My Little Star

Among the weeping willows along the sea shore you and your pony lie on a hand knitted blanket surrounded by throes of tall grasses, lavender, and other smaller flowers. It's a pleasant day, one filled with adventure and play. The warm and briney breeze caresses your face as the brush rustles around you, eliciting natures song.-- oh how peaceful and perfect it is. The salty waves lap the shore as you sit up to greet Étoile after a much needed nap. A pastel colored, sweet face turns to you, ears flicking your way as his gentle, pale blue gaze meets yours. He nickers to you lightly, acknowleding that you're awake.

"Hi, boy" you say with a delighted lilt, a wide grin crossing your features. You reach out to hold the pony's hand and he places it gingerly in your palm. "How'd you sleep, hmm?" you quiz him as you scratch his forehead and run your fingers through his plush forelock. Étoile lets out a soft snort mixed with a soundless nicker and nuzzles you, indicating his contentment. You lift his head a little to place a kiss on his nose and nuzzle him back before letting go. 

 Looking down, a plethora of trinkets and shells that you collected earlier this evening lays in a pile at your feet. You sift through the treasures, admiring the soft whites and browns of the shells, bits of green, yellow, and blue seaglass, a colorful marble, a few bits of coral, and some pretty pastel rocks that have been shaped by the waves. You grab one of the bigger shells and hold it up, looking it over. It's a faded white and tan heart cockle shell with a pastel pink interior that resembles a cotton candy sunset-- it reminds you of Étoile. You glance over to the pony, whos head drapes off the blanket and partially in the sand. You watch his ears twitch lightly as he rests and smile as your heart swells at his peace. 

The sun, slowly moves towards the horizon, mottling the sky with oranges and blues and mixings of pink and purple.  It will set soon and it's a decent walk home, so you decide to pack up and go back before pitch. Gently, you pick up the shells and trinkets and place them into the picnic basket you brought. They clink as shift before settling into place as you close the lid.

"Alright Étoile, let's go!" you announce. His ears perk up at your voice and he raises his head to acknowledge you before getting up and shaking off. You shield your eyes as he sends sand flying everywhere. "Hey!" you shout, a laugh eminating in your chest, "thank's for that." Étoile neighs, practically laughing with you at the occurrance. Brushing sand off yourself, you grab up the blanket and fold it, placing it under the basket handle for ease of carrying. Basket in hand you and Étoile turn tail and head away from the sparkling water and brisk ocean breeze to head back home.

Passing  through the willow grove you find an open area and ask Étoile if you can climb on his back for ease of travel. He snorts softly and nods, picking his foot up to help boost you onto his back. Stepping up and swinging the basket over his back with your right leg, you settle onto him. "Thanks, boy" you say as you hug his neck with your free arm. Gripping his mane for balance, you squeeze his barrel lightly to signify that you're ready to walk home.

The sandy, dirt path is lined with more shrubs and becomes increasingly adorned with untamed grasses and wildflowers, most notably daisies and lavender, as you make your way back. The herbage sways in the ever present breeze, mixing the briney, oceanic, seaside scent with sweet florals and dew. The sun, now casting a warm orange-pink glow over your surroundings.

You adjust your gaze back to the path ahead of you and note the rustic, white, wooden fence that marks the edge of your property. It's old and overgrown, grapevines and flowers littering the chipping panels, but it's home and seeing it brings you comfort, knowing you'll make it back before the sun fully sets. Pressing his sides, you usher Étoile to walk a little faster, anticipating your arrival.

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Walking up the driveway, and passing the cottage and gardens, Étoile directs his trajectory to the barn. It's a medium sized 3 stall barn with double sliding doors and chipping white paint similar to the fences that line the property. Creeping vines and flowering shrubs line the base. Étoile stops in front of the doors so you can hop off his back, and walk him the rest of the way in the barn.

You flip the light switch, the bulbs casting a warm yellow glow, and set down the picnic basket before opening the door to Étoile's stall for him. He gladly enters his stable and waits patiently for his dinner. You fetch him a large stack of hay and his grain bucket and bring it to his stall, setting the hay in the corner and dumping the grain in his feeder.

"Goodnight my little star," you sing, offering him a sugar cube and some gentle scratches. "Sleep well."