light o f my [ L I F E ] [ onzy/open ]

[Sync]

Her fingers threaded through her chestnut locks and tied them up into a pony tail for the twelfth time in the last ten minutes. Finn had asked her to meet him at Campbell stables, apparently he had a surprise for her. He was yet to show, and she couldn't help the burning fear in the pit of her stomach. Sure, she liked Finn. Even beginning to trust him a little. But that didn't mean she could control her nervousness around him, he could still hurt her when ever he felt like it. Her mind tried to scream over her gut feeling, telling her she was just being stupid, but it was sadly being drowned out. Wringing her hands nervously, she then pulled the elastic band from her hair again. A slight wince slithered through her as the material caught in her long locks, but it wasn't out of pain. More of habit really. It sounded stupid, but now when she knew things were supposed to hurt, she winced. At home, it meant that she'd suffer less beatings. It she sat there and took it, which she probably now could, it would go on for hours. In all reality, it took a whole lot to hurt Charlie now. She had an impossibly high pain threshold, something she didn't pride herself in. She hated the way she'd gained this 'ability'.

Charlie had hidden herself away as she awaited Finn now, there were too many people passing her by and it was starting to freak her out. Nobody seemed to notice her around the academy, and twice two people had gotten too close to her. She resisted the urge to scream, it was an instant reaction. The proximity was something she had never been able to handle, usually when someone was that close to her it meant one of two things. Beatings or molesting. Neither of those things did she ever want to experience again. The girl began to shake visibly when she heard the sound of approaching feet. She held her breath, hoping not to give herself away. Her eyes closed tightly, but the vocals that sounded made them open again. She released the air stored in her lungs with a gush, relief colouring her pretty features. "There you are Charlie! I've been looking for you for ten minutes. Come on, I have a surprise for you." Finn rambled in a swift mass. Charlie nodded her head slightly, a small grin tugging at her lips. She followed him silently, he often told her how creepy it was that she didn't make any noise when she walked.

They came to a sudden halt outside a random stall. Charlie looked around in confusion. This wasn't Fever's stall, Finn's mare. She was right next door though. Fever herself was looking into the stall they were stood outside of, her own expression curious. Charlie looked to Finn, the same confusion written on her features. He grinned, causing Charlie to smile a little too. But still, what the heck was going on? She decided to ask him just that."What's going on Finn? Why have you brought me to an emp-! Oh!" Before she could finish, an adorable cranium appeared over the door. His coat was thick and fluffy, light gray in coloring. He wore a cheeky expression that made him just too darn cute. Charlie broke into a huge smile, but it quickly turned into a frown. "I can't afford him Finn, I have no money." Charlie said softly, angling away so not to see the pony. She didn't want to get attached. Finn just smiled. "Oh, you don't have to worry about that. He's already paid for, he's yours. But you owe me, so for two months you're helping me with my chores around the barn. And, of course you still need to ride Ripple as much as you do Carlo." Finn told her all the information before she could but in, knowing that she would if she had the chance. Charlie seemed to mull it over silently for a while, before nodding ever so slightly. "Okay, okay. But don't ever do that again. I'm not worth that sort of trouble." He opened his mouth to argue, but she cut in quickly. "So, you said his name is Carlo?" she asked, successfully changing the subject.

Finn spent a while filling her in about Carlo's past and his personality. Charlie was fascinated, especially because she had her own pet. Well, there was Jock of course. But he was more like her best friend. Finn suddenly looked down at his watch and muttered a profanity. "Gotta go Charl, have some horses to bring in. I'll leave you to get acquainted with Carlo here, he's already been fed so you don't have to worry about that." he told her, already jogging from the yard. Charlie winced for him when he tripped over a stray bucket, but couldn't hold back the laughter. Shaking her head affectionately, she turned to face the nosy gray pony and murmured to him. "That's Finn for you. Has no control over his own limbs. You'll get to know him better Carlo, but it's our time now." She let herself into the stall and was surprised to see that he moved back to let her in further. Ripple always needed a little bit more persuading to move back. She began to run her tiny hand up and down the neck of the gelding, moving in soothing circles. Carlo seemed to enjoy it if the soft snorts and sighs were anything to go by. Charlie smiled gently, knowing that she already adored the plucky beast.

[Onzy]

Simon was once again hiding out somewhere, mulling over his own problems. Hayden was seemingly getting worse, and for some reason it was starting to show on Simon. He had lost a bit of weight, and his sleeping patterns were messed up once again. Even though it had been a while since the accident, the best of five months to be exact. Connor was also being a tad over protective after he had told his brother what had transpired at the party. Once again everybody was on high alert, and it was getting so bloody frustrating. All he wanted was some freedom, and he was getting that by hiding out in Doe's stall. The horse might have been Connor's, but his brother was out with SJ.

Doe had been gelded recently, but had lost none of his flair. The gelding sniffed at Simon before deciding that he had nothing to offer. Sorry boy. Next time, I promise, he said, petting the gelding. Clicking his tongue, he asked Doe to move back, and as always the horse refused. Tapping the gelding on his chest, Simon had to end up pushing the horse back. Still Doe refused, and he just left the horse. It would not help fighting. Wandering the stable aisles, he watched as horses reacted to his silent presence.

Then further down, he saw a familiar red-head at a stable not too far from where he was. He had seen Charlie around the College a few times, but never really talked to her again after their meeting in the park. He did regret it though, but to be honest he was slightly freaked out by the girl who had so clearly seen what he had been through. No one else really saw that, but she had, mainly because she had been through what he had. It was not something that was really discussed. Not even Hayden knew the full story. Sure Simon had told his boyfriend about what he had gone through, just not in the full detail of what had actually happened.

Simon made sure that he had made some sort of noise approaching the stall, alerting the girl to a presence. Morning. Long time, no see he said, his Irish vocals friendly, a smile already in place.

[Sync]

Footsteps. Charlie froze, her posture becoming painfully tense. They weren't Finn's, plus he'd just left. They were definitely coming in her direction though, she was very sensitive to that sort of thing by now. Her fingers found their way into Carlo's mane, running through it gently. The action soothed her a little and the gelding showed no displeasure in it either. She was tempted to bury her face into his neck, but knew that she had to face whoever it was. It couldn't be that bad, right? The footsteps grew closer, she flinched with each one. They came to a stop, she knew whoever it was now outside the door. Relief flooded through her when he spoke though, and she turned to meet Simon's eyes. A smile pulled at her own lips, but it quickly turned to a grin when his words registered. "Good morning Simon. Yeah, sorry about that time in the park. I didn't mean to be so direct." Her tone was anything but sorry, but she knew she'd freaked him out a little. She hadn't minded what so ever that he hadn't come to see her sooner, though she did like company. Her own schedule had been pretty full with the learning to ride and working with Ripple. Never loan school work. Plus the work load was about to get ten times heavier with Carlo in the picture. Speaking of Carlo, the nosy pony now at his head peering around Charlie and looking at Simon.

"Simon, this is Carlo. I just got him today." she introduced her new equine, pride ghosting over her expression. She already adored Carlo, and wanted to show him off. But, Simon was the only person she could really do that to. Scratching under the pony's forelock, she angled herself so that she was directed more toward Carlo than Simon. She didn't really like keeping the eye contact for too long. "Has anything interesting happened to you since the last time we spoke?" she asked softly, not wanting to pry really but Charlie was someone he could trust. They'd been through similar things in the past, and Charlie felt that she could talk to him too. If he asked her, she'd answer. She continued to trace her fingers along Carlo's face and under his mane. It calmed her, relaxed her even. Although she somewhat trusted that Simon wouldn't do anything to her, it didn't stop her automatic defensive air. With Carlo at her side, it somewhat dimmed.

[Onzy]

Simon grinned back at Charlie. It was a friendship that he valued, and he replied to her statement. It's okay. I like people who are direct. He watched as a rather plucky pony stuck his head over the door, and demanded attention. The pony would possibly reach his waist in height, but it was the cutest thing possible. Pleasure to meet you Carlo. Here's Céad Míle Fáilte to friend and to rover
That's a greeting that's Irish as Irish can be
It means you are welcome
A thousand times over
Wherever you come from, Whosoever you be he said in his Irish vocals, stepping forward to greet the pony, and reciting the Irish greeting that he so enjoyed giving out. And congrats on your first pony Charlie. he added, a twinkle in his eye. He still needed to acquire that first horse, but it would need to be one that was highly special.

He heard her question and a small frown crossed his face as he remembered the incident a few weeks ago. Not a lot actually. My step father is in town, and he somewhat attacked me in his drunk stupor, Simon said matter-of-factly. It didn't hurt him anymore to talk about the man that so ruined his life. To him, the man was dead, and the sooner the man disappeared, the better. It was just getting him arrested that was the hard part. What did hurt him though was Hayden, a worry wart at heart, and Simon couldn't help thinking that maybe one day Hayden would just collapse. Also Hayden is getting progressively worse. I can't help but worry, he said softly, his Irish vocals pained. We should go out on the trails sometime. I need to do something with Vic that isn't dressage work. Just let me know when though, he said. It wasn't that he was changing the topic, Simon was just scatter-brained enough to say anything that popped into his head.

So anything interesting happen to you lately? Simon asked, moving closer to Carlo and playing with the pony's forelock.