a step closer [closed - Nick!!]

[S u N f r O s t ~]

The black two year old reached out to Amber and Amber extended a hand, letting Atropa have a good sniff and grinning as the filly's nose tickled the palm of her hand. Overall the filly seemed good natured, though Amber knew there was some hot blood gushing through her veins. She grinned and then turned as Nick called for her and led her through the barn and towards some high security facilities. Now this was the interesting part of the tour. Higher fences, thick and padded, made for stallions. Nick welcomed her in and Amber chuckled, though in reality her mind was focused on the security.

In order to keep out those pesky crowds, especially since that hype she had interpreted from that jockey blog of Moses Lancaster's, she had focused on securing SOPS as best as she could and protecting her horses from each other and the press. There was a lot of high class stuff installed around the barns and she compared her barn to Intrepid's as she was led through the barn. As soon as she entered a cat raced right up to her, as though begging for release, and purred. Absent-mindedly Amber picked the cat up and settled him in her arms, scratching behind the ears a bit and carrying him as Nick continued to lead her through. SOPS was also home to some cats and they tended to take care of themselves. They were essentially half-wild but never tried to harm the staff.

She turned a corner and recognized Comeuppance instantly. Grinning, she gazed at him admirably, noting his conformation and thinking briefly of future breeding plans and Lissome before continuing to walk to Stallion Barn Two. This barn seemed to be especially high security and Amber guessed that the hottest of the hotheads lived there. And as soon as she came in, her guess was proven correct as she heard hooves meeting a door. She glanced over, trying to pinpoint the sound, curious as to what horse could possibly be as aggressive as that. But as she looked around Nick came alongside and actually placed a hand on the lower end of her back to guide her towards the middle of the aisle. That was...unexpected, but Amber found herself not minding all too much as she continued to follow Nick down the aisle.

They stopped in front of War Admiral's stall and Amber got briefly excited. She knew this monstrous black. He'd left his mark in the breeding shed and now she found herself face to face with the aggressive brute. She nodded in understanding as Nick explained some of Admiral's history. I understand. That was how Passionate Class was before Krystal got to him. We've all got those horses lurking around somewhere. She finished her inspection of the stallion and then turned just as the star of the show was led into his stall. She grinned and couldn't help her excitement. Finally. The foreign Triple Crown winner, here at last.

He has the look of eagles she commented quietly, eyeing him from her spot in the aisle. He was absolutely huge and reminded her distinctly of Infinite Warcry, though even he wasn't that big. It was....aweing, to say the least. She picked up on an aggressive vibe from the stallion so stayed well away, letting Nick handle the stallion while she admired from a distance. It appeared the stable hands had learned well to stay out of the way and she recognized the bond Nick had with Reve as something she had with King. It struck a chord deep within her and she grinned secretively, relishing this.

When Nick beckoned her closer she did not hesitate. She fully trusted Nick to be fully in control of his horse and approached slowly. As she did so Reve stomped once, tossed his head, and then eyed her with all the intelligence of a human being. His neck was proudly arched and Amber recognized it as what she called "stationary prancing". She had seen this plenty of times when Mona used to show off for her with flashy gaits and great conformation. Nick chuckled at something she didn't pick up on but she paid him no mind as she approached a respectful distance and then extended a hand out, palm up, for Reve to sniff...or sample.

[Cavallo]

<sub>Nick smiled at Amber's appreciation for his pride and joy. He was every inch a regal gent. His foals were making a huge comeback and Nick was thrilled for a weanling he had out of him sitting in his barns. He was proving his legacy.

The black stallion eyed the hand proferred him. He snorted and nudged Nick, as if asking if the woman was 'ok'. Nick rubbed the stallion as he took it as approval and turned his regal head to the woman's head. He sniffed in her scent, his warm moist horse breath expelled onto her palm. His lips touched her skin and lipped it curiously and then snorted and withdrew his head, holding it high and bobbing it. He towered over the woman. Nick held on firmly and brought the stallion down again.

Well. He didn't bite you. He grinned wolfishly at Amber. He turned again to the stallion who had begun stamping his feet impatiently. He knew why Nick was here and he wanted his run. Soon. Nick chuckled at the black's impatence. Pardon me as I tack this brute up.

He led the stallion to the cross-ties. The stable hands gave the pair a wide berth and Reve pinned his ears at them in return. Nick was quick, grabbing the gear and getting Reve situated. He stood coldly and endured the process. Finally geared up, he slipped the stallions halter off from under his bridal and led the black out the doors, motioning for Amber to follow. There was a nearby trail and as Nick mounted the black swiftly, he gathered his reins and looked to Amber.

I will only be a few minutes. Just galloping the old boy down his trail. You can watch from here. We won't be but a minute and then I'll turn this guy back out and I can drive you wherever you need to go. The black stallion chomped impatiently on his bit. Nick's eyes lingered on the black haired beauty. A smile touched his features and spun his black charger in the opposite direction. The two thundered down their trail. The dirt and turf flew as the stallion reached majestically forward. His lungs devouring the air as Nick let the stallion set his own pace. Nick didn't ride a single horse like his Reve. With the years of races and trials each had shared together, there was no horse on the grounds of Intrepid that could compare with the black stallion. He was king here. Undisputed and worthy of the title.

The trail was a couple miles and looped the outside paddocks. Nick would peek glance over at a small distant figure and he couldn't wait to get back to her. He pushed the stallion and he instantly responded. Even in his older age, he was still as quick as ever. The barns loomed ahead. He pulled the stallion up and he half reared...a wild look in his eye, but not out of character for the brute. Nick allowed the stallion to collect himself and dismounted. He slapped the stallion's neck and smiled at Amber. Thanks for your patience. The stallion snorted and pawed the ground defiantly.</sub>

[S u N f r O s t ~]

Amber held her breath as the nose of this majestic horse touched the palm of her hand. She had the distinct feeling that not everybody got such a show from Reve. It seemed as though the stallion was only nice to those special few whom Nick approved of. She got a special tingle in her stomach as she realized she was one of those special few. She laughed at Nick's comment and then noticed that Reve was getting a bit worked up. Nick mentioned riding Reve and Amber nearly swooned. You're going to ride him?! she said excitedly, eyes brightening. This was going to be something she never forgot. Now she not only had a look at the stallion's conformation and mannerisms, but also a look at the way he rode. Planning a potential mate for him just got ten times easier.

She nodded as Nick explained the process. Have a good ride...though I doubt I need to say that she said, eyes twinkling. She took in every inch of the stallion's form as he stood before her, barely noting the sudden smile of appreciation on Nick's face as he wheeled the stallion around and set off down the trail. It looked to be a couple of miles long but she noted the way the stallion carried himself and concluded that it really wouldn't take more than a couple of minutes. She watched the entire time, noting how Nick urged Reve on faster and faster. She didn't see him occasionally looking back at her - alas she was a bit ignorant of such things. She only absorbed the power of the stallion's stride and envisioned the perfect horse to breed to him.

As Nick got back and the stallion half-reared Amber barely noticed. Her smile was radiant. A reputation well deserved, if what I just saw is typical and not a fluke. What a horse Nick. Truly. He's barely sweating. There was no need for patience with that. I could watch all day. Her smile never left her face as she switched from grinning at Reve to smiling full on in Nick's face.

[Cavallo]

<sub>Nick was grinning from ear to ear, but he was sure his heart was about to stop when Amber turned her smiling face from his horse to him. It was a smile just for him. Undisguised, unfiltered her smile had penetrated him right to his soul. He could live everyday of his life if he got to see that look on her face for him. He rubbed the stallion's damp neck and whispered his affections quickly turning again to Amber, giver her a smile that was all for her.

Well...I'm glad this wasn't a huge inconvenience for you. I never miss riding with my boy here. He gets extremely grumpy otherwise. He took her in. She was perfection it seemed, he had to look away quickly lest she see the hunger in his eyes. He was wanting much more than friendship with Amber. He didn't know how or when it had happened, but Amber had just become more than he'd imagined her to be. He fiddled with Reve's saddle and then turned again to face her, once more in control of his facial expressions.

I'm glad you enjoyed the display...knowing you you were plotting which mare to have him cover. He chuckled as he started walking back to the barn and indicated for Amber to follow. Let me just turn this bad boy out and you and I can be off! He had a sudden desire to peck her on her cheek as he turned to lead Reve, but stifled it. He turned briskly and set about getting Reve settled. It took a good ten minutes and he returned to where he'd left her in the aisle. Alright! I'm all set! Where too?? he had a twinkle in his eye, eager to spend more time with Amber, but also simultaneously wondering if it was a good thing...</sub>

[S u N f r O s t ~]

Amber felt her heart pump faster as Nick met her gaze squarely and then looked away to his horse. There was something in his eyes just then, something she could not identify. He turned away and she watched him as he talked about Reve, laughing at his comments light heartedly. She was truly enjoying herself in the company of him. A bit too much, perhaps.

She couldn't help but laugh at his next comment as well. Gosh, how did you know? That was exactly what I was thinking! she exclaimed. It did surprise her that she was so easy to read...or perhaps Nick just understood her. Whatever. She nodded as he put away his horse, and found herself dreaming of spending just a little bit more time in his company while he was gone. She shook herself out of it briskly as he came back, straightening her facial expression to be nothing more than friendly and neutral.

Well...I guess I should go back to the stable... She nearly suggested that they go out for lunch or dinner or something but decided that she really needed to go and straighten out her feelings before doing that. But she did want to stay awhile...perhaps at a later date....


ooc// He should ask her out on a lunch date or something and make up some excuse about why he wants to spend more time with her. And then pick her up in the sled!