Fellows From Far Places [ COMPLETE ]

Selora had had a long day. Work had been torturous, to put it lightly. Many of her general duties as an Ambassador had been fulfilled that day - visiting her connections and delving deeper into the political hackles of the Talori, warring for better trade relations for the Serorans. Although this was difficult, as the recent barbaric slaughter of the Pegasi foal had put a rift in their herd relations. The Talori were dealing with chaos from the Pegasi rioters, and of course, this made Selora's work much, much harder than it needed to be.

On top of all of this, one of her connections had suddenly dropped (quite literally, as they had been murdered by a protester). Although she did not agree to any extent the ceremonial sacrifices of Pegasi to the Goddess Cascade, she also did not necessary agree with how the Pegasi were going about their anger about it. After all, it was hurting all that she had worked for, and that only twisted the thorn in her side that was the stick-thin relationship between the Serorans and the Talori. Yet begrudgingly, she went on about her work, considering the entire time just dropping her work and switching her career path. This of course was not an option, if she wished ever to become more of an influential presence among the Talori.

Carrying books of many sorts in her saddlebags, as well as a couple other rather heavier ones using her focused mind, Selora struggled her way up a hill, holding her head high pridefully. There was no way she would accept help, she could haul these books herself - without a single drop of sweat tampering with her curled lashes and perfectly placed dark locks.

Keeping her focus on the task at hand, Selora pushed through the crowd of bodies, as they went about their business, careful to avoid the dirt and grime of all of them. The smell disgusted her more than anything, but she trudged on nonetheless, with a dignified grimace held on her face.

As she reached the top of the hill, Selora felt her skinny ankles give way beneath her, and with a pained grunt, Selora fell to her knees, her saddlebags toppling onto the cobblestone road, books spilling onto the street. All the horses above her continued about their business, ignoring her predicament. Feeling a strong irritability towards others bubble in her belly, Selora rolled her eyes at herself, mumbling under her breath. She went to pick up her heavier books to stash them back into her saddlebags, Selora felt a pang of pain shoot up her leg as she picked up one of the heaviest books, a thick leather-bound book of the richest of greens with gold lettering on the binding, stating plainly "The History of Talorian Government, as told by Emperors of Old". She nearly fell to her knees again, dropping the book back into the cobblestone and letting loose a jumble of curses. As a dignified, dainty Ambassador, this was quite unbecoming. Language as such was meant for rogues and Vagabond bastards. Chastising herself, Selora looked down at her ankle. It seemed fine, yet a throbbing pain told her she had most likely pulled something. If she could just find a moment to rest, she could haul those heavy books. But she could not leave those books in the road to be trampled on. That would not do.

Looking up to consider her options, Selora noticed a small dun stallion standing in front of a gorgeous white stone house, which gleamed in the sunlight. He looked hardly older than 17, yet she took no mind in his age. The younger he was, the easier he would be to sway. She smirked, noticing his little cart that was piled high with boxed goods. She would not need him... only his cart. If only for a moment.

Deciding this was her best option, she flicked her tail daintily, putting on the dramatic limping as she managed to take the first few steps without tripping. She noticed how small he was in relativity to every other horse in that busy street, yet compared to her, he was a Guardian in shining armor. Moving only a few yards from where she had fallen, keeping a close eye on her expensive literature, she called out, "You, Stallion! Delivery boy! If you please?" Yes, she had gotten his attention. He was looking right at her now, and she put on her brightest smile, lifting her sore ankle to show off how she could hardly put weight on it. She only hoped he wouldn't disgrace her and say he could tug the books himself. She only needed his cart, Selora reminded herself stubbornly. Probably not logical, but what of Selora was truly logical?

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Word Count: 796

"You need a hoof?"    

Selora sighed with relief, but then realized too late what he was trying to do. No, no. This would not do.

"You're lucky you caught me!" Spoke the stallion, who was a mere inches taller than her. Selora felt her face grow hot as he picked up her heaviest books, and she stepped away from him, watching as he picked up another book.

"I, uhm. I guess I am. Thank you, dear. I-" Selora stopped herself short, shutting herself up quickly. No Ambassador such as she would stutter like an idiot in such a way. "Yes, I am glad I caught you at such a convenient time. You see, I twisted my ankle. I can carry the books. I just need a cart... Seeing you standing over there, I thought it the perfect solution. Don't you think?" The cream grullo mare turned on the charm quickly. It startled her that he was so willing to help her. Perhaps she had been muddled by Inaria, a city full of independents and not many helpful souls. Being back in Osulas was almost like a refreshment, though it was still bizarre to have help. And it was entirely unlike her to accept it.

"I am not going much further, perhaps I can just borrow your cart for a few minutes?" She made her intentions clear at that moment, though now that the words came from her mouth, she realized how illogical they sounded. A tiny mare with a twisted ankle, pulling a cart heavy with thick literature. How simply comical. Selora stood straight, arching her neck and not showing a hint of her embarrassment. What she said next was very plainly out of character for her. Never would this mare accept any horse's help, let alone ask for it - until now.

"That is, to say. I could- I could use your help." She realized she did not know his name, yet Selora saw it trivial to know his name. He would only be pulling his cart, carrying her books. Simple formalities were all she needed, weren't they?

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Notes: Can you tell I got sort of lost in writing? Hopefully it makes more sense than I'm giving it credit for >>
Word Count: 348

A flustered Selora looked to her books again as the stallion stumbled over his words, telling her why she would not be able to use the cart. She absolutely hated it, accepting help from someone - least of all a stallion. Selora was a strong, independent mare. She did not need a man's help. Rather stubbornly she picked up a couple of the books, pushing them into the saddlebags. She was fully aware how disheveled she looked, and it irritated her all the more.

"Fine then." She spoke curtly, her tone not quite rude but definitely not the happiest either. "Thank you for the help, but I think I can handle it myself." Selora's stubbornness would once again get the best of her. As always. As she picked up more books, shoving them into the saddle bags and ignoring the Quagga hybrid who stood confused with books in his mindful embrace, Selora huffed, ignoring the rotten pain that had caused her dilemma in the first place. The pain in her ankle had resolved to a dull throb, and she thought just maybe she could use it now. Planting her hoof on the ground, Selora winced as the strain of her weight on the ankle pulled on her shoulder and back. Not that she couldn't walk, but it was extremely uncomfortable.

Despite her stubbornness, Selora sighed, looking to the stallion, who still looked rather bewildered at her indecisiveness. "Or maybe I can't. But if you are to help me, perhaps we could at least have a bit of formality. What is your name, delivery boy?" She stated, with a grimaced smile on her face. Pulling herself to stand up straight, and forcing her ankle to hold her weight, Selora awaited the stallion's name, a stubborn irritation causing her quite the headache.

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Word Count: 301

Noticing his discomfort with how she had referred to him as, Selora smirked. "Well, Jala. We must get to it, then. I would not want you to lose your cart, no need for upset bosses today, on either of our parts." She spoke smoothly, having breathed out her displeasure in the situation. She could not lose her temper to this commoner. It would not go over well with the head of the Emissaries.

Lifting some of the lighter books and carefully placing them in the saddlebag, Selora allowed the little dun Quagga hybrid to help her pick up the saddlebag. Despite the embarrassment it caused her to have a man help her, the ambitious mare found a bit of triumph in telling a man what to do. It truly pleasured her to tell him to be careful with her books, explaining that they were much more expensive than anything to be found on his delivery cart. Perhaps it was sick and twisted, but she enjoyed it nonetheless.

They did not have to walk far after all the books had been retrieved from the golden cobblestone. Selora felt a pang of gratitude deep in her chest, deep deep down. She smiled at the stallion, and did not think for a moment that she had caused him a significant amount of inconvenience. After all, he would have still been standing by that pretty white house if it weren't for her. If anything, she had spiced up his day. She wished to thank him in some sort of way, perhaps to pay him?

Selora stopped before her apartment complex, which had not been much further from the street they had started. "I cannot let you leave without a thank you, dear." She pulled her pocket book around to her chest and pulled out a small satin coin purse. "Please, accept this. I have taken this much out of your day. Perhaps I'll see you around?" Selora offered a genuine kind smile now, and held out the few coins she had tucked in her coin purse. She couldn't help but feel bad for this boy, just barely a man. He had to pull carts in the heat all day - while she got to read to her heart's content and meet new people daily, networking and doing what she did best. Perhaps she would start to buy goods that he could deliver, so that he could have a friend? She felt a need to do something to better his life, in some way...

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Word Count: 418

A wave of relief fell over her as Selora slipped into the shade of the doorway to the apartment complex, an ornate building with beautifully carved white stone and the Wave Mother's presence painted onto the building as a vast mural - a dedication to the mother herself. The mare, of such a small stature, had wished since she had moved to Inaria to do something of this scale in dedication to the Goddess - as a show of gratitude for her blessings. Yet Selora had little artistic ability to be known of, but a powerful singing voice instead resided within her chest. This thought made her smile to herself.

Her attention returning to the Quagga hybrid, Selora smiled kindly at his reaction to the money. "Oh, it is truly no burden to me. I have too much, and I must give to those who have little." The Ambassador dipped her head, making eye contact with the stallion. She knew this would make him uncomfortable, and also give her away as a foreigner, but this was of little matter to her. She was to spread good relations between Serorans and the Talori, and that is what she would do. Though the switch from her fiery temperament to her cool, steady disposition was odd at best.

When the culturally accepted dismissal was spoken, Selora lifted her head, dipping her head once again to Jala. "And may she keep you in her loving embrace." She said coolly, keeping her kind smile yet washing a stoic disposition over her, reminding herself of her status among the herd. Her piercing gaze flitted to the cart that was now further in the distance, and then back to the Quagga hybrid. He was a handsome kid, he would do well in society. Though she felt badly for the boy as he was subject to the Talori's strict rank system, she could do nothing more than purchase goods that would help him to gain a higher paycheck - an unfortunate thought, how that was all she could do. She dipped her head once more to him, procuring a bright smile from within her, and then turned to walk into the cool apartment complex, knowing full well she would see him soon - Gods willing she could bless him in another way.

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Word Count: 380

Several weeks went by before their paths crossed again. It was a beautiful spring day, the humid Inaria air ever so slightly chilled by the keen ocean breeze. The sun had risen high in the sky, marking mid day as many passerby crossed through the golden streets of the city, horses and hippocampi alike going about their daily business. There was an atmosphere of hustle that day, and everyone definitely seemed to be in a hurry - to get to work, to sell their merchandise, to deliver their goods, to shop for the day's best prices. Everything seemed to be simply alive in that beautiful city.

Thank the mother Alya she had a day off on such a beautiful day. The day before, Selora had been awoken abruptly very early in the morning by the yelling of a merchant in the streets below. Sleepily grumbling to herself a prayer that she would soon have the funds to buy her own home - away from the loud merchants and the annoying morning bustle, the tiny filly had rolled out of bed with a certain mull to her step. Yet another long day of work - and that it was indeed. She had stayed around the higher ranking areas of Inaria all day long, socializing with the Councils and wealthy ladies and gentleman of the Talori; she had connections with nearly anyone who had any sort of push-and-pull in the Talorian political system, and the Seroran Ambassador worked hard to keep those connections. The day had ended in the twilight hours, and even when it had "ended", it was not really over. Selora still had paperwork to do when she returned to her apartment. Paperwork, letters to answer, and cleaning tasks around her home that bored her to no end. Though the cleaning revived her, the mare had gone to bed well-deserved of the rest. And now, Selora had her first day off of her mission work to pamper herself.

Over those last few weeks, her mind had wandered back to that little Quagga hybrid stallion on several occasions - and every time, the thought of him brought pity into her belly. Such a willing and helpful young stallion, and yet he was stuck at the bottom of the ranks. Poor thing, she had thought, so young and so little a chance to rise in the ranks. That was one thing she despised about the Talori - there was so little a chance to be great in society. Yet it was how it was, and it could not change. As much as the Talori believed it, Selora knew that none could be reborn into a better role in life, unless they absolutely deserved it. And if anyone deserved to be reborn as the wealthiest of nobles, it was that sweet stallion Jala.

What he didn't know, though, was Selora had started making periodic purchases with different addresses to friends of hers, always tacking a sizeable tip onto his payment. Lucky for the Youth, she had several connections that could make sure all of that money got to him. Today, however, her weekly purchase of prime fruits and greens was being delivered directly to her apartment. The same tip had been tacked onto the young Jala's payment, and that day, he would know who was behind his increased paycheck. Not that Selora thought he needed to know, but she felt a certain connection to him. She had had to work her tail off to be where she was now, and if not for her hard work, she would still be stuck in the torturously hot deserts of Sedo.

In waiting for her scheduled delivery to arrive, Selora sipped a nicely blended green tea, the warm liquid relieving her throat of the reoccurring soreness that came around after her longest work days (like the day before). She sat in silence, humming a beautiful tune to herself, well aware of the windows being open. Her graceful song carried down to the alleyway below, filling the crevices with melodic notes. It was days like these she loved the most, where she had the day to herself and none to accompany but herself.

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Word Count: 691

Rap, tap, tap! Came the knock at the door that lay at the bottom of the stairs, but Selora heard it none the less. Rising from her plush couch and crossing the threshold to check her appearance in the mirror, the tiny mare called in a sing-song voice, "Coming!" She fluffed her mane quickly, making sure her curls were still in their morning ringlets. Her hair generally had a mind of its own - "the wild beast", she called it in private. The dark locks hung in thick naturally loose curls, and it had its own natural volume. Tucking a stray strand behind her delicate ear where it belonged, she straightened the mirror out of habit, and then turned her head to check over her apartment. Despite the fact that rarely did a person ever actually enter her apartment, she still liked it to be entirely perfect before she answered the door, just in case they somehow saw up the stairs into the main area of the apartment. Deciding it was perfectly well, Selora turned and tapped her way down the stairs, crossing the small yet well-decorated entry way, her telekinetic touch reaching for the ornate door knob.

The entry way itself held within it a small silver chandelier hanging above, which was decorated in beautiful crystals of different shades of blues and greens. The crystals reflected the sunlight from the window above the door, and lit the room with blue and green light, making the egg shell-colored room look almost like it was under water. A painting of Cascade similar but not the same to the one Selora had in her common room was hung on the wall to the right of the main door, framed in pine imported from Onea. This room was only the beginning of the elegance of the Ambassador's apartment.

The reflected blue light from the chandelier dazzled Selora's coat in blues and greens, making her lilac eyes more vibrant than ever. She opened the door with a quiet creak - that thing had needed oiling for ages now - and smiled when she saw who was standing behind it. "Hello, Jala." She greeted formally, dipping her head to him humbly, eye contact unwavering except for an occasional blink. When upon their meeting she had found him just above irritating, she now found his presence a happy atmosphere that bathed her in contentment. He was going to be the product of her good doing. He was going to be the first example of her impression upon the Talori.

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Word Count: 420

As she had opened the door, Selora made sure her smile was bright and welcoming, her eyes gleaming kindly as she greeted the Quagga hybrid with a small dip of her head. At first, she was looking up at him - after all, he was 8 inches taller than she, a common occurrence for her. Then, when his eyes had settled on her and their eyes met, he seemed shocked for a moment. He stared if not for a brief moment, which made the Ambassador visibly uncomfortable, though she managed that same kind smile upon her lips. When he seemed to have regained awareness of where he was and what he was doing, Selora pressed her lips together, trying very hard not to become impatient, as she had a bad habit of doing so very quickly.

When he averted eye contact, she knew he had the suspicion that she was not Talorian - and he would be correct. Despite her extensive knowledge on Talori customs and society behaviors, there were a few choice customs she threw to the way side on purpose - so that people did know that she did not originate from Aquore. This always branched questions, and started conversations, albeit accusatory ones at times. Yet with her prowess in the art of conversation quickly delivered her from potentially negative situations; she never was one to shy from an argument, but it was not wise to pick a fight with a Noble. Looking back to Jala's cart, she brightened her smile when she saw her produce in their wooden totes.

"Oh, yes, yes! I'm sure the produce is lighter, and sweeter smelling. Would you mind helping me get the boxes into the kitchen? I'm afraid I'm a bit small to carry it all by myself, as we discovered." Selora humbly stepped back, allowing him to move the boxes himself. He knew the way of his cart, and Selora had never had to make a delivery in her life. She had by no means any business lifting those heavier boxes anyway - she had definitely learned her lesson just a few weeks prior, when she had dropped all of her books in the street. It had not cost her much to fix some of the books that had been damaged, but it still had been very little fun for her.

Giving Jala room to get past her in the entry way, she noted quickly, in as patient of a voice as she could manage, "Please wipe your hooves before you come in! Dirt and I are long time enemies, I do not wish to spend my afternoon cleaning the floors again." Selora gestured at the dirt rug in front of the stairs, wiping her already clean hooves before trotting up the white-washed stone steps and into the common area, her short curly tail flagged for balance. As she had been cooking soon before the stallion had delivered her produce, the entire apartment smelled of dried fruits and herbs, and a strong odor of rich broth seasoned with oregano and basil - most likely imported.

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Word Count: 510

Whisking out her feather duster - made of real down feathers, of course, Selora slid it over the marble counter top in one fluid motion before she gestured to the countertop. "Go ahead and set the boxes here, dear. I can manage getting them unpacked." She smiled at him, and moved to get out of his way, making herself busy and swiping the feather duster over the other part of the counter top, as well as over a couple pieces of various furniture, collecting the minuscule pieces of dust she had not already cleaned. When she was satisfied with the cleanliness of the tabletops, the small mare seemed to simply float over the lightly stained stone floor as she walked across the threshold, doing her best to stay out of Jala's way.

She did, however, notice as the youth brought in her produce order that his attention was continuously caught by the smell that wafted throughout the spacious apartment. She smirked, and placed the bowl of dried fruits on her small side table in the kitchen. "When you are finished, take some of this fruit. It is rather warm out today, the humidity is awful. Please, take some!" Selora walked away, busying herself with some other task. She noticed how taken aback the little stallion seemed, and she hoped he would ask his questions sooner rather than later, to save her the stress of bringing up the topic.

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Word Count: 237

And there it was, the opening question. She observed he was being cautious, well trained to stay within his rank and never above. Poor boy. He had picked up a piece of the dry fruit, which was now hovering close to his head, suspended by his telekinetic energy. She chuckled softly - his curiosity reminded her of how she had been at his age. With his question, however, she did not mind at all to talk about herself a bit.

"Oh, everywhere, really. Much of my decor is from here in Aquore, the paintings and such. Nearly everything else you see here," She gestured at the carpet in the common room, and then a widespread gesture with her hoof over the rest of the room, "is imported from all over, or otherwise procured when I travel. As you may have gathered - as this is the Emissaries' Apartments, I am an Ambassador. From Serora, specifically. I travel over a vast amount of land, and just so happen to find beautiful objects that I find the need to purchase. I hope that does not off put our meeting and your lovely business. I promise you, I am as Talorian in my heart as you are. I was simply born elsewhere." With a slight shake of her head, her mane billowing off of her neck and settling onto her back, Selora watched the stallion's face for any reaction. She expected rejection - as was usually the reaction from commoners, yet she hoped he would be the exception. She could help him rise in the ranks, without him realizing it was her at all.

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Word Count: 268

The cream mare stepped back as Jala stamped his hoof lightly - though it wasn't a very sudden movement, she still wanted to be on her guard. She had all sorts of reactions from others when it was made known of her origin. His seemed to be one of the milder ones. As she allowed him to connect the dots so to speak, Selora looked away, minding her attention to the produce. She busied herself with unpacking them, hanging the ones that needed drying on the various dainty hooks above the large window and putting the others in little baskets hidden away in a large oak wardrobe, which she had suited specifically for the storage of food. She smiled as Jala stated he had never met someone from outside of the Talori before, yet this statement made her sad. So many in the Talori had deep prejudices of the outside herds, when in fact the only real threat was ignorance and discord. Although she deeply believed Serora should not be so accepting towards outsiders, she also believed the Talori were overly rejecting - even outside the Aquore lines, many believed them to be barbaric heathens. They were a complex society led astray by one awful belief - the sacrifice of Pegasi. This was the only true barbarianism of the Talori, in Selora's mind. And of course the awful, violence-driven rogues.

 "How long have you been here?" The question spun her attentions back to Jala, and she turned to return to the counter, having put away most of the boxed produce. The speckled marble gleamed, reflecting the sunlight beautifully. Selora always marveled at this beautiful stone that decorated all of the counter space in the kitchen area. Still looking at the marble, her stoic disposition breaking for a moment to reveal a longing gaze, Selora opened her lips to reply softly, "About a year and a half, now." And in that year and a half, she had made Aquore her home - having personalized the entire apartment, met her dearest friend Gianna, and created a life for herself here. She left behind little in Sedo - just her few close friends and family. Serora was still her home, but this title was slowing starting to shift to the Talori. Her heart lie in Aquore, if she could tell the truth.

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Word Count: 384

She could only dip her head in respinse before Jala bounded down the stone stairs. While the stallion was downstairs, Selora let out a long sigh. Were all conversations with commoners exhausting like this? Not all the time. Selora much rather preferred the exhilarating company of Gianna over any common folk. Yet, here she was.

Jala had returned up the stairs as Selora had started wiping the counters of any debris, holding it all in her telekinetic grasp before dumping it into the tiny waste can under the counter, hidden away in a lower cupboard. If there was one thing she could not stand more than dirt, it was visible trashcans. They were so dirty and ugly. Even though hers was gilded with gold trim, it still was ugly to her simply because of what went in it. It was better to be kept hidden away. When she looked up again to the Quagga hybrid, she returned her kind smile, and nodded as he told her he needed a signature. She took the quill pen in her grasp and signed the book in her neat, pristine cursive lettering. Years of training under an aged Ambassador had made her handwriting like that of the Old - smooth, curling, and legible only to those who knew how to write it. But she paid no mind to that part. The incompetent had chosen not to learn how to read and write; they had put themselves into that position.


As Jala thanked her, she nodded, following him to the top of the stairs. "Safe travels, dear." Was all she said as he bounded back down the stairs and out the door, closing the door on his way out. A heavy sigh escaped her once again as soon as the door had shut. She went and washed her hooves in the basin installed in the floor of the washroom, tapping them dry on the towel-like rug that she kept beside it.


Every week since then, she ordered produce from Jala's company. The produce was well grown and delicious, and she was supporting one of the lower ranks of the city - giving her a higher opinion among the common people. She needed that high opinion in order to rise among Talorian society. And Selora would rise, though it would take time and patience, on her part. Yet she would wait. She would do anything for high political standing... Well, just about anything.


End of Part 1. 

Breathe.

Step lightly, in case he is still watching.

Selora had been walking this street for the past fifteen minutes, with the same someone-is-watching feeling creeping over her back the entire time, making her short tail flag and her usually cold resting face look anxious. She continued walking normally, acting as if nothing was wrong. Acting as if she hadn't just spent all morning speaking to one of her underground rogue contacts. It was the worst part of her job, but it was the most wealthy in information.

Turning the corner, heading away from the ocean, she looked back without turning her head, seeing in her peripheral vision a larger stallion turning the corner after her, looking extremely bored yet oddly focused. He definitely was following her.

And then she saw an option. Walking straight towards her was her delivery boy, Jala, a young Quagga hybrid with an enthusiastic look on life. He was always so willing to help. Perhaps he'd be fine to help if he didn't realize how he was helping? She hoped so.

Putting on a warm, bright smile, she called out, "Oh, hello Jala, dear! It is so nice to see you! How are you faring?" She was within fifteen feet of him now, looking back to see the stallion standing near a merchant booth, absently looking over the produce. "I must insist you come to tea with me! My treat, dear! For all of your help!" Selora enthusiastically offered, praying he would take the offer.

Hardly noticing that the stallion was uncomfortable or otherwise behaving oddly, Selora smiled almost cheesily at him, dipping her head in an incoherent way. Leading the way to a chic little tea shop, the petite Ambassador found an outdoor table, not even trying to hide how uncomfortable she was. She looked flighty and almost scared, a very unusual expression to rest on her pretty face.

"Pick whatever you like, dear. Do not worry about price, this is my treat." Selora herself ordered a plain green tea, her eyes wandering around the area alertly, her ears pointed towards the street and behind her. That stallion was still in the vicinity, within ear shot at least. Her usually stoic disposition was entirely thrown off as an anxious and fidgeting mare was left behind, though her coldness still remained. Her eyes showed most of her emotions, while her features remained set and icy. Something was definitely wrong, very very wrong.