Return Home, {open}

Her eyes were downcast, her gaze glued to the ground. Her lips were pursed tightly together as she fought back the helpless feeling rising within her. She had fallen off the horse, one of the first times she'd ridden all on her lonesome and she hadn't even been able to stay on! Maybe her family was right, maybe she shouldn't go off on her own so much...because now, surely, someone had seen her folly and would be concerned. When she was slow in bringing Xander back, Ohiyesa would probably come looking for his horse only to find her sitting here, struggling to breathe while fighting off tears she would not let fall.

Leaning her head down, she finally got in a good breath and closed her eyes. She had to calm herself. She would not show such weakness in front of her tribe, including her family as well as Ohiyesa. And Xander. The paint surely had not meant for her to fall off, she would hate it if he got into any troubles... Once she'd gotten her breathing under control, she opened her eyes and lifted her head, feeling much better. Except the pain in her arm, that was. She looked around, wondering and idly hoping that no one had seen. If she could get to her feet, get back on Xander and get back into the camp, no one would have to know about her little accident. She could claim her arm had been hurt when she was out walking, due to a trip and fall.

Now, she just had to get up. Blinking at the beautiful horse that had returned to her side, Maka smiled a little and realized what a truly wonderful horse Ohiyesa had here. "One moment, boy." She told the horse, holding her arm protectively against her chest as she got her feet flat on the ground under her, then attempted to stand. She wavered a little but made it on the first try, still a little breathless as she reached a hand out to Xander to steady herself. "Good boy..." She said softly and with a hint of sadness, keeping her eyes on his mane. She was slowly coming to realize that she could not, on her own, pull herself back onto his back with her arm hurting the way it was. Drat. Just then her brother came running up, and she now gave up on any thoughts of pretending it didn't happen, as unlikely as those thoughts and hopes had been.

"I am fine, Enapay." She assured him, lowering her head slightly but looking him in the eyes as she spoke, and continued before giving him even a chance to say anything. "I only slipped from his back and hit my shoulder. It is a little sore, but it will fine." She said, smiling thinly as her gaze traveled back over to Ohiyesa. "You have a good horse here, Ohiyesa." Maka complimented, smiling.

"...we should get back." Was all Enapay had to say, standing there with his arms crossed, practically glaring at his sister. He would take it for Maka's words for now, but of course he was still concerned. He would have to see how she walked, if she appeared to be actually sore or not...

Xander pawed the earthy ground gently watching Maka. The painted horse backed away a little and bobbled his head a bit in a way trying to say that he was cheering her on to get up but he was also not wanting to get her hurt. His eyes on her when she came back to him. Thinking that they were going to go again when she tried to get upon his back. He made an inch forward but noticed she was not on yet so he stopped then he heard Jacob and Enapay, his ears focusing on words.

Jacob had followed Enapay up to Maka. Once they arrived he made his way over to Xander letting the brother and sister talk it out though it seemed there was not much conversation going on like he had expected. Glancing over his shoulder as Maka had made a comment about how he had a good horse. He smiled at her comment, "Thank you," he replied, rubbing Xander's velvety textured nose.

A frown graced Makawee's lips as she looked upon her brother as he continued his glare. Enapay finally snorted and turned, about to lead the way back to the camp, when he stopped and decided to address Ohiyesa one last time. "We are glad you have returned to us safely, brother." Enapay nodded once, then looked to Maka again and added, "We must return to the tepee now." With one last look to Ohiyesa, Enapay turned and stalked off towards the camp an order of, "Come!" thrown over his shoulder, aimed at Makawee, as he started to walk forward.

"Thank you for allowing me some time with Xander." Makawee said with a small smile upon her lips, tinged somewhat with sadness, as she turned and looked after her brother. It was evident that he was in a bad mood, and there was no doubt in her mind as to what – or rather who – had put him into such a state. However, it wasn't exactly infrequent that he was in a bad mood, so.

Maka reached out to pay Xander one more time, her hand lingering in his mane, when she felt more than saw her brother's displeasure at her being so slow. He'd stopped and turned around, arms folded as he waited for her to obey his order and actually come over here. Makawee directed one last smile at Jacob, then she turned and slowly followed her brother towards the camp. It took her a few minutes to reach him, but when she finally did Enapay turned and together they walked back towards their family tepee, soon disappearing inside.