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Description

Outlaw Trail
Faerie Promise ridden by Chess Knight
Number: 13
Team: Lawmen

Ooh boy, this was murder!

First, I hate drawing horses face on. Their heads are so awkward to get right, and with Arabians (who have a very specific headshape) I usually end up wrecking them one way or another. This is no different.

I actually used a ref image *gasp* because I was having such trouble getting her head and neck to line up, so its better than it was, but I'm still not completely happy with her face. I don't think I ever will be.

And the background takes bad to a new level - I don't do deserts XD. And if you could just ignore Chess' foot, that'd be great, too

But other than that, I like it. I like how her tail came out, and Chess sitting up there, and even the overall look, if you ignore some of the head anatomy issues. And I like the bird The bird is good

The cloak belongs to Chess and will be with her on the ride, in case of weather

I'm also planning on doing one of these with Chess in normal clothes (or maybe I'll make it Becca) just for kicks.

Event: HARPG Outlaw Trail
Host:

This is a Bonus Training Pic, prior to Chapter 1.

Horse: Lakewood's Faerie Promise "Mossy"
Horse Age: 7
Rider: Chess Knight
Rider Age: 21
Costume: [link]

Horse and Rider sepia portrait: [link]
Portrait in full colour with story: [link]

Story

Chess finished propping the wooden boards against the side of the trailer and turned back to check up the ramp. A chain had been strung across the opening instead, keeping Mossy inside; not that she seemed to have any intention of leaving her pile of hay.

Roo stood outside the trailer next door in a terrible Hawaiian t-shirt, arguing with Spawn in silent gestures and pulled faces as he tried to persuade her that grooming was a good thing. Cat had locked up the DGR lorry while she mounted Spur and headed off to find the photographer in his field and go for a ride.

Laying back on the dropped ramp of the Lakewood trailer, and gazing up at the clear sky, Chess felt the yearning spark for adventure. She considered it for a long moment, feeling a gentle breeze pick up through the trees, the grass, and the loose strands of her hair.

She shifted her hips enough to pull her cell phone out of her pocket, and glanced down at the screen. She had time before AVRRA staff came around with pack lunches - nearly two hours, in fact. And she could push it to three, if she snatched one of the last ones...

Decision made, Chess got up and headed for the side door of the trailer. The drape across the interior still kept it separate so that Mossy had an enclosed space at night. Her costume for the trail was hanging inside, safe in a plastic bag and Chess pulled it out quickly; shutting herself into the end of the trailer to change.

Though the weather was breezy, it was warm, so it was a bit of a relief to get rid of the jeans and feel the light folds of the long skirt around her legs instead. Not knowing where she might head or end up on this little excursion, Chess slipped her arms through the slots in the dark cloak she'd brought from home and tied it off. she climbed out of the trailer - cuts in the skirt making it much easier to move.

She let Mossy out of the trailer - the mare forgoing her lunch in favour of the wide world. Chess considered her boots for another long moment, before deciding that they really weren't necessary - and she'd seen a river somewhere around here that it might be nice to paddle in.

The blonde curled her fingers around some of Mossy's mane and with a quick push off, flung herself onto the little mare's back. She arranged the skirt a little as she settled herself behind the Arabian's withers - a tall man who looked scarily the part of a real cowboy had been muttering to himself just yesterday about how many people would be getting sunburn on this journey. Chess had been sure to keep an eye on her supply of sun block since then.

Covered as much as possible by the long skirt, she lifted the hood of the cloak and rested her hands on her legs. Mossy's head lifted as she sensed Chess' weight move forward and she strode forward without hesitation.

A sudden bark in the field heralded Peanut's reappearance. The little dog shot from the shade of the hedges and scampered up to them, ears high, tail flashing back and forth with her tongue lolling between her teeth. Her small paws were spread beneath her weight in the grass, ready to career off again at a second's notice.

"Okay, you can come," Chess said fondly. "But heel until we're out, okay?"

Peanut stuck close by Mossy's legs as they continued towards the gate. They let themselves out and the dog looked at Chess for permission before darting forwards and leading the way, scurrying around the grass banks lining the paths of the Academy.

Chess sat deep, shifted forward faintly clicked her tongue, prompting Mossy to skip into a trot, arching her neck up and dancing down the path.

They left the Academy behind, the grasses thinning out and the trees growing sparse as Mossy picked her way surely into the sand and rocky outcroppings of dry, open land.

Keeping her hands passive against her legs, Chess used her seat and weight to steer and adjust the little horse, keeping her eye out for Peanut's hectic path ahead of them.

It was nice for Mossy to get out and about without any tack, after the last day or so being in the western get up, with the snaffle in her mouth. She was much happier like this; lighter on her feet and keen as she skipped into a canter with an open stretch of sun-warmed earth before them.

Her stride stretched out, tail raising high and streaming behind them with the billowing folds of Chess' skirt and cloak. The hood was thrown back and her hair tossed back. Peanut streaked up alongside them, her sights set on the signpost that directed them back to AVRRA.

Lunch was calling; and they were warm from the ride, but at least Chess knew she could ride in the skirt.

The title comes from a song by Mary Ann Kennedy - Heart in Your Hands

It isn't some kind of magic
Between animal and man
More than a word, or a whisper
Its a desire to understand
You can do it to
If you put your heart in your hands

Its beautiful music, and I really recommend anyone to have a listen (and to any other horse songs by this artist, too)

The guy talking about sunburn would be *abosz007 's character, Vidar. I slotted it in there based on a bonus pic of his for the trail: [link] I hope it's okay he's been mentioned

A few hours work, some yesterday, some today
This was used to help me with the neck flexion - [link]
All done in PS from a quick sketch, no lineart.
Art, characters and story are copyright to *Tattered-Dreams
Roo and Spawn are copyright to ~LeavingNeverland
Cat and Spur are copyright to *MissDudette
Do not take, copy, edit, redistribute or manipulate.

Description

Outlaw Trail
Faerie Promise ridden by Chess Knight
Number: 13
Team: Lawmen

Ooh boy, this was murder!

First, I hate drawing horses face on. Their heads are so awkward to get right, and with Arabians (who have a very specific headshape) I usually end up wrecking them one way or another. This is no different.

I actually used a ref image *gasp* because I was having such trouble getting her head and neck to line up, so its better than it was, but I'm still not completely happy with her face. I don't think I ever will be.

And the background takes bad to a new level - I don't do deserts XD. And if you could just ignore Chess' foot, that'd be great, too

But other than that, I like it. I like how her tail came out, and Chess sitting up there, and even the overall look, if you ignore some of the head anatomy issues. And I like the bird The bird is good

The cloak belongs to Chess and will be with her on the ride, in case of weather

I'm also planning on doing one of these with Chess in normal clothes (or maybe I'll make it Becca) just for kicks.

Event: HARPG Outlaw Trail
Host:

This is a Bonus Training Pic, prior to Chapter 1.

Horse: Lakewood's Faerie Promise "Mossy"
Horse Age: 7
Rider: Chess Knight
Rider Age: 21
Costume: [link]

Horse and Rider sepia portrait: [link]
Portrait in full colour with story: [link]

Story

Chess finished propping the wooden boards against the side of the trailer and turned back to check up the ramp. A chain had been strung across the opening instead, keeping Mossy inside; not that she seemed to have any intention of leaving her pile of hay.

Roo stood outside the trailer next door in a terrible Hawaiian t-shirt, arguing with Spawn in silent gestures and pulled faces as he tried to persuade her that grooming was a good thing. Cat had locked up the DGR lorry while she mounted Spur and headed off to find the photographer in his field and go for a ride.

Laying back on the dropped ramp of the Lakewood trailer, and gazing up at the clear sky, Chess felt the yearning spark for adventure. She considered it for a long moment, feeling a gentle breeze pick up through the trees, the grass, and the loose strands of her hair.

She shifted her hips enough to pull her cell phone out of her pocket, and glanced down at the screen. She had time before AVRRA staff came around with pack lunches - nearly two hours, in fact. And she could push it to three, if she snatched one of the last ones...

Decision made, Chess got up and headed for the side door of the trailer. The drape across the interior still kept it separate so that Mossy had an enclosed space at night. Her costume for the trail was hanging inside, safe in a plastic bag and Chess pulled it out quickly; shutting herself into the end of the trailer to change.

Though the weather was breezy, it was warm, so it was a bit of a relief to get rid of the jeans and feel the light folds of the long skirt around her legs instead. Not knowing where she might head or end up on this little excursion, Chess slipped her arms through the slots in the dark cloak she'd brought from home and tied it off. she climbed out of the trailer - cuts in the skirt making it much easier to move.

She let Mossy out of the trailer - the mare forgoing her lunch in favour of the wide world. Chess considered her boots for another long moment, before deciding that they really weren't necessary - and she'd seen a river somewhere around here that it might be nice to paddle in.

The blonde curled her fingers around some of Mossy's mane and with a quick push off, flung herself onto the little mare's back. She arranged the skirt a little as she settled herself behind the Arabian's withers - a tall man who looked scarily the part of a real cowboy had been muttering to himself just yesterday about how many people would be getting sunburn on this journey. Chess had been sure to keep an eye on her supply of sun block since then.

Covered as much as possible by the long skirt, she lifted the hood of the cloak and rested her hands on her legs. Mossy's head lifted as she sensed Chess' weight move forward and she strode forward without hesitation.

A sudden bark in the field heralded Peanut's reappearance. The little dog shot from the shade of the hedges and scampered up to them, ears high, tail flashing back and forth with her tongue lolling between her teeth. Her small paws were spread beneath her weight in the grass, ready to career off again at a second's notice.

"Okay, you can come," Chess said fondly. "But heel until we're out, okay?"

Peanut stuck close by Mossy's legs as they continued towards the gate. They let themselves out and the dog looked at Chess for permission before darting forwards and leading the way, scurrying around the grass banks lining the paths of the Academy.

Chess sat deep, shifted forward faintly clicked her tongue, prompting Mossy to skip into a trot, arching her neck up and dancing down the path.

They left the Academy behind, the grasses thinning out and the trees growing sparse as Mossy picked her way surely into the sand and rocky outcroppings of dry, open land.

Keeping her hands passive against her legs, Chess used her seat and weight to steer and adjust the little horse, keeping her eye out for Peanut's hectic path ahead of them.

It was nice for Mossy to get out and about without any tack, after the last day or so being in the western get up, with the snaffle in her mouth. She was much happier like this; lighter on her feet and keen as she skipped into a canter with an open stretch of sun-warmed earth before them.

Her stride stretched out, tail raising high and streaming behind them with the billowing folds of Chess' skirt and cloak. The hood was thrown back and her hair tossed back. Peanut streaked up alongside them, her sights set on the signpost that directed them back to AVRRA.

Lunch was calling; and they were warm from the ride, but at least Chess knew she could ride in the skirt.

The title comes from a song by Mary Ann Kennedy - Heart in Your Hands

It isn't some kind of magic
Between animal and man
More than a word, or a whisper
Its a desire to understand
You can do it to
If you put your heart in your hands

Its beautiful music, and I really recommend anyone to have a listen (and to any other horse songs by this artist, too)

The guy talking about sunburn would be *abosz007 's character, Vidar. I slotted it in there based on a bonus pic of his for the trail: [link] I hope it's okay he's been mentioned

A few hours work, some yesterday, some today
This was used to help me with the neck flexion - [link]
All done in PS from a quick sketch, no lineart.
Art, characters and story are copyright to *Tattered-Dreams
Roo and Spawn are copyright to ~LeavingNeverland
Cat and Spur are copyright to *MissDudette
Do not take, copy, edit, redistribute or manipulate.