..welcome home.. {sandra}

[emoindenial]

Aaron pulled up to the stable yard in a rustic blue pickup truck. There was rust eating away at the doors and frame, the engine rumbled, in bad need of a tune up, and the truck itself had a nice solid layer of dirt. But Aaron wasn't concerned with that. It got him from point A to point B, and that was all that mattered to him.

Pulling the key from the ignition, Aaron jumped from the cab onto the ground, dust swirling around his ankles. Walking to the back, Aaron went to the horse trailer attachted to the truck. Unlocking the bars, the doors from the trailer swung open and Aaron was greeted by 2 large horse rumps. Grinning, he laughed quietly to himself - only a horseman or woman could truly appriciate this sight.

Undoing the back of the left stall, Aaron went inside and slowly started to back Ebony down the trailers ramp. He went easily, a champion at trailers, being a professional show horse. Once out, Aaron took a quick look at Ebony. He seemed no worse for the wear after the long trip, but just in case, Aaron felt his legs for any signs of a pulled muscle or any damage. Finding no abnormal heat whatsoever, Aaron lead the might stallion into the barn, finding his assigned stall. He had already prepped it, along with Majorie's stall, earlier in the day. Leading the brute inside, Aarons boots no longer echoed on the concrete floor of the stables walkway, but rather was padded with a nice thick layer of straw. In the corner hung a bale of hay, and a few feet from that rested a pail of water. There was a salt lick resting in the corner, but his food bucket was empty as it was only midday.

Making sure Ebony was settled in for the moment, Aaron left the stall, locking it behind him and returning to the trailer. Hopping inside, Aaron quickly lead down the Arapaloosa mare, Majorie. She was not fond of trailers, and basically pulled him out from it as soon as there was room to move. Shaking her head once she was out, she literally sighed with relief, and Aaron chuckled as the mare literally shot the trailer with a look of disgust. Majorie was the comic of Aarons two horses - she was the most expresive horse Aaron had ever met, and sometimes he swore she knew exactly what he was saying and what was going on around her.

As Aaron led her to the stable yard, Majorie took in everything around her. She was breathing deeply, the scents of new horses and other animals exciting her, but she remained calm, not fighting Aaron. Aaron was the only human she trusted, and she was loyal to him, almost to a fault. It was understandable, since Aaron had rescued her from the local ASPCA, but Aaron couldn't believe how much trust the mare laid on him.

Finding the assigned stall, Aaron grinned. She was across the way and 3 stalls down from Ebony, which was a good thing - despite being mare and stud, Ebony had never once tried to mount Majorie, or even make any type of stallion-attitude towards her - rather they were good friends. Aaron kept them in seperate pastures just in case, but they got along great and Aaron wasn't concerned with the set up.

Majorie seemed to find her stall very nice, and she settled down and started munching on the hay almost immediately. Seeing her settle so quickly, Aaron left the stall and returned to Ebony. He was munching hay as well, which was no surprise. As healthy and in shape as he was, Ebony could eat almost as much as he weighed, it seemed. He was just never satiated when it came to his food.

Standing outside of Ebony's stall, Aaron kept an eye on both horses who seemed more than content. The stable yard was empty at the moment, but he guessed that people would start coming around soon enough - horse people just couldn't stay away for too long from the loves of their lives...

(for Ebony and Majorie's full stats so you have a better idea of them, just click the link in my siggy)

[sandra]

Sandra turned up the music in her car till it blasted loud enough for everyone around her to here. She didn't care though. They could think what they wanted to about her. Her hand tapped the steering wheel to the beat of the music. Her eyes quickly spotted the stop light turn green and she put pressure on the gas pedal. Because the top of the care was down the wind caused by the cars movement blew her dirty blonde hair back behind her. She wanted to get to the stables and fast. Speed, certainly something she liked.

The red car quickly pulled into the stable yard. Dust whirled up around it because of the force that she stopped the car with. Pulling her key out of the ignition she cut the power from her car. Not bothering to open the door she hopped out over the door. Long dark blue boot cut jeans wrapped perfectly around the bottom half of her thin frame. A loose white tank top and some plain black english riding boots finished her simply outfit. Usually she looked a bit more dressed up. But heck! Her horse didn't care what she looked like. Glancing back at the car she hit the lock button on her keys. Once the car was left to her satisfaction she glanced around the area she was standing in.

A few cars here and there speckled the stable yard. It looks like a slow day Sandra observed quietly to herself. She spotted a rusty pick up truck and a horse trailer. Walking over she went to see who it was. When she reached it she looked inside. To her disappointment it was completely empty. Apparently the horses that were in it were being taken to their stallions. Shrugging her thoughts off she walked into the stables.

Her riding boots made dull thudding noises as she walked into the stables. Her hazel gaze looked at all the horses in their stalls. Most of them were munching happily or dozing. She smiled her horse wasn't one that would be so content in her stall. No, Sun was a true racehorse. Full of energy and almost never wanted to stop. Quickly she made her way to her horse's stall.

A low nicker greeted her as she finally came upon Sun's stall. "Hey Beauty" She spoke to her horse in a cheerful voice. When Sun heard Sandra's voice she poked her head out of the half doors opening. Chuckling Sandra walked up all the way and let Sun sniff her hand. Petting her gently on the head and then giving her a firm pat on the neck. "You ready to get out of here?" She asked her horse with a chuckle. As if in response Sun kicked the stalls door and gave a big neigh,

Walking to the tack room she quickly found the bridle and saddle and saddle blanket. Draping them over both of her arms she made her way back to Sun's stall. "All right girl" Laying them down she opened the stall door. Sun quickly came forward bumping her head against Sandra's chest. Laughing she clipped on the lead rope and led her horse out of the stall.

Grabbing a curry comb she cross-tied Sun and then got to work on her dark chocolate coat. As she combed she put more pressure and Sun leaned into the comb with a groan. "That feel good, girl?" She asked her horse laughing. Once she was finished grooming Sun's coat shone bright and her eyes were wide and alert, ready for her exercise.

Putting the equipment on she tightened the cinch and then stepped back to make sure everything looked okay. Quickly she slid her hand under the girth to make sure it was tight enough. Tapping her horses belly to make sure she hadn't been holding her breath. When nothing happened she nodded her satisfaction. "You didn't do any of your usual tricks today."

Turning around she snagged the reins and lead the mare down the corridor. Spotting a guy standing by the stall of two horses she smirked. "Might as well say hello" She mumbled to herself. Walking up confidently she tossed her head causing her blonde hair to remove itself from her face. When she stood a couple of feet away she spoke. "Hey, you new?" She asked him curiously.

[emoindenial]

Aaron stood in front of Ebony's stall, whistling a tune quietly to himself. His foot tapped the cement floor in time with the beat, and soon he was totally lost. An outsider would think he was a crazy person, dancing and singing some unidentifiable tune, but Aaron was happily lost and didn't really care what anyone else thought.

Looking to his right, Aaron saw a young blonde girl approaching his way, a sharp looking Thoroughbred behind her. He nodded his greeting, expecting her to do the same as she passed. But instead she stopped and smiled, asking if he was new around here. He nodded once again, a small grin playing at the corners of his mouth. Yeah, I actually just got here today. My name is Aaron. He paused a second, looking at the girl. He didn't do a one up and down like a pig, because if Aaron was anything, it was everything but a pig. He was a gentleman to this best of his abilities, just as he had been raised. But boy, this girl was a pretty young thang, as his Paw would have said.

Aaron guessed her to be no more than 18 or 19, but her slight frame did nothing to diminish her bold presence. So tell me, is your name as pretty as your eyes darlin'? A sweet southern accent tainted his words, telling of his far away heritage.

[sandra]

Sandra stood waiting patiently for the guy to respond. Her eyes looked back to her horse. She was fidgeting at the end of her reins. Her nares opened and closed as she smelled the scent of a stallion. "Easy girl" She murmured quietly. Reaching up she gave the thoroughbreds neck a sturdy pat, trying to calm her. Sun was always like this when she was around stallions so she quickly figured the gender of this guys horse. But she wasn't sure about his other horse...

When he looked to his right and saw her he nodded his greeting. With a soft smirk she stayed in place. "Nice to meet you Aaron" She said with a smile. One hand gripped the reins firmly so she had control of her horse but with the other she extended it offering to shake his hand. Her parents had raised her to be polite of course, she thought with a smirk, she as far from a perfect little angel. Her eyes quickly looked over the guy in front of her. A habit of hers though she wasn't trying to be rude. He was probably a couple of years older than her but he was cute she thought to herself. Age really didn't faze her all that much.

Sandra laughed at his question. Either he was joking or just very forward about liking someone. She was guessing the first one. Smirking she responded. "Well I should hope so" Her eyes twinkling she continued "My name's Sandra"

[emoindenial]

Aaron grinned and let the name play on his tounge. Sandra. I like that. Does everyone call you that, or do you have a nickname? His eyes glinted playfully, a hint of teasing in his voice.

Behind him, Ebony pawed the straw in his stall and snorted, whickering to the mare. He noticed that the mare was responding as well, and Aaron knew what was going through both horses mind. Maybe we should walk away from my buddy here...he gets a little excited around the mares, if you know what I mean. A grin formed on his face, his eyes pulling up with the smile.

Starting to walk away, Aaron paused a few steps ahead and said, It looks like your about to take her out, right? It was more of a statement then a question, as it was pretty obvious that Sandra was going to work the horse. Why else would she have her here, all tacked up and ready to go? Mind if I join you? I have another horse besides Ebony over there...Marjorie is a sweet girl and she shouldn't put up a fight with another mare. Marjorie snorted and raised her head at the sound of Aarons voice saying her name. Her eyes followed him intently, not paying the other equine any attention.

[sandra]

His smile seemed to be contagious so she grinned right back at him and then responded to his question. "People call me Sandy" She said supplying her nickname. It wasn't creative it was just shorter than her full name. Besides she liked both her full name and her nickname.

Chuckling Sandra nodded her head in agreement. "Yeah Sun here gets a little excited around stallions." Tugging on the lead rope gently she tried to get her horse's attention. Finally Sun looked down at her and Sandra clucked gently leading her and walking behind Aaron.

"Yeah" She said turning around and patting her horse's neck. "She hasn't been out today." Glancing back she let her gaze rest back on Aaron. "Sure feel free" She said nodding. It would be nice to practice with someone. Even though Sun could be pretty full of it. "I'll meet you out there" She said. Resting her hand on the saddle she sprang up. Her light frame landed softly and she stuck her boots quickly into the stirrups. Urging her mare into a walk. Giving a small wave she guided Sun out of the stables and into the practice arena.

[emoindenial]

Aaron watched as Sandra took the mare outside to the arena. Bending down, Aaron picked up a curry comb and walked inside of Marjories stall. Giving her a quick brush, he replaced the curry with a soft brush and removed the loose hair. He next used a hoof pick to clean out her hooves, removing any mud and dirt packed inside. Her mane and tail were already flawless as usual, so Aaron didn't bother to run a comb through there.

Leaving the stall, Aaron reached into his tack box and pulled out an english pleasure saddle, a fleece saddle pad, foam lifters and a bridle and martingale. Returning to the stall, Aaron places the saddle pad and lifters on Marjorie's back, and then placed the saddle on top. Buckling the ties and tightening the girth, Aaron placed the bridle over Marjorie's head and fastened each buckle. Adding the martingale for final measure, Aaron lead Marjorie out of her stall. Not bad for grooming and tacking up in all of about 5 minutes.

Leading her outside, the sun shone brightly in the summer heat. Placing a hand on his forehead, Aarons eyes adjusted to the brightness and he found Sandra in the arena, riding around on her mare. He walked up to the gate and unlocked it, waited until Sandra had passed him and then snuck inside, shutting the gate quickly behind him.

Finding a red mounting block in the center, Aaron lined Marjorie up with the steps and tightened her girth one last time before quickly stepping up and swinging into the saddle. Sighing and relaxing his shoulders, Aaron adjusted his reins and then tapped Marjorie gently on the side with his boots, urging her into a walk. He got in place behind Sandra, assuming that her horse, being a Thoroughbred, would be faster than Aaron and Marjorie.

Marjorie, though no Thoroughbred, was still a stunning mare in her own way. Her Appaloosa blood gave her that wonderful coat - a dilute buckskin with light silver dapples, and solid white blanket covering almost her entire backside. But her Arabian heritage showed in her paces. She lifted each leg high and elegant, and there was a bounce to her step that other horses didn't usually have at a walk. Her neck was held high, showing everyone that she was a princess indeed.

So, Aaron called ahead of him, I know your name but what about that mare your riding? She is stunning, you know. A Thoroughbred, I'm guessing? His eyebrows lifted in the question, curiosity getting the better of him.

[sandra]

Sandra sat up straight in the saddle as she let Sun walk around. Keeping a snug grip on the reins so her horse wouldn't go any faster. Sun looked around and glared at her rider and snorted her disapproval of the slow gait. Finally with a laugh she let her go into a trot. As Sun felt the reins ease up slightly she went into a trot and gave a small buck of protest when she was held there. Sandra chuckled but refused to let her horse go any faster. She needed to be warmed up.

Finally after about five minutes she let go of more of the reins and Sun took the release greedily. Her hooves quickly swept into a rocking canter. Standing up in the stirrups Sandy swayed easily with her horses gentle movements. Her gaze stayed between her horse's ears to where she wanted to go. She kept Sun going around the ring and then guided her to do some figure eights as they waited for Aaron and his horse. The harks of her mares leaned back to listen to her riders gentle voice and she whispered her encouragement to the horse.

Her gaze wandered slightly to her right as she saw Aaron and a mare outside the gate. As she swept past him she saw him enter the ring and go over to the mounting block. Quickly she returned her attention to her crazy horse who was starting to fight for more rein. When she slowed Sun back down to a trot she looked over a Aaron's mount. She was a really interesting color Sandy admitted to herself. With a crooked smile she spoke "Nice horse!"

When the other mare was behind her and Sun she kept her gaze facing forward. Aaron's voice floated up to her ears and she heard his question clearly. "Her name's Sing up the Sun" She answered quite happily. She loved talking about her horse! "Yeah she is a thoroughbred, and I race her" She said with a smile. "What are your horses trained in?" She called back curiously.

[emoindenial]

From the inside track in the arena, Aaron watched Sandra take her mare around a few times at a canter. He watched with interest - he could see the power inside of her, of both of them actually. But watching, he could see the fae struggling for more rein, her strides powerful but a little bit choppy since the mare was ornrey about going slow.

When Sandra and the mare slowed, Aaron listened and then replied, Sing Up The Sun. I like that name, its very unique. Kicking Marjorie's sides with slight pressure, he urged her into a slow trot, Aaron going up and down in time with her strides. Well, this is Majority Love, or Marjorie for short. She is an Arapaloosa who is basically my Sunday horse, he said with a comical grin. I only use her for trail riding and pleasure riding - we don't do too many shows or real events. He added this, clarifying his words.

Marjorie was soon fighting him for some rein, just as Sun had been with Sandra. Marjorie was full of pent up energy from the long trailer ride and not having been in the pastures yet, and so Aaron relented and gave Marjorie all the rein she wanted. Only for two times around the arena, but Aaron let Marjorie have full head, and Marjorie took it greedily. From a slow, controlled trot, Marjorie burst out of nowhere, into a full blown gallop. Long strides made the two times around the arena go by in a flash, and Aaron started tugging on the reins gently, until sullenly Marjorie slowed back to a rocking canter, and then to a fast paced walk.

Shes been wanting to get that out for awhile now. Maybe she will be a little bit more calm after that... Regaining his breath quickly from the short but exhilerating ride, Aaron finished his statement. The stallion back in the barn is Ebony Thorns, or Ebony for short. He is a Pure Hanoverian, and I use him for Show Jumping and Hunter events, and we are just starting out with some Cross Country. As much as he loved Marjorie, Ebony was his pride and joy. Not every 23 year old got the chance to own a professional, pure blooded stallion like Ebony, and Aaron knew that fact very well - treasuring Ebony just like so.

[sandra]

"Thanks" She said nodding her appreciation. Usually she wasn't this serious but whenever she got onto the back of a horse she turned more horsewoman than Sandra Benett. Sun continued to pull on the reins and chomped on her bit in unhappiness. "Cool it" Sandy whispered to her horse. The last thing she needed was an unscheduled rodeo. A slight smirk lifted the tips of her mouth at the thought.

"Cute name" Sandy said with a grin on her face. She nodded showing that she understood having a horse just for pleasure and not for showing. After all that's how Sun had first started. Though she had quickly developed into much more. Sandy had always been interested in racing, she just loved the thrill of the intense speed. Though at first her parents had been opposed to the thought of their daughter as a jockey. Of course... she didn't usually follow what her parents told her to do anyway she thought with a smirk. She frequently disobeyed their rules but her sister always seemed to cover for her. She was in the last year of high school and hardly did her homework. She didn't care if her grades weren't good enough for a decent college. Her plan was to race horses not go to school for another four years.

With a smile on her face she watched as Marjorie started fighting for her head like Sun had. As she watched, Aaron gave the mare more rein and she burst into a gallop. Unhappily Sun watched as the other mare got to do what she wanted to do. With a pat on the neck Sandy tried to reassure the mare she would get to soon. Two times around the ring and then the other mare was brought to a canter and then to a fast walk. Tugging against the reins she let her mare come in step with Marjorie.

"I can tell" She said with a soft laugh not wanting to spook either horse. Though she was pretty sure his horse wouldn't spook that easily. However Sun spooked at anything she wanted to, she looked for an excuse to spook. "Wow! Hanoverians are awesome" She exclaimed. She had seen several jump and they were just amazing. "How'd you get Ebony?" She asked Aaron curiously. Sun's head was sagging lower to the ground as if bored with the whole conversation.

[emoindenial]

Aaron grinned at the compliment. He knew that Ebony was a special boy, but in all he did really love the Hanoverian as a breed. They had power and grace, but were usually just big teddy bears when it came down to it.

Well, its kind of a long story, but to sum it up I worked for an elderly lady who passed about a year ago, and in her will she wrote that I should keep and take care of Ebony. So, I did just that. A few months later Marjorie came along, and then we found our way here, to Pinewood. Lost in though, Aaron remebered his painful childhood, the struggles at living alone from 17 years old until he found the lady who took him in. He still mourned her death to this day - she had shown him kindess that was unheard of in this day and age - and he would always be grateful for it.

So how did you and Sun find eachother? Aaron asked, attempting to free himself from those morbid thoughts.

[sandra]

"Well she must have appreciated you for her to give you a pure bred hanoverian stallion" Sandy complimented with a lopsided grin. Reaching down she gave Sun a pat on her shoulder before answering the question. Glancing over at Aaron she finally spoke "Well I've owned a horse of my own since I was 13... My first horse passed away so I decided to get another one not to long ago...." Her voice trailed off as she thought of the day she had gotten Sun. She was so dumbfounded at how much speed she had. "I got Sun from this older guy that couldn't take a speed horse anymore, she was used for barrel races at the time" She shook her head at that reality. "Can you imagine... Sun going around barrels?" Her voice still held the same disbelief it had when she had first met Sun. "But now she's pure racehorse." Sandy said with a smile.

[emoindenial]

Aaron nodded. Yeah, we had a...special...sort of relationship... He trailed off, again lost in his fond memories of the elderly lady who had saved him from the streets. Eyes widening, however, he realized what he said and quickly corrected himself. Not in, a, uh, sexual way, of course... A bright pink blush rose and his face flushed - he and the lady having...well, wow, that was actually kind of a nauseating thought. Sure, he loved her, but...more in a familial sort of way.

When Sandra mentioned that she had lost a horse, Aarons face fell appropriately, I'm sorry to hear that.. Aaron had never really had a horse that he had truly loved and lost, so he didn't know the feeling well. However just imagining loosing Ebony or Marjorie was enough to almost bring him to tears - he couldn't bear the thought of either of them getting hurt, or even worse...

Sighing, Aaron grinned meekly and said, Well, maybe it was for the better in the end, right? I mean, now you have Sun, and I can just tell how close the two of you are..,

(ooc: any ideas for what should happen next? wanna do like a trail ride or something??)

[sandra]

Sandra nodded with a slight smirk on her lips as she heard his words. She knew what he had meant of course. But, where was the fun if you couldn't tease a little bit? Calmly she waited for him to return to the present. Well at least she was pretty sure he was thinking about what had happened in his past. Her smirk grew larger as he explained what he had meant and started to blush. "I figured" She stated simply. Not dwelling on the fact that he was embarrassed.

Yeah that's what everyone says" Sandy answered with a sad smile. Her once lively eyes dimmed slightly as she thought of her little colt. If it hadn't been for that stupid drunk driver. One tear spilled out of her eye and slid down her cheek as she thought of how he never had a chance. Soft hot horse flesh just didn't stand a chance against the metal fender of a car. Clearing her throat she wiped the tear away almost immediately after it slid down her cheek.

Looking over at him she smirked. "Yeah we have a special sort of relationship" Glancing down she gave sun a soft pat on the neck. Sun glanced up and snorted as if telling her she was completely bored with this conversation. "Hey you want to go on a trail ride or something?" Sandy asked Aaron suddenly.

(Sure xDD Trail ride it is hehe)

[emoindenial]

Aaron watched Sandra intently, he swore he saw a tear slide down her cheek. But maybe it was just the light. Yes, that was most likely it.

Feeling Marjorie tugging on the reins, Aaron paced her by pause and release with the reins, trying to settle her nervous energy. When Sandra mentioned a trail, Aaron nodded his head. That sounds nice, and I am sure Marjorie here would appriciate it. Can we ride to the trails from here? Or do we need to dismount and walk them to the entrance?

(Do you want to just post your reply in the trails? or here? or...lmao idk)