Welcome to Hickstead, home to both Seven Oak Stables, and Blue Acre - two rival stables. Both offer opportunities for their clients to reach the highest level of excellence. Each stable differs from the other, so choose wisely and never forget, loyalty is everything... Meanwhile as the stables battle it out, there's trouble brewing at the university. Be careful, if you don't pick a side you may get caught in the cross-fire...
This is an chilled out rpg with a super friendly and relaxed atmosphere! Remember to sign up with your characters full name in all caps and don't forget to do your claims! Thank you and Welcome, we've been established since 10th March 2009 but unfortunately have had to close guest view of our boards due to multiple sites ripping off our hard work, such a shame! Come chat to us in Discord before joining if you like!.
Molly stopped dead in her tracks, her hand flying up to loudly smack herself in the face in an epic face palm that even Captain Picard would have been jealous of, "The kitchenette! How could I forget that? You're genius, Maeve." And it was probably much better than epsom salt. Although it was too late now given she was on the ground. Normally the teenager was a very logical person, she rivaled Oliver in being logical out of the three musketeers, but there was no denying the fact hat once she got passionate about something and all riled up, that logic went out the door most of the time.
When Maeve cautioned that they may not need it, Molly simply waved her off, "Nonsense! It's best to be prepared, especially when we don't know what's out there."She called up, looking towards the other teenager before returning her attention to the barn. Chocolate brown eyes took in their surroundings, and it suddenly occurred to her with the dim lighting and lack of people with the shuffling sounds of the horses just oddly eerie it was. She had been so wrapped up in it that Maeve dropping down besides her and then speaking nearly caused her to jump out of her skin.
"The stallions! Maybe Ghost Horse was a stallion himself..." although, if that were the case, maybe it would much rather hang out with the mares. Or, where the feed room was, given that there was feed and treats. Either way, it was time to make their way, "Alright, lets go. We should be stealthy. Who knows what could be out there lying in wait for us." And as if on que, one of the horses let out a rather loud sneeze, which did in fact, cause Molly to jump and nearly spring into action, not to mention, scooby doo it into Maeve's arms. Thankfully, the teenager managed to avoid that, but then looked to her friend and said with a deadly serious tone, "You did not just witness that." And with that, she made her way down the hall now, beckoning Maeve to follow her.
Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice with a Dash of Sass
thanks aofie!
SEVENTEEN . STUDENT . RIDER AT BA STABLES . LGBTQ+
She could not help but to notice how her question seemed to make the older woman blush, and Molly wondered if she may have accidently and innocently stumbled upon something that was not known to the ordinary person. While the teenager was dying to ask more questions of Reni and why her face contorted the way it did, even Molly knew better than to push her luck. There had been a lot of learning these past few months due to various projects and her own curiosity when it came to interviewing, and her last encounter left her with no information other than a new skin care regime, which while nice, had not been the point.
Dark brown eyes looked to Luna now, who appeared perfectly content with standing by them now thanks to Reni's excellent work in persuasion, although Molly could not help but to wonder how long that might last. Perhaps they should start moving to the stables, at least then, they could continue talking and get out of the cold. Not to mention, Luna would realize that a job was coming up, which had been the whole point of his excursion in the first place, "Ah! I should ask Naomi. Or perhaps, maybe take her to the round pen? It seems big enough." Less distractions too, but perhaps it might be too boring.
Molly supposed that she wasn't surprised when her mention of 'Ghost Horse' got quite the reaction out of the older woman. At this rate, the teenager was becoming quite convinced that she may be the only person who knows about Ghost Horse, but at least she was educating people, "Yes! He died on the lands here. His owner was shot while riding him, and he carried them away but they eventually got separated. I think he's trying to find them." It also helped that lately, people have been saying that the Seven Oak's trails have felt 'off' so that had to mean something. Of course, that was a Hickstead adventure just waiting to happen.
At her summer adventures though, Molly nodded towards the barn, "I'll tell you while we walk. I am getting a little cold out here," she commented, feeling a little embarrassed. With Luna in tow, the teenager went back to launching into her idea, "Well, Maeve brought up the Isle of May and its ley lines. I thought it might be interesting to check out! Plus, there's a ferry from Edinburgh, and since I live in Inverness during the summer time, I can take the train up to go on this adventure." Of course, there was one problem other than money, "Unfortunately, Maeve can't come with me. So either I'll be going out alone or I will have to see if I can recruit one of my friends." Maybe Janie and Oliver would be willing to join her.
Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice with a Dash of Sass
thanks aofie!
SEVENTEEN . STUDENT . RIDER AT BA STABLES . LGBTQ+
Molly watched as her friend seemed to slowly go to a terrible place in her mind and soon confirmed that was exactly what was happening: "It's terrifying. What if I do something wrong? What if I make a mistake and hurt her horse?" She gave Maeve her best sympathetic look - while Molly herself always thought showing was fun, she was only in it for herself and proving to herself that she had what it takes. It was a much different weight compared to what Maeve must be feeling with showing someone else's prized horse, and knowing Naomi Clarke, the woman probably had big business plans for Inca should she go on to do great things. Before she could say anything though, Maeve seemed to snap out of it, saying to ignore everything. However, Molly didn't think this should be ignored, the other teenager was her friend after all, "Well, while we are here to have the best sleep over ever, I don't think your feelings should be ignored. They are valid, however, if Naomi didn't trust you, she wouldn't have you riding her horse. And you and Inca are going to kick ass, just you wait."
Hopefully that would help Maeve out some. The teenager didn't linger too long on the subject, simply because she knew the other girl wanted to move on from it, and that was fine. She just wanted to make sure that everything just simply wasn't brushed under the rug, since that never did anyone any good. She grinned when Maeve commented that Venus was ultimately her favorite school horse, "Say no more. I'll reserve her and make this adventure hack happen when you're free." Although at this rate, maybe they wouldn't have to go for an adventure hack if Ghost Horse really was here. The comotion had jolted the teenager into action, finally wrestling her paddock boots on and running towards the ladder down to the barn when Maeve brought something important up: Did she back salt? That stopped Molly dead in her tracks, "Shit." It was serious too, since Molly Mac'Intosh almost never swore, "I did not."
Then, an idea snapped to her brain, just as the other teenager grabbed a flash light, "But I bet the tackroom and supplies closet has some epsom salt we can use! I'll just...buy more to replace it." That should take care of it, "Come on Maeve! Adventure awaits us." And with that, Molly was scrambling down the ladder as fast as she could and hitting the floor with a thud. It felt a little eerie now being in the barn with just Maeve and the lighting. Molly was running on pure adrenaline now, and this was without the help of a sugar high. Her brown eyes narrowed as she hushed whispered to Maeve, "So far, so good. We have to make our way to the tackroom before Ghost Horse can intercept us. Where do you think that sound came from?" After all, avoiding a ghost spirit had to require some tactical planning.
Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice with a Dash of Sass
thanks aofie!
SEVENTEEN . STUDENT . RIDER AT BA STABLES . LGBTQ+
It somehow did not surprise Molly in the slightest when the other woman informed her that she had journals for each pony chronicling their achievements and what they needed to work on. And Molly found herself a little disappointed in herself that she had never thought of such a method for her own riding thoughts. Cara looked almost a tad embarrassed by admitting that, "That's actually quite genius Cara," the teenager reassured her with a smile, "I'm actually a little disappointed in myself that I never thought of that for my own riding journey here given I do that sort of method with my classwork and baking." Notes were, after all, the greatest way to track things. Even the smartest of people with the boldest minds couldn't remember everything, even Molly was loathed to admit that there had been countless times where she had managed to forget something important that could have been negated by writing it down.
Before her mind could get a little too distracted by what she had been missing out on with her note taking, there was a small voice that cut through the quiet now between the two woman. Brown eyes glanced over to see a young child, dressed as a unicorn, looking at them. Molly felt puzzled until Cara spoke, ah, this must be her daughter that she mentioned. As she introduced herself, the teenager merely grinned and waved back, "Nice to meet you Kyoto! I'm Molly. I have to say, you're really rocking that onsie and paddock boot look." One of the ponies seemed rather pleased to see the tiny child, as it was quick to go investigate her now, which Molly couldn't help but to smile at. That was certainly a bond a love. She glanced back over to Cara now after she spoke, "I've actually never heard of the liberty method. Is that like natural horsemanship?" It sounded like it would be, but Molly knew better than to assume.
She was a little surprised by the invite to watch from the little girl, but then again, children, especially boisterous ones like Kyoto appeared to be, thrived at inviting new strangers to things. Molly smiled and pulled out her phone to look at the time, "I got thirty minutes to spare before I gotta head back to my dorm to do my homework," she informed Cara now, putting her phone away, "So Kyoto can teach me." She joked.
"Corporal ghosts? Is that such a thing?" she asked, momentarily getting distracted by the lesson on horses. She had never thought of them like that. Wait, focus, before she got too sidetracked about ghosts, Molly knew she had to absorb the information on getting a horse. This was all a very curious way to go about getting a horse from the field, and while it probably wasn't fool proof, at least not to Molly's skills quite yet, the teenager could not argue that it was ineffective. Her pride and ego was hardly even hurt, given that Serenity's age meant that the had the wisdom of horses that Molly just didn't have at sixteen going on seventeen. This would certainly give her something new to work on as far as ground work went, "Well, this certainly is an eye opening way to think about it," she mused out loud, "I'll have to practice it on my own now too, given that I am quite certain that Luna will give me many more opportunities to practice."
As for the sugar and spice, laughter bubbled out of her, "You're right, I cannot argue with that. At least, not when it comes to Luna." And while the mare wasn't her horse per say, she belonged to the stables, she couldn't help but to feel like she was exactly that. Molly may not exactly be as horse crazy as say the main character of a book or a tv show, but she liked to think she was just crazy enough to think she had a pretty good bond with a lesson horse. And then there was the ghost hunting question. Laughter bubbled from her, and Molly was uncertain on how she felt being asked this question by an adult, but Serenity seemed cool enough, "I admit my only ghost hunting so far is that of an equine ghost, and watching Supernatural. But I like to think it's a hobby I wouldn't mind exploring a bit more! Maeve gave me some creative ideas to explore in the summer time by myself if I can save the money."
Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice with a Dash of Sass
thanks aofie!
SEVENTEEN . STUDENT . RIDER AT BA STABLES . LGBTQ+
show name • Major Blues leased by • MOLLY ELODIE MAC'INTOSH barn • Blue Arce Stables age • Seventeen breed • Lusitano Horse height • 15.3 hands discipline • School Master - Flat Work, Jumping (Scaling back to Light Jumps though) gender • Gelding likes • Children, Easy Rides, Lessons, Hacks, Taking Advantage of Riders when They're Not Paying Attention dislikes • Peppermint, Eating a Snack with a Bit in his Mouth, Thin Saddle Pads (old back issues), Being Left Behind on a Hack, Other Horses getting too close to his rear strengths • basic flat work, cuddle bug, feeling the bit weaknesses • carrots, apples, pushy on ground after a lesson ends fears • overhead barn doors closing abruptly overall personality • Major is one of the school horses that not one rider at Blue Arces can say that they haven't ridden. He's popular with beginner riders, but stubborn enough that intermediate riders can still get a good workout from him. He's more keen then some of the younger riders give him credit for, so he's quick to take advantage of them when they're not paying attention, either running out on them from the indoor arena into the stall lanes, or collapsing inward when in the outdoor ring. He's still a favorite for a reason, and that its his heart of gold and a willingness to do whatever is asked of him, and even this older gentleman can get a little wild on a hack so he can be first in line.
thanks aofie!
SEVENTEEN . STUDENT . RIDER AT BA STABLES . LGBTQ+
show name • Bad Moon Rising leased by • MOLLY ELODIE MAC'INTOSH barn • Blue Arce Stables age • Fifteen breed • Appendix (Quarter x TB cross) height • 15 hands discipline • School Horse - Eventing (dressage, show jump, x-country) gender • Mare likes • Lessons, Being doted on, Crunchy Treats, Being turned out, Stall Visitors, Going Fast, Tight Turns dislikes • Tight Girths, The Equine Dentist, Slowing Down, Collected Gaits, Other School horses or ponies getting too close to her in the arena, People getting in her mouth strengths • basic flat work, jumping, directional changes weaknesses • dressage, mare moods, requires lots of figure eights to rein in her brain fears • plastic items such as bags and tarps, leaves than land on her without warning during the fall time overall personality • Luna is a mixed bag of crafty and stupidity. She's light on the reins and quick to react to directions, and is usually a favorite when it comes to jumping due to her speed and eagerness. However, she is easily spooked by the outside elements that can make her run out on her rider or throw a fit, such as the time she and her rider were waiting their turn in the lesson to practice jumping when a dead leaf unexpectant landed on her hindquarters, and she threw a fit. Luna is also known to throw fits when people are a little too heavy on the hands. However, many of figure 8's can usually set her straight and put her brain back to working. Luna's antics tend to make her an intermediate level horse for Blue Arce students. Despite this, when not under saddle, she loves to be doted on and is often used for pony camp for grooming activities.
thanks aofie!
SEVENTEEN . STUDENT . RIDER AT BA STABLES . LGBTQ+
Maeve laughing at her was unexpected, given that Molly felt rather serious about them pulling off the greatest barn sleepover that has ever been witnessed by Blue Arces. But then, the other teenager's follow up statement soon made it clear over what she was laughing about: saying no to Mik. A snort escaped Molly now, she dramatically stuck up her nose and waved her hand off like she was hot stuff, "Please. It takes more than good looks and puppy dog eyes to sway me when it comes to baked goods and sweets." Actually, that was a fucking lie. Mik was cute and she would be absolutely willing to give him however many smores he'd ask of her, but Molly wasn't going to admit that to her older and cooler friend.
The teenager watched as the blonde flopped over now, her blue green gaze staring tentatively up at the ceiling and the beams that made it. Molly eyed her and then craned her neck upward to see if she could see what was so interesting about it. But there was nothing there besides beams and fairy lights, which would suggest that something serious was about to come out of Maeve's mouth, or at the very least, a very polite rejection. And sure enough, that was the case. The reality that going off of on an adventure, even in summer time, was not entirely possible when you were eighteen years old and adulting. Molly flopped over now, "It's okay. It was worth a shot. I'm sure being on the show circuit with Naomi will be fun and exciting! Get a case of the professional equestrian life."
That wasn't the only exciting thing going down though, as dark brown eyes watched Maeve sit back up, "I wouldn't be able to take Inca, but I'm sure I could borrow a lesson horse that I can take on the trails, or ask one of the boarders if I can borrow one of theirs!" One eyebrow lifted. "How does one go about catching a Ghost Horse?" Molly sat up, she was certainly prepared for both of these, "One, I bet I could pull of reserving both Major and Luna for our adventure. And then two, we ride to where it was last spotted, leave carrots or something, and then do a stake out. And when it appears, we trap it in a circle of salt!" And as if on que, there was a loud bang, "Oh man...Ghost Horse might be onto us." And before Maeve could even contridict her, there was another loud sound, followed by more, like a dominio affect. Dark brown eyes at her friend now, "Maeve. He's here! Ghost Horse is here. Come on! We should investigate!" And with that, she was up and trying to chuck her slippers for her paddock boots.
Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice with a Dash of Sass
thanks aofie!
SEVENTEEN . STUDENT . RIDER AT BA STABLES . LGBTQ+
The look that Cara had shot her did not go unnoticed by the teenager. That swift arch of an eyebrow as soon as she gushed over the idea that the young woman had just handed her a pony meant that it was not a request to be taken literally. It was a job, and not a gift. And yet, Molly couldn't help but to still be excited at the idea . It was hard not to, considering how horse obsessed she could be when she let loose. And while she didn't entirely clear the air with Cara, deciding that would make it a little too awkward, Molly figured it was best to at least reassure her that she wasn't going to kidnap Mist, "Don't worry. I still have to give Luna and Major my attention, I won't hog up Mist all the time from you and Casey." Hopefully that would be enough to sooth the older woman over verses utterly regretting her decision.
More frowning seem to come from Cara as she thought over Molly's request with using her in lessons. Okay, so maybe Molly was overstepping just a little bit. She was going to have to dial it back a bit. Either way, she braced for a solid no, but thankfully what she got was compromise: "As long as it's a private lesson, as I have only worked these ponies within their own herd." Cara gestured to the ponies in the pasture. "And haven't really worked with other horses or ponies, which I shall need to amend. You'll also need to tell your instructor that the pony you are riding at the time is still in training." The teenager nodded, understanding what was being asked of her. She would have to dig into the flat work instructors here, it will be back to basics, "Of course. I understand. If you want to write up everything you want me to know, and shoot it to me in an email, that's fine with me. Or if you want to handwrite a manual, I'm good with that also." The last part was a bit of a joke, since she could only imagine trying to skim through a hand written manual. Given Cara's words so far, it would likely be a tomb.
And then came an unexpected question: how is her French? Now it was Molly's turn to raise an eyebrow, and so she did, but before she could say anything, one of the ponies nudged her elbow in demand for scratches. Just as well, since Cara soon launched into an explanation as to why she was asking. Training the ponies in French. Seems like this would be turning into a curious challenge indeed, "Ah! I see, well, that's probably nice also simply because they can't get confused when they hear other people speak." Molly had an instance once when one of her instructors was explaining on when to ask for a 'canter', and naturally, because the word 'canter' was uttered and Molly hadn't been entirely paying attention, Luna exploded into it simply because she heard the word, "My French is...decent. Not my favorite subject. I think because my highland accent gets in the way. So it will be a test for both me and the ponies."
The teenager was actually surprised when Serenity corrected her, stating that she was a horse listener and not a whisperer. Molly couldn't help but to make a face, mostly out of confusion, "There's a difference?" Truth be told, they sounded like the same thing to her. But she knew better than to ever sound remotely disrespectful to an adult, because even Molly knew when to admit that she didn't know everything, and simply ask more questions in order to uncover the truth. It was hard to keep civil though when the older woman confirmed that she was both a profiler and had been to Quantico before like in the television shows, "Man, you're like a certified BAMF then." And perhaps really was just the person to help her with her day.
The laughter that followed Serenity signaled to the young teenager that she must have been a bit off when she was trying to figure out this whole mystical doorway business, “Dreamcatcher, huh?” Molly mused out loud, mostly to herself though as she mulled it over. Her brows furrowed a little though at the idea of retrieving the emotions again once she was done with the horses, “But…. don’t you always want your emotions to stay away from the horses?” After all, she had always been told that if her negative emotions were going to get the best of her, then maybe she shouldn’t ride the day. Granted, the older woman seemed to have a different way of thinking compared to most. It showed even more when a rather mischievous smile crossed her face, “Balls of energy? Perhaps…would that help me find ghosts?”
Serenity must have been used to wowing teenagers when it came to getting their horses, since she did a small curtsy before negating any negative thoughts that Molly might have had about her earlier failure. When the lead was offered, the teenager did take it gently from her, "I'm sure you can do the same thing. It takes a few times before the horse works out that it's easier just to come up to you if they don't want to have to more work than they have to." Molly herself wasn’t so certain about that, her lips twisting as dark brown eyes looked from the older woman to her mare, “If you say so,” after all, Serenity had made it look like a piece of cake. But even she knew that Serenity had time and experience over her, and while it sucked to not be amazing at everything, Molly was certainly determined to put the work into it so she wouldn’t have to worry about help again. Laughter escaped her now, “She is beautiful, but I think her face always says she’s a trouble maker.” A snort escaped Luna at that comment, perfectly timed.
Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice with a Dash of Sass
thanks aofie!
SEVENTEEN . STUDENT . RIDER AT BA STABLES . LGBTQ+
Molly could not help but to beam and clap her hands together, "Excellent." Now that everything was set though, she was happy to get everything started, "Then my work here is done." Maybe it would blow Cara, Mik, and Shecanna's minds too if they were to make surprise appearances. Her less than enthusiastic response to the probability of them showing up clearly amused Maeve, who could not hide her giggles. The teenager supposed she couldn't blame her friend. It was the sort of antics that may lead to eventual trouble because she thought herself too much of an adult to need any sort of babysitting, "Well, I know the gate gets locked at night, and not too many people have keys to get in, so we'll probably have Mik watching us till he clocks out for the night and then Cara," Maeve commented, before adding on, "Mik eats like a horse though, so we'd better hide the sweet stuff from him."
Dark brown eyes looked towards her array of smores ingredients now, "You don't say," she mused out loud, an almost devilish thought entering her brain, "I mean...if he says we're barn sleep over saints, I don't see the harm in letting him have some." This might have been the first time in Molly's life where she thought that bribery may be the key answer to something, "Wait, I don't know what I am saying. Since we're pulling off the perfect barn sleep over, we don't need any help. Or sharing!" Well, maybe if Cara wanted something, that was different, but the teenager considered the young woman a friend, unlike Mik and Shecanna who were supervising adults and potential fun killers.
She was a little surprised to hear that her friend didn't have much of a sweet tooth. Probably something she should have asked ahead of time, "Oh! No worries, just means more for me," Molly replied with a grin, "No pressure. Feel free to eat as much or as little as you want for smores. Admittingly, perhaps I went a little overboard." Especially for two people. It dawned on her now that she got a little carried away with the whole thing, but there was no harm in that. Plus, Molly knew she could share with the rest of the morning staff and riders tomorrow what she didn't finish off today.
Flopping onto the blankets now, she was quick to join Maeve on the floor as the older teenager set her stuff up, readying for her tales. It occurred to Molly, now that she was sitting on the ground, that perhaps she should have figured out how to dim the lights to get a more campfire atmosphere, but then shrugged it off. That would be a request to Mik or Cara whenever they decided to arrive. Her attention turned to Maeve now and her ley lines, something that Molly had heard of before thanks to a few choice books that involved faeries and ghosts. And not only that, she certainly recognized the Isle of May, "What?! We should check that out. Too bad we can't take the horses there. But I know they do boat trips to the island during certain months. Take the train to Scotland." With what money, Molly didn't know, but that was a later problem given that she was allowed to dream.
Molly also had her own leads, "So I overheard at Willow Brook that, per one of the girls at Seven Oaks, said there's been some strange funny going on's over at the trails, and," she thumped her hands against the blanket for dramatic flare, "Get this, supposedly a mysterious horse. What if it's Ghost Horse."
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Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice with a Dash of Sass
[/div]thanks aofie![/div]
SEVENTEEN . STUDENT . RIDER AT BA STABLES . LGBTQ+
Molly giggled at the young woman's explanation over how the filly knew better than to mess with her mother, or with her brother, if it meant her dam's watchful eye, "And people say equines aren't smart because of the size of their brain." Clearly, they have never witnessed a youngster in action, or when Molly herself had to go get Luna out of the pasture. Horses and ponies clearly knew how to read a room and try to use it to their advantage, or disadvantage, if needed.
If Cara had felt any reserves about the teenager's sputtering thoughts and words about Casey, she did not let on and continued on in a matterofact manner, "Autumn and Spring need the most work, because they are going to be Sebastian and Viola's mounts," she commented before adding, "I think you would get on well with Mist too, and she would enjoy having a rider to call her own." For some reason, the latter statement almost hit Molly like a brick to the face, or what she imagined a brick to the face would feel like. Dark brown eyes sought after the little dun mare now. Her gaze rested on Mist, minding her own business within the herd, "A horse to call my own?" Well, she was a pony, but the thought was still there. Molly never had something like that before, yes, she had Luna and Major, and while they always felt like hers, they were not. And that reality would hit ever once in a while when she showed up at the barn, and both were already in use for lesson or something else.
Her thoughts interupted now as Cara spoke once again, and Molly couldn't help but to grin, "Oh, I will. I will not let you or any of your ponies down," she said, looking back to Mist wistfully once more, "On that thought, would I take lessons with only you? Or would you like me to utilize your ponies with some of the other teachers also?" The teenager didn't mind either way, but it certainly meant that she would have to rework her schedule at the barn. It certainly might mean more time spent at Blue Arces, but truth be told, that was hardly an issue when it came to Molly. The barn was her favorite place in the world, might as well try to spend as much time here as she could without it affecting her studies.
Molly couldn't help but to let loose a sigh of release when Maeve commented that everything look great. Maybe she had cared more about pulling off this 'camping' sleep over than she thought with the college girl. After all, the teenager had been talking a big game for quite a while. At least, imagery wise, she had delivered. Now just another twelve hours to go, "Truth be told, I haven't camped either," Molly said with a bashful grin, "I was just copying off everything I've seen on my teen soap operas with a little help from Pintrest. But thank you!"
She nearly made a face at the idea of them needing babysitters during this sleepover. They were practically adults! But given the trying times that Blue Arces had in the past, that barn fire still fresh in everyone's minds, Molly supposed she couldn't blame Naomi for being cautious even if they weren't wielding any flames. You could be prepared for everything and still somehow miss something. Stuff happens, after all, "Let me guess. Mik, Nat, and Shecanna might be making surprise cameos all night?" And naturally, Molly thought all three of them were beyond serious. Maybe her second mission of the night would be to try and get one of them to laugh for fun.
The teenager wasn't surprised that Maeve insisted on grabbing her bags herself without any help, but before she left, she did offer one tease to Molly, "Oh! I've been doing some research, and found quite a few goodies. Nothing really, local, but still creepy." Now that was exciting, and she could not help but to squeal, "Girl, don't leave me hanging!" But it was too late, Maeve had disappeared beneath the hayloft now, leaving Molly to only guess what was in store for them when it came down to the ghost stories. At least both of them had issues finding stuff locally, maybe they'd try and make up their own legend from that.
Quickly, she finished setting up the remaining of the new supplies that older girl had brought with her. Aligning all the lamps in a circle to mimic a circle and testing the fairylights one more time to make sure they would not fail her once the overhead lights turned off, Molly then began setting up the SMORES BAR and just in time too, since Maeve reappeared. Molly dramatically pointed out the bar now, presenting it to Maeve now like she had just won the biggest grand prize in the world, "I hope you brought yourself the biggest sweet tooth in the world - because I, Molly Mac'Intosh, declare that this barn sleepover has officially started."
Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice with a Dash of Sass
thanks aofie!
SEVENTEEN . STUDENT . RIDER AT BA STABLES . LGBTQ+
Molly was surprised when the woman laughed at her comment, but perhaps it must have looked funny to Serenity see the teenager sulk and quote Lord of the Rings as a comeback. This was already turning into quite the exchange as the older woman commented that she profiled people. She could not help but to arch an eyebrow at that one, "Profile people?" Serenity appeared to get curious-er and curious-er by the second. It also reminded her of a certain American TV show that one of the local channels aired for marathons at a time, "So...you're both a horse whisperer and Criminal Minds?" She asked now, following after Serenity as they made their way back to the pasture.
As she confessed to always having a peppermint or two on her, the teenager listened to Serenity's words, "No, I don't think Luna or Major always expect them. Maybe after a good ride and untacking. I do try to not give them out willy nilly," despite all of the temptations. Both horses tended to be gentle when snagging snacks out of her hands, Major more than Luna. But Molly was always easily entertained by how their ears pricked when they saw the snacks and then rub of their soft muzzles against her hand for the split second before they pulled away with their treat.
They made it to the gate now of the pasture. Brown eyes looked back out to Luna, who looked to be happily grazing. While the fleabitten gray mare didn't acknowledged their presence, Molly was certain that she knew that they were back again for her. She handed off the halter and lead rope as Serenity told her story now. Ah! West Virginia. So that explained her accent. The older woman was from America. Her nose crinkled a little though as the explanation went on, "A doorway to another world?" Browne eyes stared at Serenity for a moment before looking to the pasture, "So...the gate is the other world? Like...a transporter?" This sounded like a fairytale, or at least the synopsis to one of her Young Adult novels when she was feeling fantasy over supernatural and mystery.
Maybe this would not be a quick study, if it meant figuring out how to let go of her feelings, something that Molly quite frankly, was not always the best at doing. Serenity left her side now, and was in the pasture and approaching Luna. The mare looked to the woman, before returning to her grass, but Molly saw how those ears were cocked towards Serenity now - it was a sign that the teenager knew well. Her horse was about to play some games. But it wasn't long before Serenity seemed to have the tables turned. Luna wasn't going where she herself wanted to go, Luna was going where the woman was deeming her to go which appeared to take the fun out of it all for the mare.
And then they were at the gate now, Luna securely in the halter and lead rope, munching down on treats as the reward for being caught as Serenity commented, "I think she enjoyed that more than she should have." As upset Molly had been at the mare, she could not help but to laugh, "I think you're right. Although, I could see by the end, you took the wind out of her sails when she realized that she was following your lead and not the other way around." Molly leaned on the gate now, her brown eyes looking at Serenity before moving to her mare now and said wistfully, "That was amazing though. I certainly wouldn't have pulled that off."
Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice with a Dash of Sass
thanks aofie!
SEVENTEEN . STUDENT . RIDER AT BA STABLES . LGBTQ+
Herd dynamics were always such a funny thing to Molly, mainly because the pecking order could change at any given moment. It was always shuffling around, never having a true line up other than who the big boss mare was. And this wasn't including Cara. Dark brown eyes watched as Ice, clearly rambunctious and impatient as any human child, appeared annoyed with her human - but clearly knew better, and turned to promptly go give her own mother a headbutt. A sputtering laughter escaped Molly now, only made harder by Cara's words; "If I wasn't the alpha mare in here, that could have been a lot different." The teenager doubled over, before finally getting her wits back, "Well, Winnie certainly is a saint of a mother."
Naturally, the tables had turned on Molly though. The horses were no longer the laughing stock, she clearly was with her inability to keep cool with the mentioning of one Casey Llyod. To make matters worse, Cara looked to be studying her reaction and clearly seemed confused - which only prompted the teenager to feel more of that annoying, sensational burning feeling, "I...er, I won't let Casey distract me." He was probably oblivious to her crush, since he was a boy. Still, Molly felt compelled to say something since she could not decipher the look that the woman was giving her, "I can work with whoever you think I'm best suited for. Whether that's with Casey and Ice, or with Autumn, Spring, Mist, or Winnie." At least she was pint sized to fit all of them, well, minus Ice of course. Trying to distract herself now from the kerfuffle that was her school girl crush, she continued on, "This will be so exciting. I've never worked with a horse that wasn't a school horse before."
