[IC] MLP {Raddum and NozomiCrimson}

[NozomiCrimson]

Midnight took a deep breath and continued walking. She figured her paranoia was making her hear things moving in the trees, her ears twitching ever so slightly now and again. A couple of twigs snapped and she froze, dropping to the ground out of habit. The huffing of something rushing past a few trees over was heard and then the air was quiet again.

[Todd Howard]

Granyl quickly looked down at her as she dropped to the ground, unsure of her reasoning for it. Though over the next few seconds, the sounds coming from a short distance away explained it. He cautiously stared towards the direction of the noise, only to see a faint glow past the trees. Whatever it was, it quickly ran far out of sight. He assumed since it to became quiet seconds later that they weren't noticed.

Surprisingly close... Thankfully we're still safe.

Offering a hoof to help Midnight to her hooves, he was starting to become quite wary of the forest. "I think it's gone... It might be for the best to get going while we're clear."

[NozomiCrimson]

Midnight gratefully took the hoof offered to her and stood again, shaking her head, "S-Sorry about that...good idea, let's continue. We shouldn't be too far now.." She swallowed and took another look around them before continuing to walk, trying to be as quiet as possible. Her heart raced in her chest and she was taking somewhat deep breaths to try and calm it. She never got used to this; walking through the Everfree Forest in the dark with the near possibility of being found and attacked by a Timberwolf.

[NozomiCrimson]

Midnight gratefully took the hoof offered to her and stood again, shaking her head, "S-Sorry about that...good idea, let's continue. We shouldn't be too far now.." She swallowed and took another look around them before continuing to walk, trying to be as quiet as possible. Her heart raced in her chest and she was taking somewhat deep breaths to try and calm it. She never got used to this; walking through the Everfree Forest in the dark with the near possibility of being found and attacked by a Timberwolf.

[Todd Howard]

"I can understand why ponies avoid this place." Granyl commented quietly, mostly to himself. Midnight's breaths worried him, as it was a sign of the effect this situation had on her. He really wasn't feeling the most confident, either, but usually didn't show it. He trotted closer to the mare, glancing down and nodding at her as he decided to try and reassure her she'd be safe. "Calm yourself... Such rushing heartbeats and breaths will slowly hinder your lifespan. Push forward knowing that I'll ensure that we'll make it through to your home."

He had no way to really repay her for her generosity at the moment; helping her get home was the best he could do. Though he didn't like the thought of fighting in general, self defense was self defense. He was willing to put his strength to use under these circumstances, and help the mare if needed. Though, still... Timberwolves would probably be more dangerous than he expected. Or maybe not. He didn't have a lot of knowledge about them, so he simply assumed he could do something about it if needed.

"Alright?" He firmly kept a smile, the air began feeling somewhat colder. The forest seemed like it wanted to give him the chills in more ways than one.

[NozomiCrimson]

Midnight looked up at him with a wary glance and nodded, still quite unsure why she trusted this pony so much. She would never put her life in the hooves of any other pony that she even knew remotely. Yet here she was trusting that this stallion she just met would get her safely to her home. She tried to calm down even a little; she had done this plenty of times before, and it always had the same effect on her. She tried to act strong for herself but the reality of the situation always carried itself to sit upon her shoulders when it wasn't welcomed. She gave him a small smile trying to reassure him that she was reassured, shivering a little at the sudden chill she got. She focused on the path ahead and continued walking trying not to think about the things around them in the trees.

[Todd Howard]

Granyl, satisfied with how she seemed to calm down somewhat, kept his eyes on the path ahead. He thought about why she lived out here, and what kind of home she'd possibly have. He figured it'd be stressful to live out here, and couldn't grasp why anypony would even want to. Maybe it was usually quiet around here and she preferred it? He couldn't quite put his hoof on it. Though feeling somewhat cold, he was glad to hear the sounds of the possible beasts around them become more faint. Almost like they stuck to specific areas of the forest for the most part... Territorial, perhaps. It was the best assumption Granyl had.

Trying to get his mind off the beasts as well, he began thinking about the tasks ahead of him. Work. He needed work, badly. To afford food, and temporary housing. He'd noted a few places of interest around Ponyville, but wasn't sure if any of them were even looking for anypony to help them out. It'd be a mildly irritating process.

[NozomiCrimson]

Midnight glanced up at him and noted how he seemed to be thinking about something. She frowned a little and then blinked at the sudden glare of the moon. They came into a small clearing with a stream running through the middle of it. Midnight turned to the right towards a small but sturdy bridge that seemed to have been built just for the means of crossing the river. She glanced around for a moment into the trees behind and around her.

[Todd Howard]

Granyl skeptically stared at the bridge, seeming to not trust it. Though it appeared sturdy enough, he had his doubts. He took his mind off of it momentarily by taking in his surroundings. "It's eerie, but really is beautiful." He said, admiring the stream. He eyed a few fish swimming along, but quickly lost sight of them as they swam down the stream. He figured they had to of been getting close to her home, considering how the place appeared to be more peaceful than the rest of the forest he'd seen.

[NozomiCrimson]

She gave a light smile and her features softened as she stopped to gaze into the stream, "It is. It's far away from everypony that can't handle my appearance..." She commented to herself and shook her head. She looked back, "We're almost there. Just a little ways to go." She crossed the bridge and it was a bit rickety but not badly enough to cause concern. She waited for him on the other side, seeming to not be as paranoid now.

[Todd Howard]

Blinking, Granyl began crossing the bridge soon after she did. "Your appearance...?" He frowned, stopping as he made it to the other side. He looked down at her. "I don't understand... Most ponies I've met judge by how other ponies are, not how they look. They should be ashamed for saying such things-!" He stopped himself, seeming to be upset about it. He soon managed to calm himself, not wanting to discourage her. He tried to find some words to cause the opposite effect. "Don't let such ponies have a negative effect on you, Midnight. Being discouraged for being who you are isn't the way to approach life." He glanced away, a small smile visible on his face. "You're beautiful in your own way, as far as my opinion goes. Us both being here now is enough to tell me you are a good pony on the inside as well."

[NozomiCrimson]

She blinked up at him, not realizing he had heard her. A genuine smile crossed her face, "Thank you, but I can explain more when we arrive at the house. We just have to cross through these trees and we'll be-" Her eyes widened and her head shot to the trees across the river. She narrowed her eyes and her pupils became small slits as her ears perked atop her head. "We need to hurry, go ahead of me the house should be just beyond these trees. Hurry!"
As she said it, glowing green orbs shown through the darkness of the trees and she turned to start running, watching them.

[Todd Howard]

Granyl glanced back at her momentarily, before realizing what was happening. He nodded before he began fleeing, continuously looking back to ensure she wasn't far behind. He could faintly see the green glow symbolizing the eyes of the timberwolves, and it was very good motivation for galloping as fast as he could. They were close, at least. He figured they could make it in time to avoid the dangers behind them, but this forest liked to be one big uncertainty. One minute he has a firm belief he is safe, then moments later things start going wrong. He could only hope things didn't get anymore exciting.

[NozomiCrimson]

Almost directly after he started galloping, her hooves carried her after him. Her legs may be short but they seemed to carry her well enough. Behind them, barking and growling could be heard as the Timberwolves started the chase. Midnight's house could be seen through a few more group of trees. It looked like a normal house but it seemed to have been redone a few times in what looked like heavy wood that had signs of scratch marks. She made sure her voice carried enough over the noise of their hooves and the Timberwolves to reach him in front of her, "The door is unlocked but if you don't mind, could you be ready to close it behind me? You may be able to close it fast enough before they can get their paws through the door..."

[Todd Howard]

"A very good suggestion!" Granyl called back, preferring to quickly get out of this without getting into an actual conflict. He ducked his head under a low branch, and eyed the door ahead as his target. She had instructed him the best she possibly could of, in his opinion. Of course, opening a door and slamming it on a vicious beast wasn't exactly Alicorn-level magic in the ways of required knowledge. Granyl was barely able to stop himself in time to keep from ramming the door open, he thankfully managed to stop and get it opened fully, waiting for Midnight to rush through before he shut it before the Timberwolves' un-welcomed arrival.

From what I've heard, too rough of an impact could cause them to fall apart... Guess this will test that theory.

[NozomiCrimson]

Midnight nodded upon seeing him get through the door. When he opened it, it wasn't necessarily heavy, but he could tell it wasn't a wooden door. She took one last glance behind her and her blood ran cold. Behind her was a pack of the Timberwolves. She turned away from them as she rushed through the door into the dark house. The pack seemed like they had gone through this very routine before. Four of them split into two groups and circled around both sides of the house while two others stayed and went to leap at the door, barking loudly. Midnight tried not to back away from the front door as was her usual habit. She swallowed and managed to tell Granyl in a rather shaky voice, "The door has an automatic lock when you close it from this side..."

[Todd Howard]

"Really? Let's see how it works!" Granyl slammed the door as the Timberwolves came a little too close for comfort, the impact of the door hitting them on their approach being enough to cause their heads to shatter into a bunch of twigs and bark. He heard a peculiar sound, and assumed it was the door locking itself. He fell to his haunches, taking a breather now that he thought they were safe. "That was a little too close for comfort..." He said, as he tried to look around. The place was dark, which made sense, considering Midnight had been gone. He was somewhat concerned about the wolves finding a way in, but figured if Midnight knew anything, she'd speak up about it quickly. But for the moment, everything seemed alright. Just needed to stay indoors and everything would be fine. At least he hoped it was that easy.

[NozomiCrimson]

Midnight removed her saddlebag, cowl, and cape, hanging them up near where she was standing. She jumped at the sound of the Timberwolves outside scratching at the house and growling. She made her way to a nearby corner and crawled under a low-to-the-ground table that seemed to be conveniently placed there. She stayed under the table, ears pinned to the back of her head, eyes shut tight, and she was trying to calm herself down and keep herself from shaking. However, she didn't seem to make a sound, as if she was trying not to. Small whimpers would escape her when the Timberwolves got close and scratched the wall near where she was.

[Todd Howard]

Granyl couldn't do much aside from watch as she crawled under the table, fear seeming to take over her. concerned, he followed the sound of the TImberwolves over near Midnight's hiding place, and narrowed his eyes as he glared at the wall. The sound of Midnight's whimpering caused him to turn his head and look down at her hiding place with a frown. He soon sat down and removed his saddlebag, pulling out his flute. "Shamans, craft my breaths into strokes of wind to carry my song..." He muttered to himself, putting the flute up to his muzzle soon after. He took a deep breath, before beginning to play a soft, soothing tune. Ignoring the Timberwolves outside, as they no longer mattered. All that mattered was perhaps helping Midnight through her fear, if only momentarily.

[NozomiCrimson]

Midnight hadn't noticed him walk over as she had brought her hooves up to cover her ears from the scratching at the walls. Her eyes opened as the sound of the flute reached her ears. Her ears twitched a little at the sound and she glanced up through the dark. As her eyes adjusted a little better she could see Granyl and smiled lightly to herself. The sound of scratching and growling slowly began to subside until the night air was quiet and still again. Midnight hadn't noticed, as she had started to hum along with the tune of his flute until she felt her breathing was regulating and her heartbeat slowed to a normal rate.