The Birch Tree Thief // #1

It was time to say goodbye to Jasper for now, and venture on to the next pony that caught Buck's eye - a dark seal bay mare, standing at around fourteen hands, with a set of teddy ears that seemed even rounded than Harpy's. Maybe that was just because of her size, but she seemed perfect.

As he wandered over to the crowd that was trying to adopt her, a few people were stood around, a lost expression painted over their faces as their bells fell on the floor. This little pony - Bloodstone, the people called her - was biting at the bells, snatching the ribbons up, throwing them about, before dropping them at their respectful owners feet.

Ah.

'Hey, Silas! I thought I saw you earlier, on that pony, the spotty one!' Someone called over, tapping his back. Buck span around to face whoever was talking, mildly surprised that someone knew his birthname - he didn't have anything against it, but he'd been called Buckthorn since he could remember. To his surprise, it was a childhood friend, Lia.

'Oh, hey, Lia, how are you? I thought you were out of town?' He smiled subtly, keeping one eye on the pony. He didn't exactly want to seem rude, but he'd much prefer to be trying to befriend her, instead.

'I'm visiting my grandparents for the week. You should come and visit! I'll have to come over to Maplefall at some point, that would be so cool! You've got a few new stablehands since I was there, I'm sure. Any worth knowing?' She grinned, patting her dress down as it flailed in the breeze.

'Mm, depends how you mean their worth. They're all good workers, but some of them I could deal with less,' Obviously, he meant Dutch. He could see the young man over by another pony - a spotted chestnut tobiano - and he rolled his eyes briefly. 'He does not need any more ponies.'

'Ohh, right, I see what's going on there.'

Buck grimaced as he glanced at her, shaking his head, to be met with a soft burst of laughter.

'I won't tell. Whatever - are you trying for this girl? She's a pest, apparently. I don't have time for one anymore myself, but I like looking at them.' Lia looked Buckthorn up and down before looking back at Bloodstone. 'You'd fit on her quite well. Probably a lot better than on Harpy; you're very light, but kinda tall.'

Well, thanks for the observation.

Buck nodded and rested his hands on his hips, glancing as the pony snatched another bell and threw it a bit further away.

'Dutch would like her. Argumentative, something to puzzle with,' he sighed, stepping over to her as a gap presented itself in the crowd. He wandered over and reached out his hands, trying to entice the big mare over. She was quite well-muscled — vaguely resembling Dreadnought, one of the livery geldings at Maplefall that was owned by a rather peculiar man. But to be fair, he also owned Snapper, who was just as strong and opinionated. If he wasn't at sea with Kaida for the holidays, then Keto would be all over Bloodstone.

'What about you? What sort of ponies do you prefer?' Lia asked, following enthusiastically. Her blonde hair bumbled above her shoulders, a skip in her step as she walked.

'Mm, curious ones. Fun. Something to keep me occupied, doesn't get solved too quickly but doesn't get stressed if I step close,' He explained briefly, snatching his hand away from the mare as she pressed her little ears back. 'Hey, sneaky beast, be nice. You're a Teddy Cob, not a monster.'

Bloodstone stomped her hooves and lunged at Buck - he stumbled backwards, but when he expected the pony to descend upon him, it was the bell ribbon he held that was taken. It was one of his favourite designs - a delicate flower with the silver bell knotted in. A signature of Maplefall.

The pony flung the ribbon around in her mouth, before squealing and trotting off. She wasn't being malicious: she was playful, but her size compared to the other teddies made people feel like she was being mean. Buck scrambled after her, whistling and calling as he passed by Dutch, who laughed and wandered after him.

'Hey, pony! Come back!' Buck called, jogging closer. They got to the edge of the field, in front of a birch tree forest, and she reared up when he got closer. Her eyes were glinting with mischief - no malice, just pure enthusiasm.

'Lost ya ribbon, Bucky?' Dutch grinned as he wandered behind Buck, putting his arm around the taller man's shoulder and chuckling. 'At least she's pretty. We'll grab Amber after.'

'Amber-? Whatever. Can you try and-'

'Oh! So this is Dutch!' Lia smiled, one hand out for him to shake. A city girl through and through, her high-heels having gotten stuck in the mud a couple of times whilst she tried to catch up with the three of them. 'It's good to meet you. Silas seems to have good things to say about you.'

'Well, who on earth is this? Good morning. Come on, Buck, introduce us,' Dutch grinned.

'Get my ribbon, and I'll introduce you then.'

'Oh, fine, you grumpy sod. It's a good job I like you.'