What a way to spend an afternoon. Cuddled with a pony you barely knew, on the roof of a barn in the pouring rain, watching lightning streak across the sky. It was both incredibly relaxing, and perhaps a bit tense since they were sitting atop a steel platform. But the lightning never seemed to make it quite close enough to matter. It stayed in the distance, echoing to them moments after each lightning strike. The pair of them sat there in silence just watching. Clover wished she could ask why Daydream seemed to like her so much, but with a bit that wasn't possible, perhaps she'd ask when her trial was up, then again the other pony never seemed to speak or make noise despite her constant lack of a bit.
The storm lasted well into the evening, past the point of the barn being done for the day. The creak of a door behind Clover and Daydream brought the pair back to reality as the sky grew darker. Standing in the doorway was Aria with her arms crossed over her chest and a rather stern look on her face, "Two hours. For two hours we've been looking for the pair of you! What in God's name are you doing up here!" She asked in a stern voice.
Daydream helped tug Clover to her feet, getting the pair of them away from the edge of the roof. Daydream rubbed her head and stood in front of Clover a little protectively.
Aria raised an eyebrow, "Your idea then Daydream? Why is that not surprising. For two hours we've been freaking out trying to find you. And you of all ponies should know better about how scary a missing pony can be!" Her voice was raised and more than a little bit sharp.
Daydream diverted her eyes to her hooves quietly.
"Well. This little get-together is over. You'll go to your stall RIGHT NOW Daydream and wait for me there. As for you Clover, I hope you understand this is no joke. We've been accident-free for a very long time and I have no intention of losing a pony while I am in charge." She stared intently at Daydream who squeaked and trotted off past Aria, down the spiral staircase and disappearing into the dark.
Clover stomped once nervously.
"Good. Then you'll understand why you'll be eating slop for dinner and be stall bound the entire day tomorrow. Hopefully, that instills the lesson into your head. Ponies do NOT open doors, nor do they disappear to the rooftops in the middle of a storm. Especially without anyone knowing." Aria looked over her shoulder to where the sound of hooves moving down the stairs faded, "Daydream knows better. It was a situation similar to this that had her end up the way she is."
Clover tilted her head, not quite understand the last statement.
Aria waved a dismissive hand, "Nevermind. Get to your stall, now. I will have a groom come sort you out for the evening and your day tomorrow. I assure you, it won't be the most pleasant day you've had. A shame too as it's the last day of your trial. But we take rules here quite seriously. Now go." She pointed to the door. Clover hurried past her, stumbling on the first step but managing to catch herself as she headed down the spiral staircase and into the barn.
Aria followed close behind, pulling a crop from her belt and cracking it into Clover's backside as they reached the bottom to keep her moving, "Stall. Now." She warned, following her all the way to her stall and giving her a bit of a push into it. Aria closed the door of the stall heavily, latching the bolt across and looking in at Clover. She paused a moment, looking her up and down. Part of her felt bad for depriving her of her final day, but she had to learn. Had to understand the rules they had in place and why. Not that it mattered, Clover would be back. She doubted the girl would even opt to leave at the end of her trial. Aria had prepared for as much.
Turning on her heel, Aria would disappear through the barn, seeking out Daydream next.
Clover watched as Aria stomped off through the barn and sighed slightly. She'd been doing so good, and then had gone and screwed it up. Good job Clover. She slumped against the side of her stall, sliding down onto the soft mattress that had been left in her stall. She spotted a small green apple candy sitting on the headrest part of the mattress and tilted her head. She looked around for a moment, wondering if Christoph had left it there for her? She leaned down and sniffed at it curiously before lipping it into her mouth and sucking on it as she sat there.
Slop and a day spent in her stall. That sounded crummy. She sighed a little bit, having hoped she'd at least get to try her hand at some more advanced skills. But it seemed fate had no interest in allowing that. She leaned against the wall and looked up at the roof and letting her mind wander. Other than her obvious mistakes, her experience had been incredible so far. She'd seen so much, learned so much, and discovered much about herself. She wasn't even sure if this was all 'for her' when she'd first gotten to messaging Aria. She'd loved the idea of ponyplay for years, but had never taken the steps to try. But then, a close friend of hers had nudged her. Made her send an email, something that, as she sat here, she'd always be thankful for.
She smiled a little bit, making a note to thank that friend when she returned home on the last day of her trial. It was strange, although she was looking forward to her own bed, her own home, her own shower, and clothes. She wondered how easily she'd be able to say her goodbyes on that final day. She wondered if she'd even be able to come back. She rocked her head back and forth a little, a tiny smile slipping onto her lips as the idea of remaining at Tall Tails indefinitely flitted about her head. How nice would that be? To spend the rest of her life, living out her deepest desire. To leave Alexandria behind and spend the rest of her life as Clover.
It was a thought that made her smile.
