I turned, hoof raising in an idle wave. "Hi?" Smile and wave. That was a shortcut I had learned long ago to avoid trouble. Smile. And wave.

"Hey." A griffon was standing there, looking me over. "I said, are you new? Don't recognize you."

An actual griffon. Gallus? Realistic Gallus looked different, but kinda awesome.

"Why are you staring at me. Cat got your tongue?" He smirked at that. "Not giving it back."

I decided that was probably Gallus. "Nice to meet you."

"Is it?" He shrugged and started towards me. "Just another pony from here... You picked up a lot of books, you a nerd?"

I started, but my expression was flat despite my internal surprise. "Yes." Why argue that? "Gallus, right?"

"How do you know that?" He's on me in a flash, poking at my chest. "Who told you?!"

Crud, how did I tell him that I knew him from a cartoon show? "That's a yes." Operation, change the topic. "I'm David."

I extended a hoof, willing to overlook brusqueness for what lay below. "Nice to officially meet another student around here. How about a proper intro?"

Gallus eyed my offered hoof warily before his beak finally quirked with a wry chuckle. "Heh, you got guts, pony boy, I'll give ya that much." He clasped my hoof - firmly but no longer confrontational. "Name's Gallus. Griffon, obviously. Don't take claws personally though - gotta be sure you're not just more deadweight 'round here."

He tilted his head with a trace of actual curiosity now mixing with lingering sarcasm. "So whatcha about then? You some 1st Generation prodigy on soul-seeking vision quest or just looking to cozy up and snag an easy diploma?"

I had to bite my tongue to avoid another presumptive character slip. Griffon friendships clearly operated on different wavelengths - but having an insider ally could prove invaluable navigating school dynamics. And beneath the bluster, something about Gallus' loner loyalty called - perhaps we misfits might teach other a thing or two after all...

"Let's just say I never claimed friends easily anywhere," I answered carefully but sincerely, hoping candor might continue bridging divides where assumptions still lingered. "But fresh starts and all that." I reached for his clawed hand. "Claws don't bother me."

Gallus seemed surprised at that. "Yeah? Most ponies don't want to be... What are you doing?"

I was examining his hand and those sharp claws. Each talon had a pattern I was hoping they'd have, and the claws were sharp enough to pierce if one pressed. Fortunately, hooves were tough, and I was careful, which let me examine without an issue. "A real griffon," I spoke quietly.

Not quietly enough. "Am I the first you saw?" He yanked his hand back. "Cut that out! I bet Ocellus would get a real kick out of you."

Visions of the changeling, Ocellus, danced in my mind. "I'd love to meet her, um... tomorrow? I don't have any classes today."

"Suit yourself." He shrugged expansively. "See you later then, newbie. Don't go grabbing griffons by their claws though. They won't all take it so nicely."

I watched Gallus stride off down the hall, doing a poor job suppressing a satisfied smirk at having apparently impressed the prickly griffon by meeting his confrontational probes head-on. Seems even in a curriculum dedicated to harmony, the social dynamics of youth couldn't be magically waived.

Still, I had to admire his blunt sincerity cutting through the usual game faces and small talk - aggravating as the posturing could feel, it spoke of someone unwilling to exchange vulnerablity for superficial status. A rare quality in the cliquish halls of adolescent politicking...even if it did threaten to leave him isolated.

I hoped our testy exchange might plant seeds of comeraderie to help offset loner tendencies - having an ally who watched one's back held undeniable appeal, especially entering unfamiliar waters. Of course befriending the resident rebel risked catching some flack by association...

...but since when had I cared overmuch for peer approval anyway? I never shied from questioning orthodoxies - and the School of Friendship was nothing if not progressive in principles. Such stances surely allowed space to nurture candid spirits rather than demand mass conformity of thought and personality?

With building excitement I consulted my schedule again, satisfied to already feel less adrift in uncertain social currents. Even prickly people had potential for connection if you weathered deflections with empathy first. And Equestria had felt ripe for bonding ever since I set hoof inside its whimsical borders.

"Tomorrow though," I mused eagerly as I traced the lines marking my first class bright and early. Plenty awaited before speculating further on the curious changeling or glowering griffon's overtures of friendship...odd bundles as such marvelous gifts may appear on first glance!

I returned to the library. The door still wasn't locked and the inside was darkened with only a single light in the kitchen offering any hint of where to step.

I made my way to my room and touched the light there, causing it to flare to life. "Better." I looked around the empty library from the door to my room. "And... alone." On one hoof, good. On the other...

Part of me wanted to...

I didn't know what I wanted. Go meet a pony? What would I say? Why would they want to talk to me?

But that wasn't earth. I reminded myself of this fact. If I just... talked... They would probably say hello back.

Maybe a friendship? Maybe...

I was a gangly teen. Actually, I had no idea if I was gangly or whatever else. I had no concept on what the normal pony physique was and where the dividing lines were.

Rarity. She'd know.

Wandering back outside with only lingering hesitancy, I struck out towards the most likely source of stylish insights to help this newly minted colt put his best hoof forward, both externally and socially.

The cozy Carousel Boutique soon came into view, its namesake sign cheerily beckoning. Within lay my target - an elegant mare well versed in aesthetics and no doubt arched eyebrows of good taste to go with. But also one displaying depths of empathy and village wisdom far beyond fussy fashionista impressions.

Drawing a steadying breath, I pushed through the door unannounced, sending the cheerful overhead bell tinkling brightly. "Good afternoon, Rarity!" I called towards the back workshop. "I was hoping you could provide some...cultural feedback. I want to make sure I'm presenting properly to meet new ponies but still have so much to learn about, well, me." I coughed awkwardly under her surprised gaze swiveling my way.

"So...what do you see?" I added simply, turning slowly so she could take in my full form. "Any glaring flaws beyond the obvious alien anatomy?" I chuckled but couldn't fully hide lingering self-consciousness with looks and berry-sweet charms suddenly feeling pivotal cargo for this collaborative crafting journey ahead...

Rarity peeked out from the back, looking me over with a hum. "Hello, dear... I don't think we have an appointment, but clearly you have need of my services." She stepped into the front room in no hurry. "Alien anatomy? Perhaps to you, dear, but you appear to be a strapping young colt, soon to be stallion, from where I'm standing, darling."

I smiled at the already helpful information. I felt like I was smiling on the inside, but it didn't all make it out. "Really?"

"Really." Rarity nodded solemnly. "I don't fib about appearances, dear. A bad practice in this business."

I raised a brow at that. "I've worked in sales long enough to know a little fib closes a sale."

"Well... point." she laughed nervously. "But let's put that aside. Now, what is it your little heart desires?" She circles around me, looking me over. "Are you wanting to look your best at school? They don't have a dress code, something I've bothered their dean about for some time now..."

I had to chuckle at Rarity's evident priorities ranking proper presentation over curriculum concerns when it came to administrating an avant garde academy. But such steadfast standards spoke to her drive towards excellence in all pursuits.

"Well, nothing so formal as uniforms on the agenda today," I reassured with an easy grin, already feeling tensions unwinding in her bubbly presence. "Really I'm just hoping to get the info on making sure I put my best hoof forward for mingling in this brave new pony society."

I rubbed my neck self-consciously with a hoof. "I know back home first impressions and looking sharp went a long way towards good relations. Is it the same here? I don't wish to commit some foalish faux pas without even knowing. That gives off the wrong signal."

I met Rarity's eyes hesitantly. "I know there's far more to respect than appearances alone...but they... I don't know," I amended, uncertainty mixing with hope of guidance. "I only want to show Equestria my best self in what ways I'm able while learning the rest. Does that make sense?"

Rarity rested a hoof on my shoulder. "Darling, worrying about appearances is hardly foalish. Why, paying attention to how you present yourself shows admirable consideration towards the company being kept."

She gently turned me towards a mirror, letting me view myself fully while she subtly shifted my posture with minute touches. "See here? Simply standing a bit taller with ears pricked already enhances your image quite nicely. Confidence begets confidence after all..."

I followed her lead straightening slightly, surprised by the noticeable difference in bearing. Just that subtle change erased any lingering gangliness into fineness. Rarity nodded approving approval.

"There! Now that's a gentlecolt ready to make acquaintances." She smirked impishly. "Why, I'd gladly be seen strolling about town with such an eligible well-turned out escort." My cheeks heated slightly even as I barked an embarrassed laugh. Trust teacher Rarity to pierce through both armor and airs at once!

She turned me around for the door. "And now, you go to school. You go and knock them out, dear. Leave them dazzled!" She clopped her hooves together. "I look forward to their jovial report."

I could read between the lines a bit. Rarity had things to do, and I wasn't a customer. I couldn't think of something to buy. I was still a simple person of clothing. "Thank you, really." I trotted out of the store with Rarity's farewell drifting behind me. "That felt worth it," I told myself, beatboxing a random song as I made my way down the street.

I didn't expect another pony to join the beatboxing, even less for them to follow the song as if they knew it. The odds of them actually knowing a human song felt low... "Hi?"

"Hiya." The little colt, smaller than me be a few multipliers, grinned with his beanie's fan twirling on his head. "You a fan of Ultimate Lore 4?!"

It had a different name on Earth... "I heard the song and I love it."

"Cool." He bounced about my even as I walked. "I'm Button Mash. Nice to meetcha! I heard about your party, but I wasn't invited, boo."

I inclined my head faintly. "Bad on Pinkie. We can meet now."

"Sure can! What's your name?" He thrust a hoof at me.

I met it with my own, larger, one. The two met with a hollow clop. "David. Nice to meet you, Button."

"So, like videogames?" He leaned forward at me. "Most foals your age are too busy chasing mares. Ew. I don't even gat it." He squinted at me. "Is that where you're headed?"

The child only amused me. Sitting down to play videogames sounded tempting... But going to another world just to play videgames, again felt... "I shouldn't. I have school tomorrow."

Button flashed an even larger grin. "That sounded like you want to! I'll find you when you don't have school, okay?!" He didn't even wait for a reply, bounding off with a triumphant laugh.

If nothing else, I had made that colt's day.

Author's Note

Rarity and Button Mash. Let's continue this bingo set of ponies, though we met Rarity before. She's worth meeting twice.

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