Alexander Littlewood | 19 | R/H&E | Payton

Alex pulled himself out of his morose thoughts when he heard Payton speak, glancing at his colourful friend with a mirthful smile on his angular face. "Pretty much," he said simply, slipping back into the comfortable silence of before.

His grey-green gaze returned to the window, staring at the quickly-fading green pastures. His fingers began to unconsciously tap out a soft rhythm on the door, his eyes sparkling with excitement. What was this so-called 'White Oaks' going to be like? He felt his heart fizzle with anticipation, his now-still fingers massaging each other.

"What d'you think it'll be like?" he asked finally, breaking the silence with ease. He looked back at his friend, his eyes bubbling almost dangerously. "Fancy, run-down, posh, chilled?"

Alexander Littlewood | 19 | R/H&E | Payton

Hopping out smoothly, Alex untangled his long legs and walked around to the back of the trailer to help Payton with the baggage. They didn't have a hectic amount, but more than one person could carry.

Leading out Ghost after Payton, he raised an eyebrow at the mess Aueirin had made as usual. The pale mare nuzzled him impatiently, wanting to exit the dark trailer. "Okay, okay, we're leaving!" he told her, holding up one hand in mock-surrender. "Patience, child." He proceeded to pick up a grooming box as they left the vehicle, before hearing loud, fast hoofsteps.

He groaned out loud, knowing what had happened. He had ridden with Payton too many times to be surprised. Aueirin was running free, having somehow wriggled out of his halter. He was cantering towards an empty racetrack, the gate left open by an irresponsible student.

Staying where he was, Alex spoke to his friend softly. "Think you can handle him yourself?" he asked, knowing that although he could run faster, Aueirin liked Payton more than him.

Astrid Elliot | 27 | Bjorn | XC | Open

A matte black ford F150 pulling an aluminium black painted horse trailer drove along the winding dirt road slowly, seemings as someone had kicked up a lot of dirt. The diesel enjoyed the slow pace but the cargo didn't. Astrid adjusted her rear view mirror so that it lined up with the slighty tinted back window that showed her horses head. Bjorn was pawing at the hay nervously, hating their slow pace.

Once the dirt had settled Astrid sped up quickly. She was eager to see Lorenzo seemings as it had been around 3-4 months since she last had. She gasped quietly as the stables came into view, the first thing she saw being the grand white stable blocks. Astrid pulled up next to a car that was still ticking from the heat, obviously another newcomer. She flicked her hair over her shoulder then pulled the key out of the ignition, slid it into her back jean pocket and jumped out of the car.

Astrid headed to the back of the trailer and opened the door slowly whilst singing the jaws theme song as it excited Bjorn. The stallion tossed his head happily and walked down the trailer, his hooves hitting against the aluminium and making a slight thud. Astrid ran a hand down his sooted body and smiled gently as his face gleamed in the sunlight. She walked towards their stall, Bjorn following behind enthusiastically. Bjorn's show name and barn name was on the door and Astrid was thankful that he was a new horse. She settled the stallion in, gave his sparsely spotted nose a pet then took his halter off.

Astrid returned to the trailer and took all of their tack, specialised feed and supplements and all of their miscellaneous items. She placed the pieces of tack on the folding tack rack, rerolled their polo wraps then folded their blankets. Astrid filled Bjorns feed bucket with his daily supplements and some alfafa cubes before hoisting herself up onto the stall wall, they had the end stall, and watching Bjorn eat happily.

Maria|Mom|M: Jay, Dash

Maria sighed at Jay's question, frowning a little. "Your father... Well, as usual he's to drunk to care. But he isnt here right now. I am. And its going to be ok." Hugging her son, the two sat, accompanying each other in their worry and hope for Dash.

--------------------

Maria awoke to Jay gently shaking her. "Mama, Mama, they said we coul go see Dash." Eyes widening she jumped up and hurriedly followed the doctor. Pausing herself before going in to see him, she tried to calm her feelings. But all that was for naught. Tears flooded her eyes and she pressed a hand over her mouth, trying to repress a sob. Her son was lying broken on a hospital bed. Grabbing and holding Jay's hand she moved to Dash's side, tears running down her face. Reaching out a trembling hand she stroked his hair before moving gentle fingertips over his scraped and bruised face. Looking at the further damage to his body, she could tell most of the damage to him was internal. Squeezing Jay's hand, she turned and hugged him, sobs wracking her body.

Busy churning out posts :)

Lorenzo Biancci | 27 | Endurance / Polo | Gemini | Astrid

Lorenzo petted Gemini affectionately, slipping off the snaffle bridle as he stroked the gelding's forehead. He loosened the elastic girth and slung it over the saddle, tucking it into the stirrup. He removed the lightweight endurance saddle from the gelding's back, easing it onto his sturdy elbow.

Walking towards the tackroom, Lorenzo quickly dumped the saddle on its rack, his dark brow slick with sweat. He had just finished some polo training with Gem, and the Virginian sun was hotter than he was used to.

Relishing in the cool darkness of the tackroom, he lingered there for a moment, before hanging up the bridle and leaving. The barn aisle was clean for once, a welcome change from the previous day's mess. A student had obviously mucked out their horse's stall, but had failed to clean the remains of their good-natured afforts.

Lorenzo grinned suddenly as he picked out the shape of Astrid. He didn't realize that she had already arrived. Picking up his ambling pace by a fraction, he stopped the stall before Bjorn's. The sunlight danced on her lightly freckled cheeks, highlighting her defined cheekbones. A blissful smile covered her face, dimples showing as she watched her horse lovingly.

Lorenzo tentatively knocked on the wall, although he was in plain sight. "Mind if I interrupt?" he asked softly, his eyebrows raised quizzically.

Astrid heard a noise beside her and jumped slightly, causing her to lose balance on the wall. She jumped down and blushed gently. `` You didn't see that.`` Astrid told him in her gentle foreign accent. `` Lorenzo! How are you man?`` She asked excitedly. Astrid shook her head. `` Not at all. In fact I was about to go looking for you.``

She leant on the stall door. `` Lorenzo, meet Bjorn. My thoroughbred boyo I got about 6-7 months ago. We do cross country together and he's coming along nicely.`` Astrid told him as she gave the young stallion a quick pet down his slightly speckled nose.

Bjorn tossed his head gently, as if he were agreeing with his owner. He took a step forwards and nudged his newfound friend happily. Astrid took slipped her hand under his halter and held him steady, not sure if Lorenzo would be ok with his loving nature.

`` How long have you been here?`` Astrid asked him. `` Seemings as last time you were just out of your own.. small stable.`` She opened the door and stepped out of the stall before closing it behind her and making sure to flip the latch again. Astrid was a moderate height beside him but was still short.

Alexander Littlewood | 19 | Racing / H&E | Payton, Sandra

Alex nodded curtly, leaving Payton to it. Tying the mare to the trailer loosely, he grabbed the brochure from the cubby hole and jogged towards the mass of buildings.

Pausing to actually read the pamphlet, Alex skimmed past the introduction, searching for actual information. "The current owner, Kholo Mzi, has decided -" He closed it with a flourish, having gotten all the knowledge he needed. Not that it provided an actual picture of how this mysterious 'Kholo' looked.

The tall teen stalked through the various feedrooms and barns, searching for someone who might hold more advice on where to stall the horses. Everything seemed fairly deserted, apart from two friends in conversation and various students scattered about the property.

Finally slowing from his active jog, Alex paused beside a jumping arena. A girl was completing the obstacles on a handsome grey, the pair even and well-matched. He watched them in silence for a few minutes, his gaze dark and interested.

Slowly ducking under the neatly painted fence surrounding the arena, Alex raised a hand at the girl to catch her attention. They had just finished the circuit with ease, clearing the last jump with inches to spare. "Do you know where I could stall a horse?" he asked, his British accent crisp and clear.