Post by Brigh Ide Fife on Feb 13, 2013 14:59:44 GMT -5
Brigh's thin golden red hair was tied back in a braid and flipped up under her riding cap. She was somewhere she did not recognize, which was not unusual around the ranch. She had been bouncing along the trails on Dezzy since about 6 am in the morning. She had let her sister know she was going, but didn't worry too much. Aspen would find her if there was a problem. Her loose fitting black top multiplied the day's heat, making her feel as if she were roasting in a covered pan. The day could easily pass for one of the hottest of the summer, closing in on 98 degrees as it got towards noon with 80% humidity increasing the miserable feel.
She had spotted the lake and headed for it without thought to what it was called or where it was relative. The day at dawn had been so much cooler, and she hadn't thought to bring water for her or Dezzy. Dezzy almost surged forward at the refreshing sight. Brigh let her drink, long and cool, and then, with only a moment's hesitation, took off Dezzy's saddle and saddle pad, her riding cap, and stripped down to her underwear and bra. She wasn't sure if Dezzy actually wanted to swim, but she did, and if Dezzy wanted to it was easier to just clean the bridle than all the tack.
She hopped back on, using a picnic table and urged Dezzy into the water. Dezzy barely hesitated, and soon Brigh's legs were submerged in the cool waters. She lays flat on the mare, dipping her head and arms into the lake. Dezzy is again gulping down water, and splashing it everywhere by bobbing her head up and down. It is quite a different pace from when they are in the show ring, concentrating on the jumps, or barreling down the track, and Brigh gives a long sigh. As much as she misses her city life, she likes Dezzy, and moments like this. And going back to be sent to Juvenile Hall is not a favored option. She flicks the water into high arcs with her toes.
"Want to come to Boston with me someday?" she asks the mare softly. It isn't as if it has never occurred to her to just take off with Aspen and their horses and run, but perhaps it was force of habit making her want to leave. Before someone made her leave again. Brigh had learned to recognize when she was going to be shipped off. The half-hearted talks, the resentment and resignation, the lack of eye contact. No, anyone who said they would never do that was lying. Dezzy snorted softly, shaking Brigh from her thoughts, and turning she accidentally slipped into the water.
Brigh grabbed for Dezzy frantically, pulling on her withers and mane, coughing. Whoops. That would have been bad, she thought, as she slid back on. She could only barely swim, having never been properly taught. She lays against Dezzy, gasping to get her breath back and working to calm her fears.