Elodie did not like sleeping in Howie's big metal wagon.

The hard floor was cold and hard, but to fix this, he rolled out a soft, leather mat for them to lay on. If that was all, then it would be perfect, but then he laid two layers of thick woolen blankets overtop, which made the sleeping area much too soft and squishy. Except where the blankets bunched up into hard pockets whenever she moved, areas she could not smooth down no matter how she shifted or patted. Not that she could do much shifting about. The wagon was not very large, with no room to stretch and spread out. At best, Elodie, Chrissy, Cowie, and Astrid could sleep shoulder to shoulder with a little room in between. It was much better when they curled up together like spoons in the cupboard, but Chrissy liked to be the little spoon, and so did Elodie and Cowie. Astrid did not want to be a spoon, so she slept on her back on the other side of Chrissy, leaving Elodie's back to the wagon's cold, metallic wall that sucked the heat right out of the air much too quickly.

This was her burden as the oldest and strongest, so she would shelter the others from the cold touch of the wall. This meant that if she wanted to keep warm, she had no choice but to trap herself under two layers of thick, heavy covers Howie insisted they use. He did not want them catching cold, which was a strange thing to say. How could one catch the cold? It was either cold or it was not, so catching cold did not make sense. Howie said many things that never made sense though, and Elodie learned to nod along once she understood enough to do what he wanted.

In this case, it was to sleep under the heavy covers and deny herself the touch of moving air. Of which there was none, not after the door was shut tight, so she quickly grew too hot under the covers, only to remove them and be greeted by the biting cold. There was no middle ground, and her silly poofy nightgown did nothing to help either, one Howie insisted she wear even though she was much more comfortable going without. Astrid even took things one step further and said she had to wear the poofy lacey shorts, which were so very pretty with their embroidered flowers, but kept bunching up in between Elodie's legs and felt oh so very restricting. The outside people had such strange customs and so very many rules, it made her head spin trying to remember them all, but Mama and Papa said that outside, she would have to abide by the outsiders' rules, even though they didn't always abide by the tribe's rules when they were on tribal lands.

It was not fair, but many things were not fair in the outside world, not even for themselves. They all knew it too, but did nothing to fix it, which was very silly. If confronted, Howie would shrug and say, "It is what it is", as if there was no way to change it, but Elodie did not understand why. Surely if enough people just did things differently, then it would become the new normal that is, and then it would no longer be what it was, but Papa and Mama both said that was not the way things worked. Beasts and humans alike craved structure, and being more complex creatures than beasts, humans created all these rules and guidelines to provide that necessary structure, even if there were many who did not go along with said structure and went their own way.

So Elodie went her own way and removed her shorts as soon as Astrid's breathing steadied enough to show that she was asleep. If she did not notice, then she would not mind, and while Chrissy noticed, she did not mind and simply waited for Elodie to toss her shorts aside before snuggling in close with Cowie. They were both very soft and silky, and smelled of flowers and soap which tickled Elodie's nose, but it was not unpleasant. Nor was Astrid's scent, which was of different flowers and soap, but also had a hint of pungent elements that changed almost every time Elodie met her. Astrid was always working with all sorts of different ingredients for her Alchemy, which Mama said was like cooking with magic. It sounded so very interesting, but when Elodie asked to learn, she could not understand all the talk of reagents, solutions, and aliquots that Astrid went on about. It did not look as fun as cooking either, which Elodie was not very good at, but still enjoyed helping Mama with. Astrid would not allow Elodie to help though, saying it was too dangerous, but it did look like fun mixing all those ingredients and adding magic into them to drink.

Howie carried many such potions, and even gave Elodie two which she wore on a braided leather cord around her neck. The one with the brown wax seal was a Barkskin potion, which would turn her into a tree-person like Monsieur Rowan. That seemed like it would be great fun, especially since Mama said there were Wildshapers capable of communing with the tree spirits to become tree-people. Elodie had tried many times before, but she could not speak to the tree spirits or hear what they had to say, the same way she could not understand fish or insect spirits. Sometimes it was just that way, as tree, fish, and insect Shapers were not common, though Mama and Papa did not know why.

The potion with the yellow wax seal was even better, as it glowed with so much magic it made her skin tingle to touch it. Instead of a tree-person, it would turn her into a cloud person, and Elodie could not wait to experience it for herself. Again, Mama said there were no cloud spirits to bind, but there were Elemental Spirits to find and connect with. These too were rare, even more rare than tree, fish, and insect Shapers, but they told her the tales of the Wildfire Shaper who spent half his time in the world of Spirits and burned the plains to deny the colonizers pasture during wartime. They also spoke of Shining Elk who united the tribes to stand against the Lords of the Nights and became one with the storms he called upon to drive them away. To the north, they spoke of Qimugjuk who was marked by frost and used his powers to give shelter to his people so that they could thrive even during the coldest months of the year in a land that never thawed.

All powerful Shapers who the tribes will remember forevermore. Elodie had no desire to be remembered by anyone besides her tribe, but it would be so much fun to Shape into a cloud and go soaring off into the skies. Though she had yet to hear the clouds or the trees speak, she thought that maybe using the potions would let her hear their faint whispers for the first time. Howie warned her against drinking the potions 'on a lark', which Elodie took to mean without good reason. While learning how to hear the trees and the clouds did seem like a worthy cause, Papa said the potions were very expensive and meant to save her life in an emergency, so she promised not to drink it unless she was in grave danger.

These potions at least. If Elodie earned her own money and bought these same potions from Astrid, then she could drink them as she pleased. To do that however, she would have to go out and hunt many Aberrations. Scary as that prospect seemed, the hunting of Aberrations was the easier part, as Mama and Papa always said that outsiders were far more dangerous than Aberrations could ever be. That's why Elodie stayed on tribal lands as much as she could, because the outsiders could be so cruel to their own, and even crueler to those they saw as enemies. Howie would show her how to navigate the rules though, the Accords and Federal Laws he went on and on about without ever making much sense.

Still, she would listen to him even if she didn't understand, because he was wise in these ways. The outsiders saw him as an outsider too, even though he had grown up amongst them. More proof of their cruelty, to take a child in yet not accept him into the tribe and deny him the warmth and love that came with it. All living creatures had a yearning to belong, a desire which sometimes transcended life itself and stayed with them in the afterlife. That was how she was able to commune with the Spirits after all, by opening herself up and offering a tribe to the tribeless, and the Spirits who responded to that invitation became one with Elodie.

Perhaps that was why Howie could speak to the Spirit of his hand, but could not hear the voices of any other Spirits. He had never known a tribe of his own, so how could know how to offer that to others? This was why no Spirits would speak to him, or perhaps why he could not hear them. So sad, but he would learn in time and perhaps one day run through the forests and swim through the lakes with Elodie.

The thought alone was enough to draw her out of slumber. Alert as always, Cowie blinked his sleepy grey eyes to check if all was well as she slipped out of her blankets, so she quietly invited him on her run with a tilt of her head. An invitation he was all too happy to accept as he wiggled out of Chrissy's arms, waking her and the kiccaws in the process. Her pretty purple eyes were so sleepy and lost, but she saw Elodie's invitation and shook her head in silent refusal. Instead, she gave tapped Cowie's nose and gave him a Bolstering Compliment before curling up with the birds and Astrid, who was still fast asleep and snoring lightly. Leaving them to it, Elodie climbed out of the metal wagon with Cowie and closed the door softly behind her. Then and only then did she have herself a big stretch beneath the morning sky, with the sun just peeking out over the horizon and mostly hidden by the trees.

It was still cold out, and her nightgown did nothing to help, so she hugged Cowie close as she padded over to the boat's edge. Waving at Monsieur Askefjord with a smile, she made ready to jump overboard when he wandered over for a word with cigarette in hand, so she waited to see what he had to say. "Morning Elodie," he said, stopping two arm's lengths away while staring at the other side of the boat. Mama said the outsiders considered it rude not to look at the person you were speaking to, but Monsieur Askefjord was another friend of the tribe, so he would not be rude on purpose. He must have some other reason to look away, so Elodie replied in kind with a big, bright smile while moving into his field of view.

"Bonjour Monsieur Askefjord," she chimed, and Cowie gave a soft greeting too, but the other man did not reach out to pat Cowie's head like he normally would.

"You're up early," he said, turning to look away from Elodie once more as he took another puff. "Still another hour before end of watch. Astrid's snoring wake you up?"

Elodie shook her head. "I slept very well, and Astrid's snoring is very soft." She fell silent then, because it would not be polite to complain about the sleeping arrangements. As for Monsieur Askefjord, he did not respond even though he continued standing there with eyes averted like he still had something to say. Thinking it through, she realized he wanted to know why she was up so early, though why he could not simply ask was another of those things that even Mama and Papa couldn't explain. "I am going for a run with Cowie," she declared, bouncing in place at the prospect of thundering down new trails and taking in all the new scents, sights, and tastes. Cowie was well travelled and knew many plants that were delicious to eat, so he would have many new things to show her today.

Things she was not supposed to talk about, not even with friends of the tribe like Monsieur Askefjord or Howie. Mostly because they would not understand, like how Howie always made faces when she mentioned eating clams. Then again, he made those faces whether the clams were cooked or raw, so that didn't count. The eating was not the reason for her wanting to run though. Yesterday, she ran the trails before Howie came to pick her up in his boat, but that was all. There was no morning swim, no afternoon trek, no climbing trees or digging tunnels, just walking back and forth across the bouncing deck. Which was fun, but hardly enough, so she needed to run and feel the wind in her mane and the ground beneath her hooves for no reason besides her desire to.

And that was reason enough, though many seemed to think otherwise. At least Monsieur Askefjord did not ask and just nodded along like he expected it. Still he would not look at Elodie, and she was growing concerned, because he seemed like he was suffering as his cheeks turned red with the effort. "Well, erm, maybe you should talk to Howie about it first? You know, let him know you're leaving the ship."

"Okay," Elodie replied, though she did not understand why he could not simply tell Howie when he woke up. Skipping over to the cabin door, she slowly padded inside and stayed silent as a marty as she made her way to his side. Harald did not stir as she passed his hammock hung right by the door, his breathing steady and even in sleep, but her attention was on Howie on the other side of the room. He slept with arms crossed and shoulders tight, fully dressed in the same clothes she'd seen him wearing last night. Duster included, while his hat hung on a peg next to the bed alongside four of his six guns. The other two were still on his belt, which he had not removed before laying down in bed, nor had he taken off his boots which hung out over the end.

Which seemed silly, to sleep armed like this, but no sillier than asking the wulf to remove his fangs and claws before laying his head to rest. This was who Howie was, vigilant and prepared for violence at all times, though Papa said this was not necessary to protect oneself from the outsiders. She was to learn from him, but not pick up his bad habits and poor temperament, though Papa could not explain how she was to know what to learn and what not to, so she would have to decide which was which. This guarded vigil did not seem comfortable, but it could be worth learning if she were ever to be without her tribe or friends. Astrid, Howie, and Monsieur Askefjord kept watch last night, but even then Howie did not wholly relax so he would be ready for any emergencies, and Elodie wanted to know how ready he really was.

That's why she wanted to sneak up on him, to see how close she could get, but Elodie was barely halfway there before Howie stirred in his bunk. It was subtle, how he woke, not with a sharp breath or sudden movement like so many others, just a simple twitch of the eye and stilling of the body that most would miss. That was all, but she knew the game was up and walked the rest of the way before kneeling at his bedside. A bed large enough for the both of them if they squeezed together, without cold metal walls sapping away all her warmth. "Bonjour Howie," she whispered, leaning in to touch her forehead to his shoulder as he reached up to pat her hair and Cowie's nose.

He smelled of Aether and gun oil, with a hint of musk and smoke. Wood smoke, not cigarette, all seeped into his leather duster and cotton shirt to become a part of his scent. "Mornin' Ella-dee." Still he did not say her name right, but she liked the way the words rolled off his tongue. She especially liked his gentle touch, so warm and tender like Mama's as he ran his fingers through her bangs to work out the tangles. "Couldn't sleep?"

Shaking her head, Elodie repeated what she told Monsieur Askefjord, to which Howie responded with a soft sigh. "Right," he said, signalling that he was going to sit up so she could move out of the way. He moved slowly and with purpose, getting up without use of his hands so they were always ready to draw. Not that there was any danger here, or even that he expected it. He simply moved in this manner because he'd trained himself to, the habits of a warrior learned on the battlefield that was the Frontier. That's what Papa said, who always followed it with a sigh, though he would not explain why. He said it was because Howie's war was with himself, and Elodie did not understand, but Papa said she would in time. So she watched and she learned only be left more confused than when she started.

True to his training, Howie made ready for war, as the first thing he reached for was his gun belt. A second belt he wore over the first and never went anywhere without, not even to the bathroom it would seem. When he came back, his eyes had finally adjusted to the darkness and he fixed them on Elodie with a frown. "You can't be wandering around in your nightgown girlie," he admonished, wrapping her in his duster before helping her up off the floor. "It ain't proper."

"But I am going out to run," Elodie declared again, unsure if he'd already forgotten. It would be silly to get dressed just to cross a few meters from the boat to the shore, especially if her clothes were going to get wet. At least with the nightgown, she could hang it out to dry instead of having to change into a new outfit after her run.

Howie would know all of this if he only stopped to think, but he was so set in his ways he didn't even try. "Still ain't proper," he grumbled, buttoning up his duster around Elodie's shoulders and Cowie's neck as the sweet calf leaned his head against Howie's chest. "Wandering about in a nightgown in broad daylight with menfolk around."

It was not daylight, only dawn, but Elodie did not argue. She only pouted and waited for Howie to finish his grumbling and fussing before following him out onto deck. "We're going for a run," he told Monsieur Askefjord, and Elodie's heart fluttered in delight. "If anyone tries to board the ship, I advise you to shoot them and sail away, or at the very least threaten to. All legal and above board."

Though Howie smiled when he said it, he was deadly serious. This boat was his home away from home, his territory which he brought with him out on his travels, and now he entrusted its safety to Monsieur Askefjord who responded with a nervous smile while touching the pistols he wore on his belt. Howie saw the older man's anxiety, but made no effort to soothe him as he gestured for Elodie to follow him onto the dinghy. A smaller boat which could also be called a 'tender', 'skiff', 'rowboat', and several other terms she could not keep track of, one attacked to the bigger boat Howie called a catamaran. She did not understand why they had to use the dinghy, as the water was not deep and the shore close enough to swim to in a matter of seconds, but she did not complain because Howie was coming along with her for her morning run.

The dinghy moved so slowly, she could hardly contain her excitement as she leaped onto shore as soon as she was close enough. She still had to wait as he dragged the small boat onto shore and tied it to a tree to keep it from floating off. Then and only then did he give her a nod and gestured for her to go off and Wildshape. She was to move out of his sight but remain close by, instructions Papa, Mama, and Howie all agreed on together and made her repeat much too many times before allowing her to come along on the trip. Again, she did not understand why, but outsiders had very strange customs about clothing and nudity. Everyone went on and on about covering up, but Tina and Chrissy wore pretty dresses that showed off their shoulders, while Noora and Josie showed off even more, which Howie liked very much. So why did he frown when he saw Elodie in her nightgown, which covered her from neck to knees? Did he not like the way she looked?

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Strange that, and stranger still was how none of this applied when she was Wildshaped. Reaching out to Dancing Hooves came as naturally as breathing, and the filly responded with a soft whicker on the breeze that brought her together with Elodie. Many outsiders asked if Wildshaping hurt, but it was as natural as changing one dress for another. Or perhaps it would be better to say changing the colour and shape of the dress while you still wore it, because Elodie was still Elodie. She was also Dancing Hooves now, a sweet foal who yearned to run but could not even walk, so she did not survive long enough to fulfill her dream. That is why she responded to Elodie's call, so they could run together, and today they would run with Howie too. Two having become one, they pranced out of the trees to return Howie's duster alongside her nightclothes and greet him with a play bow and a nuzzle before doing the same to friend Cowie, who was still small and cute as he jumped for joy around the both of them.

"Frisky little filly, ain't ya?" Howie said, grinning as he patted her neck and chest even though that would be wrong to do if she were not Wildshaped. She did not mind if he did it in either form. He had a gentle touch with calloused hands that knew where all her itchy spots were and gave her a good scratch as she took in his scent and rubbed hers onto him. "Before we go though, try to keep in mind I've only got two legs and spent all winter sitting around and getting fat." Hardly, as Howie was much too skinny, but that too would be rude to say, so Elodie just whinnied and flicked her head in excitement as he threw his duster on and asked, "Alright, where to?"

Silly Howie. He was the leader, so he must lead. Elodie and Dancing Hooves both told him as much. It took many play bows and head butts, but when he finally understood, he simply chuckled and shook his head like she was the silly one. "Alright. Guess I'll lead the way."

With that, Howie set off into the woods at a jog. Hardly fast enough for Elodie's taste, and she knew he was teasing her when he pretended like he didn't notice her nudging him along. Turning to flash a grin, he chuckled and said, "Alright, alright. Hold your horses." Then he bolted off without warning, his body all aglow with magic as his Spell took hold around him and drove him onwards ever faster into the forest. Letting out a whinny in protest, she galloped after him in a fluster as Dancing Hooves worried that her stallion had abandoned them. She did not know Howie as well as Elodie did, did not understand that even though he was not her mate, he would not abandon them. Horses were herd beasts, and young Dancing Hooves had lived her life without ever meeting a human, so she did not understand their games.

Elodie did though, so she tried her best to calm Dancing Hooves, but the sweet calf was spooked and not so easily assured. Especially with Howie running as fast as he could and Cowie trotting along after him without looking back. Dancing Hooves was young and coltish, her body gangly and movements awkward because she did not learn much in life and had to learn alongside Elodie. They could not run like the wind alongside Papa and Mama, but they always kept pace alongside Dancing Hooves, keeping them sheltered between them or other members of the tribe, so this was a first for them both.

Alone. Exposed. Vulnerable. And afraid. All feelings Dancing Hooves did not like it much. She cried out for her stallion, alerted him to her fear, but Howie did not understand her call. There was no trail here either, and Howie ran between trees and over ledges where they could not follow, and flustered as Dancing Hooves was, she lost precious seconds picking her path to follow after. Elodie tried to calm her, tell her Howie was not far and they could still see him, but then he disappeared into the brush and Dancing Hooves panicked. Letting loose with a braying scream, she collapsed on her hindquarters and cried for fear of abandonment, and Elodie felt her fear and grief keenly enough to cry alongside her.

A second, maybe two was all it was, but it felt like an eternity before Howie appeared. "You hurt?" he asked, looking around for danger before crouching next to Elodie. Both she and Dancing Hooves reacted in the same manner, driving their head into his chest to cry and be reassured by his presence. "It's okay Ella-dee," he said, his voice all soft and soothing as can be as he stroked her neck and nuzzled her head with his cheek. "You're fine. I'm here. You got nothin' to be afraid of."

At least he had learned to give her hugs after needlessly scaring her. It was all his fault to begin with, and in this, Elodie was in agreement with Dancing Hooves, so together, they nipped his arm as a warning. "Ow," he exclaimed, looking all aggrieved like he didn't understand, but he should know. They were herd, so they should run together, not away from one another like predators at play. Then again, he was a predator through and through, so perhaps he didn't understand, so she nosed his chest to say she was sorry before carefully latching onto his sleeve with her teeth. This way, he could not run away and they could run together, to which Howie laughed and said, "Okay, okay. I got you."

And he did, as when he set out again, he kept close watch on Elodie and Dancing Hooves to make sure they could keep up. Then they were happy again, because he was doing his part as stallion and leading their little mixed herd of three. All was as it should be as they ran through the trees, and whenever he needed to slow to a walk to catch his breath, Cowie led her to the choicest treats. A bell-shaped flower full of crunchy seeds, the leafy greens atop a foul melon, a patch of grumbleberries with a tart bite that was oh so refreshing on the tongue, Cowie knew so very many good plants to eat and found them all with ease. He even found a patch of sweetgrass clover to share and let her have first taste, so she politely left him most because the clover could not compare to Howie's candies.

Howie was not idle in this time either, as he'd pick some herbs and grasses to put into his pouches while telling her all about it. They were only a day's boat ride away from home, but the plants were all so very different. There were still the same towering whitewoods and a smattering of silverleaf beeches, but the smaller trees were all different and the plants even more so. Mallowleaf, Firestem Thistle, Dewroot Tubers, Howie named everything they came across and even snacked on a tuber with a grin before sharing it with Elodie, showing how they were herd and that he understood why Elodie and Dancing Hooves had been so scared before. He was a very smart man, knowing so much about so very many things, and though he said he would not be her mate, she was still determined to win him over. Not just because of what he knew, what he could do, or all the delicious foods he cooked, but because of who he was.

A kind, sweet man who was hurting so very much after losing Josie. Noora too, as she had left to find her own path, and while Elodie was supposed to be on her journey to find hers, she already knew her path would follow alongside Howie's.

Before she knew it, they had looped back around to the ship and she was all tired and run out. Striding forth to lap up the river water, she drank deep alongside Cowie, and when they were done, she looked up with a dripping mouth and gave Howie a grin before flinging her head off to dry. That was Dancing Hooves' idea, a little more payback for the scare earlier, while Elodie was content to shape back into human form and wrap Howie in a big hug. "That was not nice, running off without Elodie," she declared, clinging on tight until Howie shrugged himself free all too easily and threw his duster at her.

"And I apologize dearly for it," Howie said, scrambling back and away while holding out her nightgown. "But let's finish this conversation when you're dressed again." Always with the clothes. Giving a huff to let her displeasure be known, she gave him a glare and a pout just to be sure he understood. Then and only then did she throw on her nightgown and his duster before crossing her arms as she waited for the rest of his apology. Which never came, as he gave her a look and waved her onto the dinghy. "So," he drawled as he pushed off from shore and rowed them back towards the bigger boat. "Guess you got mighty spooked back there."

"Yes," Elodie declared, but still his apology was not forthcoming.

"Why's that?"

Silly man. He knew, and he knew she knew that he knew, but he wanted her to say it all the same. "Because we are herd," Elodie explained. "And I thought the herd was abandoning me."

"But we're not herd Elodie," Howie replied. "We're not horses. We're people, and we're friends, and I would never abandon you. I said I'd look after you, gave your daddy my word, and I am a man of my word."

"I know this," Elodie replied, still scowling fiercely since he still would not acknowledge that he was her husband. They had lain together, so they were man and wife, that is what Mama said before, even though she also tried to say Howie wasn't Elodie's husband because there was more to it without explain what more there was to do.

"Then why were you so scared?" Howie asked. "You had to know I was playing and would come back for you."

"I did know." It was Dancing Hooves who didn't know, but Elodie could not admit as much. Mama and Papa had told her many times to never let the Spirit take full control, but it felt so normal and natural. She was Elodie and she was Dancing Hooves, and then and only then could they both fully enjoy the run. Rather than say any of that, she simply pouted, looked away, and grumbled, "I was still scared."

Howie wasn't fooled though, because he saw far more than most did. "Alright," Howie drawled as he pulled up alongside his bigger boat. "Just know that I won't ever abandon you Ella-dee. Got it?" Elodie nodded. "Can I hear you say it."

No longer upset, Elodie gave her husband a bashful grin and said, "Howie will not abandon Elodie."

Again, he saw her meaning, but even though he smiled back, his eyes got so very sad. Seeing this, she stepped forward to hug him, but stopped short and simply offered it in case he did not want a hug. His smile grew a little wider, but the sadness in his eyes did not change as he accepted the hug and said, "That's right. Don't you forget it, no matter what shape you take."

"I will try," Elodie said, because it was so very difficult sometimes, but that was good enough for Howie.

"Thank you," he said, though it wasn't because of what she said. He was thanking her for the hug and for not pushing any harder about being her husband. Elodie did not understand why he did not wish to acknowledge it, but he would come around in time, so she smiled and hugged him even tighter until it came time to board the ship. "Er, I'll go up first," Howie said, slipping past Elodie to scramble up the ladder before she could, and though she did not understand why, she just followed him up thinking it was another one of his silly quirks. "Alright," he said, shooing her off when she came in for another hug. "Now go put on some pants girlie."

"Okay Howie," she said, pulling his duster tight around her to enjoy the scent a little longer. Upon returning to the wagon, she opened it up to Astrid and Chrissy changing out of their silly nightclothes, and the red-skinned girl's golden eyes opened up oh so wide.

"Close the door!" Astrid shrieked, crossing her arms over her bare chest and reaching for her blanket like she was afraid of the morning sun. Elodie did not understand, so she climbed in and closed the door behind her.

"It is okay," Elodie said, trying to match Howie's calming tones. "You are very pretty, so you do not need to be shy." Hearing this, Chrissy cocked her head, sat up straight, and held her arms out to display herself for Elodie to judge, so she said, "You are very pretty too Chrissy."

Accepting the compliment with a nod, Chrissy resumed putting on her clothes, only to find that her dress was backwards. Deflating in defeat, she sat there for a moment to see if either Astrid or Elodie would help, but the first was still hiding and Elodie knew Chrissy was just being silly so she put on her own clothes. By the time she was done, Chrissy's dress was on the right way, and Astrid's head was poking out from her blankets to glare at Elodie. "Next time," she growled, her pretty golden veins all sparkly with magic and emotion, "Knock before coming in." Elodie nodded sagely even though she did not understand why. Taking Chrissy's hand, she turned to leave when Astrid yelped, "Wait until I'm dressed!"

So many rules. Elodie would much rather sleep inside the cabin with Howie, but he would not allow it. Men and women had to be separate, and maybe women like Astrid preferred the shared quarters and closed confines, but Elodie did not like it as much. There were no windows to see the sky and stars with, but that seemed to be the whole reason why Astrid liked it in here. Perhaps she was shy about her body, though Elodie could not see why. It was such a pretty shade of red, so bright and lively like one of the ribbons Howie bought her if it was laced with pretty golden strands in pleasing patterns. Astrid was very kind too, because as soon as she was dressed and calm again, Astrid took Elodie's hand and said, "Sorry for snapping at you. I was just surprised, but you really should knock before opening the door. What if Howie had seen me?"

Blinking at the unexpected question, Elodie's heart soared when she realized she already knew the answer and didn't have to think "He would throw his duster at you and tell you to cover up," she declared, full of confidence until she was met by Astrid's disbelieving stare. "That is what he always does when he sees me…?"

Astrid closed her eyes and took a deep breath, which is what many people did when Elodie said something wrong, even though she wasn't sure how that could be. "What I'm saying," Astrid began keep her tone calm and even while her eyes danced with laughter, "Is that I don't want him or anyone else seeing me undressed."

"Why not?" Elodie asked. "Like I said, you are very pretty, so anyone who sees you will not be upset."

"I will be upset," Astrid growled. "I do not want to be seen."

"…Okay," Elodie replied, nodding only to say that she accepted Astrid's answer, even if she did not understand. What harm was there in being seen? None worth screaming over, but Elodie would respect Astrid's wishes and knock before entering the wagon. Glancing at the girl, and then the door, she was not sure if she was allowed to leave yet, so just to be safe, she knocked on the door to see how Astrid would react. With frustration and chagrin, but she waved Elodie and Chrissy off all the same, so they left the stifling confines of the steel wagon to go see what Howie was cooking for breakfast.

This was how their next few days passed, with their group of six learning to get along with one another as Howie brought them west. They ran every morning, then travelled until nightfall, and Elodie learned many things. Like how much she enjoyed having her hair brushed after using Chrissy's hair soap to soften most of the tangles, or that she should not touch Harald's books because he was more protective of them than his food. Monsieur Askefjord smoked more than five men combined, always at a window with a cigarette in hand, while Astrid's temper could swing from sweet and impish to blazing fury in the blink of an eye, especially when she was hungry. As for Chrissy, she was the sweetest of all because Howie looked after all her needs without having to be asked. He brushed her hair, freshened her clothes, fluffed her pillows and blew on her food to cool it down before she ate, and Chrissy loved every second of it.

Elodie did too, because as long as she was close by and looked just a little sad, Howie would help her do the same. Usually with a smile that said he would not do this all the time, but this was a lie because he did it every time. Perhaps to make up for scaring her and Dancing Hooves so much, but he kept it up the next few days while talking to her more and more. Especially during their runs, though why he wanted to talk when she could not seemed so very strange a choice. He knew so very much about travelling though, like how to catch fish for their dinner with woven grass, or where to find fresh herbs to garnish their delicious meals with, and he shared this knowledge with Elodie so that she might learn and travel alongside him.

Best of all, every night after dinner, Chrissy would bring her fiddle out and play something for Howie to sing to, and it was so beautiful to hear. Not beautiful in the manner of the warbling songbird or babbling brook, but like the mournful howling of the lone wulf baring his soul to the red moons. There was a raw, palpable tone to his gruff singing that brought joy to her heart as the Magic flowed in response to him, for this was the Howie he kept hidden away from most even the world all around him. He was the fierce predator yes, and a kind protector too, but more than anything, he was just a man, one who was hurt and lonely as he yearned for his pack.

One he would find if he only opened his eyes. He had many people to call his own. Chrissy, Tina, and Aunty Ray yes, but Mama and Papa had accepted him too, and so too would the tribe. He had others too, like Monsieur Askefjord who trusted him with the safety of his children, Harald who accepted him as he was, and Astrid who was just a bit prickly but wanted to be friends. They would be friends, except she had too much pride to push through Howie's half-hearted attempts to keep her at arm's length despite spending so much time teaching her how to tinker with those sparkly bits of metal infused with magic.

"I got it!" Astrid declared on the fourth day of their journey. "I think I got it!" Gliding out atop her Floating Disc, she held up her four-legged contraption for Howie to see, and Elodie skipped on over for a closer look too. "I still have to test it," the red-skinned girl said, her eyes aglow with magic and excitement both as she turned her creation this way and that while tracing out the pathways she'd carved into its metallic frame, "But I'm pretty sure I didn't make any mistakes. I don't see any. Do you see any?"

"Not a one," Howie declared, though he had yet to even look. "Don't mean there ain't none though. You barking up the wrong tree here Astrid. I might be a Diviner, but diagnostics ain't my thing." Shrugging, he added, "I'm more of a trial-and-error kinda guy, which is why I make sure there ain't nothing flammable around when I test my Automatons for the first time.

"Yeah, yeah," Astrid replied, rolling her eyes while still looking the object over. "Can't you just take a look? Maybe you'll spot something I didn't."

"Sure," Howie replied, sending a glowy Mage Hand over to claim the prize. Even though she was the one who asked, Astrid was reluctant to let go, but she gave it over eventually. Though Elodie did not know what they were looking for, she studied the Automaton all the same and decided she did not like it as much as she liked the Mage Hand. Though there was no magic flowing through the shell just yet, she saw how the metal frame would trap the magic, cage it and force it to move in ways it did not desire. It was so very different from the Mage Hand, or even one of the Spirits Papa called upon, for they were pure magic which constrained itself. There was something to the machine, a je ne sais quoi quality that made it… unnatural and unpleasant to look upon, like the paper puppets they showed in town and looked nothing like the animals they were meant to depict. Better to look upon the real thing, so she skipped away and lifted Cowie in her arms for a hug as she explored the deck for the umpteenth time.

Oh how she wished to swim, run, or fly instead of being stuck on the boat. Their morning runs were so very fun, but while Howie was fast, he could not run for as long as Mama and Papa. Nor would he spare more than an hour each day as he was in a big rush to arrive at his destination. She did not understand why, because the Deadlands would be there whether he arrived tomorrow, next week, or next month, but Howie was never one to sit idle when he could be moving instead. That's why he pushed his boat at such speeds, and thrilling as it was to feel the wind in her hair and the spray on her face, she was growing bored of being stuck on the boat for 23 hours of each and every day.

Regardless of his plans however, it looked like Howie would have to delay them for at least a little bit. "Howie!" she called, directing his attention to what lay before them. "There are many ships all stopped ahead!"

Snapping to attention, Howie took stock of the situation and immediately saw what was happening. "Looks like a surprise inspection," he said as he set forth to bring down the sails and slow the boat to a crawl. "Making sure no ships be carrying nothin' they ain't supposed to be before they got time to hide it proper." Flashing a smile to show he wasn't concerned, he added, "Nothin' to worry about. They'll probably just wave us through once they see we ain't carryin' no cargo."

They did not. Instead, the strangers approached upon their rowboat and barked orders telling them to weigh anchor, and while Elodie was not sure how he was supposed to do that here on his boat, Howie simply lowered the anchor into the water and waited for further instructions. Elodie did not question it, as she supposed he had already weighed the anchor and would simply tell the strangers the weight when the came aboard to ask. The other ship drew in close, but rather than use the ladder, a man simply jumped up from the tiny boat to land softly on Howie's. The stranger was a predator, a hunter and a killer, but a stoic and disciplined one who scanned them all one by one and dismissed them as threats. As well they should, for he held a Spell of great power in his hands, one he was ready to unleash if he saw any threat. He carried one long rifle and one pistol on his belt, as well as a very long knife that looked sharp enough to cut the boat in half.

Most telling of all was the five-pointed star he wore upon his chest, displayed prominently underneath a bronze Shield and a Wing. "Howie Zhu?" the Ranger asked, eyes narrowed in mild disapproval as he studied Elodie's husband.

"Yeah, that's me," Howie replied, calm and collected with a hint of surly impatience. "What's this about?"

"A matter of National security," the Ranger replied. "By the authority granted to me by the United Federation of American States, I am taking you into custody to be detained until further notice. You are not required to make any statement. Anything you do say may be used against you in a court of law. You are entitled to consult with counsel before questioning. Do you understand your rights as I have read them to you?"

Howie sniffed, and Elodie retreated away with Chrissy, Cowie, and all the birds, because she knew good and well what was coming next. So did the Ranger, and everyone else realized it soon after. While the Ranger stood stock still with eyes narrowed in challenge, Howie waited until the rest of them were clear of the area before replying, "Yeah, I understand." Sucking his teeth, he spit out over the side of the boat while planting his feet to prepare for a fight. "Problem is, I understand a bit too much. Last I checked, these waters be Accorded Neutral Territory. Feds got a claim to toll and tax anything passin' through their ports, but unless I been found in violation of any laws pertaining to those ports, then you got no right to detain me out here." Flashing a smile that was anything but, Howie grinned and said, "My papers are in order, and you welcome to look through them, but that's it. You try anything else, and badge or no badge, I'll drop you where you stand." Howie's smile fell away, and all that was left was the fire in his eyes as he stood with hands folded over his belly and wholly at ease in his element, while everyone else tensed and watched, including the dangerous Ranger.

Terrifying at strangers might be, Elodie was not afraid with him at her side, because she had yet to meet the stranger who was not afraid of Howie.

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