summer skin [open]

[Cass Winchester]

i used to waste my time dreaming of being alive

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now i only waste it dreaming of you[/center]

The world was a symphony. A million creatures played to the same tune, united in their love of life. The deep, thrumming bass line came from the toads, lazing contentedly at the side of a pond. Their squat bodies reverberated with the power of their song. The birds, perched overhead in the canopy, played the melody; a clear, joyful loop of sheer jubilation. It was achingly beautiful, the way such tiny creatures could produce such an exquisite noise. A staccato drum beat played unobtrusively in the background, a mere afterthought in the grand orchestra, yet it still sounded right. The source of the noise was obscured by the trees; thickly clustered pines allowed brief glimpses, but nothing more than that.

Suddenly, the trees parted into a small pathway. The horse that emerged was splashed chestnut and ivory, and walked with a refined elegance. His rider sat lightly atop him, keeping a gentle contact on the reins and peering forward into the forest. Her large, blue eyes were starkly contrasted by the paleness of her complexion. Framing her face, her dark brown curls rested on her shoulders, bouncing slightly with the motion of her horse. "Good boy, Chicago," She murmured, stroking the Saddlebred's neck affectionately.

Cass clicked her tongue and nudged Chicago up into a canter. After working him in the arena, she always liked to take him out for a more relaxed ride. They both appreciated the beautiful sights and sounds that nature provided, and nowhere were these virtues more present than in the Keyhole Hills. Chicago's ears flickered forward as he noticed a jump up ahead; a fallen log, about 3ft tall - nothing too daunting. His pace quickened, and he let out a whinny. "Steady, boy," She murmured. Although he was was a very promising young horse, Chicago did tend to be a bit full of himself, and often needed reminding that he wasn't invincible. After a snort of disagreement, the gelding submitted and slowed his canter. Three strides, two strides, one stride - Chicago took off. His powerful back legs contracted and released, sending him soaring in a wide arc through the air. Cass leant down over his neck and thrust the reins forward, allowing him to use his head. As his front hooves touched down, Cass began to sit up, preparing to ride away.

As they galloped away from the jump, Chicago threw a small buck - clearly excited by the atmosphere. Not wanting to let him get into bad habits, Cass squeezed on the reins and slowed him down to a trot. "If you're gonna be cheeky, I'll make you walk," She threatened, although she was still grinning.

[Aiden Mazzoleni]

we all make choices but in the end our choices make us Aiden Mazzoleni What choices will you make? A gentle hand reached up and pet the just as gentle face that reached down in and ark. Ebony body, muscled, and tall. Sweat shone, sleek and smooth against the sun that beat down in contrast to his black coat. A soft snort exited the colts muzzle as Aiden stroked his forelock gently. Aiden looked up at the large colt standing before him. His newly prized possession. The colt was only two years of age, and already done growing at a whopping 17 hands. He was tall for a Friesian but he was as gentle as a dog. The colt heart was pure, and kind. And his eyes looked into Aiden's with such trust. The two were in a field, in the middle of the forest, quite a beautiful clearing. No rocks, mainly just dirt, and some flowers and weeds and grass. But none the less, a clear field. What better place to practice his dressage on this newly broke horse. Rocky was his name. Aiden reached under the belly of the colt and made sure his girth was tight before slipping his left foot into the stirrup of the worn down black English saddle. White rapping covered the colts legs, his feathering sticking out slightly. The colt was almost three, so all of his baby hair was gone, and he was starting to turn into a beautiful mature stallion. Swinging his leg over the saddle and gently sat down, waiting for Rocky's reaction. Would he buck? Would he rear? Would he try everything in his power to throw Aiden off, or would he behave? I guess this was Aiden's lucky day because Rocky stood there... well like a rock. Aiden reached his hand down and patted the colts neck. "Good boy Rocky, Good boy." he said. He nudged the colt forward with his feet turning him into a walk. Aiden pulled up on the reigns slightly. Rocky lifted his head and collected his walk. Aiden had been doing drills with the colt for awhile. Most would complain that it was "abuse" to train him so early. But rocky practically begged for it. Aiden was totally focused and collected his rains a little more and turned the colt into a trot. The colt fought for his head and strained against Aiden before Aiden stopped him and patted his neck. "I know its confusing boy, but you will learn" he smiled. Out of no where Rocky jumped sideways and his ears pinned back as he began to buck. The giant mass of weight thrusting Aiden forward and back, but alas Aiden held on. He heard the girls voice in the distance, and figured that was probably what startled poor Rocky. "WOAH BOY WOAH!" He yelled loudly but calmly at the colt trying to calm him down. Finally Rocky stood still. His body quivered and his breathing was hard. Aiden reached down and rubbed him "Easy boy, You're ok" Words:496 Tags:Cass Winchester ((Hayyel) Notes: Here ya go <3

[Cass Winchester]

i used to waste my time dreaming of being alive

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now i only waste it dreaming of you[/center]

Chicago's ears flickered backwards nervously, and it soon became obvious that he was no longer listening to Cass. She gave a gentle squeeze on his sides, but he ignored her aids; his attention was entirely focused on something going on behind them. "Chicago!" She chastised, rolling her eyes at the temperamental stallion's antics. The Saddlebred began to slowly inch backwards, as if he thought that Cass wouldn't notice. She pressed her heels into his barrel with a little more force this time, and after putting up a bit of a fight, the tobiano moved forwards sluggishly. "Jeez, Pansy, enough of the melodrama!" She remarked with a shake of her head. He snorted, almost as if he was in disagreement with her.

A loud noise from behind the pair made them both jump. Chicago spooked to the side, and Cass had to work hard not to be left behind. She let out a small yelp, and quickly sat up to avoid falling off before cooing to the stallion in a soothing voice. "There, boy - easy now..." She murmured, running her hand across the soft fur on his neck. "Okay, okay, we'll go investigate now." Chicago didn't need any more encouragement; he turned in a smooth semi-circle and began walking briskly towards the source of the noice, his neck arched and his ears pricked up attentively.

As they rounded the corner, a man sat atop a young Friesian horse came into view. The horse was quite obviously shaken up by something; it looked like he was still just a colt, so perhaps it was Chicago's presence that was putting him on edge. "Hello," Cass called out, looking over at the man sat on the black colt. "Are you okay there? We heard a bit of a commotion, and thought we'd better come and make sure you hadn't fallen off," She explained, gesturing down at Chicago as she said the word "we". "It's just that this little man decided to dump me in the middle of the forest one time, and it wasn't the most pleasant experience." Cass chuckled at the memory; a high, mellifluous sound.