I began the day by walking through town. Ponyville is such a lovely place. And then she popped out of nowhere. "HI!" I fell backwards onto the ground. Once I could focus again, I saw this pink mare standing over me. "You're new here aren't you? I'm Pinkie Pie! What's your name? Do you like candy?"

I couldn't even begin to answer all her questions before another mare walked up. "Pinkie Pie, do stop pestering the poor dear with questions. We don't want to frighten him off." She was a pretty mare, I'll admit that. "It's okay. I don't mind." I turned to Pinkie Pie. "By the way I do like candy." That sure brought a smile to her face. I turned to the other mare. "My name's Speedy Quill."  The mare smiled. "I'm Rarity and you've already met Pinkie."

Well an interesting introduction to Ponyville, huh? I had just met a very random pony and a very dignified pony. Nice contrast. But by lucky coincidence I had now met two of the mares I had been looking for. "It's nice to meet you both. Umm...do you know where I could find a Twilight Sparkle?" Pinkie started jumping around. "Of course we do! She's our best friend! Follow me!" She started hopping away. I looked at Rarity and she smiled and started walking after Pinkie. "Well we'd better get going. Twilight's probably at the library."

So we were off to the library. Pinkie hopped along just ahead of me and Rarity.  Rarity looked at me. "So you're new to Ponyville aren't you?" I nodded. "Yeah. I just came from Fillydelphia. I wanted to get away from the busy city life." Pinkie stopped hopping and fell into step with Rarity and me. "Well you picked the right place. Ponyville is the greatest! Oh look!" And she was gone again. But not out of sight. She had only zoomed ahead to the library which we had now arrived at.

We entered the library and the first thing I spotted was a young dragon sorting books. My mouth dropped open slightly. I hadn't expected to find a dragon here. The dragon turned to us. "Hi guys! How's it goin'?" Pinkie Pie started hopping around the library. I guess hopping is her thing. Rarity rolled her eyes and turned to the dragon. "Spike dear, is Twilight around?" The dragon, Spike, smiled. "I'll go get her." He ran out of the room.

It wasn't long before Spike returned with Twilight. She eyed Pinkie, who was now making a tower out of some books, and then turned to me and Rarity. "Hi Rarity. Who's your friend." Before Rarity could answer though, Pinkie was right next to me, her hoof around my shoulder. "This is Speedy Quill. He's new in town. He wanted to meet you." Twilight looked at me and smiled. "Really?" I smiled nervously and nodded. "I've heard a lot about Ponyville, or more specifically I've heard a lot about you and your friends." Rarity's eyes sparkled at that comment. "Really. You've heard of us. That means ponies are talking about us! We're famous!" She started hopping around. And of course Pinkie joined in.

As the two happy hoppers went at it, Twilight looked back at me. "So are you just visiting or are you an official member of Ponyville?"  Do you know how hard it is to focus when there are two ponies hopping around you? I did my best to ignore them. "I guess I'm a member. I live just past the clock tower." Twilight smiled. "That's where Fluttershy lives. You must be her neighbor." I thought for a moment. I had noticed a cottage on my way to town. I guess that must be where this Fluttershy lived, though I hadn't seen her. Twilight's voice interrupted my thoughts. "Why don't we go meet her. It's good to get to know your neighbors." She began walking towards the door. She stopped and looked at Rarity and Pinkie. "Come on you two." Rarity stopped hopping. She seemed to realize how silly she must have looked because she straightened up and walked out the door in a very dignified manner. Pinkie on the other hand hopped right out the door. I followed the three mares. We were off to meet Fluttershy.

I walked beside Twilight as she told me about Ponyville. It was interesting and all, but I was more interested in her and her friends. "So what can you tell me about yourselves?" Rarity fell into step with Twilight and me. "Well I run the boutique of course. I am a rising fashion designer." Hmm... distinguished, yes. Humble, maybe not so much. "That must be fun. I'm sure everypony in Equestria will be wearing your designs someday." She actually blushed. I wasn't trying to be charming. I don't think I can be charming.

I turned to Twilight. "What about you?" She smiled. "I study magic. I came here from Canterlot. I'm Princess Celestia's personal student." My mouth dropped slightly. "You're a personal student of the Princess?" Another smile and a nod. Impressive. At that moment Pinkie bounced in front of me. "And what about Pinkie?" Twilight stopped walking. She actually seemed puzzled. "Well Pinkie is..." She looked at Rarity. Rarity seemed just as confused by the question. She stammered to answer. "Our dear Pinkie is...well she's just Pinkie." Twilight nodded. "Exactly. And that's the way we like her." We began walking again.

It wasn't long before we were on the road towards my home. I could see a cottage growing closer. It was the same cottage I had passed on my way into town. "So that's where Fluttershy lives?" Pinkie bounced around me. "Yep! That's Fluttershy's house!" She raced ahead towards the cottage. We caught up to her and Twilight knocked on the door. I heard hoofsteps and a quiet voice. "Coming." The door opened and...

Wow. I mean...wow. She. Was. Beautiful.

I don't really remember the next minute or so. Somehow we wound up inside the cottage. I was brought back to earth when I heard Rarity introduce me. "Fluttershy, this is your new neighbor." I turned to Fluttershy. I really hope I don't look too stupid. She probably thought I was stupid. I opened my mouth. What was I supposed to say again? "H-hello. My name's Speedy Quill." Fluttershy smiled. "Hello. I'm Fluttershy." She talks soft. I don't mind that. She seems a little...shy. Makes sense I guess if she's named Fluttershy. I had become so focused on the beautiful pegasus before me I hadn't even noticed that there were two other ponies with her. All I remember is that their names were Applejack and Rainbow Dash.

I hope nopony noticed my stammering, or my staring at Fluttershy the whole time we were there. I was sad when the sun set. I had to get home to write down some notes, but I didn't want to leave. So when Twilight said she had to head off, I forced myself to say the same. We walked out together and down to the road. "Well...goodnight" I started to walk away. "You are so lucky she didn't catch on to you." I stopped in my tracks. I looked at Twilight. She winked. "Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me." She walked away.

Well...my first day in Ponyville was a day to remember. I met the ponies I set out to meet. And Twilight was right. It is good to get to know your neighbors. Next Chapter: Blank Flank Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours