<<>>

“So…” Twilight figured if she couldn’t get away from the blasted party she might as well try and learn something from the locals, “I’m curious about Steel.”

Though Twilight asked Applejack who had decided to keep the purple pony company it was actually the town drunkard (or so Applejack said) Berry Punch that answered.

“He’s an oddball. Stallion with a heart of gold but he is bizarre.” Berry said between drinks of punch, “Showed up six months back. Homeless and without a bit to his name, actually started working at SAA about… two months after he showed up. Eventually bought that decrepit cottage not too far from Shy’s place, fixed it up pretty good too.”

That… was informative but not exactly what Twilight was hoping to hear. She gathered that Steel was something of a town eccentric and a hard worker. She was hoping for something more… in-depth. There was just something off about the stallion, and not just how his confidence if like Rainbow Dash’s only turned down to nine instead of fifteen.

“I also heard from my sister Berry Drink that he’s got a willy that could be used as a bludgeon.” Berry Punch added crassly, “The thought of letting that thing rut terrified her, but she managed to appease the beast with other tricks.” She added with a dirty snicker.

“Well that makes sense as Steel must be from Saddle Arabia originally or his parents were. Horses easily out-mass Ponies depending on their respective breed and everything about them have to be proportional. And Steel looks like he’s a Shire breed, possibly a pureblood one, and they’re supposedly the largest of all Horses and famed for their physical strength.”

Applejack looked interested but Twilight ignored that.

“While that’s… informative. That’s not exactly what I was curious about.” Twilight said finally.

“Oh! You mean like… how he acts and stuff?” Twilight nodded, “You’re better off asking Derpy, Time Turner, or Big Mac. They all know him better.”

“Derpy?” Twilight asked.

“A right sweet mare. You can’t miss her.” Berry Punch said before she stumbled off.

“Well… excuse me Applejack.” Twilight said with a smile, “I’ve got some questions that need answers!”

“Yeah, have fun! And if you wanna know more about Steel just ask around.” Applejack said slightly red in the face as she got some more punch.

Twilight just tilted her head and decided to… mingle.

“Steel? Well he’s a nice enough stallion. Amazing with foals and doesn’t take himself or really life in general too seriously.” A earth pony in a suit with a coiffed mane said, “Though he is kinda standoffish, not rude mind you. He just… really doesn’t like it when somepony just invades his personal space. And let’s not forget just how damn Alpha Mare he acts when provoked.”

“Alpha Mare?” Twilight asked, “Can you… expand on that Mr. Rich?”

“Well… like Rainbow Dash only without the ego.” Mr. Rich said, “A hooligan mare tried to force him into her herd and got bucked through two buildings for her trouble. I heard she had to spend a week or two in the hospital.”

“Oh my! Did he get in trouble?” Twilight asked.

“Oh yes. Fined and spent about… half a month in jail I believe.” Mr. Rich said, “But he never once acted repentant or chastised. He just accepted his punishment, paid his fines, and just moved on like it was just another day.”

Twilight just pondered over that.

“He’s probably the most unfortunate stallion in town.” Aloe (or was it Vera?) said, “I don’t think I’ve seen a stallion as pent up or frustrated as him since my sister and I moved here. You’d think he’d have a massive herd already but well… I’ve heard his stallionhood could double as a weapon.”

“That’s… unfortunate…” Twilight really regretted talking to Aloe now.

“But that’s just what I’ve heard of course! I’ve given him a massage and let me tell you kneading wet cement would be easier. I know stallions that would sell their cutie marks to get that sort of body but my word the knots and how tense his muscles are!”

Twilight nodded, at least that bit was a little bit more comfortable and interesting honestly.

“He’s certainly not shy by any means.” Mayor Mare said with dry amusement, “And the poor dear never realizes it when he does something clearly embarrassing. I think he has some sort of mental problem? I mean… ponies aren’t normally as blunt as he is. Polite to a fault however, he just… tells it as it is. I suppose.”

“Interesting…” Twilight thought as she listened to Mayor Mare go on about some of his oblivious antics.

“Steel? He’s cool, not as cool as me though!” Rainbow Dash boasted, “But if I had a choice between fighting him or a Griffon I’d choose the Griffon. At least if they kill you they’d mean too.”

“What do you mean exactly? He’s killed accidentally?!” Twilight asked with wide eyes, what sort of stallion is this Steel!?

“What? No!” Rainbow said, shaking her head, “What I mean is that sometimes he forgets his own strength, though he’s got a lot better about it. I mean he bucked a mare through two buildings, and just ask AJ about Old Appleton. Actually you should ask Granny about that… AJ still gets mad whenever Appleton is mentioned.”

Twilight sat as she nursed another cup of punch thinking about the strange stallion Steel, the party was already winding down as the celebration approached so most wanted to freshen up for the next part.

“Okay let me see here.” Twilight took another sip as she thought, “Everypony has painted a very interesting picture of Steel. He’s kind and unfailingly polite, yet he’s very blunt and can be very caustic when irritated. Possibly might be suffering from some form of mental impairment that doesn’t overall prevent him from living, just makes him socially awkward. And let’s not forget his… well not aversion but general dislike of having his personal space invaded, though he doesn’t have a problem with engaging with ponies he’s familiar as I’ve seen with Ms.Doo and Big Mac. And how can I forget his utter lack of shame, probably related to his mental impairment.”

All together it painted a rather interesting picture of a stallion trying, and with some limited success, living with possible multiple impairments and a lot of pent up frustration. Genuinely helpful and not afraid to “throw down” as Rainbow Dash put it when she shared a story about Steel going savage on a rabid Manticore that rampaged just outside of Ponyville.

“Thinking about Steely? Yeah he’s a pretty puzzling pony isn’t he?” Pinkie chirped, “Though don’t let all the stories or anything get to you! Steely is actually a perfectly pleasant pony even if his peener is always frustrated!~”

And with that the pink bundle of energy and questionable sanity pronked away.

“... What in Tartarus is that mare even on??”

Author's Note

I decided to break chapter 4 into two parts!