A Relaxing Day {Open}

[argentina]

Rose walked up to the stables. Her head was down and her green eyes where focused on the ground. As she stepped into the stables she heard a soft nicker and looked up and smiled. Rose picked up her pace until she reached Bailey she opened the door and wrapped her arms around the horses neck. "Hey girl ready for a run?"

Leading Baily out of room she tied her to the post. Leaving her for a minute Rose walked to the saddle room a grabbed what she needed and saddled Bailey. Just as she was about to climb onto Bailey she could hear foot steps coming up from behind her. She froze and slowly turned around to see who was walking up to her.

[MICHAEL DANVERS]

Michael was leading his dappled gray warmblood named Artemis. He had been out riding a bit. Michael had bought Artemis a year after his divorce. His english saddle creaked a bit as the horse gently plodded along beside him.

The horse gently omitted a gentle snort. He spied a young girl beside another horse. He smiled at her.

"Sorry to scare you. Been out riding. Its a nice day out for riding huh?" he asked softly as he led Artemis to a fence and tied her reins there. He had been renting the stall here at the farm for a long time now. Michael began untacking Artemis and put the saddle on the first fence board. He began gently grooming Artemis and cooling him down. He turned to the girl.

"You ride here often?" he inquired of her curiously. he watched her and waited for her to reply.

Artemis shifted her weight and flicked her long banner. She bobbed her head, loving when Michael was grooming her with the curry brush. She just loved the attention.
Michael got out the hose and easily wet her down. once he was done cleaning her up, he dried her really well and ran the curry brush over her dappled coat again.

[argentina]

Looking up my eyes locked onto a tall blond guy. He was leading a dappled gray horse towards me. I think he was maybe twenty five or twenty six. The guy had short blond hair that was combed back. Bringing my right hand up I brushed my hair out of eyes. I had never seen him before but that wasn't strange. Since me and dad just recently switch stables. I just didn't feel safe in the last one any more. As he began to speak I forced a small smile onto my face. But an idiot could tell it didn't reach my eyes.

Oh it's ok don't worry about it. Your out early. I thought I was the only one who came out this early." He seams nice and there are allot of nice people out there. Not all people where like Mark.

I stepped back towards Bailey and petted her nose softly. "No me and dad just moved Bailey here. I was unable to keep her at the last stable. Things where uncomfortable there for me. She's been here for about two weeks now. I come out every morning before school. On the weekends I spend all day with her. How about you?"

Putting my right foot in the saddle I hauled myself up and sat comfortably. By the looks of it the man cared for his horse allot and took great care of her. It was nice to see. I always had an easier time trusting someone if their good to there pets. Do you mind if I ask you your name?

[MICHAEL DANVERS]

Michael grinned up at the young girl.

"The names Michael." he said cheerfully. "And this lovely girl is Artemis"

He motioned to his mare. He watched her hoist herself up into the saddle. Once Artemis was cooled down, he put the english saddle back on her back and fastened the girth. He lowered the stirrups and slid his left foot into the silver stirrup and effortlessly hoisted himself into the saddle. He gathered up the reins and gently clicked his tongue.

Artemis plodded slowly toward the young girls horse and stopped. Michael glanced over at her.

"What's your name?" he asked softly. "And I generally come later on, but this morning was a bit more stressful so I came out early this morning" He said. He shifted his weight, causing the saddle to creek. He loved the smell of horse, leather and hay. It was so calming.

"That's rough though to just move" Michael said softly as he inhaled deeply. "I know a good trail that leads through a small patch of woods. I go through here often so If you wanna follow feel free" Michael said and gently nudged Artemis forward. The dappled mare moved softly, walking along gently, her ears cocked back to listen to Michael.

[argentina]

I watched as he finished cooling his horse down before putting everything back on. When he said his name I tilted my head slightly. It was a very common name. At least he didn't say Mark. A shiver ran through me at the thought of him. "It's a pleasure to meet you Michael. I'm Rose." Giving Bailey a slight nudge with my feet she started to slowly walk forward.


As Michael began to speak again I stopped Bailey and looked at him. "I'm sorry you are having a rough day." Join the club, I added silently to myself. "I know what you mean. Bailey helps me calm down as well." Michael had no idea how hard it really was. She was just glad that she wasn't showing yet. She was two months along and with out her shirt you could see a slight swelling. She always wore baggy shirts so it hid it for now.

As Michael started talking again I forced myself to listen. "Oh sounds nice I think I will if your sure you don't mind." I gave bailey another nudge and we slowly started to fallow Michael. I was a little nervous being alone with him but he feels safe some how. "So how long have you had Artemis? And how long have you been riding?" I hope he doesn't mind me asking but I was curious. Plus I feel safer around strangers when I know at least a little about them.