.Uncool.

[DJ]

And she snapped out of it.

Estee's mind awoke, stirring from the non sense-making dream. Her eyes stayed closed for another moment before easing open, gaining a sense of where she was. Her bed, of course, but still. She blinked slowly, not exactly wanting to get up. But as she remembered Daniel, she was quick to get up and slip into a clean pair of skinnies and a black Killers tee, running a brush through her hair and figuring she'd leave online classes for later tonight. She attempted to re-wrap her hand. Which worked... slightly. Sure, the bandage was loose and the tape wasn't even working, but it was as good as it could be for a right-handed teenager fighting to do things with her left.

As the teenager stepped out the door, the air hit her and she was ready to collapse. The overly hot, sticky air made everything uncomfortable and it really wouldn't be a good day to ride of course, she had to ride, or at least work the gelding. As she walked to the barn, she fanned her shirt, now remembering why it was good to have clothes other than black.

The cool aisleway held a slight breeze, cooling down a bit, but the air was still overly hot. Estee just had to check Dose's stall. Just to see... It brightened her day to see the boy in with his horse. "Good morning, Daniel," she said, biting her lip in a smile. It was so nice to see him. "I don't think I'm going to do much with Glow today. The heat is crazy. Are you riding today?"

[D E M O N //]

God bless the coffin they carry me off in. a hand came out and slammed the off button, multiple times, before it could even really get started going. He was up. He had been up. He hadn't slept to well last night. All he could think about for the rest of the day was Estee. And part of him wished for bad weather so that they could spend some time together. He felt slightly guilty about that, except that just because he wished it would happen didn't mean it would. Actually if he wanted something to happen it probably wouldn't. So chances were the weather was was going to be good.

Throwing on a pair of jeans and a Thousand Foot Krutch tee and his usual black hoody. He really didn't mix it up to much. People had suggested he wear a leather jacked for a change. He didn't eat meat, and he wasn't going to wear leather. He though it was cruel that people killed animals for such trivial things as clothing.

As he stepped outside he was overwelmed by the heat. As he got into his saab he discarded his sweatshirt and tossed it into the back seat. Cranking the AC way up he headed for the stable hoping that Estee was there. He had missed her, even if it had been less then a day since he'd seen her. He felt his heart drop when she wasn't.

To occupy his time he went and started grooming Dose waiting to see if she would come. She would, Glow was in his stall. As he heard her voice he felt his heart skip a beat and a smile crossed his face. ”Hey,” he said happily turning to look about it, ”Thought I'd take him out for a short easy ride, maybe on the trail in the trees out of the sun?”

[DJ]

"Alright. Might I be able to tag along?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "I think Glow would like that. While you're on the trail, might we want to stop at the beach?" Her head flipped to the side a bit and her bangs fluttered away from her eye a bit, though still in the way.

Darn it... Estee hadn't even thought about the bathing suit thing. Hers was at home and she'd have to go change. Which wouldn't take long, but Daniel may not even own a bathing suit... Maybe he did. Estee hadn't worn hers. Ever. And she didn't think she would. But on a day like this, the water sounded so nice, it was hard to disagree.

Her glance moved to down to the cement, rubbing her sneaker against it, but her face looked up again, dark bangs over one eye, as Daniel replied.

[D E M O N //]

”It's the right weather for that,” he said contemplating. It was hot. Very, very hot. And the beach sounded like a good thing right now. Just the idea of diving into the ocean, which no doubt would be cold, sounded unbelievable. He was about to blurt out yes when something came to mind. he didn't want to go to the beach and not be able to swim. And there was nothing worse then wet jeans, so he wasn't going to swim in those.

”I don't want to go to the beach and not be able to swim...” he said half to himself and half to her. He wasn't really sure who he was addressing. Rubbing Dose's side he thought, ”And Dose isn't really to fond of sand...” he continued weighing the pros and cons. He really wanted t spend time with Estee, and he also wanted to cool down. ”I'd have to stop by my house first though”

”Maybe take the horses out for a short ride, and then two two of us drive to the beach?” he said. He wasn't sure if they should go on a trail, or just stay in the ring. Their lost trail ride had been...somewhat disastrous.

[DJ]

She shrugged. "Whatever works. But, there's no streams on the trail, if that's what you're worried about." She had to let out a smile, recalling the misadventure on the last trail ride the two had taken, only two days ago. Poor Estee ended up in the stream, Daniel too, although Daniel wasn't on a horse at the time of the mishap.

It would be fun to take Glow out. He enjoyed actual water. Just not streams, apparently. But if Daniel didn't think Dose could handle it, or had a different reason, that was fine too. Although the horses provided a bit of a distraction from being alone. Just because that was the most awkward feeling.

"And that's fine," she replied as Daniel said he'd need to stop at his house, "I need to change anyways. And get Glow set," she added, seeing Dose had already been brushed.

[D E M O N //]

”Alright, I'll drive home and meet you back here?” he half stated half asked. He wasn't really sure how much sense that made, but who cared. It wasn't like he had some place to rush off to get to afterwards. His day was open. Actually, his whole life was pretty much completely open, except for Dose of course.

Giving the horse one last pat he couldn't help but chuckle at her stream comment.. That had been one disasterous day. But they had gotten to know eachother better. It had been, for lack of a better word, entertaining. But going back to the barn soaked, was not usuall his idea of fun.

Getting into his car the teenager sped home grabbing his one and only swim suit out of his jumble of clothes which he called a closet. Sliping it on he put his jeans back over it and drove back to the stable as quick as he could. He wasn't gone to long, damn he drove fast.

Getting back to the barn Daniel did a quick brush of Dose's back where the saddle would go and began to tack the thoroughbred up.

[DJ]

Estee nodded, heading home once Daniel left and changed into her bathing suit as well. She slipped back into her black Killers tee, but rather than her skinnies, found her only pair of board shorts, and wore those. The shorts fell to about her knees. They were the only other kind of pants she owned besides her skinnies and breeches.

Estee had time to brush Glow fairly well. She lead the gelding out to the aisle way with his halter on and waited for Daniel to finish tacking, which didn't take very long.

"Ready to go?" she asked Daniel before struggling onto Glow's bare back.

[in your pants]

[D E M O N //]

Quickly Daniel placed the saddle and bridle properly on his horse before leading him carefully out of the stall. Dose seemed down a little energy, probably because of the heat. Most people (and horses) didn't like it when it was this hot. After all, it was hard to move in this heat. Expecially with someone on your back. But Daniel knew that he would be more annoyed if h didn't take him out.

Grabbing his helmet Daniel sore at the fact that absolutely everything he was wearing was black. Stupid global warming. Leading the stallion outside Daniel mounted his horse rubbing his neck, as, for the first time, Dose stood still.

”Where are we going?” he asked. He had only ever been on the trails once, and that was with Estee, so he really didn't know the direction of their destination.

[DJ]

"Same way as before, but make a left when you get to the beginning of the trail." Straight and right were streams. Estee didn't like streams. And Glow didn't seem to either... but that wasn't the point.

Estee pressed the helmet farther down on her head, squeezing Glow's bare sides forward, and motioning Daniel to take the lead. It was a fairly simple trail once you were on it. Estee'd ridden down it once, but didn't get off at the beach. Just circled around and went home. The two horses traveled toward the trail at an even pace, through the parking lot and through the field. The tall grass ticked Estee's ankles and it felt really weird.

Glow snatched at some grass and seemed surprisingly more excited than usual.

[D E M O N //]

Nodding as she spoke Daniel asked the stallion to walk on. For once he listened without to much trouble. Daniel could feel the lack of energy in the stallion. He knew he didn't like heat, and frankly, neither did his owner. Honestly , both of them proffered rain or cold to this insufferable heat. It was insane.

Following her directions Daniel directed his stallion towards the trail. The bay picked his head up and they got out of the sun under the cover of the trees. Though his pace picked up a bit he knew that this was going to be a lazy day, but Daniel didn't mind. That was actually probably a good thing, knowing him.

[DJ]

The warm air made Glow a bit excited. He carried his head high with his ears pricked forward along the trail, lifting his legs gracefully high. It was unlike Glow to change his attitude in a bit of warm weather. “Taking notes from Dose?” she mumbled to the gelding, smiling, although it seemed Dose were more laid-back in the hot weather, as most normal horses should be. Even Estee felt more lighthearted in the fresh air, but she wasn’t excited, just tired. It was hot out, but the breeze kept the dull, laziness out of the air, and it was comfortable.

As they reached the beach clearing, she kicked Glow, asking him to canter. He bounced into a huge over exaggerated trot in the deep sand, causing Estee to slip a bit to the right, off center, but the teenager kicked him again, quickly, and he smoothed into his easy canter. She pulled herself, centered onto his back again. “Good boy,” she praised.

She halted him on the beach, unbuckling her helmet and slowly and uncomfortably stripping from her tee, revealing a black halter bikini top with small rainbow-type stars, but she kept her board shorts on. Estee pulled each foot onto the gelding’s back, pulling off her sneakers. It was helpful she’d warn the ones without ties. They slipped on and off easily. She really hated sitting there without a dark tee covering her whole torso for some reason, and it made her feel awkward. The strappy bikini underneath the shirt fit her body well, and it wasn’t body appearance she was afraid of. She wasn’t even sure what it was that made her uneasy. But once she tossed both the shirt, helmet, and shoes onto the sand, she grabbed Glow’s mane and turned her bare feet out, heeling the gelding. He grunted lightly, picking up a slow canter toward the water.

[D E M O N //]

Daniel let out a chuckle overhearing her comment to her gelding. For some reason he had seemed to perk up a bit in the heat, something that seemed slightly unusual to the teenager. Dose seemed to have lost his energy and was moving along at an uncharacteristically dull pace. But Daniel wasn't complaining. He wasn't dealing with it to well either. He had always been more of a cold weather guy, and he just felt like he was going to melt into a puddle in the saddle at this point. Feeling that he could trust the stallion not to take off at this temperature he laid his hands down on his neck and took one hand off the reigns and used it to rub his eye, damn was he exhausted.

As Estee urged Glow into a canter, Daniel let the pair pass them before asking Dose to follow their lead. The stallion objected letting out a tremendous buck. The ground was turning into sand, and Daniel knew that the thoroughbred didn't like the feel of it under his hooves. Urging him forward finally the stallion picked it up. He coninued to throw his head around trying to make sue that his rider knew that he was not enjoying this. He moved slower then usual which surprised Daniel. Even though the stallion had been slower then usual, there was a horse infront of him, and racing was in his mind. He usually took off after them, he always had to been in front. But the stallion was moving very carefully over the ground maticulous about where he put his feet obviously not relenting on his hatred for sand.

”It's okay, boy,” Daniel said patting his stallions neck. As Estee brought her horse to a halt he followed her lead. Instead however he hopped out of the saddle. He was wearing his riding boots which would be impossible to take off the same way she had discarded her sneakers. Making quick work of his laces he discarded them and his socks in the sand. Soon his tee shirt joined them. He felt kind of odd, he was not exactly the type to walk around without a shirt on. He slid out of his jeans revealing his black swimming trunks.

He looked up right before remounting his watching Estee canter off towards the water. Pausing e thought for a moment. After a minutes consideration he removed his horse's saddle from his back and pulled himseld less then gracefully back into place before asking him to canter off after the warmblood. Free from the leather Dose seemed to perk up a bit. Even at the slow pace the thoroughbred had started sweating under the tack and was glad be rid of them. As Daniel slid his hands up his neck leaning forward the stallion momentarily forgot about his hatred of the footing beneath his hooves. Glow had nothing on Dose when it came to speed and soon they had caught up to the pair now almost in the water.

[DJ]

Although Estee was without shoes and a helmet, it wasn’t a common thing to see. Her helmet was a must. Whenever she rode. And she didn’t go swimming often. Actually, she’d only been swimming once with Glow before this time, and she didn’t have a bathing suit on, just normal clothes, which had ended, of course, uncomfortable as hell after she’d gotten wet. She’d probably taken off her helmet between two or four times or so in her whole riding ‘career’ which had started about 4 years ago.

Glow's head lifted and his hooves arose as he met with the water. The exhilarated gelding continued his canter, basically leaping into the shallow liquid and quickly deepened. Trying to stay on a large-strided, sleek horse who was charging and springing through water up to his chest was nearly impossible while riding in slippery board shorts and Estee removed her tight grip on the reins, plugging her nose and slipping from the horse’s barrel head first into the water. She let out a playful laugh before she went under. A gasp escaped her lungs at the chill of the water, tensing her muscles. The pressure in her ears of the underwater silence felt awkward, but as she reached the surface again, sound exploded. Along with her own laughter, Glow was splashing his way back to shore; Daniel and Dose were making noise in the water as well.

Her laughing stopped fairly abruptly. Estee laughing? That was another rare action coming from the teenager. But for some reason it seemed okay in front of Daniel. Why? Good question, although no one could answer: even Estee. She felt so different around Daniel. And it made her stop, still questioning if they were actually going out or not. The actions of what was going on around her, forced her to yet again, push the unanswered question out of her mind.

Glow reached the shore, and he halted, shaking, before starting off in the other direction. His short braided reins created from two lead ropes hanging from his halter hung loosely on one side of his neck, but not far enough for him to step in. They weren’t that long. “Glow,” Estee growled loudly at her gelding. He halted again, and spun his head around to the voice. The teenager raised one eyebrow and Glow seemed to understand, snorting and lowering his head in annoyance, knowing better than to continue away from his owner.

She smiled at his good behavior and made her way to the shore as well. As her body came farther and farther out of the water, she crossed her arms over her chest firmly. The air was freezing with a damp body. Oh crap. She then remembered she didn’t bother to bring a towel. It wasn’t that she forgot because technically she never thought about it in the first place. To forget something, you’d need to think of bringing it first, yes? But she bit her lip and felt dumb for not even running it through her brain. *facepalm* She headed over to Glow standing on the sand, and stood next to him, arms still tightly wrapped around herself.

She stroked his shoulder. Although he was damp, his black color soaked up sun quickly, leaving a warmth to his dark pelt. And Estee had no way of remounting. Although she could usually mount the sixteen hand high gelding with ease, without a stirrup to place her foot in, his back seemed a long way up with him being wet, extra slippery. She’d try to grab his mane and pull as she'd done back at the barn, but with a strappy bathing suit, she preferred not to try. It might not end as pretty as she’d like. Wet horse + minimal clothing? = Erm. I dun think so.

She glanced back toward the water. It wasn't too bad once you were all the way in, but the air was viciously cold, even with the heat once you were wet. With or without a horse, she'd be much more comfortable back in the water. She bit her lip, contemplating her choices.

[D E M O N //]

As Dose began prancing around an tossing his head in the air Daniel became more and more aware of his helmet left much further up the beach. Like it was going to do him any good there. The stallion clearly did not want to touch the water. ”Scaredy cat,” the teen muttered trying to pursuade the stallion into the water. It was not an easy task. Without stirrups, saddle, shoes, or helmet Daniel was a little worried about trying to coax this hot tempered thoroughbred to get his feet wet. No such luck.

Sighing Daniel dismounted and tried to lead the horse into the ocean speaking comforting to him the entire time. ”Come on boy.” he said. The stallion pulled bacl on the reigns that had been taken over his head. However hard he tried to plant his feet in the sand, Dose managed to pull him out of the water. It wasn't like Daniel really stood a chance in a tug of war match.

Leading him forward again Dose went just far enough forward that all four hooves were covered in water. He began trashing around spraying his owner who stood several feet ahead of him in water. Which was quite an acheivment seeing as he was only standing in bout two inches of water.

Finally Daniel managed to puruade him to follow him to almost his knees in water, but it was clear that the stallion was not going to follow any further. Dose clearly didn't like the beach.

[DJ]

Seeing the boy (of her dreams, yes) struggling with his feisty stallion, Estee left Glow to the thick greenery along the edge of the beach back toward the forest. The gelding was perfectly happy and Estee trusted him not to venture too far. Yes, there were pros to having an older, well trained gelding. It may have been boring at times, but being well-behaved helped at times like this.

"Can I help with anything?" she asked. She knew there wasn't much to do, but she didn't want to have a ruined "date" just because Dose didn't want to go in the water. And it didn't upset her and it didn't seem to be upsetting Daniel, and of course Dose was most likely not meaning to make a mess of the time, but Estee was willing to help in any way she could, just to make the time easier on the stallion's handler.

The teenager became more aware of her bare feet and minded space between her and the bay. It's not that she didn't trust him, but that's just how you had to act around most horses. And yes, she was commonly unsafe around Glow.... but that wasn't the point. Dose was a young stallion and anything could have him accidently step in the wrong place, although Estee noticed Daniel's bare feet as well, somehow making her feel a bit less unsafe.

Her arms wrapped back around her torso, wishing she'd dry off faster. She was still chilly and was still beating herself up over the fact that she'd managed to forget a towel. A brown eyed glance shifted back to Glow quickly, but seeing the black horse snuffling around the foliage, her eyes moved back to the shirtless teenager and his bay equine in front of herself.