Chapters The train rolled on, a white unicorn mare with scarlet red hair watched the world pass by outside her window as the steam engine carried her to her new home. Her hair was done in a bun behind her head, two jade pins holding it in place. Besides her was an odd looking plush with a general shape of a pony, except covered by a map of different nerve and pressure points.
“Ponyville hmn...” She said to herself, a smile forming on her lips. “Papers say it's an exciting place...”
The train came to a stop. The conductor came over the intercom informing the passengers that they had arrived in Ponyville. The white unicorn made no delay in taking her bag from the overhead compartment and her plush for the seat besides her. The plush she put on her back as she would a saddle before setting off into the quaint little town. The mountain air envigorated her as she walked along the cobblestone streets admiring the wood and thatch architecture that gave her the sense of reminiscent wonderment.
She pulled her phone out of one of her saddle bags. 3:45 she still didn't need to meet up with her new bosses for an hour or so. Time to go exploring.
She didn't find much of anything the first few streets she explore, just a Town Hall, a dress shop. But the next turn she made lead her to Mane Street. Lined with ponies selling there goods out of all manner of carts and tents, it seemed to be the busiest street of all.
She took amazement at all the fresh looking produce they sold, the interesting baubles from so many places, and...flowers. The mare quickly rushed to the flower cart. She often used incense to fragrance her home, but she never knew why she didn't use flowers since they were more visually appealing. Smiling widely she buried her muzzle into one of the bouquets and took a deep breath in. Suddenly with force her head was thrown back with explosive force and she remembered why she preferred incense, allergies.
After sheepishly turning over the bits to buy the flowers she sneezed on she continued on her investigation of the town.
Finding herself hungry, she turned into one of the local confectioners. Some place called Sugarcube Corner something to that effect.
“Hello there!” A pleasantly plump mare called from behind the counter. “I can't say that I've seen you in here before are you visiting?”
“No ma'am” she said as she looked across all the treats and baked good on sale. “I just moved in today. My names Pin Prick. I'm an acupuncturist.” After introducing herself she decided on what she wanted. “Can I have a few cupcakes and an eclair?”
“Sure.” The mare said. “I'll even give you a free shake scene you're a new move in.”
“That be great thanks, can you make cookies and cream?” Pinny asked with a tentative smile.
“Sure I'll get right on that for ya.”
After she met with her new employers, the twin owners of the Ponyville Spa, she began to settle down in her apartment. It was a cozy little place. There was a main living room in which was placed a simple reclining couch and a flat screen that routed into the cable that the building provided. Across from that was a small kitchenette, equipped with a refrigerator, sink, and oven. It seemed that she would be needing to wash dishes in her sink. A small table, big enough only to put two chairs around, was set in an area by the kitchen. The rest of the home was around a hall, with a hall closet, a bathroom, and the bedroom behind its three doors.
Though exhausted, she could see herself living happily here. As she flopped down on the couch and mindlessly surf through the channels, she began to consider all the couples she had seen. It seemed as though most everyone had a partner of sort, actual affection was to be found in very degrees. She began to wonder if there was anyone in town that would want to develop a meaningful relationship, or if they were all taken.
Still all that wasn't really at the forefront of her mind. As a new move in she would make friends (hopefully ones that use her services once and awhile). After that she could worry about finding a partner and such.
Her mind wandered to a stallion she had saw while buying the flowers. He seemed to be alone, everypony else was with a partner except for him. He most likely was just away from his partner to get groceries or somethings so she shook off the thoughts.
A few hours of unpacking later she decided to get out of the apartment and get used to the area. It was now a few minutes until eight, a restaurant could still be open. She placed her doll on the couch of the room and walked out the door.
After walking around town looking for somewhere to eat she came across a certain building. "Berry Punch's Pub? Hope it does food." As she was about to walk towards it she spotted the stallion from earlier, still alone. She watched as he entered the bar with a raised brow. "Interesting."
She walked up to a window near the bar and looked in at the stallion as he started talking to the cloaked pony beside him. The conversation quickly caught her interest, her suspicions were correct, this stallion was alone.
After hearing the cloaked pony say something about a mare walking into a library looking for a book she sneezed for some reason, looking around she saw no flowers.
"Huh, weird." After listening to their plans she sat down under the window and smiled. "Well Pinny, looks like fate has given you a chance." She giggled and walked back to her new home.
One week later
"That was a huge waste of time." Pyra groaned as he walked into the library with his suitcase.
"Hey, how was I supposed to know every single mare in Canterlot was taken?" Zodiac replied as he started searching for a book.
"That's the thing Zodiac, every single pony in Equestria has a partner except me!" Pyra sighed and sat down behind the desk of the library to start his shift. "Sorry I shouldn't have yelled."
"No no, you have every right to be angry. Don't worry buddy, you've still got me." Just then Zodiacs phone buzzed. He took it out of his pocket and his eyes widened at the text.
"It's your marefriend isn't it?" Pyra asked in an exhausted tone, Zodiac nodded causing him to facehoof. "Just go see what she wants."
"You sure, I can tell her we're busy?" Zodiac just looked to the text with a look of wanting.
"Just go." With that Zodiac was out the door faster than Pyra had ever seen before. He looked at the door confused a until it clicked in his head. "I swear Faust is just rubbing this in my face." He shook his head and hit the power button on his laptop. "Alright, time to write chapter four." He moved the mouse cursor to a file that said 'Book 2' and opened it. Above the folder was another titled 'Book 1, complete.'
Smiling at the first folder he began working on the second. "Blazing Winds, chapter four: rise before dawn..." He muttered to himself as he began typing. Moving his eyes to the left a bit he noticed the 'Buy' section of the library and saw one last copy of "Burning Rain" sitting alone on the shelf. "Nice to know my work is appreciated around here."
...
Pin Prick smiled as she X-ed out another day on her calendar. According to what little she overheard in the pub that stallion should be back in Ponyville. After she spent near an hour getting dolled up, then purposefully getting dolled down again so she didn't look like she was trying to get his attention, even though that was exactly her purpose for going to the library today. She sighed as she saw that the time was already 11:00. If she was going to visit the library and make her afternoon appointments she would have to forgo breakfast. So slipping the tools of her trade into a saddle bag, she galloped off to the library.
As she reached it, the cloaked pony she had seen with the stallion of interest at the bar suddenly rushed past her, the tremendous shock wave ensuing from the rush of speed nearly knocking her off her feet.
“Wh~hooaa” she said stumbling into the library with a dizzying spin. As soon as she regained her equilibrium she saw the stallion behind the computer screen. Oh, but he looked so absorbed in what he was doing...she would need a legitimate excuse for bothering him.
Noticing the one lonely book in the “buy it now.” section, she grabbed. And not even bother to look at the cover, walked up to the counter with it. “Umm...I’d like to purchase this please.” She said hoping that at least her being new would catch his eye.
After hearing an unfamiliar voice Pyra Turned away from the screen to look at the customer. Once he saw the book she was holding he smiled warmly.
"Ah, good choice madam. That'll be 25 bits please." As the mare reached into her saddlebag Pyra took the time to look her over.
'I know every mare in Ponyville, she's definitely not from around here.' As Pin handed him two silver and five copper coins he smiled and put the book in a little bag for her.
"Ok, thank you." She was about to turn away, a little bit disappointed that he hadn't noticed her. She then noticed that the author of the book she just purchased, and the name of her stallion of interest, as shown by a nameplate on the desk, was the same. “You...wrote this?” She asked hoping the question would lead to more meaningful conversation.
"I did, yes." Pin saw a spark of pride as he spoke. "Hey, can I ask you a question?"
Pin perked up a bit. "Um, sure."
"I don't think I've ever seen you around town before, are you new to Ponyville or something?" She gave off a quiet squee and turned to him.
"Yes, my name is Pin Prick, but you can just call me Pinny." She held her hoof out and he took it in his.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Pyra Flare." Pinny smiled and looked back to the book.
"So, you really wrote this?" Pyra just smiled brighter.
"Yep, Burning Rain is my pride and joy. I was actually just in the middle of writing the sequel."
'Ok Pin, you've found out at least one thing about him, he's a writer, remember that!' She tucked the book away in her saddlebag. "Hey, if you wouldn't mind I need somepony to show me around the town, I'm still a little lost when I go out. Perhaps you could show me around?" She leaned up onto the counter and raised a brow.
Pyra blushed slightly at the way this mare was staring at him closely. "Um, sure, I can do that."
Pinny stepped back and smiled. "Thank you so much, meet me at Sugarcube Corner when your shift is over. I gotta run, see ya later." With that she walked out the door. After closing the door she leaned against it and pumped her foreleg. "Yes, I got this in the bag!" She giggled a little and walked towards the spa with a skip in her step.
Pyra just sat there frozen, he hadn't had a mare look at him in that way for a long time. He shook himself and turned back to his computer. "Get over yourself Pyra, a mare like her most likely already has a stallion, don't get your hopes up." Deep down he couldn't help but be excited for seeing the mare again. Maybe it wouldn't be like all those other times, maybe this mare was single. He didn't want to just abruptly ask a random mare out on a date, he'd get to know her first then ask if she was single in a subtle way.
Maybe he just needed to have a little faith that love would find him. He heard that Princess Cadence was visiting Twilight that weekend, he'd ask for some guidance from her, since she normally asked him about his search for a partner when she visited.
"Maybe there's hope after all."
Pin Prick spent most of her appointments in a haze, barely able to keep her focus as she wass full with anxious anticipation of her....meeting with the stallion of interest. She was lucky that she only plucked a wrong nerve once as she was working, and that the patron (a yellow Pegasus with long pink hair) was very understanding about it. Still that didn't stop here from emptying what tips she received from her clients and dashing out to meet Pyra. On the way, she began flipping through the first chapters of his book hoping it would give her something to talk to him about. "Huh, this is actually pretty interesting."
...
Pyra sat slumped in the living room of the library thinking about his situation. 'Don't look too much into it Pyra, she just asked you to show her around town. I'm sure there was no other motives there.' He had finished his work early to have some time to himself before meeting with Pin Prick.
"Hey, anypony home?" A smile made its way onto his face as he heard the voice of Applejack.
"In the living room AJ." He listened as her hoofsteps got louder as she came closer. The door opened and Applejack poked her head in with a smile.
"Howdy Pyra, I see yer back from your trip to Canterlot. Any luck up there?"
"No AJ, another failed attempt." She sighed and sat down beside him. "You only come in to ask me that or something else?"
"Ah actually came here to see how you were doing, and if ya still had a copy of your book left."
"Sorry AJ, a mare came in earlier and bought the last one on the shelf." Her smile faltered a little.
"Well, that's a shame."
"I think there might be a few out back in a box. Wait here I'll go take a look."
"I'll help ya, two heads are better than one after all." Smiling Pyra led the apple farmer through a door in the back of the library where a room filled with, unsurprisingly, organised boxes. The two began looking through various boxes, searching for another copy of the book. "Hey Pyra, ya said that it was a mare that came in and took the book, do ya think she was single?"
"Not a chance AJ, a mare like her would already have a partner or at least be a part of a herd."
"What she look like?"
Pyra put a hoof to his muzzle. "She's a white unicorn mare with scarlet red hair, her mane is done up in a bun."
Applejack nodded. "Yeah I remember seein her about, never has anypony with her though."
Pyra stopped and turned to his friend. "Really?"
Applejack nodded. "Yeah, always alone." After a few more minutes of searching they found nothing. "That's ok Pyra, I'm sure ah can find it in a book shop or somethin."
"Alright AJ, I'll see you later." With that Applejack exited the library.
"Now, ah need to find out a few things about this mare, if she really is single ah have to do everything in mah power to make sure they get together." As she was waking she saw the mare running through town. "Perfect."
Meanwhile Pyra walked out of the library and began walking to where he had promised Pin Prick to meet up. "It's just you showing her around town Pyra, you only just met the mare, don't try anything stupid. You are not a desperate nerd looking for mares in a comic book shop, you are a grown stallion that is a little lonely. Let this take its course, it's been eight years, I can wait a few days or weeks more."
...
“Now Pinny,” Pin Prick said to herself to calm down as she paced back in forth in front of the sweets shop. “He's just showing you around, you don't want to seem like a creepy stalker. You're not a giggling school filly that latches onto the closest hunk of stallion that passes by. You're a grown mare looking for a meaningful relationship. You don't need to push him into marriage.”
She was looking about when she saw an orange earth pony come and started talking to a pink one. She couldn't figure out what they were talking about, but the pink one seemed rather excited at whatever was proposed by the other pony. She seemed barely able to contend herself as she ran out of the building, a bubble gum colored streak following her.
Only made confused by the sudden action, Pinny returned to looking out to the streets to see if Pyra was coming. While she waited she continued looking through the book, finding the story somehow relatable.
Out of the corner of her eye she spotted Pyra walking down the street. Quickly placing the book in her saddlebag she checked her mane, fur teeth and her tail to make sure she was presentable, after all, she wanted to attract his attention so she had to look her best.
As he approached a few beads of sweat appeared on her head as she tapped her hoof nervously. She looked down the road and looked him over, a neutral expression on his face. 'Come on Pin, he's not freaking out and you shouldn't be either! Get yourself together woman!'
She took in a few breaths and composed herself.
"Hello again Pin."
She jumped as she heard Pyra from directly behind her. "Oh, um, hi Pyra."
"You ok, I didn't scare you did I?"
"Oh I'm fine don't worry, just jumped a little from you sneaking up on me is all."
Pyra rolled his eyes and looked down the road. "Well, you ready to go?" He asked while turning his head towards her.
"Oh, yeah, I'm ready."
With a nod Pyra began to leave her down the road.
'Don't screw this up Pinny!'
Getting to know each other
Pyra Flare looked to the mare following him around the streets of Ponyville. Pin Prick seemed more focused on thinking than taking in what he was showing her. Not sure whether or not she was taking in what she was being told, Pyra slowed down a bit until he was walking alongside her. “Hey Pin, you alright there?”
Pin snapped out of her trance and smiled. “Yeah I'm fine, just thinking is all.”
“Bit for your thoughts?” He asked in interest.
She blushed slightly and turned away. “S-Sorry, it's personal stuff.”
“Fair enough.” Pin gave a sigh of relief, having him learn about her current thoughts would only end in disaster. “So, have you been taking in what I've showed you so far?”
Pin smiled and nodded. “The marketplace is set up along the street facing Town Hall, the schoolhouse is north of the market, Sweet Apple Acres is to the west and the path leading to it a bit of the ways off from the Everfree Forest, the Carousel Boutique is three streets down from Golden Oaks, the route to the Spa is past the left bridge in Town Square and the hospital is to the east of town.”
Pyra smiled warmly. “Very good, it's nice to be around someone who listens.”
“Well I am a good listener.” Pyra’s smile never left as he turned his head forward to find the next area of town to show Pin, who was internally celebrating for earning a few points in Pyra’s eyes. ‘Keep this streak going Pinny.’
“Maybe we can go to the library show me where you work on your book if you'd like.” She suggested blushing, hoping the suggestion to an obviously bookish stallion would earn her points. “I know it might sound boring but there's something spiritual about the silence in between the musty books on those hallowed shelves.” She blushed and hoped that didn't give her away.
Pyra looked back at her with a brow raised. “Sure, you feeling ok?”
“I'm fine, just a little tired today.”
Pyra looked unsure but nodded in acceptance. “Alright, I'll show you the rest of the town, then we can stop by the library and you can take a nap on the couch or something.” Pin nodded and started looking around making sure to take in the sights. ‘What's with this mare?’
As the two walked around town together, Pyra pointing out buildings while Pin asked him questions about them and occasionally made references to his book earning a smile from him every time, two ponies watched from afar hiding behind oversized newspapers.
“You sure that mare is single AJ? I men look at her, she has to have been targeted by a stallion at some point.” Zodiac asked the apple farmer beside him.
“Ah’m sure of it Zodiac, that there mare ain't got nopony. This could be the only opportunity ta help Pyra forget about what happened eight years ago.” The two frowned at the memory, not wishing for a similar incident to occur.
“Well then what should we do?” The cloaked pony asked.
“We should see how things play out, let it take its natural course, if somethin goes wrong then we'll step in.” The two nodded and slowly raised the newspaper over their faces to hide.
…
The two ponies walked into the library, Pyra holding the door for Pin who struggled to hide her blush. “The living room is through the door by the history section, I'm heading to the kitchen to make us some tea. Make yourself at home.” With that Pyra left the mare to her own devices.
As she shyly slipped into the living home she saw that his laptop was left open on the couch. “One peak wouldn't hurt.” As she sat down she looked about to make sure nopony was around. Once she was assured she was alone she pulled it over and began to browse through his files to try and get a better sense of who he was. Constantly looking over her shoulder, she thought about how long it would take him to make tea.
‘Only got a few minutes here Pinny, make them count.’ As she clicked on a few files she came across his photos. Looking through them she noticed that the first few were of Pyra moving into the library. The next few were Twilight teaching Pyra some magic, what she noticed was his magic aura wasn't a glow, it was a small outline of purple flames. ‘Guess he has Flare in his name for a reason.’
As she looked through more she found a few of Pyra with Zodiac and a tall yellow Pegasus stallion at a bar with mugs of cider in their hooves. The next were a few vacation photos of Twilight, Pyra and a teenaged purple dragon.
As she reached the end she saw a separate file at the bottom of the page, moving the mouse over it a picture of a red unicorn mare with a long bright yellow mane and Pyra with his hoof wrapped around her shoulder. Although something was different about Pyra in the photo, anything purple was orange, his hair, his glasses. his eyes and even his little hat, they were all orange. “What the heck?”
Pin heard hoofsteps and quickly closed the tab and sat on the opposite couch. Pyra walked in with a small tray with a teapot and two cups held in his flaming aura which impressed Pin greatly. “Sorry I took so long, Twilight always likes to put the tea leaves in hard to reach places.”
“Tea leaves? Not bags?” Pin asked in confusion.
“Yeah, I prefer to make my tea from scratch so I use the leaves instead, really adds to the taste of it. Hope you like mint tea.” He poured the drinks and handed Pin her cup.
She blew on the liquid before taking a small sip, the taste causing her eyes to widen. “Oh my gosh, this is delicious.”
Pyra smiled. “Thank you.” The two sat there drinking their tea while exchanging small conversation about work and a bit about themselves. Meanwhile Zodiac, Applejack and Twilight were all watching through a window, smiles on their faces as they saw the two getting along.
They all looked to each other and nodded, leaving the pair alone to chat and get to know each other. Pin's mind was focused on what she had saw in that photo, who was that mare and why did Pyra have a different colour scheme?
In the town of Ponyville everything was going smoothly, no monster attacks for weeks, no friendship problems and no little fillies causing havoc. The couples of this town walked side by side, of course most couples consisted of just mares, but that was to be expected with the male to female ratio. All were happy in each other's company, having their significant other at their side as they went about their daily routines.
All were happy, save for one stallion working at the Golden Oaks Library. Meet Pyra Flare, a tall, slim stallion with black fur. His electric purple and white mane matched his lavender eyes. He wore a small purple hat atop his head, resting behind his horn. He wore a pair of purple glasses that rested on the tip of his muzzle. His small purple cloak his his cutie mark which was a book outlined by purple flames.
Pyra adjusted his glasses as he sat at the counter of the expanded library reading a romance novel. Sighing he closed the book and placed it under the desk. "Why do you do this to yourself Pyra?" He asked himself this question every time he opened a book with a theme involving relationships. As he walked over to a cart filled with books and a few shelves with empty slots he began to organise that section of the library. He heard the sound of hoofsteps coming from the other room and his boss, Twilight Sparkle, walked in.
"Hey Pyra, I'm just heading out to visit my friends." He nodded to her and she began walking to the door. Before pulling the door open she turned around. "Oh and Pyra," he turned his head towards her, "Thank you for helping out around here, it's been pretty lonely since Spike left."
"It's no problem Twilight, I should be thanking you for letting me work for you and giving me a place to live." She smiled at him before walking out. After finishing his work Pyra walked over to the door and pulled out his smartphone, feeling it vibrate as he got a call from his best friend.
Hitting the answer icon he used his magic to hold it to his ear as he walked.
"Hey Zodiac, what's up?"
"Nothing much, just wanted to see if you were up for a drink at Berry's bar."
"I don't see why not, what time do you want me to be there?"
"Take your time I'm in no rush, be there some time around eight. See ya there."
"Ok, see you bud." He hung up and placed his phone back in his cloak pocket. Walking down the sidewalk Pyra looked at all the passing couples, a spark of anger lit within him. "I swear someone is making sure I suffer." Everyone else in the town had someone to call their own, even the now teenage CMC had special someponies. The only other single in town was Applejack, and he had already pulled the pin on that grenade, it just wouldn't have worked out. Applejack needed someone that could help out on the farm, and Pyra was not the fittest stallion and his magic was only a bit above average for a unicorn.
He approached town market ready to buy what he and Twilight needed at the library since Spike no longer did errands for his adoptive sister. Ever since he came of age he married his crush, Rarity and now lived at the Carousel Boutique. Walking up to the first stand he was greeted by the mare at the stand.
"Howdy Pyra, what can I do ya for?" Asked Applejack with a smile. Even after he had asked Applejack out on a date and had been rejected, the two remained close friends.
"Just picking up the groceries for Twilight and me." She nodded and pulled up a basket with his usual order.
"Here ya go sugarcube, as usual that's thirty bits." Pyra reached into his bit bag and pulled out three silver coins. In Equestria there was three types of bits, gold, silver and copper. Copper was worth one bit, silver ten, and gold one hundred. "Thank ya kindly Pyra." As he was about to walk away she placed a hoof on his shoulder. "Hey, I've been meaning ta ask, you find yer special somepony yet?" She asked him this every time she saw him.
"As usual, no." She gave him a sad smile.
"It ok sugarcube, you'll find her someday. Who knows, yer soulmate may even wander into the library one day." Pyra heard a mare sneeze not to far away when Applejack said this. Shaking it off he gave her a smile.
"Thank you AJ, I'll see you later. You'll be the second to know if I do find her." She raised a brow.
"Only the second?" She asked.
"Well if I don't tell Zodiac first he'll never let it go." Applejack just chuckled.
"Right, gotcha." Giving a small wave with his hoof Pyra walked off to finish his errands. "You'll find someone, ya just gotta wait, just like me." She said to herself as she watched him walk off.
Later that evening
Pyra sat at the bar of Berry Punch's Pub with his friend sitting beside him. The stallion sitting next to him wore a blue cloak that cover all of his body from his feet to the bottom of his face which. He also wore a beige wizard hat with a small red band at the base. His face was shadowed by his hat, only allowing others to see a black silhouette of his head with two glowing yellow eyes. The two sat in silence, mugs of cider in their hooves.
"Zodiac, if you have nothing to tell me then why did you invite me here? I mean I'm all for spending time with you but you're never this quiet." Zodiac placed his mug down on the bar top and turned to Pyra.
"Dude, I'm worried about you." Pyra rolled his eyes and took a huge swing of his drink. "You've been alone too long, you need somepony by your side."
"Who exactly am I going to find who is single in this town?"
"Look in other places, Canterlot, Las Pegasus, anywhere! You need to get out there, you can't expect a mare to just randomly walk into the library that so happens to be single and looking for her favourite book which happens to be the one you wrote. C'mon dude you really need to get out there." Pyra swore he heard another mare sneeze from outside the bar.
"Dude, I don't think I can. I've been out of the dating scene for a long time."
"Hey, I'm heading to Canterlot for a week with a room for two, my marefriend had to go visit her family in Manehatten and I can't get a refund for the rooms. You should come with me, see if we can get you a mare up in the kinder streets of the place, not those snooty nobles." Pyra placed a hoof to his muzzle in thought.
"Buck it, I'm in." Zodiac patted him on the back.
"Trust me bro, this won't be a waste of your time."
