Swift Wanderings

I awoke as usual. Careful not to make a sound, I stole quietly across the halls and into the kitchen. Cider was still on the couch, and Inkscape was passed out in Cider’s bedroom. I filled a glass of water and set it on her nightstand - she was liable to have a nasty hangover when she woke up.

I walked outside in the still-dark morning, feeling the dry ground against my hooves.

That’s worrying, I thought. Not a drop of dew on them. I know that I’m pretty high up, but the ground should be at least a bit wet, and there’s still no clouds.

I sat, scanning the sky until the sun rose. It was beautiful sunrise, but what really took my breath away were the ponies. Cider and Inkscape were locked in kiss, clearly visible through their open bedroom window. I tuned away, my cheeks burning. I had not meant to intrude on such a private moment. Resolving to forget it, I turned and began to canter into town. Today was a business day.

I walked down as farmers set up their stalls, selling fresh fruits and vegetables, though there was less produce and more shriveled crops, my guess from recent lack of water. As their shouts filled the air, I cantered down a little-used side road. Down in the dead end, an old mare was selling dried meat.

Before buying, I had made absolutely certain that she was the real deal. Many ponies sold tofu like it was real meat, and illusion spells were often used to conceal the decidedly not-meatness of it. I had also made sure that it was ponanely sourced, from outside of Equestria.

That also meant that this particular seller sold at some severely elevated prices. It cost me about three bits for one day’s rations. I often bought only about half as much meat as fruit though, because while the fruit was cheaper, the meat was more nutritious.

“Good morning, Mrs. Market.” I said. Despite selling meat in a shady alleyway, she was one of the nicest mares I’d ever met. She knew very well that setting up a stand front and center might make some ponies uncomfortable.

“Good morning, Traveler.” She greeted me, a smile upon her wrinkly face. “The usual?”

“Yes please.” I produced a hefty sack of bits, most of what I had left. “Here’s seventeen bits, as promised.”

She eyed the bag, hefted it, and placed it under the counter. “Feels about right. Here’s your order.” She handed me several carefully packaged and dried rolls of meat.

I stuffed them in my bag.

“Thank you.”

She happily waved me farewell as I trotted away.

I had made all my preparations, but something held me back. My head was ready to leave, but my heart was not.

What am I missing? I thought.

“Traveler! Traveler!”

A voice was calling me.

“Yes?”

“Traveler? Where are you?”

“Near Mrs. Market’s alley!”

A sweaty and panting Cider came bustling through the crowd.

“Swift!” She flopped down on the ground, a picture levitating behind her. She slipped it in my saddlebags. “You forgot this. Go get her!”

I turned bright red. “Bwuh? Cider! I - “

She just laughed. “You’re completely smitten. See you at the wedding, and I swear, if I don’t see your mare there, I’ll drag you to Manehattan, and confess for you!”

With that, she left. If anything, Cider knew how to make an exit.

***

That had happened a few hours ago, and the only thing I remembered, even after receiving compliments from countless ponies as I said goodbye.. Now, I was climbing down the mountain. It was very hot, and I could feel myself sweating underneath my thick fur. Thankfully, I started to cool down as evening approached.

The mountainside, although still quiet steep, was dotted with young pines.

I scurried down the last few feet, onto a wide cliffside. I nervously tested the edges - thankfully, it was quite solid.

I pitched camp, forgoing the tent in favor of a small fire. More stars were out tonight. I watched them into the early hours of the morning, before I finally nodded off. It was foolish for me to stay up considering my journey had just begun, but I really did want to see them after sleeping so many nights indoors. The fire burnt itself to the ground, the coals dying quietly.

***

The artist was working late. Her brush made frenzied strokes across a large canvas, a figure slowly taking shape. A green hat, and happy smile were appearing as the artist devoted more hours to her project.

As the night wore on, instead of becoming weary, she grew invigorated, fed by the wild joy of doing something she loved.

More features were defined. A delicate nose, and green eyes, until standing before her, was her Traveler.

Birds began to tweet as the sun rose, but dark clouds blotted out the skies.

There was a knocking on the door. She ran to it, and opened it. There was a weatherpony standing at the door. His feathers were ruffled, and he was breathing heavily.

“H-hello?”

“Ma’am, there’s been an accident at the weather factory. I’m sure you’ve noticed the lack of white in the sky recently, but those clouds now are electrically charged, and there will be lightning storm. We’ve got our best pegasi trying to corral them now, and the Wonderbolts are doing damage control. You should stay inside, and wait it out. Do not go outside unless absolutely necessary. Understand? The factory gives its apologies.”

Joy glanced up at the roiling clouds.

“How far has it spread?”

The weather pony rubbed his hoof nervously.

“From just below the Crystal Empire to Appaloosa, and from a couple miles out there, “ He waved a forehoof towards the choppy waters surrounding Manehattan, “to further than we’ve explored out on the peninsula by the Smokey Mountain Settlement. We honestly don’t know what happened yet.”
Her eyes widened. Swift.

“Oh no.”

“Ma’am?” The weather pony asked, “are you all right?”

The artist nodded. “Good luck with that storm. I’ve got to go make sure all my lights are off.”

“Stay safe, Ma’am.” He took off down the street, towards the next house over. I saw him bang on the door, and an elderly pony open it.

***

Crackthooooom!

I jumped awake as lightning struck. Confused by the dry surroundings, I reached out, feeling for raindrops.

Not one made contact.

Oh no.

I was currently in a very dry climate, with not a drop of water in sight, even if dark cloud loomed overhead. I checked my fire, breathing a sigh of relief. It was completely dead.

Thank Celestia.

Boom!

Lightning struck again, and the acrid scent of fire reached my nose.

Surrounded by a sea of pines.