A Traveling Storyteller

I was now in a train, completely out of breath. I didn't know where it was heading, but it didn't really matter to me ...

Next to me was  a puffing pony named Shiny Surface. I don't believe for a second that it was her real name, but I didn't wanted to talk about my past either, so I kept my mouth shut.

I picked her up on the road a few days ago and we had agreed to travel together for a while. She only knew my first name, and kept it at that. I rummaged in my saddlebag for the canteen and offered her a drink. She briefly looked at me with her golden eyes and grabbed the canteen, careful not to touch me like always. When she was done, she put it on the floor in front of me.

"That was pretty close, Travel." She said after a while.

I rolled my eyes, "Can you do anyhing other than nagging? After all, we did it." I said a little harsher than I intended.

"Yeah! Awesome! Just great! ... " she responded sarcastically. I had to say...sarcasm really didn't suit her.

I sighed. At least it was getting dark, which promised a few hours rest .

I tucked the canteen back and looked in my bag for food. I found some bread, some carrots, 2 apples and 3 caramels . Using telekinesis I handed her an apple and one of carrots, knowing that eating would make her silent for a while. While she ate, I looked in the compartment next to us. It was a compartment that was specifically used for transport and was up on some empty boxes. My eyes fell again on Shiny. Her fur had a dark purple color, while her mane and tail were dark blue and had a light blue streak in it. The most curiously , however, was her luggage. Except for aviator glasses, she had nothing else. I looked closer at the boxes and found that they were destined for a store in Manehatten. In addition to the box, I gratefully found a blanket. The last few nights have been getting colder, too cold to sleep without one.

"I have a blanket here! We can fit under it, but space is limited. That means that you need to overcome your fear of contact, at least for tonight, if you don't want to freeze ..."

I made myself comfortable under the blanket and looked over at her, noticing that she was looking at me in terror.

"Don't worry, I don't have fleas or diseases." I said annoyed.

In the dim light, I could see how she struggled with overcoming her fear.

"I-it's not that ..." she finally replied.

"I don't care what it is. But there are just two possibilities: either we both squeeze under the blanket and keep each other warm, or you can freeze."

Without waiting for an answer, I closed my eyes.

After a while I noticed that she lifted the blanket and took a got settled in it. For a while there was silence. Then, just before I dozed off,

"Travel?" she called

"Hmm?"

"I just wanted to say that ..."

"Yes?"

"I'm ... I'm sorry, I acted stupid"

I paused briefly, "It's all right, I'm not exactly a choir boy myself,"

The rattling of the train was the only thing that could be heard in the otherwise silent cart.

"Travel?"

"..."

"Travel?"

"Zzzzzz ..."

"... Farewell, Travel Tale ..."

I woke up the next morning, feeling whacked and hungry. Next thing that I registered, was the halt of the train. Sleepily, I looked around.

"Shiny ...?"  I called, but got no answer.

It took a while before it registered that she was no longer here. Suddenly I heard hooftsteps from the front compartment come closer.

I jumped up and looked for my bag. It was gone! I stopped searching and immediately opened the load input to the compartment with my magic , and went up the opposite door. The conductor entered. Without hesitation, I pulled the input completely open and ran loose as if Cerberus himself was behind me. I could still hear the furious roar behind me...

Tired, I finally reached my room in a small hotel. After my mobile residence was completely burned down, I had to endure me some of the most annoying hours in my whole life . At first I was besieged by some press ponies, appearently something like my flared hut must have been quite a top story. After that, I was invited to the Mayor, who personally and formally apologized to me. Moreover, she obviously felt compelled to repeatedly emphasize that she did her utmost to find the responsible ( blah blah blah rhubarb ). What interested me more, was that she covered the costs of two weeks to stay in a hostel.

After A period of smiles and nods, it was on to the night and I was tired. I looked for the hostel and laid before him the adoption of the Mayor. All I wanted now, was falling into a bed and sleep. I don't even inspect the room at large, i only thought about sleeping at that moment. I was laying in the bed, when i heard a knock at the door.

"Oh great ..." I layed still.

Again there was a knock. I ignored it, hoping the knocks would eventually disappear.

It knocked a second time

and then again

and AGAIN

and AGAIN!

I sighed, "All right, I'm coming!" I trotted to the door and opened it.

At the door stood a young lady and three foals that seemed vaguely familiar to me.

"Good evening. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but they are not mine." I say

The lady was about to say something, but she was gazing at me, briefly surprised. She shook her head as if to regain her senses.

The three girls giggled behind her, but she gave them a glare that made them stop immediately and stare at the floor.

"Good evening. I'm Cheerilee and I'm here because these three here have something to say." She took a step to the side to give the three room.

However, they only scraped the floor and remained silent.

"You three look that you had made some mischief and were caught. Bad luck I'd say. "

The middle one, an Earthpony with a red bow, looked at me now. "Sorry."

the other two repeated in chorus: "Sorry. "

I was confused. "Huh? I don't understand. Why are you sorry?"

Still confused I changed looks between Ms. Cheerilee and the girls.

"Sorry, that we have burned down your coach, Mr Tale."

I stared at them and sighed, "Alright, come in," I stepped aside and pointed into the simple room, "All of you."

I brought them to the table and motioned for them to have a seat. I went to the refrigerator and pulled out the rainbow jam and vanilla ice cream. I slowly spread it to 5-sized portions, then I levitated everything to the table. Everyone present received their portion, together with a spoon.

"Well, then tell me the whole story," I said and tried a spoonful of the dessert.

"By Pfelefftiaf's wig! fhat tafts whonderfull!" I cried out, while the spoon still stuck.

First, I caught dumbfounded stares from my four guests, then shortly after the three girls burst into laughter while Ms. Cheerilee pressed her hooves at the mouth.

I smiled and waited until the four had calmed down again.

"Well? Will you tell me what happened? Don't be afraid, I will not tear you head off or anything. Let's simply start with your names, ok?"

The three nodded and the one with the bow started.

"I'm Apple Bloom!"

"And I'm Sweetie Belle," continued the unicorn.

At last, the Pegasus foal spoke up "Scootaloo"

I nodded, "See? All very harmless, and now please your story. Why is almost everything I own a pile of ashes now?” Immediately, the mood of the three darkened, but they came out with it. They told me how they wanted to earn their Cutie Marks in storytelling, how they entered my carriage, and how Sweetie Belle, with a candle in the hooves, was frightened by the sugar skull.

Appearently she fell, the stack of writing paper was accidentally set on fire and all three panicked and ran away.

When they had told to the end, I remained silent at first with an emotionless face. I ate the dessert ever so silent as the three fillies nervously shuffled in their places.

"But you are unharmed," I asked to make sure. They looked puzzled, but then nodded to me.

Relieved, I let out a "there falls a stone from my heart!"

"Huh? B-but ... but because of us, you have lost everything you owned" replied Sweetie Belle.

I chuckled to myself. "Oh really? And what about my bit-bag? My cylinder, the shirt that I wear? Not to mention the things that nobody can take away, such as my talent to recite tales and legends. I assure you, there was nothing in the coach that I can not replace. Sure, my fairy tale collection is indeed gone, but I can re-write it. At least, everything is in here," I pointed to my head.

"That means," Scootaloo spoke up "you are not mad at us?"

I rolled my eyes. "By Celestia's non-existing beard! Please name basis with me, I'm not one of those stink boring, arrogant snobs! Just call me Travel. And to answer your question, of course I'm not happy. It has cost me many years to write all the books and now I'm back to square-one! It will cost me an additional 2 to 3 years to restore them,  but you have learned from it. And as you have confessed to me and Ms. Cheerilee, you have shown honesty, responsibility and courage! Why should I punish that? Speaking of which, are you somehow related to them Miss?"

The mare I addressed looked at me, "Pardon? Oh no, I'm their teacher. "

I nodded. "Well, it was an very...eventful day and it's already late. Shall I accompany you to bring the girls home?"

She smiled. "I don't think that will be necessary, but thanks for the offer. "

I escorted my visitors to the door and said goodbye. I looked at them for a while afterwards before I closed the door and threw myself into bed. While I dozed of, I went through today's events. Did I forget something? Oh yes, the lights. I turned off all the lights and then quickly went to the land of dreams.