Equine Ballerina [Sebastian Stan AU]

Chapter Thirteen

I sat down next to Jacob in the office, as Luke shut the door behind us, I could sense the tension already building, and I was sure Luke could already feel it as he took a seat at his desk, and started flipping through the paperwork in front of him.

'Riding sessions, what are you both thinking' Luke said, glancing up towards the both of us.

'I think they are going well, I personally am a little concerned for when we get to the more serious things, particularly after flicking through the script again with Carols character and then liberty and jump scenes further into' Jacob said, leaning forward to rest his hand on the desk as he stressed his point of view

'And what do you think Joss' Luke said, turning to face me,seeming to be more interested in my opinion.

'I agree with Jacob, I'm happy with their progress, I mean it's still early days in terms of their training, Sebastian seems to be learning the ropes fairly quickly, with Carol learning pretty well as well' I responded, I hadn't been given the chance to delve into the script much further than the initial few pages, but I knew the basics of what both actors needed to learn and what the director wanted our horses to do for the filming.

' I did mention to Terrance about the possible need for a stunt rider or someone who can cover for Carol for those particular scenes' Luke said, ' so he will be looking at getting someone to help out for those key scenes'

'So we just keep going with these sessions as normal, and then hopefully we can progress forward, I was hoping to try and get them both cantering even on a lunge line by the end of the week' I said, wanting to be clear with Luke and Jacob that I was still in charge of the training sessions.

' That seems possible, and likely at least with Sebastian' Luke said, ' what are you thinking Jacob?'

'I was thinking perhaps I should take over the riding sessions, I'm sure Amber or Alice could help me, I know Joss here will be busy preparing the horses for the liberty work and scenes' he took a breath before continuing, ' plus I think it would be better for Joss to not have the constant time stress and concerns she expressed to me earlier'

I turned to face him, getting annoyed at his blatant lie to Luke about me, I took a breathe for turning to look at Luke' I never said such a thing, and I am more then capable of maintaining my duties and responsibilities for the horses and training for this film' I said, responding in an annoyed voice directed toward Jacob.

Luke looked between the two of us, sighing, ' I don't know what exactly is going on between the two of you, but before this goes any further it needs to stop'

I looked up at Luke, nodding, before turning to see if Jacob was going to co-operate, I was getting more annoyed as each second past that he just sat there, looking like he was contemplating what to say.

'I'm sorry Luke, I was just concerned for Joss, but I am sure she can take care of herself, it's just her first time dealing with a film crew, and training actors, I was just worried about her, and I should have asked her myself and let her know if my concern for her' Jacob said, sighing, before turning to face me, 'Sorry Joss'

'Ok good, now that's that's all sorted, I believe you both have some jobs to do this morning before another riding session' Luke said, standing up from the chair gesturing towards the door behind us. I stood up to leave, heading straight down to the tac room to grab some gear before heading out to the stalls to grab my two horses that needed to be worked.

As I walked outside to the stall and holding area, I saw Jacob leaning against the wall, scrolling on his phone. I was going to head over to my two geldings, when I turned to headed straight over toward him.

'What exactly is your problem' I asked, 'I have never done anything to you, and now this'

'Look Joss it was just a misunderstanding, I honestly was just worried about you that's all' Jacob said, taking a step forward, lifting his hand up to brush against my shoulder.

I shook my head at feeling his hand on my shoulder, 'Jacob I don't know what you're playing at, but I suggest you stay away from me unless we're needed to work together' I stepped back pushing his hand away, and turned away letting my hands drop down to my side as I fumbled with the halter in my hand.

---------------------------------------

I let both geldings lose in the arena, as I walked around the perimeter of the fence, letting them start using some of their pent up energy before I started working them, I noticed there were a few obstacles around the arena, and made a mental note to use those in todays session.

I slipped over the fence, still watching my two geldings run around, playing with each other,  I was very lucky that they both had taken a liking to each other once I had introduced them to each other. I saw Soldier turn around and come trotting toward me, with Patriot also coming up along side him.

I held my hands out, allowing both geldings a moment to settle themselves as they come to a halt next to me, and when I signalled they both leant forward and  brush their noses against my palms.  'Good boys' I said, reaching up to give them each a pat on their forehead.

I signalled for Patriot to walk away from us, as I leant down to pat Soldiers leg, and as I did, he took a step back, before dropping down to bow in front of me. I asked him to drop down further, before he went to lay down on the arena floor. I bent down to rub his shoulders, before I carefully lined up along side him, and then sat on his back. 

I let him get a little more settled as he started whinnying in response, letting my hands play with his mane, before I clicked with my tongue and gave him a small squeeze with the inside of my leg once I had swung my leg over.He snorted as he brought his forelegs forward as stood up, turning to look back at me as I gave him a reassuring pat.

Patriot came up along side Soldier, I reached over to pat his wither quickly, before balancing my self and grabbing a handful of mane, seeing as I had chosen to forgo the halter and lead on both horses this session.  I asked Soldier to walk forward, and clucked to signal for Patriot to follow along side as we walked around the arena for a few moments.

I eyed the obstacle toward the middle of the arena, choosing to ask Soldier to trot over to it, I balance my self as we prepared to attempt a small jump bareback, with Patriot now following behind us.

As we rounded up to face the small jump,  the silence in the arena was disturbed with a fly by of a helicopter going over head. I silently curses to myself, before grabbing a fistful of Soldiers main as he came to an abrupt halt in front of the jump, sending my flying forward, but thankfully to my quick reflexes I managed to balance myself on his neck.

'What the actual heck' I said, to myself, looking up toward the sky, thankfully the helicopter didn't seem to be in sight range anymore. 

I felt Soldier tense up under me, and quickly dismounted, before calling Patriot back over to us in the centre of the arena. 

'It's ok, shhh' I said, kissing both of the geldings on their cheeks, trying to offer them some reassurance.  

I had never heard a helicopter come over the estate before, and I wondering if it was because of the filming about the commence. I sighed to myself, before deciding to push forward for a few more moments off training. As I turned I noticed Sebastian leaning on the fence watching us, and for the first time in my whole career I noticed I was feeling slightly nervous as he looked on.