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 Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 8:36 pm
((OOC: @Misery: Bio 30 for the win. I knew that. Otherwise we would never have this population problem. razz ))
Roman urged the four cattle into their barn. Once they were contentedly settled, he patted Starstruck's soaked neck and glanced back at Kahlilia. "We should go back out for the foals," he said. "If the calves need to be inside, then the other babies probably do as well. You up for it?"
Starstruck was working at the bit as she turned her head to stare at him, as good as saying What are you doing down there? There's work to be done. Chuckling, Roman swung back up in the saddle. Much as he loved Phoenix, there was no denying that it was nice to occasionally ride a different horse. A horse that he didn't have to constantly be on guard with.
"Good girl," he praised the push-button cow horse before turning her back towards the big barn doors. They would have to ride hard to get the foals out before they were so wet that coming inside wouldn't even matter.
"Ready?" he called to Kahlilia just before plunging back out into the rain.
~
The first wave of grief had passed, but Esmeralda was still not fit in any way to be approached at the moment. She was curled up on her bed, the chain and ring in her hands, silent. There were no tears - the time for crying was over for her, at least for now. Fear and the agony of losing had taken its place. Though she knew she would be grieving in her secret heart for a long time - maybe forever - at the moment, she had more immediate, more terrifying concerns.
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Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 10:24 pm
(OOC // xD You've really got a point there. )
Kahlilia was doing just the same as Roman did during the few minutes in the cattle barn, rejoining him once the work was done.
Zira had stayed in charge even when the cattle were settling, making sure that a single hair wasn't out of place. Lily, of course, held her back with a few soft murmurs and a gentle tug on the reins when she started nipping at them just for the fun of it.
The girl had just mounted and finished checking the reins when she heard Roman asking her if she was ready. She looked up, a little more than ten feet behind. Okay, She said with a nod, I am. They'd be out in the pasture, something like that?
When Zira was convinced she could go back outside and stop teasing the cattle, Kahlilia rode up just to the left of Roman and Starstruck. She was coloring again even though it wasn't visible, but she smiled brightly. She was glad the storm wasn't going to get down their spirits anytime soon.
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Posted: Mon Sep 07, 2009 6:17 pm
((OOC: I try. whee ))
Roman, being at least somewhat gentlemanly, waited for Kahlilia to catch up to him before sending Starstruck into an easy canter. He wanted to get there in time to look after the foals, yes, but he didn't want Starstruck to slip and break a leg in the wet mud, either. "They'll be out with their mothers or I miss my guess," he replied. "I can't imagine it's too much different from herding cows - right, girl?"
Starstruck nickered, but made no other comment. Roman shook his head. "I really wonder how much they understand," he murmured as they approached the paddock. "See anything?" he asked Kahlilia, squinting a little as he peered through the driving rain to see if he could spot anything. It didn't look like there was anything in the way of babies milling around the entrance, but it was possible he just couldn't see them through the rain. To that end, he glanced back at Kahlilia.
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Posted: Mon Sep 07, 2009 6:47 pm
Kahlilia stayed beside Roman and Starstruck, looking intently into the spot where foals were likely to be. She didn't see any through the thickening darkness of the storm, but nevertheless looked around with her eyes several times before realizing there really were none. In honesty, she wasn't even sure how many foals there even were. Ariel, the little colt trotting playfully beside the two female horses, and the two unborn? She could have sworn that there were two more excluding Kelly, but she couldn't be sure. Oh well, just another thing that could be found out with time.
No, none that I can see.
In that moment the little colt beside her snorted meaningfully.
Besides him, Kahlilia corrected herself with a laugh. We should probably go back to the barn and let the horses dry off.
And with that, she turned the relieved-looking Zira towards the direction of the barn and looked back to make sure they weren't missing any animals.
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Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 10:45 am
(I hate not having a computer sad )
"Your sure your not scared of the storm?" Chris asked her again walking over to her and placing his good arm around her shoulders trying to comfort her.
"Yeah, I think you do owe her, but if you talk to her promise you won't get onto her about the cut on my face?" Summer asked him sure then if he got the chance his anger would get the better of him. She walked beside him and held onto his hand gently enjoying the feel of it's strength.
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Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 9:21 pm
Roman took an extra moment, staring into the wet. As he stood there, still astride Starstruck, he heard something like a weak nicker. "Lily, hold on," he called, turning the mare towards the paddock. Starstruck shook her head, but whickered back to the sound out in the paddock. "Stand, girl," Roman told the mare. "We'll be back in the barn soon." He dismounted, leaving Starstruck and hoping she wouldn't take off, and followed the source of the nicker.
He found the foal standing, quivering, under the tree in an attempt to shelter itself. At a guess, Roman would judge it just weaned. The foal dashed to him on still unsteady legs. Draping an arm casually over the baby's neck, he walked it back to the paddock. Then he opened the door, let the foal out, and closed it. The baby, as he'd guessed, went straight to Starstruck's side - it was still wanting an adult near. Mounting again quickly, he turned Starstruck in the direction of the barn, the foal trotting along by his side and keeping up a conversation of whinnies and nickers with Starstruck.
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Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 5:01 pm
Kahlilia wasn't close enough to hear the nicker, but obediently stayed and actually even went a little closer again. Upon seeing the tiny, wet foal, she didn't conceal a worried gasp sound. Suddenly, her eyes turned maternal again, and she almost dismounted to help. Zira did not let her and made it clear by snorting when she tried to slide off anyway.
Okay, now we really need to go to the barn. This foal probably just finished weaning, really.
Lily's voice stayed in it's usual pitch, but she was doubtlessly worried. She had another small foal at her side, and all four of the horses were starting to get scared - even the two adult females.
Even despite the growing melancholy of sorts, Lily smiled a little when she heard the smaller foal talking to Starstruck happily. They're so cute! Now, her voice was semi-squeaky and high pitched in the last bit, demonstrating her once again growing optimism. Yes, she was the opposite at times; but usually it wasn't controlled. People had 'their days', didn't they?
Thankfully, the barn wasn't that far away. Zira quickened her pace once they were fifty feet away, which made Lily worriedly try to slow her, but she seemed much too determined. The girl could guess she was just used to being a leader.
_____________________________________
Xavier paused for a moment, hesistant about not being able to confront the second girl about the cut. His first response was a shrug, but after thinking about it he nodded and said, Sure. I'm probably in enough trouble with her, I guess.
At that, he smiled at her a little and then added, I promise.
Yes, it was true that anger or extreme emotion of any sort could overwhelm his logic and diminish it, as Summer would unfortunately know by now. Whoops, strike two and a half. Strike two was making Summer think he was cheating. That was bad.
And once again, that just came straight back to the origional idea of owing Esmeralda big time.
Xavier walked Summer to her [their] room and took about thirty seconds to make sure he didn't look like a homeless rapist, then kissed her and said he'd be back later. Be good, He told her jokingly just before he went off to the room next door.
Confidence somehow fading in the sense of owing a girl two years younger, Xavier hesitated again just infront of the closed door and sighed slowly. He had to do this, he know he did. Dignity be screwed, what was wrong with apologizing? Why did he feel so strange and demasculized because of it?
He puffed out his chest but returned to normal after ten seconds of more hesitation, staring at the door like it was a hall closet monster.
Five more seconds. Four, three, two, one ...
Do this already. Damn it, whats wrong with me?
Pulling on his most masculine and aloof expression he could, he knocked on the door.
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Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 12:04 pm
Summer smiled happily up at Xavier when he said that he promised. When they got to their room she changed her clothes and fixed her hair. Then when he kissed her she smiled at him and said, "Remember don't say anything about the cut." When he said be good she said, "Don't worry I'll get into plenty of trouble." She smiled at him then grabbed a book and started reading it when he left their room.
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 4:00 pm
( OOC // - bump - < 3 3 )
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 9:13 pm
((OOC: Sorry. Been knocked out with the flu for four days. Am still feverish and icky.))
"On our way," Roman said. "Bring your baby on back to the barn." Smiling, he walked Starstruck and the baby in towards the barn, dismounting right before they would have entered. The mare shook, getting the water off, and the foal promptly followed suit, which made Roman laugh. "There we go. Come on, gorgeous. Let's put a blanket on you."
He put the foal in with Starstruck. In the storm, it seemed only fair. The foal could continue its weaning from being with a mother figure when it wasn't wet and miserable and afraid. Coming out, he found a cooler and promptly set about putting it on Starstruck. The last thing he needed was to get this good loyal horse sick.
~
"Go. The hell. Away," a voice rasped from inside. It sounded nothing like Esmeralda's usual rich voice. It was the voice, the tone, and yes, the language of a woman - girl, really - absolutely devastated by some bone-deep agony. "I told you, I don't want..." The door slammed open, and Esmeralda stood in the doorway, her wild gypsy curls tumbling freely around her face (it was probably the first time since she'd come here that she hadn't had them tamed back in some way, or at least neatly arranged) and her big dark eyes full of fresh, aching grief.
It was hard to tell if she was more shocked or infuriated to find Xavier on her doorstep. "What the bloody hell do you want?" she snarled.
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 10:21 pm
" Why is it that females are assigned to the color pink, and males to blue? Ever heard the phrase 'real men wear pink'? "
Kahlilia was already in the barn and had returned the slightly older colt to his mother when she noticed Roman putting in the smaller foal with Starstruck. She smiled, helping mother and baby adjust and get warm in their stall. Once she made sure they were going to be completely okay and the colt's mother wasn't going to behave badly, she focused her attention on Zira. After having her equipment taken off, the mare had made a beeline for her stall and was standing infront of it with an impatient look on her face.
Once she was in her stall, Lily put a cooler on her and inspected her throughly for any damage or severe shivering. Finding not much more than a damp coat and a desire to go to the back of the stall where it was warmer, the girl smiled and left, closing the door behind her and taking a second glance from the corner of her eye.
By now, Zira was lying peacefully in the back. Realizing she looked sleepy and wouldn't like being spied on in the vulnerability that it brought, Lily found herself in front of Benvolio.
He was sleeping, but Ariel was not. Either that, or she was a light sleeper. Seeing her 'foster parents', she immediatly started a conversation. Right now, she was still very small and slightly akward, so that when she poked her nose out she had her whole head and neck out too.
Stifling imminent laughter in that moment Lily walked over and pet the little foal. Obviously, she really loved attention.
Looking out of the corner of her eyes, the girl saw that Kelly was sitting nearby sleepily. She had the look on her face that accompanied most mothers : I don't think I've had a full night's sleep for months.
Don't worry, Kelly. You'll get through it, you're strong. In response, the mother pawed the ground with a back hoof.
 " Theres always tommorow, unless the world explodes today. In that case, you're pretty much f -- ked. " 
What the hell is her problem?
Right now, all Xavier knew was that he owed this girl, she had somehow hurt Summer in a hissy fit or something [in his mind], and now was very mad about ... something.
Last he had seen Esmeralda, she was at first amused with his threats but then had become either bored or tired afterwards. What the hell was going on? If it was girl stuff, he didnt want to know. Even so, reinforcing any tension and anger would only be like throwing gasoline into a fire; as Summer had warned him.
When the door flew open and he saw the look on Esmeralda's face, he raised his eyebrows in surprise wordlessly. Holy God, what had happened that had upset her so much in the past hour or two?
He was, in truth, a little annoyed with her attitude. Getting angry and fighting was different from just being a little irked about the way a person was acting. So now he wasn't sure if he wanted to say 'F -- k you' and walk away or stay and tell her about how he owed her. Thus, in the second choice, all masculenity gone. Not something he wanted, but he had also promised Summer.
Damn it!
Once Xavier spoke to Esmeralda, he said, Hey. Don't go Wicked Witch of the West on me. I'm here because I need to apologize to you about what happened earlier.
Not adding the part about how he was in fact next door now, he looked straight at her with a half bored and half surprised expression.
When he had said his last sentence, which was his purpose, his voice either lowered or softened, depending on who heard it.
Knowing she was likely to slam the door on him again, he grabbed the hinge in a swift movement and watched her.
You had better not, he thought.
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Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 1:58 pm
Esmeralda's gaze didn't change. If anything, she seemed to go colder as her hand closed on the doorknob, preparing to close it again. "Fine. Apology f**king accepted. Now leave. Why don't you go tell Summer what a good little boy you've been, checking up on me for her." She whirled away, but not quite fast enough to hide the glimmer of tears. Deep in her mind, she knew she was being antagonistic and she knew she was being cruel, but she couldn't stop herself. She just wanted to be alone. Noticing that he had his hand in the door, those furious, grieving, frozen eyes locked with his. "I'll give you five seconds to get your stupid hand out of the stupid door before I shut it on you anyway."
If Xavier didn't take her threat seriously, he was going to be sorry. Esmeralda was quite capable of attempting to break his hand in the door. She might even manage it. And if the boy happened to look down, he might notice the necklace chain she held tightly in her free hand - and the delicate ring that it had on it.
~
Roman had unearthed some horse cookies, which he doled out between the two adults who had gone out into the storm for them. Once Starstruck was settled, comfortable, and happily chewing away, he went out again in search of Lily. Spotting her, he smiled a bit. "Your girl all settled in?" he inquired as he wandered over to Phoenix. The horse immediately thrust out his head and rubbed on Roman, snorting and whickering as though he was telling Roman all about his time in the barn by himself.
When Ariel started a conversation, he glanced over, still stroking Phoenix and making little affirmative noises. His smile was real and bright and very reminiscent of his sister's suddenly. "Poor girl," he addressed Kelly. "Tired, aren't you? Don't worry, when it's sunny again they'll put you and Ariel out with the herd and you'll have some babysitters while you rest."
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Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 4:29 pm
" Why is it that females are assigned to the color pink, and males to blue? Ever heard the phrase 'real men wear pink'? "
Zira seemed surprised by the offering of cookies, but eventually took several and went back to her corner to claim them as her very own. It proved amusingly smug, Ha. Only two of us get cookies because we're special.
However, she refused to be affectionate. In any attempt to change that by niceties, she just didn't respond. Nope, she wasn't fooled that easily. Never.
It had scared and worried Kahlilia a little, seeing the faint similarities in personality between Zira and the older, violent Phoenix.
Right now, Kahlilia was giving Kelly some hope for the future. This meant encouraging her she would get plenty of sleep soon, she promised. Kelly whickered every couple of minutes, probably saying something like 'I hope so.' Ariel was currently oblivious as most babies were and nudged against Lily persistantly.
" Theres always tommorow, unless the world explodes today. In that case, you're pretty much f -- ked. "
What makes you think I'm leaving? You just about killed Summer, and I don't give a damn if you break my hand. I've had plenty of broken bones before.
Even though Summer had warned him against it, Xavier had mentioned the earlier spat.
And just as Summer had also warned him, his anger boiled up a little more now that he had said it. Might as well just do this now, he didn't want to have to confront her a third time. Jeez, this was getting boring.
When she threatened him, he just shook his head. Nope. No way.
Summer had done the same thing and had almost gotten killed. Xavier might have a slightly better chance ... slightly.
Seeing the chain in her hand just then, he froze. It took a few moments, but from experience of his own [or past girlfriends] he was able to put two and two together. Now, he was at a total loss for words.
Some significant other had died, moved, or dissapeared beyond any reach. Yes, he knew that story well enough by now.
Was he going to say 'I know what you're going through?' no. That would result in a broken hand. What would not?
Finally, he thought of something that just might work ...
Does your brother know?
Maybe, Xavier silently hoped as he continued to stand motionlessly infront of the girl, that will catch her off guard enough to spill something ...
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Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 4:39 pm
Esmeralda's response to his first words was immediate, calm, and vicious. "She deserved it. I warned her." Those frozen eyes examined him for several long moments. "She didn't take me seriously. Now she will." She sounded as coldly analytical as a scientist examining the behaviour of lab rats. The pain beneath wasn't audible. Esmeralda worked hard to keep it that way. She wasn't stupid. She knew the man facing her at the moment was a user. And he would use her if she let him.
However, when he spoke of her brother, her entire body stiffened. "You son of a b***h," she breathed softly. "Get out!" She flung her head back, the cold eyes suddenly blazing. Her hand closed around the doorknob again and she went to slam the door on him.
~
Roman chuckled softly, watching Zira eat her cookies. "She's like a less violent Phoenix," he murmured as he glanced back at the mare. "From before." Turning his attention back to Kelly and Kahlilia, he smiled easily. "She needs a break," he muttered. "Maybe we should...no, she probably wouldn't like that much."
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Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 5:21 pm
Summer tried to ignore the angry voices that were coming from the hall. She knew that Xavier had lost his temper by now for she could hear the anger in his voice when she heard him speak. She opened her door a little bit as a saft guard so she could pull Xavier away if he got to upset but other than that she would try to stay out of the agrument.
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