[caf.]

Stepping out of the Ranch Owner's office, Alex took in a whiff of the somewhat fresh, manure-scented air. "A Neravontii, huh," she mumbled to herself, glancing at the far-off pasture where he was said to be located. 'I take a one-week leave and I come back to an alien creature,' she grumbled inwardly, stepping forward to see this thing that had been captured. Already he had been gelded and tagged - the next step was training. As she approached the gate, she was astonished to see a creature standing six feet tall at the shoulders at the edge of the pasture, shooting 'glares' at the other two Thoroughbreds. It was apparent that he had no eyes, nor 'hooves.' KC was a racing stable - what was this thing doing here? The words of the Ranch owner came to her; "He was stealing grain, bothering horses, and just being a pest. I had a feeling I couldn't drive him off, so why not try and make him useful?" Shrugging, Alex stepped into the barn to grab a pail of grain for the threesome, keeping her good eye aimed at the door as customary. After her left eye had been lost in a freak accident, she'd always been a bit more cautious, a bit quieter, and a whole lot nastier. She took insults from nobody, but she was good with the horses and the Ranch Owner liked her.

Thump. Alex clumsily tripped on a pitchfork leaning haphazardly to her left on the barn wall. "Idiots," she snarled to herself as she entered the pasture. "Nobody seems to try and put things away. Like, hello - we have clumsy, tiny-brained, delicate horses here. Pitchforks in the barn aisle are a gre-" She was cut off in surprise when a ridiculous thundering sounded behind her. Whirling around, she took a second to register that a dominant Neravontii was charging her, head down and feet flying. "What the-" she yelped in shock, swinging the bucket in defense. It grazed his shoulder as he swerved by, the KC colors flashing on his white body. Looking miffed, he spun and faced her, ears pinned. Realizing she had to show him some respect before she got trampled, she took a serious tone. "No." The gelding sniffed and lifted a foreleg to carefully clean his 'hands.' Satisfied with his cleanliness, he took a step forward with his nose almost touching the bucket. Alex firmly shoved his nose away and pushed on his chest before he could react. Once more the creature backed off, looking confused about being usurped by such a small being. "Naughty," Alex stated firmly, waggling a finger at him. 'He can't see me,' she thought as she raised her hand, but hey, maybe he could sense the gesture with those...things that replaced his eyes. After about a minute, Alex stepped cautiously towards the trough, keeping him on her left. He never moved, just watched her closely. 'Well,' she thought as she emptied the bucket, 'at least he has some decency.' The gelding charged and buried his head in the grain before Alex could even step away. Sighing, Alex left the pasture, unsure of whether the Thoroughbreds would need an extra share after the Neravontii was moved. It was certain they weren't getting one now.

-----

For the second time that day Alex left the Ranch Owner's office, this time with her head whirling. Apparently the entire incident had been caught on camera, and the Ranch Owner had decided to let Alex train him - and name him. "I'd like something special," she'd said. "I know a creative young mind like yours could do it." As she stepped down the path, she decided to watch him for awhile and see about his personality. Already she knew he was dominant, sassy, and maybe a bit vain. And he sure didn't like other horses. Jealous, maybe? She snatched a sketchbook out of a hay shed and straightened her KC STAFF t-shirt as she headed off to the paddock once more. The gelding lifted his head, sniffed in her direction, then pinned his ears and trotted off. Alex sketched, trying to capture his confidence and arrogance on paper.

KC C I've Got It?

No, too sassy and studdish.

KC RoyalBlueAndGold?

Color names don't do justice to such a creature.

Why should I name him? He hates me.

KC SonOfAGun

KC Blackhearted

KC Authority

KC Under The Odds

KC TakeItFromTheTop

KC FeelinLikeAChamp

No, no, no....

Suddenly, Alex's head came up as she glanced at the horse-like beast, her dull blue eyes taking on a new light.

KC I Go For Glory

'Perfect.'~

Ah, I had to write a story! Anywho, I'm looking for nicknames for this vain, arrogant, dominant, unfriendly beastie. I love him so much.... Anyway, I'm actually really proud of this. I have a few touchups to do when I post, but me likey. TGIF, wow - it's nice to be able to finish a piece in under a day! Yeah, so feel free to critique and comment, you know, whatever. Neravontiis are hard....

Adios!