Azurite Claim Attempt 2

The walk back to the truck was rather quiet as the couple let the kids that were in attendance fumble for the attention of the Teddies still looking for some from the very treat invested children. Henry leaned against the truck with a sigh as he took out a pack of cigarettes to smoke one. He fumbled the lighter out of his jacket pocket as he lit it staring off to the side his brow furrowed deeply in thought.

“You don’t think we are gonna get her huh.” Fred said leaning against the truck as well having them being shoulder to shoulder observing his partner with a curious look.

Henry scoffed with a shake of his head “please that little mare is a beauty I’m sure any one who can tell she just got frightened would be willing to work with her. They are just all kids after all I can’t be to sour over it.” He laughed with pessimism.

“And yet here you are smoking another one of those things.” Fred sighed distain in his voice- that resulted in a snort from Henry who looked away with a scowl. “But I will admit when you have your mind set on something you don’t let it go.”

Henry scoffed and shifted his feet lightly before dropping the cigarette bud and stomping it out with his boot. “Yea that landed us together didn’t it.” He chuckled. Fred shook his head in a snicker. “Let’s go get some dinner first then we will see where the little lady is at yea?”

“This place better have good food.” Fred said pushing himself away from the truck looking around to see where other parties were disappearing to.

“Oh it does, now it might not have the traditions like they do over seas but they do cook some damn good food. We can take a look at the little mare’s profile in there they tend to have little papers for potential adopters to look at. These guys are all rescues or surrenders anyways the little bell event is just for show and for the kids. It’s an illusion really.” The duo made their way over to the barn, it was decorated nicely for the occasion lights strung across and tables nicely placed. A few parties were already sitting and eating chatting about potential adoptions. Fred leaned over the table where the information papers where and picked out the one that had the little teddy mare that they were looking at earlier. They both got their plates and made their way to an empty table.

“Oh that is interesting.” Fred said as he was flicking through the mares papers, Henry looked over with a curious look. “Says here that she came from a breeder located up in Oregon she was called Azurite. She is around 6 and has been in a few fair events- ah that explains her issue with kids.” Henry at this rate was leaning over reading the paper as well while still eating the food.

“That is?” He said before taking another bite. Still leaning over attempting to read the papers.

“She has passed through the hands of a handful of kids due to her smaller size- a lot of them seem to out grow her quickly.” Fred said an edge of sadness to his voice. “So she has been through this before many times poor thing. I wouldn’t blame her either for wanting to shrink away from the kids. ” Fred sighed handing the papers over to Henry so he could eat he shook his head lightly.

Henry surveyed the papers flipping through them seeing the pictures of the mare once bright and curious now recluse. He landed on a picture of her standing in a stall looking rather uneasy. He slightly tapped his leg as he observed it before looking to Fred. “You want to take her home now to don’t you.”

Fred sighed “yea she is going to need a soft landing somewhere no where that she will get returned once the kids outgrow her.”

“Good thing we have enough pasture and stable space for her then.” Henry said continuing his meal which Fred joined in soon after in agreement. It want long before the ringing of a large bell rang out in the dining hall. All eyes of the patrons turned to look the direction.

“We will be pulling the Teddies in soon to the stable! Please feel free to watch from behind the rope fence!” Announced a younger lady who was presumably the host. Henry and Fred shared a look of intrigue and hope as they stood up to join the others in watching. They were both standing in the back as the faint sounds of bells and whinnies could be heard. Only as they got closer and closer could their hooves matched it. As the teddies ran past kids excitedly exclaimed and pointed at the Teddies they attached bells to. The couple held a bated breath as the small herd ended not seeing the little mare. Fred casted a worried glance but a laugh from the announcer caught their attention.

“Seems we got ourselves a straggler everyone here she comes now!” Let out the announcer with a laugh.

Followed by a much larger horse was the little splash mare they encountered. She quickly ran past avoiding the fence closet to the people as far as she can. Henry let out a sharp whistle on seeing that the bell ribbon was still attached, however seems that he could also spy a few more bells attached to her mane.

“Alrighty folks! We will see you guys shortly in the stables so that the adoptions can go under way! Please follow the poster signage and you will be there shortly. You can adopt and take home today.” The announcer said loudly over the crowd who were speaking in excited chatter.

“Come on! Let’s go see if we can get her.” Henry said to Fred as they followed the wave of people heading to the stables.