genessia | Airy Airy Quite Contrary

Entry tags:

Airy Airy Quite Contrary

Who: Joseph

imaginationswoes
What: Riding lessons.
Where: A stable somewhere in Fayren
When: July 28th
Warnings: None

[Joseph is waiting outside the stables, brushing down a beautiful mare with better hair than he has. She's equipped with a workaday saddle and a beautiful leather bridle and looks eager to start the day, though exceedingly gentle as he strokes her face and neck]

There there. You're a good girl aren't you?

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[As Airy's leaving her apartment she silently decides that it is way to hot for pants. She's managed to find something close to riding clothes though she'll probably end up taking off her jacket and just wearing her white tank if the heat doesn't relent. The back of her hand brushes against her forehead and as she walks towards the Fayren archway she's tying back her long hair in a messy cross between a ponytail and a bun. The waves in her hair loop into ringlets as the humidity rises making the effort of tying it back more difficult. She's given up with dealing with it though she likes to keep the thick threads off the back of her neck. A few lose strands frame her cheeks and every few minutes she compulsively brushes them back behind her ear.

When she arrives she pauses and stares at the horse next to Joseph. She's seen pictures of horses and has even seen a few in real life but she's never been that close to a horse. She walks up carefully, noting it's large size before pausing a few feet away.]

She's so pretty... or he is...

[She's not looking to check the sex of the horse.]

It won't bite... will it?

She. Her name is Gwennie...

[he regards Airy for a moment. The clothes aren't bad though she'll got hot in the jacket.

Also, she seems nervous]

Horses are delicate animals, sensitive to moods and fears. It's because they're herd animals so they have to know how to read people. But she's a gentle one so she won't bite unless provoked or afraid. [he pats the horse's neck and then cuts an apple in half with a small knife and holds out half to Airy]

Would you like to feed her?

Gwennie.

[Airy smiles at the horse as she steps closer. It takes time but slowly the tension and nervousness in her shoulders releases. She shrugs out of her jacket and tosses it on the ground. She isn't the sort of person to worry if her clothes get dirty.] She's beautiful. [She knows she already said that but its true and needs repeating.]

Yes.

[She takes the offered half and then holds it out for the horse. She keeps her fingers flat and together as the horse quickly eats the apple from her palm. A soft, surprised giggle escapes her lips as the feeling.]

That's good. You know how to feed her. [he strokes Gwennie's nose and then hands Airy a brush] Why don't you two get acquainted and I'll get a mounting block for you.

[hopefully Gwennie wouldn't startle or spook but Joseph didn't see why she would. In any case he leaves them to their own devices for the moment to fetch the mounting block as well as a helmet for Airy]

[It isn't that she knows how to feed her, that she doesn't want to get her fingers bitten off.

She takes the brush with a smile and slowly begins to run it through the horse's thick mane. Her free hand continues to lightly pat the horse's side, a smile teasing her lips as her arms move. It's not so bad and it's easy to stay calm when Gwennie isn't being frantic.

With Joseph stepping away Airy begins to talk to the horse.] Is it okay if I learn to ride on you? I've never done it before but I heard I'm very light.

[When Joseph returns she stops talking to the horse, feeling a little embarrassed.]

[too bad, she's caught. Except Joseph just thinks it's cute]

You're already talking to her. Good. Try this on for size. [hands her a helmet then sets the block next to the horse]

A lot of first timers think of the horse as an object or a movie star. But they are just animals, thinking and feeling and intelligent.

[he takes the brush from her and cards through the mare's mane a few more times before setting it back in the tack pouch]

[Airy flushes, handing the brush back to him and taking the helmet. She pulls her wavy hair over her shoulder and fits the hat over her head. She has no idea how this will help her if she falls off a horse.]

I've been told I have a way with animals.

[Most of the time it had been Luther, telling her to stop treating animals like people but Airy always thought that they could understand. It's what her mother said.]

I am also pretty sure that she's smarter than I am. [Airy looks over at Joseph with a smile.] Okay, so where do I start?

[it will keep her from getting a skull fracture is what it will do]

She seems to have a way with you as well. [he smiles, deciding it's probably better not to agree to the last, and guides Airy up to the mounting block.]

Left foot in the stirrup first and then swing over her back with your right. Don't be afraid to lean on her a little bit.

[Airy feels a small sheepish smile touch her lips. She's pretty sure that he'd just stopped himself from agreeing with her. She shakes her head looking back at the horse before stepping up to the mounting block. These things are certainly handy and she's happen for the piece of wood since she is very small.]

I think she's already won my heart.

[Her hand lightly rests on Josephs shoulder as she balances and swings her right leg over the saddle.]

She's probably stronger than me too. [Plus Airy is very light. Its a little awkward but Airy doesn't fall and manages to remain upright.]

[her hand is very light and warm and if he shivers a little it's only because he's not used to-- no because he's cold yes that's it. He clears his throat.]

She's just for riding I think. [he's not actually sure what horse breeds there are around here] If you want to see real power you should look at draft horses.

[or a war horse like Daisy. Did she miss him, he wondered?]

Now keep your back straight, knees in...I'll be leading her so you won't have to guide her yet but hold the reins very loosely like this.... [he'll show her and then step back. Gwennie shifts and snorts and flips her tail to swat at a fly and Joseph can't help but smile indulgently and stroke her nose]

When you're ready, we'll start.

[Airy looks down at Joseph curiously. It's comfortable in the saddle though she can't say she's used to feeling a heart beat vibrate beneath her. It's interesting, scary and yet she trusts the horse completely; despite just meeting.]

Still stronger than me. [She lets out a soft laugh looking from the horse in front of her and then over to her teacher.] I can imagine.

Okay. [She follows his instructions, softly mouthing the instructions as he gives them to her.] Like this?

[She lightly holds the reins looking to Joseph to make sure she's holding it correctly.] I won't hurt her will I?

You won't. [he smiles fondly] You're very gentle and very light. Just relax. Try to move with her if you can but don't worry too much about that. Just enjoy yourself.

[he unties Gwennie and begins to lead her to the bridal path] Maybe we'll see a unicorn... Would you like that? [though he's speaking to the horse really]

[Airy looks down at the horse and feels herself automatically smile and relax. She feels surprisingly comfortable though most likely because Joseph is there.

When he mentions the unicorn she turns to look at him curiously. It really doesn't sound like he's talking to her because he's talking as if talking to a dog or a pet. It's just a phrasing difference but it's something she picked up on.]

Are you talking to me or Gwennie?

[She doesn't mean for that question to sound that awkward. Airy's trying not to get flustered.]

Gwennie... [he flushes a bit, feeling awkward and Gwennie whickers, ducking her head and shaking it. He pats her neck]

But you too... if you want to see one that is... I mean we could maybe try and find one if you're interested. Not that I know where to look.

[Airy watches him for a few moments before leaning forward slightly.]

Do you really think there are Unicorns here? [Her voice is soft and light, she can't help but ask. It's every young girl's dream to see a unicorn and despite being older Airy still has the heart of a child.]

[he smiles at her voice. It reminds him of him a bit.. The kind of longing... but much more suited on a woman than himself he thinks.]

So I've heard, but I've yet to see one. [he smiles up at her though as always not quite meeting her eyes] Maybe we'll get lucky.

[She feels her smile widen as her head turns towards the tree line. The idea of a unicorn fills her with a giddy-ish glee. It's the imagination of a child fueled by seas of dreams and color.]

I hope we are. [Airy turns back to Joseph.] Then all three of us will have an amazing memory that we'd share.

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Airy Airy Quite Contrary

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