Heartbeat of Perfection 'OPEN'

[Melanie Black]

...Melanie...
…When you open your heart and believe in the gift of a friend

Warmth of the sun stretched out over her gaze. Blanket covered the piercing light as the female stretched her beautiful slender body. Slipping out of the cover she turned the lights off, and opened her eyes. A pair of beautiful yet slim grayblue eyes stared back at a blond hued seventeen year old. She let out a sigh and found her closet, her fingers slipped over some fabric, frowning and then went over a new bunch of clothes. Finally a soft smile danced over her luscious lips as she found her clothes. Switching from a night gown to a pair of easily touched riding jeans and a t-shirt of the soft blue navy color having some pretty horses and writing in other matching colors, she slipped onto her boots and let the brush through her hair. Finding her shades the female put them on and did her hair, the door opened up and out she went. Closing and locking the door Melanie stepped out to the hall, walking straight without having any intentions of budging, not that she ever did, and got onto the pavement towards the barn. A breeze of spring, sunshine and horses met her and she halted for a minute, took in the scent and let a rare smile go, she was where she belonged.

A large cranium slipped out of the stall, tagged with the golden name “Believe Me Friendly.” A finger let over the beautiful engraved name and the female giggled when the eight year old buckskin beauty sniffed and munched into her hair. ”Stop it, I promise Belly we’ll take dressage today. I know the measures. You ready for a good workout?” The horse snorted and nickered, but the nod was only a split second apart when she neighed, as if answering to the question. Melanie Ann Black or Mel as she usually was called smiled and kissed her horse’s muzzle, finding the black training dressage saddle, the purple pad and soft bridle with the horse’s name on it she went back. Her brush kit had already been handled out in case she needed it, which she didn’t. The mare was covered in her purple stable blanket, where it said, owned by Melanie Black, and daughter of I am a Believer. The blanket was taken off quite lightly and easily enough the buckskin sabino had already been saddled up. She huffed lightly and nipped some straws from the seniors head. Mel muttered a sigh but smiled. ”Fine, I’ll get the helmet on, mother.” She heard the snort behind her yet just shook her head and got the helmet on.

Stall door opened lightly and the mare walked out with her head bowed low, Melanie was already upon her back, leaning as much as she could until she felt the warmth of the sun and could lean back. Nudging the horse lightly they stepped towards the dressage arena, many didn’t like dressage, but Mel and Belly loved it. Opening the gate the mare walked with high knee steps just for fun, she was excited and tense, the female felt it all too well. Closing it behind her she counted the mare’s steps until she gave the signal to halt. The horse was as sensitive as her owner was, just a light pull and she could either rear or just buck you off. She could be ridden by almost anyone, if they were soft enough. Breathing calmly the teen let her horse into a working walk. Strides went underneath the horse gently, walking gracefully in a gentle speed, she worked in several circles and eight numbers until being satisfied that the horse’s muscles were warmed up. Setting into a trot they went to the corner of the A and went into a high knee trot with a sharp turn. Melanie sat high and calmly upon the Swedish Warmblood. The mare’s ears never flicked however, which was quite odd, right?

Well, for this pair that was nothing odd. Believer could hear, ‘course she could, but Melanie is blind and therefore can only count inside and feel the horses moves and feelings for help. The eight year old mare walked easily, following every new passage or threehundredandsixty degree turn without hesitation. Even a Spanish walk could be found; Believer put her knees up high, and then stretched it out while walking parallel with the other leg. She perked her ears completely, head up in a high bow and the pair looked like a golden angel. They halted after doing the first number and the reins were still loose, Melanie would never push her horse’s neck down, the horse did it naturally because frankly, she loved the feel of showing off, and giving the stallions and people around to look at. But that was just Belly, such a sweetheart and flirter that you couldn’t go wrong. Melanie tightened the side and the mare smoothly went to the side track, legs high and parallel with the tail, then the opposite direction with a switch canter and the mare was finally released to a high flow canter, towards the rail. What are you going to do now?

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[Donovan Maddox]

He was not a morning person, a night person, or a mid-day person. On the best of days, he could be halfway decent. On the worst of days, no one should get around him. Today was neither a good day nor a bad day. On days such as these, he was neither here nor there... he just was.

It was well into the morning when he rolled out of bed, blinking tiredly and yawning whilst stretching his arms high over his head, feeling the pressure build up to an almost painful degree before the joints popped with an echoing noise. Ah, that was better. Lowering his arms, he ran a hand through his dark hair, the locks sticking up wildly before he grabbed a comb off the table and ran through, flattening the shortish-medium length strands. Tossing the comb aside, Maddox walked across to the closet and dug through it for a few before pulling out a mass of black. Black t-shirt and black jeans. He noted idly that the shirt was a little tight across the chest and arm area, but shrugged it off, knowing that due to his working out, he wasn’t as thin as he used to be. It wasn’t like he dressed to impress. His jeans could attest to that... with the faded color, ragged ends, and the large rip across the right knee.

Once his boots were on his feet, he left the room, walking... no, almost stalking in the general direction of the stable. A hard glint entered his eyes and a small scowl settled across his lips as though a veritable storm cloud had made its home above his head. The sunlight caused him to pause and shield his eyes, mentally cursing himself for forgetting his shades. A moment after, though, he continued on his way.

The ‘barn-smell’ invaded his nostrils before he even reached the place. Not that he minded... it came as a surprise to quite a few that Maddox actually did like horses, and didn’t just ride because he owned them. Nopers. He liked them... they were calming and peaceful and when he was around them, he found that it was easier to concentrate and he wasn’t very likely to get distracted thinking about going out somewhere and getting completely shitfaced or high... or both. Yeah, horses really helped in that aspect considering he was struggling to stay clean. Really, it sucked.

The decision to work with Eden came as a complete surprise, though, in retrospect, he supposed that she needed it... well, not really... more like he and she needed to get to know each other. He’d only become her owner a few weeks ago. No, that was a lie... he became her owner years ago, but didn’t know anything about her until a few weeks ago. He didn’t know her, hadn’t ridden her... He knew his stallion. He knew Ariz... he’d ridden and worked with him before.

Moments of searching the barn passed before Maddox found the grey Hanoverian mares stall. The mare smelled of his arm and shoulder as he clipped the lead onto her leather halter. The eighteen year old had to give credit, the mares breeder... the woman who originally taught him to ride all those year ago... she knew quality. Eden had it all... grace, beauty, brains. The horse was smart. She was quiet too, for the most part, and well trained from what he’d heard. She wasn’t a champion... yet, but with a little more work she could be. If Maddox continued her training, that is.

Not a word was spoken by the young man as he tied the mare and disappeared into the tack room, picking up Eden’s old, faded brown saddle, black saddle-blanket, and matching old bridle. Training tack. Nothing fancy or expensive today... not when he was just going to get used to the mare. Unsurprisingly, the mare took the saddle bridle willingly, not flinching or budging an inch when the saddle was tightened or when the bridle was pulled up a notch. If anything, Eden seemed pleased and happy as she nudged her owners arm, looking for the pats and scratches she was accustomed to. At her old stable she’d been treated like a princess, getting treats and pettings often.

Donovan wasn’t a very... touchy-feely type of horse-person. He treated his horses like Ariz’s ex-owner treat them... and like he was taught when he rode the Thomas’s horses... Gruffly, but not unkindly... rewarding them only when they’d really done something... he expected to be listened to. He was not their friend, but their owner. His lack of praise and treats confused the Hanoverian, but she was willing to adapt to him. When he picked up the reins and turned, walking away without clucking to her, Eden was confused, but at the tug of the bit, she walked.

Eden had no trouble keeping up with Maddox’s quick walk. The 16.2 hand mare took her place alongside and a little behind her handler, her ears flicking this way and that as she took in the sights and sounds. As they neared the Dressage Arena, for that was where Maddox planned on getting to know Eden, seeing as how she excelled at either Showjumping or Dressage, and he didn’t want to jump her when he didn’t know her, the eighteen year old let the first words of the day slip from his mouth upon sighting the other horse and rider pair. Well... damn.

[Melanie Black]

...Melanie...
…When you open your heart and believe in the gift of a friend

There weren’t anything that could truly, be called an insane girl. Unless you were blind and let your horse loose towards a fence tall enough to be jumped over, but that wasn’t her true intention. With a soft nudge of the rein Believer halted, releasing a soft sigh and tucked her head in a graceful bow. Melanie smiled gently to the horse, her sunglasses were already put on so no one would notice that she wasn’t looking at her horse, but also so her eyes wouldn’t burn. The buckskin equine was shimmering softly; she wasn’t fuming; only a light cover of sweat graced her elegant and masculine body. Stroking the horse and giving a reward in the form of a carrot, the teen failed to notice that there was another pair entering. With the day in mind the female thought about different things, how school would be, the lessons but most of all the competitions. She could never be a champion, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t try. Her horse was her eyes, that were all she knew, and she hoped that was enough. However, the sight of another mare tensed Believer up lightly. Fingers felt the new pressure and the seventeen year old felt uneasy. If someone were watching them, what would her excuse be?

Ears flicked and perked, her cranium turned towards the male and his mare, soon enough a shrilling neigh was excused from the equine’s lips. From where the sound came from, Melanie could turn her head towards them, and just as she expected. A deep tone of a male voice entered her ears. Only two small words, and still, she felt more ashamed and embarrassed then she had been before. The mare pawed the ground with ease, her cranium nodding as a greeting but was soon hushed down. With a click of her tongue the horse walked slowly by the rail towards the pair. Reins in the left hand the female halted a little further off the other pair, she was unsure of what to say. He had cursed, not that she was utterly sensitive to that, her mother cursed a lot so she rarely cared about it. Just thought of a syllabus instead and she was done. Keeping her whole body straight and calm she thought of a couple of words, which she felt like stating. Not that he would care, or? ”Excuse me? I beg your pardon’ lad but I didn’ think someone would actually use the dressage arena.” What a lame excuse Melanie, you need to work it girl.

With the blond hair neatly tucked inside her helmet, the black saddle had been neatly kept even for a training saddle, and the purple saddle pad had the mare’s show name written on it. The horse however was as calm as it could be, with ears flicking now and then she seemed almost half asleep and yet, you could still notice that she was cautious. Like said before, Believe Me friendly could be ridden by almost everyone, if they knew her perks and sensitive flanks of course. However there would be a problem if this guy was going to watch them working. Melanie had a feeling that he would criticize her, not that she didn’t take it to her, but he couldn’t put himself in her situation. The day before she had put on different obstacles so she would get it easier to find the points. They were all different, giving off the sounds you probably wouldn’t recognize, but that was how some lives were, they needed help, someway or another. Feeling an awkward silence coming in, so instead of just shutting off she breathing in slowly and released some few words. ”Anyway, I’m Melanie and this is Belly. Where you supposed to use the arena now?” She didn’t have anything else to say but didn’t give the chance to fluster herself with it. But this male gave her no sense of direction; she couldn’t find him out nor hear his sounds. He was peculiar and made her perplexed, so what could she do? Nothing.

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[Donovan Maddox]

The horse and owner duo paused outside the arena, Eden once more shuffling closer to her handler, and once more getting rebuffed for all her efforts... no scratches nor, it seemed, praises coming her way. She gave up, seeming to realize that she’d get nothing, and unsure if she liked it or not. At least her handler wasn’t rough with her, just... not what she’d become accustomed to. Her dark brown eyes sought out the other equine, ears pricking forwards, she answered the neigh with one of her own, her vocals a bit higher pitched and loud... very, very loud. Toning down to a soft whicker, she was finished. Though she wished to get closer and meet the other mare, Eden was well versed in her groundwork and manners. She’d stand still until told otherwise.

Maddox’s arms crossed over his chest. He ignored the feeling of his shirt tightening a bit more at the movement and focused dark eyes on the horse and rider duo as they neared. He noticed a lot... but didn’t really pay much attention, letting the details slide through his mind and disappear. A brow rose at her words, a disbelieving look crossing his face. “You didn’t think... and honestly... ‘Lad’...? Who says that nowadays.” His voice was sarcastic... as was a common thing, and incredulous... which was not usual... gruff, like usual, and deep, also as usual. Be nice, be nice, be nice... and Damn, it’s too early to be awake.... Only two sentences, half formed at best, ran through his mind.

It was, too... For one such as Maddox. Way too early, though it wasn’t even what could be considered ‘early’. To the eighteen year old, any time before two in the afternoon was early. There was no ‘late’. He shifted a bit, his boots scuffing the dirt some, making a slight noise that, to him, seemed very loud considering the quietness. He wasn’t a people person, not really. Hated crowds and all... but he equally disliked awkward silences. Then she spoke again, breaking the smothering silence.

One for the lady. Sarcasm was his greatest friend. His arms uncrossed and fingers played with the reins to Eden’s bridle for a few before looping the reins over his arm. His mouth opened, then snapped shut with a click as his mind traveled to the words he’d been told the day he left to come here. He’d been told to ‘play nicely’, to ‘behave and don’t give the police a chance to know him’... and he’d been told a many of other things, but most of all, he’d pretty much been ordered to ‘act like a teen and make friends’. ... don’t need... Muttered words, barely audible, then his voice rose. Maddox. This is Eden.

Eden, at her name, raised her head slightly from its relaxed position and sighed loudly. The mare swished her tail lazily and rested her head over her owners shoulder. They were definitely an odd match.

[Melanie Black]

...Melanie...
…When you open your heart and believe in the gift of a friend

The sarcasm that met her made Melanie raise her brow, oh so he was this tuff guy, aye? Well sorry to say mate, she could care less. Believer’s ears flicked up upon hearing the answering call and she nodded eagerly. The female hushed the eager horse with a stroke and whispering but she could still recall his words. Oh well, he was either grumpy to be early up or his attitude reeked like this. She had met them before, and wasn’t scared or offended for that matter. ”Well in my home town it’s a well known use of word. Pick up some facts boy, but if you’re not going to use the arena I’ll pick up where I left before she goes stiff.” The horse snorted while Melanie spoke her words calm and collected. She never lost her “cool,” or whatever people called it. She was just cold that way. The breeze loosened some of her blonde straws from the helmet, she felt it and frowned, no point in trying to put it back, it would only loosen more, and that would give her a hard time. But when she heard the scoffing in the dirt her cranium turned back to where he was standing. ”Keep the sound down, you’re hurting my ears.”

Upon feeling a slight nudge at her side Believer was about to step back when the male spoke again. Still with sarcasm, one point to the lady. She just rolled her eyes and shifted the mares halt to a walk and the smoothed it into a trot. Hearing the small bag on the point K Melanie moved the rein a little, the buckskin Warmblood turned without hesitating, her ears flicked forth and cranium bowed elegantly. The horse worked forth, keeping her body straight and stretched out her legs when told to. Trotting to the side Melanie felt how she was a little harder on her left and frowned. She wasn’t lame? She halted the horse in the spot; Believer who became confused snorted but halted obediently. With a soft release of the reins the female dismounted without a hassle on the right side. She turned around and let her fingers slide down the horse’s right hind leg. She was warm, not too warm, but warm enough to take a note that this training was over. ”I pushed you a little too far today that leg just won’ be good, does it?” The horse snorted softly, nudging her owner lovingly and walked beside the female, giving her a good enough direction to get to the other pair.

”Maddox and Eden, right. You’re not a sunshine person, not from the sarcasm, you seem tall because of the way you foot kicked the ground. Err…Yeah. I can really not figure it out. The arena is yours if you’re goin’ to use it. She needs a break again.” Whistling a different sound the horse came towards her owner, walking slowly before halting. She breathed warmly in her owners hand but looked at the male with caution. Something told Melanie to stay on guard with this one, not that he seemed bad or anything, but because this situation might turn around, or something like that. But she had calmed down when they had worked on the dressage, she wasn’t particularly fond of hanging around with people, but this was an academy so it was bound to happen, sadly.

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[Donovan Maddox]

He visibly bristled upon being called ‘boy’. If there was one word he didn’t like being called by, it was that one. Beside him, Eden shifted restlessly, nervous now that her owner seemed to flow barely veiled anger. Get it under control Maddox. With a low growl, he forced himself to calm down somewhat. How am I supposed to know what words are common to you. By all means, ride on... Princess has to practice, afterall. He reached back to, for the first time that morning, run a hand lightly down his mares nose, soothing her as she was still moving around some. The mare quieted down under his hand and thrust her nose against his palm, enjoying the feel of his nails scratching softly.

He stepped back half a step when she and her horse moved off. Though he tried to keep it down, he couldn’t help the small smirk that crossed his face. The smile didn’t reach his eyes... and as quick as it came, it left. Maddox watched as the duo rode. He knew that he’d never be that good. He just liked to ride and wasn’t really concerned with much of any of the specialized training... not really. Eden would probably end up wasting her potential with him... and so would Ariz, now that he really thought about it.
Brought back to the present by the slight sound of the horse stopping, then the sound of soft talking. Maddox didn’t bother trying to listen to what was being said and stepped to Eden’s side, pulling the girth up two holes.

Right in one. Donovan Maddox from Detroit at your service... criminal, drug dealer, whatever you want, I can get. He said, his voice losing some of the caustic tone and switching to a low purr. He didn't bother mentioning that he was trying to stay clean himself... it wasn't important, and besides, he seriously doubted he could 'stay clean'. He hadn't been able to in the past... why would 'now' be any different. He was still being sarcastic too, but not as much, it seemed. Maddox didn’t care about people knowing his past. It was, afterall, a persons past who made them who they were. It was also clear that he’d spoken those same words quite a bit, though his tone wasn’t bragging... just kinda... ‘whatever’. I’m not a ‘sunshine’ person. Neither are you, it seems... or maybe you are, but just not around people. Either way, doesn’t matter to me... He decided to take a stab at being nice, or at least appearing to be kinda nicer, because a moment later, his attention still on Eden’s girth, he asked, So... what’s wrong with yours? He meant her horse, and yawned as he finally turned away from the girth, cracking his neck both ways. He was still tired.

Notes: Shorter than ever... a bit odd, too... sorry it’s not too good.

[Melanie Black]

...Melanie...
…When you open your heart and believe in the gift of a friend

Melanie felt the anger burn up when he called her princess. So instead of going about like a good girl she turned, took off her sunglasses and looked at him. The sun shone bright on her grayblue eyes, but she knew her eyes couldn’t express anything, not anger nor love. They could just stare. ”Yeah, and neither do I about your life. But calling me princess will make me call you boy.” She calmed down and put back the sunglasses. She hated the sun; it stung her eyes too much. Sighing deeply as the mare trotted away she came to think of what she would be missing. The big competitions and championships. Everything, just because of that one loss of sight, God she hated it. Shaking her head to focus she let the thought go. She was alive, had two great horses so no, she would not be mad or sad. She couldn’t because she was still glad she was living. And besides, she was still a great rider, or so some people say. The money for the operation was still a far reach away, but she could wait. To the end of the world or something.


The way Maddox was speaking however made her snort unladylike and shake her head. He was a guy so she didn’t let out any words. She wasn’t in need to know of his past. She just wanted to try and make an image inside her head, like she usually did. But she didn’t want to tell the weakness, or maybe he’d already know what it is? Whatever it was Melanie couldn’t stop hearing the small sounds he made, she tensed up more. ”Could yah please be a little more silent when it comes to moving? It ain’t early, but those sounds hurt.” She shuffled lightly, took in a deep breath while ignoring his comment about the drugs. Even if she was tempted she wouldn’t do it, not until she died or something. People tried, they never got their will, blamed her for it and she got in trouble because she had no idea what was happening. It was the same story all over again. Her mare nipped at the bit and stretched out her cranium, snorting before she let out a sneeze on Maddox. Melanie knowing the direction let a hand before her lips, holding down a laugh before she could speak again. ”Whoop! She didn’t get anything on you? Sorry ‘bout that.”

She didn’t know why she felt so tense. It was like he was triggering everything bad inside her. Or, well not bad, more like taking out her true side instead of letting her have her way, stay calm and collected. Even so the other words he spoke stabbed her, right on the spot. Blonde female twitched and unwillingly tightened the grip on the reins to her side. Believer snorted nervously and started tripping lightly wondering what was wrong. Ok, calm down Blackie. No need to explode today, your mare needs attention. She breathed gently and softly scratched the mare’s right ear lovingly. The buckskin equine sighed lovingly and rested her head to get more scratching, swishing her tail comfortably. Having that problem solved she could finally think of some words to give back at him. He could do what he wanted for all she cared, just not trying to figure her out. It was too early. ”Oh, I’m a mornin’ person. But I’m neither a crowd nor a social one. People tend to; avoid me because they suppose I’m too cold or something.” She spoke truthfully, which she was used to do. He could think all he wanted, that wasn’t her problem.

But the way he asked about her horse surprised her a little. Was he trying to act ‘nice’? She furrowed her eyebrows softly and raised the right one up. Shaking the thought out of her head instead, Melanie came to approach the rail and lean on it, pointing to the right hind leg and a mark that ran down the horse’s leg like a lightning. It wasn’t half bad, it was just a scar, not fatal because he was far from her scenes, but it was dangerous enough. ”She injured herself when we were jumping a year ago. My fault, I thought it was much closer then it truly was, she protested but I didn’t listen. Went straight on it, she broke one of the fragile logs with her hinds and got a rift down her leg. I was in the hospital for a couple of weeks (she shrugged it off like it was not big of deal.). Her leg should’ve been fine but it get’s easily heated up for some reason.” She wasn’t asking for help, just explaining to him, even if he listened or not, that was totally his choice. It wasn’t like she felt that she would die if he didn’t know about it.


(cut the crap ;; well, yours is better than mine xD)

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