HOME | DD

Description

And I'll drill in your head
what you need

to be

king of this

goddamn city

What was he doing here? No, really- River was trying to determine the exact chain of events that had led him to an actual, professional, breed-based facility in a different country. With naught but his small acreage and naughty single Houdini-esque mare, he couldn't figure out now why he had dared to travel internationally to try and impress a horse that, by all accounts, didn't want to be impressed. Was it because he wanted a challenge? Did he recognize the anger and discomfort in the mare? Or had he just wanted a vacation from the bird-eating fiend at home?

Well. It could be all of the above, couldn't it?

What had happened was actually quite simple. Having finished work with Geist for the day, and having finished some honey-dos at home, he'd gotten on the computer. Logged onto his account - though it wasn't like there was anyone around to try and see his search history or find his passwords for his credit cards anyway. He'd been clicking through websites errantly when he'd seen a word he hadn't recognized with some fancy shmancy lettering and decided to check it out. Apparently it was a breed, and there had been an announcement that they had a rescue that they were trying to find a home for. Reading further through it had piqued River's interest- the Alfkak breed was apparently not too dissimilar from Geist's currently behavior, though for different reasons. Headstrong, loyal, temperamental... he'd sat there for a good hour, browsing through the information provided and checking out the different types of Alfkak - finding a certain love for the chonk and muskle of the Caesar type - before he'd clicked on the notification for the rescue.

Reading through her history had his heart aching and his brain racing.

Don't get ahead of yourself, he'd told himself as he read 'stolen at a young age'.

You've already got one problem child, you don't need another, he thought as he saw 'throws fits when legs are touched.'

Seriously, River, you're stupid. You have experience but this is dumb. This mare needs a psychologist, not a moron with a couple acres. He berated the thoughts as his eyes drifted about his humble abode and back to 'currently housed in a solitary paddock.'

But he could be her psychologist. Stepping away from the computer he walked to a window, peering out at his pleasant little property in the setting sunlight. A comfortable few acres. A little running creek, with a pond on the border of his land. A comfortable barn, several pastures, and the only horse she would need to 'compete' with would be Geist- who, he knew from experience, would do her best to woo a new friend with gifts of dead birds and feathers.

Maybe the new mare would like them more than any horse in the past.

Crossing his arms, River tapped his fingers against his forearm and bit his lip.

Could he do this? He had experience, yeah. He'd been a groom for years before his parents unexpected passing.

You've got that in common- no parents.

He'd pulled Geist out of a bad situation. Well, an auction. But he was no stranger to issues, to horses with attitude, and while the rescue was labeled as aggressive River... well, who could blame her? Who knew what her past had been? And while he was certain the literal, actual, professional breeding and home facility wasn't mistreating her, he had to wonder if she was getting any sort of one-on-one time. Had she been able to decompress before they began trying to figure her out? How had they started? He wasn't doubting their methods- but he wondered about them.

He wondered if he could provide what they couldn't. One other horse- easy going to a fault. Several acres, large paddocks where she could choose to approach or flee from him as she chose. Someone without a large facility who could focus on her but also give her time and space. He was no trainer, had no long-term goals. She could take time, relax, and if he never rode her, well. That was fine. Riding wasn't the end of what someone could do with a horse.

You're an idiot. The biggest idiot. Literally, six-foot-some of absolute dumbass.

But he bought the tickets anyway.

The trip was near agonizing. Halfway across the ocean and River was going back on his plan. He was tiny. He was a single person. He was probably literally the worst option. He should never have gotten on this plane.

But then, he would look at her pictures. At her unkempt mane, her overgrown hooves, the spark in her eye that was threatening... he had to try. He wanted to at least offer himself to her- that's what the page had said, after all. The Alfkak facility itself wasn't rehoming her- the mare was choosing where she wanted to go.

River hadn't been this nervous since he'd gotten the phone call of there's been an accident.

He may or may not have thrown up a few times on the plane, but he blamed it on altitude sickness and tried to laugh it off.

Once it had landed, he panicked again. I should just get on the next flight back home and give this up.

No! No, he was going to try. He had a peppermint, he had printed out pictures to show the mare of his home and of her potential companion, and pictures of himself from when he was younger even. Fuck, he'd made the mare an album of this could be yours, free of charge, not even requiring my friendship. In the middle of the airport, he'd buried his face in his hands and once again insulted his intelligence. Who the hell made a photo album for a horse?

He did.

Dipshit.

Arriving at the facility was a whole new kind of terror. How many years had it been since he'd been at a professional barn? Five? More? Parts of the facility were familiar, but more of it was new and almost frightening.

Was she frightened? Did she not know where she was? How many people had stopped to talk to her? How many people had introduced themselves? Had anyone explained to her what had happened and what could happen?

One hand tight on his backpack strap, the other clenched around his meager duffle, and in his standard attire of shirt, sweater, and jeans- River felt out of place. Shabby. Ashamed.

There were people from actual showing barns here. There were professionals who made a living off training and showing horses. People who had been at the top of the game consistently. Not a has-been groom who left the game behind to hide away on an infinitesimally small (compared to this place!) piece of land with one horse and some chickens. What right did he have to be here?

And then- there she was.

Oops, someone wasn't paying attention apparently. There was a screech in the distance and the mare seemed to acknowledge it as a battle cry, doing her best to dislodge her handlers. Despite himself and his doubts, River had dropped his bag to go- do what? Put himself in front of her? Grab the rope? Grab one of the buff dudes that he wasn't to help restrain her?

That'd probably be a pretty shit meeting, honestly. "Hi, I'm here to meet you, let me just be part of the crew trying to stop you entirely even though you don't know me!"

Thankfully they got her under control, but not before someone was almost trampled. River continued his trek over, hearing the 'I'm sorry!' from one of the handlers as he offered the nearly-trampled stranger a hand up while the mare was pulled away.

"You okay?" He asked. The person replied they were fine, if not startled, and River nodded. "That was pretty scary, huh? She's tough lil girl, isn't she?"

"Yeah... almost makes me wonder if she's worth it, rare genes or no." They replied, brushing themselves off. River stared in confusion.

Rare genes?

Oh, right. The paint genes weren't really a Thing in Alfkaks, which was why she'd (presumably) been stolen in the first place.

He nodded dumbly, staring after her until she'd been led to the coliseum and-

oh shit, his bag!

River waited while other people took their turns trying to get the mare's attention nervously. His bag full of Offerings was on his lap, his leg tapping nervously against the ground. He could hear her moving and making noise inside from where he waited outside. He was afraid that she might choose someone before he could get in there. Was that how that worked? Would it be like a How to Train Your Dragon moment, where she would walk up like a trusting little kitten and bump her head against someone's palm?

...no, dipshit, this isn't a Disney-Pixar movie! This is real life! This isn't Spirit, but if you mess up in there you might be!

He took a deep breath in through his nose, held it for a moment, and then let it out.

"You can do this. You can do this. Just because you are one man does not mean you're useless. You're River. You didn't run away, you ran a new course. You're-"

"Casper Charmichael?"

River about jumped three feet in the air from where he sat before his hand shot up like he was in school- and then immediately back down. He stood up and hurried over to where he'd been called.

"That's- that's me! Casper, but please call me River. It's what I prefer to go by." He offered a nervous, energetic smile.

Walking through the coliseum, River was struck dumb by the remarkable architecture of the place. If he was more of a history nerd, he'd probably be losing his mind right now.

"Alright, here's the rules- you can go in there with her at your own risk. You have up to forty-five minutes to get her attention without aggravating her or harassing her to get a response. You've signed the waiver? Good. And good luck."

Well, this wasn't unlike walking into the den of a hungry lion now, was it? Fitting to be in a coliseum with that feeling, then.

River stepped through the gate and was struck dumb by the mare as she flew around the arena. Was she in a rage, or was she enjoying the chance to run? Her ears seemed to be back, but- had they ever been forward? As soon as the gate shut behind him the mare practically slid to a stop and turned to look at the new intruder.

Like a new kid in class, River waved at her awkwardly.

"Hello," he called out, "My name is River. I am... not from here. I'm from the United States. Uh, they - the people running this place you're at - made a post about you on their website so I am here to throw my hat into impress the mare or... whatever it's called." He didn't move yet. Though her ears remained pinned, she seemed to be eyeballing him. Making sure he wasn't a threat, probably. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"I know you've had a pretty rough life so I wanted to... talk to you? I talk to my friend, my horse, Geist a lot. I don't see why not, you all are plenty more intelligent than people think. Uh, but- oh, let me pull out the-" He pulled the backpack around and dug in for the photo album. "I brought you this! If you wanted to get close and look at it. Totally up to you! Uh, I brought you a mint as well. I'd say bribery, but I don't know if you've ever even had a mint so really... it's a treat because I think you deserve one for not killing everyone here yet, though I'm sure you've wanted to. Uh, the book!" He held it up, wiggling it a little. The mare snorted. "It's a photo album. I put in pictures of, uh. Me, from various points of time. Uh, my property- it's not like this. Nothing like this, really, it's pretty dang small compared to here. But it's comfortable. I put pictures of my Geist in here. I say my Geist- she's my friend and partner, you know? I call her my kid, and it gets some pretty funny looks when people don't realize I'm talking about a horse... Hmmm, here, do you wanna see some?" Heart beating hard in his chest, River took a few steps towards where she stood in the middle of the arena. He opened the album when he stopped- he wasn't going to try and touch her, but he wanted her to be able to see a bit better. "Oh, here! This is Geist. She's big, and she likes to eat birds and escape from places. If you come home with me, she'll offer you feathers and things- you don't have to accept them, but you might hurt her little heart if you don't. She's a real softie, honestly. Here she is in her pasture, one of the smaller ones. They say electric tape is supposed to help keep horses in, but I swear she doesn't feel it at all..."

He flipped through the album a bit, showing and telling her - in a condensed manner - about his home, and his setup. How it was practically isolated and how she would barely have to share with anyone, and wouldn't have to share her space if she didn't want to. He set the album down on the ground when he was finished with a "you can check that out later if you want. or destroy it- totally up to you!"

Pulling the mint out next, River pinched it between two fingers and raised his hand to show her what he had.

"It's a mint! A treat. I told you, when I first came in, that I had it for you. No strings attached!" Leaning forward slightly, and finding her taking a couple steps towards him with her teeth bared, River tossed the ry mint to the ground and backed up. He grabbed his bag and then put himself at a distance from her so she could inspect the mint with no pressure from him. He even turned his gaze away from her.

"So I know there's like. A lot of people trying to get your attention. You're pretty fancy, and I guess especially fancy for an Alfkak, but I honestly forgot that paint genes weren't a huge thing with you guys. I just saw you and thought you could... you know. Use some down time? Take a break? Get a vacation? Besides the little slice of heaven that is the acres I own, I wanted to tell you... uh, you won't be a... a requirement with me. I like to ride, but if you never wanted me to ride... I wouldn't make you. If you want to use me to get away from here and then ignore me apart from when I feed you, that's fine. I don't know... what everyone's plans are for you, but I want you to know that... I have no plans. I have no time frame. I have no goals to make you into a horse to ride, or a horse to do liberty with. If you want to go hiking with me, that's fine. If you want to lunge at my face every time you see me, that's fine. But know that I... have no expectations of you. Your past has made you who you are, and I don't want to try and force or goad you into being my partner. It's totally up to you.

"But I can offer you the small comforts. I can offer you companionship, human or horse. I can offer you solitude when you want it. A horse for a friend, or me. I can offer you the time you want to make your own decisions. Judgement-free living. Space, opportunities... the chance to make your own decisions. I don't want anything specific from you, I just want you to go somewhere that you can... be yourself in your own time."

River looked at the mare with a small smile. Was it his imagination, or were her ears... not quite as pinned as before?

"Everything up to you."

My tryout for Caesar Import 100 - ART AUCTION

I started this sketch literally a month ago. And then, WORK. And then no work. And then WORK AGAIN. There was something else I did, but hell if I can remember! I really wanted to try hard and do a nice background, didn't want to use the 3d model, but as I am unfortunately getting this out at the very last minute at one am, it is... ugly. And I am sorry for that u_u THERE WAS AN EXTENSION SO I IMPROVED IT!

I used the 3D model provided by Ren (thank you!) and put a little background on top of it, an 'imaginary' one like a... meeting of the minds sort of thing There is the album + a mint, but since the whole pic is so stinking large I'm not going to do original size, but instead here's details of a couple the pictures River provided: Details

I gave the mare some curly, messy mane and tail. Her feet are slightly overgrown, since she has issues with people touching her legs I figured trimming would probably be a no-go. While I included some of her smaller scars, she's also got two rather large ones: one under her left ear and one on her chest.

River's plans for her are thus: letting her do things at her own pace. He doesn't see her as a horse who can really be pushed, and that trying to push will only end up in injury and resentment. If she wanted to be ridden, would tolerate it, he would. If all she ever wants to do is ground work, that's also fine with him. But he believes, by her behavior and by looking in her eyes, that without some sort of trust or bond any sort of insistence or push would result only in pushback. And while everyone needs some driving force now and then, he wants to give her a break and allow her to build that faith in him on her own time, and to choose to allow him to insist upon certain things. Having no concrete plans for her, it's possible she would remain a ground-work/liberty horse, or she might one day tolerate him riding her. However, nothing would happen quickly. If she ever chose to let River ride, it would be several years down the line.

Nicknames from River will include: Bigge Gorl, Biggy, Sweetest, Sweet Baby, Honey, Honeypie, and nicknames that are softer in the hopes of making her soft as well.

Yes, he left the photo album in the coliseum with her. He's pretty sure she can figure out how to flip through it if she wants.

Description

And I'll drill in your head
what you need

to be

king of this

goddamn city

What was he doing here? No, really- River was trying to determine the exact chain of events that had led him to an actual, professional, breed-based facility in a different country. With naught but his small acreage and naughty single Houdini-esque mare, he couldn't figure out now why he had dared to travel internationally to try and impress a horse that, by all accounts, didn't want to be impressed. Was it because he wanted a challenge? Did he recognize the anger and discomfort in the mare? Or had he just wanted a vacation from the bird-eating fiend at home?

Well. It could be all of the above, couldn't it?

What had happened was actually quite simple. Having finished work with Geist for the day, and having finished some honey-dos at home, he'd gotten on the computer. Logged onto his account - though it wasn't like there was anyone around to try and see his search history or find his passwords for his credit cards anyway. He'd been clicking through websites errantly when he'd seen a word he hadn't recognized with some fancy shmancy lettering and decided to check it out. Apparently it was a breed, and there had been an announcement that they had a rescue that they were trying to find a home for. Reading further through it had piqued River's interest- the Alfkak breed was apparently not too dissimilar from Geist's currently behavior, though for different reasons. Headstrong, loyal, temperamental... he'd sat there for a good hour, browsing through the information provided and checking out the different types of Alfkak - finding a certain love for the chonk and muskle of the Caesar type - before he'd clicked on the notification for the rescue.

Reading through her history had his heart aching and his brain racing.

Don't get ahead of yourself, he'd told himself as he read 'stolen at a young age'.

You've already got one problem child, you don't need another, he thought as he saw 'throws fits when legs are touched.'

Seriously, River, you're stupid. You have experience but this is dumb. This mare needs a psychologist, not a moron with a couple acres. He berated the thoughts as his eyes drifted about his humble abode and back to 'currently housed in a solitary paddock.'

But he could be her psychologist. Stepping away from the computer he walked to a window, peering out at his pleasant little property in the setting sunlight. A comfortable few acres. A little running creek, with a pond on the border of his land. A comfortable barn, several pastures, and the only horse she would need to 'compete' with would be Geist- who, he knew from experience, would do her best to woo a new friend with gifts of dead birds and feathers.

Maybe the new mare would like them more than any horse in the past.

Crossing his arms, River tapped his fingers against his forearm and bit his lip.

Could he do this? He had experience, yeah. He'd been a groom for years before his parents unexpected passing.

You've got that in common- no parents.

He'd pulled Geist out of a bad situation. Well, an auction. But he was no stranger to issues, to horses with attitude, and while the rescue was labeled as aggressive River... well, who could blame her? Who knew what her past had been? And while he was certain the literal, actual, professional breeding and home facility wasn't mistreating her, he had to wonder if she was getting any sort of one-on-one time. Had she been able to decompress before they began trying to figure her out? How had they started? He wasn't doubting their methods- but he wondered about them.

He wondered if he could provide what they couldn't. One other horse- easy going to a fault. Several acres, large paddocks where she could choose to approach or flee from him as she chose. Someone without a large facility who could focus on her but also give her time and space. He was no trainer, had no long-term goals. She could take time, relax, and if he never rode her, well. That was fine. Riding wasn't the end of what someone could do with a horse.

You're an idiot. The biggest idiot. Literally, six-foot-some of absolute dumbass.

But he bought the tickets anyway.

The trip was near agonizing. Halfway across the ocean and River was going back on his plan. He was tiny. He was a single person. He was probably literally the worst option. He should never have gotten on this plane.

But then, he would look at her pictures. At her unkempt mane, her overgrown hooves, the spark in her eye that was threatening... he had to try. He wanted to at least offer himself to her- that's what the page had said, after all. The Alfkak facility itself wasn't rehoming her- the mare was choosing where she wanted to go.

River hadn't been this nervous since he'd gotten the phone call of there's been an accident.

He may or may not have thrown up a few times on the plane, but he blamed it on altitude sickness and tried to laugh it off.

Once it had landed, he panicked again. I should just get on the next flight back home and give this up.

No! No, he was going to try. He had a peppermint, he had printed out pictures to show the mare of his home and of her potential companion, and pictures of himself from when he was younger even. Fuck, he'd made the mare an album of this could be yours, free of charge, not even requiring my friendship. In the middle of the airport, he'd buried his face in his hands and once again insulted his intelligence. Who the hell made a photo album for a horse?

He did.

Dipshit.

Arriving at the facility was a whole new kind of terror. How many years had it been since he'd been at a professional barn? Five? More? Parts of the facility were familiar, but more of it was new and almost frightening.

Was she frightened? Did she not know where she was? How many people had stopped to talk to her? How many people had introduced themselves? Had anyone explained to her what had happened and what could happen?

One hand tight on his backpack strap, the other clenched around his meager duffle, and in his standard attire of shirt, sweater, and jeans- River felt out of place. Shabby. Ashamed.

There were people from actual showing barns here. There were professionals who made a living off training and showing horses. People who had been at the top of the game consistently. Not a has-been groom who left the game behind to hide away on an infinitesimally small (compared to this place!) piece of land with one horse and some chickens. What right did he have to be here?

And then- there she was.

Oops, someone wasn't paying attention apparently. There was a screech in the distance and the mare seemed to acknowledge it as a battle cry, doing her best to dislodge her handlers. Despite himself and his doubts, River had dropped his bag to go- do what? Put himself in front of her? Grab the rope? Grab one of the buff dudes that he wasn't to help restrain her?

That'd probably be a pretty shit meeting, honestly. "Hi, I'm here to meet you, let me just be part of the crew trying to stop you entirely even though you don't know me!"

Thankfully they got her under control, but not before someone was almost trampled. River continued his trek over, hearing the 'I'm sorry!' from one of the handlers as he offered the nearly-trampled stranger a hand up while the mare was pulled away.

"You okay?" He asked. The person replied they were fine, if not startled, and River nodded. "That was pretty scary, huh? She's tough lil girl, isn't she?"

"Yeah... almost makes me wonder if she's worth it, rare genes or no." They replied, brushing themselves off. River stared in confusion.

Rare genes?

Oh, right. The paint genes weren't really a Thing in Alfkaks, which was why she'd (presumably) been stolen in the first place.

He nodded dumbly, staring after her until she'd been led to the coliseum and-

oh shit, his bag!

River waited while other people took their turns trying to get the mare's attention nervously. His bag full of Offerings was on his lap, his leg tapping nervously against the ground. He could hear her moving and making noise inside from where he waited outside. He was afraid that she might choose someone before he could get in there. Was that how that worked? Would it be like a How to Train Your Dragon moment, where she would walk up like a trusting little kitten and bump her head against someone's palm?

...no, dipshit, this isn't a Disney-Pixar movie! This is real life! This isn't Spirit, but if you mess up in there you might be!

He took a deep breath in through his nose, held it for a moment, and then let it out.

"You can do this. You can do this. Just because you are one man does not mean you're useless. You're River. You didn't run away, you ran a new course. You're-"

"Casper Charmichael?"

River about jumped three feet in the air from where he sat before his hand shot up like he was in school- and then immediately back down. He stood up and hurried over to where he'd been called.

"That's- that's me! Casper, but please call me River. It's what I prefer to go by." He offered a nervous, energetic smile.

Walking through the coliseum, River was struck dumb by the remarkable architecture of the place. If he was more of a history nerd, he'd probably be losing his mind right now.

"Alright, here's the rules- you can go in there with her at your own risk. You have up to forty-five minutes to get her attention without aggravating her or harassing her to get a response. You've signed the waiver? Good. And good luck."

Well, this wasn't unlike walking into the den of a hungry lion now, was it? Fitting to be in a coliseum with that feeling, then.

River stepped through the gate and was struck dumb by the mare as she flew around the arena. Was she in a rage, or was she enjoying the chance to run? Her ears seemed to be back, but- had they ever been forward? As soon as the gate shut behind him the mare practically slid to a stop and turned to look at the new intruder.

Like a new kid in class, River waved at her awkwardly.

"Hello," he called out, "My name is River. I am... not from here. I'm from the United States. Uh, they - the people running this place you're at - made a post about you on their website so I am here to throw my hat into impress the mare or... whatever it's called." He didn't move yet. Though her ears remained pinned, she seemed to be eyeballing him. Making sure he wasn't a threat, probably. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"I know you've had a pretty rough life so I wanted to... talk to you? I talk to my friend, my horse, Geist a lot. I don't see why not, you all are plenty more intelligent than people think. Uh, but- oh, let me pull out the-" He pulled the backpack around and dug in for the photo album. "I brought you this! If you wanted to get close and look at it. Totally up to you! Uh, I brought you a mint as well. I'd say bribery, but I don't know if you've ever even had a mint so really... it's a treat because I think you deserve one for not killing everyone here yet, though I'm sure you've wanted to. Uh, the book!" He held it up, wiggling it a little. The mare snorted. "It's a photo album. I put in pictures of, uh. Me, from various points of time. Uh, my property- it's not like this. Nothing like this, really, it's pretty dang small compared to here. But it's comfortable. I put pictures of my Geist in here. I say my Geist- she's my friend and partner, you know? I call her my kid, and it gets some pretty funny looks when people don't realize I'm talking about a horse... Hmmm, here, do you wanna see some?" Heart beating hard in his chest, River took a few steps towards where she stood in the middle of the arena. He opened the album when he stopped- he wasn't going to try and touch her, but he wanted her to be able to see a bit better. "Oh, here! This is Geist. She's big, and she likes to eat birds and escape from places. If you come home with me, she'll offer you feathers and things- you don't have to accept them, but you might hurt her little heart if you don't. She's a real softie, honestly. Here she is in her pasture, one of the smaller ones. They say electric tape is supposed to help keep horses in, but I swear she doesn't feel it at all..."

He flipped through the album a bit, showing and telling her - in a condensed manner - about his home, and his setup. How it was practically isolated and how she would barely have to share with anyone, and wouldn't have to share her space if she didn't want to. He set the album down on the ground when he was finished with a "you can check that out later if you want. or destroy it- totally up to you!"

Pulling the mint out next, River pinched it between two fingers and raised his hand to show her what he had.

"It's a mint! A treat. I told you, when I first came in, that I had it for you. No strings attached!" Leaning forward slightly, and finding her taking a couple steps towards him with her teeth bared, River tossed the ry mint to the ground and backed up. He grabbed his bag and then put himself at a distance from her so she could inspect the mint with no pressure from him. He even turned his gaze away from her.

"So I know there's like. A lot of people trying to get your attention. You're pretty fancy, and I guess especially fancy for an Alfkak, but I honestly forgot that paint genes weren't a huge thing with you guys. I just saw you and thought you could... you know. Use some down time? Take a break? Get a vacation? Besides the little slice of heaven that is the acres I own, I wanted to tell you... uh, you won't be a... a requirement with me. I like to ride, but if you never wanted me to ride... I wouldn't make you. If you want to use me to get away from here and then ignore me apart from when I feed you, that's fine. I don't know... what everyone's plans are for you, but I want you to know that... I have no plans. I have no time frame. I have no goals to make you into a horse to ride, or a horse to do liberty with. If you want to go hiking with me, that's fine. If you want to lunge at my face every time you see me, that's fine. But know that I... have no expectations of you. Your past has made you who you are, and I don't want to try and force or goad you into being my partner. It's totally up to you.

"But I can offer you the small comforts. I can offer you companionship, human or horse. I can offer you solitude when you want it. A horse for a friend, or me. I can offer you the time you want to make your own decisions. Judgement-free living. Space, opportunities... the chance to make your own decisions. I don't want anything specific from you, I just want you to go somewhere that you can... be yourself in your own time."

River looked at the mare with a small smile. Was it his imagination, or were her ears... not quite as pinned as before?

"Everything up to you."

My tryout for Caesar Import 100 - ART AUCTION

I started this sketch literally a month ago. And then, WORK. And then no work. And then WORK AGAIN. There was something else I did, but hell if I can remember! I really wanted to try hard and do a nice background, didn't want to use the 3d model, but as I am unfortunately getting this out at the very last minute at one am, it is... ugly. And I am sorry for that u_u THERE WAS AN EXTENSION SO I IMPROVED IT!

I used the 3D model provided by Ren (thank you!) and put a little background on top of it, an 'imaginary' one like a... meeting of the minds sort of thing There is the album + a mint, but since the whole pic is so stinking large I'm not going to do original size, but instead here's details of a couple the pictures River provided: Details

I gave the mare some curly, messy mane and tail. Her feet are slightly overgrown, since she has issues with people touching her legs I figured trimming would probably be a no-go. While I included some of her smaller scars, she's also got two rather large ones: one under her left ear and one on her chest.

River's plans for her are thus: letting her do things at her own pace. He doesn't see her as a horse who can really be pushed, and that trying to push will only end up in injury and resentment. If she wanted to be ridden, would tolerate it, he would. If all she ever wants to do is ground work, that's also fine with him. But he believes, by her behavior and by looking in her eyes, that without some sort of trust or bond any sort of insistence or push would result only in pushback. And while everyone needs some driving force now and then, he wants to give her a break and allow her to build that faith in him on her own time, and to choose to allow him to insist upon certain things. Having no concrete plans for her, it's possible she would remain a ground-work/liberty horse, or she might one day tolerate him riding her. However, nothing would happen quickly. If she ever chose to let River ride, it would be several years down the line.

Nicknames from River will include: Bigge Gorl, Biggy, Sweetest, Sweet Baby, Honey, Honeypie, and nicknames that are softer in the hopes of making her soft as well.

Yes, he left the photo album in the coliseum with her. He's pretty sure she can figure out how to flip through it if she wants.