luvenhëgen today, and she plans on staying. Are there any home available for rent or purchase right now?"

She opened up a drawer and pulled out a rather large file folder filled with papers. She started flipping through them, and then took a look at the computer monitor beside her. "Sorry, Captain, there aren't any available homes right now."

He grunted. "Is that so? Alright then." He sat down and thought for a minute. "Alright then, Gilda. If you don't mind, you can stay at my place tonight."

I sighed. "I guess since you're offering."

The smile returned to his face. He patted my back and led me out of the building. "Okay, Gilda. Let's go to the post office and pick up your things. For now, I'll let you fly low so you don't have to break your hands walking."

That was some very welcome news. I lifted myself off the ground and floated above it.

He laughed at my impatience. "Don't go too high, or you will be netted. Follow me."

I followed him and he took me around a few turns and past some buildings. Eventually we came to a large brown building that had a large sign with an envelope on it. Common sense told me this was the place. We walked in and my jaw dropped. The place was huge. It looked as if there was always a pony moving behind the large counter. It was bright and clean, a very nice pleasant sight as opposed to the drab, bland appearance of ordinary post offices.

Cobalt walked over to the front counter. "A red and orange pegasus delivered a package addressed to "Gilda" today, do you still have it?"

The filly behind the desk nodded. "Of course. It's right," she bent down behind the counter and picked up a box, setting it on the counter, "here for you." She grinned happily. It confused me, everyone was happy in Luvenhëgen. I wasn't opposed to it, but I certainly wasn't used to it. Cobalt handed me the box and I tore it open immediately. Inside were my gauntlets, which I was more than eager to put on. The fake metal claws still irked me, but at least I could walk normally again. I also grabbed my leather pouch out of it.

What was underneath nearly drove me to tears.

It was a drawing of Nova, Fluttershy, Dash, Rarity, Twilight, Applejack, and even Pinkie Pie together. They were all smiling, and some even looked like they were laughing. They had all fallen over in a group hug on top of a smiling griffin: me. I looked the picture over again, and I did start crying when I read the short letter that came with it:

Dear Gilda,

I know your past must haunt you, but I want you to know that if you ever need anything, your friends in Ponyville are just that: your friends. Feel free to write to any one of us, and visits are always welcome. We all miss you.

Your friends:

Fluttershy, Nova and Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rarity, and Twilight Sparkle

We love you, and we'll miss you.

I saw this and couldn't hold back the tears. I sat right there and cried my heart out in front of Cobalt and the mail clerk. Despite my gauntlets being on, I put my hands over my face. I began feeling warm, but also constricted. I opened my eyes to see both Cobalt and the filly had wrapped me in a hug.

The mail clerk spoke. "In this town, nopony, griffin, Raishi, or actual pony, is allowed to be sad by themselves."

Cobalt nodded. "Most citizens here are the sort who will drop everything to help a stranger in need. You're no exception."

I smiled even as the tears fell. It felt so strange, I barely knew one of these ponies, and I didn't know the other, but they felt more like family to me than my blood relatives ever had.