Paradise Inn

Chapters

Poets
Fragile Bird
I Want a Bird
Little Lion Girl

Poets

The Everfree forest is deep and dark, almost alive some would say. It chills to the bone and makes even the strongest of stallions jitter as the trees themselves seem to creep towards you with the intent to drag you down. It is said if one was to enter it they would need a strong heart and an unstoppable soul to escape.

Or perhaps all one needed was luck.

Weary, tired, and with red-rimmed, blurry eyes, a creature stumbled out of the Everfree's murky embrace, dregs of the forest clinging in its feathers and fur like gloomy scars of some lost fight. It was almost pitiful to watch as the creature struggled to pull itself together, stumbling once or twice before making an attempt to hold itself high, only to trip once more.

It pulled itself along, mud blending with its fur and chaffing at its flesh and weighing it down as its eyes fixed on a light - likely the first it had seen in ages - that flickered in the distance.

It hobbled over ditches, past fences and through a creek, weak but determined to make it, to reach this one bright point. No matter how much it ached, it had to push itself.

And so it reached the light - the warm glow of a fireplace and oil lamps through a window. Slowly, ever so carefully, as if any sudden movement might make the flickering illumination vanish, it raised its head and peered in to this glorious sight.

It saw a gathering of ponies, a multitude of colours and shapes, sizes and genders, all sitting in a great room, talking, laughing. One, large, black, horned and with a slightly hectic look about him was loudly telling something of a story to those who would listen, while one lay curled upon a couch like a cat, listening intently with others. On occasion one with a bright white mane that caught the colours of the fire would speak up. The forest worried creature sat by the window and listened throughout the night, and nopony was the wiser.

Zephyr Plume yawned, the byzantium mare stretching from her seat on the couch, brushing her shock white mane out of her eyes as she absent-mindedly prodded her mango coloured friend in the side. This earned the purple pegasus a disgruntled grumble from the earth pony as a red tail flicked in annoyance. Zeph rolled her eyes, as she prodded her friend again, "Rapoza, get your lazy ass up. We fell asleep at Izzy, Ray and Chaz's place again."

The stallion stubbornly grumbled and rolled over on the couch, hooves wrapping about the cushion he was laying on. Zeph sighed, propping herself up against the arm of their shared resting place before continuing to pester her companion, "If you don't get up, I'll make you get up." Upon being met with another grunt, she planted her hooves against the stubborn stallion and gave a great shove.

The storm of swearing that escaped the displaced stallion was met with a hearty laugh as a massive black unicorn leaned against the door frame. The volume of swearing increased as the unicorn smirked, making 'tsk'ing noises before speaking up, red eyes sparkling with delight, "What's this, the great Rapoza not landing on his hooves? What happened to those fabled cat like reflexes?"

"Shut it Night Bane," Green eyes glared out from under a bright red mane as the slightly smaller stallion picked himself off the floor.

He was waved off as the unicorn turned, "Anyways, came to tell you two breakfast is ready. Better hurry before it's gone."

Rapoza grumbled under his breath as they made their way through the messy Inn, Zeph ducking under a stack of scrolls that was floating in mid air as she resonded to the stallions mutterings, "If you had gotten up, you would have avoided all that you know, right?"

"And you could have not pushed me, you featherhead!"

The light-hearted bickering continued all the way into the "dining room", where Night greeted them with heaps of waffles already on his plate and vanishing into his bottomless pit of a stomach. Izzy waved from where he sat at the stove, the old waffle iron steaming as the breakfast treat cooked.

The room itself was cozy, full of mismatched furniture, random cushions and piles of straw around tables of various ages and wear. It wasn't extravagant, but it was comfortable to the point many of the towns folk would show up to order food there over the local restaurants. Izzy was also an amazing cook, though the menu was less a choice and more 'whatever he had on hand.'

After a few minutes of frantic eating, and a coin or two tossed into the change box, Rapoza broke the relative silence. "So, what's the plan for today?"

The ebony unicorn snorted, pouring syrup into his coffee as he rattled off a short list. "Write some tales, stay alive... Not falling asleep in the common room."

"You let us stay in the common room, not like you kicked us out," The mango stallion pointed out, fork jabbing towards a pancake.

"Not really a good excuse. This is Paradise Inn, remember?" Night frowned slightly, taking a swig of his coffee and grimacing before pouring an even more gratuitous amount of syrup into the beverage. "Gotta pay for room and board. I only stick around because I get discounts for doing all their written work."

"Give me a break Night, you just hate doing things like making beds, making food and keeping a yard,." Zephyr sipped her caffeine laden beverage. "Mind you, that doesn't mean you're not right. Not exactly making a killing right now."

"Well, we'll deal with that later, we've gotta meet up with Sang, remember?"

The purple pegasus smacked her forehead with a hoof. "Shoot, we're gonna be late! Come on, lets go!" With a half flap, she rocketed through the doorway, her mango companion shaking his head as he followed behind.

Night shouted at them as they left, half grinning as Rapoza's half turn nearly ran him into the door frame. "Say Hello for me! I'm busy for the day!"

With a nod, the mango coloured pony followed the mad-mare.

"So, what are you up to next?"

A red mare perched gracefully on the booths bench, slowly sampling her salad as she regarded Zephyr over an early brunch.

"Uuuh, I dunno. Maybe a story about a Zebra, far off ports, pirates, slavers, adventure..." The pegasus trailed off, eyes looking to the middle distance thoughtfully. "Something dramatic."

Sanguine Blaze hummed, hewing her mouthful of food before speaking up once more. "You know, you'd have better luck with romance if you need money."

Zephyr made a barfing noise, muzzle scrunching up in distaste. "Ugh, I would rather sell my soul to Discord than buckle and produce the same story everypony else does. Boring."

"I don't know, I'm writing a romance as it is, it's not going too terribly," Rapoza took a quick slurp of his soda, carrying on after letting out a small belch. "Kinda enjoying it, to be honest."

"You would, wouldn't you?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Foreeeever aloooone~" Zeyphr dodged out of the mango coloured ponies hoof range as he took a playful swipe, laughing good naturedly even as she half tumbled out of the booth. "You know I'm kidding Rapo."

Sang rolled her eyes. "Really mature you two."

Rapoza grinned, waving Zephyr back over. "Yeah yeah..." He polished off his soda, sighing contentedly as he slid the tall glass into the tables center. "We all back to the Inn tonight? Nights doing another story session."

"Not surprising, but I suppose we should go give him our support," Sanguine pushed her empty plate to join the tall soda glass, raising her hoof for the bill. "Not that he needs it, you know."

"Yeah, well, we might as well enjoy the show. Nothing like a good night of 'Paradise Theater.'"

The common-room of the Paradise Inn was as cozy and mismatched as the rest of the inn, scrolls floating just off of shelves, a few couches, cushions, tables, a small stage over by the fireplace, wood worn and battered from time, and oil lamps suspended mid air. It was odd, to say the least, but then again, the owners of the establishment themselves where unusual. Ray in particular was something of a unicorn engineer, magic finding its way into almost anything; windows leading outside despite being in the center of the building, the floating bunches of scrolls, and the fact that the common room, despite being in the middle of the small, three story inn, had a vaulted ceiling and could seat most of the town only helped drive the point home.

That said, the common room was crowded. Not unusual at all, there was always a crowd on story nights, something that had been branded as a theater, most likely from how lively Night was when he spun tales - Watching him was like watching a one stallion stage show. For all his quirks, Night Bane was most definitely an attraction in the town, a grand bard who had chosen to make his place at the inn, and when he told stories, it seemed all came to listen, no matter the age or class. Izzy, Ray and Chaz had deemed the added income and Nights other work for them more then enough reason to almost let him stay for free.

The ebony unicorn was, per usual, entertaining as many in the common room as he could, a slightly mad look crossing over his features as he gestured wildly with one hoof and a levitated bottle. "- And there was the changeling, surrounded on all sides by diamond dogs. They growled deeply, moving in for the kill, sharp splinters of teeth gnashing as they thought of finishing off the troublesome bug. The first lunged, and Skitter dodged to the left, using the mutts momentum to swing it into one of its companions before launching himself up, towards to caverns high ceiling. The dogs response was a hail of wicked rocks, most falling short or going wide, by enough hit to slow down the changeling. All seemed lost," The unicorn paused dramatically before carrying on, letting the audience lean forwards in the small lull. "BAM! An arcane explosion ripped from on the the side tunnels, tossing dogs helter-skelter!"

"'SKIT!' Came the shout as his love, the one he had though lost to him forever, barreled into the cavern, the teal coloured unicorns horn still smoking in her purple mane. 'I thought I'd lost you!'"

Zeph stopped paying attention again. It had gotten past the major climax in the story, things would level out from there and they would all live happily ever after. Turning to Rapoza, she prodded the curled up stallion in the side. "He has an odd fixation with changelings, don't you think?"

"Third story this month, but he's always told tales of them," The mango coloured stallion shrugged, eyes lazily looking over the crowd. "Who knows, maybe there's one in here and this story is for them."

Sanguine nodded from her perch on the couches arm rest, the crimson earth pony glancing at Rapoza. "Maybe," She fixed her amber eyes back on the black unicorn, before sighing softly. "He's going to end this romantically, with everything perfect."

Zephyr snorted. "He almost always does. He hates having the good guys hurt."

"Hopeless romantic that one."

"Eyup."

After that, they just sat and listened, pointing out minor errors in continuity to each other quietly on their couch, cozily located in the back of the room. Before long Knight was wrapping up the story, grinning wide as the audience looked on in rapture. "She looked over at him before asking, 'Where should we go?' The changeling smiled wide before softly kissing the unicorn. 'Anywhere you want.'"

A low but feminine voice cut in. "Hah."

There was a murmur of wondering as the newcomer strode through the murky entrance and into the room. Messy brown feathers, a slight tint of red on them, followed by an equally ragged coat of fur, sharp black talons and a swept back crest marked the griffoness as something wild. Her eyes, however, looked disinterested and tired, like she didn't care at all, deep green colouration reminding less of gems and more of swamp slime.

"I'll tell you all how this story ends, the good guys die and the bad guys win."

Night growled. "This isn't your story birdy. Shove off."

He was met with a smirk. "The two lovers escaped to the west, bringing with them the few possessions they could. Skitter, or 'Skit' as he chose to be called, putting on a traveling show to make ends meet, doing his best to make Cloud comfortable. Unbeknownst to them, the few remaining diamond dogs had been made to talk. Rumor had said one pony had gone into the caves and two had come out. Cloud was known about Canterlot, a mare of great skill when it came to hot air balloons even though it was not her 'special talent', so it was only a matter of time before others went looking for her...'" The Griffoness only grinned wider as Night scowled. Then her words flowed out and twisted the tale.

It took her a good hour to flesh the tale out, bringing in a fictional Captain of the Guard, White Knight, tasked with finding the great mind of cloud and bring her back, most of the time focusing on the hardship of the changeling, forced to be someone he wasn't just to not be hated, just to stay alive, the constant fear of discovery. The finale was finally drawing close, the Captain having cornered the couple in a temple, the statue of Celestia looking down upon it all.

"-And as White Knight brought his sword down, intent on cutting the changeling to pieces, the battered mare threw herself in the way. Time stood still as Skit could only watch, helpless as his love was cut down. Knight swore. 'Stupid mare! I told you not to get in the way!' With that he slammed Cloud to the side, rage billowing up as he turned his blade to the changeling once more. 'For corrupting a mare like that, vile beast, I hope the goddess makes you pay.' The changeling ignored the insane captain, instead trying his best to crawl to his love. She needed him. He had to make sure she was ok. He had to. He struggled, the sound of the blade rushing through the air filling his ears even as he reached out and touched his loves hoof."

The half cat paused her narration, eyes closing as her wings spread dramatically, their ragged width looking like the reapers cape in the low light. "His last thoughts where how he had failed her, and how it might have been better if they had never met that fateful day."

Half the audience was shaking. Night was scowling. Rapoza and Zephyr both stared with slack jaws. The room was dead quiet save for the crackling fire in the hearth.

Somepony did a slow stomp, the steady applause making everyone in the room turn. Sanguine Blaze, eyes half lidded, thumped her hoof against the floorboards. Slowly the sound was joined by others, everypony murmuring to one another as the griffoness fluffed herself up as she strode across the room and jumped onto the couch beside Zephyr.

"I must say, that was quite a turn you pulled there. Far too many stories you hear are feel good, it's refreshing to hear something different," Sang had moved behind the couch, front hooves over the backrest as she inspected the ruddy griffon. She motioned to herself before continuing, "Sanguine Blaze, and you are?"

With a snort, the half bird turned her beak to face the crimson earth mare. "Marr," She flicked her tail and smoothed her ragged feathers down before continuing. "No story is really done until the hero is dead," She paused, contemplating something before continuing. "Sometimes it just happens sooner."

The crimson pony nodded sagely. "Not every story has a happy ending."

"Might have a happy middle though," The ruddy griffon grinned, letting herself lounge on the soft couch, wings half spreading.

"What happened to your feathers?" Zephyr reached out a hoof, trying to get a better look at the tattered and mangled looking primaries that graced the half birds wide wings.

The griffoness retracted the appendages sharply, scowling. "Came through the Everfree. Bit of a rough patch."

"Through the forest? Wouldn't it have been better to have gone over?"

Marr regarded Rapoza as though he where mentally challenged, beak a firm line. "Ya think?" She pushed herself out of her seat, wings half spreading to keep her stable on her paws. "Sometimes it seems like that forest reaches out and grabs you. Then you've gotta fight your way out," She glanced back at them, eyes unreadable before she padded out as abruptly as she had entered.

There was silence for a while before Rapoza spoke up, breaking the silence. "Well. She seemed nice."

Marr joined them for breakfast the next day, the griffon sitting off to the side by one of the three entrances, already munching away at pancakes as Zephyr strode in.

"I can't believe we feel asleep here again Rapo," The pegasus scowled, grabbing a plate of pancakes and slathering syrup and butter on them.

The mango coloured pony rolled his eyes as he followed suit, sitting beside the pegasus. blinking, he looked about the room. "Where's Night?"

Izzy shrugged from his place over at the stove, the silent pony continuing to make breakfast as a few other guests filed in, the place slowly filling with a humm of activity.

"I bet he's sulking because he got out done last night," The pegasus hummed to herself, eyeing the new creature in town. "She's certainly interesting."

Rapoza snorted. "More like a rebel without a cause. That story was really... Grim."

"Yeah, it was," Zephyr thoughtfully chewed on a pancake. "I liked it."

The mango coloured stallion rolled his eyes. "I guess it's exactly the type of thing you'd enjoy, isn't it?" His companion just nodded, white mane bouncing up and down.

As more and more ponies filed in, Zeph noticed the griffoness edging further and further towards the door, after a while silently placing the half finished plate of pancakes on a table and stalking out. The purple mare excused herself, leaving Rapoza, dodging around the chaotic mess hall and through the cluttered hallways, following the griffons ruddy tail like a cat might chase a snake.

As the half bird went to enter her room, a shout halted her. "Hold up!" The griffon paused, looking over her shoulder at Zephyr, eyebrow rasied.

"Marr, right?"

The ruddy coloured griffon turned, disinterested gaze roaming over the pegasus. "Yeah. What do ya want?"

"Well, you're gonna be sticking around for a while right?" The pegasus grinned up at the griffoness, smile fading a touch as Marr frowned slightly.

"Dunno."

The mare fidgeted slightly. "Maybe I could show you around town..?"

Marr rolled her eyes before fixing the pegasus with an amused look. "And who, exactly, are you?"

"Oh, feathers, sorry, I'm Zephyr. Zephyr Plume," The deep purple pegasus lifted a hoof for Marr to shake as she carried on. "And I'm very interested in your story telling."

Fragile Bird

As it turned out, Marr was a bit of a writer and an artist, both pursuits going into a large book, though when Zephyr talked with her and they planned, sometimes it laid forgotten to the side. The Griffon wasn't the best, but her ideas where different enough that Zephyr paid attention, the two feeding off each other and spinning ideas into grand webs of stories.

As it was, the small group of Marr, Zephyr, Rapoza and Sanguine where at a small cafe, idly planning their own story night. It had been agreed that Night should have his days like always, and that they would simply fill in the blanks, and they had done so for the past few weeks to great results. Chaz was ecstatic about the idea, and had already made grand proclamations about the "bardic circle" at the Inn. Needless to say, despite not losing any time to them, Night was vastly unimpressed, and where he would normally sit was occupied by Marr, the griffoness looking somewhat awkward as she sat on the plush cushions of the establishment.

Rapo was balancing a glass of soda on his hoof as he looked between the purple mare and the ruddy griffoness, grinning as they bantered back and forth over the story they where spinning for the crowd. Plot lines evolved and characters where made, entire nations discussed. At about the point golems made of food began coming up, Sanguine had forced the other two to order a meal so they would stop "Writing with their stomachs."

Marr had managed to talk the restaurants staff into giving her seeds and honey for her order of toast, despite it being off menu. By talked into it, Rapoza really meant she had not so subtly hinted that the waiter himself would make a good substitute for the meal, the sharpness in her eyes making certain that it wasn't taken suggestively.

Surprisingly, their meal had arrived quickly (Marrs food was replaced after she stared at it, stared at the waiter, then stared back at it. The stallion had started sweating bullets before hastily running off to replace it. When questioned about it she shrugged, simply saying she "wouldn't eat it after what he did to it,") and they had tucked into the meal.

This didn't mean a cessation of conversation. Far from it in fact.

"Okay, so, we have Iain looking for his lover, who's run away because she's afraid she'll get him killed by distracting him, where should he look for her?"

Marr grimaced, talon busy slathering her toast with the honey and seeds. "Feathers, I don't know Zephyr. I didn't know when you asked ten minutes ago, and then you went off on that 'soda pony' tangent."

The purple pegasus groaned. "Well, we'd better come up with something soonish. We've been stalling for a while now."

"Gotta be perfect..." Marr mumbled out before shoving her honey coated meal in her beak.

"Marr, sometimes it's just gotta be good enough. You can't put off everything forever," Sanguine jabbed a hoof at the griffon. "Sometimes you will find yourself improvising."

Marr slammed her head on the table, shoving her meal to the center of the cheerfully coloured surface. "I'd rather not fuck up."

"Didn't you, a-hem, wing it the first night, when you interrupted Bane?"

The griffoness frowned at Sanguine, green eyes glaring as if the red mare had wronged her. "That was different," A raised eyebrow over searching amber eyes was her response. The ruddy coloured half-bird sighed, closing her eyes for a moment. "That was a one time thing. Only had to work once. If everypony hated it, I could just vanish afterwards, ya know?" She rolled her head over, looking away from the group moodily. "Now we have this thing that they want to hear about every few days."

"Cheer up birdy," Marr growled at Rapoza as he said that, the mango coloured pony either not noticing or not caring as he continued, "You could be like Night lately, making everything up on the spot."

Marr turned her head sideways, looking up at Rapoza. "Let me guess, he's also been getting smaller crowds?"

"No, Night's doing just fine, he's just been really irritable lately, and he's been making everything up as he goes, Lots of plot holes and continuity errors," The stallion set the empty soda glass down on the table with a solid 'plonk' before carrying on. "Not sure why."

Marr lifted her head from the cool surface of the table before tilting her head sideways, clearly confused. "So, why do I never hear Nights story telling crowd from my room then? It's not that far from the common room."

Rapoza smirked. "Funny thing, that. Ray enchanted all the rooms to be sound proofed unless there's a fire or some other such disaster, wanted to make sure nopony could disturb anypony else," He waved his hoof about. "He's also why the place is huge, yet you can walk from one end to the other in a minute. Unless you don't want to. It knows where you want to go and makes sure you get there. All in all, if anypony was to every try an' recreate the place, they're gonna have to spend a fortune."

Marr was silent for a moment before suddenly locking eyes with Zephyr. "A castle."

"What?"

"A castle. That's what we should add next," The griffoness gestured wide, tattered wings half spreading as she carried on. "We'll base it on the Paradise, have it lead whoever enters it to what they need, not whatever they want."

Sanguine nodded slowly. "Yes, but that seems so... convenient."

"Well, here's what we'll do..."

The night had been a success, and the crowd was leaving, Ray and Chaz seeing their non-boarding guests out as the lot of story tellers lounged on the sofa.

"How exactly do you two come up with this stuff?" Rapoza shook his head in disbelief. "I mean, I was there when you two where talking about this all, and yeah, I kinda helped, but Celestias sake."

Zephyr shrugged. "I just keep talking and as I talk get more ideas, so just I keep spewing even more intellectual fiction."

The griffoness sprawled over the couch lazily. "I congratulate you on creating a perpetual motion machine out of your skull. If it could be used to create power, you'd be rich."

"Eh, I think my mind is put to better use violating yours currently," Zephyr waved a hoof absent mindedly, wing half unfolding to mime the gesture the whole while. "Endless spouts of pure genious impregnating itself in your brain."

"She could only be so lucky."

Marrs head twisted to gaze to the doorway, green eyes focusing in on Night as he strode into the room. "Good show. A little weak in some places, but still, not bad at all," Red eyes fixed on the griffon. "If you're a few seasons old that is. Not enough time spent building up inter-character relationships, nor enough time spent fulls defining anyone."

The griffoness scowled. "You still bitter about my wonderful introduction?"

"Nah, what's a good ribbing between friends?" The sudden slash of brilliant white across pure black was a touch unnerving in the low lighting, the unicorns grin looking almost like it went from ear to ear. "Just trying to give you some pointers."

"More like thinly veiled insults, I think."

A loud clopping noise cut through the brewing argument, all eyes turning to Sanguine, hooves firmly on the ground, her yellow eyes burning holes into the black unicorns skull. "I know you don't like her Bane, but really," A red hoof raised off the ground, jabbing the unicorn in the chest as she continued, "I expect better from you."

If anything Nights grin got even wider as he shook his head, giving out a short laugh. "Fine, fine, I'll turn in for the evening."

Zephyr snorted as the stallion left, watching as he rounded the corner. "Sometimes I don't really get that guy."

"The story isn't that bad is it?" Marr had turned to stare at the fireplace, brow furrowed as she thought. "We didn't really put as much time into this nights session as we usually do but..."

"It'll be fine Marr. You did great for how long we get to put into this."

The ruddy griffon brushed Rapozas hoof off her shoulder, frowning. "Not good enough..."

"Lighten up Marr, we'll figure this out," The mango coloured pony grinned cockily. "Besides, the crowd seemed to enjoy it."

"Yeah, yeah..."

The brooding griffon jumped as something leaned on her. Head swinging around like it was attached to a novelty decoration, the off brown critter stared at the purple pegasus leaning against it as blue eyes peered up from under a cloudy mane. Zephyr smirked. "Cheer up bird-butt, we'll just make next weeks better."

The griffoness nodded stiffly.

"So, who's up for a quick game?" Rapoza jumped off the sofa, heading towards the shelf on the far side of the room.

Sanguine took off after him, tossing her mane back. "Only if I get to choose. You always choose something so simple."

If anything, Marr looked more tattered then was considered the norm, large bags under her eyes, wings sitting with feathers askew; Zephyr even swore some of the ruddy brown feathers looked matted. Despite all this, the Griffon sported a grin as she took a seat beside the pegasus, tea clutched precariously in one talon.

"Hey," she greeted simply, sliding herself over a plate of pancakes even as the sleep deprived pegasus grunted at her arrival. While the others had gone to their respective homes, Zeph had once again passed out at the Inn, waking to a blanket draped over her withers, last memory of the evening being far into a game of Risk. Sanguine had a very strange idea of what a "quick" game entailed.

Marr sighed, head clunking on the table hollowly. "There's no cure for reality."

Zephyr grinned wryly. "Writing is good medicine though. Delays the symptoms," She hummed off key as she groggily sipped at her coffee.

"Any ideas on the next story night?"

"Well, knowing that we're going to send him to t-" A talon pushed itself against the purple ponies muzzle, silencing her. Sheepishly the pegasus looked around; quite a few of the patrons where looking at her intently, and even those that weren't had their ears swiveled towards their table. "I just about blurted out spoilers for the story in the mess hall, honestly, I'm barely in my right mind right now, and where was I going with this sentence?" Zephyr massaged her face with a hoof, half groaning. "Yes, I suppose. Ugh."

The griffoness grinned. "Kay, we'll talk over lunch, like always, right?" Upon an affirmative sounding grunt from the pony, she lounged back, taking a gulp of her tea. "I was thinking just us two this time, seeing we're the ones doing most of the story telling here. Maybe that little cafe just off the square?"

The purple pegasus made a face. "Jazz's place? Everything has so much cheese in it. I'm not sure there's anything on the menu that comes without cheese. I'm certain there's a cheese and cheese sandwich."

"Hey, nothing wrong with some good cheese."

Marr pulled a face. "Morning to you too Night."

The unicorn shrugged, pouring syrup into his coffee like it was going out of style. "It's the truth. Personally though, I think I'd stick to Oxide's place. Got a good source for apples."

"That's where we always meet Night," The griffoness frowned as she continued, "And I think it would be nice to have a change of pace."

Night took a swig of his mostly-syrup-beverage, swirling it about in the mug. "Suit yourself."

Zephyr looked thoughtful, coffee drained during the others small talk, peering out of one of the many enchanted windows of the Inn. "I think," She slowly started, watching the few rays of sunshine dance across the glass, "I may have an idea."

Sweat dripped off Marrs beak, the tiny droplets of fatigue making her blink before acting, talon almost sluggishly moving across the battlefield, finding its target. With a moment of hesitation, she struck.

"Check."

Zephyr rolled her eyes, wing deftly grabbing a piece, smacking Marrs queen off the board. "Mate."

"What, bu- How- I- You- Fffffff-" Marr devolved into half muttered expletives as she looked over the board, trying to find some flaw in her byzantium furred opponents logic, some unexploited hole in her offense. Finding none, she did the only thing she could do; pout.

"Told you she'd kick your rump," Came the call from across the room, the proud owner of the Dusty-Trails diner snickering as her watched the griffon fume.

Marr twitched slightly, beak clacking shut as she somehow managed to slouch down and hide herself half behind the table, looking off to the side and mumbling. Zephyr could only laugh, shaking her head at the half birds antics. "Been doing this longer then you have, silly bird," With a grumble, the griffon somehow managed to sink lower, eyes barely above the tables top, making the white maned pony giggle. "Aww, come on, It wasn't that bad, was it?"

Getting no visible response, Zephyr shot around the table with a grin and nuzzled the raggedy griffon, who's only response was to freeze up and produce and very high pitched chirp. The mares voice took on a sing-song quality as she leaned against the larger half-bird. "Come-on, it's not that baaaad~" Marr struggled to keep a frown fixed on her beak, though the slight grin that broke through didn't escape her companions notice. "Haha~ See, all better."

"Heh," The griffoness shook her head wonderingly, finally relaxing. "What would I do without you?"

Zephyr only grinned.

It was late when Marr finally returned to the Inn, the sun beginning to set for the night and make way for the moon. The mess hall was a quiet muttering, calm and simple as the griffon slipped past tables, silently grabbing a loaf of bread to munch on.

Food in talon, she made her way to the common room, where she sat beside the fire, tired eyes approaching something near calm.

Today had been the first really good day in a very long time. She munched on her bread, silently contemplating the fire as a slow guitar song flowed from the back corner, the tune somewhat familiar to her. In her deep, almost growling tone she slowly whistled along. The guitar seemed almost mournful, speaking softly of emotions as it softly was worked.

Curiosity took hold, and she turned slightly to look back at the source.

Red magic held the well maintained guitar aloft, bright red eyes boring into the griffon as Night proved yet gain that he was a bard, not just some common story teller. With a solid thump he stopped playing, all six strings suddenly muted by magic.

"You where out rather late."

It was an observation, not weighted one way or another, but certainly enough to make Marr pause. Night didn't blink, the ebon unicorns crimson gaze seeming to bore right through the griffoness.

"And?"

"You're trying to court Zephyr, aren't you?"

The question made the griffon huff, tossing half the bread into the fire as she abruptly stood, marching into the hall. With a few short strides and a barely perceptible magic blur, she opened the door to her room, only to have Nights voice stop her.

"She's not interested, you know."

Marr snarled a bit as the unicorn somehow managed to get between her and the door, the startled half birds wing rising as she half hopped back. "I'm not trying to 'court her,' as you so kindly put it," The griffoness resisted the urge to do something violent, images of what she was capable of flashing through her mind as she continued, "I just wanted to spend time with a friend."

Night shook his head, snorting in an amused way. "I'm a story teller Marr, I can see exactly where this is going. You're going to end up hurting her, and I'm telling you you should stop."

Marr flinched back as though hit before steeling herself, scowling. "Bullshit. You're just pissed that I one-upped you. Leave me alone."

"I'm not trying to be the bad guy here Marr," Night shook his head as stopped the griffon with a solid hoof even as she tried to shoulder her way past him. "Zephyr doesn't need you, and you're going to end up hurting her. I can see it in the way you look at her," The pitch black pony didn't blink as he continued. "She doesn't need you as a romantic interest. You're not what she wants, and besides that you don't even like yourself," It was like a sudden chill had flowed into the hallway, one the many windows that lead outside (enchanted, of course,) whistled slightly in the wind as the Everfree's trees swayed off in the distance. "You're a danger to yourself Marr. Fearful and sad, and you're going to hurt her because of it," The griffon swore Nights eyes flashed a brilliant solid red in the hallways dim lighting as he continued. "You need to back off."

"I think you're an idiot," Marr snarled as she ducked under the unicorns limb, "And you need to fuck off!" With that she slammed the door in Nights face, the wood protesting as the impact almost tore the hinges from the frame.

The room was dimly lit, dusk slowly falling, the sunset over the Everfree throwing the only illumination present into the room. Overall, it was plain: a side table, a curved maple vanity with a mirror and a soft bed, a battered messenger bag thrown atop it, contents half spilled over the messy covers, never really unpacked.

The ragged griffoness stood in the center of the room, looking down towards her talons, wings hanging limp by her sides, their great ragged widths quivering. There she stood for a long while, the sun going lower and lower over the forest, until she collapsed with it, sinking to her haunches at the murky woods swallowed what light was left.

Marr sobbed, wrapping her limbs around herself, claws sinking into her flesh as they raked over what of her they could reach, painfully slow as they broke the toughened hide. With a small jitter, one caught on a knot of flesh.

"I-I-I'm a bad cre-creature," It came out half choked off as she dug a talon into the scar, blood welling up as the old wound was torn open, bright red drizzling over her off-brown feathers, "I ke-keep f-f-f-fffffffucking this up!" She dug deeper into her shoulder, mucles straining as she notched her shoulder for her wrong.

"It's not good enough!" The hysterical griffoness slammed herself into the wall, the Inns magical sound-proofing humming as it worked to stop anything from disturbing the other patrons. "I'm n-n-not good en-n-enough!"

Her talons slipped downwards, tearing at her flesh; it stung and burned, but she cringed and moved up instead, expunging a more recent spot of its scab, a feather coming with it as she excavated her flesh, the thick red of her blood welling up like the oil some ponies searched for.

The griffoness stared out the window at the looming hulk of the Everfree, eyes not focusing entirely. "I can't do anything right..." Her other shoulder joined the first, both sides weeping tears of crimson as life itself tried to escape. More and more, old wounds opened again and fresh ones opened up alongside. All of them small and innumerable in number, the pain soaking though Marrs talons, across her front and sides until she just slumped down, spent, mumbling to herself in a haze.

It took a long while for her to come to, drying blood matting her feathers down even as its colour blended perfectly with her ruddy coat and feathers. The moons pale light barely touched the leafy canopy of the darkforest her window faced. All the griffoness could do was stare as she mentally berated herself. She had to do better, she had to do more.

With shaking talons, Marr dragged herself over to her bed and collapsed.

I Want a Bird

"What are you going to do, fucking whine about it?" Her father towered overhead, rage directed solely upon the battered griffoness. "You're worthless. Can't fucking do anything," Marr stumbled through the doorway, mind spinning as her father continued, voice raising higher and higher. "What, are you just going to fucking run away? Can't fucking face your problems? Can't fucking fix anything?!"

She ground her beak, eyes instead focusing on the door. She could make it to the door and then she would be ok. She could get out. It would be fine.

"You are a fucking waste of a griffon Marr! You can't hunt, you can hardly fly, you're not fucking good for anything! And then you act like you're the only thing that fucking matters and fucking screw up for attention! FUCKING GROW UP AND ACT LIKE A GRIFFON!"

"FUCK YOU!" The resounding sound of wood on wood slammed through the air, the rough-hewn door nearly shaking loose of its hinges, pulling at the worn door-frame roughly as Marr slammed it shut, trying to block out her fathers words. With a hasty beat of her wings, she flew from the small house, roughly careening through the air.

She couldn't go home.

Mind you, she supposed, it wasn't a 'home,' not a real one at least. A home was someplace you felt safe, warm and welcome. It was a place where you could be you and not have to worry about others.

It was a house, but never a home.

Instead she fixed her eyes on the horizon, shakily making for the forest before her wing shed a cluster of feathers. She spiraled towards the Everfree, it's gloomy canopy welcoming her as she crashed full force into the dark branches.

Marr woke screaming, wrapped in some terrible thing, clawing frantically as she struggled for her life. Suddenly the world inverted, dumping the ratty griffon onto the cold unforgiving floor with a loud thump. It took her a few moments to clue into where exactly she was. A little cabin that the edge of the Everfree had all but overtaken, a hole in the wall no-where.

Where she had run to.

Run being the literal sense. Her wings where useless, shredded to the point some feathers most likely where not coming back. So she had run, wings doing little more then letting her jump a little further, half gliding across creeks and ravines as she skirted the edge of the gloomy forest until, almost a day out, she had found this.

Shaking, Marr pulled herself to the barely functional end table and grabbed the bottle from atop it. It was one of the few things she had that she still owned, and she gratefully poured pain medication into her talon before slamming it back, collapsing onto the floor.

She looked over her room with dull eyes, only half seeing what there was in the murky light from the single window. Her ragged wings merged with the mess of soda bottles, trays from the "instant" dinners she'd been eating for the last week (Unicorn magic was never going to be as good as a proper stove; half the 'food' had been dumped outside) and crumpled notes, all of the detritus trying to fill in for the numerous missing feathers. All she could do was grimace at the sight.

She hadn't really made the best decision when she came here, and the trend had continued with what types of food she had brought. There was a distinct lack of planning, or perhaps the plan was that there was no plan. It didn't really matter. She'd been out here for month, and had no inclination of leaving.

Barely registering her actions, she lethargically reached over and smoothed a note back out, eyes glancing over the words, even though she already knew the contents by heart.

Dear Zephyr,

Hello, It's been a while, I was wondering how you've been? I'm sorry I haven't kept in touch, I meant to but I seem to not know what to really put in these.

I really miss you-

The rest of the letter was scratched over, ink smudged furiously over any words that could follow. With a groan she tossed the letter to the side, turning to look the other way with a scowl. She couldn't just go back without anything to show for it. She had to have something. What sort of useless creature left and then came back with nothing to show?

A red bordered letter caught her eye, sitting squarely in the ray of sunlight from the window. She already knew it's contents as she stared at it, mind formulating a plan, running through scenarios, trying to ascertain if it would be good enough.

Her mind raced as it went over what day it was. She wasn't perfect, she wasn't amazing, and what she had wasn't good enough, it would never be, but she had to give what she could.

Her mind was made up as her talon snatched the note, carefully flattening it before placing it in her notebook. With a flourish, she packed everything into her messenger bag and hurried for the door.

She had to move fast.

Every head in the damp marketplace turned at the sight of the Griffoness careening to ground, wings a calliope of colours on a ruddy brown background even as hastily imped feathers tore themselves apart under the extreme forces of Marrs rain hampered landing.

The end result was dramatic, the griffoness roughly skidding to a halt in a rainbow cloud of feathers as her backwinging caused a massive chunk of missmatched donor primaries to shatter their bond. The end result meant to keep her footing she found herself jogging a few paces forewards, shaking out her wings and dislodging the last few poorly patched feathers (most cobbled together from her spare writing quills,) random colours now dotting the landscape like a bizarre snowfall.

Ponies where staring openly at this point, what seemed like hundreds of pairs of eyes focused on the ragged-winged half bird.

Marr hissed, eyes narrowed. "What are ya lookin' at?" With that, half of the heads turned away, the rest lingering long enough to have the griffoness flip them off with a muddy talon, the insult not lost on them. What few eyes stayed on her quickly lost sight of the ragged creature as she careened through the crowd with reckless abandon. Speed was the game she was playing at, and it was a game she could win.

Up and over and around, she darted through the crowd, green eyes searching. Seeing a familiar mane, she vaulted over a moving wagon, almost crashing headlong into Rapoza.

"Marr?" The mango coloured stallion blinked at the panting griffon, not quite sure what to say as the half cats ragged furr smoothed back down under the steady early morning drizzle.

Catching her breath, Marr hastily put on that not caring face. "Hey. Know where Zeph is?"

The stallion blinked, brow furrowing. "I think she's out with that coltfriend of hers, Hearts and Hooves Day and all."

She felt like she had been stabbed. The breath ran out of her and her limbs felt shakey. Of course Zeph had a very special somepony. Her mind tore at itself, berating her for being so stupid. What was she even thinking?

"Why? Where have you even been?"

"Doesn't matter. Never mind."

With that, Marr turned about face, lept to fly off - and barely managed to catch herself as her torn up wings declined to provide enough lift. Her jump was perhaps a bit further then without wings, but flight was out of the question. Swearing filled the sky, taking flight for her as she instead took off down the street, leaving a very confused stallion behind her.

Blood dripped down Marrs side as she chewed on her wings joint, more feathers floating to the ground as the griffoness mauled herself. She was half ways up a tree in the park, and even though the cloud cover had lifted, her spirits had not.

She had feathered this up. She hadn't even done what she set out to accomplish and she had fucked up. She flopped over into the crotch of the wide branch she was perched on, letting the wound dry as she stared up at the leafy canopy, one talon digging furrows into the trees limb.

This was how it would always be, wasn't it? She'd just fuck everything up time and time again. Now she had a crush on somepony who was already taken. That just made her worse, because she couldn't help who she liked. She was like a curse, a bad plague. Like Night said, she was the bad thing that happened to good ponies.

"Marr?"

The soft question made the Griffoness start, squawking as she fell gracelessly from her perch, slamming in a crumpled heap in front of byzantium hooves. The startled pegasus jumped back, eyes wide. "Marr! Are you ok?"

The ruddy and ragged creature groaned, flopping off her head and landing on her back, blinking groggily up at the pegasus. Fate had to be laughing at her.

"What are you doing here? Where did you go? I missed you."

Marr looked to the side, wincing as she could barely stand looking at Zephs hurt expression. Fate wasn't laughing, it was guffawing as it poured salt in her wounds.

"I left to deal with... Things."

That apparently wasn't good enough. "You never wrote or told anypony where you where going. And then you show up out of no where and the only reason I know is because Rapo told me."

The griffon squirmed, fighting back the urge to shred her wings out of shame as she refused to look at the pegasus. The trees trunk looked lovely.

Suddenly, all attempts to ignore the pegasus where put on hold as the byzantium mare laid down beside her, soft fur touching Marrs roughly cut coat. The griffoness slowly turned her beak to face the pony, meeting a very small smile. "Rapoza said you where looking for me.

Marr looked to the side, rolling over and into a sitting position, carefully dragging a red bordered note out of her messenger bag. "I... Was going to ask you to be my very special somepony for Hearts and Hooves day, but then I found out you where already... With somepony," The wince that she made was like someone expecting to get hit

Zeph made a face. "He's a bit of a dick, to be honest. Kinda mean, always wants me in the kitchen," She grinned slightly as she continued. "Turns out I'm a better writer then a cook."

"Then why are you..?"

Blue eyes looked up towards the trees green canopy. "He's attractive. Dunno, he has a crush on me, I have a crush on him..." She trailed off, white mane fluttering a bit in the breeze.

"That's kinda dumb."

"Heh. I know, right?"

They sat in silence for a long while, Marr looking back to the pegasus every so often before fidgeting and looking away, nervous talons kneading the ground. She felt like she was going to explode with the worry was creeping into her; It was bizarre, draining her and making her lethargic as much as it made her want to scream and shout and just do something, anything, so long as it was dramatic.

She looked back at Zephyr, only to meet those sky blue eyes as they looked over at her. "What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry."

The purple pegasus frowned just a bit. "Why are you sorry? You didn't do anything wrong."

"I did and I still feel fetting horrible because I have a crush on you and you already said it's not anything you really want and I'm pretty sure you don't like girls like that and I'm kinda ugly anyways and I'm a s-selfish jerk who is fettin' attracted to someone she really doesn't know that well and I'm fucking this up and I'm sorry." Zephyr blinked as Marr panted, having spewed out one colossal spiel of words with no breath taken between. The griffoness looked away, body tense as if expecting violence before half choking out another "I'm sorry" and kneading the ground violently with her talons.

"Silly bird..." Zeph leaned against Marr, the movement making the larger creature jump. eyes widening in brief panic. The pegasus ignored it, gently nuzzling the battered griffoness as her wing plucked the note from Marrs talons and tucked the rumpled paper into her saddle bag. "Happy belated Hearts and Hooves day."

Marrs heart jumped to her throat as fresh tears gathered at her eyes. In a moment her mangled wings where thrown over the byzantium pegasus in an embrace. "T-t-thank you." She was crying again as she nuzzled the mare happily, not caring that even more imped feathers fell out as she did so.

Zephyr gave a small smile. "Don't worry, chill."

The griffoness half collapsed against the pegasai, as she sobbed. "I-I was just so worried you'd hate me."

Byzantium fur filled Marrs vision as the pegasus gave her a small kiss on the beak, then those sky blue eyes locked with hers, framed by white clouds of mane. "You're my friend, why would I hate you?" The raggedy griffoness broke eye contact, staring at her talons as her wings twitched.

"B-b-becasue I have a huge crush on you and I'm weird and-" The griffoness was cut off by Zeph's hoof.

The pegasus was still smiling as she shushed the hybrid creature, running a hoof over Marrs ragged feather crest soothingly. "You're fine, 'kay?" Zeph glanced over the griffons feather bare wings, one hoof gently lifting so she could inspect one better. She grimaced. "Or you will be once I'm done with you," Marr stiffened for a moment before the pegasus, apparently noticing, brushed the griffoness's wings with her own. "Come on, I'm gonna patch you up."

Zeph stood over Marr as the griffoness laid sprawled out on the bed.

"Why do you even have all of these?"

Zephyr laughed as she applied adhesive to the shaft pin of the feather to be grafted. "It's a talent of mine," At Marrs inquisitive look she continued. "When I was younger I was really interested in wings. I learned everything I could about how they work and how to make them look their best," the purple pegasus paused for a moment, tongue sticking out of the corner of her muzzle as she delecately fixed the donor feather to the Griffons mangled primary, pinning and gluing the shafts together. "Imping is almost second nature, I used to do it all the time for this one mare - always crashing into things. Ditzy little thing." Marr smirked, twitching a touch as the byzantium mare continued. "Anyways, I've kept every feather I could so I can keep others wings working properly. Now hold still."

The Griffoness held herself, resisting the urge to flip her wings about. Zeph had been working on her wings for hours. "What the heck did you do to get this roughed up? Feathers are just missing," The pegasus frowned, parting the feathers on Marrs wing to get a better look. "Fetlocks, who the heck did this to you?"

Marrs response was to bury her beak into the pillows. "I'm a bad creature."

"No. You're not. Who did this to you?" Zeph fixed her with a firm look. The griffoness looked anywhere but at the pony, already keenly aware of how this conversation was going to go if she let it. "Did you..?" Zephyr went quiet, starring at Marr for a long while before, the Griffon refusing to meet her eyes. With a heavy sigh, the purple pegasus turned back to the wings. Feather tips traced the scars and new scabs on it as the pegasus spent even more time inspecting then before. "I think I can fix this..."

It took hours more; Dinner came and went, candles where lit and placed on the curved vanity and still Zeph labored away at the griffons plumage, What once seemed like a vast mountain of spare feathers little more then a sparse spattering of trimmed bits and bites, some of the ruddy brown of Marrs wings interspersed with the byzantium donors. Zephyr stood back, looking over the griffoness with a critical eye before nodding. "There. Done. Now give a good flap."

Marr churred excitedly as she spread her wings again, twisting this way and that, as she gleefully inspected the mottled ruddy brown and striking byzantium patterns that now emerged. A few hard flaps sent some parchment from her desk fluttering about, but a distinct lack of feathers meant that Zeph's work had stuck, as it were. Zephyr suddenly found herself pinned under a purring half bird as Marr thanked her profusely.

The byzantium mare grinned, gently nuzzling into her companion before yawning wide, blinking as the sheer amount of time she had spent putting the griffoness back together hit home. Yawning again and mumbling something about being exhausted, she nuzzled into the griffon's soft chest. "You're welcome silly. Just don't rip these ones out, okay?"

Time seemed meaningless as they just lay together, not talking about much of anything, the recently put together griffoness expressing her gratitude repeatedly, a silly grin plastered over her beak. The moon peered in through the window as a silent witness, a graceful light filling the room as the candles finally burned down and out and the white maned pegasus fell asleep.

It was a simple moment, the type of love that she needed; someone who could be there and help, ever so gently, hold her together. Marr softly purred, gently petting the small pony's mane, talons combing through it carefully. This, she decided, was all she really needed; the pony there to keep her spirits up, her little byzantium angel. This was home.

That thought echoed through her skull. This was home. A place she felt safe. With Zephyr was home. It wasn't a building, it wasn't a town, it wasn't any fixed location; with her friend, the dear pegasus she loved so much, that was when she was home.

Carefully, mindful of all her repaired feathers, the griffoness wrapped the mare up in her wings. She was warm, and Marr found herself cuddling Zephyr as she slept, the mares breathing calming her usually anxious mind, leading her imagination from dark thoughts. It was startling how much of a difference Zephyr made. Everything was going to be okay.

For just a moment, just one fraction of eternity, Marr let herself relax.

She slept soundly.

Little Lion Girl

Marr and Zephyr had gone flying.

This was something the older half griffon had only enjoyed in passing, usually to busy running from something to actually find any time to use the skill recreationaly, and even when she wasn't fleeing, she had more often then not found herself grounded by her own actions.

Lately, however, she found herself focusing on other things as opposed to how horrid she was.

Things like how her and Zeph both had soared through the sky, skimming over clouds in the early spring afternoons. She enjoyed the feel of the warm, sun heated air over her feathers, and was giddy with joy over how stunning she looked with the pegasai's donor feathers, finding the byzantium colour mesmerizing as the sun danced off the glossy plumage.

The weather was been fine for the time of year, the sparse cloud cover keeping it warm enough at night to stop the rains from becoming snow.

It did, however, come with the problem of getting rained on when you went flying, which may be why Zephyr was currently sniffling as they flew over the town.

"I'm sorry, I've gotta land," Zephyr sneezed, losing a couple of feet of altitude, groaning a little. "Just feel terrible."

Marr pouted as she nodded, adjusting course to stay near the pegasus as they wrapped around to land by Zephyrs house, the purple pony trotting over to her door, slumping against the frame as she pulled it open.

"I'll see you later?"

The byzantium mare nodded before shutting herself inside, leaving the griffon to return to the sky.

The next day, and a half bird was practically dancing on Zephyrs doorstep until the door opened. A tired looking muzzle stuck itself out, eyes a bit dull. "I'm sorry Marr, I feel terrible, I can't come flying today."

The griffoness nodded and smiled. "It's all right, just eat and sleep and get better, ok?"

Marr and Zephyr sat at the cafe, the griffon munching on a honey and sesame cake.

"Anything on your mind?"

The byzantium mare blinked, glancing away from the window to look at the ruddy griffon. "No, just a bit... Out of it."

"I can do anything to help?" The rough voice was full of concern, the griffons eyes mirroring that emotion, a far cry from her normal disaffected stare.

The pegasai sighed, shaking her head and wincing. "Got a huge headache."

Marr placed a talon on the purple pony's shoulder. "Maybe you should go lay down."

Zephyr nodded slowly.

The pegasai's smile was a bit shaky as she opened the door, cringing a little.

Marrs face flashed with concern. "Are you okay?"

"No, huge headache..."

Marr gave her friend a hug, the large griffoness being careful. "You'd better rest then."

Another day, another headache. Marr was getting worried and, resisting the urge to maul herself, had taken to flying laps around town to calm down. She was much more stable in the air now, even attempting a few rolls and dives, trying her very best to match some of the more agile pegasai's maneuvers from before.

On one spin, she swore she saw byzantium and white dart into the the local cafe. She frowned.

Weeks, It had been weeks. Marr had been routinely flying laps around the town, regardless of the weather, the feeling of flying itself relaxing, the wind and the crisp air above the cloud level taking off the edge.

Between that, she had taken back some of the nights at Paradise, and had started telling stories again, though she wasn't as happy with them as she had been before. Really, everything seemed a bit deader when Zephyr wasn't around.

So she had been flying the line between the forest and the town, always starting and ending at Paradise.

Today though, her head was fuzzy, her balance a bit off. Today was not a day for flying.

Marr shivered in the sun as a cool breeze blew in from the forest. Unseasonably warm as the day had been, the wind was enough to make one pause. She just needed to walk for a while, clear her head. Everything would be okay, Zeph just hadn't been feeling well. She'd get her rest and then feel fine and it would all be fine. Zeph had even said she'd be back at the Inn and they'd do another night of stories today, no matter what.

As if the world was taunting her, Sanguine Blaze's voice floated over to the ruddy coloured griffon. "What the heck is up with Zeph anyways? She's been acting off for a while."

She shouldn't listen in, she knew that even as her body froze momentarily before ducking into an alleyway. The frosty breeze tickled at her ears as it spun the words from across the street to them, making sure they reached her as Night spoke up, "It's Marr."

She shuddered. They where talking about her. Marrs heart hammered as the wind continued to feed her the conversation, the dole smell of the Everfree on the word dressed winds, Rapoza speaking up next, confusion apparent. "I thought they liked each other?"

A grunt followed as Night shifted, apparently lounging back. "No, she's just afraid the griffon is crazy and that she will crack apart."

Marr shuddered, a talon punching through her skin as the wind ruffled her auxiliaries. She'd fucked up again, hadn't she?

"Wait, so Marr is still after Zephyr?" She could feel the blood running down her shoulder as she listened, her pulse seeming to punctuate each word as Sang continued, "She does know Zeph doesn't swing that way, right?" Blood was dripping on the cobblestones, the wind making their impacts long, trailing like falling rain.

Rapoza sounded confused. "I thought Zephyr was actually sick. She seemed pretty out of it when she came by a few days ago."

"Like I said," Came Nights voice, the wind kicking up again. "Zeph is afraid that Marr will crack. Pretty sure she's afraid she'll get hurt and worrying about it is making her feel like crap. On top of it, she doesn't want to hurt Marr either, so she's hiding from her."

Marr couldn't feel her talons anymore, mind racing as the conversation continued, her mind anywhere but on the words even as the Everfree born wind kept feeding them to her. She'd fucked up. She always fucked up. She was hurting Zephyr. The pegasus was scared of her. She didn't want to have anything to do with a dumb bird that had a crush on her. The wind ruffled her feather crest as she numbly stumbled down the alleyways back to the now familiar green door of Paradise.

They where right. Why did she ever try? She was defective, broken, adherent, and most likely crazy. She stumbled, talons slick with her own blood. She ruined everything. She opened her beak and ruined everything. She wasn't allowed anything nice, anything she said would come out twisted and wrong and she'd lose whatever she had. And it was all her fault. She was worthless. The griffon lurched down the hallways of Paradise, head spinning like a windmill in a monsoon.

Zephyr was there. Marr barely registered the look of concern on her face as she tried to pass by her.

"Are you ok?"

The simple question and the gentle hoof to her chest made Marrs head pulse, the wind outside whispering through a gap in the window seemingly echoing in the griffonesses head, the empty noise stretching and muddling words. She stared at Zeph for a moment, beak half open. She wanted to hug her and cry. She wanted to snuggle close to the mare and let it all out and have the wonderful byzantium pegasus make her feel safe again. She wanted to tell her what she had heard and have all her fears dispelled with that smile. And she hated herself for it.

She couldn't stay, she had to leave. Zephyr was just afraid she'd get hurt if she disappointed Marr. Lies, all the moments, all the kind words, everything was just lies. Hadn't Rapoza mentioned that the pegasus had gone out to see him? Zeph was avoiding her. She was scared of her. The only reason she was being nice was because she was face to face with the griffon and was afraid.

Marr slowly nodded her head. Zeph frowned, pushing her white mane out of her eyes as the darted over the griffons form. "Are you bleeding?"

"It's nothing. D-Don't worry." The griffoness looked to the side as she tried to continue on past, shrugging off the mares hoof, body numbly moving forwards.

"Are you sure? I worry about you."

The words cut through the haze of Marrs mind, slamming themselves into place hastily, everything that the others had said coming together in a sudden jumbled mess, bits of mutterings and worries and everything that could have ever possibly gone wrong slamming themselves to the forefront of the mental assault. Guilt and fear welled up as the griffoness shuddered to a halt, nearly falling.

She forced a smile to her beak as she mechanically turned, trying to pull off that mask that she had prided herself on. "I'm fine. Just a bit fuzzy headed," She forced her legs to behave, flicked her tail and moved down the hallways to her borrowed room. "Just gonna lay down for a while."

She could feel the mares eyes on her back the whole way to her room and would swear Zeph had been staring at the door as it closed.

The late midday sun shone brightly outside in the cloudless sky, and young foals played in the days dying warmth, the unseasonably warm streak continuing. The day had been perfect, a pristine example of weather ponies going above and beyond their call. For most of the town, nothing could mar the day.

Marr was screaming.

The ruddy feathered griffoness stood, glaring in the eyes of the one she hated, the one she despised as she brought every insult, every moment of disgrace, every last thing that she had ever done to wrong Marr up and out in a salvo of hate. She had been screaming for the last half hour and her victim screamed back, voice hoarse and cracked as she balled her talon in a fist and brought it forwards hard.

There was a great crash and a brilliant explosion as light seemed to dance around her for a second in a fragmented cloud, odd pinpoints sparkling wildly as the ruined fragments of the mirror lashed out through the air. There was a torrent of smaller explosions, glass tinkling on the ground as the reflective shrapnel landed.

All that could be heard for what seemed like hours was ragged breathing.

Then came the rain. At first it was byzantium and red-brown feathers, sliced loose by the multitude of shards. Then came a soft pitter-patter of drops hitting the scarred flooring as red stained tears fell, each drop painting the wood, flowing through the rough scratches like small tributaries fed by the heavens.

She slammed her balled talon into the empty frame, knocking what glass remained free as the wood splintered, a large chunk lashing back at her, slicing straight into her wing, feathers, both hers and Zeph's imped donors, floating towards the floorboards to join their brethren.

Marrs blood joined her tears and feathers in force, the storm of liquid coating the floor, spraying over the nearby bedding with each violent swing as she ripped the vanity to shreds, curved maple mutating into a jagged mass, dripping with crimson as it was tossed against the door.

She swore, making a move to release her rage on it before tripping, landing splayed out on the flowerbed of mirrors, tiny thorns of glass cutting into her.

Marrs eyes darted across the floor, each fragment showing her face. Her horrible face. She screamed, a primal raw sound before, sobbing as she tried to scramble to her paws, bleeding from numerous lacerations even as her own distorted reflection taunted her with how pathetic she was.

She was terrible.

She ruined everything she ever touched.

She failed everyone she ever met.

It would be easier if they never met her, then she couldn't hurt them.

It would be easier, simpler, better if they just hated her outright.

She laid there, sobbing, as the mid-day sun danced in through the window, turning half the reflections into motes of light, some tinged red. Time lost all meaning a she stared at the shards until a biting wind pushed through her window, smaller shards and byzantium feather fragments sliding over the hardwood.

With dull eyes she looked out the window, locking onto the source of the wind. The Everfree loomed over the panorama, murky tendrils of stunted willows waving softly to Marr, seeming to beckon her.

She came here from there. She crawled though that damned, melancholy forest. And she brought it's corruption with her. She was tainted, twisted , a bringer of pain and confusion. She was, in fact, terrible.

She should go back.

She could go back there. The thought snapped into her mind with burning clarity. She should leave. She was hurting everyone. She was hurting Zeph. Bringing harm to the everyone that she loved. She should leave so that the pegasus could stop hurting. She had to go. Disappear.

She had stretched this as far as she could, had made it last as long as it could. Had done her best to just be connected, to make it all work and Marr had failed. She had failed Zephyr. It would take everything to make this right and to start she had to leave.

Bloody talons gripped the floor, large splinters of wood coming up form the tortured boards as Marr struggled to her paws, imped feathers falling out in ragged chunks as she limped over to her desk unevenly as though fighting a crosswind, . The griffoness grabbed her messenger bag as she regarded the damaged furniture. She had to make this right.

She upended her messenger bag, frozen in thought for a moment before shaking her head, leaving almost everything on the desk as she cracked open the battered book, shaky talons working over the page as she scrawled one last sentence.

Marr left everything of value behind as she escaped through the window.

In a little town at the edge of the Everfree, after an hour of struggling and shouting, light flooded a damaged, blood smeared room. A worn and weathered note book sat open on the desk beside an empty bottle, the page smeared with blood and ink in an implicit curve, followed by three little broken words that seemed so hollow.

Outside the window the Everfree loomed, heavy clouds hanging overhead as it prepared to break the weather teams glorious work. The temperature had dropped dramatically with the clear sky elsewhere and the forest decided for one last winter surprise.

It seemed to take forever to get to where she stood at the edge of the forest as snow began to fall, peering back towards the light that flickered on the edge of town. It had looked so inviting once before.

The hardest part was leaving. She wanted to stay, to feel welcome and warm again. Wanted to be home. Paradise had been home, but only because of who was there, not because of some building.

Instead the sick at heart creature stared back at the building, silently wishing that someone would save her, that a white mane and blue eyes would come screaming out of the gloom and tell her to stop, tell her everything would be wonderful, that in the dark of night the moon would light the way. It was pitiful, how she asked for help without asking, hoping that someone- no, somepony- would notice.

She was a failure. A reject. Useless. Not even able to help herself, always running, hiding, fearful nd, worst of all, not what they wanted.

With a half choked sigh the creature turned to the forest, the abject murk seeming to reach out and snuff out what little light there was as the lone creature stumbled into its embrace. Everything seemed to swirl as the wind kicked up, white snow dotting the black sky like static, the dry rattle of branches seeming to laugh as it slowly vanished into the abject night.

The Everfree forest is deep and dark, almost alive in the most twisted manner, some ponies would say. It chills to the bone and will make even the strongest of stallions jitter as the trees themselves seem to creep towards you with the intent to drag you down. It is said if one was to enter, its darkness might just swallow them whole.