Juliet's Arrival at the PC

Travelling with Juliet was always a rare treat; unlike so many horses she was an excellent traveller, patient and obedient and rarely moody unlike a certain other mare who kicked up Hell every time she was put to a trailer. Juliet seemed to accustom to the change of climates easily enough and only really demanded a comfortable stall to rest in after arriving. 

Amalie had been missing from the track for a while and found herself eager to return to it, a spring in her step as she went. Juliet seemed quite upbeat as well despite the relentless sun, though the heat was nothing compared to the oven that was Dubai so perhaps it was to be expected that the filly wouldn't be too lethargic. 

This should be a good race, Amalie was sure, chuckling to herself that she seemed to be possessing more and more of Harley's optimism lately. 

Waylon had an ease about him as he leaned against the stall that occupied his prized stallion, Triton had stayed up in New York for three races since his return but now he was in California and things were looking exciting. This is where he'd stay through to the Breeder's Cup if Waylon could help it and this is where his team would semi-relocate while their horses in training lined up for their multitude of races.

Triton had come out of the DWC thin and tired, he'd had a hell of a campaign and he'd been sent to the farm for a while. But now he was fit, and having scored two major wins in a row he was ready to take on the next half of his five year old season. And Waylon was personally going to supervise it, or at least that's what he had in his mind. But he'd been taking more of a backseat while his younger team members had dove right in and had found great success this year.

There was a nicker from the stall next to him and he grinned turning so he could rub down Triton's face. The bay stallion didn't know a stranger to save his life, but he also loved his people greatly...and the attention he got when he was being 'cute'.

Amalie led her palomino filly into the stables, sighing in quiet relief as she crossed the threshold into the shade. Sure, Sun was great, Sun was nice, but it was hot and sticky and she was far more comfortable in Scotlands climate. Juliet huffed and nudged her arm, an action Amalie could almost take for an agreement. 

"We're Scottish born and bred, huh?" She giggled, smoothing out Juliet's forelock affectionately. 

Other horses looked up and greeted them as they walked by, Amalie looking to find the stall Juliet could take her well deserved rest in when she saw a familiar face with an oh, so familiar stallion. 

"Waylon, Triton! Good to see you!" She greeted with a smile. Juliet looked over the two, spending more time looking over Waylon than the stallion before sighing and looking away again. Amalie decided to stable the tired filly before talking with the man. 

Waylon grinned when he heard Ammy's voice and turned, still with a hand rubbing down Triton's neck to greet her. "Good to see you two, too! Did you travel well?" The stallion tossed his head a few times at Juliet, flehmening to her with a quiet nicker. He had always been all about the fillies, but it was so much worse now that he had foals on the ground.

"Oh stop that, she has no interest in you big boy." There was a grin and Waylon patted Triton's neck, "Just makes you look desperate for attention." There was a snort and then the stallion forelornly rested his head against his stall door, hanging it where he could clearly be seen to be pouting.

"Need some help getting your filly stabled?" Waylon had no issues helping at all if Ammy wanted it.

The stallion looked downright heartbroken when he was completely ignored, and he swayed his head a moment before deciding it was right time to get back to being his "cute" self. So as Ammy walked over he lifted his head and stole the cowboy hat right off of Waylon's own head, tossing it a few times in the air with a glint in his eye that totally said he was enjoying himself.

"Oh no, not poor Triton. He's a right brat when he wants to be." There was a grin though and Waylon relaxed, utterly ignoring the pestering stallion behind him. "How are you doing? I'm sure it was nice to get back home for a bit and get back to the horses."

Amalie tried, she did try, to hold back her laughter but once the first snort escaped the floodgates opened. Hand over her mouth in a futile attempt to stifle her giggles she leaned against the stable door for support. 

"You're ridiculous!" She cried, finally managing to collect herself. She cleared her throat and straightened up. "Ah, yeah, it was nice to get back home, it was refreshing to get back into the routine again. Sad that Axel has passed away but I'm glad I was back home before he went." She pulled a lock of hair behind her ear as a way of giving herself a few extra seconds to think up a different topic. "How's everything been for the fox harber team? Even just hearing about what you guys do makes me tired!"

Waylon chuckled with her, which just spurred on the stallion to be even more creative in trying to get his trainer's attention. After a while he dropped the hat unceremoniously on Waylon's head before pushing his nose against Ammy's shoulder seeking attention from her now.

"I swear, he's an oversized puppy and not a thoroughbred stallion." Adjusting his hat he grinned and just shook his head, Triton kept them all pretty relaxed and that was worth way more than his racing prowess.

"I'm sure it was, nothing quite like going home. Glad you were back in time too. Losing an animal like that...it's hard." He had lost his fair share, and he understood that bond, even if he hadn't had an animal with the job that Axel did.

Ammy was changing the subject and he went with it, figuring it was still tough to talk about a loss like that. "Busy." There was a laugh and he shook his head, "Getting things ready for the breeding season next year, getting horses lined up for their next races, breaking in the yearlings...it's been a bit too much. I'm even tired. Our Japanese partnership is taking off, and now we are looking into acquiring the Jones family farm in England...so...things are going as crazy as they always have been I guess." He looked over at Ammy, "And Harley is still working through some of his issues, being back out west...hasn't done well for him, even if he won't admit it to himself. Dollars is out here too, and he still refuses to get back on his saddle."

Amalie' attention was caught when she heard FHF would been buying up some land in England, since she had been secretly dealing with the inheritance for Bluefaulds Equestrian Centre down in England as well. Still this wasn't information she was public about and decided not to comment, after all more pressing things were on her mind right at that second. 

"... how is Harley? Have you heard anything from the hospital? Results, prognosis, anything?" 

Waylon saw her take attention to the England news, "We haven't talked much about England, Colton and Cecily's family farm is in danger of folding...put in an offer on it recently. We'll see what happens. It's small in comparison to our farm, but it's a great location and would help us with our European campaigns. And with the chase horses we have coming up."

Ammy was asking about his son and he reached out to give her shoulder a light squeeze, "He's doing okay, the blackouts are fewer and farther in between...but still no answers. We've been warring over his riding, I'm still keeping him to limited mounts, like this goofball behind us."

Amalie smiled, thankful for the older man's perception. "He trusts Triton to take care of him... so do I, I suppose, guess just not as strongly." She could sense that she was getting dangerously close to that gloomy pessimism that seemed to cloud her so often and snapped herself out of it. "But it's not me he relies on out there, it's Triton, and Harley's proven again and again he can handle it." She wasn't sure who she was trying to convince more. 

Scratch that, she knew fine well she said it for herself, not the man who knew that better than anyone. It's was she who felt helpless and frustrated, but admitting that to Waylon would be nothing short of selfish considering how he must be feeling. She'd heard about all the infamous arguments after all and knew her problems were relatively minor in comparison. 

She vehemently stamped down thought that she wished she'd known the luxury of arguing with her father. 

"I've a good feeling about this race." She said truthfully, standing tall. 

There was another light squeeze from Waylon on that shoulder, "I trust Triton too, and Meme to bring our boy home safely. They'd do anything for him, and he would for them too." He looked off, he knew where his fears came from and he let out a sigh, "I put too much on him, he's too much like his mother and try as I might I can't shake that when he gets up on a horse. That's my issue, not Harley's. That's why we fight so much about it."

He was watching her as she wrestled her own thoughts and he offered a nod at that last bit, "I do too. That filly of your's is very talented, so is the other filly Saint Laurent...it's going to be a tough race but I know it will be a good one. And you'll all come home safe." There was a nod at that, he was confirming it to himself, "I'll be rooting for both of you."

Amalie smiled, though she still shrunk into herself rather than standing tall. "Arguments are inevitable, I guess, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't jealous of how close you two are. Harley really does think the world of you even if he does try to prove to himself he can do things his way." 

She paused and allowed herself to feel some pride over his praise of Juliet, welcoming the safe subject. 

"Thank you, it'll be an interesting race. But although I love you all, I won't be going easy on any of you." She said with a grin. 

Waylon saw her shrink in on herself and he understood that far too well, "It's hard. Losing your father at any age. For Harley...it hurts him when he sees people with their mothers, especially as he's gotten older. Thinking of the future...and what she won't see, it eats on him. I'm sure in the same way that losing your father eats on you too." There was a soft smile there, "I'm hard on him because he's better than me, his eye for horses, his talent on the track. He's better than all the Givens that have been in this game, I push him so he can set his own course. My father kicked me out of the house when I didn't share the same ideals he did, I'd never do that to Harley, but he needs a push to know his full potential. And he's been getting that, with a lot of help from you, Amalie."

There was pride on Ammy's features and he grinned, "Not many riders have given Harley as big of a challenge as you and that filly of your's. Well fillies, you've got some darn good fillies at Antrium. And honey, I would never ask you to go easy on us in any races. You're too good for that, and don't let anyone try and tell you otherwise. You put it to him on that track, he respects the hell out of you for it too. And so do I, you're a remarkable young woman."

At his words Ammy let her walls crack. It had been an eternity since anyone other than Sou had given her words that touched her like that. It was more powerful, coming from Waylon, since he was a father, was a parent, compared to Sou who was neither. She swallowed thickly and blinked back any moisture that formed in her eyes. 

Triton, precious thing that he was, picked the perfect moment to press his nose against her chest and nuzzle like a puppy, the hug greatly appreciated and reciprocated on her end. 

"I... that means a lot to me. I've been winging it, honestly, trying to support Harley, he doesn't really need me, really only likes me there, but you telling me that has really helped. Thank you." She chocked out a half-hearted chuckle and brushed her hair out her face. "Ah, I'd never go easy on you lot in a proper race... everything else, well, guess I'm a softy."

Waylon saw that cracking and when he wanted to comfort her...he was beaten by a stallion that just made him smile. "He needs you more than you think he does, Amalie. I'm pretty sure you've been the one that has helped him survive all of this the most. I am not sure he could have done it without you."

When Triton released her Waylon went to wrap an arm around her shoulders in a bit of a side hug, if she was up to it. "It's been a comfort for me that he's had you for this. And no matter what, Amalie, you are always going to be important to this family. To me. You have breathed life back into our boy, and there will never be words that can properly thank you for that."

He laughed at the last bit though, "Nothing wrong with being soft sometimes. Heck, all the best people I know are a bit soft in their own way."

The side hug was not enough, not after he'd said words she hadn't realised she'd needed to hear so much. She let the 'stern boss' persona melt away and wrapped her arms around him like a little girl who craved a father. No, he'd never replace her father but she'd felt so useless with regards to Harley lately... it was one thing to have her boyfriend saying she helped him it was something completely different for Waylon to assure her that she was helping all of them out by keeping his son going. 

"... I needed that. I really, really needed to hear that." She smiled, a little bit of her insecurities disappearing more and more every time she repeated his assurances in her mind. 

When Ammy wrapped her arms around him like that he pulled her in for a nice tight hug. One hand gently rubbed her back and he couldn't help but dip his head next to her's during that hug. "I'm always here for you Amalie, whatever you need. I'll always have your back, like you've had his." There was another squeeze and that father side of him couldn't help but pop out because he lifted his head to give her temple the lightest peck.

"He's not the only one that loves you kid, don't ever forget that."

Ammy sighed, fortifying herself and backed away looking, and feeling, like a weight was lifted off her shoulders. "Thank you." She felt another nudge at her back and turned just in time to have Triton rest his head, heavily, against hers, pushing the already short jockey into a slouch.  "Ah, damnit, seriously?! Why do horses feel the need to do this?! You dorky stallion!" She grumbled, ducking out from under the stallion and sending him a mock glare, which fooled no one. 

Sighing she relented and gave in to his attention seeking ways and gave him another hug, knowing he'd be spoilt rotten by her if she saw him every day. 

"Anyway, speaking of the dorks of FHF, do you know where Harley is?" 

Waylon let her go when she started to move, "My honor, Amalie." Then he was laughing at Triton and patting his neck, "He just likes to have all the attention on him. That and he just likes to pester. You saw him with the hat bit." He chuckled again when she hugged Triton and relaxed against the stall once more.

"I'm pretty sure he's hotwalking his little princess." There was a smirk, they hadn't talked much about where Meme would pop up to race next, leaving everyone hanging on what they were doing with their grey princess. "She's going to be shipping to Europe again soon for that final leg of the British Triple Tiara...so I am sure you know he's anxious about not letting her out of his sight."

Waylon laughed, "Well that's the goal I think, she has definitely proven to be well worth her pedigree that's for sure. I've left the rest of her career mostly in Harley's hands, and I haven't been disappointed yet. Especially with him deciding to give her another racing season before we breed her." He laughed at the interaction with Triton and the stallion returned to start pestering his trainer.

"Oh don't you worry, he'll give you a good race. This boy is itching to chase your filly again. And Harley wants to keep on with his season and see how far they go." There was a grin, "But as I told him, this filly of your's has bested Triton twice already. She might very well be the rival he's been looking for his entire career."

Amalie smirked, just the mere mention of the word 'rival' had her competitive blood boiling. "Ah, but he has beaten her before, in Japan. Must've been having a good day, huh boy?" She paused, her more bashful side coming out. "I am proud of her though. In my inexperience I botched Abyaz's career for the most part. Then Juliet was so placid and gentle no one thought she would have the gumption to handle fiery horses like Epona or Pharaoh on the track... I'm glad she been proving them wrong. Though soon she'll have her little brothers to contend with, that'll be interesting." 

She backed up a bit here, hand subconsciously going for her phone and absentmindedly brushing her fingers over the screen without unlocking it. A look of quiet resolution crossed her face before she straightened up to face Waylon with an appreciative smile. 

"Thanks for the chat, Waylon. It's done me wonders," she silently promised to work hard to be worthy of all the praise he'd given her, "but I'm gonna head. Probably give Harley a call, see if I can see him after he's had his alone time with his princess. Take care!"

Waylon grinned, "Japan is like our backyard for the most part. I trained over those tracks well before I had horses in the states. I wouldn't hold that against her." Triton nickered at her though, he could be competitive too! "We all have horses we learn on, and Abyaz was still a remarkable horse on the track. Don't discredit yourself for learning with one of the better horses of the day. I've learned that placid and gentle doesn't mean a pushover, she handles being threatened far too well, and doesn't seem to let it get to her when she gets beat. Those competitive sorts...if a horse noses them out it can ruin them for life. Your filly? She bounces right back and the next race is a new start. If her little sister could be like that we'd be set...still trying to get her unspooked after Demon sent her wheeling." There was a sigh, "That colt might very well be an actual demon."

"Anytime." He chuckled about his son and gave her a nod, "I'm sure he'd let someone else tend to her for a little time with you. Take care of yourself too."

Amalie blushed, undoubtedly pleased with having her favourite filly so well praised. She always had trouble taking compliments herself and taking compliments on her horses affected her even more but she loved and appreciated it. 

"Heh, I own the racing stable yet every time I talk with you I learn something else that just didn't even occur to me... guess I've a lot of growing up to do." She admitted. "Ah Soy'll do fine, in your care she'll get her confidence back. Who knows? Maybe training with a mare like Meme will boost her confidence? And you've plenty placid horses to counter Demon." 

She blushed lightly and giggled at the insinuation that Harley would drop everything to hang out for a bit. She was one to talk in that respect but it still felt nice to hear. 

"Yeah... see ya." With that she left the stables, phone in hand.