The strange little “meetin’ grounds” idea hadn’t quite worked out right for the little artist. In fact, that little devil had no real interest in dealin’ or triflin’ with the Basin prude… what with ‘er queer ideas on life and the like. Solanine preferred things painted more black ‘n white. It was one way or ‘nother with nothin’ in between. However, the place from which that ugly harlot hailed sure piqued the little mare’s interest. She’d even been dumb enough to lead Solanine straight to the Basin’s doorstep within the first few sentences spewed from her dirty mouth…

It hadn’t been hard to sneak off into the shadows some moments later when that fool had her back turned to a clever, taped face. Hadn’t been too hard at all.

With the sun hangin’ low at ‘er back, Solanine weaved ‘er way toward that Basin with a smile so delicious, one might develop a hankerin’ to take to trailin’ her. But she was a careful lass who knew how to cover ‘er tracks well enough if she wanted to… But some of them admirers were worth the trickery. Some of ‘em had little trinkets ‘o gold or silver that shined so bright the mare had some troubles takin’ ‘er eyes off ‘em. Sick little psychopath that she was…

The snow started fallin’ down around ‘er as she drew closer to the frosted land beyond the mountain pass. It was an endless slope ‘o cold and white, a place the devil herself would certainly like to call “home.” But it was quite empty, quite sullen ‘n bare. She wondered what kind ‘o folks took to livin’ in such a nasty little place, but it didn’t distract ‘er for long.


With that slender neck curved sharp ‘gainst ‘er chest, she crossed the borders with as much grace as the icy stage would allow. That white-tipped tail hung high like a trophy banner, flaggin’ the sun and his eyes ‘o deception to the narrow path that led her inside. A soft hum rose up from ‘er throat as she marched confidently away from the strange place behind into the strange place ahead. Nothin’ got to scarin’ ‘er anymore, what with the travelin’ and the life ‘o thievery she was all too fond of. So she had no problem treatin’ herself to prime seating wherever she pleased at whatever expense. There was only two ways this show could go ‘n that was either good or bad. The little devil was prepared for either…

If she was gonna go down one day, Solanine wanted to make sure she went down with treasure in hand… and this Aurora Basin was the perfect beginnin’. “Welcome to the Basin Ladies and Gentlemen, your main attraction has arrived.”

Solanine

You've been sanctified