Aven leads the packhorse down the road. “Easy there, Stronghoof.” He mutters. “We have a big bump coming up.” The horse, as if able to understand him, slows down. Aven carefully helps guide the wheels of the cart attached to the horse over the bump. “There... there... you’re doing it.” The wooden cart wheels make themselves over the dirt road. Aven quickly returns to the front, rubbing the dark brown horse’s neck as they continue to heave the cart.
Following along the dirt trail, a makeshift wooden fence is set up. Aven peers across the fence, seeing the different horses trotting around. Mares accompanying their foals, common with the spring time of year.
In the yard, a young lady helping with the horses notices him. “The Culpa is back.” She mutters.
An older man with dark grey hair with a scruffy unkempt beard smiles. “Just in time as usual.” He nods. “I’ll help him unload.”
“Why does he walk alongside the horse instead of just riding on top of it?”
The man shakes his head. “Nothing builds a horse’s confidence than seeing one they trust go through the same task they do. Pack horses also have lower lifespans, so best not to exert them more than necessary. You’ll understand once you’ve gotten more experience.” The man heads off towards Aven, waving to him as he starts towards the front gate.
Aven and Stronghoof slowly approach, the wooden gate opening by the man. “Have your hay delivery, Dornva.” Aven says in his common serious tone. “Does the new crop look good?” He says, trying to take a peek at some of the young foals.
“As good as gold and better.” The wrinkled man laughs. “I have no shortage of prestigious foals this year.”
As Aven leads Stronghoof in, he gets the horse situated. Afterwards he begins unloading the hay from the cart.
“You always do me a service bringing these so reliably, young Aven.” Dornva smiles, as he begins helping take the bales of hay. “The day of celebration was just last week, right? So as a Culpa, what’s your age?”
“Just turned eighteen.” Aven says with a small laugh as he sets down one of the hay bales. “Master Fitzgerald figured I should finally have a stall of my own. Gave me the corner one.”
“That’s great news!” Dornva lets out cheerfully. “You’ll be able to finally have a steed of your own. Although it takes a mighty amount of saving to care for your own horse, as I’m sure you’re aware of the expenses on top of that, food and everything else.”
Aven nods slowly. “Yeah, but I’ve been saving since I’ve had the ability to-” A piercing wail interrupts the conversation.
“Ah, that one is at it again.” Dornva lets out with a sigh. “I thought it tired itself out already.”
“A foal isn’t taking in the environment well?” Aven asks with a heave, another bale of hay off the cart.
“This one is an odd case.” Dornva says with a sigh, resting his arms on one of the stacked hay bales. “Fairflow refuses to let that foal nurse. Foal is wee a runt, seems doomed from the start.” The panicked calls of anguish don’t let up in the background.
Aven pauses, the sounds of distress affecting him. “A mare refusing to let the child nurse?”
Through the desperate whinnying, Dornva speaks. “Aye. It’s rare, but does happen. With the way things are going, it wasn’t looking to be all that great of a foal either. I might just butcher it, able to salvage some meat or other parts from it.”
Aven turns his head to the noise and back to Dornva. “Using a horse for meat?”
Dornva shrugs. “Aye, there’s not much I can do about it. The constant crying will stress out the rest of the crop, many of which are promising, could grow up to be horses for commanders, maybe even brigadiers. I have to be rid of it soon.” The distressed crying continues to echo around the conversation.
Aven helps unload another bale. “How much are you offering?” Expression stern and serious, twinging slightly with each cry.
Dornva laughs slightly. Aven, I can’t in good conscience sell you that mistake.” He shakes his head. “It’s leading a doomed fate.”
Aven cringes, between the distraught cries and the vocabulary of Dornva, he shakes his head swiftly, as he uses his strength to unload more goods from the cart. “Your alternative is to butcher it, for what meat? Slop to feed to the pigs?”
Dornva sighs. “I get your point, and I do need it off.” He folds his arms looking at Aven still working. “But what do you expect to be done, do you expect it to sit quietly in the cart as you carry it away from the mare it throws itself at?”
“You mentioned it was a runt, I can always carry it myself.”
Dornva lets out a hearty laugh. “The day man wastes their time to carry what is meant to be ridden? Any price I sell to you will not be a fair one, after everything you’ve done for my stable do you expect me to give you the failure?”
“Then don’t sell it to me as a horse.” Aven says sternly. “I am simply buying food off of you, and saving you the mess of slaughtering it.” He unloads another several stacks of hay as Dornva stares at him.
“You truly are serious?” Dornva shakes his head. “Young fool.” I suppose one must learn what they alone can handle.” He sighs. “As long as you have it off my property by the end of the night, I will charge you the same rate as forty pounds of pig slop for it.”
Aven nods. “Very well. Take it out of today’s payment, I will pay my master that from my own funds.”
Dornva gives a stern expression to Aven. “Don’t make this be a mistake, young Culpa, you don’t get many of those in life with that name.”
Aven stares off, hearing the distressed cries of the foal. “I will stop its crying.” Aven says, as he heads towards the direction.
Another stable hand folds his arms as he approaches Dornva. “Seems you fell into a stroke of luck with that Culpa.” He smiles. “Rid of the problem with a discount in your pocket to boot.”
“Aye, the world is harsh one. We will see if his arrogance gets the better of him… But if anyone can figure out something to do with an unruly foal like that, Aven Culpa can.” He turns to look at the stable hand. “That kid, I feel he bonds more with the horses than his fellowman.”
Aven enters the confined barn. The foal continues the repeated nickers. As it paces in distress, Aven can hear the sound of its rummaging through the dirt, as the continued wails and whines escape its mouth.
Aven stares examining the locked gate, a quick peek into the stall. A small foal indeed, coat as black as ash from head to toe. The foal pays little attention to Aven, as it continues to seek a way to get out towards its mother.
Aven eyes look at the small horse in pity as it continues to pace around, whinnying desperately, looking for a way out. As it paces towards the other corner, Aven quickly climbs over wooden gates, stepping into the stall. As he enters the foal approaches the gate, his black gaze briefly meeting Aven’s worn one. With the close of the gate, the hope in the horse’s gaze shifts as it turns around, back to whinnying in distress.
“So this is how I looked when I was young.” Aven mutters, watching the eyes of the pitch black horse. “We share the same mother, you and I.” The foal pauses curiously for a moment as it rears its head towards
Aven kneels down, allowing the foal to approach his height, it whinnies, still holding out hope the mysterious human will give him what he so long desires.
As the foal steps closer, Aven carefully reaches his hands out. “So young… to be introduced to reality so harshly and swiftly.” The foal flinches at the movement, pacing away through quick uncertainty, it was a human who pulled him away from his mother. And this one isn’t opening the gate. Could he trust him? He wails, trying to look past Aven, calling out for a mother who refuses to associate with him.
Aven simply stays kneeling, watching the distrust from the foal. “I’m sorry, but I cannot give you the thing you most want.” He sighs, looking weary at the foal. “You and I, both Culpa, both abandoned mistakes.” His stare continues to hone in onto the foal’s eyes. “Even if you cannot speak the same language, I will make sure you are cared for.” The foal seems to pause its movements for a moment, as if listening to Aven. “I will make sure you will stay alive. I will not let the world treat you as it did me. We leave by tonight.” The foal slowly approaches him, not able to understand his words, but understanding something beyond.
—
The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
My eyes open suddenly. The dark ceiling stares back. A dream? I shift in my bed slightly. A memory? My ears twitch. Reminding myself where they are. As if not convinced, my hands slowly move to the sides of my head. A flat patch of my fluffy maiden hair where human ears used to be. Slowly I lift my head, needing to recalibrate myself to the world. I’m out of the wooden and straw filled worn down stables of Elfine.
My hand raises to my forehead for a moment. It feels just as vivid as it was back then, how could I forget? The look on Archibald’s face as I stayed near him for hours. How small he once was… I could carry him without trouble. Something begins to fill up my eyes, as it slowly streams down I realize: Tears. We had been inseparable since… this… this is the first night since then when I haven’t been within a few meters of where he’s been…
Has he been okay? The goddesses claimed Archibald is roughly my physical age… did he have these same nights without me… all this time? Tears begin to flow more freely. How long has he had to suffer in silence, holding out hope he’ll find me. Is… is he still looking for me? I have left him alone for so long… he might have… No. A stubborn mule like that, he would sooner sail across oceans than be separated from me for too long. Even whenever I was in those goddess forsaken meetings, Archibald made his presence known as he waited outside the building. Making sure I could still hear his complaints. It thankfully kept me out of inner politics, as no governor wanted to have a meeting with a yelling horse like him outside the walls.
Suddenly I stifle a chuckle. Lest I forget the time he let himself into one of the castles, as he saw me enter and decided to ignore those trying to guide him to the stable. The memory causes more tears to flow, They are happier ones this time. “Stupid horse.” I laugh to myself. Since then, I had to be the one to tie him down before going to such meetings. My gaze looks to the window. Dark skies with clouds sitting solemnly among the stars. “To think of all the things we can talk about… we can actually, talk. In the same language. He was already old for a horse as well, ten fine years with me… In a world without war, how long can humans live? How many conversations await us…?
I need to keep my eyes on my goal. I must serve the Director. But my true goal is to reunite with Archibald, and I will do whatever it takes to see that goal through. I wrap myself up in the blankets again. I must return to sleep. I will begin practice as soon as I am able, and I will not take a break until he knows where I am.
—
The sunlight peers into the room as I stir myself awake. It must be a few hours after I fell back asleep.. My ears twitch slightly as I let out a long yawn, arms stretching above my head. I feel my tail stretching in tandem as it pushes slightly against the wall. I move my body, the bed pushes back in the unfamiliar way the cushions of this world do. I twist my back, trying to see if I feel any tinges from a rough sleep, but I feel as good as ever. In fact, even better, I don’t know if it’s this horse body compressed into a human form, but I feel ready to take on an entire battalion. I turn, leaning my legs over the bed. The room is truly large for only fitting two people.
I step off, my legs deftly gliding along the room. An unknown agility fills me more than ever before. Is this truly the strength a horse has? I was lucky to be reborn with the motion capabilities of a human as well. It would be troublesome without arms. I approach a small mirror near my desk, seeing my neck length hair has gotten messy in my sleep. Reflecting in my maiden image is the light green button up ‘pajamas’ I was given by the Director. Apparently there are clothes here exclusively for sleeping in. She got me multiple of them, each having holes for the tails as well.
I turn around to look at my tail, it is as full as ever, but more tangled, I sigh, grabbing a brush from the desk and sitting on my bed. I begin brushing out the knots. “Horse tails this full always tangled into knots over the smallest things.” I mumble, as I thoroughly brush. I had found myself doing this at the stables next to my quarters in my spare time.
The horses seemed to like the attention. Although Archibald would whinny his complaints if I spent too much time with a horse without his supervision. Not that I could really brush his tail out too much. His tail was a thin dark shadow. Oftentimes you could hardly see it when he wore his armor. I absentmindedly continue brushing my tail. The sensation is... odd. It feels relaxing in a way, as tension slowly but eases its way out. It also explains why the horses often tried to avoid inexperienced stablehands doing it. As they would most likely force the brush too hard if it were to get stuck on knots.
I let out a resigned sigh, my thoughts drift to the reality of my situation. A world without horses, it's truly going to take some getting used to. I head to my wardrobe, grabbing my Tracen Uniform. Judging by the angle of the sun, I am up at an acceptable time. I do not wish to burn daylight. The Director told me she would have my practice clothes ready this morning, and that I could begin trying to learn my limits.
I swiftly shed myself of my sleepwear, fitting my tail through the hole in the back of the uniformed skirt and preparing the top. I’m able to put it on with no issues now that I have learned about the magic of zippers. This would have done wonders back home, anything that needs to be fastened wouldn’t require multiple steps or people.
I take a quick glance in the mirror, my hair is still slightly messy. “I suppose it must be like brushing a tail…” I sit down, watching my reflection as I try to brush the same way I would a horse’s tail.
It seems to be working, although the hair will probably require less brushing, as it gets less dirt and straw in it. After it seems to stay down, I place the brush back onto the desk as I get up.
Now to head to that restroom with all the water magic Rudolf had shown me yesterday. Water without going to wells, aqueducts on such a huge scale that it runs the entire country... I shake my head. I also want to see it bring the cold and hot water on command again. The idea of getting cold water when the weather outside is hot, it’s a miracle of water and frost magic.
I grab the key that allows me back in my room before leaving my secure room into the halls. I notice a few umamusume already roaming the hallways, more than when I went to my room.. With this many, I assume that the water room might already have a line at it. I pause, Rudolf mentioned that I should scrub my teeth with the thistle stick and the odd tasting slime in the morning. But she also told me to do it after a meal. So it doesn’t make sense to do it right before I eat in the morning, right?
“Food...” I mumble, the idea gets my tail wagging. I tried so many different things yesterday, and Rudolf mentioned each time of the day will have different types of food. I can’t help but be curious at what awaits me. With a swift turn I head straight towards the stairs. After turning out of the stairwell, I hear a familiar chant.
“Bakushin Bakushin Bakushin! Bakushin! Bakushin! Bakushiiiin!” A second later a zooming blur already in the red and white training uniform speeds past me.
I still have several questions about what a ‘bakushin’ is, but when her job is running, I can’t find fault with her finding so much time to do it. As I approach the front doors a voice perks up.
“Did you have a good night, Aven Doram?”
Turning I see the olive skin of Hishi Amazon. I suppose as the dorm leader she must’ve been on the lookout for the new recruit in her barracks. Naturally before my body questions it, I give the Elfine salute, as I’m used to when talking with superior officers. She doesn’t seem to mind at all. “Hishi Amazon.” I mutter.
She folds her arms with a smile. “Did you sleep well?”
I nod. “Yes. The beds here are most comfortable.” I do my best to avoid talking of the ‘springs’ I was taught about yesterday, as one of this world is probably used to all these concepts.
She smiles. “That’s great, eager to start your first day?”
I don’t mean to seem rude, I do feel I need to practice saying ideas on a filter. But while untrained, I do not hope to make a bad impression.
“I wish to see how well I can run in this place.” I say with a serious expression. “Things... may take some time though.” I try to be vague enough that they won’t question it if my running is poor performance for an uma.
Hishi Amazon just smiles as if understanding. “Don’t worry. In a new environment it might take some time to adapt. I understand fully.”
I nod. “Right, I’ll be going to the cafeteria if Rudolf asks... I do wonder what foods are served there in the morning…”
Hishi Amazon nods. “I’ve been told I can cook a good meal. I can try cooking something for you sometime if you’re interested in food.” Her smile shifts into a smirk. “A trade for racing me one on one sometime!”
I pause. “Okay.” I nod. “I must first get used to practicing here. But, I would like to try plenty of new foods!”
Hishi Amazon pauses, before folding her arms. “You really like food?”
I nod my head swiftly. “More specifically food here.” I avert my gaze slightly. “The food I used to eat before I came here was… inedible in comparison.” My gaze returns fixated on her. “So I am very curious to what future tastes I can try.”
Hishi Amazon chuckles. “Right, just make sure you don’t overeat. We have a few of those types around Tracen.”
“I assume you’re speaking of Oguri Cap.”
“That’s one.” She nods with a smirk. “I guess as long as you race strong and true, you can eat whatever limit you have.”
My tail wags as my mouth begins to salivate. “I… I should go.” I say, bowing to her slightly. “Talking about food is getting me very curious about what awaits me.”
“Don’t let me keep you.” She waves. “Oh, and if you need someone for a practice scrimmage, let me know!”
“Right, will do.” I say, as I repeat my bow. Exiting out of the door. Watching other umas seem to head across the white striped path to cross the black road parallel to it. My eyes go straight to their earwear. All wearing something. My ears lean forward, but I push on regardless.
I follow the path, easily remembering it. It was very important to remember your terrain on the battlefield, as Brigadiers, we had to support infantry and archers often, so knowing the terrain of the battlefield was imperative! Even from a brief glance as we rode our steeds.
I pause. “Right.” I mumble to myself. A world without horses also means a world without riding. The height of being on one you trust…” I let out a sigh, refocusing towards the cafeteria.
There is much I need to do and get used to. I push open the cafeteria doors, and the overwhelming sense of smell hits me, my tail wags left to right rapidly. “The food may take some getting used to in another way as well.”
Another unfamiliar scent hits me, something... sweet? It’s too odd to describe. I must experience it first. My eyes hone onto where the food is located. It appears there’s quite a few umamusume in line. Eating when waking up and ready for the day is still common even in this world. I look to where the line ends, swiftly I approach and wait my turn patiently. Well, my tail continues to wag in anticipation. It continues to refuse my orders to stay in line.
The line moves at a steady pace. I attempt to peek towards the front, bread of some kind? The same small white pieces, rice?
“Oh! It’s Aven Doram!” I hear from a young voice behind me. I turn, seeing the familiar young girl who visited me in the infirmary yesterday, next to her stands a refined looking girl slightly taller than her with lavender hair and a teal bow tied near her right ear.
“You’re Teio...?” I ask, trying to refamiliarize myself with her name.
Teio blinks for a moment. ”Well, yeah, I’m Tokei Teio.” She says, something seeming a little semi awkward. “Anyway, it’s nice to see you. Did you have fun punning it up with Prez?”
I blink for a moment. “Punning?” I mutter, is this an action I’m supposed to know the meaning?
“Teio.” The other girl starts, her voice matching her look of refinement. “You haven’t introduced me.”
Teio turns. “Oh. McQueen, this is Aven Doram. She’s new.” She turns to me. “Aven Doram, this is Mejiro McQueen.”
McQueen bows slightly. “It’s a pleasure.”
Teio smirks. “Yeah, she’s from THAT Mejiro family by the way.”
McQueen jumps back slightly. “Teio!”
I stare for a moment. A family name? “Are the Mejiro family nobles?” I ask, my head tilting slightly in confusion.
A smirk spreads on Teio’s face. “Yep! They are very noble umamusume!”
McQueen blushes slightly. “Teio! Don’t encourage her thinking!”
I pause. “Right... nobles. Are you perhaps more noble than Director Yayoi or Rudolf?”
Teio jumps up in response to my question. “No way! Prez is much cooler than McQueen is!” She quickly turns to McQueen. “No offense.”
McQueen is rubbing her temples. “How did this conversation get to here?” She clears her throat. “Aven Doram, is it? While the Mejiro family is prestigious, and I try everyday to be worthy of the name. We aren’t nobles.”
“Oh.” I nod. Right, Director Yayoi and Rudolf did say nobles don’t work like that in this world. I suppose Mejiro might be the closest thing to nobles-
A tall white haired umamusume slides in next to us. “She’s just being humble!” The umamusume nods. I notice she wears a small hat with straps and pads where human ears would be. “It’s in her name after all! “Mc-QUEEN.”
McQueen’s composure is broken again. “GOLSHI?!”
“Huh...?” I pause, my head tilting slightly in curiosity. “Is that so?”
McQueen turns to me leaning forward. “You can’t be serious!”
The one known as “Golshi” instantly laughs. “I already like this uma!” She puts her arm around my shoulder.
Teio nods, folding her arms towards McQueen. “Yeah, she made a similar joke with me when I told her about almost earning the triple crown. She asked if I owned two ‘queendoms.’”
The white haired uma smirks. “Well she must sit with us!” It’d be great to have me not be the only funny one!” She turns to me as she removes her arm from my shoulder. “I’m Gold Ship!”
I jump back slightly. This is who they were talking about before. “Sinking boat.” I mutter out in surprise.
Gold Ship pauses hearing my words. She looks at me with a discerning stare. A smirk growing on her face. “Oh yeah. She’s sitting with us.”
