Since gaining the Anzu rank, Aoi was hot on getting on task. Today she counted as her first free day where she could work in her rank, and work in it she would. The Itou girl stretched and hopped out of the den, her bare feet pit-pattering against the cold stone. For once, she had left her clothes behind. She didn’t need to hide anymore. Every day, the femme was growing stronger, and more wise. She’d forgotten most of her worries, and despite still being shy, she wasn’t nearly as jumpy as she was before. Now her true personality was starting to come out, that of a reckless tomboy who cared not for femininity.

With Saigai on his usual perch - her shoulder - she was rearing to go. Carefully, she found her way moving out of the caverns and into the fresh air. Instead of her usual slightly timid, serious expression, she for once had a large smile on her face. Because, to kick off her rank as a shepherd, her father had got her a present of sorts. He'd traded two communal colts for two colts from elsewhere. She had no idea what they looked like, just what stalls they were in. They were her very own, and she was allowed to name them. And of course, she had all the other livestock to look after as well. She needed to speak to someone about that; perhaps the other Anzu. Once she knew what to do and how to do it, she’d be right on track. But firstly, she could acquaint herself with the different animals in the barns.

And it wasn’t long before she had reached the barns. Soon, she was inside, the scents of many different animals hitting her straight away. Aoi’s dark eyes lit up and she stood on her toes to examine the animals inside the barn. She worked her way around gradually, seeing the sheep, cows, pigs, goats, chickens, and then finally, the horses. Quickly the numbers 5 and 6 popped into her head, and she headed towards the respective stalls. First, she entered five. Inside was a beautiful, black creature. Could it have been a mistake? She rechecked the stall label, and yes, it was clearly marked five. The girl exhaled and took a step toward the colt, gently shutting the barn door behind her. He looked up at her, nose flaring. He must have been about two years old, and he was tall, much taller than her, and overpowering. She held out a paw in offering to him, opening her fingers to reveal some oats. The colt simply backed away, all in black, brown eyes far from gentle. So, he was ornery, or perhaps shy. Boldly, Aoi took a step forward. This was a mistake. The horse screeched and reared up, hooves flashing polished black and silver. Aoi let out a little scream, bolting for the door and finally darting out. Once she was safely away from him, she saw him cowering in the corner once more. He was a sheer beauty, pure black with no other colour on him, but the beauty cost with his aggressive nature. Ears flat against her head, Aoi placed the oats on his barn door, taking a couple of steps back to see if he would eat them if she wasn’t around. And her gut instinct was right, because as soon as she had moved away, he snapped up the oats without a second thought. Gale. she muttered. I’ll call you Gale. gale like the wind, for he was so unpredictable.

Breathing heavily, she decided it would take a lot of work for her and Gale to become friends. Slowly, she edged away, walking over to stall six. This time, she was more cautious and careful as she entered the barn. Although she needn’t have been, for inside, was the most defenceless looking horse Aoi supposed she’d seen in her life. While Gale had been two years old, he’d still been counted as a colt; yet the horse before her was a colt no older than a month of age. He lay in the straw, his head down on the ground, eyes closed. Hi, little one. Aoi whispered, edging closer. Saigai, who was still shocked into silence from Gale, finally began to stir from his statue-like postion. I like. whispered Saigai into Aoi’s ear. The young girl smiled, crouching beside the foal. The foal simply looked at her. She offered him her hand to sniff and not only did he sniff it, he gave it a good lick. Aoi’s eyes went soft, kneeling in the straw to gently stroke the foal’s downy flank. Aoi whispered settling words to the foal in low speech, and he seemed to respond to it, now fully alert despite still laying on the ground. And this one, he’ll be Bran. Aoi named the horse, while Saigai squawked his approval. Bran was more cute than beautiful, a speckled, mottled grey and white, his eyes a swirled blue and silver. Aoi grinned, continuing to pat the gentle creature, while wondering how on earth she'd feed him.

The young female continued to cuddle and dote upon the small foal that was now hers. Hers. It felt wonderful to have something of her own; although she wouldn't exactly treat Bran like she owned his soul. She would simply care for him. Of course, she already had her pet; Saigai was willing to remind her that as he gave an impatient tap of his leg from her shoulder, but the crow was more than capable of looking after himself. Not like Bran...it would be a tough situation, looking after a foal separated from his mother; and it would make her responsible indeed.

Aoi grinned, watching the horse stumble to it's wobbly feet. It's knees and hock were all shaking, and like a fish out of water, he soon tumbled to the ground again. Careful! the quiet girl giggled. Perhaps he wanted something...could he be hungry? The girl bit her tongue as she searched around, but she found nothing that looked like milk. Perhaps her father had been a bit too risky, giving her such young and pitiful a creature, but then again, he was probably doing Bran a favour. At least Aoi would give the foal all her love and attention, and she'd do best she could; unlike whoever had been stupid enough to sell a foal that young.

A voice startled her from the opposing stall. The girl looked up, towards stall 7, and over the edge she saw a femme she knew only from the pack meeting. Aoi didn't know her name, or in fact, very much about her at all. The young girl smiled slightly, blushing timidly under her pale face at Anon's comment. She nodded; Bran. she responded, because that was all she could pluck up the courage to say. However, soon she was standing up - and Bran followed suit - and facing the stranger. My father has just traded an elder colt for him. she found herself saying, a bit nervously at that. The foal wobbled upwards and snorted, pushing his velvety nose into her chest before plodding sleepily up to Anon. He pushed against the wall-barrier that separated the stalls and gave a loud neigh. This, unfortunately, set off the majority of the other horses in the stables too, and Aoi could hear responding neighs all around the barns. In the past this might have frightened her, but today, she simply grinned. Heh. came her quiet, nervous voice.