Feel the Fear & Do it Anyway

[Caesi Starguide]

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Feel the Fear & Do it Anyway
51st Spring 516Av
Late Morning

Day of relaxation and rest. Or that is what Caesi would call it. She had witnessed someone in another clan contorting their body and bending it in a graceful way. This had given the girl an idea. Why not use those techniques on horseback. Sure, the process was going to be dangerous. She was probably going to be bruised. The end result however seemed to be worth it all, as she would be able to understand how to balance her body on horseback. Balance was key in learning Archery from horseback as well. So why not learn something entertaining also, why not learn to dance with her horse.

Today was a great day to try her rather dangerous idea. The sun was held in the sky, clouds parted for the beams to shine on the plains. It was a nice day outside, not humid, not cold, just nice. Her and Pyxis was out on the plains around the 10th bell, she rode her to a spot that had a copse of trees nearby, the river, and plenty of room to test her idea out. If all else failed, her and Pyxis could practice in the water, as that would save her from damaging falls.

Caesi dismounted her Strider, taking the Yvas off her, and placing it on the ground out of the way. Placing her hands on her hips, she thought through the processes. It seemed to be a good idea to her, to stretch her muscles a little before trying to force them to bend in new ways. Logical reasoning would suggest that muscles stretched out would not hurt as badly, or at the very least they would bend easier. With this idea in her mind, she sat on the ground, spreading her legs out wide she reached with both hands to her left foot, straightening her back and stretching out the muscles of her leg and lower back. Repeating this process she did the same on the right side.

Taking both hands she stretched them out in the center of her legs. Bringing her head down as far to the ground as it would go. Her muscles felt more limber now, perhaps that was all that was needed, she was about to find out. Standing up, she bounced on her feet, shaking out her muscles as she peered over at Pyxis. The Strider looked back at her, with a look on her face that suggested 'don't do it.' Caesi paid it no heed, she was doing this, she wanted to do this. “Okay Pyxis.. Here we go, we will do this together girl.” She told the horse in a clam tone, as she ran a little and tried mounting her Strider.

She however made it half-way up and fell back down on the ground. Landing on her rear she looked up at Pyxis who had a 'told you so' facial expressing and nickered at Caesi. The girl crossed her arms with a 'hummph' sound coming from her lips. She would do this, she would accomplish mounting her Strider without a Yvas. Caesi just had to get the technique required down first.

Rising up from the ground she backed a few paces away from Pyxis, eyeing her carefully she thought for a moment. She had ran and tried to use her arms instead of her legs too. Perhaps if she jumped a little in the air this time it would work out better, instead of using her arms. After thinking it through, she ran once more.

This time Caesi made a little jump in the air but once more she fell down on her rear, failing at it. “Shyke!” Caesi cursed a little loudly, making Pyxis shiver slightly. “Sorry girl. It isn't your fault.” She said soothingly, calming the horse back down.

Okay arms alone did not work. Legs alone did not work. So maybe if I combined the two.. Caesi thought to herself as she made a few paces backwards, eyeing Pyxis again who seemed to be bored of the situation. Inhaling deeply, she exhaled and ran towards Pyxis. This time she pushed off the ground with her feet, grabbing the horse's mane, and swinging a leg forward. It was not very graceful, actually she fumbled a lot in the endeavor. At the very least, she had mounted her Strider with no help from the Yvas. Caesi panted slightly, it had taken more endurance then she thought to mount her horse with out any help. She patted Pyxis, “See I knew I could do it.” She told the Strider. The mare shook her head and snorted from her nostrils, not really concerned about it just yet. The mounting part was just the beginning, now there was more to practice. She clicked her tongue, using the horse's mane to hold onto as the horse began a slow walk, Caesi guiding her in a circle, using the Yvas on the ground as the center.

| Thoughts | wc: 825 |

[Caesi Starguide]

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Caesi rode her in a slow circle, grasping the mane to help keep her body balanced. She inhaled and exhaled, calming her heart. Fear rose it's ugly head, wanting to strangle her and make her quite. Caesi closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the movements of her Strider. Matching the movements of the horse with her own body. Slowly becoming in tune with Pyxis movements, uniting as one, as they went in a circle. Pyxis hooves were steady as they hit the ground, matching the beats of Caesi's heart. The rider opened her eyes, the fear was gone now, replaced with a new found confidence. Instead of the fear controlling her, she felt it, and decided to do it anyway. Embracing the fear and confidence, combining them, into a new feeling, excitement.

Caesi released the mane of her Strider. She wobbled and swayed, trying to gain her balance. Quickly she grabbed the mane once more, steadying herself. Just letting go did not work, instead she had to use logic once more. Inhaling and exhaling, she planned out what she would do in her mind, 'Tighten the legs. Hold on with the knees. Straighten the back.' Breathing easy, she put forth the plan in motion.

Releasing the horse's mane once more, she tightened her legs around Strider's barrel. Squeezing her knees in slightly, Pyxis shivered and she relaxed her knees a little. Once she began to straighten her back she fumbled around, her arms swaying in the air as she tried to steady herself then quickly grasping the main. Pyxis nickered in frustration and Caesi sighed, “Sorry girl, relax.” The rider stroked her horse's neck in soft movements, until the horse was once more calm.

Biting down on her lower lip, she once more retreated to her mind, planning out what she should do to accomplish her goal. 'Tighten the legs, hold on with the knees, keep the back straight. Perhaps if I also tried keeping the soles of my feet towards the rear with the toes pointed down, that would help.' Caesi thought to herself, as her and Pyxis went around in a few circles. Exhaling, she straightened her back first. Then she tightened her legs and used her knees to hold on to the barrel of her Strider. She pointed her toes to the ground, the soles of her feet facing the rear of the horse. This was when she decided to let go of the mane.

She wobbled slightly but was able to steady herself by placing her arms horizontally at each side. This gave her more balance and she rode in five circles before she moved her hands as if she was shooting her shortbow. This made her unsteady once more, but she moved her rear on the bareback of her Strider, wiggling and fumbling, until she found her balance once more. She held the position until her arms were tired from being raised for a long period. Bringing her hands back down, she wrapped them in the mane and brought Pyxis to a halt, giving the horse a break as well.

This was not only gaining her balance to shoot her shortbow on horseback, but it was also bringing her closer to her Strider. Their bond was true, there was no doubt in that, however a bond could always grow stronger, no matter how old it was. Their bond was growing and blooming into something more, something stronger, every time they rode or did exercises like this. It was as if their souls were intertwining the longer they were Strider and Rider. It was a feeling that words could not describe. A freedom, yet a wildness, settling in her soul as the bond stretched and grew.

| Thoughts | wc: 623

[Caesi Starguide]

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With the easy part over with, now came the hard part. She wanted to try a hand-stand on the back of her Strider, though she needed to practice a bit more before she could do that. Instead she decided that she would try something a little more simple. Caesi would stand up on her horse, but still hold on to the mane, being completely upright on her horse would take more time and dedication to accomplish. Sure, she wanted to give it a try, but she knew that her balance and muscles just were not ready for that, not yet.

Keeping Pyxis at a halt, so the movement would not hinder her, she decided to give it a try. Bringing one foot up she scooted to the middle of the horses back, placing the foot underneath her. Using that foot she applied some weight to it, until she was at a low crouch, her right leg still dangling at the side. Inhaling and exhaling, she brought her right leg up, placing the foot underneath her and adjusting her weight to it as well. She held on to Pyxis' mane as she steadied her body.

Caesi trembled and wobbled, not apply to get her footing. It was in slow motion, her foot slipped out from under her as she tried rising up further, and then she tumbled off her Strider. Her arms waved in the air in circles, her eyes closed, as she hit the ground. Her breath left her all at once, making her gasp for a few ticks before she pried open her eyes. Pyxis looked over her, her face telling her how stupid she actually looked. The Strider's upper lip curled up and she snorted, as if she was laughing at her fall. Caesi stuck her tongue out at the horse, who shook her head.

Her body felt bruised and sore. As she pushed herself up into a sitting position. Her back felt bruised, her bottom, even her legs. Not only that but her muscles were sore from the work-out she had unexpectedly done on horseback. She had stretched out her muscles, but it obviously was not enough. The muscles in her body were drawing up in tight knots, protesting and screaming at her for putting them through the torment she had just done. However, she was not done yet. She would accomplish this last thing before heading off to the river. Exhaling loudly she pushed herself off the ground. Raising her arms high above her head she stretched until on her tip-toes. It did not exactly help. Her muscles were still drawing up. Next time she would spend more time stretching before attempting acrobatics on horseback again.

Now she had to mount Pyxis again. Thinking back to how she did it before, she started out at a run, pushing off with her feet she grabbed the mane to sling her leg forward, but her leg decided it did not want to. So she stumbled backwards, landing on her feet and spinning her arms until she found her balance once more.

Walking away a few paces she attempted it again. Pumping her arms slightly, she dug her feet into the ground, as she ran towards her Strider with a little more agility this time. Once close to the horse, she pushed off both feet, jumping into the air, grabbing the horses mane, and slinging her leg upwards and over the horse's back. She almost fell off the other side from too much momentum, but she righted herself, steadying her body. Caesi inhaled and exhaled, slowly, arithmetically, calming her heart-beat and the fear that decided to try and invade her once more. She let it all go, however, not letting the fear control her.

| Thoughts | wc: 625

[Caesi Starguide]

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Once adjusted in her seat again, Caesi stroked Pyxis neck lovingly, “Thank you girl for putting up with me.” She told the mare, stroking her gently, as she nickered softly. Sighing she brought her hand back to the horse's mane with the other, and wiggled until she was stretched out. Her rear below the center of the horse, with her arms stretched out grasping the mane still.

Maybe if I went to my knees instead of feet, it would help with my balance. Caesi thought to herself, planning her movements out before executing them. She nibbled at her lower lip, debating on whether to use her knees or her feet. Finally, she decided to try her knees, since the feet did not work the first time.

Caesi brought her left leg up first, until her knee was settled on the center of the Strider's back. Scooting up slightly, she steadied her body as it began to tremble. Inhalng and exhaling she calmed herself, as she brought her right leg up, placing the knee beside the other. She walked with her knees until she was at the very center of the horse. Letting her hands slid from the mane, she kept them on the horse's shoulders, as her body swayed and trembled, trying to gain her balance on the horses back. Pyxis who was becoming bored with all this, started to walk and Caesi felt the panic seep in. “No.. Don't..” She managed to say, before her throat closed as a cold rush flew up her spine, making her flesh chill with fear. Her mouth was moving, perhaps trembling, but she was trying to let the words 'woah' out but they just would not come.

Her arms went around the horse's neck, her face planting against the back of her horse. It was the only way she could steady herself, steady her heart-beat for a moment. But Pyxis kept moving, at least she was only in a walk. Caesi's eyes crushed together tightly, as she tried to calm herself down. A chime passed and she had yet to fall, this gave her a little more confidence. Pyxis walked in a circle, like before, keeping the Yvas at the center. The rider panted against the horse's back, who snorted, feeling her rider's fear.

Either way, the horse did not stop moving, so Caesi remained in that position for several strides, before a new idea popped in her mind. Maybe she could turn this into something useful, instead of standing on the back of her Strider, she could turn this into an elegant pose. Even though, the pose would be less than elegant at first it was the start of something. Giving it a try, she steadied her breathing and her heart-beat. Taking a couple of chimes to let the fear go, she lifted her face off the horse's back.

Distributing her weight between the shin and foot of her left leg, she rose her right leg up into the air. At first she swayed to the right, with no support there she had to find her balance. Redirecting her wait to the left side, she steadied her body once more. Stretching out both of her arms, she distributed weight to them as well. Bringing her right leg further up and into the air she bent it slightly at the knee, pointing her toes up to the sky, keeping her back straight and lifting her head further.

She held the pose for five ticks, before she fumbled and swayed to the point she had to lower her leg and place them back at the sides of her Strider, telling her mare “Woah,” to get her to halt the walk. Once Pyxis was stilled, Caesi leaned up on her back, holding the mane in her hands, she swung her leg over and slid off the back of her Strider, dismounting her.

She put her hands on her hips and frowned over at her Strider. At first, she was going to scold the mare for going with out her commanding to. Realization kicked in, the horse knew her better then she knew herself. Perhaps it was only a coincidence, perhaps the mare actually knew she could not stand on her yet. Instead, the Strider had gifted her with something beautiful, something elegant, something to start the dance between them off in future days.

“Thank you.” She told her mare, as she went over to her, laying her head against the horse's neck and petting and cooing at her for a few chimes. Praising the horse for showing her that fear could be over-come in all situations, if you just embraced it and do it anyway, you would be surprised with the results. The dance between them had begun and soon they would be not only riding across the plains, but in a dance upon the Sea of Grass.

| Thoughts | wc: 816

[Caesi Starguide]

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Placing the Yvas back on Pyxis, Caesi grabbed the Yvas and pulled herself up on the her back. With a click of her tongue and a pat of her heels they were off towards the Moresta River. Caesi's muscles were aching from her previous try at Acrobatics. Now it was time for a short rest by horseback, then she would attempt more. This time though, she would be on the ground instead on the back of her horse. This way, she could learn some basics and stretch her sore muscles out, before returning back home.

A Half-Bell later they were at the Moresta River, Pyxis neighed happily swinging her head from side to side, ready to get a drink from the river. Caesi dismounted her Strider, removing the Yvas and giving her a pat to let her know she was free to do as she will. Pyxis went to the river happily, going in until the water was half way up her legs, she splashed around like a foal. Caesi chuckled at the Strider, happy that she was happy.

Caesi had seen a few things, though never really paid attention to learn them, from other people. Especially the merchants and traveling entertainers that passed through on occasion to other cities. She was not sure how to start, where to start, or what to do at all. That could only mean, she would have to learn through trial and error, figuring it out for herself.

Inhaling deeply, she got down on her knees. She extended her front leg out, slowly sliding it forward. While extending her front leg, she slowly started to do the same with her back leg. Propelling it outwards and attempting to keep it straight behind her. She kept the palms of her hands at either side of her, using them to keep her balance as she began to spread her legs out. Caesi did not make it all the way down, she felt a tightness in her muscles and began to wobble. Once this started she fell over on her side, with a rush of air escaping her. Her hands went instantly to her inner thighs and she clenched her teeth, “Shyke how do people do this!” She yelled out to no one in particular as she rubbed her inner thigh muscles. Her Strider looked over at her, lazily eating a patch of grass in her mouth. “If horses could talk..” Caesi said to herself as she went back to her knees.

Even though her muscles hurt and she could not go all the way down. The only way to limber her muscles was to do it again and again, until she could stretch her legs out into a side-ways split. Heaving a sigh, she extended her front leg first, keeping her weight on the palms of her hands at her sides. Slowly she straightened out her back leg with the front. Staying upright she continued to stretch out both of her legs, as she came lower to the ground. Caesi swayed a little as her body protested going down in such a position. There was a burning and tightness in her inner thigh and legs, but she clenched her teeth and ignored it, until she made it down into the splits.

Caesi held the position for half a chime, until she could no longer stand it. Unfortunately, she did not know how to get back up properly out of the splits. “Oh no..” She spoke to herself, as she swung her arms out and wobbled around until she once again fell on her side. Caesi laid there a moment, as her muscles throbbed from being stretched out. Her muscles were drawing up before, now they were drawn up more. Instead of making her limber the splits had made it worse. All she wanted was some warm water to lower herself into, to relax her muscles.

After several chimes she picked herself off the ground and began to twist her body from side to side, stretching out her back muscles. Pyxis was once again in the River, drinking water and cooling off. It was not exactly hot out today, but it was a nice day and the sun was still beating a steady rhythm down upon them. Caesi went over to the edge of the river, splashing the cool water on her heated face and sitting down. She pulled off her boots, sticking her feet into the river. The water was not uncomfortably cold but it was still cool enough that she did not want to submerge her whole body into it. Caesi preferred swimming in the middle of summer, when the water was warm from the heat of the sun. Sighing she placed her hands behind her, leaning back and enjoying some sunlight, thinking of something else she could try. Maybe that one were they bend backwards.. Caesi thought to herself, as she closed her eyes, the sun's heat making her slightly lethargic.

Caesi wanted to try more, her muscles however gave a firm no. They were so sore and tired from the acrobatics. Her muscles were not used to bending and stretching in the ways she had done today. Instead she laid back on her back, looking up at the clouds, she watched as they formed different shapes. One in particular looked like a Strider racing across the sky. Another cloud formed itself into a bird, soaring through the sky. A larger mass looked like a giant sleeping in the sky. Caesi gave a relaxed sigh, folding her arms behind her head. No, she would not do anymore today. Instead she would relax by the river for a bell or two, then mount Pyxis and ride back home, finishing out her day helping her Mother and Pa with caring for the animals, before heading to her tent and passing out for the day.

| Thoughts | wc: 1025

[Pulren Marsh]

A Grade is Coming
Your Wave

An interesting piece. I would caution against acting outside of your ability. I think you should have fallen many more times than you did, but all in all, a good read.

 

Caesi

XP

• Planning 2
• Observation 1
• Acrobatics 4
• Endurance 1
• Riding 2
• Animal Husbandry 1
• Running 1

Lores

• Acrobatics: Finding the Center
• Acrobatics: Stretch Before Attempting
• Riding: Using Knees and Mane Instead of Yvas
• Planning: Sketching Out Movements in Your Mind First

Your Grader,


Pulren Marsh

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