first steps to trust [Nick/Amber!!]

[S u N f r O s T ~]

Amber Black couldn't help but gaze pensively into the stall of her most confusing older racehorse. Her green eyes glinted with a multitude of thoughts, then softened as a neigh echoed from the depths. Out came Infinite Warcry's nose, followed by the rest of his head. The affectionate four year old stallion nickered gently at Amber, picking up on the torrent of emotions from within his beloved rider. Amber radiated confusion and, dare she say it, disappointment. Infini had been a firecracker his three year old season. He was one of the most powerful closers on the tracks and he had let others know it when he reeled off ten amazing victories and only dropped five wins throughout the course of the year. But now Infini's record was made up of seconds and thirds, all these near-misses due to his risky closing style. Their timing in races was always risky and dramatic, but now it was like their luck had run out. It hadn't been working for them.

The owner of SOPS looked away as her phone buzzed from within her pocket. She took it out and glanced at it. A text message from none other than Nick Landing lit up the screen. Be over in five. Where are you? She texted back The big barn right in the middle. Racehorse barn. She grinned as she hit send and settled back in front of Infini's stall. She had to give Nick a tour of SOPS. She had gotten one at Intrepid, but she hadn't returned the favor. It was a must-do now that they were, well, an item. She grinned a small grin at the thought of that, almost relishing it. After the Social, Nick had asked to make things official, and for some reason she had agreed. Was it out of curiosity? Real affection? She had yet to truly discover that. But what she did know was that she was excited to see how far she could take this relationship with Nick Landing.

She leaned against the front of the stall door, and Infini eagerly poked his nose into her face. She leaned forward and just managed to rest her head at the base of Infini's head. Infini stood perfectly still, perhaps enjoying the scratching she was giving to his neck at the same time. He stood almost protectively over her, eyes roving the barn. Amber sighed a preoccupied sigh. What could she do to get this horse that she loved so much to run well again? Was there anything she could do at all?

[Cavallo]

<sub>He was eager to see her again. He shut his cell smiling as he drove down the lane. While the social had been fun, he hadn't really had the chance to talk one-on-one with Amber. Somehow he had managed to ask Amber to officially be his girlfriend. He couldn't stop himself from smiling as he drove down the drive in his red truck. He parked in in front of the main building and hopped out. His eyes locked onto the middle barn and he walked confidently over.

As he walked in through the barn doors he took off his silver aviator sunglasses and stuffed them into his front shirt pocket. His crystal blue eyes took a few moments to adjust, but as they did he gazed down the barn aisle and took it all in. It seemed to be a barn, just like any other barn, but as he expected everything spoke of class. He saw horses and people, but his eyes quickly locked onto the dark haired beauty, that he called his. He smiled at the thought and strode towards the woman as she leaned into a certain horse's stall. She seemed almost lost in thought.

He walked up behind her, foot falls as quiet as he could muster. He went to slip his hands around her from behind. In hopes of pleasantly surprising her. Well then, what is this somber attitude I sensed when I walked into the barn? He had sensed her mood, contemplative in nature and as he stood behind her he looked over to see what horse had her in a conundrum. Something wrong with Infini here? He immediately had recognized the black thoroughbred stallion. He stepped back from her, to give her space and so he could see her face to face.</sub>

[S u N f r O s T ~]

Amber was still contemplating when Nick arrived. She heard a quiet footfall just moments before arms encircled her from behind, and half stiffened in shock before relaxing as Nick started to talk. Infini only watched curiously as this strange human being walked up to the partner of his heart and hugged her from behind. He snorted, then reached forward with his head to introduce Nick's face to his slightly slobbery nose. He sniffed and snorted once before retreating, resting his head once more on Amber's shoulder as Nick moved away and she turned to address him.

She smiled shyly as she turned around, feeling slightly more confident with the weight of Infini's head on her shoulder. Nothing's wrong, per say. Just thinking. Rather somberly. Her grin fell into a frown, but a snort and a nudge from Infini was enough to make her grin slightly again. She reached up to scratch Infini's forehead with her hand, resetting his forelock to be perfect before stepping forward and grabbing one of Nick's hands in a forthright move she would never have had the courage to do before. Come on. I'll tell you about it while I give you that stable tour I owe you. She hadn't forgotten, and she led Nick out of the barn hand in hand.

She started to lead him over to the stallion barn, still pondering the problem and how to phrase it. Finally she started to orate her thoughts as they neared the entrance. So. You know as well as I do that Infini's been a bit less than stellar this season, at least compared to the last two seasons. And I don't know what the problem is. I've tried what I can. He only wins when he gets there in time. You know what I mean? So...I'm thinking maybe he doesn't want to be on the track anymore...so I'm contemplating retirement. I clearly am not getting him anywhere. I don't think it's his fault. So it must be mine.

[Cavallo]

<sub>Nick chuckled at the black stallion's slobbery greeting and returned his gaze to Amber. Just thinking my butt. He could tell something was bothering her, but if there was one thing he had learned it was to let Amber share personal things on her own time. So he didn't press the issue as she grabbed his hand to take him on the long awaited tour.

He relished the contact of her hand and thrived off of her nearness. His thumb caressed the back of her hand, letting her think and gather her thoughts. He waited and as soon as they approached the entrance to the stallion barn he saw her thoughts begin to take formation into words and sentences. He listened attentively, blue eyes locked onto her green eyes and he saw he concern in them. There was something that was really bothering her. She spoke of Infinite Warcry and he paid attention to every word that came out of those perfect lips. His heart went out to Amber in compassion. He'd been in her position multiple times, but he also knew that in Infini's situation, retirement wasn't the best option. He was only four years old and had much more in him and just because this season wasn't shining as bright, Amber was equating herself as the problem.

It is not your fault. Sometimes horses go through these seasons, but if I know anything about horses, I know that Infini has so much more in him and I don't think you're being quite fair to him or to yourself. He spoke with conviction, Amber you are a great trainer, owner and jockey. Don't question that. Infini is just hitting a rough patch. Heck! He paused and let his face smile reassuringly down at Amber, If I had followed your train of thought Allure would have retired back in her fifth year, but look at what a monster she turned into in her last year of racing. He knew that not all horses could do what Allure did, but Infini was already at a better place in his career than Allure had ever been. Infini already has a much more solid career than Allure did at five and he's only four right now. He didn't want to see Amber make a rash decision.

He gave her a reassuring smile. You've already gotten Infini to big places. Places that other people wish they could say they've taken their horses. He's got two BC wins to his name and holds so many more stake wins too.I would say that you have taken Infini very far.</sub>

[S u N f r O s T ~]

She listened to what Nick was saying and she understood it. Sometimes horses just went through phases and no matter what you did you couldn't get them out of those phases. But the long drought she was currently having with Infini was something that was not good. It was the longest one she'd ever had one of her prized horses go through, and it preyed on her self-esteem. Every time Infini lost she blamed herself for it and resolved to find a new way to train the marathoner and pilot him to victory next time out. And every time it didn't seem to work out for her. Every time. Amber just wanted Infini to stop losing by the barest of margins and to start impressing again. She had trained him as well as she could...could any other person do any better?

When Nick mentioned Allure she smiled slightly. True. But the fact that Infini has been in a better place could be exactly what's holding him back, you know what I mean? Infini's not like Allure in that respect. I may have taken him far she conceded but maybe that's all I'm going to get - wait a moment. She stopped Nick with a sweep of her hand and peered down the barn aisle, her green eyes intent as she scanned the shadows. There was the definite sound of a horse shuffling around down there. Hello? she called. The shuffling sound stopped, but there was no reply. She couldn't help but laugh once, shortly, before turning to Nick and explaining. It looks like we have a break-out in progress that we've just interrupted. I have a sneaking suspicion who it is...luckily for you.

She led Nick down the aisle, releasing his hand before entering the barn. She gazed and grinned as the familiar form of a horse she knew like the back of her hand greeted her. Well Nick Landing...meet Impressario. This is a new game of his. He gets bored pretty quickly and likes to cause havoc in retirement. I have no idea where he got this from. Only Little Miss Innocent does this, or Axis Mundae She gestured down and as though on command Impressario trotted down the aisle, head lifted arrogantly and without a trace of guilt in his features. The full grown stallion appeared to be almost laughing as he reached Amber and stuck out his nose to bat her hand, snorting as though demanding treats. Even without a halter, Ario was well behaved. And he trusted and knew his dear rider. But he didn't know the man standing so close to her. He switched his gaze to Nick, and his eyes seemed to sharpen. He drew back slightly, eyes challenging Nick to make a move.

Amber held her breath. Nick was undergoing inspection by her prized racehorse. She just hoped he passed.

[Cavallo]

<sub>He watched with only slight concern as Amber froze at a sound. He too was intrigued and found himself relaxing as he followed Amber into the barn she was leading him towards. A break-out eh? He silently wondered which horse was attempting to fly the coupe, but didn't question or ask. He liked to watch this fun, care-free side of Amber, the way her lips tilted up in an effortless smile, almost caused his heart to squeeze painfully. He was hopelessly endeared to this woman and slowly, but surely, he felt like he was winning her over bit by bit.

He walked behind her faithfully, his crystal clear blue eyes glued onto the backside of her, eyes caressing her raven black hair and small frame. She was just so small, to his tall and muscular frame. Everything within him wanted to protect her, cherish her. Seeing her so distruahgt over Infini had eaten away at him on the inside. He hated seeing her so down, but it seemed that whatever was going on in this barn was lifting her spirits. He was more than willing to follow and go along with it.

He walked in slowly behind her, allowing some space to form between them as she fearlessly lead the way into the barn. His eyes looked ahead to see the striking black thoroughbred stallion, free and roaming in the barn. He chuckled, a masculine rumble at the antics of Amber's beloved stallion. She didn't have to introduce who this was, but he let her shine in her moment. He loved the bright glow of excitement that had awakened within her bewitching green eyes. She extended a invitation to the thoroughbred and he hadn't hesitated. He approached the humans with a bold confidence and nudged Amber's hands demanding attention. He was unlike most stallions at Intrepid. There would have been a rush of panic if one of Intrepid's studs had taken up free-reign of the place, but Ario looked to be calm and well-behaved as ever.

He let the two have their moment and he didn't impose himself on the stallion or the woman. He saw the endearment burning in Amber's eyes, she loved this stallion dearly and it showed. He secretly felt slightly jealous of the black stallion and the affections she held for him. He inwardly berated himself for the childish thought, but paused as the stallion stepped back to critically take him in, challenging him.

Nick smiled slowly, but made no moves to advance on the stallion. He simply offered out a flat palm to the black thoroughbred in non-aggressive gesture. He wouldn't force the stallion to accept him, but secretly he hoped that he would.</sub>

[S u N f r O s T ~]

Amber felt her spirits rise as Impressario nuzzled her hand affectionately one more time before fully focusing his attention on Nick. Intelligence glittered behind the stallion's eyes as he sized this man up. He had seen plenty of people in his time, from his Triple Crown win all through his four Breeders Cup wins. He could measure the worth of a person by watching them, observing them with his bright eyes. Amber watched the process, fascinated. Ario hadn't lost that intelligent edge he had gained from the racetrack. She had smiled at Ario, and smiled more when Nick laughed. It was a nice laugh, one she could easily get used to. And what a mushy thought that is she thought to herself dryly.

Ario was completely well behaved as he examined Nick's outstretched palm. His eyes glittered, and he pawed the ground once, snorted before reaching forward and inspecting his hand. Sniffing and leaving quite a bit of slobber from his nose, he looked back up as though saying I'm all done! Amber read his body language and laughed, a gentle twinkling sound of joy. It looks like he doesn't mind you Nick. Then again, he rarely minds anyone he's familiar with. He's seen a lot of people in his life. I'd be surprised if he was hostile with you. He's entirely different from Reve, isn't he? she asked, referring to the time when Nick had given her a tour of IRS in order to cheer her up. She grinned at the memory. She was finding more and more that her most recent memories created with Nick were among the best in her life. She just hoped nothing would ruin their relationship again...

She beckoned to Ario with a small motion of her hand. The stallion lifted his head, eyes bold. Amber shook her head and clucked. He lowered his head and Amber wrapped a hand in his forelock and followed the forelock down to his mane. She grasped some hairs there, and from there smiled at Nick and led the stallion down the barn. Ario walked at her side with the proud gait of a champion, every movement strong and powerful. Amber let him back into his stall before settling against the stall door, watching as he went right for his hay. She grinned fondly before turning back to Nick. So. Who else would you like to meet? As though answering her question, a loud and demanding neigh sounded from the edge of the barn. Amber sighed and brought Nick over with a wave of her hand. She led the way down the aisle and stopped in front of another stall.

Meet Jessie James. Now this is a horse you don't want to mess with. Let's just say that he's a bit of a hellion. Calmed down a bit in retirement, was trained into a western speed horse and he was really successful. Pole bending, barrel racing you know. But now he's retired even from that. I make it a point to visit him a lot to keep him calm. I've trained him since he was a weanling. She beckoned to Jessie and the stallion didn't move, too busy with his hay and ignoring the world. His sharp eyes flitted up for a second when he scented Nick, then he went straight back to his hay. As long as Nick left him alone, he wouldn't attack. The only person he accepted was Amber.

She frowned as she watched the stallion, thinking of his progeny. Dazzling Dame was wowing the Wire turf crowd. But Infini? Why did her thoughts keep coming back to Infini? Infini, Infini, Infini....her frown became fixed and sad, and she sighed. What could she do?