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Happy Trails to You; Mirage
Topic Started: Apr 18 2014, 06:33 PM (288 Views)
Shepherd
Unregistered

April 12, 2014
Afternoon


Daniel Oliver was grinning like a possum in a persimmon tree. His face was beginning to hurt. He had been smiling so much that afternoon the muscles in his face were getting a true workout. He had always heard that it took more muscles to frown than to smile so it took more effort to be unhappy, but Daniel thought he was giving that old adage a run for its money. Dan’s body rocked from side to side as the bay mare he rode wound her way along the trail. There had been a short burst of Spring weather and the buds were green and the daylight lasted longer. It was a great day to be alive and enjoying one of his favorite pastimes, horseback riding.

Daniel held the reins lightly but ready to seize control. Lulu, the mare, was well trained and had responded to him well but Daniel wanted to be ready. Even with the horses on the ranch Dan knew better than to become complacent. An old brown Stetson, the felt bleached from the sun and stained with sweat, sat upon Shepherd’s head. It was almost a silly throwback to his youth. Packing his things to come to New York, Daniel had almost left the hat behind. When will I ever wear this in New York? he had asked himself and knew he might as well draw a target on his back for the ridicule. That morning Dan had almost put on his trusty Dallas Cowboys cap, again sun bleached and sweat stained, but his horseback riding called for his cowboy hat. The wide brim will keep the sun out of my eyes much better than a baseball cap, Dan reassured himself.

Daniel felt the mutant signature of his companion draw near. A sense of resolve. Danielle Moonstar rode her horse abreast of Daniel as the trail opened wider before them. “I have to say, this is probably the best time I’ve had since I came to the school,” Daniel replied. “I used to ride horses all the time back home but I should have known that New York has something for everyone.”

Dani had returned to the school a short time ago but Daniel had introduced himself briefly. Danielle was very approachable and well liked among the students and other X-Men. Daniel had heard that she had an affinity for outdoor recreations and felt that they would get along famously. He was overjoyed when she had invited him on a riding trip because it had been a very long time since he had been riding horses. It always made him think about the days of his youth and the sense of freedom of the open range. “Growing up, I had a horse named Bruce. Lulu, here, is beautiful but I don’t think anything would come close to matching Bruce,” Daniel said and patted Lulu’s thickly muscled neck.
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Mirage
Unregistered

No matter how much time passed and despite the fact Dani considered New York home, she still longed for Colorado in many ways. The trees there had a scent unique to them that the modern marvels of New York City and Westchester country were never able to emulate even with the grounds at Xavier and Central Park. In Colorado it was simply easier to feel connected to nature, whereas in New York she felt she had to put in a bit more effort to feel Mother Nature’s presence. Though the grounds were lovely and expansive sometimes it was better to get away, so she plotted until she found the perfect retreat to go horseback riding.

All she needed was a partner and the mini getaway would be golden. There were friends she could drag along, but Dani still felt the call of new blood and sought out one of the newer adults to enter the mansion. She had heard whispers of his background and being direct and to the point, she figured she’d simply ask him about it later, then rely on rumors. Running across him she basically offered the option to take a breather from the mansion and bond with her during a horse riding expedition. If he turned her down she would eventually take him out drinking or have a Danger Room session.

Dani was convinced the Danger Room was the source of where bonds were created-despite what the critics said. After all, what better way to build trust?

Horse riding always reminded her of her grandfather during the days she would go bare back riding. She loved these majestic creatures and had a soft spot for them...next to wolves of course. Her horse, Penny, was a bit wilder, but listened to the person riding her. She loves those type of horses the best and in turn would show them a softer side to her personality.

“Nothing can beat your first horse or favorite horse from home. My grandfather had one named Lightning. He was wilder than a college kid during Spring Break and let me tell you, I loved him. If I could, I’d bring him here, but he likes the freedom of Colorado more.”

She pet Penny’s ear and whispered in her ear about what a good girl she was and then returned her attention back to Daniel.

“Where are you from again? I’m guessing it’s not from New York. You don’t have that New York ‘Tude going for you. Like the kids say, you got some of that country swagger.” She laughed to herself and smiled at Daniel. “New York treating you alright or are you like me, missing the simpler things our home states have to offer?”
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Shepherd
Unregistered

Daniel thought back to when he was a teenager and riding his horse Bruce across his father's ranch. There was always work to be done with the cattle and the farm so Daniel's spare time was precious. He had taken Bruce, a pack of supplies, and a six pack of beer to meet Alison and they rode out into the range and the two of them spent two days exploring the wilderness, among other things, and sharing the beer they chilled in a stream that was fed from a spring the mountains. Daniel looked back on his life with Alison. When the times were good, they were great. It was such a shame. It was strange to think about the memories that came back from just taking an afternoon to enjoy horseback riding.

Shepherd looked over to Dani. He could understand the fact that Lightning, the free spirited horse, preferred the freedom of the Colorado countryside. Daniel wasn't a fish out of water in New York. He was fulfilling his dream of teaching and helping the next generation of mutants. He just couldn't lie to himself; his heart belonged in Texas. "I get the same feeling sometimes," Daniel replied.

From her story, Shepherd gathered that Dani Moonstar was from Colorado. "I'm from Texas originally but moved to Nebraska a few years ago. Heh, a few makes it sounds like yesterday. I lived in Nebraska for over a decade but I'm a born and bred Texan," Dan explained. "Nothing against the Empire State but I wouldn't take a million dollars for my hometown. Don't know if I'd call it swagger, though," he added with a chuckle.

Daniel thought about his time in New York since his son's death. Things had truly improved since that time but there was no place like home. "Things are going well. I'm getting better control over my powers through training. I'm not clipping the wings off of flies with my shrapnel but I'm the bane of the Danger Room training dummies," Daniel explained as he lead LuLu around a tree in the middle of the trail. "I've been taking some classes through Empire State University. I'm hoping to wrap up my degree soon so that is something great I've got going on."

A low hanging branch loomed nearby and Daniel ducked down to avoid it. "So, you just came back from sabbatical? I heard from some of the students that you used to be a student yourself and now a teacher and an X-Man. That looks like a common thread among people who attend the school."
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Mirage
Unregistered

"Things are going well. I'm getting better control over my powers through training. I'm not clipping the wings off of flies with my shrapnel but I'm the bane of the Danger Room training dummies," Daniel explained as he lead LuLu around a tree in the middle of the trail.

Her ears perked up at the Danger Room quip and offered a sincere smile. The Danger Room would tend to be a place people either loved to explore their strengths or hated with a passion. For her it was quite rare to meet someone who had a neutral opinion on the advanced computer modified training arena. In her eyes, it was the best thing that ever happened to her, along with the guidance of her teachers. Though, she couldn’t begrudge an adult for having to learn the woes of DR sessions. It definitely was not for the weak of heart.

“Well, if you ever want my help let me know. I’m more than willing to help save a poor training dummy. Aside from that, got any other plans or are you just coasting?” It wasn’t meant to be offensive, more of a sincere question as to what his plans were. Sometimes adults who dealt with new powers needed a break to refamiliarize themselves with the world and determine new goals or adjust old ones. It only made sense to Dani if Daniel’s plans had changed.

"I've been taking some classes through Empire State University. I'm hoping to wrap up my degree soon so that is something great I've got going on."

“You know, I really hated school. For white folks,” she said with a bit of caution if only to be polite. “It’s nice you’re able to get into the entire university thing. I was mostly struggling, because the things I learned growing up didn’t match with the schooling system everyone else had in place. I managed, graduated, but never did go the college route. I’ve thought about taking a few community college courses, but I think the only thing that would remotely interest me would be sports medicine. And even then, I don’t know if I have the focus to make it through four years of schooling.”

Dani never once questioned her intelligence, simply her ability to be successful in an American educational system. Gym, vocational careers, expectations that showed tangible results were the way to engage Dani intellectually. A simple course on Gothic literature would have been akin to torture for her.

"So, you just came back from sabbatical? I heard from some of the students that you used to be a student yourself and now a teacher and an X-Man. That looks like a common thread among people who attend the school."

Penny, was getting angsty, she could tell, as it tried to outpace Daniel’s horse Lulu. Leaning forward she “ssh'd” the horse and spoken to the equine in her native tongue. It was becoming like Latin, a dying language, which not many possessed, except for the elders. Had it not been for her grandfather, she wouldn’t have spoken it either and whenever the opportunity came to practice, she would. Once the horse relaxed, Dani focused on Daniel once more with a little smile as she felt quite at home in her element.

“You know, that is sort of a pattern at the school, but I was taught by my parents and Grandfather to be a leader. We don’t sit by and watch. We get involved. For those who didn’t have my upbringing, I guess it would be kinda hard to not be inspired by the people at the school who helped you out so much. Giving back to your community is important. Maybe the others feel it too. They don’t join for the awful uniforms.” Dani had altered hers so many times in the past, she was surprised her field leaders haven’t locked up her current uniform by now. “We all gotta do our part, you know.”

They rode together for a few moments in comfortable silence. His company was welcome and like anyone else, she treated him warmly, teasing here and there, while being open. It would tend to put others off, but he had thick skin, so she liked that about him. It did make her wonder more about him and his past before he arrived at the mansion. Losing a loved one was difficult and she knew this better than anyone.

Deciding to ease him into the conversation, she brought up her Grandfather once again.

“Had my Grandfather’s health not deteriorated so much, I would have still been on sabbatical. He’s mostly gone at this rate. I know his time is up soon, but he left long ago. Dementia does that to people. We have a good support system here, you know,” she said as she looked around on the trail taking in the trees, shrubbery, every part of nature that her grandfather would have enjoyed or simply pointed out to her. “I don’t play games; I like being a straight shooter. I heard, you know. If you ever need to talk, I’ll listen.” She took in a deep breath, before adjusting her offer. “Or I can simply provide a distraction in whooping your behind in the Danger Room. I’m quite okay with both options.”
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Shepherd
Unregistered

Mr. Oliver was glad for Dani's offer to help train in the Danger Room. He was an instructor at the school and had privileged access to the programming just like the X-Men and other staff. He could create training programs and run simulations but an experienced hand in the illusory room was always helpful. Dani had much more experience in general at the school and would be an invaluable asset. The Danger Room was a new addition to the campus grounds since Dan was a student. He had learned it wasn't deadly but the training simulation was not a toy. It wouldn't kill you but you wouldn't walk out of there feeling like you've come out out a spa treatment. Unless of course, it was programmed to simulate a day at the spa. Now that gave Dan an idea for later.

"I'm obliged for the offer, Dani," Shepherd replied. "Gimme some more time and the dummies will be begging for help." Dan wondered for a moment what she meant by coasting but so realized her meaning. "I'm just working on my power training, teaching some classes. Then I'm working on my degree. I'm not really planning anything else at the moment. I've got enough on my plate. But I'm always on the lookout for something extra."

The Cheyenne went on to explain that she hated school. For the farm boy, the majority of his classes had been a bore but he was thrilled by his history classes. He knew that school in general was a bummer for most but he hadn't thought of the cultural differences. Now that he put that angle on it and gave it a second thought the history teacher could see that from her culture's perspective things could look very different. The Native American's had gotten the short end of the stick. On several occasions. Daniel was hesitant to touch onto that topic but forged ahead with their conversation. "My college experience has been anything but frat parties and panty-raids. I was a young dad working full time as a mechanic. I was lucky to take two classes a semester. It has taken me years. I was lucky to find a program that accepted my random assortment of credits," Shepherd explained.

Daniel knew that Moonstar was on the nose about the culture of the school. The students grew up to be X-Men or teachers. The culture there fostered that kind of behavior. Some even went on to join SHIELD or one of the the other X affiliated families. "Those uniforms," he said with a smirk. "Damn straight."

Eventually, the topic turned to the subject of loss. Daniel had been having ups and downs with his grief and mourning. Some days were better than others. He didn't know how long it would take. No one had ever given him a timeline, and Dan didn't expect to be given one. Dani's grandfather had not died but his health was on the decline. If things were as bad as she indicated, and Shepherd had no reason to believe otherwise, it might not be that far in the future.

"Yeah. The support at the school is top notch. When my son died, the folks at the school were there for me like no one else," Daniel said. "Thanks Dani. Being direct is something I appreciate. Since Brandon died a lot of people tiptoe around the issue. I understand they don't want to opened wounds, and I appreciate that. But there is not dancing around the subject; my son died and I'm coping with that change."

The horses continued along the trail. Daniel kept his eyes open and alert for any sudden change in his horse but continued the conversation. "One of the things that helps me is to keep busy, at least in my opinion. I naturally try to take on a lot of work simply to keep my mind busy but since Brandon....I've really tried to devote more of my time to things. So you can look forward to whooping my tail and some god-natured retaliation."

The trail opened up and the forest thinned ahead of them. The trees gave way to a field and in the distance the barn was just visible. "Speaking of which, lets call this preemptive retaliation. Catch me if you can, Moonstar!" Daniel said as he whipped the reins and nudged LuLu in the ribs and broke into a run toward the barn.
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Mirage
Unregistered

“Retaliation, ah, I hope that’s the prankster speaking as we need more of those.”

Without warning, Daniel started a challenge and left her behind as he rode off towards the barn. “Now, we can’t let him cheat his way to the top, Penny. Let’s show him.” She began to race, exhilarated as she felt the wind whip through her hair. Her eyes locked onto the end point as she urged Penny forward, but not before she sought out Daniel’s behind. Dani hoped Penny had the stamina to meet Daniel’s horse and once they were about on par, she looked at him and winked, laughter escaping.

“DANIELLE MOONSTAR FOR THE FINISH!”

As they rode, Danielle connected with Penny to see how she was doing and was able to see the horse wanted to make it to the end to please Danielle. It wasn’t a horse accustomed to racing and it worried about not reaching the end point in time, heart beating, stress that it would disappoint such a lovely human. Moved by the horse’s desire to make Dani happy at all costs, she slowed down, knowing she had the shot, but let Daniel win, as she stressed to Penny it was okay, there was oats, hay, and carrots she would be rewarded with at the end of this ride.

Once they were at the barn, Dani hopped off the horse, without much of a second thought and gave Daniel a wry look.

“You won. This time. I’ll earn bragging rights soon enough.”

They took the horses to their respective stables, while Dani searched for treats to give the two horses. Sugar cubes, carrots, apples, anything to cheer up the lovely creatures within. It had been a blessing to discover this place years ago. Dani had the uncomfortable side effect of connecting with animals and could easily point out abused animals from those who were happy, due to the wild emotions, and unintentionally mental lock they would share. The sadness and pain was so piercing it made her active in the animal rights world, though she had yet to become a vegetarian and as terrible as this was to admit could never see herself taking that last step.

At this place, she didn’t mind if she connected accidentally with an animal and had at the start of Daniel and her trip here. A quite content barn cat lived here and enjoyed terrorizing any small nuisance that dared creep into its territory, all in all, the animals here were happy and in some cases, proud of their hunter status.

She gave Penny a much deserved carrot and stepped back, winking at the horse, enjoying their tiny secret. The horse was still a winner in her eyes.

“Anything about the school tripping you up? It’s changed so much, since I started. Plus you know, you already saw one of the downsides of arriving at the Institute. If they don’t get to you first, others will try. Luckily, no one else wants me,” she said proudly. Dani always hoped that was because those negative forces knew she was firmly planted in the side of good. “No one wants a bad Dani. Maybe a mischievous one, but not a bad one.”
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Shepherd
Unregistered

Daniel felt the exhilaration of the race. He had gotten plenty of adrenaline rushes in the Danger Room and in his training with the school but there was a different feel to the rush you got from friendly competition. His life wasn't hanging in the balance and he wouldn't get tagged by rubber pellets or bean-bags fired from hidden turrets on the training course. The only injury would be to his pride if he lost the race. It harkened back to simpler times for Dan. Just goofing around with the guys when he wasn't covered with classes or work around the ranch was a great way to let off steam. That wasn’t to say that he thought of Danielle Moonstar ‘as one of the guys’, the mutant tracker had learned that as a young man, long ago, but that he just felt comfortable enough with her to challenge her to a good-natured race.

Dan kept his eyes focused on the barn but he could sense that Dani was catching up on him. Her sense of resolve mutant signature was gain on him. He could tell that the horse was more accustomed to casually paced trail rides rather than full out races but LuLu was a trooper. She powered forward and dug her hooves into the dirt sending divots upward. Danielle and Penny pulled abreast of the tracker and crowed with glee that she would be the winner. Slowly, the Cheyenne and her horse drifted back and Daniel once again took the lead.

Dan reined the horse to a stop outside the barn. He patted LuLu’s neck appreciatively and gave her words of encouragement. She was a good girl and she was the greatest. Shepherd dismounted and stroked the horse’s neck. Dani hopped down from her mount and gave Dan a look and proclaimed that she would get those golden bragging rights shortly. “Just remember, Dani, with my mutant power I can see you coming even before I see you. I’ll have my eyes peeled,” he replied with a chuckle.

The mutant removed all of the horse tack and put it away. The blankets had a designated bin and all of the saddles and bridles had to be placed back into their storage area. The whole process was therapeutic for Daniel. Going through the motions allowed him to decompress. Breaking down the gear and brushing down a horse, was old hat for the Texan. He ran the curry comb over LuLu’s hide and Moonstar shot him a question, right to the point.

Daniel patted the horse with his hand and let it rest on the muscular beast. “When I was a student we never really had to work about the ‘Other Side’ trying to recruit us. After what happened with the alternate world, the Brotherhood approached me to join. The other me, the other Dan that called himself Jaeger, worked for Magneto. When the world finally got right, they tried to recruit me afterward. That guy was a piece of work, let me tell you,” Dan explained.

Jaeger had been a killer. He was a Hound and tracked down dissidents and traitors in Jus Soli or those that had fled the so-called mutant utopia. Jaeger caused more than a fair share of headaches for Daniel and his family when he crossed over. “I knew enough about the Brotherhood from television to know they were bad news, but I’m a grown man. I hate to think about all the naïve mutants, children, that are swayed to join the Brotherhood just because they are looking for a place to belong.”

Daniel stepped out of the stable and closed the paddock gate to keep LuLu inside. “Nothing trips me up, really. I’m just getting used to being the old ass man in class with a bunch of teenagers. At least in the college classes I’ve taken, the age difference isn’t so drastic,” Daniel said. He turned from looking at the beautiful horse that had reminded him of home and fond memories and faced Dani. “Mostly I just miss my son. I have good days and then I have bad days.”
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Mirage
Unregistered

“I knew enough about the Brotherhood from television to know they were bad news, but I’m a grown man. I hate to think about all the naïve mutants, children, that are swayed to join the Brotherhood just because they are looking for a place to belong.”

“Yeah, some of those recruiters are vile, always know to hit the right notes. I can never tell which ones are the meaner ones, those who go out killing innocent folks like crazy or the ones that hide pretending to be decent people. Terrorists are terrorists no matter the package.”

A wry smile appeared on her face when he mentioned being the old man in class with teenagers. She’d never say it, but she definitely felt there was a difference between teens from the Rez and your typical western and American teens. Some of the cultural nuances were so subtle that only a person familiar with her background would pick up on it. Little things would jar her with the teens at the Institute, because of what they did. And things that would have been seen as wholly inappropriate were commonplace with her mentees back home. It made her wonder what Daniel’s son had been like and if he would have carried those subtle mannerisms that always stood out to Dani differentiating one from the tribe and those on the outside.

“Mostly I just miss my son. I have good days and then I have bad days.”

There wasn’t much to add to that statement, except to nod in agreement. They were both adults familiar with loss and sometimes what was most important about moments like these was to let the one left behind express himself in whatever way they wish. Loss was tricky, always expressing itself in unique ways and it was never quite consistent, so you always had to observe the person carefully to ensure they received the type of support most suited for them.

“Ya know, when those bad days crop up and you want company, I’m always available. Don’t even have to talk, we can just sit by the lake and watch the day pass by. Sometimes the silence helps too just as much as the talking.” She turned to him waiting for the right moment to continue on, wondering what demons still lurked in his mind. Losing one’s child had to be tantamount to losing a piece of your soul. The closest tragedy she could imagine is losing her grandfather, but a child was different. There was a direct connection and the only person closely related to her in such an intimate manner was Rahne due to their link. She would be devastated if she lost Rahne. It made Dani respect Danial just that much more for being able to stay in one piece. Certainly, he must have had terrible days where he cried and screamed in private, but he was moving on.

“We believe,” she said speaking of the Cherokee Nation, “that after someone passes on they sometimes remain. You call them ghosts. No matter what you believe or if you believe in that, I do think a part of him will always be with you. Some bonds just can’t be broken even through space, time, or death. It’s how you know they loved you.” She placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and gave a respectful smile, before letting go. He may miss him and perhaps their ideologies didn’t match up, but perhaps if he knew that his son was here with him in some form it would bring him comfort. It was the kind of thing that would reassure her.
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Shepherd
Unregistered

Daniel remembered sometime after he returned the world as he knew it. Living with Alison and Brandon had been difficult. It was very hard to reconcile the damage the mutant known as Jaeger had caused for the Oliver family. Dan had begged and pleaded with Alison that it wasn’t him, he wasn’t the man that had stormed out of the house, as she had told him. Brandon was much more forgiving but Alison was not standing for any of it. It had happened worldwide and it was diagnosed as a post-traumatic stress induced by the terrors caused by Apocalypse and his Horsemen. Just when the mutant tracker had thought he was making headway with his wife he was visited by the Brotherhood for the first time.

A trio of mutants that Dan didn’t recognize showed up on their doorstep. They explained that during the switch some of their comrades became aware of him and his powers. They told him that he could help locate mutants and bring them into the fold. He could further the mutant cause and bring lost mutants to safety. Dan was familiar with them and refused outright. In retaliation, the Brotherhood destroyed part of the house and portions of several of the surrounding houses. That was enough for Alison to decide to end their marriage. Even the second time he was approached, the Brotherhood used the guise that they simply wanted to talk but Daniel knew better. If you didn’t accept the carrot the Brotherhood offered, you wound up getting the stick.

“The Brotherhood might say they are helping mutant kind but their actions speak louder. You can’t go murdering people and then say that it is all for the greater good. Murder is murder, no matter how you spin it,” Daniel agreed.

Dani offered to be there when Daniel was having a bad day and needed company. She was always available. He liked the idea. In the wake of the death Daniel had found it was difficult to talk; he couldn’t really express what he was feeling. The wounds were so deep he thought they defied description. Having someone to spend time with and not have to worry about trying to decipher how he feeling was enticing.

The Native also assured the mutant tracker that his son was present through the strength of their bond. That was an encouraging thought. Daniel was pleased with that idea. People had given him advice in the past, and uplifting notions, but he was very happy for that. Dani put a reassuring hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Thank you, Danielle. You’ve offered so much today, I just hope you’re ready to back up those promises. Between the never-ending cycle of competition and retribution you…we’ve started today and the upcoming bad days you might have your plate full. Hope that multitasking is in your power set,” he replied with sincerity as well as a jovial challenge.

Daniel felt a bond friendship forming between them but all of the attention focused on him was a little unsettling. He had relished the attention he had gotten after stopping the burglary in high school but that was different. This was on the topic of wounds and loss. “I know that I sometimes stretch myself thin but I want you to know that my door is open as well. If there is every anything that you need just let me know. Even if it is just to go riding again. I’m always willing to listen or just be present if you get lonely.”
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Mirage
Unregistered

“Playing hard? That’s in my blood,” she told him in response to his challenge. “You’d be amazed at all the things I can do. Even Piotr still gets tripped up from time to time,” she said with her hand on her hip, tone just a little bit too cocky, but very much Dani-esque. When he offered the same in return it felt nice as if the two of them were formalizing a friendship, which is what Dani needed after being away so long.

“Loneliness is the most amazing of emotions. You can be surrounded by people and that emotion just comes out of nowhere, so thanks for the offer. I may take you up on it sometime.” Dani never considered herself a lonely person as she was surrounded by loved ones, but if there were a time when her spirits were weak, she would know where to go. She felt alone about certain things. Being one of the few non Judeo-Christian people set her apart from the rest of the group. Her coming of age story while dramatic also didn’t include the rejection of her family, just her people, which hurt at times. Those were things that could pain her at times, make her feel alone, but not necessarily lonely.

It was just nice to know the offer was there.

“I’ll show up. But if it’s 5 a.m. and you rather be asleep then have an impromptu wake up morning jog to take the loneliness away, don’t say I didn’t warn you.” She winked at him and then innocently walked over to the horses giving them one last kiss to the head and bit of pampering.

“This was fun. I think the Institute needs more people like us. You know the type that go out riding into the sunset. Too many city dwellers in there,” she said. “Always looking for good company, especially from humble folks and country folks that get this,” she said as her hand pointed to the air in a gesture. “Thanks for coming. I didn’t think you would, being that you’re new and I don’t know you, but you took a risk and now I have a new riding partner. Dani 1, Loneliness 0.”

They definitely had to do this again. Or Dani had to beat him at something. She definitely wasn’t going to let him have a winning streak now that they were friends. And knowing that made this trip all the more better.
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