3rd ♥ [Audio/Commentlog]

[lightwithin]

I'm going riding.

[Yes, her mind is made up.]

If anyone wants to come or ... Maybe could help me harness a horse, then meet me in the stables in half an hour.

[Of course, even though it's an open invitation, Kairi will be gathering up friends along the way.

And as promised, within the half hour, she's waiting in the stables, eye the stalls with the horses in them.]

Comments

[70ftandcounting]

Riding...?

[That...that sounds like it could be fun!]

[lightwithin]

Yes! On horses.

I think there are four in the stables right now.

Do you want to come?

[70ftandcounting]

[She's seen them, they look sweet...]

Oh! Yes! That...that would be wonderful!

[lightwithin]

Okay! Then I'll see you there!

Um... Do you know how to ride?

[Sheepish? You bet! Kairi doesn't know the first thing about riding. She's hoping it'll come intuitively...

Yup, there's no way that this could go wrong at all.]

[Audio + Translated Text]

[leaptopudding.livejournal.com]

Riding?

Can I come too? I've never been riding before or anything but hey, it can't be that hard, can it.

[Audio + Translated Text]

[lightwithin]

Sure!

Heh, I've never been riding either but, well, it doesn't look that hard.

Do you know where the stables are?

[Audio + Translated Text]

[leaptopudding.livejournal.com]

Yeah! Are you there now? I can come right away.

[She's already running there. How did Makoto not think to do this before? Good idea, Kairi!]

[Audio + Translated Text]

[lightwithin]

Oh! Um... Almost! I'll meet you there.

[You know, Kairi's missed having someone so enthusiastic around.]

[Commentlog]

[snowtop]

[Xanth, being one of the people Kairi rounded up, already stands with her in the stables. He rests one hand on the wall, watching the horses as they mill about.]

S-So, um, did-- did a-anyone reply who, uh, a-actually knows h-how to ride?

[Commentlog]

[lightwithin]

No.

[Kairi doesn't look up as she says it. She's trying to figure out how a bridle would fit on a horse's head, but her arm is not a very good model. But she doesn't glance down at her open journal, resting on a bale of hay.]

Oh! Yes! She says she can teach us.

[Which is great, because the others will probably be arriving soon.]

[Commentlog]

[thequeensown]

[Talia does not long keep them waiting, making her way down to the stables after securing her journal. She steps into the warm building, inhaling the comforting smell of animals.

The horses snort softly, heads tossing eagerly. That may of may not have anything to do with Talia slipping them bits of carrot all the time.

Sure enough, the lapras coos in delight and sends a happy splash her way which Talia only just side-steps. She's grinning though, as she lifts a hand to stroke the gentle creatures' nose. She glances arund the area, then ..]

Anyone here? Kairi?

[Commentlog]

[70ftandcounting]

[Rapunzel is not far behind Talia, hair neatly braided as she runs into the stables.

Guess what! She actually has boots on!]

Here! I'm here!

[Video]

[thequeensown]

[Someone's interest was pinged immediately when this entry went up and she's made a point of listening to all the responses Kairi has already gotten, a wry smile on her lips the whole time.]

If you would be interested, I've lived a good portion of my life on horseback and I would be more than happy to show you all how to ride .. I think the option might be better than any of you hurting yourselves while trying to do so.

[Her words aren't snide or superior, nor does it sound as if she is boasting at all; she sounds generally interested in helping.]

[Video]

[lightwithin]

[It takes Kairi a few moments to figure out the video function.]

Oh! Sure! This'll be great!

We're meeting in the stables. Heh, what's your name?

[Video]

[thequeensown]

[Talia's smile is warm and inviting.]

It's Talia. What's yours?

I can meet you at the stables .. I spend most of my time there anyway.

Ahh .. mind the blue turtle creature .. She's harmless but she quite enjoys soaking anyone that gets too close to her pool.

[Video]

[lightwithin]

Oh?

[Now that only makes Kairi curious. And well, she has to do something while she's waiting, aside from staring at horse harness.]

Okay! Oh, and I'm Kairi.

[She's waiting in the stables with friends, none of whom have any idea what they're doing.

[Audio] and will tag into the commentlog shortly~

[heroinwait.livejournal.com]

Horseback riding?

[For the most part, Riku's tone is neutral, though Kairi maaay be able to hear the slightest bit of bemusement there as well. Apparently a lot -has- changed since he saw her last, not the least of which being that he actually has to think for a moment before taking her up on her offer.]

...sure, why not? I'll meet you there.

[He's too used now to having to constantly be focused on his mission. This having-time-to-do-whatever thing is strange and unusual--it's going to take him a little bit to get used to shooting the breeze again.]

[Audio] \o/

[lightwithin]

That's good.

[For a moment she sounds very serene. But the moment passes and when she speaks again, there's laughter in her words.]

Because I was going to come and get you anyway.

[Audio] \o/

[heroinwait.livejournal.com]

You were?

[That takes Riku by surprise.

This time it's not so much the feelings of inadequacy that makes him question her, but rather just having been away from home for so long. He hadn't expected to still be automatically included after all this time.

But as he continues, she might be able to hear the slightest of smiles in his voice.]

Then I guess it's a good thing I said okay.

[Audio]

[angha-firebird.livejournal.com]

...

...

...

Horses...?

[Audio]

[lightwithin]

Mhm!

Do they have horses on your world?

[Audio]

[angha-firebird.livejournal.com]

On my world? Well...yes. I have seen them only rarely.

I have never ridden one.

SOME TIME LATER [commentlog]

[lightwithin]

[Kairi let her horse to stand a short way from Xanth's, the bridle held tight in her hand. She didn't want to be too close in case either horse got skittish while she was trying to get on, Talia's words about nervousness ringing in her ears.

She glanced across at Xanth before placing a hand on the pommel of her horse's saddle.]

You ready?

[commentlog]

[snowtop]

[Xanth shifted in his saddle. Horse riding was not exactly comfortable, but hey - he's had worse.

Besides, this is more fun than he expected.]

Y-Yeah, just-- j-just about!

[The lessons were brief, but these horses seem well-trained. All Xanth had to do was not fall off.

And not ride into a wall.]

[commentlog]

[lightwithin]

[Kairi did one last mental check before trying to mount. It was kind of awkward. She didn't know how putting her foot through a stirrup could be more awkward than getting a boost from Sora or Riku, but it was. Still, she managed, and a moment later she'd settled into the saddle.]

Okay.

[This... This wasn't so hard, right? She just had to press the horse a little and it would go.]

Should we practise here a little before going out the gate?

[She released the reins with one hand to wave at the curtain wall and the outer bailey beyond.]