We are at the school. 53k in

Sam laughed and took the reins. “Just how did I get tangoed up with you two clowns? You are going to make things interesting. Yes Wind you run good and I can’t wait to feel it with you. I am sure we will go further then I thought possible. However not right away. I need to learn how to handle your gates before we try running. Remember I need to learn even as you do.” Windsong tossed his head and stomped a bit. ‘We will learn fast. You will ride the others, but not far from me! And I will let That man work with me so we can run. Deal?’ He nosed her a bit, clearly calming her. Samantha laughed and started walking. “Yes boy, I am sure we will learn fast, but you must let me be with the other horse some. You can’t go getting upset with them because I talk to them or ride them. Even after we can run, I will need to ride others some as it is important that learn how to adjust to different gates and then they need to be ridden to. Think how it is to watch others but never get your turn.” Windsong said. ‘Yes, but I don’t have to like it. And you needn’t go off with them alone!’ Sam shook her head wondering why her mind made the horse seem so possessives of her. it was a bit silly of her to think he mind so much if she was around others, she used the reins to tell him to turn, knowing he needed to learn to respond to them, not just to verbal commands. He snorted. ‘I do not like those things, seems silly to me. They are an irritation.’] Sam patted his neck. “That’s it, I know they are upsetting but you need to get used to doing as they ask, there are times that a rider will need you to respond to them, not their voice.” He tossed his head. “I know it is upsetting, but it is for your safety and the riders. Yes you can tell the rider if the ground is unsafe, but the rider needs to know you will listen so they know there is a problem if you bulk a command.” She turned him again, and Jack nodded, she had good instincts and it would help Wind, for all she was green. She was turning in the middle not using the fence to guide the turns. Sam saw her dad watching and waved at him. “Just helping Wind cool down a bit before getting him into his supper, and I need to give Miss Nelly her carrot.” Wind nosed her and she laughed. “Yes, you get one to. So did Aunt Grace call mom to find out how much danger we are in?” Grant smiled. “I’m not trying to rush you, I just didn’t want anyone to think I had forgot where I left you three. Yes she called and was a bit upset, but it is good for her. It didn’t help any when she was told that no we weren’t watching to see just what all was picked out, but yes she thought there were a few items with mythical animals on them and that all of you were to go exploring. That if you didn’t go on your own she and I would be telling you to get of the house for a bit.” Tom said. “I can bet that went over well. Was she just sure we were going to get carried off? I can’t wait to get out there and get some pictures away from town. Just the space will scare them, even if I don’t get any animals in the first shots. Little own when I get into the caves.” Grant laughed. “Just remember, all of you, to send the pictures to your mom and I as well so when they call we have some idea what was in the picture to start with.” Jack said. “I thought you would be worried that Wind is likely going to insists they stay out all day a few times. Yet here you are telling them you expect them to do so. Aren’t you worried they will get lost?” Grant said. “I am sure they will, but they all know how to use a compass and a map. It will be different here then the parks they we taught them in, but they will be all right and will have their phones if they get to badly lost. I made sure that the phones had good service away from town. They are going to explore and trying to stop it would just mean they sunk off to do it. This is their home now, we want them to be comfortable here, both in the town and in the land around it. It will be good for them, if a bit scary at times. By agreeing to it we can have rules in place so we know when we need to go looking.” Jack smiled. “That will be a help, I will let the other hands know that you expect the kids to go exploring, so we don’t need to worry about trying to get them to tell us where they are going. Come on and we will get Wind his supper so you can go get yours.” He shook his head a bit, as moonstone was still haply sitting on the saddle, clearly liking the ride. “How big of pest is that bird making of himself?” Will said. “I opened the door to go back in the house last night and he raced in and stole a cookie from me! Then when we were talking to grandmother on a video call he flies in and cause her to dump her chair over!” Jack started laughing, causing a few other hands to look at them. So I would say he is fitting in well. Now as long as he remembers to make sure Sam doesn’t stay up all night reading, we are all set.” Sam said. “That is not fair. He is the one that insisted on two chapters last night. I was only going to read one.” Grant said. “And how many books did you look at after those?” Sam said. “None, he shut off the light!” Moonstone chirped. “Yes I know Dad told you to, but you didn’t have to listen that well.” Windsong nodded, causing Sam to shake her head. “Not you to? Honestly that bird doesn’t need the encouragement. At least it wants to hear the story so it will leave the light on that long.” Moonstone flapped his wings. “Yes I know you can make sure I don’t put off reading the next chapter to long, but I do get to read one of the others first mister or I will not read it to. Now I am barging with a bird. Can’t you just hear them back east? They would get me committed for sure.” Will laughed. “If they tried it Moonstone would just go to court and so soon the judge would find himself doing the same thing and therefore he couldn’t commit you without committing himself.” He did look at his sister though, and wondered when she would realize she was hearing more then they were from them. He wanted her to know it was alright, but didn’t want to upset her by pointing it out. It was always hard to know what to say when he noticed a new change. He didn’t want her scared and this was one they would suppress fast out east. Likely she had never even heard it was possible, he wouldn’t know if he hadn’t been in an office he should have been in taking the place of a delivery boy. It was worth it for he had learned a lot, but it wasn’t something he could admit to have done. They reached the stall and got Wind song in it then Sam started getting the tack off him, Jack nodded a bit as she had just jumped in. Miss Nelly neighed and put her head over her stall door. Sam laughed. “Yes, in just a bit I will be there with your carrot, just let me get Wind tended to so he can get his supper.” She was reaching for the brush as she spoke, knowing it would help him feel be better after having the saddle on. “Now you are likely going to have to let Jack finishing brushing you, but I can do some before I have to go sit a bit.” Moonsong stomped his foot. ‘I can wait for you. No need for him to take over. Go rest. I wait.’ Samantha shook her head. “You have to let him finish, it is important that you get brushed dry after a run, even though it wasn’t a hard one this time. You need this care now as it will see you are better able to handle the times you don’t get it latter. Be good and let him.” He snored but stopped the dancing. “Sorry Jack, I don’t know why he is so insistent that I am to be the one to see to him, but he will let you now. Just how did you get him tacked and out to the yard?” Jack said. “Likely he was willing to let me see to the tack only as you weren’t here, but I had to let him walk free. He was willing to follow me as long as I wasn’t holding the reins. “ Sam laughed and took a caret out of the bag she had with her and gave it to Windsong. “Now be good boy, I need to go sit down a bit, then I will see if I can help them get your supper to you before I go get mine.” She went over to the bench, being sure to give Miss Nelly her carrot before she sat down. After she had rested a bit she got back up and went to help the hands get the food out thinking it would help if Windsong saw her with the others, that then maybe he would start to trust them a bit. Windssong clearly didn’t like it, but he kept his protest to a bit of stomping. Sam was glad to get home that evening, it had been a long day, and there were still the items they had bought to be put up. They had set up the stands and put some food and water out. all of which Monestone loudy apprcated. Olivive shook her head. “I am glad we picked the right food, Mr. Bird. There is a sleep stand set up in Sam’s room for you as well. Now then we need to eat then we can get the rest of the stuff put away.” Monday. School at last. Sam smiled as she looked in the mirror. It was so odd to see herself dressed like this. She had went with a plan blue shirt for today, knowing it was going to stressful enough without wearing one of the wilder ones. The fairies on the backpack was enough to make her cringe a bit. For all it was tamer then a lot of the packs in the store had been. She took up the bag and looked at Moonstone. “So, what do you think?” He chirped and went over to her desk, picked up a chain with a red crystal dangling from it then brought it over to her. ‘You should have this to. Need it, you will see, there is a reason you bought it. Trust me, and your self. It will be fine.’ Sam shook her head, and took the chain. She still wasn’t sure what posed her to pick it up or why her father had willing bought it for her. Jewelry was not something she wore much of, but as they were walking past a stand selling the crystals of different sizes and colors she had to stop and look at them, for there was stones that that she had never seen. As she was looking at the necklace just seemed to call to her. She hadn’t meant to touch it, yet found she had taken it off the rack. The lady selling them had nodded, and told her it would be three dollars. Her dad had laughed and gave her the money, before Sam could say she had just wanted to see it closer. “I still don’t know just why I picked this up, but yes I have it so I should wear it. I wonder just what kind of stone is this. It feels real, but nothing I have seen in the geology books matches it.” She put it on and the bird chirped then went to the door, Sam laughed. “Yes we will go see about breakfast.” Laughing she headed to the kitchen. When they got to the kitchen Olivia smiled at her and shook her head a bit as the bird head to the perch they had set up in the corner. Just how why was it so attached to Sam? At least he didn’t see to mind the cat, and cat didn’t seem to mind him. “Morning Sam, your pancakes are just about ready.” Sam said. “Thank you mom. Now be good, you two. Furry I know full well Tom set you out food, no need to pout because I am giving Moonstone a bit. You wouldn’t like his anyway.” Olivia had to smile as the cat had been watching intent as Sam was getting a scoop of bird food out. Furry meowed. ‘True I don’t know how feather brain can eat that. However as long as it leaves mine alone I will leave his. Silly bird. How about some bacon?’ Moonstone chirped. ‘I don’t want bacon. Just how do you eat that grease stuff Fur Princes? I am not after your food. I do not know why like that, fruit is much tastier.’ Sam shook her head. “Tom don’t slip her to much bacon, I doubt if that grease is good for her. No Moonstone you do not need a cookie with your breakfast, but I will get you a few grapes. I don’t know about this, if you keep it up you are not going to be able to fly.” Tom laughed. “It was just one piece. That much wont hurt him any. Here’s the grapes for the bird, some red ones this time so he can see which he likes best. He is going to be as spoiled as my cat soon.” Grant laughed. “I don’t think there is any going to be about it. Now eat up so I can get you kids to school.” Laughing they started eating., and it wasn’t long until they were in the car and heading into town. Sam said, softly. “Bet it will be a relief when we are comfortable enough to take the bus.” She was sure the others would be, but didn’t want to force her to as it would take her time to be ready to. Public transportation was far from safe out east and so they had seldom taken her on it. Grant said. “Yes and no. I like taking you, but I will be glad as I fear you are going to refrain from hang out with the other kids just because you don’t want or mom or I to have to drive you. It truly isn’t a problem, but I know you all and know that it is limiting you. There is no need to rush it though, but know if you want to go some place with the others after school just call me. I can pick you up when you are ready.” Will said. “Sis we are not ready to take the bus either. That idea is as strange to us as it is you. Likely we will have to ride it with some others from school the fist few times. It is not going to be easy to believe it is safe to be on one without a gang pass. It is hard to get used to the lack of tags, and to not have to watch what colors you have showing in what area of town. However the more you do things you knew would get you in trouble but the trouble doesn’t happen the easier it is. That is why there are dragons all over my bag, and why I said your phone need to be over your shoulders and not in your bag. Have the skulls showing will help you believe the rules don’t matter anymore.” Sam smiled as they pulled up to her school. “I know and it makes sense, but I do think the fairies on the bag did the job well enough, however it will make it easier to find the thing when Roger texts to ask if I really am in school.” She laughed and opened the door, trying to act like she wasn’t nervous. “I will see you after school.” she got out of the car. Grant nodded, he wanted to walk her in, but knew she was too old for that. Still it was hard, she had never had to start a new school by herself before and he couldn’t help but worry a bit. “Have a good day, if I’m not here when you get out I will be shortly.” Sam nodded and shut the door then started up the walk. It was so odd not to have Will there joking with her or call to his friends about the game he had watched. However she couldn’t let them know it troubled her. She made it to the door and opened it, then headed to the chairs, knowing she needed to sit before going on to the office. It struck her again how there were no divisions in the school. She had to wonder how long it would take her to get used to it, to fully believe that it didn’t matter here, if she would ever stop checking the posters for the gang tags to know if she needed to move. She saw Mr. White walking over to her and smiled. Before she could speak he did. “Hi Samantha, I am glad to see you made it. Just give me a bit and I find Erin, she has the same classes you do so she will help you navigate this maze and you will help us as you can make sure we are not having to get her off the floor as much.” He smiled trying to relax her, knowing she was troubled by have to rest as much as did. “I will be right back, just don’t disappear.” Sam laughed. “I was going to the office, but knew that if I didn’t suit a bit someone would be picking me up.” He nodded. “I wonder the front hall in the morning so they just would have had to chases me down had you made it there. I will be back in a bit, I am fairly sure where she is.” Sam watched him leave and shook her head a bit. She kind of wished Roger was here to see this, yet was glad he wasn’t. He was going to be shocked if he came out over the break and she really thought he would, just so he could see what was going on. Sam hoped she didn’t looked as shocked as she felt when Mr. White came in to view, but the girl with him would have been in all kinds of trouble back east. Seeing her was another reminder that the laws were different out here. As she had bright orange hair and her shirt was shaded to look like she was wrapped in flames. Her pants were black, but they were sparkling. Mr. White said. “See told you it wouldn’t take me long to find her. Edith this is Samantha. Samantha, Edith has been going here for three years, so she can make sure you learn all the ins and outs of the school.” He had to smile as he expected Samantha was a bit shocked by Edith, but he was sure that they would be good friends before the day was out, which would be good for both of them. Edith tended to hide in spite of her love of bright colors. She needed a friend as bad as Samantha needed help adjusting to a less restricted life. Edith smiled and hoped she wasn’t scaring the girl to badly, she looked a bit lost. “Hi Samantha, and don’t worry it is a bit of a maze but it doesn’t take long to learn. Mr. White do you have her locker information or do we need to go to the office after it?” He took a paper out and smiled. “This time I did remember, she has the one across from you. Here is the combination for it. Now you have good day. I had best go tell them that they shouldn’t turn the poster upside down. We are supposed to make sure they are readable after all.” He head off down the hall, think it best to leave them alone. Sam shook her head and stood up. “Hi Edith, thank you for agreeing to help me out, this school looks to be a good bit different from the others I have been to. I hope I won’t slow you down to much, I fear I am still getting my strength back and my legs insist I sit and rest them a bit to often for my likening.” Edith said. “No problem, there is no rush here. All the teaches know there are times you just have to sit and rest a bit. Being with you will help me remember to so hopefully I won’t be found in the floor. I am just back in school my self, but forget that I need to rest more.” She was pleased to see the girl relax a bit and had to wonder just where she was from. She really did look scared and sound far too ashamed of the fact that she needed to rest. There was no reason to be that upset about it. It was just a part of how the body coped with the changes Adsons forced on it, and Sam clearly had visible changes so would be hit hard. As tall as she was she had to be a level four, so would be feeling it hard. Likely she had a strong gift as well. I should see if I can’t get Nick to talk to her a bit next time he is by, might help ease her fear a bit to meet another four. “so our lockers are just over here. I find it best to leave the off days books in the locker, but have the days with me instead of making the trip to locker between each class, then after lunch we can just leave the bags in the lockers as they won’t be needed for the afternoon. Just see you have a pen in your pocket should there be a work sheet need in government. We aren’t expected to have the book in there.”