The Sands of Saddle Arabia

by Paradise Oasis


Pony Philosophy, Vanilla Clouds in my Coffee

In the heart of the Saddle Arabian capital, ponies were settling down for their usual afternoon rests, closing up their shops, and shutting down the cafes and outdoor markets. Many ponies had returned home to rest and contemplate, and to stay out of the desert heat. Merry Moments too had returned to his family's dwelling place, and had retired to his study with a cup of Arabian coffee to mediate.

And that's where Vanilla found him, sitting cross legged on the floor, Indian style. His eyes were closed, and the smoke and incense emanating from the braziers hanging from the ceiling seemed to mystically hang in the air all around him. Taking a deep breath, the unicorn mare felt airy and lightheaded as she trotted over towards the earth stallion, levitating a cup of coffee.

"Ummm, Merry?" Vanilla asked quietly, softly trotting up to him and setting the steaming hot cup down. "I'm really sorry to bother you, but you looked like you could use another cup of coffee, and-"

"Ah, Salaam and welcome, good Vanilla Mocha." Merry Moments replied softly, opening his eyes to look at her. "Please, have a seat, and freely tell me what is on your mind."

"Um, yeah, Salami to you, too." She bowed. Look, I just wanted to thank you, for getting us out of trouble back there." Vanilla replied in an embarrassed tone, the blush on her face hidden by her veil. "You and your sister really saved our flanks in front of the sultan."

"It is nothing I wouldn't have done for any other pony in need, good Vanilla." The stallion replied, moving out of the meditative position, and reclining to sip the coffee. "I could not simply allow the guests in our own home to fall into peril, because they made some poor choices."

"Yeeaaah, I've made quite a lot of 'poor decisions; in my life." The mare replied nervously, scratching the back of her neck with her hoof. "Always making mistakes, and then trying to hide and cover them up."

"Oh, but are you so certain what you are choosing to cover up are mistakes?" Merry asked curiously, taking another sip of coffee. "Are you certain they were not events destined to happen, and their occurrence is not the moment of misfortune?"

"But... how could a mistake not be a misfortune?" Vanilla asked, cocking hr head to one side. "I mean, it's not really something you intend to happen, and it usually messes things up!"

"My dear Vanilla, do you not think it's possible that some misfortunes are kismet, the will of the horsemaster, and that they happen so that something better might happen as a result?" The stallion asked, moving over and sitting down beside her. "For instance, if you had not inhaled from that hookah and caused such a fuss, would you have gone before the prince and princess? And if I had never need to get you out of trouble, would you be sitting here, thanking me now?"

"Huh, I guess if I hadn't gotten in trouble, we wouldn't be sitting here and talking right now." Vanilla smiled softly. "I guess B'zekre does work in mysterious ways. But does your herd know what the horsemaster's will is? Does B'zekre listen to you and communicate?"

"I should hope so, we Saddle Arabian do pray to B'zekre five times a day." Merry replied with a soft laugh, taking another sip from his steaming hot cup. "You must listen for a still and soft voice, and that is the word of the horsemaster. That is how B'zekre will speak to your heart and mind."

"Wow, that is so deep." Vanilla said in awe. "Wow, I can't believe I'm sitting her with an oriental stallion, wearing a harem outfit, and listening to him talk about philosophy while drinking my coffee. This is like something out of those cheesy Ponyquin romance novels about the exotic eastern countries that Paradise likes to read."

"Sometimes the line between truth and tales can be thinner than we think." The stallion said with a chuckle. "Such as, who would believe I would be sitting here in my meditation room, enjoying such a wonderful conversation with such a lovely mare?"

"Really?....um... wow..." Vanilla's blush turned an even deeper red, and she stood up and started to trot towards the door. "L-look, I'd better go and find Paradise and the others, I'm sure they are probably wondering where I am by now."

"Really? Are you certain you must leave?" The stallion asked hopefully, an almost disappointed look on his face, are you certain you could not stay here a while longer, so we may discuss matters of the spirit further over your wonderful coffee?"

Vanilla stared back at Merry, looking into those deep blue eyes of his. There was something irresistible about this stallion- his sweet and gentle demeanor, the rugged and powerful muscles covering a body that looked as though he had been chiseled from the living rock by B'zekre's own divine hooves. Merry Moments smelled of orchids and fire- of one thousand and one passionate nights on the burning desert sands, or a thousand exotic adventures in a distant oriental land. The tender mare's heart beat faster and faster at the thought of spending more time with him, and she only hesitated for a moment before turning back to face him.

"Let me go and prepare another pot of coffee." She replied softly, smiling back at the stallion. "We can talk some more after that."

Vanilla never regretted that long and deep conversation she shared with the stallion, nor the exciting and passionate events that followed. The unicorn would always remember this vacation as one of the most amazing experiences of her life. If only she knew the horror that was to come for her and her friends, deep within the winding tunnels of the cursed pyramid....