sneaking [ A R O U N D ] [ open ]

[Sync]

Remii peered into Lockwood stables, her breath caught in her throat. It huffed out painfully when she saw that Harry wasn't there. She'd been sneaking around all week, trying to hide the fact that she'd got another horse. Rowland was her new addition, the pretty Paint cross colt had already made her life a little brighter. Even though Whisper and Riddle had similar personalities to the youngster, they were just too big for you to cuddle with. Thyme was currently with her small herd in the pastures, he wasn't allowed in Lockwood stables. Remii slowly made her way over to Maggie first, the mare she cared for in Equine Reproduction. The mare was over due, but she showed no sign of discomfort and it was only by a couple of days. She seemed pretty happy actually, with pleased Remii. It was the most content the girl had ever seen the mare since caring for her. Remii gave her a fuss and a carrot as she stopped outside the stall, beaming when Maggie actually came over to the door and swung her head over it. Usually she stayed right inside. When Remii and Maggie heard the sound of approaching feet though, the pair flinched. Maggie immediately shrunk back into her stall and Remii looked around nervously. Another huff of relief left her when she realized it was just a groom. Not Harry. Her mind pondered slowly how on earth she'd managed to keep the news away from Harry for a week. But she had, and the feeling she had in her stomach wasn't pride. It made her think that she had to tell him soon. Very soon. Just not yet.

Saying a quiet goodbye to Maggie, she practically skipped over to Rowland's stall. The youngster strained to see over the door, his pink maw peeking over it. She chuckled silently, running her fingers lightly over the sensitive skin. The colt squealed with delight and latched onto her fingers. She winced slightly, knowing this would have to stop soon. A few of his teeth had already come through and even though he was gentle, it was just going to get more painful when the rest of the ivories do emerge. The action made her smile though. This colt was simply adorable. She eventually pried her fingers from his mouth and announced to him that it was feed time. His audits perked up and he gave a little snort, beginning to understand the tone she used and what it was associated with. She smiled softly and then went to the feed room where Rowland's bottle was situated. Leaning against the wall as the kettle boiled to warm the bottle, Remii looked around every now and then. She despised hiding things from Harry, but Rowland was a necessary secret. She knew Harry wouldn't like it when he found out, heck she'd already had two break downs. But Remii had a good feeling about Rowland, he was just what she needed. She thought back to when Whisper was just a colt, and how happy she'd been raising him. She wanted those feelings again, and Rowland was the one to bring them to the surface once more.

Walking back to her colts stall, she moved silently so not to draw any unwanted attention to herself. Since her antics at the party, more people had been noticing her. Weirdly though, she wasn't too embarrassed by the attention. It was just annoying. Letting herself into Rowland's stall, she giggled when she saw his oracles light up when they zeroed in on the bottle. You'd never think that this greedy bugger had a problem with eating before Remii got her hands on him. She offered the teet of the bottle to him and he latched on with no problem. She held it at a slight angle and he suckled on it hungrily. Remii just smiled, a smile that would give the impression of a proud mother. That, she was. The bottle was soon emptied, and Rowland's expression became sleepy. Remii chuckled softly, placing the bottle on the ledge outside the stall, before settling down against the far wall in the stall. Rowland followed, folding himself down beside her and placing his head in her lap. His blue eyes instantly shut, and though he wasn't sleeping just yet, he was very close. Remii's soothing fingers ran up and down his neck, scratching gently every now and then. The pair let out a collective sigh which signified pure peace, something Remii hadn't felt so strongly in a while. Then she knew, that having Rowland was the best decision she'd made in a while.

[Lottii]

Harry smiled as he turned Breeze out into the pasture. She trotted gleefully over to her paddock mate - Harry's youngster Bianca, the little filly he'd picked up as a baby. Now almost two years old, the filly already towered over Breeze's delicate frame, but the two got on well. Magick had never really got back into socializing after Bianca had been weaned, but she was turned out with Casey and Oscar, the two who got on like a house on fire. A worried look passed over the male's face as he headed down to the broodmare barn. He'd been in charge of Oscar for a while now, and he got on well with the happy horse, but Remii still had a lot on her hands. Flax, Riddle, Whisper and Fade, not to mention the two she cared for as part of classes and the little pony she'd rescued and given to the college that she still spent time with. Harry constantly worried about her, and he'd barely seen her over the past week. It made him slightly paranoid, concerned she was distancing herself from him, something she'd only done once before in the aftermath of her father attempted to return to her life. He shook the thoughts from his head, or tried to anyway, as he busied himself. Trinket was overdue foaling, and he was aware that he hadn't spent enough time with the friendly creature.

Entering the barn, his thoughts turned back to Breeze and the progress they had made in a short space of time since the auction. Breeze was desperate to find somebody to put her faith in, and Harry stepped willingly into that spot. With a variety of methods, including several successful join-ups, Breeze had started to be less fearful with the male and he was hoping to eventually get her like that with other people. Eg, Remii. Not that the girl knew this yet. But Harry was desperate to see what the little Welsh mare was like under saddle, and there was no way he could ride her. Had Remii even seen the mare? He'd called her from the auction to let her know of his purchase, but she hadn't been around to meet them back or been about when Harry was working with her.

Doubt clouded his mind, what was wrong with Remii? Had he upset her? Hurrying down the aisle he spotted, not for the first time, a little coloured foal who had recently appeared in the barn. He didn't stop to look closely though, wanting to make a check on Trinket first. The mare stood quietly, resting a hind leg. Leaning over the door, he was satisfied she wasn't about to suddenly foal and went back to investigate the little newcomer. Slowing as he reached the door, he noticed a female fussing over the foal and immediately recognized it as Remii. Was the foal owned by the college? His mind slowly cleared as things started to fit together. No. This wouldn't be owned by the college, this would be Remii's. And the reason he hadn't seen much of her. And the reason she had been seemingly avoiding him. He masked the frown on his face, hoping it couldn't be seen in his eyes as he spoke in his whisper-quiet tones.
"Remii?

[Sync]

She knew it was him before his head appeared over the stall. She didn't know how, but she did. Three, two one.. and then his voice sounded. And there goes the peace. she thought to herself, eyes still on Rowland. He'd stirred at Harry's voice, his oracles opening slowly. The bleary eyed colt looked around in a startled fashion, before greeting Remii's gaze. A look of relief passed over him, and then he caught sight of Harry. The relief turned to curiosity and then quickly to excitement. He scrambled up, narrowly missing Remii's leg in the process. At two months old, Rowland was very gangly. Crossed with some sort of Draft breed, it was obvious that he was going to be a big boy. Yet, he still had the slight delicate hint of the paint breed. Remii watched as the youngster skittered over to the stall, desperately trying to reach Harry. He may be tall, just not tall enough to reach over the stall door just yet. Remii gave a slight sigh and finally looked up to meet Harry's gaze.

"I'm not going to make up a pathetic excuse and pretend that i'm sorry." she told him finally, after holding his gaze for a while. She pushed herself up from the floor, full aware that he was a little angry with her. However much he tried to hide it, she knew. She'd put him through so much that he didn't deserve, and here she was doing it again. Slowly, she made her way to the front of the stall and placed her hand on Rowland's back. He looks around to her before swiftly trying to get Harry's attention once again. "This is Rowland. He's from one of the yards not far from here. I was riding past with Riddle when I saw a woman having difficulties feeding him, so I got off and went to help her. He latched on immediately and she insisted that I have him." Her words came out in a flood, barely taking a breath as she did so. That was a lot for her to say at once, even if it was around Harry. "He's what I need at the moment, Harry." she added simply, looking at him for any sort of reaction.

[Lottii]

Harry stood quietly in the doorway, waiting for Remii to respond to him. He watched in slight amusement as the foal skittered over to him, and his hand instinctively started to fuss the little guy. He didn't say anything, not waiting for Remii to explain herself per say, that made it seem like he wanted her to justify why she had got another equine. It wasn't that, he just knew there would be a story behind it. His frame was a little tense, but he relaxed as he made much of the colt, unable to resist the cuteness.

Remii held his gaze, but he didn't look away. He knew she would be able to tell he was annoyed, even angry with her, but he also knew that she'd recognize it was only because he was worried about her. He offered a simple nod to her first statement, waiting for her to go on. There wasn't really much he could say. It made sense, he'd hate for her to make up lies to feed to him, he wouldn't stand for that, even the amount he loved her. Lies were something he didn't get involved in at all, even little ones. And, she wouldn't have got the colt if she would end up regretting it afterwards, that just wasn't how Remii worked.

His hands fell to his sides as Remii came over, but the colt was soon pining after him again. Harry waited until Remii had finished her story before nodding again and fussing the colt, Rowland. His eyes softened as she explained it was what she needed. Perhaps it was, the happy little colt could cheer anyone up. But was she taking on too much again. I can't wrap her in cotton wool, the male thought to himself. She has to figure things out on her own, what is too much for her. Pushing back the catch on the door softly, he slipped through and wrapped his arms around Remii, holding her gently to his chest. He stepped back, grinning, when Rowland intervened, and spoke quietly. "It's okay. I just worry." He went back to fussing the coloured equine, a smile playing over his features now.