The Start (Keillor)

[Taylor Davis]

The small blonde walked down to the pastures, where she was told that she was allowed to let her horse and pony in. She had already let the pony out, knowing he was filled with energy and needed to get a few bucks out of the way.The dappled grey Hanoverian beside her walked quietly, not even trying to steal a nibble of grass on the way down. She had two equines, a pinto pony named Cochise and a Hanoverian, Mannie. Both were geldings, and both acted liked 3 year olds at times. Two years ago, Taylor and Mannie were an unstoppable team, winning hunter and equitation shows around the country. Only, there was an accident, that ended the team, most thought she'd bounce back into riding, as if the accident hadn't occured. What most people didn't think is the fact that she'd never ride the talented horse again, now only using the pinto as her trusty steed. That was one of her goals for her after all, to ride Mannie again. She stopped the horse as they reached the gate, the gelding perking up his ears, seeing his 'pony buddy' in the pasture. Taylor opened the gate, undoing the light blue nylon halter, the dappled grey walked in before trotting over to the pony, starting to graze on the green grass, side by side. Taylor smiled, seeing the two, closing the gate, latching it shut before putting it where the other halters were supposed to go. She placed it near the pony's worn yellow nylon halter.

[Keillor Holstone]

KEILLOR HOLSTONE

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Keillor had been having a pretty bla day. It wasn't that there was anything particularly wrong or anything, it just wasn't anything special. He had gotten up, eating some cereal - Frosted Flakes, yum - drank some coffee, read the newspaper... There was paperwork to be dealt with on his desk and his dog needed to be walked. Keillor wanted to go ride before it got too hot, but wasn't sure if he'd have time to get everything done after if he did go riding, as he had a meeting with some of his classmates to work on a group assignment. He had sat in his recliner and stared at the ceiling while his coffee went cold, contemplating his options. Then he stood up abruptly, hucked his mug into the sink (good old hardy ceramic mugs!) and donned his paddock boots. He had decided to go ride. Not a full, tack-up-and-do-work kind of ride, but a casual bareback ride. The forest would be nice this time of the morning, and he could go for a quick gallivant and still have time to do his schoolwork and walk his pooch.

He speedwalked into the parking lot, fumbling with his keys as he reached his trucks door. The truck was old and had rust patches, but it was an honest machine and he was very fond of it. Her name was Sally. He patted the dashboard fondly and started her up, her engine spluttering to life. The drive to the barn wasn't very long and he honestly could have walked it, but he didn't want to 'waste' any time in a day where he was pre-scheduled to do so much stuff he didn't even want to do. Reaching the barn in record time, he shut off Sally and put her into park, jiggling his e-brake, which was extremely temperamental on a good day. It finally came loose, and he hopped out, not bothering to lock the truck up.

The barn doors were open on both ends, allowing the cool mid-morning air to move along the alleyway before the early afternoon sun began to shine in earnest, making the earth like a giant griddle. Keillor counted his steps down the alleyway. Reaching 13, he turned left and he was right in front of his mares stall. The little golden mare whickered happily at him, munching on hay. "Hey sweet mare. How's my Faithy this morning

STAFF POSITIONS

" The mare crunched a few more times then returned to eating. Keillor smiled, sliding open her door, her halter in-hand. He slipped it onto her and she stepped daintily out into the alleyway. She was a short, but thick and stout, 14.3hh. Bulldog style, just how he liked his Quarter Horses. Even his tall, well-built 6'2 frame didn't look too big on her, small as she was. Keillor cross-tied her, picked her feet, ran a brush briskly over her soft, shiny, healthy coat, and grabbed a bosal from the tackroom. Unclipping the halter from the ties and removing it from her head, he chucked it just in front of her stall. Before he even tried to get her head into the bosal, she was shoving her head down into the nosepiece. Keillor smiled and patted her, and then turned to walk out the backside of the barn. Using the outdoors fence as a mounting block, he hopped on and then looked at his watch. He had been a lot faster than expected, so instead of taking tot he woods, he decided to head to the pastures. There were neat trails in the horse pastures, complete with creeks and things he wasn't sure Faith had seen before.

Keillors eyes wandered as the little mare walked happily, snorting every stride. Just as they were reaching the pastures, he checked for people. He didn't want to get in anybodies way. He also didn't want to go into a pasture where there were stallions - Faith was a real doll of a mare and probably wouldn't react, but he didn't like the idea of a stud trying to mount her while he was astride her. He hadn't expected anybody to be in the pastures as it was such a decent cool morning, and lots of people were in the indoor arena and some in the jumping ring, but there was a girl at the pastures. Keillor halted Faith by touching his heels softly to her barrel. The blonde girl was extremely attractive. He watched as she turned loose a big dapple grey warmblood type into the pasture where the only other horse he could see was a pinto pony. Just what I need. A distraction. But she looks kind of lonely, or something. I bet I could brighten her day. Keillor wasn't entirely conceited, but he did believe himself capable of improving peoples days. Plus she looked friendly enough, and Keillor didn't have many buddies. It wouldn't hurt to make a friend. And she was beautiful too...... Keillor shook his head, clucking Faith forward. He donned a friendly smile, and called out to the girl."Hey over there. Nice horse. I have a soft spot for a nice grey." By this time he'd reached her, and he leaned down, offering her his hand to shake. "By the way, I'm Keillor."

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▐ W O R D S »approximately 860.

▐ M U S E » better than I thought!

▐ O T H E R » I think I'll really like Keillor!

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[Taylor Davis]

The girl had been leaning against the fence, watching her two graze about in the field. Her dirty blonde hair was in a pony tail, though, it rarely wasn’t. The cool air was comfortable and relaxing. The arenas were quite busy, and Taylor didn’t exactly want to ride with a bunch of people, especially when she was new. The smiled, shaking her head slightly as Mannie was 16.1 where as Cochise was a mere 13.2. ‘Hey over there. Nice horse. I have a soft spot for a nice grey.’ Someone spoke. She smiled softly, turning around seeing a male ontop of a pretty little palomino. ”Thanks, looks like you have a nice horse yourself” she said, smiling softly. The guy was definitely on the ‘hottie’ side. She was just wearing a pair of jeans and her cowboy boots and a flannel shirt, nothing big. She knew how to ride western, considering the pony had been trained western before English. Seeing him offer her his hand, she smiled, taking the offer, gently shaking his hand before pulling it away. ”I’m Taylor, nice to meet you, Keillor.” she said, pushing a strand piece of hair behind her ear. As if on cue, Mannie and Cochise trotted over, both hanging their head over the fence. She smiled, stroking each for a few seconds.

[Keillor Holstone]

KEILLOR HOLSTONE

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"Thanks, looks like you have a nice horse yourself." Keillor smiled wider, using his free hand to rub Faith's neck. "This .. This here is Faith. She's my pride and joy. Love her to bits.""I’m Taylor, nice to meet you, Keillor." The girl shook his hand, and he noted that she had a firm, confident grip. "It's very nice to meet you too pretty little lady. So tell me, what are you doing out here

STAFF POSITIONS

Grabbing yourself a horse, or just turning them out

STAFF POSITIONS

" The pony and the warmblood had come to the fence, and Keillor swung gently off Faith's back, not bothering to hold her. She ground tied well. He stepped toward the fence, proffering his hand to Taylor's horses. The grey whuffled his hand but seemed disinterested at the lack of treats, and the pinto lipped at his hand cheekily. He skritched the ponies cheek, and admired the animals. The pony was a very interesting colour, and didn't seem to be a specific definable breed. Then again, he didn't know much about ponies. The grey looked foreign to him too. All he could tell was that he was a warmblood of some kind, and he looked athletic, and proud.

Keillor didn't like silences or making people feel awkward, so he decided to ask the big ice breaker question. What team was she on, and how long had she been at Hollow Aspen

STAFF POSITIONS

He figured either she was on another team and that was why he'd never seen her pretty face around, or she was new. That was the only way he figured she could be a Polleo, without him having noticed her previously. "How long have you been at Hollow Aspen

STAFF POSITIONS

Either you're on another team or you're new. I never forget a face, and I know I've never seen you around here before. I'd remember this pony too, he's a really neat colour." Keillor had been at Hollow Aspen for 3 months himself, now, but the school had stipulated that he get his grades up before he was allowed to compete. Only recently had he been allowed to start showing.

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▐ W O R D S » approximately 353.

▐ M U S E » pretty good.

▐ O T H E R » none.

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[Taylor Davis]

”It’s very nice to meet you too pretty little lady. So tell me, what are you doing out here

STAFF POSITIONS

Grabbing yourself a horse, or just turning them out

STAFF POSITIONS

” Taylor smiled, looking to her horses, “Cochise has been out for a couple hours, I was going to maybe take him on a ride, Mannie I just let out, in all honestly, I was maybe going to go out on the trails.” She said with a slight shrug, looking to the pinto, who had perked his ears when she said trail. She smiled, seeing how much Cochise loved to attention from Keillor. Mannie was standing in a way that he would stand in the lineup and a show, Taylor knew that the horse had missed the showing, but she couldn’t bring herself to ride him anymore, though he was still in shape before her friends would ride him for her and she would lunge him.

”How long have you been at Hollow Aspen

STAFF POSITIONS

Either you’re on another team or you’re new. I never forget a face, and I know I’ve never seen you around here before. I’d remember this pony too, he’s a really neat colour.” He was right, the pony was a neat color. He was a grulla tobiano. ”Yeah, I’m new, I’ve only been here a couple day, I’m on team Polleo. Yes, he is a really neat color. He is a grulla tobiano.” she said softly, a smile on her lips. She once again pushed a stray strand of hair behind her ears as it blocked her eye sight.

[Keillor Holstone]

KEILLOR HOLSTONE

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“Cochise has been out for a couple hours, I was going to maybe take him on a ride, Mannie I just let out, in all honestly, I was maybe going to go out on the trails.” Keillor patted the pony briskly on the neck as he perked up at his girls words. He looked like a dog would if you said "walk" or "treat." This made Keillor chuckle. "Looks to me like he likes the idea of going for a t-r-a-i-l r-i-d-e," he spelled out playfully. The pony gelding continued to look at his girl with an excited, longing expression. "Well, if you are going to hit the trails, would you mind if I joined you

STAFF POSITIONS

" Keillor queried, deciding to forget about his homework, if even for today... He had been sleeping well, so he could stay up late doing it if he decided he needed to get it done. "I promise Faith is a really good girl," Keillor gestured backwards at the dozing Palomino mare who was standing, untied, right where he'd left her.

”Yeah, I’m new, I’ve only been here a couple day, I’m on team Polleo. Yes, he is a really neat color. He is a grulla tobiano.” That was different. He'd heard of it as grullo more than grulla. He knew they were the same colour, just different pronunciations. Hearing that Taylor was on Polleo made him happy, too; he'd finally met someone he could see being friends with that was on the same team. "Oh wow, I'm on Polleo too! I look forward to seeing your pretty face around. It'll be a nice change; a lot of people here are extremely hoity-toity." Keillor said, a very serious expression on his face. But then a smile lit up in his eyes, and he cracked up. Hoity-toity, what the hell!

STAFF POSITIONS

he thought, laughing at himself. "Okay, wow, I just made myself sound extremely homosexual. I revoke that statement, and replace it with, 'there are a lot of extremely snooty individuals around here' ... Does that sound a bit better

STAFF POSITIONS

" Keillor was still smiling broadly, laughing at himself, and feeling extremely good, much better than he had when he'd first left his dorm for the barn. He'd met an extremely attractive, friendly young lady. She was on his team, even! The thought of them being friends made him really happy. And who knows, Keillor's mind reeled, Maybe we could end up being more

STAFF POSITIONS

I mean, she's definitely my type... I guess we'll see!

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▐ W O R D S » approximately 700.

▐ M U S E » meeeeh.

▐ O T H E R » yaaawn*

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[Taylor Davis]

”Looks to me like he likes the idea of going for a t-r-a-i-l r-i-d-e” Taylor smiled and laughed, nodding, watching Cochise as he walked closer to the get, continuing to look at her. She could easily ride the pony with a halter and lead rope to make a makeshift bridle, infact, it was easy. ”Well, if you are going to hit the trails, would you mind if I joined you

STAFF POSITIONS

” she smiled as he asked. ”Of course you can, I believe you when you say Faith is a good girl” she said, looking to the Palomino.

”Oh wow, I’m on Polleo too! I look forward to seeing your pretty face around. It’ll be a nice change; a lot of people here are extremely hoity-toity” Taylor smiled, laughing. She didn’t think she was pretty, at all. "Okay, wow, I just made myself sound extremely homosexual. I revoke that statement, and replace it with, 'there are a lot of extremely snooty individuals around here' ... Does that sound a bit better

STAFF POSITIONS

" Taylor nodded, grabbing the pony’s yellow nylon halter, opening the gate slightly, starting to halter him. ”Yes, that does sound a bit better, and to be fair, I’m not a pretty girl…” she said, making makeshift reins out of the leadrope before leading him through, turning around and shutting the gate, making sure it was closed to Mannie couldn’t get out.She pulled the lead rope over his neck, getting ready to mount the pony.

[Keillor Holstone]

KEILLOR HOLSTONE

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”Of course you can, I believe you when you say Faith is a good girl.” Taylor had busied herself fetching the pony so Keillor turned and clucked to Faith. The mare perked up her ears and opened her eyes, twitched her lip, and closed the distance between her and her man. She nudged him affectionately and he scratched her withers fondly. Just as Taylor had haltered the little pony, he did an indian swing onto the mares smooth back."She's not just a good girl, she's the best girl, aren't you Faith

STAFF POSITIONS

" He crooned lovingly to the mare. She was 6 years old, and he'd owned her for the majority of her years. He'd started her as a two year old when he was just 16, and had bought her 6 months later. Her work ethic, athletic abilities, and sweet, giving attitude, made her the ideal horse for Keillor. He didn't want a horse that was only an athlete - he wanted a horse that had heart. That was something Faith had in excess. She was his heart horse, and no matter how many other horses he would ride in his lifetime, she was the one he'd love the most, even after she was gone.

”Yes, that does sound a bit better, and to be fair, I’m not a pretty girl…” Keillor laughed openly at this. Not pretty hey, Keillor thought to himself, unable to hold back his laughter, Not pretty at all. And I'm Santa. He didn't want to think he was trying to be offensive by laughing, because that wasn't it at all. She was fixing the leadrope into reins - he assumed she was going to ride with minimal tack, like he was. "I mean no offense by laughing, Taylor. It's just that you are so right. You're not pretty..." he paused, a serious look coming across his face, "You're gorgeous." He winked slyly, applying slight leg pressure to Faith's side. The mare did a half-spin on her haunches and jogged off with a light cue from Keillor. He stopped a few meters away, turning to face Taylor. She wouldn't be far behind him now, and really he should have waited for her right there where she was right now readying the pony, but he didn't want her to see the faint pink that had scattered itself on his cheeks. He was used to calling girls pretty, telling them they had beautiful eyes, nice smiles, etcetera, as he enjoyed making people happy. But for whatever reason, telling Taylor that she was gorgeous - he felt this to be one hundred percent accurate, too - made him embarrassed... What if she got the wrong impression

STAFF POSITIONS

He wasn't trying to come onto her... Not really. He was very attracted to her, but what if she didn't reciprocate the feeling

STAFF POSITIONS

There was a possibility he felt natural chemistry between them... But was he reading too far into it

STAFF POSITIONS

He shook his head to clear his mind, and rubbed Faith's neck for encouragement, and then donned his usual cheeky half-smile, waiting for the gorgeous girl to mount her pony, so they could head off on their trail ride.

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▐ W O R D S » 526.

▐ M U S E » got iffy at the end there.

▐ O T H E R » none.

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[Taylor Davis]

”I mean no offense by laughing, Taylor. It’s just that you are so right. You’re not pretty…..You’re gorgeous” Taylor had looked up in time to see him wink. She smiled, watching him hop onto Faith. She looked back to the pony, the pink settling onto her cheeks. She put her hands on his back, hoisting herself up on his back. Holding the lead rope, she asked the pony for a turn on the haunches, the pony moving his body. She felt happy, probably the happiest she had been in a long while.”Well, think what you want, but there is no way I’m anywhere near gorgeous..besides, if I’m gorgeous, then you are freaking hot” she said, a teasing, yet playful smile on her face. ”But, I suppose you are, so then I guess, according to my rules, you have to be freaking hot” she said, smiling again, halting the pony next to Faith. The pony was obviously happy to be ridden. Taylor was almost positive that a faint remnant of the blush that had set upon her face was still visible. She was glad that she was wearing her jeans and cowboy boots. She was a big country girl, especially considering she was a hunter rider. In fact, her uncle had her ride his ranch horses everyday for a long time, until she couldn’t keep up with it anymore. ”Ready to go

STAFF POSITIONS

” she asked, figuring he knew the trails better than herself.

ooc; this came out completely different than I thought.

[Keillor Holstone]

KEILLOR HOLSTONE

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”Well, think what you want, but there is no way I’m anywhere near gorgeous..besides, if I’m gorgeous, then you are freaking hot. But, I suppose you are, so then I guess, according to my rules, you have to be freaking hot.” Keillor blinked at her, the pink on her cheeks quite obvious, much like he sure his was. Momentarily dumbfounded, he had to think quite hard for about 20 seconds before he was able to speak."I don't know if I'm deserving of 'freaking hot' but I'll take it and wear the badge proudly if you'll admit that you're even just a smidgeon gorgeous. I mean, you're one of the most beautiful girls I've ever seen, but if you will admit you're even just a bit gorgeous, or beautiful, whatever you'd prefer, I will be satisfied." Keillor didn't like talking in big sentences. In fact he wasn't really much of a talker. He was more of a doer - he liked to do nice things for people, because growing up, he'd been taught that actions spoke louder than words. This giant jumble of words coming out of his mouth caught him off guard again and so he looked to Taylor, his cheeks on fire, and responded to her query - ”Ready to go

STAFF POSITIONS

” - with a firm nod.

"Want to jog

STAFF POSITIONS

Err, trot

STAFF POSITIONS

I reckon you're an English girl." Small-talk, again. He moved Faith up into a relaxed jog. They could pick up the pace if Taylor's adorable little pony had faster strides than Faith. There was no way she rode him western; he was built too much for English! Keillor knew exactly where he wanted to lead Taylor. There was a really nice little pond down Blackfoot Path, where the frogs sang morning noon and night. Their melodies were soothing to Keillor if he was ever in a tizzy, and he wanted to share that with Taylor. Assuming, of course, that she hadn't found her way there herself yet. They were heading past the other pastures, in between the white-washed fences and the dressage ring. The turn right after the pastures would lead them toward the thick woods, and the cross country course. Blackfoot Path was just beyond the forest and to the west."Think you'd like to give western a go sometime

STAFF POSITIONS

You can get me up on that fancy english horse of yours and you can give Faith a whirl," he said, his smile reaching his eyes. It was still a little awkward, this small talk business, but he liked Taylor - a lot - and he liked how he was feeling, right now, in this moment. He could get used to it.

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▐ W O R D S » 444

▐ M U S E » not too bad

▐ O T H E R » keillor is cute c:

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[Taylor Davis]

As he thought of what to say, Taylor had glanced up, blinking slightly as she saw the same pink on his cheeks that was on hers. ” I don't know if I'm deserving of 'freaking hot' but I'll take it and wear the badge proudly if you'll admit that you're even just a smidgeon gorgeous. I mean, you're one of the most beautiful girls I've ever seen, but if you will admit you're even just a bitgorgeous, or beautiful, whatever you'd prefer, I will be satisfied." Taylor sighed, pretending to think about it. She wasn’t that gorgeous, or pretty, or attractive, or anything of the sort, was she

STAFF POSITIONS

Surely not. Well, then I suppose I’m a little bit gorgeous.” she said, shifting her weight ever so slightly on the pony’s back.

"Want to jog

STAFF POSITIONS

Err, trot

STAFF POSITIONS

I reckon you're an English girl." Taylor laughed, smiling happily. Seeing him move Faith into a jog, she squeezed Cochise’s sides lightly, moving him into an even paced jog. She had shown him in Western Pony Pleasure, so atleast if he was a little faster it was alright. The pony’s strides were even and his knees stayed flat. "Think you'd like to give western a go sometime

STAFF POSITIONS

You can get me up on that fancy english horse of yours and you can give Faith a whirl," Taylor nodded, smiling brightly. ”I haven’t ridden western in a few months, well, I’ve really only done pony pleasure classes, but yes, I’d love to. I’m not all that experienced in it” she said softly, looking over to him, happiness glinting in her eyes before she looked back to where she was going. There was something about him that just made her heart beat faster and what not. She had no idea where they were going, but figured that Keillor did, so she just followed him, enjoying the scenery and the fact that it was a nice trail ride, considering she was with an awesome guy.

[Keillor Holstone]

KEILLOR HOLSTONE

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The man's mind was peaceful, though his heartbeat matched the thump-thump thump-thump of Faith's hooves on the soft moss and dirt path, faster than normal, but not uncomfortably so. His rosy cheeks were warm, and eh felt as though he was glowing. "Well, then I suppose I’m a little bit gorgeous," she said to him, a look of skepticism flashing across her face. Keillor rolled his eyes good-naturedly. She has no idea how beautiful she is. I'm all 'twitter-pated.' He chuckled inwardly at the Bambi reference.

"I haven’t ridden western in a few months, well, I’ve really only done pony pleasure classes, but yes, I’d love to. I’m not all that experienced in it."

[/i] Keillor looked at her, her cheeks rosy like his were. Are we experiencing a mutual feeling here

STAFF POSITIONS

he could only wonder as he looked at her beautiful face.[/color]"Another time we'll have to get together and you can ride Faithy. I can teach you how to work cattle if you'd like!" Keillor was so excited at the thought of spending more time with her.

They reached Blackfoot Pond abruptly. Keillor wasn't sure how he hadn't heard the croaking of the frogs and the chirruping of the crickets until now. I'm so distracted by Taylor, he decided. Turning to face her, he said, "This is Blackfoot Pond. I normally ground-tie Faith and walk to the other side when I want time to think... There's a shaded grass-patch by the waters edge. It's perfect for time outs... And for picnics, and whatnot..." He didn't come right out and say it, but he was clearly laying it on very thick. He was too shy and nervous, and worried about what she'd say, to outright ask her if she'd like to come here specifically on a picnic date with him.


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▐ W O R D S » approximately 450.

▐ M U S E » meeeeeh.

▐ O T H E R » none.

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[Taylor Davis]

"Another time we'll have to get together and you can ride Faithy. I can teach you how to work cattle if you'd like!" Taylor couldn’t help but smile when she heard this. It meant more time with him, getting to know him better and just being around him with her heart fluttering like a butterfly. She noticed that he seemed excited when suggesting it, and Taylor couldn’t be anymore excited that he was excited. ”Yeah, I ‘d like that. Working cattle sounds fun,” she said with a soft smile. ”And spending more time with you” she added, a slight bit of pink rushing to her face.

The sound of the frogs and the crickets just brought a smile to Taylor’s face. "This is Blackfoot Pond. I normally ground-tie Faith and walk to the other side when I want time to think... There's a shaded grass-patch by the waters edge. It's perfect for time outs... And for picnics, and whatnot..." she smiled, a picnic with Keillor, oh that would be amazing. ”A picnic would be very, very nice” she said, looking over to him, a nervous smile on her face, she practically just told him she wanted to go on a ‘date’ with him, yeah

STAFF POSITIONS

Out of nervousness, she took her hair out of a ponytail before starting to pull it back up.