my new partner

[S u N f r O s t ~]

WORLDBREAKER AND AMBER BLACK
FOOLISH LAD AND KRYSTAL YHATE

The plan had went well; Amber had gone right to Krystal after the last workout and proposed her plan. She wanted Laddy to work with World, and make him a better colt. There was plenty World could learn from Laddy's quiet experience. That, and Laddy was similar to World in so many ways. Both were the quietest horses in the stable, the ones that were overlooked because of their quiet countenance. However, Laddy had succeeded in becoming grade one and winning some major turf races, whilst World had remained a grade five, behind the rest and needing work. He had not even won a single race this year, a surefire way of telling that something that needed to be done was not getting done. Thus, today Laddy and World were meeting as workout partners, and together they would gallop four furlongs. If they worked together properly, the arrangement would stick. If not, a new strategy would have to be found.

Krystal looked out at the turf track. Five year old Laddy stood quietly beneath her, awaiting her commands like a loyal lieutenant with his superior. Absent mindedly stroking him, Krystal thought over their last couple of races together. Becoming grade one had made them recognized, something she had always wanted for Laddy. Though he was not a winner of major races, he was a serious competitor in them, and always presented a challenge to those who won. Krystal loved Laddy, world champion or not, and knew he would make an amazing sire. With his own foreign sire and unrecognized dam, he carried unique blood that would definitely add to the already rich blood of Green Horse Fields' racehorses. World also carried excellent blood, Krystal knew; he was basically royally bloodlined. But Krystal knew that people went by racing performance more than blood here. World would have to prove himself in order to have a successful career off of the racetrack.

World suddenly appeared, and Krystal nodded a hello as Amber walked her colt over. Built like a dressage horse, he moved with a hard to match grace, and appeared to be at peace. Seeing Laddy, he quietly nickered, to which Laddy responded in kind. World waited, expecting Laddy to assert his dominance, but when he did not World appeared confused. Never had he come into a situation where the other male horse was level headed enough to not assert dominance. Curious, he nickered again, and was then silent. Laddy also appeared to be curious about World; his own non-assertion of dominance was intriguing. All of this Amber observed and noted for future reference. The relationship between these two was off to an interesting start.

Let's begin suggested Amber. Krystal caught the gleam of interest and hope in her eyes and wished for the best before sending her mount down the turf track at a good canter. Behind her, Krystal barely heard World start his own canter, and had to glance to the side to be sure that the colt was actually following them. He was so quiet and graceful, that Krystal couldn't help feeling astounded. Such a horse had the air of a champion, yet was not. Why was he not? Krystal found the horse drawing her in. Her interest deepened, and she found herself wanting to test World, wanting to find out what drove him to not be what he could. Did he just not have it in him? Krystal doubted it, but the possibility persisted.

After two furlongs of cantering, both colts appeared to be sufficiently warmed up and ready to go. They had been working stride for stride with each other thus far, and each seemed to enjoy the other's company. Krystal smiled, happy that Laddy had found a friend, while Amber smirked aboard World. At long last, things may just be starting to happen in the right way for her beloved chestnut colt. Feeling ready, she said to Krystal Shall we get started then? Krystal nodded, and within three seconds both male thoroughbreds were galloping. Their gallop was smooth and flowing, unhurried and slow. They were going to gallop ten furlongs together, not racing, just working.

At first, World pulled at the reins, wanting to go slightly faster, but he eventually calmed down. It must have been because of Laddy - the dark bay was as cool as a cucumber, calmly considering the turf beneath his hooves like a philosopher would consider life. It was like World was modeling after Laddy - he, too, took on a calm, almost reflective gallop. Amber and Krystal enjoyed the ride back, enshrined in these blissful feelings. When they finally pulled down to a halt after ten good furlongs working together, both looked at the other and grinned in a cheeky sort of way. Their new workout plan was a complete success.