The Time Giver

May 9th: Introductions

The first thing Zach thought of as he stared at the filly was that her eyes were huge. Deep brown, they seemed large enough to consume the whole world. Her lashes were long, too, and she batted them at his face before she snorted and made a lap in her stall.

Kelly stood behind him, holding a small halter and rope - lead rope, she called it. "What do you think of Turner?"

"She's...I don't know." To Zach, she was just another horse. She was unique, because her grulla coat gave her a black dorsal stripe, as well as barring on her legs. But other than that, his first look at Turner wasn't more than seeing a chance to earn money.

Kelly handed him the halter and lead. "Take your time with her. She's young, so she's curious; use that to your advantage." He took the equipment, then looked up at her. "I'm going to stay here, don't worry."

Taking in a deep breath, Zach unbolted Turner's stall and stepped in. Instantly she paused, ears pricked toward him. "Let her come to you," Kelly instructed. "She doesn't know you. Let her check you out."

Almost on cue, Turner snorted and walked up, her large, brown eyes taking in Zach. He didn't move, just turned one of his hands upward toward her. Her velvet lips brushed his palm, then she looked up and stepped closer. Her nose was inches from his face.

"Relax," Kelly soothed as Turner sniffed his hair. "Just breathe. If you tense up, she'll catch on. And a youngster like that thinks nervousness is a sign of playfulness."

Zach let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. Turner's small muzzle reached his ear, her breaths rapid. In front of him, her chest expanded and contracted as she investigated all the smells. Goosebumps rose up on his arms from her little whiskers tickling his neck, but he stayed still. For a moment, he forgot about Kelley; the only thing that existed was this curious little creature. A young thing that wanted to get to know him as he has. No history in the center, no sketchy parents. Just a human she was interested in. He smiled.

He felt her lips moments before her little teeth clamped down his ear. With a yelp,he jumped back, slapping a hand to the side of his face, certain he would find a gaping hole. Turner wheeled and spun to the corner of her stall, then turned back to him, swishing her tail. She snorted playfully.

Kelly, for her part, was clutching her sides laughing. "Well," she giggled, wiping her eyes. "She likes you."

"Likes me? She damn near bit my ear off!" Zach began to step out of the stall, but Kelly held him in. "What?!"

"Language." Kelly collected herself. "Now that she knows you, go quietly to her and slip the halter on." She picked up the cotton from Zach's fingers, holding it up. "This is how it goes on." She unbuckled the top part. "You slip the noseband on, then wrap this around her head, behind her ears. Then all you do is buckle." She handed the halter back to Zach.

He scowled at the tangle of belts. "Why don't you just do it yourself?"

"Do you want to earn money, or not?" Kelly's eyes were hard as she stared him down. He found himself having to turn away first. Knowing that she had caught him stealing from her made meeting her gaze that much harder, and he was never one to back out of a job offer. Reluctantly, he turned back to the filly.

As Zach approached, Turner pricked her ears toward him, batting her lashes at him. Smirking a little, he held up the halter for her to inspect. After letting her sniff - and nibble - on it a little, he gently turned it towards her.

He frowned. He was sure that he had been holding it correctly, but looking at the straps now, what looked like the nose band seemed to be hanging from the bottom of the contraption. "Uh, Kelly? Am I holding this right?"