| Logs |
2011 March 04
| Neverneverwhere |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
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| Realms: Taps Logs |
Prepping for the Hunt
Later that day Sulochana gives Roy a kiss and tells him she has to return to the caravan for a bit -- she has to go fetch her horse. If the king is going to have clothing for her to borrow, she should make sure her Tybalt is all nice and tidy too, right? Roy watches her go with a large grin. He and Eacharn have conspired to spend rather a lot of their personal money on a riding habit for Sulochana. Roy's seamstresses have her measurements and are currently working diligently to have something for her by the morning.
As the Hetaera heads back to the caravan with Alg and Fantine, she wonders curiously how Eacharn will handle teaching her to jump. Maybe she should make sure her foster daughters are there too, for pointers?
Suraksha is working on the records with Sna'tha when Alexander knocks on her open door and lets her know she has someone to see her. She's in her usual clothing for Baton Rouge when she's working: jeans, boots, and a light, sleeveless top. Eacharn is in human form, draped in a heavy cloak and carrying a saddle and bridle that will fit his Tybalt-sized form. Sura looks up with interest, then smiles and stands when she recognizes Eacharn, "Ah! Here's my appointment. Sna'tha, can you take the books from here?" The sidhe studies the heavily cloaked form with silent alertness, but nods once. Suraksha steps down the little stairs of her wagon and smiles up at Eacharn, "Hello again! Where should we go for this, please?" She doesn't know what she should call human-Eacharn when he's incognito and cloaked, so she lets him lead.
Eacharn offers her his arm and says, "I had one of my men scout around. He gave me an idea of a good jumping course outside the city." They get just beyond the caravan's circle of light before he pauses and asks, "You know how to put on a saddle and bridle, yes?" He flushes, "I don't quite remember who did it last night."
Suraksha laughs softly and pats his arm, "No worries, sweetie -- if you'll help me a little I'm sure I can get it done well enough." She smiles thoughtfully as she adds, "I would appreciate it, though, if we could work out a subtle bit of communication, please? At least a yes and a no, so I know if I'm doing something wrong for you, you know?"
Once they've arrived, Eacharn shrugs out of his cloak and starts stripping out of his clothes, "I usually paw once with my right front hoof for yes, twice for no. Three times to say it can't be answered that way." He's actually trembling slightly.
Suraksha is internally relieved Eacharn has been so focused on getting her to ride him -- that means he likely won't pay much attention to her little slip with the puma earlier today. She nods at his suggestion, murmuring it once under her breath to remember it -- then goes still, watching him with sudden concern. She touches her fingers lightly to his shoulder, murmuring, "Eacharn, you're shivering, dear. Are you all right?"
Eacharn laughs and there's a little tremor in his voice, "I'm anxious, My Lady, but it's a good anxiety. I want to get going."
Suraksha nods slowly, and he can hear the concern still in her voice, "All right. Um... do you want to give me any advice or suggestions on what to do before you shift, though?"
Eacharn is nude now but for the silken tie around his neck, "Let me guide us on the jumps. When one is coming up, lean over my neck. Get your body close to mine. If I don't think I can make it, I'll wheel away."
Suraksha nods once, her voice a little anxious, "All right, I'll try." She straightens the thin silk tie, adding with a rueful smile, "It's the first time I've ever really tried anything like this... but I'll do my best." She grins as she realizes she has a backup plan if she sucks, standing on tiptoes to straighten Eacharn's forelock as she adds, "Worst comes to worst, we can go into camp and ask my girls to come help teach me, yes?" She's still nervous about accidentally hurting her mount.
Eacharn finds he's feeling rather selfish about teaching her to jump; he hurries to say, "I don't think we'll have to resort to that, My Lady Edana." Besides, the Amazons make him nervous with their talk of gelding. He's standing a little taller, holding his head a little more proudly as she fusses over him.
Suraksha sighs softly, smiling up at him, "Well, let's see how I do. I simply couldn't bear riding for hours on you if I knew I'd keep jabbing you in the mouth and slamming down on your poor back because I was a sack of potatoes over the jumps, you know?" She pats his shoulder, "Go ahead and change now, but not too tall until I've got the saddle up on your back, please?"
Eacharn says, "Don't pull on the reins if you can help it. Think of it... think of it as a dance. Let me lead you, My Lady." He reaches almost shyly down to touch her face, "I will not let you fall." He gives her a quirky little smile and slides into his equine form, staying short enough to let her get the saddle on his back.
Suraksha's smile warms; she's touched at his concern for her. She saddles him the way she's see her foster daughters do it, setting the saddle and saddlepad partly on the neck, then sliding it back into place just behind the withers so all the fur is brushed back smoothly. She tightens the girth, then tightens it one more notch so it's quite snug, the way it should be. She picks up the bridle, then pauses as a thought occurs to her. Resting her hand on his mane, she checks with the horse, "Wait, should I loosen it one so you can grow a bit more, pretty pony?"
Eacharn paws at the ground once when she asks her question. He had not thought to tell her to leave the girth loose until he changed to his full Tybalt size and he's glad his Lady is thoughtful enough to have realized it on her own. Suraksha nods and turns to loosen the girth a notch, "Excellent; I'm glad we have this way to communicate." She pats his shoulder when she's done, "How's that?" He paws the ground again and then takes a breath. As he breathes in he grows larger until he is recognizably the impressive big warhorse again -- then he stands still to wait for her to tighten the girth correctly. He's already holding his head proudly.
Suraksha checks the girth, then grins and pats his shoulder again, "Looks good!" After that she shakes out the bridle and holds it properly, one hand under the bit, so he can lower his head to take the bit into his mouth. "All right then -- bridle next, pretty pony. Ready?" Eacharn is even better at cooperating with being outfitted than a regularly trained horse -- he lowers his head quite willingly for the bit and bridle. He finds himself surprisingly eager for this. It truly has been too long since he's had a good, understanding rider.
Suraksha chuckles as he neatly lips up the bit, sliding the leather straps behind his ears and fastening the throatlatch. She puts the reins over his head, then pulls gently on the cheekstrap, "Lower your head a bit more, please, dear? Let me tidy your forelock." Tybalt lowers his head so it's easier for His Lady to reach his forelock, lipping playfully at her sleeve as he does so. He's starting to get eagerly restive.
Suraksha chuckles again, "Carrots after you're all braided up and pretty for the night -- and remember, we want to be on our best behavior around little Mary as well, please." As she speaks, she pulls the mane and forelock out from under the bridle, making sure they're all tidy, then neatly tucks the silk halter up under the leather straps so it won't flop around. Once she's done she steps back and takes a moment to admire the big, glossy black stallion. She grins cheerfully at him as she adds, "I must say, pretty pony, you do look sharp tonight!" At his proud snort and head toss she laughs softly and pats his shoulder, then taps his foreleg so he'll kneel.
Tybalt kneels neatly for his Lady to get up into the saddle, then carefully stands, shifting his weight from foot to foot until they're both nicely balanced. She's quickly astride, carefully gathering up the reins, "All right! Ready when you are, dear." He takes off at a canter for the isolated practice area he has in mind for them. He can't help lifting his feet up, prancing prettily.
Suraksha laughs softly, leaning forward to pat his shoulder again, "Feeling better already, sweetie?" She smiles, "I'm glad I could help some, if so." A small part of her is a bit worried -- what will he do during the year or so when she's not there? Maybe she can talk him into spending time with another Hetaera, so he feels better? She grins as she chastises herself internally -- pay attention to now -- she's supposed to be learning to jump!
Tybalt snorts happily and tosses his head, cantering and then trotting. He doesn't quite get up to a gallop before they reach the first obstacle. The change in his gait is obvious during the approach, muscles bunching and stretching gracefully under Sulochana. She sits up abruptly as they rush towards the jump, murmuring nervously, "Bit slower on the approach, please?!" She hastily reminds herself -- these jumps are all about 3' or less, and most of them are actually just two and a half; she can jump that on the ground herself! There's nothing to be afraid of. Still, it's... a bit alarming the first time, and she clenches her hands tightly in the big horse's mane well before the jump, so she doesn't accidentally jab his mouth.
Tybalt slows his pace as she shifts her posture on his back. The first jump is gentle and there's almost no difference between a gallop and the jump itself. His body stretches powerfully under her and then they're landing with a soft thump. Suraksha blinks as they canter smoothly away from the jump, glancing back over her shoulder in pleased surprise, "Oh! That was it?" She laughs, leaning to hug his neck, "That was easy! All right, I can do that!" She sits upright again, neatening up the reins as she smiles, "Shall we do a few more, just to be sure I have the rhythm of this?"
Tybalt whinnies encouragingly and canters toward the next jump. It's a little higher than the first one, and a little longer. He hasn't had time to warn her about some of the more drastic jumps they might encounter tomorrow -- but no need to make her worry before they've had a chance to practice the more basic ones. Suraksha's natural grace comes to her aid, especially now she knows what to expect. Her riding is smooth and effortless-seeming; she even manages to make it look a bit like she's the one directing, on occasion. She's laughing and delighted once they're done, "This isn't bad at all! It's kind of fun, even!"
Tybalt whickers and tosses his head happily. He just knew if he could get her on his back again she'd love the thrill of the jumping! He starts around the course once more, moving a little faster this time. Suraksha settles back, her hands light but firm on the reins -- he could pull free easily if he wished to, even as he knows what she'd like him to do. "Easy, pretty pony! While this is fun, we do still have to get you all tidied up for tomorrow, right? Let's head by the caravan, pick up Alg and Fantine, and go on to Roy's barns, please?"
Tybalt slows down reluctantly, then paws at the ground once before changing direction and heading back for the caravan. There will be plenty of jumps tomorrow -- and he will make his Lady look positively magnificent! Suraksha smiles, leaning to pat his shoulder, "Thanks for your patience, dear." She rides on into camp -- inadvertently causing a few goggle-eyed stares at the splendid horse she's mounted on -- and pauses by her wagon. Tybalt holds his head proudly at the exclamations he and his Lady elicit. He's quite aware what a wonderful figure they cut.
Sulochana calls, "Fantine, Alg, are you ready to go?" Quietly to Tybalt the small woman adds, "You're strong enough to carry us all, yes, sweetie?" Tybalt is almost indignant as he paws at the ground once, holding his head high. Two small women and a goblin are nothing to a warhorse that could carry a large man in armor!
Fantine calls, "Coming, mam'zelle!" Having been warned by Roy as to what to expect tomorrow, she exits the wagon with a small pack of things to help properly and beautifully prepare her lady -- then blinks and stares, wide-eyed, at the enormous horse. Alg is far less impressed; he simply sniffs around the big horse's hooves, snorting and muttering to himself. A moment later he bounds up onto the wagon's tiny porch, bounces off the railing, and leaps easily to the stallion's broad rump. He cackles, pleased with himself, as he lightly pats Suraksha's back and settles in place.
The big stallion turns his head to look at Alg with one large brown eye as the goblin settles on his back -- then he lowers himself carefully to one knee to let Fantine climb on his back. Fantine is hesitant, but at Suraksha's encouragement the little loogaroo tentatively climbs aboard. Alg shifts back to make room, also patting Fantine's back as she settles into place, then looking around with smug pride -- he gets to ride with his pretty lady!
From the outside it looks as if 'Chana is a simply amazing horsewoman. This might seem odd to her caravan family, who know her to be an adequate but not spectacular rider. Several of the caravaneers look rather startled, in fact; Ohkwari simply raises an eyebrow and rumbles, "Take good care a' her, now." Tybalt startles a little -- not quite enough to dislodge the riders on his back -- but then tosses his head and paws the ground once. He will take very good care of his Lady! He is a warhorse, trained to protect his rider, after all. He doesn't realize how much he's slipping back into that mindset.
Suraksha laughs and reins the big stallion over so she can lean down and give the manitou a quick hug, "Wish me luck, Ohkwa, for the hunt tomorrow!" After he smiles and returns the hug, she turns Tybalt towards the city of Baton Rouge. The Amazons come whirling past on their swift and shaggy ponies as Tybalt canters smoothly towards the royal mansion, making Sura wave and laugh again. Their high, shrill cries are cheerful as they bracket the galloping big stallion for a bit -- then they peel off and thunder into the night on some errand or other.
Fantine keeps her arms nervously wrapped tight about Sura's waist, her voice a little shaky, "W-we are safe, mam'zelle? This is a good horse, oui?" Sura laughs again -- she finds she's quite enjoying herself! -and replies cheerfully, "This is the best horse I know of, Fantine! We couldn't be safer -- even if Moynahan were still alive!" Alg, swaying easily on the big stallion's rump, snorts dismissively. "Alg help!" Tybalt's tail swishes briskly as they head toward the city and then the palace. He has seen Roy's stables and knows he will be as comfortable as a horse can be there. He is also eager to be properly caparisoned for his Lady Edana. He knows, after all, how magnificent her habit will be for the hunt.
Suraksha rides first to the front of the big mansion, both so Fantine and Alg can dismount, and to ask for a message to be sent to Mary. Fantine is quite happy to slip quickly off the big horse and head indoors to the safety of her lady's room; as a lady's maid, the little loogaroo was never taught how to ride -- and this is a particularly big horse, to her! Alg scampers cheerfully off to do whatever he does at Roy's estate, and Sura heads for the barns once she's been told little Mary did indeed want to help her with her horse.
Tybalt slows down a little as they head for the stables. Once he's groomed and decorated his Lady will leave him for the night and go, most likely to Roy's bed. He'd promised he would try to work with the king of Baton Rouge on this, but he's reluctant to let his rider go. Suraksha doesn't realize Tybalt's line of thought -- she's more interested in slowing down so the two of them don't get in anyone's way. She calls down from Tybalt's back, asking directions of a wide eyed and gap-toothed kid staring open-mouthed at the big stallion. Once the child snaps out of her awed startlement, she scampers forward to delightedly lead the way -- and soon Sura is dismounting in front of a large box stall that has been prepared for her horse. "This is very nice! Thank you for the help."
Tybalt surveys the stall approvingly. This is almost as good as the accommodations he had before his Lady Queen realized he was more than just a water-pony. Mary comes flying in soon thereafter, beaming and carrying handfuls of silken ribbons. She has been told not to mention her Papa's seamstresses are working so hard on clothes for Mama 'Chana, so she simply chatters about the ribbons instead and how they're going to look so pretty in all the black of Tybalt's mane and tail. She is used to Roy's own horses and is instantly in love with the big black stallion. Suraksha laughs and hugs the small child, and is not surprised to realize -- about ten minutes later -- she has every free stable kid in the stall with her, eagerly grooming the beautiful big stallion and chattering excitedly to each other.
Tybalt whinnies as he's quickly surrounded by small humans with ribbons to be braided into his mane and tail. He startles slightly at the first rush of them, but then blisses out as he's brushed and groomed and fussed over so diligently. He's certain he will be the most gorgeous mount there! Roy doesn't stop by, but only because he's busy making sure Hermoso is decked out properly and ready for the hunt as well.
Suraksha goes to neatly set the tack outside the stall for use tomorrow to ride Tybalt back -- and is a bit startled when it's almost whisked out of her hands! She's cheerfully assured it will be cleaned and returned as quickly as possible, and she has to smilingly insist she does indeed wish to work on the big stallion before they stop trying to gently shoo the lady off to the nice clean mansion as well. Soon thereafter Suraksha is unwittingly endearing herself to the children as she too helps make sure the big stallion is impeccably clean, and chatters just as cheerfully with the children as she would with an adult. The stable kids are delighted! Mary is smug -- she'd told them so.
With so many hands working on him, Tybalt is soon braided and brushed and shined to a fare-thee-well -- looking quite gorgeous, and definitely a proper mount for a royal consort! Once they're finished, and Tybalt looks magnificent, Suraksha gives Mary a carrot to feed to him; she's quite sure he knows how to not bite, after all. She's relieved Roy didn't feel the need to stop by, since to her that means he trusts the big horse she's chosen to ride.
Once they're done with Tybalt he gently lips his Lady's hair, feeling a little stirring of melancholy to see her go. Suraksha smiles and runs a light hand along Tybalt's long, dark nose before she departs, murmuring, "You look lovely, sweetie. Sleep well! It's going to be an early morning." After all the happy children have been gently herded out of the stall, and a flake of hay has been left for Tybalt, Sura and Mary head off hand-in-hand to Hermoso's stall to find Roy.
They find him putting the final touches on the big white horse, singing quietly to himself and the stallion in an accent so thick as to be nearly incomprehensible. The king is wearing a simple white linen shirt rolled up to his elbows, and black breeches with his riding boots. He turns, beaming when Mary calls out to him. "Well, well, if it ain't the two most beautiful ladies in the city!"
Suraksha laughs delightedly, "Charmer!" She leans against the stall door as Mary scampers in to hug her father, adding, "Thanks for the nice big stall for my Tybalt, lovely man."
Roy grins and swings his daughter up into his arms for a hug and a kiss on her nose before setting her back down. He puts away his grooming tools and pats Hermoso on the neck, "He's a big beast. Needs a big stall." Stepping over, he leans in to kiss 'Chana on the cheek, "It's jist about time fer bed, I think."
Suraksha mmms happily, sliding her arms up about his neck and turning to brush her lips against his. She murmurs softly, "Sure hope so, sweet man -- been missing you still!" She laughs as Mary squirms happily between them, then yawns. "Definitely time for bed, yes!"
Roy smiles and scoops Mary up onto his hip. She's getting to be a bit big to be carried that way, but Roy still enjoys doing so. His other arm goes around 'Chana's shoulders, "Been missin' you too. Let's get little miss to bed and then spend some time catchin' up, hmm?"
Suraksha mmms happily again, sliding her arm about Roy's waist and leaning her head against his shoulder. As they head in she grins and murmurs teasingly, "Love to -- thought you'd never ask!"
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