The jungle was so beautiful at night. Princess Luna's stars gleamed down from the heavens and sparkled, sending a silvery light down on the flowers and leaves. If one were to live long enough to observe the stars, one would notice that they changed. Not even stars were permanent. Though they certainly seemed so.
My gray mane fell across my sweaty brow as I walked. One golden hoof in front of the other. I needed to take off my hat. My vest was ripped and covered in dirt. I was rather certain that my face was dirty as well.
Ah well, at least my beloved had the sense to make sure I had several new ones waiting for me at home. It doesn't matter how used I am to the heat, nor how long I have lived in the jungle, it all boiled down to one fact. The jungle is hot. With a capital H. Good thing I know where to wash off.
Today had been a rather stressful day. First, my office was ransacked. While I knew that was going to happen, it didn't make it any less aggravating. They scratched my new, golden coated, typewriter. That cost a lot of bits, you know.
Then, those ponies wanted to help me with my adventure. I work alone. And there was a good reason that I worked alone. But no, they helped anyway. So I had to signal everyone else to change the plan.
Then my capture was botched when the blue Pegasus 'saved' me. I took a deep breath through my nose. But then again, I did appreciate the fact that she did that. She meant well, I'm certain. As far as she knew, I was facing certain death.
I knew better though. I had faced that trap before, long long ago. Still, her helping me was preferable to me having to punch the piranhas, and swim my way to safety. No fish bites too. Because believe me, they hurt.
I did certainly make her day, however. I'll do her a favor, and put her in my next book. Sort of like a thank you note. Even if I didn't need it, its the thought that counts.
The beaten down trail that I walked down was covered by many animal footprints of the jungle. Many of these animals never dared to venture outside of the jungle's safety. Many ponies outside would readily hunt them down. Only the Earth Pony natives here, understood how important they were. Speaking of a native, here is one now.
On the trail, up ahead. It is a female. Seems like she is gathering herbs for the camp. A weekly task for the children and the females to accomplish. Yes, the ponies here still have things only for males and females to do.
It's not that big of a deal. The natives choose to do their tasks with honor. They believe that females have special tasks only to them. And that the males only have special tasks to them. It might be old fashioned to some, but the females aren't treated badly.
Quite the opposite, actually. Each gender has an equal, yet separate level of respect. The males are valued for; bringing the meat home, creating the weapons of the house, building the tents, being a good husband, being a good father to their children, being a good grandfather, making sure that they are safe, marrying their daughters to the right man, etc.
The females are valued for; cooking, making clothes, making jewelery, crafting pots, weaving belts, starting campfires, bearing children, being a good mother, being a good grandmother, choosing the right women to marry their sons, etc. The lists go on.
And, honestly. They seem rather happy with what they do. I recognize the female. Naomi. I named her myself, after watching her get born. Such a tiny thing she was back then.
Naomi has gotten bigger now though. Her blue mane was a direct contrast to bright red coat. Hm, its reaching all the way to her hooves there. Although she put it in a very fancy braid. Is that, is that a flower I see at the end of the braid?
Yes, it is. Huh. Clever. Tattoos of white paint run along her body. A leafy skirt held only by a woven rope is around her waist. She is a young one, probably only sixteen.
Yet, she is carrying a very young foal on her back. But whether that is hers, or it is a sibling, I'm not sure. She sees me, slightly startled at my appearance. Her eyes are wide, like an animal in front of a flashlight. There was a time where they knew when I was coming. But then my beloved taught me how to slip through the jungle, unnoticed.
Her eyes darted around, looking for other ponies. Finding none, she crouched, prepared for battle. I stop. Slowly, I raise a hoof. “Naomi, it is fine.
No other ponies are about.” She instantly relaxes, and stands back up. “Oh good. You had me worried there, Mrs. Yearling.” She does sound relieved.
It is probably because the native ponies here tend to exaggerate my battle skills. Really. The only time I took down fifty of them with a broken wing was because I had a handy pit to toss them down into during battle. It was cushioned, of course. “Mrs. Yearling?”
She asked. I smile pleasantly at her. “Yes?” “Should I tell Mr. Yearling that you are home?” I nod again.
“Yes, if you could that would be nice.” Mr. Yearling will be asleep by now, but it would do him well to know that I had suffered no life threatening injuries." I pass by her, walking toward my destination.
Naomi calls me. “Mrs. Yearling?” I paused, and glanced over my shoulder. Naomi smiles at me. “Welcome home.”
I smile, and move on. In a few minutes, I reach a lake. It may not seem rather wide, but it is deep. Cool, and refreshing. Perfect for a night's bath.
Slowly, I take off my vest and hat, placing them in a tree. I'll fetch them in the morning. Right now, I'm Mrs. Yearling. And I want a bath. But first. I drink from the lake.
And as I do, I remember a memory. Back a very long time ago. When I was Jean Kendra, adventure extraordinaire…
It was a rumor from a fever stricken Unicorn archeologist, found on the edge of the jungle. One single old rumor. Any other sane pony would laugh it off and call it a day. Not me. Oh no, I had to have had several encounters with the dreaded legendary Aztuial.
Although never seen outside of the jungle, and very rarely outside of a temple, the big cat was rumored by these town folk that he had malicious intent. In my experience, he was at best, dramatic. Inside a temple he was only dangerous if he didn't like you. But that was the same with every pony. In the jungle, those who saw him were reported to have been trapping animals illegally.
For those ponies, the encounter was harmful. Most barely got out with their lives, so was his rage. If however, you were nice to the animals, and left the temples alone, he was ultimately harmless. That is, till I heard the rumor. It was about the possibility that he could be trying to live forever.
There was a temple that held a treasure from the famed explorer, Poncey de Leon. He had traveled across the world in order to search for the
Fountain of Youth. A spring where the drinker would have eternal youth. Rumors abounded about it. Some said that the water was so clear that they could see the entirety of the night sky reflected in its crystalline waters.
Some said that nothing could float in the water. Wood, and lighter substances sank to its bottom. It was said that inside that temple a pool of
water from the Fountain of Youth was inside. That was when I traveled to this temple, fought the Earth Pony natives, kicked several huge snakes in the jaw, and swung over nine pits.
Guess what? Doing all of that makes one really, really, really, thirsty. I dragged myself step by step to the pool of water above me. It was rumored to have the water that held eternal youth. Aztuial, my mortal enemy was nowhere to be seen. Good.
It was my sole duty to prevent him from sampling the water. Or ponies would be cursed with his presence for all eternity. I wore a brand new vest, and brand new hat. I was Jean Kendra. Explorer extraordinaire. Thirst clogs my throat, slowly driving me mad.
I needed water. And I needed it, now.
Suddenly, Aztuial bursts into the room. “Jean Kendra!” He shouts. I look at him with a sneer. “Aztuial.
So we meet again.” He watches me with his own sneer with his yellow cat eyes that were so mysterious. “Yes, we meet again. But don't forget,
You are in my temple. So get out!”
Well some pony was in a very bad mood. I continue my journey up the temple steps. He freezes suddenly, an odd look coming onto his face.
“Wait, what are you doing?” I ignore him, and continue up.
His eyes narrow as he slowly realizes my intent. “Stop her!” He cries, as his tail snaps. Four natives come out and try to stop me. Even mad with thirst, I can take them down.
Easy. Each native I send flying makes Aztuial angrier. I finally reach the top after beating the last native. There is no pool. Just a golden goblet of water on a pedestal.
I stare at it, my thirst consuming me. “This is the pool of water from the Fountain of Youth?” I snort. “Don't do it!” I glance at Aztuial who had leaped behind me, staring at me with fear. “Don't drink that water! You will regret it if you do!”
I sneer at him. “If I don't, you will.” This shocks him. He stares at me with dumbfounded bewilderment. “You think I want to live forever?”
I snort again, yet I can see that he isn't joking. Despite being bone dead tired and thirsty, I go ahead and fight him. He knows my weakness, and I know his. My hoof comes into contact with his gut as his paw scratches my cheek. Quickly, I turn around and buck at him.
But he knew that I would, and grabs my legs. Uh oh. With a swing of his arms, he tosses me. I hit the pedestal and flop onto my stomach. Then as I come to my feet, I see the goblet. It had landed from falling onto the bottom of the cup, the water inside still there.
When ones brain is consumed with madness, one does not think rationally. I drank that water in one gulp. My reasoning was that one, Aztuial could not, under any circumstances, drink that water. Two, I was thirsty anyway. The liquid pours down my throat, cooling and healing it.
It tasted faintly like violets. A rush of energy came back into my body. I felt every pain and ache melt away. My coat was as sleek and glossy. It was exhilarating. I turn to face him confidently, only for me to see.
Pain. There was no other word to describe what I saw in his eyes. Pain, anger, and sadness. Aztuial's fist trembled violently. Then clenched and unclenched.
It covers his face. A series of strange noises come from behind the paw. He began to cry. The great and mighty Aztuial, cried.
To say that I was dumbfounded would be an understatement. “Stupid pony!” He snaps, as I stare. “Stupid pony.” He says again, only more quieter. Then he raised his voice again. “Don't you see? That water will make you last as long as me!”
A tingle of fear ran down my back as I glanced at the empty goblet, then at him. “Well, at least you won't drink it.” He bitterly snorted. “You are one hundred years too late for that, my dear Jean Kendra!” I felt the cold, sinking feeling of reality then. My stomach clenched, as the goblet hit the cold stone floor…
One hoof after another goes into the lake. The chill tingles on my coat, washing away the dirt and sweat. I sigh as the comforting feeling of being at peace, cleanses my soul. A soul that has lived for a hundred years. Jean Kendra was no more.
That name was long gone now. But a new one had taken its place. My feathers float in the cool, clear water. Slowly, I shake them in the water, allowing the dirt to loosen and sink. My hooves brush against my coat and then my mane and tail.
My beloved once told me on occasion that underneath the stars, my mane looks like it was spun from Princess Luna's moon. I take a slow, deep breath. Then I dive into the water. My eyes sting from the touch of the water. Bubbles come from my nostrils in streams.
My mane floats around my head in a silvery halo. It was odd, really. Before I had become immortal, I had never taken time to consider the little things in life. Now, every moment is something that is worth my time. Something that I have a lot of now.
It is a mixture of a blessing and a curse. Blessing that I now have no fear of old age. I will die one day. I don't know how though. I'm as youthful as a young adult mare.
I still feel pain though. Things still pierce my skin. But even if they do, I heal from them. A hoof brushes a few wet strands from my forehead. A feeling of sadness washes over me as I remember another memory….
The church bell tolled as my sister's body returned to the earth. She had lived about to the age of ninety. Then died peacefully in her sleep. I, now to the world, was her great-grand daughter. It ate at my heart, till it ached. I now could not die.
What was I supposed to do now? Aztuiol was no longer a threat. All joy was gone. Everything was gone. Tears fell from my face, and onto my dress. I couldn't stand it.
I ran from the scene that was tormenting me. My sister's spirit had finally returned to the rest of our family.
Her funeral marked the permanent removal of my living family from my life. A life that seemed to have no end. The wind whistled in my ears, and blew through my mane as I ran. Ran, away from everything that was tormenting me. The tears coming out of my eyes were falling on the ground behind me. Breathing was a struggle, as the air came with sharp gasps.
A root trips me. I fall. Hard. I broke down sobbing where I had fallen from running. My gray mane was in a tangled mess. My golden coat was messy, and dirty. Mascara had run down my cheeks, making it look like I was crying ink.
The red velvet dress I wore was ruined from mascara droplets, tears, dirt, and scratches. My tears fell onto the dirt, and my sobs echoed through the jungle. Then my ear twitched. Velvety paws were hitting the soft dirt. I knew that soft tread.
They were coming nearer. Then they stopped. I turn my gaze to Princess Celestia's burning globe of heat and light. That is, where it should be. But blocking my view of it, was Aztuiol's head.
Suddenly, he had appeared. How was I not surprised. Intently, he watches me. Those eyes. A shiver runs down my back.
My heart pounds in my ears, anger taking over. I scream. “Why? Why?” My hoof pounds the dirt.
“Tell me why!” It pounds it again. “Why am I still living?” A velvet paw grabs my hoof before it pounds the earth again. Swiftly I glance up. That paw was Aztuiol's. Holding my hoof. The pained look was in his eyes again.
“I tried to warn you.” It was true. The words do little to comfort me. I sob again. “Why did you drink that water?”
I ask. To ask my mortal enemy that, was weird enough. But then again, I had stopped being an explorer once my now dead mother died of old age. I did promise her I'd stop. Aztuiol studies me again.
His mysterious yellow cat eyes made me shiver slightly. “I wanted to protect the animals.” He revealed. I blink, and cock my tear stained head at him. Aztuiol explains as his eyes wander to my hoof.
“The animals here, were dying of extinction. I couldn't let that happen. I chose this. No matter how much I now regret it.” I sigh and choke slightly.
“I wish I could help.” He lowers my hoof, but still holds it. I don't protest. The pressure of his paw was warm and comforting. “Why?”
I shrug. “I am beginning to realize your pain.” I stare into his eyes. “I want to do something. To put purpose back into my life.” He studies me again.
“I have a proposal for that.” I raise my head higher. “I'm listening.” Aztuiol clears his throat. “How about this. We turn you into an author.” I stare at him.
“A author? Of what?” He grins toothily. “About how an explorer pony defeats a terrible monster from destroying the world.” I smile bitterly.
“Have an explorer and villain handy?” Aztuiol smiles back. “Yes. You. And me.”
I blink. “This sounds crazy. How will that help the animals?” Aztuiol's other paw waved at the sky. “Easy.
You write an interesting book, ponies buy it, and give you money. You can take that money, and donate it to saving the jungles.” I nod slowly. This actually sounded like a good idea, crazy as that was.
He cocked his head. “How does, Miss Daring Do, sound? Catchy enough?” Daring Do. Good name that. I look at him.
“Yeah, that's catchy. What should I do for the author's name?” Aztuiol draws in the dirt with a claw. “We shouldn't let your old name go to waste. It is a pretty one.
J.K. You can borrow my last name.” I look at him. “What is that last name?” He answers.
“Yearling…”
And so J.K. Yearling was born.
A gold coated pony with a gray mane and tail that wore the red velvet dress, and a pair of silver glasses. That was my outside wear. I taught Aztuiol how to spot me from the jungle. The thing was, we were now both immortals.
We had to learn how get along with each other, since we were going to be together for eternity. We operated on a system of signals. If I was on an adventure, I would signal that to him. He would turn on his dramatic side, and be the villain that I had very well knew before I had turned myself immortal. But after it was all said and done, Aztuiol would change into an entirely different being.
He was kind, and patient. Aztuiol told me of his past. About a hundred and fifty years ago, Aztuiol's jungle animals were nearing extinction. He had been the only one of his kind left. They had been guarding the animals for centuries, but now they were gone. The pony tribes that worshiped them were facing starvation.
No one knew what to do. He chose to raid the temple and drink the water in order to save them. A noble act. My past was different. Once an upon a time, Jean Kendra was a member of the wealthiest families.
But then she was disinherited after desiring to learn to explore temples. So by exploring temples, she sold the artifacts and got money to live. But then she drank the water. So now the royalties from the books paid it instead. As well as saving the jungle.
There is even enough left over for me to buy me new typewriters. I finish bathing and slowly climb out.
A dry, fluffy towel was laying folded on the ground. Waiting for me. I dry off. Beside the towel, was a silk woven robe. It's the color of rose pink.
My beloved loves to see me in rose pink. Says in brings out my eyes. The robe's inside was nice. It felt fluffy, like sheep wool. After putting on the robe, I head down another trail toward home.
The flower's perfume can be smelled as I walk. It is very nice. As I walk, I recall another memory. I'm just full of them, aren't I? It was a few months after our agreement, perhaps half a year had gone by…
Aztuiol was sitting on a jungle tree above me while I sat at the bottom, chewing dried pieces of potato, called chips. My hoofs were typing up my next story on my typewriter. Aztuiol had no idea what I was doing. His mysterious yellow cat eyes watched me as my hoofs clacked against the keys.
For a few minutes, he simply watched me. Then his tail fell across my face. "What are you doing?" I show him the half finished page. "Writing one of the books."
He snorted, and came down from the tree. Velvet front paws padded on the grass, as he peered over my shoulder. "What in the name of Equestria are you writing?" I wave my hoof at the words. "This machine creates words onto the paper and then I can send them to the publisher.
The publisher then can make it into a book. And that book keeps the beauty of the jungle, alive." Aztuiol stares. He is puzzled. "I have never seen such language before.
Do ponies really read such odd looking shapes?” I laugh. “Yes, we do. Our way of writing has simply evolved over time.” Aztuiol's shoulders shrug as the rest of his body comes down.
Slowly, he settles down onto the grass. I leaned back, and felt the warmth of his body. Mm, so soft. He could pass for a couch. I relax, taking in a low deep breath.
Aztuiol mutters something. “Whatever keeps the animals alive.” Right on cue, a squirrel like cat thing leaps down from the trees and lands onto my head. It is a purple colored animal with a very long feathered tail. The purple is in different shades on its body.
On the back, front of the paws, and the back section of the face is a darker shade, more like violet. The underside, back of the paws, and the front section of the face was a lavender color. Little curved horns are on the forehead. The horns and the feathers are a lapis lizu blue color.
Its little feet pitter patter all over my mane. My eyes raise up to my forehead as the little thing runs about. Aztuiol's eye spots the animal as soon as he no longer hears the clacking of keys. “Oh for.” He half sits up, leaning on an arm. “Come here, Mr. Whiskers.”
Aztuiol commands, his paw outstretching to the little animal. Mr. Whiskers jumps onto Aztuiol's outreached paw. Its beady little eyes blinked rapidly at Aztuiol. A series of loud chirps come from its mouth. Aztuiol's lips twitched into a soft smile.
A rarely seen side of him came out. He lifts the squirrel like thing onto his head, and stretched out on the grass.
While I clicked my hooves onto the keys, I watched them out of the corner of my eye. It was cute. The click clacking of my keys becomes a rhythmic song. As I type, I come to the realization. If I hadn't drank the water, I would of never gotten to know that side.
Quite an interesting fact, in my opinion. A yawn hits me. I bury my face into my shoulder in order to muffle it. When I'm done, I raise my head, only to blink and yawn again. My hooves grew still, as one covers my mouth.
I knew what these yawns meant. They were the reason I got so many chapters done in one day and night. I yawn once more.
I glance guilty at Aztuiol. He wasn't paying attention. He was lying on the warm grass, bathing in the sun. My heavy head thunks onto his back. Mm, he is soft.
My ear catches him purring. Just like a cat. A tired smile comes to my face. Aztuiol suddenly moves. I sit up, and try to look busy.
Aztuiol's eyes fasten onto my face. I avoid eye contact. “How long has it been since you slept?” I didn't answer. The silence between us was answer enough.
So what if I wasn't sleeping? I couldn't die from it. Not now. Not ever. Aztuiol's soft, yet firm paw lifts my chin so that my eyes meet his.
They gaze into mine intently. I felt another shiver go up my back from his gaze. A hoof of mine touches his paw. “Aztuiol…” His gaze doesn't waver.
“You are going to take care of yourself, and get some rest.” I sigh, yet comply. He pushes away the typewriter, and settled back down onto the grass. I slowly repositioned on my haunches, annoyed. His tail pushes me against his side.
I shoot him a look, that he ignores. I cross my hooves and stare at a tree. But then, slowly, I lean onto his side, admitting that yes, it was comfy. Aztuiol begins to hum. The sun was warm. The air was sweet.
The humming is a pretty good song. And I was very tired. My head cushions itself onto his side. My hooves drop to the ground. Aztuiol is watching me out of the corner of his eye. His tail curls around me. My eyes can't stay open. Before I know it, I'm asleep….
It took me awhile to realize that he just showed his tender side to me. And even longer to realize my growing feelings for him. But hey. I'm a little clueless on these things okay? Lighten up. I walk into the camp of the natives.
Most are inside there tents, asleep. But some are out beside the campfires, watching for preying animals that would consider a pony, a very tasty snack. I had no worries of such. Yet, I knew my beloved would prefer if I didn't take precautions. As he put it, “Just because you are immortal, doesn't mean that you get to take every single risk.
The water won't protect you from everything. And believe me. Whatever hurts you is going to wish that they hadn't.” I smile. He was such a protective guy.
One of the reasons I loved him so. The natives were seated beside the campfire. They are dusty from getting the temple collapsed on them. But not hurt. I personally weakened spots in the temple, so that when it collapsed, the natives would be fine.
They notice my presence. Their faces turn from sleepy to alert. Spears, clubs, and bows are grabbed. I halt. One charges.
I hold up my hoof. “Wait. It's all right. There is no one, but me.” They relax instantly.
The one that was charging, stops. I nod at them. “No one was injured?” I inquire. One shakes his head.
“No, Mrs. Yearling. Your calculations were correct.” He looks puzzled. I peer at him. “What's wrong, Elden?”
He pauses, then looks me in the eye. “Mrs. Yearling. How did you know that the rainbow Pegasus would not harm the plan?” Ah, yes.
That blue Pegasus. Rainbow Dash. Such an eager pony, that one. “Because.” I answer.
“She reminded me of myself, long ago.” They nod respectfully, and settle back down. My story is still told to their young. Of how I was at first a terrible enemy. I suppose I was a little less nice than I am now.
I turn, and walk through the camp. It is a modest, but comfortable place. I really do like it here. Everyone is friendly if you are friendly right back. That is, unless you are an adventure that is trying to foil the plans of their god.
Then there are problems. Ones that invoke sharp spears, and shooting arrows. I can hear a monkey calling to its mate. The call is haunting, and following it, comes a cold breeze. I shiver.
Quickly, I arrive at a cave. This cave is special to the natives. For to them, it is where the gods used to live. I stop before the entrance. I give the cave a low bow, and whisper a few words.
“Time is.
Too Slow for those who Wait.
Too Swift for those who Fear.
Too Long for those who Grieve.
Too Short for those who Rejoice.
But for those that Love,
Time is not.”
Such a pretty poem that is, no? I read it in a newspaper once. It was by a pony named, Hayden Van Dyke. Quite the fancy name. I was told that one had to present a few words of respect before entering.
Honor for the spirits. The poem is my gift. This race loved poems. The only light in the cave, comes from the moon. Houses lie empty, carved from rock by skillful paws.
They are aligned against the roof. Stairs lead to the cave floor, and balconies are on the houses. If one of them had wished, they could of leaped from balcony to balcony. Drips of water echo in the heavy air. I can see a broken pot, one that was used to carry water.
Dusty gold bracelets lie in the soft dirt near where a stone chest lies on its side. The wind that whistles through here mock what used to be cheerful laughter and chattering voices. I feel the presence of forgotten souls as I walk through it. A mixture of peace and sadness comes over me. On the walls are hand prints.
Of all shapes and sizes that you could imagine. Little, tiny ones that came from children, to big, giant ones that came from elders and priests. They had their own goddess as well. They worshiped a snake goddess. I come to the edge of a cliff.
There is a giant carved rock statue of her. Its so big that I can look at it in the eye, while its knees are at the bottom of the cliff, submerged in clear water. Reflections of the water dance upon her. She wears a snake skin like a hooded cape. The fangs of the snake reach to her chin.
The eyes of the snake are made of rubies, so they glitter fiercely in the moonlight. Her body is covered by leaves and flowers of the jungle. Her waist is wrapped with what looks to be a pelt of a jaguar. She looks like a hairless monkey. She has two arms like Aztuiol's, and two legs like his, except they are slightly more slender.
Her head has a little hair. Two long braids hang from beneath the head of the snake, behind the fangs. The arms are outstretching to the sky in a graceful dance. Her face is peaceful, serene. A smile is on her lips.
The monument before me is a testimony to their goddess. The claim is that long ago, animals nearly vanished from Equestria. The goddess's sadness was so great, that the land froze in a harsh and bitter winter. Just like the one in the legend of Hearths-warming. A small race, Aztuiol's race, protected the last animals from the cold.
When the bitter winter passed, and spring came again, the goddess saw what Aztuiol's people did, and chose Aztuiol's people to protect all animals from that day forward. Perhaps this is why she had a statue built to her. No record shows of her existence. Yet, these people believed she existed. They didn't need proof.
And now, the statue itself is a god. A proclamation of their faith. I shake my head. Being in this cave for too long makes your thoughts wander. I give the statue a nod of respect, and walk away. Another memory rings in my mind. It was a year after the conversation with Aztuiol….
I sit before a pedestal. A pedestal of gold. The one where the goblet of gold had sat. A chill of fear runs down my spine. This is where it all began.
I stare at it for a few moments more, before leaving and going toward a dark shape that was waiting for me at the end of the hallway. As I pass the shape, it turns and follows me outside. Outside the jungle echos with the music of the animals, as the sun rises with a fiery blaze of glory. Beautiful streaks of purple, blue, pink, and orange. I was sitting on the roof of the temple, bathed in the sun.
Aztuiol was beside me, gazing at the sunrise. I sigh softly. “I can't believe this is our 50th anniversary of the day I become immortal. It seems only yesterday.” A velvet paw strokes my wing, which twitches.
“The animals are safe now. Will be for a thousand years, if not more.” He speaks, his tone quiet. He isn't looking at me, only at the ground. “Daring Do.”
I try to meet his eyes. “Are you sure, that you want to keep doing this?” He asks, peering at me with those mysterious yellow eyes. “Wouldn't you like to go and be somewhere else?” He mutters something else quietly.
“With someone else?” I lean against his fur. I smile gently. “If I wasn't sure that I liked this, I wouldn't of agreed to it so long ago.” My cocky side came out with those words.
Aztuiol had said on occasion that he liked my cocky side. My hoof pats his soft side. “It will be fine. More than fine, really. This is the greatest thing that has happened to me.”
Aztuiol's body moves. I catch myself with my hoof, and look at him. He sits in front of me. His paw lifts my chin, so that I meet his eyes. Why do I always shiver when I stare into those eyes?
“The greatest?” He asks, not convinced. I look deep into those eyes. Straight at the heart I had gotten to know so well. “You chose to help me after my mistake.
You created me into an entirely different person. I've gotten to know you better than I ever could of if this didn't happen.” I lean closer, and closer. Aztuiol doesn't lean back. He stays as still as a statue.
“And that person.” I continue, my voice dropping in volume, as my head draws nearer to his. The paw is stroking my chin softly. “Loves you.” I am so close, I can feel his breath on my cheeks.
Its warm. He studies me again, his paw moving from my chin to my cheek. He doesn't speak, only strokes my smooth fur slowly. He is digesting my words. I wonder, was there a need for words?
The actions were words enough. As if he heard my thoughts, Aztuiol leans forward. His paw moves to my mane, and his fingers entangle into the silky strands. Softly, so softly he pecks me on the lips. It was brief, but warm and sweet.
After the kiss, we embrace. What words were needed to describe this? The feeling of absolute bliss wraps around me like a warm blanket….
I exit the cave through a hole in the back. There is a grove in the back. A simple wooden house is there. Mr. Whiskers is sitting on the doorway. He greets me with several loud chirps.
I grin at him. “Hello, you.” My hoof opens the door. There are three rooms. One is a living room, one is a kitchen, and one is a closet.
The living room has a desk with another typewriter for more writing. Aztuiol is sitting at that desk, typing something. Click, clack, it goes. I close the door softly. One of his ears twitch.
I walk over to him, and wrap my hooves around his waist. “Hello, handsome.” His tail wraps around me in return. “You're back.” His words sound relieved.
I nuzzle into his fur. “Mm, yes. Couldn't stay away for long.” Aztuiol moves from the stool, and embraces me. His paws, tail and mysterious yellow eyes are searching me from top to bottom for any wounds.
“I'm glad you're safe.” He says finally. My hoof strokes his cheek. “I have to be safe. Or else my husband would panic.”
He smiles. His lips press onto mine. I kiss him, my wings straightening out. His tail strokes them. I shiver. When we were done, I looked at what he was writing. It read.
Mine are the night and the morning.
The pits of air, the gulf of space.
The sportive sun, the gibbous moon.
The innumerable days.
I hid in the solar glory.
I am dumb in pealing song.
I rest on the pitch of torrent.
In slumber I am strong.
I nod my head in approval. “This is beautiful. What is it?” He wraps an arm around me. “A riddle of my people.” I place a hoof onto his paw.
It didn't matter how long I was going to live. With him by my side, I could live to the end of time.