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“Page 03: 'In a Bit” I read.
I am flipping the page, falling forwards and down into the narrative in a swift, fluid motion.
“Whoa!” I exclaim, thanking my lucky Star, for being in this secluded location where I don't expect anyone to see me or find out.
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I step into the crafting supply shop, intent on browsing their wears. It's fun, shopping, even if you don't intend to actually buy anything. Just browsing their wears, looking at various items.
After a while, I enter the section for crafting hobbyhorses. How curious. Not only do they have a set of more or less complete hobbyhorses; but various odds and ends intent to craft what you like to personalize and dress up your favourite hobbyhorse as well. Including the crafting of a stable for your hobby horses. Plural, as in multiple hobbyhorses.
From the components I can see, I could craft anything and everything for a hobbyhorse, as if it had been a horse of flesh and blood. I find it curious, almost stumbling over the implications. Hobbyhorses seems to have been the latest screech.
Of course, they had to include bits to these hobbyhorses. In the same vein, these bits have to look as if they had been intended for actual horses; just in the size for a hobbyhorse in place of the actual horse.
Incidentally, the size of the bit would actually fit in the mouth of a Human, wouldn't it? I just had to pick up one of these bits in my hand; wiping it off with my hands and a small piece of cloth in order to try it on for myself.
There was none around at the time, thankfully. I think it would have been embarrassing no end, had I been found out; trying this bit replica on for myself, in the store. While I don't know if anyone would actually had cared, if they had seen it; maybe this is just in my head, but it is still embarrassing to me all the same.
While the bit appears to fit me, perfectly; but it would not stay in place, all by itself. I will need a halter, in order to hold my bit in my mouth. Just as the bit will not stay in the mouth of a horse; without this halter, either. Not just because the horse may choose to spit it out, for any reason; but the bit was never designed, to stay inside the mouth all by itself in the first place. Why would it? It's supposed to be taken out, every once in a while.
On closer inspection; I can see various types of bits, to look as if they had been intended for use on horses. How curious? But, if you want to sell the idea, you have to play the part; which includes making several different models. For the same reason, they had plated or coated these bits with various metals of different colours to sell the idea. Though I could see it, as if the colour could play a more decorative role as well. Maybe I want the light gray, high polished finish? Or, I may prefer a matter finish, or a different hue? I pick up a white, yellow and red bit; intent on purchasing them for myself. The price is reasonable enough, for me to afford picking them up; even if I were to change my mind tomorrow, without even attempting to return these items afterwards.
“Gold and Silver!” I ponder, knowing they are not truly gold or silver; just made to look like it, for my benefit.
Gold and Silver are far too expensive, for these items, in the price-range I or anyone like me could possibly afford.
Though the red could actually be copper, even if I know it is just plated with a thin layer of the precious metal.
Picking the bit proved only too easy. It is simple to pick up a standard bit, of course.
Once I had confirmed that the bit was to fit comfortably in my mouth, I had selected the type that was closest to my idea. I choose the double link model.
What isn't quite as easy, is to find the halter. Since I can't use the standard model, I have to craft it from scratch; or it could never fit my face, of course. Just as I could not ask, for what I am looking for.
I end up, picking a length of leather looking straps matching what is used in the standard model. I choose to pick one black, white and light pink branded skin-tone. How this would possibly work, but I ran with the idea just for the fun of it. Maybe I could use this to a bracelet too?
“Should I have one or two inch wide?” I ponder.
Since the store is not oriented towards the hobby horse exclusively, I could ask for the information I need; just so long as I don't explain the exact intent, but dress up the questions for a more general crafting purpose.
How convenient, I don't need to pick up material for the blinders; but I don't feel, as if I need them in the first place. This is not the kind of store, where they sell the item in the first place.
Conveniently enough, I find the item intended for cutting and linking the straps respectively. With these in hand, I can craft the halter with relative ease.
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I had paid for my purchase and left the store, smiling.
The bit itself is fitting into my mouth, comfortably; partially due to the fact, I am missing the teeth where the bit is intended to fit into the mouth. Silly detail? But, it's what it is; I am currently missing these teeth.
With the bit securely in my mouth, the rings are sticking out in the corners of my mouth. I'm quietly giggling at this image, as I am looking into the mirror, as I am examining my appearance.
Of course, I had to see how I am looking; with the new bit in my mouth, and to see if and how well it is actually fitting. Maybe I had picked it up on a whim, but once I had picked it up, it is no longer a random act.
On second thought; I have a tiara with Pony ears on top of it. I rearrange my hair, before I am sticking it in on top of my head; changing my hair style, by combing enough hair back over it to hide the tiara completely.
In the mirror, I can see myself smiling back; the equine ears on top of my head, sticking out between the strands of hair. How curious, but it does look pretty cute this way. I snicker.
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While I had to craft the halter free-hand, stretching a strap under my chin and another behind my neck; but I think I had managed to get the size and fit just right, in order to give me a comfortable fit for me.
The only real trick, is in how to make these Leather straps to hold my bit in place. With a bit of experimentation, I soon get the straps to hold the bit in place.
“There...” I exclaim, under my breath, as I complete the first of my bits.
“Whoa!!” I proclaim, as I manage to insert the bit and secure it behind my neck.
The fit is surprisingly tight and snug around my face, as the halter is holding the bit in a firm grip; securing it into my mouth, quite comfortably.
Since I have the first bit, just right, I cut straps of the next colour in exact length; crafting myself the second halter. Repeating the process, crafting the halters for all my bits. Black straps for the gold, skin-tone for the Copper and white for silver.
“Okay, that was actually rather fun!” I mouth, under my breath.
If I am looking at my reflection, in the mirror; I can barely see the outlines of the halter, while I wear the light pink, skin-tone halter. How curious? Yet, I barely feel it, as the straps are hugging my skin; in its skin-tight fashion, and it slips smoothly over my skin, as my skin moves.
What if I were to attach a head-set mike to this halter, even if the bit is restraining my speech a little. I can't exactly deny the effect, even if I can put effort into minimizing it.
I just so happen to have such a head-set, in a matching tone; I had chosen this a while back, in the hopes of wearing it without it showing.
With just a little bit of an effort, on my part; I manage to attach the mike on the side of my face, on the halter-strap on my right side. Slapping the tiny ear-pieces into my ears with the halter on my face, proves only too easy.
I undo the strap behind my neck, before I am polishing the halter-straps up nicely; putting the halter back on, before securing the halter firmly and seamlessly.
Once I had repeated the entire process, perfecting each of my remaining two halters; I place them on their respective make-up head-model. I leave these on my desk, as if I was expecting them to respond to me; permitting me to converse with them, if I sit before my desk.
I walk up to the door of my room, opening it before I step out of my room without a thought; before I continue to walk and ends up before the door to my sister, knocking.
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“Enter!” my sister exclaims, bidding me to enter her room.
I open the door and enter her room.
“Hi, Sis!” she responds, as she sees me entering her room.
“Hi, Sis!” I respond, just as I had closed the door behind myself.
She is looking at me, studying me critically; without really notice the halter and bit I am wearing.
“Kind of unexpected..” she now offers;”what did you have in mind?” she inquires.
“I wanted to see your reaction, on what I had crafted..” I explain; “and hear your opinion on this as an accessory; if you don't mind!” I conclude.
“Wait, you are wearing an accessory, you crafted yourself?” she inquires, critically looking at me even closer.
“You recall the skin-tone head-set I bought a while back?” I inquire.
“Oh, yes..” she responds; “and you are wearing it right now?” she then inquires, giggling.
“Oh, but of course!” I respond, nodding my head.
“It's very hard to see, in the skin-tone hue!” she affirms; “so I had to ask!” she then points out.
“So, you approve of my accessory?” I inquire.
“Wait, what?” she now blurts out; “If I had one, just like yours; we could talk to one-another, without anyone even realizing!” she then pushes forth.
“If you like; I could take you to the stores, and help you craft one of your own!” I promise.
“You could?” she inquires; “I would love that, very much!” she continues; “Just curious; are the ears part of the item, or are they optional?” she then inquires.
“My ears are a separate accessory, for now!” I respond; “Though I guess, one could integrate them into the design, if so desired..” I then add; “if you would like it, that is!” I offer; “Just have to figure out, how to integrate these ears and make the best use of them!” I then ponder, nodding as I giggle at the result.
“Are you thinking of Wi-Fi, or Mikes?” she inquires.
“Since you mention it; both could work, all depending on what you want!” I offer.
“If possible; both is better than just the one!” she points out; “This could be our sisterly secret..” she suggests; “if this is what you had in mind, I am all for it!” she responds.
“Sisterly Secret it is!” I confirm; “While I could make hers without the bit, but I should still leave this choice up to her!” I ponder; “We'll hit the mall in a few days, and you can pick the items for yourself!” I then promise.
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“These are the straps you used to craft your accessory?” she inquires.
“Yes..” I respond; "but you could choose straps in any hue available; if you don't want them skin-tone!” I then add.
She is picking up a skin-tone, a black and a red strap, all one and a half inch wide. I point out the equipment I had used in crafting the halter, without directly naming it as such. In public, I leave the sensitive details out.
“These are the hobby-horse bits!” I indicate, pointing the items out.
“Whoa!!” she breathes.
“Rather cute, if I can say so myself!” I put forth.
“Yes, you can..” she responds; “and I will need one of these!” she puts forth, as she is picking up a double-jointed bit in Copper, as we continue.
I take the opportunity, picking a head-piece for my hobby horse; which incidentally happens to be me, matching my ears just for the fun of it.
She is blushing, as she is picking a black, a red and a gold one for herself.
“Sisterly secret!” she whispers; as we are walking up to the counter, in order to pay for our respective purchases.
“Exactly!” I respond.
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Just as I had promised, I had crafted a halter for my sister. I used the straps she had selected, in the process.
Once she had put the halter on, with the bit securely in her mouth; I attach the mike and the head-phone.
“Neat!!” she exclaims; and you don't even notice it is there!” she now concludes; as if she is indecided on if she describes what she is feeling, or what she is seeing in the mirror.
Since she chose the skin-tone, the straps blends in with her sin perfectly. Considering the material of the straps, the halter is all but impossible to feel.
Once the mikes and Wi-Fi antennae had been integrated into the ears; one could connect them to the head-set and quietly converse even well out of earshot and eye-sight with ease.
Just for play, I had crafted a second halter for the both of us. Choosing a red double-jointed bit, only to polish the mid-section with a gel to make a curious sensation. Though I guess the gel is inducing increased salivating as well.
I watch her putting on her new halter, inserting the bit into her mouth; only for her to blush, as the bit slip over her tongue How could I blame her, when I am reacting the same way? I find my face go read and hot as I find myself a bit excited and wet.
“Sisterly secret!” we exclaim in chorus, still experiencing the blush.
Once the proclamation had been pronounced, the flush slowly resides.
She had chosen to play along with the idea I had presented, sharing in the secret. Just that she had expanded on the secret, I offered her. If she had been interested, impressed or excited initially, but the secret had eventually been shared.
“You surprised me, as you shared this with me!” she points out.
“But you enjoy what I offered you?” I inquire.
“You presented your idea, in such a light as to make it irresistible!” she responds; “It may be a bit out there, but since you chose to forgo the blinders and any other overtly obvious item; you sold it to me, and now I find this exciting!” she pushes forth.
“An open secret, hidden in plain sight?” I inquire.
“We can wear this in plain sight, yes..” she responds, giggling; “and none would be the wiser!” she concludes.
“I was never into being loud, but I still love to chat and have things to share with you!” I mouth.
“I have always loved the sisterly secrets, we have shared; and I will love sharing them with you, always!” she concludes.
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The story works like a charm, playing out like a dream. Not quite like the regular book walking, but is still enjoyable to experience
And just like a dream, it slowly fades and blurs out; permitting me to return to the land of the living, still remembering the entire adventure as if I had experience it in the flesh.
I sit, where I had been sitting; as I was starting to read the book, as the adventure claimed me. It is almost, like an Isekai, aside from me being returned to my own body.
“Whoa!” I exclaim, closing my mouth as I am coming back to myself.
I had been the girl, for the duration of the entire adventure; experiencing everything, as if I had been her.
I recall what had happened, every last tiny minute sensory perception. Not just the images and the words, but how she felt and what she had thought in the moment of the event taking place.
Guess I had known this all along; since it isn't exactly the first chapter, of the book.
The book is already closed, as I am exiting the book. Just like the previous chapter of the adventure.
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