Here is my entry for @Firesong's 'Complex Challenge'. I FINALLY finished it! XD
I hope you like it!!
It was a sunny day in Anok, the sun was bright, and the birds were singing. Riverglade trotted over to the tree line and bee lined for a tree with a hole set halfway up the trunk. The blue roan mare smiled at the thought of what was in that hole. She had put an apple there the previous day, and covered it with leaves, grass, and twigs so the animals wouldn’t get to it. Leaping into the air, the blue roan winged her way up to the hole. Hovering just outside, she stuck her nose in the hole, nosing the leaves and twigs away. A moment later, she balked, slamming her nose against the hole and crashing to the forest floor. Rubbing her nose with a dusty blue feathered wing. Groaning, she glared up at the tree.
“My apple is gone…” She growled, her ears pinned back in anger, “And I think I know who took it.” Glaring in the direction of the herd, she got to her hooves and leapt into the air, gliding back the way she had come.
Circling above the herd for a few moments, her eyes landed on an elegant gray mare with purple feathers who was grazing a way away from the rest of the herd. Snorting, Riverglade dove towards the ground, and towards the mare. Landing a few feet from the grazing mare, she caused the gray to leap away with a cry of surprise, scattering feathers like a cloud.
“What was that for?!” The gray mare snarled, her eyes narrowing at the roan.
“Someone ate my apple!” Riverglade nickered angrily, pawing the ground and sending tufts of dirt and grass catapulting into the air behind her.
Silence stretched between the two mares for a few moments, then the gray let out a shocked cry of indignation, “And you think it was me who ate it!?” She asked incredulously.
Riverglade rolled her eyes, “Oh I’m sure it was you who ate it, Petalcloud!” She snapped back at the gray.
Petalcloud groaned in irritation, “Why me?” She muttered under her breath, glaring at the roan before her for a moment before shaking out her mane and returning to grazing, “Well, it wasn’t me.” She said offhandedly, “In fact, I don’t even know what you’re even talking about…you had an apple saved somewhere?”
The blue roan nodded, “And when I went back for it today, it was gone!” She said, tossing her head angrily.
Petalcloud nodded, “That doesn’t mean that I took it.” She said, “However, so you’ll stop pestering me…perhaps I could help you find out who did.”
Riverglade’s eyes narrowed, “Why would you want to help me?” She asked suspiciously.
“I’m bored.” Petalcloud said with a shrug, a smirk growing on her face, “Besides, I never said I’d help you for free.” She said, “There will be a price.”
“What…is said price?”
“You need to leave me alone!” Petalcloud snapped, going nose to nose with the roan “No pranks, no teasing, and certainly no accusations!”
The blue roan smirked, “Awwwwweee…but you’re just so fun to…”
“No! Enough of your snide remarks! I don’t care what you think…in fact…I don’t care what anyone in this herd thinks! I’ve just had enough of your comments!”
Riverglade rolled her eyes, “Alright, alright, fine.” She said, conceding to the fact that she may need some help with finding the apple, “Let’s go talk to…” She stopped, a hesitant look on her face.
“You have no idea…do you?” Petalcloud groaned, noting Riverglade’s hesitation.
The blue roan nodded, “I hadn’t gotten much past the whole…accusing you of stealing my apple.”
“Figures…” The gray said with a groan, “How about we go talk to others in the Herd? Maybe they have something intelligent to bring to the conversation…” She groaned, walking away.
Riverglade scowled in Petalcloud’s direction, “Just because I made a brash decision, doesn’t mean I’m not intelligent!” She snapped, trotting after the gray mare.
“I think of them as the same thing.” Petalcloud muttered.
The roan mare scowled, muttering something incoherent under her breath.
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The two walked in relative silence as they questioned the herd, all of them hadn’t seen any shiny red apple. Time after time they got a negative answer, and Riverglade was starting to lose hope of ever finding the culprit, and Petalcloud couldn’t care less if they even found said culprit. Riverglade was about to call it quits when they walked up to a chestnut mare with golden wings, and asked her if she had seen anything.
“You hid it in the woods?” The mare asked, after RIverglade finished her story.
Riverglade nodded, “Yes…I did, why?” She asked.
“Because I saw Brackentail walk into the woods where you described.”
The roan’s eyes widened, “When was this?”
The chestnut thought for a moment, “Last night…I think.” She said.
Riverglade reared, wheeling around and galloping away, “Thank you!” She called over her shoulder.
Petalcloud groaned, galloping after Riverglade, leaving a very confused chestnut in their wake.
Galloping into the herd, Riverglade raced past the members, calling out apologies as she went, leaving very confused and irritated herdmates in her wake. Petalcloud barreled her way after Riverglade, pushing her way through the herd, shouldering her herdmates aside as she followed the blue roan.
Once Riverglade spotted Brackentail a ways away, she threw her shoulder into his, sending him crashing to the grassy floor. Spinning around, she stood over Brackentail as he laid on the floor, stunned.
“You!” She snarled, bringing her nose close to his face, glaring at the big brown colt.
“Wha…”
“You stole my apple!” She snapped, rattling her feathers angrily.
“What do you mean!?” Brackentail asked in shock, his big brown eyes widening.
“Someone took her apple last night.” Petalcloud said, sliding to a stop.
“And you think it was me!?” The brown stallion asked in shock, staring up at Riverglade, who was still standing over him.
The blue roan nodded, “Yes! Someone saw you go into the forest near where I had hidden my apple!”
Brackentail stared up at Riverglade, trying to comprehend what he just heard, a moment later, his eyes widened and he burst out laughing.
“What’s so funny?!” Riverglade challenged, snorting angrily.
“If you’ll let me up, I’ll tell you.” He replied, trying to stifle his laughter.
Riverglade snorted, “Fine! Petalcloud, make sure he doesn’t move.” She said, stepping away from the stallion, allowing him up.
“I don’t know when I said you could boss me around!” Petalcloud snapped, “You watch him yourself!”
Riverglade rolled her eyes, turning to Brackentail, “What was so funny?”
“I didn’t eat the apple…” He said, shaking his head, “Yes, I went into the forest last night, but I was following who did eat your apple.”
Riverglade’s eyes widened, and her face broke into a huge smile, “You know who did it?!” She asked, “Who?!”
The big brown stallion pointed an orange wing at Riverglade herself, “You.” He said, a big grin on his face.
The blue roan’s face fell, a glare sent Brackentail’s way, “What do you mean?” She asked suspiciously, “Don’t you think I would’ve remembered eating my apple?” She asked.
Brackentail shook his head, “No, you wouldn’t have.” He replied.
“And why not?” Riverglade asked.
“Honestly, I’d like to know that too…” Petalcloud asked with a glare in Riverglade’s way.
“You were sleep walking.” Brackentail said, shrugging his orange wings, “I was following you to make sure you didn’t get into trouble.”
Riverglade’s eyes widened, her mouth opened to challenge Brackentail’s story, but snapped it closed when she realized he may be right.
Petalcloud looked absolutely furious, “Are you telling me…that I went on this feather-brained quest…to find out who ate Riverglade’s apple…and she ate it herself!?”
Brackentail nodded, “That’s what I’m saying.” He said.
Petalcloud snarled, turning on Riverglade, “Don’t you ever, ever, come talk to me!” She snapped, turning around and galloping away.
Riverglade pinned her ears back, glaring in Petalcloud’s direction. Turning to Brackentail, she chuckled, “Sorry about pushing you over.” She said.
The brown stallion shrugged, “It’s alright.” He said, “I’m not hurt. I’m just glad you found out what happened to your apple.”
The blue roan laughed, “Yeah! I suppose I did…” She chuckled under her breath, “I guess I should get all of my facts straight before accusing someone…”
Brackentail nodded, “Yes,” He said with a smile, nudging Riverglade with a wing, “It’s a good lesson to learn.”
Riverglade chuckled, “Yeah…I suppose so…” She said, “I just wish it wasn’t so rude.”
The brown stallion shrugged, “Everyone does stuff they regret.” He said, “What’s important is learning how to deal with it, and move on.” He said, “You did a good first step, apologizing, now you need to decide where you go from here.”
The blue roan smiled broadly, “Now that I know you know where I hid my apple, I need to find a new hiding spot!” She said.
Brackentail laughed, “I suppose that’s true!” He said, “I’m glad I could be of help!”
She nodded, “Yeah, I appreciate the help.” She said, turning away. Stopping for a moment, she looked behind her, “Oh, and Brackentail?” She said.
The brown stallion looked at her, “Yes?” He asked.
“Don’t try to follow me!” She said with a playful smirk, “If you want my food, you’ll need to find my hiding spot on your own!” She whinnied, galloping away.
Brackentail watched her go, chuckling and rolling his eyes, “Oh, Riverglade…” He muttered to himself, “Never change.”
CHARACTERS
@Riverglade- blue roan with dark dusty blue feathers, dark brown eyes, dark gray/black mane and tail, and lots of light brown, black, and white appaloosa spots/flea bite markings that get heavier on her neck, shoulders and hindquarters, and brown points
Petalcloud- gray mare, with violet feathers, silver mane and tail, purple feaths, one white sock, and a white blaze.
Brackentail- big brown colt with orange wings and two white hind socks.