Cross-legged, Latch sat before the dying embers of her firepit. Her pack was alongside her, open, and currently having geared stowed away bit by bit. She was in no rush, and she wanted to enjoy this calming, and almost quiet moment to herself. Clicks were heard as some of the plates of her pauldron went back into position, following with the tightening of straps she fastened across her torso, and belted in place.
 
Reaching beside herself, another small bunch of strapped, and welded together metal was put on. Over her forearm was it set, then tightened in place. A couple clicks, and some stretching heard anew. Sticking her left arm out, she tightened and stretched out muscles. The plates clicked and chafed, but her movements remained unimpeded. She smiled, and reached out in front of her.
 
The cap of her canteen was twisted, and she took a long swig of the cool water. Wiping her mouth, she doused her hands with what was left, rubbing out the dirt and grime from the prior day. Flicking her hands out, then wiping them against her leggings, she stood up, and away from her bedroll beneath her. She stretched, and loosened up. Her arms went over her head, she bent over, and then she stretched her legs.
 
Bouncing in place on the tips of her boots as she got up, she breathed in deeply, and surveyed the area. The lush forest surrounding her remained calm, but stirred with the chattering of birds in and above the treeline, and both the rustling and cries of fauna below. The skies above remained almost clear, sporting a few, but fluffy white clouds that provided momentary shade to the sun. It was a few hours away from its highest point.
 
“I’m glad I got to chat with Rainbow Dash before I made my way here, Latch thought to herself as she stared up into the sky. She sighed, putting her hands on her hips with a grin.
 
“It’s really a good day to be out here like this,” she said aloud. Her hands fell from their place on her hips. One immediately climbed higher, while one went lower. She felt along some certain empty spaces along her belt, and blinked. “Right… the rest of my gear,” she chuckled as she turned around.
 
Going through her stuff, item by item, what she didn’t strap to her waist went into her pack. Her sword, her dagger, her two pouches of flash powder, and her canteen were strapped to her belt. Her bedroll, and the various odds and ends she had, such as her rations, flint and steel, tinder plugs, and whetstone went in. With a brief bit of kicking against the dirt, soil was flung into the then smoldering embers of the fire. Smoke and dust were kicked up, but the logs no longer posed a hazard to the environment.
 
Hefting up the pack, slipping her arms through the straps, a light weight was now felt that did little to pull her back. Trekking forth, walking through the forest and brush once more, she did so with purpose. There was nothing to track, but she was aiming to find something she stumbled on well over a month ago. Today she’d be holding herself to her own word: she’d finally repay Rarity. A grove awaited her, and since she did a bit of reading, and had a book at the ready in her back, she’d make sure whatever she’d bring back was no mere weed, or something highly invasive.
 
She’d bring back a few of whatever she could find. It was payment, but not something they’d arranged, formally, or informally. Generous as she was, Rarity had constantly been mending more than just her clothing whenever it was brought in. A few maladies of the heart and mind were let loose and understood, and Rarity would help her find peace with them. She truly was a generous pony, of time, and of her mind. She admired Rarity greatly for that.
 
“I just hope you won’t find the gesture sappy or flirty,” Latch mumbled to herself as she left her campsite. While she indeed had much admiration from for Rarity amidst this steadily growing friendship… she didn’t want the gesture to come off that way.
 
The hike towards her destination was littered with both paths well-traveled, and ones still undiscovered. The many beaten paths were not forged by pony alone, but the fauna – the predatory, and the prey. They branched off regularly, leading to many shortcuts and reliable paths. Through dense thickets, and even navigating through treacherous areas such as the soft dirt of the marshes. Off the well-traveled paths though, was where she aimed to go.
 
Ribbons she’d left behind in expeditions weeks, and months ago were tied to trees. Varied in color, and tied where they couldn’t easily be ripped, or torn away, she followed them. They were her markers that guided her, loosely, to where her destination was. Deeper into the Everfree Forest did she go, beyond the castle of the two sisters, and beyond familiar territory, and beyond the reach of any sane pony who did go in. Through bramble and brush, around and beneath vines and trees, over roots and stumps… her walk went by with the company of birdsong reminding her of the odd serenity that rarely took hold in these woods.
 
Soon finding the brush to lose its density, becoming more flowery, and spacious between the trees, Latch broke into a jog. A large break in the trees was ahead, one that shined brighter as sunlight lit up the field ahead. Crossing the threshold, Latch slowed to a stop, and witnessed the beauty of her most favored discovery here. While finding ruins of past were something else, a walk through history, this… Nothing could match the sheer beauty.
 
The forest itself broke into an uncharacteristic meadow that spread for roughly a kilometer, if not more. Tall grass, wild flowers, and many an insect buzzed, and flew over the sprawling field of flora. There were so many choices, and time was on her side. She could be here for hours, and she’d probably still not be certain of what to bring back home, and for Rarity.
 
Stepping out into the sprawling meadow, Latch breathed in the heavenly scent of flowers that met her muzzle. She beamed and strode in deeper. She stopped regularly, kneeling, and bending over to smell flowers, and avoiding the insects that were pollinating the flowers themselves. With a long pause, one such flower caught Latch’s eye, one that was among a flowerbed, lower than its taller counter-parts. It was truly a testament to the strangeness of the woods; it felt like a combination of a garden, and the general wildness that nature allowed herself to grow.
 
Walking through the grass, wind rocking the taller plant life with a calming rustle, Latch kneeled down. Reaching for her dagger, unsheathing it, Latch found one of the flowers that were undisturbed in their beauty, and cupped it between her fingers. Pulling upwards, her knife met the growing tension, and cut the flower free instantly. Putting it near her muzzle, she breathed in deeply, and sighed. She wasn’t even sure how to begin describing the scent, but it was perfect.
 
Sheathing her dagger, Latch slipped the flower into her mane; teal against auburn. Looking all around her, Latch moved out of the flowerbed and flattened some of the tall grass. Setting down her pack, she dug in, and fished out a book. “Flora of Equestria: an Encyclopedia of the diverse plant life all across the continent,” it read. She would have to find something to bring back, even if it took her all day, and evening.
 
“Well… I’d might as well get started,” Latch said to herself, surveying the area with bright eyes. Her pack was closed, and slung behind her back, arms snug through the straps. “I hope you won’t mind helping me with some additions to my boots, and pauldron when I get back, Rarity.”
 

 
Another story, which I hope you enjoy. Feedback is appreciated, and openly welcomed, so long as it’s constructive.