First Day on the Job{Teak}

[Fuzzer]

I don't know how it gets better then this
You take my hand and drag me head first
Fearless

It was beautiful out. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping and the breeze was just barely blowing. A great day for traveling. Or at least those were the sorts of thoughts running through Tina's head. She smiled to herself and with her right hand turned up the stereo in her 4 x 4 truck. She smiled and took the wheel with her right hand. Resting her left arm on the open window and tapping a gentle beat. Her voice drifted as she sang along with the country artist who was rocking out on the radio. She sat up straighter as she passed a green highway sign. 15 miles left till she made it to Southern Blues Stables. Her new home and employment. She took off her sunglasses and rubbed her eyes, tipping her cowboy hat back a millimeter before slipping her sunglasses back on.

Around half an hour later she pulled into the driveway of the stable. She drove down the winding drive and stopped outside the stable. Parking out of the way, but leaving room to unload Bear. She hopped out of the cab and looked around. It was a warm spring day and she was in a tank top and jeans. Runners on her feet. She smiled and headed towards the back of her trailer. Nodding her head at a passing girl. She noticed the many students and even many more horses. Tina pulled down the ramp and whistled. "Come on babe," she spoke calmly and chuckled when Bear nickered. He backed out and down the ramp. She rubbed his forehead and grabbed the blue lead rope before clucking her tongue.

Tina led him into the barn and went down till she found the stall with his name on it. She slid the door open and un clipped the lead rope. Letting him walk in and look around. She needed him later anyways. Might as well leave the halter on. Tatiana smiled and left the rope hanging on the door. She needed to get her stuff out of her trailer so she could go park it with the other trailers she'd seen. After all it was in the way where she'd parked. She walked out to her trailer and around the side. Pulling out a set of keys she unlocked the door and opened it. She bit her lip as she looked around. So much stuff. Tina sighed and grabbed a box. She lifted it with a grunt and made her way back inside. All but dropping it in front of Bear's stall. She'd put it away after. She was just turning to go back outside when she caught her foot on the edge of the box and fell. She hit the ground and grunted. "Shit,"

[.~.T.e.a.k.~.]

Michael Pierson // Big Bad John // Easy Maintenance
Human // Horse /// Horse
Mikey // Cowboy // Campbell

The horse looked up from where he was hard at work with his head arched over the half-door of the stall… trying his best to slide the bolt through and release the catch that kept the door closed. He’d been working at it for the past few minutes, and knew that he was close to freedom. The Paint had, many times in the past, though at different homes, unlatched his stall door and gotten out. The habit had started when he was a youngling, and now it was just something he could do if he put his mind to it. Likewise, he could also undo other stall latches… yes, Cowboy was quite mischievous when he was bored. And he was bored. He’d been confined to his stall for far too long and had taken it upon himself to get out.

He paused in his actions momentarily to raise his large brown and white head and gaze at the woman as she brought the black horse in, then his attention was back on his stall-latch and he ignored her the next time she came back. Cowboy grasped the latch with his large molars and jerked… hard… The latch came free. The Paint Stallion pawed the stall door, making it swing open, and the horse was free. He knew it, too… The horse stood still in the doorway, gazing about with his ice-blue eyes for a few moments before shaking his large head and trotting from the stall. He didn’t go far, though, instead stopping and turning immediately to hang over the stall door of his owners second horse, a large black gelding.

Cowboy knew what he was going to do, and with another shake of his head that made his long black and white mane tumble over his neck, he lowered his head and grasped the latch to the stall, jerking it open easily now that he was on the outside. The Paint nickered softly before turning and trotting down the barn, towards the sunlight. Behind him, the Thoroughbred gelding followed, speeding up to catch up with his 16.3 hand friend.

~~~

Earlier, the two horses’ owner had been well on his way towards the stables, intent on taking his TB, Campbell out for a ride… He hadn’t worked with the 17 hand black gelding as much as he needed. It was as though destiny was against the half-blind nineteen year old, purposely keeping him away from the barn while his two horses wreaked havoc… a blow out had sent the truck he drove to the ditch, and he’d spent the last half-hour calling around on his cell, trying to find someone to come tow the vehicle back up to the road. Now he was sitting on the lowered tailgate of the vehicle, waiting for the man who’d stopped to help him get the towing cable from his own vehicle. Once he was out of the ditch, he was going to put on the spare tire and hightail it to the stables, he was restless… and wanted to work with his horses.

[Fuzzer]

Tina grumbled as she picked herself up off the ground. She brushed herself off and rearranged her sunglasses and cowboy hat. A high pitched whinny made her turn with her hands on her hips and glare at Bear. He had his head over the door of the stall and was bobbing it up and down. Whinnying happily. "Ha ha ha, see if you get treats today," she scolded before shaking her head. She walked over to him and rubbed his nose. He bumped it lightly against her chest and lipped at her hat brim. She laughed and kissed his velvety nose. "Love you to Bear," she murmured. He seemed to understand her and lipped lightly at her nose. She giggled and pushed him off. Heading back outside to grab something else.

About a half hour later she had all her tack and blankets in front of Bear's stall and had parked her trailer with the other trailers. She parked her truck in front of the stable again. Tina made her way back into the stable with a big grin on her face. She sighed in contentment as she grabbed two of her saddles. Yeah she had a few saddles. Not all of them were here either. She had some to take to her house and had left some at her parents. Upon reaching the tack room she looked for her hooks, locker and racks. Finding the two saddle racks with her name on them she set the saddles on them. Heading back out she grabbed her saddle pads, bridles, halters, and lead ropes. In a few minutes she had them all hung in the proper places. She was already settling in and she knew it'd be good here.

Tina went back out and grabbed her grooming kit and a bag with wraps and boots in it. She was about to go back into the tack room when she heard a clip clopping sound and a latch being undone. She dropped her stuff and walked back out in to the aisle. Her eyes widened and she laughed as she saw two horses trotting out of the barn. She watched them for a few seconds before shaking herself out of the hilarity and grabbing the halters from the open stall doors. She jogged outside and whistled softly. "Hey boys, your very bad," she talked quietly to them. Letting them know she was okay to be around. She pulled off her hat and held it out in front of her. "Your not allowed to go run around like crazy hun," she murmured as she came up to the paint. When she was right beside him she lopped the lead rope around his neck and put her hat back on. Slipping the halter on quickly she looked around for the black horse and the owner.

[.~.T.e.a.k.~.]

Thanks man, I owe you anything? The nineteen year old questioned as the one who’d came to his aid unhooked the cable from the truck. A shake of the head was his answer. Mikey shrugged, taking it for what it was and as his ‘help’ drove off, he opened the truck door and grabbed the jack from its spot behind the seat.

~~~

Both horses trotted from the barn at an easy pace. Campbell, ‘feeling his oats’ crowhopped and sent a small kick towards the stallion. Cowboy ignored the gelding, too focused on the young woman who had whistled. She wasn’t his owner, that was fir sure… but she seemed nice, and carefully, ever so carefully, the big stallion stopped and inched towards her, stopping dead when she moved towards him. The black Thoroughbred saw her and took off, cantering across the lot towards the pastures and throwing in a buck here and there.

Cowboy twisted around to watch his companion take off. The stallion wanted to go too, and pranced in place, swishing his dual-colored tail in annoyance at having been caught. He nickered at the black, shaking his head up and down in irritation. His large hooves moved in circles around his captor. The Paint banged into the woman. He knew better… he was just being bad. He lipped at her wrist, the lead she held, then in a split second he grabbed the lead between his molars and jerked, raising his head high in the air while at the same moment bounding sideways, away from her.

His legs moved him away quickly as the stallion cantered away a few yards, holding his dark blue lead in his teeth. He stayed just out of her reach, prancing about like a young colt and enjoying his newest ‘game’… keep-away. The black gelding had slowed to a stop near the drive and stood still, watching the goings on curiously. When Cowboy came near, though, Campbell bounded away, staying out of reach of both his companion and the woman who was trying to catch them.

~~~

The truck roared to life easily as he turned the switch. The flat tire was in the bed, the spare on. Time to get to his horses. Mikey shifted into drive and pressed the gas, urging the vehicle forwards. The truck now sported a few new dents and mud-streaks in the front and right side, but otherwise seemed ok. Mikey also sported a few new ‘bangs’… a small cut was on his cheek and a large bruise was forming on his arm… and he felt as though he had another bruise forming across his ribs…

[Fuzzer]

Bear was laughing at her. Just laughing. She could tell as she looked back into the stable. He was bobbing his head up and down and his whinny filled the air. He probably wanted them to get him out to. That was Tina's first mistake. Taking her eyes off the mischievious paint stallion who so obviously had many many tricks up his sleeve. Not that he had any sleeves to have tricks up. But still, you get the point. Tatiana gasped and jumped when the paint smacked in to her. She cursed loudly and yanked lightly on the lead. Before she could get him under control though he bit her wrist and hopped away. "What was that for!" she exclaimed and held her wrist. It was a little red but that was all.

She glared at the paint horse before throwing her hands in the air and cursing. She spun towards the stable again when she heard whinnying and banging. She crossed her arms and watched Bear kick at the stall. He seemed close to falling over with what seemed like horsey laughter. "Ha ha ha, help me get them dummy," Tina called out to him and went back inside. She grabbed the one western bridle she'd brought and put it on Bear. Smoothing down his coat. Leading him out she found a box and stood on it. She was to short to vault onto him. After a few seconds and a few murmured words she was settling onto his back. she took a breath and squeezed her legs.

Bear headed for the gelding and stallion. All she had to do was either herd them into the open arena or grab the stallions lead rope. Which by the way he still held between his teeth. She glared at him before walking over. She found it quite odd that only an hour or two ago there had been many people roaming around. they were probably all in class now. she shrugged her shoulders and pushed her brunette colored hair out of her eyes. She sat on Bear's back, watching the two horses run around. She had no clue how she was going to get them but she would. she couldn't help but begin to feel a pain in her wrist. Just great.

[.~.T.e.a.k.~.]

He enjoyed this game… and if horses could truly laugh and mock people, the Paint would be doing so. He wasn’t a mean natured horse, nor was he temperamental… indeed, often people didn’t believe that he was a stallion, as he got along with virtually every horse and was never a handful, always laid back and exceptionally easy going. Yet he was smart… and like most smart horses, when he grew bored he was destructive. Yes, the stallion rather enjoyed frustrating this woman. He arched his neck and pranced around like a colt, throwing a kick her way, though he was more than a few yards from her and couldn’t hit her from that distance it he’d a tried… which he hadn’t. He was just playing.

Both horses stared after the woman when she disappeared then reappeared on the back of the jet black horse. Cowboy snorted, shaking his head, throwing the lead through the air. The black gelding pricked his ears as his companion barreled past him and hit the drive, loping down it a few strides before whirling on a dime and trotting back. The Paint stopped and nipped the Thoroughbreds hindquarters playfully, causing Campbell to raise his head and pin his ears before trotting off, allowing the stallion to herd him a few yards. Cowboy nipped lightly at Campbell’s neck, trying to incite a mock-fight. The black’s ears flicked back and he snaked his head around, grabbing at the stallion’s foreleg.

~~~

The truck turned off the main road and onto the long drive. Country-music could be heard from the speakers, though barely as the music was turned down extremely low. The truck wasn’t too loud, but it couldn’t be called soft either, and as it rolled on down the driveway Mikey couldn’t’ help but be glad that the vehicle hadn’t sustained any more dents that what it had. He rolled the windows halfway up as he pulled into the parking lot and cut the engine.

His jeans were a little ripped and a large grease-stain was on the left side, and his t-shirt was dark grey. His boots were somewhat muddy, and his sunglasses were helping his hair cover his eyes… especially his left eye, as was usual. The nineteen year old took a moment to lean back against the truck-seat and sighed, closing his eyes momentarily as he thought about all the problems he’d had to get here.

At first he didn’t realize what he’d heard, the familiar squeal that only Cowboy could do. His first thought was Why would he be out here… His eyes opened and he sat up, glancing out the window towards the barn. It took a moment for him to process just what he was seeing… his two horses playing in front of the barn… Cowboy had a halter and lead on, but Campbell wore nothing… and a horse and rider duo watching.

What the… He muttered, unsure of just what was going on, then the more important thought hit him… his horses were loose! He jerked the door open and slammed it behind him, standing still and staring at his two equines for a moment. Cowboy! He yelled, striding forwards angrily, Campbell!

Upon hearing their owners voice, both horses stopped pawing, striking, and biting at each other. They both stilled, standing like statues, staring at their angry owner. Both their ears were pricked and both seemed to have a ‘oh my god, we’ve been caught’ look on their faces.

[Fuzzer]

This had to be the only reason to hate horses. And she couldn't even hate them for this. Yeah, it was a pain in the ass to have to run after these boys and try and catch them. But int he long run, she'd spend those two to three hours doing it. All just to have them in the end. To have the sweet smell of manure, the powerful smell of leather, the soft, velvety muzzle and the deep, knowing eyes. She'd do anything to keep horses. She smiled as she watched the paint and the thoroughbred jump around in the drive. It didn't bother her and she didn't think it ever would. This is what you got for being a riding instructor.

Tina laughed as the paint reared and the thoroughbred spun around. She shook her head and squeezed her legs. Bear started forwards and she headed towards the two horses. She really wanted to get them soon. She did have lessons to teach, tack to clean, horses to work and a house to settle in to. Aside from the fact that she wasn't even done putting away her tack. She also had to clean the trailer and pick up her other horse. Still smiling she cantered down the drive and came around behind the pair of misfits. So at least they weren't running out onto the road.

Tina watched a beat up and mud covered older truck pull in through the stable gates. She looked at the horses then cantered over and without getting down punched in the number for the gates to close. She trotted Bear back up the driveway and headed towards the pair of horses again. She had her mind set on getting them. Her eyes watched them as they stopped cold and looked towards the truck. Tina turned her and Bear towards the sound of a very manly voice. Her eyes took in the mans rough appearance. The torn, mud and grease spattered jeans. The grease covered tee shirt and the grease on his hands.

She slowly rode Bear over to him and slid down off of his back. A smile planted on her face. "Thanks, are they yours?" she asked as she looped Bear's reins over his neck. Her hand remained on his neck to comfort him and herself. His nostrils flared and he cautiously stretched his head out towards the man. He was just playing at being scared. Tina chuckled and stretched her free hand out to shake his. "I'm Tatiana Dalton and this is Bear," she introduced them.

[.~.T.e.a.k.~.]

Mikey’s annoyance at seeing his horses loose was gone within the moment, replaced by a knowing look and a small smirk crossed his face as he stopped walking and stood there, staring at the two equines. He turned to greet the woman who rode up on the jet black horse and nodded to her question. It was quite obvious that the horses were his. Nice to meet you, I’m Mikey Pierson… those two troublemakers are Cowboy and Campbell. The Paint’s Cowboy, the black’s Campbell. I would shake your hand, but I don’t think you wanna get grease all over you. He said, spreading his hands and looking down at his arms and clothes with a sheepish smile. Yeah, though… they’re mine. I was trying to get here earlier, but a blow-out sent the truck into a ditch and I had to wait forever for someone to come by and pull me out. I’m guessing that Cowboy… that is, the Paint managed to unlatch his stall door and turned around and let Campbell out? He guessed, quite accurately, having had it happen many times before. You were trying to get them put back up, weren’t you? Thanks… I hope they haven’t done too much damage. Mikey stretched a hand out for her black horse, Bear to smell, his eyes still on his own two trouble-makers.

He smiled again in a sort-of embarrassed type of way and raised his hand to his mouth, whistling twice, short, sharp blasts. The Paint nickered at him and trotted forwards at the familiar whistle that he hadn’t heard in months. The TB gelding followed at a more sedate pace and stopped just out of reach from the young man. Cowboy didn’t stow until he was almost right on top of his owner and thrust his velvety nose against Mikey’s chest for a moment before turning towards the unfamiliar horse, curious. Mikey grabbed the dangling lead and unhooked it from the halter, trusting the troublesome horse to not go anywhere now. He stepped forwards and went to loop the lead over Campbell’s neck, but the Thoroughbred, not as reliable nor having as strong a bond with Mikey as the Paint, whirled away and cantered off. The Paint, who had been so troublesome before, was now standing as calm and laid back as could be with his head down, nose almost touching his owners arm.

Michael cursed softly, damning the gelding to h*ll and back. He sent an annoyed look at Cowboy, as though mentally telling the horse off for pulling the stunt, though he was a bit happier at the thought that Cowboy had just gone back to his old habits and hadn’t taught himself something new. Campbell… He said warningly, sending a stare at the black horse. Keep this up and you’ll go to the next kill-buyer. He wasn’t being serious, though his tone was annoyed, his eyes were bright and a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

[Fuzzer]

Tatiana smiled at the man as she listened to him. She nodded at his name. She'd have to find out if he was a student or if he worked here. If he was a student then he might be hers. She brightened up inside at that thought. But if he wasn't a student he could become an acquaintance, then a friend, then... No, no now she was getting ahead of herself. Tina mentally smacked herself for her loose, trailing thoughts. She nodded and laughed lightly. "Its no problem, they'll probably be covered in mud or leather cleaner later anyways," she replied with a shrug but dropped her hand. No sense in pushing it.

Her eyes grazed over him again and she smirked. He was handsome in a rough, cowboy sorta way. She raised her eyes back up to his as he started talking. She would so not allow him to see she was checking him out. She bit her lip though and a slight blush rose to her cheeks. She couldn't help it. Bear seemed to laugh at her. He nickered and bumped her back with his muzzle. She blushed even more and turned to brush his nose away. She shrugged again at his next question. "Not really, it was an exciting start to a new place," she told him and smiled warmly. It really was. Bear snorted at his hand but stretched out even more. Soon his muzzle was in the mans palm. He grazed his tongue over the hand once before jumping back and playing scared.

Tina laughed and patted his neck. "The boy is a goof, but that's why i love him," she said, not really sure why. Maybe to start conversation. Maybe to see if he was a care-free, fun person. She didn't know. Tina smiled when Cowboy came over. She held her hand out for the stallion to sniff. Watching as Mikey walked towards the other horse. She couldn't help but laugh when Campbell turned and cantered away. Shaking her head and chuckling at Mikey's words. Tina turned away and headed back in to the stable. Leaving Bear and cowboy alone.

Bear snorted and stepped towards Cowboy. Trying to be all stallionish. He held his head high and snorted. Sniffing widely at Cowboy and squealing. Tina came back out a few minutes later and smacked his butt. "Grow up," she told him and gave him a hand full of oats from the bucket she carried. She shook it and let out a whistle of her own. Walking over to where Mikey stood. "Oats usually do the trick," she told him and smiled, biting her lip again. She shook the bucket and held it out for the thoroughbred. "Come on boy," she cooed.

[.~.T.e.a.k.~.]

He shifted from one foot to the other, raising a hand to smooth down his long bangs to make sure his left eye was still hidden. He eyed her carefully, looking her up and down before shifting his gaze to her stallion, his blue-grey blind left eye hidden behind his thick brown bangs and his honey brown right eye calculating, thoughtful. Mike had picked up on the habit of assessing everyone he met from his cousin Karen, who was more outgoing and, well… the words ‘tough and not afraid of anything’ suited her perfectly. He pulled his hand back after her black stallion licked him and wiped his hand across his jeans, not sure if it was the jeans or his arm that came away dirtier. I’ve not made the greatest first impression, have I? He questioned, though it was a rhetorical question and needed not an answer. Loose horses and completely… He didn’t finish his statement, instead trailing off and laughing at the absurdity of it all.

Mikey nodded at her comment about her horse being a goof, not saying anything at first, but eventually grinning and motioning towards his own Paint stallion and Thoroughbred gelding. They’re all goofs… but it’s us ‘horsepeople’ who’re the real nutcases… spend more on them that we do ourselves… I’d say we’re whipped and whipped good.

When she went inside the barn, Mikey’s attention was brought to the two stallions, and he watched as Bear squealed. Cowboy took the squealing in stride, but pinned his ears momentarily and pawed, nipping the air in annoyance at the other stallion. As though he were telling the black ‘Hey, I’m a stallion too… you’re no better than me.’.

Campbell eyed the bucket of oats that she held out in front of her and took a step towards them. A few minutes later he was next to them, his head shoed inside the bucket, eating the oats eagerly. This time, the horse didn’t even look up as Mikey tossed the lead around his neck and looped it through the clip.

Thanks… I’m not sure I would have thought of feed. I’d have probably jumped on Cowboy and herded him back… Mikey said after getting a good grip on the lead. I’m sorry that they caused you so much trouble… I’ll pay for anything they managed to mess up.

[Fuzzer]

Tatiana smiled at him and shook her head. She raised her eyebrows at him and smirked. She could tell he was checking her out. It was something she had picked up in her work at a stable. The many people coming and going. Checking you and your work out. You had to know how to spot what people were thinking when you worked with their children and their horses everyday. When they brought home the money you had to know what to do to make them happy without being directly told. Tina sighed and turned to listen to him. A small chuckle escaped her lips and she shook her head teasingly. No he hadn't made a good first impression but, what the hell, she probably hadn't either.

Tina blushed when he took a moment to reply. Great, now she felt like an idiot. She bit her lip and held out the bucket of oats. Smiling when Campbell moved towards them. When he shoved his face in the bucket her arms dropped a little but she lifted the bucket up again. A soft smile on her face. She turned her head to hear clip clopping and rolled her eyes. Bear knew what was in the bucket and he definitely wanted some. Soon he was near Tina and Mikey. He snorted and nipped at Campbell's head. Pushing the geldings head out of the bucket he stuck his own in. Eating around the bit in his mouth. Tina laughed and bopped him playfully on the forehead. "Okay boys, enough of the treats," she called out and pulled Bear's nose out.

Tina turned to Mikey as she twisted the bucket out of each of any of the horses. She smiled and shrugged. "Its no problem, I don't have any lessons to teach for another hour or so i think," she told him and grabbed Bear's reins. She kept them looped over his neck. Tina started backing towards the stable. She made a motion with her left hand that Mikey come so they could continue to talk. "No, there was no damage to anything and all that was messed up was i dropped a few brushes," she explained with a friendly smile. When she had managed to reach the stable she pushed Bear into his stall and took off the bridle. Dumping the remains of the oats in his manger, she grabbed the bucket and the brushes she had dropped.

She tossed the brushes back in their container and placed the bucket by her stuff. Turning back to Mikey she sat down on a box and pulled out some wraps. She had to re-wrap them before she could put them away anyways. Might as well do that now. "So, have you lived here long?" she asked. Curious about this handsome, cowboyish man. She smiled to herself and shook her head. What an idiot she was.

[.~.T.e.a.k.~.]

C’mon you two trouble-makers. He tugged on the lead around Campbell’s neck and grasped Cowboy’s halter, pulling on it a little to make the horses walk with him as they went towards the stables. Campbell was disconcerted over being shoved away from the feed and showed it by pinning his ears the whole way back into the stable. Mikey ignored him, though, knowing that the gelding would be over it in a bit. He led the black into his stall first, slipping the lead from his neck and closing and latching the stall as soon as the horse was all the way in.

Cowboy danced energetically as Mikey led him into his stall, and as soon as his owner latched it closed, he poked his head over the door, giving Mike a look that asked plainly ‘are we goin’ somewhere?’. Mikey rubbed Cowboy’s forehead affectionately before disappearing inside the tack room for a moment. He reappeared with a string of leather and quickly tied the latch shut so that it would be very hard for the horse to loose himself again. That should hold you until I can get some sort of lock. He stated, stepping back to look at his handiwork. It was crude, but it would work.

Mikey scratched both of his horses on the foreheads before moving back down the aisle to where Tatiana had stopped. His horses stalls were further up from hers. So, you’re an instructor? He questioned, though an answer wasn’t needed. What type of riding? He was curious. Before, he’d been too concerned over his horses escaping to really talk a whole, whole lot… now that he knew they were safely put up, he wanted to get to know his newest friend a little better. What discipline do you ride, anyway? I like both english and western… you can probably tell which of my horses goes western and which goes english. I’ve been told that I don’t look like an english rider, but does it matter as long as you have fun…? Once again it was a rhetorical question. I moved here a few weeks. Was living with my cousin Karen, but we’re so much alike that we disagree on stupid things just for the sake of arguing… I don’t mind it, but sometimes it could be extremely annoying… so I moved out. He broke off suddenly, aware that he was just talking for the sake of it, and a small grin crossed his face as he ran a hand through his hair, shoving the longer locks back and revealing both eyes, the dark brown right and the blue-grey mottled brown left. Ah… I’m rambling. Mikey stated plainly, amusement once more dancing in his right eye.

[Fuzzer]

Tatiana smiled at Mikey as her hands moved swiftly over the cotton wraps. She had been doing this for years it was just natural to wrap them up. She set a blue colored wrap down and picked up a blue and green one with stripes on it. She had way to many for the two horses she now owned. With a sigh she started rolling the wrap up. While she started to roll she watched Mikey with soft eyes. Her eyes followed him. A small smile appeared on her lips as he tied the lock on the door. She bit her lip and mentally sighed when he rubbed Cowboy's forehead affectionately. She took a breath and blew it out. Causing her blond hair to fall in her eyes. She frowned and pulled off the black Stetson.

Swiftly she pulled her hair up into a high ponytail. Allowing a few pieces to still fall around her face. Framing it. She watched as he came over and leaned against the wall. She set the wrap back in her crate of wraps and started on the next one. "Yeah, I teach intermediate jumping as well as cross-country," she explained. She had stopped staring at him, just long enough to put all the wraps in the crate and put the lid on it. On to the next thing. She looked around her and just about groaned out loud. She had to figure out who's brushes were who's. Sometimes she hated horse ownership.

She smiled at his questions. Laughing once he started rambling. As she sorted through her brushes she kept looking up at him. Smiling as she gazed at him. Blushing when she caught his eye. She was usually such a people person. Never really shy or blushing. But for some reason it was differant. Maybe it was the new place, the new atmosphere, the insecurity of being alone. Whatever it was she'd get past it. When he stopped rambling and brushed the hair out of his eyes she had to hide a small gasp. His left eyes was blue and his right brown. She bit her lip and smiled at him. Pretending like she didn't notice a thing. He probably hated people being all worried about it and shit.

When he mentioned he was rambling she laughed. Shaking her head. "No, i like listening to you," she confessed and blushed. She looked down and set one of her grooming kits aside. Ready to start speaking herself. She leaned back against Bear's stall door and rubbed his muzzle, which had at that moment popped over the door. "I myself ride eventing. I love the thrill of flying over jumps, the calm intensity of dressage and most importantly the craziness of cross-country. I tried to stick with just one but couldn't. So i teach everything but dressage." she rambled on herself. Thinking about it for a few moments she bit her lip and began again. "I have that sorta relationship with my dad."

She really wanted to find out more about his hobbies and his horses. She definately wanted to know what discipline he rode. Maybe one day she'd find him in her lessons. She chuckled at that thought and sighed. "So what english disciplines do you ride? Do you show your two horses? Do you work here at southern Blues or are you a student..." she trailed off and blushed. Laughing at herself. "Looks like i might be rambling too,"

[.~.T.e.a.k.~.]

His eyes tracked her hands, watching with interest as she rolled the wraps up. Personally, he’d never done that… not on his own accord, anyhow. He’d been forced by his cousin to help her at times, but that was it. Even though he was blind in one eye and slowing going blind in the other, he could still make it seem as though he was watching her fully, really, the only problem he had was not being able to see anything on his left and the occasional blurriness in what sight he still had. He found her blushing every time she caught his eye funny, but not in a mean way… just… funny.

Mikey knew that she’d seen his eye, and, though she didn’t bring it up, he felt compelled to explain. It didn’t bother him, people knowing… as long as they didn’t pity him or feel sorry for him. Sure, he would be completely blind in a few year, he wasn’t now, and when it came, he’d cope. He tilted his head, allowing his hair to fall back down, I’m half-blind. He said, smiling widely and laughing a little at his words. Well… that was blunt. For the first time since their initial meeting earlier, a faint reddish flush appeared on his face, I didn’t mean to say that so bluntly, but yeah, I’m blind in my left eye. He didn’t feel it necessary to tell her he was going blind in his right, not yet… it just wasn’t too important, he could still see quite well save for the random bouts of blurry/darkening vision.

You’re one of the first who actually likes listening to me, then. He commented after a moment, shifting once more from one foot to the other. you’re not rambling too badly, not like I tend to do. Another smile, and he laughed a little at that, I’ve shown Cowboy in the past, but I’ve only owned Campbell for a few months… we really still don’t know each other that well. He’s been shown in the past, though, by his previous owners. Cowboy goes western, as you probably guessed… barrels, poles, reining, cutting, western pleasure, he’s been used as a rodeo ‘pick-up’ horse, trail classes, team-penning, ranch horse… pretty much everything. Right now, though, him and I are just relaxing and not focusing on the show circuit. Campbell… he needs a bit of work, as he tends to spook over random things and goes ‘off his rocker’ at times. It’s not that bad, but for me it’s not that good, either. Cowboy at least knows that there’s something wrong with my sight and tries to take care of me, I guess… but Cammie and I haven’t got that bond yet. All I really know about him is that he’s an english all-rounder and is best at show-jumping, cross-country, and endurance riding. As he spoke, it was extremely easy to see that his favorite of his two horses was the Paint stallion and it was with the stallion that Mikey worked best with. Technically, I’m a student, I guess… though so far I haven’t joined in any of the lessons… I’ve just been too busy.

[Fuzzer]

Tina smiled and looked down at the tack box she was sitting on. Her hands played with the black Stetson in her hand. She was the type of person that always had to do something with her hands or she'd go crazy. Her fingers traced along the rim of the hat and she looked up to see Mikey smiling. She smiled back. He was probably laughing at her stupidity. She chuckled and clapped mental hands. Way to go Tina. You made a fool of yourself in front of a cute guy, who, who, just happens to love horses. Smooth move shortstop. She scowled at her thoughts but continued to smile at Mikey. Her mind did some pretty weird things.

When Mikey pronounced he was blind her eyebrows rose. That wasn't something you normally just said. Out of no where. She watched as he laughed at himself and flushed a light red. A smirk popped up on her lips and she nodded. "That must suck," she spoke with a nod. She wouldn't pity him. She honestly didn't, and he didn't seem like the type of person to respect or want pity. She smiled at him and stood up. Staring down at her stuff then looking at her watch. Shit. She had to clear this stuff up and put it away cause she had a lesson to teach in 30 minutes. She guessed at least one of the students milling around was hers.

"Wanna help me move this stuff to the tack room. I gotta teach a lesson in thirty minutes and i'd love to continue listening?" she asked and smiled at him. Shrugging and giving him an apologetic look. She picked up a few of the wraps she had finished and a few multicolored saddle pads. She listened to him speak about his horses while she walked to the tack room. As she hung up the pads and put the wraps away she nodded. "Wow, you seem to really love working with your horses. It seems you really enjoy your western sports too. Do you work with cattle and ride bulls as well, or do you just stick to the timed events?" she asked and walked back to the stalls. Tina nodded to him as he spoke again. "Yeah, i hear that. I just got here today and its been so hectic. I still have to move in to my house, I have lessons to teach, another horse of mine is supposed to be here tomarrow. It seems like there's never enough time for just being with the horses." she spoke passionately. She truly loved her horses and she was very passionate about them.