Carmino

It had been two years since Pea had met Oza. They spent their time wandering from town to town causing trouble. They didn't mean to, of course, it just happened. They had been out of Peas home desert for most of that time. Oza had shown Pea places she had never seen before. She saw a forest for the first time and a water fall. The two travelers had now reached a slightly rocky area that had sparse fields.  On their travels Oza seemed to have trouble sleeping. Pea told him stories, even lullabys to the troubled dragon.

Now they were in some sort of Steel Mill town, exploring the wide paved streets. It wasn't a city by any means, but it was the biggest town either of them had seen. They were walking down one of the main streets and many of the pedestrians stared at the pair blankly. Oza took up as much space space a a large cart in the street and Pea's palomino decent had left some spots bare of a coat. She was used to bare flanks, but some of the male workhorses weren't.

"I guess they've never seen a dragon before eh Oza?" Pea smirked.

Oza nodded, he seemed to be distracted by something though. Pea didn't want to pry, but she knew him well. "Oza, is something wrong?"

The dragon seemed spaced-out,"Oh...Oza fine," he said finally,"How we get food here?"

Pea hadn't noticed how hungry she was, they didn't have any money, just a few supplies in Pea's satchel. Oza had packs on his back too, but keeping enough food for a dragon and a pony was tricky business. They noticed some sort of street show on the side of the brick-paved street. A crowd surrounded the 'show' and was in an uproar. Oza and Pea went over to check it out.

In a rope ring there were two stallions, one had a pair of overalls (he probably worked at the mill) and the other was the biggest pony Pea had ever seen. He was a mule, an odd find in the desert, but common in industrial towns like this one. The crowd kept cheering for 'Andre' then the mule kicked the miller who flopped on the ground, unconscious. Some other ponies dragged him out of the ring and money was passed around by the audience members. From what Pea could gather, the ponies were gambling on who would win in a fight with  the giant Andre.

A small, scrawny pony with thick glasses trotted up next to the mule,"Who else wants to challenge Andre...come on! You can't all be old mares, one of 'yas gotta come up!"

Nopony entered the ring," I sees it, so Andre is the strongest one in Beamville?"

Oza lowered his head near Pea's,"Hey pony," he whispered,"Oza has plan...you go in that ringy thing, Oza will do rest."

"What?! Me go in there?! You're crazy!" but as Pea said this, everypony turned to look at them. Oza tapped Pea's nose, suddenly a wave of energy surged through her slim body.

Oza devilishly grinned," Don't worry, trust Oza!"

The audience had no idea what the two strangers were up to, but jeered Pea on to go in the ring. The youthful mare strode through the wild crowd with ease. She walked to the rope ring with unnatural confidence and adrenaline. The mule grunted,"Ah come on, I cant beat up a liddle mare , Quill."

The scrawny pony shrugged, and started placing bets. Pea ducked under the rope and looked up at her opponent, who is at least four head taller than her, but she smiled anyway. Bets were made and a little bell sounded.

Andre popped his neck,"Sorry girly"

He lifted his right hoof for a hefty punch. his massive hoof swung and flew past Pea. She jumped to the side and kicked his ribs, nothing. He turned his bulk toward her, and dived for another strike. The mare simply lifted her weight over his head and jumped along his back, now Andre was fired up...

He jumped up, with Pea still on his back and tried to slam down on her. Pea narrowly dodged it as his weight dented the pavement. He lumbered back up  while  Pea ran circles around  the ring. Andre cursed as he swung violently in random direction after her. Pea slid under his leg with him barely noticing. The crowd, including Oza were going crazy over the best fight they saw all day and cheered both fighters on.

Pea was behind Andre who was on his hind legs, suddenly the mule's weight wobbled. Pea had kicked out one of his feet, he wobbled...the audience held their breath...Oza chuckled. Andre was about to fall over but Pea scampered in front of him and bucked up her hind legs and battered Andre's chin. She hit him so hard he flipped over and landed on his back. The wind was knocked out of his barrel chest and he heaved in and out for air. Pea swayed  seductively over and whacked him on the head, he blacked out and a nasty whelp rose from the impact.

The crowd was speechless...Oza broke the silence,"Lets go ponies, pay up!"

  Pea and Oza walked merrily down the brick street, heavy money bags in tow. They wandered around town a bit more, Pea bought stockings and other warm clothing,( you never know when you need it) a bundle of fresh rope, a new compass, and a few other supplies. Her friend went to a grocer stand, though he wasn't particularly fond of produce, he bought most of the merchant's stock. (Which didn't cost as much as he thought it would...maybe because he scared the poor pony half to death, they just aren't used to seeing dragons!)

It was now getting late, the street lanterns were being lit and ponies went back to the comfort of their homes. Pea was getting tired, Oza could tell. The spell he used on her must have worn her out. As they walked they found an inn near the edge of town and it was conveniently cheap. They could have spent more on a fancier hotel, but they wanted to conserve money and besides, Pea didnt much care for 'fancy'. Oza sat ouside the inn as Pe went though the thin wood door.

Pea went to the front desk,"Hey mister...ya got any rooms?" she yawned," Me and my friend are kinda sleepy."

There was a donkey behind the counter, he was rather fat and looked very cramped behind the little desk. He was about to tell the mare to get lost when he saw the dragon. His chubby face went into a cold sweat.

"Heh heh...um I-I don't think I have a room big enough for your friend..."

Pea became frustrated, she tried to reason with the chubby donkey but Oza stopped her.

"Oza fine, he'll sleep outside."

Pea couldn't help but smile and firmly asked for a room on the ground floor with a nice window. The donkey exchanged the requested room's key for a few Bits. The tired mare wandered though most of the first floor until she found her room. With some dificulty, she unlocked it, slumped the new supplies of her back and Pea groggily walked inside the room. She found Oza already outside the open window but was too tired to be surprised. She wobbled over to the bed and flopped on it.

" 'Night buddy!" she murmured happily.

The dragon smiled, and waited for her to fall asleep, he had something he wanted to do for her. He wanted to get her a gift, because tomorrow was her eighteenth birthday and an anniversary of their friendship. Oza slinked off and headed back into town. He walked through the empty street looking for a certain shop. When he found it, the owner was preparing to leave and was not expecting Oza's presence.

The dragon caught her by surprise," Excuse Oza, but he needs your help on something." The pony was confused and still processing her first sight of a dragon,

"Yes...what can I do for...Oza?" she asked nervously. Oza explained (best as he could) what he needed, the mare began to smile.

"Sure I can do that, I'm gonna need some measurements though, sweetheart." Oza looked at a mannequin in her shop, it suddenly rattled and morphed slightly.

Oza nodded,"There pony, measurements."

The mare was startled, but went back in her shop, Oza tried his best to fit through the door. Only his neck and one arm made it, he didn't mind though. The tailor looked in her fabric shelves and picked out a few. One was a soft looking cream colored wool bundle, the other two were some kind of blue fabric for fancy suits. Oza didn't think those would work, but the wool would. He pointed to a wooden crate next to the shelf. It was covered in newspaper and some line of books.

Oza tilted his head,"What in box?"

The tailor giggled,"Oh that thing? I haven't opened that in years!"

She brushed off the stuff on top and lifted the lid. She pulled out some thick brown fabric, it looked like some sort of padding. Oza's eyes widened.

"That's it! That one!"

The tailor raised an eyebrow,"You sure she'll like it? Its under padding for armor, its kinda heavy just by itself..."

Oza shooed her work bench.

"Dragon fix that. make suit" The tailor shrugged and started working on the pattern for the piece. Oza drummed his fingers on the wood floor as he waited, the tailor squinted at him,"I can't work with all that noise!"

Oza stopped and shifted guiltily, "Oza sorry..."

The mare giggled," Oh stop bein' so dramatic!"

As an hour passed, she tried cutting the fabric pieces, but the padding Oza picked was too tough for even her biggest, sharpest scissors and needles. Without warning Oza snatched one of the needles and put it in his mouth. The tailor squealed. He stuck out his tung and the needle was there but seemed...different.

She was very surprised at this. Oza put the needle back on the tailor's work table. She blinked at it like it was something she was seeing for the first time. Oza gestured to it with impatience. She tried cutting the padding with it which held firm but cut like butter. The new tool sped the process up delightfully quickly. Only three hours had passed since she started and the piece was nearly finished.

All she had to do now was add buttons, a collar with the wool and her signature. When she finished, she handed the piece's hefty weight over to Oza with great difficulty, the dragon lifted it like a feather. He pulled himself out of the doorway and with a rushed 'Thanks pony' he darted off. He did leave the remainder of the fight's earnings at the door as payment. The tailor was ecstatic, only the richest ponies paid her this much for custom suits. She waved at the disappearing figure.

As the dragon neared the inn, a strange feeling took over him. He couldn't remember anything before his fight with Sidzo, but he remembered magic he learned in his childhood. At least he assumed that's when he learned it. Oza carried the gift out of town, he stopped under a bridge. He drew a circle in the dirt and placed the gift in the center, then he pricked his claw into a soft spot on the other arm. He cut a small slit into the padding and wrote several runes on the inside with his cobalt blood as ink. He blew an eerie, cold flame on the runes and they began to glow.

He seamed the slit back together, as well as his wound and headed back to the inn. He bundled the vest into a blanket and slipped it through Pea's window. He almost stopped halfway, admiring how beautiful she looked. She lay curled up comfortably on the mattress amongst a puffy blanket. Her lips curled up in a small smile as she slept soundly. The dragon sighed to himself as he slid the window closed. He lounged on the pavement outside and drifted into a dreamless sleep.

Pea woke up in a comfy bed, she didn't remember where she was for a second. She looked out the window and could tell it was almost noon from the position of the sun. The mare sat up and saw a bundle at the edge of the bed. It had a little note on it, she inched over to read it. 'Happy Birthday! from: Oza'

Pea giggled with joy, she had completely forgotten about her birthday. She opened the bundle to find a fine chocolate brown vest. It looked flexible and it probably would cover most of her torso. It had a soft wool inner lining and shinny brass buttons. She was ecstatic as she put it on.  It looked rough but felt like the inside of a cloud and much to her surprise it was rather light. She also expected it to be hot in the city's weather, but she felt the same with it on. It was an amazing vest, she wanted to thank her friend.

She ran out of the inn and found Oza lounging on the side of the building sleeping soundly. Pea knew he was a light sleeper, so she shuffled over and tickled his nose. He responded with a loud sneeze that knocked Pea on her flanks. Pea giggled and brushed herself off, her friend admired how well the vest turned out. She was wearing her old poncho like a blanket over shoulders.

"Oza, where did you find this thing? It so amazing!"

Oza stretched out and yawned," Oza asked for dress-making pony's help on it. Dose Pea like it?"

Pea looked at herself in the window's reflection,"Its wonderful bud, but its so light and it ain't stuffy...how did you get this?" The dragon twiddled his fingers,"Oza use some magic on vest. He calls it a 'Jertin'."

Pea was well aware of her friend's accomplished magical talents, but never heard him call it by something her ears could actually hear...she became even more excited.

"What's a Jertin?" she asked with bright eyes.

Oza stood up and flexed his wing stumps, Pea always flinched  when he did this then he slumped back down again as he folded his hands.

"Jertin is set of magic letters on clothes. There's is one to keep Pea warm or keep cool, one to make heavy go away and one to make vest strong as metal," Oza leaned toward Pea with a serious look on his face," That one 'wakes up' when Pea says special word. Pea must remember, when vest is made metal it will be heavy and not move. Pea needs to remember..."

Pea rolled her eyes,"Pfffft...come on Oza just tell me already."

Oza's face relaxed," Word is 'harden' but Pea has to be ready for it."

Pea burst out laughing," Really Oza? A dick joke, come on...what is t really?"

Oza scratched his head," Oza not joke...that's really how one makes it work..."

Pea struck a dramatic pose like a damsel in distress,"Harden!" she said in a dramatically panicked tone.

Suddenly the vest became ridged and its weight forced the mare actress to the ground," Ah shit, you weren't kidding!"

The sudden massive weight was lifted instantly when she said 'Harden' again. Oza laughed as Pea tried to prepare herself to do it a few more times. Once she got the hang of it, she turned to Oza with a wild look in her eye...

"Oza, I need to know if this thing will work well as armor...hit me."

Oza's face suddenly went pale and he blinked in confusion," Don't Pea believe her friend?"

Pea Gravel cocked her head to the side," 'Course I do, but I need to test the thing!"

Oza shook his head," No, no Oza not hit friend..." Pea grunted, "Fine, I'll slip it off, but you have to hit it," She said, then stated the magic word.

The dragon suddenly looked sad, he thought the vest looked nice...why was he hitting it? But he didn't want to disappoint his friend so he smacked the vest lightly.

Pea groaned ,"harder," she said.

Oza flinched as he brought his hand to a fist, he bopped the vest a little harder. "Come on man!" cried Pea," There's no point in using it if I don't know what it can't handle!" Oza finally gave in.

Pea watched as he rose to his full height, he almost reached the inn's second floor windows. He balled up his hands and Pea could see veins bulge in his arms...maybe this wasn't such a good idea?

Oza used his body weight to slam against the vest. The enchanted vest, with the density of several hard metals, crumpled like paper from the impact. The pavement around that cracked into a jagged spiderweb. Pea was knocked off her hooves and the surrounding buildings shook. Pea was stunned.She looked guilty when she saw Oza trembling, his powerful hands still on the vest. Pea walked up to him and gave his shoulder a reassuring pat. Oza craned his neck to look away.

"...Oza never wanted Pea to see that....Oza don't like doing that...not to dragons, not to ponies, not to friend's gift..."

Pea took his hand and tried to comfort him. She laughed softly," Oza, I don't think I'll ever be hit by something like that...come on look over here," her friend obliged and turned his head back to her.

"Vest can be fixed," he sniffled," Pea say magic word, it goes back to normal."

She said the command and the vest returned to it's fabric form. Pea leaned over closer to Oza," Thanks for the gift bud, it's wonderful."

This brought a smile back to Oza's face and the mare tugged lightly his ear. "Come on man, lets get going. You got food right?"

Oza grabbed the packs he had left on the side of the building," Yep!"

They were chatting as they left the city limits and walked on the cobble stone road for awhile, when Oza had a rather important question. He looked at Pea with a concerned look on his face, "Pea, where are dragon and pony going?"

Pea suddenly looked sad...they had been friends for two years, yet those words never came out of Oza until now. Pea walked slower, her now wet eyes looked out on the horizon.

She took a deep breath," Oza...I'm looking for a place called Ponyville..."

TO BE CONTINUED...