05-13-2022, 04:43 PM
Over bowls of unsalted porridge and lavishly-buttered toast, Stanley Dawes continued to explain his plan to Peggy Powler on
how to proceed in the Summertide and Barnstead Hunt Horse Race. This morning, the usually-unsentimental stable-owner felt
a lot more upbeat than yesterday and just chalked it down to resigning himself to the idea that his jockey's perception of what
lay ahead was interwoven with a child-like magic and a featherbrained hope.
The little nodding Witch chewed her breakfast and soaked-in the avid persona of the advising man with the slight butter-smear
on his 'special' cravat. Today's illustrious event meant a great deal on Stanley's calendar and mingling among such pecunious
luminaries required his usual waistcoat to take a day off.
Baron Kessler would be there, an ancient gent who -along with his extravagantly-dressed wife of twenty-five years, was held in
high regard because of mild manner and the added element that he owned most of the land north of Wheatland County. Not one
for remembering names, Baron Nicholas Alexander Kessler always seemed recall the day when well-bred unaware vehicles and
their disinclined riders would arrive to take part in the famous Summertide and Barnstead Race.
Another of the elitist audience attending the event will be the Tanner Stable, a selection of well-trained horses owned by Bentley
Tanner and a fellow-rival of Lord Tatem's. Bentley had a score to settle with Tatem after last year when he believed his best-mare
took a side-shunt from Archibald's horse called 'Jester' at the sprint section just after the third hurdle. Jester will be the same steed
riding today and its jockey had been warned -and will be warned loudly again in front of the only male heir to the Gnome-shooing
Tatem estate, of the shenanigans that some people will reach to bilk those with better morals.
As a side-note, this high profile family-owned stable sported a trotting ring and a treadmill to build-up muscle-mass for his animals,
costly factors that are wasted when cheats impede one's endeavours. However, Bentley Tanner was no friend of Stanley and just
like the other blue-bloods attending the race, he too looked down his nose at the failing Dawes estate.
...................................................
Peggy's input to dressing differently for the famous race involved a piece of parcel-twine she'd found a few months ago after a
'sensual' encounter with a rather attractive Midnight Mail courier. Knowing the pace that Diabolus would need to vault and gallop
during the gruelling steeplechase, this string would be used to strap her hat onto the sorceress' head.
Said improvised millinery-bridle currently resided in one of her poncho pockets.
Pouring a refill to his own and Peggy's cup, Stanley babbled on about the third fence being a deal-breaker. The ground on the
other side of the obstacle could cause Diabolus to panic and so the stable-owner's solution was for Peggy to urge the horse
to jump further and allow gravity to ease the drop. Again, the little leg-swinging woman slurping her brew and nodded without
comment. If Pommer and his companions were correct, the right-hand side on the antipole of 'The Fall' has a milder gradient
that could be useful.
With his hair combed and a clean shirt that his Ma would've been pleased with, Pip Farnby appeared at the kitchen door and
softly told the pair seated at the table that the rarely-used dray was ready and the groomed Jimmy Dougie was aboard. Rising
from their quickly-eaten breakfast, Peggy patted Stanley's hand. "Just enjoy the day and divna' fret iffn' yer' see me bounce inte'
Lord Tatem's lap" she joked, but received no gesture that the fidgety big man appreciated her light humour.
...................................................
Accompanied by a singing blackbird -maybe the husband of the one that sought a nesting-site where Peggy Powler had sheltered
from the thunderstorm, the mule-drawn buckboard with Diabolus tethered to one of its rear cleats trundled out of the Dawes Livery
& Stables. Stanley clucked the half-breed to pick up the pace, but Marigold the Mule took as much attention to who owned her as
the human's employees who attempt to also gain authority over her. The quote involving the word 'stubborn' is based in reality.
"There are times when you just wouldn't believe I was an expert in the equine business" Stanley growled as he and his entourage
left the lane near the Gallops and Pommer's overgrown and boggy habitat. Adjusting the strap of her satchel and absorbing the
quaint sunny morning, the Last Witch of Underhill smiled under hat and decided she liked the adamant Hinny with the long ears.
how to proceed in the Summertide and Barnstead Hunt Horse Race. This morning, the usually-unsentimental stable-owner felt
a lot more upbeat than yesterday and just chalked it down to resigning himself to the idea that his jockey's perception of what
lay ahead was interwoven with a child-like magic and a featherbrained hope.
The little nodding Witch chewed her breakfast and soaked-in the avid persona of the advising man with the slight butter-smear
on his 'special' cravat. Today's illustrious event meant a great deal on Stanley's calendar and mingling among such pecunious
luminaries required his usual waistcoat to take a day off.
Baron Kessler would be there, an ancient gent who -along with his extravagantly-dressed wife of twenty-five years, was held in
high regard because of mild manner and the added element that he owned most of the land north of Wheatland County. Not one
for remembering names, Baron Nicholas Alexander Kessler always seemed recall the day when well-bred unaware vehicles and
their disinclined riders would arrive to take part in the famous Summertide and Barnstead Race.
Another of the elitist audience attending the event will be the Tanner Stable, a selection of well-trained horses owned by Bentley
Tanner and a fellow-rival of Lord Tatem's. Bentley had a score to settle with Tatem after last year when he believed his best-mare
took a side-shunt from Archibald's horse called 'Jester' at the sprint section just after the third hurdle. Jester will be the same steed
riding today and its jockey had been warned -and will be warned loudly again in front of the only male heir to the Gnome-shooing
Tatem estate, of the shenanigans that some people will reach to bilk those with better morals.
As a side-note, this high profile family-owned stable sported a trotting ring and a treadmill to build-up muscle-mass for his animals,
costly factors that are wasted when cheats impede one's endeavours. However, Bentley Tanner was no friend of Stanley and just
like the other blue-bloods attending the race, he too looked down his nose at the failing Dawes estate.
...................................................
Peggy's input to dressing differently for the famous race involved a piece of parcel-twine she'd found a few months ago after a
'sensual' encounter with a rather attractive Midnight Mail courier. Knowing the pace that Diabolus would need to vault and gallop
during the gruelling steeplechase, this string would be used to strap her hat onto the sorceress' head.
Said improvised millinery-bridle currently resided in one of her poncho pockets.
Pouring a refill to his own and Peggy's cup, Stanley babbled on about the third fence being a deal-breaker. The ground on the
other side of the obstacle could cause Diabolus to panic and so the stable-owner's solution was for Peggy to urge the horse
to jump further and allow gravity to ease the drop. Again, the little leg-swinging woman slurping her brew and nodded without
comment. If Pommer and his companions were correct, the right-hand side on the antipole of 'The Fall' has a milder gradient
that could be useful.
With his hair combed and a clean shirt that his Ma would've been pleased with, Pip Farnby appeared at the kitchen door and
softly told the pair seated at the table that the rarely-used dray was ready and the groomed Jimmy Dougie was aboard. Rising
from their quickly-eaten breakfast, Peggy patted Stanley's hand. "Just enjoy the day and divna' fret iffn' yer' see me bounce inte'
Lord Tatem's lap" she joked, but received no gesture that the fidgety big man appreciated her light humour.
...................................................
Accompanied by a singing blackbird -maybe the husband of the one that sought a nesting-site where Peggy Powler had sheltered
from the thunderstorm, the mule-drawn buckboard with Diabolus tethered to one of its rear cleats trundled out of the Dawes Livery
& Stables. Stanley clucked the half-breed to pick up the pace, but Marigold the Mule took as much attention to who owned her as
the human's employees who attempt to also gain authority over her. The quote involving the word 'stubborn' is based in reality.
"There are times when you just wouldn't believe I was an expert in the equine business" Stanley growled as he and his entourage
left the lane near the Gallops and Pommer's overgrown and boggy habitat. Adjusting the strap of her satchel and absorbing the
quaint sunny morning, the Last Witch of Underhill smiled under hat and decided she liked the adamant Hinny with the long ears.
Edith Head Gives Good Wardrobe.