Jane pulled into the parking lot, going the actual posted speed liimit for the first time that Faith had seen in their two days together. When she stepped out, it was as if a change had come over the detective. Even Faith noticed the difference; the woman was suddenly calmer. She relaxed. It was as if this place was somewhere that she found to be safe. There were more horses than Faith could have ever remembered seeing in her life; all different colors and spotted patterns. A few of them looked up at them when they arrived, and were lowering their graceful heads back down to eat. Jane headed towards the right of the large stable block, past a smaller barn with one half- door latched open. In the arena, Faith could make out six or seven of the girls she had helped rescue sitting on the top rail of the fencing, watching as there were others with horses inside. She leaned up against the metal gate, lacing her fingers together as she watched. One by one, they would approach the center, releasing the horse and calling it back, building a trust that was unparalleled. She watched as a red haired girl took the center, her hair up in a high ponytail, explaining something in detail, her own horse standing with one leg cocked beside her. Jane waved a hand, as the girls on the fencing rose, scrambling downward to work with their partners. Faith couldn't help but smile at the sight; they all looked so happy. The red haired girl lifted her horse's chin, pointing towards Jane before releasing her, The mare took off, stopping just beside the gate, pausing to lower her head and back a step. Jane shook her head, reaching for the chain.
"Jane! You should ask before entering an arena. Its a courtesy to the instructor and-"
"She's invited us in." They stepped in, locking the gate behind them and heading towards the red head. She finished explaining what she needed to say in Russian, to a small girl standing beside a chestnut roan with a blaze, before addressing Jane.
"Mom." She whispered, embracing the detective tightly. "Remember to call me next time you make it back safely. You forgot this time, and Frost just gives me a number and names, and not if you survived."
"Sorry little girl, I forgot this time. It ended in a shoot out and i was a bit... preoccupied." She pulled back, nodding her head as the girls all filed out of the arena, two for every horse they were leading. She turned to Maura, breathing in sharply. "Nat, I'd like you to meet Faith. Faith Hunter." Faith smiled, offering her hand.
"Natasha Evenstar, ma'am. Its a pleasure to meet you." They shook, and Nat couldn't help but smile, the mare shoving her nose towards the blonde.
"Hello! How are you?" She asked the horse, running a hand over her forehead, beneath a thin black forelock.
"She's alright, just wants to tell you that her name is Blondie and she finds meeting you is a pleasure also." Nat stated, patting the brown shoulder.
"Blondie... Strange name for a bay mare." Faith stated, watching as the horse turned to scavenge for food on the ground.
"yes, she go it from her mother's blood line. Like... the stallion. His name doesn't fit him much either." She pointed to where Jane had wandered off to, helping one of the girls with a tall chestnut gelding. "You wouldn't expect a horse so gentle to be named Winter's Brawl, or Jnae's gelding to be named Othran Spike. He's a damn kid magnet." She shook her head.
"Language, you are much too young to be speaking like that." Nat chuckled, walking towards the gate that Jane was at, when she started closing it. "Othran, like her other name?" Nat nodded.
"She had to get the name somewhere. Plus, it sounds pretty cool too."
"Don't you need to call your horse?" Faith asked, stepping towards the gate and sliding through it. Nat shook her head.
"Nah, she'll be fine. She dealt with kids today, she can have the next ten minutes or so to go cut the grass on the front driveway." She turned to Jane, who had whistled out a tune.
"How's he been?"
"Not the same." The girl stated, watching as a large bay horse came barreling towards them. His long, black mane flew out behind him as he loped, ears and head up in the air. "Good, none the less, but not the same. Depressed."
"Maybe I'll take him for a walk this week, if this case doesn't blow up as quickly as it might very well decide to do. I'm sure Spike wouldn't mind." Nat nodded, as the horse slowed to a wlak before approaching them. Jane held out her hand, which he lowered his nose to. "Hey Russian Princess, ask him for a favor for me, would you?" She smirked, nodding her head. Jane whispered something, and the girl turned serious before nodding. She approached the stallion, bowing her head slightly before holding up a hand, and speaking in a low whisper.
"He's really pretty." Maura stated. "His conformation is well balanced, and even though there seems to be scarring form a knee injury, he doesn't seem to mind at all." Nat stepped out of the way, whistling to the mare that had travelled at least halfway down the driveway already. "How'd you get him?" The horse lowered his nose to her offered hand, and she rubbed his forehead. "I mean, not that the gelding isn't nice also, but this one is something different. What does he do?"
"Jump, barrel, rein, you name it, he does it." Nat whispered.
"You must be astounding to watch, Winter. Jane's lucky to have you-" He drew back, pinning his ears. Nat stepped in front of the blonde, squaring her shoulders.
"Khvatit . YA skazal vam tolʹkootvet, ne bolyee togo." Enough, i told you only to answer, nothing more. Faith tilted her head, looking at the girl, confused. The stallion lowered his head, letting out a noise that was such a low winny that it could have nearly been a whine. "YA znayu, chto eto bolʹno, i ya proshu proshcheniya ." I know that it hurts, and I am sorry. Faith rested an arm on Jane's.
"Why is she telling him she's sorry? And what is she sorry about?" Nat rested her forehead against the horse's running her hands over his cheeks, whispering words that calmed him.
"His owner's been gone a long time." Jane answered vaguely, before the horse turned away. He gazed at Faith, before turning away and walking slowly. Faith watched him as he retreated. She could almost remember having a horse like him, once, a very long time ago. But it was as if the memory was foggy; coated in a thick layer of dust. And she couldn't quite find it to dig it out. Nat turned back to Jane.
"This batch of girls is scared, Jane. There are so many different nationalities too. They keep saying someone was after them when they were sold. Know anything about it?"
"Girl turned up today, Barker's group." The red head stuck her tongue out.
"Jesus, that means I have to work with Pike tomorrow. Crap monkeys." She rubbed her forehead. "The report will be done right, at least. And up to standards. I'll get it up to Frost tomorrow, at normal time. When am I seeing you guys again?"
"Couple days." Jane shrugged. "Its led by Frost, but I'm working the fun part of it."
"When? I'll tap the wire if I'm there. I'm more pleasant than Frost, and less annoying than Korsak." Jane nodded, going over the dates in her head.
"Frost's getting me a date, you'll be in the loop to know. Leave Pike out of it."
"Planned on it." She waved, grinning at Faith.
"It was a pleasure meeting you Faith! Come by again, whenever!" Faith smiled, waving also, as they approached the car.
"You're going undercover again? I wasn't listening to you and Frost the other day." She couldn't help but ask, turning to face the dark detective. Jane nodded slowly.
"Someone has to. Its taken me a long time to get the cover I've been using too." She stated, pulling out of the lot. "Frost and Korsak wouldn't make it very well as traders, and I'm... looking for someone." Faith tilted her head.
"On the market?" Jane nodded. "Who are you looking for?" She asked gently, softening her tone.
"Just... Someone that I used to know. I've almost given up, really." Faith slid her hand around Jane's.
"Don't give up. I'm sure you'll find them. Just... Have a little Faith."
An- This is a big filler chapter, and it might make a little bit more sense later on. We're finally getting somewhere now; there's a homicide and its nearly time for Amy Othran to be back in business again, Faith is sounding more like Maura, but doesn't remember anything. Major answers get set up and possibly answered next chapter, after a pleasant little time skip. You see, this is what happens when my job doesn't call me. I sit here and type stories all day...
~SnapTobiume