{What} |A| [Group] *OPEN*

[~*Crimson Rain*~]

C H A N C E G R A N T
I didn't know that, it was so cold
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My curly brown hair bounced freely on my shoulders as we trotted down the path at an even pace. It was natural now, posting. I just rose and fell according to Sox’s strides without even a glance. I looked to my left to see Daisy keeping pace, her tongue rolling out of her mouth as she went. On my right trotted Flame, and he made me chuckle. The way he tried so hard to be perfect, to keep his legs up and head arched – he was a natural at dressage. Which, I guess it should have been the other way around. Sox being good at dressage and Flame good at jumping – but it wasn’t so. Oh you should see my dear Sox. The way she fly’s over the jump with such ease and spirit, it’s like riding a bird – or Pegasus, rather. Suddenly, just as I had taught her to do, Daisy halted and sat. Up further on the trail was another rider, and the horse she was riding could spook. That was one of the first things I had taught to her, if she’s never been around that horse before, she should sit. “Good girl,” I said, rubbing her muzzle where it rose to meet my hand. I figured that if she stayed on my other side, there would be no reason for the horse to act out. Out of courtesy, we moved off the path and into the snow where there’d be a good distance between our groups. Daisy walked obediently on my left as my finger looped around part of Flame’s bridle to bring him close; and just as we neared the other rider, yet another game galloping. Before I had time to react Daisy had bolted forward at such a speed I didn’t even realize what she was doing until it was already done. She had turned a big circle and was running along side the horse. My eyes widened in horror – but what could I do? Nothing, I could do nothing but sit back and watch.

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F L A M I N G P A S S I O N S
I can save you, I can take you away from here
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I could already smell them – the others. There were a few of them, but Chance seemed totally unaware. My ears flickered back for a moment, but were soon forward again as I became interested and curious. My mane bounced up and down on my neck, looking like flames licking at my fur – that was similar in color, maybe a little more intense. I halted as instructed and kept close to my sister and master when motioned to. Some horses would have gotten uncomfortable when in such close quarters, but not us. We were quite comfortable with each other and could even share a stall if necessary. But what I hadn’t been expecting was what Daisy did – that dog can be so stupid at times! I paced in place nervously, flicking my tail but staying put, not wanting to make the situation even worse.
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D A I S Y
So lonely inside, so busy out there
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I let my tongue roll out of my mouth as I trotted on, letting any perspiration into the air that I needed to. My tail wagged happily behind me as I…wait, what’s that smell? Horses, horses I had never met before. Plop. There goes my happy stride. I sat on the ground quite abruptly, knowing very well what this would signal to my master. When motioned to, I walked slowly on Chance’s left side – but my heart was fluttering with excitement. When I saw that horse running I couldn’t, just couldn’t resist running with it. Circling around, I came up beside that horse and ran along side it as fast as I could. I was, granted, a few strides behind, but I was running at my fullest – and enjoying every minute of it. [/font][/center]

[raquelle]

V i c t o r i a

It was another of those chilly days where frost nipped toes were the norm. Cold, red hands and feet and frozen noses with your breath rising in puffs of steam. Pulling at my jacket sleeves, i yanked them down to cover my slim wrists in an attempt not to loose to much heat. I'd left my hair out as an insulation device, letting it retain the heat on the back of my neck. I find thats a place i get cold very easily. Also, i knew i should have bought a saddle with a suede seat, my butt was freezing as i'd opted to wear a light pair of jodpurs today in case the weather turned. But after a while it had gotten warmer, and the day was turning out quite pleasant.

I'd woken early, locked up my apartment in my new home town and run down to the paddock i keep Miss Attitude in. She was still asleep, and was rather uncooperative about being worked this early, as we'd spent the last few weeks before today preparing for the big move. So needless to say, we were working up our fitness ready for the competition season. I could feel Quantum's rhythm begin to regain its old bounce, as she kept her head high and watched around with alert ears. I could see condensation on her whiskers, and her breath, like mine, came out as steam.

She's a funny thing.....my horse. I love her to bits though. She is always just as eager to fly with me over the coloured poles that are so important to me, and sometimes i think the crazy girl has wings. She'd just adorable too.....slightly.....plump. I love that word. I focus once more and squeeze her sides as she stops to take a mouthful of grass down the side of the trail. I dont care, as long as it isnt poisonous and she don't eat too much, its harmless. I let her get away with a lot of things, i'm a little lenient. It doesnt happen that way for me with other people though, i find they get boring easily, but since i was knew, hopefully some people would be interested in knowing me. I did get lonely, despite what some people might think, and despite the attitude she shows Quantum can't talk back.

SO i ride along in silence, one gloved hand on her dappled neck, twisted in her thick mane (i see it needs to be pulled; plaiting it as it is is a nightmare) and the other guiding her through the frosty grass on the sides of the trail in the park. What a lovely place, so tranquil, but at the same time, a mystery to me. I'm sure i'd work out it wasnt that interesting once i got to know it, but for now i'd enjoy it.

The soft thud of her hooves on the cold ground kept me company, and i'd hear it increase in tempo as we went down a hill, or as by instinct i judged when to liven the pace. Cantering through the trees, with red cheeks and a frost-touched face was one of my happy memories, ones like this i have had in all the places i have lived. It's always synonymous with Christmas to me, one of the only good things that come of it in my family. The gathering of relatives is something i dread, and i find myself habitually working out an excuse not to attend this one. Oh well. Everyone has their secrets, i'm entitled to mine.

I ride on, humming under my breath to myself, and watching the way roly poly's ears move around at the sounds. It would be interesting to have ears like that, so people will know when they are annoying you. But at the same time, it must be hard to fake, so it could lead to all sorts of dramas. So i ponder this over whilst meandering down the track, thinking to myself to take away the primary chill of the winter's day.

[Savina]

Kivin urged the dapple grey gelding across the road and into the park,ignoring his arguments.He rode bareback, a thin, worn bridle on Ghost Storm's head.
Urging him into a trot, the gelding gladly picked up the pace, trotting eagerly down the path. There were trails of hoof prints along it, and he silently hoped he wouldn't meet up with anyone here. Ghost Storm stepped sideways, and Kevin quickly guided him back onto the path. He kept his mind off of the events at home, clearly not wanting to think about the bruise that was even now becoming visible along his collar bone.
"Come on now Ghost, let's have som fun eh?" Kevin whispered, leaning over the gelding's neck and urging him into a gallop. The gellding let out a small buck, before bursting forwards, carefully placing his rather small hooves in the snow. His black socks could easily be seen in the now, as could the grey in his dappled pelt. His ears flicked sideways, trying to keep from getting any wind and snow in them.
The wind livened them up, and Kevin lett clear his head, blocking all issues from home out of his head. The pain from the bruise on his neck was ignored, as the exileration of running flowed through his body, his legs gripped against the geldings sides, The geldings flowing mane blew in his face, his tail flowed behind him, and Just for a moment, Kevin closed his eyes, feeling quite peaceful. Slwoly he opened them, and tugged getntly on the reins, slowing the gelding down. Just over the small hill, another horse and rider could be seen, though Kevin had yet to see them. Ghost Storm headed straight for them, and by the time Kevin noticed, they were too close to back down.
He allowed the gelding to approach, and Ghost Storm eagerly strided alongside the mare, and Kevin waved appolgetically at the girl riding it.

[~*Crimson Rain*~]

C H A N C E G R A N T
I didn't know that, it was so cold
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My curly brown hair bounced freely on my shoulders as we trotted down the path at an even pace. It was natural now, posting. I just rose and fell according to Sox’s strides without even a glance. I looked to my left to see Daisy keeping pace, her tongue rolling out of her mouth as she went. On my right trotted Flame, and he made me chuckle. The way he tried so hard to be perfect, to keep his legs up and head arched – he was a natural at dressage. Which, I guess it should have been the other way around. Sox being good at dressage and Flame good at jumping – but it wasn’t so. Oh you should see my dear Sox. The way she fly’s over the jump with such ease and spirit, it’s like riding a bird – or Pegasus, rather. Suddenly, just as I had taught her to do, Daisy halted and sat. Up further on the trail was another rider, and the horse she was riding could spook. That was one of the first things I had taught to her, if she’s never been around that horse before, she should sit. “Good girl,” I said, rubbing her muzzle where it rose to meet my hand. I figured that if she stayed on my other side, there would be no reason for the horse to act out. Out of courtesy, we moved off the path and into the snow where there’d be a good distance between our groups. Daisy walked obediently on my left as my finger looped around part of Flame’s bridle to bring him close; and just as we neared the other rider, yet another game galloping. Before I had time to react Daisy had bolted forward at such a speed I didn’t even realize what she was doing until it was already done. She had turned a big circle and was running along side the horse. My eyes widened in horror – but what could I do? Nothing, I could do nothing but sit back and watch.

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F L A M I N G P A S S I O N S
I can save you, I can take you away from here
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -



I could already smell them – the others. There were a few of them, but Chance seemed totally unaware. My ears flickered back for a moment, but were soon forward again as I became interested and curious. My mane bounced up and down on my neck, looking like flames licking at my fur – that was similar in color, maybe a little more intense. I halted as instructed and kept close to my sister and master when motioned to. Some horses would have gotten uncomfortable when in such close quarters, but not us. We were quite comfortable with each other and could even share a stall if necessary. But what I hadn’t been expecting was what Daisy did – that dog can be so stupid at times! I paced in place nervously, flicking my tail but staying put, not wanting to make the situation even worse.
[/font]


D A I S Y
So lonely inside, so busy out there
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I let my tongue roll out of my mouth as I trotted on, letting any perspiration into the air that I needed to. My tail wagged happily behind me as I…wait, what’s that smell? Horses, horses I had never met before. Plop. There goes my happy stride. I sat on the ground quite abruptly, knowing very well what this would signal to my master. When motioned to, I walked slowly on Chance’s left side – but my heart was fluttering with excitement. When I saw that horse running I couldn’t, just couldn’t resist running with it. Circling around, I came up beside that horse and ran along side it as fast as I could. I was, granted, a few strides behind, but I was running at my fullest – and enjoying every minute of it. [/font][/center]

[raquelle]

V i c t o r i a

The first thing out of order i noticed was the young, grey horse striding eagerly up to meet us, with a boy of about my age sitting on its back, without a saddle of any kind. I raised my eyebrows at this, before deciding this was difficult to ask of my frozen muscles so i stopped. I looked, and rode on, i didn't mind either way what happens in the end. Chances are that it was just peak hour on the trails, so i just went about my business and enjoyed as much of it as i could.

The horse got closer, and i could see the rider on board looking.....slightly nervous. His horse drew alongside roly poly and i watched the other horse for a bit to see if he was any threat to my or Quantum's peace. By this time i had a steady canter going, and i had adjusted my position to my usual, slightly forward and tilted slightly forward, a reflex in anticipation of jumping. It was just habit i picked up whenever i climbed into the so-familiar all purpose saddle. I could hear the other horse's hoofbeats under Quantum's rhythm, and in an effort not to seem surly, i slowed her canter a little slower until the other boy was level with me. I smiled at him, my cheeks red from the cold, as well as the tips of my ears. At least i could feel they were red, i had my hair untucked so it was kinda everywhere.

So with the grin on my face, i could have passed for a complete idiot. I rode alongside the boy, who hadnt spoken a word, before the silence began to bore me. So i turned in my saddle, keeping one eye on the trail ahead even though i knew it was clear, and spoke to him.

"It's cold out today, don't ya think?" So english, and very intelligent (sarcasm there). Weather is what the english people talk about when they can't be bothered to talk about anything else, but in this case, i made the exception. Seeing as i had no idea who this boy it wasnt exactly going to be a normal conversation along the lines of 'so how are you? Good. You? Yeah, I'm fine. Cool. Hows the new maths teacher?' or something, that would be a little weird and awkward. SO i just settled for a neutral statement that was perfectly true and relevant, judging by the crisp morning with steamy breaths from the horse.

In time came a new sound, a rustling that had been annoying Quantum for a little while, i could see by the way she tossed her head as the sound grew louder. Rustle Rustle Rustle. It began to annoy me, and before long, down the trail, i could see a small, furry blur coming toward us with speed. A dog? It shot straight towards us and i didn't really have time to think before Quantum jerked her head backwards, tucked her fornt legs under and launched herself forwards and sideways to avoid running into the poor little happy thing. No one was injured, Quantum was looking annoyed, and the dog looked a little confused. My hands were a little worse for wear, her reins had been pulled out of my hands when she cavorted, and little red patches were beginning to bloom.

No matter, i didn't mind dogs, and as long as it was a nice animal i didn't particularly care what it was doing al by itself. Maybe it had gotten excited and ran off, i didnt know. I dismounted, looking over to see the boy's fate, and decided he looked perfectly unrattled sitting there majestically on his horse. I approached the dog, placing my hand out for it-her?-to sniff. I gave her a pat on the head, before gently slipping my fingers under her collar and holding her still until her owner came to get her. She looked like a nice animal, and i realy couldn't see why Quantum was putting up such a fuss;- we all make mistakes sometimes, right?

[Savina]

The gelding was eager to be beside the other horse, and it took all Kevin had to keep his signals to not mess with the mare subtle. He nodded in answer to the girl's question, before adding."Yeah, sure is. My name's Kevin by the way." he told her casually,, before Ghost Storm jerked his head up, and Half reared, suddenly deathly afraid of the approaching dog. He usually wasn't afraid of dogs, but today he decided he was, and there was no stopping him.. Ghost Storm took off at a full gallop, nearly unseating Kevin, and it tok everything Kevin had to pull him to a stop. The gelding stopped so suddenly, Kevin went flying, landing no so gracefully in the snow. His shirt and jacket both slipped, revealing a small part of the bruise on his collar bone before he slid it back into place.
Ghost Storm turned to look ay him, as if asking what he was doing down there. Kevin grumbled, andstood. Nothing was broken, he was just a little sore. He took all this in as he stirded the two steps to the gelding's side, grabbed ahold og Ghost Storm's mane, and pulled himself back on. Ghost Storm stood calmly, and comfortable, as if the thing with the dog had never happened...