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Entry 26

A girl, a ghost, and the force.

It sounded like the beginning of a joke. Talia chuckled privately at her thought, while Bryd shimmered with laughter as Aria shared with him the source of her amusement.

Well, this was going to take some getting used to. It's a little bit intrusive.

"She said don't think of it that way. She always knew what you were thinking in the other world too."

"Maybe, but this is a little different."

Immediately, she shamefully thought of what was waiting for her when she returned to Georgia. Facing... she shouldn't say his name or think about- ugh! STOP THINKING.

"She's telling you to calm down. It sounded like the trip is what you needed. You don't have to defend getting away - or owe anyone an explanation - certainly to us. Plus, you love horses! It sounds perfect."

Talia hesitated, holding completely still and silent inside her mind, not wanting to make any sudden movements with her thoughts. She wasn't trying to hide the trip. She was only sequestering one part that needed to remain locked. She waited to see if Aria/Bryd recoiled in horror as she touched on those specific, shielded thoughts. But there was only silence.

Tentatively, she experimented like a puppy testing the boundaries of an invisible leash. She sent out a few thoughts about the trip and mixed in his name.

"She wants to know if anyone was jealous that you got the best horse."

Talia didn't speak audibly so Bryd could hear. She only thought her response. No one was jealous. Mine was perfect for me, but I didn't get the best horse. Caleb did. His horse was kind you would have loved, Mom.

"She said you always had a way with choosing horses. It was like you could sense which one fit best with your personality."

Hm. Talia let her mother's response settle in. There were clearly some barriers between them. Something was preventing Talia from hearing her mother's voice, and apparently she could hide what she shared as well.

Well, that could be useful. It would certainly give her some space to plan out the idea that was now forming in her brain.

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