Love Demands Redemption

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Follows:   (Abi's POV) and   (Dave's POV) 

     Dave almost agreed too quickly to his daughter's request for a show. He wasn't running. He wasn't hiding. He just had a feeling he and Chris should probably get some space for a while... Who was he kidding? He had done everything wrong. From Chris's perspective, it looked like Dave had a hand in the breakup with him and Kate. He looked like he had been the nosy, overbearing dad he was famous for. Even if Dave had explained how it all happened, Chris had already shut him out. 
     It hurt Dave. Not because his son lost all trust and respect for him. Dave could handle that. He was more upset that it had hurt Chris so much. He felt bad for the both of them really; both Kate and Chris. Kate deserved to go after her dreams, pursue her interests, not have to lie to herself about a world she didn't feel like she fit in. Chris knew that and probably felt the same, Dave assumed. He was a good kid. He'd never hold that against Kate. But Dave could only imagine what it left his poor boy feeling like... that he wasn't what she wanted in her life... Heartbreak was tough. 
     So when Abi had touched on the subject of a show in her future, Dave jumped on it. He needed to redirect his emotions too or he'd just end up smothering Chris. Abi had been more than patient and deserved his unyielding attention. "I was actually just thinking you've been doing very well in your lessons, Ms. Abigail."
     Abi held her chin high, "Why, thank you, Daddy. I'm ahead in my classes, I've made ample progress in my lessons; I can even groom Ms. Stickers all on my own now. I'm becoming quite self-sufficient in that department. You can ask Mr. Barraway yourself." 
     "I have nothing but full faith in your testimony, Ms. Abigail." Dave smiled warmly. 

     "So, Daddy..." Abi started softly, watching the scenery roll by on their way home from the stable. She wanted to point out that she knew she was nowhere near as talented as Chris when it came to horse riding but she didn't want Dave to feed into that. She didn't want to admit that she was actually just scared for fear he'd take that as she was afraid of riding and insist she stopped. So she had to pick her words wisely so she didn't tip him off. "Well, thank you for giving me the opportunity to demonstrate my abilities. I know you and Chris have been having some troubles lately-" 
     "Oh, not anything really," Dave assured her. "Did he say that?"
     "No, Mommy told me. She said you really blew it this time, Daddy." Abi shook her head with pity for the old man. Even Helena was impressed how deep he sank his ship this time. "Are you really going to keep her horse? Ms. Smith's horse, that is?"
     "Ah...." Dave tapped his finger on the steering wheel, keeping his eyes on the road. He and Kate had a brief talk about her horse. She didn't want to take her immediately until she found a suitable barn and had the income to cover boarding. Her dad offered to help pay if she needed it but it was all still up in the air at this point. Naturally, being the kind of dumbass Dave was, he offered to keep her mare boarded right where she was until Kate could get a plan together. "Momentarily...it's temporary." 
     "I see..." Abi looked away from Dave and back to the scenery out the window. No wonder Chris felt so betrayed. "Daddy, I still love you even if you are really bad at this fatherhood stuff. My condolences." 
     "I-well..." He sighed quietly, slumping his shoulders. "Thank you, Ms. Abigail," he muttered. He was truly grateful for his daughter. No matter how indifferent she may seem to others, she had a heart of gold. Especially, if she could watch him stumble around, trying to be a good role model, and still call him "Daddy" at the end of the day.

     Abi put her hand on Dave's shoulder to reassure him he could step back now. Her name had been called and it was time for her to take the arena. She used to be the scared and uncertain one. Sometimes, she still was. But seeing Dave bumble through life, bounce back, and still be there for her, she found she could be brave around him. Or rather, be brave for him. 
     It could be seen in how she took to the arena: head held high, a solid seat, how she carried herself proudly atop her pony. Stickers had molded herself to Abi. The little mare was now attuned with her soft and subtle cues, almost like she whispered to her. Her quiet disposition fit right with Abi's. They didn't have to shout to demand an audience. They simply took the stage. 
     Abi dipped her eyes down, saluting before the judges. Her Daddy was no failure. She was proud to be his daughter and she was proud to ride Dressage. If he could fail in one area and make changes so he could try again, so could she. If Chris wouldn't give him a chance for redemption, she would. 

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Abi just cemented the "Best Child" award in her favor ;D 
And she does love her daddy quite a bit <3 
Off scene, she and Chris have definitely talked a little bit. Chris definitely shit-talking Dave into a grave, I'm sure. But with their age gap, the siblings didn't have a deep conversation over it by any means. Enough that Abi is in the know of what all went down. Especially since she kind of liked Kate around too <//3 
So, Kate's moving on. She's got her place and classes going. She's still got loose ends out at the stable but ya know, life is chaotic in nature. Good ol' Dave just "I can help!" because he can't help himself... 

I wanted to draw something a little more basic because I got a new tablet! I usually do all my tradi pencil doodles while at work but I got a real deep homesick feel for digi art. Super bad. So after a crap ton of research, I got myself a little iPad Mini to use at work! And did all this with Procreate! (Save for some small edits in PS back on the laptop again.) 
I was impressed!! I didn't think I'd be able to do this kind of quality on it, for real! I'm a converted believer xD 
Granted, my layer count is limited so that was an adventure lolol A piece like this one was limited to like 30 layers so LOOOOOTS of merging! I'm so happy to have digi in my life <3 
This does mean there's very little tradi art to be made in the near future but I'm sure I'll get that itch again <3 
I just needed to feel like I could accomplish something for once and what I was doing with the tradi stuff just wasn't doing it for me anymore. Just felt disconnected from what I wanted to achieve and what I was able to produce. Left me just feeling real crap about myself and the things I did and no one wants that :''D So this was a good pick-me-up <33 

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Abi/Stickers/Dave/Chris/Kate/Helena/Naki/Art © Drasayer
"Mr. Barraway" © Saoradh 
No specific refs used


Procreate/Photoshop CS6