home comforts; [fuzz]

[Kee!]

KEELEY RENEE GRANT;

A blonde topped girl made her way easily into the diner happy to find it full and cheerful, it set a warming mood about the place and helped to ease her freaking out mind. She was finally here! But also slightly lonely as she was used to attention, not that she was rude just lonesome, perhaps, lost. Sighing she brushed a small bit of hair away from her somewhat tanned face and blinked slowly as her blue eyes adjusted to the light. Taking in a deep breath she exhaled the last bit of fall breath and took in the scent of home baked cookies and muffins. Taking a seat beside a window where the light creeped in she enjoyed the coffee she was brought as she took off her light jacket and rubbed her fingers together in a crisp manner.

[Fuzzables]

It was an unusually cold fall day in Kentucky. He had been in employment at the Academy for nearly a month. Getting settled and ready for work before the Academy opened up again for the school year. He was slightly nervous about everything. Would he be able to teach these kids anything? would he ahve time to work with his colt and the students with their adopted or brought horses? Marcus she sighed deeply as he made his way into the warmth of the diner.

He breathed out and rubbed his hands together. Shoulders unhunching from the fabric of his cowboy jacket. He was by rights a full blooded cowboy. He had come here to teahc and had dragged his sister here to go to school. Marcus leaned forward and kissed the elderly waitresses cheek. "Cold day out Marie," he commented and took the cup of coffee she offered. He sat himself down in one of the counter stools.

[Kee!]

KEELEY RENEE GRANT;

Keeley looked up after staring at her coffee mug and noticed the newspapers sitting where a older looking man sat whom looked vaguely familar. Standing up a bit to fast she knocked over her cup of coffee and let out a yelp as the hot liquid burned her fingers as she tipped the cup up. Jumping up friskly she watched as a waitress skimmed over to help her as she moved to grab several napkins silently cursing to herself at her clumsyness. Finally getting the mess cleaned up and a new fresh coffee she carefully stood and walked towards the newspaper, sparing a bright blue-eyed glance to the stranger.

[Fuzzables]

Marcus jumped up when a girl yelped. He turned around in time to see Marie cleaning up the mess and a red faced girl going for the stack of newspapers. He tilted his head and pursed his lips. Trying to remember where he had seen her. Then he remembered. She went to the Academy. She had to be about sixteen or seventeen and know somethign about horses. HE stepped forward a step and raised a hand. "I'm Marcus Dalton, the riding instructor for Equine Crossing, your a student there aren't you?' he asked her.

[Kee!]

KEELEY RENEE GRANT;

Kee sighed as she reached the newspapers and was greeted by the familar face. A small smile crossed her cheeks as she realized who it was. It was nice to see people around town but she figured that most the staff didn't hang around, then again they did have lives. Hey! Nice to meet you, I'm Keeley Grant, a advanced western rider. All thanks to my horse though.. She smiled as she thought about her horse and calmly allowed a dreamy gaze to sweep past her eyes. Looking up she watched as more people entered, sending a slightly chilling draft through the doors. It was a perfect day for a ride no doubt. Lifting her blonde head to face the instructor she decided to take a seat and make conversation. So your new also this year right? What's your horses name?

[Fuzzables]

Marcus sighed and sat down. He nodded his head and smiled. Yeah, he had her on the advanced riders list. He nodded in understanding. Yeah. He'd be nothign without his horses. The big girl Wrayna and her son Altaru. They were his pride and joy. He handed Keeley another cup of coffee, this one with a lid on it as he took his own and sipped. "Yeah, fresh off the family cattle ranch in Texas," he told her and smiled liek he had gotten his own joke. The big black mare you see in the pastures, thats Wrayna, the colt beside her is Altaru. Not sure if you've noticed them," he explained to ehr and grabbed a piece of bacon off the plate Marie offered. He smiled dazzlingly at her and then turned back to Keeley. "What about you, whats your horses name and breed?" he asked. He liked to know a little about his students before teaching them.

[Kee!]

KEELEY RENEE GRANT;

Keeley glanced at a passerby who was a somewhat attractive male and allowed him to take a seat next to her, a bit bewildered at the open comfort she scooted on her seat edging herself closer to Marcus. I believe I remember seeing them, the foal is so adorable! Pausing to cough slightly Kee spared another glance for the stranger who was staring at her. A bit uncomfortable she continued the conversation. And I own a five year old mare, Alouette. She's my pride and joy and the most gorgeous dark black ever! Glancing again slightly she noticed the dark haired mysterious stranger still had his intent gaze fastened upon her making her hair prickle on the back of her slender neck.

[Fuzzables]

Marcus smiled and nodded. "Yeah, he's a beauty, i'm thinkin he'll be my next Grand Prix jumper," he told Keeley. that was the plan. To turn Altaru inot the best jumper ever and then fidn an amazing rider to ride him. Marcus hismelf would never excel at English sports. He could teach them because he knew them but he wasn't the greatest at riding them. MArcus looked up to find a guy staring at Keeley and Keeley scotchign closer to him. he glared openly at the guy for a second and then turned back to the conversation. As long as he jsut looked Marcus was okay. "Do you run barrels with her?" he asked. He had looked at that mare and she looked liek she could really run them. She also looked like a cattle horse.

[Kee!]

KEELEY RENEE GRANT;

Kee nodded her head as she listened to her peers dreams about his colt. Indeed she imagined he was worth that much, the mare had an amazing build from what she'd seen and the colt was long-legged no doubt a born jumper but Marcus already knew that. Shifting her gazed to her coffee she took a smooth drink enjoying the warming feeling. Yes, she's a amazing speed-eventer. Really good at barrels and poles, though shes a bit weak in the poles but we always get first place and great timings theres only been a few let downs. Her eyes jerked to the guy beside her as he shifted in his seat, moving closer to the slender and timidly built blonde. Ugh. Why couldn't guys just be open to rejection at the slightest impulse?

[Fuzzables]

Marcus nodded and smiled. He stood up and tossed a few bills onto the counter. "Well, with my help you could be going to out of state shows and even Nationals if that is what you want. My methods are proven and have worked." he explained to her and smiled. Marcus shifted his weight towards the guy who had jsut inched closer to Keeley. "Okay thats enough," he said, loud enough that all the head shot up in the room. "This is my student and i won't have you bothering her, go bother some other pretty girl or jsut go home," he told the guy before smiling at Keeley and pointign ehr towards the door. "Coffee's my treat, you need a ride back to the Academy?" he asked all in one breath.

[Kee!]

KEELEY RENEE GRANT;

Keeley was taken aback at his sudden outburst as he made a noticiable comment to the stranger beside her whom seemed almost unfazed other then a slight clearing of his throat. Standing up she nodded her thanks to Marcus, seezing her oppourtinty to escape the man beside her but suddently found tight arms wrapped around her waist and something tighting around her throat as the stranger grabbed her and exited the diner with her in tow. Fighting to scream she felt a hand cover her mouth and bit down harshly feeling blood ooze into her mouth as she also bit her lip and winced in pain.

[Fuzzables]

They were already out of the diner by the time the man came for Keeley. Marcus was not expecting it and by the time he ahd realized the man had her they were in a car and starting it up. Marcus swore louldy and raced for his older style Camaro. He slid in and started it up as he raced down the highway after them. As they came to a stoplight pulled a staple gun out of the back seat and shot the other cars tires out. He had loads of tools and tack back there. Just waiting to find a place to be put until needed again.

[Kee!]

KEELEY RENEE GRANT;

Keeley finally allowed a whimper to pass through her lips as the stranger handled her roughly, throwing her into the car with a haste. Growling through her blood caked lips she felt his hand crack smoothly against her gentle skin and allowed a small tear to trace a path down her face as she fought to not reveal any pain whatsoever. Glaring she sought words that would threaten the stranger but could find none until she heard gun shots and felt her heart stop and jumpstart again. Marcus. It had to be, he'd been the only one to really recognize it as kid-napping. Closing her eyes she hoped the nightmare would be over soon as she thought of a way to escape.

[Fuzzables]

Marcus stopped his car and got out. He knocked the young guy out before opening the door. He leaned down on the pavement and lifted up Keeley's chin so he could see the cut lip. "You all right?" he asked as he held out his hand to help her out of the car. If she were anybody but a student he would hug her to comfort her but that would hardly be appropriate. She smiled encouragingly and stood up. "We should go back to the academy so that we can clean you up and continue our so rudely interupted conversation." he told her. Still smilign slightly.

[Kee!]

KEELEY RENEE GRANT;

Keeley allowed her peer to help her out of the van and barely looked back at her abductor. Silently Kee wished to just be held to and be able to lean upon anyone, even Marcus but she knew he wouldn't ever give her that comfort. Lifting a bruised arm she wiped the tear that had escaped her away and shifted her blue eyed gaze up to Marcus and simply nodded her head, lifting a hand to tenderly touch her battered lips and gave a glance to her bruised arms. What an impression she probably would make at school. A sigh crept from her as she grew angry instead of frightened. Straightening her stance she allowed her moment of weakness to pass, she was a strong beautiful girl, and had to thank her peer. I do thank you Mr. Dalton and a ride sounds wonderful.