Flashback Horse Shadows' Hoarse Ramblings

[Prakash]

Timestamp: 26th of Summer, 510 AV Dry heat and lack of discipline to spend this day on training and working out, made Prakash's decision to search for a fun activity an easy one to make; Even with Drath's stern comment on how they would never be able to be join the Kuvay'Nas with his carefree side's attitude. Their inner discussion went on for a good while with Drath threatening and almost executing a forceful take-over of the Akalak's body. Fortunately, for Prakash as Drath would certainly not let dry heat be enough of an excuse to ditch training, Prakash convinced Drath not to perform a 'coup-d'état' over the Akalak vessel by saying the body and mind need rest to perform better the next day! Constantly working out, not that the Akalak did so, would result in a burn-out and worse! Drath grumbled and mumbled for a bit until he sulked silently and let Prakash have his way this time. Armed with a filled flask of water to battle the scorching heat of midday, the Akalak set out into Riverfall and went for a stroll towards The Message Square, to visit their mutual chirpy friend Wind Lav'Niar who was, as certain as the day was blazing, working diligently at the Square. After passing through the hanging leaves and beautiful Magenta flowers of the Wisteria vines crawling about the square's walls, the Akalak saw the Priestess of Qalaya standing on her tiptoes on a ladder against one of the walls. "You're lucky I'm such a dollface, or I'd shake that ladder around, tiny!" Without even losing a breath or any sign of sudden surprise, she continued rummaging through the leaves, yanking out the dead or infected ones to maintain the plant as best as she could. "You're lucky I don't kick you in the face...And I'm not tiny!" She said as she turned her face with a big grin before climbing down the ladder and kissing the Akalak's cheek before greeting him and waving him away in the same movement, Prakash knew she was as much teasing as she was serious when she did that. Most likely she had her mind set on taking care of the Square at all costs, even if she burned to a crisp under the sun shining down hard on the roofless Square. Respectful as the Akalak was of the Lav'niar, he wasn't about to impose or linger about too long today. Before he left he asked if she knew anything special going on today 'round these parts. "Hmmm, nothing too special but I overheard a few Kuvay'Nas being excited about their Warhorses having arrived at the Stables today; Probably Cavalry lads, not too shabby looking either...Anyway! Go 'bless' that place with your presence instead of here....Shoo, shoo!" Still smiling like a giddy fool, she waved her hand again to shoo him away as if he were a small birdy; Ironic as it may be considering her Kelvic nature. Prakash growled teasingly and attempted to bite her waving hand before raising his hand as a goodbye and walking back out one of the Square's gates. 'Mind the plants, Siiiiiiiigh!' She shouted half-annoyed, half-jokingly. With this newly acquired information, the Akalak set out towards the Stables to visit their horses, especially the impressive warhorses that the Kuvay'Nas Cavalry rides. Prakash and Drath knew a great deal about the Kuvay'Nas, as joining the Kuvay'Nas was one of the young Akalak's greater goals in life. After taking a sip of the waterflask, they set out towards the Stables of Riverfall.

[Ashar]

Ashar 26th of Summer, 510 AV The Kuvay'Nas Stables The new warhorses weren't exactly big news, but for a prospect Cavalry Kavran like Ashar it was certainly worth paying attention to. Though not yet selected from the volunteer pool, he had a big interest in the patrols the Cavalry Kuvay'Nas took outside the walls, which led him to taking an interest in riding - and, of course, horses. Which was why, when word had reached him of the recently reared warhorses ready for combat, Ashar had set out to take a look at them. It would probably be these mounts that Ashar would end up riding, once he made Cavalry Kavran, so a little inspection wouldn't hurt. Choosing a small part of the stables to restrict himself to (no need to disturb everyone else), Ashar quietly took step towards the young steeds. Though Ashar had yet to really gain any knowledge about horses beyond the basics of riding, as far as he could tell these steeds looked young and fit and strong, and Ashar was looking forward to riding one. Jek thought so too, but his reaction was a little different. Pleeeease can I take control? I just want to say hi to the horses. Ignoring his dark brother, Ashar stepped up to one of the warhorses that seemed to be looking at him in particular. The horse regarded him seemingly curiously, and when Ashar got close it brought its neck up as if trying to stand taller than the Akalak. Ashar chuckled, bringing one of his large hands up to pat the side of the horse's neck. "You'd make a terrifying mount," he said. Ashaaaaar, Jek whined as the horse turned its head to the side, as if offering its stretched neck to be patted. This was likely one that was reared in Riverfall as opposed to tamed in the wilds, Ashar figured. He doubted the horse would be this responsive if it were unused to Akalaks and other races. ASHAR! Yes! Yes, I know! Just, give me a minute. While Jek pouted, Ashar continued to pat the warhorse before him, finding the action oddly comforting. It was rather uncharacteristic of him, but he enjoyed it nonetheless. Hurry up, I want a turn.

[Prakash]

After being sent on his merry way from the Message Squary by a gentle but firm hand of the Priestess, Prakash and Drath arrived at the Stables after a short while. The enormous grounds surrounding the equally gargantuan Stables was impressive to behold, albeit slightly lacking on care, there were hardly any ornamental flowerbeds or bushes in the area. The grass and unpaved roads were neatly kept in order and free of litter or horse shyke, which was a fortunate thing for all non-horse visitors to say the least. Crossing the grounds by following one of the main roads, the Akalak encountered and greeted several riders and their steeds on the way, most of them were friendly enough to keep their distance; Some even took their time to wave back. Over all the ambiance was lighthearted and not as haughty as the Akalak feared at first, he wasn't used to this location too much but he still remembers that one time as a child, where a rider almost ran him over and forced him to jump out of harm's way and into a spiny bush. Not dwelling too much over it now that he experienced it seemed to be a rare case for someone to act that way, Prakash and Drath closed in on the wide building and stepped through one of the main gates, many different smells greeted him as well as a lot of sound. Hay, manure, horses, hardworking employees and more all had their own scent mixed into one odd smell entering his nose, truth be told he wasn't a huge fan of the smell, but he assumed every 'local' of the Stables to have grown accustomed to it and that he was the odd one out so he kept it to himself. The vibrant, lively Stables were quite a sight; There wasn't a single soul standing idly by, everyone was occupied with something; Worried he'd get in the way, he went out of the way to search for a quieter area; Which was where he encountered another Akalak, petting one of the horses stabled there. He was about to introduce himself to the lad who seemed to be around his own age when suddenly a voice spoke. "Great, another gawker!" For a moment Prakash was dumbfounded, and Drath's short fuse lit already, as he didn't see the other Akalak's lips move. A split second after the thought of the Akalak being a ventriloquist crossed his mind, he came to the much more plausible conclusion (In Prakash's case) that it was a shadow speaking to him in the language of Makath, shadowtongue. Before he had the chance to retort, the shadow spoke again after a deep sigh. "..This horse wants to run, gallop! Not be treated as a showcase item! It was then that Prakash realized it was the horse's shadow speaking, Prakash felt sorry for the locked up horse and decided to see if he could do something about it. "Hey...This horse...It wants to run free, I can't ride though. Can you?" He asked the other Akalak.

[Ashar]

Ashar Neither Ashar nor Jek noticed the other Akalak approach until he spoke out loud, both too enthralled with the warhorse before them. When Prakash did speak, Ashar turned sharply to the other Akalak and quickly lowered his hand, eyeing him somewhat aggressively. Now now, Jek chided him. There's no reason to be embarrassed about liking horses, after all. any people do, and you plan on joining the cavalry anyway. I'm sure many of those Kavran enjoy spending time with their horses as well. That did little to assure Ashar, and if anything made him feel slightly more indignant, but he took a breath and calmed down nonetheless. How do you suppose he knows what this horse wants? he asked Jek, his eyes focused - not harshly - on the other Akalak before them. Well, I think it's rather obvious. These horses are obviously well bred or raised to be running around, so why wouldn't they want to? It'd definitely be a lot more enjoyable for me to spend my time out and about than in a cooped up stall if I were a giant warhorse. Ashar chuckled. Keep dreaming. I meant, how do you think he can tell? Does he spend a lot of time with horses, or is there something else? I don't know, why don't you ask him? Jek sighed rather loudly, probably disappointed that he'd missed his chance to pet the horse. He is standing right there after all. Hmphing to his dark brother, Ashar looked properly at Prakash and cocked his head to one side. "What makes you so sure?" He asked in a mildly challenging manner. He really had no intention of butting heads with this random stranger, but it was in his nature. "Not that I don't believe you, it's a horse after all. Still, how do you figure that he wants to go out and about at this very moment? Horses need rest too you know." Though he had pushed back against his light brother, Jek was wondering something along similar lines. It was in his nature to disagree with and challenge Ashar as the other soul in their body. In truth, he was curious to see by what methods the other Akalak had concluded that this horse wanted to be running about at this particular moment. If he knew something in particular about horses, then Jek could only benefit from learning it himself. It was curious, though, that someone who would know such things about horses would be unable to ride one himself. Oh yes, Jek said suddenly, remembering, he asked you a question too, Ashar. It'd be polite to answer. Ashar scowled at his dark brother, face contorting slightly. Yeah, yeah. He mind being reminded of things that he had forgotten, but that it was Jek - and moreover, that Jek was advising him to actually do something - got on his nerves. "Yeah, I can ride," he told the stranger. "I'm trying to catch the attention of someone in the Cavalry Kuvay'Nas, so I've been practicing quite a bit. I haven't actually ridden a steed on patrol, though, much less a battle-bred warhorse. This guy looks terrifying." The last sentence was directed toward the warhorse in question, who'd begun to stamp impatiently and whinny softly, snorting and clopping its front hooves. Definitely looks as if he wants to get out, Ashar thought.

[Ssezzkero]

Grades

If you have any questions or concerns, PM me.

Prakash

Notes: Please pay your seasonal expenses for Spring, Summer and Fall 514AV. PM me once you have done this to receive your grades.

Ashar

Skills:

Observation +2
Socialization +1

Lores:

Petting warhorses
A horse would rather not be in its stall

Notes: Please edit your post in the request thread as 'Graded'.