The mountain

Shayla strolled out of her cave, looking left, right and up for any danger. Nothing. She continued on and into the dense woods on the side of the mountain. Shayla pulled her tail into a messy ponytail, she noticed that there were twigs and leaves in her dusty tail. [i]Guess it's time for another visit to the pond. [/i]She thought, turning to the direction of the pond. It was a clean lake with water as clear as glass. It was a great pond for bathing, Shayla went there to clean up ever so often. Shayla pulled her mane out of the ponytails and her tail out of the tie as she walked. She finally made it to the pool of water and dropped her mane ties on the ground as she flapped her wings and plunged into the cool liquid. She gracefully swung out of the water, her mane spraying water everywhere. She began to untangle her mane, enjoying the coolness of the water. A small, but beautiful, waterfall splashes into the pond on the far side of it, Shayla swam over to it quickly and shoved her head under it, letting the harsh water fall onto her hair and help undo the tangles. She pulled her head back out and went underwater.

Jim was flying around the area. He had a day off from the clinic, so he had decided to see more of Equestria. Being a Pegasus was useful certainly. He'd already been to Trottingham, his hometown. His parents were happy to see him in pony rather than just through his letters. He'd stayed and had some tea, caught up with dad and helped mum out in the shop like he did when he was a colt. He had to leave after a few hours though- he wanted to see all he could before he had to go back to ponyville.

As he flew along, he saw a beautiful mountain. He wasn't one for scenery, but that was magnificent. He should mention this to Shy sometime- he'd be all over painting this. At least if it was marketable. Then again, Shy might rip Jim's head off after that date with Burning. Jim wasn't at fault but Shy was a bit unpredictable for such an introverted pony. He could blame Jim- even if he hadn't egged the earth pony on to date her, Jim hadn't seen Shy and Burning together so he assumed it didn't go well.

Jim decided to go to the top of the mountain to get a lay of the land. He had a compass on him so he knew how to get home to ponyville. He surveyed the landscape. It was beautiful- he could hear the birds below chirping and saw the sun lighting up the forest nearby. Jim cheerfully leapt up to fly off, but as he leapt off the mountain he noticed he couldn't move his wings. He looked at them and saw the problem- the moisture in them had frozen when he went up to that cold peak.

He fell, desperately trying to unfreeze his wings. He didn't manage it completely, but he at least was able to stop himself going splat on the ground. He was barely in control, trying to stable himself. He saw a pond in the nearby forest. Well, a crash landing wouldn't hurt all that much there.

Jim furiously fought against his wings. He managed to steer himself into the direction of the pond. He went soaring at it before causing a huge 'SPLASH!" As he hurtled into it like a stone. He stabled himself in the water, then climbed out. He shook himself dry then looked at his wings. They'd need to rest for an hour or two.

"We'll bugger." He said to himself. "What the hay am I supposed to do?"

Shayla's eyes widened as a green pony lept into the pond she was in. She slipped away to the edge of the pond and trying to hide behind a rock.
what do I do? she asked herself desperately, trying not to panic. She's not very good with ponies, let alone sophisticated ones. She does not have great social skills.

Jim looked around. He'd heard a noise. Okay, he was getting a little freaked out. A dark forest where he heard noises and was stuck in for an hour. Damn it. Still, he was probably just imagining it. This place seemed safe enough.

Jim decided to have a swim while he waited. He paddled a little in the pond, using his wings to help him go a little faster.He enjoyed swimming underwater- his mane always clung to his face, which was a little annoying but he loved the weightless sensation of being in water. While flying you still had gravity pulling on you, but when submerged he was weightless. He trotted out of the water, and as he swam he saw something. Or rather somepony.

She was about average height, with a brownish coat and a green mane. She seemed to blend in well with the foliage with those colours, particularly because her mane actually looked like leaves. He looked at her for a moment. She didn't seem to be dangerous, so he decided to approach her, try to be friendly.

"Hullo? I see you there. I'm Medic Jim, but just call me Jim. I don't mean to intrude here, as I'm going to guess you're from around here. If you want me to leave, just say but I mean no harm."

After saying all that, he started skipping stones across the water. He kept counting the amount of splashes, trying to beat his record.

"Hullo? I see you there. I'm Medic Jim, but just call me Jim. I don't mean to intrude here, as I'm going to guess you're from around here. If you want me to leave, just say but I mean no harm." said the pegasus.
Shayla didn't understand everything the pony said, but she got the gist of it. He wouldn't hurt her and his name was Jim. Shayla thought for a second, internally debating whether or not she should reply. She decided he was harmless, for now.
She swam out from behind the rock and squeezed her mane out, trying to dry it. "I am Shayla." she answered in a quiet voice. "Why are you here?" she asked, not intending to be rude, but her rough understanding of the language made it hard not to. Shayla blinked water from her eyes and shook her mane out in a second attempt to dry it.

Him continued skipping his stones. When Shayla asked him the question, he turned to her.

"Well, nice to meetcha Shayla. As for why I'm here, I was flying around on a little journey I'm on for a laugh. I flew onto the peak of that mountain over there, then got my bearings. I then jumped off it to fly, but it seems the moisture in wings froze up so I couldn't fly. I managed to break the ice enough to use then, but I couldn't really control my flight. Saw this pond and figured it'd be the best way to get to the ground without becoming a pile of goo. Are you okay with me staying here an hour or two? My wings are buggered and they need to rest and heal."

Jim studied this mare. She seemed peculiar. But then again the peculiar tend to make good company. Hay, she wasn't even bad looking. If he wasn't going out with Sunny he'd have probably been more shy. As it stood he was perfectly comfortable talking to her.

He walked over to a tree and sat down, leaning against it. He took a notebook out and started scribbling in it. He had to do a bit of paperwork for a patient and while he had intended to do it that night he decided he might as well get it out of the way. Something to occupy the time. He called over to Shayla.

"You won't even know I'm here."

"Well, nice to meetcha Shayla. As for why I'm here, I was flying around on a little journey I'm on for a laugh. I flew onto the peak of that mountain over there, then got my bearings. I then jumped off it to fly, but it seems the moisture in wings froze up so I couldn't fly. I managed to break the ice enough to use then, but I couldn't really control my flight. Saw this pond and figured it'd be the best way to get to the ground without becoming a pile of goo. Are you okay with me staying here an hour or two? My wings are buggered and they need to rest and heal."
"Oh. Sure, I-I don't mind." Shayla said as Jim skipped stones on the still water. He got up and sat under a tree. He pulled out a notebook and started writing in it.
"There's a hot spring close by, it might help with your wings." Shayla suggested, remembering when a similar thing had happened to her.
She had been walking through the forest during winter and, without watching where she was going, had fallen right into a large, deep patch of freezing snow. She had barely been able to move, but luckily there was a hot spring nearby and it warmed her right up.

Jim listened to her suggestion. Good idea. He went over to the spring she mentioned. He jumped in, loving the warmth of it, feeling totally relaxed. He needed that. He stayed in for another 15 minutes. As he clambered out however, he tried to move his wings. Of course. It was a muscular problem, not the wings freezing. He sighed. Still stuck here. Well, at least he had company.

Jim leaned back against the tree and decided to finish off the paperwork. After he did that, he was really starting to get bored. He could feel his wing muscles loosening but he still couldn't fly. He walked over to Shayla.

"Sorry if I'm bothering you but what do you normally do for fun around here? I'm getting a little bored."

Shayla watched as the pony jumped into the hot spring. While he was soaking his wings, Shayla went back to swimming in the pond. She slipped through the clear liquid with ease, observing the life underwater. She resurfaced just as Jim left the spring. He leaned against tree and began doing paperwork again.
Shayla rolled her eyes. I will never understand the importance of paper. she said to herself. She went back to enjoying the water, until Jim said
"Sorry if I'm bothering you but what do you normally do for fun around here? I'm getting a little bored."
Shayla turned to face him, thinking to herself. fun? she didn't recognize the word. She tried to remember her strolls in the town, thinking of the words she had heard. ah, there it is. she suddenly recalled the definition.
"Well, normally I like to venture through the woods and find new places. There are some great swimming ponds 'round here too." she said shyly.

That's an idea. A little exploring wouldn't hurt. Plus, this pony seemed nice but Jim could sense that she would rather be left alone. Well, he guessed considering she lived all the way out here with nopony else apparently. He had better leave her alone- Shy was a bit like that too.

"Well, the exploring bit sounds good. I'll be off then. Nice meeting you Shayla."

He trotted off into the woods. He decided to walk in the direction of ponyville- he still had the compass. Come to think the town wasn't that far away. He could just walk to the edge of the forest and fly the rest of the way back. As he walked, he looked around. Once you got used to it, this forest was lovely really. He could hear all the birds and animals scurrying about and the place smelled brilliant. He always loved the smell of a forest. Ponies called him weird for that, but what's the point in having five sense if you aren't going to use them?

He came across one of the ponds Shayla mentioned. Meh, a swim wouldn't hurt. He dived in, feeling the warm water around him. Absoloute peace here. He should come more often but he might be intruding on Shayla. He kind if owed her for letting him stay and showing him the hot spring.

He kept swimming on his back, eyes shut and enjoying the feeling of the sunlight poking through the trees onto his face and the water supporting him.

As Jim left, Shayla was overwhelm with a sudden sense of loneliness. It had been so long since she interacted with another pony. She shook her head in order to get rid of the feeling. She didn't need other ponies. She had survived this long without company, she could do it again. But she couldn't shake the feeling. It stuck with her like a bur. Shayla watched as Jim left, she almost called out to him, but stopped herself. She went back to bathing in the pond, and remembered that she was gonna go into town anyways.

She finished washing her mane and putting it back in her ponytails. She decided against doing anything with her tail. She shook herself dry and floated up to the sky, heading in the direction of town.

Jim looked up at the sun. He realised it was getting low, and his mates would probably get worried. He sighed- that was just the ticket for him to unwind. He'd been a little overworked lately, so the swim really let him relax. Still, he couldn't lie there forever. He clambered out of the pond and spread his wings. They felt functional again, so he could leave. He flapped said wings and shot upwards out of the trees then flew off to ponyville.

After a few minutes, Jim saw the town beneath him. He made a delicate landing on his balcony and trotted inside his flat. He loved to do that- scares the hell out of the neighbours. They didn't like to complain though since Jim had always helped them with a medical and occasional technical problem. They were a lovely old couple once you got to know them.

As he trotted into his flat, he sighed. He was already missing that pond. It was the perfect spot. Ooh, he could take Sunny there sometime! Maybe even try set Shy up with somepony. Jim was aware he was gay but he was curious as to whether Shy was full on homo or bisexual. Jim didn't have an issue with either. He just wanted the guy to be happy, no matter how often he insisted he didn't need anypony.

Jim poured himself a cup of tea and sat at the table, enjoying the brew his mum had given him.

Shayla leisurely hovered above the town, wondering where to land. She noticed a few other Pegasi out and about. She decided to land in the town square, hoping desperately no pony would notice that she didn belong there.

Shayla strolled through the town and strange scents floated about in the air. Ponies waking around the square rambled on to each other, Shayla tried to block them out, but fails miserably. She started to regret coming to town.....

Jim decided to go out onto the balcony. He felt like watching the town at night. He was normally in bed by this time, but sod it. He'd had a nice day, so he might as well treat himself. He trotted out onto aforementioned balcony and leaned against the railing with his tea in his hoof. As he looked out into the town square, he saw a certain pony he'd met earlier. What was Shayla doing here?

He debated a bit over what to do. It wasn't his business what she did. But then again, she seemed really shy. Why would she follow him? Had she followed him even? Maybe she lived here and visited the wood every so often. He was too curious now.

Jim flew off the balcony and over to the fountain. He felt it best to observe her first- had that been a prank or something with the whole forest thing? He leaned against the fountain and drank some of his tea. He smiled and nodded to a couple of ponies he vaguely knew and kept watching Shayla discreetly, such as drinking his tea and looking through narrowed eyes. He was alright with discretion. The best part was he did it all in a way that showed friendliness, so if Shayla for see him she'd hopefully identify him in a friendly way. Jim had learned a little psychology while training as a doctor.

Shayla wandered around the town, and somehow ended up back at the town square. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the pony she had met earlier in her forest. She didn't mind him, but wanted to make sure he wasn't stalking her.

Why was he in the town square? It was pretty late, even Shayla didn't particularly like staying up so late. In fact, it was probably too late to go back to her cave. The nighttime creatures would be out and about, looking for a meal. Shayla didn't really wanna deal with that again. I guess I'll just sleep in the square tonight. she thought to herself, a tad concerned.

She watched Jim carefully, but not obviously.

Jim noticed she was watching him. Well bugger, so much for being discreet. He supposed it wasn't his business anyway what she did. It was just paranoia that it was a prank. Ah, school bullying. Always comes back to you somewhere in life. In this case he got sometimes got paranoid about ponies trying to hurt him.

Jim flew back up to his balcony and finished his tea. He just mulled about his flat a little. He didn't really feel that tired anyway, and it was noisier than usual outside since there was a party going on downstairs. Jim had been invited but he declined since he had to be on his best form to heal ponies, particularly when you aren't a unicorn and have to use imprecise hooves.

He read the paper a little and looked outside. He wondered how Shayla was doing. She probably was meeting friends or something. She was a Pegasus after all, so she could just fly down to the pond when she felt like it. Hell, she probably lived in ponyville. He sat in his chair, still reading the paper.

Shayla held back a laugh and she noted Jim looked a tad paranoid. She contained it and kept her calm demeanor. He flew up to a balcony, sipped tea and read the newspaper.

Shayla watched as the sun dipped down below the horizon and the moon appeared, shining bright. She gazed up at the silver sphere in the sky, it had been so long since she saw it without trees in the way. She shook her head and waited for the other ponies to dissipate so she could catch a few z's.


Finally the last pony left the square and Shayla layed down comfortably on the grass. She fell asleep quickly, but she never slept deeply. She could be woken by the slightest sound. Sometimes this ability was just really annoying, she rarely got more than 4 hours straight of sleep.

After a couple of hours of laying in bed, Jim realised it was hopeless. The party downstairs was too noisy and wasn't letting up. He'd have gone in himself but he was too nackered. He poured himself some strong coffee and went back out on the balcony. He looked out on the town square. Deserted, aside from a shape laying down, asleep. Why would she sleep here? He had to find out.

Jim flew down and poked Shayla.

"Erm..hi. Are you okay? I thought you lived in that forest?"

Shayla jumped awake and nearly attacked Jim, luckily she stopped herself just in time.
"Erm...hi. Are you okay? I thought you lived in that forest?"

Nodded and calmed herself.
"I.....do...live in the forest. But it was too late to return, the creature come out at night, you see. I simply didn't want to deal with the ravenous wolves."
Shayla blinked and tilted her head, glancing around the dark town.

Jim jumped a little. Shayla had almost attacked him there. He listened to her explanation. Ah, of course! The timberwolves and such would be out! Celestia, would he be stuffed if he was in her place...

He thought a little. It was pretty cold out, and you stuck out like a sore hoof for criminals here. Should he invite her in? He wasn't sure if that was a safe idea. He barely knew this pony. What if she tried to just him somehow? Then again, nothing was stopping her doing him in while in the woods. And she could've just broke in through his balcony anyway since she was a Pegasus.

Stuff it. She wouldn't do anything to him. Hell, she might not even accept.

"It's pretty cold out here. Do you want to come into my flat? I have a couch you could sleep on if need be."

couch? Shayla had never heard that word, but she could only assume it meant something comfy. She thought for a moment, what if this was a trick? She wasn't sure if she wanted to risk it, but it was pretty cold, and being inside was probably safer and warmer than the outdoors.

She nodded slowly, "um....sure. If it's alright with you, I wouldn't want to intrude on your privacy......" She trailed off a bit, not wanting to impose on him.

"Oh it's fine. It's not intruding if I invited you in, right?"

Jim led Shayla to his flat and trotted up the stairs. He opened the door to his flat and trotted in. He thought it'd be best to show her around.

"Let's see....over there is the couch. If you need to sleep then that's the bit. The kitchen's there. If you need something to eat I keep it all there. My room's there if you need me, though I doubt you will."

He left her in the main room then went to the kitchen and made himself some more tea. He felt it was at least polite to offer her some.

"Fancy some tea Shayla?"

"Thanks." said Shayla graciously, following Jim to his house. He showed her the couch and the kitchen, which she appreciated greatly.

"Fancy some tea, Shayla?"

Shayla nodded quietly, grateful for his hospitality.

"Thank you very much for letting me stay the night." she smiled happily.

Jim poured Shayla some tea then mixed in the sugar and handed it to her. He listened to her thanks.

"Don't mention it. I hate that feeling of having to hide from something bigger than you. And anyway, it's my way of saying thanks for your hospitality back at the pond."

Jim's eyes flashed red for a moment as unpleasant memories came back to him. He pushed them out of his mind- this wasn't the sane. It's just nature. Besides, he had a guest round. This was time for good ambience, not reliving angsty memories.

Jim took his tea and sipped it. This was a kind his mum had given him back at Trottingham. She'd had it magically altered to alter it's strength depending on the drinker. Utterly pointless but still a nice thing to have.

He went out onto the balcony and drank his tea, looking out onto the now sleeping town.

Shayla nodded her thanks and sipped the tea quietly. It was delicious, she couldn't remember the last time she drank something so good.
She smiled at Jim as he explained it was his way of thanking her for her hospitality at the pond.
"It was nothing." she said, following him out to the balcony.

She observed the town, it was so quiet at night compared to the hustle and bustle of earlier. She grinned t its serenness.