A Quiet Moment

[Elita Baysinger]

Elita walked carefully down the snow filled path, true it wasn’t as bad as the rest of the place but still, it was slippery. Though even as she glanced at the dark bay mare beside her she knew Tiva would have no problem with the snow, infact she loved the snow. As she though this the mare gently nudged her forward urging her on, seeing as she had finally caught sight of the pasture and the other horses. Elita obliged her and continued to walk.

Reaching the gate she stepped through followed by the mare. After a minute of rubbing her Elita took off the halter and let her go. Walking back to the fence she sat on the top rail, deciding to watch the mare for a few minutes before heading back inside.
The mare bolted around the paddock as fast as her slender legs could carry her. She kicked up snow as she bucked and twisted, thoroughly enjoying her freedom from the trailer and stall she had been confined to for a while. As she played Elita looked around the pasture but didn’t see a black and white paint. That’s odd… she thought as she looked around again He never leaves him inside this long shaking her head she left it at that. Sure Jace was her best friend, but sometimes she just didn’t understand him.

Elita decided to sit and watch Tiva for a few moments enjoying her own time alone for the moment.

[Max Thorton]

Max lead his prancing black and white paint gelding, Skip, down the walkway. It was cold out and snow covered the ground. Once he felt himself slip, but he caught himself before he could fall. His gelding was doing a jig beside him, eager to get out. He hadn't ridden the gelding for a while due to the snow and other plans he had. He walked up to the paddock gate. He saw another horse in the pasture. He let Skip out in a different paddock. As soon as the halter was off the gelding's face, he took off in a dead run, kicking up snow as he went. He watched his gelding for a minute then turned to watch the other girl's horse. He walked over. "That's a pretty horse you've got there." He gave her a smile.

[Elita Baysinger]

Elita looked up when she heard hoof beats coming towards the pasture. She caught sight of a boy and his black and white paint, she watched as he let his horse into a different pasture and walked over to her. Eli listened as he spoke and smiled back at him. Thanks, She is isn’t she? she said continuing to smile before flicking her gaze back to her horse who upon sighting her neighbor called to him earnestly and tossed her head. But she can be a bit of a pain. she said looking back at him.

[Max Thorton]

"Yea mine can be too." He gave her a killer smile. "What breed is she?" He was leaning towards thoroughbred or something of that nature. "Oh by the way my name is Max Thorton. I'm new here." He held out his hand and waited for her to shake it.

[Elita Baysinger]

Eli nodded to him and smiled back at him She's a Trakehner she said then when when he offered his hand and told her his name she took his hand and shook it. I'm Elita Baysinger, but people call me Eli. I just got here a few days ago. she said smiling then looking out at the pasture. So what is your horse? she asked looking back at him.

[Max Thorton]

"Well she's very pretty." As he listened to her he watched the bay mare. "Nice to meet you Eli. I just came here a few days ago too. Where are you from?" He looked out at his horse who was running and bucking. "He's a paint. His name is Skip."

[Elita Baysinger]

She looked at him when he spoke and listened intently I'm from Colorado. You? she asked glancing down at him then looked at the pasture next to her horses and watched him run and play. My mare is named Tiva. So what disciplines do you do? I do show jumping and Dressage, but I also do a little bit of western.

[Max Thorton]

"I'm from California." He answered her. He followed her gaze towards the horses, then swung his dark eyes back towards her. "I ride western. I do western pleasure and reining." He eyed his gelding. The horse seemed to have calmed down now and was pawing through the snow, looking for any signs of grass.

[Elita Baysinger]

She nodded when he spoke My best friend does that too. He has a horse like yours, though his is more… I don’t know, I guess you would call it splashy, he has more black on him then white. she said then smiled at him. Eli hopped of the fence and into the snow. Come for a walk with me? she asked turning to face him, a smile on her face as she then turned and began to walk back towards the gate. Eli slid between the rails of the fence and began to stroll down the path, making sure to keep her pace slow so he could catch up if he wanted to.

[Max Thorton]

"I think I know who you're talking about. Jace right?" He had met the boy earlier in the barn when he was grooming Skippy. "Ok sure." He resopnded. He followed Eli towards the gate and pulled himself up and over the rails. Then he broke into a light jog to catch up with her. "Where are we going?" He asked as he reached her side.

[Elita Baysinger]

When she heard Max talking she turned around and walked backwards. Yeah, his name's Jace she said nodding as she watched him climb over the rails and jog to catch up with her. She paused and turned around when he caught up and asked where they were going. For a walk. she said flashing him a mischeivious smile before looking at the path in front of them. You'll see when we get there. Eli said flicking her sharp green eyes at him for a moment.

[Max Thorton]

"Yeah I met him earlier in the barn. His horse does look like mine." Max laughed as she walked backwards. He rolled his eyes at the 'you'll see' comment. Nothing bugged him more than surprises. He should be annoyed right now but he wasn't. And he couldn't quite figure out why. "So you're not gonna tell me where we're going?" A big white smile stretched across his face.

[Elita Baysinger]

Eli smiled back and shook her head at him No, but I will tell you it’s my favorite place. she said as they came to a thick grove of trees. She turned to him Follow me. she said as she veered off of the path and scanned the ground spotting what she was looking for she pushed her way through the brush and into the trees. After a minute she found the path and continued to walk. She paused just short of the thickest part of the grove and turned to look at him. You probably won’t like it much, being a guy and all but I love it here. she said as she then pushed aside some branches for him to get through. Beyond the trees there was a small clearing in the middle of the grove on top of a hill that over looked the pastures. Part of the creek ran through the clearing, though it was slow due to the cold weather. After letting him through she walked over to a fallen tree and brushed the snow off of its trunk and sat down admiring the view. I come here when I want to get away, or before a competition, or even sometimes just to think. she said before looking up and smiling at him. In the spring the mares and foals will be out there. she said gesturing to the pasture in front of them. She turned to him So what do you think? Not to bad? she said giving him a little cocky smile.

[Max Thorton]

He rolled his eyes as he followed her. "Fine don't tell me." He teased and flashed her another smile. When they entered the grove of trees Max expected them to stop, and was a little surprised when they didn't. He continued to follow her down the path. He rolled his eyes at the comment. "Maybe I'll surprise you and like it." He smiled.

When she pushed aside the branches and e followed through he was surprised at what her saw. It was beautiful. "Not bad at all. I may actually like it." He grinned again.

[Elita Baysinger]

Eli smiled when she saw the surprise on his face. I’m glad you like it. she said grinning at him in return. She then brushed some snow off of the trunk next to her and gestured to it. Want to sit down? she asked watching him for a moment before her gaze wandered back to the snow filled pastures and the creek.