Monster Family: Secret Gift

.:~Hokova's Secret Gift~:.




The mountain air was laced with a spring essence touch, still holding onto the crisp coldness of winter while allowing the pleasant promise of warm summer air twine in between. Though the tendrils of warmth still clung desperately to the air, it began to slowly fade more and more with the gradual setting of the sun. It's last rays of light turning the blue sky into a breath-taking collage of oranges, pinks and indigos. The intense vibrant colours of light bathed the plain of flat land lush with spring-time fresh grass, turning it a colour that only nature itself could perfect. On the very edges of scene bathed in light, where the grass met trees, where the plain met forest; the shadows of the evening slowly began creeping back to life, taking residence on the earth as they do every night.

There was no wind, it was calm and still but not soundless. The echoes of life pulsed everywhere, in the crickets that played their violin-legged song, the birds that blessed the ears with their melodious cries, the rustle of untamed nature everywhere. A perfect night to go riding.

Kathrine smiled in satisfaction at how compliant the weather was this evening before the curve moulded. Taking on a form of pure delight as the tickling sensation of soft whiskers danced against her cheek, the muzzle of one of her beautiful horses nuzzling against her cheek in affection. Giving off a laugh, she brought one hand up to push the whiskered muzzle away before responding to the animal in a voice that most women only used when they spoke to babies. Her head rested against its own, the hand on its muzzle moving to brush against the hairs of the horse's neck. They stayed like this for a small manner of moments before the horse dipped its head, suddenly realising the lush green grass that folded beneath its hooves.

Kathrine took the opportunity to look of her shoulder to check on the other horses and their assigned riders. The first thing that came into her line of sight was Flicka's pale, undead face filled with so much joy that Kathrine was worried it might split in two yet again. The she-zombie was currently scurrying from horse to horse, taking her time thread her fingers through their combed manes and interact with them with a delighted awe and melancholy of events long passed.

The next thing that caught Kathrine's attention was the incredibly bright, attention-grabbing western cowgirl outfit that Annie wore. Complete with a plaid shirt of a soft baby blue and white, a tan cowgirl hat and matching shin-length boots that would put a true western to shame. Kathrine contemplated whether or not to tell Annie that while the enthusiasm was appreciated, the costume get-up wasn't really necessary. She decided against it when she realised that Annie seemed quite proud of her clothing choice.

Tony, ever stoic as usual, was silently going back and forth between the small group and the large stable that stood as tall and proud as much as the castle it belonged to. The age-old vampire disappearing into the shaded darkness of the wooden and stone archways before appearing back into the light, arms full with saddles and bridle gear alike.

Jason seemed to have his attention preoccupied as well. Although instead of the horses, enthusiasm, or the excited and endless conversation that Annie and Flicka were engaged in; his attention was focused solely on the sparks of fire that crackled to life at the snap of his fingertips. Flames licked the air, greedily drinking in the oxygen that the mountain air provided, bursting in an explosion of colour and warmth. Kathrine swore that she nearly had a heart attack.

She shot him a fierce glare, eyes laced with hardened steel. The flames died out. Satisfied but still not convinced, Kathrine kept her eyes trained on Jason for just that slight second longer. Making sure that he didn't try anything funny and scare away one of her horses. She doubted he would though. Her wrathful reaction towards him when he did it the first time was enough to send him cowering and the warning forever burned into memory. Once sure that the fire demon wouldn't try anything funny, Kathrine finally turned her eyes to the smallest, and youngest, of the group.

Rebecca gazed at the powerful beast before her, eyes wary and filled with reluctance by its sheer size and majesty. Kathrine on the other hand, merely gave an amused little smile as her fingers threaded through the mare's matted mane, quickly getting snared by the knots that were tangled throughout the strong stands of hair. She made a mental note to later run a sturdier comb through it once the horse had retired for the day. When the mare gave a slight shake of its head, lifting it high up into the air with anticipation; Rebecca flinched slightly, taking an unconscious step back. Kathrine resisted the urge to chuckle at the young vampire's behaviour, she was acting the same way Kathrine had when she was first introduced to horses. Wary and ready to run in the opposite direction if the towering beast proved to be unfriendly; but an intense fascination burned in her eyes when staring at these powerful beings. "She won't hurt you, Rebecca, dear Juliette adores girls, prefers them over boys every single time," Kathrine reassured, her soft and calm words coaxing Rebecca back to the now-calm horse, hand reaching out hesitantly, as if asking permission to touch the animal's soft fur. Noticing her slight hesitation, Kathrine continued, "And she adores to be pet, she would stand here all day whilst being brushed if you let her." With that, Rebecca quietly surged forward and brushed her fingertips against Juliette's forehead. The mare was instantly putty in the girl's hands. Taking joy in Rebecca's delighted expression, and new confidence in her eyes that lead her to stroke her hands through Juliette's coat more thoroughly, Kathrine turned to see the progress of the others.

She honestly didn't know how to react to the scene before her. It was a mixture of both positive and negative events.  Firstly Jason yelling in complaint, his finger pointing accusingly at Anne-Sophie, a short and somewhat sassy palomino horse that was prided for her sound-breaking speed, yelling something about the horse having nearly bit his head off. To his defence, his hair did look unusually ruffled. Annie and Flicka had taken their enthusiasm to a whole new level as they were bellowing a country western song at the tops of their voices, fabulously ignoring the irritated snapping and glares that came from Tony's direction.

Thankfully enough, the horses seemed to be oblivious to the up roaring racket around them as they were happily focused on eating the fresh spring grass without a solitary care in the world.  Leaving Rebecca and Juliette to their own devices,  both of whom were getting along rather swimmingly as Juliette instantly fell in love at the first stroke of Rebecca's tiny hands, Kathrine began gathering the horses one at a time, bringing them to the neat pile of bridle gear that lay close to the stone-lined mouth of the stable. Eventually, Tony seemed to have given up on trying the quieten the she-demon and zombie's voices, instead strolling over to help Kathrine with saddling the horses.  

Kathrine felt a curious downward turn of the lips mar her face, eyes focused on the expert way Tony was saddling his own horse, Mathias. The stallion remaining as quiet as his rider, sculpted muscle of his powerful body hidden underneath an abyssal black coat, each fine hair sucking in the light rather than holding its shine. "I never realised you knew so much about saddling horses," the succubus finally commented, her tone light; even when her eyes wandered from checking one of the stirrup straps to the poker-faced vampire, one finely shaped eyebrow arching in question. The dead-panned look that Tony shot her was incredibly amusing, "I've lived for nearly 900 years...." he said, stating the fact as if it explained every action he did.

Kathrine fought the urge to scoff, half amused and half annoyed by his abrupt reply. However she did not linger on the thought, knowing that Tony was never one to idly chat about his past. Instead she busied herself with trying to pull the dried clumps of mud and dirt that Anne-Sophie had mysteriously gotten overnight. A flash of movement, a dance baby-pink and milk-chocolate brown out of the corner of her eye, and Kathrine's attention turned back to the young vampire-girl and her horse, noting that the girl had successfully captured Juliette and was leading her to the succubus right now.  Though it probably wasn't a great task for Rebecca anyway, the mare was hopelessly besotted with the girl.

Leaving Anne-Sophie in the care of Tony, who gave a fraction of a flinch when the horse put her mouth dangerously near his head, Kathrine rummaged around in the tangled mess of bridles before finally wrestling Juliette's free from the knotted leather and rope. With quick and sure hands, she was able to slip the bridle over the horse's head in a matter of seconds, one hand fiddling with the straps, making sure the bit was in the right place while the other reached into her jean pocket, handing Rebecca a wooden brush that had such a glossy coat that it gleamed like syrup. "Brush Juliette down while I see to the others."

Rebecca took the brush, bringing it up to stoke against Juliette's side once. Just once. The mare all but collapsed. Eyes almost closing, stature sagging into so much relaxation that it was envious.   Rebecca gave a giggling laugh, brushing strokes becoming more enthusiastic. Kathrine just had to smile at the undoubtedly adorable scene, incredibly happy and slightly smug that Rebecca had taken to horses so well. Well that was another 'Na-Na-Nanana I win!' to Tony's face.

Speaking of Tony, the usually poker-faced vampire was already heading over towards his young sister and her mare, saddle and cloth in hand. Seeing as Tony would be undoubtedly persistent in helping Rebecca alone,  Kathrine turned her focus to the two remaining horses. Only to find that the two became a one; Annie and Flicka's massive Clydesdale horse, Jacqueline, vigorously being saddled by Annie, who was under the instructions of the ever helpful Flicka. Relieved that the eager zombie was making her task that much easier, Kathrine felt a warm, whiskered and all-too-familiar muzzle snuggle its way into the curve of her neck. She couldn't stop the delightful laugh that bubbled from her throat, from her beating heart filled with so much joy and love. Idly raising a hand to brush it's fingertips against the velvet softness of hair and flesh, she turned to finally, finally face her own horse. Her beautiful, graceful, proud and strong Céleste.

Céleste snickered softly in response, slanted earth eyes reflecting so much love as she buried her nose further into Kathrine's hand, baby-soft whiskers tickling her palm. "I'm sorry I've been so late, had to take care of the others first," Kathrine explained, voice soft as if she were talking to her most treasured, blessed child. Céleste gave a shake of her head and a somewhat haughty snort, as if to say 'about time you got here'.  Kathrine laughed, well aware that her mare had been impatiently waiting for a ride since this morning's first light. "Yes, yes, I'm sorry, I'm here now aren't I," she teased, her eyes trained on Céleste even as she rummaged through the tangle of bridles to find her horse's own. In turn, Céleste gave another snort, this one rumbling deep in her chest; long, velvet-soft ears of pure white twitching at every sound.  Striding forward, Kathrine gave a short kiss on the tip of her mare's muzzle before slipping the bridle on, the saddle cloth and matching saddle being thrown over her back not soon after. As her hands busied themselves with adjusting the leather bound seat, Kathrine threw a reprimanding glance at her horse, knowing full well that the mare could see her, "Now you behave while the other horses are around, alright? Don't turn this into another one of your races," she scolded, knowing her mare well enough that she would try and outshine the other horses around her. Céleste threw her the most dead-panned look a horse could possibly pull and gave a snicker of consent; though not too very happy that she couldn't show off in front of the others.  

Cinching up the last strap of Céleste's saddle, the mare's disappointed snicker turning into one of excitement of the soon to be ride, Kathrine peered over the saddled wither to see the progress of the others. Thankfully finding that no that no further damage had been done when she was busy with her own horse.

Jason seemed to have mounted his horse without any troubles, although Kathrine almost laughed when she saw his pouting face, mumbling something under breathe about Anne-Sophie having bit him again. The mare merely snorted in response, whether from affection or annoyance, Kathrine didn't know. Annie was currently helping Flicka onto Jacqueline's massive form, standing on the very tips of her boot-clad toes as she pushed the zombie onto the silent mare's large back, minding to be careful lest any of Flicka's fragile limbs should fall.

And of course, Kathrine was not surprised to see Tony helping Rebecca mount her horse, looking every bit like a father helping his little 5-year-old daughter onto her first ever pony. To think that the big, bad 900-year-old vampire was hopelessly fussing over someone so much younger and weaker than him. It both touched and amused Kathrine to no end.

"Just remember that you don't have to go fast. And slightest sign of discomfort, just tell me," his voice reaching Kathrine's ears once she had wondered closer; Céleste following obediently behind her. The heart-felt opportunity was just good to ignore.

"Yes Tony, you've told me," Rebecca reassured, no longer looking as nervous as she once had. Perhaps Tony's nervousness was enough for the both of them? Either way, Kathrine just had to step in.

"Don't worry Tony, Rebecca has the quietest, safest, most bomb-proof horse our stables have. She'll be as safe as safe can be," Kathrine assured, trying with all her might not to chuckle, or even smile as Tony sent a dark look her way; knowing full well that she was indirectly teasing him. Giving one last look at Rebecca, he finally hoisted her up onto Juliette; the girl's slender leg swinging over the saddle with a grace that could only be achieved by dancing. After a shared look between the two vampires that spoke a thousand words that no one but they could understand, Tony finally let go of Rebecca and left to find his own horse. Kathrine watched on in silence as Tony departed, if anything to make sure that he didn't turn around to look back at his younger sister with each step he took.

When Tony was far away enough, Kathrine turned to face Rebecca, who was shifted restlessly in her saddle, hands fiddling with the reins as if she had no idea what to do with them. It was adorable. She leaned over Juliette's saddled wither, hands scooping up the braided rope reins and crossing them over like she had done a thousand times before. She held it together with one hand, then, with the other, reached over to grasp one of Rebecca's so much smaller hands. Her fingers curled over Rebecca's knuckles, pushing the vampire's into a fist; causing them to curl around the rope.

"Like this, little one. Hold the reins like this; keep them close to the neck," she instructed, pushing the hands down, pressing the palms into the wither, "Now, to move her forward just give her a touch at the side with your heels. To make her stop just pull on the reins, simple as that." Rebecca nodded, face once again beginning to set into one of nervousness, hesitantly shifting her legs, heels tapping at the mare's ribs. Juliette surged forward, beginning the pace at an easy walk, movements slow and gentle, allowing her rider to guide her in a small circle. Rebecca's confidence grew with each step to horse took, eventually leading Juliette into a faster pace with long strides and wider circles.

It was then that Kathrine realised that everyone was one their mount except her. All at once excitement churned deep within her gut, butterflies of the most amazing kind brushing their wings against her insides. A wonderful, colourful taste bloomed in her mouth, dancing across her tastebuds. Adrenaline pulsed within her; a living, breathing sensation that yearned for the familiar feeling of flying upon the earth. A gentle nudge against her arm, Kathrine did not need to turn to know it was Céleste-she could feel her horse's radiating warmth from miles away. "Yes, yes, I know, I know," she said, moving to gather the reins in one hand, the other clasping onto the curved edge of the brilliantly crafted saddle. Céleste snickered once more, urging her to hurry, leg muscles twitching in anticipation.

She mounted Céleste in one smooth motion, a simple grip of the saddle, haul of the arm and swing of the leg. There was no need for any clicking of a tongue, urge of the reins, or even the tap of a heel, the horse knew that her rider was ready. So she went. Surging forward in a display of speed and power, easily breaking into a fast gallop that allowed them to pass the others as if they were standing still.

The long, thin stalks of grass and spiked grains of wild wheat folded smoothly beneath the unbreakable strength of Céleste's thundering hooves; the horse's path parting the wall of grass to create a valley in the plain of endless green. The sun's light had faded even more now, disappearing behind the mountain terrain and the pale moon slowly ascended to take its place in the darkening sky. The first few evening stars were already doted across the canvas of deep indigo black, clusters of twinkling lights appearing by the second. The untainted white hairs of Céleste's fine coat shone like a brilliant beacon in the dark, mixing with the silver-lined hair of her luxurious mane in a blinding tangle of brightness.

Kathrine inhaled deeply, holding the breathe as her eyes easily slid shut; the pounding rhythm of her horse's movement matching with the beating of her heart. One beat. Two beat. Back and forth. Back and forth. Rolling and loping like gentle waves of the sea. It was a rhythm better than any song, melody calmer than any lullaby. Wind washed against her face, a cool blast of air that was both nipping and refreshing; causing her hair to whip behind her like a flag of silken golden brown. Over the sharp whistle of wind brushing against her ears, she could faintly hear Jason's loud sputters of surprise, shouting something about her not waiting up. Above the demon's yelling, she could hear the loud 'whoop' of both Flicka and Annie's voices; the thunder of Jacqueline's massive hooves meeting the earth as the Clydesdale ran after the smaller form of Céleste.

Three steady hoof-beats that matched the beating of her heart, and the others caught up to her; despite Céleste's annoyed snicker and chagrin expression, ears flattened against her skull in irritation. The rode together in a fine line, a march of powerful beings and their riders; earthly colours dancing in the night, steady thunder rumbling beneath their feet. A bubbling feeling of joy filled Kathrine's chest, wrapping around her heart and tickling her ribcage, causing a delighted laugh to escape her lips. Deep, vibrant colours of black and brown with deep purple danced in the corner of her eye.

"How do you feel?" she called over the gust of the wind, sparing a glance at the zombie and she-demon, their usually small statures towering over the others with the help of the gentle giant they were astride. An excited look in those usually glazed eyes and a wide grin that nearly split Flicka's face in two.

"Great. Absolutely wonderful!" the zombie called back, voice volume rising to battle against the sharp whistle of the wind, "Thank you so much!"

Though there really was not need for gratitude, Kathrine couldn't help but feel the delighted swell of pride that surged though her heart. Her very soul elating at the mere happiness the zombie just seemed to radiate at the moment. The joy Kathrine felt when she realised that she, herself, played a key part in bringing her friend this happiness was astounding, indescribable. The succubus was also incredibly pleased at Annie's joy at her first ever time riding as well; the she-demon standing as high as she could in the stirrups, the wind dancing in between tendrils of smoky black hair.

"It's actually not that bad," Jason grinned, a savage thing that displayed his glinting canines no matter what emotion it held, "Don't know why you didn't ask us to do this sooner."

Kathrine shook her head, yet couldn't find it in her to seek out any sort of annoyance, only deep amusement that made her lips split into a grin, a quip dancing on her tongue. "I suppose I didn't want you to get too many head injuries seeing as the horses have taken a particular liking to your hair," she called back over the piercing wind in her ears, the sensation sharp but not unpleasant, far too familiar for it to be a discomfort. Jason's grin faltered for a heartbeat of a second. Before it carved his face again, this time double the wickedness, "It's not my fault that I'm so loveable and adorable."

She could hear the snort from somewhere behind Jason, knowing all too well that it was Tony; she fought to keep from snorting herself. Before she could quip back a stinging retort, Rebecca piped up a complimenting, "Well I think they're lovely," followed by a endearing ruffle against Juliette's mane.

Jason responded with a pouting frown, "Not fair since you got the quietest horse of the lot, Kathrine probably chose her for you since she can't even canter."

As if sensing the demon's challenge, Juliette surged forward, moving just that little bit faster against the wind. The momentum making Rebecca surge backwards in surprise before she pulled herself forward, falling back into rhythm once more, her long hair like a flag as it fought against the whistling wind. Kathrine almost fell off Céleste laughing when she saw Tony nearly have a heart attack. A cheer rose up above the wind, Annie urged Jacqueline faster under Flicka's much enthusiastic encouragement, the mare's loping strides becoming more outstretched as she covered the distance at surprising speed. Alost immediately, Tony followed in pursuit,  pushing Mathias into an almost-gallop to catch up to Rebecca. Jason sputtered once more, surprise washing over his face before annoyance chased it away. Fumbling with his reins, he urged Anne-Sophie forward, yelling at the others to slow down.  

Kathrine smiled, watching as their shaded silhouettes intermingle with the darkness of the night. That smile then morphed into a playful little smirk as she leant down, pressing the side of her face into the length of Céleste's neck.

"Let's show them how a horse really runs," she whispered, causing Céleste the leap forward in a bursting surge of speed and power. Their breathtaking speed caused them to glide over the earth, allowing them to dance with the wind and momentum, allowing them to truly fly. They passed the others so quickly that they were a blur, a smudge of colours mixed with the shade of night; the sounds of their voices mixing together in one large song. Yet no matter how loudly the song played, their words fell on deaf ears as Kathrine and Céleste kept running. Passing the century old pines that cradled the land in a crescent curve, sinking into the open field of indigo blades of grass as far as the horizon could touch. They ran straight ahead-towards the horizon. Kept running until the horizon began the land underneath their feet. And after that, they still kept running.

Chasing the last golden remnants of the setting sun.