private "Life on the Road" (Private)

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

OOC link: https://mlpforums.com/topic/163788-life-on-the-road-1x1-between-moon-dancer-and-raven-rawne/?p=4832236

 

It was Spring in Equestria. The land was waking from it's Winter sleep, and you could smell the life, exploding in all shades of green, virsually everywhere. The Pegasi were busy delivering rain clouds to further fuel the waking Nature, and help farm ponies grow their plants. The roads barely had time to dry after the snow melted when Natural Order, an earth pony mare, left her parent's home to roam. as she did every year.

 

Such was her life on the road.

 

She didn't go far, just a day away from her home towm, Tall Tale, when she stopped in a familliar tavern, the "Felled Oak". She knew the innkeeper, an elderly stallion Clean Mug and his small family. They ran the business for two generations already, and the mare liked to stop by to catch up and have some good rest in a proper bed.

 

It was morning, around... eight? She was never really good with those abstract hours. After Dawn was her hour. Natural Order went out of one of the rooms upstairs and walked down the creaking, wooden stairs into the common room. She had her peaked hat with a raven's feather on her chocolate mane, a ponytail lazily swinging like a pendulum. She panned the room with a pair of golden eyes, slightly squinted as it was rather dim inside, and she still needed toget used to the gloom. Her mint coat was neatly brushed after a long evening bath, and for once, she didn't smell like said herb. Across her barell, a small sack, a quarell and an unproportinally big crossbow weighted the rickety mare. A casual observer would question how she was even able to lift it all, she was outright skinny.

 

Natural tipped her funny hat to the stallion who was sitting by the counter, and offered a wide smile. "I slept like a foal, I must buy one of those beds sometime..." - She laid down the payment for her stay on the counter as the innkeep replied, amused. "And where would you fit it? On the roof? Told you girl, wagons are not meant to be homes. Anyway, I have a business for you, if you're interested." The mare looked at him curiously, but nodded. "As long as you give me breakfast, sure. What's the deal?" Clean Mug chuckled out loud. "Always the pragmatic one, eh? You already paid for it, so why wouldn't I?" - He got rather serious all of a sudden, but didn't bother lowering his booming voice. Everypony present could hear him anyway. That meant... two stallions. each apparently on his own. "So I have some coin that would like to change hooves, if you can do something for me. Ever since the roads became traversible again, we had no ponies coming through Moonlight path. Those who tried to get through from Tall Tale, came back empty hooved. Something blocked the road and dem wagons can't pass! Not a good sign for my lil inn here, there was a lot of business coming down that road... Guess you see my problem here."

Edited March 15, 2017 by Raven Rawne

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@@Moon Dancer.,

 

Natural Order measured the innkeep with her golden eyes, thinking. She was still undecided when a strange unicorn in dark armor came to the counter and offered his service to get rid of the problem.

 

"Would you now?" - both Natural and Clean Mug said in unision, and the mare laughed. The earth pony stallion continued. "Well, I guess I could ask for your help, sir. You seem like a capable type alright..."

 

Natural Order shook her head and replied. "And then you'll hire me when he won't come back. No offense, but that armor, even dented, would be worth more than your reward anyway. Although I guess we could split the coin and take it both." She narrowed her golden eyes slightly, looking the unicorn up and down, asessing whether he would be of any help to her. "Hmm... Guess I could use a heavy armoured crossbow stand like you. Wanna split the risk and reward?"

 

She pointed at the crossbow with her nose and smirked. It looked unproportinally big compared to it's owner.

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@@Moon Dancer.

 

The mare raised an eyebrow at the mention of a weapon. "Your spells?" She observed as he showed off his weapon, trying to look unimpressed. "Typically unicorn. You guys love to show off your magic... Well, let's just hope you can handle yourself."

 

Natural Order glanced at the innkeeper. "I'll look into your problem,  so don't spend that cash,  okay? Oh and, my breakfast if you please." She turned to the unicorn as the innkeeper withdrew to the kitchen. "So,  you're in? I usually work alone but, there's safety in numbers."

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@@Moon Dancer.,

 

The mare shrugged. "Alright, no labels. Duly noted. Come to think of it, I don't like getting labeled either...  And by the way, name's Natural Order, and this is Natural Selection" - she nodded at the crossbow - "Nice to meet you." She extended her hoof in formal greeting as the innkeep brought a tray with her usual breakfast order.

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@@Moon Dancer.,

 

Natural Order smirked, but her attention has been stolen by the tray of food that entered the counter. She looked at it, and took it greatfully, smiling at the innkeeper. "Ah, now I remember why it's my favourite inn!" Clean Mug chuckled at the exclamation. "Heh, I bet you tell that everywhere you go but, thanks."

 

Natural looked back to Crystal Cog, tray with her breakfast in hoof. "I propose we move to a table..." She led the way to a nearby empty table as the other stallion stood up to pay for his own expenses. She put the tray down and rested her crossbow next to her. "She glanced at her new companion. "You were saying somethig about my cutie mark? Or just tried a save after checking me out? No matter..." - she didn't seem upset, rather amused - "My talent revolves around reasonable exploitation of natural resources, as my Aunt used to say. I just know how much I can take without upsetting the balance. How about you? Kinda hard to take a peek through that armor, hehe."

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@@Moon Dancer., 

 

The mare took off her hat since she was about to start eating, and nodded. "After my grand grand grandmother, but it does fit me well, even if I get a lt of funny looks." Hearing some scraping sounds she looked up and noticed the stallion was taking his plate off, and showed her his cutie mark. She raised an eyebrow at the display. "What next, comparing scars? I was just joking you know, but no matter. Nice to know what you're good at." She started eating her cereal, and spoke in between bites. "So, you're new around here or I just haven't seen you yet? I'm from Tall Tale, but live all over Equestria really. I spend Winter with my parents, since it's not the best season to live in a wagon and all."

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@@Moon Dancer.,

 

Natural nodded as she swallowed her meal. "Just an earth pony thing, I suppose. Remembering aaaalll those past generations and stuff. So far it seems the family tree will end on me. That's why mom gave me this." - she pointed at the crossbow - "to increase my chances of not being eaten by something nasty and give her those grandfoals one day. well, the first part is a real possibility, all things considered. I have a couple scars, and not all on the front, so to speak..." She continued eating in a quick manner, seems she wanted to get on the road.

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@@Moon Dancer.

 

She shrugged and nodded, then swallowed the portion of her food and replied. "Basically,  we need to walk it's entire length and back. Takes 3, 4 days on average.  I don't want to half flank this cause they're good ponies and I would never take their bits for a job not done. I have some tools in my wagon in case it's a fallen tree or something like that.  Happens rather often after Winter actually. I just hope it's not a rock slide. That would make it done of the harder bits in my inglorious career..."

 

The mare finished her cereal and gulped the mint tea, then stood up to take the tray back to the counter.  "I'm ready to roll if you want to get going. My wagon is at the back."

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@@Moon Dancer.

 

Natural chuckled at his remark as she laid down the tray and bud farewell to the innkeeper, then went to the table to gather her things.  "Riiiight, and I'll play the mare in distress. Gotta work on my frightened scream though. I don't sound too appealing when I run for my life..." She gave him a confident look as she slung the crossbow across her back and led the way out.

 

Once outside, the mare inhaled deeply and smiled. "Ehh, love the Spring. I'll go get my wagon,  unless you too have something to pull. Then we can go together. Mine is the big one, colored like me."

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@@Moon Dancer.,

 

The mare giggled as she went to get her wagon, swishing her chocolate tail. "Oh but I AM weak and feeble, just look at my straw legs! It's a miracle how I can even lift that crossbow, heheh!" - At least she had enough distance to herself to joke from her appearance. Natural disappeared behind the building for several minutes, and just when one might start thinking whether she didn't just run away to break the deal, she showed up again, pulling a wagon that seemed to eright like, ten times she did. Four wheeled, wooden, fully enclosed type with one window on each of the longer sides, currently shut with wooden blinds. There were 2 spare wheels, again one per side. The whole thing had a fresh coat of green paint, sligltly darker than it's owner, and a brown roof with a tiny chimney. The mare's crossbow was hung on two big nails at the front side, easily accessible once she unstrapped herself from the harness. Apparently it wasn't heavily loaded, based on the very light grooves it made in the soil, and the factthat the mare didn't seem to have much of a problem pulling it, despite her petite frame.

 

Natural Order pulled up right nexto to the stallion, her hat providing some protection from the morning sun, and with a pipe in her teeth. She cupped it in her foreleg and exhaled away from him, then asked: "So, ready for some adventure?"

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@@Moon Dancer.,

 

Natural Order cocked her head slightly as she looked at him, taking another puff. She did her best to keep the smoke away from him. "Hmm... guess we can do something about it. Just a moment." She unhooked herself from the harness with one practiced movement, and trotted to the back of the wagon. After opening the back door, and some rummaging noises, she exclaimed. "Ah, found it!" The mare walked out and kicked the doors shut, then presented the stallion with a bark green cloak. She didn't use it this year, so it was fresh as new, if you turn a blind eye on some small holes here and there. "I guess it's not really your style, but it should help you with the sun. That black armor will fry you inside by noon, and the hood is roomy enough to provide some shade. Just don't lose it, I actually kinda like this thing."

 

She went back to the front of her cart and put the harness on, then slowly rocked the heavy thing forward. She kept a relaxed pace.

 

"So first we need to follow this road into the treeline. Shoukd help you with the sun problem, the plains around here aren't too rich in shade. If we keep this pace, we should reach a ford in a small river around noon or so. I'm actually curious how it looks this year. The Spring thaw changes it every year. There's a good camping spot deeper into the forest, and if nothing bad happens, we should reach it before sundown. So that's the plan on the first day. Oh and the "Moonlight Path" officially starts right after the ford. The road forks out, the other leg leads to some logging camps, nothing major. I'm actually curious what holds up the traffic up there..."

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@@Moon Dancer.,

 

The mare choked on her pipe smoke. "*cough* *cough* A monster?! Come on! Not funny! Last time I walked up on something nasty, I had to run away from my cart and wait three days till it went someplace else so I could retrieve it. Not looking forward to that again."

 

Natural Order huffed and corrected her hat, then took a few puffs of her pipe.

 

"Fallen trees and rockslides are most common, followed by hired thugs who put barricades on roads and demand pay. Too far from major cities for the Guard to bother, you see, and some companies won't shy away from dirty tricks to sink their competition."

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@@Moon Dancer.,

 

The mint mare seemed to realise she acted like a scaredycat filly, and obviously didn't like that. She took a side glance at the unicorn and asked: "And how are you so sure of yourself? A suit of armor and a fancy spear may look cool, but I've yet to see a pony who just takes on a bunch of hired thugs or goes after a monster as easilly as they would go for groceries. Either you're over confident, mad, or both. I pinned some things with that crossbow and it was never a peace of cake. So I think twice before I fire a bolt at something, or somepony."

 

She seemed upset by how casual the unicorn was about killing and all that.

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@@Moon Dancer.,

 

Natural rolled her eyes and exhaled a circle of pipe smoke right in front of her. "I had to fend off animals and stuff too, but I avoid fights if they're not a necessity. It's just how I roll, okay? Not the type that hangs monster heads over the fireplace and boasts what I shot last week. If I have to, okay, I'll shoot it. But stuff wants to live just like me. No point in going all trigger happy. Besides, bolts cost. I'm sorry if I somehow offended you, but it just seemed so strange to me, the way you talked about it."

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@@Moon Dancer.,

 

The mare nodded, also eager to put this particular topic behind them. "Sure. We're halfway to the trees anyway."

 

She seemed to be thinking of something, staring in the distance and slowly puffing her pipe as she walked. The wagon for once didn't creak and moan like they usually do, thanks to the annual Winter renovation. Natural Order liked how everything was fresh and new every time she set out from her parents home. Even if the Wild didn't have much to offer yet, the very air of Spring called to her. The Pegasi already bought back the singing birds, so it will be nice to hear them again, once they enter the forest...

 

A heavy sound of a falling tree, and not a small one too, echoed from the forest. Natural sighed whrough clenched teeth, and grabbed her pipe in a foreleg ro say: "Bucking loggers, already at work. I won;t count how many times I had trouble with those types."

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@@Moon Dancer.,

 

Natural shook her head at his anger. "Ponies need timber, and somepony needs to cut it. I don't hate them on principle. It's just that, more often then not, logging is about meeting quotas rather than rational mamagement of the forest. Stripping a portion of it bare is easier and faster, but the amount of devastation it brings... I tried to apply for a job in forestry, but this quota mindset just ruined it for me, you see."

 

She looked up at a few birds flying, and smiled somewhat. Nature, she loved being around it. "Darkness you say? Curious choice. I admit, Night has it's charm, but I'm a day pony, me. Harder to see stuff in the dark, so it's naturally more dangerous to travel. So you can see well in the dark, or have a spell for that?"

[P-Jay 1,987]

And as the two continued to talk, the wagon's wheels rolling smoothly over the beaten, dirt path, nothing eventful would happen for the majority of their time. An occasional call of wildlife, the distant trees being felled, the wind whistling between the leaves, to one that would take a moment to appreciate the tranquil peace of the forest, it would feel...Nice.

 

The sound of rushing water ahead was heard, as the road took a distantly downwards slant, before over a bend they would see the path submerged under a thick blanket of water. Rushing smoothly, ripples trailing across the surface, it would no doubt make them take a moment to pause and consider if the water was dangerous to traverse.

 

At the water's edge, however, a figure would be sitting quietly. The first feature that would be noticed, would be her hat--a wizard's belonging, with the hem far to wide to be practical, obscuring her features. Around her body, wrapped up in various folds of fabric, a leather satchel would be slung over her side, the edges of her cloak being soaked by how close she was to the ford. A simple wooden cup, in one hoof, as she moved to slowly fill it to the brim with the natural freshwater in front of her. At her side, a traveler jug would be sitting, looking hefty and speckled with droplets, indicating she'd already filled it with the river's contents. 

 

The figure raised the cup, peering inside, before moving to pull additional items from her bag. A small pouch, which she sprinkled a dust of sorts into the cup, followed by a hollowed bamboo shoot, which sprinkled another type of dust inside. She mixed it, taking a moment to sniff, almost as if savoring the scent of the drink she'd made...Before tensing, hearing the wagon approach.

 

She turned, to slowly look at them, warily observing their attires and weapons, before lowering her head. Obviously not in a frame of mind to refuse moving for another, she gathered up what few belongings she had, and humbly moved to the side of the road to allow them passage...

Edited March 15, 2017 by P-Jay

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@@Moon Dancer.,

 

The mare simply nodded. That stallion was... rather strange to be frank. And since, apparently, they didn't have much to discuss right now, she let the silence reign for now.

 

They walked into the forest, which has only recently started to wake up from it's Winter slumber. Immature leaves on trees and bushes made bright green dots on the gray-brown canvas of the treeline, and there was that smell of sap in the air. Natural Order seemed to be on the lookout for something, as she scanned the upper branches and the open sky, but, apparently, her quarry was not found. Still, she had rather good spirits today, and even when her pipe ran out of tobacco, she just shrugged and thread it's long neck through a loop in the harness tat seemed specially made for that exact purpose.

 

@@P-Jay,

 

Things were quiet and peacefully uneventful for the most part, until they walked out of a rather steep turn of the road to meet the ford. There, a lone pony was standing, apparently letting them trough. Natural Order decided to chat up to the travelling pony as the pair came closer. She stopped the wagon a rock throw away from the ford proper, since she needed to check it's safety anyway. With a practiced movement she unstrapped herself from the harness and stretched her back, then waved a foreleg in greeting.

 

"Hello there! Beautiful day isn't it? Escuse my straightforardness, but have you travelled the Moonlight path here? We were asked to check why nopony comes through it this year, you see."

 

She decided to walk to the river's edge, and peered at the reasonably calm water. As far as she could tell, the riverbed seemed even, but there was one more thing she needed to do before braving it with her wagon - crossing it by herself. For now, the mare decided to take a drink straight from the river, by just lowering her head and drinking like a deer. Even if she looked rather silly doing that, and she was positively showing off her tiny flank.

[P-Jay 1,987]

The mage in question was silent, taking the brief pause that came with the former drinking from the river, to drink from her own cup. Gingerly holding her beverage between her hooves, as she took a long, deep drink, almost draining the contents. 
 

She pulled a distantly disgusted face, setting the cup down, speaking in a small tone--almost to herself, "pity sugar makes it useless..."

 

For a moment, it seemed almost as if she were ignoring the party, before giving a response. "...And no, I haven't walked that path. I was on my way towards there, but from what you say it seems that might not be the wisest idea...Have you an idea why it seems closed off?"

 

She stiffened as Crystal approached, raising her head to look over the unicorn, and he could see her gaze flicker across his horn, his armor, his spear, before lowering her head once again, hiding her features. She was silent for yet another moment, before replying. "And...Don't you know it's rude, to ask for one's name without giving your own? I am on a journey, if that quenches your curiosity."

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@@P-Jay,@@Moon Dancer.,  

 

Natural satisfied her thirst, and checked the water's temperature too. Only years of experience saved her hat from falling into the current though. She wiped her snout with a hoof as the ponies had their... exchange. She turned around to face them both, shaking her head.

 

"And they say I'm a wild one... My name is Natural Order - funny name, I know - and he's Crystal Cog. Pleased to meet you, miss. Now as far as the Moonlight Path is concerned, I've no idea really. But we were hired to make it traversible again, so, if I may, I'd suggest that you could ither wait for our comeback in the "Felled Oak", or, if you're in a hurry, come with us. I'm sure set on making the path open again, the innkeeper that asked me to do it will lose a lot of business otherwise."

 

She then directed her attention to the ford's banks, pacing around and as she plotted the best way to cross it.

[P-Jay 1,987]

The mare frowned from under her hat, at the proposition. She'd always been the type to travel alone, if only to keep herself from no small amount of trouble. 

 

It was easier, that way.

 

Yet Natural's words made her hesitate, before she gave an impulsive answer. The path ahead was blocked, enough to warrant a small duo to go fix whatever the problem was. And from the looks of the ponies, from the armor and weapons shared between the two, perhaps going on alone wouldn't be the brightest idea.

 

"A mystery of a problem." She muttered, "and thank you, for your names, Natural, Crystal. My name is Prentice."

 

Another pause, before she added to her statement, "although I have no interest in assisting you two. Only to get past the path." She raised her head, looking over the two. "Although I feel as if I won't have a choice in the matter."

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@@P-Jay, @@Moon Dancer.,

 

Natural Order was ankles deep in water, testing the riverbed and walking around, looking for the best point to traverse. She learned the hard way that preparation at crossing rivers could save a lot of trouble... She hollered at the two ponies.

 

"Nice to meet you, Prentice! Oh and, if you know hot wo sleep on the walls, sure, then there's enough room for everypony. It wasn't reeally thought for more than one, but maybe I can clear some space for one more. No promises though, it's pretty crammed."

 

Thankfully, the ford was shallow and she didn't even wet her belly while crossing it. Natural came back to the ponies with a satisfied smile. "All clear! Shouldn't be a problem in moving the wagon actross. So, you two coming along or I'll have to cary you on my back, eh?" The mare was obviosuly joking, with her thin frame, she didn't look like the type that could pull off such a trick. Still, she did reasonably well with hauling that wagon so maybe...

 

Natural seemed oblivious to her wet legs and just strapped herself to the wagon's harness, and cocked her head at the other ponies. "Did I hear correctly that you're accompanying us, Prentice? It's always nice to have somepony around, although I'm pretty sure it's nothing too severe. Roads around here bet blocked all the time, and usually it's just rocks or trees falling. No biggie for a seasoned vagabond like me..."

[P-Jay 1,987]

Prentice looked over the two, with as much of a stone-faced expression as ever, before sighing. She didn't truly wish to accompany those two, she did far better in her travels when she had but herself to rely on, and herself to provide for. Yet, the idea of friendship did seem tantalizing, from afar...

 

"Very...Well. I'll come with you, as far as Moonlight Path. From there, I intend to go my separate way."

 

She cast the wagon a glance, and lowered her head, thinking. "I don't wish to intrude, however--if my presence would be unappreciated, I trust you would tell me such."

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@@P-Jay,@@Moon Dancer.,  

 

Natural Order shook her head as she braced to pull the cart from it's resting spot, rocking it back and forth. "Oh Prentice, don't be silly! You're welcome to come with us for as long as you wish, it's the first rule of the Trail - don't leave a pony behind. Besides, you've got your own business to attend to, or you wouldn't be on the road, right? So of course I understand that we'll part ways at some point. Now if you... n-ghhhh! excuse me."

 

She gritted her teeth at the last pull, as the wagon settled in the damp ground and didn't want to budge, but finally rolled forward. The mint mare took course on the ford, one step at a time, so the wagon won't gain speed on the gentle slope. She said to her companions as she carefully manouvered the heavy thing to zero on the optimal trail she picked earlier to cross the water. "If you don't want to get wet, I suppose you can get inside. Should have enough momentum to cross the river on my own. Just don't make me stop or it'll get stuck, okay?"

[P-Jay 1,987]

She was silent, before nodding, clambering onto the wagon. They'd offered her the seat, and refusing such would be rude. Besides...She'd been walking for quite some time, a moment of respite wouldn't be something she should refuse.

 

"Then you have my thanks." She replied, settling into a seat. Wrapping her cloak about her, sitting to simply be pulled along. 

 

She wasn't sure why she was being trustful of these strangers, yet it wasn't as if she didn't take cautionary measures. Gripping a small charm, underneath the folds of her clothes...