Welcome to Gaia! ::

It was past noon and the sun bore down unforgivably but a slightly cool breeze took the edge of the sun's heat. Svetlana leaned against the shaded side of her wagon home crunching into a juicy apple. She was dressed in her riding outfit of black leggings, boots, and corseted top. Her long dark brown hair was pulled back at the nap of her neck in a well plaited braid.

All around her the circus was busy with life as people practiced their acts and set up tents, homes, and other manners of circus life. The tent where food was cooked and served was buzzing with activity for lunch hour was at its peak and people came and went as they found time to grab a bite to eat before finishing up what needed to be done. Today they would be opening their tent to the people of Palisade to come and see the wonders of the world. Svetlana was nervous as usual and thought on her act and the order her tricks would be in, though in all reality what she did where not tricks by a type of weapon men did in her homeland once upon a time. Her brother had secretly taught Sveta the art. She smiled inwardly at the thought of her brother and the times they spent together training.

A soft nicker interrupted Svetlana and her thoughts. She looked up and to her left to find Bella Morte, her oldest mare and new mother who was named so because of her temper which was out of character with the Gypsy Vanner breed. The mare eyed her but most importantly, Sveta's apple. Svetlana merely sighed and held out the remains of her apple to the mare who ate it greedily.

"I spoil you too much but you do as I ask of you so I don't see the harm."

Bella Morte snorted and tossed her head.

Svetlana looked back towards the food tent and saw the circus owner and ringleader talking and they caught her eye. The ringleader nodded to her and gave her the sign that said she had an hour. Sveta tipped her head and went to go check her equipment for the mares. It was time to prepare and sneak in a few more minutes of practice. She did her act with two mares now, having recently buying a new mare and training her this was her first show with both. Her act was saved close to the end as a great finish so she had a little extra time to make sure the new mare was ready for this.

The hour had passed and she could hear the call for everyone to move towards the big tent. People where beginning to line up out front waiting to buy their ticket(s) and get in to see the show. This was it. But she held back as she didn't need to be there quite yet so she walked her mares around to loosen them up.

Bella Morte had proved to be a handful for just a short walk around the wagons and small tents. She snorted and huffed and stamped her feet and kicked out at a passing clown even. With an apology she pulled the two mares back to her wagon and tied them to a post. A small whinny came from nearby and Bella Morte tossed her head and snorted. But of course, Svetlana thought to herself, must be Aisling's feeding time. So Sveta went and pulled the filly around to her mother to nurse as they still had some time before they went on.

The show had yet to begin and there was still quite a few people out front buying their tickets. This was a bigger crowd than they usually got but this was the big city. Guess it was to be expected. Smells from the food tents out front wafted over to her and made her mouth water but she didn't eat before a show.

After watching the crowd for a moment she caught sight of a person riding a horse off to the side towards where she was. It wasn't one of the circus folks. Sveta crossed her arms in front of her and frowned. A bump at her side and she looked to find Aisling nuzzling up to her. The filly was all leg and a blue roan like her sire but marked somewhat like a past relation. She'd make a fancy ride in the ring once she grew up. Sveta scratched the filly between the eyes as they watched the strange rider enter their camp.

Sveta moved Aisling back to her little paddock and came around back around the wagon. The circus had started its show, most of the folks had gone into the big tent to watch the shows, others stayed outside working through the side shows and food and ale tents. They where loud as usual and blocked out more subtle sounds. Like the rider approaching.

Deftly, Sveta untied her two mares and turned them around. But immediately Bella Morte snorted and whinnied high. Having had a foal a few months ago she was not receptive and barely tolerated stallions even then. But Luludja was her cool, calm and collected self and rather she was receptive or not she kept that to herself. Guess she liked to keep the stallions guessing.

Sveta looked up from her horses and noticed the rider was close to her now and upon a tall stallion. Well that would explain Bella's attitude. Bella struck a foot out and snorted to make a point to the stallion so he didn't waste his time.

Gripping the lead rope tightly Sveta looked up at the rider who appeared to be female, "Can I help you?"