whisper gently in my ear }}

[kkgirl]

`LAKE BUNDY
i think i know what you’re getting at

Lake Bundy couldn’t have asked for a better place to move to. Silver Moon was shockingly pretty, with hospitable people and lovely animals (though the fair-haired man had yet to find himself a fitting horse). Based upon his youthful age and the intensity of his move, he had come here with a dark, resentful mind. But that wasn’t in his nature was it? Upon figuring out his attitude, Lake ha scolded himself and immediately changed it. H started to look at the beautiful things in Silver Moon. His apartment wasn’t all that bad—but of course it wouldn’t be permanent, either, for he’d be looking for lodging and a job at one of the ranches. He’d been around some of the ranches, and they were all beautiful, but he figured he’d go for the one that let him teach.

Because of his quick move, L didn’t have any food in his beat-up fridge. He was too tired today to go grocery shopping, too. So the handsome man found this to be the perfect opportunity to check out the local diner. His blue eyes scanned the road as he drove his beat-up truck. The truck was something that he was absolutely proud of, even if it was older. He turned up the radio an sang along to one of the catchy songs, his voice smooth and easy. When he caught sight of the quaint diner, he stopped singing with an embarrassed smile and pulled into its small parking lot. Lake pulled out his keys, jumped out of his car, and turned around to pet the two massive dogs he owned. He questioned the wisdom if bringing them with him, but just turned away instead. They went back to sleeping.

The diner was adorable on the inside, and he could seat himself. With a sigh, Lake seared himself and proceeded to read the many things they offered.

[*Panda]

Emmarisa Carlington

[/size]

Lonely is just one word,
Chosen to represent so much.
To tell of feelings inside,
That the senses cannot touch.

[/size]

A loud clank rang out from the large trailer that held Prince, the young woman's early friend and best companion. Glancing in her rearview mirror, Emmarisa sighed and fidgeted with the air conditioning unit in her rather flashy vehicle. The black SUV had been the last gift from her parents, and while getting up in age had been kept in good condition. Still, the expensive transportation said little for Emma's financial situation. The girl was practically broke, and had used her remaining savings to rellocate to the small town. After leaving the boundaries of the rehabilitation center she had spent many years in, the girl had never really settled down. Always searching, looking for something she could never really put a finger on. Of course, while Emma could travel and live in her car, Prince required some sort of stability. Relying on nothing more than dumb luck, the young woman was betting on the fact that she'd work in exchange for Prince's board and some extra cash to keep her fed. For now, though, the large friesian was growing restless in the trailer that held him. They had traveled quite a bit that day to reach the town boundaries, and she could hardly blame him. "Don't worry baby." the woman whispered, driving along the empty expanse of road. Her eyes searched the roadside for a place fo pull over, but was disappointed with the lacking space and appropriate terrain. Sighing, she contented herself for a few moments with lowering her window and putting her arm out in the wind created by her SUV's movement. After an additional half hour -- and numerous reminders from Prince -- Emma finally came across a small diner where she'd be able to pull in and at least let the horse out for awhile. Slowing down and pulling in, she expertly parked the SUV and trailer and switched the key into the off position. Using a violet hair-tie that had been on her wrist, she pulled her black hair into a high ponytail off of her neck and looked into her mirror. She looked tired. Not to the point of ugliness, as she was rather put together despite her lack of make-up and the fact that she had been in the car almost all day. Opening the door, she was hit with the heat of summer and the very faint sound of a working restaurant. Despite her empty stomach, Emma had no intention of going indoors to at least pick-up something to eat -- she didn't have any money to pay for it. Dressed in a simple outfit of bluejeans, a white t-shirt, and black riding boots, the young woman was far more concerned about Prince's well being than her own. Opening the side door, she patted his neck and kissed his nose while unhooking him from the trailer. Leaving for only a moment, the door eventually lowered and the black horse backed himself out of the trailer. His head was held high, and the stallion was obviously the victim of built-up energy. While he flicked his ears and observed his surroundings, Emma clipped on a lead rope and tossed it over his neck. Prince was known for following the woman wherever she went, and while the lead wasn't exactly necessary, she at least had it there in the offchance he decided to get antsy. Walking over to the edge of the small parking lot, Emma sat on the curb. The stallion followed her there, stepping up and behind her to graze on the grass at the beginning of a small field. Brushing a few whisps of stray hair behind her ear, she patted his muzzle and contemplated where exactly the pair was headed next.

[/size]

[kkgirl]

`LAKE BUNDY
i think i know what you’re getting at

The names of the dishes that they served at this quaint little diner were strange to say the least. They were enough to give Lake pause, and the handsome young man usually ate just about anything once. His tastes had been acquired to city food and a mother who was a chef, not Route 66 themed restaurants. That was a little judgemental, L thought. He knew if he would loosen up, he’d actually enjoy the titles. They were terribly amusing, and not in a better-than-you kind of way. It was if they were inviting him to ask the history behind their names; they looked so homey and cute. An adorable smile quirked one side of his mouth, and his blue eyes glided up and down the intriguing ingredients of each dish. Finally, he came to a decision to just order a cheeseburger, fries, and a Coke—there was nothing like a Coke from a small-town diner.

A waitress in a light-blue dress and white apron came over to take Lake’s order. “What can I get for ya, hun?” she questioned, her eyes good-natured. L smiled up at her and replied, “Oh, just a cheeseburger and fries.” The waitress scribbled it down on her notepad. “Your drink?” The fair-haired male smiled again gave her a quick, “Coke, madam.” The waitress looked charmed at his use of “madam” and she smiled. Lake gave her his menu and she whisked off, yelling his order to the back of the kitchen. Though the young man wasn’t much used to this kind of thing, he figured he could come to like a small-town life. His sleek eyes scanned the walls, taking-in all of the art and tables. There was a bar-like set up facing the kitchen, booths on the front-wall, and tall tables with spinning stools in the middle. It was a messily-adorable set up.

“Here ya go, sweetcheeks,” his waitress said, back with his food and drink. Lake smiled and thanked her, to which she blushed and ran off. He felt bad for leading her on, even if it was on accident. Just as he was about to take a bite into his juicy burger, a trailer pulled into the parking lot. Now that spiked his interest. Instead of eating, he watched the girl getting out of the truck (to which his stomach thoroughly disliked). She was very pretty, but Lake didn’t want to judge a book by its cover. She pulled out a large black horse, and L wanted to go talk to her immediately. On impulse, the fellow left his delicious-smelling food and walked out the door, receiving confused looks. He paused before walking over to her. He didn’t want to be a creeper, but seeing an animal so beautiful was tugging at his heart. Lake was a horseman, and this was a gorgeous horse (not to mention rider, but he wouldn’t jump to any conclusions).

With a “get on out there!” kind of thought, Lake approached the girl with a confident step. He smiled and paused a polite distance behind her. “Excuse me, miss? You have a gorgeous horse.”

[*Panda]

Emmarisa Carlington

[/size]

Lonely is just one word,
Chosen to represent so much.
To tell of feelings inside,
That the senses cannot touch.

[/size]

Rubbing the muzzle of her one companion, who would follow her anywhere, Emmarisa couldn't help but feel a sort of discontentment. Living off of nothing wasn't something she had become particularly fond of, but she had made that choice for herself. Something peculiar still laid in waiting for her some where in the expanse of earth she lived, as if she'd never really found herself. A soul-searcher. An emptyness still held her, brought on by her rather sketchy past. Drugs and alcohol at a young age had taught her how to scramble for the necessities in life, when her parents had turned a blind eye and "unintentially" locked her out of the house at random hours of the night. She had even stooped so low as to have slept on a park bench in the city. Not exactly the most luxurious place to stay, but when drugs ruled your life you have a tendency not to care much as long as you get your fix. Even so, the young woman had hurt people in the short years since birth, and while that ended up being beneficial for herself, it had no doubt come at a great cost. A cost so profound, that it alone had kept her from wandering back to the demons of the past. "We'll be all right, huh Prince?" it wasn't unusual for her to converse with an animal that could never truly reply to her, but she was confident that he was listening as his ears flickered at the sound of her quiet voice. Having been hers since the initial pregnancy of his dam, Prince was impartial to any other human being that wasn't under the age of five. As a stallion, an unruly attitude was expected, but never proven -- unless some tried to get upon his broad back. No, Prince was truly hers, and had shown on more than one occasion that he preferred it that way. Emmarisa could only hope she'd be able to provide better for him in the future, with an actual pasture instead of the fields she'd let him out in on the road. She would never keep him cooped up in the trailer for too long, and just the week prior the girl had slept in the open just so Prince wouldn't have to endure any more time in their transportation unit. "Excuse me, miss? You have a gorgeous horse." Somewhat shocked to be brought to abruptly from her thoughts, Emma showed it gracefully with a soft jump and immediate smile. Even though she spent little of her time in the company of other people, her fathers people-pleasing charm had passed to her by way of genetics. Prince, ever-so slightly protective of his lifelong owner, raised his muzzle and flicked his long tail. "Why thank you. His name is Prince" genuinely flattered by the compliment, as she had worked hard to keep his coat clean in their travels. "My name is Emmarisa." she said in a friendly voice, standing and stepping forward to shake his hand. In the company of rather unfamiliar surrounding, the large stallion stepped down from the curb and stood at her shoulder -- neck outstretched as if to scent the stranger. It wouldn't hurt to make a friend or two, if she was planning to stay for awhile. Always willing to meet new people, Emma took in the young man who stood before her in a discrete manner. Waiting for him to introduce himself to her so she'd have something to remember him by.

[/size]

[kkgirl]

`LAKE BUNDY
i think i know what you’re getting at

Lake’s eyes studied the midnight-hued equine when he spoke. He couldn’t help himself, especially not having Angel with him anymore. There was something about seeing a companion so well cared for that made him happy. There was a pleasantness about the pair that L was attracted to, as in he wanted to get to know them better. And why not? He didn’t know anybody in this ranch-town, so why not put himself out there? It’s not like he wasn’t social. As a matter of fact, Lake was a social butterfly. He loved people, and most of all, he loved pleasing them. That was a result of how he was brought-up. Though L wasn’t raised to be civil and polite; he was abused and lost most of the time. Lake being who he was, used that as motivation to be better than the family he was raised in. His father treated others with disrespect no matter what—Lake observed others and learned how to be compassionate and polite.

With the softest sigh, Lake turned his blue-eyed gaze upon the dark-haired woman just in time to see her jump at his diction. A smile lit-up his face at her reaction, simply because he found it adorable. She has a pretty smile, he noted silently to himself. L’s eyes flicked back to the horse at its small movements. Again, the man couldn’t help it—he was in tune to any animal. “Why thank you. His name is Prince.” Lake half-smiled and pondered the name. It sure fit a princely stallion, though that was a bit cheesy sounding. The gorgeous boy brought back sad memories, and for a second, L deflated. The horses he left behind were a sore spot in his heart. “My name is Emmarisa,” she said, standing and reaching to shake hands. Lake reached forward himself and firmly shook her hand. That’s something he was always taught: a firm handshake makes for a good impression. At least he received one good piece of advice from his father.

Running his fingers through his blond hair and mussing it up, Lake introduced himself, “My name’s Lake Bundy—funny one, I know.” The smile on his face and the way he tucked his hands into his pockets said he was laughing at himself, trying to break the ice at his own expense. His sky-colored eyes moved back to the stallion, somewhat entranced by him. “He’s a Friesian, yes? Gorgeous horses, I must say. My family back home owns a couple, but it was always my mother who loved them.” Lake silently cursed himself for speaking of home. Of course he would wonder back in that direction. No matter what, the man had to get over his past and just let it go. He cast his eyes to his shoes in a not-so-obvious display of shame. Though she would have no idea of what was going through his mind. “Anyways, I’m new around here and lookin’ for a job. Have you been here long?” L questioned softly, yet another smile tugging at his lips.

[*Panda]

Emmarisa Carlington

Lonely is just one word,
Chosen to represent so much.
To tell of feelings inside,
That the senses cannot touch.

[/size]

Gripping his hand gently, her handshake was also firm and confident. Not out of conscious correction, but rather out of Emmarisa's natural need to be on equal playing terms with whomever she entered a conversation with. As a very social person, the young woman had come to find that reading people wasn't exactly difficult. Perhaps it was the way his smile never truly reached his eyes, or something she could never really put a finger on, but she could already sense something secret behind this stranger. Later on she may have been told the history of him, and relate in that sort of basis. As Emma had her own secrets that she kept behind closed doors. Now, though, the note was quietly placed into the back of her mind where she would continue to pay it little thought. "My name's Lake Bundy -- funny one, I know." The soft smile on her lips widened slightly at this. Thought the young woman had the desire to be extremely chit-chatty, she pressed herself into control. Time away from other human beings had built up quite a bit of things in her character, and the newfound company was more than just a little refreshing. "He's a Friesian, yes? Gorgeous horses, I must say. My family back home owns a couple, but it was always my mother who loved them." As if on cue, Prince rested his neck on Emma's shoulder and touched her face with his dark muzzle. Resting a hand on his nose and scratching lightly with her fingers, she then shoved him away gently. "They are very good looking horses. Some what medieval looking, aren't they?" She laughed softly, turning her head to watch Prince wander back to the grass. He must have approved of this Lake Bundy. The idea was reassuring in an odd way. "Anyways, I'm new around here and lookin' for a job. Have you been here long?" Emmarise smiled somewhat awkwardly at this as she played absent mindedly with a black strand of hair that had found its way into her face. "No, actually. We just came across town limits less than an hour ago." she pondered silently the questions he may ask regarding it, and the things she was willing to give up. Something glinted in her dark eyes as the lies regarding her history sprung into the front of her mind. She had told many different stories about her past to many different people, but the idea of a fresh start was very appealing. Even so, there was no guarentee that she'd stay here for long. The job market being as it was, there was probably tons of people looking for something to reign in cash.

[/size][/color][/blockquote][/size]

[kkgirl]

`LAKE BUNDY
i think i know what you’re getting at

“They are very good looking horses. Some what medieval looking, aren’t they?” Emmarisa said, commenting between Lake’s words. Of course he would acknowledge her, why wouldn’t he? The smile on his face was small but easy, though not as happy as it could be. His hair was still messed up, with blond spikes sticking up all over the place. It wasn’t an unattractive kind of messy—it matched the way he smiled and talked. He didn’t act as if he could rock the intentional messy hair; it was more as if he had forgotten about that habit to the point of leaving it alone. No longer did the fair-haired male get embarrassed at his quirks. He learned to embrace them just as he embraced others, though again he noted something cheesy about himself. That he could be self-conscious about, though he would never show it to someone. The young man learned at a small age to keep his emotions in and take care of others, because in the end they needed it more than he did.

The quiet way that L waited for Emma to answer was a normal characteristic. He was a patient man and never wanted to make anyone uncomfortable. He hoped he didn’t make her uncomfortable. Now that he thought about it, he figured his questioning might be taken the wrong way. But then again, Lake was being silly. There was no need to suddenly question the way he always acted. Though Emmarisa responded, relieving him of his ridiculous worry, “No, actually. We just came across town limits less than an hour ago.” The answer came as a surprise, and Lake raised an eyebrow with a soft laugh. The girl was making headway, that much he could tell. Though he had no idea where she was coming from, he received the impression it wasn’t too close. Somewhat like Lake, but he would not succumb to those kind of assumptions. He would hate it if someone were to start making assumptions of his past, so why should he do it to anybody else?

With a soft exhaling of breath, Lake met Emma’s eyes. He smiled bigger than he did before and gestured openly at the land around them. “Well, welcome to Silver Moon!—though I am in no way qualified to say that, considering I’ve only been here for a week.” He laughed softly, again at himself. His gaze returned to the stallion, observing that he had left Emma’s side. “That’s a little crazy, but in a completely reasonable way. Sadly, I couldn’t bring my Andalusian with me; it was kind of a quick move.” L’s voice was very soft, sounding tired. “You must be hungy,” he commented, almost at random. “Are you here to get something to eat?” He figured if she had wanted to tell him her reasons for moving, she would have. So he did not ask.

[*Panda]

Emmarisa Carlington

Lonely is just one word,
Chosen to represent so much.
To tell of feelings inside,
That the senses cannot touch.

[/size]

Only now did Emma take the time to scan over this newfound aquantence, take in details she would have otherwise missed. As someone brought up under the guidance of nannies and parents who, at an early age, expected nothing but excellent social behavior, she was incredibly discreet in such a subconscious analysis. Comfort came with his not-so-put-together apperance. She herself was hardly looking her best, as travel didn't allow for make-up or attractive clothing. If she missed anything of her old life in the deep city, it was most likely her wardrobe. Nothing was ever really hers, though, as she had spent a lot of time sneaking into her mothers closest to take things more fashionable than what had been thrown onto her bed in the morning. Having a young mother who only ever focused on money and being in was very useful in that way -- and only in that way. Any other benefits had stemmed from her rich father, whom at least kept the girl fed and clothed with his money. She could read the surprise in his face when she spoke, and she shifted awkwardly at it. Emmarisa was no stranger to reality, and fairy tales were something foreign. The life she lead, while perhaps better than the life she lived before, wasn't exactly the best kind. Her eyes flickered to the ground for a few moments as she realized that Lake was probably far better off than she was. Anyone with money to spend at a diner was better off than she was. The idea was a serious blow to any confidence she may have displayed, but it didn't take long for her to rebound and raise her gaze back to Lake's playful eyes. "Well, welcome to Silver Moon!--though I am in no way qualified to say that, considering I've only been here for a week." Emmarisa returned his laugh, though it was momentous as she followed his gaze towards Prince. "That's a little crazy, but in a completely reasonable way. Sadly, I couldn't bring my Andalusian with me; it was kind of a quick move." The young woman's heart dropped at the idea of not being with Prince. She knew that one day she'd have to go on without him, unless her death was rather untimely. A frown quickly graced her features as she turned back to Lake. "You must be hungry. Are you here to get something to eat?" At this Emma smiled and politely shook her head. "I am a bit famished," something of a white lie, since her stomach had been running on empty since noon the day before. "But I can't just leave Prince out here." Truth, but not exactly honesty.

[/size][/color][/blockquote][/size]

[kkgirl]

`LAKE BUNDY
i think i know what you’re getting at

Lake’s stomach growled almost angrily. It was rebelling against his ditching of a delectable looking cheeseburger. Just the thought of that plate of meat and fries made his hunger rear its head in ugly protest. L glanced down at his stomach in embarrassed surprise. A slightly uncomfortable smile lifted the corners of his lips, flashing a bit of emotion. Of course he was starving, but the fair-haired man liked people and horses way more than he liked food. Anyways, food definitely wasn’t a necessity to him, even though it would be to any normal person. Food was something he knew he needed, but at the same time, he would pick almost anything over it. He supposed that was another result of his past, being a people-pleaser and all that jazz. It came from training himself to put others’ needs before his own. Oddly enough, it turned into a preference instead of a life-skill.

The young man waited patiently for Emmarisa’s answer, always willing to give someone the time they needed. Though it didn’t take any time at all for her to answer with a small shake of her head, “I am a bit famished.” Her words contradicted the shake of her head, leading to an idea slowly forming in L’s mind. It didn’t seem quite right to leave her hungry. “But I can’t just leave Prince out here,” Emma added, giving her excuse. Lake cleared his throat softly and turned his stare to the sky, dusk settling in. He wanted to think there was something more to it, simply because she could put Prince back in his trailer. But L was always hesitant with that kind of thing, so he said nothing and thought of another way to get her food. He smiled and said, “For some reason, it doesn’t seem right to leave a lady hungry.” He turned around and walked toward his truck, whistling to Scout and Boo. “I hope either of you don’t mind dogs,” L called back to Emma.

He dropped the tailgate on his red truck and his two Irish Wolfhounds came bounding out. They were huge, he knew, but also carefully trained. Instead of running toward Prince and Emma, they pranced around Lake. He turned back around and walked to Emmarisa, Boo and Scout in tow. “Heel,” L said, and they sat on both sides of him. The young man turned toward the dark-haird woman with a smile. He introduced Boo and Scout, then added, “Prince doesn’t mind, does he? Because I was hoping you could watch them as I go and pay for the food I so rudely left.” There was a mischievous glint in his blue-eyes, but at this point, there was no stopping what he had in mind. He ruffled his hair a bit nervously, but at the same time had an air of pleasant confidence. L took a couple of steps back, smiling devilishly.

[*Panda]

Emmarisa Carlington

Lonely is just one word,
Chosen to represent so much.
To tell of feelings inside,
That the senses cannot touch.

[/size]

A soft twinge of surprise touched Emma's face at the soft growling from Lake's stomach, and she felt her own abdomen squeeze in slightly as if to prevent her stomach from doing the same. The heat let up slightly as a soft breeze traveled through the air and brought relief to those who choose to stand in it. Beauty enveloped the city she had found. Physically it was quiant, though spread out, and if the locals were anything like this one she'd no doubt come to like it here. Perhaps settling down for a few months would be beneficial, at least she could make some money and eventually have a place to call her own. Something she had never really experienced -- living alone. The idea was interesting and somewhat intimidating. Being forced to be alone during a thunderstorm or power outtage was nerve racking, fears she'd never had the opportunity to overcome. Now as an adult, they seemed to be engraved into her. "For some reason, it doesn't seem right to leave a lady hungry." Emmarisa's face turned to one of surprise as she blinked at this, "Oh no, that's--" she began quietly, only to die off as Lake turned and went towards his truck where two large dogs awaited. "I hope either of you don't mind dogs," she watched quietly as he let the two long-haired dogs out of his truck. Prince, never one to miss the opportunity to be nosy, raised his head from where he had wandered off to munch on the sweet grasses of the field. He snorted loudly at the small creatures before turning his attention back to his stomach. They were good looking canines, in the same messy way as was their owner. It was fitting, and it made her laugh inwardly. "Prince doesn't mind, does he? Because I was hoping you could watch them as I go and pay for the food I so rudely left." Stepping back to the curb, Emma sat down and smiled up at Lake in a welcoming mannor. "Of course not. " The friesian was more than just on the large side, and feared little more than perhaps a mountain lion. A sort of smirk pulled at her lips, but it was playful and inquiring instead of ill spirited. "Maybe you should eat that food. I don't think your tummy is too pleased right now."

[/size][/color][/blockquote][/size]

[kkgirl]

`LAKE BUNDY
i think i know what you’re getting at

Naturally, Lake’s tummy responded to the thought of his food awaiting him. Instead of being embarrassed, he smiled—really smiled. The idea of what he was doing brought a bit of light to his life, even if it was small. L was lacking in the human contact area, especially doing something for others. That was in his blood; it was how he thought. He didn’t want to do everything for his own personal gain, hence why buying Emmarisa dinner was so darn appealing. Lake had disregarded her soft protest earlier, but not in a rude way, in an I’m-determined-and-you’re-not-stopping-me kind of way. But one had to give him some credit for his stubbornness; normally he was not so straight-forward, and would stop if she insisted, but maybe his lack of interaction had instilled a bit of hard-headdness. The polite voice was still in the back of his mind, but he ignored it in the heat of the moment.

“Of course not,” Emma replied, pleasing Lake to no end. She was sitting on the curb again, staring up at him in an inviting way. L resisted the urge to sit and talk with her, instead placing a hand on Boo and ruffling his ears. “Maybe you should eat that food. I don't think your tummy is too pleased right now,” the dark-haired woman said, a smirk Lake found endearing on her lips. He smiled in return, moving his hands in a way that gave Boo and Scout freedom. They moved toward Emma, immediately sniffing her and checking out Prince from a distance. L chuckled at their wariness, noting that the dogs that feared nothing suddenly feared the black stallion. His attention returned to the woman, “I think I will.” His words hinted slightly at what he was going to do, but she might have already figured it out. That wouldn’t surprise him—she seemed intelligent.

“I’ll be back, m’lady,” Lake said jokingly, backing away. He spun on one foot, now facing the diner. He walked back toward it, a lively spring in his step. The door tinkled as he walked in and the waitress that served him gave him a questioning look. One glance told him his food had been picked up already. L walked to the bar and casually took a seat. His waitress came over and said, “I kept your food for you.” Lake gave her an odd look but then thanked her, feeling terrible at the way she looked at her feet. With a soft sigh, he smiled and asked for the same order he had earlier gotten. “Oh, and can I get a couple of to-go boxes, too?” he added, almost absentmindedly. The waitress just nodded and didn’t even write it down. He immediately had his box, so he packed up his food. Now, he just had to wait for Emmarisa’s meal. L boredly played with his hands, studying the scars that he accumulated through riding.

Finally, a different waitress gave him his food, already put in a box. Lake paid with cash and told her to give the change to the other waitress. L grabbed both boxes and walked quickly out of the building. A bright smile lit-up his face and he plopped down next to Emma. “I hope you’re not a vegetarian,” Lake spoke, a teasing smirk playing at his lips.

outfit. lalala, sorry about the rambly-ness. x3

[*Panda]

Emmarisa Carlington

Lonely is just one word,
Chosen to represent so much.
To tell of feelings inside,
That the senses cannot touch.

[/size]

"Well hi there." Emma cooed quietly at the two dogs as they introduced themselves to her. Petting their heads once for both, she turned to watch Prince's reaction to the two canines being in such close proximity. Like she had expected, he paid them little mind besides eying them as he nibbled at the grass. Emmarisa was no doubt attracted to the dogs energy, as she had always wished to have one. However, it was hard enough caring for one animal, let alone two. He snorted loudly as the dogs' seemed somewhat confused regarding whether or not to approach the stallion. Emma was confident that Prince would not hurt them, but the scene was rather amusing. "I think I will. I'll be back, m'lady." Emma turned to see Lake promptly returning to the diner. He's sweet. the thought played in her brain for a few moments, before fading as one of the smaller animals laid down on the asphalt of the parking long. "You must be very hot." she whispered, feeling the heat in the dogs long fur. She pondered letting the dogs into her car where she would be able to turn on the air conditioning, but silently argued against it. It wouldn't be the best impression if Lake thought she was stealing his dogs, and running her car battery down wasn't exactly in her best interests. Looking up at the sound of the diner door closing, something like disappointment struck her as two ladies left the restaurant. They were chatting quietly to one another, though simultaneously giving Emma odd looks. It was an odd sight. A random girl sitting on a curb in the parking lot, with a random horse and two dogs. Emmarisa didn't pay them much mind for that, though, instead captured by the cigarette one of them was smoking. She could smell the smoke from where she sat. Swallowing almost nervously, the young woman busied herself petting one of the dogs who laid nearby -- the other still trying to make friends with Prince. Her drug addiction, though well into the past, still liked to play with her head every-so-often. "I hope you're not a vegetarian." Emma wasn't as startled as the first time she had heard Lake's voice, as she had heard him coming. As the two woman got into their cars and left the restaurant, Emma looked up and smiled -- happy to be in the company of another human being. "Who me? Never." Emma joked, scrunching up her face and sticking her tongue out in a pseudo-disgusted way.

Clicky? I copied you *-*

[/size][/color][/blockquote][/size]

[kkgirl]

`LAKE BUNDY
i think i know what you’re getting at

Though it came off as a joke, the statement Lake made was semi-serious in his mind. He genuinely hoped she wasn’t vegetarian, because that would make his actions incredibly awkward. Not only would he have assumed something, but he’d also feel obligated to go and get her at least a salad. He gazed down at his box, a small smile toying with his lips, because it would be laughable above all else. It couldn’t be as bad as he was letting it sound, silently berating himself for such a negative attitude. But beating himself up wasn’t that great of an attitude, either. It was irritatingly comical; Lake bit back a sigh of exasperation and annoyance. His nails dug into the styrofoam, making little whirling lines.

L pulled his gaze from the bland white box and back toward Emmarisa. He realized he couldn’t see her very well from this angle, so talking might be awkward. But at the same time, he had no idea if she even wanted a conversation with him. Why was he doubting himself? If Emma didn’t want him around, she would have stopped him when he left to get her food; she would have definitely said no when he asked for her to watch his overly large dogs; she would have even given curt answers, instead of friendly ones. “Who me? Never.” She scrunched her face and stuck out her tongue, and Lake couldn’t help but laugh out loud. His smile was huge, because he found her humor so cute. He sighed happily and stopped laughing, shyly looking back down at his box. His scarred hands carefully held it, a suppressed grin still playing at his lips. It felt nice to laugh after so long of not laughing, and it was wonderful that he found someone he got along with from the start.

Lake decided to move from his spot beside Emma and sit in front of her, Indian-style. There was a grin plastered on his face as he said, “That is possibly the cutest thing I’ve seen in a long time.” He flicked his blue eyes up to hers, playfulness in them. He turned his gaze down to the white box of food and pulled out his cheeseburger, finally going to take a bite. He savored it, then swallowed happily. Every morsel was important to his hungry belly, but he felt as if the girl was hungrier. “So, are you looking for a job in these parts? Or are you just passing through?” The idea of her just passing through was sad to him, her being his first friend—well, at least acquaintance. He grabbed a couple of fries and turned back to Emma, chewing thoughtfully.

outfit. eh, not much but i hope you enjoy!

[*Panda]

Emmarisa Carlington

Lonely is just one word,
Chosen to represent so much.
To tell of feelings inside,
That the senses cannot touch.

[/size]

Lake's happiness was contagious, and Emma couldn't help but feel glad she had stumbled upon someone so eager to be talking to her -- or that he had stumbled upon her, rather. The desire to appear completely self-assured hid any insecurities Emma felt about meeting someone so randomly like this, but she was sure that he must have liked her, otherwise he wouldn't have been so kind as to bring her something to eat. She looked at the white box she held now, and felt gratitude cause a breath slightly larger than usual. An ache seemed to have permanently settled in her stomach, but by now it had been easy to ignore. At the soft aroma of food, it became almost unbearable. Through nothing but sheer will power was she able to not completely stuff her face, but instead found the capability to keep her manners about her. Opening the box, she took a careful bite out of the cheeseburger she had been brought. She took a few more, then ate a few fries as she watched Lake move from her side to sit before her cross-legged. "That is possibly the cutest thing I've seen in a long time." Emma paused at this, but quickly resumed her playful attitude within moment. "You're silly." she joked, eating another french fry. The meal was slowly satisfying her stomach, though she felt she could, well, eat a horse, so to speak. Something about the compliment had momentarily set her off guard, perhaps because she hadn't expected it; or maybe because it had been so long since she'd heard anything good said about herself. Shifting so that she was sitting cross-legged to, she continued to pick at her fries. "So, are you looking for a job in these parts? Or are you just passing through?" Just as Lake spoke, Emma took a bite out of her cheeseburger and chewed a few moments awkwardly in the silence that stretched between them. Something about the situation was extremely embarrassing, and a slight blush crept into her cheeks at it. Laughter shook her body slightly as she swallowed her cheeseburger and spoke between the bursts in her giggle-fit. "I'm sorry, um." she paused for a moment and looked at the ground. "I am looking for work. Whether I find a job will decide whether we stay or not." Emma's face was still slightly red as her eyes rose back to Lake, and she put her cheeseburger back into the styrofoam container.

[/size][/color][/blockquote][/size]

[kkgirl]

`LAKE BUNDY
i think i know what you’re getting at

Lake noted that most of Emmarisa’s burger was gone. With an amused half-smile on his face, he took another bite from his own. It was still tasty, despite the fact that it had sat out for a little bit. The fries were not limp, but salty and perfectly warm—cold french fries were disgusting to L. He picked up a single fry and placed it thoughtfully in his mouth, thinking about “you’re silly.” He laughed a bit to himself, pondering over it. If he were to admit it, the young man could be pretty silly; he only did what he thought would make others laugh. That was a quality in Lake that he was just a bit proud of: his ability to laugh at his own expense. It was doubtful that he would get insulted even when it was serious, because he had become so accustomed to keeping calm and loving others. Lake would only ever fight someone if they instigated it and even then he had to be a threat.

The fair-haired man took a few more bites of sandwich, now almost completely gone. L noticed that Emma had food in her mouth, and that there was a blush on her cheeks. He was a bit bemused at this, but smiled anyways (man, he was just so happy!). The dark-haired woman shook a bit with laughter, and Lake laughed because she was laughing. It was one of those contagious things, and he liked the sound of her giggle anyways. The awkwardness turned into something comical, Lake noted, and he found that likable. “I’m sorry, um,” the pause she made and the way she looked at the ground made Lake smile, so he just smiled with his mouth-closed, waiting for her response. “I am looking for work. Whether I find a job will decide whether we stay or not.” That was a relief to L, but at the same time she needed work to stick around. He thought about that for a second, then met Emma’s eyes and said, “That’s reasonable enough; there are some brand-new ranches around, so I don’t think finding work will be too hard.”

Lake took one more bite of his burger, then ripped the last piece in half. He whistled for Boo and Scout. They both came over and sat patiently to his left. He tossed the pieces at them. “They haven’t eaten all day.” He threw his last few fries at them as well, and those were gone in an instant. He turned back to Emma as Boo came over and sat behind him, resting his head on L’s shoulder. Lake reached back and pet him, an unconscious smile on his lips. “So . . . There’s a ranch I’m checking out tomorrow; it’s really nice and low on staff. Would you like to meet up and go with me? I’m sure the owner wouldn’t mind an extra application. I know I just met you, but since we’re on the same mission . . .” He smiled up at Emma, not necessarily nervous, but at the same time hoping he didn’t over-step his bounds.

outfit. dah:3

[*Panda]

Emmarisa Carlington

Lonely is just one word,
Chosen to represent so much.
To tell of feelings inside,
That the senses cannot touch.

[/size]

Finally regaining some sort of composure, Emma nibbled on a fry. She was surprised that she was already feeling full. Though, the lack of food had taken its toll on her ability to digest it, and she was feeling a little ill at what she had already managed to consume. Putting the remainder of the small french fry back into the box, she closed it and left the box sitting in her lap. She prayed softly to herself that she would not get sick in the company of Lake, and to her immediate satisfaction the discomfort in her stomach did not radiate to her face. "That's reasonable enough; there are some brand-new ranches around, so I don't think finding work will be too hard." Smiling at this, Emma nodded. This gave her hope, as traveling around as she did was finally catching up to her body. Being young had its perks, but they only went so far. Not to mention the toll it took on Prince. While he was well cared for now and seemingly happy with the supposed to be temporary arrangement, Emma knew that she couldn't keep him in the trailer for too much longer. It was either settle down with him, or pass him up to someone who could care for him better. The idea was beyond troubling. "They haven't eaten all day." Emma hardly paid him attention, though, as Prince had become bored with his place on the outskirts of the get together. Jumping, Emma leaned slightly to the left as the stallions' neck crossed over her shoulder as he lipped at the container that held her food. "I don't think you want that." Opening the box, she picked up a french fry and held it to Prince's lips. As expected, he bit it and promptly spit it out onto her thigh. "Thanks." rolling her eyes, she knocked the mush onto the asphalt with the back of her hand. Shoving him away, Prince snorted but stood at her back. "So...there's a ranch I'm checking out tomorrow; it's really nice and low on staff. Would you like to meet up and go with me? I'm sure the owner wouldn't mind an extra application. I know I just met you, but since we're on the same mission..." It didn't take long for Emma to decide on the matter. Anything to get some cash, and it would be nice to have a co-worker she got along with so well. "I'd like that. Where is it? The last thing I need is to get lost." she laughed at the thought. Lost. If she let her mind linger on it, Emma was always lost. Even though she knew that town, she honestly had little idea as to where she was. North? South? East? West? Who knew.

[/size][/color][/blockquote][/size]

[kkgirl]

`LAKE BUNDY
i think i know what you’re getting at

Lake placed his styrofoam box on the ground, Scout and Boo immediately nosing it, though coming back up disappointed. He mussed up their heads affectionately afterwards, reminding himself silently to stop and get the two dog food on their way home. He noticed the french fry mush and gave Emma an odd look before laughing quietly. L thought that maybe his luck was turning around. After being stared at awkwardly all week by the locals, he had begun to think he’d never make friends. But what better way to find a friend than approach another newcomer? He just thanked his lucky stars that they had hit-it-off so quickly. Conversation was easy with Emma, more so than Lake had experienced in a long while. With the young man being a people-person, this interaction came as a huge relief. L basically loved how this day had turned out, no matter the situation he was in earlier that day.

Scout and Boo, being the well-trained dogs they were, came over and rested their heads on L’s lap. He rubbed their fur and felt how hot they were. He felt a flash of shame, and decided that he needed to get their fur cut. He didn’t need his two most loyal companions dying of heat stroke. L looked back at Emmarisa when she spoke, happy with her response. “I’d like that. Where is it? The last thing I need is to get lost,” she laughed a bit, and Lake smiled in response. This was a bit sticky for him, but only because he could not tell her how to get there. He was terrible with directions, though he owned it in a way.

“Hm, well. I can’t exactly tell you that, but I can show you. I’m terrible with directions,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck and laughing at the end. “Why don’t we meet up here at noon tomorrow? I can get us there—I visited it earlier today. I know the owner allows her employees to board their horses, which is an added bonus. She’s expecting me there at one.” Lake realized he was kind of rambling, so he stopped talking. He feared that she might think he was coming onto her by denying directions, but he honestly would get her more lost with his words. “Oh, and I can give you her number if you’d like to call ahead,” L added as an afterthought. The fair-haired man began rubbing Scout’s muzzle absentmindedly, waiting patiently for Emma’s voice.

outfit. terrible length. >_>'

[*Panda]

Emmarisa Carlington

Lonely is just one word,
Chosen to represent so much.
To tell of feelings inside,
That the senses cannot touch.

[/size]

Slowly but surely, Emma began to feel as if she were overdoing her stay some how. He had been very kind, and she hardly wanted to hold him here any longer than she already had. At the thought, she slowly began to let her mind wander to where she'd end up sleeping that night. Probably her car. She could always let Prince out in a discreet area some where, as she didn't have to worry about the stallion running off. The prospect of sleeping, cramped, in back seat of her SUV put a damper on her so-far good day. It wasn't till now that she realized how long they must have been chatting. High noon had already settled upon the area at her arrival, and the sun was about to start setting. After driving all day, sleep didn't sound so bad. "Hm, well. I can't exactly tell you that, but I can show you. I'm terrible with directions," Pulling herself softly from her thoughts, she waited for Lake to continue talking, as she knew he would. "Why don't we meet up here at noon tomorrow? I can get us there -- I visited it earlier today. I know the owner allows her employees to board their horses, which is an added bonus. She's expecting me there at one." Emma nodded, and shifted to hold the styrofoam box in her hands. "Oh, and I can give you her number if you'd like to call ahead." Emma would never admit to not having a phone, so she welcomed the idea with a smile. "Sure. Sounds fine to me." her tone was enthusiastic. Perhaps she wouldn't have to hibernate in a vehicle for too much longer, and actually make friends in the small town. The idea of Prince having a place to stay amongst other horses was comforting as well, and Emma missed barn life. "We should probably get going, it won't be too long till dark. If you give me a second, I'll get a pen for that number." Standing up, she stretched her legs with the white container in hand. Walking over to her SUV that didn't exactly match her lifestyle and had been running on almost empty for a day or so, she opened the door and absently set the container on the passenger seat. Rummaging in the glove box, she pulled out a blank piece of scrap paper and a pen. Prince, who had followed her back to the car like the lost puppy he was, nudged her back impatiently. While the stallion needed his space in the outdoors, he too had come to think of his large trailer as home. That one place he could become territorial about -- and he was. Pushing his chest out of the way, she approached Lake and handed him the piece of scrap paper. "I have a bad habit of losing my phone." she smiled sheepishly, crossing her arms as she waited for him to jot down the information.

[/size][/color][/blockquote][/size]

[kkgirl]

`LAKE BUNDY
i think i know what you’re getting at

The sun was beginning to set, Lake noted. It was getting late, and he had to get his dogs some food. It wasn’t that he wasn’t enjoying Emmarisa’s company, but they both had to get a job tomorrow. Yet the young man took a moment to appreciate how gorgeous the sunset was in Silver Moon. He gazed in its vague direction, not wanting to hurt his eyes. The sky was pink and orange, mixing in perfectly with dark blue. The light colors blended in delicately, going from yellow to orange to pink to light blue to dark blue. Stars were beginning to twinkle hesitantly in the dark blue, like the shy eyes of a little school girl. L smiled to himself, simply just enjoying the sight and the company. He squinted a bit, still gazing in the direction of the fading light. Scout and Boo looked too, their heads cocked in a comical way. Lake’s hands rested easily in their fur, not really paying attention.

“Sure. Sounds fine to me. We should probably get going, it won't be too long till dark. If you give me a second, I'll get a pen for that number.” Lake glanced up and nodded. Emma walked back toward her SUV, leaving L to sit quietly with his animals. He thought quietly to himself, his eyes half-closed. The two dogs made soft noises, acknowledging the small movements he made with his hands. There wasn’t much to think about, except for the earlier conversation and the failure that was his visit to the Auctions. But something struck him, starting as a small thought and then nagging at the back of his mind. L knew that it could come off ridiculously suggestive and rude, but at the same time . . . Who wanted to pay for the charge of a hotel these days? He could always just ask and she’d say no (but maybe yes?) . . . but then ruin the only acquaintance he had? He struggled mentally, all while Emma rummaged for her phone. A small frown pressed at the corner of his lips, wondering if that would be a good idea. No, it definitely wouldn’t. He was not going to offer his apartment as a place to stay.

Sighing, incredibly irritated with himself, Lake pushed up and off the ground. Scout and Boo rumbled in disagreement, but got to their paws anyways. He looked at the approaching woman, squinting. “I have a bad habit of losing my phone.” L took the paper and pen, smiling in an understanding way. He leaned down and rested the paper on his leg, scribbling down the quick number. He had just received it that day, so it was still fresh on his mind. Lake handed the two items back and tucked his hands in his pockets. “It was nice meeting you; I’ll see you tomorrow,” Lake said, with a warm smile. He whistled for the two Irish Wolfhounds and they bounded off in the direction of the truck. The young man gave Emma one last smile before walking in the direction of his truck. When he was almost there, he turned back around abruptly. “Hey,” L called back to Emmarisa. “I know this is out of no where, but I have a couch back at my apartment, and there’s even a field next to it; hotel rates aren’t exactly the cheapest these days.” It took Lake a few seconds before he gasped softly and said, “Wow, that was rude. Please do not take offense. I am so sorry! I understand if it’s a no . . .”

outfit.

[*Panda]

Emmarisa Carlington

Lonely is just one word,
Chosen to represent so much.
To tell of feelings inside,
That the senses cannot touch.

[/size]

Emma rested her gaze on the ground as she waited for Lake to scribble down the phone number she'd never have the opportunity to call. She'd feign forgetfulness upon the following afternoon. Emma wasn't exactly sure what kept her mouth telling little white lies. Pride? It didn't feel like it. More likely the embarrassment that came with the truth. The girl was a failure in more ways than one. Homeless. She'd kept the word banished from her mind, but it was undeniably so. Not too much longer, though. A hope of a better future was what kept her on the move, and that glimmer of light in the distance finally seemed to be getting just a bit closer. "It was nice meeting you; I'll see you tomorrow." Taking the paper and pen, Emma glance at the paper and nodded absently. She folded the 7-digit number and tucked it into her pocket, putting the pen there as well. A sadness settled into her chest. It had been a long time since she'd been able to socialize with other people, and even though she was never truly alone, she did feel like that was the case at time. Even though he always listened, Prince couldn't talk back. Standing in her place for a few moments, it took a soft nicker from Prince at the back of his trailer for her to start moving again. Sighing, she approached the back of the trailer and lowered the ramp for him to step in. Patting his rump twice, Emma disappeared into the trailer to secure him in it. "Hey," surprised to hear the voice that had become so familiar over the course of a couple hours, Emma's face popped out from the depths of the trailer to look over at Lake. "I know this is out of no where, but I have a couch back at my apartment, and there's even a field next to it; hotel rates aren't exactly the cheapest these days." Eyes widening only slightly in surprise, the young woman rested her hand on the side of the trailer to balance herself. Though suddenly speechless at the offer, as she opened her mouth to attempt a reply Lake spoke again -- obviously embarrassed by it. "Wow, that was rude. Please do not take offense. I am so sorry! I understand if it's a no..." Smiling, and then laughing brightly, Emma stepped back onto the asphalt parking lot. "No, it's all right. Don't be sorry. I'm just not used to such kindness." she couldn't help but laugh again. She found his mini-panic attack to be amusing, in an oddly adorable way. "To be honest, I'm not even really sure where the nearest hotel is." her laughter died off, and she looked at the ground before returning her gaze to Lake. "Are you sure you wouldn't mind?" This went against one of the rules she had given herself. She had been offered a place to stay before, but dangers came with sleeping in another persons home. Emma ignored that now. The prospect of sleeping on something comfortable was all too tantalizing, and a feeling of trust had some how manage to build up.

[/size][/color][/blockquote][/size]

[kkgirl]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,500,true]

[atrb=background,http://i48.tinypic.com/wgqfld.jpg]   Lake was mentally stabbing himself. How on earth had he let that slip?! Normally when he decided against something, it was for the best. But look at this! He let his unpredictable emotions take control, resulting in an invitation that was typically taken offense to. If Emma was a guy, it would be no big deal. But a lady? Sleeping on his couch? Lord, if he had to invite her, he could have at least offered his bed and then he sleep on the couch (though that would be straight-forward and maybe even more rude than before). So yes, L had decided to do something spontaneous—though it wasn’t as if he was never spur-of-the-moment . . . one just had to know him better. Which was one reason he was freaking out on the inside; Emma didn’t know him, therefore she might not be able to see that he was this kind constantly—not just to exhausted, pretty woman that he had just bought food for. Though, it could turn out well, could it not? The sound of Emmarisa’s laughter interrupted L’s racing thoughts. Now that was unexpected. He blinked once, puzzlement obvious in his eyes. He had been so focused on a “no” that her laughter was shocking. Lake watched her standing on the pavement, just watching and waiting. “No, it’s all right. Don’t be sorry. I’m just not used to such kindness.” It took the German young man a few moments to take-in her answer, but he immediately smiled. Relief coursed quickly through him and he released a breathe he didn’t realize he was holding. L rubbed a hand through his blond hair, succumbing to a very old habit. “To be honest, I’m not even really sure where the nearest hotel is,” she added, and Lake laughed slightly. The man tucked his hands into his pockets again and looked at Emma calmly. “Are you sure you wouldn’t mind?” Lake smiled softly, staring at his feet before looking back to Emma. “Of course I’m sure. I wouldn’t offer if I wasn’t.” He turned back to his truck and got inside. He turned it on then rolled down the window. “Just follow me. I have to make a stop at the store to buy some dog food, but otherwise it’s a straight course.” L smiled then made sure Boo and Scout were in the front seat and behaving. Satisfied, he put his truck in reverse and left, expecting Emma to follow.