Post by Jess on Apr 20, 2022 12:35:40 GMT -5
The Winds of Change
CHAPTER 1 : One With the Wind
There he is… A slow and low breath escaping her lips as she peered around from the cover of a nice little patch of growth, Ellie Edwards was rather thankful for her good fortune when she spied a rather nice prize on the patchy grass a none too considerable number of meters away from her, and even more so for the spot of cover she found to conceal herself from it. This sporadic plains growth perfect for stalking a fellow that might get spooked by the sudden presence of a stranger, the dark eyed delight let her gaze wash over her target in a fashion that was filled with appreciation, and yet also just a little bit of irritation as well.
Imagine, thieves striking even in these times of harshness, disgraceful… Certainly not annoyed with the fact that she had managed to track her target to this site so quickly but instead somewhat vexed at the fact that she had to at all, a small knot formed at the centre of Ellie’s brow as she looked toward the fine looking figure that she had sought out, and recalled the reason for his escape. This no simple case of hunting to survive but rather retrieval, after the intervention of a bunch of fools this fine looking fellow had been set free into the world and took full advantage of that fact, bolting miles from town before he had apparently settled to rest and recover his nerve.
Though, I can’t disagree with their taste at least… It a real shame really, in many ways the good fortune that the flowery femme felt was one that was shared by the prime piece of prey that she looked at. It seeming all too easy for a boy as beautiful as this one to get attacked by wolves or worse while he was out and about, Miss Edwards saw to her relief that he looked uninjured and though probably a little scared, was in good condition for the most part, and what a condition it was, really.
He’s a magnificent looking boy, look at him. As close to perfect as I’ve ever seen? This prized and primed horse that our heroine was stalking the image of pony perfection, one could tell just by looking at his sleek but strong frame and beautiful coat that not only was he bred well but also cared for as well, which only made the girl who sought him even more annoyed that someone might try to make off with him. Yet, even as she felt enraged by the sheer gall of the thieves who had set this wonderful animal free and sent him straight toward the jaws of danger, there was one more thing that Miss Edwards felt as she looked toward the resplendent racer that she simply couldn’t ignore.
…I can’t help but wonder what a champion feels like to ride? Heading out in support of this effort because of her own love of all things equestrian, despite her affable and honourable intention, Ellie was no simple do-gooder in this situation. A purveyor of ponies with no shortage of experience admiring and riding horses, the ebony haired enchantress couldn’t help but wonder what such a lovely specimen might feel like beneath her, and how the wind would feel rushing past as they sped through a nice open space like this one.
Out in the open… Nothing but the breeze between us and adventure? Loving to feel the air flying by her and the way that her heart sent adrenaline through her systems as she galloped along at full pelt, though the teen had found quite the thrill with the horses from back home in this regard, she couldn’t help but muse over how one that had won prizes for its speed and stability might feel between her thighs. It was a difficult compulsion to ignore, and with reason enough to convince father to let his seventeen year old daughter roam their homeland without escort, something she just simply couldn't have missed either.
Almost worth seeing how much they might want for him back at the stable? The girl so thrilled by the idea of riding this stallion that she now found herself having to swallow a lump down in her throat to try and steady herself and cool the excitement she felt, it perhaps reflected the privilege with which the young woman had been raised as she questioned the cost of such a wonderful beast on site, privately making just a small plan to see if she could swing the price to claim him as her own at some point in the future. Though really daddy would never go in for it, not after that thing at the action, which had won her the marvel she was now wearing on her hip.
“Heeeeeyyyyy there…” A soft and smooth voice carrying over the plain once Miss Edwards had gathered her nerve enough to move close to the creature, though her little patch of cover had her prize at quite the disadvantage in a tactical turn given the fact it was lined up with the hind of the animal, the experience of this eager equestrian told her that she would only make her future ‘friend’ more nervous by closing in from such a direction, and so had taken the time to cross enough distance to approach more from a frontward direction. Common sense perhaps saying that this would give the horse more of a chance to spot her and bolt but in real terms the task her to soothe the animal more than anything, he was a tamed and trained partner who deserved respect and consideration, and with the right approach would show that in return as well.
“It’s OK, It’s OK…” A flick of the animal’s ear seeming to hint that it had heard her, though the horse had seemed to be calm as it plucked and chewed on the grass beneath it, as Ellie drew nearer and spoke, one would witness the worry which she had anticipated in the creature almost immediately. The head of the animal lifting up instinctively as he spotted someone coming toward him, as the magnificent mount huffed and rapped a foot upon the ground, the young rider knew that this was his way of telling her not to get too close to him, and so she paused in place to show him she would take things at his pace.
Hard to blame him for being a little jumpy, I bet those fools scared him pretty badly… The hands of our heroine raised in the air to let him know she wasn’t going to hurt him in any way or try and approach before he was ready, with the distance of a good dozen meters or so separating them Miss Edwards knew that she would struggle to close on him before he spun around and ran or worse tried to kick her, and honestly she wanted neither of these potentials to come to fruition. The trust of the animal in people dented by what he had been through, it was better to take things slow and easy rather than risk upsetting him more than he was. After all, this boy had been through enough in the past day, and didn't need more excitement, did he?
“I’m not going to hurt you, Zephyr…” Hands held aloft because of that and a none too over the top smile worn upon her face as well, Ellie spoke with the utmost sense of ease as she looked toward the equine that enamoured her, saying his name in as soothing a fashion as she could manage so as to try and tell him that she was someone who he could hope to trust, at least more than the average stranger that was.
Horses are sensitive creatures… As much as people for the most part… This simple and patient behaviour the result of a great many years of experience and understanding of creatures such as this, the black beauty knew better than to treat such amazing animals like tools or beasts of burden, and had learned that in childhood. Through means that were not always happy ones, as well, for that matter.
“My name’s Ellie, and I’m here to take care of you…” It perhaps true that most humble horses was not capable of speaking as a human does or copying many of their habits but far more of a ‘person’ than a great many of the brutes who roamed the lands these days, at least in the dark eyes of this young lady, she had been best friends with ponies and even helped to deliver foals a couple of times, and really fell in love with the noble creature that many would see as a simple steed. Certainly no amateur when dealing with them and showing this as she let that sable stare mix with that of her target, though perhaps roping the boy was perhaps the easiest way to capture him, Miss Edwards could not stand the idea of stressing him any more than he already had been, and so opted for something with great risk, and with any luck, greater reward as well.
Hard to think it’s nearly been ten years since I last had Mirabelle…? Ultimately it all boiling down to the fact that the femme had not only fallen in love with the pretty pony she received as a girl but also been forced to watch as some savage slaughtered her as well, no matter the time it took or the toll it placed upon her to do otherwise, Ellie would never ever seek to harm or otherwise strain the humble horses she met in any way. To her they were beautiful and as worthy of her kindness and protection as any person, moreso even, depending on the individual.
“That’s it… You’re a lovely boy, a beautiful and bold and brave boy…” The patience of this prim and protective peach seeming to pay off as her coaxing seemed to provoke the pony to move a little bit closer to her, whether it was a sense of faith and hope that brought this marvel closer to the black belle or simple curiosity about her she did not know, but whatever the reason was Miss Edwards made happy, she cooed gently as he moved toward her one step at a time. The act of earning the trust of a strong and capable animal like this always feeling like a rewarding one, in many ways it felt like making friends with person or even something sweeter than this, and as Zephyr began to accept the floral femme she couldn’t help but smile in response. Feeling her heart touched by that mix of openness and honesty she felt from this stunning steed even in this situation.
“Aren’t you, Zephyr~?” Really the purest of creatures, though it might have surprised some to hear, horses were in many ways more similar to dogs than the animals that one might happen to find upon a farm or roaming across a plain. Frank, sympathetic and most of all loyal, Ellie had seen creatures as long as a carriage and taller than her head thrashing around on their backs excitedly and loving nothing more than to have their bellies rubbed, and so had been overwhelmed by the inherent sweetness of the elegant equine on a great many occasions. It hard not to fall in love with such beautiful beasts when one got to know them, in her life so far the floral femme had never known a better friend or confidante than she had with the mounts that she had tamed and bonded with, and thought of them just as fondly as she would have any human figure really. Or, considering Mr Fuutaro, almost as well.
“That’s iiiiiitttt~” It taking a series of still and calm minutes the number of which Miss Edwards had not had any notion to count but the result ultimate worth any kind of wait, finally did the floral fox find herself close enough to pet the pony with which she had been so preoccupied, and she certainly indulged that opportunity.
“It’s nice to finally meet you properly, Zephyr~” The steady hand of our heroine moving to the shoulder of the misplaced mount and rubbing it softly and soothingly, the ebony haired equestrian purred with satisfaction as she greeted her new friend, and also couldn’t help but giggle as she felt just how soft his coat was. Not exactly sure why she expected it to be rougher and more rugged on the body of a racehorse but certainly charmed by the fact that it wasn’t, all too quickly the girl had spread her hands across the body of the striking steed and then took the chance to caress his mane and head as well, and loved every moment of it really.
“You mind giving me a little ride back to your stable~?” Indulging her desire to dote upon this dashing delight for more than a few moments but ultimately the aim of Ellie calling an end to the casual comfort she could offer, after looking the lovely lad up and down, she saw something that might have made her return to town somewhat of a chore. The brown beauty bridled but found with a somewhat sore lack of a saddle, though our horse whispering heroine always had the option of leading the animal back to the stable by his reigns that would feel like something of a waste to her. After all, so very curious about seeing just how good a runner that this charming champion was, while a bareback ride was something that the girl was not at all new to, doing so with a stallion she had just met was another thing entirely. Especially one as big and strong as this.
I think I’m falling in love~ More than happy in many ways to let her sweet steed decide the manner in which they returned to his home, though she was quite keen on a quick ride from this sublime stallion, Miss Edwards knew that it would be a risky proposition given their inexperience with each other. Journeys sans saddle a test of both the rider and the horse as well as the bond they had built between them, it would be a risky prospect for any animal who didn’t trust the person they were with, so when Zephyr nodded and lowered his head it was with no shortage of sweet sentiment that the eager equestrian greeted the animal’s acquiescence.
“Oh my, you are a gentleman~” The superb steed stooping by lowering his head and bending his long legs at the knees so as to make it that bit easier for Ellie to climb onto him without the aid of a stirrup, the black beauty couldn’t help but purr with delight at the act of generosity, and climbed aboard that big, strong back without much of a delay so as to save the animal the trouble of being in such a straining position for long, and once they were both upright couldn’t help but reward the charming creature for the gallantry he had shown. Wrapping her arms around the neck of the beast and cuddling him as she leaned into his man for a nuzzle as well, though they were practical strangers our happy heroine could feel a bond building between them already, enough so that this affection didn’t feel quite as strange as it perhaps should have otherwise.
“Heeheehee, here we go~” Climbing aboard her new friend and gripping his reigns in a firm grasp so as to help herself feel more secure without the support of a saddle, once she was all ‘aboard’ Zephyr and reasonably comfortable Miss Edwards opted to get them underway sooner rather than later by lightly nudging the sides of this splendid stallion to get him moving along at a nice steady pace, at least until they had gotten relaxed with their position that was.
“Yah! Yahhh!” It not taking Miss Edwards and her mighty mount to get up to a fine pace once they had found a sense of comfort with each other’s movements, while she was perhaps moving with a hint of recklessness given the lack of a saddle or helmet, the young rider had struggled to restrain her urge to see the animal going all out she still felt rather assured of him even when she did. Zephyr somewhat lithe in his frame and yet what was underneath her never feeling less stable or sturdy for this fact or the absence of somewhere her feet could grasp, his reflexes were sharper than any sword and responses perfect, which was what as she might have expected from a horse built for winning races.
“That’s it Zephyr, you certainly are a champion, huh?” Perhaps not testing him to his absolute limit but definitely going as fast if not faster than she would with any horse she had raised herself, as scenery whizzed by the side of her eyes, the sable siren shone with a smile that seemed like it was a mile wide, and felt her pulse pounding so perfectly within her chest as well. Exhilarated by the experience, that ease with which this champion could accelerate to blinding speed and then change direction on a dime, as Ellie thrashed around the farmland and approached a hedge that on foot she might have had trouble climbing over the dark haired delight only felt more daring in what she did.
With a ride like this, I could go all day long~ Not even letting the magnificent mount beneath her break his stride as they approached the obstacle and then guiding him to clear it with a big grin on her face, it was no small amount of satisfaction that the excited equestrian felt her body lifting and stomach being left behind her as she and Zephyr cleared the challenge with little issue, and kept on going. Certainly loving this feeling of just letting loose, something she had always been thrilled by since she was a little girl, Miss Edwards relished the chance to have a little bit of fun and also knew that the beautiful boy on whom she rode was also having a good time to.
And if I’m not careful, I might end up doing that after all! A horse like this built to run and run hard, hopefully a nice jaunt like this one working off any lingering stress from the animal, even though she did feel a hint of guilt at delaying her return to town it did seem worth it in the end. They needed this beautiful back, after all, and yet she couldn't help but linger and want to ride. Though, lucky for her this would not be the last adventure they shared together…
3148 WORDS
The Winds of Change
CHAPTER 2 : Chasing the Wind
“Yes, that’s it…” Not particularly used to being at the back of a ‘herd’ but at the same time not minding it that much right now, though Ellie Edwards was not a whole lot of months beyond the age of seventeen she couldn’t help but feel something she surmised as something similar to ‘mothers pride’ at the sight in front of her, smiling as she did so. The sound of clips and clops echoing through her vicinity as she kept her eye on a half dozen horses and the riders upon which they were mounted, though she had gotten used to galloping along on her own, the ebony haired equestrian had to confess a sense of amusement and contentment at being part of a flock right now.
“The open space might give your horse the impulse to go a little faster, but just guide them gently…” It just seeming to flood the floral femme with a sense of sublime satisfaction to have a bunch of novices to watch over, though she would likely never be sure whether this was because of the simple sense of power and importance she felt as a tutor or because some protective part of her loved the notion of being able to dote and defend some cubs, as Ellie offered out a little advice to her riders the sense of gratification did not ebb in the slightest.
“Don’t let them give into that pack instinct to bolt?” Exploiting one of the skills she had honed the best throughout her young life and her favourite hobby as she aimed to bolster the capability of a few intrepid townsfolk what with the peril that seemed to encroach from the sea, Miss Edwards was glad to put her talents to such charitable use, and in a way wished she could have taught the whole world to ride like she was now. Really the feeling of being unbound by the distance ones legs could take one so very liberating and the bond that one could foster with an animal like a blessing, if this young rider in red had her way then she’d make sure every man, woman and child had both access to a horse and the means to learn how to ride it as well.
Looks as if they’re coming along well, and we’re only a few lessons in as well… The sense of satisfaction swelling within the sable siren as she trotted along behind her group, having managed to persuade the stable she had helped recently to give her a few of their horses on ‘loan’ for the purpose of this activity, Miss Edwards was glad to see that it was proceeding well. Already riding out in the open, while the earliest lessons had been confined for the stable grounds, in the humble opinion of this equestrian educator her little ‘flock’ was ready for the open and because of this she now found herself rumbling up a grassy road with the blue sky above her. However, that didn’t mean that it was time to let them off the leash entirely, not just yet.
“Slow is better, slow is the mark of the master…” Speaking up to the ‘pack’ in front of her in a crisp and clear voice to caution them, while none of her students were currently trying to show off by galloping away the young rider remembered her own lessons in horsemanship and tried to pass on what she could. Not expecting to see many gallivanting fools in the ground anyway, the figures that trotted along were largely comprised of guardsmen who wanted to improve their skills and a couple of people from town who wanted to broaden their horizons, so to speak.
“Calmness and confidence is a test of the bond between yourself and your partner…” Unlikely to have brought anyone out with her who might have embarked on such a reckless course of action anyway, while she had a few cocksure youths among her retinue when she had started this little endeavour, all too quickly Ellie had weeded them out when they learned there was a lot more to handling horses than climbing about and cracking leather.
“Anyone can whip the reins and fly through the landscape, but the skill to move down a busy road or through a town is far harder to master, but far more important.” The impatience of the rider reflecting upon the attitude of the steed of course, though the girl herself was known for her occasional bouts of break neck speed and reckless steerage when she was having fun, she had earned that right. After all, she had been doing this all her life, and knew all too well how to regain any control she might have given up whilst having her spot of fun. Unfortunately it seemed that others, however, did not.
“GET OUTTA THE WAAAYYYYYY!!!!”
The sweet and simple serenity which was a peaceful ride on horseback suddenly and somewhat rudely being shattered by a scream from a hill nearby, as Ellie and her students trotted along the path, not one of them could really fail to notice the sight of a large and strong colt lurching down dale with something small and loud upon his back. A youngster, likely a boy by the look of the cap and coveralls combo that the figure was wearing, seeming to be tugging upon the reins furiously but despite his effort not making any headway with slowing his horse down, as a brilliant beast of chestnut brown barrelled down the grass the sight was somewhat awe inspiring but also rather terrifying, and prompted Ellie to crack her own cables and lurch ahead of her own little pack like any good and protective ‘mama’ would have.
“Whoa! WHOOAAA!” The black beauty hammering her bridle but only so long that she could reach the front of her group, once she was there she called out to both her own horse and the riders that accompanied her to slow to a stop, which thankfully they did in rather short order.
“Hold it there, people!” Some effort of experience and simple skill allowing Miss Edwards to read the path that the runaway rider was taking and her first instinct to stop it crossing with the route of her own march, the fast judgement of the floral femme brought her herd of novices to a sharp halt that made several of their mounts huff and the riders gasp, but ultimately prevented a rather nasty crash as the wild runner dashed past the nose of the girl and sped off toward the other side of her without injury or issue. However, that didn’t mean the issue was settled, but rather far from it.
That boy… Looks like he’s in for a world of trouble! A frown forming on the face of the fox from the very first second that she saw the lad and how he rampaged right past her, neither this nor the sense of concern and dread that he had inspired left her as he whipped past, and as such she felt no relief in the fact that she had prevented the disaster in letting him barrel into her group. Certainly the carnage that would have been caused had that happened something that would likely have been rather costly, even with this spared Miss Edwards did not feel much ease, and in fact experienced quite the opposite.
“Hold fast here, please…” Remembering the few times she had let a horse get away from her in the past and the terror it had inflicted, while it was something she had moved past quickly, she did not wish to let such a feeling linger in the lad and even worse than that the idea of letting the situation escalate even worse than it had a moment ago creating an even greater sense of dread. The riding raven turning her head toward her herd as the feeling of responsibility overwhelmed her, while it would have been easy to ignore the situation and hope that eventually the boy might get some ‘purchase’ in his efforts or the horse might tire, Ellie didn’t want to risk the worst that could happen if that did not occur.
“I better go help him!” Not possessing a metaphorical horse in this race but as a responsible individual that had witnessed it immediately sensing she had a duty of care or something similar to intervene, after asking her students to remain her for the time being the black beauty snapped her bridle and galloped off after the boy with everything that she and the steed beneath her could provide. The target she sought really hammering the ground as he moved but the wild motion of even a hopped up colt not a match for a skilled rider, Miss Edwards was confident she could catch him, but whether that was before or after he had a nasty accident was another matter entirely.
Hopefully… I can catch up before he gets into too much of a pickle? The reins a cracking and her body hunched over so as to maximize her efficiency through the air, and resist the force of the wind that ruffled her hair as well, the dashing damsel narrowed her eyes as she reached the top of a small hill and was glad at what she could see. Ebony eyes like that of an eagle’s in that moment and picking out the shape of a brown beauty with a boy upon it’s back in front of her, she let loose a small sigh of relief to see that he hadn’t come a cropper just yet but knew her job was only just starting now really.
Just got to… Squeeze every ounce of speed I can out of this guy… The sights of the sable siren ‘locked in’ so to speak and her mind wholly focused on the task and target that lay ahead of her, though she could hear the animal that she squeezed between her thighs grunting and gasping from the strain that her hard riding put upon him, right now Ellie had to be just a little bit more heartless than she ordinarily would have been.
“That's it, Zephyr!” Rolling hills fun on the down slope but hard on the up, there was no wonder that her mount was getting worn out as he ran full pelt at the command of the woman on top of him, but right now the ravishing rider could not afford to let him rest.
Just have to get along side, and… The pulse of the pony pilot pounding as she drew out every ounce of pace she could from the animal between her legs and then some, while Ellie could hear and feel the way that her own horse was starting to struggle she was glad to see herself drawing close to the brown beauty that occupied her attention, and the lad upon it as well. “You're not going to fall behind now, right?” Only trailing him by a meter or two at most as the mad dash continued, though the breakneck speed and the adrenaline it created left the black beauty rather breathless and beaded with sweat, she knew she was getting close to her goal and finally being able to do something about the problem that had been created. Only a matter of minutes having passed in this unforgiving chase but it seeming like so much longer, the rider in red was more than sick of the sense of worry as what might go wrong and also eager to bring the ‘game’ to a halt, for the sake of everyone concerned in it.
Hope for the best! Perhaps acting just a little bit rash because of this, with a sense of recklessness that might have just about rivalled that of a lad who thought that he could handle a horse with the size and strength of the one that Miss Edwards was hurtling after the girl pulled her feet from the stirrups and placed them onto the saddle as she fought for a momentary sense of balance. Nearing the lead in the race as she did so and gripping her reigns tightly as the horizon drew closer and closer to her, after a moment or two of hesitation the girl finally found the courage to do what she was intending and flung herself into the air, with her eyes set on the saddle of the rider next to her.
“FUUAAHHH!” Hopping off her horse as she did so and sailing toward the saddle of the boy with a hope to seize it, the ebony haired enchantress did not even dare breath as she travelled the couple of meter distance between her own ride and that of the lad who had lost control, perhaps fearing that it might just throw her off course if she did. Finally managing to throw her arms across the back of the beautiful brown boy whose tail she had been trailing for what seemed like forever and wasting no time in throwing her leg over with it, while the landing of the lunging lass was not the most graceful and the impact knocked a bit of the wind out of her, she paid little heed to the pain or need for air in her lungs for the moment and instead shot her hands straight for the reins of her rival animal and gave them a good, hard tug.
”HOOOLLLLD BOOOYYYYY!” The voice of the violet vixen booming out as she did so, and her heels digging into the sides of the animal as well, as Miss Edwards tried to call on every ounce of command that she could from her body she paid little heed to the way that the small figure in front of her flinched from having such an eruption of sound go off in his ear and instead was far more focused on preventing far worse harm than a little ringing in his ears.
”WHOOOAAAA!” The ebony haired enchantress certainly sparing little thought for anything other than bringing this brown bronco to a stop, as she drew hard on the reigns on the stallion who was a stranger to her she could only hope that her efforts were worthwhile and that both the boy in front of her and herself were not about to continue this rowdy rampage any further.
“MEEEHEEEHEEHEEHEEHEEEEEHEEEEEE!!!!”
The whinny of the wonder between her legs something that inspired no shortage of relief and satisfaction once Ellie realized that it was a sign of the horse stamping its feet into the ground to bring itself into a rather slippery footed halt, as she heard an almost laughing cry echoed from the mouth of the mount that was now beneath her behind the girl aboard it felt like doing the same, though was restrained in that urge by the breathlessness that she felt.
“Haaaaa… Haaaaa… Haaaaaaa…” Smiling as she brought herself, the horse and the boy to a sliding halt and then turned her head to see her own superb steed slowing down behind her, though she wanted to shout out in joy all that she could really do was gasp as she clung to the reins with hands that were shaking somewhat, as was the figure in front of her.
“Whewwww…. That was…” Certainly feeling a wake of relief in the fact that she had managed to stop before this reckless adventure had ended with some small or largely tragedy, while perhaps a sterner soul might have started off by rebuking the youngster in front of her body for the recklessness that he had shown, all that Miss Edwards could feel was energy and excitement.
“That was quite the ride… Wasn’t it?” Worn out temporarily but a sense of raw power flowing through her body at what she had done and the events that had led up to it, she couldn’t help but grin at the stranger she had saved from a fast paced but ultimately nasty fate once he turned around to look at her, and then went even further as she prized her hand off the bridle to pat his head. Certainly far too elated in that very moment to give him much of a lecture and instead simply riding the high she felt, even though she had just skirted around disaster so narrowly, with her pulse pounding so hard in the aftermath Ellie couldn’t help but feel like she had just had quite the thrill, and almost wanted a little more than that as well…
2759 WORDS
The Winds of Change
CHAPTER 3 : The Wind Of Freedom
“Heheheheheheh…” The pulse of the pony-mounted pilot still pounding as she finally let herself slip back onto the saddle on a proper fashion and relax just a little bit, as she drew enough air into her lungs so that she wasn’t quite as absent of breath as she was in the moments before, Miss Edwards let out a slightly gasping chuckle as she felt her body throbbing with adrenaline and endorphins and loved every single moment of it. That high speed chase just the thing that one needed to blow the cobwebs off one’s self and then some, the ebony haired equestrian felt every inch of her hammering with life and despite the circumstances knew that she never felt more alive than she did right now. The young woman finding that she never felt better than when she had taken on a tall task and beaten it, though she was riding this high all the way to the end, it seemed that the figure in front of her was not doing quite so well as she was.
“It’s OK, I’ve got you now…” The slim and dare one say scrawny youngster that sat at the front of the stallion’s saddle still seeming to shake with shock at what had occurred, while Ellie was riding high on that wave of elation and loving every moment, it did not leave her blind to the suffering of the soul that she had struggled so hard to save. By no means bearing this child any kind of ill will for what had occurred given how in her own observation it had seemed more of an accident than something intentional, the girl also understood how overwhelmed and frightened the lad might have been about what had gone on just now and responded instinctively by wrapping her arms around that skinny frame and cuddling that shape against her to let the juvenile jockey know that everything was OK.
“You’re alright now, don’t worry…” Perhaps some instinct of maternal origin seizing Miss Edwards as she clung to the quivering figure in front of her, though perhaps in other circumstances she might have blushed once she felt a small and soft something pressing into her bust, right now that didn’t matter to her. The head of the soul that she had saved slipping into her chest rather deeply but the dark haired damsel making nothing of it, she squeezed the scrawny shape into her and cooed softly to try and calm them down, content to hold that skinny frame for as long as it took for the shaking that afflicted it to subside and with it hopefully a good chunk of the woes that had been inflicted upon the lad would disappear with it.
What’s that? The moment of maternal affection appearing to help to soothe Ellie as well, as her body relaxed and a fuller degree of sensitivity returned to it, she couldn’t help but notice something beneath her. Shifting her hips slightly as she clung to that frightened form and finding that it felt like she was sitting in something that had a feeling of notable dampness, after subtly taking a little whiff with her nose the girl realized that the small stranger before her might have had something of an accident either during the ride, or after it. However, she ultimately felt this fact was more endearing than off putting as a whole, and also something she was happy to overlook as well.
Goodness… He must have been terrified? The small soul certainly earning no disgust from Miss Edwards for losing control of his bladder in the frightening circumstance he had found himself in, it felt perfectly natural to the the radiant rider for him to have one or two involuntary actions occur when he was overwhelmed by such a sizeable amount of fear and feeling of helplessness. This unknown child not seeming terribly old either, who could really hold one of two accidents against him in a situation like this? The black beauty, for one, was certain she would have done the same if she was his age, and hell maybe even would now at the age of seventeen if she ran into the wrong monster as well.
“I-I’m… I'm not a little kid…!”
More than a few minutes of quietness passing by as the calm cavalier clung to the child in front of her, breathing slowly and smoothly in the hope of soothing the lad in front of her who had his head half buried in her ample bust, finally the silence was broken by a set of stammering words that seemed to show protest even if the body of the boy did not. A small, almost mousy squeak sounding out from below her chin and drawing her head down to a face that was flushed with redness and a pair of brown eyes looking up at her from the brow of a slightly tattered looking cap, Ellie smiled at the sheepish stare of the child and chose to overlook the wetness of the lad’s cheeks in much the same fashion as she had the dampness of the saddle, and eased her grip on him as well so as not to make him feel smothered. Both figuratively, and considering her size in certain areas, somewhat literally as well.
“Oh no, certainly not I’d say…” The shimmering tresses of the raven haired rider dancing as she flicked her head from side to side in affirmation of the statement that this small but apparently spirited soul had made, though she couldn’t help but smirk just a little at the irony involved in this show of toughness in the face of a feeling of vulnerability, Miss Edwards chose not to note it at all and instead spared the feelings of the youngster by confirming rather than contradicting the statement he had made.
“Little kids wouldn’t be brave enough to yell a warning to passers-by when they’re in trouble, would they?” Not having to stretch the truth to any distant degree either, while the lad had ended up in trouble the girl with whom he now shared a saddle remembered how he had shouted to save others rather than himself, and respected that fact. It quite the measure of one’s character to put the safety of other people ahead of one’s own when you find yourself in dire circumstances, while the boy’s control of a horse could have used some work he was certainly on the right track in terms of attitude.
“W-Well, that was…”
The face of the figure in front of her only seeming to go redder from the compliment that Miss Edwards had passed on, while she hadn’t intended to fluster the youngster with her words so much, it was still a cute sight for the floral femme to observe. Never having had the opportunity to engage much with children before given the fact she lived as the only child of a household that lived rather well away from town, despite this inexperience the black beauty found she still enjoyed this chance to observe a boy being all cute and blushy, and in the back of her mind she couldn’t help but wonder what her life might have been like if she had a younger brother or sister she could have doted on like this.
“Brave.” Not affording the lad much of a chance to clarify his statement as she affirmed her statement from earlier, Ellie felt the odd instinct and impulse to stroke the head of the little soul that she continued to drape her arms around, and was denied this chance only by the presence of the scruffy cap her wore.
“Like I said.” Perhaps this impulse born from a fondness of her own, the red rider remembered how she had felt better when Mr Fuutaro had saved her and rubbed her head softly to calm her, and in her own way likely wished she could emulate this fact. However, given how it seemed like it might have been rude and somewhat strange to pluck the hat from a person’s head to achieve her urge, she decided to curb it.
“So, do you have a name, young one?” Still feeling a rather strong sense of affection and interest in the small soul however, though the grip on her skinny charge slackened with time the gaze she cast toward him did not yield for a second. Instead a set of large and curious eyes bearing down upon the boy as she sought to find out a little more about this reckless young man, the girl batted her lashes softly as she asked him to share something that she could call him, since she was starting to become just a little smitten with the lad it seemed as if it would be rude to ignore their introductions any longer.
“I do… It’s Harry.”
A name what Ellie wanted and exactly what she got, while the youngster that she held onto seemed to pause with a sense of hesitance at revealing her name that she didn’t quite understand, the black haired beauty opted to write this off as simple shyness and perhaps a result of parental advice not to become too involved with a stranger. Though, given what had just happened and the tender manner in which she was treating this formerly frightened child, they hardly felt like strangers anymore.
“Oh, it’s nice to meet you then Harry.” A soft smile spreading across the face of the elegant equestrian as she thought about the name that had been shared and how cute it sounded, though it was perhaps a somewhat ‘working class’ designation and not one that a well to do young lady Miss Edwards had encountered terribly often up to this point, that didn’t bother her too much. The opposite being the case really, as a girl the violet eyed vixen had always found a fascination with the ‘masses’, which was likely a result of a quiet loneliness that she had experienced growing up in a world where she only had adults and horses as her friends.
“My name’s Ellie~” Always finding that she had a sense of envy and curiosity over the habits and the humble camaraderie and connection that she felt between the so called ‘common folk’, she had also enjoyed the easy going nature and energy that she felt coming from those who some might have considered ‘beneath’ her station, and as such was happy to make friends with a unassuming soul like this one. Not even making much of the difference in age between them really given how she herself had been precocious enough to befriend folk of all ages for as long as she could remember, the flowery fox returned her introduction with as much modesty as she could manage, finding she was much more interested in befriending rather than bettering or bewildering the boy she sat upon the stallion with.
“Now, do you want me to take you home?” A small and sweet introduction out of the way, Ellie hummed softly as she gazed toward those big, innocent and still slightly confused eyes of the lad before reaching forward and gripping the reins gently once more. The horse that she had found herself on seeming to have calmed down and caught his breath, as had her own, now that the introductions were out of the way it seemed as fine a time as any to get underway again. However, the manner in which they did was largely up to the boy, really.
“Or should I show you how to handle a big fellow like this a bit better before I do?” No doubt an experience like this one something that might put any enterprising equestrian off continuing with their education, though Miss Edwards would have wholly understood of the boy found that he had enough of riding for the time being or possibly forever, she wanted to do what she could to prevent what was such a sad fate in her humble opinion. Loving the freedom and experience of riding, and in a way wanting to echo that old adage of ‘getting right back on that horse’, the ebony haired enchantress was happy to offer her own insights and top tips in order to help him rebuild his confidence and reach greater heights with his potential as a pilot.
“I know it’s probably daunting, but once you learn to break a horse like this, you’ll feel like nothing in the world will ever stop you or scare you again?” The dark damsel certainly hoping that the strong spirit that she had glimpsed briefly throughout her encounter with Harry was enough to brush away just enough intimidation at the task she suggested that he might find the courage to take her up on her offer, even though she hoped that this was the case Ellie would have accepted his refusal just as easily. The lad having gone through a trying day and likely his nerves somewhat frayed by it, though she might have been pushing him hard with the expectation that he could bounce back so quickly, she hoped that a little encouragement and the experience of an elder rider might make all the difference in helping him to overcome any fear he had found following this rather sour recent endeavour.
“I wasn’t… I ain’t scared!”
The slightly squeaking voice sounding from in front of her in a manner that sounded almost like a complaint, while Miss Edwards had aimed to raise his confidence and courage it appeared that she seemed to provoke something else, but at the very least it wasn’t something entirely undesirable. The soul known as Harry lifting his hands up and gripping the reins in-between her hands in much the same manner that our lady lead could remember herself doing when she first learned to steer a horse alongside her mother, once again the girl found herself swooning internally at the sight of the child doing something that felt amazingly adorable, and she found her heart flooding with warmth as well.
Goodness, it makes me almost want to get children of my own? Something about the scene seeming to make the eyes of the equestrian tingle just a bit, while Ellie was not quite moved to the point of shedding tears, she could certainly feel gaze growing just a little bit dewy at both what she saw and what it inspired in her mind.
One day, when I’ve bagged my perfect husband…? The softest smile shining from her face as she imagined herself holding a baby or two in her arms with her long hair draped over her shoulder, while the floral femme generally tended to gravitate toward adventures and excitement, she couldn’t help but feel a sudden and none too insubstantial pull toward a simple life of domesticity with the right person in mind. And that latter part was something that she had decided about half her life ago, in fact.
“Exactly, I knew you were brave…” Amused by the idea and approving of the courage that was shown by the boy before her even if it was provoked more as a protest than anything, with her maternal strength never seeming stronger the girl swept her hands inward to meet those of the youngster who she planned to teach and laid her soft palms on top of his tiny little mitts in order to guide him. Through this endeavour, and the next, with any luck.
“Now, let’s put that courage to good use, shall we~?” Shifting the hold of the lad a little bit wider so as to show him that bit better a grip on the reigns, that bit more control in his motion, after squeezing the fingers into that sturdy leather wrap and letting him take a breath before they began, Ellie cracked at the reigns gently in order to get the second part of their little journey together underway.
“Tch-tch!” Pulling on one side of the bridle in order to steer the big, brown beauty and clicking loudly with her tongue as she did so in order to encourage the magnificent mount she had used earlier to follow her as well, after turning her head to make sure her partner was following after them and keeping up the experienced equestrian nudged the sides of the steed she was atop right now to bring a little more pace into their journey. Not much mind, but enough to turn a trot into a sedate gallop.
“Heheheheh, don’t worry…” Those tiny hands seeming to squeeze the leather ribbon that bit tighter as soon as they started to pick up even a little bit of pace, it prompted a small and gentle chuckle from Miss Edwards, which was meant to reassure the boy that she wasn’t about to go off lurching across the hills and dales at the hellish pace they had been travelling at not that many minutes before. Certainly having no kind of intention on pushing Harry past what he was comfortable with and never expecting him to run before he could walk as the proverb might have gone, the capable cavalier closed her fingers around those dainty digits as a further show of restraint and leaned forward to speak softly but clearly into his ear, wanting him to be totally at ease with what they were doing.
“We’ll take it at your pace, OK?” This about rebuilding his broken confidence, after all, the lilac lady acted as she would expect any decent instructor would and was hopeful that this and a few wise words would be all he needed to not only regather his nerve but ultimately become a better rider as well. For herself however only encouraged
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