Eleuria Halwe's Beach House- Morning ride

Chepe and Tessanee rode up to their aunt's house on Chepe's motorcycle and pulled in beside a couple large rosebushes near the front driveway. He killed the power to the engine, and steadying the bike, allowed his little sister to climb off first. He didn't follow suit until she had both feet safely on the concrete and was removing her helmet with an ease that showed how much she had ridden the bike with him. Once he had made sure his sister was safely on the ground, he quickly followed. "Tes, you wanting to ride Akecheta or Kayla this morning?" He retied the ponytail in his hair once again to be sure it wouldn't come loose during the ride, as he led the way to the barn, his boots now crunching on gravel and thin soil.

Both siblings wore blue jeans and T-shirts, with cowboy boots, as they planned to go for a horseback ride this morning. Tesanee would be riding for the first time since their horses had arrived and she was really excited about it. She couldn't wait to see her white mare, Kayla, her brother's mare, or the two young horses, and she sped up a bit to keep up with her rapidly walking big brother.

Once Tes was safely off her brother's bike she smoothed her white t-shirt, with both hands, before quickly removing the bike helmet she was wearing. She dropped it back onto the bike seat, after her brother had joined her.

Tes took a deep breath of the fresh smelling early morning air and smiled. The sounds of birds were always pleasant to hear. In response to Chepe's question she said.. "I've been looking forward to some time with Kayla so I think i'll ride my own horse, Chepe."

As he started off toward the corral and barn she followed, speeding up till she was walking faster than him and as a result she made it to the barn well ahead of him. By the time he made it she had already grabbed the brushes, and her horse's tack and was heading out to the corral with a pocketful of treats. the gentle wind was ruffling her long black ponytail as if it was teasing it into motion.

Chepe smiled, knowing exactly how Tes felt about getting to see her horse. He nodded at her choice of horse, as he watched her move ahead of him into the barn.

As he entered the large building he saw his little sister heading out the door leading to the corral already laden down with everything she needed. Chepe chuckled as he put a handful of horse cookies into his own pocket. They would serve to make it easier to catch the horses and also as an after ride treat to tell the horses they'd done well. Next chepe located his horse's tack, and tossed the bridle's headstall over his left arm, he also picked a halter off the row of hangers along one wall. He was planning to ride bareback, and didn't want to mess with a saddle. Judging by the lack of a saddle in his sister's arms she had decided the same.

Chepe hurried to the corral to join his sister, and as he approached her he saw all 4 horses crowded around. Her own white mare was already wearing her sky blue nylon bridle, the reins already over her head, and Tes was busily picking her mare's hooves out to clean them from dirt and rocks, large clumps falling free and landing in the soft green grass. Kayla definitely appeared to be at ease and relaxed. He noticed his own mare was already haltered for him, and as he approached he thanked Tes.

Tes finished picking out Kayla's hooves, waving at her brother, from under the white mare's belly.She let the foot she was holding drop back onto the earth, and straightened up.
Reaching for her currycomb she laughed. "Hey old man, your falling behind!" She started running the comb over Kayla's body, taking special care to break up all the caked on mud on the horse's coat. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Chepe beginning his own pre ride routine, of hoof cleaning and brushing.

"Think your lucky I already had her caught up for you aren't ya?" she grinned.Kayla turned her head and bumped Tes, to get her attention and the young girl patted the silky nose before moving around to the other side of her horse.Kayla stamped her back hoof to scare away the flies that were buzzing around her feet and let out a soft nicker, half closing her blue eyes.

Chepe pulled a couple horse cookies out of his pocket and offered them to the black mare, who took them quickly from his flat palm. She crunched them up, small bits falling from her lips and lowered her head bumping him, in an effort to get him to give her more.

Chepe quickly launched into his grooming routine, waiting to put the bridle on Akecheta until he had finished with all his work. first he knelt by each hoof and lifted each foot, gently picking out all the clumps inside the hoof. Patting her reassuringly he moved around her doing the same for each hoof, before standing and beginning the task of currying her, quickly moving along her side and down the thickest part of her legs, then using one hand and dusting the remnants from her coat before currying her neck.

Looking over at his sister he saw she was already sitting on Kayla's back and the horse was obviously antsy and ready to go. He wasn't too worried about her falling though cause she was an excellent horseback rider.

He smiled and rubbed his horse's nose as he crossed in front of her to the other side and starting over again. Akecheta snorted and shifted her weight so that her body was pressing closer against him and he pushed her back telling the horse, "No!"

Chepe quickly grabbed the body brush and began brushing all the now loosened dirt out of her coat.It took him much less time to brush her with this brush as opposed to the comb, and he then finished with the small face brush.

CHepe finished and slipped the bridle off his arm and quickly before Akecheta knew it he had it on her head and was slipping the reins over her head. he led her to the bucket they used as a mounting block and positioned her beside it, and quickly, gripping a fistful of her mane, swung his leg over her back, letting himself slide into a comfortable sitting position. He could tell she was ready to go and he called over to Tes,"ready to go?, as he flipped the gate latch open and swung it out with his foot, his horse moving easily through it, her muscles tense with excitement, wanting to run as he held her in check.

Keylee drove out to where Chepe had told her his aunt's house was. as she drove along the long driveway she spotted him and his sister sitting on two horses, just coming out the gate. She watched them for a minute...Chepe sure looked good to her in the blue jeans and dark blue t-shirt he was wearing, with his scuffed boots, and ponytail.

She pulled her car to a stop easing into the driveway and hopped out. "Hey Chepe! Hi Tes!" she called out and walked toward them, her long brown hair, lightly lifted by the breeze. Upon reaching the brother and sister she reached out and patted Akecheta. "Going out for a ride this morning?" She asked. Just then the two other horses whinnied and she looked back at the corral and saw the two much younger horses. I didn't know you guys have four of them!" She was quiet a moment before asking..

"Chepe how are they with riding double?" Tucking a stray piece of brown hair behind her ear she gave him a small smile. "if it would be ok on her, and not too much stress, would it be all right if I rode with you two?

Keylee patted Akecheta's neck, and said "I love horses. always have and I'm not too bad at riding so I wouldn't hold you back." She gave him a smile, as he smiled back at her in return.

"Hi, Keylee!" chepe called out in response to his friend's greeting, watching her walk toward them. He was a little surprised to see her so early in the morning but was happy nonetheless that she was there.

Akecheta turned her head as Keylee patted her and lipped her arm. "yeah. we have 4, the two foals are too young to be trained for riding yet and we decided to go out today." He brushed his hair out of his eyes as he answered her. "of course you can come along. You can double up with me on Aka." He rode her over to the fence railing, motioning for Keylee to follow, which she did.

Keylee patted the black mare and climbed up on the second of the four wooden fence railings. and with Chepe holding tightly onto her hand to give her steadying support she swung her leg over the back of the horse, wrapping her tanned arms tightly around Chepe's waist as she slid into position with a smile on her face.

Tes gave the reins a gentle pull and Kayla turned toward the others, as the black haired girl gave a squeeze with her legs to tell the horse to walk. with the reins loosely held in her young rider's hands kayla stretched her muzzle toward the other horse as she went.

"are we ready to go?" Tes asked them, and both her brother and Keylee gave a nod. Tes noticed the brown haired girl tighten her grip on Chepe's middle and adjusted her position to steady her seat more securely as Akacheta moved away from the fence, her natural motion causing her riders to sway with the horse's gait. feeling the extra weight Akecheta turned her head to lip at Keylee's left leg as if she was making sure of what the extra weight was. As Chepe turned the horse onto the road, Tes maneuvered Kayla in behind Chepe, carefully being sure there was enough room between her own horse and his. Tes made sure her reins were not wrapped around her hand, then settled in for a pleasant ride, resting her free hand on her leg.

Tes could already see her brother was shifting into the same position he always was when he rode, sitting straight, reins in right hand, left hand resting on his upper leg, and allowing the movement of his horse to control the movements of his body. He looked like he belonged on his mare, as if they were one. Akecheta's deep black coat perfectly matched the coloring of Chepe's hair, the sunlight making both of them-his hair and her coat to shine.

Grinning widely, Keylee tightened her legs a bit around the black horse's middle, at the same time releasing Chepe's waist with one arm as the mare seemed to be rather calm and wasn't showing any signs of acting up. Her hooves kicked up tiny pebbles as she walked, lifting her feet carefully, her head held in a natural position. The brunette concentrated her gaze on the back of Chepe's head, somewhat thankful he wasn't facing her. She was unsure if he would be able to tell what she was thinking if he had been and right at that moment she didn't want him to know she was thinking how good he looked and wondering if things would have been different if he had not moved back to the island.

She was actually wishing he hadn't gone back, and had instead chosen to stay in California, even possibly asking her family if he and Tes could have stayed with them. She was certain her parents and sisters would have welcomed the two of them gladly. She gave a little smile. There was always time..plenty of time. Maybe she could make him realize she knew him. and that he knew her. better than anyone else could have, making them, dare she think it, belong together.
They always got along so well, and they spent so much time together that it made sense to her. After all they were both young and things could always change..in her favor of course.

If she had been less knowledgeable about horses she might have tried a little goofing off, but Keylee was an experienced horse person and knew that goofing around on a horse could very well end in disaster. She remained still, and quiet for the most part, just enjoying the scenery and the sounds of the horses nickering and the clip clop of their hooves as they walked on. She used her free hand to pat the shining black rump, murmuring "good girl" softly. "Thanks for letting me come Chepe." Pushing her hair back with her free hand she said, "I haven't been on a horse in ages."

Chepe was glad Keylee wasn't the kind of person that would goof around on the back of a horse. She had been his best friend for years and he knew she could be completely serious when a situation called for it, although she was normally a very active, sometimes seeming overactive, girl. They had spent a lot of time together before he'd moved, but he was happy to be back on the island.

Readjusting his weight on his horse's back he said to Keylee, "you're welcome. we haven't really had a chance to catch up since you moved here." He gently pulled the reins back, to remind the horse to stay at a walk as she started to speed up into a very bouncy trot. "So what have you been up to since I moved?" he asked Keylee. He managed to get Akecheta back to a brisk walk, and took a quick look behind him to reassure himself that his sister was still behind them. satisfied that she was, he turned his attention back to Keylee waiting for a response.

Keylee smiled. "I kept busy with the others. we continued on with the things we used to do, though it wasn't the same without you." She readjusted her weight and shook her head. "Some days it was really boring after you moved. You know, not much going on, and didn't want to do anything."

Scratching her left leg she closed her eyes, breathing in deeply. She was having a great time. "So how has it been being back here? I can see why you missed it, it's beautiful out here" Keylee noticed a key being that was missing. "Hey, Chepe, where is Angel?" She looked around the horses beginning to worry a little.

Chepe patted Akecheta's neck and said, "I know all too well about having days full of boredom." He looked down at the road in front of his horse to be sure she wasn't going to stumble before continuing further. "You can't even imagine how good it feels to be back here."

At her last comment he chuckled. "Angel stayed with the bike. In fact she is probably asleep by it now." Turning to call out to Tesanee he said "Want to go faster sis? Akecheta's ready to run!" maybe we should head to the park. we could eat there too."

Keylee laughed. "you're right, I can't imagine how happy you are to be back." she paused a moment. "I imagine it would feel about like if I moved back to Cali after several years here. But since it hasn't happened to me yet, no, I can't even begin to know how it feels." Shaking her head she responded to Chepe's comment about the puppy. "It might be a good thing she stayed behind since dogs can scare horses by running under their feet."

At the mention of going faster Keylee instinctively tightened her arms around her friend's waist in preparation for the faster gait. She was certain his little sister would want to do it and she felt it would be best to be prepared. She knew he hadn't asked her opinion but like always she offered her two cents anyway. "Eating at the park would be fun. The horses could rest too." not that horses would need rest but it would give them an excuse to sit together doing nothing at all for a while.

Tes was completely enjoying the ride. The rocking rhythm of her horse was fluid and soothing. thewarm sun shone down on them, clear blue sky with only a few clouds inviting a day of rest and fun. She was in complete agreement with Keylee and said so.

Patting her mare's neck she responded to the question posed by her brother. "Yes! Lets go faster!" the small girl nudged her horse int a trot, then into a canter, passing her brother and Keylee before Chepe could get his horse moving faster, her long ponytail bouncing behind her.