//------------------------------//
// Frost End 
// Story: Son of Winter 
// by DiscoDash 
//------------------------------//

	Deciding to call it an end, you shut the book and look around the class. After a quick sweep, you allow your eyes rest on the teacher. “Alright. I assume an hour is good enough, Ms. Cheerilee?” you ask.

She nods and goes to speak. You cut her off by standing up and speaking before her. “If, and when, you would like me to do this again, ask Applebloom to summon me,” you start, “She knows where I live and is one of the few brave enough to visit me often.”

“Well, if it’s not too much, would you mind coming out everyday?” she asks.

A scowl grows on your face. “That’s a bit much, don’t you think?” you retort

She frowns. “How about every other day, then?”

You see something move towards you and the teacher. Glancing down, you see Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo standing next to you. They all speak up at once. “He’d gladly do it everyday!”

“I would?” you ask, confused

Scootaloo tugs on your belt slightly, signaling for you to crouch. You bend over and she whispers quietly into your ear. “If you don’t, Zecora will pay you a visit.”

You shoot a glare at her a glare and stand back up. “Something the matter?” Cheerilee asks, noticing the look on your face

You shake your head and sigh. “No... and as they said. I can do everyday...” You respond, a hint of defeat in your voice. “Not that I WANT to...” you say, under your breath.

Cheerilee doesn’t notice what you said and gives you a big smile. “Excellent! I can’t wait to hear the next part of the story!”

You nod and look out the nearby window, noticing the time. Eliciting a groan, you turn towards the desk and start talking. “Alright. I’m going to get going. I have about an hour long walk to not enjoy.”

As you pack, you hear Cheerilee speak up.  “Where do you live?”

“Middle of the Everfree.” you reply, packing your things.

Her eyes widen and she places a hoof over her mouth. “In the middle of that dangerous forest?”

You give a grunt before replying. “It’s a jungle and don’t you have a class to be teaching?”

“Well, yes, but-”

“Then get to teaching. I’m leaving now.” you say, cutting her off.

You faintly hear her say her goodbyes before you exit the door. Trudging along your way, you hope to get home before THEY wake up… You’re not in the mood to fight them off. Hell, you’re never in the mood to fight them off. Just thinking about them makes you cringe.

Deciding to calm your nerves, you reach into the pouch you placed your pipe. Grabbing around inside of your bag, you find it and pull it free, along with a single match. Walking close to a stall, you light the match on the counter and ignite the contents of your pipe. You can faintly hear a pony yelling at you, but you quickly drown them out with a long drag on your pipe.

As your sense dull along with your thoughts, you exhale the smoke and look up to the sky as you walk to the Everfree, thinking of the events to transpire. It’s been ages since you have had told the story of Obekant… Thinking about your ancestor, you adjust your belt; it’s a habit that emerges when you think of him.

The tarnished silver “O” on the buckle glimmers in the light of the afternoon sun. You glance back in the direction of the school house, thinking of the days to come. Who knows? They might be fun. With another long drag on your pipe, you kick your stride into overdrive, hoping to beat the sun back home.