Dawn, not only a great soap developed in the second millennium and now known only to the emperor and the gods, but also a time of day. And on Equis in Equestria it was dawn, and as much as a certain draconequus would like it to be, the country was not soap. The light from the sun shone through the trees and over fields, it lit the land in its bright glow. However not all of the land was so bright, there was a patch of land which seemed to defy the harmony of the rest of the country. The Everfree forest, quite the nice place. If you were unkillable, as it just so turns out there was an unkillable man there. In fact he was the only man in Equstria, at the current moment Vulkan laid up against a large gnarled tree. He was asleep, his dreams were actually quite uneventful. Perhaps it was because he was simply too tired, he had not realized it the night before. But when you have to fight something like “the Beast” it tended to exhaust one’s body, if not at least from the length of the battle.
Zecora walked out of her hut and moved to look at the side of her home. After a moment she felt a small smile creep onto her face. The giant was quite peacefully asleep, funny that he should appear so approachable despite his size. As if on queue the man stirred, he opened his eyes. The leaves and sunlight that showed from them was almost alien to Vulkan, sure he had seen plants. He had seen more plants in so many different forms that it would seem impossible. But after so long away from a forest, whether he be on a barren wasteland planet, in a ship of metal, or anywhere else. It became difficult to remember a tame world from his memory.
The primarch glanced at the zebra, her smile still showed, he returned the smile, “Well, I would assume it is morning. So good morning, how did you sleep?” the man’s accent practically oozed positive emotions.
“Quite well, though I am sure you can tell. I will head out to find some plants. Though you I can tell you didn’t intend to listen to my rants.” the rhymes were almost instantaneous. She was quick witted to be sure.
"That is quite alright, would you like some company while you do?" the father of the Salamanders asked. Zecora nodded after a moment and walked away from her hut. The pair walked for several yards before the zebra picked up a flowered plant and continued to walk. She placed it in a basket on her side. As they got farther and farther from her hut she was able to find more of each plant she wanted before each type was eventually left alone. She had filled her basket and had placed it down.
"I always find more plants the farther I go from my home, but it becomes more dangerous as well. But with you are here to roam, we are safe as far as I can tell." the universe had quite the sense of irony it seams, a manticore sprang from the bushes. Zecora froze for a second before she attempted to reach into her bag for a potion.
"Oh! Hello again my fluffy friend!" the manticore visibly recoiled after it realized it hadn't been stalking just a zebra. Through leaves and bushes white stuck out. And despite his size, Vulkan's steps were softened by the ground. Large he was, but green and quite enough that he had gone unnoticed since he was down wind of the manticore. In mid air as it flew at Zecora it tried to turn away from the pair. But too little too late, Vulkan was like a cobra. He thrust forward and latched onto the manticore with his arms, it struggled for a moment before it began to whine in high tones. Like a house cat that didn't want to be picked up.
"Uhhh... What are you doing? That is a manticore, they do not like hugging. How-" Zecora's questions filled her throat for only a moment before it died there.
"I am grateful to you fluffy one. You should be grateful Zecora. we would not be friends if Fluffy here had not shown me your home." the giant man seemed like a child holding on to a large stuffy.
"You gave it a name? And how do you know this manticore is the same? There are many in the Everfree, and it guided you me? Unless what are telling me is true, last night I may have eaten spoiled stew." Zecora seemed to go through a mental check list to make sure she was alright.
"I can assure you that this is the same one I met yesterday. Do not worry, she may be a bit feisty but she will not harm you with me here." Vulkan motioned the shaman over, "Not only is the this creature female from the lack of mane, but she also shares the same scars on her paws." He motioned to a series of diagonal patches of lighter fur on top of the manticore's paws. Vulkan put the manticore down as it whined, "That and her whines are the same."
Zecora took a step back from the predator, when the beast didn't move she relaxed slightly. Vulkan pet the head of the manticore for a bit before he stopped and she got up to leave. Vulkan waved and the manticore simply looked back before she walked faster. "I think it would be best if I head home, but you may continue to comb."
"Actually I shall head back with you, I would like to talk more before I eventually leave." Zecora picked her basket up and the pair walked.
"So you intend to leave soon. Are you sure it is almost noon." Vulkan shook his head.
"I do not know when I will leave but, when I do, I would like to be prepared. So I hope my questions are not a bother."
The zebra returned her companions shake of the head, "It is no trouble, just as well I help you not cause rubble." But as they walked toward the shaman's house a russle came from the bushes. Almost unbeknownst to the pair they were stalked. By the very same manticore, though it was from curiosity more than hunger. Twice now she had been released from her betters hold, and despite the crushing hug she came to no harm. The giant was kind to her and she had a hard time to figure out why. Though if she knew that Vulkan did know she was stalking them, she would have left the moment she started.