Lauren Rivers ended her work day with a stroll through Central Park. It was faster than taking a taxi the long way around and provided a nice break for the day. She walked out of the office with her purse under her arm. The sky was cloudy, with dark tones suggesting it would rain before too terribly long. The busy street was filled with cars beeping their horns.

After a suitable opportunity popped up, she crossed the street. Hooves clomped against the pavement as she hurried to the other side. She brushed her hair off of her shoulder with a fluid motion. The park was devoid of all but a few city dwellers, some of them like her, cutting through the park to get home that much quicker.

Lauren kept her eye towards the sky, knowing that it would not stay dry for much longer. She rounded a corner as her hoof landed on a loose page of an abandoned newspaper. Losing traction, she slipped and fell to the ground on an injured ankle. It was not bad, it would be fine with some ice, but she would not make it home in time to avoid the storm.

She hobbled to a park bench and rubbed her injury. It was so damn stereotypical, a mare slipping and hurting her hoof, but she had been in a hurry and it had been her downfall. The zebra cursed as any attempt to put weight on it shot pain through her leg. "Damn."

With little warning the sky opened up and rain began to land in drops at first. Tiny rivulets of water soaked her hair and fur. In moment she would look little better than a drowned rat.

"Shouldn't you be getting home?" a male voice asked.

Lauren looked up to see Pepster holding a large umbrella. He moved it over her and helped her to stand. "I was trying, but I slipped and I have no umbella. My ankle is a little wobbly, I don't know if I can make it all the way without help."

With a gallant smile, Pepster handed her his umbrella. "I live in the same building, but I can't hold the umbrella and carry you. So if you'll be gracious enough to keep us dry, I'll see you home safe and sound."

She was hard pressed to find a better offer. The wood handle of the umbrella was snug and sturdy in her hand. She kissed him on the cheek and whinnied as he lifted her into his embrace.

"Thank you," she said.

Gift art from  peps6g73, who is always supportive and in my corner, no matter how much growing I've got left to do. You're the best.

Art by  sugarhighstudios