People, they all have motives [open]

[Serenade]

Annabel Goldbloom

Annabel sat at a table off to the side, watching the crowd around the bar, and the other people at the tables, not joining in with the evening crowd. She was new to this place, an unknown. Sure, they were probably all horse people like her. That didn't mean she would just walk right up to a random person and start a conversation. Instead, she sat toying with her food, pushing the mozzarella sticks around the plate of breaded chicken. Not that the food wasn't good. In fact, it was some of the best she had ever had. Annabel was feeling a little down. She knew no one, and she missed just having a simple conversation with another human being.

Annabel was quite tall, about five feet, seven inches. Her honey blonde hair was naturally wavy, and fell just below her shoulders. Shockingly bright blue eyes were framed by long, dark lashes. Dressed in plain jeans, and an average blue v-necked T-shirt, she was still quite pretty. She wasn't out looking for men tonight, and not any night soon. Her work worn leather boots tapped the polished wood floor in time to the country song playing overhead.

Seriously though. Company was sorely desired. But she didn't want to walk over to the bar, where there were several men obviously out on the prowl tonight, and whom had checked her out several times. But she knew that they wouldn't come to her, she would have to go to them. And she wasn't confident enough to do that, in a strange new town with no allies. Annabel sighed, sweeping her bangs out of her face where they were falling into her eyes. Looked like this evening was going to pan out like many others recently, in relative silence.

[kallik]

Hannah Arrington

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Music played loudly over the yells and mumbles of the crowd in the tavern, people danced, sat, drank, and began 'activities' with those of the opposite sex. Finally, a loud creak silenced most of the mob, they settled down when the bartender began yelling at a few teens, and then refocused his attention to the main crowd, who stood, seemingly half sober and confused, infront of the smallish stage. "Everybody, now, I know it is Saturday, yes, and this Saturday, one of my good friends and valued costomers here at Horshoe Tavern has volunteered to play music and put on a little show with her band tonight to entertain you rugrats!" The bartender talked into the microphone, people sneered at him, and one person threw a bottle at the stage, but luckily, the bottle missed by far, and landed coincedently in the trashbin.

"Now, if you are all settled and comfortable, might I introduce Hannah, and her band, Twilight City!"

The crowd wailed, applauding and screaming so bad, that behind the stage, Hannah Jd her bandmates couldn't tell if they were happy cries or angry ones, but she pushed that thought aside, and walked forward to the microphone stand. She grabbed the microphone as her bandmates settled in behind her onstage.

"We are Twilight City, and this song, is called, When I Look At You, originally by Miley Cyrus."Hannah cued her band, and slowly, they began the song. The song was one of Hannahs favorites, and even though it wasn't an original song, she still always performed it when Twilight City did gigs.

Hannah began the song, her angelic voice fluttered throguh the tavern as it grew quiet, the crowd began to smile, waving their hands in the air. Hannah grinned as sue sang the chorus, her brown hair was slightly wavy tonight, her makeup- only eyeliner, mascara, and a tiny bit of color to her face - was perfect, her long bangs hung over her left eye, she sang the chorus beautifully, people began to sing along. Hannah smiled, singing her heart out when the chorus came back around and she tucked her bangs out of her face.

"Oh when my, world, is falling apart, when there's no, light, to break up the dark ghats when I, I, I look at you...When the waves, are, flooding the shore and I can't, find, my way back home anymore that's when I, I, I look at you..."

[/color]

[huritt]

A tavern? Huritt wasn't of drinking age yet, but figured at this hour, before only 21 and up was allowed, there would be a few people he could meet. There seemed to be quite a bit of noise coming from inside- of course, in a town like this. There wasn't much to do besides work and horses, he supposed, so work hard, party harder. The 20 year old chuckled to himself, sweeping his short brown hair back before slipping in the door.

He worked his way through the crowded interior, easily slipping around and behind people. Rather rowdy tonight, weren't they? He glanced to the stage where a band was playing and spotted the lead singer- she was doing pretty well, though he had to admit he hadn't heard the song. She seemed to be younger than 21 as well, though it could just be the light. in jeans and a comfortably loose t-shirt, he felt rather awkward in here, almost as though he stood out from the usual crowd. Of course he would, being new to town and all.

There were few chairs open- one in between a rather dourly scented fellow and a slim girl he tried to flirt with- Huritt wanted no part of that. Other than that, there was a chair someone propped their feet on, some next to the rowdy tables of folks with beer sloshing- only one table had a vacancy worth considering, where a lady sat by herself rather calmly, despite the hubub around her. He couldn't see her jeans for the tab;e in front of her, but her plain t-shirt put him at ease enough to go flop don in a chair across the table. He sat sideways, still feeling a little awkward, but turned to her a moment, silvery eyes humble.

"Mind if I sit here?" He questioned, doing his best to appear willing to move if she asked it of him.

[Serenade]

Fingers tapped the phone on the table before her, the waitress having cleared away her empty plate a few minutes earlier. A live band came on, and Annabel looked up, blue eyes contemplative as she listened. They weren't bad at all, in fact they were quite good. The lead singer was a pretty girl, and her voice was very good. She recognized the song they were singing though, and her lip curled a bit. Miley Cyrus, ugh. Whatever, what people chose to listen to was not her problem. And while the song was not her taste, it was still very well played and sung.

She missed going to see live, underground bands back home. She and her friends had had their own place they went to, a quiet place, but they gathered some good bands there. Annabel wondered whether or not her friends still went there. It was always Annabel who found out who was playing when and if they were good enough to travel over to or not. She doubted anyone of her crew would be so gung-ho as to do that. She considered getting a drink, sorely tempted to in her loneliness, but her mind nudged her to remember that her funds were low, and she had only just started working at Cedar Creek. Thank goodness Sammie had a spare room for her to stay in.

People were weaving in and out of one another, some dancing to the music, others sitting at the bar or at other tables, chatting it up and laughing. A typical night on the town for most of them she was sure. And it was a good time. Annabel was just not exactly interested tonight. But another night she would certainly be happy to go on the prowl. It had been a long day at the stable, and pretty soon she was sure she would pack in it and head home to sleep.

But before she could make that decision, movement distracted her. An attractive young man slid into the chair across the table from her. A pale, sarcastic brow raised as she looked him over. But a smile soon crossed her pink lips as he spoke. A polite boy, though he seemed a little awkward, as though he wasn't sure how she would react. It was nice though, to encounter a guy brave enough to come into contact who wasn't self-assured.

Annabel gestured with a pale hand. Not at all. If you give me your name at least.[/color] Her smile turned mischievous, though not at all unwelcoming. She was glad for some company, and handsome company at that as well.[/size]

[kallik]

Hannah swigged her water down, stripping her sweater off. Only an hour of performing could wear you down quickly. She padded a towel to her forehead, cleared her throat, and walked down the stage. She had a slight swing in her hips when she walked, and drunken men cooed to her. She made her way to the bar, tapping her hand on the table. "Joe, gimme the usual."

Not being much of an alcoholic, Hannah simply enjoyed Sherley Temples ever since she was a little girl. She smiled as she caught the glass when the bartender slid it down the table. She nodded a thanks, and positioned herself ontop of the seat next to the one that Huritt was going to sit on. She looked at him for a second, then quietly drank her drink as men came by he whistling and some people praising her act tonight.

[/blockquote]

[huritt]

A smile flitted across Huritt's face as Annabel seemed rather pleased with his presence. He folded his rough farrier's hands on the table- they were quite clean, of course he would wash up before going anywhere public- and leaned back a bit, comfortably. Now that he didn;t feel so awkward about forcing a place out in the crowded tavern for himself, he took the time to look around, and most specifically at his company. His study was quick and didn't linger on anything in particular of Annabel's features. Ah, a blue-eyed blonde beauty. He noted, silvery eyes smiling as much as his lips.

"A name is a small price to pay for your company. Huritt's what they call me." He held out his hand to shake hers, rather surprised he'd thought of something so quickly. Normally he wasn't great with complements, or they took him a while to think up. Perhaps it was the atmosphere. Of course, he was merely being polite... though he guessed it could be called flirting.

The music came to a halt and he looked around at the cat-calls of other guys in the bar. He found their center of attention and was surprised to see Hannah looking back at him. It was only for a second, but he felt rather proud as she seemed to be something like a celebrity, and she wasn't glancing to any other guys around here. of course, it could just be because he was new- yeah, that was probably it.

A fan of Hannah's walked by Huritt, drink sloshing a bit. It landed on the floor near his feet and the farrier scowled, his face turning quite serious. Before the man could get a word in to Hannah, Huritt spoke loudly, not trying to provoke anything, but staking out his space, mostly just showing the patrons he wasn't to be bumped into or messed with.

"Ma'am, if you'd like I could escort any harriers away from you." Voice was cold but held a lilt of laughter, but the steel in his eyes was adequate warning that he would not hesitate to keep irritating drunks away from his elbow room. He turned back to Annabel, apologetic. "Please excuse that. What might your name be, if you care to share it?"

[kallik]

Hannah shifted when a drummed admirer spilled his liquid all over the ground, a little bit hitting her feet and lower legs. She flinched, the drunk leaned into her, seeming to try and give her a sloppy kiss, but she noticed Huritt pushing him back. Her eyes twinkled, she smiled at him sweetly. "Thank you, sir." She resumed her drinking, looking around the bar. She played with the coaster on the wood bar, lolling it around in her fingers.

She took a glance at Annabell and Hurritt. Hannah knew Annabell, well, she had seen her before, she seemed to be here once in a while. She sighed, stroking her fingers trough her wavy light-brown hair.

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

OOC::; I apologize for such a short post, I'm in a hurry at the moment, couldn't think of much.

[Serenade]

A light laugh issued forth from her throat as she heard his reply. Smiling even wider, she took the offered hand, finding it calloused and rough. He must have some hard trade, probably with horses, as with everyone around here. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Huritt. Interesting name. And it certainly was. She liked it, and it certainly was not one you encountered every day.

The crowd was getting rowdier, the night wearing on. Already there were a few drunks milling around idiotically, and Annabel cast a disgusted look as one of them stumbled past Huritt, spilling half his drink onto the floor. Smooth, dude, smooth. There was buzzed and having fun, and then there was drunk and acting stupid. He had obviously reached that stage. A look of surprise crossed her face as Hannah, the lead singer of the band, she remembered, was protected by Huritt from the beer-slosh man. By the smile and the look she gave him, it seemed Annabel wasn't the only one who had noticed his good looks.

Annabel turned her attention from the crowd and Hannah back to Huritt when he asked for her name. Duh, probably would have given hers in reply when he gave his. Hey, whatever though. Her smile, which had faded as she watched the antics of the resident patrons of the bar, returned in full. I'm Annabel. After a slight pause, she gestured towards his rough hands. Is it safe to make the assumption that you work with horses? Everyone else in the town seems to have some connection to them. I'm new here, you see. Don't know anyone really yet. Her smile became a grin as she explained, with a little bit of a laugh behind her words. This town was small enough that she was pretty sure everyone knew one another and all their business, even the private business no one wanted spread around by the gossips. Lucky her, she came from a smaller city where she hadn't known even one tenth of the population. This small town business was weird to her.

As she waited for Huritt to reply, her blue eyes flicked here and there before returning to him, constantly scanning the room. Not for new prospects, but just in general. She found people interesting, and didn't want to pass up an opportunity to people watch in such an interesting setting. Bars and malls, perfect places to people watch. Her main attention never left Huritt, no matter how stupid people acted, her eyes really only flicking away when someone really caught her attention or passed by too close. Sometimes someone would bump her or her chair, but they were all just stumbling fools who quickly apologized. Perhaps soon would be a good time to leave. But not too soon, not after she just met an interesting young man.

[huritt]

A soft grunt was given in reply to Annabel's comment on his unusual name; a moment passed before he realized he should say something more. "Yeah, I guess- i haven't heard of any other Huritts. It's Native American. Mother's side." He smiled crookedly, just half of his mouth grinning while the other was still set to a grim line, expressing his split emotions- irritation at the sloshing drinks yet delight at meeting someone new. As Hannah thanked him he nodded, wishing he had a hat to hide under and tip towards her in response. As it was, it demanded more speech of him.

"No problem, miss. Good performance." He complimented, not really in a way that required much of an answer. It was rather rude to split one's attention between two people, and he'd been in between girls before- it wasn't something he enjoyed. They were more vicious with words than anyone could ever be physically. Attention snapped back to the moment as Annabel spoke, and he quirked a brow.

"May I call you Ann?" He questioned, half joking, unsure of the nickname. After all, Annabel was too pretty to want to shorten, it was just laziness to want to condense it. He opened his hands, gazing at them as he suddenly felt they were a little spotlighted. "Oh, you're new here too? Glad I'm not the only one, but you seem to stick out from the crowd far less than i do. And yeah, I've just moved here as a farrier. Haven't proven myself yet. What bit of horsemanship do you specialize in?" He was surprised how well the conversation flowed- normally it was pretty awkward trying to keep up with something to fill the void of silence between himself and some new acquaintance.

[Serenade]

Native American, huh? That explained the olive skin tone. Annabel gave another glance to Hannah before focusing once more on Huritt. A brow raised and her head turned a bit as he asked a question about a nickname. Ann. Hmm. No one had ever tried to shorten her name. It was just one of those names that a nickname never seemed to fit as well. But certainly not Ann. Anna? Yes, that one seemed a little less older woman-ish. Annabel laughed. Anna, if you must. Ann makes me feel like an old woman.[/color] She laughed again.

A newbie too, well at least she wasn't alone in that. She felt like everyone here knew each other, and she was the only new person here. And as for him being a farrier, it was definitely good to be in with a farrier. Deals perhaps? But no, she wasn't the type of person to take advantage of an acquaintance. I'm a stablehand at Cedar Creek Ranch. I've been riding Western since I was young, never really enjoyed English. I have a horse, well, kind of a pony really, a Norwegian Fjord. He's being boarded at Cedar Creek while I work there.[/color]

Annabel looked down for a moment, tapping the table with her nails, trying to think of something else to say. This was the part that always got awkward, when you weren't certain what to say next to keep the conversation going. It was go or no go from here, if she didn't say anything else. She wondered how long he had been here, and where he had come form before. She looked back up, sweeping her honey gold bangs away from where they had fallen in front of her eyes. How long have you been in town? And from whence did you come, if it's not too rude or nosy of me to ask. Annabel smiled. There was no way she could deny that she was incredibly nosy at all. Not that she was a huge gossip spreader, she just liked know things. Hopefully this wouldn't offend her new acquaintance.[/size]

[kallik]

Hannah smiled, nodding to Huritt she finished her drink. She looked around, her bandmates were just heading out the door. She gave them a friendly wave, and her brown eyes sparkled as her guitarist waved back. His name was Eric, he was a fine young man, and him and Hannah had been friends since Middle School. Those were the days...

Hannah drifted into her own little imaginary world, twisting her hair in the fingers as she remembered the days when she was a kid, still playing with barbies and getting her horse out to go secretly for a ride. She smiled, snapping back to reality. She looked back atthe door, nobody was entering, nobody was leaving. A few more drunks walked by the three in a row, all of them whistling to Anna and Hannah, Hannah scowled at one, slapping him viciously when he kissed her neck with a fiery passion. She sneered as he stumbled away, rubbing her neck as if that would help clean it.

She sighed, and let the bartender gather up her drink. She played with the coaster, then stood. She walked away, to an empty booth sitting against the wall, and sat there, her head laying against the wall, her legs crossed as she layed ontop of one of the red benches. She rested he arm on the table, playing with her many colorful sequin bracelets she had on her hand.

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[huritt]

"Anna then." He agreed, chuckling some. Huritt leaned forward a bit, resting his forearms on the table as he listened to Annabel's summary of her horsemanship. "A fjord? You don't say?" Thinking of such a horse made the 20-year-old smile. Their manes were personally entertaining, and the overall rugged appearance of the Fjord horse was a positive one in his eyes."Maybe I'll see you around Cedar Creek sometime, I plan on visiting most of the local stables to advertise. There don't seem to be too many competitors around here." Mood was continuously light; it was good to be so cheerful.

As a sharp smack! resounded from behind him, Huritt spun, curious and wary. It took only a moment to realize what had happened, and he nearly lurched out of his seat at the offending guy. Nearly .Somehow, he managed to stay seated; perhaps it was the thought that occurred to him. if he picked a fight here, now, there would be plenty of enemies in this town, and he didn't want enemies. The drunk guy's allies would back him up and one or two? No problem, but any more than that would threaten his health. He watched the man stumble away then turn around, as if to go back for more- Huritt managed to catch his gaze, and the hard glint in his glare seemed to press through the mind-numbed fellow. The inebriated man muttered and slipped outside, joining his buddies.

With a sigh Huritt turned back to Annabel, shaking his head. "Are the guys around here always so bad?" he scoffed a moment, then shook his head as if to clear away the thought. Plus, she'd asked him another question- perfect for taking his mind off other things. "Well, I grew up in a middle class family... lower middle class. Worked at an old ranch for a couple years as a stable hand, saw some magnificent jumpers there. Tried taming a mare but someone else bought her up afore I got the chance. Friends out there moved so I packed up and turned up here." Smirk was back on his face, more of a one-sided grin than a smirk. "You?"

[kallik]

Hannah left the booth she was sitting at, and walked backstage to drop her backpack off with the rest of her stuff. She came back down, and walked over next to Huritt and Anna again, sitting back down. She glanced at he'd phone every once and a while, pretending to expect something like a call.

She listene to Huritt tell his past, interested in how he tryed taming a mare. Hannah was a horse finatic, she trains,and tames horses of all sizes. She looked at her watch, it was only 8:00PM. She sighed, sipping her water and she cleared her throat, rubbing it. As if she was going to talk next.

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Serenade]

Annabel nodded when he mentioned her much loved pony and seeing her at Cedar Creek. She smiled openly. I look forward to it. Both of their attentions were grabbed by the loud slap nearby from Hannah. Huritt immediately leaped to her defense, and Annabel remained seating, though her body did tense up some as she watched the drunkard. Hmm, a protective young man. That was always a nice thing to come across, especially if he even defends women he doesn't even know.

Annabel shook her head and shrugged when he came back and disdainfully muttered about the guys here. I have no idea. First and last time I was here it was about one in the afternoon. Her blue eyes roved the room, noting those that would have to be watched in case they came too close again and those that seemed to be only moderately drunk, not to mention the few completely sober people. Obviously there was not much else to do at night here except drink. Pleasant. Felt like being back in college.

Her attention focused back on Huritt once more as he told her about his background. Sounded a bit like hers, family wise at least. She smiled as he did. He was such a nice, pleasant young man. She would love to see more of him after this night. Annabel looked down for a moment, collecting her thoughts as she prepared to answer his question. Not that she had a bad past, she just liked to think about her replies.

Middle class family too. I worked at the barn down the road from me for years, saving up enough money to buy my first horse, which is still the one I have now. I was able to get a beat up truck, and the barn had a battered trailer they didn't use anymore, so they gave it to me. A month or so ago, I set out to find my own place. Haha, thank goodness I came across Cedar Creek and Sammie. She's given me a job, a place to stay and a place to put Petey. And my truck died, so it's not like I can go any further anyway. She laughed at her own narrative. Idiotic twenties much? Hey, whatever, it was an adventure, and she lucked out finding Sammie.

A sound caught her attention, and her eyes flicked to Hannah, who was sitting nearby still. The girl had cleared her throat. Annabel felt like she should invite the other girl over to join them, but she was a tad unsure of herself to say anything. Plus, she was having a pleasant conversation with Huritt. Annabel turned to Huritt as she thought of this, her eyes looking into his to catch his attention and swiftly flicking to Hannah, alerting him to her, and pretty much inviting him to say something to her, as she was just a touch too shy to do so.