How Some Are More Fortunate

Silver Dust sat in the train, not really paying attention to anything. He was on his way from Trottingham to his new home in Ponyville. He had finally turned 18, which means he no longer had orphanages breathing down his back. Not that he’d ever been in one; at least, not since he was 7. He preferred the streets, knowing how often children in the orphanage fought. Then again, he had to hold his own often enough in the streets of Trottingham, too.

He wondered if he would have the same problem in Ponyville. It seemed to be a safe haven to most of Trottingham’s orphans. Everypony was supposed to be nicer, happier, friendlier, and according to what he’d heard, everypony there was considered part of one large family.

Family would be a new experience for Silver.

The train pulled into the Ponyville train station. The doors slid open with a hiss, and Silver stepped off. He went through the train station, and he was greeted by the sight of the entire town laid out before him.

He trotted into the town, his crimson eyes flitting around to take note of every alleyway, every climbable building, and everypony around him. His careful mapping, however, was interrupted when he bumped into a pink mare with a poofy pink mane.

“Oh, sorry, I- why are you looking at me like that?”

She had crouched low and was regarding him through narrowed eyes. Silver began to wonder if he should pursue the question further or expect her to pounce and run away. The pink mare began slowly walking around him, her piercing gaze taking in every inch of him. She finally got back around to his front and returned to simply staring into his eyes.

Suddenly her eyes seemed to become larger than Celestia’s sun, and she jumped up and gasped so hard it was a wonder there was any air left in all of Equestria. She turned tail and galloped away, streaking off at a speed Silver had thought only Spitfire and the Wonderbolts were capable of achieving.

Silver rolled his eyes. “Well then. Hello to you, too.” He resumed his mental mapping of the place, stopping when he saw- “Is that a tree building?” Silver’s brain confirmed that, yes, that was the weirdest thing he had ever said. He saw a sign next to it that read ‘Golden Oaks Library’. This building was definitely one that could be climbed if need be.

He had just turned to move on when he noticed the pink mare from before walking towards the library. She was now wearing a saddlebag, and she was wearing the largest smile he had ever seen. She seemed entirely unaware of his presence as she trotted into the library.

Silver once again resumed his mental mapping of the place. After he had gotten some distance away from the library, he noticed another strange building. It took the shape of a large carousel. A sign upon it read ‘Carousel Boutique’. Well, there goes his interest in the place.

He turned to continue, when for the third time that day he saw that pink mare. She trotted into the Carousel Boutique, once again oblivious to him.

How did that mare seem to be simply everywhere?

He decided to look into it later. Looking around, he chose a place to stay. He spread his wings and took flight, something he rarely did. He didn’t like using his wings. Climbing made for a better survivor. As a result, he generally concealed, to the best of his ability, the fact that he was a Pegasus.

However, he was tired, and he needed a nap, badly. He found what seemed to be an apple orchard and chose a solid but soft looking tree and lighted upon a branch. He found a comfortable position and allowed sleep to claim him.