Indeed, Gianna had been learning a great deal over the last few weeks. She was learning about horses, trading, Tallis, and herself. She had always considered horses to be a necessary evil, smelly beasts of burden that their world couldn’t do without. With exposure and time, however, she had discovered that there was more to them than just muscles and poop. She would never admit that, of course. She still wrinkled her nose and showed them little attention in front of Tallis. It was in private, the rare time she found herself alone in the company a horse, that she let her shaking hand reach to pet the neck, that she spoke to them, that she allowed her mind to wander to places of companionship and adventure.

Tallis was learning a lot about Gianna, too. She would well know by now that Gi died on stupid hills, seemingly stubborn for stubbornness’ sake. She would have seen the young woman’s desire for attachment but inability to secure it. She would know that greed was a driving factor in Gianna’s life, and that the easiest way to manipulate the young woman was through gifts and flattery.

Today was her day off. She was happy to sleep until noon, unbothered by other orphans or the dirty hands of her father’s friends. Tallis’ sudden arrival was most unwelcome.

“Nooooo.” She groaned into her pillow, turning into a pillow herself, as if she could escape Tallis that way. As if. It want until she registered where she said they were going and why that Gi poofed back into her human form, sheets clutched around her nakedness, a spark in her eyes.

“Yes!” She beamed up at Tallis before launching out of bed towards her clothes.