Finding Cora

A purple and white zebra filly sat at a table, scratching on a paper with a palm stem quill. She set down her quill, folded the paper, and set it onto an ever-tottering pile beside her. Magic studies.

“Please, Cora? Please?” A pink and white zebra filly, younger than Cora, pulled on Cora's tail.

“Not now Lea. I've got my studies. I don't have ti-”

“You always have studies, but you never have time.” Lea pouted. “I don't see why you can't come play for a few minutes.”

Cora took a deep breath. “Lea, Evin sees my talent. He is the leader of this tribe. He offered to give me lessons in magic. Unicorn magic.” Cora's face shone. “I have to comply if I am to succeed.”

Lea made a pout-y face. “Unicorns are stuck-up snobs who don't care what happens so long as they stay at the top.” She glared at Cora. “I don't want to ever learn unicorn magic. Zebras have all kinds of magic they never even dream of.” Lea tugged Cora's tail again. “But please will you come play? I'm the only one who doesn't have a partner for Hiders-Finders.”

“I told you, I don't have time!”

“YOU NEVER HAVE TIME!” Lea screamed. “NOT EVEN FOR YOUR OWN SISTER!” Lea's eyes were blotchy and red.

“No Lea. If  I come play, then I won't get these read by next week.” Cora nodded to a stack of five books that must have weighed twenty pounds each. Bookmarks stuck out of them in various places.

“You're just making excuses. I know you don't have to read all those. Look!” Lea pointed with a hoof to the book on top, scowling at Cora. “This isn't even a magic book! It's 'Learned Unicorns of the Twelfth Century'. Why do you even need to learn about unicorns?” She raised her eyebrows. “And this one: 'Eight Simple Ways To Begin Quill Crafting.' Why should you have to craft quills? I thought that was Ian's job.”

“It's part of my studies, Lea. Do you want me to tell Evin you're pestering me? Because I will.”

Lea started crying again. “I'm the only one who can't play. I don't have a partner, and nobody else will go with me.” She rubbed her eyes. “Please Cora? Just this once?” she begged.

Cora sighed. “Okay, fine, I'll go. We'll have to make it quick. I really do need to read all of those books.” Cora glanced regretfully at the pile. “Are you a hider or finder?” she asked, clearly uninterested.

“Finders. So you'd better hide good.”

“Oh I will. My magic studies papers will cover me.”

“Hey!” Lea pouted.

“Just kidding.”

Cora took her sister's hoof and trotted off towards the deep jungle, where many sibling pairs were already waiting.

Cora smiled at Lea. “I'm glad I had time for you.” she said, forgetting her earlier irritation.

Lea smiled back. “Me too.”