Looking up at the red-streaked sky, Snake Eyes wondered how many more days it took to find rest. How many miles it takes to earn peace. His map read of no town in the next hundred miles. But still, there laid a small town, out in the middle of the Mild West. With sand to the right and trees to the left, Snake Eyes decided to check the town out.

The pure light of the moon lit Snake Eyes’ path, and he could barely make out the sign reading Welcome to Appleloosa. Raising an eyebrow, Snake Eyes thought he might have found a town that may not only be civilized, but also not abandoned.

Snake Eyes went toward a small establishment full of light and cheerful noises. He thought it may as well be an Inn, somewhere to rest his head. Snake Eyes put his cloak on, put his hood up, and opened the doors.

He drew more attention than he wanted to. The doors swung back the walls and made a sudden bang loud enough to wake the dead. The room fell silent, all eyes on the Mysterious Traveler dressed in a black cloak, his eyes hidden from the world. From what he could see, there were multiple tables, all full with happy ponies facing a stage, with a bar on the left side of the room. Everypony, yes I mean everypony in that Inn was facing Snake Eyes unblinkingly.

Under that cloak, Snake Eyes was trembling. Outside the cloak, he looked fearless. Snake Eyes simply found the nearest seat and sat down, without saying a word. The inn was terrified.

A brave soul approached the stallion dressed in black and broke the silence.

“Well, how do you do, there traveler?” Said the mare with a grin.

Snake Eyes did not know what to say, so he just stayed silent. On the inside, Snake Eyes felt stupid. On the outside, he looked strong and fearless. And, coincidence or not, is exactly how everypony else saw him, with a bit of scary thrown in.

“Okay,” Continued the yellow colored mare “Can we help you? Do you need a room?”

“Yes, that would be fine,” was all his reply.

“How ‘bout a class of cider?” Grinned a stallion in the front.

“No, thank you.” Said Snake Eyes, although on the inside, he was yearning for something to drink.

“Ya sure? We here in Appleloosa make the finest Cider in Equestria!” Boasted another stallion behind the counter.

“Sorry, but I have no coin.” Snake Eyes fibbed; he had about 14 bits hidden in his cloak. ‘Why am I lying?’ Were his only thoughts.

“Come on pardner, its on the house!” Said the Mare with a grin from ear to ear.

“I said no!” Snake Eyes said, his temper getting loose. “Just lead me to my room, and I will get some quality sleep!” He said with a hoof crashing down on his table with a sharp cracking sound.

All the ponies in the room were first shocked at the Mysterious Stallion’s refusal, for the cider was to die for. Second they started giving him dirty looks as he went upstairs for ruining their night.

He picked the only empty room, slammed the door, threw his cloak off, and started weeping. He never had so much attention at once. What was he thinking? Refusing a free drink? Of course, he never received anything free of charge before, and his evil side got the best of him, again.

Snake Eyes couldn’t stop weeping at how anti-social he was, until he heard a knock on his door, than the sound of galloping. Still, he opened it, to find a small mug of cider on the floor, perfect with two ice cubes. He lifted it with a levitation spell, and smiled. At least somepony cared for him.