A Steak Dinner [closed - Cav/NickL)

[S u N f r O s T ~]

Amber had dressed semi-casually for this event. She hadn't come in riding clothes, of course. That would be like crossing some sort of social line of decorum, especially since she had gleefully picked out one of her favorite steakhouses from way back when to go to. This was a steakhouse from when she had first started to go to the Wire racetrack for the races. She had spent many evenings here crouched over newspapers detailing past performances and what horses were looking good, smiling when one of her own horses was mentioned, planning her next moves as one always must do when they were as deep into the racing world as she was.

To go out for an evening for dinner with the owner of a rival stable was...pretty strange. Intrepid Racing had essentially popped back up from the ashes, and with it her rivalry with Nick Landing. It was an old rivalry that had sprung into existence during the racing days of Little Miss Innocent. Her mare had often faced Nick's mount Comeuppance, so of course a rivalry had developed. It was a fierce but friendly rivalry, like the one she had shared with True Enough with Merry Bay King - except not as publicized, in her opinion. From a random ride on the track one day where they had faced their old rivals, she had begun to be good friends with Nick again. Especially since that dinner bet had been made. It had fostered her competitive instincts and made her grow closer to Nick in a competitive sort of way. Amber knew that she loved healthy competition with a dying passion and the fact that she had shared such competition with Nick drew her closer to him.

To see Sillenia win the Filly and Mare Turf over Terror Smile had been a welcome surprise, but she was sad to see that Smiles had injured herself severely in the process and might not ever be seen again on the track. It meant that while she didn't have to buy dinner, a great racehorse had disappeared, and Krystal could have the turf track to herself next year. Amber herself had finished fifth on Wild Kiss, but she had been proud of the bay filly and looked forward to more accomplishments on her. They still had two seasons left, after all. She grinned at the thought and turned back to her menu, which she was carefully scanning gleefully. There was this fantastic twenty ounce steak that she wanted, but she wasn't sure if she wanted that or the more expensive but more delicious filet mignon.

Medium rare or rare? Definitely rare!

Her thoughts were gleeful. She was seated in a chair near the window, wearing stylish dark denim jeans and a shirt that was made of swirls of different colors blending into each other. Her brown hair was down, and her face had no make up. She had come dressed to eat, and steak was what she wanted. It was about eight o clock on the first day of the new year, and she had arrived early to get the table she wanted by the window. Now to just sit and wait for Nick...

[Cavallo]

<sub>Oh to swallow pride. Nick secretly had known that Allure probably wasn't going to place in the competitive field of the BC Filly and Mare Turf.....So why then had he made this bet?

The thought troubled him. He loved the friendly rivalry between himself and the charming Amber Black. His mind flashed back to the day he and Krystal had ditched Amber in the practice tracks...the memory almost made him laugh out loud as he finished getting [dressed.] He decided to go casual and dressed the outfit up with a silver watch and dark washed jeans.

He grabbed his car keys and wallet....definitely his wallet, he was going to need that for sure tonight.

Nick yelled bye to his brothers and told them he was going out for the night, jumping into his car and then driving downtown. He cruised till he found a parking spot...and then jumped out, locking his car and then walked towards the place Amber had designated that he meet her to buy her dinner.

After all that trash talk...he was buying dinner. Yes it was safe to say that his pride was stung a little bit, but if he had to loose to someone and take out for dinner he was glad it was Amber.

He walked up and saw Amber through the front window. He smiled despite himself as he saw her and walked through the front door. The seating hostess gave him a flirtatious smile and asked if she could help him...He smiled politely, but shook his head. I see my party already. He nodded to the blonde who looked a little disappointed as he walked over to Amber's table.

Alright so you won. He gave her a winning smile as he grabbed himself a seat...he began to brace himself for the fierce bragging that he was about to endure...</sub>

[S u N f r O s T ~]

Amber grinned despite herself as she spied Nick through the window. At last! She went back to surveying her menu, knowing Nick would probably have to man up a bit before walking through that restaurant door and facing her, the winner of their little bet that had been the cause of poor Krystal's endless nightmares. Amber smirked a little bit at the thought, actually giggling - or was it cackling? - a bit. Krystal had been in for it when she had found her after that workout. At least they had won the Filly and Mare Turf. Amber had been a bit disappointed with her own performance, but the bet was what mattered in the end - and she had won that! Her competitive spirit was soaring with happiness, satiated and everything. It was fantastic. The Breeders Cup had been pretty fantastic too.

She looked up as Nick flashed a smile at her, sitting down in the opposite seat. She too flashed a smile back, glad that there were no hard feelings because of losing the bet. She was happy about that - to have something as petty as that get in the way of a friendship she was frankly beginning to enjoy would have been madness. She put down her menu and delicately took a sip of her water, a small smile playing on her face. What to say to an opening comment like that? I told you so seemed too mean, especially when she knew Nick was probably disappointed with the second to last they had come in. So what was a good comment to say?

Well, not technically - Krystal did. Well, that was a start. I'm pretty happy about that - but I can't believe what happened to Terror Smile. Such a loss! She took another sip of her water, eyes restlessly scanning the cover of her menu. It had been truly troubling to see such a talented racehorse fall in the final furlong. It took heart to run like that and continue even though the pain was great. Smiles had been a worthy competitor. Save the gloating...for dessert! She had to have her moment sometime. Right now, off the bat, she just wanted some pleasant conversation.

[Cavallo]

<sub>Nick looked at Amber, she looked nice. He quickly picked his menu up and began to peruse it as he listened to Amber. When she mentioned Terror Smile, he quickly looked up as a look of horror and compassion crossed his features.

I know right? It's still hard for me to believe...I simply couldn't believe my eyes after watching her fall...it was like a scene from a bad movie. He shook his head, his heart went out to the grey filly and Hailey Levine and her team....he'd hate to of had something like that happen to Atalanta back in her racing days. The thought alone made his stomach turn..

The waitress approached then and smiled politely at both before asking if they were ready to order and asked if it was two separate checks. Nick tried to hide his smile, but couldn't help the corners of his mouth from tipping up.

This will be one check. He looked at the menu. I'll take your six ounce steak medium please, with a side of your garlic mashed. Um..for the salad I'll take a balsamic vinaigrette and to drink water with lemon is just fine. He folded his menu done with ordering and nodded to Amber indicating it was her turn. He pretended to grimace and waited for her to really inflict her damage...to his checking account.

The waitress looked to Amber and waited with a smile.</sub>

[S u N f r O s T ~]

I hear she came out of surgery good but that she won't be seen for a while. Some compassion littered Amber's tone but at the same time the rational side of her mind hoped the mare's fragile genes wouldn't seep into the gene pool. Honestly! Who wouldn't bad genes like that? A horse that was a great racehorse and fast and everything, but no constitution? She had barely raced! There was something wrong there, and Amber didn't like that. But she couldn't express that opinion to Nick here, who obviously felt compassionate about it. And Amber did feel compassion, but she also felt suspicion. Why had the mare broken down after so few races? She just wasn't built for racing it seemed. Injuries happened to the best often. Smiles was great. But to come back after what she had done to herself would take a lot of work.

Amber grinned as the waitress came over just as she finished talking. It was time to order up! Nick ordered first, and she listened with interest. The typical steak - a dish she had had several times. It was good, a good decision! As the waitress turned to over Amber laughed slightly at Nick's grimace. Oh he would leave with his wallet a lot lighter! I'll also have a water, without lemon though. To eat, I'll have your filet mignon. A baked potato with butter and sour cream would be great, and the salad can be with the blue cheese dressing. Thanks. She smiled and the waitress nodded before going away. I believe they give us some bread, hmm? Freshly baked, out of the oven, with butter that's actually a bit melted instead of being stone hard...

She thought about the bread, imagining the crunchy texture and the delicious softness. She was starving! So Nick, how is IGS coping with the post-Breeders Cup trauma?

[Cavallo]

<sub>He knew she was going to order the most expensive steak on the menu!!! He smiled while she ordered and shook his head. The waitress walked away and then soon returned with their drinks and bread.

Then Amber finally opened up the can of worms. AHHHH, the Breeder's Cup...yes it was a trauma. In reality he had been livid with Alluring's placement....it wasn't the horses' fault that they'd come back late in the season. He put on a fake smile. Needless to say...I was not pleased with Allure's placement, but I do know the field was huge and the competition tough. Nick was competitive, but he lad learned that sometimes your horse just lost...and all you could do was grow sharper from the experience and move forward.

Firebird took last too, but at least third was last! He chuckled. A Grade Four horse coming in only two lengths behind two Grade One's? I really can't be upset about that. It really makes me excited to see what Firebird will do with a whole season. He loved his Oddside son and it was apparent.

Amber...you didn't seem to have much trauma at the Breeder's Cup this year...did you? His words held sarcasm as he took another sip of his water and raised an eyebrow.

He grabbed a slice of bread eyes on his rival and braced himself for her gloating moment that he though for sure was about to come as he slowly buttered his slice of bread.</sub>

[S u N f r O s T ~]

Amber listened attentively as Nick buttered some bread and talked. This was her opportunity to gauge his feelings about the Breeders Cup, and it was obvious that he had been disappointed. He had wanted more from Allure and from Firebird, his other entry if she remembered correctly, and she understood that. She couldn't complain about the Breeders Cup. She had no reason to. No horse had placed out of the top three, and their overall Breeders Cup record was 13-6-3-4. There was absolutely no reason to complain, and she didn't want to boast about it, either. That wasn't the spirit of the game. You didn't knock your competitors down. Then they'd come back at you with a fierce instead of a competitive vengeance. She wanted friendly competition, not mean competition. That wasn't how she played.

She grinned as he mentioned Firebird. He's a flashy colt, that's for sure. He's young. He'll be able to open a couple eyes this year for sure. You really like him - it's fairly obvious. Sometimes that's all it takes to make a horse bloom. She knew that IGS had been building up their stock back to their previous numbers and was looking forward to racing against the full force stable in the new year. It would be a fun experience, more competition. She knew that Silver Stride, Gelli Aur, Witch Creek and others were all gearing up to challenge SOPS and Star Thoroughbreds for their crowns, and she looked forward to it. This was what she loved about racing. This friendly competition could get her high.

At his sarcasm, Amber was a bit surprised. She looked up, eyebrow raised, and picked her next words successfully. No matter how successful or unsuccessful the stable performs, there is always some trauma left behind by the Breeders Cup. Especially if you send every horse. Krystal and Henna are finally sleeping well at night now that it's over. I can't say the same about me. She looked down at her bread and took a careful bite. When you manage a big stable, there's a lot to worry about, and two year old debuts are foremost on the current list of worries. Especially when you have powerhouse two year olds that you just know are loaded with talent.

No bragging Amber. Keep it until dessert. She didn't want to be insensitive or knock Nick down. So she wanted to wait a bit before some friendly teasing.

[Cavallo]

<sub>He didn't mean for her to take his sarcasm the wrong way. He knew how the racing business was and secretly though he had been disappointed slightly he wasn't devastated. He nodded at her words completely agreeing.

It takes a lot of work running a stable as large as yours, but I think you and your team are doing a phenomenal job and it shows! he nodded his head in her direction genuinely sincere in what he said. He wanted this conversation to remain on friendly terms and had seen she hadn't reacted as he thought to his friendly intended sarcasm...

Way to botch it Nick... he thought as he took a bite out of his roll. He shook it off though and smiled in Amber's direction. Truly though...I meant what I said about you and your team. We're all looking forward to running against you this upcoming year....after we all catch our breath that is from the BC! He chuckled.

Have any new 2yos you're particularly excited about this year? He took a sip of his drink as he waited for her response, this was a conversation that he knew would be fun to have...</sub>

[S u N f r O s T ~]

Amber relaxed a bit. It seemed Nick hadn't meant anything bad when he had said what he had said and had realized his mistake and was trying to make it up to her. It was good manners and Amber found herself liking it. Thus, she responded in a very friendly and almost grateful manner to his words. Thanks Nick! But it's no secret that you and IGS have been working super hard on upgrading your stock and getting some new horses out on the track. It'll show for you too, I'm sure of it! Though SOPS is generally a bit slow to get started, we'll catch up sometime by the end of the month. She grinned some more. As you said, we just need to catch our breath from the Breeders Cup, and so do the horses. I'm not pushing anybody, especially the two year olds, hard.

She sipped her drink and considered her two year olds. She was excited about all of them, and was trying to narrow down the list in her head. Well, there's Ventura of course. Impressario x Rising Fury. I've waited a long time for an Ario foal...kind of like you with your Comeuppance foal, hmm?

[Cavallo]

Just mentioning the Comeuppance filly brought a huge grin to his face. It wasn't a hidden fact that Nick was infatuated with Comeuppance and his first foal on the ground out of Amber's own HOF'er Little Miss Innocent...

That apparent? He teased as he took a sip of his water. His smiling refusing to leave his face. Come on...you have to admit bringing together the bloodlines of the two hottest turf rivals....it's pretty stinking exciting! Lissome was a beautiful chestnut filly and he couldn't wait to get his hands on the little gal when she became of age.

The 2yo races are going to be murder come Y14... His weanling barn was chaulk full of amazing horses...he was rather looking forward to that year. Ventura...yes...I think my Nightshade might have it out for her....seems they're bound to face off on the tracks... He gave her a wink. Nightshade had had a stellar first month and was taking a long deserved rest. The Requiem filly had TC written all over her and had yet to place out of the money...a trend he hoped she'd continue. Yes, Ventura would be a filly to lookout for.

[S u N f r O s T ~]

Amber noted the grin on Nick's face and couldn't help smirking. She knew exactly how he felt, and mentioning any one of her favorite horses would illicit a similar reaction from her. It is pretty obvious, yes, but don't worry - we're in the same boat. And yes, he was also correct about how exciting it was. Comeuppance and Missy had been rivals for seasons. Their rivalry was even present in the current day. They had recently faced off and proven it still existed. A union between the two was like a King x Silver breeding. Amber hoped it turned out just as good. She decided to get Nick even more excited for the fun of it by bringing up what had just crossed her mind. Yes...it's kind of like crossing Silver and King all over again. She couldn't wait to see what kind of reaction he had to that.

The two year old races are going to be murder every year...the breeding just keeps getting better and better. For example... She hesitated for just a second, a small smile on her face. Oh, but that's a secret...let me tell you, I have the most amazing breeding planned. Her grin was wide, and it didn't disappear as she took another bite of bread and a couple sips of water. Oh yes. This was one she had perhaps planned subconsciously years ago, about to become a reality. As for Nightshade...we are so ready to face you. Ven's been looking good. But then again, so has Nightshade I hear.

[Cavallo]

<sub>He smiled...Amber was plotting a breeding already...there was no way she was going to get out of this dinner without divulging the details! She tried to distract with the talk of his promising Nightshade...but it wouldn't work!

Nightshade has placed first and second in all her races...she's taking a well deserved rest..we'll be sitting her out of the Unicorn Horn.....but hey...You aren't going to distract me..I will not pay for this dinner until you tell me what monster breeding arrangement you have planned!

The waitress came out and refilled their cups with their salads in hand, she smiled before leaving, saying she'd bring more bread to the table.

Nick nodded his thanks and returned a mischievous smile in Amber's direction...

Well?! He raised his eyebrow, blue eyes flashing in amusement...yes...she must tell!</sub>

[S u N f r O s T ~]

Amber knew that she had Nick's interest and couldn't stop the smirk from forming on her lips. Oh this dinner was about to become so much fun! But first she would mull over the success of Nightshade. Oh yes, that Requiem filly definitely had been tearing it up on the track. She had watched her and liked what she saw. She couldn't wait to face her and hopefully defeat her in a race. It was exciting to Amber to know that a filly out there had appeared to challenge her beloved Ventura. In fact, it really made Amber happy to know that all of Impressario's foals had been doing great, and he was proving himself a talented sire.

Nick was plying for the details. He claimed he wouldn't pay for the dinner without it! Amber was wondering vaguely how to stall for time when the salads conveniently arrived. She planted a big smile on her face and took a big bite of her salad, chewing thoughtfully and slowly. She swallowed once and then eyed Nick as though considering something, when in reality she had already decided. If you want to find out, you'll have to guess she stated in a sing song voice. You will get two clues. Your first one is that both the stallion and mare are from SOPS. Your second one is that this foal has a strong turf heritage. She went back to chewing on her salad, wondering how quickly Nick would get it. The strong turf heritage part could throw him off a bit...she would just have to find out.

[Cavallo]

<sub>Two clues...both SOPS horses and the foal has strong turf heritage...
He took a bite of his salad and chewed thoughtfully.

Okay...I'm going to try and guess 'em one at a time...The Sire I want to just blurt out Impressario....

Nick took another bite as he thought slowly about which of Amber's mares was freshly retired...he'd heard that Wildly Natural was retired and running for the HOF....

Hmmm for the mare... Wildly Natural?

This was going to be a long night if he didn't get this because there was no way her was letting this vital information slip through his fingers on his credit card nonetheless...

He smiled with a look of determination as he waited fo her yes or no...if he was wrong he wasn't above keeping this guessing game going...</sub>

[S u N f r O s T ~]

Amber stopped chewing at Nick's guess. Her eyebrows raised and she wondered briefly if she could choke on her spinach and various salad items. How the heck had he guessed it on the first try? Oh no. She would not be bested at this! She would keep him on the ropes about something! How had he guessed so correctly? Oh, it would kill her to admit that he was right!

Correct she said briefly, as though it was no big deal, when on the inside she was dying to think of a way to win this silly thing she was making out of thin air. Was there anything else she could have him guess about? What to do next? She was coming empty on this. Amber wondered if drowning herself in the salad dressing would be appropriate. Her epic guessing game, at an end already!

Time to try a different tack; bragging.

Can you see why I'm so excited about this? Her tone was a good deal lighter, and her eyes gleamed with genuine excitement. She would let Nick do the bragging for her and she would bask in his words. Mmm.