Silence

The dark hue’s made way for the lighter ones, and critters lazily made their way home. Tumble weeds rolled softly through the dessert and in the distance an owl hooted. Time stood still at a moment’s breath like clockwork, the wind ceasing its light blow over the orange shaded sand. All was quiet for a whole five seconds.

She’d counted

Soft pastels rolled into the twilight and all awakened ponies couldn’t help but smile. One whose shadow stood tall above the rest hollered out to the others.

“Mornin’s due!”

With that simple but clear message everypony went about its way. Farmers went on to feed their cattle and harness for travel while everyone else finished packing their things. Tents were lowered and food was stored. Little Sari Flower stumbled behind her mother, hesitant of tripping, after all her tiny hooves sank a little deeper into the sand than the rest.

“Mommy, where are we going this time?” she asked curiously as she watched her mother pack.

“A lovely little town called, Ponyville.” Her mother smiled warmly. She then grabbed the newly packed bag and swung it across her shoulder. Seeing her step out of the tent, Sari quickly stumbled beside her.

“How long are we staying?” she asked as they walked

Her mother was silent for a few steps and Sari wondered if she’d said something wrong but her mother finally spoke, “I don’t know my flower.”

Sari kept quit as they made their way to the small hill where everyone had agreed to meet once done packing. A few ponies already stood at the hill and chatted silently among themselves. Once atop the hill Sari let her gaze wonder to the horizon they would soon be surpassing. It was only sand as far as the eye could see but she would miss it here. It reminded her of the place she had been born in, even the wind that gave a warmer breeze rather than cool. To be fair, she missed every place she had ever gone to and for a filly, it was a lot. This place had felt special however, it was always calm and the heat’s steamy vapor on the land made it all feel like a hazy dream.

“Ponyville, it’s…a bit different from what were used to.” her mother spoke softly, looking at the horizon the way Sari had.

Sari tilted her head “What do you mean mommy?”

“Well…” her mother started “the ponies there are a little bit, different.”

Sari frowned “The ponies are different everywhere we go, that’s what makes them special.”

Her mother smiled slightly and muzzled her daughter “that’s right” but the smile didn’t stay and Sari was beginning to worry. Her mother loved going to new places as much as she did, what was different about this one?

“What’s different about them?” she asked.

Sari suddenly noticed more ponies having joined the group. They started to slowly move, she and her mother trotting towards her father who walked among the ponies upfront and continued at a slower pace.

“You’ll see.” her mother spoke and for the rest of the journey Sari was left to wonder just what made Ponyville so diverse from any other place in Equestria.