Over the days that followed, I found there was much more in Ponyville to get used to than merely Rainbow Dash's ego or Pinkie Pie's quirks. As promised, Rarity took me furniture shopping the morning after my arrival. Believe me, you have not experienced shopping till you've done it with somepony as nitpicky and detail-oriented as Rarity: she dragged me all over town looking for the perfect furniture. "Your apartment is simply groveling for a makeover, Endless," she insisted, "and I'm just the pony to help you answer its pleas!"

"It could do with a touch-up," I replied, "but a mahogany dinner table and chairs are a bit much for me to afford right now. Couldn't we find a cheaper one and get some nice linens to spruce it up with?"

"Very well," Rarity conceded. "I'd be more than happy to provide those linens - I am an accomplished seamstress, you know! Oh, and we simply must get you this splendid maroon couch: it complements your coat perfectly!"

"Well, I do like maroon..."

"And it never hurts to have an armchair or two! What about this lovely golden yellow one?"

"Sure, it's nice..."

"And you could always do with a bookshelf!"

Our shopping spree ended around noon. This was just as well for Rarity, who remembered that she and her friends had planned to have a picnic lunch in the fields near town. "Would you care to join us?" she asked me, as we finished putting my new bookshelf in place.

"Well, I didn't really have any other plans for today," I admitted, "and Tali could use some exercise. I'd be happy to."

"Wonderful!" replied Rarity, turning to leave. "I've just got to run to my place to grab a few necessities: back in a mo!"

She returned within fifteen minutes wearing some decorative sunglasses and a headscarf, with her mane tied into a ponytail, and levitating a basket containing a bottle of sunscreen and a picnic blanket. Then we headed toward the far reaches of town, where we soon met up with Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie, and Spike, as well as a lilac unicorn mare with a two-tone purple and aquamarine mane and tail. This was Starlight Glimmer, a mare who had made "many mistakes in life" as she put it, but was currently making an effort to change her ways as Twilight's pupil. "Oh, you mean like how you were once Princess Celestia's student," I said to Twilight.

"Precisely!" she chuckled.

As we settled down to lunch, the topic of our conversations shifted to the important duty Twilight and her friends had. As I had learned during last night's party, Rainbow helped with the town's weather patrol when she wasn't training with the other Wonderbolts, Applejack worked at Sweet Apple Acres, her family's apple farm, and Pinkie was the town's official party planner and apprentice to Mr. and Mrs. Cake, who owned and operated Sugarcube Corner. But livelihoods aside, they were all incredibly valuable to the maintenance of harmony across Equestria. In fact, they represented the vital Elements of Harmony: Dash had loyalty, Fluttershy kindness, Applejack honesty, Rarity generosity, Pinkie laughter, and Twilight magic, which could only be activated by the previous five Elements. Now, with Twilight's role as the Princess of Friendship, she and the others were often summoned to specific cities and areas of Equestria by a magical map in Twilight's castle, to help resolve conflicts concerning relationships: if somepony's cutie mark glowed, that meant the map was specifically calling them. "The map is a bit unpredictable, though," pointed out Fluttershy. "It could call us from anywhere, at any time. You'll understand if I have to leave you on your own at the pet center for awhile, won't you? Or if any of us aren't at home?"

"Of course," I smiled. "You're only doing your duty to Equestria, and I respect that."

"We're usually gone for only a short while, though," Rainbow Dash put in. "I never deprive Ponyville of my awesomeness for too long, if I can help it!"

"Riiiiiiiiight," I muttered, getting mildly annoyed. But Fluttershy placed her hoof on mine and smiled sympathetically, which made me feel a bit better. And once again, there was that strange fondness I had felt on the train yesterday. I had heard several times that you couldn't rush feelings like this; but I couldn't help smiling back at my mellow, yellow new friend and soon-to-be manager.

The next Monday morning, I woke up feeling ready for anything. Today would be my first day of work at the pet center, and I had also arranged with Rarity to stop at her place following my shift to audition for the Ponytones.

After I had had my breakfast, attended to Tali's needs, and packed a lunch, I made my way to the west end of town, and soon arrived at a pet center unlike any other I had ever seen or worked at before: it had no main building, and was set up entirely outside in a small field, just off a little dirt path. There were booths for adoption and buying pets' supplies, and stalls full of animals as far as the eye could see. These animals were not merely limited to usual dogs, cats, and domesticated birds and rodents, but also songbirds, deer, tortoises, even the odd seal or bird of prey!

I walked along, drinking this all in, only to bump right into Fluttershy. "Oh, my!" she cried anxiously. "I'm so sorry, Endless!"

"No, no - it's my bad," I insisted. "I just got a bit preoccupied by this whole shebang. I never knew you could set up a pet center outdoors!"

Fluttershy smiled modestly. "Well, when you live in a town like Ponyville, anything's possible. So, are you ready to get started?"

"Ready as I'll ever be," I replied, "if I even knew where to start."

Fluttershy giggled. "Well, for one thing, you can help me refill some bird feeders," she offered, "and then take our new puppies out for a play session."

"No problem, Fluttershy!" I grinned eagerly.

Before long, Fluttershy and I were replenishing the various bird feeders that hung from the nearby trees. As we worked, Fluttershy hummed serenely, and eventually began to sing:

"Everyday, the world begins again,
Sunny skies or rain.
Come and follow me!"

Recognizing the song, I smiled broadly and sang the next verse:

"Every sunrise shows me more and more,
So much to explore.
Come and follow me!"

We sang the chorus together, as the animals listened happily:

"Every mornin', everyday,
Every evenin', callin' me away!"

As the other employees arrived, they picked up the tune and joined in, and soon our singing resonated like a chiming bell across the field:

"While the sun goes 'round, I'll still be found
Followin' the sound.
Somethin' 's callin' me.

When the world goes driftin' back to bed,
Memories in my head,
Wonders follow me.

Every mornin', everyday,
Every evenin', callin' me away!

Every mornin', everyday,
Every evenin', callin' me away!"

The day passed quickly. I worked well, made a few more new friends, and by the time my shift was over, I was tired but happy. "I'm gonna get goin' now, Fluttershy," I called, as I locked the gate to the puppies' stall. "Rarity'll be expecting me."

"Oh, that's right: your audition!" chirped Fluttershy. "Would you mind if I came along to watch? I love your singing voice."

"Sure!" I replied. "And what a coincidence: I love your singing voice! No wonder you joined the Ponytones!"

"Well," chuckled Fluttershy, blushing coyly, "if I'm anything to go by, Rarity will accept you for sure!" And with that, we set off back to town together.

"You did really well for your first time on the job," Fluttershy commented, as we ambled through the streets. "I've never seen animals like and trust another pony as much as you."

"Well," I replied, "I have worked at a shelter before. And having Tali helps a great deal."

Fluttershy smiled kindly at me. "You really do love him; don't you?"

"More than anything in the world. I think I've been a lot happier since he came into my life."

"That's good," replied Fluttershy sweetly.

"Fluttershy?" I ventured after a brief pause.

"Yes, Endless?"

"Being with you makes me really happy too. I know we haven't known each other for too long; but I haven't often met somepony as genuinely kind as you. I'm glad to have you as a friend."

To my surprise, Fluttershy pulled me into a gentle hug, which I was only too happy to return. "Thank you, Endless," she smiled. "I'm glad you're my friend too."

As evening began to fall, we arrived at Carousel Boutique. I could now see what Rarity meant by calling it "the most divine building in town": it was a beautifully decorated shop, whose cylindrical shape easily gave its name away. I knocked on the door, and after a few moments, Rarity poked her head out. "Ah! Endless!" she said warmly. "I was beginning to worry. Oh, and Fluttershy too! Do come in, darlings!"

"Now then, Endless," Rarity said, once she had coached me through some breathing warmups, "time to see if you're Ponytone material. You may sing any song of your choice."

"I think I have just the thing," I replied cheerfully. I meant that too: the song I had in mind perfectly reflected how I felt about coming to Ponyville - at least that's how I felt.

"Off you go, then!" encouraged Rarity.

I took a deep breath and began to sing:

" 'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed,
To turn, turn will be our delight
Till by turning, turning we come 'round right."

As I finished, I heard a small sniffle. I turned and saw that Fluttershy had tears in her eyes - but she was smiling broadly. "That was beautiful!" she whispered, stifling a sob of joy.

I blushed and rubbed the back of my neck. "Well!" I remarked. "I've never known my singing to move anypony to tears!"

"That was a splendid performance, darling!" complimented Rarity. "You're just the baritone we've been searching for! Endless Wire, I could not be happier to welcome you to the Ponytones!"

I beamed from ear to ear: this was the perfect ending to an already wonderful day. I was so happy I didn't know what to say; but that was more than enough to tell Rarity how pleased I was. "Oh, you're quite welcome, I'm sure," she smiled. "Come to think of it, that song you just sang might be perfect for our performance next Hearth's Warming Eve!"

"Actually," I grinned, "I know a few other songs we could perform. Would you mind if I taught them to you?"

"I think that can be arranged!" replied Rarity brightly.

Author's Note

Alright! Endless is officially a Ponytone! Be on the lookout to see just which songs he teaches the others!

Any Fraggle Rock fans out there notice the little "Easter egg" I added? Hope you liked it!

I do not own the music or lyrics to "Follow Me" or "Simple Gifts".