A man's work is never done.

[tobin james calloway]

From the shed row there wasn’t much to see. The barn was quiet today, students were probably just getting out of classes. Which meant this barn was going to start picking up pretty quickly. It looked like a stable hand working in a stall as manure and shavings were thrown out into a large grey wheelbarrow. Being one of the first stalls anyone who walked past would be able to see that the one mucking the stall was no stable hand at all. With the large roan’s head hanging out the open door, looking over the wheelbarrow and down to the open door. To add to the silence was the young man’s quiet humming of his own. Another toss of manure and shavings almost hit the stallion in the stall right in the face. Pitch fork in the shavings now with the young man leaning against it. Free hand ran over the stallion’s thick shoulder slowly. The horse seemed to ignore him as his dark lips touched the nameplate on the stall. ‘Raid the Moon’ was all that was engraved in the silver plated plate.

The stallion’s head then turned to the boy in his stall then back to the sunshine outside. Ignorance was something Raider tried to play with Tobin and maybe that was a good thing. Sometimes the stallion simply ignored Tobin’s presence, mostly when he was doing things like this, his stall, calling him in the pasture. Horse and rider were connected like many others. A matching pair just made their life easier. Raider knew when it was time for games and time for serious matter. Back when Tobin’s legs were never broken and he could run the horse never came in pasture. It was always a game of chasing the stallion around, something the two boys did together with laughs. Tobin missed that connection with Clu, it was just non-existent. The connection needed to be made with the pair, but knowing the gelding would rather be near women made it hard to Tobin. Clu was a one manned horse and he was starting to think it was one woman.

The thoughts in the boys head rambled on as he moved back to picking the stall. He enjoyed cleaning his horse’s stalls with the horse in them. It made them feel closer, and you know your horse when you know his house. Knowing your horse inside and out adds to the connection Tobin always thrived for with his horses. Tobin had that with Raider though, it didn’t take long to do the stall and levelling back out the shavings he was done. Setting the fork in the wheelbarrow the young man turned back to his horse, petting his neck slowly and looking over him. Tobin was kind of a meticulous kind of guy. If his horse had a new cut he’d want to know about it, not that he would be treating it with anything unless it was serious but knowing his horse was key.

[ashley stefan rainer]

Be my heart & my soul.

Ash had finished all of his classes that day and returned to his dorm room for a little while to relax but had homework. Taking care of every bit of his small amount homework before he did anything else. He had all honors classes and was enjoying it all but did wish he had one normal class that year. Tucking his books all away in his backpack the teenager freshened up and called his family at home letting them know about his day, just talking for a while. With Ashes on the phone soon enough he listened to him, laughing at his jokes and the nutty things he did that day. Missing his brother dearly they always knew instantly what each other was thinking. Even if the other was having a problem even if they weren't with each other. The twins did everything together, told each other everything and were inseparable. Ashley and Asher were soul mates and they were best friends, it was odd to him not to have his older brother there with him. Getting off the phone a bit later he freshened up and headed out to see Winter. This happened once he had loaded another backpack up to bring with him.

Taking his backpack with him it had some snacks in it for himself and Winter. Double checking for the bottled water he went on his way. Clothed in some comfy clothes and ones that wouldn't catch on anything. Gliding from the dorms he smiled to his classmates that he passed and watched some of the girls glare at him for looking better in girls clothes then that did. He thought people looked good in what they wore as long as it didn't look slutty on them that is. Making his way to the stalls he crouched down and took out the treats for Winter. Putting his backpack back on he adjusted it and started to nibble on some yummy pieces of orange that he had with him just to tide him over until he could have something else to eat. Once there he went inside and over to Winter's stall and stopped hearing some noises, putting the pack down Ash headed toward the noise. Stopping when he saw it was Tobin and stood there watching him a bit. "Good evening Mr. Calloway."

He was a polite kid and would always be like that with people who were older then he was. Ash looked over his shoulder making sure Winter wasn't in the backpack eating anything quite yet. Turning back to watch Tobin he heard some other noises and saw Winter with his nose in the backpack nosing around for food. "Winter." Sighing he started talking to him in German saying you couldn't have waited could you? Running a hand through his mass of hair he slowly walked to Tobin, looking at the horse. "Hey there." He smiled at Raider and watched him.

[tobin james calloway]

Sounds of students starting to flow into the barn filled the shed row. A couple hellos but no one really stopped to talk. Finally noticing someone actually stopped his blue eyes looked up. ”Well Hello Mr. Rainer. How are you this evening?” It might be odd to see a trainer mucking his own stalls, in fact it was rare to see anyone but the stable hands do that work at all. Blue eyes watching the boy’s horse trying to eat his back pack. Raider’s dark nose reached out to Ash’s hand as the boy moved closer, a stallion for no one to fear. Never one to bite and always a gentleman. Raider was the kind of stallion every one wished for, he had amazing conformation, a great attitude and something a lot of quarter horse breeders looked for his massive thick body. Not height but his wide, muscular nature. The stallion was just like most geldings, though he got a little excited around the ladies.

Like any gentlemen got excited around his ladies the stallion liked to prance and show off. Tobin himself could admit he liked to show off and his horse knew it too. Raider was like his own trophy for Tobin to show off, he never dreamed the young horse was going to turn out this way. Five years ago he never dreamed the stallion he bought would be this amazing horse. ”How is that horse of yours doing?” Tobin questioned, the company would be good on a day like today. Tobin wasn’t going to ride today, it was one of the bad days for sure, one of those days his damned leg hurt to bad to get in the saddle. Raider would be ok to ride but a break was better for the both of them. He’d agree to pick up a lesson or two tonight if he had the chance, maybe being able to sit and teach would be easiest for him. Those on and off days really sucked, being not the type of person to pop pills to get better he took in the company of Raider. He could probably sit in the stall on the horse’s back for an hour, it was just simple and easy for him. Most people would question the odd things he did, but to a handicap like Tobin it was normal. Actually sitting on Raider in his stall with no tack and just enjoying the horse was something he did before the accident. A form of relaxation for sure. An experience most riders needed to give themselves. Listening to their horse and getting to know them was something he encouraged his students to do.

[ashley stefan rainer]

Be my heart & my soul.

He watched the many other students passing him along the way to the barn. Missing the many hard slaps to his rear from people who couldn't keep their hands to themselves for some reason or another. Happy to be away from the grabbers and was thankful he wasn't around Winter who would be biting the grabbers if even half the chance. Seeing Winter was hungry he hoped his horse could wait until he got back to him. "I'm great thank you, how are you and Raider doing this evening Mr. Calloway?" He didn't think it was odd that a trainer was taking care of his horse hell he mucked out Winter's stall himself he didn't want a stranger doing it. Watching Winter stopping he sighed and listened to the nickers from his horse. Once close enough to Raider he smiled feeling the horse's nose on his hand, reaching up he rubbed along Raider's lovely nose speaking softly to him. "Hey Raider." Closing his eyes he listened to the breathing of Raider and Winter's breathing, focusing on the running hooves. Seeing the jumps in his mind he was at peace and felt no fear. Sometimes when no one was around he would come there by himself and sit on Winter's back for a while. Even take him out of stall and ride him bareback on starry nights, always he felt calm and nothing bothered him.

Winter loved people and nuzzling them he didn't have a horsey girlfriend yet but he wasn't in any rush. Ash wouldn't mind if someone wanted to breed Winter since he was a Champion and was a perfect horse with his butt nipping faults that is but Ash wouldn't have it any other way. Through he was a butt nipper and butt biter with him but Ash was used to it. "He's a butter biter as always and loves his nuzzles just s much as his treats he loves the nose snickers bites." Peeking over his shoulder watching Winter watching him with some white mane covering his always expressive eyes. "Don't worry bubby I'm never going to trade you in for another horse I promise." Ash would always keep that promise to his beloved horse the only he always had with him. Petting Raider's nose he reached into his pocket and took out some pieces of yummy orange offering it to Raider if he wanted them. He didn't want to overload on orange otherwise it would spoil his dinner of a sandwich, chips and some water but he had some apple juice with him if he needed it. "He's been patient with me if I'm unhappy about something or have an off day." Having a horse like Winter was a dream come true for him. As he spoke more the true voice hidden under the American accent came out it was pure and beautiful German he couldn't hide that anymore. "It may sound stupid to many people but when I'm on Winter's back I always feel like I can fly and I feel free."

[tobin james calloway]

Tobin’s eyes watched a couple more student pass by, a passive nod of the hat was all most got to their waves. When Ash spoke again his mind went back to the student. ”I’m alright, Raider looks pretty good.” He chuckled a little bit, a lie to the amount of pain he was actually in. Standing leaning against the horse a bit keeping most to all of his weight off his left leg. He was never one to show the pain he held even on some of his darker days worse than today. The horse paid more attention to Ash than he did his own owner, his nature of course, other people were much more interesting. Listening to Ash speak again he laughed slightly, a biter, he had one of those. Clu had extra bars on his stall so he couldn’t stick his face out and bite passer byers. ”Clu is like that too, it’s the studly in them.” He smiled lightly to the student as he spoke back to his horse again. Blue eyes not paying much attention as Raider lipped the orange off the boys hand without eating it. Letting the piece fall onto the ground without really caring.
”He does sound like a good horse, good looking guy too.” He smiled as the boy spoke so highly of his horse. A human’s attachment to his horse was a connection better than you could find in most people. ”Oh, Raider doesn’t eat human food, he’s weird.” Tobin admitted as he saw the orange piece fall to the ground. Raider had always been a little odd, loving his hay and grain but never touching even an apple. Mints and even sugar cubes seemed like things the horse was never interested in. Odd in his own kind of way, most horses loved those things, but Raider was just one of those. He’d try to open a bag of grain or get into the beat pulp but eating mints even out of a bucket was never interesting to him, maybe if it were coated in molasses or some other horsey treat. Some horses just never knew the wonderful qualities of a cube of packed sugar or even the crunchy minty little mints people fed their horses. Of course Tobin knew almost everything there was to know about Raider, including the number of babies he had living in these fine states.

[ashley stefan rainer]

Be my heart & my soul.

Ash waved to the kids who walked by and stayed there next to Raider, rubbing his nose more talking to him. "That's good to hear." He smiled and checked on Winter again, blinking when he felt his hair being nibbled on by Raider. "Heyyyyyy there Raider, that's my hair your nibbling on." Laughing he smoothed his hair back away from the horse's nibbling reach but would that last. Smirking he snickered and nodded in agreement. "Yes and Winter is curious about other's reaction to him." Wiggling his fingers back at his horse he stared at the turning ears. "Winter always knows when someone is talking about him." With his hand being lipped his eyes moved to see the orange piece end up on the ground but that was okay. "Very and thank you, my older brother Asher has Winter's twin at home." Warlock was a major mess but he was always just as sweet as Winter but just as firey and another butt biter. "Warlock is just as firey as his little brother is and protective." Hoping Asher came to school there and brought Warlock with him.

He always spoke very highly of his prized and treasured horse, Ash was very attached to him that was a certain thing. "That's not weird I've seen other horses who turn their noses up at it, Winter can't passed up chocolate or something sweet." He would save some orange for Winter to have since the horse loved his oranges. Ash always kept a supple for horsey treats for Winter and wouldn't never not give him something to munch on, Ash wasn't cruel or anything else. Remembering he needed to get some sugar cubes and the mints that Winter liked so well when he went shopping. Giving Raider another light rub on the nose he went back to Winter, not wanting to leave him out of the fun. "Don't worry Winter you won't be left out." Crouching down he went to grab his backpack is when Winter nipped him right on the rear making Ash jump in surprise. "Winter that's my bum there you know, crazy stallion." Laughing he rubbed where he had been nipped and shook his head. "Mr. Butt Biter." Reaching over with the harness and clipped on the lead, unlocking his stall door. Bringing him out moments later and slowly took him to see Tobin and his boys. "Look buddy, it's Tobin, Raider and Clu." Winter nickered and nuzzled Ash on the cheek with his nose.

[tobin james calloway]

Tobin watched the young man in front pay attention to both stallions, or try too. ”It’s really good you love your horse Ashley. Is your brother coming to the school as well?” His blue eyes watched the boy try to balance both the horse’s attentions. He nodded as Ashley commented about the orange, ”I like thinking he’s a little wierd.” A slight smile came to the boys face as he pet the stallion’s neck. He didn’t say anything as Ash left, but stepped out of the stall, pushing the wheelbarrow out of the way and shutting the half door. Looking at Ash walk up with the larger stallion Tobin smiled. ”Well actually clu won’t be staying with us much longer.” He commented looking at the cremello gelding. The beautiful gelding’s ears were laid back near the back of his stall, almost ready to pounce onto the next person dare walk close enough.

Angry was one way to put Clu, though after weeks of working with him an no progress Tobin had to give him up. Clu had officially attacked two students, many horses and any stable hand that tried to clean his stall. Not to mention the three times the gelding had bit Tobin himself. Tobin believed he and Clu were just not matches with each other and opted to sell the gelding to his cousin. She had much more time for him and could dedicate more time and effort to find a connection with the gelding. The gelding may have a better connection with a woman too, hopefully. Most horses like Clu did manage to keep better connections with women. Tobin knew that and knew he didn’t have the time for Clu. The horse was important to Tobin, just as important to him as Raider, though they had no connection unlike Tobin had hoped. ”You really have to watch Clu, he’s kind of mean I guess.” Blue eyes glanced down at the healing wound on his left arm. The gelding had caught him twice just the other day.

[ashley stefan rainer]

Be my heart & my soul.

He did the best he could to try and give both stallions equal attention. "Winter has been with me for 4 years now, he's been almost like my savior since I've owned him. I used to be very depressed and barely spoke to anyone, he helped me."Admitting that he smiled not ashamed of that. "Actually yes Mr. Calloway he sure is, he'll be here at the end of next week. Asher wanted to get himself situated and Warlock checked out first." Wishing those two weeks would hurry up and pass so he could see his older by 10 minutes identical brother. "Ashes is 10 minutes older then I am and there's really nothing that tells us apart besides he and I both are ambidextrous but I use my right hand more where he uses his left hand more. And his mass of hair is a bit passed his shoulders with white dreads and I just have mine short." He gave some tidbits about how to tell the identical twin teenagers apart. "Warlock is a little weird himself he will rest his nose on top of anyone's head who's close to him." Ash grinned widely and fetched his own horse bringing him. "Sorry Mr. Calloway I didn't want to leave Winter out of it." Rubbing Winter on the cheek he laughed being nuzzled by him, looking at Tobin when he said that. "I'm sorry to hear that." Watching Clu looking not happy at all from his ears being like that were.

Ash thought it royally sucked that Clu wouldn't be there anymore he hadn't been bitten by him thankfully. Staying where he was he watched Clu carefully as did Winter. Winter wasn't a mean horse and wouldn't bite anyone maybe nip once or twice but he wouldn't bite or do any harm. Seeing the healing wound he frowned and shook his head. "I should say so Mr. Calloway, I'd rather not get near his mouth." He wasn't into getting bitten by Clu or any other horse for that matter. Moving a little bit over so he could put a piece of apple on the side of the stall for Clu to be nice to him, Ash had Winter standing there in front of him to protect him. Leaning under Winter's neck he put the apple piece on the railing of the stall, getting his hand away. Going back over to Tobin with Winter next to him again, Winter playfully gummed Tobin's hair a horsey greeting of sorts. The tail of the handsome arabian stallion swished behind him, he was a very and understanding type horse.

[tobin james calloway]

Tobin listened to Ash speak with a bit of content. Talking to people seemed to calm him a bit as he listened. Ash seemed excited that his brother was coming. That was a good thing, having family around could be good if they were close. His closest relative was his cousin closer to the coast. Almost a thousand miles away, the place Clu would be shipped off too in what it seemed was short hours. He took in the information, noting that both boys were close to looks and he would need to tell them apart. He smiled as the boy mentioned Warlock, each horse had their ways. Raider stretching his nose out to the other horse, curious yet not acting like the stallion he was. ”I don’t blame you.” Tobin smiled as he watched Ash closely, move so close to the gelding`s stall. He knew something bad was going to happen but didn`t let himself think about it.

As the young man set the apple on the railing of the stall Tobin’s eyes peered back to the gelding. His front hooves pawed a bit of a warning. It wasn’t much of a warning when the gelding’s head raised up mouth open as his front hooves slowly reared off the ground. The cremello gelding turned his hind quarters to the stall door and kicked out with both hooves, making a horrible crashing noise without breaking anything. The gelding then laid his ears back again and paced his stall. Tobin shook his head letting out a bit of a sigh, not quite sure what to think of the horse anymore. Turning back to Ash he thought he would try to explain. ”My old horse that was put down was Clu’s half brother, Getcha was an angel compared to this character.” He sighed quietly not letting the story go much farther.

Tobin smiled at the boy’s stallion as he turned, pressing his black hat back on his head. ”Well hello Winter.” His childish smile on his face as he reached his calloused fingers up to pet the stallion’s face. Looking back at Raider then Clu before turning his attention back to Ash. ”That stall will be empty tomorrow so you won’t have to worry about that anymore. I’ve tried everything I can do. Before Kent says he has to go he’s going to go.” Tobin admitted as he pet Winter’s face.

[ashley stefan rainer]

Be my heart & my soul.

He was very excited to see his older brother Ash didn't know if he would be able to go home for the summer or not. Ash and Asher were close and it made a great many people jealous to see it. Hoping where Clu was going was nice and he would be treated well but he thought the horse would be, no matter how mean the horse was. Telling the main differences between Ashes and himself through there in essence only a few it was best to get them out of the way. Happy that Warlock was coming with Asher and felt that Winter would be thrilled to have his older horsey brother with him. Winter leaned forward himself and touched his nose to Raider's nose. Being a good boy Winter gave a nose nuzzle and shook out his mane, nickering some. Quickly doing what he had in mind to he didn't linger.

Keeping his eyes on Clu he wasn't going to turn his back on him for a second. Not seeing what the gelding was doing he moved back when Clu started his horsey tirade. Watching him he stayed next to Winter and patted him on the neck, keeping his own horse calm. Not wanting it to end up in a fight between Winter and Clu. Hearing the loud crash he cringed and looked at Tobin, thinking that Clu was a little psycho but he wouldn't say that out loud. "Sorry to hear that." Frowned when that was said and didn't really want to hear anymore. Looking at the apple on the ground he wasn't going to go in that stall to get it, so he would leave where it was.

Winter playfully stuck his nose under Ash's shirt trying to tickle him some. "Winter to goofy horse." Wiggles as he was being tickled, moving away he smirked shaking his head some at his goofy horse. The horse whinnied when he was spoken to and stared at Tobin with those always expressed eyes of his. Getting petted on his face he enjoyed the attenion and pushed his nose into Tobin's hands. Ash started to pet Raider again and give him some light scratches on his ears with his nails. "I know you have Mr. Calloway." Turning his eyes back to the pacing Clu wondering what had happened to Clu that made him dislike others so much. Winter gummed Tobin's hat a bit he was quite interested in it.