A Strange New World: CH6

>The downed Pegasus’s eyes widen with delight as you stride through the door to her hospital ward.

>”Oh, hey Anon! Didn’t think you’d come back and see me so soon.”

“I had nothing better to do… don’t take that as an insult, your company is wonderful.”

>”The feeling’s mutual dude, I’ve been bored out of my skull ever since I woke up.”

>The mare shifts in her bed as you sit down beside her, an adorable grin on her face.

“My, someone’s cheerful today. What’s got your spirits lifted?”

>”Nothing much. Pinkie came by after you left yesterday, tried to cheer me up…”

“I do hope she was successful in her attempts, yes?”

>”Yeah. You’d have to try to not enjoy a Pinkie Pie party…”

>The conversation tapers off as Rainbow Dash silently regards you.

>”Uh, you aren’t the talkative type, are you?”

“Well, I do try and engage in conversation… you’ll just have to forgive me. Where I hail from, you don’t get a lot of… social opportunities.”

>”What about those things you mentioned… bonfires! Yeah, what about those? You said that warriors and people hung around them.”

“Aye, but that doesn’t mean you’d ever get a chance to talk to them. You could sit next to a soldier from a thousand years past or present… No-one wants to share their woes or troubles.”

>”Solaire’s an exception then, eh?”

“Heh, there’s always one who swims against the current…” you chuckle. “Solaire was exceptional, not just in spirit but in skill as well. There’s only one undead I know of that could possibly match him…”

>”Who?” Rainbow Dash asks in enthrallment.

“You’re talking to him!”

>”Hah, don’t you think that’s being a bit cocky?”

“You’re not brash if you’ve got the brawn to back it up…”

>Rainbow Dash giggles, her wing straining against its cast.

“Now that the thought has wandered into my mind, I might as well propose it… would you mind if I travelled with you once the hospital discharges you?”

>”You want to come with me back to Ponyville?”

“Very much so. You’re a colourful character, Miss Dash. And I don’t mean in looks alone…”

>The pegasus blushes at your compliment, and you stifle the urge to hug the pony. Damn them and their heart-wrenchingly cuteness…

>”Well thank you, Mr… Mous? Yeah, let’s go with that.” She clears her throat. “I’m not really sure how to reply to the whole “travelling thing: wouldn’t you want to stick with Solaire for a bit? Isn’t he your friend?”

“Undead don’t really have places to stay, homes to abide in… We’re used to lives of wandering.”

>”Then why did Solaire-“

“C’mon now, don’t demean your own intelligence. We both know why he’s remained here.”

>”Oh, you’re talking about Princess Celestia, right? I forgot she and him were-“

“Er, let’s not get into the intimate details-“

>”I was going to say dating…”

>You thank the gods that your helmet hid your face right now.

“Oh, I see… well. That works too.”

>”So Solaire’s staying in Canterlot because he’s with the Princess, and you’re tagging alone with me because…?”

“If you’re implying I have any sort of… romantic interests in you, then I hate to be the bearer of bad news.”

>”The feeling is mutual, dude. You think I’d be looking that way at some giant armour-wearing soldier?”

“I’d certainly hope not… so, would you object to me being, in most likelihood, a temporary companion?”

>The prismatic pegasus shrugs. “Eh, I don’t mind. You seem like a pretty cool guy.”

“Thank you! I’m simply interested in seeing the various sights and places of this land, and travelling with you gives me more than enough of an excuse… Spending that time in good company is a nice bonus.”

>”Heh, I can see where you’d be coming from. If I was a tourist I’d be sightseeing too: just remember that I’ll be staying with Twilight, alright? Don’t come round knocking at my house… even though that’d be pretty impressive, all things considered.”

“How’d it be impressive? Knowing this place, your house is a mile off the ground.”

>Rainbow Dash grins in embarrassment, and you sigh.

“It’s a mile off the ground, isn’t it? I can tell I’m going to adapt so well to this place…”

>A fleeting pause takes place as you slip back into thought.

>”Hey, why are you wearing that big metal helmet?” Rainbow Dash inquires, wrapping it with a hoof. “It’s not like you’re in danger or anything, right?”

“I had planned to leave after this morning’s breakfast with it, but… old habits drag their deaths out for a long time.”

>”You could at least put the visor up: it’s really creepy talking to you like this…”

>You shrug, before complying with the pegasus’ request.

>”And if your old habits were biting you in the flank, why not bring your sword and shield?”

“I’d rather not incur the suspicion of the entire Royal Guard. Solaire already got a verbal rough down from the Captain, I’m adamant to avoid that fate.”

>”Suit yourself then.”

>Rainbow Dash stretches out lazily, a contagious yawn escaping from her mouth.

>”I think I’m gonna read some Daring Do books or something, just killing time until the doctor gets back. I take it you aren’t staying for then?”

“Unless you want my company till then. I anticipated scouring around the town for a bit, then returning later to check up on you.”

>”Suit yourself, dude. Just give me a heads up if you change your mind, yeah? No sense keeping me hanging around.”

“I won’t waste your time. Goodbye for the moment, then.”

>”Later dude.” The pegasus replies, reaching for one of her novels.

>Nodding in finality, you leave the mare in peace once more, making your way to the busy street.

>Ignoring the curious glances directed your way; you decide to venture around the city itself: just because you were planning on leaving it for a while didn’t mean you shouldn’t explore it.

>A host of curious sights lie before you as you walk: a stray cloud hanging overhead gets corralled by a Pegasus, like it was made of a tangible substance. An ‘earth’ pony wielding a frightening beast of a tool, boring into the cobblestone street as it oscillates back and forth with a ferocious fury.

“What on earth is that!” you yell over the racket, as the earth pony turns to you in surprise.

>”Eh? What do you want?”

“That… thing of yours… what is it?”

>”Er, you mean the drill?” he says, motioning to the tool beside him.

“Yes, the ‘drill’. Mind if I ask what exactly it’s for?”

>”We need to fix a pipe underneath the street, hence the drill. I’m going to guess you’re not from around here, are you?”

“No, I’m afraid I’m not. My apologies for the interruption, I was simply curious as to the nature of that tool.”

>The worker grunts and you resume your dander round the city, deep in thought.

>What manner of magic could have spawned such a thing? You’d never seen anything quite like it Lordran, of that you were sure. Mechanical contraptions existed back there, but nothing as brutal as that dri-

>Your chain of thought is broken off as you bump into a pony, causing you to recoil backwards.

“Oof! Oh, forgive me! I was absorbed in thought and didn’t see you there.”

>”You had your eyes open, and yet were blind… if you were so deep in thought, then what’s on your mind?”

>You fail to muster a response, instead opting to gape at the striped pony.

“I beg your pardon, but did you just speak in rhyme?” you finally splutter, as the strangely striped pony chuckles.

>”I know that my speech be too hard to swallow, I sincerely hope that you’re able to follow…”

>You pause for a moment, collecting you thoughts.

“Your speech is strange, that I can see. Apologies for the stumble, can you forgive me?”

>Your improvised rhyme elicits a beaming smile from the pony.

>”Your tongue is clearly quick to learn, but my trust you cannot easily earn…”

“If my intentions were to impose a threat, then a horrible fate you would have already met.”

>”Your stature and armour disagree: how do I know you pose no threat to me?”

“I repeat my statement from before… I cannot talk in rhyme any more…”

>You shrug in linguistic defeat as the pony laughs.

>”A commendable effort indeed… was there anything that you need?”

>Glancing round, you see that you’ve stumbled into a marketplace of sorts. Strange fruits, herbs, all manner of things lay stocked on the table.

“Is this your stall?”

>”All that which you can see, belongs to me…”

“I’d rather know what all these things are before I make a regrettable purchase.”

>”If you must know, I offer a variety of ingredients and potions: from cures of ailments to balms and lotions…”

“I’m afraid I’d have no use of your wares, madam. I’ll politely pass.”

>”You may not have use of me, but the other way round I shall have to see…”

>The exotic, twisting tone of the pony confuses you.

“You need me? I’m not sure if you ponies are normally so forward, but I’m a rather recent addition to this land. And if you’ll pardon me for my tongue, but anyone who wraps their words up like that clearly has something to hide…”

>"If honesty is what you need, then my reply shall be with speed… From a deep, dark forest, ingredients I seek. To the creatures in the way, I am far too weak.”

 “You’re asking a random stranger, likely a creature you’ve never laid eyes on before, to go out into a forest and obtain your tools of alchemy with no incentive or reward offered. Correct?”

>The striped equine cocks her head at you, before nodding.

>…

“I’ll consider it.”

>”I see the allure of danger is no deterrent to you. If you succeed, a reward will certainly be due…”

“I’ll be doing it as a challenge, not for a reward. And unless you suppose me for a psychic, you best tell me where this forest is…”

>”On the outskirts of Ponyville stands the great Everfree: should you accept my proposition, that is where you should be.”

“Ponyville? Call it a coincidence, but that is my destination anyway…”

“Hah! A great coincidence, that it shall be. More of you, I shall soon hopefully see!”

>You nod, raising a hand to the pony, who shakes it.

“I suppose I should introduce myself while I’m here. My name is Anonymous, and I happen to be a human.”

>”A pleasure to meet you, Anonymous. Refer to me as Zecora, if you must…”

“Zecora? An unusual name to compliment an unusual nature.”

>”You are not the only being to hail from a foreign land. I really must thank you for the helping hoof… or hand.”

“Well then, ‘Zecora’. I’ll consider your proposition in the meantime. If I decide to accept, I’ll find you…”

>Having said all that needed to be said, you exit the market-tent, your brain hurting from trying to comprehend the exotic ponies’ speech.

>Rainbow Dash may spew words that had no meaning to you, but at least she didn’t rhyme them…