A Kingdom for a Horse

[Tobias Xayarath]

Tux smiled as he looked around the classroom of the Evening Primrose barn. He’d set up the chairs, and even talked the cafeteria into providing him with two containers, one of coffee and one of hot chocolate, and cups for the students. It was simply perfect for today's lesson, which wasn't a lesson in truth, but rather, just a meeting of his to get to know the students. For that, he didn't want some big, fancy classroom, and he hadn't wanted chairs in the arena either. Firstly, it was really, really cold out there. Secondly, the chairs were much more comfortable in here.

After circling the chairs, he chose one that sat opposite the door and sat in it, waiting for his students to come in. As they greeted him, he greeted them, although he waited for his general introduction. He kept an eye on the clock above the door, not really wanting to have late students, but then, if they never started, the class would never finish. He would start when most of his students were there, or five minutes after the time he had announced, whichever came first, and the latecomers would just have to make arrangements, or maybe, he'd suggest they drop the class.

A mixup with the rescue had left him foal-less for the first meeting of the class, but he would just use it as an opportunity to get to know his new students, and see how the group as a whole functioned. It would give him a good idea of how to assign foals once they did get here, at least.

Cara-Jean Kitchi
Chase Valentine
Lauren Collins
Natalie Popović

[Cara-Jean Kitchi]

Cara crossed her arms over her chest as she headed toward the Evening Primrose barn after her equestrian classes. She wished that she had thought better about her outfit: gymnastics uniform leotard under a red and black fleece tracksuit, with fitted pants, and her paddock boots, and she should have thought to bring another jacket as right now, cooling down after being in the saddle for a few hours, she was frozen.

Walking into the barn, which was slightly warmer as it cut off the wind that was slicing through her, she headed down to the classroom. Stopping at the door, her nose curled at the scent of coffee and she shook her head quickly to banish anything that threatened to come to the surface, there was just something about the scent of coffee. "Good afternoon, Mr Xayarath." She pressed her lips together after she had spoken, wondering if the tremble on her voice was actually there or if only she could hear it.

Walking forward she looked at the circle of seats and gave a pained look as she tried to work out where she was expected to sit, before she chose one that left an empty seat between herself and the man. She knew that she shouldn't feel it, but the knowledge that Martijn wouldn't be in the class left her feeling alone and vulnerable - and that alone just left her with questions she didn't have the answers for.

[Chase Valentine]

Chase sighed heavily. He was fine with his classes but there were just so many new people. As he walked to the foal handling class, he wished he'd grabbed his scarf after all. He remembered having it in his hands that morning, but he'd tossed it harmlessly onto the cat before he went to his first class. Now, the air chilled him.

When he finally made it to the barn, he relaxed a bit. The air wasn't quite so chilly inside. He could smell coffee somewhere, which made his heart skip a few beats. Was it only for staff? Was something going on? Maybe he was in the wrong barn? No, this was the barn on his schedule. And he wasn't very early. Or late. Despite wanting to leave, he followed the smell to its source.

He'd never cared much for coffee. But the teacher seemed friendly; greeting him and the other students. Chase returned the greeting as he looked around the room. It was another circle of chairs, like theater. At least this time he saw someone he knew.

"Hello, Cara." he said quietly as he sat down a few chairs from her. She didn't seem like the friendly type, and being distant didn't bother him at all.

[Tobias Xayarath]

Tux nodded at the first girl who entered, "Good afternoon, Cara." He knew her from the previous year, and already had a foal in mind for the quiet child. Last year he had given her a small, easy pony to work with, although she had proven up to the task of training. This time, she would get a bit more of a challenge. As would they all, he hadn't exactly gotten easy foals this year. But beggars couldn't be choosers.

After the time was up, Tux smiled at the students, "Well, welcome to Foal Handling. There was a bit of a mix-up with transportation so I don't even have your foals yet, but as with last year, they're coming from a foal rescue." He smiled, "You'll learn about them next time, because they should definitely be here for that." He paused. Introducing each other wouldn't really bring much, since the two students apparently already knew each other. "So why don't you go and get to know the mares and the stallions of the barn, or take the time for yourself, and we'll start properly next meeting?"

[Cara-Jean Kitchi]

She bowed her head when the man returned her greeting.

While waiting for the class to start, Cara couldn't help but wonder about the foal she would work with this year. She gave Chase a flash of a smile as he greeted her, though she remained silent. She lifted her pen, ready to take notes as Mr Xayarath started the class, though she lowered her pen when it seemed that there really wasn't going to be a class. Her face lit up with a smile at the news that the foals would once again be from a foal rescue and she couldn't wait for the next class.

She nodded as they were dismissed and she packed her things back into her bag, knowing that Coach Hoefflin would be pleased to have her earlier than expected, as she would find out of she was allowed back on the team or not. Leaving the classroom, she made her way through the barn, stopping to have a quick word with Circle; the mare she had worked with the previous year, and after giving the mare a groom, she left the barn and headed toward the gymnastics studio.