lightwithin | 3rd ♥ [Audio/Commentlog]

[Xanth looks up at the sound of splashing neighing horses, then waves when Talia comes in to view. He doesn't recognize her, but perhaps she's the one Kairi intended to learn from.

And then to Rapunzel, he offers a slightly sheepish smile and a murmured hello, as well as another wave. For better or for worse, he quite remembers Rapunzel. Their last meeting was... interesting.

He doesn't know this Makoto, so he holds no judgments about her, but there is still a knee-jerk reaction of irritation at hearing Riku's name.]

[Talia turns in the direction of a voice and smiles as she spies whom she presumes to be Kairi and rhen nods a greeting to Xanth. She had seen the boy on board the Elegante, but there had never been a relationship between the two. She couldn't even be certain if he was the same boy from the ship or if he, like several others, was an alternate version of those they'd known on board.]

I've no qualms about waiting for as many as might like to learn.

[She then half turns and smiles at Rapunzel then looks at the pile of mismatched gear that's been gathered. Her eyes widen a bit and she laughs softly, moving to where Kairi stands with a bridle in hand. She adjusts the girls' hold on the bridle and allows the reins to hang loose.]

This part, called a bit, will go in their mouths .. This goes over the ears and you secure it with the throat latch here, around and behind their cheeks.

[Her tone is not condescending at all, but rather pleased at having someone to teach.]

[She skids to a stop and peers - oh it's Xanth, the one that doesn't remember her.

Well, that's alright, he's still a nice boy, so she comes right up to them both and peers, listening.]

In their mouths?

[Kairi pulls a face at that, but adjusts her grip on the harness all the same.]

Does it hurt?

[Oh hey, check it out! It's a Riku, waltzin' into your stables. He's dressed pretty interestingly for horseback riding, still in his heavy black coat. Let's add to that--his hood may be down, but he's still wearing the blindfold!

But for better or for worse, Riku's stepping into the stables with a glance around. For a moment, he lingers near the door, but hey, Kairi's already told him that he has to be there, so he makes his way through until he finds where everybody else is.

Then he pauses.]

Looks like you've already roped a few people into coming down here with you, Kairi.

[That may or may not be an intentional joke. Take your best guess.]

[Aara's interest is captured. She really likes Kairi, and she's never ridden a horse before. She's seen a rare few, from a distance, and knew they were large and ran fast. If it was anything like flying, she would love it. Would the horses love her though? Part of her was too timid and afraid to find out, so she edged to the opening of the stable and peeked around the corner, watching the others with large, curious eyes as her heart hammered in her throat at the sight of the magnificent beasts.]

[Talia shakes her head at Kairi's question.]

Generally, no. It's more of a nuisance than actually paining to the horse. That said, there are some horses with mouths more sensitive than others. I actually prefer to use that bridle.. [She gestures to a bitless bridle hanging from a peg alongside the horse stalls.] However I do not recommend it to anyone without experience, as horses tend to pick up on that very unease. It will either make them all the more wary around you, and nervous .. or they will take advantage of it and try to dismount you.

[She pauses as Riku appears and approaches the group, smiling at him gently in greeting. However, he's not the only one that's arrived at the stables and the empath feels Aara at the edge of her mind. Her eyes move in the direction the girl is hiding and she sends only the slimmest tendril of empathy toward her: her thoughts warm and welcoming, but then she turns back to the group in front of her and let's Aara approach at her own pace.]

We've been lucky with the horses .. there have only been a few that aren't particularly pleasant with riders. I've worked on all of them except the brown and white mare. The worst of the lot is the stallion, but he'll mind so long as you show him who's in charge.

[Rapunzel is listening raptly to all of this, wanting to make sure she hears absolutely everything that she can the first time around so she doesn't have to ask any more questions later.]

So...riding is safe, right?

Edited 2011-08-03 04:04 (UTC)

[Talia's hazel gaze moves to the girl with the longest locks of hair she has ever seen and she doesn't hesitate at all before answering.]

It's Rapunzel, yes? Riding can be as dangerous as any other activity and requires time and instruction, but everyone must start from the ground up. I believe you will all be fine .. I've suffered more at the hands of men [And cardinals .. She'd never trust another in all her days, but that was neither here nor there.] than I ever have at the hand of a horse. I've been riding them since I was four and in charge of teaching littles to stay on their backs since I was seven.

[Her smile is warm and comforting.]

And .. I intend to be alongside all the while in case anyone needs help.

[Huh. Riku's attendance doesn't bother Xanth as much as he thought it would. He's still not happy to see him, but there's no urge to do something unpleasant. Riku gets a nod of greeting.

Then, Xanth listens to Talia's explanation, but he has no questions and he'd rather not be first on the horse. His attention wanders, just a little, and he looks around the stables.

Oh. There's a girl there, by the doors. Xanth offers her a crooked but welcoming smile and waves.]

[Aara was beginning to think watching from a distance might be a good plan--for a short while at least--when she noticed the gaze of the woman who seemed to know a lot about horses and all of a sudden most of the tension eased from her form. She felt welcome and comfortable even amidst strangers, and Aara had to wonder at the feeling as she gazed in awe around the stables. Did this place make her feel so comfortable?]

...

[She noticed a stranger with hair even paler than hers smile and wave a greeting, and a soft blush stole across Aara's cheeks at having been noticed. Tentatively she steps into the stable, curiosity growing, before she finally hesitates and stops a little ways from the rest of the group.]

Hello.

[Oh, she looks hesitant. Xanth knows that feeling well.]

H--Hi. A-Are you, um. [Xanth gestures vaguely towards Talia and the horse.] H-- Here for the-- the h-horses? And-- th-the riding?

[Aara's pale face begins to pink slightly at the attention, her gaze slanted down to the stable floor.]

I am. If that's okay?

[Her gaze broadens to take in the rest of the stable now, focusing on high support beams and the shifting horses with tails and ears flicking back and forth.]

They are beautiful creatures.

[Rapunzel will answer this one.]

Of course it's okay!

[She beams, and motions the girl further in.]

They really are pretty...

[She was still a little apprehensive, but...this was going to be great fun.]

[Kairi grinned at Riku and nodded, not even the least bit abashed.]

Mhm. But I think that's everyone.

[Or it was now that Aara was here.]

So, we need to show then we're not nervous.

How do we start?

[While she knew they needed to know how the harness worked, Kairi wanted to ride.]

[Talia lets Aara approach at her own pace, feeling the girls' wariness and curiosity playing against one another in tandem. Smiling softly to herself, she directs her attention to Kairi.]

Well then, we should begin, hmm?

[She makes her way to one of the stalls, currently housing a bay gelding, and opens the gate. She clucks her tongue at the horse and he slowly plods forward, whuffling at her hand as she opens it for him. True as always, there is a small sugar cube within her palm for him to lip up.

As he chews, Talia leads the gelding forward with one guiding hand on his halter.]

Pass me the bridle?

[She takes it as it's passed to her, smiling confidently to the younglings that have gathered to learn.]

I'll just show you, and then one of you may do the same, alright?

[She demonstrates the process, speaking them through it as she goes, until the bay is bridled and standing patiently before them. Talia strokes his neck encouragingly and looks to the group as she pulls it off of him again.]

Don't be intimidated by his teeth, no matter how big they look. You should be cautious, of course, but proceed with confidence and you should be fine.

[She smooths his fetlock with one hand and he snorts good naturedly as she looks at the gathered group.]

Would anyone like to try first?

Thank you.

[Aara steps forward now, eager to learn and ride upon such a magnificent beast. She smiles at those around her, but her attention is mostly captured upon the bay, and she watches with rapt awe and memorization. Still, when asked who liked to try first, Aara could not deny her eagerness, but she calmed herself and looked to the others, not wanting to take just an amazing opportunity from those here. She would volunteer to be last, as she was patient enough for it.]

3rd ♥ [Audio/Commentlog]

[Commentlog] ORDER? WHAT IS ORDER

[Commentlog] Order is completely overrated!!!

[Commentlog] pfffft what order

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[Commentlog] /CRASHES INTO THIS LOG

[Commentlog] CRASHES TOO? >.> From a distance...

[Commentlog] ilu all so much! <3

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[Commentlog] /zings in to answer that!

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[Commentlog] Hee. ^////^

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