//------------------------------//
// First Contact 
// Story: Maiara and Exploration 
// by Fluttering_Ashes 
//------------------------------//

My name is Maiara, and I’m  part of one of the tribes that live on a collection of nine islands smack dab in the middle of no where. My tribe, the Ildelia, live and rule the second largest island in the group, the one furthest to the west and the one easiest to defend. Our village was the only one set atop a mountain side, in a crater within the mountain’s top. Smoke and flames had once shot from that spot many generations ago but the beast that had once lived deep inside the mountain's belly had long since left it’s hiding place and now our tribe rested atop it’s previous roost, which provided protection during times of war. Not that that ever happened of course, not in my lifetime, at least.  

I was quite a bit away from the mountaintop village, down in the jungles below, resting in a tree when I saw it; a monstrous creature with great, purple skin, wings of wood and canvas, scooting its way towards our little stretch of land from the west. No one had ever been out west, for the only things to see out there were sea beasts and other monstrosities, much like the one that stood before me now. Occasionally they would wash up on shore and our tribe would have a feast in honor of the sea’s bounty, but never have I actually seen one alive, breathing and bathing in the sun, nor have I ever seen a sea beast fly. Similarly, I had not thought that one could land so gracefully on a beach. Slowly, I made my way through the tree tops, careful not to make a sound as I came closer and closer to the edge of the sandy shore. I reached to my chest, where my charcoal and flute were strapped to me by a strip of canvas.


I watched as the sky beast’s great belly slowly opened, a set of steps lowering down to the sand, my jaw dropping as I observed two smaller, four legged creatures exiting the beast’s body. At first I thought the creature was giving birth…but it didn’t take me long to realize this elaborate sky beast was not a sky beast at all, it was closer to a sky cart, only made for taking things from one place to another. I watched, mystified, as the two creatures began to wander around the beach. The one closest to me was covered in green fur, the hair on it’s head and in it’s tail were a mix of a lighter sort of green and a soft white color, I could spot a small curled horn poking out of that mess atop it’s head. It was looking around excitedly, with the energy of a child who had had one too many sweets. I pulled myself tighter against my tree top hiding spot before the other one made a noise, which I could only assume was some sort of call to green one, since green one stopped in  it’s tracks and looked back at the other. The other’s colorations were a bit more...bizarre; it’s body was the color of ground wheat but it’s tail and hair were brightly colored, a curled mix of blue and purple that made me think of a flower we had growing in the village. Wheat one said a few more words, their language (if that was what it was) a few high pitched whinnies mixed with snorts and noises that I simply had no idea how to classify. Although I couldn’t understand a word, Wheat One seemed annoyed. Green One responded with a dejected sort of whine, waving her hoof at the jungle. Wheat One rolled her eyes at this and made another annoyed sound. Green One lowered her ears and grumbled as she retreated into the Sky Cart. 


What I saw next nearly made me fall out of my tree: Green One returned with a small, thin, wooden plank, her horn gleaming with a yellow glow, a similar aura surrounding the plank of wood and a long white feather poised above it, both plank and feather floating a distance infront of it’s nose. It was using word smithing...without words at all! I watched, my jaw practically touching my knees as this...impossible thing, started scribbling the feather across the wooden plank. These creatures...these things were strange, impossible things; sky carts that could carry a whole village, mute word craft, strange colors and movements… I had to tell my tribe. Slowly I started to make my move back inland, but in my excitement I had stepped on a branch that couldn’t support my weight. With a crack and a yelp I was sent tumbling to the ground. 
“Shit!” I swore, quickly sitting up, noticing the plank of wood was on the ground, both four legged creatures staring at me with wide eyes. I gulped and got to me feet as quickly as I could, attempting to make a run for the village, but a golden glow quickly caught me and lifted me from the ground. I struggled and kicked as Green One’s voice started up, excitedly, as it dragged me back towards the beach. Wheat one seemed dumbfounded, staring at me with wide eyes as Green One turned me over in it’s wordless craft. I yelped lightly, pressing a hand against my groin to keep my loin cloth in place as Green One turned me over. 
“Put me down!” I gasped, glaring at Green One. Green One didn’t seem to understand, but Wheat One finally found it’s voice. It made some angry noises at Green One, motioning towards me, I saw Green One’s cheeks flush as it turned me the right way up, and slowly lowered me to the ground. Slowly Wheat One patted my head, making what I could only assume was a comforting noise...they were treating me like a dog! 

I was tempted to run but I knew if they wanted to keep me  here there was nothing I really could do about it. The two began to talk to one another, the conversation going back and forth, green one occasionally glancing at me as I watched the two talk. These creatures were intelligent, they could speak, maybe it would work on them; sometimes tribes from other islands wished to trade with our tribe, our brothers from the other islands were so different from us  that we often needed help translating, it was probably my best shot at actually getting something done. I reached into the loop of my harness and grabbed my charcoal, the two noticed what I was doing but made no move to stop me. I held the charcoal between the fingertips of my thumb and pointer finger (green one in particular seemed entranced at this) and looked between the two. Finally I decided on Green One, since it was the one keeping me here to begin with. I began to draw, Wheat One made a noise, but Green One quieted it with a wave of it’s hoof. Puffing out it’s chest I got the feeling Green One had absolutely no idea what I was doing as I drew the rune; a plant like structure with four circles spaced between the ‘branches’ of the rune. Technically, I could have drawn something much worse, something that would paralyze or even kill Green One if I wanted...but I didn’t really want to test how fast Wheat One could run. I finished drawing the rune and scooted back a bit. Green One turned to Wheat One, puffing out it’s chest and making several noises, it’s movements and posturing reminding me of some of the bright colored birds in the jungle. For the first time Wheat One and I seemed to be in agreement, we both sighed and shook our heads at Green One’s actions, though I don’t think Wheat One noticed. 

I returned my charcoal to its place on the harness and grabbed my flute. I took a deep breath, put my fingers in the proper spots, closed my eyes, brought it to my lips,  and I played. The song that activated the rune was short, sweet, but with that melancholy edge to it just beneath the surface. The best way I could describe it is watching a play you didn’t quite understand with someone you enjoyed spending time with, something sad was happening on stage, you knew it was supposed to be sad, but you and your friend were having such a good time that the sadness didn’t really come through as strong. I heard one of the four legged creatures gasp, the white glow of the rune activating visible even behind my eyelids. I continued to play, bringing the song to a completion and opening my eyes...just in time to see a wheat colored hoof coming straight at my face.The kick got me right in the jaw, knocking me sideways. My flute was sent skittering away as Wheat One got on top of me, it’s voice now seething with anger. Wheat One spat accusatory  words at me as it gestured to Green One, who was blinking rapidly, the rune I had left on it’s chest having melted into it’s flesh, as it usually did. Wheat One raised it’s fore hoof, threatened to hit me again. 
“Get it off me!” I cried desperately, pleased to see my words causing a response from Green One. It’s head snapped to me, it’s eyes widening again as it looked at me, then Wheat One, who made a noise of concern towards it’s green companion. Green One, after a pause, made another noise, which sparked an angry noise from Wheat One. Green One said something else, which only seemed to confuse Wheat One, then repeated the first noise. Slowly Wheat One climbed off my chest, and I breathed a sigh of relief rubbing my sore jaw. 

“I...uh...hello?” I looked up, Green One was staring at me, expectantly, Wheat One staring at Green One with it’s mouth slightly open. I didn’t answer right away, I was too busy checking to make sure I still had all my teeth, but when I finally did speak I could see Green One jump. 
“It was a translation rune” I explained “So we can understand each other” I looked at Green One, who appeared to be close to fainting. I let out another sigh. “Can you keep your friend from hitting me while I make another?” 
It took Green One a moment or two but finally it nodded and switched back to it’s native language, explaining to Wheat One as I retrieved my flute. Wheat One seemed apprehensive as I returned. It made another angry noise as I began to draw the rune on it’s chest. Green One was kind enough to translate for me. 
“She says that if you do anything funny she’ll buck your teeth down your throat.” I couldn’t help it, I paused in my drawing. I glanced at Wheat One, then at Green One, then Wheat One again, then back to Green One. Slowly I pointed to Wheat One. 
“She’s a girl?” It was an honest question, short of pushing them on the ground and spreading their legs I had absolutely no idea how to tell the difference with these creatures, but Green One seemed to find the question hysterical. It fell over onto it’s back, making a high pitched mix between a whinny and a squeak that I could only assume was the creature’s laugh. I sighed and went back to my work, but not before I stole a quick glance and confirmed that Green One was also female. An activation song later and  Wheat One was standing there, blinking rapidly just as her friend had been
. 
“There.” I said finally, standing up, Wheat one’s mouth dropping as the single word reached her ear. Green One gave her a quick nudge with her foreleg and Wheat One muttered 
“Oh..I...umm...I guess I’m sorry for...umm..you know...bucking you in the face.” I nodded, just once, to show I understood, but I didn’t comment otherwise. Green One coughs softly, her horn lights up again and she retrieves a scroll from the piece of wood she had dropped earlier. She began to read from it. “We extend this invitation of alliance with any sentient, pony, griffin, dragon, or sentient being not yet classified. Please treat the crew of HRPS  Exploration as royal emissaries an extensions  of the crown. Please offer them all  the respect you would show a member of the royal house. They are simply there as observers of your culture and your lifestyle. 
Yours Sincerely Princess Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Magic and Knowledge.” Green One silently rolled up the scroll and looked up at me. I can’t lie...I had absolutely no idea what Green One had just said, but Wheat One seemed to be pleased with it. I just nodded dumbly, trying to pretend like  I knew precisely what she was talking about. Wheat one bowed slightly, her front legs bending as she lowered her head a bit. “My name is Bon Bon” She said primly “Nice to meet you”
Green One then grabbed my hand left hand between two of her hooves and forcefully shook it up and down so many times I thought she was going to dislocate my shoulder. 
“And I’m Lyra! It’s Awesome to be here! “ Bon Bon sighed
“Would it kill you to act with a bit of professionalism?”
“Would it kill you not to attack the only member of a species  we only just met?” Lyra retorted, giving her eyebrows a little wiggle. Bon Bon’s cheeks flushed.
“I...I thought it had done something to your brain or something! I thought it had turned you into a vegetable!” 
I couldn’t help but snicker a little bit “My name’s Maiara.” I said, pressing my hand to my chest and bowing slightly “Well met”
Lyra quickly grabbed the wood and the feather with her wordless word crafting, quickly scribbling on the wood once more. I tried to ignore this, as I continued. “I’d be happy to take you to the village and introduce you to the el-”
“Theres a whole village of you guys?!” Lyra interrupts, her eyes going wide. 
“I...yeah..” I said, a tiny bit confused “I can show you the way up the mountain if-” Lyra had disappeared into the jungle.  Once again, Bon Bon and I were in agreement. We both sighed and said “This is going to be one long visit.”