[FIN] [Matori] The Finer Points of Mounting [Saj | Leu]

[Miss Chief aka Uke]

Sajahka was not afraid of animals.

This much had been established and no one who had seen him work over the past course of months would dispute it. Even around the ‘vicious’ snaptrotters and janarim, he felt generally at ease but for a respectful awareness of their strength and capacity for lashing out if frightened or angered. But, that did not mean he knew even the first thing about riding any of them—which was somewhat of an anomaly, among his co-workers. Most of them had long-established experience around beasts. Pyra specialized in it and racing them in particular, and most of the facility revolved around the idea of training larger beasts predominantly for that purpose in one way or another: either general transport, pack carrying, or sport racing, depending.

His job description didn’t involve it.

But, when it came up that he had never actually ridden a beast before, there was something of a small stir. And who but Leukos was best to volunteer that he could show him all the necessary details. ‘You can’t just never have done it in a place like this…’ did seem to be the universal sentiment, emphasized by their fellow co-workers when word got out.

So, on this particular evening, after the bulk tasks of the day had been accomplished, but before the day was too late to do anything else, Sajah made his way around the back pens to the open space where often, those who paid for mount training would arrive and work with professional help as they grew accustomed to whatever beast they were to purchase—or had already purchased, but were having trained further and stored on the premises.

Sajah’s lesson, of course, was free of charge, and he did not actually know yet what Leukos intended to bring out. But he couldn’t pretend not to be a touch excited. He loved new experiences, and as much as beasts interested him, he had in fact always wanted the opportunity to try—such an occasion had simply never presented itself.

So, now as he waited, he did not bother to keep the slight eager spring from his step or the curious glint from his gaze as his eyes scanned the surrounding familiar structures. He was ready—and anticipatory.  

[MissMisnomer]

Though it had been another full day of activity and productiveness, Leukos did not feel as weary as he regularly might. In fact, there was a healthy thread of anticipation vibrating under his skin, lending a refreshed, crisp edge to his movements that would not be there otherwise.

He was going to teach Sajahka how to ride today.

The process itself wouldn’t be any different than what he usually handled, going over the same basics he covered with countless people day after day. It was his job after all. But this time, he had a vested, personal interest in his pupil. He had no doubt Sajah would be up to the task of learning. The man was impressively persistent when it came to succeeding after all; he’d proven that many times, even admitted it himself. But that didn’t stop Leukos from taking his usual amount of skepticism with him as he finished tightening the straps of the saddle for the mount he’d chosen.

He wanted Sajahka to succeed. But that didn’t meant he was not prepared for him to fail.

Hoisting himself atop the beast, he pushed it into an easy trot towards the back field, where Sajahka was waiting. Once inside the perimeter of the fence and the gate was closed, he led it to a halt before his student.

“Alright Sajah, it’s time for your lesson that’s been long overdue. This is going to be your teacher and closest teammate for the next few days: Sarnax.” Leukos said, pulling back on the reigns enough to get the rust-colored janarim under his thighs to lift its head, nostrils flaring as it huffed in the colder air of the afternoon. A long armored tail hung low behind its haunches, swaying slowly like a large brown snake.

“He is a veteran of this field, one of our oldest and most trusted Janarim. Many sat in this saddle before you, and many will follow.” He leaned slightly, and the creature started backing up, eyes ahead obediently. “I chose him because he has learned to respond without verbal cues, and has a patient disposition. As you can imagine, that will come in handy in your particular case.”

Shifting in his saddle, it stopped, and on cue, started moving forward again. “He has a solid central core, and four legs makes it easy to balance. A xaaran might have seemed the more obvious choice, but they can be flighty at times, and a snapper possesses the possibility of climbing clear over this fence if you lose control. Janarim are solid, sturdy creatures, and one of the smartest out there.”

Grinning at Saj, he dismounted, holding the reigns in his fist as he brought it over. “He seemed a good balance for your personality; I hope you two bond together.”

[1/10]

The Only Black Uke

 

[Miss Chief aka Uke]

As soon as Leukos appeared within his line of vision, Sajah’s attention was on him, and he watched with attentive curiosity as the man approached, one question already answered: a janarim. He could work with that. They were natural predators, no doubt, but those here were largely well-trained or in the process, and he didn’t anticipate that Leukos would bring him one skittish and eager to bite. Rather, just watching them it seemed evident the beast was accustomed to a rider, and when they stopped before him, this seemed only to be confirmed.

Sarnax.

He has learned to respond without verbal cues.

“Mm.” Both that and patience would indeed likely be useful, though Sajah hoped not to test his too much. He supposed they would both see. It couldn’t be that hard. Though even he knew, as much time as went into it and as much range of skill as there was out there, that there was more to it than ‘managing not to fall off.’ Besides, Sajah had a special fondness for a sharp mind in a beast, even if it was of Oban origin.

He had dealt with more janarim than snaptrotters in his life by virtue of spending most of it in Oba.

As Leukos approached with him, Sajah held his ground, eyes on the beast rather than the trainer for once and attempting to gauge what he could from its body language as it took in the air—and presumably his scent with it. When they came to a standstill, he waited before taking a step forward, giving a tisk of lips and teeth in greeting. Then, he eyed the saddle.

«May I just…get on? Or is there more process he is used to…»  

[MissMisnomer]

For a moment, Leukos considered messing with Sajahka: demanding some macabre, ritualistic offering towards the great predator. Perhaps spilling his blood before its feet, or placing his hand in its jaws as a sign of trust. But he seemed so earnest in his question, and respectful of the janarim, that he refrained from teasing him. It was an honest and logical inquiry, after all.

But that did not stop him from smiling, laughing a bit as he patted Saj’s shoulder. “No, don’t worry, there’s no need for that; he’s used to everything under the sun by now. You can just get on him. But first, you’re going to need this…” he said, leaving the janarim standing unattended as he knelt, retrieving a small wooden box to place beside the creature. “This is a mounting block. Don’t be offended; everyone uses it the first time. It has nothing to do with your height, it just makes things easier.”

He stepped next to Saj, pointing at all the rigging attached to the animal as he pantomimed the necessary actions. “Place your left foot in the left stirrup and pull your body upward. Swing your other leg around his body, sort of hugging him with your leg, and insert your right foot into the right stirrup. It helps to hold onto the pommel of the saddle while you hoist yourself up.”

Moving around to the front, he held the janarim’s head, patting his neck. “Once you are up there, I’ll give you the reigns. Just hold them limply in your hands, make an ‘o’ and let it sit in there. Don’t pull or grip too tightly, I’ll tell you what to do next.”

[2/10]  

[Miss Chief aka Uke]

But you’re going to need this…

Sajahka couldn’t help but squint in initial reaction as Leukos brought out a box, because—he wasn’t that short. But, as though reading his mind, moments later came the assurance, Don’t be offended… and Sajah huffed quietly instead of making comment as he eyed it. ‘Nothing to do with his height,’ indeed. Box. Perhaps it didn’t have to do with his height. And, eyeing the animal, he could understand that yes, perhaps it would make things easier. While others made it look effortless, he knew standing beside it that there was no way he could manage a smooth sweep of himself up onto the thing, and his height didn’t help.

So, instead of wasting time on offense, he listened as Leukos instructed, and then approached, gripping the pommel and stepping up onto the box before moving one foot into the first stirrup and hoisting. It was—not perhaps the most seamless, but as he made it up and over, and fitted his opposite foot into the right side stirrup, he managed to find balance and settle himself, and—he flushed, a new sort of stutter fluttering through his chest.

Because he was up here, on top of a beast many times his weight and many times atop that stronger than he. But, there it stood patiently, and he could feel it like a living suit of steely armor beneath him, steady as a rock, but evidently far more animate. Remembering instruction, however, Sajah drew a breath, and focused on relaxing his body, not wanting to give the animal any unintended ‘instructions’ with his movements until he knew what they meant. When he felt stable, he nodded to Leu, removing one hand from the pommel so that he could take up reins.  

[MissMisnomer]

The unbridled look of sudden amazement on Saj’s face made Leukos grin, watching him get settled in the saddle. There was something humbling and inspiring and intimidating - and many other things - about having a creature far larger than yourself between your thighs. You were both at its mercy, and suddenly in a seat of power. It was a tenuous relationship, based on respect and trust. If one or the other decided to upset the balance, then things would only get difficult from there. It was always enchanting to see that revelation come onto people’s faces for the first time.

Leukos took the reigns, offering them to Saj, but stopped just out of reach, looking up at him seriously. “Once you take hold of these, it will be difficult for you to speak to me. I will be here, and helping you, but you are ultimately in control of the animal under you now. Do not let go of these, not unless it’s an emergency. You need to find other, obvious ways to let me know you are hearing what I am saying, or have any questions. If you need to get off, or do not feel comfortable in this control any more, you need to let me know, immediately.”

Taking hold of his hand, he placed Saj’s palm on the janarim’s neck, holding it there as the creature breathed. “He can sense your unease, and your fear. He will react to it. He could take advantage of it. Your emotions affect each other - your actions have immediate consequences. Let him know he can trust you with this control, as his leader, and he will take you anywhere you want to go.”

He guided Saj’s hand to the reigns, wrapping his fingers around them. “Do you understand and accept this responsibility?”

[3/10]  

[Miss Chief aka Uke]

Once you take hold of these, it will be difficult for you to speak with me…

Sajah blinked, and—really, he should have thought of that himself sooner. But, in the end, it mattered little, he hoped. Surely there wouldn’t be anything he desperately needed to communicate. More than anything, he was simply grateful for the reminder that even if he was tempted by the urge for casual conversation, the reigns were more important. So, he nodded with all due seriousness, and let his hand be guided.

It really was thrilling, to know this was a conscious being beneath him — not thinking in quite the same way as he, but in other ways far more experienced at this than he was. And he knew it. But, for all that he was well aware it had the raw physical capacity to kill him in an instant, Sajah still was not afraid—because it wasn’t going to. Both of them, he and the beast, had better things to do with their time. Besides, though he wasn’t a skilled rider by any stretch, he had to imagine — based on what Leukos had said about this being the most experienced and ‘he’s used to everything under the sun by now…’ — that he wasn’t going to be giving him the worst time he’d ever had.

Thus, by the time Leukos did take his hands to the reigns, Sajah took them with a certain reverence and eagerness, and he nodded as his fingers closed around the material. You and I, he thought to the beast, are going to get along just fine. Just…please forgive any momentary imbalance and rudimentary mistakes. I promise to learn as quickly as I can.  

[MissMisnomer]

As Leukos passed off the reigns to Sajahka, scrutinizing his body language for signs of unease, he was glad to see that he found none. Part of the purpose of Leukos’ little ‘pep talk’ had been to see how nervous Saj might get about his mute predicament, if he might reconsider this lesson altogether. But no. Saj looked eager and confident, ready to tackle the task. This was altogether pleasing, and encouraging.

So, he patted Saj's knee, smiling up at him disarmingly. “Alright, good. Now that we've got that talk out of the way, let's get back to work. But also, relax, and enjoy the process. Riding can be a marvelous experience once you get all the basics under your belt. You're probably going to be sore in muscles you didn't even know you had tomorrow, but that's just the price we pay when learning a new skill.”

“So,” he said, pushing his palm against the flat of Saj's back. “Take a moment to make sure you're in the proper position for balance. Keep your back straight. Keep in mind when you ride, you should be able to draw a straight line through your ear, shoulder, hip, and heel. Keep your shoulders even and straight as well, with the bulk of your weight resting on your seat bones in your buttocks.”

He positioned Saj's arms, and adjusted his grip on the reigns. “Your elbows should be directly under your shoulders, almost touching your sides, but not quite. Try to keep them here as you ride: many first timers move them back over time, and that puts unneeded tension on the reigns, confusing your mount. The reigns need to be held in your fists, while the end comes through and over your pinkies.”

Next he moved to Saj's legs, poking and shifting them as needed.

“Your legs should be turned inward. Many beginning riders have their legs turned outward, as this can feel more natural, with their knees sticking out. Remember, you're sort of hugging the janarim with your legs. You shouldn't squeeze him too tightly, but have your legs curved inwards. When you're riding, your toes should be pointed upward. Keep your ankles stable and your heels pointing downward. The ball of your foot rests on the stirrup, and resist the urge while you ride to let them flop around under you. Your whole body goes into riding, so control it properly.

[4/10]  

[Miss Chief aka Uke]

Relax.

Despite not being anxious, Sajah had to admit that each time he thought about it, he did find his body stiffer than it needed to be likely from some combination of wound up excitement and the practicalities of simply holding himself balanced on his perch — not a difficult thing, when the beast was standing still like this, but still a task new enough that his muscles seemed tempted to overcompensate and attempt almost to hold himself rigid. Thus, at Leukos’ reminder, he worked consciously on attempting to settle and relax his posture.

And then fix apparently everything.

Leukos’ hands felt like they needed to be everywhere, tweaking and adjusting as they went — at his back, his arms, his knees, his feet — and Sajah attempted to keep up, mentally cataloguing in hopes to keep all this in mind simultaneously. One was supposed to manage all this while moving? But, he supposed, that must make the difference between those who simply looked fluid, perfect, and balanced atop their beasts as they moved and those who looked like stiff pegs about to fall off—and everything in between.

Your whole body goes into riding…

His gaze flit down to Leukos, his mind straying in spite of himself to simple curious appreciation—Leukos really knew what he was talking about, and not only that, but he made a good teacher, organized and thorough in his corrections while not, Sajah hoped, over explaining. Granted, he wasn’t certain he could keep everything just said in his head all at once at first, but he felt like he had a basic grasp. It would just be a matter of catching himself in his mistakes and self-correcting until the ‘right’ way felt like habit.

When, though, would he get to move? Patience. Soon, surely.  

[MissMisnomer]

Once the groundwork for remaining upright on the beast was established, Leukos moved Sajahka on to giving commands. Which involved the subtleties of foot taps, thigh pressure, and pulling on the reigns, things that would seem simple in theory, but turned out to be more challenging when put into practice. But Sajahka possessed the tenacity to take on the task without complaint, and by the time the sun had sunk low enough to require them to call it a day, he was getting Sarnax to correctly respond to his commands with at least a seventy percent success rate.

That percentage only got higher the next day after more hours in the saddle. And by the day after that, he was walking the janarim around the enclosure confidently, maneuvering around and between obstacles and props Leukos set up in the field for him. The number of times he was calling him out on incorrect posture had been reduced as well, Leukos’ time instead mainly spent watching as Saj performed the tasks he assigned him. And since he was progressing at a good pace, it felt like a good time to move him on to trying the next phase of riding.

As Sajahka brought Sarnax back to the fence after another successful ring around the enclosure, Leukos whistled, drawing the attention of both mount and rider alike.

“It looks like you’ve got the basics all nailed down: it's time to move on to the next step. Want to push him into a trot now?”

[5/10]  

[Miss Chief aka Uke]

Patience did pay off, and in the end, they made more progress even on the first day than Sajah might necessarily have expected. After, despite having gone hours at it until the sun was dipping low towards the horizon, he found his mind still lingering on the experience, his body worn as promised, but anxious to get back to it and push his progression further. The next morning, he felt more of his muscle aches in detail, but still found that the day passed too slowly as he went through his work routines, impatient for the day’s end and tasks ahead.

The more time he spent on Sarnax’s back, the more he wanted to, and he found every ache was a more than bearable consequence. By the third day, he was moving the beast about essentially on his own, and his focus was entirely on that, bringing Sarnax back around, when Leukos whistled.

Next step?

Immediately, Sajah nodded. He couldn’t sign while guiding the beast, but still didn’t figure he needed to, particularly for this question. ‘Trot’ sounded rougher on whatever parts of him already felt abused—but his body would just have to deal with it. He wanted to go faster, and the sooner he moved up to a trot, the sooner he could move beyond that. He wasn’t certain how long was a reasonable amount of time to spend at each phase, and certainly any real competence would only come over time—but every bit counted for something.  

[MissMisnomer]

The immediate and intense nodding from Sajahka made Leukos laugh, suspecting he might get that kind of response. Saj was the kind of guy who liked thrills: he could only imagine the boy was tired of slowly plodding along at a safe walking pace.

“The trot is going to feel weird, and unnatural at first, but you'll get used to it over time. It's all about moving in time with your mount, and letting your body naturally respond to the way he moves. ‘Bouncy’ is the best way I can describe the difference between the two speeds.” Leukos said, drawing Saj back over to the fence where he stood.

“I'm going to get on, so I can walk you through it better. Hold him steady,” he stated, foot propped on the fence rung as he pushed himself up, gripping a large plate on the beast’s side to hoist himself atop the mount behind Sajahka. “Scoot forward a bit more, and give me the reigns.” He said behind Saj's ear, slipping his hands around either side of his waist, waiting patiently palms up by the pommel for him to pass them off.

[6/10]  

[Miss Chief aka Uke]

I’m going to get on…

Sajah didn’t blink at first. It seemed reasonable enough, and simple to wait as Leukos braced against the fence like a step ladder himself before moving to slip in behind him and-

It was about that moment, as Leukos’ weight settled directly at his back—fully notched against him from his shoulders to his arse to his legs, arms coming around to either side, and breath against his ear—that Sajahka realized the experience to follow might be slightly more complicated for him than he had originally given it credit for. And for reasons that had nothing to do with the animal between his legs. But, he assured himself just as quickly after, surely it would be fine. At least he was in front. He wouldn’t have to worry about unintentionally giving Leukos the wrong impression by grinding any unasked for interest against him and—well, he certainly didn’t mind the close contact. Quite the opposite, still.

And he couldn’t recall the last time they had been quite this close.

It seemed only to drive home the point of how successful they’d both been at keeping a moderate and healthy distance between themselves. He just-

He felt a subtle heat climb his cheeks as Leukos adjusted, and managed to be peeved at himself for feeling immediately that nothing had changed about his personal reactions. All this time stubbornly pushing himself in a ‘healthier’ mental direction, attempting to focus, put his interests elsewhere, concentrate on work, study, learn, even spending time with another boy for a brief period—and all it took was Leukos sitting behind him for him to wish again that things were different between them. He urged the thought from his mind.

Fussing about it would change nothing, and soon Leukos would be off again. It was just a momentary distraction, and he had dealt with worse.

Leukos had said—something. Shift forward. Right.

So, he did, corralling his thoughts as best he could and forcing them back where they had been: riding, trotting, the path forward. He could manage this. Trying not to lean too much of himself back against Leukos’ chest in the process or after, he passed off the reins.  

[MissMisnomer]

This technique of teaching was a bit out of the ordinary for him: usually, he would not get up onto the mount with the rider. But it seemed easier to explain when he could react to the change in Sarnax's pace alongside Sajahka, rather than trying to get his message through from afar. He had the benefit of being more comfortable with this particular student, so he was going to take advantage of that. Even if he and Saj had a more intimate history in the past, they were on different terms now, and had both moved past that.

Which is what he told himself as he tried to ignore the compromised position Sajahka was now seated in, arse neatly tucked against Leukos’ groin. This was just business, and they were just friends.

The reigns now in his control, Leukos adjusted himself accordingly, ensuring his posture was in the correct alignment. “There are two ways to ride in a trot: rising and sitting. We're going to do the rising trot, which may look more complicated from afar, but is actually easier to handle for both you and the mount, because you do not need to rely as much on your own sense of balance.”

He tapped Sarnax's sides, getting him into a walk again. “The rising trot is done in the same rhythm in which the janarim moves its legs. Right now, we are not moving as much in the saddle, because only one of Sarnax's feet are off the ground at a time. In a trot, two move at the same time. As one pair of legs land on the ground the rider sits, and then rises as the other pair of legs land on the ground.”

Giving the janarim’s flanks a sturdy little kick, they moved into a faster pace, jostled as ground was more quickly covered. The beast’s shoulders rolled, pushing back and up against the riders seated on its back. Leukos kept Sajahka in a secure cage made of his arms, ensuring he did not slide off the saddle. His hips pushed upwards and forwards in a gentle thrusting movement in time with the janarim’s footfalls, grinding against Saj's backside.

The immediate change in movement gave him pause, flushing in his cheeks at the added intimate pressure. But a cough helped dissuade that, glad for the fact that Sajahka was facing forward, and could not see the look on his face.

He was teaching him how to ride. That was all they were doing. Focus.

[7/10]  

[Miss Chief aka Uke]

Rising and sitting…trotting…

Sajah was listening. Really. It was just a different experience to listen from this position, and he could smell Leukos—his perfume, his bathing oils, his sweat—and feel him, warm muscle at his back, his larger body caged around him somehow both protective and tantalizing. Distracting.

Rise, sit-

What were the instructions?

Leukos gave a kick, and abruptly, Sarnax was moving faster than before. But Sajahka’s attention managed to be at least as much on Leukos’ body as the beast’s. It felt like he was everywhere, his breath skirting past his face, his chest behind him, his hips rolling up against him as though they ******** grit his teeth, swallowing back a sound and forcing his gaze forward as heat swam up his body, seeming to split in two directions and pool: up his neck in his cheeks out to his eartips—and distinctly lower as his pulse beat a fierce rhythm against his throat and chest. All other aches and pains were forgotten. He shifted his body up, mimicking Leukos’ movement as best he could, holding to what he could and—well, effectively grinding with him, as the circumstances seemed to dictate.

Leukos was not disinterested.

He could feel that much whether he wanted to or not. But of course he wasn’t disinterested, Sajah reasoned to himself. He never had been, and that didn’t mean anything at all. Not to Leukos, anyway.

Sajahka’s breath skirted out of him, and he found he was scowling forward: flushed, aroused, frustrated, unfocused when all he needed was balance as he kept his attention forcibly pinned on the path before them. He wanted not to want, but instead, it had been some time ago now that he’d informed Mikah that he ought to seek out other avenues, because rolling about together aimlessly just wasn’t really what he wanted at the moment—and so now, quite in spite of every logical instinct in him, he pressed back, allowing himself just a moment to rock and press with the rhythm of the beast and Leukos’ hips.

Because he couldn’t help it, under the circumstances—their positions demanded it. Or, so he told himself. No one was around to argue otherwise, regardless.