The next day was far less interesting than the first. The most important thing was when I arrived back at the barracks, early this time due to lack of manticore attacks, I received a repaired breastplate. The whole of the day involved sneaking around the town, hiding from the skittish ponies and watching for problems, coming out only as the sun fell behind the mountains, casting their shadows onto the town. A rather boring day in general, but it was over quickly allowing for me to return to the bonfire.
As I laid down to sleep again, I let out a yawn, stretching my arms and legs out as I did. A shudder ran down my spine before I rolled over glad for the small comfort of the folded up coat and relatively soft grass in comparison to the dungeon cell that had been my home for two years.
Snaps and pops echoed around the clearing from the bonfire. The breeze blew by scattering a few fallen leaves that danced and twirled before the wind let them fall. Breathing came to my attention, only for the realization that it was mine to follow soon after. The calmness of the forest seemed to seep into me, a silent comfort as a mother's bosom though lacking the heartbeat that would rock their children to sleep.
Ponies rushed past, going to and fro, some sporting smiles others wearing emotionless faces. As I watched myself walk through the crowd, I questioned silently why a feeling of belonging, of indifference, seemed to echo from me. A mare waved, her mouth moving in some form of greeting which I returned with equal fervor. I realized that I wasn't wearing the armor that the royal guard was known for. Images started blurring, colors blending into one another. Slowly, colors started returning to some semblance of harmony, only now forming into something made fear creep into my chest.
A large centaur above me, towering over me. He was draped in fineries, gold and expensive looking furs accenting the rather simple looking tunic he wore beneath. A crown rested atop his scowling eyes, filled with anger and disgust, which was all pointed at me. “Sendak, for your actions this day, you will be stripped of your magic, and will spend the rest of your days in the mines” the King said.
I felt myself struggle against my bonds “No! Anything but that my Lord!” sounded from my mouth, but the centaur heard nothing of my objections. The King retrieved an ornamental box from one of his servants, opening it to reveal a familiar looking amulet. My attempts at gaining my freedom grew stronger only for a pair of creatures wearing armor with large batlike wings to grab my arms holding me still. The King held up a hand surrounded in orange aura, intense pain overcame me, as if someone was ripping my soul apart, but with it came fatigue. Through half lidded eyes, I watched as a bright red aura flowed from me into the amulet only for the last of my strength to fade as I slumped down, being held by the guards to either side of me. “Take him to the mines” was the last thing I heard before darkness overcame my vision.
I jolted awake, a leg involuntarily kicking into my backpack making me cringe reaching up to grab the shoeless foot.
Quite curses were muttered under my breath as I looked around. The forest was an eerie dark, the light of the bonfire giving the only light. As the pain in my foot started to fade, I reached up and rubbed at my eyes, trying to get the blurriness of sleep from them.
'What is going on with these dreams?' I thought crossing my legs before resting my arms atop them. Looking through the forest again before looking to the hole in the clearing's canopy. Stars shown above making me let out a sigh rubbing my eyes again before laying back down.
Dark clouds hung overhead as I walked out from beneath the cover of the Everfree forest's trees. Looking up I raised an eyebrow, 'What's up with the weather? It showed no signs of changing yest...' I thought before smacking a palm against my forehead. 'The Pegasi control the weather here, right...'
Though normally I was a big fan of the rain, the fact that I was wearing both steel armor and quite a bit of leather did not bode well for my clothing. On top of worrying for my only set of clothes, a sense of unease fell across me as I walked towards the town. While normally I woke up before a good majority of the ponies, the few shop keepers or others that were present at this time of morning were absent making the streets eerily empty.
My guts started to twist as I walked into town, screaming for me to retreat back into the forest. I felt my hand fall to the axe on my belt as the feelings intensified, eyes darting around for the source of the unease.
The whole town seemed to be empty, the signs of life that were showed by even birds or other wildlife the ponies lived beside were absent. Looking around for someone to question on the strange occurrence, I felt something impact my head.
My eyes darted up, hand launching once again to my axe, searching for the source of the impact only for a raindrop to splash against my face. Realization quickly followed as the droplet ran down my face hiding in my beard. More rain started falling as I once again put a hand to my face shaking my head at the feeling of unease, chuckling at my foolishness.
After a few moments I continued down the road, the rain tapping against the metal of my helmet calming my nerves. I questioned what the feeling of foreboding was, and why it had hit so strong, shrugging it off when I couldn't find an accurate explanation beyond; 'I haven't been in the rain for a long time'.
With the lack of any of the ponies wandering around town, there was no need to hide in the shadows, though the fact that I was quickly becoming drenched gave me little room to be happy about the weather. A shiver ran down my spine as a cold breeze blew past, spitting rain right into my face.
'Probably should find somewhere to take shelter if I'm going to continue watching for anything' I thought rubbing at my shoulders, trying to retain some of my quickly diminishing body heat. Looking around, a large tree caught my attention, though it seems my wandering had brought me to a certain white unicorn's doorstep.
Shaking my head at the thought of the mare, a sigh escaped me as I went to sit against the trunk. Flopping down, I felt a few pop in my back as I arched it closing my eyes as my muscles started to relax, thankful for the cover of the large tree. Reaching up, I removed the helmet, setting it down next to me before pulling the leather hood up over my head giving me some insulation from the cold.
My clothing slowly started heating up as my body did it's best to recover from the cold, though when the wind whipped around the tree, it sent shivers down my spine. Huddling together, I looked up at the carousel shaped building, silently questioning the design choice. My gaze climbed up the boutique resting on the pony shapes at the top which only made me question the idea more at using the familiar shapes that looked like they were impaled as decoration.
I let my eyes fall back down to the ground, wondering what I would do with the rest of the day. However I glanced back up at the window at the bottom floor of the boutique, thinking I had seen something. Looking at it for a few moments I shook my head, dismissing the thought.
'I should probably head back to the forest, it doesn't look like this is going to be letting up anytime soon' I thought my gaze turning to the clouds, wind having started to die down, but the rain coming down just as hard as ever.
“Wanderer!” A familiar voice shot out through the sounds of water around me. Turning back to the boutique, Rarity's head was poking out from her front door, a rather expensive looking umbrella covering the mare's mane. “What're you doing out here? The weather team had scheduled half the day for a storm!”
I blinked at the mare before shrugging my shoulders, “Nobody told me that one, thanks for the heads up!” I returned the shout, retrieving my helmet before getting to my feet. As I started out into the rain again, water bounced off the wet leather almost instantly cooling it back off making me repress a shiver.
“Where are you going?” I heard the unicorn ask after I passed the boutique making me turn back to look at her with a questioning glance. “I'm heading back to the forest” I said, pointing over my shoulder with a thumb.
Rarity's face reflected the conflicting emotions she felt as I started away again. “Wait” sounded from behind me making me turn around again with some annoyance, though I managed to keep it from my face. “We can't have the only guard Ponyville has getting sick, come, you can stay here until the rain stops”
The mare waved me inside as I approached, but I stopped at the front door, a feeling of uncertainty forming in my gut, making a curious look fall across her face. “Come now Wanderer, I need to shut the door before too much water gets in” she said.
I shook my head crossing the threshold and onto a welcome mat, water dripping from anywhere it could, soaking the mat. I pushed the door shut before turning back to the mare who gently shook her umbrella off before putting it into a small can which held a few others by the door.
“Give me a moment, I'll get you a towel” She said walking deeper into the boutique. A few dress forms sporting gowns were scattered around the main room along with a couple of racks holding other dresses, some more complex than others. Pink seemed to be the main color of the boutique, at least for the main room as what looked like curtains hung from the ceiling giving the place a more lavish feel. A small stage sat in the middle of the room flanked by full body mirrors, now reflecting other parts of the room, or myself allowing me to see just how disheveled the rain had made me.
After looking over the room, my mind turned back to the proprietress of the rather flashy, though admittedly attractive, establishment. Knowing of the mare, I was aware of the fact that she was generous and kind, but I was also able to tell she was nervous, not exactly sure of my presence. 'Perhaps this wasn't the best idea' I thought turning back towards the door, the small window revealing that the rain had started coming down harder, along with renewed wind.
I let out a sigh turning back around, the sound of clopping hooves signaling the return of the fashionista. “I'm terribly sorry, it seems this is the last clean towel I have” Rarity said as she came down the stairs with a bright pink towel in her magical grasp.
I raised an eyebrow accepting the towel, draping it over an arm as I took off my helmet. “I don't mean to be rude, but is there a place where...?” I trailed off motioning to the dripping coat and cuirass.
“Oh! Yes of course, there's a coat rack there” she said pointing out the piece of furniture to which I nodded thanks.
Wiping off my boots on the mat, I set the helmet on one of the hat pegs before unbuckling cuirass. Looking at the coat rack curiously I simply toweled the armor off before putting it on the ground next to the rack. The hood and coat were slightly harder to get off, the leather trying to stick to the quilted material beneath it. After removing them though I hung the hood next to the helmet and the coat on one of the larger pegs.
Retrieving the towel, I wrapped it around myself, letting the absorbent fabric take some of the water from the quilted cloth. “Thank you for this Rarity, you didn't need to allow me into your home” I said sending the mare in question a sincere smile.
Rarity returned the smile with one of her own, “Think nothing of it, as I said, I couldn't allow Ponyville's only guard to catch his death so quickly after starting” she said waving a hoof dismissively.
I shook my head chuckling before starting to wipe down my pants, undoing the metal knee guards and putting them by the cuirass on the ground. “Still, can't help but wonder why you didn't simply give me an umbrella and send me on my way” I said, the feeling of unease all but vanishing as I turned back to my things.
A scoff sounded behind me “I would never turn down someone in need. How could call myself an honest mare if I did?” she said, a sliver of pride poking itself into her voice.
“A good quality to have, I'm glad to see life hasn't stripped it from you” I said. Silence overtook the boutique as I looked over my things taking spaulders from the coat's shoulders and putting them with the rest of the metal armor on the ground, hoping to let the leather dry.
“Pardon my intrusiveness, but I must ask; What is that coat made of?” I heard Rarity ask, breaking the silence that had formed around us and making my stomach drop.
'Oh dear Lord I don't want to have this conversation' I thought turning back to the mare. “It's leather I treated with a bit of beeswax if I remember right” I said, “Though I think the coating probably came off after what I went through”
“Ah” she started, a slight hint of discomfort evident in her voice. “Well... Griffons are quite skilled with their leather work, though I have never...”
I nodded, “Sorry, where I come from it's treated almost like a kind of fabric to be used. Though they make fake leathers out of different materials to make it more readily available and more water resistant” I said giving her a look of sympathy.
The sympathetic look was replied with one of confusion and disgust. “If they make substitutes for it, then why did you not use that?” she asked.
Looking back at the coat I shook my head. “I suppose part of it was the fact that I wished I lived back when things were simpler, wanted to hold true to the time that it was supposed to be from.” I said lifting part of the coat, fingering a small hole that had formed at the bottom. “Another part might have been the fact that if you treat a coat like this well, care for it, it'll last easily for the rest of your life. Or so I was told”
I let the bottom of the coat fall turning back to the mare behind me who wore a look akin to that of understanding, if still laced with disgust. “Did you make them yourself?” She asked.
I held out a hand rocking it back and forth, “Kinda sorta? I had a lot of help from my mother, unfortunately I didn't learn as much as I wanted from her, which is one reason I asked if you'd be willing to teach me. Regardless...” I said waving a hand. “To a point I did. There wasn't much of this costume I made without help of one kind or another.”
“I see...” was the response, the same silence followed bringing back a slight unease. 'I'm in this mare's house, and I barely know her.' a sigh escaped me, making Rarity look back to me from the coat and pile of armor. “I don't suppose I could borrow your bathroom?” A nervous smile finding it's way to my face.
The mare jumped for a moment, “Oh yes, please follow me” she said, leading me up the stairs to what I assumed to be the more homey level of the building. Passing a few doors, and before another set of stairs, was a door which she opened with a flash of her horn revealing what looked to be a very feminine bathroom. “Give a shout if you need anything.” was her parting words before trotting back down the hallway and to one of the other rooms.
Closing the door behind me as turning the lock I sighed walking over and sitting on the fluffy purple toilet lid. “Much less the space to collect my thoughts than I hoped” I muttered to myself as I pushed back my damp hair. Looking to the towel I had draped over my shoulder as we had talked, I looked around for somewhere to hang it. Settling on a small space on the towel rack near the porcelain tub, I turned to the sink which surprised me in it's cleanliness. 'Perhaps she has a personal bathroom?' I pondered, remembering the absolute chaos which even Discord would have to applaud that was the restrooms of the few females I had known.
Approaching the small basin, I tucked my gloves into my belt, and turned it on splashing my face with the warm water, enjoying the feeling perhaps despite the fact that I had been soaked through not long ago. I let out a breath as the water dripped from my face before looking up at the mirror.
Tired eyes stared out from under copper hair that stuck out in every direction. A half smile came to my face as I looked at the man in the mirror who looked like he had just woke up after being splashed with water. Despite the other signs of my body not aging at all, it seemed that of all things, my hair had continued to grow, if only at a slower pace. Turning back to the towel I had used before I wiped off my face before turning off the faucet.
Leaning against the basin I silently wondered, 'What would my mother say to this?' The woman had always been loving and caring, but wouldn't tolerate her children looking like slobs. Going so far at one point to tie me to a chair and cut my hair when I had refused her insistence to cut or at least take care of the mop atop my head. I felt some excess water trail down my face losing itself in my beard. Clearing the tightness that formed in my throat, I wiped a sleeve across my eyes.
A knock on the door made me jump and look at the handle as it jiggled. “Rarity! Hurry up in there! I need to go!” a squeaky voice sounded from the other side not a moment later.
'I suppose I have been in here long enough, though that leaves to question...' letting the thought trail off I unlocked the door before pulling it open. Standing before me, wearing a look of discomfort which quickly turned to surprise, was a unicorn. Smaller than her peers perhaps, but bigger than the last time I had seen her, adolescent maybe. Her coat was nearly white, just a shade off, instead being a pale gray. Light purple curls cascaded around her face accented with pink highlights framing her pale green eyes.
Blinking in recognition at the mare, I stepped out of the doorway to allow her entrance. “My apologies miss, it's all yours” I said motioning towards the interior of the bathroom with a small bow.
The gray mare stared at me, need for the bathroom seemingly forgotten. “Who're you?” finally sounded as I straightened back up.
“An acquaintance of Miss Rarity's, offered shelter from the storm outside. Though I was unaware of anyone else's presence in the house.” I started tugging at my beard lightly before holding out the hand. “Please call me Wanderer”
Uncertainty was evident on the young mare's face as she accepted with a hoof. “I'm Sweetie Belle” she said simply, her eyes studying me fore some sign of aggression.
I let the hoof fall before motioning to the bathroom once more, “Again, all yours” I said before turning away from the mare heading back downstairs. 'Not the best idea Rarity, element of generosity or not letting me be here while your sister is here.' I thought as my boots lightly clopped down the steps. 'I know I'm not going to hurt her, but you know me about as well as your sister does'
A protective anger ate at my stomach, tempting me to voice this grievance to the mare in question, but I bit my tongue, debating my leaving the establishment, the feeling of unease only having grown. A curiosity for the younger mare bit at me though, wondering what she and her friends had been up too, if perhaps they had made closer friends with their old bully and conquered the pink filly's fear of her mother.
I stopped, standing in the middle of the boutique's showroom floor as it was, staring at my belongings by the coat rack. I chuckled as I looked at them, 'Who knows maybe I could make friends of the younger mares. They would definitely be an interesting bunch to hang around with' I thought before shaking my head, approaching the pile of armor.
Throwing the coat over my shoulders a shiver ran down my spine from the damp leather, buckling the belt around my waist and redoing the tassel and loop I started putting the armor back on. The sound of the toilet upstairs flushing sounded, though I ignored it instead buckling the cuirass over the coat. Plopping the helmet over my head, I looked out the window to see that while the rain had slowed, droplets still fell from the sky.
The sound of hooves descending the stairs sounded making me turn to see the same adolescent mare looking at me halfway down. “It's still raining” she said simply wearing a look of confusion. I nodded looking back out the window on the door before reaching for the handle. “You could probably borrow one of the umbrellas, my sister leaves them there for customers who need them” Sweetie's voice rang out again making me glance to the can which the umbrellas were sticking out from.
My eyes fell again on the mare as I turned shaking my head a small smile forming on my face as I put out a hand in gentle refusal. “Thanks, but it seems like the worst of the storm has passed. Unless a pegasus decides to shoot me with lighting or something, I'll be fine” I said.
Sweetie Belle shrugged, “If that's what you want” she said going back up the stairs. I watched the mare until she was out of sight, the same unease in my gut. I rubbed my eyes for a moment before going for the door again, this time without hindrance.
The rain had in fact calmed, now more of a drizzle than anything else. The sound of the door had aroused the attention of the elder of the two sisters, though she simply looked at me from the window before returning to what she was doing. 'Oh don't give me that look' I thought as I continued down the road.