𝕭𝖔𝖔𝖐 𝕿𝖜𝖔
𝔖𝔲𝔪𝔪𝔞𝔯𝔶: From trolls to dragons to foreign princesses, Astraea Aphelion grows stronger as she
continues to navigate medieval Britain using her wit and heart, standing unshaken beside Merlin and Arthur as they face every threa...
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📍 San Antonio, Texas
⏳May, 2016
[warnings : non-graphic references to self-harm, death]
"This kid is simply magnificent, folks!" a cheery male voice was heard through the speakers. "Astraea Aphelion and Sky Locomotive take the Juniors' Easter Cup for the third consecutive year – a feat never seen before!"
A twelve-year-old Astra rode into the show ring for the third time that day, a small proud smirk playing on her lips as she ran her fingers through her horse's dark grey mane. She halted the Thoroughbred in front of the president of the 'Texas Hunter-Jumper Association' and gave him a little shy grin.
The elderly man stepped closer to the pair and carefully hung a blue ribbon on Sky Locomotive's black side-pull bridle before handing a gold-painted trophy to the teenager. "Excellent work as usual, Miss Aphelion," he praised with a courteous nod before moving on to give out the rest of the prizes.
With a wide smile painted on her lips, Astra scanned the crowd until her eyes finally landed on Juan – the stable-hand who usually drives her to horse shows, given her family's busy schedules. The Mexican man gave her a thumbs-up gesture and a grin. She returned the thumbs-up and then returned her attention to petting Sky Locomotive – who is affectionately known as 'Skylo'.
The awards ceremony concluded shortly after and the girl walked her horse out of the arena and dismounted before loosening the girth and rolling up the stirrups. Juan reached the pair shortly after and they began the walk back towards the trailer.
"You've done a good job with him, señorita," Juan complimented.
Astra smiled as she gazed towards Skylo, who walked calmly beside her, with love in her eyes. "Well, he's a great horse," she noted.
The nine-year-old Thoroughbred has been her partner for four years. She bought him from a friend of her Uncle's when he decided to retire him from racing after he'd stopped making enough money to 'earn his keep'. Astra had taken her time with the gelding and turned him into a catchy show-jumper.
Skylo was promptly untacked and rewarded with a couple of carrots before he was loaded onto the trailer.
Juan turned towards the girl with a grin and a wink, "Let's go. We can stop for some quesadillas on the way back."
"Sounds like a plan!" she chirped with a smirk.
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