Author's Notes: Hey there! I'm back! ... Don't remember me? Well, here's your first chance to read my... err... interesting stories. If you do remember my stories (most likely The Place Where No One Weeps), then thanks for coming back!

Like that story, I've been working on this for some time, but wanted to get far enough along that you can know what to expect going forward before publishing. After this, I'll mostly being doing one chapter additions. I don't know how long it will take me to finish this... but I will finish.

An extra note on the writing: I've done something a little different this time around. While written in the third person, the narrative often delves in and out of the characters' thoughts without much introduction. I like it, but I can see how it can be confusing. It's probably obvious most of the time, but I thought I'd give a warning.

Please read, and reviews are always welcome!

The Descent of Gray

Chapter One: Existence

Gray never was a loud person- even as a teenager. Well, some who had known him for his whole life would say that he was mildly energetic as a young child, but all agree that he was certainly rather quiet after his mother passed away at the age of eight.

Doug was not a bad father, but Gray knew that a single parent who worked as much as he did wouldn't be enough to provide the attention needed by his younger sister. Gray took his role as his sister's keeper very seriously. His efforts were not in vain, as Ann grew up maturely despite her seemingly endless supply of energy. Apparently she got all of those "fun" genes that skipped over the unfortunate Gray. Though he missed out on those, Gray wasn't spared from the ginger hair that his fiery grandmother, who Ann was named after, passed down to all of her descendants.

Despite his flamboyant hair, Gray was nothing of the kind. The only two places where Gray could relax were the bar and the racetrack. He had his first beer on the night of his twenty-first birthday. He had been training on his horse as soon as his feet could reach the stirrups. He began his official racing career with his father's permission at the age of eighteen- a Flowerbud Village record.

An even more impressive record than this was his performance in the biannual horse races held in town. Though he did not place in his first three outings, he came close enough to suggest a promising future. More importantly, he gained experience that led him to place consecutive bronzes. It was at this point that Gray first began riding the ranch's three-year-old colt called Cliffgard. It was the beginning of a beautiful partnership. Together, they finished a runner-up in their first race which would then be proceeded by three victories. Gray's father had told him that he could move up to regional races once he won his fourth title. Unfortunately, the following race he finished with second place after being passed in the final seconds. Gray promised himself that he would not let such a thing happen again.

These two locations- the bar and the racetrack- often went hand in hand. The night before every race, he would relax at Duke's bar where his friends would buy him one last drink. Such was the case that spring, when Gray was in pursuit of his fourth title.

His "friends" were those few who didn't annoy Gray. For example, Harris the mailman was too dorky, and Jeff, who worked at the bakery, was too long-winded. Those who Gray could tolerate included Zack and Rick. Zack was a strong, nearly middle-aged man of few words whose job was to ship produce out of the village. Rick was more annoying to Gray, but he was his cousin. Gray could deal with family. This time, Zack took up the tab as he returned to their table with the drink.

"This one's on me, so you better not blow it this time," Zack said upon sitting down.

Gray took his first sip before speaking. "I will, assuming that Tatami isn't running in my race tomorrow. I'm not kidding, that horse is on steroids or something."

"Are you saying that I should be putting my money down on him if you two face up?" Zack replied with amusement.

Gray snorted. "I don't plan on losing to that bum again. I've been training Cliffgard to be ready for that final burst Tatami always has at the post. He caught me off guard last time, and even then only won by a head. Needless to say, it won't happen again."

As Gray began his final gulp to finish off his glass, a waft of cooler air permeated the room as the doors from outside swung open. The trio looked towards the source to see three young women stepping across the threshold. Though these people did not live in Flowerbud, they were regular attendees of the festivals there. Gray didn't know their names, but they had spoken on a couple of occasions.

Gray snickered when he saw the nervous look plastered on Rick's face. "Uncomfortable around the ladies, eh?"

Rick shook his head. "Of course not, Gray… I'm just not as smooth as you are."

Both Gray and Zack laughed, the second of which cut in, "We all know that I'm the ladies' man at this table."

Gray couldn't help but take the free opportunity. "No offense, but I think that you might be a little on the old side for them." It was true. Zack was actually a widower who had a young daughter named May. He didn't seem to be the kind of person that wouldn't consider remarrying, but these women were a bit young for him, though Zack didn't want to be reminded of that.

Rick's lips pursed as if he wanted to laugh, but he wisely held it in, lest he risk a clobbering from Zack. Zack could have taken down Gray as well, but the Gray had enough fight in him that it wouldn't have been worth the effort.

"In that case," Zack answered back, "with your youthful knowledge, which one of them would you go after?"

Gray rubbed his chin as he thought. "Well, straight hair looks dependable… but I must say that I'm probably most attracted by pigtails." That was just the answer that Zack was looking for. "You have a thing for women that look ten years old? I'm afraid that's even out of your age range."

"Alright, ten years old is a bit of an exaggeration. But what can I say? I've always had a thing for the cute ones."

By this time, the three girls had already taken their orders and, deciding to not sit at either the nerd or drunk tables, joined these three. The girl with the straight hair and the hat appeared to be the leader, and she accordingly spoke first.

"So… are any of you th-… two… you with the hat running in the race tomorrow?" Initially going to ask all three of us, she quickly discounted Rick as looking too out of shape and then determined that Zack was too large to be a jockey. Zack didn't seem to care, but Rick was a bit bothered, considering his reason for being marked off the list wasn't as acceptable.

"I am," Gray answered.

The woman with the curly hair cut in. "Hey! Are you the guy who got beat by a head last time? I hit the trifecta on that race!"

Gray nodded his head glumly, unable to actually speak about the event. Still, the girls thought it would be a good idea to continue asking him questions- this time it being the girl with the pigtails. "So, what do you jockeys do when you're not racing? You know, like a job?"

"I'm a jockey. That is how I make money. It's what I do, it's who I am."

"But you can't race for forever," she insisted, "you have to do… something on the side."

Gray was in fact quite tired of the conversation. "My family runs a farm, but racing is a respectable job. I don't suppose you three actually do anything for a living yourselves other than going from town to town trying to find a husband."

Rick looked down in embarrassment and adjusted his glasses, while Zack turned to Gray in surprise. The girls with the straight and curly hair frowned in disgust, while Pigtails simply tried to take in what he had just said. Straight Hair took up for her. "Well, at least we know one horse not to bet on." She nodded to Rick and Zack. "Have a good night, you two."

With that, the three joined the nerd table after getting their drinks from Duke. Gray shrugged as he stood up to get round two.

"Those three sure seem to be in a bad mood tonight."