Two fates entwined

Posts : 4737 Join date : 2013-09-09 Age : 27

First topic message reminder :

Ices facility is based out in the australian outback, young Melissa has been hers right from the start and in the middle of intense training ot become a killer. One of her practice missions goes wrong and she ends up meeting Julian a young horseman in the making. This rp follows their meetings and the twists and turns of fate.

Main account Posts : 13341 Join date : 2013-08-11 Age : 28

Thankful for his help, she nodded at the praise and blinked somewhat when he tugged her braid, the simple gesture reminding her of her brother. While waiting for him to come back, she began thinking about how unhappy he was and remembering how he'd comforted her when she'd been upset she came to the conclusion she should imitate what he had done when he'd comforted her. When he came back with the food, melissa blinked at him in quiet surprise "Cheese is a luxury and the meal was made quickly it will suffice our need for nourishment" eating hers quickly as she'd found she was hungry enough from the days proceedings. Still pondering the best way to try to comfort him, she was silently thoughtful.

Posts : 4737 Join date : 2013-09-09 Age : 27

Picking at his share of the meal, the boy eventually finished it off, pushing the plate safely away on the floor, and hugged his knees, watching the fire quietly. He wasn’t really in the mood to do anything now. All the horses were cared for, the grey yearling still in the paddock with Ned. He’d have to start doing something about him before he got too big and unruly, but he really wasn’t sure how to do it. Eventually deciding that he’d just have to follow his instincts and what his father had been teaching him. Only moving to put another log on the fire when it began to burn low, he resumed sitting on the floor, resting his chin on his knees this time, and half closing his eyes as he became lost in thought.

Main account Posts : 13341 Join date : 2013-08-11 Age : 28

Finishing her meal she observed the boy quietly, remembering what he'd done to comfort her so long ago, and so she set her plate next to his and scooched over to sit next to him and quietly wrap her arms around him. Resting her head on his shoulder she tightened her arms so they were firm around him, her thoughts turning to how much she'd missed him when she'd been in africa. She'd missed listening to him chatter away, wandering along hand in hand or watching the stars snuggled into one another, sighing quietly she considered everything before she lifted her head to very softly touch her lips to his cheek like he had her. The touch lasted a few mere seconds before she was resting her head on his shoulder once again her dark brown eyes watching the flames crackle merrily away in the hearth.

Posts : 4737 Join date : 2013-09-09 Age : 27

Leaning into her hug, the boy closed his eyes properly, trying to reassure himself that he wasn’t alone. He had Mel with him now, and she was allowed to stay forever with him. It was all going to be okay. Still, there was a deep hurt that he was fairly sure wasn’t ever going to go away, not completely, and he let himself break apart a little, curling close to her. Eventually, he freed one arm to wrap it around her securely, comforting himself absently that she wasn’t going to leave him. Surprised as the quiet kiss, he didn’t move as he processed it, wondering if it meant what it usually meant, or if she was just trying to comfort him further. Deciding that he wasn’t going to push the issue of it that night, he simply snuggled more into her hold, burying his face into her shoulder. It was a while before he drifted off to sleep, troubled with thoughts of his parents and how he was going to deal with the grey yearling.

Main account Posts : 13341 Join date : 2013-08-11 Age : 28

keeping him close when he snuggled into her, she lifted her hand and began brushing her fingers over the mans head and through his hair. Feeling him grow heavy as he fell asleep she remained with him next to the fire until it died out, very carefully lifting him she tucked him into his bed remembering the layout of the house well even after all this time. Snuggling herself in next to him, melissa wrapped her arms around him and let him cuddle into her, out of instinct she remained awake all night keeping an eye and ear out for any threats that might present themselves. Content to quietly study his sleeping features, she committed them to memory all over again, being with him felt right in a strange way like an emptiness inside of her had been filled. Unhappy with his sadness, she found herself wishing there was something to do that could help but could guess like what had happened when she'd turned sixteen, this wound would heal itself slowly over time

Posts : 4737 Join date : 2013-09-09 Age : 27

Comfortable with her, the boy didn’t stir when she moved him, cuddling close to her all through the night. He didn’t have a pleasant sleep, but it was miles better than the ones he’d been having with her gone, and he woke feeling a little more rested than normal in the morning. Yawning, he nestled closer, unwilling to get up and face the day. It was a struggle now to get out of bed, even though he knew that he was going to have to. And today was when he really had to start working with the grey yearling. To leave him any longer without being handled would only make him so much harder to deal with. Tightening one arm around Mel, he took comfort in her being there with him, so glad that he wasn’t on his own any more. Together they could work through this. It was going to be okay, it had to be.

Main account Posts : 13341 Join date : 2013-08-11 Age : 28

Staying there with him for a while, Melissa listened as his breathing changed notifying her that he was awake, however he made no movement to get up and from the tightened arm around her gathered he was thinking. Tightening her own arms in a brief hug she was soon up and out of the room in her usual distant manner, however it was about ten minutes that she returned with a plate of well burnt toast with badly applied peanut butter. In the other hand she had a cup of tea having vaguely remembered that he was fond of the stuff, although she hand't added any milk to it. Setting the items down on the side table she poked him "Julian" poking him and repeating his name until she got a response Melissa continued "Breakfast; then outside; when something big happens it is good to work as it helps you start to process what has occurred" she was a little pleased with herself that she had managed to procure breakfast for the stockman. She would help him like he'd helped her, and then after he was better she'd rescue her brother from Ice, sitting down on the edge of the bed she wasn't aware of the gentleness to her dark brown eyes.

Posts : 4737 Join date : 2013-09-09 Age : 27

He didn’t want to get up and face the day, and stayed still with his eyes closed. Maybe he’d be able to go back to sleep and ignore the world. Curling up as she left, he tried to go back to sleep, but apparently that wasn’t allowed either when he was poked incessantly. Turning to look at her, he took in the toast and the tea, and gave her a very faint smile before it faded. “Thanks, Melly,” he said softly, getting up ebfore taking the tea and the plate. Taking in how burnt the toast was, and that the tea back was still in the tea, he appreciated her gesture nonetheless. “Did you eat too?” he asked, making his way into the kitchen to make himself some not quite as burnt toast. Nibbling on what she’d given him regardless, he tossed the teabag in the bin and added milk to the cup.

Main account Posts : 13341 Join date : 2013-08-11 Age : 28

Pleased when he thanked her and rather proud that she'd come up with the idea of bringing him breakfast, Melissa shook her head, she hadn't yet, not noticing him throw out the burnt toast, more invested in finding something for herself, in the end she ended up with abit of fruit as it was hard to burn that. After she'd eaten it and thrown out the core, she turned her attention to Julian once more "Teach me what need to be done and I will aide you in your work on the farm" she was a quick learner and wasn't afraid of work, after all she'd been raised by ice. Admittedly the young assassin was hopeful that her offering to help with the workload of the farm would make things easier, she wasn't good at this comforting business only having had experiences with him to go by. Her brother and herself hadn't really been comforted or the like, so she was trying her best, Julian was important to her after all, so important.

Posts : 4737 Join date : 2013-09-09 Age : 27

Pleased that the tea was drinkable, even if her toast hadn’t been, he made a fresh batch of toast and ate that slowly, trying to think about what needed to be done. Today really had to be the day he dealt with the grey colt, and he sighed, grateful to Mel for being able to stay. “Okay,” he murmured, straightening out his thoughts. Chronological order, that was the way to do it for now. Just one task at a time, and it was going to be okay. “They all need feeding. You remember how to do that, right?” A frown creased his brow for a moment before he nodded. She should remember, she had a great memory. “I can do the dogs.”

Main account Posts : 13341 Join date : 2013-08-11 Age : 28

Nodding, Melissa spoke “I do remember” and with that she walked out and began feeding out, remembering everything as her time on the farm had been something she’d committed to her memory. Quiet as she fed out, the young woman went through the achingly familiar motions, and once the horses had bene fed spent a couple of moments with Ned running her hand along his soft silky coat and inhaling the familiar horsey smell. She liked Ned, he was a good horse, smiling a little at the gentle gelding, the youngster turned and headed back to Julian, a content look on her face, this place was where she belonged, she believed it with every fiber of her being. Finding him she informed him quietly “Horses are fed, what now” if she could read she would have suggested that he write down a list so she didn’t bug him all day wanting to know what her next task was. She wanted to help him, frustrated with her lack of ability to properly help him, as she didn’t know how to word what she wanted to say, Melissa remained silent and watched him with her quiet but intense brown eyes.

Posts : 4737 Join date : 2013-09-09 Age : 27

Taking a deep breath and letting it out again, the boy nodded, glad that she remembered. Feeding the dogs took him longer than usual, as he stopped to talk with the oldest one for a fair bit before joining back up with Mel. Thinking over the question, he tried to keep himself focused on the work that needed to be done, and not dwell quite so much on his loss. ",The kindling box is almost empty, and so's the wood box. It there's chopped wood in the shed, so that's ways enough to refill into the house. Kindling is kinda just... everywhere." Looking at her, he hoped that this was all making sense. If not, then she'd just ask - just like always. "The horses need to be worked, but we can do that together, it'll be easier. If you can do the wood, then I'll work with ghost..." He trailed off for a moment, reminded, then shook his head and tried to get his focus back on what needed to happen. "I'll get started in the yearling," he repeated. "And then once he's done we can work with Ned and the others."

Main account Posts : 13341 Join date : 2013-08-11 Age : 28

She was aware of what Kindling was having gathered much of it whilst in Africa, it got cold at night there after all and fires were crucial to staying alive and warm. She however did not interrupt Julian and instead remained quiet until he’d finished stalking, merely nodded and stating her agreement “Okay Julian, It will be done” she started with the wood piling her arms with bits of wood and carrying them to the wood box. She enjoyed the physical exertion of carrying plenty of wood back and forth, it made her feel good, once the box for wood was filled with wood she got started on the box for kindling that had no kindling. The hot sun was of little irritation to her, having spent a fair amount of time in Africa working in the heat of the day with no respite, this work was little effort, once the kindling box was full she collected a halter and went to get Ned. Bringing him in to be tied up she began brushing him, the effect soothing enough that she ended up forgetting about brushing him with a brush and instead lay her head against his body listening to the sounds of his gut while patting him slowly and soothingly with her eyes closed happily inhaling the smell of horse.

Posts : 4737 Join date : 2013-09-09 Age : 27

Nodding as she agreed, the young man headed off to the yearling’s paddock, collecting a halter. He paused at the gate for a while, just watching the youngster trying to get Ned to play with him. It was going to be hard training the colt, but he had to. He’d learned lots from his parents, surely he was going to be okay. And he’d ask for help somehow if he needed it. Taking a deep breath, he caught the colt and headed to the round yard with him, getting started on general basic manners and ground work. It was hard, like he’d known, but as always he enjoyed working with the horses, and he began to settle a bit more, feeling more in control of what he was going to be doing now that it was just him and Mel. Only working the young horse for a short time, the boy went to find Ned and Mel, smiling slightly when he did find them. “Ready for a lesson or two, Melly? he asked. She’d need to be able to work with the horses on her own to help him, so it would be good to teach her all the skills she’d need as soon as possible.

Main account Posts : 13341 Join date : 2013-08-11 Age : 28

7 years earlier

She'd been here for a week and a bit, the dog tucker man hadn't been able to man handle her into where they'd load her on the one way truck, the only thing on her was a halter that was a few sizes too small and was cutting into her face. Scars and white hairs marred her copper coat that was long and faded, skinny and with an ugly brand on her left shoulder the mare devoured the hay that was made available to her. Long chipped cracked hooves made it difficult to run not that there was much room in the yard to run about, shaking herself out, the red-orange mare investigated the bucket that was empty previously it'd held water but no one had refilled it recently. Her mane was shaved and her tail cut as short as it could go. Having been used for mainly pulling things for her previous owner, the bad tempered mare had pushed away most who might have bought her with her attitude, she didn't trust people, she hated people and just wanted to be left alone. Standing in the middle of the yard so she couldn't be trust, brown eyes that were far too intelligent for a standard horse glanced around kept an eye out for anyone who might try to get near to her.

Posts : 4737 Join date : 2013-09-09 Age : 27

His dad had promised him his own horse to choose and train, so the young boy was excited to be at the horse sales, looking at all of them and following his dad’s lead. Pausing by the brumby pen, the youngster stood on the fence to have a better look, his green-gold eyes running over the shaggy little things. Hearing his dad stop next to him, Julian glanced up at the question and shook his head. He didn’t like the look of any of the brumbies this time, so he hopped off the fence and kept wandering with David. It didn’t take long before he spotted the skinny red mare and he headed towards her fence, peering through the slats to look at her. “She doesn’t look too good Dad.” His father stopped next to him to study the mare. “She’d be hard to handle, I’m surprised she’s still here.” The adult went to move on, but Julian stayed put, continuing to watch the red mare. He could already see that she’d be a good mare once she had some more weight on her, and there was something about her look that drew him to her. “Can I get her Dad?” Of course, his dad gave him a funny look, but it was well known that Julian had quite the stubborn streak when he wanted to. “You sure?” When Julian nodded firmly, David sighed and ducked into the pen to see what the mare would do.

Main account Posts : 13341 Join date : 2013-08-11 Age : 28

Hearing the voices despite the loud noises of the yards, one of the mares ears swiveled to flick in their direction, watching as the man ducked through the boards of the yard and into her pen. Her sore tight muscles stiffened as her head yanked up and ears flattened back against his skull, a stamp of her foot was the only other warning she was prepared to give, far past the point of only lashing out when she had to, she'd learnt that if she did a good job of attacking people she'd be left alone far quicker. Swinging her rump around in a plain threat, Rose waited to see if he'd push his luck and come closer to her, there was no way out they'd already changed how they locked the gates so she couldn't undo things and leave, this was the only way left to defend herself. People weren't to be trusted, all they did was use and hurt, she'd been sent here because the mistress had wanted to breed her and that was the one thing the mare would not allow, the human part of her mind was still so active despite the fact that she'd long accepted that she was stuck as a horse for the rest of her existence.

Posts : 4737 Join date : 2013-09-09 Age : 27

Watching the mare, Julian tried predicting what his dad would do in response, pleased when he turned out to be right and David stepped back away from the mare, giving her the space she obviously wanted. “She’d be hard for you Jules, you really sure?” He was good friends with the man in charge of the mare today, and he wandered over to have a chat to him, wanting to see what he could find out about the small red horse. Julian just nodded again in response, stubbornly determined to save the mare. He wanted her, there was something special about her that he wanted to be sure to save. However much he wanted to though, he didn’t go into the pen. He knew that it could be dangerous – it would be better to wait until they got her home and in their own round pen so that he could try and help her and take the halter off her.

Main account Posts : 13341 Join date : 2013-08-11 Age : 28

Pleased when the intruder got the not so subtle hint and left her, Rose continued to listen as the intruder to spoke to the shorter male who appeared to be a child. Watching the adult move around to the man selling her, Rose gave no sign that she was paying close attention apart from the ear closest to them swiveling to continue listening. The seller was leaning against the fence chatting to a mate, he wanted nothing more than to wash his hands of the mare, but unfortunately he was stuck with her until she'd sold. Spotting David coming around he broke off from speaking to the other man "Arvo David, How can i help?" he didn't consider for a moment that David would take the red mare, any horse trainer with sense could see she was dangerous, further more there were many times she seemed to have human level intelligence which in all honesty had made her all the more unpredictable and dangerous. She'd seriously injured the dog meat man who'd bought her and then promptly returned her, at this rate he'd have to just shoot the damn thing, despite his thoughts and opinions on her he'd made sure she had water and hay, he wasn't about to let her starve even more than she already had.

Posts : 4737 Join date : 2013-09-09 Age : 27

Ducking back through the fence to leave the mare in peace, David leaned on the wood watching her. “Arvo, just wondering about the mare you’ve got here.” It was going to be interesting seeing how he’d go about getting the wild thing, but he knew his son, and the stubbornness wasn’t something that was easily overcome. If nothing else, at least they could offer the wily thing a comfortable home for the rest of her life. Keeping an eye on Jules who seemed rather transfixed by the mare, he turned most of his attention to the seller. “Jules is interested in her.” He gave a wry smile, Julian’s stubborn streak wasn’t exactly a secret around town, after all. He was often a bit of a pain in school because of it, but it had never hindered him, thankfully. Half listening to his dad and the other man talking, Julian kept his gentle gaze on the horse, wanting to learn more about her from how she was moving about.

Main account Posts : 13341 Join date : 2013-08-11 Age : 28

The seller flicked his gaze to the mare who'd been nothing but a pain in the ass, listening as David mentioned that his son was interested in the mare slight surprise dawned on his features. "He wants her? Jezus that boy of yours has some taste, She's one of the most dangerous horses i've had the unfortunate to have to sell. She's broken to harness, but good luck getting one on her. She bites, she kicks, usually once you get into her personal space although with some people she's taken a disliking to she makes a point of actually going after them. Definitely has the potential to kill somebody that mare does" however he knew of Julians stubborn streak it was a little infamous especially at school after all, glancing over at the youngster who was standing watching the mare closely he sighed and ran a hand through his hair "That wont stop him though, I'll sell her to you if you sign a waiver that means any hurt she deals isn't my fault or problem" sure it was saving his ass a little but he'd gotten bit by another horse he'd sold that'd kicked out and injured someone. The mare continued to stand in the middle of the yard, occasionally lashing her tail at the flies that never let her be, turning her head to itch the brand until the itch was soothed. The skin around the brand raw and chapped from her constantly itching it all the time, lowering her head to pick up some of the last bits of hay that she had missed before.

Posts : 4737 Join date : 2013-09-09 Age : 27

David’s response was slightly dry, nodding as he listened to what was known about the mare. “Apparently so, he wasn’t interested in the brumbies.” He gave the mare another glance over, studying her again quietly. “Stubborn streak a mile wide. Do you know what she’s like with kids at all?” Also listening to the conversation, Julian abandoned his perch watching the mare and came over. “I want her.” He didn’t care what others thought, there was definitely something about the mare that he liked, and he wanted to be able to help her. His dad knew what he could do, so surely between them both they’d be able to work out how to help the horse the best. And maybe Mel could help too, if she was coming around soon. It had been a while since his friend had visited, so hopefully everything was going okay with her and her brother. He didn’t want her to be in trouble and not allowed to come visit him again.

Main account Posts : 13341 Join date : 2013-08-11 Age : 28

"No clue what she's like with kids at all" about to say more he went quiet when Julian came over and announced that he wanted the mare. "I wont say no if your dad wants to buy her" he wouldn't have advised it himself, despite the fact that the youngster was quite gifted with horses. The mare appeared uninterested in what was going on, although she was listening to the situation just as much as the boy was, getting grumpy with the flies Rose shook herself out and kicked out irritably, another interested pair of people walked up and after discussing with one another one ducked into the pen and moved over to her. Stiffening up until she was as tightly wound as a spring when the stranger got within her space Rose whipped around and struck out grabbing his arm in her teeth. Clamping her jaws as tightly as she could, the now furious animal began shaking her head viciously not unlike a dog would, rearing and using her weight to essentially get the man on the ground she released the arm and attempted to come down hard on his body with her front feet.

Posts : 4737 Join date : 2013-09-09 Age : 27

About to respond, the movement from the pen caught both David’s and Julian’s attention, and they watched as the mare went for the man. As his dad went to help, Julian leaned up against the fence again, watching the mare. “She’d warned them.” It was a soft murmur, his quiet gaze trained on the mare rather than the man his dad was tugging out of the pen. “He ignored her.” Still, he knew the attack wouldn’t make his dad more likely to buy the mare even if he wanted to, but he was still hopeful. He had enough of his own money saved that he was sure he could persuade the seller to accept it. With the situation dealt with, David came back over and just sighed when he saw the expression on his son’s face. He knew that expression and glanced at the seller again. “He won’t want to leave without her. How much, and can she be floated?”

Main account Posts : 13341 Join date : 2013-08-11 Age : 28

The seller hadn't bothered to move knowing very well that the mare could go after any of them and in his opinion the people had been stupid enough to miss her quite clear to him signals. "You're right there Jules" Chewing on the end of a piece of hay he looked over at David when he came back over, "Two hundred, she came on a truck but with a bit of work we could potentially get her on. Might need a bum rope" he wasn't all that keen on being involved in getting the red bitch on a float "Perhaps might be brighter to take her home between two other horses" it was the one where he was less likely to get attacked by her after all. Keeping her rump swung in the direction of the people that had trespassed into her space, the mare glanced over her shoulder briefly as if to make sure that the two idiots were staying away. Pleased to watch them quickly vanish into the crowds, Rose seemed not to care a whit that she'd caused a scene, with her ass to where the men had been it meant she was now facing the seller and the two other strangers. An ear flicked forward, the mare now studying the boy closer.