We emerged from the wood into a field of grass and wildflowers, a breeze flowing through my (now short) hair. The cool air hit my nostrils, calming my slight pant and I put my fan away as I closed my eyes with a soft smile.

A bit of a ways from us was a generously sized stable for horses and various pastures and arenas all around. There were horses grazing and foals playing in the pastures, but it seemed like we were the only people around. Many, many feet across the field and past some woods was a large house that rose above the trees and probably was the house of the owners of this beautiful property.

By the looks of it, though, Lance wasn't as impressed as I. His face was still scrunched into that resting bitch scowl. It was like he'd seen it all before, and I'll be honest, Lance and Osamu didn't strike me as the forest tromping types.

Just before the high elevation we were on sloped down to the stable, Osamu stopped and slid behind Lance.

"Close your eyes, love." he said, hands in the air by Lance's eyes since he was about to cover them.

Lance's shoulders pinched together and he gulped, physically looking a little distressed.

Osamu tenderly rested his hands on Lance's shoulders to try and relax them. "Lance.. Please? I'm not gonna hurt you."

With a deep breath, Lance closed his eyes and Osamu covered his resting lids, urging him forward gently.

Feeling a little giddy myself, I followed closely behind them down the hill to the stable.

We all shuffled into the stable and then stopped in front of a wash stall with a gigantic horse standing patiently at the crossties.

The horse, about 18 hands, had an all white body with long, slender legs that had dark grey stockings and ended with black hooves. Its muzzle was a soft black color as such its gentle, black eyes that seemed to have a secret fire of passion and spirit burning deep inside of them.

Osamu unleashed Lance's from their restraints and they flew open wide upon seeing the horse presented to him.

"I hope you're not allergic!"

Lance just meekly shook his head and strolled up to the calm giant, reaching out to let him sniff his hand.

"His name is D-- Dee-o-nee-sus. After that Greek god."

"Dionysus," Lance corrected, "The god of wine, fertility, ritual madness, religious ecstacy, and theater. Effeminate and young. Did you name him?"

Osamu shook his head with a little chuckle. "No, I didn't. His previous owner breeds expensive thoroughbreds and instead of giving me money, he traded Dionysus for Ako. He said that Dionysus was worth something like $100k?"

Lance nodded while he listened and stoked his expensive, new pet's cheek.

Gently, Osamu placed his hands on Lance's shoulders. "Would you.. Like to take him for a little spin?"

To that, Lance batted his eyes over to Osamu and gave him a small nod.