He's no fool. (Open)

[Sync]

Lee's feet paced in front of Campbell stables, his hand running through his blonde locks impatiently. The horses were supposed to have arrived two hours ago. They still were not here. Leighton was worried. His mind jumped to the worst possible situations. Worry flared in his mind as he thought of Hombre. The gelding had a few issues, and the soon that the horse was in his care again, the better. He had no worries about Chagrin. She would be fine. The owner of the quarantine barn that his two horses had been residing in over the past week had only praise for the two horses. This had surprised the America originated owner, Hombre was usually the bane of any strangers life. He was then informed that Hombre had been mildly sedated over his stay, which at first had angered Lee deeply. But, he did know that it was best for everyone. With a sigh, he turned on his heels and whistled for Verity. The Cocker spaniel bounded toward him, and the pair made their way deeper into the stables, heading toward the two prepped for his arrivals. He was going to reorganize them for the fourth time today.

Just as he heaved the bucket into the same place he'd just removed it from, the rattle of a horse box sounded outside. By now, thick, dense darkness had fallen over the college. The barn was pretty much empty, only a student or two remained behind. Lee straightened up and left the stall that would soon house Chagrin, calling Verity to his side again. The plucky canine always managed to slip away unknown. He picked up into a jog toward the front of the barn, sliding to a stop just as the horse box halted. A grin broke out over his features, but it was quickly erased. He was pretty sure there was hoof shaped dents on one side of the box. "Hombre.." he breathed softly, suddenly needing no explanation to why they were so late. They obviously hadn't used enough sedative to move him here. Lee stepped forward a couple more steps and shook the hand of the stressed looking driver. "I am so sorry, he's just got issues." Lee blurted. The driver, much to Lee's relief, gave a smile. "Don't worry lad. I've worked with worse, at least he didn't bite or kick me." he drawled tiredly. Lee smiled at him gratefully and went around to the back of the horse box, flinching when he heard a hoof connect with the metal once again.

Lee carefully opened the rear door of the horse box, and a piercing whinny sliced through the air. Surprisingly, it was not from Hombre. Chagrin began to shake in excitement, she could sense her masters presence. Both men laughed warmly. "She's a darlin' to handle she is. Such a sweetheart. And so is he in his own way, just a little nervous." the driver said affectionately. Lee nodded his agreement. He adored the pair of them, but since he'd hand raised the paint mare, she always held a solid place in his heart. Hombre, he also noticed, had relaxed a little. Whether he sensed Lee's presence too, or just liked the fact that the door was open now. "Hello guys. I've missed you so much." he cooed. Chagrin gave another whinny, and Lee could just pick up a gentle nicker from the gelding. Verity chose that exact moment to bound into the horse box and charge fearlessly to the front of it. Both horses relaxed visibly as they caught sight of the canine. They both adored her. Lee watched as Hombre reached out and snuffled the canine, and Verity swiped her tongue over the geldings muzzle, causing him to snort. "She's a godsend with him, I tell you." he told the driver, who seemed fascinated by the two animals interacting. "Well then! Better get them into their stalls." he announced, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

Lee backed Chagrin from the box with no troubles, the mare snuffled his face constantly as they moved. Once her four hooves touched the ground, the driver took her lead rope and began to follow Lee's directions toward the mare's stall. She followed the driver with no problems, and Lee turned to be greeted with the expectant expression of Hombre. The gelding looked a little offended due to the fact that Chagrin had gone first. "Oh no mister! If you went first, I have no doubt that you would have kicked out at her, me and the nice driver. Verity is the only one who is safe." he chuckled, running his hand along the length of Hombre's face. Lee could hardly believe that when he'd first got the gelding, he'd have been bitten for doing that. Hombre hated being touched on the face by everyone except Lee now. Smiling in delight, he untied the geldings lead rope and began to back him out. Verity trotted at their side as they made their way into the barn slowly, allowing Hombre to inspect his surroundings. He flattened his audits against his neck as a pair of students passed, and looked as if he was going to kick out. Lee quickly stood between them and Hombre calmed a little. His audits were still slanted backwards though.

The man and his steed finally entered the stall which was situated by the already settled Chagrin. The mare whinnied her greetings again, and Lee laughed. As he slipped the head collar off Hombre's head, the driver popped his head over the door. "I'm off now lad. We'd all love to hear how they have settled in back at the barn, so give us a call." the elder gentleman smiled. Lee nodded. "I'll be sure to, don't you worry." he smiled, and shook the man's hand once again. He watched as the man left, and then turned to see Hombre eying his water bucket suspiciously. Lee gave a snort of laughter. "I assure you, it won't hurt you boy." he chuckled. Hombre seemed to narrow his eyes, and then all of a sudden, his hoof lashed out and kicked over the bucket. Lee gasped, but then laughed harder. "Now do you believe me?" he chuckled, picking up the bucket and taking it away from the angered gelding. Leaving the stall before he could assault the bucket again, Lee went to go and fill it up all over again.

[Onzy]

Quinn hobbled down the stable isle, doing his usual checks on the horses that he was responsible for. His knee had been put in a brace with strict orders from the doctor and more than a few stern words about riding. Quinn knew that he had o stop, but Glee was his responsibility and he loved the stallion too much to sell him on. They had a bond. A broken rider with a emotionally bonded horse. They were similar. Using the crutches, Quinn had become the more than the barn manager. He was a cripple, unable to do the thing he loved the most because of an accident 5 years ago.

He knew that there were horses arriving that day, he had seen the owner pacing up and down. Quinn had heard the trailer arrive and the horses being unloaded. The grooms had gone home for the evening, students had finished with their horses, and now he was finishing off with his rounds. Quinn knew everything about each horse, their eating plans, habits, owners etc. By now he recognised the newbies. They were gorgeous, and by the looks of it, different.

He kept his distance, only observing them. He wondered where their owner had gotten too, but then he heard the tap opening, and looking again, saw the gelding had no water bucket and obviously had kicked it over.

[Sync]

The black and white pelted spaniel sat a little ways away from the humans and horses, her cranium tilted in an interested fashion. She was watching the brown haired male, wondering where on earth he had come from. She gave a quiet whine and slunk from her spot and around to where Lee was filling up the bucket. He was oblivious to her quiet approach until he felt teeth tugging at his jean leg. He ignored her at first, continued filling up the bucket. Then she tugged again, and an excited whinny sounded not far away. Chagrin obviously had something on her mind too. Lee rolled his eyes, and turned the tap off before picking up the now full bucket with ease.

He walked carefully back toward the stalls, not wanting to spill any of the water. When he got there, he realized what all the fuss was about. His Chestnut painted mare was straining against the stall door, trying to get toward the tall male stood just out of her reach. Lee chuckled softly, which was then cut off when he noticed Hombre's expression. The gelding didn't look best pleased about the other males presence, and if looks could kill, the other male would be dead. Verity seemed to sense this, and the petite female trotted over to the stall door. She sat back on her haunches and reached up toward the gelding's muzzle. She snuffled him gently, which caused the crossbreed to calm almost instantly. Pride shone on Lee's features, Verity always knew how to sooth the poor beast. Before he even attempted to greet the other male, he took the bucket over to Hombre's stall, and pushed Verity down. Opening the stall door, he placed the bucket back inside. He watched as his horse inspected the bucket once again, but this time did not kick it over. Sighing in relief he closed the door and let Verity go back to soothing the horse.

Lee made his way over to the other man, a friendly smile plastered over his handsome face. "Hello. I'm Leighton Winters, but please call me Lee. And that's Chagrin, Hombre and little Verity." he said, pointing at all three in turn. Chagrin was still straining against her stall door, begging someone to give her attention. Lee relented and stepped toward her, running his hands affectionately along her face and down her neck. He then settled to scratch behind her audits, a form of attention she loved most. Her muzzle pressed into his side, blowing a gust of warm air over him. He chuckled at her, an expression of pure affection over his features. He adored this mare, anyone could see it. Their bond was so strong, it was unrivaled by any bond he shared with another horse. Chagrin would always be like a child to him, even when he had his own children.

[Onzy]

Quinn adjusted his weight as he watched the two horses. One seemed to be pretty angry, but the other, a pretty mare was straining to get to him. He moved towards her, and rubbed underneath her forelock. The sounds of approaching foot steps alerted Quinn to the fact that someone was coming towards him. He soon saw a blond male, and he also saw a cocker spaniel. His own dogs were back at the apartment, leaving them there after lunch.

Pleasure to meet you Lee. I'm Quinn Carlisle, the barn manager, he replied, a smile upon his own features. It seemed that Verity had a calming effect on the gelding, and Quinn watched in fascination as the little dog didn't seemed fazed by the horse. Friendships formed in odd places. Apart from Glee, he treated every horse the same, not indulging them to the extent of bad manners. Every horse was fussed over the same, but unless there were some anger issues, he didn't hesitate to give a pat here or a carrot there.

It was just after feeding, so there was an occasional shuffling, but soon all most of the stable yard was quiet. It was a soothing moment, but the familiar throbbing in his knee started. He once again adjusted his weight in the crutches, and tried not to wince.