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Pain - an unpleasant sensory or emotional experience associated with actual or potential damage.

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It was a few days before Lillian would leave the stables for good.
She had managed to contact the Zdarloch staff to ask them for advice. Or rather if they knew of a boarding stable supporting dressage riders. The topic of Stridsholt Dressage came up. One led to the other and Lillian had a perspective again. She could even live on the property and bring Virgo with her.
It all happened in a matter of days. Her colleagues and quite surprisingly her father too, were a little shocked by Lillian's "sudden" decision. She did not bother to explain it and just left them to do their own math.

The only hard part about the whole situation was explaining everything to Sheila. Shay wasn't there when Lillian told the others and talking about it over the phone really wasn't what she wanted. Her remaining option was to catch her quickly enough when she returned from the competition with Roxana.

The coming sunday evening Sheila arrived back at the stables.
Lillian was succesful in grabbing her for a quick talk, before anyone else noticed.
"Congratulations. Matt send me the videos of your rounds. Roxy looked awesome." Lillian said with a hesitant smile and hugged her best friend.
"Thanks bestie. Matt was SO annoying, but I survived it. Anything spectacular while I was gone?"
"Actually, yes. I need to tell you something..." Lillian had trouble finding the right words.
"You're pregnant?! Oh sh*t. Who's the..."
"No no, I hope you do not think that seriously."
"Well, I considered it for a moment. You tend to keep a lot of things from me in recent times."
Sheila was horribly serious when she spoke those last few words. Her whole body language told Lillian things wouldn't get easier.
"I'll make this quick: I'm leaving."
"Wait, what?" The expression on the redhead's face was going from serious to disbelief.
"I'm going to board at Stridsholt. Arkady and Cat will be coming with me. I don't know for how long that'll be. Maybe a few months, maybe years. I need to get out of this mess Shay. I can't stand dad any longer, I can't stand those idiots denouncing me and people I considered friends talking behind my back anymore. It's too much."
"Stridsholt? That stable the woman at the training event was talking about? In Denmark?" Sheila's voice was quiet and actually collected.
"Yes. I've talked to the people at Zdarloch and they pointed me at Stridsholt. I've been there and saw the property. It's beautiful. I'll have time to focus on MY career and finally work with a trainer who cares for the things I do. Cyril wasn't exactly interested in getting my horses anywere."
"I really don't know what to say about this. I really don't."

There wasn't a lot which could have been done to prevent Sheila from being disappointed. Lillian did not go after her best friend when she left. Sheila would calm down and if she didn't: So be it. This time Lillian wouldn't put other people's wellbeing over her own. Not even for her best friend.

---

The last few days before Lillian's departure were difficult. Everyone seemed to be salty. It was something Lillian did not understand in the slightest, but for once she struck back and she noticed how her snide remarks hurt some of them. Usually she would not bother to be mean, but reflecting their own behavior was something 'Lil' was fine with for once.

---

Lillian's POV

It was such a strange feeling when I saddled Arky and led him to our very last lesson at Calluna Crown. The day after tomorrow we would leave for Stridsholt. I surprised myself so many times during these past days. I'm really looking forward to our journey there.
"Quit daydreaming and get your butt up that horse." Cyril's voice rang in my ears.
It made me want to turn around and just go, but that was probably what he wanted. The desire to load the horses into the trailer and leave right away was awfully strong. In hindsight, that's what I should have done. Maybe the following scenes wouldn't have happened...

Arkady was tense and I couldn't really motivate him to loosen up. He was such an easy ride usually. Cyril did not really pay attention to me, I was used to that, but when he looked our direction he made inappropriate remarks about my riding and Arkady. I was SO happy I wouldn't have to listen to his voice anymore.

---

I admit, I was busy with my own thoughts. Busy with dreaming about Stridholt and my future there. Too busy to notice just how uncomfortable Arkady was. It was only when my head banged against the wall of the indoor arena that I was very awake and very much in the moment. I had never felt so 'present' before.
And Arkady? My stallion basically sat there on his butt, looking at me with wide eyes. I giggled. It was such a surreal situation. I couldn't cry about it, so I laughed.
I laughed until I noticed Arkady couldn't stand up. I went quiet. Now I felt like crying, but I couldn't. I pulled at the reins, shoved him, tried everything I could think of. I pulled until Cyril got my frantically moving self under control.
"LILLIAN!" He basically screamed into my ear. I hadn't heard his previous attempts at getting my attention.
I was panting from trying to get my horse to stand up. Even with Cyril's and Ezio's help, I couldn't move Arky.

The vet took 21 minutes and 45 seconds to get to us. Don't ask me why I know the exact time.
The diagnosis hit me like a truck. Arkady would need back surgery. Either that or he'd need to be put down, because the issue wouldn't reverse itself and he couldn't live for long just sitting there.
"How good is the prognosis?" I asked quietly.
"It's actually really good. Anesthesia is always a risk, but once the issue around the vertebra is fixed, he will be totally fine. After a few months recovery time he can be ridden as usual and competitions won't be a problem either."
"I do not care about any anesthesia risks. He's dead without surgery anyways." Tears made their way down my face. I decided on the spot he'd go to the clinic. Arky was my partner in crime. I wouldn't just let him die.
After Arkady was somehow loaded into the trailer and left for the clinic, Sheila and Ezio instructed me to go to the hospital. I was glad both of them accompanied me, even though Ezio and I had our differences and Shay hadn't talked to me during the past few days.
Despite a few bruises there was nothing out of order.

---

On the ride home I felt like saying so many things, but I couldn't speak. My throat felt constricted.
"Thank you and I'm sorry." That's what I could say even though I wanted to elaborate.
"Don't force yourself. Forget our fight. I was childish. I should have been happy for you." Sheila said with a smile.
Ezio nodded. "I'm not bringing up our various problems, don't worry. I'm sorry. I mean it. Maybe we can fix things in the future."
For a brief moment I was happy and thankful for their kindness. Then my thoughts returned to Arkady.

---

I couldn't sleep that night. I spend it with Virgo sleeping on my legs while I watched Netflix. I waited for the call. The call that would either bring me joy or sorrow.

When my phone finally rang, I had almost dosed off to a slumber. Over 24 hours without sleep weren't for me.
"Lillian Kronfeld, hello?"
"Miss Kronfeld, the surgery was finished without a problem. The stallion is waking up now. We'll continue to monitor him."
"Can I visit him this afternoon?"
"Of course. We will notify you, should there be any difficulties."
"Thank you."

I cried again. Yet it was because I was relieved and incredibly happy.

------------------------------

Even though the surgery was succesful and Arkady could stand on his legs again, he would not be able to move to Stridsholt with Lillian. It was a hard decision, but Lillian would leave Arkady at CCrS, where he could recover without stress. She'd visit him regularly. It would take months for him to be rideable again. Moving him to another facility he had never seen before was unreasonable and would most likely endanger his healing process.

- Featured in the picture -
Horse: LCEC Arkady
Human: Lillian Kronfeld

Arkady, Lillian, CCrS staff © - Brainem
Stridsholt, Zdarloch Sejrbank and respective staff © - Zoubstance
Reference © - LuDa-Stock
Reference © - Horses--Stock

I'm sorry. I rewrite this story a bit, but have the next piece of the plot. Arky will be fine, don't worry.

Description

Pain - an unpleasant sensory or emotional experience associated with actual or potential damage.

Previous || Next

It was a few days before Lillian would leave the stables for good.
She had managed to contact the Zdarloch staff to ask them for advice. Or rather if they knew of a boarding stable supporting dressage riders. The topic of Stridsholt Dressage came up. One led to the other and Lillian had a perspective again. She could even live on the property and bring Virgo with her.
It all happened in a matter of days. Her colleagues and quite surprisingly her father too, were a little shocked by Lillian's "sudden" decision. She did not bother to explain it and just left them to do their own math.

The only hard part about the whole situation was explaining everything to Sheila. Shay wasn't there when Lillian told the others and talking about it over the phone really wasn't what she wanted. Her remaining option was to catch her quickly enough when she returned from the competition with Roxana.

The coming sunday evening Sheila arrived back at the stables.
Lillian was succesful in grabbing her for a quick talk, before anyone else noticed.
"Congratulations. Matt send me the videos of your rounds. Roxy looked awesome." Lillian said with a hesitant smile and hugged her best friend.
"Thanks bestie. Matt was SO annoying, but I survived it. Anything spectacular while I was gone?"
"Actually, yes. I need to tell you something..." Lillian had trouble finding the right words.
"You're pregnant?! Oh sh*t. Who's the..."
"No no, I hope you do not think that seriously."
"Well, I considered it for a moment. You tend to keep a lot of things from me in recent times."
Sheila was horribly serious when she spoke those last few words. Her whole body language told Lillian things wouldn't get easier.
"I'll make this quick: I'm leaving."
"Wait, what?" The expression on the redhead's face was going from serious to disbelief.
"I'm going to board at Stridsholt. Arkady and Cat will be coming with me. I don't know for how long that'll be. Maybe a few months, maybe years. I need to get out of this mess Shay. I can't stand dad any longer, I can't stand those idiots denouncing me and people I considered friends talking behind my back anymore. It's too much."
"Stridsholt? That stable the woman at the training event was talking about? In Denmark?" Sheila's voice was quiet and actually collected.
"Yes. I've talked to the people at Zdarloch and they pointed me at Stridsholt. I've been there and saw the property. It's beautiful. I'll have time to focus on MY career and finally work with a trainer who cares for the things I do. Cyril wasn't exactly interested in getting my horses anywere."
"I really don't know what to say about this. I really don't."

There wasn't a lot which could have been done to prevent Sheila from being disappointed. Lillian did not go after her best friend when she left. Sheila would calm down and if she didn't: So be it. This time Lillian wouldn't put other people's wellbeing over her own. Not even for her best friend.

---

The last few days before Lillian's departure were difficult. Everyone seemed to be salty. It was something Lillian did not understand in the slightest, but for once she struck back and she noticed how her snide remarks hurt some of them. Usually she would not bother to be mean, but reflecting their own behavior was something 'Lil' was fine with for once.

---

Lillian's POV

It was such a strange feeling when I saddled Arky and led him to our very last lesson at Calluna Crown. The day after tomorrow we would leave for Stridsholt. I surprised myself so many times during these past days. I'm really looking forward to our journey there.
"Quit daydreaming and get your butt up that horse." Cyril's voice rang in my ears.
It made me want to turn around and just go, but that was probably what he wanted. The desire to load the horses into the trailer and leave right away was awfully strong. In hindsight, that's what I should have done. Maybe the following scenes wouldn't have happened...

Arkady was tense and I couldn't really motivate him to loosen up. He was such an easy ride usually. Cyril did not really pay attention to me, I was used to that, but when he looked our direction he made inappropriate remarks about my riding and Arkady. I was SO happy I wouldn't have to listen to his voice anymore.

---

I admit, I was busy with my own thoughts. Busy with dreaming about Stridholt and my future there. Too busy to notice just how uncomfortable Arkady was. It was only when my head banged against the wall of the indoor arena that I was very awake and very much in the moment. I had never felt so 'present' before.
And Arkady? My stallion basically sat there on his butt, looking at me with wide eyes. I giggled. It was such a surreal situation. I couldn't cry about it, so I laughed.
I laughed until I noticed Arkady couldn't stand up. I went quiet. Now I felt like crying, but I couldn't. I pulled at the reins, shoved him, tried everything I could think of. I pulled until Cyril got my frantically moving self under control.
"LILLIAN!" He basically screamed into my ear. I hadn't heard his previous attempts at getting my attention.
I was panting from trying to get my horse to stand up. Even with Cyril's and Ezio's help, I couldn't move Arky.

The vet took 21 minutes and 45 seconds to get to us. Don't ask me why I know the exact time.
The diagnosis hit me like a truck. Arkady would need back surgery. Either that or he'd need to be put down, because the issue wouldn't reverse itself and he couldn't live for long just sitting there.
"How good is the prognosis?" I asked quietly.
"It's actually really good. Anesthesia is always a risk, but once the issue around the vertebra is fixed, he will be totally fine. After a few months recovery time he can be ridden as usual and competitions won't be a problem either."
"I do not care about any anesthesia risks. He's dead without surgery anyways." Tears made their way down my face. I decided on the spot he'd go to the clinic. Arky was my partner in crime. I wouldn't just let him die.
After Arkady was somehow loaded into the trailer and left for the clinic, Sheila and Ezio instructed me to go to the hospital. I was glad both of them accompanied me, even though Ezio and I had our differences and Shay hadn't talked to me during the past few days.
Despite a few bruises there was nothing out of order.

---

On the ride home I felt like saying so many things, but I couldn't speak. My throat felt constricted.
"Thank you and I'm sorry." That's what I could say even though I wanted to elaborate.
"Don't force yourself. Forget our fight. I was childish. I should have been happy for you." Sheila said with a smile.
Ezio nodded. "I'm not bringing up our various problems, don't worry. I'm sorry. I mean it. Maybe we can fix things in the future."
For a brief moment I was happy and thankful for their kindness. Then my thoughts returned to Arkady.

---

I couldn't sleep that night. I spend it with Virgo sleeping on my legs while I watched Netflix. I waited for the call. The call that would either bring me joy or sorrow.

When my phone finally rang, I had almost dosed off to a slumber. Over 24 hours without sleep weren't for me.
"Lillian Kronfeld, hello?"
"Miss Kronfeld, the surgery was finished without a problem. The stallion is waking up now. We'll continue to monitor him."
"Can I visit him this afternoon?"
"Of course. We will notify you, should there be any difficulties."
"Thank you."

I cried again. Yet it was because I was relieved and incredibly happy.

------------------------------

Even though the surgery was succesful and Arkady could stand on his legs again, he would not be able to move to Stridsholt with Lillian. It was a hard decision, but Lillian would leave Arkady at CCrS, where he could recover without stress. She'd visit him regularly. It would take months for him to be rideable again. Moving him to another facility he had never seen before was unreasonable and would most likely endanger his healing process.

- Featured in the picture -
Horse: LCEC Arkady
Human: Lillian Kronfeld

Arkady, Lillian, CCrS staff © - Brainem
Stridsholt, Zdarloch Sejrbank and respective staff © - Zoubstance
Reference © - LuDa-Stock
Reference © - Horses--Stock

I'm sorry. I rewrite this story a bit, but have the next piece of the plot. Arky will be fine, don't worry.