Chris laughed and tossed the pea one more time as she was leaving, unfortunately his parents saw him and banished him from finishing his food. Chris grunted and walked towards Annika's room, he opened the door a little, "I'm sorry bout that".

Annika spun on her heel, though her expression was vulnerable. "Noyour fine. It wasn't you" she sat on the window sill ad stared out at the grounds. Her mind was spinning. When would she see Penton again? Would he be okay? Could her mother take care of her little brother without her there? Would she see her Mother again?

Chris looked towards Annika, worried. "Are you alright?" She didn't seem her happy, sassy self anymore. She looked more vulnerable.

"I mean i guess you wouldn't be alright since you've been torn from your family to live with some random weridos"

Annika rolled her eyes, a light giggle escaping her lips. "Yeah I'm fine. Those random weirdos have been kind enough to let me crash in the place and I have been mean in return. I apologize " Eyes were soft but she kept them turned away from Chris. She did not want him to see her as weak.

Chris smiled, "you know what your not so bad underneath". he paused wondering what he should say next, "Do you like horses? I was thinking about going for a ride in the morning, would you like to join me?" He paused and waited for her response.

Annika froze. What was she supposed so say back? +thanks. I still don't know what you're like so I can't say anything about you+? No. That wouldn't work. She opted to just sap ray sikent but he spoke up again. "I love horses! How about we just go now?" She asked. She knew her Father had brought her horse Shout along on their trip but she hadn't had the time to see if he was being cared for properly.

"Oh alright then" her enthusiam caught him off guard but he grabbed his warm coat and walked towards the back door, he opened it and let her out following her close behind. He motioned towards the barn, "This is where our horses are kept, pick a horse, or your own horse" he said smiling as he pointed towards the horse which Annika owned.

(This is my last SA)

-

Annika practically ran once she spotted Shout. "Hey Buddy!" she said. She had out in her jeans before Chris had come back after dinner so she was ready to ride. She hugged her horses head, his ears floppy. She patted his red face. His body was roaming out as he got older so he wasn't very white on his middle yet. He tossed his head a little then breathed warm breath against her cheek. Annika giggled then led Shout out, pulling his bridle on. "Im trusting you today boy. Don't fail me. You never have so don't let today be a first" she steadied herself then hopped onto his back, pulling herself on with ease. He was 16.4 hands, so she considered it a miracle everytime she mounted from the ground. "Ok. I'm ready" she smiled, petting her geldings bare sides. "I'm going bareback"

lol)

+++

Chris gasped, "Bareback, are you sure? I don't wanna be responsible for your death" he joked. He saddled up a horse and pulled himself up, it didn't look as graceful as Annika's mounting but he was on top of the horse. He guided the horse along a path and pointed out several facts, "That's our small town over there, I'll see if our butler can take us there tomorrow". He look over to Annika, she seemed to be enjoying herself for once. -Here i thought princess didn't like horses or nature, this women is full of suprises- He stopped at a little stream and dismounted and tied the horse up on a lone fence, "This is my favourite place to come, the forest, the air, the birds. So peaceful" Chris sat down and watched the stars begin to shine, such a clear night was rare.

I'm baaaack! Did you miss me?)

-

Annika held in a laugh "oh I'm so sure. I have fallen off many times but I haven't died yet. Maybe I've taken a few too many hits on the head" she followed behind Chris. Annika was so at ease for once. When Chris dismounted, she laid back against Shouts rump and stared up at the stars as they began to shine. "So you are an actual person? Not an alien who just sits around in the castle all day?" She grinned then looked back up at the shimmering sky. "We have a place like this back at home" she cut herself short. He didn't need to know anything about her home. Especially the gardens. There were too many memories- good and bad- that happened there.