Cross Thoroughbred Racing Facility

[Horse]

_{LuLu shook out her mane and nickered lowly, side stepping once before growing still. The filly's muscles were tensed, waiting for instructions from her owner. Sadie cleared her throat and stared at Alexander for a long moment, eyebrows furrowing. She just nodded, not trusting herself to talk, because most likely, her voice would crack, and she would somehow convince herself that this wasn't worth it, that she shouldn't ride again. Her hands were still shaking on the reins, but she she took the Russian's advice, she visibly calmed down. "Let's just get this over with." She mumbled, nodding her thanks to Alexander. She kicked LuLu into a trot, one, to warm up the filly, and get her used to the familiar bounce of the horse's step. Her jaw was still rigid, but the second nature of riding she had gained from a lifetime of riding kicked in, and she relaxed a little more.}

[Story]

_{"Take it slow. You do not need to full out gallop today. Start at walk down track. Just think about it all." He said quietly, giving her his best suggestions. Eerily enough, it was just like what Adam suggested once. What he'd done often. You start slow and keep practicing. "You can do this..." He coaxed, eyes clear and expression calm. If he could go three months without so much as a single freak out, publicly, at least, then she could get past her fear, too. He didn't say anything at the time because he didn't think it'd help. It didn't matter. "She may want to run, but keep her at a walk. I can run her later, if you want." He said quietly, patting the roan colt's neck. He was familiar with the faint chestnut hints in his grayed out coat. "You are good horse."}

[Horse]

_{Sadie glanced over her shoulder as she slowed LuLu to a walk. She let out a slow breath, eyebrows shooting up. She shook her head. That wasn't going to work. She'd tried it, time in and time out, and every time she eventually got up to a gallop, she would freeze, panic, and take a step back to a point she would have to start from scratch again. She just... She needed to get over the point with the gallop, confront it now, or it was never going to happen. "I've tried that.... So many times... I... Need to do this now. It's now or ever." She explained quietly, eyebrows furrowing to a point where a line of stress formed just above her frightened, ocean-blue eyes. She looked forward again, gazed straight ahead at the dirt track framed by Lu's black-tipped ears. Her heart threatened to leap out of her ribcage.}

[Story]

<sub>"Don't gallop today. Just walk. Just walk today. Tomorrow, walk again. Then trot tomorrow after. Build slowly, okay?" Alexander continued to talk in an ever persistent and calm voice. "If you just start out running sometimes, it is bad. You have to learn to walk again, basically. Start from the beginning, just like the first time you started riding. You weren't thrown on a horse and galloped, were you?" He recalled that he pretty much was. Skya had thrown him onto Res's back and sent him off running.

Celestial Zephyr snorted and turned around in his stall, pacing. He was agitated about something or another, but then, he hadn't ever been restful since returning to the facility. His coat was slick with sweat though and his eyes rolled now and then. He kicked at his stall door, letting out a call. He was actually seeking Adam out this time around.</sub>

[Horse]

_{Sadie stared at him despretely, fearing this faint longing that beat along with her heart would flicker out and die if she just... Didn't get this over with. She had it rationalized in her head if she did the thing that she feared the most, it would help her conquer it. Yes, she was terrified of just sitting on Lu's back, but was it really the fear of riding, as much as falling? She didn't want to get hurt again, but evidently, it was going to happen again. She took a deep breath and shook her head. She needed to do this her way. She relaxed slightly, closed her eyes, and before she was ready to do anything, whether that be walk or run, or even just sit there for awhile, LuLu snorted and spooked a little. She sprang forward, ears pinned back as she zigzagged for a few yards before settling out in a full, fleeing gallop.}

[Story]

<sub>Alexander swore softly in English, rather than in Russian as he often did. He nudged The Mighty Fitz softly and allowed the colt to bolt after the filly. "Get 'em, Fitz. Catch the filly. Catch her. Get her." He murmured, hoping he'd be able to catch up to the cherry bay filly. She was definitely a daughter of the Triple Crown winner, that's for sure. "She's fast. C'mon. Pretend this is mud," He murmured in Fitz's ear.

[Short post. Uh...I have an Aiden that's been drinking?]</sub>

[Goldie]

Ethan whooped and hooted on Rebel's back. "So, where do you want to go tonight?" he said with a big grin as he slipped off of the mare's back. He waltzed over to Ever and Lyric with a prideful smirk playing on his lips. "So, how does you're butt feel? 'Cause me and Rebel just kicked it, Miss Faith." he tugged Ever down and ruffled her hair "Let the teasing begin!"

Zoey grinned at being called Nala-like. She made sure she loosened her arms and held onto Adam's shirt instead. "Can we eat popcorn instead of chicken? I like popcorn." she asked excitedly. This child adored popcorn. She rested her chin ontop of his head then wrinkled her nose. "You're hair smells like horse slobber."

[Horse]

<sub>[Sorry, both of my characters are occupied D:]

LuLu's ears pricked forward after a few moments of running. Sadie's entire mind had gone blank, and mainly, she was just clinging on for dear life. Her heart thudded hollowly and her hands had grown sweaty. LuLu's breath came in loud snorts as she propelled herself forward, unaided by Sadie, who was just along for the terrifying ride. LuLu was defintly her father's daughter, and she was fast. Coming around the bend however, something clicked in Sadie. Her eyes widened for a moment, she could breath, which was an improvement. She shifted her position, and adjusted her grip on the reins. She glanced under her elbow at Alexander, eyes wide. She let LuLu run for a few more moments before pulling on her head. LuLu grunted, a quiet sound and slowly, and it was barely noticeable, but slowed from a break-neck gallop to a canter.</sub>

[Spotify]

<sub>Ever's was furious and it showed,"That was pure luck.. If Lyric wouldn't have stumbled.."she trailed off, shaking her head. That race should've been her's. It was suppose to be as easy as taking candy from a baby. A few select curses escaped her mouth as she was dragged down from her horse's back. Ever was anything but pleased.

Ever's eyes shot daggers at Ethan and her look was absolutely venomous as he ruffled her blond curls. Finally, though her posture relaxed and she shook her head,"You cocky bas----."she said, though a grin appeared on her lips. She collected her horses reins,"I'm gonna give her a rub down. She earned it."she said, patting Lyric's side. She smiled,"Where ever you want. Just tell me what to wear."she said, a devious glint entering her gaze.</sub>

[Goldie]

"Don't be a hard loser," Ethan purred in her ear, eyes glinting handsomly. He gave her a peck on the cheek before turning on his heel and leading Rebel to the stable to cool her off and let her rest.

[gah short >.>]