SplashyHorse

Once upon a time, there was a magnificent creature known by the name SplashyHorse. True to its name, this horse was indeed quite splashy. If she could, she would splash all day, every day. In fact, she usually does. On the rare occasion that she is not splashing, she is likely spending time with her fiance, JHaller. Unfortunately, this tale is not all splashes and giggles. Neigh, the tale brought before you today is a tale filled with as much woe as it is filled with joy.

This fine little tale begins on a day just like any other, with SplashyHorse blissfully splashing without a care in the world. As SplashyHorse splashed, her soon to be husband, JHaller, was busy entertaining a bunch of strange men/women on the internet by playing games for them. SplashyHorse thought it strange that so many ‘Humans’ would waste their time watching someone else play a game, but she could care less as she had splashing to do. As fate would have it, however, this day would not be so peaceful. On this very day, Splashy’s good friend BookHorse decided to visit Splashy at her splashing pool.

“Hey Splashy! Still splashing I see.” BookHorse greeted cheerfully as she approached.

“Of course. What else?” Splashy replied with a grin.

“Hmm… Not much else, if I know you correctly.” BookHorse laid down next to the splashing pool, a mirthful gleam in her eyes, “Besides spending time with that ‘Human’ of yours.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Splashy replied sarcastically, her grin still present.

“Of course not. Hey, do you mind if I read here? CleaningDragon is still doing his chores so the library is too loud to get any reading done.” BookHorse pulled a book from the saddlebag on her back and held it aloft for Splashy to see.

“Go ahead. I wouldn’t mind the company.” Splashy continued to splash.

BookHorse nodded in gratitude and opened her book. Seeing her companion was thoroughly occupied by her book, Splashy returned to her blissful state of splashing. And for a while, all was calm. SplashyHorse continued to do her favorite thing, splashing, while BookHorse began her favorite thing, reading. This is the unfortunate occurrence that begins the sadness of our tale.

As it often likes to do, entropy reared its ugly head at a most unfortunate time. Splashy’s splashing, although magnificent, was rather chaotic. This uncontrolled splashing eventually led to the formation of currents in the water of the splashing pool. These currents then collided in a most unruly manner, causing a small wave to form on the top of the water. As luck would have it, this wave just so happened to be on a direct path towards an oblivious BookHorse. This probably would have been okay if it were not for two facts. The first fact being that BookHorse was still reading a book, which is generally an object that does not enjoy being attacked by water. The second fact was that this particular book was the last remaining copy of the book. Maybe had this not been so, the events that are about to unfold would not have happened. Sadly, it was so and the events did happen. And it all began with a little… splash.

Bookhorse’s ears flicked as they registered something amiss in BookHorse’s vicinity. When she finally heeded her instincts’ warning, it was too late. BookHorse looked up right as the tiny wave hit the shore of the pool, sending a thick spray of water all over BookHorse. The sudden attack by the water caused BookHorse to jump to her hooves but she quickly relaxed as she realized it was just water. It wasn’t until she was laying back down that she realized what the water had done besides attack her.

“Oh no! My book!” BookHorse exclaimed with a gasp, “Ohhh no. No no no. This can’t be happening. This was the last copy in existence! Th- Splashy!!!”

“Hmm?” Splashy’s briefly stopped splashing, “What’s wrong, BookHorse? Did something happen?”

“I don’t know. You tell me!” BookHorse replied angrily, displaying the now drenched book to Splashy.

“Oh my… Your book got all wet. Did ya drop it in the pool or something?” Splashy asked, concern in her eyes.

“You think I would be so clumsy?! Are you serious?” BookHorse’s voice cracked.

“Well, what happened then?” Splashy asked once more, her concern still apparent.

“Your stupid splashing! That’s what happened!” BookHorse brought the dripping book to her chest, briefly becoming quiet, “It was the very last one of its kind…”

“Well, hey. It was your idea to read here in the first place. Look, I’m sorry-” Splashy began.

“Sorry?! Sorry isn’t going to bring the book back! You and your…. RRRGHGH!!! I’m going to go see if I can salvage anything before it’s all destroyed.” BookHorse quickly stood and began galloping towards town.

SplashyHorse watched her friend go, her mouth still open from her interrupted sentence. She closed her mouth and knit her eyebrows together in an irritated look. She didn’t understand how it was her fault that BookHorse had been reading next to the SPLASHING pool and her book had gotten wet. Surely that was her fault… right?

SplashyHorse tried to shrug the event off as one of her friend’s ‘episodes’ and continue splashing but BookHorse’s words kept bothering her. Eventually Splashy pulled herself out of the splashing pool and shook herself dry. She seriously doubted she would get over this by herself, so who better to help her with her emotions than her significant other, JHaller. Now that she was dry, Splashy turned away from the splashing pool and began to head home to her fiance so she could tell him about her argument with her friend.