Meadows and Shadows

As the afternoon turned to twilight, Octavia walked through the streets at a slow pace, all the while taking in all the sights to see. She had now walked for a few hours now and the sun had begun to set over the horizon.

She saw Daisy and Roseluck packing up shop for the end of the day, they waved at her once she came into their view. She waved back at them and proceeded to move on her way.

As walked further out of the market she overheard Applejack speaking to Thunderlane, complaining about the lack of rain over their farm, with few of their crops slowly withering away due to lack of water.

A few moments later, she saw Derpy rushing off to somewhere with a package between her teeth.

As she looked towards the sky, she began to realize how much time she had actually spent walking around. The baby blue sky was now replaced by a gradient of orange and violet hues, slowly enveloping the land in darkness in preparation for the night.

As she walked further, she began to feel the cold wind of the night slowly embracing her, calming her nerves as she walked through the now silent town.

With everypony now inside in their homes all comfortable and warm, some counting their earnings for the day, and some enjoying the company of their beloved, they all shared the same feeling of being at home; bliss.

She observed as the darkness slowly enveloped the town and soon, she saw the simultaneous action of ponies lighting up some lanterns, and some turning on their lights, bathing the streets in a bright, yellow glow.

The town, dark and mysterious, brightened up as the first stars of night came into view. Stars, which sprinkled over the night sky, provided a beautiful sight as the cold wind blew over her body.

She walked further and proceeded to go near a lake by the edge of the town. A small hill, with a small tree perched on top of it, its branches reaching up to the sky, as if wishing to grow higher, overlooked over the lake.

The lake, its light-blue surface was now replaced by a dark blue surface, covered by a plethora of white dots, reflecting the sky above it.

Octavia sat down on top of the hill, her back leaning against the cold, rough surface of the tree for support.

She began to take in the breath-taking sight in front of her, and began to relax. Her face now adorned a warm smile, mixing in with the cold wind which only served to ease her up further.

She closed her eyes and began to think.

“Twilight and her gang probably look forward to this every time they go and venture off to someplace different.” She thought. “ To return back home and to feel the company of their loved ones, their friends and family. A place of familiarity. A place to finally keep your guard down and enjoy the good things in life.”

She sighed. “I guess, compared to them, I’m more lucky to not have to go to someplace else, risking my life for Equestria.”

She closed her eyes and just listened to her surroundings. Its still, and tranquil moments like these that make nature the creator of the most beautiful music in the world. Like nature’s own orchestraic piece, portrayed through it’s creatures big and small, inanimate and living. The ;rustling of the leaves; the chirping of the grasshoppers; the croaking of the frogs near the lake; the distant hoots of an owl near the forest; the sound of rushing water down the stream. She felt in harmony, the same feeling she felt as she played with her other band acquaintances, their instruments synchronizing beautifully, creating music pleasing to hear.

A feeling of content washed over her as she opened her eyes to look across the lake, there she found few flowers blooming under the moonlight.
On the right was a wide meadow scattered with flowers of different colors and sizes. A meadow beautiful enough to be picture-perfect if a trained artist were to paint it.

She rose to all fours and proceeded to walk back to town. Walking towards the bridge crossing the path from Ponyville to the forest, she found ponies walking about with their colleagues, one wore a business suit which looked like they just came from the train from business off of somewhere near Manehattan the stallions tired and weary face brightened up as he saw his loving wife and children. There were a bunch of teenage colts and mares heading towards the nearest nightclub to blow off their bits with alcohol, no doubt blissfully unaware of the repercussions that the next morning will give, and she also saw a couple walking towards the restaurant She and Vinyl were at earlier that day.

Yet she trudged on with one goal set in mind.

“Get back home, eat some dinner and probably enjoy a bit of wine while I’m at it.” She thought, grinning. She thought of the smell and taste of decanted wine which only helped her in making her travel much faster.