“… and I guess that is the long and short of a kirin. We might look and act a bit differently than ponies, but we have a lot in common.”

With those final words I also took the last bite of my egg cucumber sandwich. During that time Quick was patiently listening without interrupting. Even though I could tell how uncomfortable she felt.

Ponies around us kept glancing over. Well, mostly at me but sitting right across from me, Quick also fell their line of sight.

I disliked how ponies stared but I could understand them at least. I was a kirin. A creature they had never seen before. It was only normal that I stood out. Quick on the other hoof was only the center of attention because she happened to be sitting with me. And I guessed that she was not used to being in the spotlight.

“But enough about me. What about you? Which section of the facility do you work in?”, I asked Quick in the hope that some talking would distract her a bit.

“Me? Oh, I uuuh… I work in the first section. Mostly, I keep the treadmill going while running in the hamster wheel. But when they need more ponies, I also help out by folding and packing”, Quick answered shyly.

“Oh really? That sounds interesting! Can you explain something about it? Like how does the whole procedure work? I barely know anything about this facility yet and I am eager to know how this huge production works”, I tried to continue.

“I mean… it’s rather simple”, Quick explained. “You often work together with another pony. One is folding and the other is packing.

Depending on the size and the material the fabric gets folded or rolled up. And then they get placed into cardboard or wooden boxes. You just have to make sure the right products go into the correct boxes. Afterwards our couriers will carry them to the train station for shipping.”

I gave a nod. It felt nice to have this conversation with Quick. She seemed like a kind mare. A small peek at the clock told me that there were still some minutes left of the lunch break.

Back in Hono, I usually had a cup of tea after lunch and my mind was asking for one now too. A small, hot cup to settle my mind before returning to work sounded perfect.

“I’m sorry to interrupt but is it possible to get tea here?”, I asked Quick.

“Yes it is. Just next to the food stand is a small table with hot and cold water. Tea bags are just next to the hot water.”

Tea bags? My mind was clearly confused by Quicks words, but I was sure I would figure out what she meant once I saw it.

I stood up from my seat and trotted over to said table. And indeed, there were two metallic barrel looking dispensers on the table. One with HOT written on it, and the other with COLD. (Not hard to guess which one held the hot water I needed.) And next to the hot barrel was also a box with little bags inside.

I was confused and grabbed one of these bags with my kirin magic, floating it to my nose. But a sniff gave the unmistakable smell of tea. These ponies packed their tea in such little bags.

I guess that is one way to do it.

I chose a bag labeled “Berry Lover” and dropped it into a cup along with hot water. When I returned to my seat Quick was already gone. Maybe she wanted to get back to work a bit sooner.

I felt a bit disappointed but still placed myself back on the seat. I still had some time left before going back to work and wanted to enjoy my tea. I took a sip from it and let the liquid wander through my mouth. The taste was rather bland and was nothing compared to a real tea leaf. If that was what ponies were drinking, then they haven't had good tea yet.
I made a myself a note to plant some tea bushes in my garden. Just in case.

When lunch break ended, I met again with Creative, and we both went back to work. The afternoon passed without much excitement. I worked on the weaving machine to finish the product and Creative worked on another project on a different machine. Occasionally, I needed his help, but overall, I felt like I was getting the hang of it. At the end of the day, I had the fabric done, just in time for the honk to sound off again. This time not ringing for break, instead the end of the work for today.

I was proud of myself so far. Sure, I was not as fast as somepony who had more experience with this kind of weaving machine, but speed will come with training.

“Alright, what are you guys doing after the end of work shift?”, I asked Creative while we, along with the other workers, left the facility into the still bright summer evening.

“Oh? Well, I don’t know. I personally head home. I guess most ponies here do”, Creative answered.

“Why? Is there nothing to spend their free time on?”, I wanted to know.

In Hono we kirins often spend the evening together. Chatting, going for a walk, gardening, cooking together, going to the theatre, playing some games or simply doing some chores. Everything felt better when having somekirin by your side.

“I don’t know. I guess most ponies here are happy when they can go home. You know what they say. Home sweet home.”

I guess…

Sure, I liked home too and wanted to have my time alone but just going to work and then straight into your own four walls, sounded a bit boring to me.

“Well, would you like to do something then? We could go for a walk around the village. I am still new here and barely know anything about this place. A tour guide would be helpful right now”, I smirked and bonked Creative with my hoof on his shoulder.

He gave a laugh. “Maybe next time but not today”, he waved off.

“Alright, I’ll hold you to that”, I sighed with a pinch of disappointment.

Creative lived way closer to the facility than I did. When our ways separated, I waved him goodbye and also went home. Again, ponies looked at me when I was walking along the streets, but it already felt like less did. Or were they just less staring and more unnoticed observing?

When my home came into view, so did the one of my left neighbour. The one who wasn’t home yesterday. I decided to give another try. So, before I entered my house I turned one entrance sooner to the door of my neighbour.

Just like yesterday I used my hoof to give a knock on the door. And also, just like yesterday, no pony opened it. I waited a brief moment before I knocked again. Yet, no pony answered the door again.

Maybe that pony works in the evening. Like in a restaurant for example, I thought.

I turned around and went to leave. But as soon as I had my back turned towards the door, I couldn’t help but get the feeling of being watched. Not the way when ponies from the street or at work stared at me. This time it was different.

With a sudden move I turned my head and looked at the house of my neighbour. Was there a brief movement at the window? Was this just my imagination or was there actually somepony at home?

My eyes stood fixed on the window for a moment, but nothing gave the sign that there was or had been somepony. Still, I was sceptical. I planned to let it be for today but to make an investigation in the future.

When I opened the door to my home, my stomach made itself known by growling. Maybe just one sandwich for lunch was not enough to get trough the day. I went straight into the kitchen and to make myself some dinner.

I brought some water to boil and added noodles in it. While this cooked, I cut some bell peppers, carrots, zucchinis and garlic. Cooking has always been a passion in my life, something I always loved to spend time doing. Even when it was just for me.

the whole meal only took a few minutes to prepare, but it still ended up to a tasty and good-looking bowl of fried noodles. Since I didn’t know how to cook pony dishes, I wanted to stay with the food I am familiar with. Maybe I could find somepony who would be willing to teach me in exchange for learning some of my recipes.

I happily ate my fried noodles and cleaned the dishes. When I checked the clock, it told me that it was still early in the evening. Still, I had nothing more to do… In Hono, even after work, there was always something to do with your fellow kirins.

Maybe I should go for a stroll to explore the village a bit myself. But on the other hoof, Creative said he would show me around on another day.

Maybe it was not too bad to spend the rest of the evening just hanging around. I went into the living room and let myself flop on the sofa. I used my magic grabbed a book from the library and lazily leaned it on the arm rest.

"The Friendship Journal". This book was a gift from the Equestrian princess when I had made my announcement to move here. I had actually already read it but I wanted to do it again. It was written by non-other than Twilight Sparkle, who seems to be the princess of friendship (whatever that title means), and her five friends. It told about the adventures these six had had and how their bonds of friendship had grown stronger.

But it also taught me how ponies were. Ponies were not so different from kirins. They also had their problems and arguments, just like kirins, but they were also kind, joyful, caring, funny, open and valued friendship.

I gave a sigh. Today might not had lived up to my expectations. It was an interesting new world I was in, and I loved the place. I hadn't really gotten to know anypony yet, let alone try anything together. But maybe I was just impatient. This was only my second day here. Who knew how it would all develop further.

Author's Note

Last of the boring chapters. From now on they will get more emotional.

I still hope you all enjoyed to read it and like always, feel free to give reviews. Negative reviews help to find mistakes and positive help to motivate.