Gearhead built his shop on the river so he could easily power his forge with a waterwheel, and his press with a wind turbine, but he had also done it for easier access to the resources freely available to him from the Everfree Forest – as long as he dared to venture into it. This way, he had only had to make use of a minimum of the material he had brought along for construction purposes: it was always tricky to tell how much lumber to bring, especially since the more he brought the less room he would have in his cyclic wagon for gadgets to sell during set-up. This time, however, knowing before he left Trottingham that Ponyville was built on a river immediately adjacent to a great forest had made that decision much easier. Still, Gearhead did not like to use wood from trees within which forest denizens already lived, so he had had to be selective. Now, knowing how much of an animal lover Fluttershy was, he was glad in regards to that move: the less trouble he made with the local ponies, the easier his efforts would be.

Everything Gearhead had said to his new neighbours was true, but he had not told them the entire truth about him. It was not as if his past did not matter to him, however that specific part of his life should not matter to them. Gearhead himself was best suited to looking toward the future instead of looking over his shoulder at his past – except for sending most of his profits back home to help his family, since he still wanted to do his part.

Further, Gearhead was glad to have made friends, however temporarily. He easily made new acquaintances since he hardly ever disagreed with other ponies, and they liked his products. Unfortunately, because he could only stay in a given town for so long, these associations were always temporary: Gearhead left for new vistas as soon as he had learned all he was likely to learn about his ‘knack’ from local resources. Usually that was not much. The other factor determining his length of stay, though, was potential profit, and once everypony had bought their items of interest, Gearhead might as well move on.

The gadgets Gearhead made were extremely durable. Even when he had been about to leave home, his first ones had barely shown enough wear to require any maintenance, the pieces fit and worked together so well. That was why after three months he started charging a modest bi-monthly fee: it would take miraculously high damage to require a replacement, it seemed. So Gearhead’s Gadgets had Equestria’s first non-periodical based subscription service.

As much as he had made an impression on the citizens of Ponyville, they had also made an impression on him, especially at the party:

Applejack seemed like an upright pony, and stronger than average for certain. Although Gearhead would never step hoof on her farm out of respect for her, he also wanted her to know that they could rely on each other in a jam. Still, Gearhead would rather ask Big McIntosh for help with the heavy lifting, instead of asking his little sister. Big brothers seemed to be the same everywhere. Likewise, Gearhead could tell that Apple Bloom and her two friends were likely to be trouble, but in a good way. Little sisters could be cute and terrors all at once. Gearhead knew farm ponies, and siblings in general.

Fluttershy’s compassion obviously extended beyond her forest creature friends to her pony ones, so it was not that strange to Gearhead that she would live on the ground. Gearhead was glad she lived nearby, since his adventures in the Everfree Forest would likely lead to encounters with unusual creatures, and he would need someone insightful to deal with them. It was a shame, though, that she was almost as shy as he was, and without the shield of purpose that came with being in sales.

Pinkie Pie had endless energy and enthusiasm. If there was anyone to learn from in regards to keeping one’s spirits high, this was the pony. The only downside of which Gearhead was aware was that she had several hundred odd tendencies, which made even the most practical ponies dismiss most of her actions as ‘just being Pinkie Pie.’ One of these quirks seemed to be the ability to put a hold on gravity. Gearhead also was curious to know how she could move from one side of a room to the complete opposite side without first crossing over.

Rainbow Dash was brash and highly competitive, but she also clearly had the skills to back up most of her boasts. Gearhead admired her for having a clear goal, and she seemed to be working slowly toward it. At the same time, she was friends with a wide variety of ponies, including ones like Fluttershy to whom she was the complete opposite. Like Applejack, this was a good pony to have in one’s corner.

When Gearhead met Rarity on the road, he had been taken aback by her beauty despite the fatigue and dust of travel. Where Fluttershy had the appeal of grace, Rarity was more on the glamour end of the spectrum. And she was much more than just a pretty face: her confidence to travel the roads at night showed great daring, but also that she took her business extremely seriously. She was also highly entrepreneurial, owning and operating her own shop at a young age. Gearhead was glad they were not direct competitors, but all the same he would make every effort not to underestimate her as some delicate flower in need of protection.

Twilight Sparkle was, in some ways, a kindred spirit: she was endlessly curious about the world, seeking new information to devour, so working in a library, which would exchange information and resources with other libraries, was perfect for her. She already possessed great knowledge, yet was open to the world – mostly, since she had a clear emphasis on the scientific and magical approaches (not mutually exclusive). She had enough insight to approach Gearhead’s ‘knack’ as a type of geomancy, which was the closest guess Gearhead had, given his own knowledge of magic, both innate and otherwise. Critically, she had the ear of Princess Celestia, who would be a fount of wisdom and knowledge, having lived for more than a thousand years.

Gearhead had further made note of ponies to avoid and approach, including the somewhat clumsy cross-eyed mare, Derpy Hooves. Fortunately the Pegasus had mostly stayed put: Gearhead had had the fortune to be close enough to see what happened when she merely sat down, while being far enough away not to get caught in the resulting mess.

It was Gearhead’s third day in Ponyville, and he had a good stock of gadgets. The problem was that while he could count on the river and the wind for power, he had to collect more resources periodically so he could continue to build, since he did not want to drain the land immediately around his shop. For that reason, he would take a half-day in his shop, and set out to explore the Everfree Forest from just after lunch to just before dusk. He set his saddlebags aside for the purpose, and opened the shop for business.

Business did start off with a bang that morning, mostly thanks to Pinkie Pie’s party: Gearhead had thought to bring along a fair sampling of his gadgets, tucking them unobtrusively away, into his many-pocketed vest, which had six pockets on the front and one pocket on the back. Naturally he could not take anything overly large, but that was okay. The telescope he had brought for Twilight Sparkle generated plenty of interest all on its own, since most ponies who knew Miss Twilight knew that she already possessed one, which led to the question of why she would want another. This was a natural conversation starter that led to Gearhead’s chosen profession as a gadgeteer and salespony. And because Gearhead could not sell his sample pieces without wondering if there was somepony else to show them to later, he asked interested buyers to visit his shop. Although most of the ponies who had attended the party also had work, none of them had the same schedule. This meant that they could pop in before or after work, browse the shop, and buy or order whatever they fancied.

Lyra Heartstrings and Bonbon came by together, looking for instrument pieces and strings. Minuette came in as the previous two were leaving. She was interested in hats, particularly ones with adjustable brims – which could be adapted to any style where the brim wrapped all the way around. Golden Harvest, Roseluck, and the other town florists showed interest in Gearhead’s irrigation systems and overhead harvesters, the smaller of which one could hold in order to pluck a plant without trotting into the dirt, like a giant crane game. Time Turner wanted a smaller timepiece, which Gearhead was happy to supply since it was powered by quartz, and not a more precious set of jewels. Mayor Mare wanted a pen with an internal inkwell and a penlight.

Feeling inspired, Gearhead made a jumpsuit for Derpy made of the same material as his own shoes, in the hopes that it would insulate her from causing disaster – and the mare agreed to give it a trial flight. Applejack came in. Gearhead could either reinforce her plough better than ever, or use it to build a cyclic plough, powered by a gear system like his own wagon, with a light-tread, wide-wheel system to go more lightly on the ground, to boot. Applejack chose one of each for a trial period as well, so Gearhead would need more metal. She also warned him to watch for Apple Bloom and her friends, who were plotting who-knew-what in order to earn their cutie marks. Gearhead did not understand, since he had never thought he would get one, and did not think it could be earned purposely.

When the fillies did arrive, they had little idea of what they might want. Gearhead invited them to have a look around, same as everypony else, but he kept a closer eye on them, since they seemed more prone to accidents than most ponies – although still considerably less so than Derpy. In the end they wanted a half-dozen pulley and rope systems, two collapsible see-saws, an ultra-light hammer, a wood-only saw, and a packet of self-anchoring nails – most of it on loan, since neither Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, nor Sweetie Belle could really afford all of that.

Gearhead’s demonstration of the wood-only saw had especially intrigued them, since he only had to ‘try’ to saw off one of his legs to sell the idea of a saw that could not cut flesh, let alone bone. The scars on his legs helped to sell it as an idea that had not immediately worked, which was funny since he only owed one such scar to his erroneous attempt. The other scars were various other failed experiments. Gearhead kept the scars as reminders of the importance of trial and error, especially as most of his processes were things nopony had attempted before, at least without Unicorn magic, of which Gearhead could assume he had none. While the pulley system, see-saws, and especially the nails could lead to injury, the hammer and saw were perfectly safe. But Gearhead surreptitiously asked Spike (there to get cleaning solution for Twilight’s telescopes) to pass on a notice to the mares to watch the fillies anyway. Gearhead then closed up shop and grabbed his saddlebags to enter the Everfree Forest on a supply run.

Gearhead wore his vest, hat, goggles, and of course, his shoes for the trek. Among the many filters that attributed to the thickness of his goggles was one for low-light vision, which used any ambient light to improve the wearer’s visibility. This meant that even if night should fall while Gearhead was absorbed in his task of gathering materials, he could still move about freely as long as some light from the moon or stars penetrated the trees’ canopy.

Gearhead walked slowly, listening and watching with the utmost care. Sometimes so little as the different ‘echo’ caused by a hoof-fall could give away the presence of a deposit of precious materials. Other times, Gearhead had to use the zip-and-tie feature on one of his shoes so he could access his ‘knack’ and get a feel for the lay of the land. Fifteen minutes and two deposits in (one of gemstones and one of metal), Gearhead dipped his head to tug at the zipper of his left shoe to do just that. He tied the flaps up, and then, while focusing keenly on the image of outgoing waves, stamped his now-exposed hoof. Barely-visible energy waves rippled outward, passing through trees, rocks, and animals without so much as disturbing a leaf. But suddenly Gearhead had a mental catalogue of gemstone and mineral deposits, as well as locations for lumber he could use. He zipped his shoe back up, and went back into motion.

The nearest useful gem deposit was half a meter underground. Gearhead unzipped both his front hooves this time. Focusing this time on the gemstones he knew were there from the earlier echo-read, he reared up to clap his hooves together. When he came down, green-white energy rippled out and shunted the ground aside, almost like opening a fruit down to its core. There were the gems, lying in the middle of the open ground. Focusing further, Gearhead pushed them closer toward himself with pillars of earth. From there, he was able to buck them onto the normal ground with his rear hooves, and then close the ground with his front hooves still in contact with the ground. Before he lifted his front hooves and closed the circuit, Gearhead ensured the ground was as close to normal as he could make it. He then quickly zipped his shoes back up and moved on to the next deposit.

As he moved, Gearhead could feel several uneasy gazes locked onto him. This concern was natural for local wildlife, which normally did not know what to make of the effect his ‘knack’ had on the ground, at least at first. As animals became more used to the way Gearhead could literally move the earth, the more adventurous of them might approach him for favours. What concerned him more, though, was what the more territorial of them might think. Gearhead carried a multitool that included a knife, but he would not use it for more than intimidation: his first response to a threatening creature would be to run from the forest as fast as he could move. Fortunately the animals seemed to be intimidated enough by Gearhead’s abilities not to approach him, and that was fine with him, at least for the moment.

Besides, the more Gearhead used his ‘knack,’ the more drained he felt, especially after long-duration feats like that first excavation. It was soon time to return to the store.

Gearhead found Applejack waiting for him just outside the store. “Oh good,” she said. “When I saw you were closed, I thought I’d have more trouble finding you. Wait a minute. You went into the Everfree Forest? Alone?”

“Indeed. It has many resources I can use, and as long as I am cautious I can stay safe. Did you need something, Miss Applejack?”

“I really wish you’d drop the ‘miss’ thing, Gearhead: We’re friends now, and besides which that’s just not me.”

“As you prefer,” Gearhead said, dipping his head. He unlocked the shop door and ushered Applejack inside. “I should unload these bags, and we can talk as I do so.”

“Good idea. Did you ‘lend’ some tools to my little sister and her friends?”

“I did. Was that wrong?”

“With those three? Not knowing what they’re planning? Probably.”

“I took all possible precautions, however I would still defer to you as the older sister of one of the fillies in question. If I should retrieve the items, simply say so.”

“Oh, I don’t think that’s necessary now. But since you contributed, you may want to watch their entry in the school talent competition.”

They had gone downstairs behind the counter. In the room below the shop, the forge’s fire was burning low and the press was silent. Gearhead looked back at Applejack, pausing before resuming his progress toward the neat stacks of wood, metal ores and ingots, and gemstones. He emptied out the contents of his saddlebags and started sorting.

“Are you certain you, or they, would want me there?”

“I think so. What’s the problem?”

“Firstly, I am not, nor have I ever been, affiliated with the Ponyville School.”

“Neither’s Twilight, but she’ll be there.”

“Librarians and libraries are an important part of any young pony’s education, or so I believe. I am not a part of this community just yet.” Gearhead waved one hoof in the air. “But I intend on earning my place with my shop, for however long I am in Ponyville.”

“Another way to ‘earn your place’ is to be sociable. You already made tons of friends at your welcome party.”

“That was different. I was basically there to sell. Plus, the party was a ‘surprise.’ I am… unused to many similar situations and occasions. I would not be comfortable, or know what to do. And I would not want to interrupt or be disruptive if I left midway due to my discomfort.”

“You make it sound like you haven’t been to many parties or talent shows.”

“Indeed, I was homeschooled,” and self-schooled, mostly, Gearhead didn’t say. “But that is in the past. If the fillies want me to attend, I can make an effort.”

“I hope you do, and you should know that you’re fully welcome in Ponyville.”

“Yes, the welcome party made that clear.” Gearhead paused. “I do want to be sociable. It’s just that I am unused to it. I have spent as much of my life studying as I have designing and creating my gadgets to sell.”

“Then, as I’m sure Pinkie Pie would say, it’s time to stop studying and start going out and making friends.”

“Very well. Where can I find your sister and her friends? And how long do I have before the show starts?”

“They’re in their tree fort on Sweet Apple Acres, and you have less ‘n three hours, so not a problem.”

“If I am to be tactful, I would prefer to catch up to them en route and not intrude on their sanctuary. Perhaps I can arrange something with Miss Twilight.”

“You’re really another bookworm, aren’t ya?”

“I do enjoy a good read, but it is more because the last time I collaborated with her things worked out well.”

“The party. You’re pretty crafty, you know that?”

Gearhead indicated their surroundings with a hoof, having finished sorting his new supplies. “So I am told,” he said.

“Good evening, Miss Twilight.”

“Oh, good evening, Gearhead. Fancy meeting you here, outside the library. I’m sorry if you came do some more research, since I’m heading over to the school to watch the talent show. I’m very excited to see what the Cutie Mark Crusaders have come up with.”

“Actually, I was hoping you would let me tag along, since Miss Applejack said I should attend. Her reasoning is that I contributed some of the tools and materials.”

“In that case, more than half of Ponyville should be there, myself included. You’re more than welcome to join me.”

“Thank you,” Gearhead said. They cantered for awhile in silence. “What are these gatherings like?”

“School talent shows? Each group has a few minutes to show what they can do, so they usually consist of short skits, routines, or songs. I’m sure Sweetie Belle will sing, Scootaloo will dance, and Apple Bloom will support them and make the costumes and backgrounds. You’ve really never been to one?”

“I was homeschooled, so no. Also, I was among the last of the ponies my age to have something I could use in a talent show. Not that I was the type to ‘show off’ until I got into sales.”

“That’s something the girls might appreciate, given how they’re pursuing their cutie marks so actively.”

“I hope it is okay if I hang out near the back.”

“As long as you can see everything, I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

“My vision may not be perfect, but I am certain it will be good enough.”

They arrived at the school and found that a crowd was already there. Gearhead followed Twilight backstage to get permission to watch the show, and then slipped back out into the audience. He was therefore very surprised to see that Sweetie Belle supported the act with the costumes and backdrops, Scootaloo sang, and Apple Bloom danced. This was not the perfect match-up that Twilight had described. On top of that, the poorly-painted sun and trees were put together in cringe-worthy ways, and accidents kept happening. But the fillies bulled through at full strength instead of giving up. Their efforts won them the Best Comedy Award.

“I’m proud of you for pulling through despite things not going quite as planned,” Gearhead told them backstage, around Twilight also having her say. “I liked the concept, and perhaps your group might have a new member or two for next time. Also, I do not know anypony who gained her cutie mark on purpose, but good luck on that as well.”

“Are you sure you don’t have anything in your shop that can give cutie marks?” Scootaloo asked.

“There is no such shortcut, but I could tweak your scooter here and there.”

“What for?”

“To make it faster and easier to control, of course.”

“Cool!”

Twilight came up the stairs, having checked the entrance area and main floor. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy entered through a pair of open windows, the former having checked from the sky and the latter with her critter friends. Rarity drew the curtains on the windows on the opposite end of the room, while Applejack did the same for the side through which the Pegasi had come. Pinkie Pie zipped into the room, and then proceeded to bounce around, doing laps. “We’re clear,” Twilight said.

“How did my shop become the meeting place?” Gearhead asked, working on a set of small gadgets at a worktable.

“It’s the only place we have the girls don’t regularly visit,” Rarity said. “Even so, we may only have a few minutes before they either arrive or do something dangerous.”

“Which is what this meeting’s all about,” Twilight said. “The girls are obsessed about getting their cutie marks. They would do anything to get them, including dangerous things. We need to decide what we want to do to keep them safe.”

“There’s nothing wrong with trying a bunch of things to get your cutie mark,” Rainbow Dash said. “In fact, that was my awesome suggestion to Apple Bloom.”

“And it’s a good one, RD, except where they get into the dangerous bits,” Applejack said.

“Oh yes,” Fluttershy said. “It wouldn’t do for them to get hurt.”

“Or hurt more than they have already by crashing through the trees, or into other ponies,” Pinkie Pie said.

“We can’t watch them all the time, though, and they’re very enthusiastic about this,” Rarity said. “Asking them to stop is also impossible.”

“They are the Cutie Mark Crusaders,” Applejack said.

“I don’t want to have to go after them into the Everfree Forest again,” Fluttershy said.

“But you have to admit that letting them make their own mistakes their own way is one of the best ways for them to grow and learn,” Gearhead said.

“Yes, but there are limits, and everypony needs some guidance. What should we do?” Twilight asked.

“It is not the same as putting brakes on their project, however I can give them the safest gear possible to use in their stunts,” Gearhead said. “As to how they use the equipment…” He shrugged.

“Couldn’t you tell them how to use them properly?” Fluttershy asked.

“Provided they listen, yes.”

“They would listen to you, Fluttershy,” Rarity said.

“But then they might feel like we were conspiring against them,” Twilight said.

“So then what do we do? Like Rarity said, we’ve got stuff to do so we can’t watch them all the time and zip in whenever they need help,” Rainbow Dash said.

“Shouldn’t we be able to let them just have fun?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“That would be ideal, but we don’t want them getting hurt in the process,” Twilight said. “As long as what they’re doing requires specialized equipment, they can get it from Gearhead, and he can tell them how to use it. That’s only natural. Fluttershy, if you happen to be here when the girls pick up the equipment, you can make sure they listen to Gearhead, and it will still seem natural.”

“Oh, but will it? I mean, there’s only so much I would need for my cottage or critters. I don’t want the girls not to like me.”

“That’s ridiculous, Fluttershy. Sweetie Belle and the others absolutely adore you. It’s enough to make one a little jealous.”

“And if you want to be around friends, it’s not ridiculous or suspicious for you to be around them!” Pinkie Pie said.

“Okay. I can try,”

“Some types of gear will require some preparation and fine-tuning before I can send the fillies out with them,” Gearhead said. “On those occasions, I can ask Fluttershy to be around. But we would still need a ready set of excuses for us to be together at that time.”

“I’m not good at excuses,” Fluttershy said.

“How hard could it be?” Rarity asked. “Just look at all the wonderful gadgets he has in his catalogues and pick one every time. Or tell the girls you made a custom order. Or that you’re dating.”

“Dating? Me?” Fluttershy blushed furiously.

“Oh, you’re right. That wouldn’t work right away, would it? You need to work on being more outgoing first, and then it would be more believable. Besides, with the amount of time you spend with us and your animal friends, there’s not much opportunity for dating, is there?”

“Or you with your business,” Rainbow Dash put in.

“In any case, we have a possible starting point,” Gearhead interrupted. “Can we keep using it and continue to be believable?”

“The girls are pretty smart. I’m sure they’ll put two and two together eventually,” Twilight said, and Gearhead noticed that she was also blushing a bit. “We need something that’ll work the whole time they’re looking for their cutie marks. Or someone to keep them safe, other than Cheerilee at school.”

“And Big Mac and me at the farm,”

“And me around Carousel Boutique – although I’m usually absorbed in my latest creation.”

“If not teachers, what about mentors, like Princess Celestia is to me?”

“That could work, if we know who will mentor whom in what,” Rarity said.

“You and Applejack are already big sisters, so why don’t we start there?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Good idea. And you can be like Scootaloo’s big sis, RD!”

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea. I mean, I like the squirt well enough, but I’m pretty sure I’m not the right Pegasus to keep her outta trouble.”

“What about you, Fluttershy?” Applejack asked.

“I suppose I could, although Scootaloo already seems to really admire Rainbow Dash, and she’s a much more rough-and-tumble type. I had a hard time keeping up with the three of them before, too.”

“Yeah, Scoots can’t fly yet but she’s impressively fast on that scooter of hers.”

“Which I just offered to make faster,” Gearhead said. “If she expresses interest in being taken under anypony’s wing, I think it should be Dash. Unless she wants to learn to fly from somepony who has a history of struggling to fly, that is.”

“I’ll see what I can pencil in,” Rainbow Dash said.

“I agree with Gearhead that we have to make sure the girls are interested in having mentors in the first place,” Twilight said. “If we don’t wait for them to bring it up, we could make it seem like we’re just being controlling.”

“Which we are,” Rainbow Dash said. “But making it seem like it’s their idea is pretty sneaky. Way to go, Twilight!”

“Oh dear. I don’t want them to think I’m being sneaky,” Fluttershy.

“I doubt you have to worry about that, Miss Fluttershy. You are too nice for that,” Gearhead said. Fluttershy blushed again, but looked pleased instead of uncomfortable.

“Yes, Fluttershy… or do I mean ‘Stare Master?’” Rarity said. “Don’t worry: the girls love and respect you.”

“Okay, so we have a plan,” Twilight said. “We’d better get moving on it, and lets not all leave together, just in case the girls might see us.”

“Right!” Rainbow Dash left through one of the windows facing the forest. Fluttershy left a few moments later through an opposite window, heading straight toward her cottage. Pinkie Pie disappeared through a storage bin, while Applejack went out the front door. Twilight used her teleportation spell to get a distance downriver.

“Would it really be so horrid to date Fluttershy?” Rarity asked, descending to the main floor.

“Not at all,” Gearhead said, feeling himself blush a little. “I mean, I like her. I just do not know anypony very well yet. We may or may not end up liking each other that way. Nopony knows, at least not yet. I need to focus on my business until I can keep it afloat without constant course corrections right now. Plus, I would not know what to do on a date.”

“You’ve never been on a date?”

“Please do not look so surprised, Miss Rarity. You know what it is like as an entrepreneurial pony. Plus, I travel. A lot. I do not know how long I will be in Ponyville, and if or when I end up moving, it would be bad to have to leave a pony I was courting behind. Or perhaps worse, force her to leave her family and friends to come with me.”

“Yes, I can see your point. In that case, you’d just have to stay here, wouldn’t you?”

“As long as I did not mind providing for my family only through my subscription fees, I suppose so. I mean, there is a limit to the variety of gadgetry I can make and sell in any one place. And they are all very well assembled, with none having broken down since I started, and minimal wear showing in about a decade.”

“If you’re worried about your consumer base, simply find a way to have them come to you. If not for delivery of purchases, then for everything else.”

“A marketing strategy to have the customers come to me instead of me coming to them? I suppose that is how I started. Yes, I could work with that, if I had to. I mean, if I decided to stay in Ponyville. That is a decision for the future.”

“Indeed I’d say it is for the future,” Rarity said, “although I do hope you decide to stay: who else is going to use mysterious means to help me make my deliveries on time?”

“One of the things for which I have a knack,” Gearhead said. Rarity gave a slight chuckle and left.

For Applejack, the question of dating, and especially marriage, was a far-off thing: as independently-minded as she was, such a thing would probably fall to the wayside until the question of succession for Sweet Apple Acres came up – and Granny Smith had made the farm a matriarchy, so the stallion wasn’t as important as the mare, and her attitude.

If Rarity’s suggestion of Fluttershy dating Gearhead taught Applejack anything, it was that a pairing had to be between the right ponies. Gearhead might be able to make a number of surprising gadgets, but he wasn’t a farmpony, and that made him all wrong for Applejack. His affinity for rocks might, in fact, make him a better stallion for Rarity, although there was no need to duplicate her gem finding spell here. Maybe he was better suited for Fluttershy, if any of the six friends had to end up with him at all.

Once she’d landed and gotten inside her cottage, Fluttershy’s heart kept beating so hard she thought her animal friends must be able to hear it! Dating? What a notion. Especially since Fluttershy was only close to her five pony friends and to the forest critters. It wasn’t that she didn’t like Gearhead, because she did. As a friend. They just weren’t that close.

The problem was that now that Rarity had mentioned the possibility, even as an excuse for Fluttershy to be around Gearhead more, she was having trouble getting it out of her head. And it would be a problem, because it could make everything all awkward, and Fluttershy was more than shy enough as it was. She didn’t want to be awkward with anypony; she wanted to be friends. She enjoyed being with her friends, and she wanted that to continue, even as they included Gearhead in their plans.

Gearhead was clever, and he didn’t seem to let much bother him. He even kept his head straight when he was around Rarity, where other stallions often got mixed up and couldn’t stop staring at the glamorous Unicorn. So far the Earth Pony’s shop was finding every success, and Fluttershy was happy about this.

Still, a few things bothered Fluttershy about Gearhead. For one thing, he had just popped up out of nowhere with a multi-storey stone and wood house. How? Earth Ponies were known for their ability to make all sorts of plant life grow more quickly than the other pony tribes, but that was plants and this was minerals. By looking closely, Fluttershy had figured out that the lighter stripes on Gearhead’s face and legs were scars. How had he gotten them? Finally, what had he meant at the party when he’d said it was ‘nice to have friends?’ Did that mean he didn’t have friends back where he was from? If so, what could possibly be so wrong about him that he didn’t have friends? And how did he feel about animals? Fluttershy hoped he liked them, because the spot he had chosen for his shop was so close to the Everfree Forest, he was bound to have frequent visitors. Fluttershy hoped he would be alright.

Rarity liked Gearhead, despite (or perhaps partly because of) all the mystery that surrounded him. Despite being unusually small, he was also incredibly helpful and polite. Plus, it was fun to tease him, Rarity had discovered. Yes, he was small and weaker than the average stallion, but the average stallion he was not. Things promised to be even more interesting around Ponyville as long as he was around. And if it happened that Gearhead and Fluttershy had to be hitched (or otherwise attached) to each other for that to happen, why not, as long as they ended up being happy with each other? Plus, Rarity could make all the gowns for any wedding that transpired, and wouldn’t that be great publicity? A mixed-tribe wedding hadn’t happened in some time, that Rarity could recall.

Gearhead was a smart pony, and that, Twilight decided, was why Rarity’s suggestion that he date Fluttershy was starting to bother her. That and it didn’t take anypony’s actual feelings into account. Oh, Twilight realized that it was to ensure there was someone around to whom the girls would listen, but still, Gearhead’s and Fluttershy’s feelings ought to matter. Sure, they lived closer to each other than to any other pony, but did they even like each other as anything but friends?

Gearhead was interesting in the way that any other unusual pony was, in Twilight’s opinion: he was an Earth Pony who could perform something very close to a type of Unicorn magic, if it wasn’t actually Unicorn magic. In all her research, both in Canterlot and here in Ponyville, Twilight had never heard of such a thing. Of course, when she was living in Canterlot she wouldn’t have been looking for it, but it certainly would have caught her eye – especially since she could cast all kinds of spells. No such thing had caught Twilight’s attention, so it was entirely possible that Gearhead was a unique case. She could certainly ask Princess Celestia about it the next time they saw each other.

It would also give Twilight a good excuse to ask after her older brother, Shining Armour, whom she hadn’t seen since before she’d left Canterlot that first time. Contrary to any opinion on their relationship based just on that, Armour and Twilight were close: he was almost her only good friend in Canterlot, and they had supported each other through their earliest endeavours. So while Twilight was Princess Celestia’s personal protégée, Armour was the Captain of the Royal Guard – practically no higher honour could be given to an ordinary Unicorn, and this one had certainly earned his way to the post.

That didn’t mean Twilight didn’t miss him, or wonder what he was doing. Certainly, he would not be having relationship issues!

Out of the six mares, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash had the least to worry about in regards to Rarity’s suggestion: Pinkie Pie was only interested in the matter as far as it might concern making friends and throwing parties.

Rainbow Dash dismissed the matter before she’d left the shop, and wouldn’t even remember that Rarity had made the suggestion – after all, it didn’t concern her or the Wonderbolts. Dash did not imagine anything changing between the six friends, now that they had become friends, even that egghead Twilight. Next Chapter: 3. The Value of a Gem Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 60 Minutes