Fluttershy's carriage slowed to a halt in front on the gray weathered cabin nestled in a small dense grove of ponyrosa pines. Their dark emerald boughs casting shadows on the area, although the cabins atmosphere was not that of darkness and evil, but that of calmness and warmth. A constant stream of white smoke was floating from the dark crimson brick chimney located on the side of the cabin, signaling that there was indeed a resident inside the cabin.
As Fluttershy exited the carriage thoughts began to rush through her head. Oh dear, I hope this is the right cabin.... What if the guide doesn't like me.... What if he's mean..... She pushed the thoughts to the back of her head, as she walked forward towards the weather battered door of the cabin. The yellow furred mare then proceeded to send three light knocks onto the heavy pine door.
The moving of hoofsteps could be heard as the inhabitant came towards the door. The heavy ponyrosa door opened revealing a sandy brown earth pony stallion. The stallion's mane was a ruffled mix of dark orange, and sandy gold, and happened to look slightly like a birds nest. He wore a khaki long sleeve multi pocket shirt with a multitude of items in them, and a royal blue bandana around his neck.
" Hello there sir...."said the yellow mare outside the cabin.
The sandy stallion blinked his stormy grey-blue eyes before speaking in his rough Dodge City accent, "You must be my client for this weekend. Ms. Fluttershy correct?"
"Yes...."
"Good, I'm Nature Sound. Pleased to meet you Ms. Fluttershy. Now please follow me so we can get your gear suited. I see you already have your saddlebags." said the stallion leading the mare through the rustic cabin.
When the mare entered the cabin it was as if she had went backwards in time to when the area was being settled. The walls were bare ponyrosa logs, with the odd painting or shelf here or there, but the cabin was rather neat, especially the room that they next entered. That room was a room with one wall covered in saddlebags of different colors, and the other having rolled tents, sleeping equipment, and other camping necessities.
"Well, your going to need a tent, sleeping bag." said the stallion tossing the gear towards her.
"But I already have all this stuff..."replied the mare.
"Huh?"
"But I already have all this stuff..."
"Say again?"
"I already have all this stuff."
"Oh, my bad. Anyway, if you follow me into the other room I'll gladly show you our route." he said grabbing his own full saddlebag, and heading to a room where all the walls were covered in maps, showing different areas of the everfree forest, the badlands, and rambling rock ridge.
"Now if you look here we're going to start at the cabin and move through the everfree forest for about 2 miles..." starts the sandy stallion.
"The Everfree Forest?!" asked the pink maned mare.
"Is that an issue?" replied the stallion.
"Uh.... Not if it isn't for you..." shyly replied the mare
"I mean it is your trip, its your choice." commented Nature
"No... Its perfectly alright."
"If you insist." replied the sandy stallion continuing onto the rest of the trip.
"Then, after that, we'll camp for the night, the next day we'll head to Rambling Rock Ridge, and camp up there for the night and watch the animals a bit, the deer herds should be moving in by then." he says watching Fluttershy;s eyes light up when he mentioned watch the animals.
"Oh boy, what kind of animals are out there. I mean I've been out here before. Oh boy this is so exciting." said Fluttershy in a mellow voice.
"Well, we have bunnys, butterflies, bighorn sheep, deer, bears, manticores, timber wolves..." replied the stallion
"Oh boy that sounds like a blast..." replied the mare.
"Great, we can start in a couple hours. I need to get some more stuff sorted."
Nature Sound then proceeded to move into a nearby room, which happened to house a large desk, painting and pictures were along its walls, and paperwork was scattered on the desk.
"Fluttershy, could you come in here?" asked the stallion.
Fluttershy entered the room, and immediately had a multitude of papers placed in front of her a quill on top of the stack.
"I need you to sign here, here and here." said the stallion pointing to multiple lines on the papers.
"What are all these forms for?" asked Fluttershy.
"Oh, they just say that in the case of you being attack mauled or otherwise my company isn't responsible. The usual." replied Nature Sound.
Fluttershy giggled a bit before speaking," Yeah... The usual...."
"Anyway, now that that's in order we can begin the trek." said the stallion grabbing his own royal blue saddlebags before standing and leading Fluttershy out of the cabin.
"Okay so lets begin. We should hit the everfree forest campsite by sundown." said the stallion leading her down the dusty dirt trail into the descending darkness of the ponyrosa pines.
The trail descended into a valley, showing signs of age, as there was little undergrowth left due to the darkness created by the large boughs of ponyrosas. Small animals moved through the area between trees. Squirrels moved up and down the trunks pine cones in their mouths, rabbits hopped happily along gathering seeds and pine cones as well for the impending winter.
As their altitude decreased more undergrowth became noticeable, and the pines swapped out for deciduous forest. Nature Sound was keeping a rather powerful pace, until he noticed fluttershy lagging behind watching and speaking to the animals.
"It's alright little critters, we'll just be passing through for now..." said Fluttershy.
Her kindness towards the animals, was suprising to Nature. Most of his clients never had went into the backcountry before, but she was adept with animals, they listened to her every word.....
"It's getting late, shouldn't we set up camp so we have time to make dinner?" asked Fluttershy.
Nature Sound shook his head, before speaking, "Of course. Theres a flat spot right over there for the tents."
The pair went over to the flat clearing, and began setting up their simple dome tents which were big enough for 2 ponies ,and their gear ,but both had their own. Fluttershy's tent being a mild yellow, while Nature's was a dark green.
After that Nature Retrieved the packed hay chili packets, water, and his stove from his saddlebags. Nature cooked, while watching Fluttershy offer sorts of nuts and berries to the local wildlife. He never met a mare like her before, and really couldn't explain what he was feeling, especially as they shared the meal before they both went to their respective tents.
Most of the rise of the moon was spent with Nature awake, thinking about Fluttershy. He couldn't take her mind off her, and he didn't know why.