//------------------------------//
// All That's Green Is Gold 
// Story: Shellstrings 
// by shortskirtsandexplosions 
//------------------------------//




Outskirts of Appleloosa – Tree Hugger's Cabin




Wolves howled in the distance while a dull yellow sun sank beneath a desolate horizon.

Braeburn rolled up with his wagon, humming pleasantly.  Unhitching, he trotted through an open door to the cabin and smiled into the candlelight.

"Well, howdy, gals!  I'm back!  How's it going with the..."  His voice trailed off, as did his tongue.  "... ... ...therapy?"

Before him, mares were shuffling about on their hindquarters, performing rhythmic "flapping" motions with their forelimbs.  Minuette, Twinkleshine, and Lemon Hearts occasionally bumped into one another as they continued to "flutter" around, all the while melodically droning:  "Buzzzzzz.  Buzzz-buzzz-buzzz.  Buzzy buzz!"

Braeburn gulped.  "Golly..."  His ears drooped.  "...I wonder who poisoned the waterin' hole this time..."

"That's right, my beautiful butterflies!"  Tree Hugger squatted on a table in the center of the room.  Flanked with rippling clouds of incense, she smiled wide and gestured towards the candle-lit air of the room.  "Seek out that inner light that draws you from your place of cocooning!  Be inspired!  Be shameless!  But—most of all—be alive!"

"Buzz buzz buzzzzzzz!"  Minuette pleasantly cooed while flapping circles around Twinkleshine.  Lemon Hearts tripped, regained her balance, and continued pantomiming.

"Uhhhhhh..."  Braeburn lifted his hat and rubbed his golden scalp.  He turned to glance at a lethargic green lump lying sideways on the floor, half-heartedly "wing-flapping."  He leaned towards her.  "Pardon me... but I didn't know that butterflies could buzz."

"No."  Lyra frowned within a frown.  "They don't."

"Lyraaaaaa..."  Lemon Hearts began to hiss—but bumped into Twinkleshine.  "Ooof!"

"Ow!  Lemon!  Watch my ovipositor!"

"My bad..."

"I think I can make it!"  Minuette performed a few breathless hops, flapping her forelimbs wildly.  "Just a few more flowers and I can make my nectar quota!"

"We're being butterflies," Lyra grumbled.  "Not playing Pac-Mare."

"Yesssss, my beautiful larvae..."  Tree Hugger smiled towards opposite walls as she teetered in place amidst the incense.  "We are not competing with ourselves.  Life is short but altogether blissful.  Enjoy the air before it is sucked out of your exoskeleton."

Braeburn whistled.  "Wow!  Sounds mighty deep!"  He turned tail and trotted back out the cabin.  "Reckon I should come back in another two or three hours when yer done—"

"No!"  Lyra hopped straight up, hyperventilating.  "Take us now!  Please!"

"Lyra..."  Lemon Hearts leaned against a table, sweating.  "The day's lesson is done when the therapist decides so."

"Ohmmmmmmmmmmm... yessssss..."  Tree Hugger purred.  "Nighttime is no obstacle for the mind."

Lyra took a deep breath.  "Oh well!"  She shrugged with a mock smile, then shuffled back to where she had been seated.  "Guess since we're all here—the only thing being burned over the next few hours is logs in the fireplace!"

"... ... ..."  Tree Hugger's green brow inexplicably twitched.  The muscle spasm found its way to her lungs, and she was suddenly speaking in a harmonic tone:  "Guess what, everypony!  It is time to retire!"  She waved a hoof through the incense.  "For in the morning we have an opportunity to be metaphorically reborn in a brand new light!  Mmmmm... that's riiight."

"Awwwww..."  Minuette landed on all fours, pouting.  "And I was just about to get to the donut nectar!"

"You can dream about it," Lyra grumbled, shuffling past her and slapping Braeburn on the flank ("Yeowch!").  "Come on.  Let's mosey."

"Lyraaaaa!"  Lemon Hearts sighed, picking up after her.  "Let's not forget our planners!"  She turned to look at Tree Hugger.  "By the way, Ms. Hugger, what do you want us to put in today's slot?"

Tree Hugger was too busy slipping out a Dark Side of Nightmare Moon album and placing it on a record player.  She bore a dumb grin.

"Uhm... Miss Tree Hugger?"

"Hmmm?"  The mare looked over, eyes blinking like a deer in manalight.  "Oh... uhm..."  One ear twitched, then the other.  "Stuff."

"Stuff..."

"Yessssssssssss..."

Lemon Hearts exhaled, trotting out with Twinkleshine and Minuette.  "Okay then."

Not long after, the air of the cabin grew cloudy and cloudier.  "Mmmmmmmm... righteousssssssss."