Welcoming party--Myssi

[Onzyy]

Funny face, funny coz
I’m not happy inside funny face,
if you look real close my eyes have died funny face,

It was about 10 in the morning when James was informed that a new mare was arriving. The mare in question was already in foal, and was one of many that would have a little one running around. It was a beautiful day outside and he had taken out all the mares to their respective paddocks. The only mare still inside was Stella, and only because she had foaled and the little one was only a few days old.

Today, James was wearing his usual working garb. Long boots, cream breeches and a t-shirt. His tattoos on his arms were visible for everyone to see, and he smelled faintly of tobacco. His nearly black hair was stuck in every direction. When he finally finished prepping the stall, he stretched out the cricks in his back and located his water bottle.

Everything else around the barn was done, and he wasn't in the mood for admin. So instead he strolled out of the barn, and when he was a relative distance from the barn, he took out his cigarettes and lighter. He wouldn't say that he was a heavy smoker, but appreciated one once in a while.

[lorilie]

Blythe patted Dreamer's mane, scratching the white and silver fur that decorated the mare's neck. The eight year old arched her muscular crest and nickered her appreciation.

The blond cowgirl smiled and walked the mare out of the gelding's barn, where she'd tied her as she'd settled in Memphis, and down the path to the Brood Barn. Dreamer wasn't due for another two months, but Blythe had every intention to keep an especially close eye on the young Walker. Dreamer had been known in the past to miscarry early and late. That's why she'd often been considered a dud as a brood, but Blythe had researched the caretaking of the mare in the past and realized that certain foods might have caused her to drop the foal. And since the baby in question was the offspring of Blacksmith, and grandson/daughter of Mechanic, Blythe refused to lose it.

She and the horse breeched the barn, where Blythe noticed a man about her age outside, away from the building, smoking. Blythe had grown up around tobacco while never touching it herself, so she didn't mind it too much. There was a limit to her patience with nicotine though.

She approached the man, smiling. "Howdy." She greeted. "Are you the manager of this barn? It's the brood barn, right? I hope so, because this little lady has gone off and gotten herself knocked up." She ruffled Dreamer's mane as the horse pricked her ears toward James in her ever friendly manner.

---

Outfit: Here!

[Onzyy]

Funny face, funny coz
I’m not happy inside funny face,
if you look real close my eyes have died funny face,

James noticed the pregnant mare and her owner come down. This was most likely to be the new arrival that he was told about. He put out the butt, and pocketed it. He would throw it away later. As an English rider, he never had known a lot about Western, so he was slightly hesitant to approach the new arrival.

Not that he had to worry. She did it for him. Good morning. That's right, I'm the manager, and yes, this is the broodmare barn. So you're in the right place if your mare is pregnant." He laughed at her comment and smiled. At last, an easy customer.
I was told in advance that your would be arriving, so I've already prepared a stall for her. She'll be stabled next to my mare, and if you'll follow me then I'll show you right to it. Throughout this whole dialogue his New Zealand accent was present.

Just then a whinny pierced his thoughts and filled the barn. That's Stella, he explained,she foaled down a few days ago, and her colt's too young to go outside just yet.

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Lyrics: Funny Face~~ The Parlotones
Outfit: Clicky Here

[lorilie]

"Well, Dreamer and I thank you kindly for that. It gives me time to go and put my stallion up and then put my own things away before classes start." She and the mare followed James into the barn, Blythe glancing at him occasionally as he told her about the new arrival.

"Congratulations." She smiled. "In the future, if you need a trainer, I'd be happy to oblige. I'm Blythe, by the way, Blythe Rhydderch. I'm the new horse judging teacher. And this girl here is Dreamer, as you've heard, though, her more formal name is Imagination."

They had reached the barn by now and Blythe led Dreamer to her stall, allowing the silver painted female to find her own way in. The delicate looking creature did so willingly, circuling around again so that Blythe could unclip her halter.

The twenty-five year old shut the stall door, hanging the lead on the hook outside. "So, she's in. Can you show me the feed room? And what kind of feeds do you supply? Dreamer needs a certain type of feed, or else she'll drop early. She's lost a few foals in the past from incorrect feed, and I don't plan on allowing such stupity to happen again."

[Onzyy]

Funny face, funny coz
I’m not happy inside funny face,
if you look real close my eyes have died funny face,

James watched as Blythe put away the mare. For the feed room just follow me. All our pregnant mares are fed a diet that suits their needs. All the mares are put into the paddocks so that they can graze and have access to the right amount of roughage. In the stalls themselves are mineral and salt licks, and they are given top quality hay during the evening. We encourage owners to exercise their mares for 20 minutes, 2-3 times a week. It is important that they stay in working condition.

Those mares that are in the last 3 months of their pregnancy are given an increase in energy feed. All the feed is made for pregnant mares, and they are given extra supplements in the morning. This one-sided conversation lasted most of the way to the feed room, and when they reached it, James quickly unlocked the door. We have some very clever horses in this barn. He looked at Blythe and waited for her to enter first.

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Tags: Myssi
Outfit: here
Lyrics: Funny Face= The Parlotones

[lorilie]

Blythe was quiet as the man spoke... He seemed to enjoy talking a lot, and that amused her greatly. She took this moment to assess him as she often assessed the horses she trained.

He seemed like the confident, easygoing type. A man who could make a converstation out of anything. Like a Quarter Horse. But he wasn't stocky like a QH. No, he was more elegant, like a warmblood, but not high-strung. Perhaps the better breed for him was an calm tempered Saddlebred. After all, weren't they considered warmbloods?

Blythe decided to put that question off till later.
"Dreamer is actually due in two months. I'll start to work her gently once I know that the trip down here didn't stress her badly."
She waited as he unlocked the tack room, chuckling at his comment. "All women are clever, sir, that's why God made us; to outsmart you men."

[Onzyy]

Funny face, funny coz
I’m not happy inside funny face,
if you look real close my eyes have died funny face

James laughed at her comment in turn. Yes well, I have to admit that. He waited for her to enter the feed room first. She was good-looking, he had to admit that. Tall, but not so tall. They were complete opposites, Blythe was a cowgirl, and he an English rider. It could work, but just get to know each other first he told himself.

We'll take good care of Dreamer. As you can see our feed is made for broodmares, and pregnant mares. However, we can stock your feed if you want.

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Tags: MYSSI
Notes: Sorry for badness. I just woke up -yawn-

[lorilie]

Blythe entered the room and gazed around it. She noticed the feed she usually fed Dreamer, and looked at James as he said his last couple of sentances.
"No need, Mr. Cole, that's what I feed her. She'll be fine." Blythe then noticed all the differant foaling supplies and nodded approvingly. "Nice facility you're running. Top notch." Blythe smiled, then a thought came to her head.

"You wouldn't happen to have any yearlings, would you? Because, y'see, I'm the Judging teacher, and one of the many classes I teach is Halter Yearlings. You seem like a good man, so, do you think that you might be able to get me four yearlings to teach and show with for the youngsters? If not, that's just fine, I'm sure I'll have access to a computer to show the kids." She cocked her head as she watched James.

[Onzyy]

Thanks. He smiled at her, before continuing The yearlings aren't kept in this barn. I know one or two of the students, as well as the staff, may have yearlings. You may want to talk to Charles Bass of the stallion barn. His parents might ship some yearlings over some time for him to train.

He allowed her out of the feed room, before locking it, and walking on. Would you like some coffee? I made a fresh pot before I got told about your mare's arrival. Seeing that his office was next to the feed room, he gestured inside, and waited for her to enter first.

[lorilie]

"Oh, I'll be sure to ask."

Blythe exited the feed room, and was relived by his offer. "My God, you're a mindreader! I've been craving coffee since I ran out a few miles after leaving Tennessee. Thanks James." She went into his office and smiled as he entered.

"So, I know that you have a mare in here. Any other horses?"

[Onzyy]

I have a gelding, Briar Black, and a stallion, Silver Lining,and Lady Green, my mare. That's my herd. A motley bunch, but each as unique as they come. What about you? Any other horses? James spoke as he poured the strong brew. I hope you like it strong.

He had developed a taste for strong coffee when he first started working on the stud farms. James set the mugs down and proceeded to take out the milk and sugar, before sitting down behind the desk.

[lorilie]

"Well, you've met Dreamer, and I also own her foal's sire, Charred Ash, but the name Blacksmith fits him better. Of course, I can't ride those two in any competitions, unless Blacksmith is in a stallion or gelding only class, and the stallion class can be somewhat risky, so I have Bleu Suede, or Memphis, my gelding. I think you'd like them both. But you'd fall head over heels for Blacksmith. He's quite the gentleman, much like yourself, ever if he is a stud."

She grinned at his last comment. "Back home, we toss a horseshoe in the pot. If it stands up straight, coffee's done." She took the mug from him and took a drink, loving the bitter taste on her tongue, though, to her she though it could have been a tad stronger, but she loved it nonetheless. "Excellent." She told him with a smile.

[Onzyy]

Thank you. I wouldn't exactly call Silver a gentleman. When I was down there this morning, Chuck had a finger sprain thanks to him. He's a bit of an idiot sometimes, the horse that is. In his thought's he addedWell Chuck sometimes as well.

His own coffee was just black. The caffeine rush was the best when there was nothing added. Well, back home we don't have traditions like that, he said with a smile, It's more like, if you like it strong, make it yourself.

A silence filled the office, the sun was shining through the open windows, and James felt at peace for once.

[lorilie]

Blythe smiled. "Ah well, some horses are a bit too confident for their own good. Their like humans that way."

As she sipped her coffee, and idea came to her mind. "Y'know, it may be my first day here, James, but I'm eager to go riding already, and I'm sure Memphis is too. Would you like to join us?"

The blue roan Tennessee walker loved trails. In fact, Blythe had evented him in many trail events due to his calm nature and level head. He wasn't born on the same ranch as Blythe's stud, which was her family's ranch. Instead, Memphis had been trained for rodeo work until Blythe had found him and bought him for herself. The horse was about twelve at the time.

Memphis was sweet to other horses and perfectly socialable. Blythe thought it would be good to get him used to the other horses.

[Onzyy]

Sure, I would love to come. Briar needs some exercise as well James knew that after Blythe met Chuck he would stand no chance. She was a friendly lass, and he liked her for that. But Chuck used women to his advantage, and no-one elses.

Blythe was easy on the eye, but every bone in James' mannered body said not to tell her. It would ruin the start of a good friendship.