(open) I never promised you a Rose Garden

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

Cara finished tightening the girth of her skewbald mare's saddle and checked the fitting of the bridle before she slipped the helmet on her head and fastened it below her chin. She rubbed the mare's nose as she removed the cross-ties and led her outside. Since their first session in the arena hadn't gone too well, so today she decided that they would hit the trails. Give the mare a chance to relax a little, and hopefully it would do the same for her rider.

Since the completion of the psychology course, the young teen had settled back into the normal - almost boring - routine of school life. Trying to pretend that she was a normal teenager, attending boarding school - like the rest of the students here - while her parents worked abroad during the school term... She shook her head and the fantasy melted away. It was a good fantasy until she brought parents into it and nothing came, not even a shadow of an image.

Asking the mare to stand, she pulled the stirrups down and swung into the saddle. Her bottom hadn't even settled into the seat before she asked the mare to go forward. They turned onto the novice trails, as Arlette was still a little new, and at least on these trails if the mare decided to spook at nothing she wasn't likely to hurt herself if she took off.

As soon as the mare was warmed up, Cara began asking her to work through her paces, every now and then allowing the mare to have her head.

[Sync]

Dafydd sighed, this would be his first time riding in three days. He had been searching and searching for information about Cara, but kept coming up with nothing of importance. He made his way into the barn, his tense features searching for the graying head of Stellan. He saw the gelding instantly, as if the equine had been anticipating his owners arrival. Dafydd's features relaxed, the intelligent cranium of the AQH had a calming influence that made Dafydd unable to just get him on the trails and have them both race out the stresses, not that Stellan had any. The older gentleman of a horse had already hit it of with Lyric and her colt, and was even getting on with Macario when they saw each other. Sometimes he wished he had the easy life of his horses, but then shook his head. He would miss the satisfaction of helping a student. Before going to see to Stellan, he went to collect the tack and immediately set to placing it on the dapple gray. He stood still as Dafydd tacked him up, taking the bit easily. They were soon ready and heading out onto the novice trails.

Stellan took his time to accustom to the surroundings, he was yet to ride the trails. As soon as the steady footed gelding settled and decided nothing was out of the ordinary, He allowed Dafydd to set him to work. The gelding was kicked into a swift trot, which was bumpy as usual, and then into a smooth canter. Dafydd watched between his gelding's ears as they rode, looking up when Stellan's audits pushed forward and he gave an unsure snort. Dafydd spotted a small skewbald ahead of him, an equally small rider upon it. Dafydd slowed his gelding when he realized who it was. Cara Kitchi, his cause of stress since their meeting in his office. He sped the gelding up again, he needed to speak with her.

He reached her quickly, Stellan's longer pillars closing the distance well. He glanced at her cheek. I see the bruise has cleared up, Miss Kitchi.

[/b] he said quietly, slowing Stellan to a steady walk. He looked at the girl, his oracles holding the slight tense hint, black rings, caused by stress, rounding them off.[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

ATTIRE

[/color] coming soon ^^; CREDIT SAM !? of A Changed Hogwarts. Don't remove the credit or I will find you. LYRICS someday - nickelback NOTES sorreh for the crappyness. WORD COUNT three-eight-oh [/center][/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

Cara heard the approach of a horse and rider behind them, the mare's ears told her as they were getting closer. She reined the mare in and used her leg to ask her to move to the side so that the other pair could pass them. No such luck though as the approaching horse began to slow down.

I see the bruise has cleared up, Miss Kitchi.

"Yes, Sir." She replied softly, tightening her hands to stop them from shaking, as she kept the mare moving forward. "It's amazing the magic you can do with Arnica, peppermint and black pepper oil." Even though the bruising was near to invisible, there was still a pain whenever she yawned or touched the cheek. She kept her eyes focused on the trail ahead of them, using the mare as an excuse to not look up at the man on his taller horse. She suddenly felt like she were half her age. A novice child out on a trail on a pony being accompanied by an older and wiser rider.

She had never been on to strike up a conversation, especially with an adult, so she continued along the trail. Keeping a careful eye on the surrounding area so that if any monsters were going to jump out at them, she was going to know it before the mare.

[Sync]

His eyes narrowed at her reply, he turned his attention in front of himself again. He kept as quiet as her. Stellan glanced toward the smaller mare at his side. He blew a long breath through his nares, a soft nicker following. Dafydd bent down to pat the thick neck of the friendly gelding. When are you going to give up and tell me what caused that bruise really.. he asked, more to himself, looking through the corner of his eye toward her. He let Stellan pull at his bit, loosening his grip on the reins. He doubted he would get a reply at her, and decided to strike up a more easier subject. How long have you had her? he asked, nodding his head toward the pony. He had heard that she liked to take on many horses to work, some are other academy dwellers and some she had bought herself.

He studied the small girl, her skinny structure made her look somewhat unhealthy, but yet she looked so suited to the sport she was currently participating in. For Dafydd, his build was more suited for field games such as Rugby or Soccer. Riding suited him if he was on something as big as Stellan, more so Macario. Lyric was only just big enough, but Heartbreaker was already proving he was to be bigger than his mother. How many horses are you working with at the moment?

[/b] he asked, his tone a lot more relaxed. He kept his eyes on the dappled neck of the gelding. He needed to gain her trust before she started to open up, and that is what he was intending to do. If it would work, now that was another question.[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

ATTIRE

[/color] coming soon ^^; CREDIT SAM !? of A Changed Hogwarts. Don't remove the credit or I will find you. LYRICS someday - nickelback NOTES terrible! WORD COUNT two-eight-seven [/center][/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

When are you going to give up and tell me what caused that bruise really..

"I can't" The honest answer flew out of her mouth before she could stop herself, and she swallowed hard as a hand seemed to tighten around her stomach.

How long have you had her?

Cara breathed a sigh of relief at the easy question. "About a couple of week, Sir." She replied easily. "I got her from the local auction. She was doing hunter under saddle before I got her, so I will see if she likes jumping - and we shall try our hand at hunter-jumping. If not, we will look at dressage." she fell silent again as she allowed the reins to slip through her hands as Arlette stretched her neck out, seeing to finally let loose and actually start enjoying the ride rather than trying to get the upper-hand on her rider.

How many horses are you working with at the moment?

Cara pressed her lips together, trying to work out whether the question was a trick or not. "Three of my own, but I only work Phoenix when she wants to play. I also work with any of the school horses that Miss Carr needs a rider on who can stick to a saddle." The was no boasting in her voice, it was all honest truth.

[Sync]

His posture relaxed, he was finally getting straight answers off her. He kept his facial expressions to the minimal, he was easy to read, even if he let a little bit of emotion leak onto his features. So, he was trying not to let on how pleased he was. He had already made progress. What still got him was that nobody had picked up on her behavior before. It was obvious to him, why not anyone else? He was beginning to question the staff at the academy already. Will you keep her then? he asked about the pony. His eyes were still on Stellan's neck, the equine happy to walk at this steady pace. He was quiet lazy, come to think of it, all his horses were quiet lazy. He chuckled to himself. He couldn't wait to start riding Lyric again, she had a feisty thing about her that liked to challenge Dafydd's authority.

He thought about Heartbreaker, he had hardly any time to work with the colt. He still needed to get him halter broken. An idea stuck him. Maybe Cara could help him. Cara, would you like to start working with my colt?

[/b] he asked quietly. Once the summer vacation came, he would be able to take over. But while school was still in, he had little time. This time he looked at the girl, his expression sincere. He didn't want to try and corner her, make her feel like there was a motive behind his question. Feel free to decline if you want. he shrugged, turning back to his original position. As she debated his question, he debated a way he could get her to admit what had actually caused the bruise. But how?![/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

ATTIRE

[/color] coming soon ^^; CREDIT SAM !? of A Changed Hogwarts. Don't remove the credit or I will find you. LYRICS someday - nickelback NOTES -curls up into fetal position- This was that bad.. WORD COUNT two-eight-seven [/center][/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

Will you keep her then?

"Of course!" The girl's words were full of passion. "We have recently been reunited, and I think she is stuck in a funk since her last home. There is a little resentment thrown in there too for me having abandoned her." She shrugged. "Phoenix is a little like me, where she is very careful on who she trusts." She closed her hands on the reins as Arlette threw her head up and down a couple of times until her rider sat deep and asked her to stand until the mare stood quietly before they continued on their way.

Cara, would you like to start working with my colt?

She glanced at the man and lifted a single eyebrow. She knew where things were when she was addressed as Miss. When an adult addressed her by her first name, her hackles always rose. As it was a sign that things were getting comfortable, and comfort was never good.

Feel free to decline if you want.

She thought about the broodmares and the foals that she didn't mention in the number of horses she worked with, and wondered how much more of herself she could stretch out to fit everything into each day. "I would be honoured, Sir." She replied, but she couldn't help wonder what the price would be.

[Sync]

He couldn't help but smile at the pure passion in her voice, even if the tale of her equine was sad. When the girl compared herself to the mare, Dafydd wondered if they were similar in other ways. He didn't say anything, but looked at her with an expression that showed he was thinking. His mouth grew tense and he turned forward again, after he had asked her about Heartbreaker. He could see she wasn't all for it and he regretted it immediately. He was about to withdraw the offer but she answered. He nodded, his features relaxing again. His hand reached up to pull at the wavy locks upon his head. He wore no helmet, to be honest, he couldn't find it and knew that he had probably left it in Wales. He needed to find out more about the girl, but how was he going to do so. He saw how much she had relaxed as they spoke of horses, and decided to venture deeper into the subject. How long have you been riding? he asked, his hand threading through the creamy gray mane of Stellan. Who taught you? He added to his first question. Dafydd, himself, had been riding since he was seven. His mother had taught him, he had ridden a Welsh Pony called Vimto until he turned fourteen, the pony still lived with his parents in Prembrokeshire. Thinking of his home made him feel frustrated, his face clouded with the hidden emotion he tried to keep away from others. Thinking of home made him think of Emma and Jayden, he hated to think of them now. His Adam's apple moved painfully as he swallowed hard, his teeth sinking into the felsh on his lips. Trying to draw emotion out of Cara wasn't working, but it was working on him.

ATTIRE

[/color] coming soon ^^; CREDIT SAM !? of A Changed Hogwarts. Don't remove the credit or I will find you. LYRICS someday - nickelback NOTES NO! Awful! )': WORD COUNT three-oh-four [/center][/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

Cara thought about the question, she had been riding for so long that it would have been hard to pin-point where she had started if it hadn't been for her inability to forget. "I was first placed on a pony name Shard when I was four. The woman who sat me on this pony couldn't believe my well-established balance, but I had already been doing gymnastics for close to three years by then." She rubbed Arlette's neck as the mare threw her head into the air and then bobbed it up an down a couple of times. "Mrs McQuin was the name of the woman, and she would have technically been the first person to have taught me how to ride. Since that first time I rode daily to keep the McQuin ponies relaxed. Once I turned six, I began competing ponies in simple competitions and quickly moved up the classes. I was eight when I took my first show jumping championship in Birmingham." She shrugged lightly. "My life was ruled by the sports that I participated in, but this never stopped me from getting the top marks in my academic classes as well." She had been seven when she had first been pulled up in front of the school mam for cheating. She had always been able to recall information, but when she had first discovered her curse, she hadn't known what it was and had just written down what came out of her memory, not knowing that it was the pages out of the text books.

She glanced sideways at Mr Rees and her eyebrows lifted as she watched the emotion flash through his person. "I am sorry." She whispered.

[Sync]

The male took in every word the girl shared with him, he knew this could come to be useful information. He couldn't help but feel awed by her achievements, even feeling a little proud for her. He nodded at her last sentence, he could see that for himself. Cara always had the marks near the top of the class, if not the top. She had been attending classes always until her course, which was understandable. He was startled to see that Cara had picked up on his change in emotions, his face clearing up instantly. No need to be sorry. It doesn't help, to be honest with you. he told her, saying sorry just made things worse. It made you relive the whole ordeal over in your mind. He pulled in a deep breath, his lips pulled into a firm line as he turned to the girl once more. Y'know what? Things never get better unless you share you're problems. Somehow, I think you know how that feels. he told her, his eyebrows raised. He looked at the ground briefly before returning his gaze ahead of him. He would let her deliberate his words in silence now, just the sound of their horses hooves hitting the soft ground.

ATTIRE

[/color] coming soon ^^; CREDIT SAM !? of A Changed Hogwarts. Don't remove the credit or I will find you. LYRICS someday - nickelback NOTES Short, and not amazingly good. Sorreh. WORD COUNT two-oh-eight [/center][/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

Cara bit her lip, suddenly wishing that she hadn't said a word. Her eyebrows shifted slightly, as though she were going to raise them but then stopped herself. "I make a habit of not talking about my past, Sir." She said in a deadpan voice. "I have enough trouble forgetting things without talking about them."

She sat deep in the saddle and asked the mare to lengthen her stride as the pony began to drag her feet. She drew in a deep breath and tipped her head to the side as she looked at the school principal, his silence confirmed what she had thought when he's first started asking subtle questions. "How much would you like to know, Sir." She could hear the mental shovel digging a hole. She had the feeling that unless she told Mr Rees exactly what he wanted to know, they were going to be dancing around the truth until the sun went down.

[Sync]

He nodded. Now that is something you and I have in common. he told her, his vocals truly sincere. He hated to bring up his past, this is why he had moved to a completely new country. He lapsed back into silence before a sigh of relief left him. Now she was going to give him what he wanted, and now he was getting somewhere. I want to know when you got that bruise, why you got it, and who gave it to you. I also want to know why you act so formally around, well, everybody. Any other teenager I could have run into on the trails today would have treated me with almost the same manner as they do their friends. His questions fired off like a rocket, he chose not to look at her as it may maker her uncomfortable with his eyes on her the whole time. I want precise answers, not vague "you fill in the gaps" answers. he told her, before stumbling back into silence. Stellan had picked up on the tense tone of his owner, causing the gelding to shift uncomfortably. Dafydd ran his hands softly over the geldings neck, assuring him that everything was okay. Dafydd was just pleased to be finally getting some answers.

ATTIRE

[/color] coming soon ^^; CREDIT SAM !? of A Changed Hogwarts. Don't remove the credit or I will find you. LYRICS someday - nickelback NOTES again, short. WORD COUNT two-one-three [/center][/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

The girl nodded as he started speaking, but flinched at his last words, as though she had been struck. "I got the bruise about a week ago. I got it for purchasing the very mare that I am riding. The man whom struck me is a man who is supposed to have my best interests at heart, also known as my social worker. I treat all those older than me with the utmost respect that they deserve - no matter my personal feeling toward them. The reason I do this is because it was part of my training - or programming if you would rather - while I was growing up. I learned very early that if I am meek, mild and submissive then things are easier for me. If you have the ability to fade into the background than unless they are really, really looking, people tend to look through you if they are mad enough." She pressed her lips together. "My parents died in a factory fire when I was eighteen months old. I have been in foster care since then. Everything I do is because it is what I have been taught to do. Everything I say is like a well scripted play. There is nothing about me that is what one would class as any other teenager, like you put it. I am impassive and void of human emotion."

Her eyes were looking straight ahead at the trail in front of them, but if someone looked close enough they would notice that she saw nothing of the trail ahead of her. "Is there anything else you would like to know, Sir?"