Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Jan 11, 2024 10:58:01 GMT -5
Welcome to Champion Equestrian Academy DateSunday, September 6, 2020 WeatherSunny, breezy, warm (20°C/68°F)
Class of 2020Atkinson, Shay
Farthingale, Khloe
Foster, Melanie
Hart, David
*Kennedy, Laura
*Lincoln, Saylor
Manning, Justin
Academy Rules1. All students must adhere to CEA's dress code
2. Electronics (i.e., phones, tablets, laptops, etc.) are not permitted on school property outside of student housing; any classes that require electronics will provide them for the duration of the lesson
3. No outside food or drinks (for human or horse) are permitted unless authorized by a teacher or coach
4. Horses may not be taken off-property for any reason except for Academy approved excursions (i.e., competitions, shows, off property trail rides)
5. All students require a minimum of four off-property competition participation marks to graduate; students will be provided six opportunities to gain these
6. While attending CEA, all students are 100% responsible for their assigned school horse, broodmare (for first-years), and foal; the Academy will foot any bills, but it is the students' responsibility to arrange for any care the horse(s) may need (i.e., vet, farrier, feed, tack, etc.)
7. The horses of Champion Equestrian Academy may be animals, but they are all to be treated like equals; without them, nothing CEA teaches would be possible
NOTE: Disobeying the rules may result in temporary removal of permissions, such as but not limited to:
~ personal time reductions or removal
~ participating in riding or horse-related exercises
~ leaving the property for training purposes or competitions
First-year Class Schedule
Monday through Friday6:00: wake up
6:15 — 7:15: horse care
7:20 — 7:50: breakfast
8:00 — 8:55: Math
9:00 — 9:55: English
10:00 — 10:55: Science
11:00 — 11:55: History
12:00 — 12:55: lunch
1:00 — 1:55: Geography
2:00 — 2:55: Physical Fitness
3:00 — 3:55: Art or Music
4:30 — 6:30: riding time
6:30 — 7:00: shower time
7:00 — 7:55: dinner
8:00 — 10:00: personal time
10:00: lights out/bedtime
Saturday and Sunday7:00: wake up
7:15 — 8:15: horse care
8:20 — 8:50: breakfast
9:00 — 9:55: Equine Behavior and Movement
10:00 — 10:55: Horse Care and Management
11:00 — 11:55: Equine Biology and Genetics
12:00 — 12:55: lunch
1:00 — 1:55: theory work
2:30 — 4:30: riding time
4:30 — 6:30: barn chores
6:30 — 7:00: shower time
7:00 — 7:55: dinner
8:00 — 10:00: personal time
10:00: lights out/bedtime
First-year Riding ScheduleMonday
Flat work
Tuesday
Dressage
Wednesday
Bareback
Thursday
Dressage
Friday
Flat work
Saturday
Groundwork
Sunday
Trail ride First-year Chore ScheduleSaturday
Stalls and feeding
Sunday
Tack and equipment care
Campus |
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Jan 11, 2024 10:58:27 GMT -5
Dakoda's Character Page Student 1Name: Saylor Lincoln
Age: 14
Height: 5'2
Weight: 107 pounds
Basic description: long reddish-blonde hair; honey-brown eyes; athletic build School HorseName: Ace of Hearts, "Ace"
Age: 8 y.o.
Gender: gelding
Breed: Thoroughbred X Mustang
Height: 15'3 hands
Basic description: red bay coat; black mane and tail; heart-shaped star; two front socks; one rear tall sock; one rear coronet (right) BroodmareName: Starlight, "Star"
Age: 18 y.o.
Breed: Arabian
Height: 15'1 hands
Basic description: dark bay coat; black mane and tail; large star; no socks FoalNot born yet
Student 2Name: Khloe Farthingale
Age: 14
Height: 5'3
Weight: 110 pounds
Basic description: long, wavy brown hair typically kept in a braid; pale green eyes; curvy yet toned School HorseName: Night Dancer, "Dancer"
Age: 12 y.o.
Gender: mare
Breed: Dutch Warmblood
Height: 16'1 hands
Basic description: dark dapple grey coat; black mane, black-to-white tail; star and snip; no socks, just black leg markings BroodmareName: Indian Summer, "Dia"
Age: 16 y.o.
Breed: Hanoverian
Height: 16'2 hands
Basic description: light bay coat; black mane and tail; white sock on front right FoalNot born yet
Student 3Name: Shay Atkinson
Age: 14
Height: 5'5
Weight: 115 pounds
Basic description: short black hair; dark blue eyes; tall and lean School HorseName: Aztec Gold, "Aztec"
Age: 16 y.o.
Gender: gelding
Breed: Appendix Quarter Horse
Height: 16'2 hands
Basic description: golden palomino coat; white mane and tail; blaze; three socks: rear legs and right front BroodmareName: Coral Dusk, "Cora"
Age: 14 y.o.
Breed: Oldenburg
Height: 16'2 hands
Basic description: black coat, mane, and tail; two white socks, left front and right rear; star and stripe FoalNot born yet
Riding CoachName: Grace Allaband
Age: 45
Height: 5'9
Weight: 146 pounds
Basic description: shoulder-length brown hair kept in a ponytail; hazel eyes; tall, curvy, fit HorseName: Solar Flare, "Flare"
Age: 14 y.o.
Gender: mare
Breed: Irish Sport Horse
Height: 16'2 hands
Basic description: chestnut sabino; chestnut coat with white markings on belly, sides, and neck; four white socks; white blaze and muzzle |
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Jan 13, 2024 16:07:18 GMT -5
Saylor couldn't quite believe it. It had been a month since she received the letter telling her she had been accepted to Champion Equestrian Academy - the best school in the country for aspiring competitive riders. Now, she was standing before the front gates and still trying to wrap her mind around the reality staring her in the face.
She was a student at CEA.
"Are you ready, hon?"
Saylor pulled her gaze from the open gate and looked at her mother. "Not at all," she admitted.
Her mother smiled and placed a hand on her back, steering her forward. "You'll do fine. You were accepted! That means you have what it takes."
It means I'm going to get my very own horse!
Saylor couldn't deny that that was the part she looked forward to the most as a student at CEA. She had been riding at her little local stable for the last four years; her education there would be slower, but she could continue to learn to ride for years more. She didn't technically need the academy for her riding education. But something she couldn't do on her own was buy a horse. Her mother simply didn't make enough money, and there was no guarantee Saylor would make enough either if she got a job - something she wasn't even allowed to do until she turned sixteen. So, yes, maybe someday she would be able to afford her own horse. But that possibility was years away if she had to do it on her own. But Champion Equestrian Academy awarded every student gifted enough to attend with their very own horse. The only catch? They had to raise and train said horse from the day it was born. And that was a catch Saylor was more than okay with.
Saylor and her mother walked up the gravel road toward the low building at the end of the drive. Saylor knew from her research that it was the administrative building. The outside had been designed to resemble a barn, with wide double doors front and center, and a line of windows to either side with shutters that looked like stall doors. Most were open to admit the warm autumn sunshine. The wood panelling was even painted red and white, with gold lettering over the door that read Champion Equestrian Academy. Saylor felt a little thrill reading it.
There was a honk behind them, and Saylor and her mother had to move right over to the side of the road to let a car - a fancy grey Lexus - go by. The vehicle barely slowed as it passed them, kicking up dust as it went. Saylor coughed as her mother waved some of the dust away.
"What jerks," she muttered.
"Now, now," her mother admonished lightly. "We are running late. Clearly, they are too."
Saylor sighed but didn't argue.
They reached the end of the drive, where the road circled a large hedge in the shape of a jumping horse. According to a sign they passed, the roundabout was for drop-off and pick-up purposes only. The little side road that veered to the right was for academy personnel only. Saylor assumed it led to a parking lot.
At the front door of the administrative building, they were just in time to see a tall, elegantly dressed woman walk out of the open doors and climb into the back of the Lexus. She didn't even notice them. A moment later, the car was speeding away, kicking up more dust. This time, Saylor bit her tongue on any unfriendly comments she had.
Inside was a finely appointed lobby. A red and gold carpet led the way to the front desk. To the left and right were cushioned seats around glass coffee tables, upon which were horse and riding apparel magazines. Hallways led off to either side. The room was lovely, but completely empty.
Saylor's stomach sank. "We're not that late, are we?" She turned in place, looking for a clock and finding one on the wall above the door. Registration was at 10 AM. It was seven minutes after.
"Oh." Saylor turned back around at the unfamiliar voice. A woman had appeared from the right side hallway. She wore a long skirt and blazer, her red hair pinned up in a bun. She stepped behind the front desk, looking from Saylor to her mother and back again. "May I help you?"
"Yes." Saylor's mother stepped up to the desk. "I'm Madeline Lincoln, and this is my daughter Saylor. She's this year's scholarship student. Here's her letter of approval, and all her health and school records, as requested."
As her mother busied herself pulling out all the papers, it was only Saylor who noticed the shocked look on the receptionist's face, there and gone in a blink. The woman - the name tag on the desk said Ashley - looked over all the documents Saylor's mother had brought, lingering longest, Saylor noticed, on her letter of approval.
Finally, after what felt like ages, Ashley nodded. "Everything seems to be in order. I'll show Saylor to the orientation room. Mrs. Lincoln -"
"Just Ms," she corrected with a smile.
Ashley nodded. "Ms. Lincoln, would you mind waiting here for a few minutes with Saylor's belongings?"
"Of course." Her mother took the handle of the rolling suitcase from her, then accepted the backpack she shrugged off her shoulders.
Ashley smiled at her, but it looked strained. "Right this way, Saylor."
Saylor followed Ashley down the right side hallway without a word, casting only a brief glance back at her mother. She smiled and waved, but Saylor couldn't bring herself to smile back. A bad feeling had been creeping over her from the moment she entered and saw the empty waiting room, and it was increasing with every step down the hallway.
There were four doors, two on the left and two on the right. Ashley went to the second door on the left. She knocked once, then poked her head in. "Dean Adams? I'm sorry to interrupt, but could I have a word?"
There was a beat of silence, and then a man stepped out into the hall. He was tall, with silver streaked black hair. His eyes were clear and sharp as they fastened on Saylor before flicking to Ashley. "Ashley?"
The receptionist cleared her throat, but when she spoke she leaned in and her words were too soft for Saylor to hear. There was no mistaking the shock that flashed across Dean Adams' face, however. He listened a moment more, nodding slightly, then straightened. "Thank you, Ashley. I will look into this."
Ashley nodded and headed back down the hall toward the waiting room, leaving Saylor alone with the dean.
She glanced up at him to find he was staring down at her with a slight frown. It cleared the moment he caught her gaze and was replaced with a genuine, if not slightly confused, smile. "Welcome to Champion Equestrian. It's Saylor, yes?"
"Yes, sir." Saylor wasn't typically one for honorifics, but Dean Adams seemed like the type who would appreciate it, maybe even earn it in her eyes.
"Nice to meet you, Saylor. I'm Dean Peter Adams. The principle, if you will." He reached out and opened the door he had come out of. "Here. Join your classmates, and let the coach know I'll be back once I settle the matter."
Saylor couldn't help asking, "What matter?"
But he only said, "She'll know." Then he headed down the hallway after Ashley.
Something was definitely wrong. Saylor knew it without a doubt now. Part of her was afraid to enter the room, but she pulled in a deep breath and let it out slowly. She stepped inside.
It was a classroom of sorts. A projector was set up, directed at the wall on the right. An older woman stood beside it, in front of the shuttered window. Her brows rose when Saylor entered but she said nothing. The other half of the room was taken up by six desks set up in two rows of three. A line of backpacks and suitcases occupied the wall behind the desks, and every single one was occupied by a student.
Saylor's stomach sank to her toes. Six desks. Six students. The maximum number of students admitted per year. She made seven. And that meant...
I knew it. I knew it was all too good to be true.
She wasn't supposed to be here.
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Jan 15, 2024 18:16:04 GMT -5
Lori did her best to pay attention to the teacher as she began the slideshow for the class. They had only just started, and while the class wasn't that big, she was finding it hard to focus. Not because she was bored, or the others were distracting, but because she wasn't very good at learning sitting still. Not just here, but at her old school too. She had some of her fidgeting items with her, but since it was the first day, at a much fancier school, she wasn't sure if she would be allowed to use them. And she certainly didn't want to ask beforehand and draw attention to herself. Now she wished she had suffered the ten seconds of embarrassment.
She had been fine all morning. In fact, she would have said things were more than great. She had been so excited to finally get to go to Champion Equestrian Academy. Ever since she found out that there was a school that focused on riding and showing, she had been working as much as she could to get to attend. Her parents supported her, but they also made sure she knew that the school was small and would only be able to accept a handful of students. But despite those odds, she had set her sights on being a student there one day.
Money, of course, was also a factor, and Lori was well aware that the price for tuition was more than her family could afford. But her parents saw that this dream of hers wasn't going to fade, so they struck her a deal: if she proved and worked hard to meet the criteria for enrollment, they would also work to save up for the tuition or apply for the scholarship. And that was that. For the past two years, she worked hard to improve in her lessons and found a way to balance both her homework and her time at the barn. She even helped put the money she received from birthdays and holidays into the saving pool that would buy her a ticket into the school.
In the end, they hadn't needed the savings. Luck had been on her side as she received the acceptance letter in the mail, telling her she had won the scholarship. She smiled slightly at the memory of that day, but quickly hid it. She didn't want to be marked as the weird kid before the day had even properly begun. It was difficult, but she managed. Although, she wished that the hectic rush of the morning was back, just because it gave her something to do. Either packing, or eating, or making sure that all of her stuff was where it needed to be.
But that part was over. Now was the time for the actual school portion to commence. First school, then the horses. The smile fought its way back to her lips at the promise of getting to meet and ride the horse she would be assigned for the rest of the year. Yet when the door to the room opened, it faded a bit to confusion. On the other side stood a girl their ages, but she couldn't be a student, right? All the seats were filled, and no one had mentioned anything about there being a seventh student this year. Or had she simply missed that announcement?
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Jan 15, 2024 18:57:35 GMT -5
Fighting to remain calm, Saylor turned her focus to the teacher and spoke as clearly as she could. “Dean Adams told me to join my classmates and that he’d be back once he settled the matter.”
She had been hoping the teacher might say something to explain what “matter” he was settling, but her brows simply rose higher before she nodded. “Well, go join them, then. Standing room only, I’m afraid.”
Saylor nodded and walked to the back corner, finding a clear spot to lean against the wall without stepping on anyone’s luggage. She stuck her hands in her hoodie pocket and stared resolutely at the projection screen.
The teacher cleared her throat. “I guess I’ll start over. My name is Grace, and I will be your riding coach for the next four years, so you better get used to my ugly mug.”
Saylor blinked. Grace wasn’t ugly. If anything, she was average. Her face was clear but weather worn, the sign of someone who spent most of her time outdoors, in all weather. Her brown hair showed no sign of gray yet, and was pinned to her nape in a simple ponytail. Her hazel eyes were bright and piercing, with a gaze that never stopped moving and seemed to miss nothing.
Grace continued. “I’m sure you’re all eager to get to the fun stuff, but first you’re all going to introduce yourselves, since you’ll be spending the next four years together. Then we’re going to go over the Academy rules and your schedules. Then I will be taking you on a tour of campus - because God forbid anyone gets lost - and then it’ll be time for lunch. After that, if no one does anything stupid, you’ll get to meet some horses. Any questions?”
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Jan 15, 2024 19:13:03 GMT -5
( It's not class, just orientation.  )
"I'm glad you asked." Grace didn't sound glad. "Breaking the rules we will soon go over is one thing. Getting on my nerves is another. Need I go on?"
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Jan 15, 2024 19:28:11 GMT -5
"Perfect. Now. Introductions. Tell everyone your name, how long you’ve been riding, and your number one goal for the year. Let’s start with you.” Grace pointed to the student in the front left seat, closest to the window. “Ready? Go.”
The girl looked irritated, either at going first or being pointed at, but she sat up straighter in her seat and tossed her long, dark brown braid over her shoulder. “My name is Khloe Farthingale. I’ve been riding since I was six, and my goal here is to win the fourth-year event and study abroad, like my sister.”
“Your sister?” Grace’s brow furrowed. “Kriss Farthingale? Fourth-year?”
Khloe smiled. “Yes.”
Grace didn’t look impressed. “She hasn’t won the fourth-year event.”
“Not yet,” Khloe admitted. “But she will. She’s top of her year.”
“Yes. She’s also the student with the highest lameness reports for her horse over the last three years.”
Khloe frowned. “So?”
Grace’s eyes narrowed a touch, and then she looked away and pinned her gaze on the student in the middle front seat, a girl with a pixie cut. “Your turn,” she said. “Go.”
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Jan 15, 2024 21:23:44 GMT -5
When it was her turn, Lori suddenly felt a little nervous. She never liked speaking in front of a class, and now wasn't an exception, even if there was only seven other people in the room. "Um, my name is Laura Kennedy, but I go by Lori," she started, not really sure who to look at while she spoke. "I've been riding for two years. My aunt is an event rider, so she taught me most of what I know. And my goal here is to try to improve my skills and hopefully get the chance to study abroad."
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Jan 15, 2024 21:40:43 GMT -5
"And last but not least." Grace turned her piercing gaze to the corner. Saylor tried not to cringe. "What's your story, lucky seven?"
Saylor cleared her throat. "My name is Saylor Lincoln. I've been working for lessons at my local riding stable for almost four years now. And I hope to become a champion with my own horse."
Silence followed her introduction. Grace was looking from one student to another, eyes assessing. "It's my job to help you all achieve your goals. I won't succeed, not for all of you, but you can be damned sure I will do my best until then. Can I expect the same from all of you?"
From her view in the back, Saylor saw multiple heads nodding. She did the same. Not to be one of them, but because she would try her best until the day she couldn't anymore.
"Good." Satisfied, Grace turned to the projector. Currently, it was displaying a Welcome to Champion Equestrian Academy banner, with three images below, all horses and riders. One showed the pair in a Dressage pose, the bay's grace and power coming through even in a still image. The second was a sweaty chestnut clearing a hedge fence that was almost bigger than the horse was. And the third was a grey in the midst of a take-off, about to jump a double oxer.
“Alright, the rules.” Grace pointed a remote at the projector and the screen switched to display the first rule. “All students must adhere to CEA’s dress code,” Grace read aloud. “Said dress code consists of pants and shirts of your choice during school hours. No skirts, shorts, or dresses at any time, except school dances and awards ceremonies. Closed toe shoes must be worn everywhere. For riding, or any other lesson that includes handling horses, I expect you to be in breeches, riding boots, and helmets. Gloves are optional. The school will provide each of you with the proper riding gear if you need it. Just submit a request at the front desk on your way out. Clear?”
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Jan 16, 2024 20:01:13 GMT -5
Grace noticed the look and pointed her remote at him. "Don't even start, young man," she warned. Then she turned back to the projector before he had a chance to start anything.
Another click, and rule four replaced number three. “Personally, I don’t think we should need this rule, seeing as none of you can drive or pull a trailer, but there have been idiots — I mean students — in previous years who have tried to ride off into the sunset with their horse. Thus, rule number four: horses may not be taken off-property for any reason except for Academy approved excursions. Those excursions include off-property competitions — you will be going to six this year, if none of you do stupid things—” She looked directly at David. “—and get those privileges revoked. We will also be going on off-property trail rides, and to extra shows — not for you to compete, but for you and your horses to gain some experience without the pressure. It will also be good for you to see professionals at work.
“And while we’re on the topic of shows and competitions…” Grace flipped the projector to the next slide. “Rule five: you all require a minimum of four off-property competition marks to proceed to year two at this Academy. You do not need to win, or even place well, in these competitions to get marks; you simply need to compete. And as I just mentioned, you will get six opportunities to compete. However, those opportunities can and will be revoked if you get enough detention merrits to warrant an exclusion. Everything making sense so far?”
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Jan 16, 2024 20:57:25 GMT -5
Just before Grace moved on, Shay suddenly raised his hand and asked, "What's the difference between on property competitions and off-property ones?"
"Ah, I'm glad you asked." Grace crossed her arms. "On property, I'm the judge and jury. Off-property, I'm just your coach. On property, it does matter how you place. In other words, it's me you want to impress this year, not the snobs they choose to judge on the circuit. Got it, peeps?"
Shay's lips twitched. "Got it. Thank you."
"You're welcome," Grace said, even 6 waving him off. "Any more questions?"
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