"But then I would get dizzy and fall off, and that would be no good!" Alastirra said. But she was chuckling, so it was doubtful that she was upset about any of it.

She selected one and rested her rump on it, sidesaddle. It was more elegant than the way she'd ridden brooms back home--and really, it made her hooves look less silly to be tucked to one side than splayed out in both directions.

Alastirra seemed to have no problems with it, though, as it responded to her commands--at least like she'd done it before, if not like she was born to it. The sound of her delighted laughter echoed over the fields.

"Oh, I missed this! Thank you so much!"