Out for a ride

[River]

Shannon's light-hearted laugh rang out, startling a few birds out of the trees. When she laughed her face lit up like a Christmas tree, and her eyes sparkled. She impatiently brushed a strand of hair out of her face, but the wind whipped it back again. Giving up, she looked at him speculatively, then said, "You ever been camping?"

[nahash]

“I have been a few times but not as much as I would like, way do you ask” Alex said inquiring about the random question.

[River]

"Well, you mentioned it being a long night until the sunrise, so I was just thinking... But it's a crazy idea." she shook her head and chuckled at the seemingly ridiculous thought.

[nahash]

thou she did not finish her statement Alex know what she was saying "it might not be that crazy of an idea, I don't know about yours but my saddle blanket is large enough to sleep on". He looked at her with a shy smile "we can spend the night out here". the reined his house in and stopped saying "you know this clearing would be a good spot to look at the stars. . . if you want to that is".

[River]

Shannon started laughing. "A spur-of-the-moment type of guy, I see. I like that! A night under the stars sounds awesome." She grinned, and her smile lit up her lightly-tanned face. "How about over there? That looks soft..." She pointed to the top of a gently-sloping hill in the middle of the clearing.

[nahash]

“A wise man once said never say no to a good thing” Alex replied with a smile. “I think that looks like as good a place as any to spend the night with a cute girl”.

Leading Cream towards the hill that Shannon had pointed Alex dismounted near a lone tree. Picketing his mount so that she could eat, he took her saddle and pack off. He then took the blanket and laid it out on the hill. Alex than made his way over to the wear Shannon was “can I help you” he ask.

[River]

Shannon, who had never been much of a blusher, found herself turning a delicate shade of pink beneath her olive tan at his words. She let Cookie follow Cream over to the tree, remembering with disgruntlement that her wheelchair was still in the barn. Oh well. She smiled as he offered to help her, but inwardly she sighed. This was going to be embarrassing. She had always hated appearing weak, hated it more than most things. "I think I've got it..." she said, trying to hide any uncertainty in her voice. She tapped Cookie twice on the shoulder. "Cookie, let me down please," she said to the horse. He obediently lowered himself as close to the ground as he could. She leaned forward and carefully rolled off of him, ending up sitting on the grass next to him. He stood up and snuffled her hair affectionately.

[nahash]

“you have not stopped amazing me, the way you have adapted, the way you stay active” Alex took a seat next to Shannon, “I had an uncle that was in a wheelchair, he gave up on life, just sat around and drank and felt sorry for himself.” He took a deep breath and sighed “I don’t know, I guess I just always though everyone in wheelchairs was like him. It makes me happy to know that there are people like you, so strong and capable”

[River]

"Heh, thanks," she replied with a slight smile. "I... I really hate feeling disabled. I hate that it's actually helpful when people open doors for me. Most people hate being a burden, and I guess I do, but mostly I hate feeling like there's anything I'm incapable of. And all those motivational people are all like 'You can overcome any obstacle and do anything you want to!' and in theory it's true, but try doing gymnastics in a wheelchair! Sometimes there is stuff you can't do, or, at least, can't do with any semblance of dignity. Anyway, sorry, that's my little rant for the day." she gave a small chuckle and averted her eyes sheepishly.