Dusty

Tempest sat alone looking down at the frozen river. The sun was long gone all ready, touching away behind the hills of trees so soon this far north. Yet she did not mind. The stars were beautiful up here. Yet they were not her focus at the moment. That was fixed on a bag in her hooves full of litters. She felt uneasy, nerves. Scared even. How long ago was the last time she had a birthday party? Two decades? And yet Glitter remembered it and was the one to nudge her along to ask others to come. It felt weird to do it. Yet she knew she needed to do it. This was important for her to do. She had to flip this last page and start the next chapter. After a few more moments looking at the frozen river she looked down the path and the city down the road. Somehow this one trip felt more terrifying then marching in to war. She has seen cities in flames. Masses marching in chains to work until they drop. And yet that one road and the letters in this bag made her hooves feel like stone. What was she after all? She didn't know. But she knew what she wasn't. And so she forced herself to move down the road. She had to drop the letters off before the mail offices closed. ---- Four weeks later. ---- Tempest waved as the old mare walked away. Everything was done. She’d have free run on this land for the rest of the day to host her party. Even if that word was something of overkill for what she wanted. More like ‘peaceful gathering of maybe friends’ but whatever. The land was a good sized plot of unused farmland in the farming district of the imperial city and inside of its shield. So even in the dead of winter the air was… Well, not cold as it can be. But what matters was the lack of snow and lack of freezing to death. They’d both be a bummer on a hang out. She had set up everything she hoped she’d need. Some benches to eat at, nice big firepit to stay warm and had some cake and food in order to show up later today. It was nothing fancy but that is way she wanted this. She did not want some big party. She just wanted something more basic and slow going… Mostly so she felt safe. Last thing she needed was a panic attack on her birthday. Now all she needed was for every pony to show up! And for Glitter to get her cute flank down to the city. She had some ‘last moment things’ to do back home, whatever that was. But she’d be here soon hopefully. With everything set and ready she hoped over to the record player and with a zap of magic powered it up. It may not be ‘birthday’ music, but buck it. She loved this band! This music just clicked with her.

Tempest flicked her ears when she felt Glitter nuzzling in to her mane as a resting place for the mare's head. It made her chuckle some but she did not stop it. Glitter needed the rest, she can live with her mane messed up. “Good.” She remarked, pushing on ahead in the deep snow. She wanted to lay down by a fireplace. Nap. Rest. Take a warm bath. Yet so much had too be done. Soon as she got Glitter home they’d need too get help. A doctor to look her over. Get her set up. Safe. Then rest. The day was long from over even if the sun sets fast this far north. Soon they were at a steam. It was small but too wide to leap over. Too deep to trust the ice. No way they can drown but getting wet at all in this cold was deadly. Tempest looked it over, then eyed up some trees. “Close your eyes.” She says as her horn sparked to life with magic as she aimed at a tree. With the roar of thunder an arch of magic ripped in to the base, wood shattered and exploded as the tree groaned and fell before slowing as magic flowed over it. Tempest gritted her teeth, horn showering her in sparks as the tree moved over to the steam and fell down over it making a path. Next her magic moved to the branches, ripping and blasting them off with the smell of ash and smoke. It was not the first time she’s done this. “You can open them now.” With that she leaps up on the tree and walks to the other side, calling Koda to follow them over.

"Y'all right there, Tempest?" Tempest looked over and down at Apple Bloom, the young mare's words made her much more aware how uneasy she looked. Distressed even. She took in a deep breath, forcing herself to relax some. “Ya. Fine. Need too smoke. Or drink... or both” She says back to Apple Bloom with a shake of her head, looking back at Rainbow. She was a good mare, strong willed… some times. But one of the few can keep up with her morning runs. But what she liked most about her was loyalty. A small word that means everything for Tempest. Her ears flicked as AJ made that awful sound again. It made her flinch, but she held her ground. “Good. Your Welcome…” She wanted to say more, but did not know what. After a moment she pieced it together. “Sorry I look such a mess. Did not think… You know, I'd be here for this. Just came here to help when AJ told me she’d need an extra pair of hooves. Heh. Did not even lie did she?” She says looking away at all the others in the hallway. Seems like she had plenty, but then again when is it too much in a time like this? But it seems things were heating up. “Get back to AJ.” She says backing off from the door. She kept her ears up, following the sounds on the other side of the wall. It still felt so… AJ was a good mare. Deep breaths. Easy. Relaxe. Deep breaths. Easy. Relaxe. She felt her body loosen up, heart slowing too a more steady beat. Everything was ok. Then she heard the filly cry out. It felt like a rock slamming in to her face, trying to force open a locked door. Her ears folded back close to her skull as stomped a hoof but held her ground. No. Not today. She was stronger than this. Deep breaths. Relaxe. Everything was ok. Opening the eyes she unknowing held shut she looked back at the doorway and the sounds within. The filly was in good hooves. Loving hooves. Hooves that can look after it. Know how to look after it. And maybe someday she’d believe in herself in that way. Maybe one day she’d fix the past. But today she was a friend and one that will flinch away from this happy moment. She did not know the name of the filly yet, but whatever he or she may be… they are blessed to rest in the hooves of AJ and... And she wanted to see it.

It was about time we saw the end! Ponyvill was coming back in to view and by the gods she was tired from all this running, rock dodging and rushing over flooding rivers. What she needed was a toasty fireplace and some Hot coco with her friend. That was a mare. A mare friend. But not like that! Maybe? Ok maybe they were. Well whatever it was, Temy was ready to lay down and get snuggles from her Glitter. But first she had to be done with this race! Hopefully she did not fall too far behind, she got rather sidetracked back in the woods and lost her way. Not her fault, she found a cool old shed that needed exploring… But with a clean path ahead with no danger it was her last shot as pulling ahead and win something. She had a feeling she was going to lose again. But that need to win at the start of the race was less pushing now. She just wanted to be done with this in truth. Maybe she was just getting too old for this nonsense.

Through the hills She stopped, ears perked as she heard picked sounds from somewhere behind… Maybe behind. Think woods like this and mess with sounds like that. But she heard talking and some dreadful music. What was that awful sound? Whatever it was she was willing to bet it was made by Pinky. She didn't want to hate that mare, not at all. But that pink monster was just everything she can not stand given life. They were just complenty incompatible personality wise. So it was best she just kept on moving, speeding up her trot some more to keep ahead of whatever was going on. The magical lamp was useful, even if it was more on the dim side it let her see the path and step over roots and rocks safely. All she can ask for in a tool in truth, it did its job fine and that’s all it needed to do. It was something she needed to do more with herself. She spent so much time trying to be more than what she was and not learning to love what she can do. It was slow work but she was doing it… “I wish I had some pony to talk too.” She muttered alone as kept up her speedy trot. Maybe she needed to fall in to one of the packs? maybe. She still wanted to win this race for how.

Through the hills Tempest was getting… Tired. This race was maybe just a hint longer than she thinked it was going to be. Maybe she needed to read better… Not her fault she was self trained and can’t read big words. OK maybe just did not read much about this at all. But between all the running, dodging falling rocks and other mess she was feeling it. She really was not in the same shape she was three or four years ago. So seeing all the sharp hills and their strong inclines put her down even more. Her legs were sore all ready! She was not about to run up and down hills now. So around them she’d go sticking to the shady dark valleys. She used to be scared of the dark. When she was younger and alone in the world, exploring without a clue. Slowing to a speedy trot she followed the old trails and let her mind wander to a place long ago. A filly lost in the wods, scared and alone. Wanting to go home. Sleep in her own bed. Wash in a warm bath. Fresh food on a table. Yet she was to far away with no map or hope of remembering the way back. How long was she lost in woods like this? She did not know in truth. It felt like a lifetime for her back then and even now she is unsure of how many days or weeks it was. It was just by luck she got out before winter came. Stopping she took in the trail, the darkness. The forest was thick and old. Untouched save for a few magical lamps. Walking over to one she inspected it, then ripped it out of the tree it was nailed into after some pulling. Being strong as an earth pony had some upsides when you can’t use magic! Holding it by her muzzle she pushed onwards keeping to her speedy trot to allow herself some rest. She hasn't seen others yet, hopefully they were ok from rockslide… This trail was nice. She’d have to come back later when she was not racing. Maybe take Glitters for a more peaceful walk? Old woods like this were peaceful places. To think she used to fear them and was funny in a way. Now it just felt like an old home. Safe and peaceful from the rush of towns and cities… And in a way from the rush of the race. A much needed moment to take a breath and relax.

Running through the avalanche Much as she hated it, she was starting to feel strain. How much longer was this race again? It can’t be that much longer can it? Long as she kept pushing herself this was in the bag. She was going to win and show every pony what she is made of. Show herself what she is made of. In truth it's why she joined at all. She needed to prove to herself all of this training and hardship she’s endured was worth something. anything! ‘Oh buck!’ Tempest snaps her focus back on to the trail as she hits a sharp turn, almost sliding off the sides. One glance told her all she needed about that fall. This race really was not playing. Slowing down to a more controlled canter as she makes her way up the zigzagging path. No way she’d win if went flying off the trail! And that’s when her ears flicked, picking up the sound of stone moving overhead. “Oh you gotta be JOKING!” She shouted in anger before pushing back in to a full gallop as the stone avalanche raced down to meet her. Looking up and down at the trail she powered ahead as fast as her legs carried her. The idea to take selter did not cross her mind as she watched them come. All she can do is pray her wits and speed can keep her safe from danger. Being crushed to death really was not how she wanted to go out of this world.

ALL OUT Tempest was unlike most unicorns, so unlike them she may have been the only one to push themself like she did. Her magic was strong but unreliable and for most of her life completely useless. She filled in that gap using her body. Raw strength and endurance took the place of magic and in it she found an outlet. Every morning she runs. Every other day she worked out useing whatever tools she had at hoof. Buckets of water, fallen trees or rocks. Whatever worked. Whatever she had at hoof. She had a body that made even earth ponies blush and feel feeble. And what of her size? She was head and shoulders taller than most and could look the tallest pony in this town in the eyes. It made her wonder if maybe she was never supposed to be a unicorn. She sure wasn't built like one. Yet for all of this… That blasted mare tailing her was still yaping as if going in a full blast gallop was nothing. And that was infuriating. She wanted to slam in to her, knock her down and hammer a hoof in to that face. By all means the mare says. By all means she’d be happy to break that mare's jaw! See how much that mare grins and acts all snippy rolling in the dirt missing teeth. By all means she’d love to show that mare just what she can do. But that’d kick her out of the race… But that did not matter. No what did matter was how Glitter may feel. Fear? Scard? Disappointed? That alone was far worse than being kicked out of the race for beating some mare in to a heap. And for Glitters sake she had to control herself. She had a race to win and she’d do it fair. She can’t let this mare or others get underneath her skin. She was better than that. With new found focuses she pushed herself harder, faster. To gain every last inch of space she can in the race and show that mare what she’s made of!

ALL OUT So it seems she did fall behind thanks to an act of kindness. It was undesirable but she had no way of knowing the outcome if she did not. What if they got hurt? Gods, what if the colt was killed? Can she live with that again? And the truth was no. She can’t. She did the best thing and if it cost her the race so be it. But she still has room to gain what was lost and the clean shot ahead was just what the doctor ordered. A wide-open valley with lots of room to get around the herd. Tempest was going to show all of them just what she can do. Deep breaths, relaxing of the body, bracing for what will come. She was no race horse but she knew how to run like one. A trot in to the canter, canter in to the gallop. Head lower, four-beat gait, nose flaired take in that air. She did not need to think of her movement, her gait, it comes to you and you must let the inertia carry you on words between the beat of the hooves. And that beat is all that mattered in the moment. Four thumps and a moment of airtime between them. She may not have wings but every pony can fly long as they gallop fast enough. It did not take long to gain on her lost lead, most of them were not even trying to run this fast! It made passing them all the more easy. And to her shock Copper was not pushing for the lead, he was slowing down with the others. A shame. But it seems a few others were willing to show off what they can do! Even that cute punch mare, seems she can move some tail if needed… And of all things some other mare pulled in up behind her opened up with some small talk? In a gallop? How in the world did that mare speak running this fast? She can barely think clearly at this speed! “YES!” Was the only talking that mare was going to get. Tempest will not hamper regaining her lead by wasting air on some blasted small talk! Last thing she needed to be was distracted, at this speed she’d break her legs if she tripped!

bridge Why was this colt so dang slow? Can’t he speed his tiny legs up? “Come on, go, go, go, off the bridge Zap. When did you get so big?” She says pushing him along with her head and muzzle. It's like every time she saw this colt he was twice as big, it's a crime for him too grow this fast! She felt OLD seeing it! But she can worry about old age later, soon as she got off the bridge she let off pushing him along. About time! Uhg, she wasted more time taking this bridge than she gained thanks to this colt! “Safe and sound, I got a race to win. Keep a better eye on him!” Bridge Crossed With Zap safe she focused on the path ahead and Copper running off. That #%#@$ horn head. She was not going to be beaten like this! With nothing more to do with the colt she took off after Copper, pushing herself back up to stop speed down the muddy path after him. How much time did she lose? How far behind were they both? She can’t let that slow her down. Full steam ahead was the only way to win! No more slow down, no more stopping! Most of all with that pink demon so close... At lest she got away before the pink monster realy startred yaping.

As the ceremony happened Tempest found herself thinking more and more about life and where it's going. Where she is going to go with it. She needed change. She knew that for a long time yet she didn't act on it. She told herself over and over she was nothing but a killer. A solder. A tool. Useless. Worthless. Yet that was changing with every passing year and this year more so than all others. Winter was coming again, has it already been one year with glitter? It did not feel like it in truth. Time slipped past her hooves in a blur of moments and all of them were… Good. The truth of the matter was easy to see. She was happy with what was going on and this change in the pace of her life was deeply good for her. Needed even. For so long she felt like she was sliding deeper and deeper in to some gaping maw of despair with no way to stop it. And maybe she can’t. Not alone. For so long she was unwilling to open up and speak about her demons, fears and why she can’t sleep worth a buck most of the time. Yet glitter was different. Maybe it was the fact she knew her as a filly. Maybe it was some part of her desperately reaching out for the ‘better’ times long ago when she was one. She Can't say. But she knew living with Glitters was good for her. Good for her body and soul. She was the friend she needed back in her life. That silly filly she crushed on so dang hard back in the day when life was so much more carefree. It made her giggle softly just thinking of it. How silly it all was. How she day dreamed of being some heroic colt saving the day and kissing the princess. She never saw herself as being some lame cute filly, she was going to be the hero and get the filly! And well she may have fallen short of… Well, all of it. She did have one thing back. And Glitters was worth so much. Just thinking of it made her lean more in to Glitter, gently nuzzling the mare well idly daydreaming as she shut her eyes and just enjoyed the moment. The exclamation from Glitter did make her ears perk, wondering what she was about to say as she tried to shake off her daydreaming only to open her eyes in time too see the mare plant a kiss on her muzzle… … Tempest squeaked. She really didn't even know she could make the sound she just did. Or think. What? Tempest.exc has stopped working. Have you tried turning it off and on again? … Her horn sparked, eyes looking more like Derpy Hooves them Tempest. “Whawhatuhwhyah” She mutters blinking a few times before she can focuses back on Glitter. One part of her brain was having a party, the other half screaming. How long has she wanted that? So many times as a filly she day dreamed about being some handsome colt getting to kiss her. But Glitter… Glitter kissed first! Why? What was happening. ‘KISS HER BACK’ The small voice of Fizzlepop yelled from deep in the back of Tempest's mind. After a few more confused seconds she did just that, pushing her nose against the other mares and took in a deep breath of Glitters sent before kissing her. Why did she do that? Why did she feel so weird? What in the name of the gods just happened? Why did it feel so good? She wanted to jump up and down and she felt so happy and alive in this one moment!

Bridge Just how in the blazed did she not die as a filly? Was she this clueless as well? No way she was. She’d been dead a dozen times over. But here this colt was, looking out at the river about to take a bridge down with some clueless looking on his face. It was innocent how clueless he was about it. Somethin bout that tugged at her heart and made her feel ashamed for even thinking bad of him for being innocent. Not every pony needs to live like she did. “Time to move!” She shouted as coming to a stop next to Zap, leaning her head down to push the colt along. “Look later we got to run! Don’t want to lose, do ya?” She says pushing him along to get the colt moving again. She did not want to grab him but if things got to bad she’d do it, regardless how much he may fuss. A full grown pony falling in to a river is one thing. A colt? Well she’s heard of far less doing them in. And can that pink demon shut up? Why was she like that? Yap-yap-yap like some tiny dog. At least Copper was making himself useful, good on him. She needed to talk to him more and learn what his deal was. Why was he on them posters or whatever it was… when Apple Bloom got closer she waved the filly on… or well, young mare? to keep going. “Keep on running, Bloom! Come on Zap, move that flank, want her beating ya?” She fussed as she did her best to get them all off the bridge before it gave out underneath them. They were so close!

Bridge Thunk-Thunk-Thunk-Thunk her hooves echoed off wood as she charged ahead over the bridge. She was focused fully on her path, eyes taking in every scrap of detail as placed every hoof with planned detail. This was her element, her zone. One slip of the hoof on a clump of leaves and she’d crash. Worse maybe fall over the side in to the river. Did they have fail safes? What happens if some pony did? They’d die if something was not planned for this. Yet what did it matter? All that did matter was what she did. Closer and closer the end came, a crossing that took moments yet felt so much slower for her. However her focus was clearly going to pay off… "Zap Apple!" The scream made her look back, the voice of Apple Bloom well known to her. She helped a lot whenever AJ asked her to come down and help on the farm. Yet what she yelled about was the more worrying matter. And to her complet shock the owner of that name was crossing the bridge! “WHAT THE #@%#@$!?” She shouted in utter confusion seeing Colt tailing behind Strong Copper. Slamming her rare legs down she came to a sliding halt, almost spinning out on wet leaves and wood. She didn't really know why she did that. Just that she felt… like she had to do it. Now that she was facing the way she came she started to run back down the Bridge towards Zap Apple and past Strong Copper. So much for her lead. But she’d never live with herself if something happened to that colt, not when she’s in a blasted ear shot! What WAS he even doing in this race? Where was AJ? And was that… Oh no it was. And she was heading for the pink demoen. She regretted turning around already. But no flip-flopping now! She was going to win this Luna blasted race AND keep that blasted Colt safe! She had to do it, AJ will turn her into a dam rug if she didn't!

Bridge What pony runs headlong in to a storm like this with a smile? What mad mare yells at the sky daring it to even try to strike her down? Tempest was one such mare and pony. The rain cooled her hide and the gumling roar of the storm cheered her on. She was Tempest Shadow, the stormcaller, thundermaker, skybreaker and tempest given life. She feared no storms and just laughed. “Hele faren!” She shouted up at the sky in the runic language of the caribou. “[Hear me! Give me strength! I shall scream your name for all to hear, shout its strength for all to know! I fear no storms, fear no death!]” With her offer shouted to the gods above she focused on the path ahead. Two paths that is. A bridge that may give out below her hooves in the raging river or a slower safer path up and over the river. She was not about to take the lower path, not with Strong Copper hot on her flank. And it looked like he was going to take the bridge as well. So she had only one path to take it seems. Full speed ahead over the bridge! She did not fear what may happen. It was pointless to fear such danger and the risk of death. It's the will of the gods when it happens after all. So she did not slow down, slowing may risk not making it even more. All she can do is pass over it as fast as possible!

Well almost everypony looked at this race as a group event to do together, Tempest did not. She never did think in a herd mentality and in events this was even more clear cut. For her ‘teamwork’ was still a very foreign concept made all the more unthinkable in the context of a competition. Why slow down, why give less than 110% to keep with others slower than you? The world only had winners and losers. She was tired of being the loser. And so she plowed ahead of the group, heart pounding in her head and lungs flaring as she galloped as fast as her legs carried her. She wanted as much of a head as she could muster. Earth ponies have a lot of endurance and were going too be in much better shape at the last stretch of this race than she was. So it stands that her best move was to put as much space as she can on them so when she slowed they’d have much more ground to cover to pass her. Easy. And most of them never had to do what she did. Run like she has for long as she has. At least she hoped so, she did not know every pony after all. For all she knows some real race horses were in town for this. So she gave a look over her back and was shocked that of all things a unicorn on her tail. He did not seem to be gaining on her but he was holding in behind her. She’s honestly never seen him before… or did she? On some posters? Was he well known or something? She then noted the two large scars and felt a deep itching over her body from hers. It's why she covered her body, she did not want others seeing what was underneath it and just how scared her body was. Seeing another holding such marks struck something in her. You do not gain them by a happy event. Something happened to this pony and that something must have been much like her stories. Pain. Seeing the rest falling more and more behind she allowed her pace to slow, allowing him to pull in closer. “You! What is your name!?” She shouted so he could hear her. She was not about to let him get -that- close after all! Can’t risk him falling in line with her if he was as fast or gods forbid, faster, than her. But she did want to learn where he was from. How did he get his scars and what was his story.

Trotting in place Tempest was more than ready to go. Stripped down to just her trademark black jumpsuit she intrusted all of her ammor in the safe hooves of Glitter for this race. She knew her friend would keep it safe and she needed to be as light and agile as possible! Even if she did feel almost nude without its mass on her body. Stopping her in place Trotting she leaned down and stretched her legs, looking out at the track ahead. It seems a storm was coming, something that does not happen by random. Maybe they were younking a trick from her book on combat tactics? How cute. She was more than willing to run headlong into a thunderstorm! She’s done it in the sky without flinching, on land it's even more easy. Looking over at the elderly stallion she waved at onlookers, seeing some even cheering for her. Somehow she had ‘fans’ or something. She really did not understand how or why but some ponies just loved her. Mostly the younger ones that loved to dress in black and have a lot of spikes on. It was strange and in truth she did not understand it at all. But it did make her feel good in a way. Looking back ahead she diged her hooves in to the dirt, body tensing up as the countdown started. "Get ready." She leaned in, legs twitching with the raw strength years of hardship has forged in to her body. "Get set." Hoofing at the ground with her front legs her nose flared as she took in a big breath of air. … When the whistle blew she ripped up the dirt underneath her hooves as her body launched forwards like a cannonball. Reaching a full gallop in moments she tore down the dirt path, focused fully on the road ahead as her heart hundred like the beat of an artillery battery. Come rain, hail, thunder or worse she was going to give this race every scrap of blood, sweat and tears she had on offer and may the gods have mercury on whatever gets in her way!

Tempest is signing up! 🐎

She shouldn't be here. She should be far north by a fire forgetting her past. Forgetting everything. Yet that old story keeps coming back, a book that no matter how hard she tries it ends back on her shelf. And it keeps coming back so innocently. Helping a friend… A friend she in some ways views as a mother. She loved working on AJ’s farm in truth and she has been learning much from it. So whenever offered she took that extra time on it. Learning, helping. In time she hoped to have her own farm and fields to plow and look after. Her own getaway from the world at large. Yet it came back in the screams of a mare in labor. Echoing off wooden walls of a hospital. Yet it did not feel like one. It sounded like that barn. The air nippy… Walls falling apart. With a gasp Tempest sucked air in to her lungs, releasing the breath she unaware held too long. Looking over at the family she took stalk of them with heavy, baged eyes from a lack of sleep. She did try but sleep was unwelcoming as dreams twisted in to nightmares of sins past and her mistakes. Her worst mistake. The cries of the mare in labour made her ears fold back as her eyes looked focused on nothing. Deep. Breaths. Slow. Stady. Everything will be fine. AJ is safe. The foal is safe. This is a safe place. A palace where they help no matter what happens. Deep breaths. She was Tempest, she was strong. She was brave. She needed to be that more than ever for AJ. For her family. The opening of the door snapped her back to reality, Dash calling out for a nurse. Everything is FINE nothing bad is going to happen. She is fine… AJ is fine. The foal will be fine. She wanted to speak up but found her voice lost. Aj’s family stepped up to do all the speaking anyways. They were a good lot. A good family. Far better than what she’d… They have done this all before. When the foal was safe and alive… She’d be strong and ready. To give words of praise and encouragement. She hoped she’d be ready. She can’t let a friend down. Not in a moment like this. Deep breaths. Slow. Stady. “Dash, how’s she looking?” She asked, walking closer to the door on legs stiff as tember. “Is she doing ok?” She added, doing her best to not sound worried but failing.

“Darn, I bet I’d have liked it.” Tempest says to Berry with a shake of her head. Glancing over her back at others she shifted uneasily, she did not like having to be so… Soft. She saw the looks behind the eyes. The jugements. How she wanted to show them all she was not broken. They’d be. But she can’t. Not here. With A deep breath she looked back to the drinks. “After the ceremony I hope you are well stocked, rum is my favorite poison. For now some nice mixed puch will do.” She says taking one of the bigger cups and filling it with drink, all done with muzzle and hoof. She wished more unicorns had to live like this, it may teach them something about how hard basic day too day things can be without magic. With her cup in the muzzle she looked down at Glitters with a pleading look for them to leave the heart of this gathering. But as she did an odd face passed her by. Bluebelle. Or just better known as blue. This was as far as she can think, the first time she saw him… Her? Them as a female. She heard of this, they switched back and forth. She even told her troops to be on the lookout for both when they took the city. Yet they got away with the help of some rather skilled and strong guards. She had respect for that but they were never her prize. “Muffmth.” She mumbles with a tiny nod of her head as Blue spoke to her. Seems they wanted to talk later. She can’t think of why, but she’d not say no to such a thing. May be fun. With a shrug she looked back at her haybale as the music changed. Seems the ceremony was getting in to gear. With one last puppy eyed look at Glitter she broke off and rushed away from the heart of the ceremony to reach her safe, far away, spot to watch things. With one hop she was back on the haybale, holding the cup between her legs. Siping on it she watched the events unfold, time to time looking over at glitters. One day maybe she’d have something like this. A pony with that level of loyalty and love. Yet it seems so far fetched. What pony can look at her and ever dream of such a thing? Want too be with her? Love her? Even in ehr own dreams such a thing seems redundantly ridiculous. But she felt heart in one thing. She had a friend and that was all she can ever ask for. And so as the two mares kissed, she just leaned on Glitters and smiled. AJ was a lusky mare. A good one at that. She earned this happy ending.

and powerful as the Red Jarl. She loved the way Caribou made things, the mix of hardly long term use mixed with hints of art hit her in just the best ways. Gathering herself she pushed on to the grand tabel as others moved away, leaving the hall so she and the Red Jarl were alone. It made her worry somewhat, yet if he was going to kill her he’d want others around yes? So her hopes did rise, more so when he spoke and guided her to the map. As he spoke she nodded her head in understanding, she had helped the rebel gain power. More easy sea paths to the Stottingsburg Isles. That will help them bring in more soldiers, gear and weapons. Then he asked what she saw, speaking of her sharp wits. This was a test! Maybe he wanted to see if she was fit for strategic skills and planning? Such a test is something she knows she can do well at! She loved such things and spent YEARS doing that for the stormking! Kingdoms were wiped out or made in to slaves by the strategic plans she put in to work. So this was her element fully. Even as his eyes were on her, looking for a hint of worry and weakness she’d give none. With a sharp nod she looked over the map, focused and fixed on its details as her mind worked to piece together a stratagem to impress him. If she was less focused on it she may worry about him looking her over so close, yet she did not. All she was thinking about was the map and how to make a plan to impress him fully. She needed to impress him. A deep seeded craving and need to feel worth something, wanted and needed. And in the moment that desire to be wanted pushed away all fear. Being sloshed did not help in such matters as well.

As the hours passed Tempest pushed on. Past the biting cold. Past the deep snow. A wordless march as she followed Koda with eyes sharp, ears alert to all around her. In a way this moment felt like something she has been made for. Forged out of hardships and so many years alone. A filly lost in a world so big, so endless without the training or skills to make it. Yet she did. From blood, sweat and tears. All the pain. All the suffering. All the times she cried alone. For a time she believed it was all leading up to her joining in the Storm King. His flag was going to save her. Yet it did not and like so many times she was cast down to go at it alone. Yet maybe… This was why. The mare on her back was there at the start and maybe she marked the end as well. Good or bad she can not say. Just she knew deep in her heart this was ending one book and soon a new one will open. What lies head in its pages? She did not know but the ink was on her hooves. When Glitter spoke it snapped her out of her thinking. Flicking an ear she thanked for a moment. “No. I’m fine. Need too keep going.” She says, tired as she was, rest can come later. “How are you holding up? Do you need me to stop?” She asked, turning her head around to gently nuzzle at the mare holding on to her. Worry still clung to her. A fear of losing… Glitter. She can’t place the root of such feelings but deep down she was scared that something was going to take Glitter away and leave her alone again. She didn't want to be alone.

From Whitescare she oddly found herself back closer to home. When she heard word of them traveling to the Badlands of Equus she saw no need too say no and leave. When she did need to make her leave it will be all the more easy to do on land she knew. In years past she spent some time out in the badlands. Some day she wondered if she couldn't settle down there. But that was many years away. Her time in the warband was… Well, fun! The conflicting feelings she had from the battle washing away with time and mead. She was even learning the names of her ‘brothers and sisters’ at arms. She wanted to keep away from such things, worried what it may do later. Yet she found it happening as she was pulled along to join in parties, clashes and drunken mayhem. She felt… Kinship. ---- She hardly had the power to hold back laughter as a bull named Blotjarl cracked one of his crude jokes. He was one of bulls that seemed keen on taking her along to things. She can’t tell yet if he saw a friend in her or a mate just yet. But he and others embraced her as a sister of the warband sooner than most. “[I see that twitch! You ARE laughing! Don’t shake that head no!]” He shouted, tossing his head back in laughter as he and her other… friends? Walked down a mud path in the dark. All of them were more than somewhat sloshed and seeking some place to crash and sleep. That was until a housecarl of the Red Jarl made his way up to them. They all stopped to see what this was about. Soon as she spoke all eyes were on her. He wanted to see her? Worrying, but maybe good? It's been some weeks since the battle. She did wonder if he’s gone and forgotten her. With a sift nod of her head she waved goodbye to her ‘friends’ and walked down the muddy paths for Helmskeep. The news did sober her up some, she has from day one watched how much she drinked. She can not risk being drunk as a drunk… Cow has loose lips and if she broke her act now? Well she was not about to think about such things. Reaching the door the gourds let her inside, clearly they knew she was coming. She just hoped for good news.

Tempest did her best to not falter in the face of all the nuzzles but soon Glitter got giggles to start escaping from her muzzle as she did her best to nip at the flicking ears. For a moment all the world just seemed to fade away in to a one moment of focus… Goodness. But soon the game ended as the two focused back on the ongoings at the wedding. When Glitter said she wanted a drink she did not give Tempest much time to respond before jumping off to go do it on her own. “ok…” Tempest says to herself watching glitter trot down to the roped off zone. She shifted uneasily, hooves rubbing together before she jumped off the bale as well… She felt uneasy with so many around her. More so as she was unarmed and only wearing her jumpsuit. She felt far too open and exposed without the feeling of heavy plate on her back. But she knew she had to come here this way as a show of good will. AJ has done a lot for her, even letting her more or less live here for weeks the first year she was working things out. She’d never tell AJ this but that mare was more of a mother than hers ever was. Soon she made her way next to Glitter and eyes up the drinks, sniffing at them. She saw the looks she was getting. She didn't enjoy it. Even here they judged her. The failed pony. Broken unicron. Always judging her, always looking at her horn. How can they not when she was taller than almost every pony here? She wanted to go back to the hay bale sooner than later. But for now she just moved closer to glitter and focused on her, not the rest. Her anxiety did not feel so bad when she did that. “Hi.” she says in that unflinching cold voice of hers. “I… smell garlic?” She asked, sniffing the air more. “Is there a drink with garlic? It smells good. Which one is it?” She asked looking at the punch mare. She really did want too try it now!

“Greetings Apple.” Tempest says as she stands up as the filly makes her way out the coop. “And yes, I am not here to look at chickens. I have been told you are the best to speak with on the topic of Timberwolves. I wish to tame one as a pet and companion. I believe it can be done but wish to engage others in the topic first. Flutter Shy insisted you be the one I talk with.” She explained in that ever so dry and blunt tone she has gotten known for. She did wonder more if Flutters was just running her off out of fear but hoped it was not. She has been thinking about this for some time… years now. “So still me filly, what do you know about wolves of wood? So far books have been lacking, made by fussy unicorns that never put one hoof in the woods they speak of. In truth I'd sooner believe you on the topic over them. You, unlike them, have been in the woods… rather often it seems.” She says learning her head to one side as she thinked about something, before waving it off in her own mind. “I respect you for that.”

“One learns fast how to live ‘outdoorsy’ when that is the only home one has for years.” She says with a hint of pain in her words. But she pushed on past it, she did not like talking too much about her young life after she ran away. They were bad times. But the past is the past, she needs too worry about Glitter for now. Helping pack up soon they were ready. “Ok, stay still.” She says walking behind glitters. Lowering her head down and then the rest of her body she pushed up underneath the mare and stood. In one swift movement Glitters hooves were hanging in the air as the mare rested on Temys back. “Hold on well to my neck. We depart.” Torting out in the snow Tempest was thankful for how tall her legs were, it made moving in the show far more easy. With both their saddlebags, her armor and a full grown mare on her back she needed every last thing to make this trip suck less. “Koda! Home? Where’s home?” She says, looking down at Glitters dog. With some luck he can pick up the trail home and speed this trip up… Speaking of Koda, the other pets! She hoped they were ok. She’d… she did not know what she’d do if one of Glitters pets got hurt. The mare has been hurt too much already. She had to make it up to Glitter somehow. Both of them had far too much lost time… so much to make up for. But now was not the place. When they were home they’d work more of it out.