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Post by .chase m. marden on Feb 10, 2013 0:29:58 GMT -5
The sun shone brightly over the fifteen hundred acres. Where there was dew still on the blades of grass or newly spread leaf, a sparkle could be seen. The sky was blue, just a few white puffy clouds marred it. It was loud here, but a loud that I actually liked. Birds chirped a song, speaking to each other as they caught their morning meal. Coco sneezed out in her pasture as something went up her rather large nostrils. Jack, my doberman, was laying down on the porch in a deep snooze. Panther, the big black cat that ruled this roost, was off hunting mice.
I sat in an old rocking chair beside Jack. My feet crossed and resting on the porch railing. I didn't wear my boots, just my socks. Dirty faded jeans were held onto my torso by a simple belt. On my head was a ratty old cowboy hat, broken in with years of wear. My chest was shirtless. A wheat stem dangled from my mouth as I played with the plant. Lids over my blue eyes and I slowly rocked myself back and forth. The wood creaked with each movement, but it was a normal noise and one I had grown accustomed to. It could be considered soothing.
Being the only Marden left alive, this place was souly mine. Many of the employees and boarders had left for that reason. I guess having some young kid own the place where they worked and payed money to chased them off. I inherited this place when I was only twenty two. I didn't mind, things just got lonely from time to time. But I survived, money wasn't an issue with that part of the inheritance.
The property was old, but I kept it up and running. Repairing anything that needed to be repaired. I wouldn't trade this place for anything. I didn't understand how people could live in town, or in big cities. The air out here was just so fresh and clean. The lakes and rivers, even creeks, were clean and cool to swim in. There would be days where Jack, Coco, and I would go out to the lake for a swim. Coco wouldn't really come in, but Jack enjoyed it. Sometimes even the cat came along, but he shared the same feeling toward water as the draft mare.
A sigh came from my chest as I crossed my arms. I tilted my hat down over my eyes, letting the peaceful atmosphere take hold of me.
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Post by AUBREY J. VALENTINE! on Feb 10, 2013 0:58:49 GMT -5
It was going to be a beautiful day, heck it already was. The sun was sitting high up in the sky, it's rays pouring brilliantly upon my pale skin. There was a slight wind blowing my chocolate colored hair, tossing it around in the atmosphere. I was walking through my yard going to fetch my flighty draft. I found the sabino sticking his head out of his stall, watching me with one careful eye. He snorted and backed up away from the door, I watched the way his muscles flicked nervously and his eyes darted warily. He was so full of it. "Settle down boy." I demanded hopefully, my soft voice growing firmer as I went on. His ears pricked forward and he finally settled down, his sabino bodice moving towards me.
I slipped my hand under his ragged halter and gripped it tightly before clipping a chain lead to it. I lead him out of the stall and out to my house, where I groomed him with the only brush that I owned and tacked him up with some ragged tack. My tack was a chestnut brown color and fitted tightly around the stallions muscles. The saddle blanket was a cherry red and remained spotless from all the beatings that it had received. It set his black and white coat off nicely. Today I had chosen to wear a loose fitting pink t-shirt with some grease stains on it and a pair of shorts that I had made out of light colored blue jeans. Of course I was wearing my old cowboy boots, they were a deep brown and were scuffed up pretty bad.
My hair hung in natural ringlets and fell down passed the middle of my back. I had decided to let my hair grow and grow, and just fall naturally today. I brushed my hair back out of my eyes and then placed brown bobby clip in my hair, you barely could see it. I moved quickly as I mounted Preacher, my small gun swinging around my waste as I pulled myself upon his tall back. I was so small compared to the large stallion that I rode, and my body moved freely in the saddle. I gripped the reins tightly causing him to prance nervously beneath me. I allowed my gun to dangle down across my thigh carefully. I always took a gun with me because I never knew what I would stumble across.
People here were scarce and wild animals were vicious and wide eyed with hunger. Just the other day I had came across a coyote who had looked at my horse with interest. I shot the blasted thing dead. I had been living by myself for a couple of years now and I had grown used to the quiet. Every now and then I would go into town, have a hamburger and get some groceries. Times were hard, I was short on money and my body was wearing out easily. All I was, was a kid stuck in a woman's body that was so scared. Oh so scared. But I had to act like I had balls to keep myself alive.
As I sped up my mount, my loose shirt flapped against my back, stinging my open wounds and sun burnt body. I loped along easily, ushering the stallion to move quickly and lightly. His stocky body was graceful and swift for a horse of his size. I wasn't sure where we was going, but I was going somewhere. After minutes of running, I slowed down the horse and trotted along, allowing him to relax his muscles. My muscles ached along with the horses' muscles. It wasn't long before we reached a dirt road that I had never noticed and we headed down it. Never before had I been there, but I was curious. Curiosity killed the cow, some may say.
The place looked pretty abandoned whenever I approached it, but the closer I got the more I realized that it wasn't. I stopped my horse quickly when we strode up close to the house and noticed a man was sitting on the porch. I ushered my horse backwards, trying my best to escape. My blue eyes were large with fear and my slender bodice tensed up, I had to get out of there. But it was too late, the dog that was on the porch was running towards us, barking.
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Post by .chase m. marden on Feb 10, 2013 1:32:28 GMT -5
The sound of Jack snorting and sniffing woke me from my light nap. I didn't pay much attention to it. This road was a dead end, the last place on it was my property and it lead right to my house. I didn't get very many visitors, in fact it had been years since the last one came. Not that I minded, however, things just got a bit lonely from time to time.
My guess was that the doberman was getting excited over a fox or deer or something in the woods that was by the driveway. Many things hung out there. I looked over at Coco, I could now see her big draft face, she was intent on the driveway as well. It didn't give evidence to something that could be coming, so I thought it was still some wild animal.
I pulled the hat back down over my eyes and went back to my original pose of slumber. I could hear the birds chirping in the wind, talking back and forth with each other. They actually never shut up, but I could tolerate their voices more than I can tolerate some city slicker.
Coco seemed a bit restless right now, we would go for a ride later on today. Perhaps go down to the lake for a swim. It seemed like a good idea, there was plenty of grazing down there and I know Coco would just love that. Jack will enjoy the cool lake, perhaps even the cat would join us.
Jack now scrambled up, full bark mode and hair up. That was different, maybe it was a coyote? I brought the hat over my eyes, watching the dog. Coco had spooked, bounding off in the opposite direction. That was normal, but she came running right back nickering like a mad man. Her tone was deep and something I had never heard before. That was different.
That was when I spotted her. She was riding a big paint draft horse, a frightened deer caught in headlights look. The look actually made a grin come onto my lips. She had pale skin and dark hair, much like the fairy tale 'Snow White.' Though when the sun hit the dark strands they showed red. She was also thin for her height, which made her horse look like he could easily over power her.
I whistled twice to get Jack over, realizing that I didn't call him off yet. It usually took one whistle, but the dog was distracted. "Aren't you a tough guy? Get in the house." I said to the brown dobbie as he came up to me. He pawed at the door until it opened and he slipped in. I could hear his claws against the old wooden floor as he walked over to the old couch.
Blue eyes turned back to the girl, the grin returning on my face when I remembered her reaction. I stayed on my covered deck, now leaning on the railing. "Hey there! Are you lost?" I called out.
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Post by AUBREY J. VALENTINE! on Feb 10, 2013 1:59:16 GMT -5
The birds were chirping, the dog was barking, the wind was howling, and somewhere nearby, a horse was yelling. My arms were stiff, hanging next to my sides and my deep red lips were gaped open. I was startled, never had I known about this place. I hadn't even known of this man, the people at the general store never spoke of this man living nearby. I griped the reins tightly in my hands, my knuckles growing even whiter as I tightened my clench. I slid back in the saddle but straightened up my back, lifting my shoulders. My horse shook me from my slurr, his body growing eager beneath me. His ears flicked back and a low whicker was released from his handsome maw.
With one good eye he looked around and caught sight of the mare, he side stepped, his thick legs crossing each other and pulling both of us towards the fence. I jerked on the reins and cooed to him roughly, "Stop it now." My feminine voice was taken straight to the heart, causing the stallion to settle down and turn his attention away from the mare and back to the house.
What now.
The man hadn't yet looked my way, so I pulled on the red reins and tried to get the stallion to back up. After one step, a small black dog was at his legs barking now. Preacher started pawing, his large muscles rolling beneath me and I rode them without much ease. I stiffened myself up, gritted my teeth, and tightened my grip on the reins. The stallion gave a small rear and squealed at the dog in anger before prancing beneath me. The stallion wasn't sure where he wanted to go, but he knew he was going somewhere but here. Before I knew it, he was darting towards the house, nearing the steps more than before. I gave a harsh tug on the reins and yelled to him in a calm voice, "Woah Preacher!" The stallion tossed his head and worked his lips.
But he finally settled down. The man was up out of his seat now and was demanding the dog come to him, the dog came to him and then went into the house. I looked around cautiously but curiously, sitting stiffly atop my horse. Preacher was finally settled down, but that didn't mean that I was. He was talking to me now and I felt beads of sweat forming on my nape, I rubbed my neck nervously and allowed my blue eyes to roam around freely. The gun at my side rubbed my thigh as I moved tensely. I had to reply, I had to. Come on Aubrey speak up. "Ugh. No!" I didn't realize how rude I sounded until I thought about it.
That was great.
"I am so sorry!! I didn't mean to sound rude - and ughh, ugh - I can leave." I started to turn my horse away from the handsome male and peered intently for the road. I wanted to leave so bad. My mouth was growing dry, I felt as if I had cotton stuck in my throat and I felt as if someone was holding a hair dryer to my forehead. I had to leave.
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Post by .chase m. marden on Feb 10, 2013 2:22:45 GMT -5
I looked over at Coco, she was getting pretty excited. I hadn't exposed her to any kind of male horse since I had gotten her, so didn't blame her for getting excited when one finally showed up on her property like a silver platter. I looked back at the large brute, watching him drag the girl all over the place. I stayed on the porch though, she probably wouldn't want my help even if I offered it to her. My boots weren't that far away, easy enough to slip on if she did.
Despite the girl getting somewhat of a grip on her stud, Coco didn't seem to let up. She trotted back and forth, the most energy I had seen her exert in the pasture over a period of time since I had brought her here. Mares. The girls horse now had her close to the porch where I was. I could hear the trot of the heavy dog from inside. I looked over at the door and I saw the brown nose. Then I heard the growl and the sniff snort. "Eh! Go lay down." I snapped at him. He did another sniff snort and then I heard him go away.
I looked back at her, a smile on my face. I listened to her speak, she seemed a bit nervous. I scratched the longish stubble on my cheek waiting for her to be finished. I could tell she wanted to leave, it was plastered all over her face. I could have fun with this. "No, it is fine you can stay. I don't get much company up here. And if I keep talking to the animals I might go insane. Or appear that way." I told her, taking the wheat stem from my mouth and throwing it on the ground.
I walked over to the door and pulled my boots on. They easily let my feet in. I fixed my hat and then jumped down from the porch and walked over to my restless mare. She wore no halter, but she eagerly put her face in my hands. She was sucking up, she wanted out. "Not yet." I whispered to her, my face close to hers. I knew what was coming next so I quickly took my head away and dodged to the side as she tried to hit me with her large cranium.
Just then I heard a thud and then a meow. The voice didn't belong to the largish cat that it came from. It was rather high pitched, almost whiny. It didn't belong to a cat that was named after the wild black big cat. But that wasn't why I called him 'Panther'.
I walked into the barn, empty stalls lined either side. I found an old button up shirt that had been there for I don't know how long. But the mice hadn't gotten to it yet so I put it on. I grabbed Coco's bitless bridle and emerged from the shady enclosure. I slipped it on, did up the chin straps, and then climbed the fence and swung up on the tall mares back. Panther's meow had turned a bit more huskier as he begged. "Alright." I said, giving in as I directed Coco to the fence and allowed the cat to hop on.
I gently guided her to the gate, opened it and then brought the Perch cross mare out, cat and all. "Jack!" I called out to the brown doberman. I could hear the tall clumsy animal as he scrambled his way outside. He pushed the door open, jumped off the porch, and then raced over to me. He knew what was going on.
"Care to join? We are going to a lake." I said to the girl as I rode past her, following a worn trail in the grass.
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Post by AUBREY J. VALENTINE! on Feb 10, 2013 19:56:24 GMT -5
Even after my stallion had settled down, the draft mare continued to run back and forth along the worn fence. She would toss her head and prance back and forth. Apparently she didn't get to see many horses, Preacher never did either but he acted better than that. Heck, I hadn't had much human interaction in a while and I didn't act like that. I snorted slightly, raising my chin and peering at the mare with eager blue eyes. The mare was black but appeared brown, her coat had been bleached by the sun. She had dark brown eyes and a stocky body, she stood about the same height as Preacher did.
Well, they were built the same as well. There was a lot in common between the two draft horses. My body had relaxed for a moment as my mind had drifted off to the horse world. The sound of the mans voice had snapped me back into reality. Fear filled my ocean blue eyes now, I was scared, I was nervous, I was filled with a mixture of emotions.
Honestly, I didn't know how to act.
Human company was something that I was not used to. I would usually sit at the house and stare out my window, watching my horse. I would sit there and wait for something to happen. If anything set foot on my lawn, I would blow its head off. That was the truth. Used to, the sound of the gun firing would startle Preacher, but now he was okay with it. The man had calmed the dog down and he was peering at me with peculiar eyes. The man was handsome, but I would not allow the delight to reach my eyes. He had sandy blonde hair, dark tan skin, and blue eyes. He stood so much taller than I did and had probably forty pounds on me. He could usually overpower me.
My hand flicked easily across my bare thigh. I took a deep breath and steadied myself, my throat was still dry and my eyebrows rose curiously. The man was scratching the side of his face and peering at me, listening to my words. He offered me a kind smile and I tried myself to give him one back. The corner of my lips pulled up slightly and I showed teeth in a weird fashion. The man had read nervousness all over my face, I could see the humurous glint in his eyes. I stiffened slightly, my lips pressing into an angry line. I wasn't going to be rude and turn down his offer, even though I knew that he was just doing this to be mean.
"Umm. Okay." My voice was thick with an Austrian accent and my lips released the words softly. I tried to be nice, even though that wasn't my nature. I nudged my horse and followed him over to the field where he met his mare. The mare was eager to leave, she placed her head near his hands and pushed up against him.
Well, that was cute.
He whispered something to her and then disappeared for a minute. It didn't take him long to grab her tack and then swing up on her. Then a large cat pounced on the back of the draft mare and I jumped slightly in the saddle. Well, that wasn't something that you saw every day. The man rode passed me easily and then hurried off down a worn path. I was going to turn around and head back to the house but Preacher danced beneath me and then trotted off towards the mare and man. I sighed restlessly and then followed him obediently. "I guess I'll join you." Ah, things could be worse.
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Post by .chase m. marden on Feb 10, 2013 20:57:42 GMT -5
Coco was a comfortable mount, her round body easily supported my weight. It was rare whenever I rode her with the saddle, it isn't like we do competitions and stuff. Sometimes I didn't even use the bitless on her. She had originally be trained with the harness and was a logger. She was used to being guided by her mouth, not the seat. It had taken a really long time to get her used to leg aids and anything to do with my butt. In fact, it had taken nearly a year to get her to listen. And that was working for another, sometimes two, a day. But eventually we got over issues and now she listens - for the most part.
Panther was purring in my lap, standing and rubbing his face on my chin. I pushed him away, but he came right back. Dropping the reins, I picked him up and put him behind me. Usually he curled up and went to sleep. Jack as trotting beside us, sometimes getting distracted to go sniff something in the ground.
I could hear the girl on her horse plodding behind me. She had a thick accent, clearly not from the area. I wasn't really born here either, but after my parents moved here with my grandparents and all four had passed away, I got the place. I had learned everything that I knew from my grandpa, so I did know some things before I had to tackle everything alone.
Coco guided us down the path she knew to well. Frankly I didn't need to hold on (most often I didn't), she found her own way to our little getaway. But today I held on I guess more for the peace of mind of the pale girl who rode behind. Panther was now comfortable, his purr still loud, but his eyes were closed. He would soon start snoring, which wasn't a phrase or a lie. The cat snored.
Jack was always excited to go out and play in the water. He enjoyed the trek there and back as well. He paid no mind to the girl and her two coloured stud any more, he was more focused on getting rid of the energy that had built up during the night. He could get a lot of energy, and being the big dog that he was, it took longer to wear him out. Sometimes I would have to go out two times just to get him to settle down for bed.
The sun felt nice on my exposed arms, I lifted my face to feel it there. I had actually almost forgotten that the girl was there behind me. I turned my head, looking at her. "I am Chase. I inherited this place a while back." I introduced myself, trying to get some conversation going. I knew that she may not like it, she almost seemed to like talking to her horse more than people. I couldn't blame her, there were a lot of idiots out there.
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