After Zikel said his goodbyes to the royal sister, he made his way back to Ponyville. It was getting rather late by the time he returned there. He wasn't sure where he should go. back to the same alley and into the shadows once more. He walked through the square of the city, his scarf and hood completely covering his face. Getting mixes of ponies who were either frightened or curious. he takes a seat at the fountain and goes into deep thinking mode, his claws lightly rubbing against his chin. they began to whisper about him

"What do you think he wants? He has been here for at least two days now."

"I don't know. But I hope he isn't here to eat ponies... or destroy our town!"

Zikel was too deep in thought to pay attention to the gossiping ponies. He then noticed three small shadows approaching him, his gaze lifts up to three little fillies gazing at him with big adorable eyes. He tilts his head at them.

"Something I can help you little ones with?"

"Well sir, we heard there was a big scary dragon roaming around town. But you...aren't exactly what we thought you were."

Said the orange and purple maned filly.

"Yeah, we thought you were much bigger and scarier lookin'. You are big yes, but not like actual dragons."

Said the one of the others said. Zikel noticed she had the same accent as Applejack. Maybe they were related?

"You actually...seem pretty nice sir. My sister told me that you were quite a gentlecolt. She wasn't lying."

Said the white unicorn with multi-colored hair.

"Well,thank you girls. Its funny, three little girls aren't afraid to come up to me, but all these older ponies take one look at me like I am some kind of demon."

They all four laughed at that, they moved closer to him, he reached into his inner robe pocket and pulled out a bit. The princesses were kind enough to give him some currency before he departed. He holds it in front of them.

"You girls wanna see a neat little trick? It's actually fairly easy."

They nodded their heads excitedly, there eyes on the coin.

""Alright, pay attention now!'

He said as he rolled the coin from one finger to the next. They watched with awe and then flinched back as he clapped his hands together, he then pulled his hands apart and revealed that the coin was...gone!

"Wh-where did it go?!"

They all asked in unison. They looked up at him with eyes the size of small plates. He grinned lightly and reached over to the yellow filly in the middle of the group, she closed her eyes, expecting something back, but it never came. he grabbed her ear gently and rubbed it, then removed the coin from it. He then chuckles and holds it out in front of them.

"Tadaaaaa."

The three fillies smiled brightly and clapped their hooves together. Zikel smiled again and stood up, taking a deep bow.

"That was pretty neat mister. Got anymore cool tricks to show us?"

She reminded him of somepony...like a smaller version of-

"Applenloom!"

"Sweetie Belle!"

"Scootaloo!"

Shouted three different voices, he saw two of the three pony he met earlier running towards them with worried faces. The other flying at him with a glare that was threatening to stab through him. As soon as they got to the group, they pulled the three fillies away from him. Zikel frowned a bit at this. If its one thing he hated. Its when kids are enjoying his show, and the parents or elder siblings pulls them away simply because of how he looks.

"Please forgive Sweetie Belle darling...she is only curious is all..."

"Please ladies I-"

"You better not have been trying to hurt Scootaloo bub!"

"If you would let me explain-"

"Ah told you not to go near him Applebloom, and yet you went and did it anyways!"

"LADIES!!"

They all froze as he shouted at them, he did so to stop them from scolding the fillies.

"Its alright, I don't mind their company honestly. I was giving them a little magic show was all.. Like the ones I told you about back home. Please don't be upset with them. At least they have more guts to approach me, more than I can say for all the adults around here."

The girls looked up at him with big smiles and puffed out their chests a bit. It seems that Rainbow Dash wasn'ttoo happy with that comment,she gets in his face, nearly touching nose to nose.

"I ain't afraid of you dragon boy. You are no scarier than Spike!"

Zikel grins darkly and takes a hold of her head with his claws, a fierce look in his eyes now appear and he draws out his dagger and places it against her neck. Her body goes stiff and her eyes widen with fear, the others gasp at him and watch in horror. After a moment. he sheaths his dagger and releases her. Laughing a bit.

"You sure about that? I believe I just saw fear in your eyes, I can see you still shaking."

"N-no I am not! I was just...surprised is all!"

He looked to the fillies, who looked at him disapprovingly at first, but they couldn't help but giggle a little.

"See? Even they know I would never really hurt anypony here...shake them up a little sure. But I will never bring harm to anypony here unless they are bringing harm to others."

The three fillies escaped their siblings and ran right back up to him, wrapping their forelegs around his legs.

"You know what mister? You are pretty cool yourself. You should come by and visit our club house some time!"

"Yeah, he could go on adventuress with us!"

"Ah second the motion!"

Rarity begins to protest.

"Now girls, I don't think Zikel here would care much for-"

"Sure thing, I would be happy to accept your invitation."

The three old ponies dropped their jaws a bit as he said yes. They jumped around him cheering. His gaze turns to them.

"Don't you ladies worry now, I will make sure these three stay out of trouble. And should they get into it. I will bail them out of it."

Sweetie Belle seemed especially attached to him, she looked up into his eyes and blushed a bit. A thought running through her head

"He is actually...kind of handsome when you look at him.."

Rarity saw the look on her little sister's face and couldn't help but giggle, pointing out what was going on.

"Careful mister tall dark and handsome. My sister looks like she is getting a crush on you."

"A-am not!"

Zikel chuckles softly and kneels down in front of the little unicorn. Lightly patting her on the head.

"Now now Sweetie Belle, its rather adorable you feel that way about me...but consider I am much older than you. Come back to me when you are a grown mare...then we will talk. until then, all I can be is your friend."

She seemed to lower her head in disappointment, but understood and smiled. Applejack came up to him now.

"So Zikel, where ya plannin' to live now that you're here?"

"Honestly Applejack...I haven't a clue. I was thinking I would build my home from the ground up somewhere. Or turn the interior of a cave to something more livable. I think it should be outside of town though. Don't want to cause trouble for anypony else because of a dragon living there."

"Oh sweetie you will be fine. After all, Spike lives with Twilight! I am sure we could help you find a nice place within the town!"

"Uum...Rarity...I have seen the doors on the building...I would have to nearly crouch to get into them."

"Well we can't just have ya sleepin' out in the streets!"

"Well,honestly that's how I grew up. Would be nothing new for me."

"Honestly guys, I could care less where he stays. As long as he doesn't try anything bad. Who cares?"

Zikel noticed, even before the stunt he pulled earlier on her, Rainbow Dash hasn't been too fond of him.

"Rainbow! Don't be so rude to him! He is somepony without a home!"

"Indeed, He is new to this world any you are insulting him like he has done something wrong! Shame on you!"

Zikel puts a hand out in front of Rarity and Applejack, he then approaches Rainbow Dash and locks eyes with her.

"Now you listen here. I could care less what you think about me. Or that you don't like me. But you need to straighten up your attitude. I am trying to make peace around here and make a few friends. But if you don't want to be my friend, then don't. But that doesn't mean that your friends can't be mine either. You don't control their lives. Got it?"

She was about to protest against him, but he was right. She growled at him and flew off, knowing that she was beaten. And she really hated to lose. Zikel turned to look at the others and rubbed the back of his head.

"Sorry...did I go too far?"

"Not at all darling. You were well within your right."

"Yeah, she was goin' way outta line there. We aren't gonna hold it against ya sugarcube."

"Thanks ladies. You are both very kind to me."

Rarity ran up to his side and wrapped her forearms around his arm

"First things first, we need to get you a place to live! There is an open plot in the city here that hasn't been built upon yet. And the land is up for sell. We will go see the Mayor, and then we will get you started! But until your house is complete, I insist you come and live with me and Sweetie Belle!"

Zikel's eyes widen a bit and kept his feet firm on the ground.

"N-now hold on a minute Rarity...that is sweet of you to offer really it is! But uh...I am sure you don't have enough room for someone my size! Yeah, that's it!"

"Besides Rarity, it wouldn't be good for you're customer flow, to have aa dragon livin' with ya and all."

Rarity knew what Applejack said was true, she whined and released his arm reluctantly.

"I have plenty of room over at muh place at the farm. He can stay in the loft of the barn.t Its nice and cozy up there with all the hay."

"I...don't think that will be wise Applejack. If you have other family members other than little Applebloom here. I don't think they would welcome me. But if it makes you feel any better. I will find someplace other than a dark alley. I just don't want to impose on any of you."

"You really are a sweetheart...putting others first before yourself. I could really fall for a pony like you Zikel."

Rarity said to him teasingly. Zikel was glad he had his scarf over his muzzle, so she couldn't see the blush forming over his scales.

"That...is very nice of you to say Rarity...um how about we go and find that land huh?!"

He said quickly changing the subject. They agreed and took him to the the Mayor, she agreed to allow him to pay the land off in installments, and that the first pay-off was free. She understood that he was new to this world as well. And took it easy on him. As they reached to plot of land, Zikel noticed...it was actually a pretty open spot, no surrounding neighbors at all! This was good. Zikel picked up the sign and tossed it aside, wiping his hands together and placed them on his hips. It was going to be a long month for him. But at least he would have his own home once more.

As he saw his new friends off to go do their own business, Zikel saw the sun was now fully gone, and the moon had risen. he decided he would return to the tree that he had made into his favorite nap spot. Not many go by there anyways so he won't be bothered, nor will he bother anyone else. When he gets to the branch that he is comfortable with. He sighs and looks up at the moon. It was so beautiful. The stars shown brightly and the wind was all he could hear going through the tree's leaves. He felt this would be a good night, and he didn't waste anytime.

He reaches into his void satchel, a bag of his own making and pulls out a full sized lute. That's right, he enjoyed music just as much as his performances. But he kept his music to himself. he strummed it a few times, making sure it was in tune. He began slowly, closing his eyes and listening to the notes echo in the area, his fingers working expertly as he played the song that was taught to him by his mother. He gently rocked back and forth, remembering all the good times he had back in his home world. before this all happened.

As he was playing, somepony was approaching, but then they stopped as they saw and heard his music. It was Twilight Sparkle. She had been coming back from an errand and came across him now. Her eyes widened in awe and her jaw dropped. She stood there for a long time, watching and listening to him intently. She couldn't explain it, but the song made her feel so...warm and safe. And to see such an intimidating creature play such lovely sounds from a lute. It made her remember back to one of her reports on friendship

"Never ever judge a book by it's cover. They may look fierce and unfriendly, but you get to know them and then they become your greatest ally...."

The song went on for a bit longer, after he strums the final note, all went quiet. He then heard to sound of hooves clapping together, his eyes snapping open to see Twilight was there, starring up at him with the biggest smile ever. Zikel rubbed the back of his head nervously.

"I...didn't know I had an audience.."

She trotted closer to the tree and nodded.

"You sure did. And I thought it was absolutely beautiful. You are quite gifted Zikel."

"Oh..it was just a song my mother taught me before she died. She used to play it for me every night before I went to bed when I was a baby. I miss her and my father very much. But I know they are in a better place."

Twilight nodded and thought about something for a moment. Then nodded firmly again then looked up at him.

"Rarity and Applejack told me that you purchased a plot of land for a home. But you have no place to go. I insist that you come and stay at the castle with me. You won't be imposing, and I have plenty of space."

"You are very kind to offer Twilight. But as I said to them. I cannot accept such a nice offer. Especially since you barely even know me."

"But I want to get to know you Zikel. The princesses told me of your visit. I want to be your friend to..."

Zikel looked down at the pony. Her purple eyes filled with a hopeful stare. He sighed and slid off the branch and on his feet, walking to her.

"If I come and stay with you and Spike. I am going to look for a job I need to save up as I am getting my home ready. And I will not freeload off of you. Those are my terms."

Twilight jumped for joy as he said that.

"YES! I accept them!"

She wasted no time in dragging him along with her magic. Zikel's mind was racing. This could be a good thing....right?

Next Chapter: Act 7: First Day On The Job Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 28 Minutes