Title: Tatter Tales

Hirune adjusted the leather straps that ran between her breasts. After hours in the hot sun they would chafe at her shoulders, by the end of the spring she would regain the callouses that Abene’s ointment would sooth away over the winter months. The chafing, blisters and callouses were necessary as the straps were part of the plow that she needed to use to till the field. It almost made her envy her fully equine brothers and sisters.

Almost.

“Hirune!” Nahia called out to her from the other side of the field, then she whistled and flipped her long, russet red braid over one shoulder. “Are you going to dream the day away or get to work?”

Hirune snorted. She had no braid to flip since her hair grew up more than it did down. She had recently shaved it down to her scalp, however, and she would keep it close until winter fell again and they all curled up inside, desperate for anything to keep them warm.  “You’re one to talk. I didn’t see you here yesterday.” She stamped her hooves on the ground before she began pulling the plow. “I see you’ve new leathers.”

The leather straps wrapped around Hirune’s hooves were worn, well loved, also they were scraps from coats and shirts and from the occasional pair of pants that had been traded around the community long enough they were worn through. Nahia’s, however, were a red as vibrant as spilled blood and seemed sewn to the requirements of her hooves.

“Aren’t they beautiful?” Nahia practically purred. Hirune didn’t answer, choosing instead to focus on her footing as she pulled across the field. The sun was still low but the air was warm and Hirune knew she would be sweating from exertion before the mid-day break. When they came halfway Nahia reached out to grasp Hirune’s hand. “I could get you some too, you know.”

“I don’t want any gifts from humans.” Hirune slapped Nahia’s hand away and ignored the other woman’s startled whinny. “Especially not those you need to prance for.”

Nahia’s laughter startled Hirune backwards and she bumped her rump against the plow’s base. “I didn’t prance for these! Although he wanted me to.” Her smile was feral. “It’s a limited edition item, dear. He’ll never sew again.”

Hirune felt deep satisfaction at the thought of Nahia crushing this mystery tatter’s hands and possibly head to bits.

“After the work is done.” She slapped Nahia’s ass when she came to it and smiled down at the ground when Nahia bolted forward. “Keep that pace up!”