Sleigh-bells Ring

[Aishe Tigani]

Aishe had been having a bit of luck connecting with her mare, a bond was slowly forming, and the woman was more than enjoying riding the mare bareback - felt much more natural than ridding in a saddle, and not nearly as much work!

It hadn't snowed as much as she had hoped for, but she had left a notice in each of the barns and another in the main office, saying that she was planning to hitch her mare up and head into town should anyone wish for a ride in - and that they should dress up warm - as she had a small cart that could easily carry herself and three other people. She also wanted to pick up a couple of bags of the feed that Galbi liked.

The bay tobino Gypsy Vanner pretty much danced on the spot as soon as the woman arrived with the collar and the pretty mare had barely stood still as the harness was put on before being led out and attached to the small cart. With the time of the year, the Gypsy woman had gone a little overboard and had attached bells to the mare's harness and the cart was decorated with tinsel - enough bling to look good, but not too much that there was a chance of it creating a problem should anything come loose. Pulling her driving gloves on, Aishe threw a rug over the mare to keep her warm as they waited to see if anyone was going to arrive for the trip to town.

[Kate Richardson-Hall]

Wrapped up tightly in her favourite slate grey coat, with a caramel coloured silk scarf at her throat, Kate picked her way through the light fall of snow, marvelling as she did so at the number of footprints which marked it. On a day like this at home, most people would have taken the excuse to spend a day tucked up indoors with a blanket and a mug of hot chocolate, but no, everyone here seemed to be out and about as normal, and Kate admired them for it. It was a lovely feeling, being a part of the natural beauty of the snowy landscape, and the blonde took a moment to appreciate it before she continued on her way.

She'd been intending to go into town in any case, but, being a relative newcomer to this part of the world, she still wasn't entirely sold on the idea of driving in the snow, and so she had in fact been intending to ride in. However, she'd mentioned the fact to the vice principal when she'd happened to see her at the front desk earlier, and the woman had pointed her in the direction of a certain notice. Kate still recalled having given Aishe some advice when she'd first begun driving with her mare; how could she pass up the opportunity to see how things had progressed?

Picking her way across to where the mare stood in the traces, she waved with a smile to the other teacher. "Hello!" she greeted her brightly, "Lovely day, isn't it?"