Snowfall

California

As it turned out, the huntresses loved the pegasi. Artemis had agreed to allow her deer to roam with the equines, and the two groups seemed to thoroughly enjoy interacting with each other. The wolves would even participate at times, which was an interesting sight to see. Then again, these were mythical creatures, even the wolves, so it shouldn't have been such a surprise.

The pegasi loved the huntresses back. The smaller girls would climb on their backs, groom them, braid their manes and prime their feathers. The older huntresses would help out their younger sisters and sometimes would hop on their backs to get some fun in.

Guido and Blackjack already had owners, but to other three were free. Percy wouldn't be surprised if all three found themselves new owners here with the hunters. Thalia had taken a liking to the Palomino, who's name, he was told, was Geneva. Geneva followed the lieutenant everywhere and would gleefully mess with her, hitting her lightly in the back with her wing or muzzle, throwing her head over her shoulder and pulling the girl into her chest.

"You two seem to get along well," Percy mentioned after his third day with the hunt. "I wouldn't be surprised if she stayed with you, Thalia."

"I would happily stay with Lieutenant," Geneva nickered. "I claim her as my owner."

"I would love for her to stay," Thalia said, leaning into Geneva's side. "She's absolutely amazing."

"Though you would never reach full potential," Percy commented. "You wouldn't fly."

"Of course we would fly," Geneva said. "Why wouldn't we?"

"Well," Percy began, leaning closer. "Thals here is afraid of heights."

Geneva turned her head to Thalia. The daughter of Zeus flushed in embarrassment. "It's true," Thalia muttered to Geneva. "I am."

"A daughter of Zeus? Afraid of the sky?" Geneva neighed, amused. "How funny. Sad, though. I enjoy my flights."

"We could always try and get rid of that fear," Percy suggested, turning to Thalia. "I bet you would be more confident on Geneva."

"It's scary," Thalia murmured, her face tomato red. "Must we?"

"It isn't that bad!" Geneva said, tossing her head. "I believe you would enjoy it."

"Geneva thinks you'd enjoy it," Percy relayed. "Come on, at least try it. I'm sure Geneva agrees with me."

"Oh, yes!" Geneva confirmed, bobbing her head. "Please do!"

"Alright, fine," Thalia said reluctantly. She placed a hand on Geneva's wing and another on her shoulder. "Are we going now?"

"Yes," Percy said, mentally reaching out for Blackjack. "Go on, mount up. Will you need help?"

"I think I'm fine," Thalia said. She crouched down and jumped, using Geneva's back to push off of. She landed square between the large, strong shoulders of her pegasus. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Show off," Percy growled playfully. Thalia grinned as he calmly mounted his own pegasus. "Come on."

Thalia suddenly lost her arrogant face, going white. "Hold on," she stuttered, but Geneva was already trotting after Percy. Thalia held on to the white mane of Geneva, afraid of falling with her bouncy gait.

"Grip with your legs," Percy called, "not with your hands. Keep hold of her mane, though. You'll need it." Thalia complied, still holding tight to Geneva's mane.

They began to lope, easing into a gallop through the trees. Thalia's excitement slowly grew as the wind rushed over her face, feeling as if she and Geneva were melding together into one being. She felt as if she were already flying, and it was amazing. Until the take off.

The two pegasi rushed out of the trees and jumped as high as they could, wings opening. Her fear abruptly returned as the ground grew farther and farther away. She could feel Geneva's strong shoulders flexing up and down against her hips, and she tried to relax into the feeling, but whenever she glanced down she stiffened up again.

Geneva whinnied, and Blackjack replied back. Percy snorted, a chuckle escaping his lips as Geneva threw her head as if insulted. "Blackjack, you really don't want to say that," Percy managed between his laughing. He glanced at Thalia uncertainly.

"What did he say?" Thalia growled to Percy. He burst out into laughter again.

"He called you a 'fucking wuss,'" Percy repeated. Blackjack flicked Percy with his long tail and increased his speed, Geneva racing after her pitch black brother. "Geneva took it to heart."

"I love you, you insolent horse," Thalia chuckled, rubbing her hands over Geneva's neck. Geneva nickered quietly, her eyes bright. She seemed to be extremely happy about something.

"Hey, Thals?" Percy said. "Guess what?"

"Huh?" Thalia grunted in reply. His eyes sparkled with what seemed to be a bit of pride and a wide smile was on his face.

"You aren't afraid."