"So, the first thing I'm going to teach you is how to groom the horses. Might as well get one of the harder things out the way first, right?"
Cas had finally caught up to Dean and led him to the stables that made Bobby's ranch renowned. After a bit of careful moving and laughter as Dean almost slid through a pile of horse dung that had yet to be taken care of from the morning rounds, they finally made it to the stall of a beautiful Clydesdale stallion.
"This is Sefir. He's my personal buddy and has a bit of stubborn streak to him." Cas said, gesturing Dean closer as he took out a brush from the work belt and pouch he had on.
"He doesn't really race anymore, but I still enjoy taking him out for strolls every once in a while when he's feeling up to it."
That piqued Dean's interest a bit. "So I'm assuming the majority of these horses are racing horses then?"
Gently working the brush through Sefir's mane, Cas briefly looked back at the man.
"Correct. Singer Farms houses people's horses that can't be kept on their owners' own properties. Most of those people are usually racers, and it's our jobs to take care of these beautiful creatures in their owners' absence." Cas said, continuing the gentle stroking motion through the stallion's mane. Sefir appeared to be enjoying it at the very least, having nudged into Cas' touch a few times.
"However, we also operate as a breeding farm as well, and sell high quality racing horses. Mr. Singer's farm is renowned in the racing community not only for the quality care of the horses, but also for the excellent quality of horses we sell or rent out as well." He paused to put away the brush when he was finished, and gently started stroking Sefir's head with his own fingers instead.
"If you stick around long enough, you'll see a man that goes by 'Crowley' stop by the farm as well. He does inspection for this farm, but also checks around for any stallion or mare that catches his eye to participate in racing competitions, as he's also a jockey coach." Cas explained.
Dean nodded with understanding before gently reaching out his hand to try and stroke through Sefir's mane as well. The horse jolted a little and seemed to fix Dean with a glare, before snuffling and relenting to the new man's ministrations. This caused Dean to smile some.
"I think I get it. So, we bathe the horses, brush their hair, and make sure they're in perfect shape for when their owners visit. Doesn't sound too hard." Dean said with a smile. If that is all he had to do while staying here, then it would be the easiest pay he'd earn in awhile.
Cas only laughed at that and smiled as he patted Sefir's head one last time.
"That's a simplified way of putting it, yes. But it's also so much more. Come with me." Cas said, exiting out of the stable and heading over to a pile of sacks near the entrance.
"Obviously we also feed and give them water as well. But we also have to clean their hooves, give them daily walks, free time in the pastures of which we also have to monitor, and keep an eye out on them during their ah, mating sessions." Cas carried the sack of horse feed over to Sefir's stable again and doled him out some food before returning and tossing the sack back into the pile.
"Honestly Cas, if watching two horses get it on is the worst thing I have to do at this farm, I think I'll be okay." Dean said once Cas returned.
Cas sighed softly before giving Dean a smile and set his hands on his hips.
"We're not going to have you do too much today as it's your first day. Grab one of those bags of feed and follow me."
Doing as told, Dean went over to the pile and grabbed one bag and followed along next to Cas.
"Since I'm imagining you're going to be here awhile, we might as well get you acquainted some with the horses." Cas said.
Going along down the line of stalls, Dean noticed a multitude of beautiful mares and stallions. They were of simple colors and patterns, but stunning, nonetheless.
"So I'm guessing you just want me to give them some food right now?" The blond asked.
"Yes, exactly. Those bags are about three pounds of grain and you're going to give one of these beauties the whole bag. Around here they get fed about four times a day and are given as much hay as they like." Cas went over and started stroking the head of a black coated mare.
"Here, as your first feeding, come give Ama some food. She's eyeing your bag there, so I imagine she'd like some grain." The raven-haired man said with a laugh.
Dean smiled once he saw the look on the horse's face. She did look like she was eyeing Dean and his bag of food up, so he happily obliged.
"Is she someone's racing horse?" He asked, doling out the food and gently stroking Ama's mane once he was done.
Backing away a little to give Dean space, Cas nodded and smiled.
"She sure is. Ama here is one of Crowley's favorite horses. She was specially bred for him a couple years ago, and she's at the end of her training. We don't know her rider yet though. Crowley only allows the best of the best to compete under his name, and as she's still young, she still needs a rider."
The Winchester took this information in and watched with a hint of a smile as Ama finished up her food. She truly was a sight to behold.
"I like her. She's calm and seems to be a gentle one."
"Oh yes, she isn't as outgoing as her siblings, but her talent is unquestionable. She's a part of the Byerley Turk line of thoroughbreds, and a descendant of the legendary horse, Ahonoora. I'm sure with the right rider, she could be a champion." Cas said.
Dean nodded and patted her one last time before following Cas to the next horse.
The day passed along in much a similar matter; through Cas' tutelage, by the end of the day, Dean was successfully feeding, grooming, and caring for the horses in the stables. It was an understatement to say that he was good at it; Dean was a natural with horses.
By dinner time, Dean was beyond ready for a break and some good food, and Cas felt the same way.
"So is there anything else we do after suppertime?" While Dean enjoyed the events of the day, he would be lying if he didn't say that he was wiped, and just wanted a shower and a good night's sleep in an actual bed for once in the longest time.
Taking a bite of his food, Cas shook his head no.
"No, not for us. Since we're day shift people, after dinner time, we're done for the day and let the night shift people take over. Bobby loves his farm and treats us like his family, so he always wants to make sure we're happy here and have time to ourselves too." Taking a sip of water, Cas gave Dean a small smile.
"It's the same for the night shift people. They have the whole day to themselves until after dinner, and then they take over the duties for the night and pick up where we left off. They'll start at seven once dinner is over and work until three a.m, so that they can get some sleep too." He continued.
"So everything's done here after three in the morning?" Dean asked.
"Yes. After three, all of the day's duties for everyone are done. Since we work during the day, we start at seven in the morning and work until three in the afternoon, and then have the rest of the day off." The raven-haired man replied.
Dean was confused by this. If he's going to be a day worker, then why had he and Cas worked right up until dinner at six?
"If we're working in the day then, how come you and I worked until dinner started?" The man asked.
Cas let out a chuckle at this and finished off his food, before standing up.
"Because I had to catch you up on all of your duties in a lesser amount of time than what we usually have. You started at ten, so we worked the extra three hours to make sure you had everything down."
Standing up, Dean grabbed his trash as well. He thought it odd that Cas had worked overtime just for him.
"Cas, you didn't have to do that man. You still started at seven, so that was like another three hours you had to work. I could've caught on from someone else."
Cas just sent Dean a smile and patted his back.
"Don't worry about it Dean. I was glad to be of assistance." Cas replied.
Dean blinked a little before shaking his head and following after Cas. After throwing away their trash from their meal, the two men exited the lunch hall, sated from the food.
Following Cas for a bit, Dean eventually stopped and looked around the entirety of the ranch. All around him people were bustling as the night workers took over the spots of the day workers and got to work right away. It was really a quaint ranch, and Dean figured he wouldn't mind staying here too much.
Cas stopped walking once he realized Dean had and looked around at the scene as well. This had been his home for ten years of his life, and he couldn't be happier. He had his brother, a few old friends, and now a new friend as well again. He looked up at golden orange hues mixed with blue, cascading across the sky. When a breeze passed through his hair, Cas smiled. This is home, and this is him.
"Dean, come follow me to your cabin. Earlier this morning Bobby mentioned the new guy would be sleeping in cabin 24, so since you're the only new guy, I'm figuring that's you." Cas said with humor in his voice.
Dean frowned a bit at this. He figured he'd be staying with Cas in his cabin, and as he didn't really know anyone else at the farm yet, he was a bit annoyed that he'd be staying with someone he didn't know.
"Cas, are you sure I can't stay with you in your cabin? It didn't look like you really had anyone staying with you...So if you wouldn't mind..." He trailed off. The prospect of dealing with someone he hadn't met yet didn't appeal to the blond in the slightest.
Cas turned his head to give a reassuring smile to Dean.
"I wish I could Dean, but I'm not the one that makes the rules. Don't worry though, I'm sure you won't have too many troubles with your roommate. If you do though, be sure to talk to me." Cas said, giving Dean a knowing smile as they rounded the corner to Dean's new cabin, and opened the door.
The first thing that hit Dean was the immense smell of sweets and candy. The second thing that hit him was the miscellaneous mess of posters and tapestries strewn across the wall, and the clothes tossed everywhere. And the last thing that hit him is the annoying, loud exclamation of a short, short man.
"Heyy, Dean-o! Welcome to Casa de Gabriel, make yourself at home buddy!" Gabriel said, practically dragging Dean into the cabin. The pure ecstatic joy flashing across Gabriel's face was terrifying, and Cas almost wished he had a camera on him to capture the moment.
A look of pure horror and disappointment washed across Dean's face as he gave Cas a pleading look. There was no way in hell he was going to be staying with this sugar high terror over his sane brother. Cas just laughed behind his hand and offered a look of condolence as he stepped out of the doorway, back outside.
"I apologize Dean. I have some things to take care of, but if you're not busy around nine tonight, you can join me outside at my cabin. See you later, Dean." Cas said, walking out into the yard and towards his own cabin.
Dean sighed softly before turning to Gabriel, and rubbed a hand down his face. It was going to be a long night, and he had a feeling that he was not going to get that chance to hang out with his friend later.