The Last Camping Trip Before The Season's Over~Opn

[jordyn jewel massat]

The sun had risen high in the sky and the city was waking up. In the two room apartment on West Sunrise Drive, a little black tabby kitten jumped onto the chest of his mistress and mewled pitifully. She laughed and stroked his tiny body as she sat up. “You’re hungry aren’t you Ghost?” JJ asked as she climbed out of her bed to go feed the kitten. The one she had rescued from a sewer drain outside of Cedar Creek. When she had refilled his food dispenser, she squatted down and patted his head. She checked his water and then satisfied JJ went to shower for the day.

She donned a pair of low rise jeans and a pale sea green t-shirt. Then she went to the kitchen and had some breakfast. Ghost leaped onto the counter and mewed at JJ again. She tucked a loose strand of her platinum blonde hair behind her ear as she ruffled the kitten’s medium length fur. “I’m sorry baby but I can’t take you with me.” She told him, while the kitten stared back at her from pale blue eyes. She smiled and scratched the kitten under his chin. ”I’ll only be gone from today through Monday, it’s only a four day trip. I’ve made sure you’re all set for food and water and you have a couple litterboxes so they don’t get too bad. Just don’t destroy my house okay?”

JJ told him as he twitched his tail and mewed. When she had decided that Ghost would behave himself, JJ went to pack up all her camping gear, as well as her book and her sketchpad and her painting materials. After giving Ghost a final farewell pat, she threw her backpack over her shoulders and grabbed her tent. Then she made her way out of her apartment and down to the stables where she had her horses boarded. Once within the familiar, sweet smelling, dim barn she smiled and made a beeline for the two stalls on the back left wall.

“Good morning guys. Are you ready for our trip?” A pair of blazed faces looked up at her and whinnied as she set aside her stuff and went to the tackroom to get her grooming supplies and then made her way to the stall of the red dun Quarter Horse mare to get her ready, JJ curried her coat, then soft brushed it and then worked through her mane and tail, untangling the knots. When that was done, she worked on cleaning out the mare’s hooves. The whole time she was working around the mare’s body she hummed a gentle tune her mother had always done for her. “There you go Raina. Now, stay clean until I finish with Eagle okay?” The mare bumped her with her nose and turned to her remaining hay.

JJ chuckled and then whistled at Eagle making him pick up his head and whinny again as she stepped into his stall and completed the same task, in the same way she had with Raina with him. When that was done she patted his nose and left his stall open as she opened up the mare’s before returning her grooming supplies to their travel bag with the rest of her camping gear. The horses watched her and whickered gently as she set out first Raina’s black and gold saddle, before shaking her head and just grabbed the halters and their reins. She put Eagle’s red halter on the peg beside his stall, she clipped his lead rope on the halter then turned and put Raina’s pale turquoise halter on her face and then clipped her reins on the halter.

“Raina, stand in the aisle.” She told the mare and directed her into the aisle. Satisfied, JJ smiled and turned to Eagle, pulling his halter over his beautiful face. When his halter was on and secure, JJ pulled her stuff from where she had stacked it and then pulled out the travel ties and other materials. “Eagle, no funny business okay, for the moment, you’re going to be carrying my camping gear and such, your back is much better than Raina’s is, and it’ll only be until we come back. Can you do this for me?” JJ looked to the black stallion who threw his head up in a nod. She smiled and patted him as she secured all her camping stuff to Eagle’s back. Smiling, she took and tied Eagle to Raina’s bareback pad and then secured that to the mare’s back. “We’re all ready to go then?” JJ asked with a chuckle and then laughed as the horses neighed happily as they looked to their mistress.

She double checked the ties on Eagle and Raina and then nodded, “Bow Raina…I need to be able to get up to your back, and I don’t feel like jumping up to a bareback pad.” The mare tossed her head and then bent her forelegs beneath herself and with a smile, JJ climbed up, tapping Raina gently on the side of her neck to tell her to get up again. Clicking her tongue she directed the pair out of the barn and toward the trails. At the trail head, JJ smiled and looked between her horses. It would be a wonderful four days out in the wilderness. She spent a while wandering up the main trail until she reached a branch point. She pulled back on Raina’s ropes.

“Do we want to go to Coyote Point Overlook? Or do we want to go to Switchback Creek?” She asked them as she debated. Shaking her head she looked left and right and then between the pair of horses. “All right, I’m leaving the choice to you guys. I’m going to close my eyes and drop your reins Raina, choose your direction.” JJ said with a laugh as she closed her blue-green eyes and waited. A little while later, she felt Raina point her nose right and start in that direction. Opening her eyes, JJ smiled again and picked up her reins again.

“Good choice guys, looks like it’s Switchback Creek.” As the sun was beginning to set, JJ halted the pair and slid from Raina’s back. Patting the horses’ necks as she looked out at the scene stretched before them, the creek was a winding ribbon of silver as the sun sank below the horizon. The trees were beautiful, willows, cottonwoods, poplar. “You made a good choice you guys…it’s perfect. Now…let’s get our campsite set up huh?” The horses whinnied and JJ stepped back and released the throngs tying her gear to Eagle’s back and then she untied Eagle from Raina and unhooked the reins from their halters and turned them loose to graze and explore.

Once they were free of the reins and their burdens, JJ’s horses squealed happily and bolted off for a patch of grass. JJ watched them a moment and smiled as she watched them nip each other playfully before lowering their heads to graze, side by side. Then she set up her tent and arranged her sleeping quarters and then set up her easle and started to sketch out the scene before her. The creek, the trees, her horses off on the side and the like, it was a beautiful scene. All she would manage on it tonight though was the main sketch. Once the sketch was done she whistled low and her horses came back to stand beside her. She patted each one on the neck again and then pulled out her book and sat on the ground and started to read. Oblivious to her surroundings, save for the warmth and smell of her horses beside her.


Muse~Good
Words~ 1,361!
"Speaking"
Listening
Other~ This is Ghost (Kitten)- i46.tinypic.com/rc5yrp.jpg AND as an Adult- i49.tinypic.com/t9feok.jpg

[tallulah grace montgomery]

Tally was wide awake at 5:30, her usual wake up time. This time was a little different though, as last night has been a horrible night of sleep for her. The stress about the past few events was taking it's toll on her physically and mentally. So for the most part, she had laid in bed staring at the ceiling before her alarm went off bright and early the next morning. The blond dragged herself out of bed, her feet and eyelids feeling heavy. She glanced in the mirror and grimaced- she looked like a mess. But it didn't really matter. Her mother had suggested- well, rather demanded- that she take herself on a trail ride the next day and forget about her responsibilities at the barn. Tally had gratefully decided to take her up on the offer and was now setting up to do just that. After showering and eating breakfast, she packed a meal for herself to eat later on, then headed out to her truck and drove out to the barn, which was about a mile away from the house. She was too lazy and tired to walk the distance this morning.

Once Tally arrived in the barn, she instantly felt wide awake. The familiar sounds and smells of the horses hit her at once, a comforting environment. The woman made her way down to the last stall on the right. It was a little dark in the barn still, as the lights were still powering on. The name tag on this stall glimmered in the dull light- A Clockwork Orange. Rags? She peered over the stall door and instantly his chestnut face was inches away from hers, bumping her nose. Ow! You little goofball. How are ya, bud? Tally grinned and patted the big chestnut's neck. The giant let out a snort and she laughed, leading him out of the stall and into the aisle to get him groomed and tacked up. Since she had given him a really good grooming yesterday, not much was left to do today, just the basics. She ran a soft brush over his coat to remove the dirt and picked his hooves, then made sure he had no injuries. Her horse was a bit accident prone, even if he was locked up overnight.

Tally tacked him up, Western today. It was a lot easier to manage with on the trails, not to mention a lot more comfortable. Once all that was finished she threw her necessities in a saddlebag and slipped it on Rags' back. C'mon, boy. Time to go. He obediently followed her into the yard, where she halted him and mounted up. It was a stretch for Tally, mounting the 16 hh warmblood, but she was so used to it by now it was second nature. And we're off. Tally muttered, watching her horses ears flick back to catch her words. Now, where to go? The creek sounds nice... it'll be a warm one today. Rags would like a cool down after this is done. She thought to herself as she selected the path to the right when she got to the woods.

The blond relaxed in the saddle as they strode along. Out here, there was nothing to worry about. Just her, the horse, and the birds chirping in the trees. It was a nice change of pace. Since her father had been deemed a suspect in the Kingston murder, Tally had been so busy going back and forth her head spun. She's hardly had any time for herself. Not that she was complaining. She loved her father dearly and would go to hell and back for him. It's just that this whole situation was so unexpected and startling. Tally sighed and patted Rags on the neck. Well, we both know he didn't do it. Don't we Rags? The gelding bobbed his head up and down with each step he took. Tally took that as his agreement.

A few hours later, the sun was high in the sky and both horse and rider were getting hot. The creek was just ahead of them, and Tally could see three shapes in the meadow. A human, a girl it looked like and two horses. They were both free, and for a moment Tally thought they were getting away before she realized that the girl had them completely in control. Tally also noted that she was sketching something. The closer she got, she saw the horses come near their master as she read a book. Tally smiled to herself. The thought of Rags ever being so obedient made her laugh. As she pulled up on the main path, she cleared her throat lightly. Hey there. She said. Tally didn't want to say too much in fear of startling the girl or the horses. She kept her distance for the time being and waited for the other girl to reply, hoping she'd be okay with a little bit of conversation.

---

WORD COUNT; 830. NOT THE BEST BUT I'M GETTING BACK IN THE SWING OF THINGS. XD

[jordyn jewel massat]

As JJ leaned against the black stallion’s side she felt him lay down and she leaned gratefully on his sleek black side. Raina was dosing nearby occasionally grazing on the young emerald shoots beneath her hooves. She readjusted her position on the stallion and flipped another page. Beginning to read the page she heard a soft sound from Raina, then a voice came her way, Hey there. A violent jump from her mistress startled Raina who threw her head upward and the same jump elicited a startled whinny from the black stud. After humming gently, and patting each horse to soothe them, JJ dropped her book and turned her blue-green eyes to the speaker.

A young woman, with blonde hair sitting upon the back of a beautiful chestnut Dutch Warmblood. JJ smiled and stood, dusting the grass and dirt off her jeans. Then she smiled again as the Red Dun Quarter Horse mare turned and looked at their new acquaintance and then with a gentle huff, she walked up to her mistress’s side. Shortly thereafter the black Hanoverian x Thoroughbred stallion approached the other side of her. “Umm…hey. Sorry about the jumpiness, when I’m reading or sketching I usually forget about everything around me.” JJ told her as she smiled again. “Please, come closer. I’m Jordyn Massat by-the-way, but everyone just calls me JJ. This is Eagle and this is Raina.” JJ told her acquaintance as she indicated each horse in turn.

“I was just setting up the fire for some dinner, it’s just soup but hey... c’mon, we can chat. Eagle and Raina shouldn’t bother him too much.” JJ told her as she set the fire ablaze and set up the cookware she’d brought with her and pulled out the can of chicken noodle soup and collected water from the creek and placed it on the flames. When the water was just beginning to boil, JJ popped open the soup and poured it in. Then JJ smiled as she pulled out the travel bins for Eagle and Raina, scooped them out some grain and then whistled lightly and then returned to her soup to stir it when the horses were happily engaged in their dinner.

“I can give him some grain too if you’d like.” JJ offered as she stirred her soup once more and got herself a bowl of it. Then she sat down just to the left of her tent and bent her legs to the side and started eating her soup. When she was halfway through her soup, she felt her horses’ presences at her sides where they stopped and lowered their heads to munch on the emerald blades. JJ smiled again and looked to the other blonde and set her bowl and spoon aside and waited for the woman to speak again or to join her, she could go for a good chat. The songs of the birds started to slow and then JJ looked out across the stream where a doe and her young fawn were causiously stepping into view.


Words-533
Notes-Okay so this one's half as long as the first but still good.

[tallulah grace montgomery]

Tally's eyes widened. For a moment she thought the horses would bolt. That would be mortifying, walking into the woods and causing someones horses to flee. She had never done that before, but hey. There's a first time for everything, right? But instead, they jumped a bit but calmed down quickly. Oh my God! I'm sorry. Here I am, trying to be quiet and I scare you! She laughed and moved a bit closer, dismounting. That's okay. I get the same way sometimes. She smiled and took off her helmet, hooking it to the saddle before stepping forward again and allowing Rags to sniff noses with the other horses. A breeze drifted through the field, lifting her damp hair off the back of her neck. It felt nice, after getting a bit sweaty. Tally closed her eyes for a moment, adjusting to being back on the ground, a wave of dizziness passing over her. It happened sometimes after she went riding for a while. After a split second she opened her eyes wide and grinned again.

Pleased to meet you, JJ. She leaned forward to shake the other girls hand. Maybe a bit formal, especially for a meeting out in the woods, but that was what she was used to. Tally was always shaking hands with people for business, so now it was second nature. Plus, it was only polite. She paused a moment before introducing herself. I'm Tallulah Montgomery. You can call me Tally. The blond offered another half smile. Nowadays, giving people her last name was a bit distressing, seeing as all the crap it carried with it now. It was a shame, being scared to give your own last name. Especially after the murder, people sometimes reacted a bit dramatically even though her father really didn't do it. It was enough that he had been called in for questioning for the town to be set ablaze with gossip and slander. Turning around to put the reins over Rags' head, she grimaced at herself so JJ couldn't see. She was being negative again. That needed to stop. Smiling again, she turned around.

Thanks for the offer, that would be great! I brought along some snacks if you'd like those as well. She said as she took out the ziplock bag out of her saddlebag. Tally tied her horse in a safety knot to a low hanging tree branch and made her way back over to the campfire.

Your horses are gorgeous. And very well trained. This here is Rags. Not nearly so obedient. Tally added the last part with a chuckle. Her steed was already eating away at the grass, obviously hungry. A pang of guilt swept over her as she realized she hadn't planned a meal for her own horse. And if you really don't mind, some grain for him would be great. I got a little distracted this morning packing everything up I forgot to get my own horse his food! She chuckled at herself. She collected the offered spoon and bowl and sat down by the little fire, sitting in silence for a moment. The crickets were chirping and the breeze was blowing. It was completely peaceful, and Tally realized why this was one of her favorite places to be. It was amazing. She looked up and saw a doe and fawn step into view and grinned. How cute! she whispered. She wished she had brought her camera. It would have made a beautiful snapshot.

The young woman turned her body towards JJ. She looked oddly familiar... then she placed it. Have you gotten a job recently at New Hope? She asked, embarrassed that she couldn't quite remember. Her parents had made a few hires the past few weeks without her around, but she had put her seal of approval on them. That must've been where she'd seen JJ from.

[jordyn jewel massat]

She smiled at the other woman as she came closer. When she offered her hand JJ took it with a smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you too Tally. Sure…if you have enough for us both.” JJ told her with a smile. The smile widened even more as Tally complimented on her horses, Your horses are gorgeous. And very well trained. This here is Rags. Not nearly so obedient. JJ chuckled a little with Tally. “Well, thank you Tally. Frankly, I’m kind of surprised Eagle is as obedient as he is. He’s a stallion still because I don’t believe in gelding such a young beauty.”

JJ smiled again as Tally spoke once more, And if you really don't mind, some grain for him would be great. I got a little distracted this morning packing everything up I forgot to get my own horse his food! JJ laughed a little and pulled Eagle’s empty bin towards them and filled it with another scoop of grain and took it to Rags, touching him gently on the rump and setting the bin before him. “Not at all, it happens to the best of us.” Then JJ rejoined Tally by the fire and smiled as she watched the deer across the way.

As they sat in a comfortable silence for a moment and then JJ leaned back on her hand as Tally turned toward her. Have you gotten a job recently at New Hope? JJ smiled. “Yeah. Yeah, I have, I’ve been working with the dappled grey mare that’s afraid of any human contact at all. By the way…” JJ paused and shifted position before continuing, “…she’s doing quite well of late. I can enter her stall with her now.” JJ told Tally and then lay back and stared up into the darkening sky. “I’d offer to have you stay…but I’m afraid my tent’s only big enough for one.” JJ laughed and leaned back up on her elbows to look at her.

[tallulah grace montgomery]

Oh, I've always got enough for two. I'm always hungry. Tally joked. This wasn't entirely false. She could eat a lot. She loved food. Thankfully she worked it all off at the barn or she would be big as a house. She set the bag in between the two of them and pulled out some cheese crackers and bit into one. The sun was just starting to set, and it was getting a little dimmer out. She would have to head back in a little while. She hadn't brought camping gear, although it probably would have been a good idea. A night out away from it all would have been nice. Oh well, it was too late now. I might have time later on this season. Tally thought to herself.

Tally grinned. You're welcome! I wouldn't have gelded Rags if the choice were mine. He's a gorgeous horse, great bloodlines, Would have made a great sire. But it's probably for the best that he's just the way he is. She stated, looking at her horse who was now eating the grain in front of him. Thanks for the, by the way. Tally said, gesturing at the feed the horse was eating. He was now completely oblivious to the world around him, the only thing that mattered was his food. She rolled her eyes. Typical behavior.

Ah, yes! I thought I recognized you. I didn't hire you directly, obviously... my mother handled that. But I remember looking over your application for the job. Pretty impressive. Tally said politely. They had filled all the positions that had been offered in about a month. She hadn't gotten the chance to meet many of the other stable hands, but she was going to make a point of doing that soon.

The blond sipped at her soup and listened as JJ told her about the mare. Ooh, yeah. I know which one you're talking about! Lemme tell you, she was a handful, getting her there. It's such a shame when they get like that. It makes me so angry. But good for you! You're making progress. Tally said with a smile. It always made her happy when she heard that one of the rescues was making progress. That was what they were there for, after all.

She continued to watch the deer for a moment, mother and baby as they cautiously made their way around the other side of the creek. Thanks, I appreciate it. But that's alright, I should have brought my own tent! I wasn't even thinking about spending the night out here. I don't do it often. I should, though. Maybe I'll be able to go sometime before it gets too cold. Tally said hopefully as she bit into another cracker.

[jordyn jewel massat]

JJ laughed as Tally responded to her inquiry about the snacks. She also smiled as Tally spoke about gelding Rags. She looked over to the Chestnut and spoke, “He looks like he would have been a good sire.” JJ told Tally as she stretched back out on the ground. She nodded to her response about the grain. “No problem Tally, I brought more than enough with me. Sadly, I like to spoil Raina and Eagle with grain. My mother and father told me so many times not to give them more than a scoop once a day. They get a scoop and a half…twice a day.” JJ chuckled a little.

As Tally mentioned New Hope, JJ brightened up once more, Ah, yes! I thought I recognized you. I didn't hire you directly, obviously... my mother handled that. But I remember looking over your application for the job. Pretty impressive. JJ sat up and smiled, and that smile widened a little as she mentioned Destyn. Ooh, yeah. I know which one you're talking about! Lemme tell you, she was a handful, getting her there. It's such a shame when they get like that. It makes me so angry. But good for you! You're making progress. She smiled again and gently patted the black muzzle resting on her shoulder.

“Yeah, I know the feeling. Could you tell me the story about when Destyn was brought in Tally? If you don’t mind and if you have time before you want to get back.” JJ asked as she tucked her knees before her and stretched her legs out as Eagle pushed his sleek black muzzle against her pocket. JJ laughed again and playfully pushed his nose away as she fished a sugar cube out of the pocket and offered it to him. He whinnied happily and took the cube as Raina nipped his shoulder. “You want one too honey?” Raina merely bobbed her red dun head. JJ pulled her out one too. She took hers and rested a hind hoof as she munched on it nearby.

Thanks, I appreciate it. But that's alright, I should have brought my own tent! I wasn't even thinking about spending the night out here. I don't do it often. I should, though. Maybe I'll be able to go sometime before it gets too cold. JJ nodded a little as she took a couple crackers and munched on them. “I always try to get out at least one time before the weather turns too chilly to be enjoyable…especially when I like to spend time working on my paintings, or sketching something, as you saw earlier.” JJ told Tally, indicating her easel. Then she relaxed back and turned her green-blue eyes to Tally and waited.



~Words- 484

[tallulah grace montgomery]

I understand completely! Rags is so spoiled, too. I can't help it though. He's like my child, he must be doted on every once in while. Tally joked with a wink. She looked up and saw her horse wander over a bit closer, rummaging the ground for spilled food like a starving child. Rags did that every time he ate, but it never failed to make her laugh. And he always does silly stuff like that to say thanks in return. Tally chuckled, gesturing towards him.

Tally took another sip of her soup to finish it off before telling the story of Destyn's arrival. She paused for a moment and thought. That had been a long day. But one of the last normal ones before her father became a murder suspect. Funny how things could change like that. Well, it was sometime in June. One of those unbearably hot days that seem to keep happening this summer. She made a face. While she loved living in the south, one thing she did hate was the heat. During the summer you could practically swim in the air from all the humidity alone. It always took a toll on the horses, too, which made everything worse. Earlier in the morning we received a call from a woman who told us that she had found a mare at an abandoned farm on the edge of town. She'd been tied up to a post under a tree in a pasture. It didn't really look like she'd been there long, we suspect she'd been at another place and then left there. But the woman took her back with her anyway. After a couple of days she realized that the horse was much more than she could handle on her own, so she gave us a call. Tally paused to take a sip of water, thinking. This was, in fact, how a lot of their cases were. Nice people trying to do the right thing, but not being able to take care of a rescue for whatever reasons- finances, ability, etc. In the case of Destyn, the plan had never been to keep the mare in the first place. Just get her out of the situation she was in. She had cuts all over her, her ribs were showing, her hooves were grown out, she had a matted coat and tail, and was very head shy. I honestly have no idea how this tiny woman was able to get her into a trailer by herself! Tally said with a laugh. But thankfully she did. Twice. When she brought her over to us, she was in pitiful shape. She didn't want to come out of the trailer. We tried every single method we could think of, nothing worked! It was obvious to us that she'd been badly abused, but was also really headstrong. Not a good combination, as I'm sure you found out. The blond said with a grim face.

Eventually we were able to coax her out with some grain. She immediately gobbled it up; she was starving. My father led her into a stall and she freaked. She didn't like tiny spaces. So we took her out to pasture away from other horses, and she seemed to be fine for a while. The young woman chewed on another cracker, thinking. Her heart had ached for the mare. Her eyes had just seemed so kind, but scared. Very scared. Unfortunately, this was nothing new to Tally or her family, who had seen many horses in such shape.

After about a week, though, she really shaped up from what she was! When you got to her, she was leaps and bounds away from the horse she came in as. But I don't need to tell you that she still had her problems. Still does. But you've come a long way with her. Tally said fondly. If you ever need any more help, though, just let me know. I do hang out with her as much as I can because I don't think she likes to be lonely for too long. I'm the same way. Tally added the last part as a bit of a joke, even though it was true. While she liked her alone time, being away from others for too long was a bit distressing. It was just how she'd always been. It kinda sucked, but that's the way things were.

The woman glanced at JJ's sketch. You're great! she said, appraising the sketch. Way better than I could ever do. I'm lucky if I can get a stick figure down. She laughed at herself because it was true. Tally was not an artsy person. She loved to read, write, and sing, but that was the extent of it. When it came to painting or drawing things, you could count her out.

[jordyn jewel massat]

JJ smiled as Tally spoke about Rags, I understand completely! Rags is so spoiled, too. I can't help it though. He's like my child, he must be doted on every once in a while. And he always does silly stuff like that to say thanks in return. She chuckled with Tally and looked back at Rags. Then, getting more comfortable JJ settled in to hear Destyn’s story. When Tally had finished JJ sighed. “The poor girl, no wonder she had trust issues.” JJ sat up and thought about the tale as she absently scratched Raina and Eagle behind their ears.

When Tally spoke again, JJ smiled, But you've come a long way with her. If you ever need any more help, though, just let me know. I do hang out with her as much as I can because I don't think she likes to be lonely for too long. I'm the same way. She turned to look at Tally, “Thanks Tally. I’ll keep that in mind. Hopefully one day I can introduce her to these two…” JJ said as she indicated Eagle and Raina before continuing, “maybe next week, if I can get her to come out of her stall with me, or you, perhaps we can put all three together, or something?” JJ asked, hopefully.

JJ smiled again as she heard Tally compliment on her sketch. You’re great! Way better than I could ever do. I'm lucky if I can get a stick figure down. When Tally laughed JJ chuckled a little too. “Thanks Tally. It’s not often I get complimented on my works. Hey, maybe, if you wanted too, you could come to my place and see the others I’ve done.” JJ said with a half-smile, not that she was bragging but she was extremely proud of the few pieces she’d completed. The evening was comfortably warm and JJ stifled a yawn and looked apologetically at Tally. Her horses were already dosing off and JJ smiled at them both then looked back at Tally.



Words~358...sadness...sry Tally.

[tallulah grace montgomery]

Tally paused for a moment, running her hands through her hair. Yeah. Its horrible, ya know? I see that sort of thing all the time, but it never gets any better. If anything it gets worse. She got quiet again, thinking. Crickets began chirping and she let the quiet calm settle over her. But knowing that there's something we can do to help, that makes it better. Always. It almost compensates for all the bad. Almost. She stated. Realizing she made it sound kind of bad, Tally spoke again. But I still love my job. Every second of it. The good and the bad. You learn from it.

Tally grinned. No problem. Hopefully one day I can introduce her to these two… The blond nodded. It'll happen one day, for sure. It'll just take some time. It'll be nice to see her getting out and interacting with the others. Tally smiled at the thought. The day Destyn could be turned out to pasture without a care in the world would be a big one. It might be a long way off, but the road to getting there would most definitely be worth it. Little things like that were always worth seeing and made Tally's heart melt. Next week sounds like a plan! We'll be able to get her out. It'll be a cautious experience, but I'm sure you're ready for that. The young woman smiled again.

Really?! But this is good stuff, JJ! I would love to be able to draw like that. Tally said enviously. Some things would never happen. But hey, a girl could dream, right? And I'd love to come to your place some time! That would be lovely. She silent clapped her hands in excitement. Didn't want to spook the horses, of course. She was just happy that she was making new friends. While she loved her town, the alliances that she would have in her own life were made for her when she was young. She could only hang out with certain people, and after a while that got monotonous. Tally loved meeting new people. Unless they were rude, which sometimes happened at the farm, unfortunately. The fact that JJ was a nice new person was a bonus.

[jordyn jewel massat]

JJ nodded she knew the feeling. She smiled softly as Tally spoke again, It'll happen one day, for sure. It'll just take some time. It'll be nice to see her getting out and interacting with the others. JJ nodded again, “Yep, I’m excited for that day.” JJ chuckled again, “Next week it will be. Should we say Friday or Saturday Tally? And yes, I am ready for the cautiousness of it all.” She didn’t know how well, Destyn would walk on lead, but she felt pretty good about her taking the halter fine. She’d taken it in there with her a few times and Destyn, seemed very interested in it. JJ smiled at the memory as Tally spoke again.

Really?! But this is good stuff, JJ! I would love to be able to draw like that. And I'd love to come to your place sometime! That would be lovely. JJ blushed a little, she wasn’t used to that much praise on her sketches and paintings, but she did appreciate it. She turned to Tally, “Well then, we’ll have to figure out when we want to hang out at my place too.” JJ told her as she fell silent allowing the wilderness to embrace her. The soft sounds of her horses and Tally’s the only unnatural ones in this area.

She hadn’t met many people here and so far, for this being the first person she’d met in Cedar Creek, JJ already liked Tally. And it was easy to talk to her. Smiling to herself, JJ stretched a little and gazed up at the stars and smiled. “I just hope Ghost doesn’t smother you with all his kitten-ish silliness.” JJ said with a laugh as she smiled fondly at the thought of her kitten that she had rescued. He really was a fun little guy. JJ figured that when Tally would come over she’d like him too. She felt her entire being relax as they sat under the stars.


Words~ 350

[tallulah grace montgomery]

Tally grinned, enthusiastic. A lot of the times she worked on project horses by herself, but working in pairs or even groups on a particular horse was always fun. Even if it was only a small part, it could still prove to be a big deal. Cool, sounds like a plan. Friday works just fine. Maybe Saturday afternoon, too. We may be having a new client coming in then, but of course the owner's not too sure yet. Tally said with a chuckle. While the Montgomery's did a lot of the rescues completely by themselves- whether through auctions or random people- sometimes there were dedicated owners who wanted to keep a horse for themselves but just needed help doing it. And when that was the case, she had to work around their schedule.

Weekend after next works for me. Tally said, thinking over her schedule in her brain. Many times she was busy all seven days a week. Not that it bothered her that much. She liked her job. But sometimes just hanging out with other people without having to bother doing anything else was nice. Her parents were always telling her she should get out more often. Making plans was a good start.

Aw, I love kittens! And cats. We don't have any though. Dad's like, deathly allergic to them. Well, not deathly. But it gets pretty bad. Tally said. She'd always wanted a cat, ever since she was little. But her fathers allergies simply wouldn't allow it. One day, she'd get one. A kitten. But until then she was stuck paying attention to other people's felines.

They sat in silence for a moment. Tally heard something rummaging around in the woods and an owl hoot in the distance. She liked it out here, but hardly ever took this particular trail because it was full of twists and turns and things that could spook any of the rescues while they were being trained. And since she hardly had time for her own horse as of late, when she actually did have the time to ride him, it was on the other trail because it was much shorter. It was a shame, not being able to get out to this one much. Tally made a note to herself to come out here much more often next summer. Bringing out some friends for a camping trip sounded like it would be fun.

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WORD COUNT: 398. NOTES: Not my best post but I'm a bit tired. It'll get better. xD

[jordyn jewel massat]

OOC- Let's end this thread...maybe start a new one with Destyn?

[tallulah grace montgomery]

OOC: Yup! Since she's JJ's, you wanna start it? :]

[ryder david wolff]

OOC: Yep. Tomorrow. I'm getting tired tonight and don't wanna put up a crap one. .