Swift started to clean the bar as Knuckles stood at the door to keep an eye out for any possible threats. It took him a while to get the place up to his standards but Swift was satisfied with the results. It wasn't soon after that ponies started to arrive. Some were looking for drinks and others about the job opening.

Knuckles stood watching the crowd as Swift went from potential employee to employee. It quickly became apparent to him who had what it took and who was just in it for personal profit. In the end, out of the twenty or so candidates. Only five made the cut.

Swift sighed as he sat at a table watching them work. "Not the turn out I was hoping for. I was hoping for at least one that would fit the role of management for when I'm not here." Considering his options Swift sipped from his mug. "Well. Not much I can do about that now… unless."

He stopped and rubbed his chin. "I might be able to do that. But first. I need to prepare." Laughing he waved over one of the mades. "Don't stay open after sunset and put the tickets in a box. Got it?" She smiled and nodded before returning to work. Smiling, Swift went out to start his plans.

At the edge of Ponyville
Luna sat and watched the construction workers working on Swift's house. "It's coming along well." She sighed happily.

"So…He'll be able to move in soon?" Fluttershy asked nervously.

"Tomorrow they should be done. But we also need time to put furniture in it." Luna confirmed. "That may take two or three days."

"So… where will Swift stay?" Fluttershy asked.

Luna thought for a moment. "I doubt he'd want to seem like an inconvenience. He may not like it but he may have to stay with one of your other three friends."

Fluttershy thought for a moment as she looked around. "Ummm… Twilight is probably safest." She explained as Luna nodded. "I just hope if Pinkie volunteers, he'll be able to handle her."

Ponyville Square
Pinkie sat at a table watching Swift with a skeptical glare. She didn't know why, but she was getting several counteracting twitches. All pointing to him. She didn't like it. She had to know why. Why did her Pinkie Sense say he was a nice pony, while at the same time say he was a very bad pony? What was probably more puzzling was a twitch that she rather not talk about. "Who are you?" She muttered. "And how can I make you mine?" She thought before trying and failing to shake the thought away. "No. Bad Pinkie. We don't fall for the bad ponies. We leave that to Rarity." She scolded herself. Then scolded herself for thinking that way about her friend. "Even if it's true." She sighed. Groaning, she looked back to where she knew he went. After a moment her mind was made up and she smiled. "Idea!" Giggling, she bounced down the street. Pinkie had a wonderful idea. Pinkie had an awful wonderful idea.

In the shop
Swift looked around at the different items as he mentally went over each piece of his plan. He didn't want to waste time. If he was lucky, the princess would be leaving soon after he moved into his new place. Or she'll make it look like she left and put on her little spell and come back. Oh the possibilities that were going through his mind.

There was a good reason he was being called a noble. And even if it was for different reasons, he'd show why he matched the role. With his chosen items in his cart Swift moved to check out. "Hi I'd like to… mister Ritch?"

"Hello my friend." Ritch replied. "I hope you found a good team from the ponies I sent over." He laughed as he looked over Swift's things. "Twenty bits."

Swift put the bits on the counter. "Out of the twenty or so that made it? Only about five were ponies." He sighed. "But thank you. I just hope everything goes smoothly. I have… big hopes for this place."

Ritch laughed. "Well, if you ever need a hoof. You can count on me."

Swift smiled. "I'll keep that in mind. Thank you." With that he left and made his way back to the bar. He had some things to set up before it was time to head to his next sleepover. And he'd rather not draw too much attention. At least. Not yet.

Unknown location
A group of travelers work on a large ship as royal guards approach. "What are you doing?" A guard asked.

"We are making a gift." One of the men replied.

"A gift for who?" The guard asked as he comrades looked over the construction.

"Someone who will bring forth a new age to this land." The man replied. "Sadly we are short hoofed and low on materials."

"Sorry to hear that." The guard sighed.

"Would you help us? Perhaps your princess can gift it to him for us. We won't be offended if she takes the credit. As long as he gets it. We'll be happy." The man inquires.

The guard thinks for a moment and smiles. "Well… we are looking for a ship… why not." Turning to his men the guard calls out. "Let's help get this ship up to code men! The princess is expecting a ship! So let's make her one!" A cheer comes from the crowd as they start to work.

"Born of sea and salty air and ocean rains combining."

Author's Note

I just had to toss in that little reference at the end. If there's a song writer out there have fun with it. Pm me if you want to talk about aa possible song.