Pony Tales - Clover - Day 01

"We're almost there Miss Chandler."

Came the soft call of the incredibly kind cab driver to the female sitting in the back of his cab. The female in question, had slept most of the trip from Newmarket to this rather remote location. The cabbie had driven here once before and dropped someone off a few years ago. He still had no idea what the place was.

The female in question, a girl with mid-back length blonde hair and bright green eyes which were currently half-lidded and sleepy, looked up. She offered a bit of a smile at the cabbie as she pushed off the armrest of the cab, turning her gaze to the thick forest that passed them by as they descended into the 'heart' of a large forested area south of Newmarket. She looked utterly exhausted in how she slumped her seat. After all, it had been two connecting flight and a three hour cab ride to get to this point. Part of her hoped there was at least a soft bed waiting her upon arrival...

...A bed? Who was she kidding. She doubted there was a bed available for anyone like her where she was going.

The cab rounded a bend that encircled a large pond overflowing with all sorts of wildlife, slowing down a little to let the female appreciate the sight. The countryside in the UK was beautiful to behold. A small smile came across the girls face as she stared out over the pond. Then they were turning away, onto a long dirt lane which twisted it's way into the forest, ending in a small roundabout in front a tall metal gate. Laser cut into it in a striking and plain design was the name 'Tall Tails'. She stared at the name through her window and breathed in deeply. This was it. The culminations of two months worth of emails. Her last chance to back out. She stared at the gates, her mind wandering.

"You sure this is where you want to be dropped off? I could buzz the gate, it looks pretty far in."

The girl shook her head, "No no. This is definitely the place. I was told to get dropped off at the gates. I really appreciate you driving me out so far Aaron!" She offered a bright and kind smile.

"Not a problem. I drove a young lady out here a few years back. She was kinda like you, wouldn't tell me what the place was. Wanna drop a poor cabbie a hint or two?" Aaron asked, tousling his brown hair a little bit.

She tapped her chin thoughtfully for a moment, "Let's just say, it's a facility for animals." She said this as she opened her door, walking to the already popped trunk and tugging her large green dufflebag out and slinging it over one shoulder. She paused a moment, unzipping a pocket on the end of it and fishing out a small black clutch embossed with a green four-leaf clover.

"How much was the trip again?" She called around the side of the cab.

"It works out to one hundred and fifteen pounds and 54 pence. But for you, let's just call it one hundred and fifteen."

She walked up to the drivers window of the cab, digging a handful of bills out of her wallet and offering it to him, "Don't count it. Consider it a tip for amazing service. It was a pleasure meeting you! Have a safe drive back to Newmarket, kay?"

She pushed her wallet back into her bag and zipped it up. The name 'Alexandria Chandler' emblazoned on it in silver lettering. It looked like it had been done by hand. The cabbie said his goodbyes and drove off, Alexandria standing and watching until the cab disappeared around the first bend and then turning to regard the huge gates and the panel beside them holding a dialing pad. She didn't immediately go to the pad, instead moving up to the gates and trying to see if there was any cracks she could peek into. There was none unfortunately. With a slight huff she walked to the dial pad, digging a slip of paper out of her pocket and dialing the numbers in sequence.

'91, 183, 26...'

She mumbled the numbers to herself as she pressed them.

The small speaker rang idly for a few moments before a womans voice came through in a rather stern tone, "Name and purpose please."

Alexandria wrinkled her nose a little, "Jeesh...Could ask nicely you know..." She mumbled.

"I could ask nicely. And yet, I asked firmly. Name and purpose, please."

Alexandria stared at the small speaker, her cheeks flushed. How had she heard that so easily? Perhaps it was a really sensitive microph--

"Look, name and purpose. I can't sit here all day."

Alexandria sighed, "Sorry. My name is Alexandria Chandler, I'm here for a uhm...interview and trial? At least I think this is the right place."

The sound of papers being flipped through could be heard on the other end of the speaker for a long moment before the voice responded, "Hm...I don't seem to have an Alexandria Chandler on here. Is there any other name it might be under?" The voice seemed to have a hint of amusement in it.

She couldn't help but squirm slightly on the spot. She was pretty sure she knew the answer to this riddle but she wasn't fully prepared to say it just yet. It had been a requirement of her being allowed to come to this place. There was a long moment of silence before the voice spoke for her, "I have a Clover here...Registered to attend for an interview and trial."

She huffed slightly and nodded.

"I can't see you nodding. Use your words."

Clearly this was a normal situation, "Yes. That's the one. That's me."

"Good girl. Gates going to open, straight down the avenue and to the front door of the house. Cell phone goes in the provided bin. One of the maids will show you to the waiting area. Welcome to Tall Tails, Clover."

There was a click and static as the person on the other end hung up, followed by an audible groan as the gates mechanical components kicked into action, opening them both in a slow arch and revealing...

...a very long dirt driveway with high hedges on either side of it and cameras clearly placed on small poles rising from the hedges. Alexandria sighed loudly, "C'mon...I just want to see the place. Why all the secrecy?" She asked with a bit of a huff. She slung her dufflebag over one shoulder. The laneway had to be almost two kilometers long. She was regretting not taking her suitcase that had wheels. But for some reason, they were forbidden here. Wheels must be dangerous or something...

She stepped just inside the gate, looking over her shoulder towards the turn where the cab had disappeared. Now really was her last chance to go back home and forget this whole trip. She wondered how many others had stood in this very spot and had second thoughts? Well, she wasn't going to be one of the ones that turned away. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity after all. She took a step forward to the large building in the distance, behind her the gates creaked shut almost like they understood her decision.

The walk down the laneway was a surprisingly hard one. She had a heavy dufflebag to carry and on top of that, the laneway seemed to be on a very slight upwards angle which made her extremely sore by the time she got to the circular roundabout in front of the large old-looking mansion. It was like it had been plucked straight out of an old movie with striking pillars, beautiful bricked walls and a cobblestone pathway leading up to the front doors. The hedges on either side of the laneway had split off and stopped at the corner on each side of the house, blocking any sort of view past the mansion.

To the right of the door was what looked like an old-school mail carrier that held newspapers. On the front in black lettering were the word, 'Cell phones here. This was one of the biggest rules that had been explained to her before coming. No phones were permitted on the property and she'd have to forfeit hers to be allowed on-site. She grasped the handle of the curious box and opened the front. Inside was a cute that ran downward on a slight angle. She could only see as far as the light went. She tugged her old-school looking flip phone from her pocket and rolled it over in her hand for a second. There was a time when the idea of giving up her phone would induce anxiety, even now she was having second thoughts.

"Just toss it in." Came a sharp voice from a speaker above the door. This made Alexandria jump and fumble her phone, dropping it right into the chute. She stared as it slid downward and disappeared into the dark noiselessly. She guessed that decision was made for her. She stifled a nervous laugh and closed the front of the box. Turning to the ornate double doors, they were dark oak and inlaid with designs of female forms. It was beautifully etched and she couldn't help but trace the etchings curiously as she walked up to them.

Alexandria raised a hand and without further hesitation knocked loudly on the double doors.

It was time to see what Tall Tails had in store for her.