Mid-Year Auction: OPEN FOR BIDS

[lorilie]

She slowly turned and rubbed his forlock gently. He dropped his head and tried his best to see her, but Bayfyre's vision was long past seeing. Alyss watched him, knowing the feeling of confusion all too well.

The chestnut nudged the spot between her shoulders. It was like she was saying "I like you and all, but I don't trust you enough to let you stay long." Alyss backed away from the horses slowly, slipped through the fence, and walked through the crowd, which parted around her as though she was Moses.

Her gaze caught sight of the man, and she lifted her chin in a rare act of defiance. 'Not all of us who were abused are hopeless.' was the message sent. Alyss dragged herself away to look at the other horses, not wanting to leave the two pitiful animals, but not wanting to upset them.

[.Rissa.]

The girl stayed only a few brief moments before she decided to leave. But then, a weird thing happened. She turned her head, and Rance realized she made direct eye contact with him. Now, he was really confused. He only saw her walk a few steps before she was swallowed in the crowd again. Why did she look at him? It wasn't by chance. he thought of the previous moments, the first time he visited the animal. Was it something he said? His mind wheeled back to what he told Zack. The look she had in her eye... He dropped his eyes to the dirt floor. She was trying to prove him wrong. It wasn't like he ever said that an abused horse was no good. It was the fact that this horse was going on nine years old and had, according to the little history, been abused his whole life. He knew nothing else. Plus, if he had any doubt with Zack, he knew the innocent young man would jump to buy it, and that was not the horse he needed. Rance knew that. The horse he needed was down the walk standing in pen number 11. He turned to Zack, "Let's go back to your horse."

"What was that all about?" the young man asked. Was he going crazy or did that somehow involve Rance? He frowned at that ugly thing was once again referred to as his.

"I don't know."

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

Cara walked through the auction house, briefly pausing at each pen quickly analyzing the animal within - and then reading the information about them.

She was standing between pens when a silence enveloped the entire room and she watched as a girl - whom she recognized from the Academy - interact with two horses before she left their pen and threw a look at a man standing not too far away. She knew how to read the unspoken words and rolled her eyes. There was a difference between being hopeless and helpless, and one way to keep one's self out of the limelight was not to do things that attracted attention.

Walking on, her frail form slipped between and around the adults also walking around the auction house - mostly unseen - and she continued her browsing. She didn't know why she was here as she already had enough horses to look after, including a pregnant mare and a dressage horse - both of whom she was going to donate to the Academy unless she found another owner for Pepper. And then there was Phoenix. The mare had seemed to shut herself away from the world and now spent her days in the pasture, as though she was retiring herself. Now, the young teen was more than happy to allow the mare to settle herself into an early retirement if that's what she really wanted. However she needed a competition mount, a horse she could actually bond with and connect with - something she felt unable to do with the school horses.

She came to a halt outside the pen of a skewbald pony. "Hello beautiful." She whispered as she took a moment to read the mare's face.

OOC:If you want me to do the analysis just let me know.

[lorilie]

Alyss gaze caught sight of the girl and her rolled eyes from the corner of her eye, and felt crushed, realizing that to most people her act of confidence was foolish and stupid. They would look at her with scorn, and while it was only to be expected, Alyss took it as a hard blow. She'd wanted the trainer to take in Bayfyre, not just sell him short as some abused helpless horse. His sheet said he had potential as a western pony..

She shook off the feeling, and walked down the aisle. Suddenly, the was a squeal in her general direction, and she looked to her left to see an adorable bay filly and her mama. Alyss smiled and made her way over.

The little horse snorted at her and nickered for attention, but the mare gaver her a sidelong glance and sighed, which brought forth a frown from Alyss. What was wrong with this elegant bay creature? Was she depressed in some way?

[.Rissa.]

Rance and Zack ambled over to pen 11. The lazy horse looked at them, ears forward in a friendly manner. He made no effort to investigate, he didn't need to. The trainer looked around for some form of staff member, or maybe someone was standing around who actually owned this horse. He felt another nudge at his shoulder, "Is that a mule?" His coffe brown eyes glanced to where Zack was pointing, "Ha! You're right," the man seemed mused and he headed just across the asile. Just looking at her, one could tell she was up to no good. Rance shrugged, "Well, you could get her if you'd rather-"

"No thanks," Zack cut in, "The appaloosa's fine."

Rance grinned again. Everything was turning out fine. He forwned slightly, he still hadn't seen that girl's parents. Oh, now who was he to worry about someone else's kid? He was never a father, he knew nothing of the sort. He wanted to tell her he wasn't a bad person, and there were reasons for things. She was just a little girl who still dreamed the world was perfect and every d@mn horse on the planet could be saved but the truth was, they couldn't! And God knows if they could, no one would try harder than Rance who had his life built around them. He had seen semis drive by to the border with horses piled to go to slaughter. There were even babies on board. The trailers stunck like urine and manure, their manes were ratted, sores from being pushed against the metal covered their poor bodies. Of course, new laws prevented some treatment, but as a kid around her agem even up until he was 20, he saw it...

"Rance?"

"Yeah?" his head jerked from thought.

"This gentleman owns the appaloosa."

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

Cara looked at the Chincoteague, she tipped her head to the side as she took in the complete picture of the equine. She was a little large on the pony side - as the girl was used to getting stuck with the little ponies - but she had well defined muscles and her toning was well set, even though she would need to go on a diet.

Next she turned her attention to the mare's face. Arlette's slightly dished face showed a horse who tended to be sensitive. The teacup muzzle, reflected intelligence and sensitivity. The edges of her nostrils were well defined, Showing a horse who was mentally quick and intelligent. The pointed chin could be fun to work with, as it showed that the mare could be neurotic and would stop learning if a fight started between her and rider until the chin softened again. The almond shaped eyes, showed an introverted horse, one who could be slightly standoffish till trust is built. Lastly, her broad ears, were a sign of steadiness and reliability.

She finally turned her attention to the mare's information sheet. Her eyebrows shot up when she read that the pony was only five!

[lorilie]

Rylee Gorman pushed the cowboy in front of her into the barn. "Eliot Spencer, you are helping me find a horse today, and that's final!"
"You've got a horse Ry'!"
"Yeah, a pony mare who's too small for me to ride. I need a riding horse, and I don't wanna use the school's horse. C'mon, please?"

Eliot rubbed his hand over his eyes. "Knowin' you, Ry', you're gonna get the ugliest nag ever born on the face of this good earth, and then Ranger and I are gonna go trail ridin' with you and it."

Rylee paid the man no heed. She was too busy scanning the horses... And then her eyes fell on number twelve, the mule.
"I've found my horse Eliot!"
"Why the hell did you bring me if you didn't even need my help, woman?!" It was all in good fun, of course. Eliot loved the atmosphere of being around new and unknown horses...

But when he saw Rylee go up and start petting the mule he rolled his eyes. "Of course, she would go after the d@mn mule." He muttered, walking over to stand next to her and wxamine the mare.

--

Alyss smiled as the foal latched onto the sleeve of her long sleeved shirt and tugged a bit, but no sound escaped her. How she wished she could bring the lovely mother and daughter home, but Alina wouldn't stand for it.

She gently pried the foal maw away from her shirt and walked toward the exit. No point in her staying when it was obvious she wouldn't be buying anything today. Demetri was somewhere outside, waiting for her anyway.

[.Rissa.]

No sooner had Rance and Zack left the mule, then a girl, followed by a man, rushed over to it. Zack looked skeptical at them while Rance and the gentlman exchanged horse talk. He could understand if he tried. he also couldn't understand whay anyone would see in a... mule. They looked like ugly, boring creatures. Ears to big, like dumbo. Zack never watched the end of the movie, so he couldn't say what happened.

Rance put a hand on his hip as he took in what this man had to say about the gelding. It all sounded good. He knew that the horse would eventually grow on Zack. He had quieried about a test ride, but the man didn't have any tack with him, just a halter and lead, "Does he ride bareback?"

"He'll ride any way," came the responce. The trainer nodded and glanced to Zack, who was watching people by the mule, "Zack," he motioned the young man over, "Watch and learn. You'll get to do this next."

"Do what next?" his question was answered when Rance grabbed the lead and vaulted onto the animal's bare back using his hands and feet in a graceful manner. The gelding flickered his ears back, he knew this man would make him work, and he wasn't too fond of it. Rance glanced down the alley way, they were at the near end of the line, and things weren't as crowded. He squeezed his legs against the horse to go out the gate. Nothing happened. He squeezed harder, still nothing. He lifted his heels can gave the animal a nudge. Nothing, though he did hump up, about to move. Rance kicked him harder, and the appaloosa took a slow pace out of the gate. The trainer looked behind him at Zack, "See? He's harmless." He whoaed the horse just outside the gate and swung one leg over so he was sitting on it, then, swung the leg over in the opposite direction so he was now sitting backwards on the horse. The gelding never moved a step.

"Right now, you look pretty ridiculous," Zack pointed out.

Rance laughed lightly, "Not as much as you will."

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

Cara raised her head when the mare she was standing in front of finally took notice in the girl who was by the fence. The teen gave a fraction of a smile as the mare gave the impression of a person raising an eyebrow before she turned her back on the girl completely.

The sheet of paper with the mare's information said she was built for cross country. Yeah, this human had never had any fondness for cross country. Arlette had been used for hunter under saddle, so at least that was a strike in her favour, as Cara could use what skills the skewbald already had and teach her the ins and outs of dressage and then see if she had the finesse for hunter jumping.

She looked at the mare, torn on whether she should be brave enough to make the first bid. This is where her life seemed to hit a rut, as most other horse enthused teens had parents or adults to turn to and ask for advice. Cara, however, was on her own. There was the wisdom of her past trainers that gave her different opinions on the pony, but no one she could turn to for help now.

[freebird]

Vanessa entered the sales arena, looking around at all the people and the horses. There were a few people there already huddled around horses, and they seemed apparent to what horse they were going to pick. She sighed, before walking down the row of pens and casually throwing glances in the horses' directions. Sure, she had her Dutch Warmblood mare, but she was extremely interested in attaining another horse.

She passed the first few pens, and then when she came onto the fourth pen, she stopped dead in her tracks. What stood inside was quite possibly the biggest Quarter Horse she had ever seen, and he was a gorgeous color to boot! She smiled before walking towards the pen, keeping her hand out straight for the gelding to smell it. He extended his muzzle, smelling her hand fluently, and then pricked his ears, nickering a welcoming to her.

She slid her head up the gelding's face and scratched under his forelock briefly. He was such a pretty horse, and seemed like a perfect fit for her. That is.. until she read his information page. He was trained in barrel racing, and Vanessa had never ridden a day of Western in her life! Sighing, she dropped her hand quickly and began to walk passed the other pens, not really spying anything that interested her.

When she came upon the last pen however, she stopped dead in her tracks again and a bright smile came across her face. The shire inside was gorgeous, not as big as she imagined, and looked ultra confident. A quick glance at his information page showed that he was trained in dressage, which was a good fit for her, but he was also a stallion. She smiled though, knowing she could always have him gelded and held a hand out towards him.

[Onzyy]

James Cole

and

Serena Waldorf

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

James heard there was an auction going on in town and felt compelled to go. There were a few horses there. Some already were claimed, others reserved. Yet there was nothing keeping him from buying a horse, but it just didn't seem like a good idea to buy a fourth horse. Specially at this moment in time. He glanced occasionally into the various stalls. Some horses were sad and dejected, others seemed to be looking forward to their new lives.

Serena paid her cab and took a deep breath. She wished that Jude was here with her, but he had three horses to look after. She only had one. The horses weren't impressive, top class horses, but Serena wanted one that she could work and 'fix' herself. None drew her eye the way a pretty chestnut mare did. The mare was skittish, and there some signs of neglect. Serena's heart went out to the mare, and so did something in her soul. There was something that seemed to tell her that she and this mare were suited for each other.

James still looked at each horse with a trained eye. When he reached a stall that seemed empty, he saw a mare with a foal afoot. She was timid, and shy, but the foal seemed spunky enough. When he read the info sheet, his heart sank, but only slightly. Western horses. Well, the foal he could train in English, but the mare he would a suitable rider for. It was enough for him. James decided that he would have this pair for his own. He reached out with his palm facing up, so the mare could absorb his scent.

Serena said the mare's name softly. La Fa. It was beautiful, and rolled off her British accent a bit differently. She knew that the mare would need a lot of work, and she may never come right, but that was okay. She force the mare into accepting her, but she had a feeling that all would be okay.

[lorilie]

Eliot withdrew from the mare and nodded to Rylee. "She'd be fine for you to ride. She's just a bit spunky."

"A bit is an understatement." Said a man behind them. He was built like a cowboy, and had a bit of a pot belly. "That mule is the most hardheaded thing in the business."

"Are you her owner?" Rylee inquried, her tone becoming less lighthearted and more of her business, tough farrier chick vioce.

"Yup. Unforntunately."

"I'd very much like to buy her."

"2500 and she's yours."

"Done!"

Rylee had about four thousand in savings and the cheap cost of the mule was extraordinary to her. She took out her wallet from her pocket and took out the bills, giving them to the man. He grunted and nodded at the halter by the door. "She's a good mule. Able to be ridden bareback and stuff."

The man walked off with his money, and Rylee turned to Eliot and Flight. "Congrats on joining the freaky family, girl." The man told the horse as she sniffed his hand.

[.Rissa.]

At the trainer's comment, Zack rose a brow in confusion, "What?" he snorted through his mouth, "I'm not sitting on a horse backwards. I think the logical thing would be for me to learn how to ride it forwards first." that man had to be out of his mind.

Rance chuckled lightly and slid off the horse's rump. His hand patted the animal's white butt causing some dust to rise off of it. He turned the gelding around so he was perpindicular to Zack, "I want you to fet the feel of it, and see how you like it," he explained, "And sitting on the horse from all angles is a balance technique and it'll make you feel more comfortable in the long run. So, upsy daisy!" a grinned crossed his face. He put the worn lead over the gelding's withers. In that short time, he had evaluated the horse's general behavior and knew it wouldn't go anywhere. Next, he formed a step with his fingers locked together, "Put your left foot in my hands, and your right leg will swing over the horse's back. Make sure your leg doesn't brush against him in the process. Grab his mane.. if he has any, and his lower base neck, to steady yourself. Got it?"

"I think so," Zack swallowed. A nervous, yet excited smile crossed his face. He was fixing to sit on 1100 lb creature. His hands grabbed where he was instructed and he felt Rance lift his leg. Zack slowly swung his leg over and before he knew, he was sitting on the back of a horse. His face lit up in excitement as he looked around from the new point of view. His ember orbs looked down at Rance, "Imagine that! I'm on a horse!" From up top, Zack had to admit, the horse didn't look to bad after all. His hand grabbed the loose lead, "Good boy."

Rance couldn't wipe a smile off his own face. He lived to see people and horses bond. He knew this horse would do Zack wonders and give him a positive expierence to the world of equus.

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

"Can I help you, Missy?"

Cara's mind was a million miles away as she watched the snobby mare walk around the pen, her ear would flicker in the girl's direction every now and then, but other than that she paid the child no mind. At the sound of a man's voice, the teen jumped into the air and pivoted around so that she was facing the owner of the voice. "Am I speaking with the seller of Arlette?" Her clipped English accent made her sound slightly snobby herself, but it also gave her the air of confidence that she didn't feel. She was careful with her choice of words as she didn't want to assume that the man was the owner of the mare.

The man smiled brightly as the girl who wouldn't look at him. "Indeed I am!" He said brightly. "I have been asked to sell young Arlette on behalf of her owners. You have been looking at her for a while now, are you waiting for your parents to ask if you can get her?"

Cara shook her head slightly. "I am here alone, Sir." She replied, slightly upset that the man was selling the mare on behalf of her owners, as he would not be able to answer the questions she had honestly. She gave a mental shrug and push onward anyway. "Yes, I would very much like to purchase her though."

The man lifted an eyebrow in surprise. "Are you sure that you don't want to talk this over with your mom and dad, little Missy?" He asked gently. "I don't think they would be too happy with you throwing away the seven grand that the owners want for her on a pony that will break your neck without a second thought."

Cara lifted her chin indignantly. "Her paper says that she is gentle and sweet." She challenged, her shy demeanor vanishing as she became business-like. "Would you like cash or would a cheque be fine?"

This time both of his brows shot up. "Look, little girl." He said, all gentleness in his voice vanishing. "I can't just hand her over to you. I will need you to wait for your parents to arrive." With that, the conversation was over as he turned to a young couple and their daughter who were also looking at the skewbald pony.

Cara shot Arlette one last look before she gave a vexed hiss and mentally stamped her foot, wondering if she should give Mr Lee, her lawyer, a call and ask him to come down and verify that she was going to have this pony.

[freebird]

Vanessa was gently stroking the nose of Star, looking around eagerly for his owners. The shire was definitely confident in himself, and seemed like he was going to be a very confident mount. Her mare was a bit undeveloped in the dressage field, but Vanessa was very interested in learning more about the field, and this stallion could definitely help her learn the field. Smiling, she looked at his information page once again, and the thought that he was a stallion still stuck in her mind. She would definitely have to have him gelded, that was for sure when she had a mare back in the barns.

She quickly noticed a gentlemen and a lady standing a little bit away from the stall, watching her motions carefully. Patting the stallion's nose once more, she walked towards the people. Her fingers were inside her jeans pocket, firmly grasping the cash she had, along with her check book.

"Hello ma'am and sir, I assume you are the owners of this magnificent animal?"
"We are ma'am, are you interested in him?"
"I am, extremely interested"
"Well 5 grand, and he is yours"

Vanessa smiled, reaching into her pocket and pulled out her cash. She quickly counted out the money and passed it over to his owners, shook their hands and walked back towards the stallion. She quickly grabbed the lead that was hanging up, clipped it to his halter, and led him out of the stall.

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