I really made the right decision getting a home out here than in town. Easily the best trails I've ever ran on either here or back on Earth. With ferns aplenty, mossy tree trunks surrounding me, and the dirt moist, but firm beneath my feet, the conditions are perfect for another splendid outdoor jog.
"On your left!"
I instinctually veer to the right edge, but I slow my gait; the trails are usually empty this time of day. Who could–
"Hey, I was wondering when I'd finally get to meet you!"
I only had to see his long, tan-colored face and sky-blue mane appear in my peripherals to realize it was the town sheriff. I'd seen him a few times around Maretime Bay, but I was still getting my bearings "moving in," per se. It's actually kind of weird seeing him without his belt and badge, but it's nice to get to meet him so casually like this.
"So you're our local celebrity," he chuckles through mild panting. "I see you made yourself at home out here." I begin to slow to a brisk walk, but the sheriff begins pulling away. "Oh, you don't have to stop on my watch. I was actually out here for a gallop myself. Care for a little tour around?"
If there's anyone who'd know how to navigate these paths the best... "By all means, lead the way, Sheriff."
He let out snort, apparently tickled to hear something such as myself respect his authority like that. "You can call me Hitch. And what can I call you?"
"I'm..." I have to stop talking while I'm trying to breathe to keep my legs moving. "Zach."
"Great then. Now, try to keep up, Zach!" Hitch charges off, spraying a few clumps of dirt back behind him as he leaves me in his dust.
With a deeper breath in, I force it all out as I go into my own sprint, quickly closing the gap between me and Hitch, who's visibly slowed down to let me catch up. Soon, we're side by side, both running free but neither showing any sign of fatigue or the expectation of slowing down soon. We glance to each other, Hitch clearly impressed I've been able to stay neck and neck, even after having ran as much as I have this morning already.
Though the path continues straight on, Hitch careens further right and begins to plow through a small gap between two rows of ferns. "Follow me!"
I leap right, just barely managing to make the turn and run down the same narrow shortcut, hidden trail, or wherever he wanted me to follow. He's just up ahead, and the thin line of dirt he quickly treads over is easy to follow. Getting deeper into the forest, there's a break in the trees ahead, and the unfiltered sun is shining down over a massive redwood tree, except I've never seen one... so wide.
He slows down to a trot as he reaches the outer ring of sunlight, and I slow to a stop just behind him as we both look up the trunk and to its branches, easily over a hundred feet up. I'd never notice this outside the forest, and I'd easily miss this staying on the trail. Even on a world of talking ponies and magic, even the "natural" stuff can't cease to amaze me.
"Pretty cool, huh?" Hitch sounds very pleased with himself.
"How'd you–"
The question I didn't even have time to fully ask was answered in the form of two bulbous white birds with wings matching Hitch's mane and tail, which dive down the tree's length quickly orbit around the stallion in joyous song.
"Hey, you two," he chuckled, nuzzling the top of the head of one who sat on his upheld foreleg. "Don't get too excited, I'm just showing a friend around real quick."
The second one lands on my shoulder and shows no hesitation in bouncing near my jaw and rubbing its body against it. It almost made me forget that Hitch just so cooly called me his friend like that.
"Looks like critters have a soft spot for you too." Hitch's words are reinforced as I hold my hand up to it, and it hops right on and lets me hold it up to see it more clearly. "Those guys love following me in town, and after my shift, I sometimes come back here to bring them home. By the looks of it, they may start following you to your stand too."
"Wow." The second one comes up on my finger beside its companion, looking just as inquisitively at me. "If you guys want to stop by, I'll treat you to some millet. How's that sound?"
The birds tweet loudly and excitedly, accepting my proposal.
"Alright you guys, we gotta' get to work soon." Sensing our departure, I lightly flick my hand, letting the them fly off and hover over Hitch. "I'm sure we'll both see you later today anyways. Now get going!"
Both birds soared straight back up in a tight, interweaving spiral. With their having taken off, the two of us begin to walk back towards the main trail.
"Thanks a lot for showing me that," I tell him, still feeling a bit weightless from the experience. "If you're free and around, stop by my stand and I'll comp you a bean-fritter wrap."
Hitch smiles warmly, glad to see his friendship reciprocated. "I may just take you up on that, Zach. Thanks."
"So, do you need to get going, or..."
"I've got a little time left before my shift. How's about we finish the rest of the trail?"
Hitch begins to pick up his pace, and I begin to jog to catch up. Once he sees I've caught on, he once again leads me back out onto the main path. The two of us keep our active speeds up, appreciating both each others company and the perfect conditions of the dirt beneath us.
