the arrivals

Eva and Gremlin have arrived at the Ballenclieff!

I've taken some artistic liberties and omitted the halters/handlers. Avoiding people where possible.

Don't have a scanner at the moment so having to take pics in my room, its pretty late & its a horrible yellow light, might get a better scan at some point if I get access to one.

Could not be arsed with this story. Bare bones of one.
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Suprisingly, the trip back went rather smoothly. The Gremlin, having of course travelled from Japan to Australia, had taken the process of the aeroplane and its loading mechanisms in his stride, save for his boisterousness and bellowing. Little Eva, however, was so flighty and nervous, and what with the presence of Gremlin – who just seemed to irate her even more – she was timid and skittish. It took her a good while to settle, but once she was in she calmed, particularly with some encouragement from the quiet handed Gina, and soon the two were installed into the flight.

In what seemed like forever, they were finally bringing the two horses to the Ballenclieff, and Rob breathed a sigh of relief, returning to his beloved farm, his homeland.
The pair unloaded easily, though Eva was shaking. The journey by trailer had been long and arduous for her, cooped up, and in close contact with the aggressive grey colt. Although it appeared he hadn’t frightened her too much, and by the end of the journey she had almost warmed to him. The environment was new, the smells strange and foreign, and the grey colt was a comforting reminder of her old home. As the pair were unloaded from the trailer, she hid into his side, shying nervously from the gathering eyes.

Rob and Gremlin had come to blows more than once on the journey back. The colt had instantly remembered Rob from the encounter before, and his attention was focused on the big man who had defied him. Before now, Gremlin had never come across anyone who was quite to dominating to him, and he disliked it. He had been more than a handful when it came to Rob, playing up, attempting to boister him out of the way whenever he was aksed to do anything, but Rob was an immovable giant and never backed down. Gremlin had felt a smack to his head and neck on several times whenever he’d tried to take a bite. Rob was swift, and was always on his toes when it came to the Gremlin. He’d bit him once, and got such a scalding that the attempts had begun to subside. He was no better behaved. Whenever Rob came near, it was a flurry and smacks and great squeals, and a clattering of hooves and clamours. Like a horrible war dance.

Gina was glad of it, since it a way Gremlin had begun to ignore anyone else, he was always ready for Rob to appear. He was almost calmer, having exhausted a great deal of his energy with the man, and had even allowed her to hold him. Gina was stunned to find that, ont he journey, he even permitted her to brush his mane, and he had been placid. She still feared him greatly, which he could sense and was still a nightmare. She couldn’t imagine how he’d be like to actually school. She preferred to play with Eva, who welcomed her comforts with such sweet affection.

Now they were here, and had been walked into the courtyard. The staff and workers had come to marvel at the Australian imports, with a mixture of positivity, and grumbles. The Gremlin had announced himself as soon as they’d arrived, bellowing and strutting, giving Rob a good handful as he’d walked him around. He was impossibly tall at his age, and build already like a grown horse. People were stunned that he was only two. He lacked the litheness of many two year old thoroughbreds; he was a machine, build strong and powerful. Over Eva, he was positiviely imposing. She was small for her age, perfectly formed and fairy like. Tiny little legs and hooves, and her nerves seemed to make her shrink even more. But her colour shone, brilliant and bright, such contrast against the striking dapples of Gremlin.

“A dapple grey, don’t see many of those” a wizened stablehand commented, moving forward to inspect, but kept his distance from Gremlin’s narrowing eyes, he focused on the filly.

The older man was past fifty, stout and bearded, well educated in his business. He skimmed Gremlin, already seeing potential, but he took pride in being able to pick out a good one from such a young age. Eva was a bundle of nerves at the minute, and he frowned at her size.

“She’s pretty, but damn she’s delicate.”

Rob frowned back, “Give her time, she’s just back. Some time out on the range would do her some good. Besides, she’ll grow.”

“She’ll need a soft handed jockey no doubt.” The stablehand went to her, stroking her beautiful neck, “She’s a sweethear’, this one. Only time’ll tell whether she can run.”