CHAPTER 16
It's My First Day

I awoke from my slumber to the sound of the wild life like all mornings. The high pitched and rhythmic chirps both pleasing and soothing me. Automatically I perform my "morning routine."

First I started with the unnecessary organic tendencies that I had come to adopt into my life. The morning stretch I always started with held no beneficial results to my body, since it was lacking in the organic category, but I performed it regardless. My life had felt bland and empty in comparison to the ponies that I had lived among over the past week. I told Twilight of my plight in the hopes she might be able to shed some light on the situation. Unfortunately she was unable to give me a direct answer, she did however present some detail insight on the problem. She rationalized that I was envious. Jealous of those ponies who had what I so clearly lacked. The most basic senses and organic functions that I was robbed of, and she might have even been right.

Ever since I have been trying to be more organic, I felt... Better for a lack of better words. I was filling more time with things to do and spending less time doing nothing. It may have been just a small distraction from my thoughts, but it was a start. I was even starting to feel more alive.

Out of habit I glanced at the back wall of the cave. My eyes fell on a crystal block. With practiced motions I slowly condensed my shards. My body started to shrink and work it's way into my pony form. Whilst the transformation was underway, the block of crystal cracked open and out floated a black cloak. It warped around my form while it was still going through it's transformation. with a rustle of fabric it it settle on my back as my snout protruded out.

"Too long." I mumbled, shortening it into the shrouded safety of my cowl.

After it was done I made way fro the exit. The walk was a bit longer since I started making my humble home more appropriate for my pony form and biped form. While on all fours the ceiling stood high above me. In the large square was a single red gem that gave off a dim glow. It was the only light I owned and was given to me as a gift from Ms. Sparkle. It did little to illuminate the chamber but was just enough to find the ramp to the entrance.

I eyed the block of iron before me. It was solid and scuffed from many years of use, but steady. Like an anvil should be. I scrutinized the iron for a moment.

Something's off.

I eyed the hammer floating in field of my shards as well. My eyes wandered along the wooden shaft and across it's heavy head.

Here to...

"What are you doing Lad?" A gruff voice said from behind me.

I turned my head to see a dark grey stallion with a disheveled mane and goatee. His mane and goatee was almost the same as his coat color, but gradually whitened towards the tips. He was a stern stallion who was among the larger ponies I had met. From what I had gathered he was an older earth pony but his eyes were still bright with energy.

"Sir," I bowed my head. "I thought something looked off."

The stallion cocked a grey brow. "Oh? And what would that be?"

"I... Don't know." I averted my gaze from him.

I felt a brief amount of pressure applied to my back. "That's just newbie tension!" The Old stallion explained, his voice full of mirth. "You're looking for more mistakes that aren't even there, you're just physicking yourself out." The older Stallion gave me another firm smack on the back. "You'll do fine. I'll beat any bad habits out of you, and before you know it you'll be a respectable blacksmith."

"... If you say so sir." I said, unconvinced.

The stallion gave another hearty laugh as he walked off into an joining room. "To think that I would have a crystal pony work for me. Can't say I ever saw that coming."

I heard his harsh accent chuckle all the way into the next room until the door closed.

"He's a strange one." I stared blankly at the block of iron before chuckling myself. "Well so am I."

I hammered away at the hot iron, giving it shape. The red mass dimmed and I then placed it back in the forge and grabbed another hot rod I had placed in earlier. I repeated the process on several rods until they were all ruffly the same shape. I then proceed to bend an end until they were at a ninety degree angle.

I placed the new form back on the anvil and started hammering away again. The cylindrical shape flattened out under the rhythmic force he applied to it. The hot iron stretched out as it compressed into a flat triangular shape.

"Hmm, I suppose that's alright." I said , telepathically lifting it over to a barrel of water.

A large gout of steam rose as he dropped the hot iron into it. Moments later I withdrew the cooled iron and placed it on a nearby table.

It seems I got my 'issue' under control, but it was only because i was being continuously mindful of it. There must be a better way like issuing a series of orders that might otherwise prevent the slow but constant consuming of minerals. I was not previously aware that it had been happening until today, at the expense of the tools and anvil becoming smaller ever so slightly. This also raised the question if my body had been doing this to nearby building, Twilight's library or Octavia and Vinyl's home. It could very well be that the nails holding things together are now wreaking then they once were. Perhaps I should inform them of what might have transpired and suggest getting their homes checked by a professional.

They might be upset with me if I told them though. However not telling them could put lives in danger .The structures possibly weakened integrity could place the lives of those inside in danger. Neglecting the problem might have very dire consequences.

"Troublesome." I sighed.

"What is?"

I was startled by the new presence that had sneaked up on me. I was about to answer him but he cut me off before i could.

"Oh." He said raising a curious brow. "You finished all these already?"

"Yes," I blinked, confused. "I thought it would be faster to simple perform the same step on multiple sets, rather then just do one all the way through... Did I do something wrong?"

"No my Boy!" He smiled giving my shoulder a reassuring punch. "It is an effective tactic for simple tools like these gardening hoes. they are a bit crude, but nothing some filling and polish can't fix!"

"Thank you I am glade I was able to perform satisfactorily." I bowed my head but received another unexpected punch from the stallion.

"You need to give yourself some more credit lad." He scolded. "You did far better then I could have ever hopped for on your first day. You were focused, hard working and a quick learner. You picked up the trick of making many tools quickly without me having to tell you and they are good for a pony who has never held a hammer before. I don't see why ya try to discredit your work, a craftspony should be proud of their work."

"I have much to learn and their is much room for improvement." I said rubbing my shoulder to imply i had been slightly hurt by his blows. "I don't wish to become overconfident."

"And that's good. A craftspony should know his limits and try to expand them." The old stallion nodded. "But if you want to do that you must also know when what you have done well."

"I suppose." I said rather unconvinced, lowering my hammer to the ground.

"Now, just finish up what you got and we can close." He said, gesturing to the pile of iron heads.

"I am off then!" I shouted back at the door, as I flipped my hood on.

"Be safe going home!" Waved my new boss.

I gave him a mock salute before heading out the door into the evening sun. It was by my guess maybe five or six in the evening judging the distance of the sun from the horizon. The streets, although vacant of veneers, was still full of life as friends and family chatted over the days events. Their smiles shined brightly as they laughed at an odd joke or quip.

Every now and again conversations would die as a nervous glance was sent my way. It would only be for a second but it was noticeable, and it happened every time I was in town. Clearly I am considered suspicious... Understandable.

I paid the pony's cautious glances no mind as I trekked further into town. The usual crackle of my shards separating and hiding in my cloak. Recently the task of keeping them hidden was becoming easier. I found that, with a very specific set of commands, when they break off I can make them stay a set distance before returning to be apart of the main body again. Thanks to the revelation I could walk around with ease without having to worry about them being spotted. It was rather convenient.

Finally I arrived at the dark oak door of the library and gave it two hard knocks.

Author's Note

A short chapter But it will have to do. Trying to get back into writing.