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TIMESKIPPING to after healing Delta

Leaving Dea's farm, Aila leaned heavily onto Maera's neck, nearly too exhausted and sore to hold herself up. She really had overdone it, but circumstances had not allowed her any luxury, not when a foal's life lay on the line. She was quiet, her eyes closed for a few minutes as Maera and Charli walked steadily home, but then she shot upright, wincing in pain, but shock and realization had put a bit of a new exhausted energy into her bones. "Oh my heavens..." She said, her voice trailing off. It was then that Maera began laughing at the humor from whatever she had gained from Aila's mind at her shock.

Aila looked over at Danny, her green eyes holding a bit of merriment. "Today is my birthday...." She said, her voice full of shock. How had the year gone by so quickly? So many events had happened, bad ones, good ones.. definitely good ones.. Her mind went to Danny.. Definitely good oens.

Aila chuckled through the kiss and beckoned for Danny to sit back upright before she fell off of Charli. "Its been an eventful birthday... I never thought I would be healing a horribly hurt foal on my birthday, nor did I think I would be hurting and exhausted." She smiled wryly, leaning against Maera's neck

Aila gave a small nod. She had only known Danny for a few days, but already it seemed like she had known this woman for a lifetime, and Danny was so considerate of Aila's mood, whether Aila actively showed it or not. "Thank you." She said softly.


{{timeskip to the next morning/}}

That night, Aila had sleepily and groggily insisted that Danny share a bed with her, both to save her from a troubled night's sleep, and so Aila herself could feel that comfort of having a trusted person next to her when she was so vulnerable. She didn't wake until the morning sun streamed through her window and into her eyes, nearly blinding her as she first opened them, but she quickly adjusted and sat bolt upright, realizing that the form that was supposed to be beside her was gone. Where was Danny? Fear gripped her heart, she didn't want Danny to leave. No she couldn't leave her, not like the others... this couldn't happen again. Her eyes watered as she looked about the room, half blind from sleep. Dannyyy...?" She croaked out in panic

Aila gave a brief nod before she tucked her face into Danny's shoulders and wrapped her arms around the girl who had gone missing. Her heart ached and she didn't know if she could bear for it to be broken again, but how could she articulate this fear to Danny.. should she even try to explain it? It was something that was difficult.. She'd been hurt so much.. and with Danny, she felt so vulnerable... It was hard to keep her tough facade on in front of the Skh'et.

Aila relaxed into Danny's hold, though her thoughts still whirled within her head. Always.. such a beautiful promise... one that the others had made her too... How could females be so cold and cruel to promise something so wonderful.. and then go back on the promise.. leaving a poor and broken farmer to tend to her wounds and be alone with her azrein... But Aila.. she wasn't alone.. Thalanir and Kyrielle kinda resided with her.. And Sebastian had been staying with her, until he and Manga decided to go to their own place because danger was getting too close to Aila's. And now.. now Aila had Danny.. and Danny was going to stay.. right?

She sagged wearily, and pulled away from Danny, wiping her eyes and the sleeve of her night shirt. "Thank you.." She said softly, keeping her eyes averted. After an awkward moment, she looked at the window and saw that the sun was already getting high in the sky, and realized that she needed to get up and get to work. The farm couldn't run itself, even with very helpful azrein around. But the azrein were getting older and taking care of their own families, and so more and more duties piled upon Aila's shoulder. She sometimes wondered herself how she was able to manage.