Lonely Walks.

Another walk in Ponyville... Mister Lionheart thought, walking and looking around. Today was awfully sunny, and he had just gotten done doing his job. Ugh... Sometimes, I wonder... He looks around, stopping at a nearby statue. Why do ponies do... That...? Catching himself almost literally glaring at a couple about to kiss, he shook his head. I shouldn't be thinking about that. I just got finished with work, and I'm tired... But... Mister Lionheart couldn't help but see that more, and more couples were starting to come up in his vision, not noticing him. He had started to frown, looking down at the ground.

What would it feel like... Having a... Mate... If that's what you call them. Mister Lionheart knew the difference between a Friend and a 'Mate'. He started to walk again, wandering around. He would sometimes see the same group of friends, or couples, because he had gotten used to the routes he took. Maybe... I should ask? He walked up to a nearby pony... But all he could manage was a simple 'Do you know where the Statue is?' The pony made a face, and pointed at a direction that Lionheart knew wasn't the right way... But he followed it anyway.

I'm getting sick now... Seeing couples everywhere. Why do other ponies do stuff like this...? Mister Lionheart stopped at a bench, and sat down. He sighed.

"Why does everyone have a... a... mate...?" He thought, out loud. He relaxed a bit, looking around again, still frowning, an almost depressed look on his face.

Burning Heart had guard duty in Ponyville today. Nothing really happened here. Most of the ponies were fairly kind. And if they weren't, they were close enough. Even a crystal pony who threatened ponies here for years was working on being a gentle creature. Good for Burning. It made her kind look a bit better.

Burning was posted up by a statue. Then he looked over and saw a stallion walk over to a bench and be miserable. Seems like the only kind of help Burning Heart had to give around here. Emotional help. At least she was serving Celestia and all of Equestria. She trotted over to him and heard him say why does everypony have a mate. Burning has wondered that herself. She was usually turned down, mostly from her looks. She stood over the stallion and said

"You wonder that too?"

Mister Lionheart Flinched, hearing a pony talk. He looked around. He saw a pony looking at him... Mare, to be exact. He didn't exactly hear what the pony said, so he stayed silent... Wait... No. Ask her about it. Do it, Lionheart! He looked up to the pony. Yes... That's it...

"Do you know what a mate is?" He blurted out, as quick as possible. For someone called Mister Lionheart, He sure wasn't Lion... Hearted, and he knew that. He shook his head, trying to search for his manners, but he just couldn't. Almost ashamed, He stood up, finally finding his manners (and some courage.) "Sorry about that. My name is Mister Lionheart. What I ment to ask is if you knew what a mate is... Just to clairify."

Burning Heart looked at the stallion. Mister Lionheart? A rather odd name. Mostly the Mister part. Was that his actual first name? Strange, but interesting. He asked what a Mate is. Burning knew exactly what he meant.

"A mate? Well, as far as I know, that's just another way of saying marefriend or coltfriend. I've heard some ponies say it that way. Oh, I'm Burning Heart, by the way."

Burning saluted Lionheart and sparkled, showing him some of her patriotism and manners, and that she was a Crystal Pony

A Marefriend... Huh... So that's what one of those are...

"Oh, Nice to meet you, Burning Heart." Mister Lionheart did his best impersonation of a salute, And finds it quite hard to do. He notices that Heart's coat is sparkly. "Did you get glitter on your coat...? I think you did, It's quite shiny..."