Ray had to admit, he was impressed. Twilight had gone into great detail about the world he was in, and answered a great deal of his questions without fuss;she even gave him a small bag of bits, at least fifty, to get him through the week. Kind thing. He had thought to himself.

However, now he wasn’t paying attention. Twilight had began to ramble on and Ray had instead decided to look around the room. Rarity was reading what looked like a newspaper. Applejack had left. Thank God. He thought to himself. Fluttershy was asleep in a rocking chair. Rainbow Dash was outside the room, talking to Zecora. And finally, Pinkie was at his side, drawing on a piece of paper, occasionally showing him her process.

This is just cute. He thought to himself, looking at all of them. Then he thought about something, “Excuse… Uh, Rarity?” He asked, trying to get her attention. She looked up, “Yes dear?”

Ray smiled, “I’m afraid the only clothing I have is ruined, and when I was walking with your… sister.” He said slowly, hoping this wasn’t the mother instead, “said you could fix them.” He finished, since she didn’t correct him.

Rarity smiled warmly, “Oh, but of course, I’d gladly help.” She said, setting the papers to the side a came over, “I also noticed this already. Such a nice outfit, ruined. Rocks, right?” She asked, confusing Ray, “Rocks?” He asked back, getting a stare in return.

“You fell on rocks? That’s why it’s torn and there’s a bruise, correct?” She pushed, and Ray nodded, “Yes, sorry, I didn’t quite understand what you were asking.” He said.

Rarity nodded, looking at the damage, “This is easily fixable, but when you’re feeling up to it, why don’t you swing on by Carousel Boutique, and I’ll take your measurements. It’d be a fun challenge for myself.” She said, pulling the covers back onto him. Aren’t you quick on the draw. Ray thought to himself, chuckling, “I feel well now… It’s only my arm that hurts.”

He took a glance at Pinkie’s drawing, “It’s coming along nicely.” He said, rubbing her head, then looked at Twilight, “And I’m sorry for having cut you off.” He said, to which Twilight smiled, “Oh please, it’s fine, I was only rambling anyway. I’ve got to head home to spike anyway.” She said, turning to leave, “Please, stop by my library if you ever get the chance.” She continued on her way out.

Ray sighed, and Rarity began to leave as well, “Well, you have my address, please do stop by.” She said, leaving. Pinkie was still drawing, and Fluttershy was asleep. Seems like a good enough idea. He thought to himself, scooting further into his blankets to rest for a bit.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ray eventually woke up again, taking a glance around the room. Fluttershy was gone, and his bandaged had been changed. Sweet thing. He thought, then noticed Pinkie, out like a light on the side of the bed. Ray smiled, and gently pulled the picture out from under hooves, taking a look at it.

It was him, and the six of them, all in one group, he in the middle. Ray found the smile on his face widen, and he folded the picture, putting it into his vest. Then he proceeded to look Pinkie over.

Pink fur, hair, balloons on her rear. Wait… He looked at her rear, staring at the three balloons, “Is that a cutie-mark?” He asked himself, not expecting to get an answer. Oh way, Twilight Sparkle explained them earlier. He remembered, shaking his head.

After a few moments, he sighed, and decided to get out of bed. Pulling the covers off himself, he turned, putting his feet on the floor. Cold. He stood slowly, then proceeded towards the door. Opening it, he walking into the next room, finding this one much bigger, and full of even more trinkets.

Ray noticed a cauldron in the middle of the room, and walked over. Seeing the steam, he kept his hands away from the metal, and smelled the brew. He grimaced, “The hell is that?” He asked aloud, “It’s my brew, something I was making for you.” He sighed, hearing the rhyming behind him. Turning, he smiled at Zecora, “Good day miss, I must give you my thanks for helping me in my time of need… Where is my dog?” He asked plainly.

“The CMC, you see. They took him home…” Ray cut her off, “You don’t have to rhyme, it just makes talking harder.” He said simply, looking at her. Zecora looked offended for a moment, then she sighed, nodding, “Yes. The little ones took your dog, I do not know why.” She said, “Are you leaving?” She asked, watching him go to the door, where his shoes were.

Ray sat down, beginning to put on his shoes, “Yes, please let Pinkie know.” He said, standing once he was done, and turned to the door, “I enjoyed the company, and thank you for the help.” He said, opening the door and left, closing it behind him.

Tapping the tips of his shoes on the ground, he began walking, heading down the way Twilight had told him. As he went along the path, it split, and he could see it lead to a small, very natural looking house, but Ray let it go, and continued towards the town.

By the time he could see the town, he was beginning to actually feel better, the fresh air helping a great deal.

Ray could see the town at this point, and even a farm, though, he found it odd that there was only apple trees. Must be where Aj lives. He thought to him, walking along side the picket fence. He could smell the apples, and he really wished he could get one, but he was pretty sure someone would snatch a kink in his ass for just taking one.

Once he was finally at the town, a great deal of the locals noticed him walking through town. He could tell quickly that maybe outsiders were not liked so much, but he looked around, and noticed a few waves and smiles.

Eventually, he found Rarity’s place, and knocked on the door, “It’s open~!” He heard Rarity say, in a sort of sing-song voice. Opening the door, he noticed the great deal of creepy pony mannequins. Stepping inside, he noticed piles of fabric, and sewing kits seemed to line the walls, “Impressive.” He said, hearing Rarity gasp the next room over.

Rarity came rushing out to meet him, “Oh dear, I didn’t expect you to be here so soon, I thought you’d be at least tomorrow.” She said, smiling at him, “Well? Come along now, let’s get those measurements. Ray followed, smiling as he looked around. Reminds me of my mother. He thought, chuckling to himself.

Rarity brought to a raised bit of the floor, “Stand her please.” she requested, and so he did, “Also, please remove your clothing, I need accurate measurements.” She said calmly. Ray chuckled, “You know, I usually wait before I let a lady see my trousers.” He said jokingly, to which Rarity blushed lightly, “Please dear, professional.” She said, Ray nodding, “Sorry.”

Ray took off his vest, then his shirt, setting them aside, then kicked off his shoes, and removed his pants, revealing his red and white striped boxers.

“Can you remove that as well.” She asked, “No.” Ray said simply, “I’m afraid I can’t just show everything and startle you.” He said, jokingly, then stopped, “But no, I can’t.” Rarity just nodded, and began taking measurements.

“How’s business?” Ray asked, curious. Rarity smiled, “Fairly well darling, though, some of my customers have odd tastes, very much so when you know they’re Gryphons.” “Like from legends?” Ray asked, getting a confused look in return, “Legend?” Rarity asked, to which Ray chuckled, “Sorry, where I’m from, Gryphons are very rare.” He said simply, waving it off.

Rarity nodded, “Ah, I understand.” She said, eventually finishing with the measurement, “Do you have any preference?” She asked, smiling warmly up at him. Ray nodded, “Yes, I generally like to wear suits and such, Purple and Silvers, you see. They’re my favorite colors.” He explained, to which she smiled and nodded, flipping her mane, “I see. At least you have taste.” She said.

Ray had put his pants back on, and was beginning to put on his shirt when he heard the doorbell chime, “Rarity!” He heard a young boy say, “In here dear.” Rarity replied, helping Ray with his vest, “I’m sorry I can’t fix those now, I doubt you’d like to just sit about. I should have new clothes for you by tomorrow.” She said, her smiling bright and genuine.

A young lizard thing walked in, stopping when it noticed Ray, “Who… Who’s this guy?” He asked, sounding slightly worried. Rarity smiled at him, “Just a friend Spike.” She said plainly, looking at him, “Are you here to help me for the day?” Spike nodded, “Good, start bringing me fabric. I’m sorry Ray, but I’ll be busy the rest of the day.” She said, waving him out.

Ray nodded, heading out the door. Once out, he took a look around, taking in the sights, buildings, and those trotting around. I miss my sons. He found himself thinking, then shook his head. They’re better off without me anyway… I left them everything, I hope their mother doesn’t try to take it from them. He thought to himself, beginning to just walk through town.

Ray noticed a nice looking bar, ‘The Boardwalk’. Interesting name… He thought, deciding to give it a shot.

Upon interesting, he was stopped by a relatively big stallion, still shorter than him, “Who’s buckin’ pet is this?” A hoof was placed against his chest. Joy. Ray smiled down at the fellow, grabbing his hoof, “You should be nice to paying customers.” He said, glaring.

The Stallion's eyes widened, and he stepped away, yanking his hoof away, “Excuse me sir.” He said, looking down and moved aside, letting Ray by, who quickly went to the bar, and sat, taking a look around.

The place was nice, and had a old time feeling to it. There were six tables, and the bar. Posters of mares and stallions lines the walls, with big cursive writing on them. He noticed a stage, where a young looking stallion was singing, and clacking his hooves on the stage to the song’s rhythm.

“Oh, the dumber they come, the better I like 'em, 'Cause the dumb ones know how to make love~!” He chanted, many of his listeners cheering their agreement. I could get used to a place like this. He thought, facing the tender, “How’s business.” He asked, smiling. The tender only stared, and sighed, “Not well, the Apple Family is raising the price of their liquor, and the good stuff is hard to come by.” the Tender explained, “What do you have?” Ray asked. The Tender looked under the bar, and Ray noticed a large lack of bottles on the wall.

The Stallion popped back up, sighing, “We have Hard Cider.” He said, giving Ray a look like it was the best thing out there. Ray just stared at him, “Is that… It?” He asked, wondering if it was a joke, “Yes.” The Tender said. Ray slumped, “Of course.” He said, then got an idea, “What if I helped you with your business?” Ray asked, causing the Tender to look at him, “Did I mention my name is Daniel?” The pony said, smiling. Ray grinned, “I’m Ray, Ray Tanner.” He said, holding out his hand, “I’ll come back in a few days, and hopefully have a plan set up,” He said.

Daniel shook his hand with his hoof, smiling, “Wonderful.” He said, nodding as Ray stood to leave.

Once Ray was out, he thought about something. Where the hell am I staying?

That thought stopped his whole momentum, causing him to worry, “Ah hell.” He said aloud, “Wha’s the matter.” He heard a thick southern accent speak, looking up, startles to be eye to eye was a large red ponies, “Jesus!” He said aloud, jumping.

The Red Pony chuckled, “Sorry if ah done went and scared ya.” He said. Ray waved that notion away, “It’s fine… I just realised I ain’t got no where to live.” He said, shrugging. The Red Pony looked to be in thought, “Well shoot, ya’ll can come ‘n’ stay at the farm. We need more workers, Cider Season is almost here.” He said.

Ray smiled, “That’s very kind of you, my names Ray, and you are?” “Macintosh.” He said simply, nodding. Ray shrugged, “Alright Mac, lets go.” And so they went.

Author's Note

Big Mac, to the rescue.

Ray is starting to get comfortable in the town, asking around about business, seeing if there is any lines he could step-in on.

Good Day.