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Description

AQHR NPC Show | Jan-Feb

Featuring:
Tequila Darcy on Sweet Tease Lil' Dirt On My Boots

Level: 2
Class: Barrel Racing
Horse's Name: Sweet Tease Lil' Dirt On My Boots
Rider/Handler's Name: Tequila Darcy
Bonus Prompt Included: Yes - the wind blowing the geyser puff and the hair flappin' all over the place :''D
NPC Features: --
Previous Rider Experience: [1] [2] [3]
Previous Horse Experience: n/a

Placed: First and Grand Champion

www.deviantart.com/comments/1/…
www.deviantart.com/comments/1/…

Follows months after:

(there's a summary way down there, keep scrolling, no need to suffer for details <''3)

“Who's my sweet baby, huh?” Tequila cooed, pinching Nick's chubby rosy cheeks. “Are you?” She asked with a smile that warmed the brisk winter air. Nick giggled and babbled back, reaching his chubby arms towards his mommy dearest. He was so bundled up in his thick winter suit, fur-lined boots, mittens, and a warm knitted hat, it was a wonder he could move at all. Safe to say, mommy dearest wasn't letting the cold touch any part of his body other than his pudgy cheeks and little squishy nose. Another man after her own heart next in line to her husband. Tequila leaned over, giving each cheek a kiss before leaving one more on his nose, “You stay with Aito, okay?” She grabbed his mittens, pulling them together, “Aito? Can you say Ai-to?” She emphasized his name for Nick to try.
Nick was keen to play the game of repeating the sounds. He went right to the one that usually got him the most smiles and cheers from mommy which came closest to “A-ma!”
Tequila nodded and gave him his cheers for getting close to something, “Mama, good job, baby!” He giggled and tried again to get more of that sweet praise. “Now try Aito! Ai-to,” She bobbed his hands with each syllable to encourage him.
Nick kicked his little feet with enthusiasm and gave it his best go, squealing a delighted, “Ah-oh!”
Tequila laughed with her baby, straightening up again, sharing her smile with Durant. “Closest he's gotten so far,” she boasted on his behalf. She didn't really run it by Durant if he was okay with her using the nickname for him. He had explained what it stood for long ago back in his homeland. It meant ‘warrior’. That he'd protect his family with all his might even if he couldn't be with them. They were always in his heart even at a distance. She thought it was only fitting with the ferocity that he protected the Darcy family too.
She knew she couldn't heal what was out of her control. Her and Durant had briefly shared moments of deeper intimacy before her life took a hard turn. There was just a small single moment of time where maybe his name would have been 'Dada' instead. Perhaps if Tequila ever thought she could, Durant would be the one that would tempt her to be unfaithful. But Tequila's parents warned her many times that the lord had a very watchful eye on her at all times and her especially. Good thing the lord couldn't see what she had hidden in her thoughts. (right?)
So she wanted something more for him than just “uncle” or “Durant”. Sure, maybe it was selfish of her - what's new? - but she wanted to share this part of her family with him, knowing he didn't have the same kind of connections back home. His job made it too dangerous. He had sacrificed his own family to protect others. He had enough hurt and loss and missed opportunities with love gone sour. He wasn't the kind of guy that shared a lot about himself or his feelings. She could tell something had been bothering him for a few weeks now. He looked even more tired than usual and the limp in his leg was worse. She didn't know if he'd ever tell her what it was but she knew he'd tough it out no matter what. This little slice of joy was the best Tequila could offer.
“Look after my little baby angel, Aito,” she spoke softly to him before leaning up and giving his cheeks a soft kiss too. “Mama will be back soon, baby boy,” she cooed, letting Nick's hands go and waving goodbye.
There were few times Tequila felt okay to walk away from Nick: when he was with William and when he was with Durant were two situations she never even thought twice about. She didn't hesitate to ask him to accompany her on this little trip. William was somewhere far away for the week - somewhere he called far too drab for her interests; promising her that she wasn't going to miss out on any sights to see where he was going. He wasn't even sure any kind of souvenir would be appropriate but he would try to make the best of it.
That left Tequila to her own devices. She could sit at home and wait. But while at home, she had gotten the itch again. She had been riding again, totally recovered from childbirth and about mad with boredom. Her horses gave her that taste of freedom once more. The life she once had, gunning them to run harder and faster, sloshing the sand into the air as they tore around a barrel! She had to get back in the game. Even if just for a moment. It would be a short trip: one plane ride there, a quick overnight sleep, she'd run her class, then they'd all be on a flight home by evening.
And it felt like a kiss from God, himself. Even despite the chilly air, the wind in her hair as Boots lit off like a firework! It felt like her blood rushed through her veins just as hot and fast! Tequila couldn't help but laugh loudly, rejoicing from the sheer adrenaline and excitement, bounding for the first barrel! Boots hadn't missed a stride after some time off! The mare slid, flinging sand everywhere and dug hard to lunge around that barrel before hurdling forward again!
Days like this, she didn't mind that she had eyes on her from the sky. She heard her little angel giggling and that unmistakable sound of pure love, “A-ma! A-ma!” With his fat little arms and mittens, Nick had his arms outstretched for his mama that was definitely going to come shower him with all of her affections. Tequila smiled as bright as the sun behind her, waving back at him. “Mama’s comin’, sweet baby!”

Tequila looked back at Nick peacefully sleeping in his car seat all bundled up and buckled in for the ride home from the airport. He had taken the whole trip like a champ, only fussing when they had to leave the stable and he couldn't touch the horses anymore. Poor Durant got to be the stand-in “horsey” when Tequila showed Nick that he could pet Durant's face like the horses. That was a thousand giggles for the baby and even more “Ah-oh”s that went with it, even one “Ai-yo” slipped in there but maybe that was just a lucky try.
“Thanks again for lookin’ after us, sugar. I really appreciate you takin’ us out. I really needed it,” Tequila turned back in her seat as Durant was shutting the door. She sat up a little straighter. Even as the overhead light dimmed and just the light from the parking lot light illuminated the truck's cab, she saw a very heavy look on his face. She shuffled again as he looked her way. Her heart skipped a beat, fully knowing something had happened.
They had just left the private airport strip when Durant's phone started going absolutely wild with messages and calls that he had to take immediately. The only time a call took precedence over her was if it was urgent or an emergency or both. He had hesitated to fill her in on the details. She briefly thought maybe she had the authority to order him to tell her but she didn't want to pull that act. Not on her sweet Durant. So she thought maybe it had been handled or maybe it wasn't as bad as it sounded. Maybe she didn't need to know.
But as he looked back at her with those dark eyes, she knew it had to be whatever it was that had been weighing on him for so long. “What is it, sugar?” she asked gently, hoping to coax it out of him but maybe scared to find out. Was it Will? Was it Georgie? Was it Durant? Was someone hurt? Was someone sick? What?

Fang had been so well behaved. Durant should have seen it coming. Yea, maybe it was happening all too fast to believe but the kid had been working diligently. Albeit, it always came with the Fang signature- bitch and complain, sarcasm and mockery, swear and snarl, always something to mouth off about - that was just a personality trait at this point. But he had been working every day. Even took up photography as a hobby; a way to try to find something that interested him again. An odd request but he thought nothing more than to encourage anything that could be a positive. What harm could photos cause?
Durant should have seen it coming. This was the risk of taking in kids like Fang and keeping them on grounds. They learned hard truths of the world in unforgiving ways, learned how to cheat, lie, scheme, backstab, manipulate, trust no one as if that's all life had to offer. But, dammit, Fang was really doing so good. Even after running into the Burton kid , he had been keeping his cool and avoiding him. But Fang had been snooping around where his nose wasn't supposed to go. He saw things Durant wasn't ready for him to see yet. Things that lit a fuse to the bomb that was Fang's deepest angers. And that brat didn't lie about one thing: when he lost his shit, he didn't go quietly.
Durant really should have seen it coming.
He sighed and ‘Aito’, the warrior, had to admit defeat to the woman he vowed no harm would come to her or her baby while in his presence. And while that still remained true, he still felt like he had just let her down, in a way. After all, Fang was, in part, his responsibility. Maybe he failed them both in that regard. He looked at her face, still traced with genuine worry. He had sat face to face with crime- and warlords, people who had committed murder and other unspeakable horrors. He didn't fear her wrath, but he still hoped the hurt she would undoubtedly feel when he told her about the kid he brought to the park and what he had just done to the safety of her home, her beloved horses, and the danger he just put them all in because Durant put too much trust into a kid like Fang… he hoped he didn't hurt her too much.
“Hell has broken out at the private barns. Your barn and your horses. I never expected he'd go after the horses…I am truly sorry, angel…”

(1780 wordcount)

TLDR SUMMARY;
--William was away on a business trip and Tequila got bored
--so she took her baby, Nick, and Durant, Mr. Security Man and went to a short little horse show to knock some rust off her game
--Tequila and Nick had a great time <3 Durant got renamed his nickname "Aito" because Tequila has a HUGE soft spot for Durant <''3
--The show went well, but Tequila feels like something's been up with Durant lately, hopes its nothing
--Durant's phone went crazy with calls and texts as soon as they were getting back home
--Tequila kind of doesn't want to know but kind of really wants to know
--Durant really doesn't want to have to say but knows he totally has to say...
--Fang has been a very bad boy.
--Fang has done some very bad things while Durant was away and it involves Tequila's personal barn and her horses.
--Did I mention Fang hates horses???

Previous: Mama Don't Mess Around || Next: Chris POV on Park Grounds: Crop Shot POV Tequila getting Home: Bart Brannon

Did I mention Fang hates horses???
Cliffhanger~ What has that boy been up to while Durant's been away? Steps away for two days and stirs up hell. Well done, Fang. Way to be a shining example of punk asses that just don't learn.

But hey, look, Tequila got to get out and have a good time before that! :'''DDD Let's celebrate that!! And spend time with boys she loves: Nick and Durant <3 Durant has an odd spot in her heart. She doesn't quite know what to call it but she is quite attached to him - just good ol' love <3

FINALLY. A piece I think the outcome is better than I expected it to turn out xD I figured I was gonna be a little more relaxed with it but the further along I got, the more I craved to execute something the way I know I can if I put the work in. Sure, this was more or less just to move the story along but MEH when the muse beckons, I must obey~ And before I knew it, there I am, rendering in veins and water reflections : ) BAH. The kiddos deserved it <''3 So happy to have Tequila back in the saddle so I can draw her pretty ponies doing what they do best~ Zoooom~

Tequila/Boots/Nick/Fang/Chris/Art © Drasayer
Durant "Aito"/William/Georgie/RP Words © decors

About 15-20ish hours
No specific refs for zoomin' babes
Background inspiration provided by host (none in particular used otherwise)

Procreate/PhotoshopCS6

Description

AQHR NPC Show | Jan-Feb

Featuring:
Tequila Darcy on Sweet Tease Lil' Dirt On My Boots

Level: 2
Class: Barrel Racing
Horse's Name: Sweet Tease Lil' Dirt On My Boots
Rider/Handler's Name: Tequila Darcy
Bonus Prompt Included: Yes - the wind blowing the geyser puff and the hair flappin' all over the place :''D
NPC Features: --
Previous Rider Experience: [1] [2] [3]
Previous Horse Experience: n/a

Placed: First and Grand Champion

www.deviantart.com/comments/1/…
www.deviantart.com/comments/1/…

Follows months after:

(there's a summary way down there, keep scrolling, no need to suffer for details <''3)

“Who's my sweet baby, huh?” Tequila cooed, pinching Nick's chubby rosy cheeks. “Are you?” She asked with a smile that warmed the brisk winter air. Nick giggled and babbled back, reaching his chubby arms towards his mommy dearest. He was so bundled up in his thick winter suit, fur-lined boots, mittens, and a warm knitted hat, it was a wonder he could move at all. Safe to say, mommy dearest wasn't letting the cold touch any part of his body other than his pudgy cheeks and little squishy nose. Another man after her own heart next in line to her husband. Tequila leaned over, giving each cheek a kiss before leaving one more on his nose, “You stay with Aito, okay?” She grabbed his mittens, pulling them together, “Aito? Can you say Ai-to?” She emphasized his name for Nick to try.
Nick was keen to play the game of repeating the sounds. He went right to the one that usually got him the most smiles and cheers from mommy which came closest to “A-ma!”
Tequila nodded and gave him his cheers for getting close to something, “Mama, good job, baby!” He giggled and tried again to get more of that sweet praise. “Now try Aito! Ai-to,” She bobbed his hands with each syllable to encourage him.
Nick kicked his little feet with enthusiasm and gave it his best go, squealing a delighted, “Ah-oh!”
Tequila laughed with her baby, straightening up again, sharing her smile with Durant. “Closest he's gotten so far,” she boasted on his behalf. She didn't really run it by Durant if he was okay with her using the nickname for him. He had explained what it stood for long ago back in his homeland. It meant ‘warrior’. That he'd protect his family with all his might even if he couldn't be with them. They were always in his heart even at a distance. She thought it was only fitting with the ferocity that he protected the Darcy family too.
She knew she couldn't heal what was out of her control. Her and Durant had briefly shared moments of deeper intimacy before her life took a hard turn. There was just a small single moment of time where maybe his name would have been 'Dada' instead. Perhaps if Tequila ever thought she could, Durant would be the one that would tempt her to be unfaithful. But Tequila's parents warned her many times that the lord had a very watchful eye on her at all times and her especially. Good thing the lord couldn't see what she had hidden in her thoughts. (right?)
So she wanted something more for him than just “uncle” or “Durant”. Sure, maybe it was selfish of her - what's new? - but she wanted to share this part of her family with him, knowing he didn't have the same kind of connections back home. His job made it too dangerous. He had sacrificed his own family to protect others. He had enough hurt and loss and missed opportunities with love gone sour. He wasn't the kind of guy that shared a lot about himself or his feelings. She could tell something had been bothering him for a few weeks now. He looked even more tired than usual and the limp in his leg was worse. She didn't know if he'd ever tell her what it was but she knew he'd tough it out no matter what. This little slice of joy was the best Tequila could offer.
“Look after my little baby angel, Aito,” she spoke softly to him before leaning up and giving his cheeks a soft kiss too. “Mama will be back soon, baby boy,” she cooed, letting Nick's hands go and waving goodbye.
There were few times Tequila felt okay to walk away from Nick: when he was with William and when he was with Durant were two situations she never even thought twice about. She didn't hesitate to ask him to accompany her on this little trip. William was somewhere far away for the week - somewhere he called far too drab for her interests; promising her that she wasn't going to miss out on any sights to see where he was going. He wasn't even sure any kind of souvenir would be appropriate but he would try to make the best of it.
That left Tequila to her own devices. She could sit at home and wait. But while at home, she had gotten the itch again. She had been riding again, totally recovered from childbirth and about mad with boredom. Her horses gave her that taste of freedom once more. The life she once had, gunning them to run harder and faster, sloshing the sand into the air as they tore around a barrel! She had to get back in the game. Even if just for a moment. It would be a short trip: one plane ride there, a quick overnight sleep, she'd run her class, then they'd all be on a flight home by evening.
And it felt like a kiss from God, himself. Even despite the chilly air, the wind in her hair as Boots lit off like a firework! It felt like her blood rushed through her veins just as hot and fast! Tequila couldn't help but laugh loudly, rejoicing from the sheer adrenaline and excitement, bounding for the first barrel! Boots hadn't missed a stride after some time off! The mare slid, flinging sand everywhere and dug hard to lunge around that barrel before hurdling forward again!
Days like this, she didn't mind that she had eyes on her from the sky. She heard her little angel giggling and that unmistakable sound of pure love, “A-ma! A-ma!” With his fat little arms and mittens, Nick had his arms outstretched for his mama that was definitely going to come shower him with all of her affections. Tequila smiled as bright as the sun behind her, waving back at him. “Mama’s comin’, sweet baby!”

Tequila looked back at Nick peacefully sleeping in his car seat all bundled up and buckled in for the ride home from the airport. He had taken the whole trip like a champ, only fussing when they had to leave the stable and he couldn't touch the horses anymore. Poor Durant got to be the stand-in “horsey” when Tequila showed Nick that he could pet Durant's face like the horses. That was a thousand giggles for the baby and even more “Ah-oh”s that went with it, even one “Ai-yo” slipped in there but maybe that was just a lucky try.
“Thanks again for lookin’ after us, sugar. I really appreciate you takin’ us out. I really needed it,” Tequila turned back in her seat as Durant was shutting the door. She sat up a little straighter. Even as the overhead light dimmed and just the light from the parking lot light illuminated the truck's cab, she saw a very heavy look on his face. She shuffled again as he looked her way. Her heart skipped a beat, fully knowing something had happened.
They had just left the private airport strip when Durant's phone started going absolutely wild with messages and calls that he had to take immediately. The only time a call took precedence over her was if it was urgent or an emergency or both. He had hesitated to fill her in on the details. She briefly thought maybe she had the authority to order him to tell her but she didn't want to pull that act. Not on her sweet Durant. So she thought maybe it had been handled or maybe it wasn't as bad as it sounded. Maybe she didn't need to know.
But as he looked back at her with those dark eyes, she knew it had to be whatever it was that had been weighing on him for so long. “What is it, sugar?” she asked gently, hoping to coax it out of him but maybe scared to find out. Was it Will? Was it Georgie? Was it Durant? Was someone hurt? Was someone sick? What?

Fang had been so well behaved. Durant should have seen it coming. Yea, maybe it was happening all too fast to believe but the kid had been working diligently. Albeit, it always came with the Fang signature- bitch and complain, sarcasm and mockery, swear and snarl, always something to mouth off about - that was just a personality trait at this point. But he had been working every day. Even took up photography as a hobby; a way to try to find something that interested him again. An odd request but he thought nothing more than to encourage anything that could be a positive. What harm could photos cause?
Durant should have seen it coming. This was the risk of taking in kids like Fang and keeping them on grounds. They learned hard truths of the world in unforgiving ways, learned how to cheat, lie, scheme, backstab, manipulate, trust no one as if that's all life had to offer. But, dammit, Fang was really doing so good. Even after running into the Burton kid , he had been keeping his cool and avoiding him. But Fang had been snooping around where his nose wasn't supposed to go. He saw things Durant wasn't ready for him to see yet. Things that lit a fuse to the bomb that was Fang's deepest angers. And that brat didn't lie about one thing: when he lost his shit, he didn't go quietly.
Durant really should have seen it coming.
He sighed and ‘Aito’, the warrior, had to admit defeat to the woman he vowed no harm would come to her or her baby while in his presence. And while that still remained true, he still felt like he had just let her down, in a way. After all, Fang was, in part, his responsibility. Maybe he failed them both in that regard. He looked at her face, still traced with genuine worry. He had sat face to face with crime- and warlords, people who had committed murder and other unspeakable horrors. He didn't fear her wrath, but he still hoped the hurt she would undoubtedly feel when he told her about the kid he brought to the park and what he had just done to the safety of her home, her beloved horses, and the danger he just put them all in because Durant put too much trust into a kid like Fang… he hoped he didn't hurt her too much.
“Hell has broken out at the private barns. Your barn and your horses. I never expected he'd go after the horses…I am truly sorry, angel…”

(1780 wordcount)

TLDR SUMMARY;
--William was away on a business trip and Tequila got bored
--so she took her baby, Nick, and Durant, Mr. Security Man and went to a short little horse show to knock some rust off her game
--Tequila and Nick had a great time <3 Durant got renamed his nickname "Aito" because Tequila has a HUGE soft spot for Durant <''3
--The show went well, but Tequila feels like something's been up with Durant lately, hopes its nothing
--Durant's phone went crazy with calls and texts as soon as they were getting back home
--Tequila kind of doesn't want to know but kind of really wants to know
--Durant really doesn't want to have to say but knows he totally has to say...
--Fang has been a very bad boy.
--Fang has done some very bad things while Durant was away and it involves Tequila's personal barn and her horses.
--Did I mention Fang hates horses???

Previous: Mama Don't Mess Around || Next: Chris POV on Park Grounds: Crop Shot POV Tequila getting Home: Bart Brannon

Did I mention Fang hates horses???
Cliffhanger~ What has that boy been up to while Durant's been away? Steps away for two days and stirs up hell. Well done, Fang. Way to be a shining example of punk asses that just don't learn.

But hey, look, Tequila got to get out and have a good time before that! :'''DDD Let's celebrate that!! And spend time with boys she loves: Nick and Durant <3 Durant has an odd spot in her heart. She doesn't quite know what to call it but she is quite attached to him - just good ol' love <3

FINALLY. A piece I think the outcome is better than I expected it to turn out xD I figured I was gonna be a little more relaxed with it but the further along I got, the more I craved to execute something the way I know I can if I put the work in. Sure, this was more or less just to move the story along but MEH when the muse beckons, I must obey~ And before I knew it, there I am, rendering in veins and water reflections : ) BAH. The kiddos deserved it <''3 So happy to have Tequila back in the saddle so I can draw her pretty ponies doing what they do best~ Zoooom~

Tequila/Boots/Nick/Fang/Chris/Art © Drasayer
Durant "Aito"/William/Georgie/RP Words © decors

About 15-20ish hours
No specific refs for zoomin' babes
Background inspiration provided by host (none in particular used otherwise)

Procreate/PhotoshopCS6