An Eye for Horseflesh

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

Sama'el watched all this with a smile of seeming bemusement. Caelhi seemed to know little about proper horsemanship, but she got by on her personal charisma. He supposed her father had been working on Torsten, and the horse just liked her. Sometimes it went that way; Sama'el certainly saw them as people of a sort. Once Torsten had nuzzled his hair for the scent without attempting to chew off an ear, he offered him his hand, balled up into a fist which was more difficult to damage. The horse's nostrils flared, and he pranced nervously in place a bit, but Sama'el began to murmur to him, his voice low and soothing, and when the stallion settled under Caelhi, Sama'el began to stroke his jaw and his neck. When a bit of rapport had been established, he moved to scratch between his eyes, finding the sweet spots that a horse couldn't take care of by itself. Next he pulled a bit of salt out of a pouch on his belt and offered it up to Torsten, who eagerly began to lick his hand, and then he had him. Sama'el smiled up at Caelhi. "He's a tough man, but he has a good heart."

[Caehli Galesong]

Sam seemed to have a sort of Djed way about him. Obviously he was gifted with Gnosis and other forms of craft. However the way he worked with Torsten seemed most mystical of all. Like Sam could get in the mind of Torsten himself, Caehli laughed when he pulled out the salt. A tasty treat, yes the most mystical Djed. “What else do you have in your bag of tricks Horse Whisperer?” Caehli teased boyishly. She pat Torsten’s mane as he enjoyed his salty treat. However Sama’el’s smile caught her eye. "He's a tough man, but he has a good heart." Caehli nodded affirmatively. “Yes Torsten is…something else” . The horse seemed to understand they were talking about him because he tossed his head and whinnied. “Oh you know what I mean! You proud beast….” she replied to the stallion. Caehli knew that the strongest steel was forged from the hottest fire, and Torsten was no exception.Then she gazed down at Sama’el. “As are you…” she commented rather mindlessly. “In a good way though!” she assured as afterthought. “I just mean that you guys seem to be…similar. Although you’re much more gentle tempered than this brute…” Caehli laughed nervously, oh gods she was babbling now.

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

"Now I'm a proud beast?" he asked, purposefully mistaking her meaning. He laughed and patted the stallion's neck, who seemed less inclined to take his hand off now. "Oh, gentle." He looked into the horse's eye as if it had a human's perception. "When not defending the Drykas, I suppose. Don't tell anyone, though." He grinned at her. "The men and women of the Watch are supposed to be the fiercest of warriors." He thought she might be flirting with him, but he wasn't very adept at such things. And though he knew he should marry again, Issima's death wasn't so very old, and he often felt more than a gentle pang at her memory. There was a certain kind of sadness to Sama'el, though it was often hidden by his natural good cheer. The death of his family when he was young, the years of slavery, the disappointments in love. But still he muddled on. He believed in his goal, in the rebirth and thriving of his pavilion, whose name he refused to utter. "You love them so much," he noted shrewdly. "It would be a shame to buy one from you. Perhaps it would be better to discuss breeding terms with your father."

[Caehli Galesong]

Caehli snorted in a very unlady like fashion. Perhaps her time around horses had attributed to her body language. "Yes so proud, your ego is almost suffocating" she said in a very sarcastic tone. "Especially when you offered to carry that bucket for me...I could hardly breathe" Then laughed along with him. "And I won't tell a soul, we shan't want anyone to think that you're anything but chivalrous" She continued to tease him, since she found herself comfortable around Sam. "I've heard tales of the Watch and their strength, they're certainly a force to be reckoned with..." Caehli nodded thoughtfully. Truthfully when she was young she had dreams of joining the legendary warriors, however such hopes were dashed when she found she had a problem with authority. "If I can ask, why did you join ?" Her head tilted thoughtfully, curious to know more about Sama'el. While there was mystery and kindness about Sam. There was also a sadness, or melancholy if you will. Caehli being the empathetic person she was desired to reach out to him. How perplexing... Caehli smiled gently at him."Of course I love them! However knowing they went to a good man would rest any bad feelings...However you seem like kindred spirits!" She tried to assure Sama'el "But whatever you wish I'm sure my father will be happy to oblige to"

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

"I knew I could count on you," he said with a smile. He gave Torsten scratches while he thought about how best to answer her questions. Then, "My pavilion was slaughtered by bandits while returning from Syliras to trade. I was, ah... made a slave. They killed my Strider. Hasieran. I was in Lisnar for a short time, then sold in Sunberth, working in the stables... It took me eight years to escape, and then two years of wandering before I could not help but return despite my shame. The Watch... It was a chance to prove myself." He glanced at her then, his almond-shaped eyes open and frank. He had cried his tears, and he had faced his demons. It was painful, but the pain was dull most of the time, and he was strong. "I didn't need to prove myself to anyone but myself, but the Watch were the elite, you know? The best. If I could be the best, then I would deserve to be Drykas. Then I could bring back my pavilion, be worthy of wives and children and honor." He paused. "That is why I joined the Watch. And... because this..." His hand indicated her, the horses, the pavilion. "This is all worth protecting."

[Caehli Galesong]

Caehli's gentle smile dropped as Sama'el told his story. How...awful, terrible, unfair? Caehli couldn't find a word to describe it. Nor could she find words to speak. She just stared at him surprised, surprised of his tale and the fact that he didn't break face. Caehli swallowed slowly, biting her lip thoughtfully. "I'm so sorry..." She felt awful she couldn't say anything else. Her eyes misting up, she blinked at the rising moon. Hoping Sama'el didn't catch her weak tears of sympathy. Then she turned back to him and with all her strength smiled at him and leaned over to touch his hand."You deserve more than a family and honor Sam...you deserve happiness.Someone as kind, brave and gentle as you... I really wholeheartedly hope you find it!" It really was all she could give him, although it truly wasn't much. Caehli hoped it sufficed for at least something. Then very matter of factly slid off Torsten. He snuffled in reply and kicked up his hooves for a moment, before settling.The silence gave her time to say more to him. "Your reason is very honorable, I wouldn't imagine anything different. There's something about our culture, our lifestyle...it all is so very precious..." Caehli trailed off and patted Torsten's side. "Are you sure I can't convince you to take one of our horses? Not that I would mind seeing you again, but I feel like you traveling yonder and far would be for naught!" she asked curious. ((OOC: My apologies for late reply, writer's block hits me at the worst time.))

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

He smiled politely. It got ever so slightly better every time he told the story, almost imperceptibly so, until he noticed the improvement. "Thank you," he said sincerely. "The worst of it is over. There are bad times, of course, and I will always miss them, but it's more of a stone in my pocket than a knife in the heart. I don't know if Tanroa heals things, or just grants perspective. But..." His gaze turned back toward the horses. They were all good quality, but now he was looking for specific things. The only mare in the herd was Dohaina, and he wouldn't breed her again so soon. Elin was placid and beautiful, but his instinct said no. The stallions might have worked, but he had to build this herd strategically. "I think it were best I come back and speak to your father about working together to breed," he told her. "Now I know the quality of horses he keeps, I will just come back from time to time to see if he has just what I need. And it gives me an excuse to come back..." He flashed her a smile that was suddenly bashful, and he looked away, trying to think more about how one or another of the stallions in his soon-to-be pavilion could stud for Elin when the Ankal Galesong was ready, and for that service, Sama'el might get a better deal if a more suitable mare showed up in future. But it was difficult not to flirt with pretty girls, especially when they were kind. All the same, it didn't seem fair. One woman couldn't replace another. One just had to get to the point where certain parts of the soul weren't too tender for love.

OOCNo worries! I think maybe we could start winding this thread down and then start a Fall one?

[Caehli Galesong]

Caehli could only nod attentively at Sama’el’s insightful reflection on his life. She was amazed by his graciousness and mercy, if she were in his shoes she would curse the gods. If anything; like Torsten, Sama’el’s past made him stronger. They both turned their attention to the flock. Cae felt that although it was small that they had a quality herd. However she might have a biased opinion, due to love for each and every animal. Sama’el’s conclusion was what mattered after all. "I think it were best I come back and speak to your father about working together to breed," Caehli nodded thoughtfully, it made sense it would probably be more easier if they waited a season or two. Rehan would be older then, Torsten would build more trust with Sama’el, and finally Elin would be an excellent mare for whatever stallions Sam may have had. “My father would be happy too! Any trading and brotherhood among pavillions he welcomes with open arms!” Caehli concluded. "Now I know the quality of horses he keeps, I will just come back from time to time to see if he has just what I need. And it gives me an excuse to come back..." Caehli’s she laughed warmly, any flirty implications going straight over her head. “You need no excuse or invitation! Come back anytime! We’ll be happy to have you here” Caehli remarked. She vaulted herself back over the pen, landing roughly on the grass. “It’s good to keep the connections between pavillions strong after all right?” Then she pat his shoulder in a very robust friendly manner, almost as if a man would do the same. (( OOC: That sounds excellent to me, although I’m not sure how that will work for Fall, Caehli is going up to Kalea. However if you would like we can work something out in the Winter maybe~!))

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

"You and your father are right," he agreed, still smiling all bashfully. "Thank you for the hospitality, and for listening." The hand on his shoulder kept him there, but when she dropped it, he nodded as if there were some silent conversation going on between them as well. He whistled, and soon Dohaina had trotted to his side. She eyed the wildling stallion, but was nonplussed by his presence otherwise. She had birthed a foal and weathered Cyphrus storms. She wasn't intimidated by any old stallion. Sama'el patted the mare's shoulder. "You and your father are welcome in my tents," he added, knowing her father might want to see the condition of his own horses before agreeing to anything. The horses were sacred. Then he vaulted up onto Dohaina's back, got settled in the yvas, and waved. "Until next time."

end.

[Jackalope]

Sam :

Experience
+1 Reimancy
+1 Rhetoric
+2 Observation
+1 Negotiation

Lore
Caehli: Daughter of Ganta
Helping With the Little Things
No Drinking Before a Purchase
A Memory of Pain
Why I Do What I Do
It's Tough to Flirt When You're So Dense

Cae :

Experience
+1 Observation
+2 Interrogation
+1 Rhetoric
+1 Animal Husbandry
+1 Negotiation


Lore
Sama'el of the Sapphire Clan
Wondering About the World
Comparing Men to Horses
Wishing the Best
It's Tough to Flirt When You're So Dense

Note
I think I saw Goss say something about this, but incase I'm crazy, try to avoid quoting text. Readers should be able to tell what you're talking about, you know? Thanks a ton!

Lovely thread, you two! I hope you are able to meet up again and continue. I think you two have a good dynamic. PM me with questions, comments, or concerns!