Reluctantly, they rose from the bed. “I’ll get started making the salad,” Mosley offered.

“Okay,” Valencia replied without complaint, “I think I can trust you to do that without burning it, but allow me take care of the main course.”

He snickered at her jibe, and went to the kitchen while she washed up. Fortunately Valencia had already brought a good selection of greens inside, so in short order he had the opening course assembled. ‘We do need to make a run to town soon,’ He thought, ‘At least to get some bread, maybe some . . .’ He began to make a mental shopping list as he set the table and put out the salad.

“Oh, good, you didn’t burn the salad,” Valencia ribbed him as she went to the kitchen to throw together a stew. “My confidence was well placed after all.”

“Ha Ha,” He deadpanned with a smile. I was just thinking that we could do with a few things from the market. Fresh veggies from our garden is wonderful, but a sandwich for variety wouldn’t be amiss now and then.”

“That reminds me, after supper, I will see if I can put some of the edibles we pulled today under soil before they wither out. We can do full planting tomorrow since there is no lighting outside.” Setting the stew to simmer, she joined him at the table.

As they began their meal, they discussed what would be best to get from the local market. Including a handful of firefly lamps, so as to be able to finish up things in the evening. He doubted that their budget would accommodate buying magically charged gems for the purpose, even if they could find them in this hamlet.

As they moved on to the stew, the topic turned to potential crops. Over the day, Mosley had spent a fair amount of time examining the soil as he weeded, and was pleased by what he had found. “As far as what the field will support, I think our options are wide open. This ground has lain fallow for at least a full season, and wasn’t over used before that, so it is just aching to push out some bumper crops. We just have to decide what will suit our needs.”

“I suppose speed of harvesting is probably the most important, obviously planting orange trees is out of the question,” She sighed, “Perhaps carrots, or corn?”

As they tossed ideas back and forth, again Mosley was impressed by his wife’s knowledge of the details of farming. “What is going to matter most, is the turnaround of our first crop. I mean, we don’t have much overhead right now, and that helps considerably,” He winced, “But our ‘nest egg’ won’t last forever, and we will have some operating expenses. Perhaps a staggered crop. Some quick growing to help out, then augmented with some slower growing but more profitable that we can harvest later. This is going to take a while.”

“Well, while you crunch the numbers, I will go take care of our future garden before the light fails,” Leaving him to the dishes, she kissed him and stepped outside.

As he did the dishes, he tried to remember what he had learned as a colt about crop yields and growth rates. He finally acknowledged that he just hadn’t paid enough attention back then. He had been too focused on leaving the farm to learn about it. Finished with the dishes, he switched gears. He got some paper from their still not fully unpacked luggage, and sat back down at the table to work out a budget.

When Valencia returned, he was deep in thought, chewing on the end of the quill. “How goes the planning?” She inquired.

“Not great, even without having to pay for rent on the land, I figure that we only have enough bits to last for four months, If we scrimp and eat mainly from the garden. And that is assuming that I estimated the cost of the seeds to sow the area we have correctly. It might take us a half a month just to complete planting done. Getting the weeding done was a great start, but there is a lot of work still to do.” He stretched with a groan, “The problem is that I don’t know what would be the best crops to plant. It dawned on me that we can’t just guess what plants will sell for by basing it on what they cost at the store back in Manehatten.”

“Well, perhaps some ‘market’ research can be done tomorrow while shopping,” She said with a smile.

Groaning at her pun, “Not a bad idea, I have no inclination to jump into action again, unless we are fully informed. I’ve learned my lesson.”

His wife rewarded him with a kiss. “I know you have, and now is the time for us to move forward. Together I am sure we will succeed.”

“I hope you know, that I know just how lucky I am to have you by my side, Dearest.” With that, they sat for the evening, brainstorming about their possibilities by the light of a single candle. Untill the toil of the day got them got them both cracking their jaws with yawns. So they retired to the bedroom, and crashed. Spooning his dear mare, Mosley quickly fell asleep.

“Mosley.Wake up!” The urgency in her voice made him start from his slumber.

“What’s wrong,” He said, matching her whisper.

“Alice woke me up, and I heard something from outside,” She looked frightened, not an expression he was used to seeing on her usually composed face, “I know we are close to the Everfree Forest, do you think it could be some monster from there?”

He listened for a moment, “I don’t hear anyth,” Then it came, a wild howl from beyond the wall, “Okay, I heard that, but I have never heard anything like it. I’ll go take a look.”

“Are you sure, maybe it will just go away?” He could hear the concern in her voice, but they needed to know what was outside. If they needed to take precautions, it was better to know now, than after something went wrong.

“I’ll be careful, just stay here. I will be right back.” As the words left his mouth, he suddenly realized that he was meeting the requirements for a campfire story and he repressed a shudder. He would just take a quick look and see what it was and be back inside before anything could happen.

The full moon made him glad that it wasn’t a ‘Dark and Stormy’ night, but at the same time he was worried about being seen by whatever was out there.

As he followed the strange sounds, he realized that he really needn’t have worried, and he quietly returned to his worried spouse.

“Well, there is a beast out there,” He began,” and it has two backs!”

The look of worry on her face turned to one of confusion at this, “A beast with two backs? What are you talking about . . . Ohhhhh,” The light dawned, “Do you mean there is a couple out there . . . Coupling?”

“There certainly is, and they seem very enthusiastic about each other,” He grinned, “I don’t want to be rude, but we should probably let them know that there is someone living here now.”

Valencia blushed adorably, “I suppose that it would be better to tell them now than later. We should probably go out together.”

So saying, they both went outside, but decided to give their visitors a chance to compose themselves. Staying behind the corner of the cabin, Mosley called out, trying to add a touch of dry humor to his voice, “Pardon us, do you think that it might be possible for the two of you to keep the noise down a bit. We are trying to sleep in here, you know.”

The gasp of surprise, and sound of scrambling let them know their message was received. After a few moments, they walked around the cabin to meet the trespassers.

The couple before them looked quite abashed at being caught, yet they had disentangled themselves and did not seem like they were about to bolt.

“Good evening,” Mosley decided to open with courtesy, “My name is Mosley Orange, and this is my wife, Valencia. We just moved in yesterday to begin tending this land, and you are?”

“Oh! Um, well, this is awkward,” The yellow coated mare, sporting a now disheveled styled blue mane started, nervously flicking her ears, “I am Thicket Blossom, and this is Rodger,” She said gesturing to the green Earth Pony with a darker green mane next to her.

“Rodger?” Mosley blurted before he could help himself.

“Yes, my name is Rodger the Shrubber. We are very sorry to have bothered you both, we thought this place was vacant,” replied the stallion.

“Perhaps we should go inside, so as to continue this conversation more comfortably,” Valencia suggested.

“Indeed, do come join us for a pot of tea,” Mosley insisted. If nothing else, this was an interesting diversion.

Confused by their host’s courtesy, the newcomers never less followed them inside the small cabin. Valencia busied herself brewing a pot of wild thistle and plantain tea for them, while Mosley tried to open the conversation.

“So, did you two have a few too many ciders and got lost, just why were the two of you entertaining yourselves in an empty field?” He opened.

They pair of them looked more than a little nervous, “You aren’t going to call the Guard on us?” Thicket Blossom asked.

“Now why would we do that? No real harm was done, was there? The two of you thought this place was vacant, so it’s not like you were trying to disturb the peace.” Valencia returned, “But I am curious as to why the two of you chose to be intimate out here in the first place.”

“Well, I suppose an explanation is the least we can give you after disturbing your rest,” Rodger said, “The truth is that we find being outdoors just kind of liberating. We kind of get off on doing it outside,” He blushed, “One time we found a bunch of bushes in a park with a hollow in the middle;”

Thicket Blossom finished his sentence, “It was the hottest thing we have ever done. Broad daylight, and we could hear other ponies on the other side of the leaves,” Now it was her turn to blush, “I had to bite my lip just to keep quiet. The thrill of risking being discovered,” A visible shiver ran through her, “Ever since, well, indoors just hasn’t cut it.”

“Weren’t you afraid of the possible consequences?” Mosley asked, “I can understand desiring a thrill, but if the wrong ponies caught you . . .” He didn’t have to finish the thought.

“I know, I know,” Rodger said, his head in his hooves, “But it wasn’t like we have any options. There aren’t really any places that would accept our . . . proclivities, and still be outdoors.”

“But what if there were?” Valencia mused, a dangerous spark in her eyes, “Rodger, Thicket Blossom, Do you think that there are many other Ponies with your extracurricular interests?”

Rodger thought a moment, “Well, we haven’t exactly advertised, but we have met a few others over the years who seemed like they would at least have liked to try it outdoors, but most seemed too scared of being caught.”

“There was that group of swingers we met out at Las Pegasus,” Thicket Blossom added, “They seemed up for anything.”

“Mosley, my dearest, I think I have an idea.” She turned to him and took a slow sip of tea, “What if we didn’t raise cops here, but instead made a tourist destination?”

“I don’t quite follow, Precious,” He responded, although he indeed had an inkling of where she was headed.

“I mean we open up an open air couples retreat. A place where the social restrictions of city life can melt away,” She began to grow in enthusiasm, “Once here, they could let go of all the inhibitions that can keep a couple from really knowing each other. Let some spice back into their lives. Rodger,” She barked.

“Huh? What’d I do?” He responded automatically.

“Exactly. What did you say you did for a living?” She asked a little gentler.

Relived to be on familiar ground, Rodger answered, “Shrubberies are my trade. I am a Shrubber. My name is Rodger The Shrubber. I arrange, design, and sell shrubberies,” He paused a moment, “I’m not quite sure why I reintroduced myself.”

“Perfect! Don’t you see, Dearest? We make a hedge maze. A Lover’s maze. Like the bushes this couple found, but bigger, and with other Ponies of like minds in on the game as well.” The spark had grown to a gleam in her eyes that he recognized. It usually meant trouble, but a trouble that he would thoroughly enjoy.

“Could you really do such a thing?” Thicket Blossom asked in awe.

“Well,” Mosley pondered, “We do have free use of the land as we see fit, at least for a year.” He recalled his time at The Club, in Manehatten, “If we make it a members only organization, the rules for what Ponies are allowed to do inside the club gets a lot more lenient. Honestly, as long as we took proper care for privacy, not letting random Ponies see things that might ‘upset’ them, I think that it could be pulled off.” He Looked at their guests, “What do the pair of you think, is this something that there could be a market for?”

The look in their eyes was certainly enthusiastic, “Are you kidding?” Rodger blurted, “We would be first in line, and I think that we have enough contacts to spread the word. The best most ponies have to hope for is a friend of like mind who can spare an extra room for play. But a club that is built around exhibitionism, I think you would be amazed at the number of applicants.”

Mosley had his reservations, but he looked at Valencia and saw the sparkle in her eyes. He couldn’t refuse that look, and besides, despite what she had said, he owed her. He let out a grin, “Well then, I guess we have picked what we will be planting.”

Valencia suddenly embraced him as their visitors looked on smiling, “Well,” She began as they separated, “How about we come back to this in the morning. Later in the morning that is.”

They bade their new friends goodbye, after arraigning to have them come back for further discussion in the afternoon. As they got back into bed he observed, “This was certainly an interesting interlude. I certainly never expected to get inspiration for our farm in such an unconventional manner.”

“Well, I know it is quite a departure from what we have been talking about, but I don’t know, it sort of feels right,” She looked a little conflicted, “It doesn’t seem right that Ponies who just want to enjoy each other’s company, have to go worrying about getting into trouble with the Guards. Does it? If have the chance to offer refuge for others, and possibly help ourselves out at the same time, it just sounds like the right thing to do.”

He wrapped his legs around her in a loving embrace, “Your heart, as always, is in the right place, Precious. And while this idea is definitely out there, I do think that it has a good chance of working out for everyone. We have a lot of planning to do in order to make it a reality, but we can do that after we get some sleep. Everything will work out as long as we do it together,” So saying, he kissed his wife, blew out the light, and began trying to get back to sleep.

Author's Note

Now things shall start to warm up.