Chapter 24

“I say we go after this bloke!” Sean said, pointing at a poster with another griffin. “The price is pretty good! Plus, I know how to tango with them buzzards! And with Kieran at me back, it’s easy pickings!”

“And who says I got yer stinkin’ hide?” Kieran asked before pointing to a poster with an Earth Pony mug shot. “What about this guy?”

“Eh, he’s pretty easy,” Arthur shrugged. “Nothin’ but petty theft. We need a bastard who’s tough as nails and worth a lot.”

One of the guards off to the side leaned over to Marble.

“Marble, I get they’ve done a good job with keeping the town safe, but can they really be relied on if they talk like they’re bounty hunters?” He asked.

“Are we supposed to simply judge ponies based on how they talk?” Marble asked

“I…I guess not,” the guard sighed.

“Here we go!” Kieran said, grabbing a poster with a zebra stallion. “This guy’s been stalking mares and is a registered sex creep! He’s holdin’ out at a place called Rainbow Falls.”

“Rainbow Falls? I think that’s about a two-day ride from…uh, run, from here,” Arthur explained.

“Hey, but it’s worth it,” Kieran shrugged. “It’s a good price, easy pickings, and we’ll be back with more funds to our name. Besides, this barracks needs a touch up.”

“Not our fault Rocky pocketed some funds for his own benefit,” Marble weighed in.

“Yeah, I’d still like to have words with him about that,” the guard said with annoyance in his tone.

“Then it’s settled,” Arthur nodded and took the poster. “Now gentlemen, I believe it’s only fair that not all of us can go wrangle up this feller and leave our town unprotected.” Sean and Kieran nodded in agreement. “So, shall we decide which two of the three of us will go the old-fashioned way?” Arthur pulled out his dagger and placed his hand on the table.

“Ho ho ho, Arthur Morgan, ya ol’ daredevil, you,” Sean laughed as he placed his hand on the table.

“Y’all know the rules,” Arthur said. “First one to slice themselves the quickest loses.”

“Uh…sheriff Arthur? What exactly are you gonna do with that knife?” Marble asked.

“Five Finger Fillet. Object of the game is to not slice off a digit as you stab the spaces with a knife,” Sean explained.

“What?! That’s a thing?!” Marble yelped. “Why would you do such a crazy thing with a knife?!”

“Cause it’s fun as hell, boyo,” Sean grinned. “Kieran, you got first.”

“What, and let you cut off my bird? Not happening,” Kieran said.

“Ya won’t cut off nothin’ if ya got your wits,” Sean rolled his eyes. “Now get to it, boy!”

Kieran let out a groan before holding his hand out on the table with his fingers spread.

“Whatcha waiting for?” Sean teased.

“I’m doing it, I’m doing it!” Kieran groaned.

Kieran pulled out his knife and readied his hand. He started by tapping the tip of his knife between his fingers and went back and forth. He was doing pretty well until the blade nicked his ring finger.

“Ack!” Kerman yelped.

“Ha! My turn.” Sean brought out his Dirk with a flourish and started hitting the table between his fingers.

Sean got to work by tapping the blade between his fingers. The Irish gunslinger was doing pretty well as the other ponies anxiously watched him.

“Ha! See that?!” Sean boasted. “Ain’t nothin’ to it-!”

Slice!

Sean looked out into the void with pained eyes with a little tear going down his cheek and a whizz escaped his lips.

“Heh, always the overconfident one, Sean,” Arthur chuckled as Sean’s middle finger had a sizable cut on the side.

“Grk. I’d give ya the bird, but me finger hurts,” Sean said before retracting his hand and went off to curse up a storm.

Arthur was next to go as he brought out his knife. He placed his hand on the table and began tapping the tip of the blade between his fingers. Unlike the other two, Arthur’s aim was pristine and accurate as he picked up the pace a little to show off. His speed increased, the wood from the table flew off piece by piece, and it caught the eyes of everyone. Before anyone could blink, Arthur stopped suddenly and examined his hand. To everyone’s surprise, he had a small nick in his finger.

“Hmm…I’d say that’s my personal best,” Arthur said.

“Lucky bastard,” Sean mumbled while sucking the blood from his wound.

“Shortest time loses,” Arthur said to Kieran. “Looks like you’re sticking around, kid.”

“Aw, shucks…” Kieran frowned as Sean pat his shoulder.

“Don’t be down, lad! We’ll be sure to save ya a good amount of the dough once we nab this bastard,” Sean reassured his fellow deputy.

“You just make sure you keep a close eye on things while we’re away,” Arthur said. “Help folks out, make sure no one causes trouble. Think you can handle that?”

“I think I can handle that,” Kieran nodded while covering his cut.

As Arthur and Sean left to claim their chosen bounty, the day went on as per usual for young Kieran. The young pegasus stallion wore his deputy badge proudly as he strolled through town. He gave a friendly tip of his hat to the locals, helped with menial tasks whenever they needed him, and would often flap his wings to fly in the sky to get some flying practice in. If Kieran was honest with himself, this was the most relaxed and peaceful he’s ever felt since his days as a gunslinger. Especially during his days running with Colm’s old gang.

Kieran lazily glided through the air with his thoughts filling his head of all the things he did and what he suffered through which left a pit in his stomach. He was brought out of his stupor suddenly by a loud chorus of sounds coming from somewhere close by. So, he went to investigate and saw he was above Fluttershy’s cottage, and the animals were in a frantic mess with Fluttershy trying to rein them in.

“Oh, oh please! Please calm down!” Fluttershy begged. “I’ll feed you all soon! Just need you all to calm down!”

Kieran felt bad for the gentle mare trying to quell the animals’ nerves on her own. So, the deputy glided down towards her cottage and landed by with a not-so-subtle landing.

“Oof! Gotta get used to that,” Kieran said to himself. “Ahem, hello, Fluttershy. Need any help?”

“Oh Kieran…um…Yes please if you wouldn’t mind. I need to feed my friends. I…uh, had a late start this morning,” Fluttershy said with an embarrassed blush.

“No problem,” Kieran said with a tip of his hat.

The deputy first approached the family of ducks as they quacked and chirped sporadically.

“Hey now, what’s with all the crazy quaking?” Kieran asked softly as he knelt down. “No need for any of that. Don’t y’all remember me? I helped ya some time ago.”

Soon enough the little ducklings waddled forward and fluffed up their feathers and shook their tail feathers in happiness.

“There ya go, now be good little chicks and wait for Ms. Shy to get ya some grub,” Kieran said with a smile as he gently petted the ducklings head with his fingers.

His next task was calming down a few squirrels that were chipping angrily at each other.

“Oi!” Kieran snapped, making them freeze in place and slowly looked up at the towering stallion. “Now, I may not know what kind of tiff y’all got with each other, but I do know it can be settled at a later time. Right now, y’all should be focusing on waitin’ for your meals that Ms. Shy probably worked hard to prepare. Understood?”

The squirrels looked up at the stallion for a few seconds before they jumped on him and started running around all over his body.

“Hehehehe! Ok, ok! Settle down now,” Kieran laughed as he moved onto the next set of animals.

Fluttershy was shocked, to say the least, as Kieran kept easily quelling her little animal friends. Whenever she saw Kieran smile, a little twinge in her heart made it skip a beat. On and on, Kieran tended to the animals calming them down and showing a more docile side. As for Kieran, he wasn’t sure how he was doing it, but he was amazed that the animals were listening and even obeying.

Once Kieran finished calming the little critters and animals down, he turned to be face-to-face with Harry, the grizzly bear. The large animal bared his fangs at Kieran as an attempt to intimidate him. Fluttershy was about to intervene, but Kieran took a deep breath and slowly raised his hand out to the bear.

“Easy, big fella,” Kieran said softly. “Easy. Ain’t gonna hurt ya.” He reached up with his other hand and took off his hat. “You can trust me.”

However, the grizzly just let out a loud roar in Kieran’s face.

“Mr. Kieran!” Fluttershy yelped but Kieran stood his ground.

“You don’t know me, I get it,” Kieran continued to speak softly. “I ain’t the one who’s been looking after you. But I’d still like to help.”

Fluttershy suppressed a frown. “You probably shouldn’t.”

“Now Ms. Shy,” he interrupted her. “I think we both know being ornery and a little bluster are two different things.”

The two males held a motionless standoff for a moment before Kieran gave Fluttershy a sideways smile-as if proving a point.

Harry took the opportunity to move a little closer, but before Fluttershy could choose between scolding the bear or warning the stallion, Kieran had absentmindedly used the looming carnivore as a hat rack, the brim completely blindfolding Harry.

The absent expression of the stallion and the confused humpf from Harry pulled a snicker from her.

“See? I ain’t so bad,” Kieran said with a chuckle.

“Wow…I’ve never seen Harry act like this to anypony besides me,” Fluttershy said.

“I got a way with animals,” Kieran said as he took his hat back and put it on his head. “Always have since I was a boy. They always brought me comfort whenever my pop was too drunk to piss.”

Fluttershy saw bad memories flicker behind the stallion’s eyes. He looked at her, Harry, then some point she suspected was very, very far away. A sadness she hadn’t noticed faded as a forced smile turned to genuine contentment.

She hesitated to break the silence. “If you ever need somepony to listen…”

“That’s mighty sweet,” Kieran nodded. “But I’m afraid not even words can fix what’s broken in me. After all, I’ve experienced a fate of death no man should ever have to endure in a lifetime.”

“Oh. I see,” Shy said with a sympathetic look.

“But hey, it ain’t nothin’ to shed tears over,” the young deputy shrugged. “It’s history. And the Lord gave this stupid little shit a second chance. Best I can do now is make the most of it, ya know?”

“I suppose,” Fluttershy said with another nod, still feeling sympathetic.

Kieran looked around the homestead to see it settled into something like normal.

“Need help with anything else while I’m here?” Kieran offered.

“Oh, I wouldn’t want to take up your time,” Fluttershy said. “You’re probably already busy enough as it is with your duties as deputy.”

He gave her a polite smile and nod. Something new in his blood told him the wind was nice to glide on right now and a few little clouds seemed perfect to watch the town below from. “Don’t hesitate to call for me if you do. It’s what I’m here for,” Kieran assured her.

As Kiran took flight after he tipped his hat goodbye to the mare, she gazed at him and felt a twinge of pity for him. Fluttershy was no fool. She knew that Kiran held a deep pain and sadness behind those eyes. His gentleness with handling her little critter friends and how he handled Harry so well was proof of that. All Fluttershy could do was sigh a little as she went back to taking care of her animals.

The Next Day

“And that should do it, Ms. Heart,” Kieran said as he hammered in the last nail.

The deputy had just finished fixing a white picket fence that Cream Heart’s son, Burton Mash, accidentally broke with his friends while they were playing with a ball.

“Your boy sure has a leg on him,” Kieran said. “Not many can snap two posts out of place with a ball.”

Cream gave that tired but loving smile Kieran had seen on mothers even in his old world.

“He’s coming into his earth pony strength. He’d have better control if he’d play outside more.” Her ears focused on the distant sounds of foals playing for a moment before returning to him. “Would you like some coffee? I just baked some banana bread.”

“That’s mighty kind, ma’am, but I must bid ya good day,” Kieran said. “Arthur and Sean are still after that outlaw, so I gotta keep watch over this town on my own.”

A bright giggle escaped the mare. “Oh, nothing quite happens in this town.” She half turned to go but paused looking over her shoulder. “You’ll get used to it. And the invitation stands,” she said before walking back to her home with a bit more sway than Kieran thought was normal.

Kieran shook his head with a small chuckle as he went on his way. The deputy paced idly by, returning a wave here and there to any who gave him one. Kieran then thought about how Arthur and Sean were doing and if they had caught the outlaw by now. Kieran knew full well just how committed a bounty hunter Arthur was. In his opinion, any would-be outlaw who was foolish enough to try and evade Arthur Morgan.

While Kieran was in the midst of his thoughts, something fell from the sky that landed on his hat. He reached up to grab an envelope that was still sealed. Just then, more envelopes started falling from the sky and he caught sight of a frantic Pegasus mare trying to grab each one before they littered the ground.

With the eyes of someone new to a sport, Kieran realized the raw strength and agility needed to dart between letters in the air. That she missed more than she caught was just poor aim.

Kieran made a wing assisted jump to snatch a falling package. It was a good jump, far higher than his old body could have ever imagined. And he caught it too!

The package rescued; Kieran looked up to see if the mailmare had gotten the rest. Unfortunately, it was all too easy to find her. They were in fact eye-to-eye.

A moment of pain and spinning later Kieran found himself on a pile of hay staring up at the blue sky. Beside him gray feathers flopped under the fresh hay.

“Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry!” The mare yelped as she looked down at the dazed deputy. “I didn’t mean to crash into you! Are you ok?!”

Kieran noticed the mare’s eyes were a little off. One was looking right at him and the other was off to the side. However, Kieran was taken somewhat aback that the color of her yellowish gold eyes glimmered a little in the daylight.

“…pretty eyes,” Kieran muttered incoherently.

Her prattle of apologies stopped. A blush warmed her face as she found nowhere to look but the belly-up stallion.

“I…” she held out a wing for the stallion to help right himself. She’d managed to actually knock him silly. “Thank you for catching the box.”

Kieran shook his head and took the offered help. “I’m here to help,” he answered before her gold eyes met him again. He couldn’t look away as her apologetic worry turned quickly into genuine concern.

“Oh goodness!” She stepped closer. “Did I hit your wings? That can’t be comfortable.”

Kieran extended his wings and shook most of the hay out. “They look about the same as since I got them.”

“That’s a relief…” the mare said. “I’m Derpy. Derpy Hooves.”

“Pleasure to meet ya, ma’am,” Kieran said with a tip of his hat. “Name’s Kieran, Kieran Duffy.”

“Oh, I’ve heard of you,” Derpy perked up. “You’re the new deputy Sheriff Morgan recruited.”

“Heh, that’s me,” Kieran nodded. He gathered up all of the mail and parcels Derpy dropped. “Here ya go. I grabbed all I could for you.”

“Thank you,” she said, meeting his gaze a moment before realizing her bag was gone. With a startle she reached into the hay but thankfully relaxed when she quickly found it. Pulling it free she dropped the letters she’d tucked under a wing into the bag before holding it out for Kieran.

He felt her looking at his wings with concern as he added mail to the bag. “That bad?”

She looked embarrassed but answered after a moment. “You… your wings won’t be as itchy and uncomfortable if you preen the sheaths off.”

Kieran looked at his own wings. They weren’t exactly pretty and nothing like the dove wings of this mare.

“There’s a Pegasus barber if you don’t like the spa,” Derpy added, securing her bag better than earlier.

“Thanks, I probably need a trim,” Kieran nodded.

An awkward silence fell between them atop the hay before Kieran broke it. “I reckon we both need to get back to work.”

“Oh…um…yes, thank you,” Derpy said and took a step back. The poor mailmare couldn’t stop her blushing from becoming pinker the longer Kieran gazed at her. “I-I’ll be off now!”

Before Kieran could respond, Derpy quickly took flight to rescue her route. Kieran merely sighed as he watched her go and looked at his wings. Even though he had been in this world for some time, the fact that he was a pegasus was still something he was getting used to. However, even he could tell that his wings looked worse for wear. Feathers out of place, some poking out and uneven, and each time he unfurled them a little it sounded like dry leaves brushing against each other on a tree branch.

“Hmm…maybe I could do for a little pampering,” Kieran said to himself.

With a flutter he jumped off the hay pile. He still liked the feel of dirt beneath him, even if flying was a child's dream made real.

Without a better idea, Kieran wandered towards the town hall. The center of town was buzzing with business. It reminded him of his old life in ways, except it was all fantastically polite. A minor chiding of some foals playing a bit too rough and pushing a wagon free of a pothole was all he could find that needed any attention. He wasn't about to complain though.

Rounding a corner, Kieran found a familiar striped pole topped with pegasus wings. A closed look confirmed his guess. This was in-fact a barber shop, and the old stallion, Dusty Feather, wearing a white apron was definitely a pegasus.

What followed was Kieran getting scrubbed harder than an orphan on Sunday morning for the better part of an hour. Between Dusty Feather’s ranting, Kieran learned he had narrowly avoided some real pain from neglecting his wings.

“Here,” Dusty said, handing over an old feather brush after Kieran had paid him. “Now you can’t say you don’t have one.”

“Thank you kindly, Dusty,” Kieran said and handed him the bits. “Keep the change.”

When Kieran stepped out of the pegasus barber shop, he felt like a new stallion. His wings looked preened and presentable, his coat brushed and smooth, and his mane combed out and slick. As Kieran took off his hat while walking away, some mares took notice of him.

“Say, isn’t that the new deputy?” One mare asked.

“It is, and…wow,” the other said, lidding her eyes.

“I never noticed before but he’s…actually pretty cute~,” another purred.

Am I imagining things or do mares out number stallions three to one in the town? he thought to himself. Without thinking too hard about that, he decided he hadn't checked out the farms today and took to the air with a leap. A little shiver danced across his wings as air tickled freshly freed feathers. Derpy had been right, his wings were indeed far less itchy. Banking towards the orchards, Kieran went to see if the Apple’s or Carrot’s needed anything.

Kieran’s trek led him to the market district where ponies were selling their goods and produce to the residents. Kieran cracked a smile at the welcoming atmosphere as he browsed the stalls he passed by. During his perusing, he caught sight of Fluttershy standing at one of the produce stalls looking somewhat glum.

“I apologize, Fluttershy, but it’s just my stall’s policy,” the salespony said. “I know you’re good for it, but I can’t just give you my produce.”

“I-I understand that, but I forgot my purse at my cottage,” Fluttershy replied. “I was distracted by my animal friends; they all told me what they wanted at the market. Please? I promise I’ll come right back once I acquire my purse at home.”

“What’s the problem?” Kieran walked to see if he could help.

“Oh! Kieran!” Fluttershy squeaked in surprise. “Hello, I didn’t expect to see you here today.”

“Eh, it’s part of my route,” Kieran shrugged. “And I also figured I’d do some shopping while I’m here. Overheard ya forgot your purse?” Fluttershy nodded with embarrassment. “Well, then allow me.” Kieran reached into his satchel and pulled out his bag of bits.

“Oh, no, I couldn’t possibly ask you to do that,” Fluttershy pleaded. “I’ll just fly back and-.”

“Say no more, Fluttershy,” Kieran said with a smile. “My Ma always told me to treat ladies like they matter most in life. And, as a gentleman like myself, I can’t possibly leave a lady like yourself to struggle.”

While Kieran paid for Shy’s things, she couldn’t help but feel light on her hooves and butterflies in her stomach.

His smile also made her cheeks flush a shade of pink as her heart skipped a beat. When his light blue eyes looked into hers, she was lost in thought and couldn’t look away.

“Mind if I tag along with you on your shopping trip?” Kieran offered. “Something tells me this ain’t your only stop.”

Shy found it difficult to speak for a moment, but when she did, it came out low and fractured. “O…Okay.”

“Great,” Kieran said. “What’s next on your list?”

Shy kept staring at him for a few seconds before realizing he asked her a question. “Oh! Just a couple of stops then home.”

“Then let’s be off,” Kieran said.

Kieran accompanied Fluttershy through the market and paid for everything she needed before returning home. All the while, Kieran and Fluttershy chatted amongst themselves about how her animals were doing. Fluttershy never really spoke to anyone before about her daily life since she figured they wouldn’t be interested, save for her friends. However, here was Kieran completely invested in everything she had to say about her duties and why she cared for them in the first place.

“Quite the admirable job you do,” Kieran commented. “Those critters are lucky to have you care for them.”

A comfortable silence fell between them for the last little bit of the walk. Her bits were in fact sitting on the table by the door. “Thank you again,” she said before counting out what she owed.

“No need in friends keeping tabs,” Kieran said, waving away the bits before she’d even begun to count.

“But…” She began to protest.

“I trust you to help me when I need it,” Kieran said with a genuine smile.

Fluttershy put her bits away reluctantly. She was about to insist again when a low whine of a growl echoed from the stallion's stomach. Kieran wilted a bit, but Fluttershy found a little courage in the moment. “Then at least let me make you lunch as thanks.”

Kieran shrugged since he didn’t want to be rude to the shy mare. “How so then?”

Fluttershy held her momentum and took her bags to the icebox. She wanted to do something nice for Kieran. The thought of comfort danced through her as she pondered what to cook.

Kieran watched the mare drift into her kitchen. A wing absently lit the stove and placed a cast-iron pan while Fluttershy put away her groceries. Soon, butter sizzled in the pan, spurring his appetite even before he smelled it. He watched her shift from shy filly to mare at her hearth as she moved from slicing bread to boiling up some kind of quick soup.

About the time he was trying to figure out how to swipe a pit of bread without her noticing, Fluttershy pushed a plate with the most heavenly looking grilled cheese on it, and a steaming bowl of tomato soup towards him. She blinked, then blushed as if suddenly aware of him for the first time.

“I umm… I hope you like it. It’s just something quick to make that I like,” Fluttershy said shyly.

“My oh my,” Kieran said as he took off his hat to put it aside. “No one’s…ever cooked something for me besides my ma.” Kieran looked up at the mare with yet another genuine smile. “Thank you.”

“It was my pleasure.” Shy sat down across from him with her own meal.

Kieran picked up his spoon and gently scooped up some soup. He held it up to his lips and sipped it, allowing the flavorful soup to tickle his taste buds.

“Mmm…” Kieran hummed in delight. “That’s probably the best damn soup I’ve ever had.”

“Thank you. I’m glad you like it,” Shy smiled with a bit of a blush.

“I’m surprised a sweet woman like yourself lives alone,” Kieran said as he dipped his grilled cheese in his soup before taking a bite. “A lady like you would make the perfect wife.”

Hearing that seemed to make Fluttershy’s cheeks redder than before. It was then when Kieran realized what he said and let out an awkward cough in embarrassment.

“Erm…sorry, didn’t mean to say that,” Kieran said. “I just mean you’re a good cook and you’d make someone pretty happy.”

Fluttershy twirled her hair a bit at the compliment. “I have thought about it before, but I just couldn’t muster up the courage to ask anypony out.”

“Ah. Well, I kinda know how ya feel,” Kieran said while nodding. “Wasn’t exactly the most social boy growing up. All I ever did was keep to myself and go fishing on my own. Figured I was too much of a…what do ya call it? Social outcast.” The deputy let out a sigh as he stirred his spoon in his soup. “Must be why I decided to join a gang.”

“W-what kind of gang?” Shy asked hesitantly.

Kieran was silent for a moment before he spoke somberly. “I’m sure Arthur told ya he too was in a gang?” Kieran asked, and Fluttershy nodded. “Well…his gang weren’t my first. I was part of another gang called The O’Driscoll Boys. The leader, Colm O’Driscoll, was a right cruel son of a bitch.” Kieran noticed Fluttershy flinched a little at his language. “Sorry. It’s just…what he was.”

“He was that bad?” Shy asked with concern.

“Bad is an understatement,” Kieran said. “He…was merciless. Killed any he could ‘cause he felt like it, took whatever he wanted ‘cause he felt like it, and made sure his own gang mattered little to him if they didn’t earn their keep. Which was getting him as rich as possible.”

Fluttershy’s eyes widened as she gripped the edge of the table. “That sounds…horrible,” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. “How did you…escape?”

Kieran looked down at his soup, his appetite suddenly waning. “I didn’t, at first,” he admitted, running a hand through his mane. “I was stuck in it, just trying to survive. But deep down…I knew I didn’t belong. It wasn’t until Arthur and his gang got me that things changed.” He paused, watching the steam rising from his bowl. “They gave me a chance, despite everything. Arthur, Dutch…they didn’t have to, but they did. Gave me a family I never thought I’d have.”

Fluttershy watched him, her heart aching at the sadness in his eyes. “And now, you’re here,” she said softly, hoping to offer him some comfort. “You’ve made a new start, Kieran. You’re not that person anymore.”

He gave her a small smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I know. But sometimes…it’s hard to shake the past.” He took a deep breath and forced a chuckle. “Anyway, that’s enough of my sob story. What about you? You’ve got this lovely cottage, all these animals. Seems like you’ve found your purpose.”

Fluttershy smiled, her blush returning as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I suppose I have,” she said, her voice shy but warm. “Caring for others has always been what I’m best at. My friends, my animal companions-they make me feel like I belong.” She hesitated, then added, “And…I think you belong here too, Kieran.”

Kieran blinked, surprised by her sincerity. Her gentle words seemed to ease some of the tension in his chest, and he felt a warmth that hadn’t been there before. “Thanks, Fluttershy. That…means a lot.”

The two sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the sound of birds chirping outside filling the air. Kieran glanced out the window, feeling more at ease than he had in a long time. Maybe this place really was where he could leave the ghosts of his past behind.

A comfortable silence fell between them. The quiet reminded him that the soup smelled wonderful. Tucking back in the polished off his meal in a few polite bites. It would have been absolutely criminal not to enjoy it, so he made sure not to eat too fast.

“Well.” Standing up and putting his hat back on. “I should probably get back to my rounds. But I appreciate the lunch. And the company.”

Fluttershy smiled, standing as well. “You’re always welcome here, Kieran. Anytime.”

As he tipped his hat and stepped out the door, Fluttershy watched him go, an easy smile still on her face. Perhaps, she thought, they weren’t so different after all.

The Next Day

It was another day for Kieran as he made his rounds through the quaint town of Ponyville. Arthur and Sean should be getting back by now with their bounty, so Kieran felt a little at ease knowing he wouldn’t have to be on his own any longer. Being a deputy wasn’t all that hard to him since nothing really happened in this town, and it made him thankful for it being so. Along his way, Kieran passed by a local waterhole called The Little Horseshoe.

“Hmm…I could go for a drink right about now,” Kieran said to himself.

Kieran walked in and he was met with the familiar scent of cheap booze, cigar smoke, and stale peanuts.

“Deputy!” The bartender, Berry Punch, called out to Kieran. “What a pleasant surprise!”

“Calm day. Decided a cold one was in order,” Kieran told Berry before spotting two familiar manes. “Dash, Shy! How are you doing?”

The two mares in question were sitting at the bar when they turned to greet Kieran as he walked in. Shy pushed a strand of her mane to the side as a hint of pink grew across her cheeks.

“Just came here for a drink with a friend,” Dash replied. “Sean’s coming back today, and I can’t wait to get my hands back on my stallion.”

“I’m assuming that’s you being subtle about what you’re really going to do to him.” Kieran leaned over to Shy. “Sean has told me so many stories.”

“He WHAT?!” Dash yelped with a blush. “Oh…that colt is dead meat!”

Kieran chuckled and turned his attention to Fluttershy. “And how are you today, Fluttershy? Seems like we keep running into each other lately.”

“I’m good. Just having a drink with Dash like every two weeks.” She then nurses her gin and tonic. “How are you, Deputy Kieran?”

“Not too bad, I reckon,” Kieran said. “Speaking of which, I’d like a cold brew, Ms. Berry.”

“Coming right up, deputy!” Berry Punch said.

As the three mingled with each other, a group of stallions with slicked back manes wearing leather jackets and sunglasses strode in like they owned the joint.

The leader, who was shorter than the rest, scanned the room and his eyes landed right on Dash and Shy. He gave a smirk before snapping both his hands and pointed to the bar.

“Boys. We got us a babe alert,” the leader said with a sly grin.

The leader strode up to Fluttershy and leaned his arm on the bar with a confident smirk.

“Hey, baby, how’s it goin’?” He asked with an overconfident tone.

“Buzz off, creep,” Rainbow said with an annoyed expression.

“Mmm, I like this one,” the tallest greaser pegasus said while leaning next to Dash.

“What part of buzz off do you creeps not understand?” Dash asked rhetorically. “Plus, I already got a stallion. So again, buck off.”

Meanwhile, Kieran was eyeing the scene carefully.

“Um…” Shy began while hiding behind her mane. “Could you please leave us alone?”

“Oh ho! Look at this babe!” A unicorn greaser said with a smirk. “Come on, sweetie, why not hang with us for a while?”

“Gentleman.” Kieran finally spoke up and faced the five of them. “I may not have the best hearing, but I think these two ladies asked you to leave them be.”

“And who asked you, dumbass?” The leader scoffed. “Just ‘cause you got some fancy badge, you think you’re better than us?”

“Never said I was better than ya’ll. And whether you respect the badge or not, you better respect a lady’s wishes.” Kieran got up and bowed himself up to the leader, which was easy enough, given that he was at least a head taller.

“Hey! Hey! Greaseball! You and your crew, out of my bar!” Berry snapped. “I get enough of you as it is already!”

“Shut it, you drunk!” The Earth Pony Greaser yelled before tossing the nuts in her face.

At this point, Kieran could no longer keep this from continuing on. Kieran gave them a look that sent a chill up and down their spines as if they were looking at a stallion with no fear whatsoever.

“Last chance,” Kieran spoke in a cold tone. “Enough.”

The leader looked like he was about to leave, he even turned around and took a few steps away. When he was a few paces away, he quickly turned around and charged at the deputy like a bull.

Kieran was quick on his hooves as he sidestepped out of the way and tripped the leader by sticking his leg out. The leader stumbled forward and hit his face on the bar, knocking him out cold instantly. The taller greaser tried jumping on Kieran from behind, but the deputy managed to grab his arm and brought him down on the ground hard.

“Get him, boys!” The third largest said before they all went to overpower the deputy.

The ponies watched as Kieran fearlessly confronted the two remaining greasers. He slugged the largest one across his jaw while the other was met with a hard slap of his right wing.

The final two greasers, taken aback by Kieran’s swift counterattack, hesitated for a split second, but that was all he needed. With a well-practiced motion, Kieran spun around and delivered a solid kick to the chest of the nearest thug, sending him crashing into a table. The last remaining greaser tried to grab him, but Kieran blocked the strike with his forearm and followed up with a punch to the gut, doubling him over.

As the dust settled, Kieran stood in the middle of the bar forcing his breath to calm, while the rest of the gang lay groaning on the floor. Berry Punch gave a satisfied nod from behind the bar, wiping the spilled nuts off her counter.

“That. Was. Awesome!” Dash cheered the deputy as Shy ran over and gave him a hug.

“Woah, now!” Kieran chuckle as Fluttershy hugged him tight.

“That was so dangerous!” Fluttershy cried. “They could’ve hurt you!”

“Ah, but they didn’t,” Kieran said. “And that’s what matters. Oh, that reminds me.”

Kieran gently made Fluttershy release him from her hug and pulled out many pairs of handcuffs from his satchel.

“You lot are all under arrest for disturbing the peace and assaulting a sheriff’s deputy,” Kieran stated as he began cuffing all the greasers. “Anything y’all do and say will be held accountable in the court of law.”

One by one, Kieran cuffed the greasers as they groaned in pain.

“And let this be a lesson to you punks!” Berry snapped just as the local authority’s carriage pulled up with some guards.

Kieran watched the greasers all be picked up and escorted to the back of the carriage while Fluttershy and Rainbow watched.

“He’s so brave…” Fluttershy said with a somewhat dreamy smile. “Yet he holds so much pain in him.”

“Yeah, he can sure kick flank, that’s for sure,” Dash agreed with her friend. “Maybe you should ask him out?” She teased.

“Wh-What?!” Fluttershy gasped and her cheeks flushed bright pink. “Rainbow! I can’t do that! What if he says no! Oh, who am I kidding! Of course he’ll say no!”

“No, he won’t,” Rainbow reassured.

“How do you know?” Shy asked her oldest friend.

“Because if he does, I’ll kick his flank,” Dash joked before pushing Shy over to Kieran.

“Eep!” Fluttershy yelped and bumped into the deputy.

“Oh!” Kieran said and turned to face Fluttershy. “Careful where you step there, Shy.”

“I-I’m sorry…” Fluttershy muttered with an embarrassed blush. She glanced over her shoulder to see Rainbow giving her a thumbs up. “Um…Kieran? M-May I ask you s-something?”

“By all means,” Kieran nodded. “What’s on your mind?”

“I-I…” Fluttershy spoke and was lost in Kieran’s eyes. “I-I was wondering…i-if…if-!”

“Pardon me?”

Fluttershy was cut short when a voice caught their attention. Two ponies approached the deputy and mare, one of which made Rainbow go slack jawed.

One was none other than Thunderlane, a member of the Wonderbolts. He wore a blue v-neck shirt and grey jeans with the Wonderbolt insignia etched on the right pant leg. Next to him, hooked on his arm, was a unicorn mare. The mare’s coat was peach pink while her brown mane reached down the middle of her back with a strand resting over her shoulder. Her eyes were a dark brown color that held a sort of curious and hopefulness to them. She wore an orange sweater with a tan neckerchief tied around her neck, and a pair of dark blue slacks that gave her a somewhat professional appearance. In her free arm was a small booklet of some kind that had a red ribbon tied within the spine.

“Ohmygosh! Ohmygosh! Ohmygosh!” Rainbow bleated excitedly. “It’s Thunderlane!”

“Hey, I know you,” Kieran said to Thunder. “You’re one of them famous fliers I heard about.” Kieran raised his hand for a shake. “It’s a mighty honor to meet ya, sir.”

“Likewise,” Thunder shook the deputy’s hand. “I heard the commotion from above and thought you might need help.”

“Got it all handled, thank you very much,” Kieran said with a nod. “So, what brings ya by our humble abode?”

“Actually, my marefriend here insisted she come visit,” Thunderlane said, gesturing to the mare beside him.

“Do you perhaps know a fella by the name of Arthur Morgan?” The mare asked.

“I should say so. He’s the Sheriff and my boss,” Kieran answered.

“And…where is he now?” The mare asked.

“Hi ho!” The familiar voice of Sean called out as he and Arthur arrived on the scene with a fat pony stallion cuffed and looked ashamed of himself.

“Behind ya,” Kieran chuckled as he went to greet his boss, leaving Shy standing in one spot, the question still hidden behind her lips.

“‘Bout time you two got home,” Dash said and flew into Sean’s arms.

“Wouldn’t keep ya waitin’ any longer lov,” Sean grinned as they shared a kiss.

“Perfect timing, Marble,” Arthur said to the local guard and shoved his bounty at him. “This fella here won’t be disturbing mares anymore.”

“Thanks, Sheriff, I’ll send your award to your camp as soon as I can,” Marble said and pushed the fat stallion on the carriage with the greasers before driving the carriage away.

Meanwhile, the mare from before stared at Arthur and Sean. Her eyes widened in shock as her lip quivered as if she was about to cry. She took a step forward to them as she desperately tried to hold back her tears.

“Arthur…?” The mare spoke in a broken voice. “Is…is that really you? And…Sean? You too?”

“Oi, who’s the lass?” Sean asked.

“Thunder,” Arthur said, eyeing the Wonderbolt member. “I take it this ain’t a social visit.”

“That night, on the ferry,” the mare suddenly said, making Arthur and Sean look at the mare. “Dutch’s plan seemed so full proof, but you knew better, Arthur. You knew it was a gamble to rob a ferry in the middle of Blackwater, and we lost.”

“What…?” Arthur spoke in astonishment.

“That Micah,” the mare chuckled dryly. “Always the boaster. He’d’ve been decent if he wasn’t so goddamn full of himself. It was his goddamn fault for poisoning Dutch’s mind to actually go through with the job instead of waiting for you and Hosea.”

“Sweet Mother Marry and Joseph…” Sean gasped. “Don’t tell me…”

The mare smiled at the two gunslingers while Kieran looked on with curiosity and confusion while Fluttershy and Rainbow watched from the side.

“Jenny?” Arthur spoke in utter disbelief as an image of a human woman stood beside the mare that looked just like her. “Jenny Kirk?!”

“It’s been a good long while, you two,” Jenny said with a smile as if she had longed for the day to be reunited with her old gang members, her old family.

Author's Note

An unexpected reunion from an unexpected friend.

Side Note: