𝑷𝑨𝑷𝑬𝑹 𝑹𝑰𝑵𝑮𝑺 • 𝐫𝐡𝐲𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧. 𝐦 (wolfblood)

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧

.・。.・゜✭・.

.・。.・゜✭・.

THE SUN was beginning to set, the perfect and my most favourite time to ride my mare.

"That's it!" I encouraged Astra over the crossrail jump. I didn't want to push her too hard today and besides, I was trying to perfect her landings rather than the actual difficulty of the jump. I had set up a crossrail, a couple of oxers and some double poles. I had already done a warm up with trotting poles after lunging Gypsy, so Astra was able to land without hurting herself.

I patted her on the shoulder with a huge grin. She had come far since we had first started training all those years ago. I didn't want her to go into the competition world, but I sometimes participated in local events, so I liked to keep her up to standard. But in my eyes, riding her was more for keeping her healthy and it was something we both enjoyed.

I gathered my reins and hopped off of her, very unlady-like. I gave her a Polo mint as a reward for her hard work and that's when I heard a voice from the public path beside our field, "Alright, Petal?"

I blushed at the nickname and span around to see Rhydian leaning against the fence with a charming grin. He was wearing a smart shirt and a casual gray denim jacket - he had made an effort to dress up a bit which would please mom and dad. I smiled and waved at him to come over.

"She's beautiful." I heard him say as he walked up to me and Astra. I smiled as he rubbed her neck, "Yeah, she really is. She's called Astra."

He smiled softly as Astra sniffed his shoulder. I walked a few paces back while Astra was distracted with Rhydian and unclipped her girth. I walked to the other side to unclip the other buckle.

I wasn't even aware of Rhydian standing beside me until I felt his cold fingers grazing the top of my ear. When he pulled away, I reached up to my ear and felt the white petals of a daisy in my hair. I blushed deeply and thanked him quietly.

"First flower I've seen this year." He told me with a small smile. I felt small under his gaze and cleared my throat awkwardly, before distracting myself by taking off the rest of Astra's tack. Rhydian volunteered to carry the tack inside while I led Astra into her stall. Her dapples were really starting to come through and it wouldn't be long until she was fully white.

"We should probably head in," I told Rhydian as I met him in the yard, "It'll be dark soon and I'm worried Mom will kill me if we're late."

He chuckled and we both took the quick way to the front door. I pulled my hair out of a bun and let it fall on my shoulders as dad opened the door, holding a piece of steak with a utensil, "Ah, Lia, Rhydian. Please to erm... meat you."