A Little Breather (anyone join!)

[Ripley]

The roads were packed with cars and the sidewalks were full of people of all ages. All walks of life, rich and middle class, poor, mosied through the town at 8 p.m. It was a healthy Friday night and the January races at the Wire and Green Horse Fields were coming to an end. The Wire, having finished its January season was already taking entries for February. Ripley Marsh was ready to dive in and take the bull by the horns. Her new assistant manager, Clint Westerly, well he wasn't as keen to do so.

The blue eyed man turned his eyes on the slim woman who was facing a window full of glitters. Ripley was so beautiful at all times. But tonight she'd gone the extra mile and had dressed herself up. The woman was in a white lacy dress that ended just above her knees. Her auburn-brown hair swung loose down her back, a tangle of wild curls. She was even wearing heels. When Clint had asked her to go out with him, she hadn't been so happy, but her green eyes were sparkling like emeralds. She clearly needed her time to go out.

"Is Ripley Marsh looking at jewelry? Who would have thought there was a girl in that hard trainer's body?" The woman rolled her eyes. "I do qualify as a woman, you know." She twirled and Clint nearly salivated. My God, why did such a woman have to be his boss? She took his arm. "You were going to buy me a drink weren't you?"

What a woman. Clint led her into a hotel with a upper style bar. She sat on the stool and looked arrogantly at Clint when the bartender took her order. Clint placed his and sat beside her. "Well Ripley Marsh, you have a horse in this weekend's Unicorn Horn series. What are you going to do if you win?"

Ripley smirked casually and raised an eyebrow. "Win some more." The woman glanced around when the bartender started conversation with Clint, looking to see if there was anyone else she knew around.

[Cavallo]

<sub>Jeff Sanders, Michael & Nick Landing and Adele Rodgers, all sauntered into the upper-scale bar. Jeff was still growing accustomed to his new life with the IR Inc. team and couldn't refuse the chance to relax when the opportunity had presented itself.

Adele was always ready to go into town to escape her male dominated world...with no prospects. Nick Landing had a strict no dating policy among co-workers....and she understood...how awkward that would be if things went wrong...yes it was a good rule to have, but when one just hung around the barns all the time...it made meeting people hard to do.

Nick had given the jockeys the night off and they had shed their barn gear, gussied up and headed to the hot-spot on The Wire. It was bustling with activity...

The foursome made their way through the crowd to claim a table...the bar tender took their drinks and Adele scoped the place out....</sub>

[Ripley]

Ripley spotted a group of four people walk into the bar. She recognized Nick Landing pretty quickly. He was often seen around Green Horse Fields and had been the one to sell her Bella Luna. She narrowed her eyes on him. He was a competitor, but definitely a friendly one. Clint followed Ripley's gaze to see what had caught her attention. "Intrepid Racing?"

Ripley nodded, snagged her alcoholic beverage in one hand and Clint's callused one in the other and walked over to the table. She took pity on the lone woman of the group. Ripley sometimes got overwhelmed in their male dominated sport as well. Part of the reason that she had left in the first place was to see what else was out there for her. Of course nothing had fit quite like the racing scene had.

Ripley smiled softly. "Had to escape all the men somehow, didn't you? And then of course they had to follow you here." Ripley rolled her eyes at Clint. "My assistant manager has become my male pet stalker." She held her hand out, smiled at the group. "I've only spoken to Nick once before when Intrepid sold me Bella Luna. I'm Ripley Marsh."

[Kirsten Jade]

<sub>Melanie quickened her step as she shivered from the freezing rain outside. The bar near The Wire... Perfect. That was just what she needed. A good stiff drink tonight. There was so much drama going on at the GHF track that she decided to drive two hours to check on their horses here. Or horse she should say. Just Heartless was stabled here at the moment as half their stock was at GHF prepping for the Unicorn Horn... which was now being delayed.

She entered the dark building and made her way straight to the bar. "Vodka and Orange please" She jumped up on the tall stool and flicked her soaking wet hair over her shoulders.</sub>

[Cavallo]

<sub>The crew smiled at Ripley. Michael suddenly remembered that Nick had just recently sold Bella Luna to Ripley...she had been his charge before she'd been sold. He perked up intensely when he'd heard her mentioned...he had to ask how she was doing.

Adele smiled at Ripley...she had nailed her situation on the head. The men...always near and never available! She joked as she held her hand out to Ripley. Pleasure to meet you Ripley. I'm Adele Rodgers, jockey for IR.

Nick smiled at Ripley. Hello again! He nodded to Clint as well.
Michael was just itching to talk. Pleasure Ripley, names Michael...tell me how is my old Bella Luna settling in with you guys at Witch Creek? You could tell he slightly missed the sweet girl.

Nick saw Melanie walk in and remembered seeing her around ARS...one of Kirsten's jockeys? sister perhaps? He waved to her as she ordered her drink, motioning her to join the little party if she desired.</sub>

[Ripley]

Ripley smiled at Adele. "Don't I know it. I had to start hiring more men and of course, the cute ones are the unavailable ones. This is Clint Westerly by the way." She looked regretfully at Clint who was looking around the bar. She saw Melanie and smiled warmly. She was close to Kirsten and easily recognized Melanie. "How's everything Mel?" Clint grabbed two chairs and pulled them up the table. Ripley smiled at him and squeezed his hand. He looked at her for a little bit after she turned her attention to the Intrepid crew. Too bad about her being off limits. He sighed inwardly. He turned to Nick then, "How're the horses doing for you so far this racing season?"

Ripley flicked her auburn hair over her shoulder and tossed a smile Micheal's way. "Oh Lulu's doing awesome. Her first race took little out of her, but she's doing good now. Had to find a way to get some spirit out of her. But she worked out with Fiery Touch and Indian Darling the other day and sure was showing some will to run and win then. Her next race is against your Livin' The Jazz in the February Maiden." A fiery gleam came into her eyes at that moment. "Clint's nephew, Brookson Wells, will ride her."