Once In A Blue Moon

Of Stable Beginnings (1)

Splash. Her hooves struck against a puddle of pooling water, soaking her lower legs in mucked water. Her breathing heavy and chopped, yet running she continued. Thudding clops as each hoof struck the muddied ground, leaving a horse shoe shaped into the mud behind her.  A light her eyes see, her body shifting it's weight and moving her towards it. She slips, her coat now caked in slimy mud. She hurries up again, afraid of what they'd do if they caught her and runs again. She reaches the light, it belongs to a not one but many tents and cave openings.

A stallion looks at the small breathless pony with knowledge of why she was now here in the middle of the Everfree forest, "Go to the large tent, I'll handle this." He point his muzzle towards the large tent nearest to them and she hurries to the tent. The tent was rather small, but she was used to staying hidden and sleeping in a cave smaller then this tent. 

There was a soft looking bed in the far left corner with a smaller infant bed in the far right corner, around five feet from the larger bed.  A dresser was a little less then five feet from the end of the crib, which side was facing the large bed and tent wall. On top was a pile of blankets, and a plush of what she assumed belonged to the stallion's child. There was also a rather large chest filled with rolled up maps, books, and other odd ends. Beside the chest and right next to the entrance of the tent was a wooden desk with papers, blueprints, and writing utensils as well as books scattered along it. Some of the books had words, sections, or even pictures circled and underlined in thick red ink; some with writing accompanying them.

Outside she heard voices, not quiet loud enough for her to hear clearly. She could hear bits and pieces, but wasn't so focused on the angry voices outside. She was more interested in the writing on a banner inside the chest. "Dehl-tah... Zon-ahs..?" She tried to pronounce the words, neither words she had seen before.

"Delta Zonas, it's what we who live here are called," She looks up, startled by the stallion from before. His voice seemed very calm, even thought he saw what she was, "Now my small friend, tell me: How did you cause so much trouble? It's not easy defending a troublesome filly from a almost a dozen angry stallions and mares." His voice seemed both strict, yet concerned almost as if he was worried for his safety and hers.

Her ears lower, and she starts shaking with tears dripping off her cheeks, her face looking towards the floor. She whimpers before responding, "They... They killed my mommy," Her voice cracks, before she completely starts breaking down, "They wanted to kill me too and I... I don't know why!" Her voice cracks even more, her words barely decipherable as tears rush out of her eyes and down her cheek, only to fall to the floor. The stallion looked at her, his eyes showing him a filly in need of acceptance, remorse, and family.

"That explains the lies the monsters told me. When the came for you those horses didn't mention their sins, but their racism towards your kind was very apparent," His voice speaks soft and harsh about the towns ponies who had chased her through the Everfree forest; his hoof raising and touching first the top of her head then sliding around to her cheek , catching some of the tears. She looks up, her eyes puffy and red from crying, her golden eyes dulled to a dying sunset in color, "You are safe here, free from hiding, and accepted by all. By rise tomorrow, you will have family once again."

She grabs his fore-leg, pulling his hoof off her cheek and instead, hugging his leg tight. Before two minutes had passed, she passed out. Her small, child body unable to stay awake any longer. 

The stallion lifts his leg, lifting the filly with more ease then he thought he would be able. Not only was alone, but starving as well. His eyes looked at her, as he brought her towards the crib and placed her in it. He grabbed a blanket from the pile atop the dresser and  wrapped her in it before blowing out the lantern's flame and residing himself to the larger bed in the tent. "Sleep well little one, you deserve it."