Trying to get organized (Tankatoy)

[DreaM]

Cleo

I was nervous. This school was new but so was I. Maybe they'd think I was an arrogant, inexperienced rider that got a horse because she was a spoilt little kid. But that wasn't true. In so many ways. I found myself breathing hard. Maybe it wasn't just anxiety. I was excited too. So excited. With dad having to leave on work travels, it was the best place to be. Dad had found it. There were a few other places that I could've gone but this one seemed the most prestige. It didn't have that completely brand new, state of the art look, but I liked it that way for some reason.

It was strange to think that just a few hours ago, I was saying good bye to daddy. My step dad. He was the only person I had. My real dad was some model who took of after he found out my mom was pregnant. And my mom... she died in a car crash a few years ago. So I guess you could say I was an orphane. I didn't have a real family. The only reason I was still sane was- because wel... of Lullaby. Lullaby Baby. My pure hano. She was more than a best friend. It was like she was my baby and I was hers. We just knew each other so well. I'd trained her from when she was just a filly to when she was competing for prize money.

I hadn't had alot of time to get ready that morning. I was only wearing mascara. My hair was tied into a high pony tail. I was wearing an old white t-shirt with a picture of a goofey looking hore on it with my comfy jeans and my old trainers, because I was smart enough to figure out that you shouldn't wear open toed shoes at a horse farm. The car stopped and the driver opened my door for me. He ran to get my bags as I got out the snazy black car. it was wierd to think how much my life had changed in the last five year. I used to be practically poor. Now I was living the good life with my horse training step father. That was why i wanted to come here, to be independant. To look after myself for once, instead of having maids do it for me.

'It's okay Fred, I'll take my own bags.' He gave me a puzzled look but handed them over.
'Yes, Ms Diamond.'
'Go on and head home now, I'm sure Sally will have something delicious waiting for ya.'
Fred, the driver, acctually had family in this state. Sally was his sister. She lived a few miles away. I waved at him as he drove away. He was going to get a few monthes off as his mother had died. It was my idea, because I knew what that felt like. A tinge of sadness prodded my heart. I deverted my thought thinking about what i was going to say to the owner of the riding school. With a purposful walk, I headed down the path to the double glass doors. I pushed one of the doors open and went inside. It was a semi organized, nicely decorated office.
'Hello, is anybody there?'

[tonkatoy]

I dragged myself into the office, now that I had finished a large list of things, I had to do the most strenuous and boring of them all paperwork. I didn't really look like someone who should be doing paperwork, I was absolutely covered in hay from feeding, water from that leaky hose (one more thing to the list, patch up hose), and paint from finally finishing the white paint on the jumping arena's railing. My hair was frazzled, and filled with flecks of god knows what. In short I was a total mess.
"Ughhhh" I groaned ploping down into the rolly chair, and started searching for a pencil. I had organized just a couple days ago, and it was already turning into a sea of chaos. underneath my desk something shiny silver caught my eye, "Aha a pen!" I dived for it, picking it up as I rammed my face into a spider web. When did that get there? I leaped back sputtering, ripping silky strands of web from my face, and checking all over for a spider. After a while I was satisfied, just guessing he went out for a bite to eat with his lady spider.
I sat there for a while, to tired to move though I know I should. Overhead the clock ticked slightly louder than it had seemed to only a couple minutes ago. Over in the corner I heard something scuffle around and squeak a little. (next thing to the list, get barn cat). The quiet, was peaceful but a little lonely, making a weird feeling sink into my chest, if want and satisfaction... conflicting emotions. But it was inerupted by a girls voice 'Hello, is anybody there?' I popped up startled, my eyes just peeking up over the edge of the desk. "Hi," I smiled though I don't think she could see it, I stood myself up. walking over to her. She was pretty, with blonde hair, soft pink lips. "I'm Celeste Johnson. Owner and instuctor of Willow Springs. You must be Cleo." I grinned, my first student here, things were definently looking up for this barn after year of abandonment.

[DreaM]

Cleo

I stood there for a minute, wondering if the place was abandoned. I lifted my brown handbag; one of many, to the table and searched around for my eye liner. I had a little time now, so why not use it? I applied the black liner to the rim of my eyes. Then I put it away. I checked it in my little compact mirror. As I put it away I saw someone peering at me over the desk. I tilted my head. 'Hi', the person said. I smiled my freshly touched up glossy lips at her. I raked my fingers through my hair, trying to make myself more presentable. Then she stood up and walked over to me. My first immpression was, she liked horses. Good.

'I'm Celeste Johnson. Owner and instuctor of Willow Springs. You must be Cleo.' I smiled and nodded. And I'd thought she was a secretary. I didn't know she would know my name. My father must have called. 'Hi Ms Johnson. Yeah, I'm Cleo. I'm so excited to be here. I shook her hand. (Sorry about the slight power play. I can't continue the post without it.) I undid my pony tail and put away the elastic. Putting my hair behind my ears, I looked around again. I really did like it here. 'I think my step father, Mr Fletcher, has ordered me an apartment and a stable for my horse Lullaby Baby. I'd like to get her settled in as soon as possible. She dousn't like the criss box. I think she's just clostriphobic...'

I leaned against the desk. Still looking her in the eye. She seemed to be such a nice woman. She reminded me of mommy. I tried to stop the thought but I couldn't. I had to shut my eyes tight to stop the tears coming.

[tonkatoy]

OOC: Yeah no biggie

"Yes of course of course, I would want my horses settled in as soon as possible, and we have your apartment ready, and everything, and that's okay I've met many a claustophobic horse in my life." I paused, Cleo's eyes were squeezed tight and her face looked as if she were doing her best not to break down sobbing. Of course my first reaction was to go into a frenzy, horses and all their aches and worries I could heal but people were a little different. Even before my father's cancer, my family had been a little dysfunctional. My mother and father always fighting over this that and the other, it wasn't until he was on the brink of death, and long gone that my mother even acted like she cared for him much. "Are you okay Cleo, is something wrong, I didn't say anything did I, if I did I'm so sorry, do you want me to get you something?" As you may notice, I'm very awkaward with social relations, and when someone, starts crying (god forbid) I get even worse, trying to make it better but usually I don't well with that. That's one reason I'm a little fearful of having kids. That or I need a husband who can act like a mom.

[DreaM]

I was pleased that everything was ready for me to get settled in. But I couldn't help giggling a bit at her reaction to the thoughts of my mom. 'Oh no, you didn't say anything. Don't mind me I'm fine.' I gave her an apologetic smile. I didn't like people to feel akward just because of my own problems. I wiped away any tiny tears that may have escaped and grinned again to let her know I was fine.

'So can I have the keys to my flat and the number for Lullaby's stall please?' I wondered how Lull would settle in here. I was excited but maybe she wasn't. It had been such a struggle getting her here. So many forms to fill and questions to answer. But eventually we got her on this special kind of plane that transported horses. She didn't like it one bit. She was a drama queen sometimes. I had to stand with her in the horse box half the drive here because she demanded all my attention after what I'd done to her.

There was good training equipment here and the jumping obstacles looked very prestige. Then I realized the reason I was actually here. I wanted a career in horses more than anything. That was why dad was letting me concentrate more on training than studying. I mean, I would still have my online home school and everything but I was going to spend more than most of my time in the saddle. That made me feel much better.

[tonkatoy]

My chest relaxed a little when she said she was fine, but I could tell that something had been bothering her. When she asked for the keys to her apartment and the stall number I froze. Okay, I knew her number but the keys where were all the keys? "err heres you number," i scribbled down the number 14 on a sticky note and handed it to her "feel free to get Lullaby settled in to it... I'll find your keys." I smiled sweetly, and then remembered where they were, when they were shipped in the UPS man gave them to me while I was working, on something. I left them in one of the pastures. I dashed off, and slamed into the door "Owww" I groaned before flinging it open and running off. I sprinted down the gravel, turned right then left then right then left. Hit an electric fence and I was finally there.
When I reached the pasture they lay scattered about, my horse a pretty brindle colored eventer I had had since my Olympic days, was looking very smug about it too. I rolled my eyes at the big horse, and then scrambled over, loading keys into the box, and dashing back. By the time I was opening the office door, I probaly looked even more frazzled than i had before if it was possible.

[DreaM]

I was very confused. I was pleased with the stall number, my lucky number. But then she suddenly dashed off. I was left wondering what to do. After a few moments, I settled into one of the comfy chairs and started taking the polish off my finger nails. The cold censashion of the polish remover on my skin made me shiver. I got up and walked over to the desk, looking at all the little panflets. Alot of stuff about horse grooming equipment and riding gear. A saw a cool new saddle for sale. I would check that out soon. I was still wondering if there was anywhere to go shopping here. I dug around hopefully but found nothing. Oh well, there was always online shopping right? Then suddenly she burst through the door, looking out of breath. I giggled, trying to muffle it with my hand. She was carrying a box. Probably with the keys in it. 'So, can I have my key now please?' I grinned. I was going to have alot of fun here.

[tonkatoy]

"Yes of course." I smiled back laughing slightly, I moved over to my desk and read her room number, room 34. "Lets see," I sighed and moved from the desk to the floor in the middle of the office. I sat down on the scratchy old rug I had playedd on as a kid when it was too rainy out to ride my pony (We didn't exactly have an indoor in the ancient years of my three year old life.) I lifted the box to about chest level and extended my arms, with one quick ripple of a hand motion I had dumped all the keys down into a pile. I spoke as I sorted through them trying to find 34 "Sorry about this, the UPS man came when I was fixing the electric fence in my horses pasture... I accidently left them there. Then my horse knocked them over." I paused looking at the key in my hand "43" I mumbled "why can't you be the other way around. I made a face at the key and picked up another "Oh come on I just dropped you!" as I was about to put it back down I had a last moment 'oooh' moment and jerked it back up to my face. I stood up grinning and held out the key to her and said "Enjoy your stay here at Willow Spring, I hope it will be a long one, and please don't mind your slightly nuerotic instructor."

[DreaM]

Well, the worst was over. I was signed in and ready to get my stuff packed away and put Lullaby in her stable. I watched as she searched around for my keys. She seemed to be a very spunky, and a little frazzled woman. 'Oh, it's okay. I often forget stuff when I'm around horses.' I wanted to lean down and pick up the keys for her but she got to it first. I happilly took them and stuffed them into my jeans pocket.

'Oh it will be a long one. I'm here until I graduate.' I giggled nervously. Dad was going to be away for so long and I didn't want to move to Hong Kong with him. There was no space for Lullaby there. I was much better of here any way. 'My dad's going to Hong Kong because he got a new job. He retired from horse training but he refused to stop working. He gets payed more than our old house is worth per month, so I got it good.' I smiled modestly at her to show that I wasn't just a brat who was used to having truck loads of allowance.

'Well, thanks, you seem really nice. You should come by and meet Lullaby some time. I'll get settled in and talk to you tomorrow. I can ride but I'd really like you to give me a few pointers a few times a week. I'll pay you of course, because it does count as lessons.' It wouldn't feel right taking lessons for free. As we had just met. 'Bye, I'll se you tomorrow. With that, I walked out the office into the late afternoon sun. Lullaby would be waiting in her trailer at the stalls. A huge grin swept across my face as I gathered my bags and set of towards the stalls.