FSE

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Rhannah waits outside for the mare to finish up, only to be greeted by the snort of the annoyed horse, her arms occupied by bags upon bags of groceries.

"What was that all about?" Halia asks.

"What? You buying your groceries? Did you honestly expect me to pay for your food?"

"I wouldn't have to pay for this if you didn't clean out my fridge."

Rhannah shrugs. "Were you going to eat that slop?"

"No, but I'd probably just go out and-"

Rhannah waits patiently for a response. Halia narrows her gaze but doesn't respond. Instead, she just puts her stuff in the trunk. "You know, I know you're manipulating me."

"It isn't manipulation if you choose to go through with it," Rhannah says. "And I'm glad you have. So, do you have plans tonight?"

"Tonight?" Halia asks, closing the trunk. "Well, I was planning on grabbing a drink, but now with this detour, I- wait a minute."

Rhannah smirks and slips into the back seat. Halia marches around to the other side. "Now, wait a minute, here. You... you wanted me to be broke!"

"You're already broke," Rhannah says.

The car pulls off, and the cow turns towards her equine companion. "I just made sure you spent the last of your money on something important. Now then, you haven't been able to keep steady employment. Is that because you are unfulfilled, or you just don't like environments in which you find yourself?"

"Oh, no, throwing out drunk bastards trying to cop a feel on me is what I've always wanted to do with my life."

"Not much of a guardian, then, are you? Exactly what I thought."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Someone, as decorated as you are, doesn't get where they were simply because of their dedication to protecting people."

"Right, right, this again. You think I'm just going to bend over backward and do anything you ask me to."

"Within reason, certainly. I know full well what happens when you're upset," Rhannah responds, cradling her udders.

"Yeah, uh, sorry about that."

"No, you're right."

"What? That you're trying to make me your slave?" Halia glances over towards her. "You just said-"

"Oh, I know, I know. There's a distinct difference in that you are entering a voluntary position and I do not own you, but I do wish for your service."

Halia snorts. "So, what? You want me to pick up your coffee? Do your laundry?"

"If you wish," Rhannah says. "But, truthfully, I just need someone to help me out... keep the life at the top from being less lonely."

"What about him?" Halia asks, nodding to the front.

"Chance? He has much more important things to be doing than chauffeuring me around, don't you, Chance?"

"Uh, yes, ma'am."

"I don't have anyone dedicated to helping me out with any and all of my needs, and he certainly won't be able to provide what I require daily. "

"Eh... I guess I can give this servitude thing a shot," Halia says, leaning her elbow against the door. "It's not like I'm doing anything else interesting, anyway."

"Very good, then. Chance, take us home."

The house is large--easily large enough for an extended family to find comfortable, and it sits on a grassy hill overlooking neighboring farmland. A moving truck sits at the end of the driveway, locked tight. Rhannah gets out of the car and goes right to the truck, opening it up to a selection of boxes.

"What's going on here, exactly?" Halia asks

"New place overlooking the dairy over there. Thought I'd get myself close to the action, but the place is far too big for me to maintain on my own." She climbs up into the truck and grabs the first box, handing it over to Halia. "Here--you can put it in the front room. I'm going to figure out what should be going in next."

Halia hefts the box in her hands and heads on inside. The building itself is cold--powerful AC for a hot day--and each of her hoof clops echo throughout the spacious interior. She drops the box, leaning against the wall and shivers. "Damn... it really is lonely in here..." she says, rubbing her shoulders.

The door opens up, and Rhannah steps inside, glancing around with a bright smile on her face. "With a little work, this can easily be home, don't you think?"

"I think its too big for a single woman all on her own."

Rhannah shrugs, placing her box down. "Well, I mean, it doesn't have to be me all by myself out here. The drive would probably get annoying for you if you were going to stick around in that apartment of yours."

"Driving from my place all the way out here would probably kill my car."

"Then, maybe you should consider taking one of the guest rooms. Room and board, plus pay? How's that for benefits?" She walks off, a spring in her step.

"Board? I just bought my own damn food!" Halia shouts, missing the cow. She snorts, heading out to finish up the work.

A few hours later, and the sun begins to set on their long day out. The boxes are all set aside, and the food all put away. Rhannah plops down on one of the boxes, drinking a crisp, clear glass of water. "'Nothing like a hard day's work,' my momma always said. Though managing is nothing compared to labor. Funny thing is, we're getting up bright and early to unpack the rest of this."

"Yeah, great. How am I getting home?" Halia asks.

"I mean, I guess I could call Chance to have him ferry you there now... but it is so late. I did have them bring me a bed."

"A... one bed?"

Rhannah shrugs. "Ever have a sleepover?"