Ludwig exhaled slowly as he finished his last cool down lap around the arena. Eins, zwei, drei. Eins, zwei, drei. He slowed his horse, Glanzen, out of her loose canter, coming to a halt in front of the gait where Arthur stood watching him. "Gutes mädchen." He stroked her neck affectionately as she snorted and dropped her head. Ludwig looked to Arthur, "Und...?" Arthur smiled snarkily. "She's still dropping her shoulder too much on the corners..." Ludwig frowned. "... but other than that, you two look brilliant." Ludwig dismounted and opened the gait, guiding his horse out of the arena and nodding to Arthur as he stepped out of the way. "Danke." Arthur smiled. "Anything for you old chap."
They walked side by side through the barn as Ludwig led Glanzen back to the cross ties by her stall. Arthur nodded to several people as they passed and attempted to make polite conversation until his riding slot opened. Ludwig didn't really pay attention, he just threw in grunts of agreement whenever Arthur looked to him for a response. It wasn't until Ludwig had put his saddle back into his tack locker and was leading Glanzen into her stall before Arthur said something that really caught his attention. "...I'm sure the new rider will be a good addition to the team anyway."
Ludwig's head snapped around as he shut the stall door. "What new rider?" Arthur's caterpillar eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Didn't anyone tell you? Coach just accepted a new reiner for the team. I think she'll be competing as a single though, too. Jett told me that she was pretty good- HEY! Ludwig, where are you going?! Don't walk away from me, you bloody git!" Ludwig marched furiously down the aisle on his way to the head coach's office, bridle still in his hand.
Coach Kent looked up as his door flew open and a very angry looking german stormed into his office. He sighed and set down the pictures he had been studying, "So you know then..." Ludwig paced back and forth in front of the desk, running his fingers through his neat hair. "WHEN WERE YOU GOING TO TELL ME?! Gott verdammt!" He kicked the chair sitting in front of the desk as let out a deep, angry breath as he turned to look at his coach. "We don't NEED another rider, Trainer." Kent settled deeper into his chair as he studied Ludwig. "Yes we do- don't interrupt me Beilschmidt." Ludwig swallowed the argument he had been about to make as Kent continued. "We need more reiners to give us an advantage against other teams. Jett is good, but he can't pull all the weight by himself. Ludwig, you are a fantastic rider, as are your teammates, and I know you're worried that Amelia will drag you down. She won't. She's won national championships here in America and she is a force to be reckoned with." He chuckled. "Trust me, I know."
Ludwig's eyebrows crinkled with frustration. "I want you to show her the ropes around the barn, answer any questions she might have. Get her ready to show. She needs some friends, and you're the first person I'd recommend." Ludwig tried to interrupt but Kent cut him off. "Just give her a chance, Ludwig." After a moment, Ludwig gave his coach a curt nod and then turned and left the office, letting the door slam shut behind him. Coach Kent kept his eyes trained on the door for a moment before turning back to his pictures. He laughed quietly. "Good Lord, those two are going to murder each other by the end of this year, mark my words..."
*Writer's Note: Angry Ludwig is so fun to write... :3 Sorry this chapter is so short! I wanted that cut off point... I'm writing the next chapter right now if that makes you happy! Thanks for reading. Peace-Berries and Beans
Translations:
Eins, zwei, drei. Eins, zwei, drei: One, two, three. One, two, three. (The footfall of a canter)
Gutes mädchen: Good girl
Danke: Thank you
Gott verdammt: God damn