//------------------------------//
// Ponish 
// Story: Mud the Kelpie 
// by Topazzia 
//------------------------------//

Mud followed begrudgingly into the empty room, the pink pony leading more happily. 

Though she was hardly paying attention, Mud picked up on a subtle conversation earlier that day.

After quite some time, Pinkie Pie learned the different sounds Mud made while not wearing the necklace, and after informing Starlight of a couple of these instances Starlight got an idea. 

“It’s not wise to keep on using this necklace spell.” She gestures to the piece of jewelry on the table.
“It could get lost, damaged, and one of us could forget to hoof it off to the other.”

Pinkie nodded in agreement, “And Mud hates to wear it!”

“I think it’s time for the next task,” Starlight steps around to stand beside the earthpony.
“And since you two are already understanding each other…”

It was decided that Pinkie Pie shall teach Mud Ponish, whenever she can.

Mud however was not as excited, as this now took up precious napping time. But surely it would not be the worst thing in the world, she would be with Pinkie most of the time. While this pony was more energetic and outgoing than the kelpie, she at least took interest in Mud, which was enough.

“Now!” Pinkie dropped a package on the ground, next to a blackboard. 
“How should we start?”

Mud could barely understand, and with the necklace turned off, it was probably useless to try and respond. But that thought crossed her mind again, “not being able to understand”. What if she could, maybe that awful thing she had to wear was useless after all, and pony gibberish could make sense.



But patience was thin with this kelpie, and sitting still for almost an hour, watching the pink pony show her cards with scribbles, almost unbearable. Mud let herself settle to the floor, resting her chin on a hoof. Pinkie noticed, and watched as the orange eyes closed. 

“Hey sleepy head!” She poked a hoof at Mud’s ear, “We’re not done yet.”

With only a grunt as a response, the pony sat back, thinking any way to keep going. 
The solution came to her just then, “Wait here!” And she jumped up and ran out of the room.
Mud only huffed and rolled onto her side, continuing with her sleep.

Only a second later, Mud felt a hoof press her shoulder. She opened one eye and saw a platter of fresh cookies right in front of her. Ears shot up, and scrambled to sit up. The smell was strong and sweet, the kelpie leaned in to take the biggest bite she could. But a pink hoof tapped her nose gently, making her halt. 

“Nah ah! These are re-ward-s.” Pinkie said carefully. 
She holds up one of the cards with a letter on it, “Get these right…”
“You get a cookie.” Pinkie scoops up one of the delicious snacks. 

Mud’s mouth water as it was held in front of her, letting her lick it up and swallow whole. The taste was so much better on an empty stomach, which made her want more. Understanding what Pinkie had gestured, the kelpie sat up straight and still. 

She was ready to learn, so long as she got the cookies the pink pony Pinkie Pie promised.