Another week passed, and before I knew it, it was time for Tali and me to make the journey to Ponyville. I'd packed our bags, resigned from my most recent internship, reserved a vacant apartment in our new home, and made the arrangements with my old apartment's landlady to move out. All we had to do now was make the short trek to the Manehattan train station.

Awkward as ever, I ambled down the street with my stuffed saddlebags draped across my back, my suitcase hooked to my tail and trundling along behind me, and Tali's leash grasped between my teeth. You can only imagine my relief when, at last, I had bought our tickets, and collapsed into a seat in one of the coaches of the Friendship Express. "I need to buy myself a cart one of these days," I groaned, exhausted. But Tali put an affectionate paw on my hoof, and I couldn't help but smile.

I smiled again when I heard a sprightly blast from the locomotive's whistle: steam trains are another big interest of mine. I patted the seat beside me invitingly, Tali jumped up next to me, and we gazed out the window as the train chuffed away. Before I knew it, Manehattan was far in the distance. Our new life was just beginning...

The train only had to stop in Canterlot before we reached Ponyville. Our coach was soon crowded as more passengers stepped aboard. Not long after we departed, I saw a young pegasus mare tiptoeing cautiously toward our seat, a small white rabbit hopping along behind her. This was, by far, the most beautiful mare I had ever laid eyes on: her coat was a soft yellow, perfectly adorned by placid teal eyes and a flowy pink mane and tail. As she came nearer, I could see that she had three pink butterflies for a cutie mark. She seemed rather anxious and overwhelmed, much like the way I could be myself, but very sweet nonetheless.

The pegasus stopped before me, and said in a soft, tremulous voice, "Um, excuse me, sir? I hope it's not too much to ask, but...may we sit across from you? We can't find any other open seats."

I smiled obligingly. "We don't mind at all; do we, Tali?"

Tali wagged his tail cheerfully in reply. The newcomer's gaze drifted to him, and all at once, her shyness faded. "A golden retriever!" she gasped, eagerly rushing past me. "Hello there!" she murmured dotingly, stroking Tali's fur and letting him sniff her curiously. "Aren't you a sweetheart? And so handsome too! Yes, you are! Yes, you are!"

I blushed and stifled a chuckle. I loved animals myself, and plenty of other young mares had fawned over my dog before; but never before had he charmed a mare out of her shell so quickly and so intensely!

The pegasus giggled sweetly as Tali licked her cheek. "What did you say his name was again?"

"Tali. Short for Naphtali," I replied.

"Hi, Tali!" she cooed. "Hi, baby!"

We suddenly heard a thumping noise. The mare looked down to see the little rabbit tapping his foot imperiously, with his arms crossed and an indignant frown across his face. "Oh, sorry, Angel!" she said hastily, bending down and taking him in her hooves. "I haven't forgotten you." She turned back to Tali. "Tali, this is Angel Bunny. He's my special friend."

Canine instincts kicking in, Tali put his nose right in Angel's face and sniffed him intensely. "Easy, boy," I said cautiously; but the next thing I knew, Angel gave Tali a sharp slap across the muzzle! The frightened retriever instantly backed off, and nuzzled against me for comfort.

"Angel!" his owner scolded, whisking him away before he could do anymore harm. "Bad boy! That's no way to make a new friend! Now you just say you're sorry, or you're not getting any dessert tonight!"

Angel only turned up his nose and shrugged indifferently. "I mean it, mister!" the pegasus grimaced. "Don't make me give you...the Stare!"

Angel's ears stood on end: obviously, this "Stare" was not something to look forward to. Pulling the best face of guilt he could, he bounded to our seat and cautiously took one of Tali's paws in his, as if begging for forgiveness. Tali pulled away, still uncomfortable, leaving Angel to pout sulkily.

The mare looked at me sheepishly. "I'm so sorry about that," she apologized. "He does have a bit of an attitude, but he's not usually that bad."

"Don't be so hard on yourself," I replied reassuringly. "Tali has some boundary issues when it comes to smaller animals: he never learns from experiences like this!"

The pegasus giggled. "Oh, well. He's a dog; can you blame him really?"

"I guess not!" I chuckled. "By the way, I was wondering: what did you mean by 'the Stare'?"

She giggled again, blushing modestly. "Oh, it's just something I use to stop my little critter friends misbehaving," she explained. "I don't mean to brag, but I do have a way with animals. That's why Mayor Mare put me in charge of the pet center back in Ponyville."

Those last words made my heart skip a beat. "You mean...," I asked, my eyes widening, "you're Miss Fluttershy?!"

"Well, you don't have to call me 'Miss', but..." The mare froze mid-sentence and did a double take. "How did you know my name?!" she gasped incredulously.

"I'm the stallion from Manehattan you gave that caretaker position to!"

Fluttershy goggled in realization. "You're Endless Wire?!"

"Don't believe me? Ask my cutie mark!" I laughed, showing her the tangled wire on my flank.

Fluttershy beamed and shook my hoof graciously. "Oh, it's so nice to finally meet you!" she said. "I read your application myself: you sounded like just what we needed!"

"You're just what I needed!" I countered, grinning uncontrollably. "I never had the chance to do something I'm passionate about back in Manehattan!"

"Well," giggled Fluttershy, "looks like it's a win-win!"

"Guess so!" I chuckled. "But what were you doing in Canterlot if you live and work in Ponyville?"

Fluttershy gave another modest smile. "I just got out of a conference with the Equestrian Society for the Preservation of Rare Creatures. I study the Breezies for them."

"Those little fairy creatures?"

"On the nose!" affirmed Fluttershy, giving her muzzle a tap.

"Lucky!" I smirked.

"Oh, yes! And sometimes, when I'm not too busy with the animals, I sing with the Ponytones."

"Ponytones?"

"They're our local a-cappella group. I joined them as a part-time member to help get over my stage fright."

"Think I could be a part-time member?" I asked, interested. "I love to sing: I was actually named after a song!"

"I don't see any reason why not," Fluttershy replied. "We're always looking to expand. If you like, I'll put in a good word for you with Rarity. She's our leader, and the town fashion designer..."

As Fluttershy and I chattered on, I found myself rapidly developing a strange sort of fondness for her. At first, I thought nothing of it; but then I stopped and reflected on it. Fluttershy was pretty, and sweet, and interested in many of the things I liked myself. Whatever the reason was, I had never felt this way about anypony else...

I've just seen a face
I can't forget the time or place
Where we just met
She's just the girl for me
And I want all the world to see
We've met, mmm-mmm-mmm-m'mmm-mmm

Had it been another day
I might have looked the other way
And I'd have never been aware
But as it is I'll dream of her
Tonight, di-di-di-di'n'di

Falling, yes I am falling
And she keeps calling
Me back again

I have never known
The like of this, I've been alone
And I have missed things
And kept out of sight
But other girls were never quite
Like this, da-da-n'da-da'n'da

Falling, yes I am falling
And she keeps calling
Me back again

(Instrumental break)

Falling, yes I am falling
And she keeps calling
Me back again

I've just seen a face
I can't forget the time or place
Where we just met
She's just the girl for me
And I want all the world to see
We've met, mmm-mmm-mmm-da-da-da

Falling, yes I am falling
And she keeps calling
Me back again

Falling, yes I am falling
And she keeps calling
Me back again

Oh, falling, yes I am falling
And she keeps calling
Me back again

Author's Note

Looks like Fluttershy and Endless are becoming fast friends! Let's see what he thinks of the rest of the Mane 6 in the next chapter!

I do not own the music or lyrics to "I've Just Seen a Face".