New to This? ((Vanessa))

[will]

"William, could you come here for a moment," Mrs. Renee said after a short class lesson ended. The orphanage always had petty classes such as this. "Yes, ma'am?" He asked. It was only tradition to call your superiors ma'am and sir, whether the poor defenseless orphan liked it or not. Will leaned against the wall, his books shifting to his side. "You're grades, Mr. Senetta, are falling so low it's not even worth counting," she said all in one breath. Will raised an eyebrow, but remained silent. She opened her mouth, closed it, and then opened it again. "In class... it's like you aren't even there... you stare at me, but your eyes just don't... they look vacant!" She huffed, looking frustrated. Can't find words for Will's "horrible behavior, no doubt. "Whenever I call on you, you can't answer and your tests on everything but bloody animals show negative! What are you planning to be when you grow up?!" She clamped her hand to her mouth as if she had said a nasty word. Will knew what this was about. "I don't know yet," he replied truthfully, but in his mind he had a fantasy.

"Figured as much," she muttered. Will squeezed his lips shut into a thin line. Don't say anything. Don't say anything. The chant in his mind didn't help him relax after that remark. "I know you do better in... that other school you go to, so why aren't you giving your full effort here?" She demanded. Will slouched farther on the wall. "I dunno." "Never say 'dunno.' If you want to sound intelligent and proper, you say don't know. And stop slouching, young man. I demand to know why you won't try here but do there." She put her hands on her hips, her lips thinning as Will didn't correct his posture. Will knew the full reason why this was happening, but saying it was a whole different matter. "I'll do better from now on," he told her. Just shut up... please! "Oh, I've heard that excuse before." She squawked, but let him pass. "You better stick to it, Mr. Senetta, or we'll have another chat like this in the future! Mark my words!" Will pushed his books farther up his sides as he walked down the hall. "Mark my words," he imitated under his breath, letting his anger boil down to a sub-normal. If he had yelled at her, it would have probably been something of a bad thing. Like detention, perhaps? That would suck. "I don't make an effort, Mrs. Renee, because I don't want to. I don't belong here." Will said to himself, wishing he had said that instead of letting her stomp all over him.

"Hey boy. Long time no see." He patted Luce's neck tenderly, and hugged his neck, breathing in that all too familiar smell. Nothing could possibly smell better then this horse here. Maybe he should put Lucifer in a contest for best smell... Will laughed and continued to stroke his horse's neck, looking him over with the eye of a perfectionist. Lucifer's gleaming black body shone in the sunlight, but his mane looked rather tangled. "What have you been getting into boy?" Will sighed. He had just brushed Luce this morning! He went to the small bucket at the corner and picked up a brush used only for the mane, as he was told at the store. He passed it through his mane several times until the knots were gone. Luce looked rather bored; half asleep almost. "C'mon, where's the action?" Oh, if only horses could only talk, that was what this horse would say. Will nodded to himself, put the brush back in the bucket, and stepped back to survey his work. "You look pretty, boy. Almost like a girl, eh?" Luce only snorted.

William knew a nice place a few miles away where you could clean your horse, bath it, and all that good stuff. It was also for boarding and had a small shop attached to the stable where you could buy all sorts of horse stuff. Will simply fell in love with it when he first went there. The orphanage wasn't so far away from it, and in the forest where Luce was kept were a few trails. Perfect for any horse lover to get around undisturbed. Will personally liked the main path, since Lucifer had to interact with horses more in order to establish some sort of friendship besides his mates at the pasture. The main trail went to that stable/store/boarding/school place. This was were Will went now, as he was interested in the store and visiting with some of the horses, which he was very good friends with. As he and Luce rode over the bumpy trails, Will smiled with the delight a small child could hold after gaining a piece of candy. Obviously, Will was fascinated with horses and couldn't get enough of them, especially the devil horse, Lucifer. Named after the devil himself. Will harrumphed dutifully at that and started posting for practice. He would need it. After a few miles passed, a stable came into view. Will put Luce in a canter and the finally came up to it. The whole place still looked Christmasy but that was expected; it was only two days after it. Will had gotten everything he wanted for Christmas. The stable was huge and the acres behind it even larger. Horses stood outside, frolicking around or chomping on grass. The store windows showed that a light was on inside and Will saw someone move within it. He slowed Luce to a trot and they trotted into the stable, (the first out of three) and then halted his stallion with a sharp tug of the reigns. The other horses whinnied their hellos and Will smiled at them all.

"Hello there, William," the kind old man in the shop said. Will smiled. "Hi." He didn't see this man that much anymore, and had forgotten his name over time. Indeed, the last time he had seen him was probably the beginning of summer. He avoided using names because of this. He shot a glance out the window that faced the barn and saw Luce, tied to a pole, prancing about, showing off to everyone else. "You want that polished, huh?" The man asked upon spotting the tack in Will's hands. Will nodded and set it on the counter for the man to take behind the door behind the desk. He was gone in a few moments, and Will turned around back to Luce in the barn. "Let's go run around outside, boy." Luce shook his head in a nod. Will grinned and pulled him outside. He had ridden bare-back far more times then with a saddle. He grasped Luce's newly combed mane and heaved himself upward, swinging his left leg over the horse. There was a meadow behind the barns where a horse could just gallop. That was their destination. "You know, that Mrs. Renee doesn't deserve my time of day," William told Lucifer as the walked slowly toward the meadow. Luce understood him. "I just don't know what..." Will pulled Luce to a stop just in time, for a person had darted in front of him unexpectedly.

((Agh! Long post again! My starting posts are always long, it seems! Oh, and I hope that worked out for you. I tried to make the place seem like anyone could be there, so yeah. If it's a problem, then tell me and I'll modify it. ))

[vanessa]

Why was she here? Oh, yes, the horse show Jasmine was making her stay for. Vanessa didn't like Wales too much, in fact she perferred Manchester to it - which was surprising because Vanessa despised Manchester. But Wales? She just felt very out of place when she was in Wales. Maybe it was because she hardly knew anyone, therefore making her shy - not that she wasn't normally shy, but this just made her shy tenfold. If Jasmine hadn't asked her to come along with her to a horse show - Vanessa would be in Manchester at this exact moment; locked in her room and writing a new song. Vanessa didn't hate horses, she actually kind of liked them - but she wasn't overly crazy about them as Jasmine was. Piano was always her thing, piano and dance - and her heart was closed off to practically anything or anyone else.

Vanessa had awoken to a missing Jasmine, but there was a note - saying Jasmine wouldn't be back until later; leaving Vanessa to wander the streets of Wales aimlessly. What fun. Maybe she could find a shop with a piano or just some random place that allowed her to play the pianos there. God, she was obsessed. Oh well. Vanessa finished pulling the brush through her long brown hair and kept it down - hoping it would give her some warmth. She grabbed her jacket and slipped that on as well, while leaving the place they were staying. She had no idea where it was. But it had a field and such. Vanessa hadn't pryed at all into the whereabouts of their stay - so she hoped to God she wouldn't get lost while wandering today.

Sure enough, two hours later, Vanessa ran infront of a boy with a horse. Her hair flying infront of her face and her feet aching from trying to find her way back. Her eyes were set in frustrated determination and her hands were chapped from the cold. All she had wanted to do was play the piano! She couldn't even do that! Her jeans were soaked from the dew on the grass, and/or the sweat running down - she wasn't sure anymore. She had stripped off her jacket after about 30 minutes of running, only to put it back on the next 30 minutes when she decided to walk because of the cramp in her side. Today was definitely not her day.

Was it her, or did that boy seemed to be talking to the horse? No matter. She had seen Jasmine do stranger things. Vanessa crossed her arms and looked at the boy, who looked slightly familiar to her but no name came to mind; "Um...hi? Can you point to the direction of the nearest place of civilization? I have been running for the past two hours...probably in circles." Vanessa sighed and tucked her hair behind her, letting the wind snap against her ear - surely it would fall off sooner or later from the cold.

((No problem. It helped actually. Normally I would drive myself insane thinking of a reason why Vanessa would be in Wales, but Jasmine helped, and then you helped with that place. So... all good. And would I expect anything less of you then a long post? Of course not!))

[will]

Will looked over Luce's neck in an attempt to see the girl who's voice had come to him through the wind. "Hey." Will's attempt to see her failed. Luce was simply too tall and the girl didn't match his height. Will slid off his back and held on to Luce's halter, which was the only tack he was wearing, just in case something like this happened. Of course, most people don't run in front of a horse like that. This girl didn't seem to know much, especially that simple rule about looking before crossing a street. This place was as good as a street, and the horses made for cars. William leaned against his black stallion, holding on to the bottom part of the halter.

"Civilization? Well, I usually don't talk to strangers but..." He thought about it and then smiled. "I guess this can be an exception, eh? But, I can't really help you that much on that note. You seem to be - " He wanted to say, 'doing well on your own,' but that seemed like an over-statement, for the girl didn't seem to know where she was at all. Her knees were dirtied and her hair a mess, probably from the blasting wind. She appeared to be very cold and very... frustrated? Ah, Will wasn't good at reading people's faces, especially when hair was there. "The nearest civilization is a good seven miles away, if you're looking for a town. If you are looking for just a building, this is one and the other is around three miles away. But on a horse's back, it seems more like one for three miles." Will added, feeling proud of his capability to travel around.

"You look chilled. Want to come into the stable? It's warm there, but I hope you like horses and how they smell." William smiled earnestly at her, even though his gallop through the field had been looked forward to. She obviously needed help and he wouldn't mind being the person who gave it. "I could get you a hot coco too. Oh - and if you do mind horses, then you could always go into the small shop at the back." Not liking horses? Impossible! Will leaned more against Luce, looking like he needed something stable to hold him up. "And if you want to keep going, you won't make it before dusk, and that's if you know your way around. If you want... well, do you like horses, I guess is what I'm trying to get out?" He smiled and turned Luce around so he was standing with the girl on his right side and Luce on his left. "But first, let's go inside and get something warm for you." He led the way into the stable, making sure that the girl followed behind him.

When he entered inside, the horses all looked over their stall doors and watched them come in. Will gave them all a welcoming smile. The stalls lined the walls, with little space in between. Will turned back to the girl with a raised eyebrow. "Oh, hang on." He quickly remembered Luce. There was about three empty stalls in the stable and that was where he led Luce, closing the door safely behind him. "Okay," Will finally came back over to stand next to her. "We can get something to drink in there, if you want." He pointed to the shop at the end of the barn. "Or... well, I dunno. What do you want to do?" Will suddenly remembered his manners. "Yeah, and my names William Senetta," he added, with an apologetic smile.

[vanessa]

Horses! Vanessa, sighed, agitated if only a little and smiled at him - it looked a bit forced, "I don't mind horses. My best friend's in love with them. Actually, that's kind of why I'm here in Wales - Jasmine's here for a horse show which she drug me along too. She left me at the place we were staying and I was looking for a piano to play - but instead I found myself getting lost, which if you know me - isn't really anything new." Normally, Vanessa was shy and completely polite - but she was too frustrated and extremely exhausted to consider being shy. She wanted nothing more than a restroom so she could change how she looked - but the look of that right now seemed very slim, considering she wasn't sure if this boy was a muggle or not.

Vanessa bit her lip and looked off into the distance, "Seven miles, you say? Lovely. Well, if you don't mind I think I will like that cup of cocoa - I'm completely frozen from the inside out. I guess, this shows me to go running off without a companion or guide, yeah?" Vanessa shook her head at her stupidity and licked her bottom lip - as if that could heal the chappedness of it. She should have brought her chapstick, but she wasn't aware that she would get lost and need it. Then again, she should have known herself better than to think she wouldn't get lost. The boy was leading her to a stable, and Vanessa obediently followed.

There were horses in the stalls, and the familiar smell greeted Vanessa. She smiled as the boy put away his horse and then came back, pointing to a shop and introducing himself, "Vanessa White." She replied with a nod of apology as well, after all she should have introduced herself when they had first started conversing, "And a drink sounds lovely, but first - may I use the restroom? I feel dreadful in these clothes..." Vanessa sent him a hopeful smile and waited for his response. Of course, she didn't think he would say no - she had to appear like a homeless girl, but she thought it would be rude if she didn't ask. Besides, she'd probably get lost looking for the restrooms on her own anyway.

[will]

"Jasmine, did you say?" Will smiled distantly as he remembered the times he had talked to Jasmine. Once when they were on the horse trails that this girl probably got lost on, and another at Diagon Alley. She seemed a horse-lover and Will had enjoyed talking to her. He smiled at her as she commented it wasn't anything new for her to get lost. Well - if that was the case, should Will be surprised? He decided a reply was unnecessary and probably dangerous, for most people got offensive at things like that. "Seven miles." Will repeated solemnly. "Kind of long. Yep. You shouldn't be running around in the winter weather anyway, since winter is cold." William smiled gently and rubbed his own arms, trying to warm them up.

The stable was warm and very comfortable. William could fall asleep in the hay here if he wanted, but that was out of the question. Will kept his eyes on the girl, who introduced herself as Vanessa White. It sounded familiar, but whether it really was or William was thinking up something still remained to be seen. The latter was a very good possibility, as Will seemed to suffer from short-term memory on more then one occasion. "Oi, yes. Restrooms. They're over in the shop too, so we might as well go in there." Will walked over to the small shop and opened the door for Vanessa. Gentlemen, he wasn't. Trying to be a gentlemen for a change, yuppers. Not going to work. But - the Orphanage always said he needed more manners. William smirked if only to himself and walked in after Vanessa. It was even warmer in the shop. The heating vents must be working on the double.

"Restrooms. They are..." He did a quick spin on his right heel to look around the shop. Stopping in mid-spin, he pointed at the left corner of the shop, were a small hall lead to the restrooms. Will nodded at it for confirmation. "Right there." He smiled. "I'll have your hot cocoa made in a jiffy too, promise." He turned around and walked to the back of the shop to where the man was polishing his tack still. "Is it okay if I make some hot chocolate?" Will asked, thinking it polite to ask instead of just going ahead and making it. The back of the shop behind the desk was more like a small home. The owner slept here and made things here, so it included a fridge, microwave, oven, you name it. The man nodded, not looking up from his tedious work. "Okay." Moments later, Will had two steaming mugs of hot chocolate made and ready. He walked back to the shop and sat down in one of the five seats available for people who needed to wait for something for a long period of time. Will carefully placed the other mug on the seat. "Whoa," was all he muttered when the cup precariously balanced on the edge of the chair. He was left with no choice but to put it on the floor. With a smile, he clamped his hands around his own mug. A deep intake of breath at first, but he soon grew accustomed to the heat and was now waiting for Vanessa to come out of the bathroom.

[vanessa]

"Yay!" Vanessa said as Will pointed to the restroom. She walked in that direction, and walked in - closing the door behind her. She bit her lip, locking it as well, she couldn't take any chances. She pulled out her wand and waved it infront of her. Her brown hair was clean, and brushed so it was silky. She had a little bit of makeup on, and a fresh pair of clothes - but they were the exact same ones. Vanessa hid her wand again and looked around the bathroom. It was quaint, and Vanessa didn't feel too claustrophobic in it. She sighed and thought it would be safe for her to leave the restroom now. But if Will asked how was she going to explain the sudden clean clothes? Vanessa shrugged it off - surely she could think of some lie from the top of her head.

She found Will sitting down, one cup in his hand and another on the floor. She walked over, picked up the cup on the floor and sat down beside him; "Thanks." She said, raising the cup as if to add on the unnecessary 'for the cocoa.' Vanessa took a drink of it, allowing it to burn her tongue but not calling out as she usually would. She was silent for a moment before finally deciding to talk, "I'm sorry if I ruined any plans you had. You seemed to be on your way to do something. Um, I think I'll use the phone and call Jasmine - if you want to go ahead and do what you were going to do."

Vanessa didn't like to be an intrusion or impose on anyone, she always thought it was slightly rude - even if it was absolutely necessary. She smiled kindly at Will before taking another sip of her cocoa. It warmed her and sent shivers up and down her spine, but not the cold kind...the content kind. The kind she got when she just finished composing a song. She felt proud of herself when she was done, and happy that she could accomplish something like that. She never felt that way with anything else. Not even her studies. Sure, Vanessa was studious - but her music was always something more to her than her studies. Maybe that's why she wasn't sorted into Ravenclaw.

When Vanessa met Muggles, she tried to sort them. Few were sorted into Slytherin - because the people she socialized with thought her as their equal not someone lower than her. Many were placed in Gryffindor, but that was possibly because half of them were fake. Some were in Hufflepuff - and there were few in Ravenclaw. She sat here now, thinking what house Will would be in - but she didn't know him well enough to place him just yet. She sighed and looked over at him; "So...you like horses?" What were the chances of someone else in the world loving horses almost as much as Jasmine did...slim to none, thats what.

[will]

William raised a quirky eyebrow as Vanessa came back from the restrooms. Was it him, or did she look a lot cleaner? Her hair looked perfect, her clothes, crisp and dry. "Nice." Was all William commented on, as he smiled. Maybe he had guessed wrongly in thinking this girl was a muggle. Of course - he realized with a slight grin - she was friends with Jasmine, who was a witch. The chances that she was a witch also were very large, especially after this. William gave her a brief nod as she raised the mug. "Oh, no problem. And - I only put it on the floor for safety precautions." He said with a grin and a wink. "It didn't feel like sitting in a chair, so the floor was the only place left for it." Will wagged his head up and down to prove it, and then burst out laughing. "Sorry, chocolate does this to me." He admitted, with another wink. Chocolate did make William hyper; almost all sugar did. Of course, if something came up he could go from hyper-active to seriously calm, but it had to be something big to make such a drastic change.

"Just a conversation." Will said with a smile if as she commented about ruining something. It was true - he had been wanting to talk to Luce for a while, but staying with Vanessa was fine as well. "Oh, well... " Vanessa leaving so quickly seemed strange. "I'm not going to stop you." He said finally. "The phones over there." He pointed it out; right next to the desk. Will took a sip of the hot cocoa and it warmed his insides; not as good as butterbeer, but it would do. For now. Vanessa then asked something that seemed extremely funny to Will. He laughed, but it was with good-nature, not a mocking one. "Me, like horses? Did you not hear me talking to Luce outside?" He raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Of course! I love horses! Lucifer is my other half, and he understands me better then any other human. And he proves to me all the time that he is not an IT but a HE. No IT!" William scoffed. It, for an animal?! Honestly! "He's more human then most, and his personality's like a sparking electric wire. When I'm away from him, I feel like I left half of myself back home, back with Luce. He and I fit together so well, it's just amazing when we ride together."

William stopped his unceasing babble in time to breathe. Taking a deep breath, he was about to break into another rant about him and Luce, when he realized he might be boring Vanessa. He stopped in mid-breath and tilted his head at her. "Have you ever ridden before? I feel like ridding right now, and some company would be nice. Luce likes riding with other horses... well, sort of. But... unless you want to go home now?" He looked at the dreadful phone with displeasure; it was ruining his evening. He looked back at Vanessa with puppy dog eyes ready. "Please? Don't make me get on my knees!" He thought for a moment, and then grinned. "Unless you're gonna fall off? Eh? Scared?" He meant it more as a fun challenge then an insult. He wiggled a suggestive eyebrow at her and took a drink of his warm chocolate, keeping his eyes on her over the rim.

[vanessa]

Vanessa smiled shyly and looked down at the hot cocoa in her hands as Will laughed at her question, though she was certain he wasn't meaning anything by it - it probably had just struck him as funny, she still felt her cheeks get hot. Maybe it was because of the steam, whatever the reason, Vanessa didn't like it too much. But what he said struck her interest and she cocked an eyebrow at him, and asked with a coy smile, "Who would dare take you away from your horse? I couldn't see you parted from him for more than an hour or so. I wouldn't be surprised if you slept in the barn next to him." She laughed as she said this, but she was joking - and he hoped he saw it as her being friendly and not smart.

She looked back down at her hot cocoa, that shy smile placing back on her lips. Her brown eyes danced as she envisioned her fingers touching the keys, her spirit coming alive. Vanessa looked back up at Will and tried to make a connection, "I don't know if this is the same, but when I play my piano - it's as if it is a part of me. Like, if I left it, I wouldn't be able to live. Like it was my heart. It is my heart. My music...it's...everything to me. When my fingers touch the keys and play the music that I wrote...it's...everything. It makes me whole. Like I can do anything." She had a goofy happy grin on her face, and she realized how much of a lunatic she sounded. Vanessa looked back down at her cocoa and took a sip, keeping her eyes down.

This was why she lost many friends, or possible new friends. She spoke too much. She said too much about her piano. Everyone thought she was insane to believe her piano could feel her thoughts, but there was nothing like it. Nothing. Sure, she could play other pianos - but hers? Hers was a part of her. It had so many memories. And it saddened Vanessa to only be able to play it over the summer hols and all the other holidays. Sure, the one at Hogwarts did fine - but it wasn't like her baby grand at home. Nothing was like it. Nothing. Vanessa sighed and nearly jumped out of her seat as Will caught her attention by pleading with her to go horseback riding with him, "Uh...yeah, I've ridden before. Can't say I'm good at it...but I've done it." She bit her lip, "The second question, however, I would very much like to - but...I don't want to impose...really."

((Meh, I'm a bit redundant in this post, but I don't care. I got it out of me .))

[will]

Will smiled earnestly as Vanessa seemed to get his point. "Sleep in the barn? I've tried it before, but I woke up with cramps everywhere. Haven't tried since." The only problem with that was Will didn't have a barn to sleep in. He only had a pasture, and that meant outdoors. No hay, no nothing. Just the sky above you, the ground below you, and your horse beside you. Lovely, really. It's the most wonderful feeling of abandon one could actually have during a lifetime. Will shook his head. "School, that's what takes him away from me. School, and the orphanage." Will paused, considering. "Did I ever tell you I was an orphan? Well - I am. My parents died before I could remember, and I've been at the orphanage ever since." William watched her for a reaction, and then took another drink of his hot chocolate. It tasted so good... he could hardly get enough! Will smiled and nodded his head encouragingly for Vanessa to go on.

"Truthfully, I've never played an instrument of any kind. But - it does resemble what I feel for Lucifer." William smiled thoughtfully. "Yes. You put your feelings into the piano, and it seems... like it's part of you, right? It puts you in a whole different world, and when you stop, you just want to go right back in. You feel like the piano understands you, and when you play it, your own song plays out on the keys." William grinned and stopped. "Did I summarize it right? From what you told me, it sounds like the piano really is something just as alive as Luce; only you make it alive, because you are it. Tell me if I sound crazy..." Will bit his lip, suddenly feeling small for saying such things. Maybe he had said everything wrong. Will wasn't normally in embarrassment, and sooner then later, he shrugged it off.

"Oh, c'mon. Believe me, it's a great experience. Especially when you're outside and not in some cramped arena." Will smiled and jumped up, grabbing Vanessa's hand. If he didn't, he was afraid he would leave her behind, as she seemed hesitant about whether or not to go forward with this. "We'll leave our drinks here. Don't worry, this place is steaming hot. It won't get cold." He dragged her out to the barn and stood there, surveying the stable with a keen eyes. He didn't realize he still had his hand clasped around her's until he raised his hand to point, bringing her's up with his. "Oh, whoops." Will smiled and pointed with his now free hand. "You could pick a horse from here, or if you want some real excitement, you can ride Luce. But - if you want to ride Lucifer, you can ride bare-back, or we can ride at the same time... you know, two people on a horse's back at the same time? Or... you can pick one of these. Up to you." William looked at her with quizzical eyes. "I'm not... forcing you into this, am I?" He suddenly asked, feeling concerned. He certainly was forcing her, if Vanessa didn't exactly like riding that well.

((Lol. Your post was perfect. As always. ))

[vanessa]

She didn't know how she should react to him being an orphan. Actually, if you thought of it a certain way - so was Vanessa. When her mother died, her father completely shut down and it was as if she were an orphan. Taking care of herself and becoming her own person. But other than that, she never really understood what it was like not to know her parents. After all her mother had died when she was ten, so she knew her quite well; "No. You didn't mention that. I would say I'm sorry - but I know how much I hated that when my mum died. So I'll just say nothing at all."

She hoped she hadn't said the wrong thing. She had a tendency to do that. Especially when she was supposed to be sympathetic. She was never good with sympathy. Vanessa grinned, a small laugh escaping her. And she shook her head in a way that was amazed; "Exactly right. I think you're the only person who has ever understood that as well as I do, much less put it into better perspective than I can ever do. Kind of a relief really, knowing there's someone else out there who understands..." Vanessa took another sip of her hot cocoa and set it down just in time to be pulled out of her seat. Will was as excited as a child at Christmas and Vanessa couldn't help but laugh.

She followed him, and laughed when he realized he still had her hand. When he started explaining everything; Vanessa chuckled; "Whoah! Slow down! I didn't hear a word of that...now, I think I got 'ride Luce,' 'ride double,' and 'ride other horse,' out of that rambling. Am I correct? Which is safer?" She raised an eyebrow at him and when he asked if he was forcing her into this, she gave him a daring smile and shook her head; "No. You aren't forcing me to do anything. Besides, you dared me into this by calling me scared, which I'm not. I must prove you wrong."

((Haha thanks, but they still don't amount up to yours .))

[will]

William smiled at Vanessa with new appreciation. "I always hate it when people say they're sorry for me. It just... annoying, and after all, it doesn't do anything at all to make the situation any better." William nodded in agreement with himself. It was just a silly notion. Real friends make you laugh, or understand, or just give you a pat on the back and converse with you, changing your own thoughts to something else entirely. Friends that hardly knew you, said "I'm so sorry!" It was a waste, and William had learned by now that most people didn't like being told from another that they were sorry. It only made friends break up in the end, and then, the word "sorry" goes ignored.

William grinned at Vanessa. "I thought I had it. But I wasn't sure. And most people don't like being thought of differently then what they really are, you know? " He shook his head. "Picky, picky, picky." He smiled and but raised an eyebrow as she said he could probably do it better then him. Describe it. "I don't think so. I mean - you are the one who feels it, not me, so you would know better what it's like. I'm just guessing here.... But I suppose the emotion is so great it's impossible to describe? Is that why you have trouble with it?" His eyes brightened and he grinned. That had to explain what was going on here. Vanessa not being able to talk about it had to be because no words could express what she was feeling. Snap! Another goal for William!

"Oh," His eyes wilted to a darker color and some of his excitement was smothered. "You want the safest? That won't be Luce then. But..." He sighed. He had wanted to have Vanessa try out Lucifer, but maybe she was smarter then Will. Using the safety idea instead of just following whatever urge came to you. William was a reckless kid, always getting into things he couldn't do that well. Him and Vanessa were opposite in this aspect. "Well, riding double with me wouldn't be that dangerous, but you would have to hold on to me real tight, because it might be bumpy on Luce. Lucifer has no tack... which is a saddle and bridle; so you would have to ride bare-back if you want to ride alone. If you want to ride double, I can always hold on to Luce good with just my legs, so you would just have to hold on to me. And if you want to ride another horse... well, I know a few of the gentle geldings here, so that would be much safer. Lucifer is a stallion so he has... um, lots of uncontrollable energy." William nodding, making sure to leave a long pause at each sentence so Vanessa could take it in. It was hard, because he just wanted to rush, but he was also being obnoxious. "Which would you prefer?"

[vanessa]

Vanessa ran her fingers through her hair before looking around at her surroundings. She finally settled on answer and turned to Will with a smile; "Um...how about another horse? I've ridden before, and I'm sure I can ride again...but riding Luce...alone, even double, would be a bit risky for me...and I would like to keep all my limbs intact." Which was completely true. She didn't want to lose a leg, or worse yet a finger. Think of how that would affect her piano playing. Then again she could become famous and be known as the 9 fingered pianist who plays marvelously and as if she doesn't only have nine fingers, but 15! Then maybe she could live in a nice mansion and eventually afford a new finger. Yes. That would be absolutely splendid!

But that all didn't matter, because she wasn't going to lose a finger. Therefore she could never be known as the pianist who only has nine fingers but plays like she has fifteen, and she won't have money to get a new finger - one she didn't need because she had all ten. Vanessa shook her head, pulling herself out of her reverie to look back at Will with a calm smile, though the thought of losing a finger still haunted her in the back of her very hectic mind, "So...where's my pony?" She asked, putting her hands on her hips and cocking her head to the side in a childish act. She wasn't serious. She understood that she couldn't demand to have a horse ready. She was only teasing. And she hoped the twinkle in her brown eyes showed him that. She didn't want Will to think her a complete cow.

"Hmm...I'm surprised." She said as she stood up straight and bit her bottom lip kind of harshly, "I mean...not at you...but at the fact that I am actually getting on a horse...again. You see, I sort of have this fear of um....heights. And horses, their rather tall, aren't they? Getting on the back of one and actually riding it places....I couldn't do that. It's hard enough to just sit on top of one, and I can follow Jasmine around but I have my eyes squint closed the whole time. Which, yeah, that does me loads of good. I end up getting lost." Vanessa looked at Will, she had stopped biting her bottom lip by now and felt heat rise to her cheeks; "But that is irrelevant."

[will]

Will grinned at Vanessa. "Oh, c'mon! Luce is a little lamb!" He grinned, but knew deep down that Lucifer was just as wild as a boar in the wilderness. If Vanessa wanted a nice easy ride, she was being logical in picking a horse from the stable. Although it disappointed Will, he didn't show it, and let himself appreciate her choice instead of despise it. With that loopy grin still on his face, William shrugged. "I don't think lots of people get their limbs chopped off while riding a horse," he said a bit defensively. "I mean, only those big bucking broncos, and those fake cowboys put the horses on medication or something to make them so wild!" Will glared at the ground, shifting his foot in the loose hay in the stable.

"But maybe you're right in choosing the easy way." Will said slowly, as he realized that he was being a little harsh on Vanessa, who might have only ridden once or twice. He gave her a quick smile to confirm that he agreed with her. "Okay, ma'am, let's go get your horsey!" Will cried, drawing out the 'ey' into an 'a' while rubbing his hands together from the cold. "We'll ride in the indoor arena, since it's easier for beginners and it's cold. You want a pony, huh? One of those little, low-belly stout ones?" Will laughed as he bounded toward the stables. "Here, I'll show you what we have here." He paused at Luce's stall, peering in at his black beauty, but only for a second. He moved on to the other side, which held all the ponies they owned. "Okay, okay. We have.... well, I'll get you a gelding one, since they're the softies." Will grinned. "I wouldn't want you getting hurt here. Not a good idea. No. So, we'll pick a happy little pony." He found what he was looking for, and made sure Vanessa was looking in the same direction before pointing them out.

"There's Harvey," Will pointed to a small white pony. "That's Scotch," he pointed to a chestnut horse that the owner swore was obese. He was wearing a halter that wouldn't let him eat, and at the moment didn't look very happy about it. "And that's Patches. I know, strange name for a horse, but they named him after... well, he's a Paint horse!" He pointed out the black and white horse that looked like a cow. "Those are all the geldings and if you want a nice mare, there's Merrylegs. You know, named after the Black Beauty book. Don't tell me you've never read it!" Will watched her with a mock suspicious look before shrugging. "Merrylegs is over five. She's the little white one...." He paused before putting his hands in his pockets. "So, pick on of those while I get Luce out. And then I'll help you saddle." He didn't even raise the suggestion that Vanessa might want to ride bare-back like he was going to - it would be a waste. He gave her a smile and sauntered over to Lucifer, taking his time to undo the latch so she could pick.

[vanessa]

Vanessa listened as Will named off the mares, and then he walked off - saying he would be back to help her. She laughed lightly and looked around, spotting a saddle and everything else that was needed. Then, she closed her eyes, and remembered everything Jasmine did on that day she went over to her house. Haha. That day was a complete disaster. Vanessa had grown up a lot since then. The whole thing with Kyle had blown away, and she wasn't so giddy and gossipy anymore. Not with anyone. That just wasn't who she was anymore. The images floated through Vanessa's mind and she mimicked them. She placed the blanket over Merrylegs' back and then set the saddle on top of the blanket softly, "It's been awhile since I've done this..." She told Merrylegs guiltily. Vanessa hadn't much taken to horse back riding, not as Jasmine had. Instead she did more music. Horse back riding she wasn't afraid of - but she didn't do it everyday.

Strapping everything correctly and checking everything, Vanessa placed the bridle on Merrylegs with a soft smile while patting her neck, "There. Perfect." She continued to pat Merrylegs neck while waiting for Will to come back. She didn't mean to do this to impress him, and if it did impress him that was a bonus. She just wanted to be able to do this without seeming like a total fool. She knew how to ride, she didn't need lessons or anything. Will seemed to believe she was completely new at horses. She wasn't. And was there a way to prove this to him? Vanessa sighed and got on the horse, looking around the stable and slightly wigging out because of the height. So she got off again and stood next to the mare with a breath of reassurance. She was going to be fine. Vanessa grinned at herself and looked over the mare once more.

"Watching puddles gather rain, there's no better place to lay, she's as fine as dandelions blowing in the wind. She's not thinking about anything, she floats, floats. Wearing black patent mary janes, she steps out into the rain, she's as dry as clear blue skies, swallowing you whole. Got no secrets, so I'm told. She floats." The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. The song she had written some time ago. Vanessa smiled and laid her head next to the mare's her breathing rising and falling in time. She closed her eyes and let her mind wander a little bit until she heard a noise near her, her eyes popped open and she glanced around.

[will]

Will didn't turn to see which horse Vanessa had picked out until Luce was completely out of his stall and was prancing freely in the aisle. She had picked Merrylegs and was now grabbing the material needed for her. William was at first confused; hadn't he said he would help her with it? But then he realized she didn't need help. It looked like she did everything perfectly. Put the right loop over the ear and so on. Will raised an eyebrow, thoroughly impressed, but hung back, trying to appear a shadow of himself to let her finish. He had moved to the holding area where all the tack was kept and was pretending to look around when really he was wondering rather aimlessly. When it was quiet for a little bit and only the sound of Luce's breathing (he had brought the large stallion in with him to the small room)was heard, did he finally came out. Only then Vanessa began to sing, startling Will. He thought of going back into hiding again, but didn't. When she was finished, he cleared his throat and grinned at her.

"Beautiful. Wonderfully excellent. Fantastic!" Will exclaimed, referring to everything she had done so far. He rocked back and forth on his heels; a sign he was always excited. Will pitched forward suddenly, dragging a rather reluctant Lucifer forward. "Oh, picked the mare, did you?" Will wasn't very surprised; most females preferred mares because of the gender thing. Will was like that too; if Lucifer had been a mare - which he didn't even dare to think - he probably would have avoided him. Vanessa wasn't much different in this aspect. "I'd say you're an intermediate." Will nodded his head at her handiwork. "Very well done. I've never seen a beginner do so well." Will smiled apologetically at her: He had thought she was some sort of newbie to this stuff. Apparently he was wrong. "Of course, you aren't up to my level yet. I'm the... putting it easily.... the master!" Will winked at Vanessa and put his hands in his pockets, searching. "Aha!" He successfully pulled out a carrot. "I always keep one of these in my pockets." Will grinned and handed it over to Vanessa. "That's my last one. Give it to Merrylegs. Don't get any ideas about Luce - he's getting very spoiled, and I swear he's gained some." Will shook his head and moved toward the northern side of the barn.

"Ready?" He asked after a couple minutes of waiting. He smiled at the size difference between Merrylegs and Lucifer. Lucifer was the naughty giant, and Merrylegs the peaceful little one. "Hey, have you ever read the books, the Lord of the Rings?" Will asked suddenly, inspired. "I was just thinking that Merrylegs looks kind of like a hobbit, don't you agree?" Will grinned wickedly with a childish glint in his eyes as he paraded down the aisle toward the large doors. Lucifer didn't much agree with the plan. He pulled, stomped, and roughly shook his head. Will could almost hear him, "No! I'm not going out until you give me a carrot too! No! I'll just shake my head until you let go, then go find myself my own carrot!" Will shook his own head and pulled with all his might toward the door. Before opening it, Will glanced back at Vanessa. "Okay. We're going to go to the second building on the left. Hold on tight to Merrylegs; she might get some inspiration to join the horses that are outside when she hears them. Then she'll bolt and gallop across the field like a wild thing. Not to scare you or anything..." Will said mischievously and he tried to decipher Vanessa's feelings on the matter. "You big dummy!" Will muttered when he opened the doors but Luce wouldn't budge. "You're letting all the cold air in. Hey," he turned to Vanessa, talking in a louder tone. "Look at this horse? Have you ever seen one like him? He could be a mule if he wanted. Just as stubborn." Will muttered crossly under his breath and tugged on the halter until Luce succumbed to the alpha male or in other words: William.

When they entered the arena, Luce became excited. He nearly jogged forward when Will opened the gate. William himself was chilled to the bone. Stupid Luce! Making him stand in the cold like that! Will glared at the stallion, who only pricked his ears forward and eagerly made a move forward, nearly stepping on Will's foot. "I swear," Will muttered as he moved toward the mounting blocks. "You're a wily little rascal yet." He turned to Vanessa and Merrylegs with a smile. "Okay. You can use the mounting block," Will pointed to the small steps that were used to get into the saddle, "if you want to get on her. I just jump on myself...." Will proved this - since it seemed unclear if he was really being truthful - by winding his hand around Luce's mane and vaulting onto his back. His bare back. Will smiled as he patted Luce's neck. "Good boy." He murmured. "Now, once you're on, do whatever is comfortable to you. I'll be everywhere, but... I'm sure you'll be fine." Will turned in his seat to watch Vanessa mount. "I hope you don't ride side-saddle." Will commented with a rather cheeky smile. "If so, I'm afraid you've mistaken something."

[vanessa]

Vanessa jumped as Will complimented her. She smiled and felt a blush rise to her cheeks but thanked him anyway. She had this thing about singing in front of her peers. It was different if she was singing in front of older people, but peers were just...bad. She didn't have much to spend on being embrassed because Will was already saying something else. She shrugged at his mention of her being an intermediate; "Best friend is Jasmine Anderson, horse lover extrodinaire. How could I not know how to do this?" She raised a quick eyebrow before accepting the carrot and feeding it Merrylegs. The horse ate it gratefully and then neighed. Vanessa smiled and then turned to follow Will out and to the arena.

After a bit of shoving Luce here and there, they finally got in. Will showed off by jumping onto the back of Luce and directed her to the mounting stool. She raised an eyebrow and climbed on the back of Merrylegs; "You really got to stop thinking I am a complete air head with fluff between my ears when it comes to horses." She told him as she steered Merrylegs toward him and Luce. It seemed the stereotype went everywhere with her, not just at Hogwarts but everywhere. Honestly did she have a sign on her face that said; "Ditz"? She didn't think so.

((I know it's short. I started this with Vanessa inspiration. And it ran out shortly afterward. :-\ I'll edit it later with some more detail, but now I just wanna, eh, I dunno. At least i replied...?))

[will]

"Gosh, settle down. I didn't mean it like that." Will said, waving his hands around to ward her off. "Geesh. If I had known you take offense so easily I would have kept my mouth shut." Thinking that might have been a bad thing to say, Will thought about it before just shrugging. "I'm sorry. Really. You've never told me how much experience you have, and I don't know if you know, but some people really hate not knowing what to do. If that made sense. In case you were one of those people, I explained how to get on. Now I know to let you go on your merry way, since you obviously know enough about horses to cope without my instruction." That might have been wrong too. Now he was getting offensive. Well, what did she expect? Him to take it lying down like some dog? Will gave her a strange look, only for a few seconds.

Nudging Lucifer with his heels, Will felt his love for riding well up inside of him. It fell like waves and made him relax. This was what he did, what he was meant to do. He could feel it in his bones, in his heart. This was what he was meant to be, a rider. He belonged with horses. Especially with this horse. Picking Luce up to a steady trot, Will went around the arena, careful to avoid Vanessa. Just in case Luce got any ideas. He was a stallion, you never knew what was going on in their minds. Leaning forward, Will got into a jockey position. He might have to do this more often. John had told him Luce was a possible racer, what with his love to out-power every other horse. A show-off, per say. The position was incredibly hard for Will; it made his legs stiffen and his neck hurt. He ached to just let his legs dangle instead of have them all bunched up like this. So this was why most jockeys were short. Will sighed. He would just have to prove himself worthy of this position.

He had to stop himself from getting lost in riding. Pulling back, he let Luce go at the same pace Vanessa was. "Okay, so you've ridden before. I can see that." He agreed, if only a tad sullenly.