=== Jielby's Rodeo - part 1

Reluctantly, today seems to be another day in the dirt, with weather looking a bit cloudy. The droplets from the sky are eager, but the grey mass of fluff that floated about without any direction had no intention to actually squeeze out a gift for the plants. As the current was blowing to incite the prankster to behave, I also felt that like a hammer was about to fall on me any minute.

With that in mind I was looking for a convenient forest for my comfort, but nothing of such was in sight, just this endless plan, where bushes grew sparsely and the hardly green grass was little in number. Between two tall mountains I hardly found any monsters, despite that I heard that they do appear here. Obviously I double checked the information, and it appears that I was not mistaken.

Indeed, eventually I found tracks to some four legged creature, and fought them. The materials I got were nothing to complain about, yet I seem to be forgetful about one small detail. I wasn't supposed to be here alone—I was missing a frisky and trusty companion. When I told her that we are going to hunt horse-type enemies she was so happy that she immediately started running...where is she?

[Heya! I betcha you missed me? I was sho dearly-mealy too when I get lost and everything, but that was just a bloomer, sorries!]

[You say blooper, not bloomer, unless you did hurt your butt again...wait, don't say that you did? Just how did you managed that?]

[Oh my gush, you are so smarts Oddie, figuring me out just with one silly-billy tip. All according to my supar genius plan, ya know? And like, wowzers, you are making this adorbs face that you totals give up hope with facepalm and everything! Aww, sho cuters! I just wanna hug you, but I will save that for later. You shee, there are more important matters at hand, and I need your help too!]

[Whatever, I told you many times not to do this yet...I guess I have no choice do I? Where in the world were you hunting at girl? You just ran away to some place, got beaten up or something, came back crying on my shoulder while telling me about yet another, utterly venturesome plan that will send us both into a mire, entirely covered in deep? That is what usually ends up happening.]

All this time I was expecting the rain to fall. This moment was the worst out of them all. In seconds the heavy drops stormed down, with lightning accompanying it. The zephyr caused my vision to be impaired and I had troubles to even see beyond several meters away. Even running, though I was floating above the ground a little, felt like fording a gigantic river with its powerful current against you.

Without thinking or speaking more words, both of us were heading towards what appeared to be a small forest. Just a few trees together, nothing fancy, but we also had no other choice. It was definitely a better choice that staying within the downpour and without any shelter. After mere seconds as we finally found relief, I discovered that not only that I was downright drenched but also how muddy and sweaty my feet were.

Obviously if I wanted a shower I could do it, just right around the corner, but this wasn't really a good option for me, or Jielby. She was in a similar situation, although she was strangely out of breath. It's not usual to see her with bend knees and grasping air. But even untamed stallions like her sometimes have to stop in their tracks and...Huff. I can't blame her because I also started to...

[Puff...this was close. I thought we were going to sink but at least we made it time, despite I can't be possibly get wetter. I need to rest, let's just eat something. I have some sandwiches, so excuse me. You wouldn’t mind that, would you? And no, you can't have them even if you beg on your knees in the mud. It's because you ran off somewhere. I wasted so much time on...]

[Are you plaining-complaining again? Jeepers Oddie, and you say I never change. If you think so, don't be sorry-worry now, I'm going to champers as well. Compared to your pickly-quickly veggie snack, I have the real deal of godly mouthwatering meat.]

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[I can manage—I never ate for the pleasure of it. It's just that I'm tired...and you are clearly making it worse. Go ahead, have whatever you want. I'm going to look away and mute you even, just so you can to fully enjoy this meal. Understand?]

[Are you giving up on this tasty-wastie beef burger? Oh well, I was just being nice and all, like a goodie-two-shoes girl. You be like, can I haz a cheeseburger, but nopie! It's called something else. You wonder what huh? Don't be such a worry, I tell, I tell. It is technically a meat bun, but you know I can call it a steamed bun. Ishishi~ Surprised my sweet sunshine? Jokie-okie aside , I am so hungry after all this testing I would eat like my entire food inventory. Wanna do a switche?]

Despite that I completely ignored her confusing words, she did insist on her way and pushed towards me closer. This tree, we had very little space to begin with, and I could still feel some rain drops on my shoulders. Thus when she sneaked up, reached out her hand from behind me and shoved her meal directly in my face, I knew that the real storm was not outside.

What nerve she had, trying to get close to me. Still, when I say something, she feigns innocence and become empty-minded. Even if I push her aside, she seems not to register that. When I stomp her foot hard with mine, she doesn't even notices the pain. If as much as physical intervention is useless, I have no choice but to run away, into the drizzle that does not seem to stop.

[I rather stay out here than to have to deal with you...this rain is more pleasant that your presence. I'm not finished here, the sun is still up, so I guess I'm going back to hunting after the meal. You do whatever you want Jielby, with yourself.]

[What’s the problemo now huh? Not a fan of the bun? Jeepers Oddie, I didn't think you were so no-no about that bite exchange. It's like, the thing you do always when you want to show affection to others, like when this totals cuters girl, who is all quiet and shy-shy, she is like sitting in the corner alone, having lunch, but then another absocutely protagonist comes in and gives her sweet-meat...]

[Enough of that! I hope you understand that I'm not having a good time here, so I will be going. If you were to follow me and help me, then I will accept that of course. There is no problem with that...or this dreadful weather which is bearable.]

[Meh, you are just having a bad day, unsurprisingly actually. Here I thought this darlie-marlie pegasus knight would shine, and cast some sun on her poor little buddy-muddy with humour. Yet, if you say so, I guess I will give you something instead, okay?]

Suddenly, the sky cleared and no longer there was a downpour over my head. The stormed turned into a gentle rain that caressed the leaves, in spite everything around being soaked and muddy, including me of course. She again reached out for me with her tiny hand. This time in was a small notebook, though I couldn’t see the cover clearly. I can understand she was trying to say something...

[Sure, I would feel sorry for not accepting this, if this is even a testament of your friendship. Say, what are you planning? The weather is calmer—we could go back to hunting to finish up for today...although I don't expect that we have much time left.]

[Sure whatevers. Oddie, will there ever be a day when you smile to me dearly? You like always in the blue and...]

[I'm in the mud now, so how about you join me?]

Just as she approached I attempted to push her into ground, but she just barely managed to avoid landing on her bottom, supporting herself with her hands. That was really uncalled for, I do admit, but at the same time my hands were shaking.

[Did you trip? Get up and let’s go...]

[But...okay Oddie.]

Every time she tries to speak, she twists her words in making me feel angry. Yet she is always trying to help. That’s friendship in her language.

If I understand that alone, I shouldn't have pushed her. Alas, in the end I looked away and offered her both of my hands. I do feel like I have done something she won't forget easily, yet I can't say I know how I would apologise to her. Even though she was silent, just like the rain that shrouded us, we both were actually fine with finishing up the hunt.

And so, we parted ways with a wave, not with words, just a single gesture. Dammit, I should have said sorry by now! Yet, she did smile a little, looking at my chest, or rather at my back. That area was where you would access items...Wait a second she did give me her notebook right? I can read it when I go back home, so there is no need to hurry.

[Right, she gave me this for some reason. Knowing her she had a devious plan behind giving me her book filled with her writing. Seriously though, what is this? It kinda looks like a schoolgirl notebook, with like extremely girlish design. Unicorns, rainbows and this pink colour, yet there was no title. So these are her inner thoughts huh, things she couldn’t say out loud for some reason? I don't know if I should be, but I feel like I ought to...]

Here goes nothing, I thought when daring to open the first page. Yet it was just a drawing of a pink knight on a pegasus...That is where her design comes from? I found myself flipping through the notebook, reading only various paragraphs...I realised then that the notebook was truly her dairy, but honestly I wasn't really feeling like reading the whole damn thing. It was huge and had some silly writings that I couldn't or wanted to understand. Perhaps I should start from the end?

[Yea, she was all about showing me this thing, after when I told her I would leave her all alone. I think I have to consider is that lately she was trying to earn more money, but that’s not all. She always tried to make me understand that having fun is okay...and I tried to make her think more realistically. So we both failed at that huh? This might be her last resort...thus I probably should start reading this carefully.]

So I presume this is something she wouldn’t show to a stranger, huh? Here are her words. Recently I have been working on a rodeo machine I wanted to craft. Those things require some materials, but are officially supported, so they have some programs that you can mess around with. This means I can create my very own pegasus simulator! That would be amazing, Yappe! But only after I finish this hunt first.

[That was from some time ago. Does she write this while we travel? I mean she sure have a lot of ideas, so noting them down is only natural. Anyway, if I’m going to read this thoroughly, I need to sit down on a chair and have some tea. Be right back.]