//------------------------------// // Don't Yak Back // Story: A Princess's Path // by Bluecatcinema //------------------------------// One evening, nearly a week after the trip to Baltimare, Flurry was rushing over to Moongleam's house, intent on returning a book she had borrowed from her best friend, and subsequently misplaced (and found behind her vanity mirror after dinner). While Moongleam hadn't seemed too upset to hear Flurry had lost it, Flurry had felt it was best to return the book immediately. 'What kind of friend would I be if I didn't return it right away?' She thought as she neared Moongleam's home. 'Not to mention what aunt Twilight would think...' Flurry knocked on the front door. After a few seconds, the door opened to reveal Moongleam... wearing a red dragon costume with matching shoes. "Oh. Hello, Flurry." Moongleam declared. "Little late, don't you think?" "Sorry." Flurry cringed. "Family game night. I forgot. Anyway, I found that book I lost." She held up the tome. "Good to know." Moongleam mused. "But I would have been fine waiting until morning." "I figured you'd been waiting long enough." Flurry shrugged. "Besides, I should never have been so careless as to lose it in the first place." "I told you, it's okay." Moongleam rolled her eyes. "I'd never hold something as simple as a lost book against you, Flurry." "I know." Flurry sighed. "But still, I'm not keen to put that to the test. Besides, I'd never want to upset my best friend." "Okay, that's enough of the much." Moongleam chuckled. "Sorry." Flurry grinned. "I guess when you're the niece of the Princess of Friendship, you can't help but pick up a habit for heartfelt speeches." "Who's at the door, sweetheart?" Sunburst joined Moongleam in the doorway. He was dressed in a green dragon costume. "Just Flurry, dad." Moongleam declared. "Returning my book." "Always nice to see you, Flurry." Sunburst told her. "But I'm afraid you picked a bad time. It's Moongleam's turn. We're all waiting, honey." "Coming, dad." Moongleam nodded. "Flurry, I don't suppose you'd like to join in? We always have a spare costume or two handy." "Thanks for the offer, but I've got to head back." Flurry declared. "The family's got an early day tomorrow. We're heading over to the playhouse to watch their new rendition of Manehattan Melodies." "Sounds like fun." Moongleam smiled. "Not as fun as Dragon Pit, but still..." "Sure it's not." Flurry chuckled. She had played the "pony-sized" version of Dragon Pit with Moongleam and her family a couple of times before, and found it to be a lot of fun. "But my parents wouldn't like me being out so late I can't get a good night's sleep and end up snoozing through the play." "Of course not." Moongleam nodded. "See you tomorrow." "Good night, Flurry." Sunburst added. "Night." Flurry nodded. Flurry quickly ran back to the castle. Her father took note of her return. "There you are." Shining Armor declared. "I was starting to think you were planning on staying the night." "No, I just had a little chat with Moongleam and Sunburst." Flurry shrugged. "You do realise you could have easily dropped the book off in the morning, before we went to the theatre?" Shining Armor pointed out. "So I've been told." Flurry declared. "But I had to be a good friend and return the book right away." "You really are your aunt's niece, aren't you?" Shining Armor chuckled. "I've heard that before too." Flurry smirked. "Okay, now you should go to bed." Shining Armor told her. "You'll want to be well rested so you can really enjoy the show." "Will do, dad." Flurry nodded. She gave her dad a quick peck on the cheek. "Night!" "Night, honey." Shining Armor grinned. Flurry made her way up to her room. After brushing her teeth (and returning her vanity to its proper place), Flurry got into bed and fell asleep, satisfied at having been a good friend. The following morning, the entire family shared breakfast, then headed over to the theatre, where they enjoyed an excellent show. They returned to the castle in time for lunch. "Great show, huh?" Anthem beamed. "Sure was." Flurry agreed. "Especially that number in the streets." "I loved the wedding song..." Cadance sighed. "I had a feeling you might, sweetheart." Shining Armor beamed. As they prepared for lunch, a pair of guards approached Shining Armor and Cadance. "Your highnesses, we have a matter that must be brought to your attention." One announced. "Okay then." Shining Armor nodded. "Kids, you head over to the dining room. We'll be along shortly." "Okay, dad." Flurry nodded. "Just don't take too long. We can't have a family day without our whole family, after all." "You sure can't." Cadance chuckled. Flurry and Anthem made their way to the dining room, taking their seats as the royal chef placed their lunch on the table. "Orchid stew, my favorite!" Anthem beamed. "Definitely in my top five." Flurry admitted. Flurry and Anthem managed to make it halfway through their soup before their parents joined them. Shining Armor and Cadance both wore expressions of worry. "Mom? Dad?" Flurry frowned. "What's wrong?" "We've just received word from the Saddle Arabian delegates." Cadance announced. "They've been forced to move their visit to next Tuesday." "Tuesday?" Anthem repeated. "Isn't that the day you're supposed to make a goodwill visit to Yakyakistan?" "Yes, it is." Shining Armor nodded. "We can't turn away the delegates, and we definitely can't cancel our trip to Yakyakistan, so..." "So you need me to handle one of those duties." Flurry surmised. "Yes." Cadance nodded. "But the Saddle Arabians will be expecting Shining Armor and myself..." "Then Moongleam and I can go to Yakyakistan." Flurry smiled. "Simple as that." Shining Armor and Cadance shared another worried look. "I don't know if that's such a good idea..." Shining Armor declared. "Why not?" Flurry asked. "The yaks can be... trying at times." Cadance admitted. "They mean well, but they are very set in their ways. And they are very vocal about anything that seems to be a slight against them..." "Mom, dad, relax." Flurry declared. "I can handle this. Trust me. I've met the yaks before, remember?" "But never on their home turf." Shining Armor pointed out. "It's not like they're going to be any worse than the dragons." Flurry pointed out. "Well..." Cadance muttered, unconvinced. "What? Don't you trust me?" Flurry frowned. "I've been making these diplomatic visits for months now. Do you really think I'd say or do anything to ruin diplomatic relations with the yaks?" "Of course not." Shining Armor shook his head. "It's just..." "You don't trust me." Flurry scowled. "Even after all this time, you still think I'm just this stupid little kid who can't be trusted with the important stuff because she doesn't know what she's doing." "We'd never think that!" Cadance declared. "Well, it sure sounds like you do." Flurry pouted. Flurry's parents shared another look, then nodded their heads in agreement. "...You're right, sweetheart." Shining Armor declared. "We should have more faith in you." "And we will let you go to Yakyakistan." Cadance smiled. "We do believe in you, Flurry. More than anything." "Thanks, mom." Flurry sniffed, tearing up. "Thanks, dad." "That's great, everypony." Anthem rolled his eyes. "But while you're having this big bonding moment, lunch is getting cold." "Oh, right." Shining Armor said sheepishly. "Way to kill the moment, squirt." Flurry chuckled as they joined him at the table. "What can I say?" Anthem shrugged. "I hate cold soup." "Seriously, guys, you can trust me." Flurry told her parents. "I've got this." "Just remember to treat the yaks with as much respect as possible." Cadance told Flurry. "You're going to have to be patient and considerate of them and their culture." "I will, mom." Flurry nodded. "And I'll make sure Moongleam knows to do that, too." "That's our girl." Shining Armor beamed. That afternoon, Flurry relayed the information to Moongleam. "So we're off to see the yaks, then?" Moongleam mused. "That's right." Flurry nodded. "Sounds great, huh?" "I suppose." Moongleam said flatly. "Though I have heard they can be a little... Primitive." "I wouldn't put it quite like that." Flurry frowned. "A little rustic, sure, but I wouldn't say they're 'primitive'." "I wasn't talking about their living arrangements." Moongleam corrected herself. "Then... What?" Flurry asked. "Are you saying they're stupid?" "Well, they do speak in the third-person..." Moongleam declared. "And from what I've heard, they seem to enjoy 'smashing'." "Only when they get angry." Flurry countered. "Or need to relax..." "All the same, I don't think they'll be counted among the 'great thinkers' of the modern age." Moongleam remarked. "Does that even matter?" Flurry scolded her. "It doesn't matter how smart somepony is, you know." "Sorry." Moongleam cringed. "That sounded meaner than I meant it to be. I was trying to point out that I may have trouble relating to them. I mean... I am pretty smart." "Of course you are." Flurry rolled her eyes. "But we need to be tolerant and respectful of them and their culture. And I'm pretty sure flaunting how smart you are won't help." "You have a point there..." Moongleam admitted. "Just be yourself." Flurry urged. "Your normal, friendly self, like you are with me. You'll have no problem relating to them if you just focus on your heart rather than your head." "You make it sound so simple." Moongleam declared. "Though I suppose sometimes the simplest solution can be the best one..." "That's the spirit." Flurry nodded. "And don't forget to wrap up warm. I hear it gets pretty cold up there." "Consider it done." Moongleam smiled. As Tuesday finally arrived, Flurry and Moongleam (both wearing winter outfits) boarded the royal carriage. Shining Armor, Cadance and Anthem were there to see them off (the Saddle Arabian ambassadors not scheduled to arrive for another ten minutes). "Good luck up there, sweetie." Cadance told Flurry. "And have fun, too." Shining Armor smiled. "Those yaks may be difficult sometimes, but they do know how to have fun." "Thanks for the pointer, dad." Flurry grinned. "Think you can bring me back one of those cool yak helmets?" Anthem asked. "I'll see what I can do, squirt." Flurry reached out of the carriage and ruffled her little brother's mane. With that, the Guards pulling the carriage took flight, carrying Flurry and Moongleam to their destination. "Brrr." Moongleam shivered. "You weren't kidding about dressing warm, Flurry. I almost feel like I'd prefer the Appleloosan heat over this." "It is pretty chilly." Flurry admitted. "But I'm sure we'll be able to warm up once we get to Yakyakistan." "I certainly hope so." Moongleam declared. Shortly after, they landed outside the gates of Yakyakistan. "Here we go." Flurry nodded, as she and Moongleam got out of the carriage and walked up to the gates. She knocked hard on one of the gates three times. In response, the gates slowly opened. As they did, Flurry and Moongleam saw a group of yaks waiting for them. At the front of the group stood Prince Rutherford. Age had done little to diminish his mighty bulk, though there were a few grey streaks in his fur, and his beard had grown longer. "Greetings, Prince Rutherford." Flurry bowed respectfully. "I am Princess Flurry Heart, and this is my best friend, Moongleam. We are honored to be here in Yakyakistan." "Extremely honored." Moongleam nodded. "Welcome, little princess pony!" Prince Rutherford greeted Flurry. "Yaks are also honored to have you in Yakyakistan!" He took note of Moongleam. "And yaks welcome purple glasses pony too!" Prince Rutherford pulled them both into a hug. "How... nice." Moongleam wheezed, short of breath. "Ponies come in!" Prince Rutherford urged. "See Yakyakistan in all its glory!" Flurry and Moongleam followed their welcoming committee inside. As they walked, they took note of the various hoof-made huts and structures. "I guess you were right about them being 'rustic' too." Moongleam whispered to Flurry. "Huts of mud and hay. Definitely the oddest-looking dwellings we've ever seen..." "I live in a crystal castle, and you live in a house shaped like a wizard's hat." Flurry pointed out. "I really don't think we're in a position to judge." "Another good point." Moongleam admitted sheepishly. A pair of yak kids waved at Flurry, who waved back. "Hi!" She smiled. "Hello, Princess pony!" One yak smiled. "Hello, glasses pony!" "You see?" Flurry told Moongleam. "The yaks are perfectly nice!" "I suppose." Moongleam agreed. "Though I could do without them just calling us 'ponies'." "That seems to just be their way." Flurry shrugged. "They call each other 'yak' all the time." "Wouldn't that get confusing, though?" Moongleam mused. "Maybe they're just used to it." Flurry shrugged. "Come, ponies!" Rutherford urged. "We sit around ceremonial fire pit together. Ponies hear yak stories!" "That sounds like fun." Flurry nodded. "Right, Moongleam?" "I suppose it is an invaluable opportunity to enlighten ourselves regarding yak culture." Moongleam nodded. "Purple glasses pony uses awfully big words for such a little pony." Rutherford noted. "Oh, uh... sorry." Moongleam said awkwardly. "I can use smaller words, if you prefer." Rutherford glanced at her, his expression difficult to read (mostly due to his eyes being hidden under his hair). "N-not that I'm saying you're stupid, or anything!" Moongleam added hastily. "Because I'm not! I'm sure you're very intelligent for a yak- or anypony, for that matter!" "Yaks do compliment their prince's brains a lot." Rutherford smiled. "You are very observant pony." "Thank you, your highness." Moongleam said, relieved. "Now, it is time for stories." Rutherford declared. "That was a close one." Flurry whispered to Moongleam. "Sorry." Moongleam apologized. "I couldn't stop myself!" "It's okay." Flurry sighed. "Just... try not to let it happen again." "I'll try." Moongleam nodded. After taking their seats around the fire pit, Flurry and Moongleam listened keenly to Rutherford's story. "...And that how yaks defeat evil and save world!" Rutherford finished his tale. "So, how did ponies like yak story?" "I thought it was great!" Flurry smiled. "And so well told." "Stop. You make yak blush." Rutherford grinned. "It was a captivating story." Moongleam admitted. "Far more than I'd expected... not that I'm saying I thought it would be simple!" "What wrong with simple?" Rutherford frowned. "Simple stories good for telling to little yaks." "O-of course they are." Moongleam nodded awkwardly. "And it doesn't really matter if a story is simple or not." Flurry added. "As long as it's a good story, it makes little difference." "All this talking make yak hungry." Rutherford declared. "Come, pony guests. We go to food hut and eat!" "I'm kinda hungry myself." Flurry admitted. "I could eat." Moongleam nodded. "Especially if it keeps me from talking..." Rutherford lead them to the food hut, where they were served vanilla oat cakes. "Mmm, these are good!" Flurry declared as she dug into her cake. "Yaks grow vanilla beans ourselves." Rutherford said proudly. "For many, many moons." He looked at Moongleam. "Purple glasses pony like yak food too?" "...Yes." Moongleam nodded hesitantly. "I see you're very good at baking... not that I wasn't expecting to. I mean, you'd have to be pretty stupid not to know how to feed yourselves... not that I'm saying you are, but-!" "What Moongleam is trying to say is that you make very good cakes." Flurry stepped in to help her friend. "Right, Moongleam?" "Yes, that's it exactly." Moongleam nodded sheepishly. "I was just..." "Having a hard time putting your approval into words?" Flurry suggested. "Of course." Moongleam went along with Flurry's words. "Yak will let yak chef know how much ponies like food." Rutherford smiled. "In meantime, would ponies like seconds?" "Sure would." Flurry nodded. "Yes, thank you." Moongleam smiled weakly. "More cakes!" Rutherford yelled to his fellow yaks. "More cakes!" One of the yaks provided Flurry and Moongleam with seconds. After eating their fill, Rutherford continued the tour. As they walked to the next hut, Flurry noticed how down Moongleam was. "You okay, Moony?" She asked. "No." Moongleam sighed. "I keep finding myself on the verge of insulting our hosts. I don't know why I keep doing that!" "So you've had a few slip-ups." Flurry said fairly. "That's no reason to throw in the towel." "Maybe I should've stayed home." Moongleam frowned. "Don't talk like that." Flurry countered. "My talking is exactly the problem." Moongleam groaned. "For the rest of this visit, I'm going to talk as little as possible. I can't insult anypony that way." "If you think that'll help..." Flurry said, not overly convinced. "Come, ponies!" Rutherford led them into another hut, which had several yaks dancing around a record player inside. "This yaks' music hut, where yaks listen to music!" "Ooh, I love music!" Flurry smiled. "That good." Rutherford smiled. "Then princess pony can dance with yaks!" "You bet I will!" Flurry started dancing. "Glasses pony dance too?" Rutherford asked Moongleam. "I'm... not much of a dancer." Moongleam said quietly. "Glasses pony must dance!" One of the yaks urged. "Come on, Moony." Flurry urged. "It'll be fun!" "Okay..." Moongleam said hesitantly. Moongleam joined Flurry and the other yaks in their dance. She hadn't improved much since the Summer Social; She was still making her moves slowly and carefully. "Glasses pony call that dancing?" A younger yak asked. "Yak's grandma dance better!" "Oh, yeah?" Moongleam scowled, her ego sufficiently bruised. "I'll show you..." Moongleam sped up her movements, and started making something impressive moves. "Yeah!" Flurry cheered. "Go, Moony!" "Go, glasses pony!" Rutherford cheered. "Glasses pony! Glasses Pony!" Several yaks cheered. Moongleam smiled proudly. The yak who had mocked her dancing looked away angrily. "Watch this..." She smirked. As Moongleam made to go into a quick-step, she tripped. "Whoa!" She yelped, teetering forward. Moongleam's hoof ended up stepping on the hoof of the yak who had mocked her. "Yeow!" The yak yelped. "Sorry!" Moongleam jumped back. "Little pony have heavy hoof!" The yak groaned. "Clumsy, too..." "I tripped." Moongleam shrugged. "Pony really does dance worse than yak's grandma!" The yak sneered. "Oh, yeah?" Moongleam scowled. "Well, I'll bet I weigh a lot less than her!" The other yaks gasped. "Moongleam!" Flurry yelped. "You not insult yak's grandma!" The young yak scowled. "Yak should smash glasses pony for that!" "Enough!" Rutherford stepped forward. "This end now!" As Rutherford glared, Moongleam realized what she had just done. "I... I'm sorry." She stuttered. "I... I didn't mean. I would never... I should go!" Moongleam ran out of the room. "Moongleam, wait!" Flurry ran after her. Moongleam was making a beeline for the gates. Even with her wings, Flurry was worried she wouldn't be able to catch her... so she didn't try. Instead, she used her magic to pick up Moongleam and carry her back over. "Don't go, Moongleam." She urged. "Why not?" Moongleam groaned. "I just insulted one of our hosts! How's that going to reflect on the rest of ponykind? If I leave, at least you can say you had nothing to do with it." "Not a chance." Flurry declared. "We're in this together, for better or for worse." "You mean that?" Moongleam smiled, as Flurry set her down. "What kind of friend would I be if I didn't?" Flurry grinned. "Yak say princess pony is very good friend." Rutherford suddenly joined them. "P-prince Rutherford!" Moongleam dropped to her knees. "Please forgive me for insulting one of your subjects! I didn't mean to-!" "That yak have big mouth." Rutherford snorted. "Deserve insults sometimes." "Still... I... I really am sorry, Prince Rutherford." Moongleam sighed. "I've been trying my hardest not to say or do anything that could insult you and your tribe, but I keep messing up!" "Purple glasses pony need to relax." Rutherford smiled. "Ponies and yaks already friends for long time. Yaks not give that up over badly-chosen words from young pony." "Oh, that is such a weight off my mind." Moongleam sighed with relief. "Thank you, Prince Rutherford." "Purple glasses pony welcome." Rutherford grinned. "Now, would pony guests like more vanilla oat cake?" "Yes, please." Flurry nodded. "I wouldn't mind a little more." Moongleam nodded. They returned to the food hut, and enjoyed more vanilla oat cakes. "I can't believe I got so worked up about all this..." Moongleam declared. "To be fair, I probably didn't help much by stressing how important it was not to upset the yaks." Flurry admitted. "I must have put so much pressure on you... sorry." "That's okay." Moongleam nodded. "Like you said, I should have thought with my heart, and not my head." "Ponies do like to talk about what they learned." Rutherford mused. "Yaks not understand, but yaks not hold it against them, either." "Lucky for us, huh?" Flurry chuckled. "Ha-ha!" Rutherford chuckled. "Yaks love pony humor!" They all shared a quick chuckle over the joke. Not long after, Flurry and Moongleam prepared to depart. "Ponies be sure to drop by again sometime." Rutherford urged. "Ponies always be friends to yaks!" "Thank you, your highness." Flurry nodded. "And we definitely will visit sometime." Moongleam nodded. "I think I could stand to practice my dancing a little more..." As Flurry and Moongleam flew back home, they reflected on the events of that day. "I think that went pretty well, all things considered." Flurry smiled. "Oh, yes." Moongleam said sarcastically. "I only humiliated myself like... half a dozen times!" "Look at the bright side." Flurry joked. "At least you've got a record to break next time we go there." "Ha-ha." Moongleam nudged her playfully. "Princess pony hilarious." "Princess pony thank glasses pony." Flurry nudged her right back. Despite the arctic conditions, both mares couldn't help but feel warm inside over their experiences that day...