xx dread the day when dreaming ends

[Iselin Blackwood]

The sun was shining brightly against a blue sky far away in the atmosphere. It was warm out in the middle of the day, and the Wild River Trail was full of activity. The river gurgled and splashed as the current carried itself through. Families of ducks quacked and swam nosily around, feeding on small fish while looking after their young. The birds in the trees sang their songs loudly, their soprano voices mixed among the whisper of the shifting leaves in the breeze. The music did not cease even when a new visitor arrived.

Emerging from the green foliage of the previous trail was a lathered Jade and a breathless Iselin. The young Andalusian had spooked his way all up and down the trail before finally deciding that just walking was a whole lot easy. Iselin, before going out, viewed it as a priceless part of his training, as horses need confidence both out on the trail and in the area. But right about now she was rethinking that. She had gotten quite a cardio workout on top of Jade, because every time he spooked she had to gather him up and circle him tightly until he realized that spook meant work. Every time he jumped Iselin seemed to jump aswell, probably worse than Jade had even intented. But at least the dirty job was done for the day.

As soon as Jade, who was now almost black by the tint of his sweat, caught wind of the water he put his head down and started to guzzle, not even flicking an ear at the ducks who swum around quickly. Iselin collapsed in the saddle on top of him, laying over his neck and gratefully patted the sweaty neck. Sitting back up, Iselin pulled various sticks and leaves out of the interstices of the western saddle she had borrowed from Aaren because of its deep seat and big horn. Now it was slightly scratched, and a stript of appologies ran through her head, but luckily it was nothing a little Leatherizer could handle.

From sitting on top, the water looked good to Iselin, whose pink tank top was drenched with sweat. Her loose bangs stuck to her head, hair twice as curly from the humidity. The breeze from the river felt nice, but not nice enough. She dismounted decidedly, loosened Jade's girth, and tied him loosely to a fallen log with some grass nearby. While he munched gratefully, Iselin stripped off her jeans to her boy-short underwear and welcomed the water with a shiver.

Iselin played with the water gently, feeling the current with her arms and fingers. Kneeling in the center, the water came up to her neck. Underneath soft, smooth stones caressed her knees. Plugging her nose, Iselin couldn't stand putting her face underwater without holding her nose, she ducked underneath before emerging once more with straight hair. Looking around, she noticed Jade was scooting around nervously and looking towards the entrace of the trail. Someone must've been coming around the corner.

"Hello?! Hey, say something for my stupid horse please, so he doesn't think you're a giant monster!" she called out sarcastically, mocking Jade, and moved slowly against the current of the water to get to the shore. Not like she wanted to work with Jade anymore. She was too tired to do ground control for an hour before he got confidant enough. Hopefully this would solve itself once Jade heard a human voice.

[TERRANCE D'AMICO xx]

xxxx

xx Even Terrance needed a chance to relax, away from his world of chaos that never seemed to want to settle down. Today, on this warm late spring afternoon, Terrance decided to make time for himself, and a well deserving equine of his. Amadeo wasn't getting enough exercise, which was sad for a horse of his age. He was young, and full of endless energy, and needed to be worked at least once a day. With all the work Terrance was left to face, finding time for the horse seemed next to impossible. But today he'd make things a bit different.

xx Not much activity was going on at the barn at this hour, for some reason. Everyone was out at lunch or something of the sort. Terrance looked around the barn-- Empty. Not a soul. The majority of the horses dozed off in their stalls, enjoying the soothing warmth that leaked in through the stall doors. Terrance smiled as he walked down the barn isle, his tongue clicked a few times against the roof of his mouth. Amadeo peered around his stall, seeing his owner approaching. He tossed his head happily, swishing his tail back and fourth. Terrance clipped the lead rope on, slinging it over his shoulder and leading the large stud from his stall which seemed to act as a prison anymore. Amadeo had quite a bounce in his step, as usual. This should be an interesting ride. Terrance began to groom his sleek bay coat, and did up the tack and headed outside into broad daylight. Today, Terrance wore a pair of wrangler jeans, and a white wife-beater which exposed the tattoo of the name "D'amico" which ran down his upper arm, stopping just above his elbow. It was neatly designed, and had been there for awhile now.

xx Alongside horse and rider, jogged Gabe, eagerly trying to keep up with the two as their pace progressed towards the River Trails. Terrance kept Amadeo walking for a bit, as he mouthed at the bit and tensed his neck, already getting over-worked. Terrance felt the stallion's pace change as he heard sounds around him, quickening with each step he took. After the two were off the main barn property, Terrance loosened his rein a bit and allowed the stallion to relax his head. A hand was lifted to adjust the old western stetson that sat on Terrance's head, protecting his eyes from the sun. As soon as he re-gripped the reins, his outside leg was brought back, nudging the horses side and off Amadeo went without any hesitation. At a canter, things seemed much more enjoyable and relaxing. Terrance leaned forward a bit in the western saddle he used for trail. It was older too, belonged to his father, a gift from a trainer in Germany. It was engraved with many different designs and had the intials "VPD" carved carefully into the leather. Terrance would always keep this saddle, and pass it down to the next generation of D'Amico's.

xx After a good long canter, Amadeo's neck began to glisten with sweat. Terrance slowed him down, his body relaxing as Amadeo's steps came back to a four beat. The sound of the rushing river could be heard, a gentle current flowing, usual for this time of month. Amadeo perked his ears, nostrils flaring, wide-eyes searching for the source of the noise. He seemed to pick up on something else, too. A voice. Terrance heard it as well. It was a females voice, coming from the river. "Tell him I'm no monster. That's only my weekend job."

[/color] Terrance joked, his voice raised a bit so the other horse and rider could hear. He realized, after he spoke, that the voice had seemed quite familiar. A bit too familiar. It struck a bitter note in his heart, and he furrowed a brow. As they reached the end of tall trees and shrubs, he saw the horse wading in the river. And a striking brunette upon him.

xx Iselin. Good God, it was really her. Terrance's jaw shut tightly, no expression seen on his face. This was like a dream, almost. He never thought he'd run into her again. And here? Had she returned to Wild River, and didn't even let him know? He narrowed his eyes a bit, focusing on her, until they got closer. He let Amadeo stop at the edge of the river, dipping his large head to drink the cool water. "Well if it isn't Iselin. Sure is a damn small world anymore." Terrance said, his tone as blank as his expression. Even if they did break up, and weren't each others biggest fans, she still looked amazing.[/size][/blockquote]

[KACIA MARKOVICA XX]

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[Iselin Blackwood]

(OOC: Sorry Kacia, I finally got my computer fixed so it won't do that anymore. Yay!)

Every little girl grows up watching those wonderful Disney movies and seeing every Princess get her Prince Charming. Iselin considered herself to be a Princess even after those youthful years, and assumed that she rightfully deserved hers. Sure, Iselin's morals were far more lax than most girls', but she considered life too short to follow the rules, and that one day he'd just show up and she'd decide not to have all the sex, the parties, or the drinking - it would just be her and him, living a beautiful life away from the red lights. Sure Terrance more or less doubled those sinful activities in their first years, but Iselin had tasted the golden atmosphere of contentment once or twice and it was the reason why she relinquished her hold on him so bitterly.

She fondly recalled her relationship with Terrance at first being purely founded upon libido and almost animalistic lust. She loathed him during the day, but loved him during the nights. He was a different sort of handsome. A rare, tall, dark, brooding, soft-handed sort of handsome that was hard to find. The kind that makes a girl weak in the loins when just a steady, sensual glance is placed upon her. But Iselin was almost prepared for their relationship to end as the sun was sure to rise. A relationship built upon lust is not fated to last, but it did for a while.

Slowly, molding to complete his persona, Iselin tamed her agressive tendancies and learned that a simple kiss on the cheek meant more than a whole night. That they shared the same interests, but also respected their differences. The golden atmosphere that surfaced between them in moments of peace and contentment seemed to fill her extire being ten times that which lust could ever fill. It was beautiful, but not destined to last as Iselin's pride soon turned to suspicion and jealousy - and without trust, there was no love.

Iselin stood on the shore of the river, sopping wet with her clothes practically painted onto her body. She soon forgot Jade, who calmed at the presence of another horse and settled. Terrance's words, so filled with emptiness, could've made her cry. Was that all he could look upon her with? Just indifference? But Iselin never cried; her face turned to a sour scorn, her body posture changed into a defensive stance with her arms protectively across her chest, and her nose slightly in the air.

"You can say that again. Looks like the universe served us up a heapin' plate of cosmic irony," she retorted pointedly, "I still hate you; y'know."

Iselin marvelled at why she couldn't come up with anything better to add but that last phrase. "I still hate you; y'know." It was worse than the weakness in her legs she was trying so hard to supress right now. Without her witticism, Iselin was nothing. Being around Terrance made her feel insecure; almost rattled. He knew too much about her nature, and it made her feel naked standing there in front of him, like he could see through the whole charade or something. It was an awful feeling. She didn't want him to see that she was still hurting - still longing and craving for a taste of that wonderful feeling love brought. The fact that she had sex addictively in order to get the slightest bit closer. And all those stupid little facts no one needed to know about Iselin Blackwood.