Lost Love and Guilt.

Babs and Money came to North America because of Guilt.

A number of years ago, Michelle had met and had been quite thoroughly been romanced by a young man from the middle east. Stunningly handsome, tall, strong, with beautiful eyes, Michelle was so deeply smitten, she'd fallen over herself when he'd suggested they take their relationship to a higher level. They were engaged within the week. As they'd celebrated their decision with wine, the phone had rung.

Things had collapsed from there. His father had died in the middle of a ride on his favourite stallion, a stallion which was their primary source of income then bolted into a stone wall. Leil, the young man, left for home, having contacted his mother and discovering that she called in an arrangement from when Leil was a child. His wife had been chosen while he was in the cradle, and now, with their finances at the lowest ever, the wealthy young woman was too tempting to pass over. Ever the dutiful son, he did what he had to do.

Michelle had been devastated. She'd folded in on herself, threw herself into her studies and shyed away from future relationships.

As years passed, she was shocked to hear that Leil was now the owner of a large racing operation in Dubai. He'd taken the wealth of his wife and run with it, building an empire out of less than a hundred thousand American dollars. Michelle was impressed despite herself, part of her mind still holding onto the pain of their first separation. Just after the farm's fire, he'd actually phoned to make sure everyone was alright and was saddened to hear the loss of Visions, and the girls. He'd been following the white mares brood career with eagerness, and he'd longed to get a dominant white foal from her. Michelle could barely contain the emotion in her voice as they caught up on each other's lives. Leil's wife had died in childbirth some three years ago, their child being stillborn.

He did not, he said firmly, phone to tell her of his troubles, but to tell her that his promise would just be arriving in quarantine, and that she would have to go and see what he had gotten her as a gift. He admitted the guilt from leaving her was still souring his stomach, and that this would only make him feel a small bit better. He wanted her to come and visit once his gift had settled in, and she could choose the second half of it.

Surprised, she'd asked him what promise he meant, and a moment of silence drifted across the line before his voice keyed in, a pained crack making him pause, “I promised to love you forever, to devote myself only to you, and to hold you in my heart until I die. I have failed on all but one, I have broken my promises. I can't tell you how sorry I am, but I can try.”

The broken notes of his voice were enough to make the normally fiery woman hiccough a sob before quietly agreeing and thanking him in hushed tones.

It was only when the mares arrived at the farm that Michelle realized just how much Leil still loved her. She couldn't help but smile a tiny bit, her wane lips curving upwards for the first time in months.

Name: Aasifa Rababa Bint-El Leila Malakeh
Barn Name: Babs
Gender: Mare
Breed: Egyptian Arabian
Age: 6 yo
Height: 15.2hh
Color: Bloody Shoulder Fleabitten Grey (Black)
Genotype: EE/aa/Gg
Markings: Thin blaze, large blotchy bloody shoulder marks on barrel, neck and rump.
Discipline: Endurance Racing.
Temperament: Babs is fierce, strong, and wild, with a strong will that dominates everything she does. She knows her mind, and she refuses to do what others would require of her simply for the fact that she feels she needs to. Intelligent, and devilishly devious, she is far too smart for her own good, this, however, when she was in her home country, was a greatly desired trait. As a War Mare, she would willingly ride straight into a mass of other horses, and not flinch an inch from the ceremonial firing of a rifle. Despite being so fiery, Babs is completely bombproof, instead choosing her times and places to have angry tantrums.
Bloodlines:Desert Born, Foundation.
Offspring: None.
Lease:Not available at the moment.

Name: Moniet El Nefous Bint-El-Jahrousse
Barn Name: Money
Gender: Mare
Breed: Egyptian Arabian
Age: 7 yo
Height: 15.3hh
Color: Chestnut Sabino
Genotype: ee/A+a/nSb
Markings: Three white socks, large star.
Discipline: Endurance Racing.
Temperament: Money is far more friendly than her herd mate in interaction with general individuals around her. She doesn't have that vicious attitude that Babs covets, instead she is a generally open and companionable horse. She is very intelligent, tough and capable, but has a sweetness that lays close to her bones. She loves hugs, and snuggles, and dry biscuits as treats. She hates mice, and thoroughly enjoys plantains and bananas.
Bloodlines:Desert Born, Foundation.
Offspring: None.
Lease: Pregnant via AI, by Damaar Ibn Asad, Desert Born.
Photo ref is from [link]