A cute image for Hearts and Hooves Day/Valentine's Day of my zebra character, Artemisio, and Dazzling Fern. While helping Artemisio practice some fog magic, Dazz decided she'd help him practice some other things, too.

There's actually a backstory snippet that goes with this. If you're interested, you can read it below. Hopefully it makes sense without too much other context. It's set in the ponyfinder world of the campaign I've been doing with some friends.

~ ~ ~

The faint crunch of dead leaves under paws sounded not far off. Artemisio turned his ears towards the sound and saw the timberwolf right as it howled. It was the one he had shot in the shoulder with an arrow. The shaft was still sticking out of it, but it seemed to be regaining its movement in that leg. Another timberwolf ran out of the shadowy brush and straight at him, but Artemisio had his arrow ready even before it surprised him. With a thunk, the arrow pinned the beast’s paw to the ground. It stumbled and slid right into the spot where the zebra had just been.

His quiver was half empty already, and the timberwolves only seemed slowed by his arrows. The one he had just shot was already up and limping slowly after him while some other more agile ones circled to the sides. His only hope would be to find the druids. They had a small community out here in the woods, but people in town had said it was hidden up in the trees. The only marker on the ground was the stone circle they used for certain rituals, but the wolves had driven Artemisio off the path to that some time ago. He still had a vague sense that it might be ahead, so he slung his bow over his neck and galloped off.

He hopped a dead tree and some thorny bushes, but the sound of the timberwolves followed him, getting closer. Up ahead, there was a thinning in the trees. He just had to run a little faster. The sharp pain of teeth and claws on his back caused him to stumble and roll. He yelled and bucked his back hooves, sending the beast flying as he pulled out his shield and whip to fend off the pack that was now circling him. He cracked one wolf in the head, but two lunged at his sides. More tried to pile on as he kicked, shouted, and pushed them off. He still managed to take a few slow steps toward the clearing ahead, but he could feel more than sweat dripping down his sides now.

The winds swirled around him and a moment later a blast of lightning hit behind him, scattering all but the timberwolves latched onto his flanks. His hair stood on end and his ears were ringing, but he continued to kick, whip, and bash the timberwolves off him. A second blast of lightning hit one that fell off of him, leaving only one more. It was holding on tight, so he flicked his whip blindly behind him, hitting his own flanks as much as the wolf. With a yelp, it finally fell off. It tried to scurry off but the same blast of lightning caught it a moment later.

The smoking timberwolves from before crawled away. Artemisio could only hope whatever had helped was friendly. He crouched low and limped forward as his back legs burned. The cloudy sky seemed to clear as quickly as it had darkened, leaving a few breaks in the clouds for sunlight to stream through. Artemisio could now make out the stone circle in the clearing. He had to grab at trees or rocks to steady himself, but he was going to make it.

“You can stop now. You’re safe.” A voice from above spoke in a reassuring tone. In the rays of the sunlight, a pony descended on shimmingering butterfly wings. “They almost got you. You’re lucky I noticed!”

Artemisio let himself collapse onto his side, panting as the leaves stuck to his sweat and blood. His helper seemed to glow with a light of her own as she fluttered next to him and looked him over. “Thanks... I guess I better take care of all this.” He pulled out his bandages, but she put a hoof on his arm to stop him.

“Save those for later. I can take care of it. Those are bad wounds, but nothing a little magic can’t fix.” She placed a hoof on his side and it glowed with a warm light. She lifted it, and the scrapes and teeth marks were gone. “It’s not very often we get visitors out here, but now I can see why.” She rubbed her hoof along the various scrapes.

As the pain faded, Artemisio couldn’t help but blush as she prodded at his injured flanks. “I… I’m glad you were here, too.” Words seemed more difficult with her leaning over him like this.

“No problem. Let me get the other side too.” She nudged him over gently and he relaxed and closed his eyes.

“Do you know the druids that live around here? I was looking for them.” Artemisio slowly stood back up as more of his wounds closed.

“Know them?” She laughed. “I am one, or at least I’m training to be one. Now let me get those last few.” She touched the bite marks where the timberwolves had snapped at his front legs before she stepped right next to him, rubbing over his chest in a playful circle. “I’m surprised they could bother such a strong zebra like you.”

Artemisio blushed and stepped away, pushing her hoof down with his own. “My arrows didn’t do much. I think you got all my injuries.”

“Are you sure I shouldn’t check for more?” She asked playfully as she flitted up into the air and circled around him, letting her tail brush against him.

He swallowed nervously as he began to feel uncomfortable. “No, no. I’m okay. Please, let’s just get somewhere safe.”

She flapped by him in a slow circle, looking him over. “I’m not making you nervous, am I?”

“You are staring.” He blushed again and took a few stiff steps toward the clearing ahead. “What exactly do you want from me?”

“To help you, and maybe have a little fun.Your stripes are very cute. What’s your mark supposed to be?”

Artemisio stopped and huffed, tightening his gear that had come loose in his sprinting. “That’s a special secret.”

“It looks like leaves or branches.” She poked it and grinned. “But now I’ll get you to my friends. They’re up this way.” She hovered ahead of him, swaying her tail as she flapped.

Artemisio pretended to pay close attention to the plants and roots in the way, even as he kept stealing glances at her just ahead of him. She seemed a little forward. The other ponies he met who acted this way who would want money in exchange for companionship. Lots of the mercenaries indulged in that sort of thing, but not him. To a zebra, family and honor were more important than any quick pleasure. Even if this flutterpony mare was beautiful, well, he wouldn’t think about such things. There was surely a nice zebra out there somewhere for him.

“So does a handsome Zebra like you have a name?” She asked as they reached the clearing. Up in the trees above was a few small houses connected to the ground by a set of ropes and planks that could be pulled up. Some smaller rope bridges connected the houses between the trees.

“Artemisio Yerbas. And what should I call you?”

“Dazzling Fern, or just Dazz if you want.” She winked at him and he blushed. A moment later she knocked on the door of the house. “Hey, Peri, we have a visitor!”

A very old flutterpony stallion opened the door. His colors seemed much more faded and muted than Dazzling Fern’s brilliant hews. “I knew that. The trees told me ages ago. They also told me you’ve been being bad again. There’s proper hospitality for guests, but just look at him. A zebra’s face shouldn’t be that red!”

“He was too cute to resist.” She laughed and jumped into the air as the old druid made a grab for her.

“If you think you can just tease the first cute stallion you save, I’ll have to think up some extra work so you won’t have time for that. Now go take care of your other chores and practice.” Peri shooed her away then turned to Artemisio. “Sorry about her, Artemisio. She’s a free spirit in both good and bad ways. And she doesn’t see many ponies her age out here. I am Periwinkle of the order of the land. Come rest. I’m sure the attack on your body and your dignity took something out of you.”

Artemisio nodded. “I could use somewhere safe to rest. If anything I was told your order sometimes has work for a mercenary like me.”

“We might. Let’s discuss it over tea. You did well for being a lone pony against a pack of timberwolves. I’m sure you have some useful skills for some of the work we do.”

---

“We’ll come meet you in the morning at the city gate,” Periwinkle said as the two concluded their business. “I’d invite you to stay here, but I think with Dazzling Fern acting as she did, you’d probably feel better with a little space away from her. Give this to the innkeeper at the Rainbow Riot Inn, and he’ll be able to find you a small place to stay.” The old druid handed Artemisio a wooden token with a tree on one side and a branch on the other. His hoof lingered near Artemsio’s.

“Thank you, sir. I better get going. It’s getting late. Was there anything else?”

“Oh, I think I could take you back myself, so don’t worry about that. It’s just that you seem to have some potential. Has there ever been any moments where you were able to do something unusual?”

“Like what?”

“Something magical. Like a burst of flame or water or plants growing faster than you could explain.”

Artemisio shook his head. “No. I think I would have noticed. I’m just a soldier and mercenary who is good with a bow.”

“Ah, I thought I sensed something. If you can stay just a few more moments, I could be sure. You wouldn’t mind a quick spell, would you?”

Artemisio smiled. “Not at all. I mean, magic seems interesting. I enjoy seeing it.”

“Good. I’ll need a few things. And hold out your hooves.” Periwinkle grabbed a few things from some of his pouches. He ground some plants between his hooves and sprinkled it onto Artemisio’s front legs before he began the motions and words of the spell. A few moments later, Artemisio’s legs began to glow with a very faint green light.

“What was that?” Artemisio stared at the glow, not wanting to mess things up by moving.

“Hmm, it’s both good and bad news.” Periwinkle leaned in to stare at the glow. “You do have some connection to nature and its magic, but it isn’t strong enough for you to be a druid. Still, I think it might do Dazzling Fern some good to try and teach you a little bit of this magic. I know you need money for your work, but would you also accept that as payment?”

“She’d be teaching me? She seems more of a distraction than a teacher.”

“I assure you she just got carried away today. To be honest, we need to find her someone to marry, but we’ve had more important things to do. I’ll make sure she understands not to do that again.”

“I’d appreciate that.”

“Good. Now I’ll have you back in town in a few moments. Take my hoof and don’t let go.” The old druid had a firm grip and pulled Artemisio toward the thick tree trunk the small hut was built around.

Artemisio’s eyes widened and he almost slipped when Periwinkle slipped into the tree. He recovered from the shock and a moment later the two were standing below a fruit tree in a small garden. From the colorful decorations and baubles on the houses and fences around the garden, Artemisio could only guess they were back in Prisma.

Periwinkle chuckled. “Everyone’s always silent the first time they do that. Anyway, the inn is three blocks down that road that way. And don’t be late tomorrow.” The druid stepped back into the tree and vanished, leaving Artemisio alone. He slipped out of the gate and followed the directions the druid had gave him.

---

Artemisio’s first few missions with the druids had gone well. They had driven a few of the more dangerous animals away from the town or main roads. Even the druids had been impressed with his tracking skills. But now, he was feeling a bit nervous about meeting Dazzling Fern for the second time. Periwinkle had mentioned that she kept asking about him, so she definitely was still interested in him. He stepped into the stone circle and looked all around. She was supposed to be here to teach him something today. Dazzling Fern was a silly mare, but Periwinkle had promised Artemisio that she’d be able to teach him some magic. A faint rustle in the grass was all Artemisio heard before his face hit the grass.

“Ha! Got you!” Dazzling Fern pranced on his back before flitting upwards. “You’ll need to do better if you don’t want the beasts to get you.”

“What? How did you jump like that?” He glanced her over as he brushed himself off.

“Magic. But not the kind I’ll be teaching you. I could show you, but you’d have to do me a little favor.”

“What sort of favor?” He gave her a cold stare.

She laughed. “Nothing difficult. I got in so much trouble for teasing you last time, even if it was fun to see you turn so red just by touching your chest. I just was wondering if you could bring me some pastries from the bakery next time you visit. It’s the one by the big park near the main road. They have the best cherry desserts.”

“Fine, I’ll do it. Now show me how you surprised me like that.”

“That’s simple. It’s transformation magic.” In an instant, she turned into a bobcat. She pounced a few times then turned back into herself.

Artemisio just stared. The other druids had used similar powers, but it was strange to see it so blatantly displayed.

“Cat got your tongue?” Dazzling Fern poked his nose playfully. “Ready to start your lesson?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Hmm, let’s see… what’s something easy you could try? Maybe some basic healing magic? That’s not a bad one. I’ll teach you the words, and you can give it a try.”

She sounded out the words carefully for him a few times until he could repeat them. He kept saying them, but nothing seemed to be happening. “This doesn’t seem to be working yet.” He looked down at his very normal hooves, not seeing any magical glow around them.

“If it was just as easy as saying words, I’m sure most ponies could do it. You have to feel it! Get a sense for the life around you and in you and in the pony you’re trying to heal, and then it should work. Here, feel my heart beating. Feeling that always helps me focus when I need to do this.” She grabbed his leg and put his hoof against her chest. The steady rhythm of her heart was easy to feel after just a few moments.

“You seem excited. Are you sure you’re not just trying to get me to touch you?” He said as he nervously kept his hoof in place.

She shook her head even as she giggled. “You need to be touching me for it to work.”

“Fine. Here I go.” He closed his eyes, getting a sense of things around him like she had suggested. He could hear the birds in the trees and the wind in the leaves. His throat felt a little dry. Her heart thumped steadily but quickly. And there seemed to be a faint but pleasant scent. Was that her too? He took a deep breath as he took it all in then repeated the words. A tingle seemed to fill the ends of his front legs but only for a moment before it was gone.

“That was so close! I felt a little. I’m sure you could do even better though. You also need to want the magic to happen. Try to imagine it.”

He tried again. He took in the life around him and the energy it seemed to hold before saying the words. The tingle built and built. He opened his eyes and saw a faint glow surrounding his hooves. He touched Dazzling Fern and the glow moved over to her before fading.

“You did it! You did it!” Dazzling Fern did a few energetic loops in the air while shouting before coming back down.

“I did.” Artemisio stared at his hooves. “That was great! I didn’t think you’d be a good teacher. I’m glad I was wrong about you, Dazzling Fern.”

“Oh please, just call me Dazz. And you were ready. Anyone could have taught you. But maybe we have a special connection helped it along, right? Try it again!”

Artemisio smiled and tried again. It seemed to come more easily this time. He tried a third time, but felt like he was straining. “Dazz, isn’t it supposed to get easier with more practice?” He asked.

Dazz nodded. “That second time was good, but what happened the third time?”

“It feels like the magic is still out there, but I just can’t quite grab enough of it.”

“Oh, I know that feeling. There’s not much to do about that right away. Your magic and your connection to nature can only go so far, but with practice, I’m sure you could go further.”

Artemisio still had a big grin on his face. “Still, it was a good lesson. I never thought I’d be using any magic!”

“You did great! It’s nice you learned so quickly, but I wish the lesson had been a bit longer.” Dazzling Fern landed next to him. “Before you go, Peri said I should apologize for teasing you so much that first time we met. I’m sorry if that was a bit too much.”

“What did you want to get out of that anyway?”

“I was just having a little fun, but once you reacted the way you did, it sort of got to my head.”

Artemisio looked away. “It wasn’t entirely your fault. You started it, but I chose how to react, too. I just wasn’t very comfortable with you, yet.”

Dazz seemed serious then suddenly started laughing. “Wow. I can see why Peri made me apologize. But what if I liked to touch your chest? Would you let me do it again? Or is that too uncomfortable?” She leaned in against him, swishing her tail against his side.

Artemisio took a step away. “No. I mean, I am getting to know you a little more, but it still feels like we just met.”

“Aw, you’re not being any fun.” Dazzling Fern stamped the ground in mock anger. “I suppose you’d want to start things slower? I mean, we could have a nice little chat while I walk you back to town. Would that be proper for us to do?”

“Wait… are you saying you want to spend more time with me?” Artemisio blushed.

“Even my least subtle hints seem to keep going over your head.” Dazzling Fern laughed. “Yes, that is exactly what I’m saying. You’re a cute stallion. I could probably like you pretty easily, if you let me.”

Artemisio looked down at his hooves. He’d always been looking for a zebra mare, although after the disaster of his last attempt, he hadn’t been trying very hard lately. Yet here was a cute mare. She wasn’t a zebra, and she did seem difficult to manage. He looked back up at her with a polite smile. “I’d be dumb to say no. Let’s just see how things work out.”

“Great! And by taking you back, I won’t have to do my chores until later. Let’s not go too fast, okay?” She began to slowly walk alongside him.

On the way back to town, Artemisio had plenty to ask about flutterponies, the forest, and Prisma. Dazz asked him a lot about his family and home, too. Some of his sad answers seemed to bother her a little, but when he spoke about his family, she seemed to almost glow with happiness. When asked about her family, Dazz had little to say. At first she told him the druids were her family now, but later on she told him a little bit of how her parents had passed away. She seemed both sad and happy to talk about them.

After a few miles of walking, they reached the city gates. “Artemisio,” Dazz began. “Hmm, or maybe I should call you Arty. That’s much easier. You seem a good stallion. But that might change if you forget to bring me the treats you promised at our next lesson. You remember where the bakery is?”

Artemisio nodded. “By the big park near the main street. I’ll bring you some, but the druids are going to be keeping me pretty busy soon.”

“I hope they let me come soon. Peri wanted to be sure I’m ready.”

“Just tell him that you managed to sneak up on me and I think he will. If you want, we could go get lunch in town.”

Dazz laughed, but as they got closer to town she stopped with a sad look on her face. “I’d rather stay out here. Prisma always makes me remember things that I’d rather not. The only good memories I have from there are from my family, and I can take those memories with me wherever I go. But have a nice afternoon, Arty.”

“Be careful on the way back, Dazz. Now that I’m starting to like you, I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen.”

She smiled and turned to go. Apparently, she had some painful places in her past, just like he did.

---

As time passed, Dazz was allowed on the missions with Artemisio. Artemisio couldn’t help but feel as if the other druids were somehow watching the two and trying to decide something. The druids mostly had Artemisio track the beasts before they took care of relocating them or somehow convincing them to leave. Artemisio asked how it was done and soon got a quick lesson in magic that would let him talk to animals.

When the time came for his next magic lesson, he showed up early with a bag of warm pastries. He had to run from town to keep them from getting cold.

Dazz looked him over. “You’re steaming more than the desserts! But you probably wouldn’t taste as good. Maybe I should find out.”

She swooped in and landed before giving Artemisio a kiss on the neck the next moment. “Yep, too salty.” She saw him blushing and stumbling backwards and held out a hoof to steady him. “Sorry, was that too much again?”

“No… just not what I expected!” He smiled and gave her cheek a quick nuzzle and kiss in return.

She laughed and grabbed the bag of pastries. “That was sweet, but I’m sure these will be sweeter.” She ate one quickly and started on a second one. At the end, she paused and smiled. “My parents would always get these for me. I’m sure if I lived in town, I’d get fat from eating too many of them.”

“You might get fat if you don’t save any for me.” Artemisio laughed and took the other two from her. He ate it slowly to enjoy the flavor. “They do taste as good as they smell.”

“But you only got four. I could eat that many myself.”

“Really? I’ll get more next time. Here, have half of the last one.” Artemisio tore it in two and gave her the bigger piece. She nibbled it greedily, and it was gone before Artemisio was even halfway done with his. He ate while Dazz spoke.

“Mmm, so good! But I guess we should start today’s lesson soon. Peri said you should be able to learn a little more magic now that you’ve had some practice. Maybe your kisses could use a little more magic too.”

Artemisio swallowed the last of the dessert. “It wasn’t that bad, was it?”

“Kisses are like magic. They work best when you really put some life and meaning into it. Yours was polite and nice, but it could use a little more passion.”

“So have you kissed many ponies?” Artemisio answered, trying to return her teasing.

“What? No! I just know when kisses work well.”

“So you’ve watched some good ones?”

“Just a few.”

“Even though you live out here in the woods? I’m not sure I believe you.”

“I’m not some hermit! I’m sure I know enough to give you a lesson or two.”

“I think we’d both be learning together if we tried that. But let’s do the magic lesson first before we get too distracted. As the old zebra saying goes, it’s best to save the fun for when the work is done.”

Dazz sighed and settled down. “Fine. Today might be a bit tricky though. We’ll be making little clouds. You just say these words and focus on feeling where you want the cloud to be and it appears.” She demonstrated the spell and made a little patch of foggy cloud appear above them, shading them from the sun. After she repeated the words a few times, she pointed at the tree nearby. “Ok, put a cloud by that.”

Artemisio focused and tried the spell. He tried to focus the magic far away, but his mind snapped back to Dazz at the last moment. The two of them disappeared into the cloud. Dazz had to step up right next to him before he could see her.

“Arty, that was a good try, but you have to feel the distance. But it’s nice to know you were thinking of me. I seem to be in the middle of this. Cut off the flow of magic and this should go away.”

He reached for the magic and let it go. The cloud disappeared a few moments later. “Ok, here it goes again.” He focused more and stared at the tree. After he repeated the spell, a nice little cloud made it impossible to see the trunk.

Dazz clapped. “Great! Let’s go check it out.” She tried to drag him along quickly, but he just calmly walked over to the cloud before following her into it.

“It seems to be working well. How long can these last?” Artemisio experimented with trying to breathe out and blow bits of the cloud away, but it was thick enough that it would take something more to blow it away.

“Usually about an hour. Which should leave us plenty of time for our second lesson.” Dazz sat down by the tree and motioned for Artemisio to join her.

“Oh, were you serious about that?”

“Nobody can see us, so you don’t need to hold back or get embarrassed either. Now give me a good passionate kiss.”

He hesitated for a few moments, but then leaned toward her, locking lips with her for a moment before pulling back. “How was that?”

“Not bad, but I think you could still use a bit more practice. Let’s get some real passion in those kisses, like this!” She pulled him on top of her and started to kiss him repeatedly.

He soon mirrored her, exploring her in this new way until his heart was beating quickly and he seemed out of breath. He tried a second time, leaning in against her more. She held him tight against her, but he stopped when she rubbed her body up against him. “Ah, sorry!” He rolled off of her, face deeply red.

“Just when things were getting good, too.” She sighed. “It’s okay, Arty. I could definitely feel the passion in those kisses.”

“But… you aren’t worried we might go too far? If we aren’t careful, we might...”

“You worry too much. We like each other, right? Isn’t that a good reason why two ponies usually get married?”

“Get married? Isn’t it a bit soon for that?” Artemisio backed up a little more, letting the fog obscure him slightly.

“We’ve known each other a few months now, haven’t we? That should be enough. Arty… the druids do want me to get married soon. If I don’t pick someone, they’ll pick someone for me. But you’re the one I want to pick. Please, Arty. Let’s get married. I’ll be your rainbow mare, and you’ll be my monochrome stallion.”

“You’re asking me?” Artemisio felt dizzy and had to put his head down for a bit. “It’s just so soon. I… I need to think this over more.”

“I know it’s a big choice, but let me know as soon as you have an answer. I don’t want to be waiting forever.” She gave him a short kiss and followed him as he walked out of the fog cloud.

He walked slowly with her, pondering what to do as they made small talk. She was nice and very pretty, but it almost felt like a trap. Did he really want to stay here with her for the rest of his life? Would the forest even be a good place for a family? His thoughts kept spinning, and eventually Dazz had to go take care of her other duties and he returned to town. He spent a restless afternoon trying to figure his thoughts out.

Evening then night came, and he still didn’t have a good answer or feel like he was ready to say yes or no. He finally fell asleep on his bed, and drifted into a dream.

In the dream, he was running to something important. Behind him, he could see Dazz waiting for him. He ran through the forests around Prisma in an instant and up to a city to the northwest. Someone important was waiting there for him, but that was when he woke up.

The sense of something important didn’t fade as he sleepily rubbed his eyes and lit a candle. It was still very early. He looked out through the window at the crescent moon and muttered a quick prayer to the Moon Princess, trying to understand the dream. Afterward, he could still feel that something important was up ahead, but he also felt that he had something important here with Dazzling Fern here in Prisma. He thought it all over, and decided that he wasn’t ready to make some choices.

He got out a letter and addressed it to Dazzling Fern.

Dazz,

I feel like my goddess is guiding me to something important. I don’t know what it is, but I feel like I need to go now. I know you expected an answer from me soon, but I’m not ready to give you one yet. I’ll write you again when I feel like I have an answer for you. Until then, I need to follow where my faith is leading me. I shall return to you as soon as I am able. May the Moon Princess watch over you.

With love,

Arty

When dawn came, he paid the innkeeper to deliver the letter and looked over his map one last time. Viljatown was to the northwest, and it felt like the place he should go. He hoped he was interpreting the answer to his prayer the right way. Dazz felt important, but so did this new journey. And some time away from Dazz might clear his head enough for him to be sure about his answer to the huge question she had asked him. He reached the gate and stopped. The first step felt heavy as he reluctantly took it, but soon he was trotting along the road out of the forest.