Cast Iron closed the door behind herself, ear flicking at the other ponies squawked protest from outside. They didn't care if not inviting the other inside was "rude" or not- She had no intent of letting the other pony inside her house.

Here, it was… quiet, the ever present life of the Everfree muffled by the stone walls. The small house space was just part of the small cave system of course- a small door in the wall beside a hefty storage chest led deeper inside.

She had no need to head to their cellar or bedroom however. She shrugged off her saddle bags and placed her pan down on the stone block of a counter, glancing around the room.

Hanging from the ceiling in various bunches was an assortment of dried herbs, a few of which she plucked leaves from with her magic, tossing them in the pan. From the satchel came an opaque bag, alongside various other foraged goods that were quickly stored away.

This was routine for her by now, one she settled into easily, albeit with the addition of an ear angled towards the door and her… guest.

With a practiced motion, the contents of the bag landed in the pan with a wet slap.

Guest. Something to think about. Moonshine would be gone by morning, by his own will or the forests. That much, Cast Iron was certain of.

Normally they took care of any "guests" themself, but something about the pink pony was… Strange. Most ponies didn't replace a missing tooth with a fang if given the opportunity.

Taking the pan outside, the sound of the closing door made Moonshine look up, the pony lit only by the firelight in the dark, solitary eye glowing. Another oddity.

…He'd be gone in the morning. Then she could forget whatever… mystery he was.

Author's Note

Shorter chapter this time! Felt like a good place to end it.