The next morning I wake up on my bed and I nudge on the bed. I roll over the bed lazily and I sit up just a bit to see that grandpa is asleep while sitting on a chair by the door. I stretch out and get out of bed to the bathroom to get ready for work and when I'm done I head out. I don't intend to wake him up but is too late as I feel his aura grabbing me.
Ha-Not so fast. I'll go with you today, I want to see you at work.
-Okay, come on then. I want to get there early.
He stands from the chair and we both head outside. I call Storm and he comes but instead I take his laces and lead him outside with the both us.
-Hey, big guy, did you slept well? Are you well rested? Who's the best partner, you are. Yes you are. Here, one sugar cube for good luck.
I hear as grandpa laughs from behind me and I roll my eyes a bit.
Ha-You do realize you're talking to a horse?
-Yes.
Ha-And that he will not answer back.
-Yes. I talk to him because I like to. I've grown accostumed to do it every morning. I like to think that he understands me and supports me as much as I need.
Ha-He really is a good horse. He's a good bad boy.
He reaches out and touches his back and Storm flaps him in the face with his tail and shakes his head playfully as grandpa backs away from him as I laugh at him.
-Don't get mad at him. He's just playing with you.
Ha-I know, I had horses, before. Not anymore my own but I do still ride a horse from time to time. Maybe I should do it a bit more often.
I nod and then I stop as we reach the academy and we're greeted by some of my companions. I go to the post and tie Storm up and head inside to clock in.
---------------AUTHOR'S NOTE-----------------
I'll be referring to Hades by name instead of grandpa as of this point forward. Like, Hades follows close behind me. Or, Hades come here.
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I go to the lockers to change to my practice uniform and Hades stands at the side as I open my locker. Just a bit before I open it I look at Hades and I let out a sigh and open it at least and I hear him laugh at me.
-Don't laugh. Is not funny.
Ha-Oh, is not funny, is adorable, cute even.
-You think? Don't you think is too, I don't know, girly?
Ha-You're a girl.
-Woman. And these is more girly than I thought when I was decorating it.
Ha-If it makes you so uncomfortable then why don't you change it?
-Because, despite being, this and all, I still like them. Maybe I take a bit out and put something else. Give me a hand with this please.
He answers as he helps me with the jacket.
Ha-You can minimize a bit of the sparkles. There, is that tight enough or loose enough?
-Yes, thank you and I will take out maybe the pink stuff. Stay with purple and gold.
Ha-You're welcome and what is these for?
-I'm going to practice for the competition.
Ha-Competition? What competition?
-The academies best police officer competition. Did I not told you about it?
Ha-No, maybe that's what you forgot to tell me.
-Yeah, maybe. Anyways, captain Cruz accepted the invitation for the first time in years and he inscribed me as the horse rider champion. I also signed myself for the other platoons. Hand to hand combat, archery, gunshot, swordplay and things like that. The only one I haven't practiced for is horseback and they just brought the bull and the most savage horse, besides Storm, here today so I could practice.
Ha-Is that dangerous.
-Of course it is, is police thing. And is savage animals. I'll be fine, this will be like a walk in the park. But, just for your peace of mind I promise I will try to play safe.
I get my boots on and I head out with Hades close behind. I take Storm's laces and guide him to the practice field where I let him loose to stretch a bit.After half an hour I crack my neck and jump inside the fence.
-Now, let's have some fun.
Hades takes my arm before I get out of reach and I turn to look at him.
Ha-Careful with that horse.
-It will be fine. I will be fine, trust me.
He nods at me and let's go if my arm. I give him a hug before I turn to the center of the field where Storm is and I hop up to his back. I get Storm to a corner a bit further from the center and make the signal for them to release the horse. They open the door and I turn closer to Storm.
-Let's do this right Storm. It has to be perfect.
He snorts and I hear as the other horse comes out. That is the biggest horse I've ever seen in my life. And he looks pissed to top it all. I make Storm move slowly forward and I keep my eyes on the other horse at all times. I make him go closer to the other horse and is then that I really notice the difference in size between Storm and the other horse. I try to suppress a laugh and I get closer to the horse. I get on my feet still on Storm's back, and I make him get closer and closer until I jump to the other's horse back. As soon as I land on his back he storms off running at top speed and he jumps frantically trying to get rid of me, I hold onto the saddle trying to get in position but the fierceness of his movements doesn't let me and at some point he makes an unexpected move that sends me flying and I land hard on the grass in front of him. He puts himself on his back legs and I roll over to the side avoiding him by a hair. When he gets on his back legs again this time however Storm gets in between us and I have time to get up. Storm tries to keep him away from me but I jump on his back as fast as I can and lead him away. This time however, the other horse gives chase to us and I keep going. As I keep in front I get Storm on a steady pace before I turn on the saddle to look at the other horse. I stand carefully on the saddle one more time and I take my lasso and make a lace style to put on the other horse. I pull it tight and I smile as I give a jump to the other horse's back. Without a second thought or any concern for any hits that he has for me I pull the rope on my hands around his mouth and pull him back as strong as I can. Is harder since there is no saddle. I almost got him when he makes a jump that throws me off balance and I start to fall to the side with one leg over his back and my hands still on the rope around him serving me as the only things keeping me from falling between his legs but my position is not a favorable one as I can't get myself up to his back again. As I have no other option I call Storm to me with a whistle. He comes to me and I look at him with a smile. He positions himself so I can climb to his back but I give him a negative sound and he slows down to be a bit behind me again, I give him a signal and he speeds up and helps me up to the other horse's back. When I can manage by myself he slows down and stays close enough to us not taking his eyes of me as I give a big pull on the ropes. The horse is forced back and he is still mad. He throws himself to the floor trying to get rid of me but I don't let go. He gets up and makes a run and he stops suddenly trying to hit me with the back of his neck. He jumps and jumps until his legs start to shake, he trembles and he stops fighting exhausted. I take a sugar cube from my pocket and show it to him but as he turns to eat it I get it out of his reach and give it to Storm instead. I get down from him and give him a couple pats before taking the ropes off of him and he goes away. When I'm sure he's secure inside the stables I let out a sigh as I let myself fall to my knees exhausted. I look at Hades and then at Storm before I lay down on my back on the grass breathing heavily. I feel as Storm smells my face and he tries to move me but I feel so exhausted that I don't even bother in pushing his head away. I hear as hades calls for me but I don't respond. I just put a hand on my face and get comfortable there on the grass. I smile to myself. Storm nudges me a bit harder but this time I pull him away and I take some sugar cubes out of my pocket and feed them to him before petting him a bit on the top of his head. He nudges his head happily and jumps a bit. He wants to play but I'm too tired to play so I just give him the joy of sitting me up. He runs around me and I look at him with a smile. At a moment he slows down and gets close to me and I scratch his head before he backs away giving me some space. I crack my neck, my arms, my shoulders and every bone that I can before standing up. I stumble a bit and Storm hurries over to my side helping me stabilize. I calm him down as I start walking a bit. When I feel a pain in my leg I lay against him a bit and I take my boot off and see a big bruise there.
-Oh, that's nasty.
I touch it and it hurts a lot, I grit my teeth harder than I ever did before. I look away and I motion for Hades to come closer. He catches my uneasiness and runs towards me and when he sees my leg he stops frozen.
-Give me a hand here, will you? It hurts, a lot.
He takes me on his arms and walks away to the main building. Storm is still on the field and I look as he jumps on the same place still looking at me. I lose sight of him when we enter the building. Hades takes me to the infirmary and puts me down on a bed. He looks at me with a serious face, his arms crossed in front of him.
Ha-I told you to be careful and you promised me you would be.
-I said I would be as careful as I could, besides I told you it was a high probability but in my defense, in my defense, I didn't even notice until I started walking out afterwards.
Ha-Maybe when you fell for the first time from the other horse.
-Maybe.
Just then the nurse walks in and when she sees me her face turns surprised before she smiles again.
Nurse-I see that the training went well. Did you manage to ride the other horse?
-Yes.
She looks at my ankle and then at me and I shrug my shoulders.
Nurse-The horse did this? How?
-Maybe. I don't know. I noticed when I was getting out. But, these things happen to anyone right?
She puts a hand on my ankle and I bite my lip in agony. I hear as Hades laughs a bit under his breath and I throw him a pillow.
-Hey, is not funny. It hurts, a lot.
Ha-I'm sorry, is just, reflex? Instinct maybe?
-Yeah, sure. Thanks. Can I go back there? Practice a bit more.
Ha-Are you crazy? You can barely stand, much less walk!
-I won't be walking. Storm will, I will just be sitting on his back.
Ha-You will not go down there to practice.
-Maybe I can practice another thing, one in which I don't have to use my legs or that I don't have to walk, just sit.
Ha-You're not going to leave me alone until I agree to get you there. Are you?
-You can count that I will keep insisting on something to do. So, get me somewhere I can exercise.
I give him a smile until he finally agrees to get me to the gym at least. I stretch my arms out to him and he gets me there without problem. I point to my favorite one and he puts me down there.
Ha-With how much do you start usually?
-On fifty and I go up from there in sets.
Ha-Ok. Fifty for starters.
He puts the level on fifty and he sits across from me as I start doing my exercise.
Ha-So, that horse was pretty big and strong.
-Yeah. It was bigger than I expected.
Ha-What were you thinking?
-The horse on the competition is much worse than he was today. This is nothing.
Ha-Is dangerous.
-Yes.
Ha-But you still like it because is exciting.
-Yes.
Ha-Tell me about how you felt, your strategy and those things.
-Well, I was surprised at how big he was, is, but I was only trying to stop him while on his back without falling. If you looked closely, the first time he throw me away then he chased us and this time I almost fall over. I used Storm as support to get back on his back.
Ha-That was actually pretty cool.
-Thank you. Add fifty more.
Ha-You're either crazy or fearless.
-Or both.
He laughs at that and I give him a small smile as I keep exercising. I stop and get a drink of water I snuck from the fridge in the infirmary. And I put a bit on a towel before using it.
Ha-Get it up to 150?
I shake my head and I take a big gulp of water as.
-You know, you can use one if you like. As a family member you can use the installations as freely as I do.
Ha-Are you sure?
-That's why I insisted you come with me. The changing room is over there if you want to change.
He looks at the door I point to before shrugging.
Ha-I guess it can't hurt.
-That's the spirit, go change now, I'll wait here. Oh, put fifty more before you go.
He does and then goes away to change. I start doing my exercises again and when I'm halfway done I hear some of my female coworkers whistling. I look at what got their attention and all of them are looking to the same place, I look to where they're looking and I'm not surprised that they're whistling at Hades. He looks uncomfortable as they admire him, or more accurately, his muscles. He sits in front of me and he takes some of the weights and lifts them without trouble. I look as he does his exercises.
-They love you, your muscles I mean.
Ha-I know.
-Does it bother you?
Ha-Not really.
-Why don't you just tell them you're married.
Ha-Because they only admire, they don't really love me more than they love the physical body. And is just a momentary attraction, desire that will burn out eventually.
-Careful, they might hear you.
Ha-Are you afraid of them?
-No but, it doesn't hurt to be careful.
Ha-I guess you're right. I'm being reckless and imprudent. Sorry, how's your ankle doing?
-Is better, is not swollen anymore, just a bit of coloration. Thank to the heavens that I have divine blood that makes me heal quicker. And to think you were worried about it.
Ha-I will always worry.
He sits up on the mat leaving the weights and he points to my level.
Ha-Do you want to add more?
-By seventy five if you'll be so kind.
He gets the level down and he goes to the running machine as I start lifting again. He keeps a steady pace and I can't help but notice how focused he looks while running. I make sure he's not looking before I sneak out of the gym back to the stables.
When I get there I get directly to Storm and scratch his head softly.
-Hey big boy, where you worried about me? I snuck out just to come here. I realized I didn't thank you properly for helping me with the practice earlier.
He shakes his head happily.
-Yeah I know. I got him to exercise and I surely am going to get in trouble for sneaking out but I couldn't stand being inside anymore. Yeah, I'm happy to see you too. I better go before they realize I'm gone. Here, a sweet for your hard work. See you later.
I go inside to the gym and I go back to the exercising but this time I take the bar for pull ups. I do a couple of sets before Hades takes me by the waist and lifts me up easily.
Ha-One, two, three, four, five. There you go, good job.
-What are you doing?
Ha-Helping you.
I give him a sarcastic look and he smiles at me shrugging his shoulders.
Ha-So, was Storm happy to see you?
-Yes he was, wait, what? How did you....
Ha-How did I know? Please, I saw you sneaking out. You thought I wasn't looking but I was.
-Sorry.
Ha-Is fine, really. Don't worry about it.
-If you say so. Can we practice some hand to hand combat?
Ha-What is the other option?
-Relax.
Ha-I think that there is enough exercise to last a month's worth. Let's relax a bit.
I nod at him and we go to the common area where there are lots of officers just hanging out and cracking jokes at each other.