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Points: 23





She kept slapping and hitting at the wolves until finally they stopp0ed trying to get to her and her father and feel back.

"Dad we need to stop the horse. Grab the reins or something."

The next sound she heard was rushing water. Cold rushing water to be exact. Wonderful she always wanted to swim in freezing water. Not!!

"Hold on Dad."

The carriage went into the water and cold water started to fill the carriage. But the horse was making progress toward the other side of the river. Kaileen was a cold and shivering. But at least they were almost to the other side.

((105))

Etoile had seen horse-drawn carriages before, at least on TV, but she'd never actually seen one up close, let alone been on one of them. She hadn't actually planned on being outside in the snow, but she had gotten bored and gone out exploring for a change. Curious, the Mauvian had found herself drawn to the line of people waiting for a ride, and, even though she couldn't quite express her intentions out loud, ended up waiting in line with the others.

Finally, it was her turn, or maybe not necessarily her turn as much as the last set of riders before her were finished, and there seemed to be no humans waiting for a turn, so the kitten climbed her way up onto the carriage, paying no heed to the idea that maybe kitties like her weren't permitted onboard, with no major trouble at all. As she made herself at home on the seat cushion, Etoile spotted a little red bird perched on the edge, singing a little tune to the little cat. Thankfully, she wasn't a cat that was interested in hunting small animals, but rather, eating sweets and candy, and so the bird was spared to live another day.

As she waited for the ride to begin, Etoile noticed that she had been joined by... another cat! Another cat, just like her, though she wasn't certain she had ever seen him before, though it wasn't as if she ever really committed to memory any of the cats she had seen around HQ before.

"Hello!" she chirped happily, though quietly, so that the driver wouldn't overhear.

Total points is 33

As another carriage arrived Kaileens father helped her out of the one they were in. The driver of the other carriage took the reigns and looked them over.

"Are you guys OK? Get inside mines there are extra blankets."

Kaileen and her father got inside and they slowly made their way back.

What an adventure. Kaileen looked over at her father. She wouldn't want to have such an adventure with any one else.

((73))
((973))

How charming! And gentlemanly! Etoile beamed with delight as Bernard bowed to her, happy to make a new friend. "My name is Etoile!" she greeted, cheerfully, "It's very nice to meet you, Bernard."

The driver left, unnoticed to the two cats, but apparently the horse had other plans, for the carriage started to take off without the driver, leaving the two kitties still onboard. While not an easily spooked cat, Etoile was still caught offguard by this motion, and while scrambling to grab a hold of something, fell backwards, bumping against the back of the carriage. Oh no!

"Oh yes, I hope this is a fun adventure," she told Bernard, after she had recovered from her little incident, and followed suit with digging her claws into the seat, so as to not go flying off again.

Prompt 2 - Rides Will Resume Shortly... Woah! Wait!

Pulling the provided blanket onto your lap, it's time for your ride to begin!

…… or it would be, but your driver is quickly dismounting from his seat, apologizing profusely as he feels the need to visit the restroom prior to leaving. Ah, well, a few minutes wait won't hurt, right?

Your horse seems to think otherwise, though, as not seconds after the driver reaches for the horse's reins to tie them up, the stallion seems to be spooked by something that no one else sees. With a terrified whinny, he rears up and begins a sprint - carrying you behind in tow!

It looks like your adventure is beginning - but without a driver!

7-10: The sudden breeze whooshes through your hair, somehow making it look even more beautiful than it already looked. Although you've been tossed into a startling situation, you're at least comfortable beneath the thick blanket as the carriage goes careening down the hill.

Roll Count = 6 + 10

Settling herself into her seat and under the provided blanket, Myth vaguely heard the carriage driver apologizing and mentioning the bathroom. Well, it made sense, really. Who knew how many rides he'd been through since the last time he might've relieved himself. And if it were me, she thought, I'd wait til the last group was off and the new group on and getting settled for my pee break. All perfectly logical.

What was far less logical was the sudden terrified whinny from the horse as it reared before bolting in fright from something Myth couldn't even see.Bumping along in the cart, she could feel her hair moving in the sudden breeze created by the horse's run. She couldn't see what was happening, but she imagined that it looked very dramatic and amazing.

And hey, the provided blankets were pretty thick, so she was warm and protected (for the moment) from being bruised black and blue from being jostled around. Closing her eyes, all Myth could do was hold on grimly and hope that the horse would calm down soon.

181 words

Prompt 4 - Wolves? No one said anything about wolves...

Just as you think you've made your way out of the worst of the forest, a series of ominous howls close by assures you that you definitely have not seen the worst. It doesn't take long for the wolves to appear from within the shadows. Golden eyes and snarling fangs begin the chase - whether they're going after your poor horse or after you is still yet to be determined.

Let's just hope your horse still has some energy left in him to get you out of this bind.

1-3: Leaning over, you decide the best course of action is to toss out any unnecessary items to help lighten the load. While it was a good idea in theory, one especially hungry wolf decides that your flailing hand is the perfect target for its next meal. You're able to draw back your hand quick enough but not fast enough not to get a pretty nasty bite -- oh no!!!

Roll Count = 6 + 10 + 4 + 3

Feeling a chill ripple down her spine as the first howl echoed through the forest, Myth went cold. Wolves? There were goddamned wolves out here?!? Scrambling from the protective blanket cocoon, she leaned over the edge of the cart and began cursing. She could see the long, loping bodies racing out of the shadows of the forest. And even worse, she could clearly see their golden, hungry eyes.

Nevermind that wolf packs weren't supposed to attack people. Especially people in a big wooden cart with a panicky horse attached. Clearly, these wolves had not gotten that memo. And even Myth knew that adrenalin could sustain the horse's flight for only so long. She couldn't ask people to jump off to lighten the load, but she could damn sure try to help by throwing out extra blankets and loose bits and bobs.

Myth even managed to get a good few things tossed out before one wolf had managed to get close enough to not only see her hand was within range, but to take the opportunity presented. Later, she would truthfully say that she hadn't seen the wolf as she drew back her hand. Not even realized how close it had been until she felt large, sharp teeth sinking into her forearm and tearing flesh.

Screaming and falling back into a seat, Myth stared at her torn and bleeding arm incredulously. Could this ride get any more bizarre or any worse?

240 words

Prompt 6 - At least the horse knows its way...

As the stallion leaves the river and climbs his way back up onto the banks, he seems to finally be tuckered out from all of the excitement and exercise. Although his trot is significantly slower, the animal seems to know where it's going and soon you're approaching a small field with an array of flowers - an odd sight to see in the middle of winter but it's there, nevertheless.

As the beast comes to a halt to begin munching on a few of the colorful flowers, a small, sparkly burst of color zips by your head and for a second, you wonder if your tired mind is playing tricks on you.

4-6: There's a small giggle in the air but like the light, it vanishes without a trace. Your horse seems relatively more soothed than the beginning of your adventure and for the first time in what feels like forever, you're able to relax in your cart.

Roll Count = 6 + 10 + 4 + 3 + 1 + 4

Coming to as the horse finally, finally began to slow down, Myth sat up groggily and watched as the horse slowly trotted into a flower field and then stopped to graze. Pulling herself back into a seat, she draped her injured arm over the side and just watched the horse, brain too tired to wonderful why she was looking at flowers in the middle of winter.

She was beginning to relax herself and was allowing her eyes to close when a small, burst of color zipped by her head. Sitting bolt upright, Myth wondered what was going to attack them next. The light had vanished and the horse certainly seemed calm enough. As she looked around warily, Myth heard a tiny, friendly enough giggle echo through the still air. But since she couldn't spot the person laughing, she gave up. Besides, it was so nice to sit and relax and not have to worry about being drowned or eaten alive.

160 words