Ranching [Roroasu/Jack Lex/Charity]

Brown eyes opened slowly, looking black in the darkness. It was just before dawn, the same time he woke up every morning, and he had to get up to do his daily jobs and chores. Stretching, he propped himself up on an elbow and looked out of his little window to view the paddock where Sunny lived. A whinny reached his ears, making his face break into a smile. Of course Sunny knew he was up, he always did. Pushing himself into a sitting position, Oscar rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand before standing somewhat clumsily. However much he was used to the routine, he was never one of those people who was fully awake as soon as their eyes opened. Gingerly, he made his way over to the dresser where his clothes lay. He had been lazy and had only just tossed them over the dresser instead of putting them away neatly.

Since he always slept in just his boxers, it was easy to get dressed. He just had to pull on his jeans, then his white tank top and tuck it in. Next, he looped his belt around his waist and did it up tight enough that his pants wouldn't slip. Finally, he shrugged on a red, black and white plaid shirt, pushing the sleeves up above his elbows but leaving the front not done up. It was nearly the same thing every morning. Letting out a huge yawn, he wandered over to his door and down the little hall to the kitchen area. There was a box of cereal, a bowl, a spoon, and milk on the table. With a small smile, he flopped into the chair and poured himself some breakfast. Halfway through, he realized that there was a note on the middle of the table. Picking it up with one hand while the other shoveled bran flakes into his mouth, he read; We're running out of grain, and it would be good to order some more hay too. Would you mind going into town to do so? Oh, while you're at it, grab a few treats for us and the horses. I've left money on the counter, it should be enough to cover it. - M

He had been planning on managing the log book today, making sure all the information on the horses was still accurate. But that could wait, food was more important. Swallowing the last of his cereal, he stood up, taking the bowl to the sink and placing it there. He grabbed the money as he passed, stuffing it into one of his pockets. Reaching the door, he grabbed his leather cowboy boots and pulled them on. They weren't the best for riding in, but they were the most presentable of his different footwear. Taking his keys from the hook by the door, he placed them the his other pocket and opened the door. To no surprise, Sunny was standing by his gate, watching him with keen brown eyes, like his own. He couldn't help but break into a smile at his oldest friend. Their routine never failed. He always exited the door and turned to find Sunny always standing at his gate waiting patiently for him.

Striding over to the bay stallion, Oscar grabbed his halter from where it hung on a hook on the fence. Sunny would just follow him, but he had to keep appearances up for the other workers on the ranch. They were all jealous of his special treatment and would take any advantage to tattle on him. Most of the time he didn't really hand onto the lead rope anyways, so it wasn't as if it made much difference. Slipping the red nylon over the horse's head and doing it up, Oscar tossed the lead rope over Sunny's shoulders and opened the gate. Obediently, the stallion walked out and turned to face him as he shut the gate again. He felt a muzzle bump his back as he did up the clip on the latch and grinned. Typical Sunny, always goofing off.

He walked the bay to the tack shed, clipping him into the crosstie closest to the door. Confident about leaving him there, he stepping into the shed. There, in it's own corner, sat Sunny's tack. He grabbed it and walked out, the bridle on one shoulder and the saddle in his arms. He placed the tack beside Sunny and went back for the saddle blanket and grooming things. Depositing those with the tack, he grabbed the curry comb and began to groom Sunny. The stallion nudged him with his nose as he walked past his head. Oscar just stuck a tongue out at him and gently pushed back. It was the game they always played.

After brushing some of what seemed to be a never ending source of loose hair, he picked out Sunny's feet and removed the couple of rocks that had gotten lodged in his foot. With that done, he straightened and grabbed the saddle blanket, tossing it over Sunny's withers before sliding it into place on his back. The saddle came next, lowered lightly onto the stallion's back and straightened to sit properly. He winched the girth so it was tight enough that the saddle wouldn't slip before gabbing the bridle. Having trained Sunny to always take the bit nicely, it was easy to take off the halter and slip on the bridle. He did up the throatlatch before stroking the spot behind Sunny's ear. The stallion nudged him and nickered softly, watching him with one bright eye.

With ease, Oscar swung himself into the saddle. Having ridden horses for over half of his life, the saddle was as comfortable to him as any chair. Clucking to Sunny to go forward, he double checked his pockets. There were his keys, and there was the money. Good, he hadn't dropped anything. They walked for a time before he clucked and squeezed gently with his heels. He refused to use spurs, he found them to be overly harsh and Sunny always responded well even without them. Now at the trot, they made their way into town.

There were so many people about here, being the main center of District ten, and plenty of shops. Despite being famous for it's ranching, not many inhabitants of Ten owned horses. People watched him, and avoided Sunny, as they went about their business. Some made comments on what a nice horse he had. Oscar just took it all in stride, as did Sunny. The two kept up a happy attitude the entire time, which was easy because of the light atmosphere of the place. Though it was only an hour or two after dawn, the streets were pretty crowded. Most people lived on the same time, up with the sun and asleep after everything was done for the day.

Arriving at the place where they normally purchased hay and grain, Oscar slowed Sunny to a walk then halted him and dismounted. There was a place to tie horses or cattle, and he did so, even though he knew Sunny wouldn't go anywhere. Giving his friend a pat, he went inside and made his way up to the counter. The store owner recognized him almost immediately and began digging up the papers for the ordering of hay and grain. Having gone through the process many times before, it didn't take long before it was arranged that hay would be delivered in three days, and grain in two. Asking about treats, he was directed to the market just down the street. Thanking the owner, he left.

Rather than mounting up for only a few yards of distance, Oscar instead just untied Sunny and walked beside his friend, loosely leading the stallion by the reins. It wasn't very far to the market, and it only took them a mere two minutes to reach it. When he stopped in front of the market, he found a spot to tie Sunny again and did so. Just as he was about to go inside a purchase a couple carrots, he saw Sunny was flicking his tail a lot and had lifted one of his hind legs as though preparing to kick out. Not wanting anyone to get injured on the account of his horse, he made his way to look behind the stallion, saying, "Hey, look out. You might want to move, or you'll get kicked."