A Thousand Fluffs

Maud pushed the door of the hotel open with a delicate nudge of the snout, her dull violet mane neatly brushed into place with not a hair askew, even as her hooves dripped with fresh mud. Wearing her usual outfit that was both comfortable yet familiar, lastly a large beige saddle bag was slumped over the tiny mare’s backside.

Large pale blue eyes never broke focus from her gaze behind the cozy wooden desk, a sweet yellow earth pony quickly shuffling out from the back office to greet her. Her mane a curly orange hue, eyes a lime green full of genuine goodwill towards weary traveling ponies.

“Welcome to The Cozy Stables, how may I help you ma'am!?” The mare flashed a beaming smile towards her monotone guest.

“I'd like a room for the night, preferably one on ground level.” Maud spoke in a calm collected tone of voice, long lashes batting in place slowly.

“Are you sure? We have a suite open on floor three, with a breathtaking view of the valley!” The mare giggled in place grabbing a few papers for the mare to sign.

“A suite isn't necessary, I don't mind being down to earth.” Maud swiftly stamped her tiny hoof print onto the sign in sheet.

“Very well, allow me to escort you to your room.” The mare happily slid the paperwork into a nearby cabinet.

The pony skipped out from behind her desk with a chipper smile, politely asking if she may carry Maud's saddlebag to the room for her. Maud giving a knowing nod before slipping off her luggage, the hotel mare flinging it over her backside with a sudden look of surprise.

The yellow pony feeling her knees buckle as a massive pressure was suddenly placed onto her lower back, she felt as if a boulder had been thrown onto her body from a massive mountain.

“Oh dear, what's in here rocks!?” The yellow mare tried to play it off in a joking manner, taking a few wobbling steps forward with frightful eyes.

“Yes.” Maud spoke with a dead serious gaze.

“But why?” The mare knew she had made quite the mistake, unable to understand how such a tiny pony like Maud had hauled this behemoth around at all.

“They're my sentimental sediments.” Maud gently followed her hostess down to a humongous stretch of hallway.

“Sentimental what!?” She gasped taking each step slower than the last, the hallway feeling a thousand miles long.

“Sediments. They're the weight of the love, I feel for my family.” Maud delicately unzipped the side of the left saddlebag, removing a tiny little pebble from within.

“This here is Boulder, he's magnesium-rich basalt over two thousand years old.” Maud spoke in a monotone voice, the tiny pebble held high in her hoof.

“I was given him on a dark stormy night, my parents suggested he would protect me from unsavory individuals and possible malicious intentions.” Maud explained in a deadpan tone.

“Uhh, did it work?” The yellow mare slumped against the wall to take a breather.

“Though he is cherished, I found no evidence of Boulder having paranormal nor metaphysical attributes.” Maud gently slid her pebble into a hidden pocket on her dress.

“So no?” The hotel pony scrunched her muzzle.

“Indeed, though the prayers of safety from my parents warms my heart.” Maud replied her face never once showing any emotion.

“That's sweet I suppose.” The mare trembled in place, scooting along down the hall at a snail's pace.

Maud gave a soft bat of her lashes, opening the right saddlebag pocket the petite grey mare removed a large limestone slab with utmost ease.

“Limestone is a hard sedimentary rock, composed mainly of calcium carbonate or dolomite, used as building material.” Maud flung the slab onto her backside balancing it with ease.

“Uhhh.” The yellow pony was unsure what to say, though grateful for the large release in weight upon her body.

“This slab was given by my sister of the same name, much like her namesake she is the building material that keeps the foundation of our family strong.” Maud spoke with a true voice of indifference.

“It was my sister who has placed aside her own dreams, so that we may achieve our own. I carry around her gift as a tribute to the weight of the world, she carries upon her shoulders everyday.” Maud gave a slight glance down to the floor in silence.

“She sounds wonderful.” The mare gave a warming smile, her guest reaching deep into the left saddlebag once more.

Removing a midsized round chunk of Marble, the mare released a soft yelp of surprise in return the bag nearly as light as a feather now.

“Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or dolomite. Marble is typically not foliated, although there are exceptions.” Maud gave the chunk a gentle embrace, quickly rolling it onto her back with no sign of discomfort.

“Another sister dear?” The hostess of the hotel watched the tiny grey mare nod in agreement, her eyes full of a hidden pride for each member of her family.

“Marble, she has a tendency for growing stronger under pressure. She's timeless much like her namesake full of elegance and strength. Though not fond of being in the spotlight, she's the beauty shining within our lives.” Maud suddenly stopped in place.

The hostess batted long lashes confused before taking note that they had arrived at their destination, both ponies standing in front of the door in a calming silence. The mare sliding off the saddlebag with ease, watching with a tender smile as Maud placed her sediments back into their rightful places.

“You truly love your family, don't you?” The yellow mare took note of a colorful rock candy necklace, draped around Maud’s neck softly as she packed.

“Rock candy or sugar candy, also called rock sugar, is a type of confection composed of relatively large sugar crystals.” Maud simply lifted her eyes towards her new friend.

“She must be sweet.” The mare giggled.

“Pinkie is. She's the sweetest thing in my life, always full of a spectrum of various joyous emotions. Bringing forth a true vibrancy of colors to my life and for the simple act of sharing laughter, I'm grateful.” Maud tucked the necklace away safely.

“Thank you for the conversation, I do hope you enjoy the stay!” The mare flashed a polite smile towards this unique pony.

“I will, after all my family is with me.” Maud returned a barely visible smile.

Sediments always made her feel sentimental.