42nd of fall, 515 a.v
mid-morning
There was sun to be seen today, a pleasant change from the cloud and frost that had since been dominating the earlier portions of the season, although the wisps of cloud lingering in the far horizon promised that it wouldn’t last; the weather seemed a bit irritated that nothing unpleasant had happened already, and if it didn’t turn for the worse tomorrow than it almost certainly would the day after.
As it was, Shahar wanted to take advantage of the fair weather to become acquainted with the newest members of the Dawnwhisper family. Although at least two of the additions had seemed to be tolerant enough of human contact to suggest previous groundwork, there was little that could be known for fact in regards to their experience. The ragged old female who had come to be called Kendi was not one that worried Shahar a great deal; even though she was unfamiliar, she was certainly an agreeable creature that Shahar couldn’t imagine desiring harm upon anything. There was a warmth to her that he liked, even trusted. At least, a warmth that he trusted enough to leave her to her own devices on this day.
Then there was Vanya, the white-gray mixed-blood. She also seemed to be possessed of a docile temperament, although there was still enough youth in her bones that she was willing to stand up for herself if need be. She seemed to have at least basic manners, and had come with the Dawnwhispers quietly and without difficulty; that as much as anything gave Shahar hope that she could yet settle into their lives and become one of them. Such was the purpose of today.
The morning’s hunt had been completed, and he had returned home for his midday rest as he often did; when midday turned to afternoon he would ride again to earn the pavilion’s coin, but that time was not now. Now, he would give the entirety of his attention to Vanya.
The herd was well within sight of the tents, and so Shahar had left his javelins and axe with the rest of his possessions, keeping only his hunting knife at his side; it was more tool than weapon, anyway. What he did have was a well-used bag of brushes and picks, implements that he knew just as well as he did his knife. They would serve as Vanya’s test, and perhaps would even lay the groundwork for future comfort and familiarity.
Snow trailed behind him at a distance, vaguely curious; the entire affair of the auction had intrigued her greatly, although Shahar’s explanation had left her somewhat disappointed. She was far more interested in the event itself than the results; horses were hardly new sights for her. She knew the routine of cautious dancing; Vanya would almost certainly fear her, and at Shahar’s request Snow would remain far enough away so as not to spook the mare. Besides, it wasn’t as if Vanya was particularly interesting to begin with, but that was where Shahar was going, and so it was the automatic assumption of both pup and Drykas that Snow would also go.
Vanya stood on the outskirts of the herd, closer to Kendi than any of the others. Akaidras, who also lingered about the outskirts, looked up with an interested whicker of greeting, which Shahar returned with hello brother, no need, as you were. Akaidras had already performed labor for the day, and had yet another stretch of work ahead of him; this was as much the strider’s time to relax as it was his rider’s. Appeased by the gesture, Akaidras returned to his lazing.
The alternative intent in the hunter’s posture was enough to catch Vanya’s attention, as it was directed towards her. While it was a positive sign that she both noticed and responded to it, such a thing was no guarantee of knowledge; she could have just noticed the position of his shoulders rather than comprehending the actual sign and its meaning. Whatever it was, though, it was better than nothing; the Drykas paused respectfully and sent off exaggerated, easily-perceived motions of hello request I am coming towards you, followed by the enaction of the promise by stepping slowly towards her.
Vanya snorted and bobbed her head, picking up a hoof uneasily before setting it back down. But she didn’t back away. He came closer. Again she seemed uncertain, but again she went nowhere. The closer her grew, the slower he became, unwilling to risk her bolting; Kendi looked up and pricked her ears cheerfully towards him, and Shahar greeted her, too. The older mare’s comfort seemed to assuage Vanya’s confusion, and he was able to come just as close to her as Kendi. Still Vanya did nothing.
Slowly, carefully and gently, Shahar stretched out a hand and brushed his fingertips along the gray horse’s shoulder.
mid-morning
There was sun to be seen today, a pleasant change from the cloud and frost that had since been dominating the earlier portions of the season, although the wisps of cloud lingering in the far horizon promised that it wouldn’t last; the weather seemed a bit irritated that nothing unpleasant had happened already, and if it didn’t turn for the worse tomorrow than it almost certainly would the day after.
As it was, Shahar wanted to take advantage of the fair weather to become acquainted with the newest members of the Dawnwhisper family. Although at least two of the additions had seemed to be tolerant enough of human contact to suggest previous groundwork, there was little that could be known for fact in regards to their experience. The ragged old female who had come to be called Kendi was not one that worried Shahar a great deal; even though she was unfamiliar, she was certainly an agreeable creature that Shahar couldn’t imagine desiring harm upon anything. There was a warmth to her that he liked, even trusted. At least, a warmth that he trusted enough to leave her to her own devices on this day.
Then there was Vanya, the white-gray mixed-blood. She also seemed to be possessed of a docile temperament, although there was still enough youth in her bones that she was willing to stand up for herself if need be. She seemed to have at least basic manners, and had come with the Dawnwhispers quietly and without difficulty; that as much as anything gave Shahar hope that she could yet settle into their lives and become one of them. Such was the purpose of today.
The morning’s hunt had been completed, and he had returned home for his midday rest as he often did; when midday turned to afternoon he would ride again to earn the pavilion’s coin, but that time was not now. Now, he would give the entirety of his attention to Vanya.
The herd was well within sight of the tents, and so Shahar had left his javelins and axe with the rest of his possessions, keeping only his hunting knife at his side; it was more tool than weapon, anyway. What he did have was a well-used bag of brushes and picks, implements that he knew just as well as he did his knife. They would serve as Vanya’s test, and perhaps would even lay the groundwork for future comfort and familiarity.
Snow trailed behind him at a distance, vaguely curious; the entire affair of the auction had intrigued her greatly, although Shahar’s explanation had left her somewhat disappointed. She was far more interested in the event itself than the results; horses were hardly new sights for her. She knew the routine of cautious dancing; Vanya would almost certainly fear her, and at Shahar’s request Snow would remain far enough away so as not to spook the mare. Besides, it wasn’t as if Vanya was particularly interesting to begin with, but that was where Shahar was going, and so it was the automatic assumption of both pup and Drykas that Snow would also go.
Vanya stood on the outskirts of the herd, closer to Kendi than any of the others. Akaidras, who also lingered about the outskirts, looked up with an interested whicker of greeting, which Shahar returned with hello brother, no need, as you were. Akaidras had already performed labor for the day, and had yet another stretch of work ahead of him; this was as much the strider’s time to relax as it was his rider’s. Appeased by the gesture, Akaidras returned to his lazing.
The alternative intent in the hunter’s posture was enough to catch Vanya’s attention, as it was directed towards her. While it was a positive sign that she both noticed and responded to it, such a thing was no guarantee of knowledge; she could have just noticed the position of his shoulders rather than comprehending the actual sign and its meaning. Whatever it was, though, it was better than nothing; the Drykas paused respectfully and sent off exaggerated, easily-perceived motions of hello request I am coming towards you, followed by the enaction of the promise by stepping slowly towards her.
Vanya snorted and bobbed her head, picking up a hoof uneasily before setting it back down. But she didn’t back away. He came closer. Again she seemed uncertain, but again she went nowhere. The closer her grew, the slower he became, unwilling to risk her bolting; Kendi looked up and pricked her ears cheerfully towards him, and Shahar greeted her, too. The older mare’s comfort seemed to assuage Vanya’s confusion, and he was able to come just as close to her as Kendi. Still Vanya did nothing.
Slowly, carefully and gently, Shahar stretched out a hand and brushed his fingertips along the gray horse’s shoulder.
