//------------------------------// // Little Horses // Story: Spirit: Stallion of Equestria // by Sacred Blade //------------------------------// Language. I knew firsthoof how important language was if I took into account my experiences with the two-legs. One group spoke a specific tongue. The other equally as different. Us equines? Just as foreign as theirs yet over time I was able to associate their words with objects I had no knowledge of, but only just. Everything about them was new to me and despite my servitude, I was fascinated. I cannot say I was impressed by fences though. They limited me. And here I was hearing a new tongue once more and this from another horse's mouth. Or rather, multiple little horses' mouths. My ears had shot up immediately as they spoke. I was utterly baffled by the concept that I was unable to communicate with my fellow equine. Small they may be. Foals they may be. They were still every bit equine as I, perhaps a lot more colorful in the whole scheme of things, but equine nonetheless and not being able to understand them was frustrating. And those wings? I may not have shown it at the time but I was jealous. Did I also mention my mind tends to wander? Wings! Two of them had something protruding from their heads as well which I later found out to be a horn. At the time, it seemed like rather unfortunate growth that would just get in the way. I can't even imagine if it got caught in a branch or accidentally hitting it against something hard. I couldn't help but stare at the extra appendages on each foal. That is, save one, who was every bit a horse as I without such decorations. Height differences excluded. I tried to understand them but my attempts fell utterly flat as they babbled amongst one another. Their attention was definitely on me at the time if the five pair of eyes stealing glances my way in their semi-circle grouping was any indicator which amused me. Patient as I was, I simply watched the gathering with interest as they no doubt tried to decide what to do with me. It was obvious I was out of my realm. Come to think back on it, I should have been more frightened of the situation but you know me. Interesting fact, however, is these little horses were quite expressive. Almost as much as the two-legs. No, more so than the two-legs if I compared to the two appropriately. That was an eye-opener for sure. I watched the rainbow-maned flying foal finally land herself next to the white horned one and whispered something into her ear. The white one's ears perked before her gaze slowly wandered over to me while seemingly avoiding my own gaze. They kept roaming until she tore her eyes away suddenly with a barely audible gasp. She nudged the rainbow-maned mare firmly while her face lit up. I never did find out what was said. **** 3rd Person POV **** "Rainbow Dash!" came the declaration from Rarity, her face having heated up immensely while the others paused their conversing to stare at the two. "How dare you force a Lady look where she shouldn't!" "Whaaaat? I didn't force you!" Rainbow dashed protested, smirk ever permanently splayed across her lips, "You knew what I was talking about without me having to spell it out for ya. Not my fault YOU were also thinking the same thing." Rarity scoffed, cheeks still flaming, "I certainly was not!" A typical eye-roll crossed Rainbow's expression as she snickered, "Whatever you say Rares." "While I'll admit he's a most excellent specimen of," Rarity began, pausing suddenly as her gaze roamed to the large stallion in front of them then quickly averted back to her friends while her hindlegs shifted uncertainly, "stallion masculinity and quite handsome, if I might add, I would not have made a comparison between Big Mac's and this tall gentlepony's..." Daintily, she suddenly coughed into her hoof. "What was that, Rarity?" Applejack's southern drawl was soon uttered, brow raised ten-fold at the mentioning of her brother. The sound of a facehoof followed as Rainbow went through the motions, an exasperated groan followed. Rarity just had to open her big mouth. **** Spirit's POV **** Whatever transpired, the foals resumed their babbling, I may even daresay bickering, and I couldn't help but smile. No matter where I was, seeing young ones such as these converse and enjoy one another's company was heartwarming even this new land I found myself in. They simply were not foals I was used to seeing. Eventually, the yellow one came forward and began to speak. Again, I couldn't understand a single utterance that which she spoke and yet there was something about her that was different from the rest. The more she spoke the more I...understood. At least I would like to say I understood. It was like a comforting warmth flowed around me. In me. I realized she was trying to comfort me, to keep me calm. Not that I needed to be treated as a foal but I had no inclination to tell her otherwise. I had no means to do so. I noticed the group began to move in the same generation direction while the yellow one began to fly, hovering in front of me before she beckoned me to follow. It was not difficult to decipher what she wanted and I obliged with an understanding bob of my head. She smiled and I returned the gesture though my eyes, once again, was drawn to the bird-like appendages she flapped at her sides. So very jealous. **** 3rd POV **** The group of six moved through the Everfree Forest back the way the five came. It was the safer path, thankfully, but the trek was still tense nonetheless. Their new friend seemed rather relaxed despite the potential for anything to go wrong though they could all see the curiosity being conveyed by the stallion's gaze. "That's it!" Many ears flatted at the sudden outburst from Twilight with Rainbow asking the obvious, "What's 'it', Twilight?" "I know what he is! Well, I mean, we know what he is but obviously not from where. He's a horse!" While Twilight often states the obvious on most occasions, this was no different and many mouths opened to state this very fact before the purple alicorn continued after taking a breath, "Not like a Saddle Arabian horse. Applejack, you own one of these." A collective "Huh?" echoed amongst the mares especially Applejack as she scrunched up her muzzle in confusion. "Sorry. I meant the Applejack from the mirror world. The YOU over there showed me a few pictures of your farm and a similar looking creature such as he was one of those," Twilight clarified with a motioning toward the following stallion whom Fluttershy seemed to be keeping an eye on. "So you think he might have come from that world?" Rarity inquired curiously. "Maybe. There are certainly a few differences so I will take a quick trip through the mirror and ask the girls there. If he is from there, getting him back shouldn't be too big of a problem but a stallion showing up right outside the school might draw attention. That's assuming he stays a horse on the other side! Still, I should let Princess Celestia know what, or rather, who we found once we get back to Ponyville. As much as I want to run some tests right now," Twilight paused, taking in her surroundings, "I don't think the Everfree Forest is the safest place." Again, the obvious was stated and a collective sigh of relief echoed. **** Spirit's POV **** We walked for a time though I found my gait having slowed by comparison to the foals all things considered. The forest, at least the portion we were moving thru, was quite gloomy. To my surprise, however, there did not seem to be any danger. I like to pride myself on sensing such things given my experiences over the years and the foals seemed otherwise relaxed. The white one, I could tell, was a bit more cautious where her hooves were falling. The brush began to slowly clear as we came upon the edge of the forest and I found myself at a sudden stop. Houses. They were still distant I admitted by they looked similar to the buildings the two-legs were capable of making. Granted, I saw very few of them though I would have still been just a wary were there... What did he call them again? Teepees? The foals noticed my abrupt stop and turned to study my reasoning. Of course, I couldn't tell them or warn them. They were about to walk into a town full of two-legs! I stomped adamantly in defiance, an act that would oft warn my herd of impending danger but alas, these foals only looked on confused. I snorted. Whinnied. Brayed. Neighed. I know some of those are the same thing but I had to do everything in my power to get them to understand! Startled but seemingly unafraid, the yellow foal once again began to fly in front of me with her calming tone reaching out to me. Hooves pawed at the side of my muzzle reassuringly and I found myself enveloped yet again in vague understanding. At least I hoped so. She made a gesture toward this town and I peered intently at the structures. My eyes narrowed as I scrutinized every aspect only to find myself surprised by the lack of the two-legged beings. While such beings lacking is certainly a good thing, the fact that the town was filled by what appeared to be more foals only added to my confusion. What in the world was going on? I was beckoned to follow despite my hesitation and they all appeared understanding save for the rainbow-maned whom, by her demeanor, was quite the impatient foal but she hid it well enough. I've been a father more than twice, I've seen that look before. With a heavy exhale, I took a step toward horse civilization.