Bridges Pole Ranch And Academic Centre | (PAUSED)

"Mmph" Ava was scared and honestly terrified to move, Mrs. Wolf made sure to double check the forest tonight, including the trails for tonight..

Though she was caught off guard as she thought she saw something, the arabian stallion then began to get aggressive, Mrs. Wolf made sure to lock his stall extra good. And even the pasture door of the stall, then Rose told everyone to go back to what they were originally doing, she sighed and mumbled to herself.

"Another year, another pain.." she told herself, Mrs. Wolf then pulled out some paper, spotted a barrel and began writing down things for a plan. Though the black horse did come back, this time with bue eyes and she looked more calm and no smoke coming off?

Mrs. Wolf turned around as something breathed on her back and it was the black horse, Mrs. Wolf jumped up and onto the barrel, completely terrified of the equine, she did calm down and started petting the horse. Then Mrs. Wolf noticed something that the other's did not. And that was that the black smoky horse was actually a mare, "Ah, you're a girl aren't you?" Mrs. Wolf told the mare, the horse bobbed her head up and then down as to a yes.

Then she walked to the side and the strangest feeling to ride, so she followed the feeling and she got up and onto the mare's back with no help or trouble, the mare walked over to Leslie and had gently laid her muzzle into her hands, enjoying the feeling as well as enjoying the company, the mare then nibbled some of Leslie's hair before stopping and continuing to take Mrs. Wolf into the barn.

Everyone just looked at Mrs. Wolf as she was riding the mare bareback, and with no trouble to guide her at all, unlike the arabian, the mare looked more bulky and stocky, but still a little skiddish and small, "Hm, no shine? How odd.." Mrs. Wolf said as she looked at the mare's coat, there was no light reflecting off of the mare's back.

Anyways, as Mrs. Wolf hopped down from the horse and guided her to a free stall, the mare didnt hesitate and just went into the stall, then she gently pushed the door to the pasture open and she galloped there for a little while. Mrs. Wolf was still skeptical, and kept a close eye to her.

Winter was done crying and started to wipe her tears, the feeling of company made her smile, then Mrs. Wolf sat on the ground next to Winter, she gave Winter a smile gentle and caring smile, but Winter had the feeling that she was thinking. And thinking hard..

"So, any idea on how to stop this madness?" Mrs. Wolf asked, Winter and everyone else was surprised at her change of personality and mood swings.. "Oh uh, I do not know, but maybe redirect creatures of myth-" Mrs. Wolf then got up quickly as she heard the word "myth". "Myth! That's it! The creatures here from myth's and legends!" Mrs. Wolf said as she grabbed Winter, she was uncomfortable but then Mrs. Wolf started searching around for something..

"My book! I need my book!" Mrs. Wolf shouted as she began to look around for her book, Winter was confused and then she remembered that Mrs. Wolf used to have a library, "Check your office, that's where you kept most of your books before selling them off." Mrs. Wolf hugged Winter and dashed off to her office, Winter got up as the girl's ran after Mrs. Wolf, Winter then quickly grabbed Leslie's arm and started dragging her again.

As Mrs. Wolf rushed into her clean, neat, and tidy office, the girl's made it as they helped search for Mrs. Wolf's book, Winter and Leslie got there as the girl group were already searching, Winter started walking towards the dorms and made sure to have Leslie follow her.

"Yeah this might be strange to you Leslie, but Mrs. Wolf does have cool books that tell tales of legends and myth's, plus having her own romantic books as well." Winter said as she made sure to have Leslie follow her, Winter took a turn and then made a right turn before walking into her room.

As the room was decorated with horse stickers, old photos, old memories, and certainly old championship awards and medals. Winter walked up to her drawer before pulling out an old book to have so much details embedded into the leather, "Yeah let's not say that I had this for awhile.." Winter said as she dragged Leslie out of her room, but as the two girl's got out of the room, Mrs. Wolf was standing there as Winter closed, and locked her door, then she turned around to see Mrs. Wolf standing there.

"Winter.." she said with a stern voice before spotting and swiping the book from her hands, "Next time don't steal my things, especially books, you don't know what they could unleash.." Mrs. Wolf said as if she had been through the same, "Wait, how do you know what unleash's from a book? Only imagination for sure.." Winter said getting skeptical, Mrs. Wolf smiled uncomfortably before running down the stairs and running to her office..

"Rats! We even had her almost spill her answers.." Winter said as she stopped and looked at Leslie before sighing and taking her back to the barn, "Sorry for the trouble, and dragging you here and there, and everywhere! You're horse must be worried by now!" Winter said as if London was worried, she escorted Leslie back to the barn, safe and sound..

Last edited on 2022-11-09 at 20:31:32 by Lizzy

     Leslie stood at the pasture fence with her hands on the fence's railing. She was completely unsure of what had truly just happened. Never did she ever freeze like that before. Just all the freight that ran through her body when that horse fixated it's gaze on her. She shivered at the thought. Why did it seem like everything reflected onto her though? That was one of the main questions she head within the many she had in her head.

     Before Leslie even realized it, she felt the presence of a horse from behind her. She slowly turned around to see the same horse from before. Her body began to shake again slightly as the mare put her muzzle in her hand's. What was going on? Leslie had looked up to see Mrs. Wolf on the horse's back. She opened her mouth about to say something, but she quickly closed her mouth. Leslie then looked back at the mare before she shakily ran her hand down her face before she turned away.

     Leslie just stood there for a couple minutes unsure of what just happened. That couldn't have been the same horse that stared into her soul could it? Leslie just shook her head before slowly walking over to the barn. She watched Mrs. Wolf put the mare into a stall, and that Void started to get a bit aggressive. She thought it was odd, but what did she know? Nothing. That's what.

     Leslie just stood there silently as she listened and watched Winter and Mrs. Wolf. What would a book do? Before she knew it, Winter had grabbed her by the arm and dragged her to the others. What was with everyone dragging her around the place? She was more then capable to follow someone on her own if they'd just ask. She just rubbed her wrist slightly as she watched them look for the book.

     She then looked over at Winter as she wanted her to follow. She did, hesitantly. Before long, they were in Winter's dorm. Leslie just stood there keeping her hands to herself. When she was following Winter out, she stopped seeing Mrs. Wolf standing in the doorway. It didn't look like she was the happiest. Leslie watched in silence as Mrs. Wolf grabbed the book from Winter's hands. 

     Leslie just looked at Winter after Mrs. Wolf left, then looked in the direction of the barn, "I don't see why she would be..she's probably just distracted by her hay," she said a bit confused, but she went back to the barn anyway. Leslie grabbed London's halter and lead rope, and opened the stall. The mare had just finished her meal as Leslie put her halter on and led her out of the stall. "Let's check that ice boot and give you a grooming." she said carefully bringing the mare to the crossties. 

     After tying London up, Leslie went to the tack room, and grabbed everything she needed. She replaced the ice boot first, then started brushing the mare. It had been awhile since she gave London a good grooming, and figured she could use one. That and to keep her mind occupied as she brushed the mare with several different brushes. After that, she brushed her mane and tail even though it wasn't that bad. Soon after, Leslie just sprayed some fly spray on the mare before putting everything away. "There. You look a lot better girl," she said proud of the job she'd done.

     London seemed to agree as well. Leslie only shook her head amusingly as she gave the mare a peppermint, even though she probably had enough trees for the day, before she brought the clean mare back to her stall. Leslie refilled the mare's water bucket, and haynet before she left the barn. Leslie was starting to get exhausted, but she wasn't sure she'd be able to sleep. London's ice boot needed replaced every couple of hours, and with everything that happened, she was sure she'd have nightmares.

As Mrs. Wolf pulls out her book and skims the pages until she landed on the horse that was in her new stall, the mare's eyes then turned from blue to green, Winter saw it as she watched the mare carefully, she signaled Mrs. Wolf and she instantly looked at the mare.

Mrs. Wolf then looked at the page before looking back at the mare, "Winter, go fetch me some grooming equipment and meet me at the grooming station." Mrs. Wolf told Winter, she didn't hesitate to go and grab the equipment. Mrs. Wolf then closed the book and had set it inside one of her pockets before grabbing the mare and putting a halter on.

Jacob just walked into the barn, confused and had questions forming, Ava then filled him in on everything.. "So, I was out checking on the big show's tent, and I come back finding this?!" Jacob pointed at everything, Ava blushed in embarrassment and nodded her head before she walked over to Void.

Ava looked at Void, for not long as the stallion tried to nip her a couple of times, but he stopped and calmed down when he looked over at the mare, he then began calming down. "Something must've made you spook to see a black horse like that." Ava told Void, the stallion gently put his head down and onto Ava's shoulder. He began sniffing her hair.

Ava laughed and she gently pushed the stallion's head away, Jacob laughed as well, but he then had gotten something to change his direction of where he was staring at, and it was Mrs. Wolf and Winter. They were grooming and brushing the mare down, hard, and soft, circles and squares, Mrs. Wolf then applied two different types of sprays as one was for misqueto's and one was for making the mare look sparkly and shiny.

"There, no more smoke, no more aggression, and no more having to brush you down." Mrs. Wolf said as Winter was forced to sit on the floor and recover her strength.

Winter then got up and Mrs. Wolf untied the mare, the mare looked at Winter kindly and sorry, Winter patted the mare's neck and then she was taken back into her stall, the mare then looked at Leslie and then she quickly dodged the staring as she started to eat some hay..

Mrs. Wolf then pulled out her book again, but Winter yanked it from her grasp and started reading the pages of myth and legends.. "Chapter One, Wolves of the Great Smoke, as a large pure black wolf was running, she had quickly dodged every hunting trap and had made it to a barn." Winter looked at Mrs. Wolf, then she continued reading "As the black nighted wolf start to walk up to the barn, her large body made it hard for her to get through the doors, she then changed her height a little bit. She shifted her height to fit the door properly. Then when that wasn't successful, the black wolf then ran to the nearby forest to shift her body into a wolf pup's shape, height, and weight. Then she laid there, day by day, someone found her and brought her into the rider's lounge." Winter looked at the rider's lounge and her heart skipped a beat..

"As the person laid the pup down onto the couch to rest, the person shut and locked the door, then after awhile of getting her strength back. The black wolf got up, changed to her normal self, and started to bang on the door.." Winter looked again at the rider's lounge, everyone got a bit scared..

"As the wolf continued to bang on the door, the door finally gave away and jumped out, the wolf looked at two prey, a boy and a girl, the wolf lunged at both of them. But then a sword of fine might cut her through and she disappeared as she left the barn.. To never be seen again.." Winter instantly looked at Mrs. Wolf, she threw the book onto the ground and got mad.

"You wrote a prophecy about Leslie?!" Winter shouted, Mrs. Wolf ran off crying.

"It wasn't about Leslie!" Mrs. Wolf shouted as she ran towards her office.

Winter watched Mrs. Wolf ran off crying, she was mad, and Mrs. Wolf was mad, but she was even madder as she didn't know that there were prophecies being made on accident..

"I can't believe her! She lied!" Winter said aloud, her voice sounded a bit mad, maybe worse but she hid it. And very well that she hid her anger..

Ava looked at Winter before going back to her horse to comfort the mare, the poor thing was frightened to death, so Ava gave her lot's of attention and she made sure to care for her mare..

     Leslie just walked around not wanting to sit around and do nothing in her dorm. Walking around alone sometimes helped her clear her head. Though it would be a long time until Leslie would be able to clear her head of all the questions she had about this place. She thought it was a normal stable, but boy was she wrong. Leslie soon looked up as she walked realizing she somehow managed to wonder into the forest a small bit.

     "How did I manage to do that?" she muttered to herself as she turned back around. Thankfully she didn't go too far, so she was able to find her way back. She was grateful for that. Maybe it was the necklace, or maybe it wasn't. Oh well she just got distracted enough she didn't pay attention to where she was going. No big deal. She just did that every once in awhile.

     Leslie then walked back to the barn to check on her horse real quick. She walked in seeing Mrs. Wolf and Winter grooming the black mare. She was a bit surprised just as Jacob was, but she said nothing. Instead, Leslie just walked over to London's stall and gave her a quick pat. "I'm sure you've seen weirder things then that Jacob," she said as London nudged her with enough force to cause to take a step back. 

     She just gave the mare a look, but couldn't help but to laugh. Minutes later, Leslie started to overhear Winter reading something from the book. The first half wasn't all that familiar to her, but the second half was exactly what had happened to her and Jacob that morning. Leslie didn't even bother to turn her gaze away from her mare at first, but she quickly changed her mind.

     Leslie turned around and looked at Jacob before looking at Winter as she read the book. "How could that be in the book...? It only happened this morning..." Leslie started to tremble as she couldn't help but to picture the event as Winter read it from the book. It wasn't long before Leslie had to sit down against London's stall before she fell. She couldn't even look at the rider's lounge. 

     Was it truly a prophecy written about...her? More questions only entered Leslie's head. She didn't look at Mrs. Wolf as she ran out. Instead, Leslie tried to focus on getting her shaking body under control. "It's ok...everything is fine," she muttered to herself as London was able to try and calm her owner. Though the only thing London could do was put her muzzle on her rider's shoulder.

     Over time it seemed like Leslie got most of the shaking under control. Once she did, she just buried her face into her knees. "I can't take anymore of this...I can't take any more secrets or come across anything else that seems to stare into my soul, or try to kill me..all I wanted was a new stable to make friends and not have people constantly looking down upon me..I guess I got the complete opposite.." 

     At that point, Leslie was just talking to herself for the most part. She was going through a lot, and was starting to really struggle with everything. She tried everything to clear her head of everything, but nothing worked. She never asked her nonstop questions because she started to get the feeling it would be awhile until she could, or she'd never be able to.

Jacob noticed Leslie was on the floor, sitting in front of London's stall, he ran over to her as he sat down and had her lay her head on his shoulder..

He then began trying different things to calm Leslie more, he did laugh a little bit before looking up at London, "Your a good mare, just to try and make your owner calm down. That's what type of horses we have in the barn, caring and independent." Jacob told London as he carefully placed his hand on the ridge of the window where London had her head out for Leslie.

Then Ava came walking over as she sat in front of Leslie and had.. Begun singing for her, Jacob forgot that Ava could sing so well, he did try to get her into singing competitions two years ago, but it seems like Ava is just singing for her friends. Caring ain't she?

Amy and Lilithe came over, Winter stormed off to her dorm, forgetting about everyone that was around to have witnessed that, Ava was just petrified as she shook and had stayed silent for an hour or two, like she wanted to forget everything as she huddled up with Leslie and Jacob.

As Amy and Lilithe sat down huddling against each other, Jacob smiled and had accidentally kissed Leslie's forehead, so he blushed of embarrassment and slowly tried to get out of the huddling.. Seeming to be uncomfortable, but he stayed where he was since he wanted Leslie to be okay, and not hide anything..

"Hey, I can go and rummage through Rose's office, just for your questions, I know you must have so many by now. All running through your head and you can't seem to think, but that's because you just need different types of answers to your questions." Jacob said softly to Leslie, wanting to forget what he did.


As a minute passed, Amy, Ava, and Lilithe were sleeping in the huddle. Jacob didn't mind it as he was also tired, so he rested his head and slowly got comfortable with the wood against his head and running through his back, Amy grabbed Ava and turned her around to the other side, Lilithe followed the move in her dream.

Winter came back as she giggled at the five huddling together, then she went to grab some blankets and pillows, she even grabbed one for herself as she joined the huddle at the end where Lilithe was, but not before she could give everyone a blanket and pillow..

Jacob yawns as he finally falls asleep, and has his arm still on Leslie, making sure she was okay in his arms, though he did noises. But he thought that they were just random critters coming and going from the trash can outside.. The sky began to cast it's moonlight as it got dark outside, and that signaled everyone to go to sleep, whether huddling together or in their dorms. Just somewhere comfortable for the rider's to sleep, heck even their horse's stall!


Then Winter opened an eye or two to get up and close the barn doors, so that they didn't hear anymore noise, Ava got used to the huddling and smiled in her sleep, seeming to enjoy the company, though as Winter shut both sides of the barns doors, she then went back to her spot to sleep in the huddle again.

Only the noise of horse's snoring and sleeping, it was calming to the group, for the different rider's, Jacob didn't know if Leslie was used to the horse's snoring and what else they did in their sleep..

Though Mrs. Wolf did sneak into the barn silently and grabbed her dusted and almost torn pages of the book she made, she felt sorry for Leslie, but it wasn't for her, or anyone! She never even meant to have this happen as Winter threw the book onto the floor, Rose didn't make any books about prophecies, she only made entertaining books to read..

Not something to imagine having come to life! Rose wanted the best out of the rider's at her property, she just wanted everyone to be happy..

     Before Leslie knew it, Jacob sat down beside her. She couldn't help but to rest her head on his shoulder. She wouldn't admit it out loud, but it was comforting. It all was. Leslie was alone for years, and now she wasn't. She knew that now. For the first time she really trusted these people. She allow herself to for the past few days because of everything, but now she knew they were worth trusting. How many times did they put themselves in harms way for her safety? She wasn't sure herself, but it was a lot only in a matter of a few days.

     Leslie and London were so incredibly close that they always knew when the other wasn't their normal self. Well horses can sense what people feel, but that's beside the point. They spent most of their time together. Just the two of them. Just a teenage girl and her horse. If a necklace could bring London back to her, Leslie was sure nothing would bring them apart. Their bond was truly something special, and London was the only friend Leslie had for who knows how long.

     By then Leslie got most of her shaking under control. Had the wolf really shook her up that bad? She knew it affected it her, but she didn't think it did that much. Boy was she wrong. She could clearly remember the eyes of the creature as it stared at her after breaking through the door of the rider's lounge. She remembered just how it jumped at her before Mrs. Wolf killed it with her...sword. That part was still strange to her. It all was.

     It wasn't long before Leslie started to hear singing. Was she just imagining it? No she wasn't. Leslie opened her eyes to see Ava sitting in front of her..and singing. It was..comforting. Never had she heard a voice like that. As soft as it was. She barely looked over at Amy and Lilithe came over. Leslie looked up at London as she reached her hand up to tickle the mare's muzzle.

     London always scrunched her muzzle up whenever Leslie did that, and Leslie enjoyed the reaction. It always brightened her mood as a small smile came across her face. Before Leslie even realized it, Jacob had kissed her on her forehead. It took her by surprise, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she just readjusted herself quickly while keeping her head on his shoulder.

      Leslie sighed, "No...I wouldn't want anyone to get in trouble because of me.." she paused, "You are right about the part about me having so many questions that I can't think though...I guess I'm just too afraid to find out the truth about everything," she said as her voiced slowly died off towards the end.

     Not too much later, and Leslie ended up falling asleep, her head still resting on Jacob's shoulder. She heard someone walking around, and soon felt a pillow behind her head, and a blanket over her. She figured it was either Mrs. Wolf or Winter. Leslie was just too tired to open her eyes again. She was surprised she was even able to sleep. She wasn't complaining. Leslie was completely exhausted by the time it was dark.

     Leslie could hear London and the other horses moving around in her stall every once in awhile, but it didn't bother her too much. She did end up sleeping in the mare's stall that previous night. She actually did it often...on accident. Leslie just made sure no one noticed she slept in London's stall that previous night. Soon Leslie heard someone moving around in the barn, but figured it was Mrs. Wolf or one of the other riders. 

     Leslie did remember about London's ice boot, but she didn't even bother changing it. Besides they were all sleeping in front of the mare's stall, and she didn't want to wake anyone. Plus the ice boot should have served it's purpose by now, so Leslie wasn't all that worried. For once Leslie's mind was quiet, as she fully let her herself fall asleep.

When the next hour rung, Mrs. Wolf woke up as she brought up her head from sleeping on her office desk, then she got up and walked out of her office, she looked at the sky and opened a secret door that led into the barn, checking up on anyone.

No one was up, then Mrs. Wolf closed the door quietly and walked over to the barn's doors, she examined the doors as she was nudged by an invisible object. She didn't know where it the object was but it was gone by the time she turned around completely..

"Strange, better make sure that everyone is safe again.." Mrs. Wolf as she went back to the secret door and checked up on everyone again.

As Mrs. Wolf was about to close the door, she heard singing, she looked off to the direction of the singing but she couldn't tell where it was coming from, so she closed the secret door to the barn and walked around the barn to find the singing, then more singing occured. This time a bit louder then the soft singing that she heard..

The next minute Mrs. Wolf was surrounded by singing, not knowing which direction she should take, and really confused on what to do, then she ran over to the barn and opened the door's, Jacob opened his eyes as Ava and the other's got up. Then Jacob realized that there was singing, he looked at Mrs. Wolf confused but she shook her head to dismiss any reason to be apart of what was going on..

"So, let's gather our thoughts and pick out the reason that singing is coming from somewhere, or rationalize about it." Jacob said as he began thinking, Ava copied his pose and did the same thing.

When Mrs. Wolf calmed down, she sat on the floor, in front of London's stall, a bit to the right but still enjoyed the company. Then Jacob thought of what he thought and he ran out of the barn, Ava looked at Leslie, Ava's face was normal but her eyebrows creased and her mouth formed a bit of a smile.

Mrs. Wolf did the same thing but then had stopped and stood up, her personality shifted from being overprotective to relaxed and less protective, Amy just sat next to Rose and Lilithe followed behind, Mrs. Wolf just sighed and sat down. Seeming to be tired as she looks sad, but then Jacob came back and found nothing..

Mrs. Wolf sighed, then she walked around the barn aimlessly, Jacob thought she was acting more then her usual self so he brought her over to the rider's lounge to relax and sleep right, "Sorry I'm a nusciance to you, and everyone else. I don't mean it.." Mrs. Wolf apologized to everyone then she laid on the couch, drifting off to sleep quick.

"Do you think she slept on her desk again?" Ava asked Jacob, he looked at Ava then at Rose, then back to Ava, "Yeah she did." Jacob agreed with Ava, he had the sensation to hug- Leslie, Ava could tell he developed an early crush and never realized it. But she kept quiet.

"Well go hug your future girl, and probably help her with her horse." Ava told Jacob, he blushed and sighed angrily, "Ava, seriously? I'm just trying to protect Leslie when she doesn't have anyone else near her. Including the other rider's." Jacob shushed Ava, she looked the other direction then walked off being all sassy-like.

"Girls sometimes.." Jacob said under his breath, making sure no one heard him.. "Well does anyone want to do something together as a group?" Jacob asked everyone in the group, he then decided to reword himself.

"Do you want to go trail riding? It's supposed to be relaxing, and most of the rider's here are visiting their family members, y'know, the rider's that have expecting siblings." Lilithe said and asked, then looked away due to her anxiety.

Jacob then gave it a thought and smiled happily, "Of course! Trail riding is a good exercise and calming ride, I go around the river bend that's nearby actually." Jacob smiled, he then had Leslie follow him as the other's followed anyways.

Ava was combing her mare as Lilithe ran over to her and filled her in on everything. "Oh, I don't think Jacob wants me to come, after I did rudely say that he like Leslie.." Ava said, she looked away and continued grooming her mare.

Ava's mare looked at her as Ava sighed and began brushing the mare, the horse just lightly nudged Ava's face and she grabbed onto the mare's face, the mare snorted and began moving around unsually, Ava just dismissed whatever her mare was doing and continued to finish grooming her horse.

Meanwhile Jacob went to Leslie with the therapy mare, "She might be old, but she still has enough strength for riding." Jacob said as the old mare sniffed the air and walked around Leslie, Jacob laughed to himself and he knew that the old mare knew who Leslie was since she seen her a lot..

     Leslie had surprisingly slept well for most of the night. It was quiet for the most part except for the sounds of the horses every now and then. Which she didn't mind. She was just so tired that she couldn't help but to ignore every little noise. Even if it was annoying. Her body just wouldn't let her move, and she was ok with that. She needed the sleep, and she was glad she was getting it.

     Though she started to hear more movement in the barn then usual. Leslie had ended up falling asleep leaning against Jacob, but she suddenly awoke when she heard the barn doors burst open..and singing? She looked around, but there was no one singing. Well that didn't make sense. Maybe this time she was actually dreaming? No. Why couldn't she ever be dreaming? Why did everything always have to be real?

     Leslie looked at everyone as it seemed they all wakened from Mrs. Wolf opening the barn doors. Well it was still dark out, but Leslie felt a lot better with the sleep she did get. She'd look down at herself to see she was still in the riding clothes she'd wore the previous day. Oh well she'd change them when she had the chance. After that, she looked at everyone a bit confused. 

     "Why would there be singing..? No one in here was singing, we were all asleep..at least I think we all were.." she sighed as she just quickly shook the thoughts away. Leslie had to learn soon that she couldn't ask questions about every little thing even though her questions continued to grow and grow in numbers. She'd get used to everything soon. At least she hoped. Even if she only got some of the answers she sought, she'd feel a lot better.

     Leslie watched as Jacob brought Mrs. Wolf to the rider's lounge. Though once she did look at the rider's lounge, she quickly looked away. The only thing that she could see was the wolf standing right in front of the door. She shook her head to clear the thoughts. She had to stop thinking about it. She couldn't handle it if she thought about the wolf nonstop, so she did what she could not to.

     Then out of the blue, Jacob had hugged her. It took her by surprise much like the..kiss. She blushed slightly, and looked down to keep the others from seeing it. Leslie just patted London for a moment as she peered over the stall door to visually check on the ice boot. It seemed fine. Though she wasn't worried about it. Leslie did however over hear what Ava and Jacob had said, but she just kept quiet as always.

     Leslie turned back around after checking on London only for the mare to nudge her when she did. Leslie just looked at the mare giving her a stern look. "Sure..I could use a trail ride," she said but quickly got distracted by London again as the mare nudged her a second time. Leslie gave her the same look, "I'm sorry girl...I really shouldn't bring you out..not after yesterday." she sighed wishing she could. 

     She then turned to look at Jacob as she nodded following him to the old mare's stall. Leslie chuckled as the mare walked around her before she ran her hand up and down the mare's face. "I'm sure she'll be alright with a bit of exercise." she said before looking over at London. London had started to get jealous, and it clearly showed, "I'm sorry London, but I can't take you on a trail ride. Maybe later if you behave I'll take you on a easy ride." The mare only snorted before turning around in her stall, and Leslie just shook her head, "Mares."

Jacob giggled a bit, then he walked over to the supplies closet to get the tack for the old mare, the mare stayed with Leslie as she stood still for Jacob, the mare gently nuzzled Leslie as the tack was being put on her, first the blanket, then the saddle and lastly the bridle.

Jacob gently fiddled with the girth, trying to find a light enough tightness for the mare, then as the old mare was comfortable, Jacob made sure to have the tack fit perfectly, but also feel comfortable for both the rider and the horse. But as Jacob backed up and Leslie mount the mare, he told her to wait outside the barn with the other's.

"Their better then me with tacking horses, I just make sure to have everything comfortable to ride." Jacob told Leslie, he then walked to his horse and did the same thing.

As Jacob mounted his steed and trotted up to the old mare, Ava and Lilithe started walking as Amy realized it was time to walk, Jacob giggled a bit before patting the mare and the two horses began walking, the mare looked up at the trees as they entered the calming and surreal forest, every color a different shade or a lighter shade.

Jacob took a deep breath and exhaled as his body calmed down to the calming forest, Ava stopped trotting and began to walk, Lilithe looked off to the left as a small pool of water was flowing by, then the water trickled down between the rocks, kinda like a small waterfall.

Then Lilithe's horse forced Lilithe to have her grab a drink, Ava did the same thing as Jacob brought a kanteen and gave his stallion and the old mare a standing drink, the mare instantly took her head under the water, drinking to her fullest then she stopped and began licking her lips. The rest of the water speckles went down her chin and fell to the dirt.

As Jacob hopped down from his horse and emptied the kanteen to the river, he swooped up the river water in the kanteen and began filtering the river water, it went so fast that Jacob's horse walked to a tree with an apple on it, and stood up on his hind legs and reached up as far as he could go with his neck and the stallion grabbed it with his teeth.

Then the stallion got back on his four legs and walked up to the mare, the mare was curious and began sniffing the apple, then she took a bit of the apple and munched on it until she whinnied happily, the stallion then stood back next to the mare, ensuring her safety as he sniffed around.

Jacob then clicked the kanteen to close and sat it back into a little saddlebag, then he hopped back onto his horse and clicked his tongue with the roof of his mouth, making the stallion begin to walk, the old mare followed behind as the stallion looked back at her when he could.


As Ava and Lilithe were standing a forked path, deciding on where to go, but they didn't know the best trail to take, then Jacob trotted the stallion as the two went to the right. Then the stallion stopped and waited for the old mare, the girl was slow but it was good for her since she knew to be aware of her surroundings, then as the mare tried to trot up to the stallion a bird chirped and sppoked the girl, but not enough to make her rear up. No just a little shake instead.

Then as the group got back to walking, Jacob's stallion looked up past the trees and saw the ridge of a mountain pass, the other mountain was far away, but since the horse's were fast walkers, they got to the base of the mountain quite quick!

Then Jacob turned his head and looked back at everyone, "We're going to see a sunset appear!" Jacob told the girl's, the old mare just perked her head and walked a little faster but not so fast to change her movements, no just a little bit of movement change.

Jacob's horse stood at a little leverage on the mountain, not too serious for the old mare to take, but she did press on. Wanting to see the sun begin to set, it gave her courage and hope, and a little determination..

Tiny rocks fell from crevices, nothing to spook the horses, but they did look up at the mountain's peak, every now and then. Waiting for when to turn back, but as Jacob's horse stopped leading the group, the horse's separated and looked over the ridge, where Jacob was heading but he stopped at the ridge. Surprising the girls.

One by one, as the horse's began to lay down and take a breather, the old mare stayed where she was and looked up at everyone, including Leslie. But she did look up at the stars, seeing the twinkling that the stars gave off, being amazed and looking at constellations.

"Alright everyone, I think it's time to head back, suns almost gone down." Jacob said as he got up and mounted his horse again, Ava and Lilithe then mounted their horses as Jacob just waited patiently, Jacob was looking at something from afar. Curious but also hesitant..

     Leslie kept her eyes on the mare running her hand up and down the mare's face softly as Jacob went to grab the mare's tack. She wasn't completely sure why this older mare seemed to like her so much, but it was nice. London was a equally good mare, she just had her mood swings and her antics. Though that's what Leslie loved about her mare, but she never rode another horse since she bought London. Oh well. It was just this once. Leslie did however try to ignore London, "She's just being moody and jealous. That's all," she laughed.

     "Well it's important to make sure both the rider and horse are comfortable. That's the whole point of a saddle," she grinned as she gave the mare a soft pat before Jacob gave her a leg up. She nodded as she adjusted herself before walking the mare out of the barn over towards the others. By then the sun was already halfway up. "I'll be back London. Don't worry," she said as she left the barn reassuring the mare. London just eyed her owner as she left giving a snort. She's just a mare being moody.

     They waited patiently for Jacob until it was time to go. Leslie patted the mare as she brought her to a walk Jacob and his horse beside them. Leslie remembered about the necklace she was wearing, and she quickly tucked it underneath her shirt to help protect it if anything were to happen. She didn't want to end up loosing it after Mrs. Wolf was kind enough to let her keep it. Leslie couldn't afford to loose it the day after, so she took measures to make sure it wouldn't happen.

     It was relaxing for Leslie as they went on the trail ride. Her mind was quiet and at piece. For once all the questions that lurked in her head were gone. Maybe not entirely, but they were in the back of her head. She was currently as peace, so she took a deep breath enjoying the nature they were surrounded by. "It's so pretty and relaxing out here...I never noticed it was this pretty out here," she said feeling a bit foolish.

     Leslie smiled as she watched Jacob offer the mare a drink before he went to refill it. She watched his horse, and thought it was sweet that the stallion gave the mare a apple. As Jacob came back, Leslie smiled, "I've never seen a stallion so caring towards a mare before. He doesn't seem to want to leave her side," she said with a small laugh as she gave the mare another pat like she often. Sure she was a bit slow, but Leslie didn't hold that against her. Leslie just wondered what this mare was like in her younger days.

     The mare may have been old, but she was a smooth ride. Maybe because she wasn't like London and always moving around. Then again London was a lot younger, so she had more energy. Oh well. Leslie didn't mind London's antics. There were just times where London couldn't do a bunch of her antics. Once Jacob was leading the pack, Leslie was more in the back which she didn't mind. She just made sure she stayed with the group. 

      That was until the old mare tried trotting up towards Jacob's stallion, "Someone's a bit protective of this girl," she laughed as she looked at the stallion. Leslie gave the mare a reassuring pat as she shook from a sudden bird taking flight. Leslie looked around enjoying the views from the ride. It truly was relaxing, and Leslie really needed it. Maybe they all did after those past few days. 

     Leslie just let the old mare follow Jacob's stallion. She trusted them, and thought it wasn't needed to keep her hands constantly on the reins pulling the mare back. Instead she gave the mare full control. With London that would be a entirely different story. Soon later they got to where they were going, and Leslie dismounted the old mare. She gave her a few good pats and a peppermint she had brought before going over to the others. 

     Leslie sat down and looked up at the setting sun. "It's been ages since I've been able to do something like this...I forgot how magical it felt," she said out loud more to herself then to the others. She looked at the stars and constellations that started to appear before looking down Jacob as she spoke. "Aw alright. I guess your right..we don't want to get lost in the dark.." she said with a bit of a shiver as she got up. Last time she was out on the trails around this time was when her and London got in that accident...

     No. Leslie shook the thought as Mrs. Wolf's words ran through her head. There were no wolves in the woods here, so there wasn't anything to worry about. Right? Leslie walked back over to the old mare giving her some pats before mounting her once more. She looked over at Jacob seeing him looking at something, but when she looked, she saw nothing. "You ok?" she asked.

Jacob turned his head to look at Leslie, "Oh yes, I thought I saw something glimmer, unsual for a magical place." Jacob told Leslie, he was looking a bit paranoid at the forest.

As Jacob grabbed the reins tighter, he then began leading down the mountain, he was looking around for anything suspicious.. Then as he looked up at the mountain again, he noticed a blacked out creature with white glowing eyes, no pupils were seen, as Jacob stopped his horse. The equine turned his head around to the other horses, he then picked up a sound and turned towards the forest.

When Jacob's horse continued walking down the mountain, something passed his horse as the stallion stopped and reared up, the creature passing would had to have lived in the mountain's crevice's or scaled the rocky wall, whatever reason. Jacob was forced to stop the walking and dismount to calm his stallion down.

"Gold Burst!" Jacob shouted as he grabbed the reins and started to calm the stallion down, then a little rustle was heard and the horse eagerly turned his head to look at the forest then at Jacob.

Ava's horse was also on edge but calmed down as she sighed, the old mare just groaned and walked up to Gold Burst, the stallion looked at the old mare as she nuzzled him on his face, and back, soon the stallion calmed down.

"I-I think you guys go ahead, Gold Burst is a fast stallion anyways." Jacob signaled the other's to leave, Ava and Lilithe ran as their horses inhaled and exhaled quickly, the old mare nuzzled Jacob and he placed his hand on her face, then the mare looked at Leslie as she was expecting her to expect the old mare to run. Or try too..

Then as the mare did a small rear and cantered through the forest, the mare's legs getting more strength and exercise as she ran, she made sure Leslie grabbed the reins tight as she started to gallop through the forest, the mare turned at 90 degree turns and seemed to had the dust kick up. Then as the mare started to slow down once she saw the barn, she made sure that Leslie was still on her back as she walked back to the barn. Safe and sound.

As for Jacob, when he mounted his horse, Gold Burst reared up and ran fast, seeming to have the dust behind them! Then as the horse turned smoothly, Jacob getting his weight to be the same as Gold Burst's weight, then the two spotted the barn and Gold Burst flew by the old mare and Leslie, the mare saw Jacob and Gold Burst run by so she ran to them. The mare's spirits were definitely high by now.

When Gold Burst stopped, he huffed and puffed a lot, seeming to have gotten high spirits and wanted to drink. But Jacob calmed him down first before he drank, "Can't have you- drink too much, or else a consequence will appear" Jacob told the stallion, Gold Burst then saw the old mare as she ran up to him. Jacob laughed as the two started to interact more.

"Well, seem's like she missed you." Jacob still laughed then his horse went into his stall as the old mare did the same.

As Jacob was about to walk out of the barn, Mrs. Wolf appeared behind him, "Bah!" Jacob said as he fell to the floor, Ava saw Jacob on the floor. Then she laughed herself as she was giving her mare some treats, "It totally looks like Jacob got into trouble!" Lilithe told Ava, Ava thought Lilithe tattled on him.

"Did you tattle on Jacob?" Ava asked Lilithe, she just nodded her head to answer Ava's question.  "I thought so." Ava said as she went over to the conversation, Lilithe just went up to London's stall, "Hi girl! How are you?" Lilithe asked London the question, Lilithe didn't care that London couldn't talk. Heck she asks every horse the same question. But Lilithe asked the question in the sweestest voice and gentlest nature that she could whip up.

     Leslie looked at him for a moment longer not entirely convinced and also confused, but she just nodded silently. She pat the old mare before they started heading back. It wasn't long until Jacob's horse reared in front of them as Jacob jumped off. Unfortunately, Leslie wasn't able to see what it was that spooked the stallion, but she gave the old mare a few pats in case she was spooked at all as well.

     Though the mare was the quite opposite. She just went over to the stallion and calmed him, "Well how bout that. Someone's like a motherly figure," she laughed as she rubbed the mare. Leslie then looked at Jacob, "Are you sure?" she asked looking up as the others galloped off. She didn't like the idea of leaving Jacob alone, and she wasn't sure if the mare could run. Leslie didn't know how old she was, and she didn't know the trails all that well.

     Before she even realized it though, the mare had looked at her before suddenly moving into a gallop. "Woah," she said more out of shock then to slow the mare down. She tell the old mare seemed more high spirited then she did earlier. "Someone's feeling a little on the younger side, huh?" she grinned as she held onto the reins tighter then before. Leslie felt her loose ponytail come undone as her hair started to fly behind her. She didn't mind, but she knew she'd struggle with brushing her hair later.

     It wasn't long until the barn was in sight again. Leslie pulled on the reins gently to slow the mare down, but she soon realized that it wasn't needed. She unmounted the mare just outside of the barn before she led her into the barn. Leslie took off the saddle and saddle pad, and put them in the tack room before doing the same with the bridle. 

     When she was walking back over to the mare to give her a quick brushing, she noticed Jacob had returned. Safe and sound. The old mare also ran over to his stallion she only chuckled to herself as she walked over and gave the mare a quick brushing before leading her into her stall, "There you go girl. That was a fun ride," she smiled before looking at fussy London, "Alright alright girl. I'm coming. Your still my one and only mare," she muttered as she walked into the stall.

     Leslie had knelt down to remove the ice boot from her leg when she heard Lilithe's voice. She stood up pushing London's head aside a bit so she could do what she needed. London just begged for attention from Lilithe since Leslie figured to give her a quick brushing with the same brush she used on the old mare only a few minutes before.

     After doing that real quick, Leslie put the brush and ice boot away before preparing London's evening meal. She brought it to the mare placing it in it's spot in the stall, "Sorry it's late tonight girl. We'll get back to training tomorrow. Though I'm going to wait just one more day to jump." London dived right into her meal not even listening to Leslie. London loved jumping, and she hated it when Leslie wouldn't let her jump.

     Leslie did a couple other things before she headed in for the night. She walked over to her dorm, and got ready for bed that night. That consisted of brushing her tangled hair, taking a quick shower, and a few other normal things. She did remove the necklace as well as she placed it back into the box for safe keeping. Better then leaving it out and it getting lost. Soon later, Leslie got into her bed in pajamas. She forgot how soft they were. 

     No matter how hard Leslie tried to sleep that night, she couldn't sleep soundly for long. Within the next hour, she was laying in bed completely awake. Though she stayed away from the barn not wanting to spend a third night in the barn. She had to break that habit before it got worse, so instead she just tossed and turned for half the night. "Darn head won't stop thinking everything. I can't sleep because of it," she angrily muttered to herself.

As Ava silently opened her door and closed it the same way, she looked around the dorms before bumping a vase off of the table and it smashed onto the ground, Ava then quickly ran down the stairs and closed the door in a hurry, she really was in a hurry..

When Lilithe peeked her head out of her door, completely confused, she started looking for the lightswitch as she found it and flicked the lights on. As Jacob opened his door, he-... Was shirtless and obviously tired, but he still asked Lilithe what was going on.

"At least put a shirt on! I can see your belly!" Lilithe said as she covered her face in embarrassment, Jacob then turned around and grabbed a nearby shirt by the door, Tyler came out as he was looking at the vase. He was saddened when he saw it and realized which vase it was.

"Oh, and it was Mrs. Wolf's favorite vase." Tyler said as he put the pieces back on the table, Jacob then looked at Lilithe as they looked back at Tyler.

"Where even is Mrs. Wolf? No one saw her yesterday, or was that today? I don't know what time it is." Lilithe said as she itched an itchy spot on her light purple hair, resembling that of lilac flowers.

"She was working hard in her office, she needed to file some bills and pay taxes." Tyler answered as he stood up to go back to sleep.

Lilithe gave an unimpressive "hmph" and then went back to her room as she closed her door and hopped back into her bed, her pajamas resembling that of diamonds, then Tyler turned around, patted Jacob and went to bed. Jacob just sighed as he got up from kneeling on the floor, looked at Leslie's dorm then went to bed as he instantly took off the shirt and went back to bed.



The next two hours, Winter stuck out her head and quietly walked down the stairs, forgetting to close her door this time, and when she went downstairs. Purse across her shoulder, she walked off to the barn..

When Ava was at the barn, she looked at Winter as Ava looked at her purse (I forgot to mention that) and grabbed an item out of it, Winter then ran up to Ava and hugged her. Ava returned the hug as the two girls went to get their horses, Winter borrowed the black mare that Mrs. Wolf had rode that one time, and both started training early, then Mrs. Wolf came out of her office laughing to herself as she spotted Ava and Winter training their horses.

As Mrs. Wolf walked up to Void, she started petting him and giving him really good attention as she started to train him on racing, which is just running around until he grew tired, but as Ava got done training her mare, Winter just kept training until her mare also grew tired.

When Winter finished up her training, Mrs. Wolf was grooming the arabian as Winter came in and put the horse she trained with away, Mrs. Wolf looked at Winter, smiling proudly at her. Then Mrs. Wolf back outside the barn as she looked up at the sky, seeming to be relaxed and no tension was seen anywhere.

     Leslie grumbled as she sat up in her bed. She pulled her legs in close as she buried her face into her knees again. This time only because all her questions kept her head. Suddenly, Leslie grabbed one of her pillows, and did a quiet muffled scream into the pillow. The only thing she wanted at the time was to get a full nights rest on her own without going to the barn. Was that too much to ask? Her body was sore and she was exhausted, but she just could not sleep.

     Soon later, Leslie heard something fall and break. She jumped up on her bed as she now stood on her bed. It was clear she was paranoid. She grabbed something that could be used as weapon if it was needed as she cautiously walked over to her dorm's door. Leslie shakily grabbed the door knob, and slowly opened it enough to peek her head out. Though she wasn't the only one as she saw it was just the others.

     Leslie looked at the broken vase as she held the object she held behind her. It was easy to see that she had been struggling to sleep since Leslie was groggy, and her hair was all over the place. She just gave a quick glance at everyone before closing her door. She was too tired to even try and think of anything to say. Leslie softly shut the door as she stood there for a minute as the object she held fell, but hardly created a sound.

     After standing there for a moment, Leslie just sat down and put her back to the door. She couldn't keep going on like she was. She needed sleep more then anything, but she wasn't getting it just like everything else she needed. She sighed after awhile before she got back up crawling back into bed. "Even just a few hours, and I'll feel better.." she sighed as she closed her eyes in attempt to fall asleep again.

     Thankfully she did. Though that was quickly abrupted when she started to get a nightmare. Not of anyone or anything that had happened recently, but of something that happened only a few years ago. Her and London's attack. It was a off day at her old barn, so she figured to take London on one of their normal trail rides. She knew they were wolves, but they stayed away. Though this time was different because it was late evening. She told one of the trainers what she was doing and when she'd be back, and now Leslie was convinced that was what saved her and her horse's life.

     The two went to their normal destination, and hung out there for a bit before heading back. Much like the trail ride Leslie and the other's had just went on. Thought their way back was when things went south. Both Leslie and London could see shadows and eyes peering at them in the trees, but she wasn't quick enough to notice it the local wolves until they attacked. London spooked as she reared causing Leslie to fall off breaking her arm and leg, and falling unconscious from the way she landed and the impact of the fall.

     London attempted to run only to be brought down by the wolves. It seemed like ages until help came, and did what they could to save the horse and rider. Though Leslie only cared about London. Leslie tossed and turned in her bed until she jolted awake. She was breathing heavily, and she just looked at the scars she had on her arm from the accident. She sighed as she looked out her window before deciding to just get ready for the day. The sun was slowly starting to come up anyway.

     Leslie got ready, and she fell asleep accidentally a few times, but she jolted awake each time. Shortly later, she left her dorm and groggily walked to the barn. She noticed Ava and Winter had already trained, but she just walked over to London's stall accidentally falling asleep no sooner she approached the mare.

Winter looked at Ava when they saw Leslie fall asleep at London's stall, they didn't say anything, but then Mrs. Wolf came and picked up Leslie into her arms, she took Leslie into the rider's lounge knowing full well that Leslie feared the lounge, but she didn't pay no mind to it. But then Mrs. Wolf set Leslie gently down onto the couch, Winter and Ava brought some pillows and a blanket, then as Mrs. Wolf tucked in Leslie a bit.

Then as Mrs. Wolf motherly kissed Leslie on the forehead, she made sure that Leslie was comfortable and then she went over and made a silent coffee, when the coffee was done Mrs. Wolf took it and poured it into a mug, then she held it sipped on the coffee as she left the rider's lounge. Making sure that Leslie was comfortable for the last time until she woke back up..

As Mrs. Wolf stood proudly at the barn's entrance and looked at everyone doing their job, Mrs. Wolf knew that it was hard to hear this much noise from the rider's lounge now, so she didn't have to worry about Leslie waking up from the noise, but Mrs. Wolf then did look at London.

"Winter come here, I need to talk to you." Mrs. Wolf told Winter, she walked over to Mrs. Wolf, smiling proud and happy.

"What do you need?" Winter asked Mrs. Wolf, she looked at Winter before looking at London, Winter then followed Mrs. Wolf's gaze to London.

"Oh, I'll train her in her discipline! Be back!" Winter said as she ran off, she made sure to tend to London first before starting to train her, "Hi girl, I know I'm not your owner, but give me a chance and we'll be good pals!" Winter said as she took a good look at London before tending to her.

As Winter got done examining London, she made sure that her leg healed nicely and then took it off to ground train her a tiny bit to look at how London improved on her leg, so Winter grabbed a halter and put it on London as she took her to the ground training pen.

"I know you must hate it being ground trained, but it's useful for looking at how you are moving with your legs, I know Mrs. Wolf has done many ground trainings, with mares, stallions, geldings, colts, and fillies alike." Winter told London as she didn't notice anything out of the blue, so she took her to the crossties and tied her for putting tack on.

When Winter grabbed the selected tack best fit for London, she had Jacob strap everything comfortably to London, then she made sure that London was comfortable, "You comfy girl? Because, you know what you love to do best!" Winter said as she quickly untied London and hopped onto her back.

As Winter gently reined London to the show jumping arena, she would let London jump to her best, or until she got tired, now as Winter had London enter the arena, she got ready for London to jump to her best! "Alright girl, jump to your best, but don't over do it." Winter told London as she let the mare jump..

(Sorry if it's pretty short, I didn't have any ideas for Ava, Lilithe, and everyone else..)