private (FoE) Old Friend Paths

[Aerodynas 439]

@@notten1,@@Charcoal Embers,

It wasn't hard to ignore the two mares, knowing that what they spoke of was likely about feelings. What a pile a pony crap...Let them fall into their little love game but leave me out of it. I have better things to base my attention on. I knew they were talking about me with their little looks and snickers, only aggravating me further in how childish they acted. With a frustrated snort, I couldn't help but kick a little of the dirt below my hooves as I walked. I hated being made fun of...

Not long after their chatter, I saw the small shack along with Line, my hair standing up in readiment for anything. Who knew what was in that building or around it. To my astonishment though, my caravan leader trotted right up to it and in it without a second glance. "Stupid..." I mumbled to myself before moving closer to Tom and looking around to survey the landscape in case of trouble. Odd that it was as peaceful as it was. It was hard to ignore the brightly colored mare but she was of no real concern to me...as long as she didn't speak. 

The sound of the radio startled me ever so slightly but it immediately announced that she was okay and possibly even horsing around in the small shack. What a joke... As soon as Line burst out, barking orders, I merely looked to her like she was stupid. "If I wanted it, you would have taken it. Let your mare go in there. I'll stay out here," I returned in response before getting on the opposite side of Tom to avoid any more confrontation with Line.

Edited April 18, 2014 by Aerodynas

[Charcoal Embers 169]

@@Aerodynas, @@notten1,

 

I chuckled silently at what the stallion has said to Line. He was really a grumpy one. No wonder he doesn't have a mare to be with him. He is way to grumpy for any mare to even want to be with him. Or maybe he is grumpy because he doesn't have a mare. Or maybe he is gay and can't find another gay stallion to be with. Oh well, guess that's a question to ask another day. For now, let's check out that shack.

 

"Oh well, guess I had better go in on my own." I said as I walked to the shack and walk inside. Just simply by looking I can tell that this place had been rummaged through, and by a young mare who was having a lot of fun looking around with no help or protection. I chuckle as I begin looking around, but I stop when I notice a chest in the back corner of the shack. It looked... new. Definitely not something that belonged in a run down, old shack. I walked towards it curiously and tried to open it. Locked. "Dammit." I mumble to myself before pulling out a bobby pin and a screwdriver. I definitely wasn't the best when it came to picking locks, but I at least knew how it worked and how to do it.

 

It was a very easy lock to pick the lock. Definitely a lock that was not really guarding anything important. I opened up the trunk and everything seemed to happen at once. When I opened the trunk I saw two or three bottles of something, but wasn't able to get a good look at what they were before suddenly a metal beam swings down from the ceiling and slams into the back of my head, knocking me out and busting my head open, my blood running down my coat and into the trunk onto the bottles.

[notten1 18]

Well, I hope she does it. I saw her walk into the shack hurridely. Well, I hope she get's those bottles of stuff, hopefully she would get it out. I was about to talk to Caesim when I was freaked out, by a large clunk sound in the Shack. "Oh Shit!" I immediatly Galloped into the shack. It was horrid, I saw her on the floor, bleeding, and knocked out. "Uh.. Uh..." I felt dizzy, I knew I did something wrong. But she did this for me? Anyways, I grabbed her with my levitated my friend onto the bed in the corner and ran outside to Tom. I grabbed my Alcohol, and my extra rags. I yelled at Caesim, "Get here now! We've got injured!" I galloped back inside. I then turned her over, and brushed off her hair. I saw the red liquid turn into something that resembled that of Slime. I started to put Alcohol into a rag and started to wash off the blood. I don't know jack about Medicine, but I know that I need to clean the wound. "Get over here, See if you can do anything!"

[Aerodynas 439]

@@notten1,@@Charcoal Embers,

It was at the same time Line heard the clunk that I did too with the flick of an ear. Fucking fantastic...there was a trap. Of course there was a trap. I watched line sprint inside the shack, only walking up to it smugly as the mare rushed back and forth. "I'm coming," I sighed before entering the shack. Thankfully, Line had already place Caprisha on the bed while cleaning the wound to the best of her ability. At least she wasn't totally incompetent. "I would say leave her if it was mortal but just from looking from here, I can patch her up fine," I stated before proceeding to the bedside and lightly pushing Line out of the way. Smartly, I inspected the wound site, shaking my head before looking to the sprung trap. "She only took a small hit from the trap, probably starting to bend forward as it hit her." Talking as I worked was normal, usually calming everypony too. I then brushed back the hair that was in the way of the wound took one of the clean cloths and alcohol, holding it against the wound with a little pressure. "A minor break in her skin with some bruising," I stated before reaching to my bags before bringing forth a small plastic bag with a white powder in it.

Quickly, I placed the powdered substance on the bleeding wound and tore a sleeve off my jacket. Expertly, I wrapped it around her head in a somewhat tight manner after I had place one of the alcohol covered cloths over the powder covered wound. I then leaned over and opened one of her eyelids inspectingly before placing an ear up against her back then her chest. With a sigh, I then stepped away and looked to Line boredly. "She'll be fine. Little to no head trauma. Give her a night or so." I didn't like my verdict but...what had to be done, had to be done.

[notten1 18]

"Ok, we need to set up camp. We need to let her rest. Can you bring Tom and Hunker down?" I really wanted to make this time be well spent resting. "Hey Caesim, would ya wanna stay outside and watch?" 

 

After awhile, Caesim and I put our selves down and set up a small hotplate with some water incase she needed it. After everything was set, Caesim was Sitting outside doing guard duty and I... Well, I don't exactly want to sleep on the ground when there's a perfectly good bed there for me to sleep on. So I climbed on and made myself comfy. But, boy, was that bed tight, I had to squish into Caprisha. Anyways, I slept the night, however, it was weird how fast I went to sleep, and how calmly.

 

 

----------------------------------------------------START-------OF--------DAY----------------------------------------------------------------

[Charcoal Embers 169]

@@notten1,

 

My head hurt like hell. It felt like it was being squeezed by a super mutant while he was drunk on scotch. I woke up with my head throbbing and a oddly pleasant feeling. I didn't want to open my eyes, nor was it easy to do anyway. But after a while I did manage to pry them open to look at the shack around me. Then my eyes were drawn to something else.

 

Line was laying in the same bed as me. Not only that, but she had some blood on her hooves. What the heck happened?! Why was there so much blood? Caprisha grabbed Line's shoulders and began shaking Line awake, needing an explanation.

[notten1 18]

@@Aerodynas  @@Charcoal Embers

 

Ah, I had a nice sleep, the nice warm day in a field, with a Brahmin Caravan, a Mare and Stallion walking next eacho- I all of a sudden felt a jerking motion from something outside the dream. Thren when I got my bearings, while being pushed, might I say. "W-what's wrong?" My eyes adjusted, but myself being very groggy, "Oh! Hay! You're awake!" Immediatly gave her a warm hug, I felt good inside, now all I need to do is to get some food in us. Of Course we have some on us, but we have to kill critters on the field in order for those supplies to be useful. "You want to know what happened? You opened that box and you took a hit for me, that's what happened" I then climbed off the bed and onto the dirt and gravel floor of the tiny shack. I told Caprisha, and partly Caesim, "I'm gonna go out to get some food, wait here 'til I come back. Don't worry I won't be long" I walked out the door, well more of a curtain, to the roads. It was as dull as usual, with Grey clouds 24/7. Anyhoof, I need to find something, like a RadRoach or something. When I was about to walk more, I spotted Caesim sitting half awake near the door. I smirked, he looked so innocent like that. I continued to walk away. Amazingly 10 minutes from the Shack I found something. I found MoleRats near a box on the floor. I immediatly took aim with my Hunting Rifle and I started to make aim for a 2-in-1 kill. *BANG* I got one, but there's another that is injured. I came over and smashed the injured MoleRat's Head, just enough to kill it. I then started to walk back with the MoleRats by my side, then I heard *Click Click*. I saw behind me a small malnutritioned Colt. He held a pump-shotgun at my face with his Teeth, which is itself is an acheivement for a Small Colt Earth Pony. "D-Don't go an-anywhere, Lady" Said sheepishly, I was shocked by this, especially since I remember having bad times as a filly. I replied simply saying, "Are you hungry, little one?" The Colt nodded Slowly yes, probably because of the shotgun's weight. "Would you want to eat this?" He nodded yes, I was again reminded of my past, Why does my brain do that! "Well, maybe we can share back at where I'm staying at ok?" He just weakly walked, as hard it was already for him to. He barely had muscle or Fat. He was sad to look at, I just wish this would help him. As we walked back to the Shack, I noticed the Colt hid behind my back as he saw Caesim. 

Edited April 18, 2014 by notten1

[Aerodynas 439]

@@notten1,@@Charcoal Embers,

I hardly noticed Line leave in his partial slumber, awaking slightly as the door shut. Must be going out for food...alone...The thoughts of reconsidering the terms of my job description began filling my head again as I shook it aw of the mare's partial stupidity. I watched her as far as I could until she disappeared. With a sigh, my hooves then carried me inside the shack, going over to one of the whiskey bottles and taking a quick swig. It was very refreshing in the sense of waking me up, putrid as it was. Whiskey was my favorite beverage after all. My eyes never once glanced at Caprisha though, leaving just as soon as I had entered.

 

After a few minutes of returning outdoors, I caught a glimpse of two figures on the horizon. Two? Immediately, I drew my sword with a levitation spell and readied it warning until I realized one of the figures to be Line...but the other? A colt? Malnourished at that. He seemed harmless enough, especially since he was accompanying a very harmless mare in its own factor...still...

 

Suddenly, a thought pierced through my brain like fire, setting my eyes ablaze in a glare. I met the two, stopping about 10 yards from them and holding out the point of my weapon dangerously in the direction of the colt. "Who comes with you, Line? Speak fast," I uttered, cautiously eyeing the colt with fierce intention.

[notten1 18]

@Aerodynas

 

I was again met with this guard and his blade. "Ease up, Caesim, I'm just helpin' this Colt get some food in 'im, that's all, if that's what's you're askin'" I looked back at the Colt, shaking so much from the nervousness that he fell to the ground. "We can help him, that's why I joined this job, and that's how I gained through the ranks. I didn't want to be a pony setting it all up, I wanted to see the smiles on their faces when we bring them the things they need to live." I then continued walking past him and next to the Shack. I then started to make a small fire, enough to cook the meats. I then took off a Knife that was on Tom and started to cut the meats apart of the MoleRats. When I was done with one, I noticed that Caesim would still be mad inside and wanting to put his anger forth. "Caesim, would you be a dear if you'd do this one?" I then left the Colt at the small fire, next to the one MoleRat Carcass on a strut of Twigs. I then went into the Shack, then again. I thought to myself, now let's talk about that drink of mine.

[Aerodynas 439]

@@notten1, 

Of course she'd leave me here to do the rest, but I wouldn't complain. Molerat would do good for a morning meal, minus the fact that it would have to be shared with the colt. So many ponies were on this caravan that weren't supposed to be. It just made things more complicated. At least Line left me alone with the colt and the cooking meat.

 

I sat close to the fire and watched it's flames flicker in its consumption of the once living flesh. I knew how it felt once, feeling the need to consume all in it's hate of its own life. Breaking my brief trance, I looked over to the colt, thin and pale as he was with nothing but a frown on his face. I really scared him...I could see it in his body language as though he was ready to run away as soon as I even would move to him. Celestia forgive me...

 

Briefly, I took the knife, watching the colt out of the corner of my eye tremble in fear as I held it. Then, with a small cut of the meat towards the shoulder I held the juicy flesh of nourishment. I really hope those others don't see this..."Calm down, little one...I promise, there is nothing to fear in me..." I said softly, very uncharacteristic of myself. "I know how you feel: lost, scared, alone...wondering how you were going to make it. You're lucky you know?...to be found by that mare...She has a uniqueness you wouldn't find anywhere else." At that point, I did the strangest thing...though, I knew why. Forgiveness...and redemption...Those were what drove my hoof. "Please, do not be afraid." I then stood to my hooves with the crisp, lightly cooked meat in my hoof before going over very slowly and sitting down right next to the young colt. I then scooted closer to him, my flank touching his to show my compassion and comfort to him. 

 

"I would like you to try the first bite," I told him, trying my best to sound gentle, as difficult as it was for me. Seeing his mouth water was good enough for me as I set the slab of meat in his little hooves. "The shoulder is the most tender but you have to cut it at the perfect time to make it delicious. Lucky you, you got it right on time." In my eyes, it was very awkward to do what I was doing, reaching my hoof around to rub the young colt's back in comfort to encourage him to go ahead. I had seen too many of his age fall in the wasteland...too much of their blood was split because of my own doing. Celestia forgive me..."I won't tell the other two, so don't worry. We'll keep this part between just you and I."

Edited April 18, 2014 by Aerodynas

[Charcoal Embers 169]

@@notten1,

 

((Sorry, have to leave in a sec so this is going to be short.))

 

I simply nod slowly when I said that she was going out to get some food. I still had a few questions, but unfortunately I couldn't really get any answers to them since Line was away, and the stallion wasn't talking to me. So out of bordem I layed my throbbing head down on the bed and closed my eyes, very easily falling back into a deep sleep.

[notten1 18]

I walked into the small shack, looking at Caprisha softly. I walked over to her, sitting on her bed. I then couldn't think about anything else other than what's in this room. I then rubbed her back, trying to get her awake. I talked in a soothing tone, "Hey... I want to say thank you. Remember those drinks you found?" I waited for a little for effect, "Maybe we can share, you know to help both of us?" I winked and Levitated some bottles of Whiskey that she found. I popped the lid from some. "You're gonna like me like this, Caprisha..."

 

==========================================================================================

The Colt:

As the Colt was sitting next to the Stallion that he barely knew the name of, He was starting to eat the food that he has given him. He didn't know how to say thank you or can hold himself. He was just salivating and just started to chew down on the smaller peices. He didn't care that it was someone elses, just so that he lived. It was so filling to him, the only meal he had in a week. He was about to die, and he was saved by a Mare, and a Stallion. He then swallowed a few chunks and said with a squeamish, croaky voice, "Who are you, Mister?" He then remembered the Stallion about to attack her before and started to think about it happening to him again, but remembered again that he said that he's not one to worry about, He then asked again, in a more scared voice, "A-are you going to hurt me?"

Edited April 19, 2014 by notten1

[Aerodynas 439]

@@notten1,

I watched the young colt eat the meal, still softly rubbing his back to attempt to comfort him. It pleased me that he was at least somewhat comfortable to my presence even if I didn't know why. I then looked back to the fire, it's flame flickering and snapping to the wood at which it consumed. "I am Caiesm, or at least that's what I grew up knowing my name to be," I stated basically, keeping my ear's attention for the sound of one of the mares reappearing outside. It was at that point that I noticed the foal's fear, looking over to him while trying to soften my fierce eyes. "I wouldn't lay a harmful hoof on you. Besides, you'd likely beat me up in a fight," I teased in an attempt to brighten his mood.

[notten1 18]

The Colt:

He then felt calm as the Stallion he now knows as Caiesm. "Mr. Caiesm, Why are you here" As he Continued to eat the Meat. He wanted to know why they were here and why they saved him. He began to lean into Caiesm's Flank and started to listen as a student or a Grandchild does. "Why?"

[Aerodynas 439]

@@notten1,

I flinched a little as the young colt leaned in, the slight affection not sitting well within my mind. I bit my lip to try and control my inner grief and anger before looking back to the colt. "It's just Caiesm..." I corrected before sighing and turning to the fire. "My job is to see those two ponies in there to the next destination in a town not too far from here. Apparently, the one who 'saved' you is wanting to help the ponies there with her supplies." It still didn't make much sense to me but I, once again, was only here for the caps... 

[notten1 18]

The Colt:
"D-Do you want to help other ponies too, Mis- I mean Caiesm?" He was starting to want to know what they are doing at these place. "Do you want to?" He was starting to feel the cold of night bite into his coat as the night began to set on the Wasteland. The Meat in his Hooves nearly done, but his brain still urged for more. He wanted to know why he was working a pony that was helping others, but he didn't want to say why he was part of her enturouge.

[Aerodynas 439]

@@notten1,

My gaze returned to him, juggling his innocent question in my head before answering him with the best I could. "Maybe...but also maybe not..." I said with great ponderance. I quickly recognized that the colt was getting cold as another memory passed through my head. I remembered myself, trying to find warmth, food, somepony to save me and give me compassion...That was all I wanted. Instead, a different wish was granted: my hate. It saddened me...greatly.

 

Suddenly I place another hoof on his chest and lifted the colt up and into my lap, allowing him the warmth of myself against him. For a second, I paused, my brain trying to decipher whether or not to enjoy the compassion I was giving him or despise it. With a small clearing of my throat, I looked to the young colt in my lap. "What is your name?"

[notten1 18]

The Colt:

The colt sat there, on this Stallions Warm Lap. He thought of the things he has said, sucking them as a Sponge would. Then he heard him ask for a name, and his mind stopped. He. He didn't know what his name was. He's never been given one, he at least didn't remember one. "Uh, Eh... I-I don't know, I don't remember getting a name. I never really had parents, they were killed by scary, bloody ponies. I ran away, I never ate for awhile. I just ate food. I didn't in a long time, Caiesm..." The Colt began to Yawn, he started to get comfy in the Harmonic Crackle of the fire. He still wanted to learn though

[Aerodynas 439]

@@notten1,

...So he does have a somewhat similar past...I pet the young colts mane for a moment before wrapping my large hooves around him warmly, using my magic to lift the meat off the fire and over on a rock. "Can't allow you to have no name..." I mentioned while looking into the fire, remembering once again how I had received mine..."Perhaps Leaf...yes, Leaf will do..." Caiesm nodded while looking into the fire. "It's a name of hope...I...I have never seen a leaf in my life..."

[Charcoal Embers 169]

@@notten1,

 

With how I had somehow got to sleep so quickly my sleep was kind of rough. I didn't have any dreams, but I moved around a lot in my sleep. And was somehow half awake while I slept. So I was sleeping, yet was fully aware of my surroundings. So when Line walked in I knew she was there, but did not move or do anything as I was still asleep. When she rubbed my back it felt very comforting, though also was kind of strange.

 

My eyes slowly opened up and I began moving my body around as I stretched, though a slight headache suddenly appeared, causing me to flinch. I turned my body around to face Line. I gave her a slight smile as I stood up. Her words didn't really concern me, though my ears perked up a bit at the mention of alcohol. I don't quite remember when I had found any alcohol, but whiskey was still whiskey.

 

I place all my hooves on the floor and grin at Line. "Well now, it is about time we had a good drink. This trip hasn't exactly gone as I had hoped, but some of this whiskey would definitly help with it. Though, are you sure the two of us should drink all of this? Getting drunk is fun and all, but we don't exactly want to get so drunk that we have to practically be carried by that stallion out there."

[notten1 18]

@@Aerodynas

 

"Well, ya do know that I know what ya can take, I think. An' I can take it." I started to give her a bottle of Whiskey, and opened the Small Cork that was on the bottle. "Ya know, I gotta thank you for giving me this." I started to drink the Whiskey, almost half the bottle. I felt both myself getting dizzy and looser than usual. Feeling my pains slipping away, and myself wanting my deepest desires. I felt... Good, for a change. I felt as if... I wasn't in an apocolyse. I felt as if I was in a normal world, and I still wanted to bring cheer to it. "So, Caprisha, what brings ya 'ere. Are you here for me? Or my trip?"

 

==========================================================================================

@@Charcoal Embers

 

The Colt:

"L-Leaf?" The Colt thought, trying to get to know himself as a Colt named Leaf. "I'm Leaf?" He said, to get it in his head. "I'm Leaf?" In a more joyful manner, and because knowing he has a name. "I'm Leaf?!" He started to jump up and got excited. He started to Hug Caiesm, "Thank you so much, Caiesm!"

Edited April 19, 2014 by notten1

[Aerodynas 439]

@@notten1,

My pupils got small followed by my ears lowering to the burst of excitement through the once tired and weak colt. As Leaf hugged me, I felt extremely uncomfortable, as though my body wouldn't accept any sort of compassion given to it. Quickly, I cleared my throat and patted him on the back until he finally let go. "Er...don't get used to it, Leaf...er...uh...it's a good name...Leaf..." Caiesm stuttered with a nervous sigh. He was pushing himself to hard to be kind to this colt.

[Charcoal Embers 169]

@@notten1,

 

I giggled at Line's words before pulling the cork off my bottle of whiskey with my magic. I wanted to be able to savor the taste and have this bottle last longer, so I lifted the bottle up in the orange glow of my magic and just had a small drink, not taking much more than a mouthful before letting it float beside me as I felt the warm liquid run down into my stomach to give me a very warm feeling that began spreading out throughout my body.

 

I let the feeling set for a moment before looking back at Line with a smile on my face. "I guess it all depends. When I first came down to the caravan company I was just looking for somepony to help me get down to Tenpony Tower. But then again, this is quite the interesting group. We have you, who is a cute mare who might be a bit late to trust, but definitely seems to know her guns. And her alcohol." I said with a giggle and another drink of my whiskey.

 

"And then we have Mr. Grumpy pants outside. Now, there are two thing I wish with him. One, I wish he was a mare. Because he is pretty hot. And B, I wish he would lighten up a bit. But who knows. Maybe we just need to get a bit of alcohol in him to get him to loosen up. I know it helps me unwind, and it is quite obvious that you are getting more comfortable with some of that whiskey inside of you."

[notten1 18]

I heard her say those words, but I don't know if it was the alcohol in my system or that she was drunk, but her words sounded silky in my ears. Also feeling myself blush, not wanting to hide it now. "So, I wondered what a dazzlin' of a mare was doing in here" I gave a good natured laugh. She's startin' to show a side on her, a funny one. I also started to melt inside, the bars that keep me in this place. "Hey, so..." I started to eye up, leaning onto the bed, still drinking somehow, "Whatcha you wanna do? Wit' me I mean. I've seen you've been sad when I slipped up at the Post" I looked at her, winking, and said in a fun voice, "Whatcha want from me?" 

 

==========================================================================================================

The Colt: Leaf

He was happy, but all of a sudden tired again. It may be the Night tightening it's grip on the wasteland. He started to yawn again, leaned in on Caiesm, and said, "Thank you, Caiesm, thank you for everything. You should act like this to your marefriend..." He then doozed off into sleep mid-sentence. He then had a deep sleep. The deepest sleep he's ever had.

Edited April 19, 2014 by notten1

[Aerodynas 439]

@@notten1,@@Charcoal Embers,

To my...? Gah! My eye twitched in frustration to the thought. He was lucky he was on my good side. As soon as Leaf fell asleep in my lap, I grumbled in trying to forget his last comment. Kids were so innocent to the cruelty of the world...and the choices of sexuality between sexes. Giving out a grunted sigh, I carefully lifted the colt up and placed him next to the sleeping brahmin, Tom before using my magic to levitate the food as I went to the metal shack. My tired eyes soon became wide once more at the sight of the two ponies drinking the alcoholic beverages together. What the?...I then sighed, trying to not make my presence known as I went to grab the other whiskey still there so that they at least wouldn't drink my share. I tried to make my way back out the shed unnoticed.