With the defeat of Nightmare Moon, Trixie had been offered a most valuable boon. Octavia went with her sister to get Vinyl a new voice. And though the DJ has managed, she doesn’t have much choice. Thunderlane and the Wonderbolts went to speak on high with the Royal Guard about how to better protect the sky. Rainbow went with Flutters to get new automail. Her prosthetic legs have functionally failed. Then there’s Maud Pie seeking a new home in the town. But knowing her unique style, she should look towards the ground.
As for me, I have nothing special to do. But that is not a problem, for it is nothing new. I tend to have an obscure routine. And for that, I prefer to be rarely seen. And with Ponyville’s Ponies all in a buzz, I preferred to return to my life as it was.
The Everfree tends to provide what I require, so money is something I don’t personally desire. But the forest, despite its assisting deed, cannot provide everything that I need. So I still need to earn bits, though I don’t need much. Just enough to add that necessary touch. Me working at the hospital? Ponies think that’s a strange notion. But when they’re in need, they benefit from my Healing Potions. Whether it’s a wound that needs healing or recovering from mana drain, without my assistance, those issues would be more of a pain.
To make Mana Potions, a key ingredient I need is Magicae Herba, more commonly known as Arcane Weeds. When I came to a patch, I saw it was severely overgrown. That’s when something occurred to me that I had known. Arcane Weeds thrive in the moonlit night. I didn’t take into account Nightmare Moon’s Eternal Night.
I harvested just enough of the field so that it could still grow. Then, I headed back to my hut with the ingredients in tow. The surplus of ingredients took many hours to brew. So I could almost thank Nightmare Moon for giving me something to do.
That’s not to say I want Eternal Night as a friend. The bad outweighs the good. But not without a small benefit in the end.
Later that day, I went to Ponyville to the hospital, where I could share my good will. But what I was told ultimately made me frown. There is little need for Mana Potions in an Earth Pony town. But they were still happy to have a surplus nonetheless. But I still had a potion surplus to address.
At least my moneybag now had a little more weight. And I can worry about my surplus at a later date. On my way home, who do I spy? It was Rainbow and Flutters talking with Maud Pie. I had thought they would’ve left. They had things to do. Flutters’ automail. And Maud taking her time…wasn’t new.
“Flutters? I thought by now you’d be in Cloudsdale. Or was I mistaken on when you’d get new automail?” I asked. But what I did find was no worry in the scatter-brained Pegasus’ mind.
“Don’t worry, I don’t plan on being late,” the yellow Pegasus said, “Legend Bringer closes at eight.”
I said, “On a dime, you told a good rhyme.”
“I just hope this doesn’t end up happening all the time,” Rainbow, when she realized what she had said, the embarrassment made her look like she wanted to drop dead.
“You two spend too much time with her,” Maud said. And to a degree, I concur.
“Hey, Zee, Maud is looking for a new home. Do you wanna help her out?” Rainbow asked, quickly changing the tone.
“Perhaps I could help,” I said, “But tell me more. What is it that you are looking for?”
“Rocks,” Maud’s answer was as blunt as could be. But without more context, one word doesn’t help me.
“One word doesn’t help. Can you tell me more?” I asked, “I need more details to know what to look for.”
“A rock house,” Maud said.
Rainbow gave out a yelp, “Can you tell that she’s not gonna give you much help?”
Maud didn’t seem upset at that. It was who she was. She acknowledges it and accepts it as one of her flaws.
For a moment, I thought, despite going in mostly blind. But then, a thought suddenly came to my mind, “I may have an idea. And the rent is free,” I said, “if you don’t mind a cave in the Everfree.”
“The Everfree Forest?!” Rainbow exclaimed, “How could-”
“A cave sounds nice,” it seemed Maud understood.
“If you’re sure,” Rainbow said, seemingly feeling quite sore.
Flutters said, “Has Zecora ever been untrustworthy before?”
I appreciated Flutters’ defense, but her words made my mind roam. My thoughts returned to my homeland and why I left my old home. But now was not the time to dwell on the past. The Pegasi said their goodbyes and then flew away fast.
With my still-filled bags, I hoped to go home to lessen the load. But Maud offered to carry them. I was grateful when we hit the road.