Enjoying the Freedom (Myssi)

[Cara]

Cara stood in the stables with her pretty chestnut mare in cross-ties. She had been riding both of her horses in the arenas over the past few weeks and was thrilled with how both of them were coming along. Since the competition Truss had been getting better with riding over poles and small jumps, but she knew it would be a while before she took the mare anywhere near a show again.

Today, she was going to take Missy on a ride along one of the many trails that led away from the college campus. Some would say she was silly for taking the chestnut pony, but she was going to a ride with Seamus and didn't want to upset Truss by having a male so close to her after she had been doing so well in her lessons.

When the chestnut was ready and half asleep in the cross-ties, Cara left her to go and collect her helmet and slip on her long boots. She then walked back out to where the mare stood. Clicking her tongue, she removed the cross-ties and led the pony out of the stable and swung into the saddle and walked the mare around while they waited for their company to arrive.

[Myssi]

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Seamus was in a positively giddy mood at the moment, and it was a rather funny thing to see the boy. He had an almost foolish grin on his face, which contrasted dramatically with the serious glint shining in the eyes of his mount. Havoc seemed to have a single mind, and the tall black creature trotted easily back to the barn.

Seamus had woken very early this morning, and had taken Havoc for some practice in the arena before he was to meet up with Cara. From a distance, the tall teenager on the equally tall balck horse looked forbidding, with the dark locks of the boy, peeking out under his helmet, and the black horse.

White feet hit the ground in a smooth, ground covering pace that had a strange determination in their stride. Anything Havoc did had a purpose, something that needed his immediate attention and focus. Seamus was impressed by the gelding's work ethic, but sometimes he found the animal's mood disturbing for it's humanlike qualities.

He spotted Cara at the barn's entrance, sitting astride her pony mare, Missy. The cute little chestnut. Havoc seemed to sense an audience in the two females and picked his hooves higher, arched his neck a little more. Seamus rolled his eyes, muttering about how pathetic his mount was.

TAGGING TAG* !
WORDS 225 !
WEARING CLOTHES !
NOTES Eergh. !
LYRICS BAD REPUTATION BY JOAN JETT !
CREDIT R A W R IT’S E M M A ! OF CAUTION ![/COLOR][/FONT]

[Cara]

As she circled the mare around, her eyes landed on a horse and rider in the arena. Ah, so that was why they weren't anywhere in the stables. She laughed as the gelding he was riding seemed to pick his feet up even higher.

She nudged the mare forward as they headed toward the arena gate. "Fancy meeting you here." She spoke up. "He's looking good" She watched Havoc as he moved around some more. "He sure likes an audience. But that's what you want in a show mount." She rubbed her mount's neck as they waited.

She turned around slightly and patted the saddle bags that she had attached to the back D-rings of her saddle. There wasn't a lot in them other than a couple of bottles of water and some treats for the horses as well as a human and equine first-aid kit as well as a hoof pick and some twine. When they had discussed going on a trail ride, Cara didn't think to ask what she should bring.

She straightened back around again took the time to adjust the length of her stirrups, as she'd been jumping last. And then tightening the girth another couple of holes. She dropped her leg back into place and bit back a yawn as she glanced toward the sky, hoping that the weather would hold out while they were riding.

[Myssi]

Seamus gave her a lazy grin, patting the gelding's neck as he brought him to a halt. "Some crazy random happenstance, eh?" He chuckled, feeling Havoc shift his hooves and weight. "He just thinks he's somebody." He told her, the laugh never leaving his voice. Havoc pricked his ears forward, leaning down to politely say a proper hello to Missy. He may be a gelding, but deep down, very deep down, Havoc thought he was quite the ladies' man.

Seamus watched Cara until he thought her ready, then bowed in his saddle. "After you, my lady." He said, a twinkle in his eye. He hadn't shown Cara his saddlebags, which contained human food for a humans lunch. Havoc was screwed, because Seamus had brought mostly some treats for Missy. Not that Havoc really needed treats, but he had a few in there too.

Seamus frowned at the sight of Cara yawning. "Not sleeping well lately?" He asked her, a concerned look in his eyes. Cara could write of sleep for a while, but eventually she would get sick from her lack of rest. Seamus obviously did not approve of her methods, but there wasn't a lot he could do. Sleep must be a chaos of memories for Cara, something he wished he could help her through, but knowing help was asked for with her, not accepted.

TAGGING TAG* !
WORDS 230 !
WEARING CLOTHES !
NOTES Better? !
LYRICS BAD REPUTATION BY JOAN JETT !
CREDIT R A W R IT’S E M M A ! OF CAUTION ![/COLOR][/FONT]

[Cara]

Missy stretched her neck out and blew out at at the gelding, returning his greeting before pulling her head away.

Cara smiled as she rubbed the mare's neck, the pony was doing so well around others now that it was hard to think that when the chestnut had first been brought back to the college, she couldn't stand having anyone near her and then only Cara for a while after that.

She laughed as she was addressed to lead the way, and using her seat and legs she got the mare to back away from the gate, turn and led the way toward the woodlands where the trail was that she wanted to take the mare down that day. She was expecting the pony to jump at just about everything, but she wanted the pretty mare to get used to everything.

"Not sleeping well lately?"

She could hear the concern in his voice, but refused to turn around and see the concern in his eyes as she shrugged off his question. "I never sleep well." She replied quietly, without a hint of emotion in her tone. She thought about the sleeping pills that were in the drawer of her bedside table, Jay was the only one who knew about them - other than the faculty member who needed to know. Not sleeping well lately was an under-statement, as she hadn't slept well since... forever. Dreams brought forward memories that she didn't want to revisit. "How is Toby coming along?" She hoped that changing the topic to the Vanner gelding would take the attention off her. That and she was keen to know how the youngster was doing with his training.

[Myssi]

Seamus tutted at her words, disapproval evident in his tone, but he let the subject be. "Toby doing great!! He's really eager to learn, and tries so hard, the poor fellow. He seems to understand some commmands so well, while others are tougher. I don't expect him to be perfect, but he seems to believe that pefectionS is a must. He seems to be coming out of his sheel more, though. You should come visit him some time."

He smiled at Cara as Havoc's stride brought him parallel with Missy. "How's Truss doing after the show? And I imagine Affaires Risquées is doing well with her training?" His stumbled over the pronounciation slightly, unused to the way it slid off his tongue. His accent, a mix of English and Australian was beginning to be overrun by the English side, and it was not something he enjoyed. It made him have to think harder about the way he talked just to make the words sound right, and to make his tone sound like his. It was actually rather maddening.

He glanced around the trail as the entered the woods, marveling at the tall trees. It was slightly shadowed in the shelter of the foliage, a darkness he welcomed. It had been too long since he'd gotten to be in such a nice expanse of pure trees.

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TAGGING Cara!
WORDS 231!
WEARING CLOTHES !
NOTES I imagine I'm typing this with a German accent. =D !
LYRICS BAD REPUTATION BY JOAN JETT !
CREDIT R A W R IT’S E M M A ! OF CAUTION ![/COLOR][/FONT]

[Cara]

Cara glanced to the side as Havoc rode up o they were riding side by side, pleased that the pony wasn't side-stepping away from the large horse. "Truss is... well Truss." She replied. "She's terrified to jump, and seems to be going backwards and not forwards." She played with the mare's mane as they plodded along. "I am wondering if I should sell her as a paddock mate, maybe as a companion for young horses as she seems to have a good head as long as she doesn't get asked to work in the arena." It was the first time she had voiced that aloud. "You can just call her Risk." She commented as the topic turned to her rescue horse. "She is slowly coming around, and will actually allow me to groom her for a while now, until she looses her confidence and steps away." A smile lit up her face as she looked at Seamus. "I found her breeding barn. The information that Miss Carr got about her isn't true. Risk's name was Snazzy Showgirl, and she has won quite a few ribbons. Then she was sold on, and the family who sold her obviously didn't care whom the were selling her to, and thus her current state." She bit her lip as she realised that she had been talking for so long. "Sorry."

She bit back another yawn as she looked around the trees that quickly closed in around them. Closing her eyes, she drew in a deep relaxing breath. Her eyes flew open again as a shadow seemed to cross in front of her eyelids, but she knew it was her mind playing tricks on her, she knew the man that haunted her darkness wasn't there. She was safe here with Seamus.

[Myssi]

Seamus smiled down at Cara, content to allow her the dominance of the converstation. His body relaxed at the sound of her voice, a sound he'd missed for two long years. His gaze rested one the path ahead, his body easily moving with Havoc.

Cara. She confused him, their relationship confused him. He'd taken her out to eat at Milly's a few days ago. It had gone well, but people at the college had been there, and he knew there were whispers. However, he wasn't sure how to respond to them. He would have accepted any offer by Cara to become her boyfriend, but he was not sure she felt the same. Was the lunch outing a date, or a meeting of friends?

As much as he loved her, he knew he would never fully understand Cara. But he remembered little, random things about her, like her smile when she was around horses, the way she would roll her eyes at his antics, her fury (which actually was enough to make him pee his pants if that anger was ever directed at him), the way she could glance at a herb and immediately know it's healing properties. He also remembered how she could be vunerable. How protecting her felt right.

He glanced over, and noticed her eyes close and open. About thiry minutes had passed already, and he noticed a small clearing on his side. "Let's pull over here." He told her. "I'm sure Havoc could use a break." The gelding was far from tired, but Seamus know Csara wouldn't admit to needing a rest, so Havoc was the only opptional excuse.

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TAGGING Cara !
WORDS 282 !
WEARING CLOTHES !
NOTES Better, yes? !
LYRICS BAD REPUTATION BY JOAN JETT !
CREDIT R A W R IT’S E M M A ! OF CAUTION ![/COLOR][/FONT]

[Cara]

"Let's pull over here. I'm sure Havoc could use a break."

She looked up at him with an impish grin. "Which one is the indicator?" She asked with a laugh, still giggling as she reined the mare in.

Even though they have been riding at a gentle pace, habit made her test the chestnut's neck for dampness before she dropped her stirrups and loosened the girth before she jumped to the ground. A small growl left her throat as she grabbed hold of the saddle to keep her footing as she felt her knees give way. Keeping her hold of the saddle, she counted to ten before she ran the left stirrup up and then walked around the repeated the same on the right.

She then opened the saddle bag and removed the bottles of water and a couple of apples. "Would Havoc like an apple?" She asked as she offered it to Seamus.

She tucked the other apple under her arm as she walked around to the mare's head and removed the bridle, since she had left the halter on under it with the rope tied around her neck. She then offered the juicy apple to the pretty mare who delicately bit into the fruit, leaving half of it in the girl's hand with juice trickling between her fingers. The girl smiled as the mare took the rest of the apple and then licked every last trace of juice off her fingers.

She then walked back to the saddle bags and collected the drinks. Leaning her head against the mare's rump for a moment, she used the pony to hide another yawn before she turned around to smile brightly at Seamus. Smiles were become easier and a little less fake each time. When she was with him, the smiles actually reached her eyes rather than the ones she gave at competitions when the judges wanted to see the face of an athlete who was enjoying herself.

[Myssi]

Seamus just gazed at Cara innocently, his eyes wide. "Indicator?" He replied, cocking his head at her. He swung off, Havoc, turning a bored brown eye on him before chewing his bit. "I know, I know." He told the gelding, reaching into his pack and grabbing the black horse's halter and lead. Soon, the black animal was grazing happily, but Seamus was gazing at Cara in concern at the sound of her growl, and one hand was already extended.

She had already recovered though, it seemed, and he turned to his horse, loosening the girth. From his saddlebag, he pulled out the horse treats, and some sandwich materials and chips, with a blanket as well. He put the food and folded blanket on the ground, taking the offered apple from her with a grin. "He thanks you." He replied, offering her a few horse cookies in return. As he offered the apple, Havoc snatched it from him, a gloating look in his eye.

Seamus quickly had the blue plaid blanket unfolded and spread out, Havoc tied to a tree next to the blanket, and the lunch material spread out. He offered Cara a grin. "Thought we might get hungry along the way." he told her, offering her some bread, an easy grin gracing his features.

Suddenly he froze. A thick tongue was being dragged over his hair, coating the locks with saliva. He rolled his eyes up to look at Havoc. "Really?" He asked, sighing. "I know you're trying to help, but this does not make me look appealing." He said, then a fiery blush spread over his cheeks as he suddenly realized what he'd just said. Havoc continued his work, as though saying, It makes you better-looking. Trust me. I have to look at you every day. I would know what makes you look good.

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TAGGING Carakins !
WORDS 216 !
WEARING CLOTHES !
NOTES Blergh. !
LYRICS BAD REPUTATION BY JOAN JETT !
CREDIT R A W R IT’S E M M A ! OF CAUTION ![/COLOR][/FONT]

[Cara]

She tucked the horse treats into the saddle bag, the mare could have them before she put the bridle back on before they left - if she could be bothered with the bridle for the ride home.

Her eyebrows lifted as she watched as Seamus removed things from his saddle bags. "Are they like Marry Poppins' bag?" She asked with a smile. "You have got an awful lot into a very small space." She looked at the food that was spread out on the blanket and bit her lip. Turning to the mare, she tied her to a raised root so that she could graze while the human's rested.

She lowered gracefully lowered herself onto the blanket. A slightly pained look flashed across her face as she looked at the proffered bread, but the look quickly vanished as she gratefully took the food in her small hand. She broke the bread up into tiny pieces, yes a nasty habit, as she tried to look interested in it.

She lifted her eyes as she heard Seamus' voice and laughed as the gelding looked like he was trying to fix his rider's hair. "He wants to be a hair stylist?" She giggled before she ducked her head. "You could make a killing out of the sales. Horse saliva hair gel. I can see the headlines now. Out on trail ride, boy discovers new line of hair gel. Handy for use around the stables. Sure to attract all the mares!" She gave an impish grin and arched her eyebrows. "Hethinks he's done you a favour. And you always look appealing."

[Myssi]

He gave Cara a cocky grin, a devilish look creeping in. "Oh, now Cara. If I told you that, then my secrets would be revealed. And we can't have that, can we?" He chuckled, shifting his gaze to watch Havoc settle into his grass.

But it wasn't long before his eyes were on Cara again. It was after Havoc had messed with his hair, and Cara had just complimented his looks. Did he dare? Could he do it?

He reached up to smooth down his hair... But decided against it. It was absolutely coated in slobber. So instead he looked up at Cara and held her gaze, mustering up his courage.

"Cara... I've been meaning to tell you this for a long time, but... I like you. A lot. And I really hope I don't make our relationship awkward by telling you this. I'd also really love it if you'd agree to possibly being my girlfriend. Of course," He chuckled, lowering his eyes now, confidence fleeing him, "If you don't want to, then I just totally made our friendship really, really bad and awkward, and I so rambling right now." He dropped his head to his hands. "Crap."

TAGGING Carakins!
WORDS 205 !
WEARING CLOTHES !
NOTES This sucked. I'm sorry, but Seamus... wow. !
LYRICS BAD REPUTATION BY JOAN JETT !
CREDIT R A W R IT’S E M M A ! OF CAUTION ![/COLOR][/FONT]

[Cara]

She continued shredding her bread and then scattered it across the ground a good foot away from the blanket that she was sitting on. No matter how much the doctors had tried to re-programme her eating, she just couldn't do it - for the same reason she no longer kept the food diary that she had been asked to keep. She didn't see the point in writing down meaningless things into a fancy book and then writing how she felt after eating the food that she was supposed to consume. How many ways could one write down that whatever they put in their mouth tasted like sawdust?

She looked up at him through her long lashes as she felt his eyes on her. Her head tipped to the side as he began to speak. First she chewed on her lower lip, then her eyebrows shot up, and then she once again resumed chewing on her lower lip. As he broke eye contact, she used the moment to look over at Missy, who was contented munching away at the lush grass that surrounded her hooves. She then looked back at him, a slightly pained look on her face, unsure of what to say.

Looking down again, raising her eyes so she was once again looking at him through her lashes. "I really like you, Seamus." She said softly. "But I don't think I'm girlfriend material. I tend to hurt those that get close to me." Her parents were a prime example - yeah, after all these years the blame still sat heavily upon her small shoulders. Then there was poor Phoenix, and thinking of all the pain the young girl had put the small horse through during their partnership.