The Cards we're Dealt

by cajunbrony23

Rating: mature
Tags: Main 6, Drama, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Romance, Original Character, Comedy, Rarity, Sex
Length: 6428

Aerohead a humble wanderer decides to settle down in Ponyville but soon realizes that he's to face his greatest challenge yet.

Aerohead, a vagrant pegasus. after years of adventure and travel has tired of his many endeavors and wishes to settle down. But unknown to him, his greatest challenge awaits him in the little town of Ponyville. (A tale of love, lust, and friendship)

Published 2015-10-19 05:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2015-10-22 15:22:06 UTC

New Face in a New Place

My name is Aerohead, I’ve roamed Equestria for most of my adult life. Through my travels I have crossed the blistering cold of the northern mountains overlooking the Crystal Empire, to the scorching deserts where the zebra call their home, and even braved the dark, beast infested woodlands known as the Everfree Forest. I had never been the kind of pony that would stay in one place for too long before moving on and had never wanted to be. That is until recently, I made the realization that all this wandering, while fun and exciting, wouldn’t lead me anywhere later on in my life. I settled on a small town called Ponyville I had once heard of in my journeys, which was supposed to be a pretty decent place to live. The town was uneventful and I heard rumors that the Princess of Friendship lived there too, so I assume that crime rates would be minimal.

I wandered into the town half asleep, nearly exhausted from days of walking to the town itself: I had come from Las Pegasus on hoof and had spent all my bits on food and water. As I came into Ponyville I took notice of all the ponies conversing, which seemed a little odd to me, most cities I’ve been to everypony kept to themselves, Ponyville was much smaller than those cities though and small towns do have the perk where everypony knows each other. I stopped close to the city hall to take a drink of water from my canteen, and with that sip I had used the last of my water. As the canteen emptied itself, the cold refreshing liquid ran down my dry throat. Right away I began to sweat, drinking the remainder of my water wasn’t enough, I was still dehydrated. I swore under my breath as I began to look around for a river or a shop I could buy some water from. Roaming through the town I stumbled across a vibrantly colored pegasus, a mare judging by the mane length; maybe she knew of somewhere to get water, or some kind of drink.

“Excuse me miss,” I addressed her,though she seemed bit preoccupied laying back on a gray cloud overhead

“Hey! You, up there!” I shouted, but again she didn’t respond. My wings were still sore from flying so much while on my travels here, and I wasn’t sure if I had the strength to fly up there.

“Damn it,” I muttered under my breath. There had to be some way I could get this pony’s attention, so I began to look around for something I could use. On the ground I found a strange rock, it seemed bigger than most and the perfect one to use to get this pony to answer me. I had the whole scenario play out in my head, she’d feel the rock hit her head and she’d turn around to see who threw it, and I could ask her where I can get a drink before I pass out. I threw the rock, and like I had planned out, it hit her right in the head. The mare jumped in surprise, and looked around, almost like I had disturbed her from a nap.

“Ow, what the fuck?!” She yelled out, turning where she felt the rock came from, glaring right at me, she was visibly angry,

“Hey, you okay? No brain damage?” I inquired jokingly. She only looked more furious, to the point where I thought she was going to kill me for interrupting her nap. She stared me down for a few minutes before immediately bursting into laughter.

“Nice one kid! I didn’t see it coming, not from a mile away!” She laughed and even fell over on her little cloud

“Well now that I have your attention, I’m dehydrated, and I’ve just run out of water. Do you know anywhere around here where I can get a drink?” She nodded, and pushed the cloud right above me. I tilted my head confused, as she flew back onto the cloud and jumped on it. The single tiny rain cloud pouring on top of me, soaking my mane and coat. None the less I left my mouth wide open, not sure if it would work, which it did. At last the mare came down onto the ground with me.

“Thanks for the drink” I said, wiping my mane out of my eyes, it wasn’t the way I was expecting to quench my thirst, but it worked.

“I’m Aerohead, by the way.” I told her thinking it was polite to give my name after she had saved me from drought and before asking hers.

“I’m Rainbow Dash, you’ve probably heard of me. I am the most famous pony in Ponyville after all.” She boasted. I was sure she might have had a reputation here in Ponyville, though I hadn’t heard of her. I chose to humor her anyway.

“Very nice to meet you Rainbow Dash, What do you do around here?” She looked up at the cloud she used to soak me, which had gone from a deep, dark, grey color, to a pure and bright white.

“I manage the weather with the other pegasi.” I looked up into the sky, the single cloud she was resting on was the only cloud in the sky.

“Hey Rainbow, would you happen to know any place for me to stay around here? I just came into town and I was hoping to settle down.” She looked around at various buildings and then back to me

“What’s your price range?” She asked, as though she was selling me a home. With a smile I replied

“Somewhere around the high end of nothing.” She chuckled a little,

“Well buddy, it seems that you need to find yourself a job.” We shared a moment of laughter,

“Can you get me a job at the weather factory?”

“Have any skills?” she replied, I felt that was a question that anypony would have to ask if I asked them the same question.

“Travel and navigation.” I answered proudly

“Well that does qualify you for one position,” she said raising a forehoof, “but we only have one mop.” she fell over laughing at her own joke, finding it hard to breathe for a moment. I found the joke amusing but she was right. I didn’t have any skills that would land me a job anywhere in town. I sighed,

“Very funny. Is there anyplace in town hiring, that has more than one mop?” Rainbow stopped laughing finally and answered

“I’m sure there’s at least one place that’ll let you do some work for them, just keep looking,. Ponies are always hiring around here.” I smiled and nodded, grateful for her advice. I walked past her and started heading toward the northern section of town. Before I made it too far, Rainbow caught up with me yelling out

“Hey uhh... Aerohead!! Wait a sec!” She came flying up to me as if she needed to tell me something important.

“Whoa, slow down there Rainbow, where’s the fire?” I replied

“I forgot to tell you, there are two places I know might be looking for some extra work!” This came to me as good news, though having heard sooner would have been preferable, I suppose it’s my fault for not asking.

“Really? Where?” I asked excitedly thinking she practically saved me the trouble of having to look all over town .

“My friend Applejack runs an apple farm just outside of town, I’m sure she’ll be glad to pay you in exchange for some chores. She might even let you stay with her, at least until you find an affordable place of your own.” Farm work was never really my forte but I was more than willing to give it a shot.

“And what’s the other place?” I asked.

“Another friend of mine, Pinkie Pie, lives above a bakery called Sugar Cube Corner. I think they need an extra set of hooves to help out. Help carry orders, deliver, take a few orders, y’know? That kinda thing.” that seemed likes something I could do, it would help me get to know the lay of the town and meet these ponies. Besides all my travels make travel on hoof and by flight easy I could make those deliveries in time.

“Do you think you could take me to meet this Pinkie Pie?” I asked, not too keen on wandering around aimlessly.

“Sure thing, just follow-” she was cut short by a sudden cotton-candy colored pony. As if from nowhere she jumped in front of us and started talking a mile a minute,

“HiI’mPinkiepieandIheardthatyouwerelookingforajobatSugecubeCorneranditjustsohappensIlivethereandIknowthattheCakeshavebeenreallybusyand-” the onslaught was interrupted By Rainbow shoving her hoof in her mouth.

“Pinkie, remember when we talked about how ponies can’t understand you when you do that?” The hyperactive pink pony nodded and replied with a “Mhmm” Rainbow approached her, getting up in her space, though pinkie didn’t seem to mind.

“Aerohead probably didn’t understand a single word you said. So for the sake of not melting our brains, take a deep breath and talk normally. Capishe?” Again, she responded with a muffled “Mhmm” Slowly, the mare took her hoof away from the pink pony’s face.

“Hey Dash, I think you stepped in something!” She tasted around in her mouth for a bit

“Oh, you definitely stepped in something!” she exclaimed. With a sigh Rainbow looked at her hoof and grunted. The pink pony turned to me, getting uncomfortably close.

“Hi!” She said briefly.

“Uh... Hello?” I replied back to her. I took a step back so that she wasn’t in my face.

“My name is Pinkie Pie! What’s yours?” she leaned forward slightly, a wide grin glued permanently on her face. I cleared my throat in an attempt to gather my thoughts and respond to her fast paced conversation.

“I am Aerohead, I just came into town and was hoping to settle down.” She giggled and poked my chest

“You just made a rhyme!”

“Uhh... thanks, I guess? A-anyway, I was hoping to settle down, but in order to do that, I’m gonna need a job. According to Rainbow Dash you are hiring over at the bakery, correct?” I asked her, hoping that she would pay enough attention to answer my question.

“Yeah! The Cakes have been so busy lately since the summer started! We’ve been looking for somepony to help us!” She exclaimed. She was overly happy and excited and seemed a little too friendly to meet a stranger.

“I’ll help!” I retorted hoping she’ll let me work for her and the baker’s she lives with.

“OH MY GOSH!!” She yelled as though she had just realized something very important.

“What? what is it?” I asked in a panic.

“Two pages ago, you said that you’re new here, and I need to welcome you to Ponyville the Pinkie Pie way!” I tried to wrap my brain around what she had said, and had no clue what she was talking about

“Wait, two... pages ago?” I shook my head bringing my thoughts back into reality. I figured she must have overheard me when I mentioned it before. I cleared my throat,

“Nah you don’t have to do that, just working for you and the Cake’s will be welcome enough. Besides, no pony would come to a party welcoming a stranger like me, no pony here knows me... well, except for you and Rainbow Dash.”

“Everypony loves a party! We’ll throw a Welcome-to-The-Sugar-Cube-Corner-Employment party!” She shouted. I wondered to myself why she was so intent on throwing a party in my honor, I hadn’t even done anything other than ask for a job. But before I knew it Pinkie Pie whisked me away, she even managed to carry me all the way to her bakery. She zoomed through the town, taking me through a marketplace, and past a very elegant and circular building, it almost seemed like a carousel, though Pinkie was going far too fast for me too see what it actually was. Finally we arrived, and judging by the amount of turns Pinkie took and from where I started from, she had taken me to the western part of the town. The Bakery was fairly large, and seemed like somepony could definitely live in its second story. The mare walked into the store with her front left leg wrapped around me.

“Welcome to Sugarcube Corner! Where the best sweets in Equestria are sold!” I struggled for second to try and break free from her constricting grasp, but to no avail. She pulled me to a table and showed me around the room

“This is the main dining area, where ponies eat their treats if they don’t want to take them home, but who can blame them? I’d live here if I could!” I rolled my eyes and sighed.

“Oh wait...” She paused for a moment, something I thought to be impossible. Then almost immediately she whisked me away again to the back behind the counter where two earth ponies were preparing some pastries and other confectioneries.

“This is the kitchen, where we bake all delicious sweets and treats.” She brought me closer to a skinnier yellow stallion

“That’s Mr. Cake!” She pointed to a chubbier light blue mare

“And that’s Mrs.Cake.” The two ponies waved hello, and before I could react she quickly brought me to a back room, with a massive taffy stretcher

“And this is where we make the taffy! Careful not to get your tail caught in there, you’ll be stretched along with the taffy!” I didn’t even try to say anything as I knew what was to come next. The mare again pulled me out of the back room and up a flight of stairs and right in front of a closed door she ‘shushed’ me and whispered

“That’s where the babies are sleeping, Pound and Pumpkin Cake. So be quiet.” Still in her grasp she tiptoed to another closed door, her voice still in a whisper she said

“This is Mr. and Mrs. Cake’s room, I’m not even allowed to go in.” I was starting to get bored and tired of this, so I attempted to interject and ask when I could start. However I was interrupted by her shoving her hoof in my mouth, similar to how Rainbow Dash did before.

“Shhhh, don’t wake the babies up.” She tiptoed to the other side of the hall and opened a closed door, very slowly. Finally when it was opened she threw me into the room, sending me crashing onto a large armoire. She quickly shut the door, hearing if the crash had woken the toddlers. After a brief moment Pinkie sighed a breath of relief.

“Good thing the babies aren’t light sleepers! Seriously they could sleep through a hurricane!” Annoyed that she went through the trouble to not make a noise in the hallway I asked her

“Then why did we have to stay so silent?” She responded with a giggle and a noogie

“Cause I like messing with other ponies! It’s all in good fun!” I sighed realizing that she really meant no harm. At last when she let me go I had a chance to ask her.

“So Pinkie, when can I start?” With a grin she pulled me into a tight hug, practically squeezing my insides.

“You start today silly! and once your shift is over we’re going to throw you a welcoming party!” She dropped me and said

“Follow me, we need to get your uniform and your paperwork out of the way.” Pinkie trotted out of her room, as I followed her not far behind, She came to the staircase and slid down the banister. As we slid down she let out a high pitched “WHEEEE,” as she landed at the bottom of the stairs she called up to me

“C’mon Aero, slide down the banister! It’s fun!” I had never slid down anything like this before and was worried I’d smash into something if I did, but to please the mare I chose to do it anyway. As I climbed onto the banister slowly, to start sliding down, I called out to Pinkie

“Like this?” Before I knew what was going on I was heading down the stairs at a phenomenal speed. I was facing away from Pinkie, and had no idea how close I was to the ground floor. Eventually I felt my hooves reach the ground as I came to a halt. I turned to Pinkie who smiled at me.

“Not bad, but I think you missed the landing.” She held up a sign that had a large number five on it. Not even bothering to question where she got that sign from I cleared my throat and replied.

“Thank you, now I believe we need to talk to the Cakes about my employment.” I started to make my way to the kitchen hoping to talk with them for a bit. I entered the kitchen and tapped Mr.Cake’s shoulder

“Pardon me sir, I believe Pinkie Pie told me that you were the one to talk to about the job.”

“Yes, that’s me, I assume she told you what your duties will be?” He was covered in flour and some pieces of dough covering his face.

“I was told that I would be making some deliveries, and taking a few orders, working around here, things like that.” He nodded as he listened to my answer.

“Have you had any experience in making deliveries before?” He asked me, I felt as though this was the interview starting on the spot.

“Well, I used to be a nomad, and I did carry a few messages for a few caravans, I suppose you could call that making deliveries.” He smiled as I told him about my past. He nodded and asked me

“And how often did you make the deliveries on time?”

“Almost always.” I replied. He eyed me warily before he stuck out his hoof and smiled warmly at me and declared

“Welcome aboard young colt, You’ll be starting first thing tomorrow morning!” I smiled and shook his hoof

“Thank you sir I look forward to working for you.” I politely responded. I left the building grinning ear to ear as I flew up into the sky, performing a small flip, finding a soft cloud to rest on.

“A few more nights and I won’t have to be sleeping on clouds anymore!” I exclaimed to myself.

My New Home?

The next morning was bright and sunny, not a single cloud in the sky save for my bedding. I always liked summer days like these, it was warm, relaxing and the general feel of the weather was that of bliss. I laid on the cloud staring up into the blue sky, the wind running through my mane. I sighed with content and joy knowing that today was definitely going to go well. Soon I hopped off, and trotted right toward the bakery from yesterday. I pushed the door open, a bell chiming as I did,greeted by Pinkie Pie jumping out of nowhere and shouting,

“HI!” She grinned wider than anypony I had ever seen, staring at me with her eyes as wide as dinner plates. She shook and jumped around, like a giddy school filly.

“OhmygoshIcan’tbeleaveyou’rehereandworkingfortheCakesIactullythoughtMr.Cakeactuallywouldn’thireyouforasecondbuthedidandnowyoucanactuallybunkwithmeandwe’llbebunkbuddies-” She contnued on and on, her words never ending. I honestly began to wonder if she had known what a period was. I zoned her out and went into the kitchen hoping that Mr.Cake would give me my first orders to deliver. He saw me enter and gave me a warm smile.

“You’re early, very good! I like a punctual employee!” He gave me a baker’s cap and a light pink apron

“This is your uniform.” He said. I gave him a bit of a wince, a little embarrassed that I’d have to wear a bit of a girly uniform, but work was work and I guess I could deal with looking like a girly stallion if it meant I didn’t need to live under a bridge. After receiving my outfit I changed, emerging shortly after trying to accommodate my body in the rather stiff uniform. With a grunt and a smile I approached Mr.Cake who passed me a few boxes of pastries and other treats.

“We’ve got a big haul today, make it back before 6 PM and I’ll be happy, but don’t stop to smell the roses or talk to the mares, no matter how pretty they may be.” I rolled my eyes, though I also knew that the lecture was what he had to say to anypony who got the job.

“While you’re out delivering, we’re finishing new orders to be delivered and new orders come in as well. We’re in the busy season, so you’ll be making large amounts of deliveries. I’m certain you can do it though, so don’t fret!” He gave me a gentle pat on the head and followed me outside. There was a cart that I would be hauling my deliveries in. I breathed an exaggerated sigh of relief as a joke

“For a second I thought you’d be having me carry these pastries the whole time.” He smiled and chuckled lightly

“I could, but I won’t.” He joked back . Soon I had the harness around my body, and I was off to make my first delivery. First was a delivery of twenty-five cannolis to a Ms. Cheerilee, at the school house, for a school picnic. I skimmed the map given to me sparingly, finding my landmarks and heading in the general direction of the school. Having set out northbound as I usually did I made my way there, though it proved to be a bigger challenge than I had thought. I had experience telling landmarks in the wild. Gnarled oaks or leveled mesas, but trying to navigate a town or city was harder, half the landmarks I realized were no longer around. Regardless, I managed to find it with little trouble, and judging by the lone mare I must have been early.

“Not too hard to find I suppose.” I noticed a mare setting up a long picnic table. She had a very dark pink coat with a light pink mane, flowers for a cutie mark, this is the mare I was looking for! I removed the harness off of me and took the cannoli from the back.

“Excuse me? Ms. Cheerilee?” I called out to her, she turned to me with a pleasant look on her face. She approached me, taking the box from my mouth.

“I’m actually genuinely surprised, you came here earlier than expected. Did you find the school okay?” she told me. I returned her smile with a warm grin of my own.

“No worries, I found it without a problem. This is a nice place for a picnic, I bet the fillies like to come to school with a view like this.” The mare gave me a cheerful smile and replied

“They do! Toward the end of each month I set up a school picnic for my students.” I was getting a little curious

“Why is that exactly?” I asked.

“Because I like being a fun teacher! I’m not called ‘Cherilee’ for nothing Aero.” I was caught off guard at her mention of my name.

“Wait... what did you just call me?”

“Aero, that is your name isn’t it? Aerohead?” I was stunned, I felt like that I was in a bizarre dream. I nervously chuckled and asked

“How did you know my name? We’ve never met until today.” She giggled lightly, her sunny expression not dropping for a moment.

“Things around here spread pretty quickly. Mrs.Cake told her friend Aloe at the spa that she and her husband hired a new delivery colt, Aloe told her sister, who told Matilda, whose daughter is one of my students, who told me.” I was pretty surprised that all of that moved between ponies within a day. I shook off the confusion and smiled,

“Well it’s good to know that everypony is so kind to each other here. You all seem to value friendship quite a bit.”

“This town has always had a great sense of community, ever since Granny Smith founded the town years ago..” she gave a slight titter, I responded with a chuckle of my own before I finally cut to the chase.

“That’ll be twenty-five bits please.” She gave me a small sack, and with a smile she told me

“Keep the change, consider it a tip for showing up so early.” I looked into the little purse, counting up the bits. In total she had given me thirty-five bits, a ten bit tip! I had a moment of victory and quickly went back to the cart and put the harness back onto myself and looked onto my delivery list. Next was an order of fifteen tea cakes, to a Ms.Rarity at The Carousel Boutique. I nodded and read that the paper said that it was close to the southern end of town. Turning back I headed out toward the town square. The small town seemed so much bigger with all these ponies conversing with one another. I started heading south toward this ‘Carousel Boutique’. I was suddenly greeted from afar by a sales pony who appeared to sell sofas and quills. He didn’t call me by my name but he referred to me as ‘The Cake’s new delivery colt’ I was surprised to see how many ponies knew of me already. I eventually made my way to the boutique and soon realized that I’ve seen this building once before. I saw it when Pinkie whisked me away to the bakery, I remember passing it even. I smiled at the memory and knocked on the front door

“Delivery!” I shouted letting the customer know who was at the door. Oddly enough there was no response, so I tried again

“Excuse me! Delivery!” this time I heard a faint voice response in a sing song tone

“Just one minute, darling.” it was a sweet, melodious voice, as though she was a siren. I cleared my thoughts and waited for her to open the door. It didn’t take long before she did, she brushed her long, purple mane from her face, staring at me with her blue eyes. I smiled politely, motioning to the cart,

“Your tea cakes ma’am, that’ll be thirty bits please.” She gasped, completely shocked. I jumped in surprise, then bit my lip, nervous I might have summed up the price incorrectly. I mumbled to myself the price again. Fifteen tea cakes two bits per cake, makes thirty bits total. I was right.

“What’s the matter ma’am? Did I forget something?” I asked her, holding out the cake box with the tea cakes. Her eyes suddenly shone like sapphires, sparked by realization as she leaned forward,

“Your outfit darling! It just... it brings out your mane and your complexion so well! And the baker’s cap makes everything tie all together! I never thought a simple baker’s uniform could be so adorable!” She eyed every inch of my uniform, telling me how good it looked on me.

“It’s just a mare’s uniform on a stallion, Manehatten’s Red Light district more or less has the same thing...” She still observed me all over, every inch was inspected.

“Yes, but you make it look so good! Pink brings out your coat’s color! and the fact that it’s pretty tight on you makes it all the more cute!” She obsessed over my uniform as I stood there hearing the praise from her. I honestly thought it was patronizing,

“Listen, that’s thirty bits for your tea cakes ma’am, I really can’t stick around I have other deliveries to make.” She interrupted me.

“Oh puh-leas darling, you’ve delivered my order so early that I think you’ve earned yourself a cup of tea!” She stepped aside and motioned for me to step inside

“Please come in, take a seat have some tea!” she insisted. I politely obliged, shrugging off the harness and stepped inside, despite Mr.Cake’s warning. The boutique had a refined look to it, clean and organized. The scenery was so relaxing and charming, it reminded me of the marble structures of Canterlot that ‘the best architects in Equestria had built’. The mare lead me to a living room, where she had set up a tea set, she took a seat and poured herself a cup.

“I was hoping that my friend Fluttershy would be able to come, but the poor dear has to take care of her pet rabbit. Her pet had recently come down with a terrible case of the flu.” She mixed in her sugar and cream as she spoke, levitating the teapot, the tea cup, sugar, cream, a spoon, it was amazing how much she was able to manipulate at once without breaking eye contact.

“Please, sit.” she asked, politely motioning for me to take a seat across from her. I did so as she took a sip from her tea.

“I’m sorry darling, while I was observing your marvelous uniform I never gave you my name. I am Rarity, fashionista extraordinaire!” She seemed very proud of her title and occupation, though I personally wouldn’t blame her. Her line of work must get very competitive.

“Yes, I know, your name is on the list of deliveries I’m to make.” she giggled and waved her hoof gently

“Oh don’t be silly, a lady such as myself must make a grand introduction if she is to meet new ponies.” I giggled and nodded as she poured another cup of tea

“Sugar or cream?” she asked. I was surprised that she was actually pouring the tea for me. Most ponies I met seemed to have forgotten hospitality like this,

“S-sugar please, I don’t care for cream really.” She nodded and dropped two sugar cubes into the tea cup.

“I never got your name, mister...” She proceeded

“Aerohead... I’m Aerohead.” She smiled and levitated the teacup to me. I took it and sipped it gently, the hot tea refreshing my parched throat.

“What are you doing here in Ponyville if I may ask, Aerohead? I’ve never seen you around here before.” I smiled and took another sip of tea.

“Before I came here I was just a wanderer, a nomad really. I’ve traveled all across Equestria and I came here to settle down.” She nodded

“But why Ponyville? Why settle down here, and not Canterlot?”

“That place is way beyond my price range unfortunately. But I think it would be pretty nice to live there someday.” Rarity smiled and nodded again. We both took a sip of our tea again, I savored the flavor of the tea, enjoying the herbal taste and sweet, rich flavor. As I finished my tea I smiled and stood up.

“Thank you for the tea, Miss Rarity, but I must make my other deliveries.” she nodded and replied

“I understand, but please feel free to stop by anytime for a cup of tea. I love having visitors! When I’m not working of course,” She paid for her delivery and waved goodbye. Hours later I made all my deliveries, nothing memorable happening after meeting Rarity. As I came to the bakery, a pleased Mr.Cake waited for me.

“How was your first day?” He asked. I responded with a warm smile,

“It went really well, I got a few tips, I managed to make most of my deliveries early even.” He grinned and nodded

“Excellent, so you weren’t distracted by anything?” I laughed nervously, hoping he wouldn’t notice it. Though I already felt like I was sweating stones.

“Yeah, no distractions...” I couldn’t look at him in his eyes, otherwise he’d know I was lying. He didn’t seem to notice though, and answered

“Good, then I’ll let you keep your tips as a bonus!” this brought a smile to my face, knowing that I did well enough to earn a bonus on my first day! I felt victorious! Until Pinkie Pie blurted out,

“But didn’t you stop by the Carousel Boutique for a cup of tea with Rarity? I could have sworn you stayed in there and talked to her for at least thirty minutes!” I quickly jumped in surprise and gulped again I let out a small fit of nervous laughter.

“Pinkie, what are you talking about? All I did was stop by Rarity’s shop and drop off her tea cakes, where did you get the idea that I even went in her shop?” I gave a wide grin hoping that she’d buy it

“Oh that’s easy, I know because I was following you!” My jaw dropped to the floor

“What?! You were spying on me?”

“I wasn’t spying! I was just following you while you didn’t know I was there to make sure you didn’t screw up on your first day.” she grinned as I turned to Mr.cake who gave me a stern look of disappointment.

“Well, Aerohead I have to say that I’m not too happy you lied about not getting distracted, but I suppose everypony got their orders on time. So I’ll let this slide just this once.” I breathed a sigh of relief and bowed my head,

“Thank you Mister Cake I promise it won’t happen again! You have my word.” Pinkie then whispered into my ear

“Do you Pinkie Promise?”, startled I jumped into the air.

“If you pinkie promise you can’t ever break it! Never ever ever ever ever! That’s four evers Aero, that’s like... forever!” Pinkie’s antics were starting to drive me crazy, but if it meant that I could show Mr.cake I wouldn’t break this promise then I’d do so gladly.

“Okay okay, I Pinkie promise.” The Bubbly mare shook her head

“No no, Aero, you gotta do all the motions! ‘cross my heart hope to fly stick a cupcake in my eye.’“ She performed a gesture for each action of this ‘Pinkie Promise’ and I followed suit.

“Good, now Mr.Cake can trust you again!” she exclaimed. She hopped over to the staircase and went up into her room.

“Alright Aerohead, you salary will be two-hundred fifty bits, plus the tips.” He handed me a small coin purse full of bits then patted me on my head.

“Be here same time tomorrow, and please, don’t get distracted next time.” I sighed and nodded, though I knew that if I saw that mare again, that wouldn’t be an easy task!
The sun was still high over ponyville, I guessed maybe another hour or so before sunset. I decided to take this time to explore Ponyville further, perhaps finding a place more suitable for resting as the pegasi seemed to be planning an all night shower. Sleeping on a raincloud was not totally uncomfortable; the possibility of it becoming haze and letting me fall to my death was less pleasant. Barely taking a few steps away from the Sugar Cube Corner, I could hear my stomach growling lightly. Despite that mare sharing some of her tea cakes with me, it wasn’t exactly what I would call filling. I could return to the bakery, surely Pinkie would offer me some kind of food, and I’m certain Mr. Cake wouldn’t mind giving me some at a discounted price. I shook off the thought, as convenient for my bits that would be; I could not impose so much, nor can I stand having nothing but sweets.
I opted for satisfying my savory tastes. Heading northeast to what I assumed must have been a farmer’s market. Much of what were stalls and vendors were packing away their wares for the night. I noticed some fruits and vegetables more appetizing than those in the city, and many of the floral offerings, consumable and decorative only faintly smelled of pesticide, A scent I always hated, the market seemed to carry more organic fruits and vegetables which was fine by me, perhaps another perk of living near the countryside. I continued clockwise, crossing what I suspected to be the business district. Signs hung cheerfully outside storefronts, some ponies closing blinds, picking up samples. Others were barely opening up or were getting an increase in customers, most likely ponies that had been hard at work during the day coming for a night of relaxation. It reminded me of when I accompanied the caravans and how we used to swap stories and drink cider around the campfire. A sudden shiver passed over me. I missed that companionship I used to have; I was tempted to make a firepit on the outskirts of town, for old times sakes. I shook my head, memories like that I would have to learn to detach my emotions from. That’s why I wanted to stop travelling, so I could stop being alone.

Returning from my thoughts I found a stand selling daisy sandwiches, An old favorite of mine. The stallion there looked at me with heavy eyes. He yawned and rested his head onto his hoof

“How may I help you?” His voice monotone and low, I almost didn’t hear him. I nodded and ordered,

“One large daisy sandwich please.”

“Would you like to add hay fries to that?” I shrugged, I thought hay fries were alright but nothing to go crazy over, but hearing my stomach growl again made me think that maybe I should get the extra side.

“Yes please.” The stallion went to the back of his stall to make the order, and within minutes it was done.

“Ten bits please.” He said, his voice still monotone and bland.I paid for my meal and went on my way to find a decent dwelling to stay in, even if it was just tonight. It didn’t take long, but I found a decent apartment that had a down payment of one hundred bits, and a rent of seventy five a month. The apartment had a small kitchen, a small bedroom and a decently sized living room. Making my payment and signing the paperwork I found my way to the washroom.

“Okay Aero, after work tomorrow, meet your neighbours. Make some friends, don’t be afraid! You got this!” Looking into the mirror and splashing water on my face I tried to motivate myself to be more social tomorrow. I hoped I wouldn’t chicken out, and swore that I would kick my own rump if I did. I laid into my new bed and drifted away into slumber