//------------------------------// // Succor // Story: Lutscintorb // by Mary Sue //------------------------------// “Here you go,” Patch Moss said with a smile, slapping down a neatly folded pamphlet on the countertop. It had the front image of—perhaps unsurprisingly—and expansive forest with the name ‘Walsuis’ bolstered proudly overhead. He slid it across to Sparkler and said, “It’s just a map of the park, mind, but it’s got all the major details in there.” “Thanks,” Sparkler said, taking it in her hooves. She unraveled the mess of paper until its size was tenfold and she flattened it out across the countertop, and her eyes lit up. Patch Moss leaned over and stuck his hoof right in the middle of it. “This here’s where we’re at,” he said, tapping the center of the map. He slowly dragged his hoof towards the south. “Over here is Kiln and Goldburg, and way over here is Revansfield. They’re not exactly cities, but they’re certainly some of the larger settlements inside the park.” Sparkler ran her eyes across the map. “I always figured things like national parks would keep ponies out of settling in them?” “Yeah, Quatros is pretty laxed about that kind of thing. I mean, we’re not Equestria or Collisunda. Besides, there aren’t any actual cities here. Population, zoning, actual location, and deforestation are all taken into account.” He clicked his tongue. “Anyways, there’s plenty of really tiny villages that aren’t shown here. These are just the big ones. Go north and you’ll find where most of Quatros is, eventually, but the area between here and there is pretty unlived. Go south and you’ll find more populated areas all the way up to the foot of the Belt. And—it isn’t shown—but over here to the west there’s a big trading route that crosses through the Sundried Basin. The Asland leads right to it.” He looked up at her. “Which way did you come from, by the by?” Sparkler thought about it, staring intently at some random spot in the woods just north of Granite’s Peak. When the silence between the two grew too uncomfortably long, she conceded and went to show him. “Here, she stated.” But Patch Moss furrowed his brow at the spot. “Huh. Like, down from Hoofshear?” “No, it’s...” She groaned. “It’s really, really hard to explain. And personal.” He dismissively shook a hoof at her and smiled. “No no, it’s alright. I don’t need to know.” But for some unknown reason, she didn’t want to let it go there. The opportunity was finally here to open herself up, even to somepony who seems like they’d actually listen, but the breath to carry the urge never came. She rolled her thoughts on her tongue until one finally came out. “This Equestrian inquisitor, Sebaste, was it? Did she say where she was going?” Patch Moss hummed. “She said she was going southwest, so I’d assume Revansfield. Maybe even Last Foot.” He scratched his chin. “Heck, she’s probably at Revansfield already. Why?” “Like I said, it’s kind of personal.” She clicked her tongue. “But I’m hoping I can find her now.” He chuckled. “You really aren’t from Collisunda, aren’t you? Let alone some cartographer. You’re one strange pony, Sparkler.” “Ain’t that the truth,” she said with a small laugh. She pulled the map close and started folding it back up, which kind of surprised Patch Moss. He gave her a look as she said, “Do you mind if I keep this?” “It’s complimentary!” he chirped. “Thank you,” she said, sliding it into her satchel. She tugged on the strap against her breast and took a step back, which made Patch Moss’s confused look twist. “You’re leaving?” he asked her, skeptically. “Uh...” She blinked. “I was planning on it?” “Now hold on a second.” He hopped over to her. “The closest place is Kiln and that’s a two day’s hike away. No way you’re just leaving.” She awkwardly smiled at him. “No, it’s okay. I can—” “What have you even got in there?” he asked, pointing at her satchel. “There’s gotta be hardly a thing in there. No rope? No first aid kit? I doubt you have any food!” “I can make it just fine!” she dismissed. “I made it here just fine!” “With a dirty bandage around your forehead.” Patch Moss gave her a skeptical look. He passed a glance over her scabby foreleg. “You’re not hiking through this park without the proper gear.” She rolled her eyes. “Look, I really appreciate all you’re doing for me so far, but I’ll be fine.” For the first time since they met, Patch Moss frowned. “Humor me.”