Loshenka Makeover Phase 1: The Mare From Hell

Written down in an old notebook is a length piece of text, accompanied by a very well-drawn image of a mare...

Dr. Alistair's Notes:

When Harry said he was going to take me to look at horses this is not what I imagined in the slightest. This mare is worse than any normal horse I have come across by far. However I’m getting ahead of myself… I should really start from the beginning.

Harry had woken up as usual, reading the paper, and looking over a few pamphlets. Ever since he had gotten into the horse business, I’d see him looking over ads, drawings, and even photographs. While I have no idea what most of them mean, the equines on there were beautiful. Ugh, I’m rambling again. Anyway- he told me he was going to take me with him as this specific event was rather far and he doesn’t like to leave me at home alone. And honestly, the house is very empty without him. Happily I obliged, of course, but I did ask on the way there how long it was going to take. He was unsure but to be prepared for a couple hours or more. I sighed at the fact, imagining having to sit in an uncomfortable chair for two to three hours.

We caught the train early and got a nice seat by the window. This specific train was rather nice, having wonderful cushioned seats and even a table. Harry sat across from me, taking out his favorite book, Dracula, while smoking his pipe. I had decided to simply sketch the scenery that passed by the train cart. “Four hours is the ride.” Harry spoke, his pipe out the side of his mouth. I practically jumped. “Four hours?! Where are we even going? Will we get there on time?” I had never been on such a long train ride before. In fact ever since I moved to the city I never really left… not until recently due to certain events.

“Of course. You know I plan accordingly.” He winked at me. Even after all these years he still knows how to send shivers down my spine and make my hair stand on end. Blasted vampire… I had decided to sit back with a sigh. We had been given a menu with drinks and meals listed out. Harry got wine and a steak. I got the same save for the wine. I replaced that with water. Wine makes me a little, uhm, well I won’t go into that. It was delicious and savory. Ever since that event had happened, meat tasted so much better than it did before and I had to stop myself from inhaling the whole thing. Instead I followed Harry’s example. 

Harry nudged my shoulder once the train had stopped. Apparently I had dozed off on the ride without realizing. Once we stepped off, everything was so different except for the ever present eternal night that plagues the world. Harry quickly led me along, glancing at his pocket watch, before snapping it closed and shoving it back into his black jacket. Even from the train station I could smell the horses. It was still an acquired scent for me. Not that it’s bad but it is different. Before long I saw the rows of paddocks, filled with horses grazing. Some looked up to stare at me and I found myself hugging the taller man tightly. He assured me these creatures were kind but the night rider’s nightmares were so violent. It was hard to let my guard down. I could also see a crowd gathering around one specific area. Great. But I could tell Harry sensed my fear, placing his hand on the one that gripped his bicep for a moment before letting go.

From where I stood, I couldn’t see the horses here very clearly but they looked in much worse shape than the others. Some only skin and bones, some had a limp, some looked fine but clearly were not in the best shape. What in the world were we doing here? It was made clear as we began to walk around the stockyard. The horses were numbered, listing out certain conditions or ailments. Other features that stood out to me were the fact many of these horses didn’t have manes but instead very long tails that flowed with even the lightest breeze. Despite their varying conditions, all looked regal and proud, carrying themselves as best they could.

I couldn’t tell what Harry was thinking exactly but his expression told me enough. His eyes were worried and upset, stopping at some of the horses that had healing wounds or bones practically poking through skin. The man’s hand twitched as he wanted to reach through and pet the poor mammals. There was one specific holding stall we stopped at that was rather interesting. The mare inside had a wonderfully brown coat with blots of white. She was in great shape. But her ears were pinned and the bars of the fencing had teeth bites in them. A bucket in the back was completely trashed. “I guess someone is a little troublemaker.” Harry smiled, watching the mare pace her stall, obviously wanting out. As if on queue, her hoof struck one of the metal bars, causing another horse and I to jump in fear. 

My beloved Harry chuckled as he wrapped a strong arm around me and rubbed my shoulder. “Alistair, it’s alright. She’s just irritated. She can’t get out at you.”

“Easy for you to say! You deal with these things all day.” I huffed and hugged my jacket tighter, my face warm with embarrassment.

“Come, we’ve got more horses to look at before everything starts.” I was then led away by the black-haired man to look at more equines.

Finally, it was time for the main event. We would be randomly assigned a horse. When I heard that I wasn’t exactly thrilled. What would happen if we got one of the “Loshenkas” (that’s what Harry told me they were) in horrible condition? What if we couldn’t save them? I didn’t have to worry for long because, just my luck, we ended up getting the mare who had scared me. Harry seemed thrilled but I was not. As we left, allowing the mare to be loaded onto the train, I expressed my concerns. Harry simply told me to stop worrying. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t rather peeved about it.

On the train I drummed my fingers with a frown, watching Harry read and smoke his pipe again. I didn’t exactly know how to feel. I was frustrated but also excited. “You’re not going to… forget about me right?” I muttered, I half-hoped Harry wouldn’t hear me but his vampiric ears were sharp. His hand laid on mine, sending a sense of warmth through me.

“Of course not.”

Getting the mare back home was a nightmare. She was violent and continued to try and bite at the leads that were used to take her back home. Harry had hired a few riders to help us escort her home and I’m so glad he did. As we rode in the carriage, I watched her trash, paw, and snap. What a demon.

The brown and white mare was let into a small paddock. She snorted and trotted around, her hooves pounding the ground with violence. I watched as my beloved dared to walk in and get her moving around by swinging a whip. I screamed as she launched at him. I was almost halfway over the fence when I watched her snatch the whip and run away. My heart was thudding but I went back to my side of the fence. Harry called out to me to let me know he was alright. The man was crazy.

After a moment, I watched her as she snapped the whip, pawing at it violently. The black-haired man finally decided to leave, telling me he’d let her settle before trying anything else. I had decided to sit and watch out of curiosity for her attitude. Daemon, our stallion, was so much calmer than her. According to Harry that was unusual but not uncommon. Getting out my notebook, I began to sketch her as she trotted around the paddock, snapping at the wooden fence. I prayed she wouldn’t try and escape by kicking the planks.

While sketching her, Harry had suggested maybe finding some names. My first guess was Satan but quickly crossed it out and replaced it with “Satin”. I went over some other names in my head such as “Victoria”, “Puka”, and “Puma”. None quite fit like Satin, as her coat was very soft despite being neglected. After going through names, I went through the information we’d been given on her. Such as a registry number, and her color. However as I was writing it down, I found my pen nipped from my hand.

“Hey!” Looking up I saw the mare with my pen between her teeth, throwing her head and launching it into space. I grumbled, stomping into the house to get my other pen that was red.

“Is everything alright, my dear Alistair?” Harry spoke up from his spot near the fireplace. He was doing some paperwork. I sat next to him, finishing up my notes quickly. “Yes. Just your devil mare stole my favorite pen and threw it into the darkness.” He looked at me with pity, obviously feeling bad.

“Satin seems like a good name, fits her. You captured her image perfectly.” His voice was soothing to my fried nerves.”Yeah, I think I like it too.” I managed a smile, looking down at the finished sketch. Maybe she would be a tough project but maybe it would be worth it once she settled down…