[Gift] Hello old friend

There are quite a number of things that can fill a child's mind with wonder- for Miriam, one of them was the idea of going to a horse show, with horses looking fancy and friends to be made and horses to see. And not just going there, but competing with her pony Charm. It was some type of pony games, but to her, it felt nothing short of competing at grand prix level. It was momentous, was anxiety inducing and exciting at the same time. 

Yet whatever emotional whirlwind toiled within Miriam, it was always soothed by the warm presence of Charm, who was never far. He bumped her arm, pressed his head against her chest, heavy and steadying. 

He looked quite dapper in his show outfit, with the thick, white mane and tail neatly braided, his hooves oiled and no trace of the usual fingerpaint on his greyed out coat. Miriam's first reaction to this sight had been to giggle. It felt so weird to see Charm in this getup, but pride had soon blossomed in her chest. He was looking very handsome and professional- though she honestly did prefer his usual, vibrant and wild look- this was great too. She probably looked tamed down as well, very orderly and felt quite a ways about the shiny show boots and sleek outfit.

Connor, her trainer but not trainer. Who was also like an older cousin but far from related- because he wasn't a professional, he was just experienced and a good teacher and very nice, and he'd also gentled Charm and taught him how life at a farm worked, and because of that he was one of Miriam's favourite adults- was there to support her and guide her, for which she was very grateful.

He was a bit similar to Charm, with a calming effect on people and always seemed to know how to master a situation. He did not have any sort of mystic aura like the proper mentors from the bazillion horse movies Miriam had seen, but she didn't miss it.

They took Charm for a walk before the warmup, he would surely enjoy the sun and some fresh air. Connor figured the same went for Miriam.

He plotted to take them by the pastures, where many ponies and smaller horses were roaming and meandering about. Some fancy types were to be seen, from old lineages and imported across the world. Then there were ponies from less high soaring birth, who were grazing just as happily as their expensive counterparts. They could do much pony-sightseeing there and he'd get to nerd out about breeds and coats for a bit, a win win.

Charm was looking at the other ponies with some mild interest, plodding alongside Miriam and more preoccupied with soaking up the warm spring sun. He was so close to Miriam in fact, that his whiskers occasionally tickled her cheek. She didn't notice it, was used to the sensation- something might have felt wrong otherwise and it was so fun to watch the ponies and horses in the fields. She wondered what their names and stories could be, maybe they won many ribbons or were just there for fun. 

When suddenly, she was pulled to a stark stop by the reins in her hands. Charm stood as if he'd grown roots and was stuck to the spot and acted strangely. His ears were pricked and interest in the other ponies grew, his nostrils flared and he pulled closer to the pastures. As if he saw a ghost or something similar and it was really unusual for him to act like this. His eyes were widened and looked as if he was afraid to lose whatever he just found, a rumble grew in the geldings throat and grew to a whinny. He called with unusual strength and volume and it confused Miriam quite a bit. She had never seen her best friend like this.

Connor placed a hand on her shoulder. 

"I reckon he's caught the scent of a horse he knows. Might be another teddy cob around and he seems to want to say hello badly."

Charms call was returned by a few animals from the herd, rather halfheartedly. But from the distance came a response with just as much strength. It was quite a way away. Miriam gripped the reins tighter and all ambition for the competition was forgotten, her friend needed something. She wasn't sure what it was or what they'd find and that didn't matter at all. 

"We're going there." She said and started marching, Charm following eagerly as he recognized the direction as the one he needed to go. Really, really had to be there as soon as possible and see. They picked their way along the pasture's fences and it suddenly seemed more convoluted and confusing than it ever had to be and time became a crawl. The sun felt too warm and the way too long for Miriam's little legs and Charm's eager almost-trot-but-still-walk. 

Miriam tossed the reins over her geldings neck and began to jog and hoped he'd be able to guide them better towards something only he could make out.

And he did. Charm managed to make his way to a pasture that looked very much like any other. Bunch of ponies milling about- except for one. A very small, grey pony stood by the fence and called and puffed. It even seemed to grow smaller the closer they got, until it looked like it was about 4 hands smaller than Charm himself. 

The two ponies touched their noses, huffed and breathed the others' scent in, to make sure it was true. 

Old memories resurfaced in Charms mind. Memories of a very different time, kindly old hands, a run down house and a smaller grey mare by his side. She was not always grey, he knew, they watched each other's colours change in those years and witnessed an old man grow very weary. And then everything changed, the old man and overgrown home and grey friend a memory. Charm had been returned to the teddy cobs range and grown just a little feral until tiny, loving hands had braided a pink ribbon into his mane and drawn little stars into his fur. 

He could not tell the mare this, if only. And if only she could recount what had happened to her in those years, where fate and human hands had taken and done unto her. The two rumbled and whickered greetings, greatly relieved to see one another again and not quite able to believe it.

“Theyre friends!” Miriam squealed, the ponies joy was infectous. “They have to meet again, right? Can we make playdates for them?”

Connor had taken a quick few snapshots of the ponies evident reunion and looking at them, was fairly ceetain it would be possible. “We will have to ask her owners, but I don't see why not. Maybe they can even tell us how they know each other!”