Post by SigOUrNeY on Aug 19, 2007 10:44:47 GMT -5
Continued From Lovely New Arrival
Lani glared at the gathering clouds, as though trying to scare them away as they darkened. The weather man hadn't predicted a storm, and if one started, she'd personally march up to the news station and strangle him.
Splash of Luck nudged the worried blonde, looking at her rider with liquid eyes. Lani turned around to face the gypsy vanner and leaned her forehead against the mares. "How did I get messed up in this?" Lani asked the horse, and was only answered with a heavy sigh. "That's what I think too," Lani smiled gently, scratching the mare's poll. Their time together was suddenly disturbed when Chris walked in, stopping when he saw Lani.
"Mr. Duce is pulling up," He said, Stetson shadowing his eyes. Lani reluctantly pulled herself away from Splash and followed Chris out the door, thumbs hooked into her jean pockets.
The dark blue Chevy with 'Justice Acres' printed in white on the door pulled up into the stableyard, tires crunching on the cobblestone. The truck hauled a two horse trailer behind it, and both came to a stop in front of Lani and Chris. Mr. Duce turned off the ignition and hopped out of the truck, walking towards Lani. The blonde winced when she heard the filly inside struggle, banging against the sides of the trailer until it rocked.
”She wasn’t a very happy camper when she just got out of quarantine and then had to go straight into the trailer,” Mr. Duce said, his words directed to Lani. The blonde nodded her head, but bit her lips because she didn’t trust herself to speak.
’Well, let’s not keep her waiting,” Chris answered for Lani. Looking over at the girl, he motioned for her to move. The truth hit her hard. This is my filly. She’s my responsibility now…my filly. Straightening her shoulders, Lani walked towards the trailer, and pulled down the ramp. The bay that was inside exploded, jerking hard at the cross ties so that she could crane her neck around to look at Lani. The little windows had provided poor light, but now the trailer was filled with the overcast light.
”Easy Epona,” Lani soothed, disappearing into the empty side of the trailer. The bay filly squealed kicking out again. Her eyes rolled white and her coat was drenched in nervous sweat. The stable blanket that she had on was damp from her sweat, and travel boots were slipping from the froth she had worked up. ”Steady girl,” Lani cooed, showing the thoroughbred her hand to sniff. Epona wouldn’t ‘steady’ or sniff. Instead, she threw up her head and tried to rear, desperate to get out. Lani decided to skip on introductions and get Epona out of here before she hurt herself. Snapping the lead shank onto her nylon headstall, Lani laid a hand on the bay’s neck while she unhooked her from the cross ties. As soon as Epona felt her head was free, she bolted – backwards – out of the trailer. Lani was nearly dragged flat on her face and stumbled down the ramp after the filly. Epona attempted to gallop for the hills when she was cut short by the lead rope. Lani circled her, the thoroughbred cantering frantically in a tight circle. As Lani shortened the line, Epona was forced to a trot, and then a walk around her new owner. The filly was breathing heavily, her sides heaving under the wet blanket. Epona stood still, her ears doing most of the work as she looked around her. Lani unbuckled the blanket while her filly was busy, and swept it off. Epona shied away from the sheet, but soon settled down, her drenched coat relieved and steam rising up from her back.
”Man, she sure had herself worked up,” Chris said, raising his eyebrows.
”She really is something to look at though,” Mr. Duce added, his arms folded as he lay a critical eye on the thoroughbred.
”WOW Lani!” A high pitched voice erupted from not far off. ”Is that your new horse?” Mike and Emily leaned against the white fence, proving that they’d just come down from the house. Epona’s eyes rolled white as her head snapped towards the two children. She pranced in place, unable to contain her adrenaline.
”Yah…this is my horse,” Lani replied, still trying to make herself believe it. She’d had a horse at one time – Gypsy Secret, Splash’s first filly. But Lani hadn’t been able to support the filly and dedicate the time it took to train her. So Secret had to be sold off…but now, she had a filly thrown at her who had nowhere else to go. Mr. Duce had been kind enough to let Lani board her filly for free, but something had to be done about her feed….
Lani’s thoughts were cut off when a sudden bolt of lightening ripped through the sky not far off. She caught her breath, holding onto the lead rope, prepared for the loud bang afterwards. It came – and rolled maddeningly through the air. Epona squealed, lifting off with her front legs and pinned back her ears. When the filly landed she tried to bolt, but Lani held onto the rope tightly even as it burned through her hands. The wind was starting to pick up. Epona’s first night at JA wasn’t going to be a very pleasant one.
”Lani! Get Epona under the covered arena!” Mr. Duce ordered before turning around to usher his children back up to the house. Lani circled her filly to keep her under control. The wind blew the leaves over the stableyard, and Epona was overcome by fright. Chris went to retrieve the thoroughbred’s blanket as Lani coaxed Epona into the covered arena. She understood why Mr. Duce wanted her to let Epona out there. If she was shoved in a stall now with all of her pent up adrenaline, the filly would tear herself and the stall apart. And because of the weather, they couldn’t put her out in the pasture, so the indoor ring would have to do. Chris opened up the gate entrance, and Lani let her filly loose without bothering to take off the travel wraps. They would help keep the filly’s legs safe if she ran into anything.
Another bolt of lightening lit the sky, and thunder came parading after it. Mr. Duce had joined Chris and Lani as the filly exploded, bucking like a rodeo horse and galloping around the area like her tail was on fire. Epona was so drenched in sweat it looked like she had just been hosed off, and her eyes rolled white in terror. Lani’s heart ached to watch the confused filly suffer, but there was nothing she could do for her. They could put another horse in there with her, but in her wild frenzy, Epona could hurt herself and the other animal.
The wind had picked up and was traveling through the arena. The rain was beginning to come down, and leaked in with the wind. Epona snorted when she felt herself getting wet when she came too close to the edge, and so not knowing what else to do, skidded to a halt in the middle of the ring and stood stock still. Even when another round of lightening and thunder racked the outdoors, Epona only flinched, too scared to move. Lani couldn’t help it. Sliding through the panels of the ring, she ignored Chris calling her back and walked slowly towards the filly. Speaking softly, yet loud enough to be heard over the wind and rain, Lani soothed the filly, her hypnotic monotone voice making the filly flicker her ears towards her. Epona’s eyes still rolled white, and her tail was tucked between her legs. Lani slowly came up to her side, but made no attempt to touch her. Epona’s head was already stretched high, her nose pointed upward but her eyes locked on Lani. The blonde merely stood next to her, talking to her, knowing that if she touched Epona the bay would explode into a million pieces. Lani stayed there, just talking to her filly until the thunder rolled of and the rain and wind began to die down. Epona’s head slowly came down, not enough that Lani could touch it, but it was progress. Slowly, Lani reached out a gentle hand and ran her fingers over the filly’s withers. Epona flinched as though she’d been struck, but instead of bursting into a series of bucks, she merely trotted off to the farthest corner…and looked. Lani walked back to Mr. Duce and Chris, and looked at her boss. ”Can Epona spend the night in here? Once she’s cooled off I’ll put some hay and water in there. She’ll be better tomorrow, I’m sure of it.”
Mr. Duce nodded, and smiled at the young blonde’s confidence. We’ll put her outside tomorrow,” He said, and began to walk off, headed for the house. Taking one last look at the filly, who was curiously sniffing the corners of the arena, he added, ”You’re great uncle gave you this filly for a reason Lani. He knew you, even though you didn’t know him. He even trusted you enough to give you this horse. That’s really saying something Lani. Take advantage of it.”
Lani glared at the gathering clouds, as though trying to scare them away as they darkened. The weather man hadn't predicted a storm, and if one started, she'd personally march up to the news station and strangle him.
Splash of Luck nudged the worried blonde, looking at her rider with liquid eyes. Lani turned around to face the gypsy vanner and leaned her forehead against the mares. "How did I get messed up in this?" Lani asked the horse, and was only answered with a heavy sigh. "That's what I think too," Lani smiled gently, scratching the mare's poll. Their time together was suddenly disturbed when Chris walked in, stopping when he saw Lani.
"Mr. Duce is pulling up," He said, Stetson shadowing his eyes. Lani reluctantly pulled herself away from Splash and followed Chris out the door, thumbs hooked into her jean pockets.
The dark blue Chevy with 'Justice Acres' printed in white on the door pulled up into the stableyard, tires crunching on the cobblestone. The truck hauled a two horse trailer behind it, and both came to a stop in front of Lani and Chris. Mr. Duce turned off the ignition and hopped out of the truck, walking towards Lani. The blonde winced when she heard the filly inside struggle, banging against the sides of the trailer until it rocked.
”She wasn’t a very happy camper when she just got out of quarantine and then had to go straight into the trailer,” Mr. Duce said, his words directed to Lani. The blonde nodded her head, but bit her lips because she didn’t trust herself to speak.
’Well, let’s not keep her waiting,” Chris answered for Lani. Looking over at the girl, he motioned for her to move. The truth hit her hard. This is my filly. She’s my responsibility now…my filly. Straightening her shoulders, Lani walked towards the trailer, and pulled down the ramp. The bay that was inside exploded, jerking hard at the cross ties so that she could crane her neck around to look at Lani. The little windows had provided poor light, but now the trailer was filled with the overcast light.
”Easy Epona,” Lani soothed, disappearing into the empty side of the trailer. The bay filly squealed kicking out again. Her eyes rolled white and her coat was drenched in nervous sweat. The stable blanket that she had on was damp from her sweat, and travel boots were slipping from the froth she had worked up. ”Steady girl,” Lani cooed, showing the thoroughbred her hand to sniff. Epona wouldn’t ‘steady’ or sniff. Instead, she threw up her head and tried to rear, desperate to get out. Lani decided to skip on introductions and get Epona out of here before she hurt herself. Snapping the lead shank onto her nylon headstall, Lani laid a hand on the bay’s neck while she unhooked her from the cross ties. As soon as Epona felt her head was free, she bolted – backwards – out of the trailer. Lani was nearly dragged flat on her face and stumbled down the ramp after the filly. Epona attempted to gallop for the hills when she was cut short by the lead rope. Lani circled her, the thoroughbred cantering frantically in a tight circle. As Lani shortened the line, Epona was forced to a trot, and then a walk around her new owner. The filly was breathing heavily, her sides heaving under the wet blanket. Epona stood still, her ears doing most of the work as she looked around her. Lani unbuckled the blanket while her filly was busy, and swept it off. Epona shied away from the sheet, but soon settled down, her drenched coat relieved and steam rising up from her back.
”Man, she sure had herself worked up,” Chris said, raising his eyebrows.
”She really is something to look at though,” Mr. Duce added, his arms folded as he lay a critical eye on the thoroughbred.
”WOW Lani!” A high pitched voice erupted from not far off. ”Is that your new horse?” Mike and Emily leaned against the white fence, proving that they’d just come down from the house. Epona’s eyes rolled white as her head snapped towards the two children. She pranced in place, unable to contain her adrenaline.
”Yah…this is my horse,” Lani replied, still trying to make herself believe it. She’d had a horse at one time – Gypsy Secret, Splash’s first filly. But Lani hadn’t been able to support the filly and dedicate the time it took to train her. So Secret had to be sold off…but now, she had a filly thrown at her who had nowhere else to go. Mr. Duce had been kind enough to let Lani board her filly for free, but something had to be done about her feed….
Lani’s thoughts were cut off when a sudden bolt of lightening ripped through the sky not far off. She caught her breath, holding onto the lead rope, prepared for the loud bang afterwards. It came – and rolled maddeningly through the air. Epona squealed, lifting off with her front legs and pinned back her ears. When the filly landed she tried to bolt, but Lani held onto the rope tightly even as it burned through her hands. The wind was starting to pick up. Epona’s first night at JA wasn’t going to be a very pleasant one.
”Lani! Get Epona under the covered arena!” Mr. Duce ordered before turning around to usher his children back up to the house. Lani circled her filly to keep her under control. The wind blew the leaves over the stableyard, and Epona was overcome by fright. Chris went to retrieve the thoroughbred’s blanket as Lani coaxed Epona into the covered arena. She understood why Mr. Duce wanted her to let Epona out there. If she was shoved in a stall now with all of her pent up adrenaline, the filly would tear herself and the stall apart. And because of the weather, they couldn’t put her out in the pasture, so the indoor ring would have to do. Chris opened up the gate entrance, and Lani let her filly loose without bothering to take off the travel wraps. They would help keep the filly’s legs safe if she ran into anything.
Another bolt of lightening lit the sky, and thunder came parading after it. Mr. Duce had joined Chris and Lani as the filly exploded, bucking like a rodeo horse and galloping around the area like her tail was on fire. Epona was so drenched in sweat it looked like she had just been hosed off, and her eyes rolled white in terror. Lani’s heart ached to watch the confused filly suffer, but there was nothing she could do for her. They could put another horse in there with her, but in her wild frenzy, Epona could hurt herself and the other animal.
The wind had picked up and was traveling through the arena. The rain was beginning to come down, and leaked in with the wind. Epona snorted when she felt herself getting wet when she came too close to the edge, and so not knowing what else to do, skidded to a halt in the middle of the ring and stood stock still. Even when another round of lightening and thunder racked the outdoors, Epona only flinched, too scared to move. Lani couldn’t help it. Sliding through the panels of the ring, she ignored Chris calling her back and walked slowly towards the filly. Speaking softly, yet loud enough to be heard over the wind and rain, Lani soothed the filly, her hypnotic monotone voice making the filly flicker her ears towards her. Epona’s eyes still rolled white, and her tail was tucked between her legs. Lani slowly came up to her side, but made no attempt to touch her. Epona’s head was already stretched high, her nose pointed upward but her eyes locked on Lani. The blonde merely stood next to her, talking to her, knowing that if she touched Epona the bay would explode into a million pieces. Lani stayed there, just talking to her filly until the thunder rolled of and the rain and wind began to die down. Epona’s head slowly came down, not enough that Lani could touch it, but it was progress. Slowly, Lani reached out a gentle hand and ran her fingers over the filly’s withers. Epona flinched as though she’d been struck, but instead of bursting into a series of bucks, she merely trotted off to the farthest corner…and looked. Lani walked back to Mr. Duce and Chris, and looked at her boss. ”Can Epona spend the night in here? Once she’s cooled off I’ll put some hay and water in there. She’ll be better tomorrow, I’m sure of it.”
Mr. Duce nodded, and smiled at the young blonde’s confidence. We’ll put her outside tomorrow,” He said, and began to walk off, headed for the house. Taking one last look at the filly, who was curiously sniffing the corners of the arena, he added, ”You’re great uncle gave you this filly for a reason Lani. He knew you, even though you didn’t know him. He even trusted you enough to give you this horse. That’s really saying something Lani. Take advantage of it.”