//------------------------------// // 04- Friendship and Freshening Up // Story: Fall of the Alicorns // by Rara //------------------------------// Disclaimer: CC Cover art and all written material within is intellectual property of user Persianjuliet, and may not be used without consent of the author. My Little Pony and all related characters are property of Hasbro and Lauren Faust. Song: Life, Love & Laughter by Donavon Frankenreiter The next morning, I woke up in a tolerably good mood. It lasted all of ten minutes, until I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the water we used for drinking. “Good Golden Horn,” I was stunned. “I look like I fell down a cliff covered in thorn bushes.” Low, who had been taking a long draught from his own bowl, choked with laughter. “You might want to freshen up before we reach the city tonight. We’ll be stopping at Pirouette’s estate, hopefully around sunset. Why don’t you take a few minutes to fix your, ah, everything…” He ran away laughing as I lifted the bowl with my magic and flung it at him. I wasn’t really angry, having gotten used to his teasing in the two days we had spent together. I just didn’t want to let him think he had pulled anything over on me. My horn glowed with amber light as I drew the spilled water from the ground and formed it into a flat circle at eye level. It served as a rough mirror, and I began to unbraid my mane and tail. Looking at my reflection, I was glad that nopony was around to see me. My careful braids were coming undone, and tufts and stray hairs protruded at strange angles. My coat was dirty, and bits of mud and pine needles clung to the bright yellow fur. My hooves were especially filthy, and I winced as I examined them. Using a shell-comb from my saddlebags I yanked at the coarse tangles and accumulated knots. After an age of painful work, the brunette locks were once more smooth and slightly curled. Releasing the magic that held the water in place, I trotted to the stream. We had camped by the banks of a tributary, a tiny trickle of water far removed from the powerful length of the Canter. We would follow that stream almost all the way to the capitol, Low had explained, where it veered off at the base of the mountain upon which the city was constructed. I jumped into the cold water, and was shocked by the sensation. I stood still, shivering, until I grew used to the temperature. Then I quickly went about scrubbing my coat and hooves. My horn glowed, and a lump of soap lifted from a pocket in my bags, surrounded by a matching aura. I set to work, concentrating on my grimy hooves. I have always hated to be dirty, and was soon sparkling clean. I stepped quickly out of the frigid water, feeling invigorated and completely refreshed. The soap had scrubbed away more than the accumulated grime; it had scrubbed away my weariness. My heart felt lighter, and I smiled cheerfully at Low Tide as I passed him. “You’re not looking too fresh yourself, Tidy. Don’t you want to look nice for Pirouette?” He took a halfhearted swipe at me, and I danced out of reach, laughing. “She won’t want to see you if you look like a scruffy tree pony.” “Then she definitely won’t want to meet you, you scraggle-maned foal.” We fake-insulted each other for a while more, until we couldn’t take it anymore and burst out laughing. I was comfortable around him now, and this friendly teasing had become part of our relationship. It was nice, having a friend. I remember those few short days fondly, even all these long years later. “You definitely look better, though. I’m sure you’ll do great in Canterlot.” I shrugged and gave him an awkward half-smile. “I hope so. I just don’t want it to be a repeat of Branbury.” He smiled confidently. “It won’t be. You didn’t grow up with these ponies; it’ll be a totally fresh start. Besides,” he added with a toss of his silver mane. “I’ll be there. You have nothing to worry about.” I nudged him. “Except the size of your ego.” He affected a disinterested air. “It’s all part of what makes me great. You can’t pick and choose, it’s a package deal.” I rolled my eyes. “I feel sorry for Pirouette.” We bantered like this for a few minutes, but we were packing up and preparing to leave while we did so. Once Low had washed up, we shouldered our saddlebags and took off. We followed the course of the stream, but it wasn’t necessary by this time. The city-mountain rose before us, looming over the landscape like a- well, like an enormous mountain on a relatively flat plain. The spires of the castle glittered and caught the morning light like spun glass. It was an awe-inspiring sight at first, but after half an hour of having to squint and cover my eyes, protecting them from the reflected glares of light, the novelty of the city was lost on me entirely.