My Best Friend, The Ponytiff

[MercyAzalea 405]

My Best Friend, The Ponytiff

 

 

ISSUED ON

7th OF Snow’s Maiden, 197 E.S

 

 

I do not remember much from my early childhood, but one thing I believe I will never forget is the first visit of the Pontiff, Deunoro I. I was so lively and excited about everything, but I had this strange fear of sealife; cod, salmon, sharks and crabs were all scary things to me. There had been a garment sale recently and there was a beautiful green dress that I had insisted my Father purchase for me, lest I throw a grand tantrum. I was a fairy princess, after all; I had to look the part. And thus it was that green I had donned, lacking in that of the flower crown; it did not seem fitting, as though something else should be worn in its’ stead. 

 

We were gathered at the gates of Balian in discussion upon the arrival of the Pontiff. Being six, I did not quite understand the significance of such a visit and thus I had thought it nothing other than some man that people liked. I was the first to approach the Pontiff and introduce myself; “I’m Vanya!” I said, followed shortly by “I like ponies! Who are you?” He introduced himself, and I remember a variety of mispronunciations of his name falling from my mouth, to which he found amusement in, before I simply settled on calling him by his title, The Pontiff. Though, of course, I had misheard, and a new title befell him; The Ponytiff. I was adamant that despite it, that he simply must be the Ponytiff. He was incredibly patient with my younger self, moreso than most adults would be willing to. He was the first friend I made in this world; my best friend, the Ponytiff. I had asked about the golden headband he wore, to which he explained it was a laurel. I remember being astounded by the band, thinking it was the most perfect thing I had ever seen in my life.

 

I was saddened when his attention was taken elsewhere, to handle more important matters than that of an overexcited youth who’d been given a rainbow-swirl fairy lollipop to fuel her through. But one thing was for sure and certain; I had a friend, my very first friend. I was still learning to write at the time, and my spelling was not very good. But regardless, following his departure I had set out to write to him, form my very first ‘official’ letter. I do not remember what it is that I wrote of, but I remember my sheer excitement when I received his reply. The very letter he sent is one of my prized possessions, something I will never let go of. 

 

The next time our paths crossed was the Coronation of the King of Haense. I had prepared some gifts for him. I remember being quite panicked by the amount of people present, clutching onto my Father’s hand with my gift stack in the other so that I would not lose him. The Ponytiff had previously mentioned his lack of horse and, that simply could not do. The Ponytiff? Ponyless? I would hear of no such thing! I insisted that Father allow me to gift him a horse, which he was more than happy to allow me to do. I selected his horse specifically, to compliment the garbs that the Ponytiff most often donned. I was confident that it would be a suitable steed; a Vourkehardt steed. My hand crafted gifts followed; the first, a beaded friendship bracelet made as a distinct reminder of the bond I share with my best friend. The second, The Ponytiff’s Laurel. I had woven my very own, mirrored of the golden one that he donned and I wished that he had it. As far as I am aware, The Ponytiff donned that Laurel ever since its’ creation. Following that, I had sent him a simple drawing of himself atop the horse I had given to him. I like to think he found it funny; I was never an artist, I always had a penchant for jousting, horses and running around distressing my parents about what chaos I may cause next.

 

I don’t really understand what death is.

 

I understand that it’s where a person has to go away to the Seven Skies and they can’t come back but, why can’t they come back? Uncle Wernher says that I can’t go and look for the Ponytiff, but he knows that I will see him again one day. I don’t want to accept that.

 

So I disperse this across the lands;

 

Ponytiff, please give me a sign that you haven’t forgotten me. I miss you! I completed the Zahmung, I unseated my Father in the first round just like I promised I would do. I almost published an essay about why I should be allowed to be a Knight. I have a new pony, I think I’m going to name him Deunoro, like you! I know how to say your name now. I’m not allowed to go and find you but I look for you when we go into different cities.

 

I like to visit beaches.

 

I’m not so scared of the crabs anymore.

 

 

S I G N E D ,

 

Lady Vanya Vourkehardt
Barony of Cadiz

 

 

 

[cadazio 2105]

@MadOne

 

Frantzisko-Deunoro, the Crab, turned his head to Brandt-Caius his peer. Spindly fingers reached to move his knight to C-7 as a memory flickered in his mind. 

 

"You know..." he spoke unto the Barclay-Pontiff idly, "... you never made me that leg. Thankfully someone gifted me a horse in the end. I hope they're doing alright. I bless them."

 

A beat of silence, a downcast glance.

 

"Check, by the way," he gestured to the board.

[MrMojoMordor 2413]

Spoiler

bro tf - geniuenly such a great bitter-sweet post.
why did i get teary eyed???

 

[KillerMaid 636]

Its ok Mojo, we're crying collectively.

[MercyAzalea 405]

I did not realise this was going to cause emotional damage 😭