They're grazing animals, which is quite nice since she'll be able to eat her fill anywhere up here whenever we stop to rest.

[There's a sharp whistle from the gate - it's Vale, who'd gone and grabbed a harness. He tosses it in the pen, and Maya hopped to catch it.]

Thanks, Vale! Anyway, I know it's best not to give them too many sweets, but I do love giving these sweethearts a pear or a handful of berries now and then.

[For as small as she is, Maya has no trouble hopping up onto Acorn's back with harness in hand, nor does Acorn seem at all bothered to be climbed on - probably the temperament that drew Maya's attention in the first place. Draping it and making sure not to roughly pin any of the feathers uncomfortably, Maya slid off as abruptly as she had hopped on, reaching underneath to pull the belts together.

"Don't get stomped on, Maya!" Vale called from the fence line in amusement. "Just 'cause it won't do nothin to ya."]

It's fine, this girl won't cause any trouble.