SEA Soldier Boy OLD REFERENCE

>>NEW REFERENCE<<
SEA Soldier Boy

>>STORY<<

Will woke up at the sound of someone calling her name from downstairs, and she opened her eyes grumpily. What time was it? She glanced at her alarm clock then let out a loud, irritated groan, turning away. Who was trying to wake her at 7 A.M.?!
"Will!" the voice, belonging to Shadow, called again. Will paused, then threw back the covers and slid out of bed.
"What?" she yelled back grumpily, straightening out and grabbing her hairbrush. Shadow came up the stairs and appeared in her doorway.
"Come on, get dressed. I've got a surprise for you," he said, leaning against the frame and smiling at her. She glanced at him, then, seeing a mischievous smirk on his face, quickly gathered her stuff and headed to the bathroom. She got dressed and ready, then quickly came out again.
"What is it?" she frowned. Shadow led the way down the stairs and out of the house, which was quiet with Rush and Joachim away. Will followed him through the comfortably warm morning air, glancing around at the misty hills as they headed to the barns. She expected Shadow to walk into one but he passed right by them and onto the fields.
"Where are we going?" she asked, jogging to catch up with him again.
"Somewhere," he grinned, throwing her a sideways glance. They stopped by one of the fields. Will could see the shape of a horse in the distance and, though she didn't recognize it, decided it was probably one of the SEA horses. Shadow opened the fence into the field, then closed it behind them before approaching the horse.
"We got through most of the deal," he started, "You've already exchanged your phone and I kept my promise and took you to London with me." Will looked at him suspiciously; what was he getting at?
"Now I just need to get you comfortable with horses and we'll be all good, hmm?" Shadow chuckled, pulling his hand through his hair, which was down today. It hung around his shoulders like a lion's mane, and he took out an elastic and braided it back. By now the pony was walking towards them and Will could see it was definitely new.
"So I decided to pick up a cute little pony for you," Shadow finished as they came to a stop by the pony. Will stared at him in disbelief.
"I don't want a horse though," she squeaked, glancing at the cute Haflinger pony nervously. Shadow smiled.
"Not yet, no," he said gently, "But it'll be good for you. Anyways, he's still technically mine, you'll just take care of him for now." Will hesitated. Shadow was scratching the pony's neck silently, still smiling at her, and finally she took a nervous step forward, stretching out her hand. She carefully put her hand on the other side of the pony's neck and rubbed it. The pony merely let out a content sigh, his ears relaxed and his eyelids drooping.
"I have to take care of him, huh?" she asked, smiling a little bit as she moved down along his back slowly.
"Yup," Shadow nodded, watching her. She glanced at him and a small blush crept across her cheeks, causing her to duck her head and look away again.
"That sounds good," she mumbled.
"Great. Let's bring him in and we can take him for a ride," Shadow decided merrily, and he started walking away. Will quickly jogged after him and, to her surprise, the pony followed at a distance obediently.
"What's his name?" she asked.
"Gunnar," Shadow replied, glancing over his shoulder, "His show name's Soldier Boy."
"That's cute," Will smiled happily, looking at her feet. Shadow turned his gaze back ahead of them.
"Glad you like it," he chuckled, "Considering he's pretty much yours now."

Tools used: Paint Tool Sai and PC Mouse
Time: Approx. 4 hours
Reference: Summerlight Haflinger Horse Stock by LuDa-Stock