Robert woke with a stiff leg and an even stiffer neck. He'd twisted at some point, with his head pushed up between two pillows, and a wing stuck out in the air. The leg was hanging off the bed, and the muscle had swelled somewhat overnight. He flexed his toes, and was pleased to see them move. At least those were working. It took a few minutes more to work the kinks out of his neck, but he managed it, and then pushed upright, or tried. Cloud beds are insanely soft, which is both a benefit and a draw back. While they make for an incredibly soft surface to sleep on, they give even water beds a run for their money in lack of traction. Robert found himself on an oversized slip and slide. He could have used his claws for traction, but he didn't want to damage the bed. After several minutes of trying, he managed to get himself into an upright if not sitting up position. Lying there, trying to get his wings to synchronize and co-operate, he suddenly had the urge to kick himself. He had WINGS. That meant that he didn't need traction to get up off the bed. He attempted then to apply face to mattress, as he'd done before, only to find himself sinking into the bed, despite the cloth. His wings finally settled their differences and beat once, lifting him up out of the bed. He managed to stand up so that when he landed, back in the bed, it was in a standing position. His leg hurt like mad, but it was working and he was glad to be able to stand on it. He walked, slowly and carefully to the edge of the bed, and stepped onto the floor gingerly. The leg didn't hurt nearly as bad after he'd worked out some of the stiffness by walking to the bathroom and back. He checked on the crown he was delivering and found it still in place and still intact. He checked out of the hotel, and offered the key back. The mare, the same one who was in at the desk the night before, shook her head.

“The keys are souvenirs. We enchant a bunch of them, and they lose power after a day or so. Anyone that stays longer gets a key they return, in addition to the souvenir. Any time a key doesn't get used, they just get reenchanted. she shrugged. "Plus it keeps ponies and such from taking OTHER souvenirs.” she winked at him. He laughed.

“Thanks, have a great day.”

“I'm off in half an hour, I'll have a great day then.” she laughed. Robert trotted gingerly out the door. He reached the platform, saw no one coming or going, trotted forward, then leaped from the edge of the platform and swooped away into the sky. The sky was thick with Pegasi as he approached Bridleway, but getting through them was a lot easier than through the ponies on the ground, since there was a third dimension to move in. He joined a throng on it's way past the theater, and dropped out of them just as they flew by. He caught himself and landed on the building across the street. He went down the fire escape and dropped off the lowest section, using his wings to cushion his landing as much as possible in the confines of the alley. He knocked again on the side entrance. There was a different pony this time.

“Hello?” the pony asked. “Can I help you?”

“I'm here to make a delivery to Coco Pommel?” Robert said and offered the card. The stallion examined it, then nodded. "Follow me.” Robert stepped inside, and followed the pony. A white coated pony with a two-tone blue mane was fussing over one of the costumes. "Ms. Pommel?” The stallion called. She held up a hoof, pinned the costume, and then turned to them. She started at Robert.

“Umm...” she managed articulately.

“I've got a delivery from Rarity Belle?” he offered, nodding at the box on his back.

“Oh, she didn't mention the delivery would be...” she shook her head. "Right, did she give you anything?” he pulled the card out and showed it to her. “Ah. I see. Well, that's very nice. Here, let's get that off you.” they struggled for a moment, when one of the actors arrived, and laughed at them.

“Hey, if you think you can do better.” the stage hand helping said. The unicorn actress laughed again.

“Of course, I can, I only need act like I know what I'm doing.” she posed. "Fortunately for you, I am an excellent actress.” her horn glowed with a bright red aura, and deftly undid the straps, then set the box down where Coco pointed. The box opened, and she inspected it for damage, but found none.

“Much better quality than what we've been using.” the unicorn actress chuckled.

“Hey, it wasn't that bad.” Coco defended.

“Sweetie? It was a Hayburger crown.”

“They give them away free.”

“To foals.”

“I paid that little filly good bits.” Coco replied. “And don't call me sweetie at work. I thought we talked about that.”

“I'm not working. Nothing that's this much fun could be called work.” the unicorn said, tossing her head. "Besides, you agreed that, I didn't.” she grinned. "Then again, considering what you were doing, I'd have agreed to just about anything.” Coco's face flared.

“N-no talking about that either.” she said.

“Well excuse me, if your cooking is amazing.” the unicorn smirked. Coco's face changed from embarrassment to outrage.

“You, you...” Coco spluttered. The actress kissed her forehead.

“You're so cute when you're righteously indignant.” she said, and then levitated the crown on her head. "Pay the... Tiger, and let's go annoy the director instead.”

“Oh, no need, I'm just doing a favor in exchange for a favor.” Robert pleaded.

“I insist.” Coco said, and dropped a bag of bits into his paw. “And I will not take no for an answer.” the unicorn threw a leg over her shoulders and hugged her close.

“That's my girl.” she laughed. "Have a safe trip.” she said to Robert, and drug the furiously blushing Coco off to presumably annoy the director. Robert shook his head, tucked the bag into his harness, and followed the pony who'd opened the door out.

“Thanks for not making too much of a scene. She tips everypony and some of them get all haired up about it.” he shook his head. "I know, she's trying to follow her idol's example, but she goes a bit too far with it sometimes.”

“Don't worry, I had to make at least a token effort.” Robert shrugged. He waved good-bye to the pony, and walked to the end of the alley. The question became, very quickly, whether to hang around Manehattan, or fly... home. True, Ponyville wasn't where he intended to settle, but for now it was home. It was also unfortunately for the next few days, going to play host to the utter imbecile known as Trenderhoof. And Robert was in no mood to have anything to do with the stallion. One might, correctly suspect that Robert lacked any particular interest in fashion, not least of the reasons being that all around him was pony fashion, which was fittingly enough being worn by ponies, and thus beyond his scope of interest. Indeed, it might be considered strange that such an unfashionable being would have even the vaguest recollection of exactly who Trenderhoof was, much less why Rarity had interest in meeting him.

However, the reasoning behind his knowledge and thus dislike, was entirely the fault of Rarity. If one were to spend time in her waiting room, one would discover only two types of magazines in her possession, and only one of these was the type that Robert had any interest in being found reading by any customer who happened to come in while he waited to talk with Rarity. So he knew more about fashion than he'd ever wanted. But he also knew enough to realize what kind of pony Trenderhoof was, and the answer, was not the kind of thing that he had any interest in sharing with any of his friends, particularly not the ones with easily hurt feelings. Fluttershy would probably understand though. So he decided to hang around town, and do a little shopping.

It was not that he enjoyed shopping. Truth be told, he considered it a chore more than anything, though in this case, the sheer variety made it more interesting. More though, he was shopping for friends, and that made it tolerable, if not enjoyable. The bag of bits he'd been given wasn't excessive, and he hadn't really expected it to be, but he was both careful and shrewd when it came to buying. His first stop was a store that sold certain items that required personalization and they specialized in it. He found exactly what he wanted there. The owner seemed surprised, as much at what he bought as who he was. The next stop was quite frankly an assault on his senses. It wasn't that the aromatic candles smelled bad, but to his nose, it was a horrifying cacophony of overlapping smells. He left with a purchase in a tightly sealed bag, paid well for, and a headache which was free of charge.

Twilight was an easy buy, especially once he found it in the rare bookstore. The manager had seemed to be very surprised anyone wanted to buy it, as much as the fact that he was finally managing to sell it. It was a little more expensive a gift than he'd intended, but... Pinkie, well, she wasn't too difficult to shop for. A selection of humorously themed cookie cutters, and a streamer gun. He'd even gotten a return customer discount when he mentioned Pinkie's name while trying to decide on the model of streamer gun.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash were the hard ones. The former because he didn't know terribly much about her. The latter because her interests were so narrow as to make her hard to shop for. He decided to wait and see if anything came to him regarding the orange earth pony and focus on Rainbow Dash. What did he know? She liked to go fast, which was not exactly a spectacular help, she liked the Wonderbolts, but he'd covered that pretty well with her birthday, and he wasn't sure anything except gift wrapping one of them could top what he'd already given her. She liked Daring Do, but there wasn't really a lot of memorable items. Signed copies were always nice, but it just wasn't special.

Ugh, two friends to try and work out what to buy for. Fluttershy wasn't as easy as Twilight, yet nor was she as hard as the terrible twosome. The pet store knew just what he wanted. It would require some assembly, but he knew a handy mare who'd jump at the chance to help.

Trotting from down town through a residential district, he heard screams of terror and turned just in time to see an orange filly, with a pink mane come pelting out of an alley, followed by a brown coated filly with a blue mane, and a very familiar yellow coated, redmaned filly, with a bow in her hair. Before he could ask what Applebloom was doing there, she screamed and pulled the other two behind him. Three more young ponies appeared around a corner.

“Robert, help!” Applebloom said.

“You know dis guy?” Babs asked.

“Yes.” Applebloom managed.

“Hey, you, gets outta our way. We's got some blank flanks to pound.” The none too bright leader of the group demanded. The two followers were slightly more intelligent and started to back off.

“Alright you three Goomba's don't moves a muscle.” Robert barked in a sharp impression of Babs accent. "Now you's got's me curious here. I'm wondering just what braincell, what is shared between the three o' ya's makes ya think I'm gonna let that happen?” the three froze in place.

“Now me, I come to this here fine city, on account a my boss asked me to whack somepony and after I'm on my way home to some relaxin', well deserved I might add, I run's into the three o' you harassin' my little friends here. You's gots somethin' to say fo' you'seves?”

Silence dominated the air for several moments until Robert broke it.

“I thought as much. Now you little miscreants, this is what's you gonna do. You's gonna apologize to the ladies, and you's gonna mean's it, then we's gonna be real perfect gentlecolt's and offer to escort them home.” Robert eyeballed them, nearly making one of the three lose control of his bladder. "Then you's gonna be good colts and be friends with thems as lives here permanent-like. And you's gonna protect them from the other bullies. Because if I hear's a word about you bullyin' dem again, I'm gonna come back and take care o' you, on the house so's ta speak. Capisce?”

“Capi-what?” the leader asked, brows furrowing.

“Capisce. It means 'I understand.'” Robert explained, careful to maintain his accent.

“Oh, yeah. Capisce, right boys?” The other two nodded immediately. "Look uh... ladies, we're real sorry about you know...”

“Being bullies?” Babs questioned.

“Pulling my tail?” the brown filly asked.

“Pickin' on mah accent?” Applebloom asked.

“Yes.” The three answered.

“Alright, I guess...” they answered after a moment.

“Can we... may we escort you home?” asked one of the more intelligent colts. The girls backed away, and talked it over amongst themselves.

“Yes, you may.” the brown filly said.

The colts followed the girls home, and dropped their friend, who he learned was called Jewel Mark, at her place, then took Applebloom and Babs to her parents. The girls went inside, and Robert turned his attention to the colts.

“Alright, the three of you go home, and I don't want to hear nothing from my little friends that you've been anything but helpful and nice, got it?” the colts nodded vigorously, and bolted. Robert glared until they were out of sight, then snorted with laughter. He turned to start away,but heard a voice.

“Hey, Robert?” Applebloom was at the door.

“Yes?”

“Aunt Seed said she'd like to meet you.” the yellow filly said, then she looked back at the sound of a voice he couldn't quite hear. "She'd also like you to stay for dinner.”

“What's for dinner?” Robert was fairly certain that if he ate any more leafy greens, he was going to turn into a head of lettuce.

“Mushroom Soup, Tofu Loaf, and Cheesecake for dessert.” Applebloom said.

“In that case, I'd be delighted.” Robert trotted up the walk and into the house. Babs mother was a strawberry roan earth pony with a dark red mane. Her father, he learned was rather surprisingly a pegasus with a bright pink coat, something which embarrassed him to no end, for reasons Robert could fully understand, and an equally embarrassing yellow mane. His tail on the other hand was jet black. Robert repressed a comment, but...

“And yes, I'm fully aware I appear to be the universe' most garishly painted caution sign.” he said it with sufficiently good nature, that Robert figured he'd heard it often enough to decide getting ahead of the joke was a good idea.

“I was going to say that you're lucky you produced a filly who takes the best of you two.” Robert said, pretending to be offended. "Of course, since you did bring it up, you could do wonders on the police force. Nothing like living caution tape to brighten up a crime scene.” Silence reigned for a long moment before the pegasus snorted with laughter.

“Oh, a jokester. So, do you double as a construction cone? Or do you always look like you've been run over?” the stallion jabbed. Robert snorted.

“Were you born following a horrible accident in a cotton candy factory?” he returned. A chorus of Oohs, Aah's and Aigh's accompanied each zinger as they appreciated a launch and return, and ate spoons of too hot soup respectively.

“If I pull your tail, do you strobe?” the stallion grinned. Robert took a moment to work out what 'strobe ' meant and then he chuckled.

“Does that mane glow in the dark when you get left out in the sun?” Robert asked.

“Only if I don't apply sunblock.” the stallion grinned. "Do you use magic to change your stripes?”

“No.” Robert said, breaking the rhythm. The stallion blinked.

“Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you.”

“It's alright, you didn't.” Robert said. Applebloom saved the day.

“Robert explained it to me Uncle John. Stripes to a tiger are like Cutie Marks to a Pony.” she clarified. "I know Cutie Marks can't be changed, but I guess stripes are the same?” she looked askance at Robert.

“Indeed. Though sometimes they will change on their own.” They seemed surprised. "Our talents are not so closely defined as those of ponies.” Robert shrugged.

“Ah, I see.”

“This is delicious.” Robert said, taking another bit of the Tofuloaf. "What's the secret?”

“Fresh Parsley. The dried kind just doesn't do it.” Babs mother smiled.

“It doesn't hurt that my dear Soy makes her own tofu.” her father said.

“Johnny, you know I don't make that much.” Soy shook her head.

“Yes, but what you make is awesome.” he said, and took a bite himself. The conversation lightened after that, until the meal was over.

“Well, I guess I'll be going.” Robert said, standing up, and stretching.

“You're welcome to stay on the couch.” Johnny offered. "I'd offer the guest bedroom, but we don't have one.” the others nodded agreement.

“Very well, I can't refuse such a polite offer, though I think I'll take the floor, rather than the couch. I'd rather not break your furniture.” Robert spent the night, wrapped in a couple of big blankets. The next morning, on his way out, he volunteered to walk the girls to school.

“Why'd you wanna walk us to school?” Applebloom asked.

“Two reasons. One, because if I stay at the house any longer, I'll keep getting invited to stay, and then I'll never get back to Ponyville.” Robert chuckled. Babs laughed.

“And the other one?” Babs asked.

“I wanted to impress further upon the bullies that I am looking out for you.” he smiled darkly. "I'm very serious, by the way, if they bother you, send me a letter. I'll come back and give them a refresher course in abject terror.” Robert laughed. Neither of them joined.

“That's kinda creepy.” Applebloom pointed out.

“I suppose it depends on the circumstances.” Robert shrugged. "Now, I have to figure out what to buy Applejack.”

“Why dja want to buy Applejack somethin'?” Applebloom asked. "Yere not sweet on her are ya?”

“Um no, definitely not.” Robert managed after a moment.

“You sayin' my sister's ugly?” the little yellow filly asked.

“Nope, but my fiancee might not like me dating ponies, or anyone else for that matter.” Robert said. Applebloom coughed. Babs raised an eyebrow. "However, I've bought something for each of my friends, except Applejack and Rainbow Dash. I have a bit of an idea for Rainbow, but I'm completely at a loss for Applejack. Any idea?”

“Maybe.” Applebloom said. "What'd you get me?” she asked, blinking her eyes at him.

“Present.” he replied. "Not telling, so don't start.”

“Awww...” Applebloom sighed. "She needs a new hatband.”

“Too practical. Doesn't she have any hobbies?” he asked.

“Nah, it's pretty much work, work, and more work.” Applebloom said.

“Why don't you get her something she'd never get for herself?” Babs suggested.

“Sounds good.” he considered it for a long moment. "Yeah, I think I know just what to do.”

“Umm... hello sir.” the colts from the night before were standing just inside the school grounds.

“Ah, I see's you's remembered respect for you's elders. This is good.” he waved a paw.

“Hello, girls. Can I help you with your books?” one of the others asked.

“Ummm... no thank you.” Applebloom managed. Robert saw them into the school, keeping his eye on the colts until they were out of sight. Then he turned and started downtown. The store he wanted, was one that had caught his eye the day before, but he'd been unsure if it had anything he wanted. Now he was certain it did, and he wasn't going to let it get away. The shop keeper was somewhat surprised to see her customer, but managed to stammer out a greeting before seeming a complete fool. Robert was perhaps among the last type she'd ever expected to see in her shop. Much less when he explained exactly what he needed. She was quite frankly dumbfounded, but agreed that she was the right place to go. It took nearly two hours, but the item was found and purchased, and tucked, safely and secretly in the bags he wore. There was of course, still Rainbow Dash. That was still proving absurdly problematic.

The mare was perhaps too simple, which was entirely the problem. If it could help her go fast, she wanted all she could get. If she could build a stunt around it, fantastic. If you could combine those? All the better. Add a Wonderbolt logo? She'd do anything you wanted. She was flat out over the moon for Daring Do. Unfortunately, there was only so much merchandise available, since the books weren't that popular. Which, Robert found something of an affront. He'd read them, most of the tigers he knew had. Perhaps even more than ponies, Tigers found action packed stories like that exciting. As much because the hunts they participated in now were more ceremonial than anything else.

Of course, a few tigers knew the author. Personally. Most simply knew who she was. The few that knew her personally, not a group Robert counted himself among, though not for lack of trying, were sworn to secrecy. And tigers took oaths like that very deadly seriously. He'd found out about it, and then never bothered to ask again. It wouldn't do any good. Not that he wanted to learn that way if it'd been closed off. That was part of the fun, the excitement. The tigers had all grinned at him, the pleasure of knowing a secret they weren't allowed to share, but one that they treasured all the same. He'd found them all, asked, not about the truth, but the oath. They'd all taken it, not that he'd expected any less. But you had to ask.

He'd spent a few summers hunting the truth. He'd never found it. Then he'd been side tracked by his training as a Shaman. He considered for a long few minutes finding out. It'd be a gift without price for Rainbow Dash. Then dismissed it as a fools notion. He couldn't find out in the time he'd allotted himself, and it was a waste to try.

So what else could he do? Presents such as those he might find for Rarity or Twilight, or even Applejack were out of the question. He could find things by the dozen for the others, even Applejack if he were to accept she had no life outside of work. But Rainbow Dash? True, she did have a job. She was a topflight weather pony. She'd proved her ability to control the weather with ease. Something he envied since she did it almost instinctively while she flew.

Of course, the fact that he'd learned to glide if not fly also did something for that. Wings were sensitive to such things, and while he'd not particularly cared about that, magic had a mind of it's own and had included it as part and parcel of the wings he'd made. Of course now that he was temporarily stuck with them, he could feel the weather, even as he sat watching the pegasi work it. His wings twitched, trying to urge him into the air with them. The fact, that he was still afraid of heights didn't factor into their urges at all. He pulled away, and headed further downtown. There were shops there, but he didn't even want to consider what she'd want out of those.

Passing through, he reached an area he'd never expected to find in a Pony city. A weaponsmithing area. There were dozens of blacksmiths, and armor and weapon smiths. He slowed down. Perhaps? Not a weapon, certainly. She wasn't for jewelry, or anything that would slow her down. He smiled suddenly and idea taking hold, and started talking to smiths of all varieties, to find who he wanted. It took a little more doing and a little more time than he'd intended to spend, but it would be worth it.

Hard Place was the perfect name for this particular smith, because he was as immovable when it came to negotiation, as his armor was when struck. Robert found himself pouring on the charm, and when that failed, trying to cajole him. The ash grey stallion, with a shaved mane, and leather wrapped tail was not the kind who could be intimidated, nor charmed by Robert's talent's at least. If he'd had Rarity or Fluttershy, he had no doubt they'd have no problem with it, but Robert lacked something they had.

“Look, I don't care. Posted prices are posted prices.” Hard Place snorted. He hadn't stopped his hammering once. Robert didn't mind in the slightest. The process fascinated him.

“Even for something you've never created before?: Robert countered. The heat was bothering him a little, and he carefully had his wings pulled away from his body, to allow air to circulate. He was keeping them still though. The forge could be sensitive to currents, and setting the place on fire was unlikely to help his cause.

“I've made everything. That's why I have a list of prices.” Hard Place answered. Robert sighed. With a cutie mark of a hammer and anvil, separated by a shield it was not hard to see where he'd gotten the name from. Still, Robert wasn't about to give up. This Hard Place had found a Rock.

“How much will you knock off if what I want is something you've never done before?” Robert asked, changing tactics. Hard place paused for a moment, the first time since Robert had arrived. He dropped the piece back into the coals to heat again and turned to look at him.

“The same fifty bits I'll add to the price if you're wrong, if it'll get you to leave my shop.” he said after a moment's consideration.

“Deal. I need a helmet, collapsible and capable withstanding an impact of three G's or greater, which when collapsed minimally impedes aerodynamic drag on a Pegasus in flight.” Robert said and waited.

“Fine, fifty bits off. I don't do the enchanting myself though.” Hard Place grunted.

“Don't worry, I've got another source for that.” Robert shrugged.

“Deal.” Hard Place offered his hoof and they shook. Robert offered to help, but Hard Place shook his head and waved him off. Robert hadn't expected to be told to help, but it was polite to at least offer. He sat down and watched.

Hard Place, he noted, hadn't even asked about fitting, which Robert found out wouldn't be necessary. “Why not?” he asked.

“If you're having it enchanted, it's a simple enough matter to add a fitting enchantment. Just make sure you let the enchanter know. Some of them forget. It's a pain to add it later if they do.” Hard Place sounded like he'd had to deal with that more than once. "Most of the time, I have to reforge it, so it can be enchanted properly. At least the Royal Guard enchanters know better than to make that mistake.”

Wen he was finished, he showed it off, and then collapsed it. “Let me know how it fares? I don't think I've ever done anything quite like it.”

“I will indeed. Thank you.” Robert paid him, then tucked it away. Now with all the gifts he'd wanted, he trotted to the edge of the city. True, he could have taken a cab, but he enjoyed the walk. He crossed the long rail bridge, and reached by following other pegasi, what was clearly a launching point. A few others were already in flight, waiting for those behind them in line. He waited his turn, then took off. He followed the flight path up, then just before falling into line with the others, he swung south. Several of the pegasi behind him gaped. They knew about the mountains, and how hard it would be to fly the distance. Not a one of them did anything more than watch him go, sticking to the safe air lanes.

Robert winged south over the woods, passing the small town he'd brought the couple too. There was a pegasus drawn wagon, and several prisoners were being loaded in by Royal Guards. Robert smiled and winged on. The mountain was just as cold as he'd left it. He spent a few minutes staring south as well, then leaped off and swooped down towards Ponyville. He arrived, just as Trenderhoof was being shown to his train. The train puffed away, and Robert flared his wings to land.

“Hello Everypony, what did I miss?”