//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 // Story: Friends in High Places // by Wheller //------------------------------// Chapter 6 Later that night, Zecora and Cherries Jubilee had taken to studying language together, only eight days since they had met and they were further along than many would be in eight weeks. Cherries’ had to stop every so often because she’d get a headache, but just as she had this morning, every time Zecora asked her what was wrong, she told her that everything was fine and thanked her for the concern. Zecora was worried for her friend. Friend. Yes, she and Cherries Jubilee were friends now. She’d been with her for eight days, and she had learned much, but she had still not learned what she desired most, why? Why had Cherries Jubilee taken her in? Why did she not stop and stare as everypony else in Fillydephia had? Zecora was no closer an answer. That was going to change, Zecora had become more confident in her Equestrian, and she knew all the words she needed to ask. “Cherries Jubilee, I want to know. Why have you taken me into your home?” Zecora asked, for the first time in a long time, the speech began to flow naturally. Cherries Jubilee frowned. She had obviously been hoping this question would not come. She rose from her seat and motioned the zebra to follow. She trotted up the stairs and the two of them went into her bedroom. Zecora hadn’t been in here before, she noted that walls were painted a dark red, and all the furniture was cherry themed. She sat down on her bed and patted the spot next to her, asking Zecora to take a seat. The zebra obliged and sat next to her. Cherries Jubilee looked at her, sadness filled the mare’s eyes; she leaned in close and planted a kiss on Zecora’s lips. Zecora was caught off guard by the act. It was so unexpected that she couldn’t help but pull away. Cherries Jubilee frowned and let out a sigh. “I remember when you first came to town, you looked so sad, like you didn’t have a friend in the world,” Cherries Jubilee said. “I know what that’s like; I don’t really have any friends either... not until you came... and, well I like you Zecora. I like you a lot, I feel like we’ve gotten really close over the last eight days, and, that kiss I gave you proved it.” “Prove to you what? I understand not,” Zecora said. “I... love you, Zecora,” Cherries Jubilee said. Zecora was taken aback by such a bold statement, but... the more she thought about it, she really cared about Cherries Jubilee, when she collapsed this morning, Zecora had done nothing but worry for the well being of her friend the entire day. Truth be told, she didn’t know what she’d do without her. Zecora smiled warmly at the pony before her. “Love you too, I do,” she hadn’t realised it until now, but she really did. Zecora leaned in and in turn gave a kiss to Cherries Jubilee. Noting this time, that the mare tasted like cherries, though this really shouldn’t have surprised her in the slightest. Cherries Jubilee moaned quietly in pleasure as she kissed the zebra back, pushing her tongue forward until it met her lovers. Zecora didn’t know if this was socially acceptable behaviour in Equestria, in Zhosa-Borwa, such a relationship, even consensual would have her tossed in prison, regardless of who the instigator was. Cherries Jubilee wrapped her forelegs around Zecora’s neck, pushing the zebra gently onto her back, Zecora responded by placing her hooves on Cherries’ haunches. The two spent the next few hours enjoying each other before they eventually tired and went off to sleep. ... Zecora awoke the next morning to discover that Cherries Jubilee was sleaping peacefully beside her, she smiled at the earth pony mare, and she happier than ever. She loved this pony. She took a hoof and prodded the pony gently. She made no response. Zecora tried again, figuring that the Cherries Jubilee was a heavy sleeper, using a little more force this time. Still nothing. Zecora was beginning to worry now; she gave her partner a hard thump across her flank, still no response. Zecora stopped and felt the mare’s heart. Her chest was cold, and she had no heart beat. Zecora let out a scream of terror. Cherries Jubilee was dead. ... The police had come and taken the body of her lover away, the death was considered suspicious, and they had taken Zecora to the police station for questioning. The autopsy came back some six or seven hours into Zecroa’s interrogation. Cherries Jubilee had died of a cerebral haemorrhage. Natural causes. Zecora also learned, for the first time, that Cherries Jubilee had been dying even before she had met her. She had a malignant tumour in her brain. There had been no hope for her. The police let Zecora go, determining that no crime had been committed. Zecora returned to Cherries’ home and began to gather her things. She would be leaving Fillydelphia. There was no way she could stay here. That was when she noticed the afrikneigh-to-equestrian dictionary laying on the table. There was a piece of paper sticking out of it. Zecora opened the book and unfolded the paper; it was a letter, addressed to her. Cherries Jubilee had written it twice, on one side it had text written in afrikneigh, on the other was equestrian. Just as they had always done things, only this time, however Zecora decided to skip over the afrikneigh side of the letter. It was no longer necessary. Dear Zecora If you’re reading this letter, well... then I guess I’m dead, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, I didn’t want you to feel guilty, there was nothing that could have been done. So I figured what was the point? I knew I was dying. When I was diagnosed with the tumour three years ago, the doctors said that I had six months to live, well; I guess I showed them huh? I’ve had three long, happy years. Made only happier when you came to me, these last few days have been the happiest of my life, and I feel like if I were to die tomorrow, then I was going to die a happy mare. And it’s all thanks to you. Don’t feel sad, when you think of me, think of the good times that we had together. I know we had a few. So I want you to be happy and live life to the fullest. Do it for me, please. -Love Cherries Jubilee. Tears flowed freely from Zecora’s eyes as she gently folded the letter and placed it back in the dictionary. She trotted up the stairs to retrieve her saddlebags and grandmother’s book. She placed the afrikneigh-to-equestrian dictionary in her saddlebags, and with a silent goodbye, she trotted out of Cherries Jubilee’s home for the last time. She turned and walked north, she intended to leave this land behind her. ... Surprise was excited to be crossing into Equestria proper, she and her master were standing before a wooden hoof-bridge over the St. Germain, and oddly enough there wasn’t a pathway on either side. “Master?” Surprise asked. “What?” Prince Zephyr asked, looking at the Pegasus mare over his shoulder. “The bridge... someone built it, but how come there aren’t any paths going to it? It’s almost like it isn’t meant to be used...” “I do not know, as I am told, this bridge was here when my mother’s reign began four thousand years ago,” Prince Zephyr said simply and began to trot across it. Surprise followed hesitantly, feeling incredibly uneasy about it as she walked across. They made it to the other side without incident, but Surprise could not help but feel like the bridge over the St. Germain had taken something in the process. The two walked endlessly for three days without stopping for food or water. Surprise was exhausted, but she loved her master, she was devoted to his service, he was the only one who truly appreciated her. She would walk from here to the Cossack capital of Muscovy, and back, if he told her to. At the end of the third day, the pair came upon a tall tower along the Hoofson River. The watchtower of Heemsteed. Prince Zephyr pushed open the watch tower’s door and used his magic to light a lantern, which he quickly passed to Surprise to carry. She took the lantern in her mouth graciously and followed her master up the stairs to the top of the tower. Prince Zephyr turned back towards his ward and looked down upon her. “You will keep silent, you are not to speak unless I give you leave. Under no circumstances are to break this tenant, even in my defence, do you understand?” Surprise nodded in understanding, and without another word, Prince Zephyr pushed open the door at the top landing. In the room were three other unicorns, which looked to be about the same age as Prince Zephyr was. Surprise recognised one as Prince Maelstrom, the pitch black unicorn grinned at her eerily, his amber eyes shining brightly. The other two were mares, one of them had a white coat, and a flowing pink mane, the other was a deep purple, her mane an electric blue. “It’s wonderful that you could join us, Zephyr. Care to explain where you’ve been?” the white coated mare asked. “My reasons are my own, Celestia, and they concern you none,” Prince Zephyr said emotionlessly. Princess Celestia turned her head to look at Surprise. “And what is this? You dare bring a commoner here?!” “I extend my royal privilege to Surprise, as my aide-de-camp. She is sworn to secrecy and has every right to be here as you and I,” Zephyr said. “Have you finished your temper tantrum sister? Or shall we begin?”