The trip hadn't gone completely as planned. Her trip to Crimson Dreams was mostly a disaster. She'd found her old friend Mars but made a terrible impression with the Sawtooth woman – who in turn made a horrible impression on her. But Charm had been right... What was she thinking when she went to Crimson Dreams? Well, she thought she was going to strengthen the bond between the packs, but instead she just worried the pack that there was an intruder, even though she did follow common protocol. While she was there things were worsened by the death of a woman – it was only something Orin had heard about, but it was a terrible tragedy. Apparently the lady was one of the AniWayan refugees and had a mate and children. She'd died a quick death when a fall from her horse crushed her skull. When the grief surged through the pack over the refugee's death Orin decided it was time to leave there, after barely two days.
She made it to the Court without incident – unless a few saddle blisters could be considered incident. She'd been tired and run down when she made it to her old home lands and found her friend Ayita. Being as inexperienced as she was in the saddle she had ridden too long and worn herself and the mare, Spot, thin, and had never managed to make it on her way to Ichika. Which also meant she hadn't found any more livestock for the pack. She'd been so excited to bring more home but was returning empty handed. She'd taken eggs and vegetables from d'Arte only to return with nothing.
But return she must. She couldn't just disappear again over one failed trip. She had time for maybe one more before the snow came, she just needed to be more prepared next time and practice riding more. She and Spot could do it, she knew. She patted the mare's neck as she imagined a future trip. It might be hard to get in there, but they could do it.
A smile pressed onto her muzzle as she noticed the familiar treeline of d'Arte in the distance. It was like the mare knew, too, for her gait quickened without Orin's signal, and they trotted the rest of the way. She came up right by the border tree, the bright splashes of color and works of art brightening her mood. And she didn't even have to wonder who that silhouette was that stood nearby. A fairy like laugh bubbled softly from her throat as the horse came to a stop near Shawchert.
“Catch meeee!” She cried as she flung herself wildly out of the saddle, her limbs out in an X as she sailed through the air. She didn't even try to brace herself, just put all of her faith in Shawchert's strength and reflexes.
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