Valid Bravery

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    Perhaps, this was...better.
     Abigail was settling into her lessons. Although she was slow to progress, when she did, she did it well. She was meticulous and was perfectly content to work on one goal for several days until she felt she had done it to the best of her abilities. Her instructor's compliments were appreciated, sure, but she felt they were probably to make sure her daddy didn’t have him fired. Or worse.
    But what really made her feel like she was getting her own foothold on her riding was when Dave would even start riding during her lessons. No more sitting in the stands with his hands clasped together and a nervous glare into the arena. He still only worked on basic ground maneuvers, no jumps or the like, but it was a start. And she worked very hard to make sure she didn’t put a chip in that trust. Dave was a fickle man when it came to the subject. At least from what she heard Chris grumble about to his friends and what she had witnessed herself.
    An evening her instructor was away for the week for business, Dave rode beside Abi while the horses cooled down. Not that anyone worked up much of a sweat. Abi felt she should thank Dave or maybe congratulate him for being so brave. “Daddy.”
    “Yes, Ms. Abigail?” He asked, looking over to her.
    “You’ve been most brave.” She reached over and patted his knee like he needed consoling. “Thank you.”
    Dave looked at her hand patting his knee and then back to her face where it was still just a scowl. Most days, he felt pretty proud to be able to decipher her mannerisms but this time, he was stumped. “You are...most welcome, Ms. Abigail. What have I braved to receive such an honor?”
    “You’re letting Chris go to shows on his own again.”
    “Yes, well…” That was a matter on its own. Not something he could explain to his eleven year old daughter. Or perhaps he could but he wouldn’t. She already thought he was foolish without his reasons.
    “You’re riding with me.”
    He smiled warmly, “It is a privilege.”
    “And I hold the same opinion.” She raised a finger to make a point, “But as Mr. Barraway and I practice each day to get better, so should you.”
    Dave slumped a little, “Ooh? And what is it I should be practicing?” If it was some dressage thing, he felt he might have to fight a groan. Even though she had found a passion for it, Dave still had a deep-rooted aversion to it. Boring.
    “You should allow me to accompany you to a show.” She said it swiftly and boldly. She made sure she enunciated everything perfectly so there was no way he would mishear her. She stared straight ahead, gently squeezing her reins which felt like she was holding on for dear life. This could all backfire and get her into trouble like she had seen it do to Chris. But equally, if he was being a lot more laxed, this was her chance. To finally get out again. It had been so long.
    Dave’s brows raised first, soaking in the statement. He was caught off guard but at the same time, he should have known it was coming. It wasn’t like she got the same attention and freedom like Chris did. He got to go to shows all the time while she was stuck at home. Before he gave himself too much time to dwell on all the things that could go wrong, he danced with the notion, “I suppose you would want something Dressage?”
    Abi’s head snapped around, her heart skipping around because it wasn’t an outright denial! She sat up straight and vigilant, careful to choose her answer properly, “If that is what I can do, then yes. I’m quite well-versed in it. I would also be interested in other possibilities should the chance occur.”
    Dave stroked his mustache, thinking of the events he had booked already. He sighed a little, “I’m afraid there aren't too many options that would be open for your age. A bothersome obstacle.”
    “Quite,” she nodded, scowling. “I did say I would be interested in other possibilities…” When he only just looked at her, she could tell he was wondering what she could mean by that. “Such as, perhaps, a hunt?”
    Dave smiled and quietly chuckled, “You have been looking at my calendar.”
    “It is public for all to see, Daddy.”
    “Yes, of course. Ms. Abigail, that is quite different from any Dressage-”
    “I’m aware. I need to be able to control my mount over vast terrain. I can assure you, I can manage that. There are paths that bypass any kind of jumps. I have looked at the map. There are bridges over the water. I am not afraid of the mud or the cold. I am confident in my abilities to maintain control and traverse the terrain.”
    She always did impress him with her wondrous mind. Something he and his wife just admired. How could he say no to her? Should he say no? What reason did he have? She was too young? She was too inexperienced? He was too worried? These weren’t valid reasons why she couldn’t have a fair chance. It wasn’t like they had to be in the front, storming over the fields and blasting over the hedges. In fact, he felt more at ease with this because he could be right beside her. Guide her. Keep her safe. Hell, they could walk across the finish line if they wanted. This could be a trail ride if he felt they were in any kind of danger.
    He hung his head and sighed. “Oh, Ms. Abigail. I do wish you would be kinder to my heart.”
    She reached over and patted his knee again, a tiny smile breaking her stern lips, “I know, Daddy. But Mommy says it’s okay because your heart is big and strong enough to take it.” And if that didn’t make him want to sob hideous man-tears, she added, “Remember, Daddy. You have to practice being brave and you’ll be really good at it one day.”

    "Are you a kid too!?- I mean, hello, I’m Ryan," a young boy approached Abi and greeted her. He was clearly eager to run into another young rider like himself!  
    Abigail glanced on either side of her, checking to make sure her pony was standing square and looking well-presented. She sat up straight, determined to make her first impression a good one because perhaps this was a beginning to a new era for her. She scowled with determination, staring him dead in the eyes, “Hello, sir. I am Abigail Burton. As is deemed by my age, yes, I am considered a child. Do not mind my father; he is quite silly.” She gestured to the looming figure that seemed to grow larger, darker, closer, more powerful as he approached, staring the boy-child down into dust. “I hope you have a pleasant ride, Mr. Ryan.”

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Awwww, Abi is a good soul for Dave. She knows how pathetic he can be x''D But instead of like her big brother that just guilt trips him or gets all pissy, she just gives him a lollipop for trying. All while trying to get into HORSE BUSINESS. >: D 
And Ace and I need our kiddos to meet so they can be friends(?). >:[ 

THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A QUICKIE. 
Half an eternity later... :''DDDD
Turned into three weeks of "yea, just hurry up and get it done" faced with "ohno, this is a lot for such a short period of time" xDD
Poor planning on my part~ BUT IT'S HERE! IT'S A THING. Not the sparkliest Dras thing ever but whatevs <3 It's my cute kid and dumb daddio doin' their thing and I got mah frand's peeps and ponies in there bein' fun, I'm happy <3
And there shall be no zoom. -sobs-

Naked Sketch: 
NO.  
This was so rushed and tiny, Ryan's face looked like a piece of beef jerky. 

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Abi/Dave/Stickers/Birgitta/Chris/Art © Drasayer
"Mr. Barraway" © Saoradh 
Ryan/Sophie/Sinbad/Serv Evil © Acetoma 
No specific refs used


Pencil/Photoshop CS6