-(11)-

The sun was about to set as the mare woke up; her first view was an open field filled with orange grass, as the sun sank from it as she swayed back and forth, like how she was carried by her father on her back.

The nostalgia put a smile on the mare's face and hugged her father. " Are we home yet, dad?"

But an unfamiliar voice would answer her. "Uuuh, no miss."

The mare quickly removed her embrace and apologized to the stranger. " I am so sorry! I thought you were my dad!"

" Oh no problem. I usually get that a lot... Well, not really, but...eh?"

She'd get a clear look at who she was riding, and it was the face of an ant eater ant. "Kyaaa!!!"

The mare instinctively tried to slap the beast,-(10)- but her strength this time wasn't strong enough to flinch the creature. Instead, she ended up falling off of him and having a swollen hand.

"Awi! Aw aw awwww... Gasp! L-leave me alone, monster!"

" No no no no! I'm not okay, miss?"-(8)-

The mare still stared at him in fear. So he removed his helmet and showed his face, this time it wasn't covered in insect goop and slime.

"Oh... Uh... But, you're able to beat a Venus ant fly lion trap. No pony can beat that beast alone!"

" Really?"

" Really! You are no pony! Please, oh great beast, spare me!" She quickly bowed down.

Grass was troubled, as the mare won't budge that he's really just a normal stallion.

" Sigh ... Look, if I wanted to eat you... You wouldn't be here talking already, right?"

" You might just be saving me for later," she answered.

He face hoofed and looked irritated at the mare, which frightened her.

He grabbed a piece of grass on the field and ate it.

" I'm a pony; an earth pony. And if I wanted to eat you later, then I should've tied you down so you wouldn't escape."

The mare began to calm down a bit, perhaps believing the creature a little.

" Well... Um... Since the sun is setting... I guess we should take a rest and camp here for now." Grass started to make some fire and warmed himself up. She invited the mare to sit beside the fire, and at first she hesitated, but the cold breeze of the night would tempt her so.

" So what's your name?" Grass asked.

" Ahm... I-Its Petals," she replied.

" Oh? What a nice coincidence, my name is Grass Touch." He smiled.

" Who'd name their child Grass?" Petals questioned.

" Wh-!? Wa!? Your names, Petals!" He pointed out.

Petals got scared as he carelessly mocked the creature's name, remembering that this supposed pony can kill her anytime.

" A-ah... Yeah! Y-you have a point, s-sorry Grass," she shivered.

He didn't mean to frighten the mare and tried to lighten the mood, but failed in every way.

The two would eventually sleep beside the campfire, as it deters creatures and the cold at night.

But Petals have other plans.

She easily slipped out and escaped.

She rushed back to her village, happy that she easily got away. But she'd remember what they did to her. Should she really go back? Wont they just hurt her again? She froze from where she stood and stuck on what to do... She has nowhere to go.

A howl would snap the mare from her trans and see she was already surrounded by timber wolves.

The creature slowly encircled her while she cowered in fear.

The beasts snapped their jaws at the helpless pony as she tried to kick them away.

"L-Leave me be!" She cried.

One wolf would impatiently lounge toward her in an attempt to strike her down, but something would strike it down before it could successfully attack the mare.

The mare cried for joy as she was saved, but she was shocked as she found out that it was Grass who saved her.

She felt ashamed, but Grass continued to slaughter the pack of wolves.

As the last Timber Wolf howled its last cry, the deed was done, and he began collecting the Timber Wolf loot.

" What? This is all I got? I could've just easily cut a tree and gotten these materials..."

Eventually he'd check the mare to see if she's alright. "Ma'am, it's best you stay close to the fire when it's night; also, if you really want to go back, just wait till morning; I won't stop you if there's something important back there that you need to go back." He smiled and reassured the mare.

The mare realized; what IS there for her in that hell hole of a village? Going back might cost her life; actually, it already did, and she was just lucky that she was sold to a kind monster who is willing to save her, even though she planned to run away from him. " T-thank you..."

Grass was taken aback for a bit, but he'd just give a smile and invite the mare to come back at the campfire for now and have some sleep.

_________

The birds chirp atop the trees as the sun rises, signaling the break of dawn.

Grass wakes up and sees the mare is still there. This left a smile on his face. He didn't want to wake the mare up, so he started his day preparing.

He began to stretch, and prepared some food for the both of them, then he checked his inventory. " Hmm I guess I can make a weapon on some of this..." He pondered.

Sooner or later, the mare would wake up. She had a long and restful sleep like no other. She was satisfied.

" Good morning, sleepyhead!" He then gave some food to the mare. "It's not much, but that's all I could scrounge up for our meal."

The mare blushed and gave a bow, "Thank you..." And she began eating.

As soon as they finished eating, the mare came up towards Grass and gave another bow, "Thank you for saving my life. Please let me serve you in exchange!"

Grass was taken aback. He was grateful but couldn't take her offer. " Ma'am, you don't need to go that far; thanks is all I need, and besides! If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have gotten out of the forest," he replied.

"Since I have no home to return to and you have taken me, wouldn't it be best that I'd do all I can to help you? You are my master after all."

" Wait what?"

It seems Grass has put himself in a situation that he didn't expect.

Author's Note

Grass Touch
Lv56
Str 31
Agi 15
Int 10
Skills:
Earthpony 3
Quick regen ?
Crafting: 3
combat 1
Athlete 2
Poison resistance: 5
Hunter 1
Assassination 2
Attraction -1
Stalker 1