I walked with the girls, hiding behind them as not to be seen. They may understand the circumstances of my eye, but nopony else did. Twilight looked back at me, and seemed to understand my fears. She motioned for the others to stop, and walked up to me. "Tinder, you don't have to be afraid of your appearance. Or what others will think of it." She said. "Yeah! You did it to save a life!" Rainbow Dash agreed. I looked at the ground and frowned. "It's not that..." I said. Their looks became one of confusion. "What is it then partner?" Applejack asked. I sighed, looking back up to the mares. They were still confused. If only they knew what the reactions were, the amount of scared tears that had been shed... "It's just... I don't like how I feel when I scare somepony. Just by looking at me, what kind of fear I can invoke... And that's with the ones back home. I can only imagine what it will be like here." I say, hanging my head once more. I feel a hoof lift my face, soon seeing Twilight look at me. "Don't worry about it. We can help you through it. Right girls?" She said, turning to look at them. I also observed them, seeing nodding heads. "Of course darling! One can easily see that you have a good heart. I truly believe you will fit in very nicely." Rarity said. I sighed.

We arrived in town a few minutes after that. I can't really say I'm excited. Right off the bat, somepony gave a shriek and ran when they saw me. Sighing, I sat down, staring at the ground with a frown. "I knew that would happen." I said. Why shouldn't I? It always happened. Even my mom winced at it every once in a while. I heard hooves coming toward me. Lowering her head, Twilight once again looked at me. To which I turned my good eye away. "Tinder, I'm really sorry about that, we just have to show you around some more." She said. I scoffed. She stood and took my hoof, against my will, and made me stand. "Come on, we'll show you." She said again. I looked back to her, her eyes looked sympathetic, and her smile was one of care. I sighed for what felt like the millionth time that day. "Fine." I replied coldly. The girls showed me around, pointing out major areas such as the library, a sweet shop called Sugar Cube Corner, Rarity's fashion shop (never going there), and other places. By the time the tour was over, I was about to leave, but Pinkie called out to me. "What?" I asked, slightly annoyed. "Please stay... We want to know more about you." Her voice was so full of sadness, I couldn't refuse her. Closing my wings, I touched down on the ground, following them to a restaurant. "I don't have any money..." I said as I hung my head. Twilight smiled.
"That's okay, we'll just pay for you." I looked around, the mares didn't seem to disagree. I don't get it, why is somepony going through all this trouble for me? The waiter eventually arrived and gave us our menus, jumping when he saw my face. Not again... I covered my eye with my hood and looked away. "What is wrong with your eye kind sir?" He asked. I'm not answering. How could I? I can't just go flaunting that story everywhere. The story brings pity, and I have no need or want for it. I hate it.

"Sir, he... he's new here, and he's really sensitive about it. We're doing this so he can feel welcome." I heard Fluttershy say. Turning my good eye back to the waiter, he looked at me sympathetically, and nodded. "I will give you a moment to decide what you want. I will grab you some water and be back in a moment." He said as he walked away from a smile. Humiliated, I placed my head on the table, just wanting to stay there. Not have to look at anypony anymore. "Tinder..." I heard as somepony shook my shoulder. I looked up to see Twilight once again looking at me with concern. She gasped quietly, and wiped underneath my eye. I caught on to what was happening. I was crying. Once again shame flooded me, as I hung my head, forelegs crossed on the table. "You see?" I asked. "Everypony is frightened by it." I said. Twilight looked to the other mares, and seemed to ask a question with only her eyes. They all nodded, which caused her to smile. She turned to me once more. "Tinder, do you think you would like to come with us to a play we're seeing tonight? You look like you need some time out." I just stared, in shock. "You... you actually want me around? Even with my eye being so bad?" I asked. Nopony had ever asked me to spend time with them before. Save for Galaxy, but she was special. The mare nodded. "Especially with your eye, we want to spend time with you. I can tell you're going to fit in really well." She said as she placed her hoof on mine. I looked down to her hoof touching mine. Her touch was warm, kind, caring, so... so much like hers... How much I still missed her... Smiling, I rose my head back to her. "Thank you."

Over the next couple of hours, the mares simply walked, or flied (in Rainbow and Fluttershy's case) around talking, making sure I was in on the conversation. I realized I was doing something I hadn't done in a long time. Enjoying myself. They asked me about my home, what it was like, what kind of ponies lived there. Truth is, we are just like any other kind of pony. Except we defend our home from demons of the darkness. We ration out all of our supplies. Food, water, shelter, everything. I told them of the tow, and our "Meadow of Memorial." Our burial ground. It is where we bury those who have given their lives, so that we may live in the freedom we have. I told them the song that is inscribed into the top of the hill, of how we are forever in their debt, and will dedicate our lives to them. Not letting their sacrifice be in vain. Talking to these young mares, I feel so much better than my first week. No other ponies have reacted violently toward my eye, just an occasional stare, no fear, just concern. A few were cruel enough to mock me because of it, but the girls quickly took to my side. I smiled. "What is it Tinder?" Looking to them, I looked to the ground, then back a them. "This is the first time in a long time I have felt like I belong somewhere. Like I can be myself, and not be afraid of others being scared. Thank you. I needed this." I say. Twilight smiles, saying that it's nothing. I can't get over how wonderful these girls are to me.

I went home in good spirits. Looking at my old pictures, I feel like I have finally broken out of a depressive darkness that has been looming over my head for quite some time now. I can't help but think about Twilight. Her eyes... like gemstones, and her smile, that beautiful smile... She seems to be filling a gap in my life that was missing before. I smile as I hear a knock on my door. Standing there is Fluttershy, looking nervous, just a part of her personality I guess. "Hello Fluttershy." I say. She looked up to me. "Um... we were just wondering, we have an extra ticket for a race, because one of our friends couldn't come. Do you want to go?" She asked with kindness in her voice. I thought for a moment, did I really want to go out in public to such a degree? Maybe I should. No... I really should. I am also looking forward to spending time with these girls. Falling asleep, I can't help but wonder. Why were things going so well for me? Only time would tell.