let the world know FIRE [open]

[S u N f r O s t ~]

Aftershock and Amber Black
Dashing in the Firelight and Henna Turath

Henna's mouth was in a tight line as she trotted Fire along the dirt track. The beautiful light bay mare was in good spirits today - her stride was sprightly and full of energy. The attitude of her rider, however, was morose. Henna was nervous about Fire's first start of the year. The mare was less experienced than the others, due to her injury last year. She didn't have an impressive record. Yet what she did have, was heart. No other horse had as much heart as Fire. Of that, Henna was certain. She may not be well known as a rider yet, and neither was her mount, but they would make it big. She was going to make Fire the next big thing. That was her goal. That was her task. So mouth set in a hard line of concentration, she trotted, and then began to canter.

The chestnut stallion Aftershock followed Fire. Amber Black was on board, and she observed Henna's current mood and wondered at it. Ever since Jessie James had injured Fire, Henna had become almost obsessive over the mare's future. Amber knew she needed to do something to help Henna get over it and move on. Not every horse became a champion - but even Amber had to admit that Fire had special qualities not many other horses did, and an unbreakable spirit. Amber wanted to see Fire succeed. Beneath Amber, Shock pranced, also in good spirits. He was looking forward to racing Fire. However, Amber wanted more competition. She wanted Henna to race against another horse or two, as a way of measuring Fire against the competition. This could make or break Henna's evaluation of Fire's talent. It had to be good.

So when Henna and Fire went off into a canter, Amber kept Shock at a trot. She was delaying for time in the hopes of some competition finding them.

[Snowflake]

Vindictive Fury and Marissa Star

Vinny was having a moody day today. Marissa knew that their workout would not be a productive one without any competition; but the only horses in their stables that would give her any satisfaction to race against either had the day off or had already worked. Or weren't at the GHF track at all. Marissa cued her to canter, and the filly instead roared into gallop. Gritting her teeth in annoyance, Marissa did what she needed to to slow her down. Vinny bucked violently, nearly sending Marissa flying, then snorted loudly and cantered on.

Thank you. Marissa said under her breath. She had been unseated, but years of experience with this horse and others like her had taught her how to get her balance and her stirrups back almost instantly. Up ahead, two horses were trotting. As they approached, one horse broke into canter. Vinny instantly took it as a challenge, and it took all Marissa had to keep her cantering, then slow her to trot near the trotting horse. Needless to say, the filly was not happy.

It was Aftershock. GHS had owned him briefly as a two year old, but then sold him on to SOPS. Marissa couldn't quite remember why. Amber was riding him. Hello again. She said with a smile. This would have to be the fifth time in the past two weeks that she'd run into Amber while working a horse.

[S u N f r O s t ~]

Amber heard approaching hoofbeats behind her and glanced over her shoulder. A bay thoroughbred was trotting moodily towards them. Interested in who it was, Amber turned her head back around and waited for the horse and rider to maybe stop at her outside shoulder and join her. It was clear that Henna was having difficulties with getting over Fire's injury; she clearly wanted Fire to win their next race. Amber knew that the field was monstrous and the odds slim...yet she couldn't help hoping for a turn around for Henna's mount. There was no arguing that Fire had good blood and the potential. She just needed the extra push.

Hello again. Amber recognized the familiar voice of Marissa Star and sighed. It was like the two rode for the same stable or something; they ran into each other very often. However, Marissa could provide the dose of competition that she was looking for. Glancing at Marissa's mount, she recognized Vindictive Fury, and smirked. This was perfect. Vinny was temperamental, and she looked particularly fumy (is that even a word?) today. It would be perfect. Hey Marissa Amber replied smoothly. Let's canter. We need to catch up with Fire and Henna. Without waiting, she took off, and Shock's strides ate his way towards Fire, who was cantering still.

[Snowflake]

Something was up, Marissa could tell. And was quite interested. Vinny didn't wait for a cue, quickly moving into canter the moment Aftershock did. Marissa didn't reprimand her, glad that she hadn't taken off into gallop like she had before. They quickly approached the pair working ahead of them, both horses cantering at a ground eating pace.


ooc: short, but idk what else to write :/

[S u N f r O s t ~]

Fire boldly ignored Shock and Vinny, instead increasing her pace. Her attitude seemed to match that of her rider; she just wanted to go and get this whole thing over with. Henna, without noticing the extra horse, asked Are we going anytime soon Amber? I don't want to overwork Fire. Her tone held a note of annoyance and even petulance. She glanced over at Amber when she didn't answer, and restrained a groan when she saw Marissa Star and Vindictive Fury. I swear to the dear angels above, this was supposed to be between Fire and Shock. A third horse increases our chances for injury and overworking. Sure, Fire can handle it...but why oh why do we keep running into Green Horse Stables? Constantly one of the Stars, out working when we are. It's like we're stalking each other! Her annoyed thought ramble was full of seething annoyance.

Shooting a hard look at Amber, Henna coldly said Good morning Marissa. How is Vinny today? Henna was calculating if she had to keep Fire away from the other female, in case Vinny was in a nasty mood. Amber shook her head slightly at Henna's attitude, and said Whenever you and Marissa are ready. She shot a quick, meaningful and apologetic glance at Marissa, meaning to tell Marissa about this later, and sorry for Henna's unusually hostile attitude. Shock quietly moved under Amber despite Henna's tough, paranoid aura, while Fire seemed to be ignoring it and just focusing on the cues. Almost as though she's used to it Amber thought dryly.