The smell of fresh hay and horses mixed together to create a strangely sweet aroma within the barn. There were few sounds echoing amongst the rafters of the large red barn. Many of the horses were out in the pastures running off energy or just lazily grazing at the grass. In fact, a certain mare would have been quite happy to be munching on the greenery but her owner had other plans in store.

Chailee Sterling, the owner of the beloved bay may, Willow, was decking the mare out for the Halloween parade that was taking place that evening. Thankfully it wasn't far from where Willow was stabled so Chailee was able to bring everything down here to get ready. To say she was excited about this affair was an understatement! Chailee had been planning her costume for this parade for a little over a month. It had gone through so many phases. Of course she had originally wanted to dress as a beautiful young princess riding side-saddle on her beautiful horse but decided that wouldn't work if she didn't have a prince to escort her. Then she thought of going spooky and dressing as the headless horseman, but Willow was far from being the ebony colored horse needed for that. Eventually she came up with what she thought was the best idea! Of course, she hadn't told Willow yet.

“Willow, stop moving around so much or I'll mess up the paint. You don't want to have smudged paint on you now, do you?” Chailee chided the horse with a smile as she slowly painted a green circle around the mares left eye.

Willow snorted and waited just long enough for Chailee to finish before dipping her head and snorting causing Chailee to laugh. “Alright alright, I won't paint anymore on your face. You know it'll just come off anyway when I hose you down later.”

Grabbing a jar of white paint and a large brush, Chailee painted her left palm and strategically placed it upon the mares side breast and proceeded to do the same on the other side with her other hand. The white color contrasted nicely with Willows bay coat.

“Just a few more spots and I'll be done! Then I can get washed up and changed into MY costume.” She winked as she picked up a small brush with red paint and proceeded to paint a few more shapes on the mare's hind quarters before calling it done. “Alright! I like how it came out!” She giggled to herself. “I hope this all comes together like I planned!”
Chailee left Willow tied in her stall so the mare couldn't move too much and smudge up the paint anywhere while it dried. The young girl promptly washed her hands in a large basin towards the front of the barn before grabbing a large bag she had brought with her.

“Alright Willow! I'll be right back! I swear I won't keep you tied in there too long!”

Slipping into an enclosed area that held some tack and a few other random things, Chailee slipped out of her jeans and sweater and slipped into the costume her mom had sewed up for her. Thankfully it hadn't been a tough costume to put together as she had her mom base it off a movie. As she slipped the costume on Chailee thanked whatever God there was for the warm evening they were having as the fringed suede dress did very little to keep her warm.

“I think the toughest thing will be getting my hair in this wig.” She wrinkled her nose at the thought but started the process. She carefully tucked her hair into a loose pony tail that, hopefully, wouldn't cause too much bulk and threw the wig on. Chailee took care to push any stray light locks up into the long black wig. Once happy with it she heaved a sigh of relief.

“Alright! Just make and shoes to go! And thankfully the make-up isn't much of anything.” Not much consisted of some eye liner to help make her eyes look a bit more exotic, matte brown eyeshadow, and masscacre. She then grabbed the suede moccasins she had purchased and slipped those on.

Stopping to look at herself in a cracked old mirror, Chailee grinned. “Ha! I look pretty good!” She did a little happy dance before shoving all of her clothes into the bag and stashing it in a corner. She grabbed a bow and a small quiver she had bought specifically for this costume and slung them onto her back.

“See Willow! We'll be quite a pair! I am a powerful maiden Indian and you will be my war horse!” She laughed as she walked out of the room and made her way to the mare. “Thankfully I can ride you bareback! We'll look so authentic!” Chailee practically squealed with delight as she untied Willow and set her up with a bit and halter.

“Alright! We don't have too much time left. We better get going! It'll take us about 15 minutes to get to the parade starting point from here.”

Using a step stool, Chailee mounted up onto Willow and directed the mare out of the barn. “Here we go girl!”

The two of them made their way to the parade, waving at people as they passed by. On their way they saw a few of the floats that other people had put together and other children getting decked out in costume. “I am sure we'll win the costume contest this year, Willow! I mean, last year I didn't have you with me.” She patted the mares neck, and Willows ears swiveled backwards to 'listen' to Chailee.

Finally they got to the area where people were lining up for the parade and Chailee looked around pointedly. “Mom! Mom!”

The woman Chailee had been calling turned at the sound of her daughters voice and smiled wide. It was easy to tell where Chailee got her spirited energy and smile from. “Chailee darling! You look wonderful! Willow definitely makes the whole thing come together.”

Chailee grinned. “Yea! You did awesome with the costume mom! Thanks! It looks just like Pocahontas's dress from the movie.”

“Thankfully you picked such an easy costume this year. I can't imagine how long it would have taken me to make that princess dress you wanted.”

“I know! But it would have been awesome! If only I had my prince charming.” Chailee said a little regretfully.

“Don't go rushing things now dear. You'll find your prince charming one day.” Her mom admonished. “Now, you better let someone know you're hear so you can get lined up! It won't be long until the parade starts. Your dad and I will be on the corner of 4th and north waiting for you.” The older woman gave Willow a pat on the shoulder before heading off.

“She's right, Willow. We better get lined up! This parade is going to be so much fun this year!” She clicked her tongue and gently tapped the mare's side with her feet. “Onward Willow! To our Victory!”


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