`` it's a beautiful LIE !! [open for one person!]

[Hayden Lane Donovan]

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[atrb=background,http://i55.tinypic.com/156ra7r.jpg] A day at the barn. That's what she'd intended, or at least that was the plan. She didn't know how much longer she could stand on the fence and wait, but it was paying off. It had been about an hour, but he had begun to take tentative steps towards her a half hour ago. Bangs and such from the barn had scared him away, but he'd begun to notice again that she was still there, still not doing anything to hurt him. She sighed, closed her eyes and hanging her head a bit. This wasn't going to work. This would never work, not a chance. It didn't matter if she stood there for days, something would spook him away or he'd scare himself or something. Was it even worth it? She had no idea. Then, she felt something on her head... moving in little circles, messing with her hair. Her eyes shot open, but she didn't move a muscle. Moving only her eyes, she looked up and there is was. The golden brown -sorry, dun - chest, black vaguely striped legs. That made it his nose making her have a bad hair day. She almost felt her heart stop. She slowly raised her head and he hopped back a few steps. She was tempted to reach up and fix her hair, but didn't bother because he had stepped up again, ears forward. That meant they were happy or curious, according to the world wide web. A grin split her face and she found herself wanting to yell, scream, dancing about crying "Eureka!" It was a good thing she had self restraint, because he stepped back up to the fence, pushing his nose against hers for a moment then snorting in her face, as if to say "Well, what are you still doing here, idiot?" She reached out slowly and he tipped his head away a moment, but didn't dance back and she felt her fingers connect with his shoulder. He flinched, but stayed put, realizing quickly the the gentle scratch of her fingernails actually felt good. And so there they stayed, horse and human, finally in willing contact. It was a damn good start, in her opinion.

[Patrick Sean Kelly]

Patrick Kelly

Pat had just spent the lad hour chacing Storm around his paddock. His daughter already had gotten Diamond and gotten someone to help her tack him up and was watching from a distance, as he finally caught the stallion with a sigh. The golden coat wasn’t liked much with the breeder’s but then again, Pat liked the stallion just the way he was. The andalusian stallion snorted as he let himself be led inside the barn, and get brushed and saddled. Then he was led outside.

”Daddy! Look at me and Pony!” came the girly voice from near the door, she trotted in front of him and Storm. The stallion was in what some would think would be dirty tack, but it wasn’t. It was just old. And well used. The stallion arched his neck as he stopped. A hundred yards off in the large round pen or more hanging off of it, was a woman, and a bucksin horse. The stallion didn’t react beyond to watch the pair, but Diamond, who didn’t fear anything, and his ‘beautiful princess’ just kept on trotting by the pen. Pat almost said something, but the white Shetland pony with his little redheaded rider, turned suddenly and cantered back to them. He frowned slightly as the gelding came to a compleat stop beside him. ”Daddy daddy! He cantered! He cantered!” It was a good thing that Storm was used to staying put, because the man dropped them and crouched next to the Shetland. He patted the gelding.

”I saw honey. I saw. Next time stay next to me until I’m on Storm. Alright?” he told her softly, touching her hair lightly. He’d been worried. The stallion in the pen and his owner weren’t exactly sane, as Storm obviously knew. The golden head dropped to touch the red head of his daughter, nuzzling away at her hair. She giggled. ”What about if your riding Shadow or Spirit?”

”Even then. Even then.” he said softly.

[Hayden Lane Donovan]

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[atrb=background,http://i55.tinypic.com/156ra7r.jpg] As soon as the pony came near, Dee's ears laid flat back again. Hayden knew the sign, she knew it wasn't a good one, but she'd never claimed to be smart enough to leave. Instead, she stayed still, just turning her head slightly to watch from the corner of her eye, smile falling to a slight frown, a rather common expression on her face. She was pretty sure she nearly lost her eardrum for a moment as a raged, protective squeal erupted from the stallion in the pen and the mustang spun to charge the fence the pony was near, head held high and proud as the pony headed away, not caring if it was from his near attack or not. He trotted back proudly to Hayden, though by this point she was climbing off the fence. He actually looked offended as she got off, then anger flickered and his head snaked through the fence to nip at her clothing, catching her shirt in his teeth and holding with a soft snort. She glared down at him. Let go, you stupid thing. She grumbled, only earning her a second glare and a grunt of disapproval. Clearly, Dee liked his girls compliant. It wasn't going to happen. She raised an eyebrow at his determined look that was so clear despite the fact he was a horse. In a rush of not caring and not quite wanting to stay next to the round pen twenty four seven, her hand came forward to push at his nose. He squealed softly, but didn't let go. A proper growl finally slipped out of her mouth, teeth gritted, amusement turning to annoyance in a heart beat. I said, let go! Rather than a gentle push, there was more of a punch to this shove and there was an indignant huff of shock and the ripping of fabric as his teeth never let go, though her light punch and his jerk of surprise had left him with nothing more than a piece of fabric dangling from his mouth. She stepped back quickly, glaring at him still as he spat the piece of cloth out, ears back, clearly not please with her. He decided to show how little he cared for her, again, by heading to the opposite side of the round pen with his butt turned in her direction. She humphed and turned away, heading back to the beat up car that looked ten times worse than anything else there, toe of her boot scuffing in the dirt to send a stone scattering away. So much for this shirt. Stupid beast.

[Patrick Sean Kelly]

Patrick Kelly

The squeel brought all four being's attention to the horse in the pen. The answering whinny from the golden stallion was curious as if asking what was the problem. But then again Andalusian's were calm beasts, even if they were arrogant. The little shetland just eyed the other horse then lowered his head to the ground. Pat was picking up the horses and riding back. After all he'd done that before. Really he was at Silver Star because he hadn't known about Damaged Soul. Not that it mattered now.

He stood up, grabbing Storm's reings before he even took a step. The affronted look the red head recived made him laugh. "No. I don't think meeting a rude horse is a good idea." the stallion hrumfed then turned his attention to the woman, and dragged his rider twoards her, whinnying again. "Storm! Stop it." he snapped. The stallion jerked to a halt, a few feet from the car. "Stay. Hope, don't leave Storm's side." he said glareing at the stallion. Who just raised his head.

"It seems a day for stallion's to act up. I'm Patrick Kelly. I left my two horses here two days ago in the storm. Asked if I could and they said sure. This is Storm, Diamond, and my daughter Hope." the little girl smiled up from under her helmet. "Hello pretty lady. Your horsey's pretty. I don't think punching him was a good idea. He's really angry." her toothy grin was adorable, expecially from under red locks.

[Hayden Lane Donovan]

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[atrb=background,http://i55.tinypic.com/156ra7r.jpg] Yeah, good for you. She grumbled when he was done talking, slight scowl still on her face. One could almost swear she was ignoring the hole in her shirt, though she certainly wasn't. She just knew he couldn't make her answer any questions on how she'd got the various scars that it managed to show. She jerked the car door open - necessary, it stuck otherwise, though she would have done it anyway - and grabbed out a thin sweater, tossing it on, just about to get in the car and flat out ignore him, though the voice of a child made her stop. She really hadn't truly listened to what he said, naturally. But she heard the girl. Every word. Her head snapped around to look at the girl. She'd never known quite what to do about children. There had been a mission once with children involved. She hadn't known why, but she'd gone against orders to try and save them. Some sort of motherly instinct she supposed. It hadn't worked. They'd all died. Still, her frown softened a bit, though it didn't raise to a smile. Instead, she glanced over at Dee. He's always angry about something or other. He'll get over it. She replied, clearly rather uncomfortable. Normally she could hide it, but it was difficult when she couldn't figure out who she was supposed to be. Him alone, she could handle, but the girl? She didn't do the kid thing, and she sure as hell didn't know how to act either.

[Patrick Sean Kelly]

Patrick Kelly


The little girl nodded. "But he's unhappy. Why? You don't look mean. Though the punching wasn't nice. Daddy? Why would the horse be unhappy?" the green eyes went from the woman to the man. Pat smiled just a little. "You remember Shadow? He could be like Shadow. and sometimes horses are just like that."

The girl shook her head, eyes flicking back to the woman. Patrick had noticed her nerviousness, and as an NSA agent he was curious, but he didn't push. He knew better than to do that. "But that's not it. Pain is easy to get rid of... Or is it not? Your unhappy. Why? you have horse. Your alive. You get to see horses, and breath air, and eat food. Why are you unhappy?"

Pat blinked at his daughter. "Hope. That's not something you ask." he said softly, touching the top of her head.

[Hayden Lane Donovan]

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[atrb=background,http://i55.tinypic.com/156ra7r.jpg] She didn't really care about their little conversation, not really. She sort of hated how easily they could just talk, without watching their words, without fearing for lies and betrayal. She couldn't do that. Not anymore. She'd been able to before the explosion. Her hand tightened around the door handle a moment. Most wouldn't have noticed, but she did. She had to be aware, aware of every move her muscles made, every movement around her. Especially around her. She didn't know if they were after her or if they believed her scam. All she knew was they weren't here yet, so for now she was okay. And then the girl hit a little too close to home. As much as he tried to correct his daughter, he couldn't take back the words she'd said, and Hayden was instantly seated in her car, door slamming shut. She was glad the windows were done up, she didn't have to worry about talking through them. The keys found the ignition in a flash, turning to start the car. Except it didn't start. She tried again, fingers clenching around the key as if that would help any. It didn't. She growled softly under her breath, using her foot to kick the door open - again, necessary - and slipped back out to get to the hood of the car. She really needed to get some tools or something. She could fix the old '65 mustang, she was sure of it, but she just... hadn't yet. She sighed, popping the hood open to peer in, because gas sure as hell wasn't the problem. She didn't bother answering the girl's question, honestly just trying to pretend they weren't there.

[Patrick Sean Kelly]

Patrick Kelly


Patrick frowned, but the little girl kept chatting away, as the woman tried to start the mustang (Sexy, even if it was beat up) and the pair continued to watch her. "Can i Help? i'm not great with cars, but i'm not bad either." His old school buddies would have been raggin him about that, but he really didn't care. The gold stallion snorted, and shook his head, but Pat ignored him.

He moved up next to the car. "Is there anything I can get?" he liked cars, but knew nothing about them... His first car was a brand new thing that was like... cheep. Yeah. he was fail guy. But that didn't mean he didn't mind learning.

[Hayden Lane Donovan]

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[atrb=background,http://i55.tinypic.com/156ra7r.jpg] The second he came near the front of the car offering to help, a lightning-fast hand reached out and whacked his hands away with probably much more force than was needed, or anticipated. Not that she cared. She hadn't even had to look up to aim it right. The whole time, her eyes had been glued to the vehicle's bits and pieces. Don't. Touch. Anything. She growled softly, bending a bit to get closer, hands fearless of the grime as she reached in, shifting things around ever so slightly to get a good look at everything. Her teeth bit into the right side of her lower lip, her clear cut sign of concentration (when she didn't bother to hide it anyway), then proceeded to fiddle with a few things. On the outside, she looked entirely concentrated on the task at hand. That meant nothing, though - oh yeah, you bet she was still focusing on her surroundings, the small gun hidden just within reach if needed. Then, she paused, pulling back. For a moment, in her mind, she was back in her father's garage on a saturday morning, fixing some random person's car with one of the workers standing by. She motioned to the driver's side. Try turning the key. It should start now.

[Patrick Sean Kelly]

Patrick Kelly


Patrick snapped his hand's back. "Daddy. Don't anger the lady." the word choices was much older than a normal girl. odd. So odd. He ignored it though and looked at the woman. "yes Ma'am." he was quick to react. Then she asked him to turn the key. "Right."

He moved to the side of the car and sat in it, turning the key on. Would the car

[Hayden Lane Donovan]

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[atrb=background,http://i55.tinypic.com/156ra7r.jpg] There was a soft, hesitant grumble from the mustang before it sputtered and came to life as she'd anticipated it would. She pushed the hood down, patting it with an affection that certainly didn't match her general attitude from what he'd seen, then turned and remembered exactly where she was. Thanks. The one word was terse, not quite forced but not exactly the same tone the request had been made in. Although the request had been demanding, there'd been a gentler side to it, like it wasn't actually an order, even if it sort of had been. This, this was different. Back to the same tone as before, the one that screamed to just leave her alone.It wasn't that she wanted to be lonely. In truth, she had previously thrived on human contact. That was what had drawn her into the world of mechanics first - it meant time with her dad. It had forced her to rebel as a teenager, looking for the attention that was usually given to her sister. It had caused her to accept the CIA's offer to join, because it meant being needed by people, it meant helping people. Or, that was what it was supposed to have meant. The hurt was still too fresh, some of the scars still not even fully healed yet, for her to give in to the want for contact, for conversation. Instead, she pushed away and threw up the ice barriers. It was the only way to cope. It was sickening to her stomach, really, how much she belonged at this barn. Damaged soul. Yes. The term fit. In her opinion, an understatement, but it still fit.

[Patrick Sean Kelly]

Patrick Kelly


He smiled as the car started and he slipped out of the car. He nodded. "Your welcome... It's a nice car." he said with a slight smile. The little girl grinned. "it's a ninteen sixty five mustang. Though in bad condition. Can we help you fix it?" Pat eyed his daughter as the girl got off Diamond and came forward, her purple shirt, and dark jeans matching. obviously her grandmother dressed her. He would have chosen blue. But that was him. He smiled a little. "Hope. Where did you learn that?"

He was noticing over the last few weeks that she was paying attention more, and spouting off information that wasn't normal for a five year old.

[Hayden Lane Donovan]

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[atrb=background,http://i55.tinypic.com/156ra7r.jpg] There was the faintest twitch of a satisfied smile as he complimented the car - which was as of yet, unnamed, though that wouldn't take long. A strange habit of hers, perhaps, but still, it was something that had never changed or been corrupted by anyone or anything. Then, the smile faded as quickly as it had appeared. I can take care of it fine on my own. Just haven't yet. She caught sight of Dee watching again out of the corner of her eye. He didn't look happy. Protective, that was probably the best way to describe that look in his eyes. Well, that and pissed that she'd punched him and then slipped out of his reach. But it was definitely both and not just one. She flicked her attention back to the father and daughter, slipping back into her car, though this time she didn't pull the door shut. Improvement? No. Definitely not. There had just been no touchy subject this time.

[Patrick Sean Kelly]

Patrick and Hope watched her. "Alright. I really did want to see how to put one together. Grandma's books are only good for so much you know." she said simply a smile on her face as she went back to Dia. "Daddy I'm hungry. Can we go?" Patrick looked between the two. "One moment hon." he said simply before turning back to the woman in the car. "I'm Patrick. you?" he asked with a slight smile.

Occ// Another fail.

[Hayden Lane Donovan]

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[atrb=background,http://i55.tinypic.com/156ra7r.jpg] Normally, asking her about herself was a generally bad idea. But this, a name, it was simple, easy. She already had a sort-of cover, a name at least. So it wasn't difficult, it wasn't something to make a big deal out of. Instead, she just blinked and replied. Hayden. The tone had softened a bit, though it wasn't much better, really, than the thank you. Just more... normal? That was perhaps the only word that fit, and even then it was a bit of an iffy fit. She didn't offer him a smile back, though. No, she wouldn't go that far. She had to keep everyone at arm's length, for both her sanity and her safety.