I have been up for a while now. Not surprising really since I didn’t sleep too well last night, being cold and all. Yet I’m thankful that the grove of trees back there had kept me dry from the rain, and my wings kept me somewhat warm. Although the baskets where a bit wet, they’re still usable.

It’s been a routine of mine, I suppose. Each morning I would wake up early, go to the woods or grassy field and find the flowers of the day to sell for food (or shelter if I’m lucky). After all, I’m a mare without a home to call my own nor family. Sure, I maybe homeless but that don’t mean that I don’t do much. I work in gathering wild flowers and selling to nearby towns or villages to get some bits. The downside to that is I would get looks.

Perhaps it’s because I’m a little taller than most ponies, I can understand that. Why if somepony came into town that was as big as a house and tries to sell you flowers, why, I guess I would stare too. That and the fact that I’m the only one who not only has wings as big as a dragon’s, but a horn as well, which, come to think of it, that’s the most thing that others comment about me.

For the latter, I ways get the strangest questions like, “Are really and Alicorn?” or “What kind of Princess are you?” The last one really confuses me the most since I don’t ever recall being royalty.

Anyway, there are some nice lilacs here on the mountainside and I think… yes! There are some lilies too. Those would do nicely since there are so much of them. Easily, I fill up my basket of my daily labor and headed towards the city on the hillside. The ponies from the last town I visited called it Canterlot.

Hmm… Canterlot. Sounds like the kind of name one would find in a fairy tale, no? It even looks like one too with its castle at the top, the onion shape domes on top of white marble columns. With houses and shops that are crammed along the edge, I’m sure to find a few ponies to sell my flowers there.

Of course, by wing or by hoof, it was quite a trek to even get to the streets itself. Not to mention that I did have many ponies staring as I entered, even a few of them who were wearing gold plating had their eyes go wide when I landed before they hurried on.

I ended up settling in the city square where apparently market day as there was where booths that lined about, selling their goods to the richly looking ponies with their clean and fancy clothes. It did take a while of searching before I settled with a corner of the square to set my baskets down.

Placing my straw hat in-between the baskets, I was open for business. A few minutes later, I got some curious ponies that came by. In between the exchanging of my fresh cut flowers, I was asked with the usual questions about my appearance.

A mare with curly hair that was in the shape of a beehive came up to me, “Excuse me, are you a Princesses?”

I snorted, “No ma’am. I’m just a mare selling flowers. Are you interested in these lilacs or lilies? They’re fresh.”

She gave me a puzzling look. “But… you’re an Alicorn.”

“So?”

“Alicorns are a sign of Royalty. The Princesses are Alicorns after all.”

“But I’ve never met a Princess in my life,” I told her. “I’ve been done some traveling myself Ma’am, but I never met another Alicorn. And even if there were, why would I be so important, I just sell flowers for a living.” When she didn’t respond, I asked, “So, are you going to buy these flowers or not?”

She did and left with a look of worry on her face.

This sort of scene had repeated itself for a while with my hat building up with coins and my baskets becoming lighter. Then, there were the sound of trumpets, some sort of fanfare where all the ponies looked at one side of the square and as one, suddenly bowed.

I was confused, so I craned my neck to see what was going on. And I couldn’t believe what I saw! There, at the mouth of the square was a pony like me! She had the coat as white as milk, with a crown and breastplate that glimmered in the sun, and a mane that flowed like a river. It was incredible to be honest. Here, in this city was a pony that was like me! An Alicorn! In all of my wanderings, I’ve never come across anypony like this before.

Besides, she looked important so I followed along and bowed too. She on the other hoof seemed to be looking for something until she spotted me. There was a sort of excitement and nervousness, almost on the edge of tears by the looks of it as she came closer to me along with those gold plated ponies. Maybe it’s because it’s the first time she’s seen another alicorn too.

Then, she stopped right in front of me, her eyes were wide and her mouth hung open. For a while, neither of us said a word.

“Uh… can I help you ma’am?” I asked.

“M... Mother?” she said, “Is that you?”

I sat up, “Sorry? Mother? What are you talking about?”

She seemed to be taken aback by this, “But… mom, don’t you recognized me?”

I tilted my head, “I don’t understand, why are you calling me mom? Wait…” come to think of it, her face does look a little bit familiar. It’s as if I’ve seen it a thousand times before.  Looking down at my hat, I levitated a coin out of my hat. “Oh! I know you,” I pointed at the bit, “You’re the one whose face is on the money. Huh, I was wondering who that was.”

She shook her head in disbelief, “Y-You… you really don’t remember me? Celestia?”

“Look Mis,” I said returning to my flowers, “I think that you’ve might have mistaken me for somepony else. I never was a mother, heck; I don’t even have a special somepony. So, can I interest you in some flowers? They’re four bits for a bundle.” I looked back at her, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Could I see your cutie mark?” I was still confused but I did stand up to show it. She looked at my sides before returning to me, “What did you say your name was?”

“I didn’t,” I told her, “Name’s Quill Parchment ma’am, and I’m just the flower mare.”

“Doesn’t the name Lauren Faust ring a bell?”

“What kind of a name is that?” I questioned, “Especially the last name: Faust. It sounds like the name of a poker you would use for stirring firewood doesn’t it?”

She stood quietly for a moment, “Have you been traveling?”

I laughed, “That’s an understatement Miss. Followed the path of the rising sun for quite some time now, going to village to village, town to town until I ended up here. And I must say, this is quite the place, no?”

“For how long?”

“Have I been on the road?” I put my hoof to my chin, “Don’t know. Long as I remember I guess, but I didn’t bother to count though.”

She looked at me in thought, “What does your cutie mark represent?”

“Well,” I straighten out one a crooked lily, “I’ve always liked stories and I want to be a writer. Heh, but the thing is, I don’t have much money on me, so that’s why I’m selling flowers ma’am. So that one day I can have a house of my own, with all the quills, ink and parchment I want so I can write down all the ideas that go through my head. Yet, I’ve never able to make enough though, so,” I sighed, “Maybe someday.”

She looked at the two stallions by her side before returning to me. “Can I ask where you’re staying?”

“At present, nowhere,” I admitted, “I guess that’s another reason why I’m selling these, first for food, and second for a place to stay for the night. Tell me; is this city expensive on rooms?”

“Very.”

I looked down at my hat in worry, “Do you think I have enough?”

She shook her head, “I’m afraid not.”

“Oh… Well, this is a rather big city, so I guess if worst comes to worst, I can always find a box or something.” I looked up at her, smiling, “But you don’t have to worry about me dear. I can manage on my own.”

She gave me a sad look, “Can I offer you a place to sleep?”

“Oh no,” I shook my head, “I don’t want to intrude in someone else’s home.”

“You won’t, I’m inviting you in,” she offered a hoof. However, she paused when she sniffed, “Excuse me for asking this but, when was the last time you bathed?”

I smiled sheepishly, “What? The streams and lakes are still too cold to bath in.”

“Come with me,” she opened a wing, “I’ll take you in.”

I only blinked… and blinked again, “Pardon dearie?”

“We’ll help you get all clean up, get you feed and have a place to sleep. Don’t worry, I happen to live in a very big place.”