{{Flying Changes}}

[x.Ella Volter.x]

He stood, quite glad that he had made Kristy happy. Already she was sort of forming into his younger sister. "Well, how about we go meet Ella first, and we'll see what she thinks. I promise she won't tell," he said, knowing that would probably mean something to her. He remembered when life almost revolved around promises, and if you broke them you were an outcast. It wasn't like that much now, but it still could happen.

[Kristy Ruscoti]

She nodded and followed him out the door and around to the horse trailer where Ella and the colt stood. She stared at him for a while then turned her attention to Ella, and once again became familiar with how bad she must look. Without any clothes...or anything that could make you look nice at all, she felt like a slum. She did manage to find a stream where she washed her face that morning..but that didnt help her much now.

[x.Ella Volter.x]

The owner of the farm was feeding her new wonderful colt Dani a carrot when the other two approached. He was tied loosely to the trailer with a maroon sheet covering the most of his body. Ella tucked a lock of hair that was flying in the wind behind her ear before turning to Jarred and the newer girl. "Hi! My name's Ella. I think you're Kristy, from what Jarred told me. Am I right?" she said, holding out her right hand. She was very outgoing by nature.

Jarred smiled at Ella, and thought that while those two got acquainted he would check out the new horse. He smiled to the both of them and gave Kristy a small squeeze on the shoulder, telling her it would be all right. He went over to where the colt stood tied. He was definately one good piece of horse flesh! His bloodlines must be amazing! Jarred thought excitedly to himself. He unbuckled the light sheet laying on the colt's broad back to get a better look. Wow, great muscles and good, long, sturdy legs for racing. A nice looking chest that would take on longer distances well, and a nicely proportioned neck and head. He definately looked to be a winner.

[Kristy Ruscoti]

Kristy looked at Jarred as he left to look at the horse. Then she turned back to Ella. "Yeah...I'm Kristy. Nice to meet you" she taking her hand. She then turned to the horse. And he was beautiful. He was large, and looked sturdy. And he was very well trained and worked hard. She could tell by how his muscles were so toned. She smiled to herself then looked back up at Ella, only after meeting Jarred's eye

[x.Ella Volter.x]

Ella took the girl's hand in her calloused one and grinned. She seemed eager to work, and that was a good trait of a horseperson. Turning to both her employed jockey and soon-to-be employed hand she said, "Well, how does he look? Sired by the all famous stallion Dani Vegas, there's not much he doesn't have." Ella took a step to rub the colt's nose. He would do the farm well, she was definately sure of that.

Jarred nodded and walked a little ways from the colt. He smiled at Ella, telling her that she had made a good choice for Sparrow Ridge. He then turned to Kristy and asked, ''Well, what do you think of Dani?" He knew what her answer would probably be, but asked none the less.

[Kristy Ruscoti]

"He's wonderful" She said, answering Jarred's question. She watched the horse graze a bit as Jarred and Ella talked about him. She took a step towards him. And she stroked him gently on the neck. She smiled slightly and looked him over better. She just loved chestnut horses. She wasnt sure why, but she did.

[x.Ella Volter.x]

Jarred smiled at her response. He had to tell Ella their plan. The young man glanced down at the ground and shoved his hands in his pockets before looking up to Ella, then Kristy, then Ella again. "Hey Ella. Kristy wants a job here, but there's sorta a problem..." he said, his voice trailing off. He wanted to see if Kristy would want him to explain. He knew how hard it must be for her to say what she did to someone she just met. But, if she wanted this job and a place to live, she would have to tell Ella.

Ella wondered what Jarred was making somewhat of a fuss about. She looked at his face, trying to read what he needed to say. She didn't frown, but looked confused as her jockey talked. "Well, I think we can work around it. What would that be, Kristy?" she asked kindly. She really didn't want to put the girl on the "spot," but she needed to know before employing her.

[Kristy Ruscoti]

She watched as Jarred somewhat struggled with telling Ella. Then, when she asked her what the problem is, she hesitated. She sighed, she hadn't told Jarred everything. but now she kinda felt like blurting it all out. "Well," she began with difficulty. "I don't have parents. Or any kind of relation here. They are all in California. I...I ran away from my mom after she killed my dad." she said. She felt tears welting in her eyes, but held them back with somewhat ease. "But i only ran away...because she doesn't love me. And dont say "Im sure she does" because she doesn't. She abused me. I have bruises to prove it." she said. But she made no moves to show them..only if she wanted to see them. "And she didn't feed me. I didn't get to go to school because i had to take care of her everyday..because she spent all night drinking and gambling. And she's always abused me. Since i was born. She wanted a boy. My dad tried to stop her, but that only got him killed..." she said. Now the tears were tearing at her eyes. Ready to be realised any second. But, she kept them back.

[x.Ella Volter.x]

Right away Ella found that it wasn't going to be a problem the could just "work around". As the explanation progressed, Ella felt like hugging Kristy. That would not be the best way to grow up. Wouldn't she live in fear that her mother would kill her too? The woman shook her head subtly feeling so bad. She would gladly take her in as a boarder or whatever. "Kristy... I'm so sorry..." she whispered stepping forward and looking into the girl's teary eyes. She didn't know if it was all right, but she couldn't do anything but hug her. Ella understood. Not fully, but almost.

Jarred thought Ella would receive the same explanation he had gotten, but it turned out otherwise. He felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. That would suck so bad to have a mom like that... This made Jarred realize how lucky he was to have the mom he did. Come to think of it, he should probably call her. "Kristy, it's very brave of you to tell us this..." he said, feeling a little dumb. He didn't know what else to say.

[Kristy Ruscoti]

She hugged Ella back, still suppressing tears. She sighed and looked at Jarred. "Couldn't keep it in forever.." she said looking down. Then she glanced at the horse again. "Sorry..if I've made you feel bad for me. Really, that's the last thing i want to happen. All i want is a home...and work...prefurably with horses." she looked down. "Maybe some new clothes." she only half joked.

[x.Ella Volter.x]

Ella stepped back as she listened to Kristy's next words. She smiled warmly. "You have all that here at Sparrow Ridge. All of it, including the new clothes," she said with a slight giggle. The owner supposed the teen could take the loft in the filly barn. That was pretty nice, and there was even a full bathroom in the office that she could have.

Jarred nodded. He knew that Ella would handle it from then on. It would be better if she did. "I'll let you two decide on the things in order here. I'll take this guy into the barn," he said. He undid the quick release knot holding the patient colt to the trailer. With a wave and a smile, he headed to the colt barn to prepare a stall for Dani Vegas.

[Kristy Ruscoti]

She nodded. "Thats great" she said smiling. She was glad that they accepted her. Glad that they were allowing her to stay. And weren't going to tell anyone where she was. Then she thought of the police. "Oh...I left California like a week ago. Within another week or so im sure my mom is going to have the whole country looking for me...." she said hesitently. She wasn't sure how long she was going to get away with hiding. Her mom still had a bit of money from her dad's racehorse. She was sure she was going to file a missing persons report soon.

[x.Ella Volter.x]

Ella gave a quick wave to her jockey as he led a beautiful colt to the barn, then turned her full attention to Kristy again. She nodded. Yep, there were always the techicalities, and this was one of them. "Well... I suggest calling her up and leaving a message that you're okay. If need be, I can reason with her, too," the woman said understandingly. Hopefully this horrible person would be glad to have her child off her hands. Either that, or send for her immediately. The latter could be dangerous for Ella, Jarred, and Kristy. Especially Kristy. But the police would know... They would know child abuse was taking place.

[Kristy Ruscoti]

"Right..." She said. She wasnt too keen on calling her mom. If she did...she definitly wasnt telling her where she was. There was no way. No how. But she was glad she was here now. And glad she had a job. Then it hit her. "What kind of job am i getting? Stable hand?" she asked. Maybe she would be an exersize rider too. That would be neat. But then again, just cleaning up after horses was her idea of "fun" Riding was a huge bonus though.

[x.Ella Volter.x]

Ella laughed softly as she replied "right...". It was a good answer if you had just been told you had to talk to your mean mother. "We'll figure that out later," she said, eyes sparkling. The young woman listened as Kristy inquired about her job. "If you had to be given a title, yes, stablehand would probably be it. But you would really just help wherever need be. Normally it's just Jarred and I doing the morning and evening chores, so your help would be much appreciated," she said as she thought of yesterday evening's struggle with Ben and getting him to the pasture. "You could also help longe and exercise the horses when you feel ready. We do dressage as a cross-training to keep our horse's focus and balance. You could do that, too!" she said. It was a pain having to ride three fiesty young horses in a collected trot while a race was being announced a while off.