Nothing But Time(Alexia)

[sofia]

An excited palomino mare danced along side her owner. Sofia jiggled the lead rope, the mare was not bothered by it and just continued her little game. Reaching the barn, Lullaby called out to the other horses, would you quite that. Sofia gritted her teeth and put the mare in the cross ties, slipping the blanket off the mare, she ran her hand down her coat, she had no need to groom the mare besides her mane and tail. Sofia hung the blanket up and grabbed her groom box. She was going to braid Lullaby’s mane and tail to keep it from getting tangled and dirty on the trail ride.

Today they were going to take the longer trail, the one that took several hours to complete, she did not mind at all nor would Lullaby, the mares attitude was not going to be a problem, Lullaby was going to work today. The last couple of days Lullaby had thrown her off and refused to work, for being thrown off Sofia now had a store bought brace on her left wrist. The last part of the mare’s mane was now securely in a braid, all that was left was the tail. Sofia ran the brush threw it, the braiding was easy compared to this, the end of the tail had a knot in it. What were you doing that you managed to knot the end of your tail in one night?

Soon enough the knot was undone and she braided it, the mare was tossing her head and fidgeting, I know you are excited but would you let me finish getting you ready, with out your tack or boots we are not going. The mare stopped and lowered her head and nudged Sofia, she bent down and fastened each boot, reaching up she patted the mare and put the pad and English saddle upon her back. She was not yet ready to bridle her because she was going to lunge her before they rode out. Sofia left her mare there and went to the tack room to put ever thing back and grab her lunge line and whip, the mare she knew was content so she deiced to take her time and look at some the horses on her way.

[britsue17]

Shane entered the stable in his old faded ripped blue jeans and a dark green fox racing shirt. His Ipod was blasting "One in every crowd" by Montgomery Gentry. He looked around at the various horses while heading to Buck's stall. As soon as he got to Buck's stall he immediately stoped. He knew he shouldn't be surprised but he was. His horse could be the only horse that could get so dirty in one night without a blanket on. As soon as he collected his thoughts he continued on into the tack room to get Buck's groom box, western saddle and saddle pad, bridle, breast collar, and boots. On the way back he recognized two horses, Rocky and Chic. So his cousin was here. Interesting. He started making plans to contact her later.

As he got back to Buck's stall he put the groom box on the stable door, his saddle on the saddle tree, his bridle on the saddle horn, and his boots on the tray under the saddle. He opened the stall door and Buck tried rushing out. Whoa. Shane said in a deep even voice. The stallion hesitantly backed up back into his stall on Shane's cue. He scratched the stallion's withers whispering "good boy" as he did so. The stallion immediately calmed down and went into a relaxed position.

Shane grabbed the rubber curry comb out of Buck's groom box and worked from his neck down to his tail trying to get the mud, bedding, and who knows what out of his coat. The process was very slow. After a solid seven minutes he finally got mostly all of it out of his coat. He switched the rubber curry comb for the hard brush and started brushing all of the uprooted mud and dirt from Buck's coat. After that he grabbed the soft brush and brushed his face down to his legs all over. Shane took a step back as he was putting the soft brush back into the grooming box. That's much better. He told the stallion softly.

He grabbed Buck's royal blue saddle blanket and laid it on the stallion's back. He followed up with the saddle and didn't tighten it up very much. He snapped the breast collar on and then grabbed Buck's royal blue boots and tightened them up really good. He grabbed the bridle and hung it on the saddle horn. Shane grabbed Buck's halter and lead rope from the stall door and put it on him. The stallion perked up really fast realizing that it was riding time. He opened the stall door and lead Buck out.

After the stallion cleared the door he shut it and locked it. As the stallion walked out he got very upbeat and started prancing. Whats up with you boy? He tried to keep Buck calmed down but he just wouldn't get calmed back down. Shane thought some lunging would straighten him out. He lead Buck towards the outside trail and nearly ran into another girl with her horse. Oh! Sorry! He said pulling out his headphones and pulling the stallion to an abrupt halt at the same time. The stallion kept trying to reach out to the other horse and Shane kept pulling his head back.

[sofia]

Sofia reached the tack room and went rummaging through her tack box for her lunge line. Soon she found it and started walking back, Lullaby did not need the whip because she was abused with one and the mare still had not gotten over her fear. I made my way back noting that there was on other here in the barn, I just walked past him and his horses stall, I need to get going if we were going to be back before night fall. I reached Lullaby and she was content just standing there, I smiled and patted her neck. Sorry girl it took a little longer then I thought. I scratched behind her ears and patted her neck.

Clipping the lunge line on to her halter, I un clipped the cross ties, grabbed her bridle and started to walk out but that guy almost ran into us, I knew this was not going to be good, Lullaby reared and landed she went to do another rear but I was quicker, she snorted and side stepped, quit it. its fine no harm done im Sofia and this is Lullaby. I smiled well if you would like you can join us in lunging and a trial ride. I turned Lullaby and walked to the large ring were I closed the gait behind us.

Alright girl lets go. I clucked and she began to trot, snorting and tossing her head, I jiggled the line and she quit, she tucked her head and put effort into her trot, un like the days before. I made a kissing sound and she picked up a canter, she kicked out a few times but once again settled into the canter. I wondered if the guy was going to join us he was pretty cute and he had to be around sixteen which was not bad, I was eighteen. Easy girl easy. She came toward me and stopped, good girl. I smiled and patted her, I switched the halter for her bridle, slipping my left foot into the sturip I mounted and began trotting her around, praying she would behave and I would not go through the air.

[britsue17]

Shane watched as the other mare reared. Buck just looked at the mare as if she did something really terrible. He pinned his ears and reached out to bite her. Shane yanked on his bridle and backed him up half a horse length. Sorry again. Hes not used to being challenged. He's more dominant than most stallions. Shane shook his head while he was talking. Why do you have to be such a handful? He thought to the stallion. Shane listened as the girl introduced herself and her horse. As she invited him to ride he jumped at the chance. It'll be good for Buck to learn his manners. Especially by a mare He smirked. Of course me and Buck would love to come. I'd be happy if Buck got taught some manners by your mare to. he laughed a bit.

He watched the girl lunge her horse. He figured he should do the same with Buck but he told himself this morning that this was going to be a lazy day and not a hard-working day. Lullaby moved very well, he was impressed. Apparently so was Buck. He couldn't stand still. Shane was getting tired of it and hopped on him. He started doing mini exercises to make him listen and pay attention to how he moved his feet instead of the mare. After five times of kicking out he finally got the idea and calmed down. Shane then lessened the complications as a reward and stopped Buck to see if he was finally calmed down enough to walk next to the mare without bugging her. Shane was pleased to see that he was. Buck just looked at the girl and the mare in an over-excited way but nothing to cause the mare distress. Maybe a little irritation. Shane felt the same way when girls looked at him in an over-exited way. (ooc: thats not to your character lol. just in general)

The girl definitely looked older than him which he wasn't that big on. He was guessing eighteen or nineteen. Shane didn't really like older women that much. They expected to many things and for their boyfriends to be well mannered around all their family. Shane was but his last girlfriend threw a fit everything he had a little fun. She sure didn't last long.

Shane finally got Buck 100% in control and he looked at her. You ready? he asked her.

[sofia]

So far so good, so she figured the mare was good and ready to go on the trail. They walked over to the gait and she opened it and guided the mare through once on the other side she closed it. She patted the mares neck, good girl see it was not that bad. She patted the mare again and noticed the thin layer of sweat, she sighed loud noises spooked and made the mare nervous, Lullaby was even scared of storms. Sofia moved her away from the gate and then brought her close again, just to let her sniff it and know that it was not out to hurt her. Alright we are ready to go, let’s just hope it stays nice.

Lullaby set off at a walk, Sofia dropped the reins and took her brace off. She rubbed her wrist and then slipped the brace back on. Sofia had learned young that she could not always expect everything she wanted and she could thank her aunt for everything that she had now. Yes it may have been her parents who gave her consent to buy ghost but her aunt bought him for her, her parents money went to them going a vacation leaving them behind with out supervision, at this time Sofia was ten and already looking after her younger brother Joey who at the time was two. it had to stop, she needed to go to school so her aunt came to the aid.

Sofia now just ignored her parents and they ignored he back. She sighed again, so how long have you been here and im going to learn your name? She turned around and smiled and then turned back to face the front, she may be older but she had a good mind set, she often thought of her aunt use to tell her take what you get and don’t throw a fit. Sofia still lived to this. She yawned and relaxed slightly everything would go wonderful today, she could feel it.

[britsue17]

Shane watched as Sofia led her horse out of the gates and started walking towards them. He watched her take off her brace and confusion swept across his face. He decided not to ask about it right now. As she continued walking she looked deep in thought and her face took on a very interesting look that made Shane giggle very quietly for a few seconds. After the mare passed them Shane made Buck do neck flexing exercises to get his mind back on working, not trying to impress the mare. Shane could tell the stallion was a little flustered that he was not getting his way today. Sorry boy, but you have to learn: there's more to life than girls. Shane laughed at the fact he used the same phrase girls used. Usually all you here is: there is more to life than boys. And that was the truth because, being fair, there is also more to life that girls when it came to the boys side of things.

Shane clucked to Buck to send him at a slow jog after the mare. Remember to keep your distance Buck! Or else your gunna get a face full of the mare's feet. He thought silently to himself. He imagined how frustrated Buck would be if he got taken down by a mare. Shane was sure that would do nothing for the Stallion's pride. Shane's day-dreams got interupted when Sophia started talking. How long have I been here? He thought to himself. A day or two maybe? He was never good with time, or dates for that matter. My name! Of course! He said dramatically trying to make her laugh. That was his favorite thing to do: make people laugh. My name is Shane Rider and to be honest with you, I have no clue how long I've been here. It has to be less that three days but I don't know the exact date. He said and then returned her smile.

[sofia]

I listened to him as he spoke but my attention was also on Lullaby, who seemed just a bit out of it. I only hoped that she was not going to try any thing but hope was all I could do. That’s ok if you don’t remember I have been here a week, met a few people but kept mostly to myself and showing my aunt the stables and such. I chuckled, my parents could care less about me, they always blew there money on other things besides me and my brother but my aunt was there, I guess you learn to take what you can get and don’t have a fit about.I chuckled again and focusing back on Lullaby.

I asked her to canter, thinking that may help it did some what, that was until a rabbit came darting out in front of us and Lullaby spooked and threw me, I landed with a thud but at least I landed on my butt and not my back. Then I stood quickly and brushed myself off, Lullaby had bolted and I could no longer see her. well this was just great, I knew she would find that water and that was not what I needed. The saddle coasted my aunt some money and I did not needed that getting ruined but water enticed Lullaby.

I brushed myself off some more, my left wrist which was in the brace hurt severely but I would still refuse to go to the doctor, I had most likely just sprained it severely again on top of the one that had happened last Tuesday. I sighed, I could not be angry at her but I could be frustrated and that was what I was feeling right now frustrated. All I could do now was wait for Shane to catch up and then ether I was going to have to walk or maybe we would think of something else to do but for now I was worried about Lullaby and just where she might go.

[britsue17]

As he listened to her talk he felt sympathy for her. His family was a typical family: spoil your kids when you can but when you cant make them deal with it. As she shared her thoughts on "take what you get and don't have a fit about it he totally agreed. He shook his head all the while she was speaking. She would be a good friend he could already tell. They had alot in common.

After her mare started to canter it took only one stride to get Buck excited and jumpy again. He let Buck follow at a slow lope and they slowly lost ground. Buck got abnormally excited and Shane thought it was because of the mare but then he saw the rabbit run out in front of the mare. He knew what would happen before it happened. As he watched Sofia fly through the air his brain could think of nothing but watching. As soon as she landed and he pulled himself together he cued Buck to gallop over to her. Buck was excited to run and he did just that. He was irritated to stop when Shane told him to. He wanted to follow the galloping mare.

As he watched Sofia brush herself off and rub her wrist he thought that she needed to go to a doctor. It was already in a brace and that fall couldn't be good. He could tell she was a bit frustrated and he didn't want to anger her more. Do you want us to hurry and go catch Lullaby? I'm sure it won't take long, that's Buck's favorite game: chasing other animals. Then we could come back and get you. I even brought an extra lead rope just in case we wanted to tie them. Luckly i had it even though were not going to use it like that. He hoped she would say yes but he kept it to himself. He'd really like to have a good run with Buck since it had only been a few days and he knew Buck being the boy that he is wanted to go chase the mare. Although that would be fun for both of them it would also be tricky. Buck definatly had to watch how he acted until they got the mare caught. They didn't need to scare her off into another galloping frenzy.

[sofia]

I took my helmet off and ran my hand through my curly blond hair. Shane and buck came up at that point and he seemed some what worried I could see it, I knew it was my wrist he was thinking about. I sighed, it was totally fine I did not want to give up riding for how ever long it would be, I lived for my horse and she for me. yes you guys can go and get her just be careful she’s not to keen about stallions, I may have to tell you that story later. I smiled, ah yes lullaby and her super secret hatred to stallions.

Nobody knew about it unless there stallion had met and been taught a lesson by sweet little lullaby. It brought me back to the first time I got her, I was watching her in the pasture and talking to Taylor and physic her stallion was being a typical stallion and trying to put the moves on Lullaby but she had nothing to do with it until I was leading her into her stall and Physic and Taylor came walking by and I was a bit unprepared for it but she Bit Physic so hard that it was bleeding and Physic squealed so loud we had everyone there.

I had to keep myself from laughing out loud, at the memory we were both laughing at Physic and his girly behavior, I looked back up at Shane also laughing out loud about a memory would make me look like a crazy person. I sighed and started to speak, so its settled you guys will get Lullaby, that’s if she does not first try and hurt Buck. I held in a laugh because Shane really did not know how bad she was, anyway if she does try and hurt buck, give her this, I held out a bag of apple slices, it keeps her occupied and her mouth full, she only bits.

I smiled again and went to sit on a rock that was off to the side. I just wanted him, Lullaby and buck to return in one piece, I hoped Lullaby would be on her best behavior, if not that’s what the apples were there for. I yawned and now I guess I had not gotten enough sleep last nigh oh well I did not feel tired, I looked over to them gave them a thumbs up and took my brace off to get the rocks out from the inside.

[britsue17]

Alright! We'll get here for you! Shane said excitedly. Buck could feel Shane's excitement and he started prancing around. Shane tried to calm himself so that Buck would settle down but it wasn't working. Sofia got that look on her face like she was thinking of something and a few minutes later she got a big smile on her face. He wanted to know what made her smile but he knew Buck and him had to go get Lullaby before she got to far.

As Sofia finally got back to reality she gave him a bag of Apple slices. Buck tried to be sneaky and reached out for them. Shane tugged on the reins slightly and Buck got a disappointed attitude about him. Don't worry. You'll get plenty of treats if we get this done. Alright, we'll go and get Lullaby she shouldn't be far. Shane dropped the reins and slightly tapped on Buck's sides to get him going. Shane hoped the stallion would want to go and find the mare instead of just walking on. Shane's hope didn't last long. Buck kept walking along the trail looking back slightly probably wondering why we left the girl there. Shane sighed and picked the direction he thought would be best to go and look for Lullaby. He looked back at Sofia one more time and she gave him a thumbs up. He smiled and laughed for a second.

Shane kept leading Buck in what Shane thought was the right direction. Buck and him walked around for at least twenty minutes until Buck finally started showing signs that something was close. Shane only hoped it was Lullaby and not some wild animal. Not two minutes later Shane saw a flash of a Palomino coat trotting past them towards a small stream. Shane heard the stream to his right. Of course! The mare would've gone for water! Shane felt a bit stupid for his lack of common sense. Shane reached in a large saddle bag on Bucks left hip and pulled out his lariat. Buck got excited right away. This was Bucks favorite game after all.

Shane guided Buck towards the stream slowly behind Lullaby. He knew the mare knew they were there. She kept stopping and flicking her ears this way and that. Shane was trying to be patient but he was so excited. He was thinking of ways he could approach the mare and rope her to put the least amount of stress. He wondered if the lariat was even needed. If he ground tied Buck and walked up to the mare would she stand still for him? He thought about it for a minute and decided to give it a try instead of immediately putting stress on her.

As soon as Lullaby reached the water she looked around and lowered her head to drink. Shane took this time to try and catch her. He slowly got off of Buck, trying to make the least amount of noise and grabbed the Apple slices from the small saddle bag. Shane took two good sized pieces out and held them in his hands. Shane put the bag and the rest of the slices in the saddle bag so they wouldn't startle the mare as he approached. She gave the mare a wide space as he walked to her right side so as not to startle her and send her galloping off. As soon as he got as far to the right as he dared he held the apple slices out in front of him and slowly walked towards her. Whoa girl. Easy now. He kept repeating in a deep soft even voice as he approached her.