Julie and Duke at the stables

"Narr, its fine, I don't really remember her much," The boy said, looking directly at her, carefully. He glanced around, "So how long have you had Duke for?" Jared asked, trying to change the topic, but choosing it carefully, he hoped she wouldn't get emotional if he asked about Duke as she had before, but then again, he didn't know his history.

"2 years.."Julie said"since I...."she trailed off, not sure if she should tell Jared about her running away from home 2 years ago.. He seemed nice but she still wasn't quite sure..

Jared could hear her voice faltering, he wasn't going to push her to tell him. Another uncomfortable topic. He sighed silently and leaned against Spakanuraeth, "So, what are you doing tonight?" The boy asked, wondering if she was available.
Spakanuraeth snorted and planted his hooves onto the concrete firmly to keep himself from slipping.

Julie thought for a moment...am i doing anything tonight...?.....nope. She looked back at Jared and said"nothing"she replied with a gentle smile

Duke neighed to Julie, wanting attention.

Jared smiled brightly, "Would you like to go for a midnight trail ride tonight? I know this awesome spot! Its like a small meadow near the main stream and there is heaps of wildlife and its spring so most of the animals have offspring. Sometimes there are wild horses there but its really rare to see them," He told her.

"sure!"Julie said happily"i'd love to! But.. Would you mind coming nad spending some time with Duke do he isn't frightened of you?"she asked, glancing at her gelding who was waiting impatiently for her

Jared shrugged his shoulders lightly, "Sure, I guess!" He said, he didn't really have anything better to do, "Mind if I bring Spak?" The boy asked, starting to untie him from the post.
Spakanuraeth pricked his ears at the sound of his name and neighed.

"sure"Julie said"i'll go grab Duke or he'll run away"she smiled, petted Spak then turned and walked off to the paddock, unlocking the gate and as Duke trotted over she grabbed the lead which hung over the gate and opened the gate, clipping the lead on then walking out of the paddock, petting her gelding soothingly.

Jared held tightly on Spakanuraeth's lead rope so he wouldn't bolt over to Julie and Duke and scare the shy gelding off. He waited paitently for them to come back, glancing around the stables.
Spak pricked his ears and whinnied.

Julie smiled as Duke calmed and she started walking over to Jared and Spak. As soon as Duke got 15 meters close to them he jerked back but Julie kept ahold. They walked over, Duke trying to get away but Julie kept a strong hold of the lead so he couldn't get away and she petted the gelding, murmuring soothingly words.

Jared started leading the willing Spak forward. He could see the gelding jerking harshly against the lead rope as Julie tried to move him forward. The boy stopped about a meter away from them. He looked at Julie, then at Duke. Jared smiled and stretched out a gentle hand and placed it on Duke's muzzle, scratching it softly. He them pulled his hand away and took out a slice of carrot and placed it under the gelding's muzzle.
Spak pricked his ears at the shy stallion and whickered.

Duke moved his head back, frightened as Jared touched him but as he showed him the carrot he pricked his ears forward and nickered, reaching out hesitantly he ate it then pulled his head back and looked at Spak, nickering to him

Jared grinned at the gelding and continued stroking him, his hand moving to his cheek. He shifted his eyes towards Julie, "I think he is calming down," The boy told her, listening as Duke replied to Spak's nicker.
Spak smiled confidently at Duke and stretched out his neck, sniffing him gently.

Duke snorted and then he stepped back and nuzzled Julie and rubbed his head against her arm and Julie smiled, petting the gelding"that was quick"she said"he usually takes ages to settle around someone. It took me a year to get close to him when i first got him."she smiled slightly and hugged her gelding gently, happy.

Jared's eyebrows raised in surprise, "Wow," He said and stroked his cheek once more before pulling his hand away and placing it on Spak's neck gently. The boy smiled at his horse and slung an arm around his shoulders.
Spak smiled and snorted, swishing his tail contently.

"he wasn;t in the best shape when i got him.."Julie said, looking at Duke then at Jared. She then looked back at Duke and unclipped his lead. Instantly Duke snorted and shook himself, glad not to be controlled.

Jared tittered, watching the gelding. He looked a lot calmer than before. The boy glanced around with an understanding nod, "OK. I got Spakanuraeth when he was only a colt," He told her, patting his shoulder firmly.

Julie smiled and then petted Spak, he was gorgeous and gentle. It felt weird being around a horse which she didn't have to be careful with. But it was also nice.

Jared shifted slightly to the side so he wasn't in the way when the girl touched her hand to Spak. He smiled and watched her peaceful reaction, she must of liked being with a horse that she didn't have to be careful with, although she probably loved Duke more than anything. The boy looked up towards the sky.

Spak snorted softly and nudged his muzzle to Julie's palm as she reached out to touch him.

Julie smiled then she dug into her pcket, pulling out two small bits of carrot. She gave one to Duke and offered the other to Spak. Se looked at Jared then asked"How long have you been at these stables for?"she asked

Jared watched as Spak nuzzled the treat from Julie's hand and gently rubbed Spak's neck, "Oh, about 2 months," He said, shrugging his hands into his pockets, "What about you?"

"about 3 weeks"Julie replied"i'm constantly moving from place to place so i'm hoping i can stay for good now. But i've gotta find somewhere better to live first. But with me constantly working and looking after Duke it's a little hard"she smiled slightly and rubbed Spak's nosed quickly before dropping her hand to her side.

Jared nodded, his eyes drifting downwards in thought. He hadn't seen her here so she must of been new. If she liked she could move in with him, his dad was barely home.. but would she feel comfortable? The boy's eyes snapped back to her face, "Hey.. uhh.." He started awkwardly, "You could move in with me until you find somewhere?" Jared said.

Julie looked at Jared she hadn't expected that"a-are you sure?"she asked"it wouldn;t be too much trouble for you?"it felt like it would be too much trouble for Jared if she moved in... and what if she didn;t find somewhere else to move?

Jared nodded, "Yea, sure! My dad is barely home and I reckon it would be nice to have some company around the house!" He grinned and watched her to see her reaction, "But thats of course if you want too.."