|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 8:16 pm
Roman nodded abruptly. Then he gestured to Kahlilia. "Come on," he murmured in an undertone. "Shannon has spoken. Let's go get those horses saddled up."
So speaking, he turned around and headed back down towards the barn. He would take the bigger or more nervous-looking of the two strange horses, he figured - try to spare Kahlilia any damage if he could. Not that he thought she needed much protecting, but...well. Just in case.
What could be wrong with that?
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:14 pm
Kahlilia tilted her head to the side when she heard of the two other horses. Why hadn't she ever seen them before?
Its probably because I've been spending so much time with Ben and Kelly, she reassured herself almost immediatly. Maybe these two keep to themselves more.
It was true - Benvolio was hyper, impatient, and social. She hadn't seen enough of Kelly's non-maternal behaviors to pinpoint any certainty. Oh well.
As she walked beside Roman, she thought about these two horses and wondered what they were like. It was likely that they were nice, quite possibly a very hardworking duo [if they worked together often], but what else? Guess we'll wait and see.
Kahlilia flinched a little when deafening thunder rolled through the sky. Although she didn't like thunder and lightning, did not see the purpose, she enjoyed storms. They were almost cleansing and calming, in some strange sense. Sometimes, rain felt homely. Sometimes, rain felt depressing. Even so, it usually put her in a humble state. Being Kahlilia the Nature Hermit, she seemed calm when the thunder subsided once more.
Of course, both of them were getting wet again. By now, Lily was ignoring the gross feeling that came from wet clothing and had stopped fiddling with her hair. The frizz in the now chocolate brown locks had subsided to almost zero, but the 'club-makeup' had not. Looking the way she did without realizing fully, it was like she had just left a water park with an added bar. If mentioned, she would not be happy.
The barn came into view soon, and Lily looked up at Roman with a small smile. She'd been close to the pasture, but she didn't think she had been inside. She hoped the two horses would be at least amiable.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 11:34 am
"Come on, Kahlilia," called Roman, standing at the entrance to the stable. He kindly did not mention the fact that she looked like she'd gone through an adults-only water park with all her clothes on. But he thought it. "They're in the barn."
Going inside, he picked out the Missouri blue immediately. She was a dainty little mare who looked perfectly calm even as the storm raged outside the barn. Instantly, he decided that that one was best for Kahlilia. When he went the rest of the way down to the barn, his opinion was strengthened - although the roan didn't look too nervous either, she was much bigger. He was vaguely worried that if he took the Missouri blue, he would break the horse's back. But the roan looked like she could handle his weight.
"This ought to be interesting," he told Kahlilia as he came out with the roan. It was the work of only a minute or two to find Starstruck - as he'd discovered her name was - the saddle and bridle that fit. Setting to a quick grooming, he asked, "The blue is okay for you, right?" All she had to do was say the word, and he would switch horses despite his own misgivings.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 1:39 pm
minus infinity ( OOC // I'm going to wait for Misery to respond before I post for Lily. If I didn't, my post would be a one liner. xD )
Xavier smiled back at Summer, wrapping his arms around her waist. That'll be fun, He said when she first suggested it to him, wanting to move around and be hyper and get wet. However, he still really wanted to talk to Esmeralda about whatever had happened. It lingered deep in the back of his mind so it didn't show in his expression, but he knew he needed to soon enough.
Maybe after this or something. He wasn't exactly sure yet.
As the two of them kissed, Xavier held her in a hugging way to keep her close to him. In any other's eyes, they probably looked like siamese or something. Of course, then, their combined passion lasted a long time. It really felt like their agreement to cut back on sex was going to be hard; but as long as they could substitute somehow they would be alright.
Once the kiss stopped, he noticed he still had his arms around her waist. Although he moved one hand to let her move towards the rain outside, he kept her close. Just as they were leaving, he saw Chris and smiled slightly. He'd told Summer's older brother that he had, in fact, had sex with her twice. Now three times.
Hopefully, Chris wouldn't be angry.
Hi Chris, He said, Did the doctors try to feed you mystery meat?
Naturally, he was joking again. But he was in a good mood.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 11:56 am
Kahlilia caught up to Roman quickly when she was called, stopping calmly beside the Missouri blue. Looking up at the young mare's nameplate, she discovered this was Zira.
( OOC // I am permanently a Disney freak. >w< )
Gingerly leading the mare out of her stable, Lily nodded over at him. Yeah. The roan okay for you?
In fact, Zira was close to Lily's size and in their ways they were dainty and quite possibly fragile deep down. While it was true that opposites attracted, it was also true that its nice to have someone similiar to you once in a while.
She wasn't used to herding three calves together, she never even had done that, but a small reassurance was lighted when she remembered these two horses were great at the job. Finding the proper equipment just afterward, she saddled the mare up and cautiously pet her. Zira didn't respond to the touch, just twitched one ear.
Shannon said the calves would be in the pasture, right? Lily asked after hesitating to remember, wondering if they should wait for Shannon before going back out.
Xavier smiled warmly at Summer and Chris, remembering how the other boy had said he was very close to his younger sister. He also remembered how they had compared experiences of dealing with their younger sisters, chasing away suitors and making sure they didn't try to get into trouble.
Of course, he blushed just as Summer did when Chris mentioned their having sex. Well, he was physic or something then. However, he returned to his normal color when Chris was okay with it. Of course, he was by now assured of his amiability, but it didn't mean he wasn't embarassed where sex was mentioned. Summer and himself had decided to cut off from that for a while, just to see how they managed; and he wondered if they would behave and look differently in that case.
Once Chris mentioned the prank, Xavier bristled a little but caught himself soon after. No more getting angry, he thought, Save it for the culprits.
What he didn't know was Chris was one of them ...
He was a little caught off guard by the glinting in Chris' eyes, but decided to think about it later. What did that mean?
Currently, he was so sure of the 'fact' that Roman, Esmeralda, and Kahlilia had done it that he was confused. Well, it was almost true - the third person and the only boy hadn't been Roman, but Chris.
What would happen once he figured that out?
Yeah, he said coolly, It sucks.
Then he thought, rooming with Summer is going to make it so much harder to keep our agreement. How are we going to do that?
Shaking his head to chase the doubt away, he asked Chris, Do you want to play in the storm with us?
Naturally, he was still being playful.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 1:52 pm
((OOC: O.O If my brother said that to ME I would kill him. Summer is a very easygoing sister.))
"Starstruck'll be fine," said Roman easily. "She looks like she can handle my weight, which is a good start." Phoenix stuck his head out at Roman's voice. Ears twitching, he looked from Starstruck to Roman. Apparently realizing that Starstruck was tacked up and no one else was there to ride her, he whinnied, looking as betrayed as a horse could manage. Roman laughed. "Sorry, boy," he said. "I guess we're not exclusive anymore. I don't want to take you out in the rain."
Leaving Starstruck standing patiently for a moment, he went and stroked the big stallion's muzzle. "Don't worry, boy," he assured the horse softly. "You're still my favourite."
The horse, apparently only slightly mollified, nuzzled his hand and whickered softly. "There's a good boy," Roman murmured gently before returning to the roan, who hadn't so much as shifted while he'd been gone. "Yeah, that's what she said," he replied to Kahlilia's question. "I assume we'll be bringing in their mothers as well, unless they're old enough to be weaned."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 3:02 pm
Kahlilia smiled lightly at Roman, feeling comforted. Even though she was calm, she couldn't help laughing when she saw Phoenix's sudden hurt. As the boy went over to comfort him, she stayed where she was and looked at the storm outside. It was definitely getting stronger, with rain pouring and lightning flashing to turn the sky white.
Looking over at Zira now and seeing she remained calm, Lily was a little surprised. Wow, she thought, She can really endure.
The mare looked very young - probably about three, looking younger than Ben but a couple of years older than the newborn Ariel - of course. -
When Roman came back towards the roan, Lily nodded and mounted Zira. Although obviously the horse was taller, they were close in size. Kahlilia was still wet, and her frayed makeup still clung to her skin, but at least she didn't look like a bar waitress anymore.
Ready to go?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 3:56 pm
Roman glanced over when Kahlilia started to laugh. He smiled himself a little. "All right, let's get going," he said easily as he swung up onto Starstruck. Phoenix had retreated to the back of his stall - presumably sulking, Roman thought wryly. That horse had a very definite personality.
He rode the roan mare out towards the beginning of the barn. Although the mare snorted and shook her head as the rain hit her, she remained otherwise relaxed. That was impressive - most horses, Roman knew, would have thrown a fit.
"I'd suggest we get any foals in as well," he called over his shoulder, glancing back at Kahlilia. "This storm is threatening to turn really nasty." Stroking the mare's neck gently, he turned her towards the range area that held the cattle. It was time to track down those calves.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 9:28 pm
Kahlilia nodded and clicked at Zira to go outside. The mare looked confused when she felt the rain against her coat, but didn't seem to resist or mind. Just as Roman was, the girl was surprised at this behavior, but also remembered that Shannon had mentioned these two were the best during storms.
Lily gingerly led Zira down towards the pasture, the rain greeting both females immediatly. Zira shook her head briefly, but somehow kept her sense of calm. Once again, when Lily pet her and scratched her behind the ears she didn't appear to respond. Was she used to interaction?
Once close to the pasture, Lily instantly saw one calf. She could have sworn she saw a little filly or something, too. Probably a few months older than Ariel ... how many foals were there?
Keeping her eye on said two, Lily wondered how they would get them. Go in the pasture, of course. Coax them over, put them on a lead?
The girl had never done this and was a little confused, but after hesitating slowly entered the pasture as not to scare it's current inhabitants. None were close enough to the gate to be startled away, but two looked up in curiousity.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 4:18 pm
"See anything?" asked Roman, already in the paddock. Some of the cattle were lowing - obviously they didn't enjoy being out in the rain. Roman ignored them as best he could. The calves and their mothers were the important thing. And, he supposed, the foals, if any of them were to be found in the cattle range.
Starstruck snorted, watching the lowing cattle. He saw the mare's ears perk - obviously she knew plenty about this particular job. All he would have to do was aim Starstruck where he wanted to go and then let her handle it. At least, he hoped so.
Gently nudging her forward, he examined the herd for the cattle. After a minute or two, he noticed one. He thought Kahlilia was looking at it, too, but in the sheets of rain that were now falling, it was hard to tell. At any rate, she was looking in its general direction. If she didn't see it now, she would soon.
So, confident that Kahlilia would back him up, he turned Starstruck in the direction of the first calf.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 5:27 pm
Yeah, right now I'm seeing a cattle and a little foal. How about you, see any others?
Kahlilia replied dutifully, coaxing the foal over by making several cooing sounds. Smiling when the little baby approached her, she tried to coax over the cattle as she had the little horse. The lone cattle she currently had her eyes on wasn't budging. Not until it thought they were truly trustworthy. The poor baby was probably just frightened, Lily thought as she outstretched one arm towards it.
The girl wondered briefly how old these babies were - how could one tell? The little foal to her left whickered squeakily and Zira snorted as some sort of response, babysitting for the time being. The dainty mare seemed to young to be breeding, so it was of course not her foal.
However, there were still three calves - and quite possibly three mothers - to gather. Their large shadowy silhouettes stood firmly against the silvery darkness of the storm, refusing to relent. As far as Lily knew, there should be about six if the mothers were in fact there. But all she counted was four - the three babies and a distressed looking mother standing by one of them protectively.
Lily looked over at Roman and gave a light smile. I'll go get the Mom and Baby duo if you get the other two calves. Fair?
Her voice was light and gentle as it usually was, but it was raised as to be heard when thunder clapped again like applause in the sky. The foal was sticking close to Zira and chatting away, feeling better now that he or she had a companion.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:03 am
(yeah your right but i did have a better reaction planned after infinity posted so here it goes lol)
Summer finally realized what her brother had said and then told him, "I'm going to kill you later when you heal Chris you know not to mention anything like that I mean have a heart you jackass! And no he can't play in the storm with us, coming X?" Summer asked him not realizing she had just used Xavier's nickname. She then grabbed his hand and stormed out past her brother not even looking at him but trying to drag Xavier along with her.
Chris staired at his sister then burst out laughing and said to Xavier, "No I don't think I will seeing as my sister is in a rage. So I guess when I fell better I'll have to watch my back, but you two have fun and stay out of trouble." With that he turned and walked into Thunder's stall to see how the horse was doing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:38 am
"We're probably looking at the same one," Roman called back, patting Starstruck's neck idly when the mare shook her head. "I figure you can probably just aim Zira towards them and let go - she knows what to do." With a cheerful shrug, he saw the other two calves. "Sure. But I'll send them towards the main herd first, see if I can get them to their mothers. Work?"
He urged Starstruck towards the cattle, and just as he'd thought she would, the mare took over instinctively as soon as she realized what he was aiming for. Nipping and nudging, she separated two calves from the mother and baby and they began working their way towards the main herd, where Roman hoped he would find the babies' mothers.
Figuring that Kahlilia and Zira had their duo under control, he didn't so much as glance back. Zira seemed trustworthy - he thought she could handle anything that came their way. And like him, Kahlilia probably wouldn't have to do any more than point and go with the flow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:47 am
Shannon noticed Keith out of th ebarn already and heading towards where some of the hourses where out in a seperate pasture. She waved, but he didn't seem to notice. "Alright then." Saddling Dancign Dolly up, Shannon took her quickly, but carefully, through the growing mud after the couple that where in with the caddle.
Nanina, by this time, was curled up under her blanket, eyes squeezed shut. She'd never liked thunder much. Almost to the point of being afraid.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:10 pm
Yeah, good idea. Kahlilia replied with a suddenly optimistic smile, already turning the Missouri Blue mare towards the mother and baby near the corner. Since Zira was still on babysitting shift, the little foal continued to trot beside them happily. Lily wanted to find out who it's parents were, but that would have to wait. Later.
As Roman and Lily both had predicted, Zira immediatly took charge and ushered the two cattle over towards the herd. The cattle vocalized in protest several times, but it was obvious the larger mare wasn't going to have it. Making sure there was no danger as she watched, Lily smiled a little. Wow, these two really were perfect for the job.
Slowly and patiently going towards the larger main herd, Lily noticed that the foal was acting like a loyal canine. An occasional whicker or snort now and then, but otherwise very quiet; this baby was very disiplined. That of course only rose the extent of Lily's bubbling curiousity. Naturally, she could assume Phoenix was the father. But who was the mother?
Once having reached the main herd, Lily and Zira both kept an eye on the two cattle they had worked. They didn't go too far away from them as though realizing they were still under survelliance, which Lily found great.
As Lily thought idly, the foal nipped one of her legs gently and she couldn't help but start giggling. No treats for you until we get to the barn. She said, still smiling. Zira snorted.
Xavier looked surprised when Summer reacted fully to Chris' comment. Even so, he couldn't help but chuckle very quietly when Chris appeared lighthearted about the matter. See you later then, he said to him, running after Summer as she almost dragged him.
Naturally, he too was feeling lighthearted and playful, so the potential anger wasn't getting to him just yet. Right now, he wanted to play in the rain with Summer. For all they knew, it might be the only rain they'd get for the whole time here at the ranch.
Once at a spot where the rain hit them directly like poking fingers, he grinned at Summer and hugged her. He was tempted to splash her or sneak up on her, but both weren't likely. Instead, he kissed her passionately. Kissing in the rain, how cliche. Well, this moment was theirs and theirs alone. Screw all those angsty poets.
After about three minutes and after the kiss ended both had become completely drenched by the downpour and Xavier appeared to be enjoying that. In some strange sense, it reminded him of how in the showers they'd been soaked just as this. And then they'd made love under the spray of the water ...
Well, they still had an agreement. But damnit, it was going to be hard to keep. Three weeks, not three years. We'll make it. Hopefully. Yeah. Sure. Of course.
Despite the suddenly pesimistic and doubting thoughts, Xavier took Summer's hand and led her to a spot nearby where the rain put even more force on them. It was fun, and the boy briefly wondered if Summer was having as much fun as he was. Hopefully, she wasn't too wound up about what her brother had said to them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
