[It's Only The Beginning ]

[Bauer {Kief}]

O.pen

Small granules of sand cackled beneath worn boots, he had a car and yet he chose to walk. Kiefer followed the unfamiliar trail about the park, his hands comfortably settled in his pockets as he maneuvered his bulk around the park at a casual pace. Blue collared shirt and a white tee shirt beneath, tucked it while his collared shirt was neglected and of course his typical blue jeans. He hadn't quite made himself at home here just yet, everything was still new, still fresh, and he wasn't the type that just jumped in without wading first. Kiefer was never prone to be one to make acquaintances first, he wasn't quite withdrawn either, just not the most social male in the facinity. Digging out a pack from his breast pocket he promptly placed a cigarette precariously behind his right ear, it allowed him to know it was there for if he wanted it bad enough, but he was attempting to wean himself off them. He always had a pack on him and he seemed to feed the urge to smoke less and less, it was a nasty habit and the public did not hesitate to let him become aware of it.

A bench came into sight, cerulean eyes shifted down on it before he turned and sat down, forearms rested on his knees as he leaned forward ever so slightly. Kiefer's enamels softly chewed at his inner cheek while his gaze wandered even yet, a sigh surpassed his lips with a full collapse of his lungs. Briskly a hand stroked his tired face, sleep seemed to come less and less and even given this, he still found the time to ride his equine Winchester and entertain his dog with some morning jogging. Slowly Kiefer sat back, a deep inhale of breath, the air was crisp and relaxing all the same, made him feel that he had done the right thing finally. All second guessing, all self loathing was slowly starting to seep away from his decision to leave his home town, he didn't believe in sticking around in one town, you never got to see anything... and he enjoyed traveling.

[Torrie]

{Bauer! Glad to have you back!}

Torrie drove her Dodge pick-up around the main street inspecting it carefully. There was a parade scheduled for tonight, and she wanted to make sure everything was okay. Her australian Shepard, Lucius, glaring at every passing civilian. She smiled and ruffled the companions fur. Seeing the park being nearly empty, she pulled into the lot, Lucious eagerly awaiting the car door to open. Lucious loved walks in the park, and was usually limited to them because of Torrie's schedule. She pushed open her stubborn door and tried to close it before Lucious had a chance to get out. Lucious, being the smart dog he was, jumped out before she could close the door. Almost immediately after he had hit the ground, he took off into the park. She grabbed his leash out of the bed of her truck and tore after him.

[That dumb dog!]

She snarled under her breath, weaving in and out of unsuspecting people. Lucious usually stayed put and never ran off. He was always a good dog, but today he had been acting like a moron.

[I'm sorry! He won't hurt you, I promise!]

She yelled ahead to some people shying away from her idiot. This was just not her day. She really hoped the parade would go okay. She let out a muffled angry sigh as Lucious finally stopped. She ran up to him, snapping on his collar sharply. Lucious bowed his head in shame for only a moment before jumping up on the bench beside the figure who sat there.

[I'm really sorry. He's quite friendly.]

She gave a firm yank on his leash signalling him to get down. He obiediently returned onto the cement. Torrie looked at the figure. She realized he must be new to Dakota Falls. He just had the look about him, and she hadn't seen him around yet.

[I'm Torrie. Welcome to Dakota Falls.]

She said, slightly awkwardly. She wasn't really the best with new people, but she did desperately try to be friendly. She put the leash in her other hand and extended her gloved hand for him to shake.

[Bauer {Kief}]

(Hey! Thanks )

Kiefer’s hands were folded in his lap as he found his way to tranquility, the commotion was apparent going on, but Kiefer didn’t instinctively raise his attention to whatever it may be. Although the sounds of distress and gasps were coming on louder and stronger, by the time Kiefer’s peripheral vision picked up the abrupt movement to his right, the dog was nearly next to him. He sat up slightly turned his head to level his gaze on a dog promptly next to him with a female following quite closely. [ Whoa now. ] He mumbled as the dog took up residence beside him, he laughed softly and grabbing his collar lightly. The female was now at his side as well, he smiled as she apologized, he raised his hand respectfully,
[ It’s alright… ] He replied.
Kiefer had his own dog and understood the given situation, cold weather, open ground, an opportune moment for a dog to hightail it from its owner with so much room to give.
[ Guess everyone is feeling fresh today. ] He added jokingly.

Upon hearing her introduction he stood up, didn’t quite offer his hand for he did not want to impose. He nodded a moment before replying, he was in fact new and he hadn’t settled a foundation quite yet, hadn’t even met anyone just yet either. He wasn’t as outgoing as he would have liked, but then again, given his past he chose to keep to himself unless it was necessary. The park wasn’t a way for him to escape, it was just to relax, meeting new faces was never a reluctant task it’s just he was simply not savvy in introductions that would leave a lasting impression. He refused to disrespect, but he was the quiet type and often many took it as being arrogant or making one believe that he took them as inferior when it was never the case.

[ Thank you, this is a nice place… And I’m Kiefer. ] He replied.

Viewing her offered hand he grasped it firmly, yet lightly for a respectful shake. [ Nice to meet you, Torrie. So who’s this? ] Kiefer questioned as he knelt down to stroke Torrie’s dog playfully, a smile light on his expression. Couldn’t beat having a dog as a pet almost with the same equality of a horse, they never held a grudge and always had their way about greeting you with enthusiasm.

[Torrie]

Taking her first real breath since that high speed dog chase, the cold air almost choked her. She slowly breathed in a few times, the air swirling around her. A pleased sigh was let go as the man clearly wasn't angered. She relaxed a little, finding the situtation less tentioned. Lucious was clearly loving the attention the man, Keifer as he called himself, was giving to him. She laughed a little as Lucious rolled onto his back, wanting a tummy rub.

[This is my idiot, Lucious. He's a real sweetheart, but he lacks greatly on the brain cells.]

This was true. There was often times when she would be out in the barn and he would randomly fall down. At first she had been concerned and brought him to the vet, but then she found out it was just his personality. She heard her watch send off the annoying beeping noice it did when it was reminding her of something. She thought hard of what was happening that was so important. Then she remembered that it was almost time for the parade. She didn't want to be rude, but she needed to go.

[Uh, there is a parade starting in about an hour and a half. I'm bringing my horses in it if you'd like to come. We just parade along that street and then after wards we get Tim Hortons coffee. And if you dont' have a horse, I have a couple you could use. Sorry it's kind of on the spot and short notice, but it would help you get to know some people.]

[Bauer {Kief}]

Kiefer mumbled nothings at the so called Lucious, something you had a tendency of doing to a pet as he scratched here and there. He chuckled as the dog rolled to his back, Kiefer persisted to scratch lightly at the dog’s belly, glancing upward as Torrie spoke up again and it earned a laugh.

[ They always seem to be that way. ] He agreed finally. [ Almost like a significant other, can’t live with ‘em, can’t live without ‘em. ] He added after a moment of silence, contemplating on making the statement or not. Kiefer finally gave two final pats to Lucious’s belly and stood up, instinctively brushing away the bits of grass and what nots from his knees. He sighed softly as he stood, a sigh of relief as it may seem. His attention wavered lightly, but once the beep alarmed, she had his undivided attention of curiosity and when she said nothing and did not move, he did the same.

Kiefer listened as Torrie proposed a horse for the parade, he nodded, [ Well I have a three year old, but he’s not here yet. He’s supposed to come this weekend, but no telling, he got between a—uhm—bad situation and so it’s like pulling teeth to get him back… but I wouldn’t mind borrowing a horse, never hurts to have a good time. ] He added, hesitant toward the end of his sentence, but assured himself not to sweat too much over the simple situation. He’d have Winchester if it wasn’t for an assumed significant other, but that was life, it threw you bad days and good days. [ Where can I meet ya? ] He questioned more positively, standing awkwardly still and it was not for her, he just couldn’t quite grasp a relaxed stance in the company of someone new.

[Torrie]

Torrie watched as Lucious instantly befriended Kiefer, something that didn't happen very often. Lucious was more of the, bite first as questions later, kind of dog. But then again, he was usually stuck up on the farm, where he knows who's not supposed to be there. She smiled brightly at his choice of coming into the parade. She would probably give him Baron, because he was the calmest, if he didn't have a horse. Her decision was made as he told her about his horse. She knew what that was like. She had tried to transfer Deputy, her mare, from her old bording school to this one. Her brother though wanted her to stay there, and it was almost a year before Deputy actually arrived.

[Umm, well the parade starts by the shed down the road, but I've got to park the trailer and tack up and such... So maybe in the parking lot here? You'll beable to see my trailer. It has Paperback Farms painted on it, and two drafts inside.]

She smiled warmly, running everything through her head. She still needed to bleach Baron and Bishop's feathers, call her brother and tell him about the parade, make dinner, hook up the trailer, and load the two drafts. Stress began splashing over her as her schedual kept adding on.

[The parade starts in about an hour and a half, so I'll meet you back here around 6:30ish? Is that okay?]