zecorasplace-blog - Tumblr blog

[zecorasplace-blog]

*a brown earth stallion knocked on Zecora's door*

The zebra wasn't expecting visitors, but they were now much more common than they had been when she'd first moved to the forest. Ever since Twilight Sparkle came to Ponyville, her hut had become quite lively, with ponies looking for remedies, teas, advice, or sometimes just to chat. So when a stallion she didn't recognise appeared outside her door, she was surprised, though not upset or irritated.

"Well, well, well; who do we have here? I do not believe we have yet met, dear."

[zecorasplace-blog]

Hmm… *they smiled back at her* Alright, just be careful not to boil it dry.

Chuckling, she shook her head. "You misunderstand I fear. I did not mean this remedy here. Instead I mean the nettle tea; this headache relief is not for me." It was instead for a few residents of Ponyville who had suffered  a terrible flu and needed a remedy that would work quickly. It was a little bitter, but it worked like a charm.

[zecorasplace-blog]

I've never really had any anxieties, but I've been rather tense and tired as of late, so this is just what I needed. *he continued to sip his tea*

Watching and waiting for the water to come to the boil, she tried not to avert her gaze from the pot too much, but found herself looking up to smile as she spoke to the masked one. It wasn't really a delicate recipe as such, but she could boil it dry...

"One of my favourites for a stormy day," she agreed, taking another quick sip. "Would you like a bag to take away?"

[zecorasplace-blog]

I understand, so no offense taken. An Anon mask is made when a true Anon passes away. Long story short, a true Anon gave their life to save mine, and to honor their sacrifice, I take their mask everywhere, even when I'm not wearing it… but I digress. *they take a sip of their tea* The tea is quite soothing. Thank you!

"A touching tale, yes, it is true. How honourable to carry the mask with you," she said solemnly, taking a sip of her tea before adding some tree bark to the cauldron. She would have said more, but the greyface quickly changed the subject, which she took to mean that this particular part of their conversation was over. With a respectful smile and a grateful nod, she added water to the cauldron. "An old and well-loved recipe. Especially good for anxiety! Camomile, nettles, mixed in a herbal stew, easing nerves and giving energy, too!"

[zecorasplace-blog]

Thank you, Zecora! The mask does effect the wearer's mental state to a degree, but I'm a very kind individual underneath, so, no, no tricks.

The zebra didn't join the greyface at the table. "I mean no offence, my greyfaced friend. My chores and potion-mixing have no foreseeable end."

Taking the tea-making pot away from the heat, she dug out an old cauldron for making a special headache remedy from tree bark. "I must ask you, by the way - how came you by this mask of grey?"

[zecorasplace-blog]

Yes, I'm wearing a mask. No, I'm not taking it off for you.

She poured the masked grey one a mug of her herbal tea and placed it onto the table, ensuring he (she? it was hard to tell) could reach it comfortably. "I see. To you, your mask must stick. This visit I hope is not a trick?"

[zecorasplace-blog]

I didn't intend to stay for tea… *he followed her in*… but, sure. Why not? Tea sounds lovely. By the way, some Anons are ordinary individuals wearing a mask that gives them the form and power of an Anon, while others are Anons to the very core of their beingThere's no way to tell the difference. Not with magic, not with potions, not with science, not any way at all, unless it's just a mask and they remove it.

Interesting. An anon who just wanted to check in. It didn’t happen often. Zecora wasn’t sure whether she should be thankful for that or not. Grabbing her favourite tea blend, she added a few shakes directly to the pot.

"From what I recall, what you say is true. So, which variety of anon are you?"

[zecorasplace-blog]

Nothing, just dropped by to say hi.

"Then please come in, join me, won’t you?" Turning toward her pot, in which she was boiling water for herbal tea, she gestured with her head for the anon to follow her in. No reason she couldn’t be hospitable. "For tea, or another type of brew?"

[zecorasplace-blog]

I am Anonymous, but everypony just calls me Anon. For some reason, your rhyming is very calming to me. A word of warning, Anons are usually jerks, but some are nice.

 Anons. Malevolent spirits of chaos, usually, as Zecora well knew. Which meant she might have to be cautious around this one. As changeable as Discord, sometimes even nearly as chaotic.

"An anon so polite, I see. Now, what is it you need from me?"

[zecorasplace-blog]

Hello, Miss! What would your name be?

"Why hello; so nice to meet someone new," the zebra began, smiling warmly at the silhouette at the door. "I am named Zecora; and now who are you?"