Beating the Storm

_{I've been wanting to finish this for a while now. :3}

Sven and Val and the new stud out having a quick training session before the blizzard hits. Also, new staffieeeee!

Also LSIEJRNGAEJRHGQ
DA
Y U NO TAKE MY FORMATTING FOR WHOLE STORY?
Y U ONLY TAKE FOR FIRST LINE?
WHYYYYYYYYYYY?!??

__________

The clouds were heavy, dark and ominous, hanging low in the sky and threatening heavy snow. Combined with a harsh, biting wind and the fat snowflakes that were just lazily starting to fall, everyone knew that it wouldn't be long before the weather mostly confined them to to indoor activities and made leaving the estate very difficult.

From the warmth of his office, Alex fretted and paced and looked expectantly out the window every so often. The stable had undergone some fairly major changes recently -- there had been an official name change, a few horses had already changed hands and a few more would be changing hands shortly. And he'd hired on a new staff member. With the number of horses and the fact that the stable had been doing fairly well for itself, he figured an extra pair of hands was warranted.

So he'd hired on a new girl -- Elisabeth Siever. Her resume had looked exemplary -- at 22, she had already trained two horses to grand-prix, a number that was fairly impressive for someone double her age. She led a rather illustrius riding career -- placing consistently in the top twelve in international competition. Why she wanted to come to VEC was a little beyond him -- with a career like that, she could have her pick of where she wanted to work and while VEC competed in some of the same circles, there were definitely other places that would allow her more opportunities.

But when he'd asked her over the phone, she'd been evasive at best and even downright obscure once or twice. So he'd let the matter drop and instead, focused on being grateful that he'd snagged such a talented rider and trainer.

So with he coming of the snow, he was concerned about her making it to the stable, though, as he observed a vehicle coming up the drive, he was relieved to find he needn't've been so worried.

She parked next to the barn Vyktor, attention piqued, was quick to investigate the newcomer.

"Can I help you find something?" He asked as the door opened and she stepped out. She had endless legs that looked great in her jeans and clean, fashionable but practical boots. She regarded him with jade-green eyes that danced with laughter and pushed her braid off her shoulder.

"I'm here to see a Mr. Caldwell about filling a position." She answered. She was businesslike, but not unkind, her voice smooth and soft and feminine. Vyktor swallowed hard and pointed up at the manor rather dumbly.

"Thanks!" She chirped with a smile and headed off up the stairs.

~*~

The business end of hiring her went quickly -- Alex had her sign a few releases and legal documents that essentially indemnified VEC were anything to happen to her. She skimmed them, not really reading them and was quick -- almost impatient -- to put her signature where it was required.

"Well, that's everything." Alex said, setting down his pen.

"Good," She said with a smile. "Now, which horses will be my charges and what should I be expecting? And when can I see the barn?" Alex blinked.

"Uh, well, we can tour it now. As for charges, I had thought you might want to rest a bit before we got to that…?" She shook her head.

"I've been cooped up in a cab, then a plane, then another car for the past several hours. I want to ride!" Alex was a little taken aback but pleased at her enthusiasm. They walked down the main staircase as he talked about the horses.

"I think you would work well with Sven -- he's one of our newer and greener stallions and he basically needs someone to take him through the levels -- get him some experience and start a serious career for him. He'll be your main charge, but there will, of course, be other horses for you.

"You're certain you don't need to unpack or anything?" She shook her head.

It took her all of ten minutes to take his blanket off, groom him and tack up, all the while appraising the stallion.

"He's a Scandic Warmblood," he answered her unasked question. "We inherited the breed and it's become our specialty." He explained. She stroked his neck.

"He's a nice looking horse, that's for sure." They walked out side to the arena where Sinder and Vyktor were hacking out -- they wanted one last outdoor ride before the snowstorm really hit and they'd be confined to the indoor until the thaw.

Alex turned, about to wish her a nice ride only to find she was already on and trotting off down the long side with Sven's head nice and low and relaxed and his hind end engaged and stepping under. His jaw dropped. He had never seen that horse go so nicely for anyone -- including himself.

Picking his jaw up off the ground, he stuffed his hands into his pockets and turned and walked back to the manor, asking himself how in the hell he'd managed to snag such a rider. And what he would have to do to keep her.