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 Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2015 12:43 pm
Laesara stroked the hastar, trying to calm it. It was almost pureblooded Soldulan, with only a white Eowynian – blooded ancestor to give it it's coat; creamy white with grey bay patterning and a dusky mane and tail. In theory, that bloodline should make for a calm, docile hastar, great for teaching on. And this gelding had a reputation for being so. Lae had ridden him once or twice, and had found him to be an easy, smooth ride. He was a smallish sized hastar too, and she had made sure he was free for Malikai to ride on.
At no great aggravation. Stormwreath is in high demand. again, because he was such a gentle horse. But, from the dark eyes that darted back and forth, she could see that she had caught him on a bad day. Which hastar, apparently, can have. Alas... she thought, leading him again around the run in an attempt to calm him, There are no other hastar in this stable suitable for a beginner. Liora is the only one I would dare, and only because she likes him. She is an intelligent and proud, and I doubt she would suffer a beginner for long. Races-the-wind is extremely unsuitable and likely to get him killed... her father's hastar was big, with the size and ferocity of his Serenian, Ayran, and Terran bloodlines and the independence of his Eowynian bloodlines. Marvel of breeding and beauty that Wind is, he is fierce. Too fierce. even she was wary of riding him. And the rest are all of this family, and it would be an unecessary insult to them if Malikai were to ride them. They are unsuitable in temper too – too fine boned, delicate, and proud. One could say that about their riders, but, mmm... Not for the first time did she wish for Copperbreak, her mother's hastar, that monument of amber scales and warm fur who had been too smart for his own good. He would have been an adequate stand in, about on Liora's level of tolerance, but he was unfortunately dead. He had died years ago, protecting her mother.
Ah well. she pet the white and grey hastar's nose again, murmuring nonsense soothingly, Stormy it has to be, then. she glanced up at the viewing area, where her father sat with his bodyguard and entourage, as well as her own bodyguard some distance off. Sunlight glittered on his drink as he watched her. “I hope this goes well.” she murmured to the hastar as she saw the signal from the stablehand that told her that her student had arrived. She saw Mal's looming form slip away from the others to follow her as she returned to the stables to set him up, “Please, find it in your heart to calm yourself?” she said to Stormwreath, “Whatever caused you to be jumpy, please... Don't throw the boy...” she gave the beast a glance, “There will be an apple in it for you, and maybe a honey cake, if you're good.”
Stormwreath snorted, and she took that to mean that he would try. It was all one could ask of an animal...
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Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 7:44 pm
Malikai fidgeted.
He plucked at the hem of his tunic, adjusted his belt, shifted his weight, tugged at his rat tail, scuffed his fingers through his hair—
‘Relax. She offered. Surely that made it alright. Surely it meant she would like teaching him, maybe…?’
No matter how he argued it in his head, though, he felt abashed. He’d never been on a hastar before. Never been close to one until the days previous in the stables, and yet here he was, back on the grounds of a noble estate, heading towards the area where the creatures were held. He was going to make a fool of himself — more than he usually made a fool of himself, which was impressive in some sort of backwards way, he supposed — in front of the only pretty girl to ever glance his way twice. At the thought, his cheeks burned all the hotter. He rubbed one, drew a breath in deep, and released it. Then, gathering whatever scraps of his nerve existed — something like trying to pull together many, many small feathers in hope of weighting something down if one gathered enough of them — he started towards the stables.
On arrival at the servant’s entrance, he opened the door with a crreeeak that stretched itself louder than he intended, flushed hotter, and nudged it sharply open all the way before starting in. Laesara was not yet there. Had she forgotten? Or changed her mind? Decided it wasn’t worth the time after all? Or perhaps he had forgotten her instructions, exactly? Had she said a different time, or specified a different stable? Or it might be that she was simply held up or that he was early or—
Then, she arrived.
Malikai beamed. “Lady Laesara.” He gave his best — albeit not half so fluid as he might have hoped — bow. “Are y’ well? I hope m’ not causin’ you trouble with this…y’know ‘m not likely t’ be so good at it…but I’ll try not t’ be so horrible it’s embarrassin’ an’ such…an’…” He trailed off, eyeing the hastar she was leading and brightening a little as he took a step in. “Is tha’…?”
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Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 8:55 pm
“For you to ride. Yes.” she stroked the Hastar's neck and prayed to lady Seren that the beast had been calmed by its walk. It seemed calm, its ears flicking forward at Malikai in a very interested way. Which was a good sign
“This is Stormwreath, a gelding.” she said, “I've been told he's a very calm hastar...” And he had better not prove me wrong... though... she watched as the gelding sniffed at Malikai curiously, It appears he has a way with hastar. This might go well after all. Well enough, anyway. If he managed to stay on the hastar at a walk with a proper saddle, she would consider herself victorious. It was a low bar, but he was a nervous beginner who would be watched unforgivingly like a hawk the whole time. It was impossible to see how anybody could do better than average under such a strain, especially not someone unused to scrutiny.
“Why don't you follow me to the livery, and we will have you and him outfitted?” she said, gesturing with her hand towards the saddles. She hadn't saddled Stormy before – she'd wanted him calmed down first. Of course, servants normally did such things, but it was good to know how to do it oneself – to make sure that everything was in order, or to take unscheduled rides when the servants are on their day off she mused.
And Malikai would, if he didn't screw up terribly, be doing these tasks for her as well as himself. “By the way.” she said, offhandedly, “Did you bring any treats for Stormy? I am sure” she smiled, “He would be much appreciative of anything you could offer him.”
She knew, of course, that she would have to tell him about her father's presence. She could not just let him outside without a warning.
I'll tell him when he's settled on the hastar. she decided, that way he will at least have some sort of rapport with Stormy before he panics. And he would panic. Who wouldn't, if Baelen Wymrith, expert hunter and rider, was watching them?
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Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 11:40 am
“I, er…I didn’,” Malikai admitted. “Though if y’ think I should…I c’n bring some next time? If y’ tell me what he’d like…I know they can’t ‘ave sweets all th’ time an’ sometimes i’ wouldn’ be healthy, but…” He trailed off, following after when she lead the way to the livery and cooperating as best he could with the ‘outfitting’ process. He paid particularly close attention to the way the beast was saddled, helping when instructed and going through several parts of the process more than once in order to get it right and establish a feel for what ‘right’ was.
Mounting was more difficult.
It didn’t help, of course, that he was naturally clumsy, but his mechanical leg made things that much more complicated, and it was only after an embarrassingly great deal of shuffling, scrabbling, attempting, failing, re-attempting, clinging, and yelping that he eventually made it — more or less — atop the beast. Flushed, nervous, and stiff as a poorly-forged blade, Malikai clung to what he could, barely daring to breathe for fear of losing his balance or further making a show of himself. But, after several stretched moments of initial panic, his heart began to settle back down his throat into his chest, and a hesitant, hopeful smile edged up at the corner of his lips, gradually stretching into a beaming grin.
“I’m on him,” he blurted. “An’ I ‘aven’t fallen off…it’s so high up ‘ere…an’ he’s so big — you can feel ‘im breathin’ in your legs…” He swallowed, a giddy flush swarming up his neck and into his face, his wings threatening to pop in his enthusiasm. “It’s amazin’…he’s so lovely.”
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Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 2:52 pm
“Yes you are.” Laesara reassured. It had been harder than she had thought to get Malikai on the hastar, enough to make even Lae, who was blessed with a great deal of patience, start to wonder if she was wasting her time. Fortunately, Stormwreath seemed to be calm with Malikai, which helped things significantly, and she felt proud and a little exhausted as she looked at him sitting atop the gelding. Teaching she acknowledged, was tiring. “It is a lovely thing to ride a hastar.” she agreed, feeding Stormwreath a treat for his trouble, though the hastar seemed happy. They are such beautiful animals... she thought as she watched the grey-snouted beast chew, then looked back up to Malikai's flushed delighted face. There – there was the honest delight she had been looking for. It was good to see it, and she couldn't help smiling in empathy. And so far, my time and effort has been worth it... however... she glanced outside, slightly apprehensive, Father will be wondering about my squire...“It is even lovelier when they are moving.” she said. Its a shame the stables aren't longer. she thought. But then again, this part of the family did not love hastars as she and her father did, and so could not be expected to have a great many of them. It did mean, however, that to actually teach him to ride, she would have to go outside. Now is the time to let him know. she thought. “Are you steady up there?” she asked Malikai, “If so, I will teach you how to actually ride.” she began to lead the hastar forward, slowly so that he could get used to the movement. “We will go outside so that you can do so in the yard... but... I should warn you... My father is outside, in the stands.” She flinched inwardly in sympathy, “He wished to watch the lesson.” She watched Malikai carefully as this revelation sunk in, ready to catch him if he fell off. She wouldn't be surprised if he did.
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Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 11:12 am
Malikai opened his mouth to assure her that yes, he actually was fairly steady, all things considered. Then, she moved it forward, and he stiffened again, clutching to what he could and reminding himself forcibly not to knee the poor creature in the sides in a fit of nervousness. He managed fairly well with that, actually. At least, until the latter portion of her statement sank in, and he sputtered.
“Your—the…the first time? Now?” he reiterated, half disbelief and half rising terror. Lady Laesara’s father had a presence that Malikai expected quite likely intimidate fellow nobles and soldiers alike. Needless to say, his were not a pair of eyes that he was comfortable having on him for his first attempts ever at staying atop a hastar. “Why’s ‘e wanna see me when I don’ know nothin’ yet? Wha’ if I fall off? Is ‘e gonna send me out? I dunno wha’ ‘e expects t’ see but it won’ be impressive. I — I could learn on a differen’ day? An’ he could go ‘bout his business doin’ more importan’ things like…like…”
Malikai floundered.
What did nobles do all day?
Then, the hastar was being lead out of the stable doors, the bright light of morning beaming directly into his eyes so that the looming presence of Lord Wymrith was but an ominous shape in the stands. Waiting. Watching. Malikai swallowed a sound entirely too much like a whine, tried to smile, shifted to adjust his position, felt Stormwreath move and—
What escaped his lips when his mechanical leg caught and then slipped on the intended foothold for his saddle and his body started edging — and then plummeting — sideways was nothing short of a sharp yip. No amount of scrambling or — as the case may be — useless, newly popped wing fluttering would save him, and seconds later, he was a heap on the turf. He swallowed and shuffled back from the beast.
“Sorry—sorry, sorry, I’ll—do I try it again…?” he asked, pushing himself to a stand and shakily dusting the dirt and dew from his clothes as he attempted to gather himself. It wasn’t that he was particularly looking forward to trying to mount in front of the man, but even making a fool of himself in that manner seemed preferable to giving up altogether. He shot his compatriot a sheepish, hopeful glance.
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Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 8:06 am
This is not a good idea she admitted to herself as Malikai began to panic. She honestly didn't blame him. ”I'm afraid that any time I could make for you to have the stables for yourself, and the hastar that you want would have to go through him.” she said. She held her breath as they exited the stables, distracted by the presence of her father. She watched him, hoping to divine something from his actions. Was he amused? Disappointed? Pleased? Had she been paying attention, she might have been able to stop Malikai's fall. She felt her forehead tense as he hit the ground, right in front of her father, and she knew she was not likely to hear the end of this. Well... she thought to herself, grimacing inwardly as she stopped and calmed the concerned hastar, Lets hope he is at least amused. With Stormwreath – who apparently was fond of the boy – calmed, she went over to the side that Malikai had fallen, noticing his wings. Very fluffy she remarked to herself. ”Are you all right?” she asked, giving him a cursory once over. It seemed to be the case. Aside, of course, from a bruised ego. Not that the boy had much ego to bruise. ”No need for apologies.” she said. Honestly, I should be the one apologizing for putting him in such a situation. She wouldn't be surprised if he gave up and fled. She wouldn't be surprised, even, if she didn't see Malikai again after this experience. “Are you trying again? Do you need a hand up?” she asked in a quieter voice – one that hopefully, her father would not hear. The offer was genuine. She didn't want him to fail. At the very least, she would try to keep Stormy steady.
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Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 11:02 am
Malikai eventually managed, with no small amount of help, to re-mount and settle himself, beginning his riding lesson in earnest. Having the great Lord Wymrith’s eyes on him for the full stretch of the lesson did not help for a moment, but he at least succeeded in not losing his seat for the greater portion of the time slot. Instead, he was stiff and uneasy, clingy and off-balance. Fortunately, Stormwreath’s patience paid off in the end, and as Malikai got more accustomed to the general process and familiarized himself with his mount, he managed to forget — some of the time — the noble orderite’s looming presence and instead focus on his ally: his hastar.
And, of course, Laesara.
By the end, he was still graceless, sore in a wide variety of both nameable and unnameable places, stiff, bruised, and flushed, but not entirely beaten, and ever-hopeful. His dismounting process was not one of medal-winning fluidity, but he managed not to upset Stormwreath, and apologized to and thanked both his hastar and his teacher extensively.
Mistakes, anxiety, and embarrassments aside, he at least considered the lesson a highlight of his experiences to date — in that, if nothing else, he had gotten the opportunity to ride a hastar — and a resounding success.
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Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 12:46 pm
Well... Laesara thought, as the lesson came to a close, He didn't fall off nearly as often as I'd feared. She felt accomplished that she had at least gotten him to stay on the hastar through a walk. She was tired, hot, and more than a little sweaty. A bath she thought, Is definitely in the near future for me.
As she helped Malikai dismount and get safely in the hands of servants who would deliver him to his mother, she felt like she, instead of the hastar, had gotten the workout.
“Nice showing there, kid.” the low and familiar voice nearly made her jump – she hadn't noticed Mal approaching – she rarely did anymore. Her bodyguard seemed to take pride in being able to sneak up on her.
“Thank you.” she said regally, as she ensured that Stormwreath was back in his stall and suitably and personally rewarded for his patience, “I think it went well.”
“Sure.” she gave the bearlike man a sideways glance, “You certainly can think that.” Malesmech's standing aside was warning enough to make her turn, quietly and intentionally, to meet her father's cool blue gaze as he entered the stable.
“Really, Laesara?” he said, “That is your choice of squire?”
“Yes father.” she said. Perhaps squire was not the best choice of words, and perhaps a little hasty to decide, but it was the only way to get the time for the lesson... “I think he has promise.”
“And what makes you so certain? Certainly, not his graceless lack of ability on an ill-bred hastar.”
Stormy Hurrumphed from within his stall, and Laesara shrugged. Stormwreath was not ill-bred by any means, but his papers would defend him. “Malikai will improve. This was his first time riding such a beast.”
“Improve you say? A squire should be high class and able, not a half-trained commoner. You have been taught better, Laesara.” he admonished. Her father was an imposing, powerful man, but Laesara did not fear him.
“I feel that he can be improved into an ideal squire.” she said confidently, “It is a harmless, amusing exercise, and besides...” she stood, resolute, “I want this, Father.”
She watched him process that. Yes. Those are the magic words. she thought. She knew she had won, that Malikai would be brought on as her squire. Her father gave her what she wanted. Of course, she tried to ask for little, and was careful about what she asked for when she used them – such magic words were double edged swords, able to hurt her as much as they helped.
“Very well.” her father said, with a resigned sigh, “Now, do wash up? They will be expecting us for midday.”
Ah yes. Back to the normal routine of things. she thought sarcastically, The nipping and biting and circling of life. she inclined her head. “Yes father.” she said, and with that she headed for the main house to draw a bath and change into something better.
Malesmech Nalet smiled at the exchange and turned to lumber after his charge, only to be stopped, for a moment, by Baelen Wymrith's hand on his shoulder.
“Keep an eye on the boy, Nalet.” he demanded, “I do not want this... alliance... to cause any issues regarding my daughter... do you understand?”
Malesmech Nalet let his smirk falter, his eyes steely as the ex merc looked up at the noble. “Oh don't worry about that.” he said quietly, so that Laesara couldn't hear, “I already am.”
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