| |
|
No worries!) - For the most part, Matt was content with the place he had picked. Time was stretching on slowly, as usual when he wasnt exactly having fun, but the area they were in made it that little bit easier to deal with until it was decided they were both done. More to focus on, less to no room for people to interrupt. He let his gaze settling on the ground in front of them, the small white petals blowing gently across the grass of the clearing , dissapearing throughout the various surroundings trees. Eleanor's voice didnt break him out of the absentminded gaze, though he was able to register her words enough to reply. "High enough," He mused quietly, using her exact same words she had directed at him earlier, when he had asked how high they could jump. Petty? Maybe. Amusing? Obviously. "He can clear a 1.20 round easily if he's focused enough, but I highly doubt he would be on the day." Matt decided to carry on and elaborate a little, knowing it was better to at least give Eleanor something to work with. - "It's not like the stakes are magically high so I'd say a six to eight jump course would suffice? Just make use of the whole arena to drag out the time instead of putting too many jumps." He added. The conversation seemed to flow into a much easier line of talking as it carried on, going over the routine. It was only the first night since they'd been told about the sponsor, so both would have time to go over and over the routine with the horses many other days. It didn't have to be perfec now, nor did Matt feel the need to remember exactly what the two had said. Just - if Eleanor agreed, - a six to eight jump round, with some long ish distance intervals between the jumps. Hard to do without being able to walk the strides between each, but they could do that another day. - It was evident it was getting much later, as the sun had completely set, signalling the fact it was moving past the evening now. Granted, Matt knew a fair few ways into the academy even with the main gates shut, but that didn't mean he was ready to almost get caught again in such quick succession from the last time he was down there. He took his phone out his pocket and scanned the time. Nearly 8pm. Okay, it had been longer than Matt actually expected, but that was fine. He turned to Eleanor, stuffing his phone back into his pocket. "We should probably head back somewhat soon." He said, not quite making eye contact with her as he spoke. - At that moment, Matt heard distant but clear foosteps, evidently coming down the trail. Well, two sets of footsteps. Except on sounded like a...horse? The gates werent shut yet, at least not the trail ones, but it was rare for the Utopia riders to actually hack out past 8 unless it was the height of summer. And it wasn't, summer was nearing an end fairly fast. Thinking on it though, it could be a Hollowhearts rider, or someone that just changed their mind on hacking out past 8pm. Though the very faint muttering of a man clearly frustarted with the horse, and the sound of the human foosteps on the ground made that slightly stranger. The sounds passed as quickly as they came, untilt he sound of the hooves on the bridge near the end of the trail echoed, and they were gone. Matt let out a breath he didn't realise he was holding. Hey, at least whoever it was hadn't found the two there. |
|
|
| |
|
Eleanor smirked, just the tiniest bit, mix with a quick roll of her eyes when Matt used her words from before. She could feel the sarcastic response waiting on the tip of her tongue. And she had to really, really fight to not say it. Because somehow, to her, answering didn't feel like it wouldn't have felt like the usual jabs or comments. Eleanor didn't feel irritated enough, which was even worse. Talking this long civilly with Matt was messing up her priorities. Or maybe she was just getting tired, it was getting late. Summer was nearing it's end, so the sun was starting to set sooner little by little. And the night were growing colder, like now. While she still felt a bit of warmth since the sun just set, it was slowly getting colder. Eleanor knew this conversation would be ending soon, just from how late it was getting alone. •~• "I guess a six to eight would be enough. Not doing too much but not seeming like we're doing the least possible. And we can adjust if needed, like give or take a jump. We'll have to ask the instructors if there's a set arena we're using first, or the usual one." As the conversation continued, Eleanor felt like they were finally getting somewhere with the event planning. Not that discussing visuals earlier wasn't, but this is something they'd be able to do sooner then any of that. And in the end, it all came down to horse and rider. She envisioned the course for a moment, going through it in her mind with Dutchess. She could see the mare being a little hesitant at first, but a couple rounds training should help. And she can always bribe her mare with snacks if drastic measures need to be taken. The only thing she was more worried about was having Dutchess around Falcon. Sure they wouldn't be doing the course at the same time but Eleanor worried that the mare might get distracted trying to be friendly and getting a read on a horse she'd been around but never really interacted with. Eleanor made a note to bring that up next time. •~• Eleanor got up from the log, stretching her arms behind her back. "We should, yeah. Can I-..." She trailed off, and didn't add more. She kind of just stared at him for a moment, her mind blanking suddenly. And then she remembered what she had been about to say, and was glad she stopped herself. Eleanor had been about to ask if she could have his number. Just for planning, like when or where to meet up instead of just waiting for the next time they ran into each other or in class. It was fine, it was logical. It's not like she was gonna be actively using it, and vice versa. So what the hell was wrong with her, why did she stop? Thankfully she was saved by the sound of a rider heading down the trail. That's what she assumed at least, who else would be out riding a horse at this time? A rider who wanted to used the trail before it was locked for the night. But she also heard the footsteps and muttering, and gave Matt a puzzled look. •~• Eleanor didn't recognize the voice from how quiet they were, but why where they walking the horse instead of riding? She knew it wasn't something unusual at all, it just felt odd at that particular moment. And then everything went quiet again, and they were gone. Eleanor ran a hand over her braid, which had started to come undone a little, and started walking. "...Definitely leaving now. I do not want to get caught again, not by a instructor or rider." She mumbled. She went the way they came in, pushing back through the weeping trees onto the trail. She looked both way to see if there was any other riders or if she could catch a glimpse of who passed, but nothing. She looked back behind her at Matt, before she stepped out. Eleanor brushed off her shorts and shirt, and then began walking down the trail. Easier to remember the way back then when she followed Matt here. And, y'know, the distant lights from both the dorms and barns helped. Eleanor did have a uncom feeling settle over her, and she kept her eyes focused on the lights. Dark forests were the worst, though somehow she hadn't felt like this in the clearing. She felt a little better reminding herself it was a trail, but even then she still jumped slightly at noises. She'd feel even better if she had Dutchess, but she had to settle for knowing Matt was walking the same path. Quicker she's out of the forest, the more comfortable she'd be. |
|
|
| |
|
After the footsteps had passed and were long gone, it was evident Eleanor was itching to leave, and Matt was the exact same. Not because he couldn't stand being with her any longer, but purely because something just did not feel right, at all. As he stepped through the trees a little after Eleanor, he couldn't help but wonder what she was about to say before she trailed off. Can I... Strangle him? Drown him? Say he's amazing? Well, the first two were likely anyway. He didn't fall into step beside Eleanor as they made their way down the trail, although he did keep close enough to at least keep her in his sign of light. The trail was only lit up by the slight moonlight and the lights ahead from the academy, and it had a few blind corners here and there. Hey, Matt didn't care if she went missing or not, he just didn't want to have to make a statement if she did. Yeah, that's what it was. - The walk back was fairly peaceful despite the eerie feeling Matt had when the footsteps were passing. If he was to explain that to someone, they'd call him stupid, but with everything that had been happening with Joe, and what he'd managed to know about the way the academy riders usually moved when it was late, it just did not feel right. The atmosphere nearing the academy became more and more calming, and his mind just sort of fell into the same cycle of going over present day events. The sponsor event, Falcon, Hailey, Joe's antics, and of course, Eleanor. Matt could not help that last one, what with being forced into spending so much time with her. At this rate, she'd start appearing in his dreams if it carried on the way it was. - Soon, they made it back. Matt slipped through one of the unlocked gates by the end of the trail, quickly scanning for any staff lurking around. Luckily, none. He quickly turned to Eleanor, opening his mouth to ask a stupid question. For her number. He stopped himself just as quickly as he opened his mouth, turning away before she could question anything. He didn't need it after all, he could just find her in the lounge, or in the barn, and they could make schedule plans then right? Right. Thankfully, Matt's near question was saved by the sound of a loud voice nearing them. For a second, he was convinced it was a staff member, until a face came into view. It was Mya, one of the more experienced Utopia riders around there. She was well known for having a very, very experienced and well behaved stallion. Before her accident, she carried the academy shows by far. - Before Matt had the chance to say anything, Mya stopped just short of both him and Eleanor, worry etched into her expression. "He's gone," She said, her words directed more towards Eleanor. She was the same as Hailey, she was friendly no matter who it was, and was one of the only Utopia riders that had warmed to Hollowhearts well. "Ranger, my horse." She added eventually. Matt felt something in his stomach twist, though he didn't jump to any conclusions yet. "Are you sure he's not out in the pasture?" He asked. Stupid question, obviously not. Ranger had a wildly strict schedule, the majority of Utopia riders knew that. Mya looked at Matt, clear frustration on her face. "No. You don't think I havent checked there?" Her voice was cracking with every other word, and it was clear she was on the verge of tears. Matt pressed his lips together, sort of just...nodding. Her reaction was justified, it was a dumb question. Mya carried on speaking to the two, more so to Eleanor again. "I was down here not even an hour ago, cleaning his showing bridle because I needed something to do. I was sat in his stall doing it. I went to the lounge to get a drink, got caught up in conversation for a while and when I came back, he was gone. Him and the bridle. There were spots of blood on the stall door too, like he...struggled." She spoke, evidently stll holding back tears. - Matt glanced at Eleanor, that same twisting feeling in his stomach coming back again. Their conversation about Joe seemed to be put right into play now. Not that they could jump to conclusions of course, but...Still. Either way, something was wrong. |
|
|
| |
|
Matt, Joe, Event. The three things Eleanor let spin around in her mind to help distract her as they walked. She looked over her shoulder a few times, a quick movement, just to check behind her. Not to see if Matt was still there, no sir. Eleanor didn't know what messed with her in that clearing, but she didn't feel as frustrated with him as she normally was. Now that she actually thought about it, their hatred for each other had been based off... Well... Words. Not really anything else. Sure the pairing and everything that happened after that did not help the situation, but they hadn't actually ever done something to one another. Eleanor shook her head, locking her eyes on the gate that was beginning to appear up ahead. She would not entertain those thoughts. After this event things would go back to normal, were she could ignore him or snap at him without needing to be civil. Shoving anything else to do with Matt and the stupid way he's gotten under her skin deeep down. •~• Eleanor waited until Matt went through the gate before she followed. She scanned the area just like he did, and then was about to ask him (hopefully more politely than the felt.) Why the hell was he just standing there with his mouth open. Matt turned away though and Eleanor crossed her arms. She couldn't help but wonder what. Did he have some wonderful irritating parting words? "What? Don't leave me hanging-" Eleanor trailed off when she heard another voice. She let her arms drop and looked around until she spotted a figure heading towards them. She stiffened slightly, honestly unsure if she'd bolt or stay if it was a staff member. But when the person got close enough she didn't recognize the girl as a staff member. Another rider then. Eleanor let out a small breath, some of the tension draining out of her. •~• Eleanor locked eyes with the other girl when she looked at her. "He's gone? Who's gone?" Eleanor answered, tone laced with confusion. Another rider? A horse? This girl seemed like a Utopia rider, or at least Eleanor hadn't seen her amongst any Hollowhearts. She felt like she should recall the rider's face, but it was small thread at the back of her mind. Thankfully the girl elaborated, a horse named Ranger. Ranger... Ah! The girl's name was Mya. Eleanor remembered back in her Academy some students mentioning this was the rider to beat in Utopia, for quite awhile. She didn't know much, hadn't paid much attention, but she remembered the rider and horse name. As Matt and Mya started talking, Eleanor looked over her shoulder. Back at the forest, and dread settled deep in her bones. She focused on bits of their conversation, picking out the important things. Not even a hour ago, struggle, horse and bridle... That horse and 'rider' that passed the clearing earlier hadn't been riding, and sounded frustrated. •~• Eleanor looked at Matt just as he looked at her. Joe had just been taking tack, they couldn't even be positive yet if he really has just taken them for cleaning. But horses? Would Joe truly be... Who would go that far? Eleanor looked at Mya again, Utopia or not, the sight of the other girl holding back tears almost made Eleanor want to cry herself. Even if they went do the trail right this moment, whoever that was would already be too far ahead. If it even had anything to do with this. But Eleanor had a sinking feeling it did, to much of a coincidence. "It's not safe to head out in the dark, and gates are already being locked. Mya you should go inform the staff. Maybe someone mistook him for their own horse or he just somehow got out of his stall." She was grasping at straws, she knew that. But she didn't want to tell Mya about what they heard on the trail. Both out of fear Mya would go down right this second with no light or help, and the possibility after everything she could be wrong. "I'll come with you if you want me too Mya." Eleanor added. •~• Before Eleanor moved to join the other girl, Eleanor grabbed Matt's arm and tugged him closer, before releasing him. "You don't think..." She whispered, trailing off. She gave the trail a quick glance before locking eyes with him. •~• (Ayyy took time but I pushed myself to make it long :D) |
|
|
| |
|
I love it!!) - Matt decided it was better to let Mya and Eleanor talk, seeing the distress the girl was in. Of course he cared, for both her horses wellbeing, and her, but he barely knew Mya outside of general classes together, and having worked on a few events way in the past. Plus, she was Hailey's best friend. Not that that mattered at this moment in time. He watched as Mya stayed quiet for a few seconds too long, staring off in the direction of the barn. As he went to speak, she finally opened her mouth again. "No one would mistake him. You haven't seen him?" She snapped, frowning in Eleanor's direction. Immediately, a look of slight regret flashed across Mya's face. "I'm sorry, I'm just...He has very distinctiive face markings. For someone to mistake him for theirs, they would have to be utterly blind." She finished. Matt gazed off into the distance, his mind racing. He didnt fancy telling Mya at all about Joe, the trail or otherwise, or she would be gone before either of the two could blink, but what could they do? Promise to find her horse before the night's over? Not a chance. - Before Matt could get head around his own thoughts, Eleanor had pulled him aside, just out of Mya's earshot. Mya didn't seem to mind at all, just sort of pulling out her phone and frantically typing. So, Matt turned properly to Eleanor. "The trail?" He asked quietly, glacing at the gate the two had come through. His mind wandered back to the sound of the horse and rider, and the angry muttering from the man. "I think so. I have a feeling we both know who's behind this." He added, pressing his lips together for a quick second. Matt glanced at Mya, who was now on call with someon, seemingly explaining the situation. Suddenly, Matt had an idea - not exactly a crime solving one, but one that should help. He locked eyes with Eleanor again, taking a small step back. "Stay with her, I'll go round to the parking lot to see if Joe's car is at least there. He doesn't board here nor is he working for the next few days, so it's somewhat telling if it is." - With that, Matt did exactly that. He scanned the area quickly for any sign of the staff or a torch, and when his mind confirmed it clear, he slipped away from the two girls and followed the dim lighting to the parking lot quickly. As he entered through the side gate, his eyes scanned the cars. Many, many student and staff cars lined each section, almost all the same. How people identified their cars in a sea of everything the same was beyond him. Whatever, not the time to think about that. He quickly made his way round to the staff side, stopping just short of the first parking pace. Surely enough, the deep red SUV was sat in its spot, with a specific name on the sign abve the space. Joe. Matt pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes for just a second. Well, that was a pretty good telltale, right? - Deciding it wasn't the time to linger and stare at the spectacularly ugly SUV, Matt turned and rapidly made his way back to where the two were, stopping by Eleanor. His gaze was on Mya for a few seconds, who was stood by the fence, seemingly off the call. Then, he turned back to Eleanor. "Well his car's there. Look, I don't think going with her down the trail is the best idea, its...late, it's not the safest. You could go with her tomorrow? If she hasn't worried herself to death by then." He asked. Matt was past bothering about caring he actually sounded, or...well, didn't really notice this time. |
|
|
| |
|
Eleanor nodded, casting the forest a look again. "Yeah, the trail." She confirmed, looking at Matt again. When he mentioned they both had a idea who it was, she tensed up. Joe. Eleanor had been trying so hard to think of ways that justified Joe's actions and behavior lately. But she couldn't find any hope to continue along that thought path. Eleanor looked at Matt to see him take a step back, and raised a brow a little. Then he talked about looking for Joe's car, and she understood after a moment. "Fine. I'll stay with her." She watched Matt leave before she turned and walked to Mya, who was still on her phone. If Matt wanted to get caught then let him get caught. Eleanor just preferred he didn't because he's the only other one who has any idea about Joe. That's all. •~• Eleanor stood besides the other girl, not interrupting the call Mya was on. She tried not to eavesdrop and for the most part it worked. She did pick up some words, like Ranger and gone, so Eleanor didn't have to question what the conversation was about. She looked around, in the direction Matt went and the general area. A few minutes later Mya was done with her phone, and Eleanor looked at her again. "Someone will find him. Leads won't be to hard to find, I promise." She wasn't sure if it'd truly help, but Mya gave her a small smile. Eleanor felt bad for not telling Mya about the Joe suspicions, but again she didn't want her to rush into something to find her horse. "Who would take him? Who would want to take him?" Mya was questioning out loud, walking along the fence before she stopped and stood there, Eleanor presumed deep in thought. She hated how broken Mya's voice sounded. Eleanor couldn't even imagine how she'd feel if it was Dutchess instead. •~• Eleanor heard footsteps and saw Matt making his way back. Feeling a hint of relief. She crossed her arms when he stopped by her, waiting for the verdict. "It is?" She sighed, kicking the ground for a moment before she looked at Matt again. This was not looking good, one bit. Who do they tell, the staff? Would the staff believe them? There was evidence, but if Matt and her were the only ones who Joe has ran into while doing things, who will they belive the word of? But they have to say something, don't they? Especially when the news of Ranger disappearing gets out. This was messing so much with her head, she could barely think straight. Maybe she was overthinking it, she'd never been in a situation like this. "I know, I know. And following it tomorrow will probably be useless, they'd be long gone." Eleanor looked at Mya again, letting her arms fall back to her sides. •~• "Mya, there's not much we can do just standing here right now. I can walk with you back to the dorm, and we can head out looking in the morning." Eleanor wasn't sure if Mya would agree, or even want her help. She might barely know her, and in any other circumstances she probably would've ignored her, but this was a missing horse and distressed rider. The other girl was quiet for a few minutes before nodding. "Yeah, thank you. Both of you." Mya started walking but Eleanor didn't follow right away. Turning to face Matt again. "We need to talk more about Joe. And practice the routine and ugh, so much. Unfortunately." She kept her eyes on Matt's for a few seconds longer, as if trying to understand why he was the one she had to be caught up with in all this. before she hurried to catch up with Mya. Did she say when? No. But she figured it was safe to presume whenever they ran into each other again. Which probably wouldn't take too long. Hopefully sleeping on this will help her sort out her thoughts. |
|
|
| |
|
All Matt could do, when Mya thanked them, was sort of just give her a half hearted smile and look away. The feeling in his stomach was sickening, and would be lying if he said he didn't feel awful for not telling her their suspicion, or even about just hearing a horse being led down the trail. But, with the state the girl was in, Matt knew fully that she would take off down that trail without another word, and he didnt exactly fancy having to account for a missing person as well as a missing horse. Mya loved Ranger, a lot, it was evident to everyone that knew her, so it was obvious she would go to length for him. Which was what made this difficult. Luckily, Eleanor spoke to Mya again, leaving Matt with his thoughts for just a second. He knew to make a mental note of the trail, the sound of the horse and leader, and Joe's car being in the lot, sort of just...letting them circle around his mind until the two finished up. He brought his gaze back to reality, catching Mya hurrying away from the two. And Eleanor speaking. "Unfortunately." He repeated with a mumble, looking away until she had finally gone to catch up with Mya. - It was late, and given the events of the day, Matt was exhausted. Despite this, he quickly went into the barn to check Falcon over, taking a while. As he made his way back down to the barn entrance, he peered around the corner and into the stall where Ranger was meant to be stood. Sure enough, as Mya had mentioned, there were spots of blood lining the edge of the stall door, like the horse had struggled with going through. Perhaps he didnt want to, and he was forced into it. That seemed most likely anyway. Matt muttered something to himself, and then proceeded to make his way back up to the dorm to avoid being caucht and questioned by the staff, leaving the mess in the stall untouched. It wasn't his business to touch anything anyway. - As expected, Dylan was still up as Matt got in. He was stood with his back to the door, though turned around with a slightly startled expression as the door was shut. "I thought you were already asleep." He said, putting his drink down with a frown. "Where the hell have you been anyway? Last thing I knew you were out with Eleanor." He asked. Great, the questions were coming if Matt didn't get into his room stat. "Had an issue." Matt said, his tone flat. He didn't want to strike up any conversation full stop, let alone with Dylan. Dylan seemed to pick up on that - though that didn't stop him from throwing a few comments in. "I wonder what happened with her to take you this long."
- Matt ignored him and shut his door, locking it firmly behind him. Any chance to throw in a teasing comment, which he was usually fine with, but it seemed to get under his skin more than usual that night. Matt had no idea why, but in the end, just put it down to the events of the evening, and how much of a deep hole they'd really be in, if Joe was the perpetrator in all of this. No one would believe them. He shook off the thoughts, showered and got into bed, staring up at the ceiling in the hopes of falling asleep. It took hours, but eventually Matt managed too, though unsettled. |
|
|
| |
|
The walk to the dorm building was quiet, no more words spoken between Eleanor and Mya. When they reached the front doors, both girls paused inside after stepping through the doors. Eleanor was about to make her way upstairs to her dorm room when Mya finally spoke again. "8:30, tomorrow morning, to go looking. If you still want to help..." Mya said it rather quickly, that Eleanor took a moment to process. She said she would help, and she won't go back on that. "I do. I'll see you down here at that time then." She watched Mya pull her phone out once more, and disappear down the hall. Eleanor headed to her own room, unlocking with her key card and locking again behind her. •~• Eleanor released her hair from the braid, and took a quick shower. After changing into pajamas she turned the lights off and crawled into bed. She stared at the ceiling for a couple minutes before she rolled onto her side. Ranger is missing, and the main suspect, at least for Matt and her, is Joe. But can they prove it, and is any other horses going to go missing? Eleanor cared about the tack of course, but if it's moved to horses... She could very well spend hours going over absolutely everything, but that would not be good for her sleep schedule. So she closed her eyes, shoved everything to the back of her mind, and did her best to sleep. Eventually, it worked. •~• Two weeks had passed since that night. Eleanor had gone out with Mya a few times since Ranger went missing, but nothing yielded results. Staff had been informed and practically every rider at the Academy knew about the missing horse. So she took a step back and let them take over the search for info on the missing horse. Over the two weeks no other horse had been taken thankfully. The instructors hadn't announced who the sponsor yet is, and Eleanor had a feeling it was because they didn't want to add to the current chaos. But she had a feeling it wouldn't be to much longer. She had met up with Matt a couple more times, sometimes the conversations discussed practicing routines or other things to do with the events. Other times is was about Joe. Eleanor tried to stayed mostly civil during them, but she still gave sarcastic responses and jabs. Though lately it'd been less because of hostility, and more... Well she couldn't explain it. Like most things at the moment. •~• Eleanor had never been so uncomfortable during jumping lessons. Especially when Joe was there, seemingly perfectly normal. She had to pretend to smile if he gave a compliment. Act like absolutely nothing was wrong. But even then she tried her best to steer clear of him. Eleanor had only one run in with him, almost smacking into him as he came out the main doors of the barn. Joe hadn't been carrying anything, and said he had been inspecting the food room to see if anything needed resupplying. Eleanor had checked the tack room and nothing was missing, at least nothing more then there already was. Another thing that had been finally pointed out by a few other riders. And yet still no one had any ideas on who or what. Eleanor constantly felt like she was in on some secret she didn't even want to know about in the first place. •~• One early afternoon near the end of the second week, rain had started that day. Just a light sprinkle, with no promise it'd get worse but no guarantee it wouldn't. Eleanor pulled on a hoodie since now it wasn't overly warm out and headed down to the barn. She greeted Dutchess, brushing and cleaning the mare. After finishing with Dutchess's hooves, she filled the stall's feed bucket before making her way to the barn lounge. Eleanor never really went to the barn lounge, not something that she ever thought about going too. But she needed something different then her four walls of her dorm. It was empty, the other two people who were in there she passed coming out as she went in. She got herself a water and sat down on one of the couches, flipping open her sketchbook. She had brought it with, setting it aside earlier to deal with Dutchess. Lately, those had been the only two things that had been giving her any semblance of peace. Her horse and drawing, with maybe a book here and there. But she's had trouble focusing with everything happening. But Eleanor pulled out her pencil and started sketching her newest thing. |
|
|
| |
|
Two weeks passed since that night, something Matt couldn't get out of his head at all. Despite everyone in the academy knowing, staff and students, and everyone searching the best they could, Ranger couldn't be found anywhere. As a result, Mya had left for now, with no way of telling if she'd come back or not. It was likely she didn't know either, and it was probably down to whether Ranger would be found or not, which so far...wasn't looking good at all. In that time, Matt stepped back from the situation almost entirely, although it was sickening carrying around such suspicion he was. The only get out was talking to Eleanor about it, and well...she wasn't exactly his person of choice to go and talk to. Hell, no one was. For the last few days, Matt hadn't even heard a whisper about Mya until he finally mustered up some courage to ask Hailey how she was doing. - What had felt like an issue pushed into the dirt with Hailey, resurfaced itself during those two weeks. She had attempted to talk to him almost eveyr day, and Matt had either blanked her or given her the cliche "I'll speak to you later." But eventually, he stuck around for the awkward conversation about what actually happened between the two, and the issue was somewhat resolved. Although Hailey had said one thing that only messed with Matt's mind much, much more than her confessing feelings for him. "I'll wait for you." Considering at the time, Matt was walking away, and she mumbled it, he was convinced he wasnt even meant to hear that, which only made things ten times worse. - On a very, very rare occasion one afternoon, Matt had managed to nap lightly, having had a migraine on waking up that morning. Relieved it had gone away by the time he woke up, he decided to make his way down to the barn to check on Falcon. Or well, check he was still there. Granted, nothing else had gone missing since Ranger did, and Joe seemed so...normal in lessons, but that didn't make Matt any less anxious. Regardless of who the culprit was, they clearly went for the expensive side of things. Expensive tack, expensive horses. Falcon was skilled, young but not too young, and was at the same competing level as Ranger, so he was definintely in the range. - Matt peered out the window, watching the drops of rain fall onto the ground with a sigh. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't relieved, it had been a hot summer, with barely an ounce of rain. He quickly showered, pulled on a simple black hoodie and baggy black jeans, slid his various rings onto his fingers and made his way to the barn, thankful Dylan seemed to be either out or asleep at the time of him leaving. He was not at all up for having a conversation with anyone right now. The lingering pressure from the migraine was making him miserable, and he had opened his eyes not even twenty minutes ago. Matt arrived at Falcon's stall, grateful to still see the gelding stood there peacefully, munching on hay. Matt quickly checked him over, fed him a few treats and checked the rest of the stalls, his gaze lingering on Ranger's. It had been cleaned spotlessley, the bed mucked out and made as if expecting the horse to come back at any minute. The blood had been cleaned too, though there was still one spot down on the floor by the stall door, like a hauntinig reminder of what actually happened. - As those thoughts slid into his head, Matt felt the chills run down his body, and he decided he didn't want to stay in the barn any longer than needed. The horses were fine. Falcon was fine, so why was he so anxious? Clearly the thief had stopped their activities, it had been a full two weeks, but Matt just could not shake that pit of the stomach feeling something was still wrong. As Matt made his way to the barn doors, he peered into Dutchess' stall, watching the mare stand peacefully. As much as he didn't get on with Eleanor, he liked her mare a lot, and was only feeling relief at knowing she was still there too. Hey, it wasn't anything towards the mare's owner at all, even if they had been getting on more recently. Kind of. Less hostile. - Finishing up, Matt tore his gaze away from Dutchess and stepped out into the rain, unsure of where to go. He definitely wasn't up for a hack, he had spent way too much time in his dorm for his liking, so the only thing left was...the barn lounge. Given the time of day, and the weather, Matt knew there was unlikey to be many people round at all, so that was the best bet. He swung the door open lightly, not really looking around before making his way to the kitchen, to grab a drink. He hadn't spotted if anyone was in there or not, and quite frankly he did not care. The same pit of the stomach feeling was there again, causing his simple glass of water seem like the culprit for his insane nausea. |
|
|
| |
|
Eleanor kept her sketchbook balanced on her lap while she drew. She wasn't even sure what she was drawing at first, until it popped into her head. She had sketches of all her friends horses, including Dutchess with her latest one. So she started drawing one of Falcon. The gelding had grown on her a tiny bit more over the past couple weeks. Even if she wouldn't admit it out loud, Eleanor had been a little impressed with the few times they practiced the jumping routine. Even if it wasn't the most complicated thing, Eleanor could tell that jumping it what Falcon excelled in. And the past few times she went down to the barn to check on Dutchess, to make sure she was okay, she'd check her friends horses too. And Falcon, a quick glance into his stall to make sure he was good too. •~• Eleanor had a fragile hope grow over the past week. Even if she knew that it wasn't likely true. No more tack had disappeared yet, and again same with horses. Maybe the thief, Joe of course, finally had enough of what he needed? But that was her thoughts trying to rationalize themselves. No he was probably laying low, waiting for things to calm down a bit like it slowly has been. Or just for the right moment to strike again. Eleanor had lost focus in her drawing, and only now realized she had drawn on the same line three times. She closed the book and sat it on a nearby table along with the pencil. She finished up the water she had gotten before she layed down on the couch. Eleanor let her left arm hang off the couch and her right rested on her stomach. She stared at the light above for a second or two before closing her eyes. Eleanor had dots in her vision for a moment before they faded and all she saw was black. •~• Eleanor was content to just lay there without sleeping. And she also could've for hours, until she heard the door open around thirty minutes later. She opened one eye to see who it was and had to avoid giving the biggest sigh known to human kind. She opened her mouth to say something but closed it when Matt went right for the kitchen. Eleanor sat up just a little on her elbows to watch Matt grab a drink, though she couldn't see what kind with him in the way. Probably water or something just as simple. But she couldn't stop herself from looking towards his face. And for half a millisecond, almost none existent, she felt a flicker of concern before she burned it away. Matt looked... Miserable was one way to put it. Eleanor had definitely not been feeling the best herself, not with the guilt that they had been in the clearing and that could've been Ranger. And if they- If she- just stepped out... She couldn't think about that right now, It wouldn't change anything. She had to focus on the horses that were still here, and Joe. And Matt. •~• Eleanor turned her focus back to Matt. Was it because of everything that happened? Or did he have something else going on? No, she shouldn't have even looked at him long enough to gather what state he was in. It was his problem, not her's. Even then, she didn't say anything like she could've. Maybe a tiny part of her was whispering to say something, poke at him. Make things frustrating, normal. But Eleanor didn't, just layed back down to her original position. It was... Uncomfortable wasn't the best word, but it was the only one she could think of seeing Matt like that. Her focus was taken for a moment because Eleanor could've sworn she heard the door, or a door, open. No one came in though, and the only other sound she heard besides Matt was the rain on the roof and windows as it picked up slightly. And the occasional muffled neigh from the horses in the barn. Still, Eleanor sat up fully this time and looked out the closest window. Which wasn't much help, the rain having fogged up most of them. Even then she didn't see anything moving, but the feeling wouldn't leave her. She looked at Matt, did he hear it? She then pulled her phone out and scrolled mindlessly through it. Alright, maybe she should head back to her dorm before the rain gets worse. (Or her sanity.) |
|
|
Sunny
