Don't be a Donkey (LJ/Open)

[Henrietta Charleston]

Henri took carefully washed and cleaned Hutch with a wry face. She knew as soon as she let him loose, all remains of his cleanliness would disappear. Oh well. It all came with owning a horse. Hutch snorted, straining against her lead rope. He loved his time out in the pastures, especially with all those mares in there; even if he was a gelding. Henri knew how the horse loved to act like a big, pretty stallion at times, though he was a goofball. She smiled as she thought about her precious little (big) friend and gave him a quick pat. In response, Hutch gave her an unbelieving look as if to say, You’re gonna pet me instead of letting me run? What sort of love is this?! Henri sighed, and started to walk.

Prancing along came the bay, and she had to tug on the chain wrapped about his nose a few times to get his attention. The Trakehner was middle aged, though at times, he did act like a frisky young colt. Henri wasn’t sure whether to love this factor or not. For now, she took it as a good sign and pulled him back a few inches more before returning to her steady, controlled walk. She didn’t want him acting so rude with her.

As soon as they hit the grass section, the horse’s head went down, nearly dragging Henri’s thing body along with it. She frowned; somewhat annoyed by his behavior. She had thought they had gotten over this whole thing. Still, she figured since it was a new place, the horse thought he could pretty much be a rude ass to her. After a tough tug and disapproving note in her cluck, the gelding nearly trotted forward toward the pasture. Finally they reached the metal gate, and Henri started to undo the latch.

Hutch pranced, getting overexcited. She was taking too long for him. As soon as the gate opened, the gelding charged through, dragging the girl with him till she finally gave up and let go of the rope. True annoyance filled her blue orbs. He was acting extremely rude today. Henri stood up slowly and shut the gate before a horse could escape. Then came the fun chase. Hutch galloped around her, having fun with the new game he had created, lead rope flying right behind him. Henri sighed and slowly walked up to him, though he turned with an excited look the other way as if to tease her. He loved this game, and Henri hated it.

[Lucy Davis]

Splash was all Lucy heard to have know that Tink spilled the bucket, again. Frowning Lucy picked up the green bucket, placing it upright again, and rubbed the mare's neck. You little girl are a lot of trouble. I'm starting to regret bringing you to Blue Ridge afterall.

At least we were done with the soap, Lucy thought to herself as she took the hose and started to rinse the suds off the Paint's coat. Revealing her black and white spots, Lucy smiled. She was gorgeous, when she wasn't all brown from mud.

Taking a sweat scraper, Lucy then began at her neck, and moved her way down her body, watching as all the water rolled off the hair, and made its way to the ground.

Taking the baby blue halter, and unclipping the cross ties, Lucy then attached the pale pink lead to the clip underneath the mare's nose. Then turning to her left, Lucy made her way down to the Pasture. She had always taken Tink out to pasture after a nice bath, even if it had meant getting her dirty again.

Walking down, Lucy saw a girl and horse; the horse apparently not getitng the idea of the owner being in charge, and Lucy unlatched the metal gate, walkign Tink inside.

The mare's hair had dried, and was now in its long style, that had never really been cut, so it flew behind her as the wind hit it. She perked her ears towards the sound of the horse's beating hooves. Tink, be nice. Go show em' your long hair, huh? Lucy said, knowing that Tink was a player whenever it came to geldings. She loved to nose this one, then go onto the next gelding.

[Henrietta Charleston]

Henri gave her gelding a very frustrated look. He was being rude and he knew it. She figured next time to use a chain until he got the idea of not running like a nutcase when they went into the pasture. The horse was ten, she figured he should’ve been behaved better for his age. She gave Hutch a look as he took a pause in his galloping to give her a teasing look before cantering off again just as she managed to take a step toward him. He charged, feet already close enough to the flying lead rope and get tangled in. Henri made a worried look, she really didn’t need a lame horse.

“Whoa.” she said deeply in hopes to get the horse to quiet down. She sighed in exasperation; he really was being a donkey today. Henri clucked and followed him around until she heard the familiar noise of a horse’s clip clops until they stepped onto the grassy pasture area. She couldn’t exactly focus on them however as Hutch was barreling right toward her. She flinched, ready to jump out of the way, unbelievable at the fact the horse would actually run her over. To her relief, Hutch didn’t. He swerved, completely missing her and shaking his head in happiness.

Henri now turned her attention back to the girl and her mare, who immediately caught the gelding’s attention. To her amusement, she watched as the mare walked in, perking her ears toward Hutch. She looked curiously at her gelding, wondering if his stallion side would play out. He proved her assumption correct as he pranced stallion style over, looking as fancy as a stud. Henri watched, clearly amused before she seized the opportunity to walk over to her distracted horse and grab his lead rope. Hutch threw his head up in surprise but immediately nosed her, happy to have his owner before turning his attention back to the mare.

Henri unclipped him and walked out, happy to have that fixed.The girl walked briskly out before closing the gate behind her and turning to the owner of the mare; a thankful look on her face. “I have to thank your mare quite a bit.” she said, chuckling before turning to look at the gelding. It amazed her how he could act like a little nutcase child at times and then in front of mares, act like a very cocky brute.

[Lucy Davis]

Lucy could see how the owner of the gelding seemed very frustrated with her horse; seeming he wasn't being very nice either. As the lead rope came loose from her grasp, and the horse almost got tangled; Lucy gasped, afraid of what might happen. Although the gasp was quiet, Tink could still hear it, turning her head, and making it lower so Lucy could scratch behind her ear.

The mare then whinnied loudly, shaking out her hair and messing it up. Some on the right side of her and some on the left. Smiling, Lucy added in, You silly girl, have a good time. and then unclipped the pink lead rope, raveling it up. Then she turned to face the fence, climbing up and perching ontop.

The gelding seemed playful, but Tink didn't at all. The way he was treating his owner didn't impress her it seemed, so he moved onto a new style. It seemed to work, for a moment at least.

Tink nickered softly, shaking her head and then lowering it to the ground; so that she could finally graze on the grass. It was much greener in this pasture than the usual that she was brought to. She seemed to like it more also. Smiling Lucy watched as the gelding still tried his best.

As Tink trotted aroudn the ring, bucking a bit. Lucy then noticed that his owner had finally managed to get what she needed, and she pratically "ran" out of the ring; althoguh not literally. Smilign after what she had said to her, Lucy turned her head, saying, A carrot would be a nice offering towards her, I'm Lucy. she said jokingly at the thanks.

[Henrietta Charleston]

Henri watched as the gelding made move to impress the mare as she stepped out of the pasture. Hutch behaved just as she thought he would, flinging his head around and doing a small canter around the pasture. He made a few bucks as well and even nickered in attempts to get the mare’s attention. Still, the horse was not completely a stallion and after a few attempts, the grass caught his focus. Henri smiled in her usual loving nature for her horse as she watched the animal chew away. While he was an ass at times, the girl truly did think all animals were the pure essence of purity.

Even the most bloodthirsty ones had a reason to be that way. They were the only innocent things left in the world, and she hoped they would be protected well. She did her best to make sure Hutch got the best care and love from her, though there were times such as now that she had play mom. Henri turned toward her savior’s owner, giving the opposite girl a friendly, but shy smile. Still, her voice was the first to acknowledge her to Henri’s large surprise; though she supposed it was from interacting with others so much more than she was used to.

Henri chuckled at the girl’s joking words, though she noted mentally to go and pay up. “Oh… I’ll remind myself to bring a carrot next time I cross your mare. Might I know the name of Hutch’s focus?” she asked, an amused look resting on her lips. Blue eyes gazed over the girl’s small figure. Henri stood a little taller, if not about the same. She gave the girl a curious gaze, wondering if she was in any of her classes or if she had seen her before.

[Lucy Davis]

Lucy smiled as she watched the gelding move around the pasture, impressing Tink, or trying to at least. It didn't seem to be working, so he gave up pretty quickly and gave him love to some patch of grass instead.

As he did so, Tink raised her head, and shook her mane and swished her tail, now seeming agitated that he wasn't paying attention to her. It was like a fifth grader getting mad that her "boyfriend" hung out with other girls. A hair toss, and a little turn on the heel, was what Tink signed compared to Lucy's mind.

Hearing the girl chuckle at Lucy's response, she laughed back and then listened to what she had said, Tink, for short. Her real name is Once Upon A Time. A stubborn one, that doesn't usually have happy endings. Lucy said then asking in return, What about the prince over there? she asked with a smile. This girl seemed nice, unlike some other people here.

Seeing the girls curious glance at her, Lucy reconized her from some classes, but was thinking of them when a snout touched her arm. Glancing over she saw Tink standing there snorting and nudging her arm. Stroking the mare now, Lucy awaited something back from the girl.

[Henrietta Charleston]

Henri’s blue irises traveled over to where the other horse was now getting annoyed at the fact the gelding was eyeing her. She laughed in spite of this, which Hutch snorted at the mare swishing her mane. The bay lifted his head out once more to dare, pricking his ears toward the mare and sneakily making his way closer to her. With his luck, Henri supposed she was going to have to treat a kick from this spunky female by the time she came back. She just hoped he learned his lesson without getting too badly hurt.

Yet again, to her assumption, the gelding dared to lower his head closer to her back. He sniffed softly, inhaling the scents and Henri turned in order not to watch whatever the mare was going to do. She wished her horse would just protect his head. Henri shook her head at Hutch before returning her focus back to the girl in front of her. She laughed as the girl explained the mare’s personality and name. Henri looked over to the female, she was quite a belle. “I love her name! She sounds like she came out of a fairytale.” she said grinning.

Her eyes traveled back down as her new acquaintance asked about her own man’s name. She chuckled at him before responding “Hutch. Well, Handsome Approval officially, though at the moment, I think sir doofus might suit him better.” she said with a smirk, referring to the gelding’s impulsiveness to mess with the mare. After ten years of living, the horse would’ve learned mares kick and bite pretty hard. As the girl’s horse came up to the gate, Hutch trotted over to see Henri. She held her hand out waiting for his muzzle to nudge it and gave him a scratch behind the ear. He actually enjoyed that quite a bit. To Henri’s amusement, Hutch tilted his head in pleasure as she scratched, lifting his lip a little as he snorted. “Aww, feels good.” she laughed at him.

[Lucy Davis]

Seeing the gelding walk over to the mare, finally after being pursued not to, but then again he seemed interested in the frisky mare. The big gelding walked over, and inhaled her scent heavily; while Tink stood still, allowing this to happen and be perfectly fine with it. Smiling Lucy said, Looks like their off to a nice start.

Then as the girl commented upon Tink's name, Lucy said, Thanks, I always loved Fairytales, so maybe thats where it came from? I love Hutch's name to, suits his personality. Or Sir Doofus would work too. Lucy said laughing.

Lucy watched as whereever the mare went; the gelding followed, wanting to be by her side every second. Seems like we have a pair together, Lucy thought to herself. They would make quiet the couple themselves, even though they couldn't be bred.

Tink was a bit antsy now, bobbing her head up and down, wanting attention. Nipping at the gelding's mane, Lucy had a stern look on her face, as the mare found it funny. She playfully nipped it again, and then stopped, throwing her head over his neck; like an apology. It was strange how horses communicated.

[Henrietta Charleston]

Henri chuckled softly at her horse and his antics as well as the mares. It surprised her the female was being alright with the whole flirtation thing. She didn’t think Tink was in heat. Perhaps Hutch had found himself a good friend for the time being. The brunette smiled at the thought of her horse making social interactions, knowing how alone he had felt in his old home. There was no doubt the animal was much happier at BRRA. Henri’s happiness was also built on Hutchs’, so in that case, they both worked somewhat of a partnership. The sixteen year old nodded at her new friend’s observation. “Hopefully it’ll stay that way.”

Blue eyes turned back to Lucy, as self-realization hit her. Henri chided herself for forgetting to introduce herself when the girl had told Henri her name. The brunette bit her lip in annoyance at herself before giving the other girl a smile “Sorry, I forgot to mention my name. I’m Henri.” she said, before returning her attention to the two horses. Hutch seemed be having a good time trying to get the mare’s attention once more as he attempted to sniff her. Henri shook her head at the horses before calling out “No funny business mister.” she said in a mock stern voice to her horse.

Henri chuckled at the girl’s response to her ideas on the names. “Me too! Especially the magic filled ones.” she said happily, before realizing that the majority of them were magic. Another amusing look was thrown out to the girl she was beginning to get comfortable with as she told her Hutch’s name suited him “Oh yes. Both definitely work quite well.” she said with a snort before watching Tink. Hutch snorted and threw his head up as the mare nipped on his mane, trying to steal a nip from her as well. When she thrusted her head over his neck, the bay surprisingly stood. The brunette laughed at this “Awww. Hutch is being a gentleman.” she commented happily.

[Lucy Davis]

Hearing the girl beside her chuckle at her gelding, Lucy smiled. She didn't think that Tink would be handling this so well; but the mare suprised her. She was usually a hot headed horse when it came to males; exspecially stallions. Lucy knew that Hutch could not be a stallion by the rules; which only left a gelding. Frankly, Tink got along well with stallions, better than geldings; which suprised her greatly.

Hearing the comment come out of the girl's mouth, Lucy replied back to it. No kidding, suprisingly I'm happy that it got this far. Tink usually doesn't do good around geldings; she likes stallions more than them, so I am suprised at her. Lucy told her.

Hearing that she now had a name, Lucy nodded in reply. Henri, it was a nice name; that fitted the girl as well. She seemed to have that look of realization on her face whenever she said it, so Lucy imidiatley noticed that she must of felt bad about not introducing herself. It was no biggy to her; most people here didn't even care about being friends with her or not.

Laughing at the comment that Henri threw to Hutch; Tink then snorted and walked away from the gelding, and the fence; grazing now on the nice green grass. She found the right patch, and now seemed to be ignoring the gelding once more; not wanting a piece of him at all.

Yes but now Tink's being such a pain. She's hit and miss I tell you; a big troublemaker one minute, a total flirt the next, and then running off like nothing never happened in the next second. Lucy told Henri, a smile pulling at her lips. She hoped that nothing would happen if Hutch got to close; Tink seemed a bit mad and irritated now, swishing her tail back and forth, and flicking her ears.

[Henrietta Charleston]

Henri sighed at her horse’s antics, though her eyes gave away the obvious amusement she had for her horse as the animal curiously searches his female co-pasture horse for the moment. She knew it the ten year old knew it was foolish. He wasn’t too young anymore, though Hutch was most certainly not old. He still got over the high jumps easily. The brunette easily believed the horse could jump the moon if he wished. A wisp of smile grew over her lips as the horse went on to nearly shove his nose against the mare’s side before retreating almost immediately. She had seen the same behavior between a mother and a young son, though she doubted the mare would be hesitant to bite the gelding.

Henri nodded in an agreement at the girl’s surprise at how her mare was acting “It’s weird isn’t it? I thought Tink would’ve given him at least a sign that she doesn’t want anything to do with him by now…” she mused, but watched closely as the two animals interacted. A different way of thinking hit her head as she watched the two. “I wonder if they talk about us like we talk about them in their own horsey language…” Henri said thoughtfully, more to herself before she turned to the girl with a laugh. “Just a thought. Though, it would be quite funny.”

Henri chuckled as the mare immediately began to ignore her gelding once more, leaving Hutch baffled. He looked back at his owner with a ‘women are crazy’ look before doing his best show of bucks and mini-gallops around the pasture. “And now comes on his show off time.” Henri said laughing as Hutch slowly wearied himself out, finally stopping near the fence next to her and Lucy. He bobbed his head a few times before settling to the grass and ripping pieces out for his own tummy.

[Lucy Davis]

OOC: So sorry it took a long time to reply!

Hearing Henri sigh, at the two horses; or maybe just her's, or maybe Lucy's in general, Lucy continued to place her orbs on the pair walking around the pasture together. Like a young couple.

Lucy watched as they seemed to enjoy the company they had; and then run away from eachother, only to come back and meet up once again; like Romeo and Juliet. Tink was more of a hunter than a Juliet; thankfully, she had some sass in herself.

Yeah; at least something. I bet they are, thinking were some "two legged animal or alien", laughing at us. Lucy said to Henri, chuckling. She did always wonder what was on a horse's mind; whether they were thinking bad, whenever the owner thought they were thinking good. Whether they liked it or not? Wanted it?

As the male came over and started bobbing his head; and placing on a show for Tink, but then settled for some grass; Lucy laughed. Tink noticed and quickly trotted over to her new pal. So is Hutch your only one? Lucy asked Henri; wondering about her horses.

[Henrietta Charleston]

Henri smiled at the two, she couldn’t help but feel as if the majority of teenagers acted like this too. For a second, she compared the behavior of two flirts in the human world to the two flirts here. It didn’t seem to have much of a difference. Of course, Henri wasn’t exactly the typical teenager with her being in isolation for the past sixteen years of her life other than swim team. Even that was held as something very temporary in her father’s eyes. Or her parent’s eyes in general. Truthfully, the girl had to admit, her mother was a bit of a better person than her father when it came to making Henri happy.

She smiled, remembering how it was actually her mother’s idea to send Henri to Blue Ridge and then to buy her a horse as well. Things had played out quite well for her since both had been from the best people to get it from and that was what her father liked the most. Anything expensive. Henri turned to look at Lucy, hoping if she ever got to know the other girl better she wouldn’t judge her for who she was as some had in the past.

Henri chuckled at the girl’s reply to her inquisition. She would’ve paid a million bucks to see what her horse was thinking some times. It really would help. She would pay two million to see what her father was thinking however, because sometimes it didn’t seem like he was with his decisions about her. The brunette looked over at the two, laughing out loud as Tink came back to Hutch once more. “Oh jeez.” Hutch took the bait as usual, and immediately stuck his head out to the mare, giving her a playful nudge. Henri focused on Lucy as she asked if Hutch was her only horse. Henri shook her head “Nope. I actually just bought another guy, Cisco. He’s not exactly too friendly with other horses… or anything for that matter.” Henri smiled, thinking about her other little depressed horse. He had been getting better over the weeks however. “He’s still a baby. How bout’ you?” she inquired curiously.

OOC: Yeah... Sorry about taking forever too xDD

[Lucy Davis]

Seeing the gorgeous gelding's head nudged Tink's shoulder, Lucy smiled; watching them now settle in and graze together. She noticed how Tink seemed to have a twitch in her flank, seeing it move back and forth; every few seconds. She'd have to check it out whenever they got back to the barn.

As her and Henri both watched the two horses graze over a nice area of grass, Lucy thought of what Henri's family was like, but didn't want to make assumptions, so stopped after two thoughts came into mind. A nice or a mean one? That was all she really needed to know, and was dying to ask, but decided against it.

The question coming back to her now, she nodded at Henri's words, smiling at her other horse's personality. Really? I have another as well, his name is Ticker; and he's a grump at times too. Lucy said to Henri. They had more in common than she had thought, even with horses. Seeing a flash of black and white, Tink came soaring over to Lucy.

Tugging on the lead rope, Lucy got the signal. Looks like someones getting tired. she said scratching behind her ears, as the mare lowered her head. I'm sorry, but do you mind if we head in for the night? Seems that she's getting a little tired. Lucy asked the girl.

[Henrietta Charleston]

Henri looked at Lucy with interest as the girl told her that she had another hard head horse as well. She smiled at this, wondering how they seemed to have so much in common. Just the families would be left for them to figure out, though the brunette was pretty sure she didn’t want Lucy to meet hers. Heck, she didn’t want to meet hers either. Just the thought of her father doing even a hint of his ‘you have failed me’ gaze caused the girl’s heart pump faster in a new sort of anger. Before, it may have been guilt for not being perfect, but Henri knew she was not perfect now. Even if she didn’t accept as well as other, the girl was getting better at realizing it was something impossible to achieve.

Her eyes lit up in surprise as the girl’s horse flew over, and actually grabbed the lead rope. Tink was actually quite smart. Henri grinned at the scene and nodded as Lucy explained how the mare was getting tired. She didn’t think Hutch was quite ready to go in, rather he enjoyed staying out. The brunette was used to keeping him out for two hours at least, rather not waiting for him to be done until she was done exercising Cisco. Still, Henri nodded to Lucy and watched as she collected her horse. “No problem. Bye Lucy, it was nice meeting you.”

Henri made note to find the girl again and see if she ever wanted to hang out. Lucy definitely seemed quite nice, and the girl definitely needed some more friends. Heck, there was no such thing as too much friends. Grinning slightly at the meeting, Henri whistled softly wanting to give Hutch a pat before she also, clipped his lead rope on and led him to the barn. “Yep, bud. Sorry you didn’t get much time today, but the sun’s setting.” Avery kissed his muzzle.