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 Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 7:09 pm
For once, the summer day was pleasantly cool in the usually warm city and its inhabitants and visitors were out en mass, taking advantage of the rarity. The city was positively bustling with life and energy and laughter. It unlikely that so much as a single soul could be found that was not in high spirits; however, drifting down the lane near the animal quarter could be found one forlorn young miss who wore the sulky demeanor that only teenagers could wield so masterfully. So waifish did she appear with her scrawny build and sickly-pale skin that the only thing marking her apart from the street children were her cleanliness and the obvious quality of her clothing.
Anna Petrova was a most unhappy young woman. So much had happened over the past few months that she did not even know where to begin dealing with it all. What's more, her beloved brother, her twin and best friend, seemed to be coping better than she and was now very often away from the house at his new apprenticeship. She was a stranger to this land and her emotional life was in such turmoil that she found it almost impossible to adjust to all of the drastic changes that she had been faced with: her parents' deaths, her newly strengthened and unwanted power, this new country. As it stood, Anna did not know if she would ever be able to function normally again.
Unfortunately, her aunt had grown weary of Anna's constant moping and confinement to her bedroom and had finally as good as tossed the girl out the door and told her to get out and explore the city or at least do something outside of the house. Thus, Anna found herself trudging along the lane, vaguely drawn to the animals which, at the least, would not expect any conversation from her. Of course, their human keepers might, but maybe she could just spend a little time with some horses that were not being closely tended at the moment or something. Anything would be better than facing civilization.
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Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 2:12 pm
While the young miss didn't seem all too interested with the hustling and bustling city, Eluf was plenty involved with the entirety of it. He'd been looking forward to this day. It wasn't often that his father would allow their prized horses to be sold to the public, but... there were those few times when they would travel to town with two or three up for grabs to see if there was any interest at the price range that were often demanded. Of course, money wasn't what mattered to the young boy. He just wanted others to be able to enjoy the majesty and wonder of these beautiful creatures. There was a stall set up for them, neatly decorated and very inviting to any who might pass by. They were stationed against the back of a cul de sac, in the center, with two mares and a stallion contained in a very elegant black metal fencing. It was tall enough so that they wouldn't be able to leap over, but easy to move about once broken down; though it took a good amount of able bodied men to move the long stacks...
While Eluf's father took care of a few customer's who were actually interested, leading them into the pen to get a closer look at the horses, Eluf remained stationed at the stand, Axe loyally at his side. The boy was looking quite dapper, dressing his best to impress any potential clients. A smile was spread across his pretty freckled face, his lovely curly ponytail resting over a shoulder with a blue ribbon keeping it together. Hands folded in front of him, he had to resist the few urges to rock on his black heels, giving polite eye contact to passerby's, in hopes they may be enticed to come closer. Axe... on the other hand... was stone still. His golden eyes didn't blink, but shifted ever so often to those who would cross them, inspecting every individual intently. Eluf was used to his guardian's overprotective ways, and didn't even mind it. The buck was his best friend, after all. Though while scanning the area, the young sir spotted a young lady who seemed.. to stand out from the rest; in unfortunately a negative way. Her face was so sullen, and disinterested in all the wonder around her. Delicate brows creasing softly, Eluf, tried to brighten his smile even more for her, and offer a respectful bow, even if she was a little ways off. With the gesture performed, Axe immediately locked onto Anna as well, his stare piercing, watching every movement she made like a hawk.
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Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 1:20 pm
Her shoulder twitched imperceptibly at the unmistakable feeling that she was being watched. It was not an unfamiliar feeling. As a viscount's daughter, she had attracted much attention in her home country. It was only natural, and it had never been malicious, so she had hardly paid any attention to it at all. At least, she had never paid it any mind when she was a child.
After that thing happened. After that terrible event, she was still stared at, but the looks had become filled with pity. Detached pity and an underlying gratefulness that her suffering was not theirs. Anna could not bear such looks. They felt like accusations. It was as though they all knew that she had seen what would become of her parents and had done nothing. Never mind that she had no way of getting word to them in time, or that she had probably dreamed of their deaths on the very same night they had occurred. She was still useless. What good was having such a power if she could not use it to save anyone?
She sighed and shook off such thoughts. What use was there in having them now? Rehashing the same things time and again in her mind was not going to change anything, and it was getting ever so tedious. Bracing herself, she looked up to see who was interested in her.
It was a young man, about her age and height and build. Even their coloring was similar. They could nearly have been related. But none of that interested her. The important thing was that his intent was not malicious. His heart seemed kind. Anna would have dismissed him altogether, but something else caught her attention. He had a deer at his side. A proud and handsome buck. Well, there was no choice really. Anna was intrigued. How often did one see a tame deer? Let alone in the city. Perhaps this is where all of her mama's tales of guardians had come from.
Curious to meet the handsome animal, Anna made her way closer to him and his courteous human.
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Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 12:12 pm
A friendly and inviting smile remained on Eluf's face as the woman approached, wanting her to feel comfortable to do so. Though... Axe was a different story. As usual, the buck was en guarde, and watched the woman as if she were prey. His stance puffed up more, and his nostrils flared to snort firmly, making his presence and duty known to her. Glancing over to his companion, Eluf gave a soft shushing to the stag, trying to calm his protective demeanor.
The guardian complied, reluctantly, and let his intense gaze lessen just a smidgen. Taking a step forward, away from the bucks side, Eluf walked a bit closer to greet the other youth, bowing politely as gentlemen were supposed to, "Good evening, miss. Are you enjoying this fine day?" he stood upright, and looked from her, back to the metal pen that'd been set up, "Are you interested in look at the horses, perhaps? They're all very well mannered, and gentle, I assure you." it was always best to warm a customer, or anyone curious of the large beasts, up with the pleasant statements so as to let them feel comfortable about approaching. Besides, Eluf would never bring any wild natured horses into town. That was just common sense.
Axe kept to his post, rigid, scuffing a hoof irritably at the ground, nubby tail flickering anxiously as his chosen grew closer to the unknown girl. He wasn't too happy about this at all... and was growing more and more restless not being able to be at Eluf's side, literally forcing himself not to take a step closer.
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Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 8:15 pm
Despite the heavy weight she seemed to bear, and the fact that she was clearly only just starting to recover from whatever had ailed her body, Anna's pale grey eyes were sharp and clear. Those eyes took in the friendly man and the overly-protective stag and the ghost of a smile flitted across her lips. A noble protector, indeed.
"Good evening," she replied, her Belastranan accent thick, but her mastery of Common clear enough. She did not, however, bother to reply to his first question. The answer should be obvious enough: she was a far cry from a happy woman. As to the second question, well, if she were in higher spirits she would have laughed at his assurances. She might not look like much right now, but she had her fair share of experience with horses, and most of those did not start off life so gentle or subdued. She could handle a frisky one. Still...
"I would like to look at your horses, but perhaps we should first convince your handsome guardian that I mean you no harm." Though how the stag thought she could harm anyone right now was beyond her. He was a noble creature, however, and she would honor his protective instincts. She had enough experience with her brother's doe to know that they could be amazingly stubborn creatures. She also knew that they were highly intelligent. Add that to her love of animals, and there was really no choice. Anna would greet the stag before meeting the horses, whether or not he warmed to her.
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Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 9:47 pm
More than pleased as the woman seemed interested in conversing, Eluf kept up his appealing smile, doing his best to make her feel welcomed and comfortable. An elegant arm of his lifted to gesture back to the pen that was set up, containing the three beauty's. His father had wandered off, probably to discuss in a more secluded area with a possible client. Get the numbers and such situated. But no matter! Eluf was used to working the stall on his own.
With the prompting of Axe though, he blinked and looked back to the displeased buck. Wearing an apologetic smile, the young man slowly looked back to Anna, and then to the ground, "Unfortunately, it's quite a difficult task to accomplish." he replied with a faint chuckle, "But he shall not cause any harm to you, miss. He is merely like an overbearing father or elder brother." it was a strange comparison probably, but... quite true. As if to prove a point, the black buck snorted again, narrowing his golden gaze at Anna.. conveying his own reply to Eluf. Glancing to his guardian once more, the boy shook his head, and softly spoke to him, trying to calm the restless beast. Peeking back to Anna, his smile lightened, "Perhaps if we look at the horses, he might calm down a little more." so long as the stag was able to keep at Eluf's side, he would remain more mild tempered... even with the strangers presence.
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 4:37 pm
Anna's silver eyes narrowed at the young man's obvious disinclination to allow her near his guardian. For a perilous moment, her stubborn streak reared its head and demanded that she insist upon a proper introduction to the buck. However, common sense and her general weariness won out and she silently followed Eluf to the corral. He knew better than she what would be the best course of action to take between his guardian and strangers.
"My brother's doe is even bossier than our nursemaid was," she replied as she got a better look at the horses. Even without a close inspection, she could tell that they were fine animals. A little smile graced her lips as a delicate bay mare took an interest in her.
"They are beautiful," she said, more to herself than to her companion.
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2012 9:19 am
Axe watched Anna intently as she approached the horses, like a loyal herding dog protecting his herd. The horses were all of mild natures, socialized well with humans, hooves cleaned, coats groomed, manes brushed. Eluf gave a soft little coo to a few of them to come over, the bay already leading well by nature. She was a sweet thing after all. Just a few years old too.
But... Anna's words drew slight surprise and great interest from the young man, causing him to look to her shocked, "Your brother also has been graced with a deer?" it was indeed astonishing to hear, since he only knew of one other who had a guardian, that being one of his very, very few friends Bell. It was a delight to hear there were more! But... not wanting to be rude and push for information that might not be appropriate to ask, he looked back to the horses, folding his hands neatly in front of him as Anna enjoyed herself, "Thank you. We take great pride in our horses, and care."
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2012 5:46 pm
"Oh, yes," Anna replied absently, distracted by the bay who was now nosing at her over the fence. She stroked the velvety nose, the whiskers tickling her palm, as she replied continued.
"As soon as we arrived in this country. Before we even made it to town." She frowned as though the memory still bothered her, perhaps a great deal more than she would like to let on. "It was most upsetting when he disappeared so."
She pursed her lips briefly after letting that last bit slip, then turned her gaze from the bay to give the others a quick but keen once-over. They all seemed healthy and very well cared for. She noticed no injuries or signs of neglect.
"It shows."
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Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2012 1:12 am
Disappeared...? Eluf's honey green eyes watched the young lady with mild worry. Had the two gotten separated suddenly? Ah but he could not ask such things! It was not his place. Forcing back his budding distress for the woman, he instead kept up his small, gentle smile, hands folding in front of him neatly. " I see." was all he allowed himself to say on the matter.
Axe was glared at Anna intently, watching her every move, the horses holding the complete opposite demeanor. A few others had ventured closer to the woman out of curiosity because of the others that had drawn closer to her. "Do you ride at all, miss?" Eluf asked, deciding that sticking to conversation of horses was probably a more proper thing to do.
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Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2012 8:02 pm
She offered plenty of attention to the others, each of which really were fine horses, with seemingly good dispositions, but the bay had her charmed. It appeared the feeling was mutual, as she jostled the other horses out of the way to get back in front. Anna laughed softly and gave her a good scratch behind the ears.
"Yes, of course," she said to Eluf. "They are important. Often our lives can depend upon them, and they are beautiful creatures." She shook her head. "Forgive me. My ancestors and countrymen were horse folk."
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Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 10:20 pm
It was very nice to see the level of respect that the young woman held for the magnificent beasts. Most just saw them as objects to help with status, transportation, or work... but Eluf had always seen them as something more.. along the lines of how he felt with Axe. Smiling just a bit more, he gave a small nod of approval, "No need for apologies, miss." Looking to the prized horses, he walked around Anna, to the gate that held the beasts in the large enclosure.
"You may get a closer look of them if you wish." he offered, with a gesture to the gate, a hand already poised on the latch that kept it shut. If she was a fellow skilled rider like himself, he saw no problem with allowing her closer inspection and a light ride even if she wished.
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Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2012 6:51 pm
Her entire countenance seemed to light up, offering a glimpse of her former self - a young woman full of love for life. "I would love to," she said, following him to the gate and slipping in to mingle with the herd.
A few minutes later, she stood up from her inspection of a stallion's legs and hooves. "Have you worked with horses your whole life?" she asked as she moved to another.
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