At Iccy's Garage: The Morning after

Iccy worked on replacing the breaks, giving a soft sigh. "H-Have you e-ever h-heard of a m-mechanic b-by the name of 'Greasy w-wrench?'"

Intel frowned. "No... I don't think so." Having detached the harness, he carefully lifted it free from the buggy, and placed it on the floor. "Unless he was involved in any major construction projects, I probably wouldn't have had the chance to meet him."

"N-Not r-really... H-He knew h-his s-stuff, t-though." Icarus said, smiling, moving around to work on the other break.

"Probably going to need help to put this thing on," Intel said, motioning to the new harness.

"So, why did you move to Manehattan? In my biased and vain opinion, Canterlot is one of the best places to be."

Icarus moved over to help Intel attach the new harness, shrugging. "I-I h-had to... M-My p-parents w-wanted m-me to learn a-about m-mechanics..." He attached a bolt, smiling. "S-So, m-my parents s-sent me w-with m-my dad's o-old s-school b-buddy, a-and he p-practically r-rasied me."

"It's nice when your family supports you," Intel said. The interesting thing was that even though it sounded like the statement should be stated warmly, it was said coldly.

He didn't say anything more until the harness was fully attached.

Icarus blanched after hearing Intel's Response, mumbling "I-I'm s-sorry..." While re-attaching the harness.

"Hmm? What? Oh, no, you definitely don't have to apologize," Intel said quickly. He took a step back and looked at the fixed buggy. "Well, that was simple."

Icarus smiles weakly. "T-That was v-very simple..." He said, filling out a piece of paper. "F-Fill out a w-work-form, a-and w-we're d-done w-with this!"

"Okay then, let's look at this work form." Intel said coming over to the desk.

Reading over it, he frowned. "Wait, we just write down how much we should get paid? No negotiation with our employer, or anything?"

"Well, that just begs the question, how much should we get paid for this..."

Icarus nodded. "I-It s-still h-has t-to be a-approved... I-I f-figure... f-fifty b-bits f-for t-two B-Breaks, a-and a h-hundred f-for the h-harness, f-for a t-total of 200... S-Split 50/50, Y-You g-get a h-hundred, I-I g-get a h-hundred."

"Yay, I eat tonight," Intel joked as he filled out his form.

"And I'm going to get 80 bits, leaving you with 120." He held up his hoof in anticipation of protest. "I insist this because you own the workshop and will have to upkeep it, so it's better if you have a greater portion. And I think 40% a bit generous to me, to tell the truth."

Icarus shook his head. "W-We're p-partners. 50/50. Y-You've g-got your o-own place t-to take c-care of, y-you know."

"...Actually, I don't really have a place to live just yet," Intel said sheepishly, "I just stayed at one of the rooms in the tavern last night."

Icarus blinked in surprise. "... T-Then you n-need it t-to find s-someplace! W-What are y-you d-doing r-refusing m-money w-when you n-need s-someplace?"

"I... Uh..." Bugger.

You know you fail horribly when you are rendered speechless by a shy, stammering pony.

"Well, I, uh. Um?" Intel looked down and started tracing shapes on the ground. "I don't really know how to buy a house here. Or anywhere. I've never had to before."

Icarus smiled weakly. "D-Don't w-worry, I h-had s-somepony t-teach me, t-too. T-Town hall h-has a b-bunch of f-forms... T-There's a h-house f-for e-everypony, f-for a-any p-price... J-Just f-fill out the f-form, t-telling t-them W-What you w-want in a h-house... a-and then... T-They s-set a price."

"Another form. Really? Is Ponyville some sort of bureaucracy?" Intel scratched his head. "There's no other pressing business here, is there? I'll go off and fill that form in now." He then left for the town hall.