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Description
EDIT: This got first place! I'm so excited, thank you so much!

Story:

There was definitely something wrong.

Viaggio had returned to Sara around an hour after she let him free last night, but the horse was uneasy and anxious. His skin pricked and shuddered more than usual as she brushed out his velvety coat, trying the best she could to soothe her stallion. He wasn't fooled, however. He heard the nervousness in his rider's voice as if she had yelled it. He snorted and shook his head in pure aggravation, thoroughly displeased that somehow he was still being brushed. It was only when he slammed down a shod hoof and shoved Sara with his nose that she decided it was enough grooming. She was supposed to ride him today, but this was the first time he's ever made her feel so uneasy... perhaps just a light bareback hack should be enough for today...

He was still long enough to just barely clip reins on either side of his halter before he pushed passed her in determination. More concerned than angry, she pulled her stallion into a tight circle, easing him with her voice as best as she could. He never acted this way, what is going on?

The pair stepped outside into the inviting air, thick with nitrogen from the storm before. Clouds ate at the sky, drowning out the sun as they shifted, creating a somber grey overcast in their wake. There was something odd in the breeze that seeped deep into Sara's bones that troubled her. Did she feel giddy? Why was she so full of apprehension? Fully regretting her decision but pushing through anyway, Sara pulled her painted horse up to the mounting block, and effortlessly slid onto his back. Snorting loudly, Viaggio gathered his haunches with the full intention of taking off, but Sara was ready and pulled his head sideways into her body. "What has gotten into you today?" she asked, irritation dripping in her voice. He pranced in vain in the tiny circle until he eventually stopped, and Sara relaxed. He walked forward obediently, throwing in the extra hop in his step, or sneaking in a trot when he could.

He fought her the whole way, her hands quickly growing raw as the reins dug into her flesh. She tried to quell the pounding in her chest, but no matter what she did, she knew her horse felt it, and he reacted each time he paused long enough to realize how hard it thumped. Suddenly he stopped, piercing blue eyes fixed on something far off in the distance. Perfectly still, he listened, then pulled his nose into the air and breathed deep. Anticipation rippled through as body as he let out a long whinny, shaking both him and Sara with the force of the call, then waited. Whatever he heard, it was what he wanted.

He rocked back onto his hindquarters, and surged forward. He was met with rein again, but countered with an ample buck to off-seat his rider, then continued onward. Frankly tired of fighting the stallion, she let him guide her. She leaned forward, running her hands up the hot neck, tangling her fingers through his mane as it whipped every direction and had occasionally stung her face. She could never be angry on the back of a galloping horse, where she truly felt free. A small smile crept over her features as she felt him gather himself into a new gear, stretching long with great strength in each new stride. Wherever he was going, she was safe with him, so she urged him forward.

Beyond lines of trees, Sara saw there was a gorgeous rainbow streaming through the sky, colors far more vibrant than she'd ever seen. Was it shimmering? Viaggio drove forward, unwavering, in the direction of the brilliant colors that disappeared behind another row of trees. Where was he going...?

Swiftly, he met with the trees that disclosed a field beyond them, and skidded to a halt. Confused, Sara stared into the field with squinted eyes. It almost appeared as if the rainbow ended there, but that's impossible, isn't it? Looking closer, she gazed downward, following the direction of the rainbow to where it met grass, then furrowed her brow. Directly underneath, there was a figure there, perfectly still. It seemed to reflect light off its body, the sun shifting through golds and coppers as it played upon the coat. Viaggio whinnied a second time, breaking her thoughts. The figure turned. Did it see them?

Slowly, silently, the figure trotted toward them with purpose. Viaggio had followed, his pace much more calm and even now. Sara's eyes were fixed on the creature as it grew bigger, completely in awe by the beauty it beheld. There was something unsettlingly familiar about this creature... as if she's known it her whole life. The prideful way it moved, yet hindered by a slight hitch in the step, the reddish golden copper color that flashed magnificently even in the blotted light... it couldn't possibly be him, could it? No, that was absurd, and impractical in every way. He was gone, took every part of her with him as she held his lifeless form in her arms. She had to stop thinking that way before she drove herself to tears.

A long, unique whinny escaped from the other horse, long and rising and falling in erratic octaves. And in that moment, she knew.

Eyes growing wide, she urged her horse forward, now galloping towards her other half. Yards away from him, she slid off the painted back before he had even stopped. She fell briefly to her knees before she started running blindly towards the coppery horse. Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably as he grew nearer, soft gasps and whimpers escaping her lips as she ran. She reached for him, getting dizzy from the sheer emotion of it all, until he steadied her with his form. Finally she was home. She wrapped her arms tightly around her horse's neck as she sobbed. It was him, she could not believe what was happening, what her eyes withheld. He was beautiful, he was timeless, and he was hers again. She breathed in his smell like she thrived off it, tears soaking into his mane, his neck. "Blaze..." she breathed, barely a whisper. A soft nicker replied and she hugged him tighter. Sara was sobbing now, eyes screwed tight as she laced her fingers through his mane, her whole frame shaking with each shuddering breath. They stood together for what seemed like an eternity, but this moment was timeless. For the first time since he left her 3 years ago, she felt complete. It was as if the pain and lacerations of loss dissipated with the wind that caressed them softly. She didn't know how it happened, she had no answers for what was given to her, but she didn't care. In this moment, reunited with the personification of her soul, the one thing she couldn't live without, he was here, in her arms, like it was always meant to be. Like it was supposed to be.
Sobbing gradually turned to smiles that seemed forever plastered on her face. Choking through tears that still rolled down her cheeks, she pulled away, to admire him, to gaze upon her love, to hold his sweet face in her hands again. She kissed him on the diamond on his nose and rest her forehead against his, like they always used to do. Blaze gazed at her lovingly, nibbling her fingers as she rubbed his nose. It was as if time never passed between them.

She was finally healed. Finally whole. Sara resolved then that she'd never, ever let go of this horse again so long as she lived. He was hers. He was home.
__________________________________________________________________________________

Aaaand this is my entry for 's monthly theme, which for March is called "End of the Rainbow." The moment I heard the name, I was instantly inspired and had an idea I just had to put to work, whether it made it in the theme or not. It was something that really hit home for me, and took in a huge sentimental way. As some of you already know, Blaze is my horse I had in real life who had passed away nearly 3 years ago. He took my heart with him when he left, and I've never been the same. The story is if somehow he was brought back to me, which I know can't happen, but the idea burned in my head for nearly a month. I may have cried a few times, drawing this piece, and typing out the story. But I'll never tell...

If nothing else, this will be one of many tributes to my boy. I love and miss you so much, sweetheart... I hope you're sleeping sweetly.

Couple of new techniques, new style-ish. Oh and people. I drew a person. Excuse how horrible it is, please I actually used a screenshot from Spirit to get the "hugging" person, the small, blurry, near useless thing it was. Other than that, no references!

Anyway guys, I could talk about this one forever, but I'll spare you all. Hope you enjoy!

Credits:

About 30 layers
Approx. 20 hours, on and off.
Small Spirit screenshot reference
Blaze and Viaggio (C): Me
Nordanner (C): Cloudrunner64 and BrindleTail
Previous story (part one) here
_________________________
Fullbody plus background: +2
Story: +2
Show Entry: +1
WINNER!: +7

12 total kaaring per horse

Description
EDIT: This got first place! I'm so excited, thank you so much!

Story:

There was definitely something wrong.

Viaggio had returned to Sara around an hour after she let him free last night, but the horse was uneasy and anxious. His skin pricked and shuddered more than usual as she brushed out his velvety coat, trying the best she could to soothe her stallion. He wasn't fooled, however. He heard the nervousness in his rider's voice as if she had yelled it. He snorted and shook his head in pure aggravation, thoroughly displeased that somehow he was still being brushed. It was only when he slammed down a shod hoof and shoved Sara with his nose that she decided it was enough grooming. She was supposed to ride him today, but this was the first time he's ever made her feel so uneasy... perhaps just a light bareback hack should be enough for today...

He was still long enough to just barely clip reins on either side of his halter before he pushed passed her in determination. More concerned than angry, she pulled her stallion into a tight circle, easing him with her voice as best as she could. He never acted this way, what is going on?

The pair stepped outside into the inviting air, thick with nitrogen from the storm before. Clouds ate at the sky, drowning out the sun as they shifted, creating a somber grey overcast in their wake. There was something odd in the breeze that seeped deep into Sara's bones that troubled her. Did she feel giddy? Why was she so full of apprehension? Fully regretting her decision but pushing through anyway, Sara pulled her painted horse up to the mounting block, and effortlessly slid onto his back. Snorting loudly, Viaggio gathered his haunches with the full intention of taking off, but Sara was ready and pulled his head sideways into her body. "What has gotten into you today?" she asked, irritation dripping in her voice. He pranced in vain in the tiny circle until he eventually stopped, and Sara relaxed. He walked forward obediently, throwing in the extra hop in his step, or sneaking in a trot when he could.

He fought her the whole way, her hands quickly growing raw as the reins dug into her flesh. She tried to quell the pounding in her chest, but no matter what she did, she knew her horse felt it, and he reacted each time he paused long enough to realize how hard it thumped. Suddenly he stopped, piercing blue eyes fixed on something far off in the distance. Perfectly still, he listened, then pulled his nose into the air and breathed deep. Anticipation rippled through as body as he let out a long whinny, shaking both him and Sara with the force of the call, then waited. Whatever he heard, it was what he wanted.

He rocked back onto his hindquarters, and surged forward. He was met with rein again, but countered with an ample buck to off-seat his rider, then continued onward. Frankly tired of fighting the stallion, she let him guide her. She leaned forward, running her hands up the hot neck, tangling her fingers through his mane as it whipped every direction and had occasionally stung her face. She could never be angry on the back of a galloping horse, where she truly felt free. A small smile crept over her features as she felt him gather himself into a new gear, stretching long with great strength in each new stride. Wherever he was going, she was safe with him, so she urged him forward.

Beyond lines of trees, Sara saw there was a gorgeous rainbow streaming through the sky, colors far more vibrant than she'd ever seen. Was it shimmering? Viaggio drove forward, unwavering, in the direction of the brilliant colors that disappeared behind another row of trees. Where was he going...?

Swiftly, he met with the trees that disclosed a field beyond them, and skidded to a halt. Confused, Sara stared into the field with squinted eyes. It almost appeared as if the rainbow ended there, but that's impossible, isn't it? Looking closer, she gazed downward, following the direction of the rainbow to where it met grass, then furrowed her brow. Directly underneath, there was a figure there, perfectly still. It seemed to reflect light off its body, the sun shifting through golds and coppers as it played upon the coat. Viaggio whinnied a second time, breaking her thoughts. The figure turned. Did it see them?

Slowly, silently, the figure trotted toward them with purpose. Viaggio had followed, his pace much more calm and even now. Sara's eyes were fixed on the creature as it grew bigger, completely in awe by the beauty it beheld. There was something unsettlingly familiar about this creature... as if she's known it her whole life. The prideful way it moved, yet hindered by a slight hitch in the step, the reddish golden copper color that flashed magnificently even in the blotted light... it couldn't possibly be him, could it? No, that was absurd, and impractical in every way. He was gone, took every part of her with him as she held his lifeless form in her arms. She had to stop thinking that way before she drove herself to tears.

A long, unique whinny escaped from the other horse, long and rising and falling in erratic octaves. And in that moment, she knew.

Eyes growing wide, she urged her horse forward, now galloping towards her other half. Yards away from him, she slid off the painted back before he had even stopped. She fell briefly to her knees before she started running blindly towards the coppery horse. Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably as he grew nearer, soft gasps and whimpers escaping her lips as she ran. She reached for him, getting dizzy from the sheer emotion of it all, until he steadied her with his form. Finally she was home. She wrapped her arms tightly around her horse's neck as she sobbed. It was him, she could not believe what was happening, what her eyes withheld. He was beautiful, he was timeless, and he was hers again. She breathed in his smell like she thrived off it, tears soaking into his mane, his neck. "Blaze..." she breathed, barely a whisper. A soft nicker replied and she hugged him tighter. Sara was sobbing now, eyes screwed tight as she laced her fingers through his mane, her whole frame shaking with each shuddering breath. They stood together for what seemed like an eternity, but this moment was timeless. For the first time since he left her 3 years ago, she felt complete. It was as if the pain and lacerations of loss dissipated with the wind that caressed them softly. She didn't know how it happened, she had no answers for what was given to her, but she didn't care. In this moment, reunited with the personification of her soul, the one thing she couldn't live without, he was here, in her arms, like it was always meant to be. Like it was supposed to be.
Sobbing gradually turned to smiles that seemed forever plastered on her face. Choking through tears that still rolled down her cheeks, she pulled away, to admire him, to gaze upon her love, to hold his sweet face in her hands again. She kissed him on the diamond on his nose and rest her forehead against his, like they always used to do. Blaze gazed at her lovingly, nibbling her fingers as she rubbed his nose. It was as if time never passed between them.

She was finally healed. Finally whole. Sara resolved then that she'd never, ever let go of this horse again so long as she lived. He was hers. He was home.
__________________________________________________________________________________

Aaaand this is my entry for 's monthly theme, which for March is called "End of the Rainbow." The moment I heard the name, I was instantly inspired and had an idea I just had to put to work, whether it made it in the theme or not. It was something that really hit home for me, and took in a huge sentimental way. As some of you already know, Blaze is my horse I had in real life who had passed away nearly 3 years ago. He took my heart with him when he left, and I've never been the same. The story is if somehow he was brought back to me, which I know can't happen, but the idea burned in my head for nearly a month. I may have cried a few times, drawing this piece, and typing out the story. But I'll never tell...

If nothing else, this will be one of many tributes to my boy. I love and miss you so much, sweetheart... I hope you're sleeping sweetly.

Couple of new techniques, new style-ish. Oh and people. I drew a person. Excuse how horrible it is, please I actually used a screenshot from Spirit to get the "hugging" person, the small, blurry, near useless thing it was. Other than that, no references!

Anyway guys, I could talk about this one forever, but I'll spare you all. Hope you enjoy!

Credits:

About 30 layers
Approx. 20 hours, on and off.
Small Spirit screenshot reference
Blaze and Viaggio (C): Me
Nordanner (C): Cloudrunner64 and BrindleTail
Previous story (part one) here
_________________________
Fullbody plus background: +2
Story: +2
Show Entry: +1
WINNER!: +7

12 total kaaring per horse