Dusty

A deep purring laugh boomed from Niils muzzle, the sound echoing in the sky as he kept his head turned to keep one eye on her. “That is more like it, now do hunker down. You trust me, yes? Trust in the buckles and straps as well and know I will not let you fall from my back. Just enjoy flying.” With that he looked ahead, beat his wings then pulled them close and dropped. It was a slow movement at first and seemed like they were not moving at all until gravity beat his forward momentum and drew them down. The wind picked up from a strong braze into a roaring gale that whipped at his mane and her own as he dived into a sea of white clouds. In a flash she was engulfed by the mist like some thick fog that closed her world into being nothing but herself and Niil. She can feel he was not just falling. Strong muscles were twitching, shifting to keep his half shut wings steady and aimed to lead this fall. He was complenty in control even as the wind rushed all around them. And then the sea of white ended as trails of cloud mist followed him out and into the open skies. Looking down and around she saw vast woodlands, far off mountains and open planes. She can see so far out the world curved away and out of view like looking off into the open sea. In a few places she can spot airships sailing the skies, some with steam powered props leaving smoke trails and others going only by sail. And the world was coming up to meet them as he kept going down. Down. Down. Soon the endless woods were under paw and his wings shot open as they raced over the treetops. Pines rushed past like so much grass under hoof as his downward speed shifted into new forward momentum. The trees gave way to grasslands and lower yet he let himself drift down until she felt a jolt, impact and push upwards as his body moved and flexed underneath her. Then another one. It was hard to see what he was doing but soon it was clear he was running! Or leaping. Each thump was his paws hitting the ground and launching them up as his wings flapped to send them in huge bounding leaps over the field that crossed an vast amount of land in each spring. Hills passed in a rush and she saw a remote cabin come into view, then alongside as one very shocked looking earth pony ran inside his or her home. By the time the door shut Niil was well past it and leaping off the top of a hill and launching them back into the sky with his wings. He did not seem to even be winded by this as he took them both back into the sky and just laughed again. This time he aimed them at some far off looking mountains. “We still have a lot of land to travel!” He says in a booming voice, speaking over the wind. “But do you feel it? The change? We are leaving the lands well populated. The deeper north we fly the more wild and free it is. No farms, no towns, no cities. Raw land, untouched and seen by few. There is something magical in such places. And why I see such hope in it. A palace I can dig my claws into and claim as my own.” He glanced back at her, smiling in his odd catish way. “Blue told me the claims on the land out this way are very weak, by pony or griffin. But we are not yet at the place I wish to claim. This is just the border into the wild lands… In fact…” He looked down, then aimed a paw out too guide the mare's eyes. Resting up on top of some tall hills was a stone fort. “Road’s End. That is the last real town owned by Equestria, they do own the land far north of it but only on paper apparently. Settlements further north of that fort only pay lip service to Equestria or the birds. We are now in the wildlands proper! And to think, you will reach the deep wilds without one day of camping or getting muddy… Or have to set camp. I may have in fact gone on ahead and set up a camp just for you. You're welcome.”

Niilaavin was silent for a time. The cool air and beating of his wings only drew the moment out longer, even if it was much shorter than it felt. But after a dozen wing beats he spoke again. “I have found some things very odd in this age… The lack of herds among your kind one of them. The male to female ratio does not lean into such things. It is the same for us. One male had a dozen mates at times. But we earned them and held onto them close. A female is not tied to her mate, she can leave if another comes along and treats her better. It was a battle we all waged and forced us males to look well for them all. Each one was valued and cared for with as much effort as the male can offer. The more mates he had, the more split it got making it easy for a fresh young male to slip in and draw away one of the older females. She was key to him, for they knew much and were a guiding paw. Mom told me such, if I was to make it and claim my own land I must win the heart of a wise female and hold her close… But such things do not matter now do they? I fly alone. But at least I have you my rasha, and even if you dislike him, I have Blue as well. But if I was to have another of my kind I’d give all I had to her. For I do fear being alone. Some do not have mates, like you say… And I fear it. But I do not look down on others with jealousy.” He leaned his head to the side so one giant eye can look at the pony on his back, his line like lips pulled up in a smile. “You are worth something, truly. Do not forget it my rasha. No, let not petty jealousy change that heart into stone. When one has all the gold they want it no longer matters. It grows dull. But to another even one coin is worth all they have to hold close. Do not forget that and stand tall, full of pride and know you alone hold your fate in paw. Speak to your mate, voice the feelings you hold. It is his duty to show his love, not for you to beg for it and look at others in longing. Now do smile, come now. This is a trip for fun and to shake off the chains of the land below. Forget it all, work, home and mate. Stand tall, close your eyes and fly with me and know freedom.”

Tempest felt a small stab of guilt. Bloom went off once on her own with Tempest, she was in charge of looking after the young mare. And now she’s trotting about slam full of puppies. Something that was still hard to wrap her head around. But then she was luging about two caves in her barrel… So she had little room to speak. And she felt that what Bloom did was her own doing, she was a young adult now. Still, she felt a hint of guilt over all of this. But maybe she can make up for it and other wrongs living here. Words held no meaning compared too acts. And she planned to be no burden at all, no she will help however she can. AJ and the rest earned that. “It may be unfair in some ways. But I can’t judge such things… But when I have my own foals… Caves running about, well, I am going too learn rather fast I think.” She says, walking alongside AJ but not trying to hold up the mare. She’d not want the help so she was willing to bet AJ did not want it unless she asked. As they approached the rows of trees she paid mind to what was told, noting her duty and what was asked of her. “Hrm, sounds easy enough.” She says walking too a tree then eyeing it up and down before turning about and lining her hunch up with it. She gave a soft kick first, just to line it up. Then after getting her aim she bucked. It was nothing hard and the tree only rattled. She then bucked again with more force… And on the next buck the apples came tumbling down around her, not one landing on her. She placed herself well. “There we go.” She looked over her back and inspected the tree, she did not damage the bark all too much. That was her worry, she wanted to only use as much force as needed. They were AJ’s life line after all. Next she picked them up, one by one she scooped up apples with her muzzle and dropped them in the baskets, few landed in them off the tree. But she hoped with some work she can place them better and need less pick up work. Soon the first tree was done and it did not take too long. Looking down the row she did some fast math… Well, AJ was not wrong. She’d be at this most the day. “Well, I best get working then?” She says looking back at AJ. “But I don’t mind you staying. May do us both some good to keep talking and and are minds working.” She bit down on the first basket and dragged it to the next tree, then repeated the act for the rest and got to work bucking the next tree. “So. Um. By the gods how to even ask this… What is it like? Being a mother. Is this a bad time to even ask? I just… You saw me at that door. The sleep did help. But still…” She shakes her head, kicking again as the first apples come falling down. “I feel strange. As if my world is coming to an end and I can’t tell if it's good or bad… But.” She stopped and shook her head, looking at all the apples on the ground. “I’m tired of running from life. I feel numb and very tired. All this running for… What? Power? Some hope to fix my horn? I had no plan. I just ran. Ran into the woods and never stopped running. I want to stop running yet I’m so scared to do that. Scared if I stop, the darkness will swallow me up.” She leaned down and picked up an apple, then placed it into the basket with some care. “I’m sorry if this is heavy. I know you did not ask for this. But I have to say it now or never. I’m not ok. I have not been ok for a long time. But I want to try. Scared as I am… I want too try and be better. At least workable for their sake. I will not leave them. Even if some voice tells me to do such. Begging me to do that. I had nothing. I can not do that to another. No foal, calf, puppy or whatever. None of them need to talk in my hoof steps. It was horrible. I was so alone. Scard. Helpless. I still struggle to sleep. I still wake up fearing I will just be a filly again. Cold. Alone. So many things others just do, I struggle with. I can’t condemn another soul to it.” She finly looked back at AJ, her cold unbroken gaze fluttering and failing to hold up even as she worked. “I know you can’t fix me, not asking you to do so. Just to tell me how to be a good mother to them, as you're the mother I wish I had.”

He almost had to do a double take at her joke. He honestly never heard her trot close to such jokes, let alone leap head first into one like that! Yet it was far from offended by it as a purring chuckling sound rumbled its way free from his muzzle. “Now now, no need to rush off and cover one's tracks speaking of Blue. We both know you’d make for a very unsuitable mount, funny as it may be to think of me trying to sit on your back.” He pulled his lips up into a grin as he looked back at her. “And watch not that muzzle when we fly together. No soul but sky and I can hear what it says my rasha. And I do so enjoy hearing what you do have to say. But I’d prefer to not crush you… I’d prefer to take claws in claws, sing my song and rise and fall, claws too back.” He hummed out the last part, then looked back ahead with a strong beat of his wings. “But now I must speak of Blue, for my soul demands it. I do hold them well, I respect them and care for them. I know some see a fool, I see wit and cunning. They play their own game and its board rests above the eyes of most. You see not what he plays at, just his antics… And most of all, he knows me. More than you, more than all others. He knows my truths, I know his.” He leaned his head to the side, looking down as the grand lake passed them and land began again. “You know some of the truth. You must. It claws at your mind, you are prey after all. I can not live on the meals you so enjoy. The prince has done well to feed me, at steep cost no less. Meat is not cheap in this land. Most of all for one of my size. He has done much, or she, there mod willing. I have yet to wrap my head around how to speak of them.”

“The game of riddles came from it in part, yes. More than once I found myself having to go back and re-word what I am saying to some ponies as I tend to speak more words than needed, often leaving some poor pony trying to unpack meaning in something that can be spoken more swiftly. But we are at fault too… When young, riddle games are often played with mother. For learning, teaching or just enjoyment.” He spoke as they came closer to the large lake, beating his wings more as he parched somewhat close to the docks. At least by his standards. For a small pony ‘close’ may be something of a reach here. But he did not feel like dealing with sounds he was hearing from that dock. Shouting, fussing. Something about ‘hearing from my lawyer’ the rich so loved to bark. That was the worst part of this age he felt. No one worked things out in a duel! You just had some upset soul yell about it, then buy some other rich pony out to yell about it more in some courtroom. His claws slipped back inside of sheaths as the boat slipped from his grasp and fell into the water with a rather satisfying wet smack of a sound. Looking down he saw the ship was floating, if somewhat a mess from the flying, falling and landing. Oh well. Changed his course and beat wings to take himself and his friend away from the shouts and back up and into the peace of lonely skies. “Hrm, how about some more words? Two of them, easy words, but hold much use in are tongue. Sii and Saa. Sii are my front claws, Saa my rear claws. But the words hold much use outside of that… ‘flashed Sii’ is a treat, ‘flashed Saa’ means someone ran away. To say ‘She is my Sii’ means she’s as trusted as your own front claws. All your claws together is a Sissa, and the largest single number in the counting system. You ponies call it… Sixteen… Oh, now I want too go on some tangent about how we count but I will save you from that one my rasha.” He chuckled and glanced over his shoulders at her. Oh how regal she looked! Even with the wind and sky blowing she sat so defiant and strong. You’d think she’d been born onto his back with how well held herself upon it. “You ride me well, as crass as that sounds. Blue took much longer to settle down and gain his legs for this. Maybe you have a talent for being in the sky.”

A purring chuckle left his muzzle and he looked back at her as he flashed his smile of teeth. It seemed to be the only way the big cat could honestly smile. “You ponies love that word, do you not? Everything, everyone can and will be used with it. What even is a friend when you must give pretext? To call Rasha just a friend is like calling… oh, what do you ponies use… Ah. Your ‘best friend’ as an acquaintance you know. Are words holding meaning and speak alone with no help from others. If one is Rasha, they are such. No words go before or after to upgrade or detail what it means. The closest we have is how… Rasha and RaSha, close to pony ears but oh so different. The emphasis on the later part… If you were my RaSha. Well.” He chuckled, it was a deep rolling sound from deep within his chest. “Maybe it's better if I word Rasha like this. A close ‘friend’ you enjoy being around yet being around them can be risky. Where one must watch words and acts or risk over steeping and attacking the wrath of another. You are not in my pride, I am not your tyr. Yet here you are, testing my strength and taking to the sky with me as we joke and speak freely.” He hoped he was not pushing this game too far, but it was innocent enough. Yet his mind told him danger. He was flying closer to the sun as it were. Basking in the warmth yet risking a long fall down. “If you will let me, maybe I can offer up something more easy. Tyr. The true name for ‘pirde-king’, a term you ponies invented but we used with your kind. But the meaning is not the same to a king. More close to what you ponies view the title of emperor. As the tyr was… using pony terms as best I can. ‘The king of the queens, lord of the princes, father of the pride and master of the serfs in all he so marked as his.’ All of that is spoken in the word tyr. Sounds so messy spoken that way… But it helps show what I mean. It is not an easy task to speak my words in the words of a pony, now or in the past. Why we were marked as riddle speakers, when we speak to a pony we often have to get verbose to come close to what we really mean.” He hoped that helped push things back onto a more safe path. For now… He wanted to nuge more and see how intrigued she truly was. How can he not? His own soul told him to do it. This was their way! She was sitting at the border of one's pride, looking out and testing the young upstart encroaching… Well, no she was not. Ponies don’t think like that. Yet he found himself having a hard time remembering that. He huffed and looked down, closer… Soon he can drop this boat… Shame it was not close to the docks but so be it. He wanted to stay away from the ponies gathering up on them to watch him. The master of the boat and just swim out for it.

“Do be careful with such wishes, get a sphinx talking about ourselves and it's hard to make it stop.” He says back, flashing her a toothy smile before looking down as he plans out a landing spot with the boat. He was in no rush himself, but his legs… Well, they did not want to hold this boat much longer than needed. His wings were no less unhappy about it. But he can’t dive, the boat will be destroyed so down he drifted in lazy spirals. The first topic she wanted to have him talk about was… Well, he hoped she’d glance past some of his words. He put his paws before his brain with that one didn't he? It left him hanging in for a moment, thinking over what to say and giving the mare more time to think up her own meanings… He did trust his use in it. That was not the problem. No, the problem was converting sphinx concepts into pony words. Even with so many years as first a slave, now… A free slave, he found it hard. He knew plenty of pony words old and new. But passing the concepts and meanings of his kin and expressing them in the concepts and meanings of another was not easy. It was not just flipping on a translator in his head and saying something word for word. That didn't work and lost the meaning. He didn't look back at her as he spoke, forced on flying with a boat in claw and peaceing together how to say this in a way she can grasp. “Not an easy task you ask of me, but I will try. Rasha is… Somepony you trust deeply. Bounded with not in blood or pride. An outsider yet within your den. One you wish to fly alongside even at risk to one's self…” He stalled, trying to work out how to say the next part… “Griff-Sii, Rasha purrrma!” He fussed, the last word more a purr that vibrated one's body than speech. “Are meanings are not easily spoken in the words of pony kin, new or old. But know this moment will bring me to a purr for years to come. You are dear to me and give me peace in an age I feel so lost in. The past lost to time, my eyes happened just a year ago… The passing of time is crushing and you make me forget it for a moment. I can close my eyes and pretend I found one of my own again. A sphinxes charming and witty, ready to paw some young male on the nose but happy to take him into the den when he behaves. Blue is good company, my servants speak well. But none of them fill that hole in my chest like you have. That is why you are my Rasha.” He felt like didn't explain it very well but he did his best. Looking down he let out a relaxed cuff to see they were halfway down. Soon he can drop this boat and get back on his way to the camp.

A long purrrr found its way to Niil’s muzzle. Deep and strong Spoiled can feel it vibrate her down to the core riding on top of his back. Too know he did well… It was pleasing. Even if she was _just_ a pony he knew she was a good soul to test himself on. If he can earn her praise then he truly was doing something well. It's why he enjoyed being around this mare so much. No fake praise, no flattering just to make others feel good. If she spoke praise she meant every word and that fact made his strength come back to his wings. It was just a shame a pony can not purr… Well, not without some training. Some of his servants ring forth a proper prrum and oh, how his heart wanted to hear such from her! But her parse in words made do. “I am glad to have passed such a test, for you to be pleased. I know my strength truly is worthy of carrying you.” He says, turning his head around to look at her from the corner of his eye. A blush? That was good was it not? In his long years around ponies he did learn to understand some of their more odd behaveres. Blushing one such oddness, much like nodding one's head or shaking it to express feelings. And blushing was… Bashful? No… Yes? Bashful and alerted? Yes, something like that. She was integrated and alert now too… Him. And that made something swell inside of his chest… A warning and a craving. He was creeping closer to danger and the rewards found within. But took them in paw and pushed it back down. Caution was a virtue. Pulling his eyes off her he looked down at the boat held in his paws. He did have to bring this back down… So, best get on that. Telting his wings began a slow descent downwards as they drifted around the lake. The view was far and wide up here, so far removed from the land below as to feel like another realm altogether. He let his eyes wander around the lake, picking out other boats… some ponies flying. Even a few airships passing below. It was relaxing. Up here he remembered why his kind were called Sky-Kings by the races of land. A title contested with dragons and a root of conflict that lasted ages… At least the sky lizards did not end up on top. He’s only ever seen that pet… What’s her name? Tie? The new Not-A-Queen. That did bring him some joy… Even if he was told there are plenty of dragons alive he was glad to not see them… But such history is only known to him. Lost in sand and time much like his own kind. But why must that be so? Blue liked hearing about history. Maybe she does too? He never had much time to chat with her about such things. Now he did. “Spoiled, my Rasha, we have much time left in the sky. When was the last time we had so much freedom to speak and so openly? Let us forget the world below and speak nothing of what it holds. Up here let us speak of each other where none but us may hear. I am a book open to you and I hunger to speak the history of my blood lost to sands long blown over. Tell me, what intrigues you?”

“That is why we are alike, you and I. And maybe it's time you look past your own territory? Stretch leg and wing in new places. Maybe this trip will do you more good than you knew. The territory we call home is overcrowded and to cut out our own slice is almost impossible. I see hardships and long winters in a land my kind never once knew. But I see opportunity as well in such land.” He leaned to the side gently as he spoke, letting her have an unbroken view of the Great Nimbusgait Lakes and the passing city in the sky of Cloudsdale. “Maybe that is my blood speaking. We are driven to go forth and explore to seek out new land, that was a young males duty. We pushed the borders and used youth and cunning to cut out new lives in lands unknown. Well I am rather late to get back to such a duty I still feel a need to do such. Good as a life I may have with Blue I chafe underneath the status quo.” He hummend, looking off at the lakes as they came closer and closer. The path he followed will see them pass over the leftmost lake and pass over Vanhoover, hopefully before midday if he kept good pace. “Why wish for one? You have me already, if you ever need my claws and fangs just ask. I have found plenty of time to master the art of disposing of unwanted rats around the grounds. And what better use of time than removing pests for a friend such as you?” All of it was in good jest. Mostly. If she did ask to have him around more to run off the rats known as ‘Journalists’ he’d be happy to flex his stuff around her. And thinking such, her words walked perfectly into such thinking and instincts. Territory was good, but it was only as good as the pride king that claimed it as well. And her words lit a fire inside of him. If she wanted to see how strong this king-to-be was, she’d get the show she wanted. “You wish to test my strength? So be it! I will show you the strength in my wings! May it bring prrum too muzzle and join as laudi to life-song.” He boasted, instincts winning out in speech as words older than the Sisters mixed with new. But now he needed to act on that boast. Looking down he scanned the land for something useful. Logs, fallen trees or whatever else may work for this task. It just needed to be heavy and easy to hold onto. With flicking worry he spotted nothing of use. The land was rather barren out here, the forest on the other side of the lake. But as he closed in on the lake he spotted what he needed. Aiming down he pulled his wings close to his body in a half open arc. The dive picked up speed, speed he’d need to help in the task. He just hoped his prospecting… friend, will not be upset by the dive. He reached out with all four legs, claws popped as his target lined up with the strike. A boat. It was of modest size. Maybe a smallish fishing ship or some personal vessel used by a moderately wealthy pony. Regardless, it was a little smaller than Niil and was at the moment void of ponies. Hopefully. If someone were inside of somewhere that was a problem for another time. He didn't land on the ship but the contact was made as four clawed paws clamped around it as his wings shot open and arched back up, wings beating with thundering gusts of wind that sprayed water like a storm front underneath his bulk. And as some ponies ran about on the docks below the boat lifted skywards and out of the water. Up and up he pushed himself, the boat was heavier then he honestly planned. But he refused to submit and release it. He was being tested and he’d show her just what he was made of. The momentum of his dive did help sling him back up a ways but the mass of the ship cut it short. So soon it was all his own wings pushing them upwards past the clouds. If she was speaking he didn't hear it. All of his focus sucked into a small tunnel pushing him onwards. Up. Up. Past where airships fly, pegasi and soon Griffins. The world below seemed tiny. From up here even Vanhoover can be seen and each breath came forth with a frosty mist like a cold winter day. And here he reached the apex of his act as he held his wings open and glided, heart pounding as his legs protested and his back muscles attached to wing told him in no uncertain terms he will be feeling this stunt the coming days. He gasped, pulling in deep breaths of thin air. “Do I pass?” He huffed out between heavy breaths. “Are you pleased by the strength of my wings? A mated flight they can achieve.” He purred with pride, then wondered what he was going to do with the boat. If it was some tree he could just drop it. But this… He’d have to hold onto it and put it back down into the lake… He did not think this out at all.

“They wish for a lioness yet fear her claws. Such is one of the plagues of this age. I see them trot with heads held tall dressed in the flashing of kings with titles of nothingness and mates taken along as nothing but another flourish. Standards of greed and petty vanity with nothing to back it. With such sins being commonplace, how can I not appreciate the mare that walks with the soul of queens old? You are a mare out of place as much as me. Kindreds. And to have this first taste of freedom with you alongside… Yes, I do appreciate it very much and can not ask for a better lioness in the hide of a pony to spend it alongside. ” He says back, stretching his wings out and warming up his mussels with some test flaps. Some deep part of him did notice the signs and nudged at the back of his mind. But his focus was on planning out his path of flying. Glancing at the sun and then at towering landmarks he plotted it out in his head. A genetic gift most that fly hold well onto. Be it a pegasus, giffin or sphinx navigating long long distances was necessary. Feeling her settle down between his wings and click onto the straps he glanced back at her for a visual check. “All cats know to be patient. Such are the ways of us all. We hunt with patient cunning and strike when it is best. Only the mindless hound rush head first and demand to eat before claws even reach hide. But I do hope to see it found sooner than later… A pink sphinx will be most striking.” He gave her a soft smirk before pulling his head away and leaning down. “Brace, we fly!” With that he launched himself skyword like a cat leaping after some flying bird. Wings joined in the leap as powerful back muscles flexed and moved underneath the hooves the mare. Each flap of the wings flexing and relaxing them in an up close showing of how powerful the cat was. Seeing a predator move was one thing. Riding on its back and seeing, feeling, the power was another. He soon found good winds and took wing on them. Using his large wingspan to glide on the winds tossing in a few beats of the wing to keep up speed. He was about at the altitude most airships like to fly, giving the mare on his back a wide and spanning view of the land all around them. “Is this fine? I can go lower if you feel uneasy at this altitude. On my own I take wing at even greater altitudes. Better winds up there but your eyes will not see the land so well. Not to make fun of you ponies but your eyes are nowhere sharp like mine.” He glanced back at her, smiling more openly now they were truly alone up here before looking back ahead as he spoke more. “And enjoy the peace. Up here one is truly free. No spying foals with papers or scum trying to land some made up story for a crude magazine. Dreadful things, but fun to play with. Last one that jumped the fence I took far, far away. Dropped him off next to some landed longships along the northern coast.” The big cat chuckled, and it was a very amusing outing with Blue that one. Most did not know it but the prince can be a very vindictive fellow if you rub his fur the wrong way one to many times.

Tempest trotted out after Bloom, stopping for a moment too stretch out like a cat before she picked her pace up into a fast trot doing small laps around Bloom as they walked. Tired as she was in truth she still found the movement to help wake herself up better. “May be around the civilized, yet we both know I’m nothing more than a wolf kept as some pet by the civilized world. My heart is wild.” She says back, not touching too much deeper on the topic and the underlying problems Bloom seemed to have picked up on with her tone. Tempest was no fool, they’d not taken too kindly to her. A shame… As her heart did yearn for that life… And maybe she still can have it. Some day. Not today. Not in some years… But a tree starts with just a seed. And that seed was planted. But such thinking was distracted as Bloom spoke up about the events. Tempest had a good hunch about it and it seemed most of that was founded in truth. “Far-Port? Or was it Dagger Bay? If it was Dagger Bay I may know the pack that put some pupps in you. Not many packs down south that way so… My bits are on it being the Trash Pack or the Bone Eaters. Shame you don’t remember him at all, help narrow it down. Unless he was a pack-less hound then you truly are ***** ever learning that truth.” She says, not judging Bloom at all for how this came to be. How can she? She got drunk and got railed by the most hated bull in Equestria. A pack-less hound may as well be a noble compared to that. Not that Tempest gave a rat's arse. Equestria can go down in flames for all she cares about it. “Well, at least we both have a friend to fuss about such things with ‘eh?” She added, looking over at Bloom before stopping her laps around the walking mare to look at the source of the thumping sound both mares heard. It was no shock to see AJ out trying to work… Mare was more like Tempest than she’d be willing to say. Both mares never were willing to admit defeat even if their own body was failing. Tempest let out a snort. “Her stinking mouth? You better get ear plunges than before the stench of my muzzle reaches you. May knock the fur off you.” She huffed making her way over to AJ and looking back at Bloom with a nod of her head. She’d look after AJ. “Well, give me the list. If you are letting me live here may as well put my back into it. Takes more than two bulls in my Barrel to slow me down. Just don’t ask me to go leaping fences.”

Niil was fine to just skip past her home. He did not dislike the place; it was very nice. But it seemed to be a place of less than joyous worries for his friend. And he’d not waste the trip speaking or thinking of such things. So he kept his walk going as he made his way around wagens and walking ponies. Even this early the town was swinging into life. “Well, I hope it all meets your needs. I oversaw it all myself and picked out the tent you will stay in. If you find it failing, that sits as much on me as my servants.” He says with a mark of pride in his tone. He felt he picked well and will put his lot in the stakes for such. He’d rather take part of the blame then dump it all on his servants. They did him well, only fair he repaid in such. “As for taking you out house-hunting with me, well that was hardly the plot at paw but there is something to be learned in taking one such as you along… No better way to judge if a land will be attractive then…” He found his words trailing off, by the moon how can he word this in a way to not sound… “Well, let one fine as you pass some jugement. If it meets your standards then a sphinxes will just be smitten by it.” He felt that was stiff, but he found no better way to vear off the path his words were going. Yet she drove him back onto it just as swifty. “Ah, yes. Slower than they hoped but swifter than I believed. I do not know why they felt they’d smash it out in a year or less. This spell is no changing of the hide, no masking of what one is. A sphinx is more than that and they are learning the truth of that. We are not just a pony and cat mixed together in some magic blender. But they seem convinced it can be done more than ever… And much to my anger the bug is most useful to this end. I hoped to swat it away swiftly but it seems the thing is needed to see this work. So far at least.” He shakes his head gently and slowly, so not to tross the mare off his head. “So the lack of communication is born from that. Nothing worth speaking about has passed. At least for us. The sea of paperwork seems to speak otherwise but I do not care much for findings, just the end result.” By now he was outside of the town and stretched his wings out. He was most definitely growing well and swiftly. Yet he still had much more to go but that’d take many decades. Like a dragon his kind took many years to reach full size. But what size it will be. If he grew to be as large as his father… Well, even dragons best watch their tails. “I will take us to the sky soon, if you wish to make use of the harnes now is a wise time to do so. We will be in the air for about three hours, maybe four. I packed some warm clothing as well. You may wish to put them on now before you strap in. It's much colder in the sky than down on land.” He warned, flicking one of his ears to gently brush at the mare sitting so close to them.

A purring chuckle ruled its way free from his muzzle at her remakes. Most found her personality thorny or abrasive. He disagreed and found it witty and charming. And in truth, reminiscent of his mother. Maybe that is why he got along so well with her. Maybe that is why he found her personality charming. She was as close as he could get to another of his kind out here and lifted his spirits every time. “Advisors? This part was all me, the only advisor playing a hoof is your own. She sent a letter and I answered. She even took the time to ink my name in hieroglyphs.” He says with a swift wave of his paw and shift of his head to let her more easily settle down on her perch. Once she was on he backed away from the window and made his way down the road. “When we take wing you may want to move down to my back, between my wings. I have a harness latched onto me you can clip into if you feel unsteady on your hooves. Or if we hit some sore weather. But you alone can make that judgment, it is not my place to command a sphinxess.” He added, his trot almost bouncing with excitement to go on this outing. It was not just this was his first time going out with a friend other than Blue. This was more than that. This was his first outing fully unchained. Blue gave the words, Niil was free to fly as far and wide as his heart wanted for this outing. The blasted golden collar was still around his neck and legs but at least he was free to roam. And underneath that all was his enjoyment of what was happening. Something deep and instinctive was nudging him on and praising him. He can’t get his claws on what that feeling was. But he felt alive and full of energy to take wing or battle. “And I will admit, maybe this trip is me scouting out… Places. Den and territory. I have none and that is shameful for a sphinx of my age. For some time I lumneted I may never have such… But some land is still unclaimed even in this age. Before the snow comes and the travel becomes unbearable I wish to take wing over the places remote. And in truth, I did so already in passing and found a place pleasing to rest when the moon sings overhead. Even if I feel more awake at such times, long ago I got used to the sleeping patterns of you ponies. Even if the cats roaming in the dark make for good conversations.” As the road opened up to the outskirts of town he opened his large wings and stretched, arching his back but keeping his head level so Spoiled need not worry about slipping off. “Do you want me to stop by your home first? I have room in my bags to pack some more of your youngs if you wish. If not, we shall take wing here and now. Two days go swiftly in good company.”

Pipp made her way down the long hallways and marble floors, she was feeling the icecream now… maybe she had too much? … Na. But all the flying did her in. And getting to pass out on mom's bed sounding like the icing on a cake. And so she did not say much, not much more needed to be told. For now it was nesting time. And as soon as she got into mom's room she made for the bed and flopped onto it… And got to work. She pulled and moved the covers and pillows until she was sitting in a bowl of covers and pillows. With this done she laid down tucked her legs up underneath herself, wings fluttering as she ‘fuffed’ up. She looked almost like a young filly again. A ball of fur and feathers cupped safely in a nest of instincts peaking out at her mother. Sometimes she did this in her own bed. Sometimes instincts won out and one just had to do it. She’s seen others do it. The park sometimes had the most funny acts of instinct where mothers with young foals may start gathering plant matter and sticks to make a place to lay down with their young. Just to wonder why they did that to begin with. Soon as she felt mother jumping onto the bed she lowered her head and tucked it down. And much as she hated how small she was… It had one upside. Mom still found it easy to get up on top of her and lay down without much fuss or work. With the walls of covers all around her and mother on top she felt safe. Truly safe. A rare feeling and one made all the more worse as of late. Her fears melted away like ice in summer as soothing calls from a nesting mother on top soothed her thinking. She did not even fuss when she was adjusted, scooted and moved to make for easier laying on. She found herself unwilling to even joke as the darkness called her to sleep. Warm. Safe. Dark. Such things made keeping her eyes open pointless. And so she let out one pleased peep and drifted away to a deep slumber.

With the window he leans in closer, nose poking inside to sniff at her for a moment. After confirming she was in fact, herself, he leaned back and looked in at her with a big smile. “Savannah sun this time of the year? If we have a savannah do let me know, I have yet to see one… Well, grasslands do count in a way does it not? So never mind… But plans for you I do have. We are going on an adventure. And before you scuff and inform me you don’t do such things I have seen plenty of pictures and books of the powerful and wealthy going on such things atop of the backs of grand beasts. And I am offering you that… A ride on my back to a palace far from here for a weekend where you need not worry about this town, its drama and oddness for just two days and one night. I have packed a tent, gear that Blueblood is fit to use so you will find it passable. On my word your hooves will stay clean, fur untouched by grime and no snooping about in dungeons. This is an adventure of sightseeing.” He lowers his head down, pushing his muzzle alongside the wall of the building so all she had to do was step out of the window and onto his head. “And if you must know, this was planned. I am not alone in worrying about you. The ones beneath you worry about the matriarch as much as me. We have seen to it you may have this weekend and I shall see to it no one bothers you. By wing and claw I shall see you rested and happy again, you earned as much and if one voice speaks wrong they my fangs they will meet. For even the strongest matriarch needs time to rest and for pride to look after her affairs. So come, just for two days. The town will live on.” He hoped he’d not have to force this, she looked miserable! Did she even sleep the day before? It made his heart ache to see her so spent. Where was her pride? Why did she do this alone? Some pony customs he just did not understand. If her pride was failing her than he’d do his part and give her the rest and help she clearly needed.

Some found the friendship struck up between Nilaavin and Spoiled odd. And in some regards he had too admit it was. He certainly did not go into meeting her the first time with the idea of friendship, let alone holding her up as a truly trusted friend. Yet over the months he found that to the outcome. She was engaging to speak with and viewed him with respect yet she held her ground. She did not see him as nothing more or less than her equal. And he respected that. A respect that flowed both ways as they more than once shaird long evenings chatting away like two pride mates over countless topics. So when he got a letter to act on this friendship and force her to take a weekend off for once he found himself unwilling to turn down such a task. She needed it and he knew it as much as her secretary. And so he took to the task over the week and after a few letters back and forth between him and the secretary everything was set in place. All he had to do was talk the thick headed mare into leaving Ponyville for the weekend, that’d be the only way to give her a true weekend of peace. And he knew that there were no easy feet… But as he walked down the street, back heavy with saddlebags and a rigged up harness around his chest to carry everything he had a good feeling about this. --- One can hardly call an adult sphinx tapping on the side of a building ‘knocking’ but Niil did not want to wiggling his way around inside that building with all his kit on. He could hardly fit inside without such things. With it all on he was bound to get stuck somewhere. So he sat by her window, claw tapping it along the side. “Good morning Spoiled, are you aware it's the weekend? I stopped by your home only to be informed by your daughter you were not in! Did you not look at your calendar? I did and I know you have nothing that needs doing for two days. Do not waste them on reviewing papers not due for another week. Now come, open this window so we may speak and I stop looking like a lion gone insane out here.” He found all of this moist amusing. She was dedicated to this job with ferocious zeal, no pony can say otherwise. But he knew why she had to be. She was not well liked by most, even if most did think she got the job done well. It was a hard line to walk in the public space where faltering can get ugly fast. But one can only do this so long. He saw it in her eyes, walk and body. Come what may he was going to remove her from this building and give her two days away from this madness. If her own… Was unwilling to force such a thing for her own well being, than he will take up the task.

Pipp rubbed her chin, she did not know Avalanche well like she told mom. Only seeing him a few times he was a rather new face to the guard. But she heard good of his pedigree and he was fully on the crown's side. That being said, she had a hunch he was fully on mom's side where Vermillion’s pledge was definitely more on Pipps side of the family. But maybe that was for the best, to keep mom from worrying too much about Pipp thinking about pushing a claim. Not that she’d do it, but tell that to other nobles. So having a guard that flagged on mom's side was probably for the best. “Very well, I will text the captain later and tell him I want them both marked as my new honor guard.” She says with a nod of her head to confirm her mom's judgment. With that matter done she clapped her hooves and waved over a servient to clean up the now empty bowls of ice cream. And wipe down Pipps face. She knew mom liked doing her own clean up but Pipp felt that was beneath her. They have servants, they may as well use them. Cleaning sucked. But soon it was done and she was stretching like a cat, her even larger tummy pugging out as if she was pregnant. “Mm, that was good. So… TV naps? Or do I get to nap in the old nest hrm?” She asked, looking at Haven. The old nest was, of course, mom's bed. When Pipp was just a tiny ball of Fur and feathers that is where she tucked away and kept warm by wing and covers. Pipp has had plenty of stories about how defensive mom was back then. She still can’t imagine mom fluffing up in anger every time some poor servant had to open the door and check on her.

“Huge, strong and with the willpower to slay a god if he wanted too that.” Tempest says, remarking on what the Sire was like. “Not going to lie… Part of me wanted to give in and become a caribou and just join his army. That way of life sings to my heart but I knew he was working out the truth and if I was found out… Well, I was not about to be walked over. He’d not have liked the truth even if he did respect me. In his own way at least.” She shakes her head, looking down at the water. She wanted to tell the full truth but knew better. Bloom can know a good part of it but not all of it. She can’t bring herself to trust even Bloom fully. The young mare will not understand. No pony will. She flicked her ears, then looked back at the young mare. “Bucking trees sounds like a charming way to wake up. But you have to join me on my morning joge… Or, well, maybe morning walk for you.” She says with a nod of her head and the last slurp of water from the bowl. With the drink done she placed her bowl on top of Blooms and picked up both in her muzzle and plopped them in the sink for later washing. She did not know how Bloom did her dishwashing. But Tempest was an ‘all at once’ at the end of the day mare. With that done she stomped her hooves and trotted for the door. “La oss kreve dagen! That’s caribou, which means ‘let's claim the day!’ I think its meaning is self-explaining. And speaking of explaining you have yet to tell me about the sire of your pups. Don’t have to give me the gritty, but I told you some of mine only fair you tell me some of yours. Big? Small? Good kisser? Heard the mutts are fantastic at that if you like it sloppy.” She says looking back at Bloom, stopping at the doorway.

Tempest let out a long and very dramatic grunting huff as she fell down on her side again. “No smoking. No drinking. And no coffee? I’m going too ******* die.” She fussed, rubbing her face with both her front hooves. “How am I going too survive Bloom? Next you are going to say I have to smile more and give out hugs. That may kill me even faster than quitting all three vices at the same time.” She added rolling onto her back and watching Bloom pull out a bowl of cold water. That… Well, it looked nice. She can go for some water. So with a grunt she rolled off her makeshift bed and got up to trot over to get some water of her own. “And ya, I talked to AJ. Maybe a little on the late side… I think she was this-” She held up two hooves holding them about an inch apart. “-Close to killing me if I knock one more time on the door. Bad leg or not, don’t think I’d have won that duel. But she put me up in here long as you are fine with me being a housemate for a few weeks. I really have nowhere to go for help other than her on… This so… I’d be thankful if you’d let me stay.” As Tempest talked she pulled out another bowl and filled it up with some water from the tap. One big thing she loved about AJ’s farm. Well water. City water was awful. It tasted as bad as the air smelled. How ponies willingly drank that stuff was unknown to her. But with the bowl of water done she put it down next to Bloom and unceremoniously lapped it up as if she was drinking from some river out in the wildes. This did for a moment, make her wonder why Bloom was drinking from a bowl and not as glass. But she was not about to make a point out of the act. She enjoyed the odd unspoken solidarity going on here with drinking water from bowls. “Not too wrong on that shot.” Tempest says, looking up from the water at Bloom. “But further north. Like you, not trainspotting ponies. Got two calves in me. Caribou dad. ****** hunk of a buck. Huge head to hooves and everything in between.” She says, chuckling some. “I made the mistake of thinking we can’t cross breed. Apparently I did not get the memo that we mares can in fact… And it seems even with mutts. If I knew that I’d been a hint more ****** careful. But it's not that bad. Not the ‘settle down and marry’ type of mare. And I think Caribou calves are more my speed as stands… Think how big they are going to be. My tall flank and a giant bull? I will bet bits on them being taller than me growing up.” She was somewhat shocked by how much she was talking. If you knew her, you knew she hardly talked. Yet she found herself just yapping away with Bloom. Not the first time she’s done so around the young mare. Even back on the ship more than once Bloom got her chatting. Maybe Tempest saw some of herself in that mare. A better self. But that was a line of thinking she was not comfortable with taking much deeper. “So ya. Oh, and maybe leaving out some details… Like some kick **** outfit that changes me into a Caribou. Magic and what not. Don’t tell AJ about that. Or much about this Bull. I want too keep it on the low. I can trust you to keep this between you and me. Can’t I?”

“Yes Vermilion. You know he’d make a good body guard for me. He follows orders without hesitating, never questions them.” Or me, the thought. “And I get along with him. Trust me mother he will be fine. He’s not going to make some incident happen. He very much cares about my image and will not taint it with his…” She waved a hoof. Even she can’t put a good spin on some parts of Vermilion. He was very proud and very, very, loud when he wanted to be. And yes, some of the other guards found him obnoxious. But honestly she did enjoy how he’d bust a gut over her jokes or be more than willing to praise her. He fanned her ego like few were willing. Yes, she’d be happy too have him following her around. He was unofficially her hound allready after all. But she needed more than just him. She wanted four but at the least she needed two guards to tag team in and out. Got to give them some down time after all and rest. She honestly didn't know what to follow up with after Vermilion. He was an easy pick… The rest she’d need to think about. “Hrim, fine. If you have some suggestions I’m open to it. Like I told you my other pick was Zephyrwing. Maybe Avalanche? Don’t know him well but he is a unit of a stallion and last I heard he was definitely on our side when the ‘event’ happened.” She looked over at her mother, honestly open to some suggestions. She’d trust her mom's judgment on some guards. As long as they were not full on pushovers like some were. Pipp got the PR, she did, but will it hurt to have guards that did not scream the moment they saw a horn head? … Unicorn. She’d really need to re-train her brain on that and fast. Last thing she needed was THAT in the papers.

Pipp was not happy with the reasons. She failed to see the harm in it. Most of all it was kept inside their own home and out of view. She gets marching troops around outside with a sword and spear is a bad vibe to give off. But inside? Ulhg. This is why she wanted to be queen some times. So she can just make things happen and no one will tell her no. But much as she wanted it she wanted her mom to stay queen forever even more. So she just rolled her eyes. “Yes mom.” Was her reply for it. Only fair she lost one battle after having her mom side with the other things so far. She knew the reply would not please mom as it was her nice way of saying ‘fine but i don’t like it.’ without being rude. But she hoped it let her slide past that and talk about the other thing. This seems more fine with mom, not shocking given the remakes on the way here. “Captain Zephyrwing and Lieutenant Thunder? They got promoted?” She asked with a raised eyebrow. She knew the two well of course they followed them like a shadow on plenty of trips. Still Pipp found them somewhat foolish. Most of all Thunder. Good heart but his head… She’d not cool him useless. But sometimes she had to wonder how he became a guard. And that sounds mean. He’s not bad at it. Just sometimes she felt he needed more back bone. “But no, I was not thinking of grabbing them… Well, maybe Zephyrwing. I was considering her. But no way we can split them. The two do work best as a team. But I do put a claim on Sargent Vermilion. He played his own part in getting me to freedom and I trust him to be extremely loyal to me. I know you think his personality can be wolfish but that hardly matters for this job. I do all the speaking after all, he just has to sit by and be a good hound.” She says nodding her head, then eating more of her ice cream. Not much of it was left. Where did it all go? She wanted more honestly but knew that was not going to happen. Unless she wanted her trainer to ban her from all sweets for a week. Bleh. Why did mom give that trainer her own voice of authority at least when it came to the cooks?

It took some time for Tempest to sit down and sleep. She wandered around the home and inspected it in the dark. Raided the fridge and ate some odds and ends. Then she was back outside sitting on the porch watching the moon and stars. A song came to her at that moment. A song she heard so long ago by a traveling companion with a name lost to time. “The wolf is howling in the forest of night, he wants to, but cannot sleep. The hunger tears his wolven stomach and it's cold in his burrow.” She was not singing the words, she just spoke them in tone. Looking down she gently tapped a hoof at her barrel. “Wolf, wolf, don't you come here. I will never let you take my child…” How young was she when that song was told? Where was she? Someware… North. But not too far north. A mare and mother sang it for her. Wondering as aimlessly as she was with her foals. What became of that mare? Tempest did not know. But she felt drained and ready to sleep now. She found a spot that worked. Pulling some cushions to a corner of the living room she made a ‘bed’ of sorts. Removing her saddle bags she removed one fur blanket and laid down on the cushions and tossed the fur plet over her back. She was too tired to think about how funny this was. All shoved up in some corner sleeping like a dog. But it just was how she wes. She may have slept more easily outside honestly. But she was tired. So tired… And sleep won its war as darkness took her. --- Tempest woke up unleashing a truly amazing tirade of cursing and swearing as her horn sparked to life, ready to blast whatever sneaked up on her into ash. But bloom got off without so much as one singed strand of fur. The wall didn't get off so lucky, but they’d deal with that later. After Tempest was done with her mini panic attack she gave bloom a smack on the shoulder. “DON'T DO THAT!” She fussed, flopping down on her side with a grunt. “Almost blew your head off!” She huffed and rubbed her face. By the gods she still felt tired. How much sleep did she even get? Oh well. No way she’d get more with that young mare almost laying on top of her and bouncing around… And wow Bloom was… Bigger. How many puppies were in her? She grunted again and pushed herself up and stretched like some old dog just waking up. “Howdy Bloom. And to be fair I didn't think I’d be here as well until a few days ago.” She spoke more freely around Bloom. She can’t nail down why but the mare was a friend in her eyes. Maybe it was how outgoing she was. Or how hard she worked. But she dealt with Tempest better than most and Tempest dealt with her. “But I think we are going to be housemates for a few weeks. If you don’t mind.” She yawned again and shook her head then looked down at the other mare's barrel… Then looked down at her own and aimed a hoof at it. “Take a ******* shot in the dark. Can you believe this ****? And you!” She aimed the hoof at blooms very big belly. “How the **** did BOTH of us end up like this?” she fussed, then blinked. “And how did a D-dog even… Later, tell me later. Coffee. Now."

“Zipp is a gifted flier, she’s taken to like a duck too water.” Pipp says, thinking about this problem. “We can use her to train and test the guards. If they pass her jugement I’d trust them on air duty… If we can get Zipp down from the sky and do something useful. For a queen to be she loves being everywhere but here.” She says softly, but with a hint of anger. Much as she loved her sister… Well, some things were long term problems between the two. But she didn't sit on that for too long, she knew better. One too many remakes like that put mother in a worry about how the sisters viewed each other. “And maybe it's time to rearm them as standard. I know you told me a dozen times it's not a good look. But I think we passed some lines on what the peasants can and can not do. Only fair can we give guards some swords or spears again. At least inside are home and out of view.” She had a feeling this was going to be something her mom will be less open too. Something Pipp didn't understand honestly. But it was what it was. “Speaking of ponypower, got some favorites picked out for a personal retinue? You get first picks after all. Just leave some for me. I want at least four so I can shift them. Two on, two off. It helps with the roll out carpet as well.” She says leaning her head to the side doing her thinking face. “You must have some favorites… I have some. And know at least one of them is extremely loyal. Maybe even more loyal to me than the crown.” She winked at that one and stuck out her tongue before eating more of her ice cream. She knew that was going to open up Pandora's box

Pipp knew all of this was ‘beneath’ her age. But sometimes you need the outburst and comfort of such things. And so she stayed tucked into the wing as her mother gently led her down the hallways of their home and to one of Pipps favorite places. Not her most favorite, but it was one of them definitely. Just ask the demon that was her ‘fitness’ instructor… Well maybe she did sneak down here too often. Not her fault the cooks were so good! And she can smell the food being prepared for later today… It and the warmth and cooing of her mother put the shakes to an end as her heart stopped trying to make a jail break from her own body. She can’t explain why it worked. But she knew this feeling was not one just held by her. Seen plenty of remarks about it online. Warm wings and the soft cooing of a mother was a hard trigger for relaxing for most pegasi it seems… After she removed herself from the wing of safety Pipp was sitting next to her mother devouring her ice cream. The poor thing may as well have been a sheep tossed into a pin of hungry wolves. She did not even have to tell the cooks what she wanted. All mom did was tell them to bring out a big helping of ice cream. They knew what she wanted. It was by most, a mess. Fuge. cookie dough. Brownies. All mixed together in vanilla ice cream made fresh here in the palace by some of the best confectioners wealth can buy. And so it was as good as she can hope for, far better than what she had back in the mud pony town. No offense to them. She stopped her war on the ice cream to look over at Haven as she spoke. “Maybe the one good side to being a peasant.” She remarked. “Not dealing with… That… I never liked it to begin with and now it feels even worse. Much easier to deal with when they are all on the other side of a screen.” She added with a small huff and glanced over at the guards. It was very rare to have guards shadow them in their own home. But Pipp asked for them to follow and so they did. Keeping a respectful distance and standing still as two works of art, yet alert as eyes and heads gently looked around the space. Was it unnecessary? Maybe. Did it help her relax? Yes. She pondered for a moment. On Them and the rush of wings that came at them on landing. Yes, they needed to think about the flying thing. “We need new patrol paths. All of it is ground based along the choke points. We need to set up air portals to keep peepers away from the windows. If I wake up and see one in my window I will sick my guards on them without hesitating.” She muttered. This got a look from one of the guards that was hard to read, but she felt it was a ‘I’d do it.’ face in regards to her remark… Sooner or later they’d need too vet them all and work out some new things. And she’d hoof pick some for her own personal unit. So that look placed him on the list for consideration. “And some landing places for us and are guards.”

“Caribou.” Tempest says back. Somehow talking about this was making her feel a little better. She didn't understand why. Maybe she just needed to keep talking. “They are warriors. Some of the best.. After me. Fearless. Strong. I… Found there land a palace I can let lose. Maybe to lose it seemed.” She added with a shake of her head. “As for reindeer stuff, I don’t know. Going to learn soon regardless… If they can fly, may the all father help me as that is going to be a pain. May have too ask Dash for help on that front… If I’m still around of course.” She didn't really know how this would go. She didn't even understand how this all worked out. You’d think Caribou will make Caribou… But somehow they make Reindeer. What is the same thing but not? None of the books she found was helpful and no pony was better. So she’d just have to learn this first hoof and work it out as she goes. Whatever they were they’d be… Hers. And perfect. How can they not be? She followed AJ out the door and walked with her. Looking around the farm and the land lit up by the moon. She honestly liked the place. Honest work and some peace from the outside world. She wanted to start her own but ended up just being a ranger… She liked that work as well. She got to spend days or weeks out in the woods. She’d miss that deeply and already wanted to go back to such a life… She hoped her foals… Caves? They’d like the outdoors as much as she did. She hoped they'd understand the same freedom she felt when truly out in the wilderness. To see land untouched and lay underneath a sky untainted by cities light pollution. She hoped they were warriors as well. Strong. Brave. But most of all she hoped she’d do this well. Give them the love she never had. Give them a mother that CARES about them. That tells them ‘wow, good job!’ when they did something. Hug them. Look at them… Just notice them at all. She’d be everything her mother was not. She may not know how a mother needs to be but she knew what a mother was not. Reaching the home she looked up and let out a huff. “Wow. It really was built to look like this huh? Maybe I need to sleep in the barn after all.” She says but did walk inside and looked around as AJ talked. From the sound of it Bloom was sleeping as it was silent in here. “Going to have to talk to her about them pups… Seems we both got a little to lose and free.” She let chuckled for just a moment then looked back at AJ and walked back to look AJ in the face. “Thank you.” And with that she pulled one leg up and ‘hugged’ the mare. As much as one can call a hug from Tempest. It lasted just a moment and was over swiftly as she backed up a few steps. “Sleep well. I’m going to raid the fridge and pass out somewhere… See you in the morning.”