A Heart of Fireby DeeTroopaChaptersNew in TownFire Dances For Those Willing to Dance With ItDate NightFire and BudGet A Job! You lazy git!New in TownThe train stopped, took it long enough. I grabbed my things and headed for the exit. The sun was bright in this farmtown. All right, first stop town hall so I can get a house. I started in to town. After a bit of searching I found town hall. I walked up to the resepstion desk and rang the bell. After, say about a minute, a mare finally walked up. "Hello sir. How may I help you?" she asked. "I would like to buy a house." I told her. "Oh! A new resident. Oh yes there are a few houses open, but before you check them out I need you to fill out this form." She gave me a piece of paper. "I'm FrontDesk by the way." "Nice ta meet ya FrontDesk. Name's Fire Heart." "Fire Heart? Interesting." She gave me a wondering look. "If you don't mind me asking Mr. Heart, but why are you wearing sunglasses indoors?" She looked at my dark red shades. "Oh these. I have an eye condition, where any light hurts them, so I keep my sunglasses on." I went over to a chair and filled out the form. Let's see. Name, Fire Heart. Age, 28. Sex, stallion. Race, it gave three choices, earth, unicorn, or pegasus. Well then, earth I suppose. Last resident of, Wilmare, Koltucky. Pets, Jackalope. I looked up, as I felt something move on my head. I took my stetson off, revealing a small, brown, bunny like animal. She was awake, great. "Mornin' Jackie," I said, as she jumped of my head and into the chair next to me. A few ponies around looked at her, guess they never seen a jackalope before. "Mommie! Mommie! Look, that bunnie has horns," a filly said as she and her mother walked by. "Can I pet her, mister?" "Petal!" Her mother wasn't happy. "I'm sorry sir." "No. No. Its fine, she can pet her." I looked at Petal as see stroked Jackie. "Her name is Jackie, she's a jackalope." "She's pretty." Petal gave a smile that could melt King Sombra's heart. "Come along now Petal. We don't want to be late," her mother said. "Yes Mommie." she started to walk away the she turn. "See you around mister." I waved as they walked away then looked down at Jackie. "We've been here no less then 45 minutes and we've already drawn attention to our selfs. The exact opposite of why we came here." I got up and motioned for Jackie to jump on my back. I walked back up to the resepstion desk. "Here you go." I handed FrontDesk the papers. "Great." She rang a bell. "Corona will show you the open houses. Just wait a minute for her." I stood there for a moment when suddenly a beautiful mare came out from the back. Her coat was green, her mane was beautiful orange and red. Her Cutie mark was a beer bottle that said Corona on it with a lime sticking out the top. She was gorgeous. _______________________ The large stallion stared at me dumb-founded. He quickly shook it off. "Hi! I'm Corona." I held out my hoof. "Fire Heart." He shook my hoof nervously. His dark red sunglasses hid his eyes. He was fairly muscular. His dark blue coat suited him. His mane and tail were brown with black streaks in them. He had a small brown gotee. His hoofs were white. He did look fairly handsome. "I'll be giving you the tour of the town and showing you the open houses." "Great." "Well lets get going." I walked out of town hall, he followed behind me. "So what kind of house are you looking for?" "Something with some privacy." "So the stallion has his secrets?" He gave me a funny look, "Yes, I suppose. But don't we all?" "Yeah. So where you from?" "Koltucky." "What brings you to Hoofsville?" "Home got old." We stopped in front of the school. "Here is the school." It was recess. I looked and saw a small grey unicorn sitting alone. "See that little unicorn with the glasses." Fire looked. "Yes." "That's my son, Bud Light." I saw a sadness flash on Fire's face. "He never really took the divorce well." We started walking again. "Divorce?" Fire looked happy and sad at the same time. "Oh, look at me going on about myself." I blushed. "No it's fine. I need to learn about the ponies in this town anyway." He put on a cheesy smile. "Oh ok. I run the local bar. That something?" "The barsmare gives the tours? I guess that's how you convince ponies to stay." "Haha. No I'm giving the tours to get some extra bits. Bud is very interested in magic and he wants to go to Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. He wants to use his magic for more then making cocktails like me. His father puts in some of his paycheck too, but times are hard." "Well, I'm sure things will work out for you. What's you ex-husband's job?" "He's the chief of police around her, but how quite it is nothing happens for him to do." "Must be good at his job then, criminal too scared to try anything." I started laughing. "No, they're probably more scared of the deputy, my brother Ol' Red." "Ol' Red, soud threatening." He joked. "Yes it is." A deep voice said behind him cause Fire to jump. "Hey Red." "Hey sis. This guy moving in?" The large red stallion said. "Yes, his getting the tour." "K." He turned to Fire and held out his hoof. "I'm Ol' Red, the not so threatening police officer." Fire Heart shock his hoof. "Fire Heart. Nice to meet ya." "Well I got to get going. Giving a D.A.R.E. speech at the school. Ha! Oh most seems hypocritical to give Bud that speel. See you around." He walked away. "Well then, he is big." Fire said. "What's next?" "Well." We walked about further. "This is the Bar. You'll find me here most of the time." "Cool." "You said you wanted a house with privacy right? Well all the houses won't be too private, but there is one. Come on." __________________ Corona ran ahead. I tried to keep up, but damn she's fast. We stopped at a house just outside of town. "This is the most private house in town and it's for sale." I opened the door and went in. It was a nice two story house. Jackie jumped off my back and ran around, she liked it. "What is the little thing's name?" "Jackie." I looked at Jackie. "Well fuzz-ball, what do you think?" She gave a nod. "I'll take it." "You sure? There are more houses." "I'm sure." "Well than you just have to tell FrontDesk and then the rest is up to you with the house. I got to go, bar opens in a few hours." "Bye. Thanks for the tour." "Don't mention it. See ya." She walked out the door. I went back to town hall and bought the house. That night I stood in the bath room staring at the mirror. "Well Jackie lets not fuck it up. I stay a secret and nothing bad happens." I stared into my dark purple dragon eyes. Fire Dances For Those Willing to Dance With It3 Weeks Later I've been working in the bar for a few weeks now, and let me tell ya, it is a hell of a lot more entertaining than plowing a field. I've defiantly learned a lot 'bout the ponies of this town. The pony who pulled the knife on me, Archy I believe, is the father of that filly, Petal. He and his wife argue a lot and he finds his way here. There is a mare crazy enough to marry Danny. Hell, they've been happily married for 58 years. Must of been hard on her, having to deal with her husband being a murderer. But she still loves him, even through his faults. That's more than Strawbell could ever say for me. No, Heart, get those thoughts out of your head. Plus, as a bonus, I've also gotten to know Corona better. She and NineMil divorced after she caught him with another mare. They managed to rebuild a friendship, for Bud Light's sake. Poor kid. At lest he knows his parents. No Heart, come on happy thoughts, stop dwelling on the past. One day in the bar, I think it was a Saturday, Corona left early to help Bud with some magic training. Me being the only other worker there, I was in charge. Archy was sitting at the end of the bar. You could tell he just had a big fight with his wife. He didn't order a lot, which I'm glad, he always has a knife on him, don't know why. He had a shot glass in front of him and he waved me over to refill it. As I was refilling, I noticed a wedding ring spinning on the bar. It spun off the side only for me to catch it. I placed it back onto the bar, Archy was staring at the hoof it was under. I slid the ring over the bar and slid the shot back to me. He picked up the ring and looked at it then he got up and walked out of the bar. I think I just saved a marriage. After work that day, when I got home I found Jackie sitting with a match in her mouth. She ran over to me and urged me to take the match. I knew all to well what she wanted. "No Jackie! I'm done with that. Never again, NEVER!" There was sadness in her eyes. It hurt me to see her this sad, it really did but I just can't dance with fire again, not after what happen. Get those thoughts out of your head Heart, get them out. I worked around the house till nightfall. I headed to bed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "What," she sounded so scared, "What are you?" "Strawbell, honey, it's me, the same ol' Fire Heart." I was trying to calm her down. I had put my shades and stetson back on. "Don't call me honey." She took a few steps back. "You're a freak." "Please Strawbell, it's me, I've always had these eyes. I've always been like this. I'm... I'm half dragon." She took a few more steps away from me. "You lied to me!" She was screaming now. "I never lied to you!" I raised my voice, "I told you I love you and I still do. Please don't let this change anything." "You're... you're a monster, a freak, an abomination!" She turned her head and quickly reached behind a barrel. She pulled out a rifle. Damn't PichFork! Why do have to keep guns in the barn. "Please Strawbell, put the gun down, I'm no different then the way I've always been." She aimed at me. "Why'd ya never tell me?" "Because I was scared that ya would react like this." I stared crying. "So what were ya going to do. Tell me after we got hitched so I couldn't walk out on ya?" "I don't know. I've been scared. You don't know what it's like to have to hide something like this." "That's why ya so good at fire dancing, that's why the fire listens to ya. Cause you a damn fire breathin' monster!" "You've known me for years, you know I'm not a monster." "You are a monster! A damn monster!" She pulled the trigger. The bullet hit my for head. I... I don't know why, but I let a large wisp of fire escape from my mouth then I blacked out. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "I'M SORRY!" I screamed as I shot straight up in bed. I shot up so fast it startled Jackie. She turned and looked at me. I was panting. I needed something to calm me. I looked at Jackie, "You want to dance with fire? Then let's dance." We walked out of town, it looked like we were far enough away to we're no pony could see us. Jackie had a match in her mouth. I waved it off. No ponies around, I can start the fire without a match. I blew out a small blue flame and caught it in my hoofs. I moved my white hoofs around the flames and the we started to dance. ______________________ I popped my head through the sky light. Sitting on the roof looking up at the stars was Bud Light. "Whatcha doing kiddo?" He turned to look at me. "Hi Mom. I'm just looking at the stars." I crawled up onto the roof and sat next to him. "Beautiful, aren't they?" "Yes." We sat there silent for a while. "Mom. Do you ever think I'll be good at magic?" "Of course. You're already better then me. You can even levitate your uncle, and his not to light." He smiled. He hardly ever smiles anymore. We sat there looking at the stars. "Mom, what's that?" Bud pointed into the distance. There was a faint blue glow. "Stay here? I'm going to see what that is." I headed for the sky light. "Mom, get Uncle Red. I don't want you getting hurt." I smiled at him then headed off. I wasn't going to bother with Ol' Red. He had had a long day with somepony trying to rob Danny. Of course the entire reason he was there was to hold off Danny so he didn't kill the robber. I got to the glow. I stayed hidden in the bushes, thank Celestia for a green coat. What I saw surprised me, enthralled me, captivated me. It was Fire Heart dancing, but he was dancing with fire, blue fire. It curved around him. It danced for him. He seemed to be whispering words to it. His jackalope was there, watching the fire move, no, watching the fire dance. Once Heart stopped dancing, he sat on the ground and stated at the small flame he held in his hoof. "That was beautiful." I wasn't thinking. He jumped, turned an took a fighting stance. When he saw it was me he lowered his guard. "Corona, what are you doing here?" He sounded a little scared. "I saw some blue glow and got curious. What was that?" He almost didn't want to answer. He quickly picked the small flame back off the ground. "Don't want that spreading." He looked at me. "That was... fire dancing." He whispered something to the flame. "It was beautiful. How do you do it?" "Beautiful? Ha! I don't know how or why fire listens to me. I did read in a book once 'Fire Dances For Those Willing to Dance With It'" I stared at the flame in his hoof. "Why don't you do that more often? You seemed to be having fun." "Why? Cause so many ponies fear fire, hate it, run from it. They're not appreciative of all the good it does." He sounded angry. "They don't see that it is a living thing." "Living thing?" He looked at me. "Yes living. It breaths, eats, grows, speaks, dies. It's just as alive as you and me." "But when it grows and eats..." He cut me off, "It doesn't care what it eats, wiether it be wood or flesh. That's why I'm here. I teach fire to behave. It's like a child." He whispered to the fire as it started twitching. "Do you not fear fire?" The question caught me off guard, "No, no I suppose not. It's never done anything to make me hate it." The jackalope hopped over to him. "Jackie has always loved watching the fire dance. That's how I found her." "Really? What's the story?" "Well this is also how I got my cutie mark. When I was seven, I found some matches. Now me being a smart and responsible colt, I took them outside. It's dangerous to light fires indoors. When I got to the field, I danced. Burnt myself a number of times, but still. My uncle found me and he was pissed off. Then he saw my cutie mark. He told me I could practice fire dancing in the fields. On that first day though, after I finished, a small creature hopped up to me a seemed to want to see more fire. She followed me around till I guess you could saw I adopted her." He petted Jackie. "You always seem to talk about your uncle and aunt. What about your parents?" The smile on his face faded, "My mother died three months after my birth. There were certain complications on why my father couldn't keep me. He left me with my uncle." A tear ran down his the side of his face. "I'm sorry." "Don't be. I've lived a happy life on his farm." He looked at me. "Say Corona would you like to... uh... well... go have dinner with me sometime?" He definitely caught me off guard there. I didn't know. He is handsome, very handsome, but out on a date with him. What would NineMil say. That thought struck me. What does it matter what he says. He's the one who went off and fucked some other mare. And you know what, I like Fire Heart. "Sure, sounds great. I would love that." A smile spread across his face and I swear I saw Jackie roll her eyes. Date NightYes! I was back home and I did it. I manage to get a date with Corona. Jackie had hoped back into bed. I suppose I should get some sleep too. Tomorrow after work I got a date. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I woke up, fire all around me. The barn's burning. I looked up to see a charred corpse in front of me. Oh Celestia... I killed StrawBell. I ran out of the barn. Nopony has noticed yet, I have a chance. I ran to my house. I was packing some of my stuff and trapped Jackie. "Sorry girl, but we have to get out of here!" I started towards the train station until somepony grabbed my shoulder. I turned around, scared out of my mind and saw my Uncle PichFork. "My barn's on fire... blue fire?" he said. "I know. I'm sorry." I said, trying to edge away. "Everypony's runnin' 'round lookin' for ya and StrawBell. Where is she." I looked into his eyes. I knew he could see my guilt. "She's in the barn, isn't she?" "She... She pulled a rifle out on me... I pan-... panicked." Tears were streaming down my face. "She saw your eyes... didn't she?" He's voice sounded stern and foreboding. "Yes. She saw my eyes... She freaked out and called me a... a monster, a freak... I didn't know what to do..." "So you killed her and burnt down the barn?" "I didn't mean to! She shot me... I... I accidentally shot some fire and... and... " "Leave." "What...?" "Leave. Get out of town. They'll figure out it was you who started the fire and killed her, then they'll find out about what you are... Go. Leave, stay safe. Let nopony know your secret. I'll try to keep them off your trail." "Th-thank you..." "Never liked the idea of you marrying her anyways..." I gave my uncle a hug and then ran towards the train station. I got on the first train and left... I looked out the back window as I saw my old home town disappear. I knew I'd never be able to return... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I woke up. Lying in bed, staring at the ceiling. I sighed and sat up. I got out of be and looked out the window. It's still night time. Jackie was asleep in her little pet bed. I went downstairs and got a beer out of the fridge. I sat on the couch and turned on the TV. I started watching Bottom Gear. I finished my beer then passed out. I woke up on the couch. I sat up and popped my back. I put on my shades and Stetson. I looked at the time... I was late for work. I ran out the door and ran as fast as I could to the bar. I went through the doors at the bar. Corona looked up for them bar towards me. "Sorry for being late. I slept in." "Eh. No worries." She gave me a sweet smile. "Bud I do need somepony to mop the the Stallions' room." She handed me a mop and gave me a chuckle. I rolled my eyes and took the broom. ___________________________________________ Fire Heart walked into the Stallions' room with the mop. I went back behind the bar. The rest of the day went pretty standard. Once he was done mopping, I sent him out to fetch a supply shipment. Ol' Red and NineMil showed up. Archy showed up and yelled when I cut him off from the drinks. Nothing really happened. "NineMil, can you pick Bud up from school today?" I asked him "Sure. Why can't you do it?" He looked at me questioningly. "I have a date tonight." I gave a slight in-your-face-you-two-timing-bastard smile. "A date? With whom?" He took a sip of his drink. "If you must know, it's with Fire Heart." "Fire Heart? Really?" He seemed so shocked. "Haha!" Ol' Red laughed. "That should be interesting. Have fun lil' sis." "Thank you Red, I will. It's closing time. You two head out." I gestured towards the door. "Yes ma'am." Red got up and headed for the exit. "Yeah... Sure... See ya around." NineMil got up and started walking out. He and Fire Heart met at the door. "Howdy NineMil." Heart tipped his hat. "Yeah..." NineMil kept walking. Once they were out the door, it was just Fire Heart and me. "So... Ready to head out?" He asked me with a smile. I wish I could see his eyes, I bet they're beautiful. "Uhm... Corona?" I zoned out thinking about him. Great, I look stupid. "Uh, yeah. I'm ready." I tried to recover from that with a smile. "Alright. Well... You know this town better than me, what are the good places to get dinner?" He asked holding open the door as I stepped out. I locked the bar behind us. "Well... What are you hungry for?" "Uhm... Pasta? I guess." "Ooh! Perfect. We could go to Olive Plantation?" "Sounds good to me." He gave me a smile and we started walking. We arrived at the restaurant and got a table. We sat down and started talking. "So..." He said. "Yes?" "I have completely forgotten how to act on a date." He gave me a nervous grin. I chuckled at him, "Well when was your last date?" He looked at me and got this thinking look. He mumbled under his breath, "Last date I was on was when I proposed to StrawBell." "Proposed?" He looked at me, I think he was surprised that I heard him. "I... Uh... Yeah... Proposed. I dated a mare back in Koltucky and we got engaged." "Well, what happened to her? What are you doing on a date with me?" "She... Died. Before the wedding, she died." He seemed sad. "Oh... I... I am so sorry." "Don't be. It was a long time ago. I'm over it." "Ok then..." The rest of the date went pretty smoothly. We talked, laughed, and had a good time. __________________________________ I paid the bill and we left the restaurant. I walked her home. "Welp, that was a fun night." She had a grin on her face. "I really enjoyed it." "Good, so did I." She looked at me, her eyes were beautiful. "Welp... I guess I'll head home then. See ya tomorrow." "See ya tomorrow. And don't be late again." We laughed. Then she did something I wasn't expecting, she kissed me on the cheek. I stood there, stunned. "G'night." She gave me a smile then went inside. "Night" I said after her. Fire and Bud4 weeks later It’s been a few weeks since Corona and I went on that first date. We've gone on one or two more since then, and it seems like she’s actually enjoying them. I’ve been enjoying them also. It was almost the end of the day. NineMil and Ol' Red didn't come in today cause of some police seminar or something, so it was just Corona and I for the most part. "Fire Heart, can you do something for me?" Corona turned to me while I was cleaning a glass. "Sure thing, Hun. What do you need me to do?" I sat the clean glass down. "There are some big name beer representatives coming today and I got to get this place ready. Could you go pick up Bud for me?" "Sure." I started putting away some stuff, "When should I head out?" "Thanks. Now would be good." She kissed me on the cheek and I walked out of the bar. I headed towards the school. I got to the school. Foals were flowing out. Going to their parents or walking home. I spotted Bud and headed towards him. "Howdy there Bud." He heard me and walked over to me. "Hi Mr. Heart" "Please, call me Fire Heart. No need to be so formal." He smiled at. "So... Why are you here, Fire Heart?" "You're mom has to get the bar ready for some representatives to look at it, so she sent me to pick you up." "Oh... Alright..." He seemed upset. "Hey... It’s a good thing. It could bring a lot of bits in." We started to walk back. "I know... It's just... Well... Dad's always busy, and Mom is too.” He hung his head low. “I’m sorry kid. I get that it sucks.” “No, no. It’s alright. I’m just being whinny.” After that the walk was quiet. We were getting close. I decided to try to talk to him again. “So… Magic huh?” “Yes, I really like magic. It’s fun.” Talking about magic seemed to perk him up. “What can ya do?” “Oh, nothing much. Just basic levitation and stuff like that. I’m working some more advanced spells.” “Think ya could lift me?” I challenged him. “Maybe, I picked up Uncle Red before and I doubt you’re heavier.” We stopped and he stepped in front of me. His eyes closed and his horn started to glow a bluish light. He seemed to be having trouble lifting me, but next thing I know I feel my hooves lift from the ground. “I’ll be kid, ya did it.” I was shocked and impressed. “I did?” He opened on eye and quickly lost his focus. I dropped onto my hooves. He was holding the sides of his head. “Ya alright?” “Yeah… just… lost my focus.” He shook his head. “Well, ya did it. Color me impressed. Come on.” I started walking again. He quickly started following me. “So, why’d you move here?” He looked up at me. “I wanted a change of scenery. Home just got old.” I lied. “And you have an eye problem right? That’s what Mom said. “Yea, light hurts my eyes, so I have to wear these.” I pointed towards my shades. “Were you born with it, or did something happen?” “Born with it.” Wasn’t completely lying about that. “What’s you cutie mark mean?” Crap. “It means… uh…” Think of a lie Heart. What did you use last time someone asked this…? Crap I don’t remember. “Uhm… well… it’s not that great. Back on the farm, when we would cut back the forest, I was in charge of burning the extra wood.” Please believe that. “Oh? Really? Interesting.” He seemed to have bought that. We got to the bar and walked in. A large, red, earth pony stallion and orange, earth pony mare walked out next to us. “Howdy” The both said as they walked passed. Corona seemed happy. “Went well then?” I asked her. “Oh yes. My bar now will stock Applejack Daniels and when coder season rolls around Apple Family Cider will be sold here!” “That’s great! I’ve heard Apple Family Cider is the best in Equestria.” “Uh huh! So anyways, Bud, How was school today?” She diverted he attention to him and I slipped behind the bar to finish the dishes. “It was fine. We’re starting a new project.” Bud explained his project to us. The rest of the night wasn’t much special. Not many patrons. Get A Job! You lazy git!"Come on Heart," Strawbell said as she ran into the barn. "Coming," I called back to her. "What's so important?" "It just is, and believe me it with definitely have you coming again." I didn't pick up on the way she said that. When I walked into the barn, she wasn't there. "All right Strawbell. Where are yo-" I was tackled to the ground, sending my stetson off my head. Luckily my shades didn't come off. I looked up and saw Strawbell laying on top of me. "Well I've seen you plow fields and you're good at that, but I wonder how good you are at plowing mares?" she said as she licked her lips. "Strawbell, honey, we really should wait t'll after we're married." I told her. I could of easily got her off me but I didn't want to hurt her. "Oh come on! I'm sure three days early won't hurt anypony. After all," she leand down a whispered in my ear, "the early bird catches the worm. And this early bird has her eyes on a big long blue worm." Damn! Why does she have to be so sexy and suductive. Ok Heart, think you can get yourself out of this... Fuck stop looking at me with those beautiful eyes. Uh um ... "If Uncle PichFork catches us he'll... ah..." damn't can't think with those eyes staring at me. "That old guy? He's down in town selling the corn." Shit... Fuuuuuck! How do you talk your way out of something like this. "Now come on you don't expect to wear these while plowing me?" I really wish she would stop phrasing it like that... Wait what?! She reached for my shades. "Wait, you know light can damage my eyes!" "But I want to look into the eyes of my lover as he goes deep inside of me." She took my shades off and stared into my eyes. She quickly jumped off me and backed away. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I woke up in a cold sweat. No! I'm not going to relive the memory not now, not ever again. I looked out the window, sunrise. Not new for me to get up at sunrise. I got out of bed and went to the restroom. I looked into the mirror at my eyes. My dragon eyes. I shook of the depressing thoughts. No, new life new life. Back in my room I grabbed my stetson and shades. I went to the kitchen and opened the fridge. Nothing. I just moved in, what makes me think I would have food in the fridge? Jackie hopped in and looked at me. I reached into my luggage and pulled out a bag of carrots. I gave her one. She started gnawing on it. "Ok Jackie, here's the plan. I'm going to head out, find a place to get breakfast, then find a job. How does that sound?" She stopped and looked at me. "Ok I might stop by the bar." She countinued to stare at me. "Ok! Damn rabbit thing. I'm going to try to talk to Corona. Happy?" She looked back down at the carrot and kept eating. "Stupid rabbit. Don't destroy the house." She jumped on the couch and stared at the small television that came with the house. "Fine. What do ya want to watch?" I picked up the remote. "Disniegh? Hooftoon Network? FalseTV? TVM? XF? Thorn?" She jumped for that one. I turned the T.V. to Thorn. A Thousand and One Ways to Pass was on. Jackie could have jumped for joy. "What's with you and this show?" I looked at the screen. It seems every episode has at least one terrorist or drug dealer being murdered by some yellow earthpony with a scar over his eye. I set the remote down and walked to the door. "See ya later." I found a nice little diner. It was quaint. I sat down and looked at the menu. A portly old mare walked up to me. "Can I take your order, Hun?" "Yes. I'll have some prench toast please." "Sure thing Hun." she looked at me and smiled "Anything to drink?" "Yes. Black coffee please." "Sure thing." Then she hobbled away. I sat there for a few minutes when she came back with my food. "Here ya go, Hun." "Thank ya, uh." "Then names Coffee Mug, Hun." "Nice to meet ya. I'm Fire Heart." "Nice to meet you, Hun." As she walked away I looked at the guy next to me. "Does she call everypony Hun?" "No, she calls me Sweety." he said. "I'm called Muffin." The guy next to Sweety said. "Somepony new!" I heard yelled from the kitchen. "Oh boy," Sweety said. "You're about to meet Danny." "Who's Danny?" I asked as a brown earth stallion with an apron on ran out of the kitchen. "Hello new guy. Welcome to Danny's Dashing Dinner, I'm Dinner Dashing Danny. Who are you?" He talked so fast. "Fire Heart." "Fire Heart. Nice to meet you Fire Heart." He shook my hoof so fast that it felt like he could rip it off. "As it is with all first time customers your meal is..." He stared at me witha big toothy smile, "completely FREEEEEEEE!" "Really. Thank ya." "Don't mention it." He's smile quickly left his face. "No seriously, don't mention it. If first timers swarm this place, I'll go backrupt." "K, nopony hears a word about free food." He's smile quickly returned. He walked back into the kitchen. I looked at Sweety. "What's wrong with him?" "Nopony knows. We hear he's very similar to his cousin who lives in a town called Ponyville." The thought of two of him scared me. "Well got to go. Thanks Coffee Mug." I walked into town hall. "Fire Heart, good to see you again." FrontDesk said as I walked up. "Hello FrontDesk. Do ya know where I can get a job?" "Oh yes, let me check." She reached under her desk. "Let's see. Oh there is two job openings one at the bar and another at Danny's Dashing Dinner." "Well then. Thank ya." "No problem. How is your house?" "It's home. See ya." I walked into the bar. Corona was behind the bar and on the stools there was Ol' Red and a pegusus talking to her. I walked up. "Oh hello Fire Heart," Corona said as I walked up. "Hey Fire," Ol' Red said. "Hey," I said. The pegusus stared at me. "So you're Fire Heart. Corona was just telling me about you." He held out his hoof. "I'm NineMil, chief of police." I looked at Corona. "Oh, I see she's already told you, when you got the tour." "Sorry," Corona said. "It's fine. Hey just cause we divorce doesn't mean we aren't still friends." NineMil said. "Oh, well that's go to hear." I told him. "So what brings you here?" Corona asked me. "I'm here about a job." "Really?" "Yes. It was either this or working for Danny, and from what I learned at my breakfast he's crazy." "You didn't get pancakes there did you?" Ol' Red sounded concerned. "No. Why?" "Forty years ago he was arrested for killing ponies and baking them into pancakes." NineMil said. "What! Why is he behind the oven again?!" "Thirty years of rehabilitation. Relax, he's somewhat sane." "Ok, so back to the job." Corona changed the subject. "What were your previous occupations?" "I worked on my uncle's farm all my life." "Do you know anything about beer?" "Koltucky has more barrels of bourbon than it does ponies." "Do you have any references?" "When I was young my uncle yelled at me and told me to 'Get a Job! You lazy git!'" "What do you to think?" She asked NineMil and Ol' Red. "I think he's perfect for the job." Ol' Red laughed. "I couldn't agree more," NineMil said. "Well then. Congratulations Fire Heart, you got the job. You start tomorrow." Corona said. "Really!? That was easy. Thank you." "Congrats. Drinks on me." Ol' Red said as Corona slid me a beer. "Thanks." I looked at NineMil. "Wait, what are the police doing in a bar while on duty?" "The only crime that happens in this town are drunk idiots doing something stupid." NineMil said. "What's with the shades?" "Eye condition." "Oh." We sat there and talked. Suddenly a drunk guy walked up beside me and said, "Hey you look thougth. Fight me." "Nah I'm good." "What's amatter? You scared of *hic* getting your ass kicked?" "No. I'm sitting next to two cops and I don't fell like getting arrested." "Oh really." He pulled a knife out. "I just *hic* just think your scared." "Put that knife away, Archy." Ol' Red reached for his gun. "I'm I talking to *hic* you?" He lunged at me. I quickly moved out of that way and put my hoof on the back of he's head and slammed to against the bar. He fell, unconscious. I looked at the cops. Ol' Red picked up Archy and put him on his back. "I'm not going to get in trouble for that are I?" "No, no. Archy is like this. He and his wife must have been fighting again. Sorry about the trouble." NineMil said. He and Ol' Red walked put of the bar. "Well second day in town, pretty succesful. I got a job, met an ex-murderer, had a knife pulled on me, and got into a bar fight." "Where did you learn to fight?" Corona asked. "I grew up with my ten cousins." "Oh. Wow."
New in TownThe train stopped, took it long enough. I grabbed my things and headed for the exit. The sun was bright in this farmtown. All right, first stop town hall so I can get a house. I started in to town. After a bit of searching I found town hall. I walked up to the resepstion desk and rang the bell. After, say about a minute, a mare finally walked up. "Hello sir. How may I help you?" she asked. "I would like to buy a house." I told her. "Oh! A new resident. Oh yes there are a few houses open, but before you check them out I need you to fill out this form." She gave me a piece of paper. "I'm FrontDesk by the way." "Nice ta meet ya FrontDesk. Name's Fire Heart." "Fire Heart? Interesting." She gave me a wondering look. "If you don't mind me asking Mr. Heart, but why are you wearing sunglasses indoors?" She looked at my dark red shades. "Oh these. I have an eye condition, where any light hurts them, so I keep my sunglasses on." I went over to a chair and filled out the form. Let's see. Name, Fire Heart. Age, 28. Sex, stallion. Race, it gave three choices, earth, unicorn, or pegasus. Well then, earth I suppose. Last resident of, Wilmare, Koltucky. Pets, Jackalope. I looked up, as I felt something move on my head. I took my stetson off, revealing a small, brown, bunny like animal. She was awake, great. "Mornin' Jackie," I said, as she jumped of my head and into the chair next to me. A few ponies around looked at her, guess they never seen a jackalope before. "Mommie! Mommie! Look, that bunnie has horns," a filly said as she and her mother walked by. "Can I pet her, mister?" "Petal!" Her mother wasn't happy. "I'm sorry sir." "No. No. Its fine, she can pet her." I looked at Petal as see stroked Jackie. "Her name is Jackie, she's a jackalope." "She's pretty." Petal gave a smile that could melt King Sombra's heart. "Come along now Petal. We don't want to be late," her mother said. "Yes Mommie." she started to walk away the she turn. "See you around mister." I waved as they walked away then looked down at Jackie. "We've been here no less then 45 minutes and we've already drawn attention to our selfs. The exact opposite of why we came here." I got up and motioned for Jackie to jump on my back. I walked back up to the resepstion desk. "Here you go." I handed FrontDesk the papers. "Great." She rang a bell. "Corona will show you the open houses. Just wait a minute for her." I stood there for a moment when suddenly a beautiful mare came out from the back. Her coat was green, her mane was beautiful orange and red. Her Cutie mark was a beer bottle that said Corona on it with a lime sticking out the top. She was gorgeous. _______________________ The large stallion stared at me dumb-founded. He quickly shook it off. "Hi! I'm Corona." I held out my hoof. "Fire Heart." He shook my hoof nervously. His dark red sunglasses hid his eyes. He was fairly muscular. His dark blue coat suited him. His mane and tail were brown with black streaks in them. He had a small brown gotee. His hoofs were white. He did look fairly handsome. "I'll be giving you the tour of the town and showing you the open houses." "Great." "Well lets get going." I walked out of town hall, he followed behind me. "So what kind of house are you looking for?" "Something with some privacy." "So the stallion has his secrets?" He gave me a funny look, "Yes, I suppose. But don't we all?" "Yeah. So where you from?" "Koltucky." "What brings you to Hoofsville?" "Home got old." We stopped in front of the school. "Here is the school." It was recess. I looked and saw a small grey unicorn sitting alone. "See that little unicorn with the glasses." Fire looked. "Yes." "That's my son, Bud Light." I saw a sadness flash on Fire's face. "He never really took the divorce well." We started walking again. "Divorce?" Fire looked happy and sad at the same time. "Oh, look at me going on about myself." I blushed. "No it's fine. I need to learn about the ponies in this town anyway." He put on a cheesy smile. "Oh ok. I run the local bar. That something?" "The barsmare gives the tours? I guess that's how you convince ponies to stay." "Haha. No I'm giving the tours to get some extra bits. Bud is very interested in magic and he wants to go to Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. He wants to use his magic for more then making cocktails like me. His father puts in some of his paycheck too, but times are hard." "Well, I'm sure things will work out for you. What's you ex-husband's job?" "He's the chief of police around her, but how quite it is nothing happens for him to do." "Must be good at his job then, criminal too scared to try anything." I started laughing. "No, they're probably more scared of the deputy, my brother Ol' Red." "Ol' Red, soud threatening." He joked. "Yes it is." A deep voice said behind him cause Fire to jump. "Hey Red." "Hey sis. This guy moving in?" The large red stallion said. "Yes, his getting the tour." "K." He turned to Fire and held out his hoof. "I'm Ol' Red, the not so threatening police officer." Fire Heart shock his hoof. "Fire Heart. Nice to meet ya." "Well I got to get going. Giving a D.A.R.E. speech at the school. Ha! Oh most seems hypocritical to give Bud that speel. See you around." He walked away. "Well then, he is big." Fire said. "What's next?" "Well." We walked about further. "This is the Bar. You'll find me here most of the time." "Cool." "You said you wanted a house with privacy right? Well all the houses won't be too private, but there is one. Come on." __________________ Corona ran ahead. I tried to keep up, but damn she's fast. We stopped at a house just outside of town. "This is the most private house in town and it's for sale." I opened the door and went in. It was a nice two story house. Jackie jumped off my back and ran around, she liked it. "What is the little thing's name?" "Jackie." I looked at Jackie. "Well fuzz-ball, what do you think?" She gave a nod. "I'll take it." "You sure? There are more houses." "I'm sure." "Well than you just have to tell FrontDesk and then the rest is up to you with the house. I got to go, bar opens in a few hours." "Bye. Thanks for the tour." "Don't mention it. See ya." She walked out the door. I went back to town hall and bought the house. That night I stood in the bath room staring at the mirror. "Well Jackie lets not fuck it up. I stay a secret and nothing bad happens." I stared into my dark purple dragon eyes.
Fire Dances For Those Willing to Dance With It3 Weeks Later I've been working in the bar for a few weeks now, and let me tell ya, it is a hell of a lot more entertaining than plowing a field. I've defiantly learned a lot 'bout the ponies of this town. The pony who pulled the knife on me, Archy I believe, is the father of that filly, Petal. He and his wife argue a lot and he finds his way here. There is a mare crazy enough to marry Danny. Hell, they've been happily married for 58 years. Must of been hard on her, having to deal with her husband being a murderer. But she still loves him, even through his faults. That's more than Strawbell could ever say for me. No, Heart, get those thoughts out of your head. Plus, as a bonus, I've also gotten to know Corona better. She and NineMil divorced after she caught him with another mare. They managed to rebuild a friendship, for Bud Light's sake. Poor kid. At lest he knows his parents. No Heart, come on happy thoughts, stop dwelling on the past. One day in the bar, I think it was a Saturday, Corona left early to help Bud with some magic training. Me being the only other worker there, I was in charge. Archy was sitting at the end of the bar. You could tell he just had a big fight with his wife. He didn't order a lot, which I'm glad, he always has a knife on him, don't know why. He had a shot glass in front of him and he waved me over to refill it. As I was refilling, I noticed a wedding ring spinning on the bar. It spun off the side only for me to catch it. I placed it back onto the bar, Archy was staring at the hoof it was under. I slid the ring over the bar and slid the shot back to me. He picked up the ring and looked at it then he got up and walked out of the bar. I think I just saved a marriage. After work that day, when I got home I found Jackie sitting with a match in her mouth. She ran over to me and urged me to take the match. I knew all to well what she wanted. "No Jackie! I'm done with that. Never again, NEVER!" There was sadness in her eyes. It hurt me to see her this sad, it really did but I just can't dance with fire again, not after what happen. Get those thoughts out of your head Heart, get them out. I worked around the house till nightfall. I headed to bed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "What," she sounded so scared, "What are you?" "Strawbell, honey, it's me, the same ol' Fire Heart." I was trying to calm her down. I had put my shades and stetson back on. "Don't call me honey." She took a few steps back. "You're a freak." "Please Strawbell, it's me, I've always had these eyes. I've always been like this. I'm... I'm half dragon." She took a few more steps away from me. "You lied to me!" She was screaming now. "I never lied to you!" I raised my voice, "I told you I love you and I still do. Please don't let this change anything." "You're... you're a monster, a freak, an abomination!" She turned her head and quickly reached behind a barrel. She pulled out a rifle. Damn't PichFork! Why do have to keep guns in the barn. "Please Strawbell, put the gun down, I'm no different then the way I've always been." She aimed at me. "Why'd ya never tell me?" "Because I was scared that ya would react like this." I stared crying. "So what were ya going to do. Tell me after we got hitched so I couldn't walk out on ya?" "I don't know. I've been scared. You don't know what it's like to have to hide something like this." "That's why ya so good at fire dancing, that's why the fire listens to ya. Cause you a damn fire breathin' monster!" "You've known me for years, you know I'm not a monster." "You are a monster! A damn monster!" She pulled the trigger. The bullet hit my for head. I... I don't know why, but I let a large wisp of fire escape from my mouth then I blacked out. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "I'M SORRY!" I screamed as I shot straight up in bed. I shot up so fast it startled Jackie. She turned and looked at me. I was panting. I needed something to calm me. I looked at Jackie, "You want to dance with fire? Then let's dance." We walked out of town, it looked like we were far enough away to we're no pony could see us. Jackie had a match in her mouth. I waved it off. No ponies around, I can start the fire without a match. I blew out a small blue flame and caught it in my hoofs. I moved my white hoofs around the flames and the we started to dance. ______________________ I popped my head through the sky light. Sitting on the roof looking up at the stars was Bud Light. "Whatcha doing kiddo?" He turned to look at me. "Hi Mom. I'm just looking at the stars." I crawled up onto the roof and sat next to him. "Beautiful, aren't they?" "Yes." We sat there silent for a while. "Mom. Do you ever think I'll be good at magic?" "Of course. You're already better then me. You can even levitate your uncle, and his not to light." He smiled. He hardly ever smiles anymore. We sat there looking at the stars. "Mom, what's that?" Bud pointed into the distance. There was a faint blue glow. "Stay here? I'm going to see what that is." I headed for the sky light. "Mom, get Uncle Red. I don't want you getting hurt." I smiled at him then headed off. I wasn't going to bother with Ol' Red. He had had a long day with somepony trying to rob Danny. Of course the entire reason he was there was to hold off Danny so he didn't kill the robber. I got to the glow. I stayed hidden in the bushes, thank Celestia for a green coat. What I saw surprised me, enthralled me, captivated me. It was Fire Heart dancing, but he was dancing with fire, blue fire. It curved around him. It danced for him. He seemed to be whispering words to it. His jackalope was there, watching the fire move, no, watching the fire dance. Once Heart stopped dancing, he sat on the ground and stated at the small flame he held in his hoof. "That was beautiful." I wasn't thinking. He jumped, turned an took a fighting stance. When he saw it was me he lowered his guard. "Corona, what are you doing here?" He sounded a little scared. "I saw some blue glow and got curious. What was that?" He almost didn't want to answer. He quickly picked the small flame back off the ground. "Don't want that spreading." He looked at me. "That was... fire dancing." He whispered something to the flame. "It was beautiful. How do you do it?" "Beautiful? Ha! I don't know how or why fire listens to me. I did read in a book once 'Fire Dances For Those Willing to Dance With It'" I stared at the flame in his hoof. "Why don't you do that more often? You seemed to be having fun." "Why? Cause so many ponies fear fire, hate it, run from it. They're not appreciative of all the good it does." He sounded angry. "They don't see that it is a living thing." "Living thing?" He looked at me. "Yes living. It breaths, eats, grows, speaks, dies. It's just as alive as you and me." "But when it grows and eats..." He cut me off, "It doesn't care what it eats, wiether it be wood or flesh. That's why I'm here. I teach fire to behave. It's like a child." He whispered to the fire as it started twitching. "Do you not fear fire?" The question caught me off guard, "No, no I suppose not. It's never done anything to make me hate it." The jackalope hopped over to him. "Jackie has always loved watching the fire dance. That's how I found her." "Really? What's the story?" "Well this is also how I got my cutie mark. When I was seven, I found some matches. Now me being a smart and responsible colt, I took them outside. It's dangerous to light fires indoors. When I got to the field, I danced. Burnt myself a number of times, but still. My uncle found me and he was pissed off. Then he saw my cutie mark. He told me I could practice fire dancing in the fields. On that first day though, after I finished, a small creature hopped up to me a seemed to want to see more fire. She followed me around till I guess you could saw I adopted her." He petted Jackie. "You always seem to talk about your uncle and aunt. What about your parents?" The smile on his face faded, "My mother died three months after my birth. There were certain complications on why my father couldn't keep me. He left me with my uncle." A tear ran down his the side of his face. "I'm sorry." "Don't be. I've lived a happy life on his farm." He looked at me. "Say Corona would you like to... uh... well... go have dinner with me sometime?" He definitely caught me off guard there. I didn't know. He is handsome, very handsome, but out on a date with him. What would NineMil say. That thought struck me. What does it matter what he says. He's the one who went off and fucked some other mare. And you know what, I like Fire Heart. "Sure, sounds great. I would love that." A smile spread across his face and I swear I saw Jackie roll her eyes.
Date NightYes! I was back home and I did it. I manage to get a date with Corona. Jackie had hoped back into bed. I suppose I should get some sleep too. Tomorrow after work I got a date. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I woke up, fire all around me. The barn's burning. I looked up to see a charred corpse in front of me. Oh Celestia... I killed StrawBell. I ran out of the barn. Nopony has noticed yet, I have a chance. I ran to my house. I was packing some of my stuff and trapped Jackie. "Sorry girl, but we have to get out of here!" I started towards the train station until somepony grabbed my shoulder. I turned around, scared out of my mind and saw my Uncle PichFork. "My barn's on fire... blue fire?" he said. "I know. I'm sorry." I said, trying to edge away. "Everypony's runnin' 'round lookin' for ya and StrawBell. Where is she." I looked into his eyes. I knew he could see my guilt. "She's in the barn, isn't she?" "She... She pulled a rifle out on me... I pan-... panicked." Tears were streaming down my face. "She saw your eyes... didn't she?" He's voice sounded stern and foreboding. "Yes. She saw my eyes... She freaked out and called me a... a monster, a freak... I didn't know what to do..." "So you killed her and burnt down the barn?" "I didn't mean to! She shot me... I... I accidentally shot some fire and... and... " "Leave." "What...?" "Leave. Get out of town. They'll figure out it was you who started the fire and killed her, then they'll find out about what you are... Go. Leave, stay safe. Let nopony know your secret. I'll try to keep them off your trail." "Th-thank you..." "Never liked the idea of you marrying her anyways..." I gave my uncle a hug and then ran towards the train station. I got on the first train and left... I looked out the back window as I saw my old home town disappear. I knew I'd never be able to return... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I woke up. Lying in bed, staring at the ceiling. I sighed and sat up. I got out of be and looked out the window. It's still night time. Jackie was asleep in her little pet bed. I went downstairs and got a beer out of the fridge. I sat on the couch and turned on the TV. I started watching Bottom Gear. I finished my beer then passed out. I woke up on the couch. I sat up and popped my back. I put on my shades and Stetson. I looked at the time... I was late for work. I ran out the door and ran as fast as I could to the bar. I went through the doors at the bar. Corona looked up for them bar towards me. "Sorry for being late. I slept in." "Eh. No worries." She gave me a sweet smile. "Bud I do need somepony to mop the the Stallions' room." She handed me a mop and gave me a chuckle. I rolled my eyes and took the broom. ___________________________________________ Fire Heart walked into the Stallions' room with the mop. I went back behind the bar. The rest of the day went pretty standard. Once he was done mopping, I sent him out to fetch a supply shipment. Ol' Red and NineMil showed up. Archy showed up and yelled when I cut him off from the drinks. Nothing really happened. "NineMil, can you pick Bud up from school today?" I asked him "Sure. Why can't you do it?" He looked at me questioningly. "I have a date tonight." I gave a slight in-your-face-you-two-timing-bastard smile. "A date? With whom?" He took a sip of his drink. "If you must know, it's with Fire Heart." "Fire Heart? Really?" He seemed so shocked. "Haha!" Ol' Red laughed. "That should be interesting. Have fun lil' sis." "Thank you Red, I will. It's closing time. You two head out." I gestured towards the door. "Yes ma'am." Red got up and headed for the exit. "Yeah... Sure... See ya around." NineMil got up and started walking out. He and Fire Heart met at the door. "Howdy NineMil." Heart tipped his hat. "Yeah..." NineMil kept walking. Once they were out the door, it was just Fire Heart and me. "So... Ready to head out?" He asked me with a smile. I wish I could see his eyes, I bet they're beautiful. "Uhm... Corona?" I zoned out thinking about him. Great, I look stupid. "Uh, yeah. I'm ready." I tried to recover from that with a smile. "Alright. Well... You know this town better than me, what are the good places to get dinner?" He asked holding open the door as I stepped out. I locked the bar behind us. "Well... What are you hungry for?" "Uhm... Pasta? I guess." "Ooh! Perfect. We could go to Olive Plantation?" "Sounds good to me." He gave me a smile and we started walking. We arrived at the restaurant and got a table. We sat down and started talking. "So..." He said. "Yes?" "I have completely forgotten how to act on a date." He gave me a nervous grin. I chuckled at him, "Well when was your last date?" He looked at me and got this thinking look. He mumbled under his breath, "Last date I was on was when I proposed to StrawBell." "Proposed?" He looked at me, I think he was surprised that I heard him. "I... Uh... Yeah... Proposed. I dated a mare back in Koltucky and we got engaged." "Well, what happened to her? What are you doing on a date with me?" "She... Died. Before the wedding, she died." He seemed sad. "Oh... I... I am so sorry." "Don't be. It was a long time ago. I'm over it." "Ok then..." The rest of the date went pretty smoothly. We talked, laughed, and had a good time. __________________________________ I paid the bill and we left the restaurant. I walked her home. "Welp, that was a fun night." She had a grin on her face. "I really enjoyed it." "Good, so did I." She looked at me, her eyes were beautiful. "Welp... I guess I'll head home then. See ya tomorrow." "See ya tomorrow. And don't be late again." We laughed. Then she did something I wasn't expecting, she kissed me on the cheek. I stood there, stunned. "G'night." She gave me a smile then went inside. "Night" I said after her.
Fire and Bud4 weeks later It’s been a few weeks since Corona and I went on that first date. We've gone on one or two more since then, and it seems like she’s actually enjoying them. I’ve been enjoying them also. It was almost the end of the day. NineMil and Ol' Red didn't come in today cause of some police seminar or something, so it was just Corona and I for the most part. "Fire Heart, can you do something for me?" Corona turned to me while I was cleaning a glass. "Sure thing, Hun. What do you need me to do?" I sat the clean glass down. "There are some big name beer representatives coming today and I got to get this place ready. Could you go pick up Bud for me?" "Sure." I started putting away some stuff, "When should I head out?" "Thanks. Now would be good." She kissed me on the cheek and I walked out of the bar. I headed towards the school. I got to the school. Foals were flowing out. Going to their parents or walking home. I spotted Bud and headed towards him. "Howdy there Bud." He heard me and walked over to me. "Hi Mr. Heart" "Please, call me Fire Heart. No need to be so formal." He smiled at. "So... Why are you here, Fire Heart?" "You're mom has to get the bar ready for some representatives to look at it, so she sent me to pick you up." "Oh... Alright..." He seemed upset. "Hey... It’s a good thing. It could bring a lot of bits in." We started to walk back. "I know... It's just... Well... Dad's always busy, and Mom is too.” He hung his head low. “I’m sorry kid. I get that it sucks.” “No, no. It’s alright. I’m just being whinny.” After that the walk was quiet. We were getting close. I decided to try to talk to him again. “So… Magic huh?” “Yes, I really like magic. It’s fun.” Talking about magic seemed to perk him up. “What can ya do?” “Oh, nothing much. Just basic levitation and stuff like that. I’m working some more advanced spells.” “Think ya could lift me?” I challenged him. “Maybe, I picked up Uncle Red before and I doubt you’re heavier.” We stopped and he stepped in front of me. His eyes closed and his horn started to glow a bluish light. He seemed to be having trouble lifting me, but next thing I know I feel my hooves lift from the ground. “I’ll be kid, ya did it.” I was shocked and impressed. “I did?” He opened on eye and quickly lost his focus. I dropped onto my hooves. He was holding the sides of his head. “Ya alright?” “Yeah… just… lost my focus.” He shook his head. “Well, ya did it. Color me impressed. Come on.” I started walking again. He quickly started following me. “So, why’d you move here?” He looked up at me. “I wanted a change of scenery. Home just got old.” I lied. “And you have an eye problem right? That’s what Mom said. “Yea, light hurts my eyes, so I have to wear these.” I pointed towards my shades. “Were you born with it, or did something happen?” “Born with it.” Wasn’t completely lying about that. “What’s you cutie mark mean?” Crap. “It means… uh…” Think of a lie Heart. What did you use last time someone asked this…? Crap I don’t remember. “Uhm… well… it’s not that great. Back on the farm, when we would cut back the forest, I was in charge of burning the extra wood.” Please believe that. “Oh? Really? Interesting.” He seemed to have bought that. We got to the bar and walked in. A large, red, earth pony stallion and orange, earth pony mare walked out next to us. “Howdy” The both said as they walked passed. Corona seemed happy. “Went well then?” I asked her. “Oh yes. My bar now will stock Applejack Daniels and when coder season rolls around Apple Family Cider will be sold here!” “That’s great! I’ve heard Apple Family Cider is the best in Equestria.” “Uh huh! So anyways, Bud, How was school today?” She diverted he attention to him and I slipped behind the bar to finish the dishes. “It was fine. We’re starting a new project.” Bud explained his project to us. The rest of the night wasn’t much special. Not many patrons.
Get A Job! You lazy git!"Come on Heart," Strawbell said as she ran into the barn. "Coming," I called back to her. "What's so important?" "It just is, and believe me it with definitely have you coming again." I didn't pick up on the way she said that. When I walked into the barn, she wasn't there. "All right Strawbell. Where are yo-" I was tackled to the ground, sending my stetson off my head. Luckily my shades didn't come off. I looked up and saw Strawbell laying on top of me. "Well I've seen you plow fields and you're good at that, but I wonder how good you are at plowing mares?" she said as she licked her lips. "Strawbell, honey, we really should wait t'll after we're married." I told her. I could of easily got her off me but I didn't want to hurt her. "Oh come on! I'm sure three days early won't hurt anypony. After all," she leand down a whispered in my ear, "the early bird catches the worm. And this early bird has her eyes on a big long blue worm." Damn! Why does she have to be so sexy and suductive. Ok Heart, think you can get yourself out of this... Fuck stop looking at me with those beautiful eyes. Uh um ... "If Uncle PichFork catches us he'll... ah..." damn't can't think with those eyes staring at me. "That old guy? He's down in town selling the corn." Shit... Fuuuuuck! How do you talk your way out of something like this. "Now come on you don't expect to wear these while plowing me?" I really wish she would stop phrasing it like that... Wait what?! She reached for my shades. "Wait, you know light can damage my eyes!" "But I want to look into the eyes of my lover as he goes deep inside of me." She took my shades off and stared into my eyes. She quickly jumped off me and backed away. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I woke up in a cold sweat. No! I'm not going to relive the memory not now, not ever again. I looked out the window, sunrise. Not new for me to get up at sunrise. I got out of bed and went to the restroom. I looked into the mirror at my eyes. My dragon eyes. I shook of the depressing thoughts. No, new life new life. Back in my room I grabbed my stetson and shades. I went to the kitchen and opened the fridge. Nothing. I just moved in, what makes me think I would have food in the fridge? Jackie hopped in and looked at me. I reached into my luggage and pulled out a bag of carrots. I gave her one. She started gnawing on it. "Ok Jackie, here's the plan. I'm going to head out, find a place to get breakfast, then find a job. How does that sound?" She stopped and looked at me. "Ok I might stop by the bar." She countinued to stare at me. "Ok! Damn rabbit thing. I'm going to try to talk to Corona. Happy?" She looked back down at the carrot and kept eating. "Stupid rabbit. Don't destroy the house." She jumped on the couch and stared at the small television that came with the house. "Fine. What do ya want to watch?" I picked up the remote. "Disniegh? Hooftoon Network? FalseTV? TVM? XF? Thorn?" She jumped for that one. I turned the T.V. to Thorn. A Thousand and One Ways to Pass was on. Jackie could have jumped for joy. "What's with you and this show?" I looked at the screen. It seems every episode has at least one terrorist or drug dealer being murdered by some yellow earthpony with a scar over his eye. I set the remote down and walked to the door. "See ya later." I found a nice little diner. It was quaint. I sat down and looked at the menu. A portly old mare walked up to me. "Can I take your order, Hun?" "Yes. I'll have some prench toast please." "Sure thing Hun." she looked at me and smiled "Anything to drink?" "Yes. Black coffee please." "Sure thing." Then she hobbled away. I sat there for a few minutes when she came back with my food. "Here ya go, Hun." "Thank ya, uh." "Then names Coffee Mug, Hun." "Nice to meet ya. I'm Fire Heart." "Nice to meet you, Hun." As she walked away I looked at the guy next to me. "Does she call everypony Hun?" "No, she calls me Sweety." he said. "I'm called Muffin." The guy next to Sweety said. "Somepony new!" I heard yelled from the kitchen. "Oh boy," Sweety said. "You're about to meet Danny." "Who's Danny?" I asked as a brown earth stallion with an apron on ran out of the kitchen. "Hello new guy. Welcome to Danny's Dashing Dinner, I'm Dinner Dashing Danny. Who are you?" He talked so fast. "Fire Heart." "Fire Heart. Nice to meet you Fire Heart." He shook my hoof so fast that it felt like he could rip it off. "As it is with all first time customers your meal is..." He stared at me witha big toothy smile, "completely FREEEEEEEE!" "Really. Thank ya." "Don't mention it." He's smile quickly left his face. "No seriously, don't mention it. If first timers swarm this place, I'll go backrupt." "K, nopony hears a word about free food." He's smile quickly returned. He walked back into the kitchen. I looked at Sweety. "What's wrong with him?" "Nopony knows. We hear he's very similar to his cousin who lives in a town called Ponyville." The thought of two of him scared me. "Well got to go. Thanks Coffee Mug." I walked into town hall. "Fire Heart, good to see you again." FrontDesk said as I walked up. "Hello FrontDesk. Do ya know where I can get a job?" "Oh yes, let me check." She reached under her desk. "Let's see. Oh there is two job openings one at the bar and another at Danny's Dashing Dinner." "Well then. Thank ya." "No problem. How is your house?" "It's home. See ya." I walked into the bar. Corona was behind the bar and on the stools there was Ol' Red and a pegusus talking to her. I walked up. "Oh hello Fire Heart," Corona said as I walked up. "Hey Fire," Ol' Red said. "Hey," I said. The pegusus stared at me. "So you're Fire Heart. Corona was just telling me about you." He held out his hoof. "I'm NineMil, chief of police." I looked at Corona. "Oh, I see she's already told you, when you got the tour." "Sorry," Corona said. "It's fine. Hey just cause we divorce doesn't mean we aren't still friends." NineMil said. "Oh, well that's go to hear." I told him. "So what brings you here?" Corona asked me. "I'm here about a job." "Really?" "Yes. It was either this or working for Danny, and from what I learned at my breakfast he's crazy." "You didn't get pancakes there did you?" Ol' Red sounded concerned. "No. Why?" "Forty years ago he was arrested for killing ponies and baking them into pancakes." NineMil said. "What! Why is he behind the oven again?!" "Thirty years of rehabilitation. Relax, he's somewhat sane." "Ok, so back to the job." Corona changed the subject. "What were your previous occupations?" "I worked on my uncle's farm all my life." "Do you know anything about beer?" "Koltucky has more barrels of bourbon than it does ponies." "Do you have any references?" "When I was young my uncle yelled at me and told me to 'Get a Job! You lazy git!'" "What do you to think?" She asked NineMil and Ol' Red. "I think he's perfect for the job." Ol' Red laughed. "I couldn't agree more," NineMil said. "Well then. Congratulations Fire Heart, you got the job. You start tomorrow." Corona said. "Really!? That was easy. Thank you." "Congrats. Drinks on me." Ol' Red said as Corona slid me a beer. "Thanks." I looked at NineMil. "Wait, what are the police doing in a bar while on duty?" "The only crime that happens in this town are drunk idiots doing something stupid." NineMil said. "What's with the shades?" "Eye condition." "Oh." We sat there and talked. Suddenly a drunk guy walked up beside me and said, "Hey you look thougth. Fight me." "Nah I'm good." "What's amatter? You scared of *hic* getting your ass kicked?" "No. I'm sitting next to two cops and I don't fell like getting arrested." "Oh really." He pulled a knife out. "I just *hic* just think your scared." "Put that knife away, Archy." Ol' Red reached for his gun. "I'm I talking to *hic* you?" He lunged at me. I quickly moved out of that way and put my hoof on the back of he's head and slammed to against the bar. He fell, unconscious. I looked at the cops. Ol' Red picked up Archy and put him on his back. "I'm not going to get in trouble for that are I?" "No, no. Archy is like this. He and his wife must have been fighting again. Sorry about the trouble." NineMil said. He and Ol' Red walked put of the bar. "Well second day in town, pretty succesful. I got a job, met an ex-murderer, had a knife pulled on me, and got into a bar fight." "Where did you learn to fight?" Corona asked. "I grew up with my ten cousins." "Oh. Wow."
