[voice]

[eagerstudent]

Hey, this isn't the desert...did Grado give up? That's not like them, though. What if it's a trap?! What if there's monsters coming, and-

Hey...where's everyone else? This doesn't look like Magvel at all! Where's my clothes? Hey, what's with my back? It feels weird, like-

-oh! Oh, neato! Wings! Hey, I wonder if I can fly now, like a human pegasus! Up up, and away! ...I said, up up, and away! ...huh. Maybe they need magic to work. I should look around and see if there's anyone I can ask about that!

Comments

[Voice]

[mountain_sage]

[...!!]

[The sound of the newest arrival is instantly recogized. For a moment, Saleh can't help but wonder if either the Malnosso or his own mind is playing tricks on him. He stares wide-eyed at the journal before he pulls himself together to respond.]

Ewan!? Is it really you?

[Voice]

[eagerstudent]

-Teacher?! [A surge of relief floods Ewan the moment he recognizes the voice.]

[Voice]

[mountain_sage]

Yes, it is I.

[And Saleh's just as relieved.]

Where are you? Are you out in the forest?

[Voice]

[eagerstudent]

...I'm in a forest.

[Voice]

[mountain_sage]

Hmm. Do you see or hear a river nearby?

[Video]

[winds_voice]

I am afraid the wings do not seem to be capable of flight.

[And well if he's acting so confused about not only the wings but his general location, Eley can only assume that he must be a New Feather.]

You have been brought to Luceti as all of us have. I suggest you take a moment to become familiar with your surroundings. Are you in or near the village?

video

[wannabolt]

[Have the most deadpan expression a pony can offer.]

...Yeah, no. You're no pegasus; those wings aren't good for anything but getting in the way.

video

[eagerstudent]

[Yeah, as if he needed more confirmation. Ewan pouts.]

Well, that's no fun. It'd be so cool if I could fly like a pegasus...

[Video]

[eagerstudent]

Then...what are they for? Why do I have 'em?

No, I'm in the forest...

video

[wannabolt]

Yeah, but this place never makes anything easy. Trust me on that.

Guess I lucked out on account of being an actual pegasus, flight and all.

[She shrugs.]

Just... please tell me you didn't try jumping off of a roof. You won't believe how many newbies try that.

video

[eagerstudent]

No, I didn't try tha-

[Aaand yay for delayed reaction. Ewan realizes a moment late that yes, he seems to be talking to an actual pegasus.]

Wait! H-how are you...pegasi can't talk!!

[Voice]

[eagerstudent]

I hear one, yeah...

video

[rainbooms]

They can in Equestria.

[Snort.]

Different worlds kinda work in their own way. Kinda like how hue-mans don't even exist where I'm from.

video

[eagerstudent]

[This is tooooo weird. But kind of neat at the same time!]

Equestria? What's that?

video

[wannabolt]

Well, for one, it's a totally different world. One pretty much dominated by ponies, considering we make up most of the population and take care of everything from weather to the seasons.

If that sounds crazy... Just don't think on it too hard. Believe me, a world like this, where everything happens on its own is just as weird to me.

video

[eagerstudent]

Wowww...back on Magvel, horses and pegasi are just for riding. [grins] Kind of cool to imagine them doing other things! Ross and Amelia would never believe me if I told them!

[Video]

[winds_voice]

Hmm... I do not actually have an answer to that. All that I know is that they must be protected.

[He pauses to think for a moment.]

Will you require assistance? I may be able to find you, if you are near any useful landmarks. A body of water for example. Failing that, there is a guide in your journal that will tell you all you need to know about this place. I recommend that you read it as soon as you can. It helped me a great deal when I first arrived here.

[Voice]

[mountain_sage]

[Oh, good, now he has a lead on the boy's location.]

Once you find the river, follow it upstream, and you will reach the village. I will find you along the way.

[Voice]

[eagerstudent]

Okay. [He stands, clutching the journal to his chest, and begins to walk]

[Video]

[eagerstudent]

No, I'm covered. My teacher's going to meet me when I get closer to the village, but thanks anyway!

[Action]

[mountain_sage]

[Saleh will pack his own equipment, his magic items and his "survival" bag, and leave the village, following the river to find his student. He'll bring out a blanket as he walks; the poor kid must be freezing out here.]

[Action]

[eagerstudent]

[He is, but Ewan is too busy being amazed and confused by it all to focus on that. For now, anyway. He walks quickly, trying not to reach behind and scratch at his wings. They feel weird, and he still hates that he can't fly with them, that'd make things so much easier.]

[Video]

[winds_voice]

Your teacher? Ah, then you must know someone here already. That will help. In that case I will leave you to him.

[Video]

[eagerstudent]

Yeah, I got lucky...not only with someone I know being here, but it being Master Saleh.

[Action]

[mountain_sage]

[At last, Saleh spots his student, staring in almost disbelief. It had been almost three years since he'd seen him...it was almost like looking at a stranger. Perhaps like the time when the two had first met.]

Ewan.