A Scholar's Journey: Equestria

Vanhoover was a rather small and unassuming town. Ponies moved about the lives day in and day out, ships came in and ships went out. It was all like clockwork for the small harbor village of Vahoover. Today had a slight mist that rolled in from the bay, not too dense and never impeded on the daily lives of the ponies there. A trading ship pulled into port, mooring onto on of the docks as some of the dockhands gathered to offer their help in unloading the ship's goods.

A boarding deck slid out from the vessel and lowered onto the dock. The captain of the ship soon appeared at the top of the walkway and came down it. He was soon accompanied by a hooded pony with a humble air about him. His muzzle could only be seen as most of his face was covered by his robe's hood. Pouches and potions were strapped across his chest and waist and a strange book hung off of his right side.

The guards were on approach and the captain produced his paperwork for the ship and cargo he was bringing in. They took one look at the stranger.

"He was stranded at sea. He's also with me." The captain just told them. The guards nodded and handed the page back.

"You're cleared." The stranger gave them a small smile and tapped the captain on his shoulder.

The hooded stranger took the captain's hand and placed an object in his palm. The captain noticed that the stranger's hands also had claws, even strange for something that looked like a pony. Once the hand moved, he saw a small medallion with a symbol on it. The captain tried to hand it back.

"There's no need to pay me."

"It's a gift." The stranger gave the captain a smile again."To bring you good fortune on your travels."

The captain looked back at the object. "Then you should have it." The captain tried again.

The hooded stallion just grinned and pushed the older ponies hand back and to his chest. "I don't need good fortune, my journey will be long."

The captain nodded and let the stranger go. The hooded figure weaved through the streets of Vanhoover, going between ponies as he looked for three buildings; A general store, a book store, and an inn. He found the first shop on his list no problem, and whilst there he got himself a map, compass, and satchel to carry his bigger items that he may find out in the wild.

The hooded figure moved on to wander the streets once more. His eyes scanned the surroundings, keeping an eye out for the signs. The figure wandered for hours, only stopping twice to get something to eat and store some food for his journey. No luck with the book store though, no matter, he will just have to head to another town. The sun was setting now, the stars were peeking out from behind the dimming curtain of light.

The stranger made his way through the emptying streets of Vanhoover back to where he spotted the inn. The inside was warm, a big fireplace on the far wall was blazing a good amount of heat and light across the main floor. Ponies of all walks were gathered around tables with their buddies or other and spinning their tales to one another. Most of the patrons with mugs of drink in their hands.

The clattering was cheerful, some groups even singing sea shanties and other bouts of tunes as they enjoyed themselves and their company. The stranger wasn't here of any of that, he was there for a room. He approached the main bar and smiled at the keeper. The keeper just stared at the hooded stranger in front of her, not really amused. The stranger' sleeve waved over the counter and produced a single gem the shone against the fire's light.

Her eyes widened and looked up at the stranger. "I'd just like a room for the night." The stranger asked, a small smile on his muzzle.

The keeper just nodded to him and quickly gave him a key that disappeared into his sleeve. "I will be up by morning to return the key." The stranger told the keeper mare.

"Upstairs. Door in the farthest corner to the left." The keeper told him. The hooded figure smiled and nodded, following her instructions.

The stranger liked his rented room. It wasn't too small nor too large for him to use, and the cheeriness of the main floor below seemed to be in a distant muffle. He laid out the map on his bed, then setting the compass down next to it like it were a treasure. He grabbed a candle as the room started to get a little on the darker side. His hand waved over the wick and it lit almost immediately.

The candle lit up his area just fine and set it on the surface with a small clinking sound. He soon reached into a pouch and pulled out an inkwell and a quill. The hooded figure popped the cork on the well off an the smell of fresh ink enter his nostrils. He dipped the quill's tip into the ink and looked at the map, a small smile as he circled his next destination.

It was a place south of Vanhoover, "Los Pegasus" was the name and he was certain to make it there. He only knew of Vanhoover from the old captain that told him where the ship would be landing. The stranger started to estimate the travel to Los Pegasus now, figuring the trip would take him a few days. Especially if he only traveled during the day and found places to rest up at night. Then that would mean that he'd have to get a few more things. The stranger started to fold up the map and put away his quill and ink.

Tomorrow was gonna be the start of his long journey, Vanhoover now being the first step. The stranger started to hang up his straps and robe, making sure they were ready for tomorrow. He locked the door before he walked over to the bed and pulled back the cover. He was going to need all the rest he could get.