Still hard at work

New paper I really liked working with this paper, so I'll see if I can get my hands on more. I bought it at CVS pharmacy in the States.... Who'd think that would be the best coloured pencil paper? Again, I got lots of help from my awesome friend Shotechi with this one

I need to practice skies... And that random bar wasn't actually going to be there... but now it is. It's not to hide the hooves! XD I got those down but then I did this. I'll probably fatten it a little later on and update this picture.

>>STORY<<

The sun hung low over the fields of Sterlingwood as Axel clambered onto Claire's back, grunting a little.
"You're too damn tall," he muttered, shaking his head while taking up the reins. He had brought the mare into one of the smaller fields, away from the other horses that had been turned out for the night, to give her some badly needed exercise. Rush hadn't come out of his room all day, leaving Jesse, Axel, and Mary-Ann with all 23 horses to look after. Not surprisingly, Jesse hadn't taken it nicely. 
"Hey, Axel, we're ordering take-out, what do you want?" Jesse's voice suddenly called, and the redhead looked up. He paused, then shrugged and replied, "Don't care, as long as it's food. I'm starving." Jesse nodded and returned the house, hands in his pockets. Axel sighed, glancing at Rush's window; the curtain was draw shut.
"Looks like I'm going to have to vork a bit harder now," he chuckled to Claire, nudging her sides and walking her on the rail. It wasn't as if Axel hung around occasionally helping out though; he worked hard patch up the property and facilities, rode numerous horses during the day, and helped Mary-Ann out around the house a bit. Plus he paid rent, too. But now with Joachim gone and Rush holed up in his room, it looked like Sterlingwood wasn't in a very good position. Axel trotted Claire around in silence, the mare's head hanging and her tail low. She seemed to sense her rider's worried mood.
"Brighten up a bit, ve'll find someone to help out," Axel smiled, patting her neck as they went across the diagonal. He suddenly spotted Jesse standing at the side of the field, snapping a few pictures, and made a face at him.
"Vhat are you doing?" he called without letting Claire falter her pace.
"Sending some pretty pictures of you to your girlfriend," Jesse replied with a smirk. He saw Axel's deep, almost confused frown, and specified, "Cute little Jackie from RM. You already forgot about her?"
"Not my girlfriend," Axel replied simply, transition Claire into an easy, rolling canter. Jesse's unconvinced laugh reached his ears.
"I prefer one-night stands. It's much easier while touring and I don't have to take care of anyone," Axel told him when they passed by his side of the fence, throwing him a victorious grin.
"Hmm," Jesse hummed, nodding. He still didn't seem convinced though.
"I've never even had a girlfriend," Axel called, slowing Claire back to a trot while changing direction, "Never seemed interested in me until I became a famous singer."
"Funny, with that hair," Jesse teased. Axel shot him a sour look.
"Maybe it's time to settle down though, don't you think?" Jesse asked, his face turning slightly more serious. Axel shrugged, cantering by him. Claire had been flicking her ears back and forth during the conversation, but suddenly she raised her head a little, ears perked. Axel halted her and looked where her attention had gone to. Rush was sitting out on the bench, silently smoking, staring at the ground. Jesse saw, too.
"Looks like I'm going to have a talk with someone," he growled while walking away, leaving Axel and Claire to finish up their workout.

Cute little Jackie Adler and RM belong to SunnySometimes

Time: Approx. 3 hours
Reference used: None

WHAT?! NONE?! Yes, none.