Wiiiilllld WIIIILD HORSES

[protects_the_small]

WHO:Kel, Aerith, and anyone at Lucy's farm

WHERE:the farm outside De Chima

WHEN:A few days after This conversation

WHAT:riding less than wild horses

WARNINGS:Peachblossom

Kel had made a promise, and she was going to keep it. Lucy had many horses. Aerith had never met any horse that wasn't willing to kill people. Therefore, Aerith should meet Lucy's horses.

And so, after some finagling, they were both mounted on Peachblossom and coming up the road to the farm to the greeting barks of many dogs.

Comments

[23wishes]

[Now, Aerith had never ridden a horse before. A chocobo, sure, but even that she was only a novice at. She's pretty terrified - Peachblossom the killer war horse not helping a bit - but she's definitely not going to let it show! She just... clung a lot to Kel that whole ride. And if Kel has any sense, she'll know not to mention that.

She hops off the first chance she gets, straightening out her dress (in retrospect a bad idea) and dusting off.]

Ahh...

That was a really long ride!

[protects_the_small]

[Kel would never be so rude as to mention the clinging. For a novice, Aerith had done just fine, especially as Kel recalled the first time she had ridden on Peachblossom's broad back, when she had only been slightly smaller than Aerith. The other girl would undoubtedly be feeling the new exercise later that night.

As she dismounted and greeted the dogs, Kel glanced back over her shoulder]

It's a fair stretch. You'll want to stretch your legs some before we head back.

[illuminescent]

[Rufus first, because he's getting enormous, almost the size of a pony himself (a small pony, of course). But where Rufus is, Lucy isn't far behind; having heard voices, she's coming up out of the house, her dress practical and sturdy and her hair piled up on her head.]

Ah, I thought I did hear someone.

[She's so in favor of her farm becoming a stopping point for people. It keeps things going.]

Hello!

[23wishes]

[Aerith's legs wobble under her feet and she makes an instinctive grab for Kel's arm, then shoots a look up at her that could nearly be betrayal. Everything feels terrible. Why didn't she warn her?!]

I-I'll try.

[She's still stretching and rubbing her legs when Lucy appears and Aerith, embarrassed, straightens instantly.]

Hi!

[protects_the_small]

[Kel smiles apologetically down at Aerith, look there's really no preparation for riding legs.

Then she sees Lucy coming towards them and her smile gets broader. Waving, she keeps one arm out for Aerith to grab as needed]

Hello, my lady! I don't know if you've met, this is Aerith.

Aerith, this is Queen Lucy of Narnia.

[illuminescent]

Hello, Aerith, you may call me Lucy, if you wish.

[She watches Aerith for a moment. Ah-]

The first time is always strange. You'll be stiff as a board in the morning.

[23wishes]

[Aerith's gaze spins from Lucy to Kel in a second, and she's mouthing "QUEEN?" to her, quite blatantly. She's a mess! An itchy aching probably dirty mess and she's meeting a queen? Kel is the Worst Friend right now.]

Ah--

[She? Curtsies? Is that proper? It's probably all lost since she's still supporting herself on Kel anyway.]

Is that okay? Wouldn't it be rude?

[illuminescent]

Oh, yes, of course it would be quite all right. Although Lady Knight Keladry does not, you of course are free to.

[23wishes]

Oh...

[... She stares back at Kel now, really staring at her. If she could psychically communicate, she'd be set, but maybe the "REALLY?" in her eyes is obvious enough. She's not about to offend a queen and/or new friend so easily.]

[protects_the_small]

[Kel grins weakly at Aerith, trying to reassure with her own eyes, before turning back to Lucy]

Perhaps someday.

I was hoping to introduce Aerith to Felicity. Horses are not found in her world. [And Peachblossom is perhaps a biased sample]

[illuminescent]

Oh! Yes, my horses are far more civilized creatures. Save for Delilah. She is a bit more ill tempered.

[But Lucy is already moving towards the stables.]

If you like to ride, I could easily have you learn here.

[23wishes]

[She laughs awkwardly, her legs still tender and protesting movement from the ride here.]

Um. I might need some time to think it over.

[Time, and a bath, and a nap.]

But I'd love to meet more!

[protects_the_small]

[Kel waves Aerith on to follow Lucy, and takes Peachblossom over to a gate to the pasture]

[illuminescent]

[The stables are neat and tidy things, and Lucy opens the door.]

Selene is the one you may prefer. Here, you see-

[She leads Aerith to meet a silvery gray mare, and looks around.]

You may give her some sugar, if you like to.

[23wishes]

[Aerith needs a few seconds to both wobble over to the horse, and a few to go starry eyed over her.]

Is that okay for them?

[protects_the_small]

[Kel comes in the other door, having finished with Peachblossom]

If it's only a little bit. You can give them salt and they'd like it just as well.

[illuminescent]

[Lucy rustles around the supplies a moment and comes back with a lump of sugar, not very big.]

Often I prefer apples, or carrots, but this is well enough. Here.

[She hands it to Aerith.]

Right on your palm, she's a gentle one, go on.

[23wishes]

[She's not gonna be any less starry-eyed when she feeds Selene, though those weird big teeth give her a momentary start. Aerith turns back to them, grinning, silently giving them a "DO YOU SEE THIS?" look.]

[protects_the_small]

[Kel grins and leans against the stall door]

She's got more manners than Peachblossom, wouldn't you say?

[illuminescent]

Peachblossom simply has no care for manners, but it is well suited to his disposition. No one should ask a warhorse to be polite.

Selene is a proper lady's mount. She would do you no harm.

[23wishes]

[Oh, that makes her giggle.]

I'm glad you've mistaken me for a proper lady~

[protects_the_small]

You certainly play the part better than I do.

[illuminescent]

Hush, lest I make you both ladies for my pleasure.

[Well. It doesn't mean that.]

[23wishes]

[Okay, she's gonna need to look to Kel for a translation or appropriate reaction.]

[protects_the_small]

[Five years among soldiers tends to give one a good sense of the 'that's what she said' factor, but since Aerith doesn't seem to catch any double meaning, and Goddess knows Lucy would not have meant it that way, Kel bites the inside of her cheek to keep her Yamani face on and shrugs easily at both of them]

As this is your court, you may do as you like, my lady.

[To Aerith]

Are you still feeling wobbly?

[illuminescent]

The solution is more riding, you should know.

[That's what her riding instructor made her do.

Granted her riding instructor was her horse.]

Should you like a sidesaddle?

[Added challenge.]

[23wishes]

Aheh...

[That's a yes, but what exactly do you say to a queen?]

I've never ridden sidesaddle before. Is it easier?

[protects_the_small]

[The smallest shake of the head and Kel mouths the word 'no']

[illuminescent]

[At the same moment-]

Yes.

[No.]

[23wishes]

[WOW. WOW.......

WOW.]

Um. No thank you. I'll learn normally.

[protects_the_small]

A smaller horse will help a lot. That, and being on the saddle instead of behind it.

[illuminescent]

Felicity is the smallest. You should learn on her.

[She is not as placid but she's good with beginners.]

[23wishes]

If you want me to try now...

[She reaches over and takes Kel by the arm.]

You need to help me up!

[protects_the_small]

First, let's get you a saddle that fits.

[There is a rack, there is a choice, and there is leading Felicity out to saddle her. Kel goes over the straps and things with Aerith, but doesn't really expect her to get it the first time.

...Also expecting her to do it and having the saddle slide off would be Unfortunate.

After putting the bridle on, Kel links her hands into a cup and puts it below the stirrups]

Step in here, put your hand on my shoulder and I'll get you up.

[23wishes]

[There are lots of words - Aerith grasps about half. Chocobo saddles are different from horse saddles, and besides, she always had Cloud do that for her, anyway.

Aerith, a bit in over her head, steps her clunky boot into Kel's hands and bounces up onto Felicity's back, squeezing Kel's shoulder probably more than is necessary.]

Ah?

[Translation: 'Did I go good?']

[protects_the_small]

[Kel grins at her briefly, then helps her get her feet into the stirrups.]

Keep your heels down, so. And your knees bent so. [She hands the reins over]

Don't pull these till I tell you to, and I'll lead her for now. Hold them so.

[Untying Felicity, she leads her into the yard in a circle]

[illuminescent]

[Lucy goes over to the fence, sits on it, and watches this.]

You're doing so well! Simply move with her, she'll not let you fall!

[23wishes]

Ehh? Move with her?

[She couldn't possibly be holding the reigns any tighter in her white knuckles. It's a lot of fun! It's also mildly terrifying. She's glad Kel's so close in case she falls off.]

[protects_the_small]

[Reaching up, Kel taps one of Aerith's hands.]

Not so tight, she'll think you want her to do something. Just hold them loosely for now, and get the feel of her mouth through them.

Relax a bit, and feel her gait. Once you get the hang of it, you'll be able to move as she does.

[illuminescent]

You have to think that you are part of the horse! If you think you're separate from the horse, then you will fall off!

[That's what Lucy's teacher used to tell her.]

[23wishes]

[She has NO IDEA what she's doing. She can hold the reigns looser, sure, but feel the horse's mouth? What? Think like she's a horse??

What???

Aerith looks down at Kel desperately.

What?????????]

[protects_the_small]

[Kel pulls Felicity to a halt, and reaches up to adjust Aerith's hands so she isn't holding them in fists, but rather letting them run through her fingers]

Focus on your hands for now, the rest will come. Just let them move back and forth as Felicity's head does. Don't tug, just concentrate on the feel of it. She's not going to bolt, and you're well seated in the saddle, so you won't fall.

[illuminescent]

[Lucy gives a laugh and it's more self-deprecating than anything.]

Kel is far better a teacher than I.

[23wishes]

[Aerith has her own idea (though she still does her best to follow Kel's directions). Momentarily, she closes her eyes, reaching out to Felicity's soul. Tuned in, she can at least relax knowing that the horse is comfortable with her on her and isn't likely to throw her off or kick her or bite her anytime soon.]

Kel, can we try again now?

[protects_the_small]

[Kel nods and starts them both walking again.]

[illuminescent]

[She tilts her head and watches, and doesn't say much then. This is not so bad, really. It's nice to see someone learning. It's nice to see someone learning on one of her horses.]