Jewel of the Everfree
Chapter 8: Bad Company
Previous Chapter Next ChapterIt's been little over a week since Rarity was thrust into what was decidedly the most mundane adventure of her life.
Atchmon wasn't kidding about the monotony of everyday. The days grew longer, and more dull as the pair did everything they could to pass the time.
They lost their 'baseball' when Atchmon got a particularly hard hit, which sent it flying over the trees and into the forest. They've yet to recover it. Atchmon was thrilled with his 'home run', but also very upset to lose such a precious item.
Much of their days were spent within the sanctity of the cave; mostly due to the increasing temperature of the summer sun.
"Wanna go again?" Atchmon asked as he removed all of the 'x' and 'o' shaped wooden pieces off the floor of the den.
"I can't believe I'm the worst tic-tac-toe player among two worlds..." Rarity sighed, shaking her head. "Best of seventy-one?"
Atchmon shrugged some of his responsibilities the first few days of Rarity's arrival, but now he needed to get back into his old routine; which mainly consisted of carrying water from the creek, since the garden was starting to look a little wilty.
It took eighteen vases of water to fully cover the entirety of his miniature farm, and in a few hours he would have to do so again.
Rarity watched him do this twice-a-day routine everyday from the entrance of the cave, as she flipped through her issue of Cosmare Magazine for the dozenth time.
If she read the article promising 'Bountiful Flanks through Natural Produce' or advice on 'How to Court Your Dream Stallion in Ten Days' again, then her head was going to implode from boredom.
The Den was the only place she felt safe, other than when they would sit by the fire pit. As she watched him, she couldn't help comparing him to the stallions back home. They certainly couldn't endure the heat of the day like Atchmon could, nor as long as he could.
Whenever she wasn't watching him, she was making improvements and cleaning the Den.
It made her feel like she was living in the 'old times'. Back when a stallions place was in the fields, and her's was at home. Managing the wealth, cooking the meals, and caring for the foals.
Rarity stopped herself whenever she'd start thinking like that.
Atchmon wasn't anything like the stallion's back home.
The stories and songs they'd share with each other helped pass the time. But day after day was nearly the same, with the only differences being in whatever subject the pair happened to find in common.
But today things were going to change.
The pair laid inside the cave, whose interior changed drastically since their first meeting.
Rarity took Atchmon's advice to heart, and busied herself by hanging floral decorations from the ceiling, which she praised on how much it brightened the room, made it smell better, and stated how his home needed a 'mare's' touch.
He was okay with it, at first, but now his home started to smell like decaying flowers. Not only that but they attracted unwanted insects into his home.
"And then I said, 'That's not a hat, darling. That's a natural disaster that somehow landed atop of your head!' Mm-hmph. I didn't realize what a bad joke it was until after I told them, but they laughed anyway," Rarity chatted away, while running her brush through her mane.
Most days were filled with good feelings, and good conversation.
Others... not so much.
Snap! "Uh-huh..." Atchmon spoke idly, while most of his concentration was on harvesting nuts for them to eat later.
"-friends showed up on my doorstep. So then I had to soak my poor Opal kitty in cold water, just to keep them from suspecting anything,"
Pop! "Mm-hmm..." Snap!
Atchmon wasn't too thrilled about the arrangement. Thanks to his tall stature he was constantly bumping his head into the hanging pinata-like décor.
Cccrrrackle!
It was better than hitting a hard ceiling.
POP!
Even though his 'man cave' was turned into a nightmare of girly-ness.
He did keep his promise and made a tiny bed for Rarity to sleep in. Though if he was being honest, he really wanted the rest of his own bed back.
It was position to the side, at the foot of Atchmon's own bed. Which Rarity currently laid content in, while she brushed herself for what must've been the tenth time that morning.
There was something oddly familiar about the arrangement to her. It felt like a reversal of roles, though she couldn't place, nor shake the feeling.
With the addition of Rarity's bed, he was forced to remove the table he spent countless hours creating, just so he could have enough room to move around inside his home.
At least, that was the plan until Rarity placed a sizeable flower pot of her own design right where his table used to be, which negated all the space saved.
Rarity's contributions usually went unnoticed. Though Atchmon did praise her newly crafted broom that she made from thick grass stalks a wooden stick and the sapling twine to hold it all together.
Rarity once spent an entire afternoon rearranging all the little bits of treasures Atchmon kept around, just to entertain herself. It was all for not, as Atchmon turned the cave upside down looking for his bone-tools. And gave Rarity an undeserved (she felt) scolding for touching his things.
Chick-snap-pop!
Rarity flinched at every sound that emanated from Atchmon's harvest. She gradually focused on it, until it consumed all she could hear.
Crack!
"Atchmon would you be a dear, and finish that outside please?" she asked.
"Seriously? It's too hot outside." he said, though not stopping his work.
"True, but do you have to do that now?"
"Um, yeah? Unless you feel like going hungry tonight?" he said with a fair bit of sarcasm.
"I'm sick of eating nuts."
"Me too." he replied nonchalantly.
"Can't you just stop that for an hour at least!?" Rarity exasperated.
Atchmon scoffed and shot her a look. 'After all the chatter she wants me to stop making noise?' "Fine." he resigned in a huff.
After a few moments of silence Rarity looked over to find Atchmon doing the thing that really got on her nerves.
The human's 'grooming' habits were quite disgusting to watch. He was picking at himself, biting his nails, and tossing his facial hair, and other nasty bits inside their 'perfectly' clean home.
"Ew! Don't do that inside our home; do that outside!" Rarity berated him in disgust.
"Oh like yer one to talk." he scoffed, before taking a breath and blowing on the ground.
A visible wave of white pony hair and dander was picked up in the gust.
"See that?" he questioned, pointing his finger around at the mess of hair on the floor, "That's all you." he finished, pointing at her.
"I can't help it. I've always been a late shedder. And it wouldn't be this bad, if I had my proper grooming supplies with me. My little brush can only do so much." she whined, holding up her brush for him to see.
Rarity was trying to pull out clogs of white and purple hair from its bristles, leaving it clumped and disheveled. She once explained to Atchmon in the past that because of the pony's control of the weather and the seasons, some ponies will shed their winter coat a bit later than others. And Rarity just happened to be one of these unfortunate few.
She'd been doing her best to stay as presentable as possible, despite lacking the proper equipment. Though her coat grew out quite nicely. The hair around her hooves, elbows, knees, and hocks were becoming long and elegant. And her chest fur gave her a bit of a 'fluffy' look. Though much of her hair came out in chunks around her back, barrel, and flanks, making her look patchy in those areas.
Atchmon tried to help her by offering his knife for her to use, but other than her mane and tail, which she now kept shorter, (but not too short since it simply wasn't 'in' this season) the blade just wasn't 'cut out' for use on her hide.
A few more days of vigilant brushing, and she'll have her beautiful, smooth summer coat. Once she finished shedding that is.
Atchmon sighed in annoyance, before reaching under the bed, and pulling out his leather boots.
"Ah, get outta here!" Atchmon scolded Monty while shooing the little horned rabbit away; who tried to sneak a few bites of the nuts that Atchmon just sat on the floor.
Monty quickly hopped away, and zipped outside the den.
"Must you be so harsh on him? He only wanted a bite to eat," Rarity said, looking a bit miffed. "Where are you going anyway?" she asked, watching him lean over the bed, while typing on his boots.
"Out," Atchmon started curtly; making it clear he didn't want to talk to her. "To gather more food. 'Cause apparently what we have here isn't good enough." he muttered.
"Oh! Can I come with you this time?" Rarity asked brightly; completely ignoring his slight.
"No."
"Why not!?" she whined. "My hoof's mostly all better, plus I'm sick of sitting in this cave all day. Every-day, in fact."
"Because unless it's fixing my pants, or making something 'pretty'. You don't do anything your worship. Not only that, but every time I try to get you to pitch in, you make up a dozen excuses about why you don't want to do it. Plus! The forest is all green, all the time, and you will get lost. So if something happens and we get separated; I doubt you'd be able to look after yourself. So, no, you can't come. And You're. Staying. Here." he finished firmly, and giving her a look, letting her know his decision was final.
"Well, I hardly see the point in teaching me anything; my friends are going to be here to rescue me any day now."
"And what if they don't, what if they never come?" he emphasized, hoping his serious tone would change her mind.
"They will come, I wouldn't be surprised if they showed up while you're away, and all you've collected will be made moot!"
"Well I wouldn't have to be looking for food all the time, if you didn't-" Atchmon stopped himself by pressing his lips together tightly, before he was about to say something he would later regret.
"If I didn't what? Go on. Finish what you were going to say," she warned, narrowing her eyes at him.
"You eat like a horse!" Atchmon narrowed his eyes, knowing they were about to have another fight. He didn't care, he was sick of her nagging.
Atchmon knew Rarity's eating habits were a sensitive subject for her. Having watched her stress eat so much those first few days. It really put a strain on his supplies, if not for the drought, it wouldn't have been an issue.
But Rarity was confident in a swift rescue, and Atchmon had nothing but doubts.
The pair shouted, argued, and yelled at each other. Each one's insults becoming more petty than the last, until Atchmon finally had enough, and stormed out the den. He carried his rucksack and bow with him, but not before he tore down a few of Rarity's floral decorations, after hitting his head on them for the umpteenth time, in a petty bid for revenge against the mare's far superior wit.
Rarity watched him enter the forest, then stomped her hooves in irritation and wiped away the hot, angry tears from her eyes. Not wanting to give him the satisfaction of hurting her feelings.
"I'll show him!" she snorted, while unconsciously scraping a hoof at the ground.
Atchmon returned from scouting. Some of his traps were set off, but with nothing to show for it, though many had only a few remains of what was suppose to be his prize. He couldn't determine the culprit, thanks to the recent drought. The ground was far too hard and dry to leave any tracks, but he did have a few suspects.
This didn't bode well for him, even though he was used to seeing a snare or two set off with nothing to show for it, and for his bounty to be taken before he had a chance to collect, but to have so many at once... but luckily he'll not be returning empty handed.
Atchmon had enough jerky to last him a day. Maybe even two or three if he really wanted to ration it. After Rarity's arrival he felt it was a good time to 'let loose', though now he was starting to pay for it.
This trip he managed to hunt a few unlucky squirrels, and some pheasants. Despite the drought, there was still no shortage of small critters for him to eat near the creek, though the flow of water had all but ceased.
Rarity wasn't happy about it, as the waterfall had a fraction of the flow it used to have. Atchmon didn't want them to move to his river location just yet, as it was far less secure than his 'hobbit hole'. If only he'd finished that 'tree house' structure he started all that time ago... would've come in real handy about now... only problem would be getting Rarity up there.
He set his things down near the fire pit as he thought, and looked forward to a bit of rest, food, but not so much his company. He sighed as he looked up at the round entrance to the den. Wondering what dozen and a half new requests Rarity had waiting for him. What witty remarks she had at the ready for that recent argument.
They got along fairly well, almost becoming fast friends. But there were times Rarity was just so needy.
"She's gotta start earnin' her keep." he mumbled as walked up the hill, completely unsure of what he was going to say, or do. Ideally he would prefer they'd forget the whole thing ever happened, but that wasn't the way things worked. No matter how much he'd try to make it work.
He entered the den, only to find it devoid of any unicorn.
His gut wrenched, and mind raced with all the possibilities of what could've happened. It wasn't an uncommon occurrence for a wild animal to wander into his domain out of curiosity, but that hasn't happened in a long time. There was no blood, no possible sign of a struggle, and no tracks...
Atchmon quickly exited the den, turned around, jumped, and grasped the rocky ledge of his roof, then ungracefully hauled himself over the top of his home, where he could see all around.
"Rarity!" he shouted, cupping his hands around his mouth, as he stood atop the hill. While he carefully scanned the area.
"Rarity!" his eyes darted around while he spun in place, trying to spot her brilliant white coat among all the greens and browns of the forest by the tree line.
"RARITY!" Atchmon doubled over trying to force every bit of volume into the shout. Only faint echoes answered him back.
He grasped his head in his arms as his eyes were blinded by tears, while the thought of having lost his only friend in this world took root in the deepest part of his mind.
His mind worked to control his feelings, with a vile part of himself trying to convince him it wasn't real to begin with; while another poisonous part of him said she left because of him.
"Atchmon! What's wrong!?" Rarity shouted from the edge of the meadow, as she cantered towards him while floating the spear in her magic, looking all around for danger with her wide, concerned eyes.
"You're okay! She's...okay..." he whispered while taking shaky breaths, trying to calm his frayed nerves. "Where did you go!? I thought I told you to stay here!" He shouted down at her in an angry tone once the shock had passed.
"And I thought you were in trouble!" Rarity admonished.
"God dammit, Rarity." Atchmon growled through his teeth, while placing his hands over his eyes and cheeks; working to cool off his burning anger.
"Don't you dare speak to me that way! I am a grown mare, and I can take care of myself." she argued. "Besides there hasn't been anything dangerous in weeks; not since that first day we met." she exasperated. Ever since Rarity's leg healed, she'd been getting increasingly stir crazy. This was the first time she'd left without his knowledge, or protection.
"I don't care! You. Don't. Leave. without me!" he stated firmly, pointing his finger at the ground to emphasize each word, as he made his way down from their home.
"I'm sorry, alright!? But I've been cooped up in that musty old cave for over a week straight, and I can't stand it any more! So I went for a little walk. Is that so wrong? Then I had an accident, so I couldn't come back right away and-" she said quickly, then looked away with her cheeks flushing red in anger and embarrassment, before being interrupted.
"Accident!? What kind of accident? Are you hurt?" he asked, alleviating much of his anger, and quickly kneeled before her, checking Rarity over for any injuries. She looked unharmed, though her coat, and especially her tail, were damp.
"I don't wanna talk about it." she said quickly, and turned from him, trying to hide her embarrassment.
"Rarity..." he warned, before taking a calming breath. "If there's something wrong, we need to take care of it. Now what is it." he asked evenly. Rarity only tightened her lips
"Is it your leg?" he asked in concern, after noticing she wasn't wearing the bandage like she was just the other day.
"My leg is fine!" she started defensively, before looking away again. "I just-" she sighed. "Really miss having toilet paper, or a bidet for that matter." she mumbled.
Atchmon stared at her for a moment, processing what he just heard, and sighed as he realized what was going on. "Couldn't you have waited to do that until I got back?"
"Excuse my bluntness, but you know those wild oats you found goes right through me..." she said, still looking away in embarrassment, with a tinge of red on her cheeks.
Atchmon took another breath, relieving the last bit of tension he felt, though his cheeks were still heated, before looking back towards the garden, where tall stalks of oat grass were now growing, along with a small pile drying in the sun.
Rarity had reassured him that it was safe for her to eat, though she was always insistent on it being prepared in a very specific way. Atchmon was sure she was just teaching him some more etiquette lessons. Though why everything had to be perfect was beyond him.
However, her body seemed to disagree, no matter how well prepared the food was.
He couldn't blame her, knowing it was going to take more than just a week or so for her body to adjust to this new lifestyle.
"So, did you enjoy your little nature walk?" he asked with a little more haughtiness in his voice than he meant.
"As a matter of fact, I did. And look, I even picked up some groceries along the way." she said giving her saddlebags a little bounce. The bottoms of which were heavy, and lumpy with foodstuffs. "No need to thank me." she stood with her head held high, awaiting praise for her work.
"Oh yeah? Let's see what you got then." he said, grabbing her bags while they were still strapped to her, and pulled them both towards himself. Rarity had to side step to keep from falling, and laid her ears at him in annoyance for not giving her time to take them off. But Atchmon paid her no mind.
Inside the bag were a medley of nuts, berries, a large sum of plum-like fruit, and a small bundle of very green grass tied together with a red bow. Typical...
"Where'd you find all this?" he asked, while sifting through her bags.
"Not far from our usual route to the waterfall. Don't worry! I didn't stray too far from the path, so I wouldn't get lost." she added, when he gave her a look.
"I figured you did. You see these." he held up a pair of succulently, ripe looking cherries. Their dark colored skin looked as though it were ready to burst with its delicious flavor. "Did you eat any of these? Any of this?" he asked shaking the bag.
"N-no. I had a big lunch, before I headed out." her confidence wavered, as she begun to shrink away after hearing how serious his tone had become.
"Good, because if you had, you'd be puking your guts out right about now." he said, then tossed the cherry, and any others like it, into the fire pit's ashes.
"These'll make you shit yer brains out." he said holding up a few of the plums. "And water is pretty hard to come by as it is so... It's already bad enough with your diet issues." he said as he tossed all the plums into the pit as well.
"W-what? N-no. Those can't be bad. Can they? Monty? Here Monty." she called for her little animal friend, and floated down one of the plums for him to eat, only to watch him toss it away, and start looking for something else.
"Poisonous, poison, bad, bad, bad..." Atchmon said idly as he tossed nearly every bit of food she had gathered into the ashes.
Rarity watched in dismay as Atchmon threw away all of her hard work. Once he was done, she stared down into the near empty depths of her saddle bag. Only blackberries, pecans, and the grass were left.
Now that Rarity was back and safe, Atchmon returned to the fire pit, and begun harvesting his latest prey.
"What do you think you're doing?" Rarity was shocked to see such innocent, little creatures about to be butchered.
"What now?" Atchmon groaned, wondering what he did wrong.
"Don't you have meat already? Why'd you kill all these poor critters if you don't need to eat?"
Atchmon scoffed, "Are you kiddin' me? Just because I have food now, doesn't mean I should stop lookin' for it." he stated firmly, then returned to his work.
"But must you do that here, where we live? Why can't you do that someplace further away?" she said, her nose curling from the scent of fresh blood.
"It's my home, and I'll work where I damn well please." he retorted, not in the mood to take an undeserved berating.
"Need I remind you that I am a Lady, you will do as I say." she commanded, hoping to channel some female dominance over him, as she raised her head high, and tried to make herself look as big as possible.
Rarity might not have been the 'high horse' of her friends, but that didn't mean she couldn't act like it.
"Oh, please 'princess'; you've got no power here." Atchmon said sarcastically, while waving off her new stature.
She barely made it to his eye level.
"You know what; if you wanna help so bad, why don't you go clean out the cave again? I'm sure that'll make you happy." he finished condescendingly.
"Happy? Happy!? fffmmmmhhh!" Rarity growled as her face contorted in anger and frustration, and gritted her teeth, and looked as though she was about to blow. Until a gentle smile suddenly graced her lips.
"Fine. I'll do as you ask, just to be helpful of course!" she fired back, and stomped up the hill towards the entrance.
"And don't touch my things!" he shouted as an afterthought.
Rarity was making a bit more noise than necessary for someone who was suppose to be house cleaning. Atchmon sighed and shook his head in frustration. "If it's not one thing; it's another." Atchmon muttered to himself, but stayed where he was; simply because he didn't want to deal with Rarity again, just yet.
A moment later Atchmon's world was suddenly plunged into darkness. He quickly pulled off the furred covering that was his bear-hide blanket.
"What the hell ? What do you think yer doin'!?" he shouted towards his home, then stomped his way after her, while carrying his furred blanket. Intending to put it back in its rightful place.
More shouting, more yelling, tempers rose, and things were broken in the struggle, until it all came to a head. Then pain, explosive, unending, excruciating pain reverberated throughout Atchmon's body.
"Oh, Atchmon..." Rarity whispered with a hoof covering her mouth in shock. "I'm so sor-" Rarity tried to apologize, as fear and sickness gripped her stomach from what she had done.
"Get. Out!" he growled at her, while he remained doubled over on the ground.
"Atchmon, I'm sorry; I didn't mean to!" she tried to plead with him. She stepped closer towards him, thinking she might be able to nuzzle him back up to his feet. It scared her to see such a large, tough being as Atchmon go down so easily. As he writhed on the ground.
"I said go away you stupid horse!" he shouted as he put a hand on her chest, then shoved her away. The force of his push sent Rarity scrambling backwards, and she nearly fell on her rump, but she managed to stay on her hooves.
"Fine! I will, you- you-" but Rarity was too hurt and angry to finish the insult, instead she turned and galloped away with tears welling in her eyes.
Rarity didn't know how long she ran. She just kept running, feeling as though she could out run the forest surrounding her. And somehow, magically, be back home.
After what felt like hours, Atchmon finally picked himself up off the floor, and sat on the ground with his back against his bed. Not caring that he was sitting on broken ceramic, flowers, and the nuts from earlier. Then slowly picked up the remains of Mahoney and sat the dragon skull next to him on the bed.
"Six years... and nothin's changed." he said, while staring down at the broken pieces in his hands, then looked around at all bouquets of flowers on the floor.
"Everything has to be perfect, everything has to be just so!" Atchmon exclaimed at Mahoney, trying to work up his fury again. Rather than the emptiness he felt growing inside. But nothing he did could stop the tears from welling in his eyes.
The skull kept its usual neutral expression, though now, Mahoney was missing a few teeth, and half a jaw. But to Atchmon it seemed like Mahoney was giving him a smug grin.
As if knowing this breakdown was a long time coming.
Rarity had stopped somewhere in the middle of the woods to catch her breath.
"Would it really kill him to act a little civilized!?" Rarity exasperated, while pacing back and forth in front of Monty. The little wolpertinger sat on a tree log bobbing himself up and down, expecting another treat. Though Rarity just took it as him agreeing with her, while she voiced her complaints.
"She- she- she just changes everything without tellin' me! And she's so demanding!
"All I tried to do is make a few improvements, but oh no, Mr. I'm-In-Charge thinks he knows best!" Rarity said, making her voice deep and overly twangy. "I mean really! All those heroic stallions in the books are so kind and caring! But he only cares about himself!"
"Why can't she just take care of herself!? I was doing just fine on my own! Why couldn't he do the same!? Why did it have to be me!? Why did I have to take care of everything!?"
"He keeps treating me like I'm some pack-mule! Sorry, I don't mean to sound racist; but that's how I feel!" she apologized, after Monty had turned away right when something caught his interest. "I know I shouldn't compare my current situation to their history. They did have a much harder life during those times..."
The pair ranted and raved at their compatriots, until their boiling rage came to a head once again.
"She's a stupid, spoiled, bitchy, horse!"
"He's a vile, vulgar, uncouth, brute!"
"I'd be better off without 'er!"
"I'd be better off without him!"
Silence reigned as they huffed in anger, while their compatriots stayed nearby. Each heated breath quickly cooled the fury burning within them.
After a moment they both knew that statement just wasn't true, and both felt ashamed for saying it.
"Oh, what do you know, yer just a fuh- freakin' skull..." he grumbled, while glaring at Mahoney, and took a moment to acknowledge Rarity's positive influence on him.
He remained seated on the ground, and just stared at the entrance. Minutes rolled by, and still he stared ahead, his mind blank, unthinking, unmoving.
Until slowly the pang of loneliness grew too much for him to ignore.
He wanted her back.
"I need her... I can't do this anymore." he whispered.
He got up, went outside, and called her name.
"What should I do Monty? Apologize? Stand up for myself? Make it up to him?" she asked the little critter, who only stared ahead with a neutral expression, while wiggling his tiny nose at her.
"RAAR-ITY..." Atchmon's voice called in the distance.
Rarity craned her neck in the direction of the call, listening to the faint echoes all around her, breaking the deathly silence of the forest.
"You stupid horse!" His hurtful words echoed in her mind.
Her hurt and anger flared again at the memory, and took a few steps in the opposite direction.
"You gelding!" Her past voice shouted back at him.
Then realized how foalish she was being, knowing she must be making him worried sick.
"Stop acting like a bitch!"
Which was exactly how she wanted him to feel. So she continued to trot, ignoring the other calls that followed.
"Sorry excuse for a stallion!"
"I'm sick of him telling me what to do! When to stay, and when to go! 'It's alright Rarity, I'll handle it'" she mocked. "I'm not some prissy pony like he thinks I am! It's been weeks, and we haven't seen anything larger than a squirrel in all that time. 'Oh no Rarity, the forest is unpredictable, anything could happen, I wouldn't want you to get hurt.', " she continued to mock.
"-princess needs more of her beauty sleep!"
Rarity sniffed as tears threatened to fall once again at the abusive onslaught of Atchmon's words and names.
"I just can't help feeling so cross with every little thing he does. Ever since Princess Luna last tried to contact me, I-" she stopped, then deflated as her thoughts caught up with her.
Rarity had thrown herself into improving Atchmon's home and lifestyle, without ever thinking if it actually made things 'better'. She was finally realizing how 'agreeable' Atchmon had been lately. Atchmon had once always resisted any change Rarity brought to him, but she never let him have a say in whether or not he actually liked those changes.
It was the same mistake she made with that puppeteer's traveling stage, and then the whole town suffered for it.
And now, Atchmon was suffering too.
"That's what it is... I'm taking it all out on him..." she spoke distantly. She knew it wasn't his fault, but her worry and anxiety manifested itself into aggression towards her fellow survivor. Her only connection to her friends was gone, and there was nothing she could do.
She hated feeling so helpless.
Every day she tried to ignore the sour thoughts bubbling in her mind. Thoughts about her friends abandoning her. Thoughts that stated they only liked her, because of the material gifts she would bestow on them. That they never actually liked her. She knew those thoughts weren't true, but they were there all the same.
"I can't believe I said those things to him... Oh goddesses. He probably hates me now. How could I ever look him in the eyes again." she dismayed, holding a hoof up to her brow.
"I need him... Even if my leg has mostly healed, I simply can't make it on my own..." she stood up, and wiped away the wetness in her eyes.
"Let's go back Monty, I believe we've made him worry long enough..." the little wolpertinger jumped down from his stumpy little perch, and ran a circles around Rarity, before stopping at her right hind leg, as if stating he was ready to go.
Rarity smiled at his energy, and started to trot in the direction she believed the call came from, after hearing Atchmon's faint beckons for what must've been the dozenth time, with Monty following closely behind her.
"ATCHMOOON! I'M OVER HEEEERE!" Rarity shouted, after trotting in the direction of his calls for a few minutes, with Monty riding atop her back.
"RARITY!? STAY WHERE YOU ARE!" his voice echoed back.
"I can't tell if he's getting closer, or- or maybe I'm going in the wrong direction!" Rarity spoke aloud, while swiveling her ears like radars, and trying her best to pinpoint the location of Atchmon's calls. But the echoes played tricks on her, and her heart beat faster as she fought her instinct to panic. She wanted to get back to her protector's side as quickly as possible.
She tried to get her bearings by looking around at the surrounding trees, which blocked her view of any landmark, and could not recognize anything nearby. Then begrudgingly remembered what Atchmon said about getting lost in the forest.
"All green, all the time, gotta stay where you are when you're lost." she whispered, though she did try not to mock his voice again.
Rarity looked behind her at the path she had been following, then at the ground, and at her hoof prints. Which, if anything, just looked like disturbed dirt to her.
Atchmon had tried to teach her how to track in the past, but she felt such a skill would've been lost on her. Now she wished she paid a little more attention.
Then she noticed an odd white fluff sticking to some brush she'd just passed by. She turned around to examine it, and quickly realized it was a patch of her own white coat.
She looked a little further ahead, and sure enough there was another one. A bit smaller than the first, but the white fluff was so out of place among all the greens, browns, and yellows of the drying forest.
'If Atchmon is tracking me, he'll probably be following my trail; and if I can retrace my hoofsteps, then I should be able to reach him in no time at all!' She smiled at her cleverness, and cantered back the way she came, confident she was heading in the right direction; then stopped before she made it a few steps.
"No. If I leave now, then there's a good chance we might miss each other. For all I know he could be following the path back to our bathing pool. After all, that was the only time he'd let me go anywhere with him. He might think that was the only place I might run off to." Rarity said thoughtfully, and started to feel incredibly exposed, and most of all, unsafe. "But if that's the case then shouldn't I at least try to find my own way back?"
"Stupid Rarity, why'd you have to go and run off without realizing what direction you were going in? Have you learned nothing?" she sighed in annoyance.
Rarity felt a pressure on her back, and heard some rustling behind her. Craning her neck around, she saw Monty trying to get into her saddlebags. The brown rabbit tried to squeeze his head through the gap in the flaps, but his tiny horns halted his progress.
"Poor Monty." she cooed at her animal friend. "It's been awhile since we've last had something to eat, hasn't it? Oh, I don't see why we can't part with one little piece of fruit. Here you go." she said cheerfully, as she opened the flap and levitated a blackberry out of her bag.
"Fluttershy would have a field day with you." she smiled, watching him munch on his treat. "I suppose it's a good a time as any for a little break." she said, and looked around for a place to sit that wasn't on the dirt covered ground. She soon found a tree root that had grown in an arch out of the ground and back down, and it was just her size.
She sat down and got herself comfortable, and checked her leg over.
It had healed nicely over the past week or so, but there was still an ever present ache. And that was before all her running around today. She lifted it up and stretched it out, moving her hind hoof back and forth and around in circles, trying to work out all the tenderness of it. It may be another week before she won't feel anything again, and felt relieved that she didn't become lame as she first thought.
The minutes rolled by as Rarity wiped the sweat from her brow, and looked up through the forest canopy, trying to use Celestia's sun to guide her. It was a little pass midday, but not long enough for her to determine exactly where it would set.
The heat was the least of her worries, as a pony she could sweat to keep herself cool, but the humidity is what really got to her. Luckily or perhaps unfortunately the heat had 'mostly' dried up all the moisture in the air. She smiled remembering Atchmon joking about 'chewing your air before you breath it', there was so much truth to that statement.
Especially if you were Pegasus.
She suddenly perked her ears up, and stood, carefully listening as she rotated her head and ears. Realizing it had been some time since Atchmon last called her name.
He wouldn't just give up on me... would he?
"ATCHMON..? ATCHMON, WHERE ARE YOU?" she shouted, and listened intently for his reply.
"RARITY, GET BACK HOME RIGHT NOW!" he sounded really angry.
"I WOULD, IF I KNEW WHERE I WAS GOING!"
"THEN STAY QUIET AND DON'T SHOUT ANOTHER WORD! GET. HOME. NOW!"
"YOU KNOW, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT OUR PROBLEM IS! POOR COMMUNICATION!" Rarity replied back; putting as much volume and emphasis as possible into that last word.
"RARITY, SHUT. UP!"
"How rude!" she scoffed in disbelief.
"IT'S THE BOWLS. THE BOWLS ARE COMING!"
"Bowls? What's he going on about bowls for?" she questioned in confusion, but now she was sure in what direction the call was coming from.
"WHAT?"
"BOWLS!"
The wind picked up, and Rarity could smell an odd scent in the air.
Monty immediately bolted, and stopped just before a bush to turn around and look at her. He sat himself up on his hind legs and sniffed at the air, before disappearing into the brush.
"Monty!? wha-?" Rarity lifted her head high, flaring her nose while sniffing at the air, trying to identify the odd smell. Rarity noticed how deathly silent the area around her was, and the wind had died down to nothing. She stood with wide eyes, and swiveling her head and ears around as her tension, and sense of dread grew. Remembering exactly what Monty's fearful actions meant.
Another gentle breeze blew, carrying along with it a much stronger, muskier scent. A moment later she could hear rustling, and watched as the tops of plants parted ways for whatever large being was coming towards her.
Rarity stared ahead at where the smell was strongest. There was nothing there... nothing at all in the thick green brush. But her every instinct told her to run.
A young wolf emerged, panting in the heat of the midday sun. The juvenile beast was maybe twice her size, but to Rarity's fearful mind, it might as well have been a mountain of fur and teeth.
The wolf raised its head and sniffed at the air, curiously watching her.
Not bowls... wolves... Rarity stood stock still in fear, as the beast switched from intimidating growls to excited barks, as it pranced and hopped back and forth.
The juvenile was excited to have found the prey first.
"O-okay. Th-that's a good wolfy. You don't want to eat me, do you? I t-taste bad, understand? P-ponies taste baaad. Don't eat the p-pony..." her nervous voice didn't hinder the advances of the wolf. If anything, it encouraged it.
"Stay away!" Rarity and the young beast were in a mental tug of war. Every step the adolescent wolf would take towards her, Rarity would take three steps back. And when it got too close, she'd instinctively lunge at him with her horn. But it was a wasted effort, the wolf would barely shy away, and Rarity would jump back to keep her distance.
Snap!
"Ah!" Rarity yelped in shock, as her back hoof suddenly dropped through the earth.
She quickly recovered her footing, narrowly avoiding falling into one of Atchmons pits. And quickly looked around for the tree which bore the trap symbol, confirming what she already knew.
"If there's a monster I can't handle, I just lead it to a trap, and the rest takes care of itself."
Rarity watched the eager young wolf, darting her eyes from side to side, and back to the beast. All the while the adolescent wolf whimpered, and pranced back and forth in anticipation of the hunt.
Rarity carefully shifted her way around the pit, placing it between her and the beast.
"That's right, come on over here; I dare ya! I'll turn you into a lovely little coat you flea bitten mutt!" Rarity taunted the wolf, and added insult to injury as she turned around and shook her flanks at the beast, while blowing a raspberry.
The young wolf cocked its head in surprised confusion at the pony's change in attitude, but crouched down and growled as if he understood the insults she was firing at him.
The juvenile started approaching her. 'That's right, just a little more.' Rarity thought, as her tension grew and heart raced faster as the wolf drew closer to the trap.
The wolf placed a paw over a hoofs length over the hatch, and the moment he put weight on it, the weak branches gave way.
But the animal reacted quickly enough to hop back, and avoid falling into the trap.
The wolf sniffed at the now uncovered pit; its deadly spears exposed for the wolf to see, then growled in annoyance at the little pony's trickery.
"Uh, Hehe..." Rarity laughed nervously while shrugging; then immediately galloped away leaving a trail of dust in her wake.
"ATCHMOOOON, HEEEELLLP!"
"RARITY!"
The forest hindered her movement as the lower branches, and spiky brush hooked onto her bags.
There! Rarity thought frantically as she galloped through the forest, while feeling the tug of lower branches and brush pull against her saddlebags.
As if the wolf wasn't bad enough, it was like the Everfree forest itself was against her too.
"AH!" Rarity could see the juvenile wolf was hot on her trail; dodging trees just as she was, and plowing through any brush that stood in the way.
Rarity then quickly dodged a low hanging branch, and gripped it with her magic, then a moment later she released it.
"Yipe!" The branch whipped back into position with enough force to knock back her pursuer.
"RAH!" The wolf shook itself out of its daze, and gave a loud, angry growl-bark.
Huff, puff, huff! The chase barely started, and Rarity was already feeling tired.
Rarity then tried to make a sharp left turn, but felt a sudden pain in her leg. It was enough to throw herself off balance, though she quickly recovered.
Her misstep was enough for the young wolf to catch up and to take the opportunity to pounce on her the moment a path was clear.
"AH! The savage beast bit into Rarity's flank; picking her up with ease, and thrashed her about like a rag doll.
"Whoa-gl! Wha-!" Rarity's world was turned upside down, to sideways and back again; until her saddlebags finally tore free.
Gasp! "Oof!" Her body was hurled through the air with enough to force to bounce off the ground, then rolled over from the hard landing.
Rarity's saddlebags had protected her hide, but now she was completely defenseless. She tried to get her hooves underneath her to run, but she was too disoriented. Her imbalance caused her hooves to slip and she fell against her flank again.
Rarity watched as the wolf tossed her bags to and fro, as every sound of fabric tearing mirrored itself in her fearful mind; imagining what was going to happen to her.
The brown wolf finally threw them aside, and set its hungry eyes on her.
Rarity heart thundered in her ears as she tried to run again once the world righted itself, but it was too late...
"AHH-gah!" Rarity barely managed a scream, before the wolf pinned her beneath its legs. She could smell it's awful breath on her.
"Unf! Ooah! Caff!" The juvenile wolf bounced its front paws playfully on Rarity's shoulder and flank; forcing the air out of her. Rarity feared she would suffocate as the borders around her eyes darkened, and she struggled to draw breath.
She curled into a ball, trying her best to protect herself, and was paralyzed with fear. Her instincts kicked in; compelling her to remain perfectly still. Hoping the beast would lose interest, and just go away.
"Mmm-mmph, ah!" The beast sniffed and pawed at her shoulder, and nipped at her neck and hooves. Every touch of the beast's sharp teeth and cold, wet snout issued a whimper or a yelp from the fragile little pony.
The young wolf didn't want the hunt to end just yet. It was just starting to get fun! But try as he might, he couldn't get Rarity to run again, so he could chase her.
"ARAROWOOOOOOAROOOO," the adolescent brown wolf howled atop her, calling out to its brethren.
A few moments later Rarity could hear and feel the familiar pitter-patter of the other wolves massive paws hitting the ground, and soon two more emerged from the brush.
One looked a bit older than the runt which had caught Rarity, and he had a much lighter shade of brown.
Rarity's eyes widened upon recognizing the one who was leading them.
The pack leader was far larger than the other two adolescent wolves. His fur a pristine white coat, and his eyes were a cold, icy blue.
The White wolf looked down at her regally. He didn't snarl, nor growl, or intimidate his defeated prey like his ebony colored predecessor.
White looked disappointed in their prey, hoping it would've put up more of a fight. Especially after this pony had caused him so much grief in the past. It seemed the young weren't going to get much practice hunting today.
With a single look the younger wolf pinning her down moved, allowing White to place his paw on her. The white wolf dug its sharp claws into her soft hide, leaving lines of dirt on her shoulder.
The White wolf looked down into her matching blue eyes with a calm, regal gaze, before lowering his head to finish her off.
Rarity couldn't do anything, but lay there as the beast lowered its maw to her neck. She felt the its hot, smelly breath on her as its jaws descended around her throat.
Time slowed as Rarity stared ahead, memories of a life well lived flashed before her eyes. A sense of calm, and happiness overcame her. Then horrifying realization as she felt the beast's sharp teeth nick her fragile hide.
'Oh, goddesses; I'm about to die! It can't end like this, not like this! I- I-' Rarity's eyes widened as she saw a familiar black shaft, with bright colored fletching sticking out of the ground a few yards from her.
Without thinking, Rarity reached out with her magic and yanked the arrow from the ground, then rocketed it towards the beast above her. The razor-sharp metal point dug deep into the white wolf's flesh.
"AI-HEEE!" White yelp in pain, while rearing back and away, releasing his hold on Rarity, and struggled to bite the arrow pierced in his shoulder.
Rarity took her chance and scrambled to get back up on her hooves. Half clawing at the ground, and half pushing off with her back legs, while digging shallow furrows into the dirt, and trying her best to gallop away as hard and as fast as possible.
In a moment the ferns swallowed her form, and she disappeared into the forest.
The younger wolves were stunned by the little pony's defiance, allowing Rarity enough time to escape, while they tended to their leader.
White gave a sharp growl-bark. Sending the younger, inexperienced wolves after her.
Rarity tore through the forest again, dodging trees and brush, pushing herself to go faster, and faster.
Where is it, where is it, where is it!? she thought frantically over, and over. Checking every tree she flew across for a familiar carving.
"RARITY! C'MON GIRL, YOU CAN MAKE IT!"
There! Rarity's ears guided her instinctively back to her herdmate's voice. A small adjustment, and she knew she was headed in the right direction.
Rarity took a second to look behind her, to see if the other wolves hadn't caught up with her, and smiled at her successful escape.
Her reverie was cut short as she plowed straight into a furry brick wall. Rarity and the mass of musky fur tumbled together into the ground.
"Oh, come on!" Rarity dismayed as she and a third dark, brown wolf shook itself off as it picked itself off the ground.
The beast recovered first and licked its drooling chops, relishing the moment as the helpless pony struggled to get its hooves underneath her. Rarity unwittingly kept her soft, tender belly exposed to the carnivore's sharp, bared fangs.
The beast was mere feet from her. Even if she could run, she wouldn't get very far.
The carnivore reared itself back, ready to pounce, but a split-second later a large, dark mass had dropped on top of the unfortunate beast.
Rarity watched in shock as Atchmon quickly dispatched the beast. She’ll never forget the focused look in his eyes, the quick succession of blows as he stabbed the wolf's flanks over and over.
Even more disturbing, as Atchmon took the animal's life... he never made a sound.
The fight was over before it had a chance to begin. The wolf laid dying as it struggled to draw a breath. The sound of its death rattle, and the lifeless look in its eyes, haunted Rarity.
Atchmon looked her way as she met his eyes. Her heart jumped along with her terror. The way he was hunched over his prey, the way he looked at her, the fresh smell of blood, and the specks of red on his face, arms, and chest.
"'re you okay?" he huffed.
Rarity nodded her head, before getting up on shaky hooves.
"The one time I don't bring my bow..." Atchmon murmured as he got up as well.
"C'mon we'll be safer up this tree until they've gone." Atchmon said as he took a step towards the disheveled, white pony, causing her to shy away. Not by much, but enough for the reaction to cut deep into Atchmon's heart.
Soon the other two young wolves leaped over the thick brush, and balked at seeing the larger being down from its perch.
The two beasts saw their fallen brother, and gave the murderous pair vengeful growls.
The two animals surrounded the pair, like sharks circling its prey. Atchmon and Rarity quickly backed into each other to keep as much distance apart from the avenging brethren.
Rarity tried to stick close to her savior, but Atchmon was too distracted by the wolves.
"HAAHH! YAH! GET!"Atchmon shouted as he lunged while slapping his hands and kicking out each time one of the beasts came in too close for comfort. Forcing the young wolves to move back, and making any racket he could to scare off the beasts.
Rarity didn't know what frightened her more, the wolves, or Atchmon's shouting. Ponies can hear incredibly well, it was their strongest sense, but every shout from Atchmon pained Rarity's ears. And nearly sent her into a panic at the chaos going on around her.
After every lunge Atchmon would immediately fall back, to keep as much distance between them and the beasts as he can.
But Rarity was getting in the way, and almost made Atchmon stumble over her.
The small loss of balance was enough for the wolves to make their move.
"RARE-!" was all Atchmon could get out before the wolves attacked. Rarity galloped a few feet before a pained shout stopped her.
The young wolves were nearly as massive as Atchmon, as they rose up on their hind legs to bite at his shoulders, trying to bring down the much slower biped.
The human may have been slow on foot, but his agile reactions were quick enough to throw the wolf off his back, and pivot around to keep both animals in front of him.
Rarity could only watch as the wolves struggled to trap the hunter between them. But Atchmon proved too agile, and experienced, until the younger of the two wolves grew impatient, and tried to pounce on him without the aid of its comrade.
The youngest, lightest brown wolf paid for its mistake with a blade to its ribs. The pup's sacrifice distracted Atchmon just long enough for the other to attack. The last wolf reared up and pounced on him, snapping its sharp fangs, and intending to go for the kill.
Atchmon lifted his arm up to protect his face and neck, allowing the beast to sink its teeth into his forearm and using its weight and momentum to tackle the large prey to the ground.
"NO!" Rarity screamed, while dancing on her hooves, and feeling completely helpless.
The shock of pain caused Atchmon to lose his blade dug deep into the assailing wolfs ribs, leaving him desperate to pull the final beast off him, while he lay trapped on his back.
Rarity watched, shaking in fear as Atchmon struggled to keep the wolf's maw at bay. The beast thrashed atop him, snapping its fang mere inches from his face. While Atchmon managed to pin the mongrel between his legs, preventing it from clawing him to shreds.
Atchmon fought the wolf off, shoving his arm into the wolf's throat, and sometimes receiving a bite for his efforts.
The beast and the human were locked in a fight to the death. Atchmon could do nothing other than hold the wolf at bay by its neck pelt.
This was survival at its most primal. Just two animals trying to kill each other.
"Grrrrah!" Atchmon matched the wolf's vocals with his own grunts, and growls.
He could feel his hands slipping as the large wolf bore down on him.
The beast snapped, bit, and growled at him as its shedding fur allowed the carnivore to inch ever closer to his face.
Atchmon knew he'd have to take a hit, if he was fast enough to reach his blade, and took the few moments he had left to look for his weapon.
The struggle between the man and the beast spanned barely a minute, but to Rarity's adrenaline-fueled mind, it lasted a lifetime.
Instinct finally took over, Rarity closed her eyes, and charged.
"AI-HEE!" the wolf yipped in pain. Moments later its body relaxed, then it fell limply atop Atchmon's chest.
Atchmon could feel the presence of another being standing next to him. Rarity was panting with her teeth clenched and her eyes sealed shut.
The white unicorn had gored the wolf through its heart.
"Atchmon..." Rarity whimpered through gritted teeth. Her lips were trembling, and eyes tearing as the reality of the atrocity she had committed begun to sink in.
"'s okay, just, just back up." he huffed in a calm breathless voice, as he placed his hand on her chest, and feeling her tense at his touch.
After a moment, and a little pressure, she moved. Slowly at first, until her horn was free of the wolf's corpse, which Atchmon held onto, preventing it from rolling towards the upset mare.
"There you go, atta girl, that's it." he encouraged her softly.
Once the dead animal was free of her horn, Atchmon rolled off of him to the opposite side from where Rarity was standing. Keeping her eyes sealed shut, until she heard Atchmon's tired breaths above her.
Rarity tried to not look at the beast's corpse laying on the other side of Atchmon. Her imagination ran wild with the bloody images of Atchmon's kills, and wondered what damage she had done to the beast.
Grrrrrrrrarlllll
A low, rumbling growl sounded off to the side, the bass of which shook the very ground beneath them, and rattled the pair at their very core.
The White wolf's shoulder was soaked in crimson, with half of the arrow's broken shaft sticking out of it. White looked around at his fallen pack, before his blue eyes fells on Rarity.
The wolf was watching them in the distance, staring at Rarity, seething with unfettered hatred for the little pony, until Atchmon pulled her behind himself. Keeping himself between her and the great white beast. Atchmon eyed the handle of his blade, which was nestled deep within the youngest pup's chest.
The hunter and the wolf locked eyes, a battle of wills waged between them for a moment, before Atchmon lunged for his blade, pulling it out of the wolf's corpse with an audible slurp, before rounding himself towards the white beast.
When Atchmon turned with his blade brought to bear, the White wolf had vanished like a ghost. Only an empty space remained where the wolf once stood, leaving no trace of where it may have gone.
"Ol' White Fang again..." Atchmon panted.
The hunter was exhausted, and relaxed, letting his arms dangle limply at his sides.
Rarity stood shaking on her hooves, looking down with fearful eyes. The blood on her spire had already dried to a dark crimson-brown color, with a single drop trailing below her horn, then following the outer contour of her eye, before resting on her cheek. She was covered in dirt, and her mane and tail were both frazzled with bits of debris trapped within.
Atchmon looked over his own injuries, and cursed, the beasts responsible.
"C'mon, let's get cleaned up." Atchmon rumbled, then took a few steps, before looking back. Seeing that Rarity never moved.
Atchmon briefly wondered if he'd have to make a harness in order to lead her. Then closed his eyes and took a deep breath to prepare himself for the hardest thing he was about to do.
"I'm sorry."
"Wha-" Hearing those words snapped Rarity out of her trance, she looked up confusedly into the crouching human's eyes.
"I just- I'm so used to doing things by myself that... I don't really take you into account too. If I hadn't-... If I wasn't-... I'm sorry I yelled at you, and... I'm sorry I pushed you away."
Rarity let his words sink in, before slowly approaching him, and gently pressing her head against his chest, and nuzzled him with a cheek. Atchmon wrapped his arm around her, and rubbed her shoulder in turn, while holding her close.
The pair made it to their bathing spot, the falls were even less impressive thanks to the drought, but the trickle of water would be just enough for one of them.
A very small one of them.
Rarity sat sorrowfully underneath the falls, her head hung low, as the droplets pattered against her back and mane.
Atchmon watched from the shore where he took off his boots. Noticing the blood on her wasn't going to wash off very easily.
"We're gonna have to start making trips to the river. Maybe even stay there until the dry season's over with." Atchmon said as he placed his things in the usual spot.
"We'll start headin' there tomorrow, it's a bit of a walk, if you're up to it?" Atchmon said, trying to talk for the sake of talking. Since neither of them have spoken a word after the recent incident.
Rarity didn't look as though she heard him.
It was quite the depressing sight, seeing the once beautiful white unicorn all dirty, with her dark purple hair covering her face, and the way she sat dejected underneath the falls.
"Rarity?" Atchmon tried to get her attention, though she remained unresponsive.
"Rarity." he said a little more firmly, this time causing her to jerk and look over at him.
"Oh. Sorry Atchmon, I sort of blanked for a moment." she said distantly, staring into the water.
"Do you want some help cleanin' up? Some of the- 'dirt', isn't coming off." he offered.
Rarity nodded slowly.
Atchmon waded into the shallow pool, the cool water felt good on his toes, and didn't bother to take off his jeans. Knowing he was just going to be dirty again in a few minutes. He sat next to her, and she shifted closer, while keeping her back to him.
Atchmon worked his hands up and down her back, watching as pony hair, sweat, dirt, and debris washed away from wherever he rubbed. Then used his fingers to workout the many tangles and knots in her mane, and occasionally scratching the back of her neck where it grew in a straight line. He'd grip and pull at her, shifting her mane one way then the other, taking his time and being thorough with his ministrations.
But to Rarity his pulling and gripping felt what she imagined a stallion would do during intercourse. Biting at the mare's withers while thrusting into her.
Rarity felt ashamed of herself for making such a comparison, especially after everything she just went through.
Her cheeks heated and face flushed. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't take her mind off the lewd thoughts and images flashing within her head.
Gasp!
Atchmon put an arm underneath her fore hooves, and lifted her up so he could wash the dirt from her belly. Rarity's breath caught in her throat, as Atchmon came dangerously close to rubbing her udders. Though he couldn't see what he was doing from his angle.
Atchmon took a moment to admire her incredibly soft underbelly, and trailed a finger around a divot located in what he imagined to be the center of her stomach.
"I never knew ponies had belly buttons... huh... neat." he said idly at his new discovery, but his touch coupled with his comment only made Rarity's cheeks burn red.
'I should stop him; this is so wrong.'
Rarity relished in the feeling of his touch as he washed her. Even going so far as to scratch her cheeks. He was never too firm, and not too soft, and always just right.
'What the buck is wrong with me!?' Rarity tensed as she felt a twitch beneath her tail and tried to pull away; fearing what would happen if Atchmon caught on to her reactions, and feeling how hot and bothered she had become.
Atchmon preempted her movement by placing an arm around her shoulder and holding her close, so she couldn't get away. "Hold on. We're almost done." he reassured Rarity, while rubbing her shoulder; then placed her belly across his lap so that she was half laying on him, and he could better reach her spire.
"It's okay... you're okay." he whispered encouragingly, feeling her tense at his touch again, before finally relaxing. That bit of reassurance, and the closeness she felt next to him is what she needed; as she finally relaxed into his embrace, completely at his mercy.
The tiny waterfall managed to do some of the work, but Rarity's horn was still stained with crimson. Atchmon started working his fingers at the base of her spire, watching as red rivulets ran between his digits.
Rarity's horn had lost all of its original shine, and was now a dull, milky white. Atchmon wrapped his hand around her spire, feeling the texture and smoothness of her spiral fluting. Then using his thumb and index finger to rub off the more stubborn flecks of dark red that refused to be washed away.
Curiosity got the better of him, as he parted Rarity's unique purple mane away from her white horn, while feigning like he was still washing her hair. He wasn't sure what he was expecting to see. The sight wasn't much different from the many deer trophies he collected in the past, nor a steers. The ring of flesh and hair surrounding the base of her spire was noticeably subtler - almost non-existent - and he noticed dry flakes at its base, much like the cuticles of his nails; and fought against his compulsion to pick at the trapped debris. Deciding not to push his luck, and realizing that Rarity trusted him with a precious part of herself; he moved on to cleaning the rest of her spire.
Rarity tried to sit as still as possible, but the feeling of his touch sent electricity through her ivory spire. Rarity twitched, gasped, and made tiny mewls at each new sensation, as his firm yet soft touch traveled up and down her horn.
"Rarity, you okay? You're really tense." Atchmon asked in concern, while petting up and down her back; hoping to calm and reassure her.
"I'm fine!" Rarity blurted, and tightly shut her eyes, taking a moment to regain control over her voice. "Just... please hurry." Rarity whispered in a rushed voice.
"Alright." he echoed, and continued with his ministrations. Rarity gave a small whinny, and pressed the side of her head into his chest.
Atchmon ran his fingers up, and down her spire, lingering a bit longer at the tip where the most stubborn of crimson refused to be washed away, before trailing his touch back down to wipe away the dirty water.
"Easy." Atchmon warned when he kneaded Rarity's tip between his fingers, and she pushed into his touch.
Rarity struggled not to thrust into his touch again; afraid she might accidentally hurt or upset him. But the tingling electrical feelings he was giving her, combined with the pressure building within her spire; was becoming too much for her to bear.
Atchmon noticed a faint blue glow about her horn, as his thoughts caught up with him. Between the glow, and Rarity's reactions; Atchmon quickly pieced together that he might actually be hurting her, and immediately quit what he was doing.
"We're done! It's okay, we're done." he said quickly, giving her back, neck, and cheek another reassuring rub, hoping to make her feel better.
Rarity released the breath she didn't realize she was holding, and was feeling a mix of relief, frustration, and shame. Relief that it was over, frustrated that she didn't finish, and ashamed that she wanted him to keep going.
The pressure in her horn slowly abated, and so too did all the positive feelings with it, as she sat quietly panting gently in Atchmon's arms, feeling his smooth skin against her body, their closeness calming her down further bit by bit.
"I'm sorry Rarity, from now on I'm not gonna let you out of my sight." he said, giving her shoulder another rub.
"I th-thought you said they never come this far?" she started to sob, as the guilt from her atrocity finally caught up with her.
"They usually don't, but that's how it is out here. Sometimes you might not see nothin' for weeks.... and then something like- that happens, and... all you can do is be ready for it... all the time." he spoke distantly, holding onto, and rocking the shaking pony as all the remaining adrenaline burned away in her body.
"I killed that animal... I've never... hurt anything like that before..." Rarity sniffed, and couldn't believe her own words.
"Rarity." he pulled her away and pulled her mane out of her face and behind an ear. Atchmon looked at her through those big beautiful blue eyes.
"You saved me." he said it so simply, as if it were just a matter of fact.
"I did?" she looked up to him with tearful eyes, as the idea of doing something good and noble took hold.
"Yeah!" he said with a bit more excitement in his voice. "If you hadn't done what you did; I probably wouldn't be here right now, or worse! Guess I owe you one now, heh-he," he grinned at her proudly.
"Actually I think I still owe you like three or four now." Rarity smiled bashfully while looking away.
Their light banter made her feel so much better.
"The first time's always the hardest. I know it feels... weird." he continued.
"Does it ever go away?" she asked while placing a hoof on her tummy. She felt sick, or maybe she just wanted to feel that way. She couldn't tell.
"Yeah, eventually. I know you must feel pretty empty inside, right? That's how I felt when I hunted my first deer." he spoke with such knowledge.
Rarity only nodded her head. Amazed he could guess her feelings so well.
"Just know that-" he paused and thought for a moment, before a brilliant childhood memory surfaced. "There's a circle of life out here, and you're part of that circle, whether you want to be or not. You're part of it the moment you landed out here. And it isn't always 'kill to eat or to keep from being lunch, blah, blah, blah', it's not like that most of the time. It's about balance. It's about being one with your environment. If I hunted down everything around me, every. single. day. I seriously doubt I'd have anything left to eat after a year or two. And the same goes for those wolves."
'He's been so strong for me. It's not fair that he should care for me so much, and what have I done? Just laze about, and complain while he does all the work! What sort of mare am I? Could I even call myself as much after crying into his shoulder like a foal? Well, no more I say!'
"Atchmon," Rarity started firmly to get his attention. It work, he looked at her worriedly; trepid at her sudden change in mood. "From now on things are going to be different. I swear it. I'm not going to be a damsel in distress anymore. That's a promise." she stated firmly with conviction.
He smiled, and was glad to see she got her 'fire' back.
"It's a cruel, unforgiving world out there Rare. I can show you what I know to survive in it. After today...I know I can't be there for you all the time."
"And you shouldn't have to be. I'm a mare after all; it's supposed to be my job to make sure you're safe." Rarity said after pointing a hoof at herself, then him in turn.
"Feh, ha, wha- really?" Atchmon looked at her confused with a raised eyebrow, and an unbelieving grin.
"Mares are the stronger sex, we're the protectors, and the providers in our society, at least we're suppose to be..." Rarity trailed off; looking disappointed in herself again.
"You shouldn't have to worry about that." Atchmon shook his head. "You were right about me earlier, I have been a pretty piss poor- heh, stallion." he grinned at himself for using Rarity's terminology, but in his eyes held only regret.
"Atchmon? I want to apologize for bucking you." Rarity said hesitantly, looking down in shame.
"Don't be. I deserved it. You'd think someone like me would know not to stand near the business end of a pony." he said thoughtfully.
Rarity smiled at him. Knowing he only called her a 'horse' whenever he was upset, or cross with her. It reaffirmed how sorry he really was. Her smile faded as she started to form her own apologies.
"I just got so mad because... well, I'm not used to being so useless, or helpless. I'm usually the one giving things away on a whim. But you don't have anything and yet, you've given me shelter, a warm bed, and food... and I've given you nothing but a hard time..." she sniffed, only to clear her nose.
"Is your- are they going to be okay?" she asked, trying not to look at where she kicked him, and hoped it wasn't going to be a sensitive subject.
"Uhhh...they're fine, hurt like hell for like a half hour; but I'll be okay." he sighed, smirking at her.
"Okay..." she sighed in relief. "I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to kick you there! I was afraid I really did turn you into a- gelding..." she said bashfully, while tapping her hooves together and laying her ears back in shame.
"So? Friends again?" he shrugged, smiling sheepishly at the pony in his arms.
"Okay, but from now on we're in this together!" she exclaimed, and extended her hoof out to him.
Atchmon gave her a toothy grin, and was about to shake it, before realizing there was something familiar about the gesture, then balled his fist, and gave her hoof a bump.
Being adaptable to your environment was needed in business. But this wasn't anything like the hustle and bustle she was used to.
She had conquered the concrete jungle of Manehattan, and now it was time she learned how to conquer the wilderness of the Everfree Forest.
And with Atchmons help, Rarity knew she could do it.
The pair had made it back to their home without further incident. After seeing the mess they both made, they only looked at each other and shrugged, both only wanting to take a much deserved rest.
"Ooooh, oof." Atchmon moaned as he laid down on his bed, while Rarity did the same. "Now that I'm down, I don't feel like gettin' back up... Hey, Rare, float me the medicine bottle- gourd- thing- whatever... you know what it is." he said tiredly as he covered his eyes with an arm to block out the evening sun.
Rarity smiled, glad to be of use, and did as he asked.
"Thanks," Atchmon cleaned, and treated his wounds, while Rarity pulled out her mirror and brush from her own little nook.
Rarity almost immediately dropped both, as her lips started to tremble.
"I'm not pretty anymore..." Rarity sniffed as dramatic tears threatened to fall. "I'm a complete me-he-hess!" she cried.
"What makes you say that?" he asked in a higher pitch tone. Sure, Rarity looked a little worse for wear, but a proper shower will get her looking right as rain... for the most part.
"Just look at me! No don't, I'm hideous!" Rarity tried to hide herself away by covering her eyes with a foreleg and waving the other to keep Atchmon's looks at bay.
"What happened to all that 'Not bein' a damsel in distress anymore' that you just said?" Atchmon shrugged in disbelief.
"This is different, if all this stress keeps up I'm going to lose my beautiful coat; and I have a scar now, and it'll never go away!" she bawled. "I used to be beautiful, bu-bu-but look at me n-ha-ow!"
"Hold on!" Atchmon yelled, getting Rarity's quivering-lipped, teary-eyed attention. "You think something like that," he gestured to her 'scar'. "Makes you less pretty than what you are. Well, I don't think so. I think it makes you more. I mean, jus' look at me," Atchmon extended his arms outward. "Every one of my scars has a story behind it," he pointed to his chest. "This one's from one of those Scorplion- No, manticores," then pointed at his arm. "This is from that cockatrice from when we first met, and that pegaboar." he pointed to each of his newest scars, telling her how he felt at the time of receiving them, and that they weren't an imperfection.
They were proof of an adventurous life.
Rarity looked him over; seeing his chest and finding his nipples a bit embarrassing to look at, and blushed. His torso; marred by a Manticore, and remnants of scratches and various other scars along his other appendages. Some that were small, others large, and many that crossed each other.
"Those prissy, hoity-toity, city-folk aren't going to have half the grit you've got after being stuck out here with me!" he finished, giving her a confident grin.
He was right, it wasn't like Rainbow Dash and Applejack didn't make a contest of showing off their injuries; and poor Twilight trying to get in on the fun with her surgery scar. The poor dear got teased to pieces over that. At least she took it all in stride. Then proceeded to lecture them on the seriousness of a bursting appendix.
Maybe there was some pride to be had in imperfection after all... even beauty.
Rarity's eyes widened as she realized something she had forgotten. Rarity craned her head around and stared at her cutie mark. 'I can always find the beauty in others, but not in myself.'
"And you see this one here?" he asked, interrupting her thoughts. She found him pointing to the middle of his chest, just shy of the manticore scar, while he tried to hide his coy grin.
Rarity squinted her eyes, but couldn't see what scar he was pointing at on the bare--yet hairy--middle of his chest. "I don't see it? What's it from?" she asked, cocking her head, still looking for it.
"Margaret Honeysuckle. She broke my h-heart. AHhahaha!" he finished with a barely contained chuckle, and could only hold back for a moment, before he burst out laughing.
Rarity was confused for a moment before realization dawned on her, and she joined in the laughter. Slowly at first before it turned into a full belly laugh, with little snorts. Hearing the snorts just made Atchmon laugh even harder.
After that joke Rarity felt leaps and bounds better about herself, and gave Atchmon a thankful smile.
"I don't believe I've ever seen you so... happy, Atchmon." Rarity kept a little smile on her face after seeing him so elated.
"Just glad to be alive, Rare...C'mere." Atchmon beckoned her over to him, as he moved towards her bed; and instructed her to sit upright so he didn't have to bend down too far to reach her. And applied a small glob of the medicine over her 'scar'.
"What's in that stuff?" she asked, more to distract herself rather than curious about its contents. Only satisfied with the fact that it worked.
"Aloe Vera mostly, I know the 'juice' from that plant is good for burns. My Mum used to use it on me all the time whenever I'd get sunburns, back when I was little. Seems to do good for cuts too." he spoke idly, his concentration fully on the task at hand.
Upon closer inspection, she was only missing a bit of hair which just made it look like she had a scar.
"What did you say earlier? White Fang? What is that?"
"Oh... That's the name I give to that big, white son of a bitch. Remember when I told you about the wolf pack that tore up my camp, and I went after them?" he asked, as he touched up her 'wound'.
She nodded her head, remembering the story.
"Well, they weren't only after my food."
Rarity gave him a confused look, and was about to ask for him to explain, but he already started.
"See... a while back, when I was exploring the area everyday. I did eventually find their den. And... I took one of the pups. A white one..."
"Why?" Rarity gasped. "Why would you take a Dire wolf as a pet? They're dangerous beasts!"
"I thought I could train it!" Atchmon started defensively. "I never would've guessed that half the pack would come lookin' for 'em." he tried to explain. "Not only that, but I was starting to miss that bit of- companionship." he looked away embarrassed. "That's why I didn't want you leaving the camp alone... They're always out there."
Rarity shook her head in thought.
"No, listen Rarity." Atchmon knelt down, and took her hoof in his hands.
She could sense he was going to tell her something important, as she looked all the way up to his eyes, and perking her ears at him.
Atchmon placed his hand underneath her chin. She tensed, wondering what he was planning on doing to her. He gently held her head in his palm, while rubbing her cheek with a thumb.
"I'm gonna take good care of you. I promise. I'm gonna teach you what I know, and we're gonna make it outta here. Together." he emphasized, before leaning in and planting a kiss on her nose.
"I'll be right outside if you need anythin'." Atchmon said with a smile, before heading out the den.
Rarity touched the spot Atchmon had kissed her with a hoof, causing her eyes to cross, and her heart to flutter.
"Let's not get ahead of yourself Rarity, maybe Atchmon only kissed me in a friendly sort of way."
"We only hug our closest friends, and family."
"Then... what does a k-kiss mean...!?" she squeaked, before fainting dramatically on her bed.
Later that night Rarity tossed and turned in her bed. Occasionally getting up, just to twirl around and try a new position, but sleep wasn't coming easy tonight.
It'd only been a couple days since Atchmon had gifted her with a bed of her own. And was very happy about the new sleeping arrangements, at first, but now it felt like there was something missing.
There wasn't anything wrong with her bedding, but she couldn't help feeling so empty... alone.
She looked over towards Atchmon who lay on his side with his back to her, and watched him with the dim light of her horn as his side rose and fell with each deep breath.
'How can he just fall asleep like that? After everything that's happened today... he must be exhausted. I shouldn't, but...'
She got up and sat next to his bed.
"Atchmon? Are you awake?" she whispered, while tapping him on the shoulder with a hoof.
Atchmon stirred, and turned suddenly while rising up with a sharp breath. Rarity flinched away and was spooked by his quick movement and loud breath.
"Rare- what?" he said groggily with a relieved sigh, and let himself fall back into the bed.
"Sorry. Can- is it alright if I sleep with you tonight?" she whispered, and watched him as he blinked sleepily at her, while trying to process what she asked.
"Sure, climb on in." he yawned as he beckoned her over, and shifted, putting his back against the cool cave wall.
Rarity lined herself up with the bedframe, then let herself fall in next to him. Atchmon put a hand on her belly and dragged her the rest of the way, so she rested comfortably against his chest, then placed an arm underneath her head.
Sleep came much easier that night.
She felt warm, but most of all...
She felt safe.