Chapter Text
“Quem um dia irá dizer que não existe razão ‘pras’ coisas feitas pelo coração?”
-Renato Russo
Some stories are to be told with a hint of disbelief, even skepticism, if you will. In such a large continent, it is shocking, at the very least, to see a pair distinct as this one. Complete opposites in everything one could think of. Yet bound to be together at every single time.
Chokeberry was not at all happy with this trip.
She worked with transportation, of course, she was very well aware of that. But the Cacao Kingdom? It was too far, too cold and too dangerous. Sadly for her, the payment was nothing short of jawdropping, and as much as she hated the idea of having to deal with the ruthless cold in the way, the offer was too good to turn down.
Her goal? Five gallons of the well known healing milk from the milk tribe.
It was the second day of the trip, she had just gotten around the mountains that surround the Hollyberry kingdom. The weather felt pleasantly warm, the fresh breeze coming from the north made the sunlight enjoyable enough for someone who was not able to avoid it.
“Maybe this trip won’t be so bad afterall.” - She thought.
Chokeberry was very well known for her commitment with delivering the cargo without a single scratch, this wouldn’t be the case, of course not! A little cold would never be enough to ruin the reputation she built for herself over years of hard work. She would get to that tribe, grab the healing milk and come back unharmed, she would get her payment and invest on her wagon. Coy, her trusty biscuit horse would get the best horseshoes one could ever wish for, and once again, he would be spoiled rotten in exchange for his good behaviour.
After a few hours, Chokeberry eventually started to feel bored. She didn’t even need to guide the wagon, Coy was smart enough to follow the trail all by himself - he knew that would earn him treats afterwards. Trusting her best buddy, Chokeberry laid down on the back of the wagon, draping an arm over her eyes to protect them from the sun and thinking of ways to entertain herself for the time being.
Stories were told, tunes were hummed, songs were sung, games were played… yet only a few hours had passed. Chokeberry took the chance to let Coy rest and drink some water, there was even some nice shade to stay under.
While Coy lounged on the grass, she checked his horseshoes, harness, fed him some jellies and, of course, plenty of neck scratches so he would resume the trip in a good mood. She had made the mistake of treating him harshly once when she was still new to the business… The delivery was delayed by three days.
After making sure nothing was wrong, she sat down beside her sorrel with a soft huff. Coy greeted her with a nuzzle of his head against her ribs, letting her know that he wasn’t stressed by any means: a good sign.
They sat together under the crisp shade for about half an hour, cuddling and playing with each other as they always did during longer trips. Coy would chew on her arm lazily, without any intention to actually hurt, while she would gently pat his neck - which he would willingly splay on her lap, ready for her affection.
“You’ve been so well behaved these last few days, Coy-Coy… You’re plotting something.” - She squished his lower lip and let out an amused laugh when he snorted on her face.
“I’m going to guess it.” - She leaned back against the tree bark and closed her eyes in thought - “You’re monopolizing treats to get all of them at once.” - She cracked an eye open to peek at him: the dudgeon on his face was priceless. - “Don’t give me that look unless i’m wrong.”
Coy huffed in annoyance, lowering his head to rest on her lap once again. He was a good horse, her most loyal buddy that would never leave her side by anything. If there was Chokeberry, there should, too, be Coy.
The gentle breeze coming from the forest behind them both slowly carried the two into a light sleep, none of them tried to oppose. They would have to resume the trip as soon as they opened their eyes again, afterall. Coy snuggled closer to her as one after the other, both of them fell asleep.
Not much time had passed, that's what Chokeberry thought as she awoke once more. The sun still shone brightly in the sky, the weather was still just as warm. As much as there were some things different, nothing important was missing. Maybe some travellers had passed by, and checked on them while the two were asleep.
Brushing the thoughts aside, she gently patted Coy on his jaw, a natural grin illuminating her face as the stallion's eyes fluttered open.
“Come on, Coy-Coy, We have to keep moving.” - She spoke gently, still very interested in not causing the horse any stress. - “We’ll have some water and then we’re off, sounds good?”
Coy huffed in agreement, rising onto his hooves and even stretching his back legs before getting back to the wagon and settling himself behind the harness. He watched Chokeberry as she picked up a large gallon in the back. The lid was shut pretty tightly to avoid any spills.
Inside the gallon, there was a large amount of water. They always travelled with quite a bunch of these, in case there was no body of water in their path. As she held the gallon up with nothing but sheer brute force, Coy drank up a generous amount before lifting his head away from the pot. With that, Chokeberry put it back in the back of the wagon and pulled a smaller one, from which she drank herself and put it back where it was. Then they were off again.
That’s how the hours would go for them: Walk, stop, rest, resume. The whole trip was relatively boring in comparison to others they’ve made in the past. There were some unique moments, such as the denizens from a small village they stopped by on for food, they were so obnoxiously angry at each other like long term relatives, but would never shrink the smiles towards her as she ordered, or the drunk cookie drowning his sorrows in berry juice near a pond, who would bawl his eyes out when she asked about the frogs.
Yet most of the time, it would be just the silence, poorly hidden by the constant noise of Coy’s hooves against the rocky path below them. She would sit, then lie down, then sit up again, then walk, but it was still just as underwhelming as something could be.
After hours of that same cycle, the sun started to set. That was the sign to make camp for the night. They headed slightly off the trail and Coy was once again set free of his harness. Chokeberry went around to collect some rocks and dry sticks for a campfire and made sure to feed her friend some treats for his hard work during that day. Not without hearing his annoyed grumbles at getting so little. That earned him a handful of jellies. Enough for him to settle.
Unlike the morning and afternoon, the evening turned out to be surprisingly cold. Luckily she had also packed blankets and pillows for that, since their final destination was the unforgiving, cold taiga of the Dark Cacao Kingdom. There were two blankets: one that would be draped over the floor and one she would use to protect herself against the night breeze.
Coy’s hooves were carefully washed and dried with a cloth so he too could snuggle in the blankets with her. Something he gladly accepted. Both of them laid down together, Coy serving as a living pillow for Chokeberry and even cuddled her closer while at it.
The campfire burned pleasantly while they rested. She got them some jellies to eat before they could sleep. Coy was already sleepy enough to lower his head onto the madeshift blanket and close his eyes. His large breaths slowing down onto something more quiet and peaceful. Chokeberry caressed his neck with tenderness while looking up at the night sky.
There were no city lights here, no clouds either.The view was breathtakingly beautiful and could be totally missed by those that never paid attention to the details that surrounded every cookie during their lifetime. The moon gazed back down at her, her gentle light illuminated the land below and painted the would in silver. She couldn’t help but wonder, remember, and question. Was a known transporter all she could ever be? Was this what she was born to do? Was she truly happy? Chokeberry’s days have always been deep in work, always carrying something, always being hired for different services,having time to actually reflect on her life at the moment. Thinking of her life now felt… Scary. In a helpless way that made her feel nervous.
These weren’t the plans she made for herself when she was smaller.
Enough.
Now wasn’t the time for this. It was time for her to sleep enough so she could wake up in the morning and they could keep going with their paid trip.
Before her eyelids closed, she couldn’t help but remember how she once dreamed of having a family of her own.
Sleep.