As I walked through the door[Sedona;;]

[//Kitteh.]

The pick-up truck came to a hault near the barn, as the twenty-nine year old man walked to the back of the horse-hauler. Taking the ramp down, he unloaded the bay mare with a name of pure Glory. Stars Shine Brightly Upon Me was her real cursing, but who had time to acually say that in a conversation...

Sighing, the man leg the mare into the area. He was waiting for his dear friend, and the minutes seemed to drag on. He was trying to impress her, but his night plans had yet to work out. He was trying to show her that he wasn't the same old heathen he used to be.

[S.E.C.R.E.T]

Sedona finished braiding her hair and tied it off with a ponytail holder before heading out the door of Resa's loft. A long brown duster brushed against her jeans and leather chaps as she made her way outside after hearing Zach pull up and the sound of a horse being unloaded. As he came into sight she waved and moved forward to him and his mare.

Sedona's eyes quickly swept over the mare and a smile came to her lips before stretching her arm out and offering a carrot to her. She looked to Zach then, glancing behind him to a large round pen where Simba and Talon were waiting. Alright, my horses are back in the round pen. I'm pretty sure there's enough room for y'all once I get Simba calmed down and saddled. You might have to wait a second, though. It'll be the first time he's been saddled in about six months.

With one last look, Sedona turned on her boot heel and headed toward the corral, climbing easily over the fence to find Talon waiting exactly where she'd been left and Simba standing away and eyeing Sedona suspiciously. He knew something was coming, but not what. Talon had alrady been saddle, and there was another set of tack sitting n the top rail of the corral for when she got Simba calm. There was a rope around the horn of the saddle on Talon's back. Simba was smart, and once he figured out what was going on, he wasn't going to be happy. The rope was a precaution. Sedona moved to Talon and with a pat swung lightly into the saddle with a determined expression and gathered the reins while waiting for Zach to join her.

[//Kitteh.]

Zach swung unto his mount, Glory, and turned to face Sedona. "Neglect?" he asked. There really were very few reasons to keep off a horse for so long. Injuries, young, but mostly abuse by humans. He saw it all to often in the years he worked to the ASPAC. Giving a small sigh, he urged the mare forwards with a little nudge from his left knee, and let his back arch slightly and then return to a normal position as he lie deep into the saddle.

[S.E.C.R.E.T]

Sedona looked to Zach as he spoke and shook her head. Physical abuse. Sedona moved Talon into the center as Simba gave a half-rear and went into a series of bucks in anticipation of anything Sedona was going to do. The woman rolled her eyes and Talon toward Simba. The mare had helped Sedona with this many times, so the woman relaxed the reins and held onto the horn of the saddle, letting Talon do her job.

Sedona rode quietly as Talon pushed the stallion to the rail and into a canter as he tried to get away from the pair. Sedona let this process of pushing him from bucking to cantering until she felt his was sufficiantly tired; he wouldn't fight as much as he would have fresh.
Sedona then picked up the rope from her saddle, easily lassoing the stallion after a few moments. She dismounted and tied the rope to the rail, whispering to Simba in a calming tone and leaving Talon ground tied. She shifted the tack onto Simba and quickly looped a makeshift rope bridle over his muzzle and ears. She moved to his side, still stroking his coat and whispering to him. Her duster made a slight swishing noise as she put a boot in the left stirrup and stood in it, seeing if he would take the wait. He continued to stand stil, and she swung lightly and gently over, putting her right foot in the other stirrup.

Sedona looked to Zach and the to Talon. Untack her and tie turn her out in that pasture right there while I ride him out. You can just leave the tack by the gate. Sedona offered a smile as a 'please' before refocusing on Simba. She tapped him gently foward and he began to walk. She nodded and asked him to trot. When she did this, though, he gave a half-rear and went into a series of crow hops and bucks. She shook her head, determinedly pushed her weight into the saddle, took in some rein, and began to speak to him again. Come on, Simba, let's not do this today. Besides, I'm much more stubborn than you'll ever be... She tightened her left rein so he was forced to turn and stop bucking. As he did this she patted him and released the rein to a normal length. Once she got him calm, she moved him out of the arena with asmile on her face. She greeted Zach by tipping her black Stetson, her smile still firmly in place. Alright, then, where are we headed?[/color]

[//Kitteh.]

Zach watched as she did some rather great horseman ship, giving the horse strict commands but being carefull not to hurt him. Giving a smile, Zach heard another inquiry. "You knw best. Lead the way." he stated, giving a wink as he pushed his black Cowboy hat back farther on his head as to see the stars that shined in the night. It was a beautiful evening, it was.

[S.E.C.R.E.T]

Sedona smirked when he winked and with another pat asked Simba to canter. With a little light protesting, the stallion obeyed. Sedona steered him down one of the trails she saw, trying to place which one it was. As she remembered, Simba started to grow rowdy beneath her. Her smirk grew wider and she called over her shoulder to Zach.

Catch us if you can! Sedona loosened her rein and tapped Simba. He took the command well; if there was one thing he liked, it was running. He stretched out into a full gallop and Sedona leaned forward slightly as they tore down the trail.

When Sedona had closed her eyes for a moment, enjoying the sound of hooves and the smell of the forest during the night. She heard the sound of Simba's hoofbeats change and her eyes snapped open again. Oh. She reined Simba in carefully and stood looking at what was before her. So this hadn't been the trail she'd thought. She nudged Simba into a walk and they moved forward to the otherside of what had turned out to be a clearing. Except in this clearing there was a crystal clear brook and stream, both stemming froma waterfall that dropped off rocky cliff to the left. Almost forgetting Zach was somewhere behind her, the woman dismounted and led Simba forward ot the water that was almost glowing undr the stars.

[//Kitteh.]

"No fair! You had a head start!" He stated jokingly and urged Glory instantly from a small trot to a flat out gallop. He followed the stallion whereever he went, sometimes loosing the trail given and heading out into the deep forest. When he sound the two by a small body of water, he rode the somewhat tried Glory towards her. "It's beautiful tonight...But I know something that easily outdoes it..." he said, his voice suspencfully trailing off as he dismounted Glory and tied her split-reigns to a low hanging branch and once more approching the female.

[S.E.C.R.E.T]

Sedona's eyes remained on the waterfall as he tied Glory, but after a second she turned toward him with a smirk, her hat low over her face. Really? Do tell, sir... She raised on eyebrow before turning to removed Simba saddle. She left the rope bridle on, but let him wander the clearing; she knew he'd come back when she called. She'd been able to teach him that much.

After giving a pat on the rump he trotted over to Glory, stretching out his neck and sniffing her, blowing into her nostrils as a sign of friendship. Sedona smiled and turned back to Zach, who'd ended up closer. Her expression was halfway between a smile and smirk.

I think you'd better tell me what's better, or I might just die from the suspense. And we wouldn't want you havin' to get all fancied up for my funeral, now would we? Sedona emphasised her southern accent, which was heavy to begin with. She cocke dher head to the side slightly and placed her hands on ehr hips, waiting for his answer. The blue of the water seemed to make the blue-grey of her eyes more livelier as she stood in the clearing.

[//Kitteh.]

"Well...I guess their slightly more...dashing, if you must. She tends to be impaitent." he stated with a slight smirk, leaning against the tree that he'd thought of tieing Glory to. He then was glad he didn't, for the small twig-like tree snaped into two and sent Zach tumbling embarrasingly to the ground.

Blushing as he stood, Zach muttered Damn breakable trees... slightly under his breath before looking back to Sedona. Everything seemed to differant at night, it did.

The mare turned to see Simba and gave a small whicker of agnologment as he gave a whoof into her nares. Throwing her head a little, she managed to take the rope off, for it wasn't tied tight at all. She knew Zach always did this for emergancies. Looking around, she nudged the stallions shoulder and leaned over to the water.

[S.E.C.R.E.T]

Simba gave a whicker and a toss of his head, cantering past her and into the water. He whinnied to Glory, asking her to join him as he splashed water toward her. He pranced slightly in place, his hooves displacing sand at the bottom of the pool. Sedona glanced over and laughed at her stallion before returning her attention to Zach.

Sedona listened in slight confusion as Zach spoke. She began to move towards him, but just as she stepped forward the tree snapped in half. Sedona gasped audibly, hoping he hadn't hurt himself, but when he stood again Sedona couldn't help but laugh. She heard him talking under his breath and she smirked.

Yes, damn breakable trees, being so convieniantly placed and masquerading as real trees and all. Sedona shook her head, her laughter trailing off as she moved forward. But now I still don't know what's better than this. She stepped forward and gripped her shirt in fisted hands in a fake-threatening mater. Please enlighten me, kind sir...

[//Kitteh.]

Glory gave a small nicker in refusal, but soon steped forwards, and whoofed the water. She wasn't one to like to too much, but it was alright if someone was there along with her. Giving a slight stomp she sent water flying into the air.

Zach, how was now placing his hands on Sedona's shoulders. "Like to know her name?" he asked, as if trying to urk the female. Taking a step closer untill his body was almost to her's in the moonlight, he spoke in a small tentive whispur. "Sedona Marshell." He stated, and caught her gaze.

[S.E.C.R.E.T]

Simba nickered to the mare as if encouraging her. He trotted out of the water and nudged her side, as if helping her into the water. With a whinny, he walked in front of her and splashed the water into the air, as if demonstrating the fun that could be had. He stood for a moment, waiting to see if she would follow, then trotted off a little farther from her, teasing her.

Sedona kept her eyes on Zach, raising her eyebrows as he was about to tell her. She kept his shirt in her hands, though, in case he didn't. She cocked her head as he stepped toward her a little closer. As he answered her face grew blank, the only thing in her eyes the reflection of the water. She shifted slowly to her toes so she'd be slightly taller, looked over his face for a second, then kissed him.

[//Kitteh.]

<sub>Zach felt herself come closer to him, and he soon leaned into the kiss. His hands moved closer towards her hips, and embraced the woman in a tight hug-like manner. His eyes closed and the boy soon pulled away, after about half-a-minute. Sedona... He stated for the mere pleasure of saying her name

Glory went a little farther into the water upon the stallions teasing and gave a small tempting nicker. She half-reared in the water and sent a small amout of droplets through the air.</sub>

[S.E.C.R.E.T]

Simba shook himself out, sending water flying, and nickered int urn to Glory. She'd come this far, why not join him. He whickered again and moved off the sand to swim in the center of the pond, where it was about a foot deeper than he could reach. He returned to Glory's side after a moment, waiting for her to step forward again.

Sedona smiled against Zach's lips but she frowned slightly as he puleld away. Her eyes remained closed as she leaned toward him again, smirking as he said her name. Don't wear it out... And don't stop. She met his lips again, stepping forward and pushing her body against his, her arms encircling his neck.

Sedona pulled away after a minute, looking over his face. Her voice was still a whisper when she spoke. Finally... Her attention was pulled away by the sound of Simba splashing about in the water. She smiled slightly and looked back to Zach. Wanna swim?

[//Kitteh.]

Zach, upon being kissed a second time, went all 'gaga' over Sedona all the sudden. Dazed, he relied. "Sure!" He said, striping down untill nothing but his blue-jean pants were on. He lie his clothes on the branch that had broken, and offered a hand to Sedona.

Glory saw the sudden excitement between the small group and gave a small snort. She wasn't going to be the only one sitting out, and she was making sure of this. She began to walk towards Simba, caution in her steps. When she could no longer reach, she began swimming, peddling her feet. When reaching Simba, she nipped his soulders in a small flirtatious way and turned, swimming a few yards away

.