>It's another beautiful rainy day in Manehattan.
>The city streets, once alive with the hustle and bustle of busy ponies, lie mostly empty as the falling rainwater drenches everything it touches.
>No sane pony would be out and about in this deplorable weather. (Un)fortunately, you are not a sane pony.
>You are Tack, a short-tempered earth pony stallion that somehow managed to land a job as a cobbler's apprentice.
>Celestia only knows where he gets his limitless supply of patience to put up with your shenangians.
>Life ain't exactly easy in this neck of the woods, but you manage to keep your head above water.
>*SPLASH*
>Metaphorically speaking that is. Last time you checked, pneumonia isn't your special talent.
>You quickly look up and down the street for some form of shelter.
>Everything is closed and there are no awnings, umbrellas, or carriage stops to hide beneath.
>*CRRRRRREEEEEEAAAAAAK*
>Your ear catches the sound of a door opening somewhere over yonder.
>The rain continues its relentless assault as your hooves gallop towards the opening door as fast as they can.
>Soon a strange little shop rapidly comes into view, the only one that shows signs of life on this block.
>In the distance you can vaguely make out the shape of a mare emerging from the shop. She quickly trots over to the curb and drops a bag of garbage.
>The pony stops dead in her tracks upon spotting you in the darkness.
"Hello there! Nice weather we're having huh?" 
>You can practically FEEL the metaphorical spaghetti gushing from your nonexistent pockets.
>Socializing was never your strong suit, otherwise you'd have a VERY different cutie mark.
>The mare physically cringes at your corny interaction and turns to make a beeline for the safety of her shop.
"W-Wait miss! Please! I have nowhere else to go!"
>She turns to stare at your miserable form standing in the rain. You whimper with a trembling lip and beg her with desperate eyes.
>Okay so you might be stretching the truth about having nowhere to go, but your home was five blocks over where the flood waters were rising to alarming levels.
>After a bit of internal thought, the mare stands to the side and motions towards the open doorway.
>"Fine, but you'd better-"
>You speed past her and head for the fireplace, its glowing warmth drawing you in like a moth to an ember.
>"-hurry..."
>You stretch out and lay in front of the fire like a dog after a long day of chasing its tail.
>"You're welcome." The mare chuckles from behind and throws a blanket on top of you.
"Oh yeah, thanks Miss-?"
>"Patches. Nice to meet you stranger." The curious mare quickly closes the front door and locks up for the night.
>You watch her trot into the kitchen and put a kettle on the stove.
"I'm no stranger; I'm Tack." You quickly correct her.
>"Tack hmmm? That's a nice name."
>In the blink of an eye she's back in the living room to serve the tea.
>You instinctively perform a quick double take to make sure your eyes are still working properly.
>That mare can move fast!