| Logs |
2011 February 15
| Neverneverwhere |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: Taps Logs |
Where the Light & the Darkness Divide
Eacharn grins and shifts shape again, becoming a shaggy black pony that's just the right height to move about the boat without problem. He does his best not to prance around, knowing his unshod hooves will damage the boat's decking should he do so too enthusiastically. The Hetaera laughs softly, waiting for him to hold still for just a moment. Once he does, she slides onto his back, her small hands in his mane, "All right! Head for the caravan, please?" She adds ruefully, "Not at a trot, please -- at least not a fast one. That'd be far too uncomfortable at this size!"
Eacharn gets them safely off the boat; then he grows for her. If they're going to have a ride, he wants it to be a thrilling one for her! Riding a pony is all well and good, but riding a magnificent stallion -- that is an experience! When he's done he is perhaps a bit taller at the shoulder than Hermoso, with a long, flowing black mane and a tail to match. His gait is smooth and he curves his neck proudly: he has a gorgeous rider and he delights in carrying her! Sulochana gives a slightly startled squeak as Eacharn grows, and he can feel her hands and legs tighten on him... but when he tosses his head and starts cantering smoothly towards the caravan she makes a small, inchoately delighted sound, stroking one hand along his glossy neck. She sits back comfortably as he moves, looking around in wondering pleasure; eventually she laughs aloud at the sheer beauty of the evening. "Oh, Eacharn -- this is amazing!"
The water-pony swishes his tail proudly and picks his hooves up smartly. He knows how to carry a rider through battle; a canter around the city is no trouble at all! The only downtick is the fact that he can smell the King of Baton Rouge on her clothes. Sulochana sways relaxedly on Eacharn's broad, comfortable back, her hands loosening in his thick mane as she realizes she doesn't need to be tense in order to stay on.
At the caravan Sulochana slides off Eacharn, then takes a handful of mane to guide him. She smiles and waves to the young man on guard as they pass -- he looks a bit startled at the size of the great horse clopping along docilely at her side -- and greets him familiarly. 'Chana heads towards Del's sleeping place, near the horses; at times the supernatural sleeps actually among the horses. It is, after all, what she used to do in the days before she joined the caravan. The little Sileni is curled up with her head on a folded horseblanket when Sulochana arrives with Eacharn. The Hetaera releases Eacharn's mane and crouches, to whisper softly, "Del, sweetie? May I ask a favor?" She strokes a reassuring hand along the Sileni's back; in many ways Del is more horse-like than human, after all.
Del shifts at the whisper and caress, nostrils flaring. Then she sits up, looking in confusion at the big, strange horse, "Whoozat?"
The Hetaera smiles, "He's loaned just for the morning, but we need a bridle. Do you have one I can borrow, please?"
Del blinks sleepily at the big horse and says, "Yeah... sure. Gimmesec..." She pushes to her hooves and clops off to the stash of tack the caravan keeps, returning with a bridle that will fit the big stallion. She examines him carefully before she asks, "You know he's not gelded, right?"
Sulochana laughs softly, "Yes, I'd noticed that." Teasingly she adds, "It'd be hard to miss, don't you think?" Del also laughs, softly so as not to startle the big beast. 'Chana lets Del bridle the stallion, standing back at Eacharn's shoulder and absently stroking his mane. The unbuckling, placing the straps about the horse's head and the bit in his mouth, and re-buckling, should go more smoothly for Del, who is quite experienced with this. Sulochana herself hasn't had much opportunity to bridle horses; she knows she'd just fumble, where Del's quick fingers are sure.
Del is starting to speak again when Poly and Pippa come over to get their horses preparatory to a day out riding. They both stop and stare for an instant, then quietly fan out so Poly is near Sura and the strange animal, while Pippa flanks it. Sulochana smiles and waves to the Amazons, and watches curiously as they fan out. Sura's foster-daughter asks, in as off-hand a manner as she can manage, why Del is bridling the big stallion? Sura's reply is relaxed, "I'm going for a ride, and I needed a bridle. What are you two up to?"
Poly blinks in startlement at that and says, careful to be respectful, "You're planning to ride a stallion? You know they're usually too high strung to be dependable. I'm surprised this one isn't dancing all around at the way you smell."
Sulochana blinks, and Eacharn snorts indignantly, stamping an impatient hoof. The Hetaera laughs, turning from the big horse to reassure Pippa and Poly, as Del too steps away, having finished the bridling. 'Chana smiles, "He'll be fine, I'm sure -- he's clearly been well-trained, after all. Thank you, though, Poly, for your concern."
Pippa raises her voice and says, "Are you sure you don't want him gelded, Sura? It would only take a few minutes."
Sulochana is opening her mouth to smilingly demure -- gelding would certainly render the poor horse unrideable until he healed, after all! -but Eacharn's reply is far, far faster. His ears pin back as he gives an angry squeal, and his head flashes around, teeth bared for a savage bite at the closer Amazon! Before the bite can land home, however, Poly whips out her short, sharp sword, and Pippa has her short recurved bow aimed at the animal. Sulochana's eyes widen as she whirls at the stallion's scream, and even as she's shouting, "STOP!" she sees Del step out with a cocked crossbow as well.
Eacharn, however, is already frozen in place, staring startledly at the sword laid neatly across his neck, the unwavering tip under his throatlatch. Hippolyta's voice is distinctly cool as she says to the beast, "I would not move too much, were I you." Without shifting her gaze from the big beast, she says, "What is this critter, Momma Nightmane? He obviously knows human speech."
Sulochana's voice is tight with anger, "He is a pooka, a river-horse. Due to some... previous things I did, he will not harm me, so when he offered me a ride, I accepted." She takes a breath, deliberately unclenching her fists, and adds, "Thank you for your concern, ladies. I had not realized he was quite so... fractious. It's good to learn this well before anyone gets hurt." She steps forward, staring up at the big stallion as she adds tersely, "Listen carefully, please. If you ever, ever harm anyone in my caravan family?" She closes her eyes for a second, taking another slow breath to calm herself -- then glares up at the big stallion as she fiercely snarls, "I will geld you myself!"
Eacharn is coming to some rather unpleasant realizations: he's not a warhorse any more -- at least, not to his Lady Edana. She clearly neither needs nor wants such a mount; he is ashamed at how angry he's made her. As his head droops and his tail flattens, the aimed arrows and the sword are slowly and carefully lowered. Sulochana turns back towards her caravan family, and cautiously Eacharn reaches out to gently, tentatively nuzzle against her. He sighs in gusty relief as she glances back at him -- then smiles a bit grimly, running a hand down his long nose in a light caress. Poly, Pippa, and Del aren't exactly reassured by Sura's information, but Del just lightly touches the makeshift halter and nods once. "That halter under the bridle should be fine, then. Do you need a saddle?"
Sulochana looks uncertainly at the stallion's broad back -- will a saddle negate the pooka's ability to keep her on him? "Umm..." she glances at Eacharn's head, just as he shakes it. She smiles at Del, "No, just a bridle should be fine; thank you." She idly straightens Eacharn's forelock, untangling it from the bridle and smoothing it down his wide forehead. He sighs and holds his head carefully low for her, his eyes going half-closed with pleased relief. He's gotten the strong idea that his new Lady doesn't want a warhorse -- at least, not now. Eloise used to think it was a fine show of spirit to have him keep away anyone she did not tell him could come close. Not so his Lady Edana, it would seem.
Poly and Pippa are still not sure they trust the big stallion, but Del assures them Sulochana will be just fine on the water-horse. She doesn't mention the silken halter, but she does touch it one more time before tightening up the final buckle on the bridle. Noticing that, Hippolyta suggests removing the light halter: "It might get tangled up, Momma Nightmane." Eacharn rather likes the silken tie; it's much prettier than his old halter was, and it feels nice against his skin in his human form. He can tell the Amazon doesn't like him very much, though, and after his Lady's warning they both know he can't really effectively defend himself against her. Enormous liquid eyes warily watch Poly and Pippa both, and he shifts nervously so Sulochana is between him and the stern warrior women. It's rather a comical sight: the huge stallion trying to hide behind the petite woman, touching as much of his Lady as possible.
Sulochana blinks, then can't help a small giggle as she notices Eacharn trying to wriggle as much of his huge body as possible behind her! She smiles, gently stroking the stallion's soft nose -- and unwittingly causing Eacharn to nearly melt into a rapturous puddle at her small feet! "Oh, it'll be fine, Poly, truly. It's only going to be on for a short while longer. Tell you what, though... could you run through some of the commands you use with your ponies, so he knows what sort of riding I'm used to? I've done it so little that I've no idea what his usual training might be, after all."
Hippolyta and Philippa both go through the basic commands, demonstrating with their own ponies so Eacharn can see what he should do for each command. When they're done, Poly steps close and says to the big horse, "You hurt Mama Nightmane, and I will be very unhappy with you." The pooka backs up nervously, but can't help but wonder at the endearment: Mama?
Sulochana laughs softly, hugging all three women with clear affection as she reassures them, "Don't worry, please! If he hurt me, it'd be accidentally, I'm sure!" She steps over and gathers the reins up, then grins and gives him the tap at the knee for kneeling, "Kush, please!" When he neatly tucks his forelegs and goes down for her, she laughs delightedly, sliding onto his broad back and patting his shoulder, "Perfect! Shall we go?" Eacharn gets back to his feet once she's in place and tosses his head happily. Having her on his back is just exactly what he needs! He moves to head for the pre-dawn city streets.
Mounted up, Sulochana looks magnificent. The Hetaera waves happily to the three silently watching women, smiling and calling back to them, "We'll be fine, dears, I promise! He won't let anything hurt me!" She turns back and pats Eacharn's powerful shoulder, murmuring teasingly, "Right?" She laughs at his vehement snort and head toss, adding a cheerful, "Thought so! Shall we canter?" As the big horse stretches his legs, thundering gleefully along the night-dark streets and through the nearby parks, the small woman on his back leans forward against him and buries her hands in his mane. Her delighted laughter trills behind them, making his heart do ecstatic flip-flops.
Time gets away from them rather quickly. It's wonderful for Eacharn to have a properly appreciative rider once again on his back. The feel of her small but muscular legs around his barrel, and her hands in his mane, have him utterly blissed out; he throws his legs out and arches his neck with enormous pride. He is quite certain he is the handsomest horse in the city -- and he knows for a fact he has the most beautiful rider!
Sulochana too is in a gloriously good mood. The wind has tangled her hair like a careless lover, and her eyes are sparkling with pleasure; her lips parted in laughter. It's nearly dawn when they hear the sound of another rider, although 'Chana doesn't even register the rare people they whip swiftly by -- she's having way too much fun! It takes recognizing the voice behind her for her to blink and come out of her joyous trance. There's a laugh in the king's voice as he says, "Dayum, cherie, but you do look even more exquisite than normal this morning!" King Roy of Baton Rouge is mounted on his favorite horse, Hermoso, and dressed comfortably for his morning ride.
Sulochana's head comes up at that voice, her own voice startled, "Roy?!" She glances over her shoulder, her tousled hair tumbling beautifully about her face, and brightens at sight of him, "It is Roy!" She laughs delightedly, patting Eacharn's shoulder, "Could you slow down a bit, please?" She blinks as Eacharn snorts angrily and there's no immediate reduction in speed -- and then her voice is quiet but very firm, "Eacharn, it would be very wise of you to behave yourself right now... and slow. Down." Shaking his head unhappily, his mane tossing as much as the Hetaera's hair, the big stallion reluctantly slows to a walk. Sulochana pushes her hair out of her face and beams happily back at Roy, "Hi there, handsome man!" She blinks as his earlier words register, and laughs, "Aww, you're sweet -- thank you! How're you doing?"
Hermoso trots up aside Eacharn, although Roy is careful to keep him out of biting distance. The pride of Roy's stable is also ungelded, and stallions are not known for tolerance of one another. "Finer'n frog hair, cherie, now that I get to see you this morning. Couldn't sleep a wink, so I thought I'd bring Hermoso out for some exercise."
Sulochana blinks again, then giggles, "Frog... hair? Um, all right...!" She laughs again as Eacharn's neck arches proudly and he raises his tail, curvetting in place, and happily adds, "It is a gorgeous morning, isn't it? Want to come riding with me?" A bit worriedly she adds, "If it's not rude to ask, sweetheart, why couldn't you sleep? Is everything all right?" Eacharn is unwittingly swelling a little with pride -- his rider is more elegant and graceful than the other horse's! More importantly: the river-horse can make his beautiful queen look truly magnificent -- Roy can't do that for her! The big ebony stallion snorts in aggressive warning at the other horse, his neck arching in gorgeous display and his plumed tail rising. He dances in place a bit, lifting and setting down his hooves lightly -- the way his former queen had told him makes him look simply irresistible!
Roy's grin is immediate and bright at the suggestion of their riding together. He looks over at her mount and says, "Now why didn't you tell me you got somethin' as nice as that in the caravan? You plannin' on breedin' 'im?" There's a speculative note in his voice, as if he is considering what sort of foals such a lovely specimen of horseflesh would produce. At her question about his sleep he smiles wryly, "Just thinkin' 'bout the negotiatin' to be done t'day."
Sulochana is truly not a rider, and so she doesn't realize the river-horse is slowly sidling sideways, closer to Hermoso, in an equine dominance display. When Roy asks if her horse is standing to stud, Eacharn flattens his ears and directs an angry snap at the other stallion -- he is not Roy's property! Hermoso squeals and paws angrily back at him in return. Roy clucks at the white horse and tugs him aside slightly, "He's awful spirited, too. You sure ya should be ridin' 'im without a saddle, lover?"
Sulochana gives a startled squeak as Eacharn darts lightly sideways out of Hermoso's reach, both small hands hastily grabbing onto the mane. She recovers herself quickly, though, snapping, "Hey! STOP that!" and slapping the thick neck hard! As she hastily re-gathers up the reins she grimly adds, "Yes, he's... a handful, that's for sure. Frankly, I don't think his offspring would be worth the trouble!" She smiles ruefully once she's gathered the reins and pushed her hair back out of her face, adding to Roy, "Why don't I stay over here, sweet man? I'm not really that good a rider, and I certainly don't want to be mounted on some obnoxious stallion when he's trying to pick a fight!" Eacharn deflates, unhappily remembering his new little queen-mare really isn't pleased by him being a fiery-tempered warhorse.
Roy laughs, "Now, now, cherie, they might make fine warhorses! Or hunters!" He thinks about that a second, "Or not... actually, that ain't a bad idea. Wonder if Eacharn'd like a li'l bitta sport?"
Sulochana hmfs amusedly, "Warhorses! Right, I need a warhorse like I need a hole in my hea- er..." her voice trails off as it suddenly hits her -- the huge painting of Queen Eloise caparisoned for war, hung in her palace's front entryhall... on the huge black stallion! She blinks down at Eacharn -- whose head is drooping a bit just now in chagrin -- and murmurs softly, "Oh, of course! You're reacting like a war horse!" She smiles, stroking his neck in gentle reassurance, and looks back at Roy, "Pardon? How do you mean, sweet man?" Eacharn nearly melts in relief at the gentle tone in her voice and the softness of the caress; his head comes back up a little bit. He has no way of knowing how she just figured that out, but he's glad she seems to be forgiving him somewhat.
Roy keeps the well-trained Hermoso away from the other stallion, "Well, I thought we might have a hunt. Drag-hunt, a'course -- nothin' livin'. Sorta show off the land a li'l bit."
Sulochana thinks for a moment, then grins, "He might like that! You should ask, lover." She reassures both men -- Eacharn with her hands, Roy with her demeanor -- as she ruefully adds, "I bet the two of you would get along just fine if I weren't there in the middle, causing problems."
Roy smiles wryly at that, "Mebbe, mebbe not. I never gotta chance ta really know 'im when Eloise was onna throne. Ever' time there ws some kinda battle, she left 'im behind. Jist dunno 'bout 'im atall."
The Hetaera says firmly, "That's all right. I have faith in you -- both of you!"
Roy smiles, then looks the big horse over again appraisingly, "What's that big beast's name, anyway? Even if he ain't standin' t' stud, I'd love to see 'im put through 'is paces sometime."
Sulochana opens her mouth to reply -- then blinks. She can't give the poor man's name! She hedges a bit, "Ahh... I've not yet decided what I'll be calling him?" then grins mischievously, glancing at the white stallion Roy is mounted on, "Maybe... Shadow!"
Eacharn just barely keeps from rolling his eyes; he does give a rather disgusted snort. Roy echoes the snort unconsciously, "Naw, not fer such a big and handsome fella! That'd be like me callin' Hermoso here "Pretty Boy." Just don't sound powerful 'nough!" He carefully looks over the horse and the lovely rider, "Big, black stallion like that, you want somethin' dramatic. Somethin' suits 'is dignity, y'know?"
Despite himself, Eacharn is starting to think Roy isn't all bad -- even if he is all wrong for his Lady Edana! Sulochana giggles as Eacharn's neck crests proudly again, and she can feel him starting to prance lightly in place beneath her -- then she sings teasingly, "Me... and my Shadow! Riding down the avenue!" Her eyes are twinkling as she grins at Roy.
Roy grins back and winks at her, then laughs, the image of him and his white horse shadowed by the black horse and his dark rider tickling his fancy, "Mebbe somethin' like, hrm, like Othello. Big proud Moor."
'Chana laughs again, her mood improving as both Roy and Eacharn seem to be feeling better, and teases yet more, "That's a good one! Or maybe... maybe Cassius? He hath a lean and hungry look, doth he not?" Her voice warms into melodrama as she starts intoning like a sideshow barker, "A hungry and black-hearted aspirant -- to glorious Caesar's power!"
Roy chuckles at that one, "But do ya really wanna name a critter whose back yer ridin' on after a traitor, cherie?"
She nods ruefully, laughing, "Point taken, lover!" Eacharn groans at the suggested name, shaking his head powerfully as if a fly has just bitten him, and Sulochana laughs again, patting his neck, "All right, maybe not that. Perhaps... oh! Perhaps Tybalt? A dashing and handsome young man, full of fire and courage! A tragic figure, who accidentally slew poor Mercutio, and was himself later slain by Romeo in revenge?" She smiles down at Eacharn, stroking his mane neatly back onto one side of his neck, and decides she really ought to check with him first. She turns her smile toward Roy, her eyes bright with happiness, "I'll think about it. For now, though... what does putting someone through their paces entail? It's a chance for that person to show off a bit, right? So... could we maybe try it now?"
Eacharn sighs in gusty relief, then dances a bit in place; he wouldn't mind showing off a bit for his Lady Edana! She should get a chance to see just how amazing he is like this, after all. Roy grins, "Yeah, that's just 'zactly what it is. Gotta have a nice clear spot, though. We could go back t' the stables and use the trainin' yard there. Ain't nobody gonna be up an' about at this hour."
Sulochana muses for a second, glancing over to see how close to dawn it is, then down at Eacharn, to see if he seems eager to do so. The big water-horse is still literally dancing in place with excitement, and she laughs, patting him again, "All right! We can't stay any longer than half an hour after dawn though, please? I do have to get back for breakfast with Eacharn."
Roy rolls his eyes and sighs dramatically, "Well, I guess I oughta feel lucky I gotcha fer that long. C'mon, lovely."
Sulochana laughs and teases Roy right back, "Hey, now! He only got me for an evening -- you get me for the rest of the time I'm here!" Eacharn, cantering slowly along behind Hermoso, feels that like a knife to the gut. She's right... this is only temporary, unless he can figure out a way to spend more time with her.
Roy leads the way back to the palace via side streets and quiet paths which avoid even the sparse traffic of this early in the pre-dawn morning. Either the king does a lot of very early riding, or he knows the city like the back of his hand -- possibly both, knowing the love Roy has for his city. As they ride he makes plans out loud for the possible drag hunt, "Doin' it this way, it'd keep folks outta the quickmud an' such in the swamps -- and ain't nobody gotta kill some li'l fox ain't never hurt nobody."
As Roy muses aloud and Eacharn plans silently, Sulochana smiles fondly at her lover, riding ahead of her. Her voice is warm with remembered pleasure as she finally says, "Have I told you recently how wonderful you are, sweet man?" Eacharn is truly puzzled. What exactly has the so-called river-rat king done to deserve such affection from the magnificent fire elemental? He has got to figure out a way to spend more time with her and woo her into her rightful place! -not to mention perhaps have more time under her hand.
Roy turns his head to smile back at 'Chana with affection on his face, "Gonna swell m'head, sugar."
Sulochana laughs delightedly, "Oh, can't have that -- poor Hermoso would sag in the middle from the weight!" She giggles as she follows Roy and the Lipizzaner stallion into the training yard, then happily adds, "Ah, here we are! So, what do Ea- uh, I and my horse have to do to show off his paces, please?"
Roy grins and says, "Lemme demonstrate a little." He puts Hermoso through his paces, demonstrating the different gaits and some of the maneuvers the stallion has been taught for hunting and fighting. Hermoso is still being trained, but Roy can't help showing off some of the fancier work, including one or two of the 'airs above the ground' for which the Lipizzaner line has been rightfully famous for centuries. When he's done he reins Hermoso in and motions Suraksha forward.
Eacharn has to admit to himself that Hermoso is a fine specimen of horseflesh, and Roy seems to be a good and competent rider. He's even impressed -- though he'd never admit it -- that the young stallion has learned the airs he knows. That said, Eacharn can't help showing off. Sulochana doesn't even have to guide him for the river-horse to show off his gaits; he has not forgotten his training, after all. She enjoys the ride, keeping the reins snug so they don't flop around. To Roy, her riding must look absolutely superlative -- he can't actually see the commands she's giving! While that is the goal of a truly connected team of horse and rider... it's not what one would expect from a woman who states with frequent amusement that she can't ride.
Once he's gone through all the normal paces, Eacharn shows off some of the battle maneuvers he was taught -- and then, oh then, he really shows off. Confident that his Lady Edana will stay mounted, he performs his own airs above the ground. First he rises into the Levade position, striking a pose like a horse in a coat of arms. Then he begins the Mezair, forequarters rising and landing as he moves -- then he leaps into the Capriole, performing the air flawlessly, once, twice, thrice -- then bowing with one foreleg extended. It's only her own natural athleticism that keeps Sulochana forward and close enough to Eacharn's center of gravity, so her spine isn't accidentally snapped like a whip when the big black stallion leaps into the Capriole! She just barely manages to bite back on her startled squeak. Roy is calling and applauding by the time they're done, "Dayum, cherie. You gotta damn funny idea of cain't ride."
Sulochana is shaken up, breathless, and a bit wide-eyed as she heads back to Roy after Eacharn is done, "Oh, uhmm... well, honestly, it's really all him, you know!" She grins a bit dazedly at Roy, well aware he won't believe her.
Roy laughs and leans over, risking life and limb to kiss his beautiful lover, "Suuuure, cherie. Whatever you say."
Sulochana beams and returns the kiss. When Eacharn shifts and steps away, she pats Eacharn's shoulder, adding amusedly, "Show-off!" He snorts, bowing his head and trying not to look smug.
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