Stranger In The Woods

[TyDy13]

Quiet murmurs ran through Sky's ears. They have been at it for awhile now, how long could it take? We have the money, we have the old lady's approval, so what is taking so long? Finally after another 15 minutes Sky decided to go explore the surrounding woods. She left a note on the table next to the door: Aunt Allison, I decided to go for a walk. I won't be too long. I have the cell on, and it has a couple bars. XO- [glow=red,2,300]Sky[/glow]
Sky then closed the door behind her and set off for the woods.

The woods were pretty and classic, just dark enough to give it a relaxing feeling, giant trees stretching towards the sky, rough, wide, and lush. There was a path, by the looks of it a horse or bike trail, so the footing was comfortable and easy to walk on. Sky followed the path for about five minutes, when the was a small break in the forest. Just beyond the break was a horse and rider, but the shadows prevented her from seeing any more details about either partner. Then the horse snorted, and Sky came out of her side of the shadows. The horse turned to look at her, along with the rider. The horse did nothing when Sky appeared, but the rider said with a hint of surprise; "Who might you be?"

[equinedreamer]

Kat guided Cinnabar slowly down the path, the soft shadows and patches of light danced on Cinnabar's golden coat as he walked onward. A light breeze flowed through Kat's soft wavy brown hair and made it's way through Cinnabar's cream colored tail. One of Cinnabar's golden ears flicked backwards as the sound of soft footsteps made it's way to both their ears. Cinnabar snorted at the smell of a new person and turned his long strong neck toward the sound. "Whoa boy." Kat pulled her golden Quarter horse to a stop and turned herself around in the seat of her western saddle to see what Cinnabar was looking at. Kat was a bit surprised to see someone out on foot and asked the girl who she was. "Hello there, my name is Kat and this palamino gelding is Cinnabar." Cinnabar stood quietly under Kat, waiting for her next cue as Kat dallied the reins around the horn of her saddle and reached down to shake the girl's hand.

[TyDy13]

"Well Kat, nice to meet you. Your horse is gorgeous. Quarter horse I assume?" Sky took the girl's hand and gave her a warm smile. "Oh, and by the way, I'm Sky. I'm new and moving into the cottage up the trail." Then she stepped back to admire the pretty palimino and await the reply.

[equinedreamer]

"Nice to meet you Sky, Yes Cinnabar is pure Quarter horse." Kat said as Cinnabar shifted his weight into the soft dirt and leaves under him. "He's only one of my horses. I have another Quarter horse and an Appendix horse, both are mares he's the only boy." Kat smiled as she thought about the fact that poor Cinnabar had two mares to deal with. Kat reached down and gave Cinnabar's long golden neck a pat. "Welcome to the neighborhood, I live right down the road from here with my dog Kolby and my horses. You're welcome to stop by sometime if you don't mind large dogs." The breeze caught cream colored mane and rustled the leaves on the sun kissed branches of the old oaks and maples that filled the softly shadowed forest. Cinnabar lifted his blazed nose to the breeze and smelled the forest air. Kat awaited the reply of her new neighbor...

[TyDy13]

Sky shifted her own weight before she replied. "Why thank you, I might. I do love big dogs, I used to have a boxer, but we had to put him down a couple months back. Sky ran her fingers through her hair and sighed. "Well, how long have you had, um, I don't think you mentioned his name. And the other mares? I was wondering because your gelding seems very attached to you..." A bird made a soft chirp nearby and the palimino lifted his head and perked his ears to address the noise. He is a fine built horse, nice conformation, breath-taking color, and his eyes were soft and quite kind. That was always important, what a horse's eyes said. A horse's eyes told you about their past and all they have been through, and usually say more than papers or records, if you know how to read them right.

[equinedreamer]

Kat heard the bird off in the distance as her horse inquired about the sound "His name is Cinnabar's fire but I call him Cinnabar for short. I got him three years ago as a three year old from a friend of mine who breeds Quarter horses. I've not had my other horses quite as long, Sugar, my 11 year old Quarter horse mare has only been with me for a little over a year and I've only had Gracie my Appendix for a few months." Cinnabar sighed softly, Kat loved her horses very much and it came out in her voice. "I'm very sorry about your dog, if I ever lost Kolby..." Kat shuddered at the thought. Cinnabar turned back to look towards Kat sensing her distress. "In fact Kolby should be around here somewhere, he often comes with me on rides but he ran off after a rabbit earlier." Suddenly Cinnabar raised his head and flicked his golden ears around toward the sound of distant bark and rustle of leaves on the ground. A large colorful Australian Shephard bounded out from the brush.
"There you are Kolby!" Kat said to her tail wagging friend. "Sky this is my best canine friend Kolby." The sweet eyed dog sniffed at Sky's hand "Kolby, sit boy." Kat comanded her dog. The Shephard gladly obeyed her voice, sitting on the soft trail dirt.

[TyDy13]

"Oh, That's okay. I'm over it now." Sky leaned down to pet Kolby, and started sratching him behind the ears. He was a very cute dog, and his fur was like velvet. "I actually have quite a few horses myself. Two are for sale now, but there are still plenty more." Sky then looked up at the sky, it was starting to mix the colors of the day and put them away, and was getting ready to bring the night colors out for their shift. "My aunt is actually finalizing the house now. That means my horses should be coming in very soon. I hope so, I need to get my horses out of their old stable." Sky sighed and looked down at Kolby then looked up once again at the sky. "Ah, I love this time, when the sky starts mixing colors. It's so... I don't know. I just love it." Sky looked distant then, like she was in another place. At least until a bird almost flew right into her head, and she snapped back into reality. Sky started giggling at the weirdness of the moment. She then just shook her head and sighed.....

[equinedreamer]

Kat looked at the slowly setting sun and then looked at her watch "Oh my goodness, no wonder Kolby came looking for me, it's almost time for his supper." Kolby looked up at Kat and licked his lips but didn't move otherwise. "I'm really glad you're moving in, Kolby really seems to like you." Cinnabar snorted and began to mouth his bit. "I'm so sorry I have to leave, But I see that Cinnabar is getting a little restless." The golden horse's head began to lower and his chocolate eyes began to droop. "And tired." Kat added with a slight giggle as she watched her horse bob his head in an effort to stay awake. Kat gathered the reins and cued Cinnabar to slowly circle Sky and stop on the other side. "My house is down that way." pointing in front of her horse. "It's not very far, you're welcome to stop by anytime you'd like. It's the large log house, you can't miss it." Kat smiled at her new neighbor and then looked at her dog. "Good luck moving in Sky, Kolby come." Kolby got up from sitting in the dirt and stood over by Cinnabar. "After you finsh moving in, stop by. Maybe we can ride together some time, I've got some great trails behind my house."

[TyDy13]

"Oh wow, that would be great! Thank you very much, and I'm glad I'm moving to. I was nice to meet you and I hope I'll see you around." Sky gave Kat a small smile and then patted Kolby on his head. "Well, good bye. I really glad I met you." On that, Sky smiled and headed back through the darkening path and towards her hopeful new home, with the sky mixing the colors of night over her head.