Contrary to the equestrian-mythology surrounding the zebra and their native homeland of Zebrica - a name admittedly not among the inspired - zebras do not live in a jungle. No, their homeland is that of a savanna, a tropical grassland. In some places trees are common, but in most, they are thinly scattered if present at all. Here, in the Northern Savannah, trees are rare...as are clouds. The lonely acacia that Compass Rose currently found herself in was the only one visible to the mare and there was not a cloud in sight. Sure, many shrubs abounded, however, a shrub would not protect her from the lions at the base of the tree. Yes, lions, five to be specific.

The pegasus mare’s expedition had started further south in the colony of Mareton, a quaint little port compared to the bustling metropolis of Canterlot, or the hub of activity that was her former home of Cloudsdale. Now, stuck up in the tree, she wondered if she had been too hasty in picking out her guide and porters. Only one of them had actually been a zebra and in hindsight, he looked a little too metropolitan, a bit too used to life in an equestrian city. Still she frowned, her imagination coming up with all sorts of terrifying things that could’ve happened to the others. When the lions attacked their small group, they had been preparing for their evening march, and thus none of them were prepared to run for her lives, let alone fight. When they had been beset, everyone broke and ran. She had never realized how unnerving silence could be.

Even weighed down with water, rations and a slew of adventuring supplies, she was a little surprised that the lions had bothered to track her. Since they arrived, she had been considering her course of action, in between doling out painful beatings to the few cats that had tried their paws at climbing up after her. Honestly, half the things she had been told she needed had become more of a hindrance than it could’ve ever made up for - these khaki bardings for example. All they did for her was to make her hot and sweaty!

However, before she was forced to make a decision whether to try and wait them out, or shed her things and make a ‘run’ for it, her eyes caught sight of something moving toward her tree. After a moment, it became apparent that four somethings were cutting through the tall grass toward her. Very quickly she began to fret. Five lions were frightening enough, but nine!? That would be just her luck...eaten by lions. She seriously started considering ditching her everything and making a break for it. Even without the weight she knew she wasn’t the fastest flier, but she had to be better than some cats...right? That’s what she had thought before they had found her...but now~ If she tried to flee and couldn’t find another tree to rest in, or a cloud to hide upon, and they found her. There was no way that she could fight nine lions, dumb luck would get her in the end.

The four trails continued to cut their way toward her tree until they neared the lions, before the one nearest the big cats suddenly stopped and a figure leapt up out of the grass. Much to the mare’s surprise, it was not a lion, but a zebra stallion; he wore a large, tribal mask and a woven belt at his waist that was covered in small clay jars and cloth pouches. He promptly swatted at the rear of the nearest lion with his staff, before disappearing into the grass on its other side. With a roar of pain, the lion spun about to face its assailant, but the zebra was already gone. The mare gasped loudly at the audacity of the stallion and leaned forward upon the branch, trying to find out where he had gone to?

From another of the trails that had been cut, a second zebra leapt out. This stallion had his face bared with an unruly mane, but was covered in belts carrying more jars and pouches. With a single hoof, he launched one of the jars at the base of the tree, where it shattered, causing a sickly green smoke to billow up and spread in a large cloud. The mare fluttered up to the top of the tree, trying to flee the foul looking, green smoke, but nevertheless tried to keep an eye on the action below. The lions, confused and blinded by the sudden swirling cloud of smoke spun about, desperately searching for their assailants, but the smoke thrower was now gone as well.

Then, with a loud, whinnying cry, the first staff wielding zebra leapt forth again, this time joined by another masked zebra. He appeared to be exceptionally large for their kind and bore no weapons or potions. Taking advantage of the lions’ loss of sight, the large stallion spun and bucked one of the lions like an earth pony, knocking it senseless. His companion struck another lion in the gut with his staff, causing the beast to double up. The two stallions once again managed to disappear before the rest of the beasts could react, serving to confound the mare as much as the cats. The mare not so quietly rooted for the zebras, and not just because they were her potential saviors, but because she was genuinely enthralled by their bravery and skill. The ability to simply vanish into the grass like that was a kind of magic she had never seen before!

While she cheered, Rose suddenly felt a tap on her shoulder, causing her to quickly turn away from the fight. When she did, a cheeky, young zebra stallion grinned at her from a branch over in the tree. The mare leapt from the branch with a yelp, her wings flaring, catching the air and allowing her to land not so gracefully on the next branch over. With a grace and skill that seemed almost supernatural, the stallion, whom she would note had stripes so thick as to make him seem almost entirely black, stepped quickly down until he stood beside her once more. Holding a hoof to his lips, he gestured for her to be quiet, then motioned for her to follow as he started leaping down the branches as if it were no great task.

Glancing briefly at the remaining lions, she decided that her odds were better with her uncanny saviors, than with the hungry cats. Heeding the stallion’s prompting, Rose unfurled her wings, to glide gently to the ground and take off quietly after him. Only, once on the ground, the pegasus quickly found herself running vaguely in the direction she had seen him dart off in, after losing him once more in the grass. She was quickly joined by the jar thrower, who took her by the shoulders, spun her about and gave her rear a swat, sending her in another direction. The mare yelped once again, this time from being marehandled by an unseen stallion, but otherwise quieted herself and continued running.

After a minute, she was once again joined by the nearly black stallion that had bounded effortlessly through the tree, now galloping only a few hoof lengths away from her and gave another cocky grin. However, after the rough treatment she had received from the other stallion, she was not about to give him the chance and when he neared her, she snapped her jaws at him warningly and swatted at him with her wingtip. She still ran in the same general direction, but was damn sure to keep a decent distance between them. The young stallion reeled back in surprise at her treatment, taking on a hurt look. With a sigh, he resumed running quietly.

It wasn’t long before she was greeted by the sight of the jar thrower galloping up next to her on her other side, notably keeping his distance from her. In quick succession, they were joined by the masked warriors, the staff wielder before her and the big, bare hooved stallion behind her.

After a long while of running, the staff wielder shouted for them to stop, the four of them skidding to a stop all at once. The mare flared her wings open and dug in her rear hooves, to grind to a halt. Her breast rose and fell deeply, but slowly; it was apparent that she was tired, but by no means winded. A little of that adrenaline still in her system, she glanced about a little nervously at the stallions, wary of their plans for the mare they had rescued. Did they save her, only to have their way with her? Or did they mean to make her their slave?

The staff wielder slid his mask off to let it rest on his back by a strap. Without his mask, she could see that his coat was much cleaner than the others, and while he was clearly older than the nearly black stallion, his features were softer, more handsome - and that was saying something. His stripes seemed wavy with an even pattern, where the others’ stripes seemed to do whatever they pleased on their owners’ bodies. Planting his staff in the dirt, he took a step toward the mare.

“You have been hurt.” He declared in a thick, zebrican accent, “Show Xolani where,” The staff wielder gestured to the jar thrower, “he will treat you.”

Compass Rose marveled for a moment by the fact that the zebra seemed to know Equestrian. He did not look like a savage, but it still surprised her to hear that he knew her language. Slowly, his words were processed through the shock. She hadn’t been hurt...she thought, momentarily forgetting what she looked like beneath her barding. Then, she followed the gesture to the zebra that had slapped her.

“I’m not hurt and he’s not coming anywhere near me!” She proclaimed with a little bit of a hiss to her voice and flared her wings defensively.

When Compass Rose bristled and tried to make herself look imposing by flaring her wings, she revealed her mottled coloring to the assembled zebra. The mare’s granite-grey feathers looked like there was a terrible accident on the day all the other ponies were getting their pastel paint jobs, leaving her with rough, rust-colored smattering. Furthermore, it was hard to tell where her coat ended and silver colored eyes began, except when she glanced about and revealed more of the whites of her eyes.

The stallion introduced as Xolani knelt before her and bowed his head low, “Xolani apologizes for striking you. Xolani wished to see you away from danger swiftly.” He looked up at her worriedly, “You are covered in blood...”

The pegasus took a deep, patient breath and relaxed her wings. “That’s just the color of my coat…” She revealed as if such was common for her; honestly, she looked tired, as if she were ashamed of her own colors, and made to return to the other subject. “You didn’t have to smack my rump, Xolani, I would’ve kept running.”

“Xolani sees the error of his ways.” The stallion declared in third-person once again, lifting his head, “Would you find it in your heart to forgive him~?”

“I suppose I can, seeing as you pulled my rear out of the proverbial fire back there.” She nodded, bringing her hoof to her chest, “My name is Compass Rose.”

“It is good to meet you, Compass Rose.” The staff wielder cocked his head at her curiously, “You have a very odd color.”

“I think she’s kind of pretty, Zephania.” The nearly black stallion spoke up in a smooth, quiet voice, “And look at her wings! I’ve never seen anything but birds and dragons with wings.” He fixed his gaze on her feathered appendages admiringly.

The mare suddenly felt rather self-conscious and perhaps even a little vulnerable, surrounded by four stallions, each of which easily in better shape than she was and much better fighters. Though she had heard the names of two of the stallions, the fact that none of them had returned the gesture and one of them had just called her pretty, put her on edge. Once again, her worries made themselves known.

“I...um…” She started trepidatiously, her wings shifting nervously at her sides.

“You’re making her nervous, Uzoma.” The zebra behind her spoke up in a rich, rumbling voice, “Give her some space.”

At the larger stallion’s command, the near black zebra nodded to her respectfully and backed off a few steps, Xolani too scooched back a little from where he still knelt.

“I...uh, thank you~?” She ventured hopefully, “I mean, thank you again for saving me from those lions.” She offered with a quick bow of her head, not willing to risk lifting her rump in front of what she was starting to think was a rough and tumble bachelor-herd of lion harassers.

“It was nothing.” Zephania reassured her with a charming smile, “If you would like, we will show you to our camp so that you may rest. No harm shall befall you while we are near.”

“I…” She hesitated, looking around at the bachelor-herd, before realizing that she could use a rest and quite literally didn’t have any place safe to do so, and so she nodded hesitantly. “I would very much appreciate that.” She nodded with something of a forced smile, a little wary of putting herself in another compromising position.

“Then we should be on our way.” Zephania declared with a respectful nod, “If you would like, Zuberi can carry your things for you.” He gestured to the large stallion behind her, before then gesturing to the others in turn, “Before we go further, these two are Uzoma and Xolani. My name is Zephania.”

Rose smiled slightly without even realizing it. “It’s nice to meet all of you.” She offered them, before shaking her head softly, “Thank you for the offer, but I’m quite capable of carrying my own things.” She assured them confidently, clearly trying not to rely on others.

“You sure? I could probably carry you, if you want a rest.” The large stallion known as Zuberi offered with a chuckle.

The mare blushed, quickly shaking her head. “No, I’m fine, thank you!” She squeaked cutely despite herself, trying not to imagine the hunk of a stallion carrying her.

“You are even prettier when you blush~” Uzoma suddenly spoke up with a smile, “A pretty mare with pretty wings and a pretty name~” He offered her a hoof, “Surely the spirits must have blessed us with your company.”

“Maybe you should try harder, Uzoma...” Zuberi commented with a snort.

The mare tentatively offered the dark-zebra by the name of Uzoma her hoof, figuring if he tried anything that she could still take off and give him a quick kick. That was, until Zuberi spoke, causing her to try - and fail - to withhold a snicker of amusement. Uzoma was pretty transparent in his flirting~

“If only I were a well spoken stallion,” Uzoma sighed, gently taking her hoof in his own, “...I would offer you far greater praise.” He gave her hoof a quick kiss, pointedly ignoring her mirth.

She regarded the stallion with a sheepish smile and a faint blush, not wanting to lead him on, but she found herself without the heart to dismiss the attention of the stallion. “Um, thank you~?”

“No.” Uzoma shook his head gently, “Thank you.”

The young zebra suddenly found his mane caught in Zuberi’s hoof, the larger stallion pulling him away and trotting along lazily, “Come along before you hurt yourself, Uzoma~”

Compass Rose watched the large zebra drag away his smaller, black companion, a small grin and a small amount of confusion plastered over her face, but figured it was mostly in good humor and thus didn’t intervene. What she was witnessing was both amusing and refreshing for her, the self-importance and stuck-up pride of the stallions she was used to was absent. Princess knows that her last stallion would never have tolerated being marehandled like that! She wasn’t quite sure what the pampered-prick would’ve actually done about it, besides whine, but she was sure he wouldn’t have taken it in stride as Uzoma seemed to.

With nothing more to say, the stallions formed up in a semicircle in front of her, leading her forth through the tall grasses. The young mare tried her best not to stare, but she found herself occasionally stealing glances despite herself. With everything calming down and a chance to take another look, it became evident that each of the stallions bore some kind of black symbol on their hips, similar to a cutie mark, that wove itself between their stripes. Zuberi’s took on an oblong shape that seemed almost like a shield. Beside him, Uzoma’s almost resembled a messy checkered pattern that faded into the rest of his coat toward its edges. Off to her other side, it almost appeared as though Xolani’s stripes gave themselves the image of waving grass with a circle peeking up over the image. Ahead of her, she was graced with two simple vertical bars upon Zephania’s hip. Her first instinct was to try and figure out what these marks meant, just as she would unconsciously upon meeting anypony...only none of them gave her any real hint toward their meaning. Pondering their meaning, the mare largely zoned out on her hooves.

It took almost an hour before the sight of a single yurt poked up over the tall grass, the sun was setting in the background. A few minutes more and they found themselves in a small clearing that held the yurt.

“Welcome to our home.” Zephania stopped and waved a hoof at the sturdy canvas and wood building.

“A little village of misfits and outcasts.” Uzoma spoke up with a chuckle.

“So, you’re a...um, bachelor herd?” The pegasus mare asked, her trepidation returning somewhat at the thought of being surrounded by stallions - they were not the best place for a mare that did not want to become pregnant, to be.

“I suppose you could call us that.” Zuberi replied with a nod; with his mask off, the stallion’s face seemed harder and blockier than the others.

“We are bachelors, yes.” Zephania admitted, “Though our goal as a group is not to find ourselves wives. We are simply trying to survive.”

“Isn’t that how bachelor herds work?” She inquired simply.

“In most cases yes. But those herds are formed with a set goal. We joined together by chance.” Zephania explained, “As Uzoma said, we are each misfits. Outcasts.”

“I never thought I’d find a bachelor herd before an actual tribe.” She mused aloud.

Now that she was no longer running for her life, the fatigue of the whole ordeal was starting to catch up with her and she started to feel it in her legs, and in her slowing thoughts.

“Most tribes that we know of in the area live at least a few days away.” Zuberi replied with a shrug.

“The nearest is back the way we came.” Zephania gestured with his staff.

“Xolani thinks that perhaps we should escort the mare to where she can rest.” The jar covered zebra spoke up, reminding his companions of the mare’s ordeal.

“I wouldn’t mind a quick rest.” Compass Rose admitted a little tiredly.

“Here, allow me to help you with your things.” Uzoma stepped up and offered her a hoof with a charming smile.

“I’m not carrying much.” She reassured the stallion, hoping that he would not get too pushy, so long as she kept him at arm’s reach.

“If you insist.” He nodded respectfully and took a step back.

“Come, I will show you where you may rest.” Zephania waved for her to follow, with his staff and started trotting toward the wooden door of the yurt, his companions close behind him.

Now that Compass Rose knew they were a bachelor herd, she started having second thoughts, especially about being trapped inside. While not normally claustrophobic, she was like all pegasi in the sense that she was aware she was more vulnerable inside, where flight was not a viable means of escape. Nevertheless, after a brief glance upwards and noting that there were no clouds in sight, she realized that she had little choice. Unless that is she was going to sleep outside, where the lions could get at her easily. She honestly didn’t care for either idea, but the idea that she might be eaten by lions was less appealing than being assailed by a few stallions. After all, she wasn’t some weak mare that couldn’t defend herself - just not against lions, she noted to herself - and thus, she followed Zephania.

The stallions trotted through the wooden door one at a time and when she entered after them, she was greeted by the sight of a small room, about eight feet across. It had been divided into four sections, each with a bedroll and a few personal belongings scattered about. In the center of the room, beneath a hole in the ceiling, was a fire pit. The stallions each went to one of the bedrolls, removing their masks and jars and what-not, and set them to the side.

After leaning his staff against the wall, Zephania turned to her once more. “You may take my bed. I will take first watch and switch with Zuberi when he takes over.”

The mare doffed her streamlined saddlebags next to the door and shook her head softly, “I can’t take your bed from you, not after you’ve offered me a place to sleep.”

“If you insist.” Zephania shrugged, “Though I think a bedroll would be more comfortable. Please, make yourself at home.” He glanced around at his companions with a chuckle, “I’m sure the four of you will find something to talk about before you sleep.” She nodded gently, trying to cover the fact that the chuckling stallion did nothing to allay her fears at being all alone with four strong, capable, and admittedly handsome zebra stallions. As Zephania trotted to the door to take his watch, he stopped next to Compass Rose and stared into her eyes for a moment, before placing a hoof on her shoulder, “Be at ease. Our people hold a great respect for mares.” That said, he turned and trotted out into the fading light.

Compass Rose still wasn’t completely sure she liked the idea, but if she had one failing it was that - like most ponies - she was perhaps a little too trusting. Watching him go, she decided that she would trust them. Removing her pith and barding, revealed that her clothes also doubled as a makeshift sleeping roll itself. If nothing else, it would keep her off the ground, if not keep her comfortable. It also revealed that her coat was indeed a pale-grey, mottled with speckles of a faded rusty color, just as her wings were; and her mane, a short cropped parchment color. While she had cut it to keep her cool, she was now pondering if that was in error, if for no other reason than all the insects that buzzed around the grasslands.

Laying down, she started rooting through her saddlebags, revealing several canteens and a watertight notebook of considerable thickness, before she withdrew no less than a dozen red fruits. Now to a pony, the common McIntosh Apple might be pedestrian enough, but she was hoping that for the zebras of the grasslands - where no apple trees could be found - that they would be a well-received gift. Looking up from her saddlebags to the stallions she could see, she held one up in her hoof, in offering…

“I’m not sure what you were planning for dinner, but I would be happy to share my remaining apples with you~” Compass Rose offered with a smile.

Uzoma stared at the fruit with a look of surprise, “They look delicious!”

“Xolani was going to make grass soup again...” The jar throwing zebra declared in protest.

“No.” Zuberi and Uzoma chimed in unison, causing Xolani to lower his head dejectedly.

“Xolani makes good grass soup...” The shaman’s ears folded back with a hurt look at their rejection.

“It’s grass. Soup. Xolani...” Uzoma deadpanned, “You can’t make grass good.”

“And it would be dishonorable to deny the gifts of a mare.” Zuberi reminded their comrade.

“Um, Xolani…?” Compass Rose called out to the stallion, “If you like cooking, I could show you how to make applesauce.”

Xolani’s ears perked back up then and he grinned, “Xolani is always looking for new recipes.”

“And yet it’s still grass soup every night~” Uzoma muttered just loudly enough for the mare to hear.

She tried her best not to smirk at the other stallion’s comment. “Well, it’s pretty simple if you have the apples. Do you have a pot with a cover and a paring knife, or two?”

“Xolani has everything needed for cooking and brewing.” Xolani nodded sagely and turned to retrieve a few things from his alcove. “How much grass will this sauce require?”

Uzoma leaned into whisper to Compass Rose, “We still don’t know why he’s so obsessed with grass.”

This time she couldn’t help but chuckle quietly, “None, Xolani, but a little nutmeg or cinnamon is a nice touch. Do any of you collect honey?”

“Xolani has never heard of cinnamon, but he has nutmeg.” He returned to the center area around the pit with a pot, two small bronze knives and a little jar that the scent of nutmeg drifted out of, “But Xolani has not been able to gather honey. Uzoma was too scared to climb up to collect it from the hive.” He shot a glare at the dark stallion.

“I am not risking death by bees for you!” The young stallion stated defensively.

“I’m sorry, please don’t fight…” She lifted her other hoof placatingly, trying to calm the two stallions; the two turned to look at her, before looking away bashfully.

“Xolani apologizes for being rude in your presence, winged mare.” Xolani bowed his head respectfully.

“We should have had better manners in front of such a lovely guest.” Uzoma admitted sheepishly.

In his alcove between the two, Zuberi shook his head with a weary sigh, “It is like Zephania and I live with colts~”

Compass Rose looked between the two formerly arguing stallions in shock, “No, it’s not like that!” She exclaimed before sighing, “I grew up with three brothers. I just don’t want to see you fighting…”

“It is disgraceful for warriors and shamans to show such anger in the presence of a mare.” Zuberi explained, casting a reproachful look to each of the stallions, “Mares deserve more honor and respect than that. They are right to apologize.”

“I see…” She remarked, then looked to the two as if she had an idea, “I really want to see how you are naturally. How about you four just pretend that I’m another stallion?” She suggested hopefully.

“It cannot be done.” Zuberi replied with a shake of his head.

“To treat a mare as anything but her true self is dishonorable.” Xolani agreed.

“And you’re too pretty to pretend you’re a stallion.” Uzoma chimed in with a charming smile.

“Do zebra mares fight? Because I can.” The pegasus announced.

“No.” Zuberi replied, “To allow them to fight if they do not need to, to allow them to be endangered as such is the height of dishonor. Better that a stallion’s blood be shed than the mares of his tribe.”

Compass Rose sighed defeatedly, before one last thought came to mind and she looked up to them with hope. “I came across the great sea to learn of your tribes and your ways. If you don’t act naturally, then how am I supposed to learn how you live?”

Zuberi blinked, “You ask.”

“I don’t simply wish to be told, I wish to see how you live.” She explained passionately, “Does that make sense?”

“You are seeing it.” Zuberi cocked his head at her curiously with a furrowed brow.

“No, I’m not. You told me that you don’t normally have a mare with you, so I’m asking that you act as if there were not a mare with you now.” She looked at the three with a pleading expression, her eyes wide and her chin drawing up ever so slightly, giving the three stallions perhaps the most adorable face they may have ever seen.

The three of them shared a long, uneasy look, before Zuberi spoke again, “I am...not sure we are comfortable with that. The stallions of a tribe are supposed to show the tribe’s mare the utmost respect~”

At that moment, Zephania clopped back in through the door and, taking a quick stride over to Uzoma, swatted him upside the head, “I told you to help Xolani gather his ingredients!” He spun and tossed a pebble from the floor at Xolani’s forehead, “Stop obsessing over grass!” Turning, he reached over and bopped Zuberi on the top of the head with his staff, “The mare made a request. Listen to her.”

With a disgusted sigh, Zephania spun about once more and moved to trot out of the yurt. When he was gone the remaining stallions sat in stunned silence, before they turned their collective gaze to an equally shocked Compass Rose. The mare wasn’t sure how he had overheard their conversation, but she was impressed he had.

“Well then...” Zuberi began slowly.

Uzoma rubbed the back of his head where Zephania had swatted him, “That was, eh...”

“Will you please try to act normally around me?” The pegasus asked sincerely, “I would appreciate the respect you show me, but I would like to see how a bachelor herd lives without mares...and don’t worry about me, like I said, three brothers. I’ve seen it all.”

“I think you’ve seen all there is to us now as well.” Zuberi declared bemusedly.

“I just want you four to feel comfortable around me, I am imposing after all, even if you do appreciate my company…” She trailed off briefly, “Just try to act naturally, please?” The three stallions shared another look, before turning to her and nodding in assent.

“As you wish, Compass Rose.” Zuberi smiled warmly.

“We will honor your request.” Uzoma nodded with a grin.

“Thank you!” She exclaimed happily and smiling broadly, “Now, can I get you stallions to help me cook?”

“Xolani is the only one who can cook.” Xolani puffed out his chest proudly.

“Boiling grass is not cooking!” Uzoma cried out incredulously.

“Well, maybe if Uzoma would get the proper ingredients for Xolani, Xolani could make his grass taste better.” The medicine stallion huffed.

“You can’t make grass taste better! By my ancestors’ spirits, it’s grass!” Uzoma shouted desperately.

“I think our guest finds you amusing.” Zuberi noted with an amused smirk, and both of the arguing stallions stopped to looked at her curiously.

Compass Rose, now reassured somewhat that their bickering was not in fact ‘fighting’, but some sort of bonding ritual, had a hoof to her mouth and was giggling demurely at the two of them.

“The winged mare thinks Xolani’s cooking style is worthy of laughter?” Xolani asked sadly, only for her to shake her head as she fought back the giggles, “Then she finds Uzoma’s looks worthy of laughter?”

“Hey!” The dark zebra cried out indignantly.

She shook her head once again. “No, I think the way you two show each other friendship is funny!” Rose proclaimed, before laughing a bit harder.

“This is what we do, Compass Rose.” Zuberi nodded sagely, “This is who we are.”

The mare took a deep breath and fought down her giggles. “Then thank you for letting me see who you are.” She smiled genuinely, putting on a happy face to try and keep from laughing again, “Now, making applesauce is really easy. All you have to do is peel the apples, core them and cook. May I see a knife for a moment?” Rose asked Xolani, holding out a hoof and he obliged, passing it handle first and watching eagerly, ready to learn. She nodded to the stallion and spun the knife in hoof, bringing it to the apple in the other and began cutting… “Now, an apple’s skin in rather thin, so once you’ve got the blade under it, things should move quickly enough.” She demonstrated quite skillfully. The stallions watched intently as the white of the apple was revealed. They had never seen a fruit like that before and were sure to remain quiet for her demonstration. “Now, the skin’s completely edible, it just doesn’t bake well,” She showed them, by taking a bite of the peel, before offering them some, a little fruit left over on it.

They each took a small bite and savored it in their mouths for a moment.

“It’s...not bad.” Zuberi declared with a nod.

“It’s kind of sweet.” Uzoma mused.

“It would make an excellent addition to Xolani’s grass stew.” Xolani rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

She giggled playfully at that. “Didn’t Zephania tell you not to obsess over grass so much~?” She teased Xolani gently.

“Zephania does not understand the importance of grass to Xolani’s brews and medicines!”’ He declared haughtily.

“Someday you’ll have to explain it to me, when I have the time to write down some notes.” She smiled faintly as she neared completion on peeling her apple.

“Well, you’ve seen a little of how we live,” Zuberi began with a hum, “Would you tell us about yourself, Compass Rose?”

“Sure,” She nodded, “What would you like to know?”

“What brings you to our homeland? I’m sure there are many interesting races in the world. Why zebras?” Zuberi asked curiously.

“I guess, because you are so similar to us ponies, yet are in many ways nothing alike…?” She mused.

“How so?” He prompted her, cocking his head.

“Well…very few ponies are nomadic, most of us live in villages and cities. Some ponies never travel more than a day’s canter from where they were born.” She expanded.

“But if all these ponies stay in one place all their lives, how do their lands support them with no chance to replenish?” Xolani gave her a very confused look.

“Equestria is a fertile land and has bred some very capable farmers,” She shook her head then, “I unfortunately know nothing of farming, as few pegasi take up the profession.”

“Pegasi?” Uzoma asked quizzically.

“Farming?” Zuberi blinked again.

Compass Rose chuckled self-consciously, before extending her wings and flapping them with an absent slowness. “I am a pegasus pony, those of us born with wings are pegasi.” She explained, before holding forward the now peeled apple, “Farming is… A farmer plants, tends and then harvests the plants that grow the food we eat. Like apples.”

“So a farmer nurtures life, rather than allowing nature to handle everything?” Xolani asked slowly.

The mare nodded simply. “In the orchards where they grow apple trees, there can be hundreds, even thousands of trees in neat and even rows, and each tree can grow hundreds of apples a season!” She exclaimed excitedly, earning awestruck stares that she did not seem to notice, “Alright, next, we core the apple.” Bringing the apple over the pot, she made four quick cuts, first lopping off either side, then slicing off the excess. This left a square core with a little fruit on it that she now dangled by a hoof, “Now which one of you boys wants the core?” She teased them with a little smile. Three hooves raised into the air, earning a gentle snicker. “Well, how am I supposed to choose between three handsome stallions...?” The three of them couldn’t help but puff up a little at her compliment.

“I think it’s simple enough.” Zephania’s voice declared from the doorway, “Let each of them give you a kiss. The sweetest kiss gets the core.” Zephania smirked at her with a chuckle when she looked back at him with a blush.

“I...a kiss?” Rose returned in surprise, before blinking away said surprise, “Then you go first.” She declared with a grin, suspecting that the stallion would not be able to go through with it.

She was proven wrong, however, when he brought a hoof to her cheek and leaned in to place a tender kiss on her lips. Her eyes widened in surprise at the stallion’s boldness, but then she sighed quietly - he was a good kisser. But to keep her dignity she remained still and most certainly did not kiss him back, though she momentarily thought about it...

Zephania held her there for a moment, before pulling back just far enough to stare into her eyes, “So who’s next?” He smirked.

The mare looked back to them with a confident smile, there was nothing quite like a good kiss to make a mare more confident in herself. The stallions stopped and looked to each other thoughtfully for a moment. When they were through, Uzoma stood to his hooves with an eager grin. Trotting up to her, he sat himself down beside her and slowly slipped an arm around her, pressing his lips to hers gently, but hungrily. As good as Zephania’s kiss was, Uzoma’s was almost infectious! There was a part of her mind that had to force her tail to be still, lest it get her into trouble. Well, more trouble than teasing and kissing stallions might...

With a reluctant sigh, Uzoma eventually broke the kiss and stepped back, only to be replaced by Zuberi. The larger, blockier stallion wrapped both of his arms around her and held her to himself, before kissing her. His kiss was firmer, though less passionate than Uzoma’s and he held his lips open invitingly. Compass Rose was not about to indulge him, and she promptly eased her head downward, to break the kiss and end up forehead-to-forehead with the stallion.

“It’s too bad we’re not having a best hug competition…” She purred, before giving him the smallest peck on the cheek.

Zuberi absolutely beamed at her statement, giving her a gentle squeeze before he released her. She then found herself being gently turned by the shoulder to face Xolani. He stared into her eyes for a moment, almost reverently.

“Eyes like twin moons...” Xolani leaned in and gave her a very quick, chaste kiss.

Compass Rose pulled back with a gentle sigh. “Well...you boys really know how to make a girl feel good…” She hummed in thought for a moment, “I don’t know...you two are both really good kissers…” She admitted, looking from Xolani to Zephania and back; all four stallions smiled happily at the thought that they had pleased the mare, though Xolani and Zephania puffed up in particular.

“Perhaps...” Zephania reached out a hoof and began to gently caress her back between her wings, causing her wings to snap up as if spring loaded, smacking his arm and causing a little gasp from her. Uzoma, who had been directly behind her, almost fell back onto his rump with a startled cry, but caught himself. “Compass Rose?” Zephania rubbed his bruised arm tenderly as he regarded her with a worried expression.

By that point, she had wheeled on him dropping the apple core on the ground. “Don’t touch me there!” She exclaimed loudly, a hot blush coloring her face.

“B-but I was-” He started to stammer out, before he took notice of the way she was blushing, “Oh!” His eyes widened a bit and he immediately dropped into a bow, lowering his head to the floor. “Please forgive me, Compass Rose. I did not mean to overstep my bounds.”

Each of the other stallions around her took a step back and cast their gazes to the ground, as though an act of submission. The angry mare quickly took notice of their reactions and calmed herself, realizing it was nothing more than a mistake.

“Zephania, stop, please,” Compass Rose implored him, her blush increasing slightly as her voice fell a little, “The spot between a pegasus’ wings is an erogenous zone.” She whispered just loudly enough for each of the stallions to hear as she looked to the floor, her face feeling like it was on fire.

Zephania slowly looked up from the floor, “I caused you great discomfort-”

If her blush didn’t cover every inch of her face before, it did now. “No, it feels really good, too good~” She admitted sheepishly.

“I touched you where you did not wish to be touched.” Zephania spoke softly, “I have shamed-”

“No, Zephania, you didn’t know. It’s alright, I forgive you.” She reassured him, quietly interrupting him yet again.

“Please, allow me to make it up to you.” He rose back to his full height, “Simply name whatever task or favor you wish.”

Compass Rose really didn’t think that he would take nothing as a response, so she looked back to Uzoma briefly. “Think you two could get us some honey? Applesauce tastes better when sweet.”

“It will be done.” Uzoma declared. He and Zephania bowed their heads deeply to her, before grabbing a jar from Xolani and disappearing out the door.

Compass Rose shook her head and looked back to the two, before noting the fallen apple core. “Sorry, I think each of you deserve a hoof-delivered apple core after having to listen to me yell~” She smiled weakly and looked to Zuberi, “Can you help us peel, please?”

“Of course.” He gave her a gentle smile and went to take one of the bronze knives, “You have nothing to apologize for. It is a stallion’s duty to please the tribe’s mares. You were caused displeasure, so it is only right to fix it for you.”

“I’m not one of your tribe’s mares, you owe me nothing, Zuberi…” She reproached him gently, “And it wasn’t a big deal, it was an accident. I’m surprised it took this long, to be honest.”

“You are a guest in our home. That means you are of our tribe, if only for a short while.” Zuberi explained, “Your needs, your desires? They are ours now.”

“Careful, stallion, or you might not be able to get rid of me~” She waved a hoof at him dismissively, chuckling quietly to herself, as she went to peeling an apple herself.

“I do not think this would be a bad thing.” Zuberi smiled and took an apple to peel.

“Xolani agrees. A mare’s mere presence makes the grasslands more green.” Xolani gave her a sagely nod.

“I wish all stallions thought that way~” She remarked with a quiet wistfulness.

“Do pony stallions not give their mares honor and respect?” Zuberi furrowed his brow angrily at the thought.

“Yes,” She nodded, then paused, “I mean most do…” She explained, “Trying to gain the attention of a stallion can be difficult for a mare,” She gestured to herself, “especially for a less than perfect mare.”

“Please take no offense when I say this, Compass Rose,” Zuberi cleared his throat and snorted angrily, “But your homeland is a shameful place if a beautiful mare like yourself cannot obtain the affections of a stallion.”

“Beautiful…?” She parrotted, freezing in her work on her apple.

“Yes. Very.” Zuberi nodded in affirmation.

Compass Rose blinked in surprise, before turning toward Xolani.

“Xolani believes you to be a beautiful creature of the sky as well.” Xolani gave her a warm, reassuring smile.

The mare smiled faintly and shook her head demurely. “Alright, get back to your apples, you two, before you make me cry…” She chuckled and returned to peeling her own apple.

Xolani resumed his work with a smile, but Zuberi stared at her in concern. “Have we said something to make you sad, Compass Rose?” He asked worriedly.

She smirked. “No, silly...I’m going to cry because you’re making me feel good.” She chuckled heartily, but quietly. Zuberi smiled at that, feeling a sense of pride for cheering up the pegasus mare, before going back to work. After a few moments, she had cored her apple before either of the stallions, given that she had many years of practice under her proverbial belt. She turned to the stallion nearest her. “Xolani?” She called out his name, and the stallion turned toward her. She cut off the stem, before placing the apple core between her lips and leaning toward him. He smiled softly and leaned in, taking it in his own teeth, his lips brushing against hers. Sitting there, he simply stared into her eyes, as though transfixed. She smirked gently, tapping against his lips and pulled back, only to lean into his ear. “You’re supposed to eat it now~” She tittered.

Xolani suddenly snapped out of his little trance with a slight blush. He chewed on the core for a few moments, savoring the flavor, before he swallowed. “It is sweet.” He nodded, “Though not as sweet as your own lips~”

The mare grinned happily, “Thank you, Xolani. You are quite the kisser yourself~” She complimented him, before looking to Zuberi, “If you can cut that one without cutting yourself, you’re next.” She winked at the other stallion, who immediately quickened his pace, wielding his knife with practiced ease, even on unfamiliar fruit. It took him only a minute longer to cut his way to the core with no injury to himself. Taking the core triumphantly, Zuberi took it...and promptly balanced it on his nose, giving Compass Rose a silly grin. She chuckled at his antics, before trotting over to him and held out her hoof. “Give it here, silly.” She snorted amusedly.

He feigned a pout, before hoofing it over with a smile, “Your laugh is as beautiful as you are.”

She plucked off the stem with her teeth, before taking the fruit in her lips, as she had for the other stallion and leaned in with a grin on her lips. He took the other half in his teeth and puckered his lips to kiss her as he did so. This time, she kissed him back, albeit briefly. She figured that the stallion deserved it this time, considering the fact that she was coming onto him this time and even still, he was being behaved. A well behaved stallion deserves a little positive reinforcement, no? She mused internally. Even still, she did pull back from him, before wrapping an arm around his neck, fishing for another of his giant hugs. After chewing and swallowing the core, he was all too happy to oblige, wrapping her in both arms and squeezing her gently. She giggled again, appreciating his large form and a part of her couldn’t help but be attracted to his stature, a part of her wondering if it was large too, before she silenced such lewd thoughts. While he held her, he leaned his head down to give her a quick nuzzle, before giving her a questioning look. Did she really want him to let go? She reluctantly released him signaling that she did indeed want to be. With a small sigh, he let her escape from his arms. It was around that moment that Zephania and Uzoma trotted back in, Uzoma carrying a jar presumably filled with honey. Both of them had triumphant looks on their faces. Compass Rose turned around with a surprised expression.

“That was fast.” She nodded, moving to give Uzoma a quick nuzzle, before taking the jar from him.

“What can I say?” Uzoma puffed out his chest, “No hive is a match for Uzoma!”

Zephania rolled his eyes, “You were out of that tree and galloping away faster than an antelope~”

Uzoma shot him a dirty look, “I didn’t see you climbing up there with those evil little demons.”

The mare gently pulled him around by the chin, “Sounds like you’re fast to me~” She pressed her nose against his reassuringly.

“The fastest and the best.” He stated proudly, giving her a peck on the lips.

She pulled back with a grin still on her face, she honestly couldn’t help it with all the attention she was getting. “Well, let me get back to the apples, so that we can put this honey to good use.” Noticing that Xolani had finished coring his apple and started on the next, she placed the jar down next to the pot, “Zephania…?” She called out to him, before turning around, a cored apple held suggestively between her lips once more.

Zephania smiled softly and sat on his rump before her. Taking her cheeks in both his hooves, he took the apple into his mouth, but almost seemed to forget about it as he held his lips tenderly against hers. This time she did kiss him back, though only briefly, as not to make any of the others jealous and then promptly withdrew. Though she was loath to admit it, there was a part of her that wanted him as her own and if he were a pony, she would’ve jumped at the chance. That said, there was a part of her that - without even realizing it - was already playing each of them to see which one was best.

Zephania tentatively brushed a hoof affectionately over her shoulder, “What do you need us to do now?”

She found herself wiping a smile off of her muzzle. “We’ve got the rest of the apples to peel and core, then it’s just a matter of cooking.” She explained the rather simple process.

“Alright. Let me grab some knives...” Zephania trotted to his alcove, returning with a knife for himself and Uzoma.

The four stallions and mare peeled the remainder of the apples in quick order, before she instructed the others to get the fire going to cook the apples. She then waved Uzoma over, a rather healthy core in her hoof, one that she had intentionally left extra fruit on for the patient stallion. As with the others, she placed it in her lips, teasingly fluttering her eyes at him. With an eager whinny, Uzoma took the core and pressed his lips to hers as if intent on devouring them as well. The mare gently placed a hoof on his barrel to let the stallion know to calm himself. He pulled back slowly with a sheepish grin, chewing on the apple core.

She leaned into his ear, “Mares are like apple cores, best when slowly savored.” She whispered to him alone.

“I will take note.” He whispered back after swallowing.

She gave him a peck on the cheek - after all, good stallions need to be rewarded - she reminded herself, not in the least because she was now excited by the prospect of four stallions that all thought she was beautiful, and worth waiting on her every beck and command. When they had lit the fire and finished peeling their apples, each of the four stallions leaned in to give her a nuzzle.

“What now?” Xolani asked expectantly as he took his place by the pot.

“Now we need a cup of water, a liberal amount of honey, a dash of nutmeg and fifteen or twenty minutes to let it all cook.” Compass Rose responded cheerfully.

Xolani was quick to follow her instructions, throwing the ingredients into the pot, covering it, and setting it over the fire. “There. Let us see if Xolani can make ‘applesauce’ as good as his grass soup.”

“Hopefully better...” Uzoma muttered with a roll of his eyes.

“I’m sure it’ll be great.” The mare declared happily, “You all did a great job preparing the apples!”

“So what should we do while we wait?” Zephania asked curiously, looking around at the group.

“There is still some honey left in Xolani’s jar.” Xolani held out the jar to Compass Rose suggestively.

“Just a little,” She stuck her hoof into the jar for a taste, “applesauce is pretty sweet on its own.”

Xolani nodded and took a taste of his own, before passing it to Zuberi. From there, it passed around the group until Zephania went to hoof it to Compass Rose again. But while he held it out, it slipped in his hooves and spilled a small amount of its honey on the mare’s flank before he righted it. The mare groaned quietly, before she stood and spun around, licking the little bit of honey off of her cutie mark.

“I am sorry for my clumsiness.” Zephania nodded low, setting the jar down in front of her.

She took a moment to smooth her coat back out, before turning back and shaking her head. “It’s alright, no harm done. Now if you got it in my feathers, then I might be cross.”

“Understandable. They must be hard to clean.” Uzoma commented.

Her feathers ruffled subtly as she went to sit back down. “Hard? No, just time consuming. If a pegasus cares about her feathers, she’ll preen her wings every day. Though you could get by doing it every few days, your wings won’t work as well.”

“You work hard to maintain their function as well as their beauty.” Uzoma replied respectfully.

She nodded simply, quite proud of her wings, as most pegasi are.

“What is it like?” Zephania suddenly asked with an eager grin, “Being able to soar through the heavens?”

She cocked her head at him, curiously, never actually having thought about it before. “It’s...I don’t know. I don’t usually think about flying, but when I’m not flying.” She revealed, “Being on the ground is,” She shrugged, “...Claustrophobic.”

“You feel free when you are in the sky.” Zuberi nodded softly.

“I suppose. When I’m in the air, I know that I’m safe. Faster than any lion and more nimble than any gryphon.” She declared wistfully.

“Xolani hopes to see you in the air soon. You seem like you are happier up there.” The medicine stallion smiled, but did not look up as he watched the pot.

“Hmm?” She asked, suddenly drawn back to the conversation in earnest, “It’s not that I’m unhappy on the ground…” She protested weakly.

“You don’t sound convinced of that yourself.” Zuberi noted with a slight frown.

Compass Rose frowned then, swallowing promptly, before looking to Zuberi. “I was born in Cloudsdale, a pegasi cloud-city. I lived most of my life in the sky, up until I boarded the ship that brought me here.” She explained, “I’ve never been to a place where there are no clouds anywhere to be found...a safe haven from whatever may decide to attack me. Those lions for instance, I would’ve just laughed at from upon a cloud, back in Equestria.”

“Then this is your first extended visit to the ground, then?” Zephania asked in surprise, his eyes widening a little.

“Not my first time, no. I lived briefly in Canterlot.” She admitted with a small shake her head, before frowning softly, “But they have frequent cloud cover, even if it is thin.”

“Is there anything we can do to make you feel more comfortable down here?” Uzoma asked soothingly. “I would like you to feel safe with us.”

“You could help keep an eye out for a cloud.” She continued to explain, “My first night on the coast, I managed to snag a cloud out at sea to sleep on. Ever since, I’ve been moving inland and there have been no clouds at all.”

“There are few out here on the grasslands.” Uzoma nodded, “Though I will keep an eye out for you.”

“Thank you.” She nodded to the nearly-black stallion, with a small smile. The stallions remained quiet after that, waiting patiently for the applesauce to cook. “I love the smell of cooking apples, don’t you?” She finally spoke after a few moments of silence, looking around at the stallions, trying to get a conversation going once again.

“It is a delicious smell.” Xolani nodded with a hum. “Do you perhaps have any more Xolani could trade for? Xolani could make scented oils with these...”

She shook her head. “I’m sorry, I only brought these as a gift to whatever tribe took me in. Though, if you ever head to the coast, there are a few trading ports from what I understand and where there are ponies, there are most certainly apples.”

“Then Xolani shall have to make a journey in future days.” He nodded to himself, “Xolani believes he might trade things made with apples to some tribes. Those that will allow Xolani’s little tribe in...” He muttered.

“I know it’s none of my business, and feel free to tell me no...but why would tribes not allow you four in?” She asked curiously.

“Each of us is outcast from our respective tribes.” Zephania explained. “This closes entry to most of the nearby tribes to us...”

“Would you mind if I asked why?” She asked tentatively, her ears folded partially back to make herself look sufficiently meek, knowing that she had no right to ask anything of them.

The four stallions were silent for a while, looking between her and each other.

Xolani was the first to speak up, “Xolani worships the stars. Xolani sees beauty and wisdom there...knowledge. Most call the stars evil.” He continued to watch the pot, occasionally opening it up to stir.

“I see…” She spoke quietly, nodding in response, “Who, or what, do most zebras worship then?”

“Most revere the ancestors, as well as spirits that guide us in all we do.” Xolani explained, “Many revere the sun and moon as well. Where the stars are evil, the moon is the guardian that holds them back.”

“My people’s rulers are a pair of majestic sisters that control the moon and sun. They are wise and caring rulers that have protected our people for centuries beyond count, at least since Discord’s time, well more than a thousand years ago…” She explained, “Some of us worship them as living, well, goddesses.”

Xolani paused in his stirring and all four of the stallions looked to her skeptically, “That is a lofty claim to make. Controlling the sun and moon.”

Compass Rose looked down at her hooves, scraping at the dirt. “Do you remember a few months past when the sun and moon froze in the sky?” She asked, not looking up from the dirt floor, and the zebras shared an uneasy glance.

“Dark times. Bad omens.” Xolani muttered.

“Well, if the stories are true, Discord trapped the Princesses, rendering them unable to perform their royal duties and freezing the two in the sky.” Compass Rose spoke quietly once more. The four stallions were unsure how to take the revelation. So, with nothing to say, they remained quiet. After a moment, the mare broke the silence once more, “Thank you, Xolani.”

“Hhmm?” Xolani glanced up from the pot, which was almost done cooking, “Why do you thank Xolani?”

“You didn’t have to tell me why you were exiled.” She smiled back at him.

“How could Xolani say no to a beautiful creature like Compass Rose?” Xolani smiled softly.

She shrugged. “I just thought that some of you might not want to tell me…”

“If you wish to know, it is no secret.” Zuberi spoke up, “None of us hold shame for what we were exiled for.”

“If you wouldn’t mind, I am quite curious…” She revealed with a nod.

Zuberi nodded and took a deep breath, “When ponies first encountered zebras, not all of their meetings were...peaceful. Many still hold resentment toward pony kind. Among them, a few tribes, like my own, came to know the winged ponies and horned ponies as demons for the havoc they could wreak in battle.” He paused to let her process the statement.

“I-” Compass Rose exclaimed, only to fall silent and regard her hooves, “So, you were exiled because you wanted peace?” Her voice asked in a near whisper.

“No.” He stated simply.

“I don’t understand.” She admitted slowly, eyeing the stallion cautiously.

“Many years ago, a horned stallion set up camp near my tribe. He had come to study local animals and plants.” Zuberi began, “Rather than drive him off, our chieftain ordered us to avoid him. My sister did not listen. I would learn that she had been visiting him in secret. One night, I caught them together. I drove him away and dragged her back to our home, commanding her to tell no one...but she had become pregnant.” Compass Rose looked surprised, her face forming a little ‘oh’ shape, but no words came forth, “Now, for zebras, it is not uncommon for a mare to become pregnant without bonding to a stallion. Some do not wish to be bonded, others simply cannot find a stallion who will take them permanently. As such, none questioned her condition. Then she gave birth...he bore his father’s horn. My sister and the foal were slain on the spot.”

It seemed strange to see, but the pale-grey mare managed to go almost white, her eyes widening and filling with tears, of equal parts sadness and rage. Aside from her face going slack and her eyes widening, she froze, not even her mouth managed to work for a long moment.

“I…” She finally mumbled, her eyes pacing back and forth across the floor frantically, before she stood and whipped around, “I need some air.” She declared, darting out of the yurt, leaving the door open behind her.

“Compass Rose!” Zephania and Uzoma shot up and outside after her, “It is not safe to be out here alone!” By then, it was too late, the mare had taken aloft and was flying away at a fast pace. Zephania looked back at Uzoma, “I will get the others. We have to follow her, who knows what she might encounter when she lands? You run after her as fast as you can.”

Uzoma nodded and dashed away into the grass, following after the mare as quickly as he could manage, and was soon joined by Zeburi and Zephania, while Xolani had elected to stay behind in case she returned. The trio spent an hour trying to follow the long gone pegasus, before heading back, deciding that they would continue searching in the morning.

Back in camp, after more than an hour of waiting alone, Xolani heard something thud into the side of the yurt, hard enough to shake its walls. Xolani froze, eying the wall suspiciously, before picking up one of his many small clay jars and slowly trotting for the door. Trotting out slowly, he scanned the area before turning to trot around the yurt. Leaning up against the wall was Compass Rose, her head hung low and panting for breath, she was so tired that she did not immediately take notice of his presence.

“Compass Rose!” Xolani cried worriedly. He dropped his clay jar and galloped forward to wrap her in a hug, “You stupid, stupid filly! You should not worry Xolani and his tribe so.”

The pegasus mare was too tired to actually be surprised at that point. “I know, I know, I’m sorry.” She groaned tiredly, and something about the way she said it made him think that she was quite used to saying it, as if it were a common occurrence.

Xolani sighed and rubbed her lower back, careful to avoid her wings, “It’s alright now. Xolani has you~” He gave her a gentle squeeze.

“I’m alright, I’m better now.” She reassured him, still with that exhausted voice.

“Xolani knows...” He moved to support her, “Let Xolani get you to bed so you may rest.”

“I’m out of shape.” She revealed plainly, “To be so tired after a mere hour’s flight…” She shook her head then.

“You have been gone for almost two.” Xolani stated as he started to lead her back to the door.

“Oh…” She murmured quietly, as if that changed things, leaning up against Xolani and enjoyed his warmth. He remained silent until they made it into the yurt, where he started to guide her toward his bedroll. “You can place me down on my barding.” She insisted.

“No. Xolani’s bedding is far more comfortable.”

“I’m not sleeping with you.” She declared forcefully, before realizing how cruel that sounded, “Any of you.” She added, before realizing that wasn’t any better, “...I’m going to shut my muzzle and my eyes.” She groaned, flopping down on her spot unceremoniously.

Xolani was quiet for a moment, before going to his little alcove and retrieving a blanket; trotting back over, he gently placed it over her, before leaning down and kissing her forehead, “You have nothing to fear from Xolani. Xolani merely wished you to be comfortable, not to bed you.” With that, he slowly turned and made his way back to his own little bedroll.

“I’m sorry, Xolani, I’m not the most tactful mare at the best of times, nor am I the wisest.” She snorted then, “Goodness knows my parents agree…”

“Xolani understands. Xolani is not upset.” He reassured her gently, “Now rest.”

“How was the applesauce?” She asked quietly.

“We are saving it for when you can enjoy it with us.” He gave a soft smile.

“Thank you~” She whispered with a contented smile.