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Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 2:26 am
- Horse Riding Practice-
- In which Alec Scott [leon_a_darkangel] tries to help his fellow trainee, and fast growing friend Lenore Abendritter [Qixel] on how to properly ride a horse without (hopefully) having the poor girl fall off. Alec having experience riding, offers to try and teach the small girl.
- Earlier in the day, not long after morning PT - Overcast, with a chance of rain - Outside by the horse stables stables
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Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 3:04 am
Sometimes Alec had to admit he didn't always expect to see some of the people he'd found enlisted recently in the military. Least of all did he anticipate for the small girl who had fervently dunked him during is time at the 100 Year Festival, and savior of his sister to be spotted. Not to mention she was now also a fellow dorm member of Falke. He'd over heard the how as to why the girl was enlisted and couldn't help feeling like he owed her. Spending the morning down by the horse stalls as he would customarily do along with making Courier deliveries as needed, Alec genuinely enjoyed any chance he got to ride one of the great albeit sometimes stubborn military horses. Some of the beasts were troublesome, like the wild stallion he'd heard was wild and unruly and required coaxing to be brought back to pastor. Working on saddling up one of the horses, not knowing how to read its stall name he was quietly working his mind drifting to the different people he knew, wondering when he'd run into someone. The military compound may have been large, but there were only so many activities and things one could do. It was natural to encounter the same person a few times a day, even if your tasks were completely opposite the other. "Hmm..lets see, I think that's everything." Alec recalled a time he used to fall off the large horses as he'd been learning growing up. He'd nearly broken his arm a few times, and landed on his a** an embarrassing amount of times. With time had come confidence, enough he could in theory ride bare back but much rather preferred not to. The red head was carefully coaxing a seemingly friendly mare out of her stall an easy going smile on the 15 year olds face.
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Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 8:56 am
Lenore made her way over to the stables with another sigh. While she didn't exactly hate horses like some people, she wasn't exactly fond of them, either. But the Baldies had said to do everything she could while training, and something told her they weren't joking around. Maybe it was their treatment of Shun at the bonfire. Maybe it was the fact that one of them said they weren't joking around. Come to think of it, that last one was probably it. She sighed again. Seeing Alec a good distance away, her hand subconsciously reached for a ball, but found none. Shaking her head clear of the sudden urge to dunk him into a tub of water, Lenore made her way over to him. "Hey. You have to learn how to ride a horse, too...?"
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Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 2:10 pm
"I was just going to get in some practical practice, I actually am pretty good at riding horses for the most part." Alec replied, waving at the other in greeting as she moved closer to him. If Lenore was harboring any thoughts from the festival he was oblivious. He held no grudge against her, and might even have laughed if he'd known. She was quiet, and only spoke when she needed too. Yet some how still Lenore was insightful, Alec had to admit he was curious to know more about her. If he could do something to repay her kindness, the red head would gladly try. Really, he hadn't had a lot of chances to interact with the girl so this perhaps this would be a good chance to get to know her better. "Why, are you needing to learn?" He asked her curiously wondering if perhaps Lenore didn't have very much experience. It was of course entirely possible, and he waited patiently for her response. Perhaps it was just him, but she did seem a bit troubled.
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Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 2:42 pm
Lenore gave the boy a long look. He didn't look like someone who rode horses a lot. Then again, what would such a person look like? Thinking about it momentarily, she decided she had no clue. Well, better not to dwell on pointless thoughts. She nodded sheepishly. "Yeah. The Baldies said to do everything I could while training here, so I decided that I might as well get horse riding over with. Only issue is, I don't know the first thing about riding a horse outside of books. I imagine it's fairly more difficult." She shrugged to punctuate her statement.
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Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 5:28 pm
In truth, he only kept practicing because he could still remember his father and his horse when he'd come home from the Military. The man use to have him sit with him and go for a short walk around town with an overly pleased Alec clutching the reigns. Long after the man died, he kept practicing simply to have a good hand on the art. It helped the family had owned a horse as well. Her long stare only earned her an arch of his brow, wondering what she could possibly be staring at him for in such a manner. Was it that odd he could ride? The mention of the Bald men from Shiganshina made him shudder just a bit. "The Baldies...I'm scared they are even here." He whispered leaning in for Lenore's ears only. After a moment of silence passed between them, an idea occurred to Alec. A smile etched onto his face suddenly. "Hey, here's a thought. I can try and teach you if you'd like?" He offered, a slight tilt of his head following his suggestion.
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Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 5:44 pm
As Alec leaned in, she leaned back out of habit, but still made out what he said. She shrugged. "The Baldies aren't so bad. They haven't put me in a book costume and made me walk around the entire town in it, yet. It was fairly annoying being conscripted, but whatever. Not like I had anything but read books to do, anyway."At the boy's suggestion, she blinked a few times before nodding. "Sure. I don't see anyone lining up to teach me, anyhow." She shrugged again.
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Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 7:54 pm
He took note of the fact she leaned away, and would not make habit of overtly invading her space if it was bothersome. He could remain by her but not actually lean in like he might with Preacher, or Axel. It was just a learning curve. "I can imagine being conscripted would be.." He frowned a bit shaking his head. "I entered on my own accord, so that has to be a bit frustrating. I'm sure something good will come of it." Alec added trying to sound optimistic, giving a slight shrug as well. "Alright, lets start with the basics. We'll begin with mounting and dismounting, and namely how to stop the horse before we have you try riding." He wasn't sure what her skill level was, but it didn't sound like she'd had much exposure to horses. He wanted to encourage her to ride independently but until she got herself hoisted up on the beast, situated and balanced he wouldn't know for sure. This being the first lesson, Alec would hold off on riding a horse along with Lenore as he likely would have to lead the horse. Later, when they could focus on posture and rein gripping he would ride along with her. One step at a time. Holding the mare's reins, he indicated for Lenore to grab a helmet, encouraging safety before trying to get her to step up into the stirrups. It wasn't like he wanted to rush her anyway.
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Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2014 10:01 am
Lenore shrugged and looked to the side. "I may as well have been conscripted at the book store, too. I didn't have much of a choice in the matter. As for some good coming of it, we'll see. I got to have books at the book store, but I can't figure out what I'll get here."At the mention of beginning, she gave a slight nod. Pulling on the helmet, she walked over to the horse and, with a measure of difficulty, succeeded in making it up onto the saddle. Momentarily, at least. As she tried to get situated, she slipped to the other side and fell off the horse.
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Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2014 6:51 pm
Alec's eyes went wide as he watched her go sailing off the saddle headed for the ground. All the same, he still kept a hand on the reigns. He was extremely grateful the horse was a calm one and didn't spook easily. He was quick to join her side, crouching down so he was near her. "...first of all you have to plant your weight once you sit down, use your thighs to grip the saddle if you need to. More importantly --- are you alright Lenore?" He expressed concern, his blue eyes watching her, glancing up at the high fall. Offering his hand out to her, out to her he waited quietly letting her come to her senses. This time he'd help her step her boot into his hand and offer a boost and hopefully negate her tumbling down. He'd make sure she was unhurt first, he could only pray her small frame was some what resilient.
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Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2014 10:10 pm
Lenore sat up with a scowl. Rubbing her shoulder, she shook her head. "It doesn't hurt as bad as sparring with Preacher, at least." She muttered. Looking up at Alec, she nodded. "I'm fine." If she was getting anything out of being in the military, it was probably a high threshold for pain. Taking his hand, she pulled herself to her feet.
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Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2014 11:25 pm
She was unharmed for the most part, that alone was reason to sigh with relief. Alec nodded when she grumbled. Lenore at least had it in her to gripe, and indicate all was mostly well. "I haven't sparred with her yet. I'll take your word for it. Shun was rough to spar with, I got a lot to learn on that end myself." He clasped her hand and quickly standing, brought her with. "This time step up on my hand, and when you sit down, grip the reigns if you need too. Just make sure you hold yourself in place." He encouraged gently. The red head let go of the reigns for just a moment, which the beast stood still obediently. Lacing his fingers together, Alec nodded at Lenore for her to go ahead when ready.
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Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2014 4:24 am
Stepping up on his hand, she arrived in the saddle with much less difficulty than before. Gripping the reins so she didn't fall, she did as she was instructed and pressed her thighs against the saddle. When she was satisfied that she wouldn't fall again, she turned to Alec and regarded him with a blank stare. "What now...?"
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Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2014 11:57 pm
With Lenore settled, and assured she was sitting securely Alec gave her a small nod. Walking around to the side he quickly checked the stirrups and adjusted them for her height. He would stay with her the whole time, but would try not to lead the horse too much (unless it went miserably). Walking a little bit with them, he continued talking with her. "Well. Lets see how you fair walking around shall we?" He kept an eye on her, taking a step back. "You'll have to get a feel for how to start, and stop on your own. Give the reins a little tap when your ready." Alec moved along in an easy, slow pace beside the girl and horse. "Stopping means sitting up, and pushing yourself down, and pull lightly back on the horse's mouth with the reins in hands, and give a woah, or halt with your action." Her blank stare might have been odd, but he had to suspect she would hopefully enjoy the process. Once she got use to starting and stopping without any help, and beyond her first ride they could always do cones, and work into jumps. The look he gave her indicated she was free to try, trusting she would ask questions and keep what he'd said in mind.
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Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 10:28 am
Looking up at the cloudy sky, Lenore gave a tentative nod. Lifting the reins, she gave them a soft tap, and the horse began trotting forward. Lenore began bouncing up and down in the saddle, and she gripped it tighter. The girl cast a glance at the ground moving below her before immediately returning her attention to the reins in her hands. The horse began to pick up speed, and Lenore pulled the reins back, wide-eyed. "Oh! Uh, stop, or something...!" The horse whinnied, but nevertheless stopped its movement. Taking a moment to regain her bearings, she gave the reins another light tap and the horse began trotting once again.
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