private Order of the Flower [Nightmare Season and Raven Rawne]

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@Nightmare Season

 

Normally, Natural Order would probably take a day off to camp where they spent the night, see if the wind dies ot or not. A least she would rest up some before braving it. But this was no normal situation. Mindful of their limited supplies, her employer's unannounced absence from home and the looming threat of another encounter with a particular fellow, just to name a few things off the top of the list, she decided to keep moving forward. She walked with gritted teth and muddied hooves as the soft valley ground haven't yet dried from morning dew, and to top it all off, her own wagon acted like a wooden sail, dragging her in the opposite direction from the one she wanted to go. The mare was upset, clearly, but haven't said a word - they were both in the same boat anyway.

The last part changed, and rapidly, when she looked up in hope at the rich bed of flowers they were here to collect in the first place. Natural dived her hooves into the ground and sighed with relief, and was about to look for a spot to park when Peony Springs shot forward like a projectile. That's when she "heard" that tingling voice again, and reeled momentarily from the invasion to her senses. Next time she saw was her employer falling like a log into the fower patch, as the Flower's words sank into her concious mind. Her eye twitched as bottled up frustrations finally found a weak spot, and Natural Order angrily pushed the cart forward, knowing all too well it just might shift the cargo inside around.

Actually, she hoped it did.

"I just.. G-ahh, why you couldn't spill it sooner!" - she yelled at the potted flower inside the wooden sanctuary, as she stomped towards a semi good place to stop and secure the wagon."Now we're stuck in here, for Celestia knows how long, in the open and defensless against anything this cursed place has to offer, till she comes around!" The wagon stopped and the mare angrily kicked the wheel blockades to stop it from rolling away, then huffed and marched to the unconcious unicorn. Standing over Peony,Natural was just as angry at both of her companions, and simply dived to lug the sleeping mare onto her shoulders, and then, slowly march back to the wagon. The earth pony laid her employer's limp form on the grass while she started preparing the space inside the wagon to lay her there. Although not much, her wagon was the only relatively safe spot to hide in, in case something happenned. The Flower was miraculously intact, however, as if mocking her earlier atempt to punish it. 

Once Peony was inside the wagon, sleeping on her bedroll, her guide took to tending her own nerves. Sitting solemny with pipe in her teeth, and the green cloak draped around her back, she sat and leaned on the wheel, with her weapons within reach, for all the good they would give her anyway.With the wagon doors closed shut an nopony to bother her, she puffed the smoke like a chimney on a cold December night, muttering curses on anythng she thought about, and occasionally kicking the ground to accentuate her, no doubt well thought out, points. It took some ti,e for her to settle enough to start thinking dtraight again. and once that happenned the mare decided to check her surroundings, mindful of any of those sleep inducing flowers.

At first glance, nothing unusual. She was effectively boxed between the cliff and the stream, which was deeper but more narrow at this point. Stil, too wide to jump across, for a pony at least. She knew the layout of terrain from where she came: softly alteing rises and drops, with plants huggingthe lowest points. The terrain up ahead seemed no different, though there were some fallen trees, or what passed as such in this place anyway - short, stout looking with narrow canopies to resist the wind. Unwilling to leaver her campanion alone, she didn't go to investigate, but it seemed... odd.

since she couldn't harvest the plants on her own, without Peony's magic and gardening skills, Natural Order had but one option.

 

Wait till the mare wakes up.

[Nightmare Season 617]

@Raven Rawne

The flower spoke up at Natural's frustration of Peony falling asleep. "I do apologize, I was asleep. As for Miss Peony. She will wake with the dawn. Sadly till then nothing we do may wake her."

After Natural lugged Peony to her bed. The flower thanked her before she disappeared with her pipe.

As Natural was finishing up her pipe weed,she could hear a commotion inside the wagon. After getting the door open, she saw Peony was once again in a deep nightmare being chased by Richly. Try as she might, Peony did not wake up. "Sorry Peony. There is no way we can help you to wake up. You must dream that till dawn." In fact, Peony tossed and turned all night making poor Natural sleep out under the stars that night.

The next morning as soon as Natural started to wake, she heard the door opened and looked at Peony coming out. And by the looks of her, She had gotten in a fight with a predator and almost lost. "Morning dear........I don't think I will be sleep'n any time soon I fear. I look simply dreadful and awful." Her first stop was the stream to try and untangle her mane and tail. Even having Natural hear a grumbling stomach which alerted her companion to fix up food. Peony did after all Skip several meals yesterday from the sleep spell.

After the two ate up, Peony went and collected her gardening supplies to dig up a flower. Using her magic made the job relatively easy. And a shield spell on the flower made sure the pollen would not get to either pony again. Peony was very quiet during this time, like she was either embarrassed she had fallen asleep like that, or because she had to suffer through a nightmare that long.

The trip out of the valley was far easier than coming in. The wind was now pushing the wagon along so Natural had less struggles pulling it. Getting it up the small trail to the top was a bit harder. Peony even gave a hoof to help push it up. Once to the top, Natural pulled out her map and found there was a shorter route to the train station just North of Griffenstone they could traverse without going through the mountain pass again.

 

 

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@Nightmare Season

 

The earth pony heard a commotion inside her precious wagon, and dashed to the doors immediately, disregarding her smoke. Her expression turned into a deep frown however, once she realised that it was her companion, having a fierce nightmare, again.

The rest of the day was... uneventful. Natural Order stayed put and guarded the wagon, occasinally poking in to see if Peony Springs was okay. She kept having nightmares but, other than that, nothing that would cause concern. The earth pony took her time to tend to her gear, and have a look on the map they bought for a small fortune back in Griffonstone. Funny how she remembered about it just now but, truth be told, it wouldn't be much aid anyway... Although, now, it just might be useful, the mint mare thought.

As the sun was setting low, it was time to get some sleep. However, due to Peony's nghtmares there was no way to close ees inside the relative safety of the wagon.Thankfully the mint mare had a trick she used when travelling with a laden cart - she laid her cot underneath the wagon and crawled there, then curled up with her self defence gear on the ready. The night was chilly because of the wind but, she had worse. Much worse.

Natural Order woke up as the Sun lazily poked into her hideout, and felt cold immediately. Or maybe it was the sound of hooves above her? No matter the cause, she crawled out, shivering slightly, and saw Peony in no better shape. At least she was awake... Even though they didn't really have that much firewood, she just had to make a small fire to warm up and eat something hot to start the day. Peony could really use something hot too, given her day long coma. As the unicorn tried to make herself presentable, the earth pony took care of food and fire to warm herself by. The breakfast was larger than usual, and once the mares finished, Peopny took to collecting the flower as Natural rolled back the camp, though, she couldn't help but notice that her employer was eerily quiet today, most probably feeling down after what happenned.

Once the first flower was secured, the mint mare felt relieved - now they could finally leave this misbegotten place, and this Celestia forsaken wind! Although, it made it a wee bit easier to traverse the terrain now that it blew at their backs. Almost as if escorting them out. f course, climbing up the cloped overpass was no easier because of it, and Natural left a fair amoun of curses on the ancient stone. When she hopped in to the wagon to make sure everuthing survived, she took the map and some string - first to stdy before going forth, and the latter to give to Peony, for her mane and tail.

"So... I took an opportunty to study this thing yesterday and I think we may have an alternative route back to the station. Shorter one too, since, if I think correctly, we should reach it tomorrow morning or so, depends on the road itself. Either way, I think it's worth trying out, if it can save us a full day, right?"

She led the way, occasionally consulting he map. They travelled back to their steppe camp, and went further North, keeping close to the mountains but passing the Old Road they travelled earlier. Soon enough, the  pair started to notice the rocky cliffs were bending inward and they were, in fact, walking around the mountains, with that steppe to their left. Though, if she peered hard enough, some features like old trees and other landmarks were seen in the distance. By the end of the day, they saw the train tracks  and decided to camp in a rock nook - they may be close but, travelling in the night wasn't any safer because of it. if Natural was correct, they station was just a few hours away actually.

[Nightmare Season 617]

@Raven Rawne

Peony was happy about the string to tie her hair and mane up with. The wind once again blew her flowers out that was used to hold her hair up off the ground. As Natural was showing her the new route, Peony was tying her mane and tail up. Though her style was the worst That Natural has seen this whole trip. After Natural stored the map they headed for the train station.

The trip this time was far easier. The farther they got away from the gorge, the less wind that was pounding them. The wind all but died by the time they entered the rocky terrain. There was a path it seemed placed there a long time ago. So pulling the wagon was not to difficult for the nature loving pony. Peony simply followed behind the wagon not really talking.

When the train tracks at the foot of the mountain came into view, the sun was getting low and night fast approaching. Natural found a nice area among an outcropping of rocks to pull into. The dinner was what was left among the left over provisions. Though Peony seemed to be getting use to adequate meals. Natural spent some time before the sun fully set to gather logs for future fires and try and find some food. Peony decided to turn in early.

During the middle of the night Peony woke up from yet another nightmare about the pony pursuing them. Peony looked over to her companion and saw she was still asleep. Peony quietly left the wagon to regain her composer. For several hours she just looked out across the mountains and down at the train station. Sleep would not find her again this night.

Sometime before the first hint of light, Peony saw the train pull into the station. "My stars. At least one thing is look'n up for us. NATURAL! HEY Natural. Wake up, come look at this love. The train." The mare came out of the wagon rubbing her eyes. "Think we might make it down in time to get a ride?" The two mares, as fast as they could, packed up the wagon and started down the path. Half way down, Peony froze in front of Natural causing her to stop. Her coat went almost white.

As Natural looked around her, she saw just what made her freeze. Richly Fabulous. He had just gotten off the train and his wagon from the jungle was unloaded. He and his goons were headed for Griffonstone. Natural had to push Peony into some bushes so as to not be seen. When the wagon was finally out of sight, did Natural return to the road. Peony came out shaking like a leaf in autumn winds.

The two mares did manage to get to the train before it departed. As Natural was overseeing the loading of her wagon, Peony was at the counter purchasing their tickets. Two for Grittish Isles. Though she had bought the tickets to the Crystal Empire with a stop in the isles. Hoping it would throw him off once he found out she boarded this train.

The first class coach was a welcome sight for both mares. They had the whole section at the back of the train to themselves. With real beds. It would take a couple of days to get to the isles.

 

 

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@Nightmare Season

The earth pony had some decent sleep that night - it's easy to close your eyes after a full day of physical excercise, after all. She was awoken, and forcibly so, by her unicorn companion. Natural Order came around to her senses and almost knocked away the other mare as she shot up, looking around frantically what was going on.

"Wai?!, Wha? Uhh... okay..." - She jumped out of the wagon and stretched her back, making a series of pops as her mane caught some morning wind into it. Brushing some stray hair off her nose, she looked dorn onto the station.

The train was indeed, there.

Still groggy, but eager to get away from ths misbegotten rock land, the mare packed up as quickly as she reasonably could, grabbing just some cold bites on the fly instead of having an honest to Celestia breakfast. They were on the move when the Sun was still rising, and she figured the steel behemoth would stop for a few hours anyway, Griffonstone being it's end station and all. Still, plent of reason to hurry up, since she had no idea when the next one would show up, right? They were making reasonably good progress but, halfway to their obejctive, the mint mare had to dig her hooves into the ground just to avoid colliding with Peony.

"Hey, don't stop now! We need to move!" - she started, then scanned her surrounding for the cause of sudden stillness and apparent fright of her companion, until she looked all the way to the station far ahead. Then, she cursed aloud and  unhooked herself from the harness to tackle peony into the nearby bushes. "Celestia's Sun if I never see that son of a bridge troll, it will be too soon!" Keeping both her and peony hidden, she poked her head occasionally to check where the group was headed, muttering some very unladylike things under her nose. Thankfully her wagon was most probably poorly visible from down there, or their cover would be blown in the most obvious way. Only once the ridiculously decorated carriage rolled ff to Griffonstone, did she get up and dust off, then helped Peony on her hooves. She proceeded towards their objective, but Natural remained causcious for any signs of the rich bastard coming back.

They did manage to reach the train on time. Actually, it was scheduled to roll out in a few hours, so they had plenty of time to buy tickets and sort things out, like loading the wagon and such. Natural couldn't help but smirk at the frowning train staff once they realised that these two mares somehow had first class tickets! They both certainly didn't look like even third class themselves, with ruffled coats and manes, dirt and all. The earth pony felt out of her element in the spacious coach, and at first didn't want to sit down to spare the furniture... Thankfully there was a tiny nook for the passagers to clean up, and she was all too eager for the opportunity.

She might live in a wagon and all, but she had standards!

The train finally rolled out at noon, having resupplied water and other necessities, as well as giving the staff some rest. Since it was a long distance train, there was a restaurant car, and rather well supplied too. Although truth be told, Natural Order liked the sea voyage more. Maybe beause of the open deck and less luxurious accomodations. She liked creature comforts but this was a bit too... ornate for her. Thankfully the ride to Trottingham would take only three days, or she would go bonkers in the small space!

On the afternoon of the third day, the train rolled into the Griffish Isles station, located on the mainland. The mares would pass through the... town? It may be called like that, probably... The map on the station informed the earth pony that she was in the town of Caneigh, in reality a big complex of warehouses and a spacious port ferrying goods and ponies from the rail to Trottingham proper. There was a ferry, orthree, actually, that would take them to the Isles. wincing slightly from the sounds of industry in her ears, Natural stumbled into the clean-cut roads leading towards the Port, having memorised the route from that big map she saw at the station.

It only took a few wrong turns and a couple questions to the passerby to reach the ferry piers. Natural had some loose hair flying on the breeze in front of her nose, and huffed them away with some frustration as they awaited for the ferry to arrrive. There was quite a crowd at the pier, and it only irked her more - the mint mare felt uneasy in large cities, and Trottingham wouldn't be any better than Manehattan, or Vanhoover. Still, she mamanged to bite her lip and think of Equestria as they boarded the ferry, and travelled to the looming metropolis, now glittering in afternoons sunlight. She stayed on the lower deck, inside her secured wagon during the trip, to avoid the crowds. That, and it was the only place she could have a smoke in peace...

[Nightmare Season 617]

@Raven Rawne

The train ride gave Peony a chance to rest her legs. She was not use to such long walks and her legs were screaming for it. Peony did notice Natural paced a lot. She figured it was to small for her tastes. "Need to settle down love. It will only be three days after all." Peony told her. Peony's nights however were the worst. Each time she fell asleep, nightmares came to her causing her to wake up.

By the time the two got off the train, Peony was tired. Very Tired. As Natural asked around for the pier to the ferries, Peony kept dosing off and on. The wait for the ferry, Peony found a nice bench and fell asleep on. Natural had to wake her up when the boat arrived.

The ride to Trottingham was short compared to most of their travels so far. The two started heading to some pubs here and there and started asking around about where the Lazililies grew. Peony being sleep deprived was not much help, so Natural had to do most of the talking. After the fourth pub, one mare actually knew. She told the two that there was a small island in the center of a misty lake inland. Thankfully it was just a short ways off of the road to the other side of the isles.

As the two were heading out of the city, Peony did notice something hanging up on a notice board. Her and Natural's pictures. Placed there by Richly. Stateing how his bride was pony napped by Natural Order. She quickly tore it down before her companion saw it. She folded it up and stored it in her bag. The lake would be a two day walk out. Peony was hoping she could make it with how tired she was.

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@Nightmare Season

A series of wobbles onto both sides of the ferry's hull annouced to the mint adventurer that they were about to dock at Trottingham, and she reluctantly left her hideout to join her employer on the upper deck. The sight of that behemoth of a city, glimpsed from the ship's own windows, wasn't particularily inviting to her, but, Natural made a promise to finish this mad errand with Peony, so she bit her lip and quickened her pace down into the docks proper. They will need to ask around in order to find their quarry, but, the earth pony was clueless where to start, quite honestly.

Thankfully, the answer presented itself rather planly - it was after work hours, and there were pubs on nearly every street corner so... they went on a pub marathon to ask around. Since to her, every watering hole felt somewhat familliar, Natural managed to find her footing in those establishments and ask around rather freely, though these local ponies had such an illegible accent... Thankfully she managed to get a solid lead before she started to talk Griffish herself, or had to carry Peony on her back - the mare was beginning to be more hindrance than help, wth her lack of sleep and all.

The lead they got from a mare in one of the pubs semed solid enough, so Natural Order decided to begin travel immediately, stopping only by two small shops to resupply on the way. They wouldn't go far today but, time was a scare commodity to them at the very best. That, and she missed proper camping outdoors ater being "trapped" inside the train.

Natural Order never set hoof on Grifish Isles before. They seemed... familliar, but not exactly like mainland Equestria. The ponies talked a bit strange but they seemed okay, Trottingham was a wee bit different from the other major cities she visited, but not nearly as outlandish as Griffonstone. Now she was appreciating the countryside as she walked along a cobblestone road, finally feeling alive and content, her wanderlust slowly satisfied. if not for the circumstances, she would probably spend a lot of time here, admiring the scenery, referencing flora with her books, and generally wandering around to really get to know the area. But she wasn't going to be so lucky.

A few ponies came from up ahead, laden with wagons containing unnknown goods. Like any seasoned vagabond, Natural Order tipped her hat to them in greeting as they were about to pass each other, and stopped for a moment to ask for a place to spend the night. Seemed they were out of luck for something Peony would appreciate, though. There used to be an Inn, just an hour further down the road, but it was devoutred by fire just last month. Still, the ruins were better than nothing, and Natural led the pair that way. it was getting rather late as they pulled up into the courtyard of what used to be a fairly larde Inn - now just soot covered ground floor and butned out remnants of wooden upper storeys. Some resorceful souls already cleared a portion of the ruin in order to camp inside the stone walls. The earth pony decided to light a fire in the old fireplace, using inn's own charred remains as fuel. She wasn't the first one with this idea, though, as axe marks were all over the nearest logs.

As the mares ate, sitting before the fireplace and wrapped in blankets - the Isles were a bit chilly, it seemes - Natural Order decided to out a quarell into the head of something she was musing for quite some time now.

"So... what if he catches up with us?" She side glanced at her employer. "I mean, you're basically sleepwalking, and I can only guess how long you'll manage to stay on your hooves; no offense but that;s how things are miss - and we're still three flowers short of our goal. If I am being honest, there's like, no chance of us getting the job done without... interference. Is there any way to talk sense into him? Other than repeated bucks to the head, I mean? It would be a lot easier if he just helped us along rather than chase us. Just sayin'." She took a sip of water from her cup - the well was still wotking, thankfuly - and lowered her hat to shield her eyes from the fire, as she awaited the reply.

[Nightmare Season 617]

@Raven Rawne

Peony at this point was basically sleepwalking. All the nightmares waking her up had her on steam alone. A couple of times she even walked leaning up against the wagon as Natural pulled it along the road. She somewhat woke up when the wagon stopped and Natural was asking another pony about sleeping areas. The response did not make Peony any happier. She really needed a good bed not the ground again.

Farther down the road, they saw the burned out inn the other ponies mentioned. Not really a luxury hotel. Or a motel at that. but the walls would provide shelter from any winds that could start up in the night. This far North was a bit chillier. Natural pulled into it and found an open area without burnt beams over head.

The meal was a little better since their Griffonstone adventure. They had time to buy some food at least. Peony remained quiet and nodding in and out of sleep over her oats. Natural broke the silence first and wanted to know what to do. Just the first few words made Peony cringe. She already had him on her mind too much. "Well.... I fear I do not know really dear. The best way would be for me to accept his marriage proposal. The stars only knows bucks to his noggin would not stop him." She hesitated for a second before she decided to show her companion the poster. "Sorry love. He is offer'n enough bits for a pony to buy a manor in Caterlot. When he wants someth'n, or somepony, he will never stop till he has it, or me. Also.....Do you really want a pony like him gett'n his hoof on a flower that can give eternal life?"

Peony handed Natural the poster for her to see. She really did not like the part about she was a pony snatcher. "If you will pardon me love. I think I will try and turn in early this evening." Penoy said before Natural had any chance to respond to the poster. Peony laid her half eaten oats on the makeshift table and went into the wagon. She had a lot on her mind, or at least what she could afford to have in her sleep deprivation.

After she unrolled her bedding, Peony looked up to Flower and the other potted flower next to it. "Don't do what I know you are thinking of." Peony looked back to Flower. "What choice do I have? I am but slowing her down and worry'n her." Peony then went over to it and removed the spell that kept the pollen in. She patted it to breath in the pollen.

Outside Natural was busy putting the dishes away when she heard in the back of her mind; "Quick, you must stop Peony." Natural dashed the the wagon door only to she Peony fall down where she stood next to the magical flower that makes her sleep.

 

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@Nightmare Season

The mint mare smirked humorlessly as her offer to kick the sallion repeatedly was rebutted as useless. Peony could be right with this one, actually... Natural accepted the rolled poster and took a look at it, leaning forward so that the fire would shine on it. Squinting her eyes, she read as her expression gre increasingly grim, but said nothing till Peony tried to stand up and said her goodnight. That, at least, torn her away from the riveting read.

"Uh huh, try and get some sleep, any at all. You can also stay inside tomorrow if you want, I can pull this thing loaded to the roof anyway."

As her sleepwalking employer waddled towards the wagon, the earth pony looked back at the poster in her hooves, and cussed under her breath. Why she took this job in the first place? Bits, of course, but was it really worth it? Not only does she have to run across Equestria like it's a race, now she was publicly accused of something she haven't done, on every Notice Board from Vanhoover to Griffonstone!

And they made her portrait look like a caricature, to add insult to injury.

With an angry snort, she put away the damned paper and proceeded to clean up after the meal. Seeing that Peony left most of it rubbed her frugal self the wrong way but, she could be pardoned in her current state, right? The mare will simply leave it for the mice to eat - she was a few scurrying about the ruin. However, before she could proceed with her plan, the familliar, and unwelcomed voice invaded her skull, again.

"Ugh, try to be gentle- oh buck." - Natural Order winced at the voice in her head and needed a moment to process what she just "heard", then rushed straight to the wagon, nearly barging in with the doors. Her haste was for no good however, as Peony thumped like a sack of first class canterlot grain on the wooden floor. The magic aura surrounding the flower they picked up from Griffinstone was gone, so she didn't need a detective to guess what happenned. Glancing at the Flower, she shook her head and simply said: "I would probably do the same in her stead, you know." With a sigh, the earth pony tuckered the unicorn into her bed roll, and left the wagon, closing the doors shut. She walked back to the fireplace, and cleaned up the plates. Still, she couldn't help but glance at the offending poster.

As the fire slowly died out, and even bats stopped chirping overhead, Natural Order was sitting alone, staring at the wanted poster and thinking. At some point, she nodded to herself and stood up, then proceeded to her wagon with decisive steps. She took out a knife and a pair of larfe scissors, and, by the dwinding light, committed a makeover on her mane and tail, namely by cutting them short. Now she had one hoof long mane, loosely formed into a fringe of sorts, and an elbow length tail. Looking back at the poster, she didn't really look like the pony portrayed on it. with a somewhat satisfied smirk, she tossed it into the fire and went to sleep.

Truth be told, nightmare ridden Peony was poor company for a good night's sleep, and Naural woke up several times, but at least she could light the stove inside the wagon to heat it up a bit, since the Isles really were cold at night. That, and she had time to assemble her outfit for tommorrow, in hope of throwing the bit hungry ponies off mark. As the Sun rose, the mint mare decided she on't manage to get any more shleep, and started her morning routine. She ate quick breakfast and put on a pair of trousers and a jacket, both in shades of brown, along with a set of black hoof boots and her usual hat. She sometimes wore this getup on cold days so, it seemed to her like she would look normal in this chilly place. The ponies she saw yesterday looked more or less alike. Just a bit of water for both flowers and she was off, kicking dust off the road she was suppossed to follow. Figuring that Peony won't wake up till evening at least, it meant she could try and reach the lake before night fall. That was the plan, at least.

A few hours in, she met first ponies. Some farmponies going to their field. A short welcome to each other and she went past them. Thankfully they didn't seem like a talkative bunch. Unfortunately, somewhere before noon, when she was having a short break on the side of the road, she saw a pony in the distance, trotting the same way she was headed to. It was common to band together on the road, and Natural started to think of a way to avoid just that. Peony was quiet inside at the moment, but Celestia only knew when the next nightmare fuelled concert would start...

Thankfully, the stallion seemed to be in a hurry and once Natural started slogging to get going, he bid her farewell and trotted off. He did look at her suspiciosuly though, but it was to be expected, really - a stranger with a mainland Equestrian accent, sporting a mean looking crossbow on her wagon, she must look like a poacher or something. Thankfully, here were only a few short encounters further along the road, and Natural once asked for the best way to the lake when she figured the old mare she met would be too oblivious to think it's odd. By late afternoon, Natural Order was tired and ense from hurrying up and anxiety, but she made it to the lake. It was surrounded by marshes from the side she apprached it, but there was a dry road that led to the water. It led to a house by the lake, and the mare decided to try and avoid it, by taking a turn into a muddy path that seemed to lead around the lake. She decided to stop once it was starting to get dark and she saw a patch of trees that would hide her wagon nicely. The shimmering waters were just a stone throw away, and the island she was headed to was covered in evening mist. There would be no fire tonight, just the stove inside the wagon once the Sun sets, in order to conceal her presence. The mare sat uneasily in her little home, munching on her dinner and glancing at the sleeping unicorn. trying to figure out when she will finally wake up.

[Nightmare Season 617]

@Raven Rawne

Peony dreamed once again of being chased by the stallion after her hoof in marriage. No matter what she did, he was always right behind her. The sad part was she could not wake herself up this time. Under the magic of the flower kept her sleeping. She finally remembered what her companion said. If there was a way to stop him. As she dreamed on, she finally thought, "Maybe she would marry him."

The dreams eventually turned into her wedding with him. A grand thing in the palace of Princess Celestia. Then to her in Richly's mansion. And foals..... Peony then bolted awake. Looking around, she found herself in the wagon. Night was outside the window. Looking around some more, she saw her companion. Natural seemed to have fallen asleep sitting up against the wall. Peony took a blanket and tossed over her. "Oh my stars! What prey tell happened to your poor mane and tail love?" Peony asked in a whisper not to wake her. She noticed her new "look?"

She stepped out side to see the sun getting ready to rise. And a lake. She must have slept for a whole day and night again. "At least I am not sleepy anymore." She told herself. She saw what looked like a small island covered by fog out on the waters. "Wonder if that is the island with the flower?" Peony went down to the waters edge after she got her things from the wagon. She was in need of freshening up. Especially after sleeping a whole day.

About half way through her shampooing, Natural finally came out of the wagon. "Morn'n love. Sorry about using the flower to get some rest. I did not like slowing us down." Natural went straight to making breakfast. Especially since Peony's hungry stomach was making noise which embarrassed her. When Peony finished washing and came back, breakfast was done. Peony happily ate it all.

When the meal was done Peony asked Natural about her mane and tail. "I am so sorry love. I did not mean for any of this to happen to you. Come here I will fix you up. Your mane looks like you got in a fight with a timber wolf." Natural tried to refuse, but Peony did not let her get a chance to get away. After several snips, combing and styling. Peony made the messy cut into something that looked nice actually. Peony even tied a flower in her mane she found along the water. "Now you look much better love."

Natural was starting to discuss ways on how the two of them could get across the water to get the flower, when an elderly mare came walking up. "My my. Two young fillies all the way out here? What brings the two of ye out to this lake?" Peony looked back and noticed her. She was a greying old pony that seemed friendly enough. "Oh! Hello. We are wondering if this island out there has the Lazylillies growing on it."

The old mare looked out across the water to the lake. "Indeed it dose young'n. But why are you after such a flower for?" Peony told her that she was out to collect five magical flowers for something. She made sure not to mention them being used to unlock the door to the eternal bloom.

"Why I will tell you. That flower out there is hard to get a hold of. What you see looking like fog, it is actually its pollen. Any pony that breaths it will become to lazy to go any further." This did not make Natural at all happy. She seemed upset about that kind of news. "Might there be a way to protect us from the pollen?" Peony asked her. The old mare told the two that in order to get past the pollen, the pony must be under the effects of another magical flower.

Both Natural and Peony both agreed that the Somnambular Bloom they already had would not work. Peony suggested they hunt down the giggling funflower and then come back here. Peony also said they should go back to Canterlot so she could get more bits for the road and put a stop to Richly Fabulous fallowing them.

As the two got the wagon ready and rolling again back the way they came, Peony stopped to thank the kind old mare. She responded for them to have a safe trip.

As she watched the two mares walk out of site, she said to herself. "They know about the five flowers. I must tell the others."

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@Nightmare Season

She woke up with a stir.

Natural Order took a sharp breath and jolted upright, suddenly wide awake and looking around, as if surprised to be here. She saw the blanket that she tossed off off herself, and the empty cot where she last saw Peony. Some of her things seemed to be missing too, or shifted from the last time she laid eyes on them at least. With a growing tingle of uneasiness, the mint mare peeked outside the windows to try and see whether it was safe to open the doors. There seemed to be some... movement in the water nearby, and she could hear the splashes, but other than that, nothing else. Still not settled on what is going on, the earth pony slowly poked her head through the door and looked for hoofsteps on the ground.

Just one trail, outside from her own hoofboots from yesterday.

Good.

A quick stretch of her back, followed by smoothing out her jacket, and Natural followed the trail as the knot in her stomach loosened up. There she was, bathing like it's nopony's business.

"Morning to you aswell." - she waved and shrugged. "Truth be told, I would probably do the same in your stead so, can't blame you now can I? Now, if your last time is any clue, I guess I should make some breakfast. We're still not dne around here, after all..." Natural made herself scarce in order to make somethign to eat. Maybe it was a moment of carelessnes, or she just wanted to have something warm, but she lit the tiny stove, despite of the smoke trail that it would likely produce. Twigs and fallen branches from surrounding trees and bushes fserved as fuel this time, and the lake water seemed fresh enough to drink, after boiling up that is.

The mare still had some problems with adjusting to her new hair length, trying to smooth the nonexistent ponytail and such, and it probably showed, since Peony brought it up once she ate. Well, loss of 4/5 mane length was rather hard not to miss actually. Natural looked up, as if on her mane, and shrugged, but she wan't a good actor in pretending she didn't care that much.

"Well, afer you fell asleep, I knew there was no way to talk us out of trouble if somepony recognised me. So, since the portrait was.... hardly the most accurate, I decided to try and look different. The mane was the easiest to change, and the clothes don't look suspicious either, since it's colder than in Equestria proper, right? It seemed like a good idea."

She was rather taken aback by the offer to fix her self induced bad mane day, and tried to downplay it. "Hey, it's not that easy with just hooves, am I right? Besides, it's not that bad, and the mane will grow back anyway so, don't bother yourself. No really, it's fine as it is! Ugggh, okay, have it your way, I guess..." She sat like on a boring lectire while Peony did her thing on her mane, bt, truth be told, she liked the end result. With a genuine smile, she said her thanks.

Now her sights were set on the mist covered island again. Why it was still obscured? Normally the fog would dissipate by now... "Um, back to the uhh, goal of our trip here, we'll need a boat of sorts to get there. Now, I saw a house by the lake when I was looing for a spot to camp, so, we may try our luck there, I guess-" She didn't finish the sentence as her ears perked up and the mare tensed like a hare found in the carrot field, reeady to do... something. There was somepony coming towards them from behind Peony. However, instead of a thug hired by a certain stallion, she saw... an elderly mare. Was she the land owner, here to tell them to sod off from her land? Peony speaked up first, and Natural decided to keep quiet and just observe the conversation. She didn't like it how Peony mentioned that she was after five flowers, but, Natural probably wouldn't make up any smarter cover up story either. At lest she didn't spill it all up, eh?

Looking up at the strange fog, Natural Order pouted. Their quarry would evade them this time, and the whole ordeal woll get that much longer. "Well obviosuly we can't use the one we have now... I'll get our stuff ready for the road, no point staying here any longer." She looked rather dissatisfied by this particular piece of news, but what do? The important question now was, how to get off the Isles without getting caught. Canterlot ws their next stop, as apparently Peony's bit purse had a bottom afer all. That, and she mentioned something about getting Richly off their tails? Natural didn't want to ask for specifics of her plan, to be honest.

Not knowing the first thing about the surrounding area, and reluctant to ask the elderly mare for directions, Natural Order decided to backtrack her own hoofsteps all the way to Trottingham. She figured that it proved their best chance of getting off the Isles, since she didn't recall any large towns by the coast that could be a port for oceangoing vessels. Now their best option seemed like a ship to Fillydelphia, and train to Canterlot. If only they didn't have to watch htheir backs because of those damned posters...

[Nightmare Season 617]

@Raven Rawne

The two made better timing heading back to Trottingham. They stayed at the same burned out inn and made Trottingham by noon. Peony was rested at least so she was not as slow. First thing Natural noticed heading in to the city was the same poster calling her a pony-napper. Peony watched her walk over to the notice board and tear it down with a grumble. "Sorry love. I will do what I can to stop those false accusations." Peony said to her companion.

Peony led the way this time through the city. She said she needed to have a parchment delivered. Eventually the two found the Pegasus post office. Peony wrote up a few letters and paid for them to be delivered first class. As Peony was leaving, she notice the questioning look Natural had. "I sent letters to home and to Richly. Inform'n them I am returning to Canterlot with news." Natural accepted the answer, but she did not like how Peony seemed sad as well.

The next stop for the two was the docks. Peony went and purchased tickets for them to Fillydelphia. The ship was taking off in the morning, so the two mares had the rest of the day and night to do anything they wanted to do. "Well deary. Shall we have a mare night out together?"

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@Nightmare Season

The trip back to Trottiingham was, thankfully, uneventful. They met a few ponies but they didn't seem too preoccupied with two travellers from outside the Isles. And the second night in the burned inn was... rathr nice, to be frank. At least from Natural's perspective, knowing that the inevitable return to civilisation was rapidly approaching.

It was late afternoon, when the two mares reached the outskirts of Trottingham.There, she saw a notice board, and amongst a palette of posters and notices, there it was, the looming threat to both of them. After a quick glance around, Natural unhooked herself from the harness and walked to the board, then unceremoniously tore the offending poster down, stomped it for good measure, and tossed to the trash can. Once her blessed work was done, the mare huffed and walked back to her little home to resume the trip. She didn't answer to Peony's reassurance.

Thankfully, this time, she didn't have to lead through the confusing labyrynth of streets and alleys, since Peony seemed much more aquainted with navigating such environments. Still, the mint mare couldn't help but feet tense, amongst all these ponies, knowing they could be recognised any moment. Only once they came into the Pegasus Post  office did she loosen up some, seeing it was mostly empty. As she waited for Peony to pen her letters, she decided to jot a quick note herself, and send back home. Her last letter was sent from Canterlot, and her parents surely would appreciate an update. Especially if something bad happens... A few coins from her iron reserve sent the letter, but it will take a while before it reaches Tall Tale. Natural was too stubborn to ask for money for her private matters. Only after they left the office, did she rejoin her employer, but didn't really know whether it was okay to ask what she wrote. But surely, it wasn't anything nice, guessing from Peony's somber mood. The next stop were the docks where the unicorn bought them ship tickets, and suddenly, they had the whole evening of free time.

As they vacated the docks towards... no real destination, peony asked Natural about the evening plans. She thought for a moment, but then shook her head with a frown. "I'm afraid we need to lay low till we get you back to Canterlot. I mean, we got lucky, so far. Maybe ponies don't read notice boards or something but, I don't want to risk any more than necessary. Last think I need is some dumbflank tryong to get rich by rescuing you... How about some proper hotel for a change? I am sure you'd appreciate a proper bed for once and, yeah, I like to have running water from time to time, hehe. That ship cruise will take a while too, and, don't get me wrong, but preserved food is not exactly my favourite."

They came to a forking crossroad, and Natural looked curiously at her companion. "So, left or right? I have no idea either way."

[Nightmare Season 617]

@Raven Rawne

Peony thought about which way to go, then an idea struck her and she smiled. "This way Love." She said and went down the right road leading into the more busier district. Natural just rolled her eyes thinking she just ignored her advice to stay low then followed.

A few blocks down Peony turned and went inside an elegant dress shop. Natural sighed at her wanting -more- cloths. As soon as the two mares stepped inside, two mares working inside called out to Peony by name and came rushing over to them. "Peony! Are you all right? We saw the posters you were pony-napped." One asked as they got to them and looked to see who her companion was. Natural was on edge to flee when Peony spoke up.

"Those posters are falsified dears. Natural Order here is my friend and guide around Equestria. Those posters were done by Richly Fabulous to get me back to Canterlot." As soon as the two mares heard the stallions name, they both seem to know exactly what that meant. "Natural love. These two are acquaintances I know from parties from Canterlot." With the introductions, the two mares curtsied to Natural and greeted her.

As Peony went around looking at the dresses in the shop, the two were busy talking to Natural. Telling her how they knew Peony from attending the rich parties and get-togethers with their parents. They also pointed out how they witnessed how pushy Richly was every time he was around Peony. They also told her how Peony was usually the only rich pony at those parties that never acted superior to every-pony else.

"Loves, Might I trouble you for a wardrobe upgrade for my dear friend here?" Hearing Peony say this, Natural was thinking about running away after all now. "If she looks the part, no pony will suspect she is the one from the poster." The two mares did not skip a beat after that and pushed Natural to the changing rooms. The two seemed unstoppable to get Natural into several fancy dresses and hats one after the other. After several times the two walked Natural out wearing a cute Orange-pink evening dress a a stack of other dresses as well. Peony smiled and told Natural that will do nicely.

"What might I owe you dearies?" Peony asked them as Natural tried to get comfortable in the strange carb. "Just ship us four more of those fine attires with your flowers on them and we are even." The manager told her. "We have ponies in line for your dresses with flowers that don't wilt in years." Peony and her shook hooves on it and the two mares left the store with a few bags of dresses. "Alright love. As long as you act like you are better than any pony else. No pony will recognize you as a pony-napper. So about the mare night out?"

 

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@Nightmare Season

The mint mare eyed her companion curiously as she was making her mind, with an occassional glance away at the passerby. However, the way she cheerfully trotted towards Celestia knew where seemed... suspicuous to the earth pony. She grumbled under her breath as she rocked he wagon back and forth before louging it forward. "I don't like it..."

urns out, her sentiment only grew in intensity as they walked deeper into the densely populated streets, the accusing posters seemingly staring out of every flat surface that could hold them. Natural Order couldn't help but feel anxious, and not just because of her usual dislike for cities. One stupid pony and everything could go to tartarus right here, right now. Luckily, whoever guided her fate, didn't plan to put such events on her path just yet - instead, Peony led the way to a very elaborately decorated dress shop. A dress shop, of all things! Still natural conceded that she shouldn't stay outside, or let Peony out of her eye for that matter so, after neatly parking her wagon and hoping it wil still be there when they come out, she sighed audibly and went inside...

The duo of mares, apparetnly wirking there, gallopping towards them and calling her employer by name was, unexpected, and alarming to say the least - Natural almost bolted out on the street, but bumped on the closing doors instead. She looked around, frantically, as the scene unfolded. Only once Peony clarified their situation, and the strangers seemed to accept her words, did she relax a little and stand straight like a grown up pony she supposedly was. "I uhh, sorry, these posters keep me on edge. Nice to mee you, both of you." Since, apparetly, Peony excused herself to browse the new collection, and the clerks didn't follow her, the mint mare was faced wit hthe talk of keeping them company, it seemed. Although nodding and ocasionally interjecting seemed enough to keep the ball rolling, these two could talk old Boarmane's ears off, and he was the most talkative pony Natural knew! But the worst was yet to come for the poor guide - as Peony asked in that innocent tone for a "wardrobe upgrade" of her companion, Natural tried to taks her way out of it in any way she knew but, to no avail. As the mares started their work, she knew it was a lost cause. and by the look of the place, losing even one button on these dresses would cost her everything she had with her, or close to ir anyway. So, without any real choice, she had to submit to the onslaught of fashion. Once she was let out of the changing room, wearing her yearly pay's worth of clothing on her back, the mare mustered an awkward smile of appreciation. Hearing how casual the clerks dismissed any payment for this haul probably made her look really shocked, though.

Natural Order went outside the shop feeling light headed and acutely aware of every seam in her outfit, moving deliberately as if afraid to leave even folding marks on it. She simply nodded at Peony's advice, not really sure how to pull that stunt off, when she stood still, frozen, staring into blank space of the street.

Gone.

As her brain finally started working again, the mare slowly looked around, not making a sound as her pupils loked like pins from the sheer shock.

Gone!

"I.. I... but..." - she stuttered, still too shocked and confused to process what she was seeing. or more importantly, what she wasn't seeing. the wagon, it was nowhere to be seen! A few nudges seemed to catch her attention at last, and Natural noticed that her companion was holding a note in front of her. Some cheap paper, with a tear on top were it was pinned to something. It said, in barely legible Equestrian, with some bad grammar:

"We have yer stuff. Come to the Dock 6 at midnight ta get it back. Bring th' other one."

That finally broke the shackles on her mind. Exhaling the air she didn't know she was holdin all that time, Natural looked at Peony, and she looked positively pissed off."I walked entire Equestria up and down pulling that thing, repaired it more times that I can count to, And that crossbow was a gift from my mother, if you can believe that." She took a deep breath, trying to calm down even a tiniest bit but it didn't help. She continued, staring like a basilisk. "...But I gave my word, and I won't risk your safety. I just..." - her voice trailed off, and she wiped a tear, finally not caring about her outfit as much - "I just wanted you to know, I will miss them so damn much. Come, these idiots are probably looking..."

She led the way, even though she haven't had a faintest clue where to go. The ponies gave them lots of breathing space as they walked, seemingly two upper class stuck ups, one looking like she broke her favourite quill while writing a love poem and blaming the entire world for it, Natural Order glanced at Peony and asked, as calm as she could: "Do you have the tickets with you? Or any bits? We still need to spend the night somewhere, and hopefully reach Canterlot on what we have left. Grr, Celestia hold me or I'll just go there and drown them in that dock, no matter how many!"

 

[Nightmare Season 617]

@Raven Rawne

Peony looked up and down the street as soon as they were outside and noticed her wagon was gone. All she saw was a note tacked to a pole close by. Peony went over and pulled it off, noticing it was a ransom note of some kind. She took it over to her companion and nudged her slightly then handed it to her.

Peony stepped back a ways as Natural lost it and was ranting on about all she lost. Thankfully she calmed down after a spell. "I am terribly sorry love. I will try and make it up to you I promise." She could not say much more than that because Natural wanted to hurry and leave before some pony noticed them.

As they were walking, most ponies got out of their way. Probably due to they felt if they ruined those dresses would cost them an entire year's worth of bits. Natural spoke up and asked about the tickets and bits. The one thing she did not want her asking about. With a sheepish grin..."Well you see dear....all was in the wagon. Flower too." Peony had to cover her ears as Natural lost it once again. Peony quickly calmed her down when ponies started to stare at them. "Don't worry. I do have a back up plan."

Peony led the angry Natural around the city till they came across a very fancy stable. Natural started about no way to afford even an hour stay in such a place. Peony just simply smiled and pranced on in. As she approached the front counter, a stallion appearing to be the owner came up to Peony. "Aw Mis Peony. So good to see you again. I am surprised your parents are not with you."

"Hello again Hay Comfort. It is just myself and my lovely companion here." Natural tried to act cool and -important- what ever that meant as she was introduced. "Her name is Natural. Natural, this is Mr. Comfort the owner here. My folks stay here all the time they visit. But mister Comfort. We seem to have an issue. Our luggage was misplaced from the ship. Might I trouble you for a night's stay and pay you when I have my luggage returned to me by morn'n. If it's not a bother?"

"Why mis Peony of course of course. Please do stay, I will even send for a change of cloths from our gift shop to do you. Bellhop! Take these to ladies to the royal suite immediately." With that order a pony came running up to escort the two to the very top floor room. As the two were in the elevator, Natural looked at Peony questionably. "What? Being of a rich family dose have a few perks with it."

When the two arrived at their room, Natural almost lost it seeing how grand the room was. A single room looked more valuable to her than a gold mine. As Natural looked around the room Peony walked over to the alarm clock a secretly set the time back two hours. She then went to the bellhop and requested a meal to be delivered. Natural said what she wanted and listened to Peony finish ordering. "Please bring this order up at seven please."  As he was turning to leave and Natural went to look at the bath Peony stopped him. "Please bring it at nine and announce it at seven when she gets it please." He nodded and left them. She turned to look at Natural in the bath room gawking at the bathrooms. She had to fix this herself this time.

The two relaxed until the dinner came. Natural was wondering about the time of day. to her it seemed latter. A look at the clock however told her it was just before seven. "What's the matter dear? We have time to eat and shower before midnight." Natural insisted that Peony remained here when she left at eleven thirty. Peony agreed. A ring at the door announced the dinner they ordered was here. Peony asked Natural to get it wile she went to the restroom for a bit. As Natural answered the door, the same bellhop announced their seven o'clock dinner.

Natural looked back at the clock still thinking it had to be latter than that, the clock did read seven though. She figured it might be due to the city skylines throwing her off. The two ate their very elegant meal and decided each should take a shower. Peony went in first and Natural will latter before she headed out. When Peony came out Natural went into shower as well. Peony figured it will be about time to leave. "I will go speak with Comfort a bit. I will be back by ten. So don't worry about me." She called out to Natural turning the shower on. Then she left after Natural told her to be careful.

Peony left the Stable and headed for Dock 6.

When Natural finished her shower she went to the room. The clock was only nine thirty. She had enough time to think of a plan to get their things back. At least their tickets and bits so they could head back to Canterlot. Natural opened the doors to head out onto the balcony. There she looked out across the city with a quick say how how horrible it looked. She noticed a large bell tower out in the distance. Looking closely at it, she noticed it was fifteen till midnight. She quickly looked back at their clock to see it two hour behind. She the realized Peony had tricked her. She quickly ran out of the room and down the stairs to try and stop Peony.

Peony was already waiting at Dock 6 for the ones who took their wagon. Sure enough, at midnight a group came walking up with their wagon. The one in the lead was one from Richly's entourage. "Well well well. Mis Peony. Surprised to see you here. I expected you to be in the stables with your companion sneaking around waiting to get her wagon back." He waved his companions out to go search for any pony in hiding. "I came here to make a deal with you. Return our things to us."

"And what will I get out of this. It is my employer who wants you not me."

"I will agree to marry him." Every-pony in that area froze and looked at Peony in shock. Did she really mean it.

"You are bluffing."

"Sir I am a lady of class. We do not lie or -bluff-. Return the wagon and you may tell My future fiancee to meet me back in Canterlot in a few days. I am sure you have searched the wagon and found the tickets, so you know I am heading that way. But if you don't return it now and leave I will change my mind." The others kept looking at each other and back to their boss. The stallion thought it over a few seconds then waved his companions to leave.

"Fine, a deal. But you better keep your word."

Peony walked over to the wagon after every pony left and tried to pull it herself, To good. She figured she had to actually get strapped into it. She hesitated at first. As soon as she was getting ready to do just that. Natural came running up the dock.

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@Nightmare Season

The mint mare's eye twitched as she heard the reply. This was getting better and better. "Of course... Now how are we supposed to reach Cantelot without them?! Swim across Celestia Ocean?! That's just grand!" - She kept ranting for a bit longer until Peony sarted to hush her, and only then did the hot headed pony realise she was making a scene. At least she looked important while she was at it. Natural Order bit her lip and muttered: "This better be a good one..." Suddenly quiet, but still furious, she followed her employer like an attack hound.

As they waolked towards a luxurious hotel, Natural couldn't help but chip in a snarky comment: "That's your plan? And how do you want to pay for a minute of stay there, hmm?" Seeing her companion was undisturbed by that comment, the earth pony huffed and followed inside, looking like a bored brat.To her merit, she remembered how to act when being introduced, and politely nodded. "Nice to meet you sir." However, keeping up the act was... pretty tough as soon as she heard how eagerly that stallion allowed them to stay under pretense of lost luggage. If she tried to pull that out in even the cheapest tavern, she would be laughed at and kicked out. Still, it was something to start from, and she lugged what Peony "bought" in the earlier shop along to the suite they were supposed to stay in

The elevator was... strange and somewhat unpleasant at first, but, beats the stairs, she figured. As the escort was busy with his own thoughts, she looked questioningly at Peony, but didn't ask a word, not wanting to let their act slip. Still, the intention was clear enough. They followed into what seemed like a little palace in it's own right. As Natural Order roamed around, appreciateing the decor, Peony talked to the bellhop. Only once she was asked about the meal, did the mint mare lok back at them. After a brief pause, she did recall one dish from the train that seemed fancy enough and actually edible, and she ordered that. Seeing that she was not needed at the moment, the mare went to inspect the rest of the suite, especially the bathroom. As soon as she was out of sight, she relaxed her posture and slapped her face to make sure she sees all that precious stuff right. Turns out, gems, gold and silk didn't disappear so, it must be true then..

Once the ywere alone, the mint adventurere got out of her gown and laid it aside, opting to stay comfortable instead. At first, she occupied herself with getting to know the layout and decor, musing aloud how to even describe it in her letter back home. Howeve, her mind didn't stay calm for long. Somewhere around... 4, if that clock even worked right, she started pacing around, and sitting in a chair, thinking, in turns, as she tried to think of a way to get their stuff back. Natural stayed awfully quiet until the meal, even though it didn't seem like seven to her. It seemed... later but, she was never really great with exact time.

The doorbell rang and Peony excused herelf, leving her companion to grab the meal. With a long sigh, she walked towards the doors and opened them, donning up her act of upper class. thankfully the stallion didn't ask for anything and just offered the meal on a nice trolley. As he went out, Natural sat by the elegant table and waited for Peony.

"I'll try to get the wagon back. Have to if we're to leave this island at all. It will be dangerous so, stay here till I come back. Or try to get home on your own from the morning, we both know it's not guaranteed success... I just hope thay're as dumb as they write." The mint mare mused as she ate, still at odds with whatthe clock was telling her. But,since it was still early, taking a shower second didn't seem like an issue. she even shrugged as Peony told her she's going downstairs to talk with the owner some. Maybe she was making a plan B already? Natural couldn't blame her, this whole thing was risky as a stroll across Hollow Shades at night. Still, a shower proved somewhat calming, brief as the effect would be anyway. After toweling and drying out as much as possible, the mare walked out of the bathroom, and decided to take a look from he balcony for a change. And try to make heads and tailsof where exactly she was in that maze of a city...

The air was cool, not evening cool but, night cool.The streets seemed to be empty and there weren't as many lights on in the windows as she would expect. Still, the Docks, where are they? Peering out, Natural noticedthe sea, and followed the roofs with her eyes till she saw some large, bulky buildings and cranes - these must be the Docks! Good. Just as she was about o turn around, a snall detail took her attention. A clock tower, it said...

"Oh no you didn't." - she cursed aloud as her head spun back and forth between the room clock and the clock tower. It was nearly midnight! And Peony was gone too! Natural Order stomped her hoof in anger as she ran into the suite, and then out, without picking anything on the way. There was no time to dress up or pick anything remotely useful, and all plans went to Tartarus. Her rapid hoosteps cannoned thorought the corridors and she even woke up the night guard with the noise, but she just ran past and into the open street. Navigating was tricky, especially in the dark, but, she somehow made it to the right place and as she ran, she saw a bunch of goons walking away from the dock, talking. Peony wasn't with them so she ducked for cover and had to wait it out till hey were gone. already tired, more from stress than running itself, natural stormed into the dock and saw...

Peony, trying to make the old tusty wagon move. On any other dday, it would be funny to watch her try but, tonight, Natural ran towards her comapnion and made a couple circles around her, as if afraid to stop until she was sure nopony was around to knock her down. Panting, she threw the doors open and peered inside - stuff seemed intanct, and the crossbow rested proudly on it's wall mount. Only then, did she let out a long sigh and slumped her posture, then slowly walked back to Peony. "What did you even think back then? And how did you manage to get our stuff back in the first place?! They were after you!" The answer was... rather vague but, Natural decided she won't get any better anyway. So, she just strapped herself to the harness and rocked the wagon back and forth, before leaping forward to give it momentum like she usually did. "Now try and explain that wagon to mister Comfort... or why we left in the dead of night for that matter."

They reached back to the stable, but, since it was basically shut forthe night, Natural just parked her wagon on the grounds and jotted a note it belonged to the mares from the royal suite,and it shoud not be disturbed. Saving up paper and charcoal to make impromptu ink has it's benefits, it seems. Sneaking pastthe sleeping guard was no issue whatsoever, and the duet finally reached their room. Natural set the clock back right and gave peony a disapproving look a she did so, before they finally decided to get some well deserved rest.

Morning was somewhat hectic - for once, Natural didn't wake at sunrise, maybe from all the stress from pervious night. Soon afet eight, there was a ring totheir door and a bellhop asked for their breakfast wishes, as well as with some clothing as promised.Natural decided to wear a much simpler outfit from said selection, a chocolate brown dress with some rose motifs on it. Still, she wondered how to compromise style with the wagon's harness... There were some questions about that random wagon that came out of nowhere but, thankfully, Peony managed to make some plausible excuse for it and paid in full before they departed to get their transport back to mainand Equestria.Natural was glad to be off from the Griffish Isles but, at the same time, wondered how exactly did they get their stuff back so easily.

For now, she had to brace for a long sea trip, and she had mixed feelings about it - being confined to it's hull, however roomy it may be, felt too limiting for her free roaming spirit.

[Nightmare Season 617]

@Raven Rawne

As Natural circled around her, she felt like she was going to yell at her. However, she first went to inspect the inside of the wagon. This gave Peony the chance to get out of the harness. As soon as she returned, she asked her how she did it. "Well love, I did not wish to see you get injured, and I proposed a deal they could not refuse." That was all she said before they headed back to the stables.

Along the way, Natural asked how they were going to explain the wagon bit to the owner. Peony spent the rest of the walk back to try and come up with something. The place was quiet when they got back, Except for a receptionist, no other pony was around. The two went back up to their rooms. Almost as soon as Natural got inside, she went to fix the clock back to its proper time giving Peony a stare. Peony lowered her head in shame and apologized. For now however, it was best to go to bed.

Morning came with a ring at the door. Peony woke up from that and she looked as Natural answered the door. Breakfast orders. As they waited for their hot meal, the two chose a dress each to wear from a selection that was delivered. After the two ate, they figured they should get to the docks to catch their ship on time. Peony stopped at the counter to pay them for their stay and meals. The mare at the desk asked if the wagon -was- theirs. "The wagon is indeed yes. I figured I will attempt to get it fixed up properly for my friend here who likes to travel." So she really didn't lie per say.

Once they reached the docks, the ship they would be taking had started to load the passengers and their belongings. Natural was waved along to get their wagon inside of the cargohold and strap it down to prevent it rocking on the seas. Peony was escorted to the luxury rooms where they would be staying the next few days. Natural was then escorted after her wagon was secured in the lower deck.

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@Nightmare Season

The earth pony adventurer triple checked every strap that held her little home in place, and only then did she kingly leave the hold and reach the cabin she and Peony shared. But almost immediately after unpacking and taking a look on the cabin, she vacated the premises to spend some time on the sun deck, as during their previous sea trip. They were looking at 3-4 days of sea travel on this steam ship, and even though weather was supposed to be good, there was always this random element, so far from civilisation and weather pegasi to keep an eye on things. Maybe that's why they had a few on board?

Natural order spent as much time outside as she reasonably could during the trip. Mainly because she didn't like being indoors for too long. Although this time, she got lucky - there was another pony, who seemed to share he sentiment. Bright Skies was a journalist for some nature magazine Natural never heard of, and she had a habit of keeping a bulky camera on hoof but, hey hit off as aquaintances as soon as they deided to talk, rather than avoid each other on the sun deck. The other mare was on the Griffish Isles to write an article on local birds, and they both exchanged their observations and experiences on wandering in the wild all over Equestria. Maybe that was the reason this particular trip went so fast to her. As Natural and Peony were leaving the port to find a train to Canterlot, Bright stayed in Fillydelphia. Luckily, there was one in the evening, so they didn't have to buy a hotel room. They would reach Canterlot on Sunday, another three days later. Natural wasn't shure whether to feel good because they will be over with their pursuit, or sad because Peony was basically agreeing to marry that mad stallion. Truth be told, she leaned to the latter.

[Nightmare Season 617]

@Raven Rawne

Natural spent most of her time on the ship out on the deck. This was fine with Peony, mostly because she was depressed with the future. Peony mostly just stayed in their cabin and laid around. For her, the time seemed to go by to fast. The end of this trip would see her promise to wed.

Once the ship arrived at the port of Fillydelphia, the two gathered their things and Natural pulled the wagon out of the hold. The train station was relatively close to the docks, so the two managed to get their train tickets and did not have a long time to wait at least. Though, Peony wished 5he train would never come.

Peony had just enough bits left by this point she could afford a meal in the city and on the train the next day. Then the day she was dreading. Peony asked Natural which place she wanted to go to for their meal. The two mares then walked a bit away from the center of the city. Peony just followed Natural to a place she knew of just outside of the city.

Once the two ate a simple hay burger, (which was actually pretty good to Peony) they headed back to the train station and waited for the train. The train arrived on time to the dismay of Peony. The two got the wagon loaded up on a flat bed train car and then proceeded to their coach. A day more and they will be back in Canterlot.

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@Nightmare Season

The train trip was calm an uneventful, which counted as a good thing these days for the mint adventurer. Although, being confined to another box for a period of time didn't sit too well with her. Not to mention, now that she couldn't really roam around, Naural Order had a good look on just how distressed Peony seemed over returning to Canterlot and, quite frankly, it was contagious. Tven staring out the window at Equestrian wildlands and fields the train cut through didn't do much help to lift the mood... Natural Order was seriously starting to worry what awaits them on the end station, mostly for her employer's sake - she could probably walk away from it empty hooved and live as she did but, promises are promises!

It was early evening and the sky was painted orange from the setting Sun as they reached Canterlot. First the slow, adorous climb of the steel beast around the mountain, followed by, supposedely, graceful arrival on the Canterlot Central train station. To the earth pony, it was just hissing steam and grumbling metal in her years, along with loud industrial noises and all the commotion of a bustling city assaulting their train car. Visibly reluctant, she rolled off the seat on her hooves, stretched her back after the long ride, and nodded silently at her employer to head out. They will have t reach the back of te train to recover the wagon, and cut through the streams of second and thord class passengers leaving the train.

As expected, the amount of ponies and other creatures - Natural could see a few griffons towering above other passengers as they left the train - was sufficient to pose an obstacle to reach the train's other end. But that wouldn't discourage the mare, as she kept Peony close on her tail. Better get going and be done with whatever awaited them in this city... Although, one thing caught her attentin as they waded through the crowd - the station seemed... decorated? Not just normally ornate as it was, with marbles and everything they could plaster to a wall that looked fancy and expensive but, decorated, with ribbons and flowers, as if expecting an important guest. A slight shiver of a possible realisation ran down her spine as natural Order glanced behind to Peony.

...except she wasn't there.

Looking around, frantically so, Natural Order couldn't see her employre no matter what. the crowd started to thin out and she was... gone! Cursing her luck and a certain stallion she wouldn't bring herself to call by name, she ran to get her wagon and hopefully, find some clues onto where Peony was. If she left the wagon on the train, it would be effectively lost to the beourocracy and so on, and she would never allow it!

Only once the small wagon was back in her owner's hooves, did she park it someplace on the side and run up to the station lobby. The ribbons and flowers were everywhere, whih made her feel sick at the sheer wasteful expense but this wasn'tthe time to ponder over it - there was a red carpet laid on the marble floor, leading to a side entrance for first class passagers so they can get to their fancy carriages as soon as possible, and it was the last straw to convice natural what exacly happened. Some wel built "security" ponies were at the doors so trying to get through them would be a lost cause, and Peony was probably "escorted" away already... With a stom of futile anger, Natural turned back for her wagon.

As she looked inside her tiny home to check everything was okay and secured, one object caught attention of the frustrated and saddenned mare. She walked inside and closed the doors, then sat on the floor beside a crate, and on top of it, was the strapped pot with the Flower. With a sigh, natural spoke up, quietly. "hey, I don't know if you're listening or not, but, seems like that bastard took Peony again. So I gotta ask, do you know a way to her house? I was there, once, but I've no idea how to reach it from here." She ran a hoof over her short mane and sighed again. "At worst I could just give you back to her, along with all her stuff..." That strange voice pierced through her head and the mare winced at the alien sensation, but, nodded silently and got up to walk where she was instructed to. As she was about to close the doors behind her, she looked back at the plant and nodded. "Thanks." She then proceeded to walk the wide streets of the capital city, until she finally reached her goal.

There it was, that awful carriage, parked by the entrance to Peony's house, err, mansion. The sheer size of the thing, and all for a single family. Natural Order parked behind the corner, out of sight, and now peered through an old looking glass to assess the situation. It was dark, but, the lights were lit inside, and she saw silhouettes in what she guessed to be a dining hall or something. Also, quite a few of well dressed, but still gruff looking stallions outside. Apparently, that delusional freak was puffing his chest about "rescuing" the daughter of the house from mortal danger of the real world outside from their little, snobby world. She listenedto the Flower as it relayed what it could gather, and then folded her looking glass and went back tothe wagon. "Welp, seems like we're outa luck tonight. I'll come tomorrow and we'll see if she's still here, then try and meet her somehow. Let's head someplace I won't be suspected as a burglar..." She reluctantly walked out of the rich disctrict and thought for a place to park her house for the night.

[Nightmare Season 617]

@Raven Rawne

Peony mostly sat by the window looking out at the passing landscape. Drawing ever closer to the end of the tracks where she will agree to surrender her life over. Natural must have noticed too, for she did not really talked either. The last leg was the hardest for the mare. Seeing Canterlot up on the mountain. She was almost home. And she had a feeling that Richly would probably already be there.

The train rolled into the station. The first thing she saw was the decorations. Her heart dropped, he was there after all. As the two mares climbed out, Natural tried to push her way to the back of the train to retrieve her wagon. As Peony attempted to follow, she heard it. "Oh my dear rose of the garden." It was him. Peony was pulled out of the crowed and found herself standing at the red carpet. At the other end, Richly in his finest cloths.

"It is so grand to once again be within your presence my love. Once I got word of your desires, I grabbed the first Pegasus' carriage I could get and came back here as fast as the winds could carry me." Already Peony felt sick to her stomach. Looking around she noticed his hired help standing around. There was no escape this time. So all she could do was walk forward to her future husband. "Flower dear, might you be a doll and escort Natural to my place please? The stallion came to get me and I can't get to you." Peony said aloud in her head, hoping Flower was close enough to her to hear her.

Peony was escorted outside to her ride. There waiting for the couple was a luxurious carriage white with gold trimming. The footman aided her to climb inside followed by Richly. "Everyone is waiting back at your place my love. All waiting for the good news about us." He said grinning as big as he could. Now she had something else she was not looking forward to, her parents.

As Natural climbed inside her mobile home, she asked Flower where to go. "Yes, That puffed up stallion grabbed her. She had asked me to escort you to her before she got to far. Sorry for the hassle, but even I don't like that stallion." It then gave detailed instructions on how to get there. Mostly saying that is how Peony directed it on their few times to and from the station. For a flower can't see after all. However, luckily the two did managed to get to her place.

As Peony and Richly pulled up to the front door, several high class ponies were there waiting to see the couple into the home. Her parents were standing at the doorway. They did put on a good act to not seem to angry, not just yet anyways. Richly climbed out first and offered his hoof to his soon to be future fiance. She did take it to keep up appearances and was helped down and across the way to bring her face to face with her parents.

"I see you have finally decided to return daughter from your escapades?" Her father spoke up, but not load enough so the guests could hear. Her mother on the other hand went up and hugged her. "Oh hush now dear. Are li'le filly is home and we art to be happy. After all, such wonderf'l news she brings." Peony was escorted to the ballroom where the rest of the guests started to follow and pour in. Several of Peony's acquaintances came up to get the -dirt- on where she went and was up to.

The sound of a glass being tapped on rang out across the room and every pony went silent. "Oh dear guests, what joy it brings us to have you all grace us with your presence this evening. For this evening our dear flower that was taken away from us has finally returned. And I have recieved news of great joy that she brings us this day." Richly announced then motioned for Peony to come up beside him. She simply swallowed and proceeded up to him. She now had the floor and every pony was listening to what she had to say. She dreaded what she was about to say.

"Hello dear friends. I would like to announce some big news. I have decided that after I complete a task I set out on, I will return and extend my hoof in marriage to Richly Fabulous and have our two houses combine." The whole room erupted into cheer and clapping. Except for her parents and Richly who only pretended to be happy. What did she mean after she finishes. Richly pulled out a golden wedding ring and slipped it onto his fiancee's horn. She then heard Flower outside talking to her. "Hey friend, we are outside of the gates. Need us to rush in and save you?" "No Flower, I have already announced I will wed him after we are done gett'n the Eternal Bloom. Can you two come back in the morning please?"

Flower relayed the message to Natural and the two left the mansion. After the party settled down and the guests started to leave, she was pulled aside to find out exactly what she meant by finishing her task first. She explained to them she wanted certain flowers for her garden first before she settled down. Of course Richly offered to hire ponies to retrieve them for her. But she wanted to do this herself. Mostly, because she did not want them to learn about the eternal bloom. And she will marry him if he allowed her to do that. Her parents complained some, but in the end, as long as she promises to wed, they will allow it. But they will bring the two of them to the palace to make a vow in front of the Princess.

She went to bed soon after. She had a hard time sleeping though. Going in front of the princess and making the vow means she will not be able to break it. It will be set in stone after tomorrow. But she hopped Natural and Flower would come in the morning so they too could come with her.

Elsewhere in the palace, Celestia walked into a room with a few ponies. One being the old mare from the lake where Peony and Natural had visited and turned back. "Did you hear? Two ponies are looking for the flowers to unlock the Eternal Bloom?" Celestia Simply nodded to them.

 

 

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@Nightmare Season

The mint mare led her wagon, albeit erratically, out of the Upper Canterlot and into the less well off, yet still relatively rich districts. She thought for a good spot to spend the night, since she rarely visited the capital and mostly kept to the cheaper areas to rest her head. Still, a dead end narrow street by some warehouses should suffice this time. 

She was woken up by that damnable plant, urging her to get going already as Celestia's Sun broke into the small space. Reluctantly, she obliged and backtracked her steps to Peony's mansion. By the look of the clocks on the buildings, she made it around eight and casually parked on the street behind the corner, so she wasn't seen from Peony's place Flower would need to tell her whether she was needed or not, though, as the grounds were already getting somewhat busy with ponies coming and going for some reason. The awful carriage was absent, however.