Accompany Me (Leland x Amy)

[$*Crazy*$]

Finally after a few minutes the bunny reached his hidey hole and Angel snorted finally her attention going back to Dutch. The black mare was curious nothing was in sight besides Dutch and Amy so there for her eyes were set on him and she didnt move cause Amy and t he stud were coming her way. Leland wouldnt pull her in cause she was stubborn and so right now he would let her do it since she was in a new environment and so the mare nickered to Dutch again swishing her tail nares flaring out as she breathed in the variety of scents in. With that Leland held the rein firmly figuring Amy was up to something. "I know she is odd but god s hes never chased a rabbit before sometimes I worry about her" Leland laughed somewhat serious in this. "I think she wouldnt mind stretching her legs she does that when she gets ancy" he said moving her over some watched as Amy winked and him causing his jaw to drop boy talking about horses being odd this woman was too and he snickered and pulled on the reins holding Angel back as Dutch and Amy got a little ways ahead of him. Angel did circles trying to follow but Leland held her firmly and waited.

Angel snorted in a complaint pawing at the earth as she watched her lover runaway from her or so she thought and she was not happy. Leland help her in check and took her in quick circled the mares head keeping Dutch in her sight. Then he turned her situating himself in a comfortable position and soon he decided to nudge her it would take much before she lit out like a bat out of hell. She nickered digging up grass and dirt as the powerful freight train took off. Hooves thundering on the ground in syn nice fluid gate and it was powerful needless to say Leland had a lot of people after Angel just for her size and sheer fluid movements. She would make a wonderful broodmare. Leland was in in the saddle like a cowboy holding on had his seat and soon Angel was right beside Dutch slowing her gate some to keep steady pace with Dutch.

[<Amy>]

Trusting Dutch to keep his footing on the trail, Amy risked a glance back toward Leland and Angel. She laughed when she saw the mare going in unhappy circles, snorting and lashing her tail. The poor girl was head over heels for Dutch and would probably follow him if he ran over a cliff. Dutch snorted, looking around for his companion but finding her not there, the stallion's step faltered until a sharp tap on the side got him back in rhythm. Dutch had his neck arched, big hooves moving with a self-assured ease over the ground, fluid but powerful. Not fast and long-legged but big and powerful, more or less the opposite of his owner.

The sound of Angel's hooves joined Dutch's and when Amy glanced to her right, she found Angel galloping alongside them like a second shadow. Leland made her laugh, looking like he was about to be either thrown to the side or fall backwards off the saddle, holding on for what looked like his life. Amy, being in an English saddle rather than western, was sitting up rather than leaning back and had enough balance to let her attention deviate just long enough to flash a smirk at him.

Clicking her tongue, Amy flicked the reins. Dutch swerved left and cantered off the trail into the trees. Thanks to the types of trees that grew in Virginia, the forest was sparse enough that a Noriker could navigate the trees without running into one. Amy felt rain caught in the leaves of passing plants catch her jeans but ignored the cold sensation. Being a big ol' draft made for mountains, Dutch could more than handle a little "off roading" in familiar territory such as this. Amy smiled as the stallion swerved around an oak tree and jumped a half-rotted fallen log.

She had no particular path in mind, just letting Dutch do what he wanted more or less. Marking for the cutting crew could wait. She and Dutch needed to have their fun and at the moment there was a hot, yes she thought it, hot guy and attached mare galloping along on their tails. Oh yes, she wasn't going to miss this. Amy may be professional but she was overdue for a day off.

[$*Crazy*$]

Leland was just happy Angel was happy no longer showing her butt cause she wasnt near Dutch. He sighed lightly getting used to the quicker gait though she being a big horse she were definably powerful and he could feel her muscles underneath his saddle. His grin broadened oh he was having a blast of his life one of the best moments galloping beside a friend with a lovestruck horse oh the joy he would like it better if it were the other way. Angel snorted lightly watching curiously and reaching out to touch his neck with her nose. Angel was sure footed and had good gripping on the earth between horse and man. Leland would have to emergency dismount of Angel decided to follow Dutch over cliff he wasnt that deep and laughed about that it would be interesting to tell a girl you would jump off a cliff if she didnt believe you. He was waiting on Amy to do something else again and she sure enough did catching him slightly off guard when she swerved away from the happy Angel who followed in pursuit of her huckleberry and Leland just laughed and thought about his pride that was fixing to be sore. He gritted his teeth and let Angel lead.

Into the wood horse and rider went it felt fluid but he wasnt going to lift his head he liked his head didnt want to be beheaded anytime soon. "Angel you stalker" Leland laughed into the mares' ear as she broke into a quicker gait sailing over the fallen tree in their path and Leland holding on to his pride. He was not much to skilled in Dressage but he could do it with the proper saddle western was not it. He would be overly thrilled to know Amy thought he was hot soon Angel was on another row of trees beside Dutch he felt like they were racing and he didnt want to lift his head still it wasnt safe. Plus smell of water hit his nose and he worried they were going to crash into a stream or a creek more than likely Angel would run right through it like it was nothing like the big locomotive she was.

[<Amy>]

Oh yes this was fun. Definitely a good day-off activity even though technically it wasn't Amy's day off. Either way Amy had to lead by example for her students. Letting Dutch get big and fat in his stall wasn't good so why not let him go on a wild gallop through the woods with his "girlfriend"? Sure Amy had the bonus of said girlfriend having an attractive rider but that wasn't the point. That was what she assured herself as she listened to the two horses crashing through the forest like bats out of hell.

Angel drew up again alongside Dutch making Amy laugh when she caught sight of Leland. Poor guy looked like his pride was taking a beating along with his attempts to stay in the saddle. Amy grinned wickedly, hearing the Bowing Creek up ahead.

"Easy Dutch" Amy murmured to her stallion, tightening her grip on the reins.

The trees parted and the wide Bowing Creek appeared before them down a slight embankment. Being a deep and fast moving creek, Amy had no intentions of going through it at a solid gallop. She leaned back in the saddle, pulling the reins to bring Dutch up at a slower pace without swerving and making Angel accidentally run them flat. Dutch braced his big hind hooves and shifted his weight back in an attempt to stop, swerving sideways as Angel sped past them.

Amy yelped as she overbalanced and for the first time in at least a few months went off the saddle. Amy hit the ground on her back, winded and rolling to the side quickly so Dutch wouldn't accidentally stomp on her with this big feet of his. The Noriker nickered and shook his mane, turning his head to look at his owner, the ground behind him a bit scuffed up from his "brakes."

"Good boy" Amy muttered, grabbing a sturrip and using it to pull herself up. Looking around, Amy looked for what had become of Angel and Leland. Either they went through the creek or stopped like Dutch had because going through the creek at a gallop probably wasn't the smartest idea since it was pretty cold, deep and fast.

[$*Crazy*$]

True Angel shot past them Leland getting a glimpse of Amy pulling back on the reins. Leland looked toward him and of they went into the creek but he had stopped Angel in time. Though he had considerable break on Angel just not Leland he could have flown but he didnt land on his butt he landed flat on his feet in deep mud mud that tried to eat him. Angel was watching him curiously on the bank like she was laughing at him. Leland reached forward with long arms grabbing his rope making a makeshift lasso putting the loop around the saddle horn help get him out since it was eating him like quick sand so he figured it was sink hole. He was calm needless to say. "Alright girl" he said clicking his tongue Angel flicked her harks forward and turned putting her back into the pulling motion the mud making a sucking noise as Leland was pulled from the mud. He sighed having lost his boots in the process. He looked at his sodden clothes "oh Angel you have some awesome brakes" leland admired that. However he didnt admire his clothes or his lost boots so here he was in muddy clothes and socks. He sighed.

With that Leland walked Angel and himself over to Amy who seemed to put on the breaks to. "Well that was interesting needless to say" she said suddenly glad he had a change of clothes in his saddle bag and even shoes. Angel was inspecting Dutch lipping his harks gently nickering to him. She hadnt even broke a sweat and Leland had he was practically panting. "You okay" Leland asked Amy it looked like she was fine however he looked like he had been wrestling pigs which he did not approve of and he turned around expecting his back and grunted. "UGH my clothes oh well" he grinned good natured.

[<Amy>]

Ducking under Dutch's neck, Amy caught sight of Leland and had to bite her tongue to not laugh. Putting a hand up to her mouth to hide her smile, Amy watched Angel pull her master free of the deep mud. Apparently there had been some pretty good suction because when the rest of Leland came up, his boots which had probably been on the expensive side, didn't. From the knee down, Leland's jeans were caked in mud and soaked through. How he had landed on his feet, Amy had absolutely no clue. Some crazy law of physics probably. Holding Dutch's reins, Amy watched the slightly younger man come out of the water and look himself over.

"At least its just mud and water" Amy said, not quite able to stomp out the amusement from her voice. "Could be worse."

When Angel loped over to Dutch, Amy grabbed her reins though she doubted the mare would wander while in heat with a stallion right there. Leading both equines over to Leland, Amy passed Angel's reins back to him and couldn't help but smile, brushing her dark curls out of her eyes.

"You could have gone face first into the water and then we'd really have a problem" Amy joked, patting Dutch's neck as the stallion leaned over to tug Angel's mane gently.

The stallion went about gently probing the mare's shoulders and chest, lipping her mane and whatnot. From what Amy could tell he was just making sure she was ok. For whatever reason he was probably thinking she was one of his herd now since most of the horses he considered his herd. That and he seemed to genuinely like Angel, though the heat scent she was giving off probably was helping them both get to like each other more.

Going to the edge of the creek bank, Amy crouched down and reached over to a bush that was growing at the very edge of the bank. She snagged a piece of plastic caught in the twigs and looked at it with a frown. Seemed some of her students would need a talking to about destroying the plastic bright orange markers she put on trees meant to be cut and hauled to be sold to a local mill.

Coming up behind her though, Dutch lowered his big head, curious as to what Amy was doing. The chocolate stallion pushed against her back, trying to get Amy's attention when...the human toppled forward.

Amy's eyes widened but she didn't have time to scream or even yelp before she overbalanced and went into the water. The water wasn't over four feet deep but Amy landed on her stomach, head under before jerking herself up and scrambling to try and get her feet under her, splashing water everywhere while Dutch stood on the bank, startled but oddly not shamefaced in the least.

[$*Crazy*$]

"AHAHAHAH mud and water its like clay it was trying to eat me that evil mud" he laughed and then pouted. She didnt even try to help "were you gonna leave me there to die" he asked pursing his lips trying not to laugh he was so random and scratched his head "yea your right its true it could have been way worse but no fun in that now is it" he grinned watching Angel curiously. "I don't see why she is so interested in him what does he have that I don't" he grinned hoping she got what he was saying. Leland had his own mind on other thing petting Angels and picking up her large legs making sure she hadnt sprang anything in the process of stopping but she was fine. "Well well Angel it seems we come to a stand off between rider and stubborn steed" he said wiggling his lips showing off his acting talking to a Angel like she was a person. He petted the mare turning and watching as Amy went over to the bank he was thinking about pushing her in but her own horse beat him to it and Leland frowned. However he pursed his lips but sputtered out a laugh slapping his kneed knocking mud off.

"I guess Dutch didnt think you dirty enough" Leland snickered looking at the stud looking like he hadnt done anything wrong. Leland pulled Angel with him and slowly stopped laughing lending Amy a hand to help her up. "You okay" he asked trying to keep a straight face but failing miserably. Instead he settled for a wide grin and wouldnt be surprised if she punched him but hey it was funny. They might as well have went mud wrestling. He held onto Dutchs' reins petting the stallion for his good job and even Angel for her bad job now they were both wet. "I am so happy I have extra clothes" he snickered.

[<Amy>]

Amy crawled out of the water onto the bank, grabbing Leland's hand and pulled herself up. Her jeans felt heavy with water and mud, no longer pale blue but a dirty brown and dark blue in the few spots where mud didn't cling. "Well, Dutch wouldn't know what I'm like dirty, I don't do that sort of thing with animals" Amy said easily. She gathered her long dark curls and leaned her head to one side, trying to wring the water out of her dark hair that now felt like it weighed ten pounds. Of course now that her impossible hair was wet it was curlier and kinkier than normal and not utterly impossible to do anything with.

The tank top Amy had been wearing clung tight to her stomach and chest, her jeans slightly low on her hips due to the weight of the water. When she gave up trying to wring out her hair, her hair fell in kinky tendrils around her face, curled in some places and nearly straight in others because of the weight of the water in it. Peeling off the denim jacket she'd been wearing, Amy sighed, eyeing the mud splattered material, now just wearing her white tank top and muddy low-slung jeans.

"I used to love this trail" Amy commented dryly, still eyeing the jacket. "Now I'm thinking not so much."

Unlike Leland, Amy didn't expect to go into the waters of the Bowing Creek and thus had not packed extra clothing or footwear. Nope, she had brought the can of spray paint, a bottle of water and an apple as a treat for Dutch while on the trail. Other than that she had just the clothes on her back until she could get back to her apartment and get a change of clothes. Maybe she could clean up in the lounge first or go to the wash stalls and spray the mud off her jeans before going home to change so she wouldn't get mud all over her truck.

Standing next to his mud-splattered mistress, Dutch snorted and lowered his head to sniff around in the grass. He didn't graze though because it was uncomfortable for him to graze with a bit in his mouth. So, raising his head again, Dutch slung his head over Amy's shoulder so his head was next to hers as if asking for forgiveness despite looking like he was laughing on the inside.

[$*Crazy*$]

Leland watched her and let her use his hand to get up. Pulling her up with a graceful ease that men had when helping a woman to her feet. Angel watched curiously at the human fold and nudged Dutch lightly nickering to him lightly quite bored at the particular moment. leland really always packed in case of emergencies you may come across some stranger who needed clothes or you got stranded in the dark. He had come prepares like a good little boy scout which he wasnt. He began going through his stuff and oddly found box of poptarts "mmmm poptarts you want one" he asked curiously sticking one in his mouth as he pulled a shift out and a pair of jeans even a new pair of boxers and boots. " I always come prepared never know what going to happen. "Oh if you need a shirt or something just dig in there I'm going to go change be right back" he said dashed away like a lemur of some sort finding a secluded area wouldnt surprise him if Amy was trying to get a look at his moon since he actually had a butt. he changed quickly and it wasnt too long before he came back clad in fresh clothes and folded the dirty ones and put them in the empty pouch on the side. Then with that he put his foot in the stirrup and waited on Amy.

[<Amy>]

Amy rolled her eyes and didn't bother watching Leland go. She instead folded up the sopping wet jacket and tossed it over Dutch's saddle. She had no intention of taking one of Leland's shirts nor was she going to ride in wet jeans. Ever tried riding in wet clothes? Not comfortable. Nope, she would hike back to the stable, try to clean up and then head home. She didn't need any rumors going around the stable that she wasn't just trail riding with Dutch or that she had a "secret stud." That just wouldn't do. Digging in Dutch's saddle bag, Amy found a bandanna and used it to dry of her arms a little.

"You know, I'd like to see you fall in a creek" Amy said to Dutch making the stallion snort. "Then again I'd like to see what made you fall in the creek ya big oaf."

Dutch snorted and swished his tail, a silent watcher and patient companion for both Amy and Angel at the moment. He entertained the mare but playfully tugging her mane and lipping at her muzzle in what Amy could only call a kiss.

"Oh please! Dutch, no making out" Amy said, taking a step toward her stallion only to feel a familiar ache flare in her right knee.

Wincing, Amy rubbed the sore joint absentmindedly. Either walking would make it go away or make it worse. Hearing the sound of Leland coming back, Amy turned and grabbed Dutch's reins. Without saying anything, Amy gave him a tug and started walking toward the direction they had come from, ignoring the wet denim around her legs and the wet top clinging to her belly and chest. Almost Marine style, Amy focused on other things rather than the bad or uncomfortable things.

[$*Crazy*$]

Angel liked the attention meant all for her and she lipped Dutchs' nose nickering to him flicking her tail back and forth swatting at the pesky biting flies and mosquitoes. Angel lifted her head as her rider approached slightly happy but more interested in Dutch whom she seemed more than attached like a jealous girlfriend who didnt want her boyfriend out of her deadly eye sight. Leland was going to speak to her about clothes that she was going to have some severely chapped legs. He raised an eyebrow at her my she was moody but that was okay she still had a nice body and he got a better view since she was wet. leland was a guy isnt that what guys did even the most nicest sweetest guys wouldnt mind looking at these round buns of steel. He grinned and shook his head pulling his foot out of the stirrup and sighed women were so stubborn these day and he wondered how he did this with girls all this time. So good-natured Leland sighed and trudged after the quick hiker Amy breaking into a job Angel trotting happily after him nickering softly.

Leland finally made it to her side and stopped with a stomp and went back into his usual gait watching Amy curiously. "Whats wrong did I say something I wasnt supposed to if I did I apologize" he said curiously wondering why she was in such a damn hurry. He hoped she wasnt mad about him offering her clothes because he was just being nice after all which Leland was when he wasnt being pervy horn dog. He sighed and was thinking about grabbing her arm but decided against it he didnt feel like getting hit which would probably be what would happen and frowned in response to this. However he had a glimpse of mischievousness to his dark brown eyes as he got a faint picture of him throwing her over his knee and popping that nice firm butt. Leland had to tell him to stop fantasizing about stuff like that he didnt even know if she was interested in him or matter of fact being his friend which he wanted to be if not more already. He sighed lightly and shook his head she reminded him of the painted wild mustang filly out at his parents ranch who couldnt be broken or could she he said to himself raising an eyebrow curiously.

[<Amy>]

Confused that Amy didn't mount, Dutch hesitated between staying and going. Finally the dark stallion began to trot after his lady, aware of Angel and the other human following along. The big bear of a stallion snorted and shook his flaxen mane, nickering and stomping a hoof in confusion. If Amy heard her stallion's complaints at her odd behavior, she gave no indication but kept walking.

It took a moment for her to pause and look over at Leland and Angel, Dutch standing at her other side. "It's not you" Amy assured him, raking her fingers through her wet curly hair. God she hated her hair sometimes. When it was wet was defineitly one of the times she hated it. "I just don't need kids at the stable spreading rumors if I go back wearing a guy's shirt." It was a half truth. Amy kept telling herself that half-truths were better than whole lies. Well...then again whole truths were better than a whole lie or half lie but the whole truth was embarrassing. Amy hated mentioning her epic failure and utter embarrassment that laughed at her before it rained and was currently making walking a literal pain in the knee.

Whenever her knee got around to aching or it was going to rain, Amy would hear experienced staff whispering about her moodswings or when she'd snap at a student for something that was absolutely rediculous. Amy didn't like pain just as much as she didn't like early mornings or morning at all. It made her cranky and irritable, plain and simple.

Dutch snorted, coming up to Amy's right side. Dropping his bridled head, Dutch bumped her knee with his velvety nose making Amy flail her arms to keep from falling over when her knee tried to give. Grabbing Dutch's mane, Amy held herself balanced and frowned at the big draft. "Nosy" she muttered, half loving and half actually irritated by the stallion which was very rare to hear. The chocolate stallion snorted and bumped her leg again. This time Amy grabbed his halter and guided his head up, frowning at the stallion, even rarer than her irritability toward him. "I just...want to get back to the stable quickly and it's just the legs of my jeans that are wet, its not too bad to walk."

It just hurt and she didn't want to ask for help to mount her own horse. She hadn't had to do that in years. Not since her dad had actually gone to competitions with her when she'd been...what? Thirteen? Amy knew from experience if she tried to mount alone with her knee aching she'd probably fall on her butt. Hell would freeze over before Amy would willingly ask for help from a guy she barely knew to mount her own horse. Yes she realized walking back would hurt mor but....hell a girl had to keep her pride about her right?

[$*Crazy*$]

Angel snorted and carried on beside her stallion Leland not having to hold her reins she wasnt going anywhere. Since Leland wasnt on her now she was very energetic and lipping at Dutch she was really interested in and loved to tease and play with. Angel tossed her massive dial chin touching her wide barrel. her wide hips swaying back and forth as she walked with a considerable gait to seem like she was flouting about her rump. Who could blame the mare when she was heat and was looking for a suitor to breed with and flirting was entirely in the question. She snorted and pulling on his flaxen tresses nickering tot he stallion tossing her wide head playfully as she looked back to Leland curiously as to what he was doing it seemed like he was deep and thought. The mare snorted and trotted forward proudly her harks perked her long black tresses pulling on the ground as she cantered forward in a smooth gait you wouldnt think such a large horse could have. The mare reared on hind limbs showing her fake wild side as she came back quickly and right back beside Dutch like the clingy affectionate girlfriend.

Leland was watching Amy with big brown eyes worrying about her. She seemed now slightly on edge like something was terribly bothering her and that in turn bothered him. He even allowed Angel to go ahead of him as he watched Amys' legs and when Dutch moved into her knee. He frowned at this wondering if she had hurt it in the fall and no matter what she said he would fight her stubbornness and stick her upon Dutch and go on their merry way Leland leading the way. He smirked and he knew he was probably fixing to get whacked but it would be good to get that pressure off her knee or knees whatever the case. He sighed and rushed in scooping her up in his masculine arms carefully placing her on Dutch situating her comfortably and he grabbed Dutchs' reins. "Sorry Amy but I can see your favoring your knee and I dont think it needs pressure on it" Leland said with a casual grin running his hand through his thick brown wavy hair. "Besides when we get back to the barn I will even allow you to kick me in the rear but right now I dont want you to walk that whole way with a hurt leg" he said he was sincere about that and wanted her to keep off of it even if it meant getting the crap knocked out of him.

[<Amy>]

Ok later Amy would admit the sound she made was extremely girly but entierly called for. It was somewhere between a yelp and a scream/squeal of surprise. After all, how many girls had a guy going up behind them on a regular basis and literally sweeping them off their feet before placing them in the saddle of a sixteen point two hand stallion? Not many. Amy fumbled for Dutch's reins but settled for clutching his mane to keep from either falling forward or falling backward, sitting in a side-saddle fashion on Dutch's back.

Surprised by his mistress's odd sound, Dutch twitched his hears and snorted, half shying when Leland grabbed his lady. Shaking his head unhappily, Dutch let out a deep nicker that sounded oddly like a reprimand toward the man but stilled when he felt Amy nearly loosing her balance. Snorting once more at the man, Dutch fell still and quiet, shifting his weight a bit, not used to a rider sitting sideways in the saddle.

Amy shot a glare at Leland that likely would have taken his head off if she were Cyclops. Luckily for him Leland she wasn't a mutant and also not able to shoot any other sort of death beam from her eyes, no matter how much she wished she could. God it would make her life easier. Plus she could have that pretty head of his mounted. Wait...bad thought! Stomping on the weird thought and shoving it into the background, Amy focused on staying irritated at Leland, not thinking that he was cute and it was a little nice that he'd actually noticed she was limping and hadn't ignored it though it did bruise her pride.

"Do you do that to every girl or just the ones you want to annoy?" Amy asked icily though he words had lost a bit of bite thanks to her surprise. "Besides, its nothing, just a little twinge."

There she was again, irritable and telling half-lies. Yes it was a twinge but no it wasn't "nothing" but Amy wasn't going to tell him that. Below her, Amy heard Dutch snort and saw the stallion shake his flaxen mane, most likely to free it from Angel's nibbling which he endured patiently.

"I think instead of me kicking you I'll let Dutch do it" Amy added as an afterthought.

[$*Crazy*$]

Even though he grinned at the squealing she was doing like a little piglet. Leland swore under his breath thinking he didnt know Amy could hit such a high note leaving him almost deaf in his left ear. However now she was planted Dutch who looked like he would want to take a nip out of Leland as well. The poor Leland sighed he was in going to be dining in hell later tonight. She however wasnt to happy with him what was wrong with her she was in pain and he could supply her with some Tylenol atleast. Either way they had a long walk back and Leland would need it.Well everyone here hated him except for Angel who didnt care at this particular moment causing Leland to sigh. Great just great and he listened to Amy ranting at him like he was some idiot but he took it like a man not letting it ruin his pride. Leland knew he was going to be in for it especially the way she was glaring a him. So he had to look for his charm in the future into wooing Amy to get off his back. Right now though he could swear those glares he was getting from her was boring thick flaming holes into his back.

Leland laughed at what she had asked "um no just you cause you cause I always wanted to save a damsel in distress" he said with a grin shaking his head. He lead the two horses forward keeping in mind to watch his step as well though stumbling was something he did often but he was always clumsy so it was okay. Leland turned to look at her with soft brown eyes "A twinge? still it seemed like it hurt and there's Tylenol and water in my saddle bag if you want some" he said caring for her well fare unlike some guys who would have let her walk the whole way back and who were very unobservant. He laughed then when she said she would get Dutch to kick him and he shook his head "my Amy your so mean to your knight in shining armor I was expecting more of a kiss on the cheek" he said ducking his head for anything she may chunk at him.