[AnonShy] Travel Log 3

>It's a great day to be alive.

>The sky was grey with a light cloud cover.

>The sunlight glistened brightly off the light, freshly fallen snow from the night before.

>The spruce trees seemed to be the only life for miles in this forest.

>All the animals were probably hibernating.

>Yet regardless of the somewhat gloomy atmosphere, you felt happy.

>It's neither drink nor drug induced.

>You're just... happy.

>You had only two worries in the world.

>Find food and keep Fluttershy safe.

>This whole time you had to hold her when she heard a coyote call in the dead of night.

>Or when the wind blew the snow so hard you couldn't see your hand in front of your face.

>You recently made a questionable investment in a pull cart.

>That soon proved more than useful, and they even through in a harness compatible with you to pull it easier.

>You couldn't help but feel very offended at the vendor making the sale.

>But given you carry a large portion of your gear on your back, not to mention you were totally unknown to most of the world, it makes sense for them to see you as a beast of burden.

>And besides, now you can just pull the cart instead of carrying everything.

>And you don't have to sleep in the snow anymore either.

>As of late, Fluttershy's been riding in the back.

>She's sleeping now, but it's becoming harder on her to keep walking like this with each passing week.

>You don't particularly mind at all.

>Although you feel your travels days are pretty much over now.

--

>The little cart hits a pothole in the dirt road, jolting Fluttershy awake with an "Eep!".

>You look back and watch her look around wearily before curling back up with a blanket.

"Hey, I think we're almost there," you tell her.

>"Okay..." she mumbles.

>You smile at your lazy wife.

>Although you can't blame her.

>You'd do the same thing given the chance.

>Another 15 minutes and the next villages comes in sight.

>You whistle sharply, causing Fluttershy's ears to perk up.

"We're here," you call back.

>Fluttershy sits up, still wrapped in a blanket and Angel held close in her lap.

>You pull the wagon into the village.

>The buildings here made of whole logs with wooden shingles for the roof.

>They were raised off the ground by a thick granite foundation.

>You walk up the main road.

>It's a small village and all the buildings are identical.

>Griffon peasants chop wood and fix upon their houses.

>A few glance up at their latest visitors.

>You don't get a second glance as they go right back to work.

>A small market with about 5 stalls sits in the center of town.

>The perveyors walk about and chat before they spot you coming.

>One by one they make their way back to their respective stalls.

>One in particular catches your attention and you make a bee-line right for it.

>You park your cart just before it.

>You unhook yourself from your harness and twist your back, popping it several times.

>You help Fluttershy out of the back.

>The vendor raises an eyebrow at the sight.

--

>"Welcome to Talonsgrove," she says. "You the circus?"

>"Oh no," answered Fluttershy.

>"Just traveling, then?" asks the vendor

>She looks at you and points.

>"Because I know that thing ain't from around here."

>Fluttershy looks to you and back to the griffon.

>"Yes, we're travelers. Anonymous here has come from... A, uh, very far away place."

>"I believe it," said the griffon. "So do you want to buy something or just exchange small talk?"

>You were browsing the griffon's goods the whole time.

>All meat.

>You point to a choice slab of red flesh.

"That venison?"

>"Yeah, tha- Wait. You mean that thing can talk?" she asks pointing at you.

>You point at her.

"You mean that thing can talk?" you mimic.

>The griffon's not amused.

>"Yes it's venison. I'm surprised a timid-looking pony like that would risk keeping a carnivore for a pet. A talking one at that."

>You stare at her with a straight poker face.

>"Oh, he's not my pet," said Fluttershy.

>"Slave?" asked the griffon. "Well I guess that makes more sense than subjecting a pet to haul you around all day."

"You know what? Nevermind. Can we just purchase this already? I've been dying for a good steak for a while."

--

>"And just how long is 'a while'?" asked the griffon.

>You look at Fluttershy who only shrigs back at you.

>When was the last time you had meat?

"Red meat? I want to say... A few weeks at least."

>The griffon's eyes widen in shock.

>She turned on Fluttershy.

>"What kind of twisted torture is this?" she shouts. "Denying a creature the succulent flesh they need to survive? That's inhumane!"

>Fluttershy backed up and cowered behind her mane.

"Calm down," you tell the griffon. "I'm not her slave. It's just a little harder to come by meat that it is fruits or vegetables."

>"That's unacceptable," said the griffon. "Tyke!"

>You turn around and spot a group of griffon cubs tackle one in a large pile.

>A single head pokes up from the pile as the cub squeezes himself free.

>"I gotta go, guys. I'll see you later!"

>A claw pokes up and waves.

>"See you later, Tyke!" calls a muffled voice.

>Tyke makes his way to the stall, taking care to give you a wide berth.

--

>"Tyke, close the shop, then come straight home," said the vendor.

>"Okay mom!" said Tyke.

>The mother looked back at you and Fluttershy.

>"Come with me," she says.

>You and Fluttershy exchange glances and shrug.

>You grab the cart handles and follow the griffon, Fluttershy walking next to you.

>"So you never did tell me your relationship with each other," asked the griffon.

"I'm her husband," you state.

>The griffon stops in her tracks and turns around.

>She stares at the two of you for several seconds in silence.

>"Your husband?" she asks.

>Fluttershy nods in confirmation.

>The griffon blinks twice and looks to you then back to Fluttershy.

>"What do you have, an exotic fetish or something?" she asks.

"Heh, no not quite."

>"Well it's definitely something," comments the griffon.

--

>You reach the griffon's home and she invites you inside.

>"Just leave your stuff outside," she said. "If anything gets stolen, we'll just find the punk who did it and take it back."

>That didn't give you any solace, but you do as she says and cover the wagon with the blanket.

>The only thing you take inside is your guitar case, just in case.

>The griffon's home is... quaint.

>Animal skin floor and walls rugs for decoration.

>Not to mention a few animal heads.

>Fluttershy's gotta be on the verge of breaking into an insane fit.

>Giving her the once over, she doesn't even seem to acknowledge the decor.

>Your host seats you on a wooden sofa with stuffed cushions and walks to the kitchen.

>The house is small and cramped compared to what you're used to, but you can't complain.

>At least you're out of the cold.

--

>Your host walks back into the living room.

>"How do you like your steak?" she asked.

"What?"

>"I said, how do you like your steak?"

"I... don't... care?"

>The griffon rolled her eyes.

>"How about you, Miss Butterfly?" she asked Fluttershy.

>"I, uh... I dnmthrg," she muttered quietly.

>"Volume," said the griffon.

"She don't eat meat," you clarify.

>The griffon shakes her head at Fluttershy.

>"That's a sad existance," she said. "I can't imagine not eating meat."

"You have no idea the suffering I have endured."

>"I'd rather not," she said, the two of you exchanging laughs.

>"So about that," says the griffon. "You eat meat, but why haven't you been?"

"I buy it. I'm not a hunter."

>The griffon shakes her head.

>"Well, I know what you're doing tomorrow."

"What's that?"

>"Don't worry about it. Name's Aada by the way."

--

>The front door swings open, a rush of cold air flowing.

>"Mom, I'm home!" called Tyke.

>He closed the door and flew to his mother.

>"And this is my son, Tyke," introduced his mother.

>"Hi! You're funny-looking," commented Tyke.

>A swift slap upside the head corrected him.

>"I mean, nice to meet you."

>You can't help but chuckle a bit.

"I'm Anonymous. Anon for short. This is Fluttershy."

>"Hi," greeted Fluttershy softly.

>"Flutters for short?" asked Tyke.

>"Hehe, sometimes," giggled Fluttershy.

>Aada went back to cooking while Tyke played 20 questions.

>What are you? Where are you from? Where's that? What's wrong with your legs?

>He would have kept going had his mother not call you all to dinner.

>Fluttershy and Angel shared a plate of vegetables while the rest of you had veggies with your venison.

>You lean back in your seat and rub your satisfied belly.

"So what do we owe ya?" you ask.

>"How about we hold off on repayment," said Aada.

>Works for you.

>She gives you the living room for the night.

>Fluttershy takes the couch while you get the floor.

--

>You're woken up early the next morning.

>It's rediculously cold and the sun hasn't risen yet.

>"Ready for work?"

"What kind of work?"

>This kind of work.

>Two hours later, you're both stalking the pine forest around Talonsgrove.

>Each of you equipped with an iron-tipped spear.

>"Keep your eyes open, stay low, and stay quiet," instructed Aada.

>She put a particular emphasis on 'quiet'.

>You had come upon a small apple tree and decided to duck into a bush.

>There were no apples on the tree, but Aada had brought a few to try and bait an animal.

>You had been waiting for quite a while.

>You got bored and started asking questions.

"Why do you have a spear? Why don't  you use your beak and claws?"

>"Because I'm not a savage."

"Couldn't you just fly and swoop down from above?"

>"Do you want to learn or not? And I thought I told you to keep quiet."

>You sigh.

>No wonder you don't go hunting.

>This sucks.

>A few minutes pass.

>You need to take a piss, but there's a rustling on the forest floor nearby.

>You peer through sticks of the bush and spot a stag walking over and begin eating your bait.

>A nudge from Aada is your cue.

--

>There are only a few apples so you need to make this quick.

>You slowly crawl prone backwards out of the bush to make as little noise as possible.

 >You try to apply what you think you know.

>Aada wasn't exactly clear on the procedure.

>You slowly crouch walk around the bush.

>The snow crunches softly beneath your boots.

>The stag's ears rotate for signs of danger.

>When you get a clear line of sight, you slowly stand to make your move.

>You could thrust it with your spear, but getting that close without alerting it would be damn near impossible.

>Aada watches from the bush as you cock your arm back, spear at the ready.

>You take a step and bring your arm forward.

>The stag hears your foot hit the ground and it throws it's head up, looking right at you.

>The stag turns to run as you release the spear.

>You miss.

>Aada flies from her cover like lightning and drives the spear into the hind leg of the fleeing animal.

>It shrieks and rears forward.

>It bucks its hind legs back, hitting Aada square in the chest.

>Unable to flee, it turns its sights on you, Aada's broken spear sticking from it's flank.

--

>It charges and you stick your hands out.

"Oh sh-"

>You grab its antlers, but it drives them into your stomach and throws you several feet to the side.

>You see Aada stagger to her feet.

>She no longer has a weapon.

>And yours lies several feet away.

>The stag charges again.

>You dive and roll for your spear.

>The stag is practically on you now.

>You grab it and stick the end in the ground, the tip pointed towards the attacking beast.

>You close your eyes and look away.

>The sudden weight of the stag impaling itself on your spear causes it to snap beneath the animal.

>The stag falls to a heap on the ground.

>And on you as well.

>The spear impaled its chest, but it was still alive and kicking.

>Aada took the chance to casually walk over and slash its throat with her claws.

>The stag lies still.

--

"Get this thing off of me," you tell Aada, ennunciating each word.

>Aada rolls her eyes and moves around the animal to your side.

>She pushes on it with extra help from her wings.

>You use your free arms to push it off your body and down to your legs.

>You slip free and stand.

>Your clothes now have red stains.

"What happened to not using your claws?"

>"I lost my better weapon."

>Aada looked over your kill.

>"Good job," she complimented.

"Good job? We almost died!"

>"Yeah. That went better than the average hunt."

"Wait, what?"

>"Yeah I failed to mention that Hinterland Stags are highly territorial and competitive and can be real brutes when provoked."

"..."

>"..."

>Silence.

"You suck."

>"Says the one who needs this meat more than anyone right now."

"Good point. What now?"

>Aada pulled a knife from a sheathe around her hind leg and dropped in front of you.

>"Skin it and clean it."

--

>The sun had just set when the two of you got back to Aada's home.

>You follow her inside, carrying the skin and each carrying pounds upon pounds of venison.

>Tyke was aware of the hunt and told Fluttershy, who looked after him during the day.

>Apparently, griffon cubs don't go to school.

>Aada shows you how to salt and preserve a lot of the meat.

>She stores what they can't eat to sell later.

>Dinner that night was practically a feast.

>Aada took special care to set the dinner table right.

>Nothing fancier than pewter plates, but this isn't a formal dinner, so who cares.

>Tyke asks about your travels and more about where you come from.

>After dinner, you be a good guest and help Aada with clearing the table.

>Fluttershy offers to watch Tyke as he tromps into the other room.

>"So do you think your butt can fend for yourself now?" asks Aada, collecting some plates.

"Yeah right," you say, grabbing a few plates and goblets. "Perhaps if I get a little practice spear throwing I'll become a stone-cold killer such as yourself."

>"It's not that I enjoy it," said Aada. "But because it's my job and a necessity to survive."

>You drop them in the sink and begin washing them with Aada.

"I was kidding. But I can see how your profession connects to your hunting proficiency so well."

>Aada hands you scrubbed dishes and you stack them in the cabinets.

>"Your... "wife" only eats plants, right? That must be hard."

>You shrug.

"Back home it used to be an uncommon thing to get a decent cut of meat. Especially in a town made up of herbivores."

>"Well hopefully you remember me and decide to come back for more."

"How do I forget the one who almost got me killed by a deer?"

>The two of you share a laugh, which is cut short by a shriek from Fluttershy and Tyke.

--

>You and Aada race into the other room, to find Fluttershy and Tyke just sitting there.

>"What's wrong?" asked Aada, prepared to defend her cub to the death.

>You spot your guitar on the floor in front of Tyke.

>Two strings are curled up to both ends.

"Aw!"

>You run over and kneel next to your mutilated guitar.

>"I'm sorry!" cried Tyke. "I didn't know it would break!"

"Calm down, Tyke. What happened Fluttershy?"

>"Well he wanted to see what was in the case, so I show him. Then he started plucking the strings. I-"

>Tears started to well up in her eyes.

>"I didn't know it would snap."

>You look at the floor to try and hide your smile.

>You can't.

"Relax, you two. I'm not mad. Although I'm slightly annoyed that I have nothing to do on the way home."

>Aada walks over and cocks her head at the instrument.

>She reaches a claw past you and plucks a string.

>She smiles.

>"Well, time for bed, Tyke," says Aada.

>"Aww..." groans Tyke as he gets up and slinks to his room.

>"So you two are leaving tomorrow?" asked Aada.

"Correct."

>"That's a shame. But anyways, have a good night."

>Aada retires to her bedroom.

>You lie down on a deer skin on the floor.

>Fluttershy takes the couch again.

--

>You rise with the sun the next morning.

>Fluttershy and Aada had been kind enough to cook while you played with Tyke.

>When breakfast was over, Fluttershy left to the market to get food for the trip.

>You were helping Tyke pick up around the house.

>It was mostly your mess anyways.

>Aada walked into the room.

>"Tyke. Go play."

>"Okay mom!"

>Tyke flew out the door, long gone.

>"Hey," said Aada.

"What's up?"

>"Want to know something?"

"Sure."

>Aada walked up to you and placed both claws on your chest.

>She wrapped you in her wings.

>"I don't have a husband."

>You blink twice.

"I- uh... I'm married."

>"Oh, please. That timid little pegasus?"

"Yes."

>She pulled herself in closer with her wings.

>She looks at you with half-lidded eyes.

--

>"You don't have to sacrifice the succulent flesh of animals to make her happy," she says.

"That has nothing to do with it."

>You go to push her away but she pulls tighter.

>"You still owe me a repayment from earlier," she says.

>You actually push as oppose to nudge this time and successfully force her off.

"And how much is that going to cost us?"

>"I want you to lie with me," she says.

>You go to your pack in the corner and dig out your coinpurse.

>She watches as you dump and handful of bits and drop them on the table beside you.

"That should cover it."

>"I don't want your money," she says. "I want you. That pegasus likes you for something. I assume it's in the bedroom."

"Sorry, Aada. No can do."

>She quickly flys over and wraps both forelegs around you and buries her face in your back.

>"Fluttershy doesn't have to know," she says.

>You feel your back get a little damp.

>Aada sniffles.

>"Please? For me? Tyke needs a father figure in his life."

>You know what she's trying to do.

>And it's working for the most part.

>You grab her wrists and gently part them.

"Sorry."

>You turn around and face her as Fluttershy walks into the door, saddlebags full of groceries.

>She instantly notices the distraught Aada.

>"What happened?" she asked.

>You throw your pack on your back.

"We were just leaving."