A morning at the track...

[Natsu]

So... it was the first morning at the track with Wulf. Natsu had just tacked the big guy up, and luckily he was still in a sleepy daze. The girl's green eyes gazed at the black stud's deep, hazy chasms, and laughed. "C'mon! Wake up you goof!" Wulf snorted, tossed his head and nickered as the sound of thunder dashed across the track. Natsu turned around in time to witness the beauty of a Thoroughbred at full speed. "That's what you'll be doin' in a minute!" Natsu cried and continued to lead the stallion onto the track. Once on the dirt Natsu glanced around, spotted a random viewer, and called him over. "Sir!" she called, waving a hand in the air, just behind Wulfbayne so he wouldn't sppok at the rapid motion. The man looked up, and nodded his head in notice. "Can I borrow you for a second? I need help getting up!" Yes... Narsu needed help getting onto this stallion. He was about four to five inches taller than her!

Smiling, the man walked over and helped Natsu mount the beast. She thanked him and clucked to the horse who eagerly pranced onto the track. This morning the winds blew their cold breath directly into the pair's faces, something which blew away the sleepiness which had settled over Wulfbayne. Now awake and attentive, Wulfbayne had his ears erect and forward, listening to the calls of horses and the whisper of the wind. His muscles rippled beneath him as his feet danced, waiting for the signal to fire. "Wait," Natsu cooed as she fixed her stirrups and anything else which was out of order. When she was done she pat the stag on his neck and lowered herself closer to Wulf. The moment she gave the signal the stallion lunged into a strong gallop which surprised Natsu to the farthest extent. "Good starting potential, but not what I wanted." Forcing her heels down, Natsu held the reins tightly and rose to her feet, pulling the stallion to a prancing trot.

Angry that he couldn't run, Wulf curled his head close to his chest and acted like a good little boy, waiting for the time when he could run. Now that the two were trotting, and all eyes were no longer paying attention to them, Natsu pushed Wulfbayne into a slow and collected canter and guided him to the rail, aware of passing riders so she wouldn't get in their way. "Okay buddy, now's the time," she whispered and let loose. Instantly Wulf responded by rocketing into a fast gallop; unhappy with the sudden speed, Natsu fought with the black colt until he gave in and lowered his speed to a well-paced run. "See? That's good," she called to him through the howls of the wind which seemed to pierce through her royal blue sweater which fluttered.

It wasn't two furlongs later that several horses came into view; instantly Wulfbayne responded with the way he normall ran and sped up a great deal. "d**nit!" Natsu thought and fought once more with the animal. No use, Wulf was in his own world. Taking a deep breath, Natsu grabbed the reins closer to the bit and pulled back, throwing her whole body weight into it. Luckily it seemed to break the spell and Wulf slowed willingly. "Can't do that buddy," Natsu said as she brought the stallion under control. After he was back to her, Natsu pulled Wulf to the outside rail and slowed him to a walk, he danced beneath her in longing to run again. "No, not now... I need to get you to a good spot... maybe..." Looking around, Natsu spotted a jockey on a smaller grey gelding. Slowing Wulf she turned in her saddle and asked if he would run about three furglons with her. The jockey turned to his trainer who sat at the edge of the rail. The man looked at Wulfbayne and nodded to his jockey, and the race had been set. "Maybe if I let the grey pass Wulf a few times he would get the idea he needs to wait when he speeds up.

So the two started at the three furlong marker, both resting on the rail. "Ready?" the jockey asked. Natsu smiled and got ready. From the outside rail the grey's trainer shouted "Go!" and the horses were off. Immediately Wulf took the front, as expected, and Natsu slowed him down until the grey was a length in front. Not so happy with this, Wulf threw his head sky-wards and battled against the bit until he figure Natsu wouldn't give in. he returned to her and Natsu loosened the rein, allowing Wulfbayne to run comfortably behind the grey at two lengths. Now it was time to see how well the horse really ran. At two furlongs until the finish, Natsu slowly crept up on the grey and at one furlong left she urged Wulf on. By .5 furlongs the grey and Wulf were battling towards the finish, a mock-race which had Natsu's heart trying to jump out of her throat. Finally Wulfbayne gave his all and closed on the grey, passing the final mark a half-length before the grey.

When both stopped Natsu thanked the jockey, waved to the trainer, and took Wulf off the course. It was a good work out and now she felt good abut racing... maybe she could keep him under control during the actual race.

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