Generations-Chapter 7
Generations-Chapter 7"What is that?" Sweetsong asked, her nose to the air.
"Smells like fish to me," Wysteria grimaced. "Well, at least we know this mysterious fishing town exists."
"Yeah, it can't be too much further." As they crossed the next hill, they were able to see the town in the distance. "See, what'd I tell you?"
As they approached, they met a few townspeople that lived on the outskirts. Sweetsong and Wysteria smiled and waved at everyone, but only a few returned the gesture to them. It was not hostility, just surprise.
"Why do I get the feeling like everyone's staring at us?" Wysteria glanced around her nervously.
"Don't worry. If they travel as little as Ponyville ponies do, it's probably just a shock to see an outsider." Wysteria just moved closer to Sweetsong and look concerned.
They realized this was quite a bustling little city as they come upon the town center. They looked around, trying not to look lost or out of place, but they still received some stares.
"Hello ladies!" A bright yellow pony with orange hair came trotting up to them. "Welcome to our humble city. My name is Sunshimmer, and I am the mayor of Jewel City."
"Oh, pleased to meet you!" Sweetsong greeted him. The normally talkative Wysteria was silent. "My name is Sweetsong and this is my friend, Wysteria."
"How do you do" I'm sorry you haven't had a proper greeting so far from our citizens, but we're not at all used to travelers. May I ask where you are from?"
"From Dream Valley," Sweetsong responded.
"Really? Well, you've had quite a travel then."
"Are you a Princess Pony?" Wysteria finally burst out.
Sunshimmer looked very surprised, then leaned closer to her, "We're not called that anymore, it's not very PC, especially for us stallions," He whispered.
"Oh, I beg your pardon! I meant no offense."
"That's alright, we're called Jewel Ponies now. How long will you be staying with us?"
"Probably a day or two," Sweetsong answered, "We're trying to get to Butterfly Island."
Sunshimmer raised an eyebrow. "What island?"
Sweetsong and Wysteria just looked at each other. "Well, there's an island west of here. It's supposed to have lovely beaches and a tropical climate..."
Sunshimmer just shrugged. "Unfortunately, we have no beaches around here to offer you, just ports. Would you care for a tour?"
"That would be lovely, thank you."
"And I would be honored if you two would be my guest tonight in my house. Unfortunately, we have no inn either."
"Thank you, that's very kind of you."
As Sweetsong and Wysteria toured the city, they were fascinated by everything they saw. These ponies lived such different lives from their own in Ponyville. Once Sunshimmer introduced them, the Jewel Ponies were much friendlier.
Sunshimmer invited a number of the city's dignitaries to dinner that night, obviously anxious to introduce the newcomers to them. There was Star Dasher, who owned the fish factory, the most successful business in the city, and practically the backbone of the economy, and his wife, Sapphire Shores. Crystal Lace and Valenshy were sisters that owned a flourishing restaurant. Wondermint ran a popular night-club, and Winterberry sang there. Gem Blossom was Sunshimmer's wife, and there were several other ponies present, but the two couldn't recall their names.
Over dinner, Sweetsong and Wysteria talked a lot about Ponyville and Dream Valley. The Jewel Ponies seemed very interested in it and their way of life there. They asked questions, and listened intently to the stories. It was pleasing to meet such charming ponies and see so many new faces.
The next morning, Gem Blossom offered to take Wysteria and Sweetsong to the market. The two valley ponies didn't understand what all the fuss was, but Gem Blossom insisted.
They were truly surprised when they arrived. Vendors in small carts lined both sides of the main street all the way across the center of town. They sold food items, not just fish, but fresh breads, cakes and fruits. They sold jewelry, artwork, hand-stitched clothing, and everything else you could think of. Sweetsong bought more food for the trip, and Wysteria bought a necklace, and a few other items as souvenirs.
When they returned to the house, they found Sunshimmer waiting for them. "Well, ladies, I've taken the day off work, and borrowed a boat from a guy that owes me a favor. If you're sure you know where this island is, I'll be happy to take you there."
Sweetsong was overjoyed. "Thank you! That's very generous of you. I'd like to repay the favor by inviting you and your wife, and the whole town, to come to Ponyville anytime."
Sunshimmer looked uncomfortable. "We Jewel Ponies don't travel too much. We wouldn't want to burden anyone."
"Oh not at all. I'm sure everyone there would love to have you. Besides, everyone seemed so interested the Dream Valley; this would give them a chance to experience it firsthand."
Sunshimmer refused politely again, and Sweetsong thought it best not to press the issue. Maybe he'd change his mind later.
Half an hour later, the three ponies set sail, using the old atlas as a map. They all waved goodbye to Gem Blossom and thanked her. Then, they pointed their sails at the horizon.
Twilight stretched and yawned lazily as she woke up late Sunday morning. The sun was up high and the sky was blue. She smiled to herself; this was one of those days that just makes you feel great to be alive.
"Good morning, Twilight!" Her neighbor called as she stepped out of her house.
"Good morning Mrs. Peachy!" Twilight looked around her. "Where is everyone?"
"They've all gone into the pasture for a picnic."
"Oh great!" Twilight ran back inside, packed some food in a basket, and hurried back out. She met Sunlight on the street walking to the pasture with a cute little pink pony.
"Twilight! Good morning!" he called, "I'd like to you meet my little sister, Parasol." His sister politely introduced herself, then ran off to join her friends ahead.
"She's a cute girl," Twilight remarked. "So, you have the day off today too?"
"Yes, it's my lucky week!"
Twilight laughed as they arrived at the pasture to find a celebration of ponies. So many of her friends were here, ponies she hadn't seen in such a long time. Bubbles and Seashell were playing in the water, Skyflier and some other friends had a kite high in the air, and Blossom was babysitting some of the younger ponies and babies.
"Hey there's Applejack!" Sunlight called as a pale orange pony trotted up to them. "You two have met before, haven't you?"
"Yes we have. How are you?" Twilight asked Applejack, who just smiled and gave her a nod.
"Sunlight, some of the stallions have got a ball-game set up at the other end, want to join in?"
"Sure! See you later Twilight," he called over his shoulder. She glanced around herself at the happy scene.
"Twilight!" a familiar voice called, "Oh, I'm so happy you made it!" Surprise flew up to her and hovered just over her head. "C'mon, we have a game of flight tag, but we need another pegasus for our team!"
Twilight just laughed and nodded, and took off after Surprise. "I haven't done this in ages!"
"What, play tag?"
"No! Flying! Don't get me wrong, I love it. But it's never as much fun by yourself." Surprise looked at her sadly; she knew her mother used to take her flying. But Twilight just laughed and did a flip; she was not going to be sad today!
Playing tag made her feel like a kid again, but she was not as in-shape as she used to be. Skydancer was chasing her, and she was losing speed because she was out of breath. Just before he caught her, she looked over her shoulder at him, and then ducked down so he would fly right over her. But she wasn't watching where she was going, and pummeled right into a pony on the ground.
They rolled over together several times before they came to a stop. Twilight was laughing so hard, so couldn't open her eyes for a moment. "I'm so...sorry. I didn't...see you!" She said between laughing and trying to catch her breath. She opened her eyes and it was Barnacle on top of her!
"Showoff!" He was laughing too.
She sat stunned for a moment, the wriggled out from under him. "I'm so sorry," deadly serious now. "Are you hurt?"
"Now what did I say about treating me different?" he flirted. "I'm fine. Besides, a beautiful woman caught my fall." Twilight blushed.
They flirted and talked for awhile while Twilight caught her breath. She felt completely at ease around him, but somehow nervous and shy at the same time. She wondered to herself about how that could be; she'd never felt that way about anyone before.
"Would you like to join me for lunch?"
"Hmm?" Twilight snapped back to reality. "Oh, yes thank you. I have a picnic basket just over there."
"Great! I know of a perfect place for a picnic."
Barnacle carried the picnic basket for her, and led her towards the waterfall. As they approached it, he disappeared behind it. Twilight followed him into a small cave. As her eyes adjusted, she hoped this wasn't his 'perfect place' for the picnic. It was incredibly loud and cramped, and they would get soaked.
"Over here!" Barnacle called. There was a passageway to the left leading steeply upward. Twilight hesitated; it was very dark, but Barnacle kept climbing. She swallowed hard and followed him. After only a few steps, her wet hooves slipped on the smooth rock. "Are you ok?" Barnacle nuzzled her, "Why don't you go in front?" She really didn�t want to be in front either, but her heart was racing from that little nuzzle.
They climbed about a hundred feet or so, and then there was a light in front of them. As they reached the light, the passage opened out onto a ledge. Twilight caught her breath. The view from up here was amazing! They were not even halfway up the cliff, but you could see the entire valley. The pasture was just below them, and beyond that, the town and the castle. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. There was a light breeze, but the sun was warm reflecting off the rocks.
"Let's eat right there," Barnacle pointed to a small tree to their left. As they ate, Twilight said very little; she was still in awe. Barnacle told her that he was the only one that knew about that place. You couldn't see it from below, and even if you could, there was no way to climb there from the outside. You had to know about the cave and passageway.
There was a little chill from the wind and she cuddled in closer to him. "Do you like it here?" He asked.
"I love it."
"Then why don't we make this our place?" He put his arms around her and she sighed. She knew she loved him. But with that thought, she also knew she had to tell him the truth.
"Barnacle? Remember the night we met?" He nodded and she swallowed hard to continue. "Well, the house where I stopped is not really my house. I'm not even nobility. I live alone, and I run the bookshop in town." She took a breath and waited for his response to her unconventional life.
He just shrugged. "I know."
She stared at him. "What?"
"I knew from the start you weren't nobility. So when you stopped at that house, I figured you would tell me when you were ready. In the meantime, I just asked Sunlight and he told me your whole story."
Twilight continued to stare at him. She had a thousand thoughts racing through her head, one of which was 'I'm gonna kill Sunlight!'
"B-But you said 'm'lady' to me..."
"Well, I scalded you wth hot cocoa. I was just trying to be polite, a gentleman."
She furrowed her brows at him. He was acting so nonchalant and casual about the whole thing. "So you don't care?"
He smiled, "Of course not. Twilight, you have been through so much in your life already. I have a great respect for you just for holding it all together. But you're even taking it one step further and educating yourself, and striving for achievement with the Rosetta. I'm not the type that's going to look down on someone just because they weren't born to the 'right' parents. What matters is who you are, and I love who you are!" He stopped and blushed as he realized what he said.
Twilight's face finally broke into a smile. "Really?" Barnacle nodded. She sighed and cuddled back in with him. She closed her eyes. For the first time in a long time, she was truly happy.