unexpected allies

[S u N f r O s t ~]

<sub>WHIP UP THE DANCING & WORLDBREAKER

It was morning, prime time for workouts. Only difference was, these workouts were different. Torrential rain poured from merciless skies, turning the dirt into a flood of mud and the turf into a waterlogged plain. But Amber didn't care about the weather; her horses were going to go out and work at the track, and they were going to learn to love the muddiness and the sogginess. They would not be disadvantaged by weather conditions. And the true plus was that no other horses would be interrupting them; only somebody truly insane like Amber would dare to bring their horse out to work. They'd be out later, when the rain would've eased up, but not now. Going out now was crazy talk.

She's crazy, absolutely crazy thought Krystal as she saddled up the coldly oblivious bay. Whip Up The Dancing ignored her, more intent on glaring down the stable aisle. No doubt at the chestnut head and challenging gaze of Limited Bluez, thought Krystal. That colt was coming out later, and he would make a huge fuss of it. Of course, Amber would go and calm him down, and everything would be sunshine and butterflies, but then it would get dark and dangerous, as Blue met Prancer and the two exchanged invisible blows. But for now, she had to focus on staying on her colt's back. At least Prancer had no qualms about working with Worldbreaker. The chestnut three year old colt was Amber's pride and joy, and an absolute lover of the turf.

In a different part of the stables, Amber stood tacking up her chestnut colt. World looked at her, gentleness in his eyes, and she felt her heart melt. This colt meant a lot to her. His eighth place finish in the Crystal Cup last week had shattered her. She knew World was more than capable of more. To prove it, they would have to prepare more carefully, and that meant more workouts. The young colt was going to learn just how skilled he was. He would then move on to eliminate the competition beneath his hooves. He was her Turf Triple Crown hopeful. She had to build up his record for that moment of truth. It would take work, which was why he was meeting his old workout partner Prancer for a work in the sog today.

It took about ten minutes for both women to meet each other, nod, lead their horses outside and then mount up. Krystal felt like screaming as the rain poured down on her, running off in thick streams on her horse and on her special water-proof jacket. She had left her goggles off, and now snapped them on. She'd have to clean them of water often, but it was better than the alternative. Amber, however, was enjoying the coolness of the rain. She pulled World to a stop, and together the two stood, enjoying the coolness. World looked like he normally did - calm, and at peace. He ignored Prancer as the dark bay stallion drew up on his left shoulder, glaring at the chestnut with all the might of dominance. Krystal smirked at her colt's attitude, and glanced at Amber, waiting for instructions.

Let's go see how the turf is. Nothing too long today - perhaps just a blowout, a tune-up of sorts Amber declared at last, just when Krystal considered heading out herself instead of waiting for answers. Krystal nodded, and steered Prancer out towards the track rail gap. World followed behind closely, not minding the way Prancer had taken the lead, almost as though he didn't care, though Amber had seen the gleam of calculation arise in World's mannerism. His trot was more collected, and his ears were perked straight up against the rain. His nose followed Prancer's movement, and when the pair finally stepped onto the turf track he surged up alongside Prancer, matching his trot side for side. The turf squelched under their hooves; the footing was not very good. Krystal shot a look of concern at Amber, who shook her head.

We're not doing anything faster than a canter in this. Our later workouts will be compromised she stated, sounding disappointed. Krystal sighed. Galloping in this weather was suicidal - she was happy that Amber had seen sense on at least that point. It was obvious that cantering was all they would be able to do. With a quick nod at Krystal, Amber cued World for a canter. The colt responded, his hooves squelching on the ground, stride a bit choppy as he struggled to adjust to the extra resistance. Prancer was faring better - he carried his hooves a bit higher and landed more lightly. World seemed to notice that Prancer was having an easier time, and was now keenly observing, and then matching the stallion's strides. Krystal and Amber looked at each other, surprised at the compliance of the two, helping each other through the sog. It was...unexpected, to say the least.

The two horses cantered for a straight lap around the turf, ending their run at the mile mark. They both slowed to a trot, and then to a walk. The rain still poured around them, and both horses and riders were soaked. Yet somehow, the workout had been beneficial. The two colts had bonded, somehow, and were now friends. Krystal was most surprised by this. Prancer did not typically liken to others. World was, of course, the peaceful type, and for some reason Prancer had been drawn into comradeship with him. Amber grinned and patted World, smiling at Krystal. Krystal smiled back. Despite the numerous obstacles in the form of rain and bad track conditions, the result had been an unexpected alliance well on its way to actual friendship.</sub>

[S u N f r O s t ~]

<sub>FOOLISH LAD & DEADLY DESIRES

The two had never worked before. Never mind that they both worked in different atmospheres, different racing conditions. Their personalities were completely different - Laddy was an endurance horse, through and through, whilst Desiree was a sprinter and miler. There was no way, perfectly no way, that the two would get any benefit from working with each other. Not to mention that it was still pouring cats and dogs outside, and that Amber was insane enough to suggest this workout pair. After what had happened with World and Prancer, she was in a good mood for some reason. Krystal determined to never let the two newly allied colts work together again if it would addle Amber's judgement by this much. She was purely, truly insane.

Amber grinned wickedly at Krystal as the other woman came outside aboard Foolish Lad. The dark bay stallion looked out at the rain curiously, and snorted, wondering what they were doing out in it. The black mare that Amber was astride cast a look of cold indifference at the stallion, and attempted to turn away. She didn't care about the cold, really, but she'd rather get down to business than have to deal with it. Amber let her turn, nodding at Krystal to follow. The woman did, having no choice but to, and together the two walked out onto the turf track. The dirt was even more muddy now; their horses' hooves sank slightly into it and came out caked with its griminess. Cold water oozed around their hooves. Krystal knew that if they didn't work fast enough, they wouldn't be able to get any other workouts done that day. It was imperative that they move quickly.

Laddy sidestepped uneasily as he stepped foot on the turf. It sloshed around his hooves, water reaching and washing off the majority of the dirt caking it. Desiree showed no emotion, as could be expected of a mare of her caliber, and simply waited for further instructions. Let's check the footing. I'm not even confident of a canter right now Amber said with concern. Krystal snorted, a fiery retort armed with the intent to knock some sense into Amber rising to her lips, but smartly chose to hold her tongue. Amber didn't listen to others sometimes, even if that other was Krystal Yhate, who had worked alongside her for years. She could be too stubborn for her good. Krystal was more than sure that this cold bath out in the rain would bring more harm than good to the horses, but Amber wanted them to have mudder experience. Typical.

The two began to trot, Laddy going side by side with Desiree and ignoring the venomous glares and silent challenges he received from the black beast. Desiree did not tolerate his company; she tossed her head, suddenly raring to go and kick some turf - or water - in the stallion's face. Laddy remained oblivious to her temper tantrums, which further infuriated her. She retreated deep into herself, now taking the initiative of ignoring the dark bay until he learned better. Yet even now, Laddy was blind to her cues of fury, and she was left to sulk in her own black flame of anger. Krystal patted Laddy, once more praising the horse that was the sweetest and nicest horse at SOPS. Desiree was ranked among the worst tempered, but that could change after this year's yearlings. Krystal had never seen such an ill tempered group.

Amber nodded suddenly, and the two women cued their horses for canters. Instead of going for eight furlongs, though, they would be going for six. The rain was starting to really annoy the riders, who had already had to deal with it. The three quarters of a mile passed surprisingly quickly; the tandem of hooves against turf struggled to maintain a rhythm at first, but eventually the horses acclimated to the sloggy surface, and were moving quite smoothly and nearly at full speed by the end. Amber grinned and, despite the rain trickling everywhere over her, smiled at Krystal, and pet Desiree. Laddy was nearly as black as Desiree by now, and both riders were eager to take their mounts in and seek refuge in the stable. They would go out later to work more horses, but for now the rain had beaten them.

Thank God she's seen sense at last</sub>

[/b] was Krystal's thought as they left the turf track. [/sub][/blockquote]