The stables: Tuesday afternoon [after workshops]

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

There was a nice flat bit of grass near the stables, and Karal saddled Trenor and led him out to it. Trenor was bouncing around, tossing his head and fidgeting, and Karal tugged on his ear. "Stop that."

Trenor bounced more.

Karal sighed and clipped the long line to his bridle. "I think you should work off some of that energy before Gavin arrives. I do not want him falling off."

Trenor was soon cantering happily - and bouncily - in a circle.

[ooc: Karal's here for Gavin, but the post is open - I just offer up a SP proviso, as I'm about to head to work.]

Comments

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

Gavin eventually found the stables and wandered up slowly. "Karal?"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal pulled Trenor to a halt and turned to smile at him. "Hello, Gavin," he said, while Trenor snorted and pawed the ground before settling.

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Hey," he said, not coming too close to the horse just yet. "Guessing this is the horse you told me about. Does he talk like Altra?"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal sort of stared in surprise and stroked Trenor's nose, settling him further. "Have you never met a horse?"

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"I have," he said, nodding. "But I'd met a cat before too and Altra talked."

[Yay home from works!]

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Oh! Yes, this is true." He shook his head, then led Trenor froward a step. "This is Trenor, and he is a perfectly ordinary horse. He doesn't talk. Well, he did once, but he'd been turned into a human, so I do not think that counts."

[YAY!]

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Hi Trenor," he said, smiling at the horse. "I'm Gavin."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Trenor pricked his ears forward and stretched out his neck, trying to nudge Gavin with his nose.

"He is probably looking for treats," Karal said, looping the reins in one hand.

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Should I touch him?" Gavin asked, hovering a hand near him but not touching.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"He likes to have his nose stroked, but first, hold out your hand flat, palm up," Karal demonstrated, "so he can get to know your smell."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Flat up," Gavin repeated and did as asked.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal loosened his hold and Trenor snurfled Gavin's palm, then lipped at his fingers, before nudging him, ears pricked straight forward.

"I think he wants you to pat him," Karal laughed.

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"On his nose?" Gavin asked. "Or his snout? Or whatever that is."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"It's his nose, and that's good, or you can pat his neck, or he likes the spot just under his ears scratched." Karal slipped his fingers under the bridle and rubbed, and Trenor leaned into his hand. "He will not hurt you, I promise, and you won't hurt him."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

Gavin reached out and ran a tentative hand down Trenor's nose.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Trenor stepped forward and dropped his head, nudging Gavin again, albeit gently.

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Does that mean he wants me to stop?" Gavin asked, not taking his hand away but still hesitant. He hadn't dealt with animals in a long time.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"No, it means he likes you," Karal said reassuringly. "And he would be most unhappy if you stopped."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Oh." That wasn't too bad. He moved his hand up Trenor's head and ran it down his neck gently. "He's soft."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"I spend a lot of time grooming him," Karal said, while Trenor blew out a long breath and mouthed the bit, ears flopping sideways. "Do you think you would be comfortable holding him while I get you a treat to feed him?"

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Hold him where?" Gavin asked.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"By the reins," he explained, smiling as he held them out. "So he does not wander away."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Reins," Gavin repeated again, grasping them tightly and then turning to Trenor. "No running away allowed."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Trenor flicked his ears back and forth as Karal unclipped the long line, turning his head to watch as he disappeared into the stables, then turned back to Gavin, looking at him expectantly.

He had one free hand. That meant there could be more patting.

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Right," Gavin said, reaching up to scratch along Trenor's snout. "Good?"