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sourlemonfox — [CV] The Pumpkin Tradition
Published: 2019-10-21 15:28:19 +0000 UTC; Views: 217; Favourites: 4; Downloads: 0
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It was a beautiful autumn day. The sky was a crisp, clear blue with fluffy white clouds and the sun shone brightly. The herd lazed around in the open, soaking up the sun’s rays for as long as possible before it was too late. Even Aloine stood in the sunshine, grazing by herself. Aisling’s interest in her had seemed to wane drastically and Aloine was finally coming out of her grief. Some days she even smiled or held a short conversation with another herd member.”I found one!” Windfola called out as she rolled a pumpkin forward with her nose.
”Oh good! I was worried we wouldn’t find any this year.” Winona cheered.
”Why do we need a pumpkin…?” Sansa asked, tilting her head in confusion.
”It’s tradition to find a pumpkin and gift it to another herd. In return, you have good fortune for the rest of the season.” Windfola explained with a smile.
By now, the rest of the mares had gathered around the pumpkin. It was a hefty thing for sure, bright orange with a tall, green stem.
”How do you decide where to bring it?” Pogoda asked curiously. ”Seems like a hassle to roll it all over the place.”
”Well, we usually locate a herd we’re friendly with. My daughter is with another herd not too far from here.” Windfola said with a grin.
”Oh good, we found a pumpkin!” Faramir said as he joined the group. ”Are you taking it to Buckeye’s herd, Windfola?” he asked.
Windfola nodded. ”Yes, I was just about to head out. Would anyone care to join me?”
”I’ll go.” Sansa said with a rare smile. ”This is odd, but seems fun.”
”I’ll go, too.” Pogoda chimed in excitedly. She was new to the herd and wanted to embrace every tradition.
”Loki will join you as an escort.” Faramir volunteered his Lieutenant.
Loki, who had been grazing nearby, flicked his ears at the sound of his name. ”Oy, what’ve I just been told to do?” he asked grumpily.
”You’re bringing these mares to a nearby herd so they can deliver this pumpkin. It’ll be fun for you!” Faramir said with a sly grin.
Loki grimaced, but didn’t argue further.
”Alright, no time like the present.” Windfola said cheerily as she began pushing and nudging the pumpkin along.
The four horses traveled slowly, accommodating the pumpkin, and chatted while they went. Loki mostly grumbled and muttered his responses, but Sansa, Windfola, and Pogoda all enjoyed each other’s company immensely. With Sansa and Pogoda being so new, Windfola found it pleasant to get to know them better while they walked. Sansa came out of her shell in a small group and Pogoda was always there with an entertaining anecdote from her family herd if the conversation lulled.
”Wait, your father is Leshy?” Loki asked with a quirk of his brow.
”Yeah! Do you know him?” Pogoda replied.
”Not personally, I’ve just heard rumors of his ruthlessness.” Loki muttered.
”That doesn’t sound like daddy...maybe you’re thinking of someone else.” Pogoda dismissed with a toss of her mane.
Loki made a noncommittal sound, unwilling to argue.
It took them until the sun was starting to set to finally scent out Buckeye’s herd. They’d taken turns rolling the pumpkin so no one became sore and their hard work had finally paid off. As they crested a small hill, they looked down to see the herd strewn around the small valley. Windfola let out a happy nicker and began trotting down, having already spotted her daughter. Nightingale looked up at the familiar sound and gasped happily, waddling at a trot to meet her mother. The two horses met and nuzzled each other’s necks and faces, Windfola cooing happily.
”Look at you! You’ll be a mother of your own soon!” Windfola crooned.
”Yes, I’m very excited.” Nightingale laughed. ”What are you doing here?” she asked, not that she was complaining.
”We come bearing a pumpkin.” Pogoda said happily as the aforementioned gourd rolled to a stop at their hooves.
”Oh, I remember this tradition! Yay!” Nightingale laughed again, nosing the orange gourd.
By now, Sansa and Loki had caught up as more members of Nightingale’s herd gathered around. She explained to the curious horses the strange tradition of pumpkin-giving to many chuckles. Buckeye himself came to join them.
”You’re all obviously more than welcome to spend the night here. I’m sure it was a long journey with this in tow.” he said kindly.
The four horses gratefully accepted his offer and prepared for the evening, chatting with the other herd members and getting comfortable. As the sun began to rise, they bid their farewells and headed home, sans pumpkin.
”That was so much fun!” Pogoda cried. ”I hope we find more pumpkins!”
Windfola chuckled at her enthusiasm. ”Well, the more pumpkins gifted, the more good luck for the coming season.”
The journey home was much faster, especially when they decided to race one another. Loki claimed he was going easy on them when Sansa beat him and the mares all rolled their eyes and laughed. As they reached the herd, they were greeted by, surprisingly, Aloine.
”How did the pumpkin giving go?” she asked in a quiet voice, attempting a smile.
”It went well.” Windfola replied, somewhat awkwardly.
She and Aloine had never gotten along, and that fact still lingered in the air between them.
”I’m glad to hear it.” Aloine said as she wandered off again.
Windfola sent a silent plea to the sky that Aloine would continue to heal with time. She needed the pumpkin’s good fortune most of all.
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