Equis Dreams.

I felt wonderful. Better than I had in years as I ran around the horse paddock with Flicker behind me. She could still easily outpace me and my two legs, but was instinctively falling into formation behind me. Ever since moving onto the farm full time a couple weeks after the funeral it had become my morning routine to visit with the horses and run a few laps before the staff showed up for the morning chores.

“Woah girl.” I called out as we slowed down. The first workers’ truck was heading up the driveway and I didn’t want to show off how fast I could now actually run.

Grabbing Flicker’s lead rope I slowed to a walk and pat her on the neck. “Great run today.”

“Yeah.” She was panting and leaned into the contact.

“Morning boss.” Miller Called out from the side of the barn. He had been the one to drive up as he was on the early shift today.

“Morning.” I undid Flicker’s lead and she walked herself into the barn and into her own pen to drink some water. She even kicked her own stall door closed before laying down in her hay.

Miller just shook his head as I walked into the barn behind her and grabbed my own water bottle before plopping down on an old rocking chair in the resting area. “You have a real knack with them. Even after what happened I’ve never seen the horses so calm.” He pulled a brush down from one of the walls and began heading towards one of the stalls for the daily grooming. Our clients were allowed to show up any time without appointments to go riding so we made sure to keep their horses well groomed and ready for action.

“Yeah. I wasn’t always like this.” I rubbed my hips and the hidden tattoos under my shirt. “But it has felt more natural lately. It helps they’re all so smart.” Around the barn I could hear the horses talking amongst themselves about whether or not their riders would show up today, about the summer weather and food. Like chatty school children they are. I shook my head.

“Well it’s a good thing. So how have you been after… everything?” Miller asked from across the barn and the horses got quiet. I could tell they were all listening in. The mares around here really love gossip. Same as Ponyville I guess.

Leaning back and rocking slowly I sighed and took another drink. “Honestly, aside from missing my parents like nothing else, things are going okay. They really kept this place in good shape so I just have to make sure it stays that way to honor them. I already quit my other job and my house should be sold soon. It’s honestly crazy how fast someone wanted it.” I set down the bottle and had to remind myself not to use magic. Already I had felt it getting easier around the farmhouse I I expected it might start causing changes soon. It already was with the level of intelligence the horses could now display.

“And the rest of the family?” If it was anyone else asking I wouldn’t have answered but with how long he had been working on the farm he was practically family. Miller had even tried dating my sister but it hadn’t worked out between them.

“Sis is holding up. Her husband has been super supportive and the kids have kept them busy. My brother went right back on the road like normal but at least he took care of things that needed taken care of. I just hope he doesn’t blow all the inheritance he’ll be getting.” I stared at the ceiling and pictured him gambling it all away in a casino before shaking my head. “I doubt he will, but still.”

“Yeah that brother of yours might be a bit wild but has a good head on his shoulders.” Miller had already finished the first horse and was onto the next. I still didn’t know all the names since Flicker was the only one our family owned. Though she’s more like part of the family since she was born on the farm.

“True.” I stood up and stretched though my shirt was sticking to my back. “Anyway, I’m heading up to the house for a shower and some paperwork. Holler if you or any of the others need anything once they show up.”

“Will do boss.” He said jokingly.

“And stop calling me boss.” I huffed in an equine manner.

After a nice long shower I found myself sitting out on the porch to work. Normally the farm didn’t have this much paperwork but with me taking over, there was still plenty to do before the end of summer and the start of harvest season.

From my spot I could tell quite a few guests had arrived and their children were happy to be out riding again. A few of the teenagers were semi professional riders so having the farm closed to the public during everything had slowed their practice. Luckily I hadn’t received any complaints from parents but it was always possible.

“I wonder what AJ would think about this place?” I asked myself while looking out over the farm.

Thanks to my grandparents having the house built on a hill you could easily look out over the main driveway, barn and other buildings built over the years in front of the house, the orchard off to the relative left, and the fields that were on the right that wrapped behind the house. Technically the current house wasn’t original, as the first had been torn down by a twister, but it was still a great home.

Applejack sneezed onto the freshly cleaned plate from a late supper while her sister laughed. “Ain’t you supposed to be cleaning the plates sis, not making them dirty?”

“Get over here you!” Apple Bloom took off running as her sister chased her out of the kitchen for laughing. It wasn’t long before she was caught and receiving a tickle attack, begging her sister to stop as they both laughed.

Big Mac just shook his head and began drying another dish. “Fillies.”

“Yeah I bet she would.” I tried to take a sip of my soda but groaned when I found the can empty. Using a bit of magic I teleported one from the fridge before getting back to my paperwork. “I really need to bring the farm up to digital standards next.”

As I worked I felt the air shift and looked around. Summer was only about half over but the breeze sent a chill down my spine. What was that?

Standing up I circled the house and looked out in every direction, finding nothing unusual I just sat back down in my original spot. Strangely enough when I went to reach for it I found that my soda was gone. Shrugging and figuring one of the kids had gotten away and was playing a prank I yelled out. “You know there’s a vending machine next to the barn!” I chuckled and got back to work after teleporting another from the fridge. “Dang kids always sneaking out of the public areas.”

After another few moments I jumped when I heard another noise but relaxed when I spotted one of the family cats. “Geez, don’t scare me like that Mo.” The black cat tilted her head then strode over before pouncing onto my lap. She immediately began purring as I stroked her fun. “Guess I’m just jumpy today.”