The .self. D E S T R U C T [button]--Strays

[S.E.C.R.E.T]

Talon quietly trotted long the path, Sedona on her back. Leaves covered the ground, adn most of the trees above them were barren, although a few retained their leaves. Sedona let out a sigh as her thoughts wondered.

Pain; it comes in all forms. The small twinge, a bit of soreness, the random pain that we live with everyday. Then there is the kind of pain you just can't ignore, a level of pain so great that it blocks out everything else, makes the rest of your world fade away until all we can think about is how much we hurt. How we manage our pain is up to us. We anaesthetize, ride it out, embrace it, ignore it, and for some of us the best way to manage pain is to just push through it.

Sedona was pushing through. That's all. Just pushing steadily through, bound and determined not to let anything stop her. She wanted to something tos top her. God, she wanted something to stop her bad, wanted a distraction. Fat chance that was coming, though. She kept riding, her eyes focused ahead, Talon sensing she was upset but letting her alone because she felt as though she needed it. Sedona closed her eyes trusting Talon to cary her safely. Then she heard something. Maybe God had been listening, and maybe this was her distraction.

[Alice ;; ♥]

Barks echoed through the air, disturbing the lake's quiet tranquility, as three puppies hurtled themselves towards Sedona. The first, Scamp, was the smallest and fastest of the three. He was colored tan, with brown patches, and was jumping high above the other as he ran. He was closely followed by Max, a husky puppy with bright blues eyes and his head down as he sped forward. A little way behind, came Lola. She was a beautiful Labrador, with a heart of gold.

The three stray friends began to pick up pace, moving on steadily, finally reaching Sedona, and slowing dramatically, jumping up at her and her horse. Unphased by the sheer mass and height of the equine, they continued circling the pretty young female.

[S.E.C.R.E.T]

Sedona raise dher eyebrows as she saw three puppies come tumbling toward her. A smile touched ehr lips as they ran circles around Talon. The mare snorted as if she was annoyed, but Sedona knew better. The woman dismounted from her orse, careful not to step on one of the puppies. They were the town strays, she'd heard. Max, Scamp, and.. Lola. Yes, that was it.

Sedona looked at the canines tumbling about her feet and her companion's hooves and laughed slightly. Talon lowered her head, bumping Max lightly with her nose and snorting by way of a greeting. Sedona looped Talon's reins over her neck and sat down in the leaves to join the puppies. Town strays no more. Sedona decided quickly to take them in, her subconscious giving her a pat on the back for coming up with such a charitable distraction.

The woman reached out to Lola, petting her for a moment before standing. How would you three like to head home with me? Sedona watched the animals for a second before gently picking Lola up. She couldn't think of a way that she could ride and carry the animals. She supported Lola with one sturdy arm while opening one of her saddle bags. She felt to make sure her sweater was still in the bottomof the bag so it'd be comfortable, and then put Lola gently into the bag. She did the same to Max, making sure he was comfortable before picking up Scamp. It was all a stroke of brilliance really. She held the puppy firmly with her right hand and hoisted herself into the saddle by holding onto the saddle horn and jumping slightly. She sat Scamp in the saddle in front of her, keeping him still with one hand and stering with Talon with the other as she asked the mare to mvoe in the direction of her truck.

[Alice ;; ♥]

The puppies jumped up as the female dismounted, and began barking once she had spoken, as if in agreement. Lola was silent, as she was placed into a saddle bag. She tumbled round a bit, before curling quickly up. Max was more frigidity, but soon settled once the rider had mounted.

Scamp was clearly proud to be out front, and barked happily, looking around in awe and anticipation. He began to curl into her hands, pawing at her top. He already seemed to trust this woman.

Lola was mainly silent throughout the journey, except the odd little snort or sniff in her daze. Max and Scamp were equally excited, and may well have ruined the journey with their barking, had it not been for their cute little faces.

[S.E.C.R.E.T]

I'm going to post at Sedona's loft at Stolen Moments...