Pressing Forward

A week after the incident at the river, the settler ponies continue to press onward toward their new home. Now out of the mountains, the settlers now traverse an endless sea of white on the open plains. After having gotten the party lost once, Rough Cut had decided that she should walk in front of everypony else with the map, instead of in the middle. Though still very nervous,she had at least gotten used to having everypony's eyes on her, or at least that's what it felt like, even while pulling a cart.

Though being used to sleeping out on an open sky, Trail Blazer wasn't so used to sleeping out in the cold, even with a fire. Everypony looked a bit worse for wear, though they had yet to lose any body mass. That was attributed to the generous helpings come meal time.

Silver had spent much of his life living outside, not liking the confines of the indoors. But as it was with Trail Blazer, he did not like the cold. It didn't help that he was more thin and lightweight than most the other ponies. He never complained though, only eyed at some of the blankets that some ponies had, even attempting to barter with one or two, but he had little things of value on him that he was willing to trade. Having failed so far, he did his best to make a roaring fire and insulate himself with his wings. Now that they were in open plains though, getting firewood was a problem. Silver would be hard pressed for any comfortable sleeping tonight.

He looked around, trying to eye for any pony that looked to have a few too many blankets or anything to keep him warm at night.

A week sense they had dance at the river had left Bounty's mind as he trotted by the left side of a cart. Walking was nice now there weren't no more jagged rocks and it ain't in a incline. mountains, the settlers now traverse an endless sea of white on the open plains. Bounty made sure some dumb colt didn't drop any lanterns on the dry grass plains.

Bounty had been going out on his own sometimes when he needed some more food, but he tended to just kinda pick a place and sit. Turns out ponies talk to you if you stick in one place. he looked to see that he was looking like he had losted that winter weight. He wasn't sure it was the healthy way you do that.

On cold nights you'd be shocked how many friends you make when they find out you have ten or so blankets. Though some followed up with playing cards or other dumb actives. he wasn't feeling the pioneer bond yet.

He wondered if anyone had a camera, because you don't see a pretty place this much. The place they were walking looked like something on a post card.

Spoiler:

Off in the distance, a slight smattering of black lumps appeared on the horizon. The lumps were moving, and, growing slightly. It looked like the lumps's path Would be crossing the Pioneers eventually.

---

Grassy Roots pulled her Caravan ahead of the others, Already working out some things in her head, Silent despite the chatter of the other Ponies in the group. Along with Dirt Road, They had spotted some Travelers in the Distance, And was debating changing their Course, or going ahead to meet them. A sound of a flute took her by Surprise, but she smiled for the soothing music.

"I reckon' it shouldn't be too long now..." Dirt mumbled, Stretching his wings so they didn't lock up in the cold Air.

The timid expedition leader hadn't even noticed the caravan ahead of her yet. In fact she wouldn't even notice if she was about to walk over a cliff or not with how her nose was buried in the map and occaisionally levitating a compass in front of her to make sure they were on the right path. When she had first started guiding she got everypony lost a few times due to not checking her the map enough. To counteract that she kept her eyes glued to it to ensure no slip ups.

Silver grumbled as he was unsuccessful in securing a blanket. Looks like he might have to use the clouds, which had varying results in such an uncontrolled weather area. Maybe he could make something comfortable by digging a hole and laying sticks and grass over it.

It didn't take him long to see the figures on the horizon. Being the alert and somewhat paranoid pony he was, they did not escape his notice. Upon seeing them, he stopped and watched, making sure they were moving and not just some features of the landscape. Quickly, he moved up to Rough Cut.

"Miss, we have company over yonder coming."

He jumped up into a cart, unfortunately that one filly that wouldn't shut up was there and talked his ear off about snowboarding or something. you looked out the landscape for anything that could possibly free him from this torture. luckily there was a caravan heading towards them. "Gotta go."

He stood up and ran up to the card up ahead. You can understand why they didn't have a scout or something to watch for this. Did anyone with wings anymore think about being a lookout?

He approached the one that look like they had some life in him and he tipped his hat. "Howdy." He said, happy to meet someone that was not present company.

Grassy blinked. Looks like the Debate to meet up or Avoid was answered for them. She sighed as she was bipassed for the Pegasus Beside her.

"Howdy Yerself, Youngin'! Inn't Often y'see Travelers these Parts. What's yer Caravan Fer, Anywho?" Dirt replied, nodding.

Grassy added, "And Could we speak to the leader of your Group? If it's not too much Trouble..."

If a foal saw Rough, they would run from her while screaming "ZOMBIE!". Her eyes were red and cracked and focused solely on the map in front of her. "Can't... look... away... get... lost..."

Silver let out a rather annoyed sigh. This pony was so hopeless. Seeing now that Bounty was also the first to start talking to them, he felt even more reason to just wake her up in perhaps the most abrupt way possible. He yanked the map from her and out of her view.

"Mame....You gonna be a zombie or what?"

Someone once told Bounty that it ain't a problem barking at everything, but you should always choose when to bite or else your bound to crack your teeth. Bounty had always tried to be a honest colt and gentle when could, though it seem the world wanted him to be mean and violent all the time just so he would be able sit by a fire place.


Now one of those significant barking and biting situations came up to him as the two ponies before him shotgun a respond his way that was indecent and was just unprofessional. No hoof-shake or even a smile seem to be feature that came with the ponies. It seem everyone thought he was cadaverous in the way they talked and acted to him.

"How about before we decide who needs talking to and one's business we share a hoof shake with a name to paint on that face you got there." He said as he extended a hoof to be taken from one of them. Bounty didn't see must plucky in this earth Pony, which if he expected some kinda respond from Bounty he best straighten up. He wasn't dealing with camera shy Equus ferus caballus. Who knows? Maybe their leader was wreck too and they could navigate them over a cliff together.

Also this Pegasus seem to have pushy nature that came with that pretty set of wings. Just perfect for the short fuse crew behind him, probably wondering how will Bounty make problem this time. Bet they already are cashing bets in hat, though he never saw Silver as the type to take off his hat and put dirty bits in.

Why couldn't he deal with soft spoken mountain colts or lumberjacks?

[Er... It was Dirt who was Calling Him Yougin'. Grassy is a Earth Pony."]

(Yes... I had noticed that. My wording was bit awful. Just aim at the one's intended. I promise this mistake will not happen again.)

StormyHugeheart wrote:

(Yes... I had noticed that. My wording was bit awful. Just aim at the one's intended. I promise this mistake will not happen again.)

(No, go in and correct it so we can stop with these messages and get this show on the road.)

The Earth pony smiled slowly. "Right, Right. How rude of me. I'm Grassy Roots, leader of the Raggle-taggle Band of Gypsies. This colt up here is Dirt Trail." She said, shaking Bounty's hoof.

Dirt Smiled and lit his pipe. "Y'all look rather focused, It seems. We were jus' debatin' on meetin' y'all." he said, peering toward the rest of the Pioneers.

Rough continued on walking for a few seconds before her eyes registered that the map wasn't in front of her anymore. She let out a squeal and fell face first into the snow.

Silver grumbled. He was starting to get sick of this. He pulled Rough Cut up onto her hooves and gave her a bit of a shake.

"Mame. You have a a group of strangers that just showed up. Talk to them." He didn't give her much room to do anything else and pushed her toward the new ponies.

"Gypsies..." Bounty felt the word taste like he swallowed sand as he was shaking the colt's hoof. His grip was tight so at least he knew he had a little fight in him. Bounty started feeling some nasty memories surface as he recalled Gypsies and her face. "Sorry to Melalò your hoof. I'm not Kununimè anymore to one of your kind. I wish you Bast."

Bounty pointed at the one who fell over in the snow/ "She the leader. Bye." he turned and tortted thurgoh the snow as it left hoof prints behind him. Showing how hard he stepped as he escaped them. Their face shapes and clothes they all look so similar. He passed Silver Spur with gruff look and stopped to pat Rough's shoulder. "Grassy Roots is the earth pony leader of the Raggle-Taggle Band of Gypsies. Be kind in your greeting your a outsider and for the love the twin sisters be careful making hoof gestures unless you want to start some cow-ponies and indian gorilla warfare out here."

He turned his contorted face to Silver. "I'm going to go drink till I can't see right if you want to come." With that he turned away to find the bottle of wine he snatched away.

Grassy and Dirt blinked. That wasn't a good sign.

"Uh... This won't end well, will it?" Grassy said sadly, sighing at the spooked pony.

Dirt Sniffed his Jumpsuit. "Ah don' stink THAT bad, do Ah?"

"Non, He was just had some sort of Bad Experience with Gypsies!"

Both Ponies blinked as Clair Joined the Trio in front. She smiled, motioning back. He'll be fine, once he sees that we aren't like those Gypsies."

['fore you ask, It's Clair's talent to see into the Past of a Pony: Only vauge Glimpses.]

Rough didn't think when she was shoved forward, she just walked toward the gypsies, moving mechanically as she had been before she made her tumble.

"Okay," she mindlessly reported as she and Bounty passed each other. About halfway across the external stimuli began to finally seep into her brain. "Wait gypsies...? I don't see... Oh!" And quickly made her way to the caravan.

A bigger brown pony sporting a brown duster stepped up past Clair and Dirt to stand next to Grassy, glancing over to her with a little bit of a frown, "Not to question your leadership--" he said flatly, "but I really do not think it was wise for us to involve ourselves with this troupe..." he said to her.

He turned his attention back towards the settlers and watched Rough Cut. How could a pony like THIS be the one in charge? He put on a fake friendly smile as she approached.

Silver sighed silently. This mare was absolutely terrible for this job. He followed her, acting as a distant escort. He normally could care less about this business, but with so much invested in this trip, he would see what opportunities he could use to his advantage.

He motioned with his head to Rough Cut in front of the new ponies, signifying who they should be talking to. Silver didn't care to make them feel any more comfortable with his less than friendly stance he took, as if ready to go into action.

Bounty turned back at the ponies with disgust. They had no idea how Gypsies were. Kind to a point is the best term. They care about themselves and their families. Everything else can be stolen from, beaten up and treated poorly. They'd steal you blind or feed and clothe you if you weren't a threat. They looked out for themselves solely, not there wasn't something to tip a hat at there. It's just something strange when you are friends with a whole group of ponies. You were their when they were born, you were there on their birthdays, holidays and shared your secrets with. You fought with them and almost died with them and the throw you away the moment your wife leaves you. Calling you the nastiest names in their language.

Bet the moment they find out were planning on making a new life they will want us gone. They'll think like this: Were the first of many. They want the forests blocking out everything but themselves, away from the control of the empire.

Bounty went to his cart and broke a plank off the side where his wine was stored as he poured himself a glass. He sipped from it as he brewed on a stump he found, just watching the ponies talk till he couldn't stand the memories those ragged ponies brought. He didn't want their faces in his head.

Dirt Gave a huff when The other ponies walked up. Things were tense enough as it was around here.

Grassy shot a small look toward the bigger pony. "Sterling, Love, You know We keep our arms and hearts open. My Father had that, And I'll do that." she said evenly, looking back at the uneasy ponies. She smiled a tired, if honest, smile When Rough Cut arrived. "Hello, I am Grassy Roots, Leader of the Raggle-Taggle Troupe. What Brings you out here?"

Clair Tutted, heading back.

Roguh shuffled her front hooves a bit in nervousness,"Oh, we're on our way to build new homes for ourselves-" and her nervous tone quickly shifted to monotone "-exactly one week from here give or take a few days based on terrain, monsters or sudden flooding." She quickly shook her and gave the gypsy a shy smile. "Sorry, I've spent too much reading the map... Oh! And my name is Rough Cut."