HOME | DD

#australia #comedy #funny #outback #ranch #silly #story #harpg #chapter1 #digitalart #digitalartwork #digitalillustration #digitalpainting #illustration #storytelling #storybookillustration #harpgcharacter #harpgart #harpgstory
Published: 2024-03-05 14:05:56 +0000 UTC; Views: 2940; Favourites: 63; Downloads: 0
Redirect to original
Description
So I finally sit down in front of my biggest anxiety and tackle it, writing something that doesn't look like ramblingI always enjoyed the down to earth and goofy man trope, don't see it enough so I'm taking action here to bring to HARPG a hairy dumbass making questionable life decisions (maybe with a slight of paranormal). Enjoy!
Characters featured: Ronan Matthews
Characters mentioned: BMR's Delirium
☆ Next >>>
─── ・ .☆ * . ☆ . * ☆. ・ ───
The Story:
Hailing from Queensland Australia, Ronan Matthews was a newcomer in the equestrian world, at least when it came to actually owning a steed of his own.
Ronan has been working with horses for the past 6 years though not specifically as a rider but as the master of manicure and pedicure for the hooved critters. The man lived a comfortable life, though not anything outstanding, enough to get by and with some spending money on the side and of course, being able to purchase and board his first project.
Mostly focusing on simple training routines, trust, bonding, and discipline before tackling any major discipline. Though Ronan does have the ambition to compete and place in shows. After all, there was decent money in it and his horse-girl wasn't exactly something he grew out of.
Now, Ron wasn't expecting any great changes in his life, content as he was with his work and his routine, he'd drive to appointments at stables and work with animals he loves.
As always though, life had other plans, a letter arrived at his doorstep bearing news that would surely change things for the farrier.
It was a letter from a solicitor, informing Ron that he had inherited an old ranch from his grandfather, tucked away in the rugged Australian outback.
Ron only remembered snippets from the old dusty ranch from when he was a youngster as he used to visit the place, enjoying the summer sun, animals, and riding lessons. It sparked fond memories, a bit of nostalgia as well as some sadness thinking about it all.
It wouldn't take long before arrangements would be made and more details shed on the gift from his grandfather. Feeling like a spoilt golden child he not only got one hell of a house upgrade (or downgrade) but on top of that some adult pocket money.
It didn't exactly take him long to work out everything paperwork-wise for the inheritance and today would finally be the day. Ronan had to wait to clear his schedule a few weeks ahead before finally being able to go on a longer trip to see his new property.
He didn't think too much about appearances he grabbed a few bottles of water and snacks for the ride. Satnav set and all that nonsense, less than an hour on the road later, and has left any semblance of civilization behind him. Only seeing the road, the clear sky, and the sun that's hotter than hell itself.
As he drove through the vast expanse of the outback, he couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the land, once again scratching that nostalgic feeling. The red earth stretched out before him, dotted with eucalyptus trees and the occasional kangaroo hopping by while he was singing along to his playlist enjoying the drive.
After what felt like an eternity on the dusty road, Ron finally arrived at his destination as the robot voice announced to him.
The ranch stood before him, a weather-beaten homestead nestled amidst rolling hills, grazing fields, and eucalyptus trees.
Approaching slowly up the hill with his truck Ron was looking around and scanning the area. Eventually, he saw the huge arch with the carved words "Blue Moon Ranch" on a hanging plank of wood. Recognising the old welcome sign he stopped the engine to come out and have a closer look.
"Well, here we are" he smiled a little taking in the sights, looking up fondly at the sign and feeling a sense of pride.
Ronan used to visit the ranch when he was quite young to spend time with his grandfather, though he didn't remember much about why these visits stopped he did remember that Otto's mental health was deteriorating and how his father spoke about the situation keeping a veil of secrecy. It was clear he couldn't take care of the place and Ronan at the time was far too young to understand the situation.
He leaned back against his car taking out his phone, taking a few pictures of the entrance and the sign itself muttering "Family won't let me live if I don't document this for them".
"I always wondered why he called it the Blue Moon Ranch" thinking out loud to himself.
"Something more fitting maybe like Old Dog Ranch that's got charac-" he contemplated but before being even able to finish his sentence he heard a creek and a snap. One of the ropes holding the sign on the arch snapped without warning and the plank of wood flew down like a guillotine.
Ronan didn't even have a chance to properly react besides looking at the now-waving "Blue Moon Ranch" sign, almost as if it was teasing him.
With a long sigh and a face of slight concern, he muttered "Lovely, I knew there was too perfect to seem alright... So the place is haunted" he squinted at the plank "I'll keep the name, just no poltergeist shit" talking in a manner as if he was speaking to his gramps.
He'd soon after checked the rest of the property finding the house which was in a rather sad state, he was already giving himself a headache over getting broadband here in the middle of nowhere...
The stables were in a decent state, a little dirty and rusty but nothing some handiwork won't fix.
"If I get the stalls clean I could bring in Delirium here" he rubbed his chin, as of right now the stallion was boarded at a local barn but this? This is one hell of an upgrade for the horse, though it may be lonely for him... The feeling of new responsibilities was already building up and sinking in.
─── ・ .☆ * . ☆ . * ☆. ・ ───
No refs used/traced
Art © Teathorn
Related content
Comments: 7
Gold-Fleet [2024-03-07 04:43:12 +0000 UTC]
👍: 1 ⏩: 1
Teathorn In reply to Gold-Fleet [2024-03-12 18:55:35 +0000 UTC]
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
FreedomOnCanvas [2024-03-06 19:16:42 +0000 UTC]
👍: 1 ⏩: 1
Teathorn In reply to FreedomOnCanvas [2024-03-12 18:55:51 +0000 UTC]
👍: 1 ⏩: 1
FreedomOnCanvas In reply to Teathorn [2024-03-12 18:59:48 +0000 UTC]
👍: 1 ⏩: 0
Zoubstance [2024-03-06 09:14:46 +0000 UTC]
👍: 1 ⏩: 1
Teathorn In reply to Zoubstance [2024-03-12 18:56:39 +0000 UTC]
👍: 0 ⏩: 0