Keep it together, Mayor. You’ve a responsibility to your town and its citizens. And if that means going into the Everfree, then so be it! It can’t be that dangerous, can it? Twilight and her friends have gone in. Several times!
…Yes, comparing yourself to ‘faced down a dark alicorn and won’ Twilight and her friends. Quite wise, yes. At least the path is clear-
Is that the wind? It must be. It doesn’t obey pegasi out here. It must be the wind. It must be the wind. Yes.
There. If that’s not her hut, I’ll eat my quill. Okay. Mane looks proper, straighten tie… and…
“Is that a visitor I espy? It’s rare for one to wander by.”
…Her legs are short. SHE’S short.
“You’ve come with purpose, that’s quite clear, so what intent brings you ’round here?”
Yes. The rhyming. Why does it fit her? Wait, talk to her. “Hem. Ah, greetings. You’re Zecora, yes?” You probably sound like a buffon, of course she is!
“Indeed I am. And you’re the mayor of Ponyville, that town so fair.”
She thinks us “fair”, even after how we treated her? Promising. “Hmm. Yes. And, on behalf of that-” Something moved in the forest- Keep talking to her! “-of that town, I would like to formally apologize for your mistreatment.”
“Your company’s been far more pleasant since Twilight and her-”
“Perhaps, but that doesn’t excuse your treatment in the past. We-” Is there something behind me? “-behaved horribly towards you simply because-” How close is it? “-we didn’t know you. I’d be remiss-” That’s just the breeze, that’s not its breath-
“Ah, Mayor Mare, I see you’re sweating. Has it to do with whom you’re vetting?”
At least her ears aren’t down. “No, ah, it’s the…” That was a snapping branch, there’s something stalking me! “…location you’ve chosen to set up your… domicile. I’ve never actually been this deep in the Everfree before. We could find a house closer to town, if you wish.”
“The undergrowth of Everfree yields troves of natural herbs for me. When I set out, I soon can find enchanted plants of many kinds. The benefits of living here, they far outweigh my every fear. Although… I won’t deny, this place seems liable to gnaw one’s face. Outside can seem most cold and grim, but inside’s warm. So, please: come in.”
“Thank you.” And Celestia. …That is a very strange tail. “Oh, you’ve been taking wonderful care of this place. The magic of the tree feels marvelous. Did you build this all yourself?” The magic is so clean, it’s almost like the tree is undamaged. And the smell! Magnificent.
“The bulk of it? I must say no. ’Twas hollowed out by rain and snow o’er many years and countless days until I, in my rambling ways, discovered it by happenstance. I could not let this perfect chance for shelter simply pass me by; I took it ’pon myself to try to chisel out some nooks and shelves to make a fine home for myself.”
“Well, you certainly did that.” Even if her decor seems… intimi- No, ignore that, you’re making up for thinking she was intimidating! “I’m glad it worked out for you.”
“Would it please you to slake your thirst? I’m told my teas are not the worst.”
Humility or rhyming? Maybe both. “Yes, please.” Even though you’ve already had plenty today. That aroma is simply… “…Oh, this is strong.”
“If you’d prefer a milder brew, this one I swiftly can dilute.”
“No! No, I’m merely surprised. You mixed some herbs in?” I swear I’ve tasted this before… Jasmine?
“Some simple spices, here and there. I’ll try new tastes from anywhere.”
She certainly knows her mixings. But of course she does, a cauldron that size isn’t something you get on a whim. “If I can borrow the recipe-” ‘Borrow’ the recipe? What does THAT mean? “-I’d love to have some more of this. Now, ah, the original matter. Zecora, I would like to humbly apologize for our town’s treatment of you.”
“Please, let us forget that time. It’s in the past and all is fine.”
“That doesn’t matter. At least, not to me. It doesn’t excuse how we acted and I’d hate to imagine this happening again. You were- someone of a species most of us had never seen before-” ARE zebras a different species? I’ll have to ask Twilight. “-coming from the most dangerous place in the area-” Stop making it sound like you’re justifying what happened! “-but that was all you did. You were still clearly an equine and sapient, so you deserved better.”
“And I’ve been through much worse before. This is no trouble, be assured.”
“Zecora, please, be honest with me. I… It must have been disheartening for you. And it was my town that caused it. I feel like I’m responsible. I certainly never did anything to stop it. I mean no offense, but it feels like you’re brushing me off to save my feelings. I can handle embarrassment quite well; I have to live with the fact that when Princess Luna returned, I immediately tried ordering her arrest.” And I’m lucky she hasn’t needled me about it! “I’d rather have any grievances aired now so we can work on them.”
“…In truth, those actions hurt me less than what you think, with such distress. I’ve never truly been the type to seek out crowds of any stripe.”
Heh. STRIPE. -don’t say anything don’t say anything don’t say anything-
“I never reached out to allay the fear that held your town in sway. I gave no thought to my perception since I cared not for my reception. ’Twas not ’til Apple Bloom came here that what I lacked became so clear. Now, Ponyville’s befriended me and I’m as welcome as can be. And yet, before, an iron vise held shut my lips. ’Tis no surprise that I collected looks askance. To hear me out, I gave no chance.”
That almost sounds like she’s… blaming herself? “Which doesn’t change that we shouldn’t have been treating you like that in the first place. Imagine, us panicking because of where-” Don’t say “somepony”! “-someone lived. And yet that happened.”
“Well… if you will forgive my tact, you should have knowledge of this fact: of all species I’ve been among, you ponies are the most high-strung.”
“-!-” Daisy. Lily. Rose. Bunnies. “…That’s not surprising…”
“So when a stranger just appears in Everfree, your small town’s fears are neither founded nor directed. But honestly? They were expected.”
“Heh. Ponyville is that sort of town. Keeping it together is sometimes like herding rabbits.”
“To put it lightly. As for me, I’ve neither scorn nor enmity for what went on in those days past. With me, a grudge shall never last. Ponyville now knows me true and I’ve made many friends anew.’
“Thank you.” That went shockingly well. Good tea. “It still shouldn’t have happened, but if you can move past it, so can I. With some lessons learned about strangers.” VERY good tea. “Although, I must ask: why were you… pawing at the ground whenever you came to town?”
“One in a group of habits old. I sometimes dig for watering holes when I am-”
“Wait, I beg your pardon: you were digging for water? Out of habit?”
“The plains of Zebrabwe are vast and water does not always last when it-”
“Are you aware that ponies see that as a threat display?”
“…That fact had… rather slipped my mind. …Heh. I see exactly why that kind of action would leave ponies scared; I’m putting dukes up everywhere!”
Thank Celestia for her good humor. And she’s already picked up idioms? Amazing. “I’ll… let the town know, then, shall I?”
“Oh, no! I’ll do that on my own. My own habits, I should make known. With my new friends, I’ll share a laugh at how I made a grievous gaffe.”
“Good. So…” Be friendly. How can you be friendly? Rhyming. “It’s good we have this sorted out before it- causes… another… ouch.”
“…”
oh stars above why did i say that
“…”
“…”
“…I thank you greatly for your time and sorting out these woes of mine. So, one more action I implore with all my heart: please rhyme no more.”
“Heh. No, I shan’t do that.” Good tea. Unlike your rhyming, Mayor.
“These woods aren’t always safe to roam. Do you need help in getting home?”
“No, I don’t think so.” I got in, I can get out. “The path was clear enough. And, if you don’t mind, I think I’d like to stay a little while longer. This tea is delicious.”
“Of course! Please stay and shoot the breeze. It can get lonely ’neath these trees. You said you’d like to make that brew? I can show you a herb or two to permeate your drinks with flavor for refreshments that you’ll savor.”
“I’m repeating myself, but this tea really is marvelous.”
“The plants I use are in… this book-”
oh celestia that’s big
“-so why don’t you just take a look?”
“You’ve… eh… a much larger collection of herbs than I was expecting…” Collection? That’s the entire apothecary!
“Although this book intimidates, its contents truly are first-rate. For starting places, we’ve got plenty. Page one’s as good a place as any.”
Still. My goodness. “Well, then… Let’s get started.”
