Ever since she touched down, there had been only one thing on her mind.  When could she bust Leone free and take him for ride.  After all, this was new territory.  Charlie was certainly excited to learn more about this new location and see just what this school had to offer.  Apparently, it was famous for it's equestrian program.  Well, that wasn't really what she had been working towards.  Sure, she could probably ride Leone fast.  But, actual racing?

There was a first time for everything, as the saying went.  Charlie opened the door to the stables and looked at all of Leone's new neighbors.  Some fine looking horses were looking rather comfortable.  She tipped her hat to a few as she strolled along.  "Well hey there, fella." she leaned on the door when she reached Leone, "You about ready to cut loose?"

A tiny figure appeared to be sitting right atop his head.  Her expression appeared rather placid, as she stared at Charlie.  "Why talk to the horse?  And shouldn't he rest before 'cutting loose'."

"Ah, I'm only jokin' around." Charlie patted Leone's neck, "We'll only take you out for stretch, ol' buddy."

---

The corral was pretty quiet.  Charlie couldn't figure out why, but that wasn't any reason to deter from doing what she wanted.  In fact, it was a good way to make sure she didn't try to do anything crazy.  Charlie knew herself and knew that if there was anybody near by...well, she would have to give them SOMETHING.  The American was looking quite relaxed as Leone took a lazy stroll around the grounds.  Her hat was tucked low, while dark hair spilled out the back.

"I'm tellin' ya, Leone...I think we could have some fun here." she smirked to herself.

Yet another day upon this dusty path
Seeking a creature of lunar beauty
As dark as night, yet with a blessed river of white among the flowing black silk
Ils l'appellent Noire.

The princely girl scribbled a short poem in a small white notebook as her path unconsciously diverged to the corral. She had neglected seeing her lovely mare, Noire, for a while, and for that, she felt like she had highly betrayed the stately, beautiful creature. In an expensive white bag that dangled from a broad shoulder, however, enclosed a bundle of carrots. Surely that would be enough to half excuse her absence. Yet horses were social creatures; expressive, too, in their own unique right; and the skittish Noire was no different. Even the slightest of mishaps could damage the fragile bond between horse and rider.

Rattling among a silken mass of boyish, shoulder-length hair, the peculiar cross-shaped earring flashed in the sun, swaying with each reserved step. While the prince would have preferred wearing a gleaming white suit as would be more befitting of her boyish appearance, she was confined to the tight, ivory Spica uniform as of current. The miniskirt fluttered with each extend and bend of a pale leg. She had taken to wearing thigh-high white socks as to appear more modest.

Finally, the corral was in view. With it, the ever-familiar sound of the footfalls of a horse resonated softly. Instead of heading straight to the stables, Valentina curiously approached the white fence of the corral, shaded by the opaque shade of a flourishing tree beside it. Usually the corral was empty. It was rare to find another equestrian soul floating about its grounds. Blood-red orbs trailed the rider and horse, analyzing how she rode and how the horse carried out its stroll. Relaxed and casual, not anything for show. Just a peaceful ride it seemed. Perhaps the girl was just warming up her horse to keep the majestic beast active. Maybe she would care for a little company? The scene spurred a melody of poetic lines in her mind, and she paused to withdraw her notebook once more and jot them down with a gold-rimmed fountain pen.

A shaded rider and a majestic steed
'Round the white-fenced haven of dust and equine
Drifting in the peaceful web of a relaxed haze
Knights of the resplendent autumn kingdom of blossoming reds and orange.

She clicked the pen and deposited both back in her white bag. Would the girl take notice of the tall French prince? Valentina swiped a loose black lock of hair back into place as she watched the rider, the cross earring flashing as it was revealed once more.

The pace was slow and deliberate and her posture imbued every bit of the lazy ride she was embarking on.  Charlie's instincts blared at her, saying that she should do more.  Especially with all this free room.  But, she kept those down under wraps.  Leone's well being took priority.  Causing an injury after such a long journey just seemed like a cruel twist of fate.  The horse appeared to be adapting well, however.  Maybe she would pick the speed up in a little bit.

As she rounded around the track, a figure came into view.  This was someone on the other side of the fence.  And she was certainly quite real.  With a curious tilt of her head, she guided Leone over.  The little figment popped it's head down from the brim of her hat.

"A fellow student at St. Spica, judging by the uniform." she said, "I wouldn't be surprised if she was a fellow rider.  She certainly appears the type.  Although we would need a closer look, to get the full picture."

Charlie would ignore her, for now.  She never did like talking to herself in public like that.  Instead, she focused on her horse and the approaching white fence.  The stunt rider gave a couple of clicks of her tongue and rose up on her saddle.  She crouched and waited...only getting to her full height when she was close enough.  Ina fluid motion, Charlie stepped onto the fence and kept her arms out stretched for balance.  One foot carefully placed before the other, before she hopped down on the other side and stood in front of the new arrival to the corral.

"Howdy." she gave a tip of her hat before pushing it towards the back of her head.  On the other side, Leone had come to a stop in front of the two.  Now would come the tricky part.  Speaking in Japanese.  She had been practicing, sure, but it wasn't like she was holding long conversations with the language.  This would prove an interesting test.

"You ride?" she asked, point blank.  Somewhere, her figment was shaking her head at the bluntness of it all.

Valentina continued to watch the rider, analyzing every aspect of how she rode. It appeared as if the girl could do more; she and the horse both; but chose to hold back. For what reason, the prince had not a clue, but the horse looked to be new to the area and not all too well adjusted just yet. It pleased the prince to see that she was not pushing the creature. A lover of all things equestrian she was and she would hate to see one of the beautiful beats being neglected or risked for injury in any way.

Finally it seemed as if the rider had spotted her. The prince made no movement, but instead just kept her gaze on her, observing her approach. She expected her to dismount normally, or stay on the horse. But in a sudden interesting turn of events, the girl dismounted by way of the fence, throwing caution to the wind and making a for a showy sort of impression. This intrigued Valentina although her face remained locked in its usual brooding look. She blinked and the girl was before her, tipping her hat and giving a brief greeting. It appeared by nature of her speech that she was not too well adept in Japanese. Valentina was not too fluent either, being of a lineage of French-speaking descent, but knew enough to hold herself in the foreign environment at least.

"Of course." The prince responded confidently. Equestrian was her life and deep burning passion, just as poetry was. She was raised immersed in it. Separating her gaze from the shorter girl, she guided the ruby-red orbs to the horse, giving a refined nod in its direction. "A fine steed you have there, m'lady."

"How interesting." the figment noted, "She appears to be having some trouble the language, as well.  Probably European.  I wouldn't be surprised if she was French or Spanish."

It was only based on a few words, but Charlie had no reason to doubt her.  Charlie leaned against the fence and hooked her thumbs in the belt loops of her jeans.  The taller of the two gestured in Leone's direction and paid the horse a compliment.  The result was a big grin from the American.  "Leone does appreciate a kind word from ladies." she winked.  "He is...ah...real good.  Been treating me well.  How about you?"

Charlie pointed over towards the stables, "Betting you have quite the steed, yourself."

Running a pale hand through the silken, neat mass of boyish black hair, Valentina let the slightest of chuckles fall past her lips. An interesting personality this girl had. Casual, and perhaps even a little on the playful side. A polar opposite of the stoic white prince. To some from the descent of such families with strict, refined mannerisms, such a casual front would come off as somewhat rude. Yet Valentina only found intrigue, not put off in the slightest. It was actually sort of refreshing encountering one of a casual method of addressing others after having been raised only interacting with same the monotonous, mirror-like beings.

"A lovely mare, she is." The prince's scarlet orbs glanced in the direction of the stables. She supposed the mare would have already sensed her presence by now. Most horses would call out to their riders if the bond was strong enough, but even so, Noire was a quiet, more timid soul and not one of much vocalization. A mirror match for the stately, monochromatic girl. "She has not been ridden recently as of late."

She adjusted her white bag carefully higher up on her broad shoulder, being careful not to crush the small bundle of fresh carrots inside. Equestrian, though able to still be comfortably enjoyed as a solo hobby, was an activity of interaction. Not just between horse and rider but also between fellow riders themselves. Perhaps this girl would care for a little company? "Would you mind if we joined you in the corral, m'lady?"

There was something kind of entertaining about how formally she was being addressed.  Being called "M'lady" was certainly not something that you heard very often.  Especially when you were Charlie and that was the least common thing you heard, right after "Boy that girl sure is quiet".  Which isn't so much an honorific as it is a statement.  But, they both boiled down to the same thing.  Not one heard very often on the Cavallo Ranch.

"I think we can squeeze one more horse in this track." she answered, "Besides.  Leone would like to meet one of his neighbors."

Charlie climbed up to sit on top of the fence and reached over to give pat to the Azteca.  Having a riding buddy was nice.  But, as she patted her horse, that familiar little figure popped up on it's saddle.  "Just remember what you set out to do." she said, "Just a stretch and nothing more.  No more showing off."

She had a point, as much as Charlie hated to admit it.  Not that Charlie had been keeping things exactly subtle up until now.  But, she was doing pretty well, by her standards.  "Need a hand?" she offered.  Doubtful, as the other girl was likely to be able to handle such things, herself.  Probably in a very sophisticated manner.  But, it was always nice to offer a hand.

Valentina offered a slight nod of acknowledgement. It would be nice to ride with a fellow rider again. Not only that, but Noire would have the chance to be acquainted with one of her stalemates. The Frisian was a skittish one, and didn't really socialize with the other horses much because of that. This would be a nice change for the mare.

Scarlet orbs remained fixated on the girl. At the offer of help, she shook her head, the cross earring fluttering ever so slightly at the action. "I can handle it, but thank you for the offer, m'lady." She responded gratefully. "Excuse me for a moment."

The prince strolled off towards the stable with reserved sweeping steps, keeping the white bag close. A soft nicker rolled out from the building to greet her before she could step inside. Noire must have caught her scent, or rather, the carrots. Valentina entered and approached the grand black beauty. She extended an upturned palm first, letting the gentle beast snuffle it over, before reaching into her bag. "Désolé, Noire," she offered as she pulled out the bundle of carrots and feed them to the horse. Noire devoured them gingerly yet eagerly, jet black ears arched forward in intrigue. When she finished, she nosed the prince's hand for more, only receiving a loving stroke on the nose.

"Pas plus les carottes. Pas plus." She chuckled softly. She fiddled with the white shock of hair in the mare's silky black mane before departing briefly to retrieve riding equipment. It didn't take long for her to fasten the cinch and flank straps and secure the latches and bangs on the bridle. Slipping the bit into the horse's mouth, the princely girl opened the stall wide and lead the horse out by the reins, pausing to close the door behind her. Noire gave the slightest of shudders as she was lead outside of the stables, the sunlight rippling through her black coat like water. Finally, Valentina checked everything one last time before giving a reassuring pat on the neck to the horse and swinging herself up onto her. The Frisian pawed nervously at the dust. A soft flick of the reins got her moving, and she set to a trot towards the pair, the black furred tufts pooling about the mare's hoofs fluttering with each high-stepping footfall.

Valentina slowed the mare to a gradual stop when she reached the two, stroking the nervous horse's neck soothingly. "Être calme. Être calme." She whispered to the mare. Noire flickered her ears then looked to the unfamiliar rider and horse, blowing a soft puff of air from her nose curiously.

Charlie provided a half a grin and a nod of acknowledgement before she hopped back over the fence.  As expected, her offer was declined.  That left her with some time to get back on Leone and settled in as she waited for the other girl's return.  The Azteca was calm as she swung a leg over reached out to scratch his neck.

"Looks like you'll be meetin' a new pal." she said with a chuckle.  Leone took a few steps forward.  Charie leaned back in her saddle as she adjusted her hat and took a glance over towards the stable.  Soon, her fellow equestrian appeared, with black horse.  And a rather lovely specimen it was.  She waved in her direction and rode around in a bit of a circle as she waited for Valentina to arrive.

"That's a pretty nice horse you have, yourself." she said, with a smile.