Riding a High

[Âłíșōñ]

Luschka looked at the palomino essa in front of her. She was very tall--probably about 17.2 hands. This mare was a gorgeous girl with shining gold coat and a silky, cream mane and tail almost like corn silk. She smiled faintly as she examined the horse. As Lu looked into the equine's engrossing, deep, brown eyes she grinned wider and looked at the woman she knew to be the barn manager and Alpha Female of Validus. I'll take her. She smiled, proud of her new investment. She gave the young brunette exactly $4,000 in cash and pet her new horse--Aphrodite was it? Yes, Aphrodite.

Luschka led her horse to the cross ties and hooked her up quickly and practically ran to get her tack. She quickly tacked up, put on her helmet and went out to the incredibly large ring. Lu did not hesitate to hoist herself onto Aphrodite and then put her feet in the stirrups. She admiringly fingered the new leather English saddle with appreciation before she took off at a fast trot. She wanted her horse to get to know how she liked to ride before she pushed it too much--but then again she wasn't one to wait too long.

Lu kicked the horse's side and clicked her togue twice and smiled widely as Aphrodite started an easy and smooth canter. It was perfect. She smiled and steered her to a jump, delighted with the feeling of flying through the air. The horse and her were as one and as a werewolf they were even more connected. She placed a hand on the horse's shoulder lightly and she felt as if she had been shocked. She could feel the horse's thoughts buzzing through her head--same with it's emotions. She closed her eyes momentarily and smiled before opening her eyes again and laughing before screaming 'WHOO!!!!'. She was so happy that she had bought a horse and decided to relive her childhood pleasures. There was no feeling that could compare to this. Well actually there was ONE feeling but she was trying not to think about it.

She pursed her lips and touched the horse again. There was the joyous feeling again. She would defenitally be doing this more often. Lu giggled and smiled, closing her eyes. She slowed her beauty to a trot and then to a walk. Luschka petted Aphrodite's neck and sighed, still smiling. That was when she heard someone call her name. She snapped her head in the direction of the voice and smiled in responce to who she saw.

[Eri]

Catina parked in front of the stables, her car sputtering in protest before slowly dying as she twisted the keys from the ignition. Her car was a relic, much like the things she sold in her shop.

She opened the door, climbing out before eyeing the area around her warily. Her mother loved horses, and was hoping to visit and possibly go riding here. Catina loved horses as well, but had only ridden a few times and really didn't know much about them. She could ride, but it was more from instinct and desperation to stay on then actual skill. Her mother was a different story, but she still enjoyed spending the time with her. Since leaving home she had distanced herself from her family to protect them, and now they were trying to follow after her. She would have to prove to them she was fine and happy here, no matter what.

She didn't have full grasp of her new abilities, and her family was too important to endanger no matter how homesick she got.

She could hear excited shouting in the distance, but with her hearing it was probably farther than she could see. She sighed, well she might as well see if they rented horses for small rides. She wasn't sure buying one was the best idea, but borrowing would suit her just fine.

[grebe]

The dark-haired girl walked into the cobbled yard, holding the strap of her messenger bag to her hip. The bag contained her almost new riding hat, her jodhpurs, her boots and chaps. Her hair was up, which was quite rare for the sixteen-year old, and in a low but fashionable ponytail, so her hair stretched down her back, curling slightly in waves. Horses poked theirs heads over the stable doors, dropping hay from their mouths as they chewed. A small little black pony whinnied to her. Smiling, she walked over and greeted him, stroking his velvety muzzle.[yellow] I'm afraid you're far to small for me to ride.[/yellow] Giving him one last pat, she turned and walked to an open door on the other side of the yard, seeing an office. She picked up the pen and gave her signature. The owner here knew her well, so she felt no need to be around to supervise.

Kate changed quickly, and glanced at the list again. Gillian. Gillian, it turned out, was a huge 18hh dark bay gelding with a bit of a mean streak, according to the paper, and in the far stable on the left of the office. Slipping on her hat, she took the gelding's tack and hung it over the stable door, and took her first look at the horse she was riding. He was a Danish Warmblood, and 9 years of age, the owner had asked if Kate could take him out on a hack and start de-spooking him a little. Entering the stable, she heaved the heavy saddle onto his back, slapping him lightly on the nose as he reached around to bite her.[yellow] No.[/yellow] She said firmly. His bridle went on no problem, and soon Kate was mounted and squeezing him out past the arena, which enclosed a tall palomino mare and a blonde rider. Allowing a little time to warm up in the smaller ring to the left of the larger arena, she entered when the other horse and rider passed her. [yellow]You mind if I join you?[/yellow]

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[Âłíșōñ]

Luschka smiled warmly at the young girl. Sure, the girl wasn't much younger than she, but Lu was defenitally more worldly and experienced. Being as curious as she was, she took in the scents around her and made a few realizations. First, the girl was a human. Second, she had a lingering scent on her that was somehow sickeningly familiar but Lu couldn't put her finger on it. Third, the two were not the only homosapians on the farm. There was also a werewolf (Besides the stable manager of course). And fourth, but not least, this human girl was happy and loving the horse she was riding. Lu could just smell it coming off the girl.

Of course, you may join me. No need to ask. Chuckling a little bit the blond haired and blue eyed fae shook her head and observed this human. Though she was nothing compared to Lu, this human girl was awefully pretty for a human. Still smiling, Lu laughed a little and crossed her arms. How about a little friendly competion? She asked this kindly but inside she grew cocky, knowing she would win since she and her horse had a special bond being that, in a way, they were both animals. Luschka raised her eyebrows, waiting for her competitor's answer.

[grebe]

The huge gelding's ears pricked forward, and his head shot up as he laid eyes on the palomino mare standing in the ring. Kate leaned over his shoulder to get a better look at the other horse and rider. The mare was a sandy gold colour, her coat gleaming in the sunlight, her rider's hair was a lighter more platinum colour, but she was just as well-built at the horse she was riding. Sitting back into the saddle, she patted Gilly's neck and met the other girl's eyes. [yellow]Thanks, and a little competition sounds good.[/yellow]

Tilting her head to the side, she smiled at the blonde-haired girl. [yellow]Can I ask your name? I'm Kate, and this Gillian.[/yellow] Suddenly the human was overcame with shyness, this girl was so much more confident and more beautiful than Kate, she felt very small in her presence. Pushing away the uncomfortable feeling, the human girl lifted her head and beamed widely at her. Squeezing the gelding on, she began warming him up, enjoying the rocking chair motion of his canter, his long strides carrying them down the arena swiftly and smoothly. If I had the money, I think I'd like to buy him. Slowing and halting in the center of the arena, Kate waited for the other girl to finish warming up. [yellow]So, what kind of competition did you have in mind?[/yellow]

[Eri]

Catina ventured forward, walking through the stables. She liked the horses. They were pretty, and snorted in her direction when she walked past. She just didn't really know much about them, besides basic riding. Her boots crunched through the straw and dirt, and she paused at the opening to where the horses ran about with their riders. She could see two girls in the distance, probably a few years younger than her.

Her nose twitched, and she caught on the scent of both human and werewolf. She scoffed, wondering just how many werewolves she was going to meet within a week. Back home there were so few, but here they were left and right. It was calming, yet nerve-wracking at the same time. They looked to be very skilled riders, moving about smoothly.

Damn, am I the only girl in Romania that picked wrestling instead of horseback riding as a girl?

[Âłíșōñ]

Luschka chuckled and looked Kate. She brought Aphrodite to a hault right next to Gillian and Kate before holding out her hand and shaking Kate's without letting her oppose. I am Luschka Desmile. And this is my new horse, Aphrodite. She smiled her heart-breakingly perfect smile and gestured to Gillian. He yours? Of course she knew who this girl was and that she didn't own a horse, but maybe her all seeing eyes missed out on something....eh, probably not.

Sensing eyes watching her she flared her nostrils to take in her surroundings. The female werewolf. She looked back to see the beautiful girl standing and watching her and Kate. She smiled at the girl realizing this was the new werewolf in town. Catina..., her mind told her. She waved to Catina and then turned back to Kate. I was thinking walk, trot, canter, and jump. Freestyle. She cocked her head, still aware of the werewolf a short distance away. She wondered if they could be friends...all three of them...?

[grebe]

Kate put all of her long black hair in one hand and flicked it carelessly down her back.Luscka, what an unusual name. The teenager narrowed her eyes at the beautiful girl, trying to figure her out. There was something about her that made Kate a little on edge. Maybe she was a werewolf? The blonde girl clutched Kate's hand and gave it a firm shake, with no time for her to object. She let her eyes run over the mare she was riding. Aphrodite suited her perfectly.

She looked back up at Luscka and smiled, [yellow]I wish he were mine. I just don't have the money for a horse right now, but I will certainly be looking after him all the time.[/yellow] Kate nodded at her suggestion of competition. [yellow]Sounds good.[/yellow] The human followed her gaze around to the young woman standing at the side of the ring watching them. Waving, Kate yelled loudly across to her, causing Gilly to dance a little way toward Aphrodite and bump noses with her in greeting. [yellow]Hey, do you think you could set up some fences for us?[/yellow] She smiled too, hoping to get the pretty woman to help them.

[/center]

[Eri]

Catina returned the waves, though hers probably seemed a little awkward and less enthusiastic. New people were new people, and she always had trouble at first meetings. One of the girls hollered at her, though she probably could have spoken normally and she would have heard her.

She looked around, spotting the fences not too far away from her. She could smell that one of the girls was human, so she only picked up a few at a time instead of using her full strength. She had to be conscious of how heavy and light the pieces were to a human, which was something she still had trouble grasping. Within a few minutes though she had set up the fences, finding it easy to figure out. She was a mechanic and engineer, after all.

"This alright?" She called back, leaning back on her heels. She was now only a few feet away, and she could get a better look at the two other girls. They were both much taller than her, since Catina was very petite. Her nose told her the very tall blond beauty was the werewolf, and the other dark haired girl was human.