Darraugh / Thérèse / one another, open

"This is quite a different environment from France I take it?"

"Yes," answered the blonde, hesitantly and with emphasis on pronunciation. She flashed the hulking figure beside her a charming smile, honeydew green eyes bright with a quiet mirth. Her silence was a mystery, as was the obscurity behind those beautiful eyes. She could draw people in without wasting a breath, though this also caused her to become skeptical of those around her, especially young men. Luckily for her, her beauty came with intelligence and a natural niche for reading people, and the one beside her seemed quite endearing and harmless.

"Ireland too I think?"

"Yes, very much so. Have you ever been?"

"Yes, once. Very--how do you say--beautiful, I think. Have you ever been to France?"

"No, though my parents and some of my siblings have. The last time they went, my sisters and I watched the farm. What part are you from?"

"Why will I tell you if you no know France?" Her tone was teasing, though she struggled over some of the words. "I hope I say what I mean," she replied.

"Just because I haven't been doesn't mean I haven't heard about your country," he replied.

"Very well-"

She was cut off by the sound of the next group of students entering the building. She gave them a friendly smile and wave, then returned to Darraugh who was leaning into her gently, interested in the conversation. She had lost her train of thought anyway, which was no matter considering the fact that she had been called into the office briefly, Darraugh called to the other side. Upon first glance she wondered why an equestrian center had such a large office building, but the more droves of people that swarmed in, the more she understood the need. Exchanging a pleasant farewell with her new Irish friend, the pair each went to the room they were called to to receive a warm White Oaks welcome and talk over everything they could possibly need to know.

Emily / Tim, Heather, Laurence + Sam

Emily listened to his words, though her expression was unfocused, distant. She replied thoughtfully despite her blank stare, showing that she had indeed been listening.

"Laurence blew up at you? That sounds really bad then, he's so sweet and gentle, a total teddy bear type. That's, like, double concerning. It's sad what people do to themselves, isolating in their pain."

Her voice grew softer, more empathetic. though it was uncertain whether she was talking about herself or Laurence. Not long ago she was in the exact same boat. "I think he needs a hug."

As Tim grew cheerier, she easily returned to her normal demeanor, chipper and bright as always. She giggled, "aww, that's your Timothy Blue way of saying you missed me too."

As he mentioned Heather, she smiled and waved cheerily. "Heya Heather, how have you been? How is your four-legged gang?"

As she got lost in conversation with Heather, she barely noticed Laurence and a very feeble looking woman she hardly, hardly recognized walking at a snail's pace towards the exit.

"There they are," she remarked, "he looks so sad and stressed out, poor guy. We should help." She faltered, exchanged a glance with Tim, then added, "but maybe not yet. And you know I love helping, so that's growth for me."

After some moments had passed, she saw her opportunity and seized it, walking extremely hastily out to the car where she caught Laurence. She hugged him, which he returned to some extent, then they spoke for a moment or two before Emily returned to the pair.

"We're gonna go for a walk tonight and talk about our feelings," she explained cutely, in her juvenile, genuine way. "I would invite you guys but I also want to create a safe space for him, you know? Maybe we can make it a weekly thing! Except Tim, you hate talking about your feelings so you're not invited. But you could come, Heather. And invite friends!"

She smiled briefly before gesturing to the exit. "I suppose we should hit the road too, huh? Unless you want to go see newborn babies, or sweet old people. I'm all for whatever you guys want to do..."

Laurence / Sam, Emily

Laurence had finished placing Samantha in the passenger seat of his car when Emily rushed to his side. He felt slightly guilty for the fact that they had also come to visit Samantha, but he was instinctually protective of her and annoyed at the chipper attitudes both Emily and Tim were still wearing. They were happy to have her back in their lives, but Laurence saw the trauma, the suffering, the growth that was to come. It would be so taxing on Sam, regardless of whether or not he was underestimating her spunk and resilience

"What is it," he asked in an annoyed tone. Before he could react, she wrapped him in a warm Emily hug that made him regret the moodiness he'd displayed towards the pair. They did mean well.

"I know you're hurting, and I love you. I just wanted you to know that. I know you don't feel supported but I'm back now so that's gonna change."

"Emily-"

"Emily nothing. Call me once you get her settled in and we can go for a walk or something, okay? It'll help, I promise. I won't push you, I'll just support you, and listen if that's what you need. Promise?"

He gave a passive nod, gesturing back to the car. "As long as she's okay, yes, I'll reach out. Thank you, Emily."

He was earnest this time, which he could tell she knew. She gave a knowing, bright smile back and strode away, satisfied. He felt slightly better, though he wasn't in any mood to tell her anything. He knew they were kindred spirits, both suppressing their needs and wants for the benefit of others. He also knew they both played the counselor role well. She had been a good friend, more genuine than most, especially in her desire to do good for others. It was refreshing and concerning all at once.

As he slid into the passenger seat of his white four-door, noticing that Samantha had broken down while he was gone. Knowing how uncharacteristic of her this was, he was even more concerned.

"Hey, come here," he cupped her face in his hand, wiping her tears away with that softness only he could possess. Then he reached across and wrapped his arms around her gently, albeit awkwardly due to the setting, doing his best to reassure her. He couldn't even reassure himself, but he was trying his hardest.

"I'm here, I'm not going anywhere. I promise, I'm here. We're gonna get through this together, we'll pick up the pieces when you're ready, okay?"

He pulled away slightly, but his touch lingered. He looked her in the eye genuinely, the slightest smile on his lips. He didn't say anything, it was his presence that did all the reassuring.

---

After a quiet drive over to his flat which was only a few roads away from the barn, he put the car in park and helped walk her in.

"I've never been more grateful I'm housed on the first floor," he said in a neutral tone. "I'm going to go over to the barn this evening, if you're feeling up to it maybe you'll want to come for the ride to see Mickey. He's doing well, I know Emily really adores him and has been keeping him fat and happy for you."

He opened the door, an overwhelming sense of chaos and entropy evident by the piles of things everywhere. Some things were in boxes, other were just in piles in convenient locations.

"You'll have to excuse the mess, I didn't think I'd be having any guests over. I haven't spent time with people in months, I guess this is what happens when you only have one motive for so long." He seemed stressed still, but his body was less rigid with hers clinging to it. He smiled thoughtfully as he opened the door.

"Luckily the guest room hasn't ever been touched, so it's plenty organized. My room is right across the hall, should you need anything."

He helped her down onto the bed, for the first time noticing just how ragged her breathing was, and just how red her face had become. He said nothing of it, trying to treat her as normally as possible. He sure as hell hadn't been when he was in her position.

"Do you need anything? I can stay or I can let you rest, whatever you need..." He offered the slightest smile, sighing and becoming placid once more. "I don't want to overwhelm you, I'm sorry if I am. It's more difficult than I had imagined being on the other side of this scenario."

Olivia Lancewood | 16 | XC/E | Cirrus | Tyler, Blair, Aidan

Livvie's eyes brightened visibly. "We totally should though! That would be amazing! I really want to explore this place properly." And "- I wonder who we've been given?" They fell back into relaxed chatter - or, more accurately, she fell into excited chatter, while Tyler calmed the mood with interested silence.

The Irish teen didn't even notice the other two until Ty tugged her towards them, her talking taking up most of her attention. She gestured wildly with her hands, determined to re-enact everything she described.

"And then there was this huuuge ditch which Cirrus almost slipped at, but he just gathered himself in ti- ooh, new people! Hi, I'm Olivia, but you can call me Livvie. Where are you guys from? This is Tyler, my best friend, and he's from - Ty, where are you from? Somewhere in America, I think. Anyways, I'm from Ireland, and I think that's all that's interesting about me? Oh, and I have this super cute pony called Cirrus and a Pit Shepherd cross." She paused to take a breath, before noticing the expression on the young woman's face. Maybe she should slow down a little.

---------

Blair had stood there in silence during the entire speech, a mirthful glint appearing in her eyes. "I see what you mean," she murmured softly to the still unnamed young man, attempting a half-smile. She felt like a deer caught in the headlights - instead of a speeding car, she was facing down something only slightly less formidable: a talkative stranger.

Finally able to answer Tyler's question, she replied awkwardly, "I'm Blair - Blair O'Connor." Damnit girl. Relax. "I'd be happy to tag along, since you're going there anyway." Her smile felt fake even to herself, not reaching her dark brown eyes.

-When Emily asked how her and her four-legged gang are doing, she gave a soft smile with a shy response- "I've been doing kinda alright. Mystery is almost close to ready for the Olympics and Storm is uh..still on ground training to try to desensitized him so his um aggressive nature will hopefully go away at some point. And Mr. Toby is doing great since he's happy about having a job." -When she said the large Shepherd's name, his tail started to wag by a lot as it thumps against the cool tile floor-

-she got lost in the conversation with Emily while a genuine smile stayed on her face. She glanced over to see Laurence and Sam come into view, she stood up with the others while Toby managed to get out from under the chair then headed out with the others, as much as she didn't like Sam when she first met her, she felt empathy for the girl but the red brunette did faintly flinch from Laurence's annoyed tone in his voice when Emily hugged him-

-she usually pets Toby's head to help her ease up again even though she already felt fine. She looked at Emily when the woman was talking about going on a walk or something and talk about feelings while hearing Tim talk about getting something for both Sam and Laurence to maybe cheer the two up- "A walk sounds like fun so sure, I'll gladly tag along." -Heather said to Emily with a genuine smile that returned on her face once more then she looked down at Toby who would be whimpering- "and yes, your coming to ya big goof." -she playfully said to her dog while holding the leash with a relaxed hand since she trusts the large dog by a lot-

Emily / Heather, Tim

Emily noticed Tim withdraw, though she refused to let it affect her mood. That was something that always confused her about Tim, his lack of ability to take a joke. She had started to realize that he was much more sensitive to things than he wanted to appear. She wasn't the best at reading people, but after years of knowing him, it seemed more obvious to her.

"That sounds like a great idea, but what should we do for them? Normally I'm the queen of gift-giving but nothing prepares you for this," she giggled. "What if we just go home and bake something? I'm free all day, and I like to bake. Tim? Heather? Thoughts?"

She glanced back towards the exit to find that Laurence and Sam had gone, a small frown gracing her face simply because two of her people were gone. She hadn't been back long and she was already plotting ideas to run by Kholo for some kind of social outing, or maybe some kind of horse show. To her knowledge, it had been a long time since White Oaks had hosted any kind of competition, and she was eager to change that.

"Also, completely out of curiosity and not at all because I'm plotting anything, if I were to do more than I already have to try and get Kholo to hire me as an event coordinator for the farm, would you rather have a horse show or some kind of social event?"

"Hmm, maybe we could bake them some cupcakes? Or oh! A large cake maybe?" -Heather said a few baking ideas to Emily as the group stood kinda close to where her jeep is, already noticing that Laurence and Samantha have already left before regaining her focus on the duo. She couldn't help but worry about the upcoming events that played in the back of her mind....Is Mystery ready enough to take on the Olympics....What would happen to Storm if the training isn't working at all, would he end up injuring another person's horse or worse, accidently kill someone by his aggressive outburst-

-she finally snapped out of her spiralling thoughts when Toby's cold but wet nose made contact with her hand, it took her a minute to register Emily's question fully then she finally answers, usually being careful with her answers- "Horse Show or a Social Event..hmm, what about combining the two events into one? So it would be like um a Horse Show Social Event?" -Heather sheepishly said her answer to Emily's question, she wasn't sure if that was the answer that the woman was looking for-