The strong sunlight forced me to open my eyes, unaware of where I am or what I'm laying at. Soon, as the sunlight began to fade, my senses came back. I was laying in an average bed... A bit too hard... But I think it's ok...
But where am I is another story... It was extremely hot and it looks like I'm in a house with one room. Even with the automatic fan in front of me, it's still hot. It's like the world was trying to burn me alive.
I stood up, stretching my arms, legs, and back. I gave a long yawn and rubbed my eyes. I trotted outside of the house, seeing myself in a town full of sand and trees... This must be Appleloosa... And yep. It was Appleloosa. How come I discovered it quickly? The suit the others wearing... They all look like farmers.
I trotted around Appleloosa just to find where Dirt Bag and Quickie Faults are, then I saw them, helping a farmer in a nearby farm. They were in their farming suits and I've got to say, Dirt Bag really looks like a farmer...
I approached and thought I should give them a greeting and continue our quest, but the landlord of the farm stopped me from continuing.
" What are yer business here? " the landlord spat on his right side, staring at me in the eyes.
" Uhhh. Those 2 ponies are my companion and I need to continue our quest... " I answered with a respectful voice.
" ... Huh... so yer must be that pone who was unconscious during yer train trip. I see. But still, you can not continue your so-called quest for a while. " the landlord cracked his neck.
" Huh? Why not? "
" Ya see, staying inside my house for 2 days ain't gonna be free. And these 2 doesn't have the exact amount of money I wanted. So the deal is they work for me for 1 week in order to pay for your stay at mah house. "
Oh.. what a bummer... I still have no idea what's with those well-suited bandits that attacked the train I was in. I know that they just wanted to go to Appleloosa without paying... I think... but still, I feel like there's something else they're after... like me. I remembered the bag of bits Mayor Mare gave me.How much was it? I'll assume I have 100 bits.
" Ok then, how much should I pay to free them up? " I grabbed the bag of bits in my saddlebag.
" 600 bits. "
" Isn't that expensive for a 2 days stay in your house with on- "
" Sleeping outside ain't that hard, isn't? " the landlord gave me a nasty look.
" It's 600 bits. Pay or stay. "
" Grrr... How much for the mare only. " I pointed my hoof at Quickie Faults.
The landlord looked at the direction of my hoof.
" 50 bits. That marey ain't useful in mah farm... " the landlord shook his head in disgrace.
I nodded and gave the landlord 50 bits. After that, the landlord called Quickie Faults, telling her that she's free. Then Quickie dashes towards me and gave me a tackle hug.
" OH BOI!!! I'M FREE!!! THANK YOU~~~ " Quickie Faults gave me a kiss on the cheeks... Not sure if I should feel love or meh.
" May I talk to Dirt Bag for a while? "
" Sure, but just for one minute. " the landlord replied as he called out Dirt Bag. Dirt Bag was in all ears as I told him my plans.
" Dirt Bag, I can not free you for a while, but soon, I shall make money. I and Quickie Faults will go to Badlands while you continue to do farming. We'll be back in... either tomorrow or 2... or 3... "
Dirt Bag nods and gave a salute.
" Ah hope ya do well, Mr. Brands. " he replied as he went back to his work.
I felt like something's incomplete during my travels, but without any further thoughts, I and Quickie left Appleloosa with 2 tents, good amount of food and water, headed south to Macintosh Hills.
I still had the map, scanning it as we trotted. I commanded Quickie Faults to check from above to guide me. She was a terrific navigator. I'm quite impressed that her navigating skills were... well... helpful and useful for my trip. We were close to Badlands, but we need a nice place to set the tent and end the day. I found a spot within the grassy fields of the Macintosh Hills. I set the tents there and ordered Quicky Faults to find sticks and she really does found sticks... a lot of them.
I tried to make fire out of them and I did... I don't know how, but it just did... I placed our canned goods above the fire for a good toasty flavor and ate under the twinkling stars and soft dancing trees. It was an amazing experience to camp.
After dinner, I placed my things inside the tent and saw Quickie Faults staring at the skies, sitting on a sturdy branch close to the tent. I tried to come close to her by climbing and moving my flanks to get closer to her. I looked at where her head's facing and it was beautiful. Shooting stars everywhere, a cold breeze running through my face... It was amazing.
" Hey, Arnold... " Quickie Faults spoke as I was trying to find a comfortable position to sit.
" Did you know that whatever you dreamt under a shooting star will come true? " she looked at me with a friendly smile.
I chuckled a bit... I find that a bit absurd.
" Yeah... I think that's just ridiculous... But I just like believing, you know? " she looked back at the dark skies.
I blinked and looked at her... From what I can tell, she feels a bit blue as I chuckled at her question.
" I'm sorry... I thought you were joking... " I apologized.
" It's ok... You aren't the only one who thought of that... A lot of us thinks dreaming under a shooting star is not real... Even I think that I should just stop on dreaming... "
Quickie Faults tapped her hooves... I looked down, feeling kinda blue that I made someone sad...
" ... but you know, I'll never give up believing things I want to believe. " Quickie Faults added.
" There's no proof that it's real, but there's also no proof that it's just a myth. Who knows, that certain myth might be true. No one knows what's true or what's not, but I really think that once you think it's true, the world will follow you. That's why I believe in dreaming under a shooting star... It helps me reduce my mistakes in life... "
Quickie Faults smiled at me... I don't understand it, to be honest, but I just nodded...
" Well, you'll figure your beliefs soon, Arnold... " she flew down and went inside her own tent.
I stayed for a bit longer until sleepiness attacks my brain... Beliefs, huh? I should try believing one day...