//------------------------------// // Leaving the Forest // Story: Depressio // by RosaryOmen //------------------------------// “Depressio!” Pinkie's voice was heard by the grey pony before she even heard Pinkie's hoofbeats. Wow... this pony was loud. It wasn't long before the pink pony bounded across the clearing, a simple; yet still rather pretty cape draped over her body. “Look! I got it!” She trotted in place for a moment, giggling madly. “Oh, it's lovely.” Depressio said simply, eyeing the cape as the earth pony took it from herself and offered it to the alicorn who draped it over herself. Tal jumped up onto her back, and nestled down on the soft material with a purr. “I'm... really nervous...” “It's okay! Everypony will love you!” Pinkie bounced around the other pony. “Come on! Let's go!” The alicorn started to walk, slowly, after the excited earth pony who leapt ahead singing nonsense songs to herself. “New friend! New friend! I've made a new friend! New friend! New friend! I've made a new friend!” Depressio remained quiet as she walked down the trail after Pinkie Pie, Tal sleeping happily on her back. As she walked, she fretted; playing imaginary scenarios over and over in her mind. Ponies pointing and laughing, ponies screaming and running. Ponies gathering around her, asking everything about her and about her cutie mark. Her steps slowed the more she played the fake scenarios over in her mind. “Come oooon!” Pinkie was suddenly -right- in her face. “Aren't you excited?!” The grey pony was far from excited, but, simply nodded her head. “Let's keep going.” Pinkie cartwheeled a few feet away and continued to bounce along the pathway, not even pausing once they left the Everfree Forest. She kept on bounding towards Ponyville, the grey pony slowly following her. Everything was so brightly coloured here, so... cheery. Ponies milled about the streets, talking, shopping, most of them smiling. She made an effort to avoid any eye contact, and pulled the hood over her head just a little more. They moved through the street, until Pinkie veered off suddenly and trotted towards a building that seemed to be inside a large tree. “This!” Pinkie grinned as she knocked on the door. “Is Twilight Sparkle's house!” The door opened, Spike peering out at the two ponies. “Oh, hi Pinkie!” He smiled widely, giving the cloaked pony a curious glance. “Who's your friend?” Pinkie wrapped a leg around Depressio's neck and pulled her close, the pony going rigid and trying to pull away, the kitten almost falling from her napping place. “It's that pony from the Everfree Forest!” “Oh! Bring her inside.” Twilight called from inside the library-tree. Pinkie nodded and let go of the alicorn to wander inside. Spike closed the door once the monochromatic pony followed, and he joined the group. Tal stretched and yawned, looking down at Spike, her head tipping to the side slightly before she hopped down and inspected the young dragon. “So, you live -in- the Everfree Forest?” The purple unicorn asked curiously, giggling as the white kitten licked Spike's foot with her rough tongue which caused the dragon to giggle. Depressio nodded her head, watching the dragon and her kitten impassively. “Mmhm, I've lived there for a few years now.” “A-aren't the monsters scary?” Fluttershy asked quietly, looking up from behind her forelock. “Well... they aren't -really- so bad once you know where you can hide from them, and not all of them are that bad really.” The monochrome replied. Twilight, Spike and Fluttershy exchanged a quick glance before looking back to the alicorn. “So, why do you live there? Why not live here in Ponyville?” Depressio sighed, her ears drooping a little and her gaze dropping to the floor. “This is my first time here.” “Really?” Twilight asked curiously. “So where are you from?” The strange pony lifted her gaze, then dropped her head to nuzzle Tal for a moment before looking up at the group. “I don't want to say.” She lowered her voice as she spoke, her gaze dropping quickly down to the floor again. “You can tell us!” Pinkie scooted up close to her, uncomfortably close. “We're your friends after all! You can tell us -anything!-” She fluttered her eyelashes as Depressio backed away a little. “I'd... rather not.” She shook her head a few times. Pinkie sighed dramatically. “Alright, well... If you ever want to, we'll be here!” She hopped back over to where she'd been standing before. “Well, it doesn't matter where you came from. You're here now, and you are more than welcome to stay here with us in Ponyville.” Twilight Sparkle smiled. “Thank you.” The alicorn replied with a nod, her face remaining impassive. “So, how about I show you around town and I can introduce you to our other friends?” The unicorn offered kindly. The monochromatic pony nodded in response. Spike offered to take care of the kitten who'd taken a liking to the young dragon, Depressio hesitatingly took the offer before leaving with the other two ponies for a tour of the town.