Sweeter then Honey.
By Inkquill.
The train jostled slightly as I laid there across the wide passengers seat; my head propped against the wall. My eyes regretfully pried themselves open and I brought my clawed hands to rub my temple lobe. The night had been relatively decent, but I still found it difficult find a peaceful slumber. Never was that keen on travel anyway.
The morning had come and it's early light was now peaking over the sloping, rocky hills in the distance, and seeped into the train car. I cleared my senses and sat up, flexing the tendons in my back as to drive away their befuddled stupor. I then turned to allow my hind legs to hang down to the floor and I stoop up swiftly. Reaching upwards I stretched out my body, making sure to stand on my toes. For some odd reason that would always make my ankles pop, but all the same part of my morning ritual.
I looked outside to see where exactly we were, and by 'we' I mean the other ponies riding along and myself. Outside, the land was still covered in shadows, since the sun had not risen high enough yet, but I could tell that we were moving through sloping foothills and were heading downhill at an even pace. I could also make out that covering the slopes of the foothills were bountiful groves of wild flowers, which kind I was not sure of.
After a while, the morning finally came to a full swing, and things aboard the train became a bit more lively. A waitress moved down the train car with a small cart of simple treats. Tea, coffee, and bagels the like. I made the selection of a light cup of coffee and a blueberry bagel. Always had a fondness for the combination I guess.
"Would you care for anything else sir?" The waitress asked in a pleasant tone.
I looked up at her and with a drowsy smile said, "No, no. I'm, I'm fine thank you."
She smiled in return and proceeded on her way down the aisle.
"Waite, miss!"
"Yes, sir?"
"You wouldn't happen to know how long until we reach Val Fleur by chance?"
"In about two hours tops." She replied. "Now, if you'll excuse me I have others to attend to sir, have a good day."
"Yes, of course, you too."
Val Fleur was a small country side village on the western coast of Equestria. Situated between two branching arms of a nearby mountain range, it was famous for it's vineyards and vast fields of wild flowers. Val Fleur literally meaning 'Valley of Flowers' after all. Sure enough, within the next two hours, we had arrived at our destination; I had glanced out the seat window out onto a vast rolling vale of wild lavender gently swaying in the breeze. The sun was now at its halfway mark in the morn' time sky and the world felt fresh.
I could also see in the distance, among the beautiful violet orchids, was a little hovel of bronzed sandstone and red tiled roofing. A storage house perhaps? It looked somewhat dilapidated and rundown. Perhaps it was abandoned? I could make out a single window just bellow the tiled roof; a simple square hole with a crossbeam of wood placed within it. Anyway, I then noticed upon the horizon a rising hilltop. Pavilions, tiered pouches and humble cottages of all assortment rose up its slops to the very summit. "Val Fluer..." I whispered to myself.
Ah, Val Fluer. A white jewel amongst a garden of colour. Each building glittered in the sunlight with their white plaster walls and crimson shingled roves, cobblestone streets and scenic gardens. It was a treasure I had heard about a while back when I first moved to Equestria from my native lands of the Griffon Kingdoms. After a few more minuets, we arrived at the train station. I departed the train with my suitcase in claw and stared towards the town.
As I moved through the cobblestone streets of Val Fleur, I drank in every detail my griffonic eyes could hold. Creeper vines of rich green draped themselves over sandstone and stucco walls and trellises; shops bustled with activity as the native pony folk went about their morning errands. A baker called out "Hot fresh bread! Hot fresh bread!", a wine store owner arranged a display rack in his window to show the lasted brews, and innumerable flower shops burst with every color imaginable; the air thick in their fragrances.
As I continued my way through the streets, I couldn't help but notice that some of the locals were giving me some curious glances. Then again, they probably don't usually see griffons this far south of the Crystal Mountains. I had come from a small lakeside fishing village in the highlands of the Crystal Mountains in the Griffon Kingdoms. A humble collection of stone cottages made out of smoothed dark river stone "woven" together into walls and roved with bands of wicker. Blackpearch was its name.
I then noticed out of the corner of my eye a shop widow with an assortment of ink wells and quills displayed in it. On the glace was written in bolded gold and green lettering "Thorn Rose's Quill and Parchment Emporium". I was eying a most catching ink well made of what appeared to be carved amber when a small noise caught my vulpine ears. "Pheasant?" A tiny voice said. I looked downward to find a little Pegasus filly to be standing by my side. She appeared to be no older then four or five, well, um, by pony years, and she was staring at me with a sense of confusion and wonder.
"Why hello there little one," I said, "Where'd you come from?"
All she did was giggle and look at me. "You look funny." She said with the bluntness characteristic of her age, "What are you?"
Yep, griffon's are a rarity here, that I knew. "I'm a griffon." I said with a smile, "And what are you?" I asked playfully. "Hmm.. are you a beaver?" She giggled. "No."
"Are you a ferocious dragon?"
She continued to laugh, "N-no, I'm a Pegasus mister," she said, "But you cant be a griffon. You don't have any wings."
My eyes widened in surprise and a bit of embarrassment when she said this. It was true, I didn't have any wings. You see I'm what some call a "demi-griff", griffons born without wings. My parents both had very proud wings, however I was born "earth bound" as we say. I believe it must have been a receive gene on my mothers side. But I smiled at the filly and politely corrected her. "Nope, I'm a griffon alright. I was just born without wings."
She gave me a look a disbelief, "Sure mister, whatever you say." It was then that both the filly and I heard the call of a mares voice, "Pollen Storm, come along. Leave the nice sphinx alone." Well at least she was close. The young then bid me farewell and ran off to join her mother. With a sigh, I gathered my things and headed onward to my destination, a local in where I had rented a room for a month, and at a great price. Finally after some wandering and asking for directions, I finally reached by destination; the l' Oiseau Rare - "The Rare Bird".
"Well... at least a "pheasant" like me would find it comfortable?"
Sweeter then Honey.
By Inkquill.
Upon arriving at the “Rare Bird”, I was greeted warmly by an elderly stallion who went by the name of Vinely. He welcomed me with a warm smile and a hoof- or, well, 'claw' shake in my case, but none the matter. On the ground floor was an open cafe. I could smell fresh pastries being prepared in the back and I could see a few ponies enjoying some cakes along with their coffee or tea.
After going through the whole formalities of the check-in desk, Vinely showed me to the upstairs apartments. There weren't many, and they weren't rather spacious but they were cozy to say the least. My room was labeled simply “Room 3” on a copper plate that hung by the door. It was a descent space. Plenty of open room for me to work, a bed, desk and balcony to let fresh air in. “Yes, this will do quite nicely.” I said to myself.
Vinely then told me that there was going to be a small party in the cafe the fallowing night and said that I was welcome to join in on the fun if I felt up to it. I smiled and thanked him and said I would think about it. I was never one who went out to parties back at home up north, but hey, I had come to Val Fleur to experience new things, so why not? Maybe?
Vinely left me then to return to the cafe. A few orders were beginning to pile up that needed his attention. So I was left alone in my room to settle in. I set my suit case on the bed, which was neatly made and covered by an old quilt, and began to unpack my things.
Shortly after I finished with that, I decided to go and relax on the small balcony. The sun had begun to set, though it wasn't quite to the point that that her Highness Luna would be out and about. But it dependently was later in the day. I sat there for a while. Looking out on the little city I had traveled days and nights to reach. Leaning up against the iron railing of the balcony, I scanned the streets below me. Ponies went about their day. I noticed a pair walking down the street I had come up to the inn from. They were casually chatting with one another, each with a pleasant smile on their face. I couldn't help but smile a little as well. I fallowed them as they turned the corner and headed up the adjacent road away from me and I lost sight of them.
I wasn't quite sure why, but I felt a little heavier after that, and let out a sigh. Thinking about it for a moment and I supposed that I simply felt a little lonely. However, I was in a new place on my own, so I supposed that was understandable. But whatever the case, I decided that I would retire early that day. I hadn't gotten much sleep on my journey so I decided to make up for lost time.
After closing the shutters and preparing the bed, I nestled myself in to find that old quilts and comforters quite soft. It reminded me of when I was a fledgling and my mother would line the nest with her downy feathers to make it softer. Griffonesses actually could make quite a bundle by selling their old downy feathers. Ponies down south, as well as other Griffons found them quite good for stuffing pillows with. Good way to rake in a few extra bits.
I laid there for a while, shifting a turning trying to make myself comfortable, but mostly i just stared at the ceiling. I thought about a few things. What my plan was, what I was going to write while here, what I should do while here in my spare time. Needless to say I felt a bit lost. I had traveled hundreds of miles from my home village in the Hyperborean Mountains up north to the quaint, little town in the south of Equestria to write about the culture and enjoy the scenery, but i still felt lost. I asked myself what I was doing here. My mind was in that state where it simply wouldn't calm down and rest.
It was then that I sat up in my bed and made a decision, “I think I'll take Vinely up on his offer.” I said to myself. And with that, I seemed to calm a little. I wasn't going to waste my time fretting over a plan. “Just let things happen,” I said to myself as I laid back down. And with that I drifted into sleep.
The following morning I woke up with a light groan. I could hear a rooster in the distance crying its signature call, and quite honestly I really had to drag myself out of bed in order to get up. It was just those sheets where so warm and comfortable. But anyway, after going through my morning routine I fixed my plumage and went down stairs to the cafe for get some breakfast. “I wonder if they have scones?” I thought to myself.
Vinely was working at the front desk when I came down and greeted me with a “Good Morning”, and a smile. I did the same and went over to check the menu. I ordered a medium sized coffee with cream and a croissant. Sadly there where no scones to be had. Petty. I now had a craving for one. But never the less, i decided to go and enjoy my breakfast on the outside patio. It was a glorious morning. The sky was completely cleared of clouds, leaving nothing but a vast dome of intense blue. It wasn't overbearingly hot either. A gentle warm breeze did however blow, but all in all it was rather cool.
I sipped my coffee and looked about the streets. There were a few other's out on the patio with me. An Earth pony stallion along with a Pegasus mare sat a table away completely infatuated with each other, while another table down and elderly stallion quietly read his newspaper and enjoyed his meal. I simply loved peaceful mornings like this, and I sighed with a wide smile across my beak.
The street vendors and shop keeps had all opened up for business as the cities denizens took to the streets. Personally, it looked to me like I had traveled somehow back in time a few centuries, because the scene to me looked like something out of a medieval romance film. I chuckled at the prospect. As I continued to sip at my coffee and peck at my croissant, something... very well, somepony caught my attention. Across the street, I noticed a Pegasus mare dressed in rural wear and a wicker basket in hoof. But that wasn't what really caught my eye. It was instead her strikingly vibrant, golden mane. I couldn't see her face, but I couldn't help but just stare a little at her flowing mane. It had a rich orange tint to it, almost like flowing honey. I know that this might sound a little awkward for someone like me to just stare at a stranger but I couldn't help it.
Her coat was a light creamy hue that very much complemented her mane and tail. I watched her pass by the street vendors, with the displays bursting with produce and fruits. She came to a stand decorated with bright, red and violet grapes and the vendor greeted her. They talked for a moment before he gave her a cluster of grapes and she a few bits to him. It was then that I saw her face. Looking back on that I can only say that I felt my breath become caught in my throat as I saw her. Her face was well rounded with even proportions. Gently placed cheekbones and large, bright amber eyes. Not quite the color of her mane but very close.
She was smiling and I swear by the Kings of Yore that the world around me faded. I was fixed on her face. She looked to happy. So warm... I don't know how to describe it. I simply... calm. Yes! Calm is the word! Or is it? I'm not that sure... I watched her as she continued on her way and disappeared into the crowd. I remember frowning when I lost sight of her, and taking a long, deep breath. Looking at the coffee mug I was holding in my claw I sat silent. But after a moment I shook it off and returned to my morning. After all, i probably wouldn't see her again.
Prologue.
Sweeter then Honey.
By Inkquill.
It seems kind of strange. To recount, to relive your life in your own head. When I was a fledgling I remember playing with my friends along side the pebbled lake shore while my mother made us lunch. Or when my sister would prod and tease at me they way siblings always do. Those were simpler times. Happier times.
In my younger years, my mother had once told me to always keep and open mind and to always try to see things from two angles. Gives you a better understanding of things she would say. Well... I suppose that as I write this, this is my way of exploring that other angle.
However it may pain yourself to recount experiences past, I suppose it is all part of the process of healing. Ever since I returned from my holiday, my friends have been concerned for me, and they are well reasoned to be concerned, with all the moping and lack of involvement I've been doing as of late.
So... if this shall give them explanation.. or at least will quell my heart of it's pain, then let us begin...
Author's Note
This is my first attempt at a truly original piece. So please share your thoughts and opinions, I am open to constructive criticism.
Thank you.