two steps to the left now, y'all

There was a lot to be said for partnership. When you were partners, you knew everything of the other, knew their quirks, their loves and their hates and what spurred them on to even greater heights. And you had to know, or it didn't truly count.

Najwa knew this feeling intimately. 

She had raised her little foal into a proud standing stallion, grooming him to a shine, ensuring his well being with a diligence that would have made both her parents proud. She was flighty and inattentive about her friends, her schooling, her everything. But not Wisp. Never her baby. She poured her time and soul into that horse, and did her very best for him. And it showed, reflected in the gentle way he took his treats from her and the way he nuzzled her when she congratulated him on something or other.

It showed best of all in the ring.

The youngster and the headstrong horse were far from perfect, to be sure. He was willful, and did as he liked at many a frustrating point, turned left and not right, as if to tease the college student. And she was imperfect, did not have true synchronization with her child, even for all the time she spent and ways she cared. But, nevertheless, there was a joint grace in the way they moved together, in the way they tilted and looked the same way in unison, in the barely there way she only had to nudge and imply before he went with her, moved with a snapping, jaunty grace.

They would go far in life if this continued the way it was.

But it was not but exercise and more practice for them both, and relatively soon it was over, helmet retired to one knee and curly hair freed from its confines.. So too was the furrowed brow traded for a smile, and she leaned to stroke her hand over her horse's neck in gentle thanks and affection. A snicker and a snort was her only reply before she slipped from his back with a liquid hop, both feet digging into the soft sand of the arena floor. Reins are gathered with a pleased hum and a sugar cube presented to the spoiled boy before she turns.

There were other people practicing, certainly, but she hadn't expected anyone to be watching. And yet.. There was someone leant against the side, and their eyes were undoubtedly on her.

Worth a hello, at the very least, and she awkwardly waves, helmet making the gesture stilted and not as welcoming as it normally would be.

"Hello! Anything I can do for you?"