[Video | In a skype window on her laptop]

[blind_devotion]

[The video feed is coming through her laptop, which she's holding out in front of her. She's outside, standing outside her front door, and looking rather uncomfortable.]

Sorry I only use this network when I need help, but, well...I need it. See, I had one of those echo...pulse...things last night. And I don't know what to do with - hey!

[She protests as something large and white enters from the side of the screen. It's a horse's head, aggressively and affectionately nuzzling against her hair. The image oscillates wildly as Alexa tries to fend its affections off while still holding up the laptop.]

Stop it! I can't! Down! Whoa! Uh, stop? Ugh...

[The image stabilizes into Alexa's face, this time with the horse in the background. She's looking pleadingly into the camera.]

Yeah, this happened. I don't know how to take care of a horse - and I have an upstairs apartment, Where am I going to keep her? - so, uh. Help? Any ideas?

Comments

[blind_devotion]

No. Uh. In the middle of the street. She knocked one of those gang members out for me.

[The horse is still trying to intrude on the frame.]

I'll come and visit if it'll help. But I really, really can't keep her here.

[betroth]

No, I understand completely. An apartment won't do at all! I can bring my trailer over right away, if you'll give me your address... oh, and I'm Chloe! By the way.

[ She gives a little wave into the camera. ]

I don't know what I'll be able to do if she refuses to go, but I'm sure we can figure out something.

[blind_devotion]

Alexa. Thank you.

[She quickly gives Chloe her address and driving instructions.]

action.

[betroth]

[ Well, there was nothing left to do but go and check it out in person. It was true that her property wasn't exactly enormous, but her stables had empty stalls, and Killian's help throughout the winter would ensure they had plenty of resources. So Chloe packs up and leaves her house as quickly as she can, ensuring that she'd arrive at Alexa's place within the hour.

She pulls up to the residence in a white truck with a single horse trailer hitched up behind it. Cutting the engine and hopping out, Chloe gives the place a once-over for anything that looks like the garage area. ]

Hello?

[blind_devotion]

Over here!

[Alexa steps outside from the front door, waving.]

Sorry, I had to step inside for a moment. The garage is back here.

[betroth]

[ Expression brightening, Chloe visibly unwinds. ]

Please, don't worry about it. I just hope I'll be able to help... you said — she appeared when those gang members were nearby?

[blind_devotion]

Yes, I was...in a bit of trouble when she came out of nowhere. Knocked one of them right out.

[She hits the open button for the garage door, and it slides up and away, revealing a majestic white beast...and some mess that Alexa would have to clean up later.]

[betroth]

[ She is so sorry a soon-to-be-pegasus magic horse did its business in your landlady's garage, Alexa. ]

A pulse, then. [ Not like she has a great deal of experience, but that was an awfully convenient explanation for horses appearing out of thin air. ] It sounds like she wanted to protect you, doesn't it... if you mixed up with that gang that's all over the news...

[ Thoughtful, Chloe approaches the horse slowly and carefully, clicking her tongue a little so she doesn't startle it. Lifting her hands, she offers her palms for the horse to smell. ]

[blind_devotion]

It must have been, yeah. It sure put a scare into them, anyway.

[The horse looks to Alexa for a moment, as if seeking guidance, but quickly turns back and sniffs Chloe's hand like a normal horse would.]

[betroth]

I'd imagine! [ Smiling brightly when the horse meets her halfway, she digs into her pocket and produces a peppermint candy to offer it. ] There, there! What a sweet girl. Friends now?

[ Using one hand to let the horse take the peppermint, Chloe scrubs her opposite palm against its nose. Turning back to Alexa, she nods towards the driveway. ]

Do you think she'd follow you out to the trailer? I don't want to cause too much unnecessary stress on her.

[blind_devotion]

Probably. Let's see...

[Alexa doesn't have much experience leading a horse. But she does her best, and the horse does, indeed, follow her with a minimum of fuss.]

[betroth]

Oh, good! I was hoping so. Just a moment.

[ Moving ahead, Chloe jogs down the length of driveway to open up the gate of the trailer. ]

Right this way!

[blind_devotion]

[Alexa slowly walks the horse forward, one step at a time.]

There you go...good girl...

[The horse walks forward up until the trailer's threshold, at which point she balks momentarily, and looks to Alexa.]

Uh...there, there, it's okay?

[She sounds really unsure of herself but apparently it's enough for the horse. She walks up into the trailer.]

[betroth]

[ Her efforts elicit a laugh, entirely genuine. ]

You're a natural! Let's just get her secure...

[ Following around, she goes to close and lock the gate, talking amiably as she works. ]

If you'd like, you can come take a look at the property she'll be staying on.

[blind_devotion]

I'd like that, I think. Um. If it's not too much bother. You're already doing plenty for me.