That evening, Compass Rose watched attentively as the stallions put up the yurt with practiced ease, occasionally trotting about to follow one of them at a distance and observe. She found the whole thing a little fascinating, considering that everything cloudborn-built was technically less than solid, and if not for their magic, quite able to be blown around by the wind. In her time in Canterlot, there was no change in the majestic city of marble and gold, aside from a new layer of paint on a few of the older buildings, so she had never actually seen construction before. Now, this yurt - as she figured it - would likely stand until the wind was strong enough to pull it apart. It was ingenious, both rigid enough to survive the elements and still portable, quite unlike the pony tents that were little more than stretched canvass, held down with heavy stakes.

It didn’t take long for the stallions to assign themselves duties. Zuberi was quick to take over setting up camp, while Xolani prepared to cook and Uzoma gathered materials for his fire. This left Rose and Zephania to themselves for a while.

She soon found the eldest of the stallions standing at her side with a soft smile, “Would you like to take a walk with me?” He offered sweetly.

“I want-” Rose began to decline, only to quickly realize what the stallion was actually asking her, and she promptly changed gears and nodded, “Sure.” She chirped, turning about to follow his lead.

Zephania quirked an eyebrow at her with a curious grin, taking notice of the shift, “Is there something else you would like to do?”

Rose quickly shook her head. “I can watch you put up the yurt some other time.” She assured him, before leaning into his side.

“You like watching a stallion work then~?” He teased her playfully, before starting to lead her out onto the open grassland.

Rose quickly leapt away from him, turning herself around to defend herself with wide, terrified eyes. “I’m not that kind of mare!” She quickly assured him, “I would never think of stallions like that!”

Zephania blinked confusedly and raised a hoof placatingly. “I was merely teasing, Rose. Do you really think we would find such a thing offensive? What harm is there in being admired by a beautiful mare?”

Rose blinked confusedly. “I- You- What~?” She stammered, now seemingly at a complete loss for what had just happened.

“I was joking when I asked if you liked to watch stallions work.” Zephania blinked slowly, “Why did you react so?”

“I-” Rose then took several deep breaths to steady herself, before relaxing and moving to nuzzle the stallion apologetically for her outburst, “There are some troglodyte mares that still hold to the belief that a stallion has only two uses...working and…” The mare swirled her hoof about, “You know...”

Zephania nodded in understanding and went to nuzzle her reassuringly. “Your people are very strange.”

“Huh?” Rose murmured, not entirely sure what exactly he meant by that.

“For such thought to occur, your stallions must be very submissive to their mares.” Zephania hummed thoughtfully. “On the Savannah, while we respect our mares greatly as spiritual and cultural authorities, it is stallions that take the lead.”

“Your people are strange.” Rose remarked with a small, playful grin, before shaking her head, “Maybe from a cultural perspective. Stallion leaders outside the Guard are rare.”

The stallion snickered at that and bumped flanks with her, “I suppose we are to you.” Once more, he began to lead her out for a stroll, “So, your people do have stallion warriors?”

“Warriors?” Rose cocked her head to one side, “Not really. They’re more like...peacekeepers.” She explained, “After Celestia, our eldest Princess, saw great success with her all-stallion Royal Guard, others made to follow their example. Mares just don’t strike stallions.”

“I still find that so strange...” Zephania shook his head thoughtfully, before offering her a nuzzle, “So, what more would you like to know about my people?”

“You’re not alone, Zephania, I don’t even know where to begin.” Rose admitted, looking to him with a curious, yet confused expression, “This is backward from everything I have ever known. A stallion courting a mare. I feel a little...wrong for not putting any effort into gaining your attention.” She shook her head.

“Interesting...” Zephania mused quietly, “Well, if you stay on the Savanna, you’ll never have to worry about striving for attention again. Among our people, a mare may bed who she wishes, so long as they are willing.”

“I mean, so long as the stallion and mare aren’t married, ponies are the same.” Rose shrugged, “It’s just that earning a stallion’s attention is difficult. With as many mares as there are, he can tell a mare no and still have several more prospects.”

“Well, here on the Savannah, you are a rare, exotic beauty.” Zephania declared with an encouraging smile, earning a modest blush from the mare, “I can assure you, you’ll be turning stallions’ heads in every tribe we visit.”

Rose’s blush only intensified at that thought, before looking at Zephania thoughtfully. “What about tribes like Zuberi’s…?” She asked him with a touch of worry.

His expression became more somber and her nuzzled her comfortingly, “They are few and far between. We will not be visiting such tribes.”

The mare sighed softly in relief, leaning into his nuzzle with a small smile. “What about you, Zephania?” She asked him softly, old habits apparently dying hard.

“Mmmm, what about me?” He flicked his ears curiously and kissed her mane.

“Well, you asked me to walk with you and you four are clearly you’re interested in me, but I’ve never been courted before…” She explained to him, falling back on what she was familiar with, trying to get the stallion to talk about himself.

“Well, there’s not much to tell.” He shrugged nonchalantly, “I came from a small tribe a little farther south. When I was fifteen, my parents left to go live with some of my mother’s family and I struck out on my own.”

“This is the first time I struck out on my own, I mean, truly on my own.” Rose revealed, “Until very recently, I lived my whole life in one of two cities.”

“Well, now you are free~” Zephania lazily wrapped his neck over hers, “And you are most definitely not on your own anymore.”

“A-are you claiming me~?” Rose asked him in a small voice.

“Only if you wish to be claimed...” He hummed and kissed her cheek.

“And what of your friends~?” She asked hesitantly.

“They are interested, if you want them.” He smiled and kissed her ear.

“I’ve never had four stallions interested in me, let alone at once.” She reminded him, that little bit of worry entering her voice, “I feel like a bad mare for even wanting the four of you, let alone actually going for you all.”

“Is feeling attraction ever a bad thing?” He nickered and continued to kiss her cheek and ear, “No one could honestly call you a bad mare for being able to attract four stallions.”

“I know plenty of ponies would think less of me for it.” Rose murmured.

“And do those ponies really matter now?”

“Zephania, do you think you could drop your entire culture in a moment and act like a pony stallion?” Rose asked him with a gentle skepticism and a wry expression.

“Point taken,” He chuckled, “So, what can I do to make you more comfortable?”

Rose snickered ironically. “Think you could be a little more self-centered~?”

“Really?” He blinked confusedly.

“It’s still a little disconcerting to have a stallion bending over backward for me…” She admitted with that wry grin returning.

“I...honestly don’t know if I can.” He admitted hesitantly, “Not without coming across as a terrible stallion.”

“How about just a little more forthcoming with what you want at the moment?” She offered in conciliation.

“What I want,” He began with a soft smile, “is to learn as much about a beautiful young mare as I can and to make her enjoy her time with me.”

“Alright.” Rose nodded thoughtfully, before giving him a bright smile, “Ask away.”

“Well, first,” He gave her a smile to match her own, “You can tell me a bit about your own family.”

Interestingly enough, Rose’s smile fell unconsciously. “Well, I have three brothers and one elder-sister… Both of us were pushed to join the Wonderbolts by our father, but neither of us managed it.” She murmured, waffling as she quietly hoped she could avoid this topic.

“The Wonderbolts?” Zephania blinked curiously, before frowning when he noticed her discomfort, “Were they a neighboring tribe?”

Rose shook her head. “No, they’re an expert air-team, master fliers.”

“And they did not find either of you worthy of their ranks?” He furrowed his brow in disapproval, “Clearly they do not know an individual of quality when they see one.”

“I’m not that good a flier~” Rose admitted humbly.

“Well, never mind that.” Zephania waved his hoof dismissively, “Clearly you are a brave and adventurous mare, which seems a much more impressive quality to me.” Rose blushed and murmured her thanks, before offering the stallion a soft kiss to the cheek; he beamed at that and kissed her ear, “Worry not over the past, Rose. Your time here is a new beginning.”

“I’ve never been with a stallion that was as sweet as you four~” Rose cooed, snuggling in under his jaw.

“That is an honest shame.” Zephania frowned as he tucked her head under his, “Every mare deserves to have a stallion praise her.”

The next thing Zephania knew, she was pulling him tight into her side with her wing, leaning into his side. He blinked in surprise, before nuzzling into her mane and looping a forelimb around her own to hold her close.

“Are you sure I’m not dead~?” She asked him playfully.

“Very sure~” Zephania nickered happily and nipped her ear, causing her to shiver softly.

“I wouldn’t mind you being my angel~” She cooed happily.

“I think I could fill that role~” He nodded and leaned in to peck her lips, “If you’ll fill that role for us~”

Without a hesitation Rose practically leapt at him, desperately pressing her lips to his. The stallion was quick to retaliate, spinning to wrap his arms about her neck as he allowed her to control their kiss for the time being. The mare’s wings spread wide with a pomf of air and she kissed him slowly, and tenderly, savoring his patient nature. When she finally broke the kiss, it was only to press her forehead to his and bat her lashes at him as she smiled brightly, happily; her anxiety seemed to have melted away with their kiss and now she was simply happy. Her happiness only seemed to feed the stallion’s and he simply held her there, rubbing foreheads and feathering her lips with soft pecks.

“The evening is yours, Rose~” He hummed quietly, “You get to decide where we go from here.”

“How about a run?” She asked hopefully - her last stallion was not the kind of pony to run. Period.

“If you think you can keep up~” Zephania pulled back with a playfully challenging expression.

The mare nickered eagerly, rearing and kicking her hooves excitedly, a broad smile crossing her face. In the next instant, Zephania had darted in to nip her ear, before darting off with a laugh like a colt teasing a mare on the playground. The stallion quickly found that a pegasus was more than just a pretty pony with wings, when Rose nipped his rear, with an equally playful giggle as she made to not only keep up, but catch up. This only seemed to excite the stallion more and he put on an extra burst of speed to see just how far he could push her. His burst of speed did seem to challenge her, but she continued to slowly gain on him, until she had finally matched him. Now alongside the stallion, she bumped shoulders with him, grinning even as they ran hard.

Zephania proceeded to lead the mare in a broad circle around the area of their camp, always keeping it just in sight to their left. The whole way, he would occasionally dart over and nip at her neck or tug her mane. Rose would retaliate with a firm bump of her shoulder or a swat from her wing, despite laughing as she did. All in all, she seemed to simply be enjoying running with him, even more so because he seemed to be enjoying himself.

The two continued to run well into the night, even as the moon began to rise and Savannah began to cool. Rose kept going, because he had challenged her to keep up with him and seemed to be having fun with it, so she ran. Eventually, as the stars dotted the sky and the moon shone its pale light down on them, Zephania brought their race to an end. With a playful growl, Rose suddenly found him tackling her into the grass, before she knew what was going on, eliciting a startled squeak from her. Latching onto him with all four limbs, she pulled him tight against herself and rolled with his momentum, no stranger to rough housing. In the end, when they stopped, she found herself lying with the stallion on her belly, nuzzling into her neck with a deep nicker. Rose clutched him close to her chest, her elevated pulse more than loud enough for the stallion to hear with his ear to her neck, even over her deep breaths.

“That was fun~” She remarked sounding a little out of breath, though she seemed to hide it well.

“I’ve never had a mare keep up with me~” He purred quietly and gently pressed his ear to her chest to listen to her heart.

“You’re one of the most athletic stallions I’ve ever met!” She laughed melodically, ruffling his mane giddily.

“It is a matter of pride for zebra stallions to keep themselves in top condition.” He declared proudly, nuzzling into her hoof.

“I guess so.” She chuckled softly, giving him a hug about his shoulders and laying her cheek against his head.

“Would you like to return to camp yet~?” He asked sweetly, before kissing her chest, “Or would you like to stay like this for a while?”

“I leave that decision to you, Zephania~” She purred lovingly to him, seeming quite content as she was.

“I rather like it right here...” He hummed and snuggled warmly into her, before giving her a soft squeeze.

Rose purred as she held him close, softly nuzzling into his mane, before she spoke up in a whisper, “For a moment there, I thought you meant to have your way with me.” She admitted meekly.

“Never without asking, Rose.” He shook his head softly. “You will decide when I receive that honor.”

“You are a strange people~” Rose purred warmly, “Most stallions would practically demand it.”

“We are what you could expect from most zebra stallions.” Zephania shrugged, only to furrow his brow, “The more I hear, the less I like the sound of stallions in Equestria.”

“Easy now, Zephania.” Rose urged him firmly, yet gently, “I- can I-” She took a deep breath, “Can I be your mare…?” She asked hesitantly, almost as if she expected him to rebuff her, even now.

Zephania’s ears perked at that and he lay his chin on her chest with a warm smile, “Only if I may have the honor of being your stallion~” He returned with a charming smile.

“D-do you mind if I court the others…?” She asked him hopefully, yet she still looked as if she expected to be slapped for it.

“Who am I to keep my mare from seeking all the love she could need~?” He grinned and leaned up to peck her lips. Rose’s response was to pull his head into a passionate kiss, as she poured her gratitude and love over him, savoring this, her lips seeming to promise that it was but the first of many. Her new stallion merely allowed her to do as she would once more, squeezing her tight and parting his lips invitingly. Rose made to slowly lick at his lips, before languidly running a caressing hoof down his neck. Her licks were soon repaid as his tongue slipped out to caress her own for a few moments, before he pulled back and stood over her. “Now, we should get you something to eat, before we take our rest.” He declared, leaning down to bump noses with her.

Rose gave his lips a soft, parting kiss, before nodding softly. “I am a bit hungry.” She declared as she rolled to her hooves.

Zephania leaned gently into her side and draped his neck over hers once more, “Would you like to share my bed this night?”

“I-” Rose stammered, with a deep blush, “What exactly are you asking me, Zephania?”

“That you and I take a good night’s sleep while sharing the same bed.” He chuckled and pecked her cheek, “You are cute when you blush.”

Rose smiled self-consciously, her ears folding slightly. “Alright.” She nodded slowly, before explaining sheepishly, “I ask because that is how ponies often proposition sex~”

“That will not come until you ask.” Zephania assured her as he started back toward their camp.

“It is the way I was raised…” She reminded him patiently, leaning into his side with a small, happy smile.

When they finally made it back to the yurt, the others were waiting for them around the fire. Xolani had already doled out bowls of a thick, light green gruel, with what appeared to be little nuts chopped up and mixed in - clearly it was his grass soup they all kept going on about - which consisted of boiled grass, some seeds, and a touch of leftover honey. They were greeted cheerfully by the other three and found two steaming bowls waiting for them on one side of the fire.

“Enjoy your run~?” Uzoma asked them with a knowing grin.

“You have no idea!” Rose chirped animatedly, “I don’t think my last stallion even knew how to run~” She snickered, bumping Zephania’s hip affectionately, earning a playful nip to her ear in return as he went to sit.

“Sounds like a lazy stallion.” Zuberi snorted dismissively, “My mother always said to avoid those too lazy to work for themselves. They will bring you nothing but trouble.”

Compass Rose made to join the stallions, but rather than taking the spot they had left open for her, she wedged herself down between Xolani and Zephania, making herself comfortable in between them. Both stallions shared a knowing look, before Zephania grabbed her bowl and brought it back to her, while Xolani gave her a hopeful, expectant look. She gave Zephania a small kiss in thanks, before turning to give Xolani a nuzzle and peck to the cheek.

Xolani beamed happily, before giving her a nuzzle in return, “Now eat. Xolani is sure you must be famished~”

Compass Rose nodded softly and brought the bowl to her lips, chewing thoughtfully on the unique delicacy that the zebra stallion had concocted. Though the other stallions of the former bachelor herd - she had to remind herself that they technically couldn’t be a bachelor herd with her with them, a thought that made her blush a little - though they had expressed their annoyance with his cooking, she found herself unable to figure out why it irritated them so. Though it wasn’t what she was used to, she rather enjoyed the combination of flavors and briefly told him so, before going back to her food.

Her enjoyment brought no end of happiness to Xolani and he took the opportunity to gloat at his fellow stallions, earning his several rolled eyes, before he gave her a kiss, “Thank you, Compass Rose. No one else appreciates Xolani’s cooking.” He shot the other stallions a hurt look.

Zephania held up his hooves defensively, “Hey, I have never said anything against your cooking.”

“I like your cooking.” Zuberi spoke up innocently, momentarily leaning over to bump Xolani on the shoulder.

“You like everyone’s cooking...” Uzoma snorted with a pointed look at his larger friend.

“Xolani, I’m sure that’s not true. Everyone liked it when you cooked the apple sauce.” Compass Rose offered, rubbing her chin against his cheek, “I think we just need to make sure to spice things up a little, that they aren’t eating the same thing all the time. Right, Uzoma?”

“The applesauce was good...” Uzoma admitted almost begrudgingly.

“More variety would be nice.” Zephania nodded with a reassuring smile.

“I kind of like his grass soup.” Zuberi shrugged with a low hum.

Xolani seemed to perk up at his companions’ words and he nuzzled Compass Rose with a more cheerful smile, she leaned against his cheek, happy that he was happy.

“Since we’re heading to that port town, I’ll make sure to introduce you to some more foods from Equestria and we’ll see what the two of us can cook then~?” She suggested eagerly, offering the stallion a nuzzle.

“Xolani would like that.” The shaman nodded and kissed her cheek in return, “What kinds of food do your people have?”

“Since you like grass so much, I need to introduce you to hayfries~” Rose declared sweetly.

“Hayfries?” Xolani cocked his head curiously, “Xolani has never tried to make ‘hayfries’.”

“Oooh~” She squealed at the thought of introducing the stallions to the delight that is fried food, what pony didn’t like hayfries or haybacon? “You boys are in for a special treat then!” She exclaimed, giving Xolani a tight squeeze.

Xolani grinned and returned the hug happily, “Xolani’s treat will be learning to cook with a beautiful mare~”

Rose offered his cheek a kiss then, “I will be happy to teach you.”

As midnight came around, Compass Rose snuggled closely against her stallion, her wings twitching as she dreamt of soaring through the cloud filled skies of Equestria, far away from her problems. Flying was a liberating sensation of freedom, unshackled from the troubles that might weigh her down. It was somewhere in the midst of her flight filled dreams, the faintest of whispers seemed to dance across her ears like the wind through the grass on the Savannah. Within her fantasy, she began to glide, locking her wings and swiveling her head about to locate the source of the voice upon the wind that she couldn’t make out. The whisper, however, seemed to have no discernable source at first, before seeming to coalesce in front of her. The mare’s ears twitched in irritation as the sound reached her, but so far as she could see, there was nothing in front of her, not even clouds where someone could be hiding. Instinct took over at that point and she nosed up into a climb to try and get herself above the clouds that she had been enjoying flying through.

The elusive whisper followed her closely and when she broke the cloud cover, she found herself staring into a swirling ball of wind that slowly seemed to form itself into the ethereal visage of a vaguely equine male. Compass Rose ground to a halt, hovering a fair distance away from the being that was forming before her, eyeing it skeptically. At the moment, she was unable to discern any sort of threat and found herself at a loss for what to do. The ethereal stallion seemed to smile for a moment, regarding her with a surprised, but rather fatherly expression. When she failed to do anything, the airy figure swooped close for a moment to regard her curiously, only for the mare to become spooked and make to jink around the figure coming at her. However, the figure stayed right with her, only to back up to a somewhat more respectable distance.

Now more intrigued than frightened - since whatever it was cared enough to back off - Rose regarded the dream-figure with an equal curiosity, trying to fly circles around it. The windy phantom seemed perfectly content with that arrangement, twirling slowly in place to follow her as he took on a slightly more solid form. He seemed for all the world like a zebra stallion with a pair of thin, wispy wings.

“Zebras don’t have wings, silly~” Rose finally snickered, blooping the stallion on the nose with a hoof.

The stallion crossed his eyes at her hoof, drifting lazily back with her poke. However, rather than change, he stayed exactly as he was. Rose frowned and darted forward to poke his nose again in confusion - this was her dream after all and since she was lucid, she should be able to control it. This time, the stallion grinned amusedly and kissed her hoof, but still he remained as he was. Rose pulled her hoof back with a blush, regarding both it and the stallion queerly for a moment. She hadn’t thought it was that kind of dream - especially since this stallion really didn’t look anything like the stallions she was staying with - but at that, she came to the conclusion she must’ve been mistaken. Leaning forward, she then softly, but passionately kissed the stallion upon the nose. The phantasmal stallion blushed and there was a small gust of wind swirling around them, before the stallion was suddenly gone in a small puff of cloudy air. The mare blinked confusedly, not sure what had just happened, but the fact was she had kinda been looking forward to a little action, even if it was just a dream...

When Rose awoke, it was to the feel of Zephania holding her tight in his arms, lazily nuzzling into her mane. Rose purred at the sensation, still half awake, her tail flicking as she stirred from her rest with a smile.

“Sleep well, Rose~?” Zephania chuckled into her ear, taking a deep whiff of her mane as he started to softly rub her belly.

“There was this zebra flirting with me as I flew~” She giggled, offering the stallion a soft nuzzle.

“Well that explains a few things.” He snickered and made to give her lips a soft kiss.

Rose kissed him readily in return, before cracking her tired eyes open. “Huh~?” She murmured.

“I can smell you and your tail is flicking~” He explained, before going to nibble her ear playfully, her other ear folding back and she blushed hotly as he did; yet her tail flicked softly once again. “Would you like me to take care of that~?” He asked sweetly, his hoof sliding suggestively lower. Rose chewed her lip a bit, hesitant to say yes or no. “It can wait if you’re not comfortable.” He assured her with a sweet nuzzle.

“I-” Rose murmured, “I’ve never been with a considerate stallion…”

“I will be here no matter your answer.” Zephania murmured with a smile, “Say no and we will get up, have breakfast and continue on however you like.”

“It’s just I haven’t been...pleasured by a stallion in months.” Rose offered in a soft, explanatory voice, “I should be fine…”

“Rose, don’t tell me what you will be fine with,” Zephania shook his head and pressed his muzzle to her ear, “tell me what you want.”

“I don’t know what to do~” She admitted quietly.

“What feels right?”

“What my body wants and what I want are not the same…” Rose murmured.

“Then what do you want?”

“A kiss~” She admitted with a small smile. He rewarded her with exactly that, pressing his lips softly to hers, and she kissed him tenderly in return. The stallion simply held her there just like that, content to let her enjoy herself. When she pulled back from the kiss, her ears were pinned back and she was blushing madly. “You’re good at that.”

“I do my best~” He prummed proudly and pecked her nose.

“Zephania, I...I’m afraid to ask…” Rose whispered.

“You never have to be afraid with me.” Zephania murmured and brought up his hoof to hold hers.

“Make me feel sexy~” Rose whimpered.

Her stallion grinned and his hooves began to roam up and down her belly and sides. “You are as a winged goddess, worthy of worship~” With a soft nicker, he started to nibble sensually on her neck.

The winged goddess’ namesake spread open with a sweet whinny and she relaxed instantly beneath him, a smile pulling at her lips. Zephania smiled contentedly and continued to worship his goddess, sliding his hooves down to tentatively fondle one udder in each hoof, earning a low moan of pleasure.

“I’ve never had a stallion do that~”

“Oh, but they are so perfect~” He purred softly, “They’re like perfect symbols of what makes you a mare~”

“I’m not complaining.” She panted.

“Just let me know when my goddess desires more~” He nickered and gave each a tug.

“I’ll tell you...if I want you to stop…” Rose closed her eyes, relaxing into his fondling.

Zephania nuzzled into her mane and one of his hooves started to drift lower. In the next moment, she felt the tip lightly caress her slit, causing her to hiss pleasurably. The mare’s hooves were then caressing his neck, running them through his mane...and it was then that she was treated to the sound of a loud sneeze from the other side of the yurt. The mare opened her eyes, looking up from upon her back, to see the other three stallions going about their business as if nothing out of the ordinary was going on. Immediately, Rose’s hooves were upon Zephania’s head.

“Zephania, stop. Let me up.” She asked him with a quiet urgency.

Zephania blinked for a moment, but stood up with a concerned frown, “Did I do something wrong, Rose? Did I go too quickly?”

Meanwhile, the sudden change in the atmosphere drew the curious gazes of the other stallions to them. By the time the others had turned toward the two, Rose was upon her hooves, shaking a little.

“I-I-I need to be outside.” Rose declared, urgently making for the door and appearing a little shaken.

“Let me keep you company.” Uzoma urged her gently, setting aside his breakfast to trot after her, while Zephania sat back, fearing he had done something wrong.

Rose didn’t even seem to notice Uzoma as she tried to keep a little panic-attack in check, however, the promise of freedom outside the yurt-flap gave her the focus to power through it. She practically leapt from the yurt, before looking up at the sky with a deep sigh, just a few paces away. Still, as anxious as she was, she shifted uneasily upon her hooves, her tail twitched and her wings rustled; all hinting at her need, yet she had abandoned the yurt as if it were on fire.

“Rose, by the spirits, what has you so frightened?” Uzoma asked gently, trotting up just a couple of paces off to her right.

The pegasus’ ears folded back at the suddenness of his voice, as if not expecting it, only to perk back up. “Pegasi are claustrophobic...some of us more than others.” She replied with a small frown, not really looking at him.

“That’s not what’s bothering you, Rose.” Uzoma frowned disapprovingly, “If it were, you would have panicked long before this.”

“It doesn’t help.” Rose frowned more deeply at being caught.

“We want you to be happy and comfortable with us, Rose...” Uzoma took a tentative step toward her and smiled comfortingly, “We can not make that happen unless you tell us when something bothers you.”

“I’m not used to having good stallions in my life…” Rose admitted in a near inaudible whisper.

“Were you expecting us to take advantage...?” He asked her gently - the mare’s ears pinned back guiltily and she couldn’t find something far away enough to hide her shame. “You need never fear us, Rose.” The stallion reached out and placed a comforting hoof upon her shoulder and when he spoke again there was a dark note to his voice, “Merely tell us who hurt you so and he will not stain the world with his presence for long.”

“...Yes.” She admitted in a whisper to his question, still not able to bring herself to look at him.

The next thing she felt was a chaste kiss upon her cheek, “How may I earn your trust?”

The mare leaned into his kiss, a soft smile pulling at her lips; yet despite her apparent approval, she couldn’t seem to find her voice. When she remained silent, the dark stallion merely pulled her into a gentle one-armed hug and held her there. She pressed herself thankfully into his side, still finding it hard to believe that she had managed to catch the eye of this group of stallions single-hoofedly.

“Keep being yourself~” She offered him in a whisper.

“As you wish~” He nickered and kissed her cheek again, “Would you like to go back in now?”

With a nod, Rose leaned into him, urging him to lead her back. Back in the yurt, Xolani and Zuberi waited with worried expressions, while Zephania sat off to the side, contemplating what he had done wrong. Offering Uzoma a parting peck, Rose made her way back to Zephania, nuzzling into him apologetically.

Zephania perked up a little and returned the nuzzle in kind, “Are you alright, Rose?” He asked hopefully.

She nodded softly, before speaking in a voice just loud enough for them all to hear. “I am better, and I’m sorry I freaked out there. I’ve never had a truly good stallion in my life, let alone four of you and...I felt a little vulnerable…”

“I am sorry I made you uncomfortable.” Zephania kissed her neck as he and the others began to relax.

“It wasn’t you, Zephania. Or any of you.” Rose declared looking up at them with a frown, “The stallions in my life before you, well...I wouldn’t have put it past them to take advantage of me like that.”

Zuberi snorted at that and stomped a hoof, “Name them. Those stallions will breathe no more.”

“I left Equestria to get away from them, Zuberi. Yet it seems even now I am not free of them…” Rose declared with a shudder.

“And such stallions are allowed to roam free over there?” Zephania narrowed his eyes angrily, “No wonder so many come to live away from your ‘Equestria’.”

“My last stallion was a noble, remember? Who would believe me over him...and his mares?”

“What of his sire and his mare?” Xolani hummed, “Are your peoples’ leaders so corrupt as to ignore such things?”

“He was adopted.” Rose shrugged, “Princess Celestia...she wouldn’t even see me.”

“Well then, we shall simply have to make your life here a beautiful one.” Zephania declared proudly, “One to make you forget such things.”

Rose gave his cheek a happy kiss then, before pressing her cheek to his. “That is more than I could’ve imagined.”

“Perhaps it is fate that brought Xolani and his fellows to you~” The shaman hummed with a thoughtful smile, “A beautiful mare that we may gaze upon and worship for us, and four stallions for you to make up for the lack of attention you deserved.”

“I-I’d rather be your companion than some pretty upon a shelf…” Rose offered with a sheepish smile.

“Why, of course~” Xolani smiled playfully, “One need not be placed upon a shelf to be worshiped.”

Rose nodded softly with a smile, before once again offering Zephania a nuzzle. “And I hope you can forgive me for worrying you?”

Zephania nodded and wrapped her in a warm hug, “All is forgiven, my sweet, beautiful mare.”

Rose leaned into his embrace a moment, before timidly offering his mane a gentle pull. “Come along, we should eat, so that we can get moving…”

Zephania allowed her to take control and lead without complaint, “Rose, would you like to finish where we left off?” He whispered gently, “I do not wish to see a mare go wanting...”

The mare shook her head in response. “I promise to let you know, alright~?” She assured him.

“As you wish~”

The second day went by much like the first had, without any real incident. This time, when the others went to set up the camp, it was Uzoma’s turn to relax. He did so by trotting up to Rose and offering her a playful peck on the cheek. The mare blinked for a moment, before smiling and offering him one in return.

“And what was that for~?” Rose asked him playfully.

“For being beautiful~” Uzoma grinned and sidled up to her, before kissing her ear, “That was for being sweet.”

“Ok, now you’re just trying to butter me up~” Rose tittered, giving his head a playful bump with her own.

“That obvious?” He nickered playfully and bumped shoulders with her.

“Mhmm~” Rose nodded with an equally playful grin.

“I shall switch tactics then.” Uzoma declared with a wave of his hoof, “I wish to run with you as Zephania did. I am eager to see how you keep up for myself.”

“We’re not going to run all night, are we?” Rose asked him with a teasing sigh.

“Only if you want to~” He chuckled softly and nuzzled her neck.

“I’m actually not in very good shape, Uzoma.” Rose laughed melodically at his affections.

“I think we can fix that~” He hummed softly, “How would you like to run with me every night?”

“Maybe not every night~” She kissed his cheek, with an amused snicker, “I take it you like to run?”

“It is what I was born for.” He declared proudly, starting to hop from hoof to hoof in anticipation.

“Like me and flying, huh?” She smiled, offering his lips a peck.

“I suppose so~” He nodded with a hum and pecked her nose in return.

“So, how do you want to do this?”

Uzoma blinked and gave her a teasing smirk, “Well, I assume you still know how to run.”

“Nope, I just fake it really well!” She laughed merrily.

“Good enough for me~” Without another word, Uzoma suddenly bolted out into the grass.

Rose hopped into the air and leapt forward after him, landing close by, only to break into a gallop a short distance away. The dark stallion laughed merrily at the sight and swerved to gallop alongside her. Unlike last time he had ran toward her - fleeing from the lions - she nickered and bumped shoulders with him, before running alongside him. Uzoma grinned wildly and put on a burst of speed, proving himself to be leaps ahead of Zephania in terms of speed. Yet, despite this, Rose somehow managed to keep up with him, though it was quite clear that the mare was pushing herself to the very limits of her abilities to do so. Grinning at the display of her own stamina, he slowed just a tad to make it easier on her and leaned over to nip her ear, earning a playful swat from her wing as she snorted irritably. The next Uzoma knew, Rose was giving him a hip-check. Uzoma snorted amusedly, before retaliating in kind. Recovering, Rose then hopped on her hooves, gliding a short distance with a happy whinny.

“Hey, no fair!” He laughed giddily and put on another burst of speed to catch up.

Rose leaned in and gave the stallion a firm kiss upon the corner of his lips, rubbing shoulders with him.

Compass Rose switched between trotting along with her stallions and occasionally taking to the air for short stints, seemingly perfectly happy making small talk with them as they marched. Nothing too particularly interesting seemed to occur along the way, though Xolani did occasionally wander off to start scratching at the ground, before picking something up to put in his pouches. After seeing him do so a few times, Rose used his departure as an excuse to take to the air. When the stallion began to dig at the earth, she made to hover next to him and inquire as to what he was doing. Xolani went on to explain to her that he was harvesting various herbs and tubers, which ones were good for medicines and which were simply for seasoning, and so on. Rose would occasionally pull up a plant or root, taking it to the stallion for approval as she tried to spot the things he was describing that she had previously just been ignoring.

All in all, Rose’s time with Xolani was very different than her time with Uzoma and Zephania. The stallion struck her as a much more laid back individual, and though she didn’t think either of the two were dumb, Xolani certainly seemed to know much more about the world around her than they did; and to an extent, she saw that the other stallions seemed to silently acknowledge this too. However, for all of this, he didn’t seem to acknowledge himself as being particularly wise or intelligent. In fact, with the eager way he questioned her about her home and the enthusiasm he displayed when showing her a new herb, he seemed rather like a child, eager to learn all he could of the world around him.

Inevitably the day came to an end and the group stopped once more for the night. This time, Rose insisted upon helping and being taught their roles, and tasks in the process. Extra hooves will make it go faster, she asserted and gently turned aside their offers to let them do all the work; and so, her stallions begrudgingly allowed her to do her part, teaching her all the intricacies of constructing a yurt and starting a fire.

When evening came and Compass Rose found herself dreaming once again, she was standing in the middle of the Savannah. Nothing could be seen for miles around but the tall grass, waving gently in the wind, tickling her belly and sides. On the ground and without her stallions, the pegasus suddenly felt very exposed and immediately took to the air, pulling a few lengths upward so that she would be relatively safe from the big-cats of the grasslands. She really didn’t want another run in with that pride that they had saved her from.

The next sound to reach her ears was a soft giggle, coming from directly below her. When she looked down, she found herself staring into a pair of brilliant green eyes, surrounded by a mare-ish face that seemed to dance in and out of focus with the swaying grass. Whatever those eyes belonged to, its lack of focus and giggling unnerved her, causing her to flap a little harder and gain a little more distance between herself and whatever it was. As much as it looked like a mare, something warned her that it most certainly wasn’t.

Everything shifted from Rose’s perspective and she once more found herself on the ground, this time in the middle of a clearing and those green eyes peeking out from the grass directly across the circle. The figure slowly moved into the clearing, resolving itself into the form of an equine mare. She bore a motherly figure and a smile to match, though even with a solid form, countless stripes in varying shades of green made it hard to keep her in focus whenever she moved. The second mare stopped at the edge of the clearing, taking a seat and offering Compass Rose a comforting smile. With the figure sitting still, it was revealed that her stripes actually seemed to be moving, waving like the grass that currently swayed around them and the shadows that the grass cast. The pegasus narrowed her eyes suspiciously, taking a step mostly to one side, as she lowered her head. It was clear from the pegasus mare’s body language that she was on a hairline trigger, ready to bolt at the first sign of danger from...whatever it was before her.

“What are you…?” Rose spoke quietly, suspicion coloring her voice as a slight hiss.

“I...am their Mother.” An elderly voice seemed to radiate outward from the figure, echoing through the clearing. “I...am their home.”

Compass Rose blinked uncertainly. “I don’t understand.”

“You will soon.” The figure gave off a sweet, almost musical giggle, before sighing.

The pegasus’ feathers ruffled slightly in indignance then. “What do you mean, their mother? Their home? Whose?” Rose pressed irritably.

“Why, your stallions of course~” The grassy figure trilled, her warm, motherly smile never breaking.

“What are you~?” Rose asked once again, now less frightened, but no less wary of whatever her dream was showing her.

The mare smiled a little more broadly. “I believe I already told you~”

Rose awoke then, already kicking angrily at the barding that had the audacity to try and cover her legs in her sleep. Once free of their confines, she glanced around at the poorly lit interior, only embers offering them any light at this point. One at a time, Rose made out the sleeping stallions; Zuberi, Zephania...Uzoma was a little tougher with his coloration. Then she noticed that Xolani was absent.

“Xolani~?” The mare called for him in a low-voice that couldn’t really be called a whisper.

She was greeted with silence, the only one bothering to stir being Zuberi, who merely yawned and rolled over in his sleep. Getting up from her bedding, Rose looked about once more to make sure she had not somehow overlooked Xolani somehow. Quietly getting to her hooves, the mare made to slip out of the yurt, naked to the world.

Outside, she glanced about worriedly, hoping that he had just stepped out for a moment to relieve himself, but doubted that was the case. Instead, she found her nose being tickled by the gentle aroma of burning herbs and incense carried on the wind. The scent was soon followed by the quiet, almost melodic chanting of Xolani’s voice drifting in from the grass. She eventually noticed her stallion’s mane poking up out of the grass some distance from the yurt. Not wanting to draw any attention to herself, Rose did her best to traverse the few yards separating Xolani from the camp as stealthily as possible. She found him standing in the middle of a small space where he had flattened the grass. Two small bowls sat to either side of him, filled with smoldering herbs that had to be the source of the smell. Thin trails of smoke drifted up to trail around his form as he swayed in place, seeming to match the motion of the grass. Closer to him, his chanting seemed a little louder and while she could only make out a few words, it was clear that it was some kind of lullaby.

The moment she stepped hoof into his clearing he spoke, not so much as perking his ears or looking back. “Welcome, Compass Rose...”

“It’s very pretty~” She offered him, still hesitant to approach, worried about interrupting.

“Xolani is singing the Savannah to its sleep...” He spoke softly, his chanting turning into a wordless hum as one of his hooves, patted a space beside him, motioning her forward. “Even the spirits require their rest.”

The mare trotted over to his side and leaned against him. “Spirits? Not like Discord...right?”

“Like who?” He hummed quietly, leaning into her side in return.

“The spirit of chaos.” Rose explained, a note of worry coloring her voice at even speaking of him.

Xolani hummed thoughtfully, before shaking his head, “Xolani does not deal with such things. The Wind, the Savannah, the Stars... Spirits such as these are who Xolani calls friends.”

“That’s weird…” Rose murmured thoughtfully.

Xolani chuckled and cracked an eye at her, “Xolani’s ways are weird~?”

She quickly shook her head and offered him a reassuring kiss to the cheek. “No, Xolani. I just dreamed about a grassy mare~” Rose snickered, “She talked a lot, without saying anything…”

“A grassy mare...?” Xolani quirked an eyebrow at her, before smirking softly, “Interesting~”

“If you say so.” Rose shrugged, “Those green eyes of hers were a little creepy~” She then bumped heads with Xolani, smiling softly, “You want to hear interesting, you boys have me dreaming about flying zebras now!”

“It makes sense now.” Xolani chuckled, “The spirits have been strangely quiet when Xolani tries to speak with them. Now he sees why.” He finally turned his head again, giving her a pointed look.“They chose to speak with another...”

His mare snickered then, “Well, you can take them. The stallion wouldn’t even speak to me, and the mare was worse than some of those I met in Canterlot. Wouldn’t give me a straight answer if I asked them what color the sky is!” She snorted playfully.

“Something tells Xolani that you are going to be stuck with them for a long while~” He chuckled playfully, “It is not often one draws the attention of the Savannah and her husband.”

“Husband!?” Rose shrieked, her cheeks going a little pale.

Xolani leaned back as though struck by a strong wind, before rubbing his ear with a pained expression, “That is what Xolani said~”

“No wonder she leered at me like that~” Rose squeaked absently in shock.

Rose’s shaman blinked, “The Grassy Mare leered?” He murmured confusedly.

“I’m pretty sure I kissed her husband~” Rose admitted in a guilty murmur.

Xolani’s brain seemed to shut down for a few moments. “You kissed an Elder Spirit...”

The mare whimpered worriedly and nodded softly. “I thought it was one of those dreams...you know~?” When Xolani’s brain caught back up, he began to snort as he struggled to control the sudden onset of laughter. “What? You never dream of bedding a mare?” She returned slightly indignant at the stallion’s laughter.

Xolani took a deep breath to try and calm himself, “Oh, Xolani has many times...” He reached up and booped her nose then, “But he thinks your dreams are going to become very interesting soon enough~” Rose only whimpered at that, worried about what the Grassy Mare might do to her after trying to seduce her husband - Rose knew what she would do. Xolani sighed and nuzzled her comfortingly, “Oh, do not worry, Xolani is certain they understand.”

“I just hit on a married stallion, Xolani!” Rose exclaimed quietly.

“Yes, and?”

“And I’d show an uppity mare like that her teeth for trying to come onto my stallions!”

“Really?” Xolani blinked in surprise, “Even if she were open and forthcoming about her desire?”

“A mare’s supposed to speak to the Alpha Mare in a herd, before trying to court a stallion.” Rose explained patiently, not sure how he didn’t know that; were zebra stallions that isolated from the way their mares operated?

“For courting, yes, but what of simple pleasure?” Xolani cocked his head curiously at her. “For zebra, a mare may bed whom she wishes so long as all are open about it, and those with herds do not breed outside them.”

“I-” Rose blinked confusedly for a moment, “So...zebra are into the free-love scene?” She asked slowly in disbelief.

“If that is what your people call it, yes.” He nodded slowly.

“So another mare could just come in here and start sexing any of you and wouldn’t even need to ask my permission?” Rose asked with an incredulous frown, “I mean if we’re married?”

“That depends on the particular tribe.” Xolani began, “In most, we would be required to ask your permission first and that is the custom we would follow. Mares however, including yourself, are allowed to seek pleasure wherever you will, so long as ours is the bed you return to and ours are the only foals you bear without some kind of negotiating.”

“I would not take another stallion without my stallions knowing. That wouldn’t be very fair if I didn’t have to show you the same respect you give me.” Rose assured him, before giving his lips a soft kiss, as if to assure him she was his mare.

Xolani smiled and nipped softly at her lip, “Xolani trusts you, Rose~” He assured her with a warm smile.

“It’s more about being fair.” Rose giggled despite herself at his nibble.

“If you say so.” Xolani chuckled and lay his neck over hers, “Would you like to meditate with Xolani?”

“If that’s all you want.” Rose hummed, leaning into his neck.

“Does Xolani’s mare want more?” He asked her with a curious smile.

“I wouldn’t be opposed to giving you pleasure.” Rose offered with a smile, before kissing his lips.

“Xolani is content to wait until his mare desires pleasure herself.” The shaman hummed and nuzzled her nose.

“If you change your mind, don’t hesitate to ask.” She gave his lips another peck, before giving his mane a soft tug, “Think I could convince you to come back to bed~?” Rose asked him with a suggestive expression.

Xolani nodded and went to retrieve his bowls with a soft smile, “Yes, Xolani thinks he could use a rest,” He shot her a flirty smile, “...and you look like the perfect pillow~”

Rose nickered softly and moved with her stallion, keeping at his hip. “And I much prefer a stallion to a pile of blankets, to be honest.”

“Then Xolani believes you have chosen the right herd~” He nickered in return as he put his things away in his cloak, before turning to lead her back to the yurt.

“Well, time for my stallion to prove my decision right.” Rose chirped happily, “I look forward to it!”

“As does Xolani.” Her stallion hummed proudly and gave her mane a soft tug to lead her along.