Ripple Effect

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Nina let out a quiet sigh relief as she made her way down the aisles of stalls over to Ratio. It has been a while since she has really been able to spend some time with the mare, outside of classes that is. She ran a hand through Ratio's elegant neck and placed a small kiss on the mare's nose. Ratio let out a warm breath of air through her nostrils and nudged Nina's hand that was still petting the equine's neck. Nina grinned as she grabbed the biege halter and matching lead and slipped the halter over the mare's head before leading the horse out of the stall.

She took her time grooming the mare out, as she knew Ratio enjoyed long grooming sessions at times. Finishing off with the last few strokes of the brush through the practically pure white coat, she closed the grooming kit and started to tack the mare up. She observed as the mare didn't even flinch as she tightened the girth by the slightest, more with a bored expression etched in the horse's tired eyes. Untying the cross ties, the mare suddenly seemed to wake up from a day dream as she almost acted like she got a sudden bolt of energy running back as Nina lead the mare out of the barn.

The weather was actually quite nice with the leaves changing to vibrant red, orange, and yellows. It wasn't too cold today, but it wasn't warm either, it was just cool. The clouds were closing in, but they weren't a stormy gray that it was giving the signal that it was going to be storming. Nina zipped up her pink North Face jacket up closer to her as she sat deep in the saddle, enjoying the perspective of the trail as they made their way down the downstream trail. This was just what Nina needed, some time with her favorite horse, Ratio, fair weather, and a peaceful mood radiating off of the trail's environment. She was too distracted from her relaxing day dream that she didn't hear the faint sound of hooves approaching.

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Sam tilted her head towards the sky and took long, deep breaths of the cool air. A small smile crept up on her face while she walked in the general direction of White Oak. Popeye would surely enjoy some bonding time in the cool air, which was precisely what she had planned. A black head stretched over the stall door, welcoming Sam as she approached Popeye's stall. His soft nose went straight to her open hands when she opened the stall door. Sam laughed and pulled out a peppermint treat that the horse was searching for.

Slowly, Sam restored the gelding's coat back to it shiny black and got him in his gear. She ran her fingers through his soft forelock and pressed her forehead against his. Her eyes squeeze shut while she took in all of the sounds and smells of the barn. Horses teeth ground up hay and oats, hooves where heard clicking against the floor, the smell of fresh hay wafted towards Popeye's stall, and Sam even caught the faint smell of leather and wood. With a sigh, she opened we eyes and rubbed Popeye softly on his large neck.

The pair walked along the trails slowly, taking in the beautiful surrounding. It was times like this that Sam wanted to kick herself for not bring a camera with her. Fallen leaves that had collected water from rain days before reflected the sunlight that managed to escape the clouds above. Popeye's ears flicked back and forth as he listened to the scurrying squirrels or birds that had been calling to one another. Sam'a wandering eyes caught a pair of fresh hoof prints on the trail in front of her which lead to a white horse and a girl in pink. A little human interaction wouldn't hurt, depending on who it was, so instead of veering off the path, she continue riding towards the other pair. "It's beautiful out here isn't it?" Sam spoke as she got closer and was able to see that the rider was Nina.

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Nina gazed at the colorful trees as a few leaves even fell as the pair was walking by. She caught an orange leaf that landed on Ratio's mane and as well as another. The mare felt the sensitivity of the crisp objects as the Arabian shook her white mane. The deep chestnut haired senior let out a soft chuckle as she picked out a leaf and felt the rough and crispiness of the leaf between her index finger and thumb. She almost jumped in her position in the saddle as a familiar voice spoke.

She looked over as she regained the reality of the real world quickly. That voice and blonde hair, she practically let out a loud gasp towards the long time friend. "Sam!" She cheerfully greeted with a wide smile, keeping it at a normal volume so she wouldn't get carried away, but you could still here the kindness and surprised happiness in her voice. "It's great to see you, again! Almost like how it is as great as the atmosphere out here." She added as she agreed with the fellow senior's comment about how beautiful it was out here. Ratio let out a nicker in greeting towards the familiar fellow equine as Nina rubbed the mare's neck in reassurance.

She then turned her attention back to Sam. "So how have you been?" She asked as she kept a small soft smile on her face. She always enjoyed meeting up with old friends. Not to mention how happy she was to be lucky enough to make such nice friends so easily, or at least know most of the people around campus. It makes her feel more comfortable and not to awkward to be around the people you know and enjoy being with surround you. She still couldn't believe this is her last year at the academy, she couldn't imagine leaving here. It was almost like her second home.

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Sam rubbed her hand in a circular motion on the black gelding's neck while she rode closer to the other pair. Her cheeks raised as she laughed and smiled an enormous smile. Nina's reaction had just made her day about ten times better and she was almost squinting because of her smile."Nina!" She called back after she heard her own name. It was nice to see a girl in this school that she didn't want to bury."Likewise." She laughed softly and let the reins droop around Popeye's neck.

She watched the white horse for a few moments before the other girl spoke up again. "I've been doing very well. A few lazy days, but I've been pretty busy actually." Sam laughed a little. Between juggling both of the horses, classes, and gymnastics, she didn't have that much free time to enjoy days like this. "How about you? Enjoying the start to our senior year?" She smiled softly and looked down at the ground. Senior year at none other than Blue Ridge. Sam wiggled her feet out of the stirrups and relaxed herself in the saddle. Even though she had only been here for a year, she had really begun to love the school.