that fragile capricorn: APOLLO

[damien luca madden]

"I swear to God, I swear..." The mare jerked her head up, the cross-tie clips jingling as a dark head bobbed. Damien wrapped his fingers around the red nylon noseband and attempted to ease his horse's head down, but there was no use. "You're ridiculous, Miss Figaro, y'know?" A long ear switched as though responding, but the filly kept her almond eyes content on the dancing of tree branches outside.

Damien shook his head, exasperated, but couldn't help the grin that was beginning to twitch on his lips. Figgy had only been a part of the Madden family for the past two months, after months of searching for something with potential that he could afford. "Love at first sight" had met the horizon head-on, and though he and the bank weren't on the best of terms right now, the dark bay shit animal in front of him was worth every overdrawn penny.

A gloved hand ran over Figaro's velvet-esque muzzle; she flared her nostrils and dropped her head slightly, only to yank back up. Damien let out an exasperated sigh and dragged over a nearby mounting block, taking Figgy's bridle and stepping onto the plastic surface. It was a struggle, but after plethora of muttered obscenities, the cherry roller bit was in the filly's mouth and she was chomping away, playing with the cold iron in her mouth.

Taking the reins in his glove-clad hands, the equestrian gave Figaro a once-over to make sure she was set to go and headed out to the indoor arena with his helmet. After pulling the stirrups down and double checking the girth, Damien swung himself into the saddle and wiggled in his seat. "Head up, firm hand," he reminded himself, seeing as he had a nasty habit of looking down to watch Figaro's every movement as opposed to feeling it.

Speaking of the high strung Thoroughbred, she was already throwing one of her routine fits. Figgy was already 'engaged,' as though ready to spring out and run the Virginia Gold Cup. Damien played see-saw with the inside rein for a bit, working her head down until he transitioned into a working trot. All hope for a collected ride was lost when she shook her head and pulled against the bit, stepping in and out of a canter. Her rider sat deeper in the saddle and kept his leg off of her. He was quiet as he brought her to a walk and rubbed her shoulder, murmuring, "Easy there, girlie; we'll get this soon."

[apollo avery cromwell]

Apollo's old Firebird drove up the gravel drive way of B&B, a cool January breeze flowing through the open window. Creep by Radiohead was playing softly from the cars stereo as he pulled up to the main stable. Days off, those were that days that made life work life worth living. ‘pollo had planned to ride his happy go lucky little horse for the first time in awhile. He had even brought Indie his favorite treat.. It wasn’t like he hadn’t felt like riding more like the stupid little rich bitches wanted their fancy imported horse babysat 24/7 and so he hadn’t had time for his own baby. Apollo grabbing his helmet from the passenger seat and got out his car. It was surprisingly warm for January, well it was California. He walked into the stables hands shoved in his pockets keeping an eye out for Indies stall. The little bay gelding stuck its head out the stall and whinnied happily at the sight of ‘Pollo. Apollo plucked a few of the brightly colored jelly beans and held them out to his horse, laughing lightly Indie gobbled the beans happily. He scratched the happy ponies’ neck and kissed his nose before head and getting all the horses tack and his grooming box.

Indi kept nipping at ‘Pollo’s thigh as he groomed his shaggy winter coat. Indie was good at standing still while being groomed, even if it was just in his stall, just god forbid you have or smell like jelly beans. Apollo rushed through the rest of the tacking up process without much of a hitch. He slipped the reins over Indies head and led him out of his stall and to the indoor ring. He watched for a few moments as a guy worked with an excited mare. Apollo open the gate as softly as he possibly; as not to stir up the mare anymore; and he led his horse in. All the jumps had been put down so Apollo put the reins back over Indies head and left him standing near the mounting block as Apollo went to work on the jumps. Indie wouldn’t go anywhere, just stand there calmly waiting nicely for his owner to return. Apollo set up some pretty high jumps, oxers double cross rails, gymnastics, and even a make believe water jump. ‘pollo walked back over o his horse; who looked hopelessly bored and mounted up from the ground. He gripped the reins tightly and nudged the small horse forward into a moving walk along the fence.
▐ T A G G E D » Damien
▐ W O R D S » 0 5 2 2
▐ O U T F I T » same as the picture except with the hair from my sig.
▐ L Y R I C S » PANIC AT THE DISCO
▐ N O T E S » SORRY LOL IT'S KIND OF BAD
▐ C R E D I T S » TO BROOKE FROM CAUTION!

[damien luca madden]

Figgy seemed relentless when it came to aggravating her owner. She arch her neck and respond when she was asked to collect, but she'd always end up shaking her head and taking small leaps. Damien's groan was audible as he tried to turn Figaro into tight circles, only to have her lunge out when he tried going large again. The dark bay mare's nostrils were already heaving out puffs of dry winter air. "C'mon, Figs. Let's just try to be quiet and have a nice warm up without breaking out a sweat," he murmured. He dropped his reins slightly, shaking his head at the irony that was his new filly. Oh, so she could relax on a free rein, but she had to go crazy whilst working?

Figaro seemed to be very aware of the fact that Damien was shortening the reins before he had even finished the task. But seeing that Damien was Jesus Christ rather Figaro-savvy, he sat deep and pulled her into a square halt when another rider had entered the arena. The equestrian's large brown eyes sauntered after the boy that had entered with a bay pony. The duo seemed familiar, but recognizing acquaintances and matching a name to a face was quite the task. Damien bit his lip and asked Figaro to pick up a free walk as the near-stranger set up jumps.

The older man picked up his reins when his filly attempted to transition into a canter from her jumpy gait. "Shhh, girlie. Shh." Damien had given up on trying to get the mare to respond when she was so stir crazy, and instead got into two-point adjusted the reins. All it took was slack on her mouth and the slightest nudge from the blunt heel of his inside boot to send her into a frenzy. Fortunately for Damien, Figaro's fighting had become less of a hassle due to how tired she was already making herself.

After a good two and a half laps around the arena (long sides in a working, short in a collected trot), the dark mare was already much more calm. Damien transitioned down to a walk beside the bay gelding when Apollo came to the fence. Figgy was practically begging to put her nostrils to Indie's but her rider had none of it. Even when the Thoroughbred's large head was fighting his grasp on the reins, he found himself able to let out a breath before speaking up: "Hi! I'm Damien. You've got a nice mount there; I've seen him working out here before." Okay, stupid thing to say, but Dame had no shame (you see what I did there?). "I, uh, I've seen you around quite a bit. I'm not the best with names, but you're a groom, I think... Right?"

[apollo avery cromwell]

Apollo kept nudging Indie forward at the walk making sure he was all stretched out. Indie tossed his head about wanting to do something more exciting then walking around. Having to carry around little kids a lot must get pretty boring. Apollo was feeling pretty bad about not spending more time out here now. Apollo squeezed the horse belly for a moment with his heel to push Indie up into a working trot. ‘Pollo posted to the ponies quick little trot, sometimes lengthening it out with alternating pressure, or slowing the trot down so he could sit the trot. After getting the feel of it he used his inside bend and spurred Indie into the canter. Indie snorted happily and held his head high in the air. ‘Pollo kept having to pull back on the reins with a slight warning when ever Indie started getting a little wonky. Apollo got his ass out of the saddle and rode a turn in two-point toward the gymnastics he had set up. Nudging him other the first cross rail they landed, jumped the second, and successfully bounded over the oxer at the end of the line. Apollo slowed Indie back down to a walk and patted his neck before pulling him back out unto the rectangle.
Apollo watched the other pair in the ring work quite interestedly. They were a good pair, the rider kept the excited mare in order. Apollo was quite surprised when the pulled up next to them on the rectangle. The guy was Damien, a quite attractive guy that he had meet several time and his horse was Figaro who Apollo had dealt with many of times. Like one time he had tried to bring her in from the field, she had reared up broken her lead line and proceeded to almost trample him. Fun times. But the mare was pretty good none the less. Apollo smiled brightly at Damien ”Hi Damien, I’m Apollo like the god. We’ve met a few times before.” he said reaching out to shake his hand. ” Yea, I am a groom, I’ve had to deal with Figaro plenty of times, she has tons of energy doesn’t she?” He said rolling his eyes. Apollo beamed at the mention of his own pony. Indie was his baby and he often acted like a proud mum at the mention of his Pony. ” Thanks! He sometimes gives the little kids around here lessons, since I haven’t had the time to ride him.” he said patting the bays neck.

▐ T A G G E D » Damien
▐ W O R D S » 0 4 3 1
▐ O U T F I T » same as the picture except with the hair from my sig.
▐ L Y R I C S » PANIC AT THE DISCO
▐ N O T E S » bleh suckola
▐ C R E D I T S » TO BROOKE FROM CAUTION!