New Arrival {Taylor, Amy}

[Reminiscent]

Today was the due date that Dreams foal would be born, Amaris had been wandering around the stable all day tending to ther other horses needs. Her wolf had been at her side all day and Kip had been with her at times, but mostly locked in Dreams everyday stall. Over the past week Dream had been stabled in one of the foaling stalls just incase. Amaris just hoped it would be tonight, Maya had already been given strict comands to find Taylor when the foal was on it's way. Night was falling, Kip was bedded down in the sawdust of Dreams everyday stall and Maya and Amaris were both walking to Dreams foaling stall.

Popping her head over the gate to see the Warlander mare laying down with sawdust covering her dark pelt, the mare looked confused so Amaris assumed that it was time. "Maya find Taylor" she said calmly to the wolf who soon was bounding away to try and find the humans who owned the stallion who had been bred to Dream. Amaris slowly opened the gate and let herself into the larger satll. Slowly walking to the head of ehr mare she stroked the bay's face. Kneeling down at her head and resting the mares head in her lap Amaris gently comforted the mare.

Maya ran around the stables trying to find the human she had been sent to find. The huge black wolf-dog bounded around not making a noise but her paws thudding against the ground as she ran.

[<Amy>]

Taylor Stone & Lady in White

"Easy girl, easy" Taylor murmured, stroking the white neck of her Gypsy Vanner mare, Lady in White. The cause for the name was the fact that the only black on Lady was on the sides of her face and her ears, the rest was solid white. Taylor stroked Lady's neck with one hand, the other gently moving along the mare's swelling sides. Lady was pregnant but not due for a few more weeks. With Ink on the stud list, Taylor had decided to breed Lady with Never Ending Dream, a Gypsy Vanner stallion boarded at the stable. Lady was at the prime age, a dressage star and a nicely proportioned vanner. The foal would either be Taylor's next dressage star or at least be somebody's new baby.

Lady nickered and tossed her head, shifting her weight. The mare was sweet and motherly and would probably do well when it came to foaling but Taylor was constantly worried about her foaling early. Lady's mother had foaled early with the foal before Lady was born. The foal had died and Lady had been the only healthy foal born from It's All in Motion. Ty just hoped Lady had more luck.

Taylor glanced at her watch. It was almost time for the stable to lock up. Taylor had seen Amy leaving already, heard something in passing about taking Frisco to the vet and leaving the keys with an instructor. Taylor had shrugged it off since it wasn't her business but she wouldn't be leaving quite yet. After checking Lady, Ty had to go check on Ink's girl, Forgotten Dream in the foaling stalls. It was almost her due date according to Amaris and Ty wanted to be around to help when Dream foaled.

"Good girl, you're going to be fine" Ty murmured to Lady. "Tomorrow we'll get you set up in a new stall with a bit more room."

Lady nickered again but this time her attention was turned toward a big black wolf looking dog trotting down the aisle of stalls. Ty went to Lady's stall door and let herself out, frowning slightly. "Maya? Where's Amaris?"

Ty crouched down at the dog's level, offering out her hand for the canine.

[Reminiscent]

Maya put her muzzle to the girls hand in a friendly way, but soon looked up to the humans face before looking out of the barn, Wagging her tail and turning away ears forward she looked from Ty to the door asking her to follow her. Running to the door Maya stood waiting to see if the human would understand and follow her to the stable where her human was with the horse. Giving a small whine to get the full attention of the human Maya knew what she was here to do and so was going to get her job done.

Dream heaved a sigh as her breathing grew heavier and she soon became more restless, one minuet laying on her side the next she was on her other side. She thrashed around in the thick bed of sawdust confused but also knowing what she had to do, Dream looked at her human as if asking what was going on and Amaris moved to her mares head again to start stroking her face once more. "It's okay girl." running her hand down the mares neck and resting it on her shoulder before starting at her cheek again.

[<Amy>]

Glancing from Maya to Lady and then toward where Maya was looking, Taylor's eyes widened. The only reason Amaris would send Maya would be if Dream was foaling. Checking the latch on Lady's stall, Ty followed Maya down the row of stalls toward the larger birthing stalls on the outer aisle. Only one was occupied at the moment and Taylor was planning on setting up a second one for Lady the next day. Right now though, Ty knew something was up. Dream wasn't looking out of her stall like she usually was and when the eighteen hand made wasn't doing that it meant only one thing. She was foaling.

Jogging up to the stall door, Ty looked in to find Dream laying down, breathing hard and her coat shiny with sweat. Taylor nearly yelped when she saw Amaris in the stall and could have slapped herself. "Amaris! Get out of there, you're not supposed to be in the stall when a mare is foaling" Taylor said, voice calm so she wouldn't scare Dream and cause some sort of damage to the foal.

At Taylor's old stable, she had helped with the vet's office and that included foaling. Taylor had been taught a lot about that sort of thing which was why she was confident she could see Lady through her foaling with no complications. Right now though, Amaris was the one in the stall. The mare needed room to move and would probably freak out sooner or later with Amaris in the stall which could cause problems for the foal. That was the last thing Taylor wanted since the foal was Amaris' legally and Amaris had paid for the stud services. Ty didn't want something to go wrong.

Taylor bit her lip, standing a bit away from the stall door so Dream wouldn't get the feeling of being crowded and then not birth the foal. Absentmindedly Taylor let her hand drop to the ruff of Maya's neck, massaging the wolfdog's neck and trying to bite back her nerves. They still had a bit of a wait before the foal would actually be fully out of harm's way.

[Reminiscent]

Looking up as she heard someone's voice and recognised who it was she smiled slightly "It's alright, she has a way to go yet, and it's her first, I will come out when she needs to get up and about. Anyway how's Ink?" she asked this question each time she got to talk to Ty but now she asked because the stallion was the sire of her mares foal and so she was only wondering how he was doing. Dream shot her head up to look at the other human that was here now, she liked and trsted Ty so she was allowed to be here. Heaving another deep breath the mare nickered lightly.

Maya sat at Taylor's side allowing her to stroke her neck looking down slightly almost like a horse would arch it's neck Ears forward and tail wagging slowly as she listened to both her human this other human and the horse that was in the stable. She couldn't see the horse which was strange but she knew better than to make a noise. Then the gate opened and her human came out.

[<Amy>]

"Ink is fine, a little jealous of Lady but he's ok" Taylor said, watching Dream and feeling sorry for the mare. If human birthing was anything to go by, Taylor was sure this was going to be a long night for both humans and horse. "Lady's due in a few months, I don't think you've met her. She's my new dressage mare."

Taylor had bought Lady from a local breeder that she had been friends with since coming to Ravenhook and the woman had reimbursed Taylor a portion of the stud fee for Lady's pregnancy since the woman wanted to continue Lady's line. Of course Lady wasn't famous but her shire, Evening Gentleman, was. He was a well known driving horse as well as other rather famous stallions and mares that had made up Lady's line. Taylor had caught sight of Lady because of her lack of black markings and had fallen in love with the mare. Now, watching Dream preparing to foal, Taylor felt nervous for both Lady and the foal the mare was carrying.

Reaching into her pocket, Taylor dug out her wallet and flipped it open. Yes, Taylor kept pictures of her horses in her wallet. It wasn't like she had a family she liked to remember. Pulling out a picture of the nearly solid white mare, Ty offered it to Amaris as the other girl came out of Dream's stall. On the bottom the picture was labeled "Lady in White." The mare was a seventeen point two hand mare with a black head except for a broad white blaze. The rest of her body was solid white with strong legs and draft feathering all around her hooves. In a way she looked faintly like Dream except white with a bit of a more delicate head and different neck. She lacked the heavy muscling that was on most drafts but still looked plenty powerful but also graceful with flowing feathers and a smooth gait.

"How long do you think it will take Dream to foal?"

[Reminiscent]

Taking the offered picture Amaris looked at the image of the mare smiling and handing it back to Ty "She is pretty, What stallion was she put to?" she asked trying to make some sort of conversation because even she knew they had a while to wait yet. By the time she was out of the stall and standing half facing Taylor half facing the stall where the mare was now standing and pacing around the stable. Amaris was given a question to answer and at the moment she really didn't know "Honestly I don't know, she has only just showed signs that the foal was on it's way, but who knows, could be a quick birth could be one that takes it's time." she said watching her mare walking around the stall throwing her head around and flicking her tail viciously.

Then soon Dream was laying down again reaching around to nuzzle her stomach where it hurt, then she whinnied again reaching her head forward and laying it down in the bed she had snorting and panting Dream knew what she had to do but it all was new to her.

[<Amy>]

Taylor watched the Warlander mare and sighed softly. "She was put to Never Ending Dream but I never met the owner. Had to work that day so I just let one of the stable hands put her to pasture with the stallion. A few weeks later she was pregnant." Taking the picture back, Ty slid it into its place in her wallet and closed it, shoving it back into her pocket and leaning against one of the stable support beams that held up the ceiling. She crossed her arms over her chest and settled in to wait. Some mares only took two or three hours while others took all night. Then again those were just the times Ty had seen. Every horse was different and it had been a while since she'd read up on foaling although she probably should have considering Dream was close to her due date and Lady's fast approaching it.

"Dream will have some company tomorrow, I was going to set up a stall for Lady since she's getting close" Taylor said to break the silence. "Would you want me to keep a stall between Lady and Dream or do you think it will matter?"

Hormonal mares were about as predictable as hormonal human females. There was just no telling if one was going to berserk or just be relaxed and calm, going along with everything. Knowing Lady she might try to be friendly but be interested in the foal or she would be defensive and unhappy having a neighbor. Ty didn't want to set up a stall just to find that Lady was unhappy either because she wasn't around other horses or she was too close to a horse. It was a hard call to make so Ty hoped Amaris might know which would be a better solution to the whole problem.

Maybe Dream would be a defensive mother? It was her first foal after all, just like Lady's. Any number of things could happen and right now Taylor was tired, borderline cranky and not really looking forward to going home later than usual just because she knew what would be waiting.

[Reminiscent]

Amaris listened both to her mare and Taylor trying to make sure she had an eye on her mare as she got up and continued pacing then lay down once again. "Why don't you bring her over tomorow so they can meet then maybe that will answer the question. Dream should be fine with it but who knows." She asid deciding that letting the mares meet before Lady would come in the barn untill her foal was born and then untill after wards. Dream was likley to be pretty calm about things but no-one ever knew the actions of a new mother.

Maya followed Taylor so she would be out of the way, laying down near the wall she rested her head on her paws looking at her owner waiting to see what would happen now. Dream was kicking around and making more noise now but still she didn't come to close to the gate. After about fifteen minuets of her complaining she came to the door and poked her muzzle overm her pelt slick with sweat and her breathing still heavy. Snorting then shooting into her stall again kicking out with one leg and giving a squeal she retuned to laying down.

[<Amy>]

Taylor nodded in agreement with Amaris' idea. Hopefully the two mares would be ok with each other but nothing was ever certain. Letting herself slide down the column so she was sitting on the concrete floor, Taylor leaned her head back against the column ready to wait out Dream's birthing. She didn't want to leave because she needed this experience for Lady's birthing and it just seemed rude to leave Amaris all alone when her mare was foaling while Ty's stallion had been the sire. It was like somebody's boyfriend knocking them up and then not being there to get punched in the nose during the birthing. It was just wrong. Therefore Ty remained, trying to stay awake but when things slowed down in just about anything, whether it was a foaling or just a long drive, Ty tended to doze.

It was a bad habit, a learned habit her body seemed to have adapted to after years of hour long bus rides through open farmland in North Dakota before actually getting to school. Ty's head lulled to her shoulder as she dozed off, thinking distantly that either Amaris or Dream would wake her up when things were getting serious.

Her arms were folded in her lap, knees drawn up and her brown hair untied. There were little bits of hay and fine sawdust clinging to Taylor's worn out jeans and overall she looked tired. She'd pulled a double-shift the night before and had only come into the stable about two or three hours ago to check on Lady and put Ink out to pasture. Most of the reason was she didn't want to go home. Her dad had been drinking more which meant he was loud and rowdy for hours before passing out on the couch or at the kitchen table with a bottle of Scotch in front of him or a beer bottle tipped over next to the sofa.

It just wasn't something Taylor wanted to go home to so she stuck around and dozed, waiting for Dream's foal to come into the world so she could officially call Ink a proud father.

[Reminiscent]

Two hours of Dream pacing, Taylor dozing, Maya watching and Amaris being unable to sit still for any longer than five minuets, But as it neared eleven at night things started to pick up and Dream started to make much more noise, she eventualy lay down in her bed of sawdust her breathing heavy and her pelt lathered with sweat from her restless movements. Whinnying and snorting, kicking her hooves and legs from beneath her to now lay flat on her side, grunting and snorting with the occosaional nicker or whinny of pain or worry. Maya was first to nudge Taylor, licking the girls face the wolfdog knew something was happening so would wake up the human she had been told to go and fetch in the first place.

Within the hour Dream had birthed her foal, Amaris stood at the gate of the stall leaving Dream to clean her newborn foal, both mare and foal seemed healthy at the moment. The young colt lay in the sawdust looking around and then whickering to his mother.

[<Amy>]

Taylor muttered unintelligibly when she felt something wet licking her face and poking her. Blinking, Ty saw the black nose and face of Maya and halfhearted pushed the wolfdog's face away so she could sit up. Aware of the sounds of Dream nickering and kicking around inside the stall, Taylor scrambled to her feet, glancing at her watch. It was almost eleven. Somebody had known they were staying and left the lights on, probably however Amy had left in charge. Rubbing her eyes, Taylor approached Dream's stall to stand next to Amaris. Inside, the dark bay mare was laying on her side, thrashing around and neighing in pain making Taylor feel very sorry for her.

Neither girl spoke so Ty kept the silence going, watching as slowly Dream and Ink's foal was born into the world. It took a while and obvious effort on Dream's part but at long last the foal was born. It laid in the sawdust, nickering to Dream as the Warlander began to clean the foal. Taylor smiled, happiness bubbling up in her and making her feel like an exited filly. The colt was light bay in color but would probably darken with age and looked like he had white stockings on his front legs.

Taylor turned to Amaris, smiling brightly. "Congratulations. He's beautiful" Taylor said, voice completely sincere.

They would have to call in a vet to check Dream and the foal the next day but it was almost midnight and for now the best thing to do would be help clean up the mother and foal once the foal had suckled.

"I'll go get a grooming kit and some towels. Once he's done suckling we can clean them both up a little" Ty suggested before starting off toward the tack room to get some towels to dry of the foal and help clean up Dream. Being all covered in sweat wouldn't feel good at all to the new mother.

[Reminiscent]

A smile spread across her lips as the colt was finaly at his mothers side making little noises to his mother and looking at everything and everyone here it was cold out here and confusing. But his mother was here and so he was happy. "Thank you, thank's so much. You can now tell Ink he has a handsome son." he voice calm but also at the same time amazed and pleased. Watching as Dream gathered her feet and stood up nickering to her son to follow her and stand up. For a good half hour the colt just complained while his mother cleaned him but eventualy he started to try and stand like his mother was.

First time he fell onto his side with a snort of cmoplaint, second time he fell forward and buried his muzzle in the sawdust. Third time he was standing but as soon as he took a step towards his mother he fell into the sawdust. Continuing his attempts to stand the colt was eventualy at his mothers side nursing, his little tail flicking lightly as his mothere continued to clean his coat that now looked almost chestnut. "okay thank's again" she gave her answer a tad late because she was busy watching mother and son but looking over to Taylor and then down to Maya who was now laying happy on the gorund seeming to know that her job had been done she fell asleep.

[<Amy>]

The little colt was just so adorable, Ty wanted to laugh like a fool, just too happy to care but knew that would only disrupt mother and son. Instead she stood quietly, grinning like an idiot watching the colt as he struggled to stand. Nobody would be able to tell Taylor there was anything more determined than a newborn foal. No matter how many times the little guy fell, he just kept getting up again. Dream's cleaning revealed a very light bay pelt that bordered on chestnut but Ty wasn't concerned. The foal would darken when he got older though she doubted he would quite make it to the handsome solid black that Ink proudly boasted. Smiling at Amaris, Ty nodded and set off a bit reluctantly to make her way to the tack room in search of towels and a grooming kit.

Pushing the door opened, Ty searched for the cabinet labeled with Amaris' name and pulled it open. Finding the grooming kit, Taylor grabbed it and found some of the towels often used to dry horses after they were washed. Balancing the whole load in her arms, Taylor made her way back into the main stable, detouring to Lady and Ink's stalls.

Lady raised her head sleepily when Taylor stopped to check in on the pregnant mare. Ink had been put back in his stall by a stable hand and was looking up from his midnight snack and nickered at Ty. Taylor grinned and balanced the kit and towels on one arm and stroked Ink's velvety black nose.

"He's a handsome boy Ink, you did good" Taylor murmured.

Ink snorted and went to his water bucket, leaving Taylor to head back to the birthing stalls. Taylor approached Amaris and smiled.

"Ink is in his stall, Lady's doing fine. I'm so glad she's not foaling for another few weeks. I don't think I could handle two in one night."

Taylor offered the towels to Amaris, looking into the stall to check the two Warlanders.

[Reminiscent]

Turning around to face Taylor as she came back her voice was the first thing to tell Amaris she was back, still smiling pleased that her mare had foaled sucsesfully and both foal and mare looked healthy but who knew untill the vet was to come tomorow. Taking the towels but stopping and offering them back to Taylor.

"Would you like to clean up the foal?"

She offered, they both would have as much time as they wanted to spend time with the new colt, but seeing as Amaris would keep him she thought Taylor may like being the one to clean him up, Dream stood watching the two humans now, and seeing her grooming kit she gave a soft nicker to the humans. Brushing was always good especialy now she was covered in sawdust and sweat, and other gunk that she wanted to be rid of. As the time rolled on and the colt finished nursing Amaris opened the stable gate and slipped in leaving it open for Taylor.

"Hey baby, your such a clever girl arent you."

She cooed to her mare as both mare and colt looked up at her Dream with a glint of happyness in her eye and the colt a curious look on his face, head tilting slightly and ears pressign forward. Everyone here seemed tired but they would live for now anyway. Maya still lay with her head on her paws.