Preparations were still underway as Solfire found himself far behind everyone else since he came in so late. He had everything he needed to place onto his caravan, he just had to now properly place them on there so that nothing would fall off during the trip. He had noticed that he was also moving a lot slower than he normally would, but he couldn't help it. The mare with the red coat; he had never seen her working here before, that was for sure; so why was she here now? He did note that she kept with Archena mostly, so he figured they were friends. Solfire wasn't the only one that had noticed his slowness.

"Solfire!" Dreadhoof said loudly with a commanding tone of voice. There was not doubt within any of the members of the Traveler that she was the leader.

As soon as Sol heard his name, his started focusing what as around him more and less on Pepper, then turned his attention towards Dread. "Y-yes miss Dreadhoof?" He said, a slight twinge of worry in his voice.

Dreadhoof slightly shook her head at his sudden response. "You were late again, and missed how long you all will be out this run. Tell me, do you want to guess how long it is?" She asked him. She usually played games like this to those that were out of the loop of things. It wasn't a sign of hate or mockery; it was to teach a lesson in her own way.

Solfire scratched the top of his head softly for a moment, then finally shrugged his shoulders. "I-I don't know. One week maybe. Perhaps two--" He said, but was soon interrupted.

"Try one month." She said to him softly, yet her eyes to him that she was not kidding around.

One month! That was insane! Solfire wanted to ask why so long, and where exactly everyone was going to be stationed to this time. He wanted to know if there was a higher goal this time. He wanted to know if they were going to set up a temporary shop in the towns that they were staying at. What about shelter? Sure, the tents and camping gear they bring with them provides good housing, but only for short periods of time. He wanted to ask, but all he could do was tilt his head, then slightly nod to her. She had to have a plan, or else she wouldn't do this to everyone. He had to trust her, and respect her decisions.

"Now then, I'm going to be pairing you with another group. You shall be going with group three to Ponyville." She said to him, then walked away to prep the other Traders.

Group three? Wasn't that... Solfire looked over at his right to see the station for the third group and just as he expected it was Archena's caravan as well as the red mare. This was it, he was going to be spending a month with them; with her. He felt so odd inside now, he was going to be close to the mare that took a snippet before he did; the one for love it seemed.

Would his choice hold true, though? Would he find the strength to even ask her what her name was? He gritted his teeth at first, but then sighed and lowered his head as he felt slightly defeated. He as suddenly surprised when he heard a soft voice speak near him. Looking up he saw the red mare and his eyes slightly widened. Wasn't she just three caravans down? He didn't even hear any hoofsteps coming towards him.

"Are you alright?" Pepper asked him, her eyes the same as they were earlier that day. She was now just mere feet away from Solfire.

Solfire didn't know what to say or do at this point. The mare who plagued his mind with curiosity and uncertainty, now stood before him without the presence of hesitation or pesterance. Finally he broke himself out of his own thoughts; he was asked a question, and not to answer would make him seem and feel really rude. "I-I'm alright. Thanks for asking." He said and gave a gentle smile, which he saw one instantly returned. He had to admit, that made his heart skip a beat.

He then began to think again; here she was, so close, and now they were talking. So what was he waiting for, another invitation? He then looked her in the eyes before he started talking again. "I'm Solfire by the way. May I know your name?" He asked kindly.

((To be continued.))