Freedom! (open)

[Thyme Ersilia]

Thyme didn’t want anyone to take pity on him over his only relationship. He knew it was not his fault that Rachel had cheated on him, and what was done was done. There was no need to dwell on the past, but it was definitely hard to believe in people after such circumstances. Many told him the same thing, such as ‘who would ever cheat on you?’. No one was perfect, and no matter how good he was, there was always a risk of getting hurt if it was not the right person.

“Yeah…maybe. After our relationship ended, I realized how comfortable I felt around guys too, so I found no need to rush into another relationship. There are plenty of fish in the sea”

Reece quite blatantly avoided any further detail in answering his question, but that was all right. Thyme would not force answers out of him when they were not needed. It wasn’t’ as if they needed to tell each other everything anyways. Soon, the conversation got off topic and they began to focus more on the problem at hand. They were out of coffee, and it was time to decide what to do next. Reece mentioned a bike, and Ty glanced over to the direction he pointed, his eyes immediately widening in awe. He jumped up from his seat and moved to the bike, tracing his fingers along the leather seats.

“Whoa….sweet….”

He and Sage had looked at catalogs with bikes before when they were younger, but Sage was never allowed to have one due to his clumsiness and lack of balance. Thyme however, had always wanted to have one, but never got the chance. He had never even gotten the pleasure of riding one before.

“Can we ride? Please?”

His eyes were pleading and lit up with excitement.

[Reece Turner]

Reece smirked at Thyme's reaction to the bike and watched as the blonde hurrily got to his feet and moved over to the bike. Of course most of the people who knew about his bike were amazed by it. Even Becca had tried to steal it once which was her way of saying it was neat, he knew. He nearly ripped her to pieces for trying to take his bike from him but he was the forgive and forget type so he went about his business and tried to ignore that she had ever tried to steal his baby. He'd saved up months for his bike and when it had broken last summer he'd take a summer machanics course just so he could know how to replace stuff.

Reece paid a lot of attention to stuff he wanted. Maybe that's why he didn't pay that much attention to Aracelli. Maybe he needed to want her a bit more. Maybe she came too easy. Half the fun of being with the person that you desired was the chase, woeing them, seducing them. That had never happened with Aracelli. One minute they were dancing togther, bodies locked tightly against one another, the next they were in her bedroom tearing one another's clothes off. It was pretty funny that the bike Ty was now lovingly stroking... was the same bike that had gotten them to her place when the mood struck.

Reece slowly got to his feet as Thyme examined the bike and took the two cups to the outside bin tossing them in when Ty asked if they could ride. So it wasn't the location that Ty was really bothered about but the fact that their ride looked like it could fly them to the moon. Reece smiled and nodded moving over to get his helmet from the table before joining Thyme at the bike. He held the helmet out to Ty and tilted his head at the other boy.

"Up to the stables it is then but you gotta hold on real tight and wear my jacket and the helmet as well. If anything happens to my prodigy I'd literally hate myself for life."
They'd also be taking the back roads. If he got into trouble for not wearing a helmet or his leather jacket he would not be in a very good mood around the horses and that could not be the best of ideas. Reece waited for Ty to take the helmet from him before sliding his jacket from him as well revealing that he had at least a long sleeved shirt underneath.

[Thyme Ersilia]

Thyme took the helmet offered to him eagerly and put it on as best he could. He had wished he could leave it off and feel the wind in his hair, but he would rather miss that than die. The boy almost asked if he could drive the bike himself, but he knew Reece would object and who knew what would happen if they got pulled over by a cop. He followed the man’s directions and put on the jacket as well, wondering if Reece would have adequate protection for himself, but he knew he probably had the experience to do all right. Thyme laughed at the prodigy comment and hopped onto the bike, wrapping his arms around Reece’s waist.

“Don’t die on me, okay? I’ll be real mad if you do”

The boy smirked from behind the helmet.

“So we’re going to the stables? You have horses?”

Thyme had never actually been around horses before. He knew that Sage occasionally, but very limitedly, rode them and his mother and father were skilled riders as well. However, Ty had never stepped within five feet of a horse before; never close enough to touch, but he was looking forward to it.

[Reece Turner]

Reece handed over his jacket then mounted the bike. Once Ty was in him, arms around his waist, Reece reached back into his own leather pocket and pulled the keys to his bike from it, sliding them into the ignition. The bike roared to life, vibrating and purring between their legs and Reece smirked. He leaned back into Ty again and reached into his other pocket for his sun glasses. They'd always been kept in that pocket for just these momens. After all, how could you drive when you weren't able to see clearly enough to do such.

He revved the engine listening to Ty's words. Thank God! He wanted to go see his horse and make sure the stallion was okay. As the engine revved one more time Reece pulled away at a sudden speed weaving into the road.
"Can you ride Thyme? You're gonna have to help me ride..."
Reece called over his shoulder through the wind weaving into a back street and racing down it. He knew what he could do down these back streets.

A speed like this and he'd have been in trouble on the main streets but here, he was safe. Cars didn't use these often enough to be alarmed by one should they find one along the way. They arrived at the stables in no time and Reece pulled the bike up beside an SUV, flicked on the stand and waited for Ty to dismount holding out his arm, just in case the other boy needed to steady himself against something. Reece dismounted once Ty was on firm footing and took the helmet off his head sliding it over a handle bar. Once the jacket was off, Reece took that as well.

"I have a locker in the Club house. Follow me..."
Reece smiled and lead the way to what seemed like a beautiful country house right in front of a show jumping pen. There were little tables and chairs set out for people to sit and watch horse owners work their steeds. A few of the riders who spotted Reece called to him to greet Ty and Reece when Reece introduced Thyme to them. The Turner Family's five horses had been kept here for years, since Reece had turned thirteen so he was well known over his twelve years.

He'd also brought a great many friends to ride the horses with him, especially his moms or Lindsey's who were the calmer horses. He'd put Emmanuelle on his dad's horse because she was so experienced when they'd ridden.

[Thyme Ersilia]

The bike vibrated beneath Thyme, and he instantly grinned in approval. The roaring of the engine and the smell of the exhaust…it was just like he always imagined his first motorcycle ride would be like. Ty laughed as Reece put on his sunglasses. He was amused in the fact that he was trying to create a look for himself in the occasion.

When the bike finally began to move, Thyme’s stomach filled with butterflies and he felt his heart jump. It was exhilarating, and he held on tighter to Reece in response, cheering in excitement. The brunette asked him to help him ride, and he didn’t know whether or not to be happy or worried. He wasn’t exactly sure what to do, but he tried his best to help out. They rode down the less busy streets, and after a few minutes, they finally arrived at the stables.

Thyme felt incredibly awake after the coffee and the motorcycle ride had him quite riled up. He was ready to take on the world, which was something he had definitely been lacking before he ran into Reece on this evening. Ty used the man’s arm to keep himself from falling, and the helmet was removed from his head. He shook his head from side to side, his hair whipping around for a moment before he followed the brunette through the fancy club house that contained his locker.

There were horses and riders moving about, and some seemed familiar with Reece as they greeted the two of them. It was obvious that this was something important to the man, so Thyme was on his best behavior as he was introduced to the people. When they finally were left alone, Ty turned to him, smirking.

“So, you dance, you ride a motorcycle, and you ride horses…what else do you do?”

[Reece Turner]

Reece entered the locker room in the club house and made his way through it to the where he kept his locker. The door opened when he turned the code dial and he shrugged at the question he was asked, sliding his jacket in and taking the keys to his equipment cage out.
"Nah that's about it. That's all I can do. Now you're gonna be riding my mom's horse. She's really tame and calm so you won't have any problems."
Reece said as he lead the way back outside again toward the equipment barn.

"I just hope your heads big enough to fit in my dad's hood. You have ridden before right Ty?"
Reece didn't get flustered this time with the words and upon him requesting that Ty help him ride, Ty had said nothing so he assumed that Ty agreed to it and there was little objection on Reece's part with having someone help him with riding his own horse. They reached the Equipment barn and Reece moved to where his unit was, unlocking the gate and stepping inside. Reece pulled his own boots and his father's boots out, offering Ty his father's boots.

"See if they fit. The hood's up there and the crops are to your right. Never... ever use the crop on my mom's horse unless you're guiding her. She was abused and goes mental for quick swats... "
Reece said as he sat down on one of the crates and stated pulling his shoes off to put his boots on.

[Thyme Ersilia]

Thyme followed Reece to his locker and watched the brunette as he placed his belongings in the safe place. He claimed that of all the talents he listed, those were the only ones he was any good at, and Ty laughed in response.

“I’m sure there’s more that you’re good at”

Thyme nodded in understanding when Reece told him he was to ride his mother’s horse, but truth be told, he was a bit nervous. He had never ridden a horse before, but he knew he would get the hang of it rather quickly if he tried.

“I’ve never ridden…but I’ll be fine. I can do this”

He had a determined look on his face as he smirked at Reece confidently. His hands reached out for the boots and put them on his legs, relieved that they fit well enough, and he listened to Reece’s directions about proper use of the horse. It was a lot to take in, but he could handle it.

“No hitting the horse. Got it”

Thyme put on rest of the gear and appeared ready to try and with a grin on his face.

“Will I be your horse riding prodigy too?”

[Reece Turner]

Reece actually blushed at Thyme's words pausing in his actions to frown at Thyme.
"What have you heard?"
Reece teased playfully before finishing the task at hand in explaining to Thyme how to handle the horse that he'd never really been on. Reece paused a second time when he heard that Thyme had never been on horse back before. Really? Reece twitched slightly as the thought of Thyme getting thrown off entered his mind before he shook it away.

Nothing bad would happen. This horse was calm and sweet enough to ride. Reece nodded at the determination on Ty's face stepping up to him when he was all dressed in the gear.
"Just don't get hurt."
He mentioned before checking the straps on the head gear and slowly sliding the loop of the crop across Ty's wrist laughing lightly when Ty asked about being the horse riding prodigee. He shook his head lightly and moved to get Prancer's bit and headgear moving back to slide it over Thyme's shoulder.

"That possition's kinda not as appealing. I do polo playing and it's all fancy. So not up your alley though... maybe one day you could come watch?"
Reece offered before holding out Prancer's saddle to Thyme. When Thyme took the heavy Saddle he got Phill's gear too before he lead the way to the stables. He moved to the five horses that were the Turner familys.

"Kay... These are ours."
Reece slid Phillip's saddle and head gear across his stable entrance and brushed his hand across the white diamond on his chest nut's forehead.
"This here is Wild Fire Phillip, I trained him myself and he used to be a race horse though he'd retired now."
Reece moved on to the next horse, a greyish white horse that was a bit more skitterish.

"Piroette. Lindsey's horse, My sister."
He moved on to the black gelding who seemed almost impatient to get out yerking his head sharply.
"My dad's horse is called Best of Luck but we just call him Lucky... of course he's never lucky for the rider. He was a race horse too but he kinda bucked someone off nearly killing the jokey and so....uh... he got given back to us..."
Reece didn't dare touch this horse.

He wasn't at all fond of Lucky. Lucky had a hell of a temper.
"The paint horse with the different colors is called Criminal. We're sorry her owner is Becca but there's little we can do about it cause she's actually a nice horse. Now the one you'll be riding..."
Reece nodded over to the back where a beautiful Bay mare was peeking over the edge of the entrance to her stall watching them calmly.

"It Prancer... Come I'll help you set her up..."
He beckoned Ty to the door and took the gear from him throwing it over to the side then took Thyme's hand and slowly placed it on Prancer's head.
"She's very friendly. Perfect for beginners."

[Thyme Ersilia]

Thyme was actually surprised at Reece’s blush, and he grinned back at the man. Ooh, that was interesting.

“Are there things I should be hearing about?”

He winked at Reece before preparing to ride the horse he had been given to use for the day. Horses seemed nice enough, and he knew what not to do, so what was the worst that could happen? The worst case scenario would be the horse not moving at all. Reece told him not to get hurt and Ty laughed a bit at the reaction to the horse prodigy comment. Polo was definitely something he had never seen before either, and he nodded to Reece, showing interest in watching him play someday.

The two made their ways to the horses, and he smiled at the way Reece showed affection towards the one called Phillip. Though Ty refrained from making the comment that he thought the fact that the brunette trained a wild horse was incredibly attractive. The other animals were introduced to him, and he enjoyed watching Reece speak about each of their personalities and back stories. Then, he was lead to the one that he would be riding, whose name was Prancer. She was a beautiful horse really; the kind of horse he imagined to have seen in a movie that the character’s often bonded with.

Ty wasn’t frightened about riding Prancer, and he knew that he would be all right, especially with Reece to guide him along. Dammit, if Sage could ride a horse, he could too!

“I won’t be a beginner for long”

His hand gently touched the horses side, his eyes staring at the creature in a bit of amazement. No wonder his family liked horses.

[Reece Turner]

Reece wasn't sure he wanted to ask such... uh... personal questions about himself. Of course the distractions with the horses was enough to keep them off talk of Reece's personal stuff. Reece smiled when Thyme stroked his mom's horse then slipped in and started gearing Prancer up for her run. Once he was done he held the reigns to Thyme.
"Okay, bring her out while I get Phill."
Reece moved off to gear up his own horse, saddling Phill and fitting the head gear on him before slipping out with his own horse all settled.

"Now follow me. We'll do the pens instead of the trails for now. The ground is soft so the landing won't break any bones if you fall. "
Reece lead them to the pens, tied his horse and then moved to Thyme.
"Place your hands on the saddle, You're gonna use your right leg to swing over and I'm hoisting you up with your left so foot in my hands and get ready. You'll have to do it quickly otherwise the horse might get spooked."

Reece crouched and knitted his fingers together ready to hoist Thyme up on Prancer. Once he had Thyme's foot in his old he pushed upward hoping to give Ty enough lift so he wouldn't struggle.

[Thyme Ersilia]

Thyme did his best to bring the horse out, and he gently tugged on the reigns, being extra careful to not hurt or startle the girl. After successfully doing so, Reece met him outside and gave him the itinerary for the afternoon and some advice to keep him safe while riding. However, the first step to riding a horse was to get on it, and he moved next to the brunette, ready to hop on.

The blond stepped onto Reece’s prepared hands gently and quickly lifted himself up and onto the back of the horse. His eyes tightly shut for a moment, in fear of possibly scaring the horse, but when he felt no movement, he sighed in relief.

“…Did it”

It would have been real bad if the horse had panicked and run off with him still on board. The boy took hold of the reigns, just in case Prancer did somehow end up charging off, and his blue-green eyes glanced down at Reece with a light of anticipation. He had a feeling this was going to be fun, and he was looking forward to the ride.

"So if I fall, I won't shatter my bones? Terrific. So...how do I direct her? Tug on the reigns a certain way?"

Thyme moved his arms all the way to his right side in an exaggerated movement.

[Reece Turner]

Reece smiled at the fluent way that Thyme had mounted, proud of his student suddenly then nodded it when Thyme exclaimed that he'd done it.
"Seems to be true. You're a natural. Not hard or scary at all, but seriously. You know how dogs can smell fear? So can horses and it makes them jittery so if you're happy and confident, your horse will be too."
Reece stroked across Prancer's neck lovingly, who stood emotionless, eyes half closed. Thyme then asked about the reigns and Reece nodded.

"Okay, so see this mouth piece in her mouth? It's called a bit. It's made of steel so when someone pulls too hard on the reigns it can slice into a horse's mouth and make them afraid of the bit forever... If I see even a bit of redness in the corners of her mouth, I'll break your toes... cause that's how much it will hurt for Prancer."
Reece narrowed his eyes up at Thyme for a moment before fixing how he held the the reigns threading it through his thumb and pinkie.

"She's been trained by my dad so it only takes the tightening of your hand on the reigns to make her turn this way or that. for her to go faster lightly squeeze your legs. To tell her to stop, equal pressure on both reigns. That's it..."
Reece patted Ty's leg and moved to mount his horse making Phill trot impatiently on the spot before Reece allowed him to trot into the ring then Phill broke out in a gallop immediately, having become so accustomed to running around the pen.

Reece glanced to Thyme every now and then to make sure Thyme was doing okay before he manuevered Phill into a run at the jumps, leaning forward and crouching just as they sailed across a jump.

[Thyme Ersilia]

Ty grinned as he was called a natural. He was actually a natural at a lot of things. One thing he was often complimented on was his ability to learn things very quickly, although this didn’t necessarily mean that he was good at everything he tried. However, basics were something that came easily to him, and if he chose to pursue it further, he might have become quite skilled. Thyme already liked the idea of becoming a great horse-back rider even though he had not moved yet, he was excited for the feeling of control and freedom it would bring him.

Although he was looking forward to the ride, he was nervous about hurting the horse as well because it seemed pretty easy to do so, and Reece even threatened him.

“Wow, no pressure then?. You know, if you break my toes, I won’t be able to be your dance prodigy...not that I'm any good anyways”

Ty lightly teased Reece and watched as the brunette moved to mount his own horse and galloped off with such expertise. Thyme looked down at the reigns in his hands and with nervous anticipation, signaled for the horse to move forward. Prancer moved at a slow trot, and the blond squeezed the right reign.

“Right…”

He whispered to himself as he recalled the directions he had been given, and the horse did as it was directed, turning right. Ty’s eyes were wide in amazement at how well trained the horse was, and he grinned before squeezing his legs to go faster. Prancer sped up a bit, and the boy enjoyed the feeling of the wind in his hair. He was a bit jealous that Reece had enough skill to do such cool stunts, but he knew he was not ready for any of that yet.

[Reece Turner]

Reece smiled when he saw Thyme move around the outside of the pen finding it easy to control Prancer. Yes, Prancer, the horse for beginners. That was why she was so perfect for his mother. His mother had never much liked horses so riding one was always difficult for her but his dad had a knack for picking the right horses and their five horses stabled here had varying degrees in rider requirements. For example, his father’s horse was a total jackass and only Reece and Chase could ride it.

It would buck and rant when it felt the mood to do such. Phillip was stubborn but ridable. Pirouette was a bit of a twitchy horse so a soft hand was always preferred for her and Becca’s horse, not bad to ride at all, but if you were caught even touching Becca’s horse, her wrath would be upon you, which was why the family tried not to share out horses too much. Reece knew he could allow a friend to ride Piro and in return, Lindsey was allowed to use Phill if the need called for it.

But other than that, they would turn to good old Prancer. Stable old girl, she was. Reece trotted up beside Prancer, reeling Phill in enough to calm him after their short burst of freedom and he smiled at Ty.
”I think she likes you. You’re still on her back.”
Reece teased playfully smirking at Thyme.
”Thanks for coming with me here. I like the company and I won’t break your toes if you continue being my prodigy. Fair trade?”
Reece tilted his head to the side, blue eyes shining brilliantly as they caught the sunlight which was hanging high in the sky now, indicating that it was getting close to noon.

He had to go home, make lunch soon and then get to the club to start prepping for the evening’s activities. There was always so much to do on a Saturday afternoon before the crowds hit.

[Thyme Ersilia]

Thyme wondered if he was truly lucky to have not been thrown off by the horse. Although Reece said she was sweet and gentle, Ty was not exactly knowledgeable about the temperament of horses, and he would rather not think about possible injuries. Prancer seemed well tamed though, and Ty was not the least bit concerned that she would do anything dangerous. The boy continued his trot with her, moving around the edges of the fence in a giant circle.

Reece compromised with him over the well-being of his toes, if one could call it a compromise, and he smirked in response as he was thanked for the company. It wasn’t really fair, since it was basically ‘be my prodigy or I’ll break your toes’, but he laughed and halted the horse for a moment to stare into the brilliant blue eyes that were lit up from the midday sun.

“I don’t really have much of a choice, now do I? But it’s fine. It’s pretty cool”

He winked once at the brunette.

“And you’re welcome”

With that, he sped off again, showing more control than before and an air of confidence that was not there when he had first started riding.