Cowboys and City Girls

Evergreen stables is a horse breeding and training center. With it they have a small farm and a few other animals for food, surplus gets either sold on the roadside or in the market in town. They have recently been having a slow stallion birthrate so people stop buying their ponies. To make up for the dropping profit they are letting groups of people stay with them for weeks at a time and hang out on the farm and learn how everything works for vacation. The first batch of people are showing up.

Name: Alex Knox
Age: 18
Appearance:http://dreamself.me/d/h74I
Bio: Alex was born and raised in Evergreen Stables with his three younger sisters. Before he could walk he could ride horses, and so did his younger sisters. When he first leaned to hold something in his hand he was put to work. Up to this point he has lived a quiet and simply pleasant life, his dream now that he has just finished high school is to take a few classes on agriculture and animal care just so he could have the papers to take over the farm, even though he could have done so well ages ago.

Name: Melody Woods
Age: 17
Bio: Melody lived in the city all her life. Middle class and no siblings. She is you above average student, nothing higher than a A nothing lower than a B. She is your classic teenager: Hang out with friends, crushing on cute guys, has a pet cat, and have club activities. For her birthday, her parents decided to take her out on a farm and learn what it is like on the country side. She suspects this to teach her to be humble and build character but she isn't one inch happy about her parents decision.

Alex woke up that morning when the chickens were going as usual. He had no idea what to expect for the few weeks to come. He understood the city slickers would get on his nerves, trying to help out but instead get in the way, but he figured he should be civil anyways. This years profit was coming mostly from them and he wanted to have them leave with a good experience, tell their friends or come back until they can finally pull their way out of debt and he can run the farm the way he always dreamed.

Him and his family had breakfast, at the table as they always did, having one last normal family meal before all hell broke loose. Katie complained that her toast was too dark and no amount of butter and sugar could cover up such a thing. Megan said she was going vegan, refusing to eat her eggs and bacon but milk was still up for consideration. Hallie being the youngest at six, had nothing to complain of although the entire family knew the day would come when she would turn princess like her older sisters. Everyone in the family had pin straight blonde hair except Hallie and their father, the two of them having curly brown hair.

Afterwards the family jumped in separate vehicles and headed into town. Alex took one truck, all his sister in the bed, and his father took another with his wife beside him. They figured that of the three families, at least one would have brought a car, so taking a third was not an issue. The family came into town and waited in front of Leanne's Diner, the place in which they agreed to meet.

Melody handed on a angry face the whole time they were driving. Her parents already gave up trying to cheer her up and let her sulk in the back. She still remembers when her parents woke her up early in the morning and surprised her by telling they are going to experiencing life on a farm. Just remembering it got her more angry and she cross her arms. They slow down and stop in front of a diner. She flip her black hair over her shoulder and thought "Here goes a pointless week on trying to build character." There were already several families there already. Looking through the tinted windows that most of the families have young children. Only one guy seems to be close to her age. Her father got out the car and said, "I'm so sorry we are later, we had a slight problem getting out the house." Slight was a understatement. Her parents had to drag her out of the house. Melody almost ran to her friend's house to hide for the week. Her parents knew she was planning something like this and already had all her bags packed and dragged her into the car.

(Just realized that I didn't post my character's looks here it is: http://dreamself.me/d/h8Nu)

((It's alright, although when I clicked the link "This Dream selfy does not exist." was all I saw,>_<))

His father was just doing a head count and noticed a family group was still missing. He asked if the other families had an idea of what happened although none had connections with the others. "We'll give them just a few more minutes before we head to the farm, I'm sure if something happened they would have left us a message at home." Everyone seemed to be in agreement, especially Alex. The week stay was non refundable and he love the idea of being able to break even without some city slicker breathing down his neck was great.

Eventually though, a car did in fact pull up and a man stepped out apologizing. "No worries." His father had said with a warm smile "We all have our days." He then turned to the entire group "Alright, now we are going to spit up, the drivers will be myself and my son. Those with your own cars are more then welcome to bring them though I suggest four wheel drive if you do, no one paves the last half mile to the stables so last winter left some large ruts in the road."

(I just check it out, there was the ) at the end, just remove it and it should work)
The the two families looked worried, they mumbled among themselves saying that their cars can't handle it. "Thank goodness ours is a automatic," Melody's father said. A women from one of the families said, "Is it really okay to leave our car here?" Melody rolled down the window feeling hot. "Ugh, who cares? Let's just get going...." she mumbled to her self.

The father was absolutely shocked "Why wouldn't it be? Never considered locking anything up or worrying about it, what kind of place did you come from again?" The other families seemed to take that as the okay to leave their vehicles, although they were still worried and locked up their cars nice and tight making the three younger girls exchange looks, they didn't even know cars could lock up.

Alex was the only one that heard the automatic comment. He rolled his eyes and chuckled to himself. City slickers, they knew nothing. It was common knowledge that having an automatic car just allows you to speeds up or slow down without changing the gear yourself, it have nothing to do with the power a car had or how many wheels were in control. He could just see the family bellied out and their tires spinning with nowhere to go.

"Alright then, since there are so many of you I suggest that the adults remain seated in the bed of the trucks where the younger children sit up in the cab. It's going to be a bumpy ride and I don't want none of you to fall out." His father said one last time before he motioned his hand for them to get in their seats while he climbed into the front of the car. All of the adults looked at the back of the trucks with a raised eyebrow, not knowing how to get in. Katie and Megan stood in front of them and smiled "Just do like we do." Katie said as the two of them stepped onto the tires and swung their legs over. The families looked at them like they were crazy though two decided to give it a try.

Melody just had to smile at how everyone is having a hard time adjusting to the ways of the country side. Seeing the two brave enough jump onto the back of the car, others started to bring along their luggages and climb on. Some kids started to complain how fun it would be to be at the back. Their parents told them to hush and sit inside the car. "Though this trip is lame, it is funny to see people who belong to the city try to mingle with the country," Melody thought and giggle a little.

When everyone was ready to go and in their cars, his father took the lead, driving first in the line of cars as they took everyone to their home. Alex had four little girls in his car, all of them introducing themselves and talking about the latest American Girl dolls and how they were only able to bring one with them on the trip. Alex remembered Hallie mentioning it one time, although they were horribly expensive and so her mother bought her one half the price that looked just as nice from the Korner Mart just in town. Hallie couldn't even tell the difference and loved her more than anything in the world even with grandma's handmade clothing on it.

The roads grew bumpy and the adults almost came out of their seats as they went over the pot holes. Many had been gripping the sides of the truck beds for their lives. Alex wasn't too horribly worried, he stood on the beds as they went over the same bumps every weekend when they took the surplus food to the market.

Melody found the bumpy roads sort of amusing. She related it to a kiddie roller coast and smiled a little. A the up and downs she felt to the pit of her stomach reminds her of the times she and her friends went to a amusement park. Her smile turn into a sad frown, for her birthday they were planning to treat her to the amusement park but thanks to her parents unexpected plans, she didn't go. For her parents, it wasn't to much fun. Her father was just busy avoiding the potholes while her mother starts to get dizzy. Melody mood, slightly lighten seeing the adults in the back of the truck holding on for dear life.

They hit a muddy chunk of road, right before they were able to see the sign up ahead with the name of the farm printed in clean white paint, courtesy of Katie last week in preparation of everyone coming. She wanted to have something to brag about if a cute boy came along, which thankfully didn't, and so she worked extra hard on it. Personally Alex enjoyed the original look of the sign, though a fresh coat of paint never hurt, not a whole new design.

The mud jumped up to the axles and the people were faced with the decision of safety verses, cleanliness. Though really, they wouldn't get hurt either way, the chance of getting mud splattered on their hands or some extra bouncing never hurt anybody, kids seemed to enjoy both quite a bit.

Finally the trucks were out of the mud and heading up the road towards the farm. The trees were gone at this point, cleared out for good grazing for the animals. A tall wood fence lined the side of the road and in the distance a few mares were out together with their young.

Melody father cursed about just cleaning the car but she just ignored what he was saying and look out the window. "Hn, so this is what a farm suppose to look like?" she thought, "We're going to be stopping soon. Best to get ready." She fix her black hair over her shoulder and put away the book she was reading during the trip.

(Sorry it's been a few days, had my pc had been held captive in the office at school TT_TT Apparently bringing your own laptop is not a good idea)

The trucks came to a stop and everyone was glad to get out of the cars, taking their sweet time to figure out how to safely get out. Katie and Megan smiled and waited for the guests to get themselves situated on land. The 12 year old Katie said "We'll show you all to your rooms first and then give you a tour of the house, if you need anything Mum will be in the kitchen cooking up lunch and Dad should be out taking care of the houses." she smiled and 11 year old Megan turned and motioned for everyone to follow the two of them. Thankfully they lived in a large white house that could accommodate everyone, with breathing room.

Alex and his parents separated from the group, going off to work while Hallie followed the guests in. Her mother ended up pulling the six year old off to the side and taking her to the kitchen. Alex and his father left to take care of the horses, all of them whinnied in excitement as they came into the stables. Alex patted the nose of his horse, Harley his personal horse, a chestnut Arabian stallion and is most requested for breeding.

The two girls showed the guests to their rooms, all of them having two full sized beds in them and it being rather cramped. This way families could be together. The only people with rooms of their own in the house is Hallie and Alex. The two other girls sleep together and of course his parents share a room.

(It's okay, PSSSHHHH Schools *roll eyes* thank god it's over for me)
"Oh my this is such a lovely place," Melody's mother said looking around. "Whatever," Melody said placing her stuff in the room they were a signed. "Melody, you got to do something with your attitude," her father said, "No one is going to enjoy your company with you sulking." "I'm not aiming for people to "enjoy" my "company". I choose who I want to be around," she explain to her parents. She isn't the type who want the spotlight on her, so she always hold this aura around her saying "Don't bother me" unless she wants to be around a person. Her father went to argue with her but her Mother stop him. "Come on lets go to the tour," she said and they went and join the group.

(Lucky, I still have a week >3<)

Megan and Katie lead the group throughout the house, showing them where the three bathrooms are and if need be, the one between Hallie and Alex's room. Although they didn't mention the fact that Alex is unwilling to allow anyone access to it unless an absolute emergency. After giving a tour throughout the house they proceeded outside. They showed the garden, and pointed out a few different vegetables. Next they went to the animal pens, pointed out a few of their animals, a small chicken coop, two cows and one bull, a pregnant pig and their goat most originally named billy, who of course was a girl.

Now onto the main portion of the Farm, the horse stables. "Feel free to come here any time, there is always going to be someone here taking care of them, usually Alex." Katie said as she skipped inside, Megan and the group in tow. The stable was huge, with thirty stalls, and 26 of them currently filled.The stalls were simple unpainted wood with a small sign with each of their names on it.

Alex had a wheel burrow in which he was filling with dirty straw while his father cleaned and bushed the horses outside. He sighed when the guests came in and the small band of girls came up to him. "Whatcha doin'?" one little girl asked. "Cleaning out horse poop, if your interested I would let you help." He said with a smiled, the girls squeezing ewe and running away. A smirk played on his lips and Katie and Megan had a fit of giggles.

Melody ignored the group and stay at the back, trying to avoid any contact. Trying not to notice the smell she walked up to one of the stall and look at the horse. It was a fully white horse with spots of brown. Not knowing what type it was she just look it with curiosity. This was the first time she seen a horse and she doesn't know how to react towards it. With out her knowing the group move on, not noticing her not following.

Alex noticed the girl staring at Heaven for a long time. He laid down some fresh straw and brought Georgianna back to her stall and closed the door behind her. He considered just ignoring her, continuing to work and she would run off to her parents sooner or later. But knowing Heaven and her skittish personality, she would only be able to take being stared at for so long before she got antsy.

"Try petting her nose, she has soft fur, feed her an apple or a carrot or something but don't spend too much time staring so hard, she doesn't like it too much if your a stranger. Hell even I would find it creepy." Alex said as poured some water into her bucket before taking the next horse out of it's stall and leading the gypsy to the side of the stables so his dad could clean up it's hooves and give it a good brush down.

"O-oh!" Melody felt embarrassed for staring to long. She turn a bit red and look around to notice the group is gone. "Jeeze, I always do that. I need to stop staring," she thought. She was about to leave but though about what that guy said and try to pet Heaven. "God, I feel so awkward," she thought in the back of her mind. The horse back away a little and Melody took back her hand. "Ack, what am I doing? I am just a stranger," she though and ran her hair through her hair, looking down.

Alex rolled his eyes when he looked back at her. In the corner of the room they had a bag of treats for the horses, apples. It was Megan's idea to keep them in there for the guests. He grabbed and apple and went over, taking her hand and placing the apple in it. "Just hold your hand out, she'll come take it, when she dose, she'll let you pet her." he said plainly as he peeked over at the Lusitano horse as it suddenly became curious to the apple. "She's one you'll have to slowly build her trust. Unlike Duke, the honey colored mustang over there, he's a big player and loves everyone with food."

"Ah, really," Melody said awkwardly, embarrassed how useless she looks. She held out the apple and watch Heaven walk near it carefully, eyes on her as if she is saying "I don't trust you". Melody just wait for Heaven to come closer and she move back her fingers, scared that the horse might bite it by accident. The horse to a careful bite then back off. "At lease it took a bite," Melody thought.

Alex watched for just a moment before getting back to work. "For her that's good progress, just don't treat her too often, we don't want her to become a glutton." he said, smiling too himself, sure Heaven would never get to such a point but it wasn't the first time a skittish horse became friendly with food. His father came in with a horse, trading it with the one Alex had just taken from a stall and brought the one he was now leading back. The horse in the stall next to Heaven, Henry, the black and white paint horse was getting jealous of all the attention she was getting and the stallion poked his head through the stall door, trying to reach for Melody.

Melody was surprised at first at Henry's action but then quickly smile. She reach out at carefully petted his nose. "This is not so bad," she thought. She decide this was enough and walked back towards the house and back to the group. She watches as they are taught to proper way to handle the animals.

Megan went over everything wrong to do to the animals, touching their tails, standing directly behind them, and more obvious things like riding bare back on any of the animals. Katie went over the proper way to handle the animals, brushing them along the grain, and much more. Both were equally proud of the speech, having been working on it for a week now. Hallie had come out of the house and yelled to the group it was lunch time. The group then proceeded to follow the girls into the kitchen, all to line up for burgers an potatoes.

Alex heard the call of his little sister, but decided to wait till he finished up this one stall and got washed up before he had his own lunch. He continued to clean the stall and lay out fresh straw, just in time for his father to come back with the horse and take it to the stall. He patted his sons back "Take a break for half an hour or so, were doing good today." he said as he walking into the house. After putting away the wheelbarrow and shovel he too went inside.

Not feeling to converable in the noisy enviorment, Melody took her plate and decided to sit outside under a nice shady tree. "Hm, the scenery is nice but it smells horrible here," she thought, "Ah, at lease I have a story to tell my friends." Her parent peak outside to look for her but she quickly hid behind the tree.