I woke from my sleep when the sun decided to shine it's rays onto my face. Rubbing the sleep out of my eyes I sat up in bed. A quick glance at the alarm clock told me it was 7 something. Groaning loudly I flopped back down on the bed and covered my face with a pillow. Since there is no need to get up why not catch a few mor-oh shit. Sundance. I was up like morning wood as I scrambled out of bed to change from PJs to the first piece of clothing for each part of my body.
Next was the bathroom for hygiene and well...need I say more. Keeping the bathroom door open I used magic to pick up the many discorded items on the floor and put them back in the backpack (God I love magic.). After a quick check that I had everything I was out the door.
The hotel had breakfast set up already on the main floor so let the inhaling of hotel food begin. It was oatmeal again but this time with marshmallow eggs that turn into dinosaurs...don't judge me. Once the room key was returned I was out the door before The hostess could say "thank you, come again."
Now Princess Twilight mention the Changelings to both Sundance and me. I am quite sure Sundance would head to their hive. This means she is heading south, pass Appleloosa to the bad lands. While I wish I could just head to the train and take a ride the my destination I shouldn't; not without more supplies.
You know, if you take your time just walking around Ponyville you may discover what a nice town it is (Especially when your trying to find the right store). Certainly it has grown since us humans arrived, but it has kept its small town feel to it. Ponyville would be a wonderful place to visit, but atlas I found the a store that looked quite promising. If a store called Camp Supply Line does not sell camping equipment and supplies then there will be hell to pay...well I guess Tartarus in this case.
Making my way through the crowd of Technicolor ponies I finally got the front door and opened it.
You can tell that the people of Earth have had some influence on this world especially when you hear this. I literally deadpanned when I heard it playing throughout the store. It did however, amuse me somewhat.
The store was jam packed with all kinds of camping stuff. From Tents to cans of beans(no pork and beans though as one should expect). First things first, I needed a bigger backpack. I found them on display behind the counter on the opposite side of the building.
I made my way to the counter while glancing at surrounding items; making my mental list of things to get. Surprise surprise there was a actual human at the cash register. Visual inquiry told me that the human was a middle age (I think) heavy set female with a smile on her face. I did happen to see three other individuals off to the right. A yellow Pegasus mare with a bubblegum pink mane and tail was talking to a green earth pony stallion with a purple mane/tail. The third...well the third surprised me a little. It was a light brown Hippogriff with pink hair.
I know this is a bit of a diversion from my previous thoughts but it's not everyday you see a Hippogriff. Hippogriffs, as some might know are children of a Griffin and pony. They come in various shapes but the mix heritage is always visible. The one I was seeing just so happened to look like a pony with talons for forelegs and the tail was that of a griffin's, you know, the one resembling a lion.
The little tike caught me looking at him ( I could tell the gender because of the muzzle shape). He smiled and waved at me. I waved back thanking his innocent nature from keeping him from noticing my curious interest. What, Hippogriffs are rare. It's hard not to stare at one.
"Hi what can I help you with today."
I jumped back suddenly recalling that I was near the counter thus near the clerk. She let out a small laugh. At least one of us was amused.
"If I am able to scare you that easily and you plan to go camping I got some bad news for you." The woman spoke with mirth.
"Well last time I checked the wildness don't have ninja ladies" I quipped.
The woman just shook her head at my sad attempt to make a good retort. "So, what can I help you with." She asked politely with the smile never leaving her face.
Ahh, this is the part where I need to explain the reasoning behind my need of supplies. From what I have heard, it seems like Sundance is heading toward the Changelings. I'm sure this fact has already been made apparent. Now before anyone asks, We (as in both Earth and Equestria governments) have reached a truce. I don't know the details but I think was long as we supply them with what they need, they will not try to attack or whatever. Also they opened their boarders to travelers.
"Do you have a large backpack with a sleeping bag attachment?"
The woman responded by pulling out a sheet of paper. It looked like some sort of list. "Yep, lucky you, we have just one in stock. Let me get retrieve it from the back."
Once she left I decided to do a little shopping. I placed my old backpack on the counter to inform the woman I was still in the store just incase she made it back before I was done. First thing on my mental list to get...drum roll please...med kit. I'm a smart boy aren't I. Equestria and the surrounding continents may seem nice and harmless but that only because people only ever visit the 'safe places'. It's far more dangerous considering there are mythological monsters out there along with the normal wild life.
It didn't take long for me to find and pick up the med kit I wanted. Just as I was about to head to toward the next item something rammed into the back of my right leg. I would have fallen if I hadn't grabbed the shelves in front of me. Finding balance again I whipped around ready to fume at whatever hit me. My words became caught in my throat. Before me was the Hippogriff who was still recovering from the collision. Before I could ask if he was ok he shook his head like he was getting rid of a dirty thought then took off once again.
Oh my,are...are you ok?"
I turned and looked down to find the yellow Pegasus from before. "Yep, I'm ok" I replied.
'Um are...are you sure? I could provide you with medical assistance...that is, if you don't mind." she said in a less then assertive voice.
"No really, I'm fine" With the force the kid hit me with I'll probably get a bruise but I rather not mention that to the mother.
There was an awkward silence between the two of us for a few seconds before the mare spoke up again. 'I apologize for Aero. He's just so exited about the family camping trip." She spoke with a little more confidence.
'No worries, I remember back in the day when I was so excited about something I would forget about the world around me...lead so some awkward situations." I rubbed the back of my neck while the mare lifted a hoof and laughed lightly into it.
"Yes...well he might be I little too excited...but I don't have the heart to tell him to calm down especially when...oh but that doesn't mean I condone him running into others."
Again I tell her that it was alright I even add a joke about already having a med kit with me. As they say Curiosity killed the cat but there was one thing I wanted to ask. "Um it sounded like something is wrong. You started to mention it before going back to apologizing."
the mare who had already started to turn to leave stopped and looked at me inquisitively before for her teal eyes lit up with understanding. 'Oh...well um lets just say it won't be just Aero, his father and me for much longer." She smiled as she sat down on her haunches and rubbed her belly. "I still have eight and a half months but I don't think we will have time to take another family vacation after this one."
I nodded in understanding. I whispered a congratulations just incase her foal/chick (Idk what you would call a hybrid kid of a pony and a bird-lion, heck, cub might work as well.) was nearby. Though it kind of felt strange for doing so since I don't know this mare at all...oh well. Unfortunately I was reminded about the fact that I was looking at on half of a cross-species relationship.
"AH you don't have to answer this but how excitedly does it work...the relationship I mean...the relationship between you and the father.
Her first response was a big bright smile that I didn't think was possible on such a creature. It practically took up the entire lower half of her face.
"It works like any other relationship. We met, found out that we had similar interests, spent a lot of time together then...then got married."
"You didn't have any problems with him being a Griffin...wait I didn't mean it like that...um, was there any problems that came about with him being from a different species?"
Once again The Pegasus smiled, but not as much this time. "Yes...but we got through it and you want to know why?"
She paused for a moment before continuing "Because, Love is Love, no matter what form it takes or who is bonded through it. As long as you love them enough and they accept that love and return it, you will be able to overcome any hurdles that get in your way."
I just stood there looking at her as I took in what she said. It had been a simple question sprouting from curiosity about mix species, but it felt like I got something more out of it. I don't know what so don't ask me...at least not right now.
"MOMMMMY" The voice of a child called out from the beyond. Both the mare and I turned our heads toward the direction of the voice. I turned back to find the mare smiling at me.
"I better go...it...it was nice to meet you sir." With that she trotted away.
I quickly went back to gathering everything I needed. I'm sure giving a list of what I got would be tedious and boring considering the lengthy monologuing I'm already doing.
The cashier was already waiting for me when I got back. I quickly paid for everything which came up to hundred and ten bits, It may sound like a lot but compared to prices on earth the stuff here seems like they always have everything at half price.
After placing my bag into the other bag...sorry but I must...bagcption...I thanked the woman and left. Thanks to my investigations last night I vaguely remember coming across the train time chart. The next train to Appaloosa would be leaving just under a half-an-hour from now. I made my way to the station in which I already learned it's location from my last night wondering as well.
The big backpack (which I will refer to BB from now on) slowed me down a bit but wasn't unbearable. In fact I was still able to jog without much problem. Jogging and sidestepping pedestrians was actually kind of fun. I even started to smile.
Out of all the things that could have stopped me in my tracks it had to be the most peculiar thing I've seen to date that did just that. I saw Gilda having a heated discussion with a cyan colored Pegasus with a rainbow colored mane.
The both of them were flying steadily a few feet above the ground. Gilda's was moving her arms around to emphasize whatever she was saying. The Pegasus on the other hand had her forelegs crossed in front of her carrying a disapproving expression. It was when I got close enough to hear, that the Pegasus started speaking.
"It doesn't matter G. Sure, I enjoy pranks, heck I'm the top prankster in Ponyville but what you did was extremely rude and irresponsible. I thought you would start treating ponies better, especially since your cousin is married to one of my best friends, but what you pulled...not cool girl, not cool at all."
"Come on Dash, those boring ponies need some excitement in their lives even if they don't think they do. What's wrong with me giving it to them."
The Pegasus stared blankly at Gilda before bolt up into the sky a few more feet before speaking again. "I'm done talking to you until you stop acting like douchebag toward everypony." The Pegasus then shot into the sky leaving Gilda to stare at her will contempt.
"Whatever, I've better places to be." The Griffin said out loud. She turned to leave and wouldn't you know it, I was in the direction she leaving in. Even in brooding she recognized me. Surprise and curiosity overtook her once brooding face.
I needed to be careful for this was a delicate situation. She may not look angry anymore but deep down there is a volcano waiting to blow. I had to act by saying something that could both cool her off as well as apologize for eavesdropping.
and the best way to say all that is..."Hi there." 'smooth real smooth'.
"What are you doing here." She said without missing a beat. She also gave me a death glare so I might as well speak quickly.
"Oh...I'm just lookingforafriend that so happen tohavecomehere just recently." I gave her the most honest smile I could give. Being airborne she flew a few paces back with a disgusted look on her face. I guess the puppy-dog eyes and the innocent blinking wasn't helping my case.
"OOOOOKKKKKK...you go do that and I'll just be on my way out of this dull town." Gilda said, returning to her usual monotone voice. Her wings flapped harder as she begin to build up strength to ascend.
It was at that exact moment that I was hit with an idea (metaphorically speaking). "Hey Gilda, you know how to take care of yourself in to wilds, right?"
The flapping of her wings eased a little. "Yea, I was taught how to survive in the wilderness...what of it?"
"Well would you be willing to go on a little adventure with me to find my friend Sundance. She's traveling to the Changeling hive and since there isn't exactly a clear path to it I was wondering if you could help me out."
Surprisingly my proposal actually made her lift a talon to her beak. I had no doubt she was contemplating the idea. I mean she was rubbing the bottom of her beak with a talon so how could she not.
'Hmmm...well I don't actually have anything to do for a while....but what's in it for me?" she looked at me sternly.
Luckily I considered she wanted something in return so I was able to answer her immediately. "I'll give you all the fish I catch for fiv...no a year, yea a year."
"You know, I do eat stuff other then fish." she said in a disappointed tone. Her arms crossed in front of her.
While I thought of a better offer I looked around to see if anypony was near us. There wasn't, so I revealed my new deal with out needing to worry about getting distasteful looks from onlookers. "Ok...Along with the fish I can order any type of food from earth that isn't sold here...including all kinds of meat....besides equine that is (Horse meat products became illegal to make after an alliance between both worlds was made.) " This seemed to perk Gilda's interest albeit the 'not bad' expression that somewhat resembled a internet meme that I've seen before.
"That includes veal, right?" she finally spoke "I always wanted to try veal." I simplify nodded trying to hide a smile. she lowered the talon that she had on her beak and reach out to me with it. Realizing she wanted to 'shake on it' I did the same. Talons and hand met, shook once and before she let go she said "Then you got yourself a deal." she smiled slyly.
This time I didn't hold back my smile. It didn't last long for I remembered that I (now we) needed to be at the train station pretty soon. "Oh snap, we need to get to the train." I yelled taking off.
"Oh, and your going to have to pay for my expenses too. She called out. I tripped and fell flat on my face. Before I could recover on my own, I was grabbed by the arm and lifted to my feet by Gilda.
"Come on, you don't want to be late do you?" she said before taking off toward our destination.
Goodbye my well earned money, you will be missed.