Celebrating Time [open!]

[S u N f r O s T ~]

Frosty/Amber Black could hardly believe it. Ten years/fifteen years in the business. It only seemed fitting to celebrate the fact that so much time had passed. Entirely fitting to sink some of the money she made on reselling Star Thoroughbred stock - the thought of it still made her flinch and her heart clench - into this crazy party. She had this wide open space at the top of the driveway, just before the barns, and it was there that she had erected a needlessly elaborate, high quality tent. It was dark purple lined with silver along the edges - the colors of Indigo Morning Stable, the first iteration of her barn, before it had transformed to become Stride Of Perfection Stables. She had set up several long tables. The one closest to the barn was decorated with food - all catered from a ridiculously expensive catering place that had mouthwatering food. Of course - nothing but the best for this celebration. Amber nodded, even as she felt the stare of Krystal Yhate in the back of her head. Krystal had taken one look at how much this party had cost and given her a look of utmost consternation. Amber knew Krystal thought she was crazy. She wasn't necessarily wrong sometimes. She turned her head, gave Krystal a sheepish grin, and went right back to wandering around aimlessly. Krystal sighed and put her head in her hands. Well, at least the food would be good, and the chairs comfortable if the unnecessary plush on them was anything to judge by. Plastic chairs would have been fine, but nope!

Amber wandered over to inspect the pillars of the tent. She had put up pictures of her most influential horses on them. Merry Bay King and Shiver Me Timbers, Wild Flower and Forbidden Wings, Sweet Sugar Cane and Dancing In The Moonlight, Foolish Entity and On to Dancing, Grand Silence and Little Miss Innocent - all of her old horses, from which the new had come. Each had a full color photo. Amber paused to lovingly admire each of them. Krystal, meanwhile, had taken a seat in the far corner of the tent and was eyeing the driveway with something like trepidation, waiting for people to arrive. She would see them the moment that they did arrive and would know whether to flee or approach. Everybody had been invited, and it was going to be a crazy night. The other members of the SOPS crew seemed to sense the time was coming and began to trickle in. Henna Turath boldly made her way over to Krystal, taking a seat and exchanging a terse nod. The older woman had become steadily more distant since announcing her intention to retire from jockeying soon. She seemed to wish to learn how to train, especially how to train sprinters. Krystal would miss her in the saddle. She certainly never wanted to retire, not yet. Amber was even retiring soon, going out with Hyperion. It made Krystal feel old.

Valencia Andrews loved a good party. The young woman enjoyed dance music - it was time to go put some on, regardless of the pointed glares she might get from Amber and Krystal, who didn't know how to have fun - and stretch out, luxuriate in the attentions of Meredith Mahon. The woman was following her in right now. It had started one sided, but now the two woman flirted with each other on a fairly regular basis. Valencia wondered if they would ever make a serious commitment to each other. Well, they had all the time they needed, really. No rush. Meredith was thinking similar thoughts. She loved Valencia's tough attitude and streak of fun. It balanced her own prickliness. She could always rely on Valencia for a bout of good verbal warfare. She watched as Valencia snuck her way to the speaker system, set up as far from Amber as possible, and found a good number to play. Valencia then began to dance, sticking her tongue out at Amber and Krystal while doing so. A grin stretched Meredith's face wide. She went over to join her.

Christopher Black and Kylie Silverstar rounded out the attendees from SOPS at the party. The two naturally shy young adults had banded together out of mutual shyness. Now they arrived and skirted out the edges of the party, hunting for food among the hugely decadent array lined up on the table. Each reassured themselves that they were there for the food, really, and sent small smiles each other's way as if to prove it.

Now just to wait for the guests to arrive! They'd be cutting a massive cake in about an hour and drinking for at least the whole night - thank goodness foaling season was past! - and all of the racing world in Simland could afford to cut loose for a crazy time at Stride Of Perfection to celebrate their tenth/fifteenth year in the industry.

[Cruisey]

Carter Leeson stood in front of his full length mirror, eyebrows raised at his appearance. The 39-year-old man ran a hand through his short brown hair, sighing heavily as he shook his head to clear his mind. It wasn’t often that Carter went out, let alone to a party hosted by one of the most well-known racing barns around the area. Amber Black had sent out an invitation to all farms, including all employees, so Carter wouldn’t be alone (thankfully) at this event. He was a quiet man, a man of solitude, but when he drank, things became a whole lot more eventful for the owner of Firestone.

Nodding his head to himself, he finally turned away from the mirror and made his way through the Firestone estate and out the door. As Carter walked closer to his truck, figures came into vision and he was pleased that everyone had decided to accompany him. He heard the distinct voice of Talia Smith, laughing at something fellow jockey James Collura said. Sammie Pickett stood off to the side of them, chatting with Devon Blackthorn and Johnny Garner looking at ease.

“Everyone ready to go?” Carter called out as he finally reached the Firestone group. The group chorused their hello’s and acknowledged his question, climbing into two separate cars as they headed off to Stride of Perfection Stables.

Talia loved parties, really loved parties. The redhead practically bounced with excitement as they arrived at the estate. Her eyes sparkled in awe at what Amber had done with the front area, and before the car was even parked she had climbed out of Johnny’s vehicle and was making her way over to the dance floor effortlessly. She didn’t really know anyone personally, other than the odd hi on the track or quick congratulations in the jockey’s room, but she quickly recognized Valencia Andrews and Meredith Mahon, who were spinning around on the dancefloor together.

“Hey guys, mind if I join ya?” Talia called out, shimmying her way over to the two jockeys.
“I don’t think we’ve formally met. I’m Talia Smith, I work for Firestone.”

Devon, James and Johnny followed a bubbly Talia down to the giant tents, meeting Carter halfway as they headed in Amber’s direction to greet the host. Johnny had a huge grin on his face and was cheerful as usual, while Devon was a bit more reserved he still looked excited as ever. James was calm and already had a beer in his hand from the drive over, smiling at the sight of the place.

“Not gonna lie to you guys, I’m ready to get my drink on.” Johnny chuckled, winking to the guys beside him. Carter laughed slightly, shaking his head at his jockey’s words.

“Hey Carter, once you get a few drinks in ya you’ll end up like Talia over there.” Carter laughed.

“Yeah but the difference is she voluntarily does that, my dance moves would be involuntary” Devon grinned at his boss’ words, casually agreeing with Johnny’s earlier statement. James eventually wandered away and he found himself staring at the pictures of Amber's famous horses. Recognizing Shiver Me Timbers right away, he smiled to himself at the picture. It brought back memories of racing Aquatic Addiction, a horse just like his father who would hopefully one day sire many great foals as his daddy did.

Sammie on the other hand, quietly snuck her way to the food table alone. She was a very reserved girl, not necessarily shy but she enjoyed being alone. But one thing she enjoyed more than being alone was food. Food was Sammie’s #1 love, and while being ridiculously tiny, she ate like a pig. Lucky for her, her metabolism works extra efficient which made no sense to her but it worked in her favour. Sammie noticed two other people at the food table and panicked for a second, but calmed down once she realized who they were. Hoping to catch their attention without saying anything, she smiled brightly and waved at the two before stuffing her mouth with a cannoli.