The local Fair was in full swing around the mid-afternoon mark. The scent of burnt popcorn filled the air, as every available surface was coated in the stickiness of cotton candy. Booths of every conceivable bamboozle were available to the public, each ready to offer some kind of injustice.
Ring Toss? The rings were too small.
Balloon Burst? The darts were so dull they couldn't even pop a bubble, let alone a balloon.
Go Fish? The goldfish available to win were just cheese characters floating in stale water.
The human world was indeed a wild beast in need of being tamed. Back in Equestria, everything was fair and fun was usually the sought-after currency. Not on earth, the almighty doll hair ruled the hearts of humans with an iron fist.
They fought over it and cheated each other for it. Sadly even in certain extreme conditions, they would kill for it, green crumpled paper had more power than Celestia here.
And it frightened her.
Who?
Short Changed, she was a cinnamon-colored mare with a mane similar to that of melted chocolate. She had left her home in Equestria to try her hoof in the world of humans, a choice which she had quickly begun to regret.
Everything in this realm moved at a snail's pace, she wanted adventure and to see the wonders of the earth. But without doll hairs, she was out of luck, so with little choice since her old home was sold. She rented a rickety old stable nearby and got herself a job with the traveling Fair as a children's entertainer.
She was in charge of Pony Rides, actually, she was the ride!
Scandalous right!?
Short Changed let her honey-colored eyes scan the passing crowd in boredom. Today had been slow in terms of rides, and sadly she was paid by a quota. A dingy black saddle strapped tight to her backside, as her ears folded down in growing dismay.
"Mommy, I wanna ride the pony!" An adorable little lass squealed in excitement, with amber waves tied into a set of bouncy pigtails.
Her mother looked concerned as emerald eyes searched around the area for an attendant of some sort. "I don't know Gina, it seems dangerous." She spoke with uncertainty and anxiety.
"Don't worry ma'am, she'll be safe as can be!" Short decided to speak up in a chipper tone of voice as she flashed a big smile.
"Oh lord, you can talk!?" The mother gasped with a disturbed gaze.
"Yes I can, I also don't pontificate." Short rolled her eyes slightly as the woman huffed.
"Fine, just one ride." The woman sneered while her child screamed in delight.
The child clad in jean overalls leaped without the faintest of concern as she nearly snapped the small equine in half. Short found this child a tad heavy but nothing she couldn't push through. With a tiny huff, she began to trot around a filth-covered circular path set up by the boss.
"Faster!" Gina tugged roughly on the ears of her mount.
"Owww, dear please just enjoy the ride and don't tug…" Short yelped as the young girl smashed her heels painfully into her ribs.
"You're just a dumb animal, faster!" Gina lifted her hand to smack the pony upside her ear with a loud pop.
Short Changed could only hear a horrid ringing within her head as she winced in pain. Without hesitation she tilted her head towards the brat, eyes filled with a light mist of tears and anger.
"You need to be far nicer to others!"
"Huh!?" The child seemed shocked by the equine's sudden stern voice.
"There's such a thing as karma, if you continue to act this way you'll be the one on all fours, crawling through mud, and letting people mount you for money! " Short exhaled warm air from her nostrils into the child's face.
"Mommy, I don't wanna be mounted!" Gina began to bawl uncontrollably as her mother ran over horrified.
She was scooped up and quickly carried far from the annoyed little pony. Of course, this uproar caught the attention of multiple humans who began to whisper and gossip in an eerie melody of judgment. Short Changed watched as her boss pushed through the crowd towards her, his chubby features scrunched in anger.
"Another problem from you!?" He barked in anger as his rotund belly jiggled out front hidden behind a dress shirt and suspenders.
"She smacked my ear." Short mumbled under her breath as a crowd began to form around them.
Her boss shook his head as if not understanding the problem. "So!? Toughen up, I don't want to hear anything from you except happy horse noises!" He clutched a meaty claw, his crooked yellow teeth clenched.
Short felt her heart sink and cheeks flush as her mind raced." Nay." She lifted her gaze to meet him as her eyes burned with anger.
"Good." He scoffed smugly.
"I said nay!" She stomped a hoof and ripped the saddle off her backside with her teeth, tossing it into his face before stamping off through the crowd.
Of course, he bellowed curses towards her and threats of every nature. She couldn't care less, at least she had her dignity. Ears folded and eyes on the ground, the tiny equine started her journey down the road to nowhere.
"That job didn't fit you." A soft gentle voice of a woman suddenly spoke.
Short lifted her head to see a beat-up yellow truck had stopped at her side, a blonde short-haired woman flashing a goofy grin.
"Nothing fits me." Short chirped with uncertainty.
"Well, I run a small lawn service and could always use a mower." The woman winked playfully as she pointed to the back of her truck.
"Get in and we'll talk business over lunch, on me." The woman spoke with warmth and generosity, wiping tears from her eyes the pony hopped into the bed of the truck.
Kindness hadn't completely faded, some people still gave her hope.
