hoisin in da sauce
In Claim Attempts ・
By Riptide
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"It is recommended to carry a noisemaker to ward off bears," Ning read from the wilderness survival brochure she'd picked up from the information booth. "Do we even have bears here, Yeye?"
The old man pursed his lips for a moment before replying. "I do not think so."
Relieved, Ning scanned the next line of the pamphlet. "For the treatment of venomous snake bite, antivenom and an emergency suction kit should be used. What about snakes, Yeye?"
Her grandfather leveled an enigmatic look off into the trees. "Yes, there are snakes here. Good for soup."
Ning wrinkled her nose. "Ew. No snake soup."
"Do not knock it until you try it," he replied sagely.
"I think that's one of the things I will knock and not try," Ning said.
"You are missing out. It is a delicacy." Mirth tinged the old man's words, though no hint of a smile crossed his weathered face.
"If you say so."
----------------------------------------------------
Two hours later, the skies had begun to cloud with early signs of rain. Ning's brow furrowed, frustration etched on her face. They still hadn't seen any ponies, and getting caught in the rain just wasn't an option for Yeye. She wished they had brought a tent, so they could set up and wait it out, but she knew logically that it wouldn't do her or her grandfather any good to sit in the chill. Plus, there was no guarantee the rain would stop before nightfall. They just weren't equipped for bad weather.
"Another ten minutes, and then call it?" Ning asked hopefully.
Yeye looked up at the sky, assessing the clouds. "Okay."
"Do you mind if I go ahead a little bit? I want to check that grove over there." Ning gestured to a gap in the trees, where she could see tufts of grass poking through the undergrowth. With luck, it'd lead to one of the woodland meadows that were scattered through the forest.
Yeye nodded assent, and Ning picked up a jog, thumbs looped through her backpack straps to stop it bouncing. The bell ribbon in the side pocket jingled with each step. When she'd gotten within a few metres of the edge of the grove, she slowed, peering eagerly between the tree trunks in case there was even the slightest glimpse of a pony's swishing tail or pricked ears. She moved cautiously out into the grassy hollow, clicking her tongue. Maybe if she just thought hard enough about a pony, she'd be able to manifest one into existence.
A rustle sounded behind her and she called softly to her grandpa. "Yeye, move slowly - there might be a pony nearby."
There was no reply. Another rustle.
"Yeye, please-" Ning said, turning towards the sound with a hint of annoyance. After all that trekking, she wanted the best possible chance to-
Ning's breath caught in her throat and she froze, eyes wide. In front of her stood a brown-and-white pony, its roan coat lightening across its body. Four white feet, and a short, poofy tail. "Hey," she said softly. Wow. The more she looked, the more gorgeous the pony seemed to get. Its two-toned mane and tail looked so soft - Ning longed to bury her hands in the pony's hair. The pony's dark face bore a large white star and an unusual diamond snip that covered one nostril and wrapped around its chin. It was love at first sight.
The pony pawed once at the ground, tossing its head.
"Hi there," Ning crooned, shrugging one strap off of her shoulder and lowering her backpack slowly to the ground. "Want a snack? I brought all sorts, just in case."
Reaching into her bag, she pulled a nine-section plastic container from it and pried the lid open, careful not to spill its contents into the grass. Apple, carrot, and pear slices formed one row, with peppermints, banana chunks, and sugar cubes in the next; the more unorthodox treats - raisins, pretzels, and peanut butter cookies - had been meant as a snack for Ning herself, but she was more than willing to share with the pony if the creature took a fancy to them.
"Let's see...apples first," Ning said, picking a few slices from the box and holding them out towards the pony. She spared a brief thought for the wind direction, hoping she was upwind of the pony so the smell of fresh apples might tempt it closer. She was pacified by the lack of wind entirely - at least it wasn't blowing from the pony to her, which would be no help at all.
The pony's nostrils flared and it took a small step towards her, then another. It broke suddenly into a trot, closing the distance between it and Ning in a matter of seconds, and before Ning knew it, the pony's soft muzzle was brushing her palm as it took the apple slices from her hand. She barely had time to process before the pony had nudged her other hand, the one holding the box, and the entire container fell from her grasp. The upturned snacks tumbled into the grass, and the pony got to work straight away hoovering up the various treats that now formed a veritable feast on the ground.
"Hey!" Ning exclaimed, then realised this was the perfect chance. Wrenching the bell ribbon from the side pocket of her backpack, she began braiding it into the pony's mane with speed that only came with weeks of practice. Nearing the end of the braid, she was getting ready to tie it off when-
"Ah-" came a familiar sound. Ning's body tensed in alarm before her mind had even registered what the sound was. "CHOOOOOO!"
The pony's head shot up in alarm, and it whirled away from Ning, ripping the ribbon out of her hands. Without a second glance behind it, the pony took off into the trees, its hoofbeats fading as it thundered away through the undergrowth.
Ning whipped around, her face a mask of despair. "YEYE!"
The old man was itching at his nose, looking ready to loose another sneeze.
And just as he did, the skies opened, and the rain began to fall.
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Submitted By Riptide
Submitted: 3 months ago ・
Last Updated: 3 months ago
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