A lot has been conquered. [open]

[Estelle Rivera]

Estelle.
In the past week, Estelle had done a lot around the house and barn. Her father had come to visit on a home-restoration trip. He had provided the money for her to get the kitchen, bathroom and living room - which was doubling as a bedroom, for now - done up in the house. For now it was basic, but at least it was an improvement on what it had been. It was liveable. They had also managed to fix the barn's broken roof and paint around it. Then bought hay and actually made it look and smell like a barn. The delivery of horse would arrive that day.

She waved her father goodbye. She would miss her father, it was nice to see him again. Before moving here, she had never really been away from home. Not away from her parents, anyway. This was her home now, however, so she couldn't - and wouldn't - dwell on that thought.

A thought she would dwell on was of Kyle Currington. She had made damn sure that last week she had given him her number, and she had yet to call. She was embarrassed. She had thought he was serious about wanting to be friends. Obviously he was not. Anyway, as her father's taxi pulled away from the house, she watched as another vehicle pulled up. Estelle's older brother had found the perfect horse for her. He was seven years old - a gelding - and totally beautiful. Travis, his name was. And he was just about to arrive. Estelle smiled.

Tailed Travaldo.
I am Travaldo. I am Travis. I am a winner, and I am strong. The worried horse thought, as the horse trailer turned another corner, I will not be afraid. He whinnied with fear. He hated this; he loved his previous owner, she was a young human. And she was perfect. She obviously loved him. But her mother felt Travis was too headstrong to go to competitions with her. Plus, he hated being in front of people. He was a scared horse.

The trailer stopped. He was glad - he was feeling travel sick. The trailer door opened, he could hear the humans greeting each other. The female - he could smell her - came in to help him find his way out of here. Thankfully. She spoke soothing words but it didn't help - he was still scared. His fear took over and he reared, pulling his head away from her. He didn't want her controlling him. He didn't like people.

She grabbed the lead rope again, the male laughed. This isn't funny! Travaldo thought. Don't hurt me. Instead, the humans both touch him and he quivered. But their touch was gentle. They wouldn't hurt him. "There, there." said the female, leading him toward a small barn.