stretching legs [closed - Cav/Comeuppance]

[S u N f r O s t ~]

ooc// I decided to start our fun post xD

HALL OF FAMER LITTLE MISS INNOCENT AND AMBER BLACK

The black mare, though she was definitely older now and the mother of some nice foals, hadn't lost her touch. She still moved with the fluid grace of a racehorse, though she had departed the track about four years ago. Muscles still rippled as she moved, and she looked like the picture of a fit horse. Amber had kept her favorite mare in good condition. They worked out every so often and were still in excellent shape, especially considering that Missy was now more broodmare than racehorse. She had birthed a foal last year and was taking this year off of broodmare duty. Thus far, her successes as a producer had been great.

Her oldest, The Innocent Skier, had won Prospect of the Year and, though he was only a grade four, had won a leg of the Turf Triple Crown. Her twin daughters Axis Mundae and Beltane were both grade three and Beltane was widely regarded in the racing world right now for her sprinting capabilities. Her youngest, Innocent Passion, was but a yearling and maturing, though he definitely showed some talent already. It was exciting to watch the foals of her favorite mare grow up. Though Missy never would grow up, it seemed. Even now she sought to play jokes on her rider, pretending one thing when actually doing another. And Amber still found it funny.

She halted Missy just as they stepped onto the turf track. They watched horses breezing by and felt the urge to gallop. Would an old competitor perhaps show up to provide a challenge?

[Cavallo]

Nick fought hard for the bay stallion's head. Normally, he was not this willful...but then again it had been Nick's fault. Like clockwork, Nick worked this big boy at least once a week. True...Comeuppance was no longer on the race track, but just because you take the track away from a racehorse means that their drive changes.

Comeuppance still lived for the thrill of the race. As they watched other horses breeze by, Comeuppance was pulling to give pursuit. Nick held him in check as they warmed up on the track. Another horse passed on the inside and Comeuppance, just about lost his cool. He sent a bugling challenge. His stallion like roar carried over the track. Nick groaned...slightly embarrassed at the scene he was making.

Is this punishment for missing our workout last week? He groaned, his arms already staining to keep the eight year old stallion in check. It was best that they get this warm-up over with so he could give the ornery old boy his head in a good run. At eight years, Nick was on the look for a proven mare to breed Comeuppance with. It was long overdue for him to have some foals on the ground...maybe this upcoming year... His mind had begun to wander and Comeuppance began to take advantage of that. Suddenly, he made a grab for his bit. The action jolted Nick and there was 3 yard brawl for control.

Seriously?? What is your problem?! Never in your whole life have you acted this bratty! Nick stopped as he realized that they had halted in the track and he was yelling and they were not alone.

REALLY? It took Nick one second to realize that the rider and horse were none other than their arch rivals - on the track that is.
He gave a sheepish grin, now in control of the bristling stallion.

Amber Black. He said it with a fondness. Though they often competed against each other on the tracks..He had always sensed a sense of camaraderie with the other stable owner.

[S u N f r O s t ~]

Some horse was being really loud. Missy was not reacting to the bugling challenges that were being sent soaring around the turf track. Instead, she focused simply on picking out a horse to compete against. The spirit and desire to race and obliterate was rearing its head. Amber knew that she was going to have a very tough time controlling her beloved mare in a few moments. She wanted to run, and run hard. She wanted to sprint and awe the non-existent crowd with her speed. Already she was attracting some attention - being a Hall Of Famer, people were ogling at her, wondering what she was doing out here when she was retired from the track.

All of a sudden Amber became aware of a presence to her left. She heard a sharp exclamation and turned her head to see a big bay stallion that she knew well. A smirk crossed her face. What were the odds of meeting up with Comeuppance, their long time rivals from so long ago? Missy had stiffened almost imperceptibly beneath her. The black mare's head had turned slightly so both her eyes could focus on Comeuppance's. She essentially glared at the stallion, dropping has careless act as merely a trickster, feeling the remnants of her old rivalry with the stallion kicking in. Amber took a more steady hold on the reins as the rider of the other horse greeted her with a hint of fondness in his voice.

Nick she said, smiling slightly. Just like old times, huh? She motioned to her mare and to Comeuppance. Missy had currently engaged in a glaring contest with the stallion. It had been a long time since she had felt this worked up, and the desire for a race burned strongly in the air.

[Cavallo]

<sub>Comeuppance locked glares with the black mare. He knew this mare. His dance chilled to a cold hard stare. His eyes glittering with the desire to once again run head to head.

Yes, some things don't change. He gave the black mare a once over. She still looked good even in retirement and she was also having a successful brood career from what he heard.

Comeuppance and I are out for a run. We just finished a warm-up... his voice trailed off as he implied what his next sentence would be. A match race...just like old times. A header once more. He could taste the desire within his mouth and Comeuppance fairly rippled with it.

What do you say? Are Comeuppance and I worthy enough to run against your Hall of Famer? Or...has she gotten too soft? His brow raised, a teasing smile on his face. Comeuppance eyed the mare, his stance stoic, but underneath there was a hurricane of excitement streaming through his body...

Oh, he was more than ready to run..</sub>

[S u N f r O s t ~]

Amber was more than good at sensing challenges - she was excellent. It came with the territory, after all. One who owned racehorses had to be good at predicting when they would next be challenged. Didn't that just make sense, in terms of preparation? And it was very obvious to Amber that Comeuppance and Nick wanted a race. And so did Missy, and so did her. She could taste it on her tongue, feel it in her blood. She was excited. Missy, at this point, was positively snarling at Comeuppance. Her glare spoke of the thousand crushing defeats that she wanted to give to Comeuppance. It showed of her desire to flatten him into the turf and make sure he remained there.

So when Nick made the challenge, Amber was more than ready for a reply. We don't back down from challenges she declared. But we haven't warmed up yet. Give us a couple minutes? She smiled and stroked her mare's neck as she spoke, preparing herself to feel the speed of her mare once more. They would canter a couple of circles, trot a little bit, canter some more, and then return. We'll set the race distance and the terms of your imminent defeat when we're warmed up. And that was all Amber said before she got Missy moving forward at a trot that become a canter. It was hard to break the black mare away from her rival, but they needed to warm up or the risk of injury was a lot greater.

[Cavallo]

<sub>Nick smiled. He had a feeling she and Missy wouldn't be able to turn down their blatant challenge. He was rather expecting it. A tremor of excitement washed through him. This would be just like old times.

Nodding at what Amber said, he agreed with her terms. Sure. No problem. Comeuppance and I can finish our warm-up as well. He had a feeling that the stallion would be more focused now during his warm-up....there was a purpose now.

Nick nudged the stallion and they quickly resumed their light canter about the track. After going easy a good bit, Nick brought him back down to a trot. He then had the stallion walk briskly the rest of the way. His coat shined with a light coat of perspiration, muscles stilled toned and built, rippled beneath his bay coat...all the while, Comeuppance grew in hunger for the race that he knew was to come. He wanted nothing more than to humiliate that black trickster mare. The blood feud was still strong between the violent pair. Smiling to himself, nick found it amusing that after all these years, these two horses still had it out for each other...neither memory of each other faded in any sense.

They stood once again, where they'd met the other pair as they waited in expectation for their return. The desire for the race boiling in their blood.....once again these two turf runners to go head to head.

Oh how sweet this was going to be.</sub>

[S u N f r O s t ~]

The mare warmed up with even more purpose than usual. She strode mightily past all the other working thoroughbreds as though they weren't even there and continued on her way. They were cantering now, rocking with power, and Amber grinned. Missy missed racing, even if she had a good time being a broodmare. She wished she could race horses again. When she was pregnant, it was never a good idea to run races with her, but when she wasn't, as she was now, it was time to find a worthy challenger to keep her blood flowing. Comeuppance was such a creature, and Amber looked forward to the race.

After about five minutes, they were ready to go. They turned out of a graceful circle and cantered back to the waiting stallion and rider. Amber pulled Missy up and steered her to be standing alongside Comeuppance. The mare appeared to be disgusted by the fact she had to stand to still next to her rival. She'd rather kick some dirt into his face and be done with it. Amber knew her mare well enough to know that she was probably devising some plan of escape, and prepared by winding her fingers through some locks of mane and keeping a firm grip on the reins. Who knew what Missy would try to get the satisfaction she desired? When facing a horse like this, it was doubtful that she would wait very long.

How long would you like to go for? Missy and I are up for a longer workout or a sprint, whichever you'd like.

[Cavallo]

<sub>Nick smiled as the duo approached. He found it amusing..in some ways this almost felt like a battle of the sexes, but Nick saw it as more than that. Both horses were retired and eager to relive their glory days, not this little race wasn't about petty things like which gender was better...this was something more. This was two former glories, reliving their climaxes...this was something precious...but it didn't mean that the horses would snuggle up together and be chums.. That wasn't what they needed...what each of them needed was a challenge and each horse provided that for the other...and always had.

As Missy and Amber drew alongside them, Comeuppance almost lost his cool and he could see Amber was preparing herself for the mare to bolt. They had best make a decision quickly or the horses would make it for them.

Let's go for the longer work-out...We'll have them go from a standing start and let them compete for..Eight furlongs?

Nick knew that the distance was moderate but it would be a miracle to bring in the two horses, but he also knew that this would be one of the best eight furlongs that he will have raced in.

Comeuppance stood still like granite, his body anticipating the mare to take off. As soon as he saw her flinch he'd be gone in a second...there was no way he was going to let this black mare give him the slip.

Nick tightened his grip on the reins, letting Comeuppance know that was the one in charge...technically.

So sounds good to you and Missy?

They would break and go the eight furlongs, but who knew what would happen after that...Nick was rather looking forward to it....</sub>

[S u N f r O s t ~]

Missy trembled and quaked. She wanted to move, and the strength of her desire nearly ripped the reins from Amber's hands. The woman only just managed to keep the black mare in, but she knew that they needed to go, now, before the two horses completely decided to murder their jockeys and run themselves into the ground in an epic race. You're on, Nick Landing. Eight furlongs will be easy she said comfortably, tone sparking with competitive spirit. I don't quite remember how Comeuppance ran his races, so we'll just have to see... However, it would be hard for Amber to forget how Missy ran. They picked off the leaders. But was Comeuppance a front runner? If not, the pace would be theirs.

Amber smirked. She gloried in the prospect of that. They would run Comeuppance off of his hooves.

In three....three.....two....one!

She counted down and then let her mare loose. Missy exploded forward, briefly forgetting the presence of her eternal rival as she accelerated and attempted to take the rail. The stirrup of Amber's left leg nearly scraped the paint of the rail, and she had to swing Missy out a bit as they approached the first turn. They were moving easily, and it was now that she looked to see where their competitor was.

[Cavallo]

<sub>Comeuppance was a fierce front-runner. His body quivered ready tp spring into action, his body muscles already coiling like a spring as Amber counted down...

She said one and Nick and Comeuppance were on the same page, leaping forward like a furious snake strike. Nick and Come's eyes were glued ahead as they also ran towards the rail, but seeing that Missy got the inside first, Comeuppance then made it his business to pressure the black mare. They ran right alongside their rivals, Come's eyes glaring, but fiery determination kept him in check...the only running off of hooves would be his taking the lead.

Nick and Comeuppance turned as one and moved slightly as Amber and Missy began to swing out at the turn, Nick and Comeuppance, pulled back slightly and swung around the mare to claim the gap on the rail. The rail meant tighter turns and faster times and they were all about it.

Running down the backstretch, Comeuppance was cruising strong, but not upping the pace. That came at the end. Comeuppance's mind flashed back to all the races this mare had managed to snatch from him at the last minute and today would not be a repeat. Nick and Comeuppance bided their time and waited for Missy and Amber to make their final bid...the backstretch was coming to an end soon and the final stretch was close at hand.

They would not underestimate the other pair, Nick quickly ducked under his arm to see where their rivals ran...</sub>

[S u N f r O s t ~]

So they were front runners. Amber was able to divine that much from the way Come pressured them. Missy was a Hall of Fame inductee for a reason. She didn't respond to the pressure, instead dropping back slightly at the first opportunity to take her preferred stalking position off of the stallion's shoulder. Their opponents had moved up to take the rail at the turn when she had swung Missy out a bit, and Amber couldn't help smirking. Good riding. This will be all the more fun because of it! Missy turned wide but was not fatigued. They raced into the stretch easily, Come taking the lead but not running away with it, them just behind and waiting patiently. The stallion truly was smart, not wasting energy in widening a meaningless lead.

The middle of the backstretch passed, and then the final turn roared up to greet them. She would be going wide here as well. It was a good thing Missy had plenty left, or they would be screwed. Grinning, Amber released her hold on the reins a bit. They accelerated alongside Come. Predicting a sudden burst of speed at their appearance, Amber knew that they would have to move fast or catch the pair by surprise. She decided on the former. She let Missy out completely as they rounded the turn, and the mare determinedly stuck her nose forward as she accelerated. Legs flying, she put on a fresh spurt of speed as they finally reached he stretch...

[Cavallo]

<sub>Nick couldn't help, but admire the competition. Missy was an amazing runner and her rider was in tune and confident. It made a dangerous foe.

Nick rode Come the final stretch, the end was in sight and there was Missy and Amber right there.... Nick looked forward, but his ears strained to hear Missy and Amber make their bid, Comeuppance was all alertness.. The end was in sight and that's when Nick felt the increased vibrations.

He didn't waste precious time looking to see if the black mare was charging...Comeuppance instantly reacted to Nick's ques as he gave the bay stallion his full head...one furlong left and there was Missy and Amber right there surging forward in their inspiring momentum, but they had a little inspiration themselves. Comeuppance threw himself into the wind, his eyes locked with the mare next him...a look of steel as the pair suddenly matched stride for stride...

and then it was over. Eight furlongs in 2 minutes. It had to of been a record of some kind. Nick knew that there would be no way to determine a clean winner, but secretly felt that he and Come had held their own...but then so would Missy and Amber.

Nick let the stallion go another furlong, before bringing him in...he fought Nick hard as Nick circled the lathered stallion, his eyes searching for his foe. Easy Come,...easy!

Nick was grinning from ear to ear. It was horses like Little Miss Innocent and Comeuppance that made racing what it was...Exciting, edgy, fun and worth it.

He looked to see where Amber and Missy had pulled u[, but knew he wouldn't make a move to bring his riled stallion any closer to them...because though Comeuppance was a good, but fiery tempered horse...he was after all still a stallion.

Nick wiped a bead of sweat off his forehead, while keeping the prancing bay in check...he was still hot and would take off in a moments notice if Nick slipped up on his control...</sub>

[S u N f r O s t ~]

Amber couldn't help grinning as Missy surged forward beneath her. Oh how she had missed this feeling! She let Missy go with impunity, and the mare was a speedy horse. But Nick had correctly guessed when they were charging and had Come ready for them. Amber frowned at that. He was definitely going to be a challenge to beat in future races, with skills like that... Nonetheless, she wanted him defeated. She urged Missy, but the mare needed no encouragement. Her gaze was locked with Come's, and a fire was burning there. This was the mare's game, racing, and she didn't even like being equalled in it. But they were quickly out of time, and Amber was forced to end the challenge.

She pulled up the mare with some difficulty. Come was still surging ahead, obviously fighting his rider as all stallions tended to. Missy didn't like seeing him so far away. She wanted to beat her rival into the ground - yet she was smart enough to slow at Amber's command, and trusting. She snorted, sides steaming, incredibly sweaty, and Amber sweated right along with her. Despite this, Amber was grinning. She trotted to a safe distance from Come and then halted, keeping her mare away from the obviously still hot stallion. Missy had already recovered her breath and was glaring powerfully at he stallion, as though proclaiming she had won even though it had clearly been a tie. Amber held her carefully in case she decided to try something. She wouldn't put bolting past her tricky mare.

You know, you just went toe to toe with a Hall of Famer Nick she called teasingly. The excitement of the race had brought a huge grin on to her face.

[Cavallo]

<sub>Nick brought the bay under control, his tail still flicked in annoyance, but heeded Nick's commands. He generally was a well behaved stallion...Missy just always brought out his extreme competitive side.

Nick turned the stallion to face Missy and Amber a good 20 feet now between them. Come stood still and alert, his ears laid back slightly, a mixture of listening to Nick and a sign of his aggrivation, his tail still flicking.

Nick was still grinning. It had been a good while since he'd ridden a challenging G1 racer against worthy competition. He rubbed Come's neck to sooth his somewhat fouled temper. Come hated loosing and in his mind a tie with a mare....was loosing.

Nick listened to Amber's teasing with good nature and sparkling eyes. Yes...and I hop that it isn't the last time either...This wasn't our first rodeo you know.. He gave her a wink, but was still in the back of his mind, mindful of Come.

I haven't ridden like that in sooo long. His voice was full of wistfulness. Intrepid in a fashion, was starting from scratch. Currently their top grade was horse was G3 Alluring Assault and Nick missed the expertise and challenge that a G1 offered...but they were making a comeback and his mind wandered to The Innocent Skier and Firebird who had just made G4....slowly, but surely they were making their presence known once again.

Nick looked to Amber with an admiring eye. You and Missy, still have it. No doubt about that... He chuckled and Comeuppance slowly began to relax, but never took his eyes off the black mare.</sub>

[S u N f r O s t ~]

Amber was finding this whole thing funny. Here she was, grinning with an old rial, aboard her beloved mare, facing their oldest rivals on the track and tying them. Could dreams that hadn't been dreamt still come true? If so, this was one of them. Amber just felt as though she belonged here on the track aboard her mare. She felt it so keenly that she took a moment to close her eyes and drink in the breeze that brought the sweet smell of the turf to her. It smelled like home. Missy appeared to have caught on to her rider's feelings of serenity. She didn't break her glare with Comeuppance, but did relax her muscles, flick an ear almost lazily and adopt a more relaxed posture.

Good things like that hopefully don't end Nick. Not in racing, when on a good horse. She smiled brightly. It can be difficult to find that good horse sometimes, but they're around. She had detected the wistfulness in Nick's tone and was already understanding why. Coming back to this super competitive circuit when you were used to being the best could be tough, but it was not impossible to be successful again. She smiled at Nick's compliment. Clearly you do too! No random horse would have been able to keep up.

[Cavallo]

<sub>He laughed the compliment off, but secretly hid it in his mind to pull it out again if he ever got discouraged. They still had it.

There was such a sense of peace right now...as though everything was right in the world. Nick held onto the moment and sighed content.

But the old rival spirit was hard to kill. You better be prepared for Y12...SOPS won't have a whole racing year ahead of IR! He teased and goaded, a gleam in his eye.

It had been a while since he'd felt this alive and he rather liked it...slowly he began to wonder if it had something to do with racing these legendary horses or the woman who was riding a black mare.

He slightly shook his head as if brushing the thought to the back of his mind...that was something to examine at a later date....without the woman right in front of him.

Have an interesting two year olds I need to look out for next year? He was all about finding out who to prepare for come Y12, especially against Amber....

Comeuppance had finally relaxed and looked over at Missy now through different eyes. He knew the race was over and he watched her carefully still though, but not with as much animosity. He too had picked up the peaceful undercurrent happening and acclimated to the environment, while Nick absentmindedly rubbed his neck, while speaking with Amber.</sub>

[S u N f r O s t ~]

Amber's hand had begun to massage warm circles into her mare's sweaty black neck. She didn't mind the sweatiness much, actually finding in it the promised reward of hard work. She grinned as Nick talked. It was nice to engage in this friendly rivalry with somebody not of her stable. It was like a refresher, and she appreciated it, especially since she was about to lose her mind prepping all of their horses for the Breeders Cup. Riding Missy and tying with this great stallion, it felt like anything and everything was possible. Missy was relaxing into her hand, her eyes half closing. Now she was barely taking notice of her rival, just enjoying the day and the burn in her muscles.

Questioned about her two year olds, Amber grinned widely. She had personally planned all of their breedings. There's Ventura of course, by Impressario and out of Rising Fury. Sweet Inferno is going to be another, by Crooked Fire and out of Sweet Stalker. Hmm. There are two I'm keeping a secret of course...however, Missy here has a foal by Passionate Class, Innocent Passion. She's a gorgeous bay filly. Amber's excitement was palpable. She loved talking about her horses and the stable.