Cowboy Romance | Dakota

[Ashley Bates]

Ash patted Blue Sky down as he finished attending to some last minute preparations for his evening ride with Dakota. He had already saddled and fed the pegasus wanting to spend a little time getting to know her before she had to carry them out on another trip and currently he was just waiting for Dakota to show up. He figured she might be late and had taken the liberty of packing them something to eat just so they wouldn't have to grab something before they left. He didn't know how she would feel about the little picnic he had fixed but once he had thought of it the plan made a lot of sense, at least to him.

Ash had thought about it for a while and he wanted to do something special for the girl. She had done a lot for him since they met and she deserved something in return. Granted that wasn't the only reason. Ever since he had met Dakota she had been on his mind. Not only that but after that first ride with her it had given him a lot to think about and it already seemed like he was developing quite the crush on her...maybe even a little more. He didn't know. Only time would tell but one thing was sure he couldn't get her out of his head and he didn't really want to either.

Shaking himself from his thoughts Ash clicked his tongue at the pegasus as he dug into his pockets for a few sugar cubes. He still had a few from when Dakota had given them to him the other day and he planned on putting them to good use now. "Are you going to help me make this picnic ride a good one girl?" He asked the mare quietly. "I'm counting on you."

Dakota King

[Dakota King]

Today was the day where Dakota would have another ride. It was just another ride. Another chance to know each other and another chance for him to probably pull a death-defying stunt. It was just another outing to make sure that Ash knew how to handle riding a pegasus. But for some reason, this didn't feel like just a plain outing. No. This felt like something more to her and she couldn't get the fact that she was going to see Ash later today. And that was something that made her long shift at the infirmary just that much longer.

But she got out right at five and she hurried back to her cabin. She knew that Ash was probably waiting on her to meet him, but she wanted to look at least somewhat presentable. So got out of her nasty work clothes. She put on her her nicest jeans and riding boots along with one of her flannel shirts she would always wear during competitions. She managed to braid her hair into a single long braid before she made her way over to the stables.

She was a bit rushed in meeting Ash, walking faster than normal to get to the stables quickly. Once she reached them, she paused outside to compose herself before she walked inside. Once she spotted Ash with Blue Sky, she smiled as she walked over to them. "Hey Ash," she said when she approached them. "You ready to get going?"

[Ashley Bates]

When he heard Dakota behind him Ash turned and raised his hand to greet her. When he saw her however he couldn't help but let a small smirk creep onto his face. She looked great in her riding clothes and even though he had expected her to come straight from work he definitely wasn't going to be doing any complaining. To the contrary he thought that he really liked this look on her. "Evening Dakota." He said hoping that his face didn't give away the fact that his heart felt like it was about to beat out of his chest. "I think we're about ready to head out here. Blue Sky is saddled and fed. All I need to do is finish getting her loaded up."

Turning to grab some things as Dakota joined him Ash continued talking as he finished loading Blue Sky up for the ride. "I hope you don't mind but I went ahead and grabbed us something to eat from the mess hall. I figured we could take a break along the way since neither of us have had anything yet." After the pegasus was loaded with the food he turned to help her into the saddle. He knew she didn't need it but there was no reason he shouldn't be nice. "I know of a nice spot that I want to show you. I think it will work great for a picnic."

[Dakota King]

Dakota smiled when she saw that Ash already prepared for their outing this evening. Ash must have had the extra time on his hands to go the extra mile. She moved over to stroke Blue Sky's muzzle as she looked over at Ash as he packed up the rest of what they needed for their ride tonight. She raised her eyebrows at the mention of food. "So you went and got us something?" she smirked a bit. "That was sweet of you. I hope you got something for Blue Sky too or she might get awfully jealous."

She pulled her hand away from Blue Sky as she took Ash's hand to hoist herself into the saddle. Once she was situated and comfortable, she looked down at Ash as she raised an eyebrow. "A nice spot?" she asked him. "I would definitely like to see this nice spot you have picked out. You ready to go?"

[Ashley Bates]

"Oh I wouldn't forget about Blue Sky." He said with that roguish smirk still on his face. "And if sugar cubes aren't enough of a treat for her I also brought some apples. It's the least I can do for letting us ride out twice now." Though he had already fed the pegasus he certainly hadn't forgotten about her. Every cowboy worth his salt knew you had to take care of your animal as well as yourself.

Ash helped Dakota into the saddle before climbing into his place in front. He nodded simply at his question and then added. "I'm out in the woods a lot either hunting or just exploring. It's a peaceful place good for thinking and relaxing. You also find a lot of places that not a lot of people know about which can be pretty nice." With that Ash clucked his tongue side mouth at Blue Sky like he used to do on the ranch and led them out into the stable yard. "How about you? The infirmary isn't exactly the best place to go for a quiet moment."

[Dakota King]

As soon as Ash got into the saddle in front of her, she wrapped her arms around him and lightly rested her chin on his shoulder. It was a bit weird that she felt this comfortable with him, considering how long she knew him, but at the same time, it felt only natural to get this close to him. She just hoped he couldn't feel her heart beating in her chest as she looked at him as he spoke. "So we're going somewhere in the forest?" she asked with a bit of a smirk as they trotted out into the stable yard.

"Actually," she said in reply to Ash's question. "Early morning at the Big House front porch is very quiet. I like getting off that early in the morning, especially when you can catch the sunrise. It's really pretty."

[Ashley Bates]

As soon as he was in the saddle Dakota wrap her arms around him and pressed herself close causing Ash's pulse to get just that much quicker for a moment until they both settled in. This being the case it was no wonder that he missed the veiled suggestion in her comment. What he didn't miss was the feeling of her close to him and just how excited she seemed to be as well.

"I see." He said distractedly. "Certainly something pretty at that hour I have no doubt." Trotting out slowly at first Ash gave Blue Sky a chance to stretch her legs and wings before requiring too much of her. There was certainly no need to rush off to anything as Ash was pretty comfortable where he was at the moment. "Perhaps I'll stop by and see you some morning. I'm still used to waking up before the crack of down, probably always will be. Old habits are hard to break."

[Dakota King]

Dakota did noticed that Ash didn't answer her question, but it didn't bother her at all. From what he was describing, it sounded like somewhere in the forest. The last time she ventured into the forest, she didn't go very far, so she wondered for a bit where Ash would take them.

Dakota kept her position close to Ash as he lead them into the stable yard. She kept her chin on his shoulder as she looked at him. She smiled a bit as she readjusted her arms around him. "I would enjoy the company," she said with a slight smile. "The sunrise is really pretty. You should check it out. Make use of that habit of yours."

[Ashley Bates]

The trip around the stable yard was not only beneficial for getting Blue Sky warmed up but also seemed to calm Ash’s tensed nerves. Having Dakota around could almost be described as intoxicating but as they made their round and he got a little more comfortable with Dakota’s arms around him again he began to relax as he had that first time they had ridden together. However, if this was what intoxication felt like it Ash thought he was ready to become a confirmed alcoholic. He was going to have to be very careful if these evening rides continued to become a habit for both of them.

“I don’t think that would be a problem.” He said in regards to him joining her to watch the sun rise. She certainly wouldn’t have to do much to convince him as the thought already sounded appealing. “I would enjoy spending the time with you. Even more so if there’s the prospect of breakfast afterwards.” Dakota was probably going to start thinking that his mind was always on food but he did like spending time with her. Whether it was riding like they were now or catching a bite in the mess hall he didn’t mind.

Noticing that Blue Sky was starting to get anxious to take wing Ash glanced at the sky and then turned back to Dakota. “Looks like we have clear skies today. Are you about ready to take off?” As he asked this he moved his hand over hers just as he had on their first ride. She was in no danger of falling off at the moment but he liked it there and so long as she didn’t complain he thought it was a good place for it.

[Dakota King]

As Dakota rested her chin on his shoulder, she kept a lazy eye on Ash's form as he gripped the reigns. She knew that old habits were hard to break and she wondered if Ash would remember to relax or would he be all uptight again. As they trotted around the yard, she noticed that Ash was slowly relaxing his grip which made her smile a bit. At least he was a quick learner.

She moved her glance from his hands as she looked up at him. "I probably can provide you a better breakfast than what the mess hall will provide," she said with a bit of a smirk. "I can make some good old comfort food for you sometime. The camp here just doesn't know how to make things not taste like cardboard in my opinion."

But his hand went on top of hers as they prepared to take off. Dakota forgot how nice they felt on top of hers and she blushed a bit. She hoped Ash would catch hit as she nodded her head. "I'm ready if you're ready. I think Blue Sky here is more than ready. I think she wants to show off again."

[Ashley Bates]

"I would agree with you there. I have had trail reasons more appetizing." Ash glanced back at her as he consisted her offer of a meal. It had been a while since he had anything close to what he considered a real breakfast but then add on top of that the fact that it was coming from Dakota and he couldn't resist. "A real breakfast though. You are turning out to have all kinds of hidden talents Dakota. Somehow I think I would be doing myself a disservice if I didn't take you up on that offer."

Ash nodded as he got the approval he needed. "I think she has a lot to show us if we let her." He said and then gave Blue Sky a little jerk of the reins to have her put on steam. The pegasus took the signal and as they came into a long stretch of the yard they began to pick up speed like a run way. Before long she had spread her wings, there was that brief heart lifting feeling as they took off and then they were climbing. "Hold on tight," He whispered to her ear giving her that same warning he had on that first ride "but know that I've got you."

[Dakota King]

Dakota laughed lightly as Ash was impressed by her talents. "I like to keep a few talents up my sleeves," she said with a bit of a smirk. "I mean, you saw me in the infirmary. I'm not necessarily the stereotypical Aphrodite girl that you would find around here. But would love to make you breakfast sometime." It seemed kind of funny that she was already making excuses to see him more. First the rides and now breakfast. But there was something about Ash where she wanted to be around him and know him better. He wasn't like the other guys around camp. The other guys around camp didn't grow up on a ranch like he did.

But soon they were about to take off and Dakota held Ash a little tighter just as he whispered in her ear. But know that I've got you. For some reason, butterflies fluttered in her stomach and a shiver went down her spine as she blushed a bit. "I know," she whispered back as she took a couple of deep breaths as she looked up onto the horizon. "The sky sure looks pretty tonight," she commented, trying to keep her mind of what Ash just did to her.

[Ashley Bates]

Oh Dakota was definitely not your ordinary Aphrodite girl. Not by a long shot. Granted she was beautiful and he thought about that more every day but there was so much more to her than a pretty face. Her job in the infirmary, the ranching and now the cooking. He just kept finding out more and more about this girl and could only imagine that he still had a lot to learn. He only hoped that he would get the chance to learn more.

Ash had made up his mind not to worry about too much. Perhaps it was a little of his father’s influence of prophecy in him but he had always been a firm believer that if something was meant to happen it would and generally there was very little you could do about it when it did. Still, that didn’t mean that it made things any easier. Fortunately these evening flights with the cold wind hitting him in the face as they soared and Dakota close behind him provided some relief but being around her…gods he could lose himself and he wouldn’t even care.

She whispered back to him and that gave Ash some encouragement as Blue Sky lifted them high into the air gliding on the air currents with a simple and fluid grace. He glanced out at the endless expanse of sky before them and nodded his agreement with Dakota’s assessment. “The view is certainly something." He said thinking of something other than the sky that was quite pretty. "It's a good thing we chose to come up tonight. We wouldn't have gotten to enjoy it together if not." This was a much better ending to the day in Ash's opinion and hopefully Dakota thought the same. "Did you have a busy day at the infirmary? Hopefully this will be a nice way to unwind for you."

[Dakota King]

Dakota admired the view as they gained altitude and got higher. It was better than the last time they rode. The sun was slowly beginning to set, so the sky was turning all sorts of different, beautiful colors. Plus how the clouds were floating on by... it was something couldn't make up even if she tried. She readjusted her arms around him and felt his hand on top of hers and blushed slightly. They were alone on a pegasus in the middle of the sky and it just seemed oddly too private all at once.

She was shaken out of her thoughts as she looked over at Ash. She smirked a bit before she said, "Well... basically as busy as we normally get, but it just seemed to..." She pressed her lips together for a moment as she thought about it. "It just dragged on forever, you know? I guess I was looking forward to this a little too much," she said with a light chuckle.

[Ashley Bates]

“I can understand that.” He said as he thought about just how long the day had been for him. It was strange. He usually didn’t look forward to things with this much anticipation but when it came to Dakota he just couldn’t wait to see her again. It was just one example of what she did to him. “There’s nothing wrong with looking forward to a good thing though. I was too if it makes you feel any better.”

Angling Blue Sky towards the forest Ash began to lead them to the spot he had chosen. It wasn’t much, just a clearing on a hill, but it did give them a perfect view of the sunset which they could enjoy. Just because it had been a while Ash cast a glance back over his shoulder and caught her blushing. He didn't think it was possible but that little hint of color made her look even more beautiful in the fading light. "You know, you're making me feel like a bad Texan with that riding look you've got. I'll have to start wearing my cowboy hat around you if you keep reminding me of life back home."