//------------------------------// // An itchy situation // Story: Genesis: Silvia // by scootalooftw //------------------------------// The crack of hooves meeting wood echoed through the early morning air as the sun rose over Sweet Apple Acres. Pausing to scratch her back on the tree she had just bucked Silvia glanced back to inspect her handiwork, pride bubbling up in her chest when she saw she had removed all the apples from the tree in a single kick. “And here I thought it would take longer to get back into the swing of things,” Silvia giggled to herself. “At this rate, I’ll have my section of the orchard done long before lunch time.” Taking a moment to steady herself, Silvia shakily began lifting the baskets she had just filled with apples into the back of her cart. Having loaded the last basket into the now full cart, Silvia took a moment to dry her face with the towel she had hanging on the shaft of the cart before taking a long draught from her canteen. “I really hope this fog starts clearing up soon,” Silvia mumbled, glancing warily at the white haze that seemed to cling to everything. “Working this close to the Everfree and being unable to see is more than a little unnerving.” In the week since her party, Applejack had deemed Silvia ‘inta tha swing a’ things’ enough to send her into the orchard herself. Given her experience with the Everfree Forest, and the critters living within it, Silvia had all but demanded she be assigned the sections of the orchard bordering the infamous forest. Working in such close proximity to the forest allowed her to keep a close eye on the borders of the Everfree, and in the week she was working on her own, she had noticed way more activity in the tree line than she was comfortable with. Draining the last drops of water from her canteen, Silvia tossed both it and the towel into the cart and rubbed her back against the hitch before hooking herself up. Casting one last glance over her shoulder at the forest, she snorted in annoyance at the ever present pair of glowing orange orbs that stared back at her before giving the cart a solid pull in the direction of the barn. With the cart now moving, Silvia kept her ears turned towards the forest as it disappeared from sight, listening carefully for the sound of approaching predators over the steady creaking of the loaded apple cart. As the barn came into view, Silvia sighed in relief as she noticed Applejack was currently in the middle of unloading her own store of apples. “Good morning, Applejack,” Silvia greeted, her cart lurching to a stop beside Applejack’s. “Glad to see I’m not the only one on a roll this morning.” “You better pick up the pace, though.” Silvia teased, pausing for a moment to unhitch herself from her cart. “Wouldn’t want me finishing my section before you, now would we?” “Filly,” Applejack quipped back, flicking the brim of her hat as she leaned against her cart. “It’ll be a cold day ‘n Tartarus when a greenhorn like yerself can out-buck me.” “You sure about that?” Silvia teased. “I do have a lot farther to walk than you do, so technically we’re about even.” “Yeah, an’ ya also got a bit’ve a jump on us by skippin’ breakfast this mornin’,” Applejack said, returning to unloading her cart. “‘N fact, Granny asked me ta send ya her way when Ah saw ya.” Dumping the last basket of apples from her cart into the storage barrels, Applejack moved to help Silvia unload her cart. “Ya doin’ alright, Silvia?” Applejack asked, watching as Silvia shakily lifted a basket from her cart. “Ya seem ta be strugglin’ a bit.” “Oh, no, I’m fine,” Silvia huffed. “Just a little tired is all.” “Yer a mite more than ‘tired’, sugarcube,” Applejack said, hefting a basket out of Silvia’s cart. “We know that ya’ve been skippin’ breakfast tha past few days. ‘N ya barely touched yer lunch all week. That ain’t healthy in this kind a’ heat.” Seeing Silvia preparing to grab another basket, Applejack stopped her by placing a hoof on her shoulder and turning her to face her. “No amount ‘a profits is worth yer health, sugarcube,” Applejack said, giving Silvia the most sincere look she could manage. “I want’cha ta go inside, take a break, n’...” Applejack cocked her head to the side as she trailed off, worry tinting her features. With a little more force than necessary, she hooked a foreleg under Silvia’s chin and turned her head to fully face her. Using her other hoof, she slid Silvia’s glasses down her muzzle and forced Silvia to look her in the eyes. “Silvia, yer eyes r’ all milky n’ glazed over,” Applejack said, moving a forehoof to Silvia’s forehead, “but ya don’ seem ta be runnin’ a fever. Ya sure yer alright?” “Yeah, I’m fine,” Silvia said, lightly shoving Applejack’s hoof away before rubbing her now aching jaw. “I’ve been a bit itchy, but that’s all.” “It isn’t yer back, is it?” Applejack asked. “Ah thought ya said it didn’t bother ya none.” “It doesn’t and it isn’t,” Silvia replied. “I’m fine, though, it isn’t anything I can’t work through.” “Judgin’ from yer eyes, ya ain’t ‘fine’,” Applejack interjected. “In fact, Ah don’ know if Ah want ya workin’ until yer feelin’ better.” “But…” Silvia started, only to be stopped by a hoof covering her mouth. “No ‘but’s, sugarcube,” Applejack asserted, “this ain’t up fer discussion. Ah want ya ta march right on up ta that house, let granny make ya somethin’ ta eat, then I want ya ta march yer behind right on down ta that doctor’s office, ya hear?” Silvia opened her mouth once more to protest but was cut off once again. “Ah’ll kick yer plot tha entire way there if Ah have ta,” Applejack threatened. “Ok,” Silvia relented with a sigh, “but what about the farm? Are you guys going to be ok without me?” “Ok without ya?” Applejack chuckled. “You bein’ here put us almost a full week ahead a’ schedule. Mac ‘n Ah will be able ta take a full weekend ta ourselves fer the first time in years.We’ll be more’n ok.” “Well, if you’re sure…” Silvia trailed off, turning towards the doors. “Ah’m sure, sugarcube,” Applejack said, resting a comforting hoof on Silvia’s back. “Yer basically family, n’ to an Apple, family always comes first. You go on ahead n’ get yerself better, we can handle things here.” Silvia paused for a moment, looking as though she wanted to argue further, before shaking her head and continuing her trek towards the Apple family house. A quick stop in the kitchen found a meal in her stomach, and a bag full of food tucked securely in her bags. ’Stupid,’ Silvia silently berated herself as she walked down the path leading out of the orchard. ’I know my next shedding isn’t due for another month or two, but how could I not recognize the signs! I mean fog, this time of year, really?’ Seeing a flash of color from the corner of her eye, Silvia turned her head and saw Applejack with her forelegs crossed, leaning against a tree. Rolling her eyes at her friend’s stern expression Silvia gave her a friendly wave, and Applejack, confident that her friend was following her orders, tipped her hat in response before returning to work. ’I wish I could tell her the truth, but…’ Silvia pinned her ears back as she ran her tongue along her sharp, well-hidden fangs. ’Quetzalcoatl forbid anypony found out about me, they’d probably run me out of town. ’I told everypony where I come from,’ Silvia thought, biting her lip as she sagged slightly, ’so if they discover me then it won’t be long before they hunt my family down.’ Passing through the gates of the orchard, Silvia kept a close eye on the nearby forest, the occasional burst of movement just inside the treeline catching her attention. ’Not only do I have to find time to slip away and shed, now that I can’t do it without being disturbed in the library,’ Silvia thought to herself, ’but I also need to slip into the forest and make sure the Timberwolves remember why Ponyville is off limits.’ Freezing in stride, Silvia nearly facehoofed at her own obliviousness. ’Of course,’ Silvia set her course for the library, a newfound purpose in her step, ’no one said I had to find separate times to get them done.’ Silvia trotted through town, pausing only momentarily to exchange greetings with anypony she knew that approached her. The sun was just barely sitting fully above the treeline when she burst through the library doors, barely slowing to kick the door closed behind her as she made a bee-line straight for her room. “Oh, morning, Silvia,” Spike said, poking his head out from a nearby row of bookshelves. “What are you doing back so early?” “We’re ahead of schedule over at the farm,” Silvia said, “so Applejack gave me a few days off.” ’Technically not a lie,’ Silvia thought to herself as she trotted up the stairs to her room. “Is Twilight around?” Silvia called over her shoulder as she ascended the stairs. “No,” Spike called back, returning to his chores. “She went out right after breakfast this morning, said she had some errands to run.” ’If she isn’t here,’ Silvia thought to herself as she tossed her empty traveling bag on the bed, ’then that’s one less pony that can try and talk me out of going. With practiced ease, Silvia quickly loaded her enchanted bags with everything she would need to spend a few days in the woods. Confident that she had everything she needed, plus a little extra just in case, she slung her bags over her back and trotted back down to the lobby. “You have any idea when she’ll be back?” Silvia asked, continuing through the lobby and into the kitchen. “Probably not anytime soon,” Spike answered, “she said not to worry about her when I decided to make lunch.” Finishing his dusting for the day, Spike took a quick detour to drop his cleaning utensils off in the broom closet before joining Silvia in the kitchen. Entering the kitchen, Spike averted his gaze with a blush at the sight that awaited him. “Do you think you could give her a message for me then?” Silvia asked, her rump stuck up on the air, waggling to and fro as she dug through the bottom shelf of the pantry. “Uh, yeah, sure,” Spike answered, his eyes glued to the corner of the ceiling as he attempted to preserve Silvia’s modesty. “If it’s something important I can get it to her now.” “No, it’s not an emergency or anything, but thanks,” Silvia said. Having gotten everything she had needed, Silvia pulled her head from the pantry and sat back on her haunches, her forelegs loaded with various non-perishable goods. Balancing carefully on her hind end, Silvia rotated to face the table and, with a calculated lunge, deposited the goods on the table. “It’s not like I need to go and find her or anything, I can send it to her without leaving the library,” Spike said, puffing his chest out in pride. “I’ve got magical fire breath!” “Impressive,” Silvia giggled, patting Spike on the head. “But that won’t be necessary. Just as long as it gets to her at some point today.” “Yeah, sure, I can do that,” Spike grumbled as he attempted to fix the spines on his head. “Just let me get something to write it down on, so I don’t forget.” Nodding her head in response, Silvia began sorting through and storing the food and supplies she had while she waited. Not long after he had left the kitchen Spike returned, a quill held at the ready in one hand, and a scroll in the other. “Alright,” Spike said, hopping up and taking a seat at the table. “Ready whenever you are.” “Can you just let her know that Applejack gave me a few days off so I’m going to be going to take care of some things, and not to expect me back for a few days.” “...won’t be back for a few days,” Spike mumbled. “Anything else?” “Just that I left some bits to replace the food I took,” Silvia said, depositing a small bag of bits on the table. “Sounds good,” Spike said, rolling the scroll up and securing it with a ribbon before placing it with the bits. “So I’m guessing all that food and stuff is for your trip?” “Yeah,” Silvia said, securing the last of her supplies within her bags. “Probably a bit more than I need, but better safe than sorry.” ’Plus I’m usually quite hungry once I finish shedding,’ Silvia thought to herself as she secured her bags to her back. Happy with her state of preparedness, Silvia nodded once to herself before exiting the kitchen. “Guess I should be off, then,” Silvia said, trotting to the front door. “The sooner I get going, the sooner I’ll get back.” “So, where exactly are you going?” Spike asked, having followed her from the kitchen. “Judging by the amount of stuff you’ve packed, you aren’t just going to the next town over.” “Just going to spend a few days in the forest,” Silvia said, turning to face Spike after she had secured her cloak around her neck. “We’re talking about the Whitetail Woods, right?” Spike asked, wringing his claws nervously. “No, Everfree,” Silvia corrected Spike, oblivious to his concern. “You’re going camping, in the Everfree?!” Spike shouted in surprise. “Do you have any idea how dangerous that forest is?” “Of course I do, I was living here for a few years before you and Twilight showed up,” Silvia teased, “the forest isn’t all that scary once you get used to it.” “But what about the manticores, and the timberwolves?” Spike fretted. “Or the cragodiles, the wood nymphs, parasprites, the cocka… cockatrie? Cockatry?” “Cockatrices?” Silvia giggled. “I don’t think I’ll have to worry about any of them.” “Why not?” Spike asked. “We have an… understanding of sorts.” Silvia said with a smile. “I understand that, yes, they could probably eat me, but they understand that the effort it would take wouldn’t be worth the reward.” “What do you mean by that?” Spike said, cocking his head to the side. “You don’t think a cute young mare like me could walk to Saddle Arabia and back without knowing how to defend herself, did you?” Silvia said, fluttering her eyelashes at Spike. “I suppose not,” Spike chuckled momentarily, before taking on a more serious expression. “Just… make sure you watch your back, ok? There are plenty of ponies around here that would hate to see anything happen to you, Twilight and myself included.” “I appreciate the concern,” Silvia said, giving Spike a grateful smile. “But you don’t need to worry, I can handle myself. Besides, it's not like I’m going to be alone out there, I’ve got a friend that lives in the forest.” “Oh, you know Zecora?” Spike asked. “Then you should have no problems at all, she knows that forest like the back of her hoof.” “I’m more surprised you know Zecora,” Silvia said. “Last time I talked to her... the ponies in town weren’t very welcoming.” “Yeah…” Spike cringed for a moment, “I’m kinda ashamed to admit that we weren’t very nice the first time we met her. But she ended up saving our plots.” “Oh,” Silvia perked her ears and cocked her head slightly, “how did she do that?” “Well, there was this incident with Pinkie Pie, a song, and some poison joke,” Spike stopped to laugh for a moment. “Next time you see Twilight, as her about ‘Twilight Flopple’, I’m sure you’ll get a kick out of her reaction.” “Why did Twilight need Zecora’s help to deal with poison joke?” Silvia asked before motioning to a nearby shelf. “There’s a book in this library that details the remedy for it.” “You mean ‘Super Naturals’, right?” Spike asked, getting a nod from Silvia in response. “Twilight took one look at the cover and thought it was some type of hocus pocus, mumbo jumbo nonsense.” “That book is not nonsense,” Silvia said, looking slightly offended. “It was a gift from a friend, and has a plethora of cure-alls and ointments that have helped plenty since I got it.” “Wait, so that’s your book?” Spike asked. “Yes, it is,” Silvia confirmed. “Zecora found a few copies of it when she was visiting a nearby town, and since it detailed a lot of plants and herbs that grew around her hut she grabbed herself a copy. Since she knew I frequented the forest, she bought one to give to me for my birthday, as well.” “If it’s your book, then why wasn’t it upstairs in the ‘private’ library?” Spike asked. “Well, I figured with the town being so close to the forest, I’d leave it out where everypony can access it,” Silvia said. “What’s the point in hoarding knowledge?” “Yeah, I suppose,” Spike chuckled. “That sounds like something Twilight would say.” “Glad I was right about her being a sensible mare,” Silvia joked. Checking once more to make sure she had everything she needed, Silvia pulled the door open and stepped through, pausing as she crossed the threshold. “Well, I really do need to get going,” Silvia said, turning slightly to face Spike. “With how thick the canopy is, there are only a few hours of good sunlight in the forest, and I’d like to get set up before it starts getting dark.” “Just make sure you stay safe, ok?” Spike said, surprising Silvia with a hug. “Don't worry, I'll be fine,” Silvia said, patting Spike gently on the head. “Just make sure nopony gets the idea in their head of coming after me. Even if they can make it through the forest safely, I doubt they'd find me before I came back.” “No promises,” Spike said, shooing Silvia out the door. “Now go ahead and get going, I’ll do what I can to make sure the girls don't send a search party after you when they find out where you went.” “Thanks, Spike!” Silvia called out as she turned and trotted down the path leading out of town. Spike stood in the doorway, anxiously watching as Silvia slowly vanished from sight. Once he was no longer able to see her, he turned to regard the forest for a moment before returning to the library. “I sure hope she makes it back ok,” Spike sighed, pulling out his checklist. “Better get the rest of this finished before Twilight gets back. I’m sure she’ll be upset when she learns where Silvia went, best not give her a reason to turn her ire on me.” Checking ‘dusting’ off from the list, Spike tucked the scroll away before grabbing the nearby cart of returned books. ~   ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~   ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~   ~  ~  ~  ~  ~ Silvia sighed in relief as she removed her cloak and stored it in her bags. After walking through the forest for almost an hour, she was finally far enough that she felt nopony would find her. Wanting to reach her destination before the sun reached its zenith, she took a quick drink from one of her packed canteens before continuing along the path. She continued to travel unmolested through the forest, but as she was nearing her destination a rustling in the brush lining the path caught her attention. Spinning to face the disturbance and crouching low, Silvia prepared herself to either fight or flee, should the situation call for it. To her pleasant surprise, however, instead of the predator that she had expected, the familiar form of her black and white striped friend stepped out onto the path. “My oh my, it can not be. Are my eyes deceiving me?” Zecora said, trotting out of the underbrush and up to Silvia. “This is truly a wonderful sight to see, my scaled friend once again in the Everfree.” “Zecora,” Silvia cheered, having perked up the instant the two toned mare stepped out of the underbrush. “It’s great to see you again!” “I must confess that the pleasure of this meeting is all mine,” Zecora said, giving Silvia a friendly hug. “When you failed to arrive at our scheduled time I took it as a bad sign.” “Oh, I’m sorry I worried you, Zecora,” Silvia said, pinning her ears back. “I got word that my Gran Gran had fallen ill, and I left that same day to go be with my family.” “Your actions, you do not need to defend,” Zecora said, motioning for Silvia to follow her. “I hope everything worked out in the end.” “It did, actually. Thanks for asking,” Silvia said, taking up a position alongside Zecora as they walked down the path. “Gran Gran made a full recovery.” “The fact that your grandmother made a full recovery is wonderful to hear,” Zecora said. “I can hardly imagine how much it would hurt to lose somepony so dear.” “Yeah, after I got over the initial panic of hearing she was sick, I wasn’t too worried,” Silvia admitted. “Gran Gran is a tough old mare, it would take more than a bit of a cough to take her down.” It’s good to hear of your grandmother’s health,” Zecora said, turning a curious eye to Silvia. “Though I can’t imagine what you have felt. If she continues to stand strong, then why have you been gone so long? “I still wanted to stick around until she got better, just in case,” Silvia explained. “Plus, since I hadn’t been home in a few years, I decided to stay and visit for a bit. That, and it’s a long trip to make on hoof.” “What would make you want to make such a long trip on hoof?” Zecora asked, giving Silvia an incredulous look. “There are faster ways to travel, of that trains are proof.” “Trains also cost bits,” Silvia pointed out, “which, unfortunately, I’m severely lacking in.” “If it is bits you are short, you need but ask,” Zecora said, giving Silvia a friendly nudge. “I would gladly help with such an important task.” “I couldn’t ask you to do that, Zecora,” Silvia said. “I’m sure there are more important things you need to spend your bits on.” “The truth is, for most of my food I am able to forage,” Zecora said. “Now that I’m able to sell my brews, for bits I lack storage.” “If you have so many extra bits, maybe you should stop by the Apples stand next time you're in town,” Silvia suggested. “Granny Smith is an amazing cook.” “While I may have grown fond of Mrs. Smith’s apple strudels,” Zecora smiled, “They simply can not compare to Mrs. Cakes snickerdoodles.” Having reached her shack, Zecora held the door open for Silvia while motioning her inside. Nodding her head in thanks, Silvia stepped inside and took a seat at the small table in the corner, gently dropping her bags on the floor beside her. Stepping inside the hut, Zecora pulled the door closed behind herself and hung a teapot over the fireplace before joining Silvia at the table. “So, to what do I owe your presence in my humble abode?” Zecora asked, grabbing a set of teacups off of a nearby shelf. “I’m sure it wasn’t coincidence that our paths crossed on the road.” “Oh! Well, you see,” Silvia said, blushing slightly as she scratched at her side, “I sort of started shedding a bit earlier than expected, and I ran out of those potions while I was gone.” “Ahh, so you find yourself in need of my brews?” Zecora asked, getting a nod in response. “If that is the case, then for you I have good news. On my way back from collecting ingredients, you found me. With what I have, I could easily make a potion or three.” “Really?” Silvia asked. “That’s wonderful!” “The ingredients I have,” Zecora said, standing from her seat to retrieve the now boiling teapot. “Though much to my dismay; to brew all of your potions will take me a full day.” Returning to the table, Zecora grabbed a small jar of herbs from a nearby shelf and deftly sprinkled some in the waiting mugs before adding the hot water. “That’s fine,” Silvia said, picking up her cup and raising it in thanks to Zecora before taking a sip. “I usually get my potions from you ahead of time, so having to wait for a last minute order is no big deal. I’m actually surprised you’ll have them ready so fast, I know you’ve told me that some of your brews can take days to properly steep.” “For some of my mixtures, that fact may be quite true,” Zecora said, taking a sip of her own tea, “but such is not the case for the potions I must brew.” Standing from her seat once more, Zecora approached a set of shelves carved into the tree wall and began inspecting the ingredients stored on them. “The first is a simple brew consisting of lavender, lemon balm, and passion flower, to relax your body and calm your nerves,” Zecora said, pulling a jar of each off of the shelf as she listed them. “The second brew is a bit more tricky, containing a mix of both vitamin and mineral extracts for when your appetite curbs.” Placing the assorted jars on a small table positioned next to the cauldron in the middle of her shack, Zecora then grabbed a medium sized jar filled with a brownish-yellow oil from a rack hanging near her sleeping cubby. “Last, but not least, to moisturize your scales and soothe the itch,” Zecora said, presenting the jar to Silvia. “A healthy mix of oils that is vitamin rich.” “Thank you, Zecora,” Silvia said. Taking the jar, she wrapped it securely in her cloak before carefully storing it in her bag. “Is the same payment as before still ok?” “When you finish shedding, a sheaf of your skin will suffice,” Zecora said, nodding in agreement. “To import Lamia skin from back home has quite the price.” “I’m glad I can help, then,” Silvia said, taking a sip of her rapidly cooling tea. “May I ask if you have any other reasons for being in the forest?” Zecora asked from her spot in front of her cauldron. “And even more importantly, where is it that you plan to take your rest?” “I was planning on setting up in my normal clearing,” Silvia said. “Judging by how itchy I’ve been, and the fact that my eye caps have already started to detach, I should be finished shedding in a few days.” “You’ll be happy to know, then, that of critters your clearing is free,” Zecora said, glancing sideways at Silvia with a smile. “I made sure nothing moved in, should you decide to return to me.” “You mean my burrow is still there?” Silvia asked excitedly, getting a nod in response from Zecora. “Aww, that’s great! The sphagnum moss growing in it made it nice and humid in there,  and it had a nice little stream running nearby; it was the perfect place to shed.” “Indeed,” Zecora said, “you’ll be happy to know it’s still clean and full of fish. It is the perfect spot to stock up, should you need the protein.” “Well, I’ve had no shortage of protein lately,” Silvia said. “Since I’m living with somepony this time around, and I’m not having to spend as much on rent, I’m able to keep stocked up on foods that are higher in protein.” “The fact that you are living with somepony else is news to me,” Zecora said, shooting Silvia a sidelong glance. “This pony you live with, do they happen to reside in a tree?” “Yeah, they moved into the treebrary not long after I left,” Silvia said, pausing to drain the last of the tea from her cup. “And according to Spike, you’ve met before.” “Ahh, yes,” Zecora chuckled, “Twilight Sparkle, the unicorn talented in all things arcane. And her assistant, Spike, a baby dragon whom most would label mundane. It seems that in kind caring hooves you have found yourself. Both would venture to Tartarus and back, should a friend need help.” “I could definitely see that with Spike,” Silvia giggled, “he seems like quite the loyal little drake. Twilight, I’m not so sure about, though. We didn’t exactly get off to the best start.” “You and Twilight not getting along, I can not see,” Zecora said, giving Silvia a doubtful look. “Your personalities, they seem to match to a ‘T’.” “Yeah, but I left her with a pretty crummy first impression when we met,” Silvia admitted. “I didn’t realize somepony else had moved in while I was gone, so I used my key to let myself in in the middle of the night. Crawled right into bed with her without realizing it.” “Well, that does not sound very bad to me at all,” Zecora said, arching an eyebrow. “It’s not as though you made a move for which there was no call.” “No, nothing like that,” Silvia said, flushing slightly, “I just… really freaked her out, ya know?” “No, actually, I do not ‘know’,” Zecora said, turning to face Silvia. “For a simple mistake, a fit she did throw. It sounds to me as though Twilight overreacted. Please tell me, at least, that her hate has been retracted.” “Yeah, we sat down and had a few good, long talks.” Silvia stood from her seat at the table, taking a moment to stretch before tossing her bags over her barrel. “The two of us are getting along a lot better now.” “And what of your secret,” Zecora asked, stepping away from her cauldron, “does she know what you are hiding? Last I heard, in your friends you weren't comfortable confiding.” “No,” Silvia said, pausing to make sure her bags were properly positioned on her back. “You're the only pony I've told so far because, well… you know what Equestrian history books say about my people.” “Ah, yes, Equestrian historians do not paint Lamia in a very flattering light,” Zecora said, nickering in irritation at the memory of what she had read. “They describe you as predators, whose only purpose is to consume anypony in your sight.” “Yeah, but what can ya do about it?” Silvia sighed. “It's not like I can just walk up to the princess and ask her to change the history books?” Giving her bag one final inspection, Silvia turned and began heading for the door. “I can already see how the conversation would go. ‘Oh, please, Miss Princess,’” Silvia pantomimed, batting her eyelashes at ‘The Princess’, “‘please stop making my people look like a bunch of bloodthirsty murderers.’ In response, she'd look me straight in the eye, smile that wicked smile of hers...” Rocking back on her haunches, Silvia held her forehooves out in front of herself before sweeping them up and over her head, imitating the sound of an explosion with her mouth. “And hit me with a sun beam,” Silvia deadpanned, “there’d be nothing left but a pile of ashes.” “I do believe you are being over dramatic,” Zecora said, “and that your fears are making your thoughts erratic.” Making one final check to make sure she had all of the necessary ingredients prepared, Zecora nodded to herself before leading Silvia to the door. “If revealing your secret is not what you wish to do,” Zecora said, opening the door for Silvia and following her outside, “then the telling of others I shall leave to you.” “Thanks, Zecora, for everything,” Silvia said, pulling the zebra mare into a friendly hug. “I honestly don't think I'd have stayed here for so long if it wasn't for you. It’s nice having somepony I don’t have to hide from.” Releasing Zecora from the hug, Silvia turned to face a lightly worn, well-hidden path that split off from the main road across from Zecora’s hut. “But enough of this sentimentality,” Silvia said, eyes scanning the canopy as she attempted to detect the position of the sun. “If I don't get started setting up camp soon, I'm going to run out of daylight.” “It is true that your surprise visit has caused the day to pass in quite a blur. As much as I’ve enjoyed your company, with your swift departure I must concur.” Zecora admitted, eyes scanning the hidden path by her home. “I have done my best to keep the path clear of debris, so to your den, you should be able to pass quite free.” “Thanks, Zecora,” Silvia called back over her shoulder, taking off at a slow trot. “I really appreciate it. I’ll see you in the morning, ok?” “Be swift, be cautious, and may you have a safe trip,” Zecora called after her. “I will see you when the moon releases us from her grip.” Giving a nod and a smile in response, Silvia shifted from her slow trot into a full gallop. Dashing through the thin layer of underbrush that helped hide the path, she smiled in recognition as the trees parted revealing a long narrow trail that disappeared into the distance. True to Zecora’s word, the road had been dutifully maintained, with not a single branch or piece of underbrush extending out in her path. Continuing down the path for a time, Silvia eventually slowed to a canter, and then to a trot, before finally settling on a walk as she came to a sharp curve in the trail. The trickling of water could be heard in the distance, and as she rounded the corner she couldn’t keep the exuberant smile on her face from growing at the sight of the clearing before her. “It’s almost exactly how I left it,” Silvia whispered to herself. Stepping out of the treeline, her eyes instantly fell on the trunk of a fairly large tree that was located towards the opposite side of the glade. Although the tree had clearly suffered some storm damage, it’s roots partially torn from the ground as it leaned against its neighbor as proof, it was still very much alive. Trotting past the large boulder that sat almost dead center in the clearing, Silvia sighed in relief when she saw that her makeshift campsite at the base of the tree was still intact. Gently setting her bags on the ground next to the downed log that acted as a bench, she took a moment to stretch before digging through her back and pulling out a large roll of canvas. Tossing the roll on the ground she reached back into her bag and dug around some more, a set of poles, a bag of stakes, and a spool of rope soon joining the fabric roll. With practiced ease, Silvia rolled the canvas out and stuck the poles into small, perfectly sized pockets on opposite ends of the cloth. Pulling four stakes out of the bag, she pushed them side by side into the ground, two at each end. With the stakes in place, she ran the rope from one stake, wrapped it around the top of the front pole, and then back to the second stake. Moving around to the opposite side of the cloth, Silvia then ran a length of rope from the third stake, around the top of the pole, and then down to the fourth stake. Pulling everything tight, the ropes proceeded to lift the ends of the canvas up, pulling it taut and leaving the ends hanging loose. Tying off the rope, Silvia grabbed four more stakes from the bag and, pulling out the corners of the canvas as far as they would go, staked them to the ground. Sitting back with a sigh of relief, Silvia looked over her makeshift tent with pride. “Well, now that that’s set up,” Silvia mumbled to herself, “it’s time for the finishing touches.” Turning back to her bag, Silvia dug a tightly coiled bedroll from her bags and unrolled it inside of the tent. Satisfied with the placement, she then began wandering the nearby treeline, collecting any loose wood or tinder she could find, and carefully stacked it near her camp. Once she was satisfied with the amount of firewood she had collected, Silvia then dug a folded metal tripod out of her bag and set it up over the fire pit. Next to the fire pit, she placed a hanging pot and kettle before wandering over to the stream that encircled the back half of the clearing, filling the water skins she had with fresh water. With everything set up to her liking, Silvia cast a wary gaze around the camp before approaching the downed tree. Circling around to the exposed roots, Silvia once more carefully scanned the treeline of the clearing, ensuring that she was entirely alone. “Doesn’t look like anypony followed me…” Silvia mumbled, eyes still looking for any signs of movement. Satisfied that she was, in fact, alone, Silvia pulled some vines that had been growing over the roots of the tree aside to reveal a small opening, barely large enough for a full grown pony to fit through, going underneath of the tree. With one more glance around the glade to ensure she wasn’t being watched, Silvia closed her eyes, lowered her head, and began to concentrate. She held this position for a quiet few minutes with nothing happening until, with a bright flare of magic, a ring of vibrant purple flames encircled her muzzle and began moving slowly up her face and down her neck. While before, ignoring a few barely noticeable traits, Silvia looked entirely equine, the form left by the receding flames was anything but. Her snout had become noticeably longer, and slightly wider, her once flared nostrils being replaced by slitted ones, and her fangs, once small and easily hidden, now extended down below her chin. Her ears, once conical and on top of her head, now extended from just above her brow line to just below her jaw line, framing her face like the hood of a cobra. As the flame ring passed over her barrel, her light yellow chest fluff morphed into a series of plate-like yellow scales, and the silvery patch of skin extending from her neck to her tail became dull faded silver scales. While all of her fur, besides that on her back and belly, stayed the same as the amethyst ring swept over her body, that completely changed when the flames reached her waist. As the ring passed over her hips, her light blue fur was replaced with scuffed, cloudy looking scales of the same color. When the flames reached her flanks, Silvia’s hind end dropped to the ground as her rear legs were consumed by the flames, which were soon replaced with a long, narrow, scaly tail nearly four times the length of a full grown pony, that slowly tapered to a point. As the flames reached the end of Silvia’s serpentine tail, the flames flared brightly once more before disappearing, leaving a long tuft of hair on the tip of her tail that perfectly matched the tail she had had as a pony. “Ahh, that feels so much better!” Silvia groaned, rearing back and balancing on her body as she stretched. Dropping back down, Silvia used her forelegs to guide herself as she slithered into the hole in the ground. Squeezing through the narrow opening into the tunnel, Silvia made the most of the large chamber beneath the tree, moaning in relief as the tree roots poking through the moss covered walls scratched at her scales. “Just as I remember it,” Silvia said, sighing happily as she breathed in the moist, earthy air of the burrow. With the entirety of her body fit snugly inside of her little den, Silvia’s eyes slowly drifted closed as she settled in for a nap. ~   ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~   ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~   ~  ~  ~  ~  ~ The evening sun was just beginning its descent towards the horizon as two figures, one short and one tall, in matching cloaks approached the Ponyville Library. “So what do ya think, is this the place, Wander?” The smaller of the two, barely larger than a filly, asked in an excited, clearly female voice. “Library inside a tree,” Wander, the larger of the two said, his deeper more relaxed voice labeling him clearly as male. “Exactly how she described it.” “Oh, I can’t wait to see the look on her face when she sees us,” the smaller pony cheered, hopping excitedly in place as they reached the library door. “I’m sure she’ll be as excited as we are, Moon,” the larger pony said, chuckling softly as he approached the door. Moon, the smaller of the two, continued hopping in place with a wide smile on her face as Wander raised a forehoof to knock. Before he could knock, however, a commotion on the other side of the door caused him to freeze in place and perk an ear to listen. “She went where?!” A slightly muffled yell came from the other side of the door, the voice clearly marking the speaker as female. “Spike, why would you let her go there! Why wouldn’t you say something, or come and get one of us? Now the sun is starting to set, and by the time I get the girls together to go look for her, it will already be dark!” “But she said not to go after her!” Another speaker, a young male by the sound of it, answered back. “She said she could handle herself, and I believe her. Besides, you and the girls would just end up getting yourselves lost. I’m sure she’ll be back in a few days, just like she said.” Seeing the door handle encased in a violet glow, Wander lowered his forehoof and took a step back. “I’m still going to go get the girls, see what they have to say.” The female voice answered back. “Applejack and Rarity have known her a lot longer than we have, so they might have a better idea of what to do.” Before the younger sounding of the two had a chance to respond, the door flew open as a purple mare came trotting out. Having her head turned to look over her shoulder, her attention still focused on the second pony in the room, the mare ran straight into Wander, the force of the impact barely shifting Wander as it knocked her back on her flanks. “Oof! Oh, I’m sorry…” She grunted out, turning to face the pony she had run into. Realizing she didn’t recognize the pony, she cocked her head in confusion as she looks him over. “Uhh, I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there, I was in a bit of a hurry.” “What’s the matter, Twi?” The younger voice asked. Leaning to the side to see around the purple mare, Wander was surprised to see a small purple dragon waddle through the doorway. “Woah, you're big,” The little dragon mumbled, craning his neck to be able to see Wander’s face. “So I’ve been told,” Wander said, trying and failing to contain his mirth. “Can, um, can we help you with something?” The purple mare asked, rising to her hooves and using her magic to dust herself off. “We were just getting ready close up for the day.” “Well, actually…” Wander started. “It’s ok,” the little purple dragon said, cutting Wander off. “I can take care of them if you want, Twi. I’m sure I can handle helping…” Cocking his head slightly, the little purple dragon trailed off as he turned to face Wander. “I’m sorry, but what was your name?” He asked. “I don’t think I caught it.” “That’s because I didn’t give it,” Wander said. In unison, the two cloaked ponies reached up and pulled their hoods down from over their heads. “I’m Wanderlust,” The large stallion said, giving Spike a large smile. “My name is Moontide!” The filly cheered, her large smile showing off a pair of equally large fangs. “And we’re here to see our sister!”