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Post by Confuzzled on Jun 4, 2007 20:13:03 GMT -5
A fairly tall man stood, leaned up against the outside of the arena wall, arms folded on the top of it, his chin set on his arms. His dark eyes watched a young woman in the arena on the back of a spunky young thoroughbred, his expression unamused. The man wore fairly tight jeans that covered ariat boots at the bottom, he wore a tight black shirt with a black jacket over the top, a racing horse logo was seen on the back of the jacket with the writing Shamrock Stables writeen below and there was no mistake that the man was Mr. Luke Brandon. His jaw was set as his eyes followed the bucking horse around the arena, the excersize rider just barely managing to stay on. Slowly he pressed his lips together, face set, looking at the girl unamusedly when she glanced towards him, her face turned white upon meeting his eyes, and she suddenly looked scared, like she knew what was coming her way. Luke's arms slid off the arena wall and he slowly made his way to the gate of the arena so he could see and be seen better, his expression never changing. He crossed his arms and the girl knew she'd be hearing it soon. She got the horse settled down again and glanced over, maybe he'd let her off the hook, but by the look that never left his face she knew that was too much to hope for. His lips pressed together again and then slowly parted
"I hired you to exercise my horses and keep them in line. Well I suppose they are certainly getting exercise but I wouldn't call that keeping them in line"
his voice was cold and unamused and the girl nodded shamefully at his words. His eyes dropped for a moment, obviously pondering on his words. That was Luke for you, he was pretty wise in what he said, he thought his words over before saying them, usually, he was pretty pissed when he didn't think before speaking. He raised a hand and slowly drug his fingers through his dirty blonde hair, messing it up a little. His eyes raised from the ground again
"Time after Time I see my horses messing with you and getting away with it. I don't think you're doing your job to my standards. Forgive me when I say it was an easy choice to let you go"
again his words were cold and the girl again shamefully nodded. He nodded and opened the arena gate, motioning her over. She slowly slid from the horse, no more words said and handed the reins over to him. He nodded and gave her a gentle pat on the back
" 'ats a good girl"
he murmered and gave her a pleased smile, but it wasn't a real one and it was still cold. She nodded and wandered off, her body slumped, obivously disapointed. He hooked his arm through the reins and shook his head disaprovingly, wandering off to the barn. He marched into the barn, his face red, pissed, obvisouly.
"Daria!"
he hollered, his voice angered, telling you not to mess with him now. Even the horse's knew and most shyed away to the back of their stalls. He shook his head and thrusted the reins into the woman's hand when she came to him, looking at her expactantly, grabbing his cell phone from the back pocket of his jeans... [/color] |
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Post by Shia on Jun 4, 2007 21:00:42 GMT -5
A young woman stood in front of one of the stalls, her arms hooked over the door, watching the momma and baby within. They were both adorable. She was in love with the mare, and the filly was just like her momma. She heaved a sigh and glanced down the barn, straightening, her black English, iron toed boots clinking softly on the cement as she walked, back straight. She had a backbone, and she knew that Luke was pissed. But she wouldn't take any crap from him either.
She came to a stop in front of him, her arms behind her back, looking up at him, head and shoulders shorter than the man that stood before her, her long hair cascading down her back as she tipped her head up to look at him, a bored look in her eyes. "What's up?" she asked, her tones bored, almost like she was yawning. Her eyes glanced behind him as she saw the girl slink off like a whipped puppy with her bag over her shoulder, and her eyes trailed back to Luke. Now she knew. Her gaze broke off and she looked at her boots. "Yet another one didn't meet your standards?" she said, voice, as it always was, hard, like it hurt to talk in normal tones instead of yelling. Daria was not a friendly woman. Maybe that was why she and Luke got on so well. They were both, or, well, Daria was anyway, rather tempermental. She was not scared of Luke, and she had more of a backbone than most. She was not afraid of anyone, but she feared one thing. Most wouldn't believe it. But she was scared of one thing, though it never showed.
She looked back up at him again, arms still linked behind her back, feet braced wide apart, rather like an army cadet or something, standing for an inspection, looking just as smart in her knee high English boots, jodhopurs, and tank top. She blinked as the sky got darker and the automatic lights in the barn suddenly blinked on, flooding the whole place in three times as much light as had been filtering through the doors before... |
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Post by Confuzzled on Jun 4, 2007 22:05:32 GMT -5
He placed the reins of the horse firmly into the hands of the woman and looked at her expactantly, checking the time on his phone before shoving it back into his pocket. He shook his head slowly
"Put her up"
He mumbled simple instructions and turned on the heels of his boots, marching off towards his barn office. He swung the door open with a little much force. It swung and knocked hard into the wall behind it, making a loud bang, causing the horse in the woman's hands to spook. He laughed amusedly when the horse spooked and shook his head, wandering over to the desk that held a black expensive lap top and tons and tons of papers, racing into and entries, horse's registered papers. Plans for another barn, financial info, pretty much everything you could possibly imagine. He grabbed hold of a paper that held names and numbers next to the names and whipped out his cell again.
When he emerged from the office he was looking not at all happy and he took a deep breathe in to keep from just losing it. He wandered to a stall and opened the door, slipping it he shoved a halter onto the laid back colt within and wandered out, leading the horse behind him. In no time at all he was tacked up and on the back of the horse, heading up to the work out track. [/color][/center] |
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Post by Shia on Jun 4, 2007 23:19:21 GMT -5
The woman frowned. She hated being ordered but she did as she was told, if only to keep him from getting pissed and doing something stupid. He would too. Get a horse pissed off or something. Yeah, that sounded like Luke. Excuse me, Mr. Brandon. She shook her head as she exchanged the filly's bridle for halter. "I guess I can't blame him, huh girl?" she asked softly as she ran her fingers through her forelock. "It must be terribly hard to be filthy rich, eh?" she asked as she went to the filly's side to uncinch the saddle, not at all trying to keep her hard voice down, but not yelling either. She shook her head as she pulled the saddle off the filly's steaming back and shoved it into the tackroom on the rack it belonged on, then came back out and started leading the Thoroughbred filly up and down the aisle to cool her down, not bothering with the hot walker. Her head turned when he came off, not looking any less pissed than before and shook her head, turing down the aisle one last time and putting the filly back in her stall.... |
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Post by Confuzzled on Jun 4, 2007 23:33:21 GMT -5
Luke worked the snot out of the horse up at the track, really making the colt wish he had never been born in the barn of Luke Brandon, but that was the way things were when he was pissed, everybody regretted having anything to do with him. Luke was rather troubled about not having an exercise rider. He knew that Daria could handle it, but he really wanted her to be working on the horses that were actually going to be racing next.
He shook his head, not looking as pissed after the hard ride. The horse's didn't behave badly with him like they had with that exercise rider, and so he knew it was something she was doing. Little did he know the horse's were just, well, more afraid of him, knew he was boss, nobody else really was, except for Daria of course. He led the tall colt into the barn and untacked him before putting him away, moving his arm to look at his watch. He glanced around the barn "Daria?!" he called, looking around.
[/center][/color] |
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Post by Shia on Jun 4, 2007 23:38:11 GMT -5
The woman, when he came back, now sat in the tack room sipping a Dr. Pepper from the small refridorator, leaned against the wall examining the Thoroughbred Tribune, a small, little known racing newspaper that Luke got. This was tossed onto the cluttered desk when her name was called and she stomped out of the office, looking from Mr. Brandon to the sweating colt and back again, one hand on the arm holding the Dr. Pepper, eyebrows raised. Getting close to overworked there, aren't we? she thought, but didn't say a word, merely reached out to take the reins, knowing she would be the one to get the repercussions of Luke's overwork. She would have to hose him down and take extra special care to make sure he was dry so he wouldn't get sick, and that was simply a pain in the ass... |
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Post by Confuzzled on Jun 4, 2007 23:56:02 GMT -5
Luke looked at her and frowned slightly, shaking his head, the horse already untacked and haltered back up. He yanked the lead rope from her and shook his head
"I was going to say we should go to dinner"
he mumbled with a hint of a smile, shaking his head, slowly turning to head out to the walker thingy to hook the horse up to it. He didn't wait for a response from Daria before marching off. The horse was hooked up to the thing and he came back into the barn, dusting dirt off his jeans. He glanced around and then looked at her with a smile
"shall we?"
he asked in his nice voice, knowing one of the grooms would tend to the colt later on. [/center] |
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Post by Shia on Jun 5, 2007 0:06:02 GMT -5
She watched him, most of her weight on one leg, sipping on the pop, her eyes holding their usual bored expression. Mr. Brandon was a little pathetic sometimes, but.."What the heck..." she responded with a nod, turning. "Lemme go change.." she said, draining the last of the pop and dropping it in a trashcan before heading off to her cabin to shove her legs into a pair of pinstriped pants, a pair of 3 inch high heels put on her feet, her curly hair shoved quickly into a bun/ponytail, you know, a bun with some of the strands hanging like a ponytail? She grabbed her purse and headed back out to wait by Mr. Brandon's car... |
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Post by Confuzzled on Jun 5, 2007 0:30:08 GMT -5
Mr. Brandon emerged from his big house moments after she'd arrived. He wore nice fairly dress pants and a black t-shirt that showed off his toned body. His hair was brushed, but still, like always, a bit messy. His hands were washed. Teeth were brushed. Nice shoes sat in place on his feet. He held keys in his hands and was shoving a wallet into the back pocket of his pants. He smiled at her and nodded her towards the large garage, walking over there himself. The Garage was open held three cars and a truck and was already open awaiting them. He clicked the button attatched to the keys and the lights flashed on his shiny black Jaguar, informing them the doors were now unlocked. He nodded and wandered over to the car, opening her door for her with a pleasant smile, waiting till she got in before closing it. He went around and slid into his side, starting the car. The engine roared and he backed out of the garage, heading down his long drive to the road. Click[/center] |
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Post by Shia on Jun 5, 2007 9:10:26 GMT -5
The young woman smiled a bit as she slid into the car, and forced down the urge to shake her head. A Jaguar?! Who knew. She watched the driveway float past, eyes trailing on the pastures, smiling as Lolita gave a little kick and took off running. "I love that mare.." she mumbled, voice inaudible. She heaved a sigh as the pastures and the horses within drifted from view. They were now speeding down the highway. "And where do you intend to take us?" she asked curiously. Not Burgur King, that's for sure. She thought to herself. Probably some high class, 5 star resteraunt. Heck, everything else he owned was 5 star, why not the food he ate? |
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Post by Confuzzled on Jun 5, 2007 11:35:00 GMT -5
Luke held the steering wheel with one hand, eyes half on the road, half on the cell phone in his hand as he attempted to read a text from someone of high importance (I just dunno who yet). He knew the keys my heart and was able to reply with out looking at the phone, full attention falling back on the road. Soon enough his phone was shoved into his pocket and he turned his head slightly to look at the woman who had spoken and slowly he smiled. He actually wasn't quite sure where they were going, he did know he was hungry and that Pizza sounded good. His attention turned back to the road, his head tipping to one side as it often did, it was sorta a Luke Brandon thing. He raised a hand up and ran his fingers through his hair
"I was thinking Pizza"
he said with a tiny smile, nodding slightly. He glanced over his right shoulder and switched lanes before vearing onot the ramp to get on the freeway. In no time they were pulling up in front of a Pizza place, but it wasn't a oridinary pizza place, no it was a rather expensive looking one. It wasn't too high class, but not too low class either, somewhere in the middle. He killed the engine and opened the door to his car, sliding out and shoving the keys into his pocket. He went around to the other side and opened Daria's door, extending his hand to help her out with a pleasant smile. |
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Post by Shia on Jun 5, 2007 11:45:37 GMT -5
The woman nodded amiably. Yeah, pizza was fine with her. Her gaze wandered along with her thoughts as they flew along the freeway in the black jaguar. Surprisingly, she didn't feel very important. If anything, she didn't think she liked the jaguar and all the fancy's, but the resteraunt looked fine. She took his hand and slipped out, marching toward the door with determined steps. She didn't know whether they were supposed to like, link arms or something or not, but regardless she opened the door and slipped inside, holding it open for him for a moment before opening the other door and standing inside, waiting for the lady who would seat them. |
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Post by Confuzzled on Jun 5, 2007 12:44:00 GMT -5
They were seated and he glanced around with a little smile, ordering a bottle of champagne when the woman asked what they wanted. Yes it was obivously a higher class pizza place, obivously if you were able to order champagne. He gazed across the table at Daria, his head tipping to the side, thinking. Daria didn't seem to like him much, which was strange for him, most people did like him despight his often bad temper, but no, no Daria. She almos seemed to despise him. Fancy things never dazed her and she just looked at him funny when he wasn't being, well, fancy. He sighed inwardly, there really was no changing her mind he supposed, she just thought he was some snotty rich boy. But it wasn't like she was miss perfect herself, in fact, she had almost the same personality as him, if not worse!
He shook his head slowly and lifted the menu, gazing at it, his mind still working things out. His eyes ran over the words but really, he wasn't reading them. He glanced around once and then back at the menu. But why didn't she like him, that was the question, sure he had his rough moments but generally he was friendly enough, he payed her well, more then most payed their jockeys. He was even in the process of having a small house on the property built just for her. But no, still she didn't like him. Oh well. He set the menu down when the waitress returned with the champagne and poured them each a glass. He took it and sipped from it, his eyes on Daria again, thoughtful eyes they were. |
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Post by Shia on Jun 5, 2007 13:11:17 GMT -5
It wasn't that Daria didn't like him. If anything, she did like him. She liked him a lot. Not just because of the "bribes" shall we call them? No, she liked him, in general. But her daddy had been a rough man. (What nice guy breeds mules for Pete's sake?!) And the man had never shown much affection, had never had much for social skills. Her mother died giving birth to her. Her father had been an introverted, antisocial man, and he had rarely shown love, or sympathy, or empathy, or anything of that sort. No, it wasn't that Daria disliked Mr. Brandon at all. It was simply that she didn't know how to express this affection. She didn't know how to express anything really. She hardly knew how to cry. But oh well. Perhaps it was a wall they could break down, eventually.
Long fingers were put slowly around the wine glass, and it was brought to ruby red lips, the lipstick leaving a small red smear on the clear crystal glass. "Pineapple?" she asked softly. She'd always had a soft spot for pineapple pizzas. They were just so good! And, now that pizza sounded good, she was especially craving a pineapple one. Btu whatever. It didn't make much difference to her, really. Pizza was pizza. It all went down to your stomach via the same route... |
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Post by Confuzzled on Jun 5, 2007 13:17:06 GMT -5
He nodded a little bit with a small smile, Pineapple it was. Whatever she wanted. He'd win her over yet. Funny thing was, he didn't even think he liked Daria Like That. He just, wanted her to like him, for some wierd reason, as much as he pretended not to care, he just couldn't live knowing that someone disliked him. He wasn't even trying to get her in bed like he was with most girls, no, he just wanted to well, be her friend he supposed. He shrugged and then gave a smile, bringing the glass to his lips, taking a royal type sip from the glass before putting it back to the table.
When the waitress came to get their orders he ordered the pizza and a side of breadsticks, informing Daria that they had the best breadsticks here. As soon as the waitress left, his eyes fell back on the woman across from him, and again his head tipped to the side, it was rather annoying if you were the woman on the other side, never quite knew what he was thinking, and always thought he was just sizing you up like most people were when they looked at you like that. |
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Post by Shia on Jun 5, 2007 13:30:59 GMT -5
She nodded with a small chuckle when he ordered breadsticks. She wasn't much a breadstick fan, but heck. Tonight was a stretch out on a limb sort of night. She nodded amiable and gave him stare for stare when he cocked his head at her. Finally she laughed a bit. "What, do I have lipstick on my cheek or something?" she asked.
She didn't know how she liked him either, but she liked him. He was an ok guy, although many might not have believed you..... |
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Post by Confuzzled on Jun 5, 2007 14:02:34 GMT -5
He laughed slightly and shook his head, dropping his gaze from her. Ah ha! He'd gotten a smile! and a laugh. He had never been sure if the woman even knew how to smile let alone laugh. The thought brought a smile to his lips, of course she did, everyone knew how to smile and laugh. He raised the glass to his lips and took a sip
"So think Tide is ready for his first race?"
he asked curiously with a small smile, his head tipping to the other side. Curiousty held on his face. |
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Post by Shia on Jun 5, 2007 14:36:47 GMT -5
The woman shrugged, her gaze trailing off to the other people sitting at their tables, some of them holding hands, the serious look coming to her face again. She shrugged. "I don't know. It's not really for me to say..." she said quietly, flagging down a waitres and ordering a martini. When this was brought she slowly stirred the straws around, staring into the drink with a rather lost stare. "I kind of feel like he's a little lanky still..Not very filled out...But that doesn't mean he wouldn't do well in a race..." She shrugged. "But who'm I to say?" she asked softly.... |
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Post by Confuzzled on Jun 5, 2007 14:48:52 GMT -5
He chuckled slightly and rolled his eyes
"Well considering you're my jockey i'd say you have quite alot to say. I completely respect your opinion"
he shook his head, watching her with the martini. not a champagne gal he figured. He looked around and back to her, leaning back in his seat, slouching just a little bit for a moment before sitting up straight again. Again he glanced around, his mind going a mile a minute, and it was obvious. He was thinking. |
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Post by Shia on Jun 5, 2007 17:18:31 GMT -5
She shook her head. "I just ride them. I'm not a confirmation junkie" she responded with a firm nod, grabbing the spatula thing as the pizza came. "I feel how they move. And I personally feel like Tide moves slower than some colts I've ridden." She shrugged, grabbing the greasy cheeze with her fingers to get it onto her plate. "He feels really good otherwise, just really slow. And every other colt I've ridden that felt like he does now grew out of it by the time they were three..." she shrugged as she dropped the spatula. "So if you're asking my opinion?" she asked. She hadn't looked at him the entire time. "No. I'd wait till he's three..." she nodded and took a bite of the pizza. |
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