A Deer in Ponyville

"Rarity, this is Albert. He's a deer who's visiting Ponyville for the day," Twilight gestured at Albert to shake hooves with Rarity.

"Why hello, Albert. How are you on this fabulous day?" Rarity spoke with careful deliberation. Albert nodded slowly,

"Good."

"Marvelous! Now then, I don't think it would be polite of me to simply leave you naked like this! Perhaps we can fix you up, give you a nice dress to match your naturally stunning complexion-"

"Rarity... sorry to be that pony but, we're always naked," Twilight started,

"Also... Albert's a boy... I think..."

"So? I can whip up a stunning unisex dress right away! You'll truly gather the eyes of everypony in Ponyville!" Rarity chirped.

Albert nodded naively.

"So, Albert, tell me a little about yourself. I believe you now have a clear idea on my profession already!" Rarity giggled.

"Uh... I live in the Everfree Forest..."

Rarity's face changed.

"You... what?" her eye twitched.

"Wait... It's not what you think. I just live in a cottage, and... uh... eat plants," Albert said.

"Mhm." Rarity narrowed her eyes,

"Keep talking."

"...that's it," Albert muttered.

Rarity stared flatly,

"My my, that's... uh... quite fascinating," Rarity grinned,

"I can't help but wonder, where's your cutie mark, Darling? Are you still undecisive on your passion or profession? I know quite a few connections. Surely they could offer a few wonderful working environments for ponies in your.... uh... field."

"Oh," Twilight started,

"Well, since he's a deer, I don't think he gets cutie marks..."

"Oh? How peculiar..." Rarity wandered off,

"So... what region of the Everfree Forest do you inhabit? Perhaps the northern grove, or the southern river."

Albert was silent, he thought for a moment,

"Well, there's a lot of trees..."

"Mhm." Rarity nodded.

"And... uh..." Albert tapped his hooves on the marble floor. Rarity got his attention and noticed his hooves.

"I must say, Darling! You have the cutest hooves!" Rarity picked up one of Albert's front hoof and held it close to her face,

"Two toes! How exotic! Surely we can give you the most pleasurable hooficure to truly accentuate your wonderful little steppers!" Rarity cooed. Albert simply forced a grin, fighting his hoof from Rarity's.

"Also, I can't help but wonder, how could you possibly wear horseshoes on those guys?? I mean, you'd be a 1, maybe a 2 with those tiny little things!"

"Rarity, none of us wear horseshoes," Twilight muttered flatly.

"Oh but of course! J-Just merely an observation!" Rarity scoffed, sweeping her mane with her front hoof,

"Well, p-perhaps we can polish up that marvelous crown of antlers of yours! I mean, those antlers must come alive, darling! I got the perfect horn and antler polish in the other room, stay put. I won't be long!" Rarity hummed and trotted happily to the next room.

"It's okay, Albert. She does this with everypony. I remember when I first came here," Twilight laughed. Albert smiled awkwardly.

"I'm baaaack!" Rarity sang, hovering a bottle of antler polish with her unicorn magic

"Now, then. Do hold still! I just need to apply a little bit!"

Albert felt Rarity rub his antlers with her front hooves, feeling slightly uncomfortable,

"Uh- can you not rub them so hard-" Albert flinched.

"Don't try to fight it, Albert!" Twilight said.

"Almost done, darling!" Rarity managed to rub every inch of Albert's antlers, leaving them with a glossy, sparkly shine.

"Tell me what you think, darling! I think it suits you well!" Rarity held a small mirror in front of Albert's face. The deer stared flatly, staring at his shiny antlers.

"It's... good... I guess..." he muttered flatly.

"Good? I think it's positively utterly absolutely fabulous!" Rarity beamed. Albert nodded slowly.

"Well, then, I think it's time for me and Albert to get going," Twilight shoved Albert out of the Carousel Boutique,

"Come back for your weekly polish, darling! I'll be here!" Rarity smiled, waving at the two.

_______________________________________________________

"So, how're you enjoying Ponyville so far?" Twilight asked Albert as they trotted to their next destination. A quaint cottage sat on top of a hill, just outside of Ponyville.

"Good, I guess," Albert replied in a stale tone. Twilight caught on,

"I know it's a little exhausting. It was for me when I first visited. But after a while, you learn to really enjoy their company. They're all very nice ponies at heart, and even if they have certain... preferances that you might not agree with, they're still just trying to help out, that's all," she said. Albert nodded and sighed,

"You know, this is the most I've talked to anypony... I'm kind of a loner..." he said.

"Oh really? I'm so sorry," Twilight frowned.

"No no, it's fine. I like being alone. It's just that... you know..."

"What?" Twilight asked.

"Well, I'm not exactly the best... uh... interactor... or... talker...." Albert sighed.

"I understand. Well, the next pony we're visiting isn't exactly the best talker either. But, she really likes animals and nature," Twilight smiled.

"Oh, really?" Albert asked.

"Mhm. Her name is Fluttershy..."