A day by the sea

[argo]

It was a cool day on the southern beach. In the distance the clouds stretched across the sky, daring to storm. Lake knew it probably was a bad idea to head off onto the beach on a day like this, but she figured she had plenty of time before it headed her way. The wind twisted Maddox's main into thick locks and tossed them two and fro. As they stepped off the rocky steep that lead down into the sand Lake watched the waters. She knew there were probably capall uisce just waiting, but she didn't let that stop her, and in a way it rather excited her. Even knowing they were born killers, she couldn't help but think that her capall was out there somewhere, waiting. Maddox seemed to be aware but was more excited for what he knew was comming next. Lake took a good look to her left and right, looking for any signs of water horses. She knew she couldn't catch one, at least on her own, but the idea excited her none the less. In excitement Maddox leapt forward slightly and snorted. "Steady Matty," she said happily, trying to contain him but not sure if she could contain herself. Then when she could wait no longer she pushed him into a gallop.

[Rhys Blake]

Czar’s ears flickered at the presence of the other oncoming horse. The Gypsy Vanner gave a small neigh, which his owner further down on the beach didn’t seem to notice. Sensing it was a horse rather than a water horse, the big grey gelding lowered his head to graze a small patch of grass on the beach again, ears flicking from Rhys to the oncoming pair.

Rhys paced over the rocky surface of the beach, eyes bright and alert as they gazed out toward the sea. The Capall would surely be coming inland with the coming storm. He estimated that it’d be at least three hours before the edge of the dark clouds would move over Thisby. That was three hours to go prepare… to go check over his mother’s home, and walk along the fences to check for weak spots. Knowing his time limit, Rhys knew it would be wise to return to the property, but for now, he didn’t want to.

His boots made soft noises in the sandy areas, then grinding sounds over the gravel and rock that littered the beach, as he walked along it. Out in the distance, he could knew the Capall Uisce lay waiting, so beautiful, yet so incredibly deadly at the same time. It almost made him wonder why he was so insane…. Before he smothered the feeling. The young man knew distinctly what he wanted. It would take time, but on this day of the storm, he was determined to make it happen.

Even if it put him within reach of their jaws.

[argo]

The wind gently tugged at Lake's hair as she galloped along the shore. The moment in itself seemed perfect, Maddox galloping under her and the wind mixed with salty mist in her face. She kept her eyes on the sea as she ran, lost in its beauty. It was something she would never recover from, something that was timeless. Lost in her gaze she did not notice Maddox slowing down, ears perked at something she had not yet seen. It took Lake a moment to realize Maddox's sudden interest. When she turned she saw a lone horse saddled but with no rider. She slowed Maddox to a steady trot, asking him to stay on the bit, trying to get a closer look. As she approached the horse, a beautiful grey Gypsy Vanner, she brought Maddox to a walk, trying not to startle the horse. The gelding was obviously someones horse, well fed with a stunning appearance. Not to mention that Gypsy Vanners were not natural inhabitants of the island. Lake wondered if the rider had been thrown, but the geldings calm persona led her to believe he wouldn't have. Lake looked around for anyone but couldn't see anyone right away. She took Maddox around a small bin in the shore and spotted someone, a tall boy, with sandy brown hair. She wasn't sure what he was doing exactly, only that he stared at the ocean, deep in thought. His stance looked peaceful but it was easily seen that he was watching, waiting for something, or so it seemed. When at first he didn't notice her approach, she followed his gaze to the sea.

[Rhys Blake]

The gelding’s ears flickered back toward Rhys, then forward to the new company. He nickered, taking steps closer, seeming to be after some sort of treat, or maybe attention perhaps. He was certainly a spoiled horse by Rhys’ standards...

The young man turned his back to the sea, hearing the gelding the second time. His brows rose then drew, his ponderings of catching a water horse interrupted, as he peered at the new rider and horse which had sprouted up since he’d had his back turned. The rider was clearly female, he could see. And the mount, even in the distance, appeared handsome, though he couldn’t see well enough to determine a gender. Slowly, he began up the slight slope of the sand that would take him to them, cupping his hands to his mouth to whistle along the way. Immediately his Vanner’s ears perked, the horse turning his attention to his rider, before flicking up his tail and trotting off toward him. When he reached Rhys, about half the distance to Lake and Maddox now, Rhys swung up onto him easily, not bothering with a stirrup anymore. With minimal rein, he just barely brushed the gelding’s neck. Easily the horse turned back toward them, heading in their direction at a quicker pace than Rhys himself could have managed with the old leg injury.

As they neared, Rhys inclined his head, bringing Czar to a stop. He patted the muscled neck, looking at Lake. “Hello.” He offered an easy-going smile.

[argo]

Lake watched as the boy headed up the small dune towards her. The wind picked up for a moment, pulling her hair with it and then dropping it as it let down. Despite the fact that it was yet to rain, the wind was enough proof of the oncoming storm, and it was a fare warning. The lone horse that had been grazing on a small patch of grass was now headed quickly to the boy. Lake was respectful of how quickly the Vanner responded.

Maddox let out a heavy breath that followed with a snort. If someone didn't know better they might have thought he had been holding it in for hours. He said hello to her after he mounted the grey gelding. For a moment she didn't respond, lost in a kind of gaze. "Hello," she said finally, "I just stopped to make sure your horse hadn't gotten away from you..." She paused to brush a small whisk of bangs behind her ear, "From a distance it looks like there isn't anyone here." Realizing how blunt she sounded she added a smile, "You looked pretty serious over there." Lakes cheeks and nose were wind burnt from the chill of the air but she ignored the creeping sensation as she spoke.

[Rhys Blake]

Rhys patted his gelding’s neck again, the horse craning his head back around to nibble at his foot. Amusement hit his eyes and seemed to spread over his face. “Well, I must certainly thank you for that… That just in case scenario, y’know? You can never know what’s happening this time of the year.” He rolled his shoulder in the direction of the sea casually. It was true. Horses, pets, and livestock could disappear overnight without a trace because of the water horses. The same went for the occasional straggling person.

Her remark of his serious look caused him to roll his shoulder again. Rhys gave a sort of considering look, his eyes going distant for a moment as he searched for a way to phrase his thinking. “Entries for the races are closing soon… I was just considering the possibility of managing to catch a Capall before they close. I’ve been wanting to, I’ve just never much…” His nose scrunched lightly, partly from the cold, and partly from though. “Well, I’ve never much considered doing it as intensely as I have this year. It’s going to be a good year.”

[argo]

Lake watched as the boy gave his horse another pat, and how his horse was so affectionate in return. It brought a faint smile to her lips, seeing horse and rider so like one. Maddox turned his head towards the sea for a moment, he was as calm as the grasses on an easy island day. She took comfort in his gentleness towards the new team, for Maddox was generally more alert around strangers. Carefully pulling a small lock of Maddox's main to one side of his neck, Lake listened as the boy spoke. She was understanding of the boys gaze toward the open water, and in a way seemed to share it. Her own longing to ride a Capall became almost irresistible as the storm neared, and it reflected in her eyes.

"I love this time of year," Lake said quietly, following his gaze to the sea. Sensing how odd she sounded she explained a little more, "I mean, I know it sounds strange to look forward to it...considering all the destruction they bring, but they just have this hold on me and they won't let go." She took a deep breath and looked back down at Maddox. "In a way I was having the same thought... about catching one I mean."

[Rhys Blake]

“Its difficult, even for the groups of people that try.” He agreed somberly. “Regardless, I’d still like to try. Hell, I probably would have already had I need not fear of getting killed because of doing it alone.”

He closed his eyes for a moment, inhaling the scent of the salty breeze deep into his lungs as it played with his hair. Yes, the storm was closer, even in such a short time. In an odd sort of way… Well… He could practically taste it. His eyes opened a moment later, and he reached up to rub one of them. Czar stirred, seeming to dance slightly beneath his rider as he sensed some of the unease that was blossoming like fire within Rhys’ belly. “We could continue this conversation, however I have a feeling the beach is going to get really dangerous fairly soon… Perhaps we could ride into town to finish speaking?” He offered an easy smile, hoping she’d agree. It made him curious to encounter another so interested in the water horses, which had not caught one at the present…. Who was also female. That… and the fact it was becoming more dangerous in this place by the second.

[argo]

The wind picked up for a moment as he spoke, and then died down again. He was right, the storm was approaching much faster than she expected.

Lake brushed her hair behind her ear once more, "Yeah, I know what you mean," she said turning her eyes at the oncoming storm. The dark clouds cast an uneasy glare over the water, making it seem even darker that it actually was. Out at sea the water churned and rose in thick waves. It was like it was just begging the capall uisce to come onto land. "Doing it alone is my fear too, I just have to much to loose, you know?" She turned her glance back to him with a smile, "And I think it would be in good reason to head into town."

[Rhys Blake]

“Trust me, I follow what you mean on the too much to loose thing. Its just such a big risk, even if it would be exhilarating.” Rhys lowered his eyes to the ground beneath them for a moment, before looking back out over the ocean, then to the ominous billows of the dark clouds that were fast approaching from above. He sighed slowly, and looked back to her with a small smile. “Alright… Anyway, let’s head back.” He gently reined Czar, and the Vanner started off at a slow speed. Rhys turned to peer back at her, brows raised. He was smiling widely. “Are you coming?”

[argo]

Lake watched as he turned his gaze over to the sea and then back again. He agreed with her about the catching of a water horse and gave her a smile. He turned his horse to go, and when she didn't move, he flashed her a grin. "Absolutely," she grinned back. She picked up Maddox's step to catch up. "I might even beat you there..." She added another grin and took off across the sand.

[Rhys Blake]

Rhys felt competition light in his blood, and he couldn't help a wild 'whoop' that exploded from his lips because of it. He gave Czar a good, firm kick, and the Vanner neighed, firing off after the pair, his grey mane billowing into Rhys face while his tail streamed behind him. Even the feathers on his legs whipped wildly. Rhys curled down over his wither, laughing jovially, glancing over at Lake. "Sure! I'd like to see you try!"

[argo]

Lake watched as Rhys's Vanner came up to pace with Maddox. Maddox hooves kicked up a mixture of sand and dirt as they galloped up the shore and back onto the land. As they reached a sharp hill Maddox took the liberty to jump and kicked up with excitement. Lake's laugh caught even her by surprise. She couldn't remember the last time she had truly laughed, truly enjoyed herself. Lake turned Maddox to the right and then turned to Rhys. She was slightly surprised that the Vanner was in step with Maddox, almost right on his shoulder, but she did love a race. She eyed a broken fence and she knew jumping it would get her to town faster than going around... "I hope you can jump," She added a sly grin and headed towards the fence that blocked their path.

[Rhys Blake]

Rhys easily reined him to the side, smirking, and accepting her issue of the challenge. “We shall see! I’ve never really worked with him on that before… But we shall see!” The young man couldn’t stop a laugh that bubbled up from his throat. Inwardly, though, he really hoped Car wouldn’t slam on the brakes, and go all post legged on him, less he be thrown off, or into the fence. That wouldn’t be a pretty site. Thinking of it, it reminded him of his leg, where he felt a slight twinge. No, indeed, that wouldn’t be fun… He waited back until Maddox and Lake were over the fence, before he steeled himself. Fisting a hand in his gelding’s mane, before he gave him a kick. Obediently, he lurched into motion under Rhys’ instruction. Nearing the fence, he slowed, but did take the lowest, most decrepit side in a small jump.


(I'm a bad person for lag. v.v)

[argo]

Lake looked behind her just in time to see Rhys popping over the lowest point of the fence. Although Czar looked a little uncomfortable over it, Lake was surprised at how well Rhys handled him and kept his own position up. Ears back Maddox slowed his pace ever so much and tilted his head down. He was beginning to tire of Lakes legs jamming into his sides. Lake had been so emerged in being happy that she hadn't realized her sloppy position. "Sorry..." She whispered to Maddox as she straitened up. She could see town in front of her now.. she kept Maddox at his steady pace as she waited up for Rhys.