The wind fluffled the leaves below and the leaves within the trees. The storm clouds above rattled the skies with thunder. Twas not a night to stroll along as it carried through out. Yet, even still, two ponies stood in the distance. One of them a mare with a light purple mane, her dress a steel blue with a dark sash about her waist. She looks ahead as her calm demeanor doesn't seem to be affected by the rain. Her aquamarine eyes searching around her hooves. In search of a particular item, an, well, friend and pet. Her dull tone rang out as she called,"Boulderrr.. "
The stallion next to her held smoky grey fur with a light brown mane. The hair shorter than hers. His own fern eyes searching below his hooves as he lifts a nearby large stone. The calm demeanor she held was equal to his. Despite the storm above. It was as if it was a normal summer day, yet this was a normal autumn evening instead. The brown and yellow tinted leaves littered the ground. It wasn't long ago that the weather was set to this season. It was to be expected to have a storm here and there. Perhaps it was that which held their thoughts? Perhaps it contained no reason to fret about?
Though, these two were rarely known to fret.
"Well, Maud, I do believe we saw him by this river earlier." He proceeded to say, as he looked back towards her. "Yet the other stones here seem to be content with this setting."
Maud didn't look up. ", Mudbriar.. Aqueous Dissolution is no joke " She said, her eyes shifting to the next section of ground beneath her.
"Technically it is not a joke, though a possibility." He said with a mere nod and a wave of his hoof.
The wind picked up slightly, blowing through their manes and fur. Even with their calm collected selves, they shared a shiver to the cold that followed. Maud grew a slight tint of concern. Though her goal was to find her dear Boulder, it wouldn't be possible to continue the search here. Mudbriar lowered his chin as he came to the same conclusion. Their eyes met, and he set a hoof upon her shoulder.
"Do not distress Maud. He is stronger than the average pebble, after all." He says in a comforting tone.
She looks to his hoof upward to his head and gave a look of understanding. "Of course. Though he does tend to be afraid of a such downpour."
"Let us return to your home for now. We will begin again at dawn." He says patting softly as he gestured ahead. She gave a nod. Quietly she agreed. Reassured knowing that her partner would not let this go easily. Her boyfriend can be stubborn. Another trait of him she loved.
The two then continued to go along the path beside them. Leading deeper into the forest as they traveled. The rain hitting harder along the way. It didn't seem to want to stop. The two mentally questioning the decision of the pegasi that were in charge of the evening's weather. It took a bit, but soon enough they were under the shade of the entrance to the cave of their destination. Maud paused.
Her head moved behind her. Mudbriar's eyes soften as she looked back. "In a more clear daylight setting it should be a easier to find him." He said, turning as well.
"Though unable to now, it doesn't result to not find him later."
"Tomorrow leads another day of the week closer towards the evening that lead me to him. If our paths part then..." She began to say yet he interrupted her.
"Paths cross and turn into each other still- this one is a mere detour." He said, once more attempting to reassure her.
The two looked into each other's eyes once more. A loving stare as their own hearts fluttered with emotion. Not on the outside visibly, yet obvious to one another. They shared a small kiss before entering the cave.
The wind continued to batter against the trees now. The leaves scattering more so as the branches hit amongst themselves. The thunder roaring louder. The sounds echoing through the sky. The rain pelting against.... a young bat mare's wings.
Of course the next time I go into Ponyville another storm welcomes me! She thought bitterly. This very evening reminding her of long ago when a storm similar to this reigned. It had been many moons since she came here. Ponyville developed into quite the hub of activity. The planning for this trip had been on the back burner for some time. It wasn't easy to develop the courage to return either. Her thoughts revolved around those she had been here with before. Where were they now? Last she met Rarity was in her Canterlot's shop. She had bought a small dress there that Rarity insisted suited with her mane. Though, of course, long elegant dresses weren't usually her style. She bought the dress Rarity recommended plus the one she had seeked prior. A slight smirk crosses her lips... her body swaying slightly as she flew still within the stormy sky.
Rarity and Spike had helped her so much back then. Before she first came across the outskirts of Ponyville, she had known only of her colony within their migration of the land. They didn't often set hoof within the town. Normally only within the Everfree Forest to rest before traveling away from their winter home. Her own colony, at the moment, laid back into their regular place. She left on mutual terms this time around as she journeyed to Ponyville to----
Cra-ck--Le !!!
Lightning struck beside her, a little too close. She yelped in surprise, and struggled to regain herself. With her wings, though strong, faltered.. she maintained it only for a few seconds. Exhaustion and shock hit. Her eyes fluttered... dropping from the sky into the trees below. The branches fell against her, scratching at her body roughly. She thudded onto the ground yet her body proceeded to keep going. She tumbled against ground as she rolled down the grassy hill. The wet grass and rocks poked at her as she keep going. Unable to stop due to the steep dive. The built up momentum continued to thrust her. One of the rocks, quite large at that, hit her head directly. Her mind faded into unconsciousness. She came across the edge of the hill, dropping further as she hit against a rocky terrain below. Her body clasped deeply in pain...
Her body sat still. Her breathing waning before going onto her side.. only to drop down a gap in the roof of a cave. Yet, it wasn't as rough. The hole silk as it cuddled around her. Her body drifting until hitting the end. Finally she had stopped. Her body wounded from the combined forces against it... she laid still. Her mind deep in its unconscious state. An unfortunate train of events...
Maud and Mudbriar sat by the waterfall within her home. Maud quietly thinking and worrying about Boulder. Mudbriar at her side still comforting her. The two were discussing other things to distract from it. One of which was their plans for the next day that didn't pertain to the search of him. Like, their arranged meeting with Pinkie Pie for---
Cl-unk!!
"What a loud collision." Maud stated.
"Indeed, although that does raise the question what all was involved. " He commented, then stood up dusting himself off. "Perhaps it's a sign that the worst of the storm has concluded before it ceases for the night. I'd recommend we do the same."
He moves over to the bedding Maud set aside for him. Maud moving past him onto her own bedding. She cuddles into the blanket. Her eyes went onto the smaller pillow beside her. Always sat aside for her dear Boulder. Her hoof pats it fondly with gentle thoughts of him. Her and Mudbriar wished each other good night as they drifted off to sleep.