Open [The Sanctuary] A Phlox upon you!

[Faryon Whiteflower]

OOCSorry for the corny flower pun title

Timestamp: 20th of Autumn, 513AV It was a cool Autumn day with the wind slightly blowing and a few clouds in the sky. It was a perfect day to do nothing and just enjoy the weather but Faryon didn't have the time. At least the do nothing part. It was a rare occasion because Faryon decided to keep her black hair down today when she normally kept it up in a simple braid bun. She was already starting to regret it because the breeze kept blowing the waist length hair into her face and eyes. However she wasn't about to turn around and go back to her room just so she could do something manageable with it. The Drykas partially didn't want to go because she didn't want to get horribly lost in the Within again like she did not more than 15 chimes ago. Faryon stopped midstride and took as much of her hair as possible and tied it into a giant knot. She was pretty sure she missed some but didnt care, if the teen fiddled with her hair any more she was going to be late tending to the horses. Her chores for the morning was to look after the few horses that belonged to the travelers that were staying at the Sanctuary. Despite only being at the healing center for five days now, she knew how to get to the stables. Both the stables for travelers and where Kavala kept the breeding horses. It was probably due to her bonded Strider, Kachal was currently being housed there. Faryon reached the stables in no time and she was eager to get started. The first stall was occupied by a Colorsplash of chestnut and white colorings. A fairly common horse breed in Mizahar but as a Drykas, Faryon appreciated all matters of equine beauty. The teen didn't know its name but she announced her presence and offered a slow hand out to the horse. It made no movements or signals that it was going to attack her so Faryon slid into the stall. First things first to clean out the stall which required her leading the.. Faryon was tired of calling the horse an it so she quickly took a look at its underside, a gelding. Satisfied she attached a lead, walked him out of the stall, and tied him off on the neighboring door. Faryon began shoveling out the old hay and manure and placing it bins to be composted for later. The fresh hay was down the aisle so the teen struggled to carry the heavy bales back to the first stall. Once it was clean she lead the gelding back into his stall to brush him down and clean out his hooves. This she was familiar with and enjoyed the most. It gave her a chance to talk to the horses and them to get to know her some. The Colorsplash enjoyed the brushing and nickered softly when Faryon stopped. She chuckled as she patted his neck, "Dont worry I'm coming back. Need to take care of a few more horses then I will take you out to the pasture to stretch your legs, ok buddy?" The horse seemed to understand the teen despite her speaking in Pavi. Closing the stall door she moved to the next horse. It was a Firemane mare and she had quite the attitude. The mare did not like sharing her personal space with Faryon. Everytime the Drykas tried to put the lead on her she would snap at her fingers. After the fourth try, Faryon stopped trying and began a staring contest with the rude mare. A contest she did not intend to lose. Maybe if she won, the teen would prove to the horse she meant business. It was an odd sight to see if anyone were to walk in.

[Vanator]

The cool breeze blowing off the Suvan tugged at another mane, the tawny locks unrestrained as they brushed broad shoulders. Two small braids, each bound by a bronze band, swayed on either side of features of waning gold, the kiss of the summer sun fading from the masculine face. Vanator had just carried several sacks of supplies down to the brewery, aromatic bundles of hops and malts, soon to be brewed by his fiance into a divine beverage for the residents to share. Vanator dearly missed the ales, beers and meads of Endrykas. Now, they were being made in his own home. Eventually, as Sybel increased production, Sanctuary brews could even be sold in town. To fetch from town the material needed to craft the heady brews was a pleasure for Vanator. After all, Kavala and had carved out the brewery and Sybel took on the role of brewmaster out of love for Vanator, and he cherished each of them all the more for it.

The Seme that pulled the supply cart had been turned out, and Van swept out the wagon with a broom. He turned to watch the new arrival as she strode across the arena and into the boarding barns. Van had greeted her shortly after being hired, as an introduction, but only congenial words had passed between then in the few days to follow. But those words, and familiar hand signs, had been in Pavi, much to Vanator's delight.

She was Drykas, or so Kavala confirmed. Faryon's windmark was not readily visible, but the Konti assured her brother the woman was full Drykas, the fact that she brought both a Strider stallion and a Seme mare with her confirmed that declaration. Even more evident was the woman's touch of Rak'keli across her brow, visible even at a distance as a scintillating design across her forehead. A marked Opal clanswoman was certainly a welcome addition to the staff.

The cart sufficiently cleaned, Vanator jumped down and headed towards the boarding barn himself to return the broom to the cache of tools stored there. Stepping inside the wide, double doors, the Denusk spied the young woman facing off with the Firemane boarded for a traveling messenger from Syliras while he delivered missives in Riverfall. Girl and horse were in a stand off, the large muscular mare, her hooves planted firmly, trying to ignore the petite Drykas teen who glared back with all the consternation of a Zibri bull. Vanator chuckled, leaning on the broom.

"If I were looking into your determined little face, I sure would move." Vanator teased in their familiar Pavi.

[Faryon Whiteflower]

The arrival of Vanator had caught Faryon off guard. The Sanctuary was a big place and she was sure everyone had something to do this early in the morning so she had expected to have the boarding barn for the most part to herself. The young Drykas jumped alittle and lost eye contact with the spirited mare. The Firemare whinnied loudly in Faryon ears as if to laugh in her face and declare her victory over her. Frowning at the mare, she spoke quickly and softly to it so Vanator wouldn't hear her, "You may have won this round but I will back and I will get you out of that stall." It wasn't a threat it was a promise. To further defy Faryon the mare turned around and faced away from her, pretending that she wasn't even there anymore. Huffing and crossing her arms across her chest the teen turned to face the arms master. Oddly enough, her normal shyness around men wasn't apparent with Vanator, perhaps because he was Drykas too or just because she was distracted by her frustration. "Perhaps but I've never have met such a stubborn horse. She must have been a mule in her past life." Looking back at the Firemane who was now happily munching on some feed. Faryon had only met Vanator once before when she first had arrived and haven't seen him since then. She didn't know what to make of the Ankal of the Denusk pavilion but he seemed kind but held that inner ferocity that all Drykas had running through their blood. Other than that Faryon couldn't say much and she wasn't one to assume or judge someone before they have properly known each other. "Can you give me a hand.." She glanced back at the mare. "Or better yet two with this moody creature? Maybe then I can clean its stall." Faryon was stubborn but she wasn't above asking for help. Especially if the problem was 16 hands tall and 900 pounds in a serious need of a attitude adjustment.

[Vanator]

Vanator smiled as the girl voiced her frustration with the Firemane mare, asking the Denusk man for help with the strong-willed horse. He had not seen before the young woman's raven hair free from its usual bun at the top of her head, only then seeing its full length, noting how the dark locks were complimented by her haunting gray eyes and the curious divine design upon her brow. Though small and young, Faryon could be imposing if she chose to display a bit of assertiveness. The horse, however, was not moved by the Drykas girl's presence.

Van leaned the broom against the wall and walked over to the two of them. He stroked the golden mane of the noble black mount. "I have only seen a few Firemane before, Kavala had a mare here some time ago. They come from Kalea, about as far northwest from here as you can go before reaching the edge of Mizahar. I wonder how this beauty made it so far from home." Vanator spoke as he admired the animal's fine conformation and glossy hide. He stepped towards the Firemane's hindquarters, but not directly behind her. Laying his hand on her hauch, Van gave a firm steady push. The horse shifted but did not exit the stall. "Hmm, a stubborn woman. Beautiful and stubborn, are you sure you are not a Denusk?" He teased, turning to look into the beast's dark eyes. Knowing the proud horse would not respond to brute force, Vanator let his hand slide along her side as he stepped slowly back towards her head, never leaving contact with her firm, muscled form, his voice taking on a softer tone.

"A fine female such as yourself should be treated with respect." The Drykas man crooned, his hand moving over her withers and slipping under her mane to travel up her strong neck. His head leaned closer to her perked ears. "This young woman wants to clean your stall for you. Let's let her do her job." Van all but whispered in the Firemane's ears, which twitched once, then relaxed forward a bit. His hand stroked her strong cheek on the other side of her face as he spoke. "Now come on girl." He instructed.

The mare's hooves shifted a bit, then, with a subtle tug on her neck from Vanator, one hoof stepped in front of the other, and the Firemane stepped from the stall. Van slipped the halter over her head and hooked on the lead. He then turned a grinning face to Faryon.

"There you go!"

[Faryon Whiteflower]

Faryon had never known where Firemanes origins lied since this would only be her second encounter with one. No wonder why this horse was so spirited, hailing from the regions of the Inarta, enough said. Faryon watched on as the Denusk man sweet talked the mare, playing right into its weakness of vanity. The Firemane would be best friends with Rhyni, her seme filly but then again their personalities were so similar they would probably end up clashing then hating each other. She didn't know what Vanator whispered in the horse's ear but what ever it was it worked like a charm. The teen scoffed in disbelief as he lead her out of her stall and tied the leash to her door. The horse was clearly sexist, only thing Faryon could possibly think to explain it. However it was probably the arms masters skill more so than previous notion. Now that the horse was out of the way, the teen could at least muck out her stall and change the bedding. Faryon wasn't even going to attempt to brush her, stubborn she may be but stupid she was not. The young Drykas values her body parts too much to risk it, even if she was buttered up on Vanator's words. "Thank you didnt think the mule would ever budge." She said all while signing the word for appreciation. "So what brings you to this lovely abode?" Faryon joked. They both may be Drykas and have a deep rooted love for horses but the stable was a stable no matter how you may think otherwise. Nothing like the smell of horses and manure in the morning! Pushing up her sleeves then grabbing the shovel, she tried to make quick work of the stall. In hopes to redeem her 'Drykas card' back from the mare and finish early so she could ride Kachal for a bit. Quick work she managed with the crap but fell short on replacing the bedding.. literally. In her haste and lack of proper viewing past a giant bundle of hay, the bane of her morning (the mare) had inched her way back towards the stall and pulled on her crudely made braid as she passed. Of which made her trip on the frame of the door once the horse let go and face first into the pile of hay she was carrying. Faryon was grateful that she landed on something other than the hard floor and it wasn't manure but was not happy the mare was still tormenting her. Trying to control her anger, she stood up slowly and brushed off the stray hay that clung to her clothes, missing a few that stuck out of her hair at odd moments. The teen turned around to the Firemane, who was feigning innocence, and began the staredown again. Faryon didn't care if Vanator was watching or not, this time she planned to win.

[Vanator]

Van nodded in recognition of the girl's gratitude, taking up the broom leaning against the wall and heading down to an empty stall where some tools were stored. Leaning the broom against the wall with the array of forks, shovels and rakes, Van headed back down the aisle towards the door, and Faryon. She seemed to be a hard worker, and the proud Drykas man believed she was because she was Drykas too. The young rider was fresh from Endrykas, he had learned, an aspiring healer that left her pavilion to train and work in Riverfall. Not unlike a certain Konti Drykas he knew.

The Firemane was a mischievous sort, and was not content to merely stand by as Faryon mucked her stall. Strong equine teeth clamped on the girl's mussy hair, causing her to trip up and careen face first into the hay. Vanator could not help himself, and stifled a laugh. He actually loved horses with strong personalities. Like most Drykas, he believed the souls of those of the horseclans close to the web often dwelt in the grassland Striders. It was often said that Striders with strong personalities carried a Drykas soul in them. Maybe, other types of people dwelt in the other horse breeds. He certainly would believe this Firemane was someone's incarnation.

Van stopped by the opening of the stall, smiling down on Faryon, plucking a few of the stray straws of hay from her garment and raven black hair. He saw the determination on the spurned girl's eyes. It pleased him to see fire in the young woman. The Denusk had seen how she behaved around the men at Sanctuary closer to her age, Larik and Aweston and Caelum. Then, Faryon was coy and shy, very much the timid girl. In that way, she had not reached her full Drykas womanhood. Kavala would be a fine influence on the young Drykas, as she was for Cadra. Sybel, too, could teach her a thing or two about being a woman.

"Don't let her get away with it Far, show her who's the boss." Van encouraged. Faryon had left her pavilion of age, but still young, and the older Denusk wanted to make sure she had support from her new 'family'. Vanator and Kavala considered everyone at Sanctuary family, a sort of ad hoc pavilion, and the Denusk man was very serious about tending to his family.

[Faryon Whiteflower]

Vanator encouraged the teen on, telling her not to let the horse get away with its devious deed but Faryon had no idea how to discipline a horse. She had never encountered such a difficult creature where disciplinary actions were needed. Some say a firm smack will correct most infractions but the teen didn't have it in her to hit it. So decided to back the horse up and with a stern voice tried to convey her authority. None of this had worked before but this time around she had managed to do something correct this time even if it took a bit of shoving on her behalf. "I'm sorry to inform you your Highness but those kind of actions will not be tolerated around her so I suggest a change of scenery and time to think about what you have done." the teen whispered harshly to the Firemane. Faryon for the most part have done all she can for the mare's stall so it was probably for the best to lead her and the gelding out to the pasture to stretch their legs. Maybe it would appease this spirited mare as well. In the excitement of the mare, tripping her she had kind of forgotten about the Armsmaster presence. So before she gathered up the gelding the teen turned around, "I'm pretty much done here but um.. Want to go out riding with Kachal and I?" the last part came out of nowhere but after the incident with the mare she felt she needed some familiarity and in a way had something to prove to Vanator. She still felt embarrassed losing to a horse. Besides she still needed to bring up the subject of him training her in a weapon, as well ranged and some form of unarmed combat. He was the Master and in a way her new Ankal so he would have some form of say in her weapon choice maybe even help her decide on something.

[Vanator]

Vanator watched in amusement as the young Drykas woman tried to coerce the Firemane to move. In the end, Faryon had accomplished what was necessary, resigning to let the mare and gelding out.

"Give her time, maybe she will warm up to you." Van offered with a smile as a form of consolation. The girl's offer to join in a ride was a perfect way for the Denusk to get better acquainted with the new arrival, and to gauge her mettle and to discern her intents and potential. "Yes, I think a ride would be great. Turn these two out, and Sirocco and I will meet you at the Horse Gate." He gave the Firemane a pat on the neck before turning to fetch his Strider stallion.

Even leisurely rides required preparation when it came to the land around the Sanctuary. Predators within the forest were not uncommon, the same went for the grasslands beyond. The beach was safest, though escape was limited should something befall riders. Vanator was overly cautious, at least when it came to those under his care, so he donned his chainmail tunic and adorned himself and the harness of the yvas with weapons. A small field pack was also strapped to the back of the yvas seat.

Climbing atop the tall Strider, Vanator rode out through the courtyard to wait for Faryon by the gates.

[Faryon Whiteflower]

Faryon offered a brisk nod to let Vanator know that she would be there. Returning her attention to the horses, the teen lead the gelding out of his own stall and then both horses out to the eastern pasture. She left their halters on so it would be just matter of fetching them again with the lead. Faryon watched them slowly graze further and further out. She couldn't look on for long, had to meet up with Vanator and she still had to tack up Kachal. Kachal was back in the very same barn that she just left but further down. The Drykas made a slight detour to the tack room to grab an extra yvas, and blanket since hers was back in her room. Rhyni was right next to him and both greeted her eagerly. She patted Kachal's nose and made her way to Rhyni first. The Seme mare was sure to be jealous so she muzzled her nose and whispered to her that she would spend time with her once she got back. Make it a girls only event and do each others hair. The large mare snorted at that making Faryon smile. When she entered Kachal's stall, he seemed raring to go. Normally the horse was lazy or rather did things when he felt it was necessary and never a moment sooner. However since coming here, he has been "cooped" up and was probably dying to get out of these four walls. For the yvas being alot simpler than a normal saddle it was slightly more difficult to put on a horse. Placing the blanket on Kachal's back, the yvas followed. It took a bit more effort because she forgotten to grab a stool as well. Using the hooks, she attached the breast collar and tightened the girth section. Faryon made sure everything was snug but not pulling and made her way out. Kachal walked along aside her if not slightly faster. Once out of the barn, the teen swung up in the yvas and headed to the horse gate. The Armsmaster was in a chainmail hauberk and seemed to have completely raided the Armory. How his strider managed all the extra weight was beyond her.

[Vanator]

Vanator smiled as the young Drykas rode up astride her Strider, his hands resting on in hips. Sirocco snorted and lifted his head, as if in greeting of Kachal. The two stallions had not played well together when Faryon first arrived, but Sirocco had seemed to come to terms with the new arrival, even if the stallions had not become fast friends. Kachal was a beautiful animal, strong-willed too. Van had heard Faryon refer to K.S.T., or Kachal Standard Time, for the Strider seemed to do things only when he was good and ready. The Denusk man reached to pat his mount on the neck, chiding him quietly. "Be nice, they are family now."

"How about a ride through the woods?" Vanator suggested. If Faryon agreed, Van would urge Sirocco into an easy gait, leading them through the pastures along the road into the forest. The sky more visible than usual through the treetops as the colorful, leafy canopy of the Fringe Forest began to flutter to the ground below.

Vanator's gaze lazily surveyed the surroundings, ever wary, though his posture was relaxed as he swayed in his yvas, motion of man and horse synchronized. Now was the perfect time to get acquainted with the youthful herbalist, the Pavi and accompanying hand signs passing casually between them"So, Whiteflower," Vanator referred to the girl by her pavilion name, "Tell me how you came to Sanctuary, why have you left your pavilion?" The inquiry may have been pointed, but Vanator tried to ask it in a mild tone. In his eyes, leaving family was not something one did lightly. To the Drykas, family was everything.