Winnie sat there, looking at Tarsorel. He wanted to help her get better with being able to be touched and touch, not related to healing. She had spent a long time outlining the problem and how Ryheric had helped her so far. How Silver and Lavendara were helping her be more comfortable with touch. She thought on this, how strange it would seem to an outsider. Being able to be jostled, patted on the shoulder, playful swats or jumps where touch might occur, even comfort at involves touching. It was all she longed for. To be able to make that connection that was so simple to others, so natural.
Tars held her hands trying to get her comfortable with just that simple expression of contact. Slowly it was getting easier, but it was slow progress. Everything about what she was pushing to over come was going forward at a slow progress. At least though it was going forward. She was trying to face her problems, and her friends were helping her. All the time trying to help others to realise that running and hiding from the past only lets it fester more, something she understood at the heart of things.
She can now reach out to shake hands, something small but it has made a difference. She didnt run or strike out if a casual pat occured. Earlier however, she had been talking with Tars outside the pony and an unknown woman approached Tars giving him a hug. She was amused a little, the woman had known Tars name and threw her arms around him giving him a hug. She then however looked toward Winne as though she knew her, excited to see her. Winnie had stepped back, trying to get room away from this unknown woman who now seemed to know her name and then she had reached out and grabbed her hands without warning. Winnie tore her hand away, eyes wide at the sudden intrustion, but no sooner she did this and the woman wraped her arms around Winnie in an embrace. Those old instincts to get distance, to strike out, to run, she didnt grab for her weapon as she might have six months ago, but she struck the womans cheek hard. Yelling at her to not touch her without permission.
The shock on the womans face, the look around at those gathered now all staring at her. It was too much, how could she have struck the woman rather than just tell her no, why didnt she just yellow flag her. It was too much, she walked away quickly as Tars moved to the woman getting between them. The horror at her own actions now eating at her, making it hard to breathe. Stopping beside a bush by a hedge she hid there trying to calm. This was where Tars had found her. This was where she realised she needed help. He got Bilberry and the two of them rode out of town. It was time she talked to him, and now this is where they sat. Looking over an area from a cliff, and she talked. Opening up a little more and asked for his help. Slow progress, so slow, but at least she was still going forward even after this assault.
