//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: Unnatural: A Tale of Metal and Magic // by soothsayer //------------------------------// Light filtered through the window as the sun began its daily journey into the sky. Night had silently slipped away allowing her more conceited sister to take charge of the sky. Nopony wants to leave the comfort and warmth of their bed. Not when it is so dang cozy, but not everyone has a bi-polar chipmunk for a room mate. The fuzzy little tycoon glowered at the unicorn from his perch on the window sill. Pointing to the sun he was doing his very best to let the world know its morning, time to build my door. Ignoring Ferdinand, Elm snuggled Fanny close letting her plushy coat rub across his own. Satisfied he placed her one the edge of his bed allowing her to every so gently lean against the wall. Crawling out of bed he belted out a low yawn that sounded more like a roar. Stretching like a cat he looked up to see Ferdinand rolling on the sill laughing like he had seen the funniest think since the invention of the whoopee cushion, "What are you laughing at fuzz ball?" he said with a slight crack in his voice. Ferdinand rolled over on his belly and started to beat his fist on the sill, tears streaming down his face. Elm reached for the hand mirror that lay on his bed side table and took a look at himself. His mane and tail were a disheveled mess. Elm had seen rats nest that were more orderly. Finally getting the joke he couldn't help but join the chipmunks antics. A short while later after brushing out his mane and tail and shedding a few non laughter related tears his mane shone in all of its glory. He took a deep breath and started his daily ritual and the not so daily task of build a door, even if it was a minuscule one. The time whizzed by and before Elm was even ready he spotted Zecora trotting up the trail towards his home. He ran his hoof through his mane and grabbed the mirror checking to see if he any thing in his teeth. Satisfied that he looked as presentable as possible. Just as he was about to walk to the door to go out to meet the mare a knock came at the door. Ferdinand had scurried over to Elm while the stallion was polishing off his looks and was almost within reach when he turned around and made for the door. The hoof came down as if it was aiming for the little guy and he let out a loud squeak in fear. Elms gleeful grin turned into one of horror as he looked down to the source of the squeak. All of his weight was focused on a scant few inches of surface and it was too late to pull up so he did the only thing he could think of, he leapt of the floor with his hind legs. He rear passed over him and his world turned up side down as he flew over the wide eyed form of Ferdinand. Gravity pulled the escapee's form and claimed its prisoner once again as his plot smacked the floor. "Oof!" he breathed as he came to stop after sliding several feet. Falling to his side he lay there waiting for the room to stop spinning when his ears caught the sound of laughter. Rolling his eyes he imagined Ferdinand was rolling with laughter at him yet again. Ferdinand's soprano's ranged laughter was drowned out by a alto giggle. While trying to ignore Ferdinand he had missed the sound of the door opening. He rolled over and on to his feet, snorted at his tormentors and then walked over to the fireplace to stir the soup. At that moment he couldn't look at the mare. It wasn't because he was mad at her he was just far to embarrassed. The warmth of the fire stroked his muzzle but it wasn't as hot as the blush that was currently a resident on his face. Before he noticed her Elmwood was relaxed. His body didn't look like the collection of bones, skin, and muscles it was sleek as glass. Zecora watched as he was alerted by her intrusions into his home, which she knew was a faux pas on her part, his body coiled and every muscle tensed up. Many times she had seen the wilder more dangerous animals of the Everyfree look just like he did now. And she had cornered him in his own home. Ferdinand didn't want to see where this was going so he left the two ponies to their devices. "I should have waited and knocked again. I hope by letting myself in you I did not offend. I tried my best, but I couldn't help but laugh at your jest," she said sympathetically. Facing Zecora he let out a deep sigh wearing a hurt look, "It's ok Zecora. I just over-reacted. I'm sorry I walked away instead of saying hello. I was just to embarrassed to say anything." She sat her saddlebags down and then walked over to check out what the soup he cooked. She gave it a stir or two and then glanced at him, "We all make fools of ourselves sometimes, but not laughing at our own mistake is a serious crime. And once more a fool is seldom a bad thing, if happiness it brings," He wasn't sure of her words but offered her a half-smile, "I haven't had visitors in a good while; much less somepony who would call me a friend. I just wanted everything to be perfect." "Perfect doesn't exist my friend, trying your best is the only end." she said with a good natured chuckle. Elmwood laughed with her as his tension eased. "Do you want to eat first or do you want to get straight to the magic of Herbology?" "First we shall eat, and then I will wow you with an impressive feat,". He guided her to the table which he had already set. It was very simple set up just a couple bowl set on saucers with the silver wear laid out neatly beside it. A small basket filled with cornbread muffins sat between them beside a vase filled with daisies and foxglove. Zecora watched him take her bowl over to the fire place and fill her bowl and then return to offer it back to her. He then did the same with his own. Raising her eyebrow she tried to figure out why the unicorn wasn't using magic. The were many strange customs throughout Equstria and beyond. For example many traditional earth ponies didn't like it when pegasi used their wings to pick up food from a communal plate just as it was considered rude for unicorns to do the same with their magic. Unicorns preferred to use magic to manipulate silver ware only making exceptions when in mixed race company. Pegasi were the least concerned with table manners, if you keep your elbows of the table and chew with your mouth closed you were following the rules. She could help but wonder if he was doing wasn't using magic because he was afraid to offend her. While they were eating they chatted about common things like the weather, and what strange things they had saw while living in the Everfree, the talked the longest about medicinal herbs and their uses. Both had a question they were hesitant to ask but just as Zecora worked up the courage to ask him about why he hadn't used magic he beat her to the punch. "Before I settled down here in the Everfree I traveled extensively and I have never seen a pony like you before." he asked innocently as he looked her over. He couldn't believe he missed seeing her neck and ear rings or her stylized sun cutie mark. "I am an exotic breed, there a few of us in Equestria indeed." she answered. "I wished I had met you sooner Zecora," he whispered. Her ears shot forward just barely catching the his words, there was something about him. She couldn't explain it. Perhaps it was that he made her feel like he was a kindred spirit she decided to offer him something she only allowed a few others. They had long since finished their meal so she got up and joined him on his side of the table. She sat close enough to him that his body heat radiated off of her. His ears gave a nervous twitch and he couldn't look her in her eyes. His breath came quicker as he watched her out the corner of his eye. Her hoof slowly traced its way along his lower back and she drew him into a hug. It only lasted a few moments but it was enough to cause the steady march of his heart to rapidly speed up. Her ribs expanded and he felt her breath. A moment later she exiled. Turning to her he saw the warm smile that crossed her face. He had never wanted to kiss somepony more in all of his life as she inched closer. "Does she want me to kiss her. I want to kiss her. What am I doing she isn't even a proper companion yet and I want her. This is wrong. I can't do this!" Thought raced through his head as she stopped her advance. The warmth of her breath ticked his muzzle and her dark blue eyes sparkled with ethereal light. She parted her lips, "Don't worry about what you have missed. Life is too short for worry. Live in the moment and be free," she sang as she released her hug and leaned away. All of the mounting tension and expectations melted away. Brown eyes clouded over with storm of confusion. Laughing at the dumbfound Unicorn Zecora playful stroked his mane, "Rhyming isn't all that I do, sometimes it is easiest to speak straight and true!"