Day 4 Field Rita/Veridia, 629 words, Rated G

"I still never understand how you manage to convince me to do these things."

Rita just laughed, "you said it looked fun."

The latest 'thing' in question was horse riding. Veridia had come along a few times when Rita rode but had yet to sit on one herself, until now. Rita had borrowed a horse from Harry's brother Hector specifically for Veridia. A short grey mare about 14 hands at a push with dapples all over, fluffy feathers and long braided mane called Lady. Rita's own mare stood about a hand higher, a more trimmed up grey with short mane and trimmed tail she had called Silvade.

The horses had been calm and settled while she had helped Veridia groom and tack up while taking care of Silvade at the same time. Both of their horses tied up outside the yard in the shade. There was a small breeze and soft buzzing of bees and chirps of birds as they chatted away while working, talking over recent lessons classes and laughing over the antics of the young Mermaids.

"You ready?" Rita set the riding hat on Veridia's head but popping her own on and clipping it under her chin.

"I guess?"

"You'll be all good," Rita leaned in and kissed Veridia, angling her head very carefully so as to not bump helmets, "I'll help you up."

The first couple minutes had been a little touchy but Veridia had eased into it quickly after just a couple pointers. Rita led them out on one of the well used trails, it crossed through the woodland area out the back of Dove Ranch before running alongside the neighbouring farmland and looping back through the woods heading back to the ranch.

The sun filtered through the trees and the hooves thudded on the ground in a comforting rhythm.

"You feel up for going faster?" Rita grinned at Veridia.

"This isn't fast enough?"

"Not by a long shot," Rita laughed. "Wrap her mane around your fingers and hold on to the saddle if need be. Trot is a bit bumpy but for the canter just go with her. It almost feels like being on a wave, rocking back and forth."

"I guess."

The mares trotted forward in sync before Rita urged Silvade up into the canter, Lady right beside them. The rest of the woodland passed in a blur before they slowed back to a walk before the trail turned to the farmland.

"How was that?" Rita asked.

"It was pretty fun."

"See, I told you, the next part is even better but it might be too much even for a Mermaid. We may have some weird innate riding ability but I'm not sure is a full gallop up the length of the field is a good idea."

"What is with that ability? It feels really redundant for Mermaids."

"I honestly have no idea."

The mud track of the woods turned to grass as they hit the farmland. A huge field of wheat lay out in front of them, the gold stalks drifting listlessly in the breeze and the sun illuminating the very tips.

They halted their horses and let them graze.

"It's pretty," Veridia remarked.

"Look at you appreciating land sights."

"I can appreciate when something's pretty you know."

"So can I, my love," Rita focused on Veridia as she directed her words to her wife.

"Aren't you sweet."

"I try."

"I think I'm up for trying your thing."

"You sure?"

"Let's do it."

The golden field of wheat blurred away to nothing as the pair raced alongside the wheat stalks. As Rita turned to sneak glances at Veridia the Mermaid's hair was shining gold in the sun just like the field beside them and she had the biggest smile on her face.