[Hymn #70] ~Rapide~ [Movement]

[nightcrossed]

[Nathan's "unicorn" comments had at least warranted a look around the stables. Tear had seen plenty of interesting creatures, but the horses and the winged horses (called "pegasi" or singularly a "pegasus") were somewhat new. It was hard not to like creatures that would willingly trot up and take apples or carrots out of the palm of her hand. (Not that she was spoiling them or anything! She'd only brought a handful of apple slices yesterday - and it wasn't as if she could resist; the animals seemed both charming and intelligent.) Apparently they were riding animals; Tear had never ridden any sort of animal before, not even during her training, but the prospect was somewhat intriguing.

This afternoon, however, she was forgoing apple slices and instead waiting around for Guts. Perhaps she'd learn a thing or two about proper riding form by watching him.]

They move as if they haven't a single care in the world.

((OOC: This will use up 1% on Tataroo Valley part deux, leaving 1% left and 34% total used.))

Comments

[a-severed-fate.livejournal.com]

[Tear nods her head in understanding as they head back in the direction of the stables.]

I agree. He certainly seems to be behaving himself. Perhaps he's used to this sort of thing.

[She cast a glance in the direction of Guts and the horse and nodded.]

Understood. I'll get it.

[Tear walked ahead to the wooden gate leading out into the stable area and lifted the latch, pulling the door slowly inwards and back towards the fence so that Guts could pass through.]

[guts-noglory.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

[Guts leads his gelding through towards the stables, keeping to a slow amble so Tear can catch up.]

Been down here long today?

[a-severed-fate.livejournal.com]

[Tear latches the door back behind them and follows.]

Not very long. One of the newcomers voiced concern about the animals here being violent, so I've been observing them for the past week. They seem peaceful enough to me, so I've come to the conclusion that it was merely nonsense.

We don't have horses on Auldrant.

[guts-noglory.livejournal.com]

Horses can be violent, but that kinda depends on their training most of the time. Stallions are worse, o'course. This fella here's a gelding, so he oughta be reasonably friendly.

[Guts leads them into the stable and wordlessly commandeers a loosebox, tying the horse to the ring inside and ducking back out to look for some grooming gear.]

...First thing to do when you're riding a horse is clean 'em up. Give them a brushing, make sure there's nothing on their coat that's gonna be uncomfortable or painful to 'em. Prickles, grass seeds, that kinda thing.

[He ignores his worsening headache, finding some brushes and brusquely handing Tear a curry comb with a vague wave to the beast.]

Also check for injuries - cuts, scrapes, bites - and bugs. They can pick up ticks. This old guy's got a few scars, but I don't see anything fresh. Still, it pays to check. Just brush him along the grain of his coat. It'll probably be a bit dusty.

[Guts has also picked up a strange-looking (http://www.horsetackinternational.com/images/82333-brass-hoof-pick.jpg) shape of metal; now he bends and starts running his hand down one of the gelding's forelegs, facing its rump.]

This is a hoof pick and 's'probably the most important bit: making sure there's nothin' stuck in his hooves. A little pebble or something and too much work can mean he'll be lame for a week, if you're not careful. Pays to check their legs while you're doing it, too, checking for heat or swelling.

[With another encouraging click of his tongue Guts tugs gently on the longer hairs of the horse's fetlock until he lifts his hoof, settling it between his knees and carefully working clods of dirt and grass and small stones out with the pick.]

[a-severed-fate.livejournal.com]

[Shakes her head.] I'm sure there's a certain danger whenever large animals are involved. To be honest, I think he was only trying to start trouble. He seems like someone who makes a fuss just to get attention.

[Stallions? Tear assumed those were the breeding male animals, as they were commonly the most territorial. It would make sense.]

[Tear watched as Guts returned with the grooming gear, nodding every now and then as he explained proper care of horses. It reminded her a bit of the process some of the more seasoned Oracle Knights went through when checking their armor and weaponry. Tear blinked for a second before finally accepting the curry comb and moving closer to the gelding, making sure that it could see her clearly before she began to carefully brush him in the direction that his coat naturally laid.]

[Tear was still listening as she continued to stroke the gelding, thinking that Guts was a lot more knowledgeable than he had originally let on.]

[guts-noglory.livejournal.com]

[Guts has slightly more trouble with the gelding's off-side (that would be its right, for those of you playing at home) since it's awkward with his missing hand, but manages anyway. He straightens and grabs another brush, going over the coat briskly as dust rises.]

If you're done there, you can comb out his mane and tail. Not really necessary, but he might like it. Just remember he can't see behind him, so probably best to let him know you're there before you grab his tail and start hoiking at it.

[a-severed-fate.livejournal.com]

["Hoike", now there was a new word. Tear thought for a moment on how to make sure the gelding knew she was there, finally deciding to stroke the gelding gently where she had just been brushing and slide her hand along its side as she began pacing to where his tail was - perhaps better to get that out of the way before working on his mane - that seemed less dangerous.]

Easy, boy. Easy, does it... [Tear murmured this and similar assurances to the animal, though what the rest of her utterances were seemed to blur beneath her own migraine. No, not a migraine. In her head the horse was charging, not standing still, and it wasn't even a horse anymore. It was larger, and blue, with wings protruding from its neck and a horn crowing its head. And there were more people. Or was she kneeling in the grass casting healing artes on it after Luke and Guy had finally managed to knock it unconscious? Either way, Tear had stopped what she was doing and backed off a few paces, just to be sure the gelding wasn't going anywhere.]

...do you happen to know anything about the ones with wings?

[guts-noglory.livejournal.com]

Nope.

[Guts glances back at her, not stopping what he was doing.]

...you okay? Look kinda pale.

[a-severed-fate.livejournal.com]

I suppose it can't be helped, then.

...

[Glances up from staring at nothing.]

I'm fine. It's just a... headache.

[guts-noglory.livejournal.com]

Huh. Must be something in the air today.

[He slaps the horse's shoulder in a brisk pat and finishes his brushing.]

I'm gonna go grab some...tack. You're all right here by yourself?

[a-severed-fate.livejournal.com]

Perhaps it's dust and pollen from the plants. There seems to be a lot of it in the air during this time of year.

In any case, I'll be fine. [Says this last part firmly.]

[guts-noglory.livejournal.com]

All right.

[He ducks out of the stall, returning perhaps ten minutes later with a bridle on his shoulder and a saddle and blanket over his arm - picking the right sizes had occupied him long than he'd thought.

He hung the saddle on the loosebox door and went to the gelding's head.]

...let's see if I remembered how to do this right.

[Once again Guts finds that what he does remember doesn't seem to allow for his missing arm, but he manages to urge the horse's mouth open with his good hand and slip the bit in, picking the headpiece off from his iron one and pulling it fastly on over his mount's poll.]

Well, that wasn't so hard.

[a-severed-fate.livejournal.com]

[And she's still standing there ten minutes later, looking somewhat thoughtful. She snaps out of it as Guts approaches.]

It may be a case of muscle memory. Your body could be going though the motions of what you've done before. If it comes this easily, I'd imagine you've been through this process many times in the past.

I recall that my aim was quite poor when I first arrived here, but my arms still knew the basic steps for gripping and throwing knives.

[Watches.] Would you care for further assistance? I seem to be fine.

[guts-noglory.livejournal.com]

Yeah, might be that. Or maybe I remembered stuff without really realising it, since I haven't had a chance to play with the ponies yet.

[Guts hesitates for a second, being the type of man to do everything by his lonesome plzkthx, but then shrugs.]

...sure, knock yourself out. Grab me that saddle and pad and we'll get that on him.

[He unbuckles the halter and slides it off from beneath the bridle before doing up the chinstrap and nosepiece, tugging the gelding's forelock free of the headstall gently.]

[a-severed-fate.livejournal.com]

I suppose that explanation is also possible. People may remember things in various ways. This instance did seem a bit different than usual, but it's familiar enough to me now that I don't feel it necessary to question its authenticity.

[We understand. Tear's pretty independent herself, but she doesn't like standing around doing nothing. Might as well distract herself by lending a hand.]

[The melodist nods briefly and makes her way over to the saddle and pad to heft them up in her arms. They're somewhat heavy, and dusty, but she doesn't seem to be having a great deal of trouble with them as she makes her way back over to Guts and the horse.]

He's quite well-behaved...

[guts-noglory.livejournal.com]

So far. Saddle goes here, narrow end to the front. Make sure the strap isn't caught up first.

[a-severed-fate.livejournal.com]

[Tear nodded in understanding and hefted up the saddle. It was a bit more difficult now that she was lifting her arms higher, but she managed to hoist it above the gelding's back, checking that the strap didn't get tucked underneath before laying it across its back.

Her nerves were still a little unsettled, but she was confident she could handle this - so long as nothing unforeseen happened.]

Like this?

[guts-noglory.livejournal.com]

[Guts gave a curt nod after a moment and ducked under the gelding's neck, reaching under the pommel of the saddle to adjust the blanket a bit and tug the girth free of the stirrup.]

Okay, now grab that strap and cinch it up under the flap there.