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Post by Story on Mar 29, 2013 11:12:55 GMT -7
Apollo was more than pleased to have a bit of attention, socially grooming Ashkook in return but stopping in surprise as he was headbutted lightly. He'd played with Rizzo in the past, so he figured this was no different. His heavier body bounced toward the palomino stallion, tossing his head in delight. He was in a pretty good mood already, so having a horse that normally would pick on him actually playing, this was wonderful!
Rizzo seemed unimpressed, merely returning to her grazing. Ryan laughed aloud. "Sorry, Ashkook. Doesn't look like you're having much luck here. The only one that could possibly be interested can't see your wonderful display," He teased. "Bummer." His smile faded. Phantom would never get to have her own herd the way Apollo and Rizzo had it. Sure, she might graze with them now and then, but they knew she was different. Phantom didn't care though. She sought Ryan out, bumping her nose into his shoulder before stopping. Oh, good, he was there.
Callie let out a playful growl, writhing beneath the setter. When he licked her muzzle, she playfully snapped, clipping her jaws close to his long ear, though her plumed tail was waving and thumping on the ground. She barked and scrambled up as soon as she'd managed to off-balance Rhett. Her agile frame whisked out of reach as she waited for him to chase her.
Slate pinned his ears at the ropes as they once again touched him, but he was more interested in the food than the stupid ropes at this point. Nell hadn't tried to hurt him. What would make her change now?
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Post by Horse on Mar 29, 2013 11:21:42 GMT -7
One of Ashkook's ears flicked towards Ryan when he spoke up, but other than that, he turned away from the boy to half-rear at the gelding, ears pricking before he circled around Apollo, playfully nipping at his flanks and dancing back out of the way, tossing his head, causing his forelock to bounce into his eyes. He snorted and arched his neck, waiting for the gelding to make a move. The stallion was sure a sigh, his golden hide glittered in the autumn sun, the color of the sun when it was setting, just dulled a bit. His mane and tail were long and tangled, bouncing and cascading when he moved. Despite being rather tame, he still held the air of the wild about him. He had a rugged beauty that could steal anyone's breath away.
Rhett took off after the deaf Border Collie, letting out a growl as he jumped over her. He was lean and muscular, his coat gleaming in the sun as he bounced up and down, attempting to try and tackle Callie again. He barked, ears pricking as he went into a playful motion, pawing at the air with ehtuniasim. He shook out once before grabbing up a stick and following Callie still, tail waving in the air.
Nell continued to stroke the stallion with the rope, again, murmuring something under her breath as she did this. After awhile, she stepped back, eyebrows furrowing. She still needed to gain the stallion's trust around his head and legs. That would make both of their lives easier.
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Post by Story on Mar 29, 2013 11:58:26 GMT -7
Phantom began to graze, moseying along between the playing gelding and stallion. Apollo halted at once to avoid crashing into the blind mare. Once she was clear, he bounded toward Ashkook, rearing as well. His coat was a deep red-bay coloring with high white stockings and a blaze, as well as inky black mane and tail. He was gorgeous and strong, body chubby but still muscular. He was somehow overbearingly soft though. Too much like a teddy bear. Phantom nearby was smaller and lean compared to him, though her body was muscled by the work that Ryan did with her. She was confident in being ridden with Ryan, though still somewhat reluctant to have the tack put on. It restricted her, or so she seemed to feel. She behaved well, though.
Slate let out a huff, turning to gaze at Nell with his dark, intelligent eyes when she stopped rubbing the menacing rope against his side. He stepped closer to investigate the rope, nose brushing against it. It just lay limply in her hands. It wasn't like a snake as he'd thought. It wasn't alive. It was merely manipulated by a human's hands. How odd.
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Post by Horse on Mar 29, 2013 12:05:53 GMT -7
"See bud, it isn't going to hurt you. It's just a rope. You better get used to them real fast, or there may be some problems that arise. Huh? We need to get you back into shape, but I'm going to have to be careful with your heart problem." Nell murmured as she let the stallion investigate the rope, eyeing him warily. "You're a good boy, huh? Would you mind if I put this around your neck? Or would you try and kill me if I did that?" Nell knew her words meant nothing to the horse, but she was a blabber, whether if it was animal, or human. Eli constantly teased her about being a chatter-box, and always told her to shut up.
Ashkook tossed his white mane, arching his neck and pawing at the ground before he swung his butt around, bumping into Apollo, but was wary of Phantom. He knew that the mare was a bit off, and he was careful when he was around the paint mustang. Ashkook gave up on his antics and rested his head on Apollo's back, as that is where he could reach. Ashkook was rather short, but he was fast and stocky, and made a great cow and ranch horse.
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Post by Story on Mar 29, 2013 12:27:10 GMT -7
"Quite the bunch they are, huh, Ratch?" Like Nell, Ryan often talked to all of the critters. Most notably, he talked to Callie, which seemed normal enough until one recalled that the Border Collie had never heard a sound in her life. She was stone deaf. However, it still felt natural to talk to her and the animals. It was a reassuring thing. However, Ratchet merely gazed back at him for a moment before lowering his head to rest on his paws again, amber eyes closing. "Aww, cheer up, pal. Things'll look up. He'll be home eventually."
Jared, though wounded in combat, had insisted on going back as soon as he was declared fit to. He had been allowed to, which he counted to be good. He had a country to serve and he wasn't going to let a flesh wound come between him and his duties.
Slate showed no reaction to the sight of the rope. He'd decided it wasn't too bad, after all. Whatever. The stallion lost interest in whatever Nell was doing, lowering himself to the ground a few feet away to roll in the dirt. He'd clipped all of the grass short over the summer, though dried patches still remained.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2013 12:35:17 GMT -7
Anne noticed Ryan after a while of standing there and talking to Bone. A smile twitched on her mouth and she found her feet carrying her in the boy's direction, where he seemed to be getting love by plenty of horses. Stopping a few feet away to check out the crew, she extended a hand to Rizzo before walking casually up to her friend.
"Hey!" She grinned cheekily as she wrapped her arms around his neck. If it weren't for the sake of the horses, especially Phantom, she would have made the greeting a bit more melodramatic. But she kept it cool so as not to spook any of them. "Haven't talked to you in forever." She smiled, folding her arms over her chest and arching a brow faintly.
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Harley watched the two play from a distance, flicking an ear and growing uninterested as he lost attention. The mutt shook out his hide and jogged off, nose dropping to the ground.
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Post by Story on Mar 29, 2013 12:50:21 GMT -7
Ryan couldn't help a small grin that appeared as his friend approached. "Hey, Anne. How've you been?" He inquired curiously as he returned what he at least thought was a hug. Rizzo approached slowly, head bobbing as she too decided to get in on this little lovefest. The Andalusian was rather nosy and mainly affectionate in terms of humans. Other horses? Not so much. Again, she really only cared for Apollo and occasionally Phantom. Humans were good enough for her.
Ratchet's amber eyes peeked open and he automatically looked for the other human male that had become Anne's constant companion, aside from Harley. When he didn't see either, he just closed his eyes again, heaving a sigh as he eventually drifted off. Before much longer, his paws and flanks began to twitch and a low growl spoke of the lack of peace in his dreams.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2013 13:06:11 GMT -7
"Good." Anne's grin remained in tact as he reciprocated the friendly gesture, but still faltered the slightest into a small smile. "You?" She glanced over at Ratchet and finally frowned. "I think he's still mad at me." She observed as she extended a hand to pet Rizzo. The black mare was probably one of her favorite horses in the pasture, and she had ridden her and Apollo a time or two. The girl missed the days she was out and about every day, working all the horses she knew or playing fetch with her dogs or shooting the breeze with her friends. She was going to make up for it; the teenager loved having something to do. Though most liked to sit around and be lazy, which she did too on occasion, Anne was a ball of energy and always needed something to keep her entertained.
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Post by Horse on Mar 29, 2013 13:28:26 GMT -7
After another moment, Nell wound the rope around Slate's withers, murmuring encouragingly and telling him how good a boy he was. She rubbed his neck as she did this, ensuring that he knew that the rope wasn't a threat, and it wasn't anything to get worked up about. After a brief heartbeat of having it around his neck, she wound it off and took a step back to gauge his reaction.
[Sorry short, getting ready to go hangout with friends.]
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Post by Story on Mar 29, 2013 14:58:51 GMT -7
"I'm doing great! I'm always busy though, between chores and caring for three horses and two dogs." Ryan chuckled, nodding toward the group. He took care of Apollo, Rizzo, and Phantom, Callie and Ratchet, though the German Shepherd allowed him to do little more than give him a bathe now and then. The dog ate but with little gusto. Often times, the greedier dogs would get most of his meal. "I don't think he's mad at you. Dogs don't hold a grudge. The only long standing emotions a dog has are love and fear. I think he cares about you still, but he's probably missing his real master." The teen pointed out calmly, blue-gray eyes troubled. "I'd be sad, too, I suppose if I were in his position. He's a good dog though. He doesn't leave them alone. Jared would take care of them. I guess Ratch just wants to keep an eye on them."
Slate had stiffened, eyes widening and ears pinning back as he stared at her. Was she nuts? The stallion eventually drew away the moment he was released. He was not happy about all of the ropes, especially wrapping around his neck and withers. That was just unacceptable!
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