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When Matt got back to Falcon, the gelding was standing calmly, with his head down, fairly relaxed. Matt's head was filled purely with thoughts of Joe, and what on earth he was doing. The man didn't live at the academy, as far as Matt was aware he wasn't even needed on tuesdays, - which it was tomorrow, - and he certainly didnt need tack from the tack room. Not a whole bunch of the rather expensive showing halters anyway. Whatever, as long as Falcon's stuff wasn't missing. Matt sighed and patted Falcon down, suddenly remembeing Eleanor was in the barn too. For the few minutes he had spent thinking about the interaction with Joe, he had forgotten. He didn't have the energy to even think salty thoughts, so instead he pushed the thoughts back down and quickly slipped the groomng stuff into its bag, and made his way to the tack room to put that back under Falcon's tack. - Before he could get too far, Falcon suddenly spooked - likely at nothing, but whatever. Matt turned to see the gelding holdiing his head high, almost fighting to get out of the cross ties, the noise from his hooves hitting the ground sending echoes across the barn. "Christ." Matt mumbled, quickly untying Falcon from the cross ties and clipping the regular lead rope back on. He was evidently agitated, and putting him back in the stall would likely work the gelding up even more. But then riding him now would probaby be one heck of a death wish. So what, he was meant to just...stand there? Matt bit his top lip, his grip firm on the lead rope as Falcon refused to stand still. He knew the smallest things could spook the bay every now and then, but this was ridiculous. What his issue was, he had no idea. Matt glanced at the entrance to the barn, and then back to Falcon. "I guess if I cant ride you, cant put you away, I'll have to...walk." Matt sighed. He could at least walk him down the shorter trail. He had done it a few times before, and strangely it seemed to calm the gelding down despite there being many more things out there to spook him. - With the decision made, Matt checked his phone was stuffed in his jeans pocket, and started off down the barn. As he did so, he glanced in each stall, and eventually, saw Eleanor. He halted, tightening his grip on Falcon's lead rope just incase he wanted to take off, and then finally spoke. "You should probably go back up. I have no idea what Joe was doing down here but if he comes back down here and you're here, I can guarantee you the principal won't let you off lightly." No malice to his tone, no salty words. Quite frankly, he was too focused on his horse and well...everything else that happened that day, to really bother. Plus it was late, and they were around horses. Arguing likely wouldnt end well for person or animal. For a seconod, just a split second, a thought slipped into Matt's mind. Invite her. She didn't look as if she would be sleeping any time soon anyway, and didnt seem to be making a move to take he mare out anyway, so...No. That would be stupid. Why would he want her there right? - Matt shook off his thought and moved his gaze to Dutchess, who looked fairly content despite the skittish gelding next to her stall."Or just stay alert, okay?" He added, moving on towards the barn entrance. It wasnt that he cared in the slightest, right? Just...didnt want her dragging him down too, if a staff member happened to appear. Yeah, that was it. |
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Eleanor spent the next couple minutes scrolling through her phone, but while she looked with her eyes, her brain processed none of it. She looked up at the sound of commotion further in the barn and her heart stopped for a moment, thinking maybe Joe or another staff member came back. Until she realized it sounded like hooves, and remembered that Matt was still here too. That was probably Falcon, wasn't kidding when he was described as easy to spook, jittery. She poked her head out of Dutchess stall, just for a second, to confirm it was indeed a shadow of a horse tied up further down. She then went back to her original position, just without her phone this time and watched Dutchess once more. Damn, Eleanor hasn't been this jumpy in awhile. A bit later she heard movement once more, and a voice at the stall door made her look over again. •~• Yeah, go back up. She should, Eleanor knew that. But she had a feeling she'd feel even less comfortable there, and sleep already currently didn't work in her own bed. No roommate, something she had once been happy about and now she kind of wished happened. Least she has a horse down in here. Eleanor knew she was over reacting but she came to stay with Dutchess and that's what she's going to do. She didn't hear any of the... Well normal sarcasm or such in his tone, so she didn't retaliate with her own. Maybe the days events were finally hitting them both full force. "I think... I'm going to stay down here. But yeah, I'll stay alert." Matt didn't need to know that. And Eleanor knew he didn't need to, but it made her feel slightly better anyway. She didn't say anything else, and watched him leave with Falcon in tow. Falcon didn't have any of his tack on, a walk perhaps? But she didn't put anymore thought into it, and resumed her silent vigil. •~• Eleanor didn't know how long she spent just watching, but eventually she moved to the corner furthest from the stall door and sight. Sitting down after brushing some of the hay around. Dutchess let out a soft nicker, and Eleanor could tell the mare was settling down as well, for the mare plopped down in the hay. Usually Dutchess slept standing, but there was always the few times she slept laying down. Eleanor leaned her head back, and finally, finally began feeling drowsy herself. The barn had remained quiet after Matt left. None of the other horses made a peep, and Eleanor didn't hear anyone coming in nor any movement in any of the rooms again. She didn't hear Matt returning at all yet. She didn't know why she was listening out for him, and she labeled it as he was bound to come back at some point because he had Falcon and she didn't want to freak out again. That's all. He knew the trails, not like he was going to get lost or something. •~• But sleep decided to make it's entrance and Eleanor couldn't fight it for long. So for the second time in her life her head rested between the corner of where two walls met, she stretched her legs out, and she crossed her arms tightly. Eleanor let out a long sigh that could've been classified as a yawn, before she closed her eyes. It still took a good few minutes, but she drifted into a dreamless sleep. |
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Matt's feelings were between frustration and relief at Eleanor's answer. Frustrated she was risking being caught, relief for the fact she wasn't trying to strike up any sort of conversation. He led the gelding out to the one non-gated trail and started off, keeping his hand somewhat close the halter by lead rope, just incase Falcon decided he wanted to try anything. As they walked, Matt's mind finally actually let go of whatever thoughts he had been holding all day. After all, the assignments he had were finished, and him and Eleanor had remained somewhat civil for about, well...not that long, so that was something. However his parents criticism, and Falcon's skittish nature still remained at the back of his mind. Oh well, he'd deal with his parents the next time he saw them. And as for Falcon, well...that remained a mystery. - As they reached the end of the trail, heading towards the bridge into the village, Matt stopped and turned around. There was no way he was heading into the village at the risk of absolutely anyone speaking to him at that time. That and the few teens that didnt like horses round there, liked racing around on motorcycles, which was never good for any of the horses let alone a gelding like his. So, he started back off down the trail again, matching Falcon's quick pace easily. Every now and then, the bay's head would snap in a certain direction, ears alert - but luckily nothing came of it. That didnt mean it didt scare the crap out of Matt the first few times it happened though. Hey, it was a wooded trail, dark out and he was exhausted. - Soon enough though, they arrived back at the barn. The whole time that Matt led Falcon back in, brushed and checked him over, and put him back into the stall, he didt hear or see a single person. Maybe Eleanor had gone back up then. It was just as well, it was gone 1am. He slipped quietly out of Falcon's stall, looking around to ensure there were no staff before starting off towards the barn entrance. He passed Dutchess, and then stopped, sort of...admiring her. Just for a few seconds. She was an absolutely gorgeous mare, though he wouldn't admit that out loud. Just as he was set to leave again he caught sight of Eleanor sat in the stall, which amittedly startled him slightly. She was...asleep? - Now he was sort of unsure on what to do. He didnt want to bother disturbing her, it wasnt his place and he didnt care. Obviously. But he also didnt want her to stay asleep until the morning and then have someone else find her, most likely the staff considering they were always up early. He stood there, biting his bottom lip in thought. Hell, wake her up. Just in case someone did find her, and she then decided to sell him out. Slowly, he slipped inside the stall, steering clear of Dutchess like she was a time bomb. He had no idea on her temperament with others, and did not want to provoke her. He made his way to the corner of the stall and gently but somewhat firmly shook Eleanor. "Wake up. Seriously, you can't stay down here." |
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Or it had been dreamless, for a bit. Eleanor woke once about ten minutes later for no apparent reason before she had gone back to sleep. Her mind filled with simple, little random things from the past for a bit. Like her 15th birthday when her Mom had accidentally dropped the cake and spent the next two hours making another one from scratch proclaiming it'd be better then another store bought one. Or a year later when she was sixteen and her Dad got her a three year old horse, Dutchess. Her mind kept those types of memories on replay for awhile, before they shifted to other things. Her first day at the Hollowhearts Academy, and when she met Katherine and the siblings. And the day when they got the news the Academy was shutting down, no info on if it was temporary or permanent. Oh Eleanor definitely remembered the whole school's reaction to when the teachers announced that they'd be going to Utopia, of all places. •~• But before her mind could replay any other memories, like more current ones, her dreams finally once more went into that blank state. And Eleanor remained like that until... Was someone trying to shake her? She didn't wake at first, finding trying to curl up a little more a more suitable reaction. But it didn't stop so she finally opened her eyes slightly to see another face. Thankfully she didn't spook or anything this time, but maybe that was from the sleep still clouding her mind a bit. Eleanor sat straighter, rubbing her eyes with the palm of her hand before she blinked and narrowed her eyes slightly to see who it was a bit better in the dim lighting. It was Matt. Not gonna lie, she was expecting a staff member. What was he doing here, in Dutchess's stall? Oh that's right, he'd gone out with Falcon. She didn't see the bay waiting anywhere, so he must be back in his stall already. But that didn't explain the Matt in Dutchess's stall part. Was it just to wake her? Why, just to be a nuisance? Eleanor stared at him for a good solid couple seconds, blinking. •~• Eleanor did find her voice, after her moment of silence. "Matt? What are you doing in here? It's rude to wake people up y'know." She mumbled, her tone lacking any form of insult or sarcasm. Just confusion and exhaustion. She got to her feet, brushing her clothes down and removing the hay that clung to some parts of her clothing. She pulled her phone out and checked the time quickly. It was well past 1 am, but that also meant she hadn't been sleeping for long. She should get back to her dorm, now that she had some semblance of sleep in her system and would likely pass out on her bed without trouble. And to avoid the pain she'd have in the morning for sleeping this way. Eleanor looked back at Matt, studying him for a moment before tilting her head a little. Eleanor needed to go around him to get out of her corner. She was still confused on why he woke her though, he could have just left her sleeping here. •~• Eleanor edged around him but paused halfway. On second thought, she wasn't leaving this stall until he did. Even if she had the sense that despite everything Matt wouldn't do anything to a horse, she wasn't going to leave him alone in Dutchess's stall, not even for a second. Not even if her mind was a little fuzzy, and she didn't currently register Matt as his infuriating self. "Out, please." •~• (Half asleep myself as I write this lol.) |
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Oh you and me both dont worry lol) - - As soon as Eleanor finally woke up, Matt's demeaour just changed back into its usual form. She spoke, and he barely really registered her sentence until a full ten seconds later, being more focused on Dutchess. She seemed perfectly content, but he was still wary. After all, she was a horse he had absolutely zero clue on, and he was a stranger to the mare. Eventually though, Matt actually registered Eleanor's words, and was far from impressed. Sure, her tone lacked any form of insult, and he hadnt at all expected anything nice, but he was tired, so he was frustrated. It was that simple. "Do I look like I care?" He mumbled, staring down at her before closing his eyes momentarily, pinching the bridge of his nose. - His eyes snapped back open as she spoke again, this time ushering him out, after having paused before leaving. Was she serious? Was she under the impression she'd do anything to her horse? Or just being petty? Whatever, he did not care either way. Much. "Go back to sleep down here then get caught, I don't care." He said slowly, leaving Dutchess' stall as asked. "Why I ever thought warning you was a good idea I do not know." He added. He didn't turn round as he left the stall, making his way out of the barn and up towards the academy building at a medium pace, his hands stuffed in his jean pockets. Gosh she was insufferable. He should have let her get caught too. - Eventually, Matt got inside and back up to his dorm. Knowing Dylan would be fast asleep, he entered quietly, softly shutting the door behind him with a click. He put his keycard down on the counter and made his way to his room, then locking his door as usual. Matt was exhausted now, being back in the vicinity of his bed had it flooding over him. He quickly threw his phone on charge, changed out of his earlier clothes and slipped into bed, falling asleep easily within the hour. All the earlierstressful thoughts were finally gone. The only one that remained, was Eleanor. And boy would he be having a lot more of those in the future. He was stuck with her. - Matt woke up that next morning fairly early despite being out late, and that was for one reason. Dylan. The boy had woken up at the crack of dawn, mainly because he fell asleep just after 11pm, but also because he had some sort of field trip that day. Matt groaned as he heard Dylan moving about in the kitchen, dragging his hands down his face to check the time. 6am. His classes didnt start until the afternoon, so he could sleep in - bt there was zero way his eyes were shutting again now. Slowly, Matt hauled himself up, grabbed his clothes and slipped into the bathroom to shower. He emerged about twenty minutes later, wearing the same version of an outfit he usually did. Solid white tee, somewhat baggy jeans. - Dylan was stood by the counter making himself cereal as Matt emerged, and turned around with a grin. "I heard you come back late last night by the way. You aren't as quiet as you think." Matt just groaned silently and shook his head, moving to the fridge to grab himself some juice. Dylan took tat as an opportunity to carry on speaking. "So where were you? Let me guess, just with Falcon?" He asked, holding quote marks with the last three words. Matt eventually cracked and told him just about everything. |
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Eleanor waited until Matt was out of the stall and gone before she moved herself. She left the stall quietly, making sure to not wake Dutchess. She closed up the barn behind her, like nothing ever happened, and the craziness of the night never existed. Eleanor headed up to the dorm, and once back in her room she collapsed on her bed. Not even bothering to pull her hoodie off. But did take two seconds to pull her phone out of her pocket and plug it in, fumbling slightly. Just this time she didn't need to stare at the wall, and was out once more in seconds. The stress of the night, and Matt cause he caused a bunch her emotional problems on his own, all finally fully. •~• The next morning Eleanor fell into routine, showering, changing into whatever was on top, and eating whatever sounded good enough for breakfast. This time she made sure to put her riding clothes on her bed beforehand so she could change into them quicker later. She finished the rest of her breakfast, grabbed her things, and left to start another day. Meeting up once more with her friends, grouping up together to wait for their classes to start. Eleanor didn't mention anything about the night before to any of them, not even Katherine. Sure it was odd with the whole Joe part, and everything possible with Matt, but besides that nothing noteworthy they needed to know. •~• Before Eleanor knew it, another week passed being at the Utopia Academy. Both Hollowhearts and Utopia riders still had... Their differences, but it wasn't as bad as at first. With the desk pairings a week ago, did help bring some riders that were more open to it together. You're more likely to see a Utopia and Hollowhearts chatting more so lately then before. Eleanor mainly kept things the same throughout the week. Though even like her fellow riders she began begrudgingly accepting that she wouldn't be going anywhere soon. She ran into Destiny once more during the week, but it was a short interaction. She still did her best to avoid Matt unless it had something to do with them needing to be a pair. No matter how unsuccessful she was at times. But... Maybe she had began to begrudgingly accept that too. She still hates him of course. Mhm. Eleanor still kept up her insults and general hostility but she was wasn't as bad as the beginning. By only a little bit, of course. Dutchess warmed up a little to Falcon as well, with the few interactions they'd have within classes. •~• Between classes for most students, they were informed to gather outside near the paddocks for a announcement. Eleanor was making her way out of the main building to head down that way when Kathrine came up. Her best friend was a usually excited type, but this was a really high level of excitement. "Did you hear?" Kat said, grabbing Eleanor's hand and pulling her along even more. "Hear what-" Eleanor wasn't given a chance to properly ask before Kat was interrupting again. "It's about a event! I don't know what type, but it's good to finally be doing something again!" Eleanor shared the smile Kat gave her, feeling a hint of excitement bubbling up inside her as well. Even without knowing what it was about, it was nice to finally have something besides classes to do once again. She found the crowd gathering outside, and about three teachers trying to control the announcement. When they finally began, the first thing they said was to have pairs gather up first to calm things down and sort it out more. She watched Katherine bounce away and couldn't see either of the siblings and let out a sigh, staying where she was as people shuffled around. •~• (Might suck a little lol got four hours of sleep.) |
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you're fine, it sounds good !) - - About a week passed since the interaction in barn late at night. It wasnt spoken about again by the two, but thats because they barely spoke unless they reay had too more than anything. Much to Matt and the others' surprise, the hostility between the two academies seemed to be easing up. Just a bit, anyway. There had been a few rather intense arguments here and then, much to the dislike of the staff who were fed up with constantly having to break up adults arguing, but for the most part, it was evident the negativity was withering away. When it came to Matt and Eleanor though, it was clear there was still hostility lingering clearly between them. Insults, sarcasm, anything to get under each others skin - but, Matt was beginning to accept it, to die down. It was evident Hollowhearts weren't going anywhere any time soon, and he didn't want the whole academy experience being entirely ruined due to one person. - Unusually, some students had been told to gather up outside the paddocks, for some form of announcement. Matt could only hope it was talk of Hollowhearts being gone soon, but overhearing conversation from fellow Utopia riders only pushed that right out the window immediately. It was some form of...event? Did Utopia academy ever get a break? They had only just finished up with the tour, which was big enough. Matt stopped next to Dylan, who was stood by himself near the back of the crowd. He grinned as he spotted Matt, starting off on some ramble out...well, something. Matt wasn't listening. His gaze was flitting between the staff talking to each other as the crowd got bigger, and Hailey. - Now, the issue with Hailey wasn't resolved. Nowhere near, really. Matt had intentionally avoided her the best he could, because he just didnt want to have that conversation with her. He felt bad, of course, she was one of his oldest friends. But that didn't mean he wasn't struggling with the fact she broke the promise. It was evident Hailey still felt just as hurt as the day he had walked off, an most definitely picked up on him avoiding her. However, everytime she caught Matt's gaze she offered a small smile. He just looked away. - Matt was brought right out of his thoughts though as people started to move around. It took a few seconds, but he picked up on the current situation judging by who others were talking too - find your pairings. Matt stuffed his hands in his pockets and moved through the crowd, spotting Eleanor a little further forward. He stopped just short of her, not saying anything at first. Luckily, he didn't have much time too, as the staff started to speak. "We have specifially hand picked some pairs out, for an event we have coming up soon. The exact date isnt set yet." One started. Matt quickly identified it as a teacher who preferred to be called Emma, one of the flatwork instructors. She continued. "We have a sponsor event. We won't say who just yet, until we've seen you guys work well. This is a very big sponsor, and we carefully picked out who we think the best current students are." - As Emma rambled on, Matt was fighting to not zone out. He picked up the basics of it though, and he was horrified. Emma kept exaggerating that it was an important sponsor, everything needed to be done perfectly. The sponsor would be very, very beneficial to both the academy and individual riders. And, for whatever reason the staff had in their minds, the pairs were set to plan every. Little. Thing. That meant missing classes to work on visual planning, using the riding class times to work together on jumping routines, using as much time together as you can. In the same pairs they were in now. |
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As Eleanor stood there Lisa popped up, pausing besides her. Eleanor looked at her friend, who's own pairing, Samuel, waved a little further ahead. "Going to go join him?" She asked, and Lisa nodded before speaking herself. "I will, in a moment. Just wanted to ask you something." "Go ahead." "Okay. Wanna go out for a ride later? Sunny could use it and I think both mares would like to see eachother again." Lisa asked, and Eleanor smiled. "Sure, why not, let's go later this evening. Hopefully this event won't take too much out of all of us. It's likely something small." She said and Lisa gave back her own little smile before she hurried off to join her brother. Eleanor turned back to watching around her just in time to see Matt show up. •~• He didn't say anything, and Eleanor didn't say anything either. Seconds later the staff, who's names she hoped she remembered right, got everyone's attention again and began speaking. Mainly explaining what the event was. A sponsor event? She wasn't expecting that, especially if what the staff were saying about a big sponsor was true. Did the Academy really think now was the time was to hold a event like this? Only a couple weeks after everything? Sure fighting wasn't as bad as before but that didn't mean the the two different schools of riders, paired or not, wanted to work together for a extended amount of time. But hey, what does she know? Maybe it won't be that bad. It was a little nice feeling to hear that they picked the students they thought were the current best. However small it was. •~• The main instructor who was speaking, Emma, described and explained the things that would happen and what needed to be done, all that stuff. Eleanor listened, but she didn't exactly need to know most of it. She had helped with a couple sponsor events back at her old Academy. Smaller ones of course, but still the same thing. But of course one of the main things that had been different was that they hadn't been put into pairs or anything like that, unlike here. And when Emma started explaining how they'd be using the fact their paired up, Eleanor stiffened slightly in surprise. Whoa whoa whoa, hold on. They wanted the pairs to figure everything out? Did they not care about how much class-wise they'd have to miss? Or is that why they selected a couple pairs? And Matt. She'd have to do it all with Matt. All excitement that had built in Eleanor deflated. Was it to late to ask a instructor if she can back out? She turned her head a little, looking at Matt out of the corner of her eye. •~• Yup, he looked like he had some semblance of the same thoughts. Emma finished her rambling, giving off a few last tips and info. "We'll share the date and a few other things when we figure them out. Until then, you should start figuring out what you and your partner is going to do. Do not worry about classes, we instructors are working on that as well and you'll get your undated schedules in a few days." Emma clapped her hands together, finishing that conversation. The students kinda just... Stood there for a moment, before pairs started breaking off. Some more reluctantly than others, of course. Eleanor turned to face Matt fully, keeping her hands at her sides instead of crossing them like she wanted to. When she spoke, her tone was short and clipped. "Furthest paddock. Bring Falcon." Was all Eleanor said, before she headed for the barn to get Dutchess. Nothing gave away that she cared if he listened or not. She brought her mare out, and didn't tack her up or anything. If he came, fine. If he didn't, she'd be heading that way still. Dutchess needed to be turned out anyway. |
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By the time that Emma had finished speaking, Matt's mind was filled with more than he cared to listen to. He breathed out a long, silent, frustrated sigh and glanced up at the other pairs. Most seemed excited, chattering away with each other about the plans already, whilst others seemed...unhappy about the whole ordeal. One look at Matt and Eleanor, and it was obvious they were the minority. After a few seconds, he tore his gaze back to Eleanor, though he didn't say anything. Well, he didn't have the time. She blurted out four words and had walked away immediately, giving him no time to respond. He pinched the bridge of his nose and started off after her towards the barn, his steps slow and sluggish, as if he was walking to meet his fate. - Matt arrived outside of Falcon's stall, watching the gelding munch away at his hay absentmindedly, not caring much about his owners presence. For a little while, Matt sort of just...leant on the stall door, gazing over Falcon with unconscious thoughts running through his mind. An event like this would usually be exciting to him, it would feel like a chance to help out the academy, and rise through the ranks as a rider himself. But having Hollowhearts here - and being paired with who he was, - took that feeling away. Constantly. It was getting easier to deal with, but harder to actually push down. - A sudden nudge of his arm brought Matt right back to reality, and his gaze landed on a familiar muzzle nipping at his arm. He smiled and entered the stall, gently pushing Falcon out the way so he could close the door behind him. To his surprise, the gelding seemed much calmer than he had ever been today, which was a huge relief. Over the past week, he had been settling down again, getting used to the new horses, new riders and busier environment, which in turn was having a much better effect on the gelding. Matt slowly patted him down all over, checking for any stall injuries or otherwise that he might have sustained, before bringing him out. As he tied Falcon to the cross ties near the stall, and made his way to the tack room to grab the grooming kit, his gaze drifted almost unconsciously to Dutchess' stall, where Eleanor was stood inside, seemingly getting ready to bring Dutchess out. He looked away again pretty quickly, but not before catching sight of the mare. He knew he wouldn't admit it out loud, but he liked Dutchess a lot. She had a good build, her movements were graceful, and she was a gorgeous horse overall. But it was easy to pretend none of that was true. - For the next 5 minutes or so, Matt groomed Falcon lightly, just attempting to get off the random specks of dirt and dust. he accumulated from simply standing in the stall munching hay. He battled with the gelding's tail for a minute more, before chucking the stuff back into the grooming kit and just throwing it aside in the stall. He could put that back later, it wasn't likely to go missing in there. Much unlike things in the tack room, which he had noticed had started to...dissapear. The more expensive things too. Eventually, he was done. He clipped the lead rope onto Falcons halter and lead him down and out the barn, towards the paddock that Eleanor had mentioned. She was already there with Dutchess, not that that was a surprise at all, he had purposely taken his time. He entered and stopped a little away from the other pair, facing towards Eleanor. If they could just...get through this without shooting each other down, it would be beneficial. Beneficial to them, the sponsors and the academy. |
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Eleanor didn't spend much time preparing Dutchess, mainly because her mind was elsewhere. She checked the mare over, gave a her a quick brushing, and stuffed some sugar cubes in her pocket as a just in case of course. She put Dutchess's halter on and lead the mare out, heading for the furthest paddock like she said she would. She opened the gate and walked in before tying the rope to a post. She'd release Dutchess in a bit, and right now the mare seemed content to just graze on the grass around her. Eleanor leaned back against the fence, tilting her head back to the sky. It was cloudy, with a the sun peaking out ever so often. She didn't think it was supposed to rain at all, just be cloudy. And Eleanor was relieved for the cooler day after the period of heat the past couple days had. She had started to think she might melt every time she left the dorms. •~• Eleanor looked to her side when she heard both footsteps and those of another horse. And behold, Matt did in fact come. For some reason, she hadn't doubted that he would. But she was still a little shocked that he would've listened to her. Maybe because now they were both in the deep end, and had no choice but to do this together. At least when it came to pairing in classes they could've still somewhat ignored eachother, worked in silence unless it was absolutely necessary. But now, they couldn't do that if they even wanted a shot at doing this somewhat right. She pushed off the fence and scratched Dutchess's head when the mare bumped her with it. Another reason she kept Dutchess tied up for now. Eleanor knew the mare wanted to go greet the gelding, having apparently decided during classes that Falcon was good enough in her books, she tried to keep her horse in check. More often then not Eleanor has found herself making sure Dutchess didn't try and crowd Falcon, or bug him too much. While she even noticed the small change in Falcon lately, she still didn't want to make him uncomfortable. What? Matt's horse or not, yes she cared how the bay felt. •~• "Wasn't expecting you to actually come." Eleanor said, motioning a hand over at Matt before she rubbed a hand over her arm and spoke again. "You don't want this, I don't want this, that much is clear to anyone. But because the staff apparently hate us, we're going to have to do it. Trust me, I'd rather be anywhere but here right now." She knew one of them was going to have to speak up, because if neither did then it would probably just fall in insults and silence. "Have you done a sponsor event before? You have any idea about what we're going to have to do?" Eleanor questioned. Okay so maybe there was a hint of sarcasm in there but she couldn't help it. It was going to come out no matter how hard she tried to remain civil. This time she ran a brushed a hand down the side of her shirt before she crossed her arms to keep herself from fidgeting more. She wasn't usually one to fidget, that was more of Katherine's thing. Maybe her friend was rubbing off on her. |
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Steady Rain all Day
