//------------------------------//
// Chapter IV: Burdens 
// Story: Freedom of Choice 
// by Awakened One 
//------------------------------//


Chapter IV: Burdens


Amazing breakfast, I’m just happy to get some food and a place to rest, unfortunately my sleep was disturbed earlier and I couldn’t get proper rest. I leave the dining area to the outside, the house entrance. I look around, still early in the morning, the fatigue making its way to my eyes, I rub them tiredly, seeing a shaded spot bellow a tree I move to it. Lying down near the tree trunk trying to find a comfortable spot, again I decide to use my backpack as a makeshift pillow.

The backpack, I forgot what I’ve been carrying all this time. I unzip every compartment of it and let the contents slump into the ground: the snow cloak, a blue sweater, a raincoat, a notebook, some pens, an umbrella, a wallet, the eyeglasses (now useless), earphones and cellphone. The last item catches my attention, did I remember to recharge it? I try to turn it on, no response.

“Such a shame, I could use some music.” I mutter, placing the objects back into the backpack, again I lie down and turn my head towards the tree trunk. Closing my eyes and getting ready to sleep.

“Hey, I’ve been looking for you.” Not now Gilda.

“Yes?”

“Do you mind me sitting here?”

“Go on.”

Again silence, as I feel I’m about to fall asleep.

“Do you mind answering some questions?”

I laugh. “I knew I wouldn’t get any peace today. One condition, you get to answer some questions too.” I get up to rest my back against the tree.

A smirk forms on her face. “First one, what you were doing on the snow when I found you?”

“I certainly remember not going to a bed, who carried me there?”

“That was me. You’re welcome.”

“I don’t recall this one, all I remember is making my way home, felling tired then I decided to take a nap.”

“I don’t buy it. You were simply walking home and slept?”

“Not that,” I sigh. “humans have chariots that pull themselves, that’s the best term I can come up with, I paid the toll to get aboard, sat down and fell asleep. I don’t recall anything else. Anyway, thanks for saving me. Where are you from?”

“From across the ocean, the griffin kingdom. Why do you wear clothes all the time?”

“I dunno. There are laws against ‘public indecency’, I would surely end up in jail on my world. It’s a human thing.”

“Your world?” Ops, it slipped from me.

“My turn!” I change the subject. “What you were doing up there in the north?”

She goes silent and looks down. “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.” Sorry for bringing this up Gilda. “Changing the subject, a thing has been bugging me for some time, which one is the correct spelling: griffin with double F, griffon with double F or gryphon with PH?”

Her expression quickly changes, she feels amusement at this. “Griffin for the kingdom, griffon for the species, no one uses gryphon anymore, those crystal ponies have been out of foreign contact for too long.” She shakes her head. “What exactly is a human?”

“Damn, I hate this one. The closest thing humans can relate to are primates.”

“Like a monkey?”

“Yes, like a monkey.” She bursts in laugh. “Very funny. It’s like saying a pony is a horse and a griffon a chicken cat hybrid.” She looks at me sternly while I laugh.

We spend some time trash talking, funny small things, for example, humans have hair while griffons have crests, and those can be stylized in many ways. The differences between her claws and my hands, talons and nails. We both being omnivores. Time passes and Bright Berry trots to us.

“This is where you’ve been, shall we get started? We have a lot of work to do.” I nod and start to get up, at first looking at Gilda from below was a bit unnerving, even when sitting she stood taller than me.





We walk to the back part of the property, a giant orchard of crystal berries, the multitude of colors explaining well Bright’s cutie mark, she tends the entire place by herself, she definitely earned it. Moving inside the barn we three start to pick off baskets, due to Igor’s bipedal stance it’s much easier to carry those around, he decides to show off and picks four. Back at the orchard we place our containers down.

“There isn’t much about picking berries, there is no worries about cracking them since the weather is ideal for them.”

“Excuse me, it ‘cracks’, like breaking?” Igor says.

“Yes, those are crystal berries, instead of the usual peel on fruits, crystal berries have a crystal skin, and the crystal part can be washed, melted and eaten as well.”

“Interesting.” He says.

“Yeah, really interesting.” Berry giggles.

“So, you lean in and give a gentle tug with your claw and… done.” She shows us.

Igor’s face shows excitement, he circles the bushes placing the baskets around it and sweeps it clean while using both his hands. Bright’s jaw would probably dislocate if she tried to open it more.

“Like that?” He asks and she only nods in response.

She recomposes herself. “That was fast. When those are filled place them into the cart. I’ll leave you to it.” And then she leaves.

“Ok. That was a bit weird.” He shrugs.

We spend the following time doing the chores: fill the baskets, carry them to the cart, empty them, go back, repeat, boring. At least we’ll get paid, I should’ve asked about the payment first.

“Hey Gilda, you’re nice company.” He starts to laugh.

“What’s so funny?”





She, of all the creatures I would least expect to, is blushing. The effect of feathers getting red is pretty funny. I laugh even harder. “You’re blushing.” She gets even redder and gives me a light punch on the side. “Ok, I’ll stop.”

The ringing of bell? Something followed by a loud yell. “Lunchtime!”

I don’t fight it, I just carry the remaining fruits and deposit them into cart. Moving back to the kitchen I’m met by a very happy crystal pony.

“You have no idea how happy I am.” No, I don’t, I only smile in response. “I’m usually burdened by all those tasks.” Now I see.

“What about your father?”

“He’s a good stallion, just a bit sad. Since mother departed.”

I raise my hand. “The sensitive subject, I get it.” I shake my head. “I’m happy to be employed.” I chuckle. “I expect the payment to be fair.” She nods. “Good.”

Gilda arrives a moment later.

I settle at one of the stalls, last time I was barely able to stay straight, the way I’m tired I’ll probably drop like a stone once I hit the bed. Speaking of which.

“Bright, would you mind me sleeping inside the house?”

“Not at all, you could try one of the guest rooms. If the bed holds, you can sleep on it.”

“He’s a featherweight.” I laugh at her remark.

“Very funny, Gilda. But yes, I’m pretty lightweight. My diet didn’t help either.”

Bright looks at me. “Yes, you could use some more food.”

“Partially my fault, the food I used to consume wasn’t of the healthiest either.” Yes, you can’t compare the gruel I’m used to ingest with the things she cooks. “Let’s drop the subject and enjoy the food.” They nod in agreement.

A few minutes later we take another break. Another two or three hours of work, no berries were left behind, it took some time but I confirmed it, the place was clean. I scratch my head and go back to look for Bright.

She’s inside the kitchen, sweeping the place, holding a small broom with a hoof, I guess I’ll never get used to it.

“Bright, what should we do once we finish the gathering?”

She turns to me. “Well, the other thing that could be done is clip some of the rogue branches, but I did it yesterday. Why do you ask?”

“We finished.”

“What? You finished collecting them!? It would take at least four days!”

“If I had a clock I would say it took about four to six hours.” I wiggle my fingers in front of her.

“Oh, I forgot about those… claws?”

I shake my head. “Fingers.”

“I guess I need to check the products.”

We both move outside back into the barn, Gilda approaches us.

“Where you’ve been?” She asks me.

“There wasn’t anything left to do, so I had to ask the boss.” I point with my thumb at Bright while smiling.

Arriving at the barn we help with the wooden doors. She goes inside and looks at the cart filled with berries, she appears to be counting, she looks back at me and I point to another filled cart and some baskets. She looks again at me.

“What?” I ask.

“You did it! You really did it!” She runs towards me, I crouch just a bit, knowing what was coming: a hug. I’m not exactly a model for comparing height, 165 centimeters or 5 feet and 5 inches, ponies must be around 121 cm or 4’. On the bright side, I’m finally taller than someone else.

“Easy there. This will cost you.” I say with a devious smile.

“What do you mean?” She backs out.

“That was a joke.” I shake my head while still smiling. “Anyway, Gilda helped too.” Who knew she could use her claws like I use my thumbs, there will be a lot of things that I’ll have to get used to.

“No hugs for me, I prefer bits.” Gilda says while shaking her head.

“Oh! Of course both of you will get paid, I’ve counted everything, which should be: each cart 450, both carts filled 900; each basket 50, 6 baskets 300; 1200 total, splitting for 2 is 600 bits for each.” I turn to look at Gilda, I think Bright broke her. 





“What!? Are those things made of gold!? That’s more than the weather team at Fillydelphia paid after the bug swarm!”

“Is it really that much?” Igor asks me in a dull voice.

“Yes, really that much, you could stop working for the next 3 months and live comfortably.” I nod.

“Let’s go inside the house, I’m sure I have enough money stored to pay you now, if you wish to help me haul the cargo to the town tomorrow, I can get you an extra 50 bits.” Berry says.

“What’s so special about those crystal berries? I may not know anything about the local economy, but they must be really valuable.” Interesting note on his part.

“Yeah, now I’m curious too.” I say while looking at Bright.

“Actually, it’s the demand, the only place where this type of berry.” She points at the carts. “Can be properly cultivated is here, where the cold climate allows the seed to harden and create the shell. Besides,” She smiles. “the place where you just finished working is the best crystal berry farm on the Crystal Empire!”

“Can’t argue with that. The amazing food was enough to convince me.” Igor adds.

“Yeah, let’s get paid already.” I didn’t want to be lectured.

“Of course, just follow me.” Says Bright.

We follow her into the house, past the living room into some sort of office. “Could you wait outside?” Igor and I nod. A few minutes pass. “Come on in!”

The table is filled with piles of bits. “I’m sure you want to count.” Bright says while looking to us.

“This will take a while.” Igor says while dragging a stall near the desk.

Yes! A day of hard work and 600 bits on the bag.

“600 bits, all right.” Igor says while looking at me.

“Yeah.” I smile at him.

He opens his backpack and drags down the golden coins into it. He throws it across his back. “Expected to be heavier.” And shrugs. “Doesn’t matter, I’m probably blowing it all tomorrow!”

I laugh at this. “With what?”

“I want new clothes.” He pulls a part of what he is currently wearing and sniffs it. “But right now I need to wash the ones I’m wearing.”

“Why don’t you just go around naked?” Bright asks while tilting her head.

I turn to look at Igor, his face is tomato red. “Not going to happen, it’s a very personal thing.”

“Do you want me to wash them?” She asks.

“Actually, can you teach me to wash my clothes?”

“Wait a second, you wear clothes all the time and yet you don’t know how to wash them?” This time the question being mine.

“Hey! I’m trying to learn.” He retorts

“Whatever.”

“So, do you want someplace private to take off your clothes?” She asks.

“Yes.”

“Third door to your right is the bathroom.” He waves his hand and moves out.

“Weirdo.” I say with a small laugh.

“He’s a bit different. Where did you find him anyway?”

“Buried in the snow, taking a nap.”

She raises her eyebrow. “Sleeping?”

“That’s what I said, he sleeps like a rock.” She giggles at this.

Igor is back, this time he’s completely covered in the snow cloak.





Better be more careful from now on, washing it on hand will be a bitch. I sigh. Dumb thing on my part, should’ve thought about what I was going to wear after getting them wet. I turn off the shower and start to dry myself, the towel Bright provided me is big and fluffy enough for me, haven’t considered they have way more to dry than a human.

A last look at the mirror, a crystal mirror, my face is less rough, a lot more appealing, at least for me, my beard on the other hand, looks a bit intimidating, good.

My eyes, the dominant dark brown almost black irises were replaced, I can’t make out the color, or colors in this case, a faint glowing blue with shifting tones. This is what’s scaring those ponies for life, I like it. I smirk and wrap the towel around my waist, I still have my dignity.

Opening the door to the outside of the bathroom I look at both sides of the hallway, only 4 residents on the house, none on sight and the 4th being me, I move out and up the stairs into the room I left my belongings.

Into my room I reach for the bed, undoing it and folding the covers, placing them on top of a desk, a modest room. I look out of the window, sun almost setting, I pick the bed sheet and cover myself, lying down sideways, if only I had my underwear.

*knock-knock* “Hello?” It’s Bright.

“I’m here.”

She enters the room. “Do you need anything?”

“Actually,” I point to the door handle or hoofle, dammed be those puns. “the towel is there. When you wake up could you please check my clothes and bring them here if they’re dry?”

She smiles and nods. “Sure, have good dreams.” She picks the towel and leaves.

“Finally peace…”

*knock-knock* “Hey, you there?” Gilda.

I chuckle. “I’m here.”

She enters the room. “Can we talk for a sec?”

“Speak your mind.” I say unmoving.

“Do you remember when we talked earlier?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you want to know what I was doing there at the north?” For God’s sake!

I move and sit cross legged on the bed, using the bed sheet to cover everything down the neck. “Go on.”

“You gotta promise that you won’t tell anyone though.”

“You have my word, what’s so important?”

She looks into my eyes, a deep and sad stare. Her tale, about one year ago, she went to visit her best friend, I say the only one she had, how she tried just for a small time enjoy the company, how she was shunned, “traded” for someone else, left alone. I let her vent. The perspective from her point of view being quite different from the one I saw.

Finishing her story she turns her head down and starts to sob, I don’t know what she expects from me but I’ll do something.

“Gilda, look at me.” She looks up, her golden eyes watered by tears held back. “I thank you for trusting me, I promise I won’t tell anyone about it. But I have a small secret too, one that I’m willing to share, but you gotta promise that you won’t tell anyone though.” She smiles at her own words and cleans her face.

I tell her about them, about the six ponies, how I knew about them. Her expression unreadable.

“Are you telling me you’re not from this world?” I nod. “That some people from your world ‘watches’ us like some kind of play?” I nod again.

“Not us, them, the Elements. Basically they are the protagonists of the play, as you said.”

A small moment passes. “So, you aren’t angry at me?”

“Why? I saw something from another point of view. You already explained yourself. Let it go.” She sighs. “Maybe by choosing her new ‘friends’, instead of you she showed you her true colors.” She snickers at the choice of words.

She takes a deep breath. “Even knowing what I did back there, you saved me at Northtrot. Thanks.”

“The village up north? When I carried you? I’m sure you could’ve walked by yourself.”

“No, one of those things was about to get me, as soon as it saw you doing the magic absorption thing to the other he charged at you.”

“I remember it.”  I cross my arms.

“Wait a second, are you one of those weirdoes that watch the ponies?” Her tone changes slightly.

I shake my head. “Weirdo is a bit offensive, yes and no would be the correct answer. I like the plays because the ideals the pass to us, just that, but I don’t fit in the group.”

“Okay then, like you did to me, I won’t judge you.” I close my eyes and lower my head. “One more thing.”

I give up. “What is it?”

She snickers. “I heard you singing in the shower.”

I can feel the blood rushing to my face, she sees it and starts to laugh. “Come on! I did it really loud?” I hide myself underneath the covers.

“Nah, I was about to brush my teeth when I heard you, would you mind singing it again?” She smiles.

Hope is lost for me. I uncover my head. “Only for you, Gilda.”


End of Chapter IV