Ginger is silly. Enjoy!

I say, I am a bit outraged.

The stables were quiet, winding down for the night. Kartik, like the coachmen before him, had spent most of the day in the carriage house, standing by in case he was needed to drive somewhere. It is quite unfair, now that I think of it, for it must be very cold for someone without a winter coat like me. But he was a sport, and as the smart lad he is, he realized the best way to keep warm would be to lean up close to me. Rajah might have killed him, but I didn't mind.

Of course I didn't. He does smell very tasty.

So the stables were quiet, and it was about time for Kartik to have his supper, and he knew it too. To not look idle, and therefore unprofessional (for there is none more professional than he is), he exited my stall, brushed himself off, and busied himself with shining the carriage. I flicked my tail angrily, for I knew Emily would be coming soon.

Next to me, Rajah snorted and paced, not necessarily because he was anticipating Miss Blabbermouth, but because he is a stupid hot blood. The stable boy, Willie, tried to quell him, but the only way to do that would be to set him loose at the Ascot Gold Cup. Rajah once bragged that he ran that race as a colt, but I don't believe him, because if he did, he certainly would not be here.

Willie greeted the daughter of our master. Miss Doyle held a plate of food. I was suspicious.

She had an anxious look about her, craning her neck and looking around, as if she was looking for someone in particular. Someone who has not yet eaten his supper. Someone that is completely off-limits, of course.

She spied around the corner, to where Kartik tended to the carriage. Her face lit up at the glorious sight of him, as any sane girl's would, but she quickly masked her obvious delight as he turned around. Instead of giving her a polite smile of indifference, as he should have to the daughter of his employer, his face broke into the most beautiful smile I have ever seen, happy, with a touch of mischief.

I couldn't believe it.

I wasn't going to stand for this. Not at all. I kicked my stall and paced, desperate for his attention to be on me, the most beautiful horse he's ever seen. He glanced at me in concern, wondering why I've suddenly become uneasy. He mistook my pacing for high spirits.

"Be a good lad and stretch Ginger's legs, will you?"

To my absolute outrage, Willie led me from the stable, so that I could not even spy upon the unpleasant scenario. I heard bits of their conversation as Willie tried unsuccessfully to stretch out my front legs. I hear nothing now... he wouldn't kiss her, would he?

Oh, I won't stand for this. Kartik is mine, not some…other redhead's!

I drag Willie back to my stall, where he manages to lock me in my stall once more. I give another kick and give up. Kartik still remains far enough away from the girl to relieve me of my suspicions.

Unfortunately, my woes for the night do not end. That wretched maid has found an excuse to visit Kartik. She stops in her tracks as she stares at the spectacle of Kartik and Miss Doyle, and I cannot help but feel gleeful at her disappointment. I hope the two girls rip each other apart.

Miss Doyle realizes the scandal of being caught, she quickly makes an exit. As she passes my stall I pin my ears and snort at her, a warning. Stay away from him.

"It's impolite to stare," she says petulantly, leaving me to create more of a ruckus so that Kartik must dismiss Emily and tend to me.

"What's gotten into you, Ginger?" he asks softly, patting my neck. I use my lips to fumble with his lapel. He regards me for a moment and laughs. "You're my girl," he says, giving me a final pat and returning to finish his meal.

Damn right I am.

Tense change is intentional. SOMEONE'S a bit selfish, hmmm? I love Kartik the horse whisperer. For some reason, I always thought he was good with animals. He just seems the "tender to non-humans" type. Like, a big softie on the inside. Squee!

Home for the weekend,
LunaEquus

Please review your thoughts about Kartik as an animal lover! Just wait until I write him with animals in Son of the Rakshana! Yay for Gypsy Vanner horses!