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Post by Charlie Parker on Jun 24, 2008 12:36:53 GMT -5
If perfection in a horse could be attained, Charlie was relatively certain that he was pretty darn close to getting there. Anyone who saw the horse he called his own would be sure to admire the animal. He had the perfect build and conformation of a Belgian Thoroughbred cross. His chest was broad and well muscled, his neck had a high thick crest, strewn with sort of beige colored locks. His coat was slick and sheen, and untouched by any sort of show shine sort of spray. His legs were long and large, his hooves about the size of an adult human head and hidden beneath untangled feathers. The white blaze down his face was nearly pin straight and as clean as ever. His eyes glowed with a certain energetic love for everything around him as well as the shine of youth. When he walked, his hooves lifted just high enough off the ground that his stride was perfectly smooth. When he trotted, he tucked his chin to his neck and seemed to float in the air before each hoof touched back to earth. When he galloped, it was like the whole world was being shaken by a beast of unimagined size. He stood over 17 hands at the shoulder, and was every bit of him power. Still though, he listened to every command that was translated to him through the reins. He was as close to equine perfection as was possible.
Charlie walked through the stable, leading a prancing Brigadier behind him. The horse looked like some sort of show animal, the way he danced on the end of the lead as if he was showing off for a judge. He lifted his hooves high off the ground as he moved with Charlie. He was a rather high energy animal at this point in his life, considering he was only a two year old. Many people had commented that Charlie should wait for Brig to be older before training and riding him because he wasn't fully developed. Charlie's answer was always something along the lines of "if he's not fully developed now at 17.2 hands, then by the time he is fully developed, he'll be too tall to ride." Brig was certainly done growing now, 17.2 was as tall as he was going to get, and he had already filled out as well. There was nothing stopping him from training and riding him at this point.
The two walked silently, except for the thudding of Brig's hooves on the hard ground, past all of the other horses and down towards the stall with the gold name plate that read "Brigadier's Image, Charlie Parker." He'd just finished working the horse, and was putting him back up in his stall. Once at the stall, Charlie removed the lead and the halter from the horse, and pulled the stall door open. The Belgian walked in without being asked and took to contentedly munching his food. There wasn't anything Charlie disliked about him, and wouldn't change anything for the world.
After latching the door securely, Charlie turned and quickly visited the two race horses, King's Last Stand, and Shadow of a Doubt, that were stalled next to Brig and happened to be ridden by one of the guys that was going to be in his wedding as a groomsman. Charlie sighed at the thought. He could still hardly believed he was getting married, and to Hayley no less. Even just thinking about it made him undeniably happy. Recently, he hadn't had even so much as a single bad day. If something ticked him off, all he had to do was think about Hayley and getting married to her and he completely forgot about whatever had made him mad. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that Charlie loved her, even those who had no idea who he was could tell that something incredible had just happened in his life. Don't ask what it was that made it so obvious, it just was.
But what would you expect from a man who had everything he could ever ask for? He had this great horse, he had a nice house on a good sized piece of land, he had an always faithful dog who would maul anyone who tried to do anything less than pleasant or acceptable, he had a kid who called him daddy even though he wasn't really his dad, and he was marrying the most amazing girl on the face of the earth. His life had taken a complete turn around in the past year, and he was planning on keeping it pointed in that direction.
Back on the wedding idea, he still needed to decide on a best man. He'd been so focused on working and whatnot that he didn't really know all that many people very well. There was Charlie...the policeman, not himself, Derrick, Anthony, and then one more. He had been close friends with Sebastian back before he'd left, and now that he was back...well, it was possible...although Charlie had yet to see him. Plus, if Chey was going to be the maid of honor, who better to have as the best man than her fiance? It was a tough choice. He'd known Seb the longest, but hadn't seen him in a while; he'd met Anthony about a year ago, and he was the one who'd told him to go ask her to marry him; he'd known Derrick ever since he'd purchased Brig a year ago, and he was the one Hayley'd flirted with before they had started going out; and there was Charlie who'd been his partner on the police force. Why did this decision have to be so difficult?
He snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of another person in the hall, and turned in that direction. Unfortunately, for the time of the day, the sun was shining through the door way and completely shadowing over the other person's features. He could tell it was a man, but who, that was completely unknown. Blasted light. Ah well, it wasn't that important...was it?
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Post by Sebastian Kings on Jun 24, 2008 12:54:53 GMT -5
Sebastian Why should something so strong
Make me this weak
Oh nothin' 'bout love makes sense. The young man whistled a happy tune as he lead his horse to the stable. StarBound had been a brat today but Sebastian couldn't help but feel he may be to blame for some of it. He was so distracted lately. All he could think abou was Chey... his... uhmm... fiance? That was so wierd. But in a good way. No a really god way- Thump. Sebastian tripped over a stall fork, but managed to stay on his feet. He shook his head, tousling his light brown hair about his forehead. He sighed as he removed Star's bridle, replacing it with her halter. He deftly clipped the corss-ties to the leather halter. He dropped his heltmet to the side and began to undo the girth of his saddle.
The last couple days had been a blur. A blur of excitment, tragedy and love. He couldn't believe this feeling inside him was real. It was only yesterday that he had proposed to Chey... Yes... I love you Sebastian he played those words over and over in his brain, he didn't want to forget them. Even thogh he knew he never could. Off with the saddle. It was a light saddle, considering is was a close contact cutback, a jumping saddle. It was made to keep as much weight off the horse as possible. Sebastian came back to remove the tendon boots the appaloosa warmblood wore and she stomped her foot. Hey! Quit it Sebastian scolded with a chuckle. He could never seem to get mad these days.
He carried the splint boots and brushes back to his tack locker. Tall boots clicked on the cobblestone floor. A wide smile beam across his face as he passed Chey's office. Of course she wasn't in there, she'd gone out somewhere... But still just the thought of her made that twinlkle in his eye spark. He came back to where StarBound was standing. She pranced in the ties like a parade horse and Sebastian turned to see a large horse being lead into his stall. Sebastian guessed it was about 17 hands, just like Star. But it was much heavier built than the appaloosa/warmblood cross. Sebastian guessed it was a draft corss but it was hard to see from this end of the barn.
He walked down the aisle, towards the other man, StarBound snorting and stomping at the end of his chain. Sebastian came to a realization, his mare must be in heat. He rolled his eyes and gave a short tug on the chain that was fastened over her nose. He lead her into her stall which was only a few dors down from the other horses. StarBound did one circle in ehr stall and booted the wall defiantly. Quit! Sebastian told her sharply. He walked towards the exit of the barn, subsequently also towards the other man. His eyes widened, Charlie Parker? he asked with a grin. Although he knew exactly who it was, he was in a bit of disbelief. he thought that when he joined the mounted police force they would have moved him... He reached his hand out to his friend to shake. |
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Post by Charlie Parker on Jun 24, 2008 13:38:28 GMT -5
Charlie watched the other person for a moment, then gave up on trying to figure out who it was. He turned back to the thoroughbreds for a moment, as if the horses could help him with his dilemma, which, of course they didn't. That friendly nicker from Brig's stall brought him back over to the Belgian who was eagerly sticking his head out the stall door. You're crazy you know that Brig? He asked the horse, as he lifted his hand to the horse's head. Most people have to scratch their horses themselves, but not Charlie. All he had to do was hold his hand up and Brig would bob his head up and down so as to do it himself. Charlie could swear that this horse had more personality than most people he knew.
He started to turn at the sound of approaching footsteps. When he heard his name being uttered by a familiar voice, he turned a bit more quickly. Was that even possible that barely a minute after he was thinking about Sebastian he was walking up behind him? Apparently it was. Irony was the story of his life. He used to be into clubbing, and then he got shot in a club while on duty. He used to love being a cop, and it was in being a cop that his life was nearly ruined. He arrested Hayley once and didn't ever think about her again once he got her in the car, and now he was getting married to her. He was thinking about Sebastian, and now here he was. I guess fate just has its different ways of presenting things to people, his just happened to be through irony.
He knew, obviously, that Sebastian had returned, considering Chey was getting married to him, though from the questioning way he said his name, he figured that Sebastian had no idea that Charlie was even still around here. Although, he couldn't blame him, Charlie had expected to be relocated as well, but since both he and his now deceased partner were both from here, they'd decided to put together a mounted police force down here, meaning that the both of them could continue living where they had been and up the law enforcement to try to lower the drug traffic in the town. It had worked to some extent.
The one and only. He said with a smile, as he took Sebastian's outstretched hand. He had to admit though, he was slightly surprised to see him just now. He'd been thinking about somehow getting a hold of him and meeting him somewhere...and now here he was. That was easy enough. Maybe this re-meeting would help him in making his decision on who would be the best man. He knew none of them would hold it against him if they were just groomsmen instead of the best man, but it was still difficult to choose. Each one of them played pretty important parts in his life and he wasn't sure which one he wanted standing right next to him...which one he wanted to see him a complete wreck while he waited for Hayley to come down the aisle. He was pretty sure only Sebastian had ever actually seen him anything but completely professional and casual like he normally was. Most of the time he was always composed and perfectly relaxed, but he'd known Sebastian for so long that he was certain the guy had seen him when he was totally out of sorts.
How've you been? He asked, as he let go of Sebastian's hand. It was nice to see a familiar face that he hadn't seen in a while. He'd been so busy helping Hayley with all the wedding plans that he hadn't really seen anyone he knew except Hayley. Of course, Charlie knew that Sebastian was getting married, and that he was probably just as happy as Charlie was these days. That was the sort of thing love did to a man, turned his world upside down before he could get himself right side up again, and he enjoyed every minute of it.
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Post by Sebastian Kings on Jun 24, 2008 14:03:48 GMT -5
Sebastian Run your car off the side of the road
Get stuck in a ditch way out in the middle of nowhere
Or get yourself in a bind lose the shirt off your back
Need a floor, need a couch, need a bus fare Sebastian chuckled as his friend spoke The one and only And he most certainly was. Charlie and Sebastian had been friends for as long as Sebastian could remember. Even their parents had been friends. Sebastian remembered Charlie a little bit shorter than he is currently but thats probably because Charlie was a year and a half short than Sebastian and wasn't finished growing when he was 19. He was now almost exactly the same hieght as Sebastian. He still had that dark brown, wavy mop of hair and that easy-ging grin. Sebastian shook his hand. Good to see you, Bud he said with a chuckle, pulling him into a half-hug that most respectable men use for their friends. He grinned and let go of Charlie's hand.
How've you been [/i] his friend asked him. Sebastian thought about his answer carefully. He could always go with a simple "Alright" or "Fine, how bout you" But it was Charlie, practiaclly his best friend. Truthfully? The last two years have been hell he said with a sigh. But since I came back, it's been great he said which was true, in a sense I broke Chey's heart again. Had a near fatal fall off my horse, because of my own damn stupidity. Got stuck in the hospital. Broke Chey's heart again. Got out of the hospital. Caused a car crash with Chey. Saved her life. Put her in teh hospital. And proposed to her while she was in a coma. he finished out of breath. And you know what.... She said yes he said with a lop-sided grin. He leaned against a stall door with a lean thoroughbred in it. It actually felt good to let it all out. But when you said it out loud. he sounded like a real jerk. Certainly not a jerk who deserved to be ,married to such a beautiful, intelligent, perfect woman like Chey. he sighed and looked to Charlie What about you. I sure as hell hope you did better than I did he said with a small chuckle. He sipped out of the water bottle in his hand and had a thought. He needed a best man fr his wedding... Charlie was the only one who came to mind... What gos timing running intp him here. [/size][/blockquote] You find out who your friends are
Somebody's gonna drop everything
Run out and crank up their car
Hit the gas, get there fast
Never stop to think 'what's in it for me?' or 'it's way too far'
They just show on up with their big old heart
You find out who your friends are
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Post by Charlie Parker on Jun 24, 2008 15:05:19 GMT -5
Well, it certainly looked like Sebastian had been having an...eventful...life since last Charlie saw him. It had been about two years since they had last met. Charlie had joined the police, and Seb had left Pinewood to go and move up in the world of equestrian sports, their lives had parted ways, and now were coming back together, and why? Mostly because of two girls. Charlie wasn't really sure if he had done better than Sebastian had. He hadn't done any heart breaking, but he'd had a heck of a lot of pain and death...until now anyway.
He wasn't really sure how to respond to Sebastian's story, but he figured that since he'd finished with his getting engaged to Chey, he might as well say something along those lines. Congratulations. He said with a smile. It was always good to end a bad story with a happy ending. Getting married to the girl you love was the perfect happy ending to that sort of story. He was pretty sure his story wasn't quite as...dramatic as Seb's was, but he'd asked, so he figured he'd have to tell him. Not that he was trying to hide it from anyone, and especially not his best friend, but it really wasn't all that interesting to be perfectly honest.
Turns out being a cop's not all it's jacked up to be. He started, Either that or I'm just incredibly unlucky. He was fairly sure that he was just unlucky, or else no one would want to be a law enforcement officer. Got myself shot by Alex Higgs on the second day of the job. Alex Higgs had been one of his sort of friends, borderline acquaintances in high school. Ended up arresting Hayley Mathews. My horse and partner got killed after a year, and I quit the job. Started training Brig here after six months, and ran into Hayley Mathews again. He paused for a minute, before going on. Fell in love with her, and asked her to marry me two days ago.
He smiled and shook his head, You know, after all these years, we're still ending up doing the same things without even knowing it. They'd known each other so long that the two of them pretty much thought the same way...or at least they had. That was what happened when you grew up with kid down the street. Sure, Seb was a year older than him, but it was better to be friends with the older kid than with all those girls who lived there as well. In the earliest years of their friendship, they'd been the only two boys on the block, and in their very young minds, girls had cooties, and Charlie had always taken pains to avoid them, thus drawing him to Sebastian.
That was life for ya. Girls drove them together in the beginning, because they were trying to stay away from the girls. Now, girls had brought them back together because well...Seb had come back for Chey, and Charlie had decided against rejoining the police force and leaving the stable because of Hayley. Just one more irony to add to the list of Charlie's life.
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Post by Sebastian Kings on Jun 25, 2008 2:13:12 GMT -5
Sebastian I go back to a two toned short bed Chevy
Drivin my first love out to the levvy
Livin life with no sense of time
And I go back to the feel of a fifty yard line
A blanket, a girl, some raspberry wine
Wishin time would stop right in its tracks
Everytime I hear that song, I go back Congratulations
[/s] Sebastian heard him say and he grinned wide Thanks he nodded and awaited Charlie's update of the last two years. he was interested to see what he'd been up to. Aparently being a cop's not all its jackwed up to be... No shit1 Sebastian felt lie telling him.... but he didn't. Alex Briggs? Sebastian asked, eyes widened slightly Okay, didn't see that one coming he said Uh-I mean sorry.... thats horrible Sebastian ran rubbing the back of his neck uneasily. He bit his lip and was thankful Charlie carried on speaking. The he mentioned Hayley Mathews. Arrested her... well thats no suprise. Even though she was a freshman while Sebastian was a senior he'd heard about Hayley. Apparently she was a little hoar... Sebastian saw something in her, she wasn't all bad he knew, but he was too busy with Chey and the horses to really take any notice. Sebastian winced his horse and his partner... he bit his lip and said nothing. He didn't want to fuck that one up too. He mentioned the horses name as "Brig" Seb glanced at the big colt's name plate and read: "Brigadier's Image" Sebastian thought it suited him. Ran into Hayley Mathews again... Fell in love with her and asked her to marry me two days ago.[/s] Yoou could say Seb was slightly shocked. That was trippy! Married at 21... Never really pegged you as that kinda guy Parker he said with a chuckle. It was true, Sebastian was more of a ladies man bac in their high school years. In fact he could still see the shock in Charlie's eyes when he said he loved Chey. Charlie thought he was out of it. And eventually so did Sebastian. he got scared, cold feet, if you will. the he skipped town. Sebastian's jaw clenched as he thought of that day. No. He was done with that part of his life. His fist clenched. It was the future now. His heart beat harder. he was going to marry Chey Kingery. His entire body relaxed with that thought. He shook Charlie's hand again and grinned Congrats he said to him. You know after all these years we're still doing things the same without even knowing it. Sebastian laughed sligtly and shook his head, sandy colored hair falling hap hazardly over his forhead.
[/size][/blockquote] I go back to the smell of an old gym floor
The taste of salt on the Carolina shore
After graduation and drinkin goodbye to friends
And I go back to watchin summer fade to fall
Growin up too fast and I do recall
Wishin time would stop right in its tracks
Everytime I hear that song, I go back, I go back |
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Post by Charlie Parker on Jun 25, 2008 12:25:26 GMT -5
Charlie had to admit, he wasn't exactly expecting to get shot by him either. He hadn't even done anything to the guy. All he'd done was go into the club, which he used to go to a lot in his spare time, and arrest a guy who was wanted on three counts of homicide, and happened to be armed and dangerous. Heck, he'd probably saved Alex's life. He'd just cuffed the guy, and turned around to take him out, and BAM it hit him in the left shoulder. Now some of you are probably going, oh...shoulder wound no big deal, they keep right on moving in the movies when that happens. Well let me tell you now, Hollywood and life are two very different things...especially when the guy shot you from point blank range. As he'd stumbled back from the guy, reeling in pain and hardly able to see or breathe, he'd heard Alex Higg's voice telling him that was what he got for "betraying" them. That day had sort of been his wake up call.
Charlie had to admit, it was rather entertaining, Sebastian's expression when he told him he was marrying Hayley Mathews. You and me both. he said in reply to Sebastian's comment about him getting married. Charlie had always been the guy who completely ignored the attention from the girls. You know how it goes, they're all suckers for the curly haired guy, and Charlie just happened to be that guy. However, he was also that guy who never really let it go to his head...to be perfectly honest, it had about driven him mad, and nothing he did could possibly get rid of all of them. Seb, was pretty much the exact opposite, if you could say that. He was the charming guy who would certainly have been labeled a "ladies' man." Funny how well these two got along like they did.
Thanks He said as he shook Sebastian's hand again. Charlie thought about saying that he hadn't expected Seb to come back and get married to Chey, but from the look on his face, he decided against it. He probably hated the reminder of the fact that he'd left town and broken Chey's heart. Sort of the same way Charlie hated the reminder of the fact that he arrested Hayley, tossed her in a car and forgot about her like she was yesterday's business. He had pretty much been a jerk back then. Why he hadn't ever recognized it then was beyond him. He was different now though, really different. His whole life had been changed around after he quit working for the police, and so far, it had been better this way.
So instead of saying something that he would regret, he just made up his mind on the spot and decided to get the decision of who to ask to be his best man behind him. Speaking of getting married, He said, returning his focus to what was going on here and now. He had a terrible tendency to sort of zone out or drift off and miss everything, that was one thing that hadn't changed in the past several years. I need a best man, and you're the first one that came to mind. You interested? It was sort of a random question, but that was an old habit too. Something someone said would remind him of something which would lead him to some random question, and he would ask it without so much as a second though. At least this one was on the same subject that they'd been on. Sometimes it was something completely off topic and no one knew how in the world he even got there.
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