OCTAVIA BLAKE + OPEN
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There were two methods or activities that generally allowed Octavia to relax, let loose, and free her mind of all of the complicated dark thoughts that often tried to creep up on her. One was an intense workout and the other was long ride with Helios on the trails around Atlantis. Originally, she was going to head down to the training area, but all day she felt keyed up and on edge while at the base. It was like her body was reacting in a way that kept her from being able to concentrate. It was frustrating, but at the same time,... she didn’t mind it. She’d first noticed during a meeting before lunch with several of the usual command talking heads. She was next to Sharon, and Becker sitting was there across the table from her. Something about the way he’d looked at her at one point nearly made her shove him down on top of the table then and there.
That was when she realized that going to the gym and getting all worked up was probably not a good idea.
Barely seconds after she’d exited the base and on the way to the stables, she was already feeling better. It was around mid-afternoon, so she still had a few hours of daylight left. Snow still covered the ground and occasionally it would start falling again, but she didn’t mind. Helios generally didn’t either, and he seemed happy to see her when she greeted him at his stall.
“Hey, boy,” she said as he bobbed his head at her a couple of times. “Ready for a ride?” Octavia ran her fingers over his face and soft nose before entering the stall to get him suited and saddled up. She put on his heavier blanket for a little extra warmth and made sure to bundle herself up too. Soon, they were ready to go. She didn’t even need to direct him towards the trails since he already knew exactly where they would be headed. Unless she had a specific trail in mind she usually let him decide for them now that he was so used to the greenways and trails.
After they’d been going for a while, and both were getting warmed up, Octavia urged him faster bit by bit until they were at a full run. The tree cover in the woods helped keep some of the trails clear of too much snow, and she felt a surge of energy as they twisted around curves and through sections of trees. Slowing him down from the run to a canter to a trot and finally down to a fast-paced walk, she let herself take in some of their surroundings. Her thoughts were clear again, and she felt more relaxed.
It was starting to get dark, but going back meant leaving the quiet woods that always felt so peaceful and like she was back home again. She’d start heading back in a little while. Reality could wait.