Collect Your Thoughts

>The crikets chirp slowly as the cool of the night rolls in.

>The fire crackles and the heat permeates my tent just a few feet away.

>The flickering glow from the flames casts moving shadows behind every object in the line of sight of the fire.

>It's like watching an impromptu animation; assum you would be able to make shapes out of the shadows.

>The mere thought of something as silly brought a smile to my face.

>My tent covers me with the opening facing the flames.

>Tilting my head up, I watch the midnight sky through the opening in the canopy of the forest clearing I currently reside in.

>A falling star whisks by overhead.

>I lie in collected silence.

>My thoughts stray from the silly, to the strange, to the obscure.

>The silly such as my imagination holding my attention and making pictures of the stars or shadows.

>The strange flow along the lines of, "I wonder how the town's doing with that supposed estrus orgy?" .

>The obscure includes, but definitely not limited to, "Why are we here?" .

 

>That question has bothered me ever since I first arrived here with the others.

>Is it really just some wierd cosmic coincidence that we all arrived in Equestria?

>And turned to ponies, no less?

>Or is there some sinister plot behind it all being orchestrated by one of the many demi-gods of this realm?

>Celestia and Luna are indeed the living embodiments of peace and tranquility, but they are not above suspicion.

>I know of Discord, but the extent of his power is unlimited as far as I know.

>Could he have dropped us all here as a joke?

>Or is he just that big of an asshole?

>Nonetheless, I've come to enjoy my time out here.

>Although it took some serious getting used to and weeks of practicing the most mundane of daily activities.

>Even now, as I work to better myself in all areas of interest, there are many things that still elude me or I find incredibly difficult.

>But the one that bothers me the most?

>My wings.

 

>I'm a pegasus who doesn't fly.

>What kind of pegasus doesn't fly?

>I've barely even opened my wings, let alone actually try to gain flight.

>I know I shouldn't be as embarrassed about it as I am, but when I look at the others, I can't help but feel ashamed.

>There's that crippled unicorn with the broken horn, but that's different.

>He lost his in a major accident and probably feels incredibly distraught about it.

>I've seen him on that hill several times trying to earn his magic back.

>And good on him too.

>Me?

>I just haven't tried.

>Should I feel sorry for that?

>No, probably not.

>For all I know, my wings are in incredible condition and I could soar clear across the globe.

>Not really, but you know what I'm saying.

>It would be an invaluable skill to know how to fly.

>I can get places faster, avoid bad areas on the ground such as canyons or swamps, or just go nap in the sky for a while.

>I wonder what a bed of clouds would be like?

 

>My eyes shut and I inhale deeply through my nostrils before exhaling slowly from my mouth.

>The smile from that thought fades slowly.

>Two months.

>It's been well over two months since we've arrived.

>The town seems to change every time you visit.

>More buildings, new faces.

>It's impossible to keep track of it all.

>The friends I thought I had have since all but forgotten about me.

>The blame for that actually goes fully on myself.

>I should drop by to say "Hi" more often.

>The shopkeep was killed last I knew.

>I guess it doesn't really matter since there was no way in Hell I was going to find that magic trinket he was looking for.

>That thing would probably be more valuable than the stupid axe I was willing to trade it for.

>I take a moment to peer over at my dwindling stock of firewood beside my tent.

>A heavy, rusty axe leans against it.

>Even so, at least I managed to find one.

>The blacksmith was cool enough to sharpen it up a bit.

>In fact, it was that visit that lead to another series of events.

 

>Another pony waltzed into the shop as I was preparing to leave.

>I feel like a jackass for not remembering their name, though.

>Or even if they were a male or female.

>The pony had with them several scrolls and quills among other things.

>Dropping them onto the counter, they struck up a conversation with Strong Metal.

>Eavesdropping a bit, I managed to overhear they were discussing crossbow designs.

>Now that I think about it, marksmanship will also be an invaluable skill in terms of town defense or even hunting.

>I've also overheard from the townsfolk that we will not die by eating meat, so that's cool.

>I'm sure the furs and pelts from the various creatures of the forest will be worth something to the villagers as well.

>Especially when winter rolls around and our food stores start to dwindle.

>Just the thought of the cold and impending hardships makes me shudder.

>It's still several months away.

>We have time to prepare.

 

>I'm getting off track.

>So after hearing about these supposed crossbows, I walked over and, albeit rudely, interjected myself into the discussion.

>The pony with the scrolls was discussing firing mechanisms and other such features for a crossbow to operate.

>A three-way converation ensued about how exactly everything will be done.

>I don't know much about a crossbow's firing mechanism, but a quick explanation was all I needed to be brought up to speed.

>As they discussed the actual trigger, my thoughts strayed to the bow itself.

>What would be a good wood, or even metal, to keep the draw weight of the bow taught but also light enough that it will have decent range and stopping power but also that we'd even be able to pull it back?

>Would we draw it with our hooves or mouth?

>How would we even hold it?

>Standing upright and firing with both hooves?

>I think a mounted, one-hooved crossbow would be our best bet.

>I pitch my ideas to the others and, surprisingly, they're well-received.

>Apparently they hadn't thought about that.

 

>I rise from my tent and drop two logs onto the dying fire.

>My wood stores are getting low.

>I'll have to go collect more tomorrow morning.

>Now where was I?

>Oh right, the crossbows.

>So anyways, another issue arises as to how exactly the bows will be mounted onto our legs.

>If we put the on the front, we could aim better, but it would hinder our movement.

>From the side, we could walk and run, but aiming would be a bit difficult at range.

>Do we possess the technology to flip the bow to and fro the front and side-mounted positions?

>No?

>Very well then.

>It's eventually decided that the side-mounted position would be our best bet for the time being.

 

>We also discuss the materials the bows would be made from.

>We're looking for strength, durability, and weight.

>I could say all day the combinations we've come up with, but lets just leave it at "We found it," .

>Unfortunately, the time and cost just to make one is way out of my range.

>Sure, some favors and even offering myself up to test a prototype would probably allow me to acquire one faster, but nah.

>The bow, quiver, bolts, etc...

>Those items would take a long while just to produce a small quantity that would be worth purchasing.

>Given some time, I'm sure I can come back and see what's up with that.

>I'll have to ask Strong Metal for that pony's name again.

 

>Sitting here now, I can't really think of much else exciting that's happened recently that's worth mentioning.

>Oh!

>I moved my tent out of the town if I haven't made that clear yet.

>Some of the residents were getting a bit upset that my ragged tent was starting to make their little ranshackle homes look bad.

>I suppose they have a point seeing as they're trying to improve the town.

>I can't help but feel that they're starting to leave me behind.

>I said it before, but I'll say it again.

>Everytime I go back to town, it's different.

>I visited the graveyard and payed my respects to those lost.

>Needless to say, I was damned surprised at some of the new names I found etched into those crudely-carved headstones.

>The houseboats tied off the river bank look neat.

>I definitely hadn't noticed those before.

>I should visit the tavern that I've heard so much about just to see if I can find any familiar faces.

>That would be nice.

 

>...

>My thoughts just sort of fade away.

>I lower my head to rest on my forelegs as I stare blankly at the fire.

>A soft chuckle comes from within me.

>It's amazing how simple yet how impossible that was when I arrived.

>I can't believe it took a visit to Strong Metal to let me know how absolutely retarded I was.

>I think a move will also be in order soon.

>This little clearing and the nearby are is starting get a little void of some edible plants that I actually enjoy.

>If I could find a water source like a pond or lake, that would also be amazing.

>You know what could help with that?

>IF I COULD FLY!

>...

>Now I depressed myself.

>My eyes close and I take another deep breath in.

>Exhaling slowly, I feel totally relaxed.

>In all reality, I don't need anything.

>I have everything, but a few more assets wouldn't hurt.

>If anything, my quality of life can only improve, although I'm quite content just relaxing out in the forest for now.

>It doesn't take long, but sleep eventually comes over me and I'm out for the night.