Ack, More Work?, Complaining but loving his work.....

[Sigath Crawford]

Sigath shifted the shovel, leaning on it and watching a squirrel leap through the barn. He watched it in amusment as he set the tool on the side of the stall and pulled the rubber band out of his pocket. He swept his black hair back and twisted it into a pony tail at the nap of his neck to keep it out of his way. He rested his shoulder agaisnt the wall, even as the thought that he should keep working went through his mind because, soon enough, the horse that occupied this stall would be back. He cocked his head. What horse did occupy this stall? Man, he couldn't remember. he looked at the name plate. Nope, there wasn't one. Wasn't that nice? He grimanced at his own sarcasm.
With a sigh he grabbed the pitch fork and moved the wheel barrel closer as he finished cleaning up the stall. His sharp nails scratched the handle a bit, he hoped that would go unnoticed for a while. He kicked a peice of straw of his boot and brushed dust of his worn jeans with callused hands. He hated calluses. He hated not having money. He hated being told what to do. He hated having to pussy foot around all this rich horse owners. But....he loved horses. Loved taking care of them. And what the world did he have to go to if he wasn't doing this? Nothing that's what. He'd be stupider than dirt if he didn't appreciate this job. But, he loved to complain about it. Why? No clue, but he found it enjoyable for some odd reason. He rolled the sleeves of his flannel jacket back up over his elbows, catching his finger on a hole. Dang it, he would have to buy a new shirt soon. He shrugged, oh well, nothing to be done.
He moved the straw evenly about the stall and grabbed the 'poop-and-scoop' farther down the line to the next stall. He patted a horse on the muzzle with a grin before moving into an empty stall.

[Minerva]

Minerva walked down the line of stalls, humming softly to herself. Life in Carlton, Kentucky was pretty dull so far. She frowned slightly as she remembered that morning's events. Lately, most of Minerva's time was spent studying. For what? The exams that were months away. And why she was doing this? Because she was under orders from her parents. Sighing softly, she put away her math workbook. It wasn't a school workbook, just one of many workbooks her parents kept buying her.If this was life, it sure was boring.

"What's the point of all this... It's not as though I can't already ace it..." she mumbled. Well, at least they still allowed her to read... Oh yeah, lovely. I've had enough. Grabbing her helmet, she called out, "Layla, I'm going out to the stables for a while. Please don't prepare lunch for me. I'll call when I'm coming back. You can take some time off, watch TV or something. And Layla, please, please do me a favor. I'm supposed to be studying but... Anyway, if mum and dad call, can you please cover for me?"

A maid appeared at the door to her room and nodded, saying, "All right, Minerva. I'll cover for you. Are you going to be back for dinner?"

Looking at the clock hanging from her wall, she answered, "Yeah, I'll be back by six. I'll call you if I'm coming home earlier. Thanks Layla. See you..." That said, she smiled at the maid and charged out the front door.

Yeah, that's what happened... Continuing down the lane, she looked at each of the stalls and the horses in them. Finally, she came to the stall she was looking for. In it stood a lovely gold champagne mare - Sonador. Recognizing her friend, the mare nickered softly, sticking her head out to nuzzle Minerva.

"Well, hello girl. I've missed you too. How have you been faring? I see they've been taking excelent care of you..." As she stroked the mare who blew on her hands happily, Minerva took a glance at the supposedly empty stall beside that of Sonador's. There was a boy there, around her age. Stepping away from Sonador, she went to greet him, "Hi, fine day isn't it?"

[Sigath Crawford]

Sigath looked up from his shoveling position, watching the girl approach. He narrowed his eyes critically. Here was one of those rich horse owners. He rested the forks prongs on the floor and the handle on his shoulder. He rested a hand on his thigh adn rubbed some dirt off. He stopped as soon as he relized what he was doing. he did not need to try and fix himself up to be in their station of life. He cocked his head, so she was the owner of Sonador? Well, she could keep a horse active, he admitted grudgedly. He heard a wicker behind him and turned to see a slim black horse at the end of the barn watching. He let out a small whistle that was answered. He grinned before switching his green gaze to the girl again.
About his age. he decided after a second. Cute enough to get a few guys to dog her. He cocked his head as she approached him. He was shockd for a moment. Most stables he'd worked at, those were quite a few, and one or two people here hadn't even bothered tot alk to him except when he was taking their horses to cool down or if he was in their way. He leaned against the half clean stalls wall and waited. Maybe he could get a conversation out of this. An excuse for not doing his work. Blaim on this teen and he was free.

[Minerva]

Minerva was pretty taken aback by Sigath's rather cold reception. Had she said something or did he just dislike her? Thinking about it, she had only said that it was a fine day... And she didn't recall doing anything to offend him so what was wrong? Pushing it to the back of her mind, she smiled at him and spoke, "Good morning, my name's Minerva. Pleased to meet you."

Looking carefully at the boy, she noted his black hair and lime-green eyes as well as that 'I am a cool person' feel about him. Altogether, he was a pretty interesting person. Not to mention the fact that he was pretty good-looking as well. Back in Japan, she had went to one of the more prestigious schools. You didn't see many rebel-types over there. Everyone was always some sort of big-headed, haughty, goody two-shoes. It became so boring that she had to find some way to entertain herself: by pulling pranks. The stranger thing was that instead of students helping her to trap the teachers, it was the teacher's who enlisted her to help create a more lively atmosphere in the school. Now this boy was proud too, but it seemed that his pride did not come from having two rich parents who was happy to give their child anything he or she wanted. No, his pride seemed to come from the connection he shared with the horses. Now this was something she admired.

Tilting her head to the right, she continued, "So I take it that you're the one of the people who've been taking such wonderful care of Sonador. Thanks, you must have a way with horses. Sonador looks really happy. So, what's your name?"

[Sigath Crawford]

He flicked his hand in polite greeting before resting it back on the fork. "Ello. Morning. And yes, I take care of some of the horses including your Sonador," he answered, tone less severe than his gaze. This girl seemed approachable enough. "I'm Sigath, the barn rat," he said with a flash of a grin, kidding around and showing he wasn't serious.
He slid his gaze over the teenager again. At least he didn't ahve to pussy-foot around this one, she seemed well enough. Even though he was still sort of spiteful for the 0you-have-money-and-I-dont situation. Or was it the you-have-parents one? He did a mental shrug. He had no clue. He flicked his penetrating eyes to hers, studying her with avid and unhidden curiousity. He could tell she was a refined horse wome at least. He noticed the helmet. He personally went without one, not to safe but he felt freer. Why get on a horse if you can't feel the wind?
He decided to start up the conversation, finding it his choice to do so. He could make her leave if he wished. But for now some connection time. "So, which place do you live in and how long have you stayed here?" he asked a direct question, curiousity sending his eyes to a deeper color.

[Minerva]

Minerva raised her eyebrows as Sigath's statement of being the barn rat. Even though he was joking, it was still kind of strange to refer to oneself in that manner. However, pushing that thought to the back of her head, she watched him carefully. When his gaze flickered to the helmet she was holding, she took note. When he asked where she lived, Minerva began to feel nervous. For several reasons but mainly because Sigath seemed to have something against rich people and it just so happens that her house was the largest and easily one of the more expensive ones in the neighbourhood. Rubbing her neck with her hand, she answered, "Eh...Well, I live in the mansion five minutes from here. I've been here for about a month. Anyway, about the helmet, I just bring it with me, I hardly ever use it... And you? What's your story?"

[Sigath Crawford]

Sigath watched ehr shifted nervously and hid his amusement. It was funny. A pure bred afraid of a mutt! what a load of crock. He listened to her, and frowned. So this was the dame who lived in that house. He'd had alot of envy for that family. And the house was a bueat. A wonderful creation of wood and plaster. Well, at least he knew who lived there. He didn't feel to bad around this creature though. H ehad a high veiw of females and Minerva just moved a step on his list of okay kids to hang with. She was being polite. He'd return the favor. He gazed amused at her movements and her quick questioning.
He heard the last part. This was actually the longest conversation he'd had in a while. "I live around here. Alone. My parents died a few years back. Nothing much. The horses serve as my family now," he said matter-of-factly, not pulling the sorry poor kid, just stating a fact. It was true.