Midnight trotted into Ponyville out of the Everfree Forest. He stood for a moment, just taking in the life and vibrance that radiated from the small town. It made him smile widely. He wasn't used to anything so happy looking. The dull hues of the Everfree Forest weren't much to look at after all. Midnight adjusted his saddlebags, then trotted in to town.
His new home, a small cottage, was right on the edge of town, so he didn't meet anyone as he came in. Which was fine by him really. He had left the Everfree to meet new ponies, but he wasn't sure he was ready to just yet.
As he got to the door he tried to open with his horn, but to no avail. He'd always had trouble using magic. He shrugged, and pushed it open.
He did the usual new house things, unpacked his few belongings, and explored the place. It was small, but he liked it. Reminded him of the cave he used to live in. Sure, it wasn't a great home, but it was his home, and he'd always remember it fondly, even if it was nothing more than a hole in a stone wall.
Midnight yawned. He realised it was almost noon. He hadn't slept at night for almost 10 years. He took his rest during the day, waiting for Lunas moon to wake him rather than Celestias bright sun. Being asleep at night in the Everfree was a good way to end as an easy snack. Normally he would've travelled by night as well, but he figured ponies would be worried if a black unicorn stranger came trotting into town in the middle of the night.
He tossed his flame colored mane, stretching his sore neck as he did so. Yawning, he slowly trotted over to his bed. Without pulling any blankets over the top of him, he fell asleep, waiting for the moon to rise.
*****
Midnight stretched and yawned, glancing around. It was odd to wake up in a cozy room with furniture instead of a cave covered in moss. He liked the change. Shaking himself awake, he went to the kitchen to make dinner. He dug through the cabinets, but didn't find anything. He then facehoofed.
"Sure Night, the house you moved into and haven't bought groceries for will definitely be fully stocked." Shaking his head at himself, he went to the sitting room to relax. He sang a song as he went, cleanly and beautifully, living up to his microphone cutie mark. It was a slow, sad song. But he found comfort in it. "It may not be happy and fun all the time, but it can't always be dark and sad either, so learn to appreciate both."
He'd kept that mindset as long as he could remember. It'd never failed him yet, and he doubted that it would. He trotted into the room, glanced around at he unfamiliar surroundings and decided to settle onto a wide couch. He sat, staring at the moon, singing songs to himself until the sun rose. He waited around a few more hours, then got up onto his hooves. He put out his lamp and headed out the door. He needed to find a job first and foremost, and then a meal. He had a limited supply of bits, enough to last maybe a week, so he wanted to build up his savings. He left the cottage, turned, and fell backwards as an excessively pink pony said "Hi!" About a foot from his face.
"I'm Pinkie Pie! I know everypony in town, buy I don't know you. That means you're new. And I love it when new ponies come to town! Will you be staying long? Your mane looks just like fire! Oh wait, I totally forgot, what's your name?"
Midnight rose slowly, ready for another verbal barrage. "My names Midnight Flame. I'll be living in Ponyville from now on." Pinkies face went into such a wide grin Midnight thought it would split.
"Yay! You need a party to meet all the folks in town! I'll throw it in the park so we have lots of room." He cringed inwardly, but knew he needed to meet ponies eventually, might as well be soon.
"Thanks Pinkie Pie. A party sounds like fun. But I've got a question."
"Ask away Midnight!"
"Since I'm so new in town, I don't really know anypony. And I need a job. You said you know everyone, so do you know anyone who's hiring?"
She thought for a second, sitting back on her hind legs and rubbing her chin with a hoof. "What's your special talent?" She asked.
"Singing."
Her eyes went wide. "Ooooh. I've got just the thing. There's a place in town, its like a bar, grill, lounge thingy. Anyway, they provide live musical entertainment every night. You'd be working really late shifts though."
Midnight grinned. "That's perfect. Thank you so much. Could you show me to the place so I could apply?" Bouncing up onto all fours she replied "Sure thing! Right this way." She then turned and bounced into town. Midnight grinned, and followed, chatting back and forth as they went.
"Here it is! The Moonlight Lounge. A nice enough place for a party, but a little to slow for my tastes. Anyway, I'll talk to the manager about you singing tonight." Midnight gave her his thanks, then stood by the door. After about ten minutes, Pinkie stuck her head out the door.
"Come on in! He wants to hear you sing." Midnight rose to his hooves and trotted to the door. He entered a small hallway with dark brown wood on the walls and blue carpet. He saw Pinkie waving from an open door to the left so he headed over to her.
Midnight entered the room, which was deceptively larger than its outside appeared. A unicorn with dark blue coat and even darker mane approached him and held out a hoof.
"Hey there Night. The names Louie The Horn, but you can call my Louie." Midnight took the proffered hoof and shook it, glancing at Pinkie Pie.
"Oh, I took care of your part of the introduction for you. I figured since you weren't much of a talker you could use some help." He rolled his eyes, but smiled at her anyway. "Nice to meet you Louie. So I'm guessing Pinkie told you what I do?"
"Indeed she did. And I'm glad too. We've got a kickin band that plays here, the Blue Tones, but no matter how smooth and cool your jazz is, nothin quite beats the succulent notes of a good singer. You think you can fill that spot?"
"Sure, I'll give it a shot. Any requests?" Pinkie jumped in the air "Ooh ooh! How about the Pony Pokey? You put your left hoof in, you put your left hoof out,"
"Thanks Pinkie," Louie said quickly, "But I was thinking something more jazz inclined. Something slow and smooth. Got anything like that in your saddlebag?"
Midnight though for a moment. "Yeah. I think I've got something that'll work." He cleared god throat, and started the tune by humming. Soft, sweet, and clean. Then he started on the song itself.
"Fly me to the moon,
And let me play among the stars,
Let me see what spring is like
On Jupiter and mars,
In the words, hold my hoof,
In other words, darling kiss me,
Fill my heart with song,
And let me sing forever more,
You are all I long for,
All I worship and adore,
In other words,
Please be true,
In other words,
I love you,
Why don't you
Fill my heart song,
And let me swing
Forever more,
You are all I long for
All I worship and adore,
In other words,
Please be true, true, true,
In other words,
I love yoooooouuuu."
Midnight cut the last note of the song off. Pinkie jumped into the air and clapped like crazy, while Louie sat back on his chair and smiled. "See? I told ya told ya told ya he was good."
"Yes you did Pinkie. And she was right my man. You've got just he right voice for this job. Question is, you ready to start immediately? We have a big group reserved for tonight, and they'll need some of that sound in the lounge."
"Sure I can start now! I'd love to in fact."
"That is rockin news my friend. Be here tonight at 5, so you can meet the band and such. We'll figure out your contract and stuff then." They shook on the deal, then Midnight and Pinkie left. As they were walking back towards Sugarcube corner for a celebration cake, something struck Midnight.
"Hey Pinkie?"
"Yeah?"
"You'd never even met before today. Why are you so willing to help me? It's not like I can do anything for you."
She just laughed. "Why would I need anything from you? I like helping people. You needed help, so I did. It's not like you asked for a limb donation or something." He laughed with her when she said that. It was odd to him that people would be so giving. Living in the Everfree meant help only yourself. Midnight survived that way, but he hated doing it. He was glad this wasn't a cut throat kind of town. But he put those memories out of his head. He had a job, and a new life in Ponyville to look forward to.
