Closed [Windmount Track and Field] Horses for Courses (Tanna)

[Katelyn Marks]

80th, Spring, 515 AV

The track was busier than usual with it being open to the public today, and she was glad to see so many different faces and horses. It was a good chance to socialize Garrison and work on his attitude. Her saddle lay in the grass beside her where she sat crossed-legged on the springy green, lead rope in hand, while her Tiaden grazed quietly on the end. He was eating a slow circle around her, and currently blotted out the light of day with his massive girth. He tore at the grass loudly, tail swishing and back foot occasionally stomping at a stray insect. Katelyn was careful to watch those hooves--they were nearly as big as her head--and she didn't feel like being kicked.

A race was currently under way, and the squire peeked out from underneath her stallion's legs as the horses thundered by, rounding the bend in the track for the home stretch. They sprayed earth in their wake, jostling and shoving and reaching for purchase in the soft ground. Their riders yelled and rooted, urging their mounts forward as the onlookers cheered. Bets had been placed here and there, and those who'd risked the most mizas were yelling the loudest of all.

A sorrel mare won this time around, and there were several audible groans from the gamblers as she yelled with glee and patted her horse with pride as they all trotted back around to cool down. As Garrison looked up to watch another rider pass, Kate stood and brushed the grass from her pants. When his head dipped back down to eat, she picked up his saddle pad and tossed his over his back, straightening it over his withers. She dropped the lead and picked up her saddle, hoisting it up to lay over top of the blanket while he tore at a patch of clover. She made sure to step on his lead rope so he couldn't get away.

She reached under his belly and grabbed the girth hanging on the other side, pulled it over, and cinched it up tightly. His head came up again at this, ears pinned back, and he leered at her. Katelyn was expecting it though, and as he came in for a nip, she thumbed him on the nose with her fist. He jerked away and she grabbed the lead rope so that he couldn't get far, and let him go through the motions of being indignant.

"It's your own fault, you grumpy ass," the squire scolded, and finished buckling the saddle on when he finally stopped to stand again. Some people were starting to set up jumps around the track, and the redhead had every intention of taking advantage of the obstacle course. Garrison needed to work up a good lather, and jumping was always a thrill. She switched his halter for a bridle, and put the other inside one of the saddlebags behind her seat, then led him over to watch the course come to life with several other waiting riders.

OOCJust a short little introduction!

[Tanna]

The air felt electric.

Tanna had always noticed the change and it had always sent a prickle up her spine that left gooseflesh across her skin. She hadn't initially been aware that the track was open to the public until this season and the buzz every tenth day brought was infectious. It called to her, tempting her away from the the various other tasks she usually had planned for herself and working at the stables this season only made the call that much stronger. Today she would answer it; today, she'd finally free herself of her duties to embrace the song of thundering hooves and let Coosa run.

She had taken her Strider out regularly for exercise, sticking to the large paddock or venturing out to let the mare loose on the Kabrin Road but it simply was not the same. The track held the allure of competition, of glory, and the Drykas was ready to finally take part. She had a feeling Coosa was equally as keen.

A race was in progress as she led her Strider onto the surrounding grounds and she paused to watch, leaning into her mare as she did so. A grin crept over her broad lips as her dark eyes followed the tight pack, watching as a chestnut pulled ahead, causing the din of the gathered crowd to rise an octave. Tanna could feel the noise, the hum of voices, shouts, yells and chatter intermixed with the deeper strikes of the hooves as they met the earthen track and she closed her eyes to savour the feel as it vibrated through her. It was the stir of the crowd that caused her to open her eyes again, the mood of the noise changing as that chestnut hurtled across the finish line before the others and the Drykas' grin stretched even wider – judging by the sound, that little chestnut had not been the favourite. No doubt a fair few mizas had been lost today and more would follow.

Shaking her head, Tanna turned her attention back to her mare, scritching her under her jaw, fingers stretching and tickling, “What do you think of this, hm? Look at that track.” She paused to point it out as her attention fully locked on her mare, her body slowly turning to face the side of the mare's stout head as the hand that had already been lingering under the horse's jaw moved to tenderly wrap around the far cheek. She chuckled as the mare lifted her head some, dark tipped ears turned forward in attention, issuing a nicker that cause the Drykas' mouth to open as she laughed, “You're ready for a run, aren't you.” Drawing her hand back, she used it to give her horse's thick neck a few solid pats as Coosa heaved a blow through her nose.

Coosa was not a particularly tall horse, nor was the mare the fastest – especially after gaining some weight since leaving the Sea of Grass – but she loved to run and her anticipation was infectious. Tanna wrapped her arms around the horse's thick neck and nuzzled her forehead into it before pausing to lean back, chin tilting up as she sought out the mare's eye, “We'll make this a regular thing, then. How's that sound? Good?” Coosa nickered once more and tossed her head in response to the Drykas' increasing excitement, pawing the ground. With that, Tanna smiled and ducked beneath the horse's head, lacking any sense of grace or propriety as she did so before stepping forward, motioning for the mare to follow.

Unlike the rest of the horses present, Coosa still wore an yvas. Tanna had been loathe to change to the standard saddle and bridle, clinging to what she still had of her Drykas past and simply too stubborn to make the switch. The presence of the purely Drykas equipment drew some looks and made the pair stand out but Tanna was used to this by now. Paying them little mind, she proceeded onward, her eyes wandering the grounds, searching for anyone official-looking that could help her figure out how this all went. She wasn't sure if bookings had to be made and she suddenly hoped this wasn't the case: the place was packed with people and horses due to it being an open day.

Her brown eyes caught sight of someone else, however, and grew as bright as the smile that dimpled her face.

Shielding her eyes with a hand, she squinted in the red-head's direction, watching as the familiar woman worked on saddling a big warhorse. Hoping it truly was her, Tanna set off to find out, long and purposeful strides taking her in the woman's direction as her mare followed along a few paces behind.

“Katelyn?” It was as much a question as it was a greeting and her smile broadened significantly once she managed to get the red-head's attention. “Zulrav's breath! It is you! I thought you still be down in Mithryn!” Despite her thick Pavi accent, her words were uncharacteristically higher pitched than usual, expressing her obvious excitement at seeing her friend again. In her excitement, she failed to see that Katelyn was trying to keep her horse in-line and spread her arms wide, making a move forward, ready to seize the other woman in a strong hug.

Pavi • Grass-sign • Common • Tukant • Others

[Katelyn Marks]

It was hard not to recognize such a distinct voice calling her name, especially when it belonged to a fond friend. The Pavi accent confused her at first, but the Drykas woman's warm timber tickled a memory and she found herself smiling as she turned around to address the bright-eyed blonde. It had been several seasons now since she'd seen the grasslander, and Katelyn felt guilty for not keeping in touch. A lot had changed though in the last half of the previous year, and a lot of people had fallen between the cracks. Still, it was instinct to open her arms and accept Tanna's embrace--the woman's mannerisms and joy was simply infectious.

"My Gods, Tanna. I wasn't sure I'd ever see you again. I moved to the city at the turn of the season, actually. Where have you been staying?" Katelyn's heart swelled, and a toothy smile spread across her freckled face. The Drykas didn't look any different than the last time she'd seen her. She had a similar style compared to the squire, and her blonde hair was done up in an elaborate braid. Kate was more than a little jealous of Tanna's skill with hair. Her own hung plain down her back, spilling in wild crimson waves over her shoulders.

While the squire was elated to be reunited with the Drykas, it seemed her stallion was less than excited at the sudden approach of a stranger and her mare. Coosa seemed rounder than the last time Katelyn had seen her, and that was about as far as her observations went before Garrison pulled back, tearing her away from the hands of her friend, fiercely protesting against their foreign odors with a vicious whinny and strike of a
large feathered hoof against the earth. Kate grabbed for his reins with both hands and planted her feet firmly, trying to pull him in like a fish on a line as he reared back in anger.

"Easy there!" the redhead called in an effort to be firm yet soothing. He was a fiery beast, and not altogether safe to be around. Garrison had come a long way since she first bought him in the fall, but the end product of her diligent training was not yet in sight. He was more than a handful most days, and only really a pleasure to be around after he'd worked up a lather. She could think of a few days where he'd been uncharacteristically well-behaved, and those precious moments were surely the work of the Gods, but today was definitely not one of those days. "Whoa, you big beast," Katelyn comforted.

After a few long ticks of struggling against him, he planted all four legs firmly on the ground once more, albeit with his ears pinned back and tail swishing threateningly. His body language screamed aggression, and when the squire could finally turned back to her friend, her face was flushed with embarrassment. "I'm so sorry," she breathed, mortified by what the Drykas had just witnessed. "I'm still working with him. He's a monster sometimes, honestly." Then, after a short, floundering pause, she found her stride once more. "How have you been? I assumed you'd be long gone on some wild adventure by now. I honestly didn't expect you two to be sticking around," Katelyn admitted. "But I'm glad you're still in the area."

OOCGetting back into the groove! Sorry for the suckage.

[Tanna]

Katelyn

Give me a nudge if you ever return and I'll get you your grade.

Tanna

◈ Horsemanship: 1XP
◈ Observation: 1XP
◈ Socialisation: 1XP
◈ Investigation: 1XP

◈ Location: Windmount Track and Field
◈ Horsemanship: Signalling a horse to follow