A long day it was. Seven hours in the hot sun. Sure, Hayley had been sure to bring her an occasional bucket of water to keep her hydrated. But the baking sun just broke her down more and more. By the time Aria made her way out to the field, Clover was slumped against the pole, hanging by her wrists and with her head lolling downwards slightly. She wasn't having heat stroke or anything. But to say baking in the sun all day after the heavy workout at whip circle had worn her out was an understatement. She hung weakly and breathed slowly, sweat pouring off her visibly.
It was the sudden sharp shock of cold that tore Clover from her slumber. Aria stood at the entrance of the field holding the spray nozzle of a hose and was spraying her down with the freezing cold water. She let out a cry, making sure her cry was not made up of words. She winced and turned trying to turn away from the cold water spraying her down from head to toe.
"Did you enjoy your day in the sun Clover?" She asked curiously. She knew several ponies had come over to investigate her from outside the field a little bit and that Hayley had sat and brushed Clover's hair out for half an hour, offering calming and reassuring words. She hadn't been uncared for. But she could see the sheer exhaustion in Clovers form as she slumped even with the cold water soaking her down.
Clover coughed slightly as the spray hit her face, "We can't have you dripping sweat all over the house. Figured I'd give you a rinse before taking you back to your room. Aren't I nice?" She stopped the hose and rolled it back up, hanging it on a hook just outside the gate and walking over to Clover who had stomped her agreeance of Aria being 'nice'.
Aria leaned down a little, using a single finger to lift Clover's weak chin and looking into dazed-looking green eyes, "I think you've understood the lesson today Pony. I am proud of you. I'm going to release your arms now, then we can head back to the house. You may shower up and relax. Your dinner will be brought to your room."
She didn't give Clover time to answer, Not that she would have. She moved behind her and undid the three leather straps, hooking them over the top of the post for cleanup a bit later. She was quick to catch Clover by the shoulders when she slumped slightly towards the ground, her feet incredibly sore and making it hard for her to stand, "Easy there Pony. Easy. It's only a short walk before we get to the house. You can make it. Come...I've got you."
Aria was not without compassion. There was, after all, a human behind the pony. Someone who could feel pain. Someone who was throwing herself into the deep end of Ponyplay. Sometimes soft and calm reassurances were needed. Sometimes a little help went a long way. Aria didn't release her supportive hold from Clover's waist all the way back to the second floor of the house. Aria led Clover into the bedroom and towards the bathroom, "Trust me when I say. Keep the water on medium. Hot water is going to make it worse ok?"
Clover winced as she stomped her foot weakly on the floor. Aria eased her onto the wooden stool and smiled at the girl. She set a towel out at the door and pointed to the safety bars lining the interior of the shower, "Use those. There IS an emergency call button beneath the nozzles. Keep that in mind." Aria nodded and after she was sure the girl would be ok, she offered her a soft pat of the cheek and turned to leave her in private while she made arrangements with the cook of the house.
Clover wasn't sure how long she sat on the stool, trying to organize her mind and not focus on the pulsing pain in her feet and legs, the stinging sensation still lingering from sweat on her body. While it felt like an age, she got up after only ten minutes. Letting out a sharp whimper as the pain in her feet rang out. She carefully used the bars in the shower to get to the nozzles, taking Aria's advice and turning the water on medium rather than hot. She slumped back against the wall and slid to the ground as the water washed over her.
That's when the tears came. Flowing down her cheeks as she rubbed her incredibly sore feet and trying to sort through her emotions. It was something many subs faced when coming 'down' from a day like Clover had. She cried into the shower, rubbing her feet tenderly and sitting there almost dejectedly, defeated. Naked and alone on the floor of a shower in another country.
Of course, it was every proper dominant's place to be there in moments like these. Aria was no exception. She cared about everyone under her care. She'd made very quick arrangements with the cook and had returned. She listened to Clover sob from outside the bathroom for a few moments before she walked inside, being careful not to look at the girl's naked form. Bare feet stepped into the shower and despite her long cardigan, her t-shirt, and her shiny leather pants, she sat right down beside Clover and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"Just breathe Clover. You're safe. You're ok." She whispered in soft reassuring tones.
Clover found herself leaning into that hug as the water washed over the two of them.
