Summer. A blistering hellfire that keeps ponies at bay, secluded within their own homes. This was the case at least for the stallion pegasus Soft Feather, formerly know as David Withers. You see this was not your standard every day pegasus or even everyday pony. No, Mr. Feather was far from normal, from a pony perspective.

Gray in coat, his fur remained solid until it reached his waist, scattering into a pattern of black dots until fully becoming black. This was the same down all four his hooves as well, the ends almost appearing as if he wore little black shoes and socks as you neared their bottom. For a mane he wore it messy just short of his own eyes. White in color it would normally hold straight if not for his hat, the cowlick it provided quite prominent atop his head. Facially he was a mess as well with often times a tired expression and bushy eyebrows. While unkept, they still appeared normal in respect with the soft pink orbs that surrounded his pupils. It wasn’t a common sight a pony held pink eyes specially for one with such dull coat.

Although after such a description it would be difficult to imagine he could appear far from normal right? Just pink eyes? Could it be the shape of his wings? No they too were fitted well for his size, strong from constant use, often from fanning himself down. For it was not his physical appearance that brought strange looks, it was his behavior.

Cursed with an incurable condition, Soft was left often feeling uncomfortable throughout most the day. He felt hot, very hot in cases otherwise thought warm. His skin felt hot, his fur felt hot, and often times his own breath but, this wasn’t something he was surprised by when he first arrived. No, he was born like this and with such familiarity found ways to work around it.

Whether it was his large sun hat or oversized canteen, he was ready for any surprise the day brought him. He was experienced, and now with just over two years under his belt in his relatively new pony body, you could even say he was beginning to find a little peace.

Until he moved to Ponyville.

Cursed with new emotions he’d never felt before, he wasn’t sure how to handle them or truthfully who even to talk about them with. It’s not like he was completely tone deaf, unable to distinguish what others might refer to as ‘love’ or perhaps a crush, he just wasn’t sure what to do with these new feelings. Never in his wildest imaginations was this expected, to be burdened by such primal urges. All until one fateful day where a fateful seed would be planted deep inside his cold heart, awaiting its blossom. A day not anything special to most ponies and at the time even Feather. ‘‘Twas the day he met Sweetie Bee.

Engulfed in his tedious task Feather was one to stay focused on his work. Never straying a peeking glance to the passerby, never distracted by a sudden noise or shout. No he rather enjoyed his peace, often times doing whatever it took to avoid any social life whatsoever and so as he carried his luggage up to his new home, placing it beside him scrambling for a key, he made sure to ignore the gawking pony beside him.

(Feather’s perspective)

“You the new neighbor?”

Her voice was chirpy, sharp and from where it came from definitely on the shorter end. Still reaching for my key it appeared I wouldn’t get out of this without a little trouble.

“Yeah”

After my response she stayed silent, likely expecting more. I wasn’t feeling generous.

“Where ya from?”

With a stick and a clunk the door was quick to unlock.

“Fillydelphia”

“Filly huh? City of brotherly love. Always heard it was kind of rough there”

“You’d be right in assuming that. I um.. I’m sorry but I sorta just got here, do you mind if I get a little settled in?”

When I turn to face her it’s not long enough to get much detail but, enough to flash a smile. She was indeed short, that and I believe a light shade of orange. Might’ve even had green hair.

“Oh.. sorry heheh. I’ll leave ya be. Holler if you need any help, we are neighbors! Oh and by the way my names Bee, Sweetie Bee”

“Thanks for the offer Sweetie Bee but I’ll pass for now”

Her hoof steps crunched away leaving me with a sigh of relief. How energetic she felt just from presence alone! And she’s my neighbor? Is she always this chipper?!

Sure to be a problem for the future there were more pressing matters at hand. Taking most my luggage inside there’s a very noticeable issue right away. There’s no furniture. Now I know what you’re saying, ‘there’s never furniture in a new place, you have to buy your own’ and normally I’d agree however, this isn’t the norm for Equestria. Perhaps just a city thing, the few apartments I lived in came furnished already. A small living room set with at least one recliner and table and a dresser for your bedroom needs. The only unsurprising part would be the need for a new mattress only when I go upstairs to check the bedrooms, I’m left feeling even more panicked. There was no bed frame.

“Cheese and crackers I don’t have time to go shopping for all this, let alone the bits to pay! What the shit is with this place?”

With a rush I hurry back downstairs leaving my luggage by the door and with a swift move shut and lock it in succession. Peeking toward the sky it was clear the day would be ending soon, hopefully a mattress store was still open by the time I reach it… if I knew where one was. Slowly I looked over to the neighboring house, the door more frightening then ever.

*KNOCK*KNOCK*KNOCK*

Pacing in place I couldn’t be more uncomfortable if I tried. Asking for help from a stranger? A stranger I so casually ignored? If the roles were reversed I’d surely be offended.

“Hey neighbor! Already asking for help so soon?”

Actually taking the time to look her over I finally get a good peek at my new small neighbor. Hilarious enough the first thought that came to mind was an orange with pony features. Although she was not as bright as an orange she still kept a consistent color from head to hoof only interrupted by the leaf like hair rested atop. Well kept it was heavy on the bangs, similar to princess Twilights only cut slightly shorter. Taking notice of her hair my attention drew to her face, it’s front assaulted in a clatter of freckles as if Jackson Pollock himself was taking revenge with brown as his favorite color. Mostly around the center of her face they’d be her most distinctive trait if not for her emerald eyes, their shine impossible to miss. Distracted with my gazing I had completely forgot she asked a question.

“Y-yeah, I uh… I’m not exactly used to um.. how things work around here uh. What I mean is I didn’t know my place wouldn’t be furnished when I moved in so I’m in a little bit of a tight spot”

“Wait, so you’re telling me that all the stuff I saw you with is all you got? You’re kidding right?”

“Wouldn’t be here if I was… n-not that I mind being here… as neighbors”

Already stumbling over my words, looking like a complete moron, I absolutely knew this would be painful. I should probably just cut to the chase, avoid anymore cringe my mouth spews out.

Giggling from my behavior she leaned against her door.

“Okay neighbor, I’m guessing you need my help because you don’t know where to go?”

A real smart one we have here.

“Err pretty much. Truthfully I just need a mattress, I can probably survive without the other stuff for a while”

“Survive yeah but that sounds like a pretty sucky way to live” taking a few steps back inside she paused, “Here let me grab my key so I can lock up while we’re out and I’ll take you to a pony I know”

Left to myself for the moment I chuckled a little at her wording. Compared to humans, ponies definitely shared more similarities then differences but, a small little thing they did that I just found funny was the way they think of businesses. Given that most shops are family owned ponies generally referred to their stores by the pony that owned them. Rather then say, ‘let me take you to a place I know’ it was more likely to hear, ‘let me take you to a pony I know’. It was a subtle and took awhile for me to pick up but, it stemmed deeper then just businesses. My guess is because most ponies enjoy each others company so they found comfort in thinking of others instead of a brand name or logo. They were just more friendly by trade unlike myself.

Sighing I couldn’t believe the embarrassing act I put on right in front of her. If things were going to go the way I wanted, I would need to prove I was more resourceful than this. That in the future she wouldn’t even dare to think I would need help. I needed to be completely self reliable!

Emerging from her home Sweetie closed the door with a lock, swinging back around to face me with a large toothy smile.

“Ready?”

I look back to the single coin purse tossed over my side.

“I guess. This place isn’t too expensive right?”

When I turned around Sweetie was already off leaving me in a hurried pace to keep up. For a pony her size she sure was quick.

“Box Springs? No, absolutely not! Honestly at times I have to remind him he’s running a business too!”

“Too?”

“Yeah! I run a store called ‘mares textiles and styles’ but, I think the names a little too bland. At least thats why I assume business has been so slow. Who wants to go to a boring named textile store?”

“You also put mares in the title which kinda removes half your customer base”

“Rats! I didn’t even think of that! Crap, now I gotta get the ladder out again…”

She definitely wasn’t smart.

Stressing out over her issue I spent the time walking absorbing my surroundings. Both colorful and unique each home left their own special impact in the way they stood. Whether oddly shaped in their roofing or windows, I couldn’t help but feel like I was in a cartoon, like something out of a Dr. Seuss book!. This was nothing like Fillydelphia, the city much more similar to what I was accustomed to on Earth. This, this felt warm and welcoming. I hated it.

I exhaled lowering my head to my hooves. Wasn’t like I had much of a choice anyways. This was my new home for the time being and if I was going to have any hope finding my way around by myself I’d need to know the layout of town. Maybe a few walks around would do me good. With a quick glance toward Sweetie she was still mumbling away in her frantic pace. Just watching her made me tired, how did she have so much energy?

“Anyways, his store isn’t that much further but we still have some time to get to know each other so I was curious about a few things”

“Yeah?”

“Why exactly did you move to Ponyville? There really isn’t much here unless you’re doing farm work and judging by your cute looks I definitely know that’s not why you moved”

Did she really just call me cute?

“That felt insulting and I moved for work. I used to do work for the govern- uh Canterlot. I do work for the princesses. I did work for the princesses. Sorry. It’s been a rough couple weeks”

And I stumbled over my words again.

“I can only imagine. So what kind of work are you looking for in Ponyville, or is there like a job you’ve been changed to. Uh, reinstated? Is that the right word?”

“I guess that’s a nice way to put it”

Suddenly she appeared as if she felt I was offended, stopping and waving a hoof defensively.

“Oh I didn’t meant to bring up any bad memories! If you don’t want to talk about it we can talk about something else”

Embarrassed from her change in behavior I figured my face must’ve been flushed. It wasn’t too hot out like it was earlier in the day yet, I was still one to easily fluster. Here goes another excuse.

“No it’s fine, don’t think I’m uncomfortable or anything” I really was. “I just get hot easily so if I look all red it’s probably just that”

“Is your coat too thick? Maybe it’s that hat? The sun is almost down I mean you can probably take it off”

Awkwardly I tried my best to laugh and play it off. It always felt shameful having to explain my condition. Always the empathic look, always the questions.

“Heh nah. I burn easy too. Sensitive skin I guess heheh”

Internally I begged for a stop to the questions and after giving me a long look she finally budged, continuing our walk once again.

“So.. did you still want to tell me about your job or?”

“Oh, yeah. So used to work in this financial advising firm that was paid by princesses but, a couple things happened and soon enough they had me sent here for ‘training’ purposes. I think it’s bullshit”

And bullshit it was. I was good at my job, damn good and it wasn’t completely from a talent standpoint. Remember when I talked about how ponies can’t help but let there empathy and care for others take precedence over everything? Well the same goes for work. Naturally as a human, I was more inclined to take a more realistic approach to most of my clients. Although seen as pessimistic, as my superiors often stated, I figured as long as the bits kept flowing the emotions would be set aside. Until a royal decree in letter form reached my mailbox but, I can get into that later.

“Bullshit? Ha, never heard that one before! So you’re doing training on finacial stuff then? You wouldn’t mind helping me out with my own store sometime would you? I’m not exactly too good with managing my bits, hehe. Maybe consider it payback for today?”

“Err sure”

Sure? Sure?!? SURE!?!

“Sick! When’s like the soonest you have a day off?”

“Uh.. tomorrow I guess. I don’t have my first day until Wednesday”

Digging the grave deeper huh? My metaphorical inner self chirped. Always have to be nice, can’t just say no. How badly I wanted to crawl inside a hole and die.

“That works for me! We can talk about it on the way back though cause that’s the place right there”

Extending a hoof forward, it did indeed point toward a small store snuck between two neighboring businesses along the town outskirts. Beyond the store led out into the country side, open fields and vast grasslands as far as the eye could see. It was awfully remote for any business but, I wasn’t in a position to judge. This place would be my saving grace tonight.

“Spring’s custom made home goods for… griffons?”

I paused making sure to give Sweetie a real good look.

“Yep! This is the place!”

“I don’t… I’m not a griffon, what are we doing here?”

The question seemed to fluster her with ease. In an instant she started backing her statement up.

“W-what do you mean? I told you this is my friends store, he’s got great stuff! I swear I’m not trying to swindle you”

“Yeah but isn’t griffon furniture like way more expensive?”

“Normally yeah but I promise this place is cheaper and I also promise you’ll get a better mattress here than anywhere else in Ponyville. That I guarantee”

Squeezing my bits I exchanged a few looks both toward the store and back to Sweetie, still a little unsure. She was a new pony, how was I supposed to know if I should trust her? Just at first glance she might appear innocent but, I wasn’t as gullible as most ponies. I had experience, experience from another much crueler world. Yet for some odd reason on this day I was feeling more trusting then normal. Whether it be desperation of the situation or my primal instincts screaming ‘cute mare wouldn’t lie’ I decided to cave in.

“Alright fine I trust you BUT, you said you know this stallion so I expect some sort of friends discount. Think of it as… a test. A test of our new friendship”

Scrunching her nose with a giggle she could only shake her head in response.

“Okaaaay but, you’ll owe me one after I prove Spring’s place is legit. Think of that as a test…” she smirked, “…of our new friendship”

Now that’s just plain dirty.

Author's Note

This is my “second” story so hopefully the experience from the first will breed good tidings!

The next chapter will be a long wait, hopefully not too long however. It all depends on when I finish my first story, it’s completion just around the corner. This doesn’t mean I won’t occasionally give this story some love.

Expect chapters to be short and concise like this one and occasionally switching perspectives which will be marked properly. The main two perspectives will be Feathers and Sweeties.

If you enjoyed reading this, please leave a comment below and I’d love to respond! If you didn’t like reading this please also respond, I’d also love to see what I can do better for the future.

Have a wonderful day/night and thank you for reading