ic:After their practice run, Simon and Stark waited patiently in the stable for Simon's parents to return. Soon, the galloping of hoofs could be heard coming from the path that lead from the front gate out into the forest. He could see his mother and father riding in on their other two horses, Cornelius and Jeannette.
Cornelius and Jeannette were fine horses. Jeannette was a chestnut colored mayor with a white streak across her forehead. She was very fast, but not as fast as Stark. Cornelius was a blond color with a black mane and tail. He was a young stallion, about the same age as Stark. But he was very aggressive towards the other two horses, and had a type of superior attitude.
"Son, we're going to the round ups now, and we needn't be late. Is Stark fit for travel?"His father asked Simon as Cornelius impatiently stomped his hoofs, ready for action. The stallion never could run faster or get stronger than Stark though. Stark walked up with Simon leading him by the reins. "Yes sir."Simon answered in a confident and strong voice. He had been waiting a long time to be able to go to the round ups.
As the family rode on their handsome and well breed steeds, they held their shot guns at the ready. If any hostile animals attacked, they would be at the ready. Stark clopped in the lead with Simon proudly riding, the saddle glinting as the sun's rays shown on them. Simon felt ready to take on anything. But as they were half way there, his mother stopped her horse. She was eying the trees suspiciously. Then, a dog came out.
"I see that bud has decided to join the party." Simon's father said as Bud came out to greet them. Bud was an old rottweiler that had been in the family for 17 years, much over his lifespan.
ooc: er by the way... I just found out there's no such thing as dog years. ehehe....
Rooke set a hand on his pistol when he heard a mountain lion growl in the distance. "It's nothin' to worry about boy," his father said, sensing his son's anxiety toward the creatures. His father was a well-muscled man with dark brown hair. He had a southern accent as well. Rooke saw a rabbit and smiled. Maybe he could have a little fun before the crowd of people. "Get 'em Stallion!" he called, and the horse raced, hooves pounding, toward the rabbit. The creature scurried into a hole not far off. Suddenly, a mountain lion that had been stalking the animal burst from the trees a hundred yards away. The stallion bucked into the air and whinnied loudly. Rooke's pistol fell out of the holster, and he yelled with alarm when the animal leaped at him, but it suddenly dropped dead after a booming sound. His father sat on his horse, gun raised. Rooke hated lions. They scared him to death. They were the number one cause of deaths, domesticated animal and human, in the area. They had lost about 10 fawns to them. Rooke and his father kept moving. Rooke was afraid actually, but more excited. He hadn't really ever been opened to the world growing up. He had only known his parents and about two other people. Mr. Rixon, their neighbor and deer domesticator, and Tammy Trunna, his mom's friend.
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I am Jaggedpine. Just thought I should let you know.
Soon they had reached the meeting place for the round ups, and were patiently waiting for the other people to arrive. Suddenly, the sound of gunshot rang out throught the area. "Pa', I think someone's hunting early!" Simon shouted to his father. "Son, that may not be the case, but we still have to check it out.
Soon, simon, his family, and his dog were off to where they had heard the gunfire. They came to a stop as a group of people came into veiw. "Say, anything happen? Any body hurt?" Simon's father called over to them. There were two dead mountain lions laying o the ground.
Simon's horse, Stark, plodded the ground uneasily. He didn't like the sight of large preditors. Simon gently stroked the horses reins as he and his family waited for an answer.
Bud was standing straight, his fur brislting. He was nervouse about people he had never met, and if theses people hadn't met his masters, they were not trustable yet. He let out a low warning growl and stood behind Simon's horse.
Rooke narrowed his eyes. "And why exactly do you folks think that you can come into our problems like that?" his father snarled. He was very defensive. Rooke stared at the kid. He didn't like the look of him. "Let's go boy," his dad said, and steered the horse away, with Rooke at his side. He kept a wary eye on the two. He tried to take deep breaths to keep from shouting out. He didn't like to be bothered. His family didn't either. His mom said that it made them seem weak, like they couldn't take care of their own problems.
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I am Jaggedpine. Just thought I should let you know.
IC: lack was just geting out of bed just before the round up started."shoot im going to be late if i don't get out thare now!" he jumped out of bed and put in his jeans then ran put the door waith his shirt.
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i am the rust upon your gears i am the insect in your ears. i hide in side you're fears.i make you cry those salty tears. i am katanapaw!
IC: Jack ran as fast as his sise 12 boots aloud him to. he took evry short cut he posably find, over big logs rocky paths acros rivers and striems."im goin to be a mess by the time im thare but i dont care all that maters is at im thare for roal call". his shirt was still unbutend and frailing behind him like a cape. he got thare but was out of breath."are are those two i need to find them" once agen he ran around looking for his friends.then he wounderd if thay already left for the round up.
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i am the rust upon your gears i am the insect in your ears. i hide in side you're fears.i make you cry those salty tears. i am katanapaw!
Simon and his family rode away. "Si, go on up back to the round ups meeting place with Stark and Bud, we'll catch up. "Simon's mother whispered to him as he gently nudged Stark. But for once Stark wouldn't listen. He slowly trotted forward, wanting to go after the other family. Bud was nudging him backwards, but the large stallion wouldn't budge. Simon nudged him again, this time using his least favorite bribery technique, spurrs. He hated using those on horses, but Stark was just not listening.
After a bit of waiting for his parents to meet with him at the round ups meeting place, or whatever it was called, his parents came into view. They sat beside him, his father pulling out a smoke. "Dumb idiots. Those lions could have killed them." he said, his low and gruff voice crackling. "At least they're safe. They should have watched the trail though. They were way off track."his mother added. "Darn, I wish I could just find out what the heck is killing all of those animals so quickly..."Simon whispered to himself as they sat together.
-- Edited by Scorchheart on Tuesday 2nd of March 2010 01:19:17 PM