You arrived late that night, under the cover of darkness.
You were truly a sight to behold, with your neck arched high and your crystal blue eyes. Your tail flicked calmly as you studied your surroundings. Even burdened down with shipping gear, your movements looked more like you were floating, and you carried yourself with such regal bearing; I fell in love with you immediately. Quickly I stole away your lead and your file; I wanted to be the one to take you to your temporary stall, so I could have a moment to look you over. Shipping could be stressful, and as I read your folder I found that the past year had not been kind to you. My sympathy went out to you, then, and I gently stroked the part of your nose not obscured by the padded halter, and admittedly, my heart skipped a beat when you nudged me back in return.
It was too short a walk to your new stall; I wanted to keep going, stretch out your legs, get to know you a little better. But at least when we got to your stall, I got to do the honor of removing your gear and uncovering your beauty. We'd attracted quite a crowd, other volunteers hovering outside your stall, all wanting to get a glimpse of the quiet king. Slowly your boots came off one by one, then your halter, and finally your blanket. There was a collective gasp when the fabric slid off of your body, but I was too stunned to speak; your were even more magnificent than I could ever dream. "Fire and smoke", my brain kept whispering as I studied your markings, the mottled pathways between the two colors of your coat. I found that I wasn't tired anymore, and that all I wanted to do was pamper you. So, with all of the new Napacellos resting in their stalls and all of the volunteers having cleared out of the stable, I grabbed one of the extra grooming kits and began to work. I spent that whole first night talking to you, singing for you, and just enjoying being in your presence.
xHere we go,
here we go:
It's about time
that we set it off.
Here we go,
here we go:
Red lights, I
could never stop.
A dreamer with
the fever to be
great was all I
ever want-, was
all I ever wanted.
A fighter with
the fever for the
fame was all I
ever want-, was
all I ever wanted.
Got me singin' like-
Bang, bang;
Bang, bang;
Bang, bang;
Let's fire the weapon.
Bang, bang;
Bang, bang;
Bang, bang;
Won't stop till
we're Legends.
Blood, sweat,
I'll break my bones;
'Til all my scars
bleed gold and
my name's
forever known.
Won't stop till
we're Legends.
Legends
> The Score |
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Owner:SpartanAmethyst | Ivanka AreshkovShow Name:SANPB Shatterstar MarauderBarn Name:Marauder; "King"Gender:StallionPhenotype & Genotype:Red Chestnut and Black Chimera
EE aa [Ch: ee AA]Height:17.2hhTack:[halter] | [dressage] | [show jumping] | [cross country]Personality:Marauder acts very much the King that everyone sees him as: A benevolent king, a fixed point that everyone else can rely on and turn to in their time of need. When you first meet Marauder, you're met with this gorgeous dual-toned creature surrounded by a regal air. He stands tall, head high and neck slightly arched, the picture of nobility. Intelligent blue eyes watch his surroundings carefully, studying the world around him with the sharp gaze of a predator. Even after you've spent enough time around him, you'll see that his behavior isn't just a front, or his show behavior, its his normal everyday behavior. You also begin to see that he's very quiet and calm, not easily shaken by nerves, anger, or fear. He's naturally tranquil and very easygoing, rarely showing any other emotion other than determination. In his psyche papers, you'll see the words highlighted "poker face" and "bombproof". This paired with his seemingly endless patience makes him an easy mount for any person of any skill level, and a good school horse. Of course, with his extreme talent for three-day eventing, he won't be a school horse for a very, very long time, if ever.
When thrown into a less than desirable situation, Marauder will always react with patience and serenity; he prefers diplomacy above all else, and will never attack someone unless they lunge first, be it at himself or someone he holds dear. He will always attempt to talk someone down or find a peaceful resolution before resorting to violence. Marauder has a good head for these things, paired with the uncanny ability to read other creatures he's almost always successful in avoiding conflict. Still, in battle he is nothing short of a true warrior. When the need arises, he has both the skill and the drive to defend himself and his family until his dying breath, only using enough force to subdue the threat, never more if he can help it. On his downside, Marauder has been known to be stubborn and standoffish, and once he's set in a routine, he does not like to deviate from it.
Head full of questions,
how can you measure up?
To deserve affection,
to ever be enough
for this existence.
When did it get so hard?
Your heart is beating,
alive and breathing,
and there's a reason why.
You are essential,
not accidental,
and you should realize:
You are beloved;
I wanted you to know
you are beloved.
Let it soak into your soul.
Forget the lies you heard,
rise above the hurt,
and listen to these words:
You are beloved.
I want you to know
You are beloved.
Beloved
> Jordan Feliz|
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★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
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xxxxxx╒════════════╕A King's Court:────────────
H I S ◦ G I R L────────────
IvankaIvanka is Marauder's girl; she's
his full time rider and caretaker.
"Fire and Ice", they're called
around the stable, because
they're so different but also
so balanced. Ivanka met him
when he was just coming into
the Napacello rescue barn, and
she immediately fell in love. He
was so confident and so beautiful
that she was just awestruck. She
worked tirelessly to adopt him,
struggling every step of the way
to make sure she would be the
one to give him his forever home.
She almost lost him to this rich
brat three states over, but when
she threw a tantrum about him,
the rescue threw out her adoption
application and Marauder officially
became Ivanka's.────────────
A M E T H Y S T ◦ R I D G E ◦ S T A F F────────────
SitalaSitala is one of the most varied
caretakers on the ranch; whereas
most of the staff usually stick to
their specialized barn, Sitala is
one of Amethyst's group of
"Inner Staff", who basically
oversee all ranch activity in
Amethyst's absence and float
around the ranch, helping
wherever they're needed.
Marauder doesn't get to see a
whole lot of her, but he does
quite enjoy her company, and
looks forward to her stopping by
his stall or his pasture.────────────
M A S S ◦ E F F E C T ◦ C R E W────────────
ReaperReaper and Marauder are actually quite
close; the Napacello stallion is the only
other equine that Reaper will actually
interact with on a regular basis other
than her mate Charlemagne. The two
can often be found strolling the
perimeter of the pasture, talking in
hushed tones about only God knows
what. They are definitely quite a pair,
that's for sure. Amethyst often calls
them "besties", and he's been integral
in helping Reaper become social
and calm.────────────
GarrusGarrus and Marauder are actually
highly competitive against each
other, normally Garrus moreso
than Marauder himself. The
French Warmblood is constantly
seeking to outdo the Napacello
in some way, shape, or form,
and more than a few times it
has gotten Garrus either minor
injuries or in a lot in trouble.
But it does serve to improve
their skills and times for when
they actually go to competition.
They're very friendly with one
another, though, and are more
than happy to hang out in the
pasture and talk like old buddies.────────────
TaliTali and Marauder are definitely
good friends; she's one of the
few that can actually make him
lost his composure and crack a
smile, or sometimes even just a
low chuckle at a joke or her
antics. They normally graze together
and just enjoy the sunlight, but
every so often, you can find Tali
instigating a long-winded game of
tag that will eventually suck all of
the crew into the game. Even
Marauder can't resist her laugh
and her infectious energy.╘════════════╛ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Quirks:While overall Marauder is a very easygoing horse despite his kingly disposition, he does have his quirks that prove life with him is never dull:>
Plaiting: Marauder loves to be groomed and fussed over, especially right before a competition. This includes getting his tail plaited (never a full plait). He absolutely refuses, though, to let anyone plait or braid his mane, at all. He barely lets them cut and trim his mane at times. He just prefers it long and loose, which proves a challenge during competition. Sometimes Ivanka can convince his to tie it back somehow for Dressage competitions, but that's only when she's lucky.>
Marauder, despite his ruffian-sounding name, was raised in a very high profile stable, so from the time he was a foal, it was drilled into his head that presentation is everything. It's why even when he's near-collapse exhaustion, he still walks with sure, long strides and a gracefully arched neck. It's why he spends so much time grooming himself and being groomed; he's not vain, far from it, but it's now ingrained in his subconscious to always be mindful of presentation and first impressions.History:Marauder was born on a chilly autumn evening just before Halloween. The leaves rustling in the trees were the first sounds his young ears heard, and it would become a sound he deeply and dearly loved. He was born to a beautiful cream-colored mother, a pureblood perlino Napacello with hundreds of Dressage championships under her belt. His father, a huge, intimidating black Napa, was a jumping Champion, and had competed in the Equestrian Olympics twice in his career, taking home the silver and the gold medals respectively. So it was only obvious that expectations for this tiny little colt would be extremely high. Imagine their surprise, though, when they saw the little one for the first time and his coat wasn't just one color, but two very different shades? This colt was going to go places, and everyone present that starry autumn evening knew it.
He was raised with all the finest care money could buy: the best feed for him and his mother, the best trainers and riders, the best toys and tack, everything. He was raised like a young king, and he knew it; but he was always thankful, never vain nor haughty. When he came of age, he made sure to pull his own weight around the stable, training as he should and being obedient to the stable hands. He was the picture image of the perfect horse. So as he grew older, from months to years, he trained hard and often; he would be the stable's next champion, bring home more trophies to put in the stable's case. And every day the stable's owner, a grey-haired man in his mid-late 60's, would come and watch one of the exercise riders take Marauder through his paces. It was routine, and Marauder liked that. But shortly after he turned three, the stable owner stopped coming to his practice sessions, and it threw him off. He'd get distracted watching for the man, then end up knocking poles and missing jumps. Finally they decided to rest him, and one day he'd heard the other horses whispering about how sick he was. This worried Marauder even more, but he decided he'd take his training into his own hands. Maybe if he worked really hard, the owner would get better and be so proud of him.
It took him a few days, but he eventually learned how to work the lock on his stall. Every morning right before dawn he'd let himself out and go out to the jumping field, where he'd practice for about an hour. Then he'd rest at daybreak, grazing loose just outside the stable, where a stablehand would quickly throw a lead around his neck and whisk him back into his stall. He'd be fed, rest, and by noon he was letting himself out again and trying to head for the jumping ring. Finally the lead hand got so frustrated he padlocked Marauder's stall, and the quiet king found himself stuck. So, he bided his time, and found that when he was let out to pasture, he could just jump the fence and head out to the jumping ring. The stables did everything they could to stop the behavior, not realizing what he was actually trying to do, but nothing seemed to quell it. So, with a heavy heart, the owner decided to include him in the selling of most of his Warmbloods; he was just too sick and the stablehands too stressed to keep up with a stallion coming into his "rebellion". He never had the chance nor the ability to tell them he was not rebelling, that he simply wanted to practice and make his owner proud.
As soon as he was unloaded at the sells barn with the rest of the horses, Marauder found himself in a totally new situation, way outside his comfort zone. It was crowded, noisy, and way too busy for his liking. Horses were crowded into small stalls and humans into tight stable corridors, all of them crowding to see each new addition in the hopes of finding that perfect steed. It scared him quite a bit, but never once did he lose the composure that would one day be his best known quality. He was quickly ushered away from the main barn, much to the disdain of the eager buyers watching the magnificent stallion, and was put into a private stall in a restricted part of the complex. He stayed there a few days, watching other horses come and go, even saying goodbye to some of his friends from the stables. It was sad, but thankfully it wasn't long before he was being put into his shipping gear again and sent off on his next adventure. That's how it was for almost a year: He'd arrive at a high profile sell barn, do some jumping demonstrations that he would be so nervous he'd make a few mistakes, not be met with the price the barn wanted, then be packed up and shipped to a different barn. Our king always kept face, but he couldn't deny the lonely ache that settled in his chest each time he was shipped to a new barn.
Finally, the son who had taken on the charge of selling the horses, grew tired of trying to make money off one horse who was labelled as "talented" but never really showed it. He wanted the money made, and the money made now. So, behind his father's back, he did the unthinkable: he tried to sell Marauder at a shadier auction house, where quite a few of the buyers were slaughterhouses. Obviously he still had his papers and his proofs, but no one there really cared; the son just wanted the horse gone, because all it was doing was sucking up money each time the stallion was shipped somewhere new. And he was not going to let more of his inheritance be wasted, even if the horse was so-called "special". Luckily for Marauder, though, a rescue was also present at the auction house that night, and they quickly paid top dollar before he went out on the floor. They whisked him away to their trailer very quickly, and took him home with them along with the other rescued horses at the end of the night. He was quickly pulled into the rescue, where he met Ivanka, and found himself up for adoption. At first he got a few, all of them wanting the chance to have that exotic coat, but there weren't many. One day, Ivanka got permission to take him for a ride, while one of the rescue's owners recorded him. Ivanka had previously trained some in dressage, so when he behaved so well under saddle, decided to try some dressage just for fun. He knew every aid and command. Another rider took him arena jumping, and he excelled, having had time to relax. Videos were posted to YouTube, and he quickly went viral. They were very selective about adoption applications that he flooded in afterwards, and mind you, he pulled in thousands. Ivanka, who'd been the first one to ever apply for him, worked as hard as she could, and eventually won the right to call him her own. Not without the help of a new friend, of course; she was able to partner with a stable known as Amethyst Ridge Ranch, and upcoming competition stable who'd backed her financially under the agreement that Marauder would be an Amethyst Ridge stallion, she would come work for the stable, and be his full-time competition rider and caretaker.Future Plans:"Once Ivanka finishes her Three Day Eventing training, plans are to get her and Marauder to blend completely, where they will act as one being instead of just being a horse and rider. That way when they hit the competition circuit, they're one step ahead. Add in Marauder's effortless talent and competition-driven spirit, they'll be more than ready to take on the circuit. All that needs to be bolstered is Ivanka's own confidence, and they'll be an unstoppable team." -Amethyst B. Barr, ARR Owner
My plans for Marauder are, of course, for him to be used as a much loved character. He'll become a part of my HaRPG stable, Amethyst Ridge Ranch, and be given a full reference on my DeviantArt. There he'll be used to take part in competitions, be drawn, featured in stories, and just generally be doted on, along with his rider Ivanka and the rest of my ARR Staff and Characters.Extra Art:[sketch dump - linked for size]
I found out very quickly that fairytale connections don't always come true, though. It wasn't long after you were put into the public's eye that they chose a suitable candidate to take on your care. She was young, rich, had grown up around horses and had a magnificent private stable with the finest things money could buy. She wasn't right for you, though; she was rude and self-important, always looking down on others she thought below her. I'd watched how she rode her horses, how roughly she kicked them and how she tore their mouths with the bit. I fought my hardest to win you, even though I had no money or anything of value to my name. It seemed like I was going to lose you to her...
One day, as your adoption was being finalized, I heard yelling coming from the stable, and I ran to see what happened. Apparently she'd taken you for a test ride, and she'd tore at you so much that you finally lost your patience and threw her. She'd hit you with your reins, and immediately she was barred from ever adopting you. She left angry, and before I knew it, Lisa, who owned the rescue, was standing before me with a bright red halter in her hand. The plaque on the cheekstrap read "The King", and she smiled at me. I remember her just simply saying that I'd been sponsored, and King (she called him exclusively) was now mine.
I couldn't help but cry.
Eventually we moved into our new stable. With you and my little brother nearby, as well as all of our new friends at Amethyst Ridge, I finally had a home and a family that honestly and truly cared. And we, Marauder, are going to have so many grand years ahead of us. I promise you that.
![[halter]](https://orig00.deviantart.net/8eea/f/2018/157/8/6/halter_by_spartanamethyst-dcdob2p.png){kind=link}
![[dressage]](https://orig00.deviantart.net/9918/f/2018/157/c/7/dressage_by_spartanamethyst-dcdo1uy.png){kind=link}
![[show jumping]](https://pre00.deviantart.net/0063/th/pre/i/2018/157/6/7/jumping_by_spartanamethyst-dcdo1vr.png){kind=link}
![[cross country]](https://orig00.deviantart.net/cf6c/f/2018/157/3/a/xc_by_spartanamethyst-dcdo1wc.png){kind=link}
![[sketch dump - linked for size]](https://img00.deviantart.net/2508/i/2018/159/8/6/20180608_114620_by_spartanamethyst-dcdt8lm.jpg){kind=link}