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Post by Story on Apr 28, 2013 11:38:44 GMT -7
Slate was leaning against one of the fences, trying to relieve an itch along his rump. He grunted now and then when he soothed an itch. The sun and dirt along his coat wasn't helping his itchiness. He'd need a true bath to really bring him some relief. He'd never had a true bath with the hose and horse shampoo and he wouldn't take well to that. He still wasn't halter trained, so the bath wouldn't be coming for a long time yet. His ears pricked when he recognized Nell's voice and he turned, pausing in his movements.
Ryan had gone out driving hours ago, having a little mission of his own that he needed to take care of. Eventually, his truck pulled into the driveway and Callie, having spotted the dust cloud in the distance and eventually her master's truck, came bounding over, barking up a racket.
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Post by Horse on Apr 28, 2013 11:44:41 GMT -7
Eli eyed her, eyebrows furrowing. "You crazy, girl?" He said, glancing around. The trees were starting to shift to colors of gold, blood red, and a violent orange. His eyebrows arched and he let out a gentle laugh. "Plus, the lake will be freezing. How about we go for a ride?" He asked curiously, tipping his head as he studied her.
Nell leaned against the fence for a moment as she studied the grullo mustang stallion. She brushed her bangs out of her eyes and sighed before bending down to pick up her grooming kit and approach Slate. She set it down again, on a rock that was near the fence. Nell wore simple jeans and a striped sweater and her old, worn, cowboy boots with a checkered design. "Itchy? Huh?" She asked, extending a hand to brush it up his neck and paused, cooing under her breath to the stallion.
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Post by Story on Apr 28, 2013 11:58:52 GMT -7
Slate snorted in response to her question, dismissing her words. He didn't pay much attention to her hand, focusing more on how his rump continued to itch. He proceeded to continue the motions of rubbing his big butt against the fence, blocky body swaying with the movements. The grullo stallion wasn't finding that the posts did much for his needs. They were a touch too smooth, not at all rough like the tree bark he'd use back out on the prairies, or the rough patches of dried dirt and grass that also sometimes served the purpose.
Ryan parked his truck, mindful of the way Callie ran through the parking lot, excited. "I was gone for a few hours only, Callie girl. Relax, wouldja? I'm here now." He held his arms out, accepting the Border Collie as she threw her light frame into his arms. He staggered back a step but caught her nonetheless. She squirmed in his grip for a moment before relaxing, tail wagging continuously. Once she was set down, Ryan commanded her to heel. She immediately took to his heel as directed, following as Ryan moved around to the other side, taking a few bags.
A pair of boots planted themselves in the red-brown soil and Jared Montgomery looked around the familiar lands warily, sharp eyes doing an automatic sweep as if danger might be nearby. The Marine was home.
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Post by Horse on Apr 28, 2013 12:07:45 GMT -7
Nell watched the stallion for a moment before sighing, moving carefully around to his side to push him away from the fence. "C'mon big guy, I'll scratch your butt for you." She muttered, though, her expression was rather amused at the mustang's antics to relieve the itch. She scratched at his rump for a moment, seeing if he would let him.
Carson stepped out of the Main House. He was dressed in a pair of worn jeans, a flannel shirt, a dark Stetson, and his boots. He was your typical cowboy, covered in dust and horse hair, and had an effortless walk about him as he glanced around the stable yard. He'd gotten work that Hared Montgomery was coming back to the ranch, and he wanted to go and greet the young marine for himself. The Director slowly approached, offering a hand with an easy smile. "Welcome home."
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Post by Story on Apr 28, 2013 12:17:49 GMT -7
Jared hadn't moved until Carson was standing directly in front of him. He blinked a few times before outstretching his hand as well, handshake firm as it had always been. "Thank you, sir." He responded quietly, almost managing a smile, though it appeared to be more of a grimace than a smile. Things weren't normal for him anymore. He needed time to readjust to his life. He bore signs of healing from recent injuries, movements a touch stiff, and some reluctance to stretch certain muscles. His eyes were dull and he seemed tired, but at the same time, he found sleep forever difficult to come by.
Slate didn't move, permitting Nell to do as she pleased. If she wanted to scratch him, he wasn't going to protest. The stallion's head began to droop, ears losing their rigidity, becoming more like the 'airplane ears' as he became content, lazy.
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Post by Horse on Apr 28, 2013 12:30:20 GMT -7
[Might take my dog for a walk soon...]
Carson studied the young marine for a moment before taking a step back, eyes glazed over in thought as he glanced over his shoulder. He was about to tell the young man to call him Carson instead of sir, but decided against it. "Your journey back went well, I hope?" The older man asked politely, taking off his dark stetson to run a hand through his silvering hair. He cleared his throat and let out a soft sigh before going silent, hazel eyes on Jared as he waited patiently for an answer to his question.
Nell continued to scratch the grullo mustang stallion's rear for awhile before moving around to grab the curry brush and slowly began along his barrel, murmuring soothingly to him and letting out a soft breath as she let her hands make small circles against his hide, loosening dirt, sweat, and bits of other debris.
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Post by Story on Apr 28, 2013 12:36:01 GMT -7
Jared nodded once before recalling that he probably should answer vocally. He didn't want Carson to think there was something wrong. "The flights weren't too bad. I'm just glad to be home." Something flashed across his blue gaze but disappeared quickly. "Is Ratchet still around?" He asked suddenly. "And Apollo and Rizzo?" He wanted to see his dog and the two horses he cared for. The Marine had fallen asleep in the truck, or otherwise become distracted and had hardly spoken to Ryan once out of the airport terminal.
Slate didn't move as Nell began to brush his side. It further removed itches he hadn't really even noticed, so he deemed it not worth protesting about. However, at some point, he grew irritable and nipped the air close to her arm, shifting away. He'd grown tired of the contact, grown bored. He wasn't going to stand still, though his side was only half-groomed.
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Post by Story on Apr 28, 2013 13:38:03 GMT -7
[//pokes insistently]
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Post by Horse on Apr 28, 2013 13:46:15 GMT -7
Carson nodded slowly and rocked back on his heels for a moment. "That is good, and they are around here somewhere, probably in the pasture or something." Carson said quietly, a small smile gracing his face as he glanced around. The air held a chill, not quite cold, but not warm either. Autumn was here, and it would be in full-swing in the next while or so. The trees were slowly starting to change, and the Director let out a soft sigh at the realization. Winter would be coming soon, and he wasn't that excited.
Nell had gotten part of his neck and barrel brushed down before Slate decided against being brushed, jumping back slightly when the stallion nipped at her, eyes narrowing for a moment. "Fine, grump." She said quietly, taking a step back to survey her work and glanced around before approaching again, murmuring to the stallion.
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Post by Story on Apr 28, 2013 16:34:19 GMT -7
Jared nodded again and quietly thanked both Ryan for picking him up and Carson for welcoming him back. After that, in the faintest southern drawl and a cracked voice, he excused himself, just wanting to settle back in and be left to his thoughts. He ran a hand over his short-cropped hair and quietly took his bags, carrying them toward the bunkhouse that he slept in. He let out a short whistle, expecting Ratchet to come running over, but the Shepherd didn't appear. Disheartened, he headed inside.
Slate merely walked again, shooting an annoyed glance at Nell. He didn't want to be brushed. Didn't she understand that? He stamped a hoof, ready to break into a run if she kept pursuing him.
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