“What is a friend? I will tell you… it is someone with whom you dare to be yourself.” – Frank Crane
Chapter Three
The weekend came and went too fast for Wanderer. His mother had given him an earful the night she marched him home from the train station, and he felt genuinely bad about it. However, her lecture had been quickly forgotten the following morning, and he spent the weekend tromping through the nearby woods.
Despite his horrible sense of direction, he knew that once the fog began to roll in through the trees, he would have to leave quickly. The only time he had been caught in the fog, he swore he had heard the a low groan off in the distance, but he never found its source. Of course, he had earned a lecture back then, but he knew his mother was more concerned than angry.
His weekend was full of adventuring and play, but Monday eventually arrived, and he found himself in the classroom once again. His fellow students chatted amongst themselves as they waited for class to start. Wanderer noticed two empty desks, one beside him, the other just behind it. He knew this meant that there were going to be new students in the class. He smiled wide at the thought; new students meant possible new friends. It wasn’t that he didn’t have any friends, but that he was the only one in the class without a cutie mark, and the other foals spent their free time doing things that involved their talents rather than random play—something he couldn’t join in on.
He sat up straight in his chair as the teacher walked into the classroom. Mr. Leaf left the door to the classroom slightly ajar. “Good morning, class.”
“Good morning, Mr. Leaf,” they said in unison.
“As you are no doubt aware, we have some new students joining us today. I want you all to welcome them as they have come all the way from Manehattan.” The class whispered excitedly amongst themselves.
Mr. Leaf turned towards the door of the classroom. “Come on in.”
Wanderer looked to the door excitedly, and in walked a pegasus and unicorn. Wanderer recognized them as the foals he’d seen at the train station. The blue-green, pegasus filly looked to the gathered class with a wide smile, whereas the rust-colored, unicorn colt looked nervous. Wanderer was able to confirm that they also lacked cutie marks.
“Why don’t you introduce yourselves to the class?” Mr. Leaf suggested.
“I’m Tourmaline,” the pegasus said with a smile.
“Tormod,” the unicorn said a bit more quietly.
“Why don’t you tell us something of yourselves?” Mr. Leaf suggested again.
“Are you really from Manehattan?” one of the other students asked.
“What’s it like there? Is it really as big as they say?” another asked.
“What is there to see?” Wanderer asked with a wide smile.
“Apparently nothing to earn their cutie marks,” one student muttered. Wanderer scowled at the speaker, a navy-blue earth pony colt with a sickly, yellow-colored mane that was cropped in spikes.
Thankfully, the two new students didn’t hear him, but the teacher gave him a disapproving glare.
“Manehattan is a big city with tall buildings and lots of ponies. There is the Mare of Liberty you can climb into, there’s the tall skyscrapers, and a whole bunch of other things!” Tourmaline said with a happy smile. She seemed more willing to speak in front of a crowd than Tormod, who simply looked at the students uncomfortably.
“Why’d you come to Greensborough then?” Wanderer asked.
The two didn’t answer, both looking downcast at the seemingly innocent question. It was obviously a painful subject to them, and Wanderer winced when he realized he might have poured salt on an emotional wound.
Mr. Leaf cleared his throat, moving past the awkward moment. “Why don’t we move right along with class then. You two can take your seats by Wanderer and Rogue there.” He gave Wanderer a pointed look. “There will be no more unnecessary questions.”
Wanderer lowered his head, a blush creeping on his face. A snicker behind him had him glaring at the offender. Rogue, the one to snicker, just gave him a self-satisfying smirk in turn.
As the two walked for their seats, Wanderer uttered an apology to them. Tormod gave him a passive glance where Tourmaline gave him a knowing look. Wanderer mentally face-hoofed at his slip—things were starting out swimmingly.
“Alright class, we are going to start the day with a local history lesson.” Mr. Leaf sat at his desk and adjusted his glasses. “So who can tell me what we know of Greensborough and the Forest of the Oak?”
Multiple hooves shot up into the air, but the siblings sat quietly and listened.
“Scarlet Scroll,” Mr. Leaf called, indicating a lilac-colored, pegasus filly with a dark-green mane.
The lanky filly stood to answer the question. “Greensborough was settled four-hundred years ago by settler ponies. They established the town as a small foresting community before they found the trees were magical.”
“Correct.” Mr. Leaf nodded, and the filly sat down. “The trees of the Forest of the Oak are known to have magical properties. Not that they are magical when they are cut down, but when seedlings are planted, they regrown to full height within three weeks. That is how our lumberjacks are able to consistently provide lumber for all of Equestria without cutting deeply into the forest.” He cleared his throat. “Now, who can tell me anything of the forest itself?”
Wanderer raised his hoof, waving it around like a party favor.
“Wanderer,” Mr. Leaf called on him.
He bumped his leg on his desk as he stood, ignoring the snickers around him. “The Forest of the Oak sprouted from the mother tree in the center of the woods. While it can be seen from far away, nopony has ever been able to see the tree up close.”
“Correct, the mother tree is surrounded by fierce, galeforce winds, preventing any pegasi from actually reaching it and nopony has ever managed to get to it on hoof. It is said that the fog that drifts through the forest is rumored to originate from this tree. The fog is known to bring some of the dangerous creatures of the forest with it. Timberwolves and the rare manticore are seen most often, but there are rumors of many other creatures that nopony has identified.” He pushed his glasses up his muzzle again, settling into his instructor’s instincts. “The Equestrian Guard and the mayor have repeatedly informed all ponies not to be within the woods themselves when the fog rolls in. As hard as the pegasi work to keep it from the town, it still has the tendency to drift in unannounced.”
Wanderer stole a quick glance to the two new ponies as the teacher continued on with the lesson, and he could see that they were listening closely to the subject. Both of them had wide, eager smiles on their faces. He assumed they wanted to know as much about their new home as they could. He shared their excitement; even if he had heard this lesson before, he always liked hearing the tales again.
-0-
During the recess after lunch, Tourmaline found herself idling time by kicking a ball. She kicked it at the wall of the schoolhouse, and would try her best to rebound the ball before it could bounce past her. It was an excellent way to improve one’s reflexes, and she was proud of her reaction time. Her brother, however, reclined against a nearby tree, his muzzle buried in a text book.
Tourmaline landed another kick, but when the ball rebounded back at her, she caught it instead. She wiped the sweat from her brow, pushing back her mane, before looking to her brother.
“So what do you think of our class, Tormod?” She tucked the ball under a foreleg.
He never lowered his book. “I haven’t formed an opinion on them yet.”
She stamped her hoof in annoyance. “You could at least look at me when you talk.”
He lowered the book enough to peek over its edge. “It’s the first day, Tourmaline. We don’t even know anypony yet.”
She looked at the nearby playground where a bunch of the other students were playing. “Maybe we should go try talking to a few ponies and see if any of them want to play.”
He shrugged and went back to his book. “Maybe.”
She stuck her tongue at him. “You are such a stick in the mud.”
He snorted and continued to read.
She huffed and took her ball in both hooves and turned back to the wall. She imagined herself in a large stadium on a soccer field. She was the star player, and her next shot would determine the championship. She could see the goalie’s fearful expression and hear the crowd cheering her name.
With a confident smile, she tossed the ball upward and gave it a solid kick. The goalie blocked it, but the ball bounced back at her left side. A quick leap and she launched the ball back at the goalie, who leaped in desperation to block. Tourmaline smiled wide, as she knew that the goalie couldn’t hope to block her next shot. As it bounced back at her, she leaped up, spun, kicked… and missed. The ball flew right over her leg and sailed over the hill towards the playground before she could hope to stop it.
-0-
Wanderer paced around the playground, his expression troubled. He knew that after his hoof-in-muzzle moment in the classroom, the two new ponies might not even want to speak with him. It was obvious his question had stirred up some unpleasant memories. Sure it was an honest mistake, but still, who would so easily forgive such a slip? The two hadn’t tried to speak to anypony in class at lunch and had quietly left the classroom for recess.
He huffed, concluding that putting his hoof in his muzzle left a foul taste indeed.
He had considered approaching them at recess but hesitance kept him away. What if the two wanted nothing to do with him? He groaned in frustration. Why did he have to open his big muzzle? His slip-up might have just pushed away two potential friends.
“I should apologize. I might even make things better,” he said to himself. He smiled inwardly, as he might be able to mend bridges and make friends.
He clopped his two front hooves together in determination. “Alright, I got this. Can’t let fear stop me.” He trotted confidently up the hill where he had last seen them.
As he crested the hill, his eyes only had time to widen as a ball crashed into him and sent him soaring back down to land heavily on the ground, the ball sailing upward into the air. The pegasus filly flew down next to him, babbling out a stream of apologies.
“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!” Her violet eyes showed concern as she looked at him. “Are you okay?”
He lay dazed for a moment before shaking the dizziness away. “It’s alright.” He shakingly got back to his hooves. “That was… quite a toss.”
She smiled to him. “It was, wasn’t it?” She rubbed at the back of her head. “Hope I didn’t hurt you much.”
He put on a bold face, brushing his bangs out of his eyes in a show of confidence. “Nah, I can take a hit. Just remind me not to be on the opposing team of a dodgeball game.”
She looked around in confusion. “Where is my ball anyway?”
On cue, the ball fell back to earth and conveniently ricocheted off Wanderer’s head.
“Found it.” His legs wobbled before he collapsed to the ground.
“Thanks.” She caught the ball as it bounced towards her. She smiled sheepishly as she helped him back to his hooves. “What was your name again? Traveler or something like that?”
“Wanderer. What’s yours?”
“Tourmaline. It’s good to meet you.” She motioned over her shoulder. “Mr. Antisocial up there is my brother, Tormod. He’s not usually so talkative.”
Wanderer looked towards the tree where the unicorn sat oblivious to their conversation. “He likes to read, huh?”
“You have no idea…” Her eyes brightened. “Hey, want to come play? I like to have somepony to play with instead of a brick wall.”
His smile was instantaneous. “Sure!”
“Heh, not that Wanderer would be better than a brick wall,” a condescending voice said from behind him.
Wanderer’s joy turned quickly to annoyance. “Beat it, Rogue. I don’t need you right now.” He turned to glower at the approaching earth pony, who was accompanied by two others.
Tourmaline looked at Wanderer curiously. “Who are they?”
“That’s Rogue and his friends Stone Hoof and Scarlet Scroll.” He nodded to each in turn. Stone Hoof was a solidly built pegasus colt with a slate-colored coat, a neon-yellow mane, and a crushed stone for a cutie mark. Scarlet Scroll was the pegasus who had answered the question in the history class; her cutie mark was a scroll and quill. “They’re trouble.”
“Hmph, didn’t know I was interrupting a romance between two blank flanks. It’s so touching,” Rogue sneered, the two behind him snickering.
Wanderer sputtered, but Tourmaline furrowed her brow. “What do you mean ‘blank flank?’” she demanded.
“Ignore them. ‘Blank flank’ lost its originality a long time ago. They just can’t seem to come up with anything different,” Wanderer told her, glaring at Rogue.
Stone Hoof scowled at him. “Watch your mouth, blank flank.”
Rogue held up a hoof. “No need for that, Stone. Wanderer knows better than to start a fight again.”
“You had that coming, Rogue. I warned you not to say a word about my mom.” He glared fiercely at the other colt, who only sneered in turn. “How about you and your friends leave already? You don’t need to be a jerk just to be a jerk.”
Rogue glared at him, his grin fading. “My dad owns the lumber yards of Greensborough. I’ll do whatever I want to.”
Wanderer gave him a flat stare. “You never stop telling ponies that, do you?”
Rogue turned his nose up. “I’m important, unlike you, Wanderer. You should make sure your marefriend here understands that.”
Tourmaline beat Wanderer to the retort. “I’m not his marefriend, and you need to get lost.”
Scarlet Scroll stepped in front of her, and the two were muzzle to muzzle. “Simmer down, princess. Since you’re new, we’ll let that slide this time. Don’t want to hurt your precious feelings.” She smiled snidely.
Tourmaline glared back, not backing down an inch. “I’m not scared of you. I’ve dealt with bullies from Manehattan who are worse than you.”
Scarlet scowled, but Rogue stopped her. “Just because you’re from the big city doesn’t mean anything. You’re still a no-good blank flank.”
“And what is going on here?” a bored sounding voice asked. Tormod walking up, looking at the three bullies appraisingly.
“You trying to butt in, blank flank?” Stone Hoof glared at the unicorn.
Tormod raised an eyebrow at the male pegasus. “Seriously? That simple insult is here too?” He shook his head in disgust.
Stone sputtered. “W-Watch your mouth.”
“You city ponies think you’re that important? You’re nothing,” Rogue snapped.
Tormod looked at him in turn with no change of expression. “You’re the son of an owner of a lumberyard in a small country town. You really have no idea what important is.”
Rogue scowled, his facing taking on a red hue. “I won’t take that from you. Why don’t you and your baby sister run home to mommy, if you even got one.”
Wanderer saw that had struck a nerve between the two, and his patience finally snapped. It was one thing to make fun of a pony, but to say something nasty of their family was downright wrong. He was not going to let that slide.
He was in Rogue’s face in an instant, his hazel eyes ablaze in fury. Rogue took a reflexive step backwards, his ears flattening at the sudden hostility. “You listen to me, Rogue, and you listen good. You can make fun of me all you want. I don’t care. But the moment you insult a pony’s family, that is taking it too far. I’ve had enough of you and your bullying. Take your friends, and do something useful for once and beat it.”
The two siblings looked at him in shock.
Before Rogue could retort, Wanderer cut him off. “I’ve had it, Rogue. This stops now.” His tone was unsettlingly calm, despite his anger.
The other finally glared back at him. “And just what are you going to do?”
“Do you really want your dad to finally find out about your attitude?”
The blue colt flinched. His father was not the forgiving sort when it came to things that would damage his reputation. Having a son who was a known bully would no doubt cause more harm than good.
The two glared daggers at each other. Scarlet stepped forward to say something before Tourmaline stopped her with a glare. Stone was about to push at Wanderer, but Tormod stepped between them.
The tense stand-off went on for a minute, neither side backing down, though Stone gave Rogue quick, worried glances. The pegasus was not looking forward to the idea of a fight. Finally, Rogue took a step back, glowering at Wanderer.
“This isn’t over, Wanderer. You and your blank-flank friends can get lost in the woods for all I care.” He turned away sharply, and he and his friends left.
Wanderer huffed, a pleased expression on his face.
“Hey, Wanderer, thanks for standing up for us,” Tourmaline said with a grateful smile.
“Yes, thank you. I take it he is the class bully?” Tormod asked him, running a hoof through the spikes of his mane, letting out some nervous energy.
“Yeah, they take it upon themselves to give other ponies a hard time just for laughs.” He grinned. “I’ve actually wanted to do tell him off for a while now.”
Tormod chuckled. “Well, we’re glad to be here to give you the chance.”
Tourmaline elbowed her brother. “Anyway, you still want to play? We have the rest of recess yet.”
Wanderer smiled wide. “You bet!”
The three spent the remainder of recess playing together. Wanderer had found the friends he had hoped for. They laughed, shared stories, and enjoyed a day of play together. At the end of the school day, they promised to meet again before class the next day. As Wanderer walked home with his mother, he couldn’t keep the spring from his step.