It took only a week more before Ryou was allowed to join the rest of the class, who happened to be learning to ride horses at the time. They had been given riding clothes (woo how fun) and assigned horses. It was only Ryou's luck that he was assigned a horse whose name was VERY intimidating. "Avalanche?" Ryou said looking at the clipboard. He felt silly enough wearing the riding clothes...and NOW he was assigned a horse that would more than likely trample him into a pulp. He sighed. 'Of course! Its just my luck...,' he thought to himself, walking to the appropriate stall. Inside it was a white stallion...a VERY mean looking white stallion. Ryou stared. "erm...H-hi..." He whispered to it. He wasn't as tall as the horse...it made him a bit uneasy.

"Alright students!" The slim woman said loudly, to get their attention. "Before we ride these lovely horses. We must first gain their trust, and learn to clean, care for, and bridle these beautiful creatures." Ryou looked behind him. It was a beautiful horse...a mean looking horse...but a beautiful one. "First, in order to gain a horse's trust, I have given you each an apple and a bag of oats. But do not give it to the horse just yet!" She said loudly. "First you must raise your hand and extend it to the horse, like so." She said. turning to a dapple grey horse and holding her hand gently out the horse sniffed her hand a bit, before allowing her to touch him.

Ryou looked up at Avalanche. "Please don't hurt me..." He mumbled doing as the teacher had instructed, as were most other students. Ryou clamped his eyes shut. Avalanche rolled his eyes and sniffed Ryou's hand, before snorting at him. Ryou opened an eye, obviously the horse wasn't SO terrible...it was being rather nice to him...despite the intimidating name. Ryou smiled a bit. "Here..." He whispered patting it gently and offering it the apple.

Ryou became rather fond of his riding classes, despite the ridiculous uniform he had to wear. Avalanche was a rather nice horse; as it turned out...just not a trusting one. More than a few times it had kicked at Ryou when the teen had tried to clean his hooves, or snorted at him for pulling his mane. But for the most part they got along. In fact, they got along much better than the other students and their assigned horses. The teacher often used him as an example, asking him to do the next assignment to show the class how. It was fun, and at the same time challenging. It made him very proud to be such a good student at SOMETHING.

A few girls giggled and watched Ryou lead his horse back to the stables. Ryou blushed lightly, tugging the horse between him and the girls. "I wish they'd stop doing that..." He whispered as he led Avalanche back to his stall, before taking the equipment off the horse. His horse was the hardest to keep clean, because it was pure white...and EVERYONE knows how dirty white gets. He sighed and brushed Avalanche gently. "You know what...I miss my journal." He mumbled to the white horse, as it began to eat. "I wouldn't need to talk your ears off if I had it back..." He continued. "Its simply dreadful...I need my journal!"

The next class was ballroom dancing and how to behave in formal situations. Ryou rushed back to his dorm to bathe and re-dress in more formal attire. "I really wish there were more color in my clothes..." He mumbled to his reflection. "I am growing quite bored of the same grays and blacks..." He said slipping on his loafers and exiting the room. That's when he noticed it...the headmistress' office was open and vacant. Most likely she was at the ballroom to oversee their lesson. Ryou smiled a bit. "M-maybe just a quick look about..." He said sneaking in...Even though he thought better of it.

- Dear Diary - -

It's SO grand to have you back! It's been weeks since I've been graced with the chance to fill your pages. I do believe that if I am caught with you, I will be in quite a sum of trouble. I...kind of stole you from the headmistress' office...I do hope she doesn't notice. Oh but you've missed so much! This will be such a large entry indeed! Where to begin? Well...it's the evening now, I suppose that is a nice enough start. I've just returned from ballroom dancing. I had you tucked away in my jacket the whole time! Well...let me see...oh! Yes of course! I learned all the ballroom dances since we last were together. I also have a horse in my riding class.

His name is Avalanche...but unlike his name he's not too terribly mean...just when I'm bothering him. (He does have a temper though...he kicked me the other day and I've got quite a bruise from it!) I know how to properly eat, drink, sit, walk, dance, ride, sew (sewing is particularly tedious and I wasn't too thrilled to learn...Its fun...but heavens if any of my friends ever saw me sewing I'd be the laughing stock of London!), speak, dress and cook. Yes I learned to cook, not to say that I was a frightfully bad cook to begin with, heavens no. I was a decent cook...ok...so jam sandwiches weren't culinary delicacies...but now I can cook incredible meals! When I get home I shall cook a grand meal indeed! If only I had someone to share it with...well fiddlesticks to that! I've learned to play an instrument, and I've got a few girls that keep whispering about me. I really wish they wouldn't!

Oh and Timothy? Well you'll never believe it, but today he was kicked by his horse (whose name happens to be Crumb cake) into a particularly dirty spot indeed! (I bet even AFTER a bath he still smelled! HA!) I no longer need to balance books on my head...but if you wished me to do so, it wouldn't be any trouble at all. I don't speak much though...I have found it's much simpler to remain silent unless spoken to. Well...what else? Oh yes! Last night, a few boys snuck out, they went to the kitchens and took chocolates and other sweets. They were caught; thank goodness I didn't join them. I'm glad I'm not too fond of sweets, or I may have been in such deep troubles as they are. (10 knuckle crackers! I would have DIED! Oh! Those are when a teacher strikes one with a ruler across the knuckles, in case you wonder.)

Oh wow...it's so wonderful to write in your pages! It was simply dreadful while you were away! I could cry I'm so glad you are back to me. I was informed today, in my ballroom class that tomorrow we will be allowed semi-formal clothes. It's a simply grand idea! I haven't worn an inch of colored fabric since I came to this place! I was beginning to think my eyes were going to become blinded to colors. But I will have to hide you now...as the maids come through and change the linens on the bed and leave fresh towels in the linen closet. Not that I'm not capable of doing such myself...in fact I have been told that my room is the cleanest of the lot! But I won't complain if they wish to take time from their day to change my sheets and blankets...but I do wonder how they must wash such a vast amount so quickly. Perhaps they wash them slowly...but have MANY sets? I do not know...but I do know how to take care of my own linens and other such things.

I can iron and such too! I have been pressing my clothes for quite a while now...because it seems more appropriate to have them pressed. Oh my! Look at how late it has become! Its nearly eleven! I would do well to end this entry and write more tomorrow. I'm so glad you're back. Have a pleasant evening too ok?

- Ryou - -