(Windbreak Valley along the Griffica/Equestrian border, one hour east of the township of Windbreak, nine hundred ninety third Celestial year, twentieth day of spring)

‘Mother?... Twilight?’ A young voice queries inside the lavender filly’s head as she walks along the river. A smile stretches across her muzzle as she looks at the plains around her. Twilight took a deep breath of the sweet, fresh scent of grass. The bitter cold of winter receded with the warming rays of the sun, melting the ice and encouraging the plants to grow as they awoke from their cold induced hibernation.

‘Yes dear?’ Twilight returns kindly to the youthful speaker, her ear twitching as she releases the thought into the tenuous connection. She takes a swift glance behind her and notices the curious green eyes, surrounded by a beige coating of scales. They gaze at her from from just above the chocolate brown cloak she was wearing, the creature’s small head popping out from under it.

‘I’m hungry, can we stop somewhere and rest?’ The small light voice asks innocently inside her head. “Hgrrrr, quiro hgrrrit.” The small creature lets out in a semi high pitched voice.
Twilight continues trotting along the right bank of the river going down stream, letting her hooves sink into the damp sandbank gently so as to make no sound. She comes upon a fork with a small stream connecting onto the main current from her right. ‘This place seems a good place as any to stop.’ Letting out a faint sigh, she trots up to a small patch of ferns, collecting her magic she lifts the dead branches close. She then places them around herself, creating a small dome to hide behind, ‘Alright Fang, it’s ok to come out now. You are hungry, right?’ She asks playfully in her thoughts as she begins preparing her lactation spell.

Fang immediately pops out of the cloak with a swift shake of his wings, the cloak itself coming off of him. It flows like water gently caressing his scales as he leaps out with his two legs and another flap of his wings. He gets just enough air to land on top of the fully reformed cloak. Stretching his neck forward he gently rubs his scales along the lavender filly’s neck, familiarly taking in her deep scent. Happily flaring out his wings, he folds them around her neck in a hug, ‘Of course I’m hungry, mother,’ he responds mentally, closing his eyes just in time to witness the flash signaling the completion of her spell. Opening his eyes again he quickly jumps off her back onto the soft ground, completely cleaned of debris which had been used in the making of the temporary shelter. Fang nuzzles underneath Twilights barrel, taking a few steps forward until he reaches the small lump that was slowly expanding from between her back legs. Taking the small perky teat in his mouth he begins to suckle, catching the first small spurt of white nectar in his mouth. Closing his eyes, he laps the small hole on the milk jug and sucks a little harder, his lips wrapped firmly around it. He pulls in a significantly larger amount of milk the second time. Smiling contentedly, he continues to suckle on the small nipple, drinking the magically produced and infused milk.

Twilight lowers her head and looks between her forelegs at the three foot reptilian creature underneath her sternum, nursing comfortably on her teats. ‘I’m glad I’m used to this, it was awkward the first few times from all the squeaks,’ Twilight thought as the small drake underneath her finally released the first teat and began on the second. ‘I love you my little drake. Oh...’ Twilight's cheeks blush as the little drake’s wing accidentally brushes against the sensitive area just behind her lactating lumps. ‘Fang, we should be near the village I saw in the distance. You should remain hidden inside my cloak when we get there, until the visit is over and we’re resting together in private. Okay?’ The Drakeling, having finally sated his thirst and hunger, answers with a warm, drowsy nod. As he climbs back onto Twilight, he lets the cloak warmly surround him again as he rests on the filly’s saddlebags as an inconspicuous lump.

With the drake finally settles on her back again, Twilight releases a small wave of force onto the shelter around her, causing it to explode outward in all directions. Debris flies all the way across the river and out of view, into and behind the foliage on the other side. Turning to continue her journey, she looks at the fork in the river and realizes that she is in the middle of it. Thinking carefully as she walks towards the rushing waters, she decides a simple spell should get her across without a problem. Looking to her right, Twilight notices a road faintly in the distance, following the rivers course along the mountain. Taking a furtive glance at her back, she smiles and looks forward again. Trotting up to the rushing waters, they are pushed and pulled downstream by gravity.

Reaching into herself with her horn, she silently grasps onto her core and pinches a small amount of energy. Placing it at the tip of her horn and creating a small spark of light, she slowly lowers the spark to the water and forms it into a rune. Slowly warping it and changing it’s shape, she adds lines and formulae to create a small flat circle of energy. Intricately woven into a web of lines and arcs, eventually the mote of energy begins to define itself, gaining depth as the air around the circle becomes colder. The energy surrounding it was being pulled, making the air frigid like a midwinter wind. She releases the focused mote of energy into the stream. Its structure completely stabilizes as it reaches the cold waters.

The effects are immediate as the waters expand momentarily then turn white, crystallizing mid motion on the surface. Even the foam of the water coming down stream freezes, crashing against the small stretch of ice as it flies over the lengthening frozen bridge. The frozen foam then flutters down as snow, creating traction and frost. Twilight sits and watches with a smile as the spell does it’s work, finishing as it reaches the other bank of the river. The resulting bridge is five feet wide, two feet above the water level, and cold enough to stand for twelve minutes under the heat of the sun and the ever moving waters of the river. Deciding she had stared enough, Twilight steps confidently onto the Ice sheet. Her hooves, finding plenty of traction on the surface of the barely melting bridge, trot across with a small bit of haste before the ice becomes too smooth for her to arrive on the other side. Slipping only a few times she makes it to the other bank, easily within three minutes of starting her journey across.

Smiling to herself, she looks up towards the road again through the trees and spots a few ponies walking upon its smooth trail. The ground before her dapples in small dots of sunlight that filters through the forest canopy, as it leads towards the cleared path up above. The filly lifts her hoof and trots forward, following one of the game paths worn down within the foliage from years of use. Her abilities and skills had developed within the everfree, helping her remain a silent shadow as she moves forward towards the trade rout above in a path that would intersect with the traveling party of ponies. With a grin still plastered on her face, Twilight begins jittering with joy. 'The first ponies I've seen in years besides Zecora, but she's a zebra so she doesn't count, even if it's the same family in essence. I wonder what these ponies are like? Hopefully I look ok.' Twilight allows the thoughts to cascade over her like water over a rock, her thoughts calm and collected as she reaches the edge of the highway. Remaining within the bushes, Twilight watches the ponies as they pass by, noticing their clumsy movements. Yet also, she sees how well kempt they look, with well styled manes and soft fur from the soap they had been using during their baths.

Then she looks upon herself and notices how she herself looked, her mane only styled enough to keep it out of her eyes and from getting tangled in the underbrush. Her coat is muted in color, with clay and other natural materials mixed in to help her blend into the scenery. There are minor cuts and scratches all over her body from the surrounding trees and bushes. Her smile drops a little into a small grimace as she notices the severe differences between her and the other ponies, Twilight lets out a small sigh and walks onto the road in front of the ponies. Being fully composed, she turns towards the ponies, pulling her lips back into a genuine if hesitant smile. As the small party of five ponies stops to stare at her, their conversation dies in their throats as they look over this new visitor from out of the woods. Twilight speaks first. "Hullo travlers, I Seem to have lost me wey. Would ya be so kaind as ta point me in the right dairection of the nearest town?"

The Group resume their conversation, except for one of the elder ponies. He has a bright orange beard and mane, on a dusty brown coat. His eyes hold a slightly piercing look as he looks upon the filly before his group. Sighing to himself he speaks steadily. “The nearest town of Windbreak is five miles north east of here along this road, the same direction we’re heading. You should be able to get their at a simple trot within about three hours,” the elder answers kindly to the cloaked filly, before turning back to his companions and joining back in with their conversation.

Twilight nods in silent thanks towards the oblivious pony, “Maith agat elder as an comhairle.” [Thank you elder for the advice.] She utters softly. Letting her eyes follow the road, she decides it would be safe enough, having noticed few Predator markers along the path, most of them ancient. Letting her hooves act for themselves, she picks up a decent pace. She Ghosts along the road’s path silently, passing the group within a few seconds without any of them noticing. Taking a deep breath into her lungs through her nostrils, she mentally begins recounting how the ponies in the group looked and how the elders accent varied from her own. Pulling some mana from her reserves, she forced it to flow over the surface of her body, scrubbing the filth and grime of her jungle travels from her form. Her horn goes dark as the spell finishes, the last motes of light and energy fading. She looks down while running along the well worn road, watching her bright lavender hooves, seeing them for the first time since she entered the everfree forest a year ago. She lets loose a giddy smile as she lifts her head back forward to watch the path ahead.

The scenery changes little within the thirty minutes it takes her to reach the town at her extended clip, the speed she had reached being twice that of most ponies and still as silent as a prowling timberwolf. The only evidence of her passing is the slight magenta trail, sparkling softly as it dissipates on the wind a few milliseconds after its creation. She watches as the trees, grass, and blooming flowers blur by as she paces along the road calmly, not even breaking a sweat from the physical exertion. However, she pauses slightly as she leaves the woods and enters an expansive field, the river from earlier rushing only a hundred or so feet from the road she was silently galloping on her trail. She is blurred by both the wind and her cloak, smoothing away any sign of hoof marks upon the slightly uniform dirt surface of the path. Her gallop slows to a trot as she looks upon the pasture of golden grass before her, proceeding the sight of the town deep inside. Its boundaries are surrounded on both sides by massive walls of stone unnoticed before, disguised as they were by the trees along the path along with the moss along the lower portion helping it blend in with the rest of the scenery. Her gaze locks upon the town in the distance, its architecture strange compared to her memories of other structures she has been within throughout her years. Her pace runs on autopilot as she walks through the field, towards the decently sized settlement.

The wooden buildings fascinate her; their thatched roofs garnering her interest in their structure and composition compared to other styles she had seen. Their brightly colored walls are painted in many colors, resembling many of the roses and flowers within the surrounding fields. 'What magics or potions do they use to get those colors?' Twilight queries, as she absentmindedly continues forward along the well blazed trail. 'I wonder if they use alchemy lime me and zecora as well... hmm well, we’ll see, I just really hope I can find something I'm good at that can be useful to these ponies.' Twilight mulls silently as she nears the first building on the outskirts of town, its golden thatched roof held up by a warm chocolate brown colored wood. ‘Well, there are some similarities like the front door facing towards the road being similar to … Well my old home.’ Twilight lets her mood drop for only a moment. ‘Well at least I have a chance to start a new beginning here.’ Twilight’s ears perk up and her smile returns, as thoughts of meeting new ponies begins circulating throughout her head.

Calming herself down with a deep breath, she forces her nerves down to a reserved level. Her thoughts are working at full efficiency and her eyes are forward. Slowly, she walks forward. Her gait is measured and timed perfectly, allowing herself to move forward silently and not bring unwanted attention to herself. Walking along the road deeper into the village, she watches as the colors of the buildings change from blue to green to red to yellow, almost any bright color of the rainbow imaginable. Finally, she comes upon an interesting area. Having passed many ponies already along the way, she enters into a large circular track of road. It’s surrounded by buildings flowing out from it but split also by several roads similar to the one she entered on. She looks around the market square in great interest of the many different stalls and goods sold within along with some trepidation at the almost impossible amount of ponies within the square market. Finding herself vulnerable in the open she quickly rushed underneath one of the nearby awnings drawing herself out of the crowd. “Yea I know the feeling to little filly.” Spoke a feminine voice from behind her almost startling her except for the fact that she had noticed the pony behind the counter while heading over.

Twilight turned towards the sourced of the voice sighing in relief, being out of the massive crowd of the market square. Deciding this would be a perfect chance to test the dialect she had picked up from the elder earlier Twilight replied. “Oh hello, sorry to barge in unannounced but I wasn’t expecting such a large crowd of ‘What was the word.. oh right!’ ponies. I hope i’m not intruding on anything.” She finished with a happy smile almost face hooving as she remembered her own race.

“That’s quite alright young filly, though I didn’t quite catch your name ,mine is Whitebeat.” Spoke the dappled grey white earth pony mare behind the counter with a two tone aqua marine mane.

“Oh I’m Glimmering Wisp Nice to meet you Whitebeat. Oh what does your name stand for?” Twilight asked somewhat perplexed with the name of the pony behind the counter.

“Why I make the best whipped cream this side of equestria, not much other than that. Go ahead and try a sample, they’re real good especially with the sugar added from last weeks caravans.” The mare added while pushing a small dish with a piece of fluffy white substance towards the lavender filly.

Twilight cautiously sniffed the substance the familiar scent of milk and dairy hidden underneath the heavy scent of another ingredient she hadn’t tasted in almost two years, it’s sweet scent almost overpowering her cautious nature and forcing her to eat the fluffy white substance with reckless abandon, almost that is; however her year and a half of forest survival had taught her better her impulses had been mastered having dealt with many temptations in the forest which could have led to her untimely death, only surviving by the skin of her teeth when vine traps tried to catch her unaware. She carefully pulled back from the sweet treat and let the rest of the scent process through her thoughts a semi solid buttery scent mixed in with a slightly balmy if aged scent. All of this processing through her thoughts within the space of a few seconds, as Twilight finished her analysis she realized that her fears were unfounded and that the treat was an honest item meant to be eaten. “Thank you Whitebeat.” She joyfully cried upon this realization, before her head darted forward tongue extended and Twilight began devouring the delicious whipped cream.

Whitebeat looked on in amusement as the lavender filly attacked the small treat ravenously, a small smile playing on her lips. “Aghem.” Whightbeat coughed grasping Twilights attention. “That’s only a sample, if you want more though I have small and large tubs in the back, six bits for the small and twelve bits for the large. Unless of course you have something of equivalent value to trade.” The mare finished slyly.

Twilight’s lips pulled down into a slight grimace, ‘Ok so she’s offering more of it but I’ll have to purchase using either an item to barter of a form of currency... I might have something but is the whipped cream really worth it?.. Wait what am I doing?’ Twilight gave a longing look towards one of the tubs filled to the brim with the fluffy white and gooey deliciousness before returning her eyes back to the mare behind the counter. “Thank you for the sample I might have something to trade for one of the tubs but I’d rather not, but I do have a question.” Whitebeat nodded towards the filly with a smile of understanding, while encouraging Twilight to continue with her question. “What do you use to take care of those who get sick around town, and does anypony make potions?” Twilight asked innocently.

“Potions?.. Oh an alchemist, sorry if you are in need of one you’re out of luck the last pony that could work with herbs and such to make strong brews passed away a few years ago, her heirs decided to pick up cooking and baking instead.” Twilight’s eyes widened slightly in shock as the information registered through her thoughts. however before she could prepare a response the mare behind the counter obviously continued. “There haven’t been any real outbreaks in years so she was never able to attract an apprentice to pass on her knowledge. anyway if you’re looking for an apothecary then you’ll have to head to Bridlebit four towns along the road east of here.”

Twilight took advantage of the pause with her response, “Really? you don’t have an... alchemist you called her right? what do you do about sickness, diseases, and such?” The questions shot at a fast rate from her lips at Whitebeat behind the counter.

“Oh we never really needed her, well yes it does take a bit longer to get better but overall we rarely, if ever needed her.” Whitebeat responded kindly. “Though I think some folks could still use the items she offered.”

“What kind of items exactly?” Twilight asked her ears perking in interest.

“Many of our older folks used some of her herbal creams and extracts to ease the aches and pains from their old bones. She also was pretty good at making remedy’s that took the edge off our colds.” White beat extended towards the young filly before her.

Twilight lifted a foreleg to her chin in thought. “Hmm... do you think they would still want the salve she offered?” She asked carefully.

“Well to be frank some of them need it in order to live their daily lives, and some of them wouldn’t mind paying a little extra to get over their sickness sooner or to at least get some relief from it.” Whitebeat answered bluntly. “Say, why do you ask though?”

Twilight smiled widely, “I was originally hoping to find a fellow potion master to retrieve and exchange herbal ingredients with, but now that I know that you are lacking in such a field I think I shall offer my skills in potion making till I leave along the eastern road tomorrow. What do you think?”

Whitebeat couldn’t contain herself anymore her laughter bubbling out like a torrent. “Mchzzt, bwa ha ha ha, You can’t be serious! You a little filly, playing with potions? Ga ha ha ha. That has got to be the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard all week.” The Earth pony mare wiped her forehead with a hoof, her breathing stabilizing. Finally she opened her eyes again only to notice with curiously that the filly was gone. ‘Huh where’d she go?’ “Maybe that was a bit mean.” She silently admitted to herself. ‘But still her offer was almost completely beyond ridiculous.’ White beat thought again with a small chuckle before turning to a pegasus regular flying up to her stall for her weekly twelve ounce tub of whipped cream.

Twilight sighed as she looked at her reflection from the nearby fountain, Whitebeats stall about two hundred meters south of her position. ‘I guess I can’t really be taken as serious without proof... Just because i’m so young doesn’t mean I don’t know what i’m doing.’ She thought slightly annoyed by the disbelief of the earthpony vender. Twilight took a slow steady breath to calm her nerves, ‘Well I can’t really do much until i’ve proven my competence, anyway I won’t be able to do it sitting here.’ She nodded resolutely to herself before turning and trotting towards the other side of the market square.

Along the way Twilight noticed several elder ponies, some of them struggling just to move, their joints creaking and dry. Twilight continued towards the buildings reaching them and passing their threshold, it was almost like a cloud was lifted from over her. ‘I’m surprised there’s so many ponies in this small a town, I thought it would be a little less... crowded.’ She thought quietly remembering the size of the small markets of the Zaurask villages she had lived in. 'I guess ponies are more numerous... ' Twilight promptly shook her head as she passed a nearby sweet shop with colorful candies and chocolates placed on stands along the front window, Enticing a few of the younger passersby with their carnal temptations of sugary delight, her thoughts rearranging as she slowly guided herself along the dusty town street. 'She said the elderly tend to get sick more of...' Twilights train of thought froze as she saw an elder blue pegasus mare with a bright magenta mane land on the ground with a raspy dry cough stealing her breath and causing her to collapse to the ground.

Twilight’s legs moved of their own accord pulling her towards the wounded mare nearly lying on the street from her condition. Without even questioning herself Twilight began pulling a sprig of thyme, a few petals of chamomile, two thorns of the vampyre rose, and finally a small jar of golden honey while she arrived. Lifting out a small mortar she crushed the solid ingredients into a paste with a solid wyvern bone pestle. Summoning her magic forth she manipulated the elements with ease collecting the moisture in the air and freezing it into a clear crystalline phial of ice within which she poured the bitter past into, then followed by slightly tipping the small jar of honey letting only a few drops enter the mixture. Then she watched carefully as the mixture expanded nearly passing the tip of the frozen container. Smiling kindly and nodding slightly to herself she lowered the finished potion the the elder mares lips. Feeling the cold seep through the skin on her lips the elder mare jerked back in her eyes opening slightly giving her barely a glance before having her full attention stolen by her protesting lungs.

Twilight watched the mare jerk in surprise from her unexpected and swift ministrations, "It's ok, this is just a quick mixture I made to remove the cough. I'm sure you're tired of being unable to function for more than five minutes" Twilight nodded solemnly then lifted the phial to the mares lips again as the pegasuses coughing spasm finally reduced in intensity.

'This young mare seems nice enough... Ohhh poo, wish I had eaten those fritters from earlier, but I couldn't for the life of me fit another bite. Hmm... I think I'll take whatever this young child is offering if nothing else at least it might brighten her day.' The elder mare Opened her bright sky blue eyes their colors flashing slightly with her decision made the elder mare opened her lips slightly allowing Twilight to pour the contents inside the frost vial into the elder's awaiting throat. The pegasus mares eyes widened slightly in surprise as her lips widened her tongue flicking out as she realized that the substance she had expected to be bitter.'Sweet Celestia! This is delicious.' As the fluid serum glided softly down the elder mares throat she felt the potent brew beginning to take effect, and the irritation in her windpipe begins to lessen, the next breath comes with ease, her wrinkly parched lips pulled back into a soft smile. The elder pegasus mare pulls back and sits on her hind legs and opens her eyes to an interesting sight, "The buck?" She stated loudly as she glances at the small filly before her her eyes widened and her jaw dropping slightly. 'Well.. thats unexpected?'

Twilight had the strangest urge to lift her hoof to her face as the elder mare continued gaping at her in disbelief, deciding to simply roll her eyes and close them instead, “Wfhh... Hhhh. ‘Okay calm.’ Do you feel any better miss?” Twilight asked pulling her lips back and curling them upward into a smile.

The elder mare shook her head a little rattling her thoughts back into place. “Now that was a shocker if I ever saw one, What’s yer name lil filly?” The Powder blue pegasus asks her eyes shining with curiosity.

"Glimmering Wisp. I ask again, are you feeling any better?" Twilight Lied smoothly. Looking at the mare Twilight noticed her cutie mark, a cloud with a few hoof shaped stamps in a straight line "What is your name miss." The lavender filly returned, her eyes shining with interest.

“Little old me? I’m Cloud Runner. Mare back in my day I used to be the leader of the local weather team, but thats enough about myself, thanks for the cough draught.” Cloud Runner sighed in delight, glad that her throat no longer felt like gravel was passing through the wrong passage.

Twilight returned the smile in earnest. “You’re welcome Cloud Runner, though if it isn’t too much, could you tell me of anypony else who would need my skills?” The lavender filly inquired softly.

“Why of course, well theres several actually but I’ll tell ya the one I know needs it most then you can go from there, colts name is Berry Bash, should be living in a small cabin north east of here... Just head towards the town square and take a left on the second block, his house should be the pink one..” The elder mare finished leaping into the air and flapping her wings and lifting off the ground again. "Tell him Cloud Runner sent ya!.." Her voice fading as she dashed off into the air and off into the distance.

Twilight smiled 'Left two blocks down pink house, doesn’t sound too hard.' The lavender mare thought as she trotted back down the street, after two blocks she turned right as instructed, and immediately noticed the glaring pink shop in the middle of the block along the street. Twilight felt her left eye twitch. 'Ok that was extremely obvious... ughh ok I hope my help here is appreciated and actually needed.' She allows herself to ponder as she walks up to the front door of the house. *clack* *clack* *clack* she knocks three times it's homely rose red surface dark in contrast to the vibrant pink walls surrounding it.

"Hmm... visitor? Haven't had a visitor in quite a while, do come in no need to be shy." An old cracked voice called weekly from behind the wooden portal. Not needing any more encouragement Twilight stepped through. Her hooves making little sound as she crossed the wooden threshold from soft packed dirt to solid stone tiles.

"Ah over here young one." The old voice called again. "Inside the study the fires warm, do mind the king Sathier chess set on your right, it's quite expensive." The elder stallion warned as Twilight entered the study finally getting a good look at her host, his green fur patchy and matted from no small lack of proper grooming, his aquamarine mane disheveled and unbrushed. He looked the epitome of unkempt and destitute yet as she came closer she spotted the sharp wisdom contained within his eyes, the soft tilt to the corner of his lips as he gave a slight smirk at her arrival, his sharp ears evident and swiveled towards her their sharp hearing vouched for by his precise predictions of her exact location within the manor. The buildings soft pink walls brightened further by the wide windows uncurtained and letting through bright pillars of sunlight.

"Hello, sir..." Twilight began.

“Now don’t you be siring me young filly, Jus cus i’m old doesn’t mean i’m your superior. names Berry Bash or Bears for short though you could call me Uncle Berry, ifn ya want to be really formal.” He snorted after Interrupting her. “Bah, Never did understand why them tub-o-squishings nobles like it so much. So what's yer name young filly, considering ya came ta visite me yerself unsupervised?”

Twilight blinked slowly allowing her thoughts to catch up with her after having them blown away by the verbal bombardment, she jerks a bit having finally come back to herself. "Ok then Uncle Berry?" She stretches the name a bit cutting off with a small questioning rise, with a nod from the elder stallion Twilight continues. "My name is Glimmering Wisp, I came to town hoping I could..."

Berry Bash cut her off again. "I don't need any of yer back story, just tell me what yar here ta do." The elder stallion groused.

Twilight giggled slightly finally used to the lack of subtlety in the stallions style of thinking. "Alright basically I'm here to offer some medications that would relieve or remove some of your pains and ails, that is if you are willing to trust a filly with your health." The lavender filly explained her position swiftly.

Berry grunted acknowledgement. “So yer an herbalist, Trained in the finer points of apothecary alchemy, am I correct.” Twilight shakes her snout affirmatively her mane bobbing slightly. Berry smiles widely. “Bout damn time one O yer kind arrived me backs been killin me along with me hips, think ya got any magical potions in them saddlebags o yours that can cure it?”

Twilight smiled widely at the stallions acceptance. “Actually I think a simple mixture of vampyre rose thorns and ginseng should work perfectly just remember that the effects are temporary if you want to get rid of the damage permanently you’ll have to let me probe troubled areas with magic.”

“Hah! s’if I’d let ya touch me with yer fancy magic, les just stick with the potion and i’ll deal with the consequences later.” The stallion answered sharply his demeanor remaining calm and lighthearted.

Twilight nods acceptance though she quirks an eyebrow at the stallions statement. letting her horn pull magic naturally from her core Twilight guides it into action first lifting a few vials from her bag then lifting out two small containers one containing a large amount of vampyre rose thorns, and the other containing twelve ginseng leaves. “Why do you mistrust unicorn magic touching your body?” Twilight asks trying to figure out his reluctance for unicorn magical treatment.

“Not that I don’t trust ya young un just I’ve had my share o magical mishaps. las unicorn t touch me with their magic almost made me a gelding.” The stallion gesticulated as wildly as his ancient limbs would allow. while Twilight finished mixing the solution with a hint of honey and Blissle berry added in to soften the taste.

Delivering the drink to him Twilight responds, “No offence taken, I mean I can understand your reluctance after such a close call. but also what can possess a unicorn so unskilled with their magic to even try that? anyway here you go drink it slowly, otherwise your tongue will turn blue and go numb.” Twilight warns a little firmly.

“Yae yae like I havn’t heard that before from the previous lady, I’ll be careful. As fer the poor lass, well les just say she was trying to be friendly and learned the hard way why she needed ta study in school.” Berry Bash answers offhandedly as he slowly downs the drink mrring in delight as the potion does it’s work, relaxing his muscles and numbing the pain in his back. Stretching to his full length the stallion nimbly jumps off the couch. “Thank ye kindly fer the drink lil Wisp, say do ya have anything ta say afor I start terrorizin the populace with me wonderfully potent cherry buster pies? ” He asked noticing the inquisitive look on the fillies face.

“Actually yes I was wondering if you knew any of the other ponies that would appreciate my help.” The filly asked her smile wide and her eyes beaming honesty and inquisitiveness.

“Sure I think Ol White Wind would be quite appreciative of yer help I also think the town would be appreciative of her presence once again, and I almost forgot. since ya were so nice ta help me out I think Twenty bits should be fair payment for yer services.” He spoke just as sincerely. “Ah ah! no need to be turnin me payment down t’would be rude of ya, anyway as kind of a thought as free service is, I like t pay others fairly in kind for their actions.”

Twilights semi crestfallen look melted as her face lifted into an understanding smile. "Ok, thank you. So where will I find White Wind?"

"You'll find her sleeping in her home near Black Shine tavern, the tavern itself should be easy t’spot heading towards the northern side of town, the lads in th’bar can give ya the rest o the directions from there." The stallion answered before finally dropping the bits he had gathered before the stunned unicorn filly, then leaping out of the study, shouting "AN WATCH OUT FOR ME KING SATHIER CHESS SET!" As he left.

'Well, that was interesting.' Twilight thought.

'You’re telling me, I didn't know ponies could be like that.' Fang answered surprising Twilight as she finished cleaning the vials and other alchemical equipment magically, and was placing them in her packs. Luckily Twilight was able to gather the last beaker back into her magical grip before it could meet the floor in a disastrously.

'Shouldn't you be sleeping fang?' Twilight asked suspiciously, gathering the small bag of bits and using some of the groper vine to attach it to her saddlebags underneath the cloak. Fang peaked his small scaled head out of the back of the cloak letting out a small defiant croak, his small voice scratching at Twilights ear. 'Ok I get it you're hungry. But we can't do it here, later when were alone together, a tavern would probably be our best bet.' Grunting in displeasure the drake setttled back into the cloak to rest till later, a small snort telling Twilight that the young drake would be holding her to her word.

Sighing slightly as her cloak re-enfolded the resting drake, Twilight turned back to the entrance to the vibrant house and left, nearly tapping one of the chess pieces as she went. Gazing at the street around her Twilight began formulating her thoughts. 'Ok Berry Bash said White Wind would be near Black Shi...' She hung her head. "Ughh... I don't know where Black Shine tavern is."

A obsidian coated stallion with a slate blue main passing by stopped, “The buck?” he murmured under his breath as he turned towards her an inquisitive look on his face. "You're searching for Black Shine tavern? You seem a little young for the traveling type." He commented.

Twilight felt her spirits lift as the stallion showed her a chance of getting proper directions. "Actually yes I am, I need to reach the tavern in order to get directions to my next patient. Would you help me please?" Twilight asked the stallion.

The young stallion looked down on the filly, his resolve melting away underneath the innocently beaming face. "Fine but Seriously the tavern is not really the nicest place to go, but if it's for directions then I guess I can help you get there. Basically head down the right side of the street and then make a left after two roads then head straight down, the tavern should be a White building with a shield above it's door that gives the illusion of reflecting darkness. Should be easy to spot."

Twilight smiled and nodded thanks. “Have a nice day sir.”

“No problem just stay safe, the patrons of the tavern aren’t the most savery sort to be around.” The stallion warned before turning and continuing on to his destination.

"Umm... Thank you?" Twilight spoke confusedly as the stallion walked away. Turning to her right she began heading down the street.

After forty or so minutes Twilight had reached her destination. An old building, the paint on it's walls somewhat peeling a few of the windows show's signs of damage, chips of glass embedded into the hard grained wood, some of the shafts of wood seemed to have been splintered and haphazardly repaired by some shoddy magicmareship. Sighing to herself Twilight finally allowed herself to relax, smiling naively as she entered the building not even hazarding a guess as to what the patrons would think of a young filly entering 'their' establishment.

Twilight noticed one of the nearby patrons watching her as she walked up to the bar, deciding that she’d rather not be remembered she flipped the hood of her cloak over her head along the way. Upon reaching the bar Twilight waits for a few moments for the bartender to take notice of her.

she would have been waiting for hours or at least until one of the nearby patrons decides to help her a little.“If ya want t get his attention ye should first ring the bell, then wait for him to show, otherwise he’ll think ya want him to ignore ya.” the peaceable stallion informed.

"Actually I was hoping to find somepony that could give me directions to White Winds place of residence." The stallion jerked back then looked at her again.

He responded a bit more seriously his tone somewhat harsh. "And what business would you have with the Mare in White young filly? She may be old But her wisdom and compassion have made many of our lives better. Therefor her time is very valuable." He finished.

"Actually I'm visiting her to offer up my ability in alchemy to produce a few potions that could help her." Twilight responded kindly, softening her voice slightly into a soothing and calming tone trying to put the unreasonably aggravated stallion at ease.

The stallion pulled back again with a hissing intake of breath, "Sncht, pfft. Yea right a filly like you making any concoctions that would poison the town supply let alone mend the sick and infirm? What’s to say that we even want these potions here?" His dark smile was accompanied with a glint in his eye, that held for all of ten seconds before a light golden brown pastry flew through the air landing square upon his muzzle and covering his eyes and ears in a sticky substance, the juices running down his neck.

A familiar voice at the entrance to the tavern spoke up, while the Stallions smile fell his lips drawing downward in dread as he also recognized the voice on the other side of the tavern. "An me bein here should be proof enough t'ya of the filly's skills Roddie." Berry Bash Spoke jovially while the Berry pie spattered Sturdy Rod felt his eye began twitching along with the beginnings of a headache forming in his right temple while berry continued defying all reason of normality with both his words and presence. "Miss me Fillies?" The elder stallion joked. Immediately there was a loud and roar as nearly every mare and stallion in the tavern cheered the stallion on. Twilight facehooved as rather than being able to blend in she was put on the spot by the very patient she had helped only an hour ago. "Oh an almost fergot, Young Wispy here needs some directions to fare White Winds home. I think our fare lady of the white has delt with physical ails fer long enough since our old apothecary passed." Another resounding round of cheers filled the usually grim tavern with massive volumes of joy the literal air around them slightly brightening.

A light brown stallion on Twilight's right Poked her shoulder with a hoof. "I guess I'll be the one giving ya directions to White Wind's.” The young stallion noted. “Anyway she should be easy to find, exit through the front door to this place then take a right on the next street crossroad turn right again her place should be a small brown tree with a white book and quill sign hanging out front."

Twilight jumped off the stool, and turned towards the stallion. "Thank you for the directions sir. Here eat this, it'll help with the swelling." She informed compassionately, passing a small of murmur root over, she couldn't help but noticed the slight wince as he spoke with her.

Smiling slightly he opened his lips to continue however he immediately felt them close as a magical grip encased them. Twilight nodded once to the stallion smiling back, then turned and left through the front door. Smiling to herself, Twilight dutifully followed the directions given by the stallion, swiftly she came upon the establishment that had been detailed out to her. Walking up underneath the sign, she noticed that the tree was actually still alive even after having a home carved out of it's core.

Twilight knocked on the door. *clack*, *clack*, *clack* Her knocks could be heard slightly echoing throughout the interior. Twilight stepped back and listened as small set of taps on the other side announced a pony approaching the door. The portal was engulfed in a gentle white aura and opened silently inward, revealing a small white unicorn mare on the other side, her yellow flecked eyes glinting with intelligence stared upon the small filly on the other side warmly. Her lips drew back into a smile, "Hello there deary how are you today.? Do come in, wouldn't want you to catch a cold now would we." the mare welcomed as she stepped back, waving her hoof and bidding the young purple filly to enter.

"But we haven't even exchanged names. How do I know you’re even the pony i'm looking for?" Twilight asked a little perturbed at the off handed way the white mare acted, then she noticed the cutie mark, besides the silver mane and tail melding perfectly with her alabaster white coat, the mark on her flank was made up of several silvery lines moving across an invisible wind. "Wait you're White Wind aren't you?" Twilight noted as she entered.

"Indeed I am and you must be the young Glimmering Wisp Berry was talking about before he sensed a pie emergency in Black Shine tavern."

"AN’ I GOT MORE PIES WHERE THAT CAME FROM." A faint voice sounded in the distance.

Twilight opened her mouth, "Was that..."

"Berry? Yes, yes it was. He's quite the incorrigible prankster, but his hearts in the right place, I also suspect that he has some form of precognition. But besides Berries antics what are ya here for?" The immaculate white mare asked, her feathery eyebrow raising slightly.

Twilight nodded. 'I might as well start immediately.' "I'm here to offer my services as a trained alchemist if you have need of them." Twilight offered bluntly yet in a soft tone, bowing her head slightly in difference to the elder mare.

"Hmm... you're quite the respectable little filly, say who's your teacher?" White Wind asks.

"A zebra shaman in the Everfree forest named Zecora." Twilight responds, eliciting a small nod from the elder mare before her.

"I'll take you up on the offer of a potion or two to help with a few of the bodily difficulties that come with age. I've known a few zebra's in my time, their skill in the alchemical arts are rarely equaled by ponies." The mare noted politely.

Twilight nodded with a smile curling her lips, she pulled some energy through her horn and coalesced it into a small amount of levitation magic, lifting a small assortment of ingredients from her saddlebags she placed the containers carefully on the floor, several small glass containers, and a large gourd with a small amount of fluid already sloshing around inside. Lifting a few beakers and one of the small containers in her grasp as she sat on the couch inside of the home, Twilight opened the glass container and gathered some of the ingredient into the glass beaker, using the instrument as a scoop. “Ok some ground nightshade buds,” doing the same with another container she began listing off the gathered materials. “several ounces of the solar requiems essence, a few ounces of dried hemlock powder, a phoenix feather, and the soul core of a timber wolf.” Twilight stated pulling out the small white glowing sphere.

“Alright, all of these ingredients have a specific use and position in the potion i’m making, the phoenix feather represents life while the hemlock powder stands for death and time, the nightshade petals stand for the vivid night, while the essence of solar requiem represents the fluid motion of day, then finally the core of a timber wolf to hold the alchemical and runic enchantments that will allow this device to work for you.” Twilight finished her long winded explanation ready to begin when she was interrupted by a hoof on her shoulder she started lifting the small bag of hemlock powder.

Twilight turned only to be faced with a par if concerned golden eyes. “Before you start and this goes too far, what exactly are you making?” The White Wind asked.

Twilight felt her cheeks heat up in embarrassment as she realized what she almost did. “Uhm... I guess it’s important that you know what you’re getting. What I planned on making was an anchor of rejuvenation, it’ll make you ‘feel’ young again but you will still be aging at the rate you currently are. you will feel young both internally and externally, but in reality you will still be the same age and the effects will dissipate when you sleep.” Twilight explained the potions effects carefully to the elder mare.

White nodded. “Actually that sounds like a better Idea than I originally expected, so you enchant items to?”

Twilight rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. “Actually I only learned how to artifice after tearing apart almost every artifact I came across other than that Small Items of power like this are self sustained by the ingredients themselves as long as they are integrated properly and without interference.” Twilight warned lightly smiling to the older mare, her blush completely disappearing during the explanation.

“Interesting I haven’t seen that form of alchemy before. What is it called?” White Wind asks feathery eyebrow lifting slightly.

Twilight smiled. “Actually it is a special form of alchemy that is designed to be a bit of a more permanent form of treatment. I think my master called it, assembly alchemy. since you have to assemble the parts together and correctly.” Twilight answered.

White wind nodded. “Ok so how long will it take?”

Actually it is already finished I just need to input the final ingredient... Umm I hope you don’t mind though.” Twilight noted sheepishly her mouth drawing back into a tight grimace.

“Why would I?” Asked white wind.

“I need to add a few drops of your blood to first attune the object to you, and to add life energy to the components in stasis allowing them to awaken and activate.” Twilight answered.

The elder mare blinked. “Ok, I guess, but... Will it hurt?” White wind asked softly.

“Actually you shouldn’t feel it. I’ve refined the method so that rather than needing to extract the blood physically, I can just phase it through your skin. Do you mind?”

White wind waived of the young fillies worries. “No no I don’t mind, as long as it doesn’t hurt, go ahead.” She watched in interest as the filly extracted the blood straight from her veins congealing the fine mist into a small crimson orb that smelled of Iron, then finished by spreading the sphere of blood over the small device in the form of power enhancing runes, lacing the primordial energies of the alchemical components together. “That... I didn’t feel it, impressive.” She spoke as the small orb of ingredients spread out into a four pointed star it’s timberwolf core filled with an uncharacteristic silvery white energy that slowly spread outwards like a flower blooming in the spring.

“The creation is complete. In order to use it just hold it in your hoof and look into it’s folds caress it with your magic and an energy like pollen will be exuded from the flower, let it cover you and the spores will regress your age.” Twilight smiled for a second then set her face into grim lines as she began the other half of the flowers abilities. “Though be warned, do not under any circumstances try and use the flower to help others, with the current extra enchantment I added the flower will just cease to live and then burn away otherwise, you would end up killing them via aging and a severe drain of life force, don’t be alarmed though it is just how the carnation protects both itself and it’s host.” Twilight warned carefully.

“Why would is it so dangerous?” White wind asked her eyes wide with worry.

“In nature the more beneficial the effect of a certain plant or mixture the more powerful it’s bite or protection. Like the nightshade and hemlock. Nightshade can only be seen at night and blooms during the full moon, that is the only time you can harvest it and use it’s functions, otherwise it acts as a powerful poison and kills your potions. as for hemlock it is instantly deadly but when mixed with an herb like the vampyre rose, it becomes a catalyst and increases the regenerative effects of the brew.” Twilight explains.

“I understand but I was hoping...”

“I’m getting to the point don’t worry.” Twilight interrupts. “Anyway for a creation like this ‘Gheasa De Na Ageless’ aghem Ageless Rose.” Twilight stated pointing to the silver glowing flower floating between her and White Wind. “It’s effects of age restoration and temporary youth, the consequences must balance out. In this instance the flower only lives as long as you do, so the relationship now is symbiotic, however it will drain the life of any that dare threaten you in it’s presence and will most likely slay anyone you try to help with it. It is not that it is sentient in any way but that it is fully attuned to your blood and magic.”

White Wind yawned slightly. “All of this alchemy talk is interesting but really you don’t need to go into all of the details. Sorry, but I thank you for the rose may I use it now?” The elder mare asked politely.

“Sure just do as I instructed earlier.” Twilight answered chipperly.

White Wind nods then Grasping the floating rose with her magic and bringing it towards herself, looking deep into it’s petals she glances at the still shimmering core deciding to poke it she focuses her magic to a point and gently prods it, immediately she felt her spell falter as the tip of her magical ‘finger’ is absorbed by the floral artifact. Her head jerks back as the flower begins spewing forth brilliant white spores that begin falling all over her. Twilight smiles at the scene taking a few cautionary steps back and erecting a simple barrier similar to the one she had ignored back in the old castle, except more solid to keep the particles from touching her.

Slowly the lines on White’s face began to recede, her drooping eyes becoming less heavy, her pale white coat gaining a healthy sheen, finally she opens her eyes her piercing vision now focused fully on the lavender filly before her with a gold tinted barrier surrounding her. White Wind Raises an inquiring eyebrow at the color of the fillies shield as opposed to her regular magical color. “I didn’t think it was possible to cast a spell that wasn’t of your own aura. How do you do that?” White wind stated, noticing her voice a few octaves higher than normal she took a few steps back. “The flower worked?.. It worked, thank you.” White Wind ran over hugged Twilight who had just dropped her barrier with a quizzical look at White Winds query.

“I thought any unicorn would cast with a different tint of color to their spells as opposed to their magic. is that true?”

“Actually I never knew it was possible to copy another ponies magical aura within a spell.” White Wind answered pulling off of Twilight. “But anyway that’s off topic, thank you again for the flower, Hopefully it can help me better care for my charges until I pass on.”

“Don’t worry the flower will last as long as you live, but I have a small item I’d like to ask, would you mind helping me get my remedy’s to those in need with less difficulty?” Twilight asked bluntly.

“You’re still young Little Glimmering Wisp, you have plenty of time; but Since you have given me a free pass to my youth I think it is fair for me to make a trade and help you set up a market stall where you can sell potions upon request. I’ll even be there to help you run it for a bit... Before my next appointment of course.”

“Thank you but where will we set up the stall though?” Twilight inquired with a raised brow.

“In the town square little filly,” White wind answered. “Shall we head off?” she asked pointing to the front door with a hoof.

“Umm... Sure. But wait a sec I need to repack some of my things oh and put the Flower somewhere nopony can find it, that was my last phoenix feather, so I won’t be able to make another one if it’s destroyed.” Twilight warned as the remaining ingredients and empty beakers were returned to her saddlebags.

Looking up after she finished packing she noticed White Wind standing before her the Silver glowing flower nowhere in sight. “I’m ready are you?”

“Yes”

“Alright then. I guess we should be off let’s go.” Twilight turned and opened the wooden entrance to White Winds hovel, and walked out The elder mare right behind.

The air outside was crisp with a slight hint of wild grass, Twilight walked out into the street turning and waiting for White Wind to exit the hovel. The elder mare exits the hovel and shuts the door. “Alright Glimmer the best place to set up the stand would be in the town square.” Said the White mare as she trots up next to the lavender unicorn waiting on her.

“I think I remember where that is down the road towards the center of town?” Twilight suggests.

“Yes, now lets go it won’t be long till the sun starts setting.” White Wind Warns. Twilight nods agreement and they both set off. “Hay Glimmer why haven’t you taken off the cloak, I mean is there any particular reason for it?” The elder mare asks curiously.

“Actually It’s because some of my potion ingredients are really sensitive to light, if I exposed them to the harmful rays of the sun then they would become impotent and i’d have to replace them when I came across the ingredient again. The nightshade is one such ingredient.” Twilight confirms the statement swiftly by pulling out one of the flowers with her magic, immediately The bud begins to shrivel up and close as its extended exposure to the sun causes its fragile petals to dry out. “In it’s current state now I could possibly reverse the process by exposing it to moonlight for an entire night or I could mix it’s ashes with some wormwood to make a decent barrier against sunlight, if the salve is worn during the full moon you’ll get an extra boost of energy throughout the night.”

White Wind relaxes into the walk as Twilight explains her reason for having the cloak on. “Ok I see what you mean, but are there any others with the same exposure problem?” Twilight nods.

“There are several others like it, and some are the inverse, like the ignis per sol. A nasty little weed that’ll burn you almost as bad as salamander oil, if exposed to moonlight it would end up as dangerous as sawgrass..” Twilight explained, sighing. “I also wear the cloak to keep the containers on my saddle bags secure, so they don’t slip off and cause a problem.” Twilight swished her tail softly left to right, enjoying the fact that she could share her time with another pony for the first time since the she left Canterlot. 'Not that I'd speak of my past.' Twilight Finished the thought turning to White Wind. "Hay" Twilight called to the mare next to her, The alabaster mare flicked an ear to state that she was listening. "Umm... Do you think I'll really be able to help out this way?" She asked hesitantly.

White Wind nodded and smiled knowingly down to the lavender filly. "Don't worry Glimmer I know what i'm doing the only problem is that you might run out of potion ingredients." Twilight gave a blank look to the elder mare. "I'm guessing you've never had that problem before?"

Twilight shook her head. "No, the forest always had plenty of regents, so I've been able to replenish my stocks without difficulty." She answered.

The white mare face hooved at the fillies lack of forethought, "You'll see what I mean before tonight, lets just hope you have enough ingredients to take care of all of the patients."

Twilight smiled. "Don't worry I'll be able to improvise, even if I run out of the usual base ingredients."

White Wind sighed she looked up and noticed that they had finally reached the town square. "Okay we're here, It should be three stalls down." They passed a stall that sold wheat, another that sold apples and the third sold baskets, as they walked down, finally reaching an empty stall with cobwebs crossing between it’s joints. White Wind nodded once. “This is it, see this here’s my cutiemark as an Identifier.” Twilight looked carefully and noticed that indeed the sigil carved just below the wooden counter matched her companions mark exactly.

“So this is where we’ll set up?“ Twilight asked her alabaster companion curiously.

White wind nodded vigorously to the lavender filly next to her. “Yes, Though from what we do sell i’ll be getting ten percent of the profits, okay.” The white mare answered seriously.

“Okay... Wait, WHAT!!!”

“Thanks for the directions White Wind I’ll be careful on the way there.” Twilight exclaimed as she finished packing her alchemical reagents and tools back into the saddlebags underneath her cloak. She began trotting down the northern road. Towards the tavern the elder mare recommended.

“You better. I’m still indebted to you, not that I mind any.” The elder alabaster white mare warned petulantly as the young lavender filly walked out of earshot.

Making her way down the road Twilight received many positive looks from ponies both young and old. A small amount of time later she finally reached the location, signified by the large sign imprinted to show a rat with a few bubbles above it’s head and a wooden mug held in it’s tail, a large drunken and satisfied smile plastered on it’s face. The lavender unicorn nodded to herself and proceeded to enter the establishment.

Twilight entered the Drunken Rodent just as the sun began Its final descent from the sky, it's piercing rays cutting through the windows on either side of her into the room leaving distinct impressions on the floor and any object in their path. Walking further into the establishment she was greeted by the Dark orange coated innkeeper with a soft smile, which she returned wanly as she trotted up to the counter with a lethargic gait. "Hello, how many bits will it be for a room, I'm really tired and Want to get to sleep as fast as possible."

"Bout Twenty bits a night, that also includes breakfast in the morn, hope ya don't mind." The inn keeper answered.

Twilight just answered by pulling a small stack of bits of the exact amount from a pouch in her saddlebags and placing them on the counter, then turned to walk towards the stairs leading up to the rooms.

"Oi! Aincha fergettin some'n" She only got five steps before the inn keeper called. Turning around to answer she noticed the key he had moved onto the counter in place of her bits. Blushing slightly she picked it up. "leads t'room four, should be th-second on th-left." He told her as she walked over to the stairs.

"...Thanks." Twilight answered somewhat loudly as she began climbing the large stairs, her tail slightly raising underneath the cloak still covering her hidden, sleeping charge. Reaching the top of the stairs She made a beeline for the room, her eyes wide open and alert as she unlocked the door with the key and pushes it open. Walking into the room Twilight swiftly closes and binds the door in place before mentally nudging her cloak to form itself into a pad over the bed which she gently plucked the small mottled green drake from her back and placed him comfortably onto her 'Staff' He stirred as he landed, his eyes twitching while his head began lifting off the mat, with a yawn he opened his brilliant green orbs staring directly at Twilight, his expression brightening as he noticed his position.

‘Mother, can I eat now?’ The young drake asked softly.

Twilight lit her horn and cast the lactation spell. “Go ahead Fang you’ve been Waiting for long enough.”

With a ravenous Cry, thankfully muffled by Twilights barrier spell on the door. Fang assaulted Twilight’s mammaries suckling on them like a rabbit in a field of grain. suddenly he stopped and pulled his head back, looking at the half filled melons of magical elixir with a puzzled look. "Mom... I'm still hungry but the milk isn't sating my hunger anymore. Is there anything else that can feed me?" he asked pitifully his jowls quivering as he spoke.

"Maybe just let me cancel this spell and rummage through my pack." Twilight released the spell and her teats receded to their normal size, the magical lactation melting back into her system. She turned to the packs and began searching, "Ah Ha!" Twilight called as she quickly found the objects she was looking for, pulling them out and placing them on the bed before her and Fang. They appeared as solid white stones glowing a soft magenta light. "Try these Fang solid mana should be able to feed you... I didn't think the magic lithification spell I learned from Lahn'I'tal would be used to feed you." She noted as The three foot drake sampled the first small stone taking a small surreptitious bite... His eyes wide, his jaw began to quiver with tears forming his his eyes. Twilight began to grow worried her forehead creasing with minor anxiety and her mouth curving downwards.

"This... Is... Delicious!!!" Fang declared as he swiftly made the other two stones disappear down his gullet. With a deep sigh of fulfillment he fluttered his wings and laid back against his adoptive mother. "Say mom I don't feel tired, wanna do something?" Twilight face hooves, smiling slightly she turned towards the young drakeling.

"Sure, would you like to learn how to use those wings of yours?” Twilight offered. Fange nodded his head and jumped off the bed in response.

“Of course I would!” He answered unfurling the wings on his sides letting them extend outward to their full length, and giving them an experimental flap.

Twilight nodded. “Ok in order to fly you must first understand how to flap your wings synchronously otherwise you will just spiral into the ground. Now lets get started.” Fang held his wings out his small frame somewhat jittering from anticipation as he waited for the mare before him to explain how it was done. “Now with both of your wings flared out try forcing them downward at the same time.” Fang did as instructed trying to force his wings both down at the same time, and his right wing came down slightly faster than his left causing him to fall to his left his miniscule weight and solid frame making sure he only damaged his pride, before getting back up. on his hind legs again he did a few experimental flaps with his wings to try and synchronize them. “Hmm... maybe it is not just synchronized wing flaps but also a Strong center of gravity try folding your legs in as you take to the air, and leveling your body to a position where you are beating your wings in downward strokes, lifting yourself vertically.” Twilight observed Trying the new method and following young Twilight's advice, Fang finally succeeded in maintaining a hover just above the bed.

Fangs elation knew no bounds and he immediately began flitting circles around the room as he got a hang of flying his light frame making it all the easier to maneuver around obstacles, finally feeling his adrenal rush dissipated he landed on Twilight's head and lethargically lowered his small head to nuzzle her cheek. " Thanks for teaching me how to fly, but I think i'm ready to rest for the night will you have any more of those gems on the marrow?" The reptile cooed gently.

Twilight nodded. "Of course i will make a few for you tomorrow actually their formed from the excess magic within my system I guess you can have it, considering I most likely will never really have a use for it. Good Night, my little Fang." She mentally and physically yawned tiredly as she crawled onto the sleeping mat which her cloak had thankfully pulled from her saddlebags and placed on the bed.

"Good night mommy" The drake yawned in return as he rolled off of her head into her awaiting forehooves and was buried under her muzzle, comfortably cocooned within Twilight's grasp. A few drops of liquid slowly made a path through her fur and down onto the floor as she looked down upon the young youthful creature there, Her muzzle upturned a little as a few more tears fell from her shimmering bright eyes her feelings calmly flowing in one glorious direction not even stemming as she finally closed her eyes following her young charges example and falling into the blissful wasteland of thought that consisted of the common subconscious essence born upon all living things with strong souls.

Twilight slowly solidified her unconscious mind and took control of the dream world around her as she gained lucidity. 'Hmm... now would be a perfect time to visit Mshauri Zecora.' Twilight thought as she finished clearing her dreams of deceit and became fully lucid, Calling the door she knew was there she stepped up to the silvery portal and gazed at the soft desert sands beyond. Knowing she had waited long enough Twilight gracefully leaped through the portal entering the desert and feeling the soft caress of the warm arid and dry, yet silky smooth sands.

Looking about the tan plain overcast with nary a cloud, and the sun beating down from directly above surrounded by cobalt blue sky. Twilight smiled at the familiar scene knowing the direction of which she would find her mentor and headed straight west, Her mentor’s cutie mark and stripes firmly locked in the forefront of her thoughts as she focused her that in the dream towards the one she has been seeking.

After a few minutes she spotted the oasis that always noted the presence of the consciousness that fabricated this particular dream. Twilight crested over the final rise and looked down into the oasis proper and noted her mentor balancing on top of her bamboo staff meditating with her hooves forehooves closed and her left back hoof hanging out while her right remained completely balanced and ramrod straight from the pole. Twilight politely walked over and layed down twenty paces from her striped mentor’s position atop her staff. “Hello Mshauri Zecora, I’ve been meaning to contact you for the past few day’s but I ended up having to Take care of my new so-charge Fang.” Twilight announced to her mentor softly, letting out a proud tear of joy at the mention of her young charge.

Zebora’s eye’s opened, swiftly like practice she swiped the bamboo pole from under herself and landed on her hind hooves holding the staff above her head until she planted it into the ground stabilizing it and letting it lean against her. “Ah young Wisp, it is a Great pleasure to see you again, how goes your reintegration into the pony society going? Have they been treating you fairly?” Zecora asked, concern etched softly into her brow, as her voice sounded out within the dream as if from all angles but as if also from a distance.

Twilight smiled. “Don’t worry Mshauri, the pony’s have been quite friendly and have also been very kind in helping me get started. In fact I ran out of materials for several of my common potions, birdrake root and murmur wood chips seem to have been the most loved of the remedies the ponies preferred. Oh I hope you don’t mind but I made an anchor of rejuvenation using my last phoenix feather in the process... sorry.”Twilight let loose a sheepish grin for her mentor.

Zecora just sighed holding a small dissapointed smile for The young mare. “Phoenix feathers are hard to procure, if you want another one you’ll have to gather it yourself, besides how did you empty your entire stock of murmur wood? It’s only use is for leveling your core temperature, removing rotten foods from the stomach, and loosening another's tongue.”

Twilight nodded. “You are correct, the problem is though, that I went to the village to find a fellow maker of our craft but when I arrived there, the last one they had passed a few years prior. So I decided it would be an opportunity to see if I could assist others using the skills you taught me. I ended up with heavily reduced stores of my potion ingredients but hopefully I can restock along the road to the next town. I’ll have to do some deep forest searching for is Belladonna root, Vampyre roses, and some Nightshade lilies. Oh thank you so much Zecora I plan on not wasting this chance.” Twilight excitedly announced. “Though I do miss you, I hope to visit you once I settle down. until then though I’ll be contacting you through dreams until then.”

“This form of contact is fine and I believe the forests and roads will give you needed materials as they see fit while you travel between towns. So tell me how is your little egg born charge doing?” The zebra asked.

Twilight smiled widely with a few tears falling around her cheek. “Oh My little Fang, is just so wonderful, I just taught him how to fly today, oh I forgot, I need to ask.”

“Go on.” Zecora verbally nudged.

“What exactly can drakes feed on? I fed him a few of my mana crystals because he wasn’t able to nurse any more, he seemed to be able to eat them just fine. he only hatched a week ago. I need to know how long it takes a drake to age I learned that the average one in the Zaurask villages usually went from twelve to twenty years until they reached full physical maturity.” Twilight rambled.

The zebra smiled patronizingly down upon her young student. “Drakes age based on the ambient magic around them and on the amount of magic they consume. A drake within an area that is devoid of magic will find themselves reaching the same age as the ones under our mutual allies care, however your’s has been given and surrounded my magic since the first day, so i’d assume that he’s already at full physical maturity, but he is still learning. mental maturity is a fixed rate for the drakes, at around fourteen years, as I learned from the sage scripts.” Zecora nodded, her demeanor calm and filled with understanding.

“Thank you Zecora I’ll try and make sure Fang is well taught, I am still his caretaker(mother) until he decides to leave and live on his own... Zecora, Thank you for being there for me and teaching me your art along with the magics within your tomes.” Twilight bows to her master her muzzle barely brushing the warm sands underneath.

“You are quite welcome my friend, but do not forget Drakes are not the same as Dragons, they will not grow based on power, wealth, and greed. The Drakes grow based on the amount of magical power they absorb, and how long it takes for them to mature, Yours has already reached full maturity in form but you must be careful and continue teaching him how to be proper. I am Glad you are well, continue your studies and do well in the world, I ask that you visit me in the realm outside of dreams at a later time.”

Twilight nodded. “Don’t worry Zecora I will when the option becomes available and thanks for the information on Drake physiology. I love Fang and he is a good child, probably the only one I’ll ever have. ave noct mshauri Zecora, rest well.” Twilight spoke nodding to her mentor who nodded in turn, Twilight smiled to her mentor one more time before casting her energy upon the dream and breaking herself from it’s weave.

The dream melted like water shimmering away and solidifying into the gray landscape, letting her months of practice kick in Twilight began shaping the shadows first summoning an orb of light with her horn and sending it above herself into the sky and watching as the energy burst forth from the orb brightening the ground below and turning the black atmosphere a brilliant shade of blue. Smiling softly she imagined soft yielding grass below her as she lay on the ground immediately causing it to explode with color as fiery energy exploded outward along the black ground in all directions brightening the world further and filling it with a myriad rainbow of colors. looking around her field Twilight chuckled a little. ‘Today must really have been exciting, there's more White roses and lillies than usual, Though the moonflowers would probably still overshadow them in brilliance had I chosen to summon the night instead of day.’ Twilight continued reminiscing and calmly watching the field as she let time slip away during her rest her mind completely at ease as her body continued regaining it’s energy for the next dawn.