He's a proper gentleman, that man.
Zecora was a hesitant gal at heart, but most thought she was just a careful sort of zebra. Thing is, the only difference between the two is how you look while doing it. Her black and white patterned fur always set her apart from the residents of Ponyville. She never feared the curious, searching eyes occasionally. Zecora knew that being calm in times of crisis was the most important thing, and that the ponies had that in spades. When there was no time to trip over your own thoughts there were very few she'd rather have by her side than the handful of ponies she could call friend.
Zecora herself was nothing to ignore either, had a head like a needle, sharp and to the point, and it was kept sharp from daily use. Her potions and chemistry challenged her mind, kept it busy, and her meditation kept it keen. Followin' that logic Everfree was the only place that made sense for her home. Always kept her on edge, not the mention the multitude of ingredients that you couldn’t get anywhere else. Place harbored the strangest plants and animals this side of Discord’s imagination, and she was always engaged in discovering the uses of her surroundings.
‘Course, strange as those woods are, there are some things that you just don’t see in the Everfree.
She had found a new creature in her walk through the forest. An odd creature that sat like that mint colored unicorn back in town, slouched and loose, but it wore the pose much better. It seemed to fit the creature, like it had invented the perfect way to sit. The thing was all bent over, hands over eyes, body like a minotaur, but quite a lot more thin. She wondered if it was hungry, more out of curiosity than care, looked malnourished. She couldn't imagine a thin thing like that could live very long, 'specially in this forest.
It wore very brightly colored clothes, vibrant and eye-catching, meant it was new. Thing lookin’ like that wouldn’t last long. Seemed to say a lot about art, seemed to say a lot about standin’ out too. The former wasn’t important in the Everfree and the latter would get you killed. She guessed it meant a society very proud of their culture, reminded her a bit of home. But now the zebra girl figured she was looking into it a bit much, never know when the truth might end and the assumptions would begin sometimes.
The creature was sittin’ there, hummin’ away. Not without a care though. Music like what this thing was hummin’ ain’t a happy kind of song. Seemed sad, real sad. A low melancholy sound that drifted through the air, and Zecora inched closer through the underbrush, not wanting to scare the creature away, but curious what it was sayin' under its breath. Knew she had to be careful, monsters in this neck of the woods liked to catch ya by surprise.
It was a strange song, talked about home. That was somethin' that Zecora could relate too. But it bit deeper than that. Words can do that sometimes. Songs especially have that goin' for 'em. Somethin' about them talks to the soul, even when the soul doesn't wanna listen. Sometimes music makes the heart soar, this song didn't. Made Zecora homesick was all.
It seemed absorbed in the lyrics, each word crying the being’s sadness to the world. Knew the song by heart and the song knew him the same way. It was a sad song, and Zecora couldn’t help but remember to the tune. She was brought to the memories of early deaths, things she hadn’t thought about in years, it didn’t sting her like it had before, just a sad reminiscing was all they were now. Time had dulled the pain a bit, made 'em bearable.
Zecora carefully maneuvered around, wanted to see the creature face to face, have the creature see her the same way. Still might be a trap, she knew, but she would be ready if it was. You don't live in the Everfree long as she had without learnin' a few tricks. The song faded away slowly, dying away until it got caught in the throat. Zecora waited, made sure that she wasn’t frightening the sorrowful thing. Then, after it seemed to have gotten used to the idea of her being there, she spoke.
She spoke a little rhyme, got her point across, a little habit she hadn’t ever gotten over. Didn’t care to. Reminded her where she’d come from. She asked the thing what it was doin’ in the Everfree.
The thing seemed shocked as she spoke, Zecora wasn't sure if she sympathized. Maybe it hadn't heard of a zebra before, wouldn't be too big a surprise considerin'. Wasn't shocked long, just a moment really. Stood up to address her, proper as Rarity. Turned out the creature was a biped, Zecora had thought as much from the way it'd been hunched over. It folded into a deep bow in greeting, impressed Zecora a tad. She'd never seen a monster bow. Made the zebra wonder why exactly it had showed her such graciousness. As it took its next action Zecora realized what it was doing, it was seeking to make a good first impression, she decided it was probably workin' too.
Thing spoke finally, said its name was Zulf. Didn't do anythin' but make Zecora more curious. Never'd heard of a 'Zulf'. Hadn't even heard so much a passing mention in any books. Zecora was caught in a decision, the kinda trap that gets everybody sooner or later. Thing could still be dangerous, little in the Everfree wasn't, and if it hadn't been mentioned could mean no one had survived to tell its tale. But if it wasn't dangerous, it was as good as dead here, if the monsters didn't get it immediately, attrition would. Didn't matter how strong it was, monsters would keep coming. Wear it down 'til there was nothin' left.
She thought for a minute, wondered what to do. Zulf was silent all the while. Saw she was thinking and didn't wanna interrupt. She appreciated it. It occurred to her she was judging it on its looks and not on its actions. If this were a pony she woulda already started leading it back to her home. Reminded her of how the ponies had acted when she would visit the town. Saw a lot of parallels, too many of them, made her uncomfortable.
She explained to him what kinda forest they were in, what kinda monsters were here. He said he understood why she was hesitant, he probably wouldn't trust him either. Truth struck her as profound, this Zulf seemed to have more honesty and respect than she woulda ever guessed. She made her decision. Told the creature to follow as quietly as it could. Lady didn't know what she was getting into, Zulf only had a vague idea himself, still couldn't remember the whole prologue to this part of his story, knew the important bits though, enough to make him worry for the zebra.
He obliged her request, seemed to know his way around a forest. Never so much as cracked a twig. A trick and half when the forest floor was all but twigs and leaves. Zecora wondered where he'd learned it, then decided she would ask him later when there weren't any monsters around to hear. Trip was mostly uneventful, not much to talk about when you can't talk at all. Even in his obtrusive clothing Zulf moved like wind, Zecora did the same, always stayed a step ahead of him to lead the way. Wasn't long before they got back to Zecora's little house near the outskirts of the sickly wood.
She led him in, gave him some food and some water. Let him eat in peace. He thanked her again and clasped his hands together for a moment. Spoke a bit about the food in a quiet tone, thanked somethin' else for the help he'd been given, didn't seem to believe his own words though, sounded doubtful that this other thing existed at all.
Zecora left him for a moment and moved into a back room, she stored the herbs she'd found, put 'em where they went and they went where they were put. That was all she'd gone out for. Some healing roots and other things, she'd been running low. Only reason she'd left the house today. After all, someone was comin' to visit her.
She'd forgotten that part. Lady grew worried and went back to the front area, just in time to see the door open. Far to the back as she was she wasn't in plain sight. Froze stiff as the little pony walked through the door and spotted Zulf. Zecora'd forgotten all about Applebloom coming to visit, too caught up in the mysteries of Zulf to remember. Wasn't like her to forget somethin' so important.
Zulf spotted her too. Did somethin' strange then. Didn't approach her with an open palm, gave her space instead. Backed towards the wall with his hands behind his back. Nodded to her, told her Zecora was in the back. Told her he could leave if he made her uncomfortable. Seemed to know he was a stranger, acted as such. Zecora hadn't seen many ponies do that. Always wanted to greet everyone, didn't give 'em space unless the stranger scared them.
Zecora made herself known, told a short rhyme to Applebloom, got her attention. Little girl moved towards her with a smile. Said Hi. Asked about the strange thing in the room. Zecora introduced them, said his name was Zulf, said she'd found him lost in the forest. Little filly looked at Zulf then whispered something to Zecora in a low tone. Got a nod in return. With a smile she walked happily up towards Zulf and held out one of her hooves towards him, said hi to him like he was an old friend. Rumor said the Pies and the Apples were related a few generations back, Zecora wouldn't have been surprised. Both families always did seem to like making people feel at home.
Zulf shook her hoof, crouched down to eye level so she could look at him straight. Gave a proper greeting, smiled at her with a kind face. Applebloom did the same, wasn't any surprise, girl knew manners, sister'd taught her well. Gave him some kind words, he needed a few. He remember'd quite a bit, it was hard for him to forget. Even a reset couldn't clear his conscience.
Kid had carried him out of there, people he'd thought were friends had wanted him dead. Kid had picked him up and moved through the arrows. Zulf couldn't remember it all. He remembered the bastion, he remembered being back. Kid had brought him home, his real home all along. Kid had wandered off and left Zulf to his thoughts. That ended up being the worst punishment. Zulf came to the realization of how much a fool he'd been. Regretted every moment since he'd left the bastion and was glad he was back. Kept thinking about it 'til suddenly he'd found himself here.
'Course, Zulf didn't tell this to others. No point in it. They didn't need to know about his mistakes, so long as he didn't repeat them. Didn't plan to either. Decided he'd stick by his friends this time until he had solid proof against it. Mistake he'd made was bringing the Kid into it when the Kid hadn't done anything wrong. That was what Zulf regretted the most. Betrayed the Kid and Zia when they hadn't done anything. And they'd forgiven him.
He supposed that he could forgive Rucks then. Old man looked like he regretted it with all he had anyway.
Zulf shook himself, he'd gotten lost in his thoughts. Dangerous place to lose your footing. Came back to the small home in the forest and the little filly and smiled again. Zulf promised himself he would help these ponies. They'd been kind to him and he had a lot of kind deeds to repay. Shame that most of them wouldn't go back to who he owed them to. He hoped they'd understand.
Author's Note
Tried to get the tone right for Ruck's narration but half the time it comes out sounding like Rorshach. Sorry for that.
As if the Gods would answer him.
Zulf found himself taking kindly to the ponies, they took kindly to him too. Everyone wanted to meet him, say hi, ask him questions, sort of thing kindly people would do when they meet a new best friend. Reminded Zulf a lot of some other kind folks who had done much the same, greeted him and helped him and offered him a new home. Made Zulf feel guilty, but made him feel determined too, determined to protect the ponies from people like who he’d been.
Zecora and Applebloom had introduced him to some others, six other ponies who seemed happy to meet him in return. First one was this mare with the kind of pink in her mane that looked like the sun was setting and the yellow in her coat to match. A kindly and quiet mare who spoke like the summer breeze and was as shy as a squirt. Both Zecora and Applebloom had decided she’d be the first to talk to. Seemed they’d been good judges, Fluttershy took to the human without much fuss and he took to her much the same way, saw a lot of Zia in her.
Next was this other mare, Coat of lavender like the sun had dipped below the horizon and the moon hadn’t quite filled in yet, seemed to go just fine with a mane streaked like a comet. She’d asked a lot of questions, seemed a curious sort of girl, Zulf was happy to answer, didn’t realize how many answers he would have to give, took Fluttershy’s calm voice to get Twilight to leave her curiosity for a moment and greet Zulf like a proper mare should. She’d blushed a bit and apologized, Zulf didn’t mind, wasn’t in any sort of rush.
They’d taken him to a third. Seemed to Zulf they were avoiding someone, always took out of the way detours, wanted to avoid some part of town it seemed, Zulf decided not to ask why. Secrets have their purposes, sometimes it’s best not knowin’. Third pony had a smile like a melon, wide and bright. Orange coat like autumn and a blonde mane like apple pulp. Looked like an early morning kinda pony in more ways than one. Met her in an apple orchard that went on for miles, past the eyes and beyond the hills. Seemed like something a lot of work went into, she looked like the pony who did it.
Honest and brash, got right to the heart of matters, got the only answer she cared about, asked him if he meant any harm. Zulf told her the truth, told her he wanted to help how he could. She made to shake his hand just like her sister had and Zulf was happy to oblige. There bit more strength behind it, to no one’s surprise, and she invited the group in for a pie and a glass of cider, the group decided they could stop for a nice little snack. Pie from the Apple Family is a hard thing to turn down.
Way back to her house they heard some snoring comin’ from one of the apple trees, kind of sound that shakes the leaves. Group decided they’d make a short stop, woke up a mare dozin’ in the shade of the orchard. Coat was electric blue and stuck out against just about everythin’ besides the sky, she stuck out there too though, on account of her mane. Looked like rainbow and moved like lightning, seemed to match that mark on her flank just fine.
Zulf wasn’t sure what the marks were, didn’t seem polite to ask. Seemed to match their owners though, everyone seemed to have one, bar the filly. Zecora’d had one a bit more vague, a lot like Twilight’s. Wasn’t sure what to make of the latter’s. Decided he’d find out eventually, watch out for suspicious ones in the meantime.
Turned his attention back to the mare, didn’t want to seem rude. But she seemed not to care much ‘bout Zulf anyway. Least ways not to extent that the other ponies had. Seemed pretty bold, center of the room whenever she spoke. Not a malevolent kind of way, pretty harmless, just liked the sound of her own voice. Zulf figured he couldn’t blame her for that.
Had a right proper group now, kind of group that you didn’t see everyday. Other’s said their were a couple left to introduce him to yet though, Zulf wondered what kind of friends he’d wandered into. All the ponies said he’d get along great with a mare by the name of ‘Rarity’. Sounded like a right proper lady. Thing about the word ‘couple’ though is that it means more than one. No one talked about the other one, Zulf was gettin’ worried by it, tried to hide it. Seemed to get away with it pretty good, none of the others said nothin’ anyways.
The pie was somethin’ else. Kinda thing that tasted too sweet to be real. Kinda seemed like everythin’ was gettin’ like that. He didn’t get along perfectly with all the mares he’d met, but they greeted each other kindly, seemed a bit perfect. Only so much gets passed off as being in a new town, after a while the secrets start to get a bit much. Everyone was kind to him, but they didn’t talk about some things, some important things.
Didn’t say nothin’ about this ‘other friend’ of there’s. Didn’t say nothin’ about the marks. Didn’t say nothin’ about not trustin’ him as they had every right not to. All seemed a bit too nice and Zulf was gettin’ worried. Barely realized he was about to meet this ‘Rarity’ til he was at the stoop of her house. She had a mane that looked smooth as silk and brilliant as royal magenta that painted a brilliant contrast against her pure white coat. Things went just as smooth as everybody said they would, pair of them got along fine. A proper gentleman with a proper lady. Whole thing only made Zulf that much more nervous about everything that was going on.
Twilight said they were goin’ to meet this last friend of there’s now. Didn’t seem as worried about it anymore, seemed happy to be goin’ there. Zulf could feel his heart beating in his chest. If things were goin’ to go bad he wouldn’t be able to run here, they’d catch him. They knew the place better. If things weren’t gonna go bad he’d look like a fool, runnin’ off because of some conclusion he jumped to. Ended up on his decision easy, followed them to the house, he’d made a promise to help them out, couldn’t well do that if he ran away.
Streets seemed empty as they went through the town, all the ponies who’d been wanderin’ around earlier seemed to have vanished. Not a soul in sight, took more effort than Zulf woulda liked to steel his resolve again. Was runnin’ out of determination at this point, he hoped he wouldn’t need it much longer.
When Twilight opened the door to the gingerbread house for him he walked right in, seemed real dark inside, could hardly see a few feet in front of him. Heard the ponies follow him in, not a word from any of them. Heard them close the door.
Darkness. Zulf felt choked by it. Felt like it was holding him by the neck and he couldn’t breath. He wished he’d ran away now. Woulda been worth a shot. All of it caught up to him, didn’t know what was gonna happen. Maybe the gods decided he still needed to pay for his betrayal, if they existed here. Zulf wasn’t sure they existed at all.
Thought he could hear something in the dark, something that made him worry, thought he heard Ura spears. Thought he heard the kid’s musket. His mind couldn’t take it.
He didn’t see the lights flick on, didn’t see the confetti and balloons around the place. Not the party goers or the cake or the pinata. Eyes were closed too tight to see a thing. Didn’t see the pink pony that looked as eccentric as cotton candy, barely heard the cry of ‘surprise’ against his memory and he passed it off. Ponies watched him choke back tears, worried for what mighta happened in those few seconds of dark.
Zulf was doubled over on all fours, saying sorry to some names that none of the ponies new. Some kinda Kid. Girl named Zia. Old man by the name of Rucks even. Said sorry to each of them over and over again, trying not to cry. He never got to apologize to them before and now he needed to. He was so sorry for what he’d done and here he was without the people to say sorry to. Wasn’t nothin’ to be done about it, but that didn’t stop the tears.
Ponies looked at each other, seemed to come to the same idea. Walked up to him and wrapped him in a group hug, not a one of them with a moment of pause. Pinkie told him everythin’ would be okay. Wasn’t no one to hurt him here. Sobs died down slowly but Zulf stayed there. Ponies decided they would throw a party later, always more cake to be had in sugar cube corner. Sent everybody home and they were promised a party some other time. They knew there would be, Pinkie was always good for her word.
