Two Wings

Blueberry POV

A week had passed and the aptly named “Dusty Village” had come into view. It reminded me of the village from which Zitrus and I had started this journey. Small, in the middle of no-where… Even the architecture was eerily familiar. The only difference was that this village was located in the beginnings of a desert. The grass was sparse, instead rocks and sand were more common. The sky was filled with clouds and a light wind was blowing, making the sand fly around. You could still see without any issue, but it definitely told you how the place had gotten its name.

I personally felt so much stronger. We’d only been travelling for a week, but it felt like months. My body has gotten stronger, my mind has gotten clearer, even my spirit has grown. Mostly I didn’t show it. I still kept my neutral expression. Giving no clues as to what I was thinking.

During this week nothing interesting really happened. Zitrus was able to walk on four legs again, albeit slowly, but other than that we just kept walking, camping and talking. And I loved it. Realising that the journey was about to end also made me a bit sad.

“We’re here”, Zitrus said with a smile that served only to rub salt in the wounds of my im-pending loss.

Zitrus stopped and looked at me with a serious look, and I looked back at him to see what was going on. “When we enter this village, just like everywhere else… they’re probably still scared of you. To be honest I’m not even sure this is a good idea. There’s a decent likelihood that you’ll be seen as a threat, and attacked. Don’t get me wrong Blueberry, we travelled all this distance together and I don’t want to bail you at the home stretch. But it’s up to you in the end. I’m just telling you what the risks are. Whether you wanna run those risks or not, I will respect that decision”, Zitrus said to me.

I honestly hadn’t even thought that afar. I was so used to my old village, and Zitrus, both of whom had no fear of me, that I forgot that others still see my race as powerful murderers.

“I will follow you”, I just said, bluntly.

Zitrus looked at me for a moment without showing any expressions. Then nodded.

When we actually got into the village, the constant sandy wind was mitigated by the build-ings. I walked next to Zitrus along the streets. Most ponies walking around us gave us a curi-ous look. Some seemed a bit scared, but overall, nopony did anything.

Zitrus walked up to a mare. She was a strongly built Earth Pony with a short purple mane and blue coat but most of it was not visible since she wore clothing and protective glasses. She was working with a welding machine, trying to melt together two metal wires of some kind.

“Excuse me”, Zitrus said to her with a polite tone.

The mare looked up from her work. She turned the welding machine off and lifted her glasses. She gave me, who was still standing behind Zitrus, a prodding look.

“Yea?”, was all she said. In her voice there was nothing unfriendly or aggressive. Moreso scepticism.

“Can you tell me where I can find the mayor?”, Zitrus asked.

“Why do you wanna know?”, she asked in return, narrowing her eyebrows.

“We have the deliveries from New Appeloosa”, said Zitrus, completely unfazed.

This changed her expression to a more neutral one. “Ah, yes. Didn’t know they hire monsters now for delivery work. But alright, he is one building further down. Most likely inside.”

Zitrus thanked her, and we both went, like we were told, to the aforementioned building. It was a house, a bit bigger than the others but not outstanding. The only outstanding part was the sign over the entry which had “HOTEL” written on it. The door was a swing door so me and Zitrus just entered.

“Knock knock”, Zitrus said out loud, partially joking.

Inside was a cosy reception with a big lobby. It was clean and most furniture was made out of wood (which surprised me because I didn’t see many trees nearby). It even had a piano.

Behind the reception was a stallion. When he heard us coming in, he looked up from his pa-perwork. Seeing me sure left him stunned for a moment. He had a light brown coat and a dark brown mane, wearing a cowboy hat in black.

Zitrus came up to the reception while I stood in the background. “We are bringing the blue-prints and instructions from New Appeloosa”, he said and took out a bunch of papers from his saddlebag.

“Oh good. That took a while”, the stallion said and grappled the papers from Zitrus before he was able to lay them on the table.

“Well, New Appeloosa isn’t exactly right around the corner”, Zitrus argued in an annoyed tone.

The stallion flipped through all the papers and, giving each a fast look, said: “I know”, half apologising. “I am just happy they are finally here.”

He then placed the papers behind his desk and in return took out a bag, which, from the shape, had bottlecaps in it. I didn’t know much about money, but I could tell that it was a good portion of caps. But in the end, it had taken us a week to get here.

“Nice. Do we also get a discount if we take a room here for the night?”, Zitrus asked.

“Of course not. The only ponies sleeping here are migrants who come here to buy gems, rest for the night and then leave on the next day. Why else should I build a hotel here? Definitely not for sightseeing. So if you’d like to have a room, I will charge you fully. Like I do with eve-rypony”, the stallion said. But then he gave me a long look. A look I personally disliked.

“But on second thought, I can make you a special offer... You see, as the mayor here I have to make sure not to get too much trouble in this village. And I don’t want your...’friend’ to cause such. So I will only charge half of the price IF, and only if, she stays in your room”, the stallion offered Zitrus.

Zitrus himself made an offended expression. “My friend does not cause trouble.”

In silence I gave thanks to Zitrus for saying that. “Besides, we also have to do some shop-ping.”

“Maybe”, the stallion said and also looked dead serious now, “but maybe she does so out of self defence. We are not used to alicorns and the chances are high that somepony sees her as a threat. And as soon as she takes the first pony down with a spell, the other villagers will take up arms too and try to hunt her down. And I don’t want to risk that.”

Zitrus was silent. He seemed to struggle with what option he should choose.

“I will stay in the room. But he is allowed to leave and walk around”, I then said. “In the end, they seem to be afraid of me. Not Earth Ponies.”

Zitrus looked at me. The mayor on the other hoof just gave a nod. “I can live with that.”

“Blueberry, are you sure?”, Zitrus asked me.

“Don’t worry about me. I am used to sitting around”, I told him and gave a conceited smile. This surprised Zitrus further, and he said nothing more. He just gave a nod and turned back to the reception. “Alright, deal.”

“Very well then. Would you two like to have separate beds or share one?”, the stallion asked.

“Separate!”, Zitrus said pretty quickly, while I looked away and suppressed a blush. I think. I hadn’t really experienced it before.

I was laying on my bed and watched the ceiling.

Zitrus left as soon as we two got to our room. He said he wanted to have everything done as soon as possible. Leaving me alone.

I told him that I did not mind being alone, and I still stand by it. But for some reasons it was not the same loneliness I used to have.

I gave a sigh and looked around the room. It was a simple build. Fully made from wood. One window, two simple small beds (definitely not made for my size but it did the job), simple closet, a table with a candle on it and two chairs. In other words, it had everything you needed if you stayed for one night.

The two beds had a little space in between. I chose the one close to the window. I turned my head to look out of it. The sun was still shining. Or it would have if there wouldn’t be all the clouds in the sky. But I did not mind. It prevented a hot day in this half desert.

I heard the door open behind me. I turned my head with a neutral expression and saw Zitrus entering the room.

“Did you get everything?”, I asked him.

He nodded. “Yes, I did. Some food, a new healing potion and gemstones.”

“Gemstones?”, I lifted an eyebrow.

“Yes. Dusty Village was built because of the gem mines they have here. That was also why I had to bring them these plans. They had blueprints on how to mine more easily with ma-chines and new tunnel systems. So, they can now mine more jewels in less time. Anyways, because of the mines the gems are pretty cheap here. My next step is to travel to the north to sell these cheap stones for a higher price.”

I nodded in understanding. Sounded like he had a plan. Done with his mission and already going for the next. And me? I most likely am stuck in this place now… There is nothing more for me to do. But then again, why do I not search for an adventure on my own?

I sighed. It wouldn’t be the same. Travelling alone around the wasteland would be the same as sitting alone in a village. There would be no difference at all.

I looked at Zitrus and then it dawned on me. It was not the adventure I liked so much. Or, not just the adventure. It was mostly that I had some pony to do this adventure with. It was the company.

“Do you mind if I still stay with you on your journey?”, I asked. My voice stayed neutral. My inside screamed pleadingly for him not to say no.

“Not at all. If you want, you can come with me. Just be aware that we still move through the wasteland after all, so there are also risks while doing this journey.”

I nodded.

It was nighttime. Zitrus was quietly sleeping in his bed. I did not. I was not even in my bed. I was sitting in front of the window and looking outside and watched the ceiling of stars. I don’t know why but for some reasons I still did like to do it. I once said that it helped to clear my mind. And it still did. Looking at the stars made me think about what happened today. What might happen tomorrow. What is happening right now…

Today me and Zitrus arrived in Dusty Village. The destination we had had since this journey started. We got rid of his papers and in return got a good payment. Tomorrow we are already leaving this place again. Travelling into the north. Was I excited about it? A bit. In the end it will end up being a lot more walking, just in a different direction. But what truly stood out was the fact that this adventure did not end today. I could continue to travel. And I could do it with Zitrus.

I gave him a look. He was lying on the side facing the door's direction. Away from me. But like always, he didn’t make any sound. Just peaceful sleeping.

Did I see him as a friend? Yes, I had to admit, I did. Maybe this was all I needed? All this time since the Goddess died, I just needed a friend by my side? Who knows