---

A letter had come. But it did not require her leave. Instead, it asked for an abled male body within the household. She couldn’t will herself any of the active caretakers of the house to go while under the impression that Ira-Gula had since retired from the militia when appointed as her guardian.

Envy’s bridle nestled loosely in her hand, taking an evening stroll through the settling outskirts of Kaisermont, making her way back home. Events replaying in the back of her head like a broken record whilst wondering if she could have gone about things differently. Her attention elsewhere despite the usual gossip that would have usually been caught in passing despite some pitiful excuses of whispers. The raven Friesian mare accompanied her and nestled comfortably upon the saddle was the peculiar feline that had managed to find its way to her company once more. 

How long will you be away? The question echoed from the recent conversation she had with the senior. Ira-Gula’s expression softened with what looked like a hint of remorse whether or not she was able to catch on to it then.

I’ll be back before y’know it Avvie. Promise you won’t make the house maids fret?

There was a rise and fall of her shoulders. For someone who was not expressive in her emotions, Ira-Gula knew the young maiden well enough to see that she was unhappy with the draft. 

“The world is unkind far too often.” Came a soft whisper, lithe fingers gently tightening Envy’s bridle, continuing her trek, dismissing the judgmental eyes of passer-bys.

---

Avarice wondered the well-being of her mother in her absence. How much time did her mother need in her time of grieving and mourning? Was she faring well during the nights when the moon shone at its fullest? A secret the mother had wanted to keep away from her albino daughter only for the discoveries to be unfortunate enough to where her life was nearly taken in a blind, wild fury. Avarice bore the scarring in a ringlet near and around her neck with the bitter reminder. Envy’s reigns had grown slack as her thoughts wandered, never once holding resentment. The impression that such events would have inevitably played out – that it just happened to be that once upon many seasons ago.

You dessserved it, didn’t you? The whispers came in a silent, hushing hiss through her ears, falling upon no others but her own. The pale maiden simply did not react, as cherry blossom gaze quietly settled on the path ahead of her. The raven painted mare made – at best what Avarice could describe – combination between a grumble and a half-whinny with her weight shifting. The feline contently tucked upon her lap seemed otherwise unphased proving to have no intentions of moving. Such actions pulled Avarice out of her own thoughts as her grip suddenly, subconsciously, tighten her hold of the reigns. “Envy—“ she started until attention was drawn to the stumbling maiden.

Blank freckled expression remained save the slight rise of pale brows. F-forgive me! I wasn't watching where I-I was going. Avarice simply blinked, uncertain how to address the stranger maiden. “Are you injured?” Something her mother may have asked, perhaps. One hand freed, gently rested upon Osmanthus’ skull. The Friesian mare turned with intentional purpose to invade the others’ personal space and flared her nostrils. “Envy, do not be rude.” Avarice sighed, tugging the bridle – not yet taking notice to the small fluffy canine in the strangers grasps.

---

Avarice was often looked down upon with an underlying scowl by others. She did not hold much emotion in her face and often times came across off putting, while some would have gone so far enough to say she was either rude or nothing more than a walking shell. Such words never did find her ears at first. And even if they did, the young cherry blossom maiden did well to ignore them because it wasn’t the last she heard of them. Oh, no! I’m f-fine, my lady. Dusted rose gaze merely blinked, feeling her skin crawl ever so slightly. Such formalities did not seem befitting for the likes of the albino maiden – at least in her mind. “Osmanthus,” she muttered to the feline, gently nudging him from her lap then. He may have moved all of two inches, at best.

She sighed softly, making due with what she was given to dismount her equine less than gracefully so. Usually there was assistance at her side but the guardian was away on the draft. Avarice smoothed out her outfit, clearing her throat; “You needn’t be so formal with me miss.” She hummed casually. One hand kept a slack hold of Envy’s bridle who had already made her point to shove her nose into the others’ face without warning. This of course had led to the gentle scold to the pale maiden’s lips. Avarice could not help but notice the slight height difference between herself and the stranger. The way she dressed – was she a noble? A clawing uncertainty tugged at her chest, wondering if she was even worth this ones time? Her father had land, sure, but Avarice ensured she knew her place as an outcast despite her mothers wishes.

May I be allowed to p-pet Envy? The Friesian’s ears flicked as if listening to the request, dark eyes watching expectantly like an eager child for its mothers’ permission. Avarice simply nodded; “Of course.” Though the mare was already nudging at the stranger with her slender nose. Hooves clopping against the earth as she inched closer, hardly knowing a stranger. She was an odd one for as far as Avarice was aware, most mares had a rather ornery personality. Not to say Envy didn’t because she most certainly did especially out in the pastures, but she was incredibly sociable.

“She likes the attention,” Avarice hummed idly. “Sometimes a little too much, I think.”

---

The maiden addressed herself as Arabella. It was a pleasant sound on the tongue, a pretty one too, Avarice thought. It was fitting for someone who dressed in such regality. The albino maiden did not feel the need to have formalities in place. It felt odd to be addressed such. She wondered if they were lost, or, perhaps there was someone rounding the corner. Avarice had taken it upon herself to escape the worrisome sights of her house maids despite Ira-Gula’s plea to refrain from causing them worry. Envy needed to stretch her legs, she considered the excuses despite the fact that the Friesian had an entire pasture with the company of a male bay to freely roam. ..Th-thank you, miss. Oh, right introductions — “Avarice.”

Her gaze shifted towards the raven painted mare and the lazy feline perched sleepily upon her saddle. A vacant seat since claimed. She wondered if Osmanthus did this to Theo too. It felt rude to disturb the feline for now. In the meantime, Envy was contently soaking in the attention by the blonde stranger. As Avarice mentioned, she oftentimes relished in it almost too greedily. I’m glad she d-does. Avarice glanced to the maiden who called herself Arabella. Curious of the stammer, but otherwise unbothered by it. I love the horses. I d-don't get close to them very oft-ten.

Pale brows knitted, uncertain how to respond to such a statement. But perhaps it was a normalcy. Maybe her schedule was a little stricter keeping her away from some leisure. Are you from here? “Ah, I was born in Dunmeath.” She answered simply, disregarding the heaviness of that statement. “But I live between here and the Wilds – enough land for Envy to roam comfortably. And you?”

---

The history of Dunmeath was one she had experienced once upon a time. Forever etched in the back of her mind between the upset of her mother and the surging fires that tore through as well as those who aided in the dangers at hand. Avarice’s expression remained ever unchanged despite this notion. A pleasure to meet you, Miss Avarice. Cherry blossom pink eyes blinked as if pulled away from the trenches of her thoughts before continuing on sharing tid-bits of information. Gaze fell slightly towards the little white fluffy canine caught in Arabella’s grasp. She couldn’t help but wonder if they were companions like Osmanthus and Theodred. Behind her, she could hear the feline let out a purring yawn, simply readjusting his weight comfortably. Avarice would be lying if she said she wasn’t eager to share with Theo, of the feline’s adventures and his whimsical antics, she liked to call them.

I live i-in Odersten. Avarice simply nodded, finding it of no surprise as she only assumed most with wealth, often lived closer or within the capitol. Is it far to your h-home? Isn’t it dangerous to travel r-right now? The pale maiden hummed in idle thought considering the distance between where she stood versus the estate where she resided. That’s very brave. Was not what she was told whenever she returned to fretting house maids or an agitated Ira-Gula. Though in late it was merely just the house maids and she did loathe those worrisome hens. Though, if her mother were around she probably would be just as concerned. “It probably is, but—” Avarice simply shrugged in nonchalance. “I’ll deal with the repercussions later I suppose. But I wanted to take Envy out for a walk.”

She motioned towards the little fluffy canine. “Is this one yours?” Her head tilted slightly, allowing the pale loose curls to sweep against her freckled cheeks. “What’s their name?”