Archie Wagner couldn't remember the last time he had been on a boat, let alone sail one. He had always preferred to be in the water verses on the water. Yet his sister convinced him that they could take on the Regatta Doubles together and win. The young man was nothing short of competitive, but perhaps seeing his sister talk to an attractive boy at the dock yard a few weeks back convinced him that he owed her one.

Still, he found himself hesitant being in charge of everything but steering once they were free from the anchors. He had a few crash courses in the weeks leading up to this at least. Green eyes looked to their competition for a split second, and then the starting gun went off. Archie sprang to work as he heard Leonie's voice bark orders. Archie ran about, loosing the sails and tying ropes, trying to gage everything about the wind along with his sister.

He def tripped up a few times as well, but hey, he didn't end up splashing in the water. Leonie, do her credit, was carrying them both along to the finish line. She looked like a pro. Then again, Leonie Wagner always looked best in the classiest of sports - dressage, now sailing. As the wind began to gentle, green eyes realized where they were, "Shit, Leonie! I think we crossed the finish line."

i find it hard to say the things i want to say the most 

Archie merely chewed on his food thoughtfully as his older sister launched into a complaint about how boys had it easy when it came to food while girls just ballooned up by staring at their food. Somehow, he doubted that was really the scientific reason behind weight gain and metabolism, but knew better than to say anything. As her big brown bambi eyes locked on him, expecting an answer to her life thoughts, Archie froze like a deer himself. Finally though, the teenager offered her a big dramatic shrug as he continued to devour the wrap, nearly finished. Such a shame too - he didn't feel the least bit held over. Unfortunately, Archie seemed to have bigger problems all of the sudden thanks to his big fat mouth.

"You're the midnight food thief?" Well, shit, he was in for it now. Although Leonie was lecturing him, her tone was still cheerful and playful. Guess he wasn't exactly a dead little brother walking. Still, he owed his sister, "Alright, alright. I'll tell mum I'm the gremlin. Maybe this will work in my favor and she will buy more food instead of less." Since, there never seemed to be enough in the house, defilingly not on the plate for him. As Leonie finished her food, she placed her silver ware down gently, looking all knowing as she confirmed there were indeed spies. Archie snorted, green eyes rolling, "Oh yeah?" He leaned in now, "Who are they, Leo? Who amongst us right now are spies?" Now he was just egging her, but hey, what were little brothers for?

He chuckled as the use of his smile, "Yeah yeah, I'm sure that will win them over." Archie wasn't sure if he had ever won anyone over with his smile other than his parents, but it was a nice thought to have. Green eyes watched as Leonie's gaze dropped to her plate during their conversation. Either she wanted another slice or she was annoyed with him: "I'd forget too, it's easy to." Damn, a bit brutal. He decided to switch gears now, or else they'd be daring each other to leave the table first in a good old Wagner family silent argument, "I can go get you another slice of pizza if you want - they have them here." Hopefully it was a good enough peace offering, a 'sorry i was dumb and said stupid shit because i have it easy' sort of thing.

Granted, he was still studying his wrap and now it was nearly done, it was also to avoid looking at his older sister. But he could feel her gaze on him, he could feel that stupid infectious smile of her beaming off. And then, he confessed, his green eyes looking up to Leonie now as she learned forward, beckoning him to tell her everything. A laugh escaped him, "I don't know - you're kinda funny to laugh at when you're left hanging." Archie knew he was probably going to get sucker punched for that, so he continued on, "I don't know much about him. His name is Oliver - a year younger than me so secondary student. He doesn't, however, ride horses. I guess he was at the barn to visit friends." And with that, he stuffed the last of his wrap into his mouth, savagery and all - allowing his sister the floor now to give her thoughts. If there was anyone Archie cared to share escapades of his dating life with, it was Leonie.

As for not wanting to move, Archie wasn't sure if they had much of a choice on that front. Not until the three of them were deemed adults, whatever that meant by their parents standards, "Well, if you do want to leave here at any point, I'll make sure to act out." Archie joked.

i find it hard to say the things i want to say the most 

Archie knew he shouldn't be surprised at all by all of this drama he appeared to be hearing, or at least, opinions on certain riders. After all, he had yet to join a barn that didn't seem to have something going on. Plus, entitled riders just came with the scene. Even at his polo barns back in Germany, there had been no escape. A snort of laughter escaped him when Izzy proclaimed that he didn't seem half bad, "I try. I also don't like drama in my life so I try to avoid it as best as I can." After all, he got enough of that at home. His gaze looked to Waffel for a moment as the girl asked her horse to canter, but the gelding appeared unperturbed by someone else going faster than him in the arena. From their conversation, Izzy was finishing up her mini rant about this Kennedy, clearly she had something to get off of her chest.

Even with the distraction of another horse and rider, Archie was pleased with how this morning lunge was going. While he knew Waffel should be fine with any horse around, given his sport, the young man knew that every once in a while, his horses liked to show a bit a spunk. Clearly, it was too early in the morning for such nonsense, "Ah! Well good luck on your exams then. Maybe I'll be joining you next year then with those worries," he joked now, "As for parents - well, unfortunately, I think we may just always been stuck as 'their children' in their eyes." Archie knew his parents had an unfortunate way of showing it, his sisters certainly could have done with some better support, but he wasn't sure if any of them would ever been seen as adults in the eyes of their parents.

It was a little surprising to hear the young woman say that she didn't scroll social media, but everyone was different, "Nothing wrong with that. Just means you're not a screen zombie like the rest of us." He joked now. Green eyes kept watch as Izzy turned her mare now, giving them space. Even Waffel seemed to notice the possible invasion as he leaped forward now, giving a bunny hop and a kick even though the pair hardly came near them. The move merely made Archie shake his head as he got his gelding back on track now, "I have not. Figure I'd leave that to the Americans," Archie said with a grin, "But I got to ride in some South American saddles when I was in the market for growing my horse squad. So I think you're the more worldly one for saddles." As for her comment on Molly, laughter escaped him, "Yes. I think that is it. The coffee IV's."

Once Waffel calmed back down, they were into the last leg of their lunge - cantering. The gelding seemed to be doing well after his one small hissy fit, and thankfully, it was a steady canter and on the right lead as well. Archie couldn't help but to smile when Izzy claimed over the Christmas Markets of Germany, "You should try going. Short flight at least. My home, Bermen, is probably my favorite. But I think Munich and Berlin can rival it. I think just the gothic buildings of my town make it all pop, especially when it snows. We Germans do it better than the Austrians though, and don't let them fool you otherwise." He stepped in, closing the lunge circle and then pointed, asking for the chance, to which Waffel snorted and tossed hsi head, but obliged - looks like the Polo Pony knew it was coming to an end as well, "I guess I'm boring too. I ride, swim, and just like to hang out with people," Archie said with a laugh, "What do you like about hte art gallery though? Is it a date spot or a hang out spot?"

i find it hard to say the things i want to say the most find a little bit of steady as i get close

Archie looked up from his sandwich warp, staring at her and there was no doubt in his mind that he must have looked like an overstuffed chipmunk. He managed to swallow now, figuring that talking with his mouth full would earn him a look from the classy Leonie Wagner now, "It's a side affect of being a teenage boy," he said with a grin now, "Don't tell Mum, but I have been raiding the pantry when she goes to bed. I'm somehow always hungry." Thankfully between two forms of polo and a metabolism, Archie appeared to be fine for now. Thank god too, he wasn't sure if he wanted to end up on a diet like either of his sisters or whatever stupid beliefs their mother seemed to have. The young man rolled his eyes, still playfully grinning, "Mum's not here to judge us on our savagery, Leo." Knowing his sister, it was probably easier said than done though. He felt like he had an easier time cutting loose when they weren't around their parents unlike Leonie, and Frankie, well, she was a special case.

At least his smile was winning her over - that was one thing the Wagner children were good at, it was smiling. All flash and award winning, the dangerous sort that could melt hearts. Leonie's was just as dangerous as his even after finishing off a piece of pizza: "You can wear it on a badge and everything." Archie chortled, good thing that he hadn't taken another bite of his food or else he would have been very very ungentleman like, "I defilingly will as soon as I meet a graphic arts student." He promised, finally allowing himself another bite of his wrap. Too bad his mouth hadn't stayed full enough for him to have made an idiot of himself to Leonie though. The teenager really did feel bad about it, like, kicked puppy bad. Clocking his sister roll her eyes made him feel a bit better though as she followed up with a nudge, "You're my brother, it's impossible to overstep." A weak smile played over Archie's lips now, "Yeah. I suppose so. I just...forget sometimes how I've had it easier compared to you and Frankie."

It was almost welcoming that they were back to bantering now, or at least, somewhat bantering. Green eyes watched as his sister tilted her head, thinking over his words before commenting that nobody had caught her eye. Archie couldn't decide if he was surprised by that statement or not. But Leonie didn't give him long to ponder it as a sly smile appeared on her lips: "Does that mean you have?" Suddenly, his wrap had become incredibly interesting, "Uh...maybe. Not on campus though. I met a guy at the barn. He, quite literally, ran into Mokka's ass." Although it was the horse's fault, and maybe Archie couldn't be mad at the polo 'pony' per say, given that at the end of it all, he ended up with a phone number. As for the chatter about Hickstead, a laugh couldn't help but to escape Archie, "Roots? You're making us sound old and frail. I feel like we don't have to worry about roots yet." Granted, he didn't have the weight of an empire sitting on his shoulders.

i find it hard to say the things i want to say the most 

The scoff that had escaped Izzy said it all, and he could not help but to chuckle a little bit when it came to the girl's comments, "I'll keep that in mind." Archie replied now, before adding on with a teasing tone, "Also, remind me to never get on your bad side." The other teenager clearly had no problems speaking her mind, and while the young man never minded such a trait in an individual, he certainly didn't want it directed at him. Still, he felt a bit of curiosity tug at him, like all ill-tempered statements caused, "Is there history between the two of you? Or is she just that sort of person?" Archie was willing to bet the later but still felt the need to confirm.

Between the two teenagers, it would seem that both of their horses were getting a good work out in despite the time constraints. Archie cast a glance at his watch, and knew there was a chance that he was going to have to start wrapping it up soon. Thankfully, Waffel started to do the very thing that he wanted out of the gelding, and that was lowering his head while extending the trot without even an ask. It didn't happen very often without louds of encouragement, but when it did, Archie always considered it a win, "Ah true! I didn't think about that. I can't really fathom concentrating on university right now anyways."

It was curious to hear Izzy say that she thought her parents cared too much. Archie couldn't even fathom such a thing. He supposed their parents cared about them, they raised them well enough and did love them, but sometimes it felt like he and his sisters were cared more for like prized race horses than children, "Ah, I guess I can see how too much caring would be overbearing. I don't think I have that problem with my parents." Sometimes, Archie found it hard to complain about his parents - mainly because he knew there were worse ones out there - such as the Alenkos. As for her next question, Archie merely shook his head, "I doubt it. I feel like my parents are only german famous verses work famous. Maybe you've heard of my sister - Frankie Wagner - she...she's like a socialite and IG famous?"

Archie couldn't imagine borrowing a trainer, but he suppose he would have to do that if he wanted himself and his horses to stay in shape until he found a club, "Ah I wondered about the western - given this isn't America. Sorta funny to see the western saddles in Europe." It was making its waves in Germany as well, but the teenager knew well enough at the FEI games that the Americans always rang supreme. He got Waffel to change directions once more, and the gelding obliged, extending the trot and his neck. Clearly the horse had caught on now and the more well behaved he was, the faster he got back to sleeping with his friends. He nodded at Izzy's next words, figuring that he would meet the owner at some point here, but if it took a while, it certainly wouldn't be the end of the world.

The question of how much energy did Molly have made him laugh, "I think she had a lot - like say...that battery rabbit? The energizer bunny?" It felt like an ample description of the girl - going off on some rant about how there was a ghost horse or pony haunting the lands that needed to be put to rest. Archie supposed that he wasn't surprised that the other teenager admitted to being a local, it seemed to be 50/50 as far as natives go, "Oh. I miss the food," he said with a grin now, "We also moved during Christmas market season so I think that bothered me a little. But it is what it is. I'm sure I'll make new discoveries here." He got Waffel to turn again, once again but asked the gelding to move into a canter now. The polo pony shuffled quickly into the canter now before relaxing into a rhythm, "So, besides riding - what do you like to do around here?"

i find it hard to say the things i want to say the most find a little bit of steady as i get close

Archie thought today would have been about minding his own business, and keeping clear of any family drama. Unfortunately though, that just did not seem to be the Wagner way. For a few moments, it felt as if the sun was eclipsed by the moon, or at least, a few clouds - which was odd, since the teenager had been convinced that it had been a perfectly cloudless day. Curious, he opened up one green eye to see what was going on and caught sight of a familiar face smirking down at him, "Frankie?" He asked now stupidly. Of course it was her, he would know his own sister from a mile away.

He had a moment, forgetting that he was actually sitting in pool water, as he tried to sit up, only to have the water swallow him whole. But it was only for a second as he came up now, wiping water from his eyes and pushing his mop of wet hair from his face. Francesca was already making herself at home now by the pool's edge, dipping her feet and legs into the water. He didn't quite mind her presence, unlike Leonie who always seemed to be angry, but Archie still felt like maybe he should have his guard up. Instead though, his eldest sister said something that caught him completely off guard once again, which appeared to be her specialty, "Did you know Alexi is here in this drab little town too?”

Archie was certain he should play dumb, after all, that had been what Alexi had wanted. Instead though, the seventeen year old merely blurted out, "Did you run into him too?!" The question immediately, felt stupid. Of course he had, one - because she was Frankie, and two - her phrasing said it all. Slowly, he swam over to her now to chill besides her while still remaining in the pool, his arms and elbows resting on the side of the pool, "I saw him at the University last year when I was looking for Leonie - he didn't really seem to be being held against his will like a kidnapped royal. He told me to keep quiet though..." And then, curiosity got the best of him, "What did he say to you?"

i find it hard to say the things i want to say the most 

Archie Wagner couldn't believe that the end of summer was here. In just a few weeks, he would be joining his sister Leonie over at Hickstead Uni now that he had successfully completed Hickstead Secondary School just a few months ago. The school system had taken some getting used to for Archie, as it had differed from his schooling back in Germany, but with a little help from his new found English friends, the teenager had made it work. Summer had seemingly been carrying on like normal other than when his eldest sister and her whirlwind antics breezed through the Wagner Household - her breakout from her rehab clinic still fresh in everyone's (namely their mother's) minds. While he did his best to stay out of it, the Wagner women made it hard.

Although, what had been unique about the situation that landed them all in Hickstead was that Frankie was sticking to her guns that she had been drugged, that she would never go beyond her limits. Her sheer determination to stick to the story soon had Archie beginning to believe that there was actually a lot of merit to this truth. And while his mother and other sister, Leonie, seemed to still think otherwise, Archie was beginning to wonder if Frankie needed to be cut some slack. Granted, it's not as if she had been doing her best since moving to Hickstead to appease their mother also.

A sigh escaped him at the thought, as he leaned back into the water and allowed himself to float along. Even in the hot days, it would seem that people had little time to be at the pool and were more occupied with vacations outside of the tiny town of Hickstead. Archie didn't mind though, he probably needed his quiet to shed his brain of all of the thoughts in his mind, from Frankie and Leonie, to Alexi, and lastly, Oliver Deak. Archie had never had so much going on in Germany, all what he ever did was worry about polo and his horses, now though, it felt as if there was too much going on. Closing his eyes, he simply allowed the water to carry him in the pool, unware that his moment of tranquility was about to come to an end.

i find it hard to say the things i want to say the most