# New Horse In Town

Author: Claymore
Tags: Anthro, Clydesdale, Equine, Horse

Minor language content and thematic elements give this work a MILD PG rating.

&nbsp;&nbsp; Picking Up Supplies

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Backing his ancient Chevy into the loading dock of Sam's Feed & Tack, Claymore Highfield squinted at the rearview mirror.&nbsp; "I think I'd better get my eyes checked next time I'm at the vet's office," he muttered to himself, shutting off the engine and pulling the parking brake lever.&nbsp; He swung out of the cab and checked his list, wondering what the store would be out of this week. &nbsp;  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;There was an ample pile of 100 pound sacks of coal, he noted; big shock, here in the middle of coal country.&nbsp; Grit for the chickens, sack of sweet feed, some Timothy hay, Sam had the usual supplies in stock.&nbsp; Welding rod and hot-rolled mild steel were probably going to be the usual headache, however, since manufacturing had largely shifted to secessionist Western States of America; no wholesaler liked paying the high tariffs to obtain these 'imported' products, which reduced their profits and made supply spotty at best.&nbsp; With a resigned sigh, Crawford Corners' resident Clydesdale blacksmith climbed up the loading dock steps and walked into the store.   
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Almost immediately he snorted, shaking his head in disbelief.&nbsp; He knew he'd seen another equine in his mirror, and that was him right there at the counter!&nbsp; Sam caught Claymore's eye, waving as he laughed and motioned him over.&nbsp; "Clay!&nbsp; Look at this, another relative of yours dropped into town!"&nbsp; Starting to explain -- again -- that he was not related to every equine anthro on the planet, Clay shook his head good-naturedly and ambled over to the counter.&nbsp; "Yeah, probably on my Mother's side, Sam, I got a big ol' family tree you know."&nbsp; He turned to the bay stallion in front of the register, smiling and holding out his hoof.&nbsp; "Claymore Highfield," he smiled, nodding in a friendly manner.&nbsp; "Better yet, just call me Clay.&nbsp; It's nice to meet you." &nbsp;  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;The stallion grinned, looking at Clay's hoof before taking it, perhaps a little gently, and squeezing it.&nbsp; "Kimimaro," he said, not quite looking back up.&nbsp; "But I usually go by Kimi, at least to my friends." &nbsp;  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Clay noticed Kimi's ears drooping to the sides of his head and found the younger stallion's apparent shyness immediately endearing.&nbsp; "Well, it's good to meet you, Kimi, always nice to run into another member of the herd!&nbsp; I'm guessing you're a college horse?" &nbsp;  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;The young stallion looked mildly surprised but nodded, starting to respond "Yes, but how did you ...?" &nbsp;  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"Gotta watch out for Claymore, young man!" Sam interrupted.&nbsp; "He's known as the 'Smithin' Magician' around town, and he'll read your mind.&nbsp; You just make sure to hang on to your wallet -- he's got very talented hooves!"&nbsp; The portly feed store owner had stopped writing the sales slip, waving his pencil for emphasis as he teased.  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"Well, I certainly like that better than some of the other names I've heard people were calling me," Clay snorted with a laugh.&nbsp; He smacked his hoof lightly at the bag of feed Kimi was purchasing, "But really, mind reading had nothing to do with it.&nbsp; I saw the 'AnthroChow,' you're about the right age, Crawford's Corners is an easy commute to the State College.&nbsp; It was just an educated guess."  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;The bag of AnthroChow on the counter was a sort of low-grade granola marketed to anthros that had become widely popularly among humans, especially students.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Far less sweet than typical granola, it could actually be served either sweet or savoury.&nbsp; It was nearly as cheap as the ramen soup that formed much of the average college diet, higher in protein, and like ramen it was versatile and easy to prepare.&nbsp; While it had been derisively known as "College Kibble" when he was in school, Clay usually had a sack of it in his own pantry.   
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"It was a good guess!&nbsp; My family was hoping I'd stay in Massachusetts, but I really needed a change of scenery.&nbsp; And so far, I'm liking Pennsylvania; little nervous about starting the new semester, still getting to know my way around, you know!" &nbsp;  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Clay nodded, smiling as he spoke.&nbsp; "Few of us use the old name for the state anymore, Kimi.&nbsp; But I'm sure you'll do just fine.&nbsp; Economy's not quite what it should be yet, but you'll find the town is a pretty pleasant place to live, I think."  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Sam slid the finished sales slip across the counter at Kimi, "That's eleven-seventy, young man.&nbsp; And maybe you want to let Clay take a look at your note before I post it on the bulletin board!"   
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"Note?" Clay snorted, his ears instantly perking forward.&nbsp; Though horses are naturally inquisitive, Claymore had made curiosity into an art form over the years.&nbsp; He was suddenly interested in the file card on the counter near Kimi's right hoof.   
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"No, it's nothing, really.&nbsp; Just came in to get my feed is all, and I saw the bulletin board.&nbsp; I really should get going."&nbsp; Kimi seemed a bit flustered as he snatched at the file card, tucking it into his shirt pocket. &nbsp;  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"Well, it's nothin' to me then.&nbsp; Sam, I'll go ahead and load what I need in my truck.&nbsp; I hope you got that half-inch bar stock I asked about!"&nbsp; Clay nodded at the new horse, giving a slight wave as he turned away, "Good to meet you, Kimi.&nbsp; Hope to see ya around town!"  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"I'd like that, and hope so too!"&nbsp; Kimi smiled, hoping his cheeks weren't quite as red as they felt.&nbsp; When the Clydesdale was out of earshot, Kimi pulled out his wallet to pay for his feed.&nbsp; As he did so, he couldn't help asking a question.&nbsp; "Sir, why did you think Clay would have been interested in my note on your bulletin board?"  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Sam took the twenty Kimi offered, casually responding as he made change.&nbsp; "He's a got a large house not far out of town, and I know he's taken in roommates previously.&nbsp; There was a horse passing through town last year, car collector or somethin', I know he was rooming with Clay for a while.&nbsp; Although," Sam placed some coins and several bills in Kimi's hoof, "I hear it did not end well."  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Kimi took the change, a puzzled expression coming over his muzzle.&nbsp; "What do you mean?&nbsp; Was there violence involved?" &nbsp;  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"No, no,&nbsp; nothing&nbsp; at all."&nbsp; Sam tore a carbon copy off the receipt pad, handing it to Kimi.&nbsp; "Clay's pretty even-tempered, in fact.&nbsp; It's just that I heard he'd gotten pretty attached to this horse -- not sure all the details there, none of my business anyway -- but the guy just up and left one day.&nbsp; Friend of mine over at the diner said Clay seemed pretty mopey for a long while after Brad moved on.&nbsp; I imagine it gets lonely out there in that farmhouse of his, and if you're one of, um, you know, an anthro? Not so many of you guys around, you know.&nbsp; Here in Crawford Corners, at least."  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Kimi nodded, taking the receipt and stuffing it in his pocket.&nbsp; He thought about pulling the notecard out and posting it on the feedstore bulletin board, but changed his mind.&nbsp; He was paid up at the hotel through the next week anyway, and that was ample time to find out whether that Clydesdale was interested in a new roommate.&nbsp; "So, does Clay still visit the diner here in town?"

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Breakfast At The Crow's Nest  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Pushing the glass door open, Claymore was surprised to find the diner packed so late on a Thursday morning.&nbsp; Until he remembered what day it was.&nbsp; "Pheasant season, what a gigantic pain in the ass," he grumbled silently.&nbsp; What actually bothered him, of course, was that few of the hunters streaming into the area had need of his services; the seasonal population uptick mean virtually no extra income for his shop. &nbsp;  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"Clay-MORE!&nbsp; Over here, honey!"&nbsp; Shirley Merck's shrill voice, as usual, carried above the din and assaulted his ears.&nbsp; He winced slightly, but forced a smile as he turned to the diner's proprietor and head waitress. &nbsp;  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"Hay there darlin', how are ya today?" he neighed, waving as she approached.&nbsp; Whatever his opinion of Shirley, there was simply no denying she was one of the friendliest humans he knew.&nbsp; He gave her a light peck on the cheek as she took him by the arm.   
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"Got somebody over here wants to meet you, Clay!&nbsp; Come on and say hi, he's been waitin' for you since seven this mornin'!"&nbsp; Shirley had that too-eager grin on her face that could only mean she was up to something.  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Claymore sighed, giving Shirley 'the look.'&nbsp; She was a very friendly divorcee, and when she wasn't hooking up herself, she was hooking others up.&nbsp; Or trying to, anyway.&nbsp; "You know, if Brad's back in town, I'm just not... ."&nbsp; Shirley cut him off in mid sentence.  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"Oh, now shush!&nbsp; Nobody said nothin' about old Brad, I said somebody!&nbsp; Come on over here and be friendly!"&nbsp; Shirley was pulling him by the arm, through the crowd to a table in the back corner.&nbsp; There, grinning as sheepishly as he had two days ago at the feed store, sat the young bay stallion.  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"Hi again, Clay!&nbsp; I hope you don't mind, I thought it would be nice to... ."&nbsp; Kimi's words trailed off as he slowly began stirring his coffee. "I thought, maybe it be nice," he stammered slightly, clearly not having much of a plan beyond running into Clay at the diner. &nbsp;  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"You thought it would be nice to stalk me?" Clay laughed, swinging into the booth on the seat opposite Kimi.&nbsp;&nbsp; "The usual for me, please, Shirley.&nbsp;&nbsp; I said I hoped to see you again, and I meant it.&nbsp; Now, you ordered yet, Kimi?"   
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"No, but, just a, I don't know, a cinnamon roll, ma'am?" Kimi asked.  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"You got it hon!&nbsp; Now don't let this old horse snap at you, he's pretty friendly once you get to know him.&nbsp; Aren't you, stud muffin?"&nbsp; Shirley playfully smacked a menu on Clay's shoulder, causing him to snort in a mock threat.&nbsp; She merely smacked him again, laughing as she walked away from the table.   
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"Kimi, it was nice chatting with you briefly the other day, and I hope I didn't seem stand-offish at the feed store. "&nbsp;&nbsp; Clay smiled warmly at the younger stallion, dropping some sweetener into the massive mug of coffee a busboy had brought to him.&nbsp; "You know, after I left Sam's place, I thought maybe I should have asked you out for a bite or something, just didn't occur to me." &nbsp;  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;The thought actually had occurred to Claymore, but he'd quickly put it out of his mind; he certainly didn't believe a college-age stallion would have any interest in a friend of his age.&nbsp;&nbsp; A casual observer could easily have seen that Clay was clearly smitten with shy young horse, but he would&nbsp; have blustered and denied such a thing.&nbsp; Long a favourite subject among town gossips, who assumed that&nbsp; because he was a stallion he was easy and promiscuous, Clay was actually celibate.&nbsp; He had been since Cheryl had left him many years before, in fact, a relationship with a human female that left lasting marks.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"It did occur to me, Clay," Kimi grinned, "in fact, I asked the feed store guy the best time to catch you here.&nbsp; Oh my god!"&nbsp; He laughed, quickly covering his muzzle.&nbsp; "I AM stalking you, aren't I?"&nbsp; There was a bright reddish hue to Kimi's cheeks.  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"I know how to treat stalkers, bud.&nbsp; With duct tape and a shovel!"&nbsp; Clay winked at stallion, whose eyes had suddenly widened.&nbsp; "Joking!&nbsp; Just kidding!&nbsp; Relax, buddy, I was just yanking your chain!" he teased.&nbsp; Shirley had walked up, and he whistled as she sat a massive platter down in front of Kimi.&nbsp; "Oooh, now look at that-THAT'S a cinnamon roll!"&nbsp; The steaming hot pastry was so huge it spilled over the edges of the plate, dripping with melted butter and sugar creme frosting.&nbsp; Clay caught a whiff of the raisins and cinnamon, and nickered,&nbsp; "Let me know if you need help with that!"  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"Claymore! Mind your manners, horse!" Shirley barked, setting an equally large platter in front of him.&nbsp; "You've got plenty to eat on your own plate!"&nbsp; Indeed he did, as there was ample food even for a Clydesdale's appetite; four massive biscuits smothered in milk gravy, surrounded by home fries hot off the grill and cheesy scrambled eggs, all topped with a pile of sliced jalapeno peppers.&nbsp;&nbsp; It was more than he usually finished at once, and usually made lunch as well as breakfast.&nbsp;&nbsp; "Besides, if your hooves ever need somethin' to grab at, you know where to find me!"&nbsp; She lingered just a little longer than she needed to, her name tag perched just inches from Clay's muzzle.  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Clay laughed good naturedly, and while he thought about saying, "Yeah, I know where the line forms, Shirley,"&nbsp; he refrained and merely nodded.&nbsp; "I do, Shirley, and you're a fine lookin' lady.&nbsp; But c'mon, a stallion's gotta eat, too!" &nbsp;  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"She seems nice," Kimi said, picking up his fork and starting on his roll.&nbsp; "Really seems to like you, too, Clay.&nbsp; She was seriously coming on to you!"&nbsp; Kimi laughed a little self-consciously, then added, "Oh my god, that is so not my business!"  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Clay waved his hoof a little before picking up his coffee bucket.&nbsp; "Hay, don't worry about it, I'm uh, pretty much an open book around my friends."&nbsp; The smile he gave Kimi was friendly enough, though had someone else asked the question he would have frowned instead of shrugging it off.&nbsp;&nbsp; Taking a drink of coffee, his tone became just slightly serious.&nbsp; "She's got a bit of a reputation.&nbsp; Not really my type.&nbsp; How's the roll?"  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Nodding his approval, Kimi grinned and cut off another bite of the pastry.&nbsp; "Oh, it's great!&nbsp; I'm not sure I'll be able to finish the whole thing.&nbsp; Reminds me of my Mom's cooking, actually."  
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"Yeah, they do it up right here at the diner, mostly homemade.&nbsp; Shirley is very talented in the kitchen.

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Source: https://sofurry.com/s/rn69vjzm