How fortunate the mare with light (Private)

[danielalaverne]

Morrow Rose stopped for a moment and rubbed her front hooves together. The short grown delivery pony could see her breath, it was just that freezing outside. She watched the tiny cloud quickly diffuse into the cold and dry desert air.

Below her, just about a few feet, was the scrubby and stone sprinkled desert grassland, as one pony could find it around the city of Appleloosa. She didn't feel like flying much higher as a stiff cold wind was blowing over the landscape and her wings were cold enough as they were.

Morrow's red tin delivery wagon felt heavier than usual and it didn't really help her that her pet bird was adding to the weight to be carried. She could understand Singasong thought, the blackbird was just so small and would freeze more.

On occasional chirp from above and the pressure of tiny claws in her mane told her that her pet bird was still hiding under her paper pony hat, only her head looking out of it.

A little lantern bobbed up and down along with the wagon it was placed atop. It didn't help much, but enough so Morrow could have found her way to some remote farms around Appleloosa, even on this cold Winter morning.

It's darkest night that brought her that insight / How fortunate the mare with light., the words of the Manehattian poet Bercolt Breech wandered through her mind, in a slow trot, just matching the cold. "A pony just needs some light in life. A lantern to guide, love in her heart and the warmth of a full belly."

She giggled at her own words, but as if it were just the sign for it, her stomach grumbled, "That said, I really could use a bagel... And a coffee, apple cinnamon blend." She wondered if Star Bucks was open already, but doubted it. Still, the thought of a toasty warm baked bagel ahead, she got motivated to fly faster and higher again.

That's when the light went out. "Huh? - Bwah!" Figures, it just had to happen now, in mid air. With a frown on her face, the warm mahogany pelted Pegasus tried her best at a controlled landing.

Unfortunate though, the wagon she was carrying did not cooperate with the sudden change of speed and direction and had her produce a rather noisy and wagon-shaking landing. Not a crash though, fortunate.

Morrow was just glad nopony was to see that unheroic flight act, but then again she wouldn't mind some help to gather up what fell out of the wagon. She was just sure something like that happened. How could it no-

Wait, wasn't that a light getting closer? A light bobbing softly, as if carried by somepony? Letting all care go, Morrow looked into the vague direction of the sudden illumination, "Hi, there? Little help, please?"

[eclipse]

Willo yawned, the vapor from her breath slowly dissipating in the cool air; she hadn't slept at all the past night, and it was beginning to affect her. Normally she would've been going to bed about now, but Appleoosa wasn't too far and she had decided that she would push her way through to it; to sleep on a bed would be more than worth it, after all, especially when it's this cold outside. Her lights may provide as much light as she wanted them to but they didn't provide too much warmth; magelights rarely did, and she hadn't learned how to cast fire. It didn't help that she didn't really have any cold weather gear to wear, of course; she shivered, completely unprotected besides her meager saddlebags.

Still, she had a small lantern to keep her company, and the desert was a nice change of scenery if a bit hard to travel through. She'd chosen to walk for most of the journey, although it had been a bit rough this deep out in the desert; she'd had a tinderbox, though, and a lean-to, so it hadn't been unmanagable.She was finally heading into the city, where she could find a warm bed and a nice meal.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden crashing noise in the chilly darkness. She jumped, a warm meal forgotten and the cold no longer chilling her bones. As she settled for a moment, her curiosity slowly overcame her surprise and she started heading towards the source of the noise, her small lantern floating along behind her as she began to explore.

As she got closer to the sound, she made out the silhouette of a large wagon and a pegasus fretting about it. She picked up her pace when she heard the other pony's voice asking for help. Was she talking to her?

The wagon was still in one piece, clearly, but the other pony was still worried about something... "Is everything okay?" Willo asked the small pegasus. "I heard a crash..."

[danielalaverne]

"I-", Morrow Rose started to reply, but then the delivery Pegasus was just busy to get out of her harness, which required a good bit more energy than usual in the stinging cold around. At least she got some light now, that was definitely an improvement!

"-crashed, yes. My lights went out-", she continued replying to the other pony that she just got to look at closer now. She was grown up as most ponies of her or Morrow's age would be, as she noticed and was mostly off cool and fresh colours. That was as far as Morrow coud tell in the sharp contrast of the Winter night and the lantern light.

She chuckled, "I meant, my lantern light went out. I'm fine, myself. I just felt like I lost some of the delivery goods..." That said her eyes wandered around herself and the other pony, an Unicorn, and indeed spotted a rolled up newspaper, which she quickly did pick up in her muzzle and placed it back into her red tin wagon.

"That light of yours really comes in handy! Thanks for that... Please be a dear and help me pick up what fell of my wagon, with that ilumination we sure find it all easy as apple pie!" Together with an optimistic smile those words came over her lips.

A moment ago she did see her delivery routes of this day delayed and in chaos. A few lost milk bottles, eggs and newspapers could be replaced, she kept extras for cases like that, but the way to Appleloosa was wide without any light. Then, suddenly this mare happened. It seemed like this day wouldn't be so bad at all.

"There might be some broken bottles, so be careful when-" A chirping sound from above her interrupted her. Singasong was clearly not happy with something, as far as the mahogany Pegasus could tell. It took her a moment to get it. "Oh, right, my bad. I'm Morrow Rose. And you just met my pet bird, Singasong, Ms ... ?" The black bird chirped approving now.

[eclipse]

"Willowisp," she said, her horn glowing as she brightened her lantern to make finding things easier. "Nice to meet you, Morrow... and Singasong." she smiled weakly, looking around for other things that the small pegasus might have dropped. She saw a few bottles, although a couple of them were broken; she levitated the ones that were still whole over and put them onto the other pony's wagon.

The other pony was smaller than most of the ponies Willo knew, although still bigger than a filly; she was warmly colored and had a lot of freckles. She seemed like she was in quite a hurry. Letting her lantern float where it was, Willo started walking around looking for some of the other dropped wares. She picked up a few newspapers and put them on top of the stack. "What happened, anyway?" she asked, stepping carefully to avoid shards of broken glass. "You live in Appleoosa, don't you? I thought that was the only place ponies lived out here."

[danielalaverne]

Singasong chirped happily in reply, but other than that decided to not do much and stay - mostly - under Morrow's hat. It was probably a curious sight as the delivery Pegasus could tell, but her pet bird was small and it was a cold early morning.

"Nice to meet you, too, Willowisp! Thanks for helping me here, too! I don't know what I would do without you now", she chuckled, smiling more gladly than she could have been moments ago, after the crash. "Probably running into shards, is, what I would do."

It was quite impressive how the Unicorn she just met picked up milk bottles and newspapers that easily with levitation. Some times, Morrow imagined life a lotv easier like that, especially whenever she had to balance a tea cup or a coffee mug, but then again, she was used to it. Also, she liked her wings too much, to give them up, even for easily holding tea cups.

Quickly she trotted from newspaper to milk bottle - my, a box of eggs went down, too, all broken! - always looking out for glass shards in the sandy and grassy ground. Fortunate enough they reflected enough of the bright lantern light to be visible! A shard in a hoof would be the last she could use now!

The more both ponies worked together, Morrow could estimate how much she lost in the crash and breathed out relieved. "Looks like I can still cover my next delivery route with that. I like to transport a few extra always, anyway, in case something gets lost or some customer left a note at their door that they want more or less of something." She made a friendly amused shrug, as if adding a silent you know how that is.

"Well, my lantern went off and that and the cold wind a bit above got me crashlanding. It was all so sudden!" She shivered a bit as she recalled that it was pretty cold, even now and here on the ground. "I live in Appleloosa, yes, since I moved here, anyway. There are some lonely farms outside the city. Some rock farmers, some eremites, all kinds of ponies. And of course they want the Appleloosa Morning News, too, eggs and milk, as well. I usually do a few routes, first the farthest away places, then have a break, then I'm out for the next round."

Once she knew she was ready to go again, she got back under the now cold harness, though a thought kept nagging at her mind. Light! Of course, but was that all? "Would you mind following me to the city with your lights? I can offer a hot coffee or tea and fresh bagels, in fact, since you helped me so much already, I insist on that." She laughed heartly and friendly at the same time. She stretched her wings and flapped them softy without actually trying to fly, just getting the cold out of her system. Unless Willowisp could levitate herself all the way, she would trott along with her or fly just a tad bit higher. "Then you can also tell me what brings you to the Apple Pearl in the Desert."

[eclipse]

Willo looked around one last time just in case, but all she saw were a few broken glass shards and some wet earth from the contents of those bottles. She hadn't considered ponies needing things like that brought to them; she'd always been relatively self-sufficient, even before she'd started trying to live off the road. She guessed it made sense out here though; she certainly would've enjoyed having some milk and some news while she was out traveling. "I hadn't thought of that," she said quietly. "We didn't really need deliveries in Canterlot... Was there something similar where you grew up?"

Willo smiled softly at the other pony's invitation. She couldn't help but get caught up in the other pony's warm personality; it made this chilly morning a little less uncomfortable. She tended to prefer to spend her time alone, so it hadn't occurred to her that she might miss somepony to talk to. "I was heading that direction anyway," she said, taking a few steps before giggling a little sheepishly. "As a matter of fact I was kind of hoping I was to Appleoosa already; I've been walking all night. A bagel sounds great."

She paused for a moment, thinking about something. She could probably do more than help the other pony get back to town, if she really was feeling generous; the pony was nice enough, why not? "Hang on a second," she said, her horn glowing softly as she focused on the spell; it was one she'd cast a million times before. A pair of warm lights, orange at the center trailing into a soft rose at the edges, floated off and attached themselves to the other pony's cart. "Those should fade when the sun comes up, but they won't go out. I'm sure they'll be a lot more useful than following my little starlight." She giggled a little, cocking her head towards the pale silver light she'd been using to travel.

Willo blinked for a few seconds when the pony mentioned asking why she was here. She'd almost forgotten about her reason for coming, actually; she'd been too busy focusing on just getting to town. Red Charge had said that she should see if anypony here would be willing to join the charge; she suspected that she was really just here because he'd thought she needed a change of scenery. "We can talk over coffee," she agreed. "Lead the way, miss Morrow."

[danielalaverne]

"Canterlot, the royal town-" Morrow only heard about, but never seen much of the Equestrian capital city yet. City, or as she knew it from pictures a giant castle complex. "Neat", she added then quickly, as she started trotting at a slow pace, gradually getting faster, but always keeping in mind to see that her new traveling companion could follow her and would not lose her. She didn't really expect that to happen, but she didn't see the crash coming earlier either.

"In Manehattan? Some places, in the outskirts, have regular deliveries in the morning, like this. The inner city now, them rich and noble ponies get their entire meals delivered, but that's another story-"

Due to her mother's business success and her father's fame as ace flier, she got to see the one or other dinner with ponies she just had to know; she could tell the one or other story about it and what her opinion was on it, but she didn't feel like. Especially not around a pony she just met. Willo was from Canterlot after all, she would probably misunderstand Morrow's comments on the high society as an attack.

And she was such a nice pony. Not as cold as her colors might have suggested. The mahogany delivery Pegasus realized it was really quiet nice to have somepony to talk with on her usually silent delivery route. Of course, there was always Singasong, but the black bird could just communicate that much with her and only about bird related matters, not being able to replace pony-to-pony social contacts.

"You are definitely on the right way then, bagels and a warm brew ahead, and- All night long? My, girl, you must be halfway frozen, only with those saddlebags for cover", Morrow looked worried all over the other pony, almost as if excepting to see snow flakes in her pelt. "Tell you what, if you wanna rest under a warm blanket, I can offer that, too. Well, not here of course, but once we're in the city-"

Fascinated, the delivery Pegasus watched how Willowisp let her magic unfold. Didn't she already intensify her lantern's light earlier, magical? Mouth wide open, Morrow marveled at the lights passing by her and attaching to her wagon. They didn't really emit warmth, but a comfortable illumination and a good content feeling.

It wasn't before the Unicorn giggled that Morrow Rose found back to reality and blushed deeply. She must have been looking quite silly, with amazement written all over her muzzle, yet magic just had that effect on her. It was magical. Besides, she rarely had seen magic that close.

"Thanks a bunch, that will come in really helpful. Your starlight did, too, already!" She continued the temporarily paused trek toward the desert town ahead, with that much more light around them it would be much easier. It was just that the illumination around the two ponies made the stars above appear to fade for them. It was just like in Manehattan, where some streets had that much lanterns, one rarely could see a star shine through anymore. Still, right now that was a price worth a save travel.

"Yes, we can chat so much once we're out of the cold. Oh, and, it's just Morrow, no need for a Miss", she offered as the outskirts of Appleloosa became visible in some distance. The few street lanterns and even less windows of ponies getting up early.

[eclipse]

Willo smiled softly as they continued walking towards town. It was rather nice talking to the little pegasus; she was friendly and rather open, and it was a lot easier talking to her than it was to some other ponies she'd had to deal with for some time. "Entire meals? I couldn't see anypony enjoying that," she said casually, thinking back to her time in Canterlot; she hadn't really liked the ponies who looked down their nose at her for selling lanterns on the side of the streets. She'd only ever managed to sell to one, who wanted her to set up an astronomy room. It sort of made sense that other ponies would give them their meals, but she'd assumed that it at least came from within the house.

From the look on her face, the other pony understood what Willo was thinking about, although she hadn't really said anything about it. That brought another smile to her face, and she moved a little closer to the warm light given off by the lanterns she'd placed on the carriage, rather than on the edge of sight in the shade where she had been. She tended to walk the edge of the darkness at night, but it just didn't seem to make sense to her to talk to the other pony from that vantage.

She stopped for a second when the other pony offered her a place to rest, her mouth slightly agape. That was a happy surprise; she'd been expecting to pay a lot of bits for a hotel for however long she was staying here, and she still had no idea how long that would be. As usual her purse was mostly empty, though, so she'd assumed that after the first few nights it'd be camping again, same as back when she'd first gotten kicked out of Canterlot. "That'd be amazing," she said, continuing to walk again. "I didn't really know where I was going to stay once I got into the city... But I don't want to impose," she added hastily, not wanting to be an unwelcome houseguest.

Finally, she started to see a few lights and silhouettes of buildings ahead from what she could only assume was Appleoosa. It was nice to see her goal so close at hand after such a long trek, and even nicer that she hadn't had to find it on her own. "Sure thing, Morrow," she said, her voice getting a little less quiet as she became more comfortable, but still rather low. She didn't see a lot of them, and enjoyed even less, but she firmly believed that early mornings were times to be quiet. She looked over to the pegasus and gave a playful smirk. "Now about that coffee..."

[danielalaverne]

The two ponies so unlike in looks, had more in common than appearances would give away, as Morrow Rose noticed that moment, again. Moments ago she was still had been worried that the Unicorn travelling with her could misunderstand her words as an attack on a higher class of society she might be part of, but then Willo spoke words that could have been just as well out of the muzzle of the delivery Pegasus.

Who knows, perhaps she'd been through similar experiences on her life. Canterlot, just as Manehatten, were pretty rich places, but along with a concentration of money always came a pile of snobbishness and arrogance. Morrow Rose had too vivid memories of being pushed around on the side walk - and that even with her parents being well respected ponies.

"I know!", she chuckled, "Going to a fancy restaurant for a celebration is just nice, but getting meals catered home every day? I would feel lazy and ashamed of myself. Now a pan full of good old fried apple crisps with some rosemary, I'd rather have that any day." The thought of that warm meal alone made her get into a bit faster pace, to reach the town in sight. Willowisp was still following? Good!

In fact, she was trotting a bit closer now, but that just made sense. It was cold and dark enough, so why would anypony not try to get near a warm light? And that happened to be on Morrow's wagon now. The mahogany colored Pegasus nodded and repeated the smile of the other pony.

Willo seemed to be a bit surprised at here offer of a place to stay, my, that poor mare mist have been through quiet some things to not expect basic hospitality among ponies. Come to think of it, it hit Morrow now, Willo didn't take a train, but walked here by hoof! How far was Canterlot away again? Very much!

"Didn't really know where-", it was Morrow's turn now to look surprise, mouth agape, "You don't impose, really, girl! You walk all through the desert on your own little hooves, you have no Winter cape or anything, seriously, what pony would I be not to insist to offer you rest and meal... and a coffee." The delivery Pegasus never had been the best in sounding lecturing or stern, thus her little speech quickly derailed with the coffee mentioned, to a friendly, yet concerned smile.

"Really, you are welcome. I couldn't let you stay outside like The Filly with the Match Sticks, also I enjoy having somepony to talk with at this time. Most ponies are still sleepy now. So, if you really worry about how to repay me", she chuckled amused, yet friendly, not about Willo, but with her, "Consider it all payed already by chatting with me."

Meanwhile both ponies and the blackbird have reached the city - Singsasong has been listening to them mostly the last while, just chirping approvingly every now and then - and dark silhouettes of buildings were on the left and the right. A few windows did show lights behind them and a little greater number of lanterns marked the sides of the dusty streets.

Right ahead of them though was a place already active and full of life at this hour, an amber golden illuminated paradise inside, shining through the high and wide front windows. A toasty and promising smell of baked goods followed the light beams into the cold and dark world outside. "The Breadroll Tumbleweed, the city's bakery! Let's see if we can get some of their goods in exchange for milk, eggs and news!", Morrow smirked playfully.

[eclipse]

Willo laughed softly at the other pony's comments on the upper crust of society. Who would've thought that she would've found a pony she could relate to about this out here in the middle of the desert? She'd assumed most of the ponies out here were of the hard working sort who hadn't really seen how society worked; after all, it had been founded by the Apple Family. "It's good to hear somepony else has some good sense," she said, a warm smile sticking to her face. "Although to be honest with you I'm awful at cooking. I tend to just eat apples raw, because I know that it'll just be an inedible mess if I try and make them."

She turned her head away abashedly when the other pony made so little about letting her stay while she was here. She was really grateful that the pony was offering to be so helpful for her, but it was still quite a bit to ask; out of habit Willo tended to try not to ask other ponies to let her stay, instead choosing public places to get her rest. "I really appreciate it," she said after a few moments thinking things over. "Although I'll have you know that I've become quite the experienced camper over the past year or so. You learn fast when you don't have a home," she smiled distantly, deciding to not go into it too much. She let the silence grow a little as they continued walking.

She let her eyes wander as they finally got into the city, looking at the collection of wooden buildings watching the ponies pass silently in the night. Willo always enjoyed seeing what a place came to be like when it was asleep, and cities were very different from the frontier & other wildlands. This one wasn't entirely asleep, of course; she noticed a few glowing lights muted by glass, and shrunk away from them a little, subconsciously drifting closer to Morrow.

She was jolted out of her reverie when they reached the bakery, however; the rich smells and bright lights instantly drew her attention, and she felt her tummy growl softly at the thought of a little warm grain in it. She had been growing sick of dried apples and salty wafers, and this just reminded her even more how unsatisfying those were as meals. "Definitely a fair trade," she agreed happily, licking her lips. "If keeping you company in the mornings means food & coffee like this, I'll have to do this every day while I'm here," she said wryly. "I tend to stay up around this time anyway, although I go to bed with the sun." She chuckled.

[danielalaverne]

Outside the bakery, under a not old but already used looking wooden sign saying Breadroll Tumbleweed, Morrow Rose was just getting out of her harness again. She stretched her wings and fluttering with them for a moment, had her front hooves free to rub them together, producing a little warmth. It would get much warmer soon, inside the building, but having stopped her trot that abruptly, she already felt the cold biting at her.

"Raw apples are good food as well, and trust me if I have learned one thing out here, then it is that everypony can bring in something; the one makes drinks, the other bakes, some is up early, and another can produce magical light; it's all good in it's own way!" Morrow, while talking did pick some items off her wagon: A cardboard box, which she filled with some bottles of milk, boxes with eggs and the Morning News.

The delivery Pegasus was just about to push open the big wooden door; most doors were big for her - some ponies already jokingly suggested for her to take the dog's door - seriously, she was small alright, but not that small! Her thoughts couldn't stay too long at this place though as they got quickly derailed again, by what Willo said there. Morrow was pretty sure the Unicorn wasn't making up what she said, but that didn't make it much easier at all.

"No home? Wh- Okay, I can understand if you don't wanna talk about this in public, but really, girl, we'll get us some breakfast and then the first thing you'll do is get to my place, get a hot bath and then in a toasty snugly bed. I know ponies can survive everywhere, even on the moon, but they shouldn't have to- I don't know what those Canterlotians did to you, but you are a good pony among good ponies here and welcome."

She sighed out deeply and sat down on the cold stair in front of the bakery's door. It didn't bother her too much that it was biting cold now. "I'm sorry if I talked a wall at you there, but I just can't stand when a pony is treated unfair and I can tell ponies haven't been too nice to you. What a shame. Their loss though, they don't know what a great mare they miss."

She beamed a honest and encouraging smile at the Unicorn with her, as she opened the door wide enough for Willo to pass by her inside and the follow her. The serious and concerned words just been spoke, she left outside for now, knowing that the former Canterlotian wouldn't need even more lecturing now. "Sure, that'd be great if you could come along each morning, it tends to be a bit lonely here all on my own-"

"Now-now, ya nah completely 'lone here, aint'cha, Morrow!", a laughing voice came from the bakery room behind the counter. A big Earth pony stallion with sand colored pelt, beige eyes and an elaborate mane hiding under a baker's hat, soon accompanied the words, just spoken.

"Barley, you!", Morrow laughed happily, "Barley Gold, this here is Willowisp, Willo - Barley. We've been having quite a trek behind us and are wondering if you'd be sharing those deliveries there at the door for a nice breakfast?"

The baker let out an even more amused laughter, "So t'e same as ev'ry mornin'? Bag'ls an' coffee? Bread crumbs fer ya pet bird?", he turned to Willo then, "How about ya, ma'am?"

[eclipse]

The pegasus pony had a very simple view on the way the world should work, Willo noticed; fair was fair, and everyone should do their part. It made her smile a little; she hadn't really seen a world that worked that way on any scale before, but it seemed like it'd be a nice way to live. No more struggling for bits or having to sell her art to get money for food, or stealing when she'd had a rough week... Of course, as long as she could still take her walks and play with her lights, it didn't make a huge difference to her.

She blinked when the other pony started talking about how Willo had been treated unfairly and underappreciated. What was she talking about? Was this about her being homeless? Oh dear, she must've given the wrong impression... Willo shook her head and hastily tried to exlain. "Oh no, I got kicked out of my home in Canterlot because I didn't pay rent," she said quickly, blushing slightly. "Nopony treated me unfairly; if ponies wronged me in any way it was by not appreciating my lights, and I'm used to that." she looked downward sheepishly about it. She didn't want to make the little pony worry about her more than she should. "I've found a place to stay since, although it's a little hard to get to and a little harder to take walks at."

She went to explain a little more but was stopped by the baker pony saying something to Morrow. She simply hoped that Morrow understood. "Nice to meet you Barley," Willo said quietly, a touch of her normal aloofness coming into her voice again. She wasn't all that good at meeting new ponies, especially not colts... "I'll just have whatever Morrow's having; I don't really know what's good," she said after a few seconds considering what to have. It was probably better to trust the locals on good food, and she trusted Morrow to a certain extent now.

She tapped her hoof a little nervously while she waited for their order to be finished, taking in the warmth of the building. It was nice to be indoors after a winter night. "How many more stops do you have?" she asked after a few seconds, curious as to when she would be able to get some sleep but not wanting to suggest she wasn't up to talking. She was enjoying talking to the other pony; it was relaxing and a little refreshing. Besides, she should probably start on her actual mission at some point, and explaining where she was living now to Morrow would be a good place to start.

[danielalaverne]

Morrow Rose nodded agreeing and Singasong got out from under her safe spot under her pony's hat, just as if she had understood she had been talked about. Which was likely the case. The black bird landed elegantly on the edge of a small table and looked up, expecting.

"Nice ter meetcha, 's well, Ma'am", Barley Gold replied to Willo, "So, that'd be twice bagl's with coffee an' ya not fergott'n either lil' one", the baker pony patted the black bird carefully, before he went to to door, did pick up the delivery Morrow had mentioned before and disappeared into the kitchen behind the counter.

The delivery Pegasus smiled sheepishly, having recognized the slightly puzzled look on Willo's face, as Barley had talked with them. "The accent needs some getting used to it. I'm still not sure if I understand every word in Apple accent, though the ponies here do their best not to test me with too difficult words... Whatever darn tootin' is for a start...

Waiting for their breakfast, Morrow found time to recapitulate and react to what the other pony all told her. "So you have found a new place; that's great! Anywhere near Canterlot? That sure would be difficult to have a walk there, at the mountain slope." Morrow felt how a stone, a big boulder at least, fell off her heart. It was quite odd, she just met Willo and already she worried that the Unicorn would get a roof over her head, and enough to eat. Her mother would say now, that this was just her, always trying to make the world a fairer place.

Willowisp didn't really look like a pony who would refuse to pay rent to save money in a foolish way or somepony too lazy too work. What did she do, again? Something with lights, perhaps? Morrow Rose tried to come up with an idea, but all ideas she got, from street lantern lightening to open air festival illuminating, did not sound right, somehow. "If I may ask, how did it come you could not keep up with the rent? Work didn't go as good as expected? What do you do for work, anyhow? I bet something magical!"

The last words she said with a soft squeal of excitement in her voice, she hoped to be able to hide better. It was just too fascinating to watch Unicorns use their skills. It was almost like an entirely new world, always. "Sorry of I sound too curious, ... I guess I don't only sound like, but am." She felt she blushed softly. She really wasn't used to long chats like this, especially around this time. Singasong could only understand and talk that much, and with Barley Morrow only understood that much.

Willo seemed a little bit nervous and Morrow already worried halfway it were her questions that caused this. Oh, wait, she had a question on her mind. Morrow nodded, more automatically, than planned. "Oh, that depends", now she was on safe ground again. Her work and the system she had brought into it.

For moment she paused with explaining and just enjoyed the warm smell of baked goods filling the room. "I start with the far away farms and houses, getting closer to the city in circles. Then I come by here and have a break. Then, later, I will do a second tour, delivering to shops in the city, then a third with all the other ponies in town. So, I have none and plenty stops ahead."

She got distracted from her little speech as she noticed the bakery's owner returning. That was quick! -silly Morrow! You drop by every morning, it was just some extra bagels and another coffee this time. Morrow watched how Barley placed a saucer with bread crumbs on the table, an offer Singasong didn't need to get twice said, before he placed a bag next to the delivery Pegasus, the comforting smell of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods tickling in her nose now.

[eclipse]

Willo smiled a little sheepishly at Morrow's comment on the accent. It hadn't occurred to her that that would be a problem before, actually; accents that strong weren't all that common in central Equestria where she'd spent most of her time. What if she couldn't understand the ponies well enough to explain things?

The smell of fresh baked goods and coffee stopped her short, and she decided that she would worry about it later. "So many questions," she teased lightly, sticking her tongue out. "We have to leave something to talk about when we get to your house." she tapped her foot, the smells from the bakery making her that much more hungry; it was hard to focus when her stomach was complaining, and it had been bad enough when she was just tired.

"I sell my lanterns for a few bits," she explained absentmindedly, her voice taking on a flat quality. She didn't really enjoy talking about her past too much, so when she recited things about it in detail she tended to pretend that she was doing something else; it made it easier to stay objective about it. "Ponies just didn't appreciate my lanterns enough; people bought less and less and eventually I could barely pay for meals, let alone my apartment. So I left." She shrugged, her focus still on the coming food.

"I'll nap during your second round then," Willo said, smiling at the other pony. "I'm not sure I can take much longer than that... shall we head to your house with these bagels?" She turned, pleasantly surprised to find the other pony... Barley, was it? had already returned with their food. She magically picked up one of the coffees and took a nice sip of it.

"Mm... I've missed this," she said cheerfully as they headed out the door and towards Morrow's home. She took another sip of the coffee and let the warmth beat back the chill of the early morning air. This had been the oddest experience for her, and she couldn't say that she wasn't enjoying it completely; everything, from Morrow's company to the coffee and her own lights, was a gem.

Willo sighed and visibly relaxed when the little pony stopped in front of one of the buildings, presumably her home. She was about halfway done with her coffee already, and she definitely wanted to try the food that Morrow was carrying in a paper bag. Not to mention there were some things she'd be able to talk about in private that she'd been avoiding in public.

[danielalaverne]

Morrow Rose smiled just as sheepishly as Willowisp did a few moments ago, now. Did she blush a bit? She was sure, she did. Why did she just have to be so curious! "I know, I know", she chuckled lightly, not sure how to explain herself, but did she really have to? "I told you so much about it, it wouldn't be fair to let you wait now. Home sweet home, ahead!"

The delivery Pegasus has just so much things on her mind: To see that Willo got a good meal and sleep, to prepare the next delivery route, to - oh and her stomach told her clearly that it wasn't willing to miss breakfast in the middle of all of this. Singasong, again resting under Morrow paperpony-hat, got already a first meal in the bakery, but the two ponies were still waiting for theirs.

"You're quite skilled with lights, Willo. I think it's a shame ponies didn't buy more of your lanterns, but well, it's their loss. If they knew what they were missing... Now out here were nights are deeper and darker, I bet your lights would be appreciated rather." That was actually an idea, but she didn't knew yet what brought Willo to Appleloosa and how long she was going to stay. She probably had other things to worry about than sales.

"Definitely, let's go there! We'll get some breakfast and then you can have a pretty good round of sleep. Feel just like at home-"

Morrow thanked Barley for the freshly baked goods, did pick up the paper bag with them and moments later she was already outside, getting back into her wagon's harness. The two mares and the blackbird went along Appleloosa Ave, still empty of ponies now; Morrow's wagon softly rumbling over the dusty ground below. At first she was still flying, but soon enough she landed and pulled the wagon across Saddle Lane, looking for house number 21 1/2.

"It sure feels good, doesn't it", was about the smartest Morrow could think of to reply to Willo with. The Unicorn was looking quite contest now and for some reason that made Morrow just as glad. She couldn't have left Willo with no place to go and nothing to eat or drink; if there was a pony who could have done that, they should have been ashamed. Even if she wouldn't have been the one to help her with lights, Morrow knew for herself it was just right to offer help.

The world was sometimes harsh enough; no need to be just as that.

There they were already! Her little house, shop and home in one. Morrow stopped in mid-trot and looked up to the wooden Appleloosa Morning News sign. Quickly she got out of the harness again and pushed open the door leading into the display and sales room.

The light from the wagon outside illuminated the room through the windows, enough for a pony to see her way between shelves full of milk bottles and egg boxes. Some more news papers rated on the counter. "Welcome and hello! This is my shop and I'm living just upstairs; there-" Morrow explained, while leading Willo through the shop and up the spiral staircase.