Spirits and Spells

A/N: Good day. If you're familiar with me and my work then you'll know that I haven't uploaded anything on this site in over a year. What can I say, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic can stroke a muse. As you can tell, this story will center on Twilight Sparkle and Zecora. I chose this because they seem to be pretty good friends in canon and I do believe that they could find common ground in expanding boundaries in magic and spirituality. Now, sit back and enjoy my meager offerings. Also, this fic will have tiny helpings of inspiration from Vodou/Voodoo religion and maybe some African diasporas. No offense to any practitioners.

Few would know, but the Everfree Forest could hold a measure of comfort for those attuned to the seemingly unnatural manner in which it thrived. Writhing roots of the aged trees seemed a dance if looked at from a different perspctive. Mournful songs and raging howls could peak like an extended lullaby. Self reliant weather, untamed by the skilled pegasi of Ponyville could be a cauldron of comfort to one who could see the wild beauty in it.

Zecora, while no means boastful, could proudly state that she appreciated the wild nature of her forest home more than many of the ponies that she interacted with.

As Celestia's sun peaked over the land, it illuminated all that it touched, invigorating all with a magical spark of life. Everfree forest itself brightened, awakening and churning in the throes of wakefulness.

Within her home, Zecora was already busy at work putting the finishing touches on a sleeping potion. With a few last stirs, the zebra placed the spoon to the side and set to work pouring the mixture into several portable glass jars. Once the vials were capped and placed within a bag, Zecora turned to observe the sun's radiance through the window.

"Before I sell my wares in Ponyville, I must set the spirits still." She trotted to her bedside and from a low drawer lifted a small bowl filled with cornmeal. Turning, she slipped to a corner of her bed area, where laid an altar.

It was simple, yet ornate; on a low lying table were spread a cloth of green, red and yellow colors. Scented candles and small golden trinkets set tastefully around a diamond necklace finished the presentation. Zecora set the bowl down and dipped a hoof into the cornmeal. With it, she began to carefully trace a pattern; a simple sun with rays. Once done, she began to step and dance to a beat within, muttering and praying.

As the dance commenced, a pressure began to rise within the hut, centering on the zebra, pressing into her, around her. Zecora danced faster. The pressure swelled and entered her, her eyes rolling into the back of her head as her chants reached higher volume and tears began to drop to the floor.

With a final shout, Zecora exhaled mightily and collapsed to the floor, exhausted, but uplifted.

Breathing heavily still, Zecora pulled herself to her hooves and bowed to the altar before cleaning. She swept the cornmeal out of the door and donned her traveling cloak. The bag containing the sleeping potions she gripped with her teeth and swung onto her shoulders. With a quick look around her home, the zebra pulled up her hood and steeped into the roaring life of the forest.

From underneath her hood, Zecora couldn't help but smile as her heart and spirit swelled. The spirits had blessed her, and not just in luck in the Ponyville market for that day. She didn't know what they had done exactly- the spirits could be vague or outright stingy when it came to information- but she knew it was good tidings.

She laughed, lest her heart burst. "Good or ill, come what may. Fortune seems to be on my side today."