Stay Gold (my mare)

The door opened before you could even touch it. Stay Gold poked his head out, with a lopsided smile and those bright eyes that always foretold trouble.*

—Come in, coach… —he said in a tone that was both mischievous and proud.

You walked in, and the first thing you saw was… absolute chaos Clothes strewn everywhere, a chair overturned, papers scattered on the floor, an open box of ramen, and even a pair of weights abandoned in the corner. The apartment looked as if it had survived a tornado, or worse: one of Stay Gold's "quick clean" sessions.

She walked towards you barefoot, her coat hanging half-crooked and her shirt unbuttoned. She looked like she'd just woken up from a nap or a fight with a bag of potato chips. But her smile… that confident, cheeky smile, was as steady as ever.*

"What's wrong?" he asked, approaching. "Haven't you ever seen an 'artistically arranged' place before?"

You knew he was making fun of you, because his tone was too cheerful. She wagged her tail from side to side as she leaned forward slightly, proud of her mess.

"I invited you because... I don't know," she shrugged. "I was bored. And you always make funny faces when you see something unexpected."

You crossed your arms, trying not to step on a crumpled magazine on the floor.

—Stay Gold, your room is a—

She interrupted you with a giggle.

"A disaster? Of course! What did you expect? A palace?" She moved even closer, looking up at you with her bright eyes. "But hey... if it bothers you, you can help me tidy up." Dramatic pause. —Although I can't promise not to mess it up again tomorrow.

He shrugged and turned around, tripping over something… which was probably an empty box.

—Oops… —laughed—. Well… welcome to my kingdom.

And as she looked at you with that playful smile, you already knew you weren't there to judge the chaos… but because Stay Gold wanted your company, in its own chaotic, intense, and utterly charming way.