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[Taylani]

Taylani tried to push all thought from her mind, already the multiple reasons why she should strengthen her resolve next to him, why she should despise him ate at the edge of her peace. Warring with the temptation of just letting go, warring with the idea that there is nothing letting go would do that hadn't already be done. Fighting him, even passively as she has fought her captors since after the medical tent shortly after her taking, would not give her back her maidenhood, would not return her any faster then acceptance would. Yet to stop fighting him felt like giving up a part of her soul, the one thing she felt she could protect.

So even now, when she relaxes and for the first time since she was ejected from Syliras she accepts human comfot..yet she still barricades her mind against the treacherous thoughts of how easy it would be to just give up. To give up, surely wouldn't that mean she would truly then be his slave? How she longed for just a little bit of the warmth, love and caring that she had grown up with, someone to hold her for more reasons then simply because she was a woman and able to bear children.

It is that thought that steels Taylani's spine, and while she does not physically draw back, there is a stiffening and just a little bit of tension as she pulls back just slightly. Her words are still a little unsteady but her face was once more the tight expressionless mask. "Thank....you. Fallan."She speaks softly in Pavi, trying to pull back enough to tip her chin up at him to gaze up at him in askance. Reverting back to common she slides her arms away from his neck, down to lay her palms gently on his chest but more in a warding motion, not pushing just ..creating a physical barrier between he and she once more. "You said we were to go meet ...Stormdancer?"

[Fallan Windchaser]

Nothing lasted on the Sea of Grass and to expect otherwise was foolish yet it didn't stop Fallan from hoping that this latest cut had kept them moving in the direction that he wished.

He smiled at her words, not fighting the distance that she put between them for he did not wish to trigger the blank look in her eyes when she recalled where they were and who he was. There would be time enough for that in the future he was sure for this period of calm was sure to be followed by a storm.

She brought his mind back to the present by naming his horse, an act sure to bring a smile to the face of any Drykas, and so he nodded. "Stormdancer, yes," he spoke the words in Pavi, his hands flickering in the modes which reflected that his mood, already buoyant from the exchange with Taylani was now firmyly happy.

"Come," he spoke again in Pavi, signing that she follow him back into the tent where he threw a shirt on and slung over his shoulder the bag which contained his grooming tools and some treats he had harvested on his way across the Grass.

Leaving the tent behind he led the way through to the area where the Clan horses were kept and then paused while he reviewed the horses there, his eye watching for the dark bay coloured one that was his and then clicked with his mouth to draw her attention to his arrival. Her ears cocked and swivelled at the familiar noise, then she tossed her head and cantered towards him. As she did so he stepped forwards to greet her, raising his hand to her neck as she came in close and then attempted to nuzzle the bag that he carried. He grinned, pushing her muzzle away and turning to put his body in the way.

"Tay," he waved her towards him with a flip of his hand, taking it for granted that she would be familiar with horses. "Tay, Stormdancer," he introduced them with a smile as for the first time the two females in his life met.

[Taylani]

The blank expression does not return to Taylani's face, not yet, though it was no where near as open as it was during her dance instruction, or when she was making her plea to him. Instead it was a calm, but studious look that took her face when she watches the slight change when he speaks of Stormdancer, and again she was intrigued if also baffled at the closeness these people were to their horses. She knew that they were not called horses, but striders, and she knew that they were different then horses outside of the grasses. Just how she did not know, nor did she hope to know until she could really understand these people...more specifically this man.

So when he waves for her to come to him, she commits the sign and word in Pavi to memory though she knew it was not "here" for Rue had taught her that one herself. Instead she follows, and as he draws his shirt on and gathers his things she sat to pull on her sturdy shoes to protect her feet. She had already checked inside and the surrounding of the tent for anything that would damage bare feet out of sheer habit. A Dancer's livelihood depended on the health of her feet, and she could not be certain that there were not dangers to bare feet beyond his encampment.

As they walked through the area leading to the horse enclosure, Taylani unconsciously stepped closer toward Fallan. Distrust and suspicion of all things Drykas coloring her perception, and often the Dancer imagined danger where there was none. If she ever became aware that she put even a mild bit of trust that Fallan would be any sort of protection from her from these unknown -and possibly imagined- dangers she would have been surprised. Yet when they close the distance to the horses, Taylani's steps slow just enough to where there was a small distance between her and him, and his horse.

Rue had introduced her to these animals, had showed her that some were gentle and tamed, and that there wasn't an immediate need to fear these creatures. However that did not mean that all the creatures, especially in a herd were as gentle as Wildfire was.

However she does not let the cold wash through her, the first sign of it she resolutely pushed it away, and when he motioned her she did move closer. She very slowly raised a hand, looking first at the horse and then at Fallan almost asking permission before her fingers first touch gently, ready to pull back at any sign of displeasure from the beast. A few seconds passed, and she smiled a tiny smile, her fingers stroking now the silky muzzle. "You..you made that noise.." She wasn't sure what to call what he had done that attracted the horses attention, "That clicking noise. How did he..she...it know you were calling it..and not the others?"

[Fallan Windchaser]

With the fingers of his left hand Fallan unhooked the catch of the bag and rooted inside to pull out a tuber with foliage still attached that was starting to look a little wilted. Here with Stormdancer he could relax and be himself, for there were no pretences with her, she could read his moods well enough that there was little point in attempting to pretend otherwise.

He broke the tuber in two and offered half to Taylani, smiling at her smile and weaving his hand around the questing equine lips which sought to take the treat and likely his fingers too before he could deliver it to Taylani.

"Click?" He laughed softly, shaking his head "habit from boy." He moved back and patted the horse on the withers. "Noise attract attention of herd. Not surprised. Stormdancer learn. Know me"

He'd noted Taylanis bravery with the horse, but also the confusion as to the sex of it, so he cocked her head at her. "Tay ride horse?" He tossed her the remaining half of the tuber and dug into the bag to bring out a brush before refastening it.

[Taylani]

She quietly watched him from the corner of her eye, trying not to be obvious about the way she studied his behavior around Stormdancer. Taylani marveled at how comfortable and relaxed he was around this creature, how his hands moved on and over the horse gently but expertly. The thought of his hands brought forth an image of their nights in the tent, causing her to blush furiously and scold herself silently. She already fought an inner battle over her apparent enjoyment of their ..nightly activities. She felt she shouldn't gain enjoyment or pleasure but it was not something that she could will to stop. However she could will her thoughts from dwelling on such inappropriate topics.

So with a quick ducking of her head, hoping her red hair would hide her flaming cheeks, she missed the first time he tried to pass her the vegetable before she clears her throat, and tries to pay attention to his words. Her fingers still ran lightly, now over the horses neck, enjoying the peaceful warmth beneath her hand. Yet his question surprised her enough that she almost didn't raise her hands in time to catch the tuber, having to scramble unladylike to secure it before it hit the ground. Her blue eyes widen, and she shakes her head gently backing away slowly. "No. No I have never ridden a horse...I couldn't.."
She looked from the animal, then back to Fallan before shaking her head again. "I would hurt it..or myself.."

[Fallan Windchaser]

Fallan watched Taylani back away, her face showing the sort of horror that might be expected if he'd asked her if she rode glassbeaks and he snorted, shaking his head.

"Come here," he said in Pavi and waved her to him. He waited for her to approach and handed her the brush that he'd intended to use for himself then reached once more back into the bag and drew out another.

A degree of inspiration struck him for he was still unshod whereas she had put on her shoes before leaving the tent, something he had attributed to her city upbringing. He pointed at her feet. "Shoe protect feet. Strider feet for Drykas. Protect feet." He waved his brush at her and put it back in the bag, instead drawing out a pick from his belt and one by one lifitng and inspecting the hooves, a task that the horse tolerated remarkably well, aside from her old habit of leaning on him to which he responded with a sharp job of his elbow.

He kept up a constant chatter to the horse as he worked, complaining when she leant on him and laughing as she shifted her weight off again. Then he took the brush again, and waved Taylani closer, demonstrating with his brush and then waving her to copy him. "Touch horse, talk. Feel Tay, hear Tay. Not surprise." He pointed to the tail end and shook his head. "Not walk. Kick." It seemed to him that it was best to keep things simple.

[Taylani]

Taylani crept closer again, not really frightened of the horse more then the idea of being put on top of it. She had seen people do it of course, most recently when she was dragged here by her captors but she had never thought she would be faced the proposition of sitting on top one herself. She moved slowly, but it was not long before she was next to him, staying well behind him though putting him between her and the horse as he checked the horses hooves.

She watched him, from her relatively safe position, listening to him talk though she didn't really understand what he was saying. It was clear the relationship between the man and beast was easy and friendly. She could see Fallan's happiness in every soft touch he gave, even when he was reprimanding the horse. She blinked for a moment surprised at the softness of her thoughts toward he who would force children upon her. It was due to this surprise that she moved closer without much sound, watching him for a long moment before shaking her head, returning to herself and the task at hand. Watching how he stroked the horses coat with his brush, she hesitantly does the same, not putting too much pressure afraid of hurting the horse. "Um...Hi horsey..." She says hesitantly, not sure what she was expected to say to the animal, unused to speaking to beasts like this. "Good..Stormdancer..?"

She felt kind of ridiculous talking to the animal as if the animal was going to respond, but he had put his best efforts into learning her dance, so she could repay the kindness and learn what he was so obviously passionate about. Remembering the Tuber that he had tossed to her, she shifted toward Stormdancer's muzzle, and again looking toward Fallan in silent askance before she stretches out her hand, and just as Rue had shown her with the apple, held the tuber with her fingers splayed, carefully flat away from teeth.

[Fallan Windchaser]

Fallan watched out of the corner of his eye as he worked with the horse to gauge her reactions. He found it odd that anyone could have the reaction that she had had to a simple question, but then he found it odd that she wasn't familiar with horses.

Horses were simple creatures, and even the Striders shared many of the same traits so he could not afford for Taylani to be afraid of them, nor for her to show that fear. Similarly he was not angry with her and did not attempt to force her. He could have treated her like baggage as her captors must have done, but at some point he would need for her to have her own horse for he already had luggage when he travelled and had no intention of double loading Stormdancer.

He watched Taylani feed her the tuber that he'd given her, noting that she held it properly. Clearly she had some knowledge of horses, but it was another mystery which would in time unfold and for now it mattered only that she become familiar with the horse. Changing brushes he worked the knots from the tail and then came round to stand behind Taylani. He brushed away the mane of hair and kissed the back of her neck, aware as he did so that Stormdancer had turned her head to watch. It made him laugh and he wrapped his arms around the woman in front of him.

He whispered in her ear, "Now we ride." He was prepared to hold her if she moved too quickly for though Stormdancer was reasonably placid, she did have her limits.

[Taylani]

Once the tuber was finished, Taylani brings her hand back toward herself running the palm over her skirts. She was intrigued by the animal, as before she noted something not quite the same though she couldn't pinpoint the difference between these and the horses she had seen within the city. When Stormdance turned her head to look at the two humans Taylani noticed the intelligence in the big doe eyes, and for the first time she almost could see the horse appraising them..or her.

When he slips up behind her, the guard that is never far away springs forward in her mind, sheltering her in some fashion, causing her to give the slightest hint of stiffness but she does not pull away. His lips on her neck were familiar, just as the arms that wrap around her were. Her own hands familiarly fall to lay on top of his arms, her body still guarded and defensive though manages to lean back against him. Until he spoke in her ear and she immediately jerks against his arms, trying to move away. "No Fallan I can't.
" She protested. Her struggle to move was habitual, not one that she really intended on working so it lasted only seconds before she settled down but not leaning against him on her own any more.

She was not a short woman, something that was sort of a doubled edged blessing. It served her to have long legs for those elegant lines in dance, but outside the studio it was nothing more then a pain to be all gangly and seem to be all arms and legs. However this animal positively made her feel petite. She knew that she would have to learn, she knew it because if she were to ever go home she would either ride or walk it. And she somehow doubted he would brook being slowed down by her walking.

"I am scared. Afraid that I will hurt it...I don't want to do that." The animal looked to be muscular and capable, but the idea of sitting on its back seemed almost cruel to her. She was looking at this from a dancer's eye, one did not force one's partner to sustain a lift longer then a few seconds, to not strain muscle or bone. While she knew, at least in her head, that these animals were meant to carry humans, to someone who was not raised where one regularly rode them it was difficult to get past that.

[Fallan Windchaser]

Her reaction surprised and pleased him for it was not the outright panic that had initially been her reaction. He locked his arms around her but the struggle was brief and restrained. He suspected that she had accepted the inevitable, but still she attempted to defer him, her arguments rational but pointless.

He shifted his hands on to her shoulders, tight enough that she would know that she was held and yet not so tight that she might feel trapped. Her body was warm in his hands and distracting to have her flutter in his grip and yet not give in to the temptation that she offered. It changed his plans even before he spoke to answer her, her resistance attractive and it reminded him of that day of the auction when she had been fiery and the scars of that encounter had now just about healed.

"Tay not hurt Stormdancer," he said with a smile. It was true enough that other peoples used saddles for their horses to spread the load on the horses back so that the horse wasn't hurt, but it wasn't the Drykas way. They did use pads and Yvas but Fallon had brought neither for they were still in the tent as it hadn't been his intention to ride, not properly.

"Come," he said in Pavi, the word and gesture the same as she had seen before as he released her. With a short run he gently vaulted onto the horses back, his body sliding into place as though he had practised this move a thousand times. Stormdancer shifted into a walk when he did so moving away from Taylani, so Fallan used his knees to guide her round and back, coming to a stop beside her and holding out a hand.

He smiled at her and twitched his fingers for her to take hold. His confident manner spoke nothing of the balance that would be required for this, nor of the likelyhood that she would simply pull him off instead. "Jump," he instructed, not about to be brooked on this.