[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

[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.