What You See Isn't Always What You Get--OPEN

[curtisrex]

The week felt like it had been dragging by, but Curtis had gotten ahold of every bit of information he could get his hands on. It was one thing to grow up around the track and horse racing as a sport, but when you had actually gotten your own racehorse and were planning on training him yourself? Whole other ball game altogether. The more information Curtis received, the more papers he had filled out to register a stall in the racing barn under his name, hire a handler and stable hand, the more he was coming to realize that. It wasn't that Curtis was unprepared, and the last thing he wanted to do was come across as an ignorant trainer. This was a whole new territory for him, but he already knew a few things to a degree from growing up on racing. He had managed to find old race replays of horses in The Gremlin's bloodline to see the running styles they had, when they made their move, everything. He felt like a sponge, absorbing everything he could, but at the end of the day, it would be The Gremlin who would decide just how he wanted to run, and Curtis was realizing it was his job to make sure he was properly taught and that he could help the colt reach his maximum potential.

However, as a trailer was hauled into the drive and parked, the kicking, screaming horse on the inside began to discourage Curtis. Maybe this was a mistake. He was making a mistake. He couldn't do this.

"He put up a helluva fight," The driver remarked as the ramp was loaded. The whole trailer rattled and vibrated with shrill calls and rampant pacing of the horse inside. Though the minute the steel grey two year old charged out of the trailer, fighting everyone in his path on his way down, Curtis knew immediately that this was the right choice. Hell, he was in over his head, but this colt had never even run in an actual race before. His bloodline revealed so much potential, and Curtis didn't want to see him denied of that just because he was different.

Okay, maybe different was an understatement. Curtis winced, arms crossed over his chest when the colt turned and lunged with bared teeth directed at the side of the groom's face, and watched as the groom, armed with a riding whip, smacked the colt in the shoulder. "I don't think so, you son of a bitch," The guy growled, striking him across the haunches as he checked the lead sharply. The Gremlin squealed, ears pinned and cow kicked three times in the guy's direction.

"Okay, okay, enough," Curtis said sharply, stepping forward, brow furrowed in the frown that marred his features. "If you can't handle him, give the lead to someone else, don't beat the hell out of him."

"You think you can do better, tough guy? Here, you take him." The next thing he knew, Curtis had the colt's lead shoved in his direction and he found himself staring into the wrinkled face of the colt, both eyeing each other up. The Gremlin snorted, ears pinned and lips pulled taut, vibrating his head at him. "Done with that monster of a colt, anyway. He's not my problem anymore, he's yours."

"What, getting him into a stall was just too big of a task for you?" Curtis muttered, annoyed but tried to avoid displaying any tension to the temperamental colt, holding the lead and moving toward the stall he was assigned. Curtis was very well aware that just starting, he had absolutely no seniority in the racing business, but still, who the hell just tossed the lead at a new racehorse owner? The guy was lucky Curtis was actually able to handle a horse, which was more than he could say for alot of owners. But the minute that lead fell into his hands he could immediately tell that this was a very different animal. He knew that helping out with some of the other horses around the barn, knew the power that radiated from these huge, lean competitors, but he had never seen such a raw power or ferocity in a horse since he had narrowly missed getting a chunk taken out of his shoulder by Darius Everwood and Emilia Alexander's Diablo d'Oro. Especially for a colt this young. Curtis kept the underside of his fist with a taught lead pressed to Grimm's chest to avoid the colt lunging out and yanking the lead out of his hands, trying to keep him under control as he jigged, danced and skittered his way alongside Curtis to the stall he was assigned, but not before Curtis led him to the crossties.

The moment he had the opportunity, Grimm snaked his head and bared his teeth, threatening a bite he moment Curtis' shoulder was close enough. Curtis was quick to dodge the bite and batted at his muzzle in response to shoo him away. It took two other more helpful stable hands who were fair game targets of Grimm's assault and abuse while Curtis felt like he was playing a game of Frogger, unwrapping one leg after another while the colt tried to leap in the air in the crossties, rearing up and thrashing. The moment Curtis saw a hoof out of his peripheral vision elevated over his head he was quick to duck out of the way and scramble under the crosstie rail as he and the two stable hands tried to calm Grimm down.

[Darius Lassiter Everwood]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, background-color: f9f9f9; border: #838b74 solid 10px; width: 420px; padding: 15 5 15 5px;] the dreams in which i'm dying Darius had heard the commotion long before he had seen it, and he knew the source as well. He had advised Curtis not to buy the grey. They didn't know how the horse had run before, and to be honest, he didn't know who was going to jockey the colt either. He would have suggested Anthony, but he doubted it. Kayla might have been game, but she would probably just take one look at The Gremlin and tell Curtis he was insane. Leaving Ghost's stall, Darius used the cane to walk to the stall that had been reserved for Curtis, seeing him the cross ties. You're insane, you do know that? Darius told him with a grin, keeping well away from the horse that made Dee look a complete angel. Any horse with Hastings blood in them needed to be watched carefully, but Grimm would probably just turn into an even uglier version of that horse. If you wanted a death wish, I could always just ask you to ride Diablo, he commented, once more returning his attention to Grimm. The colt had a good, strong build, would probably grow a bit more as he matured, but that personality would make any person think twice about the colt. The real test would come when the colt had to be taken out on the track and into a starting gate, if they could get him even remotely close to one. It would be Dee all over again and that had been a struggle that would make most people wince. Darius had been keeping quiet about the black devil colt, mainly because he knew how much the horse meant to Emilia. Oh, Curtis. Emilia and I are going to Bruges for a few weeks, so I'm leaving you responsible for the training, he said, looking the man in the eye. Night is slowly being brought back into work, so just keep an eye out. If she looks unwell, don't hesitate in calling the vet. The horses are getting two weeks off during Christmas and New Years, and we'll be back by then, he finished off, shifting his weight to the cane that he was walking with again. His new prosthetic was taking some getting used to, but he was sure that he would be walking without it in a few days. are the best i've ever had tagged tags words 0 muse muse notes notes credits irish & gary jules! if you would like a template, ask, please do not steal!

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[curtisrex]

Curtis straightened, rubbing the back of his neck when he heard the familiar voice and footsteps approached. Hearing what was said, Curtis chuckled, shaking his head.

"Wouldn't be the first time I've heard that," Curtis responded, crossing his arms over his chest and looked in Darius' direction. A part of Curtis knew he should of listened to Darius, but he couldn't help but feel like this colt would end up up in a horrible situation if he didn't at least try. He exhaled slowly, hearing Darius mention Dee and grinned.

"True, but I feel like I might at least stand a chance on this one. Dee would just be suicide. I don't know how Anthony does it." He responded with a grin. Nonetheless, the big black horse was indeed successful. His little grey coly hadn't even been raced yet. Curtis remembered the look on Darius' face when he told him his lines, and the moment he had traced it to Fair Play's viciously tempered sire, Darius had balked. Curtis didn't blame him. The more he read about Hastings, the more his stomach dropped, realizing that there was a very good chance the colt could end up just like him.

"I don't know if I should let him settle for a week or jump into training him," Curtis remarked, watching the colt paw furiously. "He's already crawling up the walls as it is."

When Darius mentioned how he and Emilia were going to Bruges, Curtis looked in his direction to listen, brows shooting up when he mentioned he was going to leave him responsible for the training. That wasn't only a huge responsibility, but if Darius trusted the care of all of his horses to Curtis, it said something.

"Wow.. Darius, that's a huge opportunity. I won't let you down." Curtis promised him, especially hearing what he said about Night, retaining the information he gave him. "Bruges, huh? That'll be a great trip."

[Darius Lassiter Everwood]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, background-color: f9f9f9; border: #838b74 solid 10px; width: 420px; padding: 15 5 15 5px;] the dreams in which i'm dying Hastings. The one horse’s bloodlines that Darius chose to avoid like the plague, mainly because the stallion’s temperament seemed to pass on to his offspring and then carried on through the bloodline. The best example would be the horse he was staring at. The Gremlin. The colt would have been a brilliant runner if they could actually manage to get him onto the track and into a starting gate. He wondered what advice he could give to Curtis on the colt, but he didn’t know the horse. If it was Darius then he would have rested the colt for a few days, put him in a paddock and just allow him to be a horse before the training started. If they could have actually seen the colt run, what made him tick, they would have an idea where to start, but it was like raising a foal that had been born out of a mare he owned. Literally a slate that was clean, except Grimm’s had been written on in gibberish and then handed to Curtis. Darius scrutinised the colt, much like he had done Dee when he had met the black colt, and his first thought was to put a bullet in the horse’s head, but there were two deciding factors that had kicked in. The first had been Emilia, who had forced him to see the good in the devil colt, and the second was Curtis, who had seen something in a crazy horse, and was willing to risk it all. Casting a look at Curtis after the offer had been made, he smiled. Darius trusted Curtis enough to hand him a few million dollars worth of horses, but it also gave Darius the peace of mind when it came to travelling that his horses would be well looked after. Yup, he grinned, eyes twinkling mischievously. I’m going to ask Em to marry me. It’s about time I think, he said softly, only for Curtis’ ears to hear. News spread fast, especially in a barn, but this was one piece of news that he didn’t want Emilia to hear. I’d say, put him into a paddock for a few days, lunge him, no rider, no saddle, nothing. Then, when he lets you know he’s ready, then you start the basics again. Back him to a saddle, then a rider, then the track, Darius suggested, leaning against a wall. He knew he would have to go over everything that was meant to happen in the next few weeks. Sugar had various vet appointments to go through, Night the same. Then the stallions that had mare’s to cover. It was a hectic Christmas month, but he was sure that Curtis would cope. are the best i've ever had tagged Morg.Curtis words 452 muse The Vampire Diaries notes -rolls-credits irish & gary jules! if you would like a template, ask, please do not steal!

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[curtisrex]

Looking in Darius' direction as he spoke of his plan to propose to Emilia; hence his trip to Bruges, Curtis' eyebrows shot up, his smile creeping across his face. This was news. Curtis knew that it was bound to be only a matter of time before Darius proposed to her, but hearing it thrilled Curtis for the both of them.

"Really? That's fantastic, Darius, congratulations." Curtis said with a grin, gently clapping the man he considered a friend on the shoulder. He was excited for the both of them, and could only imagine Emilia's reaction when Darius popped the question. He didn't doubt for a second that the woman would be overjoyed.

"What made you decide? Not that you guys aren't great together, you are, I'm just curious," Curtis asked. He hadn't gotten to talk to Darius in awhile and this was no doubt a reason to catch up with him. He took in what Darius suggested for Grimm, making a mental note to give that a go.

"Hoping he at least lets me close enough to him to try that," Curtis added, crossing his arms over his chest. Something told him that this was going to be more difficult than described. He had known that from the start, but was realizing it more and more by the minute when he looked at the steel grey colt.

[Darius Lassiter Everwood]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, background-color: f9f9f9; border: #838b74 solid 10px; width: 420px; padding: 15 5 15 5px;] the dreams in which i'm dying Darius grinned at Curtis at the congratulations, knowing in his heart that he was making the best decision in his entire life. I don’t know. It just feels wrong calling her girlfriend now. She is so much more that now. She’s my entire life, he said, a fond smile on his features as he took in the grey colt in front of him. He had no idea how to train a horse like Grimm, seeing that he had never really taken a liking to crazed horses, which meant he had tried to avoid buying them at all costs. I don’t know. I really don’t. Each horse is different, but I say that you should give him a chance. He’s got the look and the bloodline of a champion, he said as he tilted his head to the side, still observing the colt. There really was something about the colt that gave the look of a champion. Darius could see it in the horse’s eyes, past the anger. It was there. Grimm was one of those horses who would run his heart out for the correct rider and trainer. Granted, it would be absolute hell to get him even to run, but if would take a lot to get him to that point.I don’t know Curtis. I really don’t. I’ve never trained one like him before, he admitted, running a hand through his hair. It was an odd case. Dee was just downright bad tempered, but Grimm, he was angry and frustrated. It was as if he was misunderstood, but he was sure that Grimm had been beaten into running, and that hadn’t worked. First find a jockey that he likes. You could always ask Kayla or Mackenzie, he suggested with a grin, They’re young, but ride really well. Darius saw the familiar black head stick her head over the door, the filly eyeing Grimm intently. With a snort, she withdrew her head, done eyeing up her competition. I think we may have found him a training partner, he commented with a grin. are the best i've ever had tagged Morgause.Curtis words 342 muse TBBT notes -flops- credits irish & gary jules! if you would like a template, ask, please do not steal!

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