RIPTIDE

A handler led the tall slender stallion backwards down the ramp, fighting against the strong pull and thrusting of the horse as he continuously attempted to lift his head skyward. His dark brown eyes, glittering in the sunlight that suddenly flooded about him, were somewhat wide and very alert, but quite intelligent at the same time. His handler was only a small human, a ridiculously odd pairing between the two.

The stallion was led towards the nearest pen at a brisk trot, with the human almost being dragged along, boots seemingly brushing through the dirt in long strides. It didn't take long for the two to reach the pen, where the stallion would be kept for the time being, maybe. In a few quick motions, the gate was open, the horse was released inside, and the gate was once again closed. The lead was left hanging over the top railing, beside a new sign that had recently been applied to the pen. It read the name of the horse, Riptide, the breed, Thoroughbred, and the price, a few thousand dollars. He was well worth the price if he was worth the effort, as anyone could tell that he could be a handful as he briefly tossed himself about the enclosure after the long darkened ride here.

Lyra Cole

Lyra was taking a jaunt around the corral, checking out the horses for sale. Her wild blond hair was held down by an old straw cowboy hat. Her blue eyes took in everything around her with interest. She breathed in the smell of hay and horse dung with a smile on her petite little face. She loved the smell. Throwing her mane over her shoulder, she heard a racket near the corner of the farthest pen and walked over to investigate. The ramp was being lowered on a trailer and she leaned on a post to watch. She couldn't help but be nosy and the racket coming out of that trailer meant whatever was in there was big..or just uncooperative. Then she saw the rump backing out and gasped. He was humongous! The man finished unloading the thoroughbred stallion and all she could do was just stand and gape.

He was gorgeous as well and she was instantly smitten. She walked a little closer as the stallion stopped to look around, almost reaching out a hand in reflex to touch that beautiful wild mane. She held back but her eyes followed him like a long lost puppy. She needed that stallion like she needed food. When the guy led him into the pen, she moved to stand right outside, her bright eyes staring through the boards as the man let him loose. She glanced over at the sign by the gate, biting her bottom lip as she fingered the money she had in her back pocket. Her dad had let her leave with ten thousand dollars, with a few more thousand coming in every few months just to keep her content. Yeah, she was daddy's little princess but she was here with a goal. She wanted to make it to the big league. It didn't matter at what. Racing, three day eventing. She really wanted to try that one.

This boy just looked like the perfect mount. She stepped closer to the boards, holding her hands over the boards and watching the stallion, wondering if he would be curious enough to come check her out. She desperately wanted to touch that wild stallion's forelock and stroke his beautiful forehead.

RIPTIDE

At this moment, Riptide wasn't looking his absolute best, with that layer of dust that had gathered on his coat. He was already a dark sooty shade of black. The dust gave him a strange look, sorta lighter and brown. His mane and tail could use a bit of a brushing, as the hairs were out of place and obviously, once having been trimmed, were in need of a new cut. He was slender and well built, although often seemed rather green when it came to being ridden. He was kept in good shape in the three years of his life, and the rigorous activity showed itself in his tall large frame.

Those two deep brown eyes, nearly black in color, were now studying the new surroundings. There were humans, cars and trucks, other horses, and these pens everywhere he could see. A stable was not too far off. Both ears would swivel at each and every noise that reached them. He was about to turn and head to his stack of hay when the sight of a girl caught his eye. She was just standed there, watching him. This was when his ears would prick forward in total curiousity, and his face took on a look that seemed to ask, 'what are you staring at?' He stood stock still, not moving, but kept his dark eyes locked on her. It wasn't like he didn't enjoy the attention- he usually lived for the attention that others gave him.

He angled his body to the side, away from her first, flicking his long untidy tail behind him, before turning the opposite way. He always faced her general direction, with each movement being kept slow and steady. He seemed to be inching slowly closer to her, though one couldn't be entirely sure by just glancing at him. Every twinge of muscle brought him closer to the girl and her hands which were held over the top boards of his pen, until he was just out of reach of this human. He stretched his neck out to her from there and flared his nostrils, taking in yet another new scent.

Lyra Cole

Lyra watched as he stood stock still for a moment, studying his surroundings with such grace. He was utterly amazing. She couldn't think of a better word to describe it. Of course his coat was in dire need of attention but nothing a good brushing and bath wouldn't fixed. He looked like the type who loved to to spoiled. She could bet he had a personality on him too. When he angled his body away from her, she brought one hand to her mouth, choking back a laugh. Yep, definitely a personality.

But then he was moving closer and she stood stock still, not wanting to move an inch and spook the easily excitable stallion. She wanted to gain his trust. When he stretched his neck out, she held her breath, hoping he wouldn't take her scent and immediately run off, though she almost expected it. No doubt he would think a lasso was going to go around his neck the minute he touched her. She almost looked around, waiting for a person to come up and ask what she was doing, ruin this perfect moment. It would match perfectly.

She usually never had this good of luck.

RIPTIDE

The tall coal stallion stood there, still and almost rigid in appearance, as one ear flickered forward as he caught a bit of the laugh that the human tried holding back. It was no use, however, for such excellent hearing would not let much pass by. He stared at her now, snorting "She's got humor," although he was quite aware that she could not understand him. It didn't matter though, for he would get his thoughts across in another way. It did seem, however, that they were beginning to take on some similar personalities with each other, though obviously unknowingly.

Rip was now too curious to hold himself back, and decided to risk it. Risk what? He wasn't even sure. Maybe this human was here to check up on him, like some of the old stablehands did back home. Little did he know, he was actually here to be sold off to some other owners. Perhaps she would be the one?
He kept his two dark pearly eyes focused on her own face, nostrils continuing to flare as he took in her feminine scent, of what would probably be perfumes and whatnot. This was not, however, a horse that sought out treats and the like. He was not a spoiled one, for his owner thought that he should be strictly kept on track. The spoiled lifestyle would be an easy thing to catch on to, of course. Rip would certainly have no objections.

Just then, right with her thoughts it appeared, another human who had been watching the two started over. Instead of turned and moving away, Riptide lifted his head and looked in that direction. It was a familiar human face, that of his handler.
Rip watched as the human stopped a few feet from Lyra and leaned on the fencing. "Beautiful creature, isn't he? Interested?" he asked her, taking a moment to look over at the stallion, who was now shuffling towards him along the opposite side of the fence.

Lyra Cole

Lyra watched with infinite interest as the black stallion continued to stand and watch her with those dark intelligent eyes. She just couldn't get over how gorgeous he was. She moved her cowboy hat a little, shifting it so she could scratch at her head. Hat hair, your scalp sure could itch after a warm day with a felt hat on your head. She wasn't your average girl. She only wore simply make up, like eyeliner and mascara when she wanted to feel pretty. She didn't wear perfume. She'd rather the smell of horses and the barn be the only scent on her any day. She could tell he wasn't used to a lot of attention. He had probably been one of those horses a owner only takes out for business occasions, the kind you don't pet or give treats or treat like a friend. He had been treated like an animal, like a horse. A small frown covered her features and she sent a soft whisper his way.

I'll be good to you, boy. I'll make you so spoiled you won't want to leave my sight. I know I don't want to leave yours. We'll be a team, like every horse and rider should be.

As her soft whisper faded, she heard foot steps heading her way and turned her head slightly from the corral to take in the plain man walking toward her. He didn't seem like another potential buyer so she relaxed a little. She had been on guard, thinking she'd be under pressure now to make a claim on the stallion. When she looked back at the stud, she noticed his eyes had brightened slightly, like he knew the man. She didn't have to turn back though because the man was already leaning on the fence beside her. He spoke and she nodded, her eyes pinned back on the magnificent horse.

That he is. And yes, I'm very interested. I just can't stop looking at him.

She giggled slightly, not a flirtacious giggle but a more ashamed giggle, like she was embarressed that she couldn't pull herself away from the corral.