For a Phoenix Feather

Twisted Ribbon was sitting comfortably in her home on a lazy Friday morning, looking forward to a quiet weekend at home. It had been a while since she had a weekend to herself, so she was rather looking forward to it.

On the trail leading to her house, however, was a motivated, if a little lost looking, tan unicorn with scarlet mane making his way to her front door. He was carrying a rugged looking set of saddlebags, and across his back was some form of long, thick sleeve. It was hard to make out exactly what is was from a distance.

It was not long before she was pulled from her nice bit of quiet by three quick raps against her door.

Twisted's ears perked up a bit, quirking a brow in confusion at the three knocks from her front door. Did she forget she was having company today? She pushed the couch blanket off her back with her wings and headed for the door, turning the knob, and peeking around the wooden frame to see her guest. He looks lost… she thought before offering him an apologetic smile and opening the door. "Hello there... How may I help you?"

He offered a smile and dipped his head in a subtle bow, replying, "Sorry to bother you, miss. I'm Vermillion Prose. I asked around in town for the best guide around the Everfree and they sent me two places. The last one was... not what I was expecting. Sweet mare, but she would not stop hiding behind her mane..." His face donned a sad frown for a moment before the smile returned and he picked up where he left off.

"Now I would not want to deprive you of your weekend, so I'll be staying in town until next week. Would you mind helping me out? I promise I'm not tracking down some crazy monster out there." His smile grew a bit cheeky with that statement.

As he spoke, she had the opportunity to give him a discreet look over. The saddlebags were worn but well cared for, and she could see a handle protruding from the front end of the sheath on his back. It did not take much to recognize a sword when she saw one.

She gave a soft smile, and  though the sword did worry her, she knew it was best to be protected in these forests. "Ah yes... Flutters is a lovely guide but you have to know her ahead of time. Luckily our talents kinda cross over a bit."

She looked back to her home then back at her guest, "Uhm.. Would you like to talk about this weekend over some tea? And if you were not looking for a immediate adventure did you already have a place to stay?" She tilted her head a bit as she took a step back and ushered her guest into her home with her hoof, a unusual calmness coming over him as she smiled."

His eye twitched for the briefest moment at the second question, then he sighed and gave a sheepish grin.

"That sounds just perfect. I, uh, have not booked anywhere yet. I was just kind of making it up as I go along eh-heh... I guess not everybody goes wandering on a quest for their vacation, huh? I really must thank you for your hospitality miss...?"

She felt the pink touch her cheeks before she chuckled, "Oh goodness, now rude of me. I'm sorry, My name is Twisted Ribbon. You can call me Twisted or even T.R. If you'd like." She shut the door behind him as she lead him through the small home.

It was mostly wood with lightly colored wallpaper, which creaked under hoof as they stepped through the living room, which was adorned with the usual things, couch, tv, tables, and so on. The one thing that stuck out immediately was the amount of bookshelves in the first room alone, filled with books.

The next room was the kitchen and dining room where she had made a kettle of tea and she picked up a pair of cups with her wings as she spoke to him, "And no.. Not everypony enjoys visiting out here as a vacation but.. some do." She paused and looked over at him, "So... Is it really a vacation or are you looking for something?"

The stallion had looked at the bookcases with a spark of curiosity in his eyes, but his attention returned to her the moment she spoke.

"A bit of both really. Just felt like I needed to get away from Canterlot for a while. But I do have a quest, so to speak." He carefully took a proffered cup of tea before continuing. "Thank you. Well, I'm a rather amateur author, but a bit of inspiration struck me." He gestured to his cutie mark, a crimson quill crossed over a sword. "I wanted to find a quill just like this one. It's a phoenix feather. No matter how many scraps of parchment I toss in the bin, my creativity rises from the ashes. Or so I like to think." He gave a small smile at that. "But they are horribly expensive everywhere I looked, so I decided to go find myself one."

Her ears perked a bit as she listened to him, taking her own cup and filling it, "Well... I do know where a nest is but..." She bit her lip a bit, thinking this through. She knew it was mating season, so the birds would be very territorial, even with her talent. "Look... I know you want this so I'll take you along but... It's mating season for the birds, so keep in mind they're going to be... temperamental that we're in their territory."

She looked over at him for his response, taking a sip of her tea before continuing, "And I do not mind you staying here if it'll help you save a couple bits. We'll be able to leave tomorrow and camp along the way if need be." She shrugged it off like she did this often, closing her eyes as she enjoyed her tea.

He looked torn between a frown and smile, but settled for the smile. "I'm in no hurry. I took a month's leave so I have plenty of time. Plus I am interrupting your weekend." He tapped a hoof to his chin in thought. "Then again, it's hard for me to refuse the offer of a pretty mare, and I'd hate to take up more of your time than I have to." It was hard to tell if he was being serious or poking fun. Probably a little of both. "How long until mating season is over?"

She chuckled softly, "Something around 2 weeks. But uhm.." She tilted her head a bit, watching his face, "We can head out tomorrow. I'll need to grab some supplies from town before we can head out." She seemed pretty set on that decision as she set her cup on the counter and looked over at him, "Is that alright?"

He had facehoofed at her proclamation of two weeks and sighed, but then the corner of his muzzle turned up in an eager smirk as he nodded his agreement. He set his saddlebags down by the door.

"Thanks for your help. Let me help you with those supplies. I'd feel awful about sticking around and not doing something to return the favor." His eyes closed as he gave her his most winning smile.

She chuckled at his sudden change in mood as she nodded, heading for a closet near a sliding glass door close to the front. "Let's see.." She muttered to herself, pulling out a rough looking but organized saddlebag, some camping supplies, and a large folded map which she passed on to him, "Here.. It's easier to manage with unicorn magic."

After going through the bags she had pulled out, she made a list of things she needed from town, grabbed her shopping saddlebags and pulled them over her back. She turned to him with a small smile, "Well come on then."

He set his now empty cup next to hers as he took the map in his magic and rolled it up, floating it next to him as he stepped to the door, opened it with a flick of telekinesis, and sketched a quick bow with a wave of a foreleg. "After you, miss." That cheeky grin was back again.

"Thank you." She replied with a small smile as she headed out the door, locked it behind them, and lead the way back to town, all the while chatting about the animals they'd be seeing. Many were vicious but others were more... misunderstood. She knew this from Fluttershy, or "Flutters" as she frequently called her, her own talent having nothing to do with the animals themselves.

Once in the small town she went straight to the market, looking over a couple non-perishable items for food as well as things like apples, carrots, and celery, tossing a few bits at a couple merchants and placing the items in her saddlebags. Once everything was taken care of the sun had begun to go down and the market was closing. She frowned, looking around to find a specific pony, grinning as she basically ran to catch up with a rather elderly mare with a large cart, "Ellie!" She smiled, "So glad I caught you. I need some items to go into Phoenix territory. Got anything to help?"

The old mare smiled, "Always sticking your muzzle into trouble, aren't ya?" She put a hoof to her lips for a moment before turning, digging into her old cart for something. A few minutes of digging and out came a ruby that seemed to dance like flames beneath the crystal surface, "Try this. Rumor says a fire ruby can appease the bird if you're only meaning to pass through with no hassle. Barging in on their mating season is probably not the smartest but... having something like this may keep them from giving you trouble."

"Thank you." Twisted smiled, handing a rather large sack of bits to the old mare, giving her a bow of her head before turning to him, "Looks like we got everything. Was there anything you needed? We should head back soon so we better get going if ya do."

Vermillion shook his head. "I should be fine. I brought a few things with me from home with this trip in mind." He was about to continue when he got the feeling he was being watched. He turned to find a pink mare staring at him rather unashamedly. He blinked a couple times before she let out an astonishingly long and dramatic gasp and disappeared in a cloud of dust. "Uh... should I be worried?"

Twisted's eye twitched a moment, "W-Wait! Pinki-!" She sighed, the mare already gone before she could stop her; tonight was going to be a LONG night. She looked up at him, her expression blank and almost defeated as she heaved a heavy sigh, "There's going to be a party at my house now. Probably set up before we can RUN home. This is your warning." She shook her head and began walking the way she had lead them to go back to her house, "So our choices are go to a hotel and pray she doesn't find out or go home and deal with it."

Vermillion scratched his chin for a moment before a devious smirk crept onto his face. "Day one and already wanting to get a hotel, eh?" Before a scowl could manifest on her face he raised his hooves in defense. "Kidding! Kidding. But really, I'm on vacation. A party sounds kinda nice. What could possibly go wrong?"

He did not mention the shiver that ran down his spine as he utter that last line.

She whirled around as he could got his "just kidding" excuse out, getting very close to his muzzle as she lowered her eyelids, "Oh, don't tempt me, stranger~" She snickered as her scent of honeysuckle and lilac enveloped and stunned the stallion before her. She smirked, turning back to the entrance to the Everfree, stretching her wings out before heading inside, walking slowly so he could catch up when he recovered. Not many mares would respond like that and she definitely did not look like one who would. One thing was for sure, she mused, she was unpredictable.

Vermillion blinked several times, making absolutely sure he had not misheard. After a moment to let his mind reboot, a devious smirk found its way onto his muzzle once more.

Oh. Oh-ho. This mare was full of surprises. This trip was getting more interesting by the minute. He followed after her through the Everfree trail, but when they got to her house, it appeared dark and lifeless. "Well, so much for that party, huh? Miss Ribbon?" He now found himself very alone in her front yard.

Weird. Must have already gone inside, he thought as he trotted up to the door. Even so, instincts and practice kicked in, and he opened the front door slowly and quietly stepped inside.

Suddenly the room erupted into a loud, "SURPRISE!", Twisted standing amongst them, confused and disoriented as the noise assaulted her ears and made them ring. She shook her head, cringing as the other ponies went to greet him, "Oh god, I had forgotten how loud they are..." she muttered, moving over to the sliding glass window. She gave an apologetic smile to her companion as she headed outside onto her patio to escape the noise.

The party was everything a party should be. Loud, fun, and, since she lived out in the sticks, had no noise complaints. Though, she wondered who would even make the complaints. It looked like everypony from town was in her living room! She sighed, sitting on her porch in the dark as she watched the stars. She had chosen this specific spot because it was one of the only places close enough to town for trips in the dark that had a beautiful view of the sky.

It was about twenty minutes later that the party was in full swing and Vermillion managed to slip outside, having been introduced to everypony there. Pinkie Pie was evidently his 'newest-bestest-friendliest-friend-forever,' which had been amusing, but he had not come all this way to party. He had given his thanks and told her exactly what he was going to do: find the first friend he had made since getting here. Putting it that way had pleased the party mare greatly, so he now pawed as quietly across the creaking planks as he could. The party was a dull roar inside now. At the sound of the door she turned her head a bit, nodding to him then returning to her stargazing.

"Heh, sorry about this. I swear, I've never been in a friendlier town." He flopped onto his rear beside her, lazily floating a cup of punch over to her. "I take it you like things quiet, and I pretty much burst that bubble. By proxy, anyway." A nod in the direction of one of the windows revealed the pink pony implied balancing on her nose while others cheered her on.

"Don't worry about it. When I first came here Pinkie tried to be my best friend but... I just wouldn't have it. After my accident I just wanted ponies to leave me alone."

She sighed softly before giving him a small smile and taking the punch, "Thanks. And I do like quiet but honestly I just don't like big crowds. I'm a total wallflower; I got invited to the Grand Galloping Gala once. I got yelled at by Prince Blueblood because I wouldn't dance with him." She chuckled softly and shook her head, "So please, don't feel obligated to come hang out with me, it's your party." She nudged him gently, laying back on the floorboards and closing her eyes, listening to the insects.

He gave her an exaggerated scoff before making himself more comfortable. "Not going anywhere. I like being able to sit and talk like this. Folks in Canterlot don't ever seem to have time for it." He gave her a sideways look. "You've met the prince? Sounds like a real aristocrass."

"Yeah, he really is." She smirked a bit, waving her hoof around, "You don't want to dance with me?! Do you KNOOWW who I am?" She spoke in a sarcastic mocking tone, snickering to herself before nodding in agreement, "Canterlot is so busy, one of the reasons I came here. It's peaceful despite the random parties..."

After a brief chuckle, his eyes softened a bit. "Sorry if it seems a bit prying, but, you mentioned an accident?"

Twisted opened her eyes for a moment, staring up at the roof of her porch in silence for a couple minutes before heaving a sigh. "You seem older than me. So then you should probably remember it from the papers." She closed her eyes again, her hoof touching a large triangle-like talisman on a string around her neck, "I believe it was something like.. "Murdered: Aristocrat Family; Filly missing."

He paused and contemplated. "While I'm flattered you think I'm older... I think... I really doubt that. But I remember something along those lines. I never did find out what happened, and I always had a thing against the media. They always sensationalize or blur the details, so I just wait to hear about it from someone who knows. Although I was wondering how you managed to get into the gala without some kind of noble connections." He saw her staring at the roof and felt a bit of regret for bringing it up. "Sorry, this probably isn't a great topic for you. And this probably seems strange coming from somebody you just met, but if you ever just need somepony to talk to about..." he twirled a hoof in the air, "whatever, then I'm always good for it." He gave her a reassuring smile. "Never really thought time made a huge difference for friendship anyway." Now the smile was a bit cocky again.

"Yeah." She kept her eyes closed though a shaky sigh rocked through her, "My family was pretty high up there. My father was winning championships like no other, even refused the Wonderbolt's free ride. And my mom. She was a beautiful and successful unicorn." She slowly opened her eyes and glanced down at him, her friendly demeanor seemed to disappear in what he could have sworn was a golden flicker of light in her eyes though it was gone in a blink of an eye.

She smiled, sitting up and looking at the sky, "Well. Stranger things have happened. I mean it's not like you immediately invited me to stay at your home before a roughly three day trek through dangerous wooded area or anything." She smirked a bit, nudging him again, "Either way. I better go tell Pinkie it's getting late." She got up, yawning a bit as she slid open the doors and cringed at the sudden sound level change, "Geez..." She grumbled before slapping a smile on her face and heading in.

Vermillion watched her go with a twinge of sadness, then turned to look back up at the stars. He did so every time he got away from all the bright lights of the city and found himself up at night. He was also crazy enough to travel at night; the mysteries of the night scared him far less than they intrigued him. For a moment, a single bright streak crossed the heavens. He remembered a tale his grandfather had told him about falling stars and fortune. He was not much for superstition, but had experienced too many instances of deja vu or lucky breaks to really discount it, either. He contemplated the meaning of the star as he processed his day.

As ponies started departing from the party, he got up and bade farewell to each as they departed. He figured he owed them as much for actually coming to see him. Really, what kind of ponies even do that? After they had all left, he stepped back inside and grabbed his belongings. It was a short search for Twisted. "I still feel kind of bad about imposing. The party was bad enough. I can still find a room in town." He looked thoughtful for a moment, then muttered more to himself. "Actually I haven't camped under the stars in a while, that could be fun..."

Twisted tilted her head, leaning against her broom as she swept things into a dustpan, "You're leaving?" She frowned a little, watching his face. Had she done something? Or had she scared him off with all her "murder" talk. She sighed, shaking her head, "I won't stop you but... you would probably be safer laying out on my porch if you're going to camp.." She paused for a minute, putting a hoof to her lips, "Actually, I think I have an idea if you still wanted to stay. You're not imposing, I promise. And it's probably easier if you stay; saves me a trip into town to hunt you down." She stuck her tongue out at him with a smile. She was back to her cheery self again.

He had to resist the urge to roll his eyes and simply offered another friendly smile. "I appreciate it. Much as I can handle a night outside or in town, this does seem much more inviting," he finished, panning his gaze around the room. "I just never feel like being a burden." The briefest flicker of sadness crossed his features before habit kicked in and schooled it back to a pleasant grin. "What did you have in mind?"

Twisted tilted her head, her expression focused and soft as she scanned his face, "Well..." She shook her head and set the broom against the wall, turning out the lights and flicking on a hall light upstairs. She looked back at her guest before leading the way upstairs. "Come on, I'll show you."

The hallway was small with a window lining the right side to show off the area around them. The trees still loomed over them but he could see eyes outside, watching the house-- it was definitely all the forest lived up to be though it did not seem to phase Twisted. She walked past a first shut door and the the second and last door in the hallway before stopping and turning to him, "No funny business."

He blinked a couple times, opened his mouth to speak, then closed it. He coughed once into a hoof and opted to nod instead of trying to find his voice, then found another topic his mouth would cooperate with. Success! "I'm not a stranger to camping outside with critters watching me, but that's a tad more than I'm accustomed to seeing at night." He glanced back to the window, where he could just make out a pair of eyes watching him from one of the nearby trees. He was hoping it was an owl, but was familiar enough with the reputation of the Everfree.

She looked out the window for a minute with a small chuckle, saying, "Yeah.. I had some curtains for at night but a friend of mine, uh, set them on fire." She shook her head as she opened the door and lead the way inside. Inside the walls were lined with bookshelves. There was a large bed, a desk, and another door one would assume went to the bathroom. She blushed a bit as she let him into her room, rubbing the back of her head nervously, "I bring you here for one reason." She said softly, clicking the lights off and walking up beside him.

As his eyes adjusted he noticed the room had a bluish glow lighting it up. At first he wasn't sure if it was coming from a small light or such until he looked at Twisted. She was staring up at the ceiling with a calm smile, his eyes slowly following her gaze until he was met with a window above them, the bright night sky lit up with tiny stars.

If he had been working his jaw a couple moments before, it was on vacation now. The starscape was spread above him in all its beauty, with nothing to distract the observer. The moon hung in the corner, providing soft illumination, currently waning into a slick crescent.

"It's beautiful..." It took him some effort to drag his gaze away and look at the pegasus beside him. She had an almost wistful expression as she admired the skylight. It took him a moment to recognize the heat spreading over his muzzle, and he was thankful she was looking upwards as he carefully quashed it. Stupid, rebellious muzzle, he grumbled in his thoughts. "Best. Bedroom. Ever."

She looked over at him after a while with a small snort, "Yeah, I think so." She looked over at the bed with a yawn, "You're welcome to stay. But like I said. No funny business." She looked over her shoulder at him as she untied her bandana and set it on the bedside table, "You may have a sword but I think I can take you on." She snickered with a small wink as she sat on "her side" of the bed.

Under other circumstances, he might have begun a game of taunts at that. The phrase "challenge accepted" was one of his favorites, even if he had ended up getting patched up a few times afterwards. He considered his options. In his bags was a neatly compressed bedroll he could roll out, but he had done a lot of hoofing it and train riding that left a real bed sorely tempting.

Meh, buck it. I'm on vacation.

He deposited his bags by the door and pulled out a couple items as an idea struck. One was his travel blanket, the other his favorite scarf. As she slipped under the covers and settled in, he laid down on top, wrapping the scarf around his neck and forelegs in a twisted mess. The travel blanket settled over him with a flick of magic. "See? Funny business won’t be a problem. Sleep well, Miss Ribbon. And thanks again." She could hear the soft smile in his words.

Twisted giggled softly as she stared up at the sky for a while, "You're odd. But I like you." She sighed in content, watching the sky until she drifted to sleep, her wings folded around her shoulder and the odd triangle had managed to prop itself up against the headboard.

His travels had left him rather weary, but out of habit he took the last few moments of his night to simply let his mind wander, and he gazed about the room. His eyes hovered over the strange triangle leaning against the headboard, and his brow scrunched faintly as he scrutinized it. It was certainly an odd accessory, but as he shifted his tangled hooves he figured he was hardly one to talk. Even so, the black figure made a few hairs stand on end, although he could divine no reason for the reaction. He would just have to... He yawned.  Ask her... in the morning...

Very faint, gentle snoring indicated he had finally succumbed to the fatigue of his travels.