A day at the workshop

It was a normal day in Ponyville. Metal just opened his workshop after cleaning and sorting items.

The door bell announced a new customer had arrived as Aero entered the workshop, his saddlebags slung over his back.
He'd awoken prompt and early in the morning to get here first thing. Aero was one to get work done swiftly.

He briefly looked around the workshop before spotting a familiar unicorn.

" Good morning Metal."

"Oh hey! Youre Aero right? Welcome to my shop" Metal said while levitating a towel to clean the counter

"That's right. I've seen you around town before. I figured it's about time I finally come and introduce myself," Aero stated, half jokingly. He put on a slight smile, before shrugging. "That and I have something that I'm sure you can help me with."

He opened a saddle bag with a wing and pulled out a harness. It was a specialised pegasus harness, used for pulling a sky wagon. Some of the buckles alongside one side were clearly snapped and broken.

Metal looked at the harness "mhm.. I can do this" he said
"Wow, what did you try to pull with this?" he giggled as he opened a drawer, taking out a few new buckles

"Let's just say I took a tumble. I survived, it didn't," replied Aero, thinking about how accurate this abrupt summary really was.

Despite the accident, he was glad when Metal confidently seemed to set to work. Considering he was an engineer, the simple job of fixing a harness was probably child's play to him.

"So, how's Starflower and Star Spark?" Aero inquired, "I saw them in town the other day. They looked well."

"Theyre doing fine, Sparkie is really enjoying the sunny weather" Metal said

"That's good to hear," said Aero, casually looking around.

His eyes set on several of the tools and workbenches around the workshop. He thought about how much he would love to have a place like this, somewhere to go and work on projects. Still, his life wasn't so simple. He could base himself somewhere for long, given how much he travelled.

"How'd you and Starflower meet anyway?" Aero asked.

Metal blushed sightly "Heh, thats a loong story... Well I accidently ran into her when I got home from buying a few things.. she wasnt feeling so well so I took care of her and let her sleep at my house, thats where we first kissed.. We started loving each other and married soon. A few months later our daughter was born"

"Ah, that's one way to find a mare," Aero commented, chuckling at Metal's apparent embarrassment. He idly spun a spanner that was lying on a workbench, before turning back to the unicorn.
"I bet you never expected you'd be married to her with a filly a few years later when you first met her, right?"

"Not really.. but I love it" He said
"Daddy?" Spark called as she walked down the stairs
"Can I go outside and play with my friends? Oh hello Mr. Aero"
"Sure, sweetie.. just be home for dinner"

Aero nodded with a smile just as Star Spark entered. He looked down at the filly.

"Hello Star Spark," said Aero, a little awkwardly. "I, erm, trust your behaving yourself?"

Spark smiled and hopped around "Thanks Daddy! she said
"Of course!" she said to Aero and trotted out of the door

Aero simply smiled a little awkwardly at Star Spark as she answered and left. He wasn't very good with kids. He couldn't possibley imagine being a father himself.
"So, do you reckon you can fix it easy enough?"

"Easy job. Its already done I replaced the broken buckles" Metal said as he handed the harness back to him

The doorbell rang "Little brother!" Iron said as she entered the shop.
She ruffled his mane "Can you borrow me some screwdrivers?"
"Sure sister, theyre in my toolbox"
She quickly turned to Aero "Howdy, Im Iron Spark"

"Great. How much do I owe you?" Aero asked, just as another customer entered the workshop.

He watched as the mare and Metal greeted each other. Metal's sister, huh? Aero didn't know he had a sister, although judging by their matching grey coats it would have been obvious to guess they were family.

"I'm Aero Dynamic. Nice to meet you," he replied, offering a hoof to shake.

"That was just a piece of cake.. you dont owe me anything" Metal said, smiling at him

Iron shook his hoof "Nice to meet ya too"

"Thank you," Aero nodded to Metal, but made a mental note to himself that he owed him. Aero wasn't one to let a debt go unfilled. If Metal ever needed somepony for some practical work, he would be there.

He turned his attention to Iron. "I don't believe I've seen you around town before. Are you just visiting?"

"I moved here from Manehattan a few days ago.. but I havent made any friends yet" She replied and did a soft sigh

"Ponyville is a very friendly place. I'm sure you'll meet plenty of ponies," Aero reassured her.

Perhaps this was something that Metal would appreciate. After all, it would mean helping his family.

"I could take you around town sometime if you like? The tavern is always lively and the bowling alley can be fun if you like that kind of thing."

"Thank you.. I hope I will find a friend soon" she said

Aero nodded before hoisting the fixed harness over his back and sliding it into his saddlebag.

"Thanks again Metal. I need to be going. I've got to be in Canterlot tomorrow," said Aero, turning to smile at Iron. "I'll see you around Iron.