Phase 1

"Damn she looks stressed"

Archer, Connors older brother looked at the mare with a mixture of concern and scepticism.

"Yeah, poor babies sedatives wore off and now shes gotta process the move and everything too. See, shes got claustrophobia, so bad she cant even go under canopies"
"Shes been trough it. Oh my god shes shaking, i didnt know they could do that."
"Never seen one do it either. Shes gonna need a whole lot of time."

The mares legs looked as if they were about to buckle. Yet she was frozen, scared of this new place and trying to recover from the trailer ride. The only reason she hadnt freaked out in that claustrophobic thing had been the sedatives. Without them it was all hitting her at once. Her breathing was quick, her coat wet with sweat and her gaze rigid and unfocused.
And what were those distant noises? Donkeys? This was all terryfing. Who were those people? She wanted to hold onto something, anything, but there was nothing.

"Hear that? Thats why i put her all the way over here."
"The Neravontii? I didnt think of that. Their screeching really is unsettling if you dont know better."
"Yeah. I love them but they do kinda sound like noises theyd play in a horror movie for a night forest scene."

The paddock was rather far away from all facilities, but quite close to the main house. It allowed for the mare to try and settle in a little before introducing her to a little more lively home. The mare couldnt care less for the lack of other horses. Her head was spinning.

"I gotta put sunscreen on her too. But after she got to decompress some. You know, she wasnt doing this bad at the rescue. Whole thing heres got her reeling."
"Its sure shaken her up. This spot doesnt get that much sun though? Shell still get burnt like that?"
"Eh, im not sure to be honest. But better safe than sorry y' know"
"Mhm thats true. Whats your plan now anyways? You do have one right?"
Archer looked at his brother, a crooked grin accompanying his playful condescension.
"You know, horses never really go after a plan. Thats jinxing it. But uh, ill try to get her used to me first and im gonna give her a routine. Also gotta get her moving some, that should help too. And slowly introduce a friend eventually, maybe Heicha. All depends on how she does and what shes feels like. Its a long road ahead."
"Just admit youre making it up as you go."
"Nuh uh i know what im doing."
"Fine fine. Ill leave you be. Im sure shell love you in no time. Youve got a knack for those animals. And youre slowly turning into a horsegirl too."
"Heh, just gotta love those critters. If you had one youd get the horsegirlification too."
Archer looked at the anxious mess of a horse, who was still processing this, or trying to do so at least. She was struggling and no one yet knew what could comfort her.
"Yeah yeah as if, thats too much work for me. I could never" *hes jinxing it*
"Well you got around it so far. But i stand by it, every horse deserves the world. Including this girlie here. She really doesnt know what to do with herself right noe tho. Im gonna try something."
Connor slipped trough the fences boards and slowly approached the mare. He softly spoke to her, her ears twitched as she listened. He kept a close eye on her expresion and body, hoping this didnt stress her out more. Her prior owner hadnt provided a great experience with humans to her. What was she assosciating him with? She looked at the strange man with wide eyes. His voice was gentle and his demeanor calm. He was a far shot from the mares former owner. She didnt really dislike humans. In fact, she craved the warmth they had provided to her in her youth. It was a faint memory, more a feeling than anything else. She tensly anticipated his approach.
Hed reached her, still talking in a kind and reassuring manner, and carefully reached out. He halted shortly before touching her, assesing her reaction. Deeming it okay, he placed his right hand on her sweat soaked neck. His touch was warm and steady. The mare didnt mind it, actually it was kind of nice. And it broke her from her anxious trance just a little, his approach gave her mind something concrete to focus on. She eased up a little. He remained by her side for a while longer. She was still tense when he left. But she took a few staggering steps and nervously explored this place. It had been a terrifying day and she was tired. The shock wore off much slower than those sedatives.