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Post by Katarina M. Kowalski;* on Jan 9, 2011 18:58:59 GMT 2
Light jukebox music greeted Katarina's ears as she pushed the light door open. A dozen or so people ate contentedly as she slipped up to the strip of single seats. She watched the waitresses as she sat, wrapping her arms close around herself. No jacket adorned her slim shoulders, though, as she had only been able to bring so many things with her. Shivering slightly, she adjusted the sleeves on her candy-red teeshirt and smiled at the approaching waitress. She asked for Katt's order, so she glanced quickly at the menu. "May I just have some turkey bacon and a cup of tea?" The woman nodded, taking the menu, and Katt leaned back in her chair.
The warmth of the inside of the diner was spreading throughout her body, and she began to relax. Twisting her ponytail, she surveyed the building. Small, sort of fifties themed, with memorabilia adorning the walls and the smell of food and coffee in the air, it made her feel safe.
The waitress returned, handing her a plate of food and her tea, before walking off. Taking a small bite, Katt returned her gaze to her plate. Maybe this place wouldn't be as bad as she had thought. |
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Post by Finn Keagan on Jan 11, 2011 4:41:17 GMT 2
Lily had asked him to go into town for her, and Finn had had no problem agreeing to that. She had even given him the keys to the old Ford that she used to drive around in on the ranch. It was old, but it was hardy. That beast could last through any season and Lily had all of her faith in that vehicle. She had been driving with Finn before, and she knew she could trust the young man. Finn would be careful because the vehicle wasn't his, and because he didn't want to lose the trust that Lily had placed upon him. So he had taken the keys, promising her that he'd drive slow and careful, especially along the snow covered roads. Finn was a careful driver, and could only ever be accused of driving a little too fast. But in the snow, he was extremely careful. He knew the horror stories, and he didn't want to create any more grief for this fragile family. He had returned the hug that Lily had given him a little awkwardly, but it still made him feel special and even cared about.
He got into the old Ford quickly enough and started it up. The engine roared to life even in the cold and motored forward after Finn let it warm up for a moment. The four wheel drive still worked, and he put it into the drive as he went along the snow covered road. The truck barreled through as if the snow was nothing, and Finn was happy to be driving again. Lily had given him money to grab some lunch while he was out as well. He'd grab lunch first and then run to the store for her. They had discussed the plan, and Lily knew it would take a while so she wouldn't worry. Finn reached the diner in about twenty minutes, for it usually was only ten minutes away from the ranch. He parked the Ford in one of the only open parking spots and jumped out, slamming the old door behind him. Locking it, he made sure it was secure. He entered the diner and felt the eyes turn to him. Trying his best to ignore the looks, his eyes hit the ground almost immediately. Finn would not make eye contact with anyone, and her nervously took gentle hold of his wrapped wrist as if he was trying to protect the healing limb. He side stepped around a waitress, and that almost dropped him into the table with a young girl sitting at it. Flushing immediately, he spoke up.
"I'm so sorry. Are you alright?"
He didn't think he had hit her when he stumbled, but one could never be too certain. He waited for her response, wondering what she would say. |
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Post by Katarina M. Kowalski;* on Jan 11, 2011 4:47:09 GMT 2
Katt jumped up as the young boy hit the table ahead of her. She heard him ask if she was alright, but it took her a moment for her adrenaline to slow down so that she could properly reply.
Yes, I'm fine. She motioned to the newspaper set infront of her. Reading up on the TTI Program.
Her dark eyes searched the table before she cast a quick glance up at the boy. He was younger than her, that was obvious, but near about Clarity's age. A small smile broke on her face, her dimples showing deeply on her cheeks.
You don't know anything about the program, do you? My cousin's going to be joining it, and this article isn't helping much.
Fingers twisted the table cloth as she cast him a single, slightly pleading glance. She pushed her bacon away- full already, after one slice- and took a sip of her tea before fidgeting slightly in her seat.
ooc|| sorry it's short. D; |
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Post by Finn Keagan on Jan 11, 2011 5:07:12 GMT 2
He couldn't believe he had done that. he thought he was getting better about being so nervous around people, especially men. Apparently not. Frustration swelled within his heart, and he tried his best to push it back down. He couldn't believe this. He was never going to get over this fear. His father had branded him with it, and his crooked nose and wrist were the lasting physical memories of that fateful day. However, the emotional scars ran even deeper, and Finn was afraid that they would never heal, or even fade. Biting his bottom lip, he straightened from his near fall, extremely and obviously embarrassed. He was expecting his father to come running around the corner at any time to yell at him over his clumsiness. That wasn't going to happen. His father was in jail, safely locked away so that he couldn't come near Finnegan for quite some time. Sighing quietly, he looked to the young woman at the table, wondering if he had hurt her in any way.
She just looked honestly spooked from his actions, and his heart felt a little for her for causing that fear. He didn't want to be the one who was scaring people. Timidly backing up a step, he waited until he heard her response. He didn't need lunch today. He was used to skipping meals because of his father. That was why he was still rather skinny for his age and size. He hid it with the winter clothes, but it was still rather obvious he wasn't the right weight. Ignoring those thoughts, he watched her, wondering when he could leave. He probably shouldn't leave Lily alone for too long anyway. Decision made, he was about to leave, but then froze. She was talking about the TTI program. He would be rude not to answer her, and her pleading eyes melted his heart. He had to tell her the truth. He offered her a small smile.
"Actually, I'm in it. So I can answer as mush as I can for you. The best one to talk to would be Mr. Wyatt Parker though, or Mrs. Lily Parker. He runs it, and she's his wife."
He said matter of factly, wondering what she would ask. He offered her another small, gentle smile. |
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Post by Katarina M. Kowalski;* on Jan 11, 2011 5:20:44 GMT 2
Katt frowned, noticing the fear in the young man's eyes, and bit her bottom lip. She didn't like making him feel anxious, and hoped more than anything that it wasn't only her fault for causing the haunted flash of his eyes.
My name's Katt. My cousin Clarity is being put in the program by my uncle. She's terrified of horses, but he's kind of.. at ends with her. It's this, or she goes to jail at this point.
She frowned deeper, debating another piece of bacon, but thinking better of it. She was uncomfortable with her weight to begin with. She shifted uncomfortably.
She's sixteen. She's had a pretty bad childhood. I was just hoping that maybe I could try and get some people who could help her out. You know, make her feel safe?
She knew the look in her eyes was pathetic. She was in near tears at this point, but violently blinked them away and shook her head.
Sorry. I didn't... sorry. [/blockquote] |
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Post by Finn Keagan on Jan 12, 2011 7:36:56 GMT 2
His eyes studied her as inconspicuously as he could. He didn't want to make eye contact with her simply because he couldn't. Finn wasn't comfortable enough with himself to do that yet. Every time he had met the eyes of his father or someone around his father, he got smacked around for it. He wasn't ready to accept the idea that no one was going to hit him here. It was too engraved into his mind, and he couldn't shake those possible consequences. Finn could be identified as a basket case. Little things set him off into small panic attacks, but he had never had a major one. He was afraid that something would set him off, but he could never be too sure. Right now he just had to accept the fact that he wasn't going to be normal yet. He hoped that some day he would be, because he needed to be. But right now, he just wasn't ready.
Finn tried chastising himself inside of his mind, and it worked for now. He was being ridiculous. She was a small girl, a little older than him. He wasn't going to get hurt in this situation. But he never knew about the people around him. There he went being negative again. He ignored his thoughts and listened to what the young woman in front of him was saying. Something about her cousin and her joining the TTI program. That would be good for Wyatt and Lily to have more of an income for the ranch with another body in the program. However, his brow furrowed at her comment. The girl coming in was petrified of horses, it seemed. How was she going to bond with one? Finn figured everyone deserved a chance though, since he had been handed one. He had been getting slightly better, so maybe this girl would be too.
"There are really gentle horses at Silver Stag. They'll make her feel comfortable, and Wyatt Parker would never put someone in a situation that would make them uncomfortable."
He finished with a small shrug, and then heard her next words. He knew what it felt like to have only two options: jail or TTI. Finn had chosen TTI because he loved horses and had worked with them in the past. It had seemed like a simple choice to him, and he was glad that he came here. However, a girl that was afraid of horses would have had a hard choice. Biting his lower lip, he listened to her next question. She wanted him to what? How could he make her feel safe when he never felt safe himself? How could he help her out when he couldn't even help Love Me Sweet out, the horse he was working with? He supposed he would give it a try though. She deserved that much. Everyone deserved a chance.
"Um, sure. Yeah. When she comes, I can give her a hand, and show her around. What's her name again?"
He remembered it started with a C, but he wasn't sure. Watching the young woman before him, he heard her apologize and shook his head. Why in the world was she saying sorry?
"You have nothing to be sorry for. It's fine, really. I'll be happy to help her out."
His voice sounded a lot stronger than he felt. Was he making a promise that he couldn't keep? He didn't want to let anyone down, and he hated lying. He didn't want to go back on his word, so he was going to have to battle through his trust issues. This was going to be a lot easier said than down for all who were involved. |
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Post by Katarina M. Kowalski;* on Jan 12, 2011 18:36:26 GMT 2
Katt's eyes stared at the table. Clarity would be petrified of this kid- not because of anything he'd done, but because of what every other guy had done. Katt knew it had been a difficult choice for her to come here, but after she found out that Katt had moved here, she'd jump on the chance.
I'm sorry to like... put this on you. I don't even know you.
She scrunched up her nose, but her smile showed as her dimples stood out violently on her cheeks. She finally broke into a smile, and thought for a moment before setting a small preparative warning.
Her name's Clarity. She's sixteen. She reminds me alot of a horse, sometimes. Like a horse who's been shown "who's boss" too many times. She's terrified of most people. She thinks they're going to take advantage of her.
Katt shifted uneasily in her seat, before continuing.
It's more than that. It's mostly guys. All of the guys she used to hang around with either took advantage of her, or beat her senseless. She's been in more comas this year than I care to count.
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