Fighting Freedom

AN: the second piece.
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The path to the eastern road, which is the one that just went on and on, had a very extravagant archway at the end of town. Wooden totems held up the gems that went across. First an emerald, than a ruby, sapphire, topaz, and in the center, a diamond. A gold band intertwined with a silver band, and ran up the length of each totem.

After I finished admiring the archway, I pulled a brown unicorn aside.

"I was wondering if you could tell me where this path leads."

The unicorn looked through the archway and said, "Well it goes on for quite some distance, but eventually it'll bring you to Hoofdale, which is the next town over."

"Thanks."

"No problem."

The brown pony walked off and I scratched my goatee. I would only just go a little bit down the road. See if I could spot anything. It felt kind of weird to be leaving town with nothing on me. Well except for the apple in my pocket. I suppose I had the magic thingy, I didn't really count that though.

At first the road seemed normal. However, quite soon the road was beginning to become overgrown by grass. Which I suppose was almost like a weed. I reached down at one point and sniffed the grass. I didn't smell anything, and ripped a chunk out. I cleaned off any dirt and roots that had clinged to it, and looked around. When I was positive no one was watching me, I shoved it in my mouth.

The same nothing taste… didn't fill my mouth. I assumed that meant it was the edible kind of grass. Although my stomach had been giving me some trouble, so maybe it would've been a better idea to avoid the plants.

After walking far enough for the archway to become just a sparkle in the sunlight, a path went off the main road, and into the everfree forest fringe. It had been well used by somepony, because the trampled grass wasn't growing back. This trail bent around a few trees, but kept going forward. Eventually I was unable to see the road at all. I walked around one last bend, and my jaw dropped.

"No way. I have to be dreaming."

I had walked into a rather large clearing in the forest. To one side there was a small shack that had rotted away to almost nothing. That was probably the only unsightly thing around. Directly in front of me was a sheer cliff. There was a small waterfall running from the cliff into a pool at my level. This pool was big enough for several people to swim in comfortably. That wasn't even the best part though. There was a very tiny trail behind the shed that went behind a small patch of trees. Once again the sheer cliff stopped any further advancing.

A trickle of water flew down this cliff into a rocky pool. Several more rock formations made pools until the water ended up in a big pool in a big rock bowl. Difference between this water and the pool, was this water was steaming.

"Natural hot springs… I think I'm in love. If I do decide to build a house, it's gonna be right here. In this most wonderful of places."

I decided that taking a quick relaxing bath wouldn't be such a bad thing. I stripped and hung my clothes up on a nearby tree. I felt the water before getting in. It wasn't perfect, but with a little body heat it would be. I lowered myself in, and was delighted to find that the rock had a little shelf going in for me to sit on.

I can't be sure how long I was in there, because I might have fallen asleep. However, at some point I heard twigs cracking, and leaves moving. I hoped they wouldn't come this way, but I wasn't about to get up. And if I was being honest with myself, I would've known they were coming to the hot springs. Either that or the pool.

I opened one eye to see who was coming. To open both eyes would've been a tremendous effort. Whoever it was, was having some trouble apparently. They kept tripping or something. I just knew that I wasn't going to get up to help them anytime soon. The voice sounded feminine too me, but I couldn't be too sure. Besides I wasn't sure if I was hoping it was a guy or girl.

Eventually they came round to where I could see them. I was surprised to see that it was two someponies. My vision was clouded for me to make out anymore. All the steam was getting in the way. I could see the relative shape of something being slung in a tree. I had put my clothes on the tree behind the shed, so they probably missed them. I couldn't hear anyone talking, but a head did pop through the steam.

She looked at me for about a whole second before screaming. While I was debating on whether or not to wake my body up to scream with her a voice said,

"Something is in there!"

I splashed the water and said, "This something has a name you know. Silver, by the way."

Two heads popped into view this time. One was a light blue with dark blue eyes and the other was white with light green eyes, this head also had a horn. I raised an eyebrow at both of them when they said nothing.

The white head then said, "Are you that new thing that's been walking around town the past few days?"

I coughed and said, "Human, and yes that's me. I prefer the usage of a name, such as Silver."

The heads looked at each other and then back at me. The blue one said, "What are you doing here?"

Plotting my secret plan to clone myself and take over the world. What I said was,

"Just chillin, or heatin rather." I just smiled at my own joke, and then went back to entertaining thoughts about how to clone myself.

They looked at each other and then back at me again. It was almost like they were communicating with telepathy. Which I suppose was a possibility.

"You know this is private land right?"

I smiled and said, "I am very aware of this."

They did the head thing and then the blue one said, "Are you the owner?"

I shook my head this time, "No but neither are you. The owner of this land hasn't been to this particular spot in a long time. Otherwise that shed would be gone, or better looking."

They both shrugged, and then hopped into the spring. It was big enough to probably let 5 people sit in it with a comfortable amount of space in between, so I wasn't that worried about it. They both let the water rise to about their necks and then sighed contently. When they were done with that the white one said,

"I'm Delilah and this here is Lily."

I simply nodded, and then laid my head back. I would've preferred to just sit in quiet, but that wasn't going to happen anytime soon. When I didn't say anything the blue one, Lily, said,

"So when did you start coming here?"

With my head still tilted back I said, "Just today. Found it while doing a little exploring. This place is amazing. I think it a little bit I'll go check out the top of that cliff."

Most of the time, a little bit means like 10 minutes. While in a hot spring, a little bit means about an hour.

Delilah said, "We've been coming here every day for awhile now. This place is just so relaxing."

I agree, when people aren't distracting you all the time.

Once again they felt the need to keep the conversation going so Lily said, "So… have you been here long?"

"I have… no idea."

They both giggled at this, and I brought my head back up. They had both risen above the water to their necks. Their manes had become soaked and stuck to their necks. Lily had spread her wings, which I didn't know she had, and was soaking each feather thoroughly. I put my arms out across the rock and allowed my body to sink in a little lower.

Lily pointed at the bracelet, which no matter what I had tried, refused to come off, and said,

"What's that?"

I looked down at it and grumbled, "My universe traveling device, with an attitude."

The bracelet just tightened a little bit on my arm. I was pretty sure it could only hear what I said, not what I thought.

They looked at each other, unsure if I was telling the truth or joking. Eventually they just ignored this and laid their heads back. Seeing that they were going to shut up, I put my hands back in the water and laid my head back as well. Once again, some amount of time I can't be too sure of passed by. That's when I felt a hoof touch my leg. I instantly retracted from the contact. I ignored it though and tried to relax again. Then a hoof touched my other leg. I raised my head and glared at the two ponies. They both giggled and brought a hoof to their mouths.

Why was everyone so insistent on touching me? Yes I have good looks, but personal space people. Well reasonable space anyways. I lost the ability to care about close contact with people after a while. When you go traveling in places like Alaska, you end up cuddling with whoever you are with. Even if its someone you don't even know. Besides I don't think physical things ever bothered me that much. I always attempted to ignore the body and listen to the mind. Except when the body complains about food. It usually makes its displeasure about that known.

I put my head back down, but picked it up right away. Instead of allowing this to continue I said,

"Can I help you?"

They looked at each other and laughed. These are the kind of people I dislike usually. They shook their heads at me and kept laughing. Establishing vocal communication would make this end quickly, but I was too lazy to do it. I laid my head back a final time. I ignored their poking me for some time. That is until they stared poking higher. Noting to big, just my thighs, but I was stopping this now rather than later. I picked myself up fast and splashed both them.

They looked at me with sour faces, and I let out a roar of laughter. It wasn't that funny, but I needed a good laugh. They decided to stop teasing me and started talking again,

Lily went first saying, "So Silver… what do you usually do on a day like this?"

The day was just as beautiful as any other. At least I think it was. Which put an idea in my head for later, concerning this area and the weather.

"Hmm let's see. So far most of my days here have just been wandering around."

Delilah said, "So where did you come from?"

Apparently these two missed the town meeting so I just said, "Far far away. I doubt I'll be able to go back for a long time."

Lily then said, "Leave anyone behind?"

"Just a few good friends."

Delilah took her turn and said, "Do you miss them?"

I shrugged, "In a way yes, in a way no. I miss them because we had some great times together, and I hope one day we will again. However, since I came here alone I have plenty of new great friends. That's probably why I used to travel alone so much. I liked meeting new people and friends. Then I could go back home to my old friends. If I took my friends everywhere, then I wouldn't be as likely to make new friends."

They kept switching back and forth, "What do you think of Ponyville?"

What was this? 20 questions? If it was then I was thinking of a tarp at the time.

"It's a nice enough place. A bit crowded though. I'll probably visit this place quite a bit in the future. Now it's my turn to ask questions. Are you two sisters?"

They both shook their heads.

"Friends?"

They nodded their heads and looked at each other and then winked. I raised my eyebrow again at them,

"So where do you two live?"

Lily said, "We share a complex space together. We pretty much share everything."

Good for you. That's the golden rule isn't it?

"What do you two do for a living?"

Delilah answered me, "We work as waitresses at a local restaurant."

"Do you like working there?"

Lily spoke this time, "We love it. It never gets that busy, and we get to talk to all sorts of ponies. Great place for meeting boys too."

I cared about this why? Wasn't like I was going to go meet boys there. Well unless some time in the future I decided a romance was a key part of my life. Even then chances were still low.

"Well at least you enjoy what you do."

They both nodded. I laid my head back again, finished with the question session. The sun was still high in the sky, but definitely on the lowering side. I was just going to lay here until it got really late. I heard splashing and I looked up again. The two ponies had disappeared. I assumed they had decided it had been long enough. They were stronger willed than I. I could lay in a hot spring forever.

I was about to lay my head back when I heard splashing again. Their heads reappeared above the surface. They were now thoroughly soaked from head to… hoof.

"What did you two just do?"

They both giggled and said, "Nothing."

I glared at them both for a few seconds before giving up. I just wanted to lay down again. I laid my head back when I felt two hooves touch my legs. I didn't even bother getting up to speak,

"This again?"

They both giggled. There was a reason I disliked giggly girls, I had just forgotten for awhile. Thankfully I could now remember. There was movements in the water, but not splashes. I lifted my head just a tiny bit to see the two had moved closer to me. Instead of letting the delicate situation continue, I said,

"Don't even think about it. I'm here to relax, and nothing else."

They both giggled, but didn't stop moving towards me. Regrettably I had been relaxing for quite some time, so I found it hard to want to get forceful. I regrettably tried to get up, but by the time I was trying they were right next to me.

"We just want to relax too."

I didn't even know which one said it.

"Whatever, as long as you two just lay down and be quiet, I don't care where you are."

I should've seen this coming, but they both laid their head on my shoulder. I cursed whoever had decided to give me such dashing good looks. Who knew I would be so attractive to ponies. Thankfully they didn't do anything else.

I laid back in an uncomfortable position. Eventually I gave up and let my arms wrap around them. I had almost fallen asleep when one of them began running their hoof across my chest. They moved it lower, and I moved my arm to stop the wary hoof. Before I could though, a loud knock echoed out. I couldn't feel the hoof anymore, but a small vibration went across my body. Several more knocks and vibrations went out.

Delilah looked at me and said, "What is that?"

I shrugged and moved my arms to feel. I noticed that the bracelet had somehow come off of my arm. I felt my body to discover I was wearing a loincloth, made out of wood. I stood up to get a better look at it. I had forgotten about Lily who had fallen asleep. She fell into the hot water, and woke up instantly. Now that I was up, I decided to get out. Next time I would bring something to wear into the spring. Maybe I would bring Martin or something. He could get the attention, and I could relax. The sun was starting to sink lower anyways.

I dried myself using my shirt. I walked behind the shed to get changed. That's when something really weird happened. The loincloth glowed and turned into a wooden strip. It slithered up my body and back around my arm. It took the form of the spiral bracelet. While I put my clothes on, minus the shirt I said,

"Okay now I'm starting to like you. That was pretty damn helpful, if not uncomfortable. I guess I can't expect you to turn into a silk garment though."

The bracelet heated up just a tiny bit. I guess that was supposed to be affection or a confirmation. Whatever, the mere fact that I was talking to a bracelet was weird enough.

I stepped back into view to see the two mares had gotten out as well. Delilah was using her magic to dry both of them off. Lily glared at me for a second, but Delilah looked down.

"Would you two like to walk back to town with me?"

Lily nodded, but Delilah said,

"Aren't you mad at me?"

I shrugged, "I suppose I could be, but nothing really happened. Besides I just spent several hours in a hot spring, I don't think I can get angry for at least a few hours. I would just appreciate if you asked next time."

She looked at me and said, "Would you have said yes?"

I laughed and then said, "Hell no. We only just met, at least buy me some food first."

Lily looked between us, but Delilah whispered in her ear. Lily's eyes widened and she giggled a little. I began walking back towards the road when the two caught up with me. I looked at both of them and said,

"So are we going to do this again sometime?"

Lily said, "Well we go there nearly every day after work."

"Well as long as I can bring a friend or two I think we'll be okay."

They both looked between each other and then said,

"We were hoping you would keep it a secret. So not every pony goes to use it."

I nodded, "Fair enough. I'll only show people I trust then."

They looked at each other again and Lily said,

"Is there anything we can do to change your mind?"

Her voice dropped when she said this, and they both were giving me odd looks.

I looked at them for a second, and they began advancing on me.

"No way!" I said this, and then began to run towards the distant archway.

Lily ran after me shouting, "Stop! I was only half-serious!"

We reached the archway panting. My stomach was burning, but I ignored it. I did need to do something about it soon though, and I got this feeling that tums weren't the answer. As the sun cast out its final rays I walked back into the library.

I stepped inside to see Twilight sitting on the couch. I joined her when she said,

"And where have you been? After you left Rarity's place, no one knew where you went."

I shrugged, "I was exploring."

Twilight raised an eyebrow, "Exploring?"

"You know… like looking around. Besides what's the big deal. You don't need to wait up on me. If you want to lock the door or something feel free to do so. I'll just sleep outside for the night, or crawl through your window. Both are a possibility."

Twilight just looked down, "I just like to know where you are. I mean you are still an unknown really. You know so much about us, but we know so little about you.

"I told you everything you asked me. I used to live on Earth with a bunch of other people. I used to have a job at a restaurant, but I got fired. I took a lot of trips around the continent, but I never got the chance to visit the other side of the world. I…"

Twilight shook her head, "I know I know. I just feel so… vulnerable I guess."

"How so? You've got magic that could blast me out of here. I've got a bracelet that likes to disagree with me."

The bracelet warmed up again. Well at least we could agree to disagree.

"It just feels weird knowing that someone knows so much about you before you have even met them."

Fair enough, can't say I've had that feeling.

"If I make you uncomfortable I can leave. If I really need to I can skip town. I'm sure there are plenty of cool places to see in your world. I might even go check out the castle."

Twilight shook her head, "I don't want you to leave. I'm just confused."

She laid her head down on my lap. I just threw my hands up in the air. I know there is someone who would be loving all the attention I'm getting, but that's probably the reason I'm getting it, because I don't enjoy it. She laid down on her side and said nothing.

I am not a good person to deal with emotions. I barely have any myself. Not that I repress them, but I don't let them control me. I feel them, but I ignore them. I'm not very understanding of others either. Once I had a friend who was dealing with depression. I bought him a pie and told him to get over it.

I laid my hand on Twilight's neck and ran my fingers through her mane. She closed her eyes and just laid there. I was honestly quite confused. One moment she was yelling at me, and then the next she's laying on me. Women, don't even make sense as ponies. Well they do, but if I suggested why, I might get yelled at again.

When I managed to, I grabbed my book from the night stand. I finished the rest of the book that night. There wasn't much else Grizzle could tell me though that book. He would only refer to magic as this feeling inside that you felt when managing the magic around you. I was curious to learn more, but I wasn't getting up anytime soon. I laid my head back into the couch and closed my eyes. If I had to guess, it was probably around 10 p.m.

This body must be different from the other one. I used to stay up well into the morning. Maybe I'm just not used to living without caffeine. Either that or relaxing takes some serious energy.

At some point Martin came in and nearly fell over when he saw me. He mimed laughing, but he did throw me a blanket. Still silently laughing he walked up the stairs. The darkness of the room over took me, and I fell asleep. At some point I heard Owlicious hoot, but I don't know at what.
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AN: That moment when you ignore even sleep to keep writing. I think I have an addiction problem. I'm going to need an intervention soon.

I know it seems like there is a lot of friendly situations in here, but believe me they all serve a purpose. And that purpose isn't for clopping.