[color=bc8dbf]"How long do you think it will take before the arena is fixed?"[/color] "I don't know, probably a few business days, little less than a week from what I see in their reputation." Sitting in the office, Aurora was feeling the textures of random objects that her father had placed around his desk for her. The skilful flow of a pen running down parchment and the ticking of a clock gave it a rather calming presence. Even if Rick Lorell himself had to explain countless times to his daughter that the place was a mess and he needed to organize the neatly stacked and filed documents. "So, why are you asking? With your reputation I would have expected that you wouldn't want to ride in there any more. If you were our only source of income I would have destroyed that one and rebuilt it." Shrugging her shoulders Aurora leaned back in the chair. Her hand reaching for Goliath's head, earning her a lick. "[color=bc8dbf]I'm simply curious, Loki doesn’t like the machines so I have him in the paddock near them."[/color] "Don't let your mother know you done that. That stallion is worth more than we can afford on a good day, ever since you won silver with him." The words stinging slightly. Aurora bit back a sigh. Right, thats why they still had Loki. Not due to the animal helping her through the changes in her life. She had to keep winning, for her to keep something as simple as the comforts of her companion. For her to be able to lean into the soft nickers of ease and solid presence, she has to keep winning... [color=bc8dbf]"I'm winning gold next year."[/color] "Why stop at just one rank? Go for Platinum, better results." The room falling back into silence. Aurora began to listen to music for only a few minutes. The sound of the door opening causing her to stand, Goliath at his feet in a moment while she left the office through the back door as if she were just a visiting phantom. Bared away from the presence of another. --- Every day she would wake up early. Every day she would take the bus to the Lorell stable. Riding Loki through his paces, training her new team and having a conversation or two even with the other workers. Yet while she had all the freedom to leave. She found herself sitting on the paddock fence next to her Stallion. The cool breeze nipping at her features as she listened. Music absent from her hand, yet she still found herself intrigued by the construction. The voices and jokes to the commands and team work. It was such a normal thing, yet she could not bring herself to step away from the orchestra that conducted itself only a short distance away. Sometimes a book would be opened upon her lap, others she would be humming a gentle tune. Yet whenever the one who helped her from the accident began to speak. Her mind would snap to him. She knows that voice from somewhere, the way he moved, the sound of his steps. Heavy and light, his voice one that is friendly and joking. Even the way he breathed, it screamed from somewhere. [color=bc8dbf]"You know sis used to say that if I can't remember the voice, than I just made it up. think that's the case?"[/color] Loki snorting behind her and stomping his hoof caused a small smile to appear on her lips. [color=bc8dbf]"Guess you make a fair point my friend."[/color] Reaching out she found the great head at her left. Ruffling his mane only to gain a light nip in her arm in return. "So, where do you think he came from? A dream? A passer-by?" Again the beast snorted, shaking his head and whipping her face with his ebony mane. [color=bc8dbf]"Yeah, yeah, but I don't want to talk to him. He's working....work.."[/color] [color=a0410d] “Hello, my fine, feathered friend...you’re not getting off [i]that[/i] easy…”[/color] [color=bc8dbf]"No way..."[/color] Yet the more she thought. The more it made sense. How he ran in without a second thought when she was in trouble. How his words sounded like he always had a comeback. The same wit and attitude they had when behind a mask. Why he sounded so heavy yet light at the same time..... [color=bc8dbf]"Think I should ask? Not outright but something that would get a conformation? He did show off when he got me out. Maybe just mention it?"[/color] In response the horse pushed her off the fence. A good shove in the back with her head causing her to fall to the sandy ground. Thank the gods she was for the most part healed, yet she still rolled on her back to glare up at the stallion who was all but laughing at her. [color=bc8dbf]"Your such a little shit...."[/color] ---- The day coming to another close. Aurora decided to wait for Manny to pass her by. Once again, the idea of speaking to someone who she did not yet really know was giving her second thoughts. Should she do it? Should she ask... [i]"Just remember Aurora. Ask in a way that you would be okay if someone asked you. Promise to never tell....Make it sound like a question...."[/i] A sigh escaping her lips she ran her hands through her hair. Holding onto her cane to calm down while Goliath sat at her side. [color=bc8dbf]"He's nice...Right, that's right, he's nice...."[/color]