~ Tartarus' First Ride

The annual Summer Celebration at the Colorado Horse Park had finally arrived, and with it, an air of joy and possibility that lingered like the golden haze over the distant mountains (ergo: a possibility for Taylor to expand her herd). The celebration was nearing its end, although the grounds were still constantly alive with the sound of trotting hooves and the sweet smell of cinnamon-sugar treats wafting from a food truck parked near the barn aisle. The tall blonde was walking besides her best friend Aarya, both of them sipping on iced lemonades, the condensation slipping down their fingers as they wandered between the tents and pop-up paddocks. "You have to promise me-", Taylor mumbled, giving Aarya a side-glance, "that under no circumstances will I leave here with another pony."

Aarya raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed, "You say that every year."  That was true.

"And every year I’m serious." That was... also true.

"Aaaaand every year.", Aarya shook her, pointedly sipping her drink, "You manage to find just one more who happens to speak to your soul." That was also correct, albeit a little uncalled for.

Taylor groaned, brushing her windblown hair back into her hat. Her friend was right. The blonde was already struggling enough with her small ranch, which didn't feel all that small with her amount of ponies anymore. "That's exactly why we're here for you this time.", the woman muttered, more to herself than to Aarya, "You need a new project. I am not falling for another set of hooves. No matter how pretty. Promise" They eventually passed a group of riders warming up for the trail showcase, the soft thud of hooves on sand and the occasional cheer rising from the small arena nearby. Everywhere they looked, it was ponies - braided, brushed, gleaming in the sun like living ornaments. Kids were leading fuzzy foals around on halters while stallions strutted in polished halters, their handlers grinning with pride.

"Ah, there's the test ride paddock.", Aarya noted, nodding towards a small cluster of fences in the distance, "And those must be the new bloodlines. I read about them in the magazine. Crowned and... Collared, I believe? Fancy new genes." Taylor followed her gaze and instantly froze. Across the grass, in a private turnout behind a white rail, stood a small group of ponies. All of them gleamed under the afternoon sun - glorious, thick-coated Teddy Cobs with feathered feet and expressive eyes; but one in particular stood out. A young filly with a coat like a dark stormy sky, her mane spilling over her shoulders like smoke. She raised her head as if she knew she was being watched, her nostrils flaring slightly, her ears pricked with interest. Taylor's mouth parted slightly.

"Oh no-", Aarya muttered.

Taylor blinked, "She's... stunning."

"Tay, you promised."

"I-", the blonde tore her eyes away and looked at her friend helplessly, "But did you see her? She looks like a painting."

Aarya sighed, long and dramatic, "Alright, we'll look, but only because I'm supposed to find one."

Taylor was already walking towards the paddock when she called back, "Oh yeah, of course. Yes. For you." Just as they reached the edge of the meet-and-greet fencing, however; something in the far corner caught the woman's eye. A flicker of pale light across a dark coat, subtle, almost hidden - and then her blueish green eyes landed on the stallion, standing further back from the others. He was muscular, and stsriking in the same way a shadow could be beautiful just by existing. His coat was a dramatic grey on black, with minimal tobiano markings dancing along his flank and legs like wisps of smoke - but it was his face that truly stole the blonde's breath. A white marking crowned the top of his head, feathering in between his ears and across his forehead like a royal crest; a splash of ivory that resembled a coronet, glinting in the sun. "Oh, my God."

Aarya didn’t even look. She rolled her eyes as she let out a sigh, "Is it a grey?" Taylor nodded slowly, already stepping forward. Aarya groaned, "Taylor-"

"He has a crown, Aarya."

"Yes, and you have thirty-four cobs." But talor didn't respond, she was already making her way around the fencing, her steps drawn like a tide pulled towards the moon. The stallion lifted his head as she approached, alert but not alarmed, his deep intelligent eyes following her every movement. The woman reached a hand towards him slowly, reverently, and he stepped close, his muzzle touching her palm like he'd done it a thousand times. Her other hand came up, cradling his wide, powerful face.

"Hi there-", she whispered, "Where did you come from?" She stroked his cheek, her thumb brushing the white crown on his forehead. Aarya stood a few paces behind, her arms crossed, watching with the expression of someone who had seen this movie before. Taylor looked back at her, her eyes gleaming, her expression one that her best friend knew all too well. She didn't even need to say it out loud, her face said it all: I want to ride him. And so, the blonde found the man managing the meet-and-greet not far from the paddock - older, with a weathered hat and sun-creased skin, his shirt dusty from wrangling ponies all morning. He was leaning against the rail, a clipboard in hand, chatting with another potential buyer. "Excuse me!", Taylor cleared her throat, her voice polite but purposeful, "That grey and black tobiano stallion with the crown-"

"Tartarus.", the man said with a nod, barely needing her to finish, "Yeah, he's something, ain't he?"

"I was wondering...", the woman angled her head, "Would it be possible to test ride him?"

The man squinted at her, then at the stallion, who was still watching Taylor from across the paddock, "He's green under saddle, but willing. You look like you know what you're doing. I'll allow it." Before Taylor could even thank him, he had already turned and barked an order to a nearby groom, who disappeared into the tack tent. Within minutes, Tartarus was being saddled up. He stood tall and proud, regal even under the plain black saddle and bridle. His ears flicked back once, then forward again as Taylor approached. And when she finally swung into the saddle, it felt like coming home. His back was broad and powerful beneath her, and his walk was smooth and swaying like a slow dance. The woman settled into the seat, letting her hands fall gently on the reins before giving him a soft squeeze with her legs, to which he responded immediately - light on the bit, obedient, but curious.

Aarya leaned against the fence nearby, sipping what remained of her lemonade. Her expression had softened into something between amusement and resignation. "Ah... she's gone-", she muttered under her breath. In the ring, Taylor let Tartarus walk a few slow, looping rounds, and then she eased him into a trot. It was a little unbalanced at first - he was still learning after all - but there was power there. She posted easily, guiding him through wide, sweeping turns, and when she sat deep and nudged him forward - his gallop was smooth and ground-covering, yet he remained connected, never heavy in her hands. Taylor beamed, her heart pounding, her blonde hair lifting in the breeze as they rounded the arena. Gosh, he felt like hers. And Aarya, still watching from the sidelines, shook her head with a sigh, unable to fight her smile. "Oh God, she's already naming his stall.", she whispered, because of course Taylor wanted him. And everyone knew that when Taylor fell for a horse, there was no turning back.