Bring in the Horses!

[~ N.P.C. ~]

Since about eleven am at the mansion, loads of trailers came in containing everything from riding gear and horse feed. A number of workers were hard at work stacking away all the feed and tack in their proper places before the horses arrived. The last helmet was hung up on the nail just as several horse trailers pulled up to the dirt road by the barn.

The hired men went right to work, unloading several of the expensive and high class horses at a time. Down came two Appaloosa geldings, followed by two very well bred and expensive Thoroughbred mares. The spots that dappled on the Appaloosa's hindquarters shone as healthy as the rest of their coats, the horses all very eager to get out of trailer and to smell fresh air again. The hired hands handed them to some of the students that had been helping out so they could be turned out into the paddock after being cooped up for several hours.

The next horses that came out were all the mares, as they would be needed to calm the rambunctious and temperamental stallion that was kicking at the trailer's stall door, impatient to get out. "Guess the sedative wore off huh Mac?" one of the workers said after wincing as the trailer door shook from the kick. "Better get theses girls into the paddock." The high maintenance chocolate colored Friesian mare all but pranced out of her stall, tossing the long curly mane back as she was eager to get into the paddock. The next two mares that were taken out were the well known mischievous Apache mare and newly broken in Quarter horse mare to be turned out into the paddock.

"Hey! One of you kids wanna unload the fellas in here?" Mac called out to the students that were helping out with the stables and the horses. "Don't ya worry, they're all sweet tempered geldings here. And we'll take care of Satan's horse over there." He pointed to the trailer that was shaking from the force of the horse's tantrum at being off the sedative and inside the trailer. "To think, the guy spent all that money on a hellfire like that for his breeding? This stud's better off being used for glue. Safer that's for damn sure," Mac said to one of his co-workers, shaking his head.

[Rhetoric]

Liv’s morning had gotten better and though she’d never say it aloud, the pain that had been puffing up her lip was practically gone. Not that she doubted it for a second, but it was nice to know that Dante knew what he was doing. Going to him had been smart…if she survived ‘lessons’ anyway. Add her successful acquisition of a tutor to the enthusiastic greeting she’d received from two fluffy squirrels as she’d headed out of the mansion and Liv couldn’t keep a winning grin from lighting up her face. How could she not be in a good mood? Her new roommate hadn’t tried to kill her, she was going to learn to fight, and the horses were finally arrived!

Liv had missed most of the busy work that had been going on in the barn all day. She didn’t feel all that bad about it, either. Liv had been literally raised in a barn and if she got to go a few days without mucking, polishing tack, or putting down bedding, she’d take it. Besides, that freaking cat was guarding the entrance, brown tail swishing back and forth with deliberate slowness as she watched the men around her hasten to do their jobs. Liv only had eyes for the horses anyway, and her expression relaxed from devious to genuine as she leaned on the fence to watch the horses canter around the paddock.

The horses were beautiful, their stock clearly high end and Liv whistled as she watched them stretch their legs after the long trailer ride. For a moment she was lost in her own head, wondering how the herd back home was faring. Their bloodlines weren’t as impressive as this lot’s seemed to be, but the Cooper horses were well-cared for and well loved. The fifteen horses that made up Highland Farms were a hodgepodge of breeds from Quarter horses to Blazers to her mother’s little Icelandic stallion. Liv herself had been attached to a Morgan gelding whose mellow, cheerful personality nicely balanced out his spirited and sarcastic rider. Liv sighed, propping her chin in her hand as she watched the mares get acquainted with their surroundings. She missed Houdini and her hoofed family back in Batsto. She hadn’t even been able to call home yet. She couldn’t help but wonder if the Coopers, both the four-legged and the two-legged kind, missed her too…

Liv perked up when one of the handlers told the kids to get in help, and she tore her attention from the paddock to where the trailers were parked. Her whiskey lamps glinted as they slid past the trailer with the geldings and locked on the shaking trailer that contained ‘Satan’s horse’. The entire haul was rocking on its shocks, the handlers doing their best to calm the beast within. “Dibs on the devil horse!” Liv left the fence and jogged over to the trailer.

*Filthy two-leggers! Release me! I will destroy you!* The exclamation was accompanied by a heavy hoof to the trailer door. The haul vibrated with the force of the horse’s movements. He was pissed. Liv’s eyes widened while he threatened everything from their sires to their offspring and she had to bite her lip to keep her laughter at bay. Apparently the stallion was a pompous, bastard of a demon. She already loved him.

Liv stood on the wheel and pulled herself up to look in the little window that allowed for ventilation and grinned. “Yo. What’s the racket? How can we let you out if you’re kickin up such a fuss?”

The horse was beautiful. Midnight black with long, well muscled legs and strong back. A splash of white colored his coat here and there, and a white blaze trailed down his nose. His ears were flat back, his nostrils wrinkled as he huffed and fumed. He spotted Liv and his eyes rolled furiously, his feet stomping out his agitation. *You! Are you responsible for this outrage? Release me, treacherous female!*

“Maybe if you chill the hell out,” Liv said, scowling in at the high strung stallion. “If you’re all worked up—”

*Proposterous! This is unacceptable! I will have justice! I will have retribution! I will have oats!*

Liv choked back a laugh. “Oats?”

*Yes, oats. I’m hungry. Get me oats and I might let you live.* With that, the stallion knocked his entire body into the side of the trailer, knocking Liv off her perch. She landed on her ass in the dirt, howling with laughter.

[TuneUP]

It took a lot for Sean not to laugh as he led an old Gypsy Vana horse, named THE GENERAL according to his stall door, into the paddock. "Uh Liv. I know stallions are handled better by ladies, but you may wanna watch yourself. I don't think he's in any mood to-" His words of warning were interrupted when an empty feed bucket went flying out of the top of the stall in the trailer landing right on top of Liv's head, making her look like she was wearing a red bucket helmet. Sean couldn't contain his snickering as he unclipped the gentle giant's lead and set him loose in the paddock to graze, going up to take another horse.

"You might wanna try given him a carrot to calm him down a bit," he called unable to keep down his laughing as he brought a really excitable Appaloosa, Elmo according to his halter. "Whoa, whoa, easy there big fella'," Sean said as the horse tried to surge forward once they got down off the ramp. He brought the horse around in a tight circle to get a better lead on him and calm the prancing horse down. "Alrighty big guy, go join the others." He unclipped the lead line when he got to the paddock gate, and Elmo trotted right off to join the others, looking quite happy to be out in a large field and socializing.

Sean shook his head at Liv's antics, smiling to himself as he took out a gorgeous bay Quarter horse, Achilles, out and he had to smile as the guy right away nuzzled his shoulder and bumped the pocket of his jeans, looking for a treat. "Yea you know where the good stuff is huh boy? Here ya go," he said giving the horse a sugar cube before turning him out into the paddock. "Ya plan on helping out Liv? Or ya wanna go to war with the stallion?" He called going back for another horse.

[TrueSpirit]

As the afternoon clouds rolled through the sky like the softest and purest wool from a sheep's coat, the young Shaman emerged from the back of the now good as new back paddock. He had spent all morning with Sean and several others making last minute fixtures to make the area most comfortable for the animals. Standing back, Mato felt the feeling of ease on his homesickness as he watched all the horses in the paddock: the smell, the atmosphere, all of them pulling strings of his memory to life as he only wished to see the sight of small children running after the horses and the beautiful women with shining spirits taming the most difficult of colts.

The Wise One in the Sky blessed the Mother Earth that day with a strong East wind, the scents and very core of the forest blowing toward the horses, introducing them to their new home and giving them all that ease that only nature could give them. It was wondrous for Mato to watch the gentle and sure hand that Sean used with the magnificent creatures, all at ease with his presence as the Beaver that his spirit embodies stayed close to the dedicated and honest boy. From their first meeting, Mato found the boy to be admirable, because he held the weight of the hard trials he faced in Limbo high on his shoulders and close to his heart, but he kept up with the effort of living life at an easy pace to the best of his ability.

His river gray eyes next fell on the commotion in the dealings with the small girl and a very angered stallion. A smile adorned his face as he watched her, the girl's fiery spirit matching the orange-red coat of the small fox that stayed by her side. And I finally see another fox, and with the most interesting white marks as well. A fox is rarely seen with an almost pure white face. The Shaman's thoughts moved to the fox as a whole, the representation of feminine courage and cleverness was one that several women in the school were connected to, but not embodied by. Mato wondered about the size of fox, the unique markings, and what it could mean. The white marks could possibly represent a sign of the gentleness of her spirit, and the size of the small fox marked it greater for camouflage and swiftness. The Spirit of the Fox stood for perseverance and the ability to escape from dangerous situations, but the playfulness of the animal could not be ignored either.

Mato looked down at the Great Grizzly that stood faithfully at his side and place a hand on his large, warm head. "Come my friend, it appears we might be of some help," he said softly as the pair began walking toward the trailers, the tall Native American and the Great Grizzly walking together in harmony and balance with the Earth. Though the horses and other animals looked on curiously, none were alarmed. A blessing in his native language softly left his lips as he sprinkled a mixtures of blessed sacred crushed petals of flowers and leaved of trees, the earth and collected rain drops after the first rain of the spring over the Paddock gates, to bless the newcomers and keep them safe.

The Great Grizzly stayed by his side as he walked up the ramp to the trailer the encased the stallion with quiet, strong steps. His eyes flickered to the fox by the girl's side tensing up as he bent down and gently lifted the bucket from her head, placing it on the floor and smiling warmly at her. "If I may offer my help. I admit I don't have a way with animals as well as you do," Mato said glancing at the squirrels that watched eagerly from outside the trailer as he pushed his long hair from his face. "But I might help." Gently taking the girl's hand, he helped her to her feet with an amused smile. Eyes the color of a river studied her face, reading the innocence and fieriness that stood out from it with a pleased glint.

Without another word, he walked calmly over to the metal stall, not looking the horse in the eye, giving the mighty stallion the respect it would demand. He stood there calmly for a moment, his body angled away from the horse as he waited for the horse to gradually calm down when it realized it's dominance was not threatened. At the first sign of calmness overtaking the mighty stallion, Mato reached into his pocket and offered a large piece of carrot for the stallion, still not looking him in the eye. He only looked up when he felt the soft muzzle of the horse tickle his palm as the stallion accepted the carrot.

[Rhetoric]

F*ck the bear, Liv was looking at the guy. Her whiskey eyes widened and for a stupefying moment her mouth just hung open as he took her hand and gently returned her to an upright position. An acorn pelted her in the back of the head a moment later, accompanied by the chittering laughter of the squirrels, reminding her to breathe. Liv drew in a staggered lungful of horsy air, still gawking at the darkly tanned skin, the long black hair... the eyes. Lord have mercy, he was gorgeous. It had taken sixteen years but Olivia Cooper was finally stunned into silence. What’s the matter with you, dumbass, SAY SOMETHING! Liv’s mind seemed to start working before the rest of her and she blinked, her mouth snapping closed, her cheeks burning through several shades before settling on beet red. “Th…thanks,” she said somewhat breathlessly, wishing the ground would open and swallow her up. She’d just been pwned by a quadruped in front of a pretty guy.

Liv watched carefully as he led the stallion out of the trailer with his gentle words and non-threatening approach. He totally knew his stuff and Liv shook the girly vapors out of her head, a grin turning up the corners of her lips. Stunning Native American… giant freaking grizzly… serene and collected comportment… “You’re Mato.” It wasn’t a question so much as it was a declaration of her realization. This was the guy that Veronika had spoken so highly of and after only a few short minutes in his presence, Liv could understand why. She studied the mammoth bear beside him, her grin truly delighted. How freaking awesome was that? He was just walking around with a bear! “Hello.” Liv crooned to the bear as though it were nothing more threatening than a teacup poodle. It didn’t respond and she simply shrugged, feeling totally at ease. There was something composed and tranquil about the older boy and much like the demon horse, the slight Paragon felt herself relax totally. Mato was like an island of calm in the midst of the three ring circus that was the Academy. “And It’s nice to meet you. I’m OWW!”

While Liv had been distracted by Mato, the stallion had seen his opportunity for vengeance. His blunt teeth clipped shut on Liv’s little hind end, and she jumped a mile, whipping around to come nose to nose with a cackling stallion. Tail flagged, the evil bastard pranced delightedly. *MWAHAHAHA! Puny human! Victory is mine!*

“Listen, Jack, how’d you like some nice pink bows braided into your mane?” Liv demanded, angrily rubbing the sore spot on her rump. Really, she’d been punched, thrown into a wall, iced over, grabbed, knocked down, and now she’d just got her ass bitten by a giant future glue factory conscript.

*I demand oats! And apples! The small kind… peeled… and another carrot! This time cut it into strips— *

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold your hor…just hold it.” Liv out up her hands to stem the flood of demands from the high strung Anglo-Arabian. “You’d better mind your manners, old man.” The stallion’s ears went flat against his head and Liv’s eyes widened.

*Oh, sweetie, you’d better run.* A smooth, giggling voice informed Liv from the paddock. The mares had all lined up to watch their stallion face the petite mutant. *Like…. now. Run.*

Liv cleared her throat and glanced at Mato. A wicked smile appeared on her face as she and the stallion remained motionless for a moment, identical glints in their eyes. “Excuse me one moment, Mato.” Without another word or a moment of hesitation, Liv bolted for the paddock. Jack jerked his head, yanking his lead away from the stalwart Corsair and took off after her.

[TuneUP]

Sean had given up the battle of keeping his laughter in long ago and just flat out burst into laughter as he led a roan Quarter horse called Troy that often tossed his proud mane head as he seemed to practically prance toward the paddock. The horse nudged Sean to keep walking as he stopped for a moment to laugh at Liv's antics. "I hate to tell ya this Liv, but you ain't gonna be able to outrun an Anglo-Arabian in any lifetime," he called to Liv as he unclipped the lead line for the Quarter and sent him on his way.

"Hey Mato, you think you can take care of this guy here? He's a nervous wreck, too scared to even get outta the stall," Sean asked the older Native American since Liv looked otherwise occupied. "His name's Mudslide, he's that Morgan horse right here, poor thing don't know what to with himself. Looks real young too." Mato had a way with animals that Sean firmly believed was in his blood, and he knew that Mato's people were well known on handling horses. Just now he had watched a hot headed stallion be calm as ever around him. Stallions weren't generally handled by males unless they were reared by them from a young age, and even that didn't always work. They responded best to calm and firm females, generally attaching themselves to one in particular should they come along. The stallion at Sean's farm back home belong to his sister, and when she was near him, God forbid anyone come near her, the stallion went crazy, though he was normally quite cam in nature otherwise. This guy here looked like he'd be even more difficult to tame.

"I'll take this guy here," he said bringing what he knew had to be a mixed breed with the long Roman muzzle and the large patches of white that went across his back. He seemed really good tempered, nuzzling Sean's shoulder. He patted Whiskey's nose and turned him out into the paddock, watching as he retreated to the back of the paddock. "Alright, all we got are the ponies, and we're all set. I can grab 'em both at the same time, and then we're done! We can let 'em graze until nightfall and then bring 'em inside. They earned it after a long ride like that." Sean smiled in excitement at all the horses in the paddock, happy to be around the animals again.

[TrueSpirit]

The smile that came upon his face from Liv's antics settled to a serene look again as Mato's concentration turned to the nervous chestnut gelding, watching with calm eyes as he tried to tuck himself into the corner of the stall. "It's alright friend. No harm will come to you here," he said in a calm soothing, his hands moving to the pouch on his belt as he pulled out a small vial of his specially blessed oil, rubbing just a drop on his hand. The smell was strong, filling his nostrils with the scent of eucalyptus and pine needles. It was a soothing meditation scent and one he used to calm people down. It had been very helpful more than once at the school when he was near someone who was in the midst of a panic attack or on the verge of a nervous breakdown. The scent soothed the mind and senses, allowing one to go back into a calm state of mind.

"Come my friend, you are safe," Mato said and offered his hand out for the gelding to sniff and see that he was indeed trustworthy. The gelding eyed him, ears back as it cautiously and slowly reached forward to sniff Mato's outstretched palm. He watched the chestnut gelding visibly relax upon smelling his hand covered in the special blessed oil. A soft prayer to the Great Spirit to soothe the creature in front of him fell softly from Mato's lips in his native language as he stroked the horses neck calmly, not rushing him at all and waiting patiently until the gelding's ears flickered in a relaxed state.

"Someone must have hurt you badly in the past," he murmured as he looked at a small thin nearly invisible scar on the horse's whithers, making him sigh in disappointment and distress. "Never again my friend. Come, begin your new life." Calmly and surely, Mato lead the now calm Morgan gelding into the paddock, looking at him with sadness at what the poor creature had to endure in the hands of mankind. He set him loose in the paddock and watched the horse with turmoil coursing through his river gray eyes. Stepping aside to allow Sean to turn the two ponies out to the paddock, keeping an eye on Liv and her antics in case she couldn't handle the rambunctious stallion. "The chestnut gelding had a hard life Sean. He fears people far too much for it to be natural," he said in concern, still looking at the gelding as the Great Grizzly made a slight sound of distress while walking to stand next to Mato by the gate, careful not to stomp on the New Mutant.

[Rhetoric]

Nope, Liv couldn’t outrun an Anglo-Arabian. She couldn’t outrun it, but she could bitch it blue.

“You rotten bully! Do I look like an apple to you? Back off!” Liv was cornered in the paddock, the large stallion more or less herding her along, razzing, bumping, and nipping. The paragon had her one hand propped on her hip, the other hand was shaking a finger at Cadillac Jack, the horse from hell and her equine nemesis. The knees of Liv’s jeans were covered in dirt and grass stains, her dark curls mussed and spilling into her face as she scolded Jack. Even her freshly laundered shirt was covered in horse spit from various nips and nudges.

*SILENCE, puny human.* Jack nosed Liv and snorted, launching what could only be described as horse snot onto her shirt.

Liv looked down at the jiggling mess and caught hold of Jack’s halter, using all her weight to pull his head down so they were nose to nose. “I’m going to bob your tail, bucko. What do you think about that?” Something sparked in the stallions eyes and with a gleeful chuckle Jack nudged Liv back. Herr fingers slid free of his halter as the back of her knees came in contact with something solid and she tipped backward.

~SPLASH~

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Right into the water trough.

Legs kicking in the air, it took Liv a moment to extricate herself from the trough, cussing freely as Jack paraded off, his tail held high and proud. *Victory is mine, pathetic girly thing.*

Liv scowled, wringing the water out of her shirt as she went to stand with Sean and Mato. “I think I hate that horse,” she said with a small smirk, watching Jack inspecting his herd. The proud animal was being meticulous and she could hear him mumbling words like ‘unacceptable’ and ‘treachery’. Laughing quietly, Liv nudged Sean, grinning despite her drenching. “I probably should have kept that bucket on. Jack is crazy.”

[Ember]

Walking up silently from the house, Aideen took in the trailers that were backing up and leaving the grounds and the horses that filled the paddock. Sharp eyes scrutinized the setting, pleased that the water mangers were filled and the paddock was up to par. Had she not needed to go out for the weekend for the sake of her own peace of mind, her time would have been spent at the barn working on repairs. For now, she stood back for a moment to admire the horses, taking in their strong legs and the fine breeding that could be seen from their shape.

Horses were one of the few passions that she held just for her own pure enjoyment. Her Uncle had her learn as he said that every lady should know how to properly ride a horse. She had taken to it instantly, naturally feeling at home when handling the horses. It was in her blood, as her Uncle loved to point out that it was the only useful and acceptable trait that she got from her 'gypsy whore' mother. Aideen had a sort of understanding with these animals in particular, almost as if she could relate in a way she didn't with humans. They were proud and strong animals that were placed in captivity and trained to serve a master, much like Aideen had been trained to be used as a weapon for her Uncle. When she was riding though, wind blowing in her face, her body moving with the rhythm the horse's gait set, it was a feeling unlike any other, giving her a renewed sense of spirit. It was the feeling or true freedom and trust, her trust put into the animal that allowed her that pleasure.

As she stood there and watched the animals with quiet interest, she felt the feelings of anger and fear leave her, the presence of the horses were only partially responsible. "I should have known I'd find you here," Aideen said with a softened look on her serious face as she came up behind Mato where he stood with a dripping wet girl and Sean. She nodded in acknowledgement to the young cowboy and looked back at Mato, a small smile played on her lips for a moment. "You took care of them I see, they look content, and the water is full." Her eyes darted on the wet curly haired girl for a moment. "Although the water is better suited for the horses to drink rather than a bath." Her hand moved to stroke Mato's bear's soft fur; it was still hard to believe that the animal was a mere solid manifestation of his spirit rather than real. "They are lovely," she said in a soft voice lilted with obvious admiration as she stared at the obviously well bred horses.

[TrueSpirit]

The sound of the soft voice with the naturally sultry lilt made a smile appear on Mato's face as he turned around to face the fire beauty. It was a delight to for her to be at the school again, and even more so that he caught her alone now. "Aideen. I wondered if I would run into you here." Gently, he took a hold of her shoulders and gave them a light squeeze, his river gray eyes taking her in to judge for himself her current state. The cougar weaved around her shapely legs, tail twitching as it looked worried and slightly vicious, but the fire beauty's demeanor showed none of that. "Are you well?" he asked softly, carefully peering into the eyes darker than the bark of an old oak tree, eyes that Mato often called captivating, like a dark tunnel that many were tempted to venture towards despite the dangers.

"You look wonderful, but I have yet to encounter a time where your mere presence didn't enhance the setting. It is good to see you." He smiled at her again and let go of her slim shoulders. It took several tries for Mato to not feel so intimidated by Aideen, for her commanding presence and her great beauty were enough to make any being tongue tied. He considered himself blessed to call her a friend, but there were moments that even he had where his breath was taken away by her beauty and spirit, a blessing from The Wise One in the Sky to witness such a combination in her.

"They are beautiful, but some more than a handful. You just missed the struggle than Liv here had with the stallion, driving her into the water basins. It appears there is a new challenge for all of us with him. He has a lot of pride and spirit," Mato said with a smile at Liv as he looked at the stallion standing apart from the herd and watching them with pride. His eyes full of wisdom peered at Aideen again, wondering in his head how the horses would take to her. He knew she was a natural, it exuded in her when they went riding together with their spirit horses. Mato often wondered how far her gypsy bloodline extended, for he knew that there could possibly be some very old magic in her blood, there had to be with the touch she had with horses.

"Sean has been working here all week though, and Liv came and helped us with the horses." A bark was heard from the distance and he saw the large Collie sitting by the paddock and watching over the animals and on alert for potential danger as well. "It is my understanding that Liv is responsible for choosing our guard dog and barn cat." He smiled at Liv again, the fox seeming to prance almost eagerly by his bear but acknowledged the powerful cougar with caution, as many other spirit animals did upon first meeting.

[Rhetoric]

*Enjoy your bath, Liff? That big bugger’s got an attitude, don’t he?* Anyone else would have just heard a dog bark, but Liv’s attention swept out across the paddock and she beamed at Chief where he was keeping an eye on his new charges. He was so much smaller than the horses but Liv could see plainly that he was capable, unafraid, and he had a good attitude about it all. Besides after talking to him on the way home from the shelter Liv knew the collie was loyal to a fault. If they asked him to guard, that’s exactly what Chief would do. *Don’t worry, Liff, I’ll keep the perimeter.* She only waved happily in return. She didn’t think Sean would appreciate her blowing out his eardrum, shouting across the field.

When she heard her name Liv returned to the two-leggers’ conversation. Humans! Liv corrected herself quickly. Stop doing that!

Now, Olivia Cooper wasn’t exactly known for displays of femininity, but damn did she ever blush, heat burning all the way to the tips of her ears, when she heard Mato give her that small acknowledgement of helping out at the shelter. Liv grinned at Sean, propping an elbow up on his shoulder, mindless of the fact she was soaked. “Sean and K’8 were there, too. And one of the little ankle biters picked out the cat. I was just a translator.” She glanced up at the girl that had joined them and tried not to feel like a weed that had been accidentally planted beside a rose.

She was failing.

Almost nervously, Liv took an instinctive step closer to Sean, a small smile directed at the older girl that had come out to join them. There was an intensity about her that rivaled Mato’s but far from the serene tranquility that emanated from him, this stranger had a severe air about her that immediately put Liv on edge. Serious people made Liv prickle, and almost always brought out the worst in her. “Dude, who put the stick in her ass?” Liv’s voice was incredibly soft, meant only for Sean to hear as she kept her eyes on the young woman that was casually petting the grizzly that was still just chilling beside Mato. The little Paragon’s eyes twinkled as she nodded, perfectly pleasant, as Neat and Tidy passed comment on her sodden appearance.

“S’more efficient this way,” Liv said with a snicker as she flipped her wet curls over her shoulder. “Why bath inside when you can just scrub up in a tub of horse spit? And fully clothed to? That way we can all shower and do laundry at the same time!” Winking cheekily, Liv poked Sean playfully in the ribs. Her voice was perfectly friendly, her expression relaxed. She was teasing, combating Neat and Tidy’s somberness with the only weapon that Liv was any good with… sarcasm. “I’m Liv, by the way. I didn’t catch your name.”

[Ember]

"That's because I didn't say," Aideen answered without another glance at the girl, instead focusing on the stallion, taking in his attitude. It was a proud horse, and spirited was a kind way to put it as she watched him nip at one of the geldings for getting too close to his mare. Drumming the Pink Lady apple that she held in her hand, she studied the proud animal, a small smile on her face as she realized who his protective and fierce behavior reminded her of, but the smile was gone as quickly as it came., her worry creeping into her mind again and she needed to be calm as ever to deal with horses for the first time.

Looking back at Mato and then the paddock she sighed and glanced at the aesthetically attractive Native American Shaman, her fingers stroking the soft head of the bears one last time before falling away. "Than I suppose you can wish me luck," she said softly before walking toward the paddock gate and slipping into it. She didn't give the stallion or his herd a single glance as she walked right over toward a tree a little beyond the herd. At the corner of her eye, Aideen watched the stallion stomp in annoyance, ears back as he neighed in warning, and possibly for attention as well. She leaned against the fence by the tree and palmed the large apple in her hands. Reaching into her boot, Aideen took out her knife and started casually peeling the apple, watching the very annoyed stallion from the corner of her eye.

He stomped, snorted, and began breathing heavily as he paced back and forth between his herd and an area about five feet on the tree. So he does want attention. She paid him no mind and just began cutting the apple into neat and even slices, placing them carefully on top of the wooden fence rail next to her and took a neat bite out of one herself. Stallions demanded respect and a level of submission from their herd and their handlers. By offering the apples to him in a non threatening manner, Aideen was submitting to him as a leader of the herd and made sure that all her movements were calm and without threat. It seemed to be working too, because the stallion took suspicious steps forward, coming closer... and closer... until finally, the massive stallion stood right in front of the firebender, eying her suspiciously before he seemed to relax slightly and reach out to take one of the neat and evenly cut apples she placed on the fence.

[TuneUP]

Sean couldn't help but wince a bit when Aideen spoke to Liv in her usual soft and indifferent tone. "Don't mind her, she's really not that bad when ya get to know her," he said to Liv and watched her with wide eyes as she went into the paddock. "Aideen? I really don't think that's a good idea, I been 'round horses my whole life, and I wouldn't-" He cut himself off as he watched her curiously, her manner so unlike anything he had ever seen around horses, but to his surprise the stallion was actually responding to it. "It makes sense, I just never thought of it. She's pretty much giving the big guy's his sense of authority and showing respect for it. Darn smart right there."

He was seriously impressed on Aideen's way with the beast. "You weren't joking Mato, she does got a way with 'em." It was almost more intimidating then for Sean to watch her. She was beautiful like nothing else, that was something that no one could argue about or dispute. He knew that he along with many other people in the school were intimidated and bewitched by her beauty and very presence when meeting her, but her intelligence was just astonishing.

Sean glanced at Liv, surprise still on his face. "Well that's somethin' I certainly wasn't expecting," he said shaking his head. It was hard not to smile looking at Liv then though, with the look on her face and still dripping from her dive in the manger. Thinking about it, Liv had a similar presence to Aideen, except with Aideen she had that intimidating and alluring aura while Liv had a warm and mischievous spirit that didn't take a lot of effort to draw someone in. Opposites was certainly the case here though.

[TrueSpirit]

River gray eyes carefully watched the beauty and the stallion, the tentative first steps of the beast finding a kindred spirit in another. "It's in her blood. There are many things that humans have that have been passed down from generations. It could be their eyes, the color and shape of them mirroring the windows to the soul that were held by another in their bloodline generations earlier. It could be their ability to cook, or even some as simple and wondrous as the aura they project. Many of these traits are unknown to us, as our ancestors are long gone and not remembered as vividly as they once were, but there are abilities that people may have that come with such ease, surely they can be nothing else but a gift from the spirits of our ancestors," Mato said patting the Great Grizzly's head again as he stared with a smile at Aideen.

"What we are witnessing right there, is the gift of her ancestors in progress, passed down from generation to generation," he added softly, amazed how the once so volatile creature was now nuzzling Aideen's shoulder, it's lips nipping it affectionately. It wasn't surprising so much to Mato on another level, for a woman like her had an effect on males when she caught their attention, making most become soft hearted and gentle with an overriding protective streak. "We are truly blessed with some of the skills and traits we possess, and the spirits of our ancestors were kind enough to give them to us so we too may use them and honor them in the process."

Mato watched her for a moment more, the magic in the spirited and aggressive stallion nuzzling the small fire beauty was truly captivating for him to witness. "Come," he said after a moment to the two next to him. "Let us prepare the feed for them when they return." With that, he went with Sean, the Spirit of the Beaver walking steadily next to him and Liv, the Spirit of the Fox prancing with a more indifferent air now after the display with the stallion, to prepare the stables before the time for dinner fell upon them.