|w.on't|ever|c.hange| {open}

[.x.chaos.is.R E B E L L I O N|]

Roxanna was thoroughly cautious of today, not frightened, no, just cautious. Today, she was going to put Hell's Black Revenge in the round pen, having only a lunge line between them. She was already dressed, having a on a fitted tank top and come leg-conforming breeches. She didn't want anything baggy, for fear that it would get in her way and so Black had nothing to pull on.

Giving one last look in the stable's bathroom mirror, she gave a reasonless chuckle at her reflection. Her hair was actually obeying her whims today. It was straight. Whirling around, she was out the door and into the barn doors before 5 minutes was up. Looking up the aisle, she immediately became calm. Starchaser was already in his pasture, so she could focus on just Black today. But it was evident, the hot-tempered stallion did not like this at all. There was Hell to pay. Roxanna took a sugar cube out of her pocket and slowly approached her screaming, kicking stallion. She could feel the steadily rising flush of red in her cheeks. Black was a stallion through and through, from his spirit to his muscular body.

When the tall black stallion came saw Roxxy, he abruptly quit his incessant shrieking of challenges and let out a warm, but irritated whinny. He was glad she was with him again, but he didn't like what she did to him, playing such a nasty trick on him! Feeding him, then leaving him in the stable with such insignificant other horses! His thoughts showed in his bright brown eyes.

Working quickly, Roxxy had him connected to a lead rope and she lead him out, but what really happened is he dragged her out. Roxanna was ever the calm mother, though and worked with his strength to get him to the round pen.

Having sighted the round pen, Hell changed his whole demeanor. He became a seething demon. He began blow his shrill whistles repeatedly, rearing, bolting, stopping, nostrils flaring, ears pricked, and the whole flamboyant process. When the tall stallion reared, he actually picked the 145 pound Roxxy off the ground and swung her around his head. She had started leading him on the left side of his head; she ended up on his far right by the time she had finally gotten him to their destination.

Quick as a snake, Roxxy's hand unleashed the massive stag into the corral and then closed and locked the gate. Putting her back against the metal bars, she slid down to rest on her butt. "For loving me, you sure don't show it that well." Looking up, she gave a startled gasp. It was times like these that made Roxxy remember the impeccable danger she always put herself in by just being near the 17 hand stud. While talking, she hadn't noticed that he had suddenly gone quiet and had made his way to stand in front of his mistress. When Roxxy looked up, she was staring into liquid brown eyes, the perfect chocolate color. There was something soft there. It was one of those very rare times when he showed his affection for her.

Getting up, she instinctively reached out and wrapped her arms about his thick neck. Black gave a soft nicker and craned his head back to nudge her affectionately. But then it was over when he smelled another being approaching. Roxxy, still wrapped around him, followed his auburn gaze. Black gave an ear-drum-busting whistle.

[Desert]

Every tacked a horse blind folded? Probably not. Actually, most people needed their eyes to tack a horse. What if the horse was an exited stallion? That just made it more fun. Especially when you're actually blind. Lucky for this blind rider. His stallion was well trained and gentle that never acted up unless another stallion was around.

A dog weaved between the horse's legs panting. He was a big dog and could be avoided, besides the horse, Breeze, was used to the mutt doing that to him. The dog's name was Sparks. He was a German shepherd mix. Sawyer didn't know the other breed in him, but he knew he was very fuzzy and loving. Sparks was a trained guide dog and took his work seriously. But loved time off from the harness and just being the regular family dog. Letting one of the horses become Sawyer's eyes. The horses didn't even need a lead rope unless other horses were around. Which, unfortunately there were. So Sawyer had Breeze ground tied while he worked.

He decided to go bareback today so didn't bother for the saddle but the bridle....Time for war. When Breeze lay eyes on the smooth bridle he tossed his head into the air and reared. He was getting smart. Sawyer was tall...very tall. Tall enough that if he just lifted his head up as far as it would go. It wouldn't make much of a difference in Sawyer's case. But if he reared, he'd be taller than Sawyer but, Sawyer knew that Breeze couldn't stay up there forever and that he'd have to return to four feet eventually. So, Sawyer just held the lead rope tight and just stood there. Waiting for the thump of his feet returning to Earth.

Breeze snorted and fell back down to four feet. Sawyer nodded and picked up the bridle. Breeze turned away shifting his weight around, leaning on his hind feet now. Shifting feet every minutes while he swung his head around to avoid getting bridled. For once, he was actually doing a good job, until Sawyer held the lead rope in place preventing Breeze to move his head around too much.

"Let's just get it over with." Sawyer whispered gently placing the snaffle, Breeze's least favourite thing, in his horses mouth. Breeze hesitantly accepted that he lost and chewed on the bit in pure disgust of the thing. Sawyer won this battle but, the war wasn't over. Far from being over. He made sure everything on the bridle was fit right and tight. Sawyer led his horse out into the open and barely took five steps before he heard a whistle that almost tore open his super sensitive ears. That's when Breeze reacted. He squealed and reared up kicking out at nothing with his front hooves tossing his mane wildly.

That only meant one thing and it was the horrible truth. Another stallion was near. Open the Wind lived to his name. He lunged forward almost tearing Sawyer's arm off. Luckily Sawyer was stronger than the average blind guy and knew how to deal with the stallion's misbehavior. He dug his heels into the ground and gave a quick tug on the lead stopping Breeze in his tracks. Still, the stallion let out a shrill challenging whinny to the other stallion. Who Sawyer guessed was having a fit aswell.

Breeze jerked his head to the side but kept his feet planted and didn't move. Sawyer kept a firm hold on him. Breeze was trained to be a show horse, lover boy, and Sawyer's guide. So whatever Sawyer says goes. No exceptions. Even if that means giving up a perfectly good fight with another stallion. Than so be it.

[.x.chaos.is.R E B E L L I O N|]

She didn't get to see the other stallion or the young man because Roxanna suddenly found herself in a very dangerous situation. She should have backed away from Hell when he became aggressive, but she didn't. Like a hawk picking up a fly, Hell reared high, taking Roxanna with him, her arms still wrapped tightly around his neck. She couldn't help it, but she screamed loudly. "BLACK!!! BLACK, STOP!!! AAAAHHHH!" It was then that the stallion seemed to realize he had a passenger, around his muscled neck of all things! What was the mistress on his neck for? Wasn't she supposed to be on his back? (She never stayed on there long, anyways, what with his temper!) How odd.

The confusion ended his tantrum and he came back down, rather gently for his massive size. Oh, no, mustn't hurt the mistress. He loved her too much for that. Finally solid on all four hooves, Roxanna never felt smaller for her 5'7". She felt insignificant. Quickly releasing his neck, she backed away rapidly, darting to the side of the round pen. Looking up, Roxxy saw the young man and did an instant double take. Realizing what she did, she growled. Hormones. Blasted hormones.

Purposely looking at his horse, she found herself admiring the coutures of the black and white stallion. She found something beautiful about every horse. She watched as the stallion, who had been answering Hell's challenges earlier, was openly obeying the handsome man. Handsome? When did I start noticing handsome men? Stupid hormones. Shaking her head, hopefully clearing it, she stopped and every so slowly moved her face to look to her right side. Blue eyes wide, she was staring at the shoulder of her horse. Dammit, Hell. Couldn't you give me a warning like every other horse in the world does?! Her expression was incredulous.

For more reasons that one. Black was looking straight at the fine-no, just young man and the other stallion and hadn't made a noise. Looking him up and down, Roxxy said to her stud, "Well...lookie here...at least yer learnin'. With that she gave him a good pat on his ripped shoulders. "Stay. Please...No, look at me!" With a tan hand, she grabbed his muzzle and gently, but firming brought it down so she was looking into his left brown eye. "Stay, Black. For once, be a gentleman. Puhlease." The fire in those eyes was unmistakable and with a sigh, Roxanna slim body fit through the bars of the round pen.

Taking up her ground eating strides, she was always a fast walker, she approached the stallion and the young man. But as she came closer, there was something amiss. She just knew something was missing from the older boy. It was just something instinctual. Her intelligence was greatly appreciated as she flipped through three options. He was either mute, deaf, or blind. So, she began to make noise, not obnoxious ones, but slight ones that gave birth to her position. Like stepping on rocks, twigs, shallow sounds that let someone know that another being is coming.

Roxanna smiled, a genuine one of friendliness. In soft words, she spoke, Hey! I'm sorry about Black...I hated that he gave your stallion trouble." By the time she had finished her short talk, she was standing a few feet in front of the team.

[Desert]

Finally calm. The black stallion turned and looked into Sawyer's eyes. Though he couldn't see, he could feel the stallion's warm breath on his cheeks. Sawyer reached out and place his hands on either side of Breeze's neck. "Aren't you supposed to help the blind, not lift them off their feet?"

Breeze seemed to understand and placed his head on Sawyer's chest his ears still flicking back and forth from Sawyer's quiet murmers to the other stallion who had not yet calmed. His blind master/ friend/ rider/ blind person gently moved his forelock to the side and scratched his poll. He knew that acting up was "Bad" but, he couldn't help it most the time. He got exited when other stallions were around.

Breeze was good-tempered by nature and acted almost gelding-ish around people. Sawyer knew that very well. He also knew that he got exited easily. No big. He was about to turn the other way when he heard a woman's scream. Breeze, who almost fell into a cat nap, shot into attention. Nostrals flaring. Sawyer only stared blankly and listend to her pleading cries.

Should he help or wait? Wait he thought. Even with a bad-tempered horse. His or her master or mistress should be able to take control without help from the local blind guy. So he stood there his arm around Breeze's neck his hand lay on the opposite shoulder from where he was standing. Breeze suddenly knew it was Guide horse time. He shifted his weight to his left side. A command to Sawyer that meant "Stay".

Speaking of guide. Where was his dog? Sniffing around somewhere most likely. Staying away from the two stallions hopefully. Lost in his train of endless thought about...stuff. Breeze had to get Sawyer's attention when the girl spoke to her horse again. This time. He focused hard on the sound of her voice. She didn't sound hesitant but shaken. Not surprised because of the earlier event. It had not really a high pitch, maybe somewhere in the middle of first and second surprano if speaking in music terms. Was that an accent? A little bit.

Breeze nickered quietly while Sawyer stood there like an idiot staring at nothing. The wheels in his head began to turn faster and went back to the day before. He was grooming Breeze who kept fidgeting than he heard the same peircing scream the horse that just calmed. So she was the one who owned that demon. Not that Sawyer thought of any horse, even as bad- tempered as...What was it? Black. He never thought of any horse a demon. Still, Black seemed to hate every horse around him and made a little too much noise for Sawyer's taste but, he said nothing of it and he wouldn't to the horse's rider. Unless, of course, she'd mention it herself if they ever had a chance to talk.

With Sawyer lost in La La Land, Breeze lowered his head and heaved a big content sigh. He kept his gaze away from the huge black stallion that he now hated. He didn't hate many horses but, Black just won himself a spot on the very top of that list. Well congrats to him. Breeze flexed his muscular neck and glanced at his master. Who was still in his own little world. Staring at the sky with big chocolate brown unseeing eyes. That boy was never going to change.

Noise? What noise? The one that snapped Sawyer out of his day dreamy phase. He blinked for the first time in over a minute and looked to where the racket was coming from. He instantly knew it was pourposeful and, that it was made by human not horse. So it was the girl not his dog, not her horse. Her horse must be in the round pen. If he wasn't, Breeze was probobly dead meat. Not that his stallion couldn't pick a good fight. He was so good natured he'd lose in a fight against Black. Maybe even killed and Sawyer wasn't about to get another stallion after he's had Breeze for how long? Since he was sixteen. So about four years.

There he was again. Lost in thought. Breeze leaned into Sawyer's shoulder making him stumble a little. He heard the girl's voice again. This time closer. That's when shyness kicked in. He was BLIND! How could he be shy if he couldn't see whom he was talking to? That's what made Sawyer so....Eccentric. He was blind, but he didn't act like it half the time. Sure he had the guide dog, the cane, the horse, the making everyone he knew tell him his surroundings, but he just acted not blind.

UGH! He had to learn how to stop thinking so much. He looked up at the girl but Breeze nudged him to the left to where he made eye contact. Even though that didn't really matter to him. Some people found it polite to make eye contact so that's was Sawyer did anyway. If he could acctually find their eyes that is. Sometimes it looked like he was staring over their shoulder at something in the distance.

He felt something brush up against his leg before he was able to respond. There was the mutt. Sparks sat down by Breeze and eyed the girl. Watching her like a hawk. There it was. The whole crew. Well, if Brit was there, than it'd be the whole crew. The two black horses, the guide dog, and the master of the bunch. The guy that over thought everything! Well he had to! Right? He had to memorize everything. Floor plans when he went to new places, voices so he knew who he was talking to, the sound of his horses so he knew which horse was his and which horse wasn't. Also his dog's bark, so he could tell his massive oaf of a guide dog to the lean mean herding machine that belonged to his brother.


Sparks whined and headbutted Sawyer's leg. Back into attention...again. Sawyer smiled and nodded. "It's alright. They already hated each other in the first place. So it's really no big deal. No one got hurt...I think." he said hesitantly still not sure if she got hurt or not. That had to be the longes speech he's ever giving anyone he just met. Normally it was a simple sentence. A sentence that could barely be heard because his voice would shake so much. This time he sounded confident, not wanting to make a complete fool of himself, even though he should be used to that. He did something to embarrass himself every day. Even the thought made him blush. His cheeks went hot and Sawyer had to look away. That it is! He had just made a complete and utter fool of himself. He looked up at the girl again. His cheeks were still a little pink under his tan skin.

Good intro. The first person that talks to you since you got here. and you still end up making a fool of yourself. Good job. he thought to himself mentaly kicking his own rear in shame. Truthfuly, she was the first person to talk to him since he got here. People would only walk past with a simple "Hello." and maybe even a smile. But when Sawyer would give them one of his blank stares that said "Are you talking to me?". They would probobly never want to talk to him ever. No one knew, or cared, that he was blind and honestly. Sawyer didn't care if they cared or not.

[.x.chaos.is.R E B E L L I O N|]

Roxxy saw what the handicap was. He was blind. His faintly cloudy, empty brown eyes said it all. Still, Roxxy wasn't one to pity. She felt sympathetic understanding. She knew what it must be like, to live life in total darkness. But the thought that he wasn't one of those to let it hemper their life brought a wide grin to her face. It wasn't long before she saw the German Shepherd mix come to stand beside him, watching her every movement keenly. She gave a soft-eyed smile at the animals then turned her focus to the young man. Even closer, her eye strayed over his muscled body and the attractive bone structure of his tan face. She sighed inwardly.

She tried not to be like other girls, who fawn over every cute boy, but it happened anyways. She was about to be eighteen and even though she wasn't near as bad, it was natural for her to notice. Putting back on a smile, even though he couldn't see it, she said happily, "I know! Black is a horrid beast, but he can be loving...when he feels like it." Here, she let loose a few chuckles and sighed in contentment. "I love him, but I can't say the same about other people or horses, even Starchaser, who has been with him from the beginning of his life with me has a hard time finding fondness for him."

There was a moment of pregnant silence before, Roxxy's own voice became shy. "I'm happy to meetcha. The name's Roxxy. Short for Roxanna." On impulse, before she did it she thought about it and the probable consequences, she grabbed the boy's hand, tenderly, and it in her own. And she shook it. Then, she gently let go, letting him have control of it. The laughter was ringing in her voice, though she was not actually laughing. "Once again, it's my pleasure to meetcha."

[Desert]

Inside Sawyer's head: Bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla.
Outside Sawyer's head: ...................................

What a nut case. He stared blankly at the girl like he did to everyone that talked to him. He thought she'd leave, but instead she spoke again. "Er.....So he may be bad-tempered. There's never a bad horse. Or, 'horrid beast' as you put it." he said truthfuly. Not wanting to sound rude. "I completely understand your point though." he added quickly, biting his lower lip, not really knowing what to say next.

What if he was acting like a total fool! He couldn't read her expression. He could only hear it in her voice, which sounded ceerful, but still. That was only her voice! What about facial expressions. Sometimes he forgot what a smile looked like. That's when he always remembered. A smile is an upside down frown. Good! He got that cleared up Now he had to learn how to stop spacing out so much.

Sparks licked his hand knocking pure sense into Sawyer's head. WAKE UP! he screamed at himself in his head. He blinked only to hear the end of her last sentence. Not knowing what to do. Or say. He nodded casualy making himself looking even more shy and even more like an idiot who had no care in the world.

That's when he felt a hand in his than a shake. Handshake....Duh. He felt her smooth skin that was still a little rough, like his, from handleing a horse. For her handling a horse like Black. While Sawyer had his cuddle bug of a stallion that only acted up around a bit, mares, and other stallions. He also had Brit. He was such a sweet-tempered horse but he was afraid of almost everything that crossed his path.

She dropped his hand that fell loosely at his side. She introduced herself so that meant he had to do the same. It wasn't like she could read his mind. If she could, she'd be overwhelmed with various thoughts at a time about worthless junk that kept floating around inside his head. Oh to live in the head of Sawyer.

"Nice to meet you...Roxxy. I'm Sawyer. Short for....nothing." he said feeling kinda odd about calling her by a nickname when they first met. He heard the shyness in her voice and gave a somewhat crooked smile . Sparks yipped once and trotted over to Roxxy and touched his nose to her hand as if for a greeting.

Now he heard laughter in her voice. How strange. Not many people could do that. At least. Not many people he knew. Their voice was shy, and stayed that way. Her's went from being shy to...exited...happy...some other good emotion. With that he just smiled.

[.x.chaos.is.R E B E L L I O N|]

"Yanno...you have a rather pretty smile." She nodded, her eyes bright with youthful enthusiasm. "Ah, I promise you, come within ten feet of him, he'll show who's a bad horse." Another spurt of chortling. "Aaaaanyways, Sawyer, I never knew any guy who had the name of Sawyer having a longer version of that name. So, you're good." She looked at the German Shepherd mix with soft blue eyes. Her heart always had been for the animals. Coming as close as she could without invading Sawyer's bubble, she said softly, wonder and adoration clearly in her voice. "So, you ride...you have two beautiful animals.

What's the stallion's name? And this lil' boy's name? Her lilting, Southern drawl just happened to sneak out in that last sentence. She went down on one knee to tenderly caress the dog's head with her long tan fingers, scratching his cheekbones, behind his ears, and other obvious places.

Obviously Black had been quiet this whole time, but when they actually started speaking, he began shifting his large amount of muscle from one leg to the other. Then, they touched! Oh, no, that mustn't happen! He could be threat to his Roxxy! No, no, no! She isn't supposed to touch anyone but him! And then Roxxy began to interact with the animals. Ooh! He was going to kill that hound!

Black was working himself into a rage and he let out a shrill scream and before Roxxy knew it, he was suddenly a blur in the roundpen, his body into the air, his limbs kicking out to make a buck. He began to kick the heck out of the metal bars that made up the large corral. Hearing the sound of hoof against metal is not something one wants to hear. Ever. Roxanna looked at her beast of a stallion, and felt hot tears of shame roll down her cheeks. This was by far the worst Black had ever been. He was actually tearing down the round pen, with his hooves. How was she going to pay for all this?!

Voice with tears, she said a very much accented, "If you'll excuse meh for a minute." And she took off at a dead run towards the round pen. She came to her stallion, but she dare not go inside. He would kill her in an instant. As it was, she was a little more than five fee from the outside of the metal pen. Sticking her middle finger and her thumb in her mouth, she gave a loud whistle. Hell gave a last buck and ran towards the side of the corral that his owner was at, his eyes holding that supremely deadly fire. Looking at him, she spread her arms wide, her voice it's normal volume. "Why? I can't pay for this, Hell!" Betraying tears, hot and stinging, fell down her cheeks some more.

Black's brown eyes dimmed subtly. She was crying! His mistress was angry! And sad! Why was she sad and angry? Oh, she was sad and angry. My, he felt bad. He only did what he was taught to do as a young colt, distract attention from anyone who was interacting with the object of his love. But of course, those nasty bars that kept him in this tiny pen just happened to be in his way... Oh, he didn't like those words, he didn't like them at all. They made him feel...regret. But still! They were touching her! They couldn't touch her. That's wrong. Only he and (sometimes) Starchaser could.

The furious flare in his eyes died completely, only leaving those ever present flames of his youth and temperment. He gave a soft, gentle whicker at her, encouraging her to come closer. Yes, he wanted her to touch him, to assure him that she still loved him. But, she was crying again! He gave another gentle whinny, not even a fourth as loud as his challenging screeches.

Roxanna watched as he stretched his long neck as far as it would go. She shook her head and turned on her heel to head back towards Sawyer. She had her eyes downcast, but of course he didn't know that. I'm sorry to take up your time. I liked talking to you." Giving a shaky sigh, she slowly turned away to look at her monstrosity that belonged to her.

[Desert]

Inside Sawyer's head: ........................................................
Outside Sawyer's head:.................................................................Wha?

Pretty smile huh? NICE! Of course he had no clue what his smile looked like. At least now he knew it was pretty. He smiled again....A habit that couldn't be broken. "Uh..Thanks. Wish I could say the same for you." he said motioning to his eyes. He honestly did. He missed meeting a girl and telling them they had a pretty smile. Even though when he went blind he hadn't hit puberty yet, but he still was a big flirt with the girls. None of them minded at least.

For the girls back home, Sawyer was the sweetheart that everyone loved. Why? Because he was a nice person with a good sense of humor! That's why! He listened closely to the enthusiasm of her voice when she spoke. He pictured her every movement in his head and even tried to picture facial expressions. It wasn't hard. He was a master at that kind of stuff.

"Well, I guess we can make an exception for Black than." he said calmly. A hint of laughter in his voice. Maybe there were some bad horses out there. Still, Sawyer never thought of a horse to be bad. And he never would. He grew up around sweet tempered horses like Breeze or Brit. Sweet as geldings. Well, Brit was a gelding so no contest there when it came to which horse was more like a gelding.

When she mentioned his name he chuckled lightly "Hey! I tried." he said playfully with a warm smile.

Sawyer tip number 1: Sawyer smiled a lot. Even on bad days. His parents used to say his smile made everyone's day better. He was young when they said that so he didn't care much about it then. But these days he was like the hippie person. He liked everyone to smile and just loved it when he made someone smile. He could just feel it when someone was smiling and he couldn't help but smile back.

Sawyer tip number 2: Yeah he tried to be funny and have an active sense of humor. For him, that's what made the world go round. Funny funny funny....Ha ha ha. Have a party! Jump around with a lamp shade on your head while singing the "Elmo's World" song. Not many people would actually want to do that without making themselves look like drunk idiots. Which Sawyer was used to, because he was constantly making himself look like an idiot. At least he never got drunk...

"Yeah I ride. Surprised? Not many blind people can tack a horse. Let alone ride one without some dude holding the lead rope saying 'We're gonna go left now.'" he smiled and nodded. He remembered those days. Now he had his own horse that he could guide without the help of someone he doesn't know.

"This is Open the Wind. Better known as Breeze. And this is Sparks, my guide dog. But today he's just the normal family mutt." Sawyer said feeling Sparks's tail thump against his leg repeatedly while he got his fair share of Roxxy's love. The chick magnet he was.

Poor Breeze. He snorted than heaved a sigh as if asking "Where's my hug?". Of course Sawyer was already half hugging him, but everyone must've guessed he wanted a hug from a woman. He thought better of himself when he saw the other stallion watching their every move.

Sawyer almost had a heart attack when Black began to throw a fit. He wasn't expecting such a loud noise so quickly. His sensitive ears began to ring and he focused on Roxxy's voice.

It sounded like she had to choke out the words. That meant she was...crying. He also heard her speak to her horse, choking back more tears. Sawyer's heart felt like his stopped. He didn't want her to cry. He hated it when people cried. He stood there, confused. Not moving a muscle. Not daring to. By the sound of it. Black was attempting to tear down the round pen. Sawyer was ready to scramble onto Breeze and run like the wind. He gripped the reins and waited.

And, as fast as it had begun. It stopped. Now Sawyer was even more confused. What happened? Sparks whined and lay down under Breeze his ears flat and his body trembling. Breeze's nostrils flared but he didn't dare move. There it was. Dead silence. Than she spoke again. He could hear her tears. She was sad. And he knew why. She had to be tough to handle an beast like that.

He heard her turn away than sigh. He looked down and said quietly. Loud enough for her to hear. "You didn't take up any of my time. Truthfully. You're the first person who even bothered to talk to me since I got here. I think you saved me from thinking, 'Oh my god, everyone hates me because I'm blind.'"

[.x.chaos.is.R E B E L L I O N|]

Looking at him with those tear-stained blue eyes, she gave a smile full of white teeth, her cheekbones prominant. "Thanks! Very much. And I would never think you strange or wierd. I would rather go out of my way, more so, to talk to you like I am now." Wiping the remainder of her tears away, her smile brightened. Looking at Breeze, she whispered, "I think he wants a hug, too. He's eyein' me like it's nobody's business." Reaching up, she wrapped her long arms around the stallion, marvelling at the touch of a silken coat against her bare arms.

Pulling away, she planted a quick kiss on his muzzle, between his two nostrils. Then, she was back to being flat on her feet. Looking at Sawyer, she had the urge to just hug his neck. And for once, she didn't think about her action, she just reached out and hugged him tightly. Her part of the embrace lasted for about 5 good seconds then she pulled away, thinking, What in the world has happened to me?! I hug an insanely cute guy who I just met! Oh well, it's not like I've never done that before. Wait, I haven't.

Standing right in front of him, she couldn't help but gawk, and thinking that it was okay he was blind for once. "Oh my...I am not myself...at all." The cheeks of her face were hot with embarrassment. She then muttered, just loud enough for Sawyer to hear, though she didn't really intend for him to, "Stupid hormones." She turned away and tried to strike up a conversation to divert her embarrassment.

"Actually, back in Mississippi, I knew an older woman, blind, and she actually did national jumping. I promise you, being blind did nothing to her competitive spirit. And most times, she won!" She ended in chiming laughter. "So, I have full confidence in the fact that you're a brilliant rider. In fact, you don't really act blind now." In her peripheral vision, she looked at her stallion, who was absolutely still, his ears pricked and eyes lit with interest.

Looking at him, she couldn't help but feel a surge of pride for his power and beauty. He was everything excellence demanded. In him, it was evident his breeding had strong influences of Arabian, for his swan neck and head looked exactly like Arabian detail, from the large eyes to the small ears, to the muzzle so tiny for his size that you could cup the whole thing in both hands. But his height and his body structure was perfectly porportion, giving hints of the leaness of Arabians, but the stronger definition of the Thoroughbred and Andalusion heritage. He had speed, beauty, and vigor...if only he would lose that horrid temperament....

Roxanna snapped back to Sawyer, once again paying heed to everything and anything he did.

[Desert]

Inside Sawyer's head: ...Wow
Outside Sawyer: head:......WOW!

At fist he was speechless when she spoke again. He nodded than smiled big. His eyes seemed to light up. Well, he was so proud of himself. He talked to someone...and they talked back! Also the fact that she enjoyed talking to him. Breeze nickered when Roxxy mentioned him and a hug. Sawyer faced his horse "Breeze you big perv! Stay with the mares if that's ok." he joked followed by a string of quiet laughter.

Breeze nickered when Roxxy's arms went around him. He was getting the first hug of the day. And by a HUMAN mare! When she kissed his muzzle he glanced at Sawyer as if laughing at him. Sawyer raised an eyebrow at the stallion feeling his warm breath. "Enjoy it while you can, Breezey boy." he said with a smile giving his horse a few good pats on his shoulder. All the mares back on the ranch didn't like Breeze much.

The poor stallion would get his flirty face on and try to go within five feet of a mare. But the girls had other things to do so they payed no attention to Breeze who was always standing there....rejected! Same with Sawyer. He'd try to be 'More than friends' with any girl but the answer was a clear "No". There standed the two bachlors staring in awe at nothing. Maybe a tree that might be female. Were there female trees? Ah forget it!

Sparks whined and headbutted Sawyer's leg again. Inpaitiant little mutt. Wait little? That dog could be half wolf if he wanted too. Even though the dog thought he was the size of a great dane. Not quite...Keep Growing Sparks! You'll get there! Not.

He opened his mouth to say something else but then he felt her arms around him. He stood there frozen like a greek statue for like two seconds. He hesitantly hugged her back. His arms around her tightly. When she let go he did the same. He stared at her wide eyed his mouth a gape. All that came out of his mouth was a quiet "Uhhhh." With that his cheeks turned bright pink. He guessed she was blushing, too. It was only natural. "Well. uhh..That was....uhh. Fine. Yeah. I'm a hugger." he said with a shy grin.

"Hormones huh? Yeah. Same here." he said blushing again. He looked down only to nudged by both Sparks and Breeze. They were plotting something. Something evil. When canine and equine form an allience something bad is bound to happen. Luckily Sawyer was somewhat strong enough to stay in place and not stumble into Roxxy. But they did make him stumble a few steps toward her. "They're plotting against me. I just know it." he muttered almost to himself.

"Really? That's really cool. My horses are too lazy most days to even wake up. So I don't think nationals are good for them. Especially Breeze." he said laughter in his voice glancing at Breeze who whinnied and tossed his head into the air as if to dissagree. Of course Sawyer was just joking around but, his horses were lazy on Mondays which was fine. Everyone was lazy on Mondays.

"I've been around horses all my life and began riding when I could see. So that's kinda a plus for me." Sawyer was diagnosed with visual imparement at age five when he was still on a pony. He gradually lost his sight and went completely blind at age ten and eleven but already knew how to ride very well.

When Roxxy went silent Sawyer got the oppertunity to think to himself while rocking back and forth from his heel to his toes. Staring mindlessly into space.......Again.

I wonder what's for lunch or if Robert caught his plane. Crazy kid is always forgetting things. I bet when I go home I'll find all his stuff laying around. If I do. Maybe I'll sell it. Get a good dollar. Maybe enough to buy Brit a new halter. A breakaway would be good for him. Poor guy's afraid of his own shadow. Well, not really........... he thought. Breeze touched his nose to the back of Sawyer's neck sending a shiver down his spine. He stapped out of it and focused on Roxxy's even breaths so he knew where she was.

"Sorry I keep spacing out." he said with another crooked grin.

[.x.chaos.is.R E B E L L I O N|]

Roxanna looked at him with glimmering blue eyes. It's okay! Do you have any other horses besides Breeze here? I'm glad Hell's not my only horse. I have a cremello Thoroughbred, Chasing the Stars. I just call 'im Starchaser." She flashed a smile at Sparks and Breeze. "Naw, if they're plotting against you, there's something wrong with the world." She winked at the animal team. Her head parked on Sawyer's words.

"Ah! I'm sure they would like it, find it excitin', yanno? They wouldn't be as lazy then, I'm pretty sure. I would love to make Starchaser a professional jumper. It would be my dream for a horse I trained to be in nationals. But I don't have the money to get 'im there. There was a thoughtful silence. "I wish you could see Black...then you would understand why I love him so much, how I'm able to have so much patience with him." Then, there was a longer silence. She said in a barely audible voice, "I wish you could touch him...then you could see him."

Giving a sigh, Roxxy looked back at Sawyer and then looked at black, still encouraging her with his actions and eyes for her to touch him. An idea instantly formed in her head. Of course, he would be safe. "You're gonna touch him, and then we can go riding together." Roxxy said her command with such conviction, it was nearly impossible to doubt her. She took Sawyer's hand and squeezed it in assurance. "I won't make you, but...oh geez, I really want you to! I want you to understand what I feel. And you won't get hurt...I don't think-no! You won't, I promise, not with me around." Still, holding his hand, she gave a gentle tug, but then let go of his hand.

She definitely would not make Sawyer do anything he didn't want him to, but she just felt that she had to make him understand why she put up with his antics. To be in the huge stallion's presence was like to be in the presence of God: one felt power, intense fire, and in all honesty, it was very scary. So, Roxxy was looking at Sawyer with pleading eyes, though she knew he couldn't see them.

[Desert]

Inside Sawyer's head: I am such a moron
Outside Sawyer's head: uhhhhhhhhh

Sawyer chuckled "Yeah. I have another horse. A black Hanoverian gelding, British Revenge. Brit. You might've seen him before. He's the horse that is said to look at people funny when they walk by." he said smiling followed by a nicker from Breeze in agreement.

"I know they are. They always have." he said patting Sparks's thick coat. The dog's tongue lolled out of the side of his mouth. His lips pulled back into a doggy grin that was directed at Roxxy. Sawyer listened intently and what she had to say about training her own horse and entering in the nationals. He smiled at the thought. "I'd cheer you on the whole way." he said calmly patting Breeze's shoulder.

"I don't need to see him to understand why you love him so much." he said but he did wonder what the animal looked like. That's when he got the idea. What if he touched the massive stallion. He was about to mention his genius when Roxxy beat him to it. Well that was odd. Thinking the same exact thing.

He nodded "I'll do it. I want to understand, too." he said thinking about earlier when the two stallions acted up. Feeling the power radiating off of both of them. He could almost see both stallions at the time. Both with wide eyes that had a fire burning in them.

That's when she took his hand and squeezed it. He smiled his blind eyes fixed on Black. He could feel the stallion's eyes bore into his. That just made Sawyer's confidence rise. He sqeezed Roxxy's hand back and smiled at her. With his other hand he slid Breeze's reins into her hand before letting go and looking at Sparks with firm eyes. "Stay, and I mean it this time." he told him. Sparks whined but sat down obediantly.

Breeze got the message and began to hesitate. He snorted than gave a shrill whinny to Sawyer not to do it!. He didn't want his master to go anywhere near that monster let alone touch him. He looked at Roxxy with pleading brown eyes. She held his reins. It was now her decision weather they moved or not. Sawyer wouldn't want him to go near Black unless he wanted blood to spread. He than stared into Black's eyes and pinned ears with a clear message.

"If you hurt my master I'll kill you without relent. You can fight me all you want but, I'll win."

Sawyer looked back at Roxxy and gave a quick nod but his eyes told her to stay and let him do this on his own. So, he was about to touch an almost wild stallion that probably hated Sawyer for touching his mistress and for owning Open the Wind. He held his breath as he took quiet steps and was at the round pen in a few long strides. This was gonna be interesting.

He climbed troough the bars of the round pen and slowly approched Black extending his hand to where he could actually find the stallion. His fingers touched the stallion's shoulder gently.

Only within inches of Black, Sawyer layed his whole hand on his shoulder feeling the muscle that showed through smooth hair that layed flat against his body. He traced the muscle with his finger in slow movements. Using his other hand to move down the stallion's neck. Black was tense and he could feel that. Along with the pure power and dignity.

He pictured an almost 17 hand cross breed stallion standing tall and proud. Black, but he didn't picture any markings. He couldn't feel colours. No matter how cool that would be. Sawyer smiled cupping his hand over Black withers and ran his other hand down his back. Great conformation!

Not wanting to wait for a reaction after his sixty seconds of studying Black. Sawyer backed away without a word. His eyes were still wide in awe. He slid through the bars of the round pen. He strode back to Roxxy and the other two. Sparks shot to his feet and ran up to Sawyer clicking his hand. He was glad the his friend lived! Breeze gave an irritated snort but craned his neck and nuzzled Sawyer's open hand. Breeze was goona hold this against him and he knew it.

"I understand now." he said quietly than smiled at Roxxy "Let me guess, Andalusian, Thoroughbred, and Arabian cross." he guessed. He felt the features of all three breds in him. He was bred carefully in fact. The smiled "So, I survived and you said something about a ride?" he asked in his normal playful tone.

[.x.chaos.is.R E B E L L I O N|]

Roxanna's heart nearly feinted when he squeezed her hand and smiled at her. He was going to do it. But he was going to do it alone. She realized that when he gave her the reins to Breeze. This wasn't supposed to happen! He was gonna be murdered! The color completely drained from her usually golden-tan face. Yet, she couldn't move, couldn't speak. She was frozen in horror to the spot. She could feel Breeze's brown eyes on her and she wanted to bury her face in his mane. She couldn't move though, still frozen...still frozen...

The majestic black stallion looked at his mistress and the master of the other horse. The touched again! But it didn't matter...if he got mad again, he would make the mistress cry! Oh no, mustn't make the mistress cry. And then the male stallion came towards him. He wasn't a gelding. He had a strong, musky, male scent. If horses could snarl, he would have, but instead he settled for a loud bellow. He was giving off all the signals. His brown eyes consumed in an unholy fire. He was gonna attack. He reared up, and then the mistress found her voice, "Black! No, please no!" He quickly came down and looked at her, the fire in his eyes depleting. Sometimes, he loved her so much it hurt. Her voice was the only one of reason in the world. In fact, to him, it was what made the world go round, that and her touch alone.

He looked at her, and then at the horse whose reins she was holding. He saw the challenge there and for once, he understood everything about this strange stallion. For a moment in time, they were both wild stallions protecting what they loved the most. For Black, it was Roxanna. She was his mare of sorts. His love was unconditional, as was Breeze's for Sawyer. Theirs was like a stallion protecting his colt. Giving an indifference snort, the Arabian cross tossed his head, curiousity burning in his eyes. Why was this stallion protecting this tall human stag? This meant weakness. Then it clicked in the tall stud's head. This human who was now in the round pen with him was to be handle delicately. That's the only reason this stallion would protect such a tall human stallion. So, Black treated him so. Besides, the other stallion was far too close to Roxxy. If he decided to attack his mistress, he wouldn't be able to get to him fast enough, so it's best to stay in the other stud's good book, for his beloved's sake.

He was coming closer, and Roxxy's eyes were wider than ever, her face like a sheet of paper. Her hands were clenching the reins so tight that her fingernails were cutting into her flesh. Still, a part of her mind was functioning reasonably. He hadn't killed Sawyer yet, he even looking relaxed, gentle, lovable. LOVABLE?! Roxanna watched in amazement as Sawyer put his hands on the magnificent stallion. Black didn't move, at all. A good minute went by and then Sawyer quickly and quietly slipped away. As soon as he was out, Hell broke loose, he began to toss and buck, and scream and whistle. Anything he could do to release the tension that had built inside his body.

But he was safe, Roxanna race to him, meeting him with Sparks and Breeze. When he took back his reins, then she went crazy with relief. She exhaled and the color came back to her face, and her eyes were showing concern. "Oh my! You're still alive! Did he hurt you? Oh-gosh-I-" She couldn't help it. She flung her arms around his neck and hugged him like she'd never let go. This hug was longer than the last, but when she pulled away, her hands were holding his biceps, her gaze critical, eyeing his body for some type of wound, like she didn't believe the scene she just witnessed. "I-I-I don't believe it. He didn't...hurt you...

I was gonna go with you, but when you went by yourself...Don't do that to me!" Roxanna then burst into laughter. Relieved, happy laughter. She let go of his arms, finally, and said, "Do you know why I love him so much? I'm delighted you understand...and about that ride...Get on Breeze, and ride to pasture 3. My Black has a pasture all to himself. I'll meet you there in a second." She gave him a smile and then raced towards the round pen gate, towards her hellion of a stallion.

[Desert]

Sawyer smiled and nodded "Of course he didn't hurt me." he said calmly his heart still pounding with relief. He heard the stallion explode and was glad he was quick on his feet. Breeze's head was glued to Sawyer's chest heaving long sighs. Sawyer patted his shoulders. He compared the two horses. Black was larger in size, but they both almost has the same amount of muscle indeed. Of course, Breeze was leaner and had shorter legs, but that was all in his breeds standards.

Breeze backed away when Roxxy hugged him...again. Sheesh, Sawyer could get used to this. Again he stayed put for about three seconds before responding. He held her back,feeling the shape and structure of her body. She was well built, he had to admit. Well, duh! A girl with a scrawny little body wouldn't be able to handle Black.

He felt her relief as she struggled through her words. When she let go it felt like forever. He had his hands around her waits while she held his muscular arms. He could REALLY get used to this. He may be blind but, he was still a walking bag of hormones.

Translation: He was still a boy.

"He loves you too much to hurt me, Roxxy." he said, "Besides I think he was paying more attention to you with Breeze than me." he grinned than chuckling at how she spoke. The relief, the awe, the disbelief all packed in one. It was...amusing. Out of everyone he knew. She had to be the one who showed the most emotion in their voice. That's why he was so comfortable around her. He could read her expression just through her voice.

What he really hated were people who showed no emotion whatsoever. That and burnt toast, but that was a normal thing for him. All things weird was normal for Sawyer. He let go of Roxxy and let his right hand drop to his side while his left arm went around Breeze's neck.

Guide horse moment: Breeze shifted his weight around making Sawyer take two steps to the right. "Some things you just have to do on your own. I thought that was one of them. Sorry for the fright." he said and began to laugh with her.

"Of course I know why you love him so much. He has potential. Hot-tempered or not." he smiled lifting Breeze's reins over his head keeping them close to the withers not wanting to put pressure on his mouth. Picky picky picky. Sawyer sighed at the thought.

Pasture 3, it was beside pasture 4......Wow seriously? That's where he held Breeze and Brit most the day. He nodded taking a hold of Breeze's mane. There was no saddle. He was going bareback. Being the rebel he was! He took a quick step back and swiftly lept onto Breeze's back. He lifted his head high and whinnied in delight. They were finally going for a ride! He has been standing there with that nasty snaffle bit in his mouth while Sawyer talked with a human mare and hugged her and all that other stuff humans did.

He didn't mind Roxxy. She made Sawyer happy. He liked it when Sawyer was happy. Instead of being the depressed mopey Sawyer that always acted depressed and mopey. Well. Now they finally got to make use out of the bit. Breeze was so lucky Sawyer had gentle hands. He could make the slightest movement that could tell Breeze a whole string of commands all at once.

Sawyer looked back at Roxxy. He heard her footsteps rush quickly toward Black. He smiled than looked forward the map of the ranch coming into view in his head. He dug his heels into Breeze's barrel. The stallion reared happily than took off in full gallop. Loving the feeling of being able to run freely.

Sparks barked and followed on long athletic legs. The odd group were off. Finally. When a fence came up Breeze jumped over swiftly while Sparks scrambled under it. He was no police dog and preferred going under things.

Sawyer heard the familiar whinny of Brit from the pasture as they raced through jumping over the last fence into pasture 3. "Ho." Sawyer said giving the faintest jerk on the reins. Breeze dug into the grass and slid to a complete stop. His chest heaved than he snorted.

Gelderlanders had excellent stamina and Breeze really lived up to that. Sawyer leaned forward and hugged his neck. Listening to Brit trot excitedly up and down the fence wanting to be with his friends. He didn't jump unless told to. Sawyer smiled as he waited for Roxxy and either one of her horses.

[.x.chaos.is.R E B E L L I O N|]

Roxanna waltzed in the stallion's round pen. The spectacle of savagery ended immediately when he noticed she closed the gate. The expression in his eyes was something she'd die for, many times over. It was pure tenderness. The ever present fire was in his big, intelligent brown pools, but that gentle emotion shone through them. Roxanna ran to him, forgetting that he still wasn't the greatest of ease with darting movements. But the ebony Trojan didn't move. No, he just looked at her. In the moment, Roxxy realized that Black would never hurt anyone if she could get hurt as well.

Giving him a hug, it reminded her of her earlier show of affection for her new friend. She still felt the bulging muscle in his nicely sculpted body. She still felt the touch of his hands on her waist. She raised an eyebrow at no one is particular and bit her bottom pink lip. She kissed her brute's muscled shoulder and layed her head down on it. "Now I know why you are so gentle with your mares." Hell twisted his neck to gaze at his owner. He velveteen kissers lipped at her arm in an act of playfulness.

Sighing in contented, she resting, her body totally resting on her stallion's . Then her clear blue eyes snapped up and she clicked the lead rope on him. She let loose heart-felt laughter as she reached up to rub his satin-smooth cheek. "Betcha didn't see that 'un comin', did ya now? Clicking her tongue, she let him out, ah rather, he dragged her out. She had to run with all her strength to keep up to the gigantic strides of his trot. But she dug her heels into the ground and stubbornly pulled the stag to a stop. Panting, she said in a firm voice, "My gosh, Black. Just walk!"

She came up to the gate of pasture three, sweating heavily and breathing just as heavy. Hell, meanwhile, looked like he had just taken a stroll down the sidewalk in cool weather. He wasn't even blowing. Roxxy, who looked exhausted, basically pushed the stallion into the pasture. She was extremely glad that Sawyer wasn't in Black's view. Or Breeze for that matter. Hands moving at an unbelievable pace, she locked the gate and whirled to run as fast as she could to pasture two. Being as she had a very fit, toned body, and being athletic, that was quite fast, mind you.

She hadn't caught her breath yet, but she still managed to blow a high-pitched whistle that dwindled to a low whistle. Out of the group of horses, she saw her pearly-colored Thoroughbred galloping at full speed towards her. With a wide smile on her glistening face, she opened the gate and attached the lead rope to her cremello Starchaser. Giving him a hug and a kiss, she felt immediately safe with her gentle horse. He was the exact opposite of Black: safe and tame.

Seeing Sawyer riding bareback, she shrugged and smiled at Starchaser. She smiled and crooned softly, "I've missed my charming Starchaser today." Letting him know she was getting on, she pressed on his long back and then up she went, grabbing hold of his cremey white mane for balance. Gripping with her thighs, she led the creme colored male to the stable, where she put a simple black bridle on him.

In a matter of minutes, she was at a flying gallop towards Sparks, Sawyer, and Breeze. She was also bareback. She stopped Starchaser, who beautifully did as commanded. He came to a skidding halt in front of the black stallion and Sawyer and the big dog named Sparks. With a smile, that was evident in her voice, she said, "Well, let's go! Ladies go first." She reached over to pat Sawyer on the shoulder, gesturing for him to go. Her rose pink lips emitted several chuckles.

[Desert]

He was actually sitting backward on Breeze. He turned himself around to listen to Brit trot around trying to figure out the fence and how to get through it to meet up with with his friends. The horse and rider weren't complete without the other horse following them. For Sawyer it was still the same thing. He chuckled at Brit after he whinnied again.

"If you can find out how to get over that fence you can come with us." he said turning back around to face the right way on Breeze. The horse stood there eying the grass, but than he realized this was Black's grass and thought better of himself. Besides he had an already nasty bit in his mouth. He wasn't about to make it even more nasty. He snorted and just lowered his head while they waited for Roxxy.

Sawyer patted his neck tracing over his muscle like he did with most horses. Breeze nickered happily. He liked his neck scratched and rubbed by gentle hands from Sawyer. Whose fingers barely touched him.

Brit whinnied again. This time Breeze responded turning around and trotting over to the fence that separated the two pastures. Sawyer allowed it. He just rested on Breeze's back enjoying the feeling of his smooth trot. The two males touched noses nickering to each other. The two were like brothers and didn't like being separated too long. Sparks groaned. Why couldn't Sawyer get a poodle or something? A female poodle! Too bad Sparks was fixed but, a female would be nice!

Breeze lifted his head. He was the more independent horse. He was the stallion right? Brit was the sweet gelding who thought he was a stallion. That had to count for something!

Sparks barked and trotted away his tail touching Sawyer's leg. He nodded turning Breeze on a dime and cantering back over to the center of the pasture where they waited for Roxxy. He heard a different set of hoof beats. She brought her horse, Starchaser. He looked in their general direction, grinning.

"Ladies first huh?" he asked feeling a pat on his shoulder. "Since when am I the lady? Last time I checked I was 100% male." he joked looking down at Sparks "Lead the way, Lady." he said nodding. If dogs could roll their eyes, Sparks would've. He trotted forward Sawyer following. He looked back at Roxxy and smiled.

[.x.chaos.is.R E B E L L I O N|]

Roxanna smiled back at Sawyer and urged Starchaser to catch up with him. Riding beside him, she yawned and wiped the beads of sweat off her forehead. This is been a really exciting day. I've made a friend, maybe even a best friend. He is the only person to ever be able to touch Black without getting killed besides me. And he's fiiiiine. At the last thought, she clamped her hand over her mouth in shock, then she mouthed at the ground, "What the heck?!" But she quickly hid her emotions. Her eyes narrowed back to their normal width and she squeezed for Starchaser to move into a trot.

"Starchaser's a cremello Thoroughbred. About as tall as Breezey boy here." She paused to pat her horse's neck. "I love him, and he's the exact opposite of Black. He's gentle and anyone can ride him, as long as they know how to sit properly." Pride could be easily heard in her voice. But then, Roxanna went quiet, and she lapsed into a comfortable silence. It was the kind of silence that one dwelled solely on what they wanted, blissfully aware that the other is experiencing the same type of silence. Using the quietness, the peace of the horses and Sparky, Roxxy's mind began to twirl.

Starchaser knows...he knows he's gotta go. He can't stay with me anymore. Even if I did have time, it's getting too expensive. How on earth am I gonna keep up? I have to tell the ranch owner that my stallion basically wrecked a section of the metal on the largest round pen they have! That's a couple of hundred, maybe even a thousand there...Oh God, I can't keep up with it all. I have to give him up... Oh gosh, I have to give him up!!! The realization hit her and she gave a helpless squeak, like she was about to cry combined with the breath being sucked out of her.

She exhaled out shakily, and her eyes went completely empty, of all emotion, bleak. Silent, traitorous tears trickled down her cheeks in an orderly manner. Good thing she wasn't wearing makeup. She finallly spoke, and her voice was flat for the first time in a very long time. "I have to sell Starchaser. I don't want to, but I have to." The brilliant red-black shine of her hair seemed dull, every color seemed lifeless. She stared straight ahead and her eyes never strayed from their path.

Starchaser noticed the change of the mood of his rider and he began to make all kinds of soft sounds that could be barely heard by anyone out of the group. But they had a comforting sense about them, but the Latina-Irish mix didn't even blink. I can't sell Black. He's Hell in horse form. No one loves him like I do. They wouldn't see fit to give him a chance. He would die being turned into pieces of steak. The feeling inside her...she had not a single sensation. She felt numb and bitter.

[Desert]

Cremello? He tried to remember the colour until it finally popped into his head. He pictured Starcaster the best he could an smiled. Sounded like a wonderful looking horse! Of course he thought all horses were wonderful, beautiful animals. Only a few really stuck in his head. Certain breeds such as an Arab or Frieshian.

Breeze nickered happily at the sound of his name whitin his name. She was catching on. With one last cry from Brit in the background Sawyer began paying complete attention to his first (and so far) only friend.

Silence. A time to think. But this time nothing ran through Sawyer's ever-thinking mind. It was just blackness. Foggy maybe. Comfortable. Like laying under the moon on a foggy morning. He saw the same thing out of his eyes.

Blind yes, but in away, he felt as if he could see. Different scenes that randomly came along with his emotions. He sighed running his fingers through Breeze's mane. He finally slowed to a steady walk his head swinging slowly from side to side. His neck was straight and relaxed. Sparks trotted ahead a few meters looking back every few steps to see if they were still following.

He was about to return to La La Land when she broke the silence. Sawyer picked up a difference. A huge difference. Her voice fell flat and emotionless. He may have just met her, but he probably knew her voice better than she did. Behind that, he could hear the tears, sorrow, agony, and a buch of other emotions. He stared at her. His eyes full of understanding and concern. He took in her words slowly. Even Breeze turned his head and watched Roxxy with big drown eyes.

He didn't understand what she was feeling, but the sudden mood change confused him. She was sad. That meant something bad. Breeze wasn't her horse, but he was now her friend. Along with Sawyer who had the same expression on his face as he stared at her. If she was sad, than he'd be sad, too. That made Breeze sad...What was this? An emo fest! Breeze reached around and touched his velvet muzzle to Roxxy's thigh. Blowing comfortably. He wanted to cheer her up. He listened to Starchaser's noises. His ears flicking back and forth.

Sawyer looked away. He didn't know how long he was thinking. And honestly. He didn't know what he was thinking about. Roxxy was thinking about selling Starchaser. Why? He pondered on all the different possibilities. That's when it hit like a wreaking ball. Finantial issues. He frowned than looked up at her again. Trying to give a reassuring smile he scooted Breeze closer to where their heels almost touched. He thought about it than gently took her hand.

"You don't need to sell him." he started almost at a whisper tightening his grip slightly. "All you need is a little help."

[.x.chaos.is.R E B E L L I O N|]

Roxanna looked down at Breeze who, in an effort to try to comfort her, touched her thigh and blew warm air on it. It had the desired affect and Roxxy couldn't help but smile. She scratched Breeze's head, between the ears and laughed her chiming, pretty laugh that she always gave when all was right was her and the world again. And then Sawyer took her hand and tightened his grip on it, gently calming her. The skin over her high cheekbones was rose pink and her skin felt hot all over. She smiled back at him and her voice held the usual emotion, but something else too, fluster, shyness.

She squeezed his hand back, but didn't let go. She was looking into his fathomless, unseeing brown eyes. He was a good friend. She definitely didn't want to lose him. "Sawyer...you're a great friend, hun. Glad I metcha when I did." Albeit it was hesitant, Roxxy finally let go of the man's hand. Sitting up straight, she urged Starchaser into a swift trot. "No, I have to. For more reasons than one...but I'm okay with it now. As long as he has the best possible home, then I'll be fine." Of course it wasn't true, but Roxanna's demeanor never gave a single hint of her sorrow. In fact, she did something she only did when she was elated.

She began to hum. It was a slow, sweet tune or no familiarity to anyone, because she had just composed it in her head. She wasn't just a horse nut. She was top in her classes, valedictorian, when she graduated. She was an artist, musician, scholar, athlete, just many things. Thinking about her intelligence made her think to ask her friend a question. "Sawyer, if you don't mind me asking...were you born blind?" She was curious, but she suddenly felt invasive of his privacy. She cleared her throat and shook her head, her shiny hair moving to and fro across her back.

[Desert]

There was that laugh. He'd already memorized it. From beginning to end. It had a certain ring to it and fit her voice well. He smiled feeling the warmth of her skin. It was the best he could do. He could only know her appearance through touch and hearing. Even though it didn't show, it really ticked him off. You have no idea how much he wanted to see her. To look into her eyes.

"You're a great friend, too. Actually, at the moment. You're my only friend." he said giving her hand one last squeeze before she let go. Breeze snorted and Sawyer chuckled "Breezey, you're my partner in crime." he said patting the horse's shoulder. He fell silent when spoke of selling her horse again. He faced the direction they were going. He closed his eyes and gave a brief nod. "I understand, and he'll get a good home. We both know he will." his voice faded into nothingness as the silence returned. He studied her last sentence and the sound of her voice. It had a positive tone but, there was something else. Something strange. Like she was hiding something. She was hiding something.

She could tell him anything but, he didn't question her about it. He didn't want her to be upset. Especially by something he said. So he kept his trap shut. He looked down in deep thought. So today had to be one of the greatest in his life. He met a girl that understood him and didn't drown him with questions. He touched a stallion that could've killed him and he walked away unscathed. Yeah it was a good day. In fact, it was getting even better.

He nudged Breeze into a faster, more bouncy trot. Sparks came up and trotted beside Starchaser and Roxxy. His tongue flopping around as he panted. The poor dog almost had to run to keep up with the two trotting stallions and their riders. As least he didn't have something on his back.

Sawyer was thinking about his past, trying to remember different colours and shapes, and movement. That's when she asked him if he's always been blind. He was expecting her to ask something like that. No one could resist holding that question in for too long. He looked up and smiled "I don't mind at all. Actually I was born with. Well not really good eyesight. but compared to now..." he paused pursing his lips in thought "My vision was always a little foggy and it was hard for me to focus on moving objects such as the TV, or a running horse. I was gradually losing my sight. When I was five that's when I was diagnosed with Visual Imparement." he sighed remembering the sound of his mother having a panic attack when the doctor said Sawyer was going blind. "When I was ten I lost complete sight in my right eye with only 1% vision in the other. Thirteen I woke up one morning and I couldn't even see light very well. So, yeah. That's my very fun life story." he smiled proud of his speech. Maybe he should write it down.

[.x.chaos.is.R E B E L L I O N|]

Roxanna looked at him, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Hmm...Not exactly the big bang I'd go out with...but that's very interesting." She went into a fit of chuckling, before she let out a soft sigh. "I mean that. I don't want to make fun. I find that incredibly interesting...ailments fascinate me. You see, I always wanted to be a doctor, who had a boat-load o' horses, and who managed to cure the uncurable. So, illnesses of mysterious nature always have captivated me. I always wanted to find those cures, the cures that scientists and doctors around the world have been trying to find. Then, my aunt died. Healthy as a horse. Slim, active, the whole package. Suddenly, there was a brain annurism.

We never knew what caused it. Killed her. I was um, I was 13 at the time. And then I decided I wanted to be a specialist doctor, kinda like Hugh Laurie on House." She chuckled again at the analogy. "I wanted to help with anything special. 'Cause not every disease happens in the brain. I was gonna be a neurosurgeon." She smiled at the thought, then finished her small speech. "I could've done it too. I may not sound like it, what with my accent that sometimes slips out, but I'm quite smart.." Her voice trailed off, then quickly began again, bitter and angry. "Then, there was that stupid, stupid accident and I didn't get in to college. Oh, well, didn't have the money anyways." She huffed air.

"Well, that's part of my life's story...The rest of it is being written here, as we speak." Roxxy looked at Sawyer and smiled, her voice was warm and friendly, unlike the vehemence she had displayed when she had mention some sort of accident. She absent-mindedly gripped Starchaser's mane loosely, as if for comfort, once again rather glad Sawyer couldn't see. But breathing in and out, she began to once again enjoy the smoothness of her equine's trot.

[Desert]

He listened with pure interest of her story. At the moment, her life seemed to be more interesting than his. Actually, everyone's lives seemed to be more interesting than his. Yeah. Going blind seemed interesting enough but, for Sawyer it was just another chapter written. Besides, Sawyer felt that he was better off blind than he was dealing with the agony of not being able to see much in the first place. Usually when he told his life story it was just a simple "I went blind. Enough said.". He didn't care for his history much. It didn't seem "fun" enough. Hopefully at the ranch his life would get a little more interesting. At least enough to where Sawyer would actually want to talk about it.

So, she wanted to be a doctor, just like he'd always wanted to be a vet. But it went down the toilet anyway. Sawyer went blind. And Roxxy...Well, she couldn't. Maybe later in her life. She was still young. And she said it herself. She could've done it. She still could. But Sawyer, he couldn't. He could never become a vet. Sure when he was old and deaf. After years and years and years of special training.

Her voice changed moods through out her speech. Pretty dramatic. It seemed. When her story ended her voice was kind, like he was used to. For once, since knowing her, he was speechless. He honestly had no clue what to say. He thought and thought and thought and thought but couldn't come up with anything worthy of coming out of his mouth. So, he just gave her a kind grin. "Well....There's still the future. Don't ever EVER give up.." he paused, "If you do I'm gonna have to smack some sense into you. And I don't want to do that." he finished knowing he had to add some kind of humor into what he was saying. He felt Breeze jump forward into a slow canter. Sawyer looked back at Roxxy and smiled "C'mon. Enough with all this emotional crap. There's no such ride without running. Right?" he asked. Breeze snorted. He was ready to run. Ready to fly! Even though Sawyer never admitted that his stallion couldn't fly. Sometimes it felt that way. He was blind. He could see anything without being scrutinized. Like the thought of flying on the back of a black stallion.

He waited for Roxxy to speak before even thinking about a run. Even though Starchaser would easily over power Breeze because Gelderlanders weren't known for speed. They had short legs! Could you really blame them?

[.x.chaos.is.R E B E L L I O N|]

Roxanna went into a fit of giggles when he talked about knocking some sense into her. "Gotta catch meh first!" Then, the vocalized another thought. She broke into full-fledged laughter, no chuckles, no giggles...just the kind of wonderful laughter that boiled up your throat with no sense of stopping and echoed over the lands, making people who heard it a mile a way think, "I wonder what them kids this time." She said through her laughter, "Emotional crap?! EMOTIONAL CRAP?! I'll show you emotional crap!"

With that, she playfully slapped his thigh and gave her energizer bunny from hell his head, yelling, "Taaaag! You are soooo iiiiit!" Starchaser was at a full gallop long before she had the balance to shout the words. She was squealing in pure elation, laughing madly, giddily. It was times like these that she thought she was supposed to be born on a horse, riding bareback. Life was so simple when on the back of a horse. You fall, you hurt. You get back up and remind yourself to get butt-padding. It seems the true objective of riding is to keep the horse between the ground and yourself. Roxxy thought.

Life on the back of a horse was unhoneyed bliss. Whoever said money couldn't buy happiness didn't know where to buy a horse. She squeezed her muscled legs tightly around the pearly sides, she rose up as much as she could, trying to take the jockeying position. However, it didn't work. Bleh, no saddle. Roxxy sat back down, the pull in her inner thigh muscles strenuous. It was bad enough when you had a saddle, trying to keep your rear from touching the seat, but when you didn't have saddle and you were solely relying on your muscles to squeeze and hold you up? Hurt like heck.

Back back to sit on her rump, she gazed over her shoulder and saw they were behind, but to Breeze's credit, not far , she suddenly swerved her Thoroughbred. He was agile, but not as agile to execute a turn only Black could make. Instead of immediate turn, he quickly turned, making a rounded shape if you were tracing his path. Black could do 90 degree angle turns. That was the Arabian in him. Anyways, Roxxy was far enough away from Sawyer that he wouldn't think she was playing chicken with him. (Ooooh! That would be disastrous would it not?) As she passed him, she teased, "Imma run circles 'round ya!"

More, bold, embracing laughter. This was indeed a very fun day.

[Desert]

Poor Sparks had to run as fast as he could but still couldn't catch up to the horses. Breeze just moved along while Sawyer was laughing along with Roxxy. "Oh I'll catch you. Trust me. Your horse'll have to slow down eventually." he said pinpointing the exact distance between them. Sawyer was weird like that. He liked to know where everyone. So the GPS he called his brain began to word its magic.

She was about five meters ahead. Not bad in distance. Than he was thinking about speed. How fast were they going? Maybe twenty to twenty-five mph. Starchaser had to at least be going thirty. It took him a minute. It'd be about five minutes before Breeze could pass Starchaser.

Now that he was done with his daily math problem. He started thinking of something else. He had no idea where they were, where they were going. So this was a question that he had to ask. "Where are we going, exactly?" Not that he really cared where but, he was curios. Knowing only that they were going....somewhere That was good. Right?

There was a different set of hoof beats. No, it was still Starchaser. What were they turning for? Oh...Ha ha. He sneered as he listened to them turn and quickly move back toward him. Passing him. What in the world was on her mind? He felt Breeze jerk to side. Following Starchaser's movements.

Well, they were in the lead. So he expected to follow them. That's why he moved quickly. Sawyer did nothing to protest. He just laughed. He may not have known it yet. But he had a crush on that human mare. Breeze snorted. Sawyer would figure that out in a week or two. He may think a lot. But Breeze knew how long it took him to figure some stuff out.

Sawyer grinned when Breeze began to follow her when she said she was gonna go in circles around him. "Can't go around me if I follow you. Right?" he asked laughing slyly. That's when Sparks came along and charged between Breeze's legs. The stupid dog could've gotton kicked. Sawyer gave a quick jerk on the reins. Breeze slid to a stop. Sparks was still running. OH so that's how the dog wanted to play it. Sawyer smiled. There was a game he had with Sparks. He had to catch him in anyway he could. If it were on a horse or not.

"Let's go catch my dog." he said with a wide smile. He did the math in his head on how fast he'd have to go. Breeze turned on a dime and they went after the runaway guide. Sawyer won the last time they did this. But Sparks won three times before that. Time for a little revenge. No?

[.x.chaos.is.R E B E L L I O N|]

Roxxy grinned broadly at him. "Are all Gelderlanders that agile, or is that just Breezey boy?! That was like a Black-level turn right ther'!" Roxxy meant her praise of the gorgeous black stallion beneath Sawyer. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her huge obsidian stud in his vast pasture, grazing, looking like he was a perfect gentleman. YEAH RIGHT!! Roxanna burst into laughter, giddy, blissfully happy. Upon hearing him his on laughter, she listened to him, having a feeling he was going to say something else. "Oh, yeah? Lemme show you somethin'!"

Urging Starchaser to go faster and into a sharp turn, as sharp as he could manage, she felt like she was flying. She was almost through with the circle when he mentioned Sparks. Giving a shout of agreement, "Okay! You lead this time!" She brought Starchaser side by side with Breeze, their lean barrels only a foot apart. The cremello male was intrigued with this new challenge. Why were they following a small, hairy little horse? Hmm...maybe it was a race? But Roxxy was keeping him level with this black stallion beside him...No, not a race. Hmm...maybe they were trying to keep sight of this strange little horse. Chasing the Stars snorted at the thought. Why? Why would the mistress- OH!

The vanilla male let out a loud whinny of triumph. They were trying to catch this furry horse! That made sense. After figuring out what he was to do, another question came to him: how was he going to do this? His kind had never been bred to herd animals...but they were bred to catch the next horse in front of them and overtake him. The sudden light-bulb in his simple mind clicked on. This was a race after all. Get in the lead. Immediately he began to take action, his well-worn muscles bunching and loosening in a timeless rythm known to God and all man.

He surged forward effortlessly, his hair whipping. Ah, it felt so good to race, to just run! But before he could even get into third gear, he felt the firm pull on the reins. Hmm...his mistress didn't want him to lead? Very well. He had no questions. Always do what the mistress says, always. Unless of course, it would be in her best interest for him not to. So, like clock-work he checked his speed to settle beside the other male. He looked at him and gave an encouraging whinny. Breeze was a good companion. He understood he had to obey the master. Unlike that hethen, Black.