New Beginning?

[Nevvy]

Rachael looked over at her own horse, watching as it looked like she went a little nuts. Shaik, on the other hand, did not seem to like her very much. Kyss wasn't in the same boat, but her attention span seemed to be stretch less than a minute. She followed next to him, looking around at the scenery. It seemed even so much more quiet here. I came from a city. What about you? She closed up quickly. Rae didn't want anyone knowing her past. It was hers, and it was in the back of her mind and the last thing she wanted was to bring it to the front again. Gray eyes glanced over at the four horses again, this time noticing that Lady was asleep. She went over all different aspects of the mood spectrum, from apprehensive to tired.

Shaik glanced over at the mare again, snorting. This was her filly, and nobody was going to get close besides Eddie and Achilles. Maybe Winchester IF it was a good day. She didn't trust stallions much, that's how she got stuck with this headache. Okay, couldn't blame them all that much seeing as she did love her. Muzzle went down, sniffing the ground, one eye on Kyss as she slowly ate the grass that was just springing up. Tension was building in her muscles. There was way too much newness going on around here, and she didn't like it. All in one day, a new person and a new horse. She was used to being by herself and no more.

I watched, fascinated as this new one took off, as if showing off. I wanted to copy her because that was just REALLY cool! But no, because my besty friend was here! Achilles! I brought my head down, neighing at him before nudging him and quickly taking off, ears perked as I came to a stop, seeing if I was being followed. I looked over at Achilles, wanting someone else to play with. I wanted to play with everyone! I loved loved loved Achilles, but I wanted to get everyone into it! Except mom 'cause she's party-pooper. Blech and we don't like those. Nosirreebob.

[cal111295]

I'm alone now. I'm on my own, Elizebeth O'Hara thought as she drove her dark red '73 Ford Pickup down the long drive. Liz had been living with her parents untill she moved out 3 days ago and drove here, hoping to find a job tending horses. She had always wanted to live her own life, just get away from the family for once. She really hasn't been happier than right now. I hope I get this job. She pulled her truck down into the culde-sac between a dark blue truck and another car with a horse trailer. Yes! There are horses here to take care of! She turned the key and the loud engine suddenly went quiet. She got out of the truck and looked around. Where is everybody? "Hello?!?" She yelled out. "Anybody here?"

[Serenade]

Okay, so it seemed that previous life was a touchy subject. Guess he would just have to get to know her a little differently and slowly. Eddie shrugged his shoulders, allowing it to slide as she answered vaguely, and thought about her question. Grew up in pretty much this area. Or at least, a good fifty or so miles away. Just bought the place and moved in. Vague for vague, that was what she got. Speaking of moving in, he thought, he should probably look for a roommate. Bills were not cheap, and until he started some sort of lesson program slash business and got boarders, he needed some cash income. Not that he didn't have a goodly amount stored up, he just didn't want to deplete it by repeated spending and no depositing. Well, he would just have to put up posters or signs around town. A sudden thought struck him, and he turned to Rachael, pausing in his stride. Hey, do you have a place to live yet? Wow. Very blunt. Good job Eddie. Mentally he winced, not knowing how she would take his words. He wasn't interested in her, not in that way, and he was really just offering her a place to live, not being a creeper. But he guessed it could come off like that. Hastily, he explained himself a bit. You see, I have a few extra rooms up at the house, and if you wanted to stay here while you worked or found a place to live on your own while you got settled, I could rent you a room for cheap? An embarrassed smile came to his lips, his head ducked down a bit and his shoulders slightly hunched. Oh, dear, how was she going to take this? They had just met, for crying out loud and she was his employee! Not smart, Eddie, not smart. But it was out there and there was no taking it back now. But, while he waited, a sound caught his attention. The roar of an old engine, almost like his '66 Mustang, suddenly cutting off and a female voice calling out for anyone. With a puzzled look, he set off down the driveway, his long, rangy legs eating up the distance until he came to see a young woman standing beside an old red truck, in stark contrast next to his dark blue Ford pickup. With an apologetic look at Rachael, he came closer to her. I'm Edward Jansen, the owner of Maplewood. Can I help you? Achilles, having heard the new vehicle, ditched Kyss to see who this new person was, galloping to Eddie's side, though stopping abruptly beside him and sitting without a command, though he did let out a bark. Eddie tapped his muzzle lightly, then scratched the big creamy ears, waiting to see what the newcomer wanted.

[cal111295]

"I hope I'm not intruding," Liz mumbled to herself. "That would be a great way to start off." She was just about to go knock on the door when she saw a tall man around her age running towards her. Wow, she thought when she saw his dark eyes. She looked down at the dog and smiled, then looked up at Edward with her beautiful blue eyes and said, "Well, I was actually looking for a job tending horses and a nice gentleman around here told me that you might need some help." Oh, please say yes! She thought. This would really be a dream come true for Liz. This would mark the new chapter in her life of really being a 'grown-up'. Of being around horses 24/7 like she's wanted to for years. She smiled at the thought, and then out of politeness to Mr. Jansen. She then heard some horses whinnying behind here and turned around to see 3 beautiful adult horses and 1 foal. "Those are beautiful horses you have there!" She said to him, turning back around still smiling.

[Serenade]

Another person looking for a job? Oh dear. Did he have enough money to pay them both? Perhaps not at the moment, but once he started showing Winchester again, he probably would. His mind quickly ran through his other ways of raising money, including putting up the posters he had saved on his computer. Looks like he would just have to crack down on getting things done. Jeez, he was starting to feel like a pimp, seeing this young girl before him, and Rachael behind him, both attractive. A job. A job, a job, a job. Well, he couldn't just leave her on her ass out here, not after she had approached him and flat out asked. Eddie raised one of his broad hands to his head, running his fingers through his dark brown hair, considering a response. He took a glance back as she exclaimed about the horses, a slight smile coming to his lips as he watched Winchester galloping around his pasture, bucking and showing off for the ladies. He turned his attention back to the girl, his hands in his pockets while he collected his response. To delay, he pointed out his horses and their names. Thank you. My stallion, Winchester 73, and my mare, Chocolate Shaik and her foal, Chocolate Kyss. He didn't say anything about Lady, seeing as she was Rachael's. If Rachael wanted to chip in, she could. Eddie turned back, cocking his head slightly as he looked her over. She looked young, fresh from her parents he would guess, not that he was too much older than she, he suspected. He didn't know how much experience she had with horses, either. At least with Rachael, she came with a horse, and handled her well, so he did not have to ask about whether or not she knew anything of horses. With a sigh, he at last began. Well, first off, a name would be nice.[/color] He grinned to take out any sting she might have gathered from his slightly sarcastic comment before continuing. And I'd like to know and see how much experience you have with horses. Follow me to the pasture over there, with the chestnut mare.[/color] He turned and started for Shaik and Kyss. He wouldn't take Shaik out of the pasture, instead deciding to put this new girl through her paces in with her, so Shaik wouldn't be taken from Kyss. The sweet, gentle mare was very protective of her daughter, and knew she would fight if she thought Kyss was in danger. He would have suggested Winchester, but he knew Shaik was a little less spirited than his crazy, though gentle stallion. He looked for Rachael, gesturing with his head for her to join him. He wanted to talk to her and get her answer to the lodging question and see what she thought of this unknown girl.[/size]

[cal111295]

Liz chuckled at herself. Oh great, I didn't even give him my name! She thought. She really felt like she needed to impress him so she could get this job, this job that she mentally needed. "Oh, yes, of course. My name is Elizebeth O'hara, you can call me Liz," she said, following him towards the bright green meadows. "I've lived around horses for the last 8 years now. I have 3 horses of my own, a mare a stallion and their colt, back home in Idaho. But I thought it would be better for them if they stayed there." Tears almost came to her eyes when she mentioned her horses. She missed them very much. But she couldn't do that now and forced them away. By the time she finished telling her story she was a little out of breath. She looked up at Edward and smiled sheepishly at him. "I'm sorry if I'm intruding on you," she said.

[Nevvy]

New person? New person? MORE FRIENDS! That was all that was going through Kyss's head when she saw people coming over toward them. She trotted happily over, a look of curiosity as she tried poking her head through the fence again, but not being able to. She looked over at Achilles, a little hurt that he would actually leave her when they were having such a rousing game. Amber eyes looked up at them, waiting to see what they would do. Small flaxen tail swished back and forth although it wasn't really doing anything for the flies. She didn't care right now she had to entertain guests.

Hold it. Her mother said, trotting over, ears back, shoving her daughter to the side. What the hell was Eddie doing, she was getting more and more pissed at the moment. All these new people, at least there wasn't a new horse. She kept taking a step backward, making sure that Kyss was moving the same. Eyes looked over at the group, muscles tensed, ready to spring if she really had to, and she was hoping she didn't. She didn't know what her owner was getting at, but if this was some sick trick, it wasn't funny!

Rachael walked slowly back, looking over at the horses before crossing through the barn. The mustiness and dust seemed to coat her before she walked out, and the little dancing particles in the streaming sunlight were fun to watch. She wasn't bent on meeting anyone else, but hey, her boss was calling, so she would. I jogged over. The other horse is Lady. I added, pushing brunette hair out of the way to look over at Liz before looking at the horses. Shaik did not look too happy to see all three of them coming, but she couldn't blame them. Kyss, on the other hand, looked like she was ready to jump the fence to get to them. Rae at first wondered if maybe she could jump, even just a little before pushing it out of her mind.

[cal111295]

Liz thought she saw movement in the corner of her eye. She looked up to see another girl coming over. "The other horse is Lady," She told her. Liz stopped and looked back at the pasture, searching for 'the other horse. She soon spotted her. Wow, she's a beauty! she thought. Once again, she almost started crying. I have to let this go! She lifted her hand and put it on the back of her neck, looking down to the ground. She lifted it back off and looked back up, smiling. "She's beautiful!" She said. She stretched her hand out towards the new girl and said, "My name is Liz. It's nice to meet you."

[Serenade]

It seemed that at the moment that he had two females angry with him. Rachael didn't seem too enthused that she was being called to his side and meeting this new girl, Liz. But he needed to talk to her about this girl. He felt bad, and didn't want to turn her away when she needed a job. And he wanted Rachael's answer about the lodging thing. He doubted she would agree, but if she needed it, it would be there for her. Eddie watched her face as she came to his side, and mentally shook his head. He would talk to her a bit later. Liz was very enthusiastic, exclaiming over the horses. Achilles went running ahead of them, weaving back and forth before ducking under the fence to run to Shaik and Kyss, moving to stand beside Kyss, watching as the three humans approached the paddock. Shaik looked pissed, and with good reason. She was protecting her daughter from the scary new people. When they reached the fence, Eddie paused before letting Liz into the paddock. It seemed he would have to calm down Shaik, since she was shoving Kyss backwards away from them, an angry look on her face. Looking back at Liz, he gave an apologetic smile. Hold on a sec. It seems that I have to calm down Shaik. With that, he hoped the fence and landed in the grass on the other side, bending his knees for the impact before straightening up and walking slowly toward Shaik. Achilles came bounding to him before walking by his side to the mare and foal, Eddie holding one hand out in a calming gesture. Reaching Shaik, he placed his hand on her nape, stroking her and trying to calm her, rubbing her forehead and murmuring softly to her. Easy, pretty girl. No one is going to take your baby. I'll let you get used to Liz and Rachael. They're going to come in here and not touch Kyss. Now, come on. As he was speaking, he curled his fingers around the halter and began to walk slowly forward, though if she pulled back he would stop and calm her again. Eddie knew Kyss would follow, if only to greet the new people, not just to follow her mother.

[Nevvy]

Rachael leaned against the fence, nodding toward Liz in acknowledgment, looking to watch Shaik's antics. She couldn't blame her too much for what she was doing. She thought Eddie was crazy to let Achilles in there, but Shaik at least trusted those two it seemed like. She shaded her eyes so she could see a bit better, making sure that nothing serious was to happen.

Shaik snorted, but didn't move, eying Eddie a bit with disgust, but not making a move toward him. Muscles were clenched, wound so tightly around. She dropped her head a bit, letting him stroke her, calming a bit. Then the nudging of the halter as he started walking her toward the fence where the other...humans were. She followed reluctantly, knowing at least maybe he wouldn't let anything happen to her. She didn't know what to think of these other ones. Of course, she wasn't very pleasant to them from the get-go. What was she supposed to do? She didn't like showing off her baby to anyone else unless it was actually at a show.

Hey wait a second! Where's my attention?! I nudged Eddie as he walked my mom along, looking for my attention. It wasn't fair, it really wasn't! But then, my mom was following him. I took off, bounding straight toward Liz and Rachael, maybe they would give me my deserved attention! I held my head high, proudly, eyes bright with curiosity as I trotted gaily over, slowing as I reached them, surveying them. Wondering who was going to pet me first. Rachael...or Liz? Liz...or Rachael? Will somebody please just give me SOME type of attention! Thank you!

[cal111295]

Liz smiled as she watched Mr. Jansen handle his horse. She looked down at the eager little foal and her lips stretched into an even bigger smile. She let out a little laugh. But Apache, Liz's colt, was still in the back of her mind. Kyss was almost an exact replica of him. This time a few tears did come to her eyes. They were tears she couldn't stop from coming. She wiped them from her eyes and watched as Mr. Jansen brought the mare foward.

[Serenade]

Eddie gave a sigh of relief as Shaik moved forward with him without any complaint, though she was still a little tense. One hand continued to rest on her nape, rubbing her now and then to calm her down more. She seemed to understand that he wouldn't let anything happen to Kyss or herself. Speaking of Kyss, she was bumping him with her nose, but before he could reach down to pet her or nudge her in return, she took off to the fence, staring up at Rachel and Liz with an inquisitive look on her face, but also a happy one. Eddie looked at Shaik as they continued to walk towards the fence. Sometimes I pity you, trying to keep her out of trouble all the time. He gave Shaik a pat, and they soon came to the fence, though he stood back from it with Shaik. Glancing at the two girls, he gestured for the lead that was hanging over the top rail. Would you bring that over to me, Rachel? Liz, just wait a few more minutes, then you can come in. I don't want to overwhelm Shaik, since she already isn't very happy with me. Rubbing Shaik's nose, he waited for Rachel to hop the fence. Pulling a small bag of sugar cubes from the pocket of his jeans, he shook out one and held it out on his palm, trying to sweet talk his way back into her good graces. She was such a sweet mare, that he was sure that she would relax and be friendly once more, once she was sure Kyss was completely safe. He hoped.