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Post by X.Sadistic_~_Samurai.X on Oct 18, 2006 14:05:40 GMT -5
The wind blew softly, rustling the fall leaves fromtheir branches. Many fell to the grounjd, creating a blanket that would warm the earth ove the winter. A youn girl with fall orange colored hair stood next to a fence, watching the horses inside run. At her side sat a very old coyore, known by all the horses. He was blind so he was no threat, almost a foal. The horses continued to run, their legs pushing them off as their manes snapped like wings. In Nicki's hands was a notebook. Her counceler at school to her to keep a journel or write her feelings. Right now, Nicki was working on a story. She sat on the fence, Ghost whimpering when he sense ehr leave, and began to write..
The horses ran as one, across fall touched land. Their hooves dug into the hardening soil, giving them more speed and footing. The lead stallion screamed as he ran, his long tail snapping. The mares and young stallions that followed him screamed in response, in happiness then fear. Suddenly, a fence loomed in the distance and the wild stallion skidded to a halt, rearing up slightly. Behind the fence, horses grazed, calm and happy. Foals ran about, playing with each other. But that wasn't what caught his eye. A young girl sat there, a coyote next to her. The girl's black hair shaded her eyes but when she looked up, brown eyes stared widely at him. The coyote stood up, swaying a little. That made the stallion shy but something was wrong with it. He trotted up to the coyote, looking down at him with blue eyes.Old coyote beast, let em see your eyes, he said deeply and the coyoyte lifted his eyes to the stallions, a grin spreading across his face. His eyes, they were blue with red. The girl stood up, her eyes wide. Very quietly, she spoke,Why... can you talk?
Nicki set the notebook aside and watched the horses,now slowing to graze. She felt she would never be able to touch one again, without being overcome by fear seeded by her family...
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Post by Melanie on Oct 18, 2006 16:54:00 GMT -5
Melanie was working with her eventing stallion Chase. He was having an energetic day, and she was letting him get away with a few things, but not others. She sighed as she asked him for a trot and he went willingly, arching his silky black neck and striking out with his limbs, carrying the pair across the ring. The jumps wereset up at easy heights, and they were just a warm up for the trakehner. Melanie hadn't been able to ride the stallion in a while, for she was busy working iwth the young thoroughbreds. But even so, Chase and her were in perfect symmetry, working as one and combining their skills to help one another. He wore his dark havana eventing saddle with the navy saddle pad, along with four bright white wraps to protect his legs. His bridle held a pelham, and his rider was closed in blue jeans with black half chaps and paddock boots, along with a navy long sleeved ariat shirt. It was getting colder, so she was appropriately dressed. At times, the sun would catch her black Troxel helmet and shine off, and her black gloves matched with everything else she wore. She liked to look presentable, even when she was at home. Sighing slightly, she asked him to extend, and sat to the gait, letting him stretch out going diagonally across the middle, and then picked up the canter. His muscled body evened out, balancing him as he performed dressage. They both favored the jumping stages, but this helped them as well. Finally asking him to go at a regular paced canter, she looked towards the first jump. It was a small vertical, and as she steered him to it, he flew, going a little faster then normal. But even with her muscle she couldn't hold him in. She counted the longer strides and matched him up, moving with him as he sailed over it.Chase relax... She mumbled to him and then moved him forward again.
They warmed up like this for the most part, and she soon dismounted to raise the jumps and make her own small course. He stood still in the middle, all by himself, watching her with perked ears and excited eyes. Snorting, he soon began following her around. She just smiled and shook her head, then finished the course. The jumps were all at four feet, the last one being four three. She asked him for a canter once more when she mounted, and then steered him towards the first fence. He soared over it easily, and then landed, and they began the course much like that.
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Post by X.Sadistic_~_Samurai.X on Oct 18, 2006 19:18:57 GMT -5
Nicki looked over towards where Mel and her horse were working. They looked so intuned it made Nicki wonder who was the human of the group. The pasture horses were beginning to run again, this time squeling and bucking. The crisp air made everything feel fresher, cleaner. That was no exception to the beasts of the world. Ghost stood up and whinned, wagging his ratty tail. His hair was different lengths everywhere, none of it was the same. But, he was still Nicki's friend.
Speaking fo friends, Nicki looked around, her eyes narrowed. Where was Amy? She said she was coming once she figured out what she was going to wear to a stable. Amy had some new lyrics that she wanted Nicki took look over and add tunes to. But before she could think anymore, the horses began to head towards her. In a surge of fear, Nicki scrambled off the fence, landing witha thud on her back. That knocked her wind out and she thrashed around on the ground, gasping for air. Ghsot went over and began to lick her face, his mouth spread in a grin.
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Post by Melanie on Oct 18, 2006 19:39:04 GMT -5
Melanie took him over the rest of the jumps, with only having a problem at the combination. He had been going a little too fast for it, but she had regained him. She knew he needed to run, and even with the jumping he had pent up energy. Sighing, she looked towards the ring fence. It was about five feet high, and she knew he could clear it. So, turning him gently, she aimed him for the fence. He perked his ears and went, his neck arching, his nostrils flaring in excitement. She yelled as he lifted up, giving him extra support with her voice as he went. He cleared it with room to spare, showing their level in riding. He landed and regained himself and then took off with her signal. His tail was high and flying behind him, his mane whipping into her face. A smile was upon her features and then suddenly she noticed Nicki. Furrowing her brow, she asked Chase to slow. He didn't want to, and he wanted to give her a problem with it all. He bucked, kicking up his heels high into the air. She sat the first one, and asked him to halt once more. He kept doing it though, and she was growing frustrated and tired. Finally, he went diagonally, twisting his body and squealing. She knew that if she did an emergency dismount it wouldn't hurt as much. So she dropped her stirrups and jumped off like she was dismounting. SHe landed on her feet and bent her knees a bit to help with the impact. She landed forward a little bit and used her hand to help her stay up and steady. She growled under her breath as he took off, but she knew he would just go back to the barn. Shaking her head, she unclipped her helmet and looked down at Nicki.
So the girl was afraid of horses? That would have to be helpd if she was going to live here. Furrowing her brow, she approached carefully, watching the girl upon the ground. Sighing, she looked at her and crouched down beside her.You alright? Their relationship had gotten better, but it was still a bit shakey at times. But Melanie had never taken care of a kid before, let alone a young teenager that had had family problems. She looked over at her and then back at her hands. Looking to the horses, she suddenly had an idea.What if you came and saw the foals with me? They need to start feeling the halters... She offered, wondeirng if she would want to. They were smaller and easier to handle, and maybe they were the push the Nicki needed. She had the perfect colt in mind for Nicki, and she could even have him if she really wanted to and got along with him. She waited patiently, looking over at Ghost.Hey boy... She remembered the first night they had met him. It had been scary for her because Nicki had almost killed herself, or was at least just cutting herself. She hadn't liked it at all, and then they saw Ghost. He was blind and starving, and she had suggested they take him here until he got better. But he had grown on her, and she kenw he wasn't elaving anytime soon. But suddenly, a bark was heard, and two golden retrievers came flying around the corner, followed by a border collie. She sped to the front, easily outrunning the larger dogs. Jenny had been adopted by Melanie, and Charlie had been hers since she had moved here, and then there was Jack. A gift from Kyle. That was all to be said on that subject. They came over to Ghost and slid to a halt, their hair raising on the back of their necks. Their tails were wagging and they obviously wanted to be friends. Jack was still a puppy, so he laid down and strated inching forward. Melanie just smiled and looked back at Nicki.
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Post by X.Sadistic_~_Samurai.X on Oct 18, 2006 19:47:04 GMT -5
Nicki coughed a couple of times, sitting up. She heard Mel talk about seeing some foals. Her eyes widened abit but she was coughing abit more, not able to reply. A gasp of air filled her lungs and the coughing stopped. Her eyes went up to Mel, wide.Ummm I don't know... she said, biting her lip. Her mind was filled with excuses but for some reason, she didn't want to disappoint Mel by saying no or saying she was busy. Besides, Amy was probbaly halted by her parents for a lecture.I guess I could go see them... As long as I am back in time to make sure AMy gets here safely, she sighed and got up.
Ghost sat down quietly, listening. He turned his head blindly towards the dogs and yipped, his ears straight up and moving, trying to find where they were. He could hear their feet moving, their tags wagging, and fianlly got up, slowly heading over to them. Scruffy hair or no, blind or no, he could fill his keep to stay here.
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Post by Melanie on Oct 18, 2006 19:52:34 GMT -5
Melanie heard the hesitance in her voice, and she was about to say she could do it another time, but a smile lit her features when she said she would. She nodded excitedly and then listened to her speak once more.No problem..you will be... She said, meaning her meeting with Amy. Sighing slightly, she stood up and indicated for her to follow her. She went to the closest paddock to the barn and looked a tthe six foals frolicking inside. She whistled softly, and the roudiest of the bunch, a dappled grey thoroughbred, came bursting forward, a squealing neigh coming from him. She smiled and looked over at her.That's Summer Storm... She explained. He was the one she wanted Nicki to work with. Sighing, she climbed up over the fence and jumped down, smiling as the colt came over to her, nudging her for treats. Finding nothing interesting, he appraoched Nicki, his ears perked forward, his nose stretched forward to try and reach her. Melanie went to the other foals, petting them all in turn and talking to them gently.
Jack was the one most interested in the coyote. Charlie and Jenny just looked at him and trotted off, wrestling with eachother. Jack was the one who was left out. He whined softly, trying to draw Ghost over to him. He perked his ears forward and watched him, wagging his tail softly. He yipped gently and waited aptiently.
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Post by X.Sadistic_~_Samurai.X on Oct 18, 2006 20:03:43 GMT -5
Nicki froze when the colt came over, gluping down the over flowing fear. He didn't seem so bad... now... Putting her hands in her pockets and pretending to look like she was tough, shelooked him up and down.Summer Storm huh? He.. is cute, she said, looking at his legs and then his back. You could tell she had been around horses and worked with them sometime in her life. Her eyes calculated his legs then eyed the levelness of his back. Maybe he could.. No! Never again, she thought and stepped back.
Ghsot trotted over to the pup, sniffing the ground softly. Once he reached him, he panted softly and nudged him, almost like he was trying to tip him over.
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Post by Melanie on Oct 19, 2006 20:53:47 GMT -5
Melanie sent the others off in the group, making sure they didn't crowd Nicki. The small herd consisted of one midnight black filly, two chestnut colts, a bay filly and then Summer Storm. They all had a lot of potential and speed, and Storm had the most. SHe looked over at NIcki and sensed her apprehension. Sighing and then looking down, she sidled over slowly, then stood beisde her while Storm checked out her pockets once more. She pulled out a carrot and broke it in half, then fed him the pieces. She offered another carrot to Nicki to feed him. She would have to overcome her fear.Nicki...I know it might be hard..and I know you may not want to...but can you tell me why you are afraid of horses? What happened? She questioned softly, looking down at her through gentle eyes. Storm lost interest after a moment, still wanting the carrot that was left over, but liking the grass at their feet as well.
Jack woofed gently and then felt Ghost's nudge. He complied to the wolf's wants and allowed himself to be pushed over. He whined softly and then got up, sticking his butt up into the air playfully. He bounced back and forth, knowing that the blind male would be able to feel the vibrations of the earth from his movements. He finally settled and approached him, reaching out with his nose.
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Post by X.Sadistic_~_Samurai.X on Oct 19, 2006 20:57:19 GMT -5
Nicki looked down at the ground, staring at her shoes.It is a stupid reason.. You will think I ama moron, she said bluntly. Carefully, she eyed the horse, her mind wandering to that dreaded subject again. No no no, don't think about it, she thought, pushing it away.
Ghost barked softly, the coyoyte sniffing the pup's nose. With a grin, he fell over, pretending to be dead. His legs were stiff and his chest hardly moved but he was breathing. Just very very softly.
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Post by Melanie on Oct 19, 2006 21:04:01 GMT -5
Melanie listened softly to Nicki's words and then shook her head.I would never think you are a moron. Just give it a try Nicki...I'm here for you...you aren't alone anymore. She said softly, looking down at her once more. She sighed gently and then felt Storm nudge at her pant leg. Looking at him, she ran her hands over his whithers and then patted his side easily. Takigna d eep breath, she fed him the other carrot and waited for her reply with a patient, gentle glance.
Jack woofed in return, and then watched, his ears perking forward as the wolf just seemed to collapse. Was it from old age? He whined softly, his tail wagging softly back and forth. What was going on? He appraoched slowly, carefully, going slightly close, and then poking him with his nose. He laid down next to him, and whined once more, pushing and pushing.
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Post by X.Sadistic_~_Samurai.X on Oct 19, 2006 21:11:56 GMT -5
Nicki kept looking at her shoes.Oh alright... As ya know... My mother andfather stayed behind at Katrina but they made me leave. They weren't found so I was sent to live my my aunt. She hated horses and wouldn't let mekeep mine. Instead, she filled my head about horses killing people and hurting them and stuff like that until I was so scared, I cried when I saw a carosel. Hey, I was only 7, she said darkly. She looked tough and acted like she didn't care but she hurt inside, hiding it from everyone, even ehr friends.She grew tired of meand sent me to another relative. They passed me on until i got to a uncle i Maine. He didn't care about me so I took off. I was... 12 I think. Magsty, that was his name. Magsty the Gypsy. He was her trick riding horse, a sweet giant. But he was sold by her evil aunt for 500 bucks to a circus. The horrid woman, she thought fiercly.
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Post by Melanie on Oct 19, 2006 21:17:38 GMT -5
Melanie listened carefully, her heart going out to the teenager. No one deserved that kind of treatment, that abuse. She looked away for a moment, and then decided on what to do.Nicki...I'm really sorry. But like I said...I'm here for you. And that's not going to happen here. I promise. But..for now...Summer Storm's yours. Work with him to get your confidence back, and you'll be the one who makes the decisions about his training, and when he gets older, the races he's entered in. She explained softly. She didn't even wait for a protest. Smiling ocne more, she laid a hand on Nicki's shoulder and then walked away, letting her deal with the colt. She needed to find Chase anyway.
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Post by X.Sadistic_~_Samurai.X on Oct 19, 2006 21:22:30 GMT -5
Nicki watche dher leave, mouth opened, and began to say something when someone squeled behind her.Nicki! He is soo cute!! cried Amy. She ran over, wearing baggy jeans with tears in them and chains and a baggy black shirt with a skull on it. She wore no makeup or jewerly. The gothic, chittering girl offered Summer Storm her hand to sniff, still slightly jumping.Is he yours? I bet he is!! I am soo happy you finally got a horse!!! Even I know how to ride and rode a horse, she said, calming down. Can you belive this girl is even gothic??
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