//------------------------------//
// [37] 28th Malachite, 222 
// Story: My Little Fortress: Shadytrails 
// by PersonalGamer 
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28th Malachite

Sighing contentedly, a certain zebra mare with an intricately-braided and deliciously-colored mane and tail lays on her side, soaking in both sunshine and the view of her new neighbourhood. Tunda sighs again and stretches her legs, appreciating again how thoughtful it was to build their houses with stairs up to the roof. And how glad she is to have decided to settle long enough for them to build it for her.

From where she's sunbathing, the mare can survey Shadytrails, and looks over the ever-increasing bustle of the little village. So many new ponies and griffons, and even a few zebra. She sees them at dinner, during her performances, but that's no substitute for knowing them one-on-one. But then again, she considers, shouldn't she start with the ones who were here first? Tunda turns her head to look over, and sees Rosewood working away at her bench a ways away. Patina is likewise busy, and besides, they have a blossoming friendship already. 

... that leaves one stallion in the vicinity who she's somehow managed to only speak with in passing, and yet has been here with since the beginning. Tunda sits up, slowly and grudgingly with how comfortable and sleepy she'd gotten, nearly nodding off under the gentle spring sunlight. She has one fine idea for getting to know him, and goes downstairs to put it into action.


A few minutes later, after a quick trip to the fields, then to the stockpile, Tunda walks over the nicely-laid stone path, and approaches the door to Jack Pine's new dwelling. She lifts the hoof that isn't holding a small wicker basket, and knocks in a quick, upbeat series of hooftaps.

*tap* tap* *tap*

There’s a rustle of commotion behind the door before she can hear the familiar ping of Jack Pine’s door unbolting. Behind is Jack Pine with a shovel slung over his shoulder, dirt all over his flannel shirt, and a somewhat startled look on his face. “Uh, yes?”

The zebra tilts her head apologetically. "I hope I'm not disturbing you, because I was trying to be pleasant." She lifts up the basket, showing it to be full of freshly-picked strawberries and blackberries. "Because we're neighbors now, I brought you a housewarming present."

Jack Pine sizes her up  and down curiously before taking the basket in his teeth. “Nah, you’re not intrudin’, ‘Neighbor’. By all means, come on in.” 

Inside his near mint condition home, a single three foot by three foot square of the wood floor has been ripped out  in the corner, exposing the dirt. 

With a winning smile, Tunda strides inside as she's invited. "Thank you, Jack Pine, for letting me visit. Uh..." She notices immediately, the biggest difference between her house and his. "... that isn't meant to be a garden is it?"

Jack Pine blinks as he puts the gift on the kitchen counter,  not getting her gist for a moment. Then he looks at the big dirt hole in his home too. “Oh! No! That? That’s the start of a basement. Yup. Real early start.”

"Oh, I see, a proto-basement. I admit it's not a bad improvement. Though if I were to choose one for my home, I think I'd first like a window for my own." With her tail, she gestures at the plain walls they all share. 

Jack Pine makes a tisk with his tongue. “Yup. Light would definitely be a nice addition out here. And candles .... and wax for candles .... and glass for windows ...”  He rubs his neck and coughs while they share an awkward silence,  as he remembers how to converse. “So, uh, you were in that show a couple days back with Silver, right?”

Latching onto the return of conversation, Tunda nods enthusiastically. "I did yes, did you attend? And did you enjoy the music 'til the end?"

The Lumberjack shrugs. “I mean, I am the polar opposite of a fancy pantsy city critic, but it was alright. Kept the morale up. Wouldn't mind to listen again, with a bottle of whisky.”

The mare laughs. "Sadly I can't promise a bottle of whiskey, rum, or gin, but I can say you'll hear us perform again."

Pine smirks briefly, before feeling the need to clarify “I mean i’m not trying to say your singing so bad I need some rum, I’m just saying that a proper saloon to relax in, with the proper amenities wouldn't go amiss. It’ wasn’t a ...”

Tunda tilts her head, and patiently waits for him to finish.

“Hey! Speaking of rum, that’s what the basement is going to be for eventually, for a still and wine rack, all using nice hoof carved wood.” Pine says to avert any more unintended insult in the other conversation he desperately wants to abort.

"I look forward to tasting a sample," Tunda tells him. "I'm sure eventually your stock will be ample."

Pine nods. “Figure if I make extra, I’ll put it in the kitchen for everyone to share, It’s only the neighborly thing to do.”

"Everyone would appreciate that generosity. It will be nice to have something beside juice and tea." Tunda looks sheepish momentarily, after that last rhyme.

A small smile creeps on Pine’s face. “You know, you don’t got to do that. It ain’t so formal a talk, I wouldn’t mind.” 

"I know you wouldn't mind, if everything didn't rhyme," Tunda answers, still smiling herself. "But I do it because it's fun, same as when I speak to anyone."

“Really?” Pine says with an undertone of fascination. “Seems like it’d be so difficult ...”

"I know to put so much practice in such a thing seems silly," Tunda admits unabashedly, "but it's easy when I've been doing it since I was a filly."

“I ... is that usual?” He shuffles his hoof in a gesture. “I mean ... I haven’t met many ... you know what I’m trying to say.”

"Many zebra in my village could, though not all of them so often would. The warriors not as much, spending all their day swinging swords. It leaves so little time for playing with words," she fancifully explains. 

“Hm. Good to know.” Pine Jack says with an appreciative nod. “And I’m glad you’ve got an ear for music. Means you won’t mind if I plunk away at my ‘ol acoustic guitar on the front porch, hopefully?”

"Not at all, I'd rather like to hear. I'm sure it'll pleasing to the ear." For emphasis, Tunda paws at one of her ears with a hoof as she says it.

“Right.” Jack Pine says through a thin smile. It would take someone who knew him well to know thats as close as he gets to being pleased as punch.

The mare waits quietly, seeing if the conversation has enough to continue on. A pleasant house guest doesn't stay longer than they're wanted, even if she doubts he'd give up her company so soon.

“Well, thanks for the berries neighbor. It was, uh, a  nice thought. Not a lot of Ponies come over my way, so thanks.”

"Don't mention it, neighbor. It was but a minor labor," Tunda humbly and happily says, waving a hoof. "Now perhaps I should take my leave, before my welcome we start to grieve."

“ ... “ Jack Pine scruffs his left forehoof with his right. Half of him is content with letting her walk away, but the other half was simply curious. “Hey, uh, Before you go, who you gotta ask to be in the Show? you know, jus’ ... If someone asked me.”

With a knowing smile, the zebra answers, "If somepony were to want to know, direct them to me or Silver, about the show."

“Will do.” Jack Pine shoves a couple berries in his mouth and picks up his shovel.

Saying her goodbyes, Tunda leaves the stallion to his work, happy with the impression she made. She wouldn't have chosen any other neighbors if she could have.