Welcome to Gaia! ::

The two ninau dipped their massive heads as if to bow. [Pleasure to meet you.] [Not scared of us, are you?] As Eiracelyn whinied a laugh Relm shot him a look. Then she grinned with sheepish apology at Kaleb. "I guess I wasn't too clear on how big they were, was I?" Having spent so much of her time not in her studio with Timex, Relm often forgot how their sheer size could intimidate. "They're gentle giants really. At least Timex is. Eiracelyn's not been with us long enough to vouche too much for him." [You would like me to carry him, Relm?] Slowly the white ninau male bent in his grey forelegs to kneel before folding his backlegs beneath him as well as Relm nodded. "Timex can get you back to the city outskirts in no time, Scholar." If I've not scared you of him completely.

Her brow furrowed ever so slightly at Kaleb's nevousness. Espers! Will he fall off if I let him go alone?

Giving him a soft grin Relm lightly patted the mage's arm. Her words when she next spoke were soft. "Would you like me to ride out with you?" She knew Timex would appreciate her company for the trip back, so it was really a matter of what her friend thought.

Relm chuckled. "No trouble at all! The Big Guy & I are special friends." Timex tilted his head to n** at her curls & Relm kissed the side of his muzzle. She stroked the bridge of his muzzle with affection before moving back to throw a leg over the ninau's back. Turning to Kaleb she gave him a wide smile & held out her hand to asist him getting up. "Come on." She said easily, light green eyes smiling encouragingly.

Although Relm could clearly see the mage's nervousness she was unsure what she could do about it. The still newly in love female was trying to decide how loosely or tightly she could or should hold onto Kaleb to both keep him safe & keep them comfortable with their proximity. Never had Relm had to think in this way about herself.

In the end she hugged Kaleb firmly around the waist but without leaning into him. Relm gripped Timex's body between her legs as one accustomed to riding bareback. "Relax, Scholar. It'll be fine." She whispered as reasurringly as she could. The ninau's ears flicked gently, causing his blue mane to shiver like a waterfall. [Are you both ready?] He asked; more for courtesy than anything else. Timex could tell by the feel of the audios on his back that Relm was ready as usual... and that Kaleb was likely not to relax very soon. The ninau huffed softly, not seeing what there was to fear in himself yet at the same time admiring the audio healer for sucking it up & trying something that clearly frightened him.

Relm nodded. "As ready as we're going to be, Big Guy." Slowly & ever-so-carefully, Timex stood.

Timex flicked his ears at the healer's reaction. Turning his head his great big blue eyes caught the 'go ahead' look in Relm's. Sighing the ninau walked slowly out of the barn, ignoring Eiracelyn's nickers & comments of [Not an equestrian, is he?]

"It's okay, Scholar. Relax. MotherHen lets her little boy ride the Big Guy. She wouldn't do that if it wasn't safe." Relm whispered as soothingly as she could. "He's as gentle as a big pony, when he wants to be."

The ninau's ears flattened against his head for a brief moment, not caring for being compared to a pony compliment or not. [I will not drop you.]

Although Relm could not really perceive being afraid -when it came to adventure she never had been- she tried to be understanding. "It's all right, Scholar." she said gently though her brows furrowed in confusion. "And thanks."

Timex's natural gait was even, though he attempted to smooth it out even more for his nervous passenger. His ears flicked with inner amuzement, feeling the male audio calm slightly on his back.

He knew the route, having dropped Relm off at the city that morning. Of course it seemed longer not being able to gallop. Still, they made very good time & the ninau whinnied softly when he could see the first lights of the city crest the horizon before them.

Stifling a yawn Relm smiled as she looked up to see what their mount had called to attention. When did I get so tired? "Not very long now, Scholar." She said softly.

Either Relm or the ninau could have told him that Timex did not offend easily. Breathing out heavily Timex began to show other signs that they approached the city: an extra flick of his tail or slight flare of his nostrils; the toss of his mane. He was keenly aware of the scent of the city & Timex did not much care for it. The pictomancer patted their ride's rump affectionately, effectively calming him down again. Long enough to reach the edge of town.

Timex snorted softly -blue eyes darting about. Seeing nor sensing any immediate threat the great beast lowered himself to the ground just outside the city limits. Relm gave Kaleb a wry grin. "Is this close enough for you? The big guy isn't too fond of cities, as you can probably tell." She laughed & Timex hung his head, blue mane fanning out over the ground. [I'm sorry. They're loud & smell bad.] The female audio giggled. "I know, Big Guy. I know."