> The alarm clock starts ringing. I turn it off quickly.
> For some reason, I don't feel like sleeping in today.
> I head to the kitchen for something to eat.
> Dry cereal and coffee - the breakfast of champions.
> I plant my palm upon my face. Forgot to buy milk again.
> Maybe I should really start writing out a shopping list.
> Well, let's see what's on TV.
"Over 60,000 protesters clash with the police today."
"Riot police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets."
"Trouble escalated after dark when shops were looted and-"
"Protesters set fire to a car and several other objects on the streets."
> Yep. Just another ordinary day. I munch grudgingly on my dry cereal.
> A knock at the door interrupts my thoughts.
> I get up to answer it while carrying the cereal bowl.
"Good morning. Is this the residence of..."
> The rest of the sentence fails to register in my brain.
> I stare with my mouth agape at the sight at my doorstep.
> A young mare carrying a large cello case looks up at me.
> She continues to speak, but I only hear my own heart beating loudly.
> Her eyes twinkle like precious amethysts against her beautiful gray coat,
> And she gives of an air of sophistication with her pink bow-tie and collar.
> She clears her throat loudly as I take notice of her curvaceous flank.
"May I come inside?" she asks.
> Without hesitation, I step aside to let her into my meager home.

---

> I spray out my coffee in surprise.
> The pony avoids the mess with ease.
> "N-N-NINE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS!?"
"Nine hundred million two hundred sixty thousand dollars, to be exact."
> I glare at the pony with disbelief.
> Is this some kind of sick joke? Am I on TV?
"..."
> She just stares at me, patiently waiting for it to sink in.
> I take a few deep breaths to calm myself. I close my eyes for a moment.
> And then, I open them. The pony is still there, her face expressionless.
> "Alright, then," I mumble. "And you're saying he left all this money to me?"
"That is correct. The late master stated it very clearly in his will."
> "But I haven't even spoken to my uncle since I was twelve!"
"..."
> "What the hell was that old geezer thinking? Is this some cruel trick?"
> The pony frowns at those words.
"The late master was certainly... eccentric. But I can assure you that he is a kind man."
> She pulls out a sealed letter from her saddlebag.
> I open it and read silently. It is simple and straight to the point.
> Since he has no children of his own, he has decided to pass on everything to me.
> The letter ends with his signature and family crest. It looks genuine.
> "I guess he's really serious about this..."
"That is correct."
> I look up from the letter, deep in thought.
> "Have you come all this way just to deliver this message?"
"No," says the pony. "There is one more thing,"
> She stands from her seat and takes a deep bow.
"I've come to introduce myself."
> "H-Huh?"
> She doesn't look me in the eye as she blushes slightly.
"My name is Octavia. It is a pleasure to meet you, master."