(STORY EXTRACT)

“Yeesh, you think a storm this bad would’ve been worth mentioning on the radio. It’s going to be fun trying to get to Maple Creek in this…” I glanced out the window, watching as waves crashed violently against the rocky cliffs along the coast. Aerith grimaced, her screen flashing up the image of a gun pointing to her head before it fired, Aerith pulling an over-the-top ‘dead’ face. I rolled my eyes, Aerith grinning as the screen fizzled away. I chewed at the slightly gristly hay, trying to get a few pieces free from my teeth. The squeaking of a door met my ears, soon followed by the thump of hoofsteps as Crash Dive and Scouring Charge stepped out from the hallway and into the kitchen. A few moments later Night Strike wandered out of our room, rubbing her eyes as she yawned widely.

“I hope you weren’t expecting to spend all day here. No tornados or waterspouts, no excuses.” Crash Dive said bluntly. Night Strike grumbled incoherently, stealing my tin of hay, only for her hoof to hit metal as she reached in for some food. Jeez, you think she’d have learned I don’t leave food out by now. Aerith snatched up a few more tins of hay before standing up, Crash Dive at the door. Wind howled and buffeted her, the door flying open and slamming into the side of the house. Crash Dive and Scouring were able to easily step out into the gale, their armor helping to resist the wind. I tentatively opened my umbrella, trying to shield myself from the onslaught of rain. Rather than remaining dry, I was pulled across the slick grass, the umbrella turning inside out and nearly plunging me into the sea for my trouble.