It was a sunny day as a train headed for Rainbow Falls sped down the track. On this particular day, a certain stoic mare was on her way to do research. This purple maned, gray-furred mare named Maud Pie was on her way to investigate a mysterious quarry called ‘Calming Rock’. She’d heard that it contained rare minerals that said to have soothing properties. As she looked out the window of the train, she let out a sigh.
“Maybe this trip is what I need,” Maud said to herself.
She had recently found herself losing interest in her studies and took an extra credit research project to try and rekindle that spark. She sat alone and watched the scenery whisk past her window.
‘You okay, Maud?’ asked a voice.
Maud then reached into her pocket to pull out her faithful pet Boulder. Though he was just a mere pebble, Maud cherished him as a valued pet.
“I’m fine, Boulder,” she replied.
‘Are you sure? You seem a bit down,’ he said.
“Well…Boulder. Do you think I’m weird?” she asked in a bit of somber tone.
‘Of course not. Why’d you ask something like that?’
“Well…whenever I’m with other ponies…I feel out of place,” she explained. “Like I don’t belong…”
‘Well what about Pinkie and her friends?’ he countered.
“It’s true they’ve grown more comfortable around me, but at first even they were a bit off put by me. Ponies take my stoic demeanor and flat tone as being unfriendly,” she replied.
‘Well…who cares what they think. You know the type of pony you are.’
“Yeah…” she sighed, returning her gave to the passing scenery.
She then heard the conductor speak.
“Next stop Rainbow Falls! Next stop Rainbow Falls!” he announced.
Maud then rested her head on her folded forehooves.
“I just wish I could meet a pony who really understood me,” she whispered.
Upon arriving at Rainbow Falls train station, Maud grabbed her belongings and headed to her destination. As she walked through the natural beauty of the forest, a small smile appeared on her face.
“What a lovely day for a hike,” she happily spoke.
After a few mile hike, she reached her destination. She was taken aback at how beautifully laid out the terrain was. The ruggedness of the cliffs, the perfect placement of the rock along the path, and the small pond that lay in the middle made Maud let out a blissful sigh.
“Such a beautiful quarry,” she beamed.
“You can say that again,” spoke a voice.
Maud turned to see another mare was walking up to her. This mare had a green coat, orange mane with light orange accents done up in dreadlocks, and purple eyes. She wore a goldenrod bandana with flower print and carried a beige saddlebag with a sunflower buckle. With a gentle smile, the mare greeted Maud.
“Greetings, my friend. I’m Tree Hugger. Who might you be?” the mare spoke.
“Hello, my name is Maud Pie,” Maud replied.
“Radical to meet you,” Tree Hugger smiled.
She then walked past Maud and head to a reasonably large boulder with a flat surface. She then climbed to the top.
“So what brings you out here, Ms. Pie?” asked Maud.
“Research. I’m studying to get my roctorate,” she replied. “And you?”
“Nothing really. Just here to enjoy the scenery,” she replied, while she stood in a flamingo stance.
Maud couldn’t help but find Tree Hugger intriguing. She was so willing to have a conversation with her, where others would just avoid her altogether.
“Hmm...you’re an interesting mare, Ms. Hugger,” noted Maud.
“Right back at cha. You can just call me Tree Hugger, that ‘Ms.’ Thing isn’t my scene,” she responded.
“Okay then…Tree Hugger. And you can call me Maud.”
“Righteous.”
As she stretched, she felt her hoof kick a stray stone.
“Oh, sorry my friend. I didn’t mean to kick you,” she spoke.
Tree Hugger then picked up the rock and petted it. This caught Maud off guard.
“Did you just talk to that rock?” she asked incredulously.
“Of course, my special talent is to protect and understand nature. So I hear their inner voice,” Tree Hugger explained.
“That’s a unique gift,” Maud said.
She decided to test out her talent. Maud then pulled out Boulder from her pocket.
“This is my pet Boulder. Say hello Boulder,” said Maud.
‘Hello there’ he spoke.
Tree Hugger noticed and jumped down from the boulder to get a better look at her pet.
“Nice to meet you, little dude,” she said as she patted him. “What a righteous pet you have.”
‘Wait you understand me?’
“Of course I can, little dude,” she smiled.
‘I thought Maud was the only one that could.”
She merely shrugged.
“Understanding nature is my thing.”
“You’re definitely an interesting mare,” smiled Maud.
“I get that a lot. Though not often in a complementary way,” Tree Hugger joked.
This got a soft chuckle from Maud.
“So, why did you come all the way out here?” she asked.
Tree Hugger then sat on the ground, hind legs crossed and smiled.
“It the perfect place for my weekly meditation session,” she explained. “Wanna give it a try?”
“I would, but I have my research to get back to.”
“Okay then. I’ll try not to disturb you.”
Maud then went to explore the quarry.
As Maud studied the various rock formations, she wasn’t able to find the ones that had the soothing properties that she heard of. While hoof deep in her investigation, her ears perked up when she heard a melodious hum. She turned to see Tree Hugger was in a zen-like trance. Maud found it to be somewhat calming and was drawn to it. Tree Hugger opened on eye and noticed her staring.
“Oh sorry. It’s how I meditate. I project a soothing vibe to calm my aura,” she explained.
“I see, well it sounds really nice,” noted Maud.
“Thanks,” smiled Tree Hugger.
The two went back to their individual activities. Though she was busy inspecting the terrain, Maud found herself occasionally glancing back to Tree Hugger. Usually, when was around other ponies she’d feel awkward or uneasy. But with Tree Hugger, a mare she just met, she felt comfortable like she did around Pinkie and her friends. It was a nice feeling.
“Am I bothering you?” asked Tree Hugger.
Maud snapped out her thoughts, now realizing she had been staring at her for a while. Maud quickly shook her head.
“No, I was just observing your meditation technique is all,” she spoke.
“Oh, alright then. I wouldn’t wanna distract you from your work.”
“Oh you’re not,” Maud responded. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to stare.”
“It’s cool,” she winked.
With a blush, Maud went back to her exploration. After a few moments, Tree Hugger called out to her.
“Hey, Maud... mind giving me a hoof?”
“Sure…with what?”
Turned to see Tree Hugger’s hind leg stretch out and trying to lean her body forward.
“Mind helping, me with bending forward? I need my forehooves to reach my hind legs,” she requested.
“O...okay…”
She then walked behind dreadlock mare and put her hooves on the small of her back. Not to apply too much force, Maud then gently pushed her forward. Tree Hugger let out a contented sigh as she stretched out on the ground, which caused Maud to blush.
“Thanks, Maud,” smiled Tree Hugger.
“You’re welcome,” Maud replied.
When she looked back, she noticed the blush on Maud’s face.
“You alright?” she asked.
“Yes...I'm fine,” Maud replied.
“Okay then…”
After a few moments, Tree Hugger signaled that she was done stretching.
“Thanks again, Maud. You really helped me out,” said Tree Hugger.
“Is that all you need? I really must get back to my research,” spoke Maud.
“Sure…didn’t mean to take up your time.”
“Oh, it’s nothing like that. I enjoyed helping you,” smiled Maud.
“Righteous~.”
With a nod, Maud went back to her investigation. As she continued to look, she came across a large boulder that blocked her path. With great ease, she lifted the rock into the air. She then heard a gasp of amazement that came from behind her.
“Whoa! How’d you do that?” Tree Hugger asked astonished.
“Huh? What do you mean?” queried Maud with a tilted head.
Tree Hugger pointed to the boulder.
“That…how can you lift that so easy?”
Maud forgot that not everypony has seen her use her strength.
“Oh, it comes from years working at a rock farm,” Maud answered.
She gazed upon Maud with wonderment.
“Wow~ That is so righteous!” she exclaimed.
Maud was caught off guard by her reaction.
“It’s not that impressive,” Maud shrugged.
She then tossed the boulder clear across the quarry, much to the amazement of Tree Hugger. She got up from the ground and made her way over to Maud.
“You’re one tough mare,” Tree Hugger complimented.
“You think so?” spoke Maud.
“Yeah,” she nodded.
As she walked, her hoof got caught on a rock, and she fell forward. Before Tree Hugger hit the ground, Maud ran and grabbed her. Tree Hugger looked up at her with gratitude.
“Thanks for the save,” she grinned.
“You’re welcome,” replied Maud.
Maud then looked to see her staring with intrigue before she stood up.
“Something wrong?” asked Maud.
“Nothing…” she replied.
“Oh, okay then…”
Maud then saw her turn away slightly as if you collect her thoughts. Then, just as she was about to speak, Maud’s stomach growled loudly which caused her to blush.
“I guess its lunchtime,” she spoke. “Care to join me, Tree Hugger?”
“Sure, I’d love to can eat,” smiled Tree Hugger.
Maud then placed her saddlebags on the ground. She reached in and took out two daisy and daffodil sandwiches and gave Tree Hugger one. She gladly took the sandwich and split it in half. As the two mares sat and ate, Tree Hugger spoke up.
“May I ask you something, Maud?” she began.
“Um…sure.”
“Why do you study rocks?”
Maud thought for a moment.
“Hmm, I guess since I worked on a rock farm geology has always been a passion of mine,” Maud explained before she gazed into the sky. “Unique terrain is just so fascinating to me. That’s why I’m here. It’s said that this quarry is home to the most unique geological terrain in all of Equestria.”
“Well, that’s partially true,” replied Tree Hugger, as she took a bite of her sandwich. “There’s a place that more unique than this one. It’s just a short trek up the trail, where ponies rarely venture to.”
This got Maud’s attention.
“Is that so?” she inquired.
Tree Hugger replied with a nod as she took another bite. Maud was internally elated at the chance to research even more unique.
“...Would you mind showing me?” requested Maud.
“Sure, but it’ll take us a while to get there,” she warned.
“I have time…”
With a smiling shrug, Treehugger then packed up her stuff.
“Okay, let’s go,” said Tree Hugger.
The two then head down the trail.
As they walked, the two took in the beautiful landscape filled with lush trees, shrubbery, and flowing river.
“Isn’t nature a glorious thing,” sighed Tree Hugger.
“I would have to agree,” noted Maud. “Nature is truly a wonder.”
This got a chuckle from the green mare.
“I knew I was right about you…”
“Right about me? What do you mean?” asked Maud.
When you turned to look at her, both of their eyes met. As Maud gazed into her purple orbs, she felt herself start to blush.
“That you’re a special mare. I noticed it when I first saw you. Though you have a stoic demeanor, your aura had a loving and soothing vibe to it,” she began. “And even when you were researching the quarry, I could see the excitement and passion pouring out of your aura. You’re a mare who doesn’t show her emotions, but are full of them. That’s pretty righteous.”
Maud was caught off guard by her words. Here’s was a mare who had just met her, and she knew more about her than any other. This made her heart skip a beat.
“H-How did you know that?” asked a bewildered Maud.
“Simple my child. Aura speaks volumes about a pony. And yours is quite the unique one,” winked Tree Hugger.
Maud felt her face heat up at her kind words. As a result, she quickly turned her head away in an attempt to hide her blush. This got a chuckle for the mare.
“No need to be embarrassed, Maud,” smiled Tree Hugger.
Maud then increased her pace, to try and avoid looking at Tree Hugger.
“Maud…wait up,” called out Tree Hugger, as she followed her closely.
With her face reddened, Maud continued her quickened pace.
“Did I say something wrong?” asked Tree Hugger.
Maud shook her head and kept up her pace. She didn’t understand why her heart was now warm after her such kind words. It was pleasant, yet frightening feeling. She needs to clear her thoughts before she could reply to Tree Hugger.
“Maud…look out for that–” warned Tree Hugger.
Before she could finish, Maud found herself face first in the base of a tree.
“…tree…”
Maud then slid down the tree to the ground. Tree Hugger then ran to her.
“Maud, are you okay?” she asked with concern.
“Yeah…I think so,” Maud replied, as she rubbed her muzzle.
“Well, let me take a look to be sure.”
As Tree Hugger began to scan her face, she caught the earthy scent coming from Maud. The scent made her feel at peace and calm, something few ponies can accomplish. For Maud she smell the flora aroma that the mare, like a field of daisy and tulips. Maud felt her heart race as the scent fill nostrils.
She did he best to kept her composure as Tree Hugger examine her. As she continued to examine Maud, their eye then met. She found it difficult to focus on the examination, and she was lost in her light turquoise orbs. As a result, a faint blush sprawled across her muzzle.
“You okay,” asked Maud.
Tree Hugger then snapped out of the trance and shook her head.
“Yes, I’m fine,” she waved it off. “Just didn’t realize how beautiful your eyes were.”
This got a smile from her.
“Th-Thank you. Yours are nice too.”
Tree Hugger gave her a bashful smile.
“Why thank you,” she giggled. “Doesn’t seem like anything is broken. So that’s good.”
Maud then rose to her hooves.
“Shall we get going?” she asked.
“Let’s get to it. We’re only a few minutes away.”
The two mares then proceed down the trail.
After ten minutes of walking, the two had reached an enormous tree. Confused, Maud looked at her.
“Um…is this where the rock formations are?” she asked.
Tree Hugger nodded and headed to the base of the tree. As she got closer, Maud noticed a large hole in its base. She saw Tree Hugger walk into the tree, and fall into the darkness. Maud quickly ran to the hole to see that there was what looked like a slide.
“Come on down Maud, it’s a fun ride,” shouted Tree Hugger.
With a shrug, she went down the slide. When she reached the bottom, she was left in awe. Before her was cavern filled with crystals and colored rocks.
“Whoa…” Maud replied with widened eyes.
“My words exactly…”
Maud then ventured into the cave. As she was lost in wonderment, Tree Hugger couldn’t help but chuckle. Before her was a mare that looked at the cave like a young filly in a candy store. This place was special to her and she rarely, if at all, shared its location with anypony. But somehow it just felt right to show Maud. She knew if anypony would appreciate its natural beauty, it would be her. While she lost in thought, Maud was inspecting the area and writing down notes.
‘This place is a research gold mine. I’ll be able to finish that paper in no time’ thought Maud.
Maud turned to her with a gracious smile.
“Thank you so much, Tree Hugger,” she spoke.
Tree Hugger felt a tingle in her aura, as she returned the smile.
“You’re quite welcome.”
“How’d you find this place?” asked Maud.
“Well…” she began. “One day, during my weekly mediation sessions I heard a voice call to me. I followed it here, and the rest is history.”
She then let out a relieved sigh.
“I find myself at peace most here.”
“So, this place is special to you?” asked Maud.
She nodded.
“But why share this me? I’m a complete stranger?” Maud questioned.
Tree Hugger turned to her with a gentle smile.
“Because...I knew you’d appreciate the beauty of this place,” she stated.
Maud returned her smile.
“Oh, I see…”
“May I ask you something?” inquired Tree Hugger.
Maud nodded.
“Why did you come to Calming Rock alone? Surely you could’ve come with a classmate?”
She then felt her aura darken slightly as her ears drooped.
“Well...I’m not really friends with my classmates,” Maud admitted.
“Really? Why is that?”
“They take my stoic demeanor as being uncaring and emotional. They don’t really see me as a pony worth getting close to.”
“Is that so? Well, I feel sorry for them.”
“What do you mean?
“Hmm...follow me…”
Tree Hugger then walked over to a group of crystals, to which Maud followed. When they reached the crystals, Tree Hugger turned to Maud.
“Tell me, Maud, what do you see when you look at these crystals?”
Maud then examined the crystals. Though they varied in size, they each had the same purple hue. But Maud then noticed that one of the crystals had a slightly dark tint and duller than the others.
“Well, other than that one they’ll all look same,” she pointed out.
Tree Hugger responded with an acknowledging nod.
“True,” Tree Hugger began as she picked up the dull crystal. “Even though this crystal may be an outcast, if the right pony comes along even the dullest crystal can shine.”
She then lifted the crystal into the air. When a stray beam of sunlight hit it, the cave was suddenly filled with violet light. Maud was rendered speechless from both her words and demonstration.
“I’m no stranger to ponies judging you based on your appearance rather than getting to know you. But don’t let them take your happiness. You're an amazing mare who anypony would be lucky to have as a friend,” she smiled.
Maud felt her heart grow warm and a stray tear fall. Nopony outside of her family and Pinkie Pie’s friends had every spoken to her with such kindness. For the first time in a while, she felt happy.
“Thank you, Tree Hugger,” she smiled, as she wiped away the stray tear.
Tree Hugger turned to her with a gentle smile.
“My pleasure, my dear. Make I ask another question?”
“Yes…”
Tree Hugger then moved closer to her.
“How do you feel about me?” she asked with a faint blush.
“What?” Maud responded with widened eyes.
“I wanna know what you think of me?”
With a blush, Maud turned her gaze to the ceiling.
“Well...um...you’re a nice mare. You’re understanding, kind, caring, and unique,” she answered.
This got a smile from her. Maud then looked back to her.
“Why do you ask?”
This time it was Tree Hugger who looked to the ceiling.
“Not many ponies take the time to get to know me. And your one of the few ponies I feel comfortable to be around. And we just met,” she admitted. “I’d like it if I had a special pony like you in my life.”
Maud was taken aback by her comment. She then took her hoof into hers.
“You always could,” spoke Maud.
“You mean it?” Tree Hugger questioned with widened eyes.
Maud nodded. Tree Hugger then wrapped her into a hug. While surprised at first, she melted into her embrace and returned the hug.
‘I’m glad I came here.’
As they sun began to set, two mares had made their way back to the train station.
“Thanks for a righteous outing Maud. I haven’t enjoyed myself like that in awhile,” grinned Tree Hugger.
“I’d have to agree too. And thanks to you I have a great resource for my research. How can I ever thank you?”
“Just seeing your smile is thanks enough.”
Maud lightly blushed. The two then heard a train barreling down the track.
“Guess that's me,” Maud said, a bit saddened.
Tree Hugger noticed and gave her a warm hug.
“Aw, don't be that way, Maud. After all, I can always come to visit you,” she winked.
“Yeah…I guess...”
She thought for a moment. Tree Hugger then took off her bandana.
“Here...to take with you. So that way if you feel lonely, it’ll remind you that there’s somepony out there who cares for you.”
As she took it from her, Maud felt a familiar warmth in her heart.
“I’ll be sure treasure this.”
As the train pulled up, Maud prepared to board.
“Um...Tree Hugger…”
“Yes?”
“Would you be free around this time next week? We could have a picnic at our secret spot.”
Tree Hugger responded with a peck on her forehead.
“It's a date,” she winked.
With reddened cheeks, Maud gave her one final hug before she boarded the train. As she took her seat, she looked out to her mare waving to her. She return the gesture as she train slowly pull off. The two of them continued this until they were both out of sight. Now alone with her thoughts, Maud couldn't help but smile.
“Best trip...ever.”