Chapter 1. Song For a Setting Sun.
Jennifer stands at the rivers edge. A censor danging from a silver chain, the metal container swaying gently left to right in her hand. The smell of the sandalwood incense burning inside wafting out, leaving quickly dissipating smoke trails in the air.
She wore the traditional garb for the Autumn's Harvest on her own world. Which consisted of a dark brown tunic, matching breeches tied up at the knees, and simple sandals on her feet. A ferroniere of silver matching the chain on her brow, mother of pearl inlaid in a oval at the center of her forehead. Her pale blonde hair parted in the middle, just pulled back loose to flow down her shoulders to the middle of her back.
Her eyes as blue as the rivers that would freeze solid in her own world shone in the setting sun. The multicolored hues of the setting orb in front of her, all but unseen. Her eyes were turned inward, reciting the Fisher's Chant in her mind. Each line like a burning wave of letters, vanishing with each properly read symbol. With that done, and the sun now only a fingernails width in the horizon, she begins to sing.
Her movements are precise, meticulous from years of practice. The slow feeling of the magic deep in the bones of her people responds, a warming sensation throughout the young woman's body. She slowly moves now, rocking back and forth to the song she sings. The censor now making a small circle in front of her.
Nearing the end of her song she places the metal device on the muddy bank of the river itself. Twisting the clasp and pulling the shoulder of her tunic over her head, she stands topless to the setting sun. Bowing as if to the descending Celestial she unties her breeches at her knees, then the buckle at her waist. Letting them fall from her unheeded, she slips out of her sandals and leaves them in the pile of clothing as she steps forth.
The song finished, she takes a step into the cool water with a sigh. Another step, another pause. Repeating the process until she is up to her knees. Turning around, she faces the rising moon. A moment of distraction, a strange odd color not seen in nature seemed to fly behind the treeline not far from where she worked her magic. No matter, she thinks to herself. Bowing again, this time to the moon. It's pale shine mixing with her magic, causing her to mimic the moons glow.
Taking a few steps backward now she raises her hands above her, palms meeting fingers tight together as if in supplication. With a couple more steps she vanishes from view with nary a ripple on the surface of the rivers lethargic waters.
It didn't matter much to her that her own world was gone. Those that remembered her there were long gone as well. The turning of the wheel, cycle to cycle, death and renewal. She'd walked her world for a while, noticing the changes in her people, her villages to towns, towns to cities. The march of humanities ever growing hunger to move forward, regardless of the cost driving them onward.
She was present when they first touched the stars. And with that, she knew they had no need of the old ways. They themselves became gods of a sort. Those Who Would Burn the Stars Dark, the Others whispered in her ear while she meditated. She ignored their woes, and was ignored in return. As it should be. She would still be here long after the Others and her people were long gone.
Nor were there any that remembered who she was, now. She was content to vanish, her part in the history of that place now done and forgotten. Waking up here in Equestria was a pleasant surprise, one that she would have never suspected. She decided one day it was time to sleep, a long dreamless sleep. And so it was. Until she awoke in this strange new land. So on this day she chose to celebrate.
She sings again. A crooning song, no real words, just emotions. The startled fish darted and bobbed around her, unused to strange creatures singing in their domain. A few allowed her to touch them, cold scales not unlike the denizens of her rivers and lakes of her old world. One brave one even allowed itself to be tickled under the chin. Fishy tail waggling happily for a moment before something startled it, and it swam off quickly.
Feet firmly planted in the silt at the bottom of the river, she finishes her song. She feels the magic of this strange new world renew her, fill her bones with the same warmth and love she felt with the magic of her own world. The ritual complete, she kneels down on her knees, crosses her hands palm outward on her forehead and bows in the river until her hands touch the silt.
Her own world may have forgotten her. Her own people as well. But she would always know who she was. For this day she was still alive, and thankful to be so. She was Ahi-ree, Goddess of Lakes and Rivers. But to the denizens of this world, she was only known simply as Jennifer. Her secret was safe inside of her where it belonged. None here would be the wiser.
They didn't need another Deity mucking about, they had plenty. She was content with the simplicity of her new existence for now. Standing now, she looks up and freezes. A pair of cyan eyes watches her intently through the ripples in the waters surface.
Fluttershy had gone on an expedition of sorts. A certain type of mushroom grew near one of her favorite groves was in season. So she placed a sunhat on her head, grabbed a basket with a wing, and informed Harry the Bear he was in charge until she got back. And a gentle reminder not to eat everything in the larder like last time.
In charge doesn't mean give yourself a wicked tummy ache, after all. She was sure he'd learned his lesson. But it was getting close to hibernation time for the big lug. It must be hard to resist the pull to eat everything in sight, she ponders on her casual trot towards the treeline.
A basket half full of her favorite fungus later, she decides to take a little break and freshen up in the river. Her long yellow ears picked up an unusual sounds, her sensitive nose a scent not normally in the forest. Wary now, she slows her pace and tires to be as quiet as possible to find the source.
It was a human! Fluttershy froze in place, mesmerized. Sure, she'd seen a few of their kind now. And Twilight Sparkle had befriended one even. But she'd never thought she'd run into one in the wild, so to speak. This one though was different. She was polite, but quiet from what she'd heard. Rumors swam around her like fish in the river Fluttershy was heading too. More questions than answers, Pinkie Pie told her. And Pinkie Pie could get just about anypony to talk if she wanted to.
Except her. Somehow she resisted the pink mares friendly advances for movie nights, sleepovers, even her famous cupcake tasting parties! Who in their right mind could resist that? It seemed unnatural. But she was friendly, if not distant. And as far as she could tell, she hadn't hurt anypony.
She was singing. She could make the words now, she found her hooves moving closer and closer to the woman. Until her fear broke whatever spell the song had on her, and she dashed behind a tree. Peeking around the maple, her eyes widen and a blush forms on her cheeks. She feels her wings start to pulse in time with her heartbeat. She was getting naked!
It looked like a ritual in Fluttershy's eyes. Every movement precise, timed just so. She realized she was luck to have ducked behind the tree as she stepped into the water and turned around, facing where she was just moments ago. Then she raised her arms above her head and vanished under the water.
The yellow Pegasus wasn't sure what to do. She didn't think she was in any sort of trouble. Who would walk into an open river if they couldn't swim after all? So her cautious nature held her in place, waiting. She was rewarded with the feeling of goose pimples all across the flesh of her forelegs a few moments later. She heard singing under the water!
It was as clear as if she were still standing on the riverbank. And yet Fluttershy knew that she'd gone under. Her curiosity overriding her common sense now, she stealthily made her way to where the human went into the river. The water looked different somehow, clearer. It seemed as clear as the tap water from the faucet in her home, a radius just about as wide as her with her wings spread for flight.
Peeking over the riverbank now, she spies the woman. She was singing! Her movements seemed to follow the ebb and flow of the river itself. Whatever song she was singing complete, she went down on her knees a moment before rising again. Looking up suddenly she looks startled. Like when she scares her animals dropping a slippery plate in the sink. But then she smiles, a warm if not shy smile. And Fluttershy can't help but smile back, though she's not sure why. These strange humans!
Author's Note
The two songs if anyone is interested.
Song 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unhfa9OnpbE
Song 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5koX9Ro8dBQ
Chapter 2. Sacrificial Bonfire.
She would admit to herself that this awkward encounter was all on her. She could have moved farther downriver some distance away from town. The solitude she enjoyed in her little apartment in town extended even out here in the wilderness. But she had a moment of laziness and didn't want to walk much farther. Sometimes the rituals were exhausting. So she chose a closer place by the riverside for her ritual.
But these new beings, these ponies were a curious sort. They tended to pop up in unexpected places quite often. Even more so than her own people did. Perhaps one day they too would reach the stars, no longer needing their 'little household gods'.
Celestia though, was no household God. No she thinks to herself with a frown. Her and her sister Luna were amiable enough, but they would be considered High Pantheon in her own world. The ones that could blow away her and her minor spark of Divinity away like wheat chaff on the breeze. While being cordial towards them, she was indeed most uncomfortable in their presence. She still had no idea why they let her live. As it will be, she supposes with a frustrated, but grateful resignation.
Perhaps frightened would be a better word for how she felt around them, if she were being honest with herself. Never could she have imagined such beings living among their population like this. All of her admittedly limited dealings with the higher powers were on different planes, removed from the very people that worshiped them. Leaving Canterlot for parts far, far away helped calm her nerves.
She'd have to come up with something to tell the pony staring down at her through the water. She wasn't overly fond of lying, but that never stopped her before. However, these creatures welcomed humankind with open hooves, so to speak, in their hour of need. If she figured it out as to what she was, she'd affirm it. But she would not be forthcoming about it first.
Still, she looks up at the Pegasus. A fearful look now growing into one of wonder as she spies the fish swimming around the strange obstacle in their river. A few try to nibble her toes, causing her to scrunch her digits in the muddy ground below.
Jennifer, as she is wont to do in her element when vexed with a problem, invokes her magic. The cool waters gently caressing her skin as she ascends effortlessly to the surface. Her bare feet sinking into the muddy banks of the river in front of the little horse.
"Be a dear, and hand me my clothes?" She asks the mare.
--
Fluttershy watched the woman dry herself off with the brown shirt she called a tunic, before putting on her pants and tying them at the knees. Her eyes intent on watching the woman's hands squeeze the fabric over the river, deftly maneuvering her fingers across the surface, sluicing the water out back to whence it came. Putting her top back on, clasping the shoulder cinch closed, she gives a little theatrical shudder. "Clammy" says with a grin.
The yellow mare nods in understanding. She didn't like the feeling when her feathers got wet. "M..my cottage isn't too far from here, if you want to borrow a towel to dry off?" She surprises herself by asking in a quiet voice.
Looking up at the moon, Jennifer shakes her head no. "Thank you, but I have a few more things to do here tonight before I can go."
Fluttershy notices the woman make a strange face as she places two of those fingers on the space between her eyes.
"Forgive me and my lack of manners. I"m.." She beings to tell the mare, only to be interrupted.
"Jennifer, I know. You just arrived not too long ago. Before.. the other one." Fluttershy says, her voice growing quieter as she speaks. "My name is Fluttershy."
"The wizard?" She asks, wiggling her fingers theatrically. "And it's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance."
Fluttershy nods affirmative, now watching as the human looks around, picking up sticks and mumbling to herself. "Yes. He's become fast friends with one of my best friends." She moves now with the human, using her wings to pick up a few sticks as well, handing them to the woman as they walk. "Can he breathe water like you did?" Her eyes grow wide "Can all humans breathe under water?"
"Not that I'd seen so far. Unless magic was involved, of course." She tells the yellow pegasus. With a shrug and a small grin "Each mage is kind of different, like your worlds Cutie Marks." With enough sticks in hand she takes them back to the riverbank. She then kneels on the ground facing the slow rolling waters of the river. Fluttershy sits next to her.
"What is it like? Being under there?" She points with a hoof to the water. Fluttershy wondered if the fish were as chatty as a lot of her animals were.
Placing the sticks on the ground, she glances over to the mare. "It's peaceful. Most times." Gathering a few stones, she makes a ring, placing the sticks in a tented pile in the center of them. "I.. Was used to a certain amount of quiet on my own world." Turning her gaze back to the river "Being in their reminds me of that. Of home."
Fluttershy nods, understanding in her gaze. "I can leave, if you want me to. I don't want to be a bother."
Turning back she glances at the mare and gives her a quick smile. "No. It is alright. I would like the company in fact. If you don't mind staying. I've had my fill of quiet for now, and I would enjoy the company." Palms out, hands facing the little pile of sticks she intones a few magic syllables.
Fluttershy blinks and leans forward, excited to see what this human can do. But nothing seems to happen. She watches the woman blush, try again, and blush some more. A little giggle slips past her lips and she tries to cover her mouth with her hoof.
"Huh." Jennifer says, staring at the pile of sticks like they somehow betrayed her.
"Something wrong?" Fluttershy asks.
"I think I'm too close to the water." Jennifer mutters allowed. "Want to help?"
--
After nodding her agreement to the woman, "What would you like me to do?" Fluttershy watches her now sit on the ground crossed legs under and in front of her in strange angles. She taps her leg with a hand, and the yellow mare walks over and sits on her lap. Her shirt gave her goose flesh under her yellow coat on her forearms. It was a surprising chill that came through it onto her back. Her wings started to unfold and she brought them back in, as to avoid hitting Jennifer.
Jennifer blows the soft mane of hair out of her face, before running her fingers through it, and tossing it over the front of one of the mares shoulders. Now that she can see properly, she slides her hands down the mares forelegs, feeling the goose flesh on the mares skin recede. She gently grasping where her wrists would be. "Okay. First off, match my breathing. In. Hold. Out." She says before growing quiet and breathing, pushing her chest in and out gently until the mare follows her rhythm.
Fluttershy tries to calm her breathing, but it was becoming harder to focus. She was sitting on a humans lap! And she felt those strange appendages instead of hooves run across her coat, her skin. Where her cool skin passed a growing warmth now rose. She feels the woman press against her back, leaning forward while tilting her hooves gently with her hands. Facing her right hoof into the ground, she begins to draw little symbols with the edge.
"You don't have fingers, so we have to write this down like a scroll." Jennifer tells her guiding her movements. "You should be able to make it out when it's done." It was an old spell, a simple cantrip. Apprentice level magic. But everything and just about everyone was touched by magic in this world. It permeated their daily lives. Their very existences. Gave lift to those nice wings this little horse used in flight. She could do this, of that Jennifer was sure.
Fluttershy nods the words coming into focus now, and she nods. She feels the little puffs of air from the woman whispering words in her ear. The enunciation of each word making her ear twitch. A growing warmth in her mind and breast growing, she starts to chant along with the woman.
--
The fire roars merrily now, it's cheery flames dancing to and fro in the now warming air around it. Fluttershy wishes she had some marshmallows of the non Rarity variety to toast. She felt sleepy, but happy. Whatever spell she just cast worked. A tiny flame, just a tad bigger than a spark was all she produced. But it was enough to catch the wood shavings below. The result was a happy Pegasus and a warm fire.
The mare catches herself in a jaw cracking yawn and blushes. "Sorry." She tells the woman around another yawn.
"No worries. Look, you did great." Pointing at the fire. The mare she allowed to stay in her lap. She figured if she wasn't used to using her magic in different ways it would be exhausting. So she allowed her to stay. Besides, she was warming her up nicely. Like the fire, but softer. A strange impulse takes hold of the woman and she wraps her arms around the little mare. In response she feels the yellow Pegasus lean back into her chest.
"Jennifer? Can I ask you a personal question?" Fluttershy asks quietly. The flames still entrancing her with their dance. She did that! As if the flames could feel her pride, it seemed the fire crackled happily in acknowledgement of her feat and she smiles at it.
"Sure." the woman answers around her own yawn. She wasn't too sleepy, but the warmth of the mare and the fire made it hard not to want to take a little nap. Cozy would be the word for it, if she'd have a mind to name the moment.
"Why do you hide?" Fluttershy asks here. Cyan eyes watching the woman's face intently.
"Pardon?" Jennifer asks her in return. She figured the mare would ask about her old world. What she did. What she'd seen and done. She wasn't prepared for it. It took her a moment to catch up. Before she can answer, Fluttershy continues.
"I've watched you now, for a little while anyway."Fluttershy tells her. "You stay in your apartment. You rarely leave." Bringing a hoof up, she gently places a hoof on the woman's chest, between her teats. "I've never seen you at the theater, or shopping aside from groceries. You haven't even been to Sugar Cube Corner! Or the library! Or even the Post Office."
"I'm not hiding, Fluttershy.." Jennifer tells her. "I'm.. I'm." She stops a moment and thinks. "Yeah, okay. You're right. I am in hiding of sorts, I suppose. It can't be helped." Curse this pony and her perceptive cyan eyes, Jennifer thinks to herself.
"Why is that? Are we so different you don't think you'll belong here? Because I can tell you I know for a fact my friends would welcome you with open hooves." Giving the woman a solemn nod "I know they would. Anypony here would love to have the chance to be your friend."
"It's not that, Fluttershy." Jennifer tells her. "It's nothing any of your ponies have done or not done." Giving a small shrug, she turns the mare around, again letting the mare rest her back against her chest. Gently wrapping her arms around the mare, she gives a little squeeze. Smart pony, this.
"I just haven't figured out who I'm going to be yet." Jennifer tells her.
