//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1 
// Story: Crossroads 
// by CranberryJews 
//------------------------------//

My name is Trinity.
I've been wandering Equestria by hoof for... Well, as long as I can remember, honestly. I've been at every capital city, met all kinds of ponies, and got in all kinds of trouble.

My name is Trinity, and I'm freezing my ass off. 
Taking a look around me, to catch my breath and to orient, I saw that I was in a forest. Cold winds were echoing through the branches, and it was already pitch black. Snow hasn't come yet, but if this temperature persists, it won't take long. 
I don't have a calendar or anything to measure time by, but by experience and the last time I actually looked on a calendar, I guess it would be around mid-october. I'm an outdoors-pony by experience, as you would have guessed, so I'm pretty tough in cold weather. But this year is different.
''Different'' is a broad subject. I'd love that I could say I was speaking the truth it was going to be a mild winter. This is everything but.
Shivering, I went onwards, looking for any sign of civilization. I've been out in the wilds for a few days now, going downhill from Canterlot's direction. My supplies were running low and I was starting to get anxious to find a place to spend my few bits I have to get at least a full stomach. 
You might be wondering why in the world I would even deliberately leave civilization and it's leisures. Well, that's just it. It's not fun to stay at one place for me, when I stay at the same place for more than two weeks, my hooves start to itch and I just need to head out, walk the unknown paths and live freely. 

Finally, I spotted some fences, barricading a tree-orchard, although poorly. The structures was in ill repair, as some planks have given up on one side, and some segments were completely fallen down. However, it still continued to serve it's duty. I waltzed over the fence, careful not to break it further, and went through the orchard. I was used to trespassing, mostly using it as a shortcut. The worst that ever happened to me was an old angry farmer who tried to fill me with buckshot, only shooting off some hairs of my tail.
But, it was worth the risk, considering the temperature.

After what seemed an eternity in these stone-cold winds, I finally saw a glimpse of warm-white light. Hopeful, I made a beeline for the warm shimmer, hoping that some ponies would let me in, instead of shooing me away, as they did most of the time. 
Dragging myself out of the orchard, I could get a good look at the building. It was a nice old fashioned house, just as red as the barn that was accompanying it. It didn't take a genius  to figure out it was a farm. 

I walked up to the front of the house —That is, I'm guessing it is, since this side has a large door to it—, and politely gave three knocks on the classic split farm door. 
Waiting for a few moments, I shivered in the cold, re-adjusting my scarf. My only protection from the cold autumn winds. 
My ears perked up as I heard muffled rummaging from the other side of the door. Not long after, the upper-half swayed open, the light instantly hit my face. It took me a small moment to adjust. In the doorframe stood a small old mare, shivering almost just as much as I did, but I was guessing that was because of her age, considering how I instantly noticed the warm wind protruding from the opening. 
Oh, right. She's probably wondering why there's a strange mare just walking up to their house. ''Good evening!'' I said, trying to sound as kind as I tried. ''This may seem rather sudden, but, can I perhaps stay in your barn for shelter? I'll do some chores in return if you'd like.'' Good. Nice and polite.
The elderly pony looked intently at me for a moment, and spoke up; ''Oh dear, in this weather? I can't let y'all in that ol' barn! That thing's as leaky as a rusted colander!'' She said in a nice, albeit raspy voice. 
''But sure, we all need sum' help 'round now, th' apples are gone so we c'n focus on other things, we'd love some help!'' The green old mare opened the lower side of the door and beckoned me to come in. 

Stepping in, the cold from the outside almost immediately left my body, and homey aroma's of a fireheater entered my nose.
''Oh, where are my manners.'' I said with a realization and turned back to the old pony. ''My name is Trinity, it's nice to meet you, ma'am.''
''Aw shucks, ya don't have to be so polite around here, young un'! But the name's Granny Smith.'' She started to walk through the short hallway, and gave me a signal to follow. 
Entering the room, which seemed like a combination of a living room and the kitchen, I saw other three ponies, all of them engaged in what seems like an old board game.

A short introduction later, and an offering for some food —which I gladly accepted— I was allowed to take the guest room, to catch up on some well-needed rest. 
I really appreciated how none of those ponies didn't ask me how I got here or into such mess that I've to ask to stay at a stranger's home. 
I was slightly paranoid at how easy it went, but right now I'm too tired to care if they're going to harm me in my sleep. I put down my heavy saddlebags and looked outside before going to bed. The winds were blowing more furiously now, giving off low howls. 
I shook my head, and landed in my bed with a groan. By Celestia's beard, I've missed having a warm bed like this. 
It bugged me, however. In all my time out here in Equestria, I've rarely been treated like an equal. Most ponies would just call me a hobo and ignore me. 
My worries went further than this, though. If the weather only gets colder than this, I'll be grounded around these parts for at least past Januari. But I'll worry about that later. Now it's just me, and this comfortable bed. 
As my world descended into darkness, the last I could hear was the wind flying mercilessly over the Equestrian landscape.