Immortal Wanderings 4

>You didn't sleep well, not having any kind of bedding will do that. You really hope you can rectify that situation as soon as possible.

>The sun is up, and you decide to explore the town a little before heading to Tala's place.

>You hope she wasn't planning on coming to get you.

>You also worry that maybe you aren't permitted to wander around by yourself, but those are dispelled when nobody seems to really mind your presence too much.

>This place looks and feels like some kind of rustic pioneering town in the middle of nowhere. There aren't any really defined roads around, it's just a huge area where the forest has been cleared out and buildings have sprouted up.

>You are still getting weird looks, and you recall the fact that you have been almost completely naked for more than two days now.

>You need to fix that. At least a loincloth or something. Getting sunburned junk is something you really don't want to experience more than once.

>You decide to see if you can communicate this point across to Tala later today.

>Why do all the ponies have tattoos on their asses? Well, almost all of them. You notice some of the younger ones do not.

>You suspect some kind of coming of age thing.

>Everyone seems busy, chopping trees, building things, pioneer things. Frankly there isn't much to look at.

>You decide to head over to Tala's house.

>You have a bit of trouble remembering the way there, but you manage to find it.

>Tala has just exited her house, and seems surprised to see you.

>You smile and wave.

>She returns the gesture, though her smile is perhaps a little guarded.

>The two of you stand there for a while just looking at each other, things begin getting awkward.

>Avoid eye contact mode engaged.

>In an attempt to break the mood, you hand her a scroll, muttering an apology under your breath about the mess.

>She looks at the scroll and unfurls it, revealing the equestrian alphabet that you wrote for her, as homework. You feel like a kid as your teacher goes over your work.

>She seems pleased at first, then puzzled as she examines the song lyrics you scribbled out along all the edges of the paper in your own language.

>She gives you an inquisitive look.

>You shrug.

I couldn't sleep.

>She says something probably along the lines of "Well, whatever." and starts to motion for you to follow her when she stops, looking at you.

>Her brow creases with what appears to be worry as she stares.

What?

>You look down at yourself, seeing nothing particularly out of the ordinary.

>She points at your shoulder and asks something.

>You look to where she is pointing, and see your burned skin peeling away all around your left shoulder.

>Now that you have noticed it, it immediately begins itching.

>You scratch at it, wincing slightly at the pain.

>You hear Tala say something, she sounds genuinely concerned.

>Seizing on your chance, you point at your burns, then at the sun.

>She seems to understand, though she seems slightly horrified at the thought of being burned alive by the sun.

>Next you point at your hat, then move your hands over your body, trying to show that you need clothes.

>She doesn't get it.

>You groan slightly, trying to think of a way to convey your point.

>You notice a stallion passing by who is wearing a vest of some sort.

>You point at the vest, then at your body again.

>Tala frowns for a moment, then she brightens as a realization dawns on her.

>She points at you emphatically and begins speaking rapidly.

>You just sort of stare at her stupidly.

>She facehoofs, shakes her head, says a word, and begins walking off towards town.

>You follow.

>She leads you to a weirdly open building that appears to be a tailor of some kind. Looms and stuff.

>Oh fuck yes.

>Tala begins speaking to a black unicorn mare who you assume is the seamstress. She is eying you suspiciously at of the corner of her eye.

>You lose interest in their conversation, you cant understand them anyway, and your attention turns to the town around you. All the ponies are giving you a wide berth.

>You fold your arms absentmindedly and look up at the sky, watching a pair of pegasai as they flutter about.

>Something hard smacks into the side of your head.

Ow!

>You recoil and turn to face a confused looking seamstress as what appears to be a measuring stick clatters to the ground.

>You rub the side of your head.

What was that for?

>Tala whispers something in the black unicorns ear, who smiles apologetically and moves to retrieve the stick, picking it up with her hooves.

>Your mind boggles for a while at how exactly she is maneuvering that thing so well without magic or fingers.

>Then you remember where you are, and make sure to properly discard logic.

>The seamstress finishes taking your measurements and begins talking to Tala again.

>Goodbyes are exchanged, and you two are on your way again.

>This time Tala leads you yet another building, a bit larger than the usual ones anyway.

>Gee there sure are a lot of foals around here.

>You follow Tala inside, where your eyes are assaulted by bright colors and horribly drawn pictures plastered to the walls.

>Oh gods no.

>You're in pony kindergarten.

 

>Today was a little frightening. You thought human children were bad. At least human children cant do magic or friggin fly.

>You did manage to learn a bit though, some basic words like hello, please, and thank you. Basic shit.

>Tala let you take some more scrolls with you too, which is good. Not much to do in that empty barn at night.

>Despite the cool night air, you feel almost uncomfortably warm.

>You scratch at your peeling skin some more.

>On the way back to the farm, you see a large shape looming in the dark ahead of you.

>Its a cart, and one of its wheels seems to have fallen off. A familiar grey pony stands next to it, looking frustrated.

Need some help?

>Malus jumps in surprise, and whirls to face you.

>You examine the cart, it isn't really damaged in any way. Looks like the wheel cap thing just popped off and the wheel went with it.

>You walk around to the side with the missing wheel and brace your back against the cart, reaching your hands beneath it.

>Malus watches you, still wary, but hopeful.

>With a grunt, you lift the right side of the cart up from the ground so that its level with its still attached wheel.

>Malus manages to get the wheel back on.

>You relax, standing up again.

>Malus kicks the hubcap thing back on, and smiles at you. "Thanks" he says.

You're welcome.

>He seems a bit surprised to hear you speak in his language.

>You grin and turn away, walking on before he figures out that's pretty much all you know how to fucking say.

>Today was an okay day.