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Post by Kordell Brantley on Jul 8, 2009 12:58:27 GMT -5
GIRL YOUR LOVING'S
RELENTLESS [/b][/size][/font][/center] The little paint mare simply jigged her way down the trail, her neck arched, snapping her legs like a little show pony, and sort of moving sideways down the trail, as high strung horses are prone to do when they're being held in when all they really want to do is explode forward. The young man in the saddle sat quietly, the reins evenly in one hand, despite the fact that they were taught between his hand and the mare's mouth. She was still trying to get her head, and Kordell could feel her muscles rippling, just waiting for him to lose focus or stop paying attention. She'd be gone in a moment, and it would be a long while before Kordell would get her shut down again. The filly had simply too much energy for her own good.
Kordell wondered sometimes what he had been thinking when he bought the filly. She was by far the most challenging horse he had ever worked with. And he had worked with a good many horses. Still, this little filly was just...well, a challenge. Every time he thought he had her figured out she would go and do something he hadn't expected at all. He knew that he still wasn't getting the filly to give him her best. She was holding out on him, and he wasn't sure how to get that last effort from her. It frustrated him to no end.
Now, for instance, she was just being rather blatantly disrespectful, tossing her had and fighting his gentle pressure on the simple snaffle bit that sat in her mouth. If he had her respect, she wouldn't be doing that. It was sort of an equine version of flipping him off, and Kordell knew it. He just wasn't sure how to get through to the little horse. She didn't entirely disrespect him, or she would have tried piling him a long time ago. She was still convinced, though, that she needed to be the one in charge, and she challenged him for that lead position nearly every day. It was enough to drive a person nuts.
Still, Kordell knew the filly's potential. If he could just figure her out, she had the ability to be one of the best. She was built perfectly, with a good mind. She was a perfect reining horses, but reiners also had to have the right attitude, and so far, this filly wasn't showing it to him. He drew a deep sigh as he let the filly out ever so slightly. She settled into the slow lope, and after a while seemed to decide that this was better than a trot and that maybe she'd settle down and listen. She stopped fighting the gentle pressure and instead worked the bit in her mouth, foaming ever so slightly. Kordell nodded. Finally. He knew it probably wouldn't stick. It never did. But for the time being, at least, it was satisfying.
He sighed as he moved loosely with the mare's long, flowing canter. She was such a beautiful mover. She was a beautiful horse, all the way 'round, really. Her color had initially caught his eye, her gaits second. She was a bout the smoothest horse Kordell had ever ridden. She seemed to simply float. And it didn't just feel that way; she had an ethereal quality about her when you watched her moving from the ground, too, even with a rider. She simply knew how to carry herself. That was all there was to it.
Kordell drew a deep breath, letting his mind wander a bit, now that the filly had settled. He wondered what his classes were going to be like. He had signed up to be the reining instructor. He probably could have done roping or something, but with beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes, he figured reining would keep him busier, and he liked being busy. It left him little time to reminisce about bad memories. He still had a few days before classes even started, though. Students were just beginning to arrive. He had chosen to come early. He couldn't really stand to sit around home, anymore, watching people watch him with evident concern in their eyes. He was sick of it.
He had changed a lot in the last 3 years, it was true. It was self defense, though. When you're watching people die on a daily basis, it takes its toll on a person. You have to find a way to keep yourself sane. Kordell had done better than most upon his return from Iraq, mostly, he suspected, because he was of the mind that it needed to be done. There were guys over there fighting who felt a duty to serve their country, but felt it was wrong to be in Iraq. Kordell had become quite the political person since going over there, and he was of the mind that being in Iraq was necessary. Not to mention Kordell had always been a strong person. He didn't let things effect him. Everything had come together to make him a good soldier, and eventually a good sniper and the leader of his platoon.
He shook his head, reaching up to settle his hat more firmly on his head as it tried to blow off. He glanced up, his sharp ears hearing the rippling waters of a creek. Of course, Pixie had heard it long before him, but he hadn't been paying attention to her ears. He was still learning the lay of the land. He hadn't covered much country in the way of trails. He smiled a bit as they came to the creek. He brought the mare to a stop and swung easily down, tying the mare's reins around her neck and wrapping her lead rope around a branch, giving her enough slack that she could graze. With ease, he grabbed another bough of the tree and easily scaled the thing until he sat a good 20 feet up. He settled himself on the branch, his back against the trunk, one foot on the branch to keep him steady while the other swung loosely. He took his hat off, hanging it on his knee, and looked around him, taking in the country. You couldn't see much, as it was pretty densely wooded here, but he could see about a mile of the trail in either direction. He liked that. People couldn't sneak up on him as easily. There were some things about the war that he just couldn't get away from. He found himself glancing over his shoulder every so often, making him look especially paranoid, which he supposed he probably was. Oh well. Sitting there, he let his mind wander, the sounds of the creek and Pixie's soft rustling as she moved around grazing a relaxing comfort, quieting some of the turmoil that tore around Kordell's head at break-neck paces, easing some of the tension. Horses had a tendency to do that, didn't they?
Words: 1,156
Tag: Alayna Marten <3
iPod: Pieces of You_State of Shock
Notes: None... |
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Post by alayna marten on Jul 8, 2009 18:23:05 GMT -5
Alayna was so scared. She was deep in the streets of Rome, somewhere she never thought she would be again. Blood poured from cuts on her face, and on her body, she was barely conscious. There were men talking around her, but she didnt understand what they were saying. Nor did she really care. Her breathing was coming in short gasps, the chains digging into her skin like barbed wire. Then the screaming began again. Alayna screamed in pain as a broken lightbulb was touched to the water that surrounded Alayna. The electricity running through her body was intense. They wanted to know how much Alayna knew about her fathers death, how much she saw. But Alayna was strong and she was not going to tell them anything. Alayna has been here for almost a year, her old wounds healing in the midst of new ones. They had told her how pretty she was, how valuable. She didnt know how much more she could take. The men would have fun just sitting and laughing at her as she screamed. But still she told them nothing, she was told to be strong, she was not going to back down to this torment. There was nothing in her that would let go. Even though she was so kind hearted, the determination and strength that coarsed through her would not be stopped.
Those first two years after that terrible year was torture. Even after Alayna was let free and allowed to go home. She was just knocked out, and dropped off in front of her old Italian home. The home that was burnt to the ground, all the horses were mysteriously bled try before they were burned alive. The only horses left were Alaynas worthless paint horses, well in Italy they were concidered useless. Yukon also had survived, for he was a trained german shepherd to live and survive in the wilderness. When Alayna returned in such a state it worried her neighbors greatly. But at her request the horses was returned to her. It took Alayna several months to get to where she could go outside. There were several scars on Alayns body that took a great time to heal. Once she had however Alayna started to venture outdoors, went hiking with Yukon, rode roshan a little bit more. It took Alayna a little while before she starting getting back into life more. She was so scared of getting out there in the open where people were going to judge her and think the worst of her. Typical Alayna, worrying about how others thought of her before really caring about herself. There was so much that Alayna still had to learn about life. After almost having that near death experience Alayna decided that she wanted to live it up in life. When she was ready. It was a months after she was released that she decided to move to the United States. It was then that she found Brinley Academy. It was secluded, and easy to get around, a small town. That was definetely something that she needed. And thats wheres shes been for the past few years.
Jewel was definetely proving to be a handful today. She had been weaned from her colt a week ago and she still acted a full. There was so much that Alayna had to do to work with the mare and she definetely wasnt about to stop it now. The painted mare just did not want to work, did not want to be ridden at all. Well she was going to have to learn otherwise. Alayna saddled up the mare with a simple barrel racing saddle. It was small and lightweight so it shouldnt bother the mare none. It took Alayna several minutes to try and get a bit into the mares mouth, a simple snaffle, every horse in training used one. But the mare still put up a fight. Putting the reins through a makeshift training martengale that was attatched to the breast collar Alayna was finally ready to go. Mounting Jewel easily using her spurs she gently asked the mare forward. She tossed her head and pranced like an idiot but still she went. Well that wasnt going to be so bad. Alayna had been living here for a few years now, so she knew the territory pretty well. She didnt have to use the trails. Reaching the river in no time Alayna thought it was time to try and get Jewel to go in the water. Something the mare was afraid of. But they were going at a lope when the mare finally decided she didnt want to go any further. Slamming on her breaks like a reining horse Alayna went flying out of the saddle. Landing in the water with a big splash Alayna got up and couldnt help but laugh. Jewel just stood at the edge of the water. Oh you are so going to pay for that young lady. Alayna pointed her finger at the mare menacingly, but had some humor in her voice as well so knew the threat wouldnt stick.
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Post by Kordell Brantley on Jul 8, 2009 19:46:25 GMT -5
GIRL YOUR LOVING'S
RELENTLESS [/b][/size][/font][/center] Kordell had been completely off in his own little world, not paying any attention at all. Pixie snorted and shied violently as the other pair came loping into view and then as the woman was launched into the creek. "Easy, Pix...." Kordell murmured, his voice barely audible. He watched for a moment as the filly dancing around, still trying to get away. Well, now she was just being stupid, but she was definitely going to hurt herself if he left her there much longer. He settled his hat on his head as he began to easily descend from the tree, going lithely from branch to branch, jumping the last five feet or so and startling the mare still more.
He walked calmly over to the filly, grabbing her lead rope and clucking her up so she wasn't yanking on the tree branch. She had definitely gotten herself pretty well tangled up. He heaved a mild sigh as he yanked on his bowlin knot. He had to lean against it pretty hard to get it loose, but that was the whole point of the bowlin knot; it didn't bind no matter how hard they pulled. You could always get it off.
He stood there for a long moment calming the overly jittery filly. He was sure she was just faking it now, but fake or no she'd still try and bolt if they went anywhere at this exact moment. She would plant her feet and haul back for all she was worth if he started pulling on her. That was one thing the filly needed some definite work on, the whole giving to pressure to get a release. She was just so dang stubborn.
When the filly had finally settled, he wandered closer to the other pair, a pretty pinto mare and young woman. "You alright ma'am?" he asked mildly, solemnly, though his lips twitched slightly. He couldn't even count how many times he had had a horse pile him into water. It was a little ridiculous, really, how many times he had come off a horse, but it was to be expected when you were working with horses, especially young ones. Even the best came off sometimes. It was part of life, part of the risk that all equestrians took when they chose to set foot near a horse. They were big and dangerous, but the true horse lovers didn't mind. Kordell was certainly one.
A person couldn't really miss how he was carefully looking the girl, or rather, young woman, over. Some might have accused him of checking her out, but he was honestly only checking her for injury. She seemed fine but a person could never be too sure. He hated seeing people hurt. He always had, but it had gotten worse upon his return to the States. He couldn't stand to see people hurt, be it physically or emotionally, though he himself hurt all the time. There were mental scars that war left that a person couldn't simply just gloss over, really. It was part of the price he had paid, though, for his country, for his comrades, and it was a price he was more than willing to pay. Still, that didn't keep him from wondering, sometimes, if it had been a good decision. He didn't regret it, by any means, but had it been a good decision? And then he would scold himself for driving himself crazy with all the might have beens. It was unhealthy....
Words: 577
Tag: Alayna Marten <3
iPod: Thunder_Boys Like Girls
Notes: I'm sorry, it sucks. My muse just diiied. |
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Post by alayna marten on Jul 8, 2009 20:59:45 GMT -5
Alayna was so scared. She was deep in the streets of Rome, somewhere she never thought she would be again. Blood poured from cuts on her face, and on her body, she was barely conscious. There were men talking around her, but she didnt understand what they were saying. Nor did she really care. Her breathing was coming in short gasps, the chains digging into her skin like barbed wire. Then the screaming began again. Alayna screamed in pain as a broken lightbulb was touched to the water that surrounded Alayna. The electricity running through her body was intense. They wanted to know how much Alayna knew about her fathers death, how much she saw. But Alayna was strong and she was not going to tell them anything. Alayna has been here for almost a year, her old wounds healing in the midst of new ones. They had told her how pretty she was, how valuable. She didnt know how much more she could take. The men would have fun just sitting and laughing at her as she screamed. But still she told them nothing, she was told to be strong, she was not going to back down to this torment. There was nothing in her that would let go. Even though she was so kind hearted, the determination and strength that coarsed through her would not be stopped.
It took Alayna to realize that there were others there with her. Getting her long brown hair out of her face and trying to shake a lot of the wet out of her clothes Alayna watched rather embarrassed as he went to calm down his filly. Alayna gave Jewel one hard glare, and that immediately made the mare duck her head, she knew she had done something wrong. When the young man came towards her Alayna put a smile on her face and looked hard into his eyes. Trying to see if she was angry with her or not. But seeing that he wasnt Alayna immediately softened her facade. Nothing hurt buy my pride. Thank you for asking. Though Jewel is definetely going to get it when we get home. Im sorry for spooking your filly. Not many people come down this trail. The filly could have really hurt herself and that made Alayna feel a little bad. Horses were known for being unpredictable. Alayna of all people should know that. The majority of the scars on her body came either from horses or those human torturers. Though Alayna gladly told them that it was all from the horses. Wearing a speghetti strap the jagged scar on her shouldar was visible along with several small ones. Including scars in the shape of bands around her wrists. Only experienced people would notice those and know what those were.
Climbing up to the bank Jewel moved forward and stretched her head out to Alayna. You could tell that this had been done before. Alayna grabbed ahold of the mares mane and allowed Jewel to hoist her over the bank. You must be Kordell. Im Alayna Marten, another teacher at Brinley. And this royal pain is Wild Jewel. Alayna held out her wet hand, then realizing that it was soaking wet and that it was rude she stretched her hand over to the saddle and wiped it dry. Then let her hand out to be shaken. Jewel pushed her slightly, and the sting of the cold clothes hit her body hard. Excuse me just for one second. I was a little too prepared for this. Giving him a little bit of a sorry look Alayna reached into the small saddle bag and pulled out a whole new pair of clothes. Taking of her boots first Alayna found the nearest tree and set them upside down on the branches so they would drip dry. Being a redneck she knew how to take care of things. Running quickly behind another tree where she was sure she wouldnt be seen, though she didnt really care all that much, she turned her back on Kordell and began undressing. Running a towel over her body and rubbing it through her hair Alayna wa redressed in almost an instant. Though for a little bit while she was fussing with her speghetti strap, her bra was still on, many of the scars on her back were visible, along with the full extent of the one on her shouldar. Walking back to Kordell barefoot. Can we just start over. Hi, Im Alayna Marten and Id like to welcome you to Brinley Academy. Alayna held out her hand kindly for him to shake. Now dry and clean.
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Post by Kordell Brantley on Jul 13, 2009 11:10:58 GMT -5
GIRL YOUR LOVING'S
RELENTLESS [/b][/size][/font][/center] He shrugged a bit when she apologized for spooking his filly. "She'll get used to it" he responded easily, giving the paint an affectionate pat. "It shouldn't have bothered her. She knew you were there" He laughed slightly. The filly was high strung, that was for sure, but she oughtn't have been so spooky. She had been out in places like this all the time. There were people around and other horses, and as far as Kordell was concerned. He had a pretty get over it attitude when it came to his horses. He expected a lot from them, but they usually responded well to it, and gave him their best. He never asked people to tip-toe around his horses, either, and they were the better for it, as far as he was concerned. If something spooked them, then obviously he had just found something he needed to fix, a hole in his training, and training holes were completely, and utterly unacceptable in Kordell's book. It just wasn't done, leaving holes in a horse's training. It was lazy and dishonest, especially if you intended upon selling a horse. You couldn't leave holes.
He nodded slightly when she held out her hand and reached out to shake it, but he was too slow. She was already pulling away to dry it off. "I wouldn't have minded" he said with a slight smile as he shook her hand, grasping it firmly, but not squeezing too tight. He knew that he had the tendency to do that, without thinking about it. And then people yelled at him for crushing their hand. He didn't like that, because he tended to have a horrible conscience and feel guilty about the stupidest things. Plus he was picky about handshakes. He hated shaking a noodle. It drove him crazy. Of course, there weren't many people who crushed his hand, either, but he remembered that, as a kid, it had nearly driven him crazy. As such, he was picky about the whole thing, and he took a lot about people from the way they shook his hand...or if they shook his hand at all.
He grinned. "Nice to meet you, Alayna" he said easily, taking it all in stride that she already knew his name. It was to be expected, especially amongst the instructors. It was such a small community, in a manner of speaking, that he wasn't at all surprised. He was from a small town, so he was used to the whole complete strangers knowing your name, thing, and frankly, he loved it. He was a small town man that was for sure. It was a part of him, as much as his hair color or his cowboy boots. There was just something about a small town that couldn't be beat.
He chuckled a bit as he watched her pull clothes out of her saddle bags. Clearly she had known what was coming. He politely turned his back as she slipped behind the tree, even though he couldn't see anything anyway. It was a common courtesy for him. There wasn't any craning his neck trying to see her with her clothes off. He was way too polite for that. When you got right down to it, Kordell was a gem. There weren't many guys around like him, who valued home and family and country and friends. Not to the extent that he did, anyway. There was little, if anything, in the world that mattered more to him.
He turned around as he heard her approaching again, his hearing sharp from time spent in combat, when missing something could be the difference between life and death. Pixie shied violently as if the other young woman were some horrible, terrifying monster come to eat her. "Oh, knock it off" Kordell said a little impatiently. He was getting a touch fed up with the mare. She certainly tried his patience.
He grinned a bit when asked if they could just start over and shook her hand politely. He could tell he was going to get along with this girl. She reminded him a bit of himself before Iraq. "It's a pleasure, Alayna. I'm Kordell Brantley, and I'm told I'm supposed to teach these whipper-snappers how to ride a reining horse" He laughed slightly as he shoved his free hand, the one that had just shaken Alayna's, and wasn't holding Pixie's reins, into his pocket. "What about you?" he asked curiously. Obviously she was an instructor, and of something Western. He just wasn't entirely sure what. There were endless possibilities, one of which, though it seemed unlikely, was that she taught an English class. She didn't really strike Kordell as the shnazzy English type, but it was always possible, now wasn't it?
Words: 788
Tag: Alayna Marten <3
iPod: Silence_My Head
Notes: =/ |
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