//------------------------------// // Issue 1.5 ~ Home Free... // Story: It's All A Little Strange To Me // by Essay Jay //------------------------------// “Do you know a pony named Dro?” Starlight asked Jade after sometime as they walked. Jade visibly stiffened as they kept going before she relaxed a little. “Uh, yeah. I… I did,” Jade muttered. “Why? How do you know that name?” “Well, I just stopped by the small town of Mortar and bought some dried fruits and veggies for the road. The mare at the stall I bought noticed I wasn’t from around and I explained to her what I was doing. She then told me of how she knew a pony a long time ago who found Kamare-taj.” Starlight turned her head to look at Jade. “She is… was an old friend,” Jade said, face concealed behind her hood, “I haven’t seen her in ages. Wouldn’t know if she would even recognize me.” “Why don’t you go visit town, then?” Starlight inquires as they begin to climb up a steep incline. “You know, reconnect?” “The life of a Kamare-taj mage is somewhat secluded, I’ll give you that,” Jade allowed. “There are some who prefer to live amongst normal ponies, but most of us are humbled outcasts that have learned to harness more than just your typical magic. Hermits and all that. Me? I just don’t like large crowds. Things happen in large crowds.” “Magic like what?” Starlight questions, before looking at Jade with confusion. “Things like what?” “No more questions!” Jade snapped, increasing her pace. Starlight began to struggle as she tried to keep up. “I already told you no asking me anything. I’m going to get into so much trouble just because I answered those.” “But we’re in the middle of nowhere in a secluded mountain valley!” Starlight reasoned. “That’s what they want you to believe,” Jade said dubiously. With Jade’s hastened speed, Starlight was now a ways away from Jade, who just kept on going. Panting a bit and feeling a headache coming along again, she called out to the hooded figure. “Jade! Wait!” Jade looked back to see Starlight’s resting form and sighed in vexation. “You know, maybe you should’ve exercised a bit before going on this ‘magical journey of healing’.” “I had one day,” Starlight breathed, “One. Day.” “Still, I should think,” Jade grumbled before Starlight painstakingly made her way up to Jade’s position. “You ready again?” “I think I remember saying ‘no more inclines’ just at the cliffside,” Starlight complained. “No, you said ‘no more stairs’, but it’s the same difference.” Jade began to trot up again with a more manageable pace for Starlight. “Don’t worry. By the time we’re done with you, you could run all of Equestria and back without breaking a sweat.” “W-what?” Starlight fearfully asked. “By the time they’re done with me…?” “Oh yes! I’ll make sure to tell them that you love doing hills. Aren’t they great?” Jade joked, and she enjoyed watching Starlight’s face pale further. “Relax, I’m just kidding!” Jade said after she couldn’t stand it anymore and burst out laughing. “Oh, phew! For a second there…” Starlight giggled nervously. “Yeah. Don’t worry, they won’t make you do hills,” Jade started, walking a little bit ahead, “They’ll make you do mountains.” If Jade thought Starlight’s face before was funny, Starlight’s face now was downright hilarious. Jade snickered as she continued walking, followed by the visibly paled Starlight Glimmer. “Going to have lots of fun with you,” Jade smiled before the trip was met with silence once more. “And here we are, Kamare-taj! Tucked away in the edges of the Canterlot and Unicorn Range and the Grand Prairies and Hoofhills,” Jade announced dramatically gesturing to the small village ahead. Starlight eyed it with a look of slight displeasure and judgement. “Took me long enough!” Starlight hurrah-ed with satisfaction, but paused. “Are you sure that other town we passed wasn’t Kamare-taj? It seems a bit more ‘Kamare-taj-y’, doesn’t it?” Starlight questioned, visibly tuckered out from their trip. It had taken much longer than Starlight thought, much much longer. “You know, I was like you once,” Jade related as she strutted calmly into Kamare-taj. “Disrespectful… In some ways I still am.” She stopped at a door and turned to Starlight with a smile. “So, might I suggest something?” “Y-yes?” Starlight inquired. “Forget everything you think you know.” And Jade opened the door. Starlight hesitated. “How do I know this isn’t just another one of your jokes?” “I don’t joke about the Ancient One,” Jade whispered reverently, and Starlight could only gulp in response. In the short time she knew this enigmatic mare, she was always upbeat and humoring and annoyed. But the way she talked about this pony… Starlight could feel a shiver go down her spine. “R-right,” Starlight murmured. Jade then walked in, and Starlight followed. Starlight couldn’t help but startle into the air when the door closed behind her of it’s own accord. Everything seemed old, or, if Starlight were to assume correctly, properly ancient. The wood smelled musty yet fresh, covering the walls and floor. Cabinets and display cases filled with relics and various items dotted the aisles and hallways that Starlight could see, the occasional floating candle hovering above them. They soon neared an open room with dying sunlight pouring through the rafters. Twinkling through the air, some dust could be seen floating and resting in all places and it smelled of a fragrance which Starlight could not describe- something close to the gentle smell of fresh blossomed flowers and cinnamon. Seeing an old-wise looking mare with glasses and flourishing garb studying at the raised area of the room, Starlight removed her own hood and bowed her head. “Thank you-” Starlight was interrupted when three ponies removed her saddlebags and her cloak for her. Quite startled, Starlight chuckled hesitantly. “Oh, well, that’s a thing, I guess…” Starlight murmured. “Thank you-” Another pony dressed in pure white robes came and hoofed a cup of tea to Starlight, who smiled thankfully. “Uh, thanks…?” Once more, Starlight tried to give her gratitude, just as the old mare began to walk away. “Thank you, Ancient… One… for seeing me…?” Starlight ended whispering as she watched the old mare begin to walk away. “You’re very welcome,” a voice said behind her and Starlight turned around to see the pony who gave her her tea. She looked young, younger than she would’ve thought. With white fur and a neatly tied back yellow mane, she smiled. “The Ancient One,” Jade bowed, introducing Starlight to the white mare as well as paying her respects. “Thank you, Master Mos, thank you, Master Jade!” the Ancient One grinned and Jade bowed once more before taking post at the doorway, smiling. Starlight glanced from the doorway to the mare in front of her before remembering Jade’s words. “Y-yes, of course. Thank you, Ancient One.” “Well, I think we’ve already said our gratitudes, I think it’s time we move on, hm?” the Ancient One said happily, going to the table which Master Mos had just been at, preparing another cup of tea. Starlight took a sip and widened her eyes. “Yeah… that’s good tea,” Starlight uttered after agreeing. “Miss Glimmer,” the Ancient One greeted as her eye twinkled, “You’ve come a long way.” “I’d like to think so,” Starlight agreed. “All so you can heal that horn of yours and find your inner peace, hm?” the Ancient One said, hoofing the cup of tea she had made to Jade, who took it with regards. “Y-yes,” Starlight confirmed, surprised that she knew why she was here, “Can you help?” The Ancient One’s lip crooked up, a wry grin spreading across her face. “Well, you’ve certainly come to the right place. Welcome, Miss Glimmer, to Kamare-taj.”