Phase 2: Realizations

11:00 am….
Moose Willow Stables; Secondary Arena
Sylus Rotherford Langston

Wings’s vet check didn’t go as planned. Dr. Amerson concluded she had ulcers and after that, Sylus was tasked with the recovery and treatment of the poor mare. 

Much to his dismay….

Sylus muttered under his breath as he walked Wings by the arenas and paddocks, letting her see the property and the various horses that called it home. The mare snorted, swishing her tail as Sylus walked her by a row of paddocks.

A gentle stallion trotted up, with a white coat and splits of chestnut around his eyes and legs. He nickered, perking his ears forward as he pressed his chest up against the fence.

“Koi, she’s not in the mood,” Sylus sighed, watching as Wings pinned her ears to ward off the unwanted welcome. Koi snorted, reaching out to her again before Sylus pushed his nose back.

“Koi- you need to wait. She’s not in the mood for your welcome antics today,” The ravenette sighed, running a hand through his hair as Wings snorted.

“Come on, you still have the whole left side of the property to see,” Sylus tugged at the lead, pulling Wings away from the stallion. The chestnut splash mare seemed down, not caring about her surroundings as she walked beside Sylus.

“I can’t even ride you until your ulcers are healed, so it’s just hand walking and hot walkers for your exercise for now…”

As the duo walked by one of the arenas, Wings looked around. The arena was set up with a jumping course, her eyes widening as soon as she locked onto one of the jumps.

Sylus soooked as Wings let out a shrill whinny, rearing up onto her hind legs as she tried to shy away from the arena. The mare panicked, kicking out as Sylus tried to pulled her around, “Hey! Easy now!”

Wings pinned her ears, stomping her hooves on the ground as she tried to rotate around Sylus to evade the sight of the jumps. Sylus tried his best to keep a hold on her, grabbing her halter eventually to still her, “Shhh…. It’s okay, it’s okay…. East, Wings.”

He rubbed her nose, slowing the mare to a standstill as she heaved. Her eyes were worried, staring back at Sylus as he rubbed her belly. Wings backed away from his touch, letting out the softest noise of pain.

“It hurts huh? And right where your girth would be….” Sylus sighed, “It’s okay, we’ll fix it-“

Sylus’s eyes widened as he realized, “Wait… god her last owner didn’t even check for ulcers before complaining about her issues…. Oh, baby…”

He rubbed Wings’s nose again, “She didn’t listen to you. You were trying to tell her and now you’re a ball of fear and pain. Hey…. It’s okay, it’s okay… we’ll get it fixed okay?”

Wings nickered at him, sighing as she rested her head in his hand. Sylus let her rest there for a moment as he scratched at her withers with his free hand.

“It’s going to be okay. I promise.”

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Word Count: 516