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Omega sits on the train to Canterlot, questioning the decision to send him out on his own as a literal child, with only a pair of saddlebags. Could predators even exist in this seemingly wholesome land though? He didn't know, but he wasn't going to let his guard down. Of course, Rarity had been jealous that he'd been sent off to Canterlot, which led him to believe it's probably some higher class area or something. Considering it sounds a hell of a lot like Camelot, but with a horse pun in the name, he'd wondered if there were any castles there, or if royalty was in its prime during these seemingly more primitive times. Of course, the fact that the train he's in exists made him really question where these ponies were in terms of development. He turns his attention to the window, looking out to see a castle town built on the side of a mountain.

"Is that Canterlot? Who thought it was a good idea to build a town on the side of a mountain of all places!? The structural instability of something like that just reeks of thoughtlessness! Unless, some of that magic bullshit is holding it up. Enchanted stuff maybe? It looks like it's been there for a long time." Omega contemplates.

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Once he gets off the train, Omega observes the glory that is Canterlot. The stone brick streets, the fancy decorum, the high towers of a castle looming in the distance. This felt so surreal, like he really was in the middle-ages. He digs out the map from his saddlebags, checking for where that orphanage was. After a look, he puts the map away, plodding off to his destination. Most of the ponies around were wearing some kind of clothing, unlike the nudist town he came from. They also all seemed to have their snouts high and eyes closed, leaving him to wonder how they even know where they're walking. Doing his best to avoid bumping into these snobs, he makes one final observation. They're all unicorns.

"Hmm, this is really weird. Maybe it's a status thing? I remember Rarity saying something about unicorn magic before... And the ones I stayed with seemed like a normal family. Snobs just exist universally I suppose." He thinks to himself.

After a while, he finally arrives at the place, a sign reading "Celestia's Home for the Less Fortunate."

"What. What kind of a name is that!? That's like calling a soup kitchen 'The King's Diner for the Bums' or something." Omega thinks, knocking on the door.

A soft blue unicorn mare with a cyan mane opens the door, looking down at Omega with concerned, golden eyes. "Oh, you must be that Omega colt we're expecting. Come on in dear, it's a bit chilly out." She ushers him in.

Inside, Omega saw the old looking interior of a place that really needed some work done. The darker wood floorboards creaking in some spots as a bunch of loud, obnoxious foals run around, causing chaos in the main room. That is, until the mare clears her throat.

"Everypony, meet Omega. He's our newest addition to the family, so I expect you all to be courteous to him as well." The mare says firmly.

"Yes, miss Care." They all groan out.

"Good. I've got some paperwork to get done." Ms. Care says, walking up a set of stairs.

Omega can't even say a word before a larger, fatter colt gets up in Omega's face. "Ms. Care is off getting your papers done. But don't think you're getting out of here so easily. We're all stuck here. And cause I'm the biggest, oldest one of us, that means I'M the leader here. You get it? So don't do anything stupid, or I'll have to get the point across in a way you won't like. Got it?"

Omega applies a HEAVY amount of restraint to resist rolling his eyes. "Of course, what was your name?"

"Loan, Loan Shark. And don't you forget it." Loan says.

"How on-the-nose. Then again, so are most of these chucklefucks' names." Omega thinks.

"Alright Loan." Omega drones.

"Good, run along then." Loan sneers.

Omega immediately turns around, opening the door.

"HEY! Where the heck do you think you're going!?" Loan barks angrily.

"Out, not like anypony cares anyway. I'll be back by sundown." Omega says, shutting the door behind him.

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Omega strolls along the streets of Canterlot, exploring the town and keeping track of his map.

"What better way to get the lay of the land?" Omega thinks smugly.

Eventually, Omega happens upon a decently large library. He enters, walking up to the desk, and standing on his hind legs, fore-hooves on the front of it with his head barely peeking above the actual surface of the desk. He clears his throat.

"Hm? Oh, a new colt. Are you interested in reading some of the fine tomes this library has to offer?" A grey mare with a full pink mane asks.

"Mmhm, what do I need for my library card?" Omega asks.

"So you already know about library cards, hmm? I bet you're an avid reader! Just a picture and name is all we need." The mare informs him.

"Cool! My name's Omega, what's yours?" He asks, sounding pretty eager. "Gotta remember the names if I'm gonna be talking with these ponies regularly."

"Dusty Pages. Come this way, and make sure to look at the camera." Dusty says, guiding him over to a nearby wall.

"This reminds me of the DMV, only a lot faster." Omega thinks as he smiles at the camera.

"Perfect! Now we just have to develop the film. Or, I will. In the meantime, go ahead and look around. I'm sure a little bookworm like you will have a blast here!" Dusty says, taking the undeveloped photo into another room.

Omega heads out to the magic section, which has its shelves almost entirely barren. "Guess other ponies must like learning this stuff too. City's full of unicorns, go figure."

Omega finds the one thing he can use out of what's left very quickly. He lifts his hoof to the book, and... he picks it up. With his hoof. "This feels so weird." He thinks, taking the book to a nearby table with a three-legged walk.

Omega sets the book down, looking at the full cover. "Magic for beginners: The absolute basics. This should help me get my start."

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After a while of reading and practice, Omega effortlessly lifts the book in the air in a deep purple aura, placing it back where it was on the shelf. As he goes back to the counter, he lifts up his library card, storing it in his bag.

"Thank you Ms. Pages, I'll be on my way for the day." Omega thanks her.

"You're more than welcome, Omega. Aren't you going to check out any books?" Dusty asks.

"No, my current living situation would jeopardize the books, they'd probably get damaged or stolen. I don't want to be responsible for the library losing books, especially after you've been so nice to me. And besides, most of what I'd want to read is already checked out anyway." Omega clarifies.

Dusty blinks, a bit shocked at how well-spoken Omega was. "Well, I suppose I can't fault you for that. Have a nice evening."

"You too." Omega says, exiting the library.

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Omega shuts the door to the orphanage behind himself, turning to walk forward when-

"OMEGA! What were you thinking!? You have to tell me before you just go wandering off all by yourself like that! I was worried sick!" Ms. Care scolded.

Omega sighs. "So even after I said I was going out, nobody told you huh? Figures."

Loan Shark snickers, as the other foal look at each-other with torn expressions.

Ms. Care walks up to Omega, pulling him into a hug. "Just let me know next time, okay?"

Omega nods. "Alright, I'll have to let you know myself next time." He agrees.

"Good, now come to the dining room, Supper's almost done." Ms. Care says.

"Yes, Ms. Care." Omega says, looking over Loan Shark's way.

Loan seems to be miffed he hadn't really gotten Omega into any trouble, leering at him. Omega remains unfazed, walking out to the dining hall with the others.

"Woah, you actually didn't listen to Loan, and got away with it just like that?" One of the other colts whispers to Omega as they walk.

"What of it?" Omega asks.

"He definitely won't like you, you have to watch out for him now for sure." Another colt whispers.

"What's he gonna do, sit on me?" Omega asks.

"Yeah, and it really hurts!" The first colt says.

"You won't be able to breathe, and he won't let up until you say uncle." The second confirms.

"Seriously? That's what I'm dealing with here? Time I usurp that tub of lard then, if he does try to sit on me. God this is so stupid." Omega thinks, taking a seat at the table.

It's not long before a bunch of food platters all fly out of the kitchen, wrapped in a golden aura. One they're set down, the aura disappears. "Dig in everypony!" Ms. Care exclaims, before leaving the dining room to attend to some other housework.

"Alright, you know the drill. I get first pickings." Loan says, taking VERY heaping helpings of everything at the table, leaving everyone else to divvy up the remainder.

"The fat bastard keeps on getting fatter. No wonder he can keep his weight up in a place like this. What worries me is how weak the rest of these foals are." Omega thinks bitterly. "I'll play along for tonight, I need all the information on the daily routines here before I go making any changes."

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Later that night, Omega climbs up a ladder to get to his newly assigned bunk. He keeps his bags close. While he only has a map and library card for now, they're still all he has, and both are VERY important. Of course, he knows the fat bastard wouldn't try to climb that ladder to get to him, as it could easily break under his weight. And if someone DID try to grab him, Omega's a light sleeper.

"Now, time to see if someone decides to be an idiot tonight..." Omega thinks as he goes to sleep.

Author's Note

Ms. Care's full name is Loving Care, for those curious.