I had finally made it. My horn was cracked, and my gossamer wings torn, but I had finally made it out of the caverns and into the lush forest. The morning sun warmed my black chitin as I blinked in the bright light, trying to gather my wits about me.
Now what? I had fled my hive after learning what they were planning to do to the inhabitants of a nearby village they had ransacked. I believe it was called Hoofstead by the locals. Yet, now I was standing here, without food or water, and not one bit to my name. Yes, I was aware that I needed money in the surface world, we changelings aren’t exactly ignorant you know?
First, though, I needed a disguise. And seeing as Earth ponies were the kind of pony that were by far the most common in this area, I decided that becoming one of them was my best chance to blend in. It also saved me the hassle of explaining why my horn or wings weren’t functional every time I ran into some passerby.
Green flames engulfed me and within moments, where once a changeling nymph stood, there was now an earth pony mare. I made my way to a nearby stream and gazed at my reflection upon the surface of the clear, running water.
Let’s see… Beige fur? Check. Smooth two tone blue and indigo mane? Check. Bright hazel eyes? Also check. Then, I turned my head for the last detail. Cute flank with flower picture? Yup! Say goodbye Lithera, and hello Bluebell.
Satisfied with my new appearance, I headed out to solve my next problem: getting something to eat and ask for some directions. Since I had currently no clue which way the nearest settlement was. I had only heard the name of the pony village my hive had raided. I had not been with them on the raid, or seen a map showing its location.
Soon, I noticed something downstream. A lone pony sat on the shore next to what looked like a flimsy cocoon made out of some sort of fabric. Alright then, Lithera I thought by myself. It’s showtime girl! Trotting towards the pony, I flattened my ears against my mane and cried out as pitifully as I could.
“Oh please, can anypony help me!” I called out, “I got lost in the woods and have ran out of supplies!” Nailed it. Sure, it was cliché as could be, but the pony—a stallion—perked up his ears and looked my way before quickly scrambling to his hooves.
“Hey! Over here little lady, you’re safe now!” He nickered. I raggedly galloped towards him while feigning distress as I half-tackled the stallion. I Buried my muzzle into the crook of his neck while sobbing softly for added effect. I was especially proud of the tears running down my cheeks.
He held me close and caressed my mane tenderly. Making soothing shushing sounds while I eagerly drank from the well of caring emotions he expressed towards me. They tasted delicious, mind you. “T-thank you, kind sir.” I stammered. “I’m Bluebell, and I got lost in the woods. It was so frightening.”
“You’re all right now, filly. I’m Evergreen and I often go camping in these woods. You can stick with me until we get back to somewhere with a bit more civilization if you like.”
Nodding against his chest, I whispered. “Yes please, thank you, Evergreen.” And I was thankful. He had already fed me some and even volunteered to help me on my way. I would somehow find a way to repay him for all of his generosity, that was for sure.
He withdrew from me and smiled warmly. “No problem Bluebell, but, tell me, what happened to your supplies? And are you hungry?”
I had to think carefully now, seeing as a good cover story made your disguise all the more believable. “I visited a village called Hoofstead, but soon needed to flee when it was attacked. I had no time to grab my saddlebags.” I’m so clever.
Evergreen frowned. “Yeah I heard about that tragedy. Wonder if those changelings ever realize how much they hurt innocent ponies with their actions.” I tried so hard not to cringe with guilt when he said that. A neutral flick of my tail had to suffice for the moment while I thought.
I lowered my gaze, flattening my ears subconsciously. “Somehow, I bet that some of them don’t approve of such actions. You must hate all of them then?” Bit of a gamble there, Lithera I thought, holding my breath.
He looked at me for a moment and shook his head. “No, Bluebell. Because hating anypony never solved anything. I just wish they opted for a more peaceful existence.” If only more ponies and changelings thought the way this stallion did. Equestria would be a better place for everyone. I was already beginning to like him.
My stomach growled and I smiled sheepishly at Evergreen. He got the rather clear plea and placed a kettle filled with something over the campfire near the cloth cocoon. “I’ll take that as a yes for the being hungry question then.” He said with a laugh.
After a meal of what proved to be a variety of mushrooms and assorted vegetables, I was quite full and took a better look at Evergreen’s cocoon, guessing that ponies used them for sleeping outdoors. Then, the stallion’s voice shook me, startling me out of my reverie. “Sorry Bluebell, I only have the one tent. But if that’s an issue, then I’ll sleep outside if you want?” So it was called a tent huh?
I blinked and looked at him. “Oh no, Evergreen. We can share, that’s okay.” He was willing to give his tent up for me? None of that! Mister Gentlepony and I would just have to cuddle up a bit and we would fit just fine.
Evergreen nodded and I smiled at him, then tilted my head curiously. “Hey, Evergreen, how far from here is civilization anyway?” I asked. Not that I was in a hurry to leave this kind pony, but we were still too close to the hive in my opinion.
“About three days, give or take. But don’t worry, we’ll be fine here.” He reassured me while clearing away the dishes. I must admit that he looked like he knew what he was doing. His camp appeared tidy and pleasant, even if I didn’t know what a camp was suppose to look like.
The sun was setting by now, and Evergreen fed our campfire a few more logs of wood. I cosied up next to him and he inclined his head at me. “Where were you headed anyway, Bluebell? I mean, before Hoofstead was attacked that is.”
I thought for a moment and nickered gently at him. “I left home to find my own place in the world, you know? I thought that travelling around Equestria some, I would eventually find a nice place to settle down.” That actually sounded like a pretty nice idea, now that I thought about it.
“Striking out on your own, eh? I totally understand wanting that. Take me for example, I love being an outdoor pony, so I’m often in the wilderness, but I came from a city myself.” The brown stallion replied as he flicked his yellow mane away from the flames.
I leaned into him, searching for warmth, earning a chuckle from him while he nosed my mane. “Bit cold filly? It gets that way when evening falls here in the higher mountain ranges.” It still amazed me though how friendly ponies were in general, even towards those who were complete strangers.
Shivering a little, I tried to burrow deeper into Evergreen’s side. Being used to living in warm caverns surrounded by my brethren, these surface evenings felt chilly indeed. “Yes I am. Before my journey, I was never much of an outdoor pony myself I’m afraid.” I giggled and gave him a playful nudge.
Evergreen must have been lonelier than he let on out here by himself. Just those few simple words and a little contact with another pony brought forth another burst of emotion from Evergreen. I could taste his kindness and appreciation directed at me. And—like any positive emotion—it tasted delicious as well as being rather nourishing. I now felt a little bad for tricking my new companion and vowed right then and there that I would return that kindness to him for the rest of our trip.
“Where did you come from yourself, Evergreen? From a city you said, which one?” I inquired while playfully nipping at his shoulder in the hopes of teasing him a little and perhaps feed on some more of those delectable positive feelings.
He didn’t disappoint me, sending a mix of amusement and slight interest back my way. “I’m from Dodge Junction. And even if I said city, it’s more a large town out near the Badlands. But I’m rarely home since I travel a lot.”
“Well, I guess we will enjoy being on the road for a while then,” I said with a laugh, “Will we not?” This situation had turned out much better than I had feared initially. I had actually found myself a decent pony.
Smiling, he stood up and nickered. “Yes indeed, it is getting rather late though, Bluebell. Shall we turn in for the night? Then we will see where we will travel tomorrow.”
I got to my hooves as well and made my way to the tent’s opening. Then, I looked over my shoulder and gave my tail a flick, calling teasingly. “You just want to get me into your tent.” That got a snort out of him and I headed inside with a giggle.
“Sure thing, little filly. Will be a lot less cold tonight.” He chuckled to himself and came inside where I had already snuggled into the bedroll on the floor. Laying on my side, I sighed. “I’m sorry. That was meant in jest.”
He lay down behind me, a large warm mass, and embraced me around my barrel. A gentle kiss finding my ears. “Don’t worry, little lady. I can take a joke, so don’t you worry now alright?” I smiled nuzzling his jaw and made myself comfortable.
I awoke sometime later in the night as I felt something warm poke against my rump. Trying to swat it away with my tail didn’t help at all, so I turned my head looking down at what it could be.
Well hello there!
If there had been any doubts about Evergreen’s masculinity before, those notions were certainly gone now. Feeling a blush heat up my cheeks, I stared at the situation and swallowed softly. On the one hoof this was really flattering. On the other hoof, embarrassment was a thing.
In the end being cozy and warm won out and I decided that social awkwardness could wait until the next morning. Because, to be fair, I had teased him just before bed, so this was most likely my fault. But, to be honest, he was asleep so it probably happened unconsciously right?
Yet, secretly I still hoped I was the cause of it.
The next morning, I found myself laying next to Evergreen, waiting for him to wake up. Any movement on my part would make for a rather awkward awakening for my companion since the situation was still as interesting as it had been last night. So, instead, I nuzzled him insistently and whispered. “Wake up, Evergreen.”
He mumbled incoherently, but slowly opened an eye. My face, however, still felt hot due to the current situation. He blinked, then obviously felt what was amiss as he looked down and became as red as I undoubtedly was myself. “Oh Celestia… Bluebell, I am so sorry, I didn’t mean—”
I put my hoof to his lips and smiled. “It’s alright. I’m flattered, even if it’s just the standard thing stallions suffer in the morning.” Giving my rump a little wiggle, I winked at him and watched his face go an even deeper shade of red.
Continuing in a more serious tone, I said, “But honestly. Thank you for helping me and offering me shelter, Evergreen, I am quite grateful.” I empathized this by kissing him softly. Brushing my lips briefly along his, making him inhale sharply.
He returned the gesture sweetly and sat up looking down at me. “I couldn’t just ignore the cry for help from a cute mare like you, now could I?” Such a gentlestallion he was.
He trotted out of the tent and I got up myself to follow him. Despite not having slept much last night due to that little interruption, I wasn’t tired. Even in his sleep, Evergreen’s care gave off enough emotions to keep me quite sated.
It was a beautiful—if bright—morning and I blinked against the sunlight a few times as I stepped out of the tent. Luckily, pony eyes were a lot less sensitive than my normal changeling ones.
I saw Evergreen near the fire, heating up a container of some sort with what I thought was water in it. Looking on curiously, I tilted my head. “What are you doing Evergreen?” I asked him and he looked back up at me with a smile.
“I’m heating up water to make some coffee. Would you like some?” He replied. Coffee? What was that? A kind of soup? I nodded just in case and sat next to the fire.
Soon the coffee was ready and Evergreen carefully poured the steaming brownish black liquid into two metal cups, giving one to me. It certainly didn’t smell like soup or broth, yet he drank it happily. So I brought my own cup to my lips and took a quick drink from it.
My eyes widened and I dropped the cup as I spat the mouthful of coffee into the fire pit. “Blargh! W-What is that foul substance?” I exclaimed, only to find Evergreen trying not to laugh.
“Mental note, Bluebell doesn’t drink her extra roasted melange black.” He snorted loudly and I gave him a sour look. How could he enjoy this vile stuff?
I got up with a soft huff and made my way to the water’s edge. Leaning down to rinse my muzzle, I briefly considered dunking my entire head to rid myself of the coffee scourge. At the last moment I decided it was far too cold, and settled instead for scrubbing the disgusting taste off of my tongue.
Hearing a soft clink behind me, I turned my head swallowing a mouthful of bitter water. Evergreen had dropped his cup and was staring at me for some reason. “What?” I nickered grumpily and fixed him with a frown.
He shook his head quickly. “No, it’s um, nothing, Bluebell.” He answered, which prompted me to roll my eyes. Stallions Well, he would undoubtedly tell me later or perhaps it was a some personal thing. Whatever.
Making my way back to him I started to feel guilty again. With a sigh and a resigned flick of my ears I apologized. “I’m sorry, Evergreen, I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that. Have you decided yet where we’ll be headed today?”
Smiling, he stood up and stashed the cups, and what I later learned to be called a kettle together. “It’s fine, filly. Laughing at you wasn’t the nicest thing either. Today we’ll be heading further north. Towards a little farmer’s village called Summerglade.”
I nodded and helped him clean up the campsite as best I could while he packed the tent itself. Miraculously, it fit into just one of his saddlebags. Even watching Evergreen put it away, I couldn’t figure out how it was possible.
Having soon collected everything, we lastly made sure that the fire pit was completely doused to prevent fires before we went on our way.