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SHEBA
Objectively speaking, the Secret Grove was one of the better places to be stranded for a Helovian winter. The wind’s sharp chill didn’t bite as hard in the shelter of the willows, and the drifts were never unmanageably deep. There was plenty of water, and though food was scarce, the trees provided an adequate reserve of bark. Overall, it wasn’t a bad place to be.
Except for one thing: there was no privacy.
It was particularly ironic given that the grove was an alarmingly popular place for trysts—either they were all clueless, or a shameless bunch of exhibitionists, Sheba thought. More than once, her fitful sleep had been interrupted by the whispers (or worse) of an amorous couple bumbling around in the dark. And so, by the time Birdsong arrived, the old mare held no love for the place. The snow had melted, and she had resolved to set off for the south in the morning…but of course, as luck would have it, she’d have one more sleepless night first.
She’d paid no attention when the first of the crowd had started to gather, but the fairy lights and the bonfire soon attracted the attention of the masses. Grumbling, she’d arisen painfully from beneath her willow on the edge of the grove and resolved to find somewhere else to bed tonight. Sulking her way around the perimeter of the clearing was how she came upon the golden mare, tucked off to the side—alone, but clearly enjoying her view of the festivities from her relaxed position.
Sheba almost passed by without stopping, for she wasn’t naturally inclined to be friendly, especially in the forced company of the young and the beautiful. She would have gone on her way too, if it were not for one thing—or two, actually, sitting on the ground in front of the stranger. Apples? she wondered, mouth already watering. What a delicacy, after so many months of winter…
She sidled over to the observer, doing her best to arrange her features into a somewhat pleasant expression. “You have the right idea,” she remarked drily, looking over the grove full of mingling fools. “I think the lighting’s much better over here, anyway.”
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[O] They're all twitterpated! [singles night watching]
