Beatricceee

Svea put her little cousin, Estrid, in the back seat of the car and handed her the food they had brought on the trip from the hotel to the pastures. 

 

"Sit tight while I go talk to the owners," she said calmly, "I'll be back in a couple of minutes."

 

Estrid nodded, and as Svea closed the car door, she held the hidden bells in her pocket tightly to make sure they wouldn't make enough sound for the child to hear. She had heard the ponies had a nick for getting the bell ribbons out of their hair on the trip to the stable and wanted to increase their chances of bringing one home. 

 

Walking out of Estrid's view she took a glance around the field and headed toward a small, dark mare. This Faded Smoky Black Belted Splash was only 117 cm tall and looked up at Svea as she came nearer. The mare's ears twitched and she began walking off, but she had come prepared. Svea took out an apple from her jacket's pocket and broke it in half. The mare must have recognised the sound or smell of the fruit because she suddenly turned around and looked eagerly at the human's hand.

 

"Yeah," Svea said softly, "you want some of that don't you, girl?"

 

She walked toward the pony with her hand reached out in front of her body, stopping each time the mare seemed hesitant. Eventually, she was near enough to reward with the apple and scratch the mare's neck. Her mane was messy but not hard to handle, it felt surprisingly silky when Svea took her gloves off to begin braiding. Bringing one of the bell ribbons, a blue one, out of her pocket she began a careful braid, occasionally patting and giving a treat to get the mare to wait. After completing the braid Svea stepped back and gave her a carrot.

 

"You better keep that bell in your mane now, girl!" She said, determined.

 

As she walked back, Svea bumped into one of the owners and they began talking about the flock. Pointing to the mare she had just interacted with, she asked them what her name was. 

 

"That is Beatrice," they said with a smirk, "she's a little diva that one! If she comes with you you'll never have a boring day again, that I can promise you."

 

Svea laughed and thanked them for the talk and continued looking for her next victim.