Bonus Prompt 1 - Homecoming

Lovely walked alongside Helen and Small Favors, content on her leadrope as she watched the passing landscape. Her dark brown eyes seemed to take in everything like she’d ever seen it before, her ears tipped forward and flicking as every sound seemed to get her attention. 

At first Cass had been worried by Lovely’s seeming inexperience on the road. Since they hadn’t fought to get a halter or bridle on there was a higher risk of the mare slipping loose, but so far the black pearl horse had shown no indication of spooking at most anything. 

Ember currently held the lead, Small Favors being an easier ride than Helen at any given point. The elf kept looking back at Lovely as if checking to make sure she was still there. It was rather sweet, if a bit unnecessary. About the only trouble Lovely had given them so far, if one could call it trouble, was the desire to stop and graze at every available patch of grass. 

Lovely came up alongside Small Favors, sniffing at the other mare with curiosity. It was the first time she’d shown any real interest in the other two beyond an occasional glance. Cass kept an eye on the interaction but wasn’t overly worried. She wasn’t sure if Lovely was just following the leadrope or had somehow come to the conclusion that Helen was likely to be less friendly, but the demonkin wasn’t complaining at Lovely’s decision. 

Helen sidestepped a little, putting some distance between herself and the other horses. Cass allowed her to, the road wide enough and empty enough that it was better to avoid a potential conflict than argue with the occasionally opinionated mare. 

Small Favors moved over, but not to avoid Lovely. Rather they moved over so Lovely could come alongside. 

Lovely moved over with enthusiasm, her side touching Ember’s boot. Ember reached over and scratched at Lovely’s back as best she could, Small Favors tossing her head and demanding similar treatment. 

Cass watched with mild amusement as Ember tried to pay attention to both horses at the same time. Helen, ever watchful, didn’t demand similar of the demonkin. Cass would have provided it, but Helen had never been particularly affectionate and that worked just fine as well. 

“Why don’t we rest the horses at the river crossing coming up?” Cass guided Helen off the road, already making for a reasonable sized patch of grass off the slow moving river. She may have phrased it as a question, but it wasn’t really a question.  

Ember nodded, looking at Lovely with her red eyes. “I think that would be a good idea, yeah. I imagine everyone would like a chance to graze for a bit.” 

Cass dismounted and loosely tied the slate ghoul mare she rode a slight distance off from the others. The mare watched the other two with indifferent yellow eyes that all too closely resembled Cass’s at times before going to get a drink of water. 

Ember tied Small Favors and Lovely nearer to where they’d stopped. Small favors smoke body and inverse splash markings bright in contrast to Lovely’s darker coat. Both mares stayed close, though not on top of each other, as they grazed and went to get a drink. Lovely kept looking around as if the world was new while Small Favors seemed to supervise the other mare. 

“So what do you think?” Ember asked, watching Lovely and Small Favors. 

“About?” Cass could guess, but she rarely if ever answered a question like that without clarification. It was too easy to assume wrong. 

“About Lovely.” 

“I think she may have potential, but that it's too soon to tell at the moment.” 

“Do you think she’ll be okay?” 

Cass shrugged. “My guess based on what I’ve seen is yes, but the actual answers will have to wait until she’s been looked at.” 

“I guess you’re right.” Ember looked a little disappointed, regarding the Lovely and Small Favors for a moment. 

Cass didn’t bother to offer reassurance that may yet prove false and let the time pass in silence, a situation that suited her quite well. 

After the horses had a sufficient break, Cass stood, untying Helen. The mare danced some, but as soon as Cass was in the saddle settled in to return to the road. 

Ember untied Lovely first and passed the leadrope to Cass to hold until the elf was in the saddle. Helen didn’t appreciate Lovely’s proximity, though beyond a slight flattening of the ears and a disgruntled snort, did nothing. 

Lovely seemed startled by this, trying to move away as far as the lead would allow. Cass kept a steady grip on both, watching for signs of possible issues and passing the lead back to Ember as soon as the elf was ready. There was no sense borrowing trouble. 

The rest of the trip was quiet, though when Lovely spotted Thorn Rose up ahead, the mare perked up. For the first time since they left the auction house, the black pearl mare trotted ahead and towards the iron gates of the stables. 

Ember laughed and nudged Small Favors to keep up, not wanting to keep Lovely from her temporary home for much longer. The plan was to move her to Halloway Stables eventually, but the stables there were really only just now getting back on their feet. They didn't have the staff and were further out from the city making it harder for the vet and potentially other staff to come out regularly. For now, Thorn Rose was the better facility to house Lovely. 

Cass hung back on Helen, the other mare no more interested in getting home faster than she was that the other two were putting some distance on her. If anything she seemed relieved for the quiet. 

As she watched Lovely, Ember, and Small Favors trot through the gate that opened just moments before they arrived, she hoped everything would turn out well for the new mare. Ember was already attached, and Cass found she didn’t mind the easy going mare too badly herself.