The wings we lack (Sadie-Mae/Open)

[daine5]

Ashleigh smiled to herself as she vaulted over the fence into the pasture. It was about midday, and it was a Saturday. The sun shone brightly, and, though the leaves had turned and were falling from the trees, it was a nice day. Most of the days now were dark and cloudy, so Ash was glad that it was moderately warm and light. She pulled her dark grey windbreaker tighter around her small frame and flipped the hood up, shielding her face from the cold breeze that blew every now and then.

The girl walked slowly across the pasture, halter and lead in hand, the buckles jingling with her movement. She was planning on catching July and taking him for a short trailride later that afternoon, but before she did that, she wanted to jut hang out in the pasture with her gelding fo a while.

She walked up a small slope and grinned when the small herd of horses who were pastured in the pasture came into view. There was her gorgeous palomino Morab, and her brother's huge and intimidating Swedish Warmblood, and a variety of other horses, though the girl didn't know who owned or cared for them.

Ash whistled softly, a low-pitched, long sound that brought he heads of her and her brother's mounts up from the ground, where they were foraging for any green grass left to eat. The two horses stared in her direction for a few moments before losing interest in her and dropping their heads back to the ground, searching and biting off bits or green grass.

Ashleigh sighed, smiling slightly at their antics, and started to trudge down the hill, towards the band of horses. She had to be careful, though, as it was muddy from rain the previous night.

[monarch]

Sadie walked up to a old fence. She laid the halter and lead cross it. Before she climbed the fence she looked around. It was a nice day. A lil cold but very clear. Sadie put down the hood on her Grey hoodie and smiled.

She got over the fence and grabbed the halter and lead. She trudged up the hill. Once at the top she saw a bunch of horses. As she looked closer she could see a girl among them. Sadie let out a whistle. The heads of her 3 horses popped up at the sound. Bella's eyes found her first. Soon Raven and Valentino found her.

Sadie smiled and trudged down to her horses. She watched the girl carefully not sure of her. Valentino trotted up to her. His spotted golden palomino coat glistened in the bright sun. Raven walked up to her then his chiseled muscles rippled under his palomino splash coat. Ravens blue eyes caught the sun making them look some what creepy. Sadie sighed as Bella staid out of reach.

The lean buckskin mare snorted at the other girl. Sadie scowled at Bella "Bell be nice" she said. Bella seemed to roll her eyes before walking up to Sadie. Sadie saw that Valentino and Raven had on there halters that had there names on them. She walked up to Bella and put her named halter on her.

Sadie then stepped back and went to Valentino. She clipped the lead onto his halter before vaulting onto his bare back. Sadie smiled at the feeling of all that muscle beneath her. She glanced at the girl.

[daine5]

Ashleigh grinned when both hers and her brother's geldings meandered up, and she quickly haltered her palomino Morab before he decided to try and play a game of 'tag'. The girl pushed her brother's gelding away when Steele nudged her roughly, shoving her back a few inches in his way of saying 'hello'. She scratched his neck lightly. "Hey big boy. You look nice and clean. I take it bro just put you out a little while ago… yep, I see the faint saddle marks. What' did you two do, huh?" She spoke to the large horse before turning and tugging her smaller gelding away. "Come on July, I want to take a trailride later, or something… maybe, if we're lucky, we can find someone to… ride with…" She trailed off, catching sight of another girl making her way down, and watched, a smile crossing her face when the other girl caught a horse.

Ash wasn't a shy person at all and easily walked towards the newcomer, giving the girl a smile when she glanced her way. "Hello, I'm Ashleigh." She said nicely, friendly tone and slightly curious. Ash was an extremely nice person. She held July back a bit, as she approached the other girl who now sat astride her horse, one of her horses... It looked, to Ash, like she had three!

[monarch]

Sadie looked to the girl "Hello I'm Sadie-Mae". She patted Valentino's neck. She grabbed Raven when he started to walk past her. Sadie knew Raven would bite if given the chance.

Sadie looked to the girl. She seemed nice. Sadie wasn't shy with new people usually. But since the things that maid her come hear still loomed behind her she was a bit reserved.

Sadie pulled her hair out of her emerald green eyes. She carefully kept an eye on Bella. Sadie kept her hold on Raven. She let go of Valentino's lead and let his graze. Bella kept inching forward. Sadie had a nevous feeling bout her mare "Bell be good" she warned the mare.

[daine5]

Ashleigh had to pause and push her brother's big gelding away when Steele tried to push against her, searching for treats. She didn't like how her brother gave the big, bold horse carrots every time he was around, it bothered her because Steele was such a huge horse and got pushy very easily. And he could push her around easily and he knew it. "Steele! Git!" The girl said loudly, shoving the big flashy black horse away. Ash took a moment to duck under July's neck and get to his other side, to put the Morab in between her and the bigger horse.

"It's nice to meet you, Sadie-Mae!" Ashleigh said as she quickly clipped and tied the lead around July's halter like a bitless bridle and swung up onto his back like it was nothing. It wasn't much, but hopefully her brother's horse would think twice about trying to pester her now. July wouldn't hesitate to lash out and bite at the bigger gelding if he got too crowded. Ash hesitated for only a few seconds before plunging ahead and giving the other girl a grin. "So, are you planning on riding? Want or need a riding buddy?" She asked/said openly.

[monarch]

Sadie smiled "ya I was about to go on a little trail ride". Sadie patted Valentino's strong neck. The gelding pranced a little. Sadie settled him down and chuckled "silly boy".

Sadie kept her eyes on Bella and Raven. Bella staid obediently at Sadie's side. Raven on the other hand was behind Valentino. Sadie didn't like Raven being behind her. She worried that he'd bite her and Valentino.

Sadie sighed and leaned on Valentino's neck. She stroked him. Valentino reached back and nibbled her hair. Sadie giggled at him.

[daine5]

Ashleigh kept her brother's horse in her sights, but Steele didn't seem like he was going to try and pester her now that she was atop July. Ash grinned at the thought of her bother's big, bold animal being scared of her little Morab, but she knew that said Morab had a lot of attitude when he got annoyed, and Steele had a way of annoying certain people and horses... Much like a certain brother of mine...

The girl looked back to Sadie-Mae and offered another small grin, "Well, would you mind come company? I was planning on taking July here out for a while. I was going to see if my brother wanted to go out with me, but from the saddle-marks on Steele, he's already ridden today, and I doubt he'd want to go again..." She motioned to the flashy black gelding.

"Oh, by the way, this is July." She patted her own palomino mount, then looked to the other girl again before looking at the three horses that crowded near to her. "I take it all three are yours? They're all beautiful, I have a soft spot for a palomino horse. July here is a Morab." She said.

---

Note: There's a 200 word wordcount, just letting you know...

[monarch]

Sadie smiled "ya Id love company".Sadie looked at the girl, she decided she liked her. Sadie patted Valentino's neck. Sadie blushed "ya all 3 are mine" she said sheepishly. Sadie nodded too "Also yes Palominos are the best right along with Buckskins" she gazed at Bella with Divine love.

Sadie nodded to Valentino"this is Valentino, hes a Quarter Horse". She motioned to Bella "that is Bella, She is Quarter Horse Dutch Warmblood mix". Sadie then glanced back and Raven and nodded in his direction" That's Raven, hes a Quarter Horse too".

She smiled then remembered to warn her" watch Raven he bites. And Bella is a little unpredictable". She threw a warning glance at the two. And they paid her no mind. She sighed and smiled again. She chuckled a little to herself.

[Stern]

Alright, Sadie.

Ravvi was kind enough to remind you just a post up about our word count (200+ words). Since your next post was 137 words, I'm guessing you didn't see it. This is your warning, please make sure your posts meet this count.

Stern

[daine5]

Ashleigh's eyes lit up at the prospect of riding with and making a new friend, and she grinned happily. July, feeling his owners joy through her body movements, pricked his ears up and raised his head from where she'd let him drop it to the ground to much of whatever grass he found. The pastures were dying. Winter was coming quickly. The girl leaned forwards and gently untangled a bit of the palomino's long mane before sitting back up and picking up the lead that she'd turned into reins.

"Where were you wanting to ride?" She asked the other girl, glancing up at the sky and sun to estimate the time. They would have several hours to ride if they went ahead and chose a destination to go. One of her hands dropped the lead as she steadied herself when her Morab decided to shake suddenly, and Ash laughed as she balanced herself with one hand on the lower part of his neck, gripping a handful of white mane until the horse finished his shake. "July, boy I'm not some huge fly you can just shake off!" She exclaimed, swatting the horse playfully, lightly across the top of the neck, not doing anything more than ruffling his mane.

"My older brother would beg to differ, but I agree, Pally's are the best!" She said with a laugh, "He'd say that black horses are the 'coolest'. This monster is my brother's 'not-so-gentle' giant, Steele." She once again pushed Steele's head away from her shoulder, where he was lipping at her hair. "Don't get me wrong, he's gentle enough… he's just a big pest who knows his strength and isn't afraid to use it."

[monarch]

Sadie smiled and though for a minute. As she thought she thought about were to go and about her new friend. This girl seemed nice. Sadie smiled she really liked this girl.

Sadie patted Valentino's neck as she looked to Ash. "maybe we could ride to the River?" she asked curiously. Valentino perked up at the mention of water. Sadie giggled "that's Valentino's favorite place" she added.

Bella reared and struck the air. Sadie rolled her eyes "show off" she muttered. Raven pawed the ground. Sadie got frustrated with them "quit" she commanded. Sadie breathed a deep sigh. "some times having 3 horses is a pain".

Sadie shook her head at her horses and a piece of her light brown hair fell into her emerald green eyes. Sadie swept the locks from her eyes. She continued to glare at her horses who now stood quietly. Sadie finally looked back to Ash. Sadie smiled and shook her head.

Sadie looked up when she herd a bird screech. A large hawk flew over head. Sadie was amazed by its beauty and grace. The hawk turned and dipped and rose in beautiful arcs. Sadie looked back to the girl again.

[daine5]

Ashleigh was quiet, nervously waiting for Sadie's reply. She hoped the girl would answer, as she thought she'd make a pretty neat friend, and Ash bit her bottom lip nervously as she waited, passing the time by playing with July's long mane and thinking. I should probably pull his mane… Bro's pulled Steele's mane again… I don't want to, though, it's so pretty long and flowy…

She looked up when Sadie spoke and couldn’t stop the wide grin forming on her face. "That's great! I haven't ridden any of the trails, yet. July also likes water, though he likes to roll in it…" She said, laughing a little as she thought back to the time the yellow horse rolled in a pond with her. "To the river it is, then!"

She nudged July to walk towards the gate at the far end of the pasture, looking to her newest friend as she did so. "I couldn't imagine having three horses. One is enough for me, I think. Maybe two at the most, but I don't know if I could find time to work with three without neglecting one without meaning to… it must be hard…" She said, once again looking at Sadie's horses, then turning her eyes to her brothers gelding as Steele began following the small group.

[monarch]

Sadie smiled at Ash "and I have a 4th one coming tomorrow".She shrugged and kicked Valentino into a trot. The gelding staid at a smooth quarter horse trot. Sadie watched as Bella took two steps then decided not to fallow. Raven how ever didn't even care that they were leaving.

Sade plaid with a lock of her brown hair. Every step of Valentino was smooth as silk. His golden muscular frame so well built. He carried himself with confidence. Sadie smiled at him with pride "good boy" she crooned.

When they were at the gate Sadie made Valentino side step up to it. Sadie fumbled with the latch for a little bit. She finally unlatched it. She pushed it open and ran her hand along it as Valentino walked forward. He kept right with the gate. Sadie patted his neck. She held it open for Ash.

Sadie was happy to have a new friend. This girl seemed really nice. Sadie hoped they could be good friends. Sadie watched as the wind blew her hair into her eyes. Sadie rolled her eyes and brushed the hair away. Valentino lifted his head and whinnied to the others. They all answered back. Bella galloped up the hill and stopped at the top. The young mare reared, displaying her power.

[daine5]

"Wow, I don't see how you can manage!" She exclaimed before asking July to trot on behind Sadie and her gelding. While Sadie's horses didn't seem to really care that they were leaving, Ash's brothers gelding apparently did, for he trotted alongside them for several yards before stopping and turning to gallop away at full speed. his sudden run startled July, and the gelding jumped slightly, sidestepping before Ash's calm tones focused him and settled him back down. July snorted butterflies and lowered his head, though the time that he'd spend sidestepping had caused Sadie and her gelding to get to the gate well before they did.

Ash twitched the reins, asking for a canter, which the horse gave with a shake of his head, quickly making it to and through the gate. The girl immediately curcled the animal and transitioned from from the fast gait to a halt as she waited for her new friend to close the gate. "So, you said the river trail, right?" She questioned, just to make sure she was right on which trail they were about to hit.

July stood still, well mannered that he was, and Ash took a moment to pet his neck before straightening back up, waiting for the answer to her question.

---

Notes: Want to start a new thread in the river trail?

[monarch]

Sadie nodded to Ash "yep the river". She closed the gate securely. Sadie was happy. She was happy to have a new friend. But most of all she was happy to have her last horse arriving tomorrow.

The horse was a tall lean gelding. His name was Finnal. He was a racer. Sadie loved that about him. Finnal was a pretty Grey piebald. He used to belong to Sadie's boyfriend. When her boyfriend had died the family had given her his two horses. Now Raven and Finnal were a very big part of her.

Sadie could swear Dace now lived through them. That made them Sadie's world. Her horses were her everything. She couldn't think about not having them by her side. To be there when she isn't strong. They were there when she lost Dace. She loved them with her whole soul. And she knew they loved her. People count horses as animals, she counted them among humans.

Sadie snapped out of her small pit of selfpitty. She looked to Ash, then she gazed beyond the girl to Bella and Raven. They munched on grass. Sadie smiled. Valentino half reared and Sadie laughed at him.
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Yeah lets go