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KitsuneAura rolled 2 8-sided dice:
5, 1
Total: 6 (2-16)
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 Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 1:03 pm
[+3 modifier]
It was easier to turn towards the hurdles after Ervette and Jeong-jae had gone. Larisa suspected that was because Scout was more interested in following other horses than anything she might have wanted her to do, but the blonde made the mistake of hoping it was a good sign anyway. Jeong-jae and his horse had jumped well, and if Scout wanted to follow, maybe she would also do well? She really really really hoped so, but now people would be watching and they would know if things didn't work this time. No more pretending she meant to be doing whatever her horse was doing after that.
But she couldn't do nothing, either, not now that Jeong-jae had given that challenge. Grimacing in advance, she spurred Scout towards the hurdle. And tried very hard to resist a sudden urge to cry as she smashed through the obstacles instead. Mortified, she ducked her head to keep from looking at the other trainees and tried to move over towards Ervette instead. "U-um, I think I need help, please..."
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radish rolled 2 8-sided dice:
5, 7
Total: 12 (2-16)
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Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 1:15 pm
(( +3 modifier. ))
The first hurdle wasn't much of a challenge. Under Shakuntala's command, Scout seemed eager to get herself into a speedy start. Appeasing the steed's advances, she pressed her heels into the mare's sides, and the horse took off toward the obstacle. With a quick leap, Scout made it over cleanly. Gently tugging the reins to the right, she then made a sharp arc to the second hurdle.
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radish rolled 2 8-sided dice:
5, 2
Total: 7 (2-16)
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Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 1:20 pm
(( +3 modifier. ))
The thunderous pounding of Scout's hooves as she ambled on to the second hurdle were hardly registered by the seventeen year old. Shakuntala had found herself lost in a slight daze of awe. Riding the mare felt like drifting through the sky on tender (and bumpy, but she'd never admit that) wings. She seemed prepared to just let Scout run the course herself and enjoy the time she could on such a wonderful horse.
Never mind the fact her fellow colleagues had murderous intent on their side. She could never understand why anyone would dislike these animals. They were gifts of the heavens~
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radish rolled 2 8-sided dice:
5, 2
Total: 7 (2-16)
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Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 1:25 pm
(( +3 modifier. ))
Well, Shakuntala didn't have long to daydream. Upon cresting the third hurdle, Scout accidentally gleaned its side, causing her rider to sway. The trainee blinked herself to attention and steadied her hands on the reins to not lose grip.
Okay, so loosing oneself to their own fantasies is a bit dangerous when you're on a moving, speeding animal that could crush you at the slightest mistake. She knew this, but couldn't help her stupor. Shaking her head, Shakuntala attempted to get her head back into the game, and aimed Scout in the direction of hurdle four.
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radish rolled 2 8-sided dice:
6, 7
Total: 13 (2-16)
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Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 1:28 pm
(( +3 modifier. ))
Shakuntala was beginning to realize the effects of her mistake. Due to not asserting her control over Scout properly, the feisty horse was beginning to get distracted. Again, she had to keep him focused with a light tug to the reins. Her jump over the fourth hurdle was tad premature, but nothing to shake a stick at. Off she zoomed in a quickened pace to the fifth.
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radish rolled 8 8-sided dice:
3, 7, 3, 6, 5, 4, 3, 5
Total: 36 (8-64)
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Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 1:31 pm
(( +3 modifier. ))
"T-there we go..." Shakuntala muttered beneath her breath as Scout made a beautiful, bounding leap over the fifth.
Scout snorted a bit, as if registering her rider's words, and this produced a smile on her lips. She didn't know whether her equine companion understood her words or not, but in the deep recesses of her mind, she was content to believe that she did.
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radish rolled 2 8-sided dice:
6, 5
Total: 11 (2-16)
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Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 1:32 pm
(( Whoops, too many dice! ))
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radish rolled 2 8-sided dice:
1, 7
Total: 8 (2-16)
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Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 1:35 pm
(( +3 modifier. ))
The sixth was another slice of pie, cake, or whatever delicious sugary delight you'd eat on Shakuntala's behalf.
Only three more to go... she thought to herself.
As she and Scout headed in a straight run toward the seventh, the trainee found herself overcome with a sense of dread. Did she really have to stop? Could she run the course, say, another four more times on just Scout alone? Please? Pretty please?
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Renekai rolled 2 8-sided dice:
6, 3
Total: 9 (2-16)
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Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 1:36 pm
Vivi was still more concerned about clumps of grass than Zin's efforts to steer her back on course.
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radish rolled 2 8-sided dice:
4, 6
Total: 10 (2-16)
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Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 1:37 pm
(( +3 modifier. ))
A cloud of dust picked up behind the synced duo as, again, they made a clean over the seventh hurdle. Two more to go. Two more steps until heaven would be taken from her.
Her turn was a little more narrow as she guided Scout in the direction of the eighth. The billow of dust culminated and spread upon his sharp turn and so did the mare's speed, it seemed. Well, if her time was short-lived, it was time to go out with a bang.
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Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 1:38 pm
Ervette came back around from her initial conversation with Jeon-jae flashing the teen a wink at his demonstration. "Looking good so far! Keep it up." She nodded to him, acknowledging him with her commentary as requested. Even she was slightly impressed it had been a clean jump and set the bar high. He wasn't the only one to have hustled across the field, but it was certainly a good start. "You seem to have a good handle on things." Ervette looked bemused, watching over the two trainees he had called out with consideration. Some people were just a natural, and took to the saddle with ease. Yet, some seemed to be struggling more so than a few blunders. Turning her attention to Larisa she offered her a smile. "Hey now, remember you are the rider." She coaxed the girl, pulling up along side her. "Don't be afraid to sit yourself up, and press into the horse as you are urging her into a jump." Ervette quickly pointed out what she's observed, non judgmental and calmly spoken. "Chin up Larisa, bring yourself around for another go keep your body upright and keep your grip on the reigns. Balance comes with practice, try one of the lower hurdles."" Pep talking the young trainee seemed like the natural thing to do, nodding for her to follow bringing her well out of the way of those in the early stages of the course to have her try again. KitsuneAura You may now factor a +1 to all your following rolls after your pep talk!
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radish rolled 2 8-sided dice:
6, 2
Total: 8 (2-16)
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Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 1:40 pm
(( +3 modifier. ))
The eighth was cleared in a matter of seconds. And, ahead of her, soon would be the ninth. As Scout neared the last hurdle in a charging blaze of glory and beating hooves, Shakuntala almost felt a tear come to her eye. One would only ride a horse like this once in their life.
Maybe twice.
But Shakuntala wanted it go on forever.
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Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 1:47 pm
Well, she did go out with a bang; literally. Upon crossing the last hurdle, Scout almost crashed into the darn thing, but managed to save herself some of the damage by only knocking off a pole come her jump. Shakuntala steadied her to a wobbly stop and immediately jumped off her to check for damage. Thankfully, there was not, and she gave a slimy, slick pat to the sweaty mare's nose in thanks for the great ride. The poor beast was so tired charging through the course she unfortunately messed up the last. Ah, well. The trainee could let it go.
Shakuntala was prepared to saunter away and towel herself off so another trainee could ride Scout, but she felt a small buckle in her form and she winced a bit come her first few steps away from the mare. That run through the course was intense and, while she did have a few slip-ups, it was one of the best runs she'd ever had with a horse. Her inner thighs ached with how hard she had clamped them onto the saddle from both the rush of adrenaline and will to keep hanging on.
Now that both were subsiding, so was Shakuntala gallant and chipper mood, and the aches of a ride were settling into the aches from other forms of training. She was going to sleep like a log tonight.
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KitsuneAura rolled 2 8-sided dice:
2, 2
Total: 4 (2-16)
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Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 1:50 pm
[+4 modifier]
Larisa nodded along as Ervette gave her advice, trying to take it to heart. Remember she was the rider, right. She straightened up in the saddle, keeping upright and gripping the reins more tightly as she urged Scout to follow her instructor to one of the lower hurdles. To her immense relief, Scout did as she asked immediately. So that was a good start! As she set up at a proper distance from the hurdle, she gave another grateful nod to Ervette. It was easier to believe she could do this after hearing the woman's calm and nonjudgmental advice, even if she was still a little hesitant to try.
Taking a deep breath and making sure she was still doing what she'd been told as well as she could, Larisa spurred Scout forward and let out a triumphant laugh as they soared over the hurdle. "Oh, thank you so much!" She gasped out as she pulled back around to her instructor. "She actually listened this time!"
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Renekai rolled 2 8-sided dice:
8, 1
Total: 9 (2-16)
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Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 1:59 pm
What was she doing wrong? Zin's heels bounced off Vivi's flanks, but other than twitching her ears, she didn't seem to notice at all. The horse was in her own world, where she was riderless and all that mattered was food.
"Bad horse," Zin admonished. She didn't know what she was doing wrong and was strongly considering asking Ervette for help, or at least for a different horse.
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