almost finished... - open

FIRE DANCER and KRYSTAL YHATE

The two year old filly stood with an aura of seniority that better suited a seasoned racehorse. She stood at her monstrous seventeen hands and surveyed the track like a queen, her insolent gaze raking over the dirt as though she viewed it...well, like dirt. Krystal sat astride the bay, also looking out over the track, but with a much friendlier gaze. She was looking for competition. Fire was a bit less cold and a bit more willing to listen when racing against others. Krystal didn't feel like working the icebox that she was otherwise today. A little competition would warm it up, though it certainly was hot enough already, seeing as it was summer.

Krystal spotted a colt about to begin going through the motions of warming up. She watched with interest as he began to trot, and cued Fire to follow. The filly icily responded, not really caring, and carried herself loftily forward. She took no notice of the colt, and instead focused on looking straight ahead and acting dead to the world. But Krystal wasn't paying attention to her now - she was looking at and watching the colt, and liking what she saw. The rider and horse were unfamiliar, but there were tons of new faces this year. As a faithful shadow, Krystal had Fire canter when the colt did, and then decided to catch up and introduce herself. She had found a workout partner.

She let Fire go, and the dark bay swept up the track with massive strides to catch up to the colt in little time. Krystal flashed a smile at the rider, and said Hey. Do you need a workout partner? Fire did not react whatsoever to being in the colt's presence, but she did stick to his side as she continued to canter. Already the ice was melting, as Krystal had intended.

The filly took little notice of the colt, instead examining her surroundings with interest. The dirt under her hooves was cool, as the morning sun had yet to warm it. She seemed to quietly enjoy the feeling, and was of course very obedient to Krystal as a result. What had she to complain about? Life was good, she was getting a run in, and now had some competition. She drew herself up a bit higher as she continued to canter, wanting to cast as daunting a presence on the other horse, as to intimidate them out of challenging her. Not that it would work, seeing as the rider - what was his name? - would have the colt run the race anyway.

Krystal smiled at the other rider's words, liking what she heard. Competition is as good as a cup of coffee. And Fire needs the race she thought, pleased. She stroked Fire's neck once, without really thinking about it, before speaking again. Well, before we start, I'm Krystal Yhate, and this is Fire Dancer, or Fire. We ride for Stride Of Perfection. It was her default greeting when it came to workout partnering. She had obviously done this many times, so as to know what information needed to be let out - and gathered - in order to create a successful workout. How long were you going to work your colt for? she asked, getting on to the specifics of the task at hand. Krystal never was one to wait around and exchange pleasantries, especially with the business-like attitude of Fire rubbing off on her.