Winter was here; and damn, did it come quick. I found it quite a shock to watch actual living creatures, mostly pegasi, shifting clouds and making the season happen. I say shock, though not in a bad way, perhaps awe was the right term.

Pinkie had begged to throw the party for Applejack and I, but with it snowing, the festivities were going to have to wait. Then Fireside came up with an idea, and I found myself where I was now.

The structure was put up in only a few hours I will say, was more like a round pole barn, open on all sides from about my hip height down, the peaked roof line had a big hole in it to let smoke out. Speaking of, a huge roaring fire was in the center of the open building. Gathered around it sitting on log benches was what I had taken the time to count to be nearly sixty ponies, among other folks.

At the time, I was leaning back on a bench, sitting on a blanket set on the ground and another up over my legs. I had a particular orange earth mare with cores of the greenest green leaning on me as everyone conversed with one another. Over near the fire, many of Ponyville’s foals including, but not limited to, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were roasting marshmallows. I smiled as I spotted a little grey pegasus colt was right in the middle of the three troublemakers. Good luck, little guy, I thought to myself.

Granny Smith was under a big blanket, as well, sitting in a rocking chair pulled over from the farmhouse. Next to her was old Grand Pear, the two chatting back and forth like old friends. I found myself scanning around more, just observing all the folks present, eating, talking and overall enjoying the chilly afternoon weather under the new pavilion as the snow fell around it.

Lightning Dust looked a little out of sorts, despite the fact that Discord, Trixie, and Starlight were over talking with her. Kind of a rogue’s gallery, I thought to myself, but one of reformed ponies… and one, whatever the hell Discord was. Lightning would come around, as she made new friends in Ponyville. She had decided to move here, I knew a few were going with her to help pack her things when she left on the train tomorrow.

There was food all over the place, long tables filled with everything you could think of. Right now, Pinkie and the Cakes were slicing up pies and a huge cake, serving it to ponies in line. I felt a nudge and I glanced over to see Jackie looking up at me with a warm smile.

“Ain’t so bad, being around others, is it,” she commented, in less a question and more of a statement. I smiled at her and gestured to where Twilight had her wing up over Rainbow Dash, the two fluffed up a bit and talking quietly.

“No, I guess. I really did miss being around people,” I responded.

Applejack snorted. “Ponies,” she corrected, and I rolled my eyes. I was going to retort when something tapped my shoulder and a voice caught my attention.

“Shane, would you sing one of the songs from your world for us?” turning my head to look at a wall of cute. I mean, really, we are talking diabetes-inducing, heart-stopping, weaponized cute, as fifteen colts and fillies gazed up at me with wide, hopeful eyes.

Lifting my arm from around AJ, I leaned back and grabbed my old guitar in its case and gave a neutral sigh. “I guess I can do that.” At that, a cheer went up from all the Ponyville residents. The ones from other places lifted ears and turned looking over at me.

As I unzipped the soft bag and pulled it out, I looked around, and spotted Cort. He gave me a wink from where he sat, cuddled up close to Golden. Now I knew who had sent the foals over to ask.

I exhaled and pondered, looking around more. I noticed a old cowboy of a dark grey earth pony sitting with Mayor Mare; the two looked quite close. I knew who they were, and the story behind them now, as AJ had told me about. I wish them luck, I really do.

A few chords plucked off as I thought, then a song came to me. Conversations quieted down, and most of everyone there turned their undivided attention to me.

On the eighth day, God noticed a problem
There below him, stood a cowboy alone
Stubborn and proud, Reckless and loud
God knew he wouldn’t make it, on his own
So god looked out, all over creation
And he listened, as that cowboy prayed
God took Passion and Thunder
Patience and wonder, and he sent down,
The best thing, God ever made

As I wound up into the chorus, I looked about. While many were simply enjoying the song, there were the salt of the earth types. The earth ponies who worked the fields and farms, the unicorns who slaved away building items, pegasi like Derpy who leaned into the earth pony next to her, who knew hard work. They all seemed to be reflecting on the words, perhaps understanding the meaning deep in them.

Cowboys and Angels, Leather and Lace
Salt of the Earth, meets heavenly grace
Cowboys and Angels, tested and tried
It’s a long way to heaven
but one hell of a ride.

Applejack leaned into me more, and I felt her leg slide around me a bit. I sure didn’t mind, Right now it felt nice to have someone pressed tight. It just didn’t matter that it wasn’t a woman, but a mare, a strong, sure, cowgirl of a mare.

Nothin’s changed since, the dawn of creation
For you will find them, together today
And only heaven above them, knows why she loves him
But he must be the reason, she don’t fly away

I wound back up into the chorus and just about every voice there softly joined in. It wasn’t heartsong, no, but they seemed to get the jist of the song from the first round of the chorus.

Cowboys and Angels, Leather and Lace
Salt of the Earth, meets heavenly grace
Cowboys and Angels, tested and tried
It’s a long way to heaven
but one hell of a ride
It’s a long way to heaven
but one hell of a ride

As I came to the close of the song, I looked up to hooves stomping, ponies cheering, smiles all around, and general warm feelings. Out of the corner of my eye, that old grey stallion kissed Mayor Mare on the top of her head, and she leaned into him more. The sight made me beam even brighter.

As ponies and the couple of small gryphons in the group talked and went back to enjoying the fire, Fluttershy glanced over at me, speaking in her usual soft, polite volume. “Shane, was that another one from... oh dear, what was his name?”

I smiled, nodding. “Garth Brooks, yes, Fluttershy. How did you guess?”

The buttermilk yellow pegasus curled her lips. “He has a cadence to his words, a style. At least, I think so. Both songs share a kind of, well, I guess you could call it a feel.”

It was about ten minutes later when Cortland stood up and cleared his throat. “Everypony, can ah get a moment of yer time?” A lot of confused faces turned to look at him, including Golden. He glanced down at her.

“Jus’ about a year ago, I met this mare, earth pony, strong as they come. Met her during a trainin’ exercise, and we got to talk’ng.” The mare in question started to blush. I glanced over at the orange one leaning on my side, and I looped my arm around her, pulling her a bit closer.

“Well, we got to hangin’ out and such, but that was about it. Then we met that big ugly hairless monkey over there sitting with the pretty Apple gal,” he gestured at me, getting a lot of laughs from everyone around.

“Anyways, we got assigned ta’ keep an eye on him. So we spent a lot more time together, an’ soon we were going on dates. Somehow she put up with this dumb ol unicorn,” he continued, looking down at her. “Could ya stand up a moment there, Golden?”

She stood and looked at him, puzzled as he got down on his foreknees. “Ah ain’t right without ya, and ah know ah ain’t easy to get along with sometimes. However, Golden, ah love you and, if you would say yes, ah would put a ring around that hoof of yours.”

Her shocked eyes sprang wide as sauce pans and tears welled up. We all saw her nod in shocked “C-C-Cortland, I—yes!”

As the words left her mouth, everyone, including myself and Applejack, burst out into cheers and applause, watching the two betrothed embrace in a hug tight as can be.

Looking back over at AJ’s eyes, catching her looking up at me, I smiled warmly and pulled her in closer. She rested her head on my chest with her legs around me best she could. My other arm tugged the blanket up around us both a bit more.

This party was not bad at all.

---

It wasn’t but a few days later when I was walking down the center of the farmer’s market district. Most of the booths were closed down for the season, though a few remained open. I was just getting to the end of the row when I heard somepony yelling, “Stop, you little thief!“

Turning to look, I spotted a little foal of some kind in a beat up and well-used coat with a hood, and was sprinting away from Barnyard Bargains. Frowning, I watched, tracking where the runner was going, then moved. Rather than give myself away, I calmly slipped between the buildings and waited in the back row.

The little hooded foal came around the corner full tilt, looking behind him, and crashed right into my foot as I lifted it and put it in his way. He tumbled over and over to then smash into a barrel with a thud.

Shifting, moving over to him, I looked down at the heap, my frown retaining as I crossed my arms. “Now, what has you in an all fire hurry, son?”

The hood fell back as the pony looked up at me, and the first thing that met my gaze was a white head with a brown patch over one eye and a dark brown mane. “Pipsqueak?”

The frightened colt sputtered. “Ranger McDonald, s-sir, I um, I-I was just…”

I lifted my hand. “Don’t bother telling me a lie, son.” I squatted down. “And don’t you go trying to run off,” I said, reaching out to help him up on his hooves. “The truth, now.”

I watched him as tears welled up in his eyes. He reached back under his coat and pulled out three little boxes. “I just... Hearth’s Warming is coming, you see, sir. Being an orphan and living at the orphanage, I don’t have a lot of bits. I wanted to...” he sniffled. Tears started to fall down his cheeks. “I just wanted to get something for my friends.”

Reaching out, I took the boxes and looked at him as he stood there, head down, crying softly. Pondering the little boxes and then glancing back at him. I stood up slowly, one knee popping audibly. “It is no excuse to steal from others Pipsqueak, now come on.”

The tears collecting at the bottom of his widened eyes grew bigger. “A-are you g-going to lock me up?”

I exhaled and gestured. “That way, move.” I ordered, and we walked. I took note of his confusion as we were returning to the scene of his crime.

Walking into Barnyard Bargains, I looked over at the cashier, a young yellowish earth pony mare with green mane. “Mr. Rich back in his office?” I motioned a hand.

She gave a nod. “Y-yes, Ranger.”

I gave Pip a little nudge with my boot and gestured. “Get to walking.”

Knocking on the door first, I opened it to see a surprised Filthy Rich, sitting at the desk with his little pink daughter. He stood up and looked down at Pip. “Ranger, I see you have caught the thief. I wish to press full charges.”

Diamond gave a little surprised gasp. “P-Pip? Pip, what did you do?” At her question, the little paint colt try to hide his face from her.

I looked the brown stallion in the eye and gave a nod. “That is your right, sir, and I will start the paperwork, but…”

He cocked his head. “But… there is a story isn’t there?”

I gave Pip a nudge with my boot again. “Sit, and you tell Mr. Rich everything. Go on, now,” I said, pointing to one of the chairs.

---

Twenty tear filled minutes later, the little colt sobbed softly as he explained his story. “S-s-so t-that is w-why, sir.”

Diamond Tiara, despite the fact the poor colt had stolen from her father, was right at Pip’s side and holding him in a hug. I watched them for a moment, then glanced up at Filthy Rich, who focused on the two foals. He turned his head and looked at me for a few seconds in silence, then cleared his throat.

“Pipsqueak I am very disappointed in you. This is no way for a good colt—and the class president—to be acting,” watching the Trottingham colt tuck in harder shamefully.

“Now, I think we can come to an arrangement. You will come work for me, everyday after school one hour. On the weekends, you will come work for four hours. In turn, once you have paid off what you took,” gesturing to the boxes. “You will be allowed to take them with you, and if you so choose, you may continue to work for me. Paid a fair wage for your work.” He glanced at me and smiled, then looked back at the boy and his shocked daughter.

“Ranger McDonald, do you find this a suitable punishment under the law? The boy is, after all, quite young.”

I exhaled and glanced at the two then back to him. “If you feel this is fair, then I can let it stand.” My gaze shifted back at the paint-coated colt. “Don’t squander this chance, son. You were just handed a golden ticket to redemption.”

Pipsqueak looked at me, then up at Mr. Rich, his expression taking a full turn. “Yes, sir, I will sir! I will work harder than anypony ever has for you, sir. Thank you, sir, thank you!”

Filthy gave a firm nod. “Diamond, take your friend and get him cleaned up, then go to the storage closet and get him three uniform shirts and two uniform aprons, please,” looking at Pip again. “They are to be clean, and presentable when you walk in every day. You may keep them here in one of the lockers, if you need them washed talk with Miss Daisycutter my secretary. She will see they are laundered. Am I clear?”

He gave another nod. “Oh, yes, sir. Thank you again, sir,” as he turned and left the office with the pink filly.

I glanced over at the stallion. “Thank you, Rich, boy deserves a chance.”

Sitting down, he exhaled. “He has a good heart, just misplaced his common sense. I will make sure he finds it again.”

I rose up and was about to turn to go when the door opened again. “I don’t care who my husband is meeting with. Do remember that, Ms. Daisycutter, do not forget your place.”

Part of me wanted to facepalm, I knew this mare. How in the hell somepony, as nice as Filthy is, ended up with a witch like this one.

She turned, then frowned. “What is that... creature... doing in here, Filthy?” looking right at me.

Before he could answer, I cleared my throat “I was just on my way out” then I smiled looking her right in the eyes. “Spoiled Milk”

I saw anger flash in her eyes, and she sputtered. “You monster, you attacked the good prince! You don’t belong in public. Now, get out of here before you soil our good reputation!”

I glanced at Filthy and gave him a nod, making note of his apologetic look. “Mr. Rich,” tipping my hat to him respectfully. I turned and strode past the big ugly-nosed pink mare without saying a word more to her. The door slammed behind me and I shook my head, already the sound of her grating voice coming through the wood door as she nagged away at her spouse.

“Fucking bitch,” I muttered as I turned and made my way out.